OCMC Executive Director meets with Metropolitan Tikhon
Father Martin Ritsi, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center [OCMC], met with His Beatitude, Metropolitan Tikhon and Archpriests John Jillions and Eric G. Tosi, OCA Chancellor and Secretary respectively, at the Chancery here on Tuesday, September 29, 2015.
The meeting marked the first time Father Martin had met with Metropolitan Tikhon since his election as Primate of the Orthodox Church in America.
“We spoke about recent developments and the work of OCMC, especially in Africa, where there is an explosion of interest and growth in Orthodox Christianity,” said Father John. “His Beatitude is very supportive of OCMC’s work and noted that Father David and Matushka Rozanne Rucker are OCMC missionaries now serving Saint Herman Seminary and our Diocese of Alaska. He also supports OCMC’s pan-Orthodox ministries.”
Father Martin outlined OCMC’s basic goals that include bringing non-Christians to Christ; establishing self-sufficient churches; and helping these local churches address the material, health and educational needs of their people. “All of this is done on a collaborative basis with the the local churches,” he said.
Focusing on foreign missions, OCMC is a pan-Orthodox agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USA. Its board includes members of several jurisdictions, six of whom represent the OCA. Currently, several OCA clergy and laity serve as OCMC missionaries, following the lead of many who have served on mission teams during OCMC’s 30 years of ministry.
Visit OCMC’s web site for more information and to learn about opportunities available for ministry through the agency’s mission teams.