Orthodox Observer - December 2009

DECEMBER 2009 • Vol. 74 • No. 1254

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

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S

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A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

DECEMBER 2009

Palestinian Clergy of New Vicarate Visit Αrchbishop

Ionian Village Summer Camp Dates Set NEW YORK – Ionian Village, the summer camp in Greece operated by the Archdiocese, announces dates for its Summer Travel Camp and Byzantine Venture programs for 2010.

The dates are as follows: Summer Travel Camp: July 1-20 Byzantine Venture: July 25-Aug. 13.

Young adults who have completed grades 7-12 may attend either Summer Travel Camp (STC) or Byzantine Venture (BV). On-line registration for both sessions will begin in early January.

Teens and young adults who participate will travel through Greece, venerate the relics of saints, walk in the footsteps of the Apostles, and visit significant sites of Greek history and culture.

At the end of the program, staff and campers return to their homes with strengthened faith and a greater appreciation for the Church and Greek culture.

For more information visit www. ionianvillage.org or contact the Ionian Village office at (646) 519-6190.

Archdiocese Represented at School Conference WASHINGTON -- The 5th Annual Private School Leadership Conference, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education/Office of Non-Public Schools Education (ONPE) on Sept. 23, included participation by a representative of the Archdiocese.

Ms. Maria Makedon, director of the Office of Education for the Direct Archdiocesan District attended the conference for the fifth consecutive year.

U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, addressed the Conference participants highlighting the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

The Secretary noted that he had asked Assistant Deputy Secretary Jim Shelton to begin facilitating meetings with national nonpublic school leaders to discuss ways to enhance ESEA and to ensure better outcomes and services to students and teachers in the nonpublic school community.

He stated that he will host a Listening and Learning Session with nonpublic school stakeholders in order to hear their ideas for education reform.

Visiting clergy – With Archbishop Demetrios are (above, from left ) Deacon Speridon Jajeh, Fr. Andraos Dib, Fr. George Jweinat (the Archiepiscopal Vicar), Fr. Moheen Hanna, Fr. Thaddeus Hardenbrook and Deacon Romanos Khoury. (Below) His Eminence bestows a cross on Fr. George Jweinat.

St. Michael’s Home Holds Annual Feast Day Gala

by Valerie Herz

The annual name day gala of St. Michael’s took place Nov. 8 in conjunction with the Feast of the Archangels.

This event is not only an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding offering of the Home to the elderly of our community, but also is an occasion to raise critically needed funds to continuously enhance and expand the quality care offered to our beloved residents.

The gala was held at the Metropolitan Club in Manhattan, where over 300 guests attended to celebrate the accomplishments of the Home and our honoree Christos Spyropoulos.

Those who attended enjoyed a wonderful evening of dinner and dancing.

The entertainment by Aphrodite Michaels, Panos Chrysovergis, and their bands was generously underwritten by Karlene and Basil Williams, while beautiful floral displays were provided by Charlie Hantsis of Park Florist.

This year’s Name Day Gala was a very

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

USPS 412340

ISSN 0731–2547

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

Editorial and Business Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 TEL.: (212) 570–3555 FAX (212) 774–0239

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

CONTRIBUTING CORRESPONDENT & PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicholas Manginas

Dimitris Panagos photo

Christos Spyropoulos accepts the Archangel Michael Award from Archbishop Demetrios and St. Michael’s Board President Nikitas Drakotas.

successful endeavor, as the Home received $250,000 in proceeds, earmarked for the expansion fund. St. Michael’s Home’s hopes that with the continued support of steadfast friends, that the Home will

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NEW YORK -- Representatives from the newly created Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Christian Orthodox Communities in the USA met with Archbishop Demetrios at Archdiocesan headquarters on Dec. 14.

It was the first time that these clergy, primarily from the San Francisco Bay Area, had met with the Archbishop since coming directly under his jurisdiction as clergy and communities of the Vicariate.

The Vicariate was established as a result of agreements between the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, for the care of some communities that had been served by the latter for nearly two decades (a detailed article can be found in the Orthodox Observer, SEPTEMBER 2008 • Vol. 73 • No. 1242).

The impetus for the creation of the Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Communities in the USA began in 2006, when the Patriarchate of Jerusalem entered into talks with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. For canonical reasons, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem decided to voluntarily withdraw from any jurisdictional presence in the Western Hemisphere.

The subsequent assignation of these communities in the United States to the Ecumenical Patriarchate through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese came about as a solution to their canonical status, inasmuch as the Jerusalem Patriarchate was withdrawing its ecclesiastical presence.

Scholarship Information Available in January Information for the three scholarships administered by the Archdiocese–the George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship, the Katina John Malta Scholarship, both for undergraduate studies, and the Paleologos Graduate Scholarship, will be posted on the Archdiocese website in mid-January for the 2010-11 academic year. Complete details will be available then on the Archdiocese website, www.goarch.org, or call (212) 774-0513, or write: Scholarship Committee, c/o Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Office of the Chancellor, 10 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075.

To Subscribe Online To subscribe to the Observer online, in lieu of receiving a hard copy in the mail, send your name, address, and customer number that appears on the mailing label to: observer@goarch. org Participation is voluntary and readers who do not want an online subscription will continue receiving the print version.

Upcoming deadlines Deadlines for submitting information, articles and photos for the Orthodox Observer for consideration are as follows: January, Monday, Jan. 4.

Photos should be sent as a large format jpg attachment (300 dpi or greater).

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

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

DECEMBER 2009

Archbishop’s Statement on the Passing of Serbian Patriarch

NEW YORK - Archbishop Demetrios, writing on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, conveyed with great sorrow condolences on the passing of the Patriarch of Serbia, the late Pavle, Archbishop of Pec, Metropolitan of Belgrade and Karlovci on Nov. 15.

In a letter to the Holy Synod of the Serbian Orthodox Church that was echoed to Metropolitan Christopher and to all the Bishops of the Serbian Church in America and Canada, Archbishop Demetrios of America wrote: “On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the deeply beloved and respected late Patriarch Pavle.

“The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Serbian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his saintly and wise pastoral stewardship of the Serbian Orthodox Church during times of tremendous challenge. His courage in the face of tyranny and oppression will live on in the hearts and minds of all Orthodox who were privileged to know his ministry.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew immediately sent condolences to the Serbian Church and held a memorial service.

In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch traveled to Belgrade and presided at the

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CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Diaconate George S. Callos – Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh – Annunciation Church, Akron, Ohio 10/17/08 Vasilios Louros – Archbishop Demetrios of America – St. Demetrios Church, Merrick, N.Y. 10/18/09 Barnabas Powell – Metropolitan Alexios – Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta 11/08/09 Panteleimon Maillis – Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh – Archangel Michael Church, Campbell, Ohio 11/08/09 Ordinations to the Priesthood Deacon George S. Callos – Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh – Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Cleveland, Ohio 10/18/09 Assignments Fr. George S. Callos – Annunciation Church, Akron 10/19/09 Fr. Michael Lambakis – Transfiguration of Christ, Austin, Texas 01/01/10 Offikia Fr. William Gaines – Office of Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne, bestowed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew 10/19/09 Suspensions lifted: Deacon Panagiotis Hanley 10/22/09

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Reports Given at Archdicesan Council’s Fall Meeting NEW YORK – At the fall Archdiocesan Council meeting, in addition to being addressed by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Demetrios, and hearing the finance report, members heard reports from the following committees: Outreach and Evangelism, Religious Education, Youth, Communications, Administration, Greek Education, Technology, Marriage & Family.

Report Highlights Outreach and Evangelism - The Department of Outreach and Evangelism is piloting a Church Health Program called Natural Church Development at three Long Island Parishes. The program examines eight ministry areas and implements several measurement tools to identify strengths and weaknesses. An analysis is provided and a process involving focus groups and coaching will help the parish improve in these areas. An outreach program to inactive Orthodox Christians will be piloted in several parishes of the Direct Archdiocesan District.

Religious Education – The Department is developing guides and

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Philoptochos Honors Archbishop at Medical Fund Luncheon

by Jim Golding

BOCA RATON, Fla. – National Philoptochos Society members honored Archbishop Demetrios and disbursed nearly $185,000 in donations to seven hospitals and medical programs in the Metropolis of Atlanta at their Annual Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon over the Nov. 13-15 weekend.

A special contribution of $20,000 also was made in honor of Fox News Channel’s White House correspondent Michael Emanuel’s son Savas to The Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute at The Johns Hopkins University and Hospital, Baltimore, for their Pediatric Corneal Transplantation Program.

Mr. Emanuel was the keynote speaker at the luncheon.

Since the medical fund luncheons began in 1990, the National Philoptochos has disbursed more than $2.2 million to 50 hospitals and medical facilities.

At a press conference prior to the luncheon, Archbishop Demetrios noted the Philoptochos’ “constant, steady progress in terms of participants and fund-raising.” He added that, “The work relating to the luncheon is more and more important to the fragile human entity.”

He cited the serious issues facing organizations such as UNESCO with high infant mortality rates in Africa and high levels of illiteracy around the world, and the high dropout rates from schools in the “cultural capital” of New York.

His Eminence also noted there are other activities for the Philoptochos to support in addition to the luncheon.

“Even if you do something small, it’s something,” he said.

Also at the press conference, Boca

National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas presents His Eminence with a crystal eagle at the biennial luncheon held this year in Boca Raton, Fla. (Orthodox Observer photo)

Raton Mayor Susan Welchel read a proclamation declaring National Philoptochos Weekend in the city.

Among the honored guests at the luncheon was Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who offered the benediction.

In his keynote speech, Michael Emanuel told the audience of more than 500 that children’s medical issues “are near and dear to my heart.”

He related his own experience involving his young son, Savas, who was born with a rare eye condition and needed a cornea transplant.

After being told by some doctors the condition could not be corrected, he contacted the Wilmer Eye Institute,

where he was told an experimental procedure could be done. The operation was successful.

“We are grateful we have our faith and the great medical family of Johns Hopkins,” he said, adding, “We are incredibly touched by the Philoptochos gift.”

In honoring Archbishop Demetrios, Mr. Emanuel praised the Archbishop “for creating beautiful harmony” among the faithful. “He is a rock of strength,” he said. “We feel grateful for His Eminence, our Archbishop.” Mr. Emanuel went on to read a congratulatory letter from for-

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DECEMBER 2009

Ecumenical

Patriarchate

For a Small Group of Halki Grads, a November to Remember

by Rev. George Dimopoulos

For some, the words “Ecumenical Patriarch” connotes an honorific title–a hierarchal designation often the subject of controversy revolving around ethnic tensions inter-Orthodox and Christian dialogue. For those that know even a little of history–“Ecumenical Patriarch” is more than just a name or title. From that ill-omened day of May 29, 1453, the words Ecumenical Patriarch are synonymous with sacrifice. Thirteen Patriarchs sacrificed their lives in martyrdom, the last one, Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory V, after celebrating Easter Liturgy was removed from the Church and hung like a slaughtered lamb from the Patriarchate’s central gate. Since then, this gate door remains closed.

His All Holiness Athenagoras commented, “personal joys, I do not have, only in your joys do I rejoice.” Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew carries on in this legacy of sacrifice. The thoughts and prayers before he sleeps center clearly around the Ecumene, the challenges facing our missions in Africa, Asia and South America, the ongoing dialogue between the Western Church and other faiths, issues within our very own Orthodox family, the well–being of our clergy and laity, preserving God’s creation. These are but a sampling of the weight the Patriarch bears upon his shoulders.

Indeed, the very future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in modern-day Turkey is in jeopardy. The Patriarch’s personal safety is at risk at the hands of groups such as the “Grey Wolves.” These terrorists are an ultra-nationalist and neo–fascist group in Turkey that would like nothing more than to wipe out all Christianity and minority faiths and reclaim its status as an empire.

During His All Holiness’ visit to the United States, the remaining “omogalaktoi,” those weaned on the same spiritual milk from our spiritual mother, the Theological School of Halki were invited by His All Holiness for a reunion in Washington.

Few of us remain–you can count the

number on your hands. The prophet and King David characterized the full measure of life as 70 and 80 years of age which are true of our classmates.

After 17 centuries of serving as the spiritual mother of individuals that did indeed change and shape the world–Halki’s closure over 35 years ago has taken its toll.

The few remaining Halki alumni gathered in the hotel lobby, embracing one another in bittersweet nostalgia.

Each of us recalled the memories of our youth, laughed and caught up with news about each other’s whereabouts. We greeted the presbyteres that also came to receive His All Holiness’ blessing and, for a while, time stood still.

A deacon invited us upstairs, “His All Holiness awaits you.” His All Holiness was clad in his “Exorasson,” as we were, wearing a monk’s cap on his head. He greeted us each by first name, “George, how are you, where is Athenagoras? “Your Holiness, you will see him after our meeting,” I replied.

The room was filled with the uncreated light St. Gregory of Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonica, spoke of in the 14th century. Words cannot describe the joy of the moment. There was also another bishop with His All Holiness, one none of us recognized. The Patriarch surprised us with the introduction of Metropolitan Athanasios of Chalcedon or better known to us as Athanasios Pappas, a fellow graduate and most beloved classmate remembered for his piety, humility and many “charismata” including hagiography.

What a wonderful surprise to see him after more than 50 years. Metropolitan Athanasios was the last of the Metropolitans still remaining in Halki, the last of the “Halkicans.”

“My brothers, let us have breakfast together.” The adjacent dining room was a bit dim but His All Holiness’ countenance shone bright. He blessed the meal, simple and plain, nothing excessive. With glee, the Patriarch reported good news; he cited a report from Turkish authorities that Halki would be reopened! “On that day, I want you all to be there with me.” For

Halki School of Theology alumni gather with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

me, after nearly four decades of teaching in two theological seminaries, lecturing at a host of others around the world. There was no comparison to Halki. “Yes Yiorgo, I agree with you, there is no other Halki.”

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended Halki two years before me, entering the seminary as a young man. I always said of His All Holiness, that his mother raised him not as a boy, but as a patriarch. His reputation among the students, professors, even Turkish teachers was as the consummate model student: serious, focused, contemplative, and humble, a gentle and sincere soul.

His All Holiness described his impressions of the trip to the United States. The meeting with President Obama was very engaging, the Patriarch characterized the President as a man of understanding and compassion. Each other’s thoughts were exchanged in a climate of clarity and trust. The President assured Patriarch Bartholomew that he would use his good offices to influence the Turkish authorities to respect religious freedom and human rights. He reiterated a pledge to continue to weigh-in to help reopen the Theological School of Halki.

His All Holiness was enthused by the luncheon hosted the previous day by Speaker of the House Pelosi which was attended by the majority and minority leadership of both the House and Senate.

Speaker Pelosi said His All Holiness was not just the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church, but of the Christian world--this moved His All Holiness as did a presentation by the Speaker of a U.S. flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol during His All Holiness’ visit. Patriarch Bartholomew treasured this gift with its meaningful symbolism of freedom and hope.

The Patriarch also provided a snapshot of the dinner hosted by Vice President Biden at his residence at the Naval Observatory.

He moved by the Vice President’s kind words concerning the Patriarch’s role as a steward of God’s creation and also had encouraging words of support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and religious freedom.

His All Holiness provided a brief summary of the Religion, Science and Environment Symposium held in New Orleans, his talks at Georgetown University and the Brookings Institute and looked forward to the evening’s reception hosted by Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton.

The warmth and level of attention received by His All Holiness during his visit to Washington is reflective of His All Holiness’ caliber as a cleric and individual.

Several of us saw him as a guest on the Charlie Rose Show on PBS and applauded him for representing the entire Orthodox family in its due deserved light.

His All Holiness Volunteers for 2011 Athens Special Olympics

by Nicholas Manginas

Joanna Despotopoulou meets with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew became a volunteer in the ATHENS 2011 Special Olympics Games following a visit by the president of the Organizing Committee, Joanna Despotopoulou, who briefed him about the progress of the Special Olympics movement internationally.

Discussing the support of the Orthodox Church for the Games, Mrs Despotopoulou extended an official invitation to His All Holiness, asking Him to honor the Games with his presence.

He enthusiastically remarked that this was a “sacred” task and presented Mrs Despotopoulou with a hand-written note conveying His blessings to the Special Olympics athletes and herself.

He wrote in his message, “The Special

Olympics World Games in 2011 is a sacred undertaking and needs sacrifice.

Athens, the City of Democracy, the City of Philosophy, will release to the entire world the message of friendship and solidarity. How is it possible then not to be by your side?”

This was the Patriarch’s own way of demonstrating His support, as he signed the volunteer’s application.

“Thank you for giving me the opportunity to participate” He said, “I wish you good luck in your benevolent work and this is what I have stated in my hand-written note to you. Without love nothing is possible” He added, “I will see to it, from now that I do not undertake any other commitments during those days. God

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DECEMBER 2009

May the joy and peace of the Infant Christ Child dwell in your hearts now and evermore

 

Stephen G. Yeonas, Chairman Constantine G. Caras,Vice Chairman George E. Safiol, Treasurer Kassandra L. Romas, Secretary Paulette Poulos, Acting Executive Director

Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated Advancing Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America

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DECEMBER 2009

The Voice of Philoptochos

  page 3 mer President George Bush (see text at top of page 3) Seven recipients The Metropolis of Atlanta recepients and their projects that the donations will benefit are as follows: • University of Alabama-Birmingham, for its Rett Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder study, including educational and nutritional intervention.

• Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation Inc., of Coral Gables, Fla., for its Breathe Asthma Management Program.

• Lee Memorial Health System Foundation Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida in Fort Myers, for specialized medical equipment for its Cystic Fibrosis Center.

• University of Florida’s Shand’s Children’s Hospital, Gainesville; for its Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Program.

• Visiting Nurse Health System Inc. Hospice-Atlanta, for its children’s program, Pediatric Home Health Division.

• Carolinas Healthcare Foundation Levine Children’s Hospital/Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, for its Neuromuscular Research Program.

• Children’s Hospital at the Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, for its Pediatric Neuroblastoma Research Program.

The luncheon program also included special recognition of the previous Luncheon’s chairman, Valerie Roumeliotes, president of the San Francisco Metropolis Philoptochos. Rounding out the program were performances by the youth choir of St. Mark’s Church, directed by Virginia Barnes, a vocal performance by Katherine Schauer and poetry readings

by Katerina Albanis Theodorou, Maria Albanis Grillas, and Evangelia Palaois.

Another television news personality, Cynthia Demos, news anchor at CBS-TV’s Miami affiliate, Channel 4, and a member of St. Sophia Cathedral in Miami, served as the program’s emcee.

Evangeline Mekras Scurtis, president of the Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos, served as CMF Luncheon chair.

National Philoptochos Society Board members gather for business meetings the day before the medical fund luncheon.

(ORTHODOX OBSERVER PHOTOS)

At press conference, with Archbishop Demetrios, (from left) National President Aphrodite Skeadas, keynote speaker Michael Emanuel, wife Lynn and children Tess and Savas; Boca Raton Mayor Susan Welchel, Philoptochos spiritual advisor Bishop Andonios of Phasiane and CMF Chair Evangeline Mekras Scurtis.

Archbishop Demetrios addresses the more than 500 persons attending the luncheon.

(Above) Emcee Cynthia Demos, CBS 4 News anchor in Miami, introduces the youth choir from St. Mark’s Church in Boca Raton directed by Virginia Barnes.

At right (center) Aphrodite Skeadas honors the 2007 CMF Luncheon chair Valerie Roumeliotes.

At far right, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta with Fr. Robert Archon pastor of St. Mark’s Church gives the benediction.

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DECEMBER 2009

Philoptochos President’s Christmas Message

The St. Photios Foundation Wishes You a Blessed Christmas & Joyous New Year Join us for the 28th Annual Pilgrimage in honor of the Feast Day of our Saint Patriarch Photios the Great February 5-7, 2010

St. PhotioS Greek orthodox NatioNal ShriNe St. auGuStiNe, Florida

To the National Board, Chapter Presidents and Members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society: The birth of the Baby Jesus is the most important birth in history.

It was more than 2,000 years ago when the Angel appeared to the shepherds tending their flocks on that miraculous night when our Lord and Saviour was born in Bethlehem.

It was a moving experience, possibly frightening, for the persons living in the fields as this was an authentic occasion. God sent His messenger, the Angel Gabriel, to announce this greatest and most significant birth for the salvation of us all.

Then the Angel said to them, Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people... Luke 2:10 Instantly there appeared with Gabriel a multitude of angels praising God and singing: Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!

Luke 2:14 God communicates with actions and via angels. With advancing technology today we access, on a moment’s notice, anyone around the globe in order to share ideas that are significant and that should be manifested in forgiveness, compassion and love.

Similar to the communicating angels, we must be evangelists ourselves regardless which format we choose to disseminate the message of love. Each day is a blessing and a gift from God and we are thankful for every day.

It is with faith and love that the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society perpetuates the message of our Lord Jesus Christ and seeks to treat ill children, help the fragile elderly, assist students financially, offer friendship to the lonely, support our men and women in uniform overseas and provide so much for so many more.

Consider how best to commemorate the birth of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ: through prayer and with deeper promise and renewed spirit to aid and to reach those most in need.

The task at hand is to provide love and support to family, friends and to all.

By acquiring the inner peace that comes at this great feast of The Nativity we receive the strength and courage to help others.

The women of the Society strive to further the Philoptochos mission by offering their creative talents, standing united and relevant in today’s constantly changing world.

