Spring 2023

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Dear Friends and Colleagues, 


Christ is Risen! and Happy Spring! 


With the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ upon us, I pray this time has been a source of spiritual growth and personal reflection. This season is a special time, not only for those of Christian faith, but also for our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters. Spring is a time of renewal during which the three Abrahamic faith traditions celebrate. 


The past few months have been an active time for our department! Kicking off the year---the 12th Annual Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops meeting was held on January 28-31st, in Los Angeles, CA. Additionally, January 18-25th marked the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. This year’s theme “Do good; seek justice” is taken from the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah. On January 24, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros held an Ecumenical Prayer Service at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. During his address, His Eminence emphasized the need for Christian unity as we continue to see racism on the rise. As leaders of faith communities, His Eminence affirmed that “religion can never be neutral to human rights abuses.”  


This call to “Do good; seek justice” was made ever more present amid the cataclysmic Tükiye-Syria earthquake. On February 14, His Eminence led an Interfaith Prayer Service for those affected by the natural disaster at Georgetown University. He was joined by numerous religious leaders, diplomats and people of good will to show their solidarity with aid in relief efforts. In his address, His Eminence called us to look upon and imitate the humanitarian synergy displayed between Greece, Turkey, and Israel. While sharing in the grief for the inconceivable loss of over 37,000, the Archbishop also conveyed his hopefulness that out of this tragedy, we can see the opportunity for transformation in our shared humanity.  


Within our own department, we are pleased to warmly welcome our newest member, Hannah Williams. Hannah joins us as our program coordinator. We look forward to her joining us in person after Bright Week! 


I pray that the information available in this Spring Newsletter will keep you closer to our mission and don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions or if you want to be engaged.  


Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! 

 

Respectfully yours, 

Protopresbyter Nicolas Kazarian, Ph.D. 

Director, Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations  
 

Department Updates and Highlights

 
 

Ordination


On Sunday, January 29th, Nicholas R. Anton, Director of Operations for The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America and Director of Programs of the Department, was ordained to the Holy Diaconate at St. Savas Serbian Orthodox Church in San Gabriel, California. Axios!
 

Rev. Chryssavgis Receives Ecumenical Award


On February 23, The Washington Theological Consortium recognized Rev. Archdeacon John Chryssavgis with the Annual Ecumenism Award. Rev. Chryssavgis also delivered the Figel Lecture entitled "Toward an Ecumenical Outlook: Reviving Principles of Ecumenism."



To watch the video click, here!
 

New Programs Coordinator


On March 16th, we welcomed the Department's Program Coordinator, Hannah Williams. Hannah joins the department with a theological background in early Christian studies and the Jewish-Christian historical experience in Late Antiquity. She earned her BA in Religious Studies from Hellenic College Holy Cross and went on to acquire an MA in Theological Studies from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry in 2022.
 
 

Engaging with the World
 

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity


On January 24th, an Ecumenical Prayer Service was held at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.


His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed participants and His Eminence Cardinal Timothy Dolan offered the Homily. This year's Week of Prayer theme "Do good; seek justice" (Isaiah 1:17).


To watch the prayer service, click here!


Interfaith Prayer for Syria and Turkey


On February 14, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros led an Interfaith Prayer Service at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. This service provided an opportunity for civic and religious leaders to pray together in solidarity for those impacted by the recent earthquake.


To donate click, here.
 

Presentations at L100 Conference


On February 2nd, our Department's own Rev. Nicolas Kazarian and Rev. Nicholas Anton presented at the 32nd Annual Leadership 100 Conference in Scottsdale Arizona.


To watch the video, click here!
 

Meeting with USCCB President

On March 28th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met with His Excellency Archbishop Timothy Brogoli, President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Headquarters in Washington D.C. During the meeting, they discussed the close relationship between His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Pope Francis as the foundation for a stronger Catholic-Orthodox collaboration in the United States, mot only through dialogue, but also through common witness vis-a-vis contemporary social issues.


Click here to read more!

