FOrCE Series Presents Fr. George Parsenios and Behold the Bridegroom Comes

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Fr. George Parsenios is Professor of New Testament at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he has also served as Dean of the Faculty. Prior to coming to Holy Cross, he was Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary for 20 years, and has taught as an adjunct Professor at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary and in the St. Athanasius Theological College in the University of Melbourne (Australia). His teaching and research explore the interaction of early Christianity with classical literature. He is the author of three books and several articles, with a particular focus on the Gospel and Letters of John. His current scholarly work includes translating the catechetical homilies of St. John Chrysostom. His education includes an MDiv from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and a PhD from Yale University. As a priest of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, he serves at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Lexington, MA. He and Presvytera Maureen have three children, including a daughter Julia who has served Project Mexico in a variety of capacities.

TOPIC: Behold the Bridegroom Comes

FOrCE Series Presents Presvytera Sarah and the Laying on of Hands

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Presvytera Sarah joyfully serves the community of Annunciation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania with her husband, Father Savvas, and two children. Sarah was educated as an elementary school teacher and served in public schools for five years. Her summers were spent either in Orthodox summer camps or on mission trips to South Korea, Kenya, and Mexico. When she finally answered the Call she dropped her teaching profession to become a student again, this time at Holy Cross. From 2018-2021 Sarah earned her Masters of Divinity and married her beloved classmate. Pres. Sarah is honored to use her teaching skills to preach sermons, lead mom groups, and teach Greek School. Together Presvytera and Father remain united in their love of iced coffee, their husky (Dunkin’), and their mission-minded parish of believers!

FOrCE Series Presents Ivy Tesfay and The Journey to Thanksgiving

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Ivy Gabriella Tesfay has a love for serving and loving the Lord, which drove her to serve as an intern at Project Mexico for two summers! From there, she obtained a Bachelor in Psychology from Hellenic College in ‘22 while also receiving a Certificate in Youth and Young Adult Ministry. She just completed her Masters in Theological Studies at Holy Cross and is now working as the Assistant Ministry Coordinator at Orthodox Christian Fellowship!

TOPIC: The Journey to Thanksgiving

FOrCE Series Presents Lidya Abraham and Music as Prayer

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Lidya Abraham grew up singing her whole life starting in her home parish. This early exposure to music shaped her journey into the faith and current vocational pursuits. Lidya is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Music Education at Boston University. After graduation she hopes to teach the joy that can be found in music and its importance in praising God.

FOrCE Series Presents Gabriel Fahling and Service as a way of Life

An initiative of Project Mexico, in collaboration with Hellenic College Holy Cross, The FOrCE introduces the faithful to opportunities in Christian higher education.

In collaboration with our partners at Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, an Orthodox Christian liberal arts college and seminary, the FOrCE educational series consists of six (6) 45-min ZOOM lectures purposefully designed to introduce the wealth of post-service opportunities in Orthodox education. This series will help the faithful tangibly fulfill their Orthodox Faith, fortify their conviction, add to the welfare of the community, and directly benefit the churches in America by Forming Orthodox Christian Evangelists.

Gabriel Fahling lived at Project Mexico for almost two years, doing everything from building homes to serving as a chauffeur to arranging accommodations for guests. In August of last year, Gabriel moved from Mexico to Hellenic College to do a Semester of Faith, which was a blessed experience. Gabriel is currently a student at Hellenic College, majoring in Psychology and Human Development in hopes of going into Clinical Psychology.

Christmas 2023 in Mexico

Project Mexico Holiday Special

In this heartwarming video and photo collage, the staff and children of Project Mexico and St Innocent Orphanage in Baja celebrate Christmas and all its blessings at the only 100% donor-supported Orthodox Orphanage in North America. Since 1988, Project Mexico has been building safe, secure and weather-tight homes for some of the most impoverished families in Northern Mexico. Every home is constructed over four days and built entirely with volunteer labor. Once complete, these homes are provided so these families can build a brighter future for themselves and their children.

Casa Cuna San Felipe Infant Orphanage

By Noelle Robadaik, Education Coordinator

A few years ago, during the Nativity season, I visited the Tijuana DIF Shelter with some of our orphanage staff to bring tamales, hot chocolate, and candy to the children there and spread a little Christmas cheer. This facility is where children wait to be reunited with family members or moved to an orphanage after primary caretakers lose custody. All of the boys in our care have been in this facility or at a sister facility at some point. At times, more than 250 children have called it home. When we entered the nursery, we were met with rows of hospital-style bassinets filled with babies, some asleep, others lying awake staring at the ceiling. The two women caring for them told us that by the time they had fed and changed each child, it was time to start over again. They were able to meet the most basic needs of these babies, but nothing more.

