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Published by the
Orthodox Church
in America,
September 12, 2005
SCOBA proclaims September
18th "College Student Sunday" |
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NEW YORK, NY [OCA Communications/SCOBA]
— His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, Primate of
the Orthodox Church in America, was among the
hierarchs who signed a letter encouraging the
faithful of all Orthodox Christian parishes to
especially recognize the important role played
by colleges students in the life of the Church.
The text of the letter reads as follows.
“The psalmist proclaims the wisdom of God, and
praises the result of His work, having learned
that guidance and protection comes only from Him
who is the source of all blessings. We join the
psalmist in giving thanks for the wondrous works
that have been bestowed upon our faithful in
America, and especially for the rich blessings
bestowed upon the work of the
Orthodox Christian Fellowship [OCF], the
campus ministry agency of our
Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox
Bishops in the Americas [SCOBA].
“Having its' roots in the mid 1960s, the OCF
restarted its activities only a few years ago.
Much growth has been recorded. Students studying
on college campuses across the country now have
an immediate support system, either through the
over 200 local OCF chapters or directly from the
national OCF office. This fall, the OCF office,
once again, anticipates numerous calls
requesting assistance in establishing OCF
chapters. Helping to fulfill the spiritual needs
of our college students, brings great
satisfaction to all the clergy and laity who are
able to assist us in this ministry.
“We give glory to our Lord as we see our college
students graduating and becoming strong Orthodox
Christians in parishes across the country. We
realize, however that our work is not finished.
There are tens of thousands of Orthodox college
students, and it is imperative that we reach as
many as possible.
“This academic year the National OCF will launch
new programs: an online discussion venue,
training for campus ministers, and The Connect
Kit—a collection of resources to keep students
connected to their Orthodox Christian faith. The
already successful programs of College Student
Conferences, Real Break, the Basil Leaf
newsletter, and others will continue with new
energy. We are pleased that our National OCF
staff will be expanded, with the addition of a
third person to serve our students and assist
our clergy.
“As we praise our Lord for the blessings we have
already experienced, we ask Him to continue to
bestow His care upon the OCF ministry. On this
College Student Sunday, we encourage our
parishes, clergy and laity, to prayerfully
support the ministry of the OCF through their
financial stewardship to this worthy endeavor.
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the
love of God the Father, and the communion of the
Holy Spirit be with you always.”
Also singing the letter were His Eminence,
Archbishop Demetrios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
of America, SCOBA chairman; His Eminence,
Metropolitan Philip, Antiochian Orthodox
Christian Archdiocese of North America, SCOBA
vice chairman; His Eminence, Metropolitan
Christopher, Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA
and Canada, SCOBA secretary; His Eminence,
Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, Carpatho-Russian
Orthodox Diocese, SCOBA treasurer; His Eminence,
Metropolitan Constantine, Ukrainian Othodox
Church in the USA; His Eminence, Archbishop
Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in
America and Canada; and His Eminence,
Metropolitan Joseph, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox
Church.
For further information on campus ministries,
visit the OCF web site at
www.ocf.net.
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