36th CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS • JUNE 30-JULY 5 • LOS ANGELES
VOL. 67 NO. 1187
FEBRUARY MARCH
http://www.observer.goarch.org E-mail: observer@goarch.org
2002
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Brings Message of Love and Reconciliation Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians around the world made his fourth trip to the United States since 1997on the first week in March, visiting Washington, where he met with President George W. Bush; Boston to mark the 65th anniversary of Holy Cross School of Theology and 80th anniversary of the Archdiocese; and New York for the Archons banquet honoring former President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush.
Arthur C. Anton, chairman of Leadership 100, reported that the membership had increased to 609 members, surpassing the Millennium Membership Drive goal. The membership campaign, run over the last two years, has accounted for more than 300 new members, doubling the membership of the 17-year-old organization founded by Archbishop Iakovos and a small group of committed laymen to support the critical ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church. As a result, contributions over the course of the campaign now exceed $8.5 million, according to Mr. Anton. He also reported that grants, which have supported Holy Cross School of Theology scholarships for the training of priests,
Archbishop Demetrios, several government leaders and other dignitaries welcomed His All Holiness March 4 at Andrews Air Force Base, Md.
Patriarchal Visit pages 4,5,13,32
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ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH S VISIT u 4, 5, 13, 22
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ARCHONS BESTOW AWARD President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush proudly display their Patriarch Athenagoras Humanitarian Awards bestowed by the Archons at their annual banquet on March 9, and presented by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Looking on are Archbishop Demetrios and Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis (right). (Story on page 32)
Bishops Savas, Gerasimos and Andonios Ordained by Jim Golding
NEW YORK More than 2,000 faithful here and in Boston witnessed the Church s venerable Tradition of Apostolic Succession at the ordination of three new bishops during February. With Archbishop Demetrios presiding, the rare, elaborate ceremony held in conjunction with a Divine Liturgy took place for Bishop Savas Zembillas (of Troas) at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral on Feb. 2, at Annunciation Cathedral in Boston on Feb. 9 for Bishop Gerasimos Michaleas (of Krateia), and again at Holy Trinity Cathedral for Bishop Andonios Paropoulos (of Phasiane) on Feb. 23.
LAGUNA NIGUEL, Calif. More than 300 Leadership 100 members and their guests gathered at the Ritz-Carlton here for their 11th annual conference that was marked by reports of increased membership, contributions and grants and a renewed commitment to supporting the mission of the Greek Orthodox Church. The theme was, Building Our Church for Tomorrow Today. by George Schira
Compiled from stories by Orthodox Observer Staff
Among them were Lawrence Dunham, assistant chief of protocol at the State Department: U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes, Andrew Natsios, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID); Michael Jaharis, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Council; Dr. Anthony Limberakis, national commander of the Order of St. Andrew; AHEPA Supreme President Andrew Banis, and area clergy, laity and their families. His All Holiness said upon his arrival, Since we are visiting the United States for the first time since the tragic events of September 11, 2001, we take this opportunity to express once again our deepest pain and our sympathy for the victims, and our support for their families. Every rational person condemns unconditionally these criminal terrorist acts especially when they affect innocent and defenseless citizens.
Leadership 100 Surpasses Goals
Other concelebrating hierarchs included Archbishop Iakovos, Metropolitans Maximos of Ainou and Paisios of Tyana; and Bishops Alexios of Atlanta,
BISHOP SAVAS OF TROAS
John of Amorion, Philotheos of Meloa, Anthimos of Olympos and Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia, who was one of
BISHOP GERASIMOS OF KRATEIA
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Archdiocese News u 2,3 Around the USA u 25 Books u 22 Challenge u 29 Classifieds u 28 Diocese News u 26,27 Encyclicals u 10,11 Greek Section u 15,16,17,18 HC/HC u 9 In Memoriam u 24 Leadership 100 u 7 Opinions u 10 Pan Orthodox u 8 Parish Profile u 23 People u 23 Reflections u 20 Relating to the Faith u 12 Scholarships u 19 Total Commitment u 30 Voice of Philoptochos u 21
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Niarchos Foundation Awards $400,000 for Archives
Victim’s son remembers Philip Raimondi, 16, and brother Peter, 12, offer a tribute at Ground Zero on March 11, the sixmonth anniversary commemoration of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, attended by several hundred. Also taking part were (l. to r.) Fr. John Romas, pastor of the destroyed St. Nicholas Church, Archbishop Demetrios, Gov. George Pataki and Mayor Michael Bloomberg (right). The two boys lost their father in the attack.
Los Angeles to Host 36th Clergy-Laity Congress LOS ANGELES -- The Diocese of San Francisco will host the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention from June 30July 4 at the Westin Bonaventure hotel. The National Young Adult League Conference will be held June 27-July 1. Archbishop Demetrios will preside at the Congress, which is expected to attract 3,000 participants, including some 1,500 registered delegates. In reflecting on the theme, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America , Archbishop Demetrios recalled the tragic events of Sept. 11, noting that their unprecedented concentration in one day led many to consider the status of their relationships with God and with their fellow human beings. He concludes: As Orthodox Christians we know that our faith in God and our presence and labors in this world as the Church are what is needed to address adequately the challenge of contemporary life and to bring healing, meaning, and direction to lives of those around us. In the midst of a world of challenge, our task is to equip ourselves properly so that we are able to minister faithfully in truth and love. In our willingness to be sent by our Lord Jesus Christ as He was sent by God the Father, in our deep commitment to sharing the Gospel with others, and in our affirmation that we have a sacred mission to bear witness to the truth, we will be Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America. Also meeting during the Congress will be the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, the National Forum of Church Musicians, Leadership 100 and the Order of St. Andrew. In an urgent directive to the faithful, Metropolitan Anthony of Darda-
nellion, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco and Congress chairman stated: Within the life of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, the Clergy-Laity Congress is a unique instrument whereby Orthodox laypeople and ordained clergy come together to learn from one another, to be encouraged by each other, and to discover together the future of our Church within God s design and providence. It is therefore essential that both elements, clergy and laity, be fully represented at the Congress. Unfortunately, although the Archdiocese Special Regulations instruct each parish to send three lay representatives in addition to its clergy, in the past the lay component has been consistently under-represented. I therefore take this opportunity to urge each parish to strive for full representation at the Congress, so that every voice, clergy and lay alike, may be clearly heard. The Archdiocese is preparing an extensive educational program to build and expand on previous presentations. Topics and sessions will be coordinated to provide the faithful practical guidance and resources for establishing and/or enhancing various programs, ministries, and activities in the life of the parish. The Divine Archierarchical Liturgy will open the Congress on Sunday, June 30. Opening ceremonies will be held Monday, July 1 highlighted by the keynote address of Archbishop Demetrios. Earlier that morning, Fr. John Bakas will celebrate the Divine Liturgy in Spanish, Dean of St. Sophia Cathedral assisted by the Young Boys Choir of St. Innocent Orphanage of Tijuana, Mexico. Other events include a celebration of Greek folk heritage in music and dance on July 2, an ecumenical doxology on July 4 and the closing banquet that evening.
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NEW YORK Andreas Dracopoulos, president of the Niarchos Foundation, has announced that directors of the Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation have approved a $400,000 grant over two years to preserve archival materials from the ministry of Archbishop Iakovos. The Department of Archives collects, organizes, catalogs, and maintains documents relating to the history of the Archdiocese and Greek American community. As a repository of select resources, the department preserves the past, chronicles the present, and provides a valuable resource center for future generations interested in Archdiocese history, and the richness of the Greek Orthodox faith and Hellenism in America. As the only existing Archival Center in America which contains a unique record of our ethnic and culture identity it was
considered imperative that these rare documents be secured and proper action taken to prevent any loss in the future. Unfortunately, serious flooding at the Archdiocese three years ago resulted in the loss of many documents. The Niarchos grant will be used to microfilm these documents and place them on CD s to comply with current standards in using computers and modern technology. This will prevent further deterioration of many extremely fragile documents that date to the turn of the century. A considerable amount of correspondence pertaining to ethnic causes, human and civil rights and the ecumenical movement collected during Archbishop Iakovos 37-year ministry must eventually be placed in the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Resource Center in Brookline, Mass.
Qatar Gives $100,000 to St. Nicholas Fund The Church s fund for the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero received a major gift in February from an unexpected source. The Emir of the oil-rich nation of Qatar, a predominantly Muslim country of 800,000 people in the Middle East, has donated $100,000 for the church. Qatar consists of a 4,400-squaremile peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf from Saudi Arabia. Deputy Ambassador Abdullah alMana presented a check for the amount to Archbishop Demetrios at Archdiocese headquarters Feb. 7. He was accompanied by former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Patrick Theros.
The donation resulted from the generosity of Emir of Qatar Sheik Hamed Bin Halifa al-Thani, who visited New York a month after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. At the time, he gave a $3 million donation to Mayor Rudolph Giuliani - $1 million for the city and $2 million to aid victims families. On his next stop in Washington, the Emir asked if any religious sites had been damaged on the attacks on New York or Washington and was told of St. Nicholas Church at the World Trade Center. Having an affinity for Greece the Emir decided to offer the $100,000 gift for the obliterated Greek Orthodox church.
Orthodox Observer
MEDAL RECIPIENT•Archbishop Demetrios recently bestowed the St. Paul Medal, the Church’s highest honor to a layperson, to Ted Apostoleris of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., president of Great Lakes Communications, for his recent donation of the new telephone system at the Archdiocese. The new system installation, completed in March, will result in an annual savings to the Archdiocese of more than $18,000. The medal presentation took place Dec. 13. Mr. Apostoleris was joined by his family who traveled from Michigan for the ceremony.
Internet Ministries Launches E-Greeting Web Site The Department of Internet Ministries is pleased to announce the release of Iconograms a free icon card service for
Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely inhouse. Past issues can be found on the Internet, at http:// www.goarch.org/goa/observer. E-mail: observer@goarch.org Articles do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeled. Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25.00. Overseas Air Mail, $55.00 per year. $1.50 per copy. Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. Of this contribution, $5.00 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021
Orthodox Christians at http://www.iconograms.org. This free service allows Orthodox Christians to send electronic icon cards via e-mail for any occasion. Over 200 electronic icon cards are immediately available including a wide selection of icon cards for the feast of the Nativity on Dec. 25. Other icon card categories include name days, major feasts of the Orthodox Church, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, baptism and marriage. The Department of Internet Ministries offers this free service through the financial support of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.
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Online Registration for C-L Congress His Eminence Attends World Economic Forum Online Registration Online registration is offered for the 2002 Clergy-Laity Congress. Registration Forms are available in PDF format; click: Download Congress Registration Form in PDF format (requires Adobe Acrobat 5.0, downloadable for free)
Registration Fees The registration fee for Clergy-Laity 2002 will be $500 per person and shall include all Congress meal functions, admissions to all workshops and forums, the registration portfolio and all other Congress-related material. The $500 registration fee is inclusive of all Clergy-Laity delegates, as well as the National Philoptochos. Registration fee for non-delegate presbyteres is $300. (Special financial arrangements (complimentary) are in
place for retired clergy and retired and/ or widowed presbyteres.) The registration fee for all other non-delegate spouses or family members is $400. Deadline for all registrations is April 30. Ticket Sales: Individuals who wish to purchase additional tickets for the Official Opening, Philoptochos Luncheon, the Grand Banquet or any other event requiring tickets may do so by downloading the general registration form above or by calling the San Francisco Diocese at 415-7533075. Registration Time: Congress Registration: The on-site registration hours for both Clergy-Laity and National Philoptochos will be posted on the website when available. The Grand Banquet is a seated event. Seating assignments will be determined at time of registration.
Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Season Under Way The New Jersey Diocese will host the 2002 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival National Finals at Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk, Va., on June 8. The host committee, under the co-chairmanship of the Rev. Dr. Costa G. Christo and Dr. Jim Meares, met recently with Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos, Archdiocese festival co-chairman, to discuss plans for the weekend that begins on June 7. Oratorical Festival topics are based on the annual theme of the Department of Religious Education. The 2002 theme is The Theology and Dogma of the Orthodox Church. Two Junior Division topics are: Select one verse from the Nicene Creed and explain its relevance for Orthodox Christians and Why is the Theotokos called the Second Eve ? One example of a Senior Division topics is: In the Old Testament, God s Prophets foretold the coming of Jesus, yet the Church teaches us that Christ, the Son of God, was already active in ancient Israel. Explain the paradox. The complete list of topics, topic tips and bibliography are found in The ARC, (The Annual Resource Companion), Vol. 4., published by the Department of Religious Education. The Oratorical Festival challenges teen-agers to delve into the rich heritage of the Orthodox Faith and to respond to
the question posed to them. Each participant is rewarded because the writing process and public speaking platform that develop lifetime skills. Those participants whose skills enable them to represent their diocese at the Archdiocese Finals also can qualify for a college scholarship. The top three speakers in each division receive college scholarships of $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 respectively. The remaining finalists receive a $500 U.S. Savings Bond. These awards are made possible by many generous donations to the Oratorical Festival Scholarship Foundation. For more information contact the Department of Religious Education at 1-800-566-1088.
NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios joined other prominent religious leaders from the three monotheistic faiths as a key discussion partner in the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum held this year at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel from February 1-4. The Forum normally meets in Davos, Switzerland, but members decided to hold this year s meeting in New York as a show of support following the attacks of Sept. 11. Representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Eminence parGOA ticipated in the Religious Leaders and Klaus Schwab, founder and president of the World Experts program held in conjunction with the Forum with more than 1,000 Economic Forum welcomes Archbishop Demetrios. leaders from politics, business and civil panels including: A Plenary on Building society taking part. a Coalition for a Stable World: Who Will Leadership in Fragile Times: A Vision Share the Burden?; a working dinner with for a Shared Future, was the theme for religious leaders, experts and other meetthe annual meeting, which addressed ing participants to discuss What is Sacred major issues confronting humankind at in Today s World? ; a workshop on Unthis juncture: terrorism, the synchronized derstanding of Fundamentalism in its global recession, the state of the world s Modern Context ; an interactive session environment, economic inequality, the focusing on Middle East Outlook: New digital divide, the West s relationship with Directions? ; a plenary session on The Islam and other issues. Future of the Media and a working dinArchbishop Demetrios also took part ner to discuss Building Bridges in a in several plenary sessions, workshops and Multireligious World.
National Forum Offers New Liturgical Guidebook The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has recently published the 2002 edition of the Liturgical Guidebook now being distributed. It lists the weekly changes of the hymns, responses, verses, and Gospel and Epistle readings for the Sunday Divine Liturgies and all major feast days. Peter N. Vatsures of Columbus, Ohio, serves as the Guidebook s editor and distributor. Dr. Nicolas Maragos of Roches-
D. Panagos
Metropolitan Joachim of Chalcedon Suffers Stroke NEW YORK Metropolitan Joachim of the Senior See of Chalcedon, suffered a stroke at his residence on Feb. 6 in Chalcedon, Istanbul, Turkey and is being treated at the American Hospital in Istanbul. Immediately upon hearing the news, Archbishop Demetrios expressed his own personal prayers as well as those of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese, for the quick and complete recovery of Metropolitan Joachim during this difficult period. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who had been in Austria, cut short his visit to return to Istanbul to be with Metropolitan Joachim.
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS delivers the Schmemann Memorial Lecture at St. Vladimir’s Seminary on Jan. 31. Metropolitan Theodosios (seated, right) presented him with an honorary doctorate that evening.
St. Vladimir’s Seminary Bestows Honorary Degree on Archbishop CRESTWOOD, N.Y. Archbishop Demetrios received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary on Jan. 31 and delivered the 19th annual Father Alexander Schmemann Memorial Lecture. The Vespers service for the Three Hierarchs, patrons of the seminary chapel, preceded the conferral and lecture. The Schmemann Lecture is held in honor of Fr. Alexander Schmemann who served as dean of St. Vladimir s Seminary from 1962 to his death in 1983. The lecture series is dedicated to Orthodox theological excellence. A capacity audience attended the Vespers and conferral cer-
emony, including Mrs. Schmemann, faculty and students of the seminary. His Eminence chose as his theme, Masterpieces of Human Sensitivity: St. Basil s Letters, captivating the appreciative audience with readings and analysis of several writings of St. Basil. Metropolitan Theodosius, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America and President of St. Vladimir s Seminary, conferred the degree upon Archbishop Demetrios and presented him with the doctoral cross. Introducing His Eminence and recounting early personal reminiscences was Fr. Thomas Hopko, dean of St. Vladimir s.
ter, Minn., conducts research about the liturgical changes and the computerization of the charts. This year s Liturgical Guidebook was sent to more than 800 choir directors, clergy, and psaltai. In addition to charts of liturgical changes, resource information includes the most comprehensive bibliography of Greek Orthodox Church music published in the Archdiocese. The Guidebook also contains an extensive and annotated bibliography of Church music and liturgical education materials available for choirs, children, youth, organists, and for congregational singing. This year, the National Forum also completed a revision of another resource, Guidelines for a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. Developed in conjunction with the Office of the Archbishop, this publication provides choir directors, clergy, and others in the parish with comprehensive and detailed information about the preparations for liturgical music when a hierarch visits a parish. The Hierarchical Guidelines include general protocol, plus specific changes that occur during the order of service for a Divine Liturgy and traditional music arrangements for the Fimi and Polychronion of Archbishop Demetrios and Patriarch Bartholomew. The National Forum is distributing this resource to the parishes at no cost. For information about the Guidebook and Guidelines, contact Mr. Vatsures at: 68 West Cooke Road, Columbus, OH 43214; E-mail vatspnv@hotmail.com.
Assistant Named for Youth Dept. NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios has named Bus Lazarakis as assistant director of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the camp director of Ionian Village. His responsibilities will also include coordinating the Office of Camping Ministries. Mr. Lazarakis is a senior at Holy Cross School of Theology and will graduate with a Master s of Divinity degree in May.
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ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW VISITS WHITE HOUSE u page 1 May this tragic and hideous event be the last in the history of mankind. That evening, Archbishop Demetrios hosted a welcome dinner for Patriarch Bartholomew at the St. Regis hotel.
Meetings with President, Secretary of State
Patriarch Bartholomew s schedule on March 5 began with a late morning visit to Secretary of State Colin Powell at the State Department. The Ecumenical Patriarch characterized the meeting as cordial and forthcoming. The Secretary, he said, recognized the work of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in ecumenical relations prior to Sept. 11, and further expressed his appreciation his leadership role, following the tragedy, in encouraging dialogue and increased tolerance among Christianity, Islam and Judaism. They also discussed the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, which Secretary Powell endorsed. Turkey closed the school in 1971. Osman Faruk Logloglu, Turkey s ambassador to the U.S., met with the Patriarch at noon and hosted a luncheon in his honor. The Patriarch visited President Bush at the White House later that afternoon. During their 30-minute private meeting, their discussions included the Ecumenical Patriarchate s role in advancing communication and understanding between religions in the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist strike. Stressing the Patriarchate s special role in coordinating pan-Orthodox concerns worldwide, His All Holiness said at a press conference following the White House meeting he asked for support in securing freedom of action, so that the Patriarchate can fulfill its spiritual, religious and cultural mission. His All Holiness also asked President Bush for American support in securing the reopening of the Theological School of Halki. The Patriarch and Archbishop Demetrios were accompanied to the White House and State Department by Archbishop Leo of Karelin and All Finland: Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy; Metropolitan Apostolos of the Patriarchal Hierarchy; Michael Jaharis, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, Alex Spanos and Fr. Alex Karloutsos. That evening, USAID Administrator Natsios held a dinner for the Patriarch at the Library of Congress
With Roman Catholic hierarchs
The Patriarch and Archbishop Demetrios on Wednesday morning met with Wil-
D. PANAGOS PHOTOS
PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW and Archbishop Demetrios with President Bush in the Oval Office; also shown (l. to r.) Metropolitan Apostolos of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy, Archbishop Leo of Karelia and all Finland, Alex Spanos, Michael Jaharis and Fr. Alex Karloutsos.
liam Cardinal Keeler, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore; Theodore Cardinal McCarrick, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington, DC; Archbishop Gabriel Montalvo, Apostolic Nuncio and directors of offices of United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Joining them were the other Orthodox hierarchs accompanying the Patriarch. The hour-long discussion centered on issues of concern to all, including the role that religious leaders must play for healing and reconciliation in the aftermath of the September 11th tragedy. His All Holiness, referring to the ongoing dialogue between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches, said, We meet with you today with great willingness and joy and we thank you for this opportunity to communicate with you spiritually. Your invitation demonstrates your sincere desire for the cultivation and development of inter-Christian dialogue. He continued, In our present day when so much effort is expended on inter-religious dialogues and the creation of a spirit of mutual understanding of one another and the peaceful co-existence among nations of religious persuasions that have little in common with Christianity, we, as Christians are charged by God himself to restore our unity, so that the world will believe in the divine mission of the Church of Christ. (John 17:2) Cardinal Keeler, a longtime friend of His All Holiness who had hosted the Ecumenical Patriarch in Baltimore during his 1997 U.S. visit, responded warmly to the
AMONG THE major events during the Patriarch’s visit to Washington was a joint meeting between Orthodox and Roman Catholic hierarchs.
PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW speaks to press following his metting with President.
Ecumenical Patriarch s remarks. At noon, Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexander Philon hosted a luncheon for His All Holiness at the Embassy of Greece.
Events in Boston Later in the afternoon, the Patriarch traveled to Boston where Metropolitan Methodios hosted a dinner in his honor. On March 7, the Patriarch held a discussion with the students and families, including many young children, and paid an emotional visit to the Philoxenia House where he prayed with the young patients.
We dutifully and joyfully make our visit to this House of Philoxenia, said the Patriarch. Dutifully, because we want to see the House in its current state and to know everything pertaining to its ministry work, and joyfully because we are given the opportunity to personally communicate with the people who offer their valuable services in this House. He continued, The growth of the House, the expansion and improvement of the services offered to the suffering and their escorts, as well as to other people, along with the thoughts concerning the
SECRETARY OF STATE Powell greets His All Holiness as Archbishop Demetrios looks on.
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HIS ALL HOLINESS AT HOLY CROSS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY attendance. That evening, Patriarch Bartholomew attended the inauguration of a photographic exhibit by Nicholas Maginas, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Ten Years of Diakonia 1991-2001, at the Onassis Cultural Center in Manhattan. On March 9, the Patriarch presided at the Divine Liturgy and six-month memorial service at St. Barbara Church on the fringe of Chinatown in Manhattan for the Sept. 11 victims. Family members, several firefighters and police officers of Greek Orthodox background were among those attending.
At Ground Zero
D. PANAGOS PHOTOS
HIS ALL HOLINESS and Archbishop Demetrios on the campus of Holy Cross School of Theology, accompanied by (l. to r.) Metropolitan of Moschonision Apostolos, Metropolitan of Italy Gennadios, Bishop Nicholaos of Detroit, Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon, Archbishop Leo of Karelia and All Finland, Metropolitans Iakovos of Krinis and Maximos of Ainou, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos.
enlargement of the room areas, and the further improvement of this exceptional ministry, are God-pleasing efforts, worthy of all praise. At the evening vespers at Holy Cross Chapel, His All Holiness commemorated the dual anniversaries. He said a sacrificial ethos guides and illuminates the pious flock of the Church enabling it to bear a living and uncompromising witness to the true faith and life, with heroic self-denial and healthy speech about our hope in the Cross of Christ. All of these things, and many more in addition, are being accomplished due to the sacrificial faith of our people and the guidance of the pious clergy of the Holy Archdiocese of America, but also over the past 65 years by the educational and spiritual achievements of this Holy Theo-
logical School, Holy Cross. More than 250 people attended a reception and dinner Thursday evening at the Harvard Club of Boston, where Patriarch Bartholomew again noted the Archdiocese s 80th anniversary and the school s 65th year. In his remarks about the two milestones, he said, Both of these institutions undoubtedly belong to the very significant and keen decisions made by the Great Holy Mother Church of Christ of Constantinople and her pious and faithful children in America, in the first half of the 20th century. These were decisions, which presupposed pastoral responsibility, philanthropic moral standards, theological consistency and ecumenical perspective, and were consistent with the tradition, self-
conscience, good judgment and mission of the Church. The Patriarch held meetings on March 8 with the Eparchial Synod of Bishops, school trustees and alumni, and New England clergy, and toured the Archbishop Iakovos Library Resource Center before departing Boston for New York.
Astoria school program
Arriving in New York Friday afternoon, His All Holiness held an audience with elementary, middle and high school students at the Patridis Cultural Center of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, followed by vespers. The hundreds of children greeted the Patriarch by singing Ti Ypermaho. They also sang the Patriarch s fimi (hymn). He celebrated a Vespers service in the Cathedral, with numerous area clergy in
After the service the families, dignitaries and press boarded buses to attend another memorial service at Ground Zero. His All Holiness visited the site of St. Nicholas Church, where he placed flowers, offered a prayer, and offered his blessings to nearby workers cleaning up the area. Addressing the gathering at the service, he said in part, We have come to pay our respects to those who lost their lives unjustly, and to show our love for them, for their relatives and for their friends, regardless of their religious affiliations or national provenance, we have come to unequivocally condemn every terrorist act of any origin; we have come to promise that despite all challenges we will not deviate from the spirit of St. Nicholas, which is a spirit of peace and conciliation We ask of all nations to abstain from using terrorism. Terrorist acts multiply evil and perpetuate the immoral cycle of reciprocating evil with evil.
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HC/HC PRESIDENT Nicholas Triantafilou welcomes the Patriarch on behalf of the faculty, students and staff of HC/HC at Holy Cross Chapel.
LOVE FOR CHILDREN – Patriarch Bartholomew with a group of seminarian’s children.
PATRIARCHAL BLESSING – Patriarch Bartholomew bestows blessings on a child in the Philoxenia House.
METROPOLITAN Methodios welcomes His All Holiness to Boston.
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Bishops Savas, Gerasimos and Andonios Ordained u page 1 Bishop Savas professors at Oxford University, England. Fifteen other priests and three deacons also participate In Boston, Archbishop Demetrios and Archbishop Iakovos were the celebrants for Bishop Gerasimos. Co-celebrant hierarchs included Metropolitans Iakovos of Krinis, Maximos of Ainos, Methodios of Aneon, Isaiah of Prokinisos, Tarasios of Buenos Aires and Paisios of Tyana; Bishops Nicholas of Detroit, Dimitrios of Xanthos, Savas of Troas, John of Amorion, Philotheos of Meloa, Anthimos of Olympos. Fourteen other priests and deacons co-celebrated. Fifteen hierarchs and 14 priests and deacons took part in the ordination of Bishop Andonios. Along with Archbishop Demetrios (chief celebrant), the hierarchs included Archbishop Iakovos, Metropolitans Iakovos of Krinis, Maximos of Ainou, Methodios of Aneon, Isaiah of Proikonisos, Tarasios of Buenos Aires, and Paisios of Tyana; Bishops John of Amorion, Philotheos of Meloa, Anthimos of Olympos, Vikentios of Apameia, Dimitrios of Xanthos, Savas of Troas, and Gerasimos of Krateia. The three bishops will serve as auxiliary bishops to Archbishop Demetrios in their current positions. Bishop Savas will continue to serve as chancellor of the Archdiocese. Bishop Andonios will continue to head the newly created Department of Philanthropy and St. Michael s Home.
BISHOP SAVAS receives a vestment from Archbishop Demetrios.
Bishop Andonios stands on the solea after being vested.
Bishop Gerasimos proceeds around the altar escorted by Metropolitans Maximos and Iakovos.
