Metropolitan Jonah presents Prophet Elias Scouting Award to Fr. Eric Tosi and Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov.

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] has designated February 5, 2011 as Scout Sunday.

The observance of Scout Sunday began years ago in an effort to build awareness among Orthodox Christian faithful of the benefits of scouting and the various programs and awards offered by the EOCS.

EOCS was established in the 1960s as the first agency endorsed by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.

Parishes are encouraged to recognize and celebrate this event, and to highlight scouting throughout the month of February — Orthodox Youth Month.

Among recommendations for celebrating Scout Sunday, EOCS suggests the following.

In related news, at the Divine Liturgy celebrated on the eve of the opening of the 16th All-American Council in Bellevue/Seattle, WA, two Church leaders — Archpriest Eric Tosi, OCA Secretary and Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, chair of the OCA’s Department of Late Vocations — were presented with the Prophet Elias Award.  His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, made the presentation of the highest award given to adult leaders who have displayed exceptional leadership in the Church and scouting over a long period of time.

Father Eric is an Eagle Scout, Order of the Arrow member, former Cub Master, and currently Assistant Scout Master.  He has served scouting for over 30 years as a scout and leader in the US and abroad and has established a number of troops and packs.  He was also a member of the EOCS.

Archdeacon Kirill has been involved in Scouting for over 20 years.  He recevd the Quartermaster Award — the highest award for Sea Scouting — and a BSA Medal of Merit for his involvement in a life-saving effort.  He also received the Venturing Silver Award and Leadership Awards and served as an area and national Boatswain.  He remains involved in leadership and development of Sea Scout units, and has also served on the EOCS.

“These awards are an important recognition of the dedicated volunteers who serve and uphold the scouting ideals in developing our Orthodox youth,” said Father Eric.  “Both Archdeacon Kirill and I are humbled at receiving this recognition on doing something we both love and are dedicated.  It is important to support and recognize our many Orthodox scouts and leaders as they develop the next generation of leaders in our country and the our Church.”

