Registration for all summer programs of the Ionian Village will open on Thursday, February 1st at 11:00 am ET. Ionian Village will once again offer three programs, catering to high school students and young adults. Registration will be available online at ionianvillage.org. Spots are limited and fill quickly, and are offered on a first-come first-served basis. Don’t miss your chance to participate in this life-changing ministry!

OCMC is looking for Ambassadors in all-sized parishes, whether actively involved in missions or just exploring. Ambassadors play a vital role in spreading awareness and understanding of missions, answering the call to "make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Represent OCMC to foster a missions mindset in your community. Join existing Ambassadors to expand the Gospel's reach, contribute to global mission work, and help spread Christ's message worldwide.

On January 20-21, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey visited the community of St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church in Vineland, New Jersey for the 50th Anniversary Celebrations of the Community.

This tournament will be divided into three divisions: (1) Girls Division, Grades 7–12, (2) Junior Boys Division, Grades 7–9, and (3) Senior Boys Division, Grades 10–12. 
 

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about a short man named Zacchaeus who climbed a tall sycamore tree to see Jesus. But what does his height have to do with his spiritual life? And how is the tree connected to the Cross? Also, why did the Lord invite Himself to Zacchaeus’ house?

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archdiocesan District hosted its Parathosi Greek Dance Festival.

Demetrios S. Katos has been appointed President of Hellenic College Holy Cross (HCHC). He will start February 1, 2024. He comes to HCHC from Northeastern University, where he is Associate Director of Leadership Giving. He is a higher education professional of 25 years, having also been Dean, Professor of Religious Studies, and Registrar at Hellenic College.

On Saturday January, 20 2024, the inaugural Metropolis of Pittsburgh Parish Leadership Conference: "Sewing the Seeds for Tomorrow" was hosted at the Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.

With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nanzianzos together with the Archdiocese District Chancellor, The Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Elias Villis visited and celebrated the community of Saint Basil Greek Orthodox Church in Troy, New York honoring the forty years of dedicated service and pastoral care of Father Emmanuel Mantzouris as their Proistamenos.

Are you caring for a loved one of any age--who may be elderly, or has a chronic or life-threatening illness or health condition, or who is disabled? Do you wish you knew others who are facing the same challenges as you? Do you wish there were someone with whom you could share your thoughts, concerns, and questions and who understands our faith, culture, and community? Are you so overwhelmed you're not even sure what questions to ask or who could help?

During the heartfelt reception at the Holy Monastery of Simonos Petra, I seized the opportunity to reiterate the unwavering faithfulness of the Greek-American community.

We are very excited to announce the launch of our newest podcast, "From Our Homes to Yours" on Ancient Faith Radio featuring our entire team at the Center for Family Care. 

On January 19, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated a vigil and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Epiphany at the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos on Mount Athos. Clergy and pilgrims joined Archbishop Elpidophoros for this special service. The intricate iconography and beauty of the monastery glistened under the soft lighting of the candles used during the service, truly embodying a sacred atmosphere.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America arrives at the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos of at Mount Athos where he will spend four days and oficiate at a vigil vigil and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of the Epiphany as well as the blessing of the waters on January 19.

Join a monthly Zoom call led by parish leaders across the nation to take a deep dive with your parish leadership and ministry team into strategies and techniques that your parish can use to enhance its vitality.

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn about ten lepers who came to Jesus for healing. What did He ask of them? And why did only one of them show gratitude? Also, in what ways do we resemble the lepers and how does Jesus heal us?

Pilgrimage St. Augustine, FL –Archon Anthony W. Megas, VP of the St. Photios Foundation, invites the public to join the trustees of the governing body of St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine to attend ecclesiastical services, the opening of the 2024 Special Shrine Exhibit and the Pilgrimage Banquet on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown St. Augustine, FL.

In our Metropolis, Sunday, January 21 is designated as Oratorical Education Sunday.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America hosted a group of families from the Hostage and Missing Families Forum at its Headquarters in New York City on the afternoon of Sunday, January 14, 2024. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was represented by His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, who was accompanied by his mother, Mrs. Fotini Ziliaskopoulos, and Rev. Fr. Nicholas Kazarian, Director, Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.

On Sunday, January 14, 2024, the GOYA from Ascension Greek Orthodox Church in Fairview, New Jersey visited the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the WTC. This second annual day retreat to Saint Nicholas was marked by spiritual uplifting, meaningful and relatable messages, and the call to do the word of God.

West Babylon, New York—Every Tuesday and Thursday, volunteers from Philoptochos, Greek School parents, GOYANS and several members of the parish of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in West Babylon, New York gather to work at the St. Nicholas Food Pantry.

The National Y2AM Department is pleased to announce it is offering an Effective Christian Ministry (ECM) Online Info Session. Effective Christian Ministry (ECM) combines the timeless wisdom of the Church with current research on faith formation to equip people to identify the 5 needs in the lives of young people, address the 5 challenges they face today, and implement the 5 practices that help to form faithful Orthodox Christians. ECM provides multiple levels of training for anyone who wants to lead young people to Christ – including ministry leaders, parents, clergy, youth workers, and teachers.

This series is intended for small-group marriage ministry. It consists of six short clips taken from the webinar “Investing in Your Marriage,” featuring Dr. Ary Christofidis, a licensed clinical psychologist and director of the Orthodox Christian Counseling Institute in Chicago.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces establishment of the Hellenic Education Fund to support and promote Hellenic Education in America and across our Archdiocese, including our 25 Archdiocesan Day Schools and more than 500 Afternoon schools.  These Greek American schools are essential to shaping the minds and hearts of our children and preserving our rich cultural heritage and language. 

Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC) is a ministry of our Church for Orthodox young adults, 21 to 29 years old and one of the newest Agencies of the Assembly of Bishops.

Today, January 16, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Pavlos of Kozani and His Grace Bishop Christophoros of Christoupoleos to the Archdiocese headquarters.  Also pictured is Chancellor of the Archdiocese V. Rev. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos.

On Saturday, January 13, 2024, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey began the festivities for the 33rd Annual Greek Orthodox Metropolis Hellenic Folk Dance Festival in Annapolis, Maryland with the Agiasmos Service.

On Sunday, December 17, 2023 His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, along with His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea and His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, ordained Rev. Father Emmanuel Aspiotis to the Holy Priesthood at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Belmont, CA.

On Sunday, December 24, 2023, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos elevated Rev. Deacon Justin Bosl to Archdeacon of the Metropolis of San Francisco at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy at the Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Castro Valley, CA. In this new position, Archdeacon Justin will travel with His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos, offering assistance during parish visitations. Also in attendance on this day were His Grace Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, who serves as Chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco; and Rev. Father Nikolaos Bekris, Proistamenos of the Resurrection parish in Castro Valley, CA.

Lombard, IL, January 15, 2024 — The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago today announced the issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) to 15 parishes in the Chicago area for the co-location of the Metropolis Center at one parish campus. 

What a joy it is for me to join all of you for the Hellenic Dance Festival of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta. These cultural celebrations that take place across the Archdiocese are especially rewarding to see, because they bring so many of you – or young people – together in fellowship.

The Hellenic Dance Festival for the Metropolis of Atlanta continued today Sunday, January 14, 2024 with the Divine Liturgy, with hundreds in attendance. At the end of the service, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, in recognizing his dedicated work in expanding the ministry of HDF, elevated the Executive Chairman, Fr. Sampson Kasapakis, to the rank of Economos of the Archdiocese of America.

Αναφορικά με δημοσίευμα στην Σαββατιάτικη έκδοση της εφημερίδας “Καθημερινή” με τίτλο “Εμπλοκή με Ελπιδοφόρο στον Άθω -Ανεπιθύμητος θεωρείται από την Ιερά Κοινότητα ο αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής” με αφορμή τη βάφτιση παιδιών ομόφυλου ζεύγους Ελληνοαμερικανών όπως αναφέρεται σε αυτό, το γραφείο τύπου της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής θέλει να καταστήσει σαφές πως:

Very Reverend and Reverend Fathers,

Dear Presvyteres and Beloved Children,

It is a delight to be with you at the Clergy Family Luncheon of the Hellenic Dance Festival of the Holy Metropolis of Atlanta. I am always impressed at the number of clergy and their families who attend the Dance Festivals throughout our Sacred Archdiocese. It tells me that these occasions have become deeply woven into your Parishes, and that these cultural events are woven into the fabric of the Church.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is attending the Hellenic Dance Festival of the Metropolis of Atlanta from January 12-15, 2024. This year’s HDF, the largest in history, is taking place in Orlando, FL. The mission of the HDF is to develop awareness and appreciation for our Orthodox Tradition and Hellenic culture through dance and music and to Inspire youth and young adults to enhance their experience and love for the Orthodox Church and Hellenic culture.

Another year of God’s grace has arrived, and we have gathered to answer the call to embrace the spirit of service and love for our precious Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. I want to thank you for your willingness to serve – whether you are returning for another year, or this is you first participation on this fine Board of Trustees.

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated the Affirmation of Office for the new Board of Trustees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity - New York, NY.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center presents the Young Adults Let's Talk: Peacemaking in a Divided World. Join us for an inspiring discussion about finding peace amidst troubling times with V. Rev. J. Sergius Halvorsen, Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric & Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir's Seminary.

Today, Friday, January 12, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with the newly appointed Director of Parish Planned Giving, Melpomeni “Melpo” Murdakes. The goal of the Parish Planned Giving Ministry is to support our parishes in their planned giving efforts through education and practical resources for soliciting, receiving and stewarding of planned gifts. The program will benefit parishes directly, making them more financially viable. This Planned Giving ministry will be implemented in close coordination with the Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism. 

The National Philoptochos expresses gratitude and full support for His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros' initiative to conduct a comprehensive review and reassessment of the Ministry of Saint Basil Academy through the dedicated efforts of the Saint Basil Academy Advisory Committee.

On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America hosted the Archdiocesan District Philoptochos at the Archdiocese headquarters for a Vasilopita.

On Thursday, January 11, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America paid a special visit to His Grace Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan, the primate of the Eastern Diocese of America of the Armenian Church, to extend his warmest greetings on the joyous occasion of Armenian Christmas celebrated on January 6.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is pleased to announce that the 2024 Annual Directory is now available in both print and digital versions at www.goarch.org/directory .  The online version may be downloaded as a pdf and used as a digital book on tablets, smart phones and other devices.  

With the grace of God, we are once again this year celebrating in chant, hymn, and spiritual song the Nativity according to the flesh of the pre-eternal Son and Word of God, namely the manifestation of the mystery of God and humankind. According to St. Nicholas Cabasilas, what occurs in the Divine Liturgy is “the mystagogy of the Lord’s incarnation,” while its introductory acclamation “Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” is evidence “that it is through the Lord’s incarnation that people first learned that God is three persons.”[1] The same saintly Father proclaims that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was the first and only to demonstrate the authentic and perfect human being, concerning His ethos, life, and everything else.”[2]