Family Matters

What does it mean to be fully seen — not just for our struggles, but also for our gifts? In this conversation with Apostolos Christos Lianos, a remarkable young man living with Tourette’s Syndrome, we meet someone whose daily life includes challenges many of us may not fully understand, but whose witness reveals something deeply human: the desire to be known, accepted, and embraced. Together, we’ll explore some common misconceptions about Tourette's Syndrome, and how family, friends, and fellow parishioners can build access for people with disabilities like Tourette's whose tics and vocalizations often lead to misunderstandings, stigma, and isolation, especially in church settings where quiet and controlled behavior is the expected norm.

Deacon Demetrius Romanczuk serves Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Mission in North Carolina, is a retired educator with a background in special education, an Accessibility Coach with the On Behalf of All initiative: Toward an Accessible Divine Liturgy for Children with Disabilities, husband of Matushka Cathy, and devoted father to Luke and Kate, who have level 3 autism. Honest about his family's challenges, he shares how he and his wife approach them with a sense of humor, with the knowledge that this life includes a struggle of becoming more Christ-like, and the hope that in eternal life all will be understood. For more information on the On Behalf of All Initiative, visit: https://www.goarch.org/oboa

Further information on substance abuse resources: https://afm.box.com/s/krmo5uy493i2wezjvqh698cu2lm6l32u Father Nikolas Delaveris, the Director of the Saint Anastasia Fellowship, and Adriana Makrov, the Program Manager, join Presvytera Kerry Pappas for a discussion about the origin and mission of the Fellowship, which serves those who are navigating addiction from a Christ-centered perspective, grounded in prayer and worship. Following a brief history of the origins, purpose, and ministries of the Fellowship, they discuss the impact of addiction on marriage, family and community relationships. Father Nikolas and Adriana offer profound insights for anyone impacted by addiction. For more information, visit https://saintanastasiafellowship.org/.

Father Peter J. Spiro, Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's FREEDOM (Faith-based Resolve to Eradicate Enslavement: Didactic Outreach Ministry) joins Presv. Melanie to discuss how human traffickers seek to manipulate and capitalize on any human vulnerability, including vulnerabilities associated with disabilities. He offers practical steps families can take to protect their children and other vulnerable loved ones from abuse or manipulation. Fr Peter shares the key issue that makes children most vulnerable to being trafficked. It all starts "at the top."

Abby Vlahos is the co-liaison for the On Behalf of All (OBOA) initiative's pilot parish, St John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois. Her youngest child, Cosmas, is 9 years old and was born with a rare genetic syndrome causing a range of disabilities including intellectual disabilities and autism. She supports disability advocacy and ministry efforts in her work, her parish, and her Metropolis. In this interview Abby shares highlights of their parish experience in the first year as one of twelve pilot parishes chosen to work toward an accessible divine liturgy for children with disabilities through the OBOA initiative. St John's has been doing the holy work of making a way of belonging for families with disabilities for decades, and a few years ago established a high support needs Sunday School class. If you are interested in improving accessibility in your church community, St John's is a forerunner worth following.