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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2017-05-14
Bulletin Contents
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St. John The Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • (817) 283-2291
  • Fax:
  • (817) 545-0302
  • Street Address:

  • 303 Cullum Drive

  • Euless, TX 76040


Contact Information





Services Schedule

Small Paraklesis - Wednesday 6:00PM

Great Vespers - Saturday 5:00PM

Matins - Sunday 8:30AM

Divine Liturgy - Sunday 9:30 AM

Confessions - Saturday after Vespers or upon request


Past Bulletins


Hymns of the Day

Apolytikion of Great and Holy Pascha in the Plagal First Mode

Christ is risen from the dead, by death, trampling down upon death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life.

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Fourth Mode

Having learned the joyful proclamation of the Resurrection from the Angel, and having cast off the ancestral condemnation, the women disciples of the Lord spake to the Apostles exultantly: Death is despoiled and Christ God is risen, granting great mercy to the world.

Apolytikion for Mid-Pentecost in the Plagal Fourth Mode

At Mid-feast give Thou my thirsty soul to drink of the waters of piety; for Thou, O Saviour, didst cry out to all: Whosoever is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Wherefore, O Well-spring of life, Christ our God, glory be to Thee.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Plagal Fourth Mode

Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrh-bearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.
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Saints and Feasts

Jcsamwom
May 14

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman

One of the most ancient cities of the Promised Land was Shechem, also called Sikima, located at the foot of Mount Gerazim. There the Israelites had heard the blessings in the days of Moses and Jesus of Navi. Near to this town, Jacob, who had come from Mesopotamia in the nineteenth century before Christ, bought a piece of land where there was a well. This well, preserved even until the time of Christ, was known as Jacob's Well. Later, before he died in Egypt, he left that piece of land as a special inheritance to his son Joseph (Gen. 49:22). This town, before it was taken into possession by Samaria, was also the leading city of the kingdom of the ten tribes. In the time of the Romans it was called Neapolis, and at present Nablus. It was the first city in Canaan visited by the Patriarch Abraham. Here also, Jesus of Navi (Joshua) addressed the tribes of Israel for the last time. Almost three hundred years later, all Israel assembled there to make Roboam (Rehoboam) king.

When our Lord Jesus Christ, then, came at midday to this city, which is also called Sychar (John 4:5), He was wearied from the journey and the heat, and He sat down at this well. After a little while the Samaritan woman mentioned in today's Gospel passage came to draw water. As she conversed at some length with the Lord and heard from Him secret things concerning herself, she believed in Him; through her many other Samaritans also believed.

Concerning the Samaritans we know the following: In the year 721 before Christ, Salmanasar (Shalmaneser), King of the Assyrians, took the ten tribes of the kingdom of Israel into captivity, and relocated all these people to Babylon and the land of the Medes. From there he gathered various nations and sent them to Samaria. These nations had been idolaters from before. Although they were later instructed in the Jewish faith and believed in the one God, they worshipped the idols also. Furthermore, they accepted only the Pentateuch of Moses, and rejected the other books of Holy Scripture. Nonetheless, they thought themselves to be descendants of Abraham and Jacob. Therefore, the pious Jews named these Judaizing and idolatrous peoples Samaritans, since they lived in Samaria, the former leading city of the Israelites, as well as in the other towns thereabout. The Jews rejected them as heathen and foreigners, and had no communion with them at all, as the Samaritan woman observed, "the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans" (John 4:9). Therefore, the name Samaritan is used derisively many times in the Gospel narrations. After the Ascension of the Lord, and the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, the woman of Samaria was baptized by the holy Apostles and became a great preacher and Martyr of Christ; she was called Photine, and her feast is kept on February 26.


Achilles
May 15

Achillius the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Larissa

Saint Achillius was one of the 318 God-bearing Fathers who were present at the First Ecumenical Council; after returning to Larissa he cast down many pagan temples, delivered many from the demons, and raised up churches to the glory of God. He reposed about the middle of the fourth century.


Pachomiusdavidthess
May 15

Pachomius the Great

Saint Pachomius was born of pagan parents in the Upper Thebaid of Egypt. He was conscripted into the Roman army at an early age. While quartered with the other soldiers in the prison in Thebes, Pachomius was astonished at the kindness shown them by the local Christians, who relieved their distress by bringing them food and drink. Upon inquiring who they were, he believed in Christ and vowed that once delivered from the army, he would serve Him all the days of his life. Released from military service, about the year 313, he was baptized, and became a disciple of the hermit Palamon, under whose exacting guidance he increased in virtue and grace, and reached such a height of holiness that "because of the purity of his heart," says his biographer, "he was, as it were, seeing the invisible God as in a mirror." His renown spread far, and so many came to him to be his disciples that he founded nine monasteries in all, filled with many thousands of monks, to whom he gave a rule of life, which became the pattern for all communal monasticism after him. While Saint Anthony the Great is the father of hermits, Saint Pachomius is the founder of the cenobitic life in Egypt; because Pachomius had founded a way of monasticism accessible to so many, Anthony said that he "walks the way of the Apostles." Saint Pachomius fell asleep in the Lord before his contemporaries Anthony and Athanasius the Great, in the year 346. His name in Coptic, Pachom, means "eagle."


