Events & News

On June 21, 2008, CrossRoad staff welcomed participants from 17 states to Hellenic College for the fifth year of the CrossRoad program. For the first time, we welcomed a second session of bright young Orthodox Christians for this exciting 10-day program on July 5th.  To see pictures, visit "CrossRoad Live."  

For information and applications for CrossRoad 2009, check back on our website in September or call the CrossRoad Office at 617-850-1310. 

The Office of Vocation & Ministry announces Faculty Vocation Grants for the Academic Year 2008-2009.  Two types of grant funding are available:

1) The OVM Faculty Vocation Grants invite Orthodox Christian full time faculty with a terminal degree in their chosen field (PhD, ThD) to apply for up to $4000 in grant funding. Part-time or adjunct faculty may apply for up to $2000.

2) The OVM Faculty Vocation Mini-Grants invite Hellenic College faculty to apply for up to $500 to add a vocation-related project, event, or materials to an existing course.

An OVM Interactive Workshop in Chicago

Register Online! 

For Whom?  

For parents of high school and college-age youth.  Open to the public and free of charge.

  Register Online! 
 

The OVM is mourning the recent loss of our dear coworker, Sonia Daly Belcher, wife of OVM Assistant Director Dn. Nicholas Belcher, who fell asleep in the Lord on her 32nd birthday, February 20, 2008.

The work of the Office of Vocation and Ministry and the CrossRoad program would simply not be what it is without the vision and love of Sonia.  Sonia was on the initial planning committe for the Lilly Endowment grant to Hellenic College, and was pivotal in the hiring of Ann Bezzerides as director.  Two years later her soon-to-be husband Nick came on board as the dynamic Assistant Director.  So many CrossRoaders, OCF, and Hellenic College students have had their lives touched by Dn. Nick, and all of his work is infused with Sonia's love and support-of him, of his ministry, and for all the students.  This Sunday he and Sonia were going to host, as they have done every month for the last year and a half, the "OVM RoundTable"--an incre ...

Andrea Sterk, Ph.D., will speak on, "Faith and Learning in Higher Education: Historical Reflections for Orthodox Scholars Today" at the upcoming conference, June 12-13, 2008, in Chicago, The Orthodox Scholar in the Academy: Does it Matter? Should it Matter?

Professor Sterk is Associate Professor of History at the University of Florida. She teaches courses on Late Antiquity, ancient and medieval Christianity, the ancient world, and Byzantine civilization. Her primary research has focused on religious history in Late Antiquity and Byzantium. Her recent books include Renouncing the World Yet Leading the Church. The Monk-Bishop in Late Antiquity (Harvard University Press, 2004) and a co-edited reader of primary source texts, Readings in World Christian History. Earliest Christianity to 1453 (Orbis, 2004). She edited and authored the preface of Religion, Scholarship, and Higher Education. Perspectives, Model ...

Deacon Nicholas Belcher, Assistant Director of the Office of Vocation & Ministry, was the keynote speaker for the East Coast College Conference held at the Antiochian Village from December 27-31, 2007.  Audio of Dn. Nicholas' keynote talks, as well as a wrap-up interview, can be found online here at Ancient Faith Radio. 

What is the vocation of Orthodox Christian parents? How can adults help youth and young adults come to know their own vocation? The OVM produced a new audio resource where some of the most remarkable Orthodox pastors and theologians today address these questions. Geared for parents of Orthodox Christian high school and college-age youth, it has powerful and relevant wisdom for anyone who strives to live as a Christian in his or her community.

 The six disc CD set costs $25 each (plus $5 shipping and handling) and comes with a workbook of companion materials which includes handouts to accompany the lectures, reflection questions, and a bibliography. This workbook of companion materials can also be downloaded and printed from this website. Send checks to The Office of Vocation & Ministry, 50 Goddard Ave, Brookline, MA 02445. 

The Office of Vocation and Ministry and the Orthodox Theological Society in America are cosponsoring a conference on "The Orthodox Scholar in the Academy: Does it Matter? Should it Matter?" in Chicago, June 12-13, 2008. Orthodox faculty from academic institutions across the nation are encouraged to submit proposals through OTSA, and are welcome to contact Ann Bezzerides or Tony Vrame for more information. A full description of the project can be downloaded from this website.  

Fr. Chris Metropolis of the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) interviews Dr. Ann Bezzerides, Dn. Nicholas Belcher, and Dr. Fran Kostarelos (grant evaluator) on the Orthodox view of "calling" and the work of the Office of Vocation & Ministry (OVM).

Hear the interview!