Detroit area parishes to sponsor concert to aid needy in Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine
DETROIT, MI [COCC] — The Council of Orthodox Christian Churches of Metropolitan Detroit [COCC] will sponsor its fourth annual benefit convert at Saint Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 21931 Evergreen Road, Southfield, MI on Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 6:30 p.m.
The concert — for which the theme is “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord!” — will consist of Orthodox hymns and songs of worship performed by the Orthodox Choir of Metropolitan Detroit, conducted by Matushka Victoria Kopistiansky, artistic director.
The concert will be open to the general public free of charge. Free-will donations will be collected to aid needy people in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine through International Orthodox Christian Charities [IOCC] and other Orthodox charitable organizations. Fellowship will follow the concert.
“This is our opportunity to come together and support this important concert and raise funds for humanitarian aid to those suffering in the Middle East, North Africa and Ukraine,” COCC President Richard Shebib said.
Established in March 1992, IOCC serves as the official international humanitarian organization of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America. It offers emergency relief and development programs to those in need worldwide, including the Middle East, without discrimination, and strengthens the capacity of the Orthodox Church to so respond. For further information, visit its web site at www.iocc.org.
The COCC is a 57-year-old clergy and lay association that represents various canonical Orthodox churches in metropolitan Detroit and sponsors a variety of programs in the areas of worship, fellowship, charity, education and outreach. For further information, visit its web site at www.coccdetroit.com.
The Orthodox Choir is composed of volunteer singers from Orthodox parish choirs throughout metropolitan Detroit. In addition to special concerts and other selected events, the choir sings an annual series of Vespers services on the five Sundays of Orthodox Great Lent sponsored by the COCC.
