The Patriarch Athenogoras Orthodox Institute (PAOI) and the Friends
of Sausal Creek coordinated a one-day project to restore and rebuild a nursery at
Sausal Creek. On October 18, 2008, thirty-five Orthodox young adults and OCF students planted,
weeded, and dug together- not as Greeks, Russians, Antiochians, Serbians, etc.
-but as Orthodox Christians. Gus Abu-Dawood noted, “It was so nice to see
Orthodox of different cultures come together to help our community.” The volunteers
had the opportunity to make some new friends and visit with some old ones as
they worked on a common goal. At the
conclusion of the event, the volunteers enjoyed time together at a BBQ
sponsored by and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension Young
Adult League.  “It
was worthwhile to work with dear Orthodox friends for the sake of community.
The experience was truly encouraging and fun,” said Miho Ochiai.
 

The PAOI continues to Educate, Communicate, Promote, and Sustain
the Traditions, Values, Teachings and Culture of Orthodox Christianity. The
Institute is an inter-Orthodox endeavor, representing the diversity of
Orthodoxy in America: Albanian, Antiochian, Bulgarian, Carpatho-Russian, Greek, OCA,
Romanian, Serbian and Ukranian. For more information about the PAOI and their
upcoming events, please go to: http://orthodoxinstitute.org