Orthodox Observer - September 2009

SEPTEMBER 2009 • Vol. 74 • No. 1251

www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: observer@goarch.org

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His Eminence’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew First Ten Years: to Host Environmental Symposium Highlights of a Decade

Ten years ago, Archbishop Demetrios arrived at New York’s Kennedy International Airport on Sept. 16 in the midst of a tempest. His landing was delayed because the area was in the middle of a visitation by tropical storm Floyd, which had been downgraded from a hurricane before it reached the city.

His arrival was also at the end of another stormy period that existed in the Archdiocese of America during a controversial period in its history, which His Eminence was elected to quell by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Both storms passed following his arrival.

He quickly made the transition from the academic sphere as a renowned scholar, to a spiritual, moral leader who has taken the Church into the 21st century and through some very trying times.

Only two years after his enthronement, the horrific Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington brought about a significant shift in the direction of this country, resulting in monumental changes in the lives of its citizens.

In the traumatic weeks and months that followed the attacks, Archbishop Demetrios stood as a national symbol of the Church to its faithful and society at large as he reached out to the thousands of people directly affected by the tragedy, including the small group of parishioners of St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero, the only religious building that was destroyed in the collapse of the Twin Towers.

Since then he has led the Church through other difficult situations and events, great and small; among them Hurricane Katrina.

He has also been a strong supporter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, both in the United States and abroad, and has represented the Church throughout the world.

The Archbishop has met with world leaders, as well as those from other faiths, and also with countless rank-and-file faithful in Greek Orthodox communities throughout the nation, including many young people.

While His Eminence’s activities and accomplishments are too nu-

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WILL HONOR ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS’ 10th ANNIVERSARY His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will arrive in New Orleans, on Oct. 20 to begin his Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the United States. The purpose of this, his sixth visit to our nation, is twofold: to convene and preside over the Eighth Religion, Science and the Environment (RSE) Symposium, and to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios of America as the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

His All Holiness, under whose high patronage the Religion, Science and the Environment Symposia take place, will lead a large and diverse group of theologians, scientists, policy makers, environmentalists, representatives of business and NGOs, and media for a five day Environmental Symposium entitled; “Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River.”

Since 1995, RSE has convened seven symposia to study the fate of the world’s waters which cover seven-tenths of our planet’s surface. These assemblies of scientists, environmentalists, policy-makers and representatives of the world’s main religious faiths have established a vibrant environmental ethics movement. Underlying RSE’s strategies is a core belief that the analytical tools of science and the spiritual messages of religion must work in harmony if the earth’s environment is to be safeguarded. The symposia take place afloat, bringing participants – international and regional religious leaders, scientists, environmentalists, policy makers, media representatives and other prominent figures in politics and business – directly to endangered bodies of water. Policy and planning for the symposia are developed by the Religious and Scientific Committee composed of senior international figures from religion and science, under the chairmanship of Metropolitan John of Pergamon. Representatives from countries relevant to each symposium are also part of the organizing committee. Previous symposia have been attended by heads of state, environmental ministers, ministers of economic affairs and prominent intellectual figures. (More information on the Mississippi symposium: www.rsesymposia.org) Following the Symposium, His All Holiness will travel to New York City for week-long celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios. It will commence with the Feastday Great Vespers of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer at the Parish dedi-

cated to the Great-Martyr in Merrick, NY. The next day, the His All Holiness will preside at the Feastday Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, NY. On the evening of the 26th, His All Holiness will preside at the 9th Annual Prayer service for the United Nations at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The service is sponsored jointly by the Standing Conference of the Canoni-

cal Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOOCH).

On Tuesday, October 27th, His All Holiness will meet with the Primates of SCOBA. Under the leadership of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the

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A Timeline Highlighting His Eminence’s First Ten Years

  page 1 merous to mention in their entirety, the following timeline includes many of the most significant events in the ministry of Archbishop Demetrios, and in the life of the Archdiocese of America, over the 10-year period since his enthronement in September 1999.

Due to its length, it is published in two parts, with the second installment to appear in the October issue. Part one chronicles the period through the end of 2001.

1999

Aug. 19 – The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elects Bishop Demetrios of Vresthena as Archbishop of America to replace Archbishop Spyridon who resigned. Bishop George of New Jersey is named as Archepiscopal Vicar until the new Archbishop’s enthronement in September.

Sept. 12 – The Archbishop Iakovos Library is dedicated at Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass.

Sept. 18 – Archbishop Demetrios is enthroned at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral with a standing-room-only audience in attendance. Archbishop Iakovos and the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch, Metropolitan Demetrios of Sevastia, conduct the service. Among the dignitaries attending is first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Sept. 28 – The Archbishop participates in his first White House Prayer Breakfast with 100 religious leaders hosted by President Bill Clinton.

Oct. 3 – His Eminence consecrates his first church, Sts. Constantine and Helen, in West Nyack, N.Y. Oct. 14-15 – Holy Eparchial Synod holds its first meeting under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios.

Oct. 21 – Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago celebrates his 30th anniversary in the Episcopacy with Archbishop Demetrios in attendance.

Oct. 22-23 – The Archbishop attends the New Jersey Clergy-Laity Assembly in Cherry Hill, N.J. Oct. 25 – The Standing Conference

of Canonical Orthodox Bishops (SCOBA) in the Americas hold their first meeting under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios at the headquarters of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in South Bound Brook, N.J. Oct. 28 – The Archbishop pays his first official visit to New York Gov. George Pataki at the governor’s Manhattan office.

canonical anomaly that has arisen from historical circumstances and pastoral requirements, such as in the so-called Orthodox Diaspora, with a view to overcoming every possible influence that is foreign to Orthodox ecclesiology.”

At the October 2008 meeting of the heads of the Autocephalous Churches, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called upon them to “activate the 1993 agreement of the Inter-Orthodox Consultation of the Holy and Great Council in order to resolve the pending matter of the Orthodox Diaspora.”

This agreement provided a plan to

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis

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In 2009, published bi–monthly except for March and April by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

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official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Archbishop Demetrios is on hand to welcome the President and Mrs. Clinton.

Nov. 21 – Bishop George of New Jersey, who had been elevated to that position in April, dies from a massive stroke at age 66 while visiting his home parish of Bethesda, Md. Dec. 1 – His Eminence names Fr. Savas Zembillas as chancellor of the Archdiocese. A few days later he also appoints Fr. Alexander Karloutsos as executive director of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and names a committee to select a new president for Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology.

Dec. 24-26 – CBS includes a segment on Greek Orthodoxy in its special, “An American Christmas.” The program includes a narration by the Archbishop.

2000

Oct. 29 – After 38 years’ service to the Church, Dr. Nicholas Kladopoulos, director of the Office of Greek Education, retires.

Nov. 11 – Archdiocesan Council member and secretary Eleni Huszagh is elected president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Nov. 17 – President Clinton pays an

Pan-Orthodox Conference Establishes Regional Episcopal Assemblies CHAMBESY, Switzerland – At the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, delegates from the 14 Autocephalous Churches participated in the historic Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference, meeting at the Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in ChambésyGeneva, Switzerland on June 6-12.

The Conference was a direct result of the Synaxis of the heads of all the Orthodox Churches, convened by His All Holiness at the Ecumenical Patriarchate Oct. 10-12, 2008. At that time, all the Prokathemenoi (Heads) expressed their “desire for the swift healing of every

SEPTEMBER 2009

PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Eleftherios Pissalidis GRAPHIC ARTIST Abel Montoya ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras BUSINESS MANAGER Marissa P. Costidis

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establish an “Episcopal Assembly” for the Bishops to cooperate in each of the regions of the so-called Orthodox Diaspora for solutions to canonical problems and for a common Orthodox witness.

Acting as formal representatives of the Autocephalous Churches, the members of the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Conference in Chambésy affirmed “that is the common will of all of the most holy Orthodox Churches that the problem of the Orthodox Diaspora be resolved as quickly as possible, and that it be organized in

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Jan. 1 – Archbishop Demetrios names former director of finance and administration, Jerry Dimitriou to the newly created position of executive director of administration.

Jan. 6 – The Archbishop presides at his first Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs, Fla. January – Ionian Village begins preparations to mark its 30th anniversary.

Jan. 20-21 – At its first meeting of the new year, the Holy and Eparchial Synod discusses the proposed revision of the Archdiocese Charter.

Jan. 22 – The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, earmarked $3.4 million for the National Ministries of the Archdiocese.

Feb. 15 – Archbishop Demetrios officially announces the 35th Clergy-Laity Congress to be held in Philadelphia on July 2-7.

March 3-4 – The Archdiocesan Council holds its first meeting under the leadership of the new Archbishop.

March 9 - His Eminence participates in a White House Summit of faith leaders, “A Call to Action: the President’s One America Meeting with Religious Leaders.”

March 30 – President Clinton, on his visit to New York, invites Archbishop

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For the Record Fr. George Poulos who retired in June after 53 years at Archangels Church in Stamford, Conn., previously had served in Norwich, Conn., not Norwalk.

Clara Nicon is a member of Assumption Church in Seattle, not St. Demetrios.

Upcoming deadlines Deadlines for submitting information, articles and photos for the Orthodox Observer for consideration are as follows: October issue: Monday, Sept.

28; November: Monday, Oct. 26; December (Christmas issue): Monday, Nov. 23.

Photos should be sent as a large format jpg attachment (300 dpi or greater). Email to: jim@goarch.org Regular mail – Editor, Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075.

SEPTEMBER 2009

St. Michael’s Home Annual Name Day Event Set for Nov. 8

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St. Michael’s Home will hold its annual name day gala on the feast day of the Archangels, Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan.

This event is not only an evening of fellowship, but also an occasion to highlight the Home’s successes and raise support for its Expansion Fund. Together with its name day celebration, St. Michaels will honor a distinguished member of the Greek Orthodox community.

This year’s honoree is Christos Spyropoulos, president and CEO of BC International Group Inc., which sells furs through Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and other department stores.

Mr. Spyropoulos also will receive the 2009 Archangel Michael Award, presented annually to a distinguished member of the community who embodies and promotes the finer qualities and traditions of Greek Orthodox heritage.

Previously honored individuals include Archbishop Demetrios, Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas, The Stavros S. Niarchos Foundation and Nicholas J. Bouras, Mr. Spyropoulos has been a benefactor of the Greek Orthodox community in addition to many worthy causes.

For more information about the Name Day Gala or about including a message in the commemorative journal distributed at this event and throughout the greater metropolitan area, contact the Home at (914) 476-3374 St. Michael is the only Greek Orthodox adult home providing assisted living to the elderly in the United States and last year celebrated its 50th anniversary.

Future plans include increasing both the number of beds and the level of care the Home is licensed to offer.

Serving as this year’s chairman is Haeda Mihaltses.

CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Diaconate Nicholas Marcus, by Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit; at Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Plymouth, Mich., 03/21/09 Ordinations to the Priesthood Rev. Dn. Nicholas Marcus, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Plymouth, Mich., 03/21/07 Rev. Dn. Louis Nicholas, Archbishop Demetrios of America, St. Paraskevi Church, Greenlawn, N.Y., 07/26/09 Assignments Rev. Fr. Gavril Bulz, Sts. Markella and Demetrios, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla., 08/10/09 Rev. Fr. Jordan Brown, Annunciation Cathedral, Houston, 08/16/09 Rev. Fr. Nicholas Marcus, Holy Trinity Church, Grand Rapids, Mich., 08/16/09 Rev. Fr. Gregory Patsis, St. Sophia Church, Syracuse, N.Y., 08/24/09 Retired Priests Rev. Fr. Sarantos Serviou, 08/31/09 Rev. Fr. Jerry Tasikas, 09/01/09 Receptions Rev. Fr. Eugen Rosu, July 23, 2009, (from the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America/OCA) Rev. Fr. Gavril Bulz, Aug. 3, 2009, (from the Romanian Orthodox Episcopate of America/OCA)

ARCHEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross

New ambassador

Photo by ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Archbishop Demetrios received Pablo Thalassinos, Panama’s new ambassador to the United Nations, at Archdiocese headquarters in early August. Ambassador Thalassinos and the Archbishop exchanged gifts and spent time discussing various issues.

Archdiocese Awards Scholarships for 2009-10 The Archdiocese has awarded scholarships for the 2009-10 academic year from three scholarship programs administered by the Chancellor’s Office.

In spite of the current economic conditions, these scholarship funds managed to award scholarships to several students.

The “George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship Fund” awarded scholarships to the following: John Buscemi (Glenview, Ill.), Matthew Hyps (Seminole, Fla.), Eleftheria Lekkas (Oradell, N.J.), Spyridon Mitches (Garrison, N.Y.), Jeffrey Pedersen (Sandy, Utah), Kelly Sklavounas (North Canton, Ohio), and Peter Stultz (Grand Rapids, Mich.).

The “George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship Fund” was established in 1997 with a generous gift from Marian Gioles in memory of her beloved parents, to honor their commitment to their Orthodox Faith, their love of their Hellenic heritage, and their desire to help youth who are orphaned or in need.

Scholarships are awarded annually to Greek Orthodox students committed to serious study in degree-earning, undergraduate programs at accredited colleges or universities in the United States, with at least one award reserved for a student pursuing a degree in journalism.

This year, the journalism award went to John Buscemi from Glenview, Ill. The “Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund” awarded scholarships to the following: Charles Blougouras (Rochester, N.H.), John Buscemi (Glenview, Ill.), Eleni Cade (Des Moines, Iowa), Milan Devetak (Las Vegas), Eleftheria Lekkas (Oradell, N.J.), Spyridon Mitches (Garrison, N.Y.), Jeffrey Pedersen (Sandy, Utah), Elizabeth Pettygrove (Pomona, Calif.), Alyssa Marie Robidoux (Natick, Mass.), Kelly Sklavounas (North Canton, Ohio), and Peter Stultz (Grand Rapids, Mich.)

The “Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund” was established in 2002 by Peter and Elli Paleologos through a generous

gift from the estate of Katina John Malta.

The scholarship is open to students from all jurisdictions of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), reflecting the pan-Orthodox nature of this scholarship program.

This year, in addition to recipients from the Archdiocese, one of the recipients, Milan Devetak, is from the Serbian Orthodox Church and one student, Elizabeth Pettygrove, is from the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

The final set of scholarships, awarded from the “Paleologos Graduate Scholarship Fund” marks the third year that awards were granted from this new fund established in 2007 by Peter and Elli Paleologos.

The fund assists students enrolled in graduate studies leading to advanced degrees in academic fields other than theology.

Like the Malta Scholarships, this award is open to all students of SCOBAaffiliated churches.

This year, Elli Paleologos awarded six scholarships in memory of her late husband, Peter, co-founder of this scholarship, who passed away in late May 2009.

Recipients of the 2009-10 Paleologos Graduate Scholarships are: Angela Glaros (Urbana, Ill.), Meredith Hutchinson (Bethlehem, Pa.), Christiana Limniatis (Albany, N.Y.), Constandinos Tsourakis (New York) and Stephanie Varvitsiotes (Danville, Calif.) all from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and Lillian Kishek (W. Bloomfield, Mich.) from the Antiochian Orthodox Church.

It is anticipated that all three of these scholarships will be awarded next year for the 2010-11 academic year.

Applications and guidelines for next year’s scholarships will be available at the beginning of 2010 from the Office of the Chancellor, 8 East 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10075 or on-line on the Archdiocese website, www.goarch.org

Archbishop Holds Memorial Service at Ground Zero NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios held a memorial service on Friday, Sept. 11, at Ground Zero on the sight of St. Nicholas Church, the only religious

edifice destroyed in the 9/11 attacks.

The religious service was held near Gate 7, corner of Greenwich and Liberty streets.

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 Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I greet you in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, a major Feast of our Holy Orthodox Church which we commemorate each year on September 14.

In Her wisdom, our Holy Orthodox Church designates a specific passage from the Holy Gospel to be read during the Divine Liturgy celebrated on this day. The reading, according to the Gospel of John (19:6-30), is a dramatic narrative of Christ’s judgment before Pontius Pilate, and His crucifixion, suffering and death on the Cross. The Church also prescribes this day as a strict fast.

The combining of this Gospel passage with the religious discipline of fasting is an intentional one by the Church, for it has the effect of inviting the worshipper to revisit central themes from the liturgical period of Great and Holy Lent. On this Feast, the Church reinforces these themes, focusing on the role of repentance and prayer in the Christian life and on the Cross as a constant reminder of the source of our strength, power, salvation, and life.

It is in this context that we may appreciate our liturgical act today of raising the symbol of the Cross with our hands and with our hearts. In doing this, we remember that the Cross is much more than

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Luncheon to Honor St. Basil’s Academy 65th Year GARRISON, N.Y. – St. Basil Academy will hold a benefit luncheon to celebrate its 65th anniversary on Saturday. Nov. 21.

The event, which begins at noon, will take place at Terrace on the Park near Flushing Meadows, Queens.

For more information, contact the Academy (845.424.3500), or Benefit Chairman Christine Karavites (508.982.4276), or Elaine Cladis (303.435.8534).

The luncheon will feature the culinary skills of renowned chef Vefa Alexiadou.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

ECUMENICAL ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH’S ENCYCLICAL ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT í BARTHOLOMEW By the MERCY of God, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch To the PLENTITUDE of the Church Grace AND Peace from the creator of the entire universe our lord, god and saviour jesus christ As we come again to the changing of the Church year, we reflect once more on the state of God’s creation. We think about the past and repent for all that we have done or failed to do for the earth’s care; we look to the future and pray for wisdom to guide us in all that we think or do.

These last twelve months have been a time of great uncertainty for the whole world. The financial systems that so many people trusted to bring them the good things of life, have brought instead fear, uncertainty and poverty.

Our globalized economy has meant that everyone - even the poorest who are far removed from the dealings of big business - has been affected.

The present crisis offers an opportunity for us to deal with the problems in a different way, because the methods that created these problems cannot provide their best solution. We need to bring love into all our dealings, the love that inspires courage and compassion.

Human progress is not just the accumulation of wealth and the thoughtless consumption of the earth’s resources.

The way that the present crisis has been dealt with has revealed the values of the few who are shaping the destiny of our society; of those who can find vast sums of money to support the financial system that has betrayed them, but are not willing to allot even the least portion of that money to remedy the piteous state the creation has been reduced to because of these very values, or for feeding the hungry of the world, or for securing safe drinking water for the thirsty, who are also victims of those values. On the face of every hungry child is written a question for us, and we must not turn away to avoid the answer. Why has this happened? Is it a problem of human inability or of human will?

We have rendered the Market the centre of our interest, our activities and, finally, of our life, forgetting that this choice of ours will affect the lives of future generations, limiting the number of their choices that would probably be more oriented towards the well-being of man as well as the creation. Our human economy, which has made us consumers, is failing. The divine economy, which has made us in the image of the loving Creator, calls us to love and care for all creation. The image we have of ourselves is reflected in the way we treat the creation. If we believe that we are no more than consumers, then we

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PATRIARCHATE

Itinerary of Ecumenical Patriarch’s Visit to the U.S.

Editor’s Note: Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will make his sixth visit to the United States from Oct. 20 to Nov. 6. The following is his tentative schedule.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20 Arrival in New Orleans to lead the Religion, Science and The Environment Symposium titled The Great Mississippi River: Restoring Balance from Oct. 21-25.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25 10:00 a.m. Patriarchal Chorostasia, Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans.

Depart New Orleans for JFK International Airport, New York.

Arrive JFK International Airport and leave immediately for Merrick, N.Y. 6:00 p.m. Patriarchal Chorostasia at Great Vespers for the Feast day of St. Demetrios the Myrrh–streamer, St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church (2421 Hewlett Avenue, Merrick, N.Y. 11566–Tel: 516-379-1368).

MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 Demetrios the Myrrh–streamer 8:30 a.m. Orthros 10:00 a.m. Patriarchal Chorostasia at Divine Liturgy for the Feastday of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer – St. Demetrios Cathedral (30-11 30th Drive, Astoria, New York 11102– Tel.: 718728-1718).

12:30 p.m. Community Agape Reception in the Ecumenical Patriarch’s honor.

He will visit with students of St. Demetrios Parochial School, and students from other Parochial Schools of the Direct Archdiocesan District, Astoria.

6:30 p.m. Ninth annual Orthodox Christian Prayer Service for the United Nations Community sponsored by the SCOBA/SCOOCH Joint Commission of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral (319 East 74 Street, New York, - Tel. 212-288-3215).

8:30 p.m. Dinner in honor of His All Holiness hosted by the Ambassador of Greece to the U.N. Anastasios Mitsialis at the Waldorf Astoria hotel.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27 • Patriarchal Audience and Meeting with SCOBA Hierarchs in the Conference Room of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese (8 East 79 th Street, New York 10075 – Tel.: 212-570-3500).

• Ecumenical Luncheon with New York-area religious leaders hosted by Archbishop Demetrios in the Archiepiscopal Dining Room at the Archdiocese of America.

• Blessing and greeting of Orthodox Christian students at Fordham University Museum of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Art of the William D. Walsh Family Library. Arrival at the Office of Father Joseph McShane, president of Fordham University (41 East Fordham Road, Bronx, N.Y.).

• Convocation and presentation of honorary degree to His All Holiness at Fordham University Church.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28 • Private visit to the Mary and Michael Jaharis Galleries for Byzantine and Medieval Europe Gallery at the

Metropolitan Museum of Art (1000 Fifth Avenue, New York).

• Meeting with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, U.N. Headquarters, New York.

• Meeting with Jewish religious and lay leaders hosted by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation at the Park East Synagogue (164 East 68th Street, New York).

• Archdiocesan Leadership Dinner in honor of His All Holiness hosted by Archbishop Demetrios with the Metropolitans, hierarchs, clergy, Leadership 100 Executive Committee, and other lay representatives of the Archdiocese at The Boat House Central Park (East 72nd Street and Park Drive North, New York).

METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29 • Arrive Atlanta Fulton County Airport and official welcome of His All Holiness by Metropolitan Alexios, clergy, Archons, Philoptochos, young people and civic leaders.

5:00 p.m. Patriarchal visit to Metropolis of Atlanta headquarters (2480 Clairmont Road, N.E., Atlanta).

5:30 p.m. Patriarchal Chorostasia Vespers Service at Annunciation Cathedral (2500 Clairmont Rd., N.E., Atlanta).

• Reception and dinner hosted by Muhtar Kent, President and CEO, The Coca-Cola Company, World of CocaCola (121 Baker Street, Atlanta).

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 • Visit to headquarters of The CocaCola Company, (World of Coca-Cola, 121 Baker Street, Atlanta).

• Departure from Atlanta Fulton County Airport to Teterboro Airport, New Jersey.

ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT 6:30 p.m. Pictorial tribute in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s prophetic and pioneering leadership for the environment hosted by the American Bible Society at MOBIA (Museum of Biblical Art) (1865 Broadway at 61st Street, New York).

8:00 p.m. Tribute to Peacemakers Concert in honor of His All Holiness and Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of his 10th Anniversary as Archbishop of America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at Alice Tully Hall–Lincoln Center with Manhattan Philharmonic Orchestra, Peter Tiboris, conductor, and the Metropolitan Youth Choir of the Archdiocese (1941 Broadway 65th between Broadway and Amsterdam).

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31 • Patriarchal Exhortation to the Archdiocesan Council, Waldorf Astoria hotel (301 Park Avenue, New York).

• Private audience with National Philoptochos Executive Committee.

• Private Reception in honor of His All Holiness hosted by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America in the West Foyer, Waldorf Astoria.

• Archons Banquet in honor of His All Holiness in the Grand Ballroom, Waldorf Astoria.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1 8:30 a.m. Orthros/Matins, Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral.

10:00 a.m. Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Demetrios and members of the Holy Synod of the Archdiocese participating, followed by the Investiture of the 2009 Archon Class of the Order of Saint Andrew.

• Agape Reception in the Community Fellowship Hall of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral (319 East 74th Street, New York, NY 10021– Tel. 212288-3215) in honor of His All Holiness.

• Private luncheon with Hierarchs in the Versailles Room at the Carlyle Hotel (35 East 76th Street, New York).

Depart for Washington • Official welcome of His All Holiness by the U.S. Chief of Protocol, Orthodox hierarchs, ambassadors, ecumenical leaders, senators, congressmen, clergy, lay leaders and young people.

ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 • Luncheon in honor of His All Holiness hosted by Ambassador Vasilis Kaskarelis of Greece at the Embassy of Greece (2221 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington).

METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY 6:00 p.m. Patriarchal Chorostasia at Grand Doxology Service at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church (2747 Riva Road, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 - Tel.: 410-573-2072).

• General Reception and Dinner in celebration of the 18th Anniversary of His All Holiness’ Enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch hosted by Metropolitan Evangelos, the clergy and lay leaders of the Metropolis of New Jersey and the parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Annapolis at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church Auditorium and Fellowship Hall, 2747 Riva Road, Annapolis, Md. ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3 • Lecture co-sponsored by the Center for American Progress and Georgetown University at Gaston Hall, (37th and O Streets, NW, Washington).

• Luncheon in honor of His All Holiness hosted by Ambassador Nabi Sensoy at the ambassador’s residence.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4 • Lecture at the Brookings Institution (1775 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington).

• Joint Luncheon in honor of His All Holiness hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, on Capitol Hill.

