Walking the Path

By Priest Eric George Tosi

Chairman of the Department of Evangelization

“In 1853, Bishop (later Saint) Innocent wrote as an introduction to his instructions to missionaries, “To leave one’s native country and seek places remote, wild, devoid of many of the comforts of life, for the sake of turning to the path of truth men who are still wandering in the darkness of ignorance, and of illumining with the light of the Gospel them that have not yet beheld this saving light. This is an act of truly holy and apostolic. Blessed he whom the Lord selects and appoints to such a ministry! But doubly blessed he who labors with undivided zeal, sincerity and love in the work of conversion and enlightenment, enduring the hardships and sufferings which he encounters in the course of his ministry, for ‘his reward is great in heaven’!”

While the places “remote and wild” may no longer exist in the American mission effort, truly the spirit is alive and thriving. There are today many priests who have followed that calling and have planted missions throughout the continent. St. Innocent’s vision of an American Church revealing the Truth of Orthodoxy to this country has taken root in our Orthodox Church in America. For generations now the Orthodoxy has been planted in areas where there was no Orthodox presence. Missions now exist from Alaska to Florida, from Los Angeles to New York. And in many places in between. This legacy of great missionaries that was planted with St. Herman exists in many small communities that continue to be planted and grown. It is remarkable to look at a map of America and see how so many gaps have been filled with communities that did not exist even ten years ago.

And yet the spirit of the missionary continues to be the same....zeal, sincerity and love. Zeal for the Gospel, sincerity in presenting this Gospel and love for the people that the Gospel serves. This is shown in the faces of the missionary priest and the success of their communities. Communities that were just a small number of people are now full parishes. We no longer just plant missions where there are a few Orthodox faithful but have founded whole communities of converts who are seeking the Truth. This effort of the mission priests continues to bear fruit.

But yet the hardship is still there. While they may not be in wild and remote places, they are often isolated from other Orthodox and Orthodox communities. A missionary in North America now has to reach across many cultural and regional boundaries. There is the shifting demographics to compete with, shifting populations and a new immigration. Mission priests are often underpaid and have to balance secular jobs with the demands of the priesthood. Their facilities may not be ideal but they continue to serve wherever they are called to be. And just as St. Innocent brought his own family with him on his mission journeys, todays mission priest have to support their own family. Missionary work is hard work. And the Gospel demands nothing less.

Each year, the missions appeal allows the Church to give support to our many missionaries throughout the North American continent. The money that is collected is given directly to the mission priests who have qualified for matching grant. This grant is exclusively used to

supplement their salary so they may be full-time missionaries. For many missions it is literally the difference for survival. Yet every mission that gets the grant show incredible growth and often transition successfully from the grant in three years. The money does make a difference. Every mission struggles to make it and the grant in a limited way helps those priests in flourishing missions.

But we can only give out what we receive. The money that the is brought with the appeal determines the level of support. A successful appeal means that more mission priests can be supported at a better level. A successful appeal mean more commitment to our mission priests and their families. A successful appeal means another community of Orthodox where there was none before. And this means “ turning to the path of truth men who are still wandering in the darkness of ignorance, and of illumining with the light of the Gospel them that have not yet beheld this saving light”.

We ask that you support our missions. It is the growth of the Church and the future of Orthodoxy in America. We are looking to increase the number of missions on the grant. This year we have a record five on the grant. They are in Ashland, Oregon, Port Townsend, Washington, Victoria, British Colombia, Lincoln, Nebraska, and Nicholasville, Kentucky. And for every mission we gave a grant to, we have three or four additional ones who have applied. There are new mission possibilities in Alaska, Hawaii, and throughout Canada, Mexico and the United States. Many of them can qualify for the Grant but our resources make it prohibitive. It is hoped that a full missions endowment fund can be built to a level where it will allow us to support every mission who asks for it. But this takes time, money and dedication. Please support the appeal and make every dollar count.

How can you help the missions?

1. Prayer. In St. Innocent’s instructions to missionaries, the first instruction is to pray “which alone can open the spring of highest teaching and bring down a blessing upon every good beginning and work.” Remember our missionaries every time you pray. This spiritual support gives them untold strength and blessings. If you know a mission priest, pray for him and his family by name so that they will be upmost in your memory. If you don’t know a mission priest learn their names. There are many right in your own diocese. Get to know these missions in your diocese (and other dioceses) and pray for them by name. Ensure that your own community knows about the work that is being done and includes them in their prayer.

2. Visit. Visit a mission. Get to know these communities and you will find your life greatly blessed. You will learn of their joys and their struggles. Often these missions are not as far away as you may think and it is worth a trip to see with your own eyes the work they are doing. Missions always appreciate visitors and it helps connect them to a wider church. This is important for any developing missions, to know they are not alone. And it allows you to bring their story back to your own community.

3. Ask. Ask questions about the missionary efforts in the Orthodox Church in America. It is truly a remarkable story that is continuing with great effort. Find out who is your diocesan mission director and the work that he does. This contact is invaluable and may even help in identifying new mission efforts. Find out the needs of the missions in your diocese. This will be a tangible way in understanding what mission work is all about. Find out what is being done to plant and support missions across the whole of North America and be a part of that excitement..

4. Involve. Don’t be passive but be involved in the missionary effort. We are all missionaries of the Church. Every community no matter how established benefits from mission work either right down your street to some far away mission. These missions (and churches) grow when the people are active in bringing others to the Church. There have been established parishes which have turned around because of their effort in evangelizing. If you know people in the area of a mission who are interested, point them towards the mission. This helps these missions grow. If you have a particular talent or skill that may help a mission, volunteer your time. Often mission survive of volunteers who helps in areas as wide ranging as legal to carpentry. Remember a missions needs so much and have so little resources. A team of helpers can make a huge difference. Help the mission in any way.

5. Support. Participate in the Annual Mission’s Appeal. Every dollar collected helps a mission priest. And this money will go to them! Give generously to your local mission efforts. Many missions receive support from their diocese on a monthly basis and often this is more effective. Give directly to a mission who will welcome any support. They often struggle each month and any extra income is welcome. Buy an item they may need as they often lack some of the basic liturgical items. The often have used items, wouldn’t it be nice for them to have new liturgical items? As a parish, adopt a mission and help support a priest and his family. Some parishes have adopted a mission and give to them on a regular basis.

All of these can be done easily and have a great impact. The mission work in this country is growing rapidly and our resources need to keep pace. All efforts in this field will reap great benefits from vocations to salvation. This vine that has been planted by God is ours to cultivate and the legacy we leave will be a stronger church.

If you would like to help missions or are interested in mission work, please contact the Department of Evangelization at (702)898-4800.