Orthodox Observer - September 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013 • Vol. 78 • No. 1288

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PAT R I A RC H A L

EN C YC L IC A L † BARTHOLOMEW

By God’s Mercy Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome And Ecumenical Patriarch To the Plenitide of the Church Grace and Peace from the Creator and Conserver of All Creation Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ Beloved brothers and children in the Lord, We have come to September 1st, the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, which the Ecumenical Patriarchate and subsequently the entire Orthodox Church designated as a day of prayer for the natural environment.

Since then, as a result of this initiative, the interest in protecting the natural environment has expanded more broadly and numerous measures are now taken for the sustainability and balance of the earth’s ecosystems as well as for all related problems.

Inasmuch as it is well known and proven, that “the laws of nature are neither dissolved nor disturbed, but always remain constant” (St. John Chrysostom, On Lazarus VI PG 48. 1042), we are today obliged to focus our attention on the unseen human interventions impacting the ecological balance, which is disturbed not only by visible destructive actions – such as deforestation, depletion of water resources, the overall exploitation of natural and energy resources, together with the pollution of immense land or marine regions by means of spilling or depositing toxic and chemical materials – but also by activities invisible to the naked eye.

We are speaking of interventions into the genes of living creatures and the creation of mutations with unforeseen developments, such as the discovery of ways for releasing vast powers, atomic and nuclear, whose misuse could obliterate all traces of life and civilization on our planet.

In such cases, greed and love of power are not the sole criteria on the part of those seeking to intervene and mutate these living creatures, which God created as “very good,” but the arrogance on the part of some that look to oppose God’s Wisdom and consider themselves capable of improving His work. The ancient Greeks called this spiritual condition “hubris,” and it signifies arrogant insolence of someone with limited mind before the all-knowing and almighty Creator.

Naturally, we are not opposed to scientific research, so long as it provides beneficial services to humanity and the environment. Thus, the use of scientific determinations, for instance, for the healing of illness is surely acceptable; but the forceful commercial exploitation of resources from contemporary chemical and

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75 Years Hellenic College Holy Cross photo

Hellenic College Holy Cross at Three–Quarters of a Century

by Jim Golding

BROOKLINE, Mass. – From a very modest beginning in a small hamlet in rural northeastern Connecticut, where three professors taught 14 students who had to

provide their own firewood in the winter, Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology has become a modern institution of higher learning, training three generations of priest and laypersons serving the Church in America.

Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy Realized!

by Melody Simmons

Archbishop Demetrios conducted the long-awaited agiasmos service for the new Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy in New York on Sept. 9 and the 81-year-old women’s philanthropic organization now has a home it can call its own.

During the brief ceremony, His Eminence commented on the convenient location of the building, which is easily accessible from two major thoroughfares in Manhattan: Park Avenue and Lexington Avenue, and only five blocks from historic and bustling Grand Central Station, one of two major transportation hubs in the city.

The Center is located in a five-story brownstone purchased for $3 million at 126 East 37th St. in historic Murray Hill and will offer updated and expanded office space to allow for new Philoptochos sponsored programs to help the poor and especially women and children in need to take root.

“We’re going to be able to expand our social services,” said an optimistic national Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas, of the challenge. “There is so much we can do, there is no end.”

The purchase of the Center ends a multi-year quest by Skeadas and the National Philoptochos Board to further the work of the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America toward its several charitable missions that include

Dimitrios Panagos photo

national social work, disaster relief and medical assistance and research grants.

Last year alone, Philoptochos gave $1.6 million in grants to recipients that included Hellenic College, Saint Basil’s Academy and the Greek people suffering through the country’s austere economic recession.

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Back in the late 1930s and ‘40s, professors served without pay and up to seven students had to share a room in a former mansion, which had been purchased for $35,000 in fulfillment of Archbishop Athenagoras’ vision to establish a permanent school to train priests in America.

Following the institution’s momentous move to the Boston suburb of Brookline in 1948, the school has undergone steady progress and success, not without some difficulties, to achieve its status as the premier Orthodox Christian theological school in the United States. It has since grown to a nearly 60-acre campus with multiple buildings, including housing for married students who form a large percentage of the enrollment.

Holy Cross, and its undergraduate sister institution of Hellenic College, founded in 1967, not only has been educating hundreds of future priests for the American Church, but also students from many other nations, and Orthodox jurisdictions, and other multiple purposes.

Symbolic of this long tradition and continuity was the presence at the Sept.

12 recognition banquet of Fr. Demetrios Michaelides, one of the school’s first graduates, Class of 1942.

This achievement of service to God and His Church was celebrated over the past two years to mark the 75th anniversary of HCHC, culminating in the four-day Jubilee held at the school Sept. 12-15.

In addition to the banquet attended

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Back from Camp-Back to School Edition Coverage inside

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SEPTEMBER 2013

‘60 Minutes’ to Receive To contact National Ministries Athenagoras Award Archives 212.570.3517 ncalles@goarch.org Communications 212.774.0244 communications@goarch.org Greek Education 212.774.0233 greekeducation@goarch.org Internet Ministries 646.850.1350 jimil@goarch.org Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations 212.570.3593 ecumenical@goarch.org Ionian Village 212.570.3538 ionianvillage@goarch.org Marriage & Family 845.424.8175 familycare@goarch.org Parish Development 847.825.1432 jminetos@goarch.org Philanthropy 212.774.0283 bishopandonios@goarch.org Public Affairs 212.774.0400 fralex@goarch.org Registry 212.570.3558 frmichael@goarch.org Religious Education 617.850.1218 religioused@goarch.org Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism 646.519.6160 stewardship@goarch.org Youth and Young Adult Ministries 646.519.6180 youthoffice@goarch.org

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Deadline for submitting information, articles and photos for consideration in the October 2013 issue: Wednesday, Oct 2.

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

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

NEW YORK-The annual Archon Weekend and Assembly of the Order of Saint Andrew will be held Oct. 18-20 at the Hilton hotel where the organization will present two important awards. The CBS program 60 Minutes will be the recipient of this year’s Athenagoras Human Rights Award to be presented at the grand banquet, Saturday, Oct. 20.

The program will receive the award for its attention to religious freedom and human rights for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious bodies and communities around the world.

The Nicholas J. Bouras Award for Extraordinary Archon Stewardship Dinner Dance will be held Friday evening, Oct. 18.

Archon Stephen J. Yallourakis, MD, DDS, will receive this year’s award.

The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Investiture of new Archons by Archbishop Demetrios will take place at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral to conclude the weekend’s ceremonies on Oct. 20.

Bouras Award Dr. Yallourakis is one of the founding members of Holy Trinity Mission Church in Kingsport, Tenn. He and his wife, Dr. Anna Yallourakis, have made it their personal mission to educate the Orthodox community about the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In 2007, they set in motion the religious education publication, “First Among Equals” and in 2012 donated a national mailing of this publication to be sent to all parishes, clergy, Sunday school educators and Archons nationwide. Donations were made this year so that the publication could be placed in nearly 160,000 issues of the Orthodox Observer.

The Yallourakises also offered donations in 2006 for the restoration of the historic Transfiguration of Christ Our Savior Monastery on the island of Halki.

In November 2007, the monastery was vandalized by Forestry Ministry officials in Turkey and they provided additional support fot eh monastery’s renovation.

ISSN 0731–2547

In 2013, published monthly except February–March and July–August by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

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While visiting Cyprus this year, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, visited many institutions for children with special needs, together with the former Cyprus Federation President Panicos Papanikolaou. These institutions are assisted financially by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. This includes a renovated facility for children operated by the Red Cross. Bishop Sevastianos is shown in front of the building with Fotini Papadopoulou, former first lady of Cyprus and the Red Cross president who led this effort, and President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiadis. His Grace received a commemorative plaque for Archbishop Demetrios in appreciation for the Archdiocese’s support. Also attending the opening of the facility were Mr. Papanikolaou, Tasoula Georgiadou, president of the Cyprus Autism Association, and former first lady Elizabeth Christofia.

Leadership 100 to Mark 30th Anniversary at Annual Conference The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund will mark its 30th Anniversary at its 23rd annual conference, Feb. 13-16 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples in Naples, Fla., George H. Cotros, president, recently announced. Since its beginnings in 1984 by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory along with its Founders, a small group of leading Greek Orthodox laymen, Leadership 100 has grow dramatically, principally in the last 15 years under the guid-

How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations Direct Archdiocesan District 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org Metropolis of Chicago 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org Metropolis of Boston 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org Metropolis of Denver 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org Metropolis of Atlanta 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org Metropolis of Detroit 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org Metropolis of Pittsburgh 412.621.5529; www.pitssburgh.goarch.org Metropolis of San Francisco 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org Metropolis of New Jersey 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org Archdiocesan Institutions Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis

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Bishop Visits Cyprus Children’s Center

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

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Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu Saint Basil Academy 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org St. Photios National Shrine 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com Other key organizations and services National Philoptochos 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxmaketplace.com • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/ freebookstore • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: cbr.goarch.org

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ance of Archbishop Demetrios. Grants now exceed $35.5 million and its membership, whose philanthropy made this possible, has reached 920 Greek Orthodox leaders, men and women and young professionals who have carried on the tradition of advancing their Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Heritage.

In recognition of the anniversary, Archbishop Demetrios will be honored for his extraordinary leadership of the Archdiocese and all its ministries and institutions as he marks 15 years as Archbishop of America.

The conference will highlight the future of philanthropy in America and the world with the presentation of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Award for Excellence to The Stavros Niarchos Foundation, to be accepted by Vasili Tsamis, chief operating officer, who will outline the impressive world-wide mission of the Foundation and the role of philanthropy in the world economy.

The Seleni Institute will also be presented with the award, to be accepted by Nitzia Logothetis, founder and executive chairman. She will describe the work of the Institute in addressing women’s health issues and the role of philanthropy and social change. In addition, the conference will receive a report on one of Leadership 100’s recent grants by Nicholas J. Furris, senior producer/director of Greek Orthodox Telecommunications (GOTelecom).

The grant to GOTelecom, a national ministry under the Archdiocese Department of Communications, made possible 26 original programs to provide Orthodox Christians and viewers of the faiths with religious education on the Greek Orthodox Faith in the U.S., and around the world by means of a newly-developed GOTelecom TV, and Internet/cable television channel.

While an additional speaker will be announced, the conference will also include the traditional Bible study and lecture by Archbishop Demetrios, the festive glendi on Friday, Feb.14, and the grand gala on Saturday evening, Feb. 15, as well as programs for children and young professionals.

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Assembly of Bishops As the Orthodox Observer was going to press, 43 hierarchs representing 11 jurisdictions of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America were holding their fourth annual meeting Sept. 16-19 at the Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral in Des Plaines, Ill. Full coverage of the event will appear in the October issue of the Orthodox Observer.

Dimitrios Panagos photo

EN C YC L IC A L The Universal Exaltation of The Precious and Life–Giving Cross Today the Cross of Christ goes forth, and the faithful welcome it with love…

(Hymn of Matins) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this blessed Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, we joyfully continue our celebration of the jubilee anniversary of our beloved Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. We give thanks to God for this blessed place of faith and learning and for the role this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has had in nurturing the call to priestly service, in training future clergy and lay leaders, and in strengthening the mission and witness of our Church in America and of our Orthodox faith around the world.

This witness of Christ and the Gospel has been offered for 75 years through the sacred work of our Schole because of the deep commitment of the faithful throughout our Archdiocese. Over the decades, so many people, parishes, and organizations have given generously and sacrificially, and on this anniversary, we remember these faithful stewards and honor them with a resolve to build on their legacy. The witness of the Cross and its power has been offered by the many who have served on the board of trustees, and as presidents, deans, faculty and staff.

These servants of Christ and His Church have shared their lives and love of God on a daily basis in the classrooms, offices, and programs of this institution.

This witness of faith that leads others to true and eternal life has also been offered by the students of Holy Cross. In the midst of tremendous spiritual and temporal challenges and in their commitment to sacred vocations for the glory of God and the salvation of others, students of our beloved Schole have answered the call of our Lord to take up their Cross and follow Him. As they have continued their journey of faith beyond our School, they have gone

forth bearing the Life-Giving Cross and offering years of faithful service built on the spiritual and intellectual foundations they received at Holy Cross.

The witness offered through Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, as well as through our beloved Hellenic College, has and continues to produce tremendous blessings and spiritual fruit. Our Archdiocese, with her Metropolises and parishes, has continued to grow under the guidance of the skilled and visionary leadership of our hierarchs and clergy. Our local communities have been strengthened by the quality of service offered by trained priests and ministry leaders. Most importantly, many people have returned or found their spiritual home in the Orthodox Church because of those who have been equipped to lead our parishes in accomplishing the mission of sharing the Gospel, teaching the faith, and offering compassionate service in truth and love.

As we conclude our celebration of the jubilee anniversary of Holy Cross, we must affirm our commitment to our Schole and ensure that the witness of Christ and His Cross will go forth from this place for many more years to come. On the weekend of September 13-15, special events were held at Holy Cross and all of our parishes and faithful throughout the Church in America commemorated this anniversary by offering prayers for the benefactors, leaders, faculty, staff, and students of Holy Cross and Hellenic College. I also ask that our faithful, parishes, and organizations strengthen their commitment to our Schole.

Through contributions, donations, endowment gifts, scholarship funds, and direct support of students, even greater blessings will come, needs will be met at all levels of our Church, and the witness of the Cross will be carried to more places in more ways so that the grace of God may be shared with all.

On this holy Feast we lift up the Precious and Life-Giving Cross of our Lord, offering to the world a witness of grace, salvation, and peace. May we also offer our prayers and support for our beloved Holy Cross so that this witness remains strong and vibrant and continues to bring honor and glory to God. With paternal love in Him,

† DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America

Consul’s visit

Orthodox Observer photo

Consul General of Ukraine Igor Sybiga paid a courtesy visit to Archbishop Demetrios on Sept. 10. He assumed his duties in October 2012.

Greets Olympic Champion

Orthodox Observer photo

Archbishop Demetrios welcomes Shannon Miller (right), the most decorated gymnast in U.S. history, to the Archdiocese on Sept. 16. An ovarian cancer survivor who recently gave birth to her second child, she received a special prayer from His Eminence before meeting with National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas (center) about cancer projects. Ms. Miller, who lives in Jacksonville, Fla., occasionally attends St. John the Divine Church. She is currently president of Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women and is president of the Shannon Miller Foundation, dedicated to fighting childhood obesity. She was a member of the 1996 gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 1996 Olympics, the 1992 Olympics team and is the only woman to have been named to the US Olympics Hall of Fame twice. She was accompanied by her husband, John Falconetti, and by Archon Nick Furris of Jacksonville. For more information contact www.shannonmillerlifestyle.com

ECU M ENIC A L PAT R I A RCH AT E

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Encyclical   from page 1 biological technology in the light of some predetermined conclusion that these are not harmful to humanity, is certainly denounced because it has repeatedly led to tragic consequences for humanity and the environment.

Science is quite right to research constantly and endeavor to explain the natural laws and order. God’s commandment to the first-created, namely that they “subdue the earth” (Gen. 9.1), grants the license for research into and knowledge of the natural and biological mechanisms active in nature so that the natural environment may be a heavenly entity.

The only condition is that the pursuit and utilization of knowledge should not aim solely at profit or become an arrogant effort toward the construction of a new tower of Babel, whereby God’s creatures seek to reach and perhaps, through some people’s conceit, even surpass the Creator Himself.

Unfortunately, sometimes human beings forget the fact that “the source of beauty created all things” (Wisdom 13.3) and “the Lord’s hand established the earth, while His right hand founded the heavens.” (Is. 48.13) Consequently, it is our obligation, as shepherds of the Church and every person of the spirit and the sciences but also of all devout Christians, to do good and especially to pray that the divine Creator of all may enlighten the scientists, who are particularly involved with these issues, that they may enter the mysteries of nature with humility before God and respect toward the natural laws so as to avoid the unnatural use of their research

for commercial or other reasons.

A long experience is necessary in order to determine that the ascertained beneficial repercussions of the application of new knowledge do not have parallel side effects that are destructive to the environment as well as to humanity.

At the creation of the world, the Lord’s voice and original command that “nature may have its own laws remain in our world so that it is able to generate and bear fruit for all time” (Basil the Great, On the Hexaemeron IX PG 29.96) also guarantee the earth’s sustainability.

So the earth will continue to generate and bear fruit if it is permitted to adhere to its own natural order and if we as its inhabitants live according to the commandments and laws of God, abiding by and practicing them.

Then He alone “will rain in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit...And we shall eat our bread to the full and live securely in our land. And He will grant peace in the land.” (Lev. 26.4-5) On the occasion, then, of this important day and the commencement of the year, we pray with Joshua, the angelic Symeon, the seven children in Ephesus, and the sacred Psalmist David that the Lord will send forth His 4 spirit and renew the face of the earth (cf. Ps. 103.20) to bless the works of His hands and deem us worthy of peacefully completing the time that lies before us.

And we invoke upon those undertaking scientific research into the power of nature the illumination, grace and blessing of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

September 1, 2013

SEPTEMBER 2013

Ecumenical Patriarch Offers Homily on Church and Family During Estonia Visit

TALINN, Estonia – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Holy Cathedral of St. Symeon in Tallinn on Sept.

7 and presided over Vespers in the same church, where he delivered the homily.

Below is an excerpt where he addressed the topic of the relationship between Church and family, and in turn condemned homosexual marriage as an innovation foreign to the ecclesiological mindset and way of life.

“The Church, my beloved parents and children, and subsequently the family, which consists lawfully and by the command of God of men and women, and the children acquired, is not a foundation or association or a simple organization, but a Body, as it is wonderfully depicted by the Apostle Paul. And this parallelism is accurate and true. Church and marriage.

Husband and wife. Body and its members.

“This community, signified in the Mysteries and in the obedience of Faith, both in the Church and in the family, is sanctified and mystagogued through the Mystery of Marriage, which, according to the Fathers, is a mystery of co-creation, and the ontological link of love with the Head of the Body, to ensure health and life, which is salvation and sanctification.

“As in our Orthodox Church, where no member is forgiven to deal with things in a peculiar form and at one’s discretion and to prey on the proper operation and sincere communion of the love and unity of faith of the other members, or despise and ignore them, because they create cancerous disorders, agitations, dissensions, schisms, and heresies. This applies as well to the miniature church, the family, in which is required compassion, love and unity for the structure to be built,

in which the father, the mother and the children have a place inter-embracing one another’s gifts, responsibilities and rights, and they are “individually members of it.”

“God blesses our every effort towards the fulfillment of His will, and every struggle in life, according to one’s faithfulness in each and every talent. It suffices to realize in time our given talents and gifts and therefore our obligations for our every personal role, which God expects us to live out in the ecclesiastical and familial body as Orthodox Christians, activating its divine-human nature, within the framework of our God-given limits and conditions.

“For God created man “male and female,” that we might not imitate those who “exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator, who is forever praised” (Romans 1:24-26).

“To our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed families through the Mystery of Marriage at Cana of Galilee and changed water into wine, that is, into joy and feasting, and to His Body, the Orthodox Church, the partnering of the same sex is unknown and condemned, and they condemn the contemporary invention of “mutual cohabitation”, which is the result of sin and not the law of joy, and by their actions the “females exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error” (Romans 1:26-28). Let this not also be born in you, Orthodox Estonians, brethren and children.

SEPTEMBER 2013

HCHC 75th Anniversary

  from page 1 by more than 300 persons, the program of events included a tour of Boston’s Annunciation Cathedral, a reception by Consul General of Greece Iphegenia Kanara, and an iconography exhibit (some by Holy Cross graduates), lectures and seminars at the Maliotis Cultural Center.

Archbishop Demetrios presided at the Vespers of the Holy Cross on Sept. 13, where he presented the third-year seminarians with their rassa and the theology students with the Cross of the School. (Story and photos on page 8).

Several speakers at the banquet spoke of the School’s role and accomplishments.

(Holy Cross) “is really loved and appreciated,” said Archbishop Demetrios. “What the School does is an amazing work. It is a very, very, very important institution and deserves all the support to increase its work qualitatively and quantitatively. It has come a long way in three generations.”

Consul General Kanara stated that “HCHC continues the values of our Church unlike any other school in the country.

Without the school these values would be lost.”

Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos praised the efforts of HCHC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou (who was on medical leave at the time and unable to attend) who “led the school to a new plateau.” She called the school “a beacon of Orthodoxy; a light that shines on a hill.”

National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas reflected that, “Tomorrow’s spiritual leaders will be sent into a world of pain and suffering to offer Christ’s comfort.

Philoptochos is cognizant of its responsibility and has partnered with our School to participate in the formation of future priests.”

Archdiocesan Presbyters Council President Fr. Nicholas Anctil noted that the School has educated priests and lay persons who not only serve in parishes, but various organizations such as the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, International Orthodox Christian Charities and others.

“We never stop learning,” said HCHC Alumni Association President Fr. Theodore Petrides, about the need to continue to learn throughout life. “The Church is our school and we are all alumni of the school,” he added.

“It is the intellectual, educational, and spiritual center of the Church in America;” said master of ceremonies Mike Emanuel, chief congressional correspondent for FOX News. “Its impact is universal; nurturing as a mother nurtures, faith, education and service.”

Lectures and other events Public lectures included Hellenic College Dean Dr. Demetrios S. Katos on the spiritual value of education, on why should the Church be involved in secular educa-

HELEN A. CARLOS and CHRISTINE KARAVITES.

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Hellenic College Holy Cross at Three–Quarters of a Century

tion. He gave the example of St. Basil the Great who was one of the best educated individuals of his age.

Holy Cross Dean the Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald, who spoke on the contribution of Holy Cross to the Church and society during the past 75 years. He noted characteristics and roles of HCHC that included: responsibility for preparing future clergy for the church, requiring clergy to provide students with an appreciation for the depth of Orthodox Christian life, requiring clergy to have a strong devotion to the Lord, pastoral insight, leadership skills, caring pastors and teachers of prayers.

In addition, Fr. Fitzgerald said the school provides a focal point where students, faculty and visiting scholars can meet and reflect, and serves as host to many international conferences, the OrthodoxRoman Catholic Dialogue and contributes to the unity of Orthodox around the world.

In his brief talk at the Maliotis Center, Mike Emanuel reflected on the importance of maintaining his faith as he traveled on many hazardous, life-threatening assignments in the Middle East where hostility against Christianity exists. Part of what helped sustain him were CDs of Byzantine music he received after contacting Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh and Archdeacon Panteleimon.

He concluded his remarks by thanking the school officials and clergy for their work in advancing Orthodox Christianity.

Faculty seminars were presented by faculty member and psychologist Dr. John T. Chirban on nurturing healthy relationships and assistant professor of Byzantine music Dr. Gramenos Karanos on Good Friday hymnology.

Anniversary and Jubilee events concluded with an open house on Sept. 15 that featured children’s activities, school tours and performances by Greek dance troupes.

Two chairmen For two women, Helen A. Carlos of Atlanta, the anniversary chairman, and HCHC Trustee Christine Karavites, the Jubilee chairman, the September events concluded a three-year effort to organize the anniversary events.

Planning started in April 2010. Projects included a commemorative album and involved Ms. Carlos visiting 18 communities throughout the nation over a 14-month period. Planning for the Jubilee weekend

Hundreds gathered in the Boston Cathedral Center for the recognition banquet on Sept. 12.

(Top) Archbishop Demetrios greets Fr. Demetrios Michaelides (who will turn 96 on Oct. 9) who was among the first Holy Cross-Pomfret graduates in 1942. (Below) Metropolitan Savas addresses the audience, greeting some of his many Facebook friends, and talking about his love for HCHC.

began last February. They credited the success of the anniversary events on “a lot of volunteers and a beautiful effort by the staff.”

We tried to do something for all generations,” said Ms. Karavites to attact people to participate in the events at the School.

“We get energized whenever we come to

“

the campus. We love meeting and talking with students.”