• Reception and dinner in honor of His All Holiness hosted by Vice President Joseph Biden at the Vice Presidential residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 5 • Private Luncheon with the Archbishop and Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese, St. Regis hotel.

• Dinner in honor of His All Holiness hosted by the Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton at the State Department, 2201 C Street NW, Washington.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6 Afternoon departure.

5

SEPTEMBER 2009

ECUMENICAL

PATRIARCHATE His All Holiness’ Leadership in Environmental Issues

by Fr. John Chryssavgis

New Orleans to be revisited

Photos: N. MANGINAS

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew views the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Four years later, he returns to the city on the first leg of his sixth visit to the U.S. for the Mississippi River Symposium, which will also examine the long-term effects of the devastating storm. (Below) His All Holiness speaks to the gathering at the Arctic environmental symposium in 2007 off the coast of Greenland.

Ecumenical Patriarch to Celebrate Anniversaries at Maryland Parish

by Felicia Karavellas

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Sts. Constantine and Helen Church on the final portion of his sixth visit to the United States.

The faithful of the Annapolis community, led by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and the Rev. Kosmas Karavellas, the parish priest, will host His All Holiness, his official delegation from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Demetrios of America, the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, and a host of dignitaries on Monday, Nov. 2, for a special commemoration of the 18th anniversary of His All Holiness’s enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside at a Doxology in the Church of Sts. Constantine and Helen, and then Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, clergy, and lay leaders of the Metropolis and Sts. Constantine and Helen parish will host a dinner afterward to honor this special celebration.

The community of Sts. Constantine and Helen is very honored for this “once in a lifetime” experience, and have been

working with immense enthusiasm along side the Metropolis and Archdiocese to provide an unforgettable experience for all that will attend. In addition to the special event of the Apostolic Visit of His All Holiness, the community will begin a year-long celebration of its 65th anniversary as a parish of the Archdiocese.

His All Holiness will commence the anniversary of the parish, which is the second oldest in Maryland, formed as an offshoot of the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore.

Dignitaries who have been invited to attend include: Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley; County Executive John Leopold: U.S. Senators Benjamin Cardin and Barbara Mikulski; U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes; Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele; Former Gov. Robert Ehrlich ; Maryland House Speaker Mike Busch; Florida Congressman Gus Bilirakis; Ohio Congressman Zachary T. Space; Cardinal William H. Cardinal Keeler, the Roman Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Baltimore; the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Baltimore, the Most Rev. Edwin Frederick O’Brien, and the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Washington, the Most Rev. Donald W. Wuerl.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has persistently proclaimed the primacy of spiritual values in determining environmental ethics and action. His endeavors have earned him the title “Green Patriarch” – coined and publicized by the media in 1996, while being formalized in the White House in 1997 by then Vice President Al Gore.

In 2008, the Ecumenical Patriarch was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World for “defining environmentalism as a spiritual responsibility.”

The environmental initiatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate date back to the mid-1980s with the third session of the PreSynodal Pan-Orthodox Conference held in Chambesy (1986).

Representatives at this meeting expressed concern for the abuse of the natural environment, especially in affluent western societies. The emphasis was on leaving a better world for future generations. Several Inter-Orthodox meetings followed on the subject of ‘Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation’ and attended by Orthodox representatives.

One such consultation was held in Patmos, Greece (1988), to mark the 900th anniversary of the historic Monastery of St John the Theologian. Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios assigned Metropolitan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon as Patriarchal representative to this conference titled

‘Revelation and the Future of Humanity’ and organized jointly by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Ministry of Cultural Affairs in cooperation with the local civil authorities. One of the primary recommendations of this conference was that the Ecumenical Patriarchate should designate one day each year for the protection of the natural environment.

In 1989, Patriarch Demetrios published the first encyclical letter on the environment, which proclaimed that Sept.

1, the first day of the new ecclesiastical calendar, be established as a day for all Orthodox Christians within the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to offer prayers for the preservation of the natural creation.

A month after his election in 1991, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convened an ecological gathering in Crete titled ‘Living in the Creation of the Lord.’ That convention was opened by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and International Chairman of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

In the following year, Patriarch Bartholomew called an unprecedented meeting of all Orthodox Patriarchs and Primates at the Phanar, submitting an historical expression of unity and inviting all Orthodox leaders to inform their churches about the critical significance of this issue for our times. The Primates endorsed Sept.

1 as a day of pan-Orthodox prayer for the environment.

Seminars and symposia

  page 26

6

SEPTEMBER 2009

Ladies Philoptochos Society Completes Office Relocation

by Aphrodite Skeadas

The agiasmo service offered by Archbishop Demetrios on Aug. 5 completed the relocation and the transition of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society to its new location at 7 West 55th Street in Manhattan.

His Eminence blessed every person in attendance and blessed the good works that emanate from the National Office.

His Eminence explained in his remarks that the relocation from the 74th Street Archdiocesan Cathedral to the 55th Street space adjacent to the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church (FAPC)is indicative of the many implications of change that occur for the benefit and the growth of the philanthropic arm of the Archdiocese.

He charged Philoptochos to develop new initiatives and to be creative.

The Archbishop presented a magnificent icon of the Panagia with the Christ Child that the members and staff of the Society will forever treasure.

Bishop Andonios of Phasiane participated in the Agiasmo as did Archdeacon Panteleimon and Deacon Nathanael. Bishop Andonios blessed each of the offices and the entire space comprising the National Philoptochos headquarters.

The Philoptochos national president offered brief remarks thanking His Eminence, His Grace, the Archdeacon and Deacon for the blessings. She also thanked all those present and participating including Alice Keurian, director of the Office of the Archbishop; the pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Rev. Katherine Dunn; FAPC Director of Communications Michael Coniaris, and National Philoptochos executive and board members.

President Skeadas recognized the great efforts of the National Philoptochos staff and National Philoptochos Board volunteers Georgia Vlitas and Stella Fiorentino.

The President also recognized the anonymous “angel donor” for his extreme generosity.

For the last year the National Philoptochos Society experienced much change, change being beneficial when appropriately planned and teamed with progress yielding positive results.

With superior work offered by the faithful women of the organization and in particular Relocation Chair Kassandra Romas and Legal Advisor Anita Kartalopoulos, the Society successfully relocated to

ORTHODOX OBSERVER photos

Philoptochos members, some who traveled from as far as California, join Archbishop Demetrios, Bishop Andonios and President Aphrodite Skeadas in the main reception area following the agiasmo service.

(Above left) Archbishop Demetrios greets Rev. Katherine Dunn (c.), pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church, who welcomed the arrival of the National Philoptochos to their new headquarters at the FAPC complex in Midtown Manhattan. At right is Helen Lavorata, director of the Philoptochos Office.

(Upper right) His Eminence explains the Greek Orthodox service of the agiasmo and also reflects on the new location of the Philoptochos, comparing their relocations over the years to that of Abraham’s journey to the Promised Land.

its new office. The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society continues its mission for almost eight decades to responsibly serve those in need with love, concern, caring and compassion. As the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and under the leadership and chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the Society is proud to effec-

tively continue its good works in its new home where Philoptochos is a tenant of and neighbor to the Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church who share a similar vision of assisting others. Many challenges lie ahead as Philoptochos moves forward in its philanthropic scope.

We must continue to grow and to multiply our efforts so that a greater num-

ber of people feel the love offered by the faithful women and members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. The horizon appears bright for the Society and with the Lord’s blessings, the goal of the National Philoptochos will be realized with a permanent home.

Aphrodite Skeadas is National Philoptochos president.

The Archbishop recites prayers for the holy water prior to blessing the Philoptochos ladies in attendance. (right) His Eminence sprinkles agiasmo upon some Philoptochos office staff members.

7

SEPTEMBER 2009

The Voice of Philoptochos

First Annual National Philoptochos HIV-AIDS Walkathon Achieves Success DENVER – The St. Catherine and Assumption Cathedral Philoptochos chapters co-hosted the HIV-AIDS Walkathon in the Denver area.

The 45 walkers represented numerous other parishes as well and together they raised $4,500 in support of the Philoptochos Walk-a-thon.

The St. Mary’s Ethiopian Church parishioners walked to demonstrate their gratitude for the continued, outstanding work of the IOCC in Ethiopia.

The morning began with a prayer service at St. Catherine Church and a light fare was offered before the walkers began their 5K walk through the graceful walking paths that surround St. Catherine. The walkers wore tee shirts identifying the National Philoptochos “Hits the Streets” for HIV/AIDS Walkathon.

Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Holds Successful Conference CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos held a successful Conference in June under the chairmanship of Jeannie Demas and the host chapter.

Sixty-one chapter delegates and 10 Metropolis Board delegates convened to discuss the many Metropolis ministries, major upcoming events and to participate in the motivational workshop on dynamic leadership and grants development.

Metropolis Philoptochos President Evan Mekras Scurtis announced that the Metropolis Philoptochos recently completed its $10,000 pledge to underwrite a neo-natal consultation room for All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Fla., where parents may consult with physicians and have the opportunity for reflection and prayer.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and the Philoptochos will participate in the room dedication in January 2010.

Conference delegates were asked in advance to bring at least one pair of child’s shoes and a pair of socks with them to the Conference as a donation to the “Shoes for Orphan Souls” project.

The delegates enthusiastically supported this project by donating a total of 137 pair of new shoes and 266 pairs of socks. The delegates announced that they will also sponsor a similar drive in their own parish chapter.

Donations were sent to the Buckner Humanitarian Aid Center in Mesquite, Texas, in conjunction with the “Souls for Orphan Souls” project.

National Philoptochos has encour-

SAVE THE DATE!

National Philoptochos Convention 2010 will be held in Atlanta, from July 3-8.

Denver-area Walkathon participants successfully completed the event. Also holding a walk-a-thon were several Philoptochos members in the Metropolis of Chicago. The National Philoptochos Walkathon was organized to demonstrate the desire and compassion to fulfill the philanthropic mission of Philoptochos of helping those in need.

Philoptochos to Honor Archbishop at 12th Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon National Philoptochos president Aphrodite Skeadas announces that the National Philoptochos will honor Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of his 10–year anniversary as Archbishop of America at the 12th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon on Nov. 14, 2009 at the Boca Raton Resort Hotel in Boca Raton, Fla.

The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos is hosting the upcoming Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon on behalf of the National Philoptochos and is delighted that Emmy Award-winning Journalist Cynthia Demos will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the luncheon.

Ms. Demos is seen on the CBS-4 morn-

ing show in Miami and is an active member of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Miami.

Hotel accommodations can be made at 561.447.300 or 888.491.2622. Code: Philoptochos.

For reservations to this upcoming Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon contact Pat Sourlis at 561.483.8517.

Angels and Autism DVD Finding Faith for the Autistic Child EULESS, Texas – The St. John the Baptist Philoptochos chapter has produced a documentary to raise awareness of the issues families face in their quest to offer children with Autism a spiritual life. The DVD is available to all parishes, Philoptochos chapters and others who wish to share this important message.

The chapter developed this wonderful documentary with the hope that it opens the hearts and minds of fellow parishioners aged all Philoptochos Chapters to support this project. See www.shoesfororphansouls.org Among other projects, the Metropolis Philoptochos reintroduced the Organ Donor Awareness Program and will assist Metropolitan Alexios to raise $25,000 over the next five years to build a church in Cameroon, Africa. The Metropolis Philoptochos has launch its new website this month.

The newly elected 2009-2011 Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Board members are:Evan Mekras Scurtis. President; Laura Nixon, first vice president; Rose Marie Connell, second vice president; Florence Lytle, recording secretary; Martha Driscoll, corresponding secretary; Dee Nicolaou, treasurer; and Kathy Theofilos - assistant treasurer.

Board members include: Jeannie Demas, Helen Doulevaris, Marty Driscoll, Valine Georgeson, Mary Karam, Betty Lantz, Joan Marinos, Helen McKane, Effie Moraitakis, Vicky Patronis, Irene Politis, Koula Poulos, Kiki Rothman, Margaret Sarafoglu and Irene Tracy.

and people of all faiths. Interested individuals may order the DVD by sending a check for $15 (includes shipping) made payable to the St. John the Baptist Philoptochos at 303 Cullum Drive, Euless, TX 76040.

See www.stjohndfw.info/philoptochos.html For additional information or to order more than five copies contact Barbara Vittas at 817.283.4680.

New officers and board members of the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos.

National Philoptochos New Office Location/Contact Information 7 West 55TH St., 7TH Floor, New York, N.Y. 10019, Phone: (212) 977-7770 • FAX: (212) 977-7784 • philosny@aol.com

8

SEPTEMBER 2009

Commentaries and Opinions Archpastoral Reflections

 For those who serve Editor, My interest was stirred as soon as I saw Fr. John’s headline, and his Navy emblem on the letter (For Service, and For Those Who Serve). Since our church, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Clearwater, Fla. is very involved in serving our servicemen, this one hit home.

We approached our priest, Fr. James Rousakis, in early ‘08 and asked if we could have an outreach service for the military? We already have outreach for food drives, serving at a local soup kitchen, collecting clothing for needy, visitation for the shut-ins, and we hoped he’d agree to one more and he did.

He also agreed we could ask our Philoptochos to get involved. And by doing so, we also got many of our faithful members to help with donations for the troops. They donate cash for postage as well as the needed items.

We continue to say, we may not agree with the war, but our young men and women are there fighting for our freedom, and we owe it to them to support them each and every day, until they are all home safe and sound.

I had a nephew there, and he got us several mailing addresses and over the past 18 months we have added several new addresses to our mailing list. We have a footlocker in our church hall and folks can put their donations in there.

We send from 6 to 10 boxes a month, and I love each one we mail and wish we could do more. All you need is one thankyou note from the men and women and you are hooked and never want to stop collecting and sending them care packages. They are so grateful, just knowing folks here at home are really concerned for their welfare and their comfort when they are so far away from home.

They only ask for our prayers for their safety and the safety of their families here at home. So whatever we can do is a plus for them.

I received an e-mail from BUC (SWC) David Sharp, Iraq, (no kin) where we’d sent homemade cookies and tube socks in one of our boxes, and he stated, “I’m so pleased you all take such pride, that is an uncommon factor these days, when many have a hand outstretched with palms up, instead of ready to lend a hand.” He said,”it makes his job so much easier.”

They truly appreciate the smallest thing we send.

I urge each and every Greek Orthodox Church to get involved in outreach for our fighting men and women, who put their lives on the line for us each and every day.

Thanks Fr. John Kalantzis for your letter to help open our eyes and our hearts to help others, and especially our service people.

Fran Glaros-Sharp Clearwater, Fla.

 Appreciates topic Editor, Kudos to Fr. Charles Joannides for his essay, “Should We or Shouldn’t We...”

(July-August issue) in succinct language that every literate person can understand, he gives us present-day facts and statistics on cohabitation before marriage. More importantly, he tells us what the Church teaches. “When we make choices in opposition to God’s revealed truth and counsel we are distancing ourselves from God’s revealed truths ...”

As a teacher of more than three decades in the New York City school system it was difficult answering students’ questions without mentioning religion, lest we offend someone’s sensibilities.

Perhaps more clergy should focus on this very subject.

Helen Christ Arvanitis Somers, N.Y.

 VA chaplains Editor, The Clergy-Laity Congress brought up the subject of Orthodox chaplains in the Armed Forces and the Veterans’ Administration. What transpired?

I understand there are 125 Veteran’s Administration hospitals or clinics throughout the country and the (Archdiocese) yearbook has five priests listed as serving as chaplains.

I am a patient in the care unit every Monday and Wednesday at the Sepulveda Center VA. I think it is a disgrace when a Roman Catholic priest serves the last rites to an Orthodox patient because our priests are not available. Our priests must make themselves available to serve in any of the VA’s.

Nicholas Royce Valley Village, Calif.

Letters welcome The Observer welcomes Letters to the Editor on timely topics relevant to the Church and the Faith. Letters may be up to 500 words in length.

E-mail to: jim@goarch.org All letters must contain the writer’s name and city.

Next issue deadlines The deadline for articles/photos for consideration in the September issue is Monday, Sept 28.

Photos should be sent as jpg attachments 300 dpi or greater.

E-mail to: jim@goarch.org or mail to: Editor, Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075.

A d v e r t i s i n g d e a d l i n e i s S e p t . 2 4 th

Reaching Those with Serious Concerns about the Faith We continue our reflections on the theme “Gather My People to My Home” by focusing on the challenging task of gathering those who are struggling with deep and serious questions about life and God. In previous reflections we have addressed our calling to gather both “disconnected” Orthodox Christians and the unchurched.

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America This month we turn to the needs of persons whose spiritual well-being may be challenged by an unfulfilling quest for meaning or whose intellect or life experiences have raised tremendous questions or doubts regarding the purpose and direction of life.

Human beings have pondered questions about the meaning of life and the existence of God for millennia.

In our own Hellenic tradition, we can examine the works of ancient philosophers, which reveal great efforts in the pursuit of knowledge, an inner desire for truth, and countless theories on origins, the nature and function of the universe, and the purpose of life. Others have arrived at the same questions and with the hope for answers through great tragedy and suffering.

The eventuality of physical death, the upheaval created by war, the pain of disease and poverty, and the demoralizing injustices in human communities and relationships have led many to seek something “greater” that offers or leads to a blessed life, peace, comfort, and truth.

People continue to ask questions and struggle in pursuit of the answers. Did the world just happen, and are we a product of chance? What is my purpose in life? How can I be happy and have peace about who I am? Does God exist, and if so, does he really care about me and my inner conflicts? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Will all of this just end in death and destruction, or is there something better?

These and many more questions reflect both the breadth of our intellect and our quest to know, understand, and to find answers not just for the sake of knowledge, but for our well-being and ultimate destiny.

As Orthodox Christians we have found many of the answers to life’s questions in our relationship with God and in our involvement in the Church. This is what makes the Church our home. Our lives in the kingdom of God and our participation in the community of believers connects us directly with the One who, with meaning and purpose, brought all things into existence, created us in His image, and likeness, and is guiding us toward fulfillment in life and being.

Further, it is through God’s loving presence in our lives and through the Holy Sacraments, the Holy Scriptures, the teachings, and traditions of the Church that we know, understand, and experience the truth about life and relationships, the effects of sin and evil, and the necessity of faith, hope, and love as genuine and true expressions of our humanity. It is also in our relationship with God that we find meaning and purpose in our transformation from death to life. Certainly, He guides us in understanding our great potential for creativity, thought, virtue, and knowledge; but all of this is part of becoming what He created us to be: holy people living in loving and full communion with Him and each other.

Our challenge as Orthodox Christians is communicating the blessedness of this life and faith to those with serious questions about life and meaning or to those who are struggling spiritually with deep doubts about God and His role in their lives.

How can we meet this challenge and overcome the barriers that are keeping souls from finding their home in the Church? How do we prepare to answer the serious questions that challenge the very being of many who are in need of the grace of God? First, we must love and not condemn. As stated above, questions about faith and our existence have been a part of our humanity from the beginning. We have been created with an ability to ask these questions and to seek answers. Thus, our task as Orthodox Christians is to help others find the answers that lead to life and fulfillment. The Apostle Paul did not condemn the philosophers of Athens when he preached to them (Acts 17).

He affirmed their intellectual and spiritual search for higher things and presented the Gospel in a manner that addressed many of their questions. Our Lord lovingly received Nicodemus and patiently answered his questions when he was seeking to understand Jesus’ teachings concerning spiritual rebirth and eternal life (John 3).

Second, in following the example of our Lord, we must be responsive and patient. We should not reject others if their questions are not answered or their crisis is unresolved.

Many struggle with great questions about life and meaning for long periods of time. Answers provided by our faith and relationship with God are not always readily accepted. The task of gathering people to God’s home in the Church will take time and sacrifice on our part. We must be willing to listen to their questions, concerns, and struggles, continuously offer prayers for their salvation and spiritual well-being, and rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit to lead them home.

Finally, we must also be aware of our strengths and limitations when offering faith and love to those seeking purpose and meaning. Often, our greatest strength is in friendship, acts of kindness, and ministry in the name of Christ when a need arises. Through our words and actions we can show others that they are valued and

  page 26

9

SEPTEMBER 2009

N. MANGINAS

A visit to a wastewater treatment plant at Viikinmaki-Helsinki during His All Holiness’ trip to Finland.

  page 1 worldwide Orthodox Church has moved significantly in the past year toward a canonical normalization of the Churches that exist in the so-called “Diaspora.” This opportunity for the Members of SCOBA to meet with His All Holiness comes at a fortuitous time in the process. Immediately after their meeting, Archbishop Demetrios is hosting the SCOBA Primates and other major ecumenical and interfaith leaders at a luncheon in honor of His All Holiness.

Later in the evening of the 27th, Fordham University will bestow and honorary doctorate in law to His All Holiness. In recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s leadership in the fields of environmental responsibility, and interfaith and intercultural dialogue, Fordham is also presenting the initial volume of a three-part series of the major speeches of His All Holiness. Among all the festivities organized by Fordham, there will be a special opportunity for the students of the local Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) to meet with and receive the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28th, His All Holiness will have meetings with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the United Nations, as well as with Jewish religious and lay leaders hosted by Rabbi Arthur Schneier, President of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation.

His All Holiness will also travel briefly to Atlanta, and celebrate an Ecumenical Doxology in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Metropolis. Following his return

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew releases a hawk into the wild in the mountain of Parnitha.

to New York City on Friday, Oct. 30th, he will attend a reception at the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA) which will be presenting a month-long (mid-October to mid November) exhibition in honor of His All Holiness and his environmental initiatives.

Following the reception at MOBIA, His All Holiness will attend a gala musical celebration at the famed and re-opened Alice Tully in New York, both in honor of his presence in the United States and in tribute to the decade of service of Archbishop Demetrios. Maestro Peter Tilboris will lead the Manhattan Philharmonic in a program and a special appearance by the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir.

On Saturday, Oct. 31st, His All Holiness will address the Archdiocesan Council and meet with the National Board of Philoptochos. In the evening of the 31st, the Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will present their annual banquet in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch. A special speaker for the evening will be the newly enthroned Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, His Excellency Timothy Dolan.

On Sunday, November 1st, His All Holiness will preside at a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy with Archbishop Demetrios and all the Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City. In a rarely seen occasion, he will personally conduct the investiture of the new Archons of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle.

In the evening of November 1st, the Patriarchal Delegation leaves for Washington DC. While in the DC Metro Area, His All Holiness will mark his 18th year as Ecumenical Patriarch in a Doxology service at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Annapolis, MD (see story on page 5).

Throughout the first week of November, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will meet with the highest leaders of our Nation: the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House, the Secretary of State, and the Majority Leader of the Senate. Both Vice President Biden and Secretary of State Clinton will host dinners in honor of His All Holiness.

Additionally, the Ecumenical Patriarch is scheduled to speak at the Brookings Institution (www.brookings.edu) and at Georgetown University in a joint event sponsored by Georgetown and the Center for American Progress (www. americanprogressaction.org).

(See page 4 for a detailed itinerary of His All Holiness’ visit.)

Progress of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit can be followed online at: www.usvisit2009.org

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Timely Discussions NEW ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR The Apron of Leadership: A New Heart for a New Year

by Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.

I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Ezekiel 36:26 What is the most influential weapon in the world? When the audience is first introduced to billionaire Tony Stark, the world’s most prolific weapon’s manufacturer, he is sipping from a martini glass arrogantly thinking that his company’s new top-secret weapon has made him invincible.

Suddenly a bomb explodes, and the main character in the Iron Man film is taken hostage by a group of maniacal terrorists who threaten to kill him if he does not construct his new missile system for them.

To make matters worse, upon regaining consciousness in an Afghanistan make-shift mountain laboratory, Stark discovers that his chest is tethered to a heart machine. The blast, ironically caused by one of his company’s own rockets, has so damaged his primary organ that Stark must now rely on something other than his own strength, fortune, and intelligence to keep him alive.

A prisoner of his own making, Stark has a spiritual epiphany and learns the hard lesson of humility. If he can successfully escape, he plans to return to America and announce his decision to shut down his company’s weapon division and employ the technology for peaceful alternatives.

In a compelling scene, Stark dons a laboratory apron, the symbol of humility that now replaces the expensive silk suit and tie of his previous leadership persona, and diligently works towards the fulfillment of his new humanitarian vision.

Turning the tables on his captors, Stark invents a small portable electromagnetic heart implant device to sustain his life and to provide the power for escape.

The central tutorial of the Iron Man movie is thereby established. The most influential sway in the world is the iron of a new heart – the apron of humility!

The Orthodox Church commemorates the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year on the first day of September.

Whereas the beginning of the liturgical year is calculated by the celebration of the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter), whose date change is primarily due to lunar considerations, the regular 12-month span between September and August is used by the Church to commemorate major events in the life of Jesus, his Holy Mother and the saints.

The ecclesiastical year affords the faithful - and most importantly its religious leadership - the valuable opportunity to thereby assess the condition of our hearts and the degree to which our lives faithfully express the Gospel’s most important spiritual attribute - humility.

Primarily exhorting the religious leaders of his day, St. Peter uses the symbol of a servant’s apron to emphasize the requirement of humility. “Gird yourselves with humility,” he insists, because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the

humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

The Greek word that Peter uses literally means “to knot,” and therefore denotes the technical term for a servant’s apron that is tightly knotted behind the back. Most certainly referring to the “girding” or “aproning” of Jesus Himself who modeled the importance of humility when He washed the feet of His disciples prior to His Passion, Peter instructs church leaders to develop a similar lifestyle posture towards their respective flocks.