This is the glorious time of year when we pray for guidance and correct choices, responsible lifestyle, generous stewardship, the gift of life and for embracing those in need.

May you and your families receive the blessings of the Lord and His bountiful gifts as we commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus and may you continue to preserve Christmas as meaningful throughout your year and always.

With love and admiration in the Newborn King,

Aphrodite Skeadas

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DECEMBER 2009

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Three Accomplished Greek Americans to Highlight Leadership 100 Conference

National Sisterhood of Presvyteres membes are joined by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and Baltimore-area clergy.

National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Holds 6th Biennial Retreat MARRIOTTSVILLE, Md. - Bon Secours Spiritual Center served as the venue for the sixth biennial retreat of the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres the weekend of Oct. 9-12. Twenty-nine presbyteres, some from as far away as San Diego, participated.

The theme “Nurturing the Nurturer: Self Care for the Presvytera” featured Charlotte Eliopoulos as guest speaker. Chaired

by Presbytera Alice Noplos (St. Demetrios - Baltimore) and Presbytera Pauline Pavla-

kos (St. Katherine - Falls Church, Va.), the retreat enabled the presbyteres to gather in fellowship and spirituality and to leave revitalized and relaxed to continue in the ministry of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The Sisterhood’s retreat received support from many donors, including Leadership 100, Koons Chevrolet of Baltimore and McCormick & Co. Inc. Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey paid a special visit to the presbyteres during their retreat.

ABC News’s Chief Washington Correspondent George Stephanopoulos, host of ABC’s “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” who served as President Clinton’s senior political advisor and communications director; George Pelecanos, the award-winning author, film and television producer whose newest book, The Way Home, was on President Obama’s reading list this summer; and George Argyros, former U.S. Ambassador to Spain and one of America’s foremost real estate investors, will highlight the 19th annual Leadership 100 Conference in Coronado, Calif., Feb. 4-7.

The three will be honored for their public service and creative and business contributions.

“Conference theme is ‘The Torchbearers of Our Faith and Hellenic Heritage: The New Generation of Leaders,’ which recognizes these extraordinary leaders who exemplify our Hellenic ideals from such diverse fields,” said Stephen G. Yeonas, Leadership 100 chairman.

The program will also acknowledge the lifetime achievements of two other outstanding individuals: Harry C. Cordellos, a world class athlete who overcame childhood visual challenges, and Deborah Szekely, co-founder of the modern

day health and fitness movement who established two leading destination spas, Golden Door and Rancho La Puerta, and is a noted philanthropist and public servant.

In addition, the youngest leaders, Leadership 100 Partners, now numbering 86 young professional men and women, and younger new members as well as younger members of the Executive Committee and Board of Trustees, will be recognized for breathing new life into the organization’s 25-year-old mission.

Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod will join the conferees.

The noteworthy program includes the General Assembly, the grand banquet and a special performance by San Diego’s St. Spyridon Greek Dance and Choral School’s Aegean and Ionian Dance groups who will perform at the traditional glendi.

The conference site, the Hotel del Coronado is San Diego’s only truly beachfront hotel. Situated on 28 oceanfront acres on Coronado Island, the 120-yearold structure is a beacon of grandeur and refinement that includes three distinct building complexes: the Victorian Building, a National Historic Landmark, Ocean Towers and California Cabanas, and Beach Village villas and cottages.

2010 Oratorical Festival Topics Available Two New ‘Zines’ Published by Department of Religious Education The Archdiocese Department of Religious Education is pleased to announce the publication of two new ‘zines for teaching junior high and high school students. “Of Your Mystical Supper: The Eucharist” and “Heaven on Earth: The Divine Liturgy” have been published to teach about the Divine Liturgy and participation in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Called a ‘zine (from magazine), each ‘zine explores the topic in easy to read bites of information and accompanying images, with many interactive elements, such as questions for reflection or things to look up in the Bible.

Each ‘zine also has a Teacher Guide for classroom use over a few weeks, as a unit of study. Over time, the Department intends to create a “menu” of topics, allowing teachers and Church schools to select however many they need for the Church school year. In addition, the ‘zines can be sent home, distributed to all parishioners, or placed in the narthex for parishioners or visitors.

Of particular interest now during our preparation for the Feast of the Nativity

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and entire Christmas season is the ‘zine “For To Us a Child Is Born.” It contains 20 pages of information and full-color illustrations about the Church’s understanding of Christmas as a celebration of the Incarnation of Christ. It is suitable for any Orthodox Christian interested in participating more fully in Christmas preparation, from middle school children to our most mature parishioners.

The Department has also mailed its 2009 Christmas Catalog to each parish in the Archdiocese, is also available by calling the Department at (800) 566-1088, or at www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/religioused. The catalog contains over 40 books, Church school products and small gifts.

A new selection of children’s books will assist teachers, parents and godparents in bringing the message of the Nativity and the Christmas season to life.

A number of gift books for teens is also included, along with a small collection of Christmas ornaments. There are also several publications to assist in preparation for the Christmas Fast and Epiphany.

The Department of Religious Education has released the 2010 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics, Topic Tips, and Bibliography.

This year there is a topic related to the environment in honor of the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The topics can be found on the Department of Religious Education webpages on the Archdiocese website www.goarch.org/ archdiocese/departments/religioused/sjcof Now entering its 27th year, the St John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival invites young people from grades 7 to 12 to research, prepare, and deliver a short talk on one of the topics.

According to Dr. Anton Vrame, director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese, “Public speaking is still considered an important life skill and those with experience in it are highly regarded by college admissions committees. We have also learned of young people who have decided to pursue careers in communication and media because of their participation in the Festival.

Finally, the Festival prepares young people to explain their religious faith and its precepts to their friends and neighbors in the multi-religious environment of the United States.”

The Oratorical Festival begins at the parish level. Top speakers in each division then move on to District and from there to Metropolis–level festivals.

Finally, the first place speaker in each division from each Metropolis will participate in the Archdiocese Oratorical Festival.

In September, representatives from the Direct Archdiocese District met at the Archdiocese to discuss ways to increase participation in the District.

They discussed the need for regular contact between the District’s Religious Education director and the parish priests, especially encouraging them to take advantage of the resources from the Department to assist parish festival planners.

Attendees included Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos, Fr. Anastasios Pourakis, Presbytera Haidee Marangos, Dr. Anton Vrame, Bishop Savas, Eva Vaniotis, Fr Gerasimos Makris, Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos, and Vivian Casil.

They met at the Archdiocese to discuss ways to boost participation in the Oratorical Festival by parishes in the Direct Archdiocese District.

The 2010 Archdiocese Festival will take place June 4-6 in New York, hosted by the Direct Archdiocese District and Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan.

A Summary of Reports at Archdiocesan Council Meeting

texts on the Bible and the Ecumenical Patriarchate and is also in the process of creating electronic venues for religious educators to ask questions and communicate with one another. In his presentation, Chairman Jerry Clonaris noted that statistics in the recent SWOT Report showed that “the very clear number one concern of parishes is the lack of religious education.” In comments from council members, Dimitri Moskos recommended the creation of “Lord’s Prayer, Creed and Christos Anesti hymn cards in phonetic Greek. The department also has released two ‘zines, Heaven on Earth, a spiritual guide to the Divine Liturgy Youth – Projects and programs of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries currently underway include:

research on the state of young adult ministry throughout the Archdiocese, the completion and distribution of the Youth Protection Manual, Orthodox Christian Fellowship, a camping ministries update, new JOY and GOYA curricula, among others.

Communications – Upcoming plans for the Department include: developing a starter kit of GOTelecom DVDs for parishes to establish a lending library, initiate viral videos sent by e-mail, setting up a YouTube channel where videos can be uploaded, identifying five parishes undertaking a significant event and assisting them in obtaining local media coverage, reaching out to college students by encouraging parishes to sponsor one-year subscriptions to the Orthodox Observer for every year the stu-

dent is in college, retaining an ad agency for national ad sales in the Observer, and other projects.

Administration – Following up on the “Gather My People to My Home” theme, each metropolis is encouraged to recognize parishes with outstanding initiative programs.

The upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress in Atlanta also was discussed, along with ways to encourage greater participation among parishes at a lower cost. Other topics included continuing pastoral education for priests and enhanced training for parish council members.

Greek Education – A survey of level one Greek teachers on educational progress being made will take place in May. The

annual teacher training seminar will again take place at the University of Cyprus. Regarding the Direct Archdiocese District Office of Education, the 10 parochial schools have an enrollment of 1,923 students for the 2009-10 school year. Last year, the district schools received $78,000 in federal funds for professional development and teaching materials.

Technology –The Department of Internet Ministries oversaw all digital communications for the U.S. visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios, and enhanced its coverage through Web services that included Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Blogs.

Marriage and Family – Recently some 750 families received a survey on religious practices in the home.

10

Commentaries and Opinions

Studying the Scriptures: A Necessary Spiritual Discipline

What is the Bible?

by Fr. Steven Tsichlis

First of two parts

The Bible is not merely a single book, but a whole library of books containing many different kinds of writings: poetry, prayers, hymns, historical narratives, biographies, prophecies, letters, proverbs, love songs and much, much more.

So the Bible contains a rich variety of books, authors and contents. Some of the sacred authors remain anonymous.

Others, like Moses, David, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are household names. And some books were produced by a process of compilation, revision and the merging of oral and written traditions.

But what constitutes the unifying theme of all these different kinds of writings? The Bible – literally, the Book - is first and foremost the story of God’s love for His creation, His love for the human race, His love for you and me, beginning with the creation of the universe in Genesis, continuing through the formation of the people of Israel and the sending of His prophets in the Old Testament; and, “in these last days” (Hebrews 1:1), the sending of His Son, “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14) in Jesus Christ, to heal, redeem and save us; the formation of the new community of the Church by the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost as His Body and Bride; and ultimately, on the Day of Judgment, the condemnation of all evil and the re-creation of the universe as described in the Book of Revelation.

The Bible contains the answers to the most fundamental questions that we as human beings can ask. The Bible tells us: 1.) who God is and what He has done for us; 2.) what it means to truly be a human being and what the purpose of our life is; and 3.) how each of us should respond – with our whole life, as we say in the Liturgy – to what God has done for us in His love.

However, it’s an unfortunate fact that we Orthodox Christians often do not read the Bible as we should. We may revere the Bible, but we don’t actually read it.

An Orthodox Christian who can read but doesn’t read the Bible on a daily basis is a contradiction in terms. Writing more than 1,600 years ago, a great saint like John Chrysostom (354-407 AD) could say: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is a deep abyss.

Not knowing the Scriptures is the cause of all evils. A Christian cannot help but read the Scriptures. To be a Christian is to rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit and the Spirit speaks to us through the Scriptures.” Or, as St. Jerome (347-420AD) said even more bluntly: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.”

It has been said: “Most books inform, a few reform, but only the Bible transforms.” In fact, the Bible does all three!

The Bible informs us about the history of God’s dealings with the human race and most specifically about His love for us as expressed in the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible provides the basis for reforming us, because in its pages we find the ideals and standards by which we are to live. And the Bible transforms us because in it we come face to face with the grace and power of Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. In this sense, the Bible is sacramental because it conveys the presence of Christ in the Holy Spirit. “Whenever you read the Gospels,” writes St. Tikhon of Zadonsk (1724-1783), “Christ Himself

is speaking to you. And while you read, you are praying and talking with Him.” To pick up the Bible and read it can never be a neutral act: we must say either “Yes” or “No” to the God whose message is contained within its pages.

An outstanding example One of the clearest examples of the Biblical text fully conveying the presence of Christ in the Holy Spirit is the story told by the late Metropolitan Anthony Bloom (1914-2003), one of the greatest Orthodox spiritual writers of the 20th century, of the first time he ever picked up a Bible as a teenager and the impact it had on him: “I met Christ as a Person at a moment when I needed him in order to live, and at a moment when I was not in search of him. I was found; I did not find him. I was a teenager then. Life had been difficult in the early years and now it had of a sudden become easier. All the years when life had been hard I had found it natural, if not easy, to fight; but when life became easy and happy I was faced quite unexpectedly with a problem: I could not accept aimless happiness. Hardships and suffering had to be overcome, there was something beyond them. Happiness seemed to be stale if it had no further meaning. As it often happens when you are young and when you act with passion, bent to possess either everything or nothing, I decided that I would give myself a year to see whether life had a meaning, and if I discovered it had none I would not live beyond the year.

“One day, it was during Lent, and I was then a member of one of the Russian youth organizations in Paris, one of our leaders came up to me and said, ‘We have invited a priest to talk to you, come’. I answered with violent indignation that I would not. I had no use for Church. I did not believe in God. I did not want to waste any of my time. Then my leader explained to me that everyone who belonged to my group had reacted in exactly the same way, and if no one came we would all be put to shame because the priest had come and we would be disgraced if no one attended his talk.

“My leader was a wise man. ‘Don’t listen,’ he said. ‘I don’t care, but sit and be a physical presence’. That much loyalty I was prepared to give to my youth organization and that much indifference I was prepared to offer to God and his minister.

So I sat through the lecture, but it was with increasing indignation and distaste.

When the lecture was over I hurried home in order to check the truth of what he had been saying. I asked my mother whether she had a book of the Gospels. I expected nothing good from my reading, so I counted the chapters of the four Gospels to be sure that I read the shortest, not to waste time unnecessarily. And thus it was the Gospel according to St Mark which I began to read.

“I do not know how to tell you of what happened. I will put it quite simply and those of you who have gone through a similar experience will know what came to pass. While I was reading the beginning of St Mark’s Gospel, before I reached the third chapter, I became aware of a Presence. I saw nothing. I heard nothing. It was no hallucination. It was a simple certainty that the Lord was standing there and that I was in the Presence of Him whose life I had begun to read with such revulsion

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DECEMBER 2009

ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

The Nativity in Christ We have beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten Son of the Father.

John 1:14

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, On this holy feast of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, we gather in joyous celebration of the One who gives us rebirth and new life. We offer praise to God for His abundant grace and for His divine plan for our redemption and salvation. We do this in a manner that is filled with beauty, honor and glory, as this is what is due to the commemoration of a uniquely miraculous and wonderful event by which God became man and dwelt among us.

Through our celebration of the Nativity of Christ, our souls and minds are directed to contemplate the glory of His Incarnation. We hear and sing of this in the hymns of the feast. We read the passages from the Holy Scriptures that tell of the angels giving glory to God in the highest and of the shepherds returning to their flocks glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen (Luke 2:14, 20).

This glory of the Incarnation revealed in the Nativity of Christ continued throughout His life and ministry as He took upon himself the challenges of our human condition. His life in communion with God and humanity was an exaltation of what human life was intended to be. Christ by word and deed showed that the chains of sin could be broken and the permanency of death overcome. Through faith in Him and the salvation offered, we could know and experience a blessed life of peace and joy forever.

Further, the glory of the Incarnation was revealed through our Lord’s message of grace and truth. This was not a message that was dependent on the glory and might of military victory. It was not associated with the earthly glory of political power. The glory of the Incarnation was revealed through His love for us and through the Gospel of truth. He proclaimed, “I have come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). In grace and truth He offered to us the love of God. Into a world that was marred by animosity, greed, and pride, He brought a beautiful and enduring witness of divine love; and into a world burdened by deceit and vain pursuits, He proclaimed the truth and nature of our creation, our being, and our relationship with God. Finally, the glory of the Incarnation is revealed in the transforming power of Jesus’ presence. What was lost in the Fall of Adam and Eve is found in His Incarnation and its amazing consequences. Through His appearance among us, our Lord leads us out of the darkness of evil and into the uncreated light of eternal truth. As He dwells with us, He effects our transformation from sin to holiness. As the Good Shepherd, He guides us from despair to hope. As the Incarnate Word of God, He shows us the way to overcome our alienation so that we might live in full and eternal communion with Him. As our Master, He leads us out of the wilderness and into paradise.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters, On the day of our Lord’s birth, the glory of His Incarnation was revealed to all of those who were blessed to witness this unique and transcendent act of God’s love. In our commemoration of this holy day, may we all bear witness to the glory of the Incarnation through the witness of what our Lord has done for us and by His loving and saving presence in our midst. May our thoughts and words express the glory and honor that belongs to the One who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). And may our experience of the glory of His Incarnation lead us to tell everyone of what we have seen and heard so that all will come and worship Him.

With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

11

DECEMBER 2009

 Bring in the non-believers, doubters

 Save money this Christmas!

Editor Reading His Eminence’s article on “Concerns about Faith” brings to mind an article I did for our church bulletin.

However, for those truly concerned about their faith and their eternal salvation, they must have direction.

He says human beings have pondered the meaning of life and the existence of God for ages and ages.

However, unless we seek out His word and attend His church, how can we learn about Him and His purpose for our lives?

God’s house is there for us to attend, and if we don’t show up, then we are not too concerned with our time on earth or our eternal salvation.

Our Orthodox leaders can teach, but if man is not there, how can he learn?

As true believers, we need to make a concerted effort to bring non-believers or the doubters back to church.

We can’t put our heads in the sand and wonder why we don’t understand what His purpose is for our lives. As I’m reading Psalms, chapter 19, almost the whole chapter pertains to our relationship to God and what He expects of us, as His followers.

It opens your eyes and your mind if you are truly concerned with your salvation. Verses 7-11 read as follows. “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making the wise simple. The statues of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.”

He says His word is perfect, so why do we doubt, and that His testimony is sure, and He makes the wise simple, as He explains in plain language. We have no reason not to understand what He’s saying. He says his statues are right, which should make our hearts glad and brighten our eyes. The fear (awe) of the Lord is clean, so no need to ever change or doubt anything, He says.

His judgments are righteous, and to be desired even more than gold, yes, and even sweeter than the honey from the honeycomb. In other words, there is nothing more righteous or pure than God’s righteous judgments. Not only that, but for years and years, He’s been warning mankind and giving each of us a chance to change and follow Him while we are still here on earth.

After death, there is no chance to change. We must do His will while time permits. Salvation is for those who truly believe and Trust in Him. As we consider His written word, are we upholding all His Commandments?

Are we honoring Him at all times? Do we honor the Sabbath, by attending His house of worship each Sunday? Do we support His house of worship, as we know we can and know we should? Do we teach our children to love, obey, and worship Him? Do we help by showing compassion to the poor and the hungry and the homeless? Are we concerned with our children’s eternal salvation, as well as our own? Will heaven be our final destination? Let’s all try harder to follow His word and bring others to Him. Eternal salvation is for those who truly trust and believe in Him. Fran Glaros-Sharp Clearwater, Fla.

Editor One way to save money this Christmas is not to give presents to everyone; just celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Lord, and our God. This can be done by attending church services and praying for our family, friends and all of God’s people.

There is no reason to receive presents on Christmas. On TV, the Internet, etc. we see Santa Claus, snowman, reindeer, etc.; that has nothing to do with Jesus and His birth. Numerous people may say that giving presents to each other is a nice thing to do. Others say that remembering Jesus is a nice thing to do. If we wish to give presents, remember our church, give food to the hungry, cloth the poor, help people in need of help, simply follow Jesus’ directions within the Bible.

We should choose whatever our heart desires. On judgment day, we will know if we have chosen the right path. Merry Christmas and may God bless you and your family always.

Spyros Sipsas Moorpark, Calif.

 An important detail Editor While reading Mr. Jim Golding’s article on page 19 of the September issue regarding the Three Hierarchs Orthodox Church in Champaign, Ill., these words of the poet Emmanuel Lykoudis came to my mind: “Έχει τόσο αδύνατο μνημονικό η Ευγνωμοσύνη!” (Gratitude has such a weak memory!).

Mr. Golding, who was reporting on the history of the parish, left out the most important part of how the parish obtained the present Church and Greek Heritage Center, let alone the 2,800 square feet priest’s house and the six (two-bedroom, 1,350 square feet, low rent) condominiums for the elder parishioners. Jim Golding is reporting that “a lengthy fund raising effort resulted in the building of the community’s present church….”

There was no fundraising effort and it was not lengthy at all. Only one person contributed several million dollars, “pronto,” to offer these buildings to God and the community: John P. Trebellas. Just a dozen parishioners donated only the altar icons and some sacramental items.

John P. Trebellas, a well-known philanthropist of the Orthodox Church, was not only a great benefactor of the Champaign-Urbana parish, but also of the Archdiocese of the Americas, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Greece, and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Year after year, he bailed out the Champaign parish from their budget deficits. He gave numerous scholarships to Greek and Greek American students to complete their studies at the University of Illinois, undergraduate and graduate. He gave numerous scholarships and financial support to devoted Orthodox youths to study in seminaries and theological schools. He also helped several Greek families and businesses in times of hardship. His humility and modesty have exceeded even the teachings of the fathers of the Church.

It is sad to refer to this Great Greek as “a parishioner who passed away two years ago, John Trivelas [sic] made a gift to the church so the parish wouldn’t need to have a Greek festival.” The same senseless information was aired on a local radio to promote the September, 2009 Greek festival of Champaign.

Is this the legacy John Trebellas left to the Orthodox World? Should he be remembered as the guy who “put up”

  page 32

To Our Supporters, Friends, Co-workers and Advertisers We Wish Merry Christmas and a Blessed & Happy New Year

12

DECEMBER 2009

MARRIAGE and FAMILY

Avoid Arguments Related to Your Religious Differences: Ten Strategies

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

Looking to BUY or SELL a Home in Florida?

