NEW YORK – The video presentation of “Pascha: The Resurrection of Christ,” a program highlighting Orthodox Christian Pascha, or Easter, will broadcast on ABC affiliates nationwide this month.   The program, produced by Greek Orthodox Telecommunications and sponsored by FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, highlights Holy and Great Week, focusing on the deeply moving and ancient services that recount the Gospel narrative leading to the Death and Resurrection of Christ.  Archbishop Demetrios of America leads a procession of the faithful around the church and outside where, following the reading of the Gospel of the Resurrection, they proclaim the joyous hymn “Christ is Risen!”

ABC Network has released broadcast dates and times, with additional coverage information to come in the coming week.   Below you will find a listing (as of April 3) of  ABC affiliates by state.  Please check the listing for exact date, time and station.  Please contact the Department of Communications if you need assistance.

You may also log on to  www.PaschaABC.goarch.org or www.interfaithbroadcasting.com/onair.aspx?PID=306 for a complete listing.

DVD copies of the program available for pre-sale ($25, plus $6 shipping).  To pre-purchase please contact the Department of Communications at 212.774.0244 or email gotel@goarch.org.

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced today the publication of the new “Faith and Life: Orthodox Christianity” series with the release of two web-based pamphlets on the topics of “Fasting” and the “Dating of Easter in the Orthodox Church.”  A third pamphlet focused on “Holy Week” will be available early next week.  These pamphlets and the “Faith and Life” series are available for free.  Intended to be placed in the Narthex, these pamphlets are designed to assist parishes’ ministries and outreach and the spiritual life and growth of Orthodox Christians by providing an introduction to a wide range of spiritual, social, and theological issues. 

In the initial launch of the series, the Archdiocese is publishing the pamphlets as both web pages and as PDF files that can be viewed online or downloaded and printed on legal size paper for distribution.  The resources will also be featured in Bulletin Builder ( http://bulletin.goarch.org ).  As additional topics and pamphlets are published, the resource will be available in a format that can be customized by parishes or ordered in a print version for use in display racks.  The variety of formats is intended to assist parishes in providing quality literature on Orthodox Christianity for outreach to the unchurched and for parish educational and catechetical programs.

The first three pamphlets on “Fasting”, the “Dating of Easter in the Orthodox Church”, and “Holy Week” offer an attractive and concise presentation of these significant issues in the life and praxis of the Orthodox faith.  Combining Holy Scripture, theology, history, liturgy, and practice, the pamphlets address relevant and contemporary issues in a way that enhances knowledge and understanding of the faith, addresses the challenges of contemporary life, and offers guidance to help persons, families, and communities grow in their relationship with God and in their commitment to His will for their lives.  This is the focus of the entire “Faith and Life” series, which will include dozens of topics in the areas of worship, theology, ethics, and spirituality.

As the pamphlets are prepared they will be added to the “Faith and Life” website at http://faith.goarch.org . The two initial publications on “Fasting” and the “Dating of Easter in the Orthodox Church” are now available on this site in preparation for the upcoming observances of Holy Week and Pascha.  More information will be distributed soon on the availability of print versions.

Sat. Apr. 4 – Wed. Apr. 8, 2009
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE, Constantinople

Wed. Apr. 8, 2009
7:00 p.m.
Official Presentation of “Legacy of Achievement”
a volume dedicated to the 25th Anniversary of the enthronement
of Metropolitan Methodios of Boston
The Cathedral Center, 162 Goddard Ave., Brookline, Mass.

Sat. Apr. 11, 2009 – Saturday of Lazarus
9:00 a.m.
Archieratical Divine Liturgy
Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church
Roslyn, NY (516) 625-0900

Sun Apr. 12, 2009 – Palm Sunday
9:00 a.m.
Archieratical Divine Liturgy
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church
Hicksville, N.Y. (516) 433-4522

NEW YORK – Ionian Village is pleased to announce that Faith: An endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, will generously fund a limited number of Archdiocese travel scholarships for high school students to participate in the Ionian Village program this summer.   As part of the Archdiocese’s ongoing effort to make Ionian Village accessible to more families, Faith will be offering both partial and full scholarships for deserving teens that demonstrate financial need.

Ionian Village is the travel abroad summer camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that aims to provide a vibrant, first hand experience of Orthodox Christianity and Hellenism to its participants.  Ionian Village participants spend three weeks at the campsite making guided excursions to some of the most important cultural and religious sites of Greece.  Destinations include the Church of St. Dionysios on the island of Zakynthos, Ancient Olympia, the monastery of Ossios Lukas, and historic Delphi.  In addition to excursions, participants are offered an educational program that includes athletic events, catechetical discussions, and educational sessions focusing on Greek culture.  The last three days of the program are spent in Athens. Campers stay in an Athenian hotel and take excursions to the Acropolis, the Island of Aegina, and the shopping centers of Athens.         

Those wishing to apply for a Faith scholarship to Ionian Village may download and print an application from the Ionian Village web site at www.ionianvillage.org.  The Ionian Village office must receive the application no later than May 1, 2009.  

For more details please call the Ionian Village office at (646) 519-6190.