Serbian Orthodox Church

Information Service of
the Serbian Orthodox Church
September 23, 2004

ADMINISTRATOR OF THE PATRIARCHAL THRONE
OF ALEXANDRIA CHOSEN

Following the sudden tragedy that befell the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the death of the Patriarch and Pope Petros VII of Alexandria and All Africa of blessed memory, a special session of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church of Alexandria was held with His Eminence Metropolitan Paul of Memphis presiding. His Eminence Metropolitan Petros of Aksum was chosen Administrator of the Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria at that session.

MY LITTLE PRAYER BOOK

Last year seven pupils attending the school of catechesis in the Greek Orthodox parish of St. Andrew in Lubbock, Texas, learned from a children’s prayer book (“My Little Prayer Book”) published by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) of the position of children suffering in the world. The children launched a campaign and collected 225 dollars for their peers in distress. Immediately after this children’s initiative, similarly influenced by the children’s prayer book, 60 children from seven parishes in Philadelphia collected 200 school packets. These are two examples showing how the children’s prayer book has succeeded in coming alive in practice, too. International Orthodox Christian Charities has donated 18,000 gift packages to children in distress.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (based in Baltimore) has already distributed all 25,000 copies of its first edition of the children’s prayer book, and a second edition is currently in print.

“My Little Prayer Book” is printed in full color on 32 pages. This book is a good way of encouraging children to pray and familiarizing them with the children of the world and the conditions in which they are living. The book contains verses from the Holy Scripture, thoughts of the Holy Fathers, parts of texts from Holy Liturgy, prayers and examples of good works. The book also has places where children are to write in their own prayers.

[Serbian Translation Services]