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Evangelization Tools
 "Intro to Orthodox Evangelization" Video - With the help of Fr John Matusiak we have recently completed a ten minute "pilot" video, describing the fundamentals of sharing the Good News as Orthodox Christians. You may view the video via this Flash Link Future short videos dealing with the stories of converts and what they found in the Orthodox Church, tips for personal evangelization and parish activities. Stay tuned. If you have suggestions please contact the parish health facilitator.
Sharing the Hope That Is In Us
 St. Marks parish in Rochester Hills MI recently completed an important to better prepare parishioners to share the Orthodox faith with others. The effort, funded by a Diocesan Parish Health Grant, resulted in extensive materials for six weeks of classes taught to parishioners to better prepare them for potential questions from inquirers. Course materials are available here as a Word doc or here as a .pdf.
Common Questions from Orthodox Inquirers
 Parishioners need to be able to offer solid clear answers to questions asked by visitors and inquirers to your parish. We've reproduced a compact set of questions alone and questions and answers, based on the Sharing the Hope Class above, in the areas of - Liturgy
- Sacraments
- Theotokos
- Icons
- Saints
- Tradition
How many can you answer?
Survey of Orthodox Converts
As part of the effort put forth to build the "Sharing the Hope" class mentioned in the article above a survey was undertaken of persons who converted to Orthodox Christianity. Questions included: "What did you find most attractive about Orthodox Christianity?" (authenticity, sense of beauty and wholeness, mystical, rootedness, worship,depth)
"What elements of the Orthodox faith and your experience in the Orthodox Church were most difficult for you when you first started investigating Eastern Orthodoxy?" (Ethnic culture, Mary, saints, complex liturgy, Icons, confession, fasting)
The summary includes only the reactions of people who eventually embraced the Orthodox faith. It would also be informative to understand, at some point, the viewpoints of those who may have explored Orthodoxy --but did not complete the journey. Results can be found here.
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Inquirers Class
Version 1 of a three session Inquirers Class is available. The class is designed for a group setting to be taught by priests, deacons or lay catechists. To download a PowerPoint version that can be edited and customized to your needs, if you have PowerPoint software, click here Once you open it save it to your hard drive. For a .pdf version click here
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Parish Visit - Sunday, 02/05/2012
St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church, Columbus, OH
Wednesday, 02/08 to 02/15/2012
Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage, Guatemala, Central America
Parish Visit - Sunday, 02/19/2012
St. Herman's Church, Minneapolis, MN
OCF Visit - Friday, 02/24/2012
His Grace, Bp. Matthias meets with OCF at St. Joseph Church, Wheaton, IL
Parish Visit - Sunday, 02/26/2012
Christ the Savior Church, Chicago, IL
Parish Visit - 03/03 to 03/04/2012
St. Andrew Church, Maple Heights, OH
Saturday - Vespers
Sunday- Morning Divine Liturgy
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, Rocky River, OH
Sunday of Orthodoxy Speaker (Afternoon)
OCF Weekend - 03/09 to 03/12/12
Kent, Youngstown, Akron, OH
Parish Visit - 03/16 to 03/17/12
Theotokos "Unexpected Joy" Orthodox Church, Ash Grove, MO
Vespers - Friday / Divine Liturgy - Saturday
Parish Visit - 03/17 to 03/18/12
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Springfield, MO
Vespers - Saturday / Divine Liturgy - Sunday
Parish Visit - 03/25/12
SS. Peter & Paul Cathedral, Detroit, MI
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