GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
www.goarch.org    - Email: communications@...

Contact: PRESS OFFICE
Stavros Papagermanos
pressoffice@...

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW DISCUSSES
THE STATE OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY IN TURKEY IN 60 Minutes SEGMENT

NEW YORK – His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians who constitute the second largest Christian Church in the world, was featured on the CBS News program 60 Minutes broadcast last evening throughout the United States, and globally on the Internet at http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

His All Holiness, in an impressive manner combining clear and firm positions with humility and unpretentious appearance, spoke frankly about the patriarchate’s situation in the Republic of Turkey, the home of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and of countless ancient Christian sites, including the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia built by the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in 537 AD, as well as many of the most famous monuments and churches in Christendom including those of Cappadocia. A very important item preserved in the Mount Sinai Monastery of St. Catherine and presented during the interview, was a document signed by Mohammed himself, the Prophet and Founder of the Islamic Religion, in which he speaks about the right of the freedom of belief and practice of the Christian Religion.
 
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been an outspoken supporter of Turkey’s modernization and acceptance into the European Union. In the interview, he discussed his affection and commitment to his native Turkey, but also he indicated that the Turkish government had fallen short of its own ideals as well as the ideals of the international community.  He cited characteristically the case of the forcible closure of the only local Orthodox Patriarchal Seminary (Halki) in 1971 by government authorities. It has not been re-opened since then, despite continued promises by the Turkish government, and despite the fact, as the Patriarch said, that the Seminary at Halki has trained a significant number of priests who became strong promoters of peace, unity and love among the people.
 
When asked during the interview by veteran CBS correspondent Bob Simon “Do you feel personally Your All Holiness that you have been crucified sometimes?” the Patriarch unhesitantly answered, “Yes, I do!” But he had stated immediately before the question: “We believe in miracles… after the Crucifixion the Resurrection comes. We believe in the Resurrection.”
 
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, commented that “our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered during his 60 Minutes interview a superb and compelling witness for our Ecumenical Patriarchate. Painfully, but calmly and without any trace of hostility, he presented the tremendous difficulties that the Patriarchate faces. As we know, the difficulties include in addition to the closure of Halki, the refusal of the Turkish Government to recognize the title “Ecumenical” for the Patriarch, the confiscation of innumerable properties of the Patriarchate and the denial of the legal status of the Patriarchate.  The Ecumenical Patriarch emphatically stated the need for the Turkish Government to finally act in accordance with the ideals of democracy and freedom of religion which it frequently likes to proclaim.”
 
60 Minutes is the pre-eminent investigative television news show in the United States and has run on CBS since 1968. It has been among the top-rated TV programs for much of its life and has garnered numerous awards over the years.
 
More information about His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s work for religious freedom, human rights environmental conservation, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as texts of his addresses may be found at www.patriarchate.org <http://www.patriarchate.org> .

We acquire the purity that is free from pain by reading the holy books.

John Saba

The Christian should not let the sun set on an angry fit of a brother, lest night separate both from each other.

Basil the Great

The Fathers Speak
http://orthodoxbookstore.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=6290229

+ The School of Religion at Claremont Graduate University cordially invites you to a public lecture entitled:
Topic: "Living Between Two Worlds: Egyptian Christians in America"
Guest Speakers: Bishop Youssef (Coptic Orthodox Bishop of Southern United States)
When: Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Culture consists of socially acquired information through beliefs, values, knowledge, ideas, etc. that impact one’s behavior and attitude especially in the family setting. The change from a familiar environment to an unfamiliar one is faced by many Egyptian Christians in America. This lecture will present how individuals adapt differently to a new culture and illustrate the challenges imposed during this adjustment period. The lecture will also explore the impact of individuals’ adaptation on their family relationships and the role one has in the family adaptation process. This will lead to the most important question: what is the impact of cultural adaptation on one’s spirituality?
Where: Mudd Theater at Claremont School of Theology on 1325 N. College Ave.  Claremont, CA 91711
Inquiries may be addressed to Dr. S. Michael Saad, Chair, Council for Coptic Studies, School of Religion, Claremont Graduate University at saad3@....
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.lacopts.org/event/diocese-events/lecture-hg-bishop-youssef-claremont-school-of-theology)