Bishop Gerasimos, who had been serving as administrative assistant to the President of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, has been named chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod. An archdeacon to Archbishop Iakovos from 1979 to 1996, Gerasimos was ordained to the priesthood by Metropolitan Methodios on Feb. 2 at Holy Cross Chapel, Brookline, Mass. The Mega Minima (Formal Election Announcement) took place Feb. 8, at the chapel. In his comments at the ordinations, Archbishop Demetrios praised each candidate as epitomizing the very best of the faithful in America in ability, integrity and spirituality, and noted their strong example and witness to the Orthodox Christian faith. The three new bishops, with a spirit of humility, love and forgiveness, beseeched Christ for the strength and worthiness to carry out their new responsibilities amid the many challenges facing them as they stood before His Eminence to offer their ordination message. The three bishops come from diverse, but impressive backgrounds, steeped in American culture.
Bishop Savas
Bishop Savas was born to Skevofylax and Stamatia Zembillas on June 11, 1957, in Gary, Ind., the second of six children. He is of Kalymnian and Cypriot descent. After graduating in 1979 with a BA degree in philosophy and English literature from Colby College in Waterville, Maine, he worked for a year as a manager of a coffee company in Cambridge, Mass., before leaving for Europe in 1981 to test his monastic vocation. He spent that year in various monastic communities in Greece and England, including the Holy Mountain of Athos, Patmos and Kalymnos. He returned to the United States in 1982 and was accepted in the Master of Divinity program at Holy Cross School of Theology. During his three years at the seminary, he served as assistant to the late Savas J. Savas, professor of Byzantine Music, and studied the Book of Psalms under then Bishop of Vresthena, Demetrios Trakatellis, the future Archbishop. After graduating with highest honors in May 1985, Savas was appointed pastoral assistant to Fr. Constantine Mitsos of Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas Church in Cincinnati. Two years later, he left to begin doctoral studies at Pembroke College, University of Oxford, England, under the academic supervision of Bishop Kallistos Ware, renowned author of The Orthodox Church and The Orthodox Way and translator of The Philokalia. While at Oxford, he served for two years as assistant to the director of the St. Theosevia Centre for the Study of Christian Spirituality, and later for three years as the warden (director) of the House of St. Gregory and St. Macrina, a residence, retreat- and conference center affiliated with the Anglican and Orthodox Society of St. Alban and St. Sergius. In late 1992, he returned briefly to his home parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Merrillville where he was ordained to the Diaconate by then-Bishop Iakovos of Chicago on Nov. 21. He returned to England, where he served as deacon to Bishop Kallistos until his return to the States at the end of 1994. Deacon Savas was ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop Iakovos on Jan. 8, 1995, in Merrillville. He returned to the seminary later that month where he served as Scholar-in-Residence until his assignment in September 1995 as pastor of Annunciation Church in Kalamazoo, Mich. In November 1996, Fr. Savas was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite at the Monastery of St. Gregory Palamas in Hayesville, Ohio, by Metropolitan Maximos of Aenos, Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, then locum tenens of the Diocese of Detroit. In September 1997, Archbishop Spyridon assigned Archimandrite Savas to St. Demetrios Church in the Long Island community of Merrick, N.Y. In December 1999, shortly after his enthronement Archbishop Demetrios appointed Archimandrite Savas, his former student, to the office of
Chancellor of the Archdiocese. He will be the first Greek Orthodox bishop ordained in the United States since Archbishop Demetrios enthronement in September 1999. Following his ordination, Bishop Savas will continue to serve as Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
Bishop Gerasimos
Bishop Gerasimos was born Aug. 2, 1945, in Kalamata, Greece where he completed his primary and secondary education. In September 1969 he matriculated at Hellenic College, graduating in 1973 with a B.A. with High Distinction. He continued his studies at Holy Cross School of Theology, earning his M. Div. with High Distinction in 1976. Following graduation, he was appointed Registrar of Hellenic College/Holy Cross, a post that he held until 1979. On Dec. 16,1979, he was ordained to the Diaconate and appointed Archdeacon to Archbishop Iakovos, serving in this position until 1996. From 1980 until May 1986, he was dean of students of HC/HC. During this period he developed the Orthodox Actionline, the school s telephone call-in ministry. In September 1986, he entered the Master of Arts program at Boston College. Upon its successful completion, he was accepted into the doctoral program at Boston College School of Education earning a Ph.D. in school and counseling psychology in June 1993. His doctoral dissertation was a study of intellectual deficits in a severe alcoholic population. Bishop-elect Gerasimos taught for a number of years at Hellenic College as well as Northeastern University, where he holds the title of Senior Lecturer. At the same time he was appointed a staff member at the Veterans Administration Medical Center (Boston), in the Department of Psychology (1991-1995). In 1990, he was reappointed as dean of students at Hellenic College/Holy Cross, a post he held until 1998, when he became director of admissions and records. In 2000, he was named administrative assistant to the newly elected president of Hellenic College/Holy Cross, Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou.
Bishop Andonios
The grandson of immigrants from Pontus in modern-day Turkey, Bishop Andonios (legal name Allen) was born Jan. 15, 1953, the second of three children, to Despina and Steven Poulos in Jersey City, N.J. He and his family attended St. Demetrios Church in Jersey City when he was growing up. Following his graduation from Stevens Academy prep school and St. Peter s College, where he earned a bachelor s degree in accounting, he entered Holy Cross in 1976 and graduated in 1979 with an M.Div., with Distinction. He was president of his senior class. In January 1980, he was hired at Hellenic College-Holy Cross and worked in the Office of Student Life more than four years. He became associate director of St. Basil Academy in August 1983, and then assumed the directorship of the National LOGOS Office in 1984. Archbishop Iakovos ordained him to the diaconate Aug. 18, 1985 and he assumed his baptismal name of Andonios. He served as deacon to the Archbishop until December 1989, when he was ordained a priest at Church of Our Savior in Rye, N.Y., by Archbishop Iakovos. After his ordination, he served both in the Office of the Archbishop and Office of the Chancellery, and was assistant chancellor and personnel director of the Archdiocese. Fr. Paropoulos was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite on Feb. 24, 1991. Following a sabbatical in Greece, he returned to the Archdiocese and was assigned to the parish of Zoodochos Peghe in the Bronx until 1995. He returned to assist with the retirement of Archbishop Iakovos and to serve as coordinator for the 1996 Clergy-Laity Congress in New York. In July, he was named director of St. Michael s Home and, in June 2001, assumed the directorship of the Archdiocese Department of Philanthropy.
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LEADERSHIP 100 Exceeds Membership Goals u page 1 retired clergy, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Internet Ministry and Information Technology Departments, Youth programs, Religious Education and Home Missions, now exceed $9 million and are expected to exceed $10 million in 2002. The Executive Committee decided to continue the membership drive through a new Membership Committee, which will plan diocesan fellowship and cultivation events. It also instructed the Grant ComMEMBERS OF the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Trustees with Archbishop Demetrios.
FR. ALEX Karloutsos, Leadership exec. director
DREXEL UNIVERSITY President Constantine Papadakis leads forum on Hellenism.
mittee to set clear priorities for grants in consultation with the Archbishop, emphasizing its continued commitment to Holy Cross School of Theology. The committee also launched an effort to reduce the burden of student loans on active clergy through internal fund raising among Leadership 100 members. The Board of Trustees adopted a set of Regulations proposed by the Executive Committee that recognized Arthur C. Anton, Peter M. Dion and Michael Jaharis as Founding Members with life-time voting privileges on the executive committee
and the board of trustees. They join Andrew A. Athens, George C. Chimples and George P. Kokalis. The group of six were among the original laymen who founded Leadership 100 with Archbishop Iakovos. The highlights of the conference were two Bible studies led by Archbishop Demetrios, Opera-Fest by the Sea, a performance by Greek and Greek American opera singers organized by Leadership 100 member Peter Tiboris, who is a conductor and founder of MidAmerica Productions, and a presentation by and tribute to James Galanos, the world-renowned fashion designer who is also a member of Leadership 100. In addition, Fr. Martin Ritsi, executive director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, addressed a breakfast meeting and showed a moving film of the work of Orthodox missionaries around the world. Other speakers included Dr. Constantine Papadakis, president of Drexel University in Philadelphia, who led the Forum on Hellenism, Dr. Helen C. Evans, curator in the Department of Medieval Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City who lectured on The Glory of Byzantium, and Dr. Maria Pantelia, professor of Classics at the University of California in nearby Irvine, who spoke on The Thesaurus of the Greek Language. Leadership 100 members from across the country, participating in a General Assembly, voiced suggestions regarding membership, investments and other means of increasing contributions. In a stirring speech at the Grand Banquet that marked the conclusion of the conference, Arthur C. Anton, in reflecting on the concerns raised at the General Assembly, spoke of the relationship of Leadership 100 to the Church and Archdiocese and the necessity of stronger and greater support of Archdiocesan ministries, as well as the need for a clear vision for the future of the Church.
ARTHUR C. ANTON greets conference co-chairs Faye and Alex Spanos
Peter Christopulos photos
BOARD MEMBERS (l. to r.) Mark Stavropoulos, James Rigas and Angelo Tsakopoulos
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
PAN - ORTHODOX Leaders Work to Secure Recognition of Jerusalem Patriarch OCF College Conferences Attract Hundreds WASHINGTON Andrew A. Athens, world president of SAE and national chairman of UHAC, and Andrew E. Manatos, president of CEH, recently undertook efforts to secure the official recognition of the Patriarch of Jerusalem by the Israeli government. They focused their efforts on the leadership of the Jewish community in the U.S., as well as the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. federal government.
Patriarch Irineos of Jerusalem was elected to this position on Aug. 13, 2001. While Jordan and the Palestinian Authority have given Patriarch Irineos the required official recognition, Israel has not. During Andrew Athens visit to Washington, Feb. 5-7, Athens and Manatos met with Rabbi Andrew Baker, director of International Jewish Affairs for the preeminent American Jewish Committee (AJC).
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BERKELEY, Calif. Hundreds of Orthodox young adults gathered recently at the Orthodox Christian Fellowship college conferences sponsored by the Orthodox Campus Commission of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Held Dec. 27-31 in Ligonier, Pa. and Dunlap, Calif., this year marked the first time that both eastern and western conferences took place. It was becoming very clear that there are many college students from the western part of the U.S. who would be more likely to attend a conference if it was closer to them, said Fr. Michael Nasser, Orthodox Campus Commission chairman. Both conferences focused on the same theme: Who s the Boss? , and followed similar schedules. Archbishop Demetrios, a founding member of Syndesmos: the World Fellowship of Orthodox Youth, gave the keynote address at the eastern conference. Fr. Jon Braun of the Antiochian Archdiocese, known for his involvement with the Campus Crusade for Christ prior to his conversion to Orthodox Christianity with thousands of members of the Evangelical Orthodox Church, gave the western keynote address. In addition, a number of speakers from the various Orthodox jurisdictions led smaller workshops on topics that included War and Violence, Love Orthodox Style, Discrimination against the Arab Community and The Body as His Temple. Each day participants gathered to worship at matins, vespers, and compline. Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday. Fun activities included football in the snow, a creative scavenger hunt called Orthodox Olympics, a Christmas Coffee House, an Orthodox version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, singing at bon-
St. Vladimir’s Names New Dean CRESTWOOD, N.Y. St. Vladimir s Seminary trustees recently elected Professor John H. Erickson as the new dean. He will succeed the Very Rev. Thomas Hopko who will retire on June 30 after 10 years in that position. Professor Erickson has served on the seminary faculty since 1973. In ad-
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fires, and the New Year s Eve dances on the last night. It was one of the best organized and most spiritually uplifting events I have ever gone to, remarked a speaker from the Ligonier conference. I can t tell you how incredible it is to be with so many people my own age who share my faith, remarked a western attendee. I can t believe I have to go home where, as far as I know, there are only two Orthodox young adults in the entire state! The church services were overwhelming, recalls another participant at the East Coast conference. It was incredible that every church service was packed with everyone participating. According to Fr Michael Anderson, secretary of the Campus Commission and speaker at the west conference, Expanding the conferences was one of our first priorities when SCOBA reactivated the Campus Commission and officially adopted the OCF movement. It s wonderful to know that the national OCF movement is growing and gathering more students on more college campuses every year. It is also a challenge to the Commission and the entire Church in North America to take the spiritual needs of our young adults seriously. Harkening back to his days at the beginning of Syndesmos and responding to the number of participants from all the Orthodox jurisdictions that participated in the conferences, Archbishop Demetrios strongly urged participants to make OCF a truly panOrthodox movement of young adults and not just another nice gathering. At present there are now close to 200 OCFs on college and university campuses throughout North America. For more pictures from the conferences or to find out more information on the national OCF movement, check out www.ocf.net.
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
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R E P O R T
Fr. Clapsis named Dean of Holy Cross BROOKLINE, Mass. The Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis was recently named dean of Holy Cross School of Theology. In making the announcement, President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou said, His election to this position comes as we thankfully celebrate our 65th anniversary, 1937-2002, and prompts us to express our indebtedness to the long line of hierarchs, clergy, presidents, deans, faculty, staff, students, trustees and benefactors who have honored the vision of our scholè s founders. Our current trustees exercise faithful stewardship of Christ s gospel and respectfully adhere to the mission entrusted to them. The Search Committee, which unanimously recommended Father Clapsis, was comprised of Bishop Savas of Troas, Archdiocese chancellor; Fr. Spencer Kezios; Fr. Andrew Demotses; Dr. Kimberly Patton; Dr. George Bebis; Dr. Lewis Patsavos; Dr. Nicholas Constas; and Fr. Triantafilou, chairman. The committee noted that each of the three candidates that were considered, the Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald, Dr. James Skedros and the Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, possess the qualities, vision and dedication to creatively carry forward the responsibilities of the deanship. This blessing resulted in the committee s deliberate in-depth and lengthy study over several months. Holy Cross is indeed fortunate to have such a credible faculty as represented by these candidates. Fr. Clapsis received a Bachelor of Arts from Hellenic College in 1973, a Master of Divinity from Holy Cross in 1976, an S.T. M. and M.Ph. from Union Theological Seminary in New York in 1980 and 1985, respectively, and a Ph.D. from Union Theological Seminary in 1987. He brings a successful history of academic leadership to his newest position. He served successfully as adjunct instructor of systematic theology in 1984 and as assistant professor of systematic theology from 1985-1991; as dean of Hellenic College from 1989 through 1994; and as associate professor of systematic theology since 1991. Fr. Clapsis has published three books, the most recent is Orthodoxy in Conversation: Orthodox Ecumenical Engagements in 2000.
Students Complete “Winter Tour” BROOKLINE, Mass. A group of students recently completed a road trip to promote the mission of the school and to recruit new students. The group was led by newly appointed co-directors of Admissions, Fr. Jim Katinas and Ms. Sonia Daly. This year s Winter Tour visited Atlanta Diocese parishes from Jan. 3-13 in two teams. Fr. Katinas, a graduate of Holy Cross with both pastoral and marketing experience, led seminarians Evan Armatas, Luke Palumbis and Konstantine Salmas to New Orleans, Mobile, Ala., Pensacola, Fla., Birmingham, Ala., Knoxville, Tenn., Marietta, Ga., and Atlanta. Sonia Daly, a graduate of Bentley College and founder of Theophany Orthodox Christian School, also with marketing experience, led students Nektarios Antoniou, Markella Ballasis, Demetrios Kounavis, and Luke Melackrinos to the Florida cities of St. Petersburg, Tarpon, Tampa, Sarasota, Boca Raton, Ft. Myers, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Hellenic College and Holy Cross has conducted promotional tours for decades.
SEMINARIANS with Archbishop Demetrios and Archdiocese Chancellor Bishop Savas at Archdiocese headquarters
D. Panagos
Seminarians Make Annual Visit to Archdiocese NEW YORK A group of 15 seminarians completed the annual orientation visit to Archdiocese headquarters Feb. 26-March 1 where they received briefings on the work of the various ministries and departments of the Church. Their itinerary began with a stop at St. Michael s Home in Yonkers, where they were greeted by newly ordained Bishop Andonios of Phasiani, the director, then went on to St. Vladimir s Theological Seminary in Crestwood. The following day, their arrived at Church offices on East 79th Street for Orthros and meetings with Bishop Savas of Troas and Fr. Michael Kontogioris, chancellor and assistant chancellor; respectively; lunch with Archbishop Demetrios and briefings by representa-
President’s Report BROOKLINE, Mass. In a recent report on Hellenic College-Holy Cross President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou discussed the following:
Accreditation
Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology hosted the official visitation of accreditation teams from the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and The New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) last October. Accreditation is granted every 10 years to Hellenic College Inc., to maintain its incorporated status in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Rev.Thomas FitzGerald chaired the self-study process leading up to and culminating with the ATS and NEASC visit. The president reported: We anticipate using all [reports] in our strategic planning process for the ensuing decade. We are confident that our current visitation team will recommend accreditation for both schools for another 10-year period.
New Construction
Additional married student housing is a must for academic year 2002-2003. Also, of immediate attention is the construction of a Student Union Building; housing a bookstore, lounge, and appropriate offices.
tives of the Registry, Information Technologies and Internet Ministries, Greek Education, and Archives. That evening, they visited St. Nicholas Church in Flushing were welcomed by its pastor, Fr. Paul Palesty who explained the ministry of one of the nation s largest parishes. On day three, they received briefings from Administration, Total Commitment, Finance, News and Information, GOTelecom and Orthodox Observer, Ecumenical Relations, and Missions before visiting the nearby Metropolitan Museum. March 1 was highlighted by presentations from the Sisterhood of Presvyteres, Order of St. Andrew, Leadership 100 before departing for Holy Trinity Cathedral and a meeting with Fr. Robert Stepha-
nopoulos, dean. Next on the agenda was a visit to the National Philoptochos Office then a departure for Garrison, N.Y. and St. Basil Academy for briefings on the Youth Department, Camping Ministry and Ionian Village. The Seminarians returned to Boston on March 2. Seniors participating in Archdiocesan Seminar 2002 were: Dn . Athanasios Akunda, Evan Armatas, Panteleimon Dalianis, Sean Govostes, Dn. John Johns, Bus Lazarakis, Michael Prevas, Michael Tervo, Peter Thornberg, Richard Vanderhoef, Konstantinos Symeonides, Ryan Gzikowski, the Rev. Fr. Demetrios Gardikes, Peter Alexis and Monk Michael Ziebarth.
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
Great Lent
Catechetical Homily on the Occasion of Great Lent EDITORIAL
The Ecumenical Patriarch s Visit His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew s visit to the United States in March served two very important purposes. It conveyed the love and concern of the spiritual leader of world Orthodoxy for the victims and families of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack against the United States, both Orthodox and non-Orthodox, and brought the Patriarchate s concerns and significant role in the Muslim world to the attention of our nation s leaders. Patriarch Bartholomew s recent visits to the nations of Iran and Bahrain, his past travels to Muslim nations, and the January conference he co-sponsored in Brussels on the peaceful coexistence between Christianity, Judaism and Islam, have given him a further insight, in addition to the Ecumenical Patriarchate s presence in Turkey, which he shared with President George W. Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell, and others in government. On many occasions, the Patriarch has emphasized the theme that the Church continually works to promote peace among nations and that respect and love must be shown to all people, regardless of their nationality or religion, while unequivocally condemning the criminal acts of terrorism throughout the world as uncharacteristic of the purpose of religion. He underscored that message in Washington and in the six-month anniversary memorials, including at Ground Zero in New York, where he presided and expressed the deep pain and sympathy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for
the families of the victims. While in Washington, he also met with leading Roman Catholic hierarchs at their invitation and clearly stated the Orthodox position on how it views the concept of unity among churches, and the basic differences that separate them that inhibit that unity, while stressing the Ecumenical Patriarchate s love for its sister church. On his visit the Patriarch marked two important milestones of the Church in America, the 80th anniversary of the Archdiocese and the 65 years of Holy Cross School of Theology, the two institutions that have resulted from the care and love of the Mother Church for its flock in America. The fruits of the creation of these entities have manifested themselves immeasurably in the Orthodox world. The Archdiocese, being the most important eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has provided unwaivering support for the Mother Church, providing resources and helping to rally public support for the institution. Holy Cross has been the wellspring of theological training for the majority of the clergy, not only in this country, but also throughout the Orthodox world. This latest visit was the fourth for His All Holiness since 1997 when he traveled to almost every diocese in the United States from Boston to San Francisco. These visits have served to further deepen the ties and devotion between the Mother Church and the Orthodox faithful in this country and will continue to do so in the future.
u Like ISOS t
u Bring the Holy light t
Editor, This is a letter of praise and gratitude for the work of Fr. Frank Marangos and particularly for the Internet School of Orthodox Studies (ISOS), which he maintains. A few months ago, he visited our parish and gave a few of his presentations on the liturgical life of the church. I learned more about Orthodoxy in those two days than I had in two years. When he left, he told us of the ISOS and the archival lectures he had posted to its website. Since that time, I have devoured the material on that website and have been greatly edified by Fr. Frank s words. I don t know exactly who is responsible for funding the religious education program that Fr. Frank leads and coordinates, but they and all Orthodox Christians need to know that this man s work is of the highest caliber and that it is a treasure to all who wish to learn about their faith and thereby have their experience in the Orthodox Church deepened. Please do all you can to tell others that Fr. Frank and his work are indeed axios.
Editor, My name is Yeoryia. I am 12 years of age and attend St. George s Greek Orthodox Church in St. Paul, Minn. I heard about the fire from the tomb of Jesus, and how every Holy Saturday it is spread all over Jerusalem, Greece and other cities by plane. I wondered why couldn t we bring the light of our Lord to the U.S.A? What a sight it would be to all the Orthodox believers in America. Just think of how many converts would be made, and people who did not believe would believe. People who were christen and did not attend church would renew their beliefs and would again go to church. It would be a glorious sight for Orthodox believers all over America if we could find some way to transport the light of our Lord to all Orthodox churches in America. Thank you again for your time taken to read this letter. Yeoryia Christoforides St. Paul, Minn.
Paul R. Lundberg Greensboro, N.C.
ÿBARTHOLOMEW By the Grace of God Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch, to the Plenitude of the Church, Grace and Peace from Our Savior Christ, Together with Our Prayer, Blessing and Forgiveness Beloved brethren and children in the Lord, The time is now at hand for us to start upon the spiritual contest, and to gain victory over the demonic powers. Let us put on the armor of abstinence, and clothe ourselves in the glory of the angels, that we may be granted the boldness to venerate God . With these words the Holy Orthodox Church invites us at the beginning of Great Lent, as She has every year throughout the centuries, to intensify our spiritual efforts, through repentance and the conquering of our passions, the acquiring of the virtues and ultimately the appropriation of Divine Grace, which sanctifies us. We, as Orthodox faithful, do not undertake this most necessary spiritual endeavor in order to be vindicated through our good deeds in the eyes of God. Rather, we do so in order to express our love for Christ and to cleanse ourselves through His Divine Grace, so that He may abide within us, having found in our hearts a proper place to dwell. In undertaking this endeavor we contribute to our own salvation, which, although offered to us freely, presupposes that, by means of our own spiritual efforts, we express our desire to be counted worthy of Christ s salvation and of the perceptible presence of Divine Grace in our lives. Our Orthodox Church protects us from the fallacy that faith alone will save us. Rather, She insists, following the ancient apostolic tradition, that faith without works is dead, and requires that we demonstrate our faith through our deeds, so that our salvation will be the result of our concretely expressed desire to be saved as well as of the sacrifice on the Cross of our Lord, Jesus Christ, for our sake. We are not capable of attaining salvation if we do not work towards it, because, as Abba Isaac says, no one has ever ascended to heaven with ease. Whoever, therefore, promises salvation without spiritual labor is deluding others. All worldly achievements are the result of work. It is therefore evident that the highest good for humanity, which is salvation and eternal life, requires work and sacrifice, too. Brothers and sisters, at the start of this Great Lent, let us once again take up the good fight eagerly and with great joy, and let us see it through enthusiastically and with courage. Let us be aware that we have as our helpers and supporters our Lord, Jesus Christ, His All-Holy Mother, the Ever-Virgin Theotokos and all the Saints. Through their holy intercessions, may God grant that we successfully complete the course of this Great Lent and attain victoriously to the celebration of the life-giving Resurrection of Christ. Amen. Great and Holy Lent 2002 ÿ BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople Fervent intercessor on behalf of all before God
Orthodox Christians Begin Lent Season More than 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide, including some 6 million in North America, will celebrate the Triumph of Orthodoxy on the First Sunday of Great Lent, March 24, to commemorate the restoration of holy icons to the Church in the ninth century. Orthodox Christians will begin observing the Great Lent on Monday, March 18, in preparation for Easter, the most sacred and holy day of the Orthodox Church s ecclesiastical year. This year Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter on May 5. The Orthodox date for Easter is based on a decree of the Council of Nicaea, Asia Minor, held in 325 A.D. under Emperor Constantine the Great. According to this decree, Easter must be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon of the vernal equinox but always after the Hebrew Passover to maintain the Biblical sequence of events of the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. The Orthodox Christian churches have adhered strictly to this formula, but the Easter of other Christian churches is not necessarily preceded by the Passover.
Orthodox Lent
Orthodox Christian Lent always begins on the Monday, before the Sunday of Orthodoxy. It is designated as Clean Monday, the Monday of cleansing or purification. On that day Orthodox faithful are required to begin a spiritual and moral purification through fasting, prayer, meditation, repentance, attending Lenten religious services and partaking of the Sacraments of Confession and Communion. Religious services during the Lenten
period are particularly spiritual and mystical and especially beloved by Orthodox faithful. They include the Compline, the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Salutations to the Virgin Mary including poetic verses of the Akathist Hymn, sung during the first five Friday evenings of Lent, and the deeply spiritual Liturgy written by St. Basil the Great in the 4th century, every Sunday during Lent.
Sunday of Orthodoxy
The historical significance of the Sunday of Orthodoxy dates to 787 A.D. when the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council of Nicaea decreed the restoration of the icons as a means for the spiritual growth and formation of the Christian ethos and character in the likeness and image of God and His saints. In 843 A.D. when the veneration of icons was solemnly proclaimed at St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople, monks and clergy came in procession and restored the icons in their rightful place. The came to be known as the Sunday of Orthodoxy, and since that time this event is commemorated on the First Sunday of Lent. The Sunday of Orthodoxy is traditionally celebrated in Orthodox Churches worldwide with special services chanted in the many languages of the Church, as an act of rededication to Orthodoxy. The clergy and the congregation following the Procession of Icons recite the Declaration of Faith. This service also commemorates the suffering, martyrdom and persecution of Orthodox faithful through the centuries.
