IOCC continues to address the needs of persons with disabilities

From International Orthodox Christian Charities: Jordan Receives Wheelchairs from IOCC A shipment of wheelchairs and other mobility devices worth $150,000, provided by IOCC through a partnership with Hope Haven International, was shipped to more than 170 disabled Jordanians. The organization, Eleanore’s Project, provided a volunteer team of specialists to instruct Jordanians in using new models of wheelchairs, repairing wheelchairs, and to properly seat people with disabilities. Most disabled individuals cannot afford a wheelchair in developing countries like Jordan, and they live a life of confinement, completely dependent on others for mobility. IOCC’s project was recognized by Princess Muna Al-Hussein, mother of Jordan’s King Abdullah and honorary president of the Family and Friends Society of Persons with Disabilities which helped distribute the wheelchairs. IOCC has been active in Jordan since 2005 where it has provided millions of dollars worth of donated medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, blankets and books.

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Providing Employment for Ethiopia’s DisabledIOCC has begun a new project in Ethiopia to improve the employability of people with disabilities. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in cooperation with two established local agencies, the project will enhance the opportunities and employability of people with disabilities by equipping them with necessary skills, knowledge and tools. The project also aims to raise awareness among employers and the public about the potential for employment among people with disabilities. IOCC began operations in Ethiopia in 2001 through a partnership with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to provide clean water sources and improved farming techniques. IOCC is currently operating a comprehensive U.S. government-funded program to help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and has also recently initiated another program with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that creates awareness of sexual and gender based violence among urban refugees in the capital city of Addis Ababa.

To access IOCC’s November 2009 News & Information Page, the source of these stories: http://www.iocc.org/news/execsummary11-09.aspx

See also: NBA’s Vladimir Radmanovic to Support Serbians With Disabilities http://www.iocc.org/news/6-04-10radmanovic.aspx 

 

Radiomarathon for Estia

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in Australia has a ministry to persons with disability that has been created with the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Stylianos, who is also the President of the Estia Foundation. This online publication, RadioMarathon, which raises money for charitable organization, gives a picture of what the Estia Foundation is and does:

RadioMarathonNews, Issue 1, 2009: http://www.radiomarathon.org.au/PDf/RM_News_06_09.pdf

A Presbytera’s Master’s Thesis on Spiritual Therapy and Disability

Now here is a resource! In fact, this, in my opinion, is the best Orthodox Christian piece of writing on disability yet! 137 pages. If that sound like too much, the table of contents is on pages 5 & 6, and you may choose a section of interest to you.

PERSONHOOD, HUMAN BROKENNESS AND THE THERAPEUTIC CALLING OF THE EASTERN ORTHODOX CHURCH: A PASTORAL APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND DISABILITY by Presbytera Clare Cagnoni:

http://repository.mcd.edu.au/12/1/Masters_Thesis_Clare_Cagnoni.pdf

discussion on canons concerning disability impediments for priests

From OrthodoxChristianity.net: http://www.orthodoxchristianity.net/forum/index.php/topic,17895.0.html

The discussion becomes focused on the specific reason these canons came into being: self-mutilation. It is an open discussion for members, by the way. Its easy to become a member.

Welcoming People With Disabilities

On the Blogroll on the right side of this site (this way >>) which is in alphabetical order, scroll down to WelcomingPeopleWithDisabilities, where you will find the pamphlet The Body of Christ. It is an order form for . . .

The Body of Christ: A place of welcome for people for people with disabilites by the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis

For an introduction, as well as ordering information on this booklet, click on: http://www.light-n-life.com/shopping/order_product.asp?ProductNum=BODY500

How we as the members of the Body of Christ may proceed to welcome persons with disabilities is summed up in those 15 pages. He speaks of the Church as Communion, the realities of disability, the gifts of people with disabilities, the centrality of the Cross and our inter-dependence, the physical and emotional burdens on families that calls for our support. There is an inspiring story from the Saying of the Desert Fathers about Abba Agathon and his encounter with a person with disabilities. Fr. John writes,

“Whenever I reflect on persons with disabilities, I think primarily of persons, not of disabilities.”