“It’s such a s blessing to enlighten people to the beasty and necessity for supporting Hellenic College Holy Cross,” said Ms. Carlos. “They realized this is the future of our Church. If there is no support, our Church’s future in America is in jeopardy.

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SEPTEMBER 2013

Agiasmos Service Held for New Philoptochos Center   from page 1 In her address last year before the national delegates, Skeadas described the ongoing mission of the Philoptochos as “to maintain paramount the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our lives and to serve with love, dignity and respect those who need our assistance.”

The Center of Philanthropy will help to solidify that goal.

The National Board, under the director of Skeadas, has been busy since spring planning the Center’s new and expanded missions along with the blessings of Archbishop Demetrios, who had charged the group to seek out the permanent space, saying he wanted “to see National Philoptochos in its own home, ready and available to serve the community for generations to come.”

“Our mothers and grandmothers, our ‘theas’ and ’nounas’ and the Philoptochos pioneers are looking down from heaven and they are smiling on the Philoptochos,” Skeadas said, as the group prepared to move in over summer months.

Funding for the Center was raised through a steady stream of donations made over a three-year period leading up to the settlement day on Nov. 27, 2012. A challenge grant from Mary Jaharis last year helped to raise further funds faster.

Last year at the National Philoptochos Convention in Phoenix, a stunning $205,000 was raised in one hour from many of the registered 392 delegates on the floor.

It was a continuation of the sweeping donations that had started when the concept of purchasing the Center was first endorsed by Philoptochos delegates at the 2010 national convention in Atlanta, totaling $2 million in just two years.

“We were biting our nails going on (in Atlanta) that if our chapters did not want it, we would not do it,” Skeadas recalled.

“But it was clear though that there was overwhelming support and then it was

underscored in Phoenix and it was just too exciting. Our board works together with the entire country. We don’t necessarily speak to everybody, but we know what the pulse of the country is and we respect our stewards.”

In addition to Archbishop Demetrios, Skeadas gives credit to Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, spiritual advisor for the National Philoptochos Society, for his guidance in the search for the Center.

Finding the right property took months and many real estate-related fits and starts in the competitive arena of Manhattan sales, Skeadas said.

“There were a lot of moments that we thought we were getting something and it fell through,” she said. “And His Grace was always there and said, ‘The Lord will reveal Himself.’ We did it in a good time and we did it in a smart way.”

The property has a rental component, which could provide additional income, she said. It has also started to increase in value – an added plus.

The dream of buying and opening the Center has added a new energy to the mission of the five-person office staff – and to the entire national membership in chapters throughout the U.S., Skeadas said.

“We do our work in complete transparency,” she said. “There’s a responsibility we have to each and every steward in the country to do it in a way that is transparent to fully disclose our funds and how they are used. All the women together in the chapters in the country, they are real heros.

“Our presidents, our chapters, the women, they decided to do it and … we’re going to be in good shape. We did it because of the faith of the women and the fact that they wanted to have a home when they came to New York,” she added. “ We raised much of the money over the last two years even as in 2012 was the greatest year of grants for National Philoptochos and they forged that ongoing support and commitment. It does not stop.

We’re a force to be reckoned with.”

Dimitrios Panagos photo

Philoptochos Executive Committee members and other officers and staff with Archbishop Demetrios and Bishop Sevastianos of Zela on Sept. 9.

Archbishop Demetrios conducts the agiasmo service.

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His Eminence praises the efforts of the Philoptochos Society in achieving their goal of establishing the Center of Philanthropy. Also in attendance was Suzan Johnson Cook (third from left), U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, diplomat, presidential advisor and pastor, who stopped on her way to the UN to add her congratulations for their achievement.

Change of Address To submit a change of address: Contact Soula Podaras at 212.774.0235 e-mail: spodaras@goarch.org fax: 212.774.0239.

Or regular mail to: Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075-0192 Be sure to include old address, new address and name of parish.

Questions about submitting news and photos: Jim Golding (212) 570.3557; jim@goarch.org For advertising or the Greek section: Lefteris Pissalidis, (212) 570. 3555; lefteris@goarch.org

SEPTEMBER 2013

The Voice of Philoptochos

7

Philoptochos Make Pilgrimage to Constantinople EDITOR’S NOTE: National President Aphrodite Skeadas offered this synopsis of the 2013 Pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in a recent letter to Philoptochos members:

by Aphrodite Skeadas

“The Pilgrims were blessed to celebrate the Vespers and Feast Day of Saint Bartholomew in the presence of our worldwide Spiritual Father, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The spiritual journey enlightened the faithful participants and was filled with joys and adventures.

Our Spiritual Advisor Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, led the group of women (and men) to each venue including Aghia Sophia, Halki, Zographeion School, and many more making every day full, satisfying and memorable.

Pilgrimage Chair Anita Kartalopoulos is congratulated for her service in planning the journey, managing the various details and executing all aspects of this notable trip.”

The following sample daily reflections allowed us all to walk in spirit with our faithful Philoptochos pilgrims and inspire us to join the next Pilgrimage.

“The Philoptochos pilgrims arrived Sunday in Constantinople amid a backdrop of thousands of demonstrators in Taksim Square, where we were originally scheduled to stay, concerned but not deterred.

The richness of our Orthodoxy and the strength of our faith guide our every step.

The National Philoptochos Society pilgrims, led by Bishop Sevastianos are enjoying a

His All Holiness Ecumanical Patriarch Bartholomew with the participants in the National Philoptochos Society Pilgrimage.

packed schedule including visits to Halki Theological School (by boat), The Zographeion School (where we had lunch with the students), Agia Sophia and the Phanar.

The audience with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the majestic Throne Room at the Ecumenical Patriarchate was a special blessing.

His All Holiness generously and gra-

ciously offered his wisdom, individually blessed each pilgrim, and warmly presented us with a superb, hand painted icon of St. Bartholomew to be displayed at the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

On the Feast Day of St. Bartholomew the pilgrims attended the Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral of St. George. A small group of young boys and girls in school uniform

recited the Pater Imon while Byzantine chanters melodiously filled the Cathedral.

Grateful to be present, we pilgrims joyfully exclaimed “chronia polla” to our Worldwide Spiritual Father.

Agape dominates this pilgrimage and is the bonding agent of the pilgrims who are having fun, sleeping little, and already planning the next one.”

Aid to Greece and Cyprus

Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos Promotes Philanthropy

by Margaret Yates

Philanthropy is the goal of all 36 active chapters in the Metropolis of Detroit.

This happens through the innovative ideas, dedication, and commitments of the members and the spiritual guidance offered

by Metropolitan Nicholas and the parish priests. These ideas are shared through our Project Bank and by supporting our sister chapters and their programs. Because our Metropolis is spread over a large geographic area, our liaison program was established to offer support and guidance to chapters in the far reaches of the Metropolis. This is accomplished through individual contact and area meetings.

The Metropolis Philoptochos Board and the chapters support our three summer camps: The Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp (MDSC-Rose City, MI), St. Timothy Camp (Upstate New York), and the St. Nicholas Camp (southern areas of

the Metropolis). Our Chapters do great work by helping pay for camp for those who cannot afford it. Three other Metropolis Commitments include the Emergency Fund that responds financially to disasters and other crisis situations, the Scholarship Fund to purchase books for seminarians, and the St. Spyridon Fund that supports the Metropolis Chapel. The Metropolis Board also supports the Detroit Rescue Mission.

The Metropolis Board hosts the December Open House in honor of Metropolitan Nicholas’ name day as well as the Open House following the Vesper Service and Divine Liturgy for the Feastday of St. Spyridon. The Biennial Luncheon provides the primary source of our philanthropic funds. In 2012, the Luncheon theme was Education featuring three special education programs in financially depressed areas of Michigan that benefited from the efforts.

The next luncheon is scheduled in April 2014 in Toledo, Ohio. The Metropolis cook-

book, first published in 2006, is another source of funding, and we are currently awaiting its third printing. The Partners in Philanthropy program, established in 2009, is supported by chapters and individuals and these funds are earmarked for members across the Metropolis who need financial assistance in difficult times. Referrals are made to the Metropolis Board from the Philoptochos presidents and from priests.

All referrals are anonymous. Thousands of dollars have been distributed since the program began.

We look forward to the Metropolis Clergy/Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Conference Sept. 26-28 in Cincinnati as we rededicate ourselves to our Mission. At the conference we select two chapters whose favorite charities will receive a donation from the Metropolis Philoptochos.

Margaret Yates is Metropolis Philoptochos President.

National Philoptochos Board members launched this important campaign in June 2013 holding activities throughout the country that demonstrated their creativity. These included a family bowling event, “Strike for Greece and Cyprus”; selling bags of koulourakia; holding an evening out for friends, a successful glendi, a Cabaret and dinners in numerous venues.

On National Fellowship Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, Philoptochos chapters nationwide hosted coffee hours in their parishes, to raise awareness of the important needs of our Greek and Cypriot brethren and to offer parishioners the opportunity to donate to this worthy cause. National Board member Elaine Cladis chairs this important effort.

Medical Fund Luncheon Set The Metropolis of Pittsburgh Philoptochos is pleased to announce that Dr. Georgette Constantinou, Ph.D., is the keynote speaker for the upcoming Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon Saturday, Oct. 12 in Pittsburgh. Dr. Constantinou is a dynamic speaker who has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey show, the Morning Exchange and other radio talk shows.

She is the administrative director of Pediatric Psychiatry and Psychology, Behavioral Health Clusters at the Akron Children’s Hospital Department of Pediatrics.Show your support for the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon through sponsorships and attendance.

For reservations contact Michelle Kotsagrelos at 412.6801416 or mmk8317@ hotmail.com

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Dimitrios Panagos photos

Archbishop Demetrios reads a prayer for the seminarians at the Vespers.

Students Presented Rassa and Crosses at Holy Cross Vespers BROOKLINE, Mass. – Coinciding with the 75th anniversary celebration of Holy Cross School of Theology and Hellenic College was the annual vespers for the Feast Day of the Holy Cross where the rassoforia and stavroforia ceremonies took place in the Chapel of the Holy Cross on Sept. 13.

Twenty-six students received their rassos and 19 were presented the Cross of the School.

The rassoforia recognizes the students who have begun their last year in the School of Theology.

“It recognizes and gives the gift of preaching,” said Archbishop Demetrios.

“It is a symbol of service and sacrifice to the Lord.”

His Eminence also said that the beginnings of the rasso can be traced to the Prophet Elijah in the Old Testament.

Recipients of the rassoforia were: Majd Akkawi, John Boyer; Rondal Christian Burkhard; Theodore Cherpas; Timothy Cook; Charles Hambos; James Honeycutt,

Andreas Houpos, Kosmas Kallis, Sampson Kasapakis, Peter Kavanaugh, Christopher Kies, Konstantinos Koutroubas, Thomas Manuel, Michael Mercado, John Miller, Matthew Moore, John Pantazelos, William Redmon, John Russell, Ioannis Sakellariou, William Smith, Anastasios Theodoropoulos, Daniel Triant, Gregory Tsikerdanos, Dimitrios Tsikouris.

Two women students in the School of Theology, Alyssa Loutsion, Danielle Xanthos, also received special recognition.

The Cross of the School was bestowed to the following seminarians: (those in Hellenic College) Nicholas Livingston, Emmanuel Maginas, Sebastian Mot, Seraphim Ramos, Emanuel Sabau, Zachariah Swanson. (those in Holy Cross) Borislav Dinkov, Thomas Felactu, Panagiotis Hasiakos, James Honeycutt, William Kallas, Christopher Kolentsas, Nicholas Lanzourakis, Michael Manos, Demetre Mott, Demetrios Panteloukias, Christopher Retelas, Zachary Thornbury and Constantine Trumpower.

9

SEPTEMBER 2013

Many ‘Firsts’ & Record Enrollment Highlight Ionian Village 2013

by Fr. Evagoras Constantinides

The 2013 Ionian Village summer camping season not only hosted the largest number of campers in over 20 years, it was also a summer full of exciting “firsts” for the historic National Camping Ministry of our Archdiocese in Greece. Read more about Summer 2013 and find out why, for our campers and staff, it was the best summer of their life!

Come on in, the Water is the Finest

After an incredible year-long construction project, graciously funded by FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy & Hellenism, the Ionian Village campus now boasts a beautiful, brand new, state-of-theart pool. Responding to the needs of the program, instead of a deep end, the new pool has an outer perimeter with a depth of 1 meter (about 39 inches) dipping into a center depth of 1.5 meters (nearly 5 feet), effectively creating a safer swimming environment and an entire pool of usable space.

The 2013 Ionian Village Water Olympics was quite the affair – allowing all 250 campers and staff to participate in the fun simultaneously! Each day that the program visited the pool, we also had live music provided by one of our on-staff DJ’s, making the new experience at the pool that much more exciting. The Pool Renovation Project marks the beginning of an ongoing push to modernize and improve the aging campground and once again bring the Ionian Village facilities to the forefront of camping facilities in Greece and abroad.

Campers and staff gather for their group photo in the amphitheater (Left) Basile the Comedian does his thing.

(Left) This camper takes Repower Greece to “heart”.

Photos by Presbytera Maria Constantinides

Repo(we)r Greece Day

Inspired by Repo(we)r Greece, a public diplomacy campaign whose mission is to restore credibility to the country by redefining public perception, Ionian Village dedicated a day of its program to asking its campers to confront and think about their own experiences of Greece. Repo(we)r Greece Day at Ionian Village included a series of hands-on activities designed to challenge campers to think critically about what continues to make Greece a unique country today.

Campers created screen-printed t-shirts that highlighted positive aspects of Greece, worked with their own photographs to create “windows” to Greece, and engaged in a discussion with Alexandros Costopoulos, a founding member of the Repo(we) r Greece team. The evening event was a traditional Greek Panigiri with a live Greek band, celebrating the continuation of our rich cultural heritage through food, music, and, of course, dancing.

Iconography by Dimitrios Mourlas

Professional iconographer Dimitrios Mourlas and his studio have graciously donated their time and talent to fill the interior of the beloved Ionian Village Chapel with traditional Byzantine iconography. Phase 1 of this project took place this summer, when Mr. Mourlas together with his assistants visited Ionian Village to speak with the campers about the process and history of Byzantine iconography.

Mr. Mourlas also installed his work on three of the walls of the chapel while campers and staff looked on and asked questions.

Mr. Mourlas, who is currently working on

(Below) Everybody (almost) into the pool!

churches all over Greece and America, insisted upon arranging his schedule to ensure that campers would be present to witness and participate in this unique event.

The intimate chapel has always been not only the physical center of the camp, but also the preeminent place for prayer and reflection.

The addition of iconography has added an entire new level to these beautiful and important personal experiences of faith within the Ionian Village Chapel.

BASILE: Live at Ionian Village

For the first time ever, campers and staff experienced a night of fun and laughter as the renowned Greek American comedian BASILE put on a special show.

Fr. Costa Sitaras, who served as camp director from 1975 to 1996, offers his thoughts about Ionian Village.

After arriving in Glyfa, Basile and his family visited Ionian Village, immersing themselves in the life and culture of the camping program by getting to know campers, taking photographs, and even traveling with the camp. Basile’s visit culminated with a live performance in the Amphitheater catered specifically to his young audience: “BASILE: Live at Ionian Village.” Basile and his family, as a gift to the Archdiocese for the many wonderful years of ministry that Ionian Village has offered, generously donated the show. Thank you!

Fr. Costa Sitaras Returns

After a 17-year hiatus, former Ionian Village Director Fr. Costa Sitaras returned to the Glyfa campgrounds for the first time. At the helm of the Ionian Village Ministry for 25 years, Fr. Costa left an indelible mark in the

hearts of thousands of campers and staff as well as on the program itself. His visit was an emotional one – accompanied by his son, Basil, who spent the summers of his childhood at Ionian Village, Fr. Costa was tearfully reunited with the Nastoulis family that has carefully tended to the physical needs of the camp for decades.

Fr. Costa addressed the entire camp in the Amphitheater as well as gave Sunday’s sermon, leaving the campers with heartfelt and inspirational words about the importance of their faith and heritage.

As Fr. Evagoras, who had been a young child at camp while Fr. Costa was still the director, remarked, “He spoke as if he never left. What an inspiration.” * Fr. Constantinides is the Director of Ionian Village.

10

2014 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics Announced

New Developments in the Oratorical Festival The Oratorical Festival is expanding.

Beginning with the 2014 Festival, two new divisions are being added to the Festival: poetry and essays. Junior and Senior Division participants will be able to prepare a poem or write an essay on one of the topics in the speaking division of the Festival.

Parishes should encourage their young people to consider writing a speech, or a poem, or an essay. They should judge essays and poems and send them to a Metropolis level for judging (no districts in the poetry and essay divisions) and the top junior essay and poem and top senior essay and poem in each Metropolis will be sent to the Archdiocese for judging and awards.

Our hope is that more young people will have an opportunity to learn and think about their Orthodox Christian Faith and Way of Life, prepare either a poem, essay, or speech and present it.

A new manual is being prepared with all the extra rules and procedures.

The Archdiocese program is being modeled largely after the essay and poetry divisions of the Metropolis of Chicago, which has included these areas in its Oratorical and Arts Festival for many years, with great success. We’ve changed some of the Chicago rules and guidelines, but not by much.

Our thanks to the Metropolis of Chicago and Metropolitan Iakovos for allowing us to model the Archdiocese program after the one in Chicago.

Junior Division (Grades 7–9) 1. St. Paul writes, “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength” (1 Cor. 10:13, NRSV).

What are some times in your life in which you have experienced the truthfulness of St. Paul’s statements?

2. The Artoklasia service concludes with the hymn Plousioi eptohefsan, “Rich men turned poor and went hungry; but those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing” (Psalm 33/34, verse11, from the Orthodox Study Bible, SAAS).

Discuss the meaning of this hymn for our contemporary world.

3. “I am an Orthodox Christian living in the 21st century.” What does this phrase mean to you?

4. Select one of the Gospel readings of the Sundays of the Pentecostarion, between Pascha and the Feast of All Saints, and discuss its connection to you and your life.

5. Why are the martyrs of the Church characterized as great athletes?

Senior Division (Grades 10–12) 1. When you participate in a sacrament, you are called “the servant of God” (doulos tou Theou). What does it mean to be a servant of God today?

2. Discuss a time when you experienced the presence of God, whether in church, in nature, or inother circumstances 3. Jesus said, “One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3, NRSV). Discuss the relevance of this teaching for Christians today.

4. Fifty years after some of the landmark events of the American Civil Rights movement, racism and discrimination persist in American life. How should an Orthodox Christian respond?

5. Some people support, others criticize the public declarations of faith of celebrities, athletes, and actors, such as Tim Tebow, Jonathan Jackson, and Troy Polamalu.

How do their acts affect your attitude toward being open about your faith?

The link to the topics is: www.goarch. org/archdiocese/departments/religioused

SEPTEMBER 2013

Prison Ministry Life in Prison – A Lesson of Faith A reflection by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco It was a typical afternoon in my office at the Metropolis of San Francisco.

I was responding to phone calls, answering emails and sorting through my mail. I came across an envelope from someone whose name I did not recognize, but the return address was clearly from a prison. I opened the envelope, wondering who the sender was and what the content might be.

Much to my surprise, the letter was from a group of four male Orthodox inmates wanting to share their personal stories with me about their journey with the faith along with a simple request that some day I might be able to visit. For the past six years, these men have been ministered to by one of our Metropolis priests, but they somehow felt compelled to write to me directly, seeking my blessings and visitation. Their sincere and humble words were also marked with doubt, knowing that many obstacles would need to be maneuvered, and that many other Christian leaders had previously tried unsuccessfully to penetrate the walls of the prison.

However, as great as these obstacles might be and regardless of the rigors of my schedule, I was struck by the intensity of their words: “We hope that more than ‘hearing of the ear,’ we will, God permitting, one day ‘with the eye see You,’ in the words of the Righteous Job (42:5). We pray that God’s providence will allow for your visitation and blessing of this prison….where no bishop of Christ has walked before. All four of us are serving life in prison, and so when we pray ‘For this holy House, and for those who enter it…’ we really mean the permanent place of our earthly sojourn.”

Their letter continued, “Your Eminence, please pray for us, that Christ may complete what He has mercifully commenced in our lives. Pray that we may remain on the road of repentance and faith, that we may be obedient…and that we may keep in our hearts that ‘Pearl of Great Price’ which has thus far kept us.”

It was at that very moment I called the priest who ministers to these men and, through God’s grace, we were able to arrange a visit to the prison. Yes, there were obstacles; forms to fill out, security clearances and scheduling. Everything fell into place and our visit was scheduled for Friday, April 26.** The day finally arrived and, as we traveled to the prison, I prayed for God’s guidance, wisdom and strength to provide for the spiritual needs of these men.

Then, I looked up and facing me was a concrete city, surrounded by barbed wire with numerous guard towers watching over the prison. Accompanying me was the priest who has become their spiritual father, and a recent Holy Cross graduate. We were warmly welcomed by the prison staff. They told us we had to wear security vests. The staff were very kind and respectful, allowing me to place the vest under my robe, and letting me wear my engolpion into the prison, even though we were not permitted to bring in any other personal articles.

Now, after all this preparation, the heavy doors slowly started to open and the prison guard led us to what the prisoners refer to as a “steel and concrete labyrinth.” We were about to enter unfamiliar territory, but we all knew that the power of God would guide us in this special ministry, and that the Holy

Spirit would give us the right words to nourish their hungry souls. We spent an hour together. Words like “powerful,” “humbling” and “life-changing” can barely convey the impact this afternoon had on all of us.

Following a rather intense yet uplifting conversation, I led these devoted men in reciting the prayers for Holy Communion, and offered to them the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ. They approached the Holy Sacrament with humility, with tears of repentance, and with deep and abiding faith. I also prayed for the healing of their souls and bodies, anointing them with Holy Oil of St. Nectarios. I gave to each of them a small cross and icon card of St. Ephraim the Syrian, as a reminder of our common faith, and to encourage their continued prayer life for the strengthening of their souls.

Within a week of my visit to the prison, I received another letter. This time, recognizing the sender’s name.

I opened the letter, eager to hear from these men with whom I shared a meaningful dialogue about our faith, God’s love, and the power of forgiveness. Here is what they said: “At first, it was unthinkable: would a simple letter of invitation result in a visit to our prison by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco? Then, it was unlikely: His Eminence wanted to come, but how could he – in the midst of services of the Great Fast – and with all the administrative red tape; the complexity of visitor approval on such a short notice? After all, we remembered the sad experience of the Roman Catholic bishops, who a few years ago attempted to penetrate our concrete ‘Jericho,’ but the walls didn’t budge.

Finally, as things miraculously fell into place the visitation drew near, it became downright frightful!”

The letter continues on to describe the moment we walked through the yard door, escorted by a lieutenant from the prison.

The prisoners wrote, “We kissed the hand giving the blessing; we were speechless…. We sat and listened, two things became apparent: the Metropolitan didn’t come to give a pep talk or for a photo-op; he really saw us and desired to know us as persons – who we were and how we came to the Faith….

He came to impart to us Christ’s truth, which we are not always ready to receive.”

“His Eminence spoke about the ‘real life’, which was not to be found outside of prison, in prison, or even in ourselves – that is, in our thoughts, wants, occupations – but only in Christ, in a life hidden in God. We were reminded of our ultimate blessing to be possessors of that life, no matter our past or what brought us to prison (to be sure, everyone who gathered around Metropolitan Gerasimos that day is serving life for murder). He said that the only substantial difference between the so-called ‘free’ life and life in prison is its structural regimentation, and the reason why the Church Fathers make us feel uncomfortable is because they call us to that higher life outside of ourselves – in Christ, regardless of where one finds himself, on whichever side of

u u to page 28

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis news

11

Long Island Church Opens Its Doors to New Era SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Nearly 30 years after the completion of the first Kimisis tis Theotokou Church in this eastern Long Island community, a new, grander church and complex has risen on the same site.

