Beloved in the Lord,

“Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6

With the academic year having recently begun, many of our young adults have left the loving embrace of their parents and now find themselves away from home and away from their church communities which have nurtured them in the faith. The ministry of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is a Pan-Orthodox program which provides opportunities for worship, fellowship and community service for our Orthodox college students and is vital resource to the over 40,000 Orthodox Christian College students throughout the United States.

Our young people will have many exciting opportunities during their college years, but they will also be faced with many difficult decisions. They will encounter many worldly influences that will challenge their faith, their morals and their futures. Through OCF, Orthodox chaplains and spiritual advisors can help our young adults navigate through these critical years, keeping them connected to their faith while developing friendships with other Orthodox Christians with whom they share common values and beliefs.

On Sunday, October 6, 2019 I am asking all parishes to pass a special tray in support of the ministry of OCF. This organization is under the direct guidance of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States, and is recognized for its commitment to serving college students. Checks should be made payable to OCF and sent to: Orthodox Christian Fellowship, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445.

May the love of our Lord fill your hearts with joy and may His blessings of peace, grace and mercy be granted to all!

With Love in Christ,
+ G E R A S I M O S
Metropolitan of San Francisco