Renovation

"Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. (Matthew 6:1-4)

It is important to continue the good works we started in Great Lent. The following list of charities are a portion of those to whom we donate from St. John's on a regular basis. You can find out more about them by visiting their web sites. Links to some of these charities are in the left margin.

Orthodox Christian Mission Center
OCA Mission Appeal
OCA Charity Appeal
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
Project Mexico
International Orthodox Christian Charities
NJ Right to Life
St. Peter's Haven in Clifton

Christ Pantokrator
13th century

Christ is shown holding an open Gospel in His left hand and blessing with the right. It is called Christ Pantokrator (All-Sovereign). The printing on the open Gospel is: "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12) With His right hand raised in blessing, His fingers form the letters IC XC (Jesus Christ). As in all Icons of Christ, the nimbus surrounding His head bears a cross-form containing the Greek letters O WH expressing "I am Who am" - the name of God - (Ex. 3:14). Outside the nimbus are the Greek letters IC XC, an abbreviation for the name of Jesus Christ.

Holy Monastery of Saint Catherine, Sinai, Egypt