Orthodox Observer - June 2011 - Issue 1266

JUNE 2011 • Vol. 76 • No. 1266

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Orthodox Hierarchs Assemble in Chicago

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

Amissos (Carpatho-Russian Diocese), and Metropolitan Epiphanios of Bryoula (Ecumenical Patriarchate). May their memory be eternal!

In our deliberations as Orthodox Hierarchs, we manifested a spirit of conciliarity, expressing our commitment to proceed on all matters in collegial and

CHICAGO – The second meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America convened May 25-27–exactly one year and one day after the first one in New York– in Chicago’s Hilton O’Hare Airport hotel under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

The first-day session opened with prayers with 44 bishops present. Most Canonical Orthodox Bishops from Canada did not attend, as they are seeking to establish a separate assembly. At the beginning of the meeting a letter was read from Patriarch Irinej of Serbia conveying that the Serbian members of the Assembly could not be present at this meeting because of the needs of the Serbian Church.

The agenda and the minutes of the first meeting were approved. Archbishop Demetrios delivered his chairman’s opening address, and invited the vice-chairmen Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, and Archbishop Justinian, the Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate to address the Assembly.

Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the greetings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and said that His All Holiness “as the First Throne of Holy Orthodoxy, is much desirous of encourag-

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The Feast of Pentecost When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:1-4

Message of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America CHICAGO – Upon conclusion of the second meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America which was held in Chicago May 25-27, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Chairman of the Assembly presided at a doxology prayer service conducted in English, Greek, and the other languages of the participating Churches. Following the service the hierarchs of the Assembly sat down for a farewell brunch of brotherly fellowship.

The Assembly issued the following official joint message: Christ is Risen!

“Glory to the Holy, Consubstantial, Life-giving, and Undivided Trinity.”

By the grace of God, we forty-five Hierarchs gathered in Chicago IL, on May 25-27, 2011, for the second meeting of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.

Several Hierarchs were prevented from attending due to personal illness, while our Serbian brothers, participating at a prolonged assembly of bishops meeting in Belgrade, were also unable to attend.

All of us experienced what the Psalmist joyfully declares, “how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” (Ps. 132.1) We draw inspiration from this resurrectional liturgical period, within which we have assembled, standing at the midpoint between the light of Pascha and the

grace of Pentecost, the crossroad between the possibility of new life and the reality of renewed communion, the merging of the melody of unity and the beauty of diversity.

We call to mind our brother Hierarchs who have fallen asleep in the Lord during the past year: Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville and Chicago (Serbian Diocese), Metropolitan Nicholas of

Archon Demetrios Panagos photo

Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America at their Chicago meeting.

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JUNE 2011

Leadership 100 Supports Youth Camps Nationwide

by George Schirra

The Leadership 100 Executive Committee unanimously approved a $270,000 grant on May 25, in time to be used for the 2011 Metropolis/Direct Archdiocesan District summer youth camps. This grant is intended to “strengthen Greek Orthodox youth as they grow in their Orthodox faith and appreciation of their Hellenic heritage,” according to Constantine G. Caras, chairman of Leadership 100.

The Leadership 100 Grant Committee, chaired by John Sitilides, along with members, Maria Allwin, Drake Behrakis, Justin Bozonelis, and George Tsandikos, unanimously approved the grant after studying detailed supporting statements from each Metropolis and the Direct Archdiocesan District.

All funds will be used exclusively for programming, scholarships and ministries for each camp program. The funds will be presented to Archbishop Demetrios who will then arrange for the distribution of $30,000 to each metropolis hierarch for sponsoring children to attend summer youth camps, according to Chairman Caras.

The primary purpose of this grant, according to Mr. Caras, is to sponsor young people who may not have an opportunity to attend a metropolis youth camp this summer and to share experiences with other Greek-American Orthodox youth. Funds may also be used by each metropolis to pay for programs important to each camp.

Leadership 100 distributed $1,031,600 in grants in 2010. In 2011, $1,361,600 million has already been distributed, including $1 million to Hellenic College/Holy Cross

Photo Credit CorreCtion Photo credit to photographer Demetra Stamus, whose photo of the author, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, appears on the inside jacket of his book, Encountering the Mystery: Understanding Orthodox Christianity Today. The 1st edition was incorrectly credited.

For more info email demetra@demetrastamus.com.

The kids at Camp St. Paul in Litchfield, Conn., are just some of the beneficiaries of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which is supporting summer youth camps throughout the Archdiocese.

School of Theology for scholarships.

The School also received $250,000 as final payment on a four-year $1 million grant

Archons Celebrate Name Day of Ecumenical Patriarch WESTFIELD, N.J. – The New Jersey Archons celebrated the name day of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with an artoklasia service at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey on June 11. Following the name day service, a religious freedom symposium commenced with two distinguished speakers.

Anthony J. Limberakis, M.D., national commander of the Order of St. Andrew, was the guest speaker for the first half of the symposium.

Fresh off the International Archon Religious Freedom Conference in Brussels, Belgium, and Turkey’s returning the confiscated Patriarchal Orphanage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Order of St. Andrew continues to fight for religious freedom for the Holy See of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarchate. National Commander Limberakis offered updates on the lat-

© Demetra S. Stamus, 2007

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est developments from meetings with government officials and religious leaders in Budapest, Berlin, Ankara and Istanbul during the Order’s recent “Religious Freedom Mission” to the European Union.

Dr. Thomas Papademetriou, the Constantine and Georgeian Georgiou Endowed Professor of Greek History and executive director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies at the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, was the guest speaker for the symposium’s second half.

Dr. Papademetriou has conducted extensive research in the Ottoman Archives and the Archives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey. His research focuses on the history of non-Muslims under Ottoman rule and he is currently directing an international collaborative project called the Anatolian Churches Project, funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

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$61,600 went for a variety of smaller grants.

Leadership 100 grant distributions, since its inception, total $30.4 million.

Hierarchs, HC-HC Officials Discuss School’s Direction BROOKLINE, Mass. – Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod and auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese met in early May with Hellenic College–Holy Cross School of Theology administrators and faculty to discuss the institution’s progress and future development.

The May 5 meeting, convened under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios, was the first such gathering of hierarchs, school administrators and faculty.

Topics under discussion included the admissions process, the curriculum and its further development and aspects of theological, liturgical and language education and training. Other issues considered included role of worship and the cultivation of high ecclesiastical Orthodox convictions and ethos.

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JUNE 2011

Message of the Assembly of Bishops

Hierarchs Meet in Chicago u u from page 1

u u from page 1 collaborative manner reflective of the unity that characterizes the various jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church within our regional Assembly. In this respect, we once again affirm our desire and willingness to work toward “the swift healing of every canonical anomaly that has arisen from historical circumstances and pastoral requirements” (2008 Message of the Primates 13.1-2), following the decisions of the representatives of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches regarding the “unswerving position and obligation to safeguard the unity of the Orthodox Church” (2009 Chambesy, Rules of Operation, Article 5.1a) and the promotion of “common action to address the pastoral needs of Orthodox living in our region” (2009 Chambesy, Decision 2c).

In accordance with our determination and decision during the 1st Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops (May 2628, 2010), we focused and acted upon our understanding that we are successors of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), assuming its agencies and ministries.

Therefore, among the items on the agenda was the work of the Assembly’s 13 committees, its Secretariat, and its 14 agencies and endorsed organizations.

We offer thanks to God for the positive spirit of cooperation that prevailed during the sessions of the Assembly.

We are pleased to report to our faithful what the committees of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops reported to their brother Hierarchs. The work of these committees will constitute the principal service of the Assembly, meeting frequently and regularly in order – with the participation also of lay members – to materialize the remarkable unity of the Orthodox Churches in this region. In this regard, we are inspired by the words of the Risen Lord: As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (John 20.21); and Truly, truly, I say to you: he who believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do. (John 14.12) Thus, in addition to official reports by the Chairman, the Vice-Chairmen, the Treasurer, and the Secretary, the respon-

Archon Demetrios Panagos photo

Archbishop Demetrios opens the assembly with readings from scripture and a prayer.

sibilities of the following committees were discussed extensively: Canonical Affairs, Canonical Regional Planning, Church and Society, Clergy Affairs, Ecumenical Affairs, Financial Affairs, Legal Affairs, Liturgy, Military Chaplaincy, Monastic Communities, Pastoral Practice, Theological Education, and Youth. Moreover, the coordinators of the various agencies and endorsed organizations, formerly under the aegis of SCOBA, will convene with respective Hierarch liaisons in order to determine the criteria of their relationship and establish appropriate channels of communication with the Assembly.

In particular, the Assembly warmly received and unanimously encouraged the creation of a common ministry for our military chaplaincy and our youth.

Our prayers are offered to God at this time for those who have suffered from the extreme weather conditions in the last weeks, especially and most recently the tornadoes and flooding in Missouri and Oklahoma in the United States, and throughout the region of our Assembly, where epic catastrophe has struck numerous people with death, devastation, and damage. May God grant rest to the souls of the departed and may the gentle breeze of His Spirit grant the victims the strength to rebuild their lives. We fervently encourage our parishes to offer generous material, financial, and spiritual support.

We cannot remain silent in the face of atrocities and persecutions committed against Christian minorities by fundamentalists and extremists, in Palestine and Egypt, especially against the Christians caught up in the upheaval of the Arab Spring, which has unleashed longoppressed diverse sectarian animosities.

In particular, the Christian communities in Palestine and the Middle East have been drastically reduced and compelled to emigrate as refugees. We urge political leaders throughout the world to stop ignoring the manifestations of intolerance,

CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Diaconate

Vasilios Hillhouse – by Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles – at St. John the Baptist Church, Beaverton, OR 04/02/11 Ordinations to the Priesthood

Dn. Dimitrios Kyritsis – Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver – Assumption Cathedral, Denver, 03/20/11 Dn. Pericles Kallis – Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit – Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY 03/06/11 Dn. Vasilios Hillhouse – Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles – St. John the Baptist Church, Beaverton 04/03/11 Assignments

Dn. Pericles Kallis – Annunciation Church, Buffalo 01/05/11 Fr. Konstantinos Manetas – St. Vasilios Church, Peabody, MA 05/01/11

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Fr. Gregory Patsis – Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Poughkeepsie, NY 05/01/11 Fr. Eugen Pentiuc – Taxiarchae Church, Laconia, NH 05/01/11 Fr. Paul Christy – Holy Trinity Church, Raleigh, NC 06/01/11 Fr. Dimitrios Kyritsis – Assumption Cathedral, Denver 06/01/11 Fr. Ciprian Streza – Archangel Gabriel Church, Traverse City, MI 06/01/11 Offikia

Fr. George Hatz – Office of Protopresbyter, bestowed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit 04/16/11 Fr. Haralambos Fox – Office of Confessor, bestowed by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco 05/21/11 Leave of Absence Fr. Andrew Walsh 06/01/11

discrimination and open persecution against all religious communities – Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike – living in contentious regions and countries of the world, notably in Northern Africa and the Middle East.

In light of the designation of June as “internet safety month,” we exhort our priests and parishioners to raise awareness and secure appropriate protection for our children and communities from the many and diverse prevalent dangers, including pornography, cyberbullying, perils by predators, risks of geotagging, and in particular dissension in the Church.

Technology is not sinful; but the abuse of technology is a sin and a crime. We encourage our faithful to disseminate relevant internet safety literature, organize internet safety classes, utilize parental controls, and take rigorous advocacy measures to pressure wireless companies and carriers to mandate protective options.

Finally, we are united in wholeheartedly acknowledging and fervently blessing the tireless ministry of our parish clergy and their families, the honorable presbyters and deacons in the service of Christ, the brothers and sisters of our monastic communities, and all those who do charitable work, those who serve our holy houses of worship, those who labor, teach, and chant, and all the people of God, who await His great and rich mercy.

Truly the Lord is Risen!

Archbishop Demetrios, chairman; Metropolitan Philip, 1st vice chairman; Archbishop Justinian, 2nd vice chairman; Archbishop Antony, treasurer; Bishop Basil, secretary; Metropolitan Iakovos, Metropolitan Constantine, Metropolitan Methodios, Metropolitan Athenagoras, Metropolitan Isaiah, Metropolitan Alexios, Metropolitan Nicholas, Metropolitan Evangelos, Bishop Savas, Bishop Andonios, Bishop Ilia, Bishop Demetrios, Bishop Daniel, Bishop Antoun, Bishop Joseph, Bishop Thomas, Bishop Alexander, Metropolitan Hilarion, Archbishop Alypy, Archbishop Kyrill, Bishop Peter, Bishop John, Bishop Theodosy, Bishop George, Bishop Ieronim, Archbishop Nicolae, Bishop Ioan Casian, Metropolitan Joseph, Metropolitan Jonah, Archbishop Nathaniel, Bishop Nikon, Bishop Tikhon, Bishop Benjamin, Bishop Alejo, Bishop Melchisedek, Bishop Michael, Bishop Matthias, Bishop Irineu, Bishop Mark and Bishop Irenee.

ing and enhancing the unity of the Church, especially through the Pre-Conciliar Conferences that have come to be known as the ‘Chambesy Process.’”

Archbishop Demetrios underlined the importance of this second meeting of the Assembly: “It is not without significance that we have traveled many miles to be with one another, in a spirit of fraternity, peace, fellowship and above all Christian love. As chairman of this Assembly I am grateful for your prayerful and irenic presence, and I am hopeful that we will be able to move our nascent body forward with positive steps that will lead to tangible results for all the Orthodox.”

The secretary of the Assembly, Bishop Basil of the Antiochian Archdiocese presented the Secretariat report. Another report and discussion followed on the agencies and endorsed organizations of SCOBA (Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in the Americas). These agencies include the following: Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS) – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) – Orthodox Christian Education Commission (OCEC) – Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) – Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) – Orthodox Christian Network (OCN) – Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM); and the endorsed organizations are: Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR) – Orthodox Fellowship of the Transfiguration – Orthodox Peace Fellowship (North America) – Orthodox Theological Society of America – Project Mexico – St. Catherine’s Vision, Inc. and Zoe for Life.

Speaking on this subject Archbishop Demetrios said “as the successor body to SCOBA, the Agencies and Endorsed Organizations are in need of direction from the Assembly, as to how and to what degree the relationship between these panOrthodox institutions and our Assembly will unfold. ” He also spoke of the great potential that lies ahead for Orthodoxy in America and around the world.

The Assembly continued its work on the second day May 26, with reports from all thirteen committees: Canonical Affairs, Canonical Regional Planning, Church & Society, Clergy Affairs, Ecumenical Relations, Financial Affairs, Legal Affairs, Liturgy, Military Chaplaincy, Monastic Communities, Pastoral Practice, Theological Education and Youth.

Just before the completion of their work and the adjournment of the formal meetings the members of the Assembly discussed and approved the Joint Statement that begins on page 1.

Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, HC-HC president, gives his welcoming remarks at the Commencement ceremonies on May 21. (Coverage on page 4).

(Archon D. Panagos photo)

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Hellenic College–Holy Cross Holds 69 Commencement th

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

BOSTON – The 69th Commencement of Hellenic College–Holy Cross School of Theology was held Saturday, May 21, at the Pappas Auditorium in the School’s hilltop campus in Brookline, Mass.

Archbishop Demetrios, the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and chairman of HC/HC’s Board of Trustees, presided at the Archieratical Divine Liturgy of the feast of Sts. Constantine and Helen in the chapel of Holy Cross. As it is the tradition of the School, the processional began in front of the Administration building with the banners and flags of the School leading and entered the auditorium for the invocation and the singing of the National Anthems by the HC/HC Chorale conducted

by Constantine Limberakis.

59 Graduate from College and Seminary Holy Cross School of Theology bestowed an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity to the renowned theologian, philosopher and thinker Professor Dr. Christos Yannaras, who is Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Cultural Diplomacy at The Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. The honoree has received a doctorate in philosophy from The Sorbonne in Paris and a doctorate in theology from The Aristotle University in Thessaloniki. Dr. Yannaras is the author of more than 20 books. Three of his more challenging works, Orthodoxy and the West, Postmodern Metaphysics and Person and Eros, were published for the first time in English by Holy Cross Orthodox Press.

Dr. Yannaras in his commencement address spoke about the “the relationship between Orthodoxy and the West, between the Orthodox ecclesial tradition and modern Western life.”

Archbishop Demetrios offered a pastoral and paternal exhortation to the graduates and urged them to always be guided by the Holy Spirit and the bright light of the Holy Cross. His Eminence also asked them “to do daring and bold things in their life” following the example of initiative displayed by St. Constantine the Great who founded Constantinople, the new capital of the Roman Empire and convened the First Ecumenical Council. Similarly the Archbishop said they should try to emulate the example of zeal, piety and dedication of St. Constantine’s mother, St. Helen, who discovered and restored the Holy Cross of Christ. The Archbishop told the graduates to take away from the feast of Sts. Constantine and Helen the elements of “initiative, boldness and attachment to the Church.

After all,” he said, “you are going to be the carriers of this tradition.”

Archbishop Demetrios said that these elements would be especially needed today as “you are going to face a situation where there is a need for spiritual security because faith is constantly attacked. There is a constant, subtle and non-stopping attack against faith in general, in the media, the press and within all contemporary communication media of all shorts and in the face of this, we need spiritual security to keep truth in the faith.” His Eminence also said there is a need for security in the area of ethics. “We see more and more a galloping prevalence of individualism, of the kind of individual who says: ‘I think what I think is right and I am the one to decide that, …there are no

Photos Archon D. Panagos

Graduates of Holy Cross (above) and Hellenic College are shown with Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou; the respective deans of the schools the Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Dr. Demetrios Katos; Dr. Thomas Lelon, Board of Trustees vice chairman; Bishops Elias of Philomelion, Anthimos of Olympos, and Dimitrios of Xanthos, and Dr. Christos Yannaras.

norms or rules for me, I am the creator, the judge, the enforcer and the applicant of what I decide as being my principles of behavior,’ and from this kind of attitude we need spiritual security … security for our spiritual life.” The Archbishop said that there is a third area of need for security and he specified this as the “security from the attacks against our basic institutions: family, Church, coherent society. And that is a tremendous need.”

The valedictory addresses were delivered by valedictorians Adina Afendoulis of Hellenic College and Dn. Ion Coman of Holy Cross. Of the 59 graduates in total who received their degrees, 15 graduated from Hellenic College and 44 from the School of Theology. From the 44 graduates of the Theological School, 30 received the degree of Master of Divinity, intended for those who wish to be ordained. Another eight graduates received the degree of Master of Theological Studies and six the degree of Master of Theology. Of all the graduates, 15 are already ordained clergymen.

Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of HC/HC, offered a salutation at the beginning of the program and said that the concluding academic year was characterized by very high academic achievement both in the College and the School of Theology.

He also said that a significant percentage of the Hellenic College graduates intend to continue their studies in Holy Cross.

Dr. Thomas Lelon the vice-chair of the Board of Trustees offered a warm welcome to the hundreds of family members and friends, the hierarchs and the other dignitaries attending the event.

Aphrodite Skeadas, president of the National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, offered a greeting and presented Archbishop Demetrios with a gift to the School, totaling almost $120,000 to be allocated partly for scholarships and partly for improvements to buildings and grounds of the School.

Greetings were also offered by the new Consul General of Greece to Boston Ilias Fotopoulos, the newly elected dean of Hellenic College Dr. Demetrios Katos and the dean of Holy Cross, Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald.

Present in the commencement ceremony in addition to the persons above were Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Bishops Elias of Philomelion, Anthimos of Olympos, and Dimitrios of Xanthos, school trustees and professors and many friends and family of the graduates.

HELLENIC COLLEGE Bachelor Of Arts

Adina Afendoulis, Lydia Bryant, Ryan Collins, Dn. Shewet Demowe, Rassem El Massih, Katerina Giovos, Danielle Hillas, Stephan Kakis, Konstantinos Kollias, Niko-

las Kyritsis, Jonathan McClish, Katherine Nunez-Aragon, Alexander Orphanos, Arielle Tselikis, Anthony Velardocchia.

HOLY CROSS Master of Divinity (MDiv)

Dn. Yanni Afendoulis, Thomas Alajakis, Nicholas Anton, V. Rev. Demetrios Antonopoulos , George Athanasiou , Dn. Ion Coman , Eleftherios Constantine , George Spiro Demas, Jason Dickey, Christopher Fahlbeck, Michael Gavrilos, Georgios Giavris, Dn John (Hayden) Haby, Nicole Hillas, Styliane Hondros, Andrew Horvath, Dn. David Hostetler, Rev. Perikles Demitris Kallis, Demetrios Kazakis, Gregory Kearns, V. Rev. Anthimos Konstantopoulos, Rev. Dimitri Kyritsis, Dn. Eric Michael Marcantoni, Claude Mierthew, Konstantine Pietronuto, Andonios Prayannis, Jonathan Resmini, Jacob Saylor, Rev. Milad Selim, Dn. Haralambos Spaliatsos.

