Latest News and Articles

The Winter 2017–2018 issue of DIAKONIA, the newsletter of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Women of North America, is now available online. This issue features the Diocese of New York, and the Diocese of Oakland, Charleston, and the Mid-Atlantic, and includes special messages from His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH and His Grace Bishop THOMAS.

The issue also contains:

• Introductions to the diocesan officers and coordinators
• Numerous reports and photographs from parish chapters of Antiochian Women
• Reflections on the spiritual life

And more! Download the PDF

"Vocation" is defined as "a strong feeling of suitability for a particular career or occupation; a calling, mission, or purpose." At our 53rd Biennial Convention in Miami, His Eminence Metropolitan JOSEPH told us that "we are here for a purpose, and that purpose is to bring people together to praise God."

As we think of the definition of “vocation” in relation to the Church, we realize that it does not refer just to ordained or monastic vocations, but that there are many people who are doing holy work by dedicating their lives to ministries of various kinds. These ministries are inspired by the Holy Spirit and instituted by our Lord for the well-being of the Church and the salvation of souls. “And Christ, Himself, gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Our Project this year will focus on these ministries and on supporting those who undertake them as a Godly VOCATION -- Our goal is to inspire and support vocations as well as to raise money to fund and encourage all of the excellent work that is being done throughout our Archdiocese by dedicated and self-sacrificing men and women.

August 26, 2017

Dear Sisters in Christ –

Christ is in our midst!

Two years ago as NAB President, I sent my initial correspondence on the Great Feast of the Dormition of Our Most Holy Theotokos.  Now, two years later, I am sending you this letter as we approach another wonderful day in her honor, the Placing of the Most Venerable Belt of the Theotokos (August 30), as well as the start of the Ecclesiastical New Year on September 1.  Thank you for allowing me to continue as NAB President over these next two years and continuing to serve in this magnificent ministry.

Our thanks to the Diocese of Miami and the Southeast and St. George Cathedral in Coral Gables, Florida for hosting the Archdiocese Convention that was held from July 25–30 at The Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, Florida.  We had about 120 attendees at the Antiochian Women’s breakfast on Wednesday, July 26, which was followed by the NAB General Assembly.  That same evening, the re-elected NAB Officers and His Grace Bishop John as our NAB Spiritual Advisor were sworn into office by His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph.

The Spring 2017 issue of DIAKONIA is now available online. This issue highlights the Diocese of Wichita and Mid-America. The issue contains:

• A greeting from His Grace Bishop Basil
• A message from Spiritual Advisor Fr. Christopher Morris
• A message from the Diocesan President Deana Bottei
• Profiles of diocesan officers
• Chapter reports, photos and happenings

...and more! Download (PDF) here.

January 17, 2017
Saint Anthony the Great

Dear Sisters in Christ:

Christ is in our midst!

With Thanksgiving and the Feasts of the Nativity and Theophany having been celebrated, I know with certainty that the chapters in each of the dioceses have been active in humanitarian acts of mercy. From the beginning of the school year through the winter months, so many families had so many needs. The Antiochian Women are continuous sources of compassion and financial help in their individual communities.

As NAB Humanitarian Coordinator, one of my responsibilities is to propose an Act of Mercy appropriate for all Antiochian Women chapters of our Archdiocese for participation in common. As you will remember, we have encouraged participation in some very worthy Common Acts of Mercy in the past, with support for The Treehouse (Wichita, KS) and supplying IOCC Emergency Kits being the latest ones.

The Fall 2016 issue of DIAKONIA is now available online. This issue highlights the Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada & Upstate New York. The issue contains:

• Holding onto the Truth by His Grace Bishop Alexander
• Be Heavenly as Your Father is Heavenly by Fr. Maximos Saikaly, DOECUNY-AW Spiritual Advisor
• A message from the Diocesan President Géhane Ephtimios Zahran
• Profiles of diocesan officers
• Chapter reports, photos and happenings

...and more! Download (PDF) here.

by His Grace Bishop John, from The Word Magazine, September 2016

Metropolitan Joseph strolled into the meeting of the North American Board of the Antiochian Women after spending over an hour with the archdiocese teen leadership. With what at least one of our women described as "a heavy heart," Metropolitan Joseph shared with the women that the Archdiocese will need more clergy to serve when our aging clergy retire, and we need monastics, people to build and maintain homes for the aged, people to take care of the unborn and their mothers, Christian educators for the young, as well as people to do all kinds of other ministries.

