Youth video series highlights OCA Chancery, Chapel
“Be the Bee”, the weekly video series for youth and young adults produced by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, recently highlighted the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America and its Saint Sergius of Radonzeh Chapel in a video explaining relics and their veneration in the Orthodox Church. “Be the Bee” stars Steven Christoforou, the Archdiocese’s Youth Director, in the energetic weekly series of videos that explain the Church’s teachings and practices. The series’ title comes from the patristic teaching that Christians, like bees that take nectar from flowers, should take the good from situations in which they find themselves.
This particular episode, which focuses on the veneration of the relics of saints in Orthodox Christian tradition, represents a collaborative effort between the Greek Archdiocese and the OCA’s Department of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry. Not only does the video feature shots of the recent festive Liturgy celebrated at Saint Sergius Chapel, at which His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon presided—see related story—but it also highlights the many relics enshrined in the Chapel, including those of Saints Alexander Nevsky, Seraphim of Sarov, Sergius of Radonezh, Tikhon and Innocent, Raphael of Brooklyn, Herman of Alaska, Alexis Toth, and many others.
“The goal of ‘Be the Bee’ is easy to state: To make God’s love visible to the world,” said Steven. “This is the essence of ministry—to make Christ manifest in our lives and to share Him with a world that, at times, has trouble finding Him. In other words, our goal is to introduce people, particularly youth and young adults, to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and invite them to truly live Orthodoxy. Our weekly ‘Be the Bee’ video series is a part of that: We hope to share the complex beauty of the Faith in a way that is clear and accessible to youth and young adults.”
“It was a distinct honor to be able to highlight our Chancery and Saint Sergius Chapel, as well as the many relics and the heritage of our saints,” said Andrew. “I’m very grateful that Steven reached out with this opportunity and that His Beatitude and the Chancery staff welcomed us with warm hospitality. I hope this is the first of many such collaborations.”