Christian leadership is tightly tied to the apron of humility. Our ability to lead and to provide “vision” is knotted to the degree that we are willing to be dependent on God’s strength, wisdom and direction, and not on our own. This, in fact, is the “new heart” that God told the Prophet Ezekiel must replace humanity’s “heart of stone” (36:26).

Like the Iron Man character of Stark, we, too, must discover the need to replace the understanding of leadership as knowledge, invincibility, control and manipulation with that of humble service, sacrifice, divine inspiration, and love.

The imprisoning tethers of selfpromotion, independence, and privilege should be replaced with the liberating heartbeat of a God-inspired servanthood.

Throughout Holy Scripture, leaders are urged to gird themselves with the apron of humble service to others. This is the spiritual requirement that Saint Peter introduces to the hearts and minds of those who aspire to lead the Church.

His wise exhortation is based on the fusion of an Old and New Testament principle that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5).

Like Peter, the first qualification that St. Paul uses to describe the characteristic of a true leader is one who “desires” to serve under the “dominion” of God (1 Timothy 3).

God-inspired leaders, therefore, are those who freely offer their time, resources and expertise without compulsion or the need for self-promotion.

It is the humble of heart, those who have emptied themselves of any notion that their capacity for leadership is based on their own special ability, education or economic status that may be filled with the Divine Grace and thereby effectively utilized by God for His noble purposes.

What is the Incarnation of Christ but an icon of such humility, His emptying of Himself and becoming man? What characterizes His life on earth but humble obedience unto death? Jesus said it plainly, “I am gentle and humble in heart” (Matt.

11:29).

Like Christ, we too must be willing to make submission to the will of God the very heart of our own leadership aspirations. Leadership is ultimately dependent on such an iron apron of service to others!

Anything less is unprofitable to us and to others –doomed from the onset!

Throughout history, aprons have filled many functions and have come in various lengths, fabric and materials.

Mothers, blacksmiths, gardeners, doctors and waiters have worn their respective

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SEPTEMBER 2009

Gather My People...

Northern Illinois Group Reaches Out to College Students DEKALB, Ill. – The OCF at Northern Illinois University has taken Archbishop Demetrios’ powerful message, “Gather my people to my home,” to heart.

On Aug. 1, 2008, just a few weeks after the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in Washington, the chapter rented a stately private family home just a few steps away from campus, to become one of only a half dozen or so OCF Houses across America.

The Northern Illinois University students’ need for a retreat was especially acute, given that the previous February on Valentine’s Day, the campus had been shocked by the violence of a senseless shooting that claimed six lives and wounded 23 others, including a Greek Orthodox student.

OCF members and advisors rallied around him, and he inspired all of them with his quiet strength.

Fr. Kevin Scherer, OCF executive director, visited Northern Illinois University in the immediate aftermath of the shooting to conduct trauma-recovery services and a memorial service for OCF students.

He toured the OCF House, then on the market, and told faculty advisor Dr. Katherine Wright, “Your dream big, but you have my blessing to be as creative as you need to be to make your OCF House happen.”

Upon the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, when Fr. Kevin returned for memorial services, the dream had become a reality.

OCF at Northern Illinois University had just been established in 2007, under the guidance of Fr. Chris Webb. Little did anyone know how important the spiritual foundation the new chapter provided soon would be.

Fr. Chris Webb himself was new to St. George Church in DeKalb, its first fulltime priest, supported by a Leadership 100 grant.

Fr. Chris recalls, “When I was assigned to DeKalb two years ago, His Emi-

Fr. Chris Webb leads students in prayer during a recent retreat.

nence Metropolitan Iakovos asked me to post flyers around the NIU campus and to start an OCF. With the help of OCF faculty advisor and St. George parishioner, Dr. Katherine Wright, we have ended up with a bookstore and OCF House all within the last year.”

Dr. Wright was well aware of other Christian outreach on campus, but had never heard of OCF until she began working with Fr. Chris Webb.

Fr. Webb’s assignment to the small DeKalb parish of St. George, with approximately 80 stewards, enables him also to minister to the NIU campus.

He established the first Philoptochos in DeKalb, and traveled with its first president Eleni Hasapis and Katherine Wright as parish delegate to the Biennial Congress in Washington, D.C. The ladies came back with boundless enthusiasm to fulfill the promise of the congress theme.

The local Philoptochos has adopted the OCF House as one of its local community outreach endeavors. The Philoptochos ladies are frequent visitors, laden with delicious treats or donated house-

hold items for grateful students.

The OCF House also reprised the Congress when it hosted a reception for Cyprus Ambassador Andreas Kakouris, who visited the NIU campus at the invitation of its Department of History to speak on “The Cyprus Question.”

Seven female students currently live at the OCF House, including two Fulbright scholars from Russia. The multi-purpose home is open to all Orthodox students, whether they live there or not.

They can take a break between classes, study for the evening, or bake cookies in the designer kitchen to take back to their dorms. The book-lined living room serves as DeKalb’s Orthodox Bookstore and is open to the public every Sunday afternoon or by appointment. Books were donated by Conciliar Press. The quiet master bedroom is reserved for clergy who want to minister to students from their Chicago–area parishes who are studying at NIU, or who themselves are seeking a retreat.

Clergy have guest privileges at the university’s library and health club.

The deep backyard includes a bonfire pit, perfect for youth gatherings, and a wooden playground set for even younger visitors.

One interesting phenomenon is that when events such as a homecoming gatherings or house blessings are planned for students at the OCF House, Orthodox faithful of all ages show up–siblings, faculty members, parents, godparents, and St. George parishioners.

During the summer, the NIU OCF House is available for retreats and youth service projects. It is also open for graduation parties, showers, and Philoptochos events.

The OCF House Board is composed of four St. George parishioners, one convert, and one whom Archbishop Demetrios might term a wayside Orthodox professor.

The NIU OCF House would not exist without steady donations, large and small, from St. George parishioners as well as monetary gifts from the congregations of Sts. Constantine and Helen (Palos Hills, Ill.), Holy Apostles (Westchester, Ill.), St. Taxiarhai and Haralambos (Niles, Ill.), and Sts. Constantine and Helen (Waukegan, Wis.).

In April 2009, the OCF House was honored by a visit from the entire Clergy Syndesmos of Chicago, who also donated $1,000 to the house and the vision it represents.

Greek-American Orthodox students from the Chicago suburbs are having the opportunity to live and learn with international Orthodox students from Russian and Turkmenistan. Their friends, representing all the varied religions to be found on NIU’s diverse campus, also have found a unique, welcoming, peaceful and ecumenical environment at the OCF House.

From the moment anyone walks in and signs the guest book beside the icon of Christ the Teacher on the credenza in the entry hall, they have experienced a little piece of Orthodoxy.

Long Island Parish’s Successful Efforts to Follow the Theme

by Jim Gabriel

BROOKVILLE, N.Y. – We at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Resurrection constantly look for ways to fulfill this mission within our community on the north shore of Long Island.

A Standing Invitation to Share the Theme Parishes, church organizations and individuals may submit articles for publication on the initiatives and efforts they have taken relating to the theme: “Gather My People to My Home.”

Parishes throughout the Archdiocese have the opportunity to share their experiences and approaches in implementing the theme.

Articles should be 500-1,000 words.

Deadline for the next issue is Sept. 28.

E-mail to: jim@goarch.org

Some 325 families are engaged in our community as pledged stewards, participating in worship, in fellowship, and in service to our community and our neighbors.

Our youth organizations reflect all of these aspects of our church life, with our kids participating in service projects, retreats, worship, athletic events, Sunday school and Greek school.

Our Philoptochos spearheads service projects for our neighbors while supporting the philanthropic ministries of the Archdiocese.

Our annual Greek Village Festival helps us to celebrate our Hellenic heritage with our friends while introducing countless visitors to our Orthodox community.

When Archbishop Demetrios opened our doors at our Thyranixia service in May 2005, we reached a major milestone in our parish history, but one that took us 29 years to realize, thanks to the time, talents and treasures of a relatively small community of about 200 families.

Our community was born in 1976 in nearby Glen Cove when a number of dedicated Orthodox Christians saw a need for a place of worship on the North Shore. Archbishop Iakovos endorsed the idea, and sent Fr. Emmanuel Gratsias as

our leader.

Our parish grew thanks to the tireless efforts of Fr. Manny and our charter members, scouring the phone book for Greek names, visiting countless homes, and welcoming our neighbors to our home for services and for celebrations.

But we knew all along that we needed a permanent home, one that would serve as a beacon of Orthodoxy not just to Glen Cove, but also to the larger North Shore community. If we could be more visible to those around us who were not regular members of a parish, we could welcome many more people to His home.

The same dedication that had seen our parish grow from a dozen to 200 families would be needed to see us through our next phase of growth. We broke ground in May 2003 with a huge task ahead of us.

Two years later, almost to the day, His Eminence celebrated our first Liturgy in Brookville.

Our new facility quickly attracted new visitors and stewards, with membership rising to 300 families in our first year.

However, we had much to do to fulfill our mission, and that which His Eminence would provide as a theme in 2008.

Our first major new initiative to en-

gage more our friends and neighbors in our home was the introduction of our annual Parish Leadership Conference in March 2007, with 30 parishioners spending a full day engaging in team building exercises, brainstorming sessions, and worship.

Our stated objectives of this conference were: • To cultivate increased levels of teamwork.

• To set goals and objectives for the year.

• To enjoy a day of both “koinonia” and “diakonia” with our fellow parish leaders. In other words, we wanted to lay a strong foundation to help us welcome more families and provide them with ministries that would engage them in our Orthodox community.

Our parish has never been on the dues system, electing to go with Fair Share from day one. We constantly find ourselves thanking our stewards for their generosity, and at the same time trying to raise the bar.

Our stewardship effort is a joint undertaking of our fair share and membership committees, under the guidance of

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SEPTEMBER 2009

The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas

SCOBA Encyclical for College Student Sunday Give instruction to the wise, and they will be yet wiser; teach the righteous, and they will increase in learning.

(Proverbs 9:9) College Student Sunday, September 20, 2009 The Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas To the Most Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics and Devout Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the All-Holy Spirit, In this new ecclesiastical year we, the Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, greet you with paternal love. In support of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), our collective college campus ministry, we have designated Sunday, September 20, 2009 as OCF College Student Sunday, and we ask that faithful Orthodox Christians in North America call to mind and prayer our beloved college students.

Faced with a secular and morally threatening society, our college students are continually assaulted by influences that attempt to sway them from their Orthodox Christian faith. Holding the hope that they might safely navigate the crucially important years of college and mature into pious and faithful adults, we are committed to provide them any and all ministries for the challenging transition from adolescence to adulthood. The instruction and teaching of OCF’s inspiring wisdom and righteousness is a critical enhancement to their lives that we seek to develop.

Local OCF chapters, which currently number 270, provide spiritual havens to our beloved students. As the presence of the Orthodox Church on campus, the chapters serve as a place of spiritual nourishment and education. It is within these fellowships, with the assistance of local clergy and parishes, that our students are able to grow and mature in the wisdom and righteousness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This vital work on the local college campus is sustained by the national programs and resources of OCF. Offerings and programs such as “College Conference,” “Real Break,” “Just Love” and others help to provide transformative experiences which spark an enthusiasm and desire in young adults to further develop their spiritual lives. The redesigned www.ocf.net website presents a network in which students, parents, families and parishes can learn and share the Message of the Gospel.

We ask all of our clergy to remind parishioners of this important ministry on OCF College Student Sunday, and to provide students an opportunity to share their OCF experiences with all the faithful in their parishes.

We encourage support for the work of national ministry and we call upon all the faithful to remember our students in their prayers before God, so that He may continue to shed His abundant blessings on them.

With great thanks to God and to all those who share in the OCF ministry, we pray that our college students may grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18) and be a sign of His presence in the College Campuses of our Country.

With paternal blessings and love in Christ, †Archbishop DEMETRIOS Chairman Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America † Metropolitan PHILIP Vice Chairman Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Of North America † Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER Secretary Serbian Orthodox Church in North and South America † Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos Treasurer American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA † Archbishop NICOLAE Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in the Americas † Metropolitan JOSEPH Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church † Metropolitan JONAH Orthodox Church in America † Metropolitan CONSTANTINE Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA † Archpriest Alexander Abramov Acting Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA † Bishop ILIA of Philomelion Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America

13

SEPTEMBER 2009

HC/HC NEWS CrossRoad Program Inspires High School Students’ Faith Connection BROOKLINE, Mass. -- Hellenic College’s Office of Vocation & Ministry (OVM) welcomed 59 high school juniors and seniors representing 27 states and Canada to its CrossRoad summer institute, now in its sixth year.

The program offered two sessions.

The CrossRoad Program goal is to help students discern how their faith in Christ can guide them in finding a lifecalling to match their God-given gifts with the needs of society.

The 2009 summer institute, directed

by Mary Long, with Daniel Belonick, assistant director, combined the Hellenic College-Holy Cross: faculty instruction, an enthusiastic staff of seminary students, a beautiful campus overlooking Boston, and the city itself.

Students visited historic Faneuil Hall, the New England shore at Salisbury and toured Boston by both land and sea on the amphibious vehicle known as the Duck Tour.

Students placed the most value on the program’s unique elements. They took daily classes with theological faculty, left the campus each evening to attend Vespers at seven area Orthodox parishes, and put their learning into practice by participating in two service activities during the last stage of their session.

This year’s CrossRoad program staff included young graduate theological students from Holy Cross: Eleftherios Constantine, Nicole Hillas, Stella Hondros, Sarah Hughes, Jonathan Resmini, and Milad Selim.

Through its three stages, Wrestling with Vocation, Vocation and Christ, and Vocation and the Neighbor, CrossRoad fulfills its mission by helping participants learn through experience that the road of the Cross only has meaning if they

Participants in the 2009 CrossRoad Program at the Holy Cross Chapel.

encounter Christ and serve Him in the person of their neighbor.

CrossRoad participant Alex Magerko of Monument, Colo., stated, “I discovered more fully how our relationship with God is of primary importance, and how our relationship with our diverse world is also a component of a Christian life.”

CrossRoad participant Nicholas Varlarmos of Grosse Point Woods, Mich., commented, “I will certainly try to live a life closer to God than before since I have a better understanding of Him and of His love for us as human beings.”

Described by many as a “life-chang-

ing experience,” CrossRoad provides a strong foundation for the future leaders of the Church, evidenced through the way CrossRoad alumni describe what they learned during the 10-day period. Marika Proctor of St. Paul, Minn., declared, “After I leave CrossRoad I will go out into the world rejuvenated, firmer in my faith and more conscious of living a Christian life daily.”

As the summer institute prepares for its seventh year, it looks forward to many more years of assisting high school students in the process of discovering their vocation.

Full scholarships are provided for all accepted applicants.

CrossRoad is funded by the Office of Vocation & Ministry at Hellenic College through the generosity of the Lilly Endowment Inc., the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, and benefactors from the greater Orthodox community.

Applicants must be in their junior or senior year of high school.

For further updates and information and to download an application for CrossRoad 2010, visit the CrossRoad website at crossroad.hchc.edu

Hellenic College Trustees Respond to Financial Exigency BROOKLINE, Mass. – Hellenic College trustees have announced that the school’s cash shortfall for fiscal year 200910 now stands at $1 million.

In February 2009, the trustees anticipated a 2009-10 operating deficit of $2.3 million caused by the nation’s economic recession, which significantly diminished revenues form the institution’s endowment, annual appeals, and fund raising to cover annual debt service costs.

Under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios, and the leadership of HC/ HC President Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, the trustees, in cooperation with the Archdiocese and Leadership 100, have taken the following steps to reduce the 2009-10 operating shortfall from $2.3 million to $1 million: The Administration has taken a series of specific actions resulting in a $500,000 or 5 percent reduction of FY 2009-10 operating costs.

The trustees have donated or pledged a total of $500,000 for the calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2009. They expect to continue their strong level of commitment.

Leadership 100 recently re-affirmed its pledge to provide $1 million annually in seminarian scholarship aid through Dec. 31, 2010. In addition, Leadership 100 is

committed to fulfill its pledge to fund Hellenic College’s Information Technology and the Office of Vocation and Ministry grants.

Trustees have received assurance that the Archdiocese will continue to meet its monthly financial obligation on a timely basis.

The have also established two task groups, one for near-term urgent concerns and one for long-term strategic planning.

These groups meet regularly.

GET RESULTS advertise GET RESULTS advertise GET RESULTS advertise observer@goarch.org

Tel.: (212) 570–3555 • Fax: (212) 774–0239

14

SEPTEMBER 2009

ORTHODOX NEWS

OCAMPR Offers Pan-Orthodox Conference BROOKLINE, Mass. – The 2009 annual conference of Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology, and Religion (OCAMPR) will focus on the theme “Care for the Severely Challenged Patient.” Presentations at the conference will review the needs of patients with chronic illnesses and severe and persisting trauma from a pastoral, medical, and psychotherapeutic perspective.

Speakers will include Deacon Nathanael Symeonides, Dr. Aaron Haney, Dr. Michael Christakis, and Presbytera Maryann Tonias. The conference will meet at the Holy Cross Seminary campus, Nov. 6-7, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday evening.

OCAMPR is an inter-jurisdictional network of Orthodox persons in helping and healing professions, endorsed by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).

The conference will be prefaced by an open general board meeting on Friday Nov. 6. Over the two–day conference, speakers focusing on medicine, psychology, and theology will offer talks on various dimensions of Care for the Severely Challenged Patient and discuss a sample case.

Group discussions will invite reflections, questions, and comments from conferees.

Resources on caregivers’ practical concerns from medicine, nursing, hospice, ethics, theology, law, counseling, chaplaincy, and clinical pastoral education will be available at the conference, and the Holy Cross bookstore will also offer resources.

Fr. Nathanael Symeonides is deacon to Archbishop Demetrios. He is a native of Thessaloniki, Greece, and holds degrees from Hellenic College, Holy Cross School of Theology, and Boston University. He

I n

is now completing a master’s degree in public health at Columbia University.

Dr. Aaron Haney was born and raised in southern Indiana, the son of a Wesleyan minister. At the outset of the first Gulf War he withdrew from university and joined the Army. He served as an infantryman for two years in Korea.

In 1996 he was chrismated into the Orthodox Church in Bloomington, Ind. Soon thereafter he started medical school at Indiana University on an Army scholarship.

Dr. Michael Christakis is a general internist with a practice at the Worcester (Mass.) VA Clinic, which is the largest community-based outpatient clinic of the Boston Veterans Administration Healthcare System.

Presbytera Maryann Tonias is a native of Schenectady/Niskayuna, N.Y.. She received her BSN from Russell Sage in Troy, N.Y. and her MSN from the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston.

She works as a hospital educator at the VA in Bedford, Mass. She converted to orthodoxy in 1986 at St. Sophia in Albany, N.Y. She lives in Watertown, Mass., with her husband, Fr. Demetrios Tonias.

Persons interested in this conference or in joining OCAMPR may find the registration form on the OCAMPR webpage at www.ocampr.org or may contact any of the conference planning committee members for more details: Very Rev. George Morelli, PhD, LMFT, at gmorelli@fdu. edu, Dr. John Demakis, MD, at jgd11@ erols.com, Dr. Demetra Velisarios Jaquet, DMin., BCC., at deejaquet@aol.com, W. David Holden, LPC, LCAS at davidholden1@bellsouth.net, or Marion Avtges, BA, RN, at metaxiaa@comcast.net

M e m o r i a m

Fr. Leonidas Drakopoulos The Very Reverend Archimandrite Leonidas H. (Christos) Drakopoulos fell asleep in the Lord on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Medical Center following a heroic battle with cancer. He was 67.

Fr. Leonidas was born Christos H. Drakopoulos on July 20, 1942 in Brunswick, Maine, son of the late Harry and Effie Drakopoulos. He lived his early years in Haverhill, Mass., and, following graduation from Haverhill High School, he attended Holy Cross Seminary and the Theological University of Athens, Greece.

He interrupted his studies during the Viet Nam War to join the Navy, serving in Panama City, Fla. and Keflavick, Iceland.

He was stationed aboard the USS Wasp CVS 18 in the Mediterranean Sea and received the National Defense Service Medal. Upon his release from active duty, Fr. Leonidas resumed his studies in Athens, Greece, where he received his theological degree.

On Feb. 14, 1988, Fr. Leonidas was ordained into the priesthood at St. Nicholas Church in El Paso, Texas, where he served for seven years.

He also served parishes in Mon-

tana and Pennsylvania, before his assignment on Aug. 1, 1999 to St. Spyridon in Clarksburg where he became the longest serving priest of the parish.

In December 1999, Fr. Leonidas was elevated to Archimandrite by Metropolitan Maximos.

Fr. Leonidas is survived by his sister, Patricia Davanelos, of Goose Creek, SC, brother, Peter (Susan) Drakopoulos of Haverhill, Mass., two nieces, Georgianna Davanelos, of El Paso, and Jennifer (Mark) Arredondo of Goose Creek, SC, and great- nephews, Jared and Alexander Arredondo, also of Goose Creek.

Fr. Leonidas was instrumental in establishing St. James Greek Orthodox Mission Church in Belpre, Ohio, which he served on Saturdays.

Fr. Leonidas lay in state at St. Spyridon Church on Sept. 14.

Funeral services took place Sept.

15 with Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh officiating, assisted by Fr. Eugen Rosu, and Orthodox clergy of the Pittsburgh Metropolis.

Interment was at Bridgeport Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church.

New Grant Broadens Romanian Orthodox Church’s Social Services BALTIMORE – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is launching a new program to increase the capacity of the Romanian Orthodox Church to more effectively help Romanian communities achieve economic sustainability and overcome severe social issues. The new program is made possible through a $1.6 million grant from the Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family and Equal Opportunity and the European Union.

Romania, one of the newest members of the European Union, has tremendous human and natural resources, though it lags far behind the rest of Europe in jobs and income level. Access to healthcare is inadequate in many rural areas. The two-year program will help the Church become a key player in providing social services and in creating new jobs and improving education and health care.

“Our continuing collaboration with the Patriarchate of Romania has risen to a new level with the inauguration of this grant to further strengthen the capacity of the Church to offer social services benefiting all Romanians,” said Constantine M. Triantafilou, IOCC executive director and CEO. “The power of this partnership lies in developing systems and capacities based entirely upon local realities, needs,

and resources,” he continued.

IOCC is well experienced in assisting the Romanian Orthodox Church to be an agent for social change. Since 2005, over 2 million Romanians have been educated in the prevention of HIV/AIDS and family violence through a program that IOCC implemented with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). IOCC trained project coordinators who in turn trained over 1,200 priests and almost 1,000 religion teachers to reach youth and families with prevention strategies.

Visit www.iocc.org, call IOCC toll free at 1-877-803-4622, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC” and write “Romania” in the memo line to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225.

IOCC, founded in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), has implemented over $300 million in relief and development programs in more than 33 countries around the world. IOCC opened an office in Romania in 2000 to launch a number of emergency and development projects benefiting the nation’s at-risk families and children.

Russia to Offer Religious Courses in Schools MOSCOW (RNS/ENI) Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has given the green light to efforts by religious leaders to introduce religion to schools and to offer chaplains to the military.

“Their implementation will help strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of our society, as well as strengthen the unity of our multiethnic and multireligious country,” he said at a July meeting with religious leaders outside Moscow.

Medvedev was responding to an appeal by Russia’s Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Orthodox leaders, whose faiths are officially referred to as the country’s “traditional” religions.

There has been debate for several

years about the teaching of a course called “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture” in schools. Critics said it would impose Russian Orthodoxy on secular schoolchildren and that it is inappropriate for a country with several other religions.

Earlier this month, Patriarch Kirill I of the Russian Orthodox Church, which has the most adherents in the country, formed an editorial board to write a new textbook for the course.

Medvedev said religion classes would be tested in 18 regions across Russia, but stressed that they must take into account the country’s multireligious character.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.– The first Orthodox Mission Team of 2009 departed for Albania from the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building in June.

In addition to being the first team to do its Orientation and Training at the new OCMC building, it is also the first OCMC team of its kind to travel to Albania.

OCMC Teams Director Andy Lekos said of this group, “What makes this especially exciting is that this first team was prepared to train the trainers and to serve with long-term missionaries and current mission specialists, under the auspices of Archbishop Anastasios.

The Church in Albania runs over 40 youth camps a year, and the goal of this team is to uplift and train those who will be ministering to Albanian youth; although OCMC has sent teams to Albania to run camps, this is the first time that a team has worked to “teach the teachers.”

Team members have prepared Bible studies and craft and music activities that

can be used by the Albanian camp counselors to reach out to young people and to teach them important lessons from and about the gospel.

In Albania, where 70 percent of the country is still Muslim, these camps are valuable outreach tools for the Church.

Team members will work with mission specialist Fr. Thomas Hopko and the long-term missionary team already in Albania.

Fr. Hopko will offer classes on teaching spiritual lessons, while Nathan Hoppe will do an orientation and coordinate the event.

This collaboration marks the first time that short, mid, and long-term OCMC Missionaries will work so closely together.

Over the course of the summer and early fall, OCMC will orient, train, and send out 11 teams for periods of one to three weeks to work in eight foreign countries and Alaska. These teams will work with the local Orthodox churches toward goals as diverse as youth outreach, construction, and healthcare.

