Skip to Navigation

Order of St. Ignatius News

New Inductees in Portland, OR

Nabeel Hanna, Firas Khoury, Fr. Alban West, His Grace Bishop JosephNabeel Hanna, Firas Khoury, Fr. Alban West, His Grace Bishop Joseph

On Sunday, October 30, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph industed Dr. Firas Khoury and Nabeel Hanna into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. George Church in Portland, Oregon.

Fadwa Samara Inducted into Order

On October 23, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph inducted Fadwa Samara into the Order of St. Ignatius. Ms. Samara was sponsored by Najat Nicola.

New Members Inducted in Worcester, MA

On Sunday October 16, 2011, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip inducted four new members to the Order of St. Ignatius at St. George Cathedral in Worcester, Massachusetts. Fr. Milady Selim, Rose El Khoury and Susan El Khoury were inducted as Life Members, and Toufic Jreije as Knight.

Click here for more pictures.

Outgoing Chair Dan Abraham Addresses Order of St. Ignatius Members

Photo by Judy BraunPhoto by Judy BraunAt the Order of St. Ignatius Banquet during the summer convention, outgoing Chair Dan Abraham addressed Order members, reflecting upon his four years of leadership and service. He challenged his listeners to give out of a heart of faith, thanked the people who had shouldered the Chair responsibilities alongside him, and introduced his family members. The following is the text of Dan's speech:

When one assumes the role of the Chair of an organization one must pledge that at the end of his term to leave the organization at least no worse than when he started.

Today The Order has inducted 4,486 members since inception and with a little bit of help from my friends we can cross the 4,500 threshold on Sunday; among them are 353 Life Members. I am also honored that 196 Clergy and/or spouses are members. Mary, I transfer to you an organization that is strong, viable, and ready to welcome new members.

It is however with much sadness, but no regret that I stand here tonight completing my four years as Chair of this wonderful organization – The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch – and ready to pass on the gavel and responsibility to my successor.  

Bishop Joseph Inducts New Member

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, His Grace Bishop Joseph inducted new member Elle Petrakis into the Order of St. Ignatius:

L. to r.: Elle Petrakis; John Petrakis (sponsor); Fr. David Hovik; His Grace Bishop JosephL. to r.: Elle Petrakis; John Petrakis (sponsor); Fr. David Hovik; His Grace Bishop Joseph

L. to r.: John Petrakis (sponsor); His Grace Bishop Joseph; Elle Petrakis; Diocesan Chair Bill TsoukalasL. to r.: John Petrakis (sponsor); His Grace Bishop Joseph; Elle Petrakis; Diocesan Chair Bill Tsoukalas

Memory Eternal! + Adeeb Sadd

His Grace Bishop Basil writes:

Please join me in praying a rope for the repose of the soul of Adeeb Sadd, honorary member of the Archdiocesan Board of Trustees and past North American Chair of The Order of St. Ignatius (1987-1991) from Encino, California, who fell asleep in Christ at 11:57PM on August 31st, 2011. Adeeb is survived by his wife Carolyn, their three daughters Chrisa, Carrie and Leilah and their families.

May God grant Adeeb Paradise, and may He grant you long life!

Diocese of Worcester Order Members Inducted During Parish Life Conference

On June 19, 2011, at the Parish Life Conference for the Diocese of Worcester and New England, several new inductees joined the Order of St. Ignatius. The following new members and their sponsors are pictured, along with His Grace Bishop Thomas:

Christopher Bradley, Laurie Bradley, Kathleen Tawa, Don Khouri II, Bishop Thomas, Don Khouri, Fr. Christopher Nerreau, Jimmy Chalhub, Timothy Gwinn, Jamil Samara, and Dennis Rawan.

 

New Order Officers Elected for the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast

Fr. Elia Shalhoub, Spiritual Advisor; Terry Rogers, 2nd Vice-Chair; His Grace Bishop Antoun; Debie Khoury, 1st Vice-Chair; Dan Kevorkian, Treasurer; Kh. Betty Randolf, Secretary; Not pictured: Chairman Ibrahim ChalhoubFr. Elia Shalhoub, Spiritual Advisor; Terry Rogers, 2nd Vice-Chair; His Grace Bishop Antoun; Debie Khoury, 1st Vice-Chair; Dan Kevorkian, Treasurer; Kh. Betty Randolf, Secretary; Not pictured: Chairman Ibrahim ChalhoubRecently, the Order of St. Ignatius in the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast elected new officers to serve in the region. 

