Mention of God's gift of creation has long been a part of Orthodox liturgies, and the primary spiritual leader for the Orthodox Church worldwide, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, is often referred to as the "Green Patriarch." Thus, Orthodox members of the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches and others felt it was high time to have a national organization for Orthodox scholarship, fellowship, and programming on the environment. In 2002, Orthodox Christians launched the Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration (OFT), an approved affiliate of the Standing Committee of Orthodox Bishops of America (SCOBA).

"The Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration addresses environmental degradation in a uniquely Orthodox manner. It seeks to hallow God's Name 'on earth as it is in heaven' by seeking the transfiguration of creation through the activation of the Christian calling toward transfigured life," says Fred Krueger, Executive Director.

In the context of the liturgical life of the Orthodox Church, the Fellowship seeks to extend the transfiguring activity of the sacraments into creation through ascetic practice, the keeping of the commandments and the acquisition of virtue, thus restoring the beauty and integrity of God's earthly temple.

To initiate ecological concern in Orthodox parishes, the Fellowship sends educational materials to members and to churches and clergy across North America. These periodic mailings consist of such components as translations of a series of environmental lectures given by Patriarch Igatius IV last year in Switzerland. Soon, the mailings will also include a newsletter, literature service, speakers' bureau, library of resources, and regional conference announcements.

In 2004, OFT organized an event in the High Sierras called "Christ in the Wilderness" to teach creation care. Groups journeyed to remote mountain places and allow their hearts to be touched in such a way that they become converted to creation care, not through an intellectual or academic appeal, but by an appeal through the actual experience of Christ in creation.

Another program sponsored by the Fellowship was an educational nature walk program for Orthodox conference centers. The Antiochian Village Conference Center in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, is using this program to aid individual reflection on the spiritual meaning of creation.

Through the mailings and programs, Krueger explains, "OFT hopes to present a rationale for care of God's creation to Orthodox parishes, to connect spiritual practice and practical care of creation, and to support Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I in his call for 1,000 'Green' Orthodox clergy and His Beatitude Patriarch Ignatius IV's call for the transfiguration of creation."

During 2005 and 2006, the OFT plans to expand the "Christ in the Wilderness" program. In early February 2005 a Leadership Training Seminar held in Santa Rosa, California will train clergy to facilitate local "Christ in the Wilderness" programs. Additionally a series of weekend events will be held around the country. The first events are scheduled for parishes in Washington state and Massachusetts, with others in development. These events will help restore an experiential connection to the patristic understanding of wisdom in creation.

Contact Person: Fred Krueger, Executive Director, at Fred@ecostewards.org