—Sophia Kishkovsky

Albania Mission Team First to Train at New Center

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ΕΤΟΣ 74 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1251

ΠΑΤΡΙ ΑΡΧΙΚΟ ΜΗΝΥΜΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΗΜΕΡΑ ΠΡΟΣΤΑΣΙΑΣ ΤΟΥ ΠΕΡΙΒΑΛΛΟΝΤΟΣ † ÂÁÑÈÏËÏÌÁÉÏÓ

ΕΛΕΩ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ ΤΩ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΔΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΠΑΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΤΙΣΕΩΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΥ

Τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, Καθώς ἐγκαινιάζοµεν τό νέον ἐκκλησιαστικόν ἔτος, στοχαζόµεθα ἐκ νέου τήν κατάστασιν τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ κτίσεως. Ἀναλογιζόµεθα τό παρελθόν καί µετανοοῦµεν δι᾿ ὅλα ὅσα ἔχοµεν πράξει ἤ ἀµελήσει νά πράξωµεν διά τήν φροντίδα τῆς γῆς· προσβλέποµεν εἰς τό µέλλον καί προσευχόµεθα νά µᾶς χορηγηθῇ σοφία διά νά µᾶς καθοδηγῇ εἰς ὅλας µας τάς σκέψεις καί τάς πράξεις. Οἱ τελευταῖοι δώδεκα µῆνες ὑπῆρξαν ἐποχή µεγάλης ἀβεβαιότητος δι᾿ ὁλόκληρον τόν κόσµον. Τά χρηµατοοικονοµικά συστήµατα, τά ὁποῖα ἐνεπιστεύοντο τόσον πολλοί ἄνθρωποι διά νά τούς παράσχουν τά ἀγαθά τῆς ζωῆς, παρέσχον ἀντιθέτως φόβον, ἀβεβαιότητα καί πενίαν. Ἡ παγκοσµιοποιηµένη οἰκονοµία εἶχεν ὡς ἀποτέλεσµα νά πληγοῦν ὅλοι ἀκόµη καί οἱ πλέον πτωχοί, οἱ ὁποῖοι εὑρίσκονται πολύ µακράν τῶν συναλλαγῶν τῶν µεγάλων ἐπιχειρήσεων. Ἡ παροῦσα κρίσις δίδει τήν εὐκαιρίαν ἀντιµετωπίσεως τῶν προβληµάτων µέ διαφορετικόν τρόπον, διότι αἱ µέθοδοι αἱ ὁποῖαι ἐδηµιούργησαν τά προβλήµατα αὐτά δέν εἶναι δυνατόν νά εἶναι καί ἡ καλλιτέρα λύσις των. Χρειάζεται νά εἰσαγάγωµεν τήν ἀγάπην εἰς ὅλας τά συναλλαγάς µας, τήν ἀγάπην ἡ ὁποία ἐµπνέει θάρρος καί συµπόνοιαν. Ἀνθρωπίνη πρόοδος δέν σηµαίνει ἁπλῶς συσσώρευσιν πλούτου καί ἄκριτον ἀνάλωσιν τῶν πόρων τῆς γῆς. Ἡ ἀντιµετώπισις τῆς παρούσης κρίσεως ἔχει ἀποκαλύψει τάς ἀξίας τῶν ὀλίγων οἱ ὁποῖοι διαµορφώνουν τάς τύχας τῆς κοινωνίας µας. Ἐκείνων οἱ ὁποῖοι δύνανται νά ἐξεύρουν χρηµατικά ποσά πέραν πάσης φαντασίας διά τήν στήριξιν τοῦ χρηµατοοικονοµικοῦ συστήµατος τό ὁποῖον τούς ἐπρόδωσεν, ἀλλά δέν εἶναι πρόθυµοι νά διαθέσουν οὔτε τό ἐλάχιστον κλάσµα τῶν ποσῶν αὐτῶν διά τήν θεραπείαν τῆς οἰκτρᾶς καταστάσεως εἰς τήν ὁποίαν ἔχει περιέλθει ἡ κτίσις, ἐξ αἰτίας αὐτῶν ἀκριβῶς τῶν ἀξιῶν των, ἤ διά τήν σίτισιν τῶν πεινώντων τοῦ κόσµου ἤ διά τήν ἐξασφάλισιν ποσίµου ὕδατος εἰς τούς διψῶντας τοῦ κόσµου, θύµατα καί αὐτούς τῶν ἰδίων ἀξιῶν. Εἰς τό πρόσωπον ἑκάστου πεινασµένου παιδιοῦ ἀναγράφεται ἕν ἐρώτηµα δι᾿ ἡµᾶς καί δέν πρέπει νά ἀποστρέψωµεν τό βλέµµα διά νά ἀποφύγωµεν τήν ἀπάντησιν. ∆ιατί συνέβη αὐτό ; Εἶναι πρόβληµα ἀνθρωπίνης ἀνικανότητος ἤ ἀνθρωπίνης βουλήσεως; Ἔχοµεν καταστήσει τήν ἀγοράν τό ἐπίκεντρον τοῦ ἐνδιαφέροντός µας, τῆς δράσεώς µας καί, ἐν τέλει, τῆς ζωῆς µας, λησµονοῦντες ὅτι ἡ ἐπιλογή µας αὐτή θά ἐπηρεάσῃ τήν ζωήν τῶν µελλοντικῶν γενεῶν, καί θά περιορίσῃ τόν ἀριθµόν τῶν ἰδικῶν των ἐπιλογῶν, αἱ ὁποῖαι θά εἶναι πιθανῶς περισσότερον προσανατολισµέναι πρός τήν εὐηµερίαν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καί τῆς κτίσεως. Ἡ ἀνθρωπίνη οἰκονοµία µας, ἡ ὁποία µᾶς ἔχει καταστήσει καταναλωτάς, χωλαίνει. Ἡ Θεία Οἰκονοµία, ἡ ὁποία µᾶς ἔχει πλάσει κατ᾿ εἰκόνα τοῦ ἀγαπῶντος ∆ηµιουργοῦ, µᾶς καλεῖ νά ἀγαπήσωµεν καί νά φροντίσωµεν ἅπασαν τήν κτίσιν. Ἡ εἰκών τήν ὁποίαν ἔχοµεν διά τόν ἑαυτόν µας ἀντανακλᾶται εἰς τόν τρόπον µέ τόν ὁποῖον συµπεριφερόµεθα πρός τήν κτίσιν. Ἐάν πιστεύωµεν ὅτι δέν εἴµεθα τίποτε ἄλλο παρά καταναλωταί, τότε ἐπιδιώκοµεν τήν καταξίωσιν καταναλίσκοντες σύµπασαν τήν γῆν· ἄν ὅµως πιστεύωµεν ὅτι εἴµεθα πλασµένοι καθ᾿ ὁµοίωσιν τοῦ Θεοῦ, τότε δρῶµεν µετά φροντίδος καί ἐλέους καί προσπαθοῦµεν νά γίνωµεν ἐκεῖνο τό ὁποῖον ἐπλάσθηµεν νά εἴµεθα. Ἄς προσευχηθῶµεν διά τήν εὐλογίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ κατά τήν ∆ιάσκεψιν τῶν Ἡνωµένων Ἐθνῶν διά τήν Κλιµατικήν Ἀλλαγήν εἰς τήν Κοπεγχάγην τόν ∆εκέµβριον, ὥστε αἱ ἀνεπτυγµέναι βιοµηχανικῶς χῶραι νά συνεργασθοῦν µέ τάς ἀναπτυσσοµένας διά τήν µείωσιν τῶν βλαβερῶν ρυπογόνων ἐκποµπῶν, ὥστε νά ὑπάρξῃ βούλησις διά τήν συγκέντρωσιν καί συνετήν διαχείρισιν τῶν ἀπαιτουµένων χρηµάτων πρός λῆψιν τῶν ἀναγκαίων µέτρων καί ὥστε νά συνεργασθῶµεν ἅπαντες διά νά διασφαλίσωµεν ὅτι τά τέκνα µας θά δύνανται νά ἀπολαµβάνουν τά ἀγαθά τῆς γῆς τήν ὁποίαν καταλείποµεν εἰς αὐτά. Πρέπει νά ὑπάρξῃ δικαιοσύνη καί ἀγάπη εἰς ὅλας τάς πτυχάς τῆς οἰκονοµικῆς δραστηριότητος· τό κέρδος, καί δή τό βραχυπρόθεσµον, δέν ἠµπορεῖ καί δέν πρέπει νά ἀποτελῇ τό µοναδικόν κίνητρον τῶν πράξεών µας. Ἄς ἀνανεώσωµεν ἅπαντες τήν δέσµευσίν µας νά συνεργασθῶµεν προκειµένου νά ἐπιφέρωµεν τάς ἀλλαγάς διά τάς ὁποίας προσευχόµεθα, νά ἀπορρίψωµεν κάθε τι τό ὁποῖον βλάπτει τήν κτίσιν, νά µεταβάλωµεν τόν τρόπον σκέψεώς µας καί, ὡς ἐκ τούτου, νά µεταβάλωµεν ριζικῶς τόν τρόπον ζωῆς. Ἡ χάρις τοῦ ∆ηµιουργοῦ καί Προνοητοῦ Θεοῦ, σύν τῇ πατρικῇ εὐχῇ καί Πατριαρχικῇ ἡµῶν εὐλογίᾳ, εἴη µετά πάντων ὑµῶν.

1η Σεπτεµβρίου 2009

†

Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ διάπυρος πρός Θεόν εὐχέτης πάντων ὑµῶν

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

Ο Οικουµενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµαίος πλαισιωµένος από τον Μητροπολίτη Γέροντα ∆έρκων Κωνσταντίνο, τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αµερικής ∆ηµήτριο, τον Μητροπολίτη Ξάνθης Παντελεήµονα και τον Πρωτοσύγκελλο της Μητροπόλεως Ξάνθης Αρχιµ. Παντελεήµονα, µε στελέχη των κατασκηνώσεων της Μητροπόλεως Ξάνθης που επισκέφθηκαν τo Πατριαρχείο, στο πλαίσιο προσκυνηµατικής εκδροµής στην Μητέρα Μεγάλη του Χριστού Εκκλησία.

ΕΟΡΤΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ 10ης ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΘΡΟΝΙΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- ∆έκα χρόνια πριν, στις 16 Σεπτεµβρίου 1999, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής ∆ηµήτριος έφτανε στο ∆ιεθνές Αεροδρόµιο Κένεντι της Νέας Υόρκης µέσω µιας πρωτοφανούς καταιγίδας. Η προσγείωση του αεροσκάφους που µετέφερε το νεοεκλεγµένο από την Ιερά Σύνοδο - του Οικουµενικού Πατριαρχείου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως - Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αµερικής καθυστέρησε λόγω του τυφώνα Floyd, ο οποίος µόλις είχε υποβαθµιστεί σε τροπική καταιγίδα από τη στιγµή που ενέσκυψε στη Νέα Υόρκη. Η άφιξη του Σεβασµιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αµερικής σηµατοδότησε επίσης και το οριστικό τέλος της θυελλώδους περιόδου αβεβαιότητα ς κ αι προβληµάτων στην οποία είχε ενσκύψει η Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αµερικής σε µια από τις πιο τρικυµιώδεις και αµφιλεγόµενες περιόδους της µακρόχρονης ιστορίας της. Και οι δυο αυτές «καταιγίδες» κόπασαν οριστικά µε την άφιξη του Αρχιεπισκόπου ∆ηµητρίου. Ο Σεβασµιώτατος κατάφερε σε πολύ µικρό χρονικό διάστηµα να πετύχει τη µετάβαση του από τον ακαδηµαϊκό χώρο, ως ένας φηµισµένος ακαδηµαϊκός και λόγιος, στον πνευµατικό, ως ένας ηγέτης µε ήθος ο οποίος ανέλαβε να εµψυχώσει και να οδηγήσει την εκκλησία της Αµερικής στον 21ο αιώνα. Μόλις δυο χρόνια µετά την ενθρόνιση του, οι φοβερές τροµοκρατικές επιθέσεις της 11ης Σεπτεµβρίου στο Παγκόσµιο Εµπορικό Κέντρο στη Νέα Υόρκη και στο Πεντάγωνο στην Ουάσιγκτον, επέφεραν µνηµειώδεις αλλαγές στην κατεύθυνση και στον τρόπο ζωής στην Αµερική, αλλά και ολοκλήρου του κόσµου. Στις τραυµ ατικές εµπειρίες των εβδοµάδων και των µηνών που ακολού-

θησαν τις επιθέσεις, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ∆ηµήτριος στάθηκε εθνικό σύµβολο της Ορθόδοξης Εκκλησίας στους πιστούς, αλλά και στην ευρύτερη αµερικανική κοινή γνώµη, σε ολόκληρη την κοινωνία προσφέροντας πνευµατική βοήθεια σε χιλιάδες ανθρώπους που επλήγησαν άµεσα από την τραγωδία, συµπεριλαµβανοµένων και των ενοριτών του Αγίου Νικολάου, της µοναδικής εκκλησίας που καταστράφηκε ολοσχερώς από την τροµοκρατική επίθεση κατά την κατάρρευση των ∆ιδύµων Πύργων του Παγκοσµίου Εµπορικού Κέντρου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής έχει οδηγήσει την Εκκλησία µέσω άλλων δυσχερών καταστάσεων και γεγονότων που έπληξαν την κοινωνία µας, µεταξύ των οποίων και ο τυφώνας Κατρίνα. Θερµός υποστηρικτής του Οικουµενικού Πατριαρχείου, τόσο στις Ηνωµένες Πολιτείες και στο εξωτερικό, έχει εκπροσωπήσει την Ορθοδοξία σε ολόκληρο τον κόσµο. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ∆ηµήτριος έχει συναντηθεί και συνοµιλήσει µε παγκόσµιους θρησκευτικούς και πολιτικούς ηγέτες, αλλά και µε απλούς ενορίτες των Ελληνορθοδόξων κοινοτήτων σε όλη τη χώρα, συµπεριλαµβανοµένων πολλών νέων ανθρώπων. Οι δραστηριότητες και τα επιτεύγµατά του Σεβασµιωτάτου Αµερικής είναι πάρα πολλά για να αναφερθούν στο σύνολό τους. Το ακόλουθο χρονοδιάγραµµα περιλαµβάνει πολλά από τα πιο σηµαντικά γεγονότα της διακονίας του Αρχιεπισκόπου ∆ηµητρίου, καθώς και στη ζωή της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής, κατά τη διάρκεια των 10 ετών από την ενθρόνισή του τον Σεπτέµβριο του 1999. Το χρονοδιάγραµµα αυτό θα δηµοσιευθεί σε δύο µέρη - το δεύτερο µέρος θα

 óåë. 16

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ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ Ἡ Παγκόσµια Ὕψωση τοῦ Τιµίου καί Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ Πρός τούς Σεβασµιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί ∆ιακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συµβουλίων, τά Ἡµερήσια καί Ἀπογευµατινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυµο πλήρωµα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀµερικῆς. Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Σᾶς χαιρετῶ ἐν ἀγάπῃ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ αὐτή τήν Ἡµέρα τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Παγκοσµίου Ὑψώσεως τοῦ Τιµίου καί Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ, τήν ὁποία ἑορτάζει ἡ Ἁγία Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία στίς 14 Σεπτεµβρίου ἑκάστου ἔτους. Μέ σοφό τρόπο ἡ Ἁγία Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία µας, ἐπιλέγει µιά συγκεκριµένη περικοπή τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Εὐαγγελίου γιά νά ἀναγνωσθῇ κατά τήν διάρκεια τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας αὐτῆς τῆς ἡµέρας. Ἡ περικοπή αὐτή ἀπό τό κατά Ἰωάννην Εὐαγγέλιο (19:6-30), ἀποτελεῖ δραµατική ἀφήγηση τῆς δίκης τοῦ Ἰησοῦ ἐνώπιον τοῦ Ποντίου Πιλάτου, καθώς καί τῆς σταυρώσεως, τοῦ πάθους, καί τοῦ θανάτου Του ἐπί τοῦ Σταυροῦ. Ἡ Ἐκκλησία ὁρίζει τήν ἡµέρα αὐτή ὡς ἡµέρα αὐστηρῆς νηστείας. Ὁ συνδυασµός αὐτῆς τῆς Εὐαγγελικῆς περικοπῆς µέ τήν θρησκευτική πράξη τῆς νηστείας γίνεται σκόπιµα ἀπό τήν Ἐκκλησία, διότι ἒτσι ὁ πιστός προσκαλεῖται νά ἐπανεκτιµήσῃ κεντρικά θέµατα ἀπό τήν λειτουργική περίοδο τῆς Μεγάλης καί Ἱερᾶς Τεσσαρακοστῆς. Στήν Ἑορτή αὐτή, ἡ Ἐκκλησία προβάλλει αὐτά τά θέµατα, δίδοντας ἔµφαση στόν ρόλο τῆς µετανοίας καί τῆς προσευχῆς στή Χριστιανική ζωή καί στόν Σταυρό, ὡς συνεχή ὑπενθύµιση τῆς πηγῆς τῆς δυνάµεως, ἰσχύος, σωτη-ρίας καί ζωῆς µας. Μέσα σέ αὐτό τό πλαίσιο, µποροῦµε νά ἐκτιµήσουµε τήν σηµε-ρινή λειτουργική πράξη τῆς ὑψώσεως τοῦ συµβόλου τοῦ Σταυροῦ καθώς τόν ὑψώνουµε µέ τά χέρια καί τήν καρδιά µας. Μέ τήν πράξη αὐτή ἐνθυµούµεθα ὅτι, ὁ Σταυρός εἶναι περισσότερο ἀπό ἕνα σύµβολο τῆς πίστεώς µας. Ἀποτελεῖ πράγµατι, σηµεῖο τό ὁποῖο διακηρύσσει τόν τελικό θρίαµβο τοῦ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐπί τοῦ θανάτου, καί τήν ἐγκαθίδρυση τοῦ λυτρωτικοῦ ἔργου, καί τῆς τελείας ἀγάπης Του τήν ὁποία ἐπέδειξε πλήρως καί τελείως ἐπί τοῦ Σταυροῦ. Ἡ Ἑορτή τῆς Παγκοσµίου Ὑψώσεως τοῦ Τιµίου Σταυροῦ, καί τά θέµατα τά ὁποῖα αὐτή προβάλλει µέσῳ τῶν λειτουργικῶν πράξεων, τοῦ Εὐαγγελικοῦ ἀναγνώ-σµατος τό ὁποῖο ἀκοῦµε, καί τῆς αὐστηρῆς νηστείας τήν ὁποία ἀκολουθοῦµε, κατευθύνουν τήν ζωή µας στήν Ὁδό τοῦ Σταυροῦ. Αὐτή εἶναι ἡ ὁδός τῆς θυσίας, καθώς καθ’ ἡµέραν αἴρουµε τόν σταυρόν ἡµῶν ἀρνησάµενοι ἑαυτούς (Λουκ. 9:23). Εἶναι ἡ ὁδός τῆς ταπεινῆς διακονίας τῶν ἄλλων, καί ὄχι ἐπιγείων θησαυρῶν (Μάρκ. 10:21). Εἶναι ἡ ὁδός ἀπό τόν θάνατο στήν αἰώνιο ζωή, καθώς ἀκολουθοῦµε τό παράδειγµα Ἐκείνου ὁ Ὁποῖος µετέτρεψε ἕνα µέσο αἰσχύνης σέ ἔµβληµα θριάµβου. Γιά µᾶς τούς Ὀρθόδοξους Χριστιανούς, ἡ Ὁδός τοῦ Σταυροῦ θά ἔπρεπε νά ἀποτελῇ κλήση καί διά βίου δέσµευση. Γιά ὁρισµένους ἀπό τούς ἀνθρώπους τοῦ Θεοῦ, αὐτή ἡ ὁδός τῆς θυσίας καί διακονίας ἔχει καταστεῖ ἱερή κλίση στήν Ἁγία Ἱερωσύνη. Ἡ Θεολογική Σχολή µας στό Brookline, Mass ἔχει καταλλήλως ὀνοµα-σθῆ Ἑλληνική Ὀρθόδοξος Θεολογική Σχολή τοῦ Τιµίου Σταυροῦ, καί ἑποµένως, πανηγυρίζει αὐτή τήν ἱερή ἡµέρα. Αὐτή ἡ Ἑορτή, συνδέεται ἰδιαίτερα µέ τήν ἱερή ἀποστολή τῆς Θεολογικῆς Σχολῆς µας στήν ἐκπαίδευση µελλοντικῶν Ἱερέων τῆς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς µας. Ἡ ἀνάπτυξη τῆς ἱερατικῆς συνειδήσεως, ἡ ὁποία εἶναι σύµ-φωνη µέ τήν ἐπίπονη, ἀλλά ἐξαιρετικά ἱκανοποιητική Ὁδό τοῦ Σταυροῦ, ἀποτελεῖ τό ἔργο τό ὁποῖο ἀναλαµβάνουν ὅλοι ὅσοι προετοιµάζονται γιά τήν Ἁγία Ἱερωσύνη, κατά τή διάρκεια των σπουδῶν τους στή Θεολογική Σχολή µας τοῦ Τιµίου Σταυροῦ. Ἀναλογιζόµενοι τήν σηµασία τῆς σηµερινῆς Ἑορτῆς, καί περιγράφοντας τίς ἀρετές οἱ ὁποῖες εἶναι ἀπαραίτητες γιά τήν ἱερατική διαµόρφωση, εἶναι ἐπιβεβλη-µένο νά ἐργασθοῦµε ὡς κοινότητα πιστῶν, ὡς Ἐκκλησία, γιά νά στηρίξουµε τήν ἀγαπηµένη µας Θεολογική Σχολή. Αὐτή ἡ στήριξη µπορεῖ νά ἐκφρασθῇ, εἴτε µέσῳ οἰκονοµικῆς συνεισφορᾶς τήν ὁποία καλούµεθα νά προσφέρουµε σήµερα, εἴτε µέσῳ τῆς ἐνθαρρύνσεως περισσοτέρων νέων τῶν ἐνοριῶν µας νά ἐναγκαλισθοῦν τήν Ἁγία Ἱερωσύνη, ὡς σηµαντικό καί εὐλογηµένο τρόπο ζωῆς στόν σύγχρονο κόσµο µας. Ἡ ἐνθάρρυνση καί ὑποστήριξή µας πρός αὐτούς, οἱ ὁποῖοι σκέπτονται νά προχωρήσουν πρός τήν Ἁγία Ἱερωσύνη, πρέπει νά συνοδευθῇ ἀπό τίς προσευχές µας γιά ὅλους ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι φοιτοῦν στόν Τίµιο Σταυρό, καί γιά ἄλλους οἱ ὁποῖοι µπορεῖ νά ἀνταποκριθοῦν στό ἱερό κάλεσµά Του, καί νά ἀφιερώσουν τήν ζωή των στήν Ὁδό τοῦ Σταυροῦ ὡς Ἱερεῖς τῆς Ἁγίας Ἐκκλησίας Του. Στή ζωή µας γνωρίζουµε τήν λυτρωτική καί καθαγιαστική δύναµη τοῦ Σταυροῦ. Πόσες ἄλλες ζωές θά ὁδηγηθοῦν στήν ἀληθινή ζωή, µέσα ἀπό τή δική µας ὑποστήριξη σέ ἄξιους ὑποψηφίους γιά τήν Ἱερωσύνη καί τήν Θεολογική Σχολή µας; Πόσες ψυχές θά ἀγκαλιάσουν τήν σωτηρία µέσα ἀπό τήν διακονία αὐτῶν πού ἐκλήθησαν, ἐκπαι-δεύθηκαν, καί ἀπεστάλησαν γιά νά µοιρασθοῦν τό Εὐαγγέλιο τῆς ἀγάπης καί τῆς ζωῆς; Εἲθε ἡ δύναµη, ἡ χάρη, καί ἡ τέλεια εἰρήνη τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, µέσῳ τῆς δυνάµεως τοῦ Τιµίου καί Ζωοποιοῦ Σταυροῦ Του, καθώς ἑορτάζουµε τήν ὡραία αὐτή ἑορτή τῆς Ἁγίας Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας, νά εἶναι µαζί µας, καθώς ἒχουµε συνείδηση τῆς ἀγάπης Του γιά µᾶς, καί ἀφιερώνουµε ὁλόκληρη τήν ζωή µας βαδίζοντας ἐπί τῆς Ὁδοῦ τοῦ Σταυροῦ πρός τήν αἰώνιο ζωή. Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀµερικῆς ∆ηµήτριος

ΦΩΤΟΡΕΠΟΡΤΑΖ: ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

Ο ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΣΤΑ ΣΠΑΣΜΕΝΑ ΜΝΗΜΑΤΑ ΣΤΟ ΒΑΛΟΥΚΛΗ Την λύπη και την απογοήτευσή του για τους βανδαλισµούς που διαπράχθηκαν στο νεκροταφείο του Βαλουκλή εξέφρασε ο Οικουµενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµαίος «γιατί παρόµοια γεγονότα εξακολουθούν να συµβαίνουν στα κοιµητήρια της Οµογενείας µας». Ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµαίος, συνοδευόµενος από τον Μητροπολίτη Τρανουπόλεως Γερµανό, επισκέφθηκε στις 2 Σεπτεµβρίου το απόγευµα το νεκροταφείο, προκειµένου να δει από κοντά τις καταστροφές. Υπενθυµίζεται πως στις αρχές του µήνα άγνωστοι εισέβαλαν στον χώρο του κοιµητηρίου και κατέστρεψαν 99 ταφόπλακες, ισάριθµων ταφείων, οι οποίες φέρουν πάνω τον σταυρό, τα ονόµατα των αποθανόντων και την χρονολογία γέννησης και θανάτου τους. Οι φύλακες της παρακείµενης Πατριαρχικής και Σταυροπηγιακής Μονής Ζωοδόχου Πηγής, οι οποίοι πρώτοι βρέθηκαν αντιµέτωποι µε τους βανδαλισµούς, εξήγησαν στον Πατριάρχη πώς έγινε το συµβάν. Η απογοήτευση ήταν έκδηλη στο πρόσωπό του. Κατά τη διάρκεια της 30λεπτης επίσκεψής του είχε την ευκαιρία να δει από κοντά και άλλα σηµεία του κοιµητηρίου όπου στο παρελθόν έγιναν µικρότερης έκτασης ζηµιές. Να σηµειωθεί ότι οι τάφοι αυτοί έχουν κατασκευαστεί από τον Σύνδεσµο

Βοηθείας Ασθενών και Γηροκοµουµένων των Νοσοκοµείων Βαλουκλή. Ο Σύνδεσµος ιδρύθηκε το 1946 από τους προύχοντες της εποχής εκείνης για να συνδράµει στο έργο της Εφοροεπιτροπής των Νοσοκοµείων Βαλουκλή µε σκοπό την στήριξη και την ανακούφιση των οµογενειακών οικογενειών, που αντιµετώπισαν εντονότερα τις συνέπειες του Β’ Παγκοσµίου Πολέµου. Κατόρθωσε δε, συγκεντρώνοντας χρήµατα µε την βοήθεια της Ρωµιοσύνης της Πόλης, αλλά και από το εξωτερικό, να απαλύνει τον πόνο των γηροκοµουµένων και ιδιαίτερα µετά τις απελάσεις του 1964, όπου πίσω στην Πόλη έµειναν αρκετοί ηλικιωµένοι. Σήµερα, επικεφαλής του Συνδέσµου είναι ο εξαιρετικά δραστήριος κ. Γεώργιος Ατέσογλου, µε µέριµνα του οποίου τα τελευταία 10 χρόνια συγκεντρώθηκαν χρήµατα από δωρεές ρωµιών αλλά και οµογενών από όλο τον κόσµο, και κατασκευάστηκαν 100 τάφοι για τον ενταφιασµό των αποθανόντων τροφίµων του γηροκοµείου Βαλουκλή - και όχι µόνο – καθώς και για τους οικονοµικά αδύναµους οµογενείς από την Πόλη και την Ίµβρο. Αυτοί είναι οι τάφοι που κατέστρεψαν οι βέβηλοι. Αµέσως µετά ο Οικουµενικός Πατριάρχης επισκέφθηκε την παρακείµενη Μονή Ζωοδόχου Πηγής και προσκύνησε στον τάφο του προκατόχου του Πατριάρχου ∆ηµητρίου.

