Help: Orthodox parishes around Boston with lively fellowship?

[lubeltri]

I don't start many topics here, but I thought I'd ask you for some advice.

I have a good friend, Irene, who is Greek Orthodox. She has to travel a lot for her job, so sometimes she is not in town. She has been going to a Greek Orthodox parish here in Boston as well as occasionally going to an Evangelical church (Park Street Church; it's officially Congregational but basically draws droves of student and 20-something "nondenom" Evangelicals). It's my brother's church, and she and I have quite a few friends there and hang out together with them often (I've gone to a service at Park Street a couple times before; never in place of mass, of course). Irene also attends some of the prayer/fellowship gatherings (called "Cafe") on Tuesday and Friday nights.

I was talking with her today on Boston Common, where Park Street had its annual picnic (the church building overlooks the Common). Basically, because she is busy at work and can't go to both all the time, she's decided to start going to services at Park Street full-time instead of her Greek Orthodox church. The problem, she says, is that Orthodox parishes around are full of white heads and have no fellowship or lively social life. She said she really needs that fellowship with other young Christians that her parish simply doesn't offer her. It's basically dead, she says.

Now, I'm blessed to go to one of several Catholic churches in the city full of students and young people and an active parish life. I feel bad that she doesn't have that at her parish, but I wouldn't want her to give up the Divine Liturgy and Eucharist for this. Park Street is a very nice church as Evangelical churches go, and it is full of life, but it is not still not part of the Church of the apostles and does not offer the sacred mysteries. I wouldn't want Irene to end up there and drift away from the Church.

Does anyone know of an Orthodox parish in or around Boston with a sizeable number of young people and an active parish life? 

[FrChris]

There are plenty of Greek parishes in Boston with an extremely active social life, OCF, and/or YAL groups.

I'd first go to Taxiarchae Parish in Watertown (where I was a pastoral assistant for part of my senior year). There's always stuff going on there.

Secondly, St. Athanasios (formerly in Arlington; however, they bought a former Catholic parish down the road, and I'm not sure if this new home is in Arlington or Lexington) also has an active social life.

Finally, the Seminary is in Brookline...yeah, if she wante dot hang around a lot of folks looking to do things, she can find it there.

Sheesh! Your friend Irene needs to get out more!

[lubeltri]

Perhaps she doesn't know of these places because they are pretty far from her (she lives in East Boston, almost to Revere, and doesn't own a car).

Speaking of Orthodox places in Brookline, I thought of doing a retreat for a weekend at Holy Transfiguration monastery sometime soon. Someone I met recommended it highly. I used to work only several blocks from it.

[Tamara]

Perhaps she doesn't know of these places because they are pretty far from her (she lives in East Boston, almost to Revere, and doesn't own a car).

Speaking of Orthodox places in Brookline, I thought of doing a retreat for a weekend at Holy Transfiguration monastery sometime soon. Someone I met recommended it highly. I used to work only several blocks from it.

Lubeltri,

You can have your friend go to this site: http://www.orthodoxyinamerica.org/sr2_0_0/locator.php
She can type in a city and state name to see what Orthodox Churches are close to her. There may be Orthodox churches in other jurisdictions in her area which have active young adult groups.

sincerely, Tamara

[Fr. George]

I would certainly echo Fr Chris' suggestions - they are all active parishes with good priests and good youth and young adult programs.

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