“Upon this rock I will rebuild my church.” Matthew 16:18
Genesis of a
To Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, most honorable Exarch in the U.S.A, our beloved brother in the Holy Spirit and dear co-celebrant: grace be with you and peace from God. With keen and paternal interest we have paid close attention to the journey of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, from the darkest moments of the horrific terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, to this present joy-filled moment. At that time, our heart was broken with nearly inconsolable grief, because so many beloved human beings were no more. Indeed, even now we recall with great emotion our visit some years ago to Ground Zero, where we joined our fervent prayers with those of the faithful whose own prayers were mingled with tears and great compassion for one another.
Dearest brother, we wholeheartedly congratulate you and all those who contributed to the inspiration and creation of this unique structure. The design is a tribute to the glorious beauty of Orthodox Christianity, of Hagia Sophia and Chora, as well as an acknowledgment of the present reality of a cosmopolis in the twenty-first century. May countless pilgrims gather here in peace and concord, to recall the past with reverence and envisage the future with hope. At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 11th of October, 2013 Your Eminence’s beloved brother in Christ,
BARTHOLOMEW Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
Watercolors & Sketchs by Santiago Calatrava
The original St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church cast a reverent and faithful shadow on the World Trade Center. Greeks purchased the row house in 1892 as a community home, and it became the Saint Nicholas Church in 1916. For many Greeks immigrants, it would have been their first stop after seeing the Statue of Liberty and disembarking from Ellis Island. The little church was a spiritual jewel, open to all. Generations of New Yorkers stopped in to light a candle, say a prayer, or just sit quietly. Everything changed on 9/11. Saint Nicholas was completely destroyed in the collapse of World Trade Center Tower Two during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. During the weeks and months that followed, the Archbishop presided over numerous funerals and memorials for the many Greek Orthodox Christians who died that fateful day. He participated in interfaith and ecumenical events, at city, state and national levels.
Photo by: Grisha Ressetar
Now, thanks to the infinite mercy of God and the collective efforts of the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America, we have cause to rejoice that the shrine of the holy patron of this Church, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, will emerge for the ages at the historic location known as Ground Zero. For truly, Saint Nicholas, who hailed from the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s region of Myra in Asia Minor, belongs to the world, and it is fitting and right that this Shrine to his name be rebuilt. Our Holy Mother Church commemorates Saint Nicholas as “a model of living faith and an image of humble grace,” and we know that this presence will most surely imbue all who visit the rebuilt Church at the memorial site of the World Trade Center. It is God our Heavenly Father Who transforms through active faith, enduring patience and limitless love our painful loss over the victims and heroes of that fateful day. Now, with the building of this magnificent shrine, there will be a House of Prayer for these noble souls to be continuously and prayerfully remembered, and there will be a House of Consolation for those who survived and are bereft of their loved ones.
And most importantly for Saint Nicholas, the only house of worship destroyed on 9/11, the Archbishop inaugurated a dialogue with then Governor George Pataki to rebuild the church.
In the years following, as the rebuilding of the World Trade Center took shape, there were challenges to keep the Church as a priority for the site (16 acres), since it was virtually a sliver a land. Due to changes at the site, it was proposed that the Church be relocated to 130 Liberty Street, a short walk from its original location. Even when negotiations stalled, governmental authorities always affirmed the right of the Church to be rebuilt. When New York Governor Andrew Cuomo took office, a new opportunity arose to meet the impasse. His office mediated settlement discussions that confirmed the site at 130 Liberty Street. Following the signing of an agreement, presided over by the Archbishop and the Governor, the Archdiocese commenced
NOVEMBER 2013 • Vol. 78 • No. 1290
www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: observer@goarch.org
Archdiocese, St. Nicholas Church Establish National Shrine at Ground Zero
in this issue Help typhoon victims
Archdiocese establishes fund to help victims of the Philippines typhoon. . • P.3
Rising from ashes
Everyone will soon have a spiritual home under a magnificent dome. • P. 3
SF shows support
San Francisco Metropolis holds major fund-raiser to support “The Crown Jewel of the Archdiocese.” The response is very generous. • P. 4
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Metropolitan speaks out
Metropolitan Methodios speaks out about the crisis in contemporary society and what Orthodox Christians can do about it. • P. 6
The National what?
Moscow Patriarchate photo
Discover what the National Ministries are and what they do. • P.8
A tent event
Church overcoming recent fire as it holds successful feast day vespers under a tent. • P.10
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A warning to teens
Stay away from this “Molly.” Also, some concerts shouldn’t have “rave” reviews. • P.11
Visiting Thessaloniki
Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop Demetrios mark feast day • Greek section. • P.13 3
Dimitrios Panagos photos
(1) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives an honorary Doctorate from the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. (2) His All Holiness is greeted by two Greek army officers during his visit to Military Hospital 424 in the city. (3) At the Monastery of the Kimisis tis Theotokou outside of the city where the patriarch performed an agiasmo, two nuns present Archbishop Demetrios with some organically grown fruit. The monastery is known for its pioneering efforts in growing fruits and vegetables organically.
Ecumenical Patriarch, Archbishop Visit Thessaloniki Athena Syregelas and her classmates learn their ABC’s and more at this Arizona school.
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$1.00
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by Archbishop Demetrios, visited the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki Oct. 22–26. On the feast day of St. Demetrios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, His All Holiness presided at the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy in the historic church of St. Demetrios with Archbishop Demetrios concelebrating the liturgy with the Patriarch
and other Hierarchs. The visit followed the Ecumenical Patriarch’s trip to Mount Athos. In addition to the Archbishop, the patriarchal delegation included Metropolitans Gennadios of Italy and Germanos of Tranoupolis, as well as Grand Archdeacon Maximos, Second Patriarchal Deacon An-
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NEW YORK – A major step forward relating to progress on St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero took place Nov. 10 at a duly-called parish assembly meeting when the community unanimously approved a resolution to make the church a national shrine of the Archdiocese. The action had the full support of the parish priest, Fr. John Romas and the parish council. This advance in the nature of the only house of worship destroyed by the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 has momentous near and long-term significance for the parish. The resolution provides for the parish to maintain its status as a parish and continue to function as such, while the Board of Trustees would have a national as well as a local presence. The resolution also includes the final agreement of the parish to exchange its land at 155 Cedar St. (including air and ground rights) for 130 Liberty St. The new parcel, although less than 50 yards from the previous location, is more than three times larger. The Archdiocese and the parish had always seen that such an evolution for this historic parish of Manhattan was the logical next step. Not only is the mission and presence of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero a national undertaking, but also likewise are the costs and responsibilities. In his exhortation to the community, Archbishop Demetrios stressed the enormous visibility of the rebuilt Church, adding that more than 10 million visitors to the World Trade Center site per year would see and perhaps enter the new Sanctuary. He noted that as a National Shrine, St. Nicholas would welcome all and be a house of prayer for all people. His Eminence said, “This church will not be just a national shrine, but also an international shrine. It will show the will of all people to rebuild and resurrect from the ashes of 9/11. This will be a church for all to light a candle for the beloved that were lost on September 11. This church will be a Greek Orthodox National Shrine on Hallowed, Sacred Ground.” Community members expressed great satisfaction, relief and appreciation that the Archbishop led the process of rebuilding from the beginning, and for shepherding the project. Construction will begin early next year.
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To contact National Ministries Archives 212.570.3517 ncalles@goarch.org Communications 212.774.0244 communications@goarch.org Greek Education 212.774.0233 greekeducation@goarch.org Internet Ministries 646.519.6690 internet@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 646.519.6300 religioused@goarch.org Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism 646.519.6160 stewardship@goarch.org Youth and Young Adult Ministries 646.519.6180 youthoffice@goarch.org
NEXT DEADLINE
Deadline for submitting information, articles and photos for consideration in the December 2013 issue: Wednesday, Nov 20. 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.
Encyclical Thanksgiving Day Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6) 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, As we commemorate Thanksgiving Day, a special holiday in the history and life of this nation, we do so with grateful hearts to the One who blesses us abundantly with grace and life. We praise our great and mighty God who knows and provides for our needs, who fills our lives with joy and hope, who brings us comfort in our times of struggle, and who assures us with the promises of eternal life. When we commune with Him and offer our prayers of thanksgiving for all that He gives to us, we have no need for anxiety or worry. From day to day and year to year the circumstances of our lives will change. Challenges will come. Great joy and happiness will be experienced. Dear family members and friends will leave this temporal life. New relationships will begin. Through all of this, we are encouraged by the Apostle Paul to have no anxiety about anything because our trust is in our Creator and Redeemer. For the Orthodox Christian, the response to both the joys and struggles of life is this: in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. In faith we respond to all of the circumstances and events of life
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with prayer and supplication. We turn to God. We seek His will and His guidance. We overcome the fear of the unknown with prayer of the heart. We vanquish the anxiety of uncertainty by calling on the name of the Lord. But our prayers are not supplications marked by worry, impatience, or resignation. They are infused with the spirit and power of thankfulness. They are filled with grateful praise and adoration of our God who loves us and gives us salvation. Our prayers echo the affirmation of the Psalmist who sang, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” (Psalm 18:2) In a moment of life when anxiety and fear could consume us, our requests to God for His provision in our time of need, our prayers to Him should be filled with thanksgiving. Our supplications should reveal the depth of our faith in the almighty power of God. This is the tremendous witness of this day of Thanksgiving. Certainly, it is a time of fellowship with family and friends. However, it is also a day that commemorates the way we live our lives each day. It is a day that affirms the attitude we should have in all things. We give thanks in our worship. We give thanks to one another in the bonds we share in Christ. We give thanks to those who offer compassionate and sacrificial service. We are thankful when we receive tremendous blessings. May we also be thankful in each moment, offering our prayers and gratefulness to God, joining with the heavenly hosts offering blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might to our God for ever and ever! Amen (Revelation 7:12). With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America
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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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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Dimitrios Panagos photos
His All Holiness presides at the Feast Day Liturgy in St. Demetrios Church, with Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Anthimos of Thessaloniki (at right).
Hierarchs Visit Thessaloniki u u from page 1 dreas, V. Rev. Grand Preacher Bessarion, and Archdeacon Panteleimon of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew traveled to the Metropolis of Neapolis and Stavroupolis for the 40th anniversary since its founding; the Metropolis of Thessaloniki for the festive period of annual celebrations in honor of its patron St. Demetios; the Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria; and the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Monastery of Vlatadon. He also visited the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki. During his visit, His All–Holiness received the Gold Medal of the City of Thessaloniki, symbolizing the Municipal Council of Thessaloniki’s decision to declare him an honorary citizen; the Medal of Saint Demetrios, which is the highest distinction awarded by the Aristotelion University; and an honorary doctorate from the University of Macedonia’s Department of Balkan Slavic and Oriental Studies. From Oct. 15–19, His All–Holiness traveled to the historic monastic peninsula of Mount Athos on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of its independence and incorporation into the Greek state. The Ecumenical Patriarch visited the peninsula’s capital Karyes, the monasteries of St. Panteleimon and Koutloumousiou, and the Athonite Ecclesiastical Academy founded in 1749 under the tenure of Ecumenical Patriarch Cyril V.
Fordham University Creates Orthodox Chair BRONX, N.Y. – Fordham University has established the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture through a generous gift from the Jaharis Family Foundation Inc.In ceremonies on Nov. 18, Aristotle Papanikolaou, Ph.D., was named as the inaugural holder of the chair. (Full coverage in the December issue).
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.
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When Will We Choose to Live More Simply? A message by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the 19th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP, meeting in Warsaw, Poland. Even as the world mourns the tragic loss of life in the unprecedented Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippine Islands, political leaders converged on Warsaw, Poland, the second week in November in yet another anticipated meeting on climate change. Concerned citizens throughout the world are hoping and praying for prompt and practical results. The conference follows on the heels of an important report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which warns of the urgency of immediately addressing the alarming escalation of climate change in order to avoid catastrophic consequences. Scientists talk of “tipping points” and “abrupt climate change.” Political leaders talk of the “challenges” that lie ahead. Scripture speaks of human crisis and God’s forgiving grace. All three make it clear that the time will come when we must face
consequences; the time will come when it is simply too late. At first glance, it may appear strange for the leader of a religious institution concerned with “sacred” values to be so profoundly involved in “worldly” issues. After all, what does preserving the planet have to do with saving the soul? It is commonly assumed that global climate change and the exploitation of our nature’s resources are matters that primarily concern politicians, scientists and technocrats. At best, perhaps they are considered the preoccupation of interest groups, naturalists or activists. Nevertheless, there are no two ways of looking at either the world or God. There is no distinction between concern for human welfare and concern for ecological preservation. The way we relate to nature as creation directly reflects the way we believe in God as Creator of all things. The sensitivity with which we handle the natural environment clearly mirrors the sacredness that we reserve for the divine.
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Encyclical A Call for Prayers and Support of Philippines Typhoon Victims Jesus Christ went about doing good and healing. (Acts 10:38) 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 behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, bringing to your attention the dreadful devastation produced by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines on November 8th and asking for your prayers and assistance at these difficult times for millions of people. As one of the most powerful ever recorded, this tropical storm has left thousands of people dead and millions of others without shelter or access to basic necessities. After such great initial loss and destruction, the devastation continues as homelessness, hunger, thirst, and disease settle in the affected areas of the Philippines. Without a substantial response from communities world-wide, many more people could be affected and lose their lives. We fervently ask you, beloved people of our Holy Archdiocese, to become part of the relief response and help the people of the Philippines and the devastated areas through the efforts of our Church. Responding generously, and together as a com-
Retired Clergy Meet Members of the Retired Clergy Association held their 26th annual meeting Nov. 16–17 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Archbishop Demetrios celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios Church as part of the weekend events. (Full coverage in the December issue).
APA/MPA photo
munity of faith, we will be able to support immediate and long-term relief efforts of the Orthodox Church and partner relief organizations that are already on-the-ground. To support these efforts, we are designating the Sundays of November 17th and 24th as days of prayer and offering to help the people of the Philippines. We ask all the parishes of our Archdiocese to allocate special collections for the ‘Philippines Relief Fund’ and to forward the funds collected to the Archdiocese, as we will be coordinating our disaster response at the national level. It is requested that the offerings be made out to the ‘Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’ and earmarked for the ‘Philippines Relief Fund.’ Our website, www.goarch.org, will also provide an online giving alternative and periodic updates on our relief response. We ask our Lord to bless our efforts and the efforts of the many responders who work tirelessly to offer relief to those affected. We also pray that He who is the Creator of life gives rest to the souls of those who perished and brings comfort and help to those who remain and are in great need. At this time when we are approaching the Holy Nativity Feast and are preparing to celebrate and rejoice as He, the Word, comes to be born in this world, let us remember, pray and offer our generous assistance to the people who are in urgent need of our help. Let us therefore imitate Him who spent His earthly life “doing good and healing” (Acts 10:38). With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America
The Dome of Heaven:
Greek, Christian, Orthodox, Ours! Over one thousand years before the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Mycenaean Greeks constructed domed tombs (Gk. tholos) to bury their royalty. The dome, begun as a shroud over the dead throughout the ancient world, was transformed by the genius of Byzantines into an image of Heaven itself. And now, with the revelation of the new design for the National Shrine of the rebuilt Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, both Heaven and Earth are joined together. Within a remarkably small space allotted to the church for rebuilding (though much larger than the original church), the dome of the new Saint Nicholas will shelter worshippers, pilgrims, and visitors. Even as it will gloriously reveal the canopy of Heaven, it will remind every passerby of the dead of 9/11 who were never buried, because their remains were never found. What does remain and will stand for generations is a true cenotaph, second only to the Anastasis in Jerusalem, which encompasses both Awe-filled Golgotha and the All-Holy Tomb. Like so many Greek Orthodox Churches throughout America and the world, the dome – both modern and traditional – belongs to our heritage as Hellenes, as Christians of the Undivided Church, and as Greek Orthodox Christians in the modern world. Let us never forget that the most famous domed structure in the world, Hagia Sophia, was for over one thousand years the unique and only Great Church of Christ, dwarfing every
other configuration. Although never intended to be imitated, its influence is ubiquitous, and its legacy is enduring. As history shows, the tide of Islam came later, and it eventually rolled over Asia Minor, the Balkans and Greece. Unfortunately, as elsewhere throughout the Middle East, venerable and ancient Churches were forcibly used as mosques. Nevertheless, the sheer immensity and magnificence of Hagia Sophia left an enduring impression that created an imitative spirit that continues to this day, especially in Islam, which was not even an idea when Justinian outshone Solomon in the achievement we know as Hagia Sophia. What may be most shocking for the average American, so accustomed to Christian spires and steeples, is that the dome itself is the preeminent Christian architectural form. Inherited from the ancient Hellenes, perfected by the Byzantines, and proclaiming the Gospel and the Kingdom of Heaven to this day. Within the dome the Pantokrator looks down, indeed bows down to earth in His compassionate incarnation to be present among us all. Inside the dome of Saint Nicholas, with its forty ribs in tribute to Hagia Sophia, every pilgrim and visitor will behold the All-Merciful God looking down upon them. Outside the dome will proclaim that the Greek Orthodox Church, obliterated on September 11th, has risen from the ashes, even as its Lord is risen from the dead.
