a. ministries

AL- KAFAAT Country of Lebanon – a a multi-dimensional support system for persons with disabilities which is His Eminence Metropolitan Philip’s (of the North American Antiochian Archdiocese) favorite charity. http://www.al-kafaat.org/ Archived Radio interviews with Miriam Schwayri on Come Receive the Light, 09/08/07: CRTL Archives and on The Arabic Hour: http://www.arabichour.org/ (1/19/2008); a Text: http://www.antiochian.org/node/17080

THE CENTER OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND CHARITY OF THE BELARUSSIAON EXARCHATE in this region, the Church must act, as the government lacks the funds to do so. http://hramvsr.by/public-eng.php?lang=-en

CHALLENGE LITURGY PROGRAM Long Island, NY-a monthly liturgy designed for Orthodox persons with developmental and physical disability; after worship is a teaching and social time, and there are picnics as well. The families also gather for special speakers on practical matters in relation to their disabled members. Type “Challenge Liturgy” in the search engine provided. http://www.goarch.org/ See also the HELLENOS HOUSE

THE DEPARTMENT FOR CHURCH CHARITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE OF THE MOSCOW PATRIARCHATE Again, the Church takes the lead. (click on English language version) http://www.diaconia.ru/

ESTIA FOUNDATION OF AUSTRALIA providing 24 hour respite care, day care, and permanent accomodations to persons with physical and intellectual disabilities http://www.estia.org.au/

FOCUS NORTH AMERICA a network of Orthodox  Christian social action ministries http://www.focusnorthamerica.org/ SCOBA ENDORSEMENT: http://www.directionstoorthodoxy.org/n/scoba_gives_focus_north_america_a_warm_endorsement_for_this_welc.html

 GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRY Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church, Livonia, MI- Befriending five developmentally disabled men from a local adult foster care home. This is an on-going relationship; the five men and their caregivers are included in the life and activities of the community (though none have become Orthodox as yet). http://www.oca.org/RHArticle.asp?SID=15&ArticleID=110

GREEK ORTHODOX LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY, INC. their mission is to give aid to, among others, the handicapped. http://www.philoptochos.org/

THE HELLENOS HOUSE a group home for adults with developmental disability begun by the Greek Orthodox parents associated with the Challenge Liturgy Program. Click on Greek News – Αγιασμός στο ”Hellenos House” από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο … - [ Translate this page ] (for English)

HOUSE OF MERCY IN MINSK http://old.orthodoxnews.com/50/House%20Of%20Mercy.htm

THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY, & RELIGION Orthodox doctors working toward an understanding of the whole person and the healing process. http://www.inmpr.org/index.htm

ICON- THE INTER-ORTHODOX OUTREACH NETWORK a counselling network (in progress) http://www.icononline.org/

ICONASTASIS FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED Lipetsk, Russia http://incendiarious.wordpress.com/2009/06/26/icons-for-the-blind/

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES (IOCC) Assistance is provided to persons in crisis and in need throughout the world, including persons with disability. http://www.iocc.org/

JOY OF THE DISCONSOLATE THE CENTRE OF ENLIGHTEMENT AND CHARITY OF BELORUSSIAN EXARCHATE http://www.sobor.by/index1eng.html

MATTHEW 25 HOUSE, Akron, OH- a private home offering transitional housing to men who need a place to stay, including those who have struggled with addiction, former prisoners, and those with mental illness. http://incommunion.org/?p=121

MONASTERY OF ST. MARTYR GRAND PRINCESS ELIZABETH Minsk, Russia http://www.obitel-minsk.by/welcome_text-1_mid33.html 

OASIS OF JOY A Ministry in the country of Lebanon, at the Convent of Our Lady of Natour Enfeh in Koura, Lebanon. A training facility for the handicapped. Email address: wahaw@inco.com.lb

OCAMPR- ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF MEDICINE, PSYCHOLOGY, AND RELIGION http://www.ocampr.org/index.asp

ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN RECORDED BOOKS; there is a 20% discount for persons who are blind. http://www.ocrb.org/

ORTHODOXCOUNSELOR.COM click: Orthodox Counselor, Counseling and resources for the Orthodox … the page of Eric Bohlin, M.A.- links to lots of resources

