News

This September and October, St. Vladimir's Seminary extends a cordial invitation to the broader Orthodox community, to join their staff and student body on their Crestwood, NY campus for two important events. 

First, on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, September 14, 2010, St. Vladimir’s Seminary will bestow the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa on Professor Christos Yannaras, a leading Greek Orthodox ethicist. Professor Yannaras has authored more than a dozen books on ethics, theology, and modern religious philosophy, including one by St. Vladimir's Seminary Press titled The Freedom of Morality.

At the academic convocation during which the honorary degree will be bestowed, Professor Yannaras will present a free and public lecture, “The Trinity and Freedom,” and an open reception will follow. The event will begin with Vespers in Three Hierarchs Chapel at 6 p.m., and the convocation will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Metropolitan Philip Auditorium of the John G. Rangos Family Building.

Several weeks later, visitors may attend the Seminary's annual Orthodox Education Day on Saturday, October 2, 2010. Fr. Michael Oleksa, an expert in Alaska Native history, will deliver the keynote introducing this year’s theme, “Many Cultures, One Faith.”

The seminary campus will be transformed into a global community filled with the sights, sounds, aromas, and tastes of many lands. Highlights of the day will include an exquisite 12th–15th-century icon and Syriac artifact display from Antiochian Heritage Museum, music and folk dance groups from the boroughs of New York City, and ethnic dishes and delicacies.

Notice has been received this morning from the Patriarchal Office in Damascus of the falling asleep in Christ of His Grace Bishop Dimitri Ilyan Al-Hosni following a long illness.  As a priest His Grace had served at the Patriarchate in Damascus and as a bishop in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

May his memory be eternal!

2010 Parish Council Symposium
November 4-7, 2010
Antiochian Village Heritage and Learning Center

Beginning Thursday evening, November 4, and continuing through Saturday evening, November 6, sessions will be presented on two important topics …

• What can be done to enhance member giving in Antiochian parishes and missions?

• What can enhance the effectiveness of parish councils in Antiochian Parishes?

This Symposium is being sponsored by the Department of Stewardship.  The presentations during the Symposium will be based on the following documents:

• A Fifty-Two Week Member Giving Campaign
• A Parish Council Guidebook

Presentations will be facilitated by members of Antiochian Archdiocese parishes who are actively involved in these two aspects of parish life.

"The Syrian Colony, Washington Street " by W. BengoughMatthew Namee, at OrthodoxHistory.org, has posted an alert to a recent New York Times article about an early Syrian American presence in Manhattan, not far from what became the site for the World Trade Center. While it was eventually displaced by the construction of entrance ramps to the Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel, the once thriving community called little Syria, hosted three churches. Notes Namee, "...while the article doesn’t directly discuss Orthodoxy, it talks about the very same community into which St. Raphael came in 1895, and which included the first Antiochian parish on the continent." 

“Come, let us go up the mountain of the Lord, that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths.” Micah 4.2

Even as the Summer approaches and we get in gear for fun in the sun and vacations, it is not too early to think about our strategic planning for Fall of 2010 when we prepare our homes for the winter months, shop for the holidays, and attend to secular year-end business.  September 1st is the beginning of our Liturgical Year and a good time to get our houses in good spiritual order.  Why not Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?

The Convent of St. Thekla invites the faithful to the St. Thekla Pilgrimage from September 24-26, 2010 for a weekend of prayer, workshops and fellowship at the Antiochian Village. This year’s theme is “Ascending the Mountain: It’s a Family Road Trip.”  Our Presiding Hierarch, Bishop THOMAS, of the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic will present a reflection on our theme after Great Vespers on Saturday and Mother Alexandra, Abbess of the Convent of St. Thekla, will offer two talks on the theme on Saturday.  The workshops will include: “Confession: Setting and Resetting the Course,” “The Eucharist: What’s in Your Lunchbox?” “Holy Unction: First Aid and Urgent Care,” and a book discussion.  By popular demand, there will also be a question and answer session with Bishop THOMAS and Mother Alexandra, discussion groups, and time to enjoy the grounds of the Antiochian Village. 

See the Antiochian Village web site or contact the office at the Antiochian Village (724-238-3677) for more information.

The Order has published their Statement of Budgeted Project Contributions, for the fiscal years ending January 31, 2011 and 2012. The document is available as a PDF file at Projects Supported by the Order. The Order's Statement budgets for total project contributions of $1,419,000 in 2011 and $1,233,000 in 2012.

August 25, 2010

Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) began providing emergency supplies this week to people affected by fires in the Ryazan region of Central Russia. The response was made possible through a $5,000 gift from the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) and a $25,000 matching grant from the John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation.

Aid to the region southeast of Moscow will reach 640 people and includes personal hygiene kits, blankets, towels and bed linens. The relief is being provided in cooperation with the Russian Orthodox Church and the Russian Round Table, an ecumenical forum for social service in Russia.

The grant from the John G. Rangos Sr. Family Charitable Foundation will support IOCC's aid projects in Russia by creating a matching gift program. The Foundation will match every dollar contributed to IOCC for relief projects in Russia up to $25,000. Rangos, a founder of IOCC, was instrumental in one of IOCC's first humanitarian missions – an airlift of relief supplies and medicines to Russia in 1992.

In addition to the gift from the Orthodox Church in America, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah called upon parishes to provide support for the relief efforts. "I am also asking that members of the Orthodox Church in America offer financial assistance through IOCC, which will convey our donations to the appropriate Church partners and Church programs in Russia."

"We are grateful for the generous response of the Orthodox Church in America and John Rangos in response to the current urgent needs in Russia," said Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC Executive Director. "Their steadfast support for our work with the Russian Orthodox Church since the earliest days of IOCC continues to make a difference for those who are suffering."

Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville-Chicago

Chicago, IL - On Wednesday, August 18, 2010, on the eve of the feast of the Transfiguration of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (Old Calendar), His Eminence +Christopher, Metropolitan of Libertyville-Chicago, fell asleep in the Lord. 

Funeral arrangements are forthcoming. Updates may be obtained from the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Eastern America website here.

May his memory be eternal! Вечнаја памјат!

From the Holy Resurrection Cathedral web site:

Born in Galveston, Texas, and baptized Velimir Kovacevich, the future Metropolitan Christopher was the ninth of twelve children of Serbian immigrant parents. After graduation from high school, he attended Nashotah House and graduated from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Libertyville, Illinois. After marriage, he was ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood. Continuing his education, he earned a B.A. (Philosophy), Master of Letters (History) at the University of Pittsburgh; the Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and completed courses and examinations for the doctorate at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

The Administrative Office of the Diocese of Charleston writes:

Beloved in Christ,

May God be with you always.

The diocesan office of the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, and the Mid-Atlantic is announcing that Bishop THOMAS has been invited as a guest of a group that will be making a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His Eminence Metropolitan PHILIP has kindly given his blessing for Bishop THOMAS to make this pilgrimage. The tentative dates for this trip are the first twelve days of June in 2011. Final dates have not been set yet and may vary by a few days earlier or later. The dates will be finalized after the Antiochian Archdiocese announces its dates for the Spring Local Synod Meeting and Board of Trustees Meeting.

This trip is being led by Fr. Ilya Gotlinsky of the Orthodox Church in America in Binghamton, NY. It's our understanding that some people have been approaching Bishop THOMAS about the possibility of joining him on a trip to the Holy Land. This trip is open to you if you choose to accept the invitation. All information regarding location, visitation, fares, etc. are available through Fr. Ilya, whose contact information follows. Please only contact Fr. Ilya. Neither Bishop THOMAS nor the diocesan office will be accepting inquiries about the trip.

August 12, 2010 Baltimore, MD (IOCC) — Experiencing the worst heat wave in Russia since record-keeping began more than 130 years ago, the Russian people have been suffering from uninterrupted high temperatures for the past 50 days and deteriorating air quality as a result of more than 500 active fires burning nationwide. News agencies have reported that more than 50 people have died so far from the fires and an estimated 5,000 others have died as a result of the heat and poor air quality in Western Russia.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), in consultation with the Orthodox Church in America, is working with its partners in the Russian Orthodox Church to formulate an appropriate IOCC response to this latest humanitarian crisis.

Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC Executive Director, expressed his concern at the situation, stating, "We pray for those who have died. Our thoughts and prayers go out to those mourning the loss of loved ones. We are also steadfast in our prayers for all who have been affected by the wildfires."

In addition to the immediate concern for the loss of life, it is estimated that approximately one third of Russia's wheat crop has burned. One of the world's largest exporters of wheat, Russia has suspended its wheat exports.

Prayers are requested for Salem Ghareeb, who recently reposed at age 90. He is survived by his wife Nabiha Ghareeb and children, Issam (Carol), Michel (Gail), Nouhad (Fr. George) Shalhoub, George (Nabelah) and Elias, ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Salem’s greatest virtue was his strong faith in Christ and His Holy Church. He was a great father and a wonderful and loving grandfather. He was the living patriarch of the Ghareeb family. A life time member of St. George Cathedral, Salem was a great painter, enjoyed gardening, reading and woodworking.

He will be greatly missed.

Salem will lie-in-state at St. George Cathedral, 3754 Woodley Rd. in Toledo on Thursday, August 12th from 5-8pm. The Trisaigion Prayer Service will begin at 8pm. On Friday, August 13th, Salem will lie-in-state at St. George Cathedral from 10-11am. The Funeral Liturgy will begin at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to:

St. George Cathedral
3754 Woodley Rd.
Toledo, OH 43606

The Basilica of St. Mary
18100 Merriman Rd.
Livonia, MI 48152

Hospice of Northwest Ohio
800 S. Detroit Ave.
Toledo, OH 43609

Condolences may be sent to:

• Issam Ghareeb – ghareebissam@sbcglobal.net
• Michel Ghareeb – mgtv53@aol.com
• George Ghareeb – gsghareeb@sbcglobal.net
• Fr. George and Nouhad Shalhoub – fgshalhoub@hotmail.com
• Elias Gharib – egharib05@yahoo.com

May his memory be eternal!

by Dr. Sebastian Brock
(Oxford University, UK)

In 2006 a new charity, named ‘Antioch’, was set up and registered with the aim of promoting research on the cultural heritage of the Rum Orthodox (Chalcedonian) Patriarchate of Antioch. Although the early period, up to the time of the Arab conquests, is comparatively well known, the subsequent centuries have been very little studied, despite their importance, both for the history of the Orthodox Church as a whole, and for that of the Middle East in general. Discoveries in recent years of medieval wall paintings in Syria and Lebanon, as well as of hitherto unknown manuscripts, forgotten saints, and the identification of new Christian archaeological sites, are just one indication of some of the new and unexpected aspects that are coming to light. At present, however, ‘Antioch’ is concentrating its attention on the very large number of manuscripts of Antiochian Orthodox provenance, written in four different languages, Greek, Syriac, Christian Palestinian Aramaic and Arabic. At the end of many of these, the copyist has provided a colophon with notes stating where, when and for whom the manuscript was written; quite often, further information of a historical or topographical nature is also given. Work on these manuscripts has already brought to light a forgotten saint, besides providing a lot of new and valuable historical information. Once all this information has been collected together, it will make it possible to write a much more authoritative and reliable history of the Rum Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch than is at present available.