Orthodox, Catholic Theologians Call for Peace in Middle East, Discuss Church Relations by Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald
MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – The North American Orthodox Catholic Theological Consultation issued a statement on the plight of Christians in the Middle East at their meeting in Mississauga Oct. 24-26, calling for the release of a Greek Orthodox Metropolitan and a Syriac Orthodox Archbishop, both from Aleppo, Syria, and repudiating the kidnapping, torture and killing of not only Christians but all civilians. The full statement is available here. The group meets every five years in Canada. Hosted by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, this year’s meeting was at the Mary Queen of the Apostles Renewal Center. In its statement on the Middle East, the group wrote, “We urge the leadership of our churches to continue to intervene vigorously in behalf of the Christians of the Middle East, who live in fear for their lives, their communities, and the very future of Christianity in the region.” The meeting was co-chaired by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, and by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Archbishop Tobin was recently appointed the Consultation’s Catholic co-chairman by Bishop Denis Madden of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and chairman of the Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
The Consultation engaged in discussions pertinent to Orthodox–Catholic relations around such matters as synodality, papal primacy, priestly celibacy and the role of the laity. Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Ph.D., of Brown University and Sister of Charity of Leavenworth Susan K. Wood of Marquette University provided a summary of papers already presented on the role of the laity in the two churches; Father John Erickson, former dean and professor of canon law and church history at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y., presented his paper on “Conciliarity or Synodality? Historical Notes on a Modern Issue”; Father John Galvin, professor of systematic theology at The Catholic University of America, presented a paper by Msgr. Thomas J. Green, “Lay Ministries in the Church: Comparative Reflections on the Eastern and Latin Codes”; and Father Peter Galadza, Kule Professor of Liturgy at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies in Ottawa, Ontario, summarized previously published papers on celibacy, marriage and the priesthood. A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion and meeting between seminarians from St. Augustine’s Seminary (Catholic) and The Greek Orthodox Theological Academy of Toronto. To foster an ecumenical spirit with the seminarians
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NOVEMBER 2013
OCMC
Metropolis News
‘Monumental Missions Walk’ Held in Nation’s Capital WASHINGTON – Christians from 24 area Orthodox churches took part in the first Monumental Missions Walk Oct. 19 that raised funds for the Orthodox Chrstian Mission Center and other charities. Sponsored by the Metropolitan D.C. Orthodox Christian Mission and Outreach Committee, the Monumental Missions Walk was a three-mile long spiritual stroll with 184 walkers passing some of the nation’s most important landmarks. At each designated monument along the route, participants learned about the historical significance of the site and gained insight into Christianity’s role in the nation’s history. The Monumental Missions Walk gave participants the opportunity to pause and admire these important places of reflection through the lens of Christian faith.
In addition to providing a unique opportunity to explore America’s treasured landmarks, the Monumental Missions Walk goal was to raise money for local and international charities. Of the proceeds raised, some will go to Orthodox Christians Mission Center’s (OCMC) efforts to support Orthodox mission-work around the globe, with the remainder to local Washington charities. ADDITIONAL DETAILS Additional details at http://monumentalmissionswalk-efbevent.eventbrite.com, or the Facebook event page: https://www. facebook.com/events/446425282139878, or contact: Fr. Konstantinos A. Pavlakos at St. Katherine Church on 3149 Glen Carlyn Road, Falls Church, VA 22041, (703) 6711515 or frcostas@stkchurch.com.
OCMC Helps Hundreds of Indigenous Mission Priests In 2013, OCMC’s Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) program has been helping 372 indigenous priests in 18 countries around the world to better serve the needs of the Church. Just $50/month allows these priests in Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America to devote more of their time to the needs of the parish and meet
the growing number of faithful. OCMC has launched a social media fundraising campaign designed to help raise $2,400 for SAMP. More information: www.facebook.com/OrthodoxChristianMissionCenter and on Twitter at https:// twitter.com/ocmc, or call 877.463.6784 (GO FORTH).
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(L-R) Helen A. Carlos, HCHC 75th Anniversary Jubilee Chair; Fr. James Katinas, HCHC director of Institutional Advancement; Metropolitan Gerasimos; Fr. Maximos of Simonopetra; Theofanis Economidis, Metropolis Council vice president; Jeannie Ranglas, Metropolis Philoptochos president.
SF Metropolis Event Raises $75,000 for HCHC Anniversary by Kristen Bruskas
BELMONT, Calif. - In celebration of the 75th anniversary of Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, the Metropolis of San Francisco raised more than $75,000 through a benefit dinner, “United by the Cross,” Oct. 19 honoring both the school and Metropolitan Gerasimos’ name day. The event, held at Holy Cross Church in Belmont, began with Great Vespers featuring guest homilist Fr. Maximos of Simonopetra who spoke on “Greet All the Saints in Christ Jesus.” More than 200 guests attended the banquet, underwritten by many stewards that included Ted Giouzelis of Nob Hill Catering, the Kapiniaris family of Stama Winery, and the Metropolis Philoptochos. Nearly all proceeds benefited HCHC. Donations at the event from parishes and individuals totaled nearly $40,000. Previous donations from parishes to the school for the Jubilee totaled more than $35,000, bringing the Metropolis’s overall support to $75,000. The program featured a presentation by Helen A. Carlos, the HCHC 75th Anniversary Jubilee chairman, who traveled to California to express her gratitude for the Metropolis’s outstanding commitment to the school. Guest speaker Fr. James Katinas, director of Institutional Advancement for Hellenic College Holy Cross, described his experience as a former HCHC student, the
parent of a Hellenic College student, and as an employee at the school. The common threads of all these experiences were the excellence and quality of education, the family atmosphere, and the devotion and love for serving Jesus Christ. In his remarks, Metropolitan Gerasimos spoke about 75 years being a diamond anniversary stating that “Hellenic College Holy Cross is the crown jewel of our Archdiocese. But a diamond is the most beautiful stone when cut and polished. Over its 75-year history, Hellenic College Holy Cross, like all institutions of higher learning, is continually adding new facets. Whether it is a new institute such as the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture or the new Certificate in Byzantine Music, each facet adds to the radiance and significance of Hellenic College and Holy Cross. ach of them contributes a brilliant new light to the life of our Church and Community. But the most important facet in the diamond that is Hellenic College Holy Cross is the people who make the School the place that it has always been: a city on a hill, a shining light of our Church.” Special gratitude is extended to the “United by the Cross” planning committee led by Metropolis Chancellor Archimandrite Apostolos Koufallakis, assisted by Fr. Peter Salmas (Holy Cross, Belmont), Fr. Tom Zaferes (Ascension Cathedral, Oakland), and Jeannie Ranglas (Metropolis Philoptochos president).
Orthodox Christianity Series on DVD Watch “Discovering Orthodox Christianity” at www.goarch.org/ourfaith/discovering. This 26-part series, sponsored by the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and produced by GOTelecom, educates viewers about the basic teachings if Orthodox Christianity.Following is a list of a few of the upcoming program topics and presenters: 1) What is Orthodox Christianity? - Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis 2) The Bible in the Orthodox Church – The
Old Testament -Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas 3) The Bible in the Orthodox Church – The New Testament - Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuc and Dr. Bruce Beck 4) Worship in Life - Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas and Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris 5) The Orthodox Liturgical Year - Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris and Rev. Fr. John Vlahos 6) The House of God – Iconography - Dr. Helen C. Evans and Dr. Anton C. Vrame 7) The House of God – Architecture, Vestments the Religious Articles - Dr. Helen C. Evans and Dr. Anton C. Vrame
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NOVEMBER 2013
Metropolis of Chicago Holds Clergy Laity Conference, Philoptochos Assembly by Fr. Dimitri Tobias
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Metropolis of Chicago clergy and laity representatives met here Oct. 2-6 for the biennial Clergy Laity Conference and Philoptochos Assembly at the Marina Inn & Conference Center, hosted by parishioners of Holy Trinity Church. Many attendees, while registering, also stopped by the book store and purchased, among other ecclesiastical items one would expect to find at a church books store, homemade soap with fragrances such as baklava and Greek salad. In addition to finishing normal business in their Clergy Syndesmos meeting, the clergy adopted a statement on the inappropriate use of mass media throughout the Archdiocese by individuals hoping to harm either the Church or individuals. This proclamation decried using media in this manner to harm anyone and the proclamation itself can be found on the Metropolis of Chicago website. Thursday morning, after a moving dedication by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, saw the spiritual funny bones of the attendees tickled by the very dynamic Fr. James Mackoul. Through the use of imagery, witticisms, Holy Scripture, and patristic references, Fr. James not only made the audience laugh, but moved them to care about the message of the Cross and the real medicine that the Church has to offer for the maladies that ail us all. After the morning business meetings, the attendees joined together for a luncheon presentation by Fr. Chris Metropulos of the Orthodox Christian Network in which he spoke of the powerful teaching potential of the internet
and the thirst that is evident by the faithful for this powerful ministry, a ministry visited by every continent and funded on a fraction of the budget of most faithbased comparable services. For 17 years the OCN has provided Orthodox radio with chanting, Christian inspired youth music, and theological discourse. Fr. Metropulos continued this discussion in one of three breakout sessions. His session was titled, “Missionary Media: Using Media to fulfill our purpose.” The other sessions were “Protecting God’s Gift- The Environment,” by Dr. George Nassos and “Strategic Planning for the Orthodox Parish,” by George Matthews. Following the breakout sessions, busses catered the attendees to Holy Trinity Church for Vespers. Metropolitan Iakovos presided while, assisted by Fr. Jim Greanias of St. Iakovos Church, Valparaiso, Ind., Clergy Syndesmos President Fr. John Ketchum of Kimissis Church, Racine, Wis.,Clergy Syndesmos executive board; and the clergy of Iowa, Fr. Basil Hickman of St. George Church, Des Moines, Iowa; Peter Andronache of St. John the Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fr. Joseph Mirowski of both Holy Transfiguration Church, Mason City and St. Demetrios Church, Waterloo, Iowa; Fr. Dustin Lyon of St. Elias the Prophet Church, Dubuque, Iowa; and Fr. Dimitri Tobias of Holy Trinity Church, Sioux City. Following Vespers was the grand banquet. Among the entertainment were the dancers of Holy Trinity Church and dancers from the Winnebago Tribe of Native Americans in Nebraska. Along with the elegant meal, the host parish council President Maria Schultz, re-
ceived a surprise as she was presented the Metropolitan Iakovos Service Award for her years of dedication not only to her community of Sioux City, but for her life of service to the entire Metropolis of Chicago. The evening continued with dancing and music by DJ Dino, lasting well into night as slowly the attendees retired for rest. The next morning three presenters offered extremely moving orations. The first, Fr. Mark Muñoz of the Holy Anargoroi Church in Rochester, Minn. spoke in depth about his personal experience of faith in relating the passionate story of his daughter Nina and her battle with cancer, but more to the point of the presentation, how he experienced God, not in some ambiguous form in his private prayer, but in the interaction of other people who brought Christ to him and his family. His missionary call to action for us to be incarnations in other people’s lives moved and inspired all the attendees. Following Fr. Mark, Frank Dancer and Fr. Dustin Lyons each shared their personal story in a segment called, “How I Came to Orthodoxy, and Why I
Stayed.” Each spoke of their personal journey and how the Church changed him and called him to action. For the lunch presentation of Friday, Mrs. Jenny Henrick taught the attendees the healing power of laughter and how it can provide us with not only healthy benefits to our body, but free our minds and allow us to work more diligently. That evening, during the Paraklisis service, a terrible storm rocked this area of the country, but miraculously spared the citizens of Sioux City. Despite 10 tornadoes touching down, not a single casualty was reported. The conference closed with an Iowa pig roast attended by the youth of the parish and those able to stay. The theme of the conference was “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” –Matthew 11:28. Through moving presentations, fellowship, genuine worship, miraculous events, and many other signs, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ provided this rest and reinvigorated those working in His Vineyard.
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NOVEMBER 2013
A Commentary on Modern Society by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston
Our parishioners are fully integrated into the religious and societal landscape of America and, as a result, they live their Orthodox faith quite differently than did our parents and grandparents. More and more brethren differentiate their religious and moral beliefs from the teachings of the Church. This is the result of their interactions with people of different religious, races, cultures and ethnicities. It is the result of the constant bombardment of materialistic and hedonistic philosophies promulgated and advanced in the media. People today fashion their personal beliefs by integrating Orthodox and non-Orthodox elements. Without realizing it, they become “cafeteria Christians.” Just as they do not partake of every food item on a cafeteria line (but only those foods which they like), in the same way they feel they can pick and choose from what Orthodoxy teaches, that is, what teachings they accept and which they choose not to accept. As Orthodox Christians we run the risk of falling into – being totally consumed – in the cultural melting pot of America, thus losing our identity. Core teachings of our faith are not subject to popularity polls or political correctness. The changes in the moral standards in our society are obvious. We live in a culture of cruelty and an age of entitlement. We have become so accustomed to this slow deterioration of morality in society, that we have adapted to the moral decay around us and taken it for granted. We live in a world of moral and ethical relativism, hedonism and selfishness, a world in desperate need of spiritual renewal. For a long time now, Sunday has ceased being the day that we worship Almighty God and then sit as a family at our dinner table to enjoy fellowship. Sunday has been relegated to a mere weekday, a day to do the laundry , to go to the mall, to read the newspaper, to take our children to sporting events, etc. Prayers are no longer offered in our public schools. The Ten Commandments have long been removed from our civil courts. I would dare to say that those of us who serve on parish councils and other leadership roles in our communities rarely pray or read the Gospel on a daily basis. Lifestyles previously kept in the closet – where they belong – are now
championed as reputable and worthy of emulation. I am sad to note that a legislator here in New England (who claims to be an Orthodox Christian and who champions Greek political causes) not only voted to change the law in his state to redefine homosexual unions as marriages – he asked for and received special permission to preside at a civil ceremony uniting a homosexual couple! Christianity is under siege not only here in America, but throughout the world. I fear the day is fast approaching when no Christian will be left in the Near East. It seems that every day we learn of the brutal killing of Orthodox and non-Orthodox Christians in Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Palestine and India. Coptic Orthodox brethren have especially been affected. How sad and disappointing it is that the leaders of our nation do not have the courage to publically protest this systematic genocide of Christians… You will surely agree that our mission as an Archdiocese, a Metropolis and individual parishes is to lead our brothers and sisters-both inside and outside the Church-to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is becoming more and more difficult because many hesitate to share their faith, fearing they will be considered quaint and bothersome. This is especially the case in America’s colleges and universities where atheism and indifference on matters of faith and religion reign supreme. It is in this setting that we must hear the commandment directed not only to the 12 disciples, but to all of us today: “Go, therefore and teach all nations…” We must ask ourselves if we take that commandment seriously and respond with the same zeal as did the 12 disciples that did “go” into the world to teach and make disciples. Do we go out into our parishes, our towns, our cities and neighborhoods to bring the message of salvation? Every community… has large number of faithful that are for one reason or another not active in their parish. Do we “go” to them? Do we go to those that are not baptized to share the evangellion of salvation? Do we “go” to our young adults, many of whom are professional men and women, to encourage them to serve on our parish councils-to bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the work of the Church? Excerpted from Metropolitan Methodios’ address to the recent Metropolis of Boston Clergy–Laity Conference.
Archons Berlin Site of 2nd Religious Freedom Conference The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Office to the European Union and the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, will hold its second Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom Dec. 4-5 at the Adlon hotel near the Brandenburg Gate, The conference theme is “Tearing Down Walls: Achieving Religious Equality in Turkey.” Building on the foundation set at the
first Archon International Conference on Religious Freedom at the European Parliament in Brussels in 2010, this event will bring together politicians, diplomats, human rights lawyers and advocates, scholars, religious leaders, journalists and members of minority communities to discuss how religious intolerance, mistreatment and misunderstanding can be overcome. For more information and to view a complete list of confirmed speakers, visit http://conference.archons.org
NOVEMBER 2013
The Voice of Philoptochos
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National Board Discusses Convention, Helps Children in Greece, Cyprus The National Philoptochos held its fall meeting in Pittsburgh Oct. 10, in conjunction with the 14th Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon. Metropolitan Savas welcomed Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, the National Philoptochos spiritual advisor, and the National Board to the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas conducted the meeting that featured reports on the National Ministries, committee presentations and preliminary discussions about the National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Philadelphia July 6–10, 2014. The National Board also held the third in a series of interactive discussion groups regarding the Center of Philanthropy’s services and programs. The Board approved $166,000 for the National Philoptochos Ministries: This included $20,000 to the Retired
Clergy Widowed Presbyteres Benevolent Fund; $21,000 to the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund; $35,000 for the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) for relief efforts in Albania; $40,000 to the Support-a-Mission Priest Fund; and $50,000 to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). The funds have been contributed by chapters nationwide. The National Board also disbursed $20,000 to the Archdiocese of Athens for the Apostoli after School Care Program in Moshato and $20,000 to the Cyprus Autism Association in Limasol. National Philoptochos responded to assist Greece and Cyprus during the economic crisis with particular emphasis on children through its Aid to Greece and Cyprus Campaign. National Philoptochos, through its chapters and stewards, has donated $230,000 for Aid to Greece. Fund-raising continues.
Chapters Encouraged to Support Veterans Philoptochos chapters are encouraged to make a difference and support service men and women and veterans during Veterans Day and throughout the year. Chapters may offer support through the following programs: (1) Homecoming Heroes Grant Program through the Modest Needs Organization – This program provides support to military veterans who have recently returned home from overseas deployment as they work to transition back to civilian life. It is designed to prevent veterans and their households from entering the cycle of poverty by providing financial assistance for short–term emergency expenses, such as auto repair, a one–month rental payment, mortgage payment or a large utility bill. For further information visit: www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/ grants-types-hh.asp. (2) Fisher House Foundation – The Fisher House Foundation was commended for providing military death benefits to the families of fallen service members during the recent government shutdown.
This admirable act was truly heartening. Fisher House Foundation is best known for providing a “home away from home” for military families to be close to their loved ones during their hospitalizations at major military and VA medical centers. For more information, please visit: www. fisherhouse.org. (3) The United Services Organization (USO) – The USO’s mission is to provide morale, continued support and recreation-type services to uniformed military personnel. There are 160 USO locations in 28 states and 14 countries. Thousands of USO volunteers provide a home away from home for our troops and keep them connected to the families they left behind. For ways that you can help, visit: www.uso.org. (4) Chapters may also contact their local VA hospital and request a wish list to help provide the veterans with gifts they are unable to purchase on their own. These programs are provided by the New Philanthropic Initiatives Committee chaired by Katherine Siavelis and Peggy Vranas.
The ‘Dress-A-Girl’ Ministry
Orthodox Observer photo
A major milestone
At the Nov. 1 open house for the new Center of Philanthropy in New York, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela and dozens of Philoptochos women present, congratulate honorary National Board member Sophia Altin on her 100th birthday.
The St. Basil Philoptochos Chapter began the Dress-a-Girl Around the World Ministry in 2012 and recently invited the Metropolis of Chicago chapters to join them in their efforts. The members convert pillow cases or material into dresses that are sent to less advantaged girls in devastated areas all around the world. To date dresses have been sewn and sent to Haiti, Zambia, Philippines, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Dorothy Bezemes, ministry coordinator, stated that “Dress-a-Girl Around the World” is an exciting and rewarding way for us who have so much, to offer a little bit of joy to these girls all over the world who have so little. The hope is to continue this as an ongoing ministry. Through the participation and assistance of our Metropolis sisters, 177 dresses along with a new pair of undies for each young girl are being sent to India and to Kenya. Other chapters are encouraged to join in this ministry in helping to make a difference in some young girl’s life. Contact Dorothy Bezemes at yiayia75@aol.com. or Helene Frankos at afrankos@aol.com.
Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta with Metropolis Philoptochos Board members.