Interfaith Iftar

Fr. Nicolas, representing His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, attended the Muslim-Jewish Interfaith Iftar ceremony, hosted by the AMMWEC in Maryland, on Marth 30.
 

National Workshop on Christian Unity


From May 8-11th, the National Workshop of Christian Unity will be holding its annual conference in Milwaukee WI. The theme


Fr. Nicolas will be participating in a round table about the future of Ecumenism. If you are interested in registering or want to learn more, click here!
 

Orthodox Mission and Outreach

The Black American Orthodox Experience


Curious about the Church's stance on racial reconciliation? On March 8, Rev. Chrysostom Onyekakyeh and Rev. Samuel Davis hosted the first episode of their new series on the Black American Orthodox Experience.


This new series is an open discussion on race that delves into the insights, challenges, and how we can (and are reaching) members of Black, Indigenous, and other communities with the Church of Jesus Christ. To watch the first episode, click here!

The Outreach Liturgies at St. Eleftherios


V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakyeh, Project Coordinator for Mission Outreach Development continues his monthly celebrations and fellowship meetings at St. Eleftherios Greek Orthodox Church.


For more information please contact: conyekakeyah@goarch.org

Outreach-Retreat


On March 4th, V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostom participated in an Outreach-Retreat at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Virginia Beach, VA. The Retreat focused on African American and people of color embracing the Orthodox Christian faith.
 
 

The Department at the United Nations
 
 

GOA Girl Advocates Speak at 67th Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations

Each year the United Nations brings women and girls from around the world together at an annual conference to talk about pressing issues related to gender equality around the world called the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). This year is the 67th session of CSW and the priority theme is innovation and technological change, and education in the digital age for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all girls. GOA Girl Delegates were active in this year's 67th Commission on the Status of Women at the United Nations. The girls advocated directly to UN member state representatives and were able to offer insights into the agreed conclusions.


Be on the lookout for our upcoming article in the Orthodox Observer!

Statement Writing Participant


Demetra Chudley

Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons


Conversation Circle Participants


Anna Kira Poneros

Cathedral of St. John The Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey


Xanthi Lazarakis

Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons


Beatriz Fino Morfogen

Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons


Evangelina Benakis

Annuciation Greek Orthodox Church in New York City


Youth Briefing Participant


Beatriz Fino Morfogen


Virtual Vienna Cafe Participants


Evangelina Benakis


Demetra Chudley

Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops

of the USA
 

12th Assembly Meeting


The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America convened in Los Angeles, California from January 28-31st for its 12th Meeting. Thirty Hierarchs participated in the meeting chaired by Archbishop Elpidophoros.


Click here to read more!

Peace of Mind Program Update and January Update

Niarchos Foundation Gives Grant to Support Mental Health


On March 1st, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation awarded the Assembly of Canonical Bishops of the United States of America a 3-year grant of $200,000 to support its mental health ministries. In support of expanding the Peace of Mind program, the grant will help produce an accessible book series for the laity. The book series will explain major mental health topics through the lens of the Orthodox Christian tradition.
 

Department Resources

 

Combat Anti-Semitism

Anti-Semitism has plagued the world for centuries and remains present still today. The Department is aware of this and has compiled many resources that specifically explore Orthodox Christianity's relationship with Judaism, including how to address and combat Anti Semitism. Click here to be directed to the many readings, interviews, and video materials!

Greening the Parish

Please always be aware of the many useful tools to aid in the greening of your parish! Below you will find links to the resource page on the website of the archdiocese, as well as an extensive YouTube series that offers tips and tricks from parishes across the country on how to Green your Parish- click here for more.

Racial Reconciliation


The Archdiocese continually has statements and readings being published on the topic of racial reconciliation. Besides this, be aware of Rev. John Chryssavgis's web series on racial reconciliation in which he moderates many conversations on this topic. Click here to explore further this topic!
 
 

Connect with us on social media

Connect with us on social media and stay up to date on the departments' recent events and projects!
 
Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations | 8 E 79th St, New York, NY 10075
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