“NO, AMELIA! DON’T DO THAT!” This again? I think to myself. If I had a dollar for every time I heard my daughter yell at her sister, I’d be an incredibly rich man. Don’t get me wrong; my daughters love each other, but like all sisters, they don’t always get along. Usually my 8-year-old, Ava,
Jacob Ferris, Board Member | Atlanta, GA Parish: St. Elias Orthodox Church, Atlanta, Georgia Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Personal Bio: Jacob Ferris grew up in Wichita, KS and since 2018 has resided in Atlanta, GA. Personal interests include golf, tennis, sporting events, hiking, and traveling. Church Ministry: Baptized at St. Mary Orthodox Church in Wichita, KS.
Anne van den Berg, Board Member | Orlando, FL Parish: St. Stephen the Protomartyr, Long wood, Florida, Jurisdiction: Diocese of the South of the Orthodox Church in America Personal Bio: Anne is married to Egerton and lives in Orlando, Florida. She and Egerton have six grown children and four grand-children. Church Ministry: Anne has been the
Over the weekend of March 31, 2023, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Houston, Texas hosted the first OYM 3ETreat. 3ETreats are a Pan-Orthodox weekend events that gather Orthodox Christians across metropolitan areas to grow closer to Christ and other brothers and sisters in Christ who may not otherwise meet. More than 50 youth and
When I was a kid, there was one question that almost every adult wanted me to answer. It seemed to be a universal preoccupation for almost every big person in my life, in fact - teachers, aunts, uncles, and even those nice old ladies at church. What do you want to be when you grow
Fr. Stephen Vernak, Board Member | Harrisburg, PA Parish: Christ the Saviour Orthodox Church Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America (OCA) Personal Bio: Fr. Stephen Vernak currently lives in Pennsylvania, but is a native of New Jersey. He and his wife Anna are blessed with four children, ranging from 11 to 18 years of age. Church
Protodeacon David Keim, Board Member | Cary, NC Parish: All Saints, Raleigh, NC Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Personal Bio: Pdn. David and his wife, Shell, live in Cary, NC. They have six children, two of whom are married and on their own (but living nearby), and four of whom are in various stages
Subdeacon Patrick (Jeremy) Pletnikoff, Board Member | Fairbanks, AK Parish: St. Herman of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK Jurisdiction: Orthodox Church in America Personal Bio: Except for three years in southern Oregon, Sbdn. Patrick (Jeremy) has lived in Alaska his entire life. He and his wife Jasmine have been married for 16 years and they have two daughters,
Melissa Kean, Board Member | Houston, TX Parish: St. George, Houston, Texas Jurisdiction: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America Personal Bio: Melissa and her husband have two adult daughters, two beloved sons-in-law, and five grandchildren who all live within just a few blocks of them. Most of their time is spent with them, playing
Tassos Gianakakos, Board Member | Scottsdale, AZ Parishes: Assumption, Scottsdale, AZ; and Holy Cross Belmont, CA Jurisdiction: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Personal Bio: Tassos grew up in Chicago and currently lives, with his wife and three boys, in the Scottsdale, AZ area. They are all huge Chicago Cubs fans and generally love most Chicago
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