On the church’s feast day, Aug. 15, hundreds of parishioners and supporters gathered for the Thyranixia service officiated by Archbishop Demetrios.

“By entering the church we enter into eternity and infinity,” His Eminence commented as he stood in front of the yet unopened doors.

In his homily, he stated that the new church represented “an amazing amount of work and love that is behind every part; a tremendous symbol of human love and humanity.”

Initial efforts to establish the parish began in 1977 with several Greek Orthodox families.

Land was purchased from Southampton College and Fr. Nectarios Kehagias was assigned to serve the faithful.

The first church was completed in 1986.

On Feb. 14, 2006, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Southampton church and gave his blessings to the new building program being undertaken.

The construction took place in stages beginning in 2011, with the two-story Johnides Family Cultural Center rising first.

Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, chancellor of the Archdiocese, officiated at the ribboncutting ceremony in January.

Among those attending and taking part in the service were Fr. Alex Karloutsos pastor; included Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, assistant pastor; Peter Nikiteas, parish council president; Greece’s Ambassador to the UN Greek Ambassador to the UN Anastasis Mitsialis; Greek Consul in New York Georgios Iliopoulos; Suzan Johnson Cook, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Congressman Tim Bishop; Archons Order of St. Andrew National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis; and National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas Assisting Archbishop Demetrios at the opening of the doors were Daisy Moraitis, who represented the widow’s mite image, Toula Bakas who was the original founder, Coula Johnides, who has become the cheerful giver; and Greta Nikiteas who brought the passion and dutiful service of Lazarus’ sisters. She is the president’s wife and was the first chrismated in the Church after the Thyranixia. She became Orthodox on September 1; and Bob Gianos, Zacchaeus

Orthodox Observer photo

Two of the three winners in the history contest (from left) Themio Pallis (3rd place) and in the center Olivia Grosvenor (1st place) with emcee Shawn Carkonen at right. The 2nd place winner, Stephanie Sampson, was unable to attend.

who sought out Christ and gave abundantly.

The new church and community center, the Nicholas S. Zoullas Hellenic Center, are designed to draw the senses to God and will provide the community with: The center is scheduled to be completed

in February. Liturgically designed sanctuary permitting members to worship together facing east Dedicated classrooms for Sunday School, Greek Language & Cultural Institute and meeting space Infrastructure to accommodate minis-

John Mindala photo

tries and administrative needs Dedicated community hall space to accommodate agape hours and large assemblies See more at: http://kimisishamptons. org/buildingproject/our-parishs-goal

John Mindala photo Orthodox Observer photo

The Archbishop presents a tapestry icon of The Koimisis of the Theotokos to Fr. Alex Karloutsos, pastor of the Southampton Church. At right is Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, assistant priest.

12

SEPTEMBER 2013

Outreach & Evangelism Seed to Feed: The Ministry of an Orthodox Christian Community Garden

by Fr. Ciprian Streza

September is Creation month. It is also the month when the community of Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church in Traverse City, Michigan gathers the fruits of their labor at the Angels’ Community Garden. This twenty-four bed vegetable garden has been planted on the property which one day will host a Byzantine sanctuary overlooking the Grand Traverse Bay. It is also the only Orthodox presence in a hundred and fifty miles radius. So, what do we seed and what do we feed?

Twelve years ago, a handful of Orthodox Christians were browsing the phone book for names that sounded Greek, Russian, Romanian or like any other Orthodox ethnicity to start a mission parish. Under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, the first seed was planted in the fertile soil of Northern Michigan. Today, that seed has born fruit – a congregation of more than sixty families from various ethnic and religious backgrounds, that gathers weekly to worship in a rented office space, which has been transformed into a beautiful church setting.

In 2011 the Parish was at a crossroads.

Coming out of a challenging period, the members of the parish addressed the very core of their existence. In doing so, they took three steps: Understand the Parish Identity: By understanding the ethnic, cultural and religious fabric of individual Parishioners, the worship became more inclusive and meaningful. By becoming more active in the Archdiocese programs, the feeling of belonging and connection with the greater Orthodox community was strengthened.

Early on, the community understood that before active outreach, they had to become ready to receive the inquirers.

Understand the Local Community: Traverse City - Petoskey - Harbor Springs belt has been consistently named one of the most beautiful destinations in the United States. Located in the heart of “pure Michigan,” overlooking Lake Michigan, the area attracts retirees from around the country, as well as young families who pursue a healthy lifestyle. The love for the outdoors, sensitivity towards environmental issues and small community culture define Traverse City. Understanding the local culture is key to successful ministry.

Articulate a Message: A message which makes the Parish stand out in the ocean of “Bible-based churches.” The Orthodox experience is a unitary wholeness.

Even if it hard to choose only one aspect to promote, it is important to speak the language of the listeners. And an important element that sets our Orthodox Church apart is the “theology of Creation.” His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been a pioneer in educating people about our responsibility for God’s creation. Following his footsteps, Archangel Gabriel Orthodox Church became the local voice for stewardship of Creation.

The community took some purposeful public relations steps: a local newspaper interview on environmental topics, television coverage of the Great Blessing of the East Bay at Epiphany, clergy participation at local environmental events, etc. Each of these events became opportunities to share our Orthodox theology on creation, and the use of its elements in the sacra-

mental life (oil, wheat, wine etc.) This fall, the parish priest will teach a class at Northwestern Michigan College on the topic of “Ecology and Theology,” which is not only an educational, but also an outreach effort.

As the community continued its growth, the words of Prophet Isaiah came to mind: “If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail” (Isaiah 58:10-11).

The time came for the Parishioners of Archangel Gabriel to walk their talk.

In June of 2013, an acre of the newly acquired property was dedicated to local service as an organic community garden.

The fruits were plenteous and divine grace abundant, not only in produce, but also in local support. In addition to the vegetable garden (whose produce has been distributed to local soup kitchens and sponsoring businesses), the Parishioners built a path through the surrounding beautiful landscape, leading to a place of worship.

A temporary wedding tent was erected for weekly Vespers and other services. The setting sun, reflecting its rays on the blue waters of Lake Michigan provide the backdrop for Orthodox worship. The hymn “O Gladsome Light” resonates as a testimony to God’s love towards mankind through the beauty of creation!

So, what do we seed? Only what was given by our holy Church: a wealth of theological content, a meaningful worship and a new worldview, based on Christ and fulfilled in the service to our neighbor.

Just like the seed, the Archangel Gabriel community continues to reinvent itself, to find ways to grow and reach out to those hungry of physical and spiritual food.

Please visit us during your next stay in Northern Michigan and remember that Traverse City has been voted, among many other things, one of the ten top destinations in the U.S., the best places to raise a family and to retire. And now, the home of the Archangel Gabriel Greek Orthodox Church!

For more information on our community or to find out how you can support our ministries, visit www.tcorthodoxchurch.com or https://www.facebook. com/AngelsCommunityGarden.

Originally from Romania, Fr. Ciprian Streza is a 2007 Holy Cross graduate and currently serves as the President of the Clergy Syndesmos of the Metropolis of Detroit. To contact him, call 513-728-0206 or email him at fatherciprian@gmail.com

SEPTEMBER 2013

13

Metropolis news

Fire Causes Major Damage to Long Island Church

by Jim Golding

MERRICK, N.Y. - St. Demetrios Church sustained extensive damage from a fire late Friday, Aug. 9, the result of a candle not properly extinguished. The fire destroyed the narthex and choir loft, but there were no injuries as the building was unoccupied at the time. The rest of the church has widespread smoke and water damage.

It is the third time since March that a candle-related fire has caused widespread damage to a church of the Archdiocese.

In late May, fire destroyed St. Demetrios Church and its adjacent complex in Tucson, Ariz. On March 18, a similar fire caused extensive damage to St. Basil church in Chicago. (see related story below).

Also in August, a five-alarm fire thought to be candle-related damaged an Albanian Orthodox church in South Boston.

James Hickman, division supervisor of the Nassau County Fire Marshal’s Office Investigative Division, told the Orthodox Observer a few days after the Merrick church fire that the cause was “accidental as a result of candles that didn’t extinguish properly.”

The fire began in the narthex where some votive candles and a metal container holding extinguished smaller candles were situated in a confined area between the candle stand and a wall.

The entire building was spared destruction through the actions of two parishioners. Parish Council member Gus Lafkas and his wife, Patti, the parish Philoptochos president, were driving past the church about 9:15 p.m. “I was doing my cross and saw smoke coming through the front door,” said Mrs. Lafkas.

While her husband called 911 she ran across the street to the church custodian’s house and he also called for help.

Within minutes, about 150 firefighters from eight area departments filled the residential street in front of the church.

Pouring thousands of gallons of water into the building, they confined the blaze to the narthex and choir loft and brought the fire under control in 45 minutes. “They did an excellent job of stopping it,” said Mr. Hickman.

Everything in the narthex and the choir loft above was destroyed, including

All that remains of the narthex.

the church organ, the kouvouklion (the wooden ‘tomb’ that holds the epitaphios during Holy Friday services), numerous metal folding chairs that melted from the extreme heat and nearly all the icons.

Two icons of St. Nikiforos and St. Natalia were retrieved intact. St. Nikiforos is the patron saint of the parish priest, Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos. Natalia is the name of his youngest daughter.

“I see it as strong sign for me to carry

Orthodox Observer photos

on and not lose courage thought this ordeal and devastating situation,” Fr. Nikiforos said. “I especially want to say a big ‘thank you’ to His Eminence for extending his support and encouragement and prayers; to Bishop Andonios, who spent an entire day here; to my brother priests who offered support; and to members of the community, neighbors, friends and parishioners.

The fire began more than an hour

  to page 28

Months Later, 2 Churches Begin Recovery

Archbishop Demetrios surveys the fire damage on his visit on Aug. 11.Fr. Nikiforos (holding flashlight at right) points out that the Epitaphios, which hangs on the wall of the choir loft above the main floor, was undamaged, though it’s glass housing sustained smoke damage.

The day after the fire many parishioners volunteered to clean the ecclesiastical equipment affected by the smoke.

TUCSON/CHICAGO- The two other parishes of the Archdiocese suffering heavy losses from accidental fires have made varying degrees of progress in restoring their churches. For St. Demetrios community in Tucson, Ariz., it will mean a long-term building program to replace their house of worship, the most extensively damaged of the three parish churches. Fr. Earl Contos, pastor, said his parishioners now attend Sunday liturgies at Holy Resurrection Antiochian Orthodox Church in Tucson, with which St. Demetrios has close relations.

While the church itself was destroyed in the March 18 fire, other buildings of the complex can still be of use, but extensive cleanup and repair efforts are needed. Fr. Contos said that one building that was not affected, the youth building, serves as temporary office space and as a chapel for weekday services and vespers.

The church hall, in a separate building, sustained extensive smoke damage.

“The hall, kitchen and Sunday school classrooms all had to be repaired,” said Fr. Contos. The floor and the ceilings are being replaced. “We hope to move into the hall by the middle of October,” he said. The parish will set up a tent for the Oct. 25-26 St. Demetrios feast day-related services, which Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco plans to attend.

In addition to the loss of the main building, also destroyed in the fire were all the liturgical books, the bishop’s throne, epitaphios and other fixtures.

“We’ve got to start over from scratch,” Fr. Contos said. However, no church records were lost. Fr. Contos said that fire investigators determined the cause of the fire was a seven-day votive candle that someone had purchased from a grocery store and placed it at the base of the wooden cross in the church. “It was not a candle from St. Demetrios,” he said. Clean up ef-

forts only began in late August and a new building program is a long way off. “We have quite a ways to go,” he said. “Insurance won’t cover everything,” he added, “only cash value after depreciation.”

The fire also has forced the cancellation of the Greek festival, the parish’s largest fund-raiser, and has jeopardized the holding of the annual Thanksgiving Dinner for the homeless, cosponsored with the Salvation Army, that has fed about 4,000 annually for 27 years.

Many donations have come in to the church,” Fr. Contos noted. A fire relief fund has been set up on the parish website: stdemtucson.org.

St. Basil’s Recovery Fr. Panteleimon Dalianis’ church was not damaged to the extent of Tucson’s building. An unattended candle that had fallen is blamed as the cause of the May 29 fire. There is much soot and water damage but cleanup efforts have been underway and Fr. Dalianis said the goal is to have the church functioning again by next April in time for Pascha.

The building has two floors, with the church proper occupying the second floor. The community center is located on the first floor. “Things are going well,” he said. “Our main concern has been getting the downstairs community room to usable form.” The Sunday liturgies has been taking place there, along with Sunday school classes that are being held in a corner of the building. A capital campaign has begun and an architect has been preparing drawings for the repair permit process.

“We’ve had lots of support from parishes around the country,” Fr. Dalianis said. “It’s astonishing.

Anyone wanting to donate to help the church can go to the website: stbasilchicago.org/donate.

14

SEPTEMBER 2013

CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Diaconate Boznos, Panagiotis, by Bishop Demetrios of Mokissis, Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Glenview, Ill. 06/29/13 Swehla, Matthew, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Annunciation Church, Modesto, Calif. 07/14/13 Johns, Seraphim, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Assumption Church, Pocatello, Idaho 07/14/13 Kokanos, Constantine, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Presentation of Christ Church, East Pittsburgh, Pa. 07/27/13 State, Michael, Metropolitan Gerasimos, St. Demetrios Church, Concord, Calif.

07/28/13 Oshaana, Ninos, Metropolitan Gerasimos, St. Basil Church, San Jose, Calif.

08/11/13 Ordinations to the Priesthood Deacon Stamatios Klund, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Fla 06/30/13 Deacon Panagiotis Boznos, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissis, St. Athanasios Church, Aurora, Ill. 07/28/13 Assignments Fr. Andrew Lesko, St. Nicholas Church, Temecula, Calif., (part time) 06/11/12 Fr. Micah J. Hirschy, Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral, Birmingham, Ala. 01/01/13 Fr. Alexander Lukashonok, All Holy Spirit Church, Omaha, Neb. 04/01/13 Fr. Stamatios Klund, St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Fla. 07/01/13 Fr. Leo Schefe, St. George Church, Keene, N.H. 07/01/13 Fr. Panagiotis Boznos, Sts. Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Ill. 08/01/13 Fr. Thomas Guerry, Sts. Markella & Demetrios Church, Ft. Walton Beach, Fla. 08/01/13 Dn. Michael State, St. Nicholas Church, Northridge, Calif. 08/01/13 Dn. Matthew Swehla, St. John the Baptist Church, Las Vegas 08/01/13 V. Rev. Mark Vinas, St. John the Baptist Church, Salinas, Calif. (part time) 08/01/13 Dn. Constantine Kokanos, Annunciation Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio 08/03/13 Dn. Ninos Oshaana, Ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Calif. 08/15/13 Fr. William Bartz, Holy Trinity Church,

Indianapolis (Carmel) 09/01/13 Fr. Ephraim Ehrs, Dormition of the Mother of God, Burlington, Vt. 09/01/13 Fr. Haralambos Fox, St. John the Baptist Church, Anaheim, Calif. 09/01/13 Fr. Apostolos Hill, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix 09/01/13 Fr. Alexander Leong, Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Honolulu 09/01/13 Fr. Dennis Listerman-Vierling – Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Lancaster, Calif. (part time) 09/01/13 Fr. Nebojsa Pantic, Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Vallejo, Calif. 09/01/13 Fr. Dimosthenis Paraskevaidis, St. Nicholas Church, San Jose, Calif. 09/01/13 Fr. Tom Paris – Prophet Elias Church, Santa Cruz, Calif. (part time) 09/01/13 Fr. Peter Rizos – St. George Church, Lowell, Mass. 09/01/13 Dn. Christodoulos Roditis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Brooklyn, N.Y. 09/01/13 Appointments Fr. Christopher Bender, vicar, Metropolis of Pittsburgh Central Region 08/13/13 Fr. Stephen J. Callos, vicar, Metropolis of Pittsburgh Northwest Region 08/13/13 Fr. Alexander Goussetis, vicar, Metropolis of Pittsburgh East Region 08/13/13 Fr. Frank Milanese, vicar, Metropolis of Pittsburgh Southwest Region 08/13/13 Fr. Dean Hountalas, chancellor, Metropolis of Detroit 09/01/13 Offikia Fr. Elias Villis, Office of Protopresbyter, bestowed by Archbishop Demetrios 06/16/13 Fr. John Touloumes, Office of Protopresbyter, bestowed by Metropolitan Savas 06/22/13 Fr. David Hostetler, Office of Confessor, bestowed by Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos 07/07/15 Fr. Christopher Flesoras, Office of Economos, bestowed by Metropolitan Gerasimos 07/25/13 Retired Priests Fr. Robert T. Athas 08/01/13 Receptions Fr. Dunstan Lyon, from the Orthodox Church in America 07/30/13

Reflections The Makaria: Ministry’s Most Fertile Ground by the Rev. Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis

Uniquely situated, clergy are given a special position of privilege since, by their very vocation, they are invited into the life story of their parishioners, ranging from the blessing at the birth of a child, to the baptism, to confession, to the wedding, to the baptisms and weddings of their children, and even to the ministry that takes place as someone is preparing to leave this world.

We are generally good when it comes to visits with those who are preparing to fall asleep in the Lord. We run to the hospitals, read prayers, give Holy Communion, confession and unction if needed, and prepare the person to enter into the next life.

Unfortunately, we may struggle to find the right word, theological term, or even facial expression for the family who is grieving. Sometimes, we forget that what is necessary is the “ministry of presence” (just being there present with the family).

There is a wonderful tradition in the Orthodox Church of a memorial luncheon, known by the Greek term, “Makaria,” to be hosted by the family, often in a restaurant or hall, for all their family and friends who attended the funeral. This is usually the first time that members of the immediate family have the opportunity to exhale and relax.

During this meal, where fish is usually served, family members may begin to smile and recollect funny stories about their loved one as they regain their emotional, physical and spiritual strength.

They can also now clearly ponder their own lives, where they see themselves, and the things that need to be implemented or changed in their spiritual journey. The death of a loved one tends to make us look at our own big picture.

But there is something else that is unique about this situation. The priest who just performed the funeral is usually sitting at the table with the immediate family. Now, this might not be the only time a family has this access to the priest.

I have been to countless weddings and baptisms, where the music is so loud that you literally have to leave the hall to have a conversation so that you don’t lose your voice.

Makarias are different; during which a unique connection is made between the priest and the family members, who say that they are comforted by my presence, and usually ask me anything and everything they have always wanted to ask a priest. One question opens the way for another and, before I know it, people from other tables are congregating around ours to hear the answers, or ask other questions.

It has been my experience that the conversations I have during the makaria meal are some of the most spiritually

fruitful. This is possible because there is a special convergence of people contemplating their own mortality while, at the same time, having a special access to their priest in an environment conducive to conversation. I have been asked the most incredible and poignant questions during these conversations, especially with the closest family members of the deceased.

I have also been asked innocent questions, especially by some of the younger children who wish to know why we eat fish at the makaria. I tell them that fish was the first thing that Christ ate after His resurrection, in order to show that He also resurrected in Body. We also eat fish at the makaria as we celebrate the resurrection of a loved one.

I try to get to know all of the families who call our church their spiritual home— yet, unfortunately, sometimes I meet families for the first time at funerals. The memorial luncheon allows them to get to know me better and to ask questions they may have always wanted to ask a priest.

Perhaps more importantly, parishioners get to know me on a personal level, not just as the priest in the altar who gives them andidoron at the end of the service, but as someone who cares about them and their spiritual journey, and who stayed to answer all their questions. For some, it is truly a watershed moment, and sometimes families, who previously rarely came to church, now come regularly, attend Bible studies, and even start coming to confession as a direct result of that funeral and, more specifically, the relationship that was established at that Memorial luncheon.

As challenging as time-constraints can be it is such a worthy extension of a priest’s ministry to attend a funeral’s makaria. Sometimes, I have one funeral right after the other, and I can’t make the makaria of the first one. Other than that situation, I try never to miss the opportunity to be with the family at the makaria.

I have witnessed how Archbishop Demetrios always finds time to share a word or two with anyone who comes to him, whether at a Vespers reception or at a makaria.

I’ve observed how His Eminence doesn’t leave a makaria until the immediate family has left. While no one can argue that clergy are not pulled in many different directions, and struggle to find time to attend everything, I maintain that, if His Eminence can do it, and I know I am not busier than he, so can I. Thus, I hope to remind one and all of the often-crucial opportunity one may be able to experience by a priest ministering to a family on the occasion of the makaria.

Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know your priest better, and likewise, priests, take advantage of the same opportunity to positively impact the spiritual journey of your parishioners’ lives.

IOCC Helping Syrian Refugees in Crisis BALTIMORE – International Orthodox Christian Charities and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East have established four offices in the governorate of Tartous to assist with the influx of people needing aid. IOCC is responding to the most urgent humanitarian needs of thousands of displaced families who have sought the relative safety of Tartous from areas of intense conflict in Homs, Aleppo and Idlib.

IOCC/GOPA volunteers work diligently to register the thousands of weary and

homeless Syrian people who gather daily seeking food, shelter and basic household items like bedding and blankets.

More than 3,300 displaced families have been registered to receive assistance such as housing support, crisis counseling, and remedial classes at a makeshift school for 500 displaced children. In response to the needs of the growing number of Syrian families arriving to Tartous and other governorates, IOCC is working to expand the assistance it is providing.

