Making Disciples of All Nations: Lighting the World with Love
Honoring the Mission Center’s Newly Retired Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi & the Memory of His Eminence, Metropolitan Dimitrios of Xanthos and Dan Christopulos
Fr. Martin Ritsi retired as Executive Director in January 2026, after more than 26 years of dedicated service. Under his leadership, the Mission Center expanded its global missionary presence, strengthened pan-Orthodox collaboration, and played a pivotal role in growing the Orthodox Church—supporting more than 3,000 missionaries and volunteers and distributing millions of dollars in grants around the world.
Metropolitan Dimitrios, of blessed memory, was the founding director of the Mission Center, and during his 13-year tenure, he established pivotal initiatives and helped send both long-term missionaries and short-term teams to countries where Orthodoxy, and sometimes Christianity, did not exist. His Grace fell asleep in the Lord in February 2026, and at his request was buried on the grounds of the Mission Center in St. Augustine.
Dan Christopulos, of blessed memory, was the former Mission Center Development Director and its first missionary, Dan dedicated his life to serving the Church, sharing our faith across the world, and loving others in the name of Christ.
Buy tickets and sponsorships here: http://ocmc.org/boca-gala
Hotel block reservations available here: https://book.passkey.com/e/51326070