But most alarmingly, although we spent at least forty-five minutes in the nursery, we heard no crying. These precious babies had found that their cries received no response and had stopped trying. At that moment, I realized we needed to help these children, and we began to explore the feasibility of expanding our orphanage program. The effects of neglect and abuse in the earliest years of life have severe, lifelong consequences. 

While helping the boys at St. Innocent Orphanage navigate the obstacles created by poor care in their early years, I have been overwhelmed with the desire to prevent other children from living the same traumas. Now, after years of planning and with support from our Board of Directors and generous donations from the Phillip Giannakis Foundation and others, we have started building our own nursery and created a temporary facility to care for a few infants and toddlers while the building is finished. 

In our nursery, children will receive so much more than the basic necessities. We will provide them with a loving and attentive home and opportunities for the healthy attachment and physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual development they would otherwise be denied. Watching the walls of the nursery being built fills my heart with joy, knowing that generations to come will receive a loving and stable beginning of life and a brighter future. 

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this ministry for so many years, but the time has come for me to finish my time working here at Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage and start the next chapter of my life. The first time I came down on a homebuilding trip as a young high school student changed my life, and since then I haven’t been able to stay away. 

I am so grateful and proud to watch our ministry grow and develop. Embracing my changing role has been bittersweet. My time caring for the boys in their day-to-day activities has come to an end, but now I take on the equally important role of praying, contributing what I can, and spreading the word about the beauty of the orphanage. 

This ministry cannot function without the countless people who support it in different ways. Your support, whether through constant prayer or donations to keep the lights on and pantry full, fills us with strength and allows us to expand our ministry and continue to serve our Lord and the needy of Tijuana. Please prayerfully consider supporting our growing ministry while keeping the boys and staff in your prayers. 

The Church Grows

By Father Demetrios Swanson, Resident Priest

The very first Liturgy in the Americas was celebrated off the coast of Alaska in 1741, nearly 300 years ago. It was celebrated onboard the ship of captain Vitus Bering (the namesake of the Bering Sea) on the feast of the Holy Prophet Elias, July 20. Our beloved St. Innocent arrived in Alaska 80 years later. He traveled extensively throughout Alaska, teaching, baptizing, building churches often with his own hands, translating the Gospels and Services into the local languages which he had learned through intense study, all while keeping detailed accounts and journals.

St. Innocent was unimaginably industrious, still famous in scientific circles for his detailed studies of the natural environment in Alaska. While there, he took at least one journey down the North American Pacific Coast reaching as far as California. It is thought that his goal was to reach Mexico. He never did. Or so I said in a recent sermon here at the St. Innocent Mission, our little chapel within the walls of St. Innocent Orphanage. After the sermon I was corrected by Presbytera Carmen Sosa who said, “That’s not true. St. Innocent did make it to Mexico. We have his relics here in the church.” I wanted to cry. She is correct.

In 1995 Project Mexico received a piece of St. Innocent's bone and shortly afterwards the first Orthodox Church in Northern Mexico, our little chapel was named St. Innocent. A miracle. For almost 30 years St. Innocent Mission has been celebrating the Divine Liturgy, baptizing and communing Orthodox Christians, and sanctifying the earth within the walls of the St. Innocent Orphanage. It has been a true orphanage chapel ministering mainly to the orphanage needs. But like the treasure it is, it has also attracted hungry seekers of Christ and has seen the receiving of more than a handful of new Orthodox Christians.

Our community currently numbers about 40 members, not including the 22 Orthodox orphan boys. With this seed of a community it is now the most beautiful and perfect time to continue the work of the great missionary St. Innocent of Alaska outside of the orphanage walls, focusing attention on the local community by building a new temple in their midst.

The orphanage chapel will continue to minister to the needs of the orphanage. At the same time we hope to now build a local parish which our orphan boys can attend with their families even after they leave the orphanage and the orphanage chapel.

