His Grace, Metropolitan Zachariah Mar Nicholovos of the Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, has issued a Kalpana initiating a new ministry of the Diocese - OASSIS.
OASSIS (Orthodox Association for Spiritual Support to International Students), has been created to address the recent significant growth in Canada with the immigration of international students and families. Many of our young students and families are arriving in Canada and moving to remote areas/regions of the vast country. Many of them are living far from any of our parishes who can support them during this time. In order to address this ministerial challenge, the Metropolitan has instituted this new ministry under the care of the MGOCSM of the Northeast American Diocese.
In the circular Kalpana issued to all the parishes of the Northeast American Diocese, His Grace Zacharia Mar Nicholovos wrote: "It is our prayer and hope, that the Church will be a source of strength, and support during this time of transition for our faithful...we all must work together and ensure not one soul is lost from the fold of Christ and His Church"
Through this new ministry the Northeast American Diocese hopes to create online communities to ensure our students and families, especially those who are in remote areas, can be engaged in prayer, bible study, fellowship, professional development, and other positive activities. This will also assist the Diocese to locate our students/young families and possibly coordinate sacramental and pastoral support to them, especially if they reside in remote areas.
We humbly request all well wishers to offer their prayerful support for this new ministry by sharing the attached flyer and information, to any Orthodox Christian moving to Canada. New students and families to Canada can sign up here: bit.ly/OASSISCanada
Through this new ministry the Northeast American Diocese hopes to create online communities to ensure our students and families, especially those who are in remote areas, can be engaged in prayer, bible study, fellowship, professional development, and other positive activities. This will also assist the Diocese to locate our students/young families and possibly coordinate sacramental and pastoral support to them, especially if they reside in remote areas.
We humbly request all well wishers to offer their prayerful support for this new ministry by sharing the attached flyer and information, to any Orthodox Christian moving to Canada. New students and families to Canada can sign up here: bit.ly/OASSISCanada
For more information, please email OASSIS@mgocsmne.org