Master of Theology (ThM)

Ioan Leonte, Christy Ma, V. Rev. Jovan Stanojevic, Rev. Evangelos Thiani, Christopher Tsichlis, Konstantinos Vasilakos.

Master of Theological Studies (MTS)

John Taylor Carr, Elizabeth Constantine, Kristin Dwyer, Athanasios Murphree, Rev. Dickson Nganga, Michael Saur, George Stefanides, Amanda Whisenant.

JUNE 2011

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HC/HC NEWS

Dr. Katos Named College Dean

by John Papson

Archon D. Panagos

Archbishop Demetrios and Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou present the Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree to Dr. Christos Yannaras, professor emeritus at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, at the HC/HC commencement. An evening reception and dinner honoring Dr. Yannaras took place at the Metropolis of Boston Cathedral Center.

Alumni Give Back to Their School

by Athanasios Pantazelos

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Alumni of both Hellenic College and Holy Cross held their Alumni Board and General Assembly meetings May 18–19 on campus. The meetings were well attended, as every Metropolis in the Archdiocese was represented by one or more alumni. In addition to the meetings, the Alumni Association honored the Hellenic College and Holy Cross classes of 1986 and the Holy Cross class of 1961 at their 25– and 50–year reunions.

This year’s Alumnus of the Year award went to Fr. Peter Chamberas (Holy Cross ’61) for his 50 years of service in the Lord’s vineyard and for his tireless dedication to Hellenic College and Holy Cross.

General Fund Raising

This year the HC/HC Alumni Association, under Alumni President Fr. George Chioros and Director Gregory Floor, had a banner year with their fund-raising efforts and were able to support multiple endeavors.

The Alumni Association raised $6,400 more than last year. The funds will be used

for various alumni activities, including the alumni magazine Together Again, which can be found online and downloaded for e-readers and personal computers; the HC/HC Alumni Cafe, located on campus during the school year and that employs five students, and events such as the Alumni vs. HC/HC Seniors Annual Bowling Tournament, and Alumni Tavli Ice Cream Social.

Alumni Memorial Wall

The Alumni Association has also contributed to fundraising efforts for the Alumni Memorial Wall, located behind the Holy Cross Chapel on campus. The memorial wall plaques hold the names of hierarchs, clergy, professors, administrators, staff, and students who have attended or been directly involved with Hellenic College and Holy Cross and have departed this life in the hope of the Resurrection.

The wall is regularly updated and the most current list for the memorial wall is located on the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Alumni pages of the website (www.

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BROOKLINE, Mass. –The Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, has announced the appointment of Dr. Demetrios S. Katos as dean of Hellenic College by a vote of the Board of Trustees.

Dr. Katos had been serving as interim dean for the past year. Fr. Nicholas’ announced the appointment at the May 21 Commencement.

Dr. Katos, a native of New York, received his B.A. from New York University, his Master of Divinity from Holy Cross and an M.A. in Early Christian Studies and a Ph.D. in Greek and Latin Patristic Theology from the Catholic University of America.

He has worked and taught at Hellenic College since 1999, being appointed a full time faculty member in 2002 in the Religious Studies Program which he chaired and in which he taught courses in Orthodox Christianity and the early Church.

He was also a lecturer in Orthodox theology in the Department of Theology at Boston College. A former treasurer and vice-president of the Orthodox Theological Society in America, he presently serves as a member of the administrative board of the Stephen and Catherine Pappas Patristic Institute at Holy Cross.

Professor Katos’ interests professionally and personally revolve around ancient Christianity, and he devotes his research to the theology, history and philosophy of Christian late antiquity. Among his recent publications are:

Dr. Demetrios S. Katos.

The Foundations of Noetic Prayer, in Thinking Through Faith, ed. Aristotle Papanikolaou and Elizabeth Prodromou (St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2008); Socratic Dialogue or Forensic Debate?

Judicial Rhetoric and Stasis Theory in the Dialogue on the Life of St. John Chrysostom, (Vigiliae Christianae, 2007); and Humility as the Harbinger of Imageless Prayer in the Lausiac History (St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, 2007).

Dr. Katos is a chanter at St. Athanasius the Great Greek Orthodox Church in Arlington, Mass., where he attends with his wife Christina, and their children Mia, Stephen and Anthony.

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Greek orthodox Archdiocese of America

Photos Niko Tzetzis

Fr. Panayiotis Chamberas (Holy Cross Class of 1961) receives the 2011 HC/HC Alumnus of the Year Award by Archbishop Demetrios, at the alumni dinner, May 20.

office of Parish Development 3 South Prospect Avenue, Ste. II Park Ridge, IL 60048 Phone: (847) 825-1432 Email: jminetos@goarch.com

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JUNE 2011

METROPOLIS NEWS

Direct Archdiocesan District Holds Assembly RYE, N.Y. –57 out of 61 parishes of the Direct Archdiocesan District (DAD) attended the May 16-17 Clergy-Laity Assembly at Church of Our Savior in Westchester County. Parish representatives came from as far as Washington and Nassau, Bahamas.

Delegates also learned of another record for the District, the attainment of nearly 100 percent its national ministries commitment allocation, which George Papadakos, Director of Finance at the Archdiocese noted in his report.

In a subsequent discussion of the National Ministries Commitment system, Archdiocesan Council Finance Committee Chairman George Vourvoulias and National Stewardship Committee Chairman George Matthews explained how the allocation system was developed and its basis on parish expenses. “It’s the most fair method of allocating the National Ministries Commitment that has been developed thus far” said Mr. Vourvoulias.

Mr. Matthews added that, under the previous system, a parish’s allocation was 15 percent of all income, but “it didn’t work.”

He said the Finance Committee settled on using expenses to determine the allocation in order “to support the National Church on a fair and proportionally based method.”

A parish can make certain deductions based on its expenses including mortgage payments, capital improvements, charitable and ministry giving, Greek and Religious Education expenses, just to name a few..

Mr. Matthews said a parish can file an appeal to change its allocation for several reasons, such as a downturn in parish income, or a disaster that has struck, such as the extreme case of Hurricane Katrina.

“Stewardship is not just about money,” he explained. “It’s about people who get involved in the work of the Church. It is a ministry.”

In his stewardship report for the District, Harry Raptakis noted that “half the parishes still use the dues system while the others have various degrees of stewardship and others have a minimum amount, basically dues.”

He said under the dues system, parish income totals about $270 per family, while under stewardship, the amount averages about $539. This fact proves true throughout the entire country and is the reason there is a major focus on moving all Parishes to Stewardship.

St. Nicholas Church Delegates heard a report from the Archdiocese Ecumenical Officer Fr. Mark Arey, about the status of the St. Nicholas at Ground Zero.

Struggles with the director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey continue to be the major hurdle to overcome for the church to be rebuilt.

“The church is going to be rebuilt,” he said. There’s no question, but it has to be rebuilt at Ground Zero.”

He continued, “St. Nicholas parish still exists and the parishioners are worshipping at Sts. Constantine and Helen in Brooklyn.”

In February, the Archdiocese and St. Nicholas parish filed a lawsuit in federal court to force the Port Authority to resolve the issue. That lawsuit is still pending.

He urged the Assembly participants to contact public officials including New York

Direct Archdiocesan District Clergy-Laity Assembly delegates listen to comments from Archbishop Demetrios.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo who, along with the governor of New Jersey, appoints the PA director and board.

Education and youth In his report to the Assembly, Archdiocesan Chancellor Bishop Andonios of Phasiane in discussing developments since the last assembly meeting and clergy assignments, added that the DAD had contributed the fewest number of students that were enrolled to study for the priesthood at Holy Cross School of Theology this past academic year, with seven, while the Metropolis of San Francisco sent 16, the Metropolises of Chicago and Detroit, 15 each; Boston and Atlanta, 12 each; Denver and New Jersey 11 each and Pittsburgh, 10. He urged the delegates to “do more to assist students financially.”

Archbishop Demetrios commented that “something has to be done” about finding candidates for the priesthood from the Archdiocesan District. He suggested that parishes provide names to the chancellor who can develop a connection with them. “We need new priests,” he said.

On the subject of parochial school education, the bishop said he met over the past year with school principals and that “more coordination and work is needed at the District level” to improve the parochial education programs. “It’s a critical ministry to the youth of the community and community at large,” he said.

Archdiocesan District Youth Director Deacon Evagoras Constantinidis discussed the activities of the district Youth Commission, which include Advent and Lenten retreats in the five regions of the district.

The deacon noted that this is one of the most active youth ministries in the country. He ascribed the statement to the fact that the district is more centralized with parishes being in closer proximity.

He noted that the GOYA Basketball League and about 400 participating children and the JOY league has around 700.

The annual youth Olympics, which takes place on Long Island each Memorial Day Weekend, has about 1,500 participants.

“Athletic ministries are a large part of what we are, something that we offer to kids coming to experience the fullness of the Church,” Deacon Constantinidis

continued.

But he added, “If that’s all they do, we have failed the Church. Athletic ministry must be full ministry of the Church. Next year, attendance at Advent and Lenten retreats will be mandatory.

We must bring our children into the fullness of our faith.”

The deacon also expressed gratitude to Fr. Elias Villis, one of the founders of the District’s Camp St. Paul, for his work as the camp director.

Education Maria Makedon, director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Education office, reported on her recent meetings with representatives of other religious groups with federal education officials in Washington and, in collaboration with the school principals, was able to secure about $160,000 in federal funds for the school year just completed, along with donations of laptop computers valued at more than $100,000.

But Ms. Makedon also reported that day school enrollments have declined to below 2,000 students for New York City parochial schools. She added that, “Half of the day schools are mostly non-Orthodox with a mixed student population. We must set new standards.”

One of the programs that the day schools will adopt in September is the Universal Pre-K program for students age 4.

Commenting on Ms. Makedon’s report, Archbishop Demetrios said that, at a meeting with federal education officials in Washington in 2009, it was noted that, in Manhattan, 200,000 students are enrolled in faith-related schools and which are considered private schools that were not eligible for funding because of the separation of Church and state.

But the Archbishop and others in the Presidential Committee for initiatives within faith communities have raised the issue of finding a formula to assist faithrelated schools with funds, as the schools helped ease the financial strain on public schools that do not have the additional students to budget for.

Model parish programs Two parish priests discussed successful programs in their communities that can serve as examples of successful ministries

Photo Archon D. Panagos

to other churches.

Fr. Nathanael Symeonides, pastor of Annunciation Church on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, discussed his parish’s young professionals and friends group, a new ministry he started at the end of November.

“We needed to serve certain individuals beyond those we normally think about,” he said. These include a large number of students and professionals, some of whom are unemployed.

“We introduce Christ into their lives and help them to use their skills and knowledge beyond their work day,” Fr. Nathanael added.

The group, currently about 270 members, meets informally after work on Monday nights on the rooftop lounge of an Upper West Side hotel. There is no charge or request for donations.

“At the meetings, we greet them and they can socialize and network,” he said.

Different lecture series and other programs are offered.

Every six to eight weeks they participate in an outreach and philanthropic activity.

“We ask them to contribute to outreach ministries (of the parish) such as the toy drive or Midnight Run. They come to church to make meals for the midnight run,” he said. “We want them to get involved in helping others.” The midnight run raises funds to help the needy.

The priest explained that not all those who attend the group are parishioners and not all live on the West Side, but many of them work in Manhattan. They represent the five boroughs of New York, and also come from New Jersey and Connecticut.

“This is a model that is evolving,” said Fr. Nathanael, “and I feel this is something that can be copied in other major cities.”

He said that he hopes to start a soup kitchen and a blood drive, and also work with St. Michael’s Home and St. Basil Academy.

Fr. Dimitri Moraitis of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, N.Y., discussed his model parish program, one that ministers to homeless on the North Shore of Long Island.

He said that most are Hispanic men from Central America looking for work who linger around the Long Island Rail

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JUNE 2011

The Voice of Philoptochos

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Albuquerque Hosts Metropolis of Denver Conference ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Denver Metropolis Philoptochos convened for three days in conjunction with the Metropolis Clergy Laity Assembly, May 12-14.

The schedule included a session May 12 with Metropolis Philoptochos President Barbara Latsonas who provided guidelines for the new chapter presidents and other officers. Christine Karavites, National Philoptochos Board member, facilitated an interactive leadership forum discussing the qualities, skills and knowledge to succeed and survive as a president, “National Philoptochos Communications – Keeping in Touch Electronically and Engaging Members to promote Sustainability.”

On May 13, Philoptochos partnered with IOCC, OCMC and Orthodox Prison Ministries to present a workshop on philanthropy and outreach. This was followed by a Philoptochos meeting and delegate forum focused on Team Philoptochos and the impact of National, the Metropolis and the chapters. Delegates participated in an interactive exercise to examine chapter needs in order to better communicate, engage members and sustain the organization.

Delegates elected the following Metropolis Executive Board: President–Marian Catechis–Houston; 1st Vice President–Barbara Vittas, Euless, Texas; 2nd Vice President–Georgia Carson –San Antonio; Secretary–Kathy Preonas –Albuquerque; Treasurer–Martha Stefanidakis, Houston; Assistant Treasurer –Cindy Demeris, Houston.

Annapolis Chapter Honors Presbyteres ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Agia Anna Philoptochos of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church honored area presbyteres and thanked them for their service to the Church during the chapter’s recent luncheon and fashion show.

Co–Chairmen Presbytera Stavroula Karavellas and chapter President Stella Katcheves and their committee planned a beautiful afternoon enjoyed by the many attendees and presbyteres. The special afternoon of fun and recognition began with a wine–and–cheese reception followed by a wonderful luncheon and fashion show as well as special remarks from National Sisterhood of Presbyteres President Presbytera Alice Noplos and Vice President Presbytera Pauline Pavlakos.

This was the first ever event to support the Metropolis of New Jersey Sisterhood of Presbyteres. A monetary presentation was made to Presbytera Malama Burdusi for the Metropolis of New Jersey Presbyteres Sisterhood. The day ended with many warm and memorable expressions of Christian love and support.

National President Skeadas addresses delegates of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos.

Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Meet in Rye, NY. The Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos held a successful Conference May 16-17 with 130 Philoptochos members attending from 35 chapters. Maria Skiadas, District president, reports an increase of 388 new members in the past two years.

For the same period the chapters contributed over $68,000 to the District’s commitments that include Hellenic Cultural Center, Holy Cross Scholarships, and St. Michael’s Home.

The District sponsored Camp St. Paul, the Archdiocesan Junior Olympics and has a social service committee to assist the chapters needing assistance.

National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas offered inspirational remarks to the delegates (See full text at www.philoptochos.org) exhorting them to embrace and support the important effort to establish a permanent home for Philoptochos, the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy at this critical juncture when the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society celebrates a milestone 80th anniversary serving those in need.

She framed the urgency for the National Philoptochos Society to secure a stable

and permanent home after being headquartered for more than 20 years at the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan and presently in temporary rental space. With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the National Philoptochos has begun this initiative to purchase a home, “…To preserve what has been established and to foster future development of the Philoptochos mission.”

This decision to establish a permanent home for Philoptochos in New York City was voted unanimously by the National Philoptochos Board and the 2010 National Philoptochos Convention delegates. “….The National Board shares this vision with the faithful throughout America in a program of education and enlightenment. The audiences throughout the USA are receptive and demonstrate their support with positive benefit. Metropolis Philoptochos Boards of Chicago and Detroit already have responded positively and enthusiastically with successful events producing financial support for the Center. Metropolis Philoptochos Boards of New Jersey and Atlanta similarly are planning their fundraisers in support of

Pittsburgh Holds Daffodil Luncheon The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Philoptochos held their annual Benefit Daffodil Luncheon on April 30 at the Rivers Club in downtown Pittsburgh hosted by the following area churches: Holy Cross, Pittsburgh; All Saints, Canonsburg; Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Aliquippa; and Holy Trinity, Ambridge.

Keynote speaker was National President Aphrodite Skeadas, who thanked Metropolitan Maximos for his leadership, Metropolis Philoptochos President Rosemary Nikas and the entire Pittsburgh Metropolis Philoptochos for their continued support.

President Skeadas conveyed the importance of this time in the history of

Philoptochos when we recognize the organization’s 80 years of philanthropy and plan for the future and a permanent home -- the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy. (See full remarks on www.philoptochos.org.)

More than 260 attendees joined in this special fundraiser to support Social Services and the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Melanoma Program. Dr. Lisa Butterfield, Ph.D. - University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute’s Melanoma Program offered thanks to the Philoptochos for their excellent support. Entertainment was provided by: Alexandra Loutsion, Soprano accompanied by pianist James Lesniak, members of the Pittsburgh Opera.

the Center. The National Board looks forward to a Direct Archdiocesan District event promoting the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.”

The Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy will be the Philoptochos permanent headquarters allowing for expansion of social services assistance, educational workshops, forums, training sessions and seminars for the Society on a chapter, metropolis and national level. The Center affords the opportunity to better serve those most in need and the chapters nationwide. “.. Philoptochos is not now what it was 80 years ago. Philoptochos will not be in 80 years what it is today. The Center of Philanthropy will be the keystone for the evolution of the future Philoptochos.”

Bishop Andonios, National Philoptochos advisor, addressed the delegates, encouraging new members to serve and join the boards and provided an update on St. Michael’s Home.

Paulette Geancopoulos, National Philoptochos Social Service worker, informed the chapters about the programs and procedures of the Office of Social Services.

Center of Philanthropy Appeal Delegates at the 2010 National Philoptochos Convention in Atlanta resoundly adopted the goal to establish The Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy. As of May we have raised over $1.2 million. Donations large and small ($5,$50, $500, $5000 or any amount) may be sent to Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy, National Philoptochos, 7 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10017 or go to www.philoptochos.org. to donate on line.

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

8

Commentaries and Reflections

Three Cheers for Sports!

by Fr. Mark Sietsema

I don’t follow soccer, at all. In fact, just watching it makes me dizzy. But the 2010 World Cup tournament—and the level of interest it generated in our country—got me thinking about the tremendous importance of sports in the lives of our youth. I would like to take a moment of your time to ask you to consider all the benefits that athletics give our children, and why sports is such a worthy commitment of their time and energy.

Three cheers for sports! We all know the most obvious benefit of sports for our kids: sports build character.

This truth should be self-evident, but in case there are any holdouts among us, let’s consider the validity of this idea.

All those hours of practice and training, of sweating and straining—these mold not only the body, but also the soul with self-discipline and the drive to excel in all of life.

Just look at the top athletes in all the sports. Who would not want their son to grow up to be a fine young man like Kobe Bryant or Jose Canseco or Michael Vick or Tiger Woods or Pete Rose or …

Wait, wait … forget that I mentioned them. Sports really must build character most of the time. I mean, if all the hard work of high-level competitive sports didn’t build character, well, then, all that aggression would start working itself out in other ways. Like bullying.

And we know that doesn’t happen in our schools.

OK, sure, it did happen at Columbine. It was the “cult of the athlete” there that drove two young, bullied men to their killing spree in 1999. And, yes, bullying (by athletes especially) is a chronic problem across the country: an epidemic, one might say. (We now have the new word bullycide as a label for suicide caused by bullying.)

And, yes, school officials turn a blind eye to the misdeeds of top athletes, for fear that their talents be lost on the playing field, and with them the victories.

Because, after all, as Vince Lombardi said, “If winning isn’t everything, then why do they keep score?” And if that isn’t a statement about character, I don’t know what is! (I leave it to you to decide if it reflects good character or bad character.) Maybe UCLA coach John Wooden had it right: “Sports don’t build character, they reveal it.” And they reveal it in both the players and the boosters.

Even so, still let’s say: Two cheers for sports! We know that American kids are increasingly sedentary, and that more exercise is what all of them

u Religious freedomt Editor, I read with interest the article in the April issue of the “Orthodox Observer” the adoption of a resolution by the North Dakota state legislature in support of the religious freedom of the Patriarchate in Istanbul.

I don’t know what affect these resolutions might have, but my sincere

need, and organized sports provide that exercise. Plain and simple: sports participation is good for young and growing bodies, and it begins an ongoing habit of physical activity, as all the research shows.

Although … some of it doesn’t. Actually, a lot of it doesn’t. In fact, research actually shows that we are in the middle of yet another epidemic: teenage sports injuries. Chief among these problems are concussions, ruined knees, and neck and shoulder trauma—all conditions that can have lifelong effects and create early-onset arthritis. But hey, it’s worth walking with a cane at age 40 in order to have the one shining moment of glory when you’re 17 that everyone will remember until …

Well, actually they’ll forget it pretty much by the next season. If we didn’t forget, how could we—in good conscience—push our kids into activities that produce stress fractures and repetitive usage injuries at younger and younger ages?

Doctors are seeing problems in teenage kids that they used to see only in middleaged adults (including steroid use). And it’s not just in boys’ sports or in the contact sports like football and hockey. (If you think tennis is a body-friendly sport, read Andre Agassi’s autobiography.)

