Marriage and Parish Family Ministries
Marriage and Parish Family Ministries cares for the wellbeing of marriages and families of the Antiochian Archdiocese through Orthodox Christian teaching and resources. This department offers an ever-expanding network of Orthodox materials to assist the healthy development and maintenance of Christ-centered marriages and families. Orthodox Christian professionals and laity are available through this department to assist individuals and families facing difficulties.
Marriage and Parish Family Ministries works to see that the Antiochian Archdiocese is meeting the needs of its married parishioners and those preparing for marriage. Pre-marital counseling, marriage enrichment, establishing an Orthodox Christian home, challenged marriages, parenting skills for all ages, as well as bereavement, communication, and conflict resolution skills, are all within the scope of issues addressed by this department.
Contact:
Department of Marriage & Parish Family Ministries
Kh. Maggie Hock, Director
15225 Corby Cir.
Omaha, NE 68116-7130
402.445.0150/office
maggiehock@aol.com
Reconciling Our Most Intimate Relationships
By Kh. Maggie Hock M.A., M.S., LMHP
Jesus answering the Pharisees said: "For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. Consequently they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate." (Matthew 19: 5,6)
The marriage relationship between a man and a woman is a gift from God. The grace to walk in that gift comes with the blessing of the Sacrament of Marriage. It is here that the priest and the attending community offer many intercessions for the longevity and fruitfulness of the union. If marriage is our chosen path to salvation, we need to understand that we have vowed together to help both our spouse and ourselves attain this eternal state. Therefore, our task as a married person is to learn how to apply that grace and blessing throughout our marriage, through the ups and downs, the joys and sorrows, the hopes and disappointments. For what marriage doesn't experience these emotions? What happens, then, when the marriage is suffering? Where do we find hope for reconciliation and reconnection to the grace that God offers?
First it's important to go back to where the marriage began- by standing before God asking for His forgiveness and blessing. By searching our hearts we may find where we have separated ourselves from His plan for our marriage. Many couples who have strained relations have found that their expectations have not been clearly articulated to each other. Perhaps assumptions were made about the married lifestyle without clear communication and therefore the couple does not have a shared vision for the relationship. Some may find that their expectations were full of worldly pursuits that did not honor God or each other. Still others may discover that they have not modeled Christ's example of servanthood and obedience.
Training Up a Child: Educational Options for Orthodox Christians
by the Right Reverend THOMAS (Joseph), Ed.D., Bishop of Charleston, Oakland and the Mid-Atlantic
My son Timothy, you have observed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, my sufferings, what befell me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra, what persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. Indeed all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceivers and deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:10-15, RSV)
We read in this passage from St. Paul’s second epistle to St. Timothy, his child in the faith, that he puts great weight on Timothy having observed his teaching, his conduct, his aim in life, his faith, patience, love, steadfastness, persecutions and sufferings. St. Paul is also quite adamant that Timothy continue in what he has learned and has firmly believed from his childhood. The assumption here is that Timothy has been acquainted with the sacred writings—that is, the Holy Scriptures—for the purpose and benefit of his salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Antiochian Village Offers Pan-Orthodox Marriage Retreat
February 27-March 1st
The weekend retreat leader will be Fr. Charles Joanides, Orthodox priest and Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist. Fr. Charles has a Ph.D. in Family Studies, has authored several books on marriage, and maintains a small private practice in addition to serving as pastor of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Newburgh , NY.
Click here to download a printable brochure and registration form (PDF).
For more information and a detailed schedule, visit the Antiochian Village web site.
Listen to a discussion about the retreat with Fr. Charles Joanides on Ancient Faith Radio.
Fight the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA)
What is the Freedom of Choice Act and how will it affect Orthodox family values? A majority of Americans oppose this Act but it is due to be signed into law this month if we do not act to contact our representatives in Congress and the Senate to let them know our opposition. The Orthodox Faith has always protected the sanctity of human life and opposed abortion. Now is the time to make your voice heard in Washington. Please visit the Fight FOCA web site today to learn more and take action!
The Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA) would eliminate every restriction on abortion regardless of previous States' rulings.
- FOCA will do away with state laws on parental involvement, on partial birth abortion, and on all other protections. Parents will lose their influence on their minor children's reproductive rights.
- FOCA will compel taxpayer funding of abortions without regard for moral beliefs and objections.
- FOCA will force faith-based hospitals and healthcare facilities to perform abortions. It will also require the disposal and dismemberment of live abortions regardless of the health care team member's religious, moral or ethical convictions.
- FOCA will prevent the States from enacting future protective legislation for the unborn.
The Orthodox Faith has always protected the sanctity of human life and opposed abortion. You have the opportunity to vote your conscience by going to this web site http://www.fightfoca.com/ and sign the petition opposing this Federal Act. You will also need to contact your elected representatives in your region to register your opinion in order to influence their vote. It only takes 50 letters or 10 phone calls to a representative to make a difference in a vote. You may reach your Representatives and Senators at 202-224-3121.
To keep in touch with this Act and many others that threaten traditional family values, go to the American Family Association web site at www.afa.net.
California Orthodox Bishops Issue Statement on Proposition 8
A Statement of the
Orthodox Christian Bishops of California
in support of Proposition 8:
A Constitutional Amendment to Restore the Definition of Marriage
The decision of the California Supreme Court on May 15, 2008, unilaterally redefines the sacred institution of marriage in a manner unprecedented in human history — and alien to our Christian tradition. We, the Orthodox Christian bishops of California, were saddened by this decision which constitutes a direct attack upon the longstanding role and freedom of religion in American life. A majority of the justices declared not only that same-sex couplings must be allowed to exist at those couples’ discretion as “marriages,” but that the state of California is forbidden to refer to these couplings as anything but “marriages.”
Orthodox Christianity holds in high regard the God-ordained institution of marriage and the family. The Orthodox Church must and shall remain true to its faith and tradition, and affirm that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, given by God to one another for mutual support, encouragement, love and the ability to bear children.
Department of Marriage and Family News Archive