ΕΟΡΤΑΣΜΟΣ ΤΗΣ 10ης ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΕΝΘΡΟΝΙΣΗ ΤΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΥ  óåë. 15 δηµοσιευθεί στο τεύχος του Οκτωβρίου.

1999 19 Αυγούστου - Η Αγία και Ιερά Σύνοδος του Οικουµενικού Πατριαρχείου εκλέγει τον Μητροπολίτη Βρεσθένης ∆ηµήτριο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αµερικής ως αντικαταστάτη του παραιτηθέντος Αρχιεπισκόπου Σπυρίδων. Ο Επίσκοπος Γεώργιος της Νέας Ιερσέης διορίζεται εκπρόσωπος εκκλησιαστικής αρχής µέχρι ενθρόνισης του νέου Αρχιεπισκόπου το Σεπτέµβριο.

12 Σεπτεµβρίου - Τελούνται τα εγκαίνια της βιβλιοθήκης Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιακώβου στο Ελληνικό Κολέγιο Τιµίου Σταυρού στη Θεολογική Σχολή στο Μπρούκλαιν της Μασαχουσέτης.

18 Σεπτεµβρίου - Τελετή ενθρόνισης του Αρχιεπισκόπου Αµερικής ∆ηµητρίου στον κατάµεστο από πλήθος πιστών Καθεδρικό Ναό της Αγίας Τριάδας στο Μανχάταν,

παρουσία του εκπροσώπου του Οικουµενικού Πατριάρχου, Μητροπολίτου Σεβαστείας ∆ηµητρίου, ο οποίος χοροστατεί. Μεταξύ των προσωπικοτήτων που συµµετέχουν η Πρώτη Κυρία των ΗΠΑ, νυν υπουργός Εξωτερικών, κ. Χίλαρι Κλίντον.

28 Σεπτ. - Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος συµµετέχει στο πρώτο πρωϊνό µετά Προσευχής του Λευκού Οίκου παρουσία 100 θρησκευτικών ηγετών, που φιλοξενούνται από τον Πρόεδρο Μπιλ Κλίντον.

3 Οκτωβρίου - Ο Σεβασµιώτατος καθαγιάζει και αφιερώνει την εκκλησία των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης, στο ∆υτικό Νάιακ της Νέας Υόρκης.

Oκτ. 14-15 - Πρώτη συνεδρίαση της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου υπό την προεδρία του Αρχιεπισκόπου ∆ηµητρίου.

21 Οκτωβρίου - Ο Μητροπολίτης Σικάγου Ιάκωβος εορτάζει την 30η επέτειο του στην ιεραρχία µε τη συµετοχή του Αρχιεπισκόπου ∆ηµητρίου.

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

17

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ Ἔναρξη Νέου Ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ Ἔτους Ἡµέρα Προστασίας τοῦ Φυσικοῦ Περιβάλλοντος Πρός τούς Σεβασµιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί ∆ιακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συµβουλίων, τά Ἡµερήσια καί Ἀπογευµατινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυµον πλήρωµα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀµερικῆς. ΦΩΤΟΡΕΠΟΡΤΑΖ: ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

Η ΕΟΡΤΗ ΤΗΣ ΥΨΩΣΕΩΣ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ ΣΤΟ ΦΑΝΑΡΙ Με κατάνυξη εορτάστηκε η Παγκόσµιος Ύψωσις του Τιµίου Σταυρού στο Φανάρι. Στην πανηγυρική Θεία Λειτουργία χοροστάτησε ο Οικουµενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµαίος και συγχοροστάτησαν οι Μητροπολίτες Πέργης Ευάγγελος, Λύστρων Καλλίνικος, Ίµβρου και Τενέδου Κύριλλος, Σεβαστείας ∆ηµήτριος, Μύρων Χρυσόστοµος Ικονίου Θεόληπτος. Στο τέλος της ∆οξολογίας, και ενώ οι χοροί έψαλαν το Ασµατικόν «Άγιος ο Θεός», η ποµπή εξήλθε µε επικεφαλής τον Αρχιγραµµατέα της Ιεράς Συνόδου Αρχιµ. Ελπιδοφόρο, ο οποίος κατά την τάξη είναι λειτουργός της ηµέρας, και στο µέσον του σωλέα έγινε η καθιερωµένη τελετή της

Υψώσεως του Τιµίου Σταυρού. Στο τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας ο Πατριάρχης χειροθέτησε στο οφφίκιο του Μ. Ιεροκήρυκος της Μεγάλης του Χριστού Εκκλησίας τον ιεροµόναχο Βησσαρίωνα Κοµζιά. Παρέστησαν συµπροσευχόµενοι οι Μητροπολίτες Θεοδωρουπόλεως Γερµανός και Όουλου Παντελεήµων (της Εκκλησίας της Φιλλανδίας), ο επίσκοπος Αβύδου Κύριλλος, ο Αρχιµ. Νεκτάριος επίτροπος του Παναγίου Τάφου στην Πόλη, ο πρόξενος της Ελλάδος Νικόλαος Σιγάλας, οι Ιορδανοί Ορθόδοξοι βουλευτές Fahri Iskandar Daoud και Abdullah Zurickat, άρχοντες οφφικίαλοι του Πατριαρχείου και πλήθος προσκυνητών από την Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό.

Προσφιλεῖς ἀδελφοί καί ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Εὐχαριστοῦµε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἀρχή αυτοῦ τοῦ Νέου Ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ Ἔτους καί τίς ἄφθονες εὐλογίες Του, οἱ ὁποῖες γεµίζουν τήν καρδιά µας µέ εὐγνωµοσύνη, κάνουν βαθύτερη τήν πίστη µας καί δυναµώνουν τήν ψυχή µας. Ἡ ἡµεροµηνία 1 Σεπτεµβρίου σηµατοδοτεῖ τήν ἀρχή πολλῶν πραγµάτων στή ζωή µας. Γιά ὁρισµένους, σηµαίνει τό ξεκίνηµα ἑνός ἀκόµη ἀκαδηµαϊκοῦ ἔτους γεµάτου µέ σηµαντικούς στόχους καί προκλήσεις. Γιά ἄλλους, ἀποτελεῖ τήν ἐπιστροφή ἀπό τίς θερινές διακοπές µέ ἀναζωογονηµένο σῶµα καί νοῦ, καί ἀνανεωµένη δέσµευση ἔναντι τῆς ἐργασίας καί τῶν εὐθυνῶν. Γιά ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐργάζονται ὡς ἀγρότες, αὐτή ἡ ἡµέρα σηµατοδοτεῖ τήν ἀρχή τοῦ ἀγροτικοῦ ἔτους καί τίς ἐργασίες τῆς σπορᾶς, καλλιεργείας καί συγκοµιδῆς. Γιά τούς Ὀρθοδόξους Χριστιανούς, ἡ 1 η Σεπτεµβρίου εἰσάγει ἕνα νέο λειτουργικό ἔτος στό ὁποῖο συµµετέχουµε στή ζωή τῆς Ἁγίας µας Ἐκκλησίας διά τῶν ἱερῶν ἀκολουθιῶν. Ἡ 1 η Σεπτεµβρίου εἶναι ἐπίσης ἡ ἡµεροµηνία ἡ ὁποία ὁρίσθηκε ἀπό τό Οἰκουµενικό Πατριαρχεῖο µας ὡς Ἡµέρα Προστασίας τοῦ Φυσικοῦ Περιβάλλοντός µας. Ὁ ταυτόχρονος ἑορτασµός αὐτῆς τῆς Ἡµέρας µαζί µέ τήν ἀρχή τοῦ Νέου Ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ Ἔτους εἶναι σηµαντικός γιά πολλούς λόγους καθώς µᾶς βοηθᾶ νά κατανοήσουµε τή σηµαντική σχέση µεταξύ τοῦ κόσµου µας τοῦ δηµιουργηµένου ἀπό τόν Θεό καί τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Χριστιανικῆς πίστεώς µας. Πρῶτον, ὡς ἀνθρώπινα ὄντα, βιώνουµε τήν κοινωνία µέ τόν Θεό µέσα στόν κόσµο µας διά τῆς λατρείας µας στίς ἱερές ἀκολουθίες τῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Τό φυσικό περιβάλλον µᾶς καλεῖ νά ἔλθουµε σέ κοινωνία µέ τόν Θεό καί τούς συνανθρώπους µας. Ὁ Θεός δηµιούργησε τόν φυσικό κόσµο ἐκ τοῦ µηδενός καί κατόπιν δηµιούργησε τόν ἄνθρωπο ἐντός τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος µέ σκοπό τήν ἁρµονική συνύπαρξη καί κοινωνία. Ἐνῶ ἡ ἁρµονική αὐτή κοινωνία διακόπηκε ἀπό τήν ἁµαρτία καί τήν ἀνυπακοή τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ὁ Θεός µας, λόγῳ τῆς µεγάλης ἀγάπης Του γιά µᾶς, εἰσῆλθε στή δηµιουργία Του, ὡς σάρξ καί αἷµα γιά νά λυτρώσῃ τόσο ἐµᾶς ὅσο καί ὅ,τι βρίσκεται ὑπό τά δεσµά τῆς ἁµαρτίας καί τοῦ θανάτου, ἀποκαθιστώντας τήν ἁρµονική συνύπαρξη καί κοινωνία. ∆εύτερον, διά τῆς λειτουργικῆς ζωῆς τῆς Ἐκκλησίας δέν στηριζόµεθα µόνον στήν Χριστιανική πορεία τῆς ζωῆς µας, ἀλλά παράλληλα ἀποκτοῦµε πείρα τῆς µεγάλης πνευµατικῆς σηµασίας τοῦ φυσικοῦ µας περιβάλλοντος. Αὐτό γίνεται µέ τήν χρήση καθαρῶς ὑλικῶν στοιχείων, ὅπως ὁ ἄρτος καί ὁ οἶνος, στό µέγιστο καί ἱερώτατο Μυστήριο τῆς Θείας Εὐχαριστίας πού µᾶς ἑνώνει ὡς σῶµα καί αἷµα Χριστοῦ µέ τόν ἴδιο τόν Θεό. Ἐδῶ, ἡ πνευµατική καί φυσική σχέση εἶναι σηµαντική. Εἴµεθα ταυτοχρόνως φυσικά καί πνευµατικά ὄντα, δηµιουργηµένα γιά νά ζήσουµε προικισµένα µέ τήν δυνατότητα, ἡ ὁποία ἔχει δοθεῖ ἀποκλειστικά στούς ἀνθρώπους, νά λατρεύουµε τόν ∆ηµιουργό µας µέσα σ’ ἕνα φυσικό περιβάλλον τό ὁποῖο δέν καλύπτει µόνον τίς φυσικές ἀνάγκες µας ἀλλά µᾶς δίδει τήν δυνατότητα νά βιώσουµε τήν πλήρη κοινωνία µέ τόν Θεό. Ἡ λειτουργική ζωή µας καί ἡ ζωή µας στόν κόσµο δέν µποροῦν νά θεωρηθοῦν ὡς ξεχωριστές σφαῖρες ὑπάρξεως, ἀλλά µᾶλλον ὡς µία σφαίρα ζωῆς καί σχέσεως. Στή λατρεία τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, καλούµεθα σ’ ἕνα συλλογικό ἔργο στό ὁποῖο παραµένουµε πιστοί γιά πάντα. Ἐντός τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, προσπαθοῦµε νά ἔχουµε βαθύτερη ἐπικοινωνία µέ τόν Θεό καί καλλιεργοῦµε τίς σχέσεις πίστεως καί ἀγάπης µέ τούς ἀδελφούς καί ἀδελφές µας ἐν Χριστῷ. Τό φυσικό περιβάλλον µας ἐξαρτᾶται ἐπίσης ἀπό τό ἔργο µας, ἐµπνευσµένο ἀπό τήν πίστη, εἰδικώτερα ὡς οἰκονόµων τοῦ κόσµου πού ἔπλασε ὁ Θεός. Ἔχουµε κληθεῖ νά προστατεύουµε τό φυσικό περιβάλλον. Αὐτό ἀπαιτεῖ συνεργασία µέ τούς ἄλλους ἐν πνεύµατι ἀγάπης καί συντροφικότητος. Ἐπίσης, σηµαίνει ὅτι ἀξιολογοῦµε τήν ἐπίδραση τῶν ἐπί τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος πράξεών µας τίς ὁποῖες ἐνεργοῦµε ἤ παραλείπουµε, καί ὅτι ἀναγνωρίζουµε τήν ὡραιότητα, λειτουργία καί σκοπό παντός δηµιουργήµατος τοῦ Θεοῦ. Προσφιλεῖς ἀδελφοί καί ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Τήν πρώτη αὐτήν ἡµέρα τοῦ Νέου Ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ Ἔτους, αὐτή τήν ὥρα, καλούµεθα ὅλοι µας νά σκεφθοῦµε σοβαρά τούς λόγους τούς ὁποίους ἀπηύθυνε ὁ Ἀπ. Παῦλος στούς Κορινθίους: Ἰδού νῦν καιρός εὐπρόσδεκτος, ἰδοῦ νῦν ἡµέρα σωτηρίας (Β’ Κορ.

6:2). Ἄς ἀποτελέσουν αὐτοί οἱ ἀποστολικοί λόγοι κάλεσµα σέ µία µεγαλύτερη συµµετοχή στή λειτουργική ζωή τῆς Ἐκκλησίας µας, σέ µία ἀνανεωµένη σχέση µέ τό φυσικό περιβάλλον µας, καί σέ µία βαθύτερη κατανόηση τῆς πολυτιµότητος τοῦ χρόνου τόν ὁποῖον µᾶς ἐχάρισε ὁ Θεός καί ∆ηµιουργός µας. Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀµερικῆς ∆ηµήτριος

18

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

Σεβασµιώτατε, Γιορτάζουµε µαζί σας τα δέκα χρόνια της ποιµαντορίας σας ως Αρχιεπισκόπου Αµερικής. Δοξάζουµε τον Πανάγαθο Θεό και ευγνωµονούµε τον Οικουµενικό µας Πατριάρχη Βαρθολοµαίο δια την εκλογήν σας. Τη χαρά και γαλήνη που φέρατε στις καρδιές µας σας την εκφράζουµε µε το ποίηµα του Γεωργίου Βερίτη:

”Ανοιξη µπήκε για καλά κι η αγράµπελη µοσχοβολά κι η πασχαλιά ευωδιάζει. Πήδα και χόρευε ψυχή που σ’έλυωσε η απαντοχή και το πικρό µαράζι”.

Στέφανος Τσερπέλης • Οικογενειακώς

19

SEPTEMBER 2009

PEOPLE Community Offers Strong Support to OCF Ministry Philanthropist honored American College of Greece recently bestowed an honorary degree upon IOCC founder Andrew A. Athens, a former Archdiocesan Council president, cofounder of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and founder of United Hellenic American Congress.

Top lobbyist Roll Call newspaper, the oldest publication covering the U.S. Congress, reported in its July 6 issue that Archdiocesan Council member Andrew Manatos, president of Manatos & Manatos, has been named one of the top 20 lobbyists, out of 10,764, in Washington, according to a study by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics.

LA Consul General The Greek government recently appointed Elisabeth Fotiadou as the new consul general in Los Angeles. Her jurisdiction includes Southern California, Arizona, Southern Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado and Hawaii. Mrs. Fotiadou, a career diplomat, most recently was deputy director of the Russia & Caucasus Desk at the Greek Foreign Ministry. She is married to Dr. Vasili Berdoukas, M.D. She replaces Dimitris Caramitsos-Tziras, who has been appointed deputy Ambassador of Greece to the United Nations in New York.

Graduate graduates St. Basil Academy graduate Joseph Coutlis Al-Shanniek recently completed his undergraduate career at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Mass., where he studied business marketing and theology and received his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree on May 18.

Ms. New Jersey Margaret Louise Skourlis was recently awarded the title Ms. New Jersey United States 2009 and was in the Ms. United States 2009 pageant in Las Vegas in July. Raised in New York, she has been involved in many activities, including St. Nicholas-Flushing GOYA, the Pan Cretan Convention, Hellenic Kyklos Society, Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund, and the Greek Children’s Fund. She has three former Greek beauty queen titles from the Omospondia Federation, Miss Messinia 2001, Miss Melpia 2002, and Miss Kalamata 2003.

Eagle Scout Charles Peter Tsouvalas, a member of St. Anthony Church in Pasadena, Calif., where he is an altar boy, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout in Troop 174 in Temple City, Calif. Serving as senior patrol leader, he recently completed four 10-day backpacking Sierra treks and received first through fourth place titles in an annual camporee competition. In high school, he has been associated student body president of Arcadia High.

CBS intern University of Illinois student Peter Nicholas Zervakis recently completed a 10-week summer internship at CBS News headquarters in New York. Zervakis is a broadcast journalism major at the university of Champaign. His responsibilities included writing news stories for the CBS website, creating slideshows for the website, and maintaining a blog. He is a member of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

P A R I S H

profile

Name: Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church Location: Champaign, Ill. Metropolis of Chicago Size: about 180 families Founded: 1965 Clergy: Fr. Michael Condos (Holy Cross ’95) E-mail: threehierarchs@aol.com Web: www.threehierarchs.org Noteworthy: AHEPA had key role in church’s founding.

THREE HIERARCHS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – A college town setting offers many opportunities for a Greek Orthodox community to expand its outreach.

Three Hierarchs Church is such a parish, whose priest maintains a strong ministry to Orthodox Christian students on the University of Illinois campus.

The university is a major employer in the area and many parishioners are associated with it, Fr. Condos noted.

For only about 45 years, the church has been serving the faithful in Champaign, a city of about 75,000 persons 135 miles south of Chicago in east-central Illinois, and its smaller next-door neighbor of Urbana.

Three Hierarchs Church has been involved in the campus ministry at U. of I. for many years. Fr. Condos’ predecessor, Fr. George Pyle, became very involved in the Orthodox Christian Fellowship ministry at the school in 2004. The OCF organization has had a presence at the university for about two decades.

“It’s a very exciting ministry,” said Fr. Michael, who goes to the campus every Tuesday where he maintains an office at the Orthodox Chapel of St. Philip.

On Tuesday nights, an Orthodox Christian Fellowship holds a dinner to which families of the Champaign parish donate food. There is no charge to the students.

The priest said several students reciprocate by helping the church in various ways, including teaching Sunday School. He noted that, in addition to his primary outreach to Orthodox students, “a lot of young Protestants and Catholics who leave their church” have displayed interest in Orthodoxy and he has christened some of them.

The priest said there seems to be a “movement back towards God (among college students). Something is going on. The Holy Spirit is doing something.”

At the University of Illinois, there also is an Orthodox alumni organization whose members support some of the faith activities, Fr. Michael noted.

In his parish ministry, he serves a pan-Orthodox congregation. With members of Greek, Romanian, Russian and other Orthodox backgrounds.

Most parishioners are American born and the Liturgy is celebrated mostly in English with some Greek.

The Lord’s Prayer is recited in “five or six languages,” Fr. Michael said, and the Epistle reading is done in “three or four languages.”

In addition to the core congrega-

tion in Champaign-Urbana, Fr. Michael also serves 10 to 15 families in Danville. about 40 miles to the east near the Indiana border where an Orthodox chapel (St. Barbara’s) is located. “It’s almost like having two or three ministries,” he said.

“The priest has to cover a lot of territory.”

He also hears confessions on Saturdays and runs the office by himself on weekdays as there is no secretary.

The parish ministry includes religious education for children and adults.

Sunday School has about 35 students and retreats are held during the year for the students. Fr. Michael also conducts family retreats.

The GOYA chapter is small, with several younger children and a few of high school age.

Adults have Bible study, where the various books of the Bible are discussed in detail, and a program called “Orthodoxy 101”, in which different aspects of the faith are presented.

Three Hierarchs has no choir, but encourages congregational singing. About a dozen altar boys assist during the Liturgy.

Fr. Michael noted that the Greek school classes meet on Friday nights with about 15 children enrolled. There is also a Slavonic language school with 15 students.

The parish’s outreach to the greater community consists of donating Thanksgiving baskets to the needy, assisting local charities through the Philoptochos chapter and participation by some members in Habitat for Humanity.

Stewardship Most parish revenue comes through the Stewardship program.

In addition, a parishioner who passed away two years ago, John Trivelas, made a large gift to the church so the parish wouldn’t need to have a Greek festival.

Fr. Michael, a Hammond, Ind., native, has been at the parish for about a year, after having served the communities in Montgomery, Ala., Columbus, Ga., and Peoria, Ill. Background Thought the parish has only existed since the 1960s, a parish history states that several Greek families arrived in Champaign-Urbana from the Chicago area following World War II and set up businesses.

The local AHEPA chapter, led by President Gus Leo Furla, took the initiative in 1952 to establish a church.

Several families contributed to purchase a house within walking distance of the university campus. Two rooms were converted into a chapel Priests from Annunciation Church in Decatur, about 30 miles to the southwest traveled to Champaign to hold occasional

Saturday services.

Over the next several years, the Ahepans and others raised money to build a church.

In late 1960, Peter F. Tomaras, John Lessaris, Gus Furla and George Lessaris pledged significant funds to launch the project.

In 1965, influenced by the determination of the community leaders and the large number of Orthodox students enrolled at the University of Illinois, Archbishop Iakovos and Bishop Meletios of the Chicago Diocese approved the official charter of the Three Hierarchs Church, establishing a parish reaching to Gibson City on the north, Danville on the east, Farmer City on the west, and Charleston on the south.

Fr. Ioachim Yalouris commuted from Chicago each weekend.

Dues-paying members numbered 72, and support also came from the Champaign Ladies’ Philoptochos Society and from a strong Hellenic Student Organization at the university, led by Professor Deno Geanakopoulos.

Fr. Basil Papanikolaou became the parish’s first permanent priest. He performed his first liturgy on Feb. 13, 1966.

The parish was not financially able to build a church and, instead, purchased a large Mormon church in 1970, which included a sanctuary, offices, classrooms, and an attached gymnasium.

Fr. Athenagoras Zakopoulos became the pastor in 1972, followed two years later by Fr. Achilles Siagris, who served as interim priest until 1976, when the Archdiocese named Fr. Nicholas Voucanos as permanent priest.