21737 State Road 7 Boca Raton, Florida 33428 Office: 1 888 350–2345 Ext. 318 Office: 1 561 488–1669 Direct

ΟΜΙΛΟΥΜΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

”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 trial very 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 10 suggested strategies can potentially help couples not only avoid these arguments but also neutralize their toxic effects.

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 Christcentered 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.

  page 32

13

DECEMBER 2009

Palos Hills Church Honors Fr. Byron Papanikolaou for 50 Years’ Service

Photo: D. Panagos

Archbishop Takes Part in Astoria Thanksgiving Day Program

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America visited the Greek American Homeowners Association in Astoria on Thanksgiving Day on the occasion of the organization’s 20th annual Thanksgiving Lunch.

His Eminence congratulated the organization officials and volunteers and helped in the serving of the meals. He is shown in the picture above with the Association’s president, George Kitsios, and New York State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris.

For the last 20 years the organization has held an annual Thanksgiving

Lunch for those in the community who are either in need, or elderly or have no one else to share a meal with on Thanksgiving Day. The days preceding Thanksgiving, the organization delivers turkeys to families who are less fortunate and would not otherwise be able to afford a holiday dinner. On Thanksgiving, volunteers deliver meals to people in the community who are homebound or sick.

Many volunteers work tirelessly for many days making this program possible.

Donations for this year’s program were made in memory of Konstantinos and Marina Fakiris, Melina Alexiou and Tom Alafogianis.

New Bedford Parish Builds Church NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - - Parishioners of St. George Church recently celebrated the opening of the doors of their new place of worship, which includes a church and a cultural center.

This official opening of the larger, handicapped-accessible church marked the completion of Phase I relocation of the church from Ashley Boulevard in New

Bedford to a six-acre site on Cross Road.

The 4,700-square-foot building contains a church with a seating capacity of 160, an attached function room for 60 persons and administrative offices.

Phase 2 of the project would convert this building into a function hall only and construct a more grand church to the south with a connecting link between the two.

Book Presentation Slated at Cathedral “Archbishop Demetrios of America, The First Decade 1999-2009”

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

NEW YORK – A new book entitled “Archbishop Demetrios of America, The First Decade 1999-2009” was presented to the public Thursday Dec. 17, at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Center of Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in Manhattan.

It is a beautifully produced book that presents a full spectrum of the activities in the life of the Greek Orthodox Church in America from the years 1999-2009, the first 10 years of Archiepiscopal Ministry of Archbishop Demetrios of America. The 368-page high-gloss, hard cover book contains

537 photographs, all the work of the official photographer of the Archdiocese Dimitrios Panagos, and it is masterfully compiled and edited by journalist Revekka Papadopoulou.

The book presentation was hosted

by FAITH – An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, and it will be made in the presence of Archbishop Demetrios, by Mike Emanuel, White House Correspondent-Fox News; Michael Ignatiou, Washington Correspondent - Ethnos & Mega TV; Panikos Panagiotou, Correspondent - Athens News Agency and Apostolos Zoupaniotis, editor – Greek News.

This book was first presented to

PALOS HILLS, Ill. – As part of its yearlong centennial celebration, Sts. Constantine and Helen Church honored its pastor emeritus, Fr. Byron Papanikolaou, for his 50 years of service to the community.

A celebration took place Oct. 24 at the Oakbrook Hills Marriott Resort that brought together the many generations of people who have shared so many experiences and memories in the parish.

The event featured reminiscences by emcee Danae Alexander; State Rep. Dan Lipinski; Gala Chairs Ned and Deanne Savide; Anniversary Chairs Ted Argiris and Georgia Vouris; Parish Council President: John Arvanetes; parish pastor Fr. Nicholas Jonas; Palos Hills Mayor Gerald Bennett; a past assistant priest, Fr. Dean Paleologos; Fr. Byron and his son, Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou; Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and Bishop Demetrios, the Metropolis Chancellor.

The program included an icon presentation of Fr. Byron and Presbytera Cynthia’s patron saints.

The evening also featured the screen-

FR. BYRON PAPANIKOLAOU

ing of a short subject documentary titled, “Ipomoni – A Century of Faith and Perseverance,” covering the history of the parish with a tribute to Fr. Byron told by those who have lived through the events that shaped their lives.

Las Vegas Parish Celebrates 50th Anniversary LAS VEGAS – St. John the Baptist Church recently observed its 50th Anniversary with a joyous three-day weekend of events. Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco attended the entire celebration honoring of one of the Metropolis’ most active parishes.

“Our Golden Heritage” was celebrated beginning on Friday, Oct. 16, with an evening of lectures on Orthodoxy, Byzantine architecture, and iconography.

Speakers included Fr. John Hondros, parish priest; Christ Kamages, architect of the church, and community and education center; and Bishop Ilia Katre of Philomelion, former pastor of the parish.

The brief lectures in the church were followed by the unveiling in the community and education center, of a pictorial chronological exhibit of the 50 years of the parish history.

This “Decades Exhibit” included about 700 picture board montages comprising more than 7,000 photos, newspaper articles and other memorabilia depicting the life of the parish.

The celebration of Saturday, Oct. 17 began with Great Vespers and Artoclasia in the Church with Metropolitan Gerasimos followed by a festive, traditional Greek Village glendi with dancing music by The Archbishop Demetrios for his 10th Anniversary of his enthronement by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Oct. 28, during the Archdiocesan Leadership dinner held in the Central Park Boat House in honor of his All Holiness.

Copies of the book were available for sale during the event and were signed by Archbishop Demetrios and the authors. The proceeds will benefit a fellowship fund initiated by the Archbishop.

Copies can also be ordered from the Archdiocese ($75 per copy + $10 S&H) by calling (212) 774-0244, or email: gotel@goarch.org

Olympians.

A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated on Sunday, Oct. 18 by the Metropolitan along with a memorial service for the departed members of the parish.

Following the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Gerasimos presented the Medal of St. Paul to Helen Tsouras, one of the original founding members of St. John church who served on the first parish council in 1959.

Mrs. Tsouras was also a founding member of the Panagia chapter of the Ladies Philoptochos Society, which was organized prior to the parish’s incorporation.

Through the strenuous early fundraising efforts of the membership, the Philoptochos helped to establish the parish and subsequently to acquire the first church building in 1961.

The current church facilities opened in 1992, with the parish being consecrated in June 2005. Under the present leadership of Fr. John Hondros, the parish now serves 500 steward families and offers dynamic ministries including adult and youth religious education classes, awardwinning youth choir and Greek folk dance groups, an active Philoptochos chapter, senior citizens ministry, and outreach programs which support the civic community.

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DECEMBER 2009

15

DECEMBER 2009

Communicating Love Without Words Reflecting on the Team Experience to South Korea

by Meredyth (Sophia) Houpos

Members of the OCMC Board of Directors.

OCMC Board Holds Fall Meeting

by Alex Goodwin

CRESTWOOD, N.Y. – This year’s fall meeting of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center Board, held Nov. 16-18 at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary, offered an opportunity to discuss new developments since the Board’s last meeting in May at the dedication of the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building in St. Augustine, Fla. Agenda items considered and actions taken included the acceptance of three long-term missionary candidates, the growth of the Support-a-Mission-Priest (SAMP) program, which now helps 400 indigenous clergy in 19 mission countries worldwide, the Ambassador program’s continuing expansion, and the hiring of OCMC’s new major gifts officer Amy Pierce - all indications that the intent of North American Orthodox Christians to make disciples of all nations remains strong.

More than 200 applicants have expressed interest in and are in some stage of consideration for missionary service.

The positive developments, however, were tempered by the news that, as with most non-profit groups, OCMC is feeling the effects of the economic recession.

This year saw the lowest number of Mission Team member participants in years.

Donations supporting the work of OCMC also dropped.

As a result, the Board discussed measures needed to weather the lingering storm while expanding its ministries to meet the growing need for Orthodox Christian witness around the world.

These efforts include detailed scrutiny of the 2010 budget, increased emphasis on enrolling new members in the Friends of Missions program and other fundraising appeals. Also planned in the next few months are dinners and other events sponsored by local Mission committees in Chicago, St. Louis, Washington and South Florida. A dinner was held in Denver in November.

Seminary Chancellor the Very Rev. Dr. Chad Hatfield, OCMC Board vice president, hosted the meetings. Sessions involved Executive Committee and Strategic Planning Committee members.

The current Strategic Plan is midway through its five-year term and will be reviewed and updated.

On Nov. 17, between Matins and

Vespers in the Seminary’s Three Hierarch Chapel, Board members heard reports on the OCMC’s ministries for 2009 and considered goals for 2010, including individual departmental operational plans.

OCMC Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi discussed his recent trip to Pakistan and Africa where, on the OCMC’s behalf, he received the St. Mark award from Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa.

He also talked about the Church’s efforts to reach the Turkana people of Northern Kenya and the emerging Church in Pakistan.

Later that evening a benefit banquet took place at nearby Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, pastored by former OCMC Board member Fr. Nicholas Anctil.

Guest speaker was retired Bishop Seraphim of Sendai, Japan. His Grace shared his own missionary experiences in Japan and how St. Nikolai inspired him to effectively make disciples of the Japanese people.

He urged audience members to continue the work of St. Nikolai among different cultures, and among those encountered in their daily lives.

Also in attendance was Bishop Savas of Troas, director of the Archdiocese Office of Church and Society.

Following Matins on Nov.18, the Board concluded its meeting with several committee reports.

The Nominations Sub-Committee, chaired by President Emeritus Fr. Alexander Veronis, opened nominations for new Board officers starting three-year terms in the spring including president, vice president, secretary and treasurer.

In the report from the Teams Task Force, Chairman George Conopeotis discussed new strategies for helping more of the faithful answer the call to missions by participating on short-term teams.

Other committee presentations included Governance, Development, Health Care and wrap-ups on the new Building Construction and Dedication events.

Though the future may hold continued challenges, it is a testament to God’s will that He desires salvation for all people and indicative of the deep faith of Orthodox Christians in North America that they carry on the work of missions.

OCMC is the official mission agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).

Starting out our Mission Team experience in Seoul at the Metropolis was nice.

We were there to help teach English at a camp hosted by the Church, and being at the Metropolis enabled us to get our lessons together. It also afforded us some time to see a little bit of the city. Most importantly, it was good to get to know His Eminence and Athanasia (who helped coordinate the entire camp).

We headed to Chuncheon on Sunday, and that’s when things really started. We had 34 kids for 11 days. Our typical day consisted of getting up at 7:30 am, Church Service and Bible Lesson at 8:00 am, Breakfast at 8:45 am, 1st English Lesson Hour at 9:30 am, 2nd English Lesson Hour at 10:30 am, 3rd English Lesson Hour at 11:30 am (which was learning English songs), next was lunch, then the activity of the day, which consisted of everything from discussions with the Bishop to watching the Junior Olympics to boating in little Swan boats (and much more, of course).

Dinner was always good and needed.

There was an entire team of women who took good care of us and cooked fantastic Korean food. After dinner we had some free time and would sometimes watch the older boys put on funny skits. At 8 pm we would have an evening service; it was always candlelit and beautiful with all the children chanting. We wouldn’t just leave the church though; we’d all kneel down after service and take as much time as needed to pray before getting the Bishop’s blessing and heading into the night. With 34 kids the peace of that service didn’t last too long.

The kids spent the rest of the evening playing (we couldn’t wear them out!) until bedtime at 11 (and you know that’s an arbitrary number). Whew, I’m getting tired just telling you all about our days!

God really blessed me with the lesson of communicating love without words. At first it was hard seeing the Korean teachers become close with the children when I just couldn’t. Some of the kids became pretty frustrated not being able to speak to me.

However, through the week I started finding that a head rub, a pat on the back, or charades were good ways to show what I couldn’t say. There was one little boy who spoke some Korean but was Russian. The only English he really knew was “Teacher” and “I am Russian.” One day we caught dragonflies and frogs together, and after that he would come running to me every

time he caught a spider or some other little creepy-crawly. That was so special for me.

One little girl and I had our own little sign language taking place. Somehow we really understood each other. One of the most beautiful moments of non-verbal communication was the night His Eminence taught us how to make komboskini (prayer rope).

I remember distinctly sitting between a Russian lady and a Korean lady, and we all shared our triumphs and failures without words.

His Eminence didn’t just stress knowing the parables or learning English: he focused on being a Christian in every aspect of our lives. He taught the children (and really, us adults, too) how to live together, how to love each other, how to deal with conflicts, and how to play together. He made sure we understood how important it was to act as a family. We broke the kids out into teams, and each team had a team chant. At first none of the teams really wanted to do their chants, but some of the more outgoing boys started doing everyone’s chant. It was so funny, especially when they imitated the girls’ groups, and by the end of the camp every team was doing every chant together (and each time it was just as funny as the last).

His Eminence, Father Jeramiahs, and the deacons didn’t just preach–they also practiced their preaching. After every meal they would vacuum, clean up crumbs, or put on an apron and some gloves and clean dishes. What great examples they were! They also got involved in games with the children. We also learned from them a tradition of asking forgiveness from our family members on the eve of Holy Communion. This was such a beautiful idea that my husband and I have started doing it at home, too. One thing the Bishop said in regards to going to confession or not eating before receiving was, “If they don’t learn it here, where will they learn it?” He was a great teacher.

Korea is an interesting country. It’s so lush and green and the mountains just jut out of the landscape. The people are good, spiritual people. His Eminence really emphasized how beautiful and important the Korean culture is. He showed that Orthodoxy and the Korean culture can really exist together. They actually have a CD out now of Korean chanting. I’m not an expert, but I’ve heard it’s a bit of a mixture between the Byzantine and Russian styles, while also incorporating Korean traditional instruments.

Merry Christmas from

Leon and Robyn Andris Clio, Nick and Zoe

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I n

Fr. Kyriakos Axarides Fr. Kyriakos Axarides, 51, a former pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Lewiston, Maine, died Oct. 3 after a lengthy illness.

Since 1996, he had been on loan to the American Farm School in Thessaloniki.

Fr. Axarides was born April 11, 1958 in Sphendame, Pierias, Greece. He immigrated to the United States in 1975 and attended high school in East Chicago, Ind. He received a GED. He enrolled at Hellenic College and earned a BA degree in pre-theology after four years. He received his M.Div. degree at Holy Cross and was also studying for a Master’s in Theology.

In August 1992, he married Panagiota Harisiadou of Thessaloniki, who died in November 1995. They had one son, Evangelos.

Metropolitan Methodios ordained him to the diaconate on May 23, 1993, and to the priesthood on June 30, 1993 at Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline, Mass.

MichaelGeorgeCantonis TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Michael George Cantonis, 94, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, member of Leadership 100 and an executive committee member of the Archdiocesan Council, died Nov. 17, at a Clearwater hospital.

He was born on the island of Symi, Greece on May 25, 1915 to George Michael and Chrysanthi Giallourakis Cantonis.

At age 17, Michael left Greece for the United States, arriving through Ellis Island in 1934. He first worked for his uncles, The Giallourakis Brothers’ Sponge Company, in Florida before moving to New York in 1938.

Soon after moving to New York, he borrowed $1,000 and founded ACME Sponge & Chamois Company Inc. In 1947 He married Anastasia Harras.

They moved to Chicago where they settled in Park Ridge. They raised their three children, George, James and Cynthia.

In 1977, after 30 years in Chicago, Michael moved his company to Tarpon Springs to be adjacent to the location of the existing chamois manufacturing plant and natural sponge operation.

Until his final days, Michael remained active in ACME and also served as board

M e m o r i a m

chairman of the Cantonis Company.

He also had a career-long commitment to several philanthropic organizations and interests, including an endowment fund to Hellenic College-Holy Cross for a Chair in Byzantine Studies; An endowment at the University of Florida in Gainesville for the Department of Greek Studies; Tarpon Springs Public Library; The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Archdiocese; St. Andrew’s Church in Chicago and St. Nicholas Church of Tarpon Springs.

He established the Michael G. Cantonis Sanctuary Fund at St. Michael the Archangel in Lecanto, Fla., for a new church and community center and made numerous other donations to churches, hospitals, schools and art centers throughout the United States and to his native island of Symi.

Throughout his lifetime, Michael received many honors; including: the Offikion of Archon Ieromnimon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by the late Patriarch Demetrios; Medal of the Holy Cross of the Crusaders of the Holy Sepulcher by the late Patriarch of Jerusalem, Venediktos; Gold Medal of the 50th Anniversary of the St. Andrews Community of Chicago, where he served for 24 years as treasurer, vice president, president and chairman of the board; Declaration as a Great Benefactor and the Key to the City of Tarpon Springs Award; Ellis Island Medal of Honor and numerous awards from the University of Florida.

He was predeceased by his younger brothers, Ted G. Cantonis and Constantine G. Cantonis of Tarpon Springs.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 63 years, Anastasia Harras; his three children and their spouses, George and Maria Cantonis, James Cantonis and Cynthia Cantonis Heller and Steve Heller; his four grandsons, Michael, Spiro, Matthew and Leigh; his two granddaughters, Anastasia and Alexandra; and his younger brother, Carl G. Cantonis of Fullerton, Calif.

Memorial donations may be made to The Morton Plant Mease Foundation, 1200 Druid Road S., Clearwater, FL 33756.

Fr. Arthur Kontinos

FORT MYERS, Fla. – Fr. Arthur K. Kontinos, 79, a retired priest of the Archdiocese, who is the founding father of Annunciation Church here, died Nov. 29.

He was born January 30, 1930, in

Keene, N.H. After completing public school in Keene, he enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology in 1948 and earned a bachelor’s degree and M.Div. in 1953.

He married Aspasia Kaplanis in June 1953. They had three children: Athanasia, Thomas and Constantine.

He was ordained by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzos as a deacon in August 1953 at St. George Church in Keene, and as a priest at Annunciation Church in Stamford, Conn.

He also was bestowed the offikia by Archbishop Iakovos of confessor, sakellarios, economos and protopresbyter.

Fr. Kontinos served the parishes of Annunciation in Woburn, Mass., from September 1953 to March 1956; Assumption in Aliquippa, Pa., from April 1, 1956 to October 1966; St. Athanasios in Arlington, Mass., from October 1966 to September 1976 and the Greek Orthodox Community of Southwest Florida, which was changed to Annunciation parish in Fort Myers, from October 1976 until his retirement in August 1998.

Under his leadership, the parish built its church complex and established its programs and ministries. The parish cultural center is named in his honor.

Funeral services took place Dec. 3 at Annunciation Church with Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos officiating, assisted by Fr. George Pappas and other clergy.

Fr. Efstathios Metallinos DETROIT – Archimandrite Efstathios Metallinos, 87, who was retired since July 1, 1996, died Nov. 30. He was a former chancellor and registrar of the Diocese of Detroit from 1981 until his retirement.

Fr. Metallinos was born July 7, 1922 in Klimatia, Greece. After completing high school in Athens, he entered the University of Athens and earned a B.S. degree in theology.

He was ordained by Bishop Alexios of Evripou in Athens as a deacon in September 1949 and as a priest in January 1950. He became a monk at Moni Agathonos in Fthiotidos and was elevated to Archimandrite rank by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Athens in December 1964.

He emigrated to the United States in January 1969 and served the parishes of Holy Trinity in Fort Wayne, Ind., from February until the end of May 1969; St. Mary’s in Johnstown, Pa., from December 1969 to October 1970, St. Spyridon in

South Florida Archons Meet in Boca Raton BOCA RATON, Fla.– The first annual dinner gathering of the Archons of South Florida and Naples took place in Boca Raton on Nov. 13.

Regional Commander John C. Scurtis planned the event at the Boca Raton Resort and Club.

The 41 dinner guests enjoyed a three-course seafood dinner and lively program. They were blessed to have the presence and support of Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop Andonios, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, and various clergy from New York and Boca Raton.

Fourteen Archons from South Florida were joined by their wives; members of the National Council; regional commanders Dr. Ted Vlahos from CentralNorth Florida, Dr. Manuel Tissura from Atlanta, Peter Skeadas from New York and Harold Peponis from Chicago; and other visitors from South Florida and throughout the U.S., including CMF keynote speaker and recent Archon inductee, Fox News White House Cor-

respondent Michael Emanuel.

The evening’s program began with an invocation from Bishop Andonios, followed by a quick round of introductions by all present. Recently retired National Council historian and fellow South Florida Archon, Christo Daphnides, had the audience enthralled with a short history on modern Archons and the meaning of the various offikia.

National Council Secretary John Halecky and Treasurer James Fountas screened a DVD on His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, highlighting his accomplishments, environmental activism, advocacy for religious freedom, and efforts at ecumenical dialogue and reconciliation among the churches of Christendom. They then led a lively discussion on the importance of supporting and participating in the annual Exarch’s Appeal.

Central and North Florida Regional Commander Ted Vlahos followed with a presentation on bills going before the Florida State House and Senate in the

2010 session (HM 191, SM 314), which urge Congress to encourage the government of Turkey to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch “appropriate international recognition, ecclesiastical succession, and [the] right to train clergy of all nationalities and to respect property rights and human rights of [the] Ecumenical Patriarchate.”

