Mercy Without Limits
First Conference of Orthodox Christian Academy of Atlanta
Statement from the Academy
On the conference Theme
The Orthodox Christian Academy of Atlanta (OCAA) was developed through and under the inspiration and direction of His Eminence, Metropolitan Alexios. Its Mission is to “foster dialogue between the Orthodox Church and contemporary society.” It seeks to do so in a Conference format.
Finding common ground to even initiate a meaningful dialogue between our Church… and those around us… can be trying in our times. Yet…most people…both in and outside of the Orthodox Church … can find many elements of agreement … especially when it comes to the care of those whom our Lord called “the Least.”
Certainly the Church understands the directive from our Lord in this area … and so it is charged … to not sit idly by … but rather to seek to intervene in various dynamic ways. And many in contemporary society are also quite open to providing help … especially to those in extreme circumstances … who are everywhere … both nearby in the cities where we each live … as well as faraway places like Sierra Leone.
And so what a blessed place to start a dialogue between our Church … and contemporary society … a meaningful discussion … of what to do about our brothers and sisters on this planet … living in abject poverty … homelessness … lack of medical care … lack of education…lack of even the basics of food…clean water…clothing…a roof over their heads.
Thus the Board of Directors (BOD) prayerfully searched for a relevant theme … that would capture this pressing reality … but not stop there … but would rather serve to inspire ACTION … as a result of this exchange. Action by BOTH … the Church … and those who comprise society. As a consequence, the BOD adopted the theme ”Mercy Without Limits.”
The next task for the BOD was to find a suitable Conference Leader. Someone who could speak experientially about the care of the Least. Someone who “walks the walk” so to speak. In the Orthodox world … one person comes to mind … His Grace … Bishop Themis, who very graciously agreed to travel from Sierra Leone in West Africa, to lead us in this inaugural Conference of the OCAA.
+Fr Paul Tsahakis
President, OCAA