“Go ye therefore and make disciples of all the nations baptizing them in The Name of The Father, and of The Son, and of The Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.”
~ Matthew 28:19–20 ~

Diocese Holds the Fifth Annual Evangelism School

By Archpriest Jason Vansuch

A most blessed two days within the Life of our Diocese as nearly 25 clergy and lay representatives from each Deanery gathered around our beloved Diocesan Hierarch – His Eminence Archbishop Michael for the Annual Diocesan Evangelism School. This year, the Evangelism School was held from August 10-11 at St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY.

The Evangelism School is an initiative blessed by His Eminence Archbishop Michael, fully funded by the Diocesan Council and in conjunction with the Commission on Mission and Evangelism. This year the School focused on Orthodox Catechism (particularly catechism with young people). The main theme for the School was:

"Catechesis is not merely the communication of information about Christ; it is the formation of the whole person into the life of Christ through the Scriptures, Holy Tradition, the Divine Liturgy, prayer, and the sacramental life of the Church."

Over the course of the two intensive days, the participants gathered to learn and reflect on the necessary apostolic work in answering the call of Our Lord to bring His Love and Faith to others and bring others to Him. Speakers and presenters were brought in to share their experiences with the participants who were gathered from the three deaneries of the Diocese.

The coursework covered the theology and application of Orthodox Catechesis, with many of the presenters sharing their own experiences from within their parishes and ministry and how they were able to catechize many faithful and bring them into the Orthodox Faith through various methodologies and practices. Among the instructors were His Eminence Archbishop Michael, Archpriest Eric G. Tosi, Director of the Commission on Mission and Evangelism, Archpriest John Parker, Dean of St. Tikhon Orthodox Theological Seminary, Archpriest Jason Vansuch, Rector of St. George Orthodox Church in Buffalo, NY, and Archpriest Matthew Markewich, Rector of Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in Ballston Spa, NY.

The value of such a gathering was summed up by one participant stating that: “We came here to learn and we are leaving with knowledge. Knowledge and understanding that teaching Orthodox catechism to young people is often most effective when it is participatory rather than lecture-based. Young people tend to retain the faith better when they see how doctrine connects to worship, Scripture, and daily life.”

Each day began with the celebration of Morning Prayers and concluded with the celebration of Daily Vespers. Throughout the day, participants were provided with various tools, methodologies, and practices that we can use within our own parishes and ministries from the Clergy Presenters while His Eminence shared his insights into the need for us to focus on Time and for taking the appropriate amount of Time with each Inquirer and Catechumen while teaching them the Basics of The Orthodox Faith. He expressly challenged the participants to take the lessons learned and the examples presented at this School back to their parishes. He reminded the participants of the many examples we have in our parishes of growth and renewed energy, and of the need to focus on Christ and building His Church.  This is seen through the experience and participation in the Spiritual and Liturgical Life and not simply just providing information for learning. Fr. Eric Tosi finished the Evangelism School with reminding each of us of the various catechism strategies which can be applied in bringing a disciple “mindset” into the parishes as well as sharing various tools that can be used for bringing Christ to others and others to Chris. The value of these sessions was to bring back these tools to our respective parish communities and answer The Call of Our Lord.

Truly these were wonderful days for all of us especially the enthusiastic participants who came hungry and left filled with knowledge, tools, and methodologies to truly go out and “Make Disciples of All Nations” preparing everyone who enters into our Parishes to come and know Christ, Live Christ, and Love Christ growing in His Faith and Love while giving All Glory to The God Who loves us more than we love ourselves.

Because of the continued success and enthusiasm of everyone who attended, the Diocese will hold the next Evangelism School in August of 2027 at St. Gregory’s as it continues to rotate clergy and laypersons from each deanery through these sessions.

Glory to Thee O God for All Things!