Finally, commanders Scurtis and Vlahos presented Archbishop Demetrios with a monogrammed leather portfolio, on behalf of the Archons of South Florida and Naples, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of his enthronement as Archbishop of America. The culmination of a truly inspirational evening came when Archbishop Demetrios spoke and imparted his wisdom and blessings upon all those present. There seemed to be a consensus among the Archons there that everyone parted with a feeling of camaraderie and renewed awareness of their common purpose to defend the Ecumenical Patriarch and Christ’s Holy Church.

DECEMBER 2009

Clarksburg, W.Va., from November 1970 to January 1973, Sts. Constantine and Helen in Detroit (second priest) from January 1973 until April 1975 and Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church in Plymouth Township, Mich., from May 1975 to August 1981, when he was named diocese chancellor.

He is survived by a brother, sister and niece in Greece.

Services took place at Nativity Church in Plymouth on Dec. 3.

Leo Peter Condakes Leo P. Condakes, of Swampscott, Mass., passed away Dec. 4, surrounded by his wife, Evanthea, and his beloved family. He was 85 years old.

Born on June 3, 1924 in Boston, where he grew up, Leo Condakes was a strong supporter of his church. He was the scion of an old Boston Greek-American family, whose patriarch founded Peter Condakes Company.

Leo and his brothers, George, John, and James, parlayed their passion for work and their creativity into making their father’s small family produce business in Boston into a New England giant.

Leo was educated in the Boston public school system, and later took classes at Wentworth Institute, before being drafted into the U. S. Army. Leo’s tour of duty in the army extended through the Korean War. Upon his discharge from military service, Leo rejoined his father and brothers at Peter Condakes Company.

The company grew to be the largest produce wholesaler in New England, along the way notching a few “firsts” for its industry.

A lifelong member of the Annunciation Cathedral of Boston, Leo served on its board of trustees.

He also helped expand the church’s reach in the Boston area, becoming an active member of five other area Greek Orthodox churches. His reputation was as one of the Church’s best known philanthropists.

In recognition of his service to the church, Leo became one of the first members of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100, and was a major benefactor of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul.

He also served on the Archdiocesan Council, and on the Executive Board of Trustees for Hellenic College-Holy Cross, of Brookline.

Appointed as an Archon, Leo attained the highest rank a lay person can hold in his Church.

In 2003, ever the proud Hellenic American, Leo received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations (NECO). The awards are presented annually in Ellis Island’s Great Hall, in tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America’s unique and dynamic cultural mix, to American citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their communities, their nation and the world.

Patrons of the arts, Leo and his wife were major benefactors of Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts, and funded the establishment of its Gallery of East Greek Art, which bears their names.

Leo is survived by his wife, Evanthea (Collatos), six children and their spouses, two sisters and 12 grandchildren.

He also leaves behind two sisters, Alexandra Alphas and her husband, Stephen, and Mary Gomatos, many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.

Services were held at Annunciation Cathedral.

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

Ἀδελφοί συλλειτουργοί καί τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ εὐλογηµένα, «Ὁ οὐρανός καί ἡ γῆ σήµερον ἡνώθησαν, τεχθέντος τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Σήµερον Θεός ἐπί γῆς παραγέγονε, καί ἄνθρωπος εἰς οὐρανούς ἀναβέβηκε»! (Ἰδιόµελον Λιτῆς Χριστουγέννων). Ἡ ἀπόστασις καί πόλωσις ἀνάμεσα εἰς τόν Θεόν καί τόν ἄνθρωπον, τήν ὁποίαν εἶχεν ἐπιφέρει ἡ ἁμαρτία τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, κατηργήθη μέ τήν πρόσληψιν ἀκεραίας τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης φύσεως ἀπό τόν Μονογενῆ Υἱόν καί Προαιώνιον Λόγον τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἡ κατά τήν «εὐδοκίαν» τοῦ Θεοῦ, κατά τό πρῶτον δηλαδή καί ὁλόθυμον θέλημά Του, Σάρκωσις τοῦ Υἱοῦ Του, καταργεῖ κάθε ἀπόστασιν, ἑνώνει τόν οὐρανόν μέ τήν γῆν καί συνάπτει τό δημιούργημα μέ τόν Δημιουργόν! «Σήμερον τῆς εὐδοκίας Θεοῦ τό προοίμιον καί τῆς τῶν ἀνθρώπων σωτηρίας ἡ προκήρυξις», ἔψαλεν ἡ Ἐκκλησία κατά τήν ἑορτήν τῶν Εἰσοδίων τῆς Θεοτόκου, ἡ ὁποία, διά τῆς ἀφιερώσεως τῆς μακαρίας Μαρίας εἰς τόν Ναόν καί τῆς ἐκεῖ προετοιμασίας της διά νά γίνῃ χωρίον τοῦ Ἀχωρήτου Θεοῦ, ἤνοιγε τόν δρόμον τῆς Ἐνσάρκου Οἰκονομίας τοῦ Θεοῦ καί προεκήρυττε τήν σωτηρίαν μας. «Σήμερον τῆς σωτηρίας ἡμῶν τό κεφάλαιον καί τοῦ ἀπ’ αἰῶνος μυστηρίου ἡ φανέρωσις˙ ὁ Υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ Υἱός τῆς Παρθένου γίνεται», ἔψαλε πάλιν ἡ Ἐκκλησία κατά τήν ἑορτήν τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, τότε πού συνετελέσθη ἐκ Πνεύματος Ἁγίου ἡ ἄσπορος σύλληψις τοῦ Ἀσυλλήπτου εἰς τήν ἁγίαν κοιλίαν τῆς Θεοτόκου καί ἤρχισε νά «συνυφαίνεται», ἡ θεία μέ τή ἀνθρωπίνην φύσιν, καί ὁ Θεός ἄνθρωπος γέγονεν, «ἵνα ἡμεῖς θεοποιηθῶμεν», κατά τή ἔκφρασιν τοῦ Μ. Ἀθανασίου. Ἡ «εὐδοκία», λοιπόν, ἡ ὁποία ἐχαιρετίσθη κατά τά Εἰσόδια, καί ἡ σωτηρία, ἡ ὁποία «ἐκεφαλαιώθη» καί ἐφανερώθη κατά τόν Εὐαγγελισμόν, σήμερον, κατά τήν μεγάλην καί ἁγίαν ἡμέραν τῶν Χριστου-

ΕΤΟΣ 74 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1254

ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ ΕΛΕΩ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ Κ ΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ ΤΩ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚ ΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ, ΕΛΕΟΣ Κ ΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΝ ΒΗΘΛΕΕΜ ΓΕΝΝΗΘΕΝΤΟΣ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ

γέννων, καθίσταται ἁπτή πραγματικότης! Σήμερον «ὁ Λόγος σάρξ ἐγένετο καί ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν» καί οἱ Ἄγγελοι ἐπανηγύρισαν τό γεγονός ψάλλοντες: «Δόξα ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ καί ἐπί γῆς εἰρήνη, ἐν ἀνθρώποις εὐδοκία»! Μέ τήν Σάρκωσιν, τήν Ἐνανθρώπησιν τοῦ Λόγου, ἤδη ἡ σωτηρία τοῦ ἀνθρωπίνου γένους ἔχει δυνάμει συντελεσθῆ. Διότι, ἐκεῖνοι οἱ ὁποῖοι, ἀφοῦ πιστεύσουν εἰς τόν Ἰησοῦν, ζήσουν ζωήν σύμφωνον μέ τήν πίστιν αὐτήν, σύμφωνον μέ τάς ἐντολάς καί τήν ὅλην διδασκαλίαν τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ὑψώνονται μέ τήν τοιαύτην θεάρεστον βιοτήν καί καθίστανται φίλοι καί κοινωνοί τοῦ Θεοῦ! Γίνονται «θείας κοινωνοί φύσεως», θεοί κατά χάριν! Τοῦτο συντελεῖται ἀποκλειστικῶς μέσα εἰς τήν Ἐκκλησίαν, ὅπου ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀναγεννᾶται ἐν Χριστῷ καί υἱοθετεῖται ὑπό τοῦ Πατρός διά τοῦ ἁγίου Βαπτίσματος, καί, ἐν συνεχείᾳ διά τῶν ἁγίων Μυστηρίων καί τῆς καλλιεργείας τῆς ἀρετῆς, πληροῦται θείας χάριτος καί Πνεύματος Ἁγίου καί αὐξάνει «εἰς ἄνδρα τέλειον, εἰς μέτρον ἡλικίας τοῦ πληρώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ», μέχρις ὅτου φθάσει νά λέγῃ μετά τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Παύλου: «ζῶ δέ οὐκέτι ἐγώ, ζῇ δέ ἐν ἐμοί Χριστός». Τούς οὕτω τελειομένους

ὁ Χριστός δέν τούς θεωρεῖ ἁπλῶς φίλους Του ἤ ἀδελφούς Του, ἀλλά τούς ἀναγνωρίζει ὡς μέλη τοῦ Σώματός Του. Διά τοῦτο καί ἔλεγεν ἀπό τοῦ ὕψους τοῦ Σταυροῦ πρός τήν Παναγίαν Μητέρα Του περί τοῦ Εὐαγγελιστοῦ Ἰωάννου: «Γύναι, ἴδε ὁ υἱός σου» καί εἰς τόν Ἰωάννην «ἰδού ἡ Μήτηρ σου». Τά Χριστούγεννα, λοιπόν, ἀνοίγουν διάπλατα τήν θύραν τῆς κατά χάριν χριστοποιήσεως καί θεοποιήσεως τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, καί ἕνεκα τούτου ἀκριβῶς «ἄγει ἑορτήν, ἐν χαρᾷ πᾶσα ἡ κτίσις, καί οἱ οὐρανοί σύν ἡμῖν ἀγαλλιῶνται» κατά τήν εὔσημον καί σωτήριον αὐτήν ἡμέραν! Μέ αὐτά τά χαρμόσυνα καί ἐλπιδοφόρα δεδομένα εἰς χεῖρας, ἀπευθύνομεν, ἀπό τῆς ἐν Φαναρίῳ καθηγιασμένης καθέδρας τοῦ πανσέπτου Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, θερμά ἑόρτια συγχαρητήρια καί ἐγκαρδίους Πατριαρχικάς εὐχάς ἐπί τῇ «μητροπόλει τῶν ἑορτῶν» πρός ἅπαντα τά ἀνά τόν κόσμον προσφιλῆ καί ἐπιπόθητα τέκνα τῆς ἁγιωτάτης Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας, κληρικούς παντός βαθμοῦ, μονάζοντας καί λαϊκούς, ἄρχοντας καί ἀρχομένους, μικρούς καί μεγάλους, μάλιστα δέ πρός τούς ἐμπεριστάτους, τούς ἐν θλίψει, ἀνάγκῃ καί δοκιμασίᾳ εὑρισκομένους. Εἴθε, ὁ ἐν σπηλαίῳ γεννηθείς καί ἐν φάτνῃ ἀνακλιθείς προαιώνιος Υἱός τοῦ Θεοῦ καί χάριν ἡμῶν Υἱός τοῦ Ἀνθρώπου, να καταστήσῃ πάντας ἡμᾶς ἀξίους τῆς κενωτικῆς ἀγάπης καί τῆς ἁγίας καί προσκυνητικῆς ἐνσάρκου οἰκονομίας Του! Φανάριον, Χριστούγεννα βθ΄

ÿ Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως διάπυρος πρός Θεόν εὐχέτης πάντων ὑμῶν

ΚΑΛΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ

ΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟΣ Ο ΚΑΙΝΟΥΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

Νεα τησ Αρχιεπισκοπησ Ποιμαντορική Επίσκεψη Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου στην Ιερά Μονή Αγίου Νεκταρίου, Ρόσκοου

Ο Οικουμενικός πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος με την πρόεδρο της οργανωτικής επιτροπής των Special Olympics «Αθήνα 2011» Γιάννα Δεσποτοπούλου στο Πατριαρχείο.

Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης εθελοντής στους Αγώνες Special Olympics «Αθήνα 2011» ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Εθελοντής των Παγκόσμιων Αγώνων Special Olympics «Αθήνα 2011» έγινε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος. Η πρόεδρος της οργανωτικής επιτροπής, Γιάννα Δεσποτοπούλου μετέβη στην έδρα του Πατριαρχείου στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και ενημέρωσε τον Προκαθήμενο της Ορθοδοξίας για την πορεία της διοργάνωσης, καθώς και τις προτεραιότητες του κινήματος των Special Olympics σε διεθνές επίπεδο. Συζητ ήθηκαν τρόποι με τους οποίους η Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία θα συνδράμει τους Αγώνες του 2011 κυρίως σε τομείς ευαισθητοποίησης και εθελοντισμού. Σ΄αυτό το πλαίσιο, η κ. Δεσποτοπούλου επέδωσε στον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη πρόσκληση, να τιμήσει με την παρουσία του τις εκδηλώσεις που θα διοργανωθούν στο πλαίσιο των Αγώνων. Ο Παναγιώτατος δεν έκρυψε τον ενθουσιασμό του, χαρακτηρίζοντας “ιερό” το έργο. Στη συνέχεια επέδωσε ιδιόχειρο σημείωμα, με τις ευλογίες του στους αθλητές των Special Olympics και την πρόεδρο της οργανωτικής επιτροπής, ενώ υπέγραψε την αίτηση εθελοντή. «Οι Παγκόσμιοι Αγώνες του 2011 αποτελούν έργο ιερό και χρειάζονται θυσίες. Η Αθήνα, η πόλη της Δημοκρατίας, η πόλη της Φιλοσοφίας, θα εκπέμψει εκείνες τις ημέρες ένα μήνυμα φιλίας και αλληλεγγύης σε όλον τον κόσμο. Πώς είναι δυνατόν, λοιπόν, να μην είμαστε όλοι στο πλευρό σας;»

Με αυτήν την ερώτηση, ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης εκδήλωσε την υποστήριξή του στους Αγώνες Special Olympics του 2011, ενώ τη στιγμή που υπέγραψε τη δήλωση εθελοντισμού, είπε χαρακτηριστικά: «Ευχαριστώ που μου δώσατε την ευκαιρία να συμμετάσχω. Εύχομαι καλή επιτυχία στο κοινωφελές έργο σας, κι αυτό σας το έγραψα και στο ιδιόχειρο σημείωμα. Χωρίς αγάπη δεν γίνεται τίποτα». Επίσης, δήλωσε ότι με ιδιαίτερη χαρά θα παραστεί στις εκδηλώσεις της διοργάνωσης του 2011: «Θα φροντίσω από τώρα, εκείνες τις ημέρες να μην αναλάβω κάτι άλλο. Πρώτα ο Θεός, να έχουμε υγεία και θα είμαι κοντά σας τον Ιούνιο του 2011». Κατά τη συνάντηση της Γιάννας Δεσποτοπούλου με τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη στο Πατριαρχικό Γραφείο, παρών ήταν και ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ελλάδας Βασίλης Μπορνόβας. Η κ. Δεσποτοπούλου μετά το τέλος της συνάντησης δήλωσε: «Ήταν εξαιρετική τιμή να γίνω δεκτή από τον Προκαθήμενο τ ης Ορθοδοξίας, ο oποίος με τα εμπνευσμένα λόγια του μου έδωσε δύναμη και κουράγιο να συνεχίσω με τον ίδιο ενθουσιασμό, μαζί με τους συνεργάτες μου, τη διοργάνωση αυτού του γεγονότος. Γεγονός εξόχως ανθρωπιστικό, πολιτιστικό, εκπαιδευτικό και αθλητικό. Η χώρα μας αντιμετωπίζει προβλήματα, αλλά είμαι σίγουρη πως η Πολιτεία, που έχει ως προτεραιότητα τις ευπαθείς κοινωνικές ομάδες, θα στηρίξει το έργο που έχουμε αναλάβει να φέρουμε εις πέρας».

Για ερωτήματα σχετικά με τον Κανονισμό για θέματα επιλήψιμης σεξουαλικής συμπεριφοράς κληρικών της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής ή για σχετικές καταγγελίες καλέστε χωρίς χρέωση τον ειδικό αριθμό (877) 544-3382 Όλες οι καταγγελίες θα ληφθούν σοβαρά υπ’ όψιν και θα διερευνηθούν πλήρως και με απόλυτη αμεροληψία. Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε Αγγλικά ή Ελληνικά σε εθελοντή ή εθελόντρια.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ - Ποιμαντική επίσκεψη στην Ιερά Μονή του Αγίου Νεκταρίου, που βρίσκεται στη κωμόπολη Roscoe της Νέας Υόρκης πραγματοποίησε ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος, την Τετάρτη 18 Νοεμβρίου 2009. Στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο επεφύλαξε θερμή υποδοχή, κατά την άφιξή του το προηγούμενο βράδυ, ο ηγούμενος της Ιεράς Μονής π. Ιωσήφ και η υπ’ αυτόν αδελφότης και αρκετοί ευλαβείς προσκυνητές που βρέθηκαν στη Μονή επ’ ευκαιρία της επισκέψεως του Αρχιεπισκόπου. Το πρωί της 18ης Νοεμβρίου ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος προέστη της Αρχιερατικής Θείας Λειτουργίας στον Ναό της Ι. Μονής, που είχε γεμίσει από προσκυνητές, και κατά την διάρκεια της χειροτόνησε εις διάκονον τον μοναχό Στέφανο Γιαννακούρο και εις πρεσβύτερον τον διάκονο Μιχαήλ Σάντος, τον οποίο την προηγούμενη ημέρα είχε χειροτονήσει εις διάκονον ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Φασιανής κ. Αντώνιος. Προ του τέλους της Θείας Λειτουρ-

γίας, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος απευθύνθηκε στο εκκλησίασμα και μίλησε για την σημασία της Ιεροσύνης, η οποία είναι το μυστήριο που αλλάζει ολοκληρωτικά τον άνθρωπο. «Ο επίσκοπος, ο ιερεύς, ο διάκονος και κατ’ επέκταση ο μοναχός», είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος, «θα πρέπει να ζει αυτό που λέγει ο Απόστολος Παύλος γράφοντας προς στους Γαλάτες Χριστώ συνεσταύρωμαι, έχω δηλαδή σταυρωθεί μαζί με τον Χριστό. Προσθέτει δε ο Παύλος Ζω δε ουκέτι εγώ, ζη δε εν εμοί Χριστός (Γαλατ.

2:19-20). O αληθινός κληρικός, επίσκοπος, ιερεύς, διάκονος, είναι οι άνθρωποι που έχουν σταυρωθεί με τον Χριστό και πρέπει να αισθάνονται ότι ζει μέσα τους ο Χριστός». «Εύχομαι οι δύο καινούργιοι κληρικοί οι οποίοι από σήμερα εμπλουτίζουν την ιερατική πλευρά της Ιεράς αυτής Μονής, αλλά και όλοι οι άλλοι κληρικοί, να είναι πάντα εικόνες, μαρτυρίες και αντανακλάσεις Ιησού Χριστού εν πάσι», κατέληξε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος. Στη συνέχεια ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος συνέφαγε με τους κληρικούς, τους μοναχούς και τους προσκυνητές στην Τράπεζα της Μονής.

Συνάντηση της Υπουργού Οικονομίας Λούκας Κατσέλη με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ - Η Υπουργός Οικονομίας, Ανταγωνιστικότητας και Ναυτιλίας, κυρία Λούκα Κατσέλη επισκέφθηκε την Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και συναντήθηκε με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο. Κατά την διάρκεια της συνάντησης που διήρκεσε μία περίπου ώρα και πραγματοποιήθηκε σε εγκάρδιο κλίμα συζητήθηκαν θέματα κοινού ενδιαφέροντος για την Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή και την Ομογένεια. Μετά το τέλος της συνάντησης η κυρία υπουργός δήλωσε: «Ήταν ιδιαίτερη τιμή να είμαι σήμερα εδώ με τον Σεβασμιώτατο, να μιλήσουμε για ζητήματα που αφορούν στην Εκκλησία, στην ελληνική κοινότητα και στο πραγματικά σημαντικό έργο το οποίο κάνει η Αρχιεπισκοπή και ο ίδιος ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος. Φεύγοντας έκανα μια δέσμευση το Ιονικό Χωριό στην Ελλάδα, να το φτιάξουμε, έτσι που να μπορεί πραγματικά να φιλοξενήσει νέα παιδιά της τρίτης και τέταρτης γενιάς, να έρχονται στην Ελλάδα σε συνθήκες οι οποίες πραγματικά είναι κατάλληλες, να γνωρίσουν την Ελλάδα, να γνωρίσουν τον πολιτισμό της, τη γλώσσα της και να γίνουν οι καλύτεροι πρεσβευτές για τη χώρα μας». Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ευχαρίστησε την κυρία Κατσέλη για την «πολύ ωραία ανταλλαγή απόψεων» και την «πολύ εποικοδομητική, πολύ ουσιαστική συζήτηση και για τα θέματα της Ελλάδος», και στη δήλωσή του μεταξύ άλλων ο Σεβασμιώτατος τόνισε: «Υπάρχει πάρα πολύ ενδιαφέρον από πλευράς Ομογένειας. Θέλουμε να δούμε την πατρίδα μας να προχωρεί γιατί έχει τεράστιες και μοναδικές δυνατότητες. Κάναμε επίσης αναφορά στα δικά μας θέματα, εδώ. Ιδιαιτέρως ευχαριστώ την κυρία υπουργό διότι έκανε αυτή την πάρα πολύ σημαντική δήλωση, η οποία έχει σχέση με το Ιονικό Χωριό [ πρόκειται για το κατασκηνωτικό

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Η Υπουργός κ. Λούκα Κατσέλη με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο. πρόγραμμα της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής που λειτουργεί στο Βαρθολομιό Ηλείας ]. Το Ιονικό Χωριό είναι μια πολύ ωραία προσπάθεια που γίνεται για τριάντα χρόνια, με 200-300 παιδιά σε κάθε κατασκηνωτική περίοδο και επομένως είναι μια θαυμάσια ευκαιρία για να κρατούμε ανοιχτό το δεσμό με τα παιδιά μας εδώ, όχι μόνο της τρίτης και τέταρτης γενιάς, αλλά και της πέμπτης και έκτης γενιάς. Είναι λοιπόν ένας πολύ ωραίος τρόπος και επομένως η πραγματοποίηση αυτής της ουσιαστικής συμπαραστάσεως στο Ιονικό Χωριό θα είναι ένα μεγάλο βήμα επίσης για θέματα προαγωγής των σχέσεων και των δεσμών μεταξύ της νέας γενεάς των Ελληνοαμερικανών και της Πατρίδος». Την κυρία Υπουργό συνόδευαν ο πρέσβης της Ελλάδος στις Η.Π.Α. Βασίλης Κασκαρέλης, η Γενική Πρόξενος στην Νέα Υόρκη Άγη Μπαλτά, οι σύμβουλοι της υπουργού Σάντρα Μανιουδάκη και Παρασκευή Μπουφούνου και ο εκπρόσωπος Τύπου του υπουργείου Σωτήρης Καψώχας.

