St. Andrew House
A Pan Orthodox institution dedicated to Orthodox Unity
Center for Orthodox Christian Studies
A Pan Orthodox institution dedicated to Orthodox Unity
Mission Statement
The mission of the Center for Orthodox Christian Studies is to promote the Orthodox Christian faith by word and example, through formal instruction, worship and good works. The Center exists to serve the Orthodox clergy and faithful of the metro Detroit area, and to be a symbol of the unity of the faith.
Background
Orthodox Christians in Metropolitan Detroit now have a place where they can gather to learn about their faith, share information with other parishes and to further witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ. St. Andrew House - Center for Orthodox Christian Studies, located on Detroit�s west side, looks to be a shining beacon of faith and unity for the tens of thousands of Orthodox faithful in Southeastern Michigan. "We are united by our faith, and we should be united in our efforts to live that faith," says His Eminence Archbishop NATHANIEL of Detroit, president and founder of St. Andrew House. "This Center is the first in the United States to serve all the canonical jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church."
The Center is governed by a cross jurisdictional board of directors who come from various parishes across the city. The Council of Christian Orthodox Churches, a 40 year old Inter-Orthodox clergy and lay group, has been a source of constant support for the Center, and contributed some of the initial capital to purchase the building. The COCC is one of a number of groups who maintain offices in the building. Other groups include Orthodox Christian Women of Metropolitan Detroit (OCW), Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL), and Psalm Music Ministry. The Center is also home to St. Raphael of Brooklyn (OCA) mission parish, and the Monastery of the Holy Ascension.
The mission of the Center is to support local parishes through education and outreach efforts while fostering unity among the faithful. St. Andrew House is an independent Michigan nonprofit institution. In addition to His Eminence Archbishop Nathaniel, board members include: Warren David and George Metry (Antiochian Orthodox), Steve Lionas (Greek Orthodox), and Dean Calvert and Myke Jacobs (OCA). The board also includes the current president of the Council of Christian Orthodox Churches (COCC) of Detroit, currently Fr. Timothy Barna of St. Michael�s Russian Orthodox Church.
St. Andrew House formerly was home to the Passionist Fathers of St. Paul of Cross, who lived in the facility for more than 60 years. Now the building serves Metropolitan Detroit�s Orthodox faithful as a retreat and conference center.
St. Andrew House�s calling is to serve the whole Church, and has in its membership faithful and clergy of almost every jurisdiction in Metropolitan Detroit. St. Andrew House is designed to support area parishes and to serve as a place where these local communities can come together in unity and faith.
Already many parishes have made use of the Center�s facilities to host youth retreats, liturgical music seminars and meetings.
For the upcoming year (2003-2004) the Center is developing a Speaker�s Series program, which will provide the Metro Detroit community with "world class" Orthodox speakers. As part of this program, invitations have been extended to Fr. Thomas Hopko, Fr. Peter Gillquist, Frederica Matthewes-Green, among others, who will be asked to speak on contemporary and timely topics.
Speaker�s Series and seminars are just a part of what�s in St. Andrew Center�s future. Because Orthodox life is a liturgical life, the center�s 7,500 square-foot chapel will be a major resource for area parishes. As part of St. Andrew House�s name implies, a good number of its programs and activities will involve education. St. Andrew House board of directors is identifying strategic goals and key activities.
***Our Facility - St. Andrew House***
*** A Hierarchical Liturgy with Archbishops Nicolae & Nathaniel and Bishop Irineu***
***Our Chapel of the American Saints - in the Church of St. Raphael of Brooklyn***
St. Andrew House
Center for Orthodox Christian Studies
