Latest News and Articles
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.
Marriage: Society's View vs. Reality
Jesus answered, “Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Mt. 19:4–6).
Today, a marriage has a 50/50 chance of surviving intact. Many think it’s unnecessary: “Why do I need a piece of paper to prove I love this person?” is a common question. In many instances the old rhyme, “first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes junior in a baby carriage,” has been shuffled around: First comes love (lust), then comes junior in the baby carriage, then comes marriage . . . maybe. As much as anything else, this confused behavior comes from a complete misunderstanding of marriage.
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.
President Calls for Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage
Click here to read the complete text of Federal Marriage Amendment - H.J. Res 56
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
February 24, 2004
Remarks by the President
The Roosevelt Room
10:43 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Eight years ago, Congress passed, and President Clinton signed, the Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage for purposes of federal law as the legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.
The Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 342 to 67, and the Senate by a vote of 85 to 14. Those congressional votes and the passage of similar defensive marriage laws in 38 states express an overwhelming consensus in our country for protecting the institution of marriage.
In recent months, however, some activist judges and local officials have made an aggressive attempt to redefine marriage. In Massachusetts, four judges on the highest court have indicated they will order the issuance of marriage licenses to applicants of the same gender in May of this year. In San Francisco, city officials have issued thousands of marriage licenses to people of the same gender, contrary to the California family code. That code, which clearly defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman, was approved overwhelmingly by the voters of California. A county in New Mexico has also issued marriage licenses to applicants of the same gender. And unless action is taken, we can expect more arbitrary court decisions, more litigation, more defiance of the law by local officials, all of which adds to uncertainty.
Smart Parenting XIV. Talking To Children About Same-Sex "Marriage"
By Fr. George Morelli
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, serve the Lord (Romans 12: 9,11).
Introduction
2008 Oratorical Festival Winner: Cameron Robert Close
On September 14, 1980, my parents tied the knot — they got married. They stood before the altar and made the ultimate promise — to become ONE in the Orthodox Church. How they came to this decision, however, I will forever be uncertain: you see, my parents are exact opposites. My mom is quiet and reserved, and my dad is louder and outgoing. My mom is a true homebody, and my dad has an unquenchable itch to travel. And when it comes to seasons, my dad prefers the heat of the hot summer sun, while my mom excitedly anticipates the cool crisp air of autumn.
Despite all of these differences, though, I can attest that you will not find a more perfect couple. I have heard their story over and over again. From their senior prom date to their wedding day, one thing is certain; my parents truly were meant to be together. One phrase has been used time and time again to describe my parents: “Made for each other.”
This phrase seems quite simple, as the whole they create is so much larger and stronger than each of them is individually. My parents have built a firm foundation in their marriage, which allows our family to flourish. But does this commonly used phrase, “made for each other” mean something more?