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ: «Είμαστε ασυμβίβαστοι» ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Κατά τον Εσπερινό της φετινής Θρονικής Γιορτής του Αποστόλου Ανδρέου του Πρωτοκλήτου στο Φανάρι, ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος ομίλησε προς το εκκλησίασμα και απηύθηνε το πάντα επίκαιρο μήνυμα αισιοδοξίας και ελπίδας για την πορεία της Ομογένειας. Είπε μεταξύ άλλων: Ἀπό αὐτήν τήν Βασιλεύουσαν Πόλιν, ὑπό τήν προστασίαν τῆς Ὑπερμάχου ἡμῶν Στρατηγοῦ Ὑπεραγίας Θεοτόκου καί τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, ἀγωνιζόμεθα νά δίδωμεν τήν μαρτυρίαν τοῦ Χριστοῦ καί νά κηρύττωμεν ἀπερίτμητον τό Εὐαγγέλιόν Του εἰς τούς ἐγγύς καί τούς μακράν. Δέν εἴμεθα πλέον πολλοί ἐνταῦθα. Καί δέν πταίομεν καθόλου ἡμεῖς δι᾿ αὐτό. Ἀλλά, εὐλογητός ὁ Θεός τῆς Δικαιοσύνης, ὁ Ὁποῖος δέν ἐπέτρεψε τά χειρότερα! Ὅσοι ἐμείναμεν, εἴμεθα ἀποφασισμένοι ὄχι μόνον νά ζήσωμεν καί νά ἀποθάνωμεν ἐνταῦθα, ἀλλά καί παντοιοτρόπως νά ἀγωνισθῶμεν διά νά δοθῇ νέα ζωή εἰς τήν Ὁμογένειαν. Πιστεύομεν ὅτι εἰς τοῦτο θά βοηθήσῃ πολύ καί ἡ ἐπιδιωκομένη ἔνταξις τῆς Τουρκίας εἰς τήν Εὐρωπαϊκήν Ἕνωσιν, ὅπερ καί εὐχόμεθα καί ὑποστηρίζομεν ἀνυποχωρήτως. Πολλά δέ «σημεῖα τῶν καιρῶν» δικαιολογοῦν ἐπ᾿ ἐσχάτων αἰσιοδοξίαν διά τό μέλλον. Πιστεύομεν ὅτι ὁ Θεός δέν ἔχει εἴπει ἀκόμη τόν τελευταῖον λόγον Του διά τά ἐνταῦθα. Καί ὁ λόγος ἐκεῖνος θά εἶναι ὁπωσδήποτε χαροποιός καί ἐλπίδων πλήρης! Δείπνο στο Σισμανόγλειο Το ίδιο βράδυ ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης και οι Συνοδικοί Ιεράρχες, ο Υφυπουργός Υποδομών και Μεταφορών Νίκος Σηφουνάκης, που εκπροσωπούσε την Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση, και ο Υφυπουργός Οικονομίας Μάρκος Μπόλαρης, παρακάθισαν σε επίσημο δείπνο στο Σισμανόγλειο Μέγαρο, που παρέθεσε ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στην Πόλη Βασίλης Μπορνόβας, προς τιμήν του Πατριάρχου και της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου. Απευθυνόμενος στους υψηλούς καλεσμένους του ο Γενικός Πρόξενος ανέφερε μεταξύ άλλων τα εξής: Παναγιώτατε, δια της παρρησίας του λόγου Σας και την γενναιότητα της ψυχής Σας, σταθήκατε όλα αυτά τα χρόνια ανάχωμα σε κύκλους σκοτεινούς, που μόλις πρόσφατα η δικαστική έρευνα έφερε στο φως. Xρόνια ολόκληρα απειλών και αδικιών εις βάρος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου και μιας Ομογένειας, που δίπλα και μαζί σας περίμενε τις καλύτερες ημέρες, δεν Σας πτόησαν. Υπήρξατε γενναίος, Παναγιώτατε, όπως και ο Αντιπρόεδρος των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών Joseph Biden ανέφερε, «ουδέποτε εξ αποστάσεως ασφαλείας» αλλά παρών και ακούραστος στις δίκαιες διεκδικήσεις της Εκκλησίας και του Γένους. Συγκρατούμε, Παναγιώτατε, την παρέμβαση και καταλυτική συμβολή, τον τελευταίο καιρό, του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου στον επίπονο δρόμο για την δημοκρατία, στον οποίο αμετάκλητα πλέον έχει εισέλθει η Τουρκία. Σήμερα, με το ταξίδι σας στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες προσφέρατε όχι μόνο παραμυθία και καταφύγιο στους πιστούς αλλά και, δια της ακτινοβολίας της προσωπικότητός Σας και του κύρους Σας, εν τη ηγεσία της ενιαίας και αδιαιρέτου Ιεράς Συνόδου, την οποία έχουμε την με-

γάλη τιμή να φιλοξενούμε σήμερα στο Σισμανόγλειο Μέγαρο του Ελληνικού Προξενείου, επιβεβαιώσατε για ακόμη μία φορά την παγκόσμια εμβέλεια του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου Στην επίσκεψή Σας, Παναγιώτατε, ευλογήσατε τα πιστά μέλη του πολυπληθούς, ευσεβούς ποιμνίου εις τον Νέον Κόσμον και προτείνατε λύσεις στους ισχυρούς του πλανήτου για προβλήματα που απαιτούν κρίσιμες αποφάσεις. Ένα από τα μείζονα θέματα της πατριαρχίας Σας, στα οποία εστιάσατε, Παναγιώτατε, είναι η προστασία του περιβάλλοντός μας κόσμου, των δημιουργημάτων, τουτέστιν, του Θεού, που η καταστροφική μανία ενίων προσπαθεί να εξαφανίσει στον βωμό του προσκαίρου κέρδους. Όπως επεσήμανε και ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος, κ. Γιώργος Παπανδρέου, έχετε «αναδείξει την Ορθοδοξία ανά τον κόσμο και ανοίξει ορίζοντες σε επίκαιρα ζητήματα για την ανθρωπότητα, όπως είναι το θέμα της οικολογίας, το θέμα της πράσινης ανάπτυξης…». Και ο αγώνας Σας αυτός νοηματοδοτεί τον αγώνα και τις σκέψεις όλων μας γύρω από Εσάς και στον υπόλοιπο κόσμο. Και οι πέριξ Σας, οι τυχερότεροι, η Ομογένεια και η Προξενική μας Αρχή, είμεθα δίπλα Σας, στην Πόλη των πόλεων, φωτιζόμεθα από Εσάς και ζούμε μαζί Σας, στις αμέτρητες εκκλησίες και τα αγιά-

σματα που το Γένος Σας εμπιστεύθηκε.

Αντιφωνώντας ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης τόνισε μεταξύ άλλων: «Χαιρό-

μαστε, διότι συναντώμεθα γύρω από αυτήν την τράπεζα της αγάπης, σ’αυτό το σπίτι της Ελλάδος, παραμονή της Θρονικής Εορτής του Πατριαρχείου μας και, κατά αγαθήν συγκυρίαν, με την συμμετοχήν καί την τιμητικήν παρουσίαν δύο Υφυπουργών της νέας Ελληνικής Κυβερνήσεως, που συμπίπτει να είναι αμφότεροι και καλοί φίλοι μας. Χαιρόμαστε που είμαστε όλοι μαζί εις το Ιερό μας Κέντρο, σ’αυτή τη Βασιλίδα των Πόλεων, απ’όπου εξακτινώνεται σε όλο τον κόσμο η διακονία και η προσφορά του Οικουμενικού μας Πατριαρχείου. Διακονία και προσφορά, η οποία πάντοτε υπήρξε ειρηνοποιός, εκπολιτιστική, προσφορά αλληλεγγύης, αγάπης και ενότητος. Είναι όλα αυτά τα μηνύματα που διαρκώς επαναλαμβάνει, χωρίς να κουράζεται, ο Οικουμενικός Θρόνος, και εις τους εγγύς και εις τους μακράν, μέχρι και της Αμερικής, όπου πρόσφατα μετέφερα καί διεκήρυξα αυτά τα μηνύματα και προς το εκεί πολυπληθές ποίμνιό μας των δύο περίπου εκατομμυρίων, και προς την Ακαδημαϊκή Κοινότητα, και προς την πολιτική ηγεσία της μεγάλης Αμερικανικής Συμπολιτείας. Προσπαθούμε να κτίζουμε πάντοτε γέφυρες –αυτή είναι, άλλωστε, η αποστολή της Εκκλησίας, να μεταφέρει την ειρήνη του

Χριστού «τήν πάντα νοῦν ὑπερέχουσαν», όπως λέγει η Αγία Γραφή, σε όλους τους ανθρώπους, όχι μόνον τους Ορθοδόξους, αλλά και στους ετεροδόξους και στους ετεροθρήσκους και εις πάντα άνθρωπον καλής θελήσεως. Προσπαθούμε να είμεθα πάντοτε ενωτικοί. Εκεί που δεν είμεθα ενωτικοί είναι όταν διακυβεύονται τα ἱερά συμφέροντα της Εκκλησίας και του Γένους· όταν αμφισβητούνται τα ήθη και τα έθιμα, οι παραδόσεις καί η ιδιοπροσωπεία της Ρωμηοσύνης τῆς Πόλεως. Σε όλα αυτά είμαστε ασυμβίβαστοι! Δεν έχουμε ποτέ διάθεση να παραιτηθούμε των κεκτημένων! Όπου, όμως, βρίσκουμε πρόσφορον έδαφος, είμεθα πάντοτε ενωτικοί, πάντοτε διακονούντες τα ιερά και υψηλά ιδεώδη και τις πανανθρώπινες αξίες που ισχύουν πάντοτε. Ειδικώς ως προς τας σχέσεις μας Καθολικών και Ορθοδόξων, εργαζόμεθα, ως γνωστόν, από ετών για να γεφυρώσουμε το χάσμα δέκα περίπου αιώνων. Ένα εγχείρημα, μία προσπάθεια που δεν είναι εύκολη, ύστερα από τόσους αιώνες αποστάσεως, χωρισμού και δη και εχθρότητος πολλές φορές. Αλλά η προσπάθεια ξεκίνησε, το ιερόν έργον της επανενώσεως των χριστιανών Ανατολής και Δύσεως έχει αρχίσει εδώ και πενήντα περίπου χρόνια. Θέλω να ευχηθώ εκ μέρους της εορταζούσης και πανηγυριζούσης Μητρός Εκκλησίας σε όλους εσάς, τους εκπροσώπους της Ελλάδος όλα τα καλά του Θεού. Θέλω να ευχηθώ προσωπικώς και εκ μέρους της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου ενίσχυσιν, φωτισμόν, έμπνευσιν, κουράγιο, δύναμιν στην καινούργια Κυβέρνηση της Ελλάδος υπό τον κύριο Παπανδρέου, ο οποίος υπήρξε πάντοτε φίλος του Πατριαρχείου μας και προσωπικός μου φίλος, και προσεπάθησε και προσπαθεί να στηρίξει το έργο του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου. Τον εκάστοτε Γενικό Πρόξενο της Ελλάδος στην Πόλη μας θέλουμε να τον βλέπουμε ως συμπαραστάτη εις αυτό το έργο, ως εκπρόσωπο του Έθνους. Του Έθνους, το οποίον οφείλει τόσα πολλά εις την Μητέρα του και Τροφόν Εκκλησίαν της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Εύχομαι υπέρ της ειρήνης, της προόδου και της ευημερίας της Ελλάδος».

ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟΥΣ ΗΓΕΤΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΛΙΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΛΛΑΓΗ Νέα παρέμβαση για το κλίμα και τη διάσωση του πλανήτη έκανε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος. Με επιστολή του, καλεί τους πολιτικούς ηγέτες κρατών που συμμετέχουν στη διεθνή διάσκεψη του ΟΗΕ για την Κλιματική Αλλαγή, η οποία διεξάγεται στην Κοπεγχάγη, να αναλάβουν τις αναγκαίες πρωτοβουλίες και να καταλήξουν σε μια νομικά δεσμευτική συνθήκη για τη δραστική μείωση της εκπομπής αερίων. Το πατριαρχικό γράμμα κρατούν ήδη στα χέρια τους, μεταξύ άλλων, ο πρόεδρος των ΗΠΑ Μπαράκ Ομπάμα, ο πρωθυπουργός της Ρωσίας Βλαντιμίρ Πούτιν, ο πρωθυπουργός της Κίνας Ουέν Τζιαμπάο, ο Γενικός Γραμματέας του ΟΗΕ Μπάν Κιν Μουν, ο Έλληνας πρωθυπουργός Γιώργος Παπανδρέου και οι ομόλογοί του των Κυβερνήσεων της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. «Η παγκόσμιος κοινότης δεν θα έδει να υποτιμήση τον κίνδυνον της απραξίας. Είμεθα πεπεισμένοι ότι μόνον δι’ ενός

σαφούς διεθνούς πλαισίου συνεργασίας, μιας νομικώς δεσμευτικής συνθήκης καθοριζούσης σαφείς και γενναίας μειώσεις εκπομπών, ημπορεί πραγματικώς η ανθρωπότης να ελπίση ότι τα τέκνα μας θα απολαύσουν την ομορφιάν και τα καλά της Γης, την οποίαν κληροδοτούμεν εις αυτά» σημειώνει στην επιστολή του ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης. «Σας παρακαλούμεν, λοιπόν, Εξοχώτατε, όπως δια της συμμετοχής Σας εις τας διαπραγματεύσεις της Κοπεγχάγης αναδειχθήτε ηγέτης διεθνούς βεληνεκούς δια το περιβάλλον, αναλαμβάνων γενναίας δεσμεύσεις αι οποίαι θα οδηγήσουν το συντομώτερον δυνατόν την Ελλάδα εις μίαν ενεργειακήν πολιτικήν χαμηλής εντάσεως άνθρακος» επισημαίνει ο προκαθήμενος της Ορθοδοξίας στο γράμμα του προς τον έλληνα πρωθυπουργό Γιώργο Παπανδρέου. Ακολουθεί η επιστολή του Πατριάρχου: Τῷ Ἐξοχωτάτῳ κυρίῳ Γεωργίῳ

Παπανδρέου, Πρωθυπουργῷ τῆς Ἑλλάδος, ...Ἐν ὄψει τῆς κρισίμου Διασκέψεως τῶν Ἡνωμένων Ἐθνῶν διά τήν Κλιματικήν Ἀλλαγήν εἰς τήν Κοπεγχάγην, καλοῦμεν τούς ἡγέτας τῆς διεθνοῦς κοινότητος καί Ὑμᾶς, προσωπικῶς, νά ἀναλάβητε γενναίας δεσμεύσεις διά τήν ἐπίτευξιν μιᾶς νομικῶς δεσμευτικῆς διεθνοῦς συμφωνίας διά τήν ἀποτροπήν τῶν δυσμενεστέρων ἐπιπτώσεων τῆς ὑπερθερμάνσεως τοῦ πλανήτου. Ἡ ἐπίτευξις μιᾶς ἐπωφελοῦς συμφωνίας εἰς τό πλαίσιον τῶν ἐν Κοπεγχάγῃ διεθνῶν διαπραγματεύσεων δέν ἀποτελεῖ μόνον ἠθικήν ἐπιταγήν διά τήν προστασίαν τῆς κτίσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἀποτελεῖ ἐπίσης τήν ὁδόν πρός τήν κοινωνικήν καί οἰκονομικήν βιωσιμότητα. Ἡ δρᾶσις κατά τῆς κλιματικῆς ἀλλαγῆς δέν θά ἔπρεπε νά ἀντιμετωπίζηται ὡς οἰκονομι-

 óåë. 20

20

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΡΟΣ ΤΟΥΣ ΗΓΕΤΕΣ ΤΟΥ ΚΟΣΜΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ ΚΛΙΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΑΛΛΑΓΗ  óåë. 19 κόν βάρος, ἀλλά ὡς μία σημαντική εὐκαιρία δι᾿ ἕνα ὑγιέστερον πλανήτην, πρός ὄφελος τοῦ συνόλου τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος καί κυρίως ἐκείνων τῶν κρατῶν τά ὁποῖα ὑστεροῦν εἰς οἰκονομικήν ἀνάπτυξιν. Ἡ κρισιμότης τῆς κλιματικῆς ἀλλαγῆς ὡς ἀπειλῆς διά τήν ἀνθρωπότητα καί τήν Γῆν, καθώς καί ἡ πρόοδος τῆς ἐπιστήμης καί τῆς τεχνολογίας, δεικνύουν σαφῶς ὅτι μόνη ὁδός πρός μίαν παγκόσμιον οἰκονομίαν χαμηλῆς ἐντάσεως ἄνθρακος εἶναι ἡ ἀνάπτυξις τῶν ἀνανεωσίμων πηγῶν ἐνεργείας, ἡ ἐνεργειακή ἐξοικονόμησις καί ἡ ἀποτροπή περαιτέρω ἀποδασώσεως. Ἡ παγκόσμιος κοινότης δέν θά ἔδει νά ὑποτιμήσῃ τόν κίνδυνον τῆς ἀπραξίας. Εἴμεθα πεπεισμένοι ὅτι μόνον δι᾿ ἑνός σαφοῦς διεθνοῦς πλαισίου συνεργασίας, μιᾶς νομικῶς δεσμευτικῆς συνθήκης καθοριζούσης σαφεῖς καί γενναίας μειώσεις ἐκπομπῶν, ἠμπορεῖ πραγματικῶς ἡ ἀνθρωπότης νά ἐλπίσῃ ὅτι τά τέκνα μας θά ἀπολαύσουν τήν ὀμορφιάν καί τά καλά τῆς Γῆς, τήν ὁποίαν κληροδοτοῦμεν εἰς αὐτά. Πρός ἐπίτευξιν τούτου εἶναι ἀπαραίτητον νά ἐξασφαλίσωμεν τήν δικαιοσύνην καί τήν ἀγάπην εἰς ὅλας τάς ἐκφάνσεις τῆς οἰκονομικῆς δραστηριότητος. Τό κέρδος, καί, εἰδικώτερον, τό βραχυπρόθεσμον κέρδος δέν θά ἔδει νά ἀποτελῇ τό κίνητρον διά τάς πράξεις μας, κυρίως ὅταν ὑποβαθμίζῃ τήν κοινήν καί θεόσδοτον φυσικήν μας κληρονομίαν. Σᾶς παρακαλοῦμεν, λοιπόν, Ἐξοχώτατε, ὅπως διά τῆς συμμετοχῆς Σας εἰς τάς διαπραγματεύσεις τῆς Κοπεγχάγης

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2009

αρχιεπισκοπικη εΓκΥκΛιοσ

ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ 2009 Ἐθεασάµεθα τήν δόξαν Αὐτοῦ, δόξαν ὡς Μονογενοῦς παρά Πατρός Ἰωάν. 1:14 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.

ἀναδειχθῆτε ἡγέτης διεθνοῦς βεληνεκοῦς διά τό περιβάλλον, ἀναλαμβάνων γενναίας δεσμεύσεις αἱ ὁποῖαι θά ὁδηγήσουν τό συντομώτερον δυνατόν τήν Ἑλλάδα εἰς μίαν ἐνεργειακήν πολιτικήν χαμηλῆς ἐντάσεως ἄνθρακος. Καλοῦμεν, ὡσαύτως, τούς ἡγέτας τῶν οἰκονομικῶς ἀνεπτυγμένων κρατῶν τῆς ὑφηλίου νά συμφωνήσουν διά τήν παροχήν τῆς ἀπαραιτήτου οἰκονομικῆς στηρίξεως πρός τά ἀναπτυσσόμενα κράτη, ὥστε νά διευκολυνθῇ μία κοινωνικῶς δικαία καί ἀποτελεσματική μετάβασις αὐτῶν πρός τήν ἐπιθυμητήν περιβαλλοντικῶς βιώσιμον ἀνάπτυξιν. Εὐχαριστοῦμεν τήν Ὑμετέραν Ἐξοχότητα διά τήν προσοχήν τήν ὁποίαν θά θελήσῃ νά δώσῃ εἰς τό περιεχόμενον τοῦ παρόντος Γράμματος ἡμῶν καί εὐχόμεθα καρποφόρους διαπραγματεύσεις ἐν Κοπεγχάγῃ ἐπ᾿ ἀγαθῷ τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος. Ἐπί δέ τούτοις, διατελοῦμεν μετ᾿ ἐξιδιασμένης τιμῆς, ἐγκαρδίων εὐχῶν καί πολλῆς ἀγάπης», κατέληξε στην επιστολή του προς τον πρωθυπουργό κ. Παπανδρέου ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος.

