The Orthodox Stance on Moral and Social Issues
Learn about the Orthodox stance on moral and social issues. Discovering Orthodox Christianity is a series of talks, shows, and presentations designed to introduce and explain the basic teaching of Orthodox Christianity.
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Domestic Violence in the Greek Orthodox Community
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. More »
WEBINAR: Explaining Racism to Our Children
In the aftermath of George Floyd’s horrific death at the hands of police officers, protests have erupted across the nation. With everyone at home due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, parents now have an opportune moment to talk about racism with their children. But how do parents begin that tough conversation? More »
For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church understands the human person as having been created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). To be made in God’s image is to be made for free and conscious communion and union with God in Jesus Christ, inasmuch as we are formed in, through, and for him (Colossians 1:16).
More »Preface to "For the Life of the World" - Social Ethos Document
The task of producing a single statement of the social doctrine of the Orthodox Church is of its nature a complicated, not to say contentious, undertaking. The Orthodox Church operates within a vast variety of cultural and historical contexts, each with its own social and political concerns and traditions. The Church regards its social teaching as nothing other than a faithful transcription of the moral teachings of the gospel into the language of public ethics and policy, and insists that every Orthodox Christian is called to live in the world as a faithful disciple of Christ, called to fellowship with the whole communion of saints. More »
Why Life?
The question I am asking and attempting to partly answer in this reflection is “Why?” What exactly is at the heart of the way we deem some human beings more valuable - more fully human - than others? Why do we despise certain groups and see them as threats to our wellbeing? Why do we see our own children as enemies waiting to steal our lives from us? More »
Decisions, Decisions, Decisions: Equipping our Teenagers to Navigate Life
Over the past several decades the external pressures and challenges associated with parenting teenagers have been varied. As Christian parents we recognize the importance of raising Godly-minded children and we must take appropriate steps to help them in their journey toward Him. More »
Human Rights and the Orthodox Church in a Global World
The Orthodox churches living in a global culture have in principle embraced democracy and human rights. They are struggling, however, to cope with the implications of living in a democratic and free society. Nationalism, totalitarian regimes, and Orthodox traditionalism had in some instances suppressed the inherent plurality of their societies where the Orthodox Church was the predominant faith community. More »
Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians Affirm Sanctity of Life
WASHINGTON – Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians joined in prayer and public gathering on the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, to express their long-standing belief that all life is sacred. More »
Caring For Those Who Are Poor
Join Christian this week as he discusses the responsibility that every Christian has in serving those who are poor and in need. Christian suggests that like any other of our relationships, serving those in need demands our reflection on its priority. More »
Justice for All
Over the last several years, I have been particularly impressed by numerous articles I have read about the justice project. It is a volunteer program involving law students and lawyers from prominent firms who have proven the innocence of dozens of wrongfully convicted people, including several who are on death row. More »
The Secret to a Better World
Reading the newspaper or listening to the evening news has become a particularly disheartening exercise in recent times. Unending conflict, mostly carried out in the name of religion, mindless violence at every level of society, a generalized obsession with personal wealth and success, no matter the cost to others, have all become a part of our daily fare, and have numbed and coarsened our sensibilities, and have convinced us that this is simply the way it is. More »
A Chance Encounter
I recently went to a local dairy to buy a gallon of milk. It was early in the morning and only one other customer, a young woman, was in the store. She too was purchasing a gallon of milk, and having brought it to the conuter, slowly started to count out the change in her purse, only to find he was 15 cents short. More »
Who Are Our Heroes?
I was very troubled by the results of a recent survey taken among thousands of 8th grade pupils in America. The purpose of the study was to determine who the heroes, and therefore the role models, of young Americans really are. More »
Suffering and the Crucified Christ
Suffering is an inescapable aspect of human life in the present world. Suffering, affliction and tragic experiences disclose the vulnerable nature of human life; it enables us to recognize our limitations as human beings and our dependence upon others and upon God for sustenance in life. Suffering has the potential to lead human beings either to despair, misery and self enclosure or to transcendence through hope and faith, trusting the benevolence of God and His covenant relationship with His people. More »
Archdiocese Co-Sponsors Event at U.N. for the 59th Commission on the Status of Women
A panel discussion titled, Trafficking & Migration, Girls & Women: Human Rights Have No Borders, took place March 9, 2015, at the United Nations and brought together migration and trafficking experts. The event was co-sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council and the Salesians of Don Bosco. More »
The Orthodox Stance on Moral and Social Issues
Learn about the Orthodox stance on moral and social issues. Discovering Orthodox Christianity is a series of talks, shows, and presentations designed to introduce and explain the basic teaching of Orthodox Christianity. More »
Church and Life Issues
Learn about church and life issues in the Orthodox Church. The Holy Cross Live! Series is designed to introduce the basic teachings of Orthodox Christianity. More »
Archdiocese Offers Additional Assistance to Families in Greece
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced today a grant of $150,000 to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to assist in providing emergency assistance for the people of Greece who are especially vulnerable as a result of the continuing economic crisis, austerity measures and a collapsing health system. More »
Special Encyclical for Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund
Our first response to this disaster has been fervent prayer to Almighty God, Who is our rock and our fortress, and our deliverer in times of great distress and need (Psalm 18:2-4). We continue these prayers, and we ask all the faithful throughout the Church in America to pray fervently for comfort from above. We offer prayers of remembrance for those who perished and of solace for those who lost family members. We pray for the many who have lost their homes, and for those who are facing uncertainty regarding their jobs and livelihood. We continue our prayers for the rescue personnel and many others who are saving lives and offering comfort to those in need. More »
"Athenagoras Human Rights Award" Presented to Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Andreas Dracopoulos
Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Western Hemisphere together with Archons’ National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis presented the Athenagoras Human Rights Award to Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president and director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the honoree of this year’s award. More »