Antiochian Orthodox Christian Education Ministry

06/14/2026

Blessed Sunday!

Today is the Second Sunday after Pentecost, and the day dedicated to the feast of All Saints of Antioch. On this day we commemorate the holy stewards of the Patriarchate of Antioch since its apostolic founding as recorded in the book of Acts (11:26) to the present, such as Sts. Peter and Paul, St. Raphael of Brooklyn, and St. John Chrysostom to name just a few.

"Looking upon the vine of Antioch that the pure Apostles have planted, rich with abundant good fruits, we glorify the heavenly Vinedresser who revealed humans as angels in the flesh by living in various ways and thriving in words and toil, and allowed them to partake of the Kingdom by the shedding of their blood." – First Doxasticon at Vespers

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In today’s gospel, we hear the story of the first disciples, the brothers Simon and Andrew leaving behind their fish nets to follow Jesus, where He said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).

06/12/2026

This Sunday, June 14, is the second Sunday after Pentecost.

The second Sunday after Pentecost commemorates the calling of the first disciples. In this Sunday’s Gospel, Christ walks along the Sea of Galilee and calls Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him. Without hesitation, they leave behind their nets and their former way of life to become His disciples.

Their response reminds us that following Christ requires trust, faith, and a willingness to answer His call. Just as the Apostles were invited to become “fishers of men,” we are also called to follow Christ in our daily lives and share His love with those around us. Through their example, we learn the importance of putting God first and responding to Him with willing hearts.

Check out the ‘Let Us Attend’ children’s gospels for great handouts and audio for all ages here: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2684

06/11/2026

On June 11th, the Orthodox Church commemorates Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas.

One of the twelve Apostles of Christ - St. Bartholomew, is often identified with Nathanael, whom Philip brought to meet the Lord (John 1:45–51). After Pentecost, he traveled widely preaching the Gospel alongside the Apostle Philip and Philip’s sister, Mariamne. Together they endured many hardships, performed miracles, healed the sick, and brought many people to Christ. In the city of Hierapolis, the apostles healed a blind man named Stachys, leading many to believe and be baptized. When persecution arose, Philip was martyred, while Bartholomew continued his missionary work.
St. Bartholomew later preached in India and Armenia, where he converted many people to Christianity, including members of the royal family. His success angered pagan leaders, and he was eventually arrested and suffered martyrdom for his faith, remaining steadfast in proclaiming Christ until the end.

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One of the seventy apostles - St. Barnabas was born on the island of Cyprus and was originally named Joseph. A faithful follower of Christ, he was given the name Barnabas, meaning "son of consolation." After the Lord's Ascension, he sold his possessions and gave the proceeds to the Apostles to support the growing Church. St. Barnabas played an important role in the early Christian community. When many were afraid of the newly converted Saul (later the Apostle Paul), Barnabas welcomed him and introduced him to the Apostles. Together, Barnabas and Paul traveled throughout Cyprus and Asia Minor, preaching the Gospel, performing miracles, and bringing many people to Christ.
After the Council of Jerusalem, Barnabas continued his missionary work, eventually returning to his homeland of Cyprus with his cousin, St. Mark the Evangelist. There he faithfully proclaimed Christ until he was martyred by those who opposed the Gospel around the year 62.

Centuries later, Saint Barnabas revealed the location of his tomb in a vision. When his relics were uncovered, the Gospel of Matthew was found resting upon his chest, just as he had requested.

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Also commemorated on this day: Revelation of the Hymn Axion Estin to a monk on Mt. Athos by the Archangel Gabriel, Luke of Simferopol

06/10/2026

REMINDER - DIOCESE OF TOLEDO + THE MIDWEST

Don't forget to register for your diocese PLC if you want to attend our Christian Education Ministry session!

DIOCESE OF TOLEDO + THE MIDWEST

Your diocese summer parish life conference will be hosting a Christian Education Ministry session on June 19th!

For more info on this PLC and to register head to: https://www.antiochianevents.com/toledo

06/07/2026

Blessed Sunday of All Saints.

The Sunday of All Saints is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost and is dedicated to commemorating all the saints, both known and unknown, who have been perfected in holiness and now dwell in the presence of God. This includes canonized saints as well as countless faithful Christians whose names may never be known, but whose lives bore witness to the love and grace of God. The placement of this feast immediately after Pentecost is deeply significant, because Pentecost marks the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Church, and the Sunday of All Saints reveals the fruit of the Spirit’s work in the lives of the faithful. It affirms that sanctity is not limited to only a few, but is the calling of every Christian.