Atlanta Supports Innovative Programs by Dee Nicolaou
The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos hosted its Philoptochos Luncheon as one of the major highlights of the 2013 Metropolis Clergy Laity and Philoptochos Conference in Boca Raton, Fla., in June. The luncheon featured guest speaker Michelle Rubin, founder of Autism After 21 that provides young adults within the Autism Spectrum Disorders the life skills training to function independently. The program promotes physical and mental well-being through therapy, employment, education, housing and social opportunities. The Metropolis Philoptochos presented a $2,000 check to Ms. Rubin for the Autism After 21 program from chapter donations. At the 2009 Conference, the Metropolis Philoptochos initiated a project to build a Church in Cameroon, Africa through chapters fundraising of $25,000, with a five-year annual chapter contribution of $100. The Metropolis Philoptochos seeks new, progressive and innovative projects and programs to help the youth. At the 2013 convention, the Metropolis Philoptochos adopted Metropolitan Alexios’ suggestion to establish a new program similar to the National Philoptochos Vasilopita event. This new initiative, Fanouropita, will be held every September to support Metropolis youth scholarships that will help underwrite youth activities such as the Hellenic Dance Festival Dancers annual festivals and occasional trips to Greece, Oratorical festivals, Orthodox Christian
Fellowship events, St. Stephen Summer Camp, Winter Youth Rally, GOYA & YAL activities, as well as acolyte retreats. The annual Fanouropita will be held in honor of St. Fanourios whose icon was lost for centuries and who became the patron saint of things lost. As a petition to the saint, the priest prays over a Fanouropita in church that is shared afterwards with all present. A reception or luncheon is held after church where Fanouropites may be sold or auctioned at each parish. As mothers, aunts and grandmothers, we realize the importance of keeping our youth close to the church. The Metropolis Philoptochos and its chapters are committed to Atlanta Metropolis seminarians attending Holy Cross School of Theology. Through the generosity of the chapters’ Clergy Education Fund Commitment, the Metropolis Philoptochos provides scholarships and financial aid to all students from the Metropolis at the school who aspire to become priests and offer their life in service to the Orthodox Church. In addition to scholarships, Clergy Education Funds are donated to the Metropolis of Atlanta to provide clergy continuing education retreats and seminars to assist priests in serving the faithful. The Metropolis Board established the Female Scholastic Program to provide scholastic gift for present and future female students of HCHC. Funding for this program is included in the yearly budget of the Metropolis Philoptochos. Dee Nicholaou is Metropolis Philoptochos president.
Contact Information for Center of Philanthropy The Philoptochos Society has successfully relocated to its new home, the Center of Philanthropy, at 126 East 37th St., New York, NY 10019. Philoptochos extends sincere gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that made the dream of a permanent home for Philoptochos a reality. Contact the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy at 212.977.7770 or www.philoptochos.org
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NOVEMBER 2013
A Guide to the National Ministries MINISTRY
WHAT IT DOES
HOW IT AFFECTS YOU
RESOURCES
Archives
Gathers and records materials relating to the history of the Greek people, their culture and religion in the United States.
Provides information and photographs on request to scholars, researchers and authors.
Online, hardcopy data and photographs.
Communications*
Provides information about the Church through electronic, social and print media.
Connects parishioners to the National Church through print , social and electronic media. Informs the U.S. and Greek media and general public about Orthodoxy.
Videos of religious television productions, Orthodox Observer, annual yearbook, ecclesiastical calendar, website, e–bulletin, listserver.
Greek Education
Provides for the instruction of Greek and promotes Hellenic culture.
Provides textbooks and other instructional materials for all Greek afternoon and parochial schools; teacher training.
Textbooks, other educational materials for Greek schools.
Information Technologies
Responsible for overall technology vision and direction of the Archdiocese of America.
Provides direct support and training to metropolises and parishes for their technology needs.
Online access the Archdiocese and to various Orthodox websites.
Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical, Interfaith
Promotes relations with other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions, other Christian churches and other faith groups in the U.S.
Through its efforts, parishes benefit through more meaningful contacts with such groups at the local level.
Contacts between the Archdiocese and other Christian denominations and other Faiths.
Marriage & Family
Addresses issues relevant to marriage and family life through the Center for Family Care and Office of Interfaith Marriage.
Brings more aspects of Orthodox faith into the home and more families to church. Helps couples, families and parishes with marriage and family life.
Provides printed , online, social media resources. Conducts conferences, training and retreats.
Metropolis Ministries
Coordinates the services of the National Ministries at the Metropolis level.
Serves as the vital link between each parish and the National Ministries program, and provides additional ministries at the local level.
Administers national ministries and provides direct assistance to parishes.
Parish Development
Assists parishes with fund-raising guidance and development.
Helps with strategic planning, capital improvements, grants, endowments and expanding stewardship.
Information for financial assistance and planning, guides to each parish.
Philanthropy*
Develops and coordinates the philanthropic work, the Archdiocese special funds and also works with the Philoptochos.
Provides assistance for local catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina, fires in Greece, aid to families of 9/11 victims.
Provides assistance for charitable causes in each Metropolis and worldwide.
Public Affairs
Coordinates Archdiocese involvement in public and political issues affecting the Church.
Works with local parishes in events such as Patriarchal visits.
Direct contact with government officials at the local, state and national levels.
Registry
Maintains records relating to the life of the faithful of the Church.
Issues marriage licenses, divorce decrees, baptismal and chrismation certificates, replaces lost transcripts.
Provides important documents for vital statistics and maintains records.
Religious Education
Develops and provides religious education materials to advance the metropolis and parish programs.
Sunday schools use materials and run programs including the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.
Resources, Sunday School texts and other materials, oratorical festival information.
Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism
Works with National Stewardship Ministries Team and Outreach and Evangelism Advisory Board.
Provides resources for parish ministry, support for parish leadership and stewardship activities.
Provides materials and data to help parishes in their stewardship efforts.
Youth, Young Adult Ministries*
Coordinates the national youth and young adult programs with metropolis youth directors. Administers campus and camping ministries.
Provides opportunities for parish youth to participate more fully in the Church.
Online and harcdopy materials to youth directors, workers; administers youth camps, including Ionian Village; maintains listserver and blogs..
*(includes GOTelecom, Press Office, Internet Ministries, Orthodox Observer)
*(includes Philoptochos Society, retired clergy benevolence fund, other humanitarian assistance)
*(includes camping ministries and Ionian Village)
NOVEMBER 2013
A RCHDIOCESE N E WS
A Summary of Archdiocesan Council Committee Reports
NEW YORK. The fall Archdiocesan Council meeting in New York included committee reports of the ongoing progress of the ministries and departments of the Church. The following summary of reports presented by the committee chairmen or department directors, presents highlights of committee deliberations, including: administration, finance, stewardship, outreach and evangelism, religious education, communications, Marriage & Family, Clergy Family, Greek Education, Youth and Young Adult Ministries and Technology. Orthodox Observer photos
(Above) Hundreds of educators attend the Annual Staff Development Seminar in Astoria. (Below) Archbishop Demetrios reflects on the presentation by presenter Al Martino as Director of Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education and Special Projects Maria Makedon looks on. (Below left) Maria Makedon addresses a group of participants.
Educators Learn of Common Core Curriculum at Staff Development Seminar NEW YORK – More than 300 teachers and administrators of the Direct Archdiocesan District school attended the annual Staff Development Seminar Nov. 5 at St. Demetrios Cathedral High School in Astoria, which focused on the Common Core Curriculum. Keynote speaker was Dr. Ron Valenti, superintendent of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore School System, who spoke on “Leadership for the Common Core: Making the Home-School Connection.” The Common Core Curriculum is a federal education mandated program under the Obama administration that describes itself as “internationally benchmarked, aligned with college and work expectations,” and that it is evidence-based. It has been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia and has generated some controversy. It is a privately written and copyrighted plan that has become public policy. “The Common Core Curriculum has been highly politicized and has its detractors,” said Dr. Valenti. “For faith-based schools it presents a challenge. You have to take its essence and blend it with who you are as Greek Orthodox. He said the program presents an op-
portunity “to enhance school-home connection.” He added that “administrators and teachers must become knowledgeable and understand the workings of the Common Core Curriculum. Teachers and principals have to be well-versed and comfortable with its philosophy.” The day-long staff seminar, organized by Maria Makedon, director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education and Special Projects, included many afternoon workshops in English and Greek, most of them based on the Common Core Curriculum. Among the presenters was Al Martino, director of Foreign Languages and the ESL Program at the State University of New York-Albany, who gave a lively discussion on “Creating Fun-Speaking Activities,” relating to methods of teaching a foreign language. Archbishop Demetrios, who also attended much of the seminar, remarked at the end of the morning program that, “There is nothing more important than to convey knowledge to a developing person. Education must help students to face the way life appears today.” He also told the participants, “We are appreciative of what you are doing; and are aware of what you are doing and that you are not compensated properly.” Other presentations were made by distinguished educators including Vivian Selenikas, principal of the Long Island City High School in Queens, Dr. George Papanastasiou, director of the Institute of Modern Greek Studies of the University of Thessaloniki, and his colleague, Professor Panagiotis Andreou. The curriculum, which is currently being developed by Prof. Andreou in collaboration with the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education, has been deemed essential for the awarding of credits to the students who pass the Modern Greek Comprehensive Examination.
ADMINISTRATION Chairman Anthony Stefanis noted his committee discussed a proposed amendment to Archdiocese regulations on local assemblies; that metropolises should not schedule local assemblies on the same dates at the Archdiocesan Council meetings and Clergy-Laity Congresses. Also discussed were recommendations on improving the Clergy-Laity Congress program, noting the importance of reaching out to smaller parishes. “The need to see they’re involved in the National Church,” he said. Another recommendation concerned evaluating how the Archdiocesan Council operates and its committee structure. FINANCE Chairman George Vourvoulias and committee member Effie Marie Smith reported that the Software Initiative Program, begun by Nicholas Sialmas, who recently passed away, continues with its installation, thus far, in 100 parishes. The Insurance subcommittee is looking into finding an insurance carrier with lower costs. STEWARDSHIP Chairman George Mathews reported that the Stewardship Team has continued its parish visits to provide leadership and stewardship training and endeavoring “to change the culture” of community attitudes toward stewardship through the efforts of the parishes’ leadership. OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM Fr James Kordaris, director of the Department of Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism, reported that the home mission program has been revived and, through grants from Leadership 100, will provide support to mission parishes including supplementing the salary of the local priest.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Chairman Gerry Clonaris and department Director Dr. Anton Vrame reported that how religious education is done in the churches, increasing digital learning; addressing the religious education needs of older parishioners are among the issues being emphasized in the near future. The department will also seek to increase its parish-level contacts. COMMUNICATIONS Chairman Clifford Argue noted that the role and structure of the committee will be evaluated, with the possibility of including representatives from the metropolises to augment the committee. The committee continues to push for a full-time communications director at the Archdiocese and to consider developing a parish crisis communications management plan. A recent communications initiative is the recent filming by GOTelecom of 26 half-hour talk shows on the Orthodox faith funded by a Leadership 100 grant. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Chairman Dr. Nicholas Loutsion reported on the ongoing programs of the Center for Family Care, including the first Family Ministry Conference, held in Minneapolis in late September. This winter, the Center will launch a monthly family ministry webinar. CLERGY FAMILY Chairman Dr. George Kaludis said the committee is looking at the spiritual health and stability of the clergy and clergy marriages, and will study differences in firstcareer and second-career clergy. GREEK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Department Director Dr. Ioannis Efthimiopoulos reported that the latest series of Greek language instructional texts for grades six and seven, and the pedagogical Kindergarten-level texts. They were printed in Greece and distributed to the Greek schools. YOUTH MINISTRY Fr Jason Roll, director of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, reported that current initiatives include connecting with young people through
u u to page 22
CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Diaconate
Ordinations to the Priesthood
V. Rev. Fr. George Nikas – Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, N.J. 10/15/13 Fr. Michael Eaccarino – Sts. Constantine & Helen Church of Washington, Silver Spring, Md. 11/01/13
Assignments
V. Rev. Fr. Nathanael Symeonides – director, Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations 09/16/13 Dn. George Kolios – secretary, Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod 09/24/13
Curren, Timothy – Metropolitan Methodios of Boston – Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Dracut, Mass. 10/06/13 Dn. Stamatios Sfikas – Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos – St. Andrew Church, Chicago 09/15/13 Dn. Ninos Oshaana – Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco – Ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Calif. 10/13/13 Fr. John Stavropoulos – Annunciation Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio 10/10/13 Dn. James Foreso – St. Catherine Church, Greenwood Village, Colo. 10/15/13 Fr. John Kostas – Annunciation Church, Nassau, Bahamas 10/15/13
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Appointments
u u to page 12 Offikia
Fr. Milton Magos – Office of Protopresbyter, bestowed by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta 09/29/13
Priests on Loan
Fr. Stefanos Alexopoulos – from the Church of Greece 10/25/13
10
Metropolis news
NOVEMBER 2013
(Photo courtesy of Holy Trinity Cathedral)
Metropolitan Visits Phoenix
On a visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix Oct. 27, Metropolitan Gerasimos met with children of the Sunday school following the Divine Liturgy.
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Orthodox Observer photos
Three months after a fire destroyed the narthex of St. Demetrios Church in Merrick, N.Y., services have taken place in a series of tents installed in the parking lot behind the church building which faces many months of extensive repairs. The tent above is the third to be used and is heated. A smaller tent at right serves as the “narthex.” The larger tent at left is the “fellowship hall” for the coffee (to go) hour after Liturgy. (Below) Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, along with several priests from nearby Long Island churches, celebrates the Vespers of St. Demetrios on Oct. 25.
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ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ
Greek, Antiochian Parishes Merge in Tennessee The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America announced in a press release that, in an unprecedented action, two Orthodox Christian churches– one Greek and one Antiochian–have merged together to form a new parish in northeastern Tennessee. Holy Resurrection (AOCA) in Johnson City and Holy Trinity (GOA) in Bluff City joined together in their first liturgy on June 23, the Feast of Pentecost. The new parish, which has taken the name Christ the Savior, comes under the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Alexios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. The parish is served by Fr. Stephen Mathewes, an Antiochian priest who had been assigned to Holy Resurrection. Holy Trinity and Holy Resurrection were originally mission parishes, founded in 1984 and 1997 respectively. Despite the dedication of their members, both parishes had struggled in recent years. According to Fr. Mathewes, 20 to 30 parishioners attended Holy Resurrection for Divine Liturgy on a typical Sunday. “With a church that small, if one person comes or one goes, it’s a major change. It’s devastating if a
family moves away or leaves. You feel all those ripples and waves.” For the last several years Holy Trinity had not had a full-time priest. The parish was served by visiting priests who would celebrate liturgy once every two to three weeks. The idea of merging the two parishes was initiated several months ago, when Metropolitan Alexios visited Holy Trinity and Bishop Antoun visited Holy Resurrection within a few weeks of each other. The realities of each parish’s situation prompted the hierarchs to propose joining the two. Each parish had something to offer: Holy Trinity owned its land and a building, and Holy Resurrection had a full-time priest in Fr. Mathewes. The decision evolved quickly: The new parish would worship in Holy Trinity’s building and be led by Fr. Mathewes. At the instruction of Metropolitan Alexios, worshipping together was to be the first priority. The details of parish life are being addressed as they emerge. Fr. Mathewes says he’s grateful for that. “It has been great for us
u u to page 12
NOVEMBER 2013
The Dangers of ‘Mollys’ and Rave Concerts
by Rev. Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis
Your child tells you that he is going to a concert with friends. It might be at Citifield, or Madison Square Garden in New York, or any other large venue where concerts take place. As someone who probably went to a concert or two, you have some trepidations, but you let him go, knowing that he will be with his friends if anything might happen. Then you get a phone call from the emergency room; your son or daughter is suffering from hyperthermia and his temperature is 106 degrees. You run to the hospital and find out that he took a “Molly” and it caused him to bake from the inside out. He will survive, but might have psychological and physiological problems for the rest of his life, and he is the lucky one. Hundreds, and probably thousands of young people have died as a result of taking this drug just once at what are called “Rave Concerts.” “Molly,” the powder or crystal form of MDMA, the chemical used in ‘Ecstasy,’ has been a popular drug at music festivals, especially this year. Molly, short for molecule, is considered to be pure MDMA, a hallucinogenic, but it is different than Ecstasy, which generally is laced with other ingredients, such as caffeine or methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) considers MDMA to be a Schedule I controlled substance, which means it has a high potential for abuse, and no accepted use in medical treatment. The DEA notes that MDMA can cause confusion, anxiety, depression, paranoia, sleep problems, and drug craving. The drug also can cause muscle tension, tremors, involuntary teeth clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faintness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision. “High doses of MDMA can interfere with the ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in a sharp increase in body temperature (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and cardiovascular failure. Severe dehydration can result from the combination of the drug’s effects and the crowded and hot conditions in which the drug is often taken,” the DEA reports. The young people who use it claim that it expands the mind and heightens the senses, enhancing the musical and sensory experience. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, “Raves” were known as out of control house parties, and those who sought those parties regularly, were known as “Ravers.” Before long, the taking of Ecstasy became commonplace at these parties. When combined with the techno –music that had been adapted to help put those who were “tripping” in a trance state, the movement took off. Today these parties are not contained in a home, but have exploded into a concert phenomenon. Young people come to these concerts to enjoy the music and have fellowship with others their own age.
I have talked to countless young people who have attended these concerts, and they all are aware of the drug use that takes place at these concerts, and some have even confessed to having tried Molly. Almost all have said to me that they would never do it again, and that they were scared from the hallucinations they experienced. Moreover, many had friends who were brought to the emergency rooms and some who died. In response to this problem, concert organizers sometimes have “cooling rooms” where young people, whose organs are burning up, can cool off in an air-conditioned environment. They may also buy bottled water at these cooling centers for $10 a bottle. Perhaps more spiritually damaging are the demonic overtones of the music and the intense visual experience with demonic images plastered on the screens surrounding the arena. The goal is to produce sensory overload, which enhances the drug experience. Raves, also called Electric Zoos, Electric Tomato Festivals, Clairvoyance Festivals, Return to Fantazia, and other aliases, have been outlawed in some countries, including France and Canada. Recently, a three-day concert on Randall’s Island in New York was cut short one day when no less than two young people died during the concert as a result of their use of the drug Molly. Some mothers in France, whose children were being devastated by these concerts and the drug use, realized that since recovery from addictions and demonic influences must be spiritual based, that the best thing they could do was pray. They did and successfully prevented another concert from taking place. They called their ministry, Operation Jericho, in remembrance of the siege of Jericho in the Book of Joshua. Today, mothers on Long Island, most of whom are Roman Catholic, have come together to continue this ministry, praying the Akathyst to the Mother of God “The Inexhaustible Cup.” This miraculous icon, discovered in the late 1800’s, in Serpukov, Russia, has helped countless people overcome their addictions to alcohol and other mind altering substances. These prayer groups must be working. Last month, concerts at several major universities and at the Nassau County Coliseum in New York were abruptly cancelled for fear of more casualties as a result of the abuse of this most dangerous drug and its devastating side-effects. We are all concerned about our youth. We try to guide them and protect them until they can manage for themselves. Drugs will always be one of the dangers youth must avoid, yet we know that young people enjoy seeking the maximum thrill available. These Rave concerts are extremely dangerous, both to the lives and souls of our youth. Parents, please be aware of these concerts when they come to your area, and try to convince your children not to attend.