Correction: Order of St. Ignatius Scholarship Funding

Correction to a statement in an article by Fr. Peter Gillquist in the May 2011 issue of The Word magazine: The Order of St. Ignatius does not provide financial aid to students, including students of the St. Stephen's Course. It does provide aid, however, for children to attend sessions at Antiochian camps each summer.

New Induction at Holy Nativity Mission + Langley, BC

His Grace Bishop Joseph recently inducted new member Jared Neufeldt into the Order of St. Ignatius at Holy Nativity Mission in Langley, British Columbia, Canada.

Jared Neufeldt receiving his Cross from His Grace Bishop JosephJared Neufeldt receiving his Cross from His Grace Bishop Joseph

Jared Neufeldt being sworn in by Bishop Joseph with his sponsor Kim FranklinJared Neufeldt being sworn in by Bishop Joseph with his sponsor Kim Franklin

(L-R): Fr. Michael Gillis, Bishop Joseph,  Kim Franklin, Jared Neufeldt (with his daughter Lucia in front)(L-R): Fr. Michael Gillis, Bishop Joseph, Kim Franklin, Jared Neufeldt (with his daughter Lucia in front)

Governing Council Elections at Your PLC

Did you know that members of the Governing Council of The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch for each Diocese are elected at the Parish Life Conferences?  The Order is always looking for people with fresh energy  who can share their time, talent and energy with The Order.  To become more involved, contact your current Diocesan Chair or Vice Chair and let your willingness to serve be known. Call the Archdiocese office at 201-871-1355 for more information.

Not ready for a commitment to the Governing Council? Your attendance at your Diocese Parish Life Conference offers a chance to share your knowledge and belief in The Order with those in your Diocese who may be new to our philanthropic organization. Please invite a friend who is not currently a member to attend a social event with the Order of St. Ignatius at this year's PLC. Combine socializing and The Order  luncheon or dinner, or another social event, such as a reception or lecture. Go to the vendor area of the hotel hosting your Parish Life Conference where information is available. Enjoy refreshments in the lobby cafe and discuss the benefits of joining The Order.

Helping the Most Vulnerable with Support from the Order of St. Ignatius

Iraqi refugees and disadvantaged Syrian children receive health and school kits at a public school in Syria. Many of the kits were assembled by Orthodox Christians and delivered by IOCC through its kit program. (Photo credit: IOCC Syria)Iraqi refugees and disadvantaged Syrian children receive health and school kits at a public school in Syria. Many of the kits were assembled by Orthodox Christians and delivered by IOCC through its kit program. (Photo credit: IOCC Syria)A massacre at one of Iraq's largest churches in October, 2010 and continued attacks in predominantly Christian areas of central Baghdad highlight the continued danger for Iraq's Christian community. Many of Iraq's million and a half Christians wonder if they can continue to remain in their homeland.

In 2010, with support from the Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch and others, IOCC provided more than 1,500 Iraqi families in Baghdad with food and personal hygiene items and is currently seeking new ways to assist vulnerable families in the country.

An estimated 7,500 people received critical assistance in areas that have been the target of some of the greatest violence since 2003. Some of the families receiving assistance have been displaced by violence within Iraq and are unable to return back to their homes – some of which have since been destroyed.

St. Ignatius Mission in Boca Raton Celebrates First Anniversary and Metropolitan Philip's 80th Birthday

Sun... beach... palm trees... mansions... yachts... Rolls Royces... Rolex… Gucci... Versacci…this is Boca Raton, Florida.

The Divine Liturgy celebrated every Sunday at 10am on a huge college campus… this is the Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch in Boca Raton, Florida.    

The Mission of St. Ignatius of Antioch is based on Florida Atlantic University (FAU) on Glades Road in Boca Raton, Florida.  FAU is a University which boasts over 28,000 students.  St. Ignatius Boca at FAU may be the first Antiochian Orthodox Christian ministry ever established to serve upon a college campus in the history of this great Archdiocese.  This Orthodox mission maintains unlimited growth potential where the hope is “to bring America home to Orthodoxy!”

Camping Scholarship Applications Now Available

The Order of St. Ignatius Camping Scholarship Forms have been mailed to every parish of the Antiochian Archdiocese.  Each parish is provided the opportunity to assign $700 in camping scholarships to the young people of their respective parish.  The Order of St. Ignatius commits $175,000 annually to camp scholarships.  More than 700 young people received scholarships from the Order of St. Ignatius in 2010.  The scholarships may be used at any of the eight camping programs in the Antiochian Archdiocese.  For more information regarding the Order of St. Ignatius Camping Scholarships, please speak with your parish priest.