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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Matins Gospel Reading

Seventh Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from John 20:1-10

At that time, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran, and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him." Peter then came out with the other disciple, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes.


Epistle Reading

Prokeimenon. Fourth Mode. Psalm 103.24,1.
O Lord, how manifold are your works. You have made all things in wisdom.
Verse: Bless the Lord, O my soul.

The reading is from Acts of the Apostles 11:19-30.

IN THOSE DAYS, those apostles who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to none except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number that believed turned to the Lord. News of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad; and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose; for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a large company was added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul; and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church, and taught a large company of people; and in Antioch the disciples were for the first time called Christians. Now in these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabos stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world; and this took place in the days of Claudius. And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea, and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul.


Gospel Reading

Sunday of the Samaritan Woman
The Reading is from John 4:5-42

At that time, Jesus came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey, sat down beside the well. It was about the sixth hour.

There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, "How is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?" For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." The woman said to him, "Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep; where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well, and drank from it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst; the water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw."

Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband; this you said truly." The woman said to him, "Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain; and you say that Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to him, "I know that the Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ); when he comes, he will show us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am he."

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but none said, "What do you wish?" or, "Why are you talking with her?" So the woman left her water jar, and went away into the city and said to the people, "Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?" They went out of the city and were coming to him.

Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying "Rabbi, eat." But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has anyone brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest'? I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor."

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony. "He told me all that I ever did." So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, "It is no longer because of your words that we believe, for we have heard ourselves, and we know that this is indeed Christ the Savior of the world."


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Wisdom of the Fathers

THE persecution turned out to be no slight benefit as "to them that love God all things work together for good." (Rom. viii. 28.) If they had made it their express study how best to establish the Church, they would have done no other thing than this--they dispersed the teachers.[*] Mark in what quarters the preaching was extended. "They travelled," it says, "as far as Phenice and Cyprus and Antioch; to none however did they preach the word but to Jews only." Dost thou mark with what wise purposes of Providence so much was done in the case of Cornelius? This serves both to justify Christ, and to impeach the Jews. When Stephen was slain, when Paul was twice in danger, when the Apostles were scourged, then the Gentiles received the word, then the Samaritans. Which Paul also declares: "To you it was necessary that the Word of God should first be spoken; but since ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy, lo, we turn unto the Gentiles." (ch. xiii. 46.)..."And the hand of the Lord," it says, "was with them," that is, they wrought miracles; "and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord." (v. 21.) Do you mark why now also there was heed of miracles (namely) that they might believe? "Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch." (v. 22.) What may be the reason that, when such a city received the word, they did not come themselves? Because of the Jews. But they send Barnabas. However, it is no small part of the providential management even so that Paul comes to be there. It is both natural, and it is wisely ordered, that they are averse to him, and (so) that Voice of the Gospel, that Trumpet of heaven, is not shut up in Jerusalem..."And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch." (v. 26.) Verily this is the reason why it was there they were appointed to be called Christians, because Paul there spent so long time!
St. John Chrysostom
Homily 25 on Acts 11, 4th Century

The example of the good Samaritan shows that we must not abandon those in whom even the faintest amount of faith is still alive.
St. Ambrose of Milan
Two Books of St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, Concerning Repentance, Chapter 11

Here is love! Here is teaching! Here is acquiescence! Here is a model! ... Those who love they also serve. If you want to find out how great your love is towards God, then measure your obedience to the will of God, and you will immediately learn.
Bishop Nicolai Velimirovic
Prolog, 7 Sept., B #80, 706.

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Information about Holy Communion

Information about Holy Communion

Orthodox faithful are encouraged to participate regularly in the Eucharist.  Yet, for our spiritual development, we need to examine ourselves responsibly before coming in front of the Holy Chalice (I Cor. 11:28).  Please remember that Holy Communion should be received only by the Orthodox Faithful in good ecclesiastical standing that have prepared as prescribed by the Canons of the Church through fasting, prayer and regular Confession, and attend the entire Divine Liturgy.


