JOHNSTOWN, PA --  [Diocesan Chancery]   His Grace, Bishop Gregory, today, has called upon all Diocesan Parishes on Sunday September 15, 2013 to join Orthodox  parishes across North America, of all Orthodox jurisdictions, in celebrating College Student Sunday. The purpose of this celebration is to recognize our college students and brings awareness to Orthodox campus ministry that is taking place through the efforts of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF),  an endorsed ministry of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.

Statistics show us that more than 6 out of 10 of all young adults, including Orthodox, leave the Church after graduating from high school and college.  To counteract this trend, OCF is on the frontlines of campuses engaging our students in the Orthodox faith through fellowship, education, worship, and service.  Through this four-tiered approach, college students who participate in OCF make their way from schools to parishes spiritually stronger and ready to serve.  

Recognizing that the Orthodox Christian Fellowship Campus Ministry functions solely with the financial support of free will contributions, His Grace, Bishop Gregory as Diocesan Bishop and as newly appointed Episcopal Liason to OCF, has asked that  all Diocesan Parishes celebrate this important ministry awareness Sunday by offering special liturgical prayer for the students and by taking a special collection for the benefit of OCF.

All Diocesan priests have received from the Diocesan Chancery detailed instructions and all necessary promotional materials, as well as a copy of the College Student Sunday Encyclical from the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America to facilitate their parish's observance of this important campus ministry awareness Sunday. Download Resources from the OCF Website Here.

Read Bishop Gregory's Letter To Diocesan Priests