January 27, 2008
Beloved Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, and Dear Sisters in Christ:
Christ is in our midst!
Enclosed is the January-February edition of Sophia which continues with the theme from the first two editions on prayer. Sophia is published by the NAB Religious Coordinator and is meant to supplement Diakonia, which is published by the NAB PR Coordinator. The Religious Program contains additional information for loving our God – and His Church – to the fullest.
This newest edition of Sophia highlights the importance of using prayer when we, or our loved ones, suffer from illness. It is dedicated to the memories of all those Antiochian Women who have passed into the Heavenly Kingdom, especially our most recently departed Sisters in Christ, Pauline Maloof, Elinor Bourjaily, and Lillian Khouri. I have also included an announcement about the upcoming retreat sponsored by the Antiochian Women of the East, as well as listing the women saints and feast days for the months of January and February.
To date, there are over 100 women saints and feasts on the www.antiochian.org/women website - with more to come! The site is eventually meant to be the “go to” reference for Orthodox Women Saints.
Also, I would urge each of the Diocesan Presidents, Religious Coordinators, or Spiritual Advisors to contact me to let me know about upcoming retreats or other events that are beneficial to the women of the Archdiocese. Perhaps the next edition of Sophia could be entirely devoted to these activities and would give sufficient time for other women throughout the Archdiocese to participate.
As always, I pray that the enclosed materials help each of you in gaining knowledge about our magnificent faith.
Yours in Christ,
Dianne O’Regan, Religious Coordinator
4808 Ulrich Road
Louisville, KY 40299-1037
North American Board
HOW TO USE THE NAB RELIGIOUS PROGRAM
The goal of Antiochian Women everywhere should be to continually strive for spiritual growth – in their churches, homes, workplaces, and leisure activities.
It is recommended that these programs be sent to each Chapter President (either via the Diocesan President or Diocesan Religious Coordinator) so they can be used on the local levels – either in a group or individually. Many women may feel more comfortable in a private setting rather than in a large group.
The NAB Religious Program will also be placed on the Antiochian Archdiocese’s website under www.antiochian.org/women.
If these religious programs are used in a group setting, the following activities are recommended:
1. Lectures – The women’s organization should invite their priest or a lay person to attend their meeting. Present them with a topic – suggested either by the NAB or from the local women – in order for them to prepare. Clergy may address women’s prayer lives, while lay persons can speak on a number of social/welfare issues (counseling services, right to life issues, etc.).
2. Retreats – These events may be held one or more times throughout the year depending on the size of the parish. The retreat may be held at an off-site location (monastery, conference facility), or on the church grounds over the course of a weekend. Topics should be chosen that meet the needs of the women (again, either via the NAB or suggestions from the local chapter).
3. Discussion Groups – These groups may be informal and based either on the NAB’s suggestions or ones of the local women’s choosing.
Feel free to discuss:
The lives of Women Saints and the importance of their works
Establishing a prayer life in the home
Bible passages relating to women
Feast days relating to the Theotokos
A “discussion group” may also include an “Orthodox Book Club” (where both wives and their husbands are invited).
Abbreviations for Titles of Women Saints
B
Blessed
BV
Blessed Virgin
GM
Great Martyr
HR
Holy Righteous
M
Martyr
NM
New Martyr
R
Righteous
RB
Right Believing
V
Virgin
VM
Virgin Martyr
WM
Woman Martyr
Download the March-April 2008 Sophia Newsletter.
Download the January-February 2008 Sophia Newsletter.
Download the November-December 2007 Sophia Newsletter.
Download the September-October 2007 Sophia Newsletter.