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NOVEMBER 2013
Did You Hear the One About the Talking Dog? by Fr. John S. Bakas
A man is driving around the back woods of Montana and he sees a sign in front of a broken down shanty-style house: “Talking Dog For Sale.” He rings the bell and the owner appears and tells him the dog is in the backyard. The man goes into the backyard and sees a nice looking Labrador retriever sitting there. “You talk?” he asks. “Yep,” the Lab replies. After the man recovers from the shock of hearing a dog talk, he says “So, what’s your story?” The Lab looks up and says, “Well, I discovered that I could talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the government, so… I told the CIA. In no time at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting in rooms with spies and world leaders; because no one figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their most valuable spies for eight years running… But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I wasn’t getting any younger so I decided to settle down. I signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover security, wandering near suspicious characters and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of puppies, and now I’m just retired.” The man was amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what he wants for the dog. “Ten dollars,” The owner says. “Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! Why on earth are you selling him so cheap?” “Because he’s a liar. He’s never even been out of the yard!” This charming and humorous little story illustrates how a lie can destroy one’s credibility and destroy the validity of one’s real talent. The word for sin in our Orthodox faith simply means missing the mark of our full potential in using the gifts God has given us to fully participate in His way of love. Sin is our own self-absorbed separation from God. Just like with that dog, the separation that comes from self-absorption can escalate to encompass ourselves so appallingly that our true talent and abilities can become cheapened and
eventually even lost in the fray. The passion of lying destroys our Christ-centered character, opening the door to mistrust and suspicion in our dealings with friends, family and neighbors. Lying comes from an exaggerated sense of pride. It is false pride contrived to puff ourselves up in the eyes of others. St. Silouan the Athonite states: “The Lord does not show Himself to a proud soul. The proud soul, no matter how many books it reads, will never know God, since by its pride it does not give place for the grace of the Holy Spirit, while God is known only by the humble soul.” We live with lies every day. Everyone from the President of the Unites States to the poorest beggar at the bottom of the highway ramps is engaged in white lies, gray lies and old dirty fat lies strewn forth everyday like water overflowing in a fountain. Lies turn into gossip and cheapen our character and lead us to even greater sins. Character building does not consist in the elimination of a vice but in the cultivation of virtue. Character is built by simplicity of purpose, and nothing so unifies our goal as a temptation that is overcome. St. James in his Epistle states: “a man who is in two minds will find no rest wherever he goes.” Peace of mind and spiritual freedom comes from truth seeking the truth, practicing truth. The amazing talent of the talking dog we began with was entirely lost and wasted because of his selfabsorbed self-aggrandizement. As long as we remain in our own little world which has to continually rebuild infrastructure around our own lies we will have no peace within. Inner turmoil will be our fragile way of existence. But as long as we hold forth Jesus Christ as the measure of what we must live up to, and we continually and publically remind ourselves, “Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner “(a person who does not yet measure up to Your way of love), then we are on our way to living in the fullness of peace. The scripture reminds us that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life…and the Truth will set you free. Fr. Bakas is dean of St. Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles and a faculty member of Loyola Marymount University, School of Theology.
Greek, Antiochian Parishes Merge in Tennessee u u from page 10 to come together in one building and worship together every Sunday and get to know one another.” Rather than elect a new parish council, they merged their two existing councils into one. One of the first orders of business was selecting a new name for the parish. Though some saw a name change as a loss of identity, Fr. Mathewes felt choosing a new name was essential. “ This is not a case of either church absorbing the other. This is a new church.” After much discussion they settled on the name Christ the Savior, which “bridges the gap, theologically” of the two parishes’ names and makes clear to passers-by that they are Christians. Metropolitan Alexios blessed the name change and the church’s new sign went up in August. As for the composition of the new parish, it’s truly pan-Orthodox. “Cradle” Orthodox—including Greeks, Rus-
sians, and Bulgarians—and converts are represented in equal number. How will they blend their various musical and language traditions? The approach, says Fr. Mathewes, will be to determine what the parishioners want and need. He’s incorporating Greek to the best of his ability and wants parishioners of other traditions to feel included too. The Lord’s Prayer is recited in Greek and English and parishioners are welcome to say it aloud in their native tongues, which include Spanish and Korean. Fr. Mathewes likens the union to a marriage, and the analogy is apt in more ways than one. They were brought together to make them stronger—for themselves and as witnesses of the Faith to others. Like a marriage the union will come with innumerable blessings and its share of challenges. As might be expected, the merger has elicited a broad range of feelings from parishioners.
ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013
ΕΤΟΣ 78 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1290
Επίσημη Πατριαρχική Επίσκεψη στη Θεσσαλονίκη ôïõ ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑ
Ενας Φάρος Ορθοδοξίας στη Σκιά των Γιγάντων
Το χρυσό μετάλλιο της Θεσσαλονίκης, απονεμήθηκε στον Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, σε μία έκτακτη πανηγυρική συνεδρίαση του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου Θεσσαλονίκης, κατά τη διάρκεια τηςεπίσημης επίσκεψής του στην συμπρωτεύουσα για τους εορτασμούς του Πολιούχου της πόλης, καλεσμένος από τον Μητροπολίτη Θεσσαλονίκης Ανθιμο. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης ανακηρύχθηκε και Επίτιμος Δημότης του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης. Μαζί με τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη παρευρέθηκε στην Θεσσαλονίκη καθ’όλη τη διάρκεια της πατριαρχικής επισκέψεως και ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, ο οποίος συλλειτούργησε την Ημέρα του Πολιούχου της Θεσσαλονίκης κατά τη διάρκεια της πατριαρχικής Θείας Λειτουργίας στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Δημητρίου. Η ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ Θ. ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΟ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟ Ἐξοχώτατε κύριε Πρόεδρε τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Δημοκρατίας, Ἐξοχώτατοι κύριοι Ὑπουργοί, Ἱερώτατε Μητροπολῖτα Θεσσαλονίκης κύριε Ἄνθιμε, Ἀρχαί, ἐξουσίαι καὶ πάντες οἱ εὐλογημένοι συνεορτασταί, ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ, «Ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ» (Β΄ Τιμ. β΄, 1-2), εὔχεται καὶ προτρέπεται ἡ ἡμετέρα Μετριότης ὁλόκληρον τὸν εὐσεβῆ Ὀρθόδοξον Ἑλληνικὸν Λαόν, κατὰ τὴν ἱερὰν ταύτην λειτουργικὴν στιγμήν, ἐρχομένη ἀπὸ τῆς κλεινῆς βασιλευούσης πόλεως τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου πρὸς ἐσᾶς καὶ τὴν συμπρωτεύουσαν Θεσσαλονίκην. Ἐκφράζομεν, λοιπόν, τὴν βαθεῖαν καὶ ὁλοκάρδιον χαράν μας διότι εὑρισκόμεθα εἰς τὸν ἱστορικὸν καὶ πάνσεπτον τοῦτον Ναὸν τοῦ Ἁγίου Δημητρίου, εἰς συνεορτασμὸν τῆς μνήμης αὐτοῦ μαζί σας καὶ μετὰ τῶν ἐξοχωτάτων Ἀρχόντων τῆς Χώρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως ταύτης. Ἐν συγκινήσει ψυχῆς καὶ δοξολογίᾳ καὶ εὐχαριστίᾳ πολλῇ συνευφραινόμεθα καὶ συμψάλλομεν μετὰ Γεωργίου τοῦ Σικελιώτου: «Εὐφραίνου ἐν Κυρίῳ πόλις Θεσσαλονίκη˙ ἀγάλλου καὶ χόρευε, πίστει λαμπροφοροῦσα, Δημήτριον τὸν πανένδοξον ἀθλητὴν καὶ Μάρτυρα τῆς ἀληθείας, ἐν κόλποις κατέχουσα ὡς θησαυρόν˙...» (Στιχηρὸν εἰς τὴν Λιτὴν τῆς μνήμης τοῦ Ἁγίου). Ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας κατὰ τὴν ὁποίαν ὁ νυμφαγωγὸς καὶ τῆς ἐνταῦθα παροικούσης Ἐκκλησίας Παῦλος ὁ Ἀπόστολος τῶν Ἐθνῶν ἔσπειρε τὸν σπόρον τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἡ εὐλογημένη αὕτη πόλις, ἡ Θεσσαλονίκη, ἡ νύμφη τοῦ Θερμαϊκοῦ, προσέφερεν ὡς θυσίαν πανεύοσμον τῷ Νυμφίῳ ἑκατοντάδας γνωστῶν καὶ ἀγνώστων Ἁγίων. Πάντας ὅμως ὑπερέβαλεν ὁ μεγαλομάρτυς καὶ μυροβλύτης Δημήτριος∙ ὁ φίλος καὶ μέγας φρουρὸς τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης∙ Δημήτριος ὁ περιβόητος καὶ θαυματουργός∙ Δημήτριος τὸ κλέος
uΣελίδα 14
Αρχιτεκτονικό σχέδιο του Αγίου Νικολάου, από τον Ισπανό αρχιτέκτονα Σαντιάγκο Καλατράβα. ôïõ ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΥ ΠΙΣΣΑΛΙΔΗ
ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Ηταν μια πανέμορφη φθινοπωρινή μέρα η 11η του Σεπτέμβρη του 2001, ηλιόλουστη και λαμπερή, όταν ξαφνικά, σταμάτησε ο χρόνος απότομα για τρεις χιλιάδες ψυχές και τον Ελληνορθόδοξο Οίκο του Θεού, αφιερωμένο στον Αγιο Νικόλαο των Υδάτων. Μέσα σε μιάμιση ώρα, έπειτα από τη θρασύδειλη τρομοκρατική επίθεση που δέχθηκε η περιοχή του κάτω Μανχάτταν ένα μεγάλο τραύμα άνοιξε στο σώμα του Εθνους μας, το οποίο συνεχίζει να επουλώνεται αργά, αλλά σταθερά 12 χρόνια μετά. Χιλιάδες άνθρωποι χάθηκαν μέσα σε μια πύρινη λαίλαπα, η οποία προκλήθηκε από αλυσιδωτές εκρήξεις οι οποίες οδήγησαν στην κατάρρευση των δυο κολοσσών του Παγκοσμίου Εμπορικού Κέντρου, αλλά και στην καταστροφή μιας από τις πιο παλιές κι ιστορικές Ελληνορθόδοξες εκκλησίες της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, η οποία ιδρύθηκε στα 1916 από τους πρώτους Ελληνες μετανάστες στο Νέο Κόσμο. Η Εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου, η οποία είχε καταφέρει να επιβιώσει από δυο παγκόσμιους πολέμους, πυρκαγιές, και άλλες φυσικές καταστροφές που είχαν κτυπήσει τη στενή εκείνη λωρίδα γης, στην περιοχή της Γουόλ Στριτ και του Πάρκου Μπάτερι στο κάτω Μανχάτταν, δεν άντεξε το βάρος των εκατομμυρίων τόννων ατσαλιού, χάλυβα, υγρών καυσίμων και γυαλιού που έπεσαν επάνω της και παραδόθηκε στην Ιστορία και στον χρόνο, αποτελώντας ορόσημο με την ιδιαιτερότητά της για τους κατοίκους της γύρω περιοχής, αλλά και ολόκληρου του κόσμου, ο οποίος παρακολουθούσε το δράμα που ζούσαμε τις
ημέρες εκείνες με κομμένη την ανάσα, αδύνατο να πιστέψει αυτά που έβλεπε στις οθόνες των τηλεοράσεών του. Ηταν μια άνιση μάχη, δυο Γολιάθ ενάντια σε έναν τοσοδούλη Δαυίδ, δυο κτίρια φτιαγμένα από χάλυβα, ατσάλι, τσιμέντο και γυαλί, ύψους 110 ορόφων ενάντια σε ένα μικρό τετραώροφο κτίριο του 19ου αιώνα. Η φυσική και η επιστήμη έτσι εξηγούν τα πράγματα, ο ισχυρότερος νικά, λένε. Ομως αυτό δε συνέβη στην περίπτωση του Αγίου Νικολάου. Η μικρή Ελληνορθόδοξη ενορία σύντομα και πάλι θα γεμίσει με χαρούμενες φωνές πιστών κι επισκεπτών, που θα πλημμυρίσουν τους χώρους της στην περίοδο της νέας δόξας της. Ο Αγιος Νικόλαος του κάτω Μανχάτταν, υπήρξε ένας φάρος ελπίδας και πίστης για επισκέπτες και πιστούς, οι οποίοι έβρισκαν κάτω από την ταπεινή σκέπη του πνευματικό και φυσικό καταφύγιο για έναν περίπου αιώνα, εκεί μέσα στο λιτό χώρο λατρείας, όπου είχε διαποτισθεί από θυμίαμα και λιβάνι για εκατό περίπου χρόνια, συνδέοντας το παρελθόν με το παρόν και ελπίζοντας στο μέλλον. Ομως αυτό το μέλλον, δεν έμελλε να προφτάσει το μικρό σε μέγεθος τετραόροφο κτίριο, αλλά το τεράστιο σε ουσία, πνευματικότητα και προσφορά: μέσα σε μερικά λεπτά της ώρας, που για τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο φάνηκαν αιώνες, έσβυσε στην κυριολεξία από το χάρτη, αφήνοντας πίσω του χιλιάδες ιστορίες χαράς, δακρύων, πόνου και ευγένειας ψυχής, αλλά και ελπίδας μέσω αμέτρητων γάμων, βαφτίσεων κι εκδηλώσεων αγάπης και στοργής προς το πλησίον. Ο Ελληνορθόδοξος Ναός του Αγίου
Νικολάου Μανχάτταν, δεν υπήρχε πλέον. Το φυσικό σώμα του Ιερού Ναού είχε αφανιστεί, όμως μέσα από τα συντρίμμια η καρδιά του δεν έπαψε ποτέ να χτυπά στο ρυθμό της Ορθοδοξίας και της πίστης. Αυτή η καρδιά της μικρής μας εκκλησίας με το χτύπο της σε ρυθμούς βυζαντινούς, οδήγησε τους διασώστες να ανακαλύψουν έκπληκτοι μέσα από καψαλισμένα και κατακαμμένα τα συντρίμμια του μια μισοδιαλυμένη καμπάνα, ένα κάλυμμα Ιερού Ευαγελλίου, μερικά μισολιωμένα κεριά, μια χάρτινη εικόνα του Αγίου Διονυσίου της Ζακύνθου και μια μισοκατεστραμμένη εικόνα της Ζωδόχου Πηγής. Ομως το χρηματοκιβώτιο της εκκλησίας που περιείχε πολύτιμα έγγραφα, καθώς και το μικρό δοχείο από σμάλτο που περιείχε μέρη των ιερών οστών των Αγίων Νικολάου, Σάββα και Αικατερίνης δε βρέθηκαν ποτέ. ΣΥΝΤΟΜΗ ΑΝΑΔΡΟΜΗ Η μικρή εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου, ως τετραόροφο κτίριο, βρισκόταν στην Οδό Σένταρ (Κέδρου) αριθμός 155 από το 1916. Μια κοινότητα η οποία επέζησε δυο παγκοσμίους πολέμους, μια οικονομική κρίση (κραχ), πλημμύρες, πυρκαγιές και πολλές φυσικές καταστροφές, είχε στεγάσει κάτω από τη φιλόξενη σκέπη της πολλούς Νεουορκέζους, Ορθόδοξους πιστούς και οχι μόνο, επισκέπτες άλλων χωρών, οι οποίο έμεναν πραγματικά έκπληκτοι στην μοναδική αντίθεση που αναδείκνυε την μικρή, στενή εκκλησία μας με τους δίδυμους γίγαντες από επάνω της, ως φρουρούς και προστάτες, σαν υπενθύμιση για
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ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ
Επίσημη Πατριαρχική επίσκεψη στη Θεσσαλονίκη uΣελίδα 13
Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ
Επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια Διδασκάλων Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας Νέας Υόρκης ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Το ετήσιο Εκπαιδευτικό Επιμορφωτικό Σεμινάριο της Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας έλαβε χώρα υπό την αιγίδα του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου, την Τρίτη 5 Νοεμβρίου 2013 (8.00 π.μ. - 2.30 μ.μ.), στο Λύκειο του Καθεδρικού Ναού Αγίου Δημητρίου στην Αστόρια. Το φετινό σεμινάριο στέφτηκε με μεγάλη επιτυχία, κάτι που δικαιολογείται από τη μεγάλη συμμετοχή εκπαιδευτικών και διευθυντικών στελεχών των σχολείων, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν στα ημερήσια και στα απογευματινά/Σαββατιανά σχολεία της περιοχής. Περιελάμβανε σειρά διαλέξεων και ομιλιών καλύπτοντας τις ανάγκες και τις απαιτήσεις τόσο του αγγλικού όσο και του ελληνικού προγράμματος. Η έναρξη του Σεμιναρίου έγινε με την ομιλία του Δρ. Ron Valenti με θέμα: «Leadership: Making the Home-School Connection» που απευθυνόταν σε όλους τους συμμετέχοντες. Κατόπιν, οι εκπαιδευτικοί του Αγγλικού Προγράμματος παρακολούθησαν workshops, που ετοίμασε η εταιρία Catapult Learning σε συνεργασία με τους διευθυντές των ημερησίων σχολείων. Οι φετινές παρουσιάσεις έφτασαν τις δέκα σε αριθμό και ήταν πλούσιες σε θεματολογία βασιζόμενη στην διδασκαλία του Common Core και κάλυπταν όλα τα μαθησιακά επίπεδα. Κάθε ένας από τους εκπαιδευτικούς είχε την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσει δυο workshops κατά την διάρκεια της ημέρας, σχετικές με την ειδίκευση τους. Επιπλέον, οι διευθυντές των ημερησίων σχολείων, είχαν την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσουν ειδική παρουσίαση απευθυνόμενη αποκλειστικά σε εκείνους με τίτλο «Leadership for the Common Core». Παράλληλα, οι Έλληνες εκπαιδευτικοί παρακολούθησαν ένα πλούσιο πρόγραμμα βασισμένο στη φιλοσοφία και στη μεθοδολογία της διδασκαλίας της Ελληνικής ως ξένης/δεύτερης γλώσσας. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, για την επίτευξη αυτού του στόχου, προσεκλήθησαν διακεκριμένοι Αμερικανοί εκπαιδευτικοί, με ειδίκευση και πείρα στη διδασκαλία ξένων γλωσσών, όπως ο κ. Al Martino, διευθυντής του Τμήματος Ξένων Γλωσσών και ESL του Πανεπιστημίου SUNY, Albany και καθηγητής Παιδαγωγικών στο College of St. Rose. Η παρουσίαση του με θέμα «SAY IT!!! Fun activities to get students speaking the language» αποδείχτηκε ο θριαμβευτής της ημέρας, καθώς το κοινό συμμετείχε με μεγάλο ενθουσιασμό σε όλες τις επιμορφωτικές δραστηριότητες που εισηγήθηκαν από τον κ. Martino.
ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013
Επίσης, η κ. Βίβιαν Σελενίκα, διευθύντρια του Long Island City High School, έκανε εισήγηση σχετικά με τη μαθητοκεντρική διδασκαλία και ειδικότερα το ρόλο της στη διδασκαλία ξένων γλωσσών. Είχαν επίσης προσκληθεί Έλληνες επιστήμονες από το Ινστιτούτο Νεοελληνικών Σπουδών του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, και συγκεκριμένα ο διευθυντής του κ. Γεώργιος Παπαναστασίου και ο επιστημονικός συνεργάτης του Ινστιτούτου, κ. Παναγιώτης Ανδρέου, οι οποίοι παρουσίασαν δείγματα του Προγράμματος Σπουδών για την Ελληνική Γλώσσα – Επίπεδο Β (Regents level). Ας σημειωθεί ότι το Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών εκπονείται από τον κ. Ανδρέου στο πλαίσιο συνεργασίας του Γραφείου Παιδείας Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας με το Ινστιτούτο, θεωρείται δε ως απαραίτητο για την αναγνώριση των ελληνικών σπουδών των μαθητών από τα δημόσια σχολεία. Ο κ. Ανδρέου έκανε μάλιστα ειδική παρουσίαση με θέμα «Η προφορά στο γλωσσικό μάθημα: Ζητήματα διδασκαλίας και εκμάθησης». Στο δεύτερο μέρος του σεμιναρίου πραγματοποιήθηκε επίσης «ανοικτή συζήτηση» με θέμα «Η διδασκαλία της ελληνικής γλώσσας σήμερα και προοπτικές για το μέλλον». Καταξιωμένοι εκπαιδευτικοί, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν για πολλά χρόνια στα κοινοτικά σχολεία, έδωσαν τη δική τους άποψη για το σημαντικό αυτό για την ομογένεια θέμα, ενώ ακολούθησε συζήτηση με το ακροατήριο. Οι εκπαιδευτικοί που επιλέχτηκαν από το Γραφείο για να πάρουν μέρος ήσαν οι εξής: οι κ.κ. Τιμολέων Κόκκινος, διευθυντής του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας, Δημοσθένης Τριανταφύλλου, διευθυντής του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αναλήψεως στο Fairview, NJ και του Σαββατιανού Σχολείου του Σωτήρος Χριστού στο Rye, NY, Γεώργιος Κανελλόπουλος, διευθυντής του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αγίου Νικολάου, Flushing, καθώς επίσης και οι κυρίες Ρίτα Συντήλα, καθηγήτρια του Ημερησίου Σχολείου Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας και Ευαγγελία Ρομούδη, διευθύντρια του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αγίας Τριάδος στο New Rochelle, NY. Τη διοργάνωση του όλου προγράμματος του Σεμιναρίου επιμελήθηκε το Γραφείο Παιδείας Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας με συντονίστρια τη διευθύντρια του κ. Μαρία Μακεδών.
τῶν μαρτύρων καὶ ἡ δόξα τῆς Χριστιανικῆς Μακεδονίας∙ Δημήτριος, ὁ ταχὺς ἀντιλήπτωρ καὶ σύνδρομος τῶν μετὰ πίστεως ἐπικαλουμένων τὴν πρὸς Θεὸν πρεσβείαν του∙ Δημήτριος, ὁ καὶ ἡμᾶς συγκαλέσας εἰς τὴν χαρμόσυνον ταύτην καὶ ἐτήσιον πανήγυριν. Σήμερον τὰ πλήθη τῶν χριστωνύμων συνήχθημεν ἵνα κατὰ καθῆκον ἀποδώσωμεν εἰς τὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον τὰς εὐχαριστίας μας διὰ τὰς πολλὰς εὐεργεσίας του πρὸς τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην καὶ τὸν εὐλογημένον λαόν μας. Ἡ αἴγλη καὶ ἡ λαμπρότης τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης καὶ ἡ ἱστορία της καὶ ἡ σημερινὴ πολιτισμικὴ εἰκών της ἐνθουσιάζουν καὶ προσφέρουν εἰς τοὺς κατοίκους της καὶ εἰς τὸν σύγχρονον ἐπισκέπτην της πᾶν ὅ,τι μία μεγαλόπολις μὲ παράδοσιν δύναται νὰ προσφέρῃ. Ἐπὶ χιλιετηρίδας ἀναδεικνύει ἐξόχους προσωπικότητας: Εἰς τὴν ἁγιότητα τοῦ χριστιανικοῦ μαρτυρικοῦ βίου τὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον∙ εἰς τὴν ἁγιότητα τῆς πνευματικῆς καλλιεργείας καὶ ἀσκητικῆς ζωῆς τὸν Ἅγιον Γρηγόριον τὸν Παλαμᾶν∙ εἰς τὴν συγγραφικὴν περιγραφὴν τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ζωῆς τὸν Ἅγιον Νικόλαον Καβάσιλαν∙ εἰς τὴν μελέτην τῶν ἀρχαίων Ἑλλήνων καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως τοῦ Ὁμήρου τὸν Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Εὐστάθιον∙ εἰς τὴν ὁσιακὴν ζωὴν τῶν Ὅσιον Δαυΐδ, εἰς τὴν οἰκογενειακὴν ζωήν (καὶ ὁσιακὴν βεβαίως) τὴν Ὁσίαν Θεοδώραν∙ εἰς τὴν ἱεραποστολὴν καὶ τὸν ἐκπολιτισμὸν τῶν γειτονικῶν λαῶν τοὺς αὐταδέλφους Κύριλλον καὶ Μεθόδιον∙ εἰς τὴν ἁγιογραφίαν τὸν Μανουὴλ Πανσέληνον∙ μεταξὺ τῶν Πατριαρχῶν Φιλόθεον τὸν Κόκκινον∙ τοὺς νομοδιδασκάλους καὶ κανονολόγους Κωνσταντῖνον Ἀρμενόπουλον καὶ Ματθαῖον τὸν Βλάσταριν. Καί, βεβαίως, πλὴν τούτων, εἰς ὅλους
τοῦ Γένους νὰ παραμένῃ ἀδιασάλευτον, ὡς ὁ κυριώτερος παράγων τῆς κοινωνικῆς καὶ προσωπικῆς προκοπῆς καὶ προόδου. Ἕκαστος ἐξ ἡμῶν ἀτενίζων τὸν ἱερὸν τάφον καὶ τὴν ἱλαρὰν μορφὴν τοῦ Ἁγίου μεγαλομάρτυρος καὶ φίλου Δημητρίου ἐν συγκινήσει τιμᾷ καὶ τιμῶμεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἐποχὴν κατὰ τὴν ὁποίαν ἡ ἀνθρωπότης ὁλόκληρος διέρχεται κρίσιν, διότι πιστεύομεν ὅτι μὲ τὴν παρέμβασιν καὶ τὴν δύναμίν του θὰ ἀντιμετωπίσωμεν ἐπιτυχῶς καὶ θὰ ὑπερνικήσωμεν τὰς κρίσεις, διότι ἡ ἀρετὴ τῆς εὐημερίας κατὰ Θεὸν ἔρχεται μὲ σθένος, μὲ ἡρωϊσμόν, μὲ ἐργατικότητα, μὲ τὰ ὅπλα τῆς δικαιοσύνης. Διὰ σᾶς καὶ δι᾿ ἡμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐπιδιώκομεν τὴν ἄσκησιν τῆς θείας ἀρετῆς καὶ τὴν συνεργασίαν μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, ἁρμόζει τὸ παράδειγμα τοῦ μαθητοῦ Δημητρίου τοῦ Μεγάλου, τοῦ νεαροῦ, μικροσώμου καὶ τολμηροτάτου Νέστορος, ὁ ὁποῖος ὑπέβαλεν ἑαυτὸν εἰς φανερὸν κίνδυνον ἀποφασίσας νὰ μονομαχήσῃ μετὰ τοῦ γιγαντιαίου καὶ θρασέως ὑβρίζοντος τὸν Χριστόν, γνωστοῦ Λυαίου. Ἀσφαλῶς ὁ Μάρτυς τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγνώριζε τὴν κρισιμότητα τῆς περιστάσεως καὶ τοῦ διαβήματός του. Διὰ τοῦτο, γνωρίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ ἀδυναμίαν προέβη εἰς μίαν κίνησιν δυνάμεως. Προσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν δεσμώτην διδάσκαλον καὶ πνευματικὸν καθηγητὴν του Δημήτριον, εἰς τὴν κάτωθεν τοῦ σεβασμίου τούτου Ναοῦ εἰρκτήν, καὶ ἐζήτησε προσευχήν, εὐλογίαν καὶ εὐχήν, ὥστε τὸ φαινομενικῶς ἀδύνατον τῆς ἐπιχειρήσεως νὰ ἐπιτευχθῇ διὰ τῆς βοηθείας τοῦ Θεοῦ. Λαβὼν δὲ τὴν διαβεβαίωσιν, ὅτι «καὶ τὸν Λυαῖον νικήσεις καὶ ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ μαρτυρήσεις» ἔτρεξεν εἰς τὸ στάδιον καὶ διὰ τῆς ἱκετηρίου κραυγῆς «ὁ Θεὸς Δημητρίου βοήθει μοι» καὶ τὸν ἀνίκητον γίγα-
κοινήν μας παράδοσιν ἐν τοὺς τομεῖς ἀναριθμήτους τῷ σημείῳ τοῦ Σταυροῦ, πρωτεργάτας τῆς ἐπιστήτῇ ζωῇ τῆς Χάριτος καὶ τῇ μης, τῆς τέχνης καὶ ἐν μαρτυρίᾳ τῆς Ἀξίας. Προγένει πάσης ἀνθρωπίνης βάλλονται ἐνώπιόν μας, δραστηριότητος. ἰδιαιτέρως σήμερον, πολΕἶναι βαθεῖα καὶ λαὶ ἀξίαι, αἱ περισσότεραι ὅμαιμος ἡ συγγενικὴ σχέκίβδηλοι καὶ ἐπιφανειασις καὶ σύνδεσις ἡ συνάκαί, μὲ ἀποτέλεσμα τὴν πτουσα τὸν χοῦν καὶ τὴν σύγχυσιν. Ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ἱστορίαν τῆς ΘεσσαλονίΚωνσταντινουπόλεως κης μὲ τὸν χαρακτῆρα καὶ Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἐχούσης εἰς τὴν ζωὴν τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, τῆς πόλεως τῆς καθιερώσεως τοῦ αὐτὴν τὴν κανονικὴν ἐκκλησιαστικὴν ἀναφορὰν Δόγματος καὶ τῆς Ἀληθείας καὶ τῆς Ἀσκήσεως Θεσσαλονίκης, μαρτυροῦμεν τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ διὰ τῆς μυριάδος τῶν Πατέρων καὶ Ἁγίων της. Κυρίου τῆς ἀείποτε καθημαγμένης καὶ πάντοτε Καὶ εἶναι ἡ σύνδεσις ἡ συνάπτουσα τὴν Συμβα- ζώσης, τῆς μεγαλυνομένης καὶ ἐνδοξαζομένης ἐν σιλεύουσαν μετὰ τῆς Βασιλευούσης οἱ κοινοὶ τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτῆς, Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως. Εὑρισκόμεθα σήμερον, ἡ Μήτηρ Ἐκκλησία ἡρωϊκοὶ ἀγῶνες διὰ τὴν ἀσυνθηκολόγητον ὑπεράσπισιν καὶ προάσπισιν τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ καὶ ἡ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ ἐκκλησιαστικὴ κληρουχία τῆς ἐλευθερίας, ὡς προϋποθέσεων τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῆς, εἰς τὸ σύμβολον τοῦτο τῆς πίστεως καὶ καὶ τῆς κατὰ Θεὸν καὶ κατ᾿ ἄνθρωπον προόδου. τοῦ θαύματος ἀνὰ τοὺς αἰῶνας, εἰς τὸν μέγιστον Αὐτοὶ οἱ ἀγῶνες ἀποτελοῦν τὴν συγγένειαν καὶ καὶ ἀριστοτεχνικῶς ὑπερέχοντα Ἱερὸν τοῦτον συμπορείαν βασιλίδος καὶ συμβασιλίδος καὶ Ναόν, καὶ διδασκόμεθα ἀπὸ τὸν ἑορτάζοντα καὶ τιμώμενον Ἅγιον Δημήτριον τὸ ἀτρόμητον, συνιστοῦν σημεῖον καὶ μαρτυρίαν. Καὶ ἰδοὺ σήμερον, Ἐξοχώτατε κύριε Πρό- τὸ γενναῖον καὶ τὸ μαρτυρικόν, τὴν ἀρετήν, διὸ εδρε τῆς Δημοκρατίας, Ἱερώτατε Ποιμενάρχα, καὶ τελοῦμεν κατὰ χρέος δ ο ξ ο λ ο γ ί α ν καὶ ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα, ἤλθομεν καὶ πάλιν πρὸς συγχρόνως προσευχητικὴν αἴτησιν, ὥστε ἄχρι σᾶς ὄχι ὑπεροχικῶς ἀλλ᾿ ἐκ τῆς διακονικῆς τέλους αἰώνων τὸ βασικὸν ἀγαθὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐπάλξεως καὶ τοῦ μαρτυρικοῦ ἱκριώματος τοῦ uΣελίδα 16 Φαναρίου διὰ νὰ μαρτυρήσωμεν μαζὶ σας τὴν
ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013
ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Ενας Φάρος Ορθοδοξίας στη Σκιά των Γιγάντων
uΣελίδα 13 το πόσο τρωτά είναι τα ανθρώπινα έργα, όσο μεγαλειώδη κι αν φαίνονται ή φαντάζουν στα έκπληκτα μάτια μας. Ομως ο Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου Μανχάτταν ήταν ο μόνος Χριστιανικός που καταστράφηκε από την τρομοκρατική επίθεση της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2001. Καμία άλλη θρησκευτική κοινότητα ή μειονότητα στην περιοχή εκείνη του μαρτυρίου, δεν έχασε κάποιο ιερό οίκημα ή εκκλησία κατά τη διάρκεια της άνανδρης και αφανιστικής επίθεσης μίσους, παρά μόνον η Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής. Και είναι πολύ σημαντικό αυτό για το μέλλον της νέας εκκλησίας και της κοινότητας αυτής. Ο Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου, υπήρξε ο συνδετικός κρίκος του παλαιού με το νέο, του ονείρου της ελεύθερης ζωής και πίστης στη Γη της Επαγγελίας όπως λογαριάζονταν η Αμερική στις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα από τα εκατομμύρια των μεταναστών, με το θαύμα της ανάπτυξης της δεκαετίας του ’70. Ο κρίκος που ένωνε το πριν με το μετά, ο πιο δυναμικός κρίκος μιας αλυσίδας ζωής και ιστορίας, συνδεδεμένος με τις τύχες και τις ζωές χιλιάδων ανθρώπων, πολλών διαφορετικών γενεών που πέρασαν το κατώφλι του, πιστών και μη, όμως όλων κοινωνών του ιδίου και απαράλλαχτου ονείρου, της ίδιας ακριβώς επιθυμίας για σωτηρία και γαλήνη ψυχής. Ποιος μπορεί να πει άραγε με βεβαιότητα πόσοι άνθρωποι βρήκαν απανέμι εκεί μέσα, πόσοι άναψαν ένα ταπεινό κεράκι στη μνήμη κάποιου δικού τους αγαπημένου, πόσοι συνομίλησαν με τον ίδιο το Θεό προσευχόμενοι, ή απλά καθισμένοι στα στασίδια βρίσκοντας την πολυπόθητη ηρεμία της ψυχής, δυό μόλις βήματα μακριά από το ‘οικονομικό κέντρο του κόσμου’, την αδιάκοπη βουή της πόλης που ποτέ δεν κοιμάται, το διαρκή θόρυβο και την μόνιμη ένταση. Εκεί μέσα, όμως, ξαφνικά, σταμάταγε θαρρείς ο χρόνος, όλα περνούσαν από ένα φίλτρο καθαρότητος και ψυχικής ανατάσεως. Και η ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου πάλεψε πολύ να κρατηθεί στη ζωή. Πολλές ήταν οι προσπάθειες όλα τα προηγούμενα του 2001 χρόνια από διάφορα κέντρα να πουληθεί ο χώρος προκειμένου να αξιοποηθεί εργολαβικά και λίγο πριν την καταστροφή, η μικρή μας εκκλησία είχε στην κυριολεξία περικυκλωθεί από ένα χώρο σταθμεύσεως αυτοκινήτων. Ολα όμως έμελλε να αλλάξουν. Και να αλλάξουν δραστικά. Την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου 2001, ο Αγιος Νικόλαος κατέρρευσε κάτω από το αδυσώπητο και δυσβάσταχτο βάρος των δυο υπερμεγέθων κολοσσών οι οποίοι κατά την πτώση τους τον παρέσυραν σε μια δίνη φωτιάς, σκόνης κι εκατομμυρίων τόννων ατσαλιού, τσιμέντου, αμιάντου, γυαλιού, ανακατωμένα όλα σε μια πύρινη λαίλαπα τρόμου, φόβου, αβεβαιότητας, αλλά και οργής. Ομως, κι εδώ, υπάρχουν μαρτυρίες δια στόματος του ιερατικώς προισταμένου του Αγίου Νικολάου, π. Ιωάννου Ρώμα, πως δυο άνθρωποι κατάφεραν να γλυτώσουν την τελευταία στιγμή από σίγουρο και φρικιστικό θάνατο την ώρα που κατέρρεαν οι πύργοι καθώς έτρεξαν προς τον ήχο που έκανε
Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ
η καμπάνα της εκκλησιάς η οποία είχε χτυπήσει ήδη για τελευταία φορά. Αμέσως μετά την καταστροφή, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, οδήγησε μια ομάδα κληρικών και πιστών στο χώρο της φρίκης, ανάμεσα στα συντρίμμια που ακόμη άχνιζαν πυρωμένα, με σκοπό να προσφέρει μια πνευματική ηρεμία στους τραυματισμένους, σωματικά και ψυχικά. Αναζήτησε τους ενορίτες του Αγίου Νικολάου, αλλά και μέλη πολλών οικογενειών που είχαν χάσει αγαπημένα πρόσωπα την αποφράδα εκείνη ημέρα και συγκεντρώνοντάς τους στο Σημείο Μηδέν προσπάθησε να απαλύνει τον πόνο και τον χαμό που είχαν ενσκήψει στην τρομοκρατημένη ψυχή τους, όπως και σε ολόκληρου του Εθνους. Η εικόνα του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής Δημητρίου, ταξίδεψε τότε σε ολόκληρον τον κόσμο. Υπήρξε ο πρώτος Αρχιερέας ο οποίος αψήφησε κάθε πιθανότητα επιπλοκής στην υγεία του λόγω των περιέργων χημικών και μη κραμμάτων στην περιοχή της καταστροφής, προσφέροντας ευλογία, δέηση και γαλήνη σε όποιον την είχε ανάγκη. Οι επόμενοι μήνες που ακολούθησαν ήταν ιδιαίτερα καταθλιπτικοί και για την Ελληνορθόδοξη κοινότητα, καθώς ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος τέλεσε και στις τρεις πολιτείες-της Νέας Υόρκης, της Νέας Ιερσέης και του Κονέκτικατ-πολλά μνημόσυνα και κηδείες ομογενών που χάθηκαν την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου. Ελαβε δε μέρος, σε δεκάδες διαθρησκειακές συνόδους, και οικουμενικές συνελεύσεις, σε κάθε επίπεδο, από το τοπικό μέχρι και το παναμερικανικό στην Ουάσιγκτον, στο πλάι του εκάστοτε Αμερικανού προέδρου και των υπολοίπων θρησκευτικών ηγετών της χώρας μας. Επίσης, την ίδια περίοδο ο Σεβασμιώτατος Δημήτριος εγκαινίασε διάλογο με τον τότε Κυβερνήτη της πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης, Τζορτζ Πατάκι, με σκοπό την εκ νέου ανέγερση του Ιερού Ναού του Αγίου Νικολάου στην περιοχή. Ετσι, βασισμένοι στη συμφωνία με τον Κυβερνήτη Πατάκι, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος και η αντιπροσωπεία της κοινότητας του Αγίου Νικολάου, αλλά και της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, έθεσαν τις βάσεις της διαδικασίας των διαπραγματεύσεων για την εκ νέου ανέγερση του ναού. Η Αρχιεπισκοπή και η ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου εργάστηκαν στενά και σε καλό πνεύμα συνεργασίας, με την Υπηρεσία Λιμένων (Port Authority) και με την οικοδομική αναπτυξιακή εταιρία LMDC (Lower Manhattan Development Corporation) ώστε να συμπεριλάβουν το νέο ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου στα προτεινόμενα σχέδια ανοικοδόμισης του Παγκοσμίου Εμπορικού Κέντρου. Ολα τα ενδιαφερόμενα μέρη συμφώνησαν τελικά σε μια εναλλακτική τοποθεσία για την ανέγερση του νέου Ιερού Ναού στην Οδό Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αρθμός 130. Η περιοχή αυτή, η οποία απέχει λιγότερο από 100 γιάρδες (300 πόδια ή 91 μέτρα) από την αρχική τοποθεσία του ναού, έδωσε τη δυνατότητα μιας μεγαλύτερης σε έκταση εκκλησία, έκταση η οποία δόθηκε ως αντάλαγμα για την προσφορά της γης και του αέρα της αρχικής τοποθεσίας της στην Οδό Κέδρου (Cedar) 155, την οποία θα χρησιμοποιήσει η υπηρεσία VSC (Vehicle Security Center). Ετσι, κάτω από αυτό το πρίσμα της ανταλλαγής τοποθεσίας, η νέα εκκλησία μας θα είναι τρεις φορές μεγαλύτερη
από τα αρχικά σχέδια. Στη συνέχεια, μεταξύ του 2002 και του 2008 η Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και η Υπηρεσία Λιμένων εργάστηκαν από κοινού στην προετοιμασία των σχεδίων για το νέο οίκημα στη διεύθυνση Οδός Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αριθμός 130. Κατά τη διάρκεια όλων αυτών των χρόνων, η Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και η ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου, επέτρεψαν στην Υπηρεσία Λιμένων να χρησιμοποιεί το χώρο της κατεστραμμένης εκκλησίας ως χώρο αποθήκευσης, αποκατάστασης και ανοικοδόμησης της ευρύτερης περιοχής. Οι διαπραγματεύσεις μεταξύ της Εκκλησίας και της Υπηρεσίας Λιμένων για την ανοικοδόμηση του Αγίου Νικολάου σταμάτησαν σε αδιέξοδο το 2009 και τελικά εξελίχθηκαν σε νομικό θέμα προκειμένου να προστατευθούν τα δικαιώματα της ενορίας. Ομως, ξαφνικά, όταν όλα φαινόντουσαν μαύρα και δυσοίωνα για το όνειρο του νέου Αγίου Νικολάου, ένα σημάδι ανάκαμψης φάνηκε την πιο κατάλληλη στιγμή, στα μέσα του μηνός Ιουλίου το 2010, κατά τη διάρκεια των εκσκαφών αποκατάστασης ανακαλύφθηκαν διατηρημένα μέρη ενός ιστιοφόρου του 18ου αιώνος στο ίδιο σημείο όπου είχε κτισθεί στις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα η εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου. Ο Αγιος Νικόλαος ο Θαυματουργός είναι γνωστός σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο ως ο προστάτης Αγιος των ναυτικών (και της ναυτιλίας) και πολλοί πιστοί εξέλαβαν την αρχαιολογική αυτή ανακάλυψη ως καλό σημάδι για την επικείμενη ανοικοδόμηση του ναού που θα έφερε και πάλι το όνομά του. Οταν ανέλαβε τα καθήκοντα του Κυβερνήτη της Νέας Υόρκης ο Αντριου Κουόμο, μια μοναδική ευκαιρία άρχισε να λαμβάνει σάρκα και οστά. Αρχισαν εκ νέου οι διαπραγματεύσεις, και οι συζητήσεις για διακανονισμό των εκκρεμών νομικών θεμάτων ώστε να τερματιστούν όλα τα πιθανά προβλήματα μια για πάντα. Ως αποτέλεσμα, η Υπηρεσία Λιμένων και η Αρχιεπισκοπή συμφώνησαν να πραγματοποιηθεί μια ανεξάρτηση έρευνα αναφορικά στο που θα έπρεπε να ανεγερθεί ο νέος ναός στο χώρο που είχε προατθεί πάνω από το VSC. Το αποτέλεσμα αυτής της διαδικαστικής έρευνας ήταν να ορισθεί ακριβώς το ίδιο σημείο που είχε προταθεί ως χώρος ανέγερσης χρόνια πριν, στην Οδό Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αριθμός 130. Η 11η Οκτωβρίου του 2011 υπήρξε μια ιστορική ημερομηνία για την πορεία των εργασιών στην υπόθεση της ανέγερσης του Αγίου Νικολάου καθώς όλα μέλη της Ιερής Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και το προσωπικό, και οι επίσημοι αντιπρόσωποι της ενορίας του Αγίου Νικολάου, συναντήθηκαν μαζί με τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο στο γραφείο του Κυβερνήτη Κουόμο στην πόλη της Νέας Υόρκης. Εκεί οι αντιπρόσωποι των ενδιαφερομένων μερών, ο Εκτελεστικός Διευθυντής της Υπηρεσίας Λιμένων και ο Αντιπρόεδρος του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου, υπέγρα-
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ψαν την ιστορική συμφωνία με μάρτυρες τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο και τον Κυβερνήτη της Πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης. Κατά τη διάρκεια της υπογραφής της συμφωνίας, ο Κυβερνήτης Κουόμο είπε «Χάσαμε την Εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου στη διάρκεια της καταστροφής της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου και για πολύ καιρό το μέλλον της ήταν αβέβαιο. Ανοικοδομώντας τον Αγιο Νικόλαο, με επιπλέον αίθουσα περισυλλογής για όλους τους ανθρώπους κάθε πίστης, δεν είναι καλά νέα μόνο για την Ελληνορθόδοξη κοινότητα, αλλά για όλους τους κατοίκους της Νέας Υόρκης. Με αυτήν τη συμφωνία, συνεχίζουμε την μαζική επούλωση πληγών της τραυματισμένης Νέας Υόρκης, αλλά και την ανοικοδόμησή της και την αναζωογόνησή της. Τώρα επιστρέφουμε τελικώς αυτόν τον ευλογημένο τόπο περισυλλογής εκεί όπου ανήκει’. Από την πλευρά του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος τόνισε πως «Η εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου θα ανοικοδομηθεί και θα εγερθεί με τη βοήθεια του Θεού στο Σημείο Μηδέν, εκεί όπου υπήρξε αρχικώς και με τη μεγάλη πνευματική βαρύτητα που είχε για 85 ολόκληρα χρόνια, κάτι που αποδεικνύει την τεράστια σημασία της θρησκευτικής ελευθερίας που απολαμβάνουν τόσο οι κάτοικοι της Νέας Υόρκης, όσο και όλοι οι Αμερικανοί. Η διαθήκη αυτή είναι δυνατή. Θα ανάψουμε ξανά πολλά κεριά στο νέο Αγιο Νικόλαο και θα θυμόμαστε πάντα αυτούς που χάσαμε και όλους τους ήρωες που θυσίασαν με τον πιο ευγενικό τρόπο τη ζωή τους για να σώσουν τους συνανθρώπους τους. Ο σκοπός μας είναι, να γίνει μάρτυρας για όλους τους κατοίκους της Νέας Υόρκης πως η ελευθερία της σκέψεως και η βασική ανθρώπινη ελευθερία της θρησκευτικής εκφράσεως πάντα θα λάμπουν στο μέλλον, στην εκ νέου οικοδομημένη εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου». Η διαδικασία αυτή, συνεχίστηκε για μήνες μέχρις οσότου, τρια τελικά αρχιτεκτονικά σχέδια κατατέθηκαν στο τραπέζι, για τη νέα εκκλησία. Τελικά, υπερίσχυσαν το σχέδιο και η εμπειρία του παγκοσμίως γνωστού Ισπανού αρχιτέκτονα Σαντιάγκο Καλατράβα. ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΑ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ Οπως μπορεί να διακρίνει κανείς, η νέα εκκλησία που προτείνει ο γνωστός Ισπανός αρχιτέκτονας φέρει πολλά στοιχεία που παραπέμπουν σε διάφορες πασίγνωστες βυζαντινές εκκλησίες της Κωνσταντινούπολης, όπως η Μονή της Χώρας και της ίδιας της Αγίας Σοφίας. Το βασικό στοιχείο που υπερισχύει είναι ο τρούλος ο οποίος κάθεται σε τέσσερις πύργους/πεσσούς από πέτρα. Το κτίριο ακολουθεί το παραδοσιακό λειτουργικό σχήμα ενώ ταυτόχρονα δημιουργεί ένα ανοιχτό διαφοροποιημένο αρχιτεκτονικό χώρο. Οι βυζαντινή επιρροή βρίσκεται παντού, όπως για παράδειγμα στα 40 παράθυρα που βρίσκονται τριγύρω, αναφορά στα 40 παράθυρα του τρούλου της Αγίας Σοφίας Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Η νέα εκκλησία της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής φιλοδοξεί να αγκαλιάσει όλους τους ανθρώπους που θα περάσουν από τη πόρτα της, αναζητώντας πνευματικότητα, ηρεμία, επικοινωνία με το Θείο και κατανόηση από το ανθρώπινο. Μια εκκλησία που θα φέρει και πάλι κοντά τους ανθρώπους της πόλης αυτής, που προσπαθούν να επουλώσουν ακόμη τις πληγές που άνοιξε στην ψυχοσύνθεσή τους η τρομοκρατική επίθεση της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2001. Μπορεί ο Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου να μην μπορεί να προσφέρει όλες τις λύσεις που αναζητούν οι άνθρωποι για το μεγάλο ‘γιατί’ της καταστροφής, όμως σίγουρα θα ενδυναμώσει την πίστη όλων πως ο πανδαμάτωρ χρόνος επουλώνει τις πληγές των ανθρώπων και πως ο Θεός βρίσκεται πάντα κοντά τους και τους αγκαλιάζει όλους, κάτι που θα νιώσουν όσοι επισκευθούν τον Αγιο Νικόλαο στο μέλλον. Οπως η παλιά Ορθόδοξη εκκλησία κατέστη στήριγμα πίστης και ελπίδας για τους κατοίκους της περιοχής μέχρι το 2001, έτσι και η νέα εκκλησία θα καταστεί καταφύγιο ψυχών, τόπος περισυλλογής κι επικοινωνίας πέρα από τα ανθρώπινα για τους ανθρώπους του μέλλοντος.