With the blessing of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, Orthodox Church in America parishes will highlight the important contribution made by youth and young adults during February, which for many years has been designated Orthodox Youth Month.
　
The proposal to designate February 2/15, the Great Feast of the Meeting of the Lord, as “World Day of Orthodox Youth” was made at the 1992 Moscow General Assembly of Syndesmos, the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth. Subsequently, the celebration received the blessing of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, and the heads of the other local autocephalous Orthodox Churches, and young people across the globe were encouraged to organize liturgical and fellowship celebrations, retreats, and related ministries throughout the entire month of February. As an expansion of World Day, the Orthodox Church in America had designated the entire month of February, beginning with the Great Feast of the Meeting, as “Orthodox Youth Month.”
　
On February 2, 2012, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, issued a message focusing on the centrality of youth and young adults in the life of the Church and encouraging parishes to recognize the young people in their parishes in particular and in the Church in general.
　
The text of Metropolitan Jonah’s Orthodox Youth Month message reads as follows.
　
“To the Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and God-fearing Faithful of the Orthodox Church in America:
　
“Today we celebrate the Meeting of the Lord in the Temple. One of the major feasts of our Church, it is also a special day for a lesser known reason: In the early 1990s, February 2 had been designated ‘World Day of Orthodox Youth,’ while February had been set aside as ‘Orthodox Youth Month.’
　
“Our youth hold a special place within the Body of Christ. On the one hand, they are the ‘future’ of our Church, destined to carry on the ministry of Jesus Christ long after most of us have entered eternal life. The babies we baptize today are tomorrow’s priests, bishops, Church School teachers, monastics, parish council members, and faithful Christian parents.
　
“On the other hand, our youth — especially our teenagers and college-age young adults — play a vital role in the ‘present life’ of our Church. And indeed, this reality must be recognized and celebrated if we are to take seriously the mission of ‘growing Orthodoxy’ in North America. As parents, clergy, youth ministers, and faithful parishioners, we have a duty to remind our youth of their important place at Christ’s table, and to nurture, protect, and educate them, by every means possible, so that they will remain within the Body of Christ.
　
“Of course, the world in which we live is becoming more and more complex. Our country has been engaged in war for the better part of a decade. Young people are occupying Wall Street, and Oakland, and Washington DC. Perhaps for the first time since the 1960s, our country has never been more divided politically, while our graduating college students face tremendous uncertainties with regard to finding meaningful careers and securing the means to raise their families. ‘Social networking’ has often replaced the need or desire for ‘face-to-face’ interaction.
　
“If adults are asking questions like, ‘What is going on? Where are we going? What will become of us?’ one can be certain that our youth also are reacting to these, and numerous other, questions — as well as a host of other issues, insecurities and cravings for acceptance, clarity, reassurance, and direction. Add to this the potent draw of destructive physical, emotional, and spiritual behaviors, and it becomes obvious why our youth often feel that they are swimming in a sea of confusion, desperately seeking answers to the ‘meaning of life.’ There is no doubt that Christ and His Church have the answers, but the sensitivity needed to listen to the questions our young people ask and the fears they harbor is all too often lacking. If we are to address effectively youthful fears, hopes, and needs, we must embrace our youth as they are, and where they are — rather than where we are, where we think they should be, or where we want them to be.
　
“Our Lord listened to those He encountered, accepting them where they were. He engaged farmers in language they readily understood. He spoke in simple terms with the simple, while providing sophisticated answers to the well- educated. He knew how to speak precisely because He knew how to listen. We, too, need to listen to the young people we encounter — and listen without prejudice or arrogance. And we need to love them — unconditionally — even as the prodigal son’s father loved and forgave him ‘with no strings attached.’ If they do not experience this at home or in the Church, they will seek it elsewhere, finding a ‘love’ that has nothing whatsoever to do with the God Whom the Apostle John calls ‘Love’ Itself [1 John 4:8].
　
“Hence, my dear brothers and sisters: We must focus our vision on ministry to and by youth. We must continue — and expand—our labors, not just in the ‘future,’ but in the ‘present’ as well. We must remind them, as we read in 1 Timothy 4:12, that their youthfulness is not something upon which we look down, but that their place within the Body of Christ is no less important despite their age or inexperience.
　
“It is my hope that, during the month of February, every parish will highlight the presence of their young people — and challenge one and all to bring back into the fold those young people who have ‘fallen through the cracks’ — so that the entire Body of Christ will continue to ‘make bodily growth’ and ‘upbuild itself in love’” [Ephesians 4:16].

As reported on the web site of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, a number of meetings were conducted at the end of January 2012.

Detailed accounts of each meeting and related news may be found on the Assembly web site.

The sixth annual Diaconal Liturgical Practicum, will be held at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary here June 10-13, 2012.  The program will be held in conjunction with the Orthodox Church in America’s Diaconal Vocations Program and is highly recommended for participants in the Church’s program by the Holy Synod of Bishops.

“Diakonia is at the center of the vocation of every Christian,” explains His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah.  “The hierarchs thank God for the growth in diaconal vocations throughout our Church, and for this annual program that offers deacons a strong context for their service at the holy altar.”

The Practicum will offer intense liturgical training for deacons and lay diaconal candidates.  Extensive workshops will provide participants with the skills needed to serve in the Orthodox Church as an attentive server, deacon, or priest.  Attention will be given to the liturgical patterns of movement that inform the entire rite of the Church.  Participants will also receive guidance on concelebrations and hierarchical celebrations so that they can effectively prepare for such occasions.  Focused presentations by members of the seminary’s faculty will augment the deacon’s understanding of his place in the liturgical life of the Church and his broader vocation as a symbol to the faithful of the diakonia of Christ our Lord.  Instruction in public speaking and vocal technique also will be offered.

Liturgical workshops conducted by Archdeacon Kirill Sokolov, Director of the OCA’s Diaconal Vocations Program, will aim to provide participants with the skills needed to serve prayerfully and effectively.  Special emphasis will be given to the typical celebration of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom by one priest and one deacon.

