New Podcast Includes Orthodox Teens From Around Country

February 8, 2008

The Departments of Youth Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America have joined with the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) to offer a new podcast for Orthodox Christian teens and their peers.
The show, called Orthodox Teen Talk Online (OTTO), features a pan-Orthodox group of teens from around the country, who discuss real-life issues in an open and honest manner with at least one Orthodox priest.
One of the unique characteristics of the show is that the teens themselves develop the topics for discussion, contribute their own opinions and share their own life experiences related to the discussion. This allows Orthodox young people to find their own voice and to develop their own Orthodox Christian response to some of the most pressing issues of the day.
"The young people of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America are deeply committed to living the Orthodox Faith in Christ daily," V. Rev. Dr. Joseph Purpura, Chairman of the Department of Youth Ministry, said. "It is with joy that our young people join with OCN and other Orthodox teens in expressing their Orthodox Christian Faith and its profound effect on their daily choices."
OTTO is a collaborative effort of the Antiochian Youth Department, NAC Teen SOYO, OCN and the Youth Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
"The Youth Department of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America looks forward to working with OCN to produce media products that will both challenge and bring our youth closer to Jesus Christ," Rev. Mark A. Leondis, National Director of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, said.
Several episodes of OTTO have already been recorded.

In the first episode, Fr. Christopher Metropulos, Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Network, guided Orthodox teens from four Churches in South Florida through a candid discussion on drugs and drinking.

In the second episode, Fr. Antony Bahou, spiritual adviser to NAC Teen SOYO, spoke with two of the organization's officers, Christopher Shadid and Amanda Sahawneh, about the sanctity of life, and how Orthodox teens respond to related issues, such as abortion, stem cell research and euthanasia.

Future episodes of OTTO will examine dating, sex, MTV, music, faith & doubt, and prayer. New episodes will be released on a bi-weekly basis.
All episodes of OTTO are available for download on the Web site of the Orthodox Christian Network (www.MyOCN.net) and, soon, will be syndicated as a podcast.

OTTO will also stream on The Ark, one of OCN's Internet radio stations, at 4 p.m. EST on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Please contact the Orthodox Christian Network for more information, to suggest a topic for a future episode, or to find out how you, your parish or a teen in your life could get involved. All Orthodox Christian teens are welcome to participate!

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Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) is a pan-Orthodox media ministry of SCOBA, the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas. OCN uses modern media to raise awareness of the Orthodox Christian faith in the minds of the general population and designs media tools for local parishes to increase the effectiveness of their own ministry. OCN also produces Come Receive the Light, a nationally syndicated Orthodox radio program, as well as two Internet-based, 24-hour Orthodox radio stations, The Ark and The Rudder. Visit www.MyOCN.net for more information.