But at least the kids are picking up pastimes that will motivate them to exercise for the rest of their lives, right? I mean, a guy who plays football in high school will still be playing it regularly as a form of exercise into his forties and fifties, won’t he? I myself have never seen it, but it must happen … otherwise we would be fooling ourselves about what a great lifetime of fitness is prepared for kids by playing in organized sports.

Well, putting that issue aside, at least I can say with confidence: One cheer for sports! By participating in sports, kids learn teamwork, they develop perseverance, they make friends, they gain self-confidence, they see the connection between hard work and achievement, and they are less likely to use illegal substances. (I will not mention Michael Phelps).

Of course, your kids can get pretty much the same benefits from singing in a chorus, playing in a band, working on the yearbook, acting in the school play, joining the Scouts … or coming regularly to church and participating in the life of the community—Sunday school, choir, cleanup days, fundraisers, potlucks, camps, etc.

Granted, all these other activities will cost less than sports participation in terms of equipment, auto mileage, medical bills, and wear and tear on the family schedule and nerves.

They also interfere less with academics. But sports is definitely the investment that offers the biggest payoffs in the long run, just in case your child becomes that one in 500,000 that scores a million-dollar contract.

And isn’t that chance alone is worth giving up the family’s weekly commitment to church in the coming school year?

Sunday morning practices and tournaments that preempt church—all this is accepted by parents nowadays because otherwise children wouldn’t get to participate in organized sports programs. They would miss out. And in missing out they would have to learn how to stand apart from the crowd, how to be their own person, how to stick to their principles, how to manage priorities. (Now that would be an exercise in character-building!)

In past generations, letting a young person skip church in favor of sports would have been seen as a shocking collapse of parental priorities—as a form of child abuse even— detrimental to their moral and spiritual development.

We don’t see it that way anymore. I can’t exactly say why …

I only ask, though, that before parents agree to another year of putting sports ahead of church, they answer one question. When I go up to the Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp in Rose City every summer, I hear dozens upon dozens of camper confessions.

These give me a good sense of the challenges that face our young people … including those who are active in sports. Chief among them are: hurtful romances, temptations to drink and smoke pot, internet pornography, premarital sex, dealing with divorced/ alcoholic/abusive parents, bullying, depression and thoughts of suicide.

Your child will face one or more of these problems in the years ahead. It is inevitable.

I know what the church has to offer our young people … and they always seem deeply grateful for the spiritual help. I doubt I would have the repeat business in the confessional, summer after summer, if the gratitude were not genuine.

My question for you is: what do your children’s Sunday morning sports offer to them in the face of these challenges that lie ahead?

St. Paul knew the answer: “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that is now and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8).

Everyone on “Team Jesus” is a champion in the end, if they train diligently. Three cheers for parents—from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—if they keep their eyes on the prize and their kids in church, faithfully, in season and out of season, Sunday after Sunday.

opinion is it would take an act of the United States government to affect any change.

The reasons for nonintervention are obvious, because of past strategic relationships between the United States and Turkey, but in view of political changes in recent years, is this still the case?

Additionally, what is preventing the Orthodox Church of North America and other countries to provide financial

support to the Patriarchate in Istanbul.

It was heart-wrenching to watch the interview on “60 Minutes” between Bob Simon and Patriarch Bartholomew.

It is obvious religious freedom does not exist in Muslim countries, regardless of what one hears on the news, and especially in Turkey that is supposed to be a secular country.

Fr. Sietsema is pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Lansing, Mich.

Stephanie Rousso St. Clair Shores, Mich.

JUNE 2011

The Feast of Pentecost

by Eva Kokinos

The Feast of Holy Pentecost is celebrated each year on the 50th day after the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha (Easter) and 10 days after the Feast of the Ascension of Christ. The Feast is always celebrated on a Sunday. This year, Pentecost is June 12.

As it states at www.goarch.org, the Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles on the day of Pentecost. It also celebrates the establishment of the Church through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of the thousands who on that day believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ. The Feast is also seen as the culmination of the revelation of the Holy Trinity.

But how does the Feast of Pentecost apply to our lives in 2011?

Preaching the Gospel and living a Christian life is not easy. We are confronted with temptations and obstacles every day from many different sources: peers, movies, music, television, etc.

Given the awesome mission of preaching the Gospel and bringing others to that belief of salvation through Jesus Christ, the Apostles also experienced challenges and obstacles. But just as the Holy Spirit descended on the Apostles at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is constantly with us and working in our lives.

How do we encounter the Holy Spirit today? It is through regular participation in the Holy Sacraments that we are immersed in the blessings of the Holy Spirit. One way is through the Sacrament of Baptism. Through the Holy Scriptures, we know that the Holy Spirit was present at the baptism of Jesus Christ (Theophany) and at Pentecost with the Apostles. In the same way, we receive the blessing of the Holy Spirit which descends upon us at baptism. The priest chrismates the newly baptized Christian with the sanctified oil. This gift of the seal of the Holy Spirit is an affirmation that the newly-anointed is a special and essential part of Christ’s Church.

In addition, the priest reads the Prayer of Absolution during the Sacrament of Confession. We receive the gift of the Holy Spirit when our hearts are changed through repentance. Of course, we ask God to send down His Holy Spirit to descend upon us and the gifts that we offer to become the Holy Eucharist during the Divine Liturgy.

The Apostles of that time were called to go forth and “make disciples of all nations.” Today, we are not sent out just like the Apostles. But we do encounter many people throughout our lives… at school, at work, at the grocery store, and at Church. We are called to witness our faith at all times and in everything we do, despite the temptations and challenges. Through our own active participation in the life of the Church, and the blessings of the Holy Spirit, our lives can serve as a “living Gospel” so that others might believe.

Eva Kokinos serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit.

She is a 2003 graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology, receiving a Masters of Theological Studies.

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JUNE 2011

M a r r i a g e a n d Fa m i l y Taking a Leap of Faith

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

Recently, I had the following e-mail exchange. I have chosen to share excerpts from this exchange in hopes that others might find what follows helpful.

Several identifying characteristics have been changed to protect the respondent’s identity.

Dear Father Charles, I grew up Greek Orthodox. I am married to a man from Panama who was raised in the Catholic Church, but he does not practice his faith.…We got married in the Orthodox Church, but we then decided to baptize and raise our children Catholic.

I was not thrilled with the idea, but I felt it was a fair compromise at the time….I don’t feel at home in the Catholic Church.

I also don’t feel completely at home in the Orthodox Church.

I never learned Greek, my father is not Greek, and I never really felt “Greek enough” to belong….My son is now five years old and we also have a daughter who is 11 months old and they have not been baptized….I do not feel comfortable in the Catholic Church….But then I think I’m just being selfish. I need to think of what is best for the children. It is probably a lot easier for them to go to the Catholic Church….I have been very stressed about this for a long time.

I have trouble sleeping and I get very emotional when I think of it. My husband has said we can baptize in either Church.

If we do choose Orthodoxy, the godparents are also a difficult issue because we don’t really know anyone who is Orthodox besides older relatives and my parents.

My brothers, sisters and parents make me feel guilty because I don’t go to the Orthodox Church….I wonder if we will feel comfortable in a Greek Orthodox Church.

There are no churches in my area that use enough English. I’m feeling very sad and really just don’t know what to do….Thank you for any advice you can share.

E-mail Respondent Dear Sister in Christ, I suspect you have been stuck at this crossroad for a long time. It is not unusual for intermarried spouses to find themselves at a similar crossroad. My hope is that you will permit God to help you make some Christ-centered choices so that your suffering will pass and you will finally find some peace.

Although I do not know you, your message suggests that the distress you have described is interrelated with your inability to reconcile individual, couple, family, children’s, extended family and faith group needs. My research, plus my countless consultations with intermarried couples, has shown that your situation is not unusual. As a result, I would like to offer a few suggestions to help you find a way out of this unhealthy predicament.

It has been my experience that many intermarried spouses and couples who struggle with lingering challenges fail to recruit God’s help. For this reason, I want to remind you that God can move mountains, and He can draw straight lines with crooked sticks. So, stop struggling alone and turn to God for some direction, comfort and help.

Even now as you read what I have written I suspect God’s still, small voice is trying to communicate with you, but

you are likely unable to clearly hear Him because the fears and concerns associated with reconciling all the above disparate needs are preventing you from faithfully responding to what He’s asking you to do. What do you think about these last few statements? Do they relate to your present challenges?

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Dear Father Charles, You’re right. I have been struggling alone to find a way to satisfy everyone. In some ways, I know that it’s impossible to make everyone happy… There is a part of me that won’t permit me to believe it’s as easy as letting God help me. Why would He want to help me? I sometimes wonder if I’ve disappointed Him, and I don’t deserve His help.

Dear Sister in Christ, Allow me to share the following story with you.

One early morning just before sunrise a father and his young son were slowly making their way to their favorite fishing spot. Eventually they would come to a drop-off that was familiar to the father. He would jump into the drop-off, and then instruct his son to jump - assuring him that he would catch him. “It’s too dark, and I can’t see you,” protested the boy.

In response, the father calmly responded, “It’s okay, I can see you. Just jump and I’ll catch you.” So the boy would reluctantly jump, landing safely in his father’s arms.

You may be like this little boy. Your observations suggest to me that God may be asking you to take a leap of faith into the darkness – a leap away from the fears and concerns that have kept you stuck for such a long time and into His loving embrace.

One of the Fathers of our Church, St. Gregory of Nyssa, forewarns all believers that eventually, in our religious journey, we will be brought to the edge of a precipice and God will ask us to jump, and if we take this leap of faith, we will fall into God’s loving embrace. St. Gregory also teaches that those who fail to take this leap of faith resemble “a woman who is constantly laboring, but never giving birth.” In other words, they remain stuck, laboring over certain concerns and fears similar to your own and they never move beyond them.

Dear Father Charles, Okay, so how do I take this leap of faith? I’m afraid!

My Dear Sister in Christ, Despite the fact that the fears and concerns you have been laboring over appear to be insurmountable, they are not. I have met numerous spouses and couples with similar challenges who have been blessed with healthy, holy, mutually satisfying resolutions. Like them, you simply need to let go of your fears and concerns and take a leap of faith. Once you do, God’s transformative, healing grace will come into your life and you will find some peace and blessed answers to the issues and problems that have caused you so much distress.

Admittedly, it is frightening to take this leap of faith, but He won’t let you fall. That’s not in His nature. He loves you far more than you know. Simply trust Him,

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10

JUNE 2011

METROPOLIS NEWS Metropolitan Evangelos Presides Over NJ Clergy Laity Assembly

by Deacon Panagiotis Hanley

WESTFIELD, N.J. – Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, convened and presided over the 2011 Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy-Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention at “The Venetian” in Garfield on May 15-17.

The Assembly convened just days

after the 8th anniversary of Metropolitan Evangelos’ordination to the Episcopate and enthronement as the first metropolitan of the Metropolis of New Jersey.

St. John the Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly was the site of the first Clergy-Laity Assembly event held Sunday evening, which began with Great

Photos Archon D. Panagos

Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey (top) with the community leaders who received the awards.

(Below) Metropolitan with Bishop Philotheos of Meloa (left) and Bishop Anthimos of Olympos (right) with members of GOYA who were honored at the banquet.

Vespers followed by a welcome meal for the clergy, delegates, and faithful, hosted by the Cathedral community.

In a warm and cooperative atmosphere, clergy and delegates exchanged ideas and expectations regarding this year’s Assembly, which had as its theme Faith and Service: “…without faith it is impossible to please Him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” (Hebrews 11: 6) “And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8: 27) Monday morning began with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, which was celebrated by the Rev. Protopresbyter Constantine Nastos.

Metropolitan Evangelos officially opened the Assembly after a brief prayer service, at which time the Assembly was turned over to the chairmanship of James Fountas, vice president of the Metropolitan Council.

Brief introductory and welcome messages were offered by Clergy Syndesmos President Fr. Lou Noplos; Metropolis Philoptochos President Theano Chatzopoulos; and Metropolis Sisterhood of Presbyteres President Malama (Molly) Burdusi.

The Metropolitan then offered an inspirational Archpastoral exhortation, expounding upon the theme of this year’s Assembly, “Faith and Service,” and his personal reflection on the first eight years of his Archpastorate as chief shepherd of the God-saved Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne.

Following his remarks, presentations on various Metropolis ministries were made. This included material from the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, a report on religious as well as Greek education, and the Department of Youth Ministries. A report was also provided by James Fountas

and Dr. Notis Kotsolios on the progress of the renovations of the GOMNJ Headquarters.

Workshops were offered focusing on the various ministries – including a unique 21st century ministry opportunity on technology that was offered by Fr. Christ Kontos of Broomall, Pa., and Joanne Kontos-Tsinonis.

The workshop emphasized communication and how the Metropolis is now able to reach not only every parish but each individual parishioner through e–mail and iPhone/Android apps.

On Tuesday morning the Assembly reconvened with the celebration of Orthros followed by breakfast for clergy and delegates. Assembly business began in the morning session with presentations on parish administration, a report on Archdiocese finances presented by Jerry Dimitriou, executive director of administration.

Metropolitan Presents Awards to NJ Regional Honorees After the conclusion of Monday’s session of the Clergy-Laity Assembly, Metropolitan Evangelos honored 80 persons of the northern New Jersey region at the awards banquet for their service to the Church. Honorees consisted of Goyans, Philoptochos members, parish council members, community leaders and choir members.

The Metropolitan remarked during the awards celebration that, “We bestow honors upon these individuals not for the worldly recognition or accolades, but rather to offer our sincere thanks to Christ Jesus and to hold up these individuals as examples so that their actions may be emulated in the future.”

Also present were Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Bishop Anthimos of Olympos, Fr. Kosmas Karavellas, vicar general of the Metropolis; Fr. Louis Noplos, the Clergy Syndesmos president; Ambassador Aglaia Balta, consul general of Greece in New York; Kyriaki Sophianou, consul general of Cyprus in New York; James Fountas, vice chairman of the Metropolitan Council;

Aphrodite Skeadas, National Philoptochos president; Theano Chatzopoulos, Metropolis Philoptochos president and Presbytera Malama Burdusi Metropolis Sisterhood of Presbyteres president. John Vasiliou served as master of ceremonies.

Also present from the Archdiocesan District were Fr. Alexander and Presbytera Xanthi Karloutsos.

Honorees and their parishes are as follows: GOYA Cathryn Andreanidis, St. George, Trenton; Daphne Bistromovich, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holmdel; Andriana Chryssanthakopoulos, St. Barbara, Toms River; Yanni Daniskas, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen, Orange; Zoe Ferranti, St. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly; Antonia Gasparis, St. Nicholas, Wyckoff; Paraskevi Georgalos, Ascension, Fairview; Christine Khalil, St. Demetrios, Perth Amboy; John Kantilierakis, St. George, Piscataway; Kristina Koumoutsos, St. George,

Asbury Park; Evangelia (Angela) Panagiotopoulos, St. Athanasios, Paramus; Stephanie Panagakis, St. George, Clifton; Christina Philippou, Holy Trinity, Westfield; Demetri Petrou, St. Andrew, Randolph; Angelica Staikos, St. Anna; Flemington; and Paraskevi Zaphiros, St. Demetrios, Union.

PHILOPTOCHOS Helen Petropoulos, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen, Orange; Tessie Christopoulos, St. Demetrios, Perth Amboy; Mary Coutros, Holy Trinity, Westfield; Rosalea Drivas, Ascension, Fairview; Paraskevi Golematis, St. George, Clifton; Eleni Hatzicostas, St. George, Trenton; Popi Kallis, St. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly; Anna Katsanis, St. Demetrios, Jersey City; Demetra Linardakis, St. Barbara, Toms River; Argyro Loucopoulos, St. Demetrios, Union; Mary Papageorge, St. George, Asbury Park; Martha Parlamis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holmdel; Georgia Peterson, St. George, Piscataway; Alexandra Pflager, St. Nicholas, Wyckoff;

Maria Stamoutsos, St. Andrew, Randolph; Antonia Ypsilantis, St. Anna, Flemington; Martha Ziebekis, St. Athanasios, Paramus.

COMMUNITY Fotios Arapakis, St. George, Piscataway; Stefanos Baroutoglou, St. Demetrios, Jersey City; Peter Eliopoulos, St. Demetrios, Jersey City; Konstandinos Geanakos, Holy Trinity, Westfield; Athanase Gouliamos, St. Athanasios, Paramus; Joanne Kakoyiannis, St. George, Trenton; Eleni Kazantzis, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen, Orange; Demetrios Koniarelis, Ascension, Fairview; Menelao Skontos, St. Demetrios, Union; Pete Marousis, St. Barbara, Toms River; George Moutis, St. George, Asbury Park; Irene Orginos, St. Anna, Flemington; Irene Petrou, St. Andrew, Randolph; Hippocrates Polemis, St. John the Theologian; Tenafly; George Seitis, St. Demetrios, Perth Amboy; Demitra Thomas, St. Nicholas, Wyckoff; Irini Socratous, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holm-

u u to page 22

JUNE 2011

11

METROPOLIS NEWS

San Francisco Assembly Emphasizes ‘Living Your Calling’

by Kristen Bruskas

DUNLAP, Calif. – The Metropolis of San Francisco Clergy-Laity Assembly convened May 16–17 at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center under the theme “Living Your Calling,” derived from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians (4:16): “…walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

More than 170 delegates, including over 65 clergy, from Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington enthusiastically participated in two days of meetings and presentations under the direction of Metropolitan Gerasimos, and Metropolis Council Vice President Theofanis Economidis, the Assembly presiding officer.

The gathering began with an opening prayer service followed by Metropolitan Gerasimos’ keynote address. He stated, “We come here as individuals and representing individual parishes. Naturally, we have our individual perspectives and individual interests. But we share the same Faith, we belong to one Church, and even though we will offer our individual viewpoint to our discussion, our task is to edify the entire body – our Metropolis and Archdiocese – through our plans for the coming year.”

Metropolitan Gerasimos also outlined the theme for the coming Ecclesiastical Year – Worship.

This is part of a five-year plan unveiled at the 2010 Clergy-Laity Assembly.

The Metropolitan emphasized “without a strong liturgical life, our parishes would be little more than community centers, like we might find run by our local cities and towns….The Orthodox Church is a worshipping Church; our liturgical and sacramental life is the key to our selfunderstanding.”

The Metropolitan elaborated on the theme of the Assembly, “Living Your Calling,” stating that this is clearly explained in the word “stewardship.” He challenged the Assembly to deepen their knowledge, understanding and commitment to try Christian stewardship by recognizing the important responsibility each of us has for all dimension of the life of our church today.

When speaking about what we will leave for the next generation of Orthodox faithful, Metropolitan Gerasimos stated, “...I hope we will give them a Church that is alive and dynamic, worshipping beautifully,

William Marianes speaking on “Living Your Stewardship Calling.”

teaching the Faith, serving the community, witnessing to the world!”

Two distinguished stewards of the Archdiocese were featured speakers at the Clergy-Laity Assembly: William Marianes and Anthony Stefanis, both from Atlanta and Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, They also are members of the Archdiocesan Council where Mr. Marianes, an attorney, serves on the Legal Committee and Mr. Stefanis is an Executive Committee member and the Administration Committee chairman.

Mr. Marianes spoke on “Living Your Stewardship Calling,” challenging the Assembly to look beyond just the financial aspects of stewardship and working to genuinely engage people in the life of the Church.

He emphasized that the Church isn’t just about money, yet while funds are needed to support the work of the church at the local, Metropolis and Archdiocesan levels, we must first educate our people on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, open their minds to His teachings and love, and that the giving will come forth through their illumined hearts.

Mr. Stefanis offered a presentation on the Archdiocese, focusing on its current state, the many National Ministries that benefit our faithful.

He also and offered an overview of the five-year growth plan of the Archdiocese.

An overview of a recent Youth Survey was also offered by Metropolis Youth Director Deacon Niko Bekris which provided a statistical analysis on the viewpoints of youth ages 14–20 regarding their belief in God, family values and morals, church participation, and ideas for future program development for youth and young adults.

Metropolitan Gerasimos also invited two teenagers who had recently participated as District finalists in the Metropolis Oratorical Festival to address the Assembly, as he felt their speeches were pertinent to the work of our Metropolis and greater Church.

Michael Schwenke from St. Katherine Church in Chandler, Ariz., spoke on “What are the most attractive points that Orthodox Christianity offers to teenagers, today, and how can we use them to bring other people to the Church?”In his presentation, Michael stated that “kids today need to be shown what God can do for us and what we can do for God.” He articulated examples from his own life where he did not trust in God enough, until an experience at summer camp with an icon which began streaming myrrh opened his heart to the power of the Lord and His mercy and love. Grace Silva from St. Basil Church in San Jose, Calif., spoke on the quote from St. Basil, “Wealth left idle is of no use to anyone, but put to use and exchanged it becomes fruitful and beneficial for the public.” Grace states, “Caring too much about money hurts our faith and puts our hearts in the wrong place…. and when money itself becomes precious, and thoughts of money consume a person’s mind, a barrier forms between him and Christ, causing him to depend on material things.” Grace shared her own personal story of wanting to buy an iPod and then realized all her money was going towards paying off this debt, leaving nothing for the Church. She came to the understanding that giving to the Church must be a priority in all our lives.

