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.

As reported earlier on oca.org, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah offered the opening prayer during the program that preceded the March for Life here on Monday, January 23, 2012.

“Roman Catholic Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, who is in charge of pro-life activities, invited the Orthodox bishops to stand together with the Roman Bishops, as we are of one mind in regards to Life, and for us to begin to alternate giving the opening prayer for the March,” Metropolitan Jonah said, reflecting on the March. “This year, they gave the honor to me to bless the opening of the March for Life on their behalf, as well as on behalf of the Orthodox. With me at that podium, at my request, was Cardinal-elect Archbishop Timothy Dolan of New York.

“This is a significant ecumenical event, a strong gesture of unity, and a great symbol of the respect of the Roman Catholic Church for the Orthodox Church in America,” Metropolitan Jonah continued. “We are of one mind in opposition to abortion as a fundamental doctrinal and moral position, in accordance with the ancient Tradition of the undivided orthodox catholic Church.”

The text of Metropolitan Jonah’s prayer reads as follows.

“Holy Father, our Creator, Savior, Redeemer and our God, Light and Life of the World, Who didst show Thine infinite love for mankind by sending Thine Only-begotten Son into the world to take our flesh and be born as an infant of the Blessed Virgin Mary, becoming all that we are in order to liken us to Himself; Who, through Thy servant Moses didst set before thy people two ways: the way of life and the way of death, and didst not only call us to life, but freely gavest it to us; Who, speaking to Thy servant the Prophet Jeremiah, dost remind us that Thou knowest each of us even from our mother’s womb; Who Himself was born in poverty and laid in manger, taking the form of a servant; Who didst hear the lament of Rachel weeping for her children, for they were no more; Who didst proclaim to Thy disciples that unless one receives Thy Kingdom like a child, one cannot enter it:

“Visit us on this solemn day, a day on which we beg thine infinite mercy for the atrocities we allow in the killing of children in the womb; a day on which we gather to bear witness to the Sanctity of all human life from cradle to grave; a day on which we bear witness together to the value of each human person; a day on which we offer to Thee for Thy blessing, and to the world as a sign, our witness to Thine infinite goodness and charity, even to us who daily neglect the life which Thou dost give us, even unto killing and death:

“Remember not our negligence and sin. Remember not our failure to be doers of the word and not hearers only. Remember not our hypocrisy, external zeal matched only with practical inaction to assist those who fall prey to the despair and hopelessness of abortion.

“Accept, O Lord, the repentance of us who have sinned, and heal our souls. Accept, O Lord, the grief of mothers who have aborted their children as a cry of repentance. Accept, O Lord, the bitter sorrow of regret as the broken heart thou dost not despise.

“We offer this sign of our visible unity, standing together in unity of mind, with a contrite heart and broken spirit. We offer our repentance, however we have sinned, for all have sinned and fall short, and thus none of us can judge or condemn. We offer our compassion for those in grief, in guilt and despair.

“We pray that Thou will receive us as Thou didst the prodigal, with open arms of forgiveness; and the woman who had sinned, whom Thou didst not condemn.

“We beseech Thee, O Lord, to enlighten those lost in the darkness of insensitivity. Transform the minds and hearts of those hardened in bitterness. Give hope, O Lord, to those immersed in despair. As Thou art Good and the only lover of mankind, visit us with Thine infinite compassion. Create in each of us, and in our nation, a new heart, taking not Thy Holy Spirit from us, and restore unto us the joy of life and of Thy salvation. Cleanse and redeem us by Thy precious Blood, shed for the life of the world. Caste us not off, neither turn Thy face away from us, but receive us in repentance according to Thy mercy, for we earnestly repent and with the necks of our souls bowed, we turn ourselves to Thee!

“For Thou art the Giver of Life and the Savior of our souls, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, to the Father Who is without beginning, Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy most holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.”

The pre-March program and the March itself was broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN], which will rebroadcast its extensive coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28. Please check local listings for possible variations.