+ Metropolitan Gerasimos, Bishop Joseph, Bishop Maxim and Bishop Benjamin invite all clergy to the 1st Pan-Orthodox Advent Clergy Retreat
Topic: "Parish Priest as a Spiritual Father"
Retreat Master: Bp Ilia Katre
When: Tuesday, December 1st, 2009 thru Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Where: St. Nicholas Ranch on 38526 Dunlap Rd.  Dunlap, CA 93621 @ 559-338-2103
Cost: $200
Please enclose your check for $200, made payable to “Pan-Orthodox Clergy Fund” and mail it with this form to: Saint Stephen Cathedral, 1621 W. Garvey Ave, Alhambra, CA 91803. Registration and payment must be received by November 25, 2009. Please be advised that all clergy must arrive by 2 P.M. December 1. The retreat will
end at 2 P.M. December 3.
Directions to Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat center: (http://www.stnicholasranch.org/directions.htm).
Event Flier:(http://www.westsrbdio.org/pdf/ClergyPanOrthodoxRetreat2009.pdf)
Registration Flier: (http://www.westsrbdio.org/pdf/REGISTRATION%20FORM%20FOR%20THE%20FIRST%20ANNUAL%20PAN-ORTHODOX%20CLERGY%20RETREAT.pdf)

+ The 2nd Annual Confernce of the Sophia Institute
Topic: "Lord, when did we see you hungry? Philanthropy &' Social Compassion in Eastern Orthodox Tradition"
Symposiarch: Matthew Pereira
When: Friday, December 4th, 2009
Where: Union Theological Seminary on 3041 Broadway, New York, NY 100027
Registration Cost: $40
Conference Evening Banquet: $60
RSVP before Nov. 25th, 2009
The Sophia Institute is an Orthodox Research Forum Dedicated to the Connections between Authentic Eastern Christian Teaching and Spintualiry and the Pressing Concerns of the Contemporary World
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.utsnyc.edu/Page.aspx?pid=1780) or contact Matthew Pereira via e-mail at: mp2587@...

+ Nativity Retreat
Topic: "This Orthodox Life: My Journey; What it means to be Orthodox; The Sacramental Life; Evangelism St. Seraphim Style)"
Speaker: Matthew Gallatin
When: Friday, December 4th thru Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Where: Holy Cross Orthodox Church on 105 N Camp Meade Rd  Linthicum, MD 21090
Cost: $15 (includes continental breakfast and lunch and is payable at the door)
Register by: December 1st, 2009
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.4evangelists.org/news_091114_1.html or http://holycrossonline.org/latest_news/special_events/2009/1204_matthew_gallatin.php); email at: info@... or call (410) 850-5090

+  Pre-Christmas Spiritual Retreat
Topic: "Unlocking the Meaning of Christmas"
Speaker: Igumen Sergius (Bowyer) - Abbot of Saint Tikhon’s Monastery, South Canaan, PA
When: Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Where: Greek Orthodox Parish of Loudoun County on 21580 Atlantic Blvd - Building D, Unit 160  Dulles, VA 20166
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.oca.org/news/2011) or (http://greekorthodoxloudoun.org/)

+ Retreat on the Jesus Prayer
Speaker:  Frederica Mathewes-Green
When: Saturday, December 5th, 2009
Where: Church of the Mother of God at St. Joseph Seminary on 75 Mapleton Rd (& Seminary Dr) Princeton, NJ 08540
Registration Cost: $25 per person, with a special student rate of only $5
For more information, please click on this link: (http://theorthodoxchurch.info/blog/news/2009/11/new-jersey-parish-to-host-retreat-on-the-jesus-prayer/) or for additional information please contact Jennifer Hotz at wittypen@...

+ 12th Annual Christmas Music fest under the Byzantine Dome
When: Sunday, December 6th, 2009 at 7 pm
Where: St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on 1324 Normandie Ave LA, CA 90006
The program will include Orthodox Christmas Hymns and Chants, selections from the Oratorio "Messiah" and traditional carols of the holiday season. The concert will feature Carole Choucair Oueijan (Chanter Saint Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral), Michele Patzakis Prappas, Eleni Pantages and Efrain Martinez as soloists (the Los Angeles Byzantine Chorale and Chamber Ensemble) under the direction of Constance Callinicos, the Harmonies of Saint Thomas all Girls Choir, under the direction of Antonio Espinal, and the Saint Sophia Cathedral Youth Choir.
Freewill offering. Reception immediately following concert
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.stsophia.org/events/christmas/christmas_concert_2009-12-06.pdf)

