A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
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| Volume 6 Number 46 - Tuesday, November 16th, 2004 |
A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY |
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The Orthodox Christian Laity
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The Orthodox Christian News Service |
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The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL - Fr. Martin Ritsi, OCMC Executive Director, recently traveled to Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda in Africa and returned with a hearty Asanti Sana (thank you in Kiswahili) from Orthodox hierarchs, priests and their parishes. They said Asanti Sana to the Mission Center for the churches that were built, for the clinics that are supported, for the short-term Mission Teams and the long-term Missionaries who have helped them grow over the last 20 years. A special Asanti Sana went to those who support OCMCs Support A Mission Priest (SAMP) program. Two thirds of the total number of priests supported by the SAMP program are found in these four African countries. Their sacrificial life often takes them from community to community as they offer our Holy Orthodox faith to people who hunger and thirst for Christ and the truth of Orthodoxy. Some of the clergy travel by bicycle, on foot and by bus to numerous parishes and only return home every few weeks. Their commitment to spreading Orthodox Christianity with Apostolic zeal and fervor is an example to us. As they travel to catechize, offer the sacraments, and encourage the faithful, they stay in the homes of the faithful. Life is very harsh, due to the wide-spread poverty and lack of medical care. The average life span is less than 50 years old. The steady hand of SAMP makes it possible for 269 clergy in 16 countries in Africa and Southeast Asia to dedicate themselves to their ministry of traveling and teaching because the financial assistance allows them to focus completely on the needs of their communities. SAMP offers a display of solidarity and a visible expression of love and concern to our Orthodox brothers and sisters around the world. To learn more about the SAMP program visit http://www.ocmc.org/samp.php The Orthodox Christian Mission Center: Helping Orthodox Christians respond to Christ's call to preach, teach, baptize, minister to the poor and make disciples of all nations as the official international mission agency of SCOBA.
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