During the Committee’s inaugural meeting in December 2007, Archbishop Demetrios offered three key objectives for the Committee to study in order to address the most crucial issues currently facing Ionian Village.  The first is to formulate a strategy for the renovation of the 37 year old camp facility.  The second objective is to find ways of making Ionian Village more accessible for participants from low and middle income families. The third objective initially given by Archbishop Demetrios is to increase the promotion of the Ionian Village program.  Currently, approximately 250 young people participate each summer, along with some 30 to 40 volunteer adult staff members.  The two existing summer session can accommodate 200 campers each.

The Committee had an opportunity to review preliminary architectural plans for renovation, and discuss the objectives presented by His Eminence.  Other topics discussed include pursuing supplementary resources for funding of the renovations and possibilities for future programs and ministries at the Ionian Village facility.  Additionally, the members discussed strategies for the enrichment of the existing Ionian Village program.  Committee members were given specific areas to research and will continue to meet in the coming months as they finalize and begin to execute the strategy for Ionian Village’s future growth and enhancement.  Archbishop Demetrios thanked members for their sacrifice in offering their talents and expertise to the committee, and stated that Ionian Village is, “A truly excellent program, which has great potential.”     

Appointed to the Committee are Fr. Costa Sitaras, Ionian Village Director  1973-1996; Fr, Mark Leondis, National Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries; Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, current Ionian Village Director; Mr. Jerry Dimitriou, Executive Director of Administration of the Archdiocese; Mr. Michael Parlamis, Archon of the Ecumenical Throne, and an engineer; Mrs. Elaine Jaharis, Archdiocesan Council member; Mr. George Anderson, Archon of the Ecumenical Throne and Archdiocesan Council member; and Dr. Gregory Papadeas, Archdiocesan Council member.  Most committee members are alumni of the camp, having either participated as campers or served as Ionian Village staff.

For more information contact: Fr. Constantine Lazarakis by email at FrConstantine@goarch.org or call 646-519-6190.

Contact: 
Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel.:  212-774-0244
communications@goarch.org

“The distribution of Bibles to people who have been affected by this terrible tragedy represents one of the many ways in which the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has worked to minister to our brothers and sisters in Greece in their process of recovery, who especially need at this time the healing power of the Holy Scriptures,” remarked His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.  “Through this initiative, our Archdiocese will be able to support the pastoral outreach of the affected Metropolises in Greece, and demonstrate the concern of the Church for the physical and spiritual well-being of all people.”

Michail Chatzigiannis, the General Secretary of the Greek Bible Society, also remarked, “Though materialism and the atheistic spirit of this world may try to demoralize the victims of these tragic fires, we believe that the written Word of God will help those affected experience God as ‘the Lord of patience and consolation.’  These generous donations will enable the distribution of God’s written word to comfort the hearts of these suffering people.”

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the American Bible Society, and the Greek Bible Society have collaborated closely on a number of initiatives such as the publication of the Children’s Bible Reader and the digital publication of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s 1904 authorized New Testament Text (http://www.goarch.org/en/chapel/biblegreek).

Several Orthodox clergy and laity have seen all of their worldly possessions consumed by flames. According to His Eminence, Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, food is in short supply. The seminary in Nairobi is currently housing about 20 displaced families, and St. George Orthodox Church in Kibera is housing several more.
 
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) has had a long history in Kenya. The Mission Center is taking a special collection as a gesture of solidarity with its Orthodox brothers and sisters in this East African nation. The funds collected will be used to help displaced Orthodox families in Kenya to rebuild their homes and their lives.
 
All donations for this special collection should be made payable to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center with “Kenya Crisis Collection” clearly marked in the check’s  memo line. Gifts may be submitted to:
 
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center
Re: Kenya Crisis Collection
P.O. Box 4319
St. Augustine, FL 32085-4319
 
OCMC is a non-profit organization that has been commissioned by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) to proclaim the fullness of the Christian Faith by establishing and nurturing vibrant, Eucharistic communities, which evangelize those around them and minister to the poor.

Contact:
Alex Goodwin, Communications Director
Phone: (904) 829-5132
E-mail: communications@ocmc.org
Web: www.ocmc.org