Topic: "Can Christianity Be Saved from the Christians?"
Speaker: Frank Schaeffer (best-selling author of Keeping Faith and Crazy for God, a frequent commentator on MSNBC and other news outlets and contributor to The Huffington Post)
When: Saturday, December 5th, 2009 - Great Vespers will begin at 5:30 pm, followed by the lecture at 7 pm in the Church Hall
Where: St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church on 8 Inman St. Cambridge, MA 02139
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.stmaryorthodoxchurch.org/newsevents/2009-frankschaeffer.php)

Topic: "Orthodox Christian Marriage: A Path to Salvation"
Speaker: Matthew Gallatin
When: Monday, December 7th, 2009
Where: Holy Apostles Orthodox Church on 10760 Baltimore Ave  Beltsville, MD 20705
Cost: $15 (includes continental breakfast and lunch and is payable at the door)
Register by: December 1st, 2009
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.holyapostlesorthodoxchurch.org/) or e-mail Matushka Deborah Johnson at: llew@...

+ Youth Missionary Trip
When: Thursday, December 10th, 2009 thru Thursday, December 17th, 2009
Where: Hawaii
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.lacopts.org/event/bishop-serapions-schedule/youth-missionary-trip-to-hawaii)

+ Premarital Couples Retreat
Topics Include: "The Christian Concept of Marriage; The Engagement Period; Premarital Questionnaire; Eight Important Factors in a Strong Marriage; Necessity of a Strong Spiritual Life; Understanding Your Partner; Communication; Other relationships; Managing finances; Roles; Purity; Intimacy"
Speaker: Fr. Gawargious Kolta
When: Friday, December 11th thru Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Where: St. Maurice & St. Verena Coptic Village Retreat Center on 39328 Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear Lake, CA 92315
This retreat is intended for Christian couples seeking enrichment before their marriage and comprised of a series of lectures, discussions, and workshops
Registration Deadline: December 1st, 2009
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.lacopts.org/news/premarital-couples-retreat-december-13-2009)
Flier information: (http://www.lacopts.org/sites/default/files/Premarital%20Flier%2012-09.pdf)

+ Pan-Orthodox Middle School Retreat for students in grades 5-8
Topic: "In His Image"
Speaker: Mother Alexandra (Acting Abbess of the Convent of Saint Thekla)
When: Friday, December 11th thru Sunday, December 13th, 2009
Where: Antiochian Village on 140 Church Camp Trail Bolivar, PA 15923
Cost: $90/student; $56/chaperone (retreat package includes lodging and Meals at the Conference center)
For more information, please click on this link: (www.antiochianvillage.org) or contact Barli @ (724) 238-3677 ext. 425
Registration Flier: (http://www.antiochianvillage.org/assets/files/center_pdf/Middle%20School%20Retreat%20Registration%20Form%202009.pdf)
Retreat Flier: (http://www.antiochianvillage.org/assets/files/center_pdf/Advent%20Retreat%20Flyer%202009.pdf)

+ Advent Retreat
Topic: "The Secret Signs, Symbols and Sayings of Christianity"
Speaker: Fr. George Taweel (pastor at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral in LA)
When: Saturday, December 12th, 2009
Where: St. Michael Antiochian Orthodox Church on 3333 Workman Mill Rd. Whittier, CA. 90601
The day will begin at 9 a.m. with the Office of Oblates, followed by Western Rite Liturgy. Fr. George will do 3-4 speaking sessions, with time for questions and answers. In keeping with the Western Rite Retreat tradition, this will be a silent retreat, with quiet times in between sessions for reading, reflections and speaking to the clergy. Lunch and snacks will be served, and there is no charge.
RSVP to: St. Michael Church @ (562) 692-6121 or Samia Habib @ (818) 919-3870; e-mail: sambur@...

