Dear Readers:
With the Christmas season underway, we tend to lose focus on the true meaning of the holiday amid all the hustle and bustle. And the true meaning of the holiday is best arrived at through the prescription of the Church during the Advent Season, which is threefold - prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Giving is important during the Christmas season because we imitate God by doing so, Who gave us His Only Begotten Son. There are many ways we can give back to God in gratitude and to give to our fellow people, and we should take advantage of these opportunities as much as we can. Among these is to support a ministry that is beneficial to you and to thousands like you, such as the Mystagogy Resource Center.
Before all else, I sincerely appreciate your support and generosity throughout 2017. Your contribution goes a long way in helping us reach out to every corner of the world with the hope-filled message of the gospel of the incarnate Lord. Without your support and the value you place in this ministry, it would not exist and be given the opportunity to have its impact throughout the world.
Recently it was brought to my attention by a separate online analysis of all the English-language Orthodox online ministries, that the Mystagogy Resource Center is the largest and most impactful independent Orthodox online ministry in the English-speaking world. By independent I mean that there is no team behind this ministry (the other six ahead of me are part of larger networks or jurisdictions), and no larger financial source backing it up. This ministry is run solely by me, and it depends on the generosity of those who choose to support my work and want to see it continue and expand.
2016 was a real struggle to keep this ministry afloat, but after a campaign last Christmas with a specific goal in mind of acquiring 500 subscribers and donors, you and those like you who appreciate the work of the Mystagogy Resource Center kept it alive another year. Unfortunately however last year the goal was not met, though it did increase, nor was it met any time in 2017, so the struggle continues to find the 500 subscribers. Currently we are a little above half of that, whether it be through monthly donations or annual donations.
My hope is that you will continue to support this ministry, so that by January 1st of 2018 we will have at least 500 subscribers. And if you give more than is required, you will also allow the opportunity to count as an extra subscriber for allowing those who are not able to financially contribute around the world to have access. For example, if you contribute $10 a month or $120 a year, your contribution will be counted as two subscriptions, and $20 a month or $240 a year will count as four, etc. As in years past, $5 a month of $60 a year counts as one subscription.
It is my hope that you will continue to support this ministry this Christmas and in the coming new year for your benefit and that of tens of thousands each month who are similarly benefited. Many great and exciting things are in store for 2018 and beyond, with God’s help and your support. Thank you in advance!
Click on the DONATE button to make a one-time donation (a Paypal account is not needed to make a one-time donation):
To make a monthly contribution, choose from the options below to set your amount and click on the SUBSCRIBE button (please use a browser other than Mozilla Firefox to change the amount of the monthly donation).
To send in your donation, please do so to the following address:
John Sanidopoulos
PO Box 320284
West Roxbury, MA 02132
A Merry Christmas to all, and I pray your new year is filled with all of God’s blessings and grace.
With love in Christ,
John Sanidopoulos
Director of the Mystagogy Resource Center