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Calendar

  • The Weekly Calendar of St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

    May 14 to May 21, 2017

    Sunday, May 14

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM Mother's day - Memorial service and Artoklasia (blessing of the 5 loaves of bread)

    Wednesday, May 17

    6:00PM Paraklesis

    Saturday, May 20

    1:00PM Baptism Chirodea

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    Sunday, May 21

    8:30AM Orthros

    9:30AM Divine Liturgy

    11:00AM End of Sunday School - Reward Ceremony and Picnic

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Parish Activities

Inquirers/ Faith Enrichment Classes

Our catechism / faith enrichment classes came to an end on April 9, 2017. Our New Catechism class will start in September 2017, after Divine Liturgy. The program is open for non-Orthodox as well as for Orthodox Christians. Join us to learn more about the Orthodox Faith and don't forget to bring a friend. See Fr. Vasile if you like to join!


CURRENT FORERUNNER

You can read our current Forerunner here:

http://issuu.com/stjohndfw


TODAY EVENTS

Special services: Memorial service and Artoklasia (blessing of the 5 loaves of bread) for Mother’s Day

 

This Sunday’s Coffee Hour: is offered by Philoptochos

 We need volunteers to host coffee hour on:

-          June 25 (Fast: Fish, wine, oil allowed)

-          July 2 (Fast Free -1 sponsor needed)

PLEASE SIGN UP! Check the sign-up sheet in the hall or call / text Connie Rafailedes at (817) 994 – 7077!

 

STEWARDSHIP 2017 info as of 5/14/2017:

 - Goal to cover expenses:      $355,337

 - Pledged:                                $269,956

 - Short:                                    $  85,381

 - No. of stewards: 121

 

BOOKSTORE: “The Writings of Staretz Silouan. Wisdom from the Mountain Athos” by Arh. Sophrony – $15

My Pentecostarion” –Orthodox coloring book - $8

 

TODAY, AFTER SERVICE:

-          The Chi-Rho Program : in the 3rd & 4th Grade classroom..

-          Commemoration Lists Renewal.  Please fill out your new commemoration list for 2017 - 2018. Remember to write the date and your family name. You can include the names of your Spiritual Parents, God-Parents, Grand-Parents, Parents, God Children, Children and all the other relatives and friends. Only Baptismal names (or first names if non-Orthodox)!

-          Please remember to return the church’s Hearing Aids!


UPCOMING EVENTS

-          Sunday, May 21: End of Church School Year, Awards and Picnic. Parents, please bring a side dish / desert! Water slide available, please bring towels and a change of clothes!

-          Saturday, May 27: “Marriage: Pilgrimage to the Eternal” – Nativity Monastery Retreat for married couples and singles. See flier in narthex.

-          June 6 -9: Vacation Bible School:  2017, from 9 am – 1 pm

-          June 18: Father’s Day Celebration

-          June 25–30: All Saints Summer Camp:  Ages: 8 – 18, Location: Cooper Farms in Ledbetter, TX. Registration: $295 until May 15thwww.allsaintssummercamp.org 

-          Sunday, August 6: Festival Dance Practice starts for all groups. All ages 4 and up are welcome to participate. Contact Gina Poulakos if you have any questions. Email/Text/Call 817-395-3656 -Gpoulakos@live.com


FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

We are starting a small, longer term project to replace the plastic, low quality portable Feasts and Saints icons we use during the ecclesiastical year with proper ones, executed in the traditional high quality egg tempera/burnished gold technique. 

You have probably already seen the first batch of icons that are already in the Church, all icons will be done by the same hands. 

Here are the icons that are available for dedications. Please let the church office know which one you are interested in sponsoring. 

-          Circumcision of the Lord: $500

-          Sunday of Orthodoxy: $500

-          Martyrs of Mt. Sinai and Raithu: $500

The icons will be ordered as the funds become available, we hope to finish this project withn a year or so. Please do not wait until the last minute since the icons will be dedicated on a first come, first served basis.

Thank you all for participating in this beautiful project. 


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From The Metropolis of Denver

News from Denver Metropolis

Support our Metropolis by participating in our Advocates 1000 program. More info at the link below

http://denver.goarch.org/advocates-support-for-the-metropolis-


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Announcements and Forms for Various Activities

    Commemoration List

    Commemoration List

    Please fill out your new commemoration list for 2017 - 2018. Remember to write the date and your family name. You can include the names of your Spiritual Parents, God-Parents, Grand-Parents, Parents, God Children, Children and all the other relatives and friends. Only Baptismal names (or first names if non-Orthodox) are needed.


    FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

    FEAST ICONS DEDICATIONS

    Here are the icons that are available for dedications. Please let the church office know which one you are interested in sponsoring. - Circumcision of the Lord: $500 - Sunday of Orthodoxy: $500 - Martyrs of Mt. Sinai and Raithu: $500


    “Marriage: Pilgrimage to the Eternal” retreat

    “Marriage: Pilgrimage to the Eternal” retreat

    – Nativity Monastery Retreat for married couples and singles. Speakers: Father Chad and Matushka Thekla Hatfield. Fr. Chad Hatfield is the President of St. Vladimir’s Seminary where he has served since 2007.


    2017 STEWARDSHIP CARD

    2017 STEWARDSHIP CARD

    Click on the link bellow or see attached the 2017 Stewardship Form. Right click on the link, save it on your computer, open it, fill in the information and save it on your computer again with your name in the title. For example if your name is John Baptist save it as John_Baptist_2017.pdf. Once done, mail the completed form to us at 


     FUNDS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE MONASTERY OF ST. NINIAN AND ST. CUTHBERT ON THE ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND

    FUNDS NEEDED TO RESTORE THE MONASTERY OF ST. NINIAN AND ST. CUTHBERT ON THE ISLE OF MULL, SCOTLAND

    Fr. Serafim Aldea is a Hieromonk from UK and he is opening a monastery in the Island of Mull, dedicated to All the Celtic Saints. He is currently doing a tour in the USA to gather some necessary construction funds for the monastery. (Please see the attached flier)


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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese News

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Archdiocesan Council Holds Spring Meeting in Chicago

05/06/2017

CHICAGO – The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America, convened in Chicago’s Marriott Downtown Hotel for its regularly scheduled spring meeting May 4 and 5.

The two-day work of the Archdiocesan Council began with the individual meetings of the ministry committees and the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council on Thursday, May 4. The work of the ministries of the Church was reviewed and the committees prepared their reports.

On Friday, May 5, following the opening prayer and the chanting of the hymn of the Resurrection “Christos Anesti,” Archbishop Demetrios offered his opening remarks apprising the Council members of the events and developments in the life of the Church since the last meeting in New York. His Eminence thanked the host Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago for his gracious hospitality. He reported on the progress of rebuilding St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, which he said has been “a marathon of shorts,” adding that we have reached a point that God willing we could have that inaugural ceremony for St. Nicholas in the first part of October 2018.

Present at the meeting were Metropolitans Iakovos of Chicago, Methodios of Boston, Nicholas of Detroit, Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Fransisco and Evangelos of New Jersey.

Also in attendance were the Chancellor of the Archdiocese His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, the Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, and the Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela.

The Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council George S. Tsandikos presided at the meeting. In his introductory remarks, presented to the Council the creation of the two new positions in the Archdiocese; first the position of Chief Financial Officer and the appointee Fr. Soterios Baroody; and second the position of Director of Development and the appointee Nikki Soteropoulos Margarites.

The new treasurer of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Psaros, in his remarks spoke of the intensive preparatory work of the Executive Committee thus far, and the future planing for reorganization and higher efficiency within the Archdiocese.

A total of fourteen reports were presented to the Council and some were followed by lively and constructive discussion. These reports included: Youth &Young Adult Ministries, Communications, Ecumenical Office, Ionian Village, Religious Education, Administration, Development, Information Technologies and Internet, Center for Family Care, Archons, Finance, Stewardship, Greek Education, and a report on St. Photios Shrine.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the greetings and blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, expressed thanks to all the members of the Council and asked everyone for prayers for Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa who is ill. At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago offered brief remarks and the closing prayer.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskWkTY1o

== 30 ==


Archbishop Demetrios Attends National Day of Prayer at White House

05/05/2017

WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, at the invitation of President Donald J. Trump, attended today the 66th Annual National Day of Prayer Commemoration, held this year at the Rose Garden of the White House. The Annual National Day of Prayer is the first Thursday in May as it was established by an act of Congress and continues by Presidential Proclamation.

Present at the auspicious public event were the Vice President Mike Pence, many members of the cabinet and many religious leaders from across the country. The President signed an Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty, which can be read in its entirety here https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/05/04/presidential-executive-order-promoting-free-speech-and-religious-liberty

At the end of the public ceremony Archbishop Demetrios had the opportunity to exchange greetings with President Trump and Vice President Pence.

Photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHskUhhneh

 

== 30 ==


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Assembly of Bishops News

Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes

04/24/2017

The first ever, national study on evangelization and outreach in Orthodox parishes in the United States has been released by the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. The report 'Go and Make Disciples: Evangelization and Outreach in US Orthodox Parishes' explores the practices and strategies developed by some Orthodox parishes that can be viewed as 'exemplary' in their missionary and outreach efforts.
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