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GOARCH - September 1996
DIRECTOR &EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Constantine Deligiannis (Delian) The Orthodox Observer traces its origins to 1934 when it was established as a theological magazine by Archbishop Athenagoras. It was transformed into a major communication medium in the late 60's, when Archbishop Iakovos determined that a more direct method of communication was needed to carry rapidly and widely the Church's message and news to all parishioners. Since the first issue in its new, tabloid size newspaper form, in October 1971, the Orthodox Observer was published bi-monthly, until 1990 when, following considerable increases in its publication costs, i.e. production, printing and postage, its frequency was changed to eleven issues per year. | His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon of America, recognizing the importance of the Orthodox Observer in communicating the activities of the Church to all faithful, increased as of 1997 its frequency to 18 issues a year, with plans to further increase it to twice a month, as soon as it becomes feasible. True to its goals, the newspaper has become part of the life of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the Americas. It bridges the often enormous distances between the Archdiocese and its numerous communities and helps create a feeling of identity among parishioners, keeping them informed on a multitude of subjects. Through its bilingual content, it serves all parishioners regardless of background. Mission The Orthodox Observer acts as a direct link between the leadership of the Church and each individual reader. It plays a dominant role in communicating the activities of our Church and in enlightening and informing the Greek Orthodox community. It serves its needs in a number of ways:
The Observer publishes news of the Archdiocese and its departments and institutions including the National Ministries, Philoptochos activities, community and Diocese news, supplements for our young generation, statements and opinions of the Church's leadership, an Orthodox perspective on major issues of the day, and provides a forum for debate issues and teachings to the faithful. It provides extensive coverage of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the activities of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who has been taking the message of Orthodoxy throughout the world. Developments Through the years, it has undergone many changes and improvements. One result has been a dramatic rise in its readership: In the 70's, circulation was about 45,000 while current circulation approaches 140,000. A national survey conducted for the 1992 New Orleans Clergy-Laity Congress shows that reliance on the Observer as a primary source of information for the Greek Orthodox Community has increased significantly: According to a 1979 Gallup survey, 50 percent of respondents indicated that the Orthodox Observer was their principal information source about Greek Orthodox affairs. The 1991-92 national survey showed that figure considerably increased: It had jumped to 83 percent. A new effort to improve the cost effectiveness as well as the contents and the overall appearance of the Observer has been evident since the beginning of 1996. Priority was given to lowering its publication costs. As a first step, and with a very modest expenditure, state-of-the-art computer equipment was obtained, together with the necessary peripherals. By expertly utilizing sophisticated desk-top publishing software, the Orthodox Observer is now being produced entirely in-house, with substantial and immediate savings in its production costs. Elimination of the expense for page composition, new printing arrangements, revamping of the mailing preparation as well as other innovations and savings, have substantialy reduced the Orthodox Observer's overall cost to the Church. Furthermore, the in-house production of the newspaper makes possible extending the deadlines for more timely articles and news items, improving the quality of its photographs, and utilizing more graphics and visual highlights. A complete overhaul and continued proper maintenance of its subscription database and mailing list is under way, while a further increase of the advertising revenue will be actively pursued. At the same time, more demanding selection of submitted material and expansion of its focus is expected to improve the contents. Responding to the demands of the new generation of computer literate Greek Orthodox faithful, the Orthodox Observer's "page" on the Internet is already in place (http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer) and is kept continuously upgraded. It was made possible by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries, and through direct and interactive links with the Archdiocese's web site (http://www.goarch.org/) it offers a selection -and a library- of its articles, commentaries and news items, as well as links to other selected mirror sites, to a plethora of electronic "surfers." Goals | His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon also envisions using the publication as a vehicle to reach those Orthodox who are unchurched, bringing them closer to the Church, as well as many others who seek to learn more about Orthodox Christianity. His desire to considerably expand the readership base of the Orthodox Observer will be implemented in the immediate future and according to his guidelines. |
He does not perceive the Observer's role strictly as a vehicle of information, but also as a conduit to bring additional members to our communities by promoting the ministries of the Church and its special interest for the younger generation as we enter the new millennium.
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