Hello, readers! We've been getting your mail and are glad to hear that
you're still enjoying the "zine." We are a little concerned, however, that
some of you might be thinking that our section "Orthodox Look at" is based
on a "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" approach. We try to give fair
representations of the positive and negative aspects of various movies, TV
shows, and CDs.
Readers shouldn't determine whether or not something is "good" or "bad"
based upon the number of items listed "on the upside" versus the number of
items listed "on the downside." We hope, rather, to present some Orthodox
reactions to what is out there and help you make informed decisions about
what and how you watch and listen to the media.
Jn 7:37-52; 8:12 (from the Gospel of Pentecost)
This scripture reading reminds us one more time of the image of Christ as
water. In the reading it's striking how much more powerful the word
"thirst" is than other possible words to describe the desire for Christ
(hunger, need, want). This is because water is so necessary for life.
It's a fact that we can live for days without food, but only hours without
water. Water is vital for life. The word thirst, therefore, is conveying
an urgency, an immediate and absolute necessity.
At the same time, while the reading conveys that Christ, like water, is
necessary for true life, it also conveys that He lets the choice always
remain ours (IF anyone thirsts, LET him come...). If we acknowledge that
we need Christ in our life as much as we need water in our bodies, we can
choose whether we want to quench that need, or die, too proud to admit that
we aren't self-sufficient.
The amazing news is that when we do choose to come to Him - no matter what
state our life may be in the living water of Christ, through the Holy
Spirit, will always be given to us, abundantly.
Something to think about:
"My Lord and God, it is my hope that I can learn a little bit more each day
about what it means to want you and need you. It is my hope that someday I
can let myself need and depend on you everyday of my life as much as I need
water. Amen."
Creed's latest CD, "My Own Prison," is a hard rock/metal approach to social
commentary and personal reflection. Overall, the CD, aside from some nice
guitar work, especially in the song Pity For A Dime, is musically
uneventful.
The lyrics, however, reflect a group that has had its experience with evil
and death, has chosen life, and want to encourage others to do so as well.
On the up side:
On the down side:
SYNDESMOS, the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth is planning a
number ofprograms this summer for Orthodox Young Adults throughout the world. For
more information on any of the following, please send your name, address,
telephone and email to:
Discussion group and workshop topics will include: Orthodox
perspectives on the current environmental crisis, iconography,
traditional lenten recipes, and traditional Greek folk dancing.
Keynote speakers and staff will include: Dr. Michael Bakker
(Holland), Dn. Michael Anderson (OCA Youth), and Mr. Joseph Matusiak
(SYNDESMOS) as well as other local speakers to be
announced.
The event will also include visits to local Orthodox Churches and
Monasteries as well as other historical sites of interest.
The Encounter is open to Orthodox young adults between the ages of
18 and 30.
This International Orthodox Youth Encounter will be held at the summer
camp of the Holy Metropolis of Alexandroupolis in Alexandroupolis,
Greece.
Program includes participation in:
The theme of this year's Institute is Orthodox Youth Facing the 21st
Century.
Discussion group and workshop topics will include: Contemporary
Orthodox Iconography, Liturgical Language and an Orthodox perspective
on the current environmental crisis.
Visits to local Orthodox communities and recreational activities such
as canoeing, horseback riding, basketball and swimming will also be
included in the program.
The group will participate in the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday marking
the beginning of the Ecclesiastical year (September 1). The program
will also include excursions and site seeing in Constantinople as well
as meetings with local Orthodox youth.
Youth Worker Leadership Training Course Aims and Objectives:
Speakers & Staff:
To advertise your event here send information to:
youth@oca.org
In the cold war era of the 1980s the number one concern of most youth and
young adults was reported to be world-wide nuclear war. In the 1990s, with
improved relationships between the United States and Russia, concern
shifted from this global problem to something much closer to home: being
killed at school by a fellow student. Over the past few weeks concern is
expanding to include both. The news has been filled with articles on
topics ranging from nuclear arms races in Pakistan and India to student
shootings and threats of shootings in schools across America. The most
recent shooting in a cafeteria in Springfield, Oregon was followed by a
number of smaller incidents in West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New
Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Connecticut, Kansas, Indiana, and California.
Many youth and young adults are beginning to wonder about the future. One
teen in an area that has not had any incidents recently was quoted as
saying, "After lunch I got this feeling that I was so unprotected; out in
the open and vulnerable. I got kind of scared." This type of anxiety has
affected youth, young adults, parents, teachers and school officials. Add
to this anxiety talk about another nuclear arms race in the world, and
people are getting knots in their stomachs the size of cantaloupes.
On the positive side of this situation is the seriousness with which
officials, both in schools and across the world, are addressing these
problems. Governments around the world are putting pressure on India and
Pakistan to stop their nuclear testing through sanctions and diplomatic
means.
