For the coordination of the missionary, pastoral, and wider work of the missionary Holy Metropolis of Korea, the clergy and lay representatives of the seven parishes in Seoul gather each year in a General Assembly under the presidency of the Metropolitan.
Among other matters, the annual report of the works of the Metropolitan and each parish is presented. From what was reported at the General Assembly of 15 February 2016, we highlight some of the things “which God accomplished through them” during 2015 in the missionary field of Korea.
Baptisms
After long-term and systematic catechesis, 44 new brothers and sisters were reborn “of water and the Spirit” through the grace of the Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Chrismation and were “added to the Church.”
In particular, at the Church of Saint Dionysios in Ulsan, which was built a decade ago, 43 faithful have been baptized during the last five years.
Divine Worship
In addition to the regular daily Holy Services in all our churches, vigils were celebrated on 27 March in Ulsan, on the Apodosis of Pascha (19 May) in Seoul, and on 30 October at our Monastery in Yanggu.
Spiritual Formation of the Faithful
The study of Holy Scripture continued through the weekly gatherings of the faithful in each parish, as well as the development of spiritual topics during weekly parents’ meetings and the operation of Catechetical Schools of all levels.
The Sunday gatherings of the Korean Orthodox youth organization “Korean Syndesmos” also continued. In addition, two-day (14–15 February) and three-day (7–9 August) youth gatherings were held in Chuncheon on the theme: “Come and See.”
Camps
Winter and summer camps operated with dozens of students and university students at the facilities in Chuncheon (90 km northeast of Seoul) and Busan. Within a joyful atmosphere, the campers learn through morning and evening prayer, instruction, and fellowship how to live as Orthodox Christians. At the same time, they have the opportunity to improve their English through continuous communication with English-speaking teachers who participate voluntarily in the camp programs.
Pan-Korean Orthodox Gathering
For the second consecutive year, the “Orthodox Gathering” of all the parishes of the Holy Metropolis of Korea was held at the Orthodox Educational Center “Saint Anna” in Jeonju (9 October). The event was a great success and contributed to mutual acquaintance and the strengthening of bonds among members of the various parishes of our Church. The organization of the event was undertaken by Fr. Stephen Hwang, founder and president of the Educational Center.
Ministry to Seafarers
The ministry to seafarers continued throughout 2015. The Metropolitan of Korea, Fr. Alexander Han, Fr. Paul Kwon, and Fr. Jeremiah Cho celebrated the inauguration ceremonies of many new ships in Korea, Japan, and China.
Lectures on Orthodoxy
As every year, lectures were given to hundreds of university students from various universities that visited our churches, as well as in university lecture halls upon invitation, on topics concerning the theology, worship, history, ethos, and art of the Orthodox Church.
Interviews were also given to newspaper journalists and television stations about the Orthodox Church.
Translations and Korean Publications
The translation work and publishing activity of the state-recognized publishing organization “Orthodox Editions” continued, with the publication of new books:
Orthodox Faith and Life (A Brief Catechism) by Bishop Sotirios — 366 pages
Theosis by Archimandrite Georgios Kapsanis, Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Gregoriou — 90 pages
From the 25th Hour to the Eternal Hour by Virgil Gheorghiu — 222 pages
The Holy Bible for Children — illustrated edition, 311 pages
The Triodion — 641 pages
The Pentecostarion — 481 pages
With the last two liturgical publications, the Orthodox Church in Korea acquired the ability to celebrate, according to ecclesiastical order, all the Holy Services of the lengthy liturgical periods of the Triodion and Pentecostarion.
The 2016 Calendar was also published, dedicated to the twenty great monasteries of Mount Athos, featuring remarkable photographs and available in both desk and wall editions. It is especially helpful for Orthodox faithful because, in addition to feast days, it includes fasting days, days of Divine Liturgy and special services, daily Scripture readings, and even the weekly tone.
New Website of the Holy Metropolis of Korea
The new website of the Holy Metropolis, www.orthodoxkorea.org, has been available since the previous December in four languages: Korean, Greek, Russian, and English. It was created in a modern format and entirely free of charge by volunteers.
The parish websites also continue to operate:
Seoul:
www.nickolas.or.kr (Korean)
www.pravkorea.com (Russian)
Busan:
www.orthodoxbusan.or.kr (Korean and English)
Incheon:
www.orthodoxincheon.or.kr (Korean and English)
Charity
Each parish is active in supporting and assisting people in need. They collect food and clothing in the churches and distribute them accordingly, as well as money for medicines and other necessities. Periodically, they offer meals to elderly and lonely people who feel the need for companionship. They also financially support municipal programs assisting the poor.
In spring and autumn, they organize charitable bazaars with delicious foods and various items, with proceeds used according to current needs.
Another effective means of securing resources is the “Love Program,” in which faithful voluntarily participate by declaring what they wish to offer regularly for the needs of the Church.
A collection was also held among the faithful, raising a significant amount that was given to His Eminence Metropolitan Ignatios of Madagascar for his charitable work in his province, which suffers from hunger and extreme poverty. (Fr. Ignatios began his missionary activity in Korea from 1985 to 1991 and visited again from 6–20 October 2015.)
Orthodox Kindergarten of Busan
The “Annunciation of the Theotokos Kindergarten of Busan,” located in the building complex of the parish church of the same name, has been rated excellent by the competent state authority. In addition to the proper education provided to children, parents are given the opportunity to become acquainted with Orthodoxy, with beneficial results.
The love of the kindergarten also embraces older children, primary and middle school students, whose homes do not provide suitable conditions for studying. Every afternoon from 6–10 p.m., the kindergarten classrooms function as study rooms for these students.
Operation of Holy Monasteries
The operation of our two Holy Monasteries—the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Gapyeong and the Monastery of Saint Andrew in Yanggu—continued throughout 2015.
The visits of our faithful to the two monasteries and their communication with His Eminence Sotirios at the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration are a great blessing and source of spiritual strengthening. Pilgrims receive great consolation and strength from the holy relics of the 24 Patron Saints of the Church of Korea, whose Synaxis is solemnly celebrated on 3 October, the day of the monastery’s consecration.
Anniversary of the Founding of the Orthodox Church of Incheon
With particular solemnity, the memory of Saint Paul the Apostle was celebrated at the Church of Saint Paul in Incheon, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Orthodox Church there in 1985.
May the Lord strengthen His Church there unto ages of ages.