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013

ΕΤΟΣ 78 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1288

Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ Ἀρχή τοῦ Ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ Ἔτους Ἡμέρα Προστασίας τοῦ Φυσικοῦ Περιβάλλοντος Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Ἀγαπητοί Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Τήν ἡμέρα τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Ἰνδίκτου συγκεντρωνόμεθα γιά νά λατρεύσουμε τόν Παντοδύναμο Θεό. Πρόκειται γιά μιά ἡμέρα καί ἐποχή ὅπου συντελεῖται ἡ ἀρχή πραγμάτων. Τήν πρώτη ἡμέρα αὐτοῦ τοῦ νέου μήνα ἑορτάζουμε τήν ἀρχή τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἔτους καί τοῦ κύκλου ἑορτῶν οἱ ὁποῖες συνδέουν τό παρελθόν, τό παρόν καί τό μέλλον μας ὡς Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν καί προσφέρουν μαρτυρία τῆς σωτηριώδους χάριτος καί δυνάμεως τοῦ Θεοῦ μέσα ἀπό τήν πίστη μας στόν Ἰησοῦ Χριστό. Ἐπιπλέον, αὐτή ἡ χρονική στιγμή τοῦ ἔτους σχετίζεται μέ τόν ἀγροτικό κύκλο τοῦ ὀργώματος, τῆς σπορᾶς καί τοῦ θερισμοῦ, καί συμπίπτει μέ τήν ἀρχή τοῦ σχολικοῦ ἔτους. Πολλοί ἐπιστρέφουν ἀπό διακοπές γιά νά ξεκινήσουν ἕνα νέο ἔτος μαθήσεως, δραστηριοτήτων καί εὐκαιριῶν. Αὐτή ἡ αἴσθηση τῆς ἀρχῆς πού αἰσθανόμεθα σέ πολλά ἐπίπεδα τῆς ζωῆς μας εἶναι σημαντική γιά τήν σχέση μας μέ τόν Θεό καί γιά τό πῶς βιώνουμε τήν Ὀρθόδοξη πίστη μας κάθε ἡμέρα. Ὅπως ξεκινοῦμε ἕνα νέο ἐκκλησιαστικό ἔτος μέ τήν προσδοκία τῶν εὐλογιῶν πού θά ἔλθουν μέσα ἀπό τήν λατρεία καί τήν προσφορά ὑπηρεσιῶν μας, καλούμεθα ἐπίσης νά ξεκινοῦμε τήν κάθε ἡμέρα μας μέ πίστη καί προσδοκία γιά τό τί θά ἐπιτύχει ὁ Θεός στήν ζωή μας καί διά τῆς ζωῆς μας. Στίς ἀκολουθίες τοῦ Ἑσπερινοῦ καί τοῦ Ὄρθρου τῆς 1ης Σεπτεμβρίου, βλέπουμε τόν τρόπο μέ τόν ὁποῖον πρέπει νά ξεκινήσουμε αὐτό τό ἐκκλησιαστικό ἔτος, τό σχολικό ἔτος καί τήν κάθε ἡμέρα μας. Πρῶτα, πρέπει νά προσευχηθοῦμε καί νά ἐπικοινωνήσουμε μέ τόν Θεό. Καλούμεθα νά ζήσουμε τήν καθημερινότητά μας ἐν προσευχῇ, καθώς ἡ προσευχή μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ στόν Δημιουργό μας, μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ στήν ἀλήθεια καί καλλιεργεῖ τήν ἐλπίδα μας σέ μιά ζωή πού χαρα-

uΣελίδα 16

Πατριαρχικό προσκύνημα «σην Σουμελάν την Παναΐαν» ôïõ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑ

Στην αγιόσπαρτο και πονεμένη ποντική γη και στο λαοφίλητο προσκύνημά της στην Παναγιά σου Μελά βρέθηκε για τέταρτη χρονιά φέτος ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος. Με το βλέμμα στραμμένο μπροστά, στο μέλλον, με λογισμό και μ’ όνειρο διάβηκε και πάλι το ανηφορικό δρομίσκο που οδηγεί στο επιβλητικό Μοναστήρι Της. Κατέφτασε με χαρά καθώς τον περίμενε εκεί κοινωνία γνώριμη πνευμάτων δικαίων τετελειωμένω ν, οι Κτίτορες, οι Ευεργέτες Δεσπότες, οι παλαιοί οικιστές, οι ανέκαθεν πανηγυριστές της Μονής, κλήρος και λαός πολύς. Στη μοσχοβολιά από το λιβάνι, στις θεομητορικές ψαλμωδίες, στις Πατριαρχικές ειρηνεύσεις, στη μνημόνευση και στις αιτήσεις και στον γλυκόηχο κεμεντζέ εύρισκαν αναπαυμό οι μυριάδες ψυχές και το χέρι του Πατριάρχου με επιμονή, στοργή και συγκίνηση απόθετε τα ψυχία τους στο Δισκάρι. Μέσα από την ευάγρια βλάστηση αυτής της ποντικής γης οι προπάτορες συγκινημένοι προσέβλεπαν ή καλύτερα ζούσαν στο θαύμα. Στο Πατριαρχικό αυτό Μοναστήρι γιορταζόταν και φέτος η Μητέρα της Ζωής. Η ζωή στο Μοναστήρι για τη μέρα εκείνη ξαναέγινε έννοια οικεία και προσφιλής. Όλοι συναντήθηκαν με όλους και οι πάντες με το Ποτήριο της Ζωής και έτσι η μοναξιά του υπόλοιπου χρόνου δεν είχε θέση στον τόπο. Μετά την ανάγνωση του Ευαγγελίου ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος μιλώντας αναφέρθηκε στην αξία και στο ιερό νόημα της Μεγάλης Εορτής της Παναγίας ενώ μέσα από έργα ποιητών σκιαγράφησε την ευλάβεια και τον σεβασμό όλου του Ρωμαίηκου Γένους προς το Πανσεβάσμιο Πρόσωπό Της.

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Μετά τη Θεία Λειτουργία ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος επισκέφθηκε εθιμοτυπικά τον Δήμαρχο της Ματσούκας ενώ το απόγευμα αναχώρησε αεροπορικώς για την Κωνσταντινούπολη. Σύντομη η φετινή επίσκεψη του Πατριάρχου στον Πόντο. Σύντομη αλλά με την ίδια πνευματική δυναμική και αξία. Με τους περί το Μελά και εν Μελά να περιμένουν και του χρόνου την επίσκεψη αυτή. Ως τότε στα πονεμένα χώματα θα ακούγεται η Πατριαρχική φωνή να ευαγγελίζεται “Εις την εικόνα της σημερινής εορτής της κοιμήσεως εικονίζεται η Παναγία περιστοιχιζομένη υπο των Θείων Αποστόλων

και του Υιού της παραλαμβάνοντος την ψυχήν της. “Στην κορφήν κάθεται o Χριστός, η Παναγιά ση ‘ρίζαν, σ’ άκρας κάθουν οι Άγγελοι. σα φύλλα οι προφητάδες”, και όπως η φυσική μητέρα μας προσπαθεί να εκπληρώσει κάθε επιθυμία του παιδιού της, έτσι και η Παναγία απο εκεί απο τους ουρανούς, εκπληρώνει πάσαν καλήν επιθυμίαν μας. Ιδιαιτέρως όταν αυτή η επιθυμία μας και αυτἠ η προσευχή μας της απευθύνεται όπως σήμερα απο τον αγαπημένον της αυτόν τόπο, απο εδώ που ευρισκόμεθα μεταξύ ουρανού και

uΣελίδα 18

Τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο επισκέφθηκε ο πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος Αντώνης Σαμαράς ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος Αντώνης Σαμαράς επισκέφθηκε το μεσημέρι της Παρασκευής 9 Αυγούστου τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής στη Νέα Υόρκη και είχε μαζί του συνάντηση στην οποία παρέστη εκ μέρους της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής και ο Αντιπρόεδρος του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου κ. Μιχαήλ (Εμμανουήλ) Τζαχάρης. Τον κύριο Σαμαρά συνόδευαν ο πρέσβυς της Ελλάδος στις Η.Π.Α.κ. Χρήστος Παναγόπουλος, ο διευθυντής του Διπλωματικού γραφείου του Πρωθυπουργού κ. Σταύρος Βασιλόπουλος, ο Μόνιμος Αντιπρόσωπος της Ελλάδος στον ΟΗΕ πρέσβυς κ. Μιχαήλ Σπινέλλης, ο διευθυντής Τύπου του πρωθυπουργικού γραφείου κ. Γεώργιος Μουρούτης, ο προϊστάμενος στρατηγικού σχεδιασμού κ. Δημήτριος Πτωχός και ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στη Νέα Υόρκη κ. Γεώργιος Ηλιόπουλος. Στη συνάντηση συζητήθηκαν θέματα σχετικά με την επίσκεψη του κ. Σαμαρά στη Ουάσιγκτον και τη συνάντηση του με τον Πρόεδρο Ομπάμα, θέματα της Ελληνικής οικονομίας, της υψηλής ανεργίας και των προοπτικών ανάπτυξης. Μετά τη συνάντηση ο Έλληνας Πρωθυπουργός σε δηλώσεις του σε εκπροσώπους του Τύπου εξέφρασε τη συγκίνησή του για τη συνάντησή του με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο και απευθυνόμενος προς

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Σύντομος χαιρετισμός και δηλώσεις του Ελληνα πρωθυπουργού μετά τη συνάντηση με τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο.

τον Σεβασμιώτατο τόνισε: «Να σας πω ότι μας δίνετε δύναμη και κουράγιο, να σας πω ότι η πνευματική τροφή που λαμβάνει κάποιος εδώ σε αυτόν εδώ το χώρο, είναι πολυσήμαντη και γιατί είσαστε ένας σοφός ιεράρχης, και γιατί, ταυτόχρονα, αποδει-

κνύετε κάθε μέρα με το έργο σας, όχι μόνο την αγάπη σας στον Ελληνισμό, αλλά την πίστη σας στις αξίες και τις δυνατότητες

uΣελίδα 16

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ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013

Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ uΣελίδα 15

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος με το Γενικό Διευθυντή του Οργανισμού «Αποστολή» κ. Κωνσταντίνο Δήμτσα, στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής στη Νέα Υόρκη.

Συνάντηση Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου - ‘Αποστολής’ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Πυλώνα κοινωνικής σταθερότητας χαρακτήρισε την “Αποστολή” ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος στη συνάντηση που είχε στη Νέα Υόρκη με τον Γενικό Διευθυντή του Οργανισμού κ. Κωνσταντίνο Δήμτσα. «Χωρίς την κοινωνική προσφορά της Εκκλησίας, χωρίς την προσπάθεια του Αρχιεπισκόπου κ. Ιερωνύμου και της “Αποστολής” η οικονομική κρίση στην Ελλάδα θα ήταν βαθύτερη και ανεξέλεγκτη», είπε ο Σεβ. κ. Δημήτριος, ο οποίος δήλωσε εντυπωσιασμένος από το μέγεθος του έργου, τη μεθοδικότητα και τη διαφάνεια του Οργανισμού της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος της Αμερικής και ο Γενικός Διευθυντής της “Αποστολής”, στη δίωρη συνάντησή τους, εξέτασαν λεπτομερώς τα νέα δεδομένα και την εξέλιξη της κρίσης στην Ελλάδα καθώς και τις επιπτώσεις που δημιουργεί στην οικογένεια και κυρίως στα παιδιά. Ο κ. Δήμτσας παρουσίασε οικονομικό απολογισμό των προγραμμάτων που βρίσκονται σε εξέλιξη ανάμεσα στην Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής, τον IOCC και την “Αποστολή” και ενημέρωσε διεξοδικά για τα νέα προγράμματα που έχουν σχεδιαστεί. «Οι Έλληνες υποφέρουν και αυτό το βιώνουμε καθημερινά», είπε ο κ. Δήμτσας και πρόσθεσε, «για να έχει κανείς μία τάξη μεγέθους της κρίσης θα αναφέρω ένα χαρακτηριστικό παράδειγμα: Τα δέματα αγάπης που προσφέρει η “Αποστολή” σε οικογένειες που ζουν κάτω από 8.000 ευρώ ετησίως, το 2011 έφθασαν τα 7.851, το 2012 διανεμήθηκαν 35.583 και μόνο το α΄εξάμηνο του 2013, 33527». Επίσης ο κ. Δήμτσας ευχαρίστησε τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής και έκανε λόγο για την μεγαλοψυχία και τη γενναιοδωρία την Ελλήνων ομογενών που στάθησαν στους εμπερίστατους αδελφούς τους.

O Σεβ. Δημήτριος αναφέρθηκε εκτενώς στο έργο του Αρχιεπισκόπου κ. Ιερωνύμου, ευχαρίστησε τον κ. Δήμτσα για την αναλυτική ενημέρωση και πρόσθεσε: «Η Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής, οι Έλληνες ομογενείς θα συνεχίσουν να βρίσκονται στο πλευρό των αδελφών τους, μέσω των προγραμμάτων της “Αποστολής”. Είμαι πεπεισμένος ότι γρήγορα η κρίση θα ξεπεραστεί και η Ελλάδα θα βρει τη θέση της. Οι προσπάθειες στήριξης μας συνεχίζονται, εξετάζουμε το ενδεχόμενο άμεσης νέας βοήθειας».

Τρόφιμα, φάρμακα και ρούχα για όλους Στο μεταξύ, συνάντηση με τον Γενικό Γραμματέα της Πολιτικής Επιτροπής της Ν.Δ. κ. Ανδρέα Παπαμιμίκο είχε ο Αρχι-

επίσκοπος Αθηνών και πάσης Ελλάδος κ. Ιερώνυμος, με σκοπό την στήριξη των προγραμμάτων του φιλανθρωπικού έργου της Εκκλησίας. Ο κ. Παπαμιμίκος ανέπτυξε στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο ένα συγκεκριμένο πρόγραμμα τακτικής στήριξης των δράσεων αλληλεγγύης που αναπτύσσει η Εκκλησία σε ολόκληρη την Ελλάδα. «Είναι ο πιο αξιόπιστος και αποτελεσματικός φορέας και σε αυτόν τον τομέα» τόνισε ο κ. Παπαμιμίκος και πρόσθεσε «με επικεφαλής τους Μητροπολίτες, αλλά και τους Ιερείς, η Εκκλησία σε όλη την Ελλάδα διοργανώνει συσσίτια, διανομές τροφίμων, φαρμάκων, ρουχισμού». Μιλώντας για τη λειτουργία των προγραμμάτων ο κ. Παπαμιμίκος υπογράμμισε «η Εκκλησία λειτουργεί αθόρυβα, χωρίς διακρίσεις και με γνώμονα τον σεβασμό στον άνθρωπο που έχει ανάγκη. Εμείς αναγνωρίζουμε το κοινωνικό της έργο και επιθυμούμε να είμαστε αρωγοί». Ο κ. Παπαμιμίκος έκανε λόγο για την πρωτοβουλία ΣΤΗΡΙΖΩ και τις δραστηριότητές της, ενώ φάνηκε αισιόδοξος για την στήριξη του φιλανθρωπικού έργου της Εκκλησίας λέγοντας:»Πιστεύουμε στο φιλότιμο του Έλληνα και στον κοινωνικό πατριωτισμό». Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ευχαρίστησε τον κ. Παπαμιμίκο για την πρωτοβουλία και την προσπάθεια στήριξης των δράσεων της φιλανθρωπικής οργάνωσης της Αρχιεπισκοπής «ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ» και τόνισε πως «είναι ιδιαίτερα σημαντικό ότι αυτή η δραστηριότητα προέρχεται από νέους ανθρώπους. Η Εκκλησία με τον οργανισμό «ΑΠΟΣΤΟΛΗ» έχει ένα μεγάλο δίκτυο που εξαπλώνεται σε όλη την Ελλάδα μέσα από τις Ιερές Μητροπόλεις. Είναι ευπρόσδεκτη, ωστόσο, κάθε προσφορά, από οπουδήποτε και αν προέρχεται», ενώ ευχήθηκε καλή επιτυχία σε αυτήν την συνεργασία. Λίγο αργότερα ο γραμματέας της ΝΔ ανέβασε στην προσωπική του σελίδα στο facebook: «Συνάντησα το Μακαριώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αθηνών και πάσης Ελλάδος κ. Ιερώνυμο και του παρουσίασα το project της Νέας Δημοκρατίας για την τακτική στήριξη των δράσεων αλληλεγγύης που ήδη διοργανώνει η Εκκλησία της Ελλάδος. Οι ιερείς πραγματοποιούν σήμερα αθόρυβα και χωρίς διακρίσεις, εκατοντάδες συσσίτια σε όλη τη χώρα δείχνοντας αμέριστο σεβασμό σε ανθρώπους που έχουν ανάγκη. Σ’ αυτή την προσπάθεια, θα είμαστε δίπλα τους». Πηγή: Amen.gr

κτηρίζεται ἀπό ἀφθονία καί αἰωνιότητα. Ἐπιπλέον, πρέπει νά ξεκινήσουμε αὐτό τό ἔτος καί νά χαιρετίζουμε κάθε νέα ἡμέρα ζητῶντας καί λαμβάνοντας τήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ. Διά τοῦ ἐλέους Του μᾶς συγχωρεῖ καί διά τῆς εὐσπλαγχνικῆς καλωσύνης Του μᾶς φροντίζει καί θεραπεύει τίς ψυχές μας. Τέλος, πρέπει νά ξεκινήσουμε αὐτή τήν φορά προσφέροντας ὕμνο στόν Θεό γιά τά δῶρα Του καί ἕτοιμοι νά πράξουμε τό θέλημά Του. Γιά κάθε καινούργια ἡμέρα, θά μᾶς δίδει ὅλα ὅσα χρειαζόμεθα, καί ἡ καρδιά καί διάνοιά μας θά πρέπει νά εἶναι ἀνοικτές, προετοιμασμένες καί πρόθυμες νά πράξουν τό θέλημά Του ὅπως αὐτό μᾶς ἀποκαλύφθηκε. Ἐπίσης, ἔχει καθιερωθεῖ ὡς παράδοση γιά ἐμᾶς τούς Ὀρθοδόξους Χριστιανούς, μέσῳ τῆς πνευματικῆς καθοδηγήσεως τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου μας, νά ἑορτάζουμε τήν 1η Σεπτεμβρίου ὡς Ἡμέρα Προστασίας τοῦ Φυσικοῦ Περιβάλλοντός μας. Ἡ στιγμή τοῦ ἑορτασμοῦ αὐτῆς τῆς ἡμέρας εἶναι χρονικά καταλληλότατη, ὅπως μᾶς φανερώνει ἡ φυσική τάξη τῶν πραγμάτων συνεχῶς μέσα ἀπό τήν διαδικασία τῆς ἀνανεώσεως καί τῶν νέων ξεκινημάτων. Τόσο στίς μικροσκοπικές ὅσο καί στίς περί-

πλοκες διαδικασίες, βλέπουμε τό ἔργο τῶν χειρῶν τοῦ Δημιουργοῦ μας. Συνεχῶς μᾶς ὑπενθυμίζεται μέσῳ τῆς ὡραιότητος, τῆς πολυπλοκότητος ἀκόμη καί τῶν δυσκολιῶν καί τῶν πληγῶν τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντός μας, ὅτι καλούμεθα νά γίνουμε πιστοί διαχειριστές ὅλων ὅσα Ἐκεῖνος ἔπλασε. Διδασκόμεθα ἐπίσης θεωρῶντας τό πέρασμα τοῦ χρόνου, τήν ἀλλαγή τῶν ἐποχῶν καί τήν ἀρχή κάθε καινούργιας ἡμέρας, τήν προτεραιότητα τῆς σχέσεώς μας μέ τόν Θεό. Καθώς ξεκινοῦμε αὐτό τό ἐκκλησιαστικό ἔτος, προσεύχομαι νά ἔχετε τίς ἄφθονες εὐλογίες τοῦ Κυρίου μας διά τῆς λατρείας, τῆς προσφορᾶς ὑπηρεσιῶν καί καθημερινῆς προσευχῆς σας καθώς ζεῖτε στήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ καί ἀναζητεῖτε τό θέλημά Του.

Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

Τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο επισκέφθηκε ο πρωθυπουργός Αντώνης Σαμαράς uΣελίδα 15 που έχει ο Ελληνισμός. Γι’ αυτό το λόγο θέλω να σας συγχαρώ εκ μέρους όλου του ελληνικού λαού γιατί ξέρουμε ότι εδώ πέρα υπάρχει ένας δυναμικός ιεράρχης ο οποίος πρωτοστατεί σε ενέργειες που αποσκοπούν στο καλό του τόπου, ιδιαίτερα κάτω από τις σημερινές πολύ δύσκολες συνθήκες. Γι’ αυτό σας ευχαριστούμε πάρα πολύ και χαίρομαι ιδιαίτερα για την τιμή που μου κάνατε να με δεχθείτε εδώ σήμερα». Ανταπαντώντας, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ευχαρίστησε για την «ιδιάζουσα τιμή» της επισκέψεως του Πρωθυπουργού και σημείωσε ότι: «Είναι ευλογία το ότι ο λαός μας παρά τις προκλήσεις που αντιμετωπίζει και είναι πολύ μεγάλες, και τις πιέσεις, στέκεται με αξιοπρέπεια, έχει αναπτύξει μια απίθανη διάσταση αλληλεγγύης η οποία περνάει και προς τα έξω και είναι πλέον ένα κύμα που αγκαλιάζει και καλύπτει και ξένους, οι οποίοι έρχονται στην Ελλάδα ακριβώς για να αποτίσουν φόρο τιμής σε μια χώρα που δεν είναι μόνο μια χώρα με 7.000 ετών ιστορία, αλλά είναι μια χώρα η οποία στο σύγχρονο κόσμο

υπήρξε πάντοτε πρόμαχος ελευθερίας και ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων». Σε άλλο σημείο δε, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε ότι η Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση υπό τον κ. Σαμαρά, κάνει ένα μεγάλο και πολύπλευρο αγώνα «κι έχει νυχθημερόν τις προσευχές μας». Εξέφρασε δε την συμπαράσταση της Ομογενείας προς όλο τον ελληνικό λαό και εξήρε τον πάρα πολύ σημαντικό ρόλο της Εκκλησίας της Ελλάδος, η οποία όπως είπε «όντως σε αυτές, τις ειδικές συνθήκες, έχει αποδειχθεί ένας εξαιρετικός και μοναδικός παράγων αγάπης, θεραπευτικής ιδιότητος και πραγματικά ουσιαστικής συμβολής σε μια ουσιαστική ανάκαμψη». Το ίδιο απόγευμα ο κ. Σαμαράς και ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος επισκέφθηκαν το Διεθνές Εμπορικό Κέντρο της Νέας Υόρκης (World Trade Center) και το ακριβές σημείο όπου σύντομα θα ανεγερθεί ο ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου, ο οποίος καταστράφηκε την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου 2001. Εκεί στο χώρο του οικοπέδου, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τέλεσε σύντομη επιμνημόσυνη δέηση και στην συνέχεια μαζί με τον Πρωθυπουργό επισκέφθηκαν το παρακείμενο μνημείο των θυμάτων της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου.

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος με τον Ελληνα πρωθυπουργό Αντώνη Σαμαρά στο χώρο του πρώην Παγκοσμίου Κέντρου Εμπορίου (εκεί βρισκόταν ο Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου που καταστράφηκε την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου 2001) όπου τελέστηκε επιμνημόσυνη δέηση στη μνήμη των θυμάτων της τρομοκρατικής επίθεσης.

ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΙΚO MHNYMA Σεπτόν Πατριαρχικόν Μήνυµα ἐπί τῇ ἡµέρᾳ προσευχῆς ὑπέρ τῆς Προστασίας τοῦ Φυσικοῦ Περιβάλλοντος ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ ΕΛΕΩ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ Τῼ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ∆ΗΜΙΟΥΡΓΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΝΤΗΡΗΤΟΥ ΠΑΣΗΣ ΤΗΣ ΚΤΙΣΕΩΣ ΚΥΡΙΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΘΕΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΙΗΣΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Ἀδελφοί καί τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, Ἔφθασεν ἡ πρώτη Σεπτεμβρίου, ἡ πρώτη τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικοῦ ἔτους, τήν ὁποίαν πρό ἐτῶν τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον καί ἐν συνεχείᾳ σύνολος ἡ Ὀρθόδοξος ἡμῶν Ἐκκλησία ὡρίσαμεν ὡς ἡμέραν προσευχῆς διά τό περιβάλλον. Ἔκτοτε, λόγῳ καί τῆς ἡμετέρας πρωτοβουλίας ταύτης, ἔχει γενικευθῆ τό ἐνδιαφέρον διά τήν προστασίαν τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος καί πολλά λαμβάνονται μέτρα ἐν προκειμένῳ διά τήν ἀειφορίαν καί τήν ἰσορροπίαν τῶν οἰκοσυστημάτων ἀλλά καί διά πᾶν σχετικόν πρός αὐτάς πρόβλημα. Καθώς μάλιστα τυγχάνει γνωστόν καί ἐπιμεμαρτυρημένον ὅτι “οὐ λύονται οἱ νόμοι τῆς φύσεως, οὐδέ σαλεύονται, ἀλλά μένουσιν ἀκίνητοι” (πρβλ. Ἱεροῦ Χρυσοστόμου, Εἰς τόν πτωχόν Λάζαρον ΣΤ΄, P.G. 48, 1042), ὀφείλομεν σήμερον νά ἐπικεντρώσωμεν τήν προσοχήν μας εἰς τάς ἀφανεῖς ἐπεμβάσεις τοῦ ἀνθρώπου εἰς τήν ἰσορροπίαν τοῦ περιβάλλοντος, ἡ ὁποία διασαλεύεται ὄχι μόνον δι᾿ ἐμφανῶν καταστρεπτικῶν ἐνεργειῶν, ὡς αἱ ἐκριζώσεις τῶν δασῶν, ἡ ὑπεράντλησις τῶν ὑδάτων, ἡ ἐν γένει ὑπερεκμετάλλευσις τῶν φυσικῶν καί ἐνεργειακῶν πόρων καί ἡ μέσῳ διαρροῆς καί ἀποθέσεως τοξικῶν καί χημικῶν οὐσιῶν μόλυνσις μεγάλων χερσαίων καί ὑδατίνων περιοχῶν, ἀλλά καί δι᾿ ἀφανῶν διά γυμνοῦ ὀφθαλμοῦ πράξεων. Καί τοιαῦται τυγχάνουν αἱ ἐπεμβάσεις εἰς τά γονιδιώματα τῶν ἐμβίων ὄντων καί ἡ δημιουργία κατ᾿ αὐτόν τόν τρόπον μετηλλαγμένων εἰδῶν ἀγνώστου ἐν συνεχείᾳ μετεξελίξεως, ὡς καί ἡ ἀνεύρεσις τρόπων ἀποδεσμεύσεως τεραστίων δυνάμεων, τῶν ἀτομικῶν καί πυρηνικῶν, τῶν ὁποίων ἡ μή ὀρθή χρῆσις δύναται νά ἐξαφανίσῃ πᾶν ἴχνος ζωῆς καί πολιτισμοῦ εἰς τόν πλανήτην μας. Εἰς τάς περιπτώσεις ταύτας δέν εἶναι ἡ πλεονεξία καί ἡ ἐπιθυμία τῆς ὑπερισχύσεως τά μόνα κίνητρα τῶν ἐπιδιωκόντων νά ἐπέμβουν καί νά μεταλλάξουν τά ἔμβια ὄντα, τά ὁποῖα ὁ Θεός ἐδημιούργησεν ὡς «καλά λίαν», ἀλλά καί ἡ ὑπεροψία ὡρισμένων ὅπως ἀντιπαραταχθοῦν εἰς τήν Σοφίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καί ἀποδείξουν ἑαυτούς ἱκανούς νά βελτιώσουν τό ἔργον Αὐτοῦ. Ἡ ψυχική στάσις αὕτη χαρακτηρίζεται ὑπό τῶν ἀρχαίων Ἑλλήνων ὡς “ὕβρις”, δηλαδή ὑπεροπτική αὐθάδεια τοῦ ἔχοντος περιωρισμένον νοῦν ἔναντι τοῦ Πανσόφου καί Παντοδυνάμου Δημιουργοῦ. Ἀσφαλῶς δέν ἀντιτασσόμεθα πρός τήν ἐπιστημονικήν ἔρευναν, ἐάν καί ἐφ᾿ ὅσον παρέχῃ ἐπωφελεῖς ὑπηρεσίας εἰς τόν ἄνθρωπον καί τό περιβάλλον. Τοιουτοτρόπως, ἡ χρησιμοποίησις τῶν πορισμάτων αὐτῆς διά τήν θεραπείαν, παραδείγματος χάριν, ἀσθενειῶν εἶναι ἀσφαλῶς θεμιτή, ἀλλά ἡ βεβιασμένη ἐμπορική ἐκμετάλλευσις προϊόντων τῆς συγχρόνου χημικῆς καί βιολογικῆς τεχνολογίας πρό τῆς τετελεσμένης διαπιστώσεως ὅτι εἶναι διά τόν ἄνθρωπον ἀβλαβῆ, εἶναι ἀσφαλῶς κατακριτέα, καθώς ἐπανειλημμένως ὡδήγησεν εἰς τραγικάς συνεπείας αὐτόν καί τό περιβάλλον. Ἡ ἐπιστήμη, καλῶς πράττουσα, διαρκῶς ἐρευνᾷ καί προσπαθεῖ νά ἑρμηνεύσῃ τήν φυσικήν νομοτέλειαν καί τάξιν. Ἡ ἐντολή τοῦ Θεοῦ πρός τούς πρωτοπλάστους “κατακυριεύσατε τῆς γῆς”(Γεν. θ΄ 1) παρέχει τήν ἄδειαν τῆς ἐρεύνης καί γνώσεως τῶν φυσικῶν καί βιολογικῶν μηχανισμῶν οἱ ὁποῖοι δροῦν εἰς αὐτήν, διά νά εἶναι σύνολον τό φυσικόν περιβάλλον παραδείσιον. Ἀρκεῖ ἡ ἐπιδίωξις τῆς γνώσεως καί ἡ ἐκμετάλλευσις αὐτῆς νά μή στοχεύῃ μόνον εἰς τό κέρδος καί νά μή εἶναι ἀλαζονική προσπάθεια οἰκοδομήσεως ἑνός νέου πύργου τῆς Βαβέλ, διά τοῦ ὁποίου τό δημιούργημα θά προσπαθήσῃ νά φθάσῃ καί ἴσως, κατά τήν ἔπαρσιν ὡρισμένων, νά ὑπερβῇ καί Αὐτόν τόν Δημιουργόν. Δυστυχῶς λησμονεῖ ἐνίοτε ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὅτι ὁ τοῦ “κάλλους γενεσιάρχης ἔκτισεν αὐτά” (Σοφ. Σολ. ιγ΄, 3) καί χείρ Κυρίου “ἐθεμελίωσε τήν γῆν, καί ἡ δεξιά Αὐτοῦ ἐστερέωσε τόν οὐρανόν” (πρβλ. Ἡσ. μη΄, 13). Καθῆκον, λοιπόν, ἡμῶν τῶν ποιμένων τῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί τῶν ἀνθρώπων τοῦ πνεύματος καί τῆς ἐπιστήμης, ἀλλά καί πάντων τῶν εὐλαβῶν χριστιανῶν, εἶναι νά ἐργαζώμεθα τό ἀγαθόν καί κυρίως νά προσευχώμεθα ὅπως ὁ Δημιουργός τοῦ παντός Θεός φωτίζῃ τούς εἰδικῶς μέ τά ἀνωτέρα θέματα ἀσχολουμένους ἐπιστήμονας ἵνα ἐν ταπεινώσει ἔναντι Αὐτοῦ καί ἐν σεβασμῷ πρός τήν φυσικήν νομοτέλειαν καί τάξιν εἰσέρχωνται εἰς τά ἐνδότερα αὐτῆς καί ἀποφεύγουν τήν διά λόγους οἰκονομικῆς ἐκμεταλλεύσεως ἤ ἄλλους, ὡς ἀνεφέρομεν, βεβιασμένην χρησιμοποίησιν τῶν πορισμάτων τῆς ἐρεύνης των. Χρειάζεται μακρά πεῖρα διά νά βεβαιωθῇ ὅτι αἱ διαπιστωθεῖσαι εὐεργετικαί ἐπιρροαί ἐκ τῆς ἐφαρμογῆς τῶν νέων γνώσεων δέν συνεπάγονται παραπλεύρως ἐπιβλαβεῖς παρενεργείας εἰς τό περιβάλλον καί βεβαίως εἰς αὐτόν τοῦτον τόν ἄνθρωπον. Κατά τήν δημιουργίαν τοῦ κόσμου ἡ τότε φωνή καί τό πρῶτον πρόσταγμα τοῦ Κυρίου “οἷον νόμος τις ἐγένετο φύσεως, καί ἐναπέμεινε τῇ γῇ, τήν τοῦ γεννᾶν αὐτῇ καί καρποφορεῖν δύναμιν εἰς τό ἑξῆς παρεχόμενος...” (Μεγάλου Βασιλείου, εἰς τήν ἑξαήμερον Θ΄, P.G. 29, 96A), ἐξασφαλίζουσα τήν ἀειφορίαν αὐτῆς. Καί ἡ γῆ θά συνεχίσῃ νά γεννᾷ καί νά καρποφορῇ ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἀφεθῇ εἰς τήν φυσικήν αὐτῆς τάξιν καί ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἡμεῖς οἱ πάροικοι ἐπ᾿ αὐτῆς πορευθῶμεν κατά τά προστάγματα καί τάς ἐντολάς τοῦ Θεοῦ καί φυλάττωμεν καί ποιῶμεν αὐτάς. Τότε Ἐκεῖνος μόνον “δώσει τόν ὑετόν ἡμῖν ἐν καιρῷ αὐτοῦ, καί ἡ γῆ δώσει τά γενήματα αὐτῆς, καί τά ξύλα τῶν πεδίων ἀποδώσει τόν καρπόν αὐτῶν [...] καί φαγώμεθα τόν ἄρτον ἡμῶν εἰς πλησμονήν καί κατοικήσωμεν μετά ἀσφαλείας ἐπί τῆς γῆς ἡμῶν. Καί πόλεμος οὐ διελεύσεται διά τῆς γῆς ἡμῶν[...]” (πρβλ. Λευιτ. 26, 4-5). Προσευχόμενοι ἐπί τῇ εὐσήμῳ ταύτῃ ἡμέρᾳ καί τῇ εἰσόδῳ τοῦ ἐνιαυτοῦ μετά Ἰησοῦ τοῦ Ναυῆ, Συμεών τοῦ ἰσαγγέλου καί τῶν ἐν Ἐφέσῳ ἑπταρίθμων παίδων καί μετά τοῦ ἱεροῦ Ψαλμῳδοῦ Δαυίδ πρός τόν Κύριον ὅπως ἐξαποστείλῃ τό πνεῦμα Αὐτοῦ καί ἀνακαινίσῃ τό πρόσωπον τῆς γῆς (πρβλ. Ψαλμ. 103, 30), εὐλογῶν τά ἔργα τῶν χειρῶν Αὐτοῦ καί καταξιῶν ἡμᾶς λυσιτελῶς περαιῶσαι τήν τοῦ χρόνου περίοδον, ἐπικαλούμεθα ὑπέρ τῶν ἐρευνώντων τάς δυνάμεις τῆς φύσεως τόν φωτισμόν, τήν χάριν καί τήν εὐλογίαν τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Ἀμήν.

,βιγ΄ Σεπτεµβρίου α΄

† Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ∆ιάπυρος πρός Θεόν εὐχέτης πάντων ὑµῶν

Ἡ Ἑορτή τῆς Ἰνδίκτου ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις Mετά πολλῆς ἱεροπρεπείας καί ἐκκλησιαστικῆς τάξεως ἑωρτάσθη ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις ἡ ἑορτή τῆς νέας Ἰνδικτιῶνος, καί ἡ ἑορτή τῆς ἐν τῷ Πανσέπτῳ Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ ἀπό αἰώνων τεθησαυρισμένης Ἱερᾶς Εἰκόνος Παναγίας τῆς Παμμακαρίστου, ὡς καί ἡ ἡμέρα προστασίας τοῦ φυσικοῦ περιβάλλοντος. Ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Πατριάρχης, ἐχοροστάτησεν ἐν τῇ Ἱερᾷ Μονῇ Ζωοδόχου Πηγῆς Βαλουκλῆ κατά τόν Μ. Ἑσπερινόν τοῦ Σαββάτου, 31ης Αὐγούστου, συμπροσευχηθέντων Ἱεραρχῶν τοῦ Θρόνου, τοῦ Ἐντιμ. κ. Ἀθανασίου Ἀστρακᾶ, Προξένου τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἐν τῇ Πόλει, καί ὁμίλων προσκυνητῶν ἐκ τῆς ἐνορίας Ἁγίου Γεωργίου Ἀσβεστοχωρίου Θεσσαλονίκης, ὑπό τήν ἡγεσίαν τοῦ Αἰδεσιμ. Πρεσβυτέρου κ. Ἐμμανουήλ Μπουζίνου, ἐκ τῆς Περιβαλλοντολογικῆς Διευθύνσεως Τρικάλων τῆς Δευτεροβαθμίου Ἐκπαιδεύσεως, ὑπό τήν ἡγεσίαν τοῦ Ἐντιμ. κ. Χρήστου Λάππα, Δημάρχου Τρικκαίων, καί ἐκ τῶν ΑΧΕΠΑ Ἑλλάδος, ὑπό τήν ἡγεσίαν τοῦ Ἐντιμ. κ. Γεωργίου Πλοκαμάκη, καί ἀλλαχόθεν, πρός οὕς ὡμίλησεν ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐν τῷ τέλει τοῦ Ἑσπερινοῦ. Τήν ἑπομένην, Κυριακήν, 1ην Σεπτεμβρίου, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐχοροστάτησεν ἐν τῷ Π. Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ κατά τήν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν, ἐν συγχοροστασίᾳ μετά τῶν Σεβ. Μητροπολιτῶν Γέροντος Νικαίας κ. Κωνσταντίνου, Γέροντος Χαλκηδόνος κ. Ἀθανασίου, Γέροντος Δέρκων κ. Ἀποστόλου, Σικάγου κ. Ἰακώβου, Πέργης κ. Εὐαγγέλου, Θεοδωρουπόλεως κ. Γερμανοῦ, Τρανουπόλεως κ. Γερμανοῦ, Καρπάθου καί Κάσου κ. Ἀμβροσίου, Ἴμβρου καί Τενέδου κ. Κυρίλλου, Πριγκηποννήσων κ. Ἰακώβου, Προικοννήσου κ. Ἰωσήφ, Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, Σεβαστείας κ. Δημητρίου, Μυριοφύτου καί Περιστάσεως κ. Εἰρηναίου, Μύρων κ. Χρυσοστόμου, Σασίμων κ. Γενναδίου, Ἰκονίου κ. Θεολήπτου, Νέας Ἰερσέης κ. Εὐαγγέλου, Ρόδου κ. Κυρίλλου, Κυδωνίας καί Ἀποκορώνου κ. Δαμασκηνοῦ, Λαγκαδᾶ, Λητῆς καί Ρεντίνης κ. Ἰωάννου, Καλλιουπόλεως καί Μαδύτου κ. Στεφάνου, Προύσης κ. Ἐλπιδοφόρου, Σιγκαπούρης κ. Κωνσταντίνου, Αὐστρίας κ. Ἀρσενίου καί Κυδωνιῶν κ. Ἀθηναγόρου. Μετά τό Ἱ. Εὐαγγέλιον ὁ Πανοσιολ. Ἀρχιμανδρίτης κ. Βαρθολομαῖος, Ἀρχιγραμματεύς τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου, ἀνέγνωσεν, ἀπό τοῦ Ἱεροῦ Ἄμβωνος τό ἐπί τῇ ἡμέρᾳ προσευχῶν ὑπέρ τῆς προστασίας τῆς κτίσεως Μήνυμα τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος. Παρέστησαν συμπροσευχόμενοι ὁ Πανιερ. Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀνθηδῶνος κ. Νεκτάριος, Ἐπίτροπος τοῦ Παναγίου Τάφου ἐνταῦθα, ὁ Θεοφιλ. Ἐπίσκοπος Θερμῶν κ. Δημήτριος, ὁ Ἐξοχ. Πρέσβυς κ. Νικόλαος Ματθιουδάκης, Γενικός Πρόξενος τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἐνταῦθα, ἡ Α.Ὑψηλότης, ὁ Πρίγκηψ Παῦλος τῆς Ρουμανίας, μετά τῆς συζύγου αὐτοῦ Πριγκηπίσσης Λίας, ἄλλοι ἐπίσημοι, προσκυνηταί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ, καί πιστοί ἐντεῦθεν. Μετά τό πέρας τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας, ἀνεγνώσθη ὑπό τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, τοῦ Πατριάρχου, ἡ νενομισμένη εὐχή καί Πρᾶξις τῆς νέας, Ζ’ Ἰνδικτιῶνος, ὑπογραφεῖσα ἀκολούθως ὑπ᾿ Αὐτοῦ τε καί ὑπό τῶν συγχοροστατησάντων ἁγίων Ἀρχιερέων, οἵτινες ἀντήλλαξαν μετ᾿ Αὐτοῦ τόν ἐν Χριστῷ ἀσπασμόν καί εὐχάς, ἐπί τῷ νέῳ ἐκκλησιαστικῷ ἔτει. Ἐν τῷ τέλει, ὁ Πατριάρχης, ἡγίασε τό ἐκκλησίασμα διά τοῦ Ἁγιασμοῦ τῆς 1ης τοῦ μηνός.

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ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΓΕΓΟΝΟΤΑ & ΝΕΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ

ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΗ ΣΜΥΡΝΗ ΓΙΑ ΠΡΩΤΗ ΦΟΡΑ ΣΤΗΝ ΕΠΕΤΕΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΜΙΚΡΑΣΙΑΤΙΚΗΣ ΚΑΤΑΣΤΡΟΦΗΣ Για πρώτη φορά μετά την καταστροφή της Σμύρνης τελέσθηκε μνημόσυνο σε ορθόδοξο Ναό της πόλης για τα θύματα της καταστροφής, την μέρα της μαύρης επετείου. Ο Μητροπολίτης Ικονίου κ. Θεόληπτος ως εκπρόσωπος του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη μαζί με τους αρχιμανδρίτες Κύριλλο Συκή και Δωρόθεο Παπαγγελή τέλεσαν το Σάββατο, στον Ιερό Ναό της Αγίας Φωτεινής, Θεία Λειτουργία για την Ύψωση του Τίμιου Σταυρού. Αμέσως μετά πραγματοποιήθηκε μνημόσυνο για όλους εκείνους τους Ρωμηούς που έχασαν τη ζωή τους στα φονικά γεγονότα του Σεπτεμβρίου του 1922 στη γη που ποτίστηκε με το αίμα τους. Τη Θεία Λειτουργία παρακολούθησαν

μέλη του προσωπικού του ελληνικού προξενείου της Σμύρνης καθώς και αρκετοί αξιωματικοί από το στρατηγείο του ΝΑΤΟ. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί πως με απόφαση του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη κ. Βαρθολομαίου το καλοκαίρι, για πρώτη φορά μετά το 1922 ορίσθηκε εφημέριος στον Ιερό Ναό της Αγίας Φωτεινής στην Σμύρνη όπου πλέον κάθε Κυριακή τελούνται Λειτουργίες από τον Αρχιμανδρίτη Κύριλλο Συκή. Το Σάββατο μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία και το μνημόσυνο οι παρευρισκόμενοι είχαν την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσουν και την βάπτιση ενός μωρού από την Μυτιλήνη.

Πηγή: Δόγμα

Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιερώνυμος: “Καταδικάζουμε απερίφραστα κάθε βίαιη και εγκληματική συμπεριφορά” Ο Μακαριώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αθηνών και Πάσης Ελλάδος κ. Ιερώνυμος ευρισκόμενος σε περιοδεία στις πυρόπληκτες περιοχές της Βοιωτίας και ερωτηθείς απο δημοσιογράφους για τα πρόσφατα γεγονότα στο Κερατσίνι και τα όσα ακολούθησαν, έκανε την εξής δήλωση: “Οποιαδήποτε πράξη βίας δεν αποτελεί τη λύση για κανένα πρόβλημα. Καταδικάζουμε απερίφραστα κάθε βίαιη και

εγκληματική συμπεριφορά από όπου κι αν αυτή προέρχεται.Στις ημέρες μας δεν έχουμε την πολυτέλεια να κοιτάμε ούτε αριστερά, ούτε δεξιά, παρά μόνο μπροστά. Για να το πετύχουμε αυτό πρέπει να είμαστε ενωμένοι. Γιατί μόνο ενωμένοι, είμαστε δυνατοί. Είμαι βέβαιος ότι ο Θεός θα μας βοηθήσει να πάμε μπροστά για το καλό της πατρίδας μας”.

Oriental carpet & area rugs

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ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013

Πατριαρχικό προσκύνημα «σην Σουμελάν την Παναΐαν» uΣελίδα 15 γης, απο τα βοσκοτόπια της Μονής Σουμελά, μέσα απο τα δάση της μαυροπεύκης και της αζαλέας της ποντικής, τις κραυγές και τα ροδόδεντρα και τα χλοερά λιβάδια του Πόντου που περιγράφει τόσο όμορφα η Μαριάννα Κορομηλά¨ όταν αναπέμπωνται οι προσευχές μας μέσα εις το θρόισμα των φύλλων και τον παφλασμόν των υδάτων που ρέουν νύκτα και ημέρα, χειμώνα- καλοκαίρι, εδώ εις τας παριφάς του Όρους Μελά, εις τον Πυξίτην, το ποτάμι της Παναγίας, το χρυσοπόταμο”. «Μεγαλύνει, λοιπόν, η ψυχή μας τον Κύριον με πολλήν ευγνωμοσύνην, διότι δια τετάρτην φοράν μας αξιώνει να συναχθώμεν πανταχόθεν της οικουμένης, όπως τότε εκ των της οικουμένης περάτων, εν νεφέλαις, οι Άγιοι Απόστολοι, δια να αποδώσωμεν την οφειλετικήν τιμήν εις την πάναγνον Μητέρα του Εμμανουήλ, εις τον ηγιασμένον τούτον τόπον της περιπύστου Ιεράς Αυτοκρατορικής Πατριαρχικής και Σταυροπηγιακής Μονής του Όρους Μελά, του συμβόλου της βαθείας πίστεως των ορθοδόξων Ποντίων. «Φως σ ὀμμάτια μας», λοιπόν! Όμως, τι το ιδιαίτερον έχει ο τόπος αυτός, αφού του Κυρίου πάσα η γη και το πλήρωμα αυτής, και μάλιστα μετά από μίαν εκατονταετίαν περίπου σιωπής; Το ιδιαίτερον είναι ότι η Χάρις του Θεού έχει αγιάσει τον χώρον τούτον δια της ασκήσεως και της χαρισματικής ακτινοβολίας των Αγίων, οι οποίοι έζησαν και ελάτρευσαν εις αυτόν τον Κύριον και την Θεοτόκον από των ημερών των ενθέων Σωφρονίου και Βαρνάβα των ιδρυτών μέχρι του Φεβρουαρίου του 1923, οπότε και ηναγκάσθησαν να εγκαταλείψουν τον ιερόν βράχον οι τελευταίοι Σουμελιώται μοναχοί. Το όρος τούτο του Σουμελά, το οποίον επί αιώνας εφιλοξένησε το μέχρι σήμερον διασωθέν ιερόν και θαυματουργόν Εικόνισμα της Παναγίας μας, και ηγιάσθη και εχαριτώθη από αυτήν, αποτελεί, δια σύμπασαν την Εκκλησίαν και το Γένος των Ρωμαίων, διαχρονικόν σύμβολον και προσκύνημα, εις το οποίον αμέτρητα πλήθη μακαρίων προγόνων μας κατέθεσαν τα δάκρυα, τους στεναγμούς, τα προβλήματα, τας ευχαριστίας και τους μυχιαιτάτους πόθους των. Βεβαίως δεν έχομεν σήμερον, όπως θα ευχόμασταν, συνεχή την εδώ ανθρωπίνην παρουσίαν, μίαν ζωντανήν δηλαδή μοναστικήν αδελφότητα, όπως πριν από ένα αιώνα. Ζουν όμως εν χερσί Κυρίου αι ψυχαί των πολυπληθών Σουμελιωτών Αγίων πατέρων, αι οποίαι αοράτως συνεχίζουν, μέχρι της συντελείας των αιώνων, την αέναον λατρευτικήν δοξολογίαν των μετά των αγγελικών χορών, και του πλήθους των Αγίων και των Μαρτύρων του Πόντου και όλης της Εκκλησίας, και μετά πάντων ημών, οι οποίοι σήμερα λατρεύουμε εδώ τον Θεόν των πατέρων μας εν ενί στόματι και μια καρδία. Υπέρ πάντα, όμως, ζη και ενεργεί εδώ η Κυρία του Τόπου τούτου, η υπέραγνος και κεχαριτωμένη Θεομήτωρ, η οποία επέλεξεν ως κατοικητήριόν της αυτόν τον πελώριον κατακόρυφον βράχον, το ευλογημένον τούτο Όρος, και το κατέστησε μυστικόν κήπον και θαυμαστόν περίβολόν της, όπως και το Άγιον Όρος του κλεινού Άθωνος. Η Δέσποινα Παναγία, «θρονιασμένη εις την καρδιάν μας», πηγάζει πολυτρόπως, αοράτως και μυστικώς, αλλ ὅμως και πραγματικώς, τας χάριτάς της και ενεργεί τας θαυματουργίας της εις τους προς αυτήν καταφεύγοντας εν πίστει. Αδελφοί και Πατέρες και φίλτατα τέκνα απανταχού της δεσποτείας Κυρίου Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, «Πάσχα ιερόν ημίν σήμερον αναδέδεικται». Αυτό το καλοκαιρινό Πάσχα, η Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου. Και είναι όντως Πάσχα. Είναι Ανάστασις. Μετέστη προς την Ζωήν, η Μήτηρ της Ζωής, η κατά σάρκα Μήτηρ του Αναστάντος Κυρίου. Και αντί λύπης δια την κοίμησίν της, τα πάντα πεπλήρωται χαράς και φωτός και αναστάσεως. Διαχρονικώς ασπαζόμεθα αλλήλους εις τας συναναστροφάς μας με τον χαροποιόν χαιρετισμόν «Χαίρετε». Τον ίδιον χαιρετισμόν απηύθυνε και ο Αρχάγγελος Γαβριήλ όταν απεκάλυψεν εις την