During the Assembly, a Divine Liturgy was held at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring, followed by a six-year memorial service Metropolitan Anthony,

Metropolitan Gerasimos, Anthony Stefanis, and Fanis Economidis.

and a two-month memorial for Fr. John Asimacopoulos.

The Clergy-Laity Assembly approved a budget of more than $990,000 which will fund the Metropolis operations and ministries for the current year. Metropolis parishes also have committed more than $2.6 million to the National Ministries Total Commitment Program of the Archdiocese, of which 25 percent will be remitted to support the Metropolis of San Francisco.

Prior to the convening of the ClergyLaity Assembly, the Metropolis Council met for a day to deliberate various matters pertaining to the administration of the Metropolis, hearing reports from various ministries and committees. After the conclusion of the Assembly, the Metropolis Clergy remained at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center for a spring clergy retreat led

by Metropolitan Gerasimos which focused on “The Priest as Liturgist.”

12

JUNE 2011

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Orthodox News Support for Religious Freedom Reaffirmed WASHINGTON – The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), concluded its 83rd annual overseas excursion with a visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, April 19–20.

The AHEPA Family delegation had an audience with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on April 20. His All Holiness expressed his appreciation for the AHEPA family’s assistance on religious freedom issues, including the need to reopen the Theological School of Halki.

“We sincerely appreciate the generous amount of time and hospitality His All Holiness afforded us,” said Supreme President Nicholas Karacostas. “We reaffirmed our unwavering support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and pledged to continue our efforts to lift the restrictions placed upon religious freedom in Turkey.”

Also, the Ecumenical Patriarch hosted a luncheon for the AHEPA family delegation and the delegation attended the Service of Holy Unction.

the Hellenic community in Istanbul’s desire to connect with Hellenes from around the world. We are thrilled with the quality of men that comprise the chapter, and we will work to see that it grows and prospers.”

Mr. Karacostas said the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was “pleased and supportive” of the news of the installation of the chapter.”

The delegation that accompanied Supreme President Karacostas throughout the excursion included: Daughters of Penelope Grand President Christine Constantine, Maids of Athena Grand President Kiki Amanatidis, AHEPA Canadian President Nick Aroutzidis, Supreme Treasurer Col. Nick Vamvakias (ret.), Past Canadian President Anthony Mavromaras, Executive Director Basil Mossaidis, Daughters of Penelope Executive Director Elena Saviolakis, District 5 Treasurer Sammy Thomas, and Ahepan Frank Pappas. In Cyprus, District 5 Lt. Gov. Savas Tsivikos, who is also a member of the AHEPA National Cyprus & Hellenic Affairs Committee, joined the delegation.

“I commend the members of the delegation for taking the volunteer time out of their professional and personal schedules to accompany me on this landmark excursion,” said Supreme President Karacostas. “I appreciated their support, and their participation helped to make this excursion a tremendous success.”

AHEPA Istanbul Chapter Formally Installed

Supreme President Formally Installs Istanbul Chapter In addition, Supreme President Karacostas officiated over the formal installation of AHEPA Constantine the Great Chapter 601, Istanbul, on April 19. The chapter is comprised of 10 members.

“This is a proud milestone moment in our organization’s history,” said Karacostas. “We believe it speaks volumes about

AHEPA, AHI Condemn Demolition of Church in Occupied Cyprus WASHINGTON – The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) recently issued strong statements condemning the May 2 demolition of a 200-year-old church in Turkish-occupied Cyprus.

AHEPA Supreme President Nicholas A. Karacostas stated, “We strongly condemn the demolition of the Chapel of St. Thekla located in the village of Vokolida in Turkish-occupied Cyprus. This is yet another in a long line of egregious acts that demonstrate a blatant disrespect of religious freedom and destruction of cultural heritage by Turkey in Cyprus through its illegal Turkish Cypriot regime and 40,000plus occupation troops.

The AHI statement read, in part, “For nearly 37 years, the people of Cyprus have endured an illegal occupation and massive violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by Turkey, an ally of the United States. Turkey is a signatory to a host of international treaties intended to safeguard religious freedom.

This blatant violation of religious freedom under the illegal Turkish Cypriot regime supported by illegal Turkish troops reaffirms Turkey’s disregard of those treaties.

Furthermore, this deplorable act is one of many reasons why Turkey continues to be placed, and will remain, on the U.S. Commission on International Freedom’s ‘Watch List.’ Sadly, the disrespect for religious freedom, and continued violations, further affirm what we already know has occurred in occupied Cyprus, which is the

wanton destruction of Cyprus’ cultural and religious heritage as documented by the Law Library of Congress and the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

Synagogue Attack AHEPA Supreme President Karacostas also issued a statement regarding a recent arson attack upon a synagogue and vandalism of the Jewish community’s local offices on the island of Corfu, Greece: “We strongly condemn the arson attack that was carried out by extremists against a synagogue in Corfu on the first day of Passover,” he said in his statement.

“This anti-Semitic attack upon the Jewish community in Corfu, which included vandalism of the community’s offices, is simply unacceptable. We appeal to the people of Corfu, and all Greek citizens, to come together to defy these acts of hatred, intolerance, and bigotry; and to help the healing process begin.

“We applaud the swift action of Greek authorities which arrested two suspects.

They must be brought to justice,” he said.

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2011

ΕΤΟΣ 76 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1266

ΤΕΛΕΤΗ ΑΠΟΦΟΙΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΚΟΛΕΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΤΗΝ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΣΧΟΛΗ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗΣ

“Να είστε κληρονόμοι και συνεχιστές των Ελληνορθοδόξων παραδόσεων μας” ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Συνεδρίασε η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση της Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας RYE, NY – Πραγματοποιήθηκε το διήμερο 16-17 Μαΐου στην κοινοτική αίθουσα τελετών του Ιερού Ναού του Σωτήρος Χριστού στην περιοχή Rye της Νέας Υόρκης η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση της Άμεσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας σε συνδυασμό με τις εργασίες του -ανά διετία- συνεδρίου των Φιλοπτώχων Αδελφοτήτων της περιοχής, υπό την προεδρία του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου. Οι εργασίες της Κληρικολαϊκής και των Φιλοπτώχων Αδελφοτήτων ξεκίνησαν το πρωί της 16ης Μαΐου με εναρκτήρια προσευχή. Ο Αρχιεπίκοπος Δημήτριος διόρισε την δικηγόρο κυρία Κατερίνα Μπουφίδη–Walsh ως προεδρεύουσα των συνεδριάσεων και τον π. Γεώργιο Αναστασίου, εφημέριο του Ιερού Ναού Μεταμορφώσεως της Κορώνας ως γραμματέα. Πενήντα επτά από τις 61 ενορίες της Άμεσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας είχαν δηλώσει εκ των προτέρων συμμετοχή και κληρικοί και λαϊκοί αντιπρόσωποι 51 ενοριών είχαν αφιχθεί μέχρι και λίγο πριν την έναρξη των εργασιών.

Χαιρετισμούς απηύθυναν ο εφημέριος του φιλοξενούντος ναού του Σωτήρος Χριστού π. Ηλίας Βίλλης, ο αντιπρόεδρος του ενοριακού συμβουλίου κ. Χαράλαμπος Αυγουστίνος και αντιπρόεδρος του Συμβουλίου της Α.Α.Π. κ. Στέφανος Τσερπέλης. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος στην εναρκτήρια ομιλία του πληροφόρησε τους συμμετέχοντες για τις πρόσφατες εξελίξεις σε τοπικό και σε παναμερικανικό επίπεδο. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος έκανε ιδιαίτερη αναφορά στο μεγάλο αριθμό πιστών που προσήλθαν στους ναούς κατά την διάρκεια της Μεγάλης Εβδομάδος και του Πάσχα και τόνισε ότι οι αριθμοί αυτοί αποδεικνύουν τις μεγάλες δυνατότητες εσωτερικής ιεραποστολής που υπάρχουν, δυνατότητες τις οποίες το μήνυμα της τελευταίας Κληρικολαϊκής «Συναγάγετε τον λαό μου εις τον Οίκο μου – Έρχου και Ίδε», μας καλεί να αξιοποιήσουμε. Προς την κατεύθυνση αυτή ο Σεβασμιώτατος κάλεσε τους ιερείς

Σελίδα 14

ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗ – «Είστε κληρονόμοι των Ελληνορθόδοξων παραδόσεων μας και καλείστε να γίνετε συνεχιστές των», τόνισε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος στους αποφοίτους του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού της Βοστώνης κατά την 69η τελετή αποφοιτήσεως του πανεπιστημιακού ιδρύματος της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής που πραγματοποιήθηκε το Σάββατο 21 Μαΐου στη μεγάλη αίθουσα εκδηλώσεων της Σχολής στο προάστιο Brookline της Μασαχουσέτης. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος, ο οποίος είναι και πρόεδρος της Εφορίας της Σχολής, προεξήρχε της Αρχιερατικής Θείας Λειτουργίας που πραγματοποιήθηκε το πρωί του Σαββάτου, ανήμερα της εορτής των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης στον ιερό ναό του Τιμίου Σταυρού που δεσπόζει στην κορυφή του καταπράσινου λόφου της Σχολής. Μετά την ειδική Θεία Λειτουργία για τους φοιτητές και τις οικογένειες τους και σύμφωνα με την παράδοση της Σχολής η πομπή των καθηγητών και των αποφοίτων με τα λάβαρα και τις σημαίες να προηγούνται ξεκίνησε από το κεντρικό σημείο της πανεπιστημιούπολης και κατέληξε στο Pappas auditorium, όπου μετά την προσευχή η χορωδία της Σχολής υπό την διεύθυνση του Κωνσταντίνου Λυμπεράκη, έψαλλε τους εθνικούς ύμνους των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών και της Ελλάδος. Η Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού με ομόφωνη απόφαση των ακαδημαϊκών της οργάνων απένειμε Διδακτορικό Δίπλωμα Θεολογίας Τιμής Ένεκεν στο γνωστό θεολόγο, φιλόσοφο και συγγραφέα, καθηγητή Χρήστο Γιανναρά. Ο κ. Γιανναράς είναι επίτιμος (τακτικός έως το 2002) καθηγητής Φιλοσοφίας και Πολιτιστικής Διπλωματίας

του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου Πολιτικών και Κοινωνικών Επιστημών της Αθήνας. Έλαβε διδακτορικό δίπλωμα Φιλοσοφίας από το Πανεπιστήμιο της Σορβόνης και διδακτορικό δίπλωμα Θεολογίας από το Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης. Ο Δρ. Γιανναράς έχει συγγράψει είκοσι και πλέον βιβλία. Τρία από τα πιο ενδιαφέροντα βιβλία του με τους τίτλους Ορθοδοξία και Δύση, Μεταμοντέρνα Μεταφυσική, και Άτομο και Έρως εκδόθηκαν για πρώτη φορά στα Αγγλικά από τις εκδόσεις της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Ο Δρ. Γιανναράς μίλησε στους αποφοίτους του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής στα Αγγλικά και ανέπτυξε το θέμα «των σχέσεων Ορθοδοξίας και Δύσεως, των σχέσεων μεταξύ της Ορθοδόξου εκκλησιαστικής παραδόσεως και της σύγχρονης δυτικής ζωής». Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος μίλησε στο τέλος της τελετής και απηύθυνε στους αποφοίτους πατρικές συμβουλές και πνευματικές προ-

59 απόφοιτοι έλαβαν τα πτυχία τους

Σελίδα 15

ΣΙΚΑΓΟ : Συνέλευση Κανονικών Ορθοδόξων Επισκόπων Β . & Κ. Αμερικής  Σελίδες 15,17

14

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2011

Συνεδρίασε η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση της Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας

uΣελίδα 13 και τους λαϊκούς αντιπροσώπους των ενοριών να εντείνουν τις προσπάθειες τους, σημειώνοντας ότι πολλές φορές η προσφορά χρημάτων είναι ευκολότερη από την τεραστίας αξίας εθελοντική προσφορά χρόνου και υπηρεσιών των πιστών μας προς τις κοινότητες τους και την Εκκλησία. Επιπλέον ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αναφέρθηκε στην ανάγκη «πνευματικής προστασίας και δημιουργία πνευματικής ασπίδας από τις τρομοκρατικές επιθέσεις του αθεϊσμού, της διαφθοράς και του ελλείμματος αρχών που επικρατούν στον κόσμο μας», και αυτό είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος «προϋποθέτει βαθιά γνώση της πίστεως μας διότι η μια τέτοια πνευματική ασφάλεια πηγάζει από την πλήρη γνώση και μέθεξη του Χριστού». Τέλος ο Σεβασμιώτατος προέβαλε το χωρίο από το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της Προς Γαλάτας επιστολής του Αποστόλου Παύλου «εἰ μή τινές εἰσιν οἱ ταράσσοντες ὑμᾶς καὶ θέλοντες μεταστρέψαι τὸ εὐαγγέλιον τοῦ Χριστοῦ. λλὰ καὶ ἐὰν ἡμεῖς ἢ ἄγγελος ἐξ οὐρανοῦ εὐαγγελίζηται ὑμῖν παρ᾽ ὃ εὐηγγελισάμεθα ὑμῖν, νάθεμα ἔστω. ὡς προειρήκαμεν, καὶ ἄρτι πάλιν λέγω∙ εἴ τις ὑμᾶς εὐαγγελίζεται παρ᾽ ὃ παρελάβετε, νάθεμα ἔστω». (Γαλ.

1:6-9) τονίζοντας ότι το Ευαγγέλιο του Χριστού είναι ένα και αν κάποιος κηρύττει οποιοδήποτε άλλο ευαγγέλιο από αυτό που έχουμε παραλάβει ας είναι ανάθεμα. Στη συνέχεια μίλησε ο Πρωτοσύγκελλος της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Θεοφ. Επίσκοπος Φασιανής κ. Αντώνιος για θέματα που αφορούν την λειτουργική και διοικητική λειτουργία των κοινοτήτων. Παρουσιάσθηκαν εκθέσεις για τους επιμέρους τομείς ευθύνης από τους εξής: κυρία Μαρία Σκιαδά, πρόεδρο της Φιλοπτώχου της Άμεσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφερείας, διάκονο π. Ευαγόρα Κωνσταντινίδη, διευθυντή του Γραφείου Νεολαίας. Πρεσβυτέρα Μαργαρίτα Ορφανάκου, υπεύθυνη του ετήσιου προγράμματος φεστιβάλ ρητορικής νεολαίας, αρχιδιάκονο π. Παντελεήμονα Παπαδόπουλο, υπεύθυνο της νεοδρυθείσας Σχολής Βυζαντινής Μουσικής, π. Ηλία Βίλλη, διευθυντή του θερινού κατασκηνωτικού προγράμματος «Απόστολος Παύλος», κυρία Μαρία Μακεδών, διευθύντρια για την Αρχιεπισκοπική Περιφέρεια του γραφείου Παιδείας της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Το απόγευμα παρου-

σιάστηκε έκθεση οικονομικών, από τους υπευθύνους της επιτροπής Οικονομικών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου κ.κ. Γεώργιο Βουρβούλια και Γεώργιο Μάθιους, και εκθέσεις των επιτροπών διακονίας νοσοκομείων, κατηχητικής παιδείας, συμμετοχής και προσφοράς κ. α. Αργότερα ακολούθησε επισταμένη μελέτη ειδικών θεμάτων σε επίπεδο μικρότερων ομάδων εργασίας. Την δεύτερη ημέρα των εργασιών Τρίτη 17 Μαΐου, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος διόρισε ως προεδρεύοντα των εργασιών τον κ. Ιάκωβο Γαβριηλίδη (James Gabriel). Συνεχίστηκε η παρουσίαση εκθέσεων και η επ’ αυτών συζήτηση. Συγκεκριμένα παρουσιάστηκαν ενοριακά πρότυπα λειτουργίας και πρωτοβουλιών από τους Πανοσιολ. Αρχιμανδρίτη π. Ναθαναήλ Συμεωνίδη εφημέριο του Ι. Ναού Ευαγγελισμού Manhattan και τον π. Δημήτριο Μωραΐτη, εφημέριο του Ι. Ναού Αγ. Παρασκευής στο Greenlawn του Λόνγκ Αϊλαντ. Ο π. Μάρκος Άρεϊ ενημέρωσε τους συμμετέχοντες για το θέμα της ανοικοδόμησης του Αγίου Νικολάου στο Ground Zero. Ο κ. Χαράλαμπος Ραπτάκης παρουσίασε εκθέσεις επί των Οικονομικών, ο κ. Αντώνιος Μπρίτζης (Brigis) έκθεση της επιτροπής Επιστασίας των ενοριών και ο κ. Νικόλαος Σιαλμάς πρόταση ενοποίησης των λογισμικών συστημάτων των ενοριών με σκοπό την καλύτερη λειτουργία και επικοινωνία. Στον επίλογο των εργασιών, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος αναφέρθηκε σε θέματα νεολαίας. Τόνισε την ανάγκη λειτουργίας περισσότερων σχολείων ιδιαίτερα στις ενορίες, που δεν διαθέτουν ήδη, και παρότρυνε τους κατά τόπους ιθύνοντες να ιδρύσουν και να λειτουργήσουν προ-νηπιαγωγεία, νηπιαγωγεία και όσες έχουν την δυνατότητα απογευματινά σχολεία. Επί πλέον ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ζήτησε να εξεταστεί διεξοδικά το θέμα της παρουσίας και συμμετοχής των παιδιών στην Θεία Λειτουργία και ζήτησε από τον Πρωτοσύγκελλο να ηγηθεί ειδικής επιτροπής για την εξέταση του θέματος και την εξεύρεση λύσεων σε συνδυασμό με τη λειτουργία των κατηχητικών σχολείων. Τέλος, ο Σεβασμιώτατος ζήτησε από κάθε κοινότητα να εντείνει τις προσπάθειες για την καλλιέργεια και επιλογή υποψηφίων ιεροσπουδαστών για την Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού και διά του τρόπου αυτού αύξηση του αριθμού των ιερέων στο μέλλον.

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2011

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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ΤΕΛΕΤΗ ΑΠΟΦΟΙΤΗΣΕΩΣ ΑΠΟ ΤΟ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΟ ΚΟΛΕΓΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΤΗ ΘΕΟΛΟΓΙΚΗ ΣΧΟΛΗ ΤΟΥ ΤΙΜΙΟΥ ΣΤΑΥΡΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗΣ

Σελίδα 13

τροπές τονίζοντας την ευχή να οδηγούνται στη ζωή τους πάντα από το Άγιο Πνεύμα και από το λαμπρό φως του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τους προέτρεψε να «τολμούν έργα ενάρετα και τολμηρά στη ζωή τους» μιμούμενοι το παράδειγμα της πρωτοβουλίας του Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου ο οποίος ίδρυσε την Κωνσταντινούπολη, τη νέα πρωτεύουσα της Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας και συνεκάλεσε την Πρώτη Οικουμενική Σύνοδο, αλλά και το παράδειγμα της μητέρας του Αγίου Κωνσταντίνου, της Αγίας Ελένης η οποία με το ζήλο της, την ευσέβεια της και την αφοσίωση της έκανε τις ανασκαφές στους Αγίου Τόπους και βρήκε τον Τίμιο Σταυρό αλλά και ανοικοδόμησε πολλούς ναούς και επιδόθηκε σε έργα φιλανθρωπίας. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ζήτησε από τους αποφοίτους να θυμούνται ως καταστάλαγμα από την εορτή των Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης «τα στοιχεία της πρωτοβουλίας, της τόλμης και της αφοσιώσεως στην Εκκλησία, διότι εσείς είστε πλέον οι συνεχιστές και οι κληρονόμοι αυτής της παραδόσεως». Επιπλέον ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος είπε ότι τα παραπάνω στοιχεία είναι πλέον απαραίτητα σήμερα διότι «πρόκειται να αντιμετωπίσετε συνθήκες που απαιτούν επαγρύπνηση πνευματική και μέτρα πνευματικής ασφάλειας καθώς η έννοια της θρησκευτικής πίστεως υπόκειται αδιάκοπες επιθέσεις. Υπάρχει μια συνεχής, υποβόσκουσα και ακατάπαυστη επίθεση εναντίον της θρησκευτικής πίστεως γενικά στα Μέσα Μαζικής Επικοινωνίας, στον Τύπο αλλά και σε όλους τους διαύλους της σύγχρονης επικοινωνίας και εν όψει αυτής

της απειλής χρειαζόμαστε ασφάλεια πνευματική για να διαφυλαχθεί η αλήθεια και η πίστις». «Αλλά και στα θέματα ηθικής είναι έντονη και άμεση η ανάγκη ασφάλειας», είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος, «παρατηρούμε όλο και πιο πολύ μια καλπάζουσα επικράτηση του ατομικισμού, του είδους του ατόμου που πιστεύει και λέει ‘πιστεύω ό,τι εγώ πιστεύω και θεωρώ σωστό και είμαι εγώ αυτός που το αποφασίζει ... για μένα δεν υπάρχουν πρότυπα ή κανόνες, εγώ είμαι ο δημιουργός, ο κριτής, εγώ επιβάλλω κι εγώ εφαρμόζω ό,τι αποφασίζω ως αρχές και πρότυπα συμπεριφοράς’ και από ένα τέτοιο είδος συμπεριφοράς χρειαζόμαστε πνευματική ασφάλεια και προστασία της πνευματικής μας ζωής». Ανακεφαλαιώνοντας, ο Σεβασμιώτατος είπε ότι οι βασικοί μας θεσμοί, η οικογένεια, η Εκκλησία και η κοινωνική συνοχή δέχονται αδιάκοπες επιθέσεις και χρήζουν μέτρων πνευματικής ασφάλειας. Αποχαιρετιστήριες ομιλίες εξεφώνησαν η αριστούχος του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου Αδίνα Αφεντούλη και ο αριστούχος της Θεολογικής Σχολής διάκονος Ion Coman. Πενήντα-εννιά συνολικά απόφοιτοι έλαβαν τα διπλώματα τους, 15 εκ των οποίων από το Ελληνικό Κολέγιο και 44 έλαβαν μεταπτυχιακά διπλώματα από τη Θεολογική Σχολή. Εξ αυτών 30 έλαβαν το Πτυχίο Θεολογίας (Master of Divinity) με ιερατική κατεύθυνση, οκτώ Πτυχίο Θεολογικών Σπουδών (Master of Theological Studies) και έξι Πτυχίο Θεολογίας (Master of Theology). Δέκα πέντε εκ των αποφοίτων είναι ήδη χειροτονημένοι διάκονοι ή πρεσβύτεροι. Ο πρόεδρος του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής π. Νικόλαος

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) 554-3382 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.

