Center for Family Care
June 7, 2021
How can we find light in times of darkness? How can we be a light? How can we help our families become lights in darkness? Join us as we discuss these questions and more in this GOA Center for Family Care webinar. Read More
Center for Family Care
May 10, 2021
Why are marriage difficulties amplified right now? The simplest explanation? Couples are experiencing more relational strain as they navigate the challenges and stressors of Covid. Read More
Center for Family Care
April 26, 2021
I used to be fearful of pruning my rose bushes, wanting them to have full freedom to grow any which way they would. I didn’t want to be like a highly caffeinated hairdresser lopping off more than enough inches, leading to something that looked like a shearing rather than a trim. ‘Don’t be afraid to prune’ gardening experts say, “pruning leads to new growth and continued blooming.” (Marie Ianotti) Read More
Center for Family Care
April 19, 2021
The invitation to this parade, and the events of Holy Week, are extended to everyone. Christ does not require a perfect and complete faith. He asks for an open heart, a willing spirit, and our first step to be taken in faith. After that initial step, Jesus will lead us to experience the events of this week in an intimate and life-changing manner. Come and see! Read More
Outreach and Evangelism Ministries
April 15, 2021
One of the sacraments of the Orthodox Church, the Marriage Service is rich with biblical imagery, prayer, and symbol. Because the ceremony is attended by Orthodox and non-Orthodox who may not be aware of the significance of the actions, this text has been prepared. It can be used as the basis for a program booklet distributed at the ceremony. There are a few spots for customization, such as including the names of the bride and the groom. The text can be edited easily to fit the program. Other possible additions to a program include the names of the bridal party, the family members, the clergy celebrating the ceremony, locations of receptions, and a personal note from the couple. Read More
Center for Family Care
February 8, 2021
I want to share with you an excellent resource for strengthening your marriage relationship. The book is titled Eight Dates: Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by John Gottman and his wife Julie. John Gottman is a world-renowned clinician, researcher, and author on marriage and parenting issues. Although some of his work trends toward an academic audience, Eight Dates is accessible to everyone interested in improving their marital bond. Read More
Center for Family Care
January 19, 2021
If you’re currently in an unhappy marriage, let me say that it’s not impossible to reverse course and reclaim the love, intimacy and happiness that you’ve lost along the way. Even though it may seem impossible, it’s not. You actually have two choices; divorce or resolve to try and save the marriage. Read More
Center for Family Care
December 8, 2020
Fellow pilgrim of life, do not lose heart if you are missing and longing for family to celebrate life with. Just follow His Star, and you will find a Holy Family. Do not give up if you get sidetracked and become isolated, for deep within you something is telling your soul that there is a Light and a love waiting to be embraced and nurtured. Read More
Center for Family Care
November 17, 2020
“I love your new SUV!” “I love this restaurant!” “I love that movie’s soundtrack.” Countless times, I have expressed these types of sentiments. Perhaps in my eagerness to describe a sincere appreciation for things, I casually say I love them. As innocent as this may appear, I begin to suspect that the careless and repeated misapplication of a word tends to dull its rich meaning. Read More
Center for Family Care
October 26, 2020
Everyone can appreciate the various expressions of nature; hiking in the mountains, a walk along the shoreline, a visit to a botanical garden. Nature has a way of calming our souls. We are awed by the complexities and detail of creation. It revitalizes and restores our whole being. Yet there are two contrasting extremes that are being played out in the world today; two radical paths happening concurrently. One is the exploitation of creation and nature, and the other is the worship of creation and nature. Read More
Center for Family Care
October 22, 2020
The Center for Family Care's newest ministry, "Fully Human," is designed to lift up the unique gifts of individuals and families with special needs. Read More
Center for Family Care
October 12, 2020
This beatitude always perplexed me. If you’re sad about something you would expect to be comforted but why are those who mourn blessed? Read More
Center for Family Care
October 5, 2020
Many people in the Greek Orthodox community – both clergy and active parishioners alike – believe we do not have a problem with domestic violence. Among those who state there may be a problem, most believe it occurs only among immigrant or less educated women. When asked how they reached this conclusion, most state that as no victims or hardly any ever reveal the problem to them, domestic violence must not occur. Why are our women silent? Perhaps because we are. Read More
Center for Family Care
September 28, 2020
What can we learn about family prayer life from a monastery? Read More
Center for Family Care
September 1, 2020
Becoming One is an ongoing offering for marriage enrichment. Each Becoming One presents a brief quotation or teaching on marriage along with an exercise or challenge for the couple. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 31, 2020
We must make a distinction between the terms childlike and childish. Those of you who have children or grandchildren know that childish behavior includes conduct that is self-centered and disobedient. Those with childlike qualities, on the other hand, reveal basic Christian characteristics. Read More
Center for Family Care
August 20, 2020
Over the past thirty years, approximately 40% percent of marriages in the United States have ended in divorce.1 In the wake of this staggeringly high statistic is a trail of pain and suffering that has negatively impacted hundreds of thousands of souls. I sincerely hope that the information that follows provides some encouragement, and guidance to those seeking to recover from the painfully difficult process of divorce. Read More
Center for Family Care
June 12, 2020
Join the GOA Center for Family Care this summer as we explore the beauty of God's creation. New episodes premiere every Monday at 12PM EST! Read More
Center for Family Care
May 12, 2020
In this webinar, Fr. Tom and Pres. Pat Tsagalakis discuss opportunities and blessings for marriage to grow and thrive during this time through the challenges couples are encountering together. Read More
Center for Family Care
April 8, 2020
A selection of Holy Week hymns for families to focus on at home. Read More