Annual Order Christmas Reception with Metropolitan Philip

The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch from The Diocese of New York gathered with His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, North American Chair, Dan Abraham and his wife, Membership Co-Chair Kathy Abraham, at St. George Parish Hall in Little Falls, New Jersey for an annual Christmas reception on the evening of Saturday, December 18, 2010. The reception was hosted by V. Rev. Elias Bitar, the Parish Council and the Members of The Order from St. George Church.

Click here to view more photos.

Order of St. Ignatius Renews Grant for Chinese Translation of Lives of Saints

30th Sunday after Pentecost
December 19, 2010

Order of St. Ignatius awards $3000 grant renewal for continued Chinese translation of Lives of Saints

The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch, at its governing council meeting held in Jacksonville, Florida on October 22, 2010, approved a $3,000 grant renewal to the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China.

This grant comes with the archpastoral blessing of Metropolitan Philip at a critical juncture after the inaugural publication of the Chinese translation of the January volume of the Prologue from Ohrid by St. Nikolai of Zica, supplemented with additional lives of selected saints from other synaxaria.

The grant will make possible the uninterrupted translation and publication of subsequent monthly volumes of this invaluable work for the daily spiritual nourishment of the Chinese speaking Faithful and inquirers into the Faith from other confessions, in and outside of China.

As a supplement to the grant, consider sponsoring for a specific daily reading of the Prologue from Ohrid, for the good health or in memory of loved one, for a names day, wedding anniversary, day of repose, or any other special occasion, which will be noted on the bottom of each sponsored entry of the Prologue, and those reading the daily devotion for that day can pray for your loved ones. Check feast days available for sponsorship at http://prologue.orthodox.cn/prayers.html.

St. Ignatius Sunday + December 19, 2010

We look with joyous anticipation to the Nativity of our Lord. We are also honored that Metropolitan Philip has designated December 19 as the day to honor The Order of St. Ignatius of Antioch. Attached are three documents (Word format):

  1. "Ready for Presentation" Homily
  2. Biography of St. Ignatius
  3. Anonymous Giving

I ask that our Diocesan Chairs send these documents to a member of The Order of each parish in your diocese AND parish priest with a request that a presentation be made this coming Sunday, preferably by a member of The Order or alternatively, the parish priest. 

I have also attached for your review a brief on How we give through the Order of St. Ignatius. This should be helpful in response to those who ask about joining anonymously. 

Our DVD should have been sent to each parish for viewing this Sunday. 

I thank each of you for your commitment and service to The Order and to our Antiochian Archdiocese. We are blessed that so many people have come forward to give generously and from their heart to those in need. We believe and witness God combining our individual gifts and then multiplying them so that combined we can do what none can do alone. This is the "miracle of The Order."

May our Lord bless you and your family and grant you a joyous Nativity and a healthy, happy, and peaceful 2011. 

New Inductions at St. Nicholas Cathedral + Brooklyn, NY

Over the weekend of December 4-5, His grace Bishop Thomas inducted new members into the Order of St. Ignatius at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York, on the occasion of their patronal feast.

Click here for more pictures.

New Induction at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles: December 5, 2010

Mark L. Simon being Inducted to The Order by Bishop JOSEPH on December 5, 2010 at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CAMark L. Simon being Inducted to The Order by Bishop JOSEPH on December 5, 2010 at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA
Bishop JOSEPH presenting the cross to Mark L. SimonBishop JOSEPH presenting the cross to Mark L. Simon
(L-R) Michael C. Srour (Diocese of Los Angeles, Vice Chair), Bishop JOSEPH, Mark L. Simon(L-R) Michael C. Srour (Diocese of Los Angeles, Vice Chair), Bishop JOSEPH, Mark L. Simon

Order Inductions in Wilkes-Barre, PA

from the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader:

An induction ceremony for the Order of Saint Ignatius was recently conducted at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, Wilkes-Barre. Eileen Attar was inducted by Bishop Thomas Joseph. Members of the Order, first row, are Nancy Tenneriello, Suanne Moses, Eileen Attar; George Morrash, Anne Fautrakis, Joanne Tenneriello, and Simon Saba. Second row: Anne Hester, John Moses, Jacqueline Mazzatosta, Marion Obeid, Dan Norman, and Peter Attar. Third row: Todd Mokhiber, Bishop [Thomas] Joseph, and the Very Rev. Dr. David Hester, pastor.

Order Offers Funding for After-School Program

The Order of St. Ignatius recently presented a $10,000 check to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, California for an after-school computer lab for children in inner-city Los Angeles.