On Tuesday, January 17, 2012, the faithful of Holy Trinity Cathedral gathered to celebrate a Service of Prayer during which Jessica D’Angio and Larisa Waya were commissioned as Orthodox hospital chaplains.

A graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Jessica serves at Beth Israel Hospital.  Larisa, a graduate of Boston University, serves at Dana Farber and Brigham and Women’s Hospitals.

For several years, both men and women — the other women being Elaine Mayol and Sarah Byrne — have been endorsed to pursue hospital chaplaincies, but it was not until last year that the Orthodox Church in America’s Department of Chaplaincies develped the actual prayer service of commissioning.  Since then, one endorsed priest has been officially commissioned for his chaplaincy position.  Starting with Jessica and Larisa, all new chaplains — clergy or lay — must be commissioned prior to endorsement.

Addressing those present at the service, Archpriest Robert M. Arida, cathedral dean, stressed that “the work of a hospital chaplain is demanding on every front.  The spiritual, physical and emotional demands of a hospital chaplain are relentless.  Contact with the sick and dying on a daily basis requires us as a Christian community to prayerfully support the ministries of these two women who have dedicated themselves to offering the love of Christ to the suffering, who often are alone and afraid as they face their illness and mortality.”

His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, together with Their Graces, Bishops Tikhon of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania, Melchisedek of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania, Michael of New York and New Jersey, and Matthias of Chicago and the Midwest led hundreds of Orthodox Christian clergy, faithful, and seminarians at the 39th annual March for Life here Monday, January 23, 2012.

According to Archpriest John Kowalczyk, a pro-life activist and co-founder of the Orthodox presence at the annual gathering, “this was the biggest Orthodox participation ever in the history of the March.”

Metropolitan Jonah spoke at the pre-March program and offered prayers for the opening invocation. At the conclusion of every petition, thousands responded with a heartfelt and enthusiastic “Lord, have mercy!”  Marchers then proceeded up Constitution Avenue to the US Supreme Court, where a Memorial was celebrated for the victims of abortion.

The March was broadcast live on the Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN], which will rebroadcast its extensive coverage at 2:00 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 28.  Check local listings for possible variations.

A photo gallery of the March for Life can be viewed here.

A video taken at the March for Life can be viewed here.

The Eternal Word Television Network [EWTN] is providing live coverage of today’s March for Life in the US Capital, according to Archpriest John Kowalczyk, a pro-life activist and co-founder of the Orthodox Presence at the annual gathering.

Live and complete coverage begins today — Monday, January 23 — at 10:00 a.m. ET, with a rebroadcast tonight at 11:00 p.m. ET.  A rebroadcast will also be aired on Saturday, January 28, at 2:00 p.m. ET.

As reported on oca.org, His Beatitude, Metropolitan Jonah, will speak at the pre-March program and offer prayers for the victims of abortion at the conclusion of the March.  He will also attend the annual Rose Dinner.

Other members of the Orthodox Church in America’s Holy Synod of Bishops participating in the March include His Grace, Bishop Melchisedek; His Grace, Bishop Michael; and His Grace, Bishop Matthias.  Archpriest John Jillions, OCA Chancellor; Archpriest John Kowalczyk; numerous other clergy; and students and faculty members of Saint Tikhon’s and Saint Vladimir’s seminaries will be joining Orthodox Christian faithful from around the country as they carry the “Orthodox Christians for Life” banner and the the icon of the Visitation of the Theotokos to Elizabeth.

Check local television listings for possible changes.

As reported on the web site of the Orthodox Church in America the chairs of the Church’s ministry departments met at the Chancery here January 16-17, 2012, to review their work, consider plans for the future, and discern ways to interface their respective ministries with the Strategic Plan adopted at the 16th All-American Council.

Priest John Parker, the recently appointed chair of the Department of Evangelization, shared the following insights after the meeting, his first in his new role.