Τριανταφύλλου κατά τον χαιρετισμό του στην έναρξη της τελετής τόνισε ότι το παρελθόν ακαδημαϊκό έτος χαρακτηρίστηκε από πολύ υψηλό επίπεδο σπουδών και εξέθεσε μια σειρά επιτευγμάτων για το Κολέγιο αλλά και για τη Θεολογική Σχολή. Είπε ακόμη ότι όλοι σχεδόν οι απόφοιτοι από το Ελληνικό Κολέγιο πρόκειται να συνεχίσουν τις σπουδές τους σε μεταπτυχιακό επίπεδο στη Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Ο Δρ. Τόμας Λίλον, αντιπρόεδρος της Εφορίας στην ομιλία του εξέφρασε την υπερηφάνεια της Εφορίας για τους αποφοίτους γενικά και ευχαρίστησε το σύνολο των παρευρισκομένων φοιτητών, των αποφοίτων, τα μέλη των οικογενειών τους, τους ιεράρχες και τους επισήμους προσκεκλημένους για τη συμβολή τους στην πρόοδο της Σχολής. Η κυρία Αφροδίτη Σκιαδά, πρόεδρος Εθνικής Φιλόπτωχου Αδελφότητος μετά τον χαιρετισμό της επέδωσε στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο δωρεά προς τη Σχολή ύψους 120 χιλιάδων δολαρίων με σκοπό

να διατεθεί εν μέρει για τη χρηματοδότηση του Ταμείου Υποτροφιών και εν μέρει για τα έργα βελτίωσης των κτιριακών και λοιπών εγκαταστάσεων της Σχολής. Ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στη Βοστώνη κ. Ηλίας Φωτόπουλος, που μόλις είχε αναλάβει τα καθήκοντα του, απηύθυνε χαιρετισμό και προσέφερε δωρεά της ελληνικής Πολιτείας προς το Ταμείο Υποτροφιών της Σχολής. Χαιρετισμούς απηύθυναν επίσης ο νεοκλεγείς κοσμήτωρ του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου Δρ. Δημήτριος Κάτος και ο κοσμήτωρ της Θεολογικής Σχολής π. Θωμάς Φιζτέραλντ. Την τελετή αποφοίτησης εκτός των προαναφερθέντων, παρακολούθησαν ο Μητροπολίτης Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, οι Επίσκοποι Φιλομελίων Ηλίας, Ολύμπου Άνθιμος και Ξάνθου Δημήτριος, μέλη της εφορίας της Σχολής, καθηγητές και πολλοί συγγενείς και φίλοι των αποφοίτων. (Σημ.: Τα ονόματα των αποφοίτων δημοσιεύονται στη σελίδα 4 με το σχετικό ρεπορτάζ στα αγγλικά).

Συνεδρίασε στο Σικάγο η Συνέλευση Κανονικών Ορθοδόξων Επισκόπων Βορείου και Κεντρικής Αμερικής ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

ΣΙΚΑΓΟ – Πραγματοποιήθηκε στο ξενοδοχείο Hilton O’Hare Airport, το διήμερο 25-27 Μαΐου 2011 η δεύτερη ετήσια συνάντηση της Συνελεύσεως Κανονικών Ορθοδόξων Επισκόπων Βορείου και Κεντρικής Αμερικής υπό την προεδρία του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος, παρουσία 44 συνολικά επισκόπων, τέλεσε την εναρκτήρια προσευχή το πρωί της Τετάρτης 25 Μαΐου, πρώτης ημέρας των εργασιών της Συνελεύσεως. Οι περισσότεροι Ορθόδοξοι Κανονικοί Επίσκοποι από τον Καναδά δεν παρευρέθησαν λόγω του ότι έχουν υποβάλλει αίτημα για την δημιουργία ξεχωριστής τοπικής συνελεύσεως του Καναδά. Λίγο μετά την έναρξη των εργασιών ανεγνώσθη επιστολή του Πατριάρχου Σερβίας Ειρηναίου διά της οποίας πληροφορούσε την Συνέλευση για την αδυναμία των Σέρβων επισκόπων να παρευρεθούν λόγω της συμμετοχής τους στην Σύνοδο της Σερβικής Εκκλησίας. Μετά την έγκριση της ημερησίας

διατάξεως και των πρακτικών της πρώτης συναντήσεως στη Νέα Υόρκη το 2010, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος απηύθηνε την εναρκτήρια ομιλία του Προέδρου της Συνελεύσεως και στη συνέχεια κάλεσε τους αντιπροέδρους Μητροπολίτη Φίλιππο της Αντιοχειανής Ορθοδόξου Αρχιεπισκοπής Βορείου Αμερικής και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Ιουστινιανό, εκπρόσωπο του Πατριαρχείου Μόσχας να απευθύνουν χαιρετισμούς προς τη Συνέλευση. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος μετέφερε τις Πατριαρχικές ευλογίες του Παναγιοτάτου Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαρθολομαίου και είπε ότι «ο Παναγιότατος ως Πατριάρχης της Πρωτόθρονης Εκκλησίας της Ορθοδοξίας επιθυμεί διακαώς την ενθάρρυνση και την ενίσχυση της ενότητος της Εκκλησίας, ιδιαιτέρως διά των Προσυνοδικών Πανορθόδοξων Διασκέψεων και αυτής του Σαμπεζύ του Ιουνίου 2009». Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος υπογράμμισε τη σημασία της δεύτερης συνά-

 óåë. 17

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος: “Το Πατριαρχείο συλλαμβάνει τα μηνύματα των καιρών”

ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Στον Ναό της Αγίας Φωτεινής στη Σμύρνη χοροστάτησε την Κυριακή 29 Μαϊου - Κυριακή του Τυφλού - ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος, κατά την Θ. Λειτουργία που τέλεσε ο Αρχιμ. Κύριλλος Συκής, ο οποίος και κήρυξε, μετά του Δευτερεύοντος Διακόνου Ανδρέα. Ο Πατριάρχης απηύθυνε τον αναστάσιμο χαιρετισμό προς τους πιστούς που εκκλησιάστηκαν, προς το προσωπικό του Γεν. Προξενείου της Ελλάδος και το κλιμάκιο των εκεί υπηρετούντων Ελλήνων αξιωματικών του ΝΑΤΟ, με τις οικογένειές τους, και διένειμε προς όλους πασχαλινά αυγά. Εκκλησιάστηκαν, επίσης, ο Πρέσβης της Ελλάδας στην Άγκυρα Φώτιος Ξύδας, η Γεν. Πρόξενος της Ελλάδας στη Σμύρνη Χαρά Σκολαρίκου, ο Περιφερειάρχης Βορείου Αιγαίου Αθανάσιος Γιακαλής, καθώς και οι Αντιπεριφερειάρχες Λέσβου-Λήμνου, Χίου καί Σάμου, και όμιλοι προσκυνητών από διάφορα μέρη της Ελλάδας. Στην ομιλία του ο Πατριάρχης αναφέρθηκε σε δραστηριότητες του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, αλλά και στα καθιερωμένα προσκυνήματα στην Καππαδοκία και τη Μικρασία. Είπε μεταξύ άλλων: Εχθές που αξιωθήκαμε να κάνουμε την υπαίθρια Θεία Λειτουργία παρά τον τάφο του μαθητού της Αγάπης, του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου, ακούσαμε τα εξής λόγια με τα οποία και τέλειωνε το αποστολικό ανάγνωσμα, ο Απόστολος δηλαδή: «και έσεσθε μοι μάρτυρες εν πάση τη Ιουδαία και Σαμαρεία και έως εσχάτου της γης». Πιστό σ΄ αυτή την προτροπή του Κυρίου το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο, προσπαθεί να γίνεται, υπό όλας ανεξαιρέτως τας συνθήκας και περιστάσεις, κάτω από τας οποίας εκπληρώνει την οικουμενική αποστολή του, προσπαθεί, λέγω, να γίνεται μάρτυς του μηνύματος του Ευαγγελίου και της διδασκαλίας του Κυρίου έως εσχάτου της γης, ακριβώς όπως το λένε οι πράξεις των Αποστόλων. Γι΄αυτό και πάντοτε, αλλά ιδιαιτέρως τα τελευταία χρόνια το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο είτε διά του Πατριάρχου είτε διά των επισήμων Πατριαρχικών Αντιπροσώπων είναι παρόν στο παγκόσμιο γίγνεσθαι, από του Λευκού Οίκου μέχρι των Ευρωπαϊκών Οργάνων εις τας Βρυξέλλας και εις το Στρα-

σβούργο, εις το Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο των Εκκλησιών της Γενεύης, εις την κορυφήν της Ρωμαιοκαθολικής Εκκλησίας στη Ρώμη, πέρυσι στη Μόσχα και ούτω καθ΄εξής. Το Πατριαρχείο μας είναι παρόν και προσπαθεί να συλλαμβάνει τα μηνύματα των καιρών και να συγχρονίζει το μήνυμά του και την αποστολή του, να δίνει ένα δυναμικό παρών. Μόλις προχθές συνήλθε στην Ορθόδοξο Ακαδημία Κρήτης, στο Κολυμπάρι, στα Χανιά της Κρήτης, μια διορθόδοξη Επιτροπή με πρωτοβουλία του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, Διορθόδοξος δηλαδή με τη συμμετοχή εκπροσώπων όλων των κατά τόπους αδελφών Ορθοδόξων Εκκλησιών για να εξετάσει το θέμα της βιοηθικής και της γενετικής, αυτά τα σύχρονα προβλήματα τα οποία έχουν θεολογική, ιατρική, ηθική διάσταση, έχουν πολλαπλές διαστάσεις, για να δείξει και πάλι το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ως συντονιστικό Κέντρο όλης της Ορθοδοξίας την μαρτυρία της και να εκφράσει την ενιαίαν φωνήν της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας σε αυτά τα σύγχρονα προβλήματα. Δεν έχει πάντοτε τα μέσα που έχουν οι άλλες Εκκλησίες, έχει όμως τη Χάρη του Θεού, έχει τη συσσωρευμένη σοφία αιώνων πολλών – αρκεί να αναλογισθούμε ότι η ιστορία του Πατριαρχείου μας εκεί που είναι πηγαίνει 17 ολόκληρους αιώνες πίσω - . Μέσα σε αυτά τα πλαίσια της μαρτυρίας του που θέλει να δώσει «έως εσχάτου της γης» το Πατριαρχείο μας περιλαμβάνει και αυτά τα προσκυνήματα εδώ εις τους εγγύς αδελφούς μας, όχι δηλαδή μόνον εις τους μακράν, όχι μόνον εις τα μεγάλα Κέντρα όπου λαμβάνονται οι αποφάσεις που επηρρεάζουν όλον τον κόσμο και επομένως και τα καθ΄ ημάς, αλλά και εδώ, στην Καππαδοκία, στον Πόντο, στην Ιωνία, στην Ίμβρο και την Τένεδο. Γι΄ αυτό ο Πατριάρχης αναλαμβάνει αυτά τα κατ΄ έτος καθιερωμένα πλέον προσκυνήματα και έτσι από προχθές Παρασκευή είμαστε όλοι μαζί εδώ στην πρωτεύουσα της Ιωνίας και συμπνευματιζόμεθα και επανασυνδεόμεθα με το παρελθόν, και το πρόσφατο παρελθόν το μόλις προ ολίγων δεκαετιών όταν σε αυτή τη συγκεκριμένη περιοχή το Γένος μας διήλθε διά πυρός και σιδήρου και ήλθε σε απόγνωση και απελπισία, αλλά σήμερα ιδιαιτέρως και με το απώτερο παρελθόν.

Επιστρέφουμε στον 8ο μ. Χ. αιώνα όταν έζησε η σήμερα εορταζομένη Αγία Θεοδοσία η Κωνσταντινουπολίτισσα. Ήταν η περίοδος της Εικονομαχίας την οποία εκήρυξε ο Αυτοκράτωρ Λέων ο Ίσαυρος και συνεχίσθηκε για εκατό περίπου χρόνια. Η Θεοδοσία γιορτάζει σήμερα. Συμπίπτει η μνήμη της οσιομάρτυρος Θεοδοσίας όταν σαν σήμερα, 29 Μαΐου, οι Οθωμανοί κατέλαβαν την Πόλη, εδήωσαν, ελεηλάτησαν, μετέτρεψαν πολλές εκκλησίες σε τεμένη με πρώτον και καλύτερον τον περιώνυμο Ναό της του Θεού Σοφίας. Τότε λοιπόν πήγαν και εις την Εκκλησίαν της Αγίας Θεοδοσίας, η οποία είναι πολύ κοντά στο Οικουμενικό μας Πατριαρχείο, στην περιοχή του Τζιμπαλή και καθώς γιόρταζε εκείνη την ημέρα η Αγία Θεοδοσία, η Εκκλησία Της ήταν στολισμένη με ρόδα, με πολλά τριαντάφυλλα του Μαΐου. Μπήκαν λοιπόν οι αλλόθρησκοι, την κατέλαβαν, την μετέτρεψαν σε τέμενος και την ονάμασαν Gül camii, δηλαδή σε τέμενος των ρόδων, καθώς ήταν καταστόλιστη, επί τη πανηγύρει της, από ρόδα. Έκτοτε συνεχίζει να είναι τέμενος, την επισκέφθηκα πρότερον. Ήρθαμε λοιπόν και εφέτος εδώ για να επαναλάβουμε το καθιερωμένο προσκύνημά μας. Εφέτος είχαμε την ξεχωριστή ευλογία του Θεού να κάνουμε τον Εσπερινό στην Παναγία την Αλατσατιανή, μετά το «Φως ιλαρόν» που έψαλα εκεί κατά την περυσινή μας επίσκεψη κατά μία σύντομη διέλευσή μας, συνεχιζομένων των ανακαινιστικών έργων στην Αλατσατιανή. Εφέτος, με την άδεια του κ. Νομάρχου είχαμε αυτή την ευλογία. Και είμαι βέβαιος ότι όχι μόνο οι Αλατσατιανοί αλλά όλοι μας χαρήκαμε και συγκινηθήκαμε από αυτή την εσπερινή ακολουθία που ετελέσθη ύστερα από ενενήντα σχεδόν χρόνια. Εδώ πάλι στην Αγία Φωτεινή, μας υπεδέχθη και σήμερα η οικοδέσποινα, η κα Γενική Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος και είδαμε με πόσο μεράκι στόλισε την Εκκλησία μας. Την ευχαριστώ ιδιαιτέρως για το στεφάνι με το οποίο εκόσμησε τον αρχιερατικό Θρόνο. Βλέποντας τα λόγια από την Αποκάλυψη του Ιωάννου που αναγράφονται επάνω από την Ωραία Πύλη «Γίνου πιστός άχρι θανάτου και δώσω σοι τον στέφανον της ζωής», εύχομαι και προσεύχομαι να μας αξιώσει ο Θεός να πάρουμε από τα χέρια Του, όταν έρθει η ώρα, όχι μόνο αυτό το όμορφο

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2011

στεφάνι το οποίο είναι φθαρτό και θα μαραθεί εντός ολίγου, αλλά τον άφθαρτο στέφανο της ζωής. Είναι, όπως είπα, από την Αποκάλυψη του Ιωάννη αυτά τα λόγια, τα οποία απευθύνει ο πρώτος και ο έσχατος προς τον άγγελον, δηλαδή προς τον Επίσκοπον της εν Σμύρνη Εκκλησίας : «Γίνου πιστός άχρι θανάτου και δώσω σοι τον στέφανον της ζωής». Τα παρακάτω λόγια του Ιερού Κειμένου είναι: «Ο έχων ους - όποιος έχει αυτιά, - ακουσάτω τί το Πνεύμα λέγει ταις Εκκλησίαις». Και επανέρχομαι στο Πατριαρχείο μας για να πω ότι το Πατριαρχείο ακούει τί το Πνεύμα μας λέγει και προσπαθεί να ανταποκριθεί σ΄ αυτήν την ουρανόθεν ερχομένη εντολή ή εντολές. Λίγο πριν από αυτά τα λόγια προς τον άγγελο της εν Σμύρνη Εκκλησίας λέγει η Αποκάλυψις: «Οίδα σου τα έργα και την θλίψιν και την πτωχείαν, αλλά πλούσιος ει». Γνωρίζω τα έργα σου, γνωρίζω την θλίψη σου (σα να τα έλεγε στη Σμύρνη του 20ου αιώνος) και την πτωχείαν σου γνωρίζω αλλά παρόλα αυτά είσαι πλούσιος. Αν μου επιτρέπεται να μεταφέρω αυτά τα λόγια της Αποκάλυψης εις το Πατριαρχείο μας, εις το οποίον όλοι έχουμε έχουμε την τιμή να ανήκουμε, θά έλεγα ότι αυτό είναι πτωχό αλλά είναι και πλούσιο. Δεν έχουμε τα πλούτη και τα μεγαλεία του Βατικανού, των λεγομένων Αποστολικών Ανακτόρων. Στο τέλος της Θ. Λειτουργίας ο Έλληνας Υποπτέραρχος που υπηρετεί στο ΝΑΤΟ Σμύρνης, προσέφερε στον Πατριάρχη για τις λατρευτικές ανάγκες του Ναού της Αγίας Φωτεινής ιερά σκεύη και μια εικόνα του Ταξιάρχη Μιχαήλ. Ακολούθησε δεξίωση στον αυλόγυρο του Ναού, όπου μαθητές - παιδιά των αξιωματικών που υπηρετούν στο ΝΑΤΟ, απέδωσαν τραγούδια προς τιμήν του Πατριάρχη. Ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος δεν παρέλειψε να επισκεφθεί και την Έκθεση Φωτογραφίας του Πατρινού Βασίλη Παπαϊωάννου, με θέμα: «Σμύρνη, μέσα από τα μάτια ενός γείτονα», στο Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο Δρ.

Türkan Saylan Alsancak. Ο Πατριάρχης συνομίλησε με τον φωτογράφο για τα θέματα των φωτογραφιών του και του δώρισε ένα αναμνηστικό του μετάλλιο ως ανάμνηση της επίσκεψης του στην έκθεση.

