Beloved Brothers and Sisters:
Christ is in our midst!
The relationship between a donor and recipient is an intimate one. This is especially true when the relationship is between a donor and the Church. Due to the nature of such a relationship, it is imperative that both parties share common beliefs, visions, and convictions so that funds given and received are used to further those visions, beliefs, and convictions so that God is glorified in all things by the work we do together.
Inasmuch as donors have the right to be comfortable with and have confidence in the organizations to which they give their hard-earned money, so the Church too must be comfortable with those who wish to make donations to Her, believing at all times that those who give money to Her and support Her do so because they believe, without exception or compromise, that She is God's Bride, His Kingdom on earth, and that Her mission is of God and not of man.
The Italo-Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas and Canada does accept donations or gifts simply to fill our coffers. The salvation of souls and the care of God's people are the reasons why the Church exists. We act and live according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the laws of God. These are the foundation stones upon which the life and work of the Church are built. Thus, we seek out donors and supporters who understand the relationship between Christ and His Church and that it is our responsibility as Orthodox Catholic Christians to be servants of Christ and one another.
The questions that follow are intended to discern if we, you and the Church, share the same vision and have the same zeal and penchant for preaching and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a world that actively seeks to deny and forsake Him and denounce His Church as irrelevant and unnecessary. We don't simply want your money. We want partners who are willing to fight the good fight. We want warriors who are unafraid and bold enough to take the risk of standing up for what is right in a world where wrong is now right and right is now wrong. We want partners who will run with us through the painful and agonizing gauntlet of hate, ignorance, shunning, intolerance, and disbelief to acquire the priceless treasure of eternal happiness and blessedness and a golden crown of everlasting glory.
God loves a cheerful giver. But remember this, you give not for your own personal glory or adulation but only for the glory of God and the good estate and work of His holy Church.
+Archbishop Stephen