ΑΛΛΗΛΕΓΓΥΗ ΠΑΓΚΟΣΜΙΟΥ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΩΝ ΣΤΟΝ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗ

Ρεπορτάζ-φωτό: Νικόλαος Μαγγίνας

Την αλληλεγγύη του Παγκοσμίου Συμβουλίου Εκκλησιών προς τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, μετέφερε αντιπροσωπεία του Π.Σ.Ε. που επισκέφθηκε το Φανάρι, είχε συνάντηση με τον Πατριάρχη και συζήτησε μαζί του τα προβλήματα που απασχολούν το Πατριαρχείο και την Ομογένεια. Η αντιπροσωπεία του Π.Σ.Ε. βρέθηκε στην Τουρκία για επαφές με παράγοντες της Τουρκικής Κυβερνήσεως για θέματα θρησκευτικών ελευθεριών και ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων των Μειονοτήτων. Της αντιπροσωπείας του Π.Σ.Ε. ηγήθηκε ο Δρ. Αιδεσιμώτατος Kiell Magne Bondevik, πρώην πρωθυπουργός της Νορβηγίας, ο οποίος είναι ο ιδρυτής και πρόεδρος του Κέντρου Όσλο, για τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα. Ο επικεφαλής κ. Bondevik είπε στον Πατριάρχη χαρακτηριστικά: “Ήλθαμε για να σας εκφράσουμε την αλληλεγγύη μας”. Στην πενταμελή αντιπροσωπεία συμμετέχει και ο πρώην Γενικός Γραμματέας του Π.Σ.Ε. Conrad Raiser.

Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Σ’αὐτή τήν ἁγία Ἑορτή τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, συγκεντρωνόμεθα γιά νά γιορτάσουμε χαρμόσυνα τήν Ἐνανθρώπηση Ἐκείνου, ὁ Ὁποῖος μᾶς ἀναγεννᾶ καί μᾶς δίδει νέα ζωή. Δοξάζουμε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἄφθονη χάρη καί τό θεϊκό σχέδιό Του μέ σκοπό τήν λύτρωση καί τή σωτηρία μας. Γιορτάζουμε μέ ἕνα τρόπο πλήρη ὀμορφιᾶς, τιμῆς καί δόξης ὅπως ἁρμόζει στόν ἑορτασμό ἑνός μοναδικά θαυμαστοῦ καί ὑπερόχου γεγονότος μέσῳ τοῦ ὁποίου ὁ Θεός ἔλαβε σάρκα καί ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν (Ἰωάν. 1:14). Μέ τόν ἑορτασμό τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἡ ψυχή καί ἡ διάνοιά μας ὁδηγοῦνται σέ θεώρηση τῆς δόξης τῆς Σαρκώσεώς Του. Ἀκοῦμε καί ψάλλουμε γιά τό γεγονός τῆς Σαρκώσεως στούς ὕμνους τῆς Ἑορτῆς. Διαβάζουμε τά κείμενα ἀπό τήν Ἁγία Γραφή, τά ὁποῖα μᾶς ὁμιλοῦν γιά τούς ἀγγέλους πού τραγουδοῦν τό δόξᾳ ἐν ὑψίστοις Θεῷ καί τούς βοσκούς οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐπιστρέφουν στά κοπάδια τους δοξάζοντες καί αἰνοῦντες τόν Θεόν ἐπί πᾶσιν οἷς ἤκουσαν καί εἶδον (Λουκ.

2:14, 20). Ἡ δόξα τοῦ γεγονότος τῆς Σαρκώσεως ἡ ὁποία ἀποκαλύφθηκε στή Γέννηση τοῦ Χριστοῦ συνεχίσθηκε καθ’ ὅλη τή διάρκεια τοῦ ἐπιγείου βίου καί τῆς διακονίας Του καθώς ἐπωμίσθηκε τίς προκλήσεις τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης καταστάσεώς μας. Ἡ ζωή Του σέ κοινωνία μέ τόν Θεό καί τήν ἀνθρωπότητα ἀπετέλεσε ὕμνο γιά τόν πραγματικό προορισμό τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης ζωῆς. Ὁ Χριστός διά λόγων καί πράξεων ἀπέδειξε ὅτι οἱ ἁλυσίδες τῆς ἁμαρτίας μποροῦσαν νά συντριβοῦν καί ὁ θάνατος νά ὑπερνικηθῇ. Μέσῳ τῆς πίστεως στόν Χριστό καί τῆς σωτηρίας πού Ἐκεῖνος προσφέρει μποροῦμε νά γνωρίζουμε καί νά βιώνουμε γιά πάντα μία εὐτυχισμένη ζωή εἰρήνης καί χαρᾶς. Ἐπίσης, ἡ δόξα τῆς Σαρκώσεως ἀποκαλύφθηκε μέ τό μήνυμα τοῦ Κυρίου μας περί χάριτος καί ἀληθείας. Αὐτό τό μήνυμα δέν ἐξηρτᾶτο ἀπό τή δόξα καί τήν ἰσχύ στρατιωτικῆς νίκης. Δέν συσχετίζετο μέ τή γήινη δόξα πολιτικῆς δυνάμεως. Ἡ δόξα τῆς Σαρκώσεως ἀποκαλύφθηκε μέσῳ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Χριστοῦ γιά μᾶς καί μέσῳ τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τῆς ἀληθείας. Διεκήρυξε: ἐγώ ἦλθον ἵνα ζωήν ἔχωσιν καί περισσόν ἔχωσιν (Ἰωάν. 10:10). Διά τῆς χάριτος καί τῆς ἀληθείας μᾶς προσέφερε τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ. Μέσα σ’ ἕναν κόσμο ὁ ὁποῖος εἶχε φθαρεῖ ἀπό ἐχθρότητα, πλεονεξία καί ἀλαζονεία, ἔφερε μία ὡραία καί διαρκῆ μαρτυρία θεϊκῆς ἀγάπης. Καί μέσα σ’ ἕναν κόσμο ὁ ὁποῖος ἐμαστίζετο ἀπό ἀπάτη καί κενές ἐπιδιώξεις, Ἐκεῖνος διεκήρυξε τήν ἀλήθεια καί τή φύση τῆς δημιουργίας μας, τῆς ὑποστάσεώς μας καί τῆς σχέσεώς μας μέ τόν Θεό. Τέλος, ἡ δόξα τῆς Σαρκώσεως ἀποκαλύπτεται στή μεταμορφωτική δύναμη τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Ἰησοῦ. Αὐτό πού χάθηκε στήν Πτώση τοῦ Ἀδάμ καί τῆς Εὔας ἀνακαλύπτεται στή Σάρκωσή Του καί τίς θαυμάσιες συνέπειές της. Διά τῆς παρουσίας Του ἀνάμεσά μας, ὁ Κύριός μας μᾶς κατευθύνει ἔξω ἀπό τό σκότος τοῦ κακοῦ καί μᾶς εἰσάγει μέσα στό ἄκτιστο φῶς τῆς αἰωνίου ἀληθείας. Καθώς κατοικεῖ ἀνάμεσά μας, προκαλεῖ τήν μεταμόρφωσή μας ἀπό τήν κατάσταση ἁμαρτίας στήν κατάσταση ἁγιότητος. Ὡς Καλός Ποιμένας, μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ ἀπό τήν ἀπελπισία στήν ἐλπίδα. Ὡς Σαρκωθείς Λόγος τοῦ Θεοῦ, μᾶς ὑποδεικνύει τήν ὁδό γιά νά ὑπερνικήσουμε τήν ἀλλοτρίωσή μας ἔτσι ὥστε νά μπορέσουμε νά ζήσουμε τή ζωή μας σέ πλήρη καί αἰώνια κοινωνία μαζί Του. Ὡς Κύριός μας, μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ ἀπό τήν ἔρημο στόν παράδεισο. Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές, Τήν ἡμέρα τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας, ἡ δόξα τῆς Σαρκώσεώς Του ἀποκαλύφθηκε σέ ὅλους ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι εἶχαν τήν εὐλογία νά γίνουν μάρτυρες τῆς μοναδικῆς καί ὑπερβατικῆς πράξεως τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ. Στόν ἑορτασμό αὐτῆς τῆς ἁγίας ἡμέρας, ἄς προσφέρουμε ὅλοι μαρτυρία τῆς δόξης τῆς Σαρκώσεως μέσῳ τῆς διακηρύξεως τῶν ὅσων ἔχει κάνει ὁ Κύριός μας γιά μᾶς μέσῳ τῆς εὐσπλαγχνικῆς καί λυτρωτικῆς παρουσίας Του ἀνάμεσά μας. Εἴθε οἱ σκέψεις καί οἱ λόγοι μας νά ἐκφράσουν τήν δόξα καί τήν τιμή ἡ ὁποία ἁρμόζει σ’ Ἐκεῖνον ὁ Ὁποῖος σάρξ ἐγένετο καί ἐσκήνωσεν ἐν ἡμῖν (Ἰωάν. 1:14). Καί εἴθε ἡ ἐμπειρία μας τῆς δόξης τῆς Σαρκώσεώς Του νά μᾶς ὁδηγήσῃ στό νά μοιρασθοῦμε μέ ὅλους αὐτό τό ὁποῖο εἴδαμε καί ἀκούσαμε ἔτσι ὥστε ὅλοι νά ἔλθουν εἰς προσκύνησίν Του καί λατρείαν Του.

Μετά πατρικῆς ἐν Χριστῷ, Σαρκωθέντι ἀγάπης,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

21

DECEMBER 2009

PEOPLE Sponge Industry Spawned Bahamas Church New GMA host George Stephanopoulos, 48, current host of the Sunday news program on ABC “This Week,” was named as host for Good Morning America, as of Dec. 14. According to news sources, he is expected to keep his Sunday news program, “for the foreseeable future.”

He is the son of Rev. Dr. Robert and Presbytera Niki Stephanopoulos, and is a former political adviser to President Bill Clinton.

New comptroller George Maragos of Great Neck, N.Y., a member of Archangel Michael Church in Roslyn and of Leadership 100, has won election as Nassau County Comptroller, defeating the longtime incumbent democrat in an extremely close election. The difference of a few hundred votes resulted in a recount of several weeks and he was confirmed the winner in early December.

Translates Patristic text Fr Paul Schroeder, pastor of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Portland Oregon, and chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco, has translated early patristic texts of St Basil the Great on social justice. “On Social Justice - St Basil the Great,” with Fr Paul’s introduction and notes has just been released by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.

Epistle editor The Retired Clergy of America board recently named Presbytera Niki Stephanopoulos as the editor of the RCA’s newsletter, “The Epistle.” She succeeds Fr. Nicholas Vieron, retired pastor of Annunciation Church in Memphis, who served as editor for many years. Presbytera Stephanopoulos was the director of news and information at the Archdiocese for 25 years before retiring in 2008.

Honored for service St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, N.Y., recently honored Aktina Beloyianis for her 50 years’ service at a Church school teacher. Fr. Paul Palesty presented her with a Bible signed by Archbishop Demetrios at a recent ceremony.

Writing book Despina C. Kartson, a member of the Holy Trinity Church Philoptochos Board in New Rochelle, N.Y., has undertaken a book-writing project on “Outstanding Greek American Women.” Ms. Kartson, chief marketing officer for a New Yorkbased international law firm, is soliciting nominees from throughout the U.S. who have had significant personal and professional accomplishments that would be inspiring to women of all generations. Her e-mail is dkartson@juno.com

Eagle Scout Steve H. Kokorelis, 17, son of George and Vicky Kokorelis, members of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Richmond, Va., recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout. His project was to design and construct a garden for the newly renovated landscape of the cathedral.

Named assistant VP Dean T. Pappas of Annapolis, Md., recently was named assistant vice president and assistant general counsel for federal affairs for the Allstate Insurance Co. He holds a law degree from the University of Maryland Law School.

P A R I S H

profile

Name: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral Location: Nassau, Commonwealth of the Bahamas Direct Archdiocesan District Size: about 120 families Founded: 1932 Clergy: Fr. Teodor Bita (Orthodox Theological Seminary, Romania) E-mail: orthodoxbahamas@ hotmail.com Web: www.annunciation. bs.goarch.org Noteworthy: Only Orthodox Christian church in the Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas – This parish might be considered the closest thing to Paradise. Actually, that would be Paradise Island, the world class resort located on a small island next to the city of Nassau, where hundreds of thousands of tourists flock every year.

Many of the Greek Orthodox visitors also come to Annunciation, especially engaged couples who want to be married there.

While the first Europeans to permanently settle in the Bahamas were English Puritans from Bermuda in the late 1600s, the first Greeks arrived here from Kalymnos in the late 1800s, for the same reason others from the island settled in the Tarpon Springs area – sponges.

According to a parish history by Haralambos Alexiou, around 1896, sponge merchant Nicholas Vouvalis, who had established his sponge business with offices in several locations around the world, including Tunis, Tunisia, London, Paris, Tarpon Springs and Batabano, Cuba, also opened an office of his firm, Nicholas Vouvalis & Co., in Nassau.

From the late 1890s to the late 1930s, the sponge business was a major economic activity in the Bahamas in which most Greeks worked. A series of hurricanes in the late 1920s diminished its importance, though, according to additional historical information from Fr. Bita.

During this period, about 30 other Greeks and their families settled in Nassau and formed the nucleus of the Greek Orthodox community.

As was the case elsewhere in the New World, most eventually transitioned into establishing their own businesses, including bakeries.

Many Greeks also came from the island of Skopelos and established restaurants.

During this period, itinerant priests would occasional hold services in Nassau until the late 1920s and early ‘30s, when, under the direction of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, Annunciation parish was organized.

Parishioners set about to build a church and laid the cornerstone of what still is their house of worship in 1932.

Since then the community has been served by only eight permanent priests to the present day. The par-

ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL

ish history notes that a Fr. Kallinikos began serving the parish in 1935 until about 1940. He was succeeded by Fr. Theodore Spirtos who served until 1954 when Fr. Theophanis Kolyvas arrived. He was the longest-serving priest. Though he retired in 1996, he continued to serve the parish until his death in 2006. During the latter 10 years, Frs. Ignatios Achlioptas, Demetri Dimopulos, Polykarp Steve and Alexios Inyagwa, a native of Kenya, were assigned to the parish.

Fr. Bita arrived at Annunciation on Sept. 1, 2006. A native of Romania, Fr. Bita originally was an orchestra conductor and professor of music for 18 years before deciding to become a priest. He immigrated to the United States in 1987 and has since served parishes in Alabama, Mississippi and Texas.

More than half of the total population of the Bahamas lives in Nassau, and nearly all his parishioners except for a few in Freeport on Grand Bahama island more than 100 miles to the northwest (about 60 miles east of West Palm Beach, Fla.).

“Sometimes they come to church,” Fr. Bita said, but for the most part they have been inactive, except for occasional visits he has made.

Over the years, the parish has evolved from mostly business owners, to many professional people, with some in the tourism and financial services industries, the two mainstays of the Bahamian economy.

One scion of a long-established family, Alexander Maillis, served as a senator when the Bahamas became self-governing and, eventually, independent from Great Britain in the early 1960s.

Fr. Bita noted that, “He was instrumental in writing the constitution and including wording that the Bahamas is a Christian commonwealth.” As a result, Christianity is taught in the public schools.

His son, Alexander P. Maillis II, is a member of the Archdiocesan Council and has served as parish council president.

When the Archdiocese was reorganized in 1996, the Bahamas were placed under the authority of the Metropolis of Mexico and Central America.

However, the parish petitioned to be transferred to the Archdiocese of America, which occurred in 2006.

Several visiting clergy of the Arch-

diocese have traveled to Nassau to assist in organizing its sacramental and liturgical continuity, including Bishop Savas of Troas, Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, Archimandrite Sebastian Skordallos, and Frs. Al Demos, Peter Chamberas, Mark Leondis, Dean Gigicos and Chris Metropulos.

Several of them come to the parish to celebrate Epiphany.

The parish receives “countless numbers of visitors during the year” from the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and other nations, Fr. Bita noted.

Many of them attend one of the parish’s major social events, the Hellenic Ball, held at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

The parish has undergone several capital improvements over the past five years, including a complete renovation of the church, community center and Sunday School, which has about 40 students.

There is no Greek school, though some children receive private lessons, Fr. Bita said.

He also stated that youth activities take place seasonally, during Christmas, Epiphany, Great Lent and Holy Week.

The Philoptochos chapter is especially active, supporting several philanthropic causes in the Bahamas, and also contributing to causes worldwide, such as St. Michael’s Home in New York, an Orthodox philanthropic society in India, the Philoxenia House at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, to charities in Greece and support of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, to mention a few.

The Philoptochos have also inaugurated a program that brings children from St. Basil Academy to Nassau for Easter break and are hosted by parishioners.

Fr. Bita noted that the parish derives about 55 percent of its income from stewardship, with small amounts raised through its large Greek festival and rental property income.

The priest described the Annunciation Cathedral community as “A dynamic parish, as no other I served in the past. It has a real potential in the future to reach even higher levels in spirituality, church attendance, charity programs, family ties, friendships and inner happiness.”

— Compiled by Jim Golding

22

DECEMBER 2009

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They used to be thought of as cheap and disposable props on the movie sets of Hollywood. As films were being made, horses were shocked, tripped and forced to run into trenches. Wires were strung around their ankles and then yanked by the rider to make the horse fall on cue. Six horses were killed during the filming of the first Ben-Hur in 1924 and 25 were killed or euthanized during The Charge of the Light Brigade in 1935.

Then an organization called “American Humane” got into the act and opened a Hollywood office to enforce standards for the protection of animals.

In the Fifties they sponsored the first of an annual PATSY award ceremony. The “Performing Animal Top Star of the Year” is the Academy Awards for animal actors. Francis the Mule was the first PATSY winner in 1951 and later winners included Roy Rogers’ horse Trigger and Arnold the Pig from “Green Acres.” In 1973, an Animal Actors Hall of Fame was established, and Lassie was the first inductee.

If the “Performing Animal Top Star of The Year” award had been around in first century Palestine the animal which carried the Holy Virgin Theotokos from Nazareth to Bethlehem on the days prior to the birth of our Lord and present at the manger on Christmas Day certainly could have been the winner.

This donkey is a “PATSY.” What would the story of Christmas be without the scene of the Holy Virgin Theotokos accompanied by Joseph and riding the little donkey to the stable in Bethlehem, the city of David, on the occasion of the Roman Imperial census that year. Of the many Christmas characters mentioned in the gospels, from the shepherds in the field, to the wise men, to the rejoicing angels, a key character that makes it all possible, as it were, was that humble little donkey. He is seemingly ignored as playing a key role, but indeed he was a PATSY to be sure in the story of stories that changed the entire universe.

The donkey played its role as intended in this spectacular story. We can learn a lot from this little beast of burden. The shepherds, the wise men and even the angels were in a sense awed spectators. The innkeeper couldn’t be bothered; his establishment was full of customers. The villagers were apathetic or unaware at best of the heavenly event about to happen at their doorstep. They couldn’t even attend to a young woman ready to give birth. They certainly weren’t aware of the foreign dignitaries and their entourage entering their village on that starry night. They were going about their lives insensitive to God’s stirring presence in their midst.

This could describe a lot of us.

We’ve been religious spectators for years now. We’ve sat in church, we dropped our bills and coins in the passing trays, we’ve taught a Sunday School class here and there, served on committees— we’ve done our part, or so we think.

So what’s left?

Nothing, except the presence of

this PATSY, this “top performer,” –this donkey.

This animal can teach us a lot, because it is the creature who carried the person who carried Christ into the world.

And that’s what it’s all about. Carrying Christ into the world.

The donkey was a Christ-bearer, or a Christopher (derived from the Greek Christos combined with phorein “to bear, to carry”).

Christmas is yet another opportunity for us to take the name of Christopher (Christoforos) as our own.

By doing so, we commit to bearing Christ into the world desperately in need of Him. Being Christopher means: Serving Christ. Being a faithful servant to Him can be a burden.

Serving Christ humbly without caring who gets the glory. No Academy Awards for being an Orthodox Christian.

Following Christ’s direction; being willing to go where He wants to go, not where we want to go.

Taking Christ into areas where there is no room at the inn.

Never asking Christ to “get off our backs.”

Being obedient to the will of the One who holds the reins.

As we carry Christ into the world and allowing Him a place in the mangers of our hearts, we are challenged to do a particular kind of work, and to show a distinctively Christian lifestyle.