+ Marriage and Family Life Retreat for Singles, Married Couples and Teachers of All Ages
Topic: "Raising and Teaching Children in a Secular World"
Speaker: Fr. George Morelli, Ph.D (licensed Clinical Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist, Coordinator of the Family Therapist, Coordinator of the Chaplaincy and Pastoral Chaplaincy and Pastoral Counseling Ministry of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese and Religion Coordinator for the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR). Fr. George serves as assistant pastor of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Diego, California).
When: Saturday, December 12, 2009 from 10 am to 5 pm
Where: St Anna Greek Orthodox Church on 1001 Stone Canyon Dr. Roseville, CA 95661
Cost: $15.00 per person, $25.00 married or engaged couples, $10.00 for students (includes lunch)
For more information, please click on this link: (http://saintanna.org/) or contact: Contact person: Morfoula Lenakakis @ (916) 772- 9372

+ Saint John of San Francisco Monthly Retreats - For Men Only
Topic: "Finding the authentic role of the modern Orthodox man: finances, recreation, work and home"
Retreat Master: Fr. Meletios Weber
When: Friday, December 18th, 2009 thru Sunday, December 20th, 2009
Where: Monastery of St. John of San Francisco on 21770 Ponderosa Way  Manton, CA 96059
Each retreat begins Friday afternoon at 5 pm and concludes Sunday afternoon at 1 pm on the last weekend of each month. In addition to talks on the retreat theme, retreatants will also participate in the monastic services and meals and stay at the monastery guesthouse. There will be opportunity to spend quiet time walking the monastery grounds, as well as social time meeting others who seek a deeper commitment to Christ. Fr. Meletios will also be available for the Sacrament of Confession.
Space is limited in the monastery guesthouse, so please make your reservation early! The cost for each retreat weekend is $120, and we ask for a $20 deposit
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.monasteryofstjohn.org/retreats.html) or contact Fr. Nektarios at the monastery @ 530-474-5964 or e-mail at: office@...

+ Living Faith Classes
Topic: “The Twelve Days of Christmas: true origins”
Just before Christmas, we’ll look at the origins of the nonsensical and well-loved carol, The Twelve Days of Christmas, and see that in spite of many false urban rumors going around about it being a hidden form of Jesuit catechism, it is far more likely that this ancient carol may, in fact, recount a Christian pilgrim’s journey from England to the Holy Land, during the Nativity season.
Speaker: Fr. John Peck
When: Saturday, December 19th, 2009 at 11 am
Where: Prescott Orthodox Church on 609 W. Gurley St.  Prescott, AZ 86303
For more information, please click on this link: (http://prescottorthodox.org/2009/11/18/the-twelve-days-of-christmas-true-origins/) or contact: Fr. John @ 928-777-8750

+ St. Herman Youth Conference
Speakers: Fr. Alexis Duncan, Dcn Constantine Desrosiers, Nicholas Ganson & Matushka Ann Lardas
When: Tuesday December 22nd thru Saturday, December 26th, 2009
Where: Wyndham Hotel on 123 Old River Rd. Andover, MA 01810 
Church Information: St. Xenia Orthodox Church on 170 N. Lowell St. (Rt 113) Methuen, MA 01844
Apart from Divine Services, the conference will take place at the newly renovated Wyndham Boston/Andover Hotel, just a couple of miles from the church.  A full schedule has been planned. Select lectures and activities are planned separately for two age groups. Youth between the ages of 16 and young adult may participate. Noted hierarchs and clergy of the Russian Church Abroad will lead discussions and be present for questions and social activities.
Registration Fee: $250.00 (inlcudes all lectures, activities, meals and lodging-quad occupancy)
Registration Deadline: November 30th, 2009
Transportation will be provided from the hotel to all activities and services in the church.
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.stseraphimcamp.com/herman/index.html)
For schedule information, please click on this link: (http://www.stseraphimcamp.com/herman/schedule.html)

+ St. Herman Youth Conference (hosted by Holy Virgin Protection Parish, Goshen, Indiana)
Topic: "Orthodoxy Around the World and in my World"
When: Saturday, December 26th thru Monday, December 28th, 2009
Where: The Brethren Retreat Center on 9095 West 275 North Shipshewana, IN 46565
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.chicagodiocese.org/files/StHerman2009.pdf)

+ Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) College Conference 2009
Topic: "Building Community"
Speakers: Fr. Jon Braun, Dr. Stephen Muse, Jordan Henderson, Fr. Patrick Tishel & others
When: Sunday, December 27th at 4 pm thru Thursday, December 31st, 2009 at noon
Where: Diakonia Center on 455 Quail Ridge Rd  Salem, SC 29676
Each year, under the jurisdiction of the SCOBA Campus Commission, these National Conferences of Orthodox Christian Fellowship are open to college students, high school graduates and college–age young adults. Both conferences will include a variety of enlightening workshops, daily services and many different social events. They aim to promote unity among Orthodox young people and to renew them in their journeys toward salvation.
Scholarships are available up to $175. The deadline for submitting a scholarship application is December 1, 2009.
For more information, please click on this link: (http://collegeconferencesouth.eventbrite.com/East) or contact Christopher Hansard at: christopher.hansard@...

