SCOBA News Archive
Below you will find news items from SCOBA, the predecessor to the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, that cover the years 2000-2011.
IOCC Responds to Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is working to bring emergency relief to people who have been displaced by violent raids in the western Darfur region of Sudan.An estimated 1 million people have been displaced from their homes, and more than 200,000 have fled across the border into Chad as a result of fighting between rebel groups, the Janjaweed militia and Sudanese government forces.
SCOBA/SCOOCH Statement On Iraq Church Bombings
The hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and the hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America (SCOOCH) learned with great sadness the news that religious edifices were targeted by certain extremist elements in Iraq.
$23,000 awarded by Katina John Malta Scholarship Program for 2004-05 Academic Year
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America recently announced the recipients of scholarship awards for the 2004-05 academic year from the Katina John Malta Scholarship Program. This year a total of $23,000 in awards were given to the following students
Meeting of North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Held in Brookline, MA
The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation evaluated reactions to its Agreed Statement on the Filioque and decided to focus the next stage of its reflection on conciliarity/synodality and primacies in their churches when it met at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, from June 1-3, 2004.
Family Counselor Dr. Albert Rossi Joins National Orthodox Christian Radio Program
Fr. Christopher T. Metropulos, founder and president of Orthodox Christian Network, and host of Come Receive The Light, announced that Dr. Albert Rossi, Family Counselor, Lecturer in Pastoral Theology & Director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir's Seminary, will join the fast growing national Orthodox Christian radio program as a regular monthly contributor.
SCOBA Hierarch, Gregorian patriarch Visit IOCC Office
The leader of Georgia’s Orthodox Church and a SCOBA hierarch recently praised the work that International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is doing to relieve the suffering of people in the Republic of Georgia.
OCMC Missionaries Needed
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), St. Augustine, FL - The Orthodox Church in Kenya has many projects and activities that would benefit from the assistance and contribution of priests, teachers, nurses, doctors and others willing to serve as long-term OCMC Missionaries.
IOCC Video Wins Award, Raises Awareness About Needs
A new music video designed to raise awareness about the humanitarian mission of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has won a national award. The video, titled “We Can Change the World,” received an Award of Distinction from The Videographer Awards, an annual competition for directors, editors, producers, shooters, writers and other production professionals.
Passing On The Torch by Fr. Luke Veronis, OCMC Missionary in Albania
“You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful people who will be able to teach others as well” (2 Timothy 2:1-2).
Community Partnership Celebrated in West Bank as Village Opens School Annex
On Thursday, May 6, IOCC-Jerusalem and its local partners celebrated the opening of a Taybeh school annex that will improve the quality of education for the Christian and Muslim children who attend there.
IOCC Responding to Victims of Iraqi Church Bombings
Despite the violence and unrest, IOCC continues its work in Iraq. Through IOCC’s distribution network, hundreds of low-income Iraqi families receive food and other necessities. Victims of the recent attacks will receive food parcels, hygiene kits and other forms of assistance, depending on their needs. IOCC is one of four implementing partners for the relief alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) in Iraq and is working in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
Korean Orthodox Church Becomes Separate Metropolis; Begins Dialogue With New Orthodox Group in North Korea
The week of April 19th turned out to be an especially momentous one for the Orthodox Church in Korea as two major events took place. The bishop and a senior priest went to North Korea to have a dialogue with leaders of the recently formed Orthodox community for the capital city of Pyung-Yang(Pyongyang). At the same time, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople elevated the Church in Korea to a separate Metropolis and the bishop to a Metropolitan.
Orthodox Pledge Greater Cooperation in Service to Poor
Participants in a conference co-sponsored by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) are calling for a more unified Orthodox response to the global challenges of war, poverty, injustice, HIV/AIDS, child abuse and environmental degradation.
Bishop, Adoptive Son: IOCC Having Lasting Impact In Ethiopia
When David Mesfin ponders the great needs in Ethiopia, he's glad that International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is seeking long-term solutions for his homeland. "The help should be not only in terms of food but also in terms of education - teaching Ethiopians to be more self-sufficient," he said.
Conference to Explore Social Witness of Orthodox Church
An international conference being held this spring in Finland will explore the history, theology and present reality of Orthodox Christian cooperation in the area of social justice and outreach.
Orthodoxy Spreading Rapidly in Tanzania
Orthodoxy is spreading rapidly in the Diocese of Bukoba in Tanzania. The Diocese's mission efforts are focused on increasing the number of communities and faithful, deepening the Orthodox Faith among the newly illumined and expressing the Faith in good works.
SCOBA Hierarchs Call Upon UN and NATO to Restore Peace and Order in Kosovo
As Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, we deplore the terrible and senseless outbreak of violence and intolerance witnessed this past week in the Serbian province of Kosovo and Metohija.
OCMC's Board President, Helen Nicozisis, Receives Humanitarian and Church Service Achievement Award
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s Board President, Mrs. Helen Nicozisis, was awarded with a Humanitarian and Church Service Achievement Award on Saturday, March 13, 2004 at the 29th Annual Hellenic Heritage Achievement and National Public Service Awards Dinner. The American Hellenic Institute chose to honor Helen Nicozisis in recognition of her involvement in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, at the diocesan and parish level, and for her many charitable and humanitarian efforts, especially the critical role she has played on the Board of OCMC.
A New Country for SAMP - Zimbabwe
In the first three months of 2004, OCMC’s Support A Mission Priest (SAMP) program has added 12 new priests; bringing the number of priests, deacons and catechists supported by this program to a total of 267. Not only has SAMP increased the number of priests supported in 2004, but it has also begun support in a new country - Zimbabwe.
Orthodox Christian Network Announces National Board Initiative
The annual national board meeting for Orthodox Christian Network was recently held at the national headquarters of the media ministry for the Orthodox Christian Churches in America.
New From The Orthodox Christian Fellowship
OCF National Day of Prayer is occurring in the hopes of bringing all OCF chapters together for an important mission to join in prayer to intercede on behalf of the Church and its people. Rev. Fr. Michael Nasser, Executive Director of OCF, stated, “With over 40,000 Orthodox College students currently on campuses and almost 200 OCF local fellowships scattered from coast to coast, I can’t think of a better way for our students to begin the Great Fast than engaging in the wonderfully unifying act of prayer. I can see the Day of Prayer becoming an important hallmark of this important movement.”
IOCC Expanding Ethiopia Operations, Seeking Staff
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is expanding its operations in Ethiopia and looking for staff to help implement its new, $6 million AIDS prevention initiative with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
SCOBA names OCN Newest Agency
On Tuesday, November 25, 2003, the members of SCOBA, under the chairmanship of Archbishop DEMETRIOS of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, met for their fall session and unanimously voted to approve Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) as the newest commissioned agency recognized by SCOBA to serve the Orthodox Christians of America.
An Agreed Statement of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation
The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation concluded a four-year study of the Filioque on October 25, when it unanimously adopted an agreed text on this difficult question that has divided the two communions for many centuries.