Αγνήν Παρθένον το ευαγγέλιον της χαράς λέγων προς αυτήν «Χαίρε, Κεχαριτωμένη». Και ο Υιός της, ο Αναστάς Κύριος, εμφανισθείς εις τας Μυροφόρους μετά την Ανάστασίν Του, απηύθυνε προς αυτάς και τον κόσμον μίαν λέξιν, ένα βίωμα το «Χαίρετε» και το «Ειρήνη». Ειρήνη υπάρχει εφ ὅσον υπάρχει χαρά. Και χαράν έχομεν όταν είμεθα ικανοποιημένοι με τα «δώρα» του Θεού, και δεν ζητούμε συνεχώς. Χαρά και ειρήνη, ειρήνη και χαρά, βιώματα και καταστάσεις αλληλένδετοι και αλληλοσυμπληρούμεναι και αλληλοπεριχωρού-μεναι. Είναι, λοιπόν, όλα τα γεγονότα της εκκλησιαστικής μας ζωής πρόξενα μόνον χαράς Κάθε άνθρωπος είναι κεκλημένος να μετάσχη εις την χαράν αυτήν, γινόμενος μέλος της ουρανίου βασιλείας. Θάνατος ουκέτι κυριεύει. Εις την εικόνα της σημερινής εορτής της Κοιμήσεως εικονίζεται η Παναγία, περιστοιχιζομένη υπό των θείων Αποστόλων, και του Υιού της παραλαμβάνοντος την ψυχήν της. «Σην κορφήν κάθεται ο Χριστός, η Παναγιά ση᾽ ρίζαν, σ᾽ άκρας κάθουν οι Άγγελοι, σα φύλλα οι Προφητάδες». Και όπως η φυσική μητέρα μας προσπαθεί να εκπληρώση κάθε επιθυμίαν του παιδιού της, έτσι και η Παναγία από εκεί, από τους ουρανούς, εκπληρώνει πάσαν καλήν επιθυμίαν μας. Ιδιαιτέρως όταν αυτή η επιθυμία μας και αυτή η προσευχή μας της απευθύνεται όπως σήμερα από τον αγαπημένον της αυτόν τόπον, από εδώ που ευρισκόμεθα μεταξύ ούρανού και γης, από τα βοσκοτόπια της Μονής Σουμελά, μέσα από τα δάση της μαυροπεύκης και της αζαλέας της ποντικής, τις κρανιές και τα ροδόδενδρα και τα χλοερά λιβάδια του Πόντου που περιγράφει τόσο όμορφα η Μαριάννα Κορομηλά: όταν αναπέμπωνται οι προσευχές μας μέσα εις το θρόϊσμα των φύλλων και τον παφλασμόν των υδάτων που ρέουν νύκτα και ημέραν, χειμώνακαλοκαίρι, εδώ εις τας παρυφάς του Όρους Μελά, εις τον Πυξίτην, το ποτάμι της Παναγίας, το Χρυσοπόταμο, το Altındere. Η «εν πρεσβείαις ακοίμητος Θεοτόκος και εν προστασίαις αμετάθετος ελπίς» μας, η Σουμελιώτισσα, η κοιμηθείσα και μεταστάσα εις την Ζωήν Παναΐα, ευχόμεθα να δίδη εις όλους τους φυλάσσοντας θερμάς πύλας αυτήν την χαράν και την ειρήνην του Υιού της. Η Παναγία μετέστη προς την Ζωήν! Και πρεσβεύει και μεσιτεύει και ικετεύει και παρακαλεί τον Υιόν Της υπέρ ημών! Και άδεται παντού και πάντοτε ο νικητήριος παιάν της Σοφίας, της Δυνάμεως και της Ειρήνης του Θεού, το Χριστός Ανέστη! Και εις το όρος Μελά, οι «προσδοκώντες ανάστασιν» κεκοιμημένοι της ιεράς αυτής γης, ανώνυμοι και επώνυμοι, γνωστοί και άγνωστοι, και μαζί τους τα σύμπαντα, αντηχούν και απαντούν: Αληθώς Ανέστη! Η Μήτηρ της Ζωής πρεσβεύει και νικά δια της μητρικής αγάπης και στοργής της! Ας μιμηθούμε κατά το ανθρωπίνως δυνατόν το παράδειγμά της και την Εικόνα της, παραδιδούσης το πνεύμα εις τον Κύριον και Θεόν της, δια να εύρωμεν χάριν και έλεος όταν θα συναντηθούμε εις την ουράνιον Γαλιλαίαν και θα ιδούμε το Πρόσωπον του απροσωπολήπτου Κυρίου, «καθώς εστι» δίκαιος και αληθινός και κρίνων και αγαπών και σώζων. Είθε όλοι να αξιωθώμεν αυτής της μοναδικής χαράς «εν τη Χώρα των ζώντων». Μέχρι τότε, απευθύνουμε εις την Παναγίαν, σήμερα και πάντοτε, με ένα στόμα και μία καρδιά, την «Μυστική Παράκλησι» του Μεσολογγίτου ποιητού Κωστή Παλαμά: «Δέσποινα, κανένα φόρεμα τη γύμνια μου δε φθάνει να σκεπάσει, ... Πρόστρεξε, Μυροφόρα, μονάχα εσένα πίστεψα, και λάτρεψα μονάχα εσένα, από τα πρωτινά γλυκοχαράματα κι ὥς τώρα στα αιματοστάλαχτα μιας ωργισμένης δύσης. ... Δέσποινα, στήριξέ με εσύ και μη μ᾽ αφήσεις.......». Αμήν.

19

SEPTEMBER 2013

Stewardship The Gifts of the Magi and the Spirit of Stewardship

All Creation Trembled Orthodox Hymns of the Passion Service

by Fr. Luke A. Veronis

The Gifts of the Magi icon presents the Wise Men offering gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the Christ Child. These wealthy scholars and priests of the East endured numerous dangers, and traveled great distances to offer their treasures to Christ, the newborn king. What a beautiful and meaningful example of stewardship they set for all future generations, helping us to understand the blessing of properly using and sharing God’s gifts.

To begin with, the Magi represent a sincere desire to seek after God, searching through science, nature, and their cultural traditions to communicate with their Creator and discover His will for them, even when it was something so unexpected.

Imagine their long, arduous journey, possibly a 1,500–mile expedition from Persia to Bethlehem, over mountains and deserts, a journey that took many months.

Surely on such a trip they faced numerous dangers from nature, from bandits, and from the fear of the unknown.

What faith, determination and sacrifice they must have had. They surely faced questions and skepticism at the start. During their journey, unexpected challenges and discouraging setbacks would have been commonplace. Yet they persevered. They overcame the difficult trials and tests of their journey, and persisted in their search for God’s truth.

When they finally met the Christ Child, they bowed down in worship. They offered Jesus the most precious of their gifts.

Although they were the “wise men” of their day, they didn’t allow their ego to interfere with their unexpected discovery.

Even when the journey surprisingly took them beyond the king’s palace in Jerusalem to the insignificant village of Bethlehem, they went forward in faith. Everything seemed so astonishing, and yet in humility they approached the Christ Child to worship Him and offer the best of their gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The Story of the Magi is not simply a cute part of Christmas, but it represents central characters who model a path of faith and stewardship worthy of imitation. They offer an example of a sincere search for God using the intellectual gifts they possessed; a willingness to overcome any obstacles or challenging inconveniences in their journey towards God; and the witness of offering the best they had once they encounter the Christ Child.

In connection with this inspiring story of the Magi, we can also reflect on St. John Chrysostom’s words, “The rich man is not the one who has much, but the one who gives much. For what one gives away, he keeps for all eternity.” Both the Magi and Chrysostom offer a challenging perspective of Christian Stewardship. We are called to understand that all we have in life, from life itself, to our intellectual abilities and specific talents, as well as to our faith experiences and material possessions, all we have in life is a gift from God, and each of us is called to act as a proper and good steward of these gifts.

Think about how the Magi were conscientious stewards with their knowledge, experience and wisdom, as well as stewards of their time and effort, which culminated in their good stewardship of their treasure. St. John Chrysostom highlights that true wealth comes through sharing what we have first received from God Himself. Ultimately, whatever we have isn’t ours. All is God’s,

and we are simply caretakers of His riches.

As we learn to generously give of ourselves, of our time, talents and treasure, we only increase our wealth and make eternal investments. Christian Stewardship is all about becoming good caretakers of all that God has given us. Think about all that God has given us: our health, our family, our opportunities in life, our intelligence, our talents. God has given each of us special and unique gifts. And through Holy Scripture He teaches us all that we have is a loan. He lends everything to us, and reminds us that one day He will ask us to give a detailed accounting of what we have done with the gifts He has given us.

How have we used our time, our talents, and our treasure? Have we used them in a self-centered way or God-glorifying ways? Archbishop Anastasios of Albania has noted that “we find ourselves by offering ourselves.” Have we learned the blessedness of generously giving to others of all we have?

Everything we have is temporal. We don’t know for how long we have it. The fundamental question, though, is how will we use all that we have for the glory of God? One day, a person complained to his priest that the Church and Christianity is one continual “give, give, give.” To which the priest replied, “Thank you very much for the finest definition of Christianity I have ever heard. You’re right, Christianity is all about a constant “give, give, give.”

God giving His only Son to the world to show His unconditional love. His Son Jesus giving His life on the cross to forgive our sins and destroy death. Then our Lord’s disciples giving all they had to make sure God’s Good News of love was preached to all people everywhere. They not only gave away their homes and businesses, but even gave up their lives as martyrs in gratitude to God! And after all that giving of God to the world, yes, God does ask His followers of today to imitate His own generosity by giving, by offering back from all that He ultimately has given each person.

So, yes, the Church and Christianity is one continual “give, give, and give,” but from a good and holy perspective.

The Gifts of the Magi and the words of St. John Chrysostom help clarify our understanding of Christian Stewardship and what it means to act as a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.

Fr.. Veronis is pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Webster, Mass., and also serves as the director for the Missions Institute of Orthodoxy Christianity, located at Holy Cross School of Theology.

Available Now at holycrossbookstore.com More information at hchc.edu/allcreationtrembled

20

Youth Ministry

SEPTEMBER 2013

Camp St. Paul Serves N.Y., Conn. Youth

by Elias Villis

Camp St. Paul 2013 was an incredible success this year reaching over 600 registered campers in 4 weeks along with 40 plus young adult staff each week. The success of our camp program is because of dedicated and trusting parents and above all, an incredible team of selfless young adult staff members who ask for nothing in return. The focus of camping ministry in the Archdiocese is the connection to our spiritual life along with the realities that our young people face each and every day.

Each day includes morning and evening prayer services, discussions about everyday challenges, meals together as one big family, water sports and evening activities. In the end, our beautiful staff offers an incredible balance of spirituality, fun and fellowship and just good old bonding in friendship.

And friendships that often last a life-

Change of Address To submit a change of address: Contact Soula Podaras at 212.774.0235 e-mail: spodaras@goarch.org fax: 212.774.0239.

Or regular mail to: Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075-0192 Be sure to include old address, new address and name of parish.

time! Camp St. Paul is also a beneficiary from all the camps in our Archdiocese.

When young people see the incredible time kids are having at our all our camps throughout the Archdiocese all they want to do is experience it for themselves. A big credit goes to all the camps in our Archdiocese for their energy and excitement for the glory of the Lord!

Fr. Elias Villis, pastor of Church of Our Savior in Rye, N.Y., is Camp St. Paul director.

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Pastoral Thoughts Partly in the Dark, Partly in the Light

by Fr. Michael Sitaras

There is a painting by Rene Magritte (a French Surrealist painter) which depicts a neighborhood at night with houses, trees, and a lit lamppost. The disturbing aspect of this painting is that the sky behind the neighborhood nightscape is actually bright daylight with blue sky and clouds; night foreground, day background. This strange juxtaposition brings to mind a paradox.

In many ways this depicts our lives, partly living in the dark and partly in the light. We are sometimes partly clueless and other times partly enlightened. Our private moments may contradict or compliment our public moments. We recognize that we are sinners looking for redemption.

“The night is far spent and the day is at hand.” (Romans 13:12) In the light we can see. Our eyes were created to see predominantly in the day.

We don’t have night vision like nocturnal animals. We were created of old to work in the light. We were created to dominate all of creation and thus have vision designed to see colors, hard and soft edges, and even slight gradations in tonal values. In the day we are more secure because we know and recognize our environment.

In light it is easier to differentiate our place in the world. In Christ, the beauty of the world is well evident and we see clearly.

That is the strength and the power of God. Once we are able to see, the quality of our vision increases and the glory of the Lord is transferred into our hearts.

“Therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armor of light.”

(Romans 13:12) Here is a directive to reject darkness, sin, and evil and accept the protections of light, redemption, and goodness. We are protected by the armor of light. We cast off darkness in order to be protected by light.

Remember Achilles, the Greek captain?

Homer tells us of his mother, who being warned in an oracle dipped her child Achilles in the river Lethe, to prevent any danger that might come to him during the

Trojan War. However, in order to dip him his mother had to hold him by the ankle (heel) making his ankle the only vulnerable part of this body to injury.

Paris, the enemy, understanding the oracle and knowing that Achilles was impenetrable except in the ankle, shot him there and killed him. The lesson, in the form of pagan learning, is that even though we have the armor of God around us we can still be vulnerable to sin. Sin, if we are not careful, may be our metaphorical Achilles heel. Estrangement from God is night.

Darkness engulfs us like a quagmire, like a nightmare it blankets our reason and robs our joy. The horror of elusive existence is joy slightly at our grasp yet never attainable. In darkness we neither see color nor recognize its absence. Nocturnal creatures tarry in self-absorption. The night lit by the moon is second hand illumination, a plastic imitation, a forgery of the authentic, a slip from the truth, a far cry from laughter, and the essence of desire. Alienation from God is night as reconciliation with God is day.

Dew glistens in the color spectrum of a drop. The world is held in the hands of One Creator who loves, heals, and saves

by His mercy. Light awakens all, reveals all, and redeems creation. In light there is no confusion of reality, only a transformation into clear understanding through faith.

Our response is to live according to the light of Christ. The Lord gave a clear message to his disciples when he commanded his disciples to, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We should always live in the spirit of preparedness so that our light may shine for the glory of God. ”In Him was life and the life was the light of men, and the light shines in darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” (John 1:4) Light disperses and eliminates darkness just as Christ redeems our sins and restores us to full understanding.

Fr. Sitaras is pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif.

21

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis News First Institutional Chaplain Commissioned in the Archdiocese MEMPHIS, Tenn. –Following the recent establishment by the Archdiocese Holy Synod of an Institutional Ministry Chaplaincy, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit commissioned the first chaplain for this ministry, Elizabeth Hawkins, on June 9 at Annunciation Church.

This program allows for Holy Cross School of Theology graduates to become institutional chaplains while remaining as laypersons. They can function in a non-sacramental capacity by praying, counseling, advising, listening, reading Scriptures, and teaching in the Orthodox ethos. These chaplains can work in a hospital, hospice, or prison.

This Institutional Chaplaincy program expands the possibilities for Holy Cross graduates to serve Orthodox Christians in these institutions.

Ms. Hawkins will work as a hospital chaplain, fulfilling all duties of her position, while remaining a layperson.

Requirements for receiving a commissioning and endorsement by the Archdiocese include a Master of Divinity degree from Holy Cross, 1,600 hours of clinical pastoral education, completing an application, a letter of recommendation from the presiding local parish priest, and a letter of approval from the local metropolitan.

After the commissioning has been offered, the local metropolitan will send a

letter to the Archdiocese endorsing agent, granting permission for this chaplain to be endorsed by the Archdiocese to work in a particular institution.

The following Archdiocese website link provides the forms and details:www. goarch.org/archdiocese/affiliates/chaplains

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Georgia Tsami Forte, Valley Grande, Ala.; Panagiotis E. Harlaftis, Roseville, Mich.; Jim Kavars, Clear Lake, IA; Aristides C. and Evangeline L. Speros, S. Yarmouth, Mass.; Paul Aviews, Detroit; Dino Lekos, Yuba City, Calif.; John Alexiou, Silver Spring, Md.; Demetra Rosenburg, Memphis, Tenn.; Katherine Hatzigeorgis, Birmingham, Ala.; David Nash, Germantown, N.Y; Mary Papadakis Sheean, Paso Roblee, Calif.; Michael Dimitrelis, Paramas, N.J; Mr. and Mrs. John George, Farmington Hills, Mich., L. Solomos Jr., Dateland, Ariz..

People New AHEPA Officers ORLANDO, Fla.–Delegates to the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) Supreme Convention elected Anthony Kouzounis of Houston, as their supreme president on Aug. 23. He is a member of Alexander the Great Chapter 29, Houston and has served AHEPA in numerous leadership positions including two terms as supreme vice president.

The 2013-14 Supreme Lodge includes: Canadian President George Vassilas, Supreme Vice President Phillip T. Frangos, Supreme Secretary John Galanis, Supreme Treasurer Andy Zachariades, Supreme Counselor Gregory Stamos, Supreme Athletic Director Louis G. Atsaves, and Sons of Pericles National Advisor James Kokotas.

The eight Supreme Governors are: Region I: Nick Stathopoulos, Region II: Philip Yamalis, Region III: Ted Fanikos, Region IV: Nicholas Nikas, Region V: Tony Manolias, Region VI: Nick Kavadas, Region VII: Nicholas Dixie, and Region VIII: George Booras. Elected to positions on the Board of Trustees were: George Loucas, Cos Marandos, and Nick Matthews, who was re-elected.

The organizations that comprise the AHEPA Family also held elections.

Joanne Saltas, Salt Lake City, was reelected Daughters of Penelope Grand President; John Ververis, Southington, Conn., elected Sons of Pericles Supreme President; and Angela Armstrong, Chandler, Ariz., was re-elected Maids of Athena Grand President.

The 2014 Supreme Convention will convene July 21-26, New Orleans.

Priest Earns Ph.D. HARTFORD, Conn.–Fr. George Zugravu, dean of St. George Cathedral

in Hartford, received a Ph.D. from the Columbia University Department of Religion at the recent 259th commencement in New York. Fr. George’s doctoral dissertation is titled “Kassia the Melodist and the Making of a Byzantine Hymnographer.”

Health Group Names Vice President SEATTLE–Barbara Ellis Trehearne, Ph.D., a leader in nursing education and clinical practice, was named vice president of primary care at Group Health, Seattle. She also is vice president for clinical excellence, nursing and quality at the nonprofit health system, an associate dean of clinical practice at the University of Washington School of Nursing, and an adjunct faculty member at Seattle Pacific University.

Originally from Dayton, Ohio, she is a member of St. Demetrios Church in Seattle and a former parish council president.

Highest Scouting Honor SEATTLE– Katherine Watson, leader of the Girl Scout troop at Assumption Church and the church school director, recently was bestowed with the Prophet Elias Award, the highest honor the Church can confer on an adult leader in scouting. It is given through the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, a commission of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops.

She is only the fifth person in the Pacific Northwest, and also the first woman, to receive this rarely bestowed honor. Also at the presentation, Fr. Michael Johnson, pastor of Assumption Church, presented Mrs. Watson’s daughter, Sophia, with the Chi Rho Award for youth in Scouting.

22

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis News Weirton Church Initiates Perpetual Care Program for Local Cemeteries

by Fr. Frank Milanese

WEIRTON, W.Va. – As All Saints Church in the northern Panhandle of West Virginia approaches its 100th anniversary, many former parishioners, including those nowdeceased early leaders of the church, no longer have families to care for their graves.

These former parishioners are buried in many different cemeteries in our area, with the majority of them in four cemeteries within both northern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania.

The condition of these graves came to light in 2012, prior to the Memorial Day weekend, when one of the parish’s married couples attended to the grave site of a family member and noticed that a nearby grave had become overgrown and was in need of some loving attention. The wife instructed her husband to go home, bring the heavy clippers and trimmers, and come back to clean up the site. Following a losing argument including, “Are you serious? Do you know how hot it is out here?,” the husband obediently went home and brought back the necessary equipment along with a camera.

The couple took before-and-after photos and sent them to the family members living at a distance, just to let them know “we care.” The very thankful response became the seed that grew into our Perpetual Care ministry for those members unable to care for their loved ones either due to old age, poor health, or living at distance.

This Perpetual Care program was one

of many “ideas” mentioned during recent All Saints Church Ministries meetings held during Lent.

As a result, a few of the ministry team core members, along with volunteers, visited local cemeteries preceding the Memorial Day weekend cemetery visits by the priest. Within a few hours, more than 40 gravestones were cleaned and scrubbed at one cemetery, with the grounds raked and cleaned around the individual grave sites.

At two other cemeteries, six stone markers were cleaned at the request of the families, and over 100 graves were “weed whacked” by the volunteers in about three hours. In another case, the volunteers found a stone marker that had slipped off the base stone.

The family lives at distance from Weirton and has been contacted so that repairs can be made.

For many of the volunteers, cleaning the grave markers brought back many fond memories of family and community members. In the near future, the ministry is hoping to incorporate a Community Cleanup Day into the Perpetual Care ministry.

Additionally, parish youth will participate, making this a great way to introduce our children to the history and heritage of our parish, giving them a sense of continuity with the past.

For the little time and effort this activity took, the benefits to families and the extended community members will be felt for a very long time.

Fr. Frank A. Milanese is the parish priest.

GREEK ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGE TO HAVANA, CUBA

JANUARY 22- 27, 2014 • 6 Days / 5 Nights

Celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of the Consecration of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Havana

by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Pilgrimage under the auspices of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras

Join us for a once in a life time opportunity to celebrate history in the making with the Cuban Greek Orthodx faithful!

As part of the anniversary celebrations, the relics of St. Nicholas of Myra, on the island of Syros, Greece, will be brought to Cuba for veneration (subject to final confirmation).

RATES: Double Occupancy: $2990 per person / Single Occupancy: $3490 per person ACT FAST AS SPACE IS LIMITED: Deadline to register: Nov. 15, 2013. From Nov. 16 and later $100 late booking fee plus any additional air supplement.

INCLUDED SERVICES:

• Round trip air from Miami to Havana including departure tax from Miami.

• Five nights at the Cuban deluxe Melia Habana Hotel with daily breakfast, service fees and taxes.

• 2 lunches & 3 dinners at historic & special venues. Some venues include cocktail reception, cigar rollers & Cuban music.

• Vespers and Divine Liturgy to celebrate the anniversary including Baptisms of Cuban to the Greek Orthodox faith.

• Presentations by representative of His All Holiness, HE Athenagoras and His Grace Bishop Kyrillos of Abydou.

• Tours of Old Havana and New Havana of religious & cultural sites.

• Bus transportation to restaurants for two nights for dinner at local Paladar for delicious Cuban food on own.

• Processing assistance for general license and other required documents to travel to Cuba.

• Cuban Visa and Medical insurance in Cuba.

NOT INCLUDED: Cuban departure tax of approximately $30 per person, gratuities and travel insurance.

FOR INFORMATION: PLEASE CONTACT: CLOUD TOURS - Tel: 718-721-3808 • 800-223-7880 or Email: Stephen@cloudtours.com

PLEASE NOTE: Our religious visit will be arranged through a legally licensed TSP or Travel Service Provider License CUBA TOURS & TRAVEL (CU-077926-b) located in Long Beach, California and authorized by OFAC, CST 2073790-40.

