RIOTS IGNITE IN INDONESIA
The recent riots and continued civil unrest in Indonesia have drawn the  attention of the faithful, especially since many Churches have been burned and Christians beaten.  By God’s grace, the Indonesian Orthodox  clergy and laity have not suffered at the hands of the rioters. Metropolitan Nikitas of Hong Kong, whose Diocese includes Indonesia, has  been in contact with Fr. Daniel Byantoro and other clergy, who have  assured His Eminence of their safety.
While Orthodox Christians are  suffering along with the greater population, they remain safe at the  present time. Metropolitan Nikitas, the clergy and faithful of Indonesia  appeal to all God’s people to pray for a peaceful resolution to the  various issues at hand.

ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILDREN’S CARE HOME
The Social Department of the Government of Indonesia has officially recognized the "St. Demetrios’ Children Care Home" in Medan.  Under the leadership of Fr. Chrysostomos Manalu, 15 underprivileged children are housed in this home and are provided with education, room and board and Orthodox Catechism.  This is one more effort to cope with the poverty that is spreading across the country which has been under violent political turmoil since last May.  The official recognition by the Social Department gives a further opportunity for the Orthodox Church to promote itself in this pre-dominantly Muslim country.  Our congratulations to Fr. Chrysostomos on the progress of his young mission.

1999 YEARBOOK
The Metropolitanate Yearbook for 1999 is now ready.  Dedicated to St. Sophia, the patron saint of our ladies’ philanthropic society, the 1999 yearbook highlights the philanthropic work of the Metropolitanate and provides ample information on all the parishes and organizations within the Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.  For a copy of the 1999 yearbook, please make a request at the Metropolitanate offices by mail, phone, fax, or e-mail.

ST. SOPHIA’S SISTERHOOD
Two more chapters of the St. Sophia’s Sisterhood (the ladies philanthropic society of the Metropolitanate) have been established.

In Jakarta, Indonesia.  Elections were held on October 18th at the Agia Epiphania Parish.  The following ladies will serve as officers:
President: Elisabeth Bambang Woman Advisor: Lydia Gayus
Secretary I : Heleni Ida    Treasurer I : Panagiota Bangun
Treasurer II: Sarah Ambarita  Educational Committee: Branislava Yudiro
Social Committee: Kyriaki Silalahi, Anna Marten and Ioanna Binti

In Medan, Indonesia, elections for officers were held on Sunday November 1st.  President: Presvytera Elisabeth  Secretary Ms. Julia Dewi
Treasurer: Mr. Ioanna Tini.

ORTHODOX RADIO MINISTRY IN MANILA
Beginning October 4, a weekly radio program "Voice of Orthodoxy" is broadcast live on station DWAD 1098 KHz every Sunday at 6:30-8:00 in the evening.  The subjects are the Orthodox Church, its history, faith and life.  Phone calls and letters from growing audience keep Fr. Philemon and Reader Methodios very busy.  Voluntary pledges of support from the faithful members of both the Filipino and Greek Community hopefully will sustain this "unknown yet well known" Christian tradition in this predominantly non-Orthodox country.  DWAD signal covers the entire metro Manila and the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Batangas, Rizal, Bulacan and Bataan, where Orthodox missions and parishes are functioning.  Broadcast materials, letters or tapes from Orthodox members from the Philippines and abroad are most welcome.