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Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Happy Summer!
As we find ourselves in the midst of this beautiful season, I pray that all has been well, and the summer months provide ample time for rest and relaxation.
The Department has been extremely busy in its ecumenical endeavors! Of note, the 101st meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation was held from May 16-18th at St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto. In many ways, this meeting marked a positive turning point in the Consultation’s future. The Consultation resolved its discussions on the topic of “Orthodox-Catholic Marriages” by completing a joint statement on the theology and practice of marriage in both churches. This document, set for publication, will offer specific pastoral recommendations for the care and spiritual growth of Catholic-Orthodox families.
Additionally, the Central Committee meeting of the World Council of Churches was held from June 21-27th in Geneva, Switzerland. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered the opening homily that recalled the 75th anniversary of the founding of the WCC in 1948. Moreover, as a Central Committee member and delegate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, I participated in a fruitful discussion on unity and diversity at the plenary session on unity and diversity.
Within our own Department, we were pleased to warmly welcome our summer intern, Antoni Zlatanovski. Antoni joins us through the Orthodox Christian Studies Center Internship Program through Fordham University.
Many preparations for the growth and impact of the Department are diligently underway. Continue to lookout for updates on the “How-to” Green the parish series with parish spotlight features highlighting the diverse ways parishes around the country are answering the call to be stewards of creation.
I pray that the information available in this Summer 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.
Respectfully yours,
Protopresbyter Nicolas Kazarian, Ph.D.
Director, Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations
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Archbishop Elpidophoros Visits Metropolitan Saba
On Wednesday, April 19th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited His Eminence Metropolitan Saba, the newly elected Archbishop of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at the headquarters in Englewood, NJ. He also participated in his enthronement on May 13, 2023.
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National Workshop on Christian Unity
Rev. Nicolas Kazarian participated in the 2023 National Workshop on Christian Unity. Building upon the theme “Do good; Seek justice” Rev. Kazarian led a round table about the Future of Ecumenism.
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National Day of Prayer
On May 4th, Religions for Peace USA held a prayer service for Secure & Healthy Communities. Rev. Kazarian led the call to prayer.
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75th Anniversary of the National Council of Churches
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Community at the Crossing
On May 26th, Rev. Kazarian met with Sr. Lysander Guilbault and Fr. Jean-David Carossio, representatives of an ecumenical immersion program run through St. John the Divine, NYC.
To learn more about the Community of the Crossing program, click here. |
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Archbishop Elpidophoros Meets with Focolare
On June 8th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and Rev. Protopresbyter Dr. Nicolas Kazarian met with representatives of the Focolare Movement in New York at the Archdiocese Headquarters.
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Ecumenical Opportunity!
Graymoor Peace, Reconciliation, and Ecumenicity Program (GREP)
This is a course in ecumenical formation which will take place over five overnight retreats between October 2023 and June 2024. Application deadline closes August 15, 2023. For more information about GREP and details about each retreat click here |
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Great Vespers at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church
On June 10th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America along with several brother clergy attended the Great Vespers on the Feast of the Holy Apostle Bartholomew at Saint Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in New York. Following the service, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidopohoros offered the homily.
Click here to read the address. |
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International Council of Christian and Jews
From June 18-21st, the ICCJ held its annual conference in Boston, MA. This year’s theme was “Negotiating Multiple Identities: Implications for Interreligious Dialogue.” Rev. Nicolas participated in a workshop session surveying the unique characteristics that define Orthodox Christian-Jewish relations and the challenges, obstacles, and opportunities at play going forward.
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World Council of Churches
June 21st marked the 75th anniversary of the founding of the WCC. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered the opening prayer as the World Council of Churches Central Committee gathered in Geneva Switzerland from June 21-27th. Director of the Department, Rev. Nicolas Kazarian was also in attendance.
Click here for the full article. |
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Orthodox Mission and Outreach
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The Black American Orthodox Experience
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Click here to watch episode two. |
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Click here to watch episode three. |
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Click here to watch episode four. |
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Click here to watch episode five. |
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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.
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The Department at the United Nations
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CRNGO World Environment Day
On June 5th, Programs Coordinator, Hannah Williams attended the 2023 Annual Meeting for the Committee of Religious NGOs. The meeting was focused on Sustainable Development Goals and the role of faith-based organizations as we reach the halfway point to 2030.
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Right to a Healthy Environment
On June 6th, our Programs Coordinator Hannah Williams participated in the Pre-Parliament Event for the August 2023 Convening of The Parliament of the World’s Religions. The program was held in observance of World Environment Day in which many religious NGOs gathered to celebrate ‘The Right to a Healthy Environment’ approval as a basic human right by the General Assembly in July 2023.
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Assembly of Canonical Bishops
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Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Concludes its 101st Meeting
The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation met from May 16-18, 2023, at St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto. The 101st meeting was hosted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Read the full release here. |
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Creation Justice Ministries
On May 9th, Rev. Nicholas Anton represented the Archdiocese at the Board of Directors meeting for Creation Justice Ministries. The three-day meeting included programmatic updates, business sessions, and a visit to Sophia Farms.
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Resilience and Resolve: Climate Justice Training for Faith Communities
On June 9th, Hannah Williams attended a climate justice training course for faith leaders.
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Department Updates and Highlights
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Greening the Parish Updates
Keep an eye out for updates to the Greening the Parish webpage for parish spotlights recognizing those who take the call to be stewards of creation to the next level as well as clips of how parishes across the country are implementing sustainable, eco-friendly measures at church!
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New Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Intern
On May 22nd, we welcomed our Summer 2023 intern, Antoni Zlatanovski. Antoni is a rising sophomore at Fordham University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in international political economy with a minor in Orthodox Christian Studies.
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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! |
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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. |
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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! |
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Connect with us on social media
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Connect with us on social media and stay up to date on the departments’ recent events and projects!
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