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Share the Light Partner News

Share the Light Partner Events

Future Events

Future events are in the planning stages..Stay tuned for Chicago, IL and New York, New York!
Are you interested in hosting a small group "new partner" gathering at your home?  Kathy Chapekis would be happy to travel to your state, wherever you are, to make a presentation on OCN provided you get 2 or 3 new Share the Light Partners!

Past Events

Washington, DC - On March 17, 2012, a "Celebration of DC Share the Light Partners" event was held at Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Washington, DC.  Catherine Mary Rafferty served as the Lead Coordinator of the event. The Executive Committee included John Alahouzos - Outreach Coordinato
r, Patricia Gogos - Invitation Coordinator, Kris Lenrow and Mary Ann Paturis - Banquet Coordinators, Keith Barberis - Finance Coordinator, Rev. Dr. Steven Zorzos and Barbara Spyridon Pope.  General committee members included Diane Alahouzos, Rev. Dimitrios Antokas, Marilyn Barberis, Doug Bonner III, Kathy Chapekis - OCN Annual Giving Coordinator, Katherine G. Deoudes, Irene Fostieris, Angela Kolaras, Rev. Dimitri Lee, James L. Marketos, Peter Panagiotopoulos, Ted Pedas, Jim Pedes, Emanuel and Marilyn Rouvelas.

With close to 100 in attendance from six local parishes, the evening featured a panel discussion on “How Can Technology Impact Our Faith.” Newly enthroned Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Rev. Dr. Christopher T. Metropulos, OCN Executive Director, and Professor Terry Mattingly, Scripps Howard Newspaper Columnist, participated on the panel. Michael Emanuel, Fox News Chief Congressional Correspondent, served as moderator.

Metropolitan Savas commented that “new” technology has always been around throughout history and has always been met with resistance.  The alphabet and writing were new technologies; books were new technologies; television and radio were new technologies.  Every introduction was met with resistance and posed a “moral threat” to the society of its time.

Panelist Terry Mattingly spoke about society’s reaction to the introduction of new technology.  He went on to say that when television was first introduced, it was called the “plug in drug.”  He emphasized that proper use of media and technology should be a ministry in every church.  “If our churches don’t provide some sort of guidance in the use of technology, who will?” 

 
When asked about use of technology for worship, Mattingly quickly responded, “For education, not for worship! Young people are tired of rock shows…Everyone is glitzed-out these days.  They are looking for substance, for depth.”  He went on to say that educational material should be out there in all forms of modern media to expose the spiritually starved world to the beauty of the Orthodox faith.
Thirty-three families and organizations stepped up as Share the Light Partners as a result of the event.  Also present were the Orthodox Christian Network board of directors members who convened for a meeting the prior day.  Among the board members present were Rev. Dr. Christopher Metropulos, Dr. George Mekras - President, Nick Mavrick - Secretary, Michael Angelakos, Rev. Dr. Alexander Goussetis, Charles Lelon, Garry Paxinos, Estelle Sotirhos, Chris Tsavoussis and Rev. Dr. Steve Zorzos.


Fort Lauderdale, FL 
On March 6, 2011, the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN), an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops, celebrated 15 years of broadcasting with an event held at the home of Dr. George and Donna Zoley.  Estelle Sotirhos, OCN Event Coordinator, and Kathy Chapekis, OCN Annual Partner Coordinator, served as co-chairs of the event.

Retired UN Ambassador to Greece and Jamaica, Michael Sortihos, was the Master of Ceremonies. The OCN is planning more events such as this throughout the country.  Also, to celebrate 30 years in the clergy, Father Christopher Metropulos was roasted by Harry Tangalakis and his son, Lucus Metropulos.  The 110 guests enjoyed the beauty of the Zoley waterfront home while listening to the complimentary music provided by Mark Zadin, Peter Anthony, Ilia Fundo and Panagiotis Koutrakos.

After being “roasted”, Father Chris, priest of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale, FL and founder of the Orthodox Christian Network,  gave a moving personal testimony of his recent illness and commitment to the OCN ministry.  He thanked God for “giving him a second chance at life so that he can get things right this time.” Since he has been back, the Orthodox Christian Network has been going non-stop.  With the mission of spreading the Christ-centered message of Orthodoxy around the world, to date, the OCN has reached 1.3 million listeners. 

Metropolitan Savas will be on the Guest Panel for DC Event!


Plans are well under way for the  OCN “16 Years of Broadcasting” event to be held in Washington, DC on March 17, 2012.  When she is not working at her career as a Washington, DC attorney, Catherine Mary Rafferty is donating her valuable time Share the Light Sunday in DC to serve as Lead Coordinator in organizing this event.  Invitations are going out this week.  If you live close to the DC area and would like to become a partner and attend, contact Kathy at OCN by dialing 954-522-5567.