+ 2009 College Winter Retreat
Topic: "Come Spend the Last Hours with Christ"
When: Monday, December 28th thru Wednesday, December 30th, 2009
Where: Alpine Meadows Retreat Center on 42900 Jenks Lake Rd West  Angelus Oaks, CA 92305
Cost: $145 if you register/pay before November 30th; $160 if you register/pay before December 14th
All questions and written requests should be sent by e-mail to winter.retreat@...
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.lacopts.org/winter-retreat)

+ 2009 West Coast College and Young Adult Winter Retreat
Topic: "Building Community"
Speakers: Fr. James and Khouria Karen Coles
When: Monday, December 28th thru Thursday, December 31st, 2009
Where: St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center on 38526 Dunlap Rd  Dunlap, CA 93621
Cost: $215
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.antiochianladiocese.org/news_091027_1.html)
For flier, please click on the following link: (http://www.antiochianladiocese.org/files/announcements/2009-College-Retreat.pdf)
Registration Form: (http://2009westcoastwinterretreat.eventbrite.com/)

+ Diocese of South to hold Fifth Annual International Winter Service Retreat for Youth and Young Adults
Topic: "Life Lessons from Alaskan Saints"
Speaker: Fr. Chad Hatfield (Chancellor of St. Vladimir's Seminary)
When: Monday, December 28th, 2009 thru Saturday, January 2nd, 2010
Where: St. George the Great Martyr Church on 704 W. Sam Houston  Pharr, TX 78577
Activities include sorting donated clothing items, staffing a special Nativity season distribution at St. George Food Pantry, delivering donations, and assisting in a work project at Casa Amparo Orphanage for Girls in Reynosa, Mexico.
Other activities include daily prayers, spiritual sessions series, trip to South Padre Island beaches, a new year's party, a talent show, and the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Spanish.
The event is designed for older teens, college students, young adults, and clergy and families who wish to participate. Participants younger than 13 years of age must be accompanied either by a parent or designated guardian. Married couples who wish to attend as chaperones/staff and who have younger children can rent on-site motel rooms at a reasonable rate. All others will be lodged in bunk style rooms at a retreat center facility.
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.oca.org/news/1993) or for additional information, send an e-mail to: mateliza@... or padreantoniop@... or @ (956) 781-2388

+ Winter retreat for high school and college age students (sponsored by Saint John Church, Indianapolis)
When: Thursday, December 31st, 2009 thru Sunday, January 3rd, 2010
Where: Camp Riverdale on R. R. 3 Box 439 Mitchell, IN 47446
For more information, please click on this link: (http://www.saintjohnscamp.org/)
For registration form, please click on this link: (http://www.saintjohnscamp.org/forms/WinterRetreat2009RegistrationForm.pdf)




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The Southern Diocese 2010 TCL Graduate Convention is fast approaching!!! So sign up now and receive an Early Registration discount.  Remember registration ends on November 30th so don't delay and take advantage of the discount!  (See attachment for more information)

WHO CAN ATTEND?

All college graduates and young professionals born on or BEFORE January 1, 1988. This includes newly married college graduates. All new, young Coptic Orthodox graduate converts are especially welcomed to attend.

NOTE:  All attendees must meet the age requirements.  Any attendees who do not meet the age requirement listed above will not be able to attend the convention.  No exceptions.

Location:  Hilton Sandestin Golf Resort & Spa, Destin, Florida

REGISTRATION & COST:

Online Registration will be open according to the schedule below. Rooming requests must be noted at the time of registration.

Early Registration: Oct 24, 2009 - Nov 30, 2009 ($15 discount)

2 ppl/room: $220

3 ppl/room: $185

4 ppl/room: $170

 

Registration: Dec 1, 2009 - Dec 25, 2009

2 ppl/room: $235

3 ppl/room: $200

4 ppl/room: $185

 

Unregistered guests will be required to pay a $275 convention fee at the door, 3 per room, and room with other late registrants.

For more information please check out our website:  www.suscopts.org/scyc/tcl

Please keep the convention in your prayers.

TCL Committee