OCMC designates March 6 as “Mission Sunday”
The Orthodox Christian Mission Center [OCMC] has designated March 6, 2011—Forgiveness Sunday—as “Mission Sunday.”
In a message released by Father Martin Ritsi, OCMC Executive Director, parishes and faithful are asked to offer prayerful and financial support to OCMC’s ongoing missionary efforts.
Father Martin’s message reads as follows.
“Greetings in our Lord, Jesus Christ! The coming fast of Great and Holy Lent is a beautiful time of reflection, renewal, and reconciliation. It is a journey that culminates in the glorious Resurrection of our Lord on Pascha, wherein our path to salvation and life eternal is revealed. The mission ministries of the Church endeavor to share this hope with all people by inviting them to come to the Father through the Only-Begotten Son.
“This effort, for which we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit, drove the apostles from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth and has seen the light of Christ spread around the globe like the Paschal flame on the Feast of the Resurrection. Still, the task of making disciples of all nations remains unfinished. The cal l to preach, teach, and baptize in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is still being answered by Orthodox Christians around the world.
“Specifically, Orthodox Christians from North America, have been answering this call through the Orthodox Christian Mission Center by supporting mission priests, helping them to receive theological training, supporting the philanthropic efforts of the Church abroad, participating on Mission Teams, and by serving as long-term missionaries.
“This witness to the Orthodox faith is being shared in over 20 countries around the world. It has seen thousands of people come to know hope in Christ, and this Pascha we will together declare Christ Is Risen! In 2011 this work will carry on through 13 Orthodox Mission Teams and through the ministries of the 16 long-term missionaries serving in Alaska, Albania, Guatemala, Kenya, Madagascar, Moldova, Romania, South Korea, Tanzania, and Uganda.
“This Lenten season, remember the two billion unevangelized non-Christians around the world who do not yet know Christ. Imagine their candles unlit. Let us continue to answer the call to missions through our prayers and support of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Find and encourage those among you who are willing to serve in the Lord’s harvest field, so that all people may be illumined by the Pascal flame.”
Since its establishment by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas in 1994, OCMC has reached out to over 31 countries worldwide with mission programs, long and short term mission teams, and other resources.
Several OCA clergy and lay persons, including Archpriests Matthew Tate and Theodore Pisarchuk, are members of OCMC’s Board of Directors.
For additional information on OCMC’s many programs and missionary efforts and to give on-line, visit www.ocmc.org.