COVID

It all started with one priest writing letters to just one man behind bars. Now, sixteen years later, 21 Orthodox clergy and laity serve 69 people in four different prison facilities across Michigan.

On October 13th Project HOPE reached 1 Million Meals Served! Approximately 150 volunteers from multiple parishes and multiple states within the Metropolis came together to prepare meal kits. Thank you to all who have participated with a Project HOPE service event.

The Hellenic Film Society USA (HFS) has announced the lineup for its annual New York Greek Film Expo, a Greek film festival for all New Yorkers, to be held September 29—October 9, expanding to four theaters across the New York metro area.

earn about the challenges parishes are facing today with bringing families back to worship amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Register for the webinar Rekindle: Bringing Families Back to the Fullness of Worship, picking from one of three convenient dates.

The Charity Committee of the Ladies Philoptochos Society of St. Luke Chapter recently responded to a new program from Covenant House.

This past year and a half, when the COVID-19 pandemic shut down all social gatherings and forced us to stay 6 feet apart, I felt an urge to connect. I took an idea that was brewing within me, and brought it to life. With the help of my priest and GOYA advisor, I launched the Adopt a Yiayia and Pappou Program in my church.

All employees who are eligible for a booster are required to provide proof of the booster by Monday, January 17, 2022.

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and congratulated him on thirty years of moral and spiritual leadership as Ecumenical Patriarch.

The presence of the COVID-19 Delta variant in the Southeastern United States has caused the Metropolis of Atlanta to recognize that the Annual Archangel Michael Honors Weekend is still potentially unsafe. However, the Metropolis does not wish to leave our 2020 & 2021 honorees unacknowledged.

Ἡ ἑορτή τῆς Ἰνδίκτου, ἡ ἐπίσημος ἡμέρα προσευχῶν διά τό φυσικόν περι-βάλλον, εὑρίσκει καί ἐφέτος τήν ἀνθρωπότητα ἀντιμέτωπον μέ ἔντονα καιρικά φαινόμενα λόγῳ τῆς προϊούσης κλιματικῆς ἀλλαγῆς, καταστροφικάς πλημμύρας καί πυρκαϊάς εἰς ὅλον τόν πλανήτην, καθώς καί μέ τήν πανδημίαν τοῦ κορωνοϊοῦ καί τάς κοινωνικάς καί οἰκονομικάς ἐπιπτώσεις της.

Last year was unlike any other, but you helped us continue to serve. With your support, IOCC served over 1 Million people in 2020, working in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and North America.

This summer, Metropolis of Chicago’s ministry HOPE partnered with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to offer a Mobile Pantry in support of local community members and neighbors in need of groceries.

As the safety and good health of our campers, staff, and families remains the top priority at the Metropolis of Boston Camp, and the dedicated team of medical staff, led by Dr. John Kroger and nurse Despina Stavros, and legal counsel, Mark Rouvalis.

In 2020, as part of our modified Greek Landing Day observance, St. Photios Shrine introduced a “Reverse Raffle” to assist in the fundraising goals in light of the global pandemic. This year, based on the complete success of that event, there will be second Reverse Raffle to benefit our beloved Saint Photios National Shrine.

The church worked with the nonprofit organization, RIP Medical Debt, providing a donation that was then leveraged by RIP Medical Debt to wipe in total $3,566,809 in medical debt for the families who mostly live in New England.

Partnering with our traditional venue, Lombardo’s of Randolph, MA, our hope is to add to the over 6,000 meals we provided last year for frontline health care workers or those most in need…with your help of course! To the left, you can see where meals are being provided and how you can help!

Yesterday, April 18, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael began experiencing acute, persistent pain that was unusual in nature and unrelated to COVID-19. Out of an abundance of caution, His Eminence was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where he was admitted and treated.

Last week, the Metropolis of Boston Camp held a Virtual Open House to inform parents about the program this Summer and their response to COVID-19.

Rev. Father Barnabas Powell from Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Greek Orthodox Church in Cumming, Georgia will address this critical topic, along with Steve Tibbs from the Metropolis of San Francisco Orthodox Parish Leadership Ministry, who is also overseeing the COVID response team for the Metropolis.

The Holy Apostles Philoptochos of Westchester, IL sponsors the “Blankets of Love” ministry every year. Philoptochos collects crocheted, knitted and fleece blankets and donates them to local organizations for needy and sick infants. They also collect monetary donations with which fleece and yarn are purchased so that members can make additional blankets.

Vaccines are a safe way to prevent viral infections. Vaccination is critical to lower overall morbidity and mortality of all SARS-CoV2 variants. While there are different vaccines, all vaccine technologies try to do the same thing: activate the immune system to be prepared to fight against the actual virus should the individual become infected. Currently, there are 242 vaccines being developed to protect the population from Covid-19. This document provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding vaccines. This linked document was prepared by members of the Orthodox Theological Society in America (OTSA).

Despite the immense challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and a generally hectic 2020, your prayers and financial support allowed Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry to adapt and continue to minister to those who are incarcerated and their families.

Today, as the annual March For Life is held digitally due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America reaffirms the sanctity of life based on the firm conviction that life begins at the moment of conception. All humans, whether in the womb or in the world, are made in the image and likeness of God, possessing God-given beauty and dignity. Therefore, we can never condone the willful and elective taking of a human life.

On Thursday January 28th, 2021, shortly before midday, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was administered the COVID-19 Vaccine at the University Medical Center CAPA in Istanbul. His All Holiness thanked the doctors and staff of the Medical Center, and through them, all frontline healthcare workers throughout the world for their self-sacrifice as they care for the infected and their loved ones. It is His All Holiness’ fervent prayer that everyone get vaccinated as soon as possible to contain this global and deadly virus.