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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Archiepiscopal Encyclical Feast of the Annunciation But when the time had fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law. (Galatians 4:4)
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
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Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On the Feast of the Annunciation we sing with fervor, Today is the summation of our salvation and the manifestation of the mystery from all eternity. With the proclamation by the holy Archangel Gabriel that The Lord is with you, with the humble, obedient response by the most holy Theotokos, Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word (Luke 1:38), the workings of our salvation today are set in moAnnunciation by the hand of Athanasios Clark tion. God s plan of action, having been prepared from the foundation of the world, comes to fruition in the union of divine and human natures in the person of Jesus Christ, conceived through the cooperation of the heavenly and the human, the collaboration of transcendent power and humble free-will. Just as the seed contains in potential the entire tree that will one day tower over the place of its planting, so too in the event of the Annunciation is wrapped up the entire history of salvation. The Virgin Mary s overshadowing by the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35) portends the day of Pentecost, when the Church will be baptized in the Spirit of holiness, power, wisdom, and love. The consecration of her womb anticipates the redemption of the human race and the sanctification of all creation. Her gracious answer, Be it done unto me according to your word, foretells the free acceptance of the will of God by millions of people and the readiness of the martyrs to suffer for Christ and His Gospel. But above all, the Feast of the Annunciation epitomizes the condescending love of our God who is with us. We see in this event the will of the Infinite One to appear in the form of finite flesh. The One whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain (1 Kings 8:27) chooses to be encompassed by the body of the Virgin. There, the Perfect and Unchangeable One knows growth, change, and neediness, which are but the first steps of lowliness and pain leading to the Cross. The Annunciation is the inauguration of the Ultimate Humility: it begins with the Word of God enveloped in the virginal womb and ends with the Life of All enclosed within a tomb. Within the germinative potential of the Annunciation existed another event of salvation: the Day of Greek Independence, declared most appropriately on March 25 in 1821. Beforetime the Archangel gave encouragement to the Theotokos through the declaration, The Lord is with you! This same message of grace and favor gave courage to the citizens of Greece, oppressed for four centuries under the Ottoman dominion, filling them with strength from on high to accept their calling to freedom and dignity, their consecration to a special role and mission as a nation and a people in the divine economy. They were absolutely convinced that in His mercy God had regard for the lowliness of His people and scattered the proud, put down the mighty from their thrones, and caused those who were hungry for the sweetness of liberty to be filled with every good and perfect gift from above. We have a two-fold gift in the Feast of the Annunciation through the promise of the Lord who is with us: on this day we receive in principle both our redemption from sin and death and our salvation from the oppression of violent and haughty men and nations. This double blessing fills our hearts with ineffable joy and deep gratefulness. It makes us more resolute in giving ourselves to the noble effort of promoting freedom and dignity, of eliminating everything that prevents the people from reaching the salvation announced to us on the day of the original Annunciation. May God bless such a noble effort and grant the grace of His presence to all celebrations of the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of Greek Independence in every parish and city of our Archdiocese. With paternal love in Christ,
ÿ Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America
ATLANTA BOSTON CHICAGO CHARLOTTE CLEVELAND DALLAS DENVER DETROIT FT.LAUDERDALE HOUSTON
FROM 499 479 539 539 559 579 589 499 559 579
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TO 1049 999 1029 1029 949 1099 989 1049 1029 959 1029
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 12
R E L AT I N G Demons are real. They are evil spirits. The Church Fathers teach us that God did not create evil. It has no actual independent existence. It is non-existence, since God did not create it. Evil has been described as an accident in the way of divine creation. by Fr. Dimitru Macaila
Orthodox scholar Fr. Michael Pomazansky refers to it a deviation of living beings from that original condition in which the Creator placed them, into an opposite condition. The essence of evil is to violate God s will, to oppose moral law written in the human conscience. Evil entered the world after the Fall that first occurred in the world of incorporeal spirits and then entered the human race, bringing about the Fall of our ancestors. Isaiah the Prophet writes about Lucifer, the bearer of light, who said to himself shortly before his fall: I will make myself like the Most High. Adam and Eve, deceived by the devil, committed the same sin of wanting to become like God by themselves. The word devil or diabolos, means the slanderer, the divider, or the detractor. Another name for the devil is Satan, a Hebrew word that means adversary. Evil spirits also are known as unclean spirits, spirits of evil, demons, angels of the devil, angels of Satan, Beelzebub, and Belial.
Lucifer falls away
Lucifer wanted to exalt his throne above the stars of God, but he was brought
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
T O
T H E
What the Bible Says about
Demons down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit, which can be identified with the outer darkness, the state of being where God s presence is felt in a negative way. The devil could not remain in the heavenly dwellings of light. I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven, said Jesus. Christ s ministry dethroned the devil from his demonic lordship over the world, after he was defeated for pursuing his own will and rebelling against God s will. Lucifer drew the other angels into the path of evil. Christ said of the devil: He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. As we see from St Peter s words: God did not spare the angels who sinned, but cast them down to hell and delivered them into chains of darkness to be reserved for judgment. What brought about the Fall in the world of spirits? We read in Proverbs: Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. According to
Sirach, pride invaded the angelic world and brought about the Fall, and it is the beginning of sin.
Claiming the earth
After being cast down from the heavenly world, the devil and his angels act as rulers of this world and try to take the earth into their hellish possession. St. Paul identifies the devil and his angels with principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual host of wickedness, and with the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.
Adam and Eve
In the third chapter of Genesis the devil, under the guise of the serpent, tempted our ancestors and brought about their Fall. The lie he whispered into our ancestors ears, that by disobeying God s will they can become like God, is whispered by the devil into every human s ears to the end of the world. It is the big deception that controls and dominates the spiritual realm of today s world more than ever. Adam and Eve doubted God s word. Their doubt opened their eyes to a world
Faith
of sorrow and corruption that would have remained unknown to them if they had not doubted.
Bringing death
Satan tirelessly and shamelessly attacks every human being. The story of Job makes it clear that evil cannot come from God, who cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. It was the devil who attacked Job s character, but he was not successful in destroying his soul, since in the end Job maintained his integrity and proclaimed God s righteous judgments as well as His unspeakable majesty. Death entered the world through the devil s envy, foisted on man by artful deception. It is against nature. God did not create death. He created man for incorruption, and made him in the image of His own eternity. By turning away from the Source of Life, man cut himself off from Life and put himself into a situation where death, the disintegration of human nature, triumphs.
Tempting Christ
The devil is not ashamed to tempt, deceive, and attract anyone, as long as he was not ashamed to tempt Christ Himself, the Son of God, in the wilderness. Commenting on Christ s temptation in his Homily 13, St. John Chrysostom says: The devil assails most especially when he sees men left alone and by themselves On this very account we have the greatest need to be flocking together continually so we may not be open to the devil s attacks.
u page 31
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 13
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.
PAGE 14
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ÅÔÏÓ 67
ÖÅÂÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÓ-ÌÁÑÔÉÏÓ 2001
ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1187
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Ç ¢öéîç
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ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ
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u óåë. 16
ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ
25 ÌÁÑÔÉÏÕ 2002 ÅÏÑÔÇ ÔÏÕ ÅÕÁÃÃÅËÉÓÌÏÕ
¼ôå äå Þëèå ôï ðëÞñùìá ôïõ ÷ñüíïõ, åîáðÝóôåéëåí ï Èåüò ôïí Õéüí Áõôïý, ãåíüìåíïí åê ãõíáéêüò (Ðñüò ÃáëÜôáò 4:4)
Ðñïò ôïõò ÓåâáóìéùôÜôïõò êáé ÈåïöéëåóôÜôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò, ôïõò ÅõëáâåóôÜôïõò Éåñåßò êáé Äéáêüíïõò, ôïõò Ìïíá÷ïýò êáé Ìïíá÷Ýò, ôïõò ÐñïÝäñïõò êáé ÌÝëç ôùí Êïéíïôéêþí Óõìâïõëßùí ôùí Åëëçíéêþí Ïñèïäüîùí Åíïñéþí, ôá ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ Ó÷ïëåßá, ôéò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõò Áäåëöüôçôåò, ôçí Íåïëáßá, ôéò Åëëçíïñèüäïîåò Ïñãáíþóåéò êáé ïëüêëçñï ôï ×ñéóôåðþíõìïí ðëÞñùìá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Áäåëöïß êáé ÁäåëöÝò åí ×ñéóôþ, Óôïí åïñôáóìü ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý ôçò Èåïôüêïõ øÜëëïõìå ìå èÝñìç, «ÓÞìåñïí ôçò óùôçñßáò çìþí ôï êåöÜëáéïí êáé ôïõ áð áéþíïò ìõóôçñßïõ ç öáíÝñùóéò». ¼ôáí ï Áñ÷Üããåëïò ÃáâñéÞë áíÞããåéëå óôçí Èåïôüêï, «ï Êýñéïò ìåôÜ óïõ», êáé åêåßíç áðåêñßèç ôáðåéíÜ êáé õðÜêïõá, «Éäïý ç äïýëç Êõñßïõ· ãÝíïéôü ìïé êáôÜ ôï ñÞìá óïõ» (Ëïõê. 1:38), ç ðïñåßá ðñïò ôçí óùôçñßá ìáò åß÷å îåêéíÞóåé. Ôï ðñïáéþíéï ó÷Ýäéï ôïõ Èåïý ôï ïðïßï åß÷å êáôáñôéóèåß áðü ôçí äçìéïõñãßá ôïõ êüóìïõ, ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé óôçí Ýíùóç ôçò èåßáò êáé ôçò áíèñùðßíçò öýóåùò óôï ðñüóùðï ôïõ Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý, óáñêùèÝíôïò åê ôçò åíþóåùò ôïõ ïõñáíßïõ êáé ôïõ áíèñùðßíïõ, äéÜ ôçò óõíåñãáóßáò ôçò õðåñâáôéêÞò äõíÜìåùò êáé ôçò
ôáðåéíÞò åëåõèÝñáò âïõëÞóåùò. ¼ðùò ï óðüñïò åìðåñéÝ÷åé åí äõíÜìåé ïëüêëçñï ôï äÝíôñï, ôï ïðïßï êÜðïéá ìÝñá èá ìåãáëþóåé êáé èá êáëýøåé ôïí ôüðï óôïí ïðïßïí åöõôåýèç, Ýôóé êáé ôï ãåãïíüò ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý åìðåñéêëåßåé ïëüêëçñç ôçí éóôïñßá ôçò óùôçñßáò. Ç åðÝëåõóç ôïõ Áãßïõ Ðíåýìáôïò åðß ôçí ÐáñèÝíïí Ìáñßáí (Ëïõê. 1:35) ðñïïéùíßæåé ôçí çìÝñá ôçò ÐåíôçêïóôÞò, êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßá ç Åêêëçóßá èá âáðôéóèÞ óôï Ðíåýìá ôçò áãéüôçôïò, ôçò éó÷ýïò, ôçò óïößáò êáé ôçò áãÜðçò. Ç êáèéÝñùóéò ôïõ óþìáôïò ôçò Èåïôüêïõ ðñïìçíýåé ôçí óùôçñßá ôïõ áíèñùðßíïõ ãÝíïõò êáé ôïí êáèáãéáóìü ïëïêëÞñïõ ôçò êôßóåùò. Ç åý÷áñéò áðÜíôçóÞ ôçò, ÃÝíïéôü ìïé êáôÜ ôï ñÞìá óïõ, ðñïúäåÜæåé ãéá ôçí åëåýèåñç áðïäï÷Þ ôïõ èåëÞìáôïò ôïõ Èåïý áðü åêáôïììýñéá áíèñþðïõò êáé ãéá ôçí åôïéìüôçôá ôùí ìáñôýñùí íá èõóéáóôïýí ãéá ôïí ×ñéóôü êáé ãéá ôï ÅõáããÝëéï. ÐÜíù áð üëá üìùò, ï åïñôáóìüò ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý åêöñÜæåé ôçí êáôáäåêôéêÞ áãÜðç ôïõ Èåïý ìáò, ï Ïðïßïò åßíáé ìáæß ìáò. Áíáãíùñßæïõìå ó áõôü ôï ãåãïíüò ôï èÝëçìá ôïõ Áðåßñïõ íá ðáñïõóéáóèÞ ùò ðåðåñáóìÝíïò Üíèñùðïò. ÂëÝðïõìå Åêåßíïí, ôïí Ïðïßï äåí ÷ùñåß ïýôå ï ïõñáíüò ôïõ ïõñáíïý (þ Âáó. 8:27), íá åðéëÝãç íá ðåñéêëåéóèåß óôï óþìá ôçò ÐáñèÝíïõ. Ï ÔÝëåéïò êáé ÁìåôÜâëçôïò íá äÝ÷åôáé íá õðá÷èÞ óôïõò íüìïõò ôçò áíáðôýîåùò, ôçò áëëáãÞò, êáé ôçò áíÜãêçò, óôïé÷åßá ðïõ áðïôåëïýí ôá ðñþôá äåßãìáôá ôçò ôáðåéíþóåùò êáé ôïõ ðüíïõ, ðïõ ïäçãïýí óôïí Óôáõñü. Ï Åõáããåëéóìüò åßíáé ç
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ÓÅËÉÄÁ 16
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÖÅÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÓ - ÌÁÑÔÉÏÓ 2002
Ðïëõóýíèåôç ç åðßóêåøç ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ u óåë. 15
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ÁñãÜ ôï ðñùß ôçò åðïìÝíçò 5 Ìáñôßïõ ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò, óõíïäåõüìåíïò áðü ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï êáé ìÝëç ôçò ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞò óõíïäåßáò, óõíáíôÞèçêå ìå ôïí Õðïõñãü Åîùôåñéêþí ê. Êüëéí ÐÜïõåë óôï Õðïõñãåßï Åîùôåñéêþí. «Ï ê. Õðïõñãüò Þôáí ðÜñá ðïëý åõãåíÞò êáé ðñïóçíÞò... êáé ìå ìåãÜëç êáôáíüçóç ìáò Üêïõóå êáé óõíïìßëçóå
ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ
Ï ðñüåäñïò Ìðïõò åîçãåß ôïí äéÜêïóìï ôïõ ãñáöåßïõ ôïõ óôïõò êáëåóìÝíïõò ôïõ. Äßðëá óôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Öéëáíäßáò ËÝùí, ï ê. Ìá÷áÞë Ôæá÷Üñçò êáé áñéóôåñÜ ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Éôáëßáò ÃåííÜäéïò.
ËÏÃÏÓ ÊÁÔÇ×ÇÔÇÑÉÏÓ ÅÐÉ Ô~Ç ÅÍÁÑÎÅÉ ÔÇÓ ÁÃÉÁÓ ÊÁÉ ÌÅÃÁËÇÓ ÔÅÓÓÁÑÁÊÏÓÔÇÓ ÿ ÂÁÑÈÏËÏÌÁÉÏÓ ÅËÅ~Ù ÈÅÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÓ ÊÙÍÓÔÁÍÔÉÍÏÕÐÏËÅÙÓ, ÍÅÁÓ ÑÙÌÇÓ ÊÁÉ ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÓ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÇÓ ÐÁÍÔÉ Ô~Ù ÐËÇÑÙÌÁÔÉ ÔÇÓ ÅÊÊËÇÓÉÁÓ, ×ÁÑÉÓ ÅÉÇ ÊÁÉ ÅÉÑÇÍÇ ÐÁÑÁ ÔÏÕ ÓÙÔÇÑÏÓ ÇÌÙÍ ×ÑÉÓÔÏÕ, ÐÁÑ ÇÌÙÍ ÄÅ ÅÕ×Ç, ÅÕËÏÃÉÁ ÊÁÉ ÓÕÃ×ÙÑÇÓÉÓ [ Áãáðçôïß å[ í ×ñéóô~ù ` áäåëöïß êáß ôÝêíá ðåöéëçìÝíá, «{ Åöèáóå êáéñüò, ç ] ô`ùí ðíåõìáôéê`ùí á [ ãþíùí á [ ñ÷Þ, ç ] êáôÜ äáéìüíùí íßêç, ç ] ðÜíïðëïò å[ ãêñÜôåéá, ç ] ô`ùí á [ ããÝëùí å[õðñÝðåéá, ç ] ðñïò Èåüí ðáññçóßá». Äé á[õô`ùí ô`ùí ëüãùí ç ] ] Áãßá [ Ïñèüäïîïò [ Åêêëçóßá ìáò ì`áò êáëå¡é êáè å} êáóôïí å{ ôïò å[ ðß á éù ` íáò ç { äç ï ] ëïêëÞñïõò ï } ðùò á [ íáëÜâùìåí êáôÜ ôÞí á [ ñ÷ïìÝíçí ÌåãÜëçí ÔåóóáñáêïóôÞí å[ íôïíþôåñïí ôïýò ðíåõìáôéêïýò ç ] ì`ùí á [ ã`ùíáò äéÜ ôÞí ìåôÜíïéáí, ôÞí å[ ðéêõñéáñ÷ßáí å[ ðß ô`ùí ðáè`ùí, ôÞí ðñüóêôçóéí ô`ùí á [ ñåô`ùí êáß, å[ í ôåëéê`ç ~ å[ ðéäéþîåé, äéÜ ôÞí ï éêåßùóéí ô`çò Èåßáò ×Üñéôïò, ç ] ï ] ðïßá êáß ì`áò å[ îáãéÜæåé. Äéüôé ï ] ÷ñçóéìþôáôïò êáß á [ íáãêáéüôáôïò ðíåõìáôéêüò á [ ãþí ôï`õ [ Ïñèïäüîïõ ðéóôï`õ äÝí ãßíåôáé äéÜ íÜ äéêáéùè`ùìåí å{ íáíôé ôï`õ Èåï`õ äéÜ ô`ùí êáë`ùí ìáò å{ ñãùí, á [ ëëÜ äéÜ íÜ å[ êäçëþóùìåí ôÞí á [ ãÜðçí ìáò ðñüò ôüí ×ñéóôüí, êáß íÜ êáèáñè`ùìåí äéÜ ô`çò Èåßáò Á[õôï`õ ×Üñéôïò, ù } óôå íÜ êáôïéêÞó~ç å[ íôüò ç ] ì`ùí, á [ öï`õ å}õñ~ç ôÞí êáñäßáí ìáò á [ îßáí äéÜ êáôÜëõìÜ Ôïõ. Êáô á[õôüí ôüí ôñüðïí óõíåñãï`õìåí å éò ôü å{ ñãïí ô`çò óùôçñßáò ìáò, ç ] ï ] ðïßá ì`áò ðñïóöÝñåôáé ìÝí äùñåÜí, á [ ëëÜ õ ] ðü ôÞí ðñïûðüèåóéí ï } ôé å[ êäçëï`õìåí å[ ìðñÜêôùò äéÜ ô`çò ðíåõìáôéê`çò á [ óêÞóåùò ôÞí å[ ðéèõìßáí íÜ åªéìåèá á { îéïé ô`çò å[ í ×ñéóô`ù ~ óùôçñßáò êáß ô`çò á éóèçô`çò ðáñïõóßáò å éò ôÞí æùÞí ìáò ô`çò Èåßáò ×Üñéôïò. Ç [ Ïñèüäïîïò [ Åêêëçóßá ìáò ì`áò ðñïöõëÜóóåé á [ ðü ôÞí ðëÜíçí ï } ôé ç ] óùôçñßá ìáò å®éíáé á ] ðë`ùò èÝìá ðßóôåùò, äéÜ ôÞí ï ] ðïßáí äÝí ÷ñåéÜæåôáé ä`çèåí ï ] ç ] ìÝôåñïò êüðïò êáß ðñïóðÜèåéá. [ Áêïëïõèïýóá ôÞí [áñ÷áßáí [áðïóôïëéêÞí ðáñÜäïóéí å[ ðéìÝíåé å éò ôü ï } ôé ðßóôéò ÷ùñßò å{ ñãùí å®éíáé íåêñÜ êáß á [ ðáéôå¡é íÜ äåéêíýùìåí ôÞí ðßóôéí ìáò å[ ê ô`ùí å{ ñãùí ìáò, ù } óôå ç ] óùôçñßá ìáò íÜ å®éíáé á [ ðïôÝëåóìá ô`çò å[ ìðñÜêôùò å[ êäçëïõìÝíçò å[ ðéèõìßáò ìáò êáß ô`çò õ ] ðÝñ ç ] ì`ùí óôáõñéê`çò èõóßáò ôï`õ Êõñßïõ ç ] ì`ùí [ Éçóï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ. ] Çá { íåõ ç ] ìåôÝñïõ êüðïõ ðñïóïéêåßùóéò ô`çò óùôçñßáò äÝí å®éíáé äõíáôÞ, äéüôé, ù ] ò ëÝãåé êáß ï ] [ Áââ`áò [ ÉóáÜê, ï[õäåßò ìåô á [ íÝóåùò á [ í`çëèåí å éò ôïýò ï[õñáíïýò. ÌÜëéóôá äÝ ðñïóèÝôåé, ï } ôé ï ] Èåüò êáß ï é á [ ããåëïé Á[õôï`õ å[ í á [ íÜãêáéò ÷áßñïõóéí, ï ] äÝ äéÜâïëïò êáß ï é á[õôï`õ [åí [áíáðáýóåé. Óõíåð`ùò, [áðáô~`á ôïýò ðéóôïýò ]ï õ ] ðïó÷üìåíïò óùôçñßáí á { íåõ ðíåõìáôéêï`õ êüðïõ êáß á [ ã`ùíïò. { Áëëùóôå, êáß ï } ëá ôÜ êïóìéêÜ å[ ðéôåýãìáôá óôçñßæïíôáé å éò ôüí á [ íÜëïãïí êüðïí êáß ï[õäÝí á [ ãáèüí êô`áôáé á [ êüðùò. ] Ùò å[ ê ôïýôïõ, öáíåñüí ãßíåôáé ï } ôé êáß ôü õ } øéóôïí á [ ãáèüí äéÜ ôüí á { íèñùðïí, ç ] óùôçñßá êáß ç ] á éþíéïò æùÞ, á [ ðáéôï`õí ôüí [áíÜëïãïí ðíåõìáôéêüí êüðïí êáß á [ ã`ùíá. { Áò á [ íáäå÷è`ùìåí, ëïéðüí, á [ äåëöïß, ìåôÜ ðïëë`çò ô`çò ÷áñ`áò êáß ô`çò ðñïèõìßáò êáß êáôÜ ôÞí ðáñï`õóáí ÌåãÜëçí ÔåóóáñáêïóôÞí ôüí êáëüí [áã`ùíá êáß {áò äéåîáãÜãùìåí á[õôüí ìåôÜ å[ íèïõóéáóìï`õ êáß ôüëìçò, ãíùñßæïíôåò ï } ôé å{ ÷ïìåí âïçèüí êáß óõìðáñáóôÜôçí ìáò Á[õôüí ôüí Êýñéïí ç ] ì`ùí [ Éçóï`õí ×ñéóôüí êáß ôÞí Ðáíáãßáí ÌçôÝñá Ôïõ, ôÞí [áåéðÜñèåíïí Èåïôüêïí, êáß ðÜíôáò ôïýò ] Áãßïõò |ùí ôá¡éò ðñåóâåßáéò ä~ þ ç ] ç ì¡ é í ] ï Êýñéïò ôåëÝóáé êáß ôüí ô` ç ò ðáñïýóçò ÌåãÜëçò Ôåóóáñáêïóô`çò [áã`ùíá [åðéôõ÷`ùò êáß öèÜóáé íéêçöüñùò å éò ôü ]åïñôÜóáé ôÞí æùçöüñïí Á[õôï`õ [ ÁíÜóôáóéí. [ ÁìÞí. ] Áãßá êáß ÌåãÜëç ÔåóóáñáêïóôÞ â ~ â´
Ìðïõò óôï ðñïåäñéêü ÏâÜë ãñáöåßï. Ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óõíüäåõå óôçí éäéáßôåñç óõíÜíôçóÞ ôïõ ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï Ìðïõò, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò êáé óôçí åõñýôåñç óõíÜíôçóç ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå óõììåôåß÷áí ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Êáñåëßáò êáé ðÜóçò Öéëáíäßáò ê. ËÝùí, ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Éôáëßáò ê. ÃåííÜäéïò, ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ìïó÷ïííçóßùí ê. Áðüóôïëïò, ï áíôéðñüåäñïò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ê. Ìé÷áÞë Ôæá÷Üñçò, ï ê. ¢ëåî Óðáíüò êáé ï ð. ÁëÝîáíäñïò Êáñëïýôóïò. Ç óõíÜíôçóç ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå óå êëßìá åãêáñäéüôçôïò êáé åéëéêñßíåéáò êáé åóôéÜóôçêå óå èÝìáôá äéáèñçóêåéáêïý äéáëüãïõ êáèþò êáé ôéò ôåëåõôáßåò åðáöÝò ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ìå óêïðü ôçí åíèÜññõíóç êáé ôçí ðñïáãùãÞ ôçò óõíåñãáóßáò ôùí èñçóêåéþí êáé ôùí ðïëéôéóìþí êáèþò êáé óå ðñùôïâïõëßåò ãéá ôçí åðéêñÜôçóç ôçò åéñÞíçò êáé ôçí êáôáðïëÝìçóç ôçò ôñïìïêñáôßáò. Ï ðñüåäñïò Ìðïõò Ýäåéîå éäéáßôåñï åíäéáöÝñïí ãéá ôçí áíÜ ôïí êüóìï Ïñèïäïîßá êáé ôéò äïìÝò, ëåéôïõñãßåò êáé ó÷Ýóåéò ìåôáîý ôùí Ïñèïäüîùí Åêêëçóéþí. Ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò ôïí åõ÷áñßóôçóå ãéá ôï èåñìü ìÞíõìÜ ôïõ ðñïò ôçí ÄéáèñçóêåéáêÞ ÓõíÜíôçóç ôùí Âñõîåëëþí êáé ï ê. Ìðïõò äÞëùóå üôé ôï Ýêáíå ìå ìåãÜëç åõ÷áñßóôçóç äéüôé ðßóôåõå óôçí áíáãêáéüôçôá áõôÞò ôçò óõíáíôÞóåùò
ìáæß ìáò». ÄÞëùóå ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ìåôÜ ôçí óõíÜíôçóç. ÓõæçôÞèçêáí èÝìáôá äéáèñçóêåéáêïý äéáëüãïõ, áíèñùðßíùí äéêáéùìÜôùí êáé èñçóêåõôéêþí åëåõèåñéþí êáé óôï ðëáßóéï áõôü ôÝèçêáí ôá èÝìáôá ôçò åðáíáëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôçò ×Üëêçò êáé ôçò áíáãêáéüôçôáò ãéá åëåõèåñßá äñÜóåùò êáé ëåéôïõñãßáò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ. Ï ê. ÐÜïõåë, äÞëùóå ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò, «õðåó÷Ýèç üôé èá âïçèÞóåé üóï ìðïñåß êáé åêåßíïò. Ðéóôåýåé óôçí áíáãêáéüôçôá ôçò åðáíáëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ãéá ôï ðáñüí êáé ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ». Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Ýêáíå åîÜëëïõ Ýêêëçóç ðñïò ôïí Áìåñéêáíü ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ Õðïõñãü êáé ôçí ÊõâÝñíçóÞ ôïõ ãéá ôçí ðáñåì- Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáôåâáßíåé áðü ôï áåñïðëÜíï óôçí áåñïðïñéêÞ âÜóç Andrews.
ôçò ÄéáèñçóêåéáêÞò ÄéáóêÝøåùò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò åðáíÝëáâå êáé óôïí ðñüåäñï ôá üóá åß÷å ðåé íùñßôåñá óôïí Õðïõñãü Åîùôåñéêþí ãéá ôçí áíÜãêç öñïíôßäáò êáé ðñïóôáóßáò ôùí Áãßùí Ôüðùí êáé ôïõ ÷ñéóôéáíéêïý ðëçèõóìïý óôç ÌÝóç ÁíáôïëÞ êáé ï ðñüåäñïò Ìðïõò Ýäåéîå éäéáßôåñç êáôáíüçóç. Ôïíßóôçêå åðßóçò ï ñüëïò êáé óçìáóßá ôçò ÅëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞò ÏìïãÝíåéáò ç ïðïßá ùò áíáðüóðáóôï ìÝñïò ôïõ ÁìåñéÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ Ï Ïéê. ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáíéêïý ¸èíïõò êáé ôçò ìå ôïí Õðïõñãü Åîùôåñéêþí Êüëéí ÐÜïõåë. áìåñéêáíéêÞò êïéíùíßáò ðüäéóç ôçò ðåñáéôÝñù ìåéþóåùò ôïõ áëëÜ êáé óõã÷ñüíùò êáé áíáðüóðáóôï áñéèìïý ôùí ÷ñéóôéáíþí óôçí ÌÝóç ðïëýôéìï ôìÞìá ôïõ ðïéìíßïõ ôïõ ÏéêïõÁíáôïëÞ êáé ôïõò Áãßïõò Ôüðïõò óõãêåêñé- ìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ áíôáíáêëÜ üôé ìÝíá, ëÝãïíôáò üôé «ôá ÷ñéóôéáíéêÜ óõìâáßíåé óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ðñïóêõíÞìáôá åéò ôçí ÌÝóçí ÁíáôïëÞí, êáé äéêáéïëïãçìÝíá åíäéáöÝñåôáé äéÜ ôçí åð ïõäåíß ëüãù ðñÝðåé íá êáôáíôÞóïõí åõóôÜèåéá ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò. Åßíáé ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêü üôé ï ðñüåäñïò íá ãßíïõí ìïõóåßá. ÐñÝðåé íá õðÜñ÷åé ç ÷ñéóôéáíéêÞ ðáñïõóßá åêåß ... ðñÝðåé íá Ìðïõò ñþôçóå óõãêåêñéìÝíá ôïí Ïéêïõðáñåìðïäéóèåß ðÜóç èõóßá ç ðåñáéôÝñù ìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ôé ìðïñåß ï ßäéïò íá ìåôáíÜóôåõóéò äéüôé ï ×ñéóôéáíéóìüò êÜíåé êáé óå ðïéÜ èÝìáôá ìðïñåß íá ãåííÞèçêå ó áõôÜ ôá ìÝñç êáé ðñÝðåé íá âïçèÞóåé êáé ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò æÞôçóå ôçí æÞóåé êáé íá ðáñáìåßíåé ó áõôÜ ôá ìÝñç». óõíäñïìÞ ôïõ åêôüò áðü ôï èÝìá ôçò åðáíáëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï Ìðïõò ôçò ×Üëêçò, «ôçí åëåõèåñßá äñÜóåùò, ôçí Ôï ßäéï áðüãåõìá ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò åëåõèåñßá ãéá íá ìðïñåß ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò, ìåôÝâç óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï íá åêðëçñþíåé ôçí ðíåõËåõêü Ïßêï êáé óõíáíôÞèçêå ãéá ìéóÞ ìáôéêÞ, èñçóêåõôéêÞ êáé ðïëéôéóìéêÞ ôïõ ðåñßðïõ þñá ìå ôïí Ðñüåäñï Ôæüñôæ áðïóôïëÞ».
ÖÅÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÓ - ÌÁÑÔÉÏÓ 2002
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 17
Ðñïò íÝïõò ïñßæïíôåò äåß÷íåé ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò
Ìíçìüóõíï õðÝñ áíáðáýóåùò ôùí øõ÷þí ôùí éåñáñ÷þí ðïõ áíáðáýïíôáé óôï ðñïáýëéï ôïõ ðáñåêêëçóßïõ ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò.
Ëßãï áñãüôåñá ìåôÜ ôïí Åóðåñéíü óôï ðáñåêêëÞóé ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáé áöïý áíáöÝñèçêå åêôåíþò óôï ðïëõó÷éäÝò êáé ðïëõóÞìáíôï Ýñãï ðïõ åðåôåëÝóèç êáé åðéôåëåßôáé óôçí Ó÷ïëÞ ôá ôåëåõôáßá 65 ÷ñüíéá ëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò, æÞôçóå áðü üëïõò íá ðñïóåý÷ïíôáé äéáñêþò êáé ãéá ôçí óýíôïìç åðáíáëåéôïõñãßá ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôçò ×Üëêçò. ÔÝëïò åõ÷üìåíïò üðùò ïé åïñôáóôéêÝò åêäçëþóåéò áðïôåëÝóïõí áöåôçñßá «ãéá Ýíá Üëìá ðñïò ôá Üíù êáé ðñïò ôá åìðñüò» ôüíéóå: «¹äç ç åíüôçò ôïõ ðëçñþìáôïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò Ý÷åé Þäç áðïêáôáóôáèåß êáé ïé áíáæçôÞóåéò ôùí óõíáíèñþðùí ìáò ãéá Ýíá íüçìá ôçò æùÞò áõôþí åßíáé Ýíôïíïé, åßíáé êáéñüò äé åãêáôÜëåéøç ôçò áðïëýôïõ åíäïóôñÝöåéáò êáé äé Üíïéãìá ðñïò ôïõò áíáæçôïýíôáò ôçí áëÞèåéá ðëçóßïí ìáò». »Ï èçóáõñüò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ áëçèåßáò, ôïí ïðïßïí ÷Üñéôé Èåïý êáôÝ÷ïìåí åí ïóôñáêßíïéò óêåýåóéí, åßíáé ü,ôé ðïëõôéìüôåñïí Ý÷ïìåí. Óõíäõáæüìåíïò äå ìåôÜ ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ðáéäåßáò áðïôåëåß ôïí öùôåéíüí ïäçãüí ôïõ óõã÷ñüíïõ áíèñþðïõ êáé ðñÝðåé ôï öùò áõôü íá ôï èÝóùìåí åðß ôçí ëõ÷íßáí äéá íá ëÜìðåé ùò öÜñïò ôçëáõãÞò åéò ôçí áíèñùðüôçôá êáé íá ïäçãåß áõôÞí åéò áóöáëÞ ðëïõí åí ìÝóù ôùí éäåïëïãéêþí êáé öéëïóïöéêï-èñçóêåõôéêþí óõìðëçãÜäùí». Ôï ßäéï âñÜäõ ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ìåèüäéïò ðáñÝèåóå äåßðíï ðñïò ôéìÞí ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óôçí ÅðéóêïðÞ Âïóôþíçò. Óôïí ÷áéñåôéóìü ôïõ óôïõò ðáñåõñéóêüìåíïõò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôüíéóå üôé ç Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ìáò Ý÷åé íá ðñïóöÝñåé óôï óýã÷ñïíï áíèñùðïêåíôñéêü êüóìï ôï
Ä. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ
Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò îåíáãåßôáé óôï Ìïõóåßï ôçò ÂéâëéïèÞêçò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Éáêþâïõ.
Üíïéãìá ôçò êáñäéÜò êáé ôçò áãÜðçò ðñïò ôïí óõíÜíèñùðï, ìéá ðñïóöïñÜ áãÜðçò ðïõ îåêéíÜ ìÝóá ìáò. Ôçí åðïìÝíç ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò óõíáíôÞèçêå ìå ôá ìÝëç ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ðñïò ôïõò ïðïßïõò Ýèåóå åñùôÞìáôá ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôï ìÝëëïí êáé ôï üñáìá ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. Ìßëçóå áêüìç ãéá ôéò äéáðéóôùìÝíåò äéáöïñïðïéÞóåéò êáé ôÜóåéò ìÝóá óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ êáé ôï ðëÞñùìÜ ôçò êáé óõíÝóôçóå ôçí äéáôÞñçóç ôçò åíüôçôïò, ôçí åìðíåõóìÝíç ðíåõìáôéêÞ êáèïäÞãçóç þóôå ç ÏìïãÝíåéá Ý÷ïíôáò õðåñâåß ôïõò áñ÷éêïýò óôü÷ïõò ôçò ïéêïíïìéêÞò åðéôõ÷ßáò «áíáæçôÞóåé ôçí áëçèéíÞ êáôÜ ×ñéóôü ðáéäåßá êáé óïößá, ùò ôï õðÝñôáôï óôïé÷åßï ôùí óôü÷ùí ôçò êáé ôçò ðïëéôéóôéêÞò êëçñïíïìéÜò ôçò, ôï ïðïßïí êáé áíÝäåéîå ôï ÃÝíïò çìþí óå ðíåõìáôéêü ôñïöü ôçò áíèñùðüôçôïò». Óçìåßùóå áêüìç üôé ç Ïñèüäïîç ìáñôõñßá óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ áðïôåëåß éóôïñéêÞ ðñüêëçóç ãéá ôçí äéÜäïóç ôïõ áðáñá÷Üñáêôïõ êçñýãìáôïò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, êçñýãìáôïò áãÜðçò, êáôáëëáãÞò, åíüôçôïò, áëçèåßáò êáé óùôçñßáò, ðÜíôïôå ìå ôçí åðßêëçóç êáé åí êïéíùíßá ìå ôçí Èåßá ×Üñç, ÷ùñßò ôçí ïðïßá èá âñåèïýìå óå ìéá ðïñåßá åêêïóìéêåýóåùò êáé ðáñáêìÞò. Áñãüôåñá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åðéóêÝöèçêå ôï ßäñõìá «Öéëïîåíßá», ðïõ âñßóêåôáé ðáñáðëåýñùò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ëåéôïõñãåß áðü 1986 õðü ôçí åðïðôåßá ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôç Ìåèüäéïõ. ÓõíÜíôçóå ôá ðáéäéÜ êáé ôïõò Üëëïõò åðéóêÝðôåò ôïõ éäñýìáôïò ðïõ öéëïîåíïýíôáé åêåß üóï âñßóêïíôáé óôçí ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò Âïóôþíçò ãéá éáôñéêÞ èåñáðåßá. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åðáßíåóå ü÷é ìüíï ôçí ßäñõóç áëëÜ êáé ôï Ýñãï ðïõ åðéôåëåßôáé êáèþò êáé ôá ó÷Ýäéá åðÝêôáóçò ôùí ÷þñùí öéëïîåíßáò. Óå ãåýìá ðïõ ðáñÝèåóå ç Ó÷ïëÞ ðñïò ôéìÞí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé óôï ïðïßï ðáñáêÜèéóáí ôá ìÝëç ôçò Óõíïäåßáò ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç, ôï äéäáêôéêü ðñïóùðéêü ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ôá ìÝëç ôçò Åöïñåßáò, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ðáñüôñõíå ôïõò êáèçãçôÝò íá áãùíßæïíôáé ü÷é ìüíï ãéá ôçí ìåôÜäïóç ãíþóåùò áëëÜ óõã÷ñüíùò êáé ðñùôßóôùò ãéá ôçí ìåôÜäïóç ôçò ðßóôåùò ôïõ Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý. Ôï áðüãåõìá ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò óõíáíôÞèçêå ìå ôïõò öïéôçôÝò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ôéò ïéêïãÝíåéÝò ôïõò óôïõò ïðïßïõò ìßëçóå êáé åß÷å ôçí åõêáéñßá íá áêïýóåé êáé íá áðáíôÞóåé åñùôÞìáôÜ ôïõò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí áíáêáßíéóç êáé äéáñêÞ íåüôçôá ðïõ áðïôåëåß ôï ìÞíõìá ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ êáé ôïõò ðáñüôñõíå íá ìåëåôïýí ôïõò ÐáôÝñåò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò áðü ôï ðñùôüôõðï êåßìåíï. ¸êáíå éäéáßôåñç áíáöïñÜ óôçí ðñïóðÜèåéá ðïõ ðñÝðåé íá êáôáâÜëëïõí ïé öïéôçôÝò ãéá ôçí åêìÜèçóç ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ôçí ïðïßá ÷áñáêôÞñéóå «ðëïýóéá êáé áóýãêñéôç» ùò
Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü äþñï êé åõëïãßá.
ãëþóóá. «¸÷ïõìå ôéò êëçñïíïìéêÝò êáôáâïëÝò, áò êÜíïõìå ìéá ðñïóðÜèåéá... íá ôçí ìÜèïõìå ãéá íá áðïëáýóïõìå ôïõò èçóáõñïýò ô[ ùí Ðáôåñéêþí êåéìÝíùí] óôï ðñùôüôõðï... Äåí åßíáé ç åêìÜèçóç ôçò Ýíáò åðéðëÝïí êüðïò áëëÜ åßíáé ìéá åðéðëÝïí ÷áñÜ», êáôÝëçîå. Áñãüôåñá óôç äéÜñêåéá ôïõ êáôáíõ-
êôéêïý åóðåñéíïý, ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò ðñïÝôñåøå ôï Åêêëçóßáóìá íá áðïôåëïýí üëïé æùíôáíü ðáñÜäåéãìá áëçèéíÞò åí ×ñéóôþ æùÞò áêïëïõèþíôáò ôçí ðñïôñïðÞ ôïõ Áðïóôüëïõ Öéëßððïõ ðñïò ôïí ÍáèáíáÞë «Ýñ÷ïõ êáé ßäå», þóôå íá ìåôáäþóïõí ôï ìÞíõìá ôçò ðíåõìáôéêÞò áíáôïëÞò óôï Ýñãï ôïõ åõáããåëéóìïý ôïõ ÍÝïõ Êüóìïõ. Ôï âñÜäõ, ÷ïñçãßá ôïõ æåýãïõò Ãåùñãßïõ êáé ÌÜñãêï Ìðå÷ñÜêç, ðáñåôÝèç åðßóçìï äåßðíï óôï ×Üñâáñíô ÊëÜìð ôçò Âïóôþíçò ðñïò ôéìÞí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôùí äýï åðåôåßùí. Ï Ëüãïò ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Þôáí ðáñáéíåôéêüò êáé êáôåõèõíôÞñéïò ãéá ôçí ðåñáéôÝñù ðñüïäï ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôùí åêðáéäåõôéêþí ìáò éäñõìÜôùí ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý. ×áñáêôÞñéóå ôéò áðïöÜóåéò éäñýóåùò ôùí ùò «ïéêïõìåíéêÞò ðñïïðôéêÞò» êáé ôï Ýùò ôþñá óõíôåëåóèÝí Ýñãï óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ «ãéãÜíôéï êáé èåÜñåóôï». Óôçí Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá, åßðå, õðÜñ÷åé ç óõíïëéêÞ áëÞèåéá êáé ðáñüôñõíå ãéá ìéá åéò âÜèïò ìåëÝôç êáé ãíþóç ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò. «¼ôáí äéáðñåðåßò óïöïß, üðùò ï Steven Ranciman, ðñïâëÝðïõí üôé ç Ïñèïäïîßá èá åßíáé ç Åêêëçóßá ôïõ ìÝëëïíôïò, ïöåßëïõìå êé åìåßò íá óõíåéäçôïðïéÞóïõìå ðïéü èçóáõñü êáôÝ÷ïõìå êáé íá åìâáèýíïõìå óôçí éäéáéôåñüôçôá áõôÞò Ýíáíôé Üëëùí èñçóêåéþí êáé äïãìÜôùí». Ôçí ÐáñáóêåõÞ 8 Ìáñôßïõ, ôåëåõôáßá ìÝñá ðáñáìïíÞò ôïõ óôçí Âïóôþíç, ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò äÝ÷èçêå óå áêñüáóç ôïõò êáèçãçôÝò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé áêïëïýèçóå óýóêåøç ìå ìÝëç ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ, êëçñéêïýò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Âïóôþíçò êáé åêðñïóþðïõò ôùí áðïöïßôùí.
ÏËÕÌÐÉÁÊÇ ÁÅÑÏÐÏÑÉÁ ÅÉÄÉÊÅÓ ÐÑÏÓÖÏÑÅÓ NewYork 2002 Íew York LARNACA ATHENS Áðü
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Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò áðïôáèåßôå óôïí ôáîéäéùôéêü óáò ðñÜêôïñá Þ óôçí ÏëõìðéáêÞ Áåñïðïñßá © ORTHODOX OBSERVER
ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ. Ôï äåýôåñï óêÝëïò ôçò Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞò åðßóêåøçò, ìå áöïñìÞ ôïõò åðåôåéáêïýò åïñôáóìïýò 80 ÷ñüíùí áðü ôçí ßäñõóç ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé 65 ÷ñüíùí ëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò, Ýöåñå ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê. Âáñèïëïìáßï óôçí Âïóôþíç êáé óõãêåêñéìÝíá óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï êáé óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, üðïõ êáé êáôÝëõóå ãéá ôá åðüìåíá äýï âñÜäéá. Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÁíÝùí êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Âïóôþíçò ê. Ìåèüäéïò ìáæß ìå ôï äéäáêôéêü ðñïóùðéêü,ôïí ðñüåäñï ð. Íéêüëáï Ôñéáíôáöýëëïõ, ôá ìÝëç ôçò Åöïñßáò êáé ôïõò óðïõäáóôÝò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ôïõ Êïëåãßïõ õðïäÝ÷èçêáí ìå èÝñìç êáé áãáëëßáóç ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáôÜ ôçí ÜöéîÞ ôïõ óôç Ó÷ïëÞ. Ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò óôïí ÷áéñåôéóìü ôïõ áíáöÝñèçêå êáé ðÜëé óôçí áíÜãêç åéñçíéêÞò óõíõðÜñîåùò ðïëëþí äéáöïñåôéêþí ðïëéôéóìéêþí ðáñáäüóåùí êáé èñçóêåõôéêþí ðåðïéèÞóåùí.
1-800-223-1226
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ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÖÅÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÓ - ÌÁÑÔÉÏÓ 2002
Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞ óôïñãÞ êáé áãÜðç ãéá ôï ëáü ôïõ Èåïý ÂÁÑÈÏËÏÌÁÉÏÓ: «Ëáìðñü ðñïïéùíßæåôáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ» ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ïé ìáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞôñéåò ôùí Ó÷ïëåßùí ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ óôçí Áóôüñéá åðåöýëáîáí ìéá èåñìÞ êáé Üäïëç õðïäï÷Þ óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê. Âáñèïëïìáßï óôïí ðñþôï ôïõ óôáèìü óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç. Ðñüóùðá ãåìÜôá ëÜìøç, ðåñéÝñãåéá êáé áíõðïìïíçóßá, áãüñéá êáé êïñßôóéá, åßíáé ç ãåíéÜ ðïõ ðñïóâëÝðåé óôï ìÝëëïí êáé êñáôÜ Üññçêôïõò ôïõò äåóìïýò ôçò ìå ôçí ðáñÜäïóç, ôçí ðßóôç ôùí ðáôÝñùí ôçò êáé ìå ôï êÝíôñï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò. ÐëÞèïò áíèïäÝóìåò, ýìíïé êáé ôñáãïýäéá ðëçììýñéóáí ôçí êïéíïôéêÞ áßèïõóá ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ êáèþò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôïõ ÃÝíïõò åéóÞëèå óôçí áßèïõóá êáé ìå öáíåñÞ ôçí éêáíïðïßçóç óôï ðñüóùðï åõëüãçóå ìáèçôÝò êáé äáóêÜëïõò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ìßëçóå óôçí íÝá ãåíéÜ ãéá ôçí äéðëÞ êëçñïíïìéÜ ôïõò êáé ôç óçìáóßá ôçò êáé óôÜèçêå éäéáßôåñá óôçí ùöÝëåéá êáé ÷ñçóéìüôçôá åêìÜèçóçò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ãëþóóáò, áðáñéèìþíôáò ôïõò ëüãïõò êáé åêèÝôïíôáò åðé÷åéñÞìáôá ãéá ôçí áîßá ôùí Åëëçíéêþí. «Ç ÅëëçíéêÞ ãëþóóá èá ðëïõôßóåé ôçí ðñïóùðéêüôçôÜ óáò ìå ôç ÷áñÜ ôçí ïðïßá ìüíï ï ãíþóôçò áõôÞò Ý÷åé áéóèáíèåß», êáôÝëçîå. Áêïëïýèçóå ÌÝãáò Ðáôñéáñ÷éêüò Åóðåñéíüò óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ ìåôÜ ôïí ïðïßï ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ìßëçóå ìå áãÜðç êáé ðáôñéêÞ óôïñãÞ óôï ðïëõðëçèÝò åêêëçóßáóìá. ÆÞôçóå áðü üëïõò íá äéáöõëÜîïõí ùò «êüñç ïöèáëìïý» ôçí ïìüíïéá êáé åíüôçôá ðïõ åðéêñáôåß óôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá «÷Üñéò óôçí öùôåéíÞ êáé åéñçíïðïéü ðñïóùðéêüôçôá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ». Ôüíéóå äå üôé «Ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ðñïïéùíßæåôáé ëáìðñüí êáé ðñÝðåé íá åßìåèá Ýôïéìïé íá áíôáðïêñéèþìåí åéò ôá áéôÞìáôá ôùí
ÌéÜ áãêáëéÜ ëïõëïýäéá ãéá ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç áðü ôá ðáéäéÜ óôçí Áóôüñéá
êáéñþí. Áßôçìá äå ôùí êáéñþí åßíáé ç åðßôåõîéò ôçò åíüôçôïò êáé óõíåñãáóßáò üëùí ôùí ïñèïäüîùí åéò üëá ôá ðíåõìáôéêÜ èÝìáôá êáé ôï Üíïéãìá ôùí êáñäéþí ìáò ðñïò ôïõò åôåñïäüîïõò, ïé ïðïßïé æçôïýí íá ãíùñßóïõí ôçí Ïñèïäïîßá». Ôï ßäéï âñÜäõ ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò åãêáéíßáóå öùôïãñáöéêÞ Ýêèåóç ôïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ Ìáããßíá ìå ôßôëï «Âáñèïëïìáßïò: 10 ×ñüíéá Äéáêïíßáò» ðïõ öéëïîÝíçóå ôï ÙíÜóåéï ºäñõìá ÁìåñéêÞò óôéò åãêáôáóôÜóåéò ôïõ óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç.
Ìíçìüóõíï êáé Ground Zero
Ôï ðñùß ôïõ ÓáââÜôïõ 9 Ìáñôßïõ, çìÝñá ðïõ ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò Ý÷åé êáèïñßóåé ùò ÓÜââáôï ôùí Øõ÷þí, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ÷ïñïóôÜôçóå ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÂáñâÜñáò óôï íüôéï ôìÞìá ôïõ Ìáí÷Üôôáí, ðïõ âñßóêåôáé êïíôÜ óôï óçìåßï ôçò ôñáãùäßáò ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ êáé ëåéôïýñãçóå ôüôå ùò êÝíôñï õðïóôÞñéîçò ôùí èõìÜôùí êáé
Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò áöÞíåé ëßãá ëïõëïýäéá, öüñï ôéìÞò óôïõò íåêñïýò ôçò ôñáãùäßáò ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ.
ôùí ïéêïãåíåéþí ôïõò. Óôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá êáé ôï ìíçìüóõíï ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå, ðáñÝóôçóáí ðïëëïß óõããåíåßò ôùí èõìÜôùí ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ êáèþò êáé åëëçíïáìåñéêáíïß ìÝëç ôùí óùìÜôùí ôçò ðõñïóâåóôéêÞò êáé ôçò áóôõíïìßáò. Åêåß ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ÷áñáêôÞñéóå ôçí ôñïìïêñáôéêÞ åíÝñãåéá ôçò 11 çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ «Ýãêëçìá öñéêôü êáé áðïôñüðáéï» êáé åõ÷Þèçêå íá ðñõôáíåýóåé ôï ðíåýìá ôïõ Èåïý, ôï ðíåýìá ôçò áäåëöéêÞò áãÜðçò
ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ
ãåéá ôçí ïðïßá ÷áñáêôÞñéóå «óáôáíïêßíçôïí êáé âäåëõñÜí ïìáäéêÞ áíèñùðïêôïíßá».
Ôï äåßðíï ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí
Ôï âñÜäõ ôïõ ÓáââÜôïõ ôï ÔÜãìá ôïõ Áãßïõ ÁíäñÝá ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ åôßìçóå ìå ôï Áèçíáãüñåéï Âñáâåßï Áíèñùðßíùí ÄéêáéùìÜôùí ôïí ðñþçí ðñüåäñï Ôæïñôæ Ìðïõò êáé ôç óýæõãü ôïõ ÌðÜñìðáñá, êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá
ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ
u óåë. 15 êáèéÝñùóç ôçò ¢êñáò Ôáðåéíþóåùò: îåêéíÜ ìå ôï ãåãïíüò ôçò óáñêþóåùò ôïõ Èåïý Ëüãïõ åí ôç êïéëßá ôçò ÐáñèÝíïõ Ìáñßáò êáé ôåëåéþíåé ìå ôï ãåãïíüò ôçò åãêëåßóåùò ôïõ Êõñßïõ, ôçò ôùí ðÜíôùí æùÞò, ó Ýíá êïéíü ôÜöï. ÌÝóá óôï äõíáìéêü ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý, åíõðÞñ÷å åí äõíÜìåé Ýíá áêüìç ãåãïíüò óùôçñßáò: ç ÇìÝñá ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Áíåîáñôçóßáò, ôçò ïðïßáò ç äéáêÞñõîç Ýãéíå óôçí ðëÝïí êáôÜëëçëç çìÝñá ôçò 25çò Ìáñôßïõ 1821. Ï Áñ÷Üããåëïò åß÷å Þäç åíèáññýíåé ôçí Èåïôüêï ëÝãïíôÜò ôçò «Ï Êýñéïò ìåôÜ óïõ». Ôï ßäéï áõôü ìÞíõìá ÷Üñéôïò êáé åõíïßáò Ýäùóå êïõñÜãéï êáé óôïõò ðïëßôåò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò, ïé ïðïßïé äéáôåëïýóáí õðü ôçí êáôáðßåóç ôçò ÏèùìáíéêÞò åðéêõñéáñ÷ßáò åðß ôÝóóåñéò áéþíåò. Ôï ìÞíõìá áõôü ôïõò üðëéóå ìå äýíáìç Üíùèåí þóôå íá õðáêïýóïõí óôçí êëÞóç ôçò åëåõèåñßáò êáé ôçò áîéïðñÝðåéáò êáé íá áöéåñùèïýí óôïí åéäéêü ñüëï êáé áðïóôïëÞ ôùí ùò Ýèíïò êáé ëáüò ìÝóá óôï ó÷Ýäéï ôçò èåßáò ïéêïíïìßáò. ¹ôáí áðïëýôùò ðåðåéóìÝíïé üôé ï Èåüò åí ôù åëÝåé Ôïõ èá åðÝâëåðå åðß ôçí ôáðåßíùóéí ôùí äïýëùí Áõôïý, üôé èá äéåóêüñðéæåí õðåñçöÜíïõò êáé üôé èá êáèåßëå äõíÜóôáò áðü èñüíùí (Ëïõê. 1: 4853), ÷áñßæïíôáò ó áõôïýò ðïõ ðåéíïýóáí ãéá åëåõèåñßá ðáí äþñçìá áãáèüí êáé ôÝëåéïí «Üíùèåí êáôáâáßíïí». ÌÝóù ôçò õðïó÷Ýóåùò ôçò ðáñïõóßáò ôïõ Èåïý óôç æùÞ ìáò, áðïëáìâÜíïõìå Ýíá äéðëü äþñï óôïí Åõáããåëéóìü ôçò Èåïôüêïõ. ÁõôÞ ôçí çìÝñá ãéíüìåèá ïé áðïäÝêôåò ôüóï ôçò óùôçñßáò ìáò áðü ôçí áìáñôßá êáé ôïí èÜíáôï, üóï êáé ôçò áðåëåõèåñþóåþò ìáò áðü ôçí êáôáðßåóç âéáßùí êáé áëáæüíùí áíèñþðùí êáé ëáþí. ÁõôÞ ç äéðëÞ åõëïãßá ðëçñïß ôçí êáñäéÜ ìáò ìå áíåßðùôç ÷áñÜ êáé âáèåéÜ åõãíùìïóýíç. Ìáò êÜíåé ðéï áðïöáóéóôéêïýò óôï íá äþóïõìå ôïõò åáõôïýò ìáò óôçí åõãåíÞ ðñïóðÜèåéá ôçò ðñïáãùãÞò ôçò åëåõèåñßáò êáé ôçò áîéïðñÝðåéáò. Ìáò êáèéóôÜ ðéï äõíáôïýò óôçí åîÜëåéøç üëùí ôùí ðáñáãüíôùí ðïõ åìðïäßæïõí ôïõò áíèñþðïõò íá ãåõèïýí ôçí óùôçñßá ç ïðïßá áíçããÝëèç êáôÜ ôçí çìÝñá ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý ôçò Èåïôüêïõ. Åßèå ï Èåüò íá åõëïãÞ áõôÞ ôçí åõãåíÞ ðñïóðÜèåéá êáé íá ðñïóöÝñç ôçí ÷Üñç ôçò ðáñïõóßáò Ôïõ óå üëïõò ôïõò åïñôáóìïýò ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý ôçò Èåïôüêïõ êáé ôçò ÇìÝñáò ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Áíåîáñôçóßáò óå êÜèå åíïñßá êáé ðüëç ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò. Ìå ðáôñéêÞ åí ×ñéóôþ áãÜðç
ÿ Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò
ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ
Ïé Ãåíéêïß Ðñüîåíïé ôçò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò êáé ôçò Êýðñïõ ê.ê. ÄçìÞôñçò ÐëáôÞò êáé Âáóßëåéïò Öéëßððïõ õðïäÝ÷ïíôáé ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáôÜ ôçí ÜöéîÞ ôïõ óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç.
