SCOBA names OCN Newest Agency

(The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas) has commissioned a new agency at their fall meeting in New York City.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2003, the members of SCOBA, under the chairmanship of Archbishop DEMETRIOS of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, met for their fall session and unanimously voted to approve Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) as the newest commissioned agency recognized by SCOBA to serve the Orthodox Christians of America.

OCN is the first commissioned agency of SCOBA charged with creating a national media presence for Orthodox Christianity in America. The use of this very influential communications tool to raise awareness of Orthodox Christianity is one of the most important proactive steps SCOBA has undertaken to bring an Orthodox Christian voice to the varied religious voices on American media today.

Metropolitan NICHOLAS, ruling hierarch of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese made the motion to recognize OCN as a SCOBA agency, and Metropolitan HERMAN of the Orthodox Church in America seconded the motion. The hierarchs then voted unanimously to approve OCN’s addition to other SCOBA commissioned agencies like the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC).

OCN Media Director Chuck Powell said: “We can no longer fail to harness the power of media to communicate. This Pan-Orthodox recognition of the good work OCN is already doing will allow our Orthodox churches to build a coordinated and effective communications tool for all our Orthodox faithful. We Orthodox have something important to say to America.”

Fr. Christopher Metropulos, the founder of OCN, and the co-host on the radio program, Come Receive The Light, presented to the hierarchs the work OCN is doing in growing an Orthodox Christian media ministry. The radio program is currently heard in 16 cities across the US and available on the internet at www.receive.org. The goal of OCN is to be airing at least once a week in the top twenty five (25) media markets in three years.

Fr. Metropulos states: “This recognition by our Orthodox Bishops will confirm and expand the wonderful support we are already receiving from our Orthodox Christian faithful. I am truly grateful to our bishops for their vision and their encouragement.”

Come Receive The Light is the flagship radio program of Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) and is dedicated to spreading joy, hope and salvation in Jesus Christ while exploring Orthodox Christianity in contemporary society. This unique, half hour, radio program features Orthodox Christian news from around the world, inspirational and encouraging devotionals, exciting radio dramas of the lives of Christian heroes, and a thought provoking interview with a special guest each week.

Orthodox Christian Networks is headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and is a member of the National Religious Broadcasters. Visit us at www.receive.org.

For more information contact:

Chuck Powell
Media Director
Come Receive The Light Radio
1-800-358-3088
chuck@receive.org