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ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ
ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013
Επίσημη Πατριαρχική Επίσκεψη στη Θεσσαλονίκη
uΣελίδα 14
ντα ἐνίκησε μονομαχήσας καὶ τοῦ μαρτυρικοῦ στεφάνου ἠξιώθη ἀμέσως. Ταύτην τὴν τοῦ Ἁγίου Νέστορος ἐγκάρδιον καὶ ἀποτελεσματικὴν κραυγήν «ὁ Θεὸς Δημητρίου βοήθει μοι», ἂς ἀναφωνήσωμεν καὶ ἡμεῖς οἱ σύγχρονοι Θεσσαλονικεῖς καὶ οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι Ἕλληνες, πιστεύοντες ὅτι οἱ παντὸς εἴδους σύγχρονοι Λυαῖοι, φαινομενικῶς ἀνίκητοι γίγαντες, ἐξαφανίζονται ὡς νεφύδρια θερινὰ πρὸ τῆς προσευχῆς, πρὸ τοῦ σημείου τοῦ τιμίου Σταυροῦ, τὸ ὁποῖον εἶδεν ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ διὰ τοῦ ὁποίου ἐνίκησε κραταιῶς πάντα ἀντιτιθέμενον πειρασμόν, ὁ Μέγας ἐν βασιλεῦσι Κωνσταντῖνος, καθιερώσας διὰ τοῦ γνωστοῦ Διατάγματος τῶν Μεδιολάνων, τοῦ ὁποίου τὴν 1700ὴν ἐπέτειον κατὰ τὸ λῆγον ἔτος ἐπανηγύρισεν ἡ σύγχρονος ἀνθρωπότης, τὴν ἐλευθερίαν τῆς πίστεως καὶ τῶν δικαιωμάτων τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. Ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ, Εἰς τὴν ὅλην ἱστορικὴν διαδρομὴν καὶ πορείαν τῆς Κωνσταντίνου Πόλεως καὶ τῆς τῶν Θετταλῶν πόλεως ὑπάρχει μία λεπτομέρεια: ἡ συνεχῶς ἀναπεμπομένη ἱκεσία πρὸς τὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον καὶ ἡ ἐπαναλαμβανομένη θερμὴ εὐχαριστία διὰ τὴν προστασίαν του, ἡ ὁποία κατέστησε τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην ἰδιαιτέρως φιλοπρόοδον καὶ ἱκανὴν νὰ ἀντιμετωπίζῃ τὰς κρίσεις, τὰς ὁποίας ὑφίστατο κατὰ τὴν διάρκειαν τῆς μακρᾶς ἱστορίας της. Κατὰ τὴν Βυζαντινὴν περίοδον κατεῖχεν ἐξέχουσαν θέσιν ἐν τῇ Αὐτοκρατορίᾳ καὶ ἀνέδειξε πλείστους Ἁγίους καὶ σοφούς, οἱ ὁποῖοι τὴν ἐλάμπρυναν. Ὠνομάσθη βασιλεύουσα καὶ ὑπῆρξε συμπρωτεύουσα τῆς Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Τὴν Μικρὰν αὐτὴν Κωνσταντινούπολιν, τὴν νέαν Ἱερουσαλήμ, τὴν ἠγαπημένην τῶν ἡσυχαστῶν, τὴν ἐκλεκτὴν τῶν καισάρων, τὴν Μητέρα Θεσσαλονίκην τοῦ Γαβριὴλ Πεντζίκη, ἡμεῖς οἱ δοκιμάσαντες τὸν πειρασμόν, τὴν ἀγωνίαν καὶ τὸν πόνον τῆς προσφυγιᾶς, ὅταν αἱ ἱστορικαὶ συνθῆκαι ἐπέβαλον τὴν μετακίνησιν πρὸς δυσμὰς μυριάδων Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν
Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ
ἐκ τῆς Μικρᾶς Ἀσίας, τοῦ Πόντου, τῆς Καππαδοκίας, τῆς Ἰωνικῆς καὶ Αἰολικῆς γῆς, ἐκ τοῦ χώρου δηλαδὴ τῆς καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἀνατολῆς, τῆς ἐνδοχώρας τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην τὴν ἐγνωρίσαμεν καὶ τὴν γνωρίζομεν ὡς «πρώτη φτωχομάνα καὶ προσφυγομάνα», μαζὶ μὲ τὸν γνωστὸν Βαμβακάρην. Ἡ πόλις σας αὐτή, ἡ Θεσσαλονίκη, ὑπεδέχθη, «ἄνοιξε τὴν ἀγκαλιά της», ἐφιλοξένησε μὲ στοργὴν καὶ περιέθαλψε μὲ ἀγάπην μέγαν ἀριθμὸν πατέρων καὶ ἀδελφῶν μας, τῶν ἰδικῶν σας πατέρων καὶ μητέρων καὶ παππούδων καὶ γιαγιάδων. Καὶ ἔγινε ἡ δευτέρα, ἐξ ἴσου πρὸς τὴν πρώτην, φιλόστοργος πατρίς των. Καὶ ἐκεῖνοι, διὰ τῆς ἐργατικότητος καὶ δημιουργικότητός των καὶ διὰ τοῦ πολιτισμοῦ καὶ τῶν γνώσεων τὰς ὁποίας ἐκόμισαν ἐξ Ἀνατολῶν ἀνέδειξαν τὴν Μακεδονίαν καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως τὴν πόλιν τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης μεγάλην, προοδεύουσαν εἰς ὅλους τοὺς τομεῖς καὶ ἀπολαμβάνουσαν τοὺς καρποὺς τῶν μόχθων της. Ἡ ἀνοικοδόμησις
Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Hellenic Orthodox Church, Palm Harbor, FL
A Shrine for Healing
The Sacred and Venerable Relics of our Patron Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene are in permanent resident at our Church. A paraklesis to our Patron Saints are chanted every Tuesday throughout the year The celebration of receiving the Holy Relics & Panagei is the weekend of February 1, 2014. The Feast Day Celebration is Tuesday, April 22, 2014. Names for your loved ones for healing may be submitted for prayers. Holy Water and Holy Oil from the Holy Monastery of Saints Raphael in Thermi, Mytilini are also available upon request. Donations may be made by clicking onto Paypal on our website: straphaelhoc.org or by mail: 1010 Riviere Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34683. Tel: (727)-789-5905 • Fax: (727)-781-3851 Email: saintraphaelchurch@yahoo.com
τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης μετὰ τὴν καταστροφικὴν πυρκαϊὰν τοῦ δισέκτου ἔτους 1917 κατέστη δυνατὴ χάρις εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα, τὴν δυναμικότητα, τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀρετὴν τῶν πτωχῶν ἐκείνων καὶ κατατρεγμένων ὑπὸ τῶν περιπετειῶν τῆς ἱστορίας προσφύγων. Ἡ ἀνοικοδόμησις αὐτὴ ἐπὶ νέου συγχρόνου καὶ ἐπιτυχεστέρου σχεδίου συνετέλεσεν εἰς τὴν μεγάλην ἀνάπτυξίν της. Ἡ πρόοδος αὐτῆς ἐν συνεχείᾳ εἰς ὅλους τοὺς τομεῖς ἀνέδειξε τὴν δημιουργικότητα τοῦ φιλοχρίστου λαοῦ της. Σήμερον ἔχει ἀνακτήσει τὴν παλαιὰν αἴγλην τῆς συμπρωτευούσης καὶ συμβασιλευούσης καὶ αἰσθάνεται τὴν ἰσχυρὰν προστασίαν τοῦ πολιούχου αὐτῆς ἐξαιρετικῶς παροῦσαν καὶ ἀποτελεσματικήν. Αὐτῶν τῶν δημιουργῶν τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς πατρῴας ἀρετῆς, ἀπόγονοι, ἐπίγονοι καὶ συνεχισταὶ εἶσθε σεῖς, οἱ ὁποῖοι βαδίζετε «στ᾿ ἀχνάριά των». Ἀδελφοί μου, Αἱ σημεριναὶ ἱστορικαὶ συντεταγμέναι παγκοσμίως δὲν εἶναι, ἢ δὲν ἐμφανίζονται τόσον εὐοίωνοι. Παρὰ ταῦτα, παρὰ τὰ ἀτελείωτα προβλήματα καὶ παρεμβαλλόμενα ἐμπόδια, οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι πιστοὶ διατηροῦμεν ὑψηλὸν καὶ ἀκατάβλητον τὸ φρόνημά μας, διότι ἔχομεν παράδοσιν, ἦθος, ἀξίας. Κατέχομεν ἐπὶ πᾶσιν τὴν Ἀξίαν, δηλαδὴ τὴν Χάριν, ἤτοι τὸν Χριστόν, ὁ Ὁποῖος στηρίζει, ἐνισχύει, παρηγορεῖ, διαφυλάττει, χαρίζει εἰρήνην ἐσωτερικήν, φωτίζει, ἀνοίγει διεξόδους εἰς τὰ ἀδιέξοδα, σταλάζει γλυκασμὸν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μας, «διασκεδάζει βουλὰς ἐθνῶν», καὶ μᾶς προλέγει καὶ βεβαιώνει καὶ λέγει : «ἰσχυκότες ἡττᾶσθε˙ ὅτι μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν ὁ Θεός». Τὸ Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον, ὁ «ἀετὸς ὁ μέγας, ὁ μεγαλοπτέρυγος» (Ἰεζεκ. ιζ΄, 3) τοῦ Ὀρθοδόξου Γένους μας, ἐπισκοπεῖ ἀπὸ τῆς ἑπταλόφου Πόλεως, εἰς Ἀνατολὴν καὶ Δύσιν καὶ Βορρᾶν καὶ Νότον, μὲ αἴσθημα πολλῆς εὐθύνης καὶ σκεπάζει μὲ τὰς πτέρυγας τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ τῆς προσευχῆς του τὰ ὅπου γῆς τέκνα τῆς Μητρὸς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως σᾶς ὅλους, τὴν κληρουχίαν του, τὴν ἕλκουσαν, ἐπαναλαμβάνομεν, κατὰ μέγα μέρος, τὴν καταγωγὴν ἐκ τῶν χώρων τῆς εὐλογημένης Μικρασιατικῆς γῆς, τῆς γῆς τῶν Ἁγίων, τῶν Μαρτύρων, τῶν Ὁσίων καὶ τῶν Ἡρώων. Σᾶς διαβεβαιούμεθα κατὰ τὴν ἱερὰν καὶ ἱστορικὴν ταύτην στιγμὴν ὅτι πάντοτε ἐνώπιον τῆς θαυματουργοῦ Εἰκόνος τῆς Παναγίας τῆς Φανερωμένης τοῦ Πατριαρχικοῦ μας Ναοῦ, τῆς Παναγίας τῶν προσφύγων τῆς Ἀνατολῆς, καίει ἀκοίμητος ἡ κανδήλα τῆς προσευχῆς μας ὑπὲρ ὑγείας, μακροημερεύσεως, προόδου, εὐδοκιμήσεως καὶ σωτηρίας ὅλων σας καὶ τοῦ κόσμου παντός. Ὅλη ἡ στρατιὰ τῶν σοφῶν, τῶν Ἁγίων καὶ τῶν περιφανῶν Θεσσαλονικέων, ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς καὶ μέχρι τῶν ἐσχάτων, ἀποτελεῖ πηγὴν ἐμπνεύσεως διὰ σᾶς τοὺς σημερινοὺς Θεσσαλονικεῖς καὶ ἐρέθισμα ἀγωνιστικότητος καὶ ἀδιακόπου καὶ ἀκαταβλήτου προσπαθείας καὶ μιμήσεως, ὥστε σκέψεις ἀπαισιοδοξίας καὶ ἡττοπαθείας νὰ μὴ δύνανται νὰ ἐπικρατήσουν εἰς τὰς καρδίας μας. Ἄλλωστε, οἱ καταφυγόντες πρὸ αἰῶνος περίπου εἰς τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην πρόσφυγες, οἱ μηδὲν κομίσαντες, παρὰ μόνον θρῆνον καὶ πόνον καὶ ἀγωνίαν, κεκτημένοι ὅμως τὰ πάντα, τὴν πίστιν, τὸ φρόνημα καὶ τὴν ἀρετήν,
ἀποδεικνύουν τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀληθές. Ἀδελφοί, Χαίροντες καὶ συγχαίροντες διὰ τὸν Ἅγιον μας, διὰ τὴν πίστιν μας καὶ διὰ τὴν ταυτότητά μας, συνεχίζομεν τὴν πορείαν μας ἐν προσευχῇ, καὶ ὁ τελευταῖος προσευχητικὸς λόγος μας ἐκ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως εἷναι ἡ ἀκροτελεύτιος εὐχὴ τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τοῦ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Ἰωάννου τοῦ Χρυστοστόμου, τοῦ ἀεὶ διδάσκοντος: «Σοὶ παρακατατιθέμεθα τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν ἅπασαν καὶ τὴν ἐλπίδα, Δέσποτα Φιλάνθρωπε»˙ καὶ τὴν πόλιν Σου ταύτην˙ καὶ τὴν ὀρθοδοξοῦσαν Θεσσαλονίκην Δημητρίου τοῦ Μάρτυρος˙ καὶ τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ τὸ Γένος ἅπαν˙ καὶ τόν «κόσμον» Σου˙ «καὶ παρακαλοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθα καὶ ἱκετεύομεν...»: « ὑπὲρ τοῦ διαφυλαχθῆναι τὴν ἁγίαν Ἐκκλησίαν καὶ τὴν πόλιν ταύτην καὶ πᾶσαν πόλιν καὶ χώραν ἀπὸ λοιμοῦ, λιμοῦ, σεισμοῦ, καταποντισμοῦ, πυρός, μαχαίρας, ἐπιδρομῆς ἀλλοφύλων, ἐμφυλίου πολέμου...καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἵλεων, εὐμενῆ καὶ εὐδιάλλακτον γενέσθαι τὸν ἀγαθὸν καὶ φιλάνθρωπον Θεὸν ἡμῶν, τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι καὶ διασκεδάσαι πᾶσαν ὀργὴν καὶ νόσον τὴν καθ᾿ ἡμῶν κινουμένην καὶ ρύσασθαι ἡμᾶς τῆς δικαίας αὐτοῦ ἀπειλῆς καὶ ἐλεῆσαι ἡμᾶς». Ἀμήν. ΕΠΙΤΙΜΟΣ ΔΗΜΟΤΗΣ Ο δήμαρχος Θεσσαλονίκης Γιάννης Μπουτάρης και τα μέλη του δημοτικού συμβουλίου ανέμεναν τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη στην είσοδο του δημαρχείου της Θεσσαλονίκης. Όταν έφτασε ο Πατριάρχης ένα μικρό κορίτσι του πρόσφερε μια ανθοδέσμη με λευκά λουλούδια. Ο Πατριάρχης πήρε το κοριτσάκι από το χέρι και μπήκε στο δημαρχείο. «Σας υποδεχόμαστε με χαρά και συγκίνηση και πάνω από όλα με τιμή», ανέφερε κατά την προσφώνηση του ο δήμαρχος Θεσσαλονίκης σημειώνοντας ότι η ανταπόκριση της τοπικής εκκλησίας στην κοινωνική κρίση στην Θεσσαλονίκη αναβιώνει το κοινοτικό πνεύμα του Ελληνισμού και υπενθυμίζει ότι τόσο η Εκκλησία όσο και η κοινωνία οφείλουν να χειραφετηθούν από την κρατική εξουσία. Αναφερόμενος στην επέτειο της 28ης Οκτωβρίου, ο κ. Μπουτάρης σημείωσε ότι «συμπίπτει με μια προσπάθεια της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας να αντιμετωπίσει μια νεοναζιστική οργάνωση που κατηγορείται ως εγκληματική. Αυτό είναι ένα σημείο που συνδέει σε κάποιο βαθμό το χθες με το σήμερα. Τον φασισμό του Μουσολίνι με τον νεοναζισμό. Την άμυνα της Ελλάδας εκείνης της εποχής με την άμυνα της σημερινής Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας». Στους άρρηκτους δεσμούς και την κοινή ιστορική πορεία της Θεσσαλονίκης και της Κωνσταντινούπολης αναφέρθηκε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος κατά την ομιλία του. «Ευαίσθητο κήρυκα του διαλόγου και της συμφιλίωσης, πολέμιο της βίας και του φανατισμού και υπέρμαχο της προστασίας του περιβάλλοντος», χαρακτήρισε τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη ο πρόεδρος του δημοτικού συμβουλίου, Παναγιώτης Αβραμόπουλος. Κατά τη διάρκεια της ειδικής πανηγυρικής συνεδρίασης χαιρετισμό απηύθυναν και οι επικεφαλής των δημοτικών παρατάξεων. Στην εκδήλωση παρέστησαν ο υπουργός Μακεδονίας–Θράκης Θόδωρος Καράογλου, ο αναπληρωτής υπουργός Περιβάλλοντος Ενέργειας και Κλιματικής Αλλαγής Σταύρος Καλαφάτης, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, ο Μητροπολίτης Θεσσαλονίκης Άνθιμος, ιεράρχες του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου και οι πρόξενοι ΗΠΑ, Τουρκίας, Ρωσίας και Γερμανίας.
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NOVEMBER 2013
Church History The First Greek Orthodox Hierarch to Visit America by William H. Samonides, Ph.D.
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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The July 23, 1893, edition of the New York Tribune reported that “Denis Latas, Greek Archbishop of Zante, one of the Ionian Islands, famed for its currants and earthquakes, came as the envoy of the King of Greece, to the Religious Congress at Chicago.... He is of exceedingly venerable and patriarchal appearance, and wears a long, white beard.” Archbishop Dionysios Latas (183694) was the first Greek Orthodox hierarch to come to America. The 57-year-old Archbishop was attending the World’s Parliament of Religions, a two-week conference of representatives from the world’s major religions held at the Columbia Exposition in Chicago. Archbishop Latas came to America as a representative of the Church of Greece. In 1893, there was a much smaller Greek Orthodox presence in North America, with only three parishes. Holy Trinity in New Orleans was established in 1864. Holy Trinity in New York and Annunciation in Chicago were both established in 1892. There were four Greek Orthodox priests: Michael Karides in New Orleans, Paisios Ferentinos at Holy Trinity in New York, Panagiotis Fiambolis at Annunciation in Chicago, and Kallinikos Kanellas, an itinerant priest who served primarily in the larger cities of the East where there were not yet enough Greeks to sustain parishes. Greece was also quite different from what it would become. It was about half its present size and did not yet include Crete, Epirus, Macedonia, Western Thrace, or many of the Aegean islands; these territories would be gained in Greek military victories in the coming decades. In 1897, however, during a short disastrous war with Turkey, the Greek military was exposed as poorly trained and equipped. The economy was also in shambles. In 1893, there was a precipitous drop in the price of currants, the primary Greek export, and the country defaulted on repayment of foreign loans. Up to that time, Greek immigration to North America had been negligible: from 1881 to 1890, there were only 2,308 immigrants. In the next decade, however, there would be a sharp increase. The Greek economy was depressed, and many needed jobs, while cutthroat competition among steamship companies lowered the cost of transatlantic passage. At the time, Americans were unfamiliar with Orthodoxy, and the presence of the Archbishop was an important introductory step. He became a celebrity, attracting attention as a participant in the Parliament but also because of his “exotic” garb. His activities and utterances were widely reported in the national press, and he made a favorable impression wherever he went. Even though his English was not fluent, Archbishop Latas began a dialogue with Americans, both clerical and secular. He had been named after St. Dionysios, patron saint of the island of Zante, or Zakynthos. A cleric of considerable international experience and education,
he had long dreamed of visiting America. Educated at the Theological School of the University of Athens, he had studied in the Holy Land, France, Germany, and England, and spoke several languages. In Greece, he was well-known for his oratorical skill and fine sermons. He was held in high esteem by American Jewish leaders for protecting Jews from persecution in Russia and other areas where the Orthodox Church held sway. In 1870, he was in Rome to observe the First Vatican Council. This experience would prove useful in America, where he was frequently asked about the possibility of a union between the Orthodox and Catholic churches. The Archbishop was a man of great intellectual curiosity. Among his many adventures in America was a late-night visit to the offices of The New York Herald where, together with his deacon and the Greek Consul, he watched the presses print the morning newspaper. He explained that he had never seen “so complete and multiform an establishment.... I am glad to have witnessed so marvelous an achievement of the human mind.” The Herald was his favorite American newspaper: it had raised funds for victims of the earthquake that devastated Zante in April 1893. In addition to attending the conference, during the six months he spent in America, the Archbishop celebrated Liturgy at the Annunciation in Chicago and at Holy Trinity in New York. He referred to Holy Trinity as “the little Greek church in this city,” reminding him of “the little churches I preached in years ago [in Greece] when I was an Archimandriti.” He saw the major sites of New York City and Washington, as well as the tourist attractions of Saratoga Springs and Niagara Falls. He met with high officials of the American Episcopal church and attended the 110th annual convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of New York. At the end of his American travels, he baptized a child in the Russian Orthodox church in San Francisco. A quarter century would pass before the next Greek Orthodox hierarchs would come to America. Metropolitan of Athens, Meletios Metaxakis, along with Bishop (later Archbishop) Alexander Rodostolou, arrived in August 1918. Metropolitan Meletios came as the head of the Holy Synod of Greece, which had jurisdiction over the Church in America. The Church had grown enormously since 1893. With increased immigration from Greece and Asia Minor, more than 100 parishes had been established throughout North America. For Archbishop Latas, however, visiting America was only the first leg of his journey. Just 10 years after the publication of Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in Eighty Days, traveling around the world in relative comfort on reliable transportation was a novelty that captured the Archbishop’s imagination. After touring America, this forwardlooking hierarch would set off to see the rest of the world.
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Parish Profile
Smooth-Running Community Could Be on Cruise Control P A R I S H
profile
Name: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Location: Piscataway, N.J. Metropolis of New Jersey Size: about 1,000 families Founded: 1917 Clergy: Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos (University of Thessaloniki, 1976; Theology degree) E-mail: SGGOC@optonline.net Web: www.stgeorgepiscataway.org ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH PISCATAWAY, N.J. – One of the largest parishes of the Archdiocese, St. George Church has a program or ministry for every group and age. “We try to accommodate as many people as possible,” said Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos, the parish priest since March 2011. “It’s a very eventful ministry, very busy, but very, very rewarding at the same time,” he said. Fr. Pastrikos is the only priest in the community. A glance at the parish’s bi-monthly newsletter, The Voice of Saint George, shows how active the community must be. There are nine church organizations and 20 committees Outreach to the poor and hungry is among the most active ministries. The Philoptochos chapter prepares meals for a local soup kitchen and every two months, the Goyans have an obligatory Charity Night were they also cook food for distribution to the poor. The Philoptochos members also engage in other projects, including the sewing of blankets and the visitation of shut-ins, as well as more traditional activities such as bake sales. The parish has a large number of young people with very active GOYA and JOY/HOPE groups.The Sunday School has about 200 children; Greek school has 165 students. St. George is also among the older parishes of the Archdiocese. Founded in 1917, the parish was established in the centrally located northeastern New
Jersey city of New Brunswick, according to a parish history. The first liturgies took place on the second floor of the Fraternal Order of Eagles hall. But after a year, the trustees of the church disbanded and services stopped. A second group, spearheaded by Fr. Vasilios Daskalakis and several laymen, restarted the church in 1918 and established a building fund. Meanwhile a Greek school was founded and services took place at an Episcopal church. The parish, under the leadership of Fr. George Spyridakis, land was purchased for $1,300. He was transferred for a brief period to Newark and construction began on the church building, which cost $12,770 to build. The building was completed in 1919. But Fr. Daskalakis returned and became the first priest of the new church. He personally paid for the outfitting of the Holy Altar. As happened with so many communities in existence in the 1920s, a rift developed as a consequence of the Royalist–Venizelist political crisis in Greece. There were two Greek schools and two different congregations in the community that held services. By 1928, the divisions in the parish healed. Over the next 30 years, 12 priests served the parish. Following World War II, the community began to grow and the need for
People Win-Win-Win Situations Wins re–election
NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. – George Maragos, who attends Resurrection Church in Brookville and Archangel Michael Church in Port Washington, won re–election as the county comptroller with 52% of the vote. He easily defeated his challenger, the previous incumbent, who he ousted four years ago.