Παρατηρήσεις και σκέψεις με αφορμή προσκύνημα στην Καππαδοκία με τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο του Κώστα Μ. Σταματόπουλου*

Με την ευκαιρία της ετήσιας εαρινής επίσκεψης του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη στην Καππαδοκία, η Ελληνική Εταιρεία Περιβάλλοντος και Πολιτισμού, οργάνωσε από τις 13 έως τις 16 Μαΐου, ένα προσκύνημα στο οποίο μετείχαν μέλη και φίλοι της. Μεταξύ αυτών ήσαν και άτομα τα οποία έχουν εμπλακεί στην προσπάθεια μερικής αποκατάστασης του ιουστινιάνειου ναού του Αγίου Παντελεήμονος, γνωστού σήμερα ως «Κόκκινη Εκκλησιά», έργο για το οποίο η Ελληνική Εταιρεία, συνεργάζεται με την γαλλική association des amis de Cappadoce, το αμερικανικό ίδρυμα Kaplan και το τουρκικό Πανεπιστήμιο του Yildiz, υπό την εποπτεία του τουρκικού υπουργείου Πολιτισμού και των τοπικών αρχών. Εχοντας λάβει μέρος στην εξόρμηση- αποστολή, θεώρησα

υποχρέωσή μου να επισημάνω γραπτώς ορισμένα δυνατά της σημεία, τα οποία έχουν ευρύτερο ενδιαφέρον και οπωσδήποτε ανοίγουν ή θα μπορούσαν να ανοίξουν διόλου ευκαταφρόνητες προοπτικές. Ας αρχίσω με τα μεγάλα μικρά: τη συγκίνηση της νεαρής δασκάλας των αγγλικών, σαν αντελήφθη ότι είχε μπροστά της την κόρη της αρχικής ιδιοκτητρίας του σπιτιού, μέρος του οποίου χρησιμοποιούσε για τη σχολή της: έφερε απότομα το χέρι στο στόμα -χειρονομία παιδιάστικη- τα μάτια της βούρκωσαν και είπε: «Συγκινούμαι αφάνταστα και πιστέψτε με πως νιώθω αυτό που αισθάνεστε. Θα ήθελα να μπορούσα να κάνω κάτι για σας». Το βλέμμα έπειτα των νεαρών Τούρκων μηχανικών, αλλά και κάποιων αρχόντων της Τοπικής Αυτοδιοίκησης και εκπροσώπων της νομαρχίας, καθώς άκουγαν τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη να τους μιλάει. Είχε σεβασμό, είχε μια κάποια

αμηχανία, είχε επίσης μια έκδηλη συμπάθεια, είχε κάτι το αναμφισβήτητα και συγκινητικά υιικό. Περνώντας στα μεγαλύτερα, δεν μπορώ να μην αναφέρω ότι απ’ άκρου εις άκρον της Καππαδοκίας ξεκινά η αποκατάσταση όχι βυζαντινών -τούτο γίνεται από καιρόαλλά νεοελληνικών μνημείων, αναφέροντας ως παράδειγμα την μονή του Αγίου Νικολάου στη Σινασό, λαξευμένη ολόκληρη σε έναν πελώριο μονόλιθο, τον επιβλητικό ναό του Αγίου Δημητρίου στην Αραβησσό (δεκαετίας 1880, όπου λειτούργησε ο Πατριάρχης την πρώτη λειτουργία μετά την Εξοδο) και τη μονή της Αναλήψεως κοντά στην Καρβάλη, κτισμένη σε ένα περιβάλλον ονειρικό. Ειπώθηκε επί τόπου από τον εκπρόσωπο της νομαρχίας πως στο κτίσμα, πλάι στον ναό, που στις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα προοριζόταν για ορθόδοξη ιερατική σχολή, θα λειτουργήσει ως κέντρο αφιερωμένο στους πολιτι-

σμούς της Καππαδοκίας, με έμφαση στην ρωμαίικη κληρονομιά. Ζητήθηκε προς τούτο η υποστήριξη του Φαναρίου, αλλά και των καππαδοκικών προσφυγικών συλλόγων στην Ελλάδα. Δεν μπορώ επίσης να μην παρατηρήσω τη μεγίστη τιμητική κινητοποίηση δυνάμεων ασφαλείας, Αστυνομίας και Στρατού, γύρω από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη, ως να επρόκειτο για αρχηγό κράτους. Τέλος, δεν μπορώ να αποσιωπήσω το περιεχόμενο των λόγων του Παναγιωτάτου, ο οποίος χωρίς τίποτε να απεμπολεί, έριχνε ακαταπόνητα σπόρουςγέφυρες προς ένα μέλλον ειρηνικό, φέρνοντας μεταξύ τους πιο κοντά θρησκείες, έθνη, πολιτισμούς και ανθρώπους. * Ο κ. Κώστας Μ. Σταματόπουλος είναι πρόεδρος Συμβουλίου Αρχιτεκτονικής Κληρονομιάς της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας. Από την εφημερίδα «Καθημερινή»

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

JUNE 2011

ΒΙΒΛΙΟ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟ ΣΤΑ ΤΟΥΡΚΙΚΑ ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Την Τρίτη 24 Μαϊου παρουσιάστηκε στο Κέντρο Πολιτικών Ερευνών Πόλεως του Πανεπιστημίου Sabanci Universitesi το βιβλίο με τίτλο: Οικουμενικόν Πατριαρχείον εξ επόψεως ιστορικής, πολιτικής, θρησκευτικής και νομικής, το οποίο εκδόθηκε πριν δύο μήνες στα τουρκικά. Στην εκδήλωση παρέστη ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος, ο οποίος και απηύθυνε χαιρετισμό, τονίζοντας μεταξύ άλλων: Τό βιβλίον ἀπό τῆς εἰσαγωγῆς του ἀκόμη δῆλον ποιεῖται ὅτι ἐπιλαμβάνεται ὡρισμένων ζητημάτων σχετιζομένων πρός τό Πατριαρχεῖον ἡμῶν, τά ὁποῖα θεωρῶνται ὡς ἀπαγορευτικά (tabu) καί διαλαμβάνει τάς ἀπόψεις τῶν εἰδημόνων περί αὐτά. Ἀσφαλῶς πᾶσαι αἱ ἐπί μέρους περίοδοι κατά τήν διάρκειαν τῆς ἱστορικῆς πορείας ἑνός ἱδρύματος δεκαεπτά αἰώνων δέν ὑπῆρξαν ἐξ ἴσου λαμπραί. Ἡμεῖς, ἐν τούτοις, ἀξιολογοῦμεν τήν ἱστορίαν τοῦ Πατριαρχείου ἡμῶν ὡς ὅλον καί ἐξάγοντες ἀπό αὐτήν, ὡς πνευματικόν καθίδρυμα, διδακτικά συμπεράσματα, ἀτενίζομεν μετ’αἰσιοδοξίας πρός τό μέλλον. Δυστυχῶς, παραμένουν περιωρισμέναι εἰς τόν ἀριθμόν αἱ ἐκδοθεῖσαι

17

εἰς τήν τουρκικήν ἀντικειμενικαί μελέται ἐπί τοῦ ἱδρύματος ἡμῶν. Περισσότεραι ἐξ αὐτῶν τυγχάνουν προπαγανδιστικαί καί ἐξεδόθησαν ἐπί τῷ σκοπῷ τῆς ποδηγετήσεως τῆς κοινῆς γνώμης. Χαιρετίζομεν μετ΄ αἰσθημάτων πατρικῆς ἀγάπης ἅπαντας τούς προσελθόντας εἰς τήν ἀκαδημαϊκήν ταύτην παρουσίασιν τοῦ βιβλίου «Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον», ἐμφορούμενοι ὑπό τῆς πεποιθήσεως ὅτι τοῦτο προσφέρει ἐπί πλεῖστον εἰς τούς ἐνδιαφερομένους τήν δυνατότητα ἀποκτήσεως ἀντικειμενικῶν γνώσεων σχετικῶς πρός τό Πατριαρχεῖον ἡμῶν. Στην εκδήλωση μίλησαν επίσης οι συγγραφείς Παρασκευάς Κονόρτας, Samim Akgönül, Emre Öktem, Cem Murat Sofuoğlu και Elçin Macar, ο οποίος τόνισε ότι: Στα Πρακτικά της Συνθήκης της Λωζάννης, οπουδήποτε γίνεται μνεία για το Πατριαρχείο, αυτό αναφέρεται ως «οικουμενικό». Συνεπώς, είναι «παραμύθι σκοπίμως λανσαρισμένο» το ότι δήθεν η Λωζάννη απαγορεύει την «οικουμενικότητα» του Πατριαρχείου. Ο Emre Öktem τόνισε ότι κατά την Οθωμανική περίοδο υπήρχαν τραπεζικοί λογαριασμοί στο όνομα του Πατριαρχείου, γεγονός που καταδεικνύει την αναγνώριση της νομικής του υπόστασης.

Συνεδρίαση Κανονικών Ορθοδόξων Επισκόπων u óåë. 17 ντησης των επισκόπων της Συνελεύσεως «Είναι πολύ σημαντικό ότι ταξιδέψαμε όλοι μεγάλες αποστάσεις για να βρεθούμε μαζί εν πνεύματι αδελφοσύνης, ειρήνης, αλληλεγγύης και πάνω απ’ όλα εν Χριστώ αγάπης. Ως πρόεδρος αυτής της Σενελεύσεως, είμαι ευγνώμων για την ευλαβή και ειρηνική παρουσία σας και είμαι πλήρης ελπίδων ότι θα κατορθώσουμε να κινήσουμε το νεογέννητο σώμα

προς τα εμπρός με θετικά βήματα τα οποία θα οδηγήσουν σε απτά αποτελέσματα για όλους τους Ορθοδόξους». Ο Γραμματέας της Συνελεύσεως, Επίσκοπος Βασίλειος της Αντιοχειανής Αρχιεπισκοπής παρουσίασε την ενημερωτική έκθεση της Γραμματείας και ακολούθησε η έκθεση της Eπιτροπής μελέτης των για τους οργανισμούς που τελούσαν έως τώρα υπό την αιγίδα της SCOBA (Μόνιμης Επιτροπής Κανονικών Ορθοδόξων Αμερικής)

15

χρόνια ελληνική τηλεόραση Παραμένουμε κοντά στον ελληνισμό και με συνέπεια και επαγγελματισμό σας προσφέρουμε τα καλύτερα της ελληνικής τηλεόρασης.

Μόνο στο DISH Network. Επιλέξτε DISH Network. Επιλέξτε Ελληνικά.

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Απαιτείται συνδρομή στο International Basic package των $10 ανά μήνα ή στο America’s Top package. Η προσφορά του Digital Home Advantage προϋποθέτει 24μηνη δέσμευση και ικανοποίηση πιστωτικών προϋποθέσεων. Αν η υπηρεσία ακυρωθεί πριν από τη λήξη της δέσμευσης, θα χρεωθεί το ποσό των $17.50 ανά μήνα μέχρι το τέλος της σχετικής δέσμευσης. Η προσφορά του Showtime (αξίας $39) προϋποθέτει υπηρεσίες AutoPay και Paperless Billing και μετά το πέρας 3 μηνών οι τρέχουσες τιμές θα ισχύσουν εκτός αν ο πελάτης υποβαθμίσει την σύνδεση του. Χωρίς χρέωση μόνο βασική επαγγελματική εγκατάσταση. Όλες οι συσκευές είναι ενοικιαζόμενες και θα πρέπει να επιστραφούν στο DISH Network μετά την ακύρωση της συμφωνίας αλλιώς θα υπάρξει ανάλογη χρέωση για τις συσκευές που δεν έχουν επιστραφεί . Ισχύει το όριο των 6 συχνοτήτων σήματος (tuners) ανά λογαριασμό. Προκαταβολικές και μηνιαίες χρεώσεις μπορεί να ισχύουν ανάλογα με το τύπο και αριθμό δεκτών (receivers) Όλες οι τιμές και τα πακέτα προγραμμάτων μπορεί να αλλάξουν χωρίς προειδοποίηση. Για καινούργιους και πρώην πελάτες της DISH Network που πληρούν συγκεκριμένες προϋποθέσεις μόνο και η προσφορά υπόκεινται στους όρους του Promotional and Residential Customer Agreement. Επιπρόσθετοι περιορισμοί μπορεί να ισχύσουν. Η προσφορά λήγει 05/17/11. All rights reserved. Το SHOWTIME και τα συγγενή σήματα και λογότυπα είναι ιδιοκτησία του Showtime Networks Inc., της εταιρείας CBS.

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METROPOLIS NEWS

JUNE 2011

Long Island Parish to Build New Church, Complex SOUTHAMPTON, NY – Kimisis tis Theotokou parish has begun construction of a new church and community center, concluding a seven-year struggle to build a new building to meet the growing needs of the community’s religious, cultural and social needs.

Construction began after Pascha.

The new cruciform sanctuary will be of traditional 6th century Byzantine architecture, complete with a 60–foot high copper dome. Eventually, the church’s interior will be covered with colorful panels of traditional Orthodox iconography depicting the life of Christ and many Orthodox saints. “The church is designed

Photos John Mindala

Site of the new Kimisis Church adjacent to the existing house of worship.

to draw all of the faithful’s senses and attention to prayer and toward God,” said the church’s pastor, Fr. Alex Karloutsos.

Plans also call for a cultural center that will house classrooms, administrative offices, and a library and a community center to accommodate larger cultural, social and educational events.

Highlights of the new facility will include: • Liturgically designed sanctuary permitting members to worship together facing East in the longstanding Orthodox Christian tradition.

• Capacity for 250 people on the main floor of the Sanctuary.

• Dedicated classrooms for Sunday school, Greek Language & Cultural Institute, and adult education programs.

• Dedicated meeting space for the various ministries and organizations of the parish.

• Infrastructure to accommodate the church’s ministries and administrative needs .

• A library with an extensive collection of texts relevant to Orthodox Christianity and Hellenism.

• Dedicated community center to accommodate The Zoullas Memorial Lecture Series, fellowship gatherings and large assemblies of the faithful.

The construction phase is expected to take18 months.

While the fundraising effort is well under way, the church has received generous donations and support from many within

Frs.Alex Karloutsos and Constantine Lazarakis preside at the blessing service for the construction of the new church.

and outside the Southampton parish.

Notably, Coula Johnides, has pledged $1 million toward the project. Three anonymous donors have pledged a total of $4 million for the construction, while Bill and Linda Stavropoulos have pledged $500,000 toward the realization of the parish’s vision for the future.

Additionally, many members of the church and broader community have offered their products and services in-kind to contribute the success of the church’s effort to expand.

Revco, Guillo Construction, PJ Mechanical, and Bouras Steel of New Jersey are among those who have made such commitments.

The parish is reaching out to all its members, hoping that all will participate in the capital campaign. “To make it our church, we all really have to give what we can. While we do need to meet our goal, it is not the

size of the gift that is most important, but the full participation of our members,” said Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, assistant pastor.

This historical expansion will accommodate the community’s growing parish, achieve a greater fidelity to the architectural and liturgical traditions of the Greek Orthodox faith, and will allow the Greek Orthodox Church of the Hamptons to continue as a thriving and vibrant part of Long Island’s East End community.

The Hamptons parish was established in the late 1970s. In 1977, a few Greek Orthodox families started discussing the possibility of building a church and meetings took place in private homes. Worship services were held at Southampton College.

The community purchased a parcel of land from the college and the existing church was completed in 1986.

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JUNE 2011

19

METROPOLIS NEWS

Chicago Bishop Reappointed to Commission CHICAGO - Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos has been reappointed to the United States Commission on Civil Rights, Illinois State Advisory Committee, for a second two-year term. Bishop Demetrios, chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, is one of 18 Illinois social advocates selected to comprise this committee.

Effective April 15, this reappointment is an honor for the Greek Orthodox community and a testament to the countless years of dedicated effort by Bishop Demetrios, as he has worked extensively within the areas of social justice and advocacy, building bridges of understanding and improving relationships.

The Commission has 51 state advisory committees–one for each state and the district of Columbia. Each is composed of citizens familiar with local and state civil rights issues. The members serve without compensation and assist the Commission with its fact-finding, investigative, and information dissemination functions, serving as the “eyes and ears” of the Commission at the state and local level. The commission advises the President and Congress of circumstances in which American citizens are being deprived of equal protection of laws because of color, race, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

In his extensive social advocacy and ministry, Bishop Demetrios has been most active advocating for persons living with HIV/AIDS and the abolition of the death penalty. He founded the Bishop’s Task Force on AIDS as a ministry of the Greek Orthodox Christian Church in 1992, the first formal response by the Church in North America. Twice serving as president of the Illinois Coalition to the Abolish the Death Penalty (2003-2005), his efforts led to Gov. Pat Quinn, with whom he met personally, to sign legislation putting an end to capital punishment in Illinois this past March. Bishop Demetrios has served as a past president of the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, and has worked to find common ground between the Turkish and Greek communities here and abroad through collaboration with the Niagara Foundation and other groups.

IOCC Coordinates Relief in Alabama BALTIMORE – International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is sending members of its “Frontline,” a volunteer network of highly trained, credentialed and experienced emergency response personnel, to respond to the relief and recovery efforts in northern Alabama following severe storms, tornadoes and flooding that devastated the area on April 27. IOCC is also making emergency relief supplies available, including health kits, to affected areas near Tuscaloosa where thousands have been left homeless as a result of tornadoes. In addition to the health kits, IOCC anticipates the need for emergency clean–up buckets in Alabama and flood-affected areas along the Mississippi River. The emergency clean-up buckets contain basic household cleaning supplies to help people begin the overwhelming job of cleaning up after a flood,

u u to page 22

Orthodox teens from 13 parishes gather at their recent retreat in California.

Teens Bust Social Myths at Regional Lenten Retreat

by Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras

BELMONT, Calif. – Holy Cross Church recently sponsored a Lenten retreat for Bay Area Orthodox middle school and high school teens from nine Greek Orthodox parishes, one Antiochian Orthodox parish and three OCA parishes. One of the Greek Orthodox parishes was Sts. Constantine and Helen in Honolulu.

The 95 teens who attended took part in discussions centered on the theme of “Mythbusters,” taken from the title of a popular TV show on the Discovery Channel.

The following topics were labeled as some of society’s “myths” that teens were challenged to bust: God does not care about us because of the existence of evil in the world; God made a mistake when he gave us free will; sex outside of marriage is healthy and normal; and there are no positive messages in pop culture.

The teens were very engaged during the talks, especially when discussing free will and whether or not it was a good idea for God to give it to us. Participants also enjoyed creating mini music videos, which included a skit with a Christian message.

In addition to the discussions, teens participated in confession during the weekend, along with the services of Salutations on Friday night, Orthros and Great Vespers on Saturday and the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil on Sunday morning.

While it rained throughout the weekend, the retreat had plenty of indoor activities to keep everyone active, including a very spirited “Minute to Win It” competition, based on NBC’s hit game show.

Along with the teens who attended the retreat, there were six clergy from the region, 15 young adult retreat leaders who had many years of youth ministry experience, and five chaperones. The contribu-

tion of both clergy and lay leaders ensured the safety and success of the weekend.

In addition to the Honolulu community, other Greek Orthodox parishes represented were: Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco; Annunciation, Sacramento; Holy Cross, Belmont; Holy Trinity, San Francisco; Nativity of Christ, Novato; St. Nicholas, San Jose; Resurrection, Castro Valley; Sts. Constantine and Helen, Vallejo; and Sts. Constantine and Helen, Honolulu.

Parishes from other Orthodox jurisdictions included: Sts. Peter and Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Ben Lomond; St. Nicholas OCA Church, San Anselmo; Holy Trinity OCA Cathedral, San Francisco; and St. Nicholas OCA Church, Saratoga.

Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras is the assistant priest at Holy Cross Church in Belmont.

Regional Leadership Seminars Held on West Coast

by Kristen Bruskas

During spring, the Metropolis of San Francisco offered three regional parish leadership seminars focusing on stewardship, outreach and evangelism that drew about 350 faithful from California, Arizona and Nevada.

Fr. James Kordaris, director of the Archdiocese Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism, led the seminars under the theme “Building Up the House God: You are a Member of the Body of Christ – The Critical Role of Parish Leadership in Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism.”

The seminars took place at Annunciation Church in Sacramento, Calif, St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, Calif., and St. Haralambos Church, Peoria, Ariz.

Metropolitan Gerasimos emphasized attendance beyond just that of parish

Fr. Kordaris leads a seminar on the role of parish leadership in stewardship, outreach and evangelism.

council members to include leaders of all ministries in the church such as: Philoptochos, youth, dance, Sunday school, choir and Greek school, thus acknowledging that the growth of the community is the responsibility of all those in leadership

positions, and not just those who serve on the parish council.

In addressing the attendees, Metropolitan Gerasimos stated: “We have been building churches, but we have not been building up the house of God. If only our churches were full of people who truly understand Christian stewardship this would be a blessing to us all. People must be inspired to open their hearts and give sacrificially of their time, talent and treasure. This is done through our good works, helping those in need, providing for those in our communities, reaching out beyond just the everyday programs offered by churches and being more creative, more visionary, and more proactive in developing a ministry that truly exemplifies the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

This is the third year that the Metropolis of San Francisco has offered regional leadership seminars for the edification of its faithful.

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Obituaries Metropolitan Epiphanios ITHACA, N.Y. – Metropolitan Epiphanios of Vryoula (Constantine “Gus” Perialas), 76, retired Metropolitan of Spain and Portugal and former priest of St. Catherine Church in Ithaca, passed away on May 9, of complications from a fall.

He was born Jan. 23, 1935, in Ithaca.

He attended Cornell University and was a graduate of Syracuse University and Holy Cross School of Theology. He also did graduate work at Fordham University, and entered into Ph.D. candidacy at Syracuse University. He was the debate coach at Syracuse University and a secondary school teacher of English, speech and drama.