At the same time local governments and the White House, itself, are taking
initiatives on developing programs to sensitize children to the reality of
guns and educate them as to how to resolve disputes peacefully. And while
a few have taken the recent school shootings as an opportunity for jokes,
they are finding that no one finds it funny. Schools and police departments
are expelling and arresting anyone expressing violent intent. We may have
some big problems, but we are not burying our heads in the sand.
Interesting fact:
Q.
(from Jezi Bell)
A.
Jezi Bell, your question is more common than you might think. It is
based upon our conceptions and misconceptions about the role of
fasting in the Church. Often, when we think of fasting we think of
rules and laws. This leads us to contemplate the extent of the law
and search for either justification in following the rule or loopholes
to avoid following the rule. The truth of the matter is that no one is
saved by fasting, and, therefore, there must be another way of looking
at it.
First of all, it must be stated that fasting in the Church is seen as
an essential part of the Christian life. Christ Himself fasted and told
His disciple to fast. The purpose of this was not simply to follow a
rule. Rather, it is an aid which helps us grow closer to God. When we
fast we are forced to overcome our temptations, increase our
sensitivity to God in our lives, and align our lives to what the Lord's
way is. Coupled with self-reflection and prayer, fasting is a strong
aid to help us rise above gluttony, greed, pride, and other carnal and
material urges we face every day.
In regards to fasting and communion, the Church at the Council of
Carthage in 419 AD declared that both priests and laity are expected to
fast strictly (no food or drink) prior to receiving Holy Communion.
Why is this? So that we can draw as close as possible to God prior to
doing the ultimate act of taking His very Body and Blood into
ourselves. Many faithful Orthodox Christians will fast not only from
food and drink prior to communion, but also from watching TV or
listening to the radio in order to keep their minds on God and all that
He has done and continues to do for us.
In short, when you are finished brushing your teeth, you should rinse
your mouth with water, spitting it out as well. Inadvertently, you may
swallow a small amount of both toothpaste and water. This does not
"disqualify" you from communion. What we need to be more concerned
with, as the scripture tells us, is what comes out of our mouths and
the way we behave, not just what goes into our mouths (Mt 15:10-11).
Next issue: Is TV a Bad Thing?
If you have a question, or know a friend who does, send it to us at
youth@oca.org. We'll give you a direct
and concise answer!
PA from FL writes:
Want to add something to the discussion? Add your thoughts on some of our
past questions:
In case you forgot: YO-Mail is your mail.
If you have an opinion about something in YO-mail or something going on
at school, in the Church, or in society, send it in! Send it to
youth@oca.org Don't worry! All entries
will be treated anonymously unless you tell us otherwise.
From the Office:
A Short Note on "An Orthodox Look"
Food for the Soul
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink."
An Orthodox Look:
Creed: My Own Prison
On the Calendar
SYNDESMOS Plans International Summer Programs for Orthodox Youth
SYNDESMOS General Secretariat
P.O. Box 22, Bialystok 15-950
Poland
phone +48.85.534.884
fax +48.85.543.747
email
syndesmos@bianet.computerplus.com.pl
website www.oca.org/Syndesmos
International Orthodox Youth Encounter / Alexandroupolis, Greece
(August 24-30)
The Encounter will gather 100 Orthodox youth from around the world for
prayer, reflection and fellowship. Its aim is to expose youth to an
Orthodox reality larger than that of their local or national situation,
through lectures, workshops and small group discussions centered around
the theme "Communication between Youth and Clergy."
SYNDESMOS Summer Caravan '98 -- Suprasl, Grabarka, Alexandroupolis,
Constantinople
The SYNDESMOS Summer Institute is a ten-day Orthodox Institute held
annually at the Monastery of the Annunciation in Suprasl, Poland.
Excursions and meetings with Orthodox youth in the Bialystok region.
Visit to SYNDESMOS General Secretariat.
Walking Pilgrimage to SS Mary and Martha Convent on the Holy Mountain
Grabarka where the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord will be
celebrated.
Departure for Greece.
One-day festival with local SYNDESMOS members and overnight stay in
local homes.
Meeting with local SYNDESMOS members and overnight stay in homes.
SYNDESMOS Orthodox Youth Encounter -- see above.
Visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and meeting with His All-Holiness,
Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew.
Durres, Albania, June 26 - July 6, 1998
Disciples of Christ: Orthodox Youth Work
In the News
Nuclear Competition, Guns in School: Young Orthodox Concerned
Department of Education study recently showed that more than
6,000 children were expelled last year for bringing guns and bombs
to school
Real Questions, Real Answers!
Fasting Before Communion
Hello everyone! This YO-mail is a good idea. Keep up the good work.
I have a question, although it may sound stupid, it is one that has a
little thought to it maybe. I know that it is right to fast before
receiving the precious Body and lood of Christ, but is it okay to
brush your teeth in the morning to freshen yourself up? Thanks for
the time!
Readers Write ...
In Search of Orthodox Chat Rooms
I was wondering if anyone knows if there are any Orthodox Chat rooms
out there. I have found one-the Orthodox Coptic Chat room but I was
the only person in there! Can someone let me know? IF there are none,
does anyone know how to make one?