The Spring 2016 issue of DIAKONIA is now available online. This issue highlights the Diocese of Los Angeles and the West, and the Diocese of Eagle River and the Northwest. The issue contains:

• Pastoral Message from His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph
• Photos and first person stories
• Profiles of diocesan officers

...and more! Download (PDF) here.

Memory eternal! Sherry Abraham Morrow, December 4, 1948 - February 17, 2016

Sherry was born on December 4, 1948 and raised in Woodward, Oklahoma. She graduated from Oklahoma State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. Shortly after graduation, she married Don Abraham and moved to Wichita, Kansas. They had two daughters, Candace and Ginger. Don and Sherry owned and operated Ali Baba Bakery for 19 years. The bakery specialized in pita bread, but eventually made over 100 different varieties. She worked full time at the bakery with Don until he was diagnosed with cancer in 1994, and they sold their business. Sherry worked on weekends at Abe's Steak House, a restaurant owned by Don's family. Don passed away on February 28, 1995.

In November 2003, Sherry married Mark Morrow. Their blended family consists of two sons, three daughters, two sons-in-law, two daughters-in-law, five granddaughters and four grandsons. Mark and Sherry split their time between Wichita and Oklahoma City and were active in the Antiochian Orthodox Christian churches in both communities – St. George Cathedral in Wichita and St. Elijah Church in Oklahoma City. At St. George Cathedral, Sherry served as the Chairman of the annual Lebanese dinner and was the Baklawa Chairman for many years, perfecting the process of making enough baklawa to serve more than 5,500 people!

Boston, MA: Dianne (second from right) leads her first meeting as President of the NAB Antiochian Women in July, 2015Dianne O'Regan has been a member of St. Michael the Archangel Orthodox Church in Louisville, Kentucky for almost 20 years. She graduated with her Associate of Arts in Political Science from Bellarmine University, and her Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude) in Political Science with an Emphasis on Russian/Soviet Area Studies from the University of Louisville. She has been employed as a Legal Assistant for 35 years, having worked in the fields of criminal prosecution, criminal defense, and civil and corporate law. Since 1996, she has worked at the law offices of Stites & Harbison, PLLC, in the Creditors Rights & Bankruptcy Service Group.

On the local parish level, she currently sings in the choir, but has also served as a church school teacher, editor of the monthly newsletter, member of the adult Bible Bowl Team, and serving the Antiochian Women in various capacities.

by Kh. Suzanne V. Murphy, Vice-President of the North American Board, Antiochian Women, The Word, October 2015

"Feed Hungry Children" – His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph has given this task to the Antiochian Women as the NAB Project for 2015–2016. Generosity towards the poor and vulnerable is one of the fundamental marks of a Christian heart. His Eminence has made the care of hungry children the fundamental focus for our fundraising in the year ahead.

This is a task that the Antiochian Women gladly accept. The care of children – especially poor and hungry children – motivates us to immediate action! The immensity of this task seems overwhelming. Our task, however, is not to eradicate hunger; our task is to feed hungry children. As St. Paul reminds us, when faced with such an enormous task, we must "not grow weary of doing good" (2 essalonians 3:13). We remember, too, that when the Apostles went out into the whole world, they did not work alone, because "the Lord worked with them, and confirmed their message by accompanying it with miracles" (Mark 16:20).

We also should keep in mind that the depth and sincerity of our Christian faith will be measured by our Lord on the Last Day by how we have responded to those who are in need. In the following passage, the first measure of our godliness is evidenced by how we respond to those who are hungry:

The following officers of the North American Board (NAB) of the Antiochian Women were elected for the 2015-2017 term at the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese Convention in Boston:

President: Dianne O'Regan from the Diocese of Toledo & the Midwest (doregan@stites.com)

Vice-President/NAB Project Coordinator: Kh. Suzanne Murphy from the Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, & Upstate New York (suzannem@rochester.rr.com)

Recording Secretary: Sheryl VanderWagen from the Diocese of Toledo & the Midwest (gvwagen@charter.net)

Treasurer: Fadia Juzdan from the Diocese of Charleston, Oakland, & the Mid-Atlantic (fjuzdan@gmail.com)

Public Relations: Melinda Bentz from the Diocese of Los Angeles & the West (melbentz@yahoo.com)