OFAC: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Documents/cuba_tr_app.pdf This pilgrimage will operate under the United States Department of Treasury Office Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) under 31 C.F.R. 515.566 (a) general license provision for religious activities. Our visit includes a full schedule of religious activities consistent with U.S Regulations.

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The cemetery in Dawson were many Greek miners are buried.

New Mexico Churches to Honor Mine Tragedy Centennial

by Nicolette Psyllas-Panagopoulos

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - On Sunday, Oct. 20, a coalition from the AHEPA Chapter 501of Albuquerque, St. George Church of Albuquerque, and St. Elias the Prophet Church of Santa Fe are planning a “100 Year Anniversary Day of Remembrance” for all those who perished in the mine explosions in Dawson.

Immediately after Divine Liturgy at St. George, the Rev. Conan Gill will celebrate a memorial service for the miners. The AHEPA will host the fellowship hour with a program about Dawson and its history.

On the following Sunday, Oct. 27, religious leaders from various faiths will conduct a graveside memorial service in Dawson.

It will be followed by the reading of the names of all 350 miners. Information has been distributed to the National AHEPA and to Greek Orthodox churches throughout the country.

Off a dusty, rocky road 15 miles from well-traveled Interstate 25 in northern New Mexico, lies the ghost town of Dawson.

At the turn of 20th century, Dawson was a bustling and thriving mining town.

Like other abandoned towns of the Southwest, there are quieted voices of those who lie in eternal rest in the Dawson Cemetery – the only remaining section of the town open to the public.

Many of the men who worked and died in these mines were immigrants from Greece. It was strenuous work and long

hours.

Some men came to the mines for a short time to send money back home to earn a dowry for a sister’s marriage, support aged parents, or to earn enough to reestablish themselves in their village. Others brought their families, determined to make a fresh start in their new homeland.

Disaster struck Dawson, not once but twice. On Oct. 22, 1913, 263 miners and two rescuers were killed when Dawson’s Stag Canyon Mine 2 was rocked by an explosion, resulting in the second-worst mining disaster in the United States. Almost 10 years later, on Feb. 8, 1923, another explosion killed 120 men.

Dawson Cemetery is filled with iron crosses painted white, marking the graves of many miners who died in the mines. About 70 miners lie in unmarked graves. Although faded and battered by the elements, visitors can walk among the graves and make out the familiar names: John Adrianakis, Theofanis Adrianakis, John Anastasakis, Nick Arvas, Nick Bouzakis,Mike Cachulakis, George Cachulakis, Manusos Castianakis, Evagelos P. Chiboukis, Geo Cotrules, Mihail Fanarakis,Geo Gelasakis, Demetrius Iconome, John Janakis, Giorgis Kallas, John Karamcugis, Gust Katis, Mihail Lupakis, Vasilio Maglis, Costa Markis, George Makris, Michael Mechelestos, Nicolaos Nicolukis, Cost Papas, Markis Papas, Nick Papas, Strat Papas, Manon Parashas, Kros Peno, Antonio Scantalis, Criss Scopelitis, John Sekrotes.

Polikronos Stavakis, Paul Stamos, Antonio Vidalakis, Nick Volanis.

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23

SEPTEMBER 2013

Youth Ministry Metropolis of San Francisco Summer Camp

by Paul Gikas

DUNLAP, Calif. – The Metropolis of San Francisco offered its 32nd year of summer camp at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center with more than 300 campers ages 8-18 attending. They came from such diverse places as Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Utah. Three one-week sessions were offered July 7-27.

The theme for camp was the great commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to “Love One Another”. Sermons, discussions and devotions focused on how we, as Orthodox Christians, are to respond to this directive of our Lord in a practical way in today’s world.

Campers were encouraged to emulate the love of Jesus Christ through all their words and deeds during their time at camp, and to take this important lesson and apply it to their everyday lives and families.

Campers started each day with Orthros, “Time with God” and then a hearty country-style breakfast. Daily activities included Arts and Crafts, Orthodox Life discussions, Faith and Culture classes and a variety of Athletic programs including basketball, volleyball and archery.

Cooling off in the swimming pool or canoeing on the lake were also favorite afternoon activities for the campers. Prior to dinner, campers gathered again in prayer at Vespers, pausing to reflect of the greatness of God’s creation and giving thanks for another beautiful day. Evening activities included a scavenger hunt, “junkyard wars”, campfire, camper vs. counselor basketball game, “Night with God” and a weekly themed dance.

A unique aspect of the summer camp is that it takes place at St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center which is adjacent to the Monastery of the Theotokos the LifeGiving Spring. Campers had the opportunity to receive a tour of the monastery and share in an enriching discussion with Gerontissa Markella, who taught them how to make prosforo.

Each week, the campers participated in Divine Liturgy in the Katholikon of the Monastery, where they, along with their counselors, beautifully chanted the hymns and responses for the Liturgy.

Staff and campers of Session Two were also visited by Metropolitan Gerasimos who addressed the campers at vespers and at the “Night with God” campfire.

Metropolitan Gerasimos expressed his love for the youth and presided at the Divine Liturgy the following morning. His Eminence also attended opening ceremonies for the Olympics and cheered on the

teams as they competed for top honors.

“It was truly an uplifting experience being with our youth at summer camp.

Our time together in fellowship and prayer provided a wonderful opportunity for all of us to experience the love of Jesus Christ in the beautiful setting of St. Nicholas Ranch,” stated Metropolitan Gerasimos.

“Being with these young people reminds us of the responsibility we have to nurture our youth and to keep them actively engaged in their faith.”

Summer Camp provides an invaluable opportunity for youth ministry, and it is deserving of our ongoing support and commitment.” Camp was blessed by the participation of several Metropolis clergy who conducted the daily Orthros and Vespers services, offered sermons, led Orthodox life discussions, offered the sacrament of Holy Confession and celebrated the Divine Liturgy.

These priests were: Fr. James Retelas (Annunciation, Sacramento, Calif.); Fr. Jim Pappas (St. George, Fresno, Calif.); Fr. Michael Prevas (Resurrection, Castro Valley, Calif.); Fr. Simon Thomas (St. Barbara, Santa Barbara, Calif.); Fr. Haralambos Fox (Sts. Constantine and Helen, Lancaster, Calif.); Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras (Stockton, Calif.); Fr. Ion Coman (St. Nicholas, San Jose, Calif.); and Fr. John Kocolas (Holy Cross, Belmont, Calif.). Campers also enjoyed a visit by Fr. Jason Roll, director of Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

For the third consecutive year, Leadership 100 made camp possible for many families facing financial challenges through a very generous grant to be used primarily for camper scholarships. Words cannot adequately thank Leadership 100 for this tremendous act of Christian stewardship and for providing this wonderful opportunity for so many deserving youth to grow closer to the Lord, develop lifelong friendships, and deepen their faith.

The outstanding success of this year’s summer camp was due to the love and dedication of many individuals, under the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos,

(Top) Metropolitan Gerasimos is surrounded by the campers at the Metropolis of San Francisco Summer Camp held at Saint Nicholas Ranch. (Below) Metropolitan Gerasimos participates in the campfire during Summer Camp.

and Paul Gikas, Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Notable thanks go to the members of the camp Management Team for their extraordinary efforts in planning such a successful program: Jacob Saylor, program director; Johanna Duterte, activities coordinator; Gina Johnstone administrator; Deacon Michael State, Orthodox Life coordinator; Brendan “Doc” Duterte, Veteran Camp doctor and

guitar player; and Ruth Duterte, arts and crafts coordinator. In addition, words cannot adequately thank the 50 young adults who served as counselors with such great love for the campers and each other exemplifying in word and deed the camp theme to “Love One Another.”

Paul Gikas is the Metropolis director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

24

Asia Minor Catastrophe

SEPTEMBER 2013

Remembering the Christians of Smyrna

by William H. Samonides, Ph.D.

Every September the Archdiocese remembers the Christians of Asia Minor. On September 13, 1922, the Turkish army set fire to Smyrna. The blaze raged for 10 days, destroying the Greek and Armenian quarters of the city. The image of the Great Fire of Smyrna, with thousands of Christians huddled at the harbor trying to escape the flames and the Turkish army, is seared into the hearts of Hellenes everywhere. The toll of that conflagration was staggering.

Tens of thousands lost their lives, and over 150,000 required evacuation.

As Archbishop Demetrios reminded us in his September 2012 encyclical, “This specific tragedy of immense proportions was part of a long series of similar tragedies inflicted upon the Greeks and other Christian populations of Asia Minor.” Away from the eyes of journalists, in isolated parts of Asia Minor, Greeks and other Christians suffered from the depredations of brigands. There were murders and death marches. Churches were destroyed, and villages went up in flames.

The destruction at Smyrna was the final scene of a centuries-long tragedy that began in 1453 with the fall of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire for more than a millennium. After the establishment of the Greek nation in 1830, there was hope that Constantinople and remnants of the empire in Asia Minor could be reclaimed. These yearnings co-

alesced in 1844 around the Megali Idea, a concept that guided Greek foreign policy for the next 80 years and led to significant territorial gains.

In World War I, Greece was on the winning side. At the 1919 Paris Peace Conference in Versailles, Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos (18641936) negotiated approval by the Allies for Greek territorial claims in Asia Minor and the military occupation of land around Smyrna, where there was a sizable Greek and Christian population.

On May 19, 1919, the final act of recovery seemed to have begun as Greek troops landed at Smyrna in a region inhabited by large numbers of Orthodox Christians. The final act of recovery seemed within reach.

In the summer of 1921 the Greek army advanced to almost 60 miles of Ankara, but this led only to a lengthy stalemate.

In August 1922, a Turkish counterattack decisively defeated the Greek army, dashing the dream of a reconstituted empire.

On July 24, 1923, the Treaty of Lausanne was signed, formally ending hostilities. The war and the peace were pivotal moments in history, bringing about the end of the Ottoman Empire, the birth of the Republic of Turkey, and the end of three millennia of Hellenic civilization in Asia Minor. The treaty included a compulsory population exchange, removing nearly all Christians from the home of

Saint Paul and of many Church Fathers and early saints.

The peace treaty did not, of course, entirely restore the peace. Fr.Michael G. Andreades, a native of Constantinople, served the Orthodox Church in America from his arrival in 1904 until his death.

After becoming an American citizen, he traveled abroad in October 1923. A year after the burning of Smyrna, international conditions were still tense. He was forced to apply for an emergency U.S. passport in Paris. His affidavit states: “I am a naturalized citizen of the U.S. and was born in Turkey.... I respectfully request that my name on [my] passport be changed...to read Michael G. Andrews.... I am going to Turkey to settle my affairs and to visit relatives. I have been informed by the Turkish Consulate in Paris that I cannot go to Turkey because my name Andreades sounds like a Greek name. I wish to avoid trouble by leaving out the part of my name which has a Greek sound.... Unless this change is made, I will not be able to go to Turkey because they will not give me a visa to enter the country.”

In Greece, the war and peace precipitated a crisis, as 1.5 million refugees settled there. There was less direct effect on the Greek communities in America. As many as 250,000 men had left Asia Minor for the United States to avoid conscription into the Ottoman military, but most arrived before the war.

Some of those who became naturalized U.S. citizens were able to help their families immigrate after the Catastrophe, but most refugees without connections were kept out. In the early 1920‘s, the U.S. Congress had passed restrictive legislation imposing national quotas that dramatically reduced the flow of immigrants from this area.* The quotas did not, however, apply to priests, many of whom had been subjected

to hate crimes in Asia Minor.

Infamously, on Sept. 9, 1922, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Smyrna (18671922) was assaulted and beaten to death by a Turkish mob. [Photo 3] In October 1922, immediately after the burning of Smyrna, Asia Minor native Fr.Joachim Papachristou (1888-1955) was one of the priests who was able to leave for the U.S, where there were not enough priests to minister to the faithful.

A 1914 graduate of Halki Patriarchal Seminary, he would serve the Church in Detroit, Baltimore and elsewhere for 33 years.

It was because of his faith that Metropolitan Chrysostomos was commemorated in 1992 as Hieromartyr of Smyrna.

It was because of their faith that the Christians of Asia Minor were driven from their homes, persecuted, and killed. Few of those who lived through these events still survive, but as Greek Orthodox Christians we are called to remember their stories and honor their sacrifices.

In 1922, as Eleni and Kyriakos Hijanoglou were fleeing their home in Philadelphia (now Alasehir), Asia Minor, Eleni suggested that they take the family photographs with them. “They want to slaughter us,” Kyriakos objected, “and you want to take the pictures!” They had to abandon much, but they survived, and their descendants continue to bear witness to their strength and faith.

The families of Metamorphe Karapanagiotidou (1913-2000) and Haralambos Xenos (1905-1984) were natives of the Pontos region of Asia Minor. Morphe’s father fled to America before the start of the Second Balkan War (1913) to avoid military service and certain death in the Turkish army. When Metamorphe was an infant, the remaining family members es-

  to page 28

25

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis News Boca Raton Church Holds 13th Greek Week Camp

by Mike Gonedes

BOCA RATON, Fla. - For the 13th consecutive year, St. Mark parish hosted

its annual “Greek Week” summer camp June 10-14.

Since its inception, the camp has grown as the largest parish camp in the

Orthodox Christian Scouts Attend National Boy Scout Jamboree SUMMIT, W.Va. – More than 300 Orthodox Christian scouts and leaders from troops around the country, from as far as Russia, Egypt and Ethiopia, were among the 40,000 attendees at the National Boy Scout Jamboree here July 15-24.

The two Orthodox chaplains, Fr. Joel McEachen of the Archdiocese and Fr. Eric G. Tosi, secretary of the Orthodox Church in America, both Eagle Scouts, and about 100 other chaplains, performed a variety of duties, including hospital work, counseling, leading discussions and working with Scouts to learn about their faith and other faiths.

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS] maintains a booth in the Jamboree’s Faith and Belief section.

Staffing the booth were EOCS Chairman George Boulukos of New York, Edward Korolenko of Florida, and John and James Prekeges of Washington.

The two priests concelebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Orthodox Scouts in a makeshift tent on Sunday, July 21. The scouts sang the liturgical responses and assisted in other ways.

For more information on Orthodox Christian scouting visit the EOCS web site,

geobou03@aol.com

IOCC Helping Colorado Parishes After Floods DENVER – The relentless rain and flooding that has killed several Coloradoans, left thousands stranded and damaged thousands of homes have not adversely affected the Greek Orthodox parishes in the area, according to Fr. Luke Uhl, chancellor of the Metropolis of Denver. Fr. Uhl told the Observer that a few individual parishioners did experience some minor damage from the torrential rains, which affected an area of more than 2,000 square miles in 15 counties. The chancellor also noted that the International Orthodox Christian Charities has been in touch to offer assistance in the state.

IOCC Assistance Colorado members of the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) Emergency Response Network, or Frontline, have been reaching out to communities and parishes in the impacted areas to offer assistance. IOCC staff and Frontline volunteers have been in contact with ecumenical partners and six Orthodox parishes of other jurisdictions in the areas that have experienced the most significant flooding to determine the needs and an appropriate response. All of the Orthodox parishes

in the area report no structural damage to their churches and minimal damages to their parishioners’ homes and businesses.

“Having recently experienced Coloradans’ Western hospitality while conducting a successful training in Denver less than a month ago with our Orthodox Frontliners from throughout the country,” stated IOCC US Country Representative Daniel Christopulos, “our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones, homes, businesses and livelihoods. We will continue to work with our partners on the ground in Colorado to see if IOCC’s resources can be utilized appropriately to help ease the suffering of those impacted by this most recent disaster.”

With support from a grant by the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the IOCC Frontline now has members in each of the ten Federal Emergency Response Agency regions of the country.

Frontline volunteers provide a regional response capacity to disasters in the United States and enable the Orthodox Christian community to better coordinate with local, state and federal disaster response agencies.

Metropolis of Atlanta, with now more than 170 young participants. Campers were ages four through 8th grade, with St. Mark Goyans serving as junior counselors, and more than 25 adults participating.

The parish clergy interacted with the campers by leading daily discussions on our theme, “Warriors of Faith.” The well-rounded camp had various daily activities from worship, fellowship, arts and crafts, music and Greek culture/

dance and athletics.

The young people participated in a rock wall, water slide, swimming, pingpong, petting zoo, reptile show, pony rides and a field trip to the Miami Metro Zoo.This camp is a highlight for the families of the parish and we thank God for our dedicated volunteers who make it a success.

Mike Gonedes is St. Mark’s camp director.

26

Youth Ministry

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis of New Jersey Holds 2013 Camp Good Shepherd

by George Tomczewski

WESTFIELD, N.J.- Camp Good Shepherd, the official summer camp of the Metropolis of New Jersey, attracted over 280 campers from throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey.

Since the program’s relocation within the Metropolis boundaries, Camp Good Shepherd has experienced tremendous growth since 2005 when it began with 17 campers.

The three-week summer camp took place July 7-13 for JOY and July 14-20 and July 21-27 for GOYA at the Linwood MacDonald YMCA Center in Branchville, N.J. In addition to all of the campers, more than 60 clergy and counselors from throughout the Metropolis attended, including seminarians and students from Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology.

Campers participated in various religious services including daily orthros and vespers, agiasmos service, paraklesis, artoklasia and the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Thursday of each week.

Also each Thursday, campers and staff hosted a family barbecue night for campers’ families and friends.

Children also participated in confession offered each week by the many clergy present. Through these liturgical services the true goal of the camp, to assist young people in growing in the Orthodox faith, is realized.

Weekly highlights included swimming,

canoeing, hiking, wall climbing, archery, soccer, dodge ball, arts and crafts, Greek dancing, creative writing, Byzantine chanting, and a zip line that sent the campers soaring across the lake.

Clergy led daily Orthodox Life sessions and cabin counselors led discussions during sounding board sessions and evening devotionals.

Camp Good Shepherd provides a memorable camping experience, allowing Metropolis youth to interact and develop

long-lasting friendships.

During the first GOYA session barbeque the camp welcomed Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey. Throughout the night the campers had the unique opportunity to interact with the Metropolitan and tell him all about their wonderful camp experience.

Metropolitan Evangelos thanked Camp Director Fr. John Theodosion of St. Andrew Church in Randolph; Assistant Camp Director Fr. Anastasios Bou-

Metropolis of NJ Photos

rantas of St. George Church in Media, Pa., and Alexia Lekkas, program director.

For more information about Camp Good Shepherd, contact the Metropolis Youth Office 908-301-0500.

Orthodox Christians wishing to be considered for staff positions during next year’s camp should also contact the Metropolis.

George Tomczewski is director of Youth and YAL Ministries for the New Jersey Metropolis.

27

SEPTEMBER 2013

Metropolis News

Atlanta’s Hellenic Dance Festival Troupe Performs in Greece

by Gerry Clonaris

This past July I had the pleasure along with Metropolitan Alexios to take 31 bright and talented young dancers from the Metropolis of Atlanta along with nine chaperones and five special scholarship winners on a tour of our beloved spiritual and cultural ancestry.

These young people were recipients of the HDF Odyssey Scholarship which makes this trip every four years. This journey is funded entirely by the proceeds of the Metropolis of Atlanta Hellenic Dance Festival as well as our HDF Odyssey Scholarship Fund.

To qualify for this scholarship, the applicants need to make a presentation to the scholarship committee on the spiritual theme selected by the Odyssey committee, attend HDF workshops as well as participate in three of the past four Hellenic Dance Festivals. The underlying concept of the HDF program is to bring our youth closer to the church.

The HDF Odyssey Scholarship Program offers Metropolitan Alexios the opportunity to expose our young not only to our ancient history and culture but also to the roots of our faith.

The journey began with a tour in Athens of the Acropolis and new museum as well as the Agora and the Thesium. This was followed by a special evening at the Dora Stratou Show, where our kids were actually invited on stage to perform along

with the program dancers. Something I am sure they will never forget.

The next day we were off to Megara where our group was treated to a dance workshop and an evening panagyri dinner.

Our journey continued with stops in the ancient city of Corinth, a very emotional day at the Church of St. Andrew in Patra to venerate the relics of the apostle St. Andrew and pray at the place of his crucifixion, a two day stop in Agrinio which included another dance workshop an evening in costume dance performance and an incredible three day stop in Kozani as guests of Metropolitan Pavlo and the Metropolis of Kozani.

Our group was invited to the office of the regional governor of Western Macedonia, Georgios K. Dakis, where we met with him and other state officials. During our stay in Kozani, we visited several monasteries, toured their famous Folklore Museum and joined in celebration with a festive panagyri where the kids gave their final performance to a crowd of 800 very appreciative folks from the surrounding area.

The final stop was probably the most memorable as it was at the spiritual mountain regions of Meteora.

Our day started with an unforgettable sunrise Divine Liturgy followed by an afternoon of hospitality by the Nuns at the St. Stephens Monastery.

This has been our third Odyssey Scholarship journey with our next one

Dance Performance on Trichonida Lake in Agrinio

At St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Patras .

scheduled for 2017. The first step in qualifying for this scholarship is to participate in the Metropolis of Atlanta HDF program.

Our festivals are every year during Martin Luther King weekend with our next one scheduled for the exciting city of Orlando and our host committee, the parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Maitland.

Our festival will take place Jan. 17 through the 20 at the incredible 5-star Res-

ton Resort hotel which is just 10 minutes away from Universal Park.

Details for our HDF program can be found on our Metropolis web site www. atlanta.goarch.org. Or call me at any time with any questions (704 846 5245).

Gerry Clonaris is executive director of the Atlanta Metropolis Hellenic Dance Festival and a member of the Archdiocesan Council.

Dance Performance on Trichonida Lake in Agrinio

Photos by Caitlin Hogan

At the Cathedral of St. Nikolaos in Kozani (below).

Metropolitan Alexios is standing with Metropolitan Pavlos of Kozani.

28

Obituary

Life in Prison – A Lesson of Faith u u from page 10 the barbed wire.”

Their profound letter concluded with a reflection on their personal struggles.

They stated, “It is often through difficulties that God’s love draws His prodigal children home. The Metropolitan said that even though we can’t always know God’s will, we can always know His love and mercy….Our hierarch told us at our parting ‘we are never alone.’ The Saints are praying for us, the ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12:1), with whom we are partakers in Christ….It is still difficult to believe that the invisible Christ was visibly present to us through His ministers. And yet, as we set our hearts on the events of Holy Week and turn our gaze toward Holy Pascha, we know by faith that this is what always happens in Christ, Who is ‘God

with us’: the Crucified and Risen Savior filled our empty man-made tomb with His eternal life, illuminating sinners sitting in the shadow of death. May we keep His grace in our hearts, through the prayers of our spiritual father, and of our hierarch!”

The lesson to be derived from this pertains to all of us, because God offers His healing power of forgiveness unconditionally. Whether we are confined in a physical prison or are a prisoner to our own sins, we have the opportunity and blessing to receive God’s grace and mercy.

Forgiving ourselves, forgiving each other, and ultimately seeking the Lord’s forgiveness…these are all acts of great faith and are the stepping stones to salvation. **The location and identities of those involved have been omitted for the prisoners’ privacy.

Long Island Church Fire u u from page 13 after the final Friday paraklesis service to the Virgin Mary. Fr. Nikiforos was notified immediately and rescued many items from the altar, including icons, service books, chalices, and a processional cross.

Outside the cordoned off area in front of the church, dozens of parishioners arrived at the scene to look on in shock as firefighters bearing hoses swarmed up and down the church entrance steps and two firemen on ladder trucks doused the interior with water. “We just can’t get a break,” said Fr. Nikiforos, hearkening back to damage Superstorm Sandy inflicted last October and from which the parish has only recently recovered.

Widespread response and support Saturday, the day after the fire, dozens of parishioners turned out to help with the slow recovery process.

Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Archdiocese Chancellor and Department of Philanpthropy director, spent several hours inspecting the damaged church and visiting with and encouraging parishioners who came to lend assistance.

He later issued a letter at the request of Archbishop Demetrios to area parishes asking that a special tray be passed on Sunday, the 11th, to help the stricken church.

Many other individuals and community leaders from the general area came to express support and offer assistance, including Nassau County Legislator David Denenberg, whose maternal grandmother was from Kastoria, Greece, and leaders of other religious groups and private businesses.

Two rabbis from a neighborhood synagogue visited with Fr. Nikiforos on Aug. 10.

A few days later they later they sent a check donation and a jar of honey.

The bishop of the Indian Orthodox Church in the U.S., which traces its apostolicity to St. Thomas and with its national headquarters in Merrick, also paid a visit.

The Church later sent a large donation. For several years, many Indian couples have used St. Demetrios Church because of its larger facilities for their colorful wedding ceremonies.

Sunday Liturgy In a quandary over holding services on Sunday, the parish hastily acquired a party tent that was erected in a corner of the parking lot and several parishioners constructed a wooden platform for use as an altar.

Anyone arriving Sunday morning for the Liturgy was greeted by a line of TV news vehicles from all local and network affiliates in New York. Most stayed through the entire liturgy.

Archbishop Demetrios arrived later to view the damaged church. He held a brief prayer service and spoke with parishioners to encourage them to begin restoration efforts soon.

In the weeks following the fire, there has been an outpouring of support from many unexpected sources.

At a recent Sunday liturgy, Fr. Nikiforos announced that donations have come from as far as California, where a woman not affiliated with the parish sent a $1,000 contribution; the operator of a popular gym near the church, of Jewish background, sent a $2,500 contribution and the Imam of a local mosque also gave a donation, as did some parishes from other states.

On the Aug. 15 Feast Day of the Kimisis tis Theotokou, Kimisis Church in Southampton, which also was celebrating its Thyranixia ceremony with Archbishop Demetrios, offered its entire regular collection from the hundreds in attendance for the St. Demetrios relief fund.

The parish has set up a website: SaintDemetriosRelief.com for anyone wanting to help the church in its recovery efforts How long the restoration process will take is not known, but cleanup efforts have begun and services are held under a large tent in the parking lot.

Clara S. Nicon SEATTLE - Clara Chakos Nicon, 99, a member of Leadership 100, the first woman parish council president of Assumption Church, and the mother of Presbytera Faye Stylianopoulos, died Aug. 1.

She was born in June 8, 1914 in Everett, Wash.

Her parents died when she was very young and an uncle cared for the family.

In 1920 Clara and her two brothers moved to live with their older sister and brotherin-law, Effie and Peter Wells, in Seattle.

She graduated from Lincoln High School in 1932 and married Spiro Nicon in 1934.

Raising her children, working in the family restaurants, volunteering at her church and her children’s schools were the main activities of her early life. She was Parent Teachers Association president at the 50th anniversary of her Alma Mater.

The family traveled extensively: a 7,000-mile driving trip around the US in 1951 and another to Acapulco, Mexico, and back in 1956. She and Spiro traveled even more. In 1959 they shipped a car to Great Britain and drove it all the way to Greece.

SEPTEMBER 2013

They drove to and from Alaska and 21 times cross country to and from Boston.

Their adventures took them to Greece several more times and also to Australia.

In addition to being the first woman parish council president at Assumption Church, she also was active with the Philoptochos chapter.

She also made quilts for AIDS babies while watching Seattle Mariners ball games.

Clara was preceded in death by her husband Spiro in 1994 after 60 years of marriage. In addition to Presbytera Faye and Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos, she is survived by her son, John Nicon, and daughter-inlaw Joann, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Remembrances may be made to the Assumption building fund, the International Orthodox Christian Charities or to a charity of choice.

Name not included The obituary for Presbytera Helen Geranios in the July-August Observer did not include the name of one of her sons, Mark John Geranios, who predeceased her in 2009.

Asia Minor Catastrophe u u from page 24 caped their home near Ordou just before the village was set on fire by Turks. For most of Haralambos’ family, there was no escape.

From their home near the sea they were marched inland under brutal conditions. His parents and seven siblings died during the ordeal. Ultimately, both Metamorphe and Haralambos were able to join family members who were living in the U.S. They married, establishing home and family in a community where many immigrants from Asia Minor worked and worshipped together.

Their stories and photographs are among those featured in an exhibition about the victims and survivors of the Catastrophe entitled The Fate of Innocents:

Remembering the Greek Christians of Asia Minor on the 90th anniversary of the Population Exchange. Organized by Drs. William and Regine Samonides, it will be on display from now until December at Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen Church in Roseland, N.J. For more information, contact the parish at (973) 251-2920. The exhibition is sponsored by the Asia Minor Hellenic American Society and AHEPA Eagle Rock Chapter #375. It is a revision and expansion of For Their Faith, an exhibit that was on display at Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Fla., in 2012.

Dr. Samonides, who writes the Church History articles, is president of the Asia Minor Hellenic American Society.

Ways of the Lord

The_latest_book_by_His_Eminence_Archbishop_Demetrios_of_America_ includes_his_Keynote_Addresses_from_his_first_Clergy-Laity_Congress_in_ Philadelphia_in_July_2000_through_his_address_in_Washington,_DC__ in_July_2008._Also_included_are_addresses_given_in_Athens,_Greece,_ Cyprus,_Fordham_University_and_Brookline,_MA_plus_others.

The_texts_presented_in_this_book_constitute_an_humble_effort_to_ contribute_to_such_a_task,_which_is_the_sacred_but_also_demanding_work_ of_sharing_the_Gospel_with_the_people_of_today;__hence,_the_subtitle__ of_the_book_‘Perspectives_on_Sharing_the_Gospel_of_Christ.’”

To_purchase_your_copy_of_“Ways_of_the_Lord”_($24.95_per_+_$6_S&H)*_ please_call_212-774-0244,_or_email_gotel@goarch.org,_or_comple_the_ order_form_below_and_mail_it_to_GOTelecom,_8_East_79th_Street,_New_York,_NY_10075.

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29

SEPTEMBER 2013

Family Connections

Prayer as a Means of Educating Children body, but He gives the soul. They do not put themselves first, make false promises, smother and control, and constantly make negative comments and criticize.

Finally, a mature spiritual parent does not only speak to the children about God, but they especially speak to God about their children. Prayer for them is a comfort, not a burden. They understand that the brunt of the struggle must be given over to prayer, and not limited by words.

by John Sanidopoulos

The infamous “generation gap” to some extent has always existed, because “the differences between people based on age, spiritual gifts, experience, and spiritual state are natural”, as noted by Metropolitan Hierotheos of Nafpaktos in his remarkable early study (1989) titled “The Relationship Between Parents and Children.” Today, however, in an age of general crisis in values, institutions, leadership and people, a multidisciplinary crisis of the relationship between parents and children also exists.

To overcome these difficulties and differences we need to be serious, composed and especially loving. There is also needed a stable criteria in life, something very rare today, in an era of such great confusion that we live in. What can parents impart to their children and how can they come to an agreement with them when they themselves are confused and first need help?

What is prayer?

St. John of Sinai wrote in his classic text The Ladder: “Prayer... is the converse and union of man with God, and by reason of its action upholds the world and brings about reconciliation with God,... it is... a bridge over temptations, a wall against afflictions, a crushing of conflicts [with the devil],... a source of virtues, a means of obtaining spiritual gifts,... illumination of the nous, an axe against despair, a demonstration of hope, a cure for sorrow,... the reduction of anger,... an indication of one’s [spiritual] condition...” (Step 28).

Heartfelt prayer implies love and concern for whom it is addressed (in this case, our children), and trust in the One whom we are addressing (God), that He has the love and strength to help us.

When we talk about prayer as a way of life for parents, we mean parents who live prayer, who are people of prayer, people of God, people of the Church, with a spiritual father, who participate regularly in the Sacraments, and who live their lives with spiritual care.

The most effective method The most effective method in the parental education of children is to use as few words as possible, and educate through example. Elder Paisios the Athonite, in his Epistles, writes: “Blessed are the parents who do not use the word ‘don’t’ with their children, but they put a brake on evil with their holy lives, which children mimic, and they follow Christ with spiritual chivalry joyfully.” Many

saints spoke of this relationship between the holiness of the parent and the positive role this plays in the life of the child. Thus, when parents are people of prayer, they live prayer, they live in Christ and Christ lives in them, and then they could convey Christ to their children.

Real parents are not those who merely give birth biologically to a child, but those who raise them up correctly. These parents are established upon Orthodox principles and criteria. They know that the reason we exist on earth is to become inheritors of God’s kingdom, which is only achieved by the therapeutic method prescribed in our Orthodox patristic tradition: purification, illumination and glorification. By purifying our hearts of sinful passions, we are illumined by the Holy Spirit and in turn united with God

by His grace. When a parent raises their child with this purpose in mind, that they are invited to become a “god by grace,” then, as St. Basil the Great says, all will enter into its proper place and acquire its true meaning.

First things first A person of prayer, fighting the good fight for virtue, is in a position, with the help of God, to provide a real education for their children.

Such a person sees the other as a unique person, and respects their freedom. As Metropolitan Hierotheos writes: “Our relationship with our children should be distinguished by love and freedom, and indeed these should go together and be spoken of together: love should be expressed as freedom and freedom should be expressed as love. A love without respect for freedom is a dictatorship, and a freedom without any real love is anarchy.” He further writes: “Usually parents justify their every action in how they love their children. Of course, the issue of love is great and, as the Holy Fathers say, actual love is the fruit of dispassion, that is, it requires the purification of the heart.” Later again he says: “Also, usually children justify their actions by saying they are free to do whatever they want, that they are free people. In this way they cannot accept guidance from their parents.

But freedom does not mean I do what I want. It is not simply a free choice. True freedom is expressed as love.”

The humble person considers themselves worse than everyone. They do not easily judge the errors of others, but if they do need to discipline, they do it in order to build up the child, and not to hurt them and justify their own ego. As Scripture says: “The righteous shall chasten me and

reprove me with mercy.” (Psalm 141:5) A person of love and humility knows how to forgive, to be patient and how to listen to others. Instead of these virtues, we more often find their corresponding vices within us. Today we tend to egotistically hold resentments and bear grudges, we are overly focused on our own stress which we pile on ourselves with a lack of simplicity and right perspective in our lives, and we love to talk about ourselves and our opinions and refuse to change and admit our wrongs.

A person of prayer does not anger easily, but is meek and peaceful. They know how to suffer and they know true joy, because all suffering refines the soul and gives us the opportunity to glorify God when we are least expected to do so.

If a parent comes home grumpy, sad, or stressed out of control, then this virus will spread through the home like a contagious disease. A person of God has faith, trusting in God and not their own thoughts and abilities. A person of faith does not fall into despair and hopelessness, which is a fruit of pride, but out of humility will acknowledge their failure and turn to God for help. As Elder Paisios would say: “When we assign everything to Him, God is obligated to help us.”

These are characteristics of a mature spiritual parent who is not self-centered, compulsive, or overprotective. They understand that their children are not their property, they do not belong to us; we did not create them on our own, but we were co-creators with God. We help to give the

There is hope We must also understand that young people “do not simply seek a world where there is an abundance of economic goods, but rather a world without boredom” (Metropolitan Hierotheos). Boredom is created by not finding the meaning of life. As the American psychiatrist Victor Frankl, the founder of logotherapy, wrote: “The Pan American Education Council did research (surveys) to 171,500 students; 68.1 percent answered that the highest purpose of life is to find a philosophy of life that makes sense.”

Young people with spiritual concerns are seeking answers to their so-called existential questions: Who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? What is the meaning of life? Is there life after death?

What is the purpose for my existence? Contemporary society is not in a position to provide answers to these valid questions and help the youth.

The sound and proven answers of the Church are usually despised out of ignorance and prejudice, and necessarily so because the enemy of our salvation, the devil, pushes people to engage in false knowledge, methods and beliefs to satisfy these questions and obstruct their salvation.

Fed up with consumerism, secularism and materialism, children are bored and easy victims of many surrounding dangers. As parents we are called to lead them according to the example of Christ.

This is not easy, but the power of God can transform and fulfill people, when everything else seems impossible. Through this method, the “generation gap” can be bridged.

John Sanidopoulos holds a BA in Religious Studies from Hellenic College and an M.T.S and Th.M from Holy Cross School of Theology.

A P R AY E R F O R PA R E N T S O Lord, Heavenly Father, You have blessed us with the gift of family and have entrusted us with their spiritual upbringing. You commanded that we should teach our children about You in our lives: when we sit in our house, when we walk by the way, when we lie down and when we rise. Guide us O Lord every moment of the day as we work toward this awesome task.

Let the words of Christ dwell in us, so that we may teach and guide our family, through our words and deeds, to the saving knowledge of Your everlasting kingdom. Help us, O Lord, be compassionate, kind, and patient throughout our days. If one of us has a complaint against another, help us to forgive each other; as You have forgiven us. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. Above all, help us remember to put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

We thank You, Lord for the many blessings and mercies You continually bestow on us. In everything we do, in word or deed, may we always do so in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through His Holy Spirit. Amen.

– From The 2004-05 Planner; The Orthodox Daily Calendar and Resource Guide by the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

30

SEPTEMBER 2013

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31

SEPTEMBER 2013

Behold Your Mother

by Steven Christoforou

A lot of things about the Church, which seem so natural to us, can appear strange to someone who isn’t Orthodox.

There are about 1,5 million Greek Orthodox in the U.S. In a country where Christianity usually means either Protestantism or Catholicism, it’s no surprise that so many people know so little about who we are or what we believe.

On Aug. 1, we began a period of fasting and prayer for the greatest of saints, the Mother of God, in preparation of her Dormition, which we observed Aug. 15. To millions of non-Orthodox, our deep love for the Panagia is odd. To these Christians, Orthodoxy can be a strange thing. They don’t understand the role saints play, and see our reverence for the Theotokos in particular as troubling, even idolatrous.

So why do we reverence the Panagia so deeply? Notice, the answer has more to do with her Son than with her.

There is something earth-shaking and momentous in the simple words Mother of God. The Second Person of the Holy Trinity, the Son of God, True God of True God, had no mother. Nor did He have a body. Yet, in the fullness of time, God the Father sent forth His only-begotten Son. He who had no flesh put on flesh. God became man. Christ is born, glorify Him! As all children are born of mothers, Christ was born of a blessed woman. Yet, as loving and pious and holy as she is, we honor her not simply for her own sake.

The Theotokos is important because her life is a testimony to our salvation. God became man! Salvation has come to the world! And it came through the greatest of missionaries, the Theotokos herself, who shared God’s Word with the world.

To reverence her is to remember: the wall of alienation between God and man has been shattered.

We take the Panagia seriously because the Incarnation of Christ is a serious matter. Nothing is as it was.

Salvation has come to the world!

Salvation is not abstract. It is real, and very personal. It is the transition from mere survival to true life, as we share in Christ’s true life. To be baptized in Christ is to literally put on Christ, to become a member of His very Body.

We see this, as we see all truth, at the foot of the Cross. When the rest fled, terrified, the Beloved Disciple remained and stood at the foot of the Cross as his beloved Master washed the world in His blood.

When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.

If, in baptism, we are Christ, then His mother is our mother, as His Father is our Father.

And His mother, our mother, deflects all honor we offer her and directs it back to Christ. To confess her as the Mother of God is simply to confess the reality of baptism, the reality of the Church, the reality of our salvation in Christ. It is no accident that we very, very rarely see her depicted in an icon apart from her Son. She is a signpost, steering us back into God’s loving embrace.

As we stand at the foot of the Cross, as we are thrice submerged into the waters of baptism, we are incorporated into Christ Himself.

One day, we will stand before God the Father as his sons and daughters, and by our side will stand our mother, Christ’s mother, praying for us and encouraging us every step we take.

Truly you are worthy to be blessed, Mother of our God,

OCF College Student Sunday Over the last several weeks, Orthodox Christian students arrived on college campuses throughout the country. OCF (Orthodox Christian Fellowship) has been organizing resources and programs to help students stay connected to Christ and His Church. On Sept. 15, parishes celebrated College Student Sunday and recognized students of their communities.

OCF’s mission is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith. College Student Sunday

is a way for each person to get involved and support this effort. Through OCF and its many leaders, clergy, student advisors, supporters and volunteers, young people are not only staying connected to the Church, but their faith and commitment to Christ is deepened and strengthened.

For more information and resources regarding College Student Sunday and how parishes can get involved throughout the year, visit this link: www.ocf.net/wikis/ programs/college-student-sunday.aspx.

Visit www.ocf.net for more information, including a list of chapters, resources, and a calendar of events.

Camp Week 2013 – A Tribute Thanks to all who joined us as we took a look back on the Summer 2013 and all the incredible experiences we had at GOA camps around the country (and even in Greece!). Hundreds of counselors, and thousands of campers, had the best summers of their lives! We hope you had a chance to see some of the reflections posted on “The Ladder” (orthodoxyouthministry.blogspot. com) and our new YouTube Channel, Y2AM. If you haven’t subscribed to The Ladder, do it today! Don’t miss out on all of the incredible posts, videos, and helpful links regarding Orthodoxy and other relevant topics!

The Nativity of the Virgin Mary On Sept. 8, we celebrate the Nativity (birth) of the blessed Theotokos and Mother of our Lord. The birth of the Virgin Mary was a miraculous answer to the prayers of her parents, Joachim and Anna, who were unable to have children for many years. Although we hear about these feast days, do we truly understand their significance? Do we really understand how important and relevant her birth is to our faith and to our salvation? Check out this reflection from The Ladder, the official blog of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Originally posted at the beginning of the Dormition Fast, it captures the reasons we honor the beloved Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary. We realize that her birth is a miracle for all humanity.

the Theotokos, You the ever blessed one, and all blameless one, And the Mother of our God. You are honored more than the Cherubim, And you have more glory, When compared, to the Seraphim; You, without corruption, Did bear God, the Logos; You are the Theotokos; You do we magnify.

Steven Christoforou is the Youth Protection / Parish Ministries Coordinator for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

He is a 2013 graduation of Holy Cross School of Theology and also graduated from Yale University and Fordham University School of Law. Steven’s original post can be found at http://orthodoxyouthministry.blogspot.com/2013/08/behold-yourmother.html

Turning Over a New Leaf Easy Ways to Grow in Faith This New Ecclesiastical Year Sometimes we can get overwhelmed thinking of all the ways we could improve our spiritual lives. That’s why New Year’s resolutions are so hard to keep! There is too much pressure to achieve our sometimes impossibly high goals. Instead, make a few simple goals that we can quickly achieve and grow from there. Here are some examples: 1) Pray more! If you already pray in the mornings and at night, make sure to pray at dinnertime or make your prayer time a little longer.

2) Serve more! If you already participate in service projects or philanthropic activities, consider organizing a project or offering more of your time and talent to these efforts.

3) Worship more! If you already attend Divine Liturgy and other services pretty frequently, make a more focused attempt to be on time or make it even earlier for the Orthros (Matins) service.

4) Read more! You might be bogged down with school and work.

But take an hour out of your video game or Facebook time to read something that is relevant to your Orthodox Christian faith. The Holy Scriptures are a GREAT place to start. You can also ask your priest about reading recommendations! You could even drop by and read the latest blog from the National Youth Office at www. orthodoxyouthministry.blogspot.com.

5) Love more! – Love is not just a noun; it is also a verb… an action!

Make an effort to love your neighbor by respecting rather than judging.

Make an effort to love your family by learning how to be patient and understanding, even when they get on your nerves! Make an effort to love those who might be different than you because they, too, were created in God’s image.

32

SEPTEMBER 2013

Day Schools

Cathedral Day Care–30 Years of Ministry to Children of Birmingham

by Katherine Sissa-Staursky

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Each September brings the beginning of a new school year for students around the United States. In Birmingham at the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral, this fall of 2013 marks the 30th year of the parish’s Cathedral Day Care.

The cathedral’s prominent urban location near the University of AlabamaBirmingham, numerous hospitals, and downtown allows Cathedral Day Care to provide for the most important need of the community’s workforce—a safe, loving place that cares for and educates their children from infants to six years of age.

The inspiration for the parish’s day care ministry came from the late pastor, Fr. Emmanuel Vasilakis.

Assigned to Birmingham in 1980, Fr. Emmanuel was impressed by the fine facilities at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross—the magnificent temple and the large, modern, multi-story Hellenic Center next door. He was also struck by the emptiness of the building’s many classrooms during the week. As a visionary interested in church outreach, Fr. Vasilakis saw a very real need of local working families to find a safe, faithinspired, affordable home for their young children during the work day.

With the support of the parish council, its president Archon Connie Kanakis, and day care liaison Archon Tommy Yearout, Holy Trinity-Holy Cross resolved to make a day care ministry a reality. Fr. Vasilakis enlisted life-long parishioner Katherine Sissa to become its director. Ms. Sissa had recently returned to her native Birmingham from Greece, where she had studied at the Aristotelian University in Thessaloniki. After graduating from the university, Ms. Sissa had established and operated an English

language school in her parents’ home city of Veroia. With her background in education and school administration, Ms. Sissa was exceptionally qualified to take on the challenge.

Beginning with an initial enrollment of four in 1984, Cathedral Day Care today enrolls about 100 children in its excellent infant care and preschool program. Its 10 classrooms are filled daily throughout the year with the joyful sounds of children.

The children come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including many from the international community. Over the past three decades, successive generations of the same families have now attended.

While some of the children are Holy Trinity-Holy Cross members, the majority of students are not affiliated with the cathedral. This has allowed Cathedral Day Care to take an important role in outreach to Greater Birmingham by opening a door to its Greek Orthodox community.

Cathedral Day Care is blessed with an experienced, dedicated staff of 25 teachers, administrative, and support personnel. The staff participates in annual continuing education workshops. The infant and toddler teachers have recently completed a special one year infant/toddler development program. With Katherine Sissa Staursky continuing as director, Cathedral Day Care has had a profound, positive impact on the lives of thousands of children over the past thirty years.

Preschoolers are taught in an innovative, learning environment with classes in creative dance, music, and computer. They learn the three R’s of reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. Plus, Cathedral Day Care is the only pre-school in Alabama offering Greek language instruction to its students.

The resident pets are of particular interest to the children—two turtles, named Eleni and Dimitri, rabbits Eirini and Elias, canary Agapimu, and the three goldfish, Psari Ena, Psari Thio, and Psari Tria.

Meals, including a hot breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack, are prepared and served daily by the day care staff. In keeping with the church calendar, fasting meals are eaten on Wednesdays and Fridays.

Older classes have the opportunity to attend Divine Liturgy weekday services. The children all learn the Lord’s Prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

They also know how to greet an adult and the proper way to shake a person’s hand.

Annually, the children perform on stage for family and friends in Thanksgiv-

ing and Christmas programs. The day care hosts a festive, holiday reception of food and refreshments for the children and their families afterward. Santa Claus makes his surprise visit at the Christmas party to the delight of the youngsters.

In April 2013, a new $150,000 outdoor playground was completed and opened for the enjoyment of the toddlers and preschoolers.

It is constructed with the latest in children’s playground equipment and an artificial composition and turf surface. Area landscaping and a new gated brick wall complement the new playground.

Christian love, warmth, and a family atmosphere embody Cathedral Day Care’s

Photos courtesy of Cathedral Day School

infant and preschool program. These characteristics ensure that its graduates continue to be well prepared educationally and socially for their kindergarten and first grade years.

Today, Cathedral Day Care carries out its mission under the leadership of Fr. Paul Costopoulos, dean, and Fr. Micah Hirschy.

Instrumental to Cathedral Day Care’s success is the support of the parish council with current president Tommy Yearout, council-day care liaison Greg Burge, and the parishioners of Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral.

Katherine Sissa–Staursky is principal of the Cathedral Day Care School.