Almsgiving is an important part of our spiritual lives as Orthodox Christians, especially during fasting periods. With Great Lent already well underway, we should really take some time to think about ways we can support the Church in all that She does to help those in need, both here and around the world. In this post, we share some of the different Orthodox Christian ministries out there you should consider supporting in whatever way you can!
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
Table of contents
- Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
- International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
- Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
- ZOE for Life!
- Antiochian Village
- Hogar Rafael Ayau
- St. Basil’s Academy
- Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage
- Local monasteries
- Initiatives in your own parish
- Any other Orthodox charities?
Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)
OCMC is an agency of the Assembly of Bishops that sends missionaries around the world to share the message of the Gospel. They currently have long-term missionaries in Albania, Guatemala, Kenya, Mongolia, Romania, and the United States. Many parishes choose to sponsor a particular missionary family, so check with your priest to see if your local parish is supporting anyone!
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC)
Next on the list is IOCC, perhaps the most well-known and respected Orthodox charity, providing communities around the world with immediate disaster relief. They also provide long-term community-oriented solutions to poverty, housing, education, and health.
Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry
OCPM ministers to men and women who are in prison or have been recently released. They provide spiritual guidance and catechism to those interested. Moreover, they train clergy and lay people on prison ministry. OCPM currently ministers to over 46,000 people in prison including five who have become monks and over 700 catechumens. Glory to God!
ZOE for Life!
ZOE for Life! is a pan-Orthodox outreach ministry that helps women in crisis pregnancies. A donation to ZOE for Life! helps them provide counseling, housing, medical assistance, prenatal care, adoption assistance, and a variety of other services.
Antiochian Village
Many of you are probably familiar with Village and its camping ministries. Donations to AV help maintain its facilities as well as provide scholarships to campers who otherwise wouldn’t be able to attend. Recently, the Village began an initiative to sponsor the building of a cathedral at the edge of the camp’s grounds! There are also many church camps in other jurisdictions that you can support – talk to your priest to learn more.
Hogar Rafael Ayau
Another ministry close to our hearts here at Saint John’s is the Hogar Rafael Ayau (San Miguel del Lago). It is an orphanage outside of Guatemala City, Guatemala. The nuns of the Orthodox Monastery of the Holy Trinity run this orphanage, educating and caring for the children within the context of Orthodox life.
St. Basil’s Academy
Located in upstate New York, the St. Basil’s Academy ministry takes in orphaned and at-risk Orthodox children. Additionally, they educate them in a safe and nurturing environment that addresses all of their needs. In existence since 1944, they take in children from all Orthodox backgrounds and care for them with Christ’s healing love.
Project Mexico & St. Innocent Orphanage
Project Mexico helps build homes for families in need, while St. Innocent Orphanage cares for and educates orphaned boys in a loving, spiritually-rich environment. In addition to giving, you can always sign up for a summer team with your family, friends, or parish to volunteer.
Local monasteries
When people think of supporting an Orthodox ministry, not many people think about local monasteries. But monasteries are important, because they provide a place for monks and nuns to live and worship apart from the world. Check with your parish priest to see if there is a local Orthodox monastery close to you that you could support with a donation.
Initiatives in your own parish
This one might seem obvious, but remember to support the ministries your own parish has started! If they run a meal program, then consider donating money, food, or even your own time to help them minister to your local community.
Any other Orthodox charities?
Which Orthodox ministries or charities do you support that we didn’t list here? Please share them with us in the comments!
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7 Responses
Hello,
Is their any Orthodox Christian ministries that house thd homeless?
In Christ, ☦️
Donna
Donna,
Christ is in our midst! We know of a handful of Orthodox churches who maintain a house that they will open to the homeless. Many monasteries also open themselves up to the poor, feeding and housing them for a short period of time. We would encourage you to check in your local community to see if any Orthodox parishes are providing this ministry. God bless you!
Hello,
You mentioned you know of a handful of Orthodox Christian Churches that house the homeless. Can you please tell me where they at and how to get ahold of them?
In Christ, ☦️
Donna
Donna,
Christ is in our midst. The most well-known Orthodox organization that houses the homeless is St. Herman’s House in Cleveland, OH. There used to be another in San Fransisco, CA, by the name of St. Raphael House; however, that shelter is now secular and is no longer affiliated with any creed. There are not many official “shelters” that are Orthodox; however, Orthodox churches will often partner with shelters in their communities to provide monetary assistance to those shelters along with physical donations and volunteer help. Check with the Orthodox churches around you. Speak to the priests and see what they are (or are not) doing. It may be a good opportunity to start something in your community! God bless.
FOCUS North America (https://focusnorthamerica.org/).
I greet you in the Mighty name of Jesus.praise the lord.I belief through God’s help this email reaches you,your family and your Church their in good healthy.Together with my Church we have been praying and fasting for God to show and give us the right person or people to work with in the purpose of spreading the gospel. l am happy that through the guide of the holy spirit I was able to come across your contacts through the internet.Your teachings in the website are really biblical and together with my Church we are glad to offer you a hand of fellowship.I’m pastor Albert from Kenya.l am pastoring in one of the local independent Church here in Kenya.
I was born into a severely abusive family.Iife was more than terrible that forced me into being a drug dealer ,a beggar, a thief and all evil things done by devils. I was so miserable and hopeless with life. I even tried to take my life since I was tired of who I was indeed. I thank God I instead fall into the arms of a loving Father.
In my darkness hour I was saved by the presence of Jesus Christ who spoke Six words I have never heard directed to me “my son don’t take your life”. Voice of God’s calling to me,1peter 2;9-10📖 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people,but now you are God’s people;once you had not received mercy,but now you have received mercy.” (Jn 6:44-45, 1cor1:26-29, Eph 1:4-5).
I was so grateful and empowered by God’s miracle of saving grace.Im so happy to say that because of christ through me my father and other friends were saved too. I am now committed to sharing Jesus’ story of redemption with all who need to hear that the love of God is powerful enough to heal even the deepest wounds.”Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is like”(Mathew 11;28-30).
This is the verse that motivates me often for I know the plans I have for you “, declares the Lord” plans to prosper you and not harm you.plans to give you hope and future.the Lord has taught me how to walk in faith and also to trust Him as the supplier of our spiritual needs.whenever I face great need in my life.I always confess the word of God especially from. (Psalms 37:25) “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging bread.” My heart most sincere prayer is to be moulded with you spiritually so that I will be beneficial to the brethren of Kenya.Through mission partnership we can be able to;
1. Work camps for our youths.
2. Development of audio visual resources.
3. Share worship through audio video taping.
4. To have special days of prayers.
5. Exchange of delegations.
6. Charity by helping the needy .
l would like to be firm anchored to what you teach and believe.I am requesting to partner with you for the purpose of the Gospel to form one ministry for the mission:to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world and win souls. Currently I am serving 165 members.we also do visit orphan’s homes for prayers and teachings. Finally, when you are praying remember to ask God to bless us with bibles. This is a very serious problem we have.please pray for it. be blessed as l am hoping to hear from you.
Yours sincerely
pastor Albert moracha
Albert,
Christ is in our midst! Glory to God that you have found Christ. We will certainly pray for you and for your community. May the Lord be with you and may He be your strength, refuge, and joy. God bless you!