MEDIA RELEASE June 28, 2007
Hamilton, CANADA — For a second year in a row, two parishes in Hamilton, Canada have together raised a total of about $3000 CDN in support of the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China.
Following Vespers and an Akathist to the Martyr Saints of China on Saturday June 23rd, All Saints of North America (OCA) and St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox parishes hosted a banquet of traditional Chinese food, in memory of the feast of the Holy New Martyrs of China. Both parishes celebrated the feast with a Liturgy the next morning.
"The work of the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China continues to be a great encouragement to us in Canada," said Father Geoffrey Korz, dinner organizer. "This project is bringing an increasing number of Orthodox spiritual books and services to the most populous nation in the world, in their own language. The online archive alone is a testament to the prayers of the martyr saints of China."
Following the dinner, the faithful heard an address on the topic of Orthodox mission, by Father Peter Heers of the Orthodox Church in Greece. Father Peter is the founder of Uncut Mountain Press, a translator of Orthodox texts.
Following the feast day event, Father Geoffrey issued a challenge to his Orthodox brethren in the United States. "Supporting this project is the single best way Orthodox Americans can share the Light of Christ and the Orthodox Faith with the people of China," he said. "We'd offer a friendly challenge to every Orthodox parish in America to ask the prayers of the martyr saints of China, and to hold a Chinese Dinner to support to project."
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A text of the Akathist to the Orthodox Martyr Saints of China can be found at http://www.asna.ca/resources/akathist-chinese-martyrs-1900.pdf. .
All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Hamilton, Canada, would be pleased to offer suggestions on hosting an evening in support of the Orthodox Fellowship of All Saints of China. You can contact the parish at korzg@hotmail.com.