“Meeting at the Chancery in Syosset last week gave us department heads a golden opportunity not only to get to know one another and the work of our respective departments, but also to brainstorm together about each of our vital ministries,” said Father John.  “One of the truly beautiful facets of our time together was the chance to see the areas of crossover from department to department, and a theme which unites them all.

“We noted again and again that our work is grounded in Christ Jesus our Lord — Him crucified and raised from the dead,” Father John continued.  “This, of course is at the very heart of all Christian Education, Youth Ministry, Institutional Chaplaincy, Christian Service and Humanitarian Aid, Liturgical Music, Pastoral Life, and External Relations.  The thread and thrust, however, of our ministries, we recognized, is Evangelization.

“Whether we are teaching our children; ministering to the young, the college-aged, the young adults; visiting the sick or incarcerated; assisting the needy and those who have suffered calamities; singing services; caring for our pastors; or bearing witness to the Orthodox Faith among the heterodox and non-Christians, the Good News of Jesus Christ crucified and raised from the dead, the Physician of our souls and bodies, knits these all together,” he adds.  “Our Orthodox Church in America stands with a vital mission to share such Good News, not only within the walls of our churches, but also to every living soul God Himself puts in our path in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.  Whether at the departmental level or in our individual lives, it behooves us as Orthodox Christians to ask ourselves, ‘How does this action, this ministry, this event, this service, this outreach, this assistance, this ecumenical dialogue, demonstrate the capital-G Good capital-N News of the Gospel?’  If it does not do so, it must be reconsidered.  It is not wise that we would expend the limited resources of our time, talent, and treasure in areas and activities that do not present the One True God to the world and call folks to repentance and salvation found in Jesus Christ alone.

“Put in another way, the non-hyphenated Orthodoxy that we seek to uphold and promote in and through our Orthodox Church in America, welcomes with open arms every soul seeking the Lord while He wills to be found, whether or not they can presently name Who He is,” Father John concluded.  “From department to department, and across the boundaries of each of these ministries, we were delighted to reignite this flame together on January 16 and 17, 2012.  Please hold all of this in your prayers, and offer yourselves and your resources to help us disciple ourselves in the Christian way within the Orthodox Church in America, as well as to catechize and baptize the countless folks who await their redemption in Christ outside our ecclesiastical walls.”

In addition to serving as chair of the Department of Evangelization, Father John is also Priest-in-Charge of Holy Ascension Mission, Mount Pleasant, SC.  He may be contacted at evangelization@oca.org.

On Saturday, January 21, 2012, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America released the following statement concerning His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim [Storheim].

“The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America has been made aware that His Eminence, Archbishop Seraphim, the suspended Archbishop of Ottawa and Canada, appeared in a Winnipeg criminal court on January 18, 2012.  Archbishop Seraphim is a defendant in a matter involving allegations of sexual abuse toward a minor or minors.  The case has been committed for trial.

“Archbishop Seraphim originally was placed on a leave of absence on October 1, 2010, shortly after the Lesser Synod of Bishops had been informed that a police investigation had commenced.  On November 30, 2010, the Holy Synod of Bishops changed his status to ‘suspended,’ and he retains that status. The Holy Synod appointed a Special Commission to conduct an internal investigation into the allegations. The Synodal Commission has been in communication with civil authorities and has held its investigation in abeyance so as not to interfere with or compromise the judicial process. Once the court matters have concluded, the Synodal Commission will complete its work and issue a report to the Holy Synod in accordance with the sexual misconduct Policies, Standards and Procedures of the OCA.

While this is a sad and stressful matter for all involved, the legal process must take its course in order to arrive at the truth and eventual resolution.  Archbishop Seraphim has retained legal counsel.  While taking an active interest in the proceedings, the OCA is not a party to the criminal action and has no information to impart regarding trial progress.  As is always the case in Canadian criminal matters, he remains innocent unless proven guilty in court.”