This means letting love be genuine, hating what is evil and holding fast to what is good. It involves rejoicing in hope, being patient in suffering, and persevering in prayer. To live in this way means that we are going to contribute to the needs of the saints, extend hospitality to strangers, even go so far as to bless those who persecute us. (Romans 12:9-14) If we can do this, we can honestly play “our part” and model our lives on the one character in this melodrama that deserves emulation. We will discover the joy that comes from carrying Christ, and knowing the real meaning of Christmas.

We’ll know the glory of hearing the angels sing: “Glory to God in the highest peace and goodwill to all men.”

There is no better role, we could be asked to perform and no better name to be known by than CHRISTOPHER.

23

DECEMBER 2009

(Orthodox Observer photos)

Members of the St. Basil Academy Board, with Archbishop Demetrios, former St. Basil’s Director Bishop Philotheos of Meloa (seated left) and Vefa Alexiadou (right).

Greece’s Leading Culinary Expert Highlights St. Basil’s 65th Year Event St. Basil Academy marked the 65th anniversary of its founding with a benefit luncheon on Nov. 21. The event took place at Terrace on the Park, a high-rise banquet hall in the shape of a letter T overlooking Flushing Meadows in Queens, N.Y. The event program featured a presentation, Greek Traditions and Greek Cuisine by the leading culinary authority in Greece, Vefa Alexiadou. She is the best-selling author of 11 cookbooks in Greek and four in English, and the host of a daily show on Antennae Greek TV. Her books have sold 5 million copies.

She was assisted by her daughter, Alexia, in demonstrating how to prepare several offerings, Greek and non-Greek, including gingerbread houses, melomakarona and Vasilopita.

As part of the fund-raising effort for the Academy, her latest cookbook, Vefa’s Kitchen, was offered for sale.

Archbishop Demetrios remarked on the attention to the “highest possible quality of ingredients” and the imagination required to produce the various offerings Ms. Alexiadou demonstrated.

The program also included musical selections by the Academy children’s choir.

Special presentations were made to the luncheon chair Christine Karavites; and to co-chairs Elaine Cladis and Lea Zervoulias, and others.

Ms. Alexiadou held a book signing following the luncheon. She also appeared on the Martha Stewart program the Friday after Thanksgiving and traveled to Miami for appearances there.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (Above) With His Eminence, from left, Christine Karavites, Board President Evellyn Tsiadis, Executive Director Fr. Constantine Sitaras, Vefa and Alexia Alexiadou, and grandaughter.

(Below) Children of the Academy entertain the audience at the anniversary luncheon.

Warmest Regards to All Peter J. Pappas

24

DECEMBER 2009

Greek Education Annual Archdiocesan District Staff-Development Seminar Held in Astoria

ORTHODOX OBSERVER PHOTO

Christmas time at the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York.

NEW YORK –The Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education organized the annual Staff Development Seminar under the auspices of Archbishop Demetrios at St. Demetrios High School in Astoria in early November.

“Professional development is essential for making teachers competent and in alignment with education standards” noted Maria Makedon, director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education. “We believe that all teachers can benefit from learning new methods and techniques and, thus, invite them to attend the District’s Annual Seminar that contributes significantly to their professional advancement.”

The Seminar, held Nov. 3, included workshops covering English and Greek curricula, from pre-K to high school grades, in-service training to the teachers in the day and the afternoon schools of the Direct Archdiocesan District. Keynote speaker was Nick Katsoris, writer and publisher of the Loukoumi books and materials for young children.

The Greek language and culture teachers also participated in two lecture presentations by distinguished university professors from Greece, Professor Georgios Maria Makedon, director Papanastasiou, of the Direct Archdioc- director of the Inesan District Office of stitute of Modern Education.

Greek Studies and professor of Linguistics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and Professor Eleni Skourtou, of the Department of Elementary Education/ University of the Aegean, Rhodes.

Professor Papanastasiou spoke on “The relation of the Greek language and its script form throughout the centuries.”

Professor Skourtou addressed “The basic principles of language teaching from the aspect of bilingualism.”

The Importance of Stewardship

by Fr. Angelo Artemas

Disclaimer No. 1 – If you are experiencing financial hardship or are on a fixed retirement income, please disregard this commentary.

Disclaimer No. 2 – If you are tithing 2 percent to 10 percent of your income to your church, please disregard this commentary with the thanks and gratitude you deserve.

In 1979 the Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Dallas Cowboys to win their third Super Bowl, and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Baltimore Orioles in a seven game World Series classic with Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” as their theme song. Ronald Reagan had not been inaugurated yet, and disco music was nearing its end. Most Greek Orthodox parishes in America were still on a “dues” system with $350 a year being typical.

During the last 30 years, a cup of coffee has gone from 35 cents to over a dollar, a $13,000 family sedan now cost $28,000, an $80,000 home now costs $300,000, college tuition and health insurance expenses have quadrupled, and $350 is now worth $1,180. If your parish is not averaging $1,200 per unit, “stewardship” has failed.

After thousands of meetings, mailings, seminars, workshops, campaigns, gimmicks, sermons and platitudes, we haven’t even kept up with inflation.

Instead of “stepping up” or “coming through” with no minimum requirement, most parishioners have marginalized the church. Donations are flat, attendance is down, and the number of Orthodox Christians in America has declined.

In October of 2000, during the presidential debates, candidate Al Gore quoted scripture by saying “Where your heart is, there is your treasure also.”

He got it backward. Matthew 6:21 reads “Where your treasure is, there

will your heart be also.” Our hearts are not in the church because they are in our cars, homes, I-phones, laptops, video games, jewelry, golf clubs, manicures, wardrobes, shoes, Starbucks, bottled water and 72-inch television screens. That is what we are pouring our money into, so that is where our hearts are.

Since our treasurers are not in the church, we then have the nerve to tell the church how to raise funds, and claim that we don’t have to go to church to be spiritual. There are few things more laughable than the theologically ignorant instructing the church on its mission, and excusing themselves from worship.

While it is correct to assert that one does not have to go to church to be a good person, the world needs more than just good people; the world needs holy people. One cannot become holy on one’s own. To be spiritual without a community of faith is to worship in the cathedral of the ego. That is no way to transfigure oneself, let alone change the world.

Worshipping and tithing are not optional, they are essential in saving us from ourselves; freeing us from selfrighteousness, judgment and materialism. Let’s face it – we have taken advantage of the notion of “free-will offering” and have diminished the church. We need to get back to requirements.

Effective immediately, go to church every Sunday, and don’t be late. When you go, save your dollar bills for the junk food machines, and place a more respectable denomination in the tray.

Tithe 2 percent to 10 percent, and don’t be so concerned about the things you can’t take with you when you graduate this life.

Invest in your faith, and give your heart a chance to overflow with all that is good.

Fr. Artemis is pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, Ill.

DECEMBER 2009

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26

DECEMBER 2009

S.F. Metropolis Clergy Couples Attend Wellness Retreat

by Fr. John Hondros

What do a cord of three strands and ocean cliffs have in common? This image of the ideal marriage united in Christ that “is not easily broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12) was offered to those attending the Clergy Couples Wellness Retreat in early November at the Serra Retreat Center in southern California.

With the blessing and direction of Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, as part of the ongoing Family Wellness Ministry of the Metropolis, 20 clergy couples gathered Nov. 2-5 for seminars, interaction, worship and fellowship.

The retreat, the second of its kind offered for clergy couples, was facilitated by George Papageorge, MFT, who has a family therapy practice in Pleasanton, Calif.

Using this year’s retreat theme, “Crowns of Glory that Never Fade: Keeping Marriages Holy and Alive,” Metropolitan Gerasimos remarked to the participants, “I know that taking time away from your parish and family has been a sacrifice for you, and I commend you for making these next three days a priority for your marriage.”

Echoing the marriage prayer on which the theme was based, His Eminence said, “May the miracle of the Wedding at Cana of Galilee remind you of the everlasting power and love of Christ, and may He always preserve your crowns, keeping them holy and undefiled.”

During the workshops Mr. Papageorge spoke on boundary models for couples, particularly the confusion that often arises regarding what a spouse is responsible “to” versus “for” both in their marriage and family relationships.

Additional workshops addressed the root of unhealthy and addictive and behaviors, and how to develop communication that better connects the couple.

BOSTON - Annunciation Cathedral community honored its veterans and their families with a commemoration of Veterans Day on Nov. 15.

After the Divine Liturgy there was a wreath presentation by the military branches of service, folding of the American flag by the Hanscom Field Cadet Color Guard and taps played by a member of the cadet color guard. There was singing of the Lord’s Prayer and a Veterans Day message by James Rmpis,

Clergy couples from the Metropolis of San Francisco gather for a retreat in Southern California.

His final seminar used the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:33) as it relates to what is spiritually healthy in tending “the marriage side of the road.”

Fr. James Retelas, pastor of Annunciation Church in Sacramento, Calif., remarked following the retreat, “I cannot possibly come up with enough superlatives to describe the Clergy Couples’

retreat Barbara and I just attended. The intimate fellowship with brother priests and their wives was truly powerful and the content of the presentations by George Papageorge was of the highest professional caliber. . . I hope more of our clergy couples will join us in the future.”

The organizing committee for the retreat was Fr. James and Presbytera Donna

Parishes Honor Their Veterans Boston Cathedral Commemorates Veterans Day commander, George Menichios Post 324 American Legion. Thomas Materazzo Boston Veterans Agent (emeritus).

A carillion dedication was held by Fr. Cleopas Strongylis, cathedral dean.

A reception was followed in the fel-

lowship hall sponsored by the Philoptohos and Parish Council. There also were several displays of veterans’ memorabilia.

Participants included the Hanscom Field Cadet Color Guard, George Menichios Post 324 American Legion, other

Pappas, Fr. John Alexandres, Presbytera Patricia Tsagalakis, Fr. John Hondros, and Kristen Bruskas, the director of the Metropolis Family Wellness Ministry.

Fr. Hondros is pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas. He also serves as president of the Clergy Syndesmos for the Metropolis. branches of the service, Evzones by the Federation of Hellenic American Society of New England, Dimitrios Papaslis, advisor; the Cathedral Choir, Dean Limberakis, choirmaster; the Cathedral Philoptohos, Fran Geanacopoulos, president, and the Cathedral GOYA, Joanne Orphanos, advisor.

Dr. Christopher Gussis serves as organizer of the Cathedral Veterans Programs and is Veterans Committee chairman.

Illinois Church Holds Special Vets Day Service LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill. – November 11th is one of the days you will see the American flag raised high outside of many homes as we remember those who sacrificed so much serving their country.

Veterans’ Day is a day we honor those still among us who served in the military and also memorialize those fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice – their lives.

The Senior Synaxis group of the Ascension of Our Lord Church in Lincolnshire paid its respect to those who served in the military and to those who still serve.

Their “Honoring our Veterans” program was held in October and highlighted the service of 52 soldiers veterans (of the US and Greek military) dating back from World War I up to and including current active duty soldiers.

Greek American Veterans who attended the Service at Ascension Church in Lincolnshire.

A display was put together that showcased (with photos) all those who were honored.

Those honored included current parishioners of the Ascension of Our Lord Church and also relatives of parishioners. A memorial service was also held for the departed veterans. Thirteen veterans attended and took a picture together.

One of those 13 veterans was retired Colonel Lou Caras who served in the Army from 1950-1970.

He was the honored speaker for the program and shared with all in attendance his experiences as a young officer in the Korean War. His daughter was also in attendance and spoke about her father’s military career and of the sacrifice that all who served made for their country.

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DECEMBER 2009

“Gather My People…” Theme of Boston Clergy-Laity Conference

Metropolitan Methodios, assisted by Fr. Andrew George of Annunciation Church in Cranston and other participants in the groundbreaking ceremony.

Cornerstone Ceremony Held for R.I. Hellenic Studies Center

KINGSTON, R.I. – Metropolitan Methodios presided at the cornerstone laying ceremony of the Rodos Building of Hellenic Studies, the Ayios Loukas Chapel and the Classical Open Air Theater at the University of Rhode Island on Nov. 15.

The project is under the auspices of the Rhode Island chapter of the Hellenic Society Paideia whose president is Professor Ilias Tomazos, a native of the beautiful and historic Aegean island of Rhodes.

Professor Tomazos and his committee have dedicated their lives to the completion of this project which will continue the offering and enhancement of the Hellenic Studies Program at the university.

Among those present at the ceremonies were the Consul General of Greece in Boston, Constantine Orphanides, the president emeritus of the University of Rhode Island Robert L. Carothers who

enthusiastically supported this project during his tenure, and Dr. Nicholas G. Loutsion of Canonsburg, Pa., president of his local chapter of the Rhodian Society.

Also attending were all parish clergy of Rhode Island: Frs. George Economou, Andrew George, Philip Zymaris and Evangelos Georgiades, pastor of the St. Demetrios Church in Fall River, Mass., who is a Rhode Island resident, State Rep. Leonidas Raptakis, and many of the project’s supporters.

Despina Metakos Harris served as the program’s toastmaster.

Speakers encouraged support of the fundraising campaign jointly undertaken by the R.I. Paideia Chapter, the PanRhodian Society of America “Apollon”, the Greek American organizations in Rhode Island and New England, the Hellenic American National Council and the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE).

Alabama Jr. Goyans Participate in Humanitarian Projects BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Outreach Committee of Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral, with the help of the Junior GOYA chapter, assembled health kits for 200 indigent patients at UAB Hospital.

Each kit contained soap, a toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and shampoo. A sticker was attached to the gift bag wishing the patients good health and greetings from the Cathedral. The University of AlabamaBirmingham Hospital Auxilary chairman and helpers picked up the kits and deliv-

ered them to the hospital. The kits were distributed to the most needy patients.

The outreach experience taught the children the true meaning of giving and a lesson in compassion. It was a moving experience. Among those who participated were: Arthur Triantos, Charles White, John Touloupos, Frank McEwen, Luke McEwen, Nicholas Hilburn, Danae Argyropoulos, Annie Summers, Alexandra White, Peter Wallace Gerontakis, Maria Kolettis and Georgia Hontzas.

WESTON, Mass. - More than 325 individuals representing 52 parishes gathered at the St. Demetrios Church on Oct. 3 for the 2009 Metropolis of Boston Clergy-Laity Conference.

The day before, 100 parish representatives and priests participated in a stewardship seminar at Dormition Church in Somerville, Mass.

Conference theme was Come and See: Gather My People to My Home, an invitation and an imperative command by the Lord to approach our ministry with a missionary focus of embracing all into the bosom of the Church,” said Metropolitan Methodios.

The conference featured workshops that addressed a variety of ministries, offering ideas, encouragement, support and tools with which to strengthen an advance the outreach programs of the parishes.

Presenters offered inspiring presentations and engaged in meaningful dialogue with the participants.

The conference also included a session attended by 50 teachers of the parish afternoon Greek schools presented by Dr. Ioannis Efthymiopoulos, national director of Greek Education, one for the choir federation attended by 27 church musicians, and a session for the Philoptochos women that addressed the importance of the philanthropic outreach in the local communities.

Fr. Sebastian Skordallos, chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of America, and Anthony Stefanis of Atlanta, a member of the Archdiocesan Council Executive Committee presented sessions on the Ministry of the Parish Council.

Fr. Sebastian shared resources and practical suggestions to enhance and grow the ministries of the Church.

Mr. Stefanis, who has 40 years experience in the information technology and health care industries, gave an overview of the new Parish Council Training Seminar and presented practical suggestions for the parish to operate in an atmosphere of peace, love and unity.

Fr. Charles Joanides, currently of the Center for Family Care, presented information related to this pastoral challenge and offered strategies and tools that clergy and lay leaders can utilize in their efforts to reach out and minister more effectively to this growing population.

Dr. Philip Mamalakis, assistant professor of pastoral care at Holy Cross who also has a private practice working with individuals, couples and families, offered a workshop which explored common strategies couples face in daily married life and strategies to support them.

Fr. James Kordaris, the director of the Archdiocesan Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism Department, George Vourvoulias from Chicago, a member of the national Stewardship Commission and George Matthews of Marietta, Ga., who co-chairs the Archdiocesan Finance Committee, shared thoughts on successful stewardship, offering footing for a strong base that provides a healthy parish stewardship ministry at all levels of development.

Alexei Krindatch, the director for Research at the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley, Calif., spoke on what it takes to be a vibrant and attractive Orthodox community in the 21st century America and offered characteristics of “suc-

cessful” parishes.

An information technology workshop was presented by Andrew Constantinou and Jamil Samara who formally unveiled the first major update to Bulletin Builder, which allows a parish to instantly create its weekly bulletin in print, via e-mail, and online in a matter of minutes. Fr. Frank Marangos, the dean of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral offered a workshop designed to offer practical suggestions in organizing young professionals and inspiring them to grow closer to Christ while building strong relationships and community.

Workshops on parish nursing and special needs ministry were presented

by Marion Avtges, RN and Mary Lynn Pergantis respectively, both stewards at the Taxiarchae parish in Watertown, Mass., and experts in these fields.

Mrs. Avtges explained that the Parish Nurse Ministry provides a link between the needs of the whole person - body, mind and soul - together with the resources of the church and community.

Mrs. Pergantis discussed the unique needs of parishioners with disabilities, and explored the reasons why these stewards of the Church often go unseen and unheard.

Fr. Constantine Sitaras, exacutive director of St. Basil Academy in Garrison, N.Y and Melissa Tsongranis, associate director for the Archdiocesan Center for Family Care offered a session which explored how parishes can minister to their families, offering practical suggestions and reviewing available resources.

How to turn around a declining parish was addressed in a workshop presented by Fr. Luke Veronis, pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Parish in Webster, Mass.

This workshop addressed the problems and challenges facing communities with declining membership and offered practical suggestions on how to turn this situation around and inspire renewal and growth.

Anton C. Vrame, Ph.D. addressed the question “Will Our Children Have Faith?” in his workshop which discussed the role of parents and parish religious education programs in the faith development process of children. Dr. Vrame is the director of the Department of Religious Education.

Members of the Finance Committee, Nick E. Avtges and Angelo Stamoulis reviewed the financial means of all levels of administration, offering finance reports, addressing the question ‘Why We Support the Archdiocese” and comparing results from membership (dues) and stewardship methods of financing the Church.

Said Metropolitan Methodios, “Stewardship is the only means by which we will grow the Church, as well as meet our financial obligations.”

Michael Sintros who has directed the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center for the past nine years and has been involved in the Metropolis of Boston camp since 1995, and Dino Pappas, director of the Boston Metropolis Youth and Young Adult Ministries, spoke on this vital aspect of outreach to the children and young adults.

This presentation amid glowing impressions only a week after a milestone and historic achievement for the Metropolis of Boston, the Door Opening of a Retreat House on the grounds of the beacon of Orthodox and Hellenism in New England, the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center.

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DECEMBER 2009

The core mission of Faith is to promote Hellenism and an understanding of the Greek Orthodox faith through a series of high quality innovative educational programs and cultural initiatives through an endowment to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Faith works to support the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in creating the ministries and educational programs that promote an understanding of our Greek Christian Orthodox faith, Hellenic culture, and the relationship of the two to each other and to America’s multicultural landscape.

The primary focus of Faith is to support the existing educational programs as well as to promote new programs and opportunities that will incorporate new technologies, resources and that partner with secular, educational, and cultural institutions for young, adult and elderly audiences.

The Founding Members wish you

and a new year filled with peace and joy!

Ms. Maria Allwin

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29

DECEMBER 2009

Archbishop Demetrios of AmericA the first DecADe 1999-2009

D. PANAGOS

New Center Dedicated Parishioners of Archangel Michael Church in Roslyn, N.Y., recently held the inaugural ceremony for its new community and educational center, with Archbishop Demetrios officiating at the Divine Liturgy on Nov. 22 (below). The new center includes 15 classrooms and a large hall. (above) Archbishop Demetrios and parish clergy Fr. Dennis Strouzas (left), proistamenos, and Fr. Evangelos Evangelidis, assistant, with the major donors for the center, Leonard and Penelope Zangas.

T

his beautifully produced book presents a full spectrum of the activities in the life of the Greek Orthodox Church in America from the years 1999-2009, the first ten years of Archiepiscopal Ministry of Archbishop Demetrios of America. The 368-page hard cover book contains 537 photographs, all taken by the Official Photographer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Dimitrios Panagos, and masterfully compiled & edited by Revekka Papadopoulou.

Honor Archbishop

Chapters include: Biography, Enthronement, Archpastoral Ministry, Education & Youth, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Official trips, Welcoming Visitors, At the Nation’s Capital, Omogeneia & Cultural Events, September 11-2001, Ecumenical Relations & SCOBA, 40th Anniversary of Episcopacy, and Honors & Degrees.

“A must for every Greek Orthodox parish & home in America.”

To order your copy of this book ($75 per copy + $10 S&H) please call 212-774-0244, or email gotel@goarch.org, or complete this order form and mail it to GOTelecom, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075.

Yes,_I_want_to_order_______copies Enclosed_is_my_check_for:_$_________________or_I_authorize_GOTelecom_to_charge_my: Exp._date:_______________________ Card_No.:____________________________________________________________________________ Name_on_Card:_______________________________________________________________________ Name:_______________________________________________________________________________ Address:_____________________________________________________________________________ City:___ _______________________________State:___________________ Resurrection Church in Brookville, N.Y., held a dinner on Nov. 21 honoring Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of his enthronement. Parish priest Fr. John Vlahos (left), Philoptochos chapter president Tina Conway and parish council President Jim Gabriel presented His Eminence with a $ 3,000 donation for the Archbishop Demetrios Benevolent Fund.

