Healing and prayers for OCF and students at Virginia Tech

In the wake of the tragic April 16 shootings of 32 Virginia Tech students, Orthodox Christian Fellowship [OCF] sent a team of responders to the campus.

Upon their return team members reported that the Virginia Tech community is healing through prayer, support, and counseling. The Rev. Kevin Scherer, OCF executive director, led the team to the campus and spent a week ministering to Orthodox Christian students and others who lived through the horrific shooting.

In Blacksburg, VA, Father Kevin was assisted by three “frontline” Orthodox Christian clergy, who are part of International Orthodox Christian Charities’ emergency response program. These clergy—Deacon Raphael Barberg of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Niagara Falls, NY; the Rev. Peter Preble of Saint Michael Romanian Orthodox Church, Southbridge, MA; and the Rev. Angelo Pappas of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, Portsmouth, NH—provided trauma and grief counseling and conducted services on the Virginia Tech campus during the first week that students returned to classes.

“I am deeply grateful to all who offered their help in this time of need for our college students, especially IOCC,” said Father Kevin. “It’s gratifying to see different arms of the Church reach out to support our brothers and sisters on the Virginia Tech campus.”

As part of OCF’s response, a special webpage was created on OCF’s website at http://www.ocf.net. The site includes prayers, selections from Scripture, and a messaging tool for members of the Orthodox Christian community to share their condolences with members of the Virginia Tech OCF. The outpouring of support through e-mails and on-line postings from fellow college students, OCFs, and the faithful serve as a witness to the impact this event had on the world.

Theodore, a student from the Virginia Tech OCF, shared a memorable e-mail.

“A member from the University of Tennessee OCF came here last night; he brought us a card and wishes from 4 or 5 other OCFs in Tennessee and Kentucky, said Theodore. “The student drove four hours to be with us last night and show his support, and he drove four hours back. How great is that? I will not soon forget all these things!”

OCF will follow-up with the students over the summer and into the fall, ensuring that they are receiving everything they need to deal with this tragedy. OCF humbly asks all Orthodox Christians to continue offering their fervent prayers for all involved in this tragic event and for all Orthodox Christian college students throughout the world.