To the Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics, and the Devout Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the United States,

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Sunday, March 1st, has been designated Mission Sunday by the Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States.

Missions lies at the very core of our Orthodox tradition. The Church was founded on a spirit of sharing the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection with the world so that all people, in every nation, may partake of salvation and restoration through Him.

Throughout the years, the Church has sent missionaries (beginning with the Apostles themselves) into the world to bear witness to the Faith. This year, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the canonization of one such missionary – St. Herman of Alaska. His inspirational life is an example of how we too can share the Truth of Orthodoxy to the ends of the earth.

The ministries of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) continue the work of St. Herman and the countless missionaries who preceded him. Through the Mission Center, you can answer the call to missions that we all share. For some, the call is to pray for the people serving in the global mission field. For others, it is to support this work through a sacrificial offering. And for still others, the call is to go and serve as a missionary or as part of a mission team.

The OCMC will help you answer this calling whatever it may be; and we invite you to learn more about missions and missionary service by visiting www.ocmc.org.

As we begin Great and Holy Lent, journeying steadily toward Christ’s triumphant Resurrection, please remember that His sacrifice was for the salvation of all humankind. Please also remember that there are still over one billion people in the world who have yet to hear about Christ in a meaningful way. Pray that these people may be reached, and prayerfully consider all you can do to make this possible.

Sincerely in Christ,

Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos
Episcopal Liaison to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center

Fr. Martin Ritsi
Executive Director, OCMC