Projects

Twenty-nine years have now passed since the Mother Church established the Feast of Indiction as the “Day of Protection of the Environment.” Throughout this time, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has inspired and pioneered various activities, which have borne much fruit and highlighted the spiritual and ecological resources of our Orthodox tradition.

The Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has launched a Creation Care Toolkit with the goal of helping individuals and parishes take immediate action to care for God’s Creation. The Toolkit, as announced by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America in his Encyclical for September 1st, is available now at www.goarch.org/en/society/ecology.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America expresses its deep sorrow and agony for the disastrous fires in eastern Attica, Greece, which yesterday, July 23, 2018, destroyed inhabited areas and woodland, caused the loss of life of dozens of our fellow human beings, injured many others, and devastated homes and property. There is currently a significant number of missing persons.

In recent days, the words of St. Paul in the 13th chapter of his Epistle to the Romans have been circulating in the news. We are concerned and alarmed at the use of this biblical quote being used out of context to justify the strict application of a policy occurring at our southern border, which is detrimental to family life.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America has appointed Nicholas Anton as the interim director of the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Mr. Anton has been the Coordinator of UN Programs as well as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Department since 2014.

On April 3, 2018, the eve of the 50th memorial of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., following the solemn service of the Bridegroom of Holy Tuesday, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios hosted more than 400 ecumenical leaders and guests at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia, who had gathered in the nation’ s capital to advance efforts to end racism.

The leaders of Jerusalem’s churches have today (02/26/2018) announced the unprecedented decision to close the Church of the Holy Sepulcher until further notice, in protest at persistent moves to intimidate Christians and discriminate against churches in the Holy Land. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which dates back to the fourth century, is considered to contain the sites of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, making it the holiest site in the world for Christians.

The horrible mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland Florida, on Feb. 14, has caused the tragic loss of life for 17 students and teachers, has caused direct pain and grief to the families and friends of the victims and has brought sadness, sorrow and anger to the whole country and the world.

As many contemplate New Year’s resolutions to take better care of their health, International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) continues its ongoing work to offer underserved communities and families worldwide the tools needed to do precisely that.

As our nation observes the Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is proud to announce that it will participate in an ecumenical initiative to end racism. The process will begin in April with the public gathering of the 38 member communions of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) and all people of good will to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dr. King’s assassination.

“Our thoughts and prayers are constant and fervent for all the people affected by the latest waves of fires in several California counties. We read reports of houses destroyed, we see the videos of the threatening fires…

The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Fransisco in an email to the Greek Orthodox faithful in Southern California provides information about how the latest fires affect and threaten our communities and brethren in the area.

The Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate sponsor and organize the third International Conference on Religious Freedom to be held Dec. 4-6 in Washington, D.C. “Persecution of Christians in the Holy Lands and the Middle East: Consequences and Solutions,” will be the overarching theme.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed the sympathy and heartfelt condolences of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to the Prime Minister and the people of Greece, for the loss of lives in the tragic torrential rains and resulting flash floods in the region of western Attica.

Upon hearing of today’s terrorist attack against innocent and unsuspecting pedestrians and bicyclists in lower Manhattan and the senseless loss of life of eight people and the infliction of injuries to many others, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed the sentiments of sorrow and condolence of all Orthodox faithful to the families and friends of the victims.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States (Assembly of Bishops) and of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches (SCOOCH) will celebrate the 10th Annual Prayer Service for the United Nations on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Chairman of the Assembly of Bishops, will preside over the service.

In response to continued food insecurity in Greece, the Jaharis Family Foundation, Inc., announced a new $1 million challenge gift to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to expand its programs, implemented in partnership with Apostoli, the humanitarian organization of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Athens, to offer sustainable access to safe and nutritious food for children, families, and the elderly, and providing relief to refugees.

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis released today the following joint message for prayer for the environment and God’s creation that includes an appeal for the healing of our wounded creation.

In response to the unprecedented catastrophic Hurricane Harvey, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, speaking on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the entire Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America said:

“In the wake of Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas and

With God’s grace, today we enter the new ecclesiastical year, even as we continue to provide witness “through him who loved us” (Romans 8.38) and “give an account for the hope that lies in us” (1 Peter 3.15), living in the Church, in Christ and according to Christ, who promised to be with us “all the days of our life, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.20)

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America stands with all people of good will in condemning the hateful violence and lamenting the loss of life that resulted from the shameful efforts to promote racial bigotry and white supremacist ideology in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Representatives of various Christian communions met July 24-26, 2017, for an annual ecumenical retreat that was hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

The Church of the Annunciation of Missoula, MT is putting its faith to work, and getting a nice return. By participating in the Missoula Works staffing agency created by the Missoula Interfaith Collaborative, the parish helped create jobs for unemployed and underemployed citizens and gained a new pavement for the boulevard in front of its facilities just in time for its annual festival.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios made a pastoral visit July 11, 2017, to Camp Saint Paul of the Direct Archdiocesan District. He was received with enthusiasm by the campers, spent the day with them, observed their activities heard and answered their questions, had lunch with them and gave them a pocket edition of the New Testament, a prayer bracelet with a small cross along with his blessings.