On the very feast of the Prophet Elias this past summer we purchased land in central Rosarito. We will build a temple on it within the next year. By God’s grace, we will soon be announcing “Blessed is the Kingdom…” from within the heart of Rosarito, echoing those same words which began the Liturgy on that ship floating in the Northern Pacific waters 300 years ago.

The mission continues. The Church grows.

St. Innocent, pray to God for us.

Farewell Noelle

A Letter from the Presbytera Merilynn Andruchow

ONE OF OUR SHINING STARS OF ST. INNOCENT  ORPHANAGE STAFF, NOELLE ROBAIDEK, is moving on. Thank God, in 2008 the Theotokos (Mother of God) called Noelle to serve at Project Mexico/St Innocent Orphanage. Noelle has been serving the ranch for over 15 years. She first volunteered on homebuilding teams during the summers of 2008 and 2009. Then served as a summer Intern for 5 years. And at the end of her internship, she began work as a full time English teacher in Tijuana, Homeschooling the Junior High School boys. She was also in charge of the after-school homework program. Finally, she became the Education Coordinator for the boys at the ranch whose ages ranged from five years old to 20 years old. Now her full-time missionary work has come to an end. 

When I first met Noelle she was interning. I was so grateful when she moved onto the ranch full-time to help with educating the children. Since my biological boys were also being raised at the ranch, I was thrilled that they would be growing up in her shadow. For more than a decade Noelle has taught through example how faith should be lived. Noelle had the courage at the age of 15 to listen  to the call, to take the risk and leave her home in Wisconsin to begin her journey in a 3rd world country to help the poor and needy. Her unconditional love for the orphaned boys reminds me of how the mother of God, the Panagia, must love us. Loving us even when it hurts. Her unconditional love for the boys who are truly wounded by being exposed to too much pain and anger. 

Noelle’s light, her joy, and leading by example will truly be missed on the ranch. I will never forget walking into her house one night to see four of the boys with green facial masks on their faces cleansing their pores. Or when Noelle would stay up late to help the boys study for exams. Or holding one of the boys tightly as he sobbed because of the abusive memories left by his biological mother. Thank you, Lord, through the prayers of St. Innocent, the Theotokos for choosing Noelle to serve her blessed children. And thank you Noelle for responding to the call. Glory be to God!

Witness to Love

By Theodora Veronis

AFTER MY FIRST HOMEBUILDING INTERNSHIP IN MEXICO IN 2018, I THOUGHT TO myself, ‘this was a great summer, but once was enough. I need to be thankful for this (opportunity), keep it in my soul, and bring this joy to the next adventure life gives me.’ But the following summer I found myself at Project Mexico again. I felt similarly at the end of that season, thinking that the summer of 2019 would my last full summer. Yet, I applied again for 2020.

When I wasn’t able to return because of the pandemic, the spirit of the ranch continued to live in me, but my expectation of interning again slowly faded. Anytime I spoke of Project Mexico, I smiled and remembered my experience with fond memories. It is a place that is so near to my heart. I was convinced that my summers of homebuilding were finished. However, God had plans for me to return to the ranch with a different mission. I have been blessed with the opportunity to work closely with the children at St. Innocent Orphanage.

The lesson I have learned is that the education program is much more than teaching lessons and helping the boys catch up in areas that may have been delayed. As a fellow coworker pointed out to me, when the boys get to the ranch, they aren’t at school anymore. This is their life. The work that the staff do cannot be placed in a category because that isn’t the way that life at home functions. C.S. Lewis compares the love that comes with our faith to salt. Faith and love, like salt, are not meant to be isolated. They exist to enhance everything around us! Faith and love are not simple pillars of the organization, rather they are present everywhere and fulfilling in all things. I have witnessed those who work at the orphanage put in tireless hours because they are who the boys have as a family. They are not just teachers who are planning lessons but are people who are using their gifts to share love as they help out with homework, wrap textbooks, or size for uniforms. They share love when the kids get distracted or act out or share stories about their pasts.

I had a professor who told me that a good life is one where you admire those you surround yourself with and are proud of who you are becoming. I can confidently say that my short time thus far has put me on that track. Anyone who ministers with Project Mexico learns that there is a thin separation between work and life. The boys who live here are not projects that need fixing but are children of God who have been placed in our lives to love. This type of love is one that takes priority above all else. It is at times too much to bear. I have not yet fully been able to understand this feeling. I have a long way to go before that happens. However, I have at least witnessed the love and service since I began this path, and I am grateful.