Antiochian Women Project 2014-2015: Nurturing the Seeds of Orthodoxy Across North America

The Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America – October 2014

This summer at the Summer Meetings at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph announced the new Antiochian Women Project for 2014-2015 which will incorporate his vision for the Antiochian Archdiocese well into the future. Over the next year, the Antiochian Women will work towards “Nurturing the Seeds of Orthodoxy Across North America”.

The Project is two-fold:

• “Regional Camping and Learning Centers” – His Eminence’s vision is to offer Orthodox programs throughout all of North America and the ultimate establishment of facilities to house these events.
• “Monastic Communities” – The vision is to make Antiochian Orthodox monastic communities prevalent across our continent.

Throughout our work on this Project, let us recall the parable of the mustard seed where Jesus said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? … It is like a mustard seed which, … when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32.)

We as Antiochian Women must help to nurture these mustard seeds, and Orthodoxy, across North America.

We would urge you to read the full description of the Project (PDF), and then download the promotional poster (PDF) to be shared with the contact person at your church or mission. Please ask the women to display the poster in a prominent place and to start planning events that will highlight our Project: “Nurturing the Seeds of Orthodoxy Across North America”.

Also remember that March is “Antiochian Women’s Month”. More information will be forthcoming, but we recommend that you start the planning and fundraising for this Project now. Most importantly, everyone in the parish – men, women and children – should know about the Project.

2015 NAB Project Letter

Your Eminence Metropolitan Joseph, Venerable Hierarchs, Reverend Clergy, and Sisters in Christ:

Christ is in our midst!

The past year has been overwhelming, for both the Antiochian Woman and for our beloved Archdiocese. In July 2013, Metropolitan Philip challenged the Antiochian Women to raise $200,000 to “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.” In March, we then experienced the passing of our beloved Metropolitan into eternal life. The need to reach our goal became even more important so that we could honor his thrice-blessed memory. And, after this period of sorrow, we were blessed with the election of His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph.

A few months ago at the Summer Meetings at the Antiochian Village, NAB President Violet Robbat and I were honored, on behalf of all of the Antiochian Women, to present His Eminence with a check for $283,055.55, the total monies raised to date to “Help the Orphans of War in Syria.” This is the largest figure ever raised in the history of the Antiochian Women in just one year. And monies continue to be received! One hundred percent of these funds will be given directly to the Antiochian Patriarchate and be used for the orphans.

We now look forward to a new Project, and a new vision, as tasked to us by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph. For 2014-2015, the Antiochian Women will work towards “Nurturing the Seeds of Orthodoxy Across North America”.

Our Project is divided into two parts. The first is towards the ultimate establishment of “Regional Camping and Learning Centers”. Metropolitan Joseph’s vision is to offer programs throughout all of North America that focus on Orthodoxy: our way of life, our worship, and our faith. We must reach out to children and adults of all ages. Our goal is to promote, inspire and develop our Holy Orthodox Faith which, like the mustard seed in Christ’s parable, will grow and thrive.

The second part of this Project is the establishment of “Monastic Communities”. Monasteries are where the Gospel is lived on a daily basis. The monks and nuns within the walls pray for us and the world unceasingly. Monasteries are also where we go for spiritual nourishment and refreshment and into a place of beauty and holiness. Overseas, Antiochian Orthodox monasteries are plentiful but, in North America, they are sorely lacking. The goal is to make Antiochian Orthodox monastic communities prevalent across our continent.

Metropolitan Joseph’s vision is to encourage and inspire us to plant the seeds for this Project. Antiochian Orthodoxy was “planted” in North America over 100 years ago when our blessed St. Raphael (Hawaweeny) arrived in the United States, having traveled as a priest from Russia.

He crisscrossed the United States and Canada and gathered the Antiochian Orthodox faithful into parish communities, which continue to grow to this day. Over the years, the Antiochian Archdiocese has gone from worshiping in individual homes, to missions, to churches. The Antiochians, who came from Syria and Lebanon, have welcomed people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds into the fold. The Archdiocese has grown from a handful of parishes to at least 260 churches and missions as of 2014.

Are we to now sit because we have achieved such magnificent growth? Are we to be satisfied and now give ourselves rest? Of course not! We must use the talents that God gave us by blessing us with the magnificent gift of Orthodox Christianity. Let us spread the word of our faith to the peoples of North America!

We now come to the parable of the mustard seed where Jesus said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? … It is like a mustard seed which, … when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32.) We as Antiochian Women must help to nurture these mustard seeds, and Orthodoxy, across North America.

Also remember that March is “Antiochian Women’s Month.” We recommend that you start the planning and fundraising for this Project now. Everyone in your church – men, women and children – should know about the Project.

As in the past, all monies collected on behalf of the NAB Project should be sent to your Diocesan Treasurer at a date determined by each diocese (we would recommend a deadline of May 1). The Diocesan Treasurer will then forward the funds by May 15, 2015 to NAB Treasurer Anne Bourjaily-Thomas, 590 Solon Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44022.

As always, I look forward to hearing from my fellow Vice Presidents/Project Coordinators in each diocese. This Project gives us a new and important future for the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. I urge you to embrace this vision.

Yours in Christ,

Dianne O’Regan
Vice President/NAB Project Coordinator
North American Board of the Antiochian Women

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