This booklet is a wonderful  place to begin to orient oneself to the opportunities persons with disabilities present to every Church community. Every Orthodox Christian Parish should have a copy.

Also by the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis: Ministry, Disability, and Brokenness: Orthodox Insights Into the Authority of the Priesthood  https://acrobat.com/#d=UqHHgXZQJDcVf9aPoqBr5w

Persons and Events: Historical Moments in the Development of Orthodox Christianity, Archdiocese of Australia, Sydney, 1985. [Out of print]

Fire and Light: Aspects of the Eastern Orthodox Tradition, Light and Life Publications, Minneapolis MN, 1987.

Ascent to Heaven: The Theology of the Human Person, Holy Cross Press, Boston MA, 1989. [Out of print]

The World My Church (with Sophie Chryssavgis), David Lovell Publishing, Melbourne, 1990. Reprinted with changes by Holy Cross Press, Boston MA, 1998. Five printings to date.

The Desert is Alive: Dimensions of Australian Spirituality, Joint Board of Christian Education, Melbourne, 1990. Second Printing 1993.

Repentance and Confession, Holy Cross Press, Boston MA, 1990. Second Printing 1996. Third printing 1998.

Love, Sexuality, and Marriage, Holy Cross Press, Boston MA, 1996. Second printing 1998.

The Way of the Fathers: Exploring the Mind of the Church Fathers, Analecta Vlatadon, Thessalonika, 1998. [Out of print]

Beyond the Shattered Image: Insights into an Orthodox Ecological World View, Light and Life Books, Minneapolis MN, 1999.

Soul Mending: The Art of Spiritual Direction, Holy Cross Press, Boston MA, 2000. Second printing 2002.

In the Footsteps of Christ: the ascetic teaching of Abba Isaiah of Scetis, SLG Press, Oxford UK, 2001. [With P.R.Penkett]

Abba Isaiah of Scetis: The Ascetic Discourses, Cistercian Publications, Kalamazoo MI, 2002. [With P.R.Penkett]

In the Heart of the Desert: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers, World Wisdom Books, Bloomington IN, 2003. 2nd revised edition 2008. Also translated into Italian: Bose Publications, Italy 2004.

Cosmic Grace, Humble Prayer: Ecological Vision of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Eerdmans Books, Grand Rapids MI, 2003.

Letters from the Desert: A Selection of the Spiritual Correspondence of Barsanuphius and John, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, New York NY, 2003.

The Way of Tears: A Spirituality of Imperfection, In Greek: Akritas Publications, Athens, 2003.

The Way of the Fathers: Exploring the Mind of the Church Fathers, Light and Life Books, Minneapolis MN, 2003

Light through Darkness: Insights into Orthodox Spirituality, Orbis Press: Maryknoll; and Darton Longman and Todd: London, 2004

John Climacus: from the Egyptian desert to the Sinaite mountain, Ashgate, London, 2004.

The Reflections of Abba Zosimas: Monk of the Palestinian Desert, SLG Press: Oxford, 2004. Reprinted 2006.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate: a historical guide, Ecumenical Patriarchate Publications, Constantinople, 2005.

The Correspondence of Barsanuphius and John, with translation, introduction, notes and complete indices (scriptural, patristic, subject and names). For Catholic University Press, Washington DC, 2 volumes, 2006 and 2007.

list from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Chryssavgis

Sermon on the Sunday of the Paralytic, by Fr. Gregory Hogg

http://frgregory.blogspot.com/2010/04/sermon-from-sunday-of-paralytic.html 

Fr. Gregory explores the theological underpinnings of the weakness of the paralysis that touches us all, and exhorts us to . . .

let weakness teach us humility . . .  

let it teach us to trust Christ

Who can sympathize with our weakness

 being God, He became man

and bore our common weakness.

He hungered, and thirsted, and grew tired

and, full of love

embraced our death.

Christ, risen from the dead

 trampled down death by death

and upon those in the tombs bestowed life.

Kostaz Z Foundation website is up and running

For a while there, this site was in process. Now, there’s a lot to see. This foundation focuses on the Chicago area. For those who comprehend their vision, this foundation can be an inspiration to begin similar efforts in other places. http://www.kostasz.org/home/