Liturgically, the hymns and prayers of the day praise the courage, steadfastness, and victory of the saints, and ask for their intercessions. In some Orthodox traditions, the day is also used to commemorate local saints or those recently canonized. Ultimately, the Sunday of All Saints is a joyful celebration of the universal call to holiness, the power of the Holy Spirit at work in the Church, and the great cloud of witnesses who surround us and inspire us to keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

By the intercessions of Thine immaculate Mother, O Christ God, and of all Thy Saints from the beginning of time, have mercy and save us, since Thou alone art good and the Lover of mankind. Amen. - From the Synaxarion at Orthros on Sunday of All Saints

06/05/2026

DIOCESE OF OTTAWA, EASTERN CANADA + UPSTATE NY

Your diocese summer parish life conference will be hosting a Christian Education Ministry session on July 4th!

For more info on this PLC and to register head
to: https://www.antiochianevents.com/ottawa

06/05/2026

DIOCESE OF EASTERN NY + WASHINGTON DC & OAKLAND, CHARLESTON + THE MID-ATLANTIC

Your diocese summer parish life conference will be hosting a Christian Education Ministry session on July 3rd!

For more info on this PLC and to register head to: https://www.antiochianevents.com/new-york

06/05/2026

This Sunday, June 7, is Sunday of All Saints.

The first Sunday after Pentecost is the Sunday of All Saints. On this day, we celebrate all the men, women, and children who have faithfully followed Christ throughout the ages. Whether known or unknown, they responded to God's call with faith, courage, and love, becoming examples of holiness for us today.

In this Sunday's Gospel, Christ reminds us that following Him requires commitment and sacrifice, but He also promises a great reward to those who remain faithful. The saints show us that holiness is possible for everyone. Through their lives, we see what it means to put Christ first and to trust Him completely. As we honor all the saints, we are reminded that we, too, are called to grow in faith and become saints through God's grace.

Check out the ‘Let Us Attend’ children’s gospels for great handouts and audio for all ages here: https://www.antiochian.org/regulararticle/2684

06/04/2026

June 4 - On this day the Orthodox Church commemorates Sts. Mary and Martha, the sisters of St. Lazarus, and Our Father Metrophanes, Archbishop of Constantinople.

The righteous sisters Martha and Mary were devoted followers of Christ and believed in Him even before He raised their brother, St. Lazarus (commemorated on October 17), from the dead. After the martyrdom of St. Stephen, persecution arose against the Christians in Jerusalem, and Lazarus was forced to leave the city. Martha and Mary remained by their brother’s side and helped him spread the Gospel in different lands, faithfully serving Christ and sharing His message with others.

Sts. Martha and Mary are also commemorated on the third Sunday of Pascha, the Sunday of the Myrrh-bearing Women.

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St. Metrophanes, the first Patriarch of Constantinople, lived during the time of St. Constantine the Great. His father, Dometius, came to believe in Christ after recognizing the emptiness of pagan worship. During a period of persecution, Dometius and his family traveled to Byzantium, where they were taught the Christian faith by Bishop Titus. After Titus’s repose, Dometius became bishop, followed by his sons Probus and later Metrophanes.

When Emperor Constantine visited Byzantium, he was impressed by both the city and St. Metrophanes’ wisdom and holiness. After moving the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Byzantium, later called Constantinople, Constantine honored St. Metrophanes and worked closely with him. In 325, during the First Ecumenical Council held in Nicaea to address the A***n heresy, St. Metrophanes was given the title of Patriarch, becoming the first Patriarch of Constantinople. Because of his old age and poor health, he was unable to attend the council himself and sent Bishop Alexander in his place. Before his repose, St. Metrophanes named Alexander as his successor and also foretold the future service of other great leaders of the Church, including St. Athanasius. St. Metrophanes fell asleep in the Lord in the year 326 at the age of 117. He is remembered for his wisdom, holiness, and faithful leadership of the Church.

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Sophia of Thrace, The Mother of Orphans, and Petroc, Abbot of Padstow are also commemorated on this day.

06/03/2026

The Teen Ministry team from the Department of Youth and Young Adults Ministries is excited to offer a Summer Activity Menu for parishes and deaneries across the Archdiocese.

This clickable PDF -
https://antiochianprodsa.blob.core.windows.net/websiteattachments/Summer%20Teen%20Activities%20menu.pdf, includes ideas and frameworks for a wide variety of summer activities that teens and advisors can plan and enjoy together. While summer often brings a different pace and fuller schedules, it also offers unique opportunities for connection and growth.

Whether through service projects, movie nights, book clubs, or supplication services, the team hopes this resource inspires creative and meaningful ways to keep teens and parish communities engaged throughout the summer months.