PANAGIA PHILANTHROPINI a monastic ministry to the diseased and disabled in Greece http://www.ormyliacenter.gr/index_en.html

POKROV COMMUNITY St. Petersburg, Russia- a local Russian charity organization that minsters to, among others, the disabled. (Click on the British flag to get the English version) http://www.omophor.ru/community.htm

RAPHAEL HOUSE CHILDREN’S PROGRAM provides a broad array of activities and services to address traumatized homeless children’s  needs http://www.raphaelhouse.org/programs/childrens.html

RUSSIAN ORPHANS’ OPPORTUNITY FUND seeks to educate Russian orphans for a full life in Russian society. http://www.roofnet.org/index.php

ST. BRIGID FELLOWSHIP a ministry to homeless people   … they “have gotten benefits for those with physical and mental disabilities.” ** St. Athanasius Orthodox Church

ST. GREGORY’S FOUNDATION another Russian effort; among their projects is one for early intervention for disabled children. (see current projects) http://www.stgregorysfoundation.org.uk/

ST. HERMAN ORTHODOX CHURCH SPECIAL NEEDS ORPHANAGE SUPPORT from Fairbanks, Alaska to Republic of Mari El, Yoshkar-Ola, d.Savino, Pervomayskaya, Russia  http://www.sthermanchurch.org/orphanage.html & http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=hp&hl=en&js=y&u=http%3A%2F%2Fpages.marsu.ru%2Fworkgroup1%2Fsaveljeva%2Fcddi.htm&sl=ru&tl=en&history_state0

ST. LUKE’S PHILANTHROPY PROGRAM a Parish ministry which includes a monthly visit to the Garden Center, a residential program for persons with disability. http://www.stlukeorthodox.com/html/philantrophy.cfm

ST. NICHOLAS CHRISTIAN SCHOOL SLD/LD PROGRAM click  on & scroll down http://www.stnicholasparochialschool.org/assets/images/Header2-Top.jpg

ST. JOHN THE COMPASSIONATE MISSION Toronto, Ontario- In addition to serving hot meals in a poor neighborhood of Toronto, the mission encourages involvement in prayer (“a basic human need”) in the chapel (St. Silouan the Athonite Parish). There is also a thrift store and a bakery which trains, among other “challenged” people (aren’t we all?), persons with developmental disability.click on: **St. John the Compassionate Mission**

 

ST. MARY OF EGYPT MONASTERY, Cleveland, OH- with the support of the Pan-Orthodox community their ministry programs serve the less fortunate- women, children, men, the elderly, and the handicapped. Phone lines are open 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. http://www.saintmaryofegypt.org/

ST. MATTHEW HOUSE Columbia, Maryland- a home for 15 adults with physical disabilities; it was the vision of a parishioner of the Orthodox Church of St. Matthew, Maria Turley, who was also its first resident. The parish community continues to be an integral part of the project, hosting activities and meals, sharing their resources, time, and gift with the residents, and as members of the Board of Directors. http://www.stmatthewhouse.org/ also http://www.oca.org/RHArticle.asp?SID=15&ArticleID=125

SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHILDREN’S CARE CHARITY ORGANIZATION http://www.desa.org.yu/en/indexen.html

The Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese’ North American Council TEEN SOYO ANNUAL WEEK-LONG SPECIAL OLYMPICS CAMP, Ligonier, PA- the teens of the Archdiocese have been doing this camp for 25 years. In 2005, there were 32 teens and 220 athletes. The days were for skill development and in the evening there was entertainment. On Wednesday all went to Idlewild Amusement Park and on Friday was the competition. In these camps friends are made and lives are changed. http://www.antiochian.org/SOAD

THEOTOKOS FOUNDATION (Greece) http://www.theotokos.gr/index2.html

TRINITY YOUTH SERVICES in Colton, California,  provides housing and opportunities for healing and growth to over 300 emotionally and behaviorally challenged youth http://www.trinityys.org/services.asp & http://www.trinitychildrensfoundation.org/

There are surely more. And of course there are many Orthodox Christians who carry their Orthodox Christian ethos into their non-Orthodox based vocations and ministries involvements, such as Albert and Julia Rabateau in SOULS IN MOTION (http://www.incommunion.org/articles/previous-issues/issue-41/souls-in-motion); these look to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and to the Church and Her Mysteries, for their strength and inspiration.