April 11
Sunday of St. John Climacus
The memory of this Saint is celebrated on March 30, where his biography may be found. He is celebrated today because his book, The Ladder of Divine Ascent, is a sure guide to the ascetic life, written by a great man of prayer experienced in all forms of the monastic polity; it teaches the seeker after salvation how to lay a sound foundation for his struggles, how to detect and war against each of the passions, how to avoid the snares laid by the demons, and how to rise from the rudimental virtues to the heights of Godlike love and humility. It is held in such high esteem that it is universally read in its entirety in monasteries during the Great Fast.
On this week's episode of "Live with the Louhs," a radio ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, hosts Fr. Nicholas and his wife, Dr. Roxanne, a Clinical Psychologist, discuss "Self Esteem And Our Children" with Psychologist, Dr. Philip Mamalakis, Professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.
The Department of Greek Education will be offering a webinar Saturday, April 3, 2021 1:00 pm est. The webinar will be presented by The Museum of School Life and Education (Μουσείο Σχολικής Ζωής και Εκπαίδευσης)
Overseas missions is an experience that fulfills our calling as Christians, transforms individuals who participate and infects the local parish with a zeal for sharing the faith.Mission-minded parishes instill the importance of mission. Parishioners return from overseas missions forever changed. A missionary mindset can play a key role in revitalizing the faith of active Orthodox Christians and the entire parish.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, in partnership with the National Council of Churches, the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute and the Ecclesiological Investigations Network will be hosting a webinar on “Ecumenical Readings of ‘For the Life of the World’ on April 21, 2021 at 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM EST.
In the first episode of our newest podcast series, "Fully Human," Presvytera Melanie DiStefano speaks with Presvytera Elaine Stavropoulos regarding her daughter's Autism diagnosis, and the ministry to families with disabilities which blossomed forth as a result.
"What is grief, if not love persevering?" Steve and Christian watched the new Disney+ series in the MCU, "WandaVision." The guys discuss grief, justice, power, and the cross-pressure of Secular3.
The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical, and Interfaith Relations has released a Greening the Parish Resource Page. Designed for both the parish and home, this page provides resource material for navigating and fulfilling our vocation as stewards of creation and working towards greening our parishes together.
State Proclamations for Greek Independence Day 2021
Hosted by the National Coordinating Committee, on April 1st, 2021, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros will receive a Proclamation of Greek Independence from the State of Tennessee from Governor Bill Lee at the Parthenon in Nashville. The event will be live streamed on GOARCH Youtube and social channels.
Exactly 200 years ago, inspired by the same ideals of liberty, self-governance, and passionate belief in democracy that sparked the American Revolution, the people of Greece declared their independence. Today, the people of the United States join the Greek people in commemorating the creation of the modern Greek state — and celebrating two centuries of enduring friendship between our nations.
The Director of the Office of Greek Education, Mr. Anastasios Koularmanis, would like to thank all the Greek programs, schools and students of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America who helped with this bicentennial project by submitting a video. We would also like to thank Mrs. Meropi Kyriakou the President of the Greek Teachers Association “Prometheus,” for putting this video together.
After 5 years of service as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of Denver, Jenny Stasinopoulos is moving on to her next role with the Tulsa Children's Museum. The Orthodox Observer caught up with Jenny to reflect on her time in youth ministry, the future of youth work, and her hopes for all the amazing youth and young adults she served.
We're halfway through Lent last Sunday! Check out our Family Connection from the Center for Family Care for some ideas on how to review your family's Lenten progress.
60% of young American Christians fall away from the tradition that raised them. We face the same problem in the Orthodox Church. In this talk, Steve presents three common ministry mistakes. And he explores how we can transform those mistakes into opportunities for transformational ministry that meets the needs of young people. This is the first of two talks that are part of the Lenten retreat titled: Authentic Christianity: Why Young People are Leaving the Church (and How We Can Inspire them to Stay) . The second talk was given by Father Andrew Stephen Damick. The retreat took place as a live, virtual panel discussion on April 3, 2021.
The Office of Greek Education is pleased to announce the return of the Archdiocesan District Children's Choir. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, expressed his desire to re-establish the youth choir program. With his spiritual guidance, his deep love for children and the Greek language, the Archdiocesan Youth Choir will return this Fall 2021. This program was made possible by the generosity of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Leadership 100.
"Grateful to the brilliant scientists and health care workers who, through hard work and by the Grace of God, produce and deliver life-saving vaccines. We have a moral obligation to make vaccines available to everyone in the world," said His Eminence.
On April 1, 2021, from the Parthenon in Nashville, Tennessee, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros received a Proclamation from Mayor John Cooper celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821.