He held a certificate in educational management from the Harvard School of Business.

For 29 years, he served as professor of speech communication at Ithaca College and also held esteemed positions including department chair and vice president for student and campus affairs.

The college established the Perialas Prize in Epiphanios’ honor in 1997. In 1984, Constantine was ordained to the priesthood (taking at that time the name Epiphanios) and, in 1985, just one year after being ordained a priest, he was elevated to archimandrite.

He served in a variety of parishes, including St. Catherine’s in Ithaca for 15 years and the Assumption (Koimisis of the Theotokos) Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich., from which he was elected Metropolitan.

On April 12, 2003, the Holy Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople unanimously elected the Very Rev. Archimandrite Epiphanios Perialas as the first Metropolitan of Spain and Portugal.

In March 2007, Metropolitan Epiphanios informed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of his intentions to retire.

The Holy Synod then elected him as Metropolitan of Vryoula after which he returned to the U.S. in mid-summer 2007.

Epiphanios also helped establish the first Greek Orthodox Metropolis in Hong Kong and was the former consultant to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his visit to America in 2000 and the Philippines in 1998.

He was predeceased by his parents, Georgia and Alexander Perialas and his brother, John Perialas. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Doris Perialas; nephew, Alexander Perialas; niece, Valerie Perialas; and other relatives.

Funeral services were held at the church on May 14 with Metropolitan Nikitas of Dardanelles officiating, followed by interment in Lakeview Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 120 W. Seneca St., Ithaca, NY 14850.

Fr. Elias J. Katras ALIQUIPPA, Pa. – Fr. Elias J. Katras, 59, former priest of Holy Trinity Church in Ambridge, Pa., died Easter Sunday, April 24.

He was born Oct. 26, 1951 in Youngstown, Ohio and moved to Tarpon Springs, Fla., with his family at a young age. He completed public school in Tarpon Springs and enrolled at the University of Thessaloniki theological school where he earned his licentiate in theology.

He married Panagiota Nicolopoulos of Sparta, Greece. They had three sons, John, Demetrios and Stavros.

He was ordained as a deacon by Bishop Iakovos of Catania and as a priest

by Bishop Philotheos of Meloa in early April 1976 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

JUNE 2011

He served the parishes of St. Demetrios in Astoria as assistant priest in 1976 until being assigned to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte, N.C., also as the assistant priest, from July 1976 to September 1978.

Fr. Katras’ next assignment was Holy Trinity Church in Tulsa, Okla., from October 1978 to November 1981, then he was assigned to Holy Trinity in Ambridge where he served until going on medical leave March 31, 2004.

He also received the offikia of oikonomos in 1982 and protopresbyter from Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh in 2002 Survivors include his presbytera and sons.

Funeral service took place April 29 at Holy Trinity Church with Bishop Savas of Troas officiating.

Fr. George X. Gallas ALBANY, N.Y. – Fr. George X. Gallas, 87, pastor emeritus of St. Sophia Church in Albany, died after a lengthy illness on May 15.

He was born in Reading, Pa., the son of the late Xenophon and Athanasia Gallas, on Jan. 28, 1924.

After completing public school, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving in the amphibious forces from 1942-45. He took part in the invasion of Normandy at Juno and Omaha beaches on D-Day. After the war, he enrolled in Holy Cross Seminary and graduated as the valedictorian in 1951. He and his wife, the former Mersene Andris of New Haven, Conn., were married Feb. 4, 1951.

Fr. George was ordained as a deacon on Feb. 18, 1951 at Annunciation Church, then in Providence, R.I., and as a priest on Feb. 25, 1951 at St. George Cathedral in Manchester, N.H., both times by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzos. He received the offikia of oikonomos in 1967 from Bishop Aimilianos, oikonomos of the Ecumenical Throne in 1971 from Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras and protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, bestowed by Archbishop Iakovos.

His assignments included the parishes of Zoodochos Peghe in Martins Ferry, Ohio (June 1951-August 1952), St. George, New Brunswick, N.J. (August 1952-July 1955), St. Sophia, Albany (August 1955-April 1966), North Miami, Fla. (May 1966-March 1974), St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh (March 1974-July 1978), St. Luke, East Longmeadow, Mass., (August 1978-August 1979), chancellor of the Diocese of Boston (August 1978-August 1982), chancellor of the 2nd Archdiocesan District in Astoria (November 1982-January 1985), and the parish of St. Athanasios, Paramus, N.J. ( October 1985 until he retired in June 1999).

During his long ministry, Fr. George also did postgraduate work in pastoral psychology at Albany Medical Center, was Archdiocesan Vicar of the Diocese of Pittsburgh in 1978, was chairman of the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting and chairman of the committee that created the Alpha Omega Award given in Scouting; was chaplain for all Orthodox Scouts worldwide, Eastern Orthodox chaplain at the Albany Medical Center and for the Veterans Hospital in Albany.

Survivors include his wife, Mersene; daughters Despi and Sia; a son, Stratton; a brother, James; and a granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by brothers Steve and Louis.

Funeral services took place May 20 at St. Sophia Church in Albany with Bishop Andonios of Phasiane officiating.

Memorial donations can be made to the Fr. Gallas Memorial Fund, c/o St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church, 440 Whitehall Rd., Albany, N.Y. 12208.

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JUNE 2011

A Community with a Strong Youth Program PEOPLE P A R I S H

uBoston Ministry Award

profile

Demetrios “Jimmy” Kaselis, a member of Annunciation Cathedral in Boston more than 30 years, was selected as the 2011 Cathedral recipient of the Metropolis of Boston Ministry Awards.

The award is given annually to one member of each community in recognition of their dedication and efforts for the progress of the parish. He received his award June 12. Mr. Kaselis was born on the island of Nisiros, in the Dodekanisos, Greece. He moved to Rhodes to continue his education, and then emigrated to America, settling in Astoria, N.Y. He had been a member of The Transfiguration of Christ Church in Corona, N.Y. before moving to Dedham, Mass., in the late 1970s.

Name: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Location: Media, Pa. Metropolis of New Jersey Size: about 400 families Founded: 1926 Clergy: Fr. Anastasios Bourantas (M.Div. Holy Cross ‘93) E-mail: office@stgeorgemedia.org Web: www.stgeorgemedia.org Noteworthy: a very welcoming community MEDIA, Pa. – St. George Church faces a situation other communities may wish they had – the need to expand its facilities but having plenty of space to do so.

It’s a major challenge,” said Fr. Anastasios, “We have limited space and are trying to figure out how to manage it. The church is growing.”

The parish built its current church in the late 1970s on a sixacre site in a suburban setting in Media, a suburb 12 miles west of Philadelphia. In 2005, the community acquired an additional seven acres next to its property. The parish complex includes its house of worship with seating for about 500 and an adjacent community center containing classrooms and offices and parking for 250 cars.

“We’re looking at enlarging the facility in the future,” the priest said.

ACTIVE YOUTH The church has a large population of active young people. There are 180 Sunday school students and HOPE, JOY and GOYA chapters.

Many youth participate in the community’s extensive athletics program. They participate in several team sports as part of the Delaware Valley Youth Commission, an association of 12 Greek Orthodox parishes in the area.

In addition to sports, parish youth also hold many fellowship events, and philanthropic service projects. Some youth also take part in a Hellenic dance group.

There is an independent afternoon Greek school with a small enrollment, the Academy of St. George, which is not part of the parish.

During the summer, the parish offers a vacation church school.

St. George parish consists of some immigrants and many American-born Greek Orthodox who are first, second and third generation.

There also are many converts, Fr. Anastasios noted.

CHIOS FOUNDERS Many of the founders of the community came from Chios. Originally, they settled in the city of Chester, Pa. around 1900, according to a parish history by Marika Papouris Trizonis. At the time, Chester, which originally was settled as “Finlandia”

by Swedes in the 1600s, and later became Chester sometime after Wil-

uAviation Award ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH liam Penn established his Pennsylvania colony, was known for its shipbuilding industry, which attracted the first Greek settlers.

Located near the southeast corner of the state, near the Delaware border, it has easy access to the sea by way of the Delaware River.

Greek families there established a church about 1915, but it was disbanded by 1920 because of decreasing interest and activity.

By 1926, Greek families again tried to establish a church in the area.

A women’s organization, the Athena Sisterhood, precursor of the Philoptochos, was eventually established. A Sunday school and Greek school were established. A fund drive in 1937 raised $3,700 for a church, which increased to $16,000 by 1942.

A stone house was purchased and a church was eventually built on the site by 1950. It was named St. George by the church’s godfather, Andrew Varikis, who named it in memory of his brother who had been killed during World War I. The parish history notes that many parish families relocated to the suburbs in the 1950s and /60s. The parish eventually moved as well.

NEW CHURCH In 1970, the community purchased a six-acre site in rural Middletown Township, in the Borough of Media, the county seat of Delaware County.

Groundbreaking ceremonies for a new church, the present house of worship, took place in September 1977 under the leadership of Fr. James Laliberte, who served the parish a total of 27 years.

On Sept. 9, 1979, Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey officiated at the “thyranoixia” (door opening) ceremony.

Benefactor Lothar Budike received the key to the church and opened the door.

The need for classrooms, meeting rooms and storage areas prompted the building committee to make expansion plans in1991 and ground-breaking for the new educational building took place in 1992 with Bishop Alexios of Troas officiating.

A lengthy legal process followed because of opposition and restrictions by the township and neighbors.

A building permit eventually was issued in 1998 and construction was completed in 1999.

Though the community got its start nearly a century ago, it is still a “young

parish” in terms of its current membership. Fr. Anastasios noted there are “many young families” as well as many senior citizens.

Occupations range from a wide array of professionals, to building trades and restaurateurs. “Because of this diversity, many are able to contribute to the Church with their talents,” he said.

The parish has an active spiritual and philanthropic life. Its ministries are supported by stewardship as the main revenue source.

The parish also holds two Greek festivals: one in June and the other in October.

The active Philoptochos Society helps the needy in the area and serves on a monthly basis at a homeless shelter in West Chester.

There also are active AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope chapters that assist in the church’s philanthropic activities.

The Ahepans provide annual scholarships to high school graduates and college students of the community, amounting to between $12,000 and $15,000.

Another parish organization is the “St. Markella Chion Society of Chester/Media,” which promotes activities for the segment of the parish of Chian background.

SEVERAL MINISTRIES The priest’s ministries include weekly Bible studies, catechism classes for adults and marriage seminars.

Presbytera Nicoletta conducts the “Mommy and Me” program for mothers of children up to age 3.

Participants have lessons in crafts and fellowship with other mothers.

Fr. Anastasios is the sixth priest to serve the parish since 1943.

His first parish was St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, then served as the director of the Archdiocese Department of Youth Ministry for three years.

His next assignment was as the parish priest in Wilmington, Del., before arriving at St. George Church in 2004.

“St. George is a very welcoming community,” said Fr. Anastasios.

“We encourage everyone to come to church.”

— Compiled by Jim Golding

James Plackis a member of St. Paul Cathedral in Hempstead, N.Y., recently was presented the prestigious “Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award” by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Safety Team Program Manager, taking place at Long Island’s Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. It was followed by a safety seminar that is sponsored by the F.A.A. and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), titled “Close Calls and Lessons Learned.”

uGold Award winner Xrista Christopoulos, a member of St. George Church in Knoxville, Tenn., received her Gold Award from the Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians on May 22 at her high school, Harden Valley Academy in Knoxville. She is the daughter of Christos and Xrisanthe Christopoulos and the granddaughter of Archon Harry Moskos.

Xrista accumulated more than 500 hours of volunteer work in three years in the oncology clinic of the East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in Knoxville.

uSpelling Bee student Marika Fox, a 13-year old student in the eighth grade at St. Nicholas School in Northridge, Calif., advanced to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, held June 1-2. Marika not only won the spelling bee at her school, but was also named the winner for and represented Los Angeles County. She is the daughter of Fr. Haralambos and Presbytera Joann Fox, with her father currently serving as Proistamenos of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Lancaster, Calif.

uBook author Demetrious Glimidakis, a graduate of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, has written a Christian fiction/ fantasy novel, The Crimson Knight, which is being published by Tate Publishing (http://tatepublishing.com). While in seminary and assisting in the various aspects of both his academics and religious studies, he started formulating this idea of spiritual warfare with an idea he conceived years prior which is now this novel. While he assisted with various youth, he found their focus on the fantasy and in the realm of worldly things found in music, movies and books (Lord of the Rings; The Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe; and Harry Potter) was more prevalent than the faith. While most delved toward the negative, he used his gifts and talents to try to find a balance to bring the youth back on track with Christ.

22

JUNE 2011

District Assembly Held u u from page 6 Road Stations in the area. Fr. Moraitis said they don’t qualify for aid because of their status.

St. Paraskevi and four other Christian congregations cooperate in housing the men during the winter as well as providing meals for them..

“The program runs through the coldest months of the year, from November though March, and we host the homeless on Thursday nights,” the priest said.

The 25 to 35 “guests” come about 6 p.m. to stay in the parish’s large recreation hall, are given dinner, can watch television and have a warm place to sleep.

They wash up at 5 a.m. and are served a hot breakfast, and then board the vans that return them to the train station. They receive a bag lunch. “All meals are donated by church organizations and volunteers from the parish serve in four shifts through the night.

During their stay, the men also take part in recreational activities and receive language instruction from English as a Second Language teachers.

“Eventually, they get regular jobs,” Fr. Moraitis noted.

Assembly participants also heard reports from Bishop Savas of Troas on the recent Real Break pilgrimages and the mission to East Africa, Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos on religious education, Archdeacon Panteleimon on the recently created School of Byzantine Music, Fr. Elias Villis on Camp St. Paul, Fr. Vasilios Bassakyros on hospital ministry, Nick Sialmas on the parish software initiative and Jim Gabriel about Project Generation, an environmental awareness program.

Metropolitan Presents Awards u u from page 10 del; Stefanos Baroutoglou, St. Demetrios, Jersey City; Dr. George Tzanakos, St. George, Clifton; and Andrew Zachariades, Evangelismos, Jersey City.

PARISH COUNCILS Stacey Sava Antoniades, St. John the Theologian Tenafly; Stephanie Alexandres, St. Andrew, Randolph; John Chambous, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen; Orange; Chris Chucalas St. Athanasios, Paramus; Jo-Ann Jayson, Holy Trinity, Westfield; Steven Kalcanides, St. Demetrios, Jersey City; Demetrios Knicos, St. George, Trenton; Gus Kolovos, St. Nicholas, Wyckoff; Stelios Kontolios, Ascension, Fairview; Gary W. Niec, St. Demetrios, Union; Spiro P. Pappas , St. George, Asbury Park; Elias Tis-

gounis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holmdel; Tony Verikios, St. Barbara, Toms River; and Peter Zannikos, St. Anna, Flemington.

CHOIR DIRECTORS Pauline Aridas, St. George, Asbury Park; Katherine Athanasoulas, Holy Trinity, Westfield; Andrew Bacalakis, St. Nicholas, Wyckoff; Nicholas Chingas, St. George, Trenton; Apostolos Combitsis, St. Barbara, Toms River; Steven Corodemus, St. Demetrios, Perth Amboy; Marie Devino, Kimisis Tis Theotokou; Holmdel; Diana Grina, St. Anna, Flemington; Elias Dimitrios Kotsambas, St. Athanasios, Paramus; George Manos, St. John the Theologian; Tenafly; E. James Vardakis, Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen, Orange; Alexander Vlassis, St. Andrew, Randolph; and Dr. Constantinos Yiannoudes, Ascension, Fairview.

Alumni Give Back to Their School u u from page 5

In his closing comments, Archbishop Demetrios called for an increase in the significance of our parishes by decreasing parochialism. “We have to have open eyes, open vision,” he said.

With the next clergy-laity congress a little more than a year away, His Eminence stressed the importance of attendance at the congress and that parishes should “seriously think of making sure they financially cover their participation. “We cannot have communities absent from three consecutive congresses,” he said. “What is their connection to the Church?”

hchc.edu).

The projected cost of the memorial wall is approximately $70,000. This past year alone, alumni have contributed over $24,000 for a total of $35,000 in funds raised. With the continued support of the alumni, the $70,000 goal is very achievable.

Bishop Gerasimos Book Status

This year the HC/HC Alumni also contributed more than $11,000 to publish a text titled The Gospel of St. John: A Commentary, by a beloved professor and hierarch, Bishop Gerasimos Papadopoulos, of blessed memory, who lived on campus for many years. The endeavor is a success as the fundraising for the text has been completed. The book has been published in both English and Greek and is for sale in the Holy Cross Bookstore (www.holycrossbookstore.com).

8 Students Awarded Scholarships

The alumni are also giving back to the students on campus. The Alumni Association awarded eight scholarships to Hellenic College and Holy Cross students.

Students considered for the scholarships

were those attending HC/HC, children of HC/HC Alumni, and in their junior year. A total of $6,500 was awarded. Hellenic College students receiving scholarships were: John Dalber, Nicholas Savas, Christopher Zaferes, Marianne Cambas and Gregory Marangos.

For Holy Cross, Stephanos Ritsi, Angeliki Constantine and John Uhl received scholarships. The Alumni Association plans to give these scholarships annually to children of alumni who attend HC/HC.

Alumni Homecoming this fall

Plans are underway for an HC/HC Alumni Homecoming to take place this fall, the week of Columbus Day. The event will offer opportunities for alumni to interact with one another and current students in a number of activities which are in the early planning stages. To get involved in the planning of this event, contact Alumni Director Gregory Floor at gfloor@hchc.edu, or call him directly at (617) 850-1277. Visit the alumni pages of the HC/HC website to update contact information and view upcoming events Athanasios Pantazelos works with the Alumni Association Director on alumni affairs and is a graduate of Holy Cross.

IOCC Coordinates Relief in Alabama u u from page 19 hurricane, tornadoes, or other disasters.

How You Can Help: • Make an online gift to assist the victims of disasters around the world, like the natural disasters in the United States, by making a financial gift to the United States Emergency Response Fund, at www.iocc.org.

• Assemble emergency clean-up buckets to be shipped to places like Alabama – or wherever disasters strike. For information on the emergency clean-up buckets, go to www.iocc.org/kits.

• Pray for the people of Alabama and the southern United States and those who have lost loved ones in this disaster and for the safety of those who are working to assist them. See: www.iocc.org/prayers.

Taking a Leap of Faith u u from page 9 let go, and let God provide you with the guidance you seek.

Dear Fr. Charles, I know you haven’t heard from me in months. I just wanted to let you know that we found our way. I finally let go, and let

God (smile) guide me to a church home.

We are now worshipping in an Orthodox Church about 30 miles from us. It’s a distance away, but also a good fit. Thank you so much.

Dear Sister in Christ, Thank you for the update, and praise be to God, Fr. Charles

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JUNE 2011

METROPOLIS NEWS

Fair participants (from left, front row) Dimitra Pitsios, Jimmy Vrachalus, Amerisa Kyriazis(third place), Chryssa Karavokiros (first place),Thomas Smiley (second place), Nicholas Catranis, Nicholas Hall. Back row: Fr. Elias Stevens, (judges) Brady McKellar, Tonie Ann Torrans, Cathy O’Keefe.

Students Hold First ‘All Saints Fair’ MOBILE, Ala. – Fifth and sixth graders of Annunciation Church held their first annual All Saints Fair on Sunday, May 15. Students chose a saint earlier in the year whom they researched and explored in depth and then presented to the community.

They prepared display boards that answered basic requirements and created one additional creative piece such as a blog, a sculpture, an

icon, a Power Point presentation, or something else that reflected their journey with their saint.

They stood next to their projects and explained and answered questions as other students, the parish, and the judges visited and evaluated their work. First, second, and third place winners were awarded for the most creative and thorough projects, and each participant received a certificate.

Kindergarten Torch Bearers: Wilson Bailey, Olivia Chapman, Nora Doughty, Anne Louise Webster and Catherine Webster.

Annunciation Orthodox School Celebrates Olympic Games HOUSTON – Annunciation Orthodox School (AOS) held its 27th annual Olympic Games on May 13.

AOS welcomed Craig Patrick, assistant coach of the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal U.S. Hockey team, to formally announce the opening of the games.

In the month leading up to the games, AOS students learned about the U.S. Hockey team and their accomplishments in the 1980 Olympics. Mr. Patrick spoke about his time with the team and focused on the idea of determination and encour-

aged students to never give up. Mr. Patrick commented that he thought the AOS opening ceremonies rivaled the real Olympics.

Opening Ceremonies set the stage for the day. Fourth graders served as team captains and led the parade of colors into the Steve G. Caloudas Activity Center. The “host nation,” Kindergarten, conducted the ceremonial lighting of the torch, representing the official opening of the games. AOS was honored to obtain an original Olympic torch used in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Greece to light the AOS flame.