Priest Sergius Halvorsen will offer presentations on public speaking, teaching, and preaching, Church reading, vocal technique.  Father Sergius holds an M.Div. from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary and a Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies from Drew University.  He is Assistant Professor of Homiletics and Rhetoric at Saint Vladimir’s Seminary.

On-line registration for the Practicum opens February 18.  Detailed information may be found on the seminary web site.

For further information, please contact diaconal2012@svots.edu.

The independent audit of the Orthodox Church in America’s financial records for the year ending December 31, 2010 has been completed, according to Melanie Ringa, OCA Treasurer.

The report of the auditors, Lambrides, Lamos, Taylor LLP, is now available in PDF format on the OCA web site.

“For the first time since 1998, the OCA has been issued an unqualified or ‘clean’ audit opinion,”, said Ms. Ringa.  “This achievement is the culmination of four years of work on reconstructing net asset accounts and endowment fund balances, and on researching and returning title to the Diocese of Alaska of all of the real estate in Alaska that the national Church had held in trust since 1867.  This work began with the previous Treasurer, Father Michael Tassos, in 2007, and was finally completed by the current administration in 2010.  This is an important step forward.  The unqualified opinion is the best type of report an auditee can receive from the external auditor.”

Ms. Ringa also noted that “the financial results for 2010 show total revenues of $2,567,196.00, total operating expenses of $1,884,528.00, with a net surplus from operations of $682,668.00, prior to expenses related to depreciation and amortization and legal fees.  After accounting for these charges, the final result for 2010 was a surplus of $508,385.”

Ms. Ringa pointed out that “in comparing the Statement of Activities for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, it is critical to note that while our total revenues decreased by $158,049.00—from $2,730,977.00 in 2009 to $2,572,928.00 in 2010—our total expenses before the legal fees decreased by $ 360,664.00, from $2,245,192.00 in 2009 to $1,884,528.00 in 2010, or 16%.

“Our Statement of Financial Position shows total assets of $2,325,566, liabilities of $1,341,925, and net assets of $983,461,” she concluded.

On Tuesday, January 31, 2012, Priest John E. Parker, III, chair of the Department of Evangelization of the Orthodox Church in America, will present a free and public lecture, “Realities of Life in Orthodox Christian Mission Churches,” at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Yonkers, NY.  The lecture will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Bashir Auditorium, directly across from SVS Bookstore in the Education Building.

Father John is a Saint Vladimir’s alumnus and current rector of Holy Ascension Mission, Mount Pleasant, NC.

While visiting the campus, he also will be speaking to the seminary wives’ group, “Saint Juliana Society,” on the topic “Blessings and Curses: The Life of a Clergy Family in a Mission Church.”

Plans are moving forward toward the establishment of an Orthodox-sponsored maternity home — the first in the Midwest — in the Chicago area.

“Orthodox Christians for Life-Chicago, a pan-Orthodox organization established in 2001, has long dreamed of putting its faith into action by establishing an Orthodox-sponsored outreach to women in crisis pregnancies in the Midwest,” according to Helen O’Sullivan, an OCLife-Chicago spokesperson.  “Establishing this outreach has increasingly become the focus of the organization and, as a result, a committee was formed to explore the possibilities and to see this project come to life.

“At present, there are only a handful of such homes across the country, and while in the Chicago metropolitan area there are a variety of crisis pregnancy centers, there is only one maternity home, under the auspices of an order of Roman Catholic nuns,” Helen said.  “Members of Chicago’s pro-life community have indicated that there is a dire need for a second maternity home — one where a cross-section of women would be comfortable to seek support.  OCLife-Chicago’s goal is to establish that second maternity home to provide women in crisis pregnancies with housing and other practical, emotional, and spiritual support, with a focus on Christ-centered healing.”

OCLife-Chicago has been “doing its homework” in researching its efforts.

“One of our members visited Chicago’s only maternity home, as well as the only Orthodox Christian maternity home in the US—California’s Martha and Mary House,” Helen added.  “The latter will serve as a model for our efforts.”  [Visit the Martha and Mary House web site for additional information.]