êáé óõíåñãáóßáò. Íùñßò ôï ìåóçìÝñé ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáé ç áêïëïõèßá ôïõ, âñÝèçêáí óôï ãíùóôü ðéá ground zero. Åêåß ìå óõíôñéâÞ êáé óõãêßíçóç ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò ðñïóåõ÷Þèçêå ãéá ëßãá ëåðôÜ ðÜíù óôá åñåßðéá êáé áðÝèåóå ìéá áíèïäÝóìç. Áêïëïýèçóå åðéìíçìüóõíç äÝçóç, ðáñïõóßá ôùí ïéêïãåíåéþí êáé óõããåíþí ôùí èõìÜôùí, ôùí äéðëùìáôéêþí áñ÷þí ôçò ÅëëÜäïò êáé ôçò Êýðñïõ êáé ðëÞèïõò êüóìïõ. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò áðüôéóå öüñï ôéìÞò óôïõò áäßêùò èõóéáóèÝíôáò êáé åîåäÞëùóå ôçí óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ ôïõ óôïí äõóâÜóôá÷ôï ðüíï ôùí óõããåíþí ôùí èõìÜôùí êáé ïëüêëçñïõ ôïõ Áìåñéêáíéêïý ëáïý, êáôáäéêÜæïíôáò ãéá ìéá áêüìç öïñÜ ôçí ôñïìïêñáôéêÞ åíÝñ-
åðßóçìïõ äåßðíïõ óôï îåíïäï÷åßï ×ßëôïí ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. Ôï ðñùß ôçò ÊõñéáêÞò 10 Óåðôåìâñßïõ óôïí Êáèåäñéêü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ðñïåîÞñ÷å Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò, óõëëåéôïõñãïýíôùí ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ, ôùí Éåñáñ÷þí ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ êáé ôçò áêïëïõèßáò ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôùí Éåñáñ÷þí ôçò SCOBA. Óôï ôÝëïò ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò ÷åéñïèÝôçóå 44 íÝïõò Üñ÷ïíôåò óôç äéÜñêåéá ìéáò åíôõðùóéáêÞò ôåëåôÞò. Ç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá êáé ç ôåëåôÞ ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå ìåôáäüèçêå ôçëåïðôéêÜ óå üëï ôïí êüóìï êáé áíáìåôáäüèçêå ôáõôï÷ñüíùò áðü ôïõò ôñåéò ìåãáëýôåñïõò ôçëåïðôéêïýò óôáèìïýò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôá äïñõöïñéêÜ ôïõò ðñïãñÜììáôá.
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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SCHOLARSHIPS
Gioles Scholarships Applications Applications are now available for scholarships from the George and Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship Fund of the Archdiocese. The Gioles Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 with a generous gift in memory of George and Naouma Gioles. At least three scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded for the 2002-03 academic year. Selection of the recipients will be based on the following criteria: Recipients must be of the Greek Orthodox faith (with preference to those of Greek descent) and must be high school seniors at time of application or full-time matriculated students committed to serious study in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university. Recipients must plan to attend or plan on continuing their studies at the college or university of their choice in the next academic year. Recipients must provide required evidence to the Scholarship Committee of scholastic standing, including transcript records with a grade level of at least a B,
85 percent or 3.0 average. Recipients who are high school seniors must have achieved and must provide proof of a combined SAT score of 1,000 minimum. If the SAT is not administered, another measure used by the academic community should be substituted. Recipients must submit an application to the Scholarship Committee and be available for an interview at the Committee s discretion. Recipients must provide evidence of financial need. Preference will be given to candidates who are orphans and to those who are undertaking studies in the sciences, business and the arts, with one scholarship reserved for a candidate who has chosen to study journalism. Applications may be requested from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by calling (212) 570-3513 or by written request. Requests and applications should be sent to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Office of the Chancellor c/o Gioles Scholarship Fund 8 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021. The deadline for applications is April 15.
Agris Memorial Scholarship Event Set in May BOSTON The Alpha Omega Council, comprised of leading businesspersons of Hellenic ancestry, will honor its late founder by presenting the 10th annual Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships to several young Greek Americans pursuing studies in the fields of journalism or communications. The scholarships are given in honor of Peter Agris, founder and publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, for 50 years the premier Greek American national English-language weekly newspaper in this country. The $5,000 non-renewable scholarships will be presented at the Alpha Omega Council's annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner in May, when Archbishop Demetrios also will be honored for his contributions to Orthodoxy and Hellenism. In September 1950, at the age of 24, Peter Agris founded The Hellenic Chronicle, an English-language weekly newspaper targeting the Greek American community. The newspaper soon gathered a national following, making it the largest Greek American national weekly newspaper. It was filled with stories about personal achievements within the community, charitable causes, religious issues, social news, as well as current events in Greek politics and in U.S. policy. It also followed the organizations that Peter Agris took pride in, like AHEPA and the Alpha Omega Council, which he founded in 1976. Agris, who died in 1989, had high stan-
dards as an individual and as a journalist. At the Chronicle's 10th anniversary, Archbishop Iakovos called upon the newspaper to guide the steps of future generations. On Sept. 20, 2000, the 50th anniversary of the newspaper, The Hellenic Chronicle published its final edition. With the changing times came changes in the lives of Agris family members. However, with this scholarship, the Alpha Omega Council and the Agris family seek to continue to honor the great legacy Peter Agris has left to the Greek American community and to Orthodoxy in America and to support young aspiring journalists of Hellenic ancestry. In recent years, the Alpha Omega Council has contributed almost a half million dollars to various charitable organizations. Criteria for candidates includes: Greek American heritage; current full-time enrollment as a journalism or communications major at the graduate or undergraduate level in an accredited college or university in the United States; active participation in school, community, church organizations; a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need. Eligible candidates may request an application by accessing the Alpha Omega Council's website at www.alphaomegacouncil.com or by writing to: The Peter Agris Memorial Scholarship Committee, c/o Nancy Agris Savage, PO Box 754, Natick, MA 01760-3007.
New Hampshire Cathedral Awards 16 Scholarships MANCHESTER, N.H. Sixteen Greater Manchester Hellenic Scholarship Fund awards totaling $17,500 were presented recently during annual ceremonies at St. George Cathedral. The 13 recipients of $1,000 scholarships were Jennifer Aboshar, Eugenios Arfanakis, Nicholas Blatsos, Joy Boisvert, Alexander G. Gatzoulis, Erika Jaskolka, Kostas Kasametros, Mary Magoon, Matthew Mavrogeorge, Stephanie Murdough, Michael Poulios, Irene Tzimas, and Krista Xintaras. In addition, Stephanie Statires was named the Coucouvitis and Pappas Family Scholar; Angela Giavroutas was named
the Kachavos Family Scholar; and Marissa O Neil was named the Spanos Family Scholar. Each of these scholarship awards was in the amount of $1,500. By merging the Spanos Memorial Scholarship Fund, the Coucouvitis and Pappas Memorial Scholarship Award, and the Kachavos Scholarship Fund, the Greater Manchester Hellenic Scholarship Fund was formed in the year 2000. Like its predecessors, the mission of the fund is to provide financial assistance to high school seniors or college students of Greek descent. Students must display quantities that include academic performance, financial need, and leadership in the community.
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
OCMC Meets with SCOBA Hierarchs Let Light Shine Out of Darkness ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.- During the past few weeks, staff and board members of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) met with Archbishop Demetrios, chairman of SCOBA (the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas) and with Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox church in America, to present OCMC s current programs and initiatives and discuss its upcoming capital campaign. This is part of its effort to meet with all the hierarchs of SCOBA. The capital campaign will enable OCMC to sustain future growth by establishing an endowment for its programs and funding the building of a new Mission Center. The new center will accommodate a 30-person staff and will include room for the orientation and training of short and long-term missionaries. In the past year OCMC added eight new families
to its missionary force and increased its staff by 33 percent. The hierarchs response was both enthusiastic and encouraging, Fr. Martin said. OCMC also visited Archbishop Iakovos, the former primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. This provided a wonderful opportunity for OCMC to meet with His Eminence and to bring him up-to-date with the current efforts (of OCMC), Capital Campaign Director Athan Stephanopoulos said. His Eminence was excited to see where the Mission Center is going and blesses its future endeavors, he said. Archbishop Iakovos was instrumental in the formation of the Archdiocesan Mission Center, which, under his direction, came under the auspices of SCOBA in 1994 and was renamed the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
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T
he morning of Tuesday, Sep tember 11, 2001 was shap ing up to be one of the most spectacular days of the year in New York City and most of the East Coast. Light winds, warm, brilliant sunshine and miles and miles of visibility quickly gave way to a large and ominous cloud.
ter celebrations and festivals of light were pagan celebrations centered on the worship of stars. Much like certain Christmas parties today, pagan winter celebrations included drunkenness, debauchery, orgies and other reckless behaviors. While MTV may host hedonism weeks during the winter, some of these pagan festivals went on for several weeks and up to a month. While by Fr. Angelos Artemas experiencing light during darkness may Darkness engulfed not only the be a universal human desire, not everycapital of the world but also the hearts one seeks light in the same way. Why do so many people love to see and minds of evildoers. The memory of Christmas lights, and why do so many that day may allow the darkness to linwives and daughters beg their husbands ger, but light must shine in the darkand fathers to put up Christmas lights ness. It is human nature to associate evil earlier rather than later? It is because with darkness. Different cultures, reli- light makes people feel better (why men gions and generations have done so. In generally don t have the same intense what may be just a coincidence, most desire for Christmas lights may reflect of the United States switches back from that men are more comfortable with daylight savings time just in time for darkness, but that is another subject alHalloween; thereby guaranteeing it will together). Why do so many people desire a be dark when most kids are going out white Christmas? Snow reflects light and for candy. makes nighttime seem brighter. This Darkness and Halloween seem to also makes people feel better. go together, and that is perhaps why a For Orthodox Christians the Feast growing number of parents are concerned about the safety of their children, of Epiphany is often referred to as the festival of lights, and and perhaps why a Epiphany was historigrowing number In Him was life, and the cally celebrated before of household are brightening up life was the light of men, there was a Christmas feast. their homes with While Bible scholHalloween lights and the light shines in the ars and historians genand decorations. darkness, and the darkness erally agree that Jesus Parents often has not overcome it. Christ was probably expect their teenborn in the early John 1:4 agers to be back spring, the 4th century home before it gets too late. This may annoy many teen- Christian Church established the Feast agers, but parents worry for good rea- of the Nativity of Christ during the Winson. According to the FBI, 85 percent of ter Solstice. This was done to show the murders and rapes in this country occur star worshipers (many of who were after midnight. Most alcohol related auto Christians) that Jesus Christ is the Light accidents occur after midnight. High of the World and the Sun of Righteousschool and college students who drink ness. The desire for light during darkand get drunk usually do so after the Sun ness would be quenched by the birth of has set. Raves, keggers and parties don t Jesus Christ, not by artificial light and take place in the middle of the afternoon. sinful behavior. On the Sunday after Epiphany in the Late night partying is a staple of popular Orthodox Church, the Gospel reading culture. Bad things happen at night, and from Matthew 4:16 quotes the prophet this is not unique to our time. Many people have observed that Isaiah as follows: The people who sat in more people are depressed, die, or at- darkness have seen a great light, and tempt suicide during the Christmas sea- upon those who sat in the region and son. While this may or may not be sta- shadow of death Light has dawned. The tistically accurate, it is not the holidays great light that shines is Jesus Christ, and that depress people. There are holidays with His birth, baptism and ministry the in April, May, July and September also. people anticipate the Good News of His The difference with the Christmas sea- Resurrection. In the well-known Gospel of the son is that it occurs during the time of Pascha Resurrection Liturgy, John writes the year when there is the greatest darkness. It is the lack of light that depresses in 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in people, not the holidays. The Winter Solstice (December 22) the darkness, and the darkness has not is the day with the shortest amount of overcome it. Whether it is the actions of sunlight. This is as true in Fargo, North evildoers or simply the rotation of the Dakota as it is in the Sunshine State. De- earth around the sun, darkness will not creasing sunlight affects the physical overcome the blessings and the life that body as well as the emotions and is granted from the Light of the World. After Christmas, days become psyche. longer again until June 22nd. People beAlmost every religion and culture known to mankind has had some kind gin to feel better and have more hope. of Winter Solstice holiday. Most of these If that hope is steeped in God, darkness holidays and celebrations have some- will never prevail. Through Jesus Christ, thing to do with celebrating light. There God has overcome the world and has is a universal human desire for light dur- conquered darkness. As we look back ing darkness, and this is not only mani- on a difficult year, let us embrace the love of God and let us walk in the Light. fested by night-lights in babies rooms. Unfortunately, many of these win- (II Corinthians 4:6)
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
The Voice of Greenlawn Chapter Offers Community Outreach The mission statement of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society has been from its inception: To aid the poor, the destitute, the hungry, the aged, the sick, the unemployed, the orphaned, the imprisoned, the widowed, the handicapped, the victims of disasters ..and to offer assistance to anyone who may need the help of the church . The Philoptochos of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, N.Y., under the spiritual guidance of the Very Rev. Archimandrite John A. Heropoulos and the leadership of the past and present Philoptochos presidents, Maria Kouttron and Anastasia G. Geotes respectively, has been exemplary in fulfilling this mission statement. In 2001 the chapter has not only supported the institutions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America through the National Philoptochos commitments, but has offered philanthropic outreach to the local community in a myriad of ways. The scope of the St. Paraskevi Philoptochos is to reach members of the community of all ages regardless of their religious or ethnic background who are in need of assistance. The ministry the St. Paraskevi Life Center provides new mothers who are in financial need with new layette items, diapers and the like for their babies. This past year, 13 new families received cribs, car seats, highchairs, strollers and other items, as they were required. The chapter has helped those in need, especially the abused and terminally ill. Children have been assisted through donations to Project Mexico (an Orthodox Orphanage for abused and homeless boys), Don Monti Memorial Center for terminally ill children, Schneider s Children s Hospital, Carillon Nursing Home, Huntington Station Family Center and the Huntington Community Food Council. In the fall, school supplies and clothing were donated to children living with their mothers at a Safe House run by the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Books were also collected and donated to the Reading Book Program for Children . Toys were collected at Christmas time for donation to abused and terminally ill children and volunteers knitted over 100 hats for young cancer patients. The Philoptochos reaches out to the elderly and the sick through its Care Ministry. A dedicated group of volunteers visits 15 homebound and nursing home residents several times per month. These residents had their rooms decorated at Christmas and were given gifts by the Ministry volunteers; they were cheered with palms on Palm Sunday and gifts of plants at Easter. The Care Ministry was proud to host a luncheon at the Church for 13 residents of St. Michael s Home for the Aged. Fellow parishioners were asked to support the Philoptochos drive for used eyeglasses and cell phones and they responded beautifully. The eyeglasses were sent to people in underdeveloped countries and the cell phones were donated to Suffolk County Social Services Department where they were reprogrammed to call 911 only, and then given to the elderly and to abused women for emergency use. Philanthropy in this parish doesn t stop with Philoptochos but extends itself down even to its youngest members. The GOYA, JOY and HOPE groups learn the meaning of loving one another and caring for all
Philoptochos
36th National Philoptochos Convention Set for LA The 36th National Biennial Philoptochos is scheduled for June 30July 4 in conjunction with the Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles. National President Eve Condakes announces that under the direction of Archbishop Demetrios, executive chairman, plans for this exciting and memorable conference, which brings together Philoptochos members from across the country, are well under way. As general chairman, President Condakes of Swampscott, Mass., a member of the Annunciation Cathedral Philoptochos Society in Boston, announced the following: Loula Anaston, Los Altos, Calif., president of the Diocese of San Francisco Philoptochos, has been appointed Convention chairman. She will be assisted by Vice Chairman Maria Logus, Brooklyn, N.Y., first vice president of the National Philoptochos Board; Vice Chairman Susan Regos, Westchester, Ill., secretary of the National Philoptochos Board and past president of
the Diocese of Chicago Philoptochos; and Vice Chairman Georgia Vlitas, Staten Island, N.Y., chairman of the standing committees of National Philoptochos and first vice president of the Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board. Miss Logus will also serve as chairman of the Bylaws and Resolutions Committee while Mrs. Vlitas and Mrs. Regos will also serve as convention secretaries. National Philoptochos Greek secretary Aspasia Melis, Cliffside Park, N.J., and Kalli Tsitsipas, Huntington, Conn., will assume Greek secretarial duties. The Diocese of San Francisco under the leadership of Host Committee Chairmen Kathy Gabriel, Irvine, Calif., second vice president of National Philoptochos; Rose Kamages Hunter, Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, Calif., and Koula S. McCormick, Oakland, Calif., will perform the duties of the Host Committee. More details of the Convention will appear in upcoming issues of the Orthodox Observer.
Chicago Diocese Philoptochos Serves Benefit Luncheon The Diocese of Chicago Philoptochos recently hosted its benefit luncheon, which included many priests, Philoptochos members and friends of Philoptochos from throughout the diocese. A Tribute to Holy Cross Continuing the Orthodox Way, the theme of this year s luncheon, was the inspiration of Chairman Marilyn Tzakis to show appreciation and love for priests of the Diocese. The afternoon started with a welcome
by President Mary Ann Bissias. She introduced Marilyn Tzakis who greeted the guests and stated, Today we honor all our priests who have served and dedicated themselves to their parishes and to the pursuit of the continuation of Orthodoxy everywhere. In the absence of Metropolitan Iakovos, the Very Rev. Father Timothy Bakakos, president of the Clergy Syndesmos, delivered the invocation.
Toledo Chapter Holds Quilt-a-thon TOLEDO, Ohio Holy Trinity Philoptochos members recently sponsored a quilt-a-thon to raise money for local charitable organizations. The one-day event produced a large quantity of quilts with the held of many parishioners, including Goyans, members of the Maids of Athena and Sons of
PAGE 21
Pericles, and senior citizens. The parish priest, Fr. Chris Hadjigeorge praised the Philoptochos chapter and acknowledged the work of the committee and participants in the quilt-a-thon and offered prayers for the at risk children who would receive these gifts of comfort.
Palos Hills Chapter Holds Crafts Bazaar PALOS HILLS, Ill. St. Helen Philoptochos Society at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church recently held their 16th annual Holiday Crafts and Gifts Bazaar, which featured Greek food and pastry.
The event featured more than 70 exhibitors who displayed glass works, handmade clothing, holiday ceramics, wreaths, jewelry and other gift and home decorating items.
God s people through their own efforts. Over the holidays 50 baskets of food were prepared, complete with turkeys, for local families. The teens distributed 2 vanloads of clothing and blankets as well as over 150 sandwiches, soup and coffee to the homeless on the New York City streets on a Midnight Run lasting from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Hundreds of gifts were collected through the parish Star Program and Angel Box, as well as gift filled shoeboxes which were filled to brighten the Christmas of disadvantaged children. And because philanthropy doesn t begin or end with one church group or
individual, but can only succeed with the participation of all at each and every level, this dynamic parish donated over $12,000 to the Archdiocese September 11th Relief Fund, paid a year s rent for a needy family whose son suffers from a severe brain injury and also paid for the surgery of a woman who lost an eye in an accident. The Philoptochos Chapter of Saint Paraskevi hopes that by example the youth of our parish will one day become members of Philoptochos as well as become good stewards of all God s blessings upon our less fortunate brothers and sisters in Christ.
Boston Chapters Host Presidents’ Forum BOSTON Diocese of Boston Philoptochos sponsored its first in a series of workshops that will be presented for all the Philoptochos chapters in the Boston Diocese. The Diocese Center was filled to capacity with over 23 chapters in attendance. by Francesca Callas
Metropolitan Methodios in his opening remarks reminded us of the purpose of Philoptochos and urged us to go into our communities and offer help wherever it may be needed. The chairmen decided that, Philoptochos Awareness in Your Community Forum was a solid start for the next two-year term. The forum was attended by seven new presidents and over 100 members. The intent of the forum was to share as much information about established communication links that chapters have used in the past and could adapted for the future. Chairwoman Carol Travayakis, welcomed all the chapters and offered her thoughts on Philoptochos and how very fortunate that we as women can help in so many ways to so many people. Carol outlined in detail the importance of communication for a more successful Philoptochos. Her heartfelt opening remarks only conveyed how the Philoptochos Board is eager to have all of the chapters of the Diocese grow and be successful. Diane Miminos, 1st Vice President spoke on Membership and explained the Diocesan and National obligations. Diane offered many ways to increase our membership and the importance of following an agenda at our monthly meetings. She also reviewed with the ladies sections of the 140 page binder with her own personal experiences as a past chapter president and how we must adapt things to our own chapters and membership. Helen Sampsonis, second vice president spoke on the group s goals as Philoptochos. The goal is to increase our meeting attendance by 20 percent and to increase our membership the same. This is something the Diocese Board was able to achieve at this forum by increasing our attendance by 30 percent. Some suggestions were to have special speakers and more personal contact with ladies who are not in Philoptochos. Helen also offered a sample selection of letters, flyers, and meeting suggestions. President Merope Kapetanakis also welcomed all the ladies and reviewed the Diocese Board responsibilities and commitments. She presented Past President Christine Karavities with a bouquet of roses and a Past Presidents pin and thanked Christine for her service over the past term. After a very successful morning brunch was served. Hopefully the representatives of the 23 chapters present will bring some new ideas to their Philoptochos chapters.
Philoptochos News Philoptochos chapters are asked to submit their news items and photographs for the Orthodox Observer directly to the National Philoptochos Office on East 74th Street in New York, which, in turn, will forward the items to the Observer.
PAGE 22
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
viewpoint
The Patriarch s Visit to Ground Zero byHarry Moskos
NEW YORK Nestled in the shadow of New York s World Trade Center towers at 155 Cedar Street was St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church established in 1916 by immigrants. Every Wednesday, the church s pastor, the Rev. John D. Romas, would open the doors of St. Nicholas to Orthodox Christians as well as to non-Orthodox who sought a weekly respite from their hectic lives. Every Wednesday, that is, until Sept. 11, 2001. When the twin towers of the World Trade Center came tumbling down that day so did tiny St. Nicholas demolished under tons of debris that covered the area. So devastating was the damage that no on would ever had known there had been a church there unless they were familiar with the area. Gone, but not forgotten. This past weekend, to mark the sixmonth anniversary of the terrorist attack, the spiritual leader of nearly 300 million Eastern Orthodox Christians throughout the world, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, came to the site from his see in Istanbul, Turkey, to pray not only for the 35 Greek Orthodox who died that day but for all of the 2,830 victims who unjustly lost their lives and for those who fell in the rescue attempt. Describing ground zero as a place of unbearable pain, the Patriarch said he came to pray for the repose of their souls and to comfort their families and friends. At Ground Zero, flanked by Father Romas and Archbishop Demetrios, Bartholomew said St. Nicholas would be rebuilt at the site. The Patriarch also appealed to the international community that all nations abstain from using terrorism so that the hideous atrocity of mass murder shall never occur again. Later that evening he continued on that theme by saying that the church contributes to the shaping of public opinion and veers it toward virtue, to the condemnation of terrorism like the inhuman acts of Sept. 11. Before going to ground zero, the Patriarch celebrated services at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, a church started in 1926 by struggling immigrants but
which now finds itself at the edge of New York s Chinatown. In his homily at St. Barbara, Bartholomew prayed for the innocent victims of an atrocious attack, adding, God grant rest to them. St. Barbara was selected for the Patriarch s visit for three reasons. It marked the first time a patriarch had ever visited the church, St. Barbara is the patron saint of firefighters and because it was the first Orthodox church to open its doors as a relief center offering counseling, food and shelter following the attack. Its pastor, the Rev. John Angel, described the day as both a joyous and said occasion as we remember those we have lost. The memorial service was held on Saturday of Souls. Several firefighters attended both services. This is what I needed, a good talking from someone who is closer to God than I am. We thank him for coming and lifting our spirits, said Lt. Ed Aretakis, an FDNY firefighter for 29 years. The Patriarch s visit also lifted the spirits of family members who lost family that day. Anthoula Katsimatides lost her brother John, a corporate bonds broker, who was on the 104th floor of Tower One. In August, he went to the Greek isle of Nisyros to visit the hometown of his parents and then came home to celebrate his 31st birthday on Sept. 5, his sister said, adding, and then this happened. Ironically, her brother made it a point to attend St. Nicholas every Wednesday. Describing the Patriarch s visit as inspirational, Anthoula Katsimatides, an assistant for community affairs to New York Gov. George Pataki, said, By taking the time to come down to offer his blessings, he eases our pain even though it is hard to be here. Making this more difficult is that the body of her brother has not been recovered, but now she hopes his remains are not found. I am better off just thinking he has just vanished and is up in God s arms. Harry Moskos, an Archon, is a columnist for the Albuquerque Journal and retired editor of the Knoxville Sentinel.
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
B O O K S Whatever Happened To Truth? By Anthony M. Coniaris Light & Life Publishing Company, Minneapolis, 2001 In his recent book, Whatever Happened to Truth, Anthony Coniaris enters the perennial debate about truth. Is truth absolute or relative, ever-changing? Heraclitus, the ancient Greek phiby Fr. Alexander Veronis
losopher, once said all things change. One can never step into the same river twice. On the second try, the running water has become different. Some thinkers extend this philosophical concept to all areas of life, including religion and morality. They reject the idea of absolute truth in anything. Coniaris disagrees. He tries to show in his book, with persuasive and thoughtprovoking argument, that truth does remain constant, especially in the realm of morality and religion. The Christian teaching that God is love is a constant, an absolute. That fact never changes. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, the Bible states as another absolute. Contrary to the situation ethicists who teach the new morality as contingent on circumstances, Coniaris defends the Ten Commandments as absolute moral directives. God gave them to us written not on tissue paper but on stone tablets never to be tampered with or revised. Being politically correct , Coniaris argues, motivates some today to collapse in defending the truth. People care more about what fickle, popular culture thinks at a given time than what the Bible and the Church proclaim as truth through-
out the centuries. They want a sanitized Jesus who offends no one and tolerates all and anything. Relativism supercedes permanent truth. As a modern apologist of Orthodox Christianity, Coniaris, prolific and wellread as always, defends the faith by resorting to history, tradition, the Bible, the Church, and to great minds past and present. His many quotes include Scripture, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God, , G.K. Chesterton, Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, is of infinite importance, and Georges Florovsky who said, truth is living and existential, an ever-challenging reality in the life of every Christian. Changed lives, contends Coniaris, offer persuasive evidence in acknowledging Christ as the truth, the way, and the life. Thousands and tens of thousands in every generation speak of the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Where, by comparison, are the transformed disciples of agnostics? asks Coniaris. The truth of Christ is not abstract, he maintains. Read this book. It provides convincing arguments for believing in absolute truth as the Church understands it in Jesus Christ. The law was given by Moses. Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ, wrote the Evangelist John. Coniaris book agrees with and defends this statement. Clergy, teachers, parents, counselors and all who cherish Orthodox Christianity will find in Coniaris s book an effective resource in defining it as truth par excellence.
What Makes and Breaks Relationships Peter M. Kalellis. Restoring Relationships: Five Things to try before you say goodbye. (The Crossroad Publishing co., New York, 2001), 176 pages, $16.95. It is for two reasons why I highly recommend this new book to both couples in a shaky marriage, and to clergymen and family counselors whose task is to help and save troubled marriages. Furthermore the book considers problematic relationships between parents and children, coworkers, business partners and even teammates. by Fr. Demetrios J. Constantelos
The author brings together his theological knowledge (he is a graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School), his professional training as a psychotherapist and family therapist (he holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Seton Hall University), and his vast experience as a practicing psychotherapist and succeeds in writing a very useful book. In a simple and direct language he explains complex psychological problems and provides tried guides and tools that help restoring healthy and happy relationships. In five parts and sixteen chapters, Dr. Kalellis writes that communication alone, as popular wisdom advocates, is not the answer to many troubled relationships.
