It's Summer Time!
How do you plan to spend your summer? Here are some ways to stay connected to the Church.
June: Conviction of the Faithful
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care
Whatever we know, this we reveal to you; for if we were to keep silent now, the stones would cry out and refute our hardness and our blindness. -St. Romanos the Melodist
Worship
As summer often means family vacation time, don’t forget God during the break from work, school, and home. Wherever the summer takes you, make sure to find a church to attend during your visit. Your can look up local churches on the website of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) www.scoba.us. The purpose of SCOBA is to create and foster ties of unity among the canonical Orthodox Churches in America. Use their website to keep your family connected to church wherever your summer travels may take you.
Fellowship
Long road trips as a family can sometimes propose challenges. Having activities to entertain you along the way can make the drive more enjoyable for all. Take a break from the portable DVD player and try some games that encourage family interaction instead. Here are some sites that have some fun ideas that do just this:
http://familyfun.go.com/family-travel/road-trips/feature/famf48cargames/
http://travelwithkids.about.com/cs/printgames/a/gamesprint.htm
Also, don’t forget to begin any travel with prayer:
Lord Jesus, You traveled with the two disciples to Emmaus after the resurrection and set their hearts on fire with Your grace. Travel also with me and gladden my heart with Your presence. I know Lord, that I am a pilgrim on this earth, seeking the citizenship which is in heaven. During my journey surround me with Your holy angels and keep me safe from seen and unseen dangers. Grant that I may carry out my plan and fulfill my expectations according to Your will. Help me to see the beauty of creation and to comprehend the wonder of Your truth in all things. For You are the way, the truth, and the life, and to You I give thanks, praise and glory forever. Amen.
Witness
July presents us with tremendous witness from many women saints and martyrs of our Church. Take time to celebrate and learn more about their lives from the website of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese www.goarch.org.
* July 4 - Martha, mother of St. Symeon Stylites the Younger
* July 7 - Kyriaki the Great Martyr
* July 11 - Euphemia the Great Martyr and Olga Equal-to-the-Apostles
* July 17 - Marina the Great Martyr
* July 19 - Macrina the Righteous, sister of St. Basil
* July 22 - Mary Magdalene, Myrrhbearer and Equal-to-the-Apostles and Markella, the Virgin-Martyr of Chios
* July 24 - Christina the Great Martyr
* July 25 - Dormition of St. Anna, mother of the Theotokos and Olympias the Deaconess
* July 26 - Paraskevi the Righteous Martyr of Rome
* July 28 - Irene the Rightous of Chrysovalantou
Service
Jesus Christ was a servant to all and He wants us to be the same. Consider projects you can do to help others both in your neighborhood and beyond. Check with your local parish and social agencies for ideas. Also check with the following: International Orthodox Christian Charities (www.iocc.org) and Orthodox Christian Mission Center (www.ocmc.org) if you want to help people outside your community. For something really different, consider volunteering your time with Project Mexico (www.projectmexico.org) and build a house for some very special families.
Education
Add these wonderful books about several remarkable Orthodox women to your summer reading list:
Keeper of the Light: Saint Macrina the Elder, Grandmother of Saints by Bev Cooke - Readers of all ages will be fascinated by the story of St. Macrina the Elder who had a profound influence on her grandchildren such as St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. Macrina the Younger. She is truly a great confessor of the Orthodox faith. Published by Conciliar Press www.conciliarpress.com.
Lynette’s Hope by Rev. Luke A. Veronis - "Now we have to live whatever we have preached to others," Lynette Hoppe wrote in her journal. "I have been classified as having Stage 4 cancer, and my prospects are rather grim. Nonetheless, I remain cheerful and hopeful and want to spend what years God grants me in joy and thanksgiving, serving as and wherever I can." With these sober yet hopeful words, Orthodox missionary to Albania Lynette Hoppe began the last journey of her fruitful life. Lynette's journals, newsletters and website chronicles her struggles in the "valley of the shadow" as she faced impending death. Published by Conciliar Press www.conciliarpress.com.
Ascetic of Love by Nun Gavrilia - The amazing story of Mother Gavrilia, an upper-class physiotherapist in Greece and England, who left everything behind at age 57, to serve as a missionary to the blind and lepers on four continents Available from Light and Life Publishing www.light-n-life.com.
Encountering Women of Faith edited by Kyriakis Karidoyanes FitzGerald - The authors, all Orthodox women theologians, succeed in telling the stories of several saintly Orthodox women. This fascinating collection of reflections on their lives and ministries offers inspiration and guidance to seekers today. Available from Holy Cross Bookstore www.holycrossbookstore.com.