His Grace, Bishop Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest, has offered his enthusiastic support for the effort, while OCLife-Chicago has been working closely with His Grace, Bishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago.

“OCLIfe-Chicago will undertake the process of establishing the home, writing its bylaws and regulations, acquiring 501c3 non-profit status, and overseeing day-to-day operations and ongoing fundraising,” Helen concluded.  “We anticipate a positive response from parishes across the Chicagoland area — and beyond — to our initial fundraising effort, which will begin on March 11, 2012.”

For additional information and ongoing updates, visit OCLife-Chicago’s web site.

“My Friends in The Faith” has been selected as the Fellowship of Orthodox Christians in America’s Junior Department theme for 2012 and will be used to link junior events and initiatives for the upcoming year.

To start the ball rolling, the Junior FOCA is holding a logo design contest for our 2012 theme.  The winning logo will be used throughout the year to create instant visual identification of our organization and our initiatives.  All Orthodox Christian youth under 18 years of age, who are communicants of a parish or mission of a canonical Orthodox Church in North America, are invited to submit original logo designs for consideration.  A well-designed logo creates an identity, conveys values, improves image and motivates action.  The winning logo design will appear on the Junior Page of the FOCA web site, as well as Junior Department correspondence and promotional materials.

Entries, which must be the original work of each entrant, may not exceed 8.5 x 11 inches.  They must be able to scale to any size without compromising quality.  No part of the designs may be protected by copyright laws.  They will be judged on their effectiveness in conveying the theme with clarity, uniqueness, memorability, and attractiveness.

Entries must be submitted to Laura Johnson, 10-05 Berdan Ave., Fair Lawn, NJ 07410, or sent by e-mail to ljfaj@optonline.net no later than February 29, 2012.  Each entrant is asked to include his or her name, age, address, phone number, e-mail address, and parish information.

Established in 1927 as the Federated Russian Orthodox Clubs to unite Orthodox Christians in faith, fellowship and service, the FOCA petitioned the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America to be officially recognized by the OCA.  At its 1998 national convention, the organization adopted its present name.  It maintains chapters in dozens of parishes across the country.

For additional information on the FOCA and its activities and ministries, please visit www.orthodoxfellowship.org.

The Huffington Ecumenical Institute, in collaboration with the Henry Luce Foundation, will host its annual symposium, “Pan-Orthodoxy in North America: Towards a Local Church,” at Loyola Marymount University here March 16-17, 2012.

A variety of presentations by Orthodox Christian and Catholic experts will explore the “complex mosaic of historical circumstances, struggles for self-identity, and intriguing people” that make up Orthodox Christianity in North America.

The symposium will be held at University Hall 1000, Ahmanson Auditorium, Loyola Marymount University.  Friday’s program begins at 9:00 a.m., while Saturday’s program opens at 9:30 a.m.  Each days’ presentations will conclude at 5:00 p.m.  Lunch and refreshments will be provided each day.

While there is no charge to attend the symposium, advanced registration is strictly required.  To register and/or to obtain additional informaton, visit http://bellarmine.lmu.edu/ecumenical/pan-orthodoxy.

Questions may be directed to Katherine Lash at hei@lmu.edu; 310-338-1917.

Members of the Orthodox Church in America’s Pension Board met at the Chancery here on Monday, January 23, 2012.

According to Maureen Ahearn, the newly elected members — Archpriest Matthew Tate, Mr. Barry Gluntz, and Ms. Anne Marie Mecera — were welcomed and familiarized with the board’s task and mission.  Priest John Hopko, Prof. David Drillock, and Mr. Gregory Shesko, outgoing board members, were thanked for their selfless commitment to the Pension Plan and the future of the Orthodox Church in America.

During the meeting, board members approved benefits, updated investment decisions, and reviewed Pension Plan policies and procedures.

The Orthodox Church in America Pension Plan serves over 300 active participants and more than 125 retirees, widows, and beneficiaries.  Participation in the Plan has been mandated for all clergy and is available for all full-time Church workers.  A Summary Plan Description, highlights brochure, and numerous administrative forms are available under OCA Departments, Pension Board.