"Beloved,
if God so loved us,
We also ought to love one another"
... St. Peter's First Universal Letter
Archpastoral Message of His
Beatitude,
Metropolitan Herman for the 2006 Mission Appeal
February 1, 2006
Dearly Beloved in Christ:
Reflecting upon the life of Saint
Herman of Alaska, we observe how impressive his accomplishments truly were,
especially in light of the harsh external conditions under which he labored.
Although today we live in a world far different from his and possess many
technologies and resources that are designed specifically to assist us, we
also face our own challenges and distractions in witnessing to the Orthodox
Faith.
Despite the unique challenges we face
at the beginning of this century, I truly believe that the Holy Spirit is
guiding our willingness to continue the work of Saint Herman and our efforts
in the proclamation of the Gospel to all peoples throughout North America.
When I see the joyous commitment to Christ and His Holy Church in the older
established parishes and in the dozens of new parish communities being
planted across North America, I know that our efforts are not in vain.
I remain greatly encouraged by the
dedication of so many of our clergy and faithful to the work of
evangelization. This commitment was highlighted at the 14th All-American
Council, held last July in Toronto, where one of the best-received,
most-supported and discussed “pillars” of the Council was evangelization,
reflecting how committed our Church is to this ongoing work of announcing
the fullness of the Gospel to the peoples of North America.
As sharers in the Church’s mission, we
ask Saint Herman to intercede for us and to continue to bless our evangelic
labors which take place, as they do, in so many ways. I encourage you to
invite your friends and neighbors to experience the richness and fullness of
Orthodox Christianity. Welcome guests into your community as you would
welcome Christ Himself. Reach out to those in need, especially to those who
have nowhere else to turn in adversity. Willingly share your faith with any
and all who will listen.
In addition to these simple forms of
evangelization comes the opportunity and responsibility to provide financial
assistance and support to the work of the Church through the annual Mission
Appeal. This year, the proceeds from this annual appeal will benefit the
five mission communities that have been designated as recipients of Church
Planting Grants. These five mission communities, listed within this
brochure, will be assisted in their first days as Orthodox Christian
communities by your generous response to the 2006 Mission Appeal. Many other
newly established missions are also in need of such support. Should the
response to this year’s appeal be as generous as is hoped, a sixth mission
will also be designated as a participant in the Church Planting Grant
program. Please be aware, however, that it is only through your generosity
that the Church can provide the necessary financial support to strengthen
and expand such efforts.
In the midst of today’s society and
the opposition and obstacles with which it confronts us, our efforts in
proclaiming the Gospel may sometimes appear to be hindered. However, we
cannot allow ourselves to become discouraged. Instead, if we remember how
the Lord helped Saint Herman overcome innumerable obstacles as he worked to
bring the Gospel to the native peoples of Alaska, we can trust that He will
also bless us as we continue the legacy of evangelization which has been
entrusted to us.
Thanking you in advance for your gift
to the annual Mission Appeal, I remain
With love in Christ,
+ HERMAN
Archbishop of Washington and New York
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Orthodox Radio
February 2006 Program Schedule for "Come
Receive the Light" Orthodox Radio Network
02/04/2006 Topic: Walking the Bible
Guest: Bruce Feiler
Walking the Bible is Bruce Feiler's engrossing
10,000-mile journey and archaeological odyssey through the Holy Land. In
engaging and lucid prose, Feiler continually reflects on how the geography
of the land affects the narrative of the Bible, and pointedly wonders
whether the Bible is just an abstraction, or a living, breathing entity. Be
sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Bruce about this
incredible spiritual and physical journey and find out why Bruce says, "Some
journeys we choose to go on, some journeys choose us".
02/11/2006 Topic: Light from the North
Guest: Fr. Chad Hatfield, D. Min
The first Orthodox Christian missionaries came to
America from Russia through Alaska. In honor and remembrance of the
missionaries, the St. Herman Seminary was established in Kodiak with fifteen
full time students and two part time. Be sure to join us as we speak with
Dean, Fr. Chad Hatfield about the history, the challenges and the triumphs
of the St. Herman Seminary.
02/18/2006 Topic: God: Loving Father or Absentee
Landlord?
Guest: David Bentley Hart
Because of the various natural disasters,
especially last year’s tsunami in Indonesia, David Bentley Hart, prolific
writer was asked to author a book on the Tsunami. What resulted was The
Doors of the Sea, Where Was God in the Tsunami?; where Hart provides a
Christian perspective on the overall existence of God in these difficult
times. Be sure to join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Hart about an
incredibly important subject that has caused heated discussions among many
Christian
02/25/2006 Topic: Finding My Heart’s true Home:
An African American’s Story
Guest: Fr. Moses Berry
In search of something familiar to his soul, Fr.
Moses Berry chanced upon the Orthodox faith and instantly knew he was home.
Join Fr. Chris and Emmy as they speak with Fr. Moses about his incredible
journey to Orthodoxy; and how his family history helps to provide a bridge
in understanding our common struggles.
Subscribe to the Come Receive The Light
e-newsletter at
www.receive.org for a weekly
inspirational message and the latest updates of upcoming programs.
For more information please contact:
Sub Deacon Nicholas Tentzeras, Booking
Director
Come Receive The Light (CRTL) The National Orthodox Christian Radio Ministry
Washington DC Office: 240-403-1185
Fax: 301-515-9234
Toll Free Phone: 1-888-211-4141
Email:
SubDeaconNicholas@receive.org
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Bishop Seraphim, Father Rentel to attend funeral of
Pope John Paul II
SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications]
— With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of the
Orthodox Church in America, His Grace, Bishop Seraphim of Ottawa and Canada
and the Rev. Alexander Rentel will represent His Beatitude and the Orthodox
Church in America at the funeral of Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter's
Basilica in Vatican City on Friday, April 8, 2005.
Bishop Seraphim will attend as vice-chair of the
OCA Department of External Affairs and Interchurch Relations. Father Rentel,
a department member, is assistant professor of canon law and Byzantine
studies at Saint Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, NY.
Bishop Seraphim and Father Rentel will be welcomed by the Pontifical Council
for Promoting Christian Unity.
Upon learning of the Pope's death on Saturday, April 2, Metropolitan Herman
immediately sent condolences to the
Vatican.