Thus he proceeds in a step-by-step pedagogical way to discuss the five things to try before you say goodbye that determine the restoration of shaky relationships. The first step is the presence of a strong desire, a surrender to the goal of achieving the restoration, a surrender, however, that requires the healing of anger. Anger is a destructive element in any relationship. Appeasing anger leads to forgiveness, an indispensable virtue to inner peace, to a healthy communication, to love, the essence of Christian faith and practice. The replacement of anger and lack of communication with forgiveness and love produces a happier and longer life. Dr. Kalellis, author of several books, including the most successful Pick Up Your Couch and Walk, inspired from Jo. 5:8 (cf.Mat.9:6, Lk 5:24) has written a refreshing book that convincingly explores what breaks and what restores relationships. It is a most useful guide to professionals and non-professionals alike. It needs to be studied in order to be appreciated. Demetrios J. Constantelos is Charles Cooper Townsend Sr. Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History and Religion Distinguished Research Scholar in Residence at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey Pomona, New Jersey 08240
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PEOPLE F
u SAE Plans
World Council of Hellenes Abroad President Andrew A. Athens recently met with officials of the Greek and U.S. governments, and launched plans for the construction of a medical center in Ukraine, and other projects that include the organization s first micro-enterprise programs. The new medical center for the Hellenes will be built in Mariupol.
u Candidate visit
Businessman Dennis Mehiel, a candidate for lieutenant governor of New York, recently met with Archbishop Demetrios at Archdiocese headquarters. Mr. Mehiel is chairman and CEO of Sweetheart Cup Company. He is a former member of the Archdiocesan Council and a long-time member of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund. Joining him in the visit were supporters Michael Jaharis and John Catsimatidis, current and immediate past vice chairmen of the Archdiocesan Council.
u Joins faculty
Dr. Tom Papademetriou, son of Hellenic College/Holy Cross professor Rev. Dr. George Papademetriou, recently was appointed to the arts and humanities faculty at Richard Stockton College in New Jersey. A graduate of Holy Cross-Hellenic College, he will teach a course in modern Hellenism. Dr. Papademetriou joins the Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos and Dr. Alexander Alexakis in the Hellenic Studies Program.
u Life members
AHEPA Chapter 520 in Palm Harbor, Fla., recently bestowed Life Member status on four members: Basil Delis, Steve Noumas, Nick Prinos and Peter Zafferes. Most are members of Holy Trinity parish in Clearwater.
u Publishes book
The Rev. Dr. Dumitru Macaila, pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Swansea, Ill., and a contributor to the Orthodox Observer, recently published The Right to Life, on the Orthodox teaching on the issue of abortion and sanctity of human life. It includes relevant Bible passages and teachings of the Church Fathers. It is published by Regina Orthodox Press.
u Olympic notes
The Salt Lake City Winter Olympics featured a number of Greek American athletes. Chris Chelios of the National Hockey League s Detroit Red Wings, served as captain of Team USA, which made it to the gold medal round before losing to Canada and settling for silver. Greek America magazine reports that two Chicago natives, John Andrew Kambanis and Steven Livaditis, comprised Greece s two-man bobsled team. (Move over Jamaicans). Another sledder, Michael Voudouris of Ridgewood, Queens, N.Y., was Greece s entry in the newest event added to the Winter Olympics, Skeleton racing. Finally, the U.S. Curling Team had two Greek Americans the coach, Mike Liapis and his daughter Stacy.
u Tennessee scouts
Two young members of Holy Trinity Church in Nashville, Michael Joseph Kennedy and Steve Aivazis, were honored at a recent Eagle Scout Court of Honor after attaining this highest scout rank at the church.
PAGE 23
Out in the West Texas Town of El Paso
or such a small community, St. Nicholas parish consists of an eclectic combination of Greek Orthodox Christians. According to Fr. Patrick Irish, a convert to the faith from Roman Catholicism, members include Greek immigrants, American-born second generation, Mexican Greeks from Mexico married to Mexicans who became Catholic, then returned to Orthodoxy, Interracial couples from Greece, Russian immigrants living across the border in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and na-
PARISH
purchased a former synagogue and established St. Nicholas Church. Little else is known about the early years. Fr. Irish said he recently buried the last surviving member of the founding generation, Mrs. Angelos. By the 1950s, the numbers dwindled and many began attending St. George Syrian Antiochian Church, the other jurisdiction in this city of more than 600,000, founded by Spanish explorers in the late 1500s. The community continued to own the church building, but rented it out as a hall
items. At one point, visiting priest Fr. John Bakas, now dean of the Los Angeles cathedral wrote on the suitcase with a marking pen, St. Nicholas on the Rio Grande. It was a lot of people working together with the indirect help of the Episcopal Church and Roman Catholic churches, but the spark that got it all rolling came from Fr. Charles and Fr. Nick, Moskos said of the successful reestablishment of the church. By the mid-1980s, full-time priests
profile
Name: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Location: El Paso, Texas Diocese: Denver Size: about 40 families Founded: 1926 Clergy: Fr. Patrick Irish Noteworthy: Membership consists of a wide mix of Orthodox Christians tive Mexican converts. With such small numbers from a diverse background, the Irish-American priest has his work cut out for him. The border is a different world, it s not like Ohio or Chicago or California. When you re on the border you re not fish or fowl, but both, he said in a telephone interview. Because there is no persistent Orthodox presence, trying to bring people back to their faith is almost nil or impossible, Fr. Irish said. If people do decide to come back, it s a good thing. The priest started on his path in the faith at age 19 when he converted, looking for the truth. He was chrismated at St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles but soon joined the Russian Church Abroad, one of the four major jurisdictions that came into being following the 1917 Bolshevik El Paso Revolution in Russia. From the Russian Church Fr. Irish joined the Greek Old Calendar Church and was ordained in 1987. He returned to the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad as a priest and was installed in 1988 as rector of Holy Resurrection Church in Santa Barbara, Calif. He is a native of northern California. He eventually renewed his acquaintance with Metropolitan Isaiah and, desiring to transfer to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, was accepted and assigned to El Paso in 1990. With such a diverse group, services take on an international flavor. Fr. Irish celebrates the Divine Liturgy using about 80 percent English, with the rest in Greek, and also reads the Lord s Prayer in Spanish and Slavonic. The original community dates to the early 1920s. In 1926, the Hellenic Community of El Paso, as it was known,
ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CÇURCH until the early 1960s. It was eventually sold and later became a dance studio. By the late 1970s the church had disbanded and there were no services. Then, in 1980, St. Nicholas Mission parish was created, largely through the efforts of a small group that included Harry Moskos, an Archon, who at the time was editor of the El Paso Herald-Post. Years before, he helped organize the parish in Honolulu. Key catalysts in the successful restart were two clergymen from Houston. The Very Rev. Charles Anastassiou, of blessed memory, former longtime pastor of Assumption Church in Galveston who was serving as an assistant at Annunciation Cathedral in Houston, met several times with organizers in 1980. Its reestablishment was brought to fruition by Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, then dean of the Houston cathedral, some 750 miles to the east.Armed with the Word of God, an ample supply of Southwest Airlines tickets and sporting his favorite cowboy boots, he commuted monthly for more than a year to bring Greek Orthodox Christianity to this border community. He formed a friendship with the Roman Catholic bishop of El Paso and eventually arranged for the parish to rent, and then buy an existing church on less than an acre of land, which includes a separate building used as a hall. Mr. Moskos, in an e-mail response, remembered a humorous story about having to operate out of a blue suitcase when services were held temporarily at other facilities, including an Episcopal church. It was kept in the Moskos home until needed. We put the chalice, censor and other items in the blue suitcase, he said. We later had to expand to a second (black) suitcase as we acquired more
served, including Frs. Lambros Vakalakis, Dean Demos, Leonidas Drakopoulos and Anastasios Raptis. Today, the parish attracts faithful on both sides of the Rio Grande, though there is an added hardship for those from Mexico. Fr. Irish said that since Sept. 11, crossing the U.S. border takes as long as three hours because of tight security. The relative isolation of the city makes inter-parish activities extremely difficult. The closest Greek Orthodox communities in the Denver Diocese are Albuquerque, N.M. (a four-hour drive), Santa Fe, N.M. (a five-hour drive), and San Angelo, Texas, (about 12 hours away). He noted there is a sense of solidarity with the Antiochian parish. There s really one Orthodox community with two churches, he said. People go back and forth. He estimates there may be six times as many Orthodox of Syrian and Lebanese background, than of Greek heritage. Currently, there are about a dozen children in the parish of varying ages. Sunday School takes place following the Divine Liturgy. The children are in church first so they re not separated from the Liturgy, said Fr. Irish. Meanwhile, parents spend the time at the coffee hour. There is no Greek school. St. Nicholas also has an active Philoptochos chapter. Parish income is derived from pledges, and depends heavily on the annual Greek festival. We do a real kicker of a Greek festival, Fr. Irish said. If it wasn t for the festival, we wouldn t survive. He uses the festival as a didactic tool, remaining on the grounds throughout the event to do church tours and speak about the Orthodox faith, always hoping to attract new members. We really need families, please move here, he pleaded. compiled by Jim Golding
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
In Memoriam Fr. Nicholas J. Billiris LONG BEACH, Calif. Fr. Nicholas J. Billiris, 86, died July 29. He retired in 1983 after serving as priest of Assumption Church in Long Beach since August 1949. He was born on the island of Kalymnos, Greece, on June 8, 1915 and came to the United States in February 1947. Fr. Billiris attended public school in Kalymnos and the Kapodistriakon Theological School in Athens. He married Calliope G. Zervou of Kalymnos in April 1946. She died Aug. 11
at age 78. He was ordained as a deacon and a priest in July 1949 at St. Barbara Church in New York by Bishop Germanos Polizoides. He was bestowed the offikia of confessor in January 1951 and economos in April 1952 by Archbishop Athenagoras, and protopresbyter by Bishop Christianoupoleos Meletios. Funeral services took place Aug. 2 with Fr. Nick Milatos officiating. Presbytera Billiris funeral was Aug. 16.
Fr. George Demetrios Gregory ROSEMONT, Pa. Fr. George D. Gregory, a former pastor of St. Luke Church in Broomall, Pa., died Aug. 15. He was 74. Fr. Gregory was born April 11, 1927 in Worcester, Mass. He attended Worcester public schools and entered Holy Cross School of Theology, receiving a diploma in 1950. He later attended Crozer Theological School in Chester, Pa., receiving a master s degree in ecclesiastical history in 1968 and a master s of divinity degree in 1970.
Fr. Gregory was ordained as a deacon and a priest in June 1951 by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzus. He served the parish of All Saints in Weirton, W.Va., from September 1951 to August 1957, and then was assigned to Holy Trinity Church in Canton, Ohio, where he served until Aug. 26, 1963. He then was assigned to Broomall. He married Cleopatra Economos of Athens, Greece, in May 1951. They had two children, Maria and Demetra.
Fr. George Hiotis Fr. George Hiotis, a retired priest, died Dec. 16. He was born December 19, 1909 in New York and moved to Vlahioti, Sparta, Greece, at age 8 with his parents, Cosmas and Anastasia. He was married in Greece to Anastasia Sempepos in November 1931. After completing the theological school in Corinth, he was ordained to the Holy Diaconate on Jan. 17, 1937 and to the Holy Priesthood on Nov. 5, 1937. Fr. George served two communities in Greece, and returned to the United States with his family in September 1946. He served the parishes of Great Falls, Montana; Middletown, Ohio; Reading,
Pa; Lincoln Park, Mich.; and Dayton, Ohio. He retired in Dayton in 1972 and assisted Frs. Philemon Payiatis, Jerry Tasikas and Stratton Dorozenski. He was preceded in death by Presbytera Anastasia on June 7, 2001. Surviving are two sons, Cosmas and wife, Sue, of Dayton; and Chris and wife, Marilyn, of Jamesburg, N.J.; five grandchildren, Anastasia of St. Petersburg, FL, George of Zanesville, Ohio, Olympia of Columbus, Ohio, Ann Marie of New Jersey, and George of New Hampshire; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral took place Dec. 22, at Annunciation Church in Dayton, officiated by Bishop Nicholas of Detroit.
Presbytera Anastasia Hiotis DAYTON, Ohio Presbytera Anastasia Hiotis, 93, wife of the late retired priest Fr. George C. Hiotis, died June 7 at a local hospital. She had been a member of Annunciation Church and the Philoptochos chapter in Dayton. Survivors include two sons and daughters in law, Cosmas G. and Sue
Hiotis of Centerville, Ohio, and Christ G. and Marilyn Hiotis of New Jersey; a sister and three brothers, all of Greece; and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren nieces and nephews. Funeral Services took place at Annunciation Church with Fr. Stratton Dorozenski officiating. Memorials in her memory may be made to the church memorial fund.
Edith Triantafilou WOBURN, Mass. Edith Margaretta (Carveth) Triantafilou, mother of the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Holy Cross-Hellenic College, died Aug. 10, the date of her 95th birthday.
Peter C. Economou Peter Panayoti Economou, 75, passed on December 13, 2001, in Seattle, WA. Born on the Aegean island of Aegina, he immigrated to the United States in 1947. He married Mary Xenos in 1959. He is survived by his loving wife, Mary; his three daughters Elizabeth and Christina Economou, and Eva EconomouEconomy; his son-in-law George Economy and his brother Tom Economou. Peter, a devoted husband and loving father was a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church and AHEPA.
Mrs. Triantafilou was born in Newquay, Cornwall, England. She was the wife of the late Charles N. Triantafilou. In addition to Fr. Nick and Presbytera Diane Triantafilou, survivors include three daughters, Thespina Trearchis and husband, George, Mary C. Barbas and husband, John, and Helen C. Coulouras and husband, Fr. Anastasios; 14 grandchildren and 22 grandchildren. Funeral services took place Aug. 13 at Annunciation Church in Woburn, with Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Methodios officiating, assisted by Fr. Chris Foustoukos of Annunciation Church in Woburn, and many other priests of the Boston Diocese. Memorials may be made to the Annunciation Church Building Fund, or to Hellenic College-Holy Cross Chapel Beautification Fund in Brookline. Burial was in Woodbrook Cemetery in Woburn.
Fr. Demetrios N. Mamalis TULSA, Okla. Fr. Demetrios Mamalis, 77, a retired pastor, died Feb. 11. He was born May 22, 1924 in Charlotte, N.C. After graduating from high school, he studied at Holy Cross School of Theology, graduating in 1951. He married Presbytera Janet (Ioanna) Constantinou Kokkinis of Charlotte in June 1951 and was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in October of that year. He served in the U.S. Army two years and also studied at Boston University, the University of South Alabama and the University of Tennessee. He also spend six years in Greece.
Fr. Mamalis served the parishes of St. George Church in Knoxville, Tenn., (19511962), Annunciation in Mobile, Ala. (19621972), St. George in Philadelphia (September 1972-1977, and Ascension in Fairview, N.J. (September 1977-1990, when he retired. Survivors include a son and daughter in law, Dr and Mrs. Nicholas D. Mamalis of Tulsa (an Archon); and a daughter and son in law, Amalia and Fr. William J. Bartz. (Fr. (Capt.) Bartz is currently serving as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy). The Trisagion was at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte on Feb. 15. Divine Liturgy and funeral service were also at the cathedral, on Feb. 16.
Deacon George Ward DENVER The Greek Orthodox Diocese of Denver announced the death of the Reverend Deacon George Ward on July 15. A native of Cascade, Idaho, Deacon Ward was born on June 22, 1933. He married Rose Torosian in Boise, Idaho on Aug. 2, 1958. As a radiologist, he had a full career in Colorado and was a very well known and widely respected physician throughout the western region of the state. Having earned the high esteem of his medical colleagues, he was chosen to serve as chief of staff at Saint Mary s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colo. He was received into the Orthodox Church through Chrismation and very faithfully served his beloved St. Nicholas parish as parish council member and as chanter. He was a graduate of the Northwater
University Medical School. He also graduated from the College of Idaho in Caldwell. With the encouragement of his parish priest, Fr. George completed the St. Stephen s Course of Studies in Orthodox Theology, and upon the recommendation of his diocesan hierarch his ordination to the deaconate was authorized by Archbishop Demetrios. Deacon Ward was ordained by Metropolitan Isaiah on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs, Jan. 30, 2000. This ordination was the first ever celebrated at St. Nicholas Parish in Grand Junction. Following a long bout with cancer, which he endured with great patience and spiritual peace, Deacon Ward fell asleep in the Lord at his home on July 15. Deacon Ward is survived by his wife, Diakonissa Rose, his son, Dr. Bruce Ward, and his daughters Karen and Mary.
Presbytera Antigoni Stathis ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. Presbytera Antigoni Stathis, 86, died Nov. 28. She was the wife of the late Fr. George Stathis, who died in 1990. She was born in Stefaniada, Karditsis, Greece in 1915.
Her husband served the communities of Saginaw and Muskegon, Mich., and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Survivors include two daughters, Tula Economou and Nina Vacratsis, and four granddaughters.
Cleo P. Tsounis MATTITUCK, N.Y. Cleo P. Tsounis, a community leader in Astoria and eastern Long Island, passed away on Jan. 13, at her home in Mattituck. Mrs. Tsounis was born in 1923, the child of Greek Orthodox refugees from the Ottoman empire in Tseme and Smyrna, Asia Minor. Her family was of a deeply religious nature, with nuns, priests and philanthropists from Asia Minor. Early in life, she was taught to give to religious and social causes. She was raised in the tenements of New York City s Lower East Side. Mrs. Tsounis was a founder of St. Demetrios Greek-American parochial school in 1957. She became an expert in parliamentary procedure and newspaper writing, acting as a public relations liaison. In the 1960 s, she was elected three years as P.T.A. president of St. Demetrios School. She bought a cottage in Mattituck in the mid-1960s and began a third phase of her life: a pioneer of the first Greek Orthodox church in eastern Long Island. For more than 28 years she voluntarily served as church secretary, computerized the church records, and aided in the founding of the Sunday School, Hellenic Culture School, Philoptochos, and youth groups. During the winter of 1984, fire destroyed Transfiguration Church. Mrs.
Tsounis was elected parish council president, the first woman to hold this office in the area. During the two years of her presidency, $200,000 was raised and the church was rebuilt without a mortgage. In August 1989, Transfiguration parish honored Mrs. Tsounis for her service to the community, and again in 1997 as Mother of the Year. Funeral services took place Jan. 16 at Transfiguration Church in Mattituck with Frs. John Antonopoulos, Demetrios Karalexis and Nektarios Kehayias officiating. Survivors include her spouse, George, children Catherine and John Siolas, Christopher and Nancy Tsounis, Nicholas Soterios Tsounis, Thomas Angelo and Ellen Tsounis; and grandchildren Michelle, Teresa and Steven Tsounis and Despina Siolas.
Other Deaths Christos Ballasiotes, a long-time member of St. Nicholas Church in Tacoma, Wash. died July 6, 2001 at age 106. Martha Pappalos, 98, a member of St. George Church in Schererville,Ind. and a founder of the local Philoptochos chapter, died June 22, 2001.
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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AROUND THE USA CLERGY NEWS Rev. Dr. Efthimiou Retires
The Rev. Dr. Milton Efthimiou, most recently the pastor of St. Barbara s Church in Toms River, N.J., retired in late December from a career in the priesthood that began in 1958. Fr. Efthimiou is the son of the late dean of Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral, Fr. Basil Efthimiou, and has held several positions in the Church, including director of the Department of Church and Society, director of Inter-Church Relations, director of the Archons-Order of St. Andrew, and Ecumenical Officer for the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America. He has also served as pastor of other parishes in New York, Michigan and Ohio.
Fr. Aloupis Retires
NEWARK, N.J. After 47 years of service to St. Nicholas Church and the community, Fr. James A. Aloupis has retired, having served as priest since Sept. 19, 1954. Over the years he has devoted himself to not only functioning as a parish priest, but also reaching out through his countless hospital, nursing home and prison visits, working with groups such as the Boys Clubs of America and others. He has served as the Orthodox Christian chaplain at East Orange Veterans Hospital, chaplain for Hellenic Post 440 of the American Legion and its women s auxiliary and as distinguished chaplain of the Greek American Voters League of New Jersey. He was elevated to the rank of protopresbyter by Archbishop Iakovos in 1967, and Archdiocesan Vicar of New Jersey in 1968. Fr. Aloupis will be honored by a testimonial dinner in March at Pines Manor in Edison, N.J.
Fr. Papademetriou Feted
READING Pa. Parishioners of St. Matthew Church recently honored the Rev. Spyridon C. Papademetriou, retired pastor, on the 50th anniversary of his ordination. Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh presided at the Archieratical Divine Liturgy on Nov. 18, assisted by Fr. Demetrius Nicoludakis, St Matthew s pastor, and Fr. Tom Pappalas, pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, also in Reading. Following the services, the Parish Council and the Philoptochos Society sponsored a luncheon for the parish s name day and in honor of Metropolitan Maximos and Fr. Spyridon. Fr. Spyridon is son of the late Rev. Constantine Papademetriou and brother of the Rev. Dr. George C. Papademetriou of Boston. He is a graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology Class of 1953. Fr. Spyridon was ordained a deacon and a priest by the late Archbishop Ezekiel (Tsoukalas) and served the Annunciation Church in Newburyport, Mass., from 1951 to 1959. He also served St. Spyridon s Church in Newport, R.I. from 1959 to 1974 before coming to Reading. He was pastor at St. Matthew s for 23 ½ years, before retiring in 1997 In 1971, he was designated a protopresbyter, the highest honor bestowed on a married Orthodox priest. He was named Priest of the Year in the Pittsburgh Diocese in 1996.
Total Commitment Comes through Despite Trials of 2001 by Chris Andreas
For many organizations and institutions, including the Archdiocese, the Sept. 11 attacks and their aftermath created a new set of problems in the form of diminished revenues, but all indications are the Church is recovering successfully. It was a very difficult, yet successful year, said Executive Director of Administration Jerry Dimitriou. For the first eight months we were moving extremely well and above our 2000 numbers; our ministries had the full support of the parishes from across the nation. Then came September 11th, and things came to a sudden halt for our Total Commitment program. He continued, Between the catastrophe of 9/11 and the postal fears that followed and adversely affected the mail deliveries, we were barely able to sustain our Ministries until November and December when our parishes responded once again. When 2001 finally ended we realized a substantial gain of approximately $364,000 over the year 2000. For the first time the Archdiocese went above the $10 million mark, finishing the year with $10,263,843 from the Total Commitment of our parishes around the country. Once again our churches came through, Mr. Dimitriou continued. They also showed their love in a very special way by donating over $2 Million for the September 11th Relief Fund, and over $500,000 for the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Church, destroyed when the towers of the World Trade Center col-
lapsed. In the midst of a terrible crisis our people have responded with their faith and determination. It was an extraordinary year. As usual, we extend our deepest gratitude to all communities and to the Diocese which helped bring this very trying year to a successful conclusion, said Mr. Dimitriou. All of our Metropolitans, Bishops and their staff provided their utmost support. The Archdiocese extends our deepest appreciation to all. In particular we offer a special thanks to the Chicago Diocese, which responded above the ordinary to the extraordinary. The Diocese of Chicago, which has the highest allocation in the country, not only brought in the highest Total Commitment amount, they also obtained the highest percentage received from among our entire Diocese. This however is only part of the story. By the end of 2001, Chicago had brought in more 99 percent of their entire Total Commitment allocation. They began January 2002 with only a small amount remaining from the previous year, but by the beginning of February reached the 100 percent plateau for 2001, the first time this has ever been done by any Diocese. In fact, there were a small number of churches, which also voluntarily increased their Total Commitment. Again, our deepest appreciation and thanks to the wonderful work Chicago has done. Our own Department of Stewardship Ministry continues to work hard with all the dioceses and churches to make 2002 an even more successful year.
Religious Trust Awards Grant to St. Nicholas NEW YORK The Boston Piano Religious Trust has announced a $500 grant to help rebuild St. Nicholas Church, destroyed by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The congregation is meeting in Brooklyn, N.Y., while plans are made to rebuild the sanctuary. Typically, the Boston Piano Religious Trust provides one-time grants of $500 to houses of worship regardless of denomination or sect damaged or defaced by hate crimes anywhere in the United States within the last six months. However, last year, the trust extended special eligibility on a case by case basis to religious congregations victimized by
acts of arson, vandalism or violence, whether or not the crimes were hate-inspired. These grants are distributed nationwide through Boston piano dealerships. In this case, Steinway Hall New York will present the grant, issued by the New York City-based grant committee of the Boston Piano Religious Trust, established by the Boston Piano Co. Boston Piano is a division of Steinway Musical Instruments - owner of Steinway & Sons, which manufactures concert pianos. For more information on the Boston Piano Religious Trust, call Steinway Hall New York at (212) 246-1100 or John Heagney (727) 942-2718.
Exhibit on “The Delta” Planned for Fall The history of Chicago s fabled Greektown district The Delta will be the subject of an exhibition at the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. Organizers are seeking help in obtaining additional family or personal items that will help better present the historical development and everyday life in Greektown from 1890 until the present. The Greektown district was a locale of both residences and businesses. Any historic materials or memories of Greektown as a business and professional district are equally important for a balanced historic presentation of the area. Since it is often the case that valued
photographs and objects are priceless family heirlooms, the museum will accept photographs, objects, and documents as either outright donations or as temporary loan items for the duration of this exhibition. All items, those donated or on loan, will be credited. The Chicago Greektown exhibition is scheduled to open next fall for a four-month period. The Hellenic Museum is expecting this Greektown exhibit to contact the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center, call during regular business hours at 312-726-1234, send an email at Hellenicmu@aol.com or schedule a visit to the organization s offices at 168 N. Michigan Ave.
Endowment Fund Created at Harvard by Fr. Asterios N. Gerostergios
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Through a generous gift from Catherine Pappas, Harvard Divinity School has established an endowed scholarship fund named after her parents, Peter and Claire Themistocles. The gift was made possible through a bequest to Mrs. Pappas from her sister, Eleftheria J. Themistocles, whose express wish was to provide financial assistance to Divinity School students of Greek Orthodox heritage. Mrs. Pappas has been instrumental in bringing the gift to Harvard Divinity School, knowing that the family sought to support excellent theological education and to honor their parents. Greek Orthodox students who demonstrate a need for scholarship aid will be awarded grants of varying amounts, depending on the income derived from the Fund, and the number of eligible students. This is the first scholarship fund at the Divinity School to focus on Greek Orthodox students, whose numbers are expected to increase. The Divinity School currently plans to expand the curriculum in Orthodox Studies as it seeks to endow a new professorship and program in Orthodox Theology. Fr. Gerostergios is pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Cambridge, Mass.
HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS APRIL ........ 1 Th ............ Is. 65:8-16; Gen. 43:26-31, 45:1-16; Prov. 21:23-22:4 2 F .................. Is. 65:8-16; Gen. 46:1-7; Prov. 23:15-24:5 3 S ......... Heb. 12:28-13:8; John 11:1-45 4 SUN .............. Phil. 4:4-9; John 12:1-8; (evening) Mt. 21:18-43 5 M .Ex. 1:1-20, Job 1:1-12; Mt. 24:3-35; (evening) Matt. 22:15-23, 39 6 T .. Ex. 2:5-10, Job 1:13-22; Mt. 24:3626:2; (evening) John 12:17-50 7 W ... Ex. 2:11-22, Job 2:1-10; Mt. 26:616; (evening) Luke 22:1-39 8 Th .......... 1 Cor. 11:23-32; Mt. 26:1-20, Jn. 13:3-17; Mt. 6:21-39; Lk. 22:43-45; Mt. 26:40-27:2 9 F ....... 1 Cor. 1:18-2:2; Mt. 27:1-38, Lk. 23:39-43, Mt. 27:39-54, Jn. 19:31-37; Mt. 27:55-61; (eve) Ezek. 37:1-14, 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Gal. 3:13-14; Mt. 27:62-66 10 S ................ Rom. 6:3-11; Mt. 28:1-20 11 SUN ............. Acts 1:1-8; John 1:1-17 12 M ....................... Acts1:12-17, 21-26; John 1:18-28 13 T ............. Acts 2:14-21; Lk. 24:12-35 14 W .............. Acts 2:22-36; Jn. 1:35-51 15 Th ............... Acts 2:38-43; Jn. 3:1-15 16 F .............. Phil. 2:5-11; Lk. 10:38-42, 11:27-28 17 S ............... Acts 3:11-16; Jn. 3:22-33 18 SUN ....... Acts 5:12-20; Jn. 20:19-31 19 M ................ Acts 3:19-26; Jn. 2:1-11 20 T ................. Acts 4:1-10; Jn. 3:16-21 21 W .............. Acts 4:13-22; Jn. 5:17-24 22 Th ............. Acts 4:23-31; Jn. 5:24-30 23 F ................ Acts 5:1-11; Jn. 5:30-6:2 24 S ............... Acts 5:21-33; Jn. 6:14-27 25 SUN ....... Acts 6:1-7; Mk. 15:43-16:8 26 M ............... Acts 6:8-7:5; Jn. 4:46-54 27 T ................. Acts 8:5-17; Jn. 6:27-33 28 W .............. Acts 8:18-25; Jn. 6:35-39 29 Th ............. Acts 8:26-39; Jn. 6:40-44 30 F ............ Acts 8:40-9:19; Jn. 6:48-54
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Chicago Diocese Creates‘Sanctity of Life’ Ministry
Hartford Cathedral Extends Hand to Romanian Mission by Dr. James C. Rouman
HARTFORD, Conn. In a recently featured article appearing in the Feb. 24 Sunday edition of the New York Times, it was reported that the Cathedral of St. George has for the past nine months served as the venue for services of a newly created Romanian Orthodox community. The new mission church consists of about 60 members under the spiritual guidance of the Rev. Nikolae Stoleru, a former pastor of one of Bucharest s major churches. Sunday liturgies have been regularly conducted in the basement floor of the cathedral, where a makeshift altar complete with icons, candles and censor has been assembled. Following Sunday worship, the parishioners remain for coffee, sweets, and occasional luncheons in the basement room which then functions as a communal gathering place for the immigrant lock called, Holy Transfiguration Romanian Orthodox Mission. The story of the Hartford mission is a testament to the will of a group of immigrants, many of who escaped a brutal regime, coming to Connecticut to worship in a faith many were discouraged or prohibited from practicing in their homeland. And, despite its shortcomings, the room in the cathedral basement is a source of pride for these Romanians, who come from throughout the Hartford area each Sunday for liturgies held in two places and in two languages within the premises, and by persons of one common Orthodox faith. The Cathedral sanctuary itself has been made available whenever possible to the Romanian worshippers on special occasions such as last Christmas, and has also been the setting for several baptisms, weddings and recently a funeral as well. Expressing the positive views of many Greek parishioners, Parish Council president, Helen Limnios also stated: It is our privilege to assist those persons, who like our parents before us struggled to establish themselves in this great nation, bringing with them both their religion and culture. Their presence among us is a reminder of who we are as Orthodox Christians.
Dream to be Realized NORWALK, Conn. St. George community has signed an agreement with architect Steven P. Papadatos to proceed with plans to build a new church. The effort began 27 years ago under the leadership of Fr. Germanos Stavropoulos, of blessed memory. The award-winning basilica plan calls for the same proportions as St. Appolinare Nuova in Ravenna, Italy.
Sept. 11 Fund Contributors The Greek Orthodox Archdioceses will publish, an updated listing of contributors to the Sept. 11 Relief Fund in the next issue of the Orthodox Observer.
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS, Fr. Byron Papanikolaou and other clergy with students of Koraes School and altar boys.
Hierarchs Visit Illinois Parish PALOS HILLS, Ill. Sts. Constantine and Helen Church recently hosted visits by Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, presiding hierarch of the Chicago Diocese, and Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires and South America on two special occasions. Metropolitan Iakovos participated in the parish s Greek Letters celebration Jan. 29. He was accompanied by the Rev. George Metallinos, a professor at the University of Athens and
guest speaker, and other clergy. The Metropolitan presided at Vespers. Metropolitan Tarasios, son of Peter and Angie Anton of San Antonio, celebrated the Divine Liturgy on Feb. 17 during his visit. He was assisted by Fr. Byron Papanikolaou, pastor, and other clergy. While in the United States, he also attended the ordinations of Bishops Gerasimos and Andonios, and visited Ground Zero in Manhattan.
CHICAGO Metropolitan Iakovos recently established the Sanctity of Life Ministry to combine the efforts and work of priests and laypeople. As was been done previously through the Bishop s Task Force On AIDS, this new diocesan ministry will educate, teach and comfort God s children to combat the sinfulness of abortion, capital punishment, euthanasia and other issues that insult and attack the fabric of life. The program is not political but pastoral. The Metropolitan has appointed Fr. Nicholas Jonas of Sts. Constantine and Helen parish in Palos Hills, to coordinate this sacred ministry. Fr. Jonas will also be the liaison to the pan-Orthodox initiative Orthodox Christians for Life-Chicago. Fr. Nicholas will cooperate closely with the chancellor, the Very Rev. Fr. Demetri Kantzavelos to make this a vital effort for these and other life-related issues. Contact Information: Fr. Nicholas Jonas (708) 974-3400, e-mail: frnwj@juno.com Orthodox Christians For Life-Chicago Nick Cavaligos, Coordinator (773)5864547 email:cavaligos@aol.com
Denver Faithful Raise Funds for Teen Facility METROPOLITAN TARASIOS (left) at Divine Liturgy in Palos Hills.
LA Ahepans Help Cathedral School LOS ANGELES District 20 Ahepans and Daughters of Penelope recently presented a $2,000 donation to the St. Sophia Cathedral School. Harry G. Siafaris, president of chapters No. 152 and Alkandre No. 43 Home Foun-
dation, and Hollywood Chapter 318 President James G. Selimos made the presentation to Helen Dumas, Greek school director. Also participating were the Very Rev. John S. Bakas, cathedral dean, and Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles Dimitrios S. Zevelakis.
U. of Alabama Offers Biology Fellowships HUNTSVILLE, Ala.- A Greek Orthodox family from New York has endowed a graduate fellowship in biological sciences at the University of Alabama in Huntsville in honor of their son and brother who had a life-long interest in the environment. The fellowship offers free tuition and an academic year stipend of between $10,500 and $11,000.
For more information, contact Dr Campbell, chair of Biological Sciences, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Department of Biological Sciences, Wilson Hall, Room 142, Huntsville, AL 35899. Tel: (256) 824-6261; Fax: (256) 8246305; e-mail: campbep@uah.edu. For information about the university and department: www.uah.edu/biology.
Fr. Marangos Holds Seminar in Illinois Sts. Constantine and Helen parish in Palos Hills, Ill., hosted the Chicago Diocese Religious Education Seminar Feb. 12, which featured the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, director of the Archdiocese Religious Education Department. Topic of the Seminar was The Theology and dogma of the Orthodox Church. Fr. Marangos is also adjunct professor of Religious Education at Hellenic
College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He served as the director of religious education for the Atlanta Diocese (19871997) and was the Denver Diocese youth director (1981-1983). In addition to authoring many articles for theological publications, he has wide experience as a speaker at YAL conferences and Religious Education workshops and seminars
DENVER Area Greek Orthodox Christians held their first fund-raiser Feb. 9 for Trinity House Inc., a facility that will provide transitional housing and related services to at-risk Denver-area youth ages 14-18, which drew a large turnout of 475 people at Assumption Cathedral ballroom. The event featured Basile, the Greek American comedian who does a comedy called Growing Up Greek in America. Basile, at his best, evoked memories of life in Greek ethnic homes and moved many in the crowd to tears, including Dr. George Demos, longtime and beloved member of the Cathedral choir, and disc jockey Andreas Konstantinou. Colorado state Sen. Stephanie Takis presented Stephanie Zaveral, a co-founder of Trinity House along with Fr. Costas Pavlakos, Cathedral dean, a Senate commendation for her work as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for children and for her charity program, Fleece Navidad, which provided sweat suits to nearly 1,000 needy elderly residents of nursing homes in the Denver area each Christmas. Greetings were read from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Demetrios, and Metropolitan Isaiah, presiding hierarch of the Denver Diocese. For more information, visit the caption Premiere Parties at www. Blacktiedenver.com or contact: Frank Zaveral, voice: 303-759-4037, fax: 303-758-7818.
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
news
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Nebraska Parish Consecrates Church of the Dormition BAYARD, Neb. The tiny farming community of Bayard, Neb., (pop. About 1,200) lies near what was once the Oregon Trail and can be considered off the beaten path. But Archbishop Demetrios traveled to this part of western Nebraska in late October to consecrate The Dormition of the Mother of God Church. This year is the 75th anniversary of this small community founded in 1926. The children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those pioneer families still comprise a large portion of the Orthodox body in this rural area. Many of these people are still farmers and ranchers. According to Fr. George Stamison, pastor, a strong work ethic defined the small village-like presence of Greek American that made a life for themselves. Metropolitan Isaiah, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Denver, arrived on the Feast Day of St. Demetrios and met with the parish council that evening. The following day, Archbishop Demetrios arrived at the municipal airport. It was the second time a head of the Archdiocese has visited the community. Archbishop Athenagoras made a pastoral visit in September 1940.
Wisconsin Orthodox Women Publish Cookbook MILWAUKEE Bless the Food and Drink Cookbook, a collection of 400 Greek, Russian and Serbian ethnic or traditional personal favorite recipes, recently was published by the Orthodox Christian Women s Conference Committee in Milwaukee and Madison, Wis. Bless the Food and Drink was a coordinated effort of seven Orthodox Christian parishes that are of Antiochian, Greek, and Serbian jurisdictions. Lay parishioners and members of the clergy contributed to the book s recipe collection. The edition possibly marks the first time in the United States that inter-Orthodox Christian parishes have jointly published a cookbook. Generally, an individual church will publish a cookbook of its ethnic heritage with recipes contributed by its parishioners. Selection in Bless the Food and Drink include breads, appetizers, soups/salads/ vegetables, main entrees, and sweets and desserts. The book in an attractive, hard-back, spiral bound edition that measures 6x8,50 inches. Artwork for the volume was personally designed by a graphic artist who is Serbian Orthodox and a member of the conference committee group. The inter-Orthodox Christian parishes participating in Bless the Food and Drink include: Annunciation Greek, Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek, Holy Trinity Russian, St. Nicholas Antiochian and St. Sava Serbian in Milwaukee; Assumption Greek and St. Ignatius Antiochian of Madison. Members of the Orthodox Christian Women s Conference Committee are parishioners of these churches. Cost for Bless the Food and Drink is $15, per copy, plus $2.50 for mailing charges. Proceeds from the book benefit the educational efforts sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Women s Conference Committee. For Information write to: Orthodox Christian Women s Association, St. Save Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 3201 S. 51st St., Milwaukee, WI 53219. Tel(414) 545-4080, in the Cathedral s office.
Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Isaiah in a procession around the church
Archbishop Demetrios was greeted by Metropolitan Isaiah, visiting clergy, children and adults of the community, guests from other states and news media representatives. During Great Vespers on Oct. 27, Archbishop Demetrios entered the church with relics of St. George the Great Martyr, St. Kyriakos and the Holy Fathers Martyred in Sinai and Raitho. They were sealed in the Holy Altar during the Oct. 28 consecration
GOA
service. The choir from Kimisis Cathedral in Denver sung the hierarchal Divine Liturgy. After seeing a Greek dance performance by the children, His Eminence expressed his admiration to the community that they have maintained their heritage and culture. Accompanying the Archbishop were Deacons Nektarios Morrow and Panteleimon Papadopoulos.
Suburban Atlanta Community to Build by Peter Crist
MARIETTA, Ga. More than 400 persons attended groundbreaking ceremonies Jan. 26 for Holy Transfiguration parish in this suburb northwest of Atlanta. Bishop Alexios of Atlanta presided over Divine Liturgy, and Bishop Kalli- BISHOP ALEXIOS officiates at Liturgy preceding groundbreaking events for stos (Ware) of Dio- Transfiguration parish. kleia, Oxford, England, the Very Rev. small services and individual prayer, Sebastian Skordallos, pastor, the Revs. noted Bishop Alexios. The beautiful new George Pallas and George Tsahakis, dio- church, the chapel and amphitheater and cese chancellor and 10 pan Orthodox the spectacular site together strongly clergy from the Atlanta region con- speak to the idea of a faith community; a community of faithful worshipers workcelebrated. Transfiguration began as a mission ing together and providing witness to the parish in 1989 and has grown to more than Glory of God ... Bishop Kallistos added, It has been 200 families. Parishioners recently voted to move a privilege and blessing to be here with forward with the construction of a $2.5 my spiritual brother Alexios and his flock million, 470-seat, Byzantine Cross In in Marietta. It is apparent that this beautiSquare church, hailed as the Byzantine ful Byzantine design is a work of not only great skill but of the love and spiritual Jewel on the hill. A banquet at the Waverly Renaissance guidance that will be that make it both Hotel with a sold-out crowd gathered home and hearth as well as beacon of to celebrate the special day and kick-off Orthodoxy for all the beloved faithful of the initial results, reaching the church goal the Metropolitan Atlanta region. of over $600,000. When I reviewed the EKONA designs that architect, Christ Kamages, developed with the parish leadership, I was delighted to see the ingenuity of the design in how it developed not only a beautiful cross-insquare Byzantine church, but a hillside amphitheater and a chapel for BYZANTINE JEWEL on the Hill. A drawing of the church to be built.
Steve Thornton
METROPOLITAN Anthony and Fr. Cantos raising the Cross at Temecula.
Metropolitan Anthony Dedicates Church Site TEMECULA, Calif. In his first visit to Temecula since his election as Metropolitan of the Dardenellion, Metropolitan Anthony, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of San Franciscoz, dedicated a 10-acre site as the future home of St. Nicholas Church of Temecula Valley on Jan. 26. The dedication ceremony, highlighted by the raising of the cross, was held at 2 p.m., followed by a 4 p.m. vespers service at the church s present leased facility at 42030 Avenida Alvarado. He also tonsured several readers and acolytes. Metropolitan Anthony later spoke at a celebration at Temecula Country Club. The day s events mark the10-year anniversary of the founding of the Greek Orthodox Mission in Temecula, and the first time the parish has owned property. Last January, Fr. Demetrios-Earl Cantos became the first full-time priest at St. Nicholas. The parish passed the 100-member mark in December. Early in the church s history, parishioners met every other Sunday in the board room of Rancho California Water District.
Icon Project Featured in Metro NY Paper A unique iconography project by St. Paraskevi Church in Greenlawn, Long Island that is nearing completion was featured in Newsday, the metropolitan New York area daily, in its March 2 issue. The article, Turning Art Into a Visible Theology, reports that the Byzantine-style fresco by iconographer George Filippakis will depict the Seven Days of Creation and Preparation of the Throne of Christ, biblical events rarely displayed in Greek Orthodox churches. It is possibly the first of its kind in the nation, said St. Paraskevi s pastor who conceived of the project, the Very Rev. John Heropoulos. When completed, the fresco on the church s dome will contain 75 paintings, and will consume 3,500 square feet of cotton canvas, using nearly 75 gallons of pigment, 5,500 pieces of 24-carat gold leaf. Installation will begin in April and the unveiling is set for July 14 in a ceremony marking the church s 45th anniversary and 25th anniversary of its consecration. Archbishop Demetrios is scheduled to preside.
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Youth Ministry
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
challenge
What s Up with LENT by Melissa K. Bazos & Anna-Nicole Kyritsis
It is just about midnight and you are surrounded by a quiet darkness. You look around, everyone is there; everyone always is on this night. The priest comes out of the sanctuary; he sings, Come receive the light from the light that is never overtaken by night and Glorified is Christ, who is risen from the dead. In his hand, he holds the only light in the church. The altar boys come forward and light their candles and distribute their light to the faithful. Flame by flame the church is slowly lit. It goes from total darkness to a warm light. But it is not like most light it is different. Let s think about it for a minute, after all it is just a flame. It doesn t give off much heat. By itself, it doesn t give off too much light. It isn t that strong because it can easily be blown out. But just as quickly as it can be blown out, it can grow from a flame to a fire. A fire gives off much heat and light. But most important a fire is not easily blown out. At Pascha, we light our candles; many of us take them home with us lit. But are we blowing out our spiritual candle when we get home? What have we done to prepare so that the flame can grow into a burning fire? We all know what comes of not preparing properly for things. If you don t prepare for a test, you won t do well. But what of spiritual preparation? I m talking about more than being nice to your brother and going to church on Sunday (although both very good things to do). I am talking about getting ourselves prepared so that our flames can grow into strong fires. Take for example the parable of the ten virgins. Ten virgins with their oil lamps lit waited for the bridegroom to arrive. Five of these women brought extra oil incase they ran out while they waited, the other five did not. When the five foolish women s lamps began to go out, they had no additional fuel to keep their flame lit. They left to get more oil. While they were gone, the bridegroom came and the women that were prepared went in with Him to the wedding. The unprepared women did not get to go. Okay, so we rarely use oil anymore to light our lamps, but that is beside the point. The point is that we must prepare ourselves for the day when Christ comes. If we do not, we will be like the women without the oil locked out of the feast. Are we lighting our spiritual candle at midnight and then blowing it out when we get home? Challenge is the Youth & Young Adult Ministries supplement to the Orthodox Observer. Articles reflect the opinion of the writers. Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8 East 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 or email: youthoffice@goarch.org
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As we get into the Lenten season there are things we can do to prepare ourselves for the Resurrection. The first place we should start is with our priest. He can help to point us in the right direction. But here are some things we should begin considering in the mean time: Prayer All good things begin with prayer. Think about it this way when we meet someone we like we spend time talking with them. The more we talk with them the more we know them and the more we want to know. Prayer is a conversation with God. We should tell him our fears, ask him to guide us and thank him for our blessings. If you don t already have one, order an Orthodox prayer book to help you. Go to Church I know some of us may think that church only occurs on Sunday. Wrong! The Orthodox Church offers an entire cycle of worship throughout the church year. No time is that more evident than during Lent. So, we should go to Divine Liturgy on Sunday but we should also be going to the other services offered (Vespers, Compline, Salutations & Akathyst Hymn, PreSanctified Liturgy). But here is the really important part, we shouldn t just go to the services we need to be active participants in the services. Ask your priest where you can get books for the services so that you can participate by reading, chanting and following along. Repentance/Confession I know it is hard but regular confession is necessary for spiritual growth. Don t look at it as going in with your shopping lists of sins and trying to rattle them off as quickly as possible. Instead look at it as an opportunity to fix your relationship with God by repenting. Repentance is accepting that we have done something wrong and (here s the hard part) committing to try very, very hard not fall into those sins again. Read the Bible If you don t have one, get one immediately! Ask you priest for the list of daily bible readings for the church calendar. This will help you in your journey through lent and throughout the year. Fast I know what you re all thinking beans, greens and rice how does that make me a better Christian. Fasting is really about discipline. We discipline ourselves in other areas of our life (athletics, academic). We should be disciplining ourselves spiritually in what we do as well as in what we eat. St. John Chrysostom wrote, what good is it if we abstain from fowl and fishes, but bite and devour our brothers? Give Take time during lent to give to those in need. You don t need money to do this. Ask yourself how can I give of my time, talents and treasure to give Glory to God? Through the guidance of our priest and teachers, I pray we can all count ourselves with the wise virgins prepared. But after the Paschal liturgy has been celebrated and the candles have all been blown out, ask yourself this is my spiritual candle still lit?
Email: youthoffice@goarch.org
For Youth Workers
New Ideas for Lent Lent is a wonderful time to help young people learn more about their faith by gathering together regularly and doing activities related to the particular Sunday in Lent. This will bring them to a fuller understanding of the joy of Pascha. Below are some activities by the Archdiocese Youth & Young Adult Ministry Team to help you with your planning. This team is comprised of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the Diocesan Directors. For each of the activities listed below, have an icon for the particular Sunday that you are teaching about. Sunday of Orthodoxy Arrange a joint activity with other Orthodox youth groups in your area. Invite them for service, a meal and an activity for different ages. Have the young children make mosaic icons using multi colored beans, died egg shells or cut construction paper. For teens, bring in magazines and have them make a collage of images from this world. Have a discussion contrasting these images to images of the spiritual world. For the parents, have a guest speaker come and talk about how to teach young people about iconography. St. Gregory Palamas Saint Gregory Palamas wrote about the relationship of the Holy Trinity. For younger children, this would be a good opportunity to teach them about doing their cross. Many children do their cross without learning what it means. For teenager, having a discussion with the priest about the relationship of the Holy Trinity and how it represent the perfect union and love that we are called to emulate. Veneration of the Holy Cross For younger children, get small terracotta pots and have them plant basil to take home (you can have them decorate the pots with paint). Discuss the story of St. Helen, the Cross and the significance of the basil. For teens, have them clean and arrange the flowers for the service on Sunday. Discuss the sig-
nificance of the flowers and why we are focusing on the Cross at the halfway point of Lent. St. John Climacus For young children, get a small 4-step ladder. Have each child climb up. Ask them how easy it was and whether they thought it would be easier or harder if the ladder was higher. Talk about climbing the heavenly ladder. Have the children make a list of things they use to help them climb the heavenly ladder. For teens, have them make a list of things they want to accomplish in their life. Discuss how much time we spend climbing the ladder for this life (i.e. sports, appearance, friends, college), which is temporary, and relatively little time climbing the ladder for the next life, which is permanent. Have them look at their lists again and ask them to see if it includes stuff preparing us for eternal life. Have them add to their list ways they can prepare for eternal life. St Mary of Egypt Pick out key words in the life of the story of St. Mary of Egypt (desert, repent, communion, despair, etc) Break the young people into teams and have them take turns describing the words while the others try to guess what the word is. To make it more difficult, have certain words they cannot use (for example, to describe desert you can not use the words sand, dry or water). You could also use the words play Pictionary or Charades. When all the words have been gone through, list them all on the board. Talk about the words as you share the life of St. Mary of Egypt. Palm Sunday Bring the families together after church on the Saturday of Lazarus for a Lenten meal. After the meal, have everyone fold palms for Palm Sunday. At the conclusion of the palm folding, give everyone a candle. Explain the significance of candles in the Orthodox Church. Ask them to take the candle home and use it during their prayer as they progress through Holy Week. On Pascha, ask them to bring their candle and light it as an offering to God.
Books for Children and Teens CHILDREN
The Tale of Three Trees retold by Angela Hunt This traditional Christian folktale is retold with beautiful illustrations. This story talks us through the life of three trees and how God is able to take something that at first seems bad and makes it good. Esther s Easter Dress: A Young Girls Adventure through Holy Week by Katherine Kafarakis A young Orthodox girl looks forward to participating in the Good Friday Epitaphio service. As she participates in the Holy Week services from the Saturday of Lazarus through Pascha, her mother explains the meaning and the scriptures for each service. It includes a section on the dyeing of Easter eggs and the baking of Pascha bread. Christ Has Risen, Children! by Svetlana Visotskaya This story of Pascha, as celebrated in the Orthodox Church, is
told through the use of colorful iconographic art. Translated from Serbian.
