FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW VISITS “GROUND ZERO” u page 5 The Apostle Paul exhorts: do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom. 12, 21); in this way, evil will not become strong. We have also come to this place of unbearable pain, where thousands of our fellow men and women, as well as several children of Greek heritage, took their last breaths, to pray for the repose of their souls, and for comfort and divine help for their relatives and friends. The unanimous and universal condemnation of this terrorist act, on that cursed day of September 11th of last year, reveals how detrimental it proved to be to those who had committed it. It brought upon them more evil than they caused. This outcome upholds the spiritual laws, according to which truth conquers evil. Truth and life will conquer in this instance, as well. The damage will be repaired, the Holy Church of St. Nicholas will be rebuilt, and children will be born to remind us of the continuation of life. At a press conference immediately after the service, Patriarch Bartholomew told reporters that, in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy, the Ecumenical Patriarchate has worked diligently for interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding and coexistence throughout the world and will continue to promote peace among nations.
Archons banquet
That evening His All Holiness attended the first banquet of the Order of St. Andrew by an ecumenical patriarch. Earlier he met with the evening s honorees, former President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, and with Archbishop
HIS ALL HOLINESS speaks to Sept. 11 victims’ family members following the memorial service.
Iakovos and several political and religious leaders. (See page 32)
Patriarchal Liturgy
Sunday, March 10, the Patriarch presided over the investiture of the new Archons at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Orthodox Christians worldwide could watch the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy live
on the Internet from the Archdiocesan Cathedral. He celebrate the Liturgy with hierarchs of the Archdiocese Holy Eparchial Synod, members of the Standing Council of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA), Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland, Metropolitan Gennadios of
D. PANAGOS
Italy, Metropolitan Apostolos of Moschonision, and hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate who had accompanied him on his U.S. visit. A reception in the Cathedral Center followed. The Archons hosted a final luncheon before Patriarch Bartholomew departed for the Ecumenical Patriarchate later in the day
TOURING SITE – Shortly before holding a memorial service March 9, Patriarch Bartholomew tours Ground Zero near the spot formerly occupied by St. Nicholas Church. With the Patriarch is Manolis Velivasakis, senior vice president of LZA Technology, the firm contracted to clear the debris. The Twin Towers formerly stood in the area immediately behind them.
CELEBRATES LITURGY – His All Holiness celebrates the Divine Liturgy at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral, with Archbishop Demetrios and several hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, SCOBA and the Holy Synod of the Archdiocese.
STUDENTS OF St. Demetrios Greek American School in Astoria sing to the Patriarch during his visit shortly after he arrived in New York on March 8.
THE PATRIARCH praises the Archdiocesan Youth Choir at the Cathedral Center where they sang for His All Holiness following the Divine Liturgy. Choir director, Maria Koleva, is to the left of the Patriarch.