Dear Orthodox Student,

As you have left your home and you are away at school, we wish you a safe journey and pray for your physical and spiritual well-being.

Be careful and wise in choosing your friends. Even among Christians we are not all the same, we are not all Orthodox. Do not let anyone or anything to distract you from attaining your goal. Do not waste your God-given talent. Let the Orthodox priest closest to your college know that you are an Orthodox Christian, and when possible, go and worship in that Orthodox Church.

Call the church office, even collect, whenever the need arises. Call me on my cell phone 717-7011971. Register your email address on our church’s website www.annunciation-elkinspark.org, so you can stay informed about the life of your community back home. Especially we want to know of your successes. Therefore, notify us of your achievements.

Always begin your school day with prayer and end it the same way. The whole world may fail you, but God will never abandon you when you call Him in faith. Keep the body fit with proper diet and exercise and try to keep good sleeping habits. The body, mind, and soul are not independent of each other.
Finally, keep the faith, witness your Orthodox character, let your light shine so everyone can see it but do not throw away your pearls to the swine. Above all, avoid idolatrous practices, which abound in college campuses.
May the wisdom of God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, be with you always to guide you and protect you.
From father Christos, and all the faithful of the Annunciation Church.