23

Motorcycle blessing Members of the Greek American Motorcycle Association arrived at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, Ill. on May 7 for the 4th Annual Motorcycle Blessing with Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos celebrating. The association has more than 50 members who are Greek Orthodox parishioners in the area. The church’s pastor, Fr. Angelo Artemas, is an honorary member. Most of the members have been riding more than 25 years. At left: Bishop Demetrios with Fr. Artemas and Fr. Soterios Demetriou.

24

JUNE 2011

HTSF Awards Record Number of Scholarships NEW YORK -- The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund awarded a record 42 scholarships, including one for $20,000, to Greek American students from throughout the United States at its 20th anniversary gala May 14 at the New York Marriott Marquis hotel.

The 2011 recipients are: Emanuel Anagnostiadis and Evan Tassis of Maryland; Antonio Anagnostopoulos, Angie Diamantopoulos, Deanna Kouskoulas, and Genevieve Theodorakis, of Illinois.

Panagiota Eleni Cade, Niki Cade and John Economos of Iowa; Maria Attaliadis of Pennsylvania; Constantine Demopoulous, Demetra Hatzis-Schoch, Bill Kaousias, Nicolette M. Mavroleon, Demetria Michailides, Maria Tsarouhas Pie, Vassiliki Tsotas and Maria Zambetoulas, of New Jersey.

Panagiota Doukas of Indiana; Sophia Karas of Nevada, Nathan Lynch of Missouri, Kostas Papamarkakis of Massachusetts and Panayiotis Pelargos of California.

James Florakis, Christina George, George Gougoutris, Philip Halikias, Cleopatra Haviaras, Michelle Ioannou, Ashley Korkidis, Maria Lardas, Panayiotis Nicolas, Konstantine Ouranitsas, Alexandra Panos, Nicholas Paravalos, Dimitri Savva, Alexia Skiadas, Natasha Spedalle, Constantine Stavropoulos, Constandinos Tsourakis, Vasilis Tzallas and Georgia Vazouras, all of New York.

Among the students from New York, three parochial school students received $3,000 scholarships each. They were: Vassilis Tzallas of “W. Spyropoulos” Greek American School of St. Nicholas, Flushing; Nikolaos Paravalos of the “A. Fantis” Parochial School of SS Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Brooklyn; and Peter (Panayiotis) Nicolas of the Greek American Institute of

Zoodohos Peghe Church, Bronx.

It is the second year that HTSF scholarships also were given to secondary school students–specifically students of the New York City-based parochial day schools of the Archdiocese.

The event also honored actor Gilles Marini, star of the hit ABC drama, “Brothers & Sisters,” and business leader Spiros Milonas, chairman/CEO of Ionian Management.

Several workshops were held by past honorees that included topics on business by HTSF Chairman, Archon

and Archdiocesan Council member John Catsimatidis, the dramatic and recording arts by Olympia Dukakis, “The Days of Our Lives” star John Aniston, “Guiding Light” star Frank Dicopoulos, and international recording artists Kalomira and Kathy Sledge of “Sister Sledge;” journalism by Fox 5 News anchor Ernie Anastos, CBS News anchor and national correspondent Alexis Christoforous, and Fox 5 meteorologist Nick Gregory; law and politics by Congressman Gus Bilirakis, state Sen. Mike Gianaris, Con-

gresswoman Carolyn Maloney and the state Assemblywoman Aravella Simotas,, law and real estate, and health and medicine. Dinner chairman was HTSF President Nick Katsoris, general counsel of the Red Apple Group. Katsoris is also author of the Loukoumi children’s book series. General chairs were humanitarians and business leaders Margo and John Catsimatidis, chairman of the Red Apple Group and publisher of the Hellenic Times. His wife is co-publisher of the Hellenic Times and an advertising executive.

25

JUNE 2011

Spiritual Aspect of Fatherhood

by Albert S. Rossi, Ph.D.

A conference participant once asked the speaker, “What is the best way for a father to love his children?” The speaker replied, “The best way for a father to love his children is to love their mother.” I reflect often upon that superbly accurate statement. And I think the reverse is equally true: the best way a mother can love her children is to love their father.

More than anything else in the world, children need a loving family and parents who support each other, even if the parents are apart through separation or divorce.

Christ challenges us to love one another, and that challenge becomes even more compelling within our own families.

Even in the best of families, there is brokenness. And that is why the man’s call to fatherhood is so important. We fathers are called to show our families strong, manly love and forgiveness, virtues modeled powerfully in the father of the prodigal son (Lk 11:32).

This father is stable, loving, and generous. In his fairness, he avoids violating the freedom of either of his sons. When the prodigal demands his inheritance and decides to leave, the father does not attempt to withhold the money. He does not pressure the son to stay by trying to make him feel guilty. And the father is wise enough not to send care packages to relieve the son’s distress. The father allows both of his adult sons to make their own mistakes and to learn from their failures, an appropriate form of discipline for older

adolescents and young adults.

The prodigal’s father demonstrates manly leadership by taking loving initiatives, and he takes many such initiatives.

He maintains a thriving business to provide the generous inheritance. He creates and supports a loving family for the prodigal to run from and for the older son to remain with. And there is his last generous, joyful initiative as he runs out to embrace the returning son, kiss him, and put on him the best robe, ring, and shoes.

He celebrates the return of his son with a feast. And in a scene all of us fathers can recognize, he opens up the conversation with the sulking older son.

The father takes the initiative in bringing about forgiveness and reconciliation in the whole family. He is a model for us in responding to our call to follow the Spirit of Jesus in taking many initiatives in our families, especially that of boundless forgiveness for our children.

When a father takes responsibility for his own spiritual life, for the way he prays, goes to church, and practices virtue in the family, he gives a good example. Then, his leadership in the family is authentic, based on his own solid relationship with God, and he is less likely to be concerned about any resistance his children may give him. He can lead family prayer. When I suggest that we stand in the living room and pray before a trip or that we pray in a restaurant, I often feel an initial resistance in my children.

But quiet cooperation and peacefulness soon follow. Sometimes the children

A Spiritual Checklist for Summer

will even tell me that they prayed in a restaurant when I wasn’t there.

At times the father’s role of leading the family to great forgiveness and prayerfulness is an unpopular one. But as a man grows in his own spiritual life, he becomes more sturdy and willing to accept responsibility. Although all this is impossible for us fathers to do alone, God can do all things. God can even bestow the awesome spiritual power of fatherhood upon us.

Dr. Albert Rossi is a tenured Associate Professor of Psychology, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY (since 1976) and has a private practice in family counseling. He is a member of the Department of Lay Ministries. He is lecturer in Pastoral Theology and director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

Summer Service Project Ideas “Assuredly I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40 Our call to serve others is a “24/7” duty. In fact, you will always find individuals or organizations in need of help. We should not abandon our call to be leaders through our service and good works. Take some time this summer by offering your time and talents to a service project. There are many service opportunities for individuals or groups, teens or young adults. Here are a few ideas to consider adding to your summer schedule: DAY AT THE PARK: Each one of our cities has a beautiful park or playground that could use some “sprucing up” every once in a while. Contact the Parks and Recreation Department of your city or state. See if there are any volunteer opportunities for individuals or groups to help clean or plant flowers for the parks in the area. Many cities offer volunteer/community service positions to keep public parks and areas beautiful.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY: Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps build homes for low-income families here and around the world. In fact, IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities) is part-

nered with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild parts of the Gulf Coast that are still in disrepair due to past hurricanes. Habitat for Humanity offers ways that teens and young adults can get involved. Whether you build or not, there is always something that can be done! Visit www.habitat.org for more information.

FEED THE HUNGRY: Unfortunately, hunger does not take a vacation during the summer months. According to the Feeding America website (www. feedingamerica.org), they annually provide food for 37 million Americans which includes 14 million children.

Individuals or youth groups can plan

summer volunteer days at the local soup kitchen or food bank. Youth groups can also gather to cook meals and deliver them to those who are ill or elderly and unable to cook for themselves.

GIVE BLOOD-SAVE A LIFE: According to the Red Cross, one pint of blood can save up to three lives and every two seconds someone needs a blood transfusion. Individuals and families can visit www.redcrossblood. org to learn about donating blood and where to go. Also, youth groups can help out the community by hosting a blood drive at church or another location.

Quick! Name three things that you would put on a “to-do” list. Chances are we can quickly think of three goals we would like to accomplish now or in the future.

Now, name three things that you would love to accomplish to improve your spiritual life.

Not so easy, is it? With all of the things that go on in our lives, sometimes strengthening and improving our faith doesn’t even make it on the list! Most people that make a “todo” list put a great deal of careful thought and consideration into those short term and long term goals. Do we put that same effort into improving and growing in our faith?

Why not create a “to-do” list this summer for our spiritual lives?

Sit down and think about some of the things you would like to learn or do regarding your faith. You might want to be more familiar with the Holy Scriptures.

Your list might include learning more about how the Church addresses contemporary moral issues. You could simply want to work on your prayer life. There will probably be at least two or three things that can be “checked off” the list over the summer.

Don’t think you have time? Let’s be real.

We won’t be in a pool or on a roller coaster ALL summer long, right? Check out a few easy ways to grow in faith and closer to God during the summer time. In fact, you might find that you want to keep a spiritual “to-do” list throughout the year.

1) Focus on Prayer – This is the perfect time to work on prayer. During the year, we have every excuse to put prayer off unless we “need” it. But during summer break, have a prayer book by your bed to offer morning and evening prayers every day. You can also set aside a few minutes a day to be silent, saying the “Jesus Prayer” in your mind and in your heart.

2) Summer Feast Days – Yes, there are a few very important feast days that fall around our in the summer months. For example the Feast of the Transfiguration on August 6 and The Dormition of the Theotokos on August 15. Try to attend Divine Liturgy to celebrate these feasts and others.

Our participation in the sacramental and liturgical life of the Church should happen all year long.

3) Orthodox Christian Summer Camp – What a great way to spend a week or two of your summer! At camp, young people discuss the Church and important social and spiritual issues. They also form Christ-centered friendships with new people. There is an Orthodox Christian summer camp in most every part of the U.S. For a list of camps in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, visit www.camp.goarch.org.

4) Study the Scriptures – You can spend just a little time every day reading passages from the Bible. You might want to work on one particular book at a time. You could also read and meditate on the Epistle and Gospel readings for the day. Don’t be distracted by TV, Facebook, or your mobile phone. Unplug from technology so you can “plug in” to the word of God!

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JUNE 2011

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JUNE 2011

Teaching Your Children to Mourn

by Angie Giallourakis

What does it mean for us, as parents, to provide proper instruction to our children so that they may live a spiritually rich life?

Should we make sure our children attend Sunday school or monthly youth group meetings? Well, that is a good start, but we need to do more. We need to help our children become spiritually rich by role modeling and engaging them in conversation about how to make the effort to become closer to God and feel His love.

Every day our children are bombarded with temptations (sin) that pull them farther and farther away from the love of God. The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10) (as stated by Jesus Christ)are instructions on Godly living that provide us with the guidelines needed to help us combat sinful temptations and open our hearts to the Lord’s Grace. Although there are eight Beatitudes we will only focus on one of them today.

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn There are many temptations or distractions that pull us away from God. In the Beatitude “Blessed are Those Who Mourn, for They Shall Be Comforted” Jesus is instructing us to retain our dignity (FitzGerald and FitzGerald, 2005). In other words, retain what God the Father had originally set out for us before the Fall of Adam and Eve. How do we return to that pure state where we feel the love of God? We mourn.

How can we mourn? What does our Lord want us to do? According to Orthodox Christian authors Coniaris (2003), FitzGerald and FitzGerald (2005), and Forest (2008) there are several meanings woven

Prayer for Children We come to You, O Lord our God, thanking You for the beautiful gift of children, and we beseech you to safeguard them in Your loving, paternal arms. Keep them innocent in this life.

Shelter them in the shadow of Your wings from this day to the end of their lives. Protect them throughout their lives, so that they may know You as the loving Father. Guide them in their tribulations and distresses of this life, so that they may identify You as the Author of Life.

O Christ our God, keep watch over them and bless them all. For to You are due all glory and thanksgiving and worship, and to Your Father Who is from everlasting, and Your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit, always now and forever, and to the ages of ages. Amen. +DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America This prayer is taken from the Table Top Prayer Guide: Volume II, published by the Center for Family Care.

The guide provides a collection of Orthodox prayers and meditations for daily use, for both personal and family prayer time. It can be ordered at www.

OrthodoxMarketplace.com

into this beautiful Beatitude and from them are three prominent themes: Metanoia or Repentance, Joyous Sadness, and Mourning the Sins of Others. Each theme represents important characteristics that we should possess as we move towards God. Repentance or “Metanoia” “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the first!”

I Timothy 1-15 We are asked to repent our sins by engaging in the Sacrament of Holy Confession with our spiritual father or parish priest. We are asked to be like the Samaritan woman at the well, who Christ identified as living a very sinful life. The woman at the well, realizing she was standing before the Son of God repented with deep humility. She “opened her heart to God “(Luke 7:44-47) and experienced His mercy. When we genuinely repent we acknowledge our sins, experience a feeling of humility and acceptance of our mistakes. We have a change of heart. When this acknowledgment takes place we can reconnect with God. We have a sense of harmony with our Beloved Father. As parents it is important that we encourage our children to become comfortable with the parish priest, and in turn, find solace speaking to him in Confession. Sunday school teachers can assist parents by instructing children on Confession and then setting aside a block of time following the Divine Liturgy for youngsters to participate in the Sacrament. Through example our children will engage in this Sacrament, experience a sense of comfort sharing their stories and in turn find peace through encouragement and prayer.

Another important aspect of finding peace through prayers and confession relates to experiences in the lives of our teenagers and young adults. It is not unusual to encounter young people who feel ashamed or unworthy due to past mistakes. Here is an opportunity to reach out to them, console them, and guide them to learn about the lives of Orthodox Christian Saints. They need to know that although they have made mistakes they can have a ‘change of heart” (metanoia) and be redeemed. An excellent example of redemption is in the life of Saint Silouan the Athonite. As a young man, St. Silouan lived a sinful, raucous life only to realize his errors and eventually become a humble saint.

Through the help of God and our Savior Jesus Christ, he transformed from a rebellious youth to an individual filled with love and humility. Children need to know that many of our Orthodox Christian Saints made terribly wrong decisions and through repentance, love and support were able to become the ultimate role models: in the image of God. Joyous Sadness or “Charmolipi” “Haste thee, O God, to deliver me?

Make haste to help me, O Lord” Psalm 70-1 It is normal that at some point in life we will experience loss and grief. How we

experience loss and grief will be determined by our faith, emotional strength, and our desire and ability to reach out to others for help. Elder Ephraim writes that “mere human mourning” is a destructive sorrow that can lead to despair and cause psychological and physical illnesses. In other words when our sorrow overtakes us and draws us away from family, friends and church, we are in a state of “mere human mourning.”

Instead of remaining alone in our grief, we need to reach out to our spiritual father and/or someone we trust who understands and cares for us. We should seek out someone with spiritual strength because it is important to avoid dwelling on an experience that will drag us down into the pit of despair. As parents we need to help our children understand loss. We need to explain that loss and grief are natural aspects of life and how our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ overcame death by death. We need to take time to listen and observe our children. Are they behaving differently? Are they acting out or becoming very quiet?

As parents, don’t be afraid to reach out to professionals who possess experience working with children on the subject of bereavement and loss. People are often embarrassed to ask for help. It is not unusual, however, to seek out the assistance of your priest and/or a professional counselor that possesses the characteristics mindful of our Lord’s instructions to live a Godly Life.

We Must Mourn The Sins Of Others “Blessed are they who mourn over the sins of others” St. John Chrysostom In a world where the internet presents every awful detail of every celebrity’s life; how can we help our children develop the ability to discern and know when to mourn or “weep” as Jesus did over the people of Jerusalem? Our Lord Jesus knew that the people of Jerusalem (and society in general) were in peril of being lost from God’s grace forever. He mourned for mankind, even though He was about to face humiliation, agony and death. Our Lord demonstrated and role modeled the ultimate example of compassion. Do we possess this level of compassion? Do we mourn the sins of others? How can we instruct our children to develop and experience forgiveness, mercy, grace and kindness? This is our challenge.

As parents we need to live by example for the sake of our children. We need to try

to be mindful of what we say about others who have made grave errors and in turn have hurt us. Teaching our children that we are all made in the image of God means we must have grieve for and forgive all humans.

If we can behave as our Lord did, with compassion, then we can soften our own hearts, become closer to God and hopefully help our children develop that Christ-like manner. In his book Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory, Jon Braun (1995) states: “God’s forgiveness, His remitting of our sins, is not limited to this life only. All His forgiveness – with its cleansing, pardoning, and healing – have as their goal life everlasting” (p.95). Through prayers of repentance, appropriate guidance from a spiritual father, and healthy conversations about the ills of society we will enable ourselves and our children to move closer to God. God’s Love “The Lord absorbs me completely” Archimandrite Sophrony As parents we need to help our children understand the beauty of God’s Love.

When we appropriately grieve, mourn our sins and those of others we will experience His comfort. Remember, there is no end to God’s Love, it is limitless!

Angie Giallourakis, Ph.D., is an adjunct professor at Cleveland State University. She is a member of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Rocky River, Ohio. Angie and her husband, Harry, have three sons, Phillip, Nicholas, and Steven.

Suggested Readings Braun, J.E. (1995). Divine Energy: The Orthodox Path to Christian Victory. Published by Conciliar Press: Ben Lomond, CA. Coniaris, A. M, (2003). Those Whom God Calls Blessed: The Beatitudes for Everyday Living. Light and Life Publishing Company: Minneapolis, MN. FirzGerald, K.K, & FitzGerald, T (2005).

Living the Beatitudes: Perspectives from Orthodox Spirituality. Holy Cross Orthodox Press: Brookline, MA. Forest, J, (2008). The Ladder of the Beatitudes. Orbis Books: Maryknoll, NY.

28

JUNE 2011

Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir Performs First Concert NEW YORK – Under the Byzantine dome of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the newly formed Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir performed its first concert on May 8 titled, “Arise O Lord.” The concert was organized by the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music (ASBM) which was established in October 2010.

The concert’s central theme was the Resurrection of Christ, featuring a 21–member choir consisting of chanters from the New York area and from Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., under the direction of Demetrios Kehagias.

In addition, a performance by the four youngest students enrolled in the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music ages 6, 8, 9, and 10 surprised the audience with their musical talent as they chanted a musical text in solfege fashion (paralagi), as well as with words (melos) in Greek. The concert concluded with an American premiere of the Gospel reading from the Agape Vespers of Pascha chanted in Homeric Greek.

In his opening remarks, Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Director of ASBM, said, “The Holy Bible again and again indicates to us the importance of music in liturgical worship.

The Nativity narrative in the Gospel of Luke paints for us the image of angels praising and worshiping the incarnated Christ while chanting, ‘Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace among men in whom He is well pleased.’ Thus, at Christ’s incarnation the angels worship God using music!”

Archdeacon Panteleimon continued, “We have taken seriously our Archbishop’s theme from the past Clergy-Laity assembly to Gather God’s people to His Home and to Come and See. When our faithful Come and See, their experience of worship is also impacted by what they hear. Archdeacon Panteleimon finished by asking, “What do our people hear when they enter our churches?” This question was the impetus behind the establishment of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music and as a new ministry of the Archdiocese has as its mission to teach Byzantine music in order to enhance the musical ministry within our churches.

At the conclusion of the concert, Archbishop Demetrios thanked the choir and the four young students of ASBM for a remarkable performance.

He continued by stating, “the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music will play a decisive role in enhancing the musical ministry within our parishes.”

His Eminence further commented, “Byzantine Music has been the liturgical music of the Eastern Orthodox Church for centuries and this concert is one more example of the timeless beauty and solemnity of this ageless ecclesiastical chant. I also extend my

The Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir (top) directed by Demetrios Kehagias, performs its first concert.

Choir members and the four youngest students in the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music.

congratulations to the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine music for organizing this concert. This school represents a wonderful response to the evergrowing need to educate our faithful, and especially our youth, of the importance place music holds in the worship of the Church. Through the efforts of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music, Byzantine music will not only be preserved in our Greek Orthodox parishes, but promoted and shared with the local non-orthodox community.”

There were 240 people attending the concert and more than 500 others who watched the live broadcast over the Internet.

A reception for all attendees was offered in the Cathedral hall where people were given the opportunity to support, through donations, the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music.

The event raised $25,000 towards this new Ministry of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

For more information, to view the concert, or to donate visit: www.asbm. goarch.org.

NY Cathedral Ministry Holds Conference on Anxiety NEW YORK – The Agapi Circle, a ministry of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral, held a conference on anxiety and depression on May 14.

The conference brought together a panel of experts to discuss how symptoms of anxiety and depression affect men, women, children, adolescents and the elderly.

Panelists included Calliope Callias, Ph.D., Tom Mallios, Psy.D; Nicholas Mazitis, MD; Jim Demetriou, MBA; Maria Krasios, LMSW; Paul Kymissis, MD; and Dimitri Kiosses, Ph.D.

Photos Archon D. Panagos