TEENS
Daily Lenten Meditations for the Orthodox Christians by Presbytera Emily Harakas For each day of Lent, this inspiring book has a hymn from the Triodion, a quotation from the Fathers, a prayer, Bible readings and a meditation. An excellent tool for spiritual growth. God Speaks from the Cross by Anthony Coniaris The Cross was a pulpit from which the Lord Jesus spoke to us words of undying love. This book meditates on the last seven words Jesus spoke from the Cross. The Lenten Triodion translated by Bishop Kallistos and Mother Mary Hymns and order of services for Lent, introduction by Bishop Kallistos. Holy Cross Bookstore -1-800-245-0599
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
2001 TOTAL COMMITMENT PARISHES ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT: Holy Trinity Church, Keene, NH Taxiarchai Church, Laconia, NH St. George THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA Ansonia, CT Holy Trinity Church, Bridgeport, CT AsCathedral, Manchester, NH St. Nicholas Church, sumption Church, Danbury, CT St. George Church, Manchester, NH St. Nicholas Church, Portsmouth, NH extends its graditute to all the parishes listed Norwalk, CT St. Barbara Church, Orange, CT Annun Annunciation Church, Cranston, RI St. Nicholas which have faithfully supported and completed the Church, Rutland, VT ciation Church, Stamford, CT Archangels Church, Stam 2001 TOTAL COMMITMENT PROGRAM ford, CT Holy Trinity Church, Waterbury, CT St. George DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO: Holy TransfiguraCathedral, Hartford, CT St. Demetrios Church, Bristol, tion Church, Anchorage, AK Holy Trinity Cathedral, of the Archdiocese of America CT Saint Basil the Great Church, New Haven, CT St. Phoenix, AZ St. Demetrios Church, Tucson, AZ St. George Church, New Britain, CT Saint Sophia Cathedral, Katherine Church, Chandler, AZ Assumption Church, Washington, DC SS. Constantine & Helen Church, WashScottsdale, AZ St. Haralambos Church, Peoria, AZ ington, DC Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Southampton, Prophet Elias Church, Santa Cruz, CA Holy Cross NY Archangel Michael Church, Roslyn Heights, NY AnChurch, Belmont, CA St. Demetrios Church, Concord, nunciation Church, New York City, NY Holy Trinity Cathedral, New York, NY SS. Anargyroi CA Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ch, Long Beach, CA Saint Sophia Cathedral, Church, New York City, NY St. Barbara Church, New York City, NY St. Eleftherios Church, Los Angeles, CA Annunciation Church, Modesto, CA St. Nicholas Church, Northridge, CA New York City, NY St. George - St. Demetrios Church, New York City, NY St. George Ascension Cathedral, Oakland, CA St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, CA St. John Tropeoforos Church, New York City, NY St. Gerasimos Church, New York City, NY St. the Baptist Church, Salinas, CA St. Barbara Church, Santa Barbara, CA St. Spyridon Church, John The Baptist Church, New York, NY St. Nicholas Church, New York City, NY St. San Diego, CA Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, CA St. Nicholas Church, San Jose, Spyridon Church, New York City, NY St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, NY St. Nicholas CA St. Basil Church, Stockton, CA SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Vallejo, CA Church Church, West Babylon, NY St. John Church, Blue Point, NY Zoodohos Peghe Church, of the Resurrection, Castro Valley, CA Nativity of Christ Church, Ignacio, CA St. Demetrios Bronx, NY Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Brooklyn, NY Holy Cross Church, Brooklyn, NY Church, Camarillo, CA St. Nectarios Church, Covina, CA St. Paul Church, Irvine, CA St. Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY St. Constantine & Helen Church, Cardiff-By-The-Sea, CA St. George Church, Downey, CA St. Demetrios Church, Merrick, NY St. Paraskevi Church, Greenlawn, NY St. Paul Cathedral, George Church, Palm Desert, CA St. Basil Church, San Jose, CA St. Katherine Church, Elk Hempstead, NY Holy Trinity Church, New Rochelle, NY Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY Grove, CA St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, El Cajon, CA St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church, Staten Island, NY Prophet Elias Church, Yonkers, NY SS. Roseville, CA SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Honolulu, HI St. George Church, Eugene, Constantine & Helen Church, Jackson Heights, NY Saint Sophia Church, Albany, NY St. OR Saint Sophia Church, Bellingham, WA St. Demetrios Church, Seattle, WA George Church, Kingston, NY St. Nicholas Church, Newburgh, NY Kimisis Tis Theotokou DIOCESE OF ATLANTA: Annunciation Church, Mobile, AL Holy Trinity Church, Church, Poughkeepsie, NY SS. Constantine & Helen Church, West Nyack, NY St. George Clearwater, FL St Demetrios Church, Daytona Beach, FL St. Demetrios Church, Ft. LauderChurch, Schenectady, NY Assumption Church, Windham, NY Transfiguration Of Christ dale, FL St. Nicholas Church, Ft. Pierce, FL St. John the Divine Church, Jacksonville, FL Church, Mattituck, NY Holy Trinity Church, Hicksville, NY Church of the Resurrection, Holy Trinity Church, Maitland/Orlando, FL St. Stefanos Church, St. Petersburg, FL Holy Glen Cove, NY Holy Cross Church, Whitestone, NY Kimisis Tis Theotokos Church, Island Mother of God Church, Tallahasse, FL St. John the Baptist Church, Tampa, FL St. Nicholas Park, NY St. Peter the Apostle Church, Bronx, NY Holy Cross Church, Middletown, NY Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, FL St. John The Theologian Church, Panama City, FL AnnunDIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY: Holy Trinity Church, Wilmington, DE SS. Peter and Paul ciation Church, Pensacola, FL St. George Church, Hollywood, FL St. Barbara Church, Church, Frederick, MD St. George Church, Ocean City, MD St. Theodore Church, Lanham, Sarasota, FL St. George Church, Knoxville, TN St. Elizabeth Church, Gainesville, FL St. MD SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Annapolis, MD Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, Katherine Church, Melbourne, FL Annunciation Church, Ft. Myers, FL St. Mark Church, MD St. Nicholas Church, Baltimore, MD St. Demetrios Church, Baltimore, MD St. George Boca Raton, FL St. George Church, New Port Richey, FL Holy Trinity Church, St. AugustChurch, Bethesda, MD St. Anthony Church, Vineland, NJ St. George Church, Asbury Park, ine, FL St. Sophia Church, Winter Haven, FL Holy Trinity Church, Port Charlotte, FL NJ St. Nicholas Church, Atlantic City, NJ St. Thomas Church, Cherry Hill, NJ St. Andrew Holy Trinity Church, Augusta, GA SS Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Church , Cumming, GA Church, Randolph, NJ St. Demetrios Church, Jersey City, NJ St. Nicholas Church, Newark, Holy Transfiguration Church, Marietta, GA SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Monroe, LA NJ SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Orange, NJ St. George Church, Clifton, NJ St. Holy Trinity Church, Biloxi, MS SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Fayetteville, NC Dormition Athanasios Church, Paramus, NJ St. Demetrios Church, Perth Amboy, NJ St. John the of the Theotokos Church, Greensboro, NC St. George Church, High Point, NC Holy Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, NJ St. George Church, Trenton, NJ Holy Trinity Church, Trinity Church, Raleigh, NC Annunciation Church, Winston-Salem, NC St. Nektarios Church, Westfield, NJ St. Demetrios Church, North Wildwood, NJ St. Nicholas Church, Wyckoff, NJ Charlotte, NC Holy Trinity Church, Charleston, SC Holy Trinity Church, Columbia, SC St. Barbara Church, Toms River, NJ Holy Trinity Church, Egg Harbor Township, NJ St. Transfiguration Church, Florence, SC St. George Cathedral, Greenville, SC Holy ResurrecFanourios Church, Elizabeth, NJ Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, NJ Evangelismos tion Church, Hilton Head, SC Holy Trinity Church, Bluff City, TN Church, Philadelphia, PA St. Sophia, SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Chur , Jeffersonville, PA St. DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGH: SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Mansfield, OH AnnunLuke Church, Broomall, PA St. George Church, Media, PA Annunciation Church, Elkins ciation Church, Akron, OH Annunciation Church, Cleveland, OH SS. Constantine & Helen Park, PA St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA St. Demetrios Church, Upper Darby, PA Cathedral, Cleveland, OH St. Paul Church, North Royalton, OH St. Demetrios Church, The Nativity of the Theotokos Church, Fredericksburg, VA St. Nicholas Church, Virginia Rocky River, OH St. Demetrios Church, Warren, OH Holy Trinity Church, Ambridge, PA Beach, VA Transfiguration Church, Charlottesville, VA St. Peter Church, Danville, VA St. St. Nicholas Church, Bethlehem, PA All Saints Church, Canonsburg, PA Presentation of Katherine Church, Falls Church, VA St. Elpis Church, Hopewell, VA St. George Church, Christ Church, East Pittsburgh, PA Koimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Erie, PA Evangelismos Lynchburg, VA SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Newport News, VA Annunciation Cathe- Church, Farrell, PA St. Mary s Church, Johnstown, PA Holy Trinity Cathedral, Camp Hill, dral, Norfolk, VA SS. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Richmond, VA Holy Trinity Church, PA Annunciation Church, Lancaster, PA Annunciation Church, McKeesport/White Oak Roanoke, VA Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, Winchester, VA Boro, PA Holy Cross Church, Pittsburgh, PA Holy Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, PA SS. DIOCESE OF CHICAGO: St. John the Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA St. George Constantine & Helen Church, Reading, PA St. Matthew Church, Reading, PA Annunciation Church, Des Moines, IA St. Elias The Prophet Church, Dubuque, IA Transfiguration of our Church, York, PA Holy Cross Church, Stroudsburg, PA St. John Church, Charleston, WV Lord Church, Mason City, IA Holy Trinity Church, Sioux City, IA St. Demetrios Church, St. George Church, Huntington, WV Assumption Church, Morgantown, WV Waterloo, IA St. Demetrios Church, Chicago, IL Assumption Church, Chicago, IL Holy DIOCESE OF DETROIT: Zoodochos Peghe Church, Hot Springs, AR Annunciation Trinity Church, Chicago, IL St. Andrew Church, Chicago, IL St. Basil Church, Chicago, IL Church, Little Rock, AR Holy Trinity Church, Fort Wayne, IN Holy Trinity Church, India SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, IL St. George Church, Chicago, IL St. napolis, IN Panagia Pantovasilissa Church, Lexington, KY Assumption Church, Louisville, Spyridon Church, Palos Heights, IL Holy Taxiarchai - St. Haralambos Church, Niles, IL St. KY St. Nicholas Church, Ann Arbor, MI Annunciation & Agia Paraskevi Church, New BufAthanasios Church, Aurora, IL Three Hierarchs Church, Champaign, IL Assumption Church, falo, MI St. George Church, Bloomfield Hills, MI Annunciation Cathedral, Detroit, MI Olympia Fields, IL St. Demetrios Church, Elmhurst, IL Annunciation Church, Decatur, IL Assumption Church, St. Clair Shores, MI SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Westland, MI St. John the Baptist Church, Des Plaines, IL Assumption Church, East Moline, IL SS. St. Nicholas Church, Troy, MI Holy Cross Church, Farmington Hills, MI Assumption Church, Constantine & Helen Church, Swansea, IL St. George Church, Dekalb, IL SS. Peter & Paul Flint, MI Holy Trinity Church, Grand Rapids, MI Holy Trinity Church, Lansing, MI St. Church, Glenview, IL Assumption Church, Hegewisch, IL All Saints Church, Joliet, IL George Church, Southgate, MI Annunciation Church, Muskegon, MI St. Demetrios Church, Annunciation Church, Kankakee, IL St. George Church, Rock Island, IL St. Nicholas Church, Saginaw, MI St. George Church, Sault Ste. Marie, MI Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church, Oak Lawn, IL All Saints Church, Peoria, IL SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Rockford, IL Plymouth Township, MI St. John Church, Sterling Heights, MI Holy Spirit Church, Roch St. Anthony Church, Springfield, IL Holy Cross Church, Justice, IL St. Demetrios Church, ester, NY SS. Theodoroi Church, Gloversville, NY Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY Waukegan, IL Holy Apostles Church, Westchester, IL St. Nectarios Church, Palatine, IL Annunciation Church, Rochester, NY St. Vasilios Church, Watertown, NY St. Nicholas Saint Sophia Church, Elgin, IL Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago, IL Ascension of Our Lord Church, Jamestown, NY Saint Sophia Church, Syracuse, NY St. Athanasios Church, Elmira, Church, Lincolnshire, IL St. George Church, Schererville, IN SS. Constantine & Helen NY Annunciation Church, Vestal, NY St. Catherine Church, Ithaca, NY Holy Trinity - St. Cathedral, Merrillville, IN St. Demetrios Church, Hammond, IN St. Andrew Church, South Nicholas Church, Cincinnati, OH Annunciation Church, Dayton, OH SS. Constantine & Bend, IN St. Iakovos Church, Valparaiso, IN The Twelve Holy Apostles Church, Duluth, Helen Church, Middletown, OH Holy Trinity Cathedral, Toledo, OH Annunciation Church, MN St. Mary s Church, Minneapolis, MN Holy Anargyroi/SS. Cosmas & Damianos Chu, Chattanooga, TN Annunciation Church, Memphis, TN Holy Trinity Church, Nashville, TN Rochester, MN St. George Church, St. Paul, MN Assumption Church, Town & Country, DIOCESE OF DENVER: Archangel Michael Church, Colorado Springs, CO AssumpMO St. Nicholas Church, St. Louis, MO St. Nicholas Church, Appleton, WI Holy Trinity tion Cathedral, Denver, CO St. Nicholas Church, Grand Junction, CO St. John The Baptist Church, Fond Du Lac, WI Assumption Church, Madison, WI Annunciation Church, Mil- Church, Pueblo, CO SS. Peter & Paul Church, Boulder, CO Saint Catherine Church, Greenwaukee, WI SS. Constantine and Helen Church, Wauwatosa, WI Kimisis Tis Theotokou wood Village, CO St. John The Baptist Church, Craig, CO SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Church, Racine, WI St. Spyridon Church, Sheboygan, WI Saint Sophia Church, New Lon- Boise, ID Assumption Church, Pocatello, ID St. Dionysios Church, Overland Park, KS St. don, CT Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, CT George Church, Shreveport, LA Annunciation Church, Kansas City, MO Assumption Church, DIOCESE OF BOSTON: St. Nicholas Church, Enfield, CT St. Athanasius the Great Bayard, NE Annunciation Church, Lincoln, NE St. John the Baptist Church, Omaha, NE Church, Arlington, MA Annunciation Cathedral, Boston, MA St. John The Baptist Church, St. Elias the Prophet Church, Santa Fe, NM St. George Church, Albuquerque, NM St. Boston, MA St. Nicholas Church, Clinton, MA Holy Trinity Church, Fitchburg, MA St. George Church, Oklahoma City, OK Holy Trinity Church, Tulsa, OK St. John the Prodromos George Church, Centerville/Hyannis, MA SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Andover, MA Church, Amarillo, TX Holy Trinity Church, Dallas, TX St. Demetrios Church, Fort Worth, St. Nicholas Church, Lexington, MA Assumption Church, Dracut, MA St. George Church, TX Assumption Church, Galveston, TX Annunciation Cathedral, Houston, TX St. George Lowell, MA Transfiguration of Our Saviour Church, Lowell, MA St. George Church, Lynn, Church, Port Arthur, TX Assumption Church, San Angelo, TX Saint Sophia Church, San MA SS. Anargyroi Church, Marlboro, MA St. George Church, New Bedford, MA Annun- Antonio, TX Holy Cross Church, Wichita Falls, TX St. Nicholas Church, Waco, TX St. ciation Church, Newburyport, MA St. Vasilios Church, Peabody, MA St. George Church, Andrew Church, Lubbock, TX St. John the Baptist Church, Euless, TX St. Nicholas Church, Pittsfield, MA St. George Church, Southbridge, MA Taxiarchae Church, Watertown, MA El Paso, TX Transfiguration Church, Austin, TX St. Basil the Great Church, Houston, TX Annunciation Church, Woburn, MA St. Nectarios Church, Roslindale, MA Nativity-Assump- St. John the Theologian Church, Webster, TX St. Athanasios the Great Church, San Angelo, tion Church, Cohasset, MA St. Gregory the Theologian Church, Mansfield, MA St. George TX Transfiguration Church, Ogden, UT Assumption Church, Price, UT Holy Trinity Church, Bangor, ME St. Demetrios Church, Saco, ME Holy Trinity Church, Lewiston, ME Cathedral, Salt Lake City, UT Holy Trinity Church, Casper, WY SS. Constantine & Helen Holy Trinity Church, Portland, ME Holy Trinity Church, Concord, NH St. George Church, Church, Cheyenne, WY
Our Lord continues to bless us all
FEBRUARY- MARCH 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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Theological Field Education as Spiritual Formation Theological Education as experienced at Holy Cross School of Theology has one fundamental concern-to assist our students in deepening their relationships to God and to nurture their vocation to serve God through the Church. by Dr. Lewis Patsavos
Orthodoxy, understood in this sense as correct belief, can then lead to orthopraxis, a way of life that is correct and pleasing to God. Belief is thereby transformed into action. Through orthodoxy, one achieves orthopraxis. It is to this end that theological field education was incorporated into the curriculum in 1975. The establishment of the program in 1975 coincides with the recognition of Holy Cross as a fully accredited academic institution of higher learning. It was founded, in fact, in response to the requirement of the Association of Theological Schools that the practical training of our students be strengthened. As a result, the Field Education Program, known also as Program of Theological Field Education, came into being. That which characterizes the program is its structure. Students entering the School of Theology begin a three-year cycle of field-related activities. These include teaching in the church school, working with the youth, making hospital calls and assisting in the parish, activities required of all students. They also include one of the following activities: involvement in campus ministry, prison ministry, Access/internet ministry (responding through the internet to inquiries about the orthodox faith and other concerns) and Philoxenia House (serving the spiritual needs of persons staying at this facility of
the Diocese of Boston). These are only some of the programs available to students with specific interests in ministry. That which differentiates theological field education from occasional parish or social work is field experience under supervision. Students assigned to a parish, hospital, prison or college campus are supervised regularly in the tasks they perform. Another dimension of the supervisory process in theological field education is group supervision. Group supervision enables persons involved in a particular field setting to meet with a facilitator to reflect upon how theology relates to their specific filed experience. Field education, or learning through experience, although relatively new to ministry, is not unknown to the legal, medical or teaching professions. It is ideally suited to the Orthodox approach to ministry, which is holistic and spiritual. One need only mention the role of the monastery in the Byzantine period as a place of preparation for ministry and the role of the geron (spiritual father) as a kind of spiritual mentor to draw parallels to the present. Thus, one can only affirm the appropriateness of this model of learning for theological education and ministry from an Orthodox perspective. With this in mind, one can articulate the goals of the Field Education Program as follows: 1) To explore, foster and nourish an individual s zeal and vocation to enter ordained or non- ordained ministry through active engagement in the life and work of the Church. The various experiences are opportunities where an individual can develop an identity as a person called to be part of the Church s ministry. In addi-
RELATING TO THE FAITH u page 12 Jesus teaching
It was the Savior Himself Who taught us how evil spirits dwell in human beings: When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, I will return to my house from which I came. And when he comes he finds it empty, swept and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it be with this wicked generation (Mat. 12:43-45).
The example of Judas
Now, think about Judas. After receiving the morsel of bread from his Master s hand, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, What you do, do quickly. Judas betrayed Christ quickly, realized the gravity of his sin, but instead of coming back to his Master with the words of the father of the demoniac epileptic, he hanged himself. He did not do anything to get rid of Satan who entered him, he did not ask Christ to help his unbelief. He fell into the despair, a sin against the Holy Spirit that leads unmistakably to death, to eternal death.
Continuing battle
Are demons here today? Are people possessed today as they were in the Bible? The instant answer is a stressed Yes! St. Paul emphasizes the battle between the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan, a war in which every human being is involved. Christ s followers have to be prepared for a constant battle with the forces of darkness. Be sober, be vigilant, says St. Peter, because your adversary the devil walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he
may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. The Orthodox Study Bible interprets this as the devil and his angels explore us individually, looking for our weaknesses, offering appealing visions to our eyes, music to our ears, to each of our senses setting forth whatever might tempt us to sin. He arouses our tongues to speak evil about others, and urges our hands to injure them. He sets forth profits to be earned by shady and immoral means, and holds out earthly honors and false values to be preferred to heavenly ones. When he cannot tempt us, he brings the threat of persecution so that fear may cause us to betray the faith. Thus we must always be alert for his many-faceted attacks, ready to resist him at every turn. We must be vigilant because, in St. Paul s words, Satan transforms himself into an angel of light.
The epileptic
Consider the demoniac epileptic: A father s child was possessed by a demon, and suffered attacks of epilepsy, being brought on the brink of being thrown into water or fire. Christ told the despairing father: If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. His answer was: Lord, I believe; help my unbelief! Why does Christ require belief? Because belief is in this case the opposite of doubt. The belief of the father was the required condition for the casting out of the deaf and dumb spirit from the tormented youth in a faithless generation. Despite his stated weakness and doubt, the distraught father had placed all his confidence in Christ, Who came to bridge the abysmal chasm built by the devil between God and man, to free us from the torments of the demons.
tion to this, those men who are seeking ordination have the opportunity to develop a priestly consciousness. In short, the programs of supervised field education are concerned not simply with acquiring skills and knowledge, but with nurturing the very essence of the individual. 2) To provide the individual with the opportunity to grow in the life of the spirit within the context of ministered service. There is an intimate relationship between worship, theological study and service to others. All the experiences of field education have as their goal to provide the student with opportunities to perceive this relationship. 3) To provide opportunities in which professional understanding and competence can be developed. Ministerial skills are best learned in actual situations. In addition to the acquisition of fundamental pastoral skills, students have the clear opportunity to test their vocations and to sense their gifts, talents and weaknesses. 4) To provide an opportunity for the student to offer responsible and meaningful service to the Church during the period of study and preparations; 5) To allow students to develop interpersonal skills and to encourage them to work in co-operation with other students, the supervisor, members of the parish and the pastor, if other than the supervisor, so as to develop interpersonal skills. The spiritual progress which accompanies the struggle towards theosis is apparent in the quest for deeper, more meaningful relationships between persons. 6) To offer a framework in which theological issues are raised and confronted. The student is thereby challenged
to reflect theologically on the many contexts and situations of ministry today. Theological reflection which takes place within a group context ideally reflects the concepts of communion and conciliarity so important to Orthodox theology. In much the same way that conciliarity is understood as a harmonious unity in which there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit (1 Cor. 12:4), so too the group context for theological reflection and supervision provides a forum for continuous giving and receiving in dialogue. 7) To provide a comprehensive and realistic view of the Church and its role in the lives of persons. By stressing the conciliar or communitarian dimension of Christian life, Orthodox theology through field education can contribute much to the advancement of dialogue and to the improvement of relations between Christians and in society in general. 8) To allow students to recognize the opportunity for guided self-evaluation and development of spiritual and personal skills so that limitations are noted and strengths developed. From all that has been stressed above, it is evident that supervised field education cannot be viewed as an appendix to theological education but as an essential and integral part of it. Furthermore, Orthodoxy has consistently stressed this holistic approach to the study of theology. Orthodox theological education, therefore, is ideally suited to an integrated educational model, one which unites theoria with praxis . Such a model in fact reflects the authentic tradition of the Orthodox Church. Dr. Lewis J. Patsavos is professor of Canon Law and director of Field Education at Holy Cross.
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Archons Annual Banquet a Remarkable Evening of Love It was, as local CBS news anchor Ernie Anastos, the master of ceremonies, described the annual Archons banquet on March 9 as, a most remarkable evening, and truly a special night. The event s theme might best be summarized with a word used by Archbishop Demetrios throughout his remarks during the program, love. byJim Golding
While it was the first time the Order of St. Andrew bestowed the award upon a former President and first lady, the unique event was also marked by an appearance by their son, the current president, through a videotaped message. Another special moment, to the surprise of the audience, was the singing of the National Anthem by Grammy Awardwinning singer Marc Anthony. In his message, President Bush said to the Archons about their decision to honor his parents, You have chosen well I love and admire my parents for all that they are and for all they have done. He spoke of their unconditional love that they have extended throughout the world. This is a great tribute worthy of two great people, he added. Other tributes came from U.S. Sens. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland and Olympia J. Snowe of Maine, Andrew Natsios, administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis. The senators praised Mrs. Bush s efforts to promote literacy in the nation and the president for his leadership in transforming the world at a critical juncture in history with the fall of communism and the increased danger in the Middle East. It could have turned into chaos, said Sen. Sarbanes. We were very fortunate to have his very skillful leadership. That s exactly what he did as president, he transformed the world. Sen. Snowe stated, Because of the decisive leadership of President and Mrs. Bush, freedom prevails. Patriarch Bartholomew, after presenting the Patriarch Athenagoras Award to President and Mrs. Bush, also gave special gifts consisting of the Cross of Panaghia Pammakaristos (Most Blessed) to the president, in appreciation to President Bush for what he has done, His All Holiness said, and a silver dish to the former first lady. In her comments upon receiving the award, Mrs. Bush asked everyone to please keep praying for our son, it gives
New Archons for 2002 Forty-four new candidates received the Archon designation at the annual meeting of the Order of St. Andrew/Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate March 9-10 weekend. It marked the first time a new group of Archons was invested by an Ecumenical Patriarch at Holy Trinity Cathedral. The investiture ceremony took place following the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on March 10 at the cathedral in Manhattan. Co-celebrating with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew were Archbishop Demetrios and members of the Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese, SCOBA hierarchs (Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas) and hierarchs accompanying Patriarch Bartholomew. Following are the new Archons, their parish, and city of residence: ARCHDIOCESE DISTRICT Charles Louis Bakes, Church of the Archangels in Stamford, Conn; New Canaan, Conn. George K. Filippakis,
NEW ARCHONS of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for 2002 with National Commander Limberakis and Board members
him enormous strength. President Bush expressed his appreciation to Patriarch Bartholomew, stating we are honored to have him on our shores. He also praised former Archbishop Iakovos, calling him a great, wonderful and loyal friend of ours. Speaking about his son, the senior President Bush said this president is lifted and given strength through his faith, which has sustained him through the aftermath of Sept. 11. Archbishop Demetrios called the evening a night of love, a symphony of love, a masterpiece of love and referred to His All Holiness as a Patriarch of love. He had special praise for Mrs. Bush and her goal to eradicate illiteracy in children through her foundation. Referring to their son, His Eminence noted he saw the connection with God and the sitting president, which he added was much more obvious after Sept. 11 and called him a man of compassion with a real reliance on God. In his comments, His All Holiness discussed the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the coordinating center through which unity is shown, and that the Orthodox Church moves in a spirit of love to fight a continuous battle against injustice and hatred. The Patriarch also said the Church is united in a systematic way in its condemnation of terrorism. In praising the Order of St. Andrew for its work, His All Holiness said in concluding remarks, We are deeply moved by the love of the Archons toward the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Holy Trinity, Hicksville, N.Y; Woodbury, N.Y. George M. Kondos, Holy Trinity, New Rochelle, N.Y; Scarsdale, N.Y. Christos Kossovitsas, St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, N.Y. Eugene Rossides, St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington. Robert G. Shaw, Holy Trinity Cathedral, New York; NYC. Emmanuel E. Velivasakis, Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y; Scarsdale, N.Y. CHICAGO DIOCESE Gus A. Chafoulias, Holy Anargyroi-Sts. Cosmas and Damianos, Rochester, Minn. Chris P. Tomaras, Holy Taxiarchai-St. Haralambos in Niles, Ill; Evanston, Ill. SAN FRANCISCO DIOCESE George H. Kossaras, Assumption Church, Scottsdale, Ariz; Carefree, Ariz. Gerry Ranglas, Sts. Constantine and Helen, CardiffBy-the-Sea, Calif; Rancho Santa Fe, Calif. Anthony Saris, Nativity of Christ, Ignacio, Calif; Mill Valley, Calif. Nikiforos Valaskantjis, St. Nectarios, Covina, Calif; San Clemente, Calif. Alkiviadis Vassiliadis, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff-By-The-Sea; San Diego. PITTSBURH DIOCESE George N. Kontos, St. Demetrios, Warren, Ohio; Warren. John N. Mandalakas,
Peter Christopulos
GEORGE AND BARBARA BUSH RECEIVE ATHENAGORAS AWARD NEW YORK Patriarch Bartholomew presented former President George H. W. Bush and first lady Barbara Bush with the 17th Athenagoras Human Rights Award at the annual Order of St. Andrew the Apostle banquet on March 9. byJohn Halecky III
This year marks the first time the Award was presented to more than one individual and is honoring the former President and First Lady collectively and individually. Archbishop Demetrios hosted the event that attracted more than 1,500 Orthodox Christian laymen and clergy from across the country. Regarding the Patriarchal visit the Archbishop stated, The visit if His Holiness to America in order to participate in the Athenagoras Award ceremonies constitutes a true blessing for all of us and lends even greater significance to this year s event. It is also significant that the award recipients are people who have had an important role in contemporary American and world history. In geopolitical terms, President Bush presided over a period of unparalleled positive change stated Anthony Limberakis, MD, national commander of the Order of St. Andrew. From the fall of Soviet Communism to the liberation of many opPresentation of Christ, East Pittsburgh, Pa.; N. Huntington, Pa. Emanuel Pihakis, All Saints, Canonsburg, Pa; Frank Sarris, All Saints, Canonsburg; Ted J. Theodore, Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral, Cleveland; Euclid, Ohio. BOSTON DIOCESE Christy Mihos, Nativity-Assumption, Cohasset, Mass; Cohasset. Nicholas C. Sarris, Holy Trinity, Lowell, Mass; Tyngsboro, Mass. DENVER DIOCESE Diamantis J. Cassis, Annunciation Cathedral, Houston; contributing member St. George, Shreveport, La; Houston. Peter W. G. Cayias, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Salt Lake City/Prophet Elias, Holladay, Utah; Salt Lake City. James P. Christon, Holy Trinity, Dallas; Charles H. Cotros, Annunciation, Memphis; contributing member St. Barbara, Florida, and Annunciation Cathedral, Houston; Theodore Critikos, Assumption Cathedral, Denver; Englewood, Colo. Peter Kappos, Assumption Cathedral, Denver; George J. Kostas, Annunciation Cathedral, Houston; ATLANTA DIOCESE John Haralambides, St. Sophia, Syra-
pressed peoples in the developing world, his White House term is increasingly as one of tremendous historical importance, especially in the context of promoting human rights. Likewise, his enduring concern regarding humanitarian issues and the promotion of human dignity continue to be exemplified in the activities of the Points of Light Foundation, Dr. Limberakis said. The Order has also chosen to honor Barbara Bush as a most worthy recipient of the Athenagoras Award in her own right, Dr Limberakis continued. She has demonstrated a commitment to principles and work that aid the needy, strengthen family and uplift the human spirit. Her activities with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, AmeriCares, the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and many other organizations demonstrate a sustained and energetic concern for improving the lives of others. Through personal example as a family, as parents and by the most visible legacy of children who have dedicated a new generation to public duty and service, they are exemplars of the spirit and substance the Athenagoras Award celebrates. Nicholas J. Bouras was the banquet underwriter. John Halecky III is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate cuse, N.Y./St. Sophia Cathedral, Miami; John A. Kalinoglou, Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta; George S. Kleris, MD, Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta; George V. Matthews, Transfiguration, Marietta, Ga.; Alpharetta, Ga. Constantine M. Rizopoulos, several parishes in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida; Flagler Beach, Fla. DETROIT DIOCESE Sam Afendoulis, Holy Trinity, Grand Rapids, Mich; Grand Rapids. Ron Harb, Annunciation, Little Rock, Ark; James S. Nicholas, Holy Trinity, Grand Rapids; John J. Rigas, St. Nicholas, Jamestown, N.Y; Coudersport, Pa. NEW JERSEY DIOCESE George H. Grigos, St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia; Huntington Valley, Pa. Georgios C. Kyvernitis, St. Luke, Broomall, Pa; King of Prussia, Pa. Nicholas L. Papson, Zoodochos Peghe, Bronx, N.Y; Washington Township, N.J. James D. Speros, Holy Trinity, Westfield, N.J; Berkley Heights, N.J. Ernest N. Tsaptsinos, St. Barbara Church; Toms River, N.J. Sava Tshontikidis, St. Sophia Cathedral, Washington, Clarksville, Md.