_Zip:________________

Phone:__________________________________Email:_________________________________________

30

DECEMBER 2009

St. Michael’s Home Holds Annual Feast Day Gala   page 2 eventually be able to relocate to a larger facility, where it can give the Greek elderly greater levels of care.

Name Day Gala Honoree The recipient of the 2009 Archangel Michael Award, Christos Spyropoulos, was born in Kastoria, Greece, and immigrated to New York when he was 12 years old along with his parents, Iordanis and Efthimia.

Exhibiting early on a desire and penchant for business, Mr. Spyropoulos by the time he was 15 years old had firmly established himself in the fur business as a contractor.

By 1978, and before the age of 18, Christ was a substantial distributor of furs in the United Sates.

His business continued to expand and in 1987 he closed the wholesale section of his company and concentrated his efforts in the retail sector.

Members of the St. Michael’s Home Board of Trustees.

After working as Vice President for Fred the Furrier and Vice President for Antonovich Furs, he went back into the wholesale industry. In 1993, he bought

Dimitris Panagos photo

into a Danish company which manufactured designer merchandise for top labels including Christian Dior, DKNY, Perry Ellis, and Marc Jacobs.

Today, Christos is president and CEO of BC International Group Inc., the largest retailer of furs in the world with more than 110 locations in 28 states. Its company affiliations include exclusive agreements with such stores as Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Lord and Taylor.

After hearing about the goals and mission statement of St. Michael’s Home, Christ became a staunch supporter and advocate. He feels that it is important for this generation to give back and take care of those that came before us. “How we take care of our elders is a reflection of who we are as a society and culture,” he says.

“We should show our respect and appreciation for those that have gone before us. The elders of the Greek Orthodox community bravely paved the way for our generation, they allowed us to dream and achieve an unprecedented level of success.

They deserve our fullest support and enduring admiration.”

Valerie Herz is development officer for St. Michael’s Home.

EOCS Holds Its 49th Annual Retreat His All Holiness Volunteers for 2011 Athens Special Olympics   page 5 willing, and in good health, I will be near you in June 2011.”

Mrs Despotopoulou, after the meeting that was also attended by Consul General of Greece Vasilis Bornovas, said: “It was an exceptional honor to be received by His All Holiness, the Primate of Orthodoxy – His

inspired words give me the strength to continue with the same enthusiasm, and to organize, together with my colleagues, an especially humanitarian, educational and athletic event. Our country is facing problems but I have no doubt that the State, having placed the exceptionally vulnerable members of the community high on the priority list, will support us.”

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GARRISON, N.Y. - The 49th annual Northeast Region Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) Retreat took place at the beginning of October at Saint Basil Academy with 242 participants. The EOCS is an agency of the Standing Conference of Eastern Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA) and provides scouting religious activities for Orthodox Christian youth nationally.

Fr. Anthony Falsarella, the weekend host, opened the retreat with a prayer. The Boy Scouts slept in tents in the north woods while the Girl Scouts bunked down in the dormitories. Students and seminarians from Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology conducted the retreat afternoon program based on the theme God’s Armor: Ephesians 6:13.

The Scouts were divided into age groups and participated in lectures and discussions related to the theme. Also during this period, the Scouts were encouraged to participate in confession. A number of Scouts told the chairman that this was first time they participated in confession.

While the Scouts were busy with the seminarians, Seminarian Barnabas Powell

held a lecture and religious discussion session for the adults. Following the afternoon events, participants attended a Vespers services and Lenten dinner prepared and served by St. Demetrios Church, Astoria, N.Y. After a short free period, the Scouts gathered around a traditional Scout campfire where each Scout unit presented a song or skit. The seminarians concluded the program with several religious stories of historical Orthodox events. Many songs and skits were very creative and accompanied by guitars.

Sunday brought the retreat to a close with a Divine Liturgy at the Saint Basil Chapel with all Scouts partaking in Communion. Before attending the closing ceremony, Scouts from St. John the Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly, N.J., attended a short memorial ceremony for the installation of a “Tony Triant Street” sign on the road leading into the campgrounds. Tony Triant was a Scoutmaster for more than 40 years and chaired the annual EOCS Retreat for 36 continuous years. It was particularly meaningful that this year’s retreat was cochaired by Tony’s widow, Chris Triant, and Peter Hilaris, both from St. John Cathedral.

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DECEMBER 2009

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

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32

What is the Bible?

and essential meeting with the Lord. From then I knew that Christ did exist. I knew that he was thou, in other words that he was the Risen Christ. I met with the core of the Christian message! This was the real turning point in my life.

Metropolitan Anthony, who was later to study at the Sorbonne, become a medical doctor, work with the French Resistance during WW II, become a monk, priest and ultimately a bishop in the Russian Orthodox Church in England, was brought to Christ by the sacramental power of the Biblical text!

  page 10 and such ill-will. And the certainty was so strong that it was Christ standing there that it has never left me. This was my basic

Fr. Tsichlis, pastor of St. Paul Church in Irvine, Calif, is president of the National Presbyters Council and a member of the Archdiocesan Council Communications Committee

DECEMBER 2009

Marriage and Family   page 12 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 consult the Interfaith Marriage Web site at www.interfaith.goarch.org. When You Intermarry and Attending to Your Marriage are both equally helpful resources.

Archbishop’s Statement on the Passing of Serbian Patriarch   page 3 funeral of the late Patriarch.

Condolences were also sent by the patriarchs and primates of the Autocephalous Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, representatives from the Jewish and Islamic communities, and the presidents and heads of governments of Greece, Russia, Belarus and Germany, as well as leaders of countries that are territorially part of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The government of Serbia announced three days of mourning over Patriarch Pavle’s passing, while the Government of Republika Srpska (Bosnian Serb Republic) announced that the funeral day will be a national day of mourning.

 An important detail

  page 11 the money so the Greek Church of Champaign-Urbana would not need to have “Poseidonian” festivities and “panigyria?”

I am sharing this with the Orthodox Observer readers, for the record, because of my appreciation for what John and his family offered and continue to offer to the Greek Community and the Orthodox parish of Champaign-Urbana, Ill. Antonios Michalos, MD, MS Champaign, Ill.

 Internet Ministries praise Editor, I was recently involved as a parishioner in a project to enable the live Internet broadcasting of the divine services of our Annunciation parish in Modesto, Calif.

Our project is now complete. Many individuals who are confined to their homes or to hospitals are now able to experience divine services over the Internet.

Others, including relatives living in Greece and unable to attend their grandchildren’s weddings, have benefited from these live broadcasts.

None of the success of our Internet Ministries initiative would have been possible without the valuable contributions made by Theo Nikolakis, director of Internet Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The entire Orthodox community is blessed to have an individual of Theo’s caliber and commitment involved in this important area.

Michael P. Zagaris Modesto, Calif.

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GET RESULTS observer@goarch.org Tel (212) 570–3555 Fax (212) 774–0239

33

DECEMBER 2009

Chicago Metropolis Family Synaxis Ministry Marks 10th Year

by Vanessa V. Clohessy

For the past 10 years, families and married couples in the Metropolis of Chicago have gathered together for a retreat over Labor Day weekend to enrich their spiritual lives. “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15) was the theme for the Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis 2009 retreat. St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines hosted 63 families for the two-and-a-half day event.

Sister Magdalen from the Monastery of St. John the Baptist in Essex, England was the keynote speaker. She gave four presentations during the weekend.

On Friday evening her topic was “Seek First the Kingdom of Heaven,” where she reminded the attendees that anxiety is destructive. “Anxiety should be turned into prayer and it will profit the children [in the family]. Keep it as anxiety and it is poison in the house and the children will run from it,” said Sr. Magdalen.

On Saturday, following the Akathist to the Mother of God Nurturer of Children, Sr. Magdalen spoke on “The Home as a Micro-Church.”

Present for the keynote address as well as for the whole day, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the Metropolis chancellor, representing Metropolitan Iakovos, who could not attend, welcomed Sr. Magdelan, and retreat participants.

In her keynote, Sr. Magdelan encouraged couples to pray as individuals, as a couple, and as a family; and to encourage their children to pray alone.

She also advised, “Err on the side of too short rather than too long. It is better if you stop prayer time early, leaving the children wanting more.”

She also encouraged parents not to use God as a policeman or to mention God when the child has engaged in bad behavior. “Teach them to turn to God for help and teach them that He forgives so children do not grow to dread God,” she said.

Sr. Magdalen also advised parents to be unified and to back one another up, especially in front of the children. She said, “Parents should be on the same side of the table facing a problem together.”

In Sr. Magdalen’s third presentation, she discussed “The Child as a Person.”

She advised parents to “treat the heart of each child as sacred” and to “be careful when their hearts are attached to something.”

She also encouraged parents not to ask how they can get their children to stop an unwanted behavior, but instead to ask themselves, “How can I express myself so as to not make my child fear to show his/ her identity?”

And in relating with their children, Sr. Magdalen said, “[Parents] need to not have time ‘for’ something; [they] just need to have time.”

In one of her most powerful statements, Sr. Magdalen said, “The prayer of the parent for the child is so strong because the parent and the child are ontologically linked.”

The most striking aspect of Sr. Magdalen’s presentations was the deep love with which she spoke.

“Listening to Sr. Magdalen gave me a sense that connecting to my children and keeping in mind who they are as persons helps me stay on the right path,” said Sophia Forero. “She gave practical advice for being an Orthodox parent, for example,

Organizers of the Family Synaxis with Sister Magdalen and participating clergy.

disciplining with humility and peace, not passion. We learned ‘connection’ before correction,” she said.

During Sr. Magdalen’s presentations, more than 160 children from age three through 12th grade attended age-appropriate workshops where they learned about, discussed, created art projects and participated in plays on such topics as “God Time,” “My Family and the Saints,” and “Wants and Treasures.” There was child care for children under three.

Halfway through the retreat, there were two breakout sessions for adults, when the more than 100 adults were divided into four smaller discussion groups led by Fr. John Rallis, Fr. Alexander Lukashonok, Dr. Ary Christofidis and Dr. Philip Mamalakis.

Adults discussed how to apply Sr. Magdalen’s advice and how to make God real in the home.

High school and middle school students also met with Sr. Magdalen to discuss teen issues and ask questions from, “what about make-up” to “do you eat ice cream.”

High-schoolers also participated in an outreach activity, when they visited with the elderly at the Greek American Nursing Home in Wheeling, Ill. They sang a Small Paraclesis to the Virgin Mary with the residents and then they broke up into small groups and visited with the them for quite a while, listening to the residents tell stories of their childhood and their own children.

Following dinner and Vespers on Saturday evening, Dr. Perry Hamalis led the “Family Sunday Gospel” workshop, where he discussed the church in the home on Saturday evenings. Hamalis provided practical tips for preparing for Sunday Liturgy on Saturday.

“The main point is to spend time together, face to face, in a spirit of love and prayer,” Hamalis advised. He said, “Be flexible about the specifics, but stick to the ritual as much as possible.”

Hamalis suggested that a good “plan” includes a short time of silence, scripture reading and sharing – discussing the meaning of the Epistle or Gospel reading.

Hamalis also suggested that the parents inform children of the plan and let them help shape the plan as their needs and abilities change.

Following Liturgy and brunch on Sun-

day, Sr. Magdalen spoke about St. Silouan the Athonite as a model for all. St. Silouan was the spiritual father to Elder Sophrony, who was the founder and spiritual father to the monks and nuns at St. John the Baptist Monastery until his repose in 1993.

On Sunday afternoon the families made blankets for Project Mexico, a mission program organized by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. And the retreat ended with dinner at the Holy Trinity/

Hellenic American Academy Festival in Deerfield.

Sr. Magdalen has written two books: “Children in the Church Today” and “Conversations with Children: Communicating our Faith.”

More than 60 families attended the retreat, representing some 275 participants from 18 Orthodox parishes.

While most people came from Chicago area churches, participants attended from as far away as Cincinnati and Boston, and from other Orthodox jurisdictions.

“The planning committee is so impressed and pleased with the ever-increasing number of families who participate from year to year,” said Toni Milak, who assisted with registration.

The Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis began its ministry in 2001. The mission of the Family Synaxis, as selected

by Metropolitan Iakovos, is “The Church in the Home.” Fr. John Rallis, protopresbyter, St. John the Baptist Church in Des Plaines., serves as the spiritual adviser and recent retreats have been co-chaired by Eleni Anast and Carrie Colis.

In addition to the weekend retreat, the Metropolis of Chicago Family Synaxis hosts an annual full-day Lenten retreat on the third Saturday of Lent. This year that retreat will take place on March 6, at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Glenview, Ill. and will be led by the husband and wife tandem David and Mary Ford, faculty at St. Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania.

LOOKING FOR 300 SPARTANS TO SUPPORT WASHINGTON HELLENIC STUDIES SEATTLE–The Hellenic Studies Program of the University of Washington began its final drive to endow a permanent position at a Founders Celebration November 21 in the UW Horticulture Center. The program included a panel discussion on ìGreece Today: Issues and Answers, live and silent auctions, and a call to enlist 300 Spartans who will give at least $1,000 to fully fund the position.

Begun in 2000, the UW program has expanded to include 370 students taking courses including modern Greek language, Greek History (pre-classical, classical, and modern), and two study abroad opportunities in Athens and Ioannina. During the past decade there have also been a number of cultural events and public lectures by visiting speakers.

These offerings have been made possible by grants from the Onassis Foundation, the governments of Greece and Cyprus, local AHEPA organizations, the John P. Angel Foundation, the Hellenes of the Northwest, and the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at UW, as well as many private donations.

Since the beginning, the goal has been to create an endowment for a permanent full-time faculty position. Originally, $1 million was enough, but now the minimum required is $1.5 million.

As with all investments, the endowment lost some ground during the current economic downturn. The fund is currently at approximately $700,000 which along with the Nick and Nancy Vidalakis Professorship at $250,000 will eventually help support the new position. A strong response to the campaign to enlist 300

Spartans and other generous grants and donations should at last fully fund a permanent full-time faculty member.

During the Founders Celebration, some 30 individuals and couples answered the call to become Spartans and received an attractive medal especially struck to recognize their philanthropy.

Several donors were honored as members of the Leonidas Circle for having previously given $25,000 or more. It is hoped that many others will soon join both groups.

The participants heard a stimulating panel discussion by three UW staff members about Greece. Dr. James Caporaso spoke on the European Union, Dr. Christine Ingebritson on Immigration, and Dr. Taso Lagos on the Environment.

Dr. Lagos also related his experiences with a group of UW students making a film documentary on the aftermath of the 2007 fires in Greece. The panel was moderated by Dr. Carol Thomas, the Vidalakis Professor of Culture, Excellence, and Spirituality in Hellenic Studies. Prof.

Thomas also is director of the Hellenic Studies Program.

Chris Legeros, KIRO-TV news reporter, served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer. Gus Kravas, special assistant, Office of the Provost, welcomed everyone on behalf of the university. In closing, John T. John, president of the Hellenes of the Northwest and a founder of the program, noted the importance of insuring the existence of Hellenic Studies for future generations and officially launched the campaign to attract 300 Spartans.

34

DECEMBER 2009

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35

DECEMBER 2009

by Elisabeth Lourie

Stephenie Meyer’s “New Moon” picks up where “Twilight” left off with the story of Bella and Edward. The story begins when, at her 18th birthday party, Bella gets a cut, and the Cullen family whom she’s come to know and love, are suddenly reduced to bloodthirsty vampires again. Although Edward saves her, it’s a sobering reminder to him of the danger she is in while a part of the vampire world.

Feeling that he must sacrifice his own feelings for the sake of Bella’s safety, Edward leaves with a promise that she will never see him again. Bella spends the following months alone in her room, finally seeking solace in the arms of her bff Jacob who also happens to be a werewolf. She discovers that when she places herself in dangerous situations, Edward appears to her like an apparition- driven by the desire to be even a teensy bit closer to Edward, she places herself in dangerous situations, culminating with a cliff dive that would have killed her had Jacob not pulled her out of the frosty water.

Through his sister Alice’s gift of foresight, Edward “sees” that Bella died due to the cliff jump. Deciding that he no longer wants to live in a world without Bella in it, he travels to Italy to have himself killed by the Volturi. Bella flies to Italy herself to save him.I won’t give away the ending, but you know there are two more books after this one.

Here are some issues that I had with the movie and the story.

1. Suicide is cool if you’re in love?

Spotlight On: NEW MOON There is a reoccurring theme throughout the movie that seems to glorify suicide in the name of love. From prolific references to Romeo and Juliet, to Bella’s cliff dive, to Edward’s actual attempt at suicide, the idea of dying if you can’t have love is inescapable. Edward states at one point, “I love you. You’re my only reason to stay alive... if that’s what I am. “ This idea of love being all consuming and the idea of life not being worth living without romantic love is an unhealthy one for teens. We are called as Christians to be consumed with the love of Christ and to treasure life, living it for God’s glory. Suicide is never a good option!

2. Bella as heroine? I think that the idea is that Bella is some sort of heroine, because she saves Edward from killing himself. I get it, but I don’t think she’s very worthy of the status of role model.

She mostly mopes around, toys with her friend Jacob’s emotions, and tries to get rid of her immortal soul. She doesn’t seem to have any hobbies of her own besides obsessing about Edward. She ditches her friends and ignores her dad.

I’d love to see a heroine who takes charge and has a life of her own outside of her boyfriend.

3. Damnation and giving up ones soul. The issue of Bella sacrificing her soul

UPCOMING GOYA EVENTS Metropolis of Denver Basketball Tournament January 15-18, 2010- Dallas, TX Visit www.denver.goarch.org for more information.

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Top 5 Things About Christmas 1. Jesus being born! Happy Birthday Jesus!

2. Giving and receiving gifts, remembering the generosity of the Magi and St. Nicholas 3. Christmas spirit!

4. Trees, cookies, movies, time with family!

5. No school!!

is still there. We find out in this movie that both Edward and Carlisle believe their souls to be damned. Bella does not believe that just because they are vampires, they are automatically damned. The movie does not explain what “damned” means or what happens after vampires die. It becomes problematic for us as Christians when Bella says things like “You can have my soul. I don’t want it without you!” Is there anything worth giving up your soul for? What could be more important than your immortal soul?

Questions to Ponder Bella is upset on her 18th birthday to realize that she is now older than Edward.

She knows that if she does not become immortal, someday she will grow old and die, while Edward remains forever 17. Edward claims that age and looks have nothing to do with his love for her.

Do you think her reasons for wanting to “change” are justified? Are her own insecurities clouding her judgment? Or is she right to be concerned?

Are you on Team Jacob or Team Edward and why?

Was Edward justified in his decision to leave Bella? Did his leaving and his return make sense to you? We are led to believe that he leaves her because he’s afraid for her soul and her physical well being. 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” Perhaps their love is less than perfect after all? Were Bella’s actions when she got herself into reckless situations selfish? Was she considering how her actions would affect the people that love her?

If Edward had succeeded in getting himself killed, what do you think would have happened to his soul?

If Edward weren’t a vampire, how different would the story be? Would you feel differently about their love?

We’re told in Deuteronomy to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Has Bella replaced the word ‘God’ with the name Edward? If so, do you think that’s a good idea?

CHRISTMAS GIFTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE This Christmas season, consider giving or receiving a gifts that make a difference in the world.

IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) offers you a chance to give a gift that will make a difference.

When people ask what you want for Christmas, consider telling them to make a donation in your name!

Through IOCC you can give the gift of health, opportunity, daily bread, education, or help in time of need.

For example, just $12 will buy a health kit to be given to a family who has been displaced after a natural disaster.

Imagine living in a place of constant war and turmoil- for families cut off from their land and sources of water because of conflicts like those in the West Bank.

IOCC steps in to provide tools, seeds, and training to grow house gardens, build water cisterns, and breed livestock so that they can provide for their own food needs.

Your gift of $75 can provide agriculture training and supplies to help more families.

Would you be able to learn if you were in a school with no doors, or no heat?

Your gift of $40 can repair windows, secure doors, and provide a hot meal for school children in need, providing a safe and productive learning environment.

Visit: www.iocc.org/ioccgifts to find out more.

St. John’s Christmas Homily Here is an excerpt from St. John Chrysostom’s Homily for Christmas Day. May we all join together on this joyous day to declare, “Christ is Born! Glorify Him!” “What shall I say? And how shall I describe this Birth to you? For this wonder fills me with astonishment. The Ancient of days has become an infant. He Who sits upon the sublime and heavenly Throne, now lies in a manger. And He Who cannot be touched, Who is simple, without complexity, and incorporeal, now lies subject to the hands of men. He Who has broken the bonds of sinners, is now bound by an infants bands. But He has decreed that ignominy shall become honor, infamy be clothed with glory, and total humiliation the measure of His Goodness….Truly wondrous is the whole chronicle of the Nativity. For this day the ancient slavery is ended, the devil confounded, the demons take to flight, the power of death is broken, paradise is unlocked, the curse is taken away, sin is removed from us, error driven out, truth has been brought back, the speech of kindliness diffused, and spreads on every side, a heavenly way of life has been planted on the earth, angels communicate with men without fear, and men now hold speech with angels.”

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DECEMBER 2009