On August 31, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Columbus Ohio served its first Vespers Service for the World Day of Prayer for the Protection of the Natural Environment. Fr. Demetrios Gardikes, Cathedral Dean, along with the parish’s Celebrating God’s Creation ministry, sent invitations to 39 Catholic Churches in the Columbus area inviting them to join the Annunciation congregation in the Vespers Service.

As the service fell on the first day of the church’s annual Greek Festival, many attendees had an opportunity to attend the service along with the parishioners and those invited from local Catholic churches. Fr. Demetrios preached from the scriptures emphasizing the consistent Biblical message of caring for creation. Diane Chakalis from the Celebrating God’s Creation ministry talked briefly about their website (see below). They stated that the website highlights parish events, initiatives and also provides important information from the Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese about global environmental concerns that affect all of us, such as climate change, clean air and water, and energy conservation. To close the service, a prayer written by Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Francis was read to demonstrate the shared message to the world about the importance of working together on these important issues.

To find out more about the Celebrating God’s Creation ministry at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral, go to www.CelebratingGodsCreation.com or to the main church’s website at www.greekcathedral.com/cathedral-ministries.