Wins pageant
DENVER – Eleanna Livaditis, a member of Assumption Cathedral, won the “Miss
Colorado” title in the Oct. 27 statewide pageant. She is a graduate of the University of Wyoming and has worked for an energy corporation and in a law office.
Wins titles
EDISON – High schools seniors Nikos Plakoudas and Margo Costidis recently won the Mr. and Miss New Jersey GOYA title at a statewide event. Nikos is a member of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel and Margo is a member of St. George Asbury Park/Ocean.
a larger church became evident. The long process began of raising funds, buying land and building a new church. During this period, a parish constitution was adopted and the St. Barbara Philoptcchos chapter In January 1959, Fr. Anthony N. Pappas arrived in the community. He was to become St. George’s longest serving priest. Construction on the church (currently in use) began in 1961 and the first liturgy in the new building took place on Dec. 23, 1962. Consecration took place May 25, 1969. Membership continued to increase
so that by 1991, a second priest, Fr. John E. Constantine, came to the parish. He served as assistant priest until 1995 when he left to serve as a Navy chaplain. Fr. John Theodosion became the next assistant priest. Following Fr. Pappas’s 50th anniversary in the parish, and subsequent retirement in 2002, Fr. Theodosion became the proistamenos. After two years, he was succeeded in 2004 by the Very Rev. Alexander Kile, who died at a young age in early 2011. Fr. Pastrikos, who had been the priest in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., then became the next parish priest. Fr. Nicholas was born on the island of Kalymnos, Greece, but came to the U.S. with his family at a very young age and grew up in Ambridge, Pa. Parishioners have a great interest in the church as the priest notes. “The church fills up every Sunday, for which I am grateful,” said Fr. Nicholas. “There’s not one empty seat.” The parish is on stewardship, but the Greek festival is another revenue source. The priest also notes that many volunteers provide the vigor and energy needed to keep all the parish ministries flowing smoothly. “Mostly I fulfill my religious obligations, but it’s almost as if the parish was on cruise control,” he said. “That’s how good and organized the parish is,” thank God.” — Compiled by Jim Golding
IS youR PARISh... Ready to expand parish participation? Seeking funds for a building project? Wishing to promote Planned Giving?
Assistance is Available! The office of Parish Development offers guidance to parishes through:
Strategic Planning Workshops: For greater involvement in your parish Capital Campaign Planning Studies: Assessing your project’s fundraising potential Capital Campaign Management: Planning and coaching from beginning to end
Stewardship Assistance: Inspiring greater giving in your parish Parish Planned Giving Programs: Guidance in cultivating planned gifts Grant Proposal Research & Writing: Help throughout the grant proposal process
Want More Information?
Contact us to discuss your Goals & Needs and allow us to explain how we might be of help. Greek orthodox Archdiocese of America office of Parish Development 3 South Prospect Avenue, Ste. II Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 825-1432 Email: jminetos@goarch.org
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Marriage & Family
Relationship Discontentment Dear Father Charles, My husband and I have been married for nearly 16 years. During this time, we’ve experienced many high points and like all couples, our share of low points. The past few years have been different – not many highs or lows, just a lot of what I would call “blandness.” When I’ve tried to talk about this with my husband, he’s gotten angry and accused me of making “a big deal out of nothing.” Sometimes I have agreed with him, and thought I might be overreacting. At other times, I think something is wrong – terribly wrong. To make matters worse, over the last few months I have begun to feel some sadness and discontentment. Am I being silly, or should I be concerned? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. E-mail Respondent Response: You are not being “silly,” and you have asked a good question that I believe applies to many marriages today. Here are a few thoughts and suggestions that may help you and your husband move beyond the “blandness.” Write me back if you have follow-up questions. From Blandness to Discontentment and More Many couples who slip into a place of “blandness” fail to act. In some cases circumstances change between them and the blandness lifts, but in far too many cases, the blandness lingers and they drift further and further apart. Many of these couples often report that circumstances between them eventually morph into a state of discontentment. Further, if the discontentment is left unchecked, emotional distance, isolation, sadness and tension fill their relationship, seriously undermining friendship, trust, understanding and the love they once shared. Am I suggesting you and your husband are on this path? No. I am not familiar enough with the dynamics of your marriage to answer this question, but why wait to find out that, in fact, you are on this path. The reality is, the “let’s wait, there’s nothing wrong” strategy that you have adopted does not seem to be working. So, rather than taking a let’s see attitude, why not take a more proactive approach and consider making some blessed adjustments and changes. Internal Discontentment Together with these suggestions, I am a great advocate of what our Lord taught: “…first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:5). In other words, I would also like to ask you to take a closer, introspective look at yourself. These few thoughts may prove helpful. Contemporary spouses expect more from their marriage than those from past generations. This is not always bad. Higher expectations force spouses to be more accountable and responsible to one another and their marriage. However, there is a downside. All too often, I have met persons who have demanded too much from their relationship, and not enough from themselves. These persons have expected their relationship and their spouse to ameliorate some internal discontentment that their spouse and marriage cannot remedy. Those who fall into this trap begin to believe that their challenges are interrelated with what they are not getting from
their spouse and their marriage. When in essence, a great deal of their discontentment is internally based and very much the result of living in a secular society that is quick to designate our spouses and marriages as the source of our problems. Here are some questions you might ask yourself to help you discern if the issues are couple based and/or personal in nature. • Am I asking too much of my marriage at this stage in the life cycle? • Am I a victim of the messages in today’s popular media that are all about what I’m not getting? • Considering what I know about my spouse’s limitations, are my expectations overly inflated? • How do I live with my spouse’s shortcomings? • How do I live with my own reactions to my spouse’s shortcomings? • Are my expectations making me miserable? • How often have I counted my blessings and thanked God for what’s good about my spouse? • If our problems aren’t that bad, how do I accept the things I can’t change right now? • How do I change the things I can change? • What can I do differently to improve circumstances between us? Cultivate a Relationship with God Along with the last two suggestions, I would like you to take a long, prayerful look at your relationship with God. Here is why: To the extent that we choose to cultivate a relationship with God, our faith tradition repeatedly teaches that this choice can have a positive impact on us personally, and by extension, our relationships with those around us, especially significant relationships such as our marriage. That is because a relationship with God is by nature transformative and healing: at once ameliorating internal emptiness and discontentment while also positively affecting our efforts to connect with others in a healthy, holy way, our marriages being no exception. Quoting from a lady who has been married for 20 years, her thoughts nicely illustrate these last few points. “About ten years ago, I finally decided to take my faith in God seriously. When I did, I soon began to notice that I had a more understanding, more patient and loving attitude toward those around me….I can honestly say that I’m not the same wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend that I was before I permitted God to come into my life.” Quick Fixes and Easy Solutions Will change and healing occur overnight? No. Change and healing takes time and considerable effort – time and effort that that we are not always willing to invest. Often, we are looking for quick fixes and easy relational solutions. For example, consider some of the recommendations in popular media that discuss cures for the blandness and discontentment that you have described. Here are a few examples. “Ten Easy Ways to Get What You Need from Your Partner” and “Bring Back the Excitement in Two Weeks.” The reality is, while there may be some helpful hints within these articles, there are no quick fixes and easy solutions when it comes to either protecting
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NOVEMBER 2013
IOCC
HCHC
Typhoon Victims to Receive Help
The Healing Power of Music
BALTIMORE – Just four days after the most powerful tropical storm ever to make landfall blasted across the Philippines with wind speeds up to 195 miles per hour, the country is faced with the devastating loss of thousands of lives and millions of survivors across 41 provinces in a desperate search for food, water and shelter. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) emergency response personnel are assessing the urgent humanitarian needs for victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan, which has left a trail of destruction affecting an estimated 9.8 million people in the Philippines. IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, is in communication with the Orthodox Christian Churches and ecumenical partners of the ACT Alliance member agencies on the ground to identify the most effective and appropriate responses to the catastrophe.
Supported relief activities include shelter repair and cleaning up of debris through cash for work programs in the country, as well as the distribution of relief items such as clothing and hygiene kits. The need for emergency hygiene kits is especially great. Instructions on organizing a kit assembly drive can be found on the IOCC website at www.iocc.org/kits More than 71,000 families have sought refuge at one of the country’s 1,223 evacuation centers, but thousands of other families are still homeless. Residents of Tacloban City, the hardest hit area, are without food or water or electricity. Communications networks have been badly damaged by the typhoon and debris blocking major roads from the airport to the city is making it difficult to reach vulnerable families in need of help.
Greek Hospitals Get $4 million ATHENS - Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece recently met with Greek Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis to announce support for Greek hospitals with the shipment of five containers of medical supplies valued at nearly $4 million from the International Orthodox Christian Charities. The Archbishop was joined by Apostoli General Director Constantinos Dimtsas and IOCC Program Coordinator in Greece Despina Katsivelaki, to discuss the most effective way to distribute the aid to benefit public hospitals facing shortages of essential medical supplies. Through the support of The Jaharis Family Foundation, Inc. and its “Give for Greece” Challenge Gift to International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the five containers of medical supplies will include disposable medical equipment, syringes, gloves, gauze, bandages and hundreds of other items. IOCC, working in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Apostoli, the charitable arm of the
Archdiocese of Athens, will distribute the provisions to hospitals across the country over the next 12 months. In 2012, IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, began responding to emerging hunger and welfare needs faced by a growing number of Greeks as a result of the country’s faltering economy and massive unemployment. With the support of The National Philoptochos Society, AHEPA, the Pancretan Association of America and private donors, IOCC has provided medical supplies valued at more than $4.5 million over the past two years. In addition to medical aid, IOCC is providing vulnerable families in Greece with essential food assistance. Through the support of the Jaharis Family Foundation, Inc., more than 1.7 million people in Greece are slated to receive more than $8 million in food, medical supplies and heating fuel assistance over the next year.
Syria Crisis Seriously Affects Children’s Learning BALTIMORE – A generation of school children is at risk as the education of Syrian youth threatens to become another casualty of the prolonged conflict. Over the past year, two million youngsters inside Syria were forced to drop out of school according to UNICEF. Many schools inside Syria now serve as emergency shelters for displaced families and the one million child refugees who fled Syria empty-handed lack the uniforms and supplies required to attend class in host country schools. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), an ACT Alliance member, is helping to bridge the learning gap for Syria’s school children across the region. The hum of sewing ma-
chines at a Damascus school-turned-shelter mixes with the excited chatter of displaced Syrian children living there. It is the beginning of the new school year and they watch as new uniforms materialize before them with the hope they can resume their education. Working in Syria with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA), displaced Syrians are being employed by IOCC to sew new school uniforms for more than 1,000 school-aged children currently living in public shelters around the capital city. Many of the 34 tailors and seamstresses making the uniforms are displaced mothers and fathers residing at a school shelter.
by Josh Cole
BROOKLINE, Mass. -- The CD recording was all planned out. We had two days to record the Holy Cross Romanos the Melodist Byzantine Choir. It was an ambitious schedule for an ambitious project - capturing a selection of the music from the Orthros of Great and Holy Friday, the service of the Crucifixion and the Twelve Gospels. Professor Grammenos Karanos had been rehearsing the selections with the choir for months. The majority of the musical settings were being recorded for the first time ever. The Greek compositions were by Petros the Peloponnesian (d. 1778), widely acknowledged as the greatest post-Byzantine Greek ecclesiastical composer. There was also a rarely performed arrangement of a hymn by Konstantinos Vyzantios (d. 1862). The English settings were composed by John Michael Boyer, a Holy Cross MDiv. candidate and Metropolis of San Francisco protopsaltis, under Dr. Karanos’ supervision. Despite the 250-year gap between Petros’ and Boyer’s work, there is a meticulous unity of musical content. The CD was to be recorded in celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross for the 75th anniversary of Holy Cross. The Monday before the recording session was to take place, the Boston Marathon bombing occurred. More than a dozen HCHC students were at the scene, including some witnesses. We realized more than ever that the Orthodox understanding of the co-suffering love of Christ and healing through the power of the Cross was what our city needed.
The recording would go on. When the manhunt locked down the metro Boston area, it was uncertain if the equipment could be taken to the Holy Cross chapel. Because we were using state-of-theart sound equipment and students were about to take finals (with many then graduating) the recording had to take place. The bomber was captured and the streets opened in time to begin the first recording session with the men’s choir that Sunday (the women’s Byzantine choir recorded on Saturday). As the choir gathered, there was a deep solemnity and sense of purpose that permeated the chapel. Hour after hour, these men poured their anguish into music written expressly to transform anguish into joy, suffering into healing, death into life. On Monday, there was to be a citywide moment of silence followed by the ringing of bells at 2:51 p.m., exactly one week after the bombings and the ninth hour in the ancient reckoning of our Faith, the same hour that Jesus died on the cross and “all creation saw and trembled.” Choir members went outside, somber in their cassocks, and gathered around the bell that always calls students to prayer. We opened all the doors of the chapel. The recording equipment was running. And the bell tolled. The solemn tolls of the bell outside the chapel open the CD, titled “All Creation Trembled: Orthodox Hymns of the Passion Service,” available at the Holy Cross Bookstore and coming soon to iTunes and other digital retailers. Josh Cole is HCHC manager of Marketing and Communications.
OCN Produces Anniversary Video BROOKLINE, Mass. – Fr. Chris Metropulos, host of Orthodox Christian Network, visited the Hellenic College Holy Cross for its recent 75th Anniversary Jubilee Celebration. He sat down with members of the faculty, staff, alumni, and students to produce an 11–minute video titled “Hellenic College Holy Cross:
Transforming Lives, Now and Forever.” The video includes not only interviews, but also selected video clips from speakers at the Jubilee banquet. Among them are Archbishop Demetrios and Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos. The video is available for viewing at www.hchc.edu/ocnvideo.
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Clean Water Vital for Cameroon’s Youth BALTIMORE - A drink of fresh, clean water is a luxury for many people in Cameroon. While some areas of the country can receive as much as 75 inches of rainfall each year, 40 percent of the people, a majority of who live in remote rural areas, don’t have access to clean water. Women and children tasked with the job of collecting water for the family often walk several miles to fill large plastic jugs and carry them back. Even worse, the water often comes from
contaminated sources and exposes them to life-threatening diseases such as cholera, diarrhea and dysentery. Children are especially vulnerable, with waterborne and water vectored diseases the leading cause of childhood deaths in Cameroon. The lack of clean water has created a national health crisis among the children and youth who make up more than half of
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NOVEMBER 2013
When Will We Choose to Live More Simply? u u from page 3 Moreover, scientists estimate that those most hurt by global warming in the years to come, are those who can least afford it. According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, the questions that will be asked of us all at the final moment of accountability will not be about our religious observance but on whether we fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, comforted the sick, and cared for captives. Our reckless consumption of the earth’s resources – energy, water, and forests – threatens us with irreversible climate change. Burning more fuel than we need in an overpopulated city, we may contribute to droughts or floods thousands of miles away. To restore the planet we need a spiritual worldview, which brings frugality and simplicity, humility and respect. We must constantly be aware of the impact of our actions on all of creation. We must direct our focus away from what we want to what the planet needs. We must choose to care for creation; otherwise, we do not really care about anything at all. In our efforts, to contain global warming, we are ultimately admitting just how prepared we are to sacrifice some of our selfish and greedy lifestyles. When will we learn to say: “Enough!”? When will we
understand how important it is to leave as light a footprint as possible on this planet for the sake of future generations? After all, we are all in this together. Our planet unites us in a unique way. While we may differ in our conception of the origins or purpose of our world, and while we may disagree on social or political ideology, surely we can all agree on our responsibility and obligation to protect its natural resources – which are neither limitless nor negotiable – for future generations. It is not too late to respond – as a people and as a planet. We could steer the earth toward our children’s future. Yet we can no longer afford to wait; we can no longer afford to be idle. The world has clearly expressed its opinion; our political leaders must accordingly act with urgency. Deadlines can no longer be postponed; indecision and inaction are not options. We have a choice to make. The time to choose is now. We remain optimistic about the results at Warsaw; quite simply because we are optimistic about humanity’s potential. Let us work together; let us offer the earth an opportunity to heal and continue to nurture us. See more at: www.patriarchate.org/ documents/patriarchal-message-cop19#sthash.rvaSWUTP.dpuf
Committee Reports Summary u u from page 9 social networking. The camping ministry continues to experience progress and growth in all metropolises. A promotional video series through YouTube, Be the Bee, captures the enthusiasm of the camping experience New programs include REAL (Representing Emerging Adult Leaders) with held a recent weekend gathering in Philadelphia. Others include Orthodoxy on Tap, which began in the Metropolis of Boston and seeks to connect with young adults where they gather; and the Ambassador Program, which selects seminarians to conduct retreats and other programs at parishes. Youth ministry also has developed a new logo: Y2Am (Youth and Young Adult Ministry).Ionian Village Director Fr. Evagoras Constantinides reported record attendance for the Summer 2013 programs, about 400, and he has developed an alumni magazine.
Orthodox, Roman Catholic Theologians’ Dialogue u u from page 3 and to share and discuss the gifts which have resulted from the North American Orthodox Catholic Theological Consultation, the students shared their reflections on the Consultation’s 2010 agreed statement, “Steps Towards a Reunited Church: A Sketch of an Orthodox-Catholic Vision for