Dear Brothers and Sisters,

   Christ is in our midsts!

 

   As we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ during the Fast of the Nativity, let us thank one another for our efforts in making OrthodoxCircle the premier social networking site for Orthodoxy on the internet. Simply by being here and taking time to make this website part of your life, you are helping create an environment where we can continue to show Christ's love for one another.  The Book of Matthew tells us that Our Savior said "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst with them."  And what better lesson could be applied to the faithful online!  

 

   As OrthodoxCircle moves into a new phase of its existance, it has become clear to many people that it is time to address the need for an icon for this website.  Not simply an image of an icon taken from cyberspace, but an actual icon; envisioned, commissioned, written, and then blessed by the members, supporters, laity and clergy of those that wish to see OrthodoxCircle succeed.   As Orthodox Christians from every walk of life and every jurisdiction of the True Church, we have come together to be a part of an online community of faithful.  Indeed, To not have an icon that would bless and protect our activities here; a community of over 5,000 strong, is to ignore Holy Tradition. 

   I contacted Ninos last month with the concept of commissioning an icon of his choosing to serve in this manner. Shortly thereafter, several people came forward with donations of time, resources and talents to make this happen. A web forum group was set up to discuss what choice for an icon would be best for this website.  At the time of this writing, several ideas are still in the running, but we have begun to focus our discussion around the concept of a circular icon of Christ Pantocrator, with the aforementioned scripture from Matthew 18: "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst with them."  No decision has been made yet, and the decision is ultimately that of the OrthodoxCircle staff, but I have felt that this idea has received the warmest response to date. 

  

   Our plan is to have an icon completed, blessed and on OC by Pascha of next year.  The image will be used for whatever purpose the staff of OrthodoxCircle sees fit - whether to be displayed online, reproduced in laminate copies, or simply to hang above the computer on Ninos Oshanna's desk, as a means of blessing, protection and intercession of the work that is done on this website.    The icon cannot be physically present everywhere, just as we cannot be physically present altogether, but it will serve as a reminder to everyone, online or offline, that unlike so many "things" with the internet, our existence on OC depends on our real-world commitment to Christ and His One Church.

   

    You can help with this project through your prayers, ideas and thoughts for those that are working on this task.  We have been blessed to have donors of both the iconography and the materials needed to make the writing of this icon a reality, but we still need someone to come forward with donations for a kiot for this icon, as we will encourage Ninos to share this treasure as he takes part in the physical church "offline."  Donations to make larger numbers of prayer cards with the icon on front and the appropriate scripture on the back are also going to be accepted; we have a pledge for the initial 1,000 copies, but will need more in order to print in larger quantities.  For more information, please contact me at my OC homepage at RublevFoundation

 

     We look forward to hearing from you as we prepare to help this website grow and thrive.  Through your prayers, faith and right action, may our online community be an icon of Christ to the world.  

 

    Dan Koski  

    November 8th, 2007

    The Synaxsis of the Archangel Michael and other Bodiless Powers.