A lengthy fund-raising effort resulted in the building of the community’s present church in the mid-1980s.

Fr. Nicholas Pathenos accepted assignment as priest in 1985 and conducted the first services in the new building near the U. of I. campus.

He served for six years and was succeeded by Fr. Michael Kontos, then by Fr. Pyle who served for 10 years until 2008.

Fr. Kondos noted that, over the past five years, the parish has sent three students to Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology and two have been ordained Fr. David Eynon in Decatur and Deacon Nicholas March, who is currently in Cyprus.

In addition to the university, Champaign also has medical, technological and other industries that employ some community members. “We have a couple of restaurateurs as well,” Fr. Michael noted.

—Compiled by Jim Golding

20

SEPTEMBER 2009

Pan–Orthodox Conference Establishes Regional Episcopal Assemblies around the World

  page 2 as possible, and that it be organized in accordance with Orthodox ecclesiology, and the canonical tradition and practice of the Orthodox Church.”

The Conference decided to establish “Episcopal Assemblies” in specific regions which are beyond the boundaries of the Autocephalous Churches. The Conference initially identified twelve regions throughout the world. Each Episcopal Assembly will include all the canonical Orthodox bishops in a given region such as North America.

The representative of the Ecumenical Patriarch (in this case, Archbishop Demetrios of America) will chair the Episcopal Assembly in each region. The Assembly will meet yearly and will have an Executive Committee that will meet every three months. Other committees, composed of clergy and laity, will be established to address particular concerns.

The new Episcopal Assemblies will bring together all the canonical Orthodox bishops from all jurisdictions to strengthen the unity of the Church and to address together critical issues.

In North America alone, there are over 50 canonical Orthodox bishops. The decision of the Conference, reached by unanimous consensus of all representatives of the Autocephalous Churches, will have very positive consequences for the unity and mission of the Orthodox Church in North America.

Mission Statement Article Five of the Regulations states the following competencies of the Assemblies, much like a mission statement that describes its purpose: a. - to safeguard and contribute to the unity of the Orthodox Church of the Region in its theological, ecclesiological, canonical, spiritual, philanthropic, educational and missionary obligations. b. - The coordination and leadership of activities of common interest in areas of pastoral care, catechesis, liturgical life, religious publishing, mass media, religious education, etc. c. - Relations with other Christian Churches and other religions. d. - Anything that entails obligations of the Orthodox Church in Her relations with

society and government. e. - The preparation of a plan to organize the Orthodox of the Region on a canonical basis.

Full Authority Here in the North America, the Episcopal Assembly will certainly benefit from the accomplishments of SCOBA. As a consultative body, it has brought together the primates of the Orthodox jurisdictions for common witness and ministry for nearly 50 years. It has also organized meetings of all Orthodox bishops in 1994, 2001 and 2006.

Despite its organizational limitations, SCOBA also has provided a structure to strengthen the unity of the Orthodox by sanctioning commissions, agencies, and endorsed organizations. It has blessed Pan-Orthodox endeavors in ecumenical dialogues, philanthropy, education and mission.

The new Episcopal Assembly will now have a fully sanctioned and recognized ecclesial authority which SCOBA has not formally had. This authority will be rooted in the fact that the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the other Autocephalous Churches formally recognize the Episcopal Assembly.

The important Pan-Orthodox work begun

by SCOBA will now be raised to a new level.

It will now be strengthened and enriched by an affirmation and recognition coming from the entire Orthodox Church.

The new Episcopal Assembly will have a profound potential to guide in a unified manner the growth and development of the entire Orthodox Church in this country.

As Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew recently said, “the unity of our holy Orthodox Church is not an end in itself. In accordance with the words of the Lord a little before His Passion, the goal of the unity of His disciples according to the model of the Holy Trinity is “that the world may believe that You sent me” (John 17.21).

The Ecumenical Patriarch declared that the Church grows “by conveying God’s love to all people and to the material creation itself. We exist as Church not for ourselves but for humanity and creation.”

The complete texts of the official English Translations and official Greek texts issued by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Communique, the Decision, and the Regulations can be read at: http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/documents/chambes

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH’S ENCYCLICAL ON THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT   page 4 shall seek fulfillment in consuming the whole earth; but if we believe we are made in the image of God, we shall act with care and compassion, striving to become what we are created to be.

Let us pray for God’s blessing on the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen in December, so that the industrially developed countries may co-operate with developing countries in reducing harmful polluting emissions, that there may exist the will to raise and manage wisely the funds required for the necessary measures, and that all may work together to ensure that our children enjoy the goods of the earth that we leave behind for them. There must be justice and love in all aspects of economic activity; profit - and especially short-term profit - cannot and should not be the sole motive of our actions.

Let us all renew our commitment to work together and bring about the changes we pray for, to reject everything that is harming the creation, to alter the way we think and thus drastically to alter the way we live.

September 1st, 2009 A.D.

Your beloved brother in Christ and fervent supplicant before God

í Bartholomew of Constantinople

New Youth Director Named at Pa. Parish READING, Pa. – Andrew T. Lentz, a 2009 graduate of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, has been appointed youth director/pastoral assistant at Sts. Constantine & Helen Church in Reading.

In his new position, Andy will supervise all youth activity at the church as well as assist the church administration under the direction of Rev. Thomas Pappalas.

Andy, a native of Cleveland, holds a B.A.

in political science from George Washington University and an M.Div. from Holy Cross School of Theology.

He aspires to use his talents and skills to help people and “do the work of the Lord.”

Andy and his wife, Lori, reside in Exeter, Pa., Lori, originally from Permet, Albania, is also a 2009 graduate of Hellenic College, earning a B.A. in business management and leadership.

Choir Conference Set in October BROOMALL, Pa – The annual Conference of the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians (EFGOCM) will convene Oct. 15-18 at St. Luke Church.

Choir members from the New Jersey Metropolis churches (Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey and southeastern Pennsylvania) will rehearse and sing the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, Opus III in Greek and English, by Anna Gerotheou Gallos.

Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey will celebrate the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, Oct. 18 the Feast Day of St. Luke, together with Fr. Christ Kontos and other visiting clergy, and Great Vespers on the previous evening.

Anna Gerotheou Gallos is well known for her outstanding work as a composer of liturgical music.

She has published six Divine Liturgies and has composed and arranged many other pieces of Church music and Greek folk songs.

She received her bachelor and master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music.

She and her late husband of 53 years, Fr. John Gallos, served numerous Greek Orthodox churches in the U.S. as priest and music director.

She was instrumental in the establishment of choir federations and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. Mrs. Gallos has received many awards for her contributions to the Greek Orthodox Church. The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians awarded her its highest honor in 1980, the St. Romanos Medallion. In 2006, the Eastern Federation honored her at its conference by performing a retrospective of her works at an evening concert: A Musical Tribute to Presbytera Anna Gallos.

Guest conductor of the 100-voice choir will be Renee Skrevanos Root of Newport News, Va. She directs the adult and youth choirs at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church.

Fotini Arnas Nichols of Baltimore will be the guest organist.

She has served as organist at the Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore for over 40 years.

Annunciation Orthodox School Celebrates 25 Years of Olympic Games HOUSTON – Annunciation Orthodox School recently held its 25th annual Olympic Games.

The AOS Olympics brings the school together to celebrate the end of the academic year. The teams geared up for competition at this year’s “Jungle Challenge” Olympics.

AOS welcomed two AOS alumni to formally announce the opening of the games. Ellinor Quay, Class of 1998, was the first student to run 100 miles in a school year during PE class.

Sarah Strickland Gattis, Class of 1985, was the first captain of the first winning Olympic team.

Opening ceremonies were held May 15 in the Steve G. Caloudas Activity Center. With the school’s connection to Greek Orthodoxy, it is fitting to follow the traditions of the Olympic Games such as the reciting of the traditional Olympic hymn in Greek followed by the Greek National Anthem, Star Spangled Banner and the AOS Olympic Oath.

As tradition follows, the 4th grade served as team captains leading the parade of colors into the gym.

The AOS spirit came alive as the “host nation,” Kindergarten, conducted the ceremonial lighting of the torch, representing the official opening of the games.

The black, red, blue, white, green and yellow teams participated in events varying from relay races to obstacle courses to basketball.

After the final event, the closing ceremonies were held, the torch was extinguished, and the winning Red Team was recognized.

Debbie Pedrick served as Olympics chairman and Brenda McIntyre was cochairman.

21

SEPTEMBER 2009

Stewardship Ministries Stewardship Ministries Offers New Resources

by Fr. Jim Kordaris–Director

In our efforts to provide your parish with practical ministry resources under a unified theme, the National Ministries of the Archdiocese is creating resources for the new Ecclesiastical Year under the general theme of the 2008 Clergy-Laity Congress: Gather My People to My Home with the sub-theme of “Come and See.” Our icon for the theme is by the hand of iconographer Athanasios Clark and depicts the calling of Philip and Nathaniel in which Philip tells Nathaniel to “Come and See.” The Stewardship packet for the 2010 Ecclesiastical Year should have arrived in your parish this month. A post card was sent in the spring notifying parishes of the theme so that it may guide parish leadership in preparing parish ministries and programs.

For additional Stewardship Resource Packets or other assistance with your parish stewardship program, please contact the Department of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism. Outreach@goarch.org/Stewardship@goarch.org Come and See: A Reflection on our Theme In the Gospel of John we read of the calling of the disciples…Philip finds Nathaniel, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” And Nathaniel said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see” (John 1:45-46).

Each of us is also called to Come and See the One who brings us peace and understanding. The One who came to be our great example in life.

See the World as God’s Gift to You Come and see God’s many blessings in your life. What is your response to His gifts?

In gratitude and thanksgiving, you offer your time, talents and treasure in proportion to what you have been given.

Gregory the Theologian writes, “You will never overcome God’s generosity, even if you give away all that you have…. And however much you bring to him, always more remains. Nor will you give anything that is your own; for all things flow from God (Or 14.22).”

See What the Church can Become Come and see what the Church can become – not just maintaining current programs, but doing the ministries made possible by your support.

In the early Church, every person coming to the gathering of the Church brought everything they could spare for the needs of the Church.

They provided for the sustenance of the clergy, widows and orphans, for helping the poor, and for all the good works of the Church. This is the Church that we as Orthodox Christians claim to be.

How much can your offering do for Christ? Only as much as you empower it to do. It depends on your love, because we give to Christ and His Church not according to our means but according to our love for Him. We are called to love God with our entire being – our time, talents and treasury.

See God Work through You Come and see God work through you to serve His Church and those who seek His Truth.

Remember the Samaritan woman at the well. After meeting Jesus “…The woman then left her water pot, and went her way into the city, and said to the men, Come, see a man who told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came to him” (John 4).

God will place you in situations to share your faith. As He called upon His disciples on the day of His Ascension, He has also called upon you to be His witness “… in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

In the Gospel, we read of people coming to see Jesus. There were four men who also brought their friend, a paralyzed man, to be healed. When they found the place so crowded that they couldn’t get close, these friends removed part of the roof, and lowered their friend down on a stretcher and laid him at Jesus’ feet.

We also begin by bringing ourselves to Christ. But it doesn’t stop there. After we have brought ourselves, we bring others.

The greatest gift we can give to another person is Christ, and the ministries of the Church provide the opportunity to do so.

But these ministries require your support.

We are able to fulfill God’s mission for the Church only to the extent that we support it. We do this by our physical, spiritual and financial support.

Did you know that there are some 500 references in the Bible about prayer?

But there are some 2,300 references in the Bible about offering financial assistance to the Church to assist in transforming people.

Come and See This Phrase is simple yet powerful. It calls us to change our location – physically and spiritually. If we want to find Christ, we must move toward Him. We must grow and mature in our faith.

Giving to the Church is an opportunity – an opportunity to examine our priorities and values. It is an opportunity to express our thankfulness, to give of ourselves and to grow in grace. It is an opportunity to participate in the work of God. Come and see what we can do together with your support.

A check mailed to the church is meaningless unless it is accompanied by our presence, by our willingness to serve, by our prayers, and by our commitment.

Giving is not a substitute for our commitment – it is an expression of our commitment. Come and see how you can grow through service to the Church. Come and see the works of God, Who is awesome (Psalm 66:5).Consider…

Weekly Giving In I Corinthians 16:2 we read “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his/her income.”

Regular stewardship contributions are easier to manage and keep the Church and her ministries in our thoughts and plans.

One way to do this is through automatically scheduled payments sent directly from your bank. In this way, we offer back to God the “first fruits” of our labor, realizing that all we possess comes from Him. Cheerful Giving In II Corinthians 9:7 we read “Each person should give what he/she has decided in his/her heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Consider your weekly expenditures on entertainment, coffee, etc.

Keep in mind that the expenses of the Church increase every year. In order to grow our ministries and meet our expenses, stewardship contributions must also increase each year.

Proportionate Giving The more we are given, the more is expected of us.

Each steward should determine the percentage of their income that you will commit to Christ and His Church.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

Avoid Arguments Related toYour Religious Differences: Ten Strategies

by Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT

“Dear Fr. Charles I’m a practicing Orthodox Christian who recently married a non-denominational Christian. We married a little over a month ago. Before getting married we had many discussions. At this point, things are beginning to unravel religiously. Issues I thought were resolved have become big problems….Anytime we try to discuss our religions we both become very defensive.

I have tried to be less defensive, but I feel I am on trail every time the subject of religion comes up. Do you have any advice for me as a newlywed?”

E-mail Respondent When Couples get locked in a war of words What often begins as a harmless exchange between spouses over their ethnic and religious differences can quickly escalate into a serious argument that is characterized by lots of destructive criticism, contempt, and perhaps even defensiveness.

Theological religious differences are the “real topic,” however, rather than talking about God and theology, some couples rapidly lose focus. Their exchanges disparage and attack one another’s religious core values, their family background and even their traditions.

If these personal, hurtful attacks continue unabated, increased anger, resentment and emotional distancing is the result. Unresolved, unabated attacks undermine religious, spiritual and emotional oneness and connection. Unless couples can find ways to neutralize the residual effects of these destructive exchanges — while also avoiding similar future exchanges — marital and family stability will suffer. That being the case, the following ten suggested strategies can potentially help couples not only avoid these arguments but also neutralize their toxic effects.

Ten Strategies that Can Help Many engaged couples with different ethnic and religious backgrounds fail to talk about these differences before marriage. They usually underestimate the importance of talking about these differences before marriage. That can be a mistake. This is especially true of two partners who have high connections to their religious backgrounds. Couples who do talk about their differences, often fail to spend enough quality time examining them. Some may be intimidated by in-depth conversations, avoiding the obvious differences simply because they don’t want to upset one another. Others might not be fully aware of the potential challenges, and by extension, the important questions they should be seriously discussing. To assist dating and engaged couples with this challenge, the Interfaith Marriage Web site contains two useful questionnaires: one for inter-Christian, intercultural couples and another for couples considering an interreligious marriage.

After marriage, try to avoid making your religious differences the central topic of your discussions whenever the topic of religion comes up. Instead, focus on the commonalities your religious traditions share with one another. The common ground between the two of you will permit blessed discussion of the type that can serve to facilitate connection and holiness in your marriage, home and family.

When it comes to social issues and subjects of a religious nature, there is a

wide array of perspectives and doctrinal positions. Some typical social issues where differences exist between faith groups are as follows: same sex marriage, homosexuality and abortion. Other less incendiary, but equally important issues might be topics such as married priests, women’s ordination, baptism and the sacraments. As a result, when you do discuss these and other similar potentially hot-button topics, and you discover differences, make sure to frame the conversations in a way that will permit the two of you to respect and learn from one another’s faith background while also not allowing these differences to be a divisive influence in your marriage.

When you discuss your differences, think of these conversations as opportunities for the two of you to grow in knowledge about your own personal faith tradition as well as your partner’s faith tradition.

When your traditions do not agree, prayerfully and respectfully agree to disagree.

Remember that God does not want your religious differences to undermine marital oneness and the blessed connection you share with one another.

Remember that if you both have a high connection to your religious traditions, there is a higher probability that you will encounter more challenges.

Those in this category should be especially aware of how their differences can undermine religious and spiritual development as well as family stability.

Remember that couples who respond to their differences in a Christ-centered manner — where respect and prayer provide balance and guidance — grow closer to one another and report that their lives have been enriched. Conversely, couples who view their differences as inherent deficits and react with criticism, contempt and defensiveness soon find themselves embroiled in destructive arguments that undermine oneness and connection.

In many instances, it is not possible for couples to become a single church, single faith couple. However, whenever it is possible, couples should prayerfully consider this option. Such a decision often has a positive impact on marital and family religious and spiritual development.

If you are unable to resolve conflict related to your religious differences, consider getting outside help. Permitting conflicts to linger will be detrimental to your marital and family well-being. Consider consulting your pastor when you begin your search. Pastoral counseling or a referral to a competent professional can be very helpful.

Some Concluding Remarks From time to time I have received these types of e-mails. Some of them have come from newlyweds and others from spouses who were at a different point in the marital life cycle. In all cases, respondents were searching for some useful advice and strategies that might help them neutralize conflicts related to their religious and cultural differences. Whether or not the contents of this article apply directly to you, I believe this information will be of value since all intermarried couples are potentially at risk of encountering these challenges. By familiarizing yourselves with these suggested strategies you can enhance marital and family well-being.

For more information please consult the Interfaith Marriage Web site at www. interfaith.goarch.org. When You Intermarry and Attending to Your Marriage are both equally helpful resources.

Students pictured here are preparing for the diaconate through a new Special Program for the Diaconate under the auspices of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese and Holy Cross School of Theology.

A Grassroots Movement: Program for Deacons Grows

by Marilyn Rouvelas

Have you ever wondered how your priest does it? Conducts services, wipes away tears, celebrates weddings, visits the sick, teaches, fund-raises, blesses houses, soothes broken hearts, mediates and administrates? The truth is we expect all this from our priests in addition to Christlike perfection and example. Quite a job description. However, the Church never intended everything to fall on his shoulders alone. The Orthodox tradition of ordained ministry has always had a three-fold pattern: deacon, priest and bishop.

In fact the diaconate is vital if the ordained ministry of the Church is to be fully expressed in all of its potential. So why are there so few deacons in the Greek Orthodox Church today? Why aren’t deacons serving in every parish?

According to the Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald, dean of Holy Cross School of Theology, “Expectations are high for our priests. We focus on them and have forgotten that the diaconate is also a way of responding to the ministerial needs of the community.”

The Diaconate: A Little-known Ministry More deacons will be among us soon.

The 32 students pictured here are preparing for the diaconate through a new Special Program for the Diaconate under the auspices of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese and Holy Cross School of Theology that began in 2007.

They are preparing themselves, but are we as a community-- laity and clergy--ready for them? Do we know the purpose of the diaconate, what deacons did in the past and what they could do today?

Who is called to this important ministry and how does someone become a deacon? It is time to begin educating ourselves about this misunderstood ministry.

The common perception of the deacon is a man who quickly passes through this order of ministry to become a priest.

In most cases, he has finished his theological education, is ordained a deacon and a few days later ordained a priest.

The diaconate is often reduced to no more than a rushed step to priesthood, without a time of formation in the area of service (diakonia). Thus, this critical ministry has been misunderstood. Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, a deacon himself for 25 years and author of a new book, Remembering and Reclaiming Diakonia: The Diaconate Yesterday and Today, brings a fresh definition to the three-fold ministry: “. . .if we were first to delineate the role and function of the deacon as one of service—always in the context of love and concern—within the community, we would be in better po-

sition to define the role and function of the priest. . .as one of sacrifice—always in the light and joy of the resurrection—within the community, and we would be in better position to discern the role and function of the bishop as the center of unity—always in the service of truth and teaching—within the community. . .”

In our hierarchal mindset, we might slight the call to simply “serve.” Yet, from the very beginning the diaconate is rooted in service, and it’s Christ’s example of diakonia that should frame our thinking. “For, the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve . . .” (Mark 10:45), and “I am among you as one who serves” (Luke 22.27).

The diaconate formally began when the twelve apostles appointed seven deacons to serve widows who felt neglected in the daily distribution of food. (Acts 6:1-6).

But service was not limited to waiting on tables in the ensuing years. (The first Christian martyr—the first person executed for being a Christian—was St. Stephen, one of these seven men.)

The second and third centuries were a kind of “golden age” for the ministry of the diaconate and deacons have continued to serve bishops and their communities until the present day.

The wide-ranging responsibilities of the deacons through the centuries reflected the many and diverse spiritual gifts in the Christian community: “There are varieties of gifts (charismata). . . there are varieties of service (diakonia), but the Lord is one and the same.” (1 Cor. 12:4-5) By reviving the diaconate, the fullness of the ordained ministry can be realized and new spiritual energies can emerge within the life of our parishes.

Fr. Steven Tsichlis, president of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and pastor at St. Paul’s Church in Irvine, Calif., lists many ways in which a deacon may serve today: “Assisting with the Divine Liturgy, the Holy Sacraments, and Holy Week; taking Holy Communion to shut-ins; social work; charitable outreach; teaching about Orthodoxy (if trained); and providing an example of Christian living to the laity.”

The truth is our priests need extra hands, feet and hearts. Although most of them have never worked with deacons, they recognize the need.

The program has three components: 1) Summer sessions at Holy Cross where students must complete six one-week sessions available the first two weeks of August each year, 2) training with a clergy mentor appointed by the local Metropolitan, and 3) Metropolis cluster meetings.

Further details and requirements are available online at the Holy Cross website.

Cost is $800 per session, which most students pay themselves.

23

SEPTEMBER 2009

ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross  page 3 a symbol of our faith. Indeed, it is a sign that proclaims the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over death the establishing of His redemptive work and perfect love which He demonstrated fully and completely on the Cross.

This Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the themes which it reinforces through the liturgical actions we express, the Gospel reading to which we listen, and the strict fast to which we adhere, direct our lives in the Way of the Cross.

This is the way of sacrifice, as we take up our cross daily and deny selfish interests (Luke 9:23).

It is the path of service to others in humility, not of earthly glory and treasure (Mark 10:21). It is the journey from death to eternal life, as we emulate the One who turned an instrument of shame into an emblem of victory.

For us, as Orthodox Christians, the Way of the Cross should be our calling and our life-long commitment. For some among the people of God, this path of sacrifice and service has also become a sacred vocation in the Holy Priesthood.

Our seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, is most appropriately named Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and thus celebrates its Feast on this most blessed day.

This Feast speaks with powerful relevance to the sacred mission of our Seminary in training the future Priests of our Archdiocese. It is the development of the priestly conscience, consistent with the arduous yet extraordinarily fulfilling path of the Way of the Cross, which is the task undertaken by all those who are preparing themselves for the Holy Priesthood during their years of study at our Holy Cross Seminary.

In elaborating upon the significance of today’s Feast, and in describing the virtues which are essential to priestly formation, it is only appropriate at this time that we work as a community of believers, the Church, to support our beloved Seminary.

This support is expressed in one way through financial contributions that we are invited to make on this day. It is also expressed through our act of encouraging more and more young men in our parishes to consider the Holy Priesthood as a meaningful and blessed manner of life in our modern world.

Our encouragement and support for those who are contemplating the Holy Priesthood must also be joined by our prayers for all those who are currently studying at Holy Cross, and for others who may respond to Christ’s sacred call and dedicate their lives to the Way of the Cross as Priests of His Holy Church. In our own lives, we know the redemptive and saving power of the Cross.

How many more lives will be led to an abundant life through our support of worthy candidates for the Holy Priesthood and our Seminary? How many souls will be lifted up unto salvation through the ministry of those who are called, trained and sent to share the Gospel of love and life?

It is my fervent prayer on this beautiful Feast of our Holy Orthodox Church, that the strength, grace, and perfect peace of the Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of His Precious and Life-Giving Cross, may be with all of us, as we remember His love for us and dedicate our whole lives to follow the Way of the Cross unto eternal life.

With paternal love in Christ,

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SEPTEMBER 2009

by Maria C. Khoury, Ed.D.

“Apply your mind to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.”

(Proverbs 23:12) We all know that little children start learning to read by first being read aloud to, usually by parents and siblings.

I truly believe that I developed a love for reading this way. My mother would bring small books from Greece, and I recall lying on my back every afternoon, listening to her read. They did not even have pictures, but all of the stories talked about Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior— and I loved them!

Learning to read and loving reading were deeply tied to my spiritual life. We parents may easily see the importance of instilling a love of reading in our children, but we should also make every effort to incorporate religious education into that reading time so that we “train up a child in the way he should go.” (Proverbs 22:6) When one includes reading together as part of a child’s spiritual upbringing, the message of God’s love and the truths of the faith are more deeply imprinted on his or her mind and heart.

When I became a mother, I immediately wanted to read to my daughter Elena.

I was greatly influenced by the Montessori method, which compares the brain of a child to a sponge; anything introduced at a young age is quickly absorbed.

The important question, however, was: what did I want her to absorb? I saw Jewish mothers at the public library going home with stacks of books that reflected values and traditions of the Jewish faith, but I could find nothing on the shelves about the Eastern Orthodox faith.

After searching all the Orthodox bookstores in the early 80’s, I could only find one book: Spero’s Gift to God. I read to my daughter far too many stories like Spot Goes to the Farm and felt the growing need for books that would carry her through life and present something essential to existence, a life in Christ.

Specifically, I wanted to pass on my Orthodox values and traditions and read to my children books that had Christ-centered themes.

My daughter’s own curiosity in the symbolism of the Orthodox Church helped me in this search. I kept listening to all her “why” questions—any statement to a 2-year old child is always met with a “why”—and through explaining to her the

Reading: A Way to Enrich Your Children’s Spiritual Growth beauty of the Orthodox faith, Christina Goes to Church came into being.

My goal in writing this book—the first of eight books in the Christina series (see Resources for Parents)—was to provide a tool for parents to use at home to stimulate questions about faith. I also thought it would be useful in the classroom as a visual aid to help focus a child’s attention as the teacher explained basic truths of the Orthodox faith.

Over the years, Christina Goes to Church has become a popular Orthodox book to read to young children, helping them understand and reflect upon their church experience with others.

In addition to the Christina books, parents now can find many other Orthodox children’s publications in churches and bookstores, and religious education at home can—and should—blend easily into reading time. In a society where television, computers and the Internet are becoming obsessions, it is necessary for parents to promote some old-fashioned methods of learning—specifically, to seek spiritual growth through reading.

Ultimately, I believe that children will be open to these efforts because reading at home is also quality family time.

When parents are able to find spiritually enriching books that make great bedtime reading, the child’s understanding of God will also be tied to the positive feelings of family closeness.

Besides bedtime reading, there are many other creative ways to incorporate reading and religious education. The books Christina’s Favorite Saints and Christina’s True Heroes are examples of colorful educational books that describe the lives of saints in simple language.

When we commemorate various saints throughout the year, these books can be used as a practical way to read at home and make the saint’s life more meaningful to the child. Take for example the story of St. Catherine: her feast is celebrated the same month as Thanksgiving.

Therefore, parents can also remind their children how we are thankful for so many things, including saints as St. Catherine who loved Christ.

Making an association with a saint helps children remember the information better and the liturgical year comes alive to them in a new way.

In addition to reading and discussing the stories, children remember them even more when they act them out. Using the life of St. Catherine again, parents or older siblings could read a few facts about her life and then ask the child to act out one of the parts. For example, “Show me what St. Catherine’s face looked like when she was telling others about our Lord Jesus.”

The goal is to find creative and enjoyable ways for children to understand and learn from these stories, utilizing all five senses.

It is also very important to seek out role models and heroes from our Orthodox Tradition because they are the true examples that inspire us to put Christ first in our lives.

We parents are the most important examples for our children. We, too, have the responsibility to read spiritual books

for our own edification. When our children see us reading the Scriptures or other books about our faith, they instinctively understand that it is something valuable and perceive this as another way of giving glory to God. Children naturally grow closer to God as they read stories about the lives of saints and stories that tell of God’s love for humanity and Christ’s gift of eternal life.

When the child is empowered by God’s love, he or she grows closer to God by the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore, when a parent reads a Christian story to a child, it must ultimately convey the message that, “God loves you.” The empowerment that children feel—spiritually and psychologically—will help them achieve their fullest potential in life: the call to be holy unto God. But isn’t that also our calling as parents? Elder Porphyrios’ answer is simple yet eloquent: “There is only one way to avoid having problems raising your children: become holy!”

When you feel frustrated by the lack of cooperation from your little ones, just remember that you won’t face any problems with your children if you become a saint! This is a wonderful reason for children and adults to keep reading about our Lord and our faith, because ultimately it is by becoming holy that we will achieve our highest potential as human beings.

Maria C. Khoury is the author of the Christina Books series and Witness in the Holy Land promoting the Christian presence there. She organizes programs in job creation, housing for the needy and education for college students in Taybeh, Palestine where she lives with her family.

Family Activity And these words which I command you this day shall be upon your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7.)

We spend much time reading about things of this world (news, economics, sports, leisure, etc.). Yet how much time do we spend learning about the Kingdom of Heaven? Things that seem critical to know in this world are questionable whether they will hold significance when we pass from this life.

This, of course, is not to say that a secular education should be abandoned; rather that we need to spend adequate time daily studying Scripture and the

A Child’s Prayer Jesus, I thank You for my eyes.

Help me see You in everyone I meet.

Jesus, I thank You for my ears.

Help me hear You in the voices of the poor.

Jesus, I thank You for my hands.

Help me use them to help others.

Jesus, I thank You for my legs.

Help me use them to run to You. Jesus, thank You for my mind.

Help me think only of good things.

Jesus, I thank You for my heart.

Please fill it with Your love.

–Adapted from Getting to Know God

by John Kosmas Skinas

teachings of the Church, and thereby learning about God’s love and divine plan.

• Discuss: What is education? Why is it important? How do we educate ourselves in the Orthodox Christian faith and how do we incorporate it in our daily life?

• Explore: Set up a question box in your home and have family members add questions they have about their Orthodox Faith. At a set time each week, pull one or two questions from the box and seek out the answers together (Scripture and your parish priest can be excellent resources in your research).

– Adapted from the Center for Family Care’s monthly contribution to the Youth Worker Pulse listserv (September 2007).

Visit www.youth.goarch.org to subscribe.

Available from the Department of Religious Education Pictures of God: A Child’s Guide to Understanding Icons by John Kosmas Skinas.

This little book brings God and His saints vividly into children’s lives through icons, explaining in the simplest terms what each one means and what their role can be in our lives.

The colorful pages are perfect for read-aloud time with little ones at home.

Published by Conciliar Press.

Resources for Parents Christina Books Series for Children

by Maria Khoury. These 8 popular children’s books stimulate and inspire faith through reading, from preparing a child for church to learning about the sacraments and from the stories of saints to a journey to the Holy Land.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

New Jersey Metropolis Creates ‘Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador’ Awards Program WESTFIELD, N.J. – The Metropolis of New Jersey has established the Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards Program to further recognize the achievements and accomplishments of young men and women residing in the Metropolis.

The Ambassador Awards Program will follow the four basic components of Orthodox Life: Worship, Service, Witness, and Fellowship.

From each GOYA, four representatives will be selected to serve as the Ambassadors of the Parish.

The Ambassador of Faith (Worship) will be a young person who embodies the spiritual qualities of an Orthodox Christian.

The Ambassador of Love (Service) will be a young person who best exemplifies the spirit of service.

The Ambassador of Hope (Witness) will be a young person who lives life with Orthodox Christian values.

The Ambassador of Peace (Fellowship) will be a young person who addresses the cultural diversity of our society with compassion and love for all.

Upon the selection of the four parish ambassadors, the applications will be reviewed by a committee that will also interview each applicant.

After reviewing all applications, the committee will select the four overall ambassadors for the region.

The awards program will be intro-

duced in the Delaware Valley Youth Commission, which includes parishes in southern New Jersey, Delaware, and Greater Philadelphia.

The parish ambassadors will be selected in September and the regional ambassadors will be announced at the St. John Chrysostom and Youth Ambassadors Awards Banquet Sunday, Nov. 8, at the Concordville Inn in Media, Pa. In today’s world there are many things that are drawing the young people away from Christ, and away from the Church.

The Metropolitan Evangelos Ambassador Awards program will recognize those young people who have not been led away from their faith, but who have instead chosen to follow Christ.

These young people have greatly contributed to their churches, their GOYA chapters, and their local communities and have become examples for other young people to emulate.

It is the hope that this program will serve as a catalyst for all young people within the Metropolis to remain close to their faith and grow closer to Christ by encouraging them to live their lives according to the four basic components of the Orthodox Life.

For more information, contact the Metropolis at 215 E. Grove St, Westfield, NJ, 07090; Tel: (908) 301-0500; Fax: (908) 301-1397; Web: www.nj.goarch; e-mail: youth@nj.goarch.org

Madoff Scandal Investigator Speaks at Southampton Church

by Catherine Tsounis

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – “No one paid us, a four-man team to uncover Bernard Madoff. We paid out of our pockets.

We had to stand up and do this for free, for patriotism,” said Harry Markopolos at the Sophocles and Louisa Zoullas Memorial Hellenic Lecture at Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church of the Hamptons on Aug. 8.

Dr. Peter Michalos, program moderator, introduced the lecture. “Tonight, this event is about democracy and justice,” said Dr. Michalos. “Mr. Markopolos, who is of Chian background, is a teacher and educator. He explained to the U.S. Congress and the entire world what financial transparency is all about.”

Bernard Madoff cost thousands of investors $65 billion.

According to Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, Mr. Markopolos is a former securities industry executive turned independent financial fraud investigator for institutional investors and others seeking forensic accounting expertise.

He was an early and unheeded whistleblower of suspected securities fraud by Bernard Madoff, tipping off the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) repeatedly both orally and in writing starting in 1999, when he argued that it was not legally possible for Madoff to deliver the returns he had claimed to deliver.

Madoff, a former NASDAQ chairman, confessed in 2008. He founded the Wall Street firm Bernard L. Madoff Investment

Securities LLC in 1960, and was its chairman until his arrest.

Alerted by his sons, federal authorities arrested Madoff on Dec. 11, 2008. On March 12, 2009, Madoff pled guilty to 11 felonies and admitted to operating what has been called the largest investor fraud ever committed by an individual.

On June 29, he was sentenced to 150 years in prison with restitution of $170 billion. According to the original federal charges, Madoff said that his firm had “liabilities of approximately $50 billion.”

Prosecutors estimated the size of the fraud to be $64.8 billion, based on the amounts in the accounts of Madoff’s 4,800 clients as of Nov. 30, 2008 “Many people were negligent in the Madoff fraud, including the government’s watchdog agencies. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Mary Shapiro has said the agency has been revamping itself, buttressing enforcement efforts and taking initiatives to protect investors following the Madoff scandal.”

In his lecture, Mr. Markopolos explained that his “documentation was buried in the SEC and ignored. SEC had a negative attitude towards his findings.

The Hedge Fund industry must be more diligent to customers, revealing exactly what they are doing, and not in secret.

This is a global tragedy. Research, Non-profit Institutions, Endowments are now gone. The banking and security regulators were asleep, destroying the United States’ credibility.”

His dry sense of humor kept every-

Fr. Dean Kouldukis of the Church of the Assumption celebrates Divine Liturgy for Boy Scouts and leaders from the Pan-Orthodox Troop 67 of Seattle at an outdoor chapel at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

Seattle Orthodox Scouts Have Philmont Scout Ranch Experience

by Fr. Michael Johnson

CIMARRON, N.M. – Orthodox Scouts from Seattle took an adventurous trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and participated in the first known Orthodox liturgy to be celebrated at the ranch.

The event was organized by Troop 67, jointly sponsored by the Seattle area’s Eastern Orthodox churches. The trip was also open to eligible Orthodox Scouts in locally sponsored troops.

Philmont is in the northeast corner of New Mexico. It includes over 137,000 rugged acres (214 square miles) of wilderness, with mountains, plains, rivers, trees and wildflowers. The area is inhabited by deer, elk, bears and mountain lions plus many species of birds, and even “minibears” (chipmunks). They are joined each summer by some 20,000 Boy Scouts from all over the U.S. and some foreign countries.

Because of its popularity, it’s very difficult to gain admission to Philmont, and planning begins over a year in advance.

Applicants are placed in a lottery system.

After trying unsuccessfully last year, the Orthodox group from Seattle made it in 2009. All together there were five adults and nine boys, including John Prekeges, group leader and crew adviser, his brother James as second crew adviser, and Father

one’s attention during the lecture. He described complex events in simple terms understandable to the average person.

“I know I am not a hero,” said Markopolos. “Nor am I brave. We were four men of four faiths who worked against an army of Bernard Madoff. We tried going to the press. The press thought we were crazy and did not print our findings.

“Madoff did not allow outside audits, taking money from organized crime and nations. Forty-nine nations were affected by this scheme.

We are now less trusting of financial institutions. What frightened our team was that the press could not take Madoff down.“We were really worried about ourselves. I believed that if Madoff found

Dean Koudukis, pastor of the Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Seattle. Father Dean served as group chaplain.

After arriving at Philmont the group spent a day in camp preparing for the hike.

The Orthodox Scouts were assigned one of the harder treks – a total of 75 miles, although in the end they covered close to 85 miles. Packs can weigh from 45 lbs to over 60 lbs.

The entire Orthodox group attended the Liturgy, joined by a chipmunk who had made his home in the stone altar. The service provided a memorable experience of worshipping God in the natural world that he created.

In addition to hiking the boys accomplished some other fun activities including: horseback riding, blacksmithing, panning for gold, visiting an old mine, and some black powder shooting along the trail. On the last day, they crossed over the famous Tooth of Time. This is a large tooth-like rock that served as a landmark for the early settlers in the area.

Fr. Michael Johnson is retired having served Greek Orthodox parishes in Seattle, Tacoma, and Kenmore (now Shoreline) Wash. He is the Northwest outreach coordinator of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, a SCOBA agency.

out I turned him in, I would not be long for this world.”

More than 400 persons attended from the tri-state area, including former U.S. Sen. Alphonse D’Amato and Margo and John Catsimatidis.

Nicholas Zoullas funded this event free to the community for persons of all backgrounds. His generosity is enabling mainstream America to meet the top religious thinkers and prominent persons shaping the image of the 21st century Greek American.

Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, the proistamenos, and his community are commended for their efforts to enhance the quality of intellectual life on the East End of Long Island.

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NEW ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR The Apron of Leadership: A New Heart for a New Year

  page 10 aprons as a tool, for protection and for literally wiping away blood, sweat and tears.

Before playpens and other modern security devices, mothers would even attach their children to their apron strings so that they could play safely.

Although the phrase evolved into an un-flattering image of an adult who remains dependent on their parents, this is exactly the critical lesson that religious leaders should not fear to affirm. The spiritually mature are never embarrassed to publicly acknowledge their continual need for guidance, advice, security, and affirmation from Christ.

The apron is also a useful image to associate with the tending of sheep. As shepherds of their respective spiritual flock, religious leaders may use the apron of humility for many purposes.

As aprons are wonderful accessories for carrying food, leaders would be wise to employ the apron of humility to convey the life-sustaining truths of God’s Word to themselves and to their hungry flock.

Apart from providing nourishment, one of the primary responsibilities of a shepherd is the protection of his flock from enemies. St. Peter encourages leaders to “resist Satan, who is always prowling like a lion for someone to devour . . . by standing firm in the truth” (1 Peter 5:8).

In like fashion, leaders should be willing to flap the apron of God’s protective Truth against the approaching dangers of strange teachings, diverse philosophies, and destructive attitudes and choices.

Unfortunately, for many Tony Starks today, the strategy of the apron is often perceived as simply charming but weak, as either too naive or too radical for our postmodern organizational paradigms.

We would rather base our leadership styles on Donald Trump and James Bond than that of the humility and modesty of an aproned servant. The honest reality, however, is that we should spend as much if not more time and effort attending to the core truths and spiritual postures of Holy Tradition taught at Bible studies and expressed in worship and the lives of the Holy Fathers as we do with our understanding and utilization of textbook business principles promoted in leadership magazines and symposia.

While both methods provide their own respective value, the former liberates our creative talents towards higher vistas of ministry by nurturing the health of a “new spiritual heart,” the latter can only sustain the “old heart of stone” of our existing talents.

History provides the description of two servants who had the very interesting duty of always accompanying one of the strongest of rulers, King Phillip II, the father of Alexander the Great. One servant was responsible for welcoming the king each morning with: “Phillip, remember that you are but a man.” The second servant greeted the king each evening with, “Phillip, have you remembered that you are but a man?

While most may not be able to afford two individuals to continually remind us to remain humble, a simple study of the Old and New Testament Scriptures should suffice to instruct us of what our attitude as Church leaders should be.

Fr. Marangos is the dean of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at St. John’s University. Visit http://www.thecathedral.goarch.org to view other on-line articles of interest.

Long Island Parish’s Successful Efforts to Follow the Theme   page 11 Fr. John and the executive committee.

This emphasizes the importance of both outreach and financial commitment, and we are excited that our structure reflects the priorities of the newly expanded Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism.

We feel that education around stewardship is critical. Many parishioners feel they are always being asked to contribute, but don’t understand why. If we can explain the importance of stewardship as a means of sustaining our community and providing programs for our youth, we feel that we will engage more people, both financially and spiritually. With more people committed to His ministries, we can better fulfill His Eminence’s Clergy Laity theme.

The integration of our membership

committee into the effort is also key, as it emphasizes our desire to welcome new families. We have hosted events such as wine and cheese receptions and family Greek night to introduce new members to established families from our community and provide a strong sense of fellowship.

Fr. John’s sermons have inspired so many of our parishioners that we began making them available on our website and as podcasts in June 2008, as yet another means of extending our ministries to a wider audience.

We continue to welcome visitors, and hope that they will find the same warmth, friendship and spirituality at our parish that caused so many of us to gather at this home of our Lord.

Jim Gabriel is parish council president of Resurrection Church.

Reaching Those with Serious Concerns about the Faith   page 8 loved by God, even when they are in the midst of great struggles and doubt. We also need to know that there are other resources to assist us.

These may include seeking the council of our parish priest, encouraging the person to visit with the priest, discussing

serious questions in a parish Bible study or reading group, and engaging with our faith at deeper spiritual and intellectual levels through reading the lives and works of Saints and theologians of the Church. In all of this, we must rely upon the guidance and grace of God to lead us in a manner that will help our fellow-men experience the presence of God and the ineffable joy of being gathered in God’s Home.

SEPTEMBER 2009

His All Holiness’ Leadership in Environmental Issues   page 5 In summer 1992, the Duke of Edinburgh visited the Phanar for an environmental convocation at the Theological School of Halki. In November 1993, the Ecumenical Patriarch returned the visit, meeting with Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace where they sealed a friendship of common purpose and active cooperation for the preservation of the environment.

An ecological seminar was convened in June 1994 at the Theological School of Halki, the first of five successive annual summer seminars on diverse aspects of the environment: Religious Education (1994), Ethics (1995), Communications (1996), Justice (1997), and Poverty (1998).

These seminars, the first held at such a level in any Orthodox Church context, were designed to promote environmental awareness and action, engaging leading theologians, environmentalists, scientists, civil servants and especially students.

In October 1994, the University of the Aegean conferred an honorary doctoral degree on Patriarch Bartholomew, the first of a series of awards and honorary degrees presented to the Patriarch in recognition of his efforts and initiatives for the environment.

In November 2000, the New Yorkbased organization Scenic Hudson presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with the first international Visionary Award for Environmental Achievement.

The Ecumenical Patriarch received the Sophie Prize in Norway and the Binding Environmental Prize in Liechtenstein in 2002, each presented to an individual or organization that has pioneered environmental awareness and action.

Convinced that any appreciation of the environmental concerns of our times must occur in dialogue with other Christian confessions, other religious faiths, as well as scientific disciplines, in 1994 Patriarch Bartholomew established the Religious and Scientific Committee.

Chaired by Metropolitan John of Pergamon, its extraordinary events are coordinated by Maria Becket.

To date, the Religious and Scientific Committee has hosted seven international, interdisciplinary and interreligious symposia to reflect on the fate of the rivers and seas, and to force the pace of religious debate on the natural environment.

Symposium I: Revelation and the Environment convened in September 1995 under the joint auspices of Patriarch Bartholomew and Prince Philip on the occasion of the 1900th anniversary of St John’s Book of Revelation. In his opening address, Patriarch Bartholomew noted: ‘The earth has been hurt (Rev. 7.3) Conscious of the threat of nuclear destruction and environmental pollution, we shall move toward one world or none.’

Symposium II: The Black Sea in Crisis was held in September 1997 under the joint auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch and HE Jacques Santer, President of the European Commission.

This symposium undertook a concrete case study, visiting the countries that surround the Black Sea and engaging in conversation with local religious leaders and environmental activists, as well as regional scientists and politicians.

A direct result of this symposium, the Halki Ecological Institute was organized in June 1999 to promote wider

regional collaboration and education among 75 clergy and theologians, educators and students, as well as scientists and journalists. This initiative marked a new direction in inter-disciplinary vision and dialogue, implementing the ecological theory of the Religious and Scientific Committee into practice.

Symposium III: River of Life – Down the Danube to the Black Sea was launched in October 1999, under the joint auspices of Patriarch Bartholomew and Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission. Participants traveled the length of the Danube River, from Germany to the Ukraine in the aftermath of the military and ethnic conflict in the Former Yugoslavia.

Symposium IV: The Adriatic Sea – a Sea at Risk, a Unity of Purpose addressed the ethical aspects of the environmental crisis. Held in June 2002, under the joint auspices of the Ecumenical Patriarch and President Prodi, this symposium opened in Durres, Albania, and concluded in Venice, Italy, where Patriarch Bartholomew co-signed a document of environmental ethics with Pope John Paul II via satellite link-up.

The ‘Venice Declaration’ is the first joint text of the two leaders on ecological issues.

Symposium V: The Baltic Sea - A Common Heritage, A Shared Responsibility was organized in June 2003.

The end of the Cold War has permitted the renewal of political, economic, social, cultural and religious ties between this region and countries comprising the European Union, and the wider world.

Organized under the patronage of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the president of the European Commission, the symposium also resulted in the North Sea Conference, co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of Norway.

Symposium VI: The Amazon: Source of Life was held in July 2006 on the Amazon River under the patronage of the Ecumenical Patriarch and Kofi Annan, secretary-general of the United Nations.

This symposium concentrated on the global dimension of problems stemming directly from the Amazon, problems which have, perhaps, dropped out of view for many decision-makers.

Symposium VII: The Arctic – Mirror of Life was held in the fall of 2007, directing its attention to the Arctic Sea. Under the joint auspices of Jose Barroso (president of the European Commission) and Mr. Annan, the symposium considered the plight of indigenous populations, the fragility of the sea ice, and the encroachment of oil exploration in a region considered to be one of the first victims of human-induced climate change.

Symposium VIII: The Great Mississippi River: Restoring Balance will be held on Oct. 18-25. Of the world’s greatest rivers, the Mississippi is among those which has fallen most completely under human domination.

With a total length of nearly 5,000 miles and with the third largest drainage basin on earth, a chain of cities along its length has discharged domestic and industrial waste into the Mississippi for nearly two centuries.

Yet the fate of the Mississippi waters is an ethical crisis. The exploitation of the great river produces catastrophic human and natural consequences, as observed in the lessons of the Katrina hurricane.

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SEPTEMBER 2009

Illinois Church to Mark Anniversary with Orthodox Charities Weekend PALOS HILLS, Ill. – In honor of the parish’s 100th anniversary, Orthodox Charities Weekend in late September will be one of the first major events for the fall season sponsored by Sts. Constantine and Helen Church.

Scheduled for Sept. 26-27, the weekend will include the parish’s annual Bike/ Run/Walk-a-Thon (with the addition this year skating) and blood drive.

Also various bake sales/fundraisers will precede this weekend to raise needed money. The funds will be distributed through “Project Diakonia,” the parish’s 10 year old formal social service ministry, to the needy and especially the children of the Hogar Raphael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

In July members of the parish par-

ticipated in a two-week mission trip to the Hogar sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.

To view pictures of the trip to Guatemala visit www.stconstantinehelen.org.

To learn more about the Hogar visit www. hogarraphaelayau.org or the Orthodox Christian Mission Center at www.ocmc. org Following services on Sunday, Sept.

27, a blood drive will be held to benefit area hospitals.

For more information regarding Orthodox Charities Weekend, to obtain a pledge sheet or to register to give blood, contact Fr. Nicholas Jonas or Tom Demedeiros at the church office at (708) 9743400 or Presbytera Anastasia Jonas at (708) 974-2902. Both events are open to Orthodox and non-Orthodox parishioners.

Metropolis of Atlanta Holds 4 Sessions at St. Stephen’s Camp

by Presbytera Marilisse I. Mars

Set in the tranquil and picturesque mountains of South Carolina, St. Stephen’s Summer Camp, under the direction of Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis and Fr. Matthew Carter, completed four weeks of bringing the Metropolis of Atlanta’s youth closer to God. “In such a beautiful and peaceful setting as the Diakonia Retreat Center, it is easy to see the great works of God, and to feel His presence at our camp. The children couldn’t stop talking about how close to God they feel here,” said Ethel Gjerde, St. Stephen’s assistant director.

With 210 acres of nature as the backdrop, the campers were able to learn about and encounter God in prayer services twice a day, Orthodox Life (a catechetical class once a day), and “hangtime” (an opportunity each evening to spend time with a priest and ask questions about their faith and life as Orthodox Christians).

In addition, the campers spent their time in swimming, sports, a ropes course challenge, and camp-wide activities such as the “Olympics” and other athletic events.

The days began with morning prayers, with the campers fully participating by chanting each and every response and hymn of the all-English services. “Some of the kids are shy about singing at the beginning of the week,” said Ms. Gjerde, “but you should hear them by the end of the week. They sing so loudly and with such love for God.” The services feature the eloquent translations of Fr. Seraphim Dedes, music director at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church in Charlotte, N.C. Each Orthros service also featured three hymns of original composition by Fr. Seraphim, which sang the praises of the saint for that particular day.

Set to traditional Byzantine melodies, these hymns taught the children about the lives of the saints being com-

memorated, and many kept them for their own private devotions.

St. Stephen’s Summer Camp, founded in 1993, marked its sixth year at the Diakonia Retreat Center in Salem, S.C., owned by the Metropolis of Atlanta.

Our Lord Himself knew the importance of a place away from the crowd, where peace and solitude allow for deep connection with our Father.

Through the efforts of Metropolitan Alexios, the Lord has blessed the Metropolis of Atlanta with a great gift in the Diakonia Retreat Center.

It is that place- one of prayer and refreshment, fun and fellowship, for all the faithful, adults and children alike.

The Diakonia Retreat Center plays host to hundreds of the faithful each year in retreats, camps, service weekends, conferences, and all types of events.

St. Stephen’s Summer Camp is the largest of these types of events at the Diakonia Retreat Center. In previous years, St. Stephen’s has been a three– week program, with one session per week.

This year was the first year that St. Stephen’s added a fourth week to its program. This was a result of popular demand, and in accordance with the vision of Metropolitan Alexios, who lovingly wishes to see every child in the Metropolis of Atlanta have a retreat experience at St. Stephen’s, where they can come together in fun and fellowship and grow in their relationship with God. An online photo album of St. Stephen’s Summer Camp, 2009, is available for viewing at www.atlmetropolis. org Contact Presbytera Marilisse I. Mars for any inquiries at the Metropolis of Atlanta: (404) 634-9345 ext.19, or email at youth@atlmetropolis.org (See page 29 for coverage of other Metropolis summer camps) Presbytera Marilisse I. Mars is the Metropolis Youth Coordinator.

Time capsule

As part of the year-long centennial celebration of Holy Trinity Church in Charleston, S.C., a number of children of the community buried a time capsule on the church grounds and held a tree-planting event. The parish plans several more activities during the rest of the year.

Arizona Parish Breaks Ground for New Community Center and Church PEORIA, Ariz. – St. Haralambos Church will soon be making its move to new church property located at the northeast corner of 75th Avenue and Greenway Road in Peoria. The parish commemorated the start of the building process with a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Sept. 20.

Parish members, church leaders and Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco began the day’s events with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Church’s current location near City Hall.

The parish of the West Valley’s only Greek Orthodox community is scheduled to move into the new facilities in December 2010.

A community center with classrooms will be built first, then followed with a

traditional Byzantine-style church.

St. Haralambos Church began serving the West Valley’s Orthodox Christian community in 1987. Since 1994, the parish has been led by Fr. Michael Pallad. The community has more than 150 steward families.

The Metropolis of San Francisco oversees the western region of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

There are more than 150,000 members in the Metropolis led by Metropolitan Gerasimos who leads the Greek Orthodox faithful in the states of Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

The Metropolis has 69 parishes and missions along with three monastic communities.

Youth Achievements Honored at Southampton Church

by Catherine Tsounis

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel”, said Socrates.

This kindled flame was enhanced by the Philoptohos and Sunday school of the Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church of Southampton during recent church services.

Kay Halikias, chairman of the Philoptohos Scholarship Committee, presented

scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are attending the following colleges: Gabriel Galifianakis, Suffolk Community College; Sarah Fournaris, State University of New York, Plattsburg; Nicholas Hatgistavrou, Fordham University; Philip Halikias, St. John’s University; Leander Kobolakis, Bard College; John Papajohn, Hofstra University and Ellie Vamvakitis, La Salle University.

Texas Parish Hosts Presentation for Community AMARILLO, Texas – A community presentation was conducted at St. John’s Church on Aug. 13 by Fr. David Eckley and Presbytera Vasiliki Eckley.

The evening presentation was based on St Maximos the Confessor’s thoughts and teachings. A lively discussion on the five-bridges of creation or separation, the fall of man and man’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and five-bridges back to

God took place.

Participants included a diverse group of guests from the community’s nonOrthodox Christians, including three Roman Catholic nuns (from St. Benedict’s Monastery), and a Baptist chaplain, and a members of St. John’s.

The presentation ended in prayer and a greater understanding of the word of God.

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Alaska Parish Breaks Ground For New Church SEPTEMBER 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – After 50 years as a parish, Holy Transfiguration Church held a groundbreaking ceremony on Aug. 30 for its new Byzantine–style church.

Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Metropolis of San Francisco officiated, along with parish priest Fr. Leo Schefe, and Holy Cross seminarian Mihai State.

About 150 people attended the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy in the converted house, which currently serves as the sanctuary.

Immediately following the liturgy, the congregation walked in procession to the groundbreaking site where the ceremony commenced with the blessing of the waters. Metropolitan Gerasimos, Fr. Leo Schefe and parish council President Diane Primis were the first to turn a shovel.

Church founders Nick Kollias and Jerry Melenos followed. The building committee chairman Maria Baskous, and former chairman Greg Lotakis then took a turn, as did the youth directors, the Philoptochos, and the altar boys.

The president of the community welcomed the people and introduced the speakers: Maria Baskous, building committee chairman; Fr. Schefe and Metropolitan Gerasimos. Special guests of honor were eight former parish council presidents: Jerry Melenos, Dr. Alexander Baskous, Vasilios Copadis, Lois Sholl, Spiros Gialopsos, Sharon Galanopoulos, Pamela Lloyd, and Ms. Baskous.

The community celebrated this momentous occasion with a festive glendi.

A delicious dinner of lamb and king crab was served and the youth performed traditional Greek dances.

Building a Byzantine-style church has been a dream of this community for over 50 years. Designed by architect Pat Krochina, the structure will be slightly less than 8,000 square feet. It will include a sanctuary and a social hall, each with a capacity of approximately 200 people. The project will be approached in three phases.

Phase one begins this fall with site preparation. The second phase begins in spring 2010 and will include the foundation, social hall and enclosing the second floor sanctuary. The third phase will finish the interior of the entire building, and includes landscaping.

Holy Transfiguration parish serves the entire state of Alaska, numbering about 75 families, and includes Orthodox Christians of Greek, Arabic, Armenian, Bulgarian, Romanian, Slavonic, and Ukrainian background.

Currently the community has pledged a total of $1.2 million, enough to complete the first and second phases of the project. The capital campaign continues with a goal of $2.1 million to complete the final phase. Please visit our web site at www.transfiguration. ak.goarch.org/.

Holy Transfiguration holds the distinction of being the northernmost

Metropolitan Gerasimos blesses the ground with agiasmo at the site as parishioners look on.

parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Greek Orthodox presence in Alaska dates to the early 18th century when Greeks accompanied the first Russian Orthodox missionaries.

However, it was not until the early 1900s that large numbers of Greeks first arrived to work on construction of the Alaska Railroad.

After its completion, a small number remained in the railroad camp at the head of Cook Inlet, which became Anchorage.

For many years, the nearest Orthodox parish was St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Eklutna, a village

35 miles north of Anchorage.

The church in Anchorage began in 1953 in the basement of the Chaimis Apartments located on Third Avenue between B and C Streets, where Orthodox families would gather in an effort to preserve their traditions, and Russian priests would come occasionally to give sermons.

Several years later Soterios Chaimis, Chris Papademetrios, George Poggas and Goldie Grames began talking about building a small church.

Finally, in 1958, a small group of Greeks built the first Orthodox Church in Anchorage.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the new church building.

Two of the altar boys participate at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new church.

Fr. Leo Schefe and Parish Council President Diane Primis take their turn at breaking ground with the Metropolitan.

29

SEPTEMBER 2009

N.J. Metropolis’ Camp Good Shepherd Continues to Grow

WESTFIELD, N.J. – Camp Good Shepherd, the official summer camp of the Metropolis of New Jersey, with the blessings and enthusiastic support of Metropolitan Evangelos, attracted a record number of campers for the 5th year in a row.

Since the program’s relocation within the boundaries of the Metropolis, Camp Good Shepherd has grown from 17 campers in 2005 to over 210 campers this year.

The three-week summer camp was held July 12-18 and July 19-25 for GOYA and July 26 – Aug. 1 for JOY at the Linwood MacDonald YMCA Center in Branchville, N.J. More than 260 campers, counselors and clergy from throughout the Metropolis attended.

Some of the activities that the campers enjoyed during the week included swimming, canoeing, hiking, wall climbing, archery, soccer, dodge ball, arts and crafts, and Greek dancing.

Orthodox Life sessions, led by Clergy from throughout the Metropolis, focused on the “I Am’s of Christ.”

Counselors, including current and graduated seminarians from Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, led the youth in discussions during their sounding boards and evening devotionals.

The campers participated in daily Orthros and Vespers Services and the Divine Liturgy which was celebrated on Thursday of each week. Children were also able to take advantage of the presence of the Clergy to participate in the Sacrament of Confession that was offered throughout each week.

The Clergy’s presence also provided a unique opportunity for our young people to receive guidance from them about their concerns, issues they are dealing with, and spiritual direction.

On Thursday of each week, the campers and staff welcomed Metropolitan Evangelos along with parents, siblings and friends of the campers for a family barbecue and skit night that was hosted in their honor.

Before each of the barbeques the campers had an opportunity to meet with His Eminence to tell him about their fun experiences at camp and to explain why they enjoyed the camp so much.

His Eminence also expressed his gratitude to the parents present for visiting the camp and for sending their children, to George Tomczewski, camp director; Georgios Livaditis, assistant director; and Elena Obelenus, program director, along with clergy and counselors who provided an enjoyable camp experience for all.

Highlights of the 2009 Camp Good Shepherd experience included Greek dance nights, campfires, carnivals, movie nights and scavenger hunts. ice cream treats and souvlakia, offered by His Eminence.

For more information about Metropolis of New Jersey Youth Ministry, call George Tomczewski, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, at (908) 3010500.

The 2010 dates for the camp will be announced in the near future. Orthodox Christians wishing to be considered for staff positions during next year’s camp should also contact the Metropolis.

Summer Camp 2009 Session II – Metropolitan Gerasimos (center) with campers, counselors and clergy at St. Nicholas Ranch.

San Francisco Metropolis Summer Camp Focuses on God’s Creation

by Kristen Bruskas

DUNLAP, Calif. -- Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center attracted nearly 300 youth from the Metropolis of San Francisco.

This year’s theme, “God’s Green Earth,” focused of caring for God’s creation, protecting the environment, and appreciating the beauty of nature. Youth from Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Oregon attended camp and formed lasting friendships during their time together.

Metropolitan Gerasimos visited the camp, and was uplifted by the warmth and love of the children.

“It is a special joy for me to be with our youth and watch them grow in their love for the Lord through their experiences at Summer Camp,” stated Metropolitan Gerasimos. “We are blessed with a beautiful facility in St. Nicholas Ranch and the steady growth of our program over these past several years is a testimony to our dedicated staff, and also a clear demonstration that our parents want their children to participate in a Christ-centered camp.”

The camp day was filled with many

exciting activities: arts and crafts, nature hikes, canoeing, theater, athletics and aquatics.

All youth participated in an Orthodox Life session each day, led by Metropolis clergy who offered their time to minister to the campers.

Each week to further emphasize the camp theme, campers took a trip to the nearby Kings Canyon Sequoia National Park where they witnessed the majestic giant trees, some of which are estimated to be over 2,000 years old.

The evenings at camp also offered a wide array of events including a Luau, campfire, ice cream social, and a Night with God in preparation for the weekly Divine Liturgy. A highlight of the camp week is the performance of skits where

campers showcased their theatrical and musical talents.

The director of Summer Camp was Michael Pappas, who also serves as the year-round director of St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. Michael was assisted by co-program coordinators Michelle Hawe and Tyrone Emery.

Camp counselors included students from Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, as well as young adults from California, Oregon, Arizona and Illinois.

For more information, visit the St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center website at www.stnicholasranch.org.

Kristen Bruskas is director of Development and Administration for the Metropolis of San Francisco.

Indiana Church Honors Its Greek Orthodox Pioneers CARMEL, Ind. -- On Saturday morning, June 6, 2009 Holy Trinity Greek Church dedicated a historic monument honoring the community’s Greek Orthodox pioneers.

Fr. Anastasios Gounaris conducted

the dedication service, in the memory of all of the immigrants who came as young men and women and established the community in central Indiana.

Holy Trinity will celebrate it’s centennial in 2010.

Florida campers More than 150 children of St. Mark’s Church in Boca Raton, Fla., attended their parish youth camp The program included religious instruction and other activities.

30

SEPTEMBER 2009

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SEPTEMBER 2009

What’s Up with “Letting Your Light Shine”?

by Eva Kokinos

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.” (Matthew 5:14-16) Going back to school means that we have an opportunity to show our faith through the way we live, the way we treat others, and the way we make decisions.

So how do we “let our light shine” as it says in the Gospel of Matthew? How do we show Christ in all that we do?

Letting your light shine means not hiding your Orthodox Christian identity from others. Imagine always hiding your name from people.

People might not ever get to know who you are. If we don’t show who we are,

we might be mistaken for someone else.

At times, we do not behave in a way that shows we are Christian. But when we put ourselves above the peer pressure, bullying, and general mean attitudes, we become like that city on a hill.

Everyone will notice that you are different… you are original… you are a Christian!

Here are some simple ways to be a witness to your faith: PRAY UNCEASINGLY Jesus Christ always found time to pray and give thanks. Prayer is a very simple, but important way you can let your light shine. Whether it is before you eat, or before an exam, it will give people a chance to see you living your faith. God is a part of every aspect of your life.

SHOW KINDNESS Jesus Christ showed mercy and kindness, even to those who were outcast by society. As Christians, we should always

be kind to each person.

Whether they are new students or old friends, everyone has been created in the image of God. We don’t have to be “BFFs” (Best Friends Forever) with every person at school. But we are called to love and respect all people.

SET AN EXAMPLE Jesus Christ talked the talk AND walked the walk. People know Christians by their words AND actions. If you see someone being bullied, stand up for them. If your friend is struggling to make the right decision, be a role model. If you have talents, make sure to use them! Your example can help people see that it IS possible to live a Christian life.

tack our beloved Hogwarts in their absence.

During this attack, the Dark Mark appears above the castle, only to be cast out by the light from hundreds of wands held aloft by the faculty and students of the school.

Themes of bravery, staying true to one’s word, and good vs. evil reign supreme in the sixth installment of the series.

Half Blood Prince’s rating has been downgraded to PG from Order of the Phoenix’s PG-13, however it still contains scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality. Discretion is in order for younger viewers.

For an in-depth Orthodox Christian outlook on Harry Potter, pick up “How Harry Cast His Spell: The Meaning Behind the Mania for J. K. Rowling’s Bestselling Books” by John Granger.

Points to Consider/Discuss: 1) J.K. Rowling has stated that her own faith in God has helped shape her stories.

Harry is referred to as “The Chosen One”.

Do you think there is a connection between Harry and Jesus? Voldemort and the Devil?

In which ways are they similar, and how do they differ?

2) Why do you think Professor Slughorn likes surrounding himself with only successful wizards? Do you know anyone like that- someone who only wants to be friends with people who make them seem cooler?

Have you made an effort to include everyone, even those who might not be “cool” or successful?

3) We find out that one of Slughorn’s memories was a lie. Have you even been so ashamed or embarrassed of something that you’ve convinced yourself that it never happened? If so, how have you dealt with it?

4) Dumbledore orders Harry to not interfere at the end of the movie and Harry does what he was told.

How hard do you think it was for him to stay silent and not interfere? Do you think he regrets his decision to obey Dumbledore’s orders?

5) Why do you think Malfoy couldn’t follow through with his assignment? Do you think there is still a part of him that is good?

Eva Kokinos is a 2003 graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology. She currently serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of Detroit.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Review

by Mario Colosimo

Move over, Twilight! The sixth Harry Potter film has rocked theaters across the world for the past month. With its innocence and sometimes slightly suggestive humor, along with a clever combination of the quaint and the dark aspects of the wizarding world, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince was possibly the biggest and best blockbuster of the entire summer.

In this movie, Harry returns for his sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Before he begins his NEWT classes, however, Professor Dumbledore meets up with him over the summer to help him convince a certain Horace Slughorn, played by Jim Broadbent, to become the school’s new Potions Master. Yes, you read correctly – Severus Snape finally got the job of his dreams this year as Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.

Like any 16-year-olds, Harry and his friends begin to deal with the drama of relationships and the traumatic experience of watching one’s crush getting snogged in the corner of the Three Broomsticks while attempting to enjoy a glass of butterbeer.

Harry seems to have a crush on Ron’s sister Ginny, but keeps his distance, and we start to see a love forming between Ron and Hermione.

In the midst of all the teen angst, an invisible evil has arisen at Hogwarts.

When unsuspecting Katie Bell is cursed after touching a demonic locket, fingers automatically point to Draco Malfoy as the perpetrator, Harry’s long-time rival who has been acting rather suspicious lately. In the meantime, secrets of Lord Voldemort’s past are revealed as the battle for good and evil continues. For the first time we begin to doubt Dumbledore’s all knowingness as he seems to trust Snape to a fault. Dumbledore and Harry run off on a dangerous mission to collect Horcruzs and the Death Eaters at-

Spotlight on…. M.O.A. You may be wondering what the heck is M.O.A? M.O. A. stands for Moment of Appreciation. It is a reminder to take that moment, whatever moment you are in, and fully appreciate it. Too often in life we’re in a rush, and fail to truly appreciate what’s happening around us. Whether you’re hanging out with your grandmother or lying on a beach watching a beautiful sunset, you should try to fully appreciate that moment in time! That exact moment will never be replicated! Take a mental picture and make an effort to store it in your memory banks. You’ll be glad you did. When you need a pick-me-up, think back and pull up that MOA and cherish it.

Have you Heard….of OCF? For those of you entering college this year, there is one important thing you should look into and it’s called OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship). OCF is the official college campus ministry program under SCOBA (the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas). Their mission is to “support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith.”

In other words, it’s a chance for Orthodox Christians at your college or University to get together! It can be a huge help when you’re away at school to connect with other people who understand where you’re coming from.

Most OCFs meet on a weekly basis for fellowship (and maybe pizza!), plan and participate in service projects or retreats, and worship together. Also, there may be somebody at OCF who can give you a ride to church! One of the coolest things that OCF sponsors is a program called Real Break. Real Break is a mission trip that is planned during your spring break from college.

So rather than partying all break, you go with other Orthodox Christian college kids to places that need your help. It’s an amazing chance to make a difference in this world. I encourage you to see if there is an OCF at the school you will be going to and JOIN IT! If there isn’t one, START ONE! For more information and resources, visit www.ocf.net

Top 5 Things about Going Back to School New Clothes, Books, Supplies!

Football Season Starting!

Starting fresh!

A chance to start a new year!

Keeping in touch with all your camp friends!

Getting back into the swing of things: GOYA, and Sunday School!

32

Archbishop Demetrios 10 Anniversary Timeline

SEPTEMBER 2009

th

  page 2 Demetrios to a private meeting to present the official proclamation declaring March 25 as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.”

April 7 – Archbishop Demetrios officiates at the agiasmo ground-breaking ceremony for the Hellenic Center for the Arts at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

May 3 – The most recent draft of the proposed Charter is reviewed at the Archdiocese by members of the Eparchial Charter Committee and by clergy and lay representatives from each Metropolis under the chairmanship of the Archbishop.

May 12 – Secretary of State Madeleine Albright hosts a black-tie dinner for Archbishop Demetrios at the State Department to honor him for his leadership as a “world renowned scholar and pastor of patience, strength and love.”

May 11-14 – During the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Conference in Washington, Chairman George Kokalis announces a $10 million grant for Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology over the next 10 years.

June 1 – His Eminence names Fr. Mark A. Leondis as the director of the Archdiocese Office of Youth & Young Adult Ministries.

June 18-19 – Archbishop Demetrios, Archbishop Iakovos and Metropolitan Methodios of Boston celebrate the 60th anniversary of Archbishop Iakovos’ ordination at Holy Trinity Church in Lowell, Mass., Holy Trinity’s 100th anniversary, and Archbishop Demetrios’ first visit to the parish.

July 3-7 –The 35th Clergy-Laity Congress takes place in Philadelphia. For the first time, committee meetings were preceded by workshops having religious education themes as they applied to each committee’s activity.

July 28 – Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou is named president of Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross School of Theology following a meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Aug. 2/10 – Archbishop Demetrios offers prayers at both the Republican and Democratic Party conventions.

Aug. 17-20 – Archbishop Demetrios, as exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, leads a delegation representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Moscow for the consecration of the new Christ the Savior Cathedral.

Sept. 15 – The Archbishop arrives in Phoenix for a three-day visit with Greek Orthodox faithful in Arizona that includes viewing the Grand Canyon and traveling to the Monastery of St. Anthony. He is escorted by Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco.

Sept. 23-24 – His Eminence attends the dedication of three new facilities of the Annunciation Church complex in Houston; a Byzantine fresco chapel, an educational center and an athletic center.

Sept. 29-30 – The Archdiocesan Council holds its first meeting following the Clergy-Laity Congress. The Archbishop names Michael Jaharis as vice chairman.

Oct. 6 – Fr. Triantafilou is installed as HC/HC president in ceremonies at the school’s chapel.

Oct. 26 – Archbishop Anastasios of Albania joins Archbishop Demetrios for the feast day celebration at St. Demetrios at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria.

The Astoria parochial schools raised

more than $1,000 to assist the Church in Albania.

Nov. 10-12 – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew makes his first pastoral visit to Detroit and his third to the United States since 1997.

His itinerary also includes a one-day stop in New York to receive an award for his environmental efforts from the organization Scenic Hudson Inc., and to attend the opening of the Jaharis Galleries for Byzantine Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Nov. 25-Dec. 1 – Archbishop Demetrios leads a delegation for the first Clergy-Laity Conference in Istanbul hosted by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Dec. 12 – Metropolitan Silas, former bishop of the Diocese of New Jersey and president of HC/HC dies at age 80 after suffering a heart attack.

2001

Jan. 14 – Archbishop Demetrios and Archbishop Iakovos celebrate the service of the thyranoixia (opening of the doors) a S. Katherine’s Church in Naples, Fla. Jan. 20 – Archbishop Demetrios is an honored guest at the inauguration of President George W. Bush and participates in a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington.

Feb. 11 – His Eminence attends his first St. Photios Feast Day event at the National Shrine in St. Augustine, Fla. March 8 – The Archbishop delivers the 33rd annual Bampton Lecture at Columbia University on the topic “St. John Chrysostom: Anthropological Insights for Our Times.”

March 23 – President Bush presents His Eminence with an official proclamation declaring March 25 as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy.”

May 1 – Following his appointment

by Archbishop Demetrios, Professor George Pilitsis of Hellenic College-Holy Cross assumes the duties of director of the Archdiocese Department of Greek Education.

May 3 – SCOBA hierarchs conclude their largest gathering ever in Washington and issue a statement calling for coordinated action on, and witness to, the mission of Orthodoxy to provide a decisive voice in matters of spiritual, social and human needs.

June 17 – The Archbishop and Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco consecrate Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif.

July -7-8 – Archbishop Demetrios attends the 19 th annual Young Adult League Conference held in Denver and also celebrates the Divine Liturgy.

July 14 – Archbishop Demetrios represents the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the enthronement of Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires.

Sept. 11

This date is a watershed for American society including the Greek Orthodox Church.

Like the Dec. 7, 1941, surprise attack on Pearl Harbor by Imperial Japan, Sept.

11, 2001 will be a date for this generation in the 21st century that will “live in infamy.”

The airborne terrorist attack on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York has forever changed not only America, but the world at large.

On the day of the attack, Archbishop Demetrios was in Boston and had been scheduled to return to New York that morning on a Delta Shuttle flight.

After the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all air traffic and closed the nation’s airports, he returned by car.

On his way to New York he issued a statement directing all Greek Orthodox churches to hold memorial prayer services.

For Archbishop Demetrios, the event and its aftermath dominated his thoughts and consumed much of his schedule for many months as he quickly reached out to the families of Greek Orthodox victims who perished in the attack or who survived the traumatic experience.

The Archbishop also focused attention on efforts to rebuild St. Nicholas Church, as the massive towers buried the tiny two-story building under tons to rubble.

The tragedy also mobilized other Metropolitans to action as they undertook efforts to aid victims of the tragedy.

With regard to the Archdiocese, the Sept. 11 tragedy also brought about the establishment of the Department of Philanthropy, headed by Archimandrite Andonios Paropoulos.

Sept. 14 – The Archbishop tours Ground Zero with President Bush. His Eminence assures the President, New York Gov. Pataki and Mayor Giuliani that the Archdiocese will support their efforts in dealing with the crisis.

His Eminence also meets with the governor and mayor on several other occasions in the months following the tragedy to discuss ways the Church can help and the future of St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero.

Sept. 20 - Archbishop Demetrios is among several religious leaders invited to a meeting with the President at the White House to offer counsel before his address to Congress and the nation.

Oct. 18 – Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Palos Hills, Ill., kicks off its year-long 100th anniversary celebration.

Oct. 19 – Archbishop Demetrios consecrates Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Annapolis, Md. Oct. 27-28 – The Archbishop consecrates The Dormition of the Mother of God Church in Bayard, Neb. Nov. 15 – Archdiocesan Council member Elenie Huszagh of Hehalem, Oregon, is installed as the 21st president of the National Council of Churches in Christ; the first Greek Orthodox Christian to head the organization.

Nov. 30-Dec. 1 – The Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos Board held their first meetings following the Sept. 11 tragedy. In additional to reflecting on the event, the groups spent time discussing the proposed charter.

Dec. 7 – Holy Trinity Church in Bridgeport, Conn., celebrates its 95th anniversary.

Dec. 11 – The Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elects three new bishops for the Archdiocese – Bishopselect Andonios Paropoulos, Gerasimos Michaleas and Savas Zembillas.

Conclusion of part one.

— Compiled by Jim Golding