Vespers and Prayers for Peace

On Saturday 12 August 2006 the clergy in the Baltimore area gathered at St. Mary Orthodox Church to serve Vespers and to pray for peace. Fr. Theodoros invited the whole community to pray with his parish and afterwards there was a presentation by IOCC and then a reception.

Serving on the altar were Archimandrite Constantine of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation, Fr. Gregory of Holy Cross Antiochian Orthodox Church, Fr. Gregory of Four Evangelists Ukranian Orthodox Mission, Fr. Peter also of the cathedral, Fr. Theodore of St. Andrew Orthodox Church, Deacon Mark also of Holy Cross, and this writer. Fr. Theodoros sang with the choir and gave a short welcoming sermon at the end.

Fr. Theodoros reminded us how important it is for us to pray and work for peace. He said that in almost every Orthodox service one of the first thing for which we pray is peace. We start the Great Litany with "In peace, let us pray to the Lord." Then we follow it with another petition, "For peace from on high and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord."

IOCC was established in 1993. During their short time of existence, they have built up a reputation for efficiency and for caring for those in needs. In many parts of the world, they are the only people who can enter the area.

Sylvia gave the presentation for IOCC. She is a member of the host parish. She told us that there are 250 IOCC facilities and they havenot forgotten the Holy Land. IOCC has been there since 1977. Cash contribution allows their staff to purchase needed items locally to help the people. You can go to their website to get more information. Althought she might not had said it, wherever there is a need, IOCC is there.

IOCC has programs throughout the world. There will be a benefit at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Baltimore on 13 November.

Archimandrite Constantine told us that many have heard about people speaking about a bomb that came so close that they almost saw it from their window. This is really frightening.

For the record, this page is not an official document of IOCC, St. Mary Church, nor any other organization. It is strictly my personal recollection of the day.

	Dn Mark, Arch Constantine and Fr Peter	Fr Gregory of Four Evangelist across from us
Fr Gregory saying one of the prayers for Peace	Fr Peter saying another prayer for Peace
Fr. Theodoros
Sylvia		Archimandrite Constantine
	Part of the Holy Cross delegation	Fr Gregory of 4 Evangelists and Inez of Holy Cros
Fr Ted and Sylvia
Today she's playing shy. The last time she hugged unexpectedly me.	Fr. Dean mentoring future priests?

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