Dartmouth
Orthodox Christian Fellowship
Welcome to the Dartmouth OCF Chapter website
The Dartmouth OCF is a diverse group of Orthodox Christians and friends. Sometimes OCF is referred to as "Eastern Orthodox" as some Christian students and faculty come from a variety of ethnic and national backgrounds (Greek, Cretan, Russian, Romanian, Serbian, Lebanese, Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Albanian, Syrian, Carpatho-Russian, Bela-Russian, French, British, Canadian and American).
The Dartmouth OCF is composed of Orthodox Christians and friends interested in learning about and living out the historic Apostolic New Testament Faith.
"Many people have heard of the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrated its 1,000th birthday in 1988, or the Greek Orthodox Church, which was born centuries earlier. But Orthodoxy itself—what is it, and what are its historic roots? To answer that question, go back to the pages of the New Testament, specifically to the Book of Acts and the birth of the Church at Pentecost. On that day the Holy Spirit descended on the Twelve Apostles and those gathered in the Upper Room, and by afternoon some three thousand souls believed in Christ and were baptized. The Scriptures record that when the first Christian community began, 'they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.' (Acts 2:42)"
—from "Introducing the Orthodox Church," The Orthodox Study Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers
The vision of the OCF is: (a) to be the loving presence of Christ and the Orthodox Christian Church on college campuses, (b) to be an integral part of students' spiritual formation by challenging them to explore the Orthodox Christian faith, and (c) to inspire students to commit to living an Orthodox Christian way of life daily.
From the Chapter Spiritual Advisor:
Dear Students and Staff:
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) encourages trust in the Lord, to receive wisdom, strength, and the joy of receiving—and giving—true love. I look forward to meeting you.
With love in Jesus Christ,
Fr. Ambrose Powell
Attached Priest, Holy Resurrection Orthodox Church
Student Testimony
Victoria Xiao '22
The Orthodox Christian Fellowship at Dartmouth has been crucial for my survival, in every sense of the word. This fellowship, particularly Jonathan's reading group on Orthodox theology, has provided me with a stable and truly free space to share and synthesize my studies and experiences in life, and thereby deepen my worldview and personality. It is where I can fully breathe as a human being and measure my growth as a new Orthodox Christian. I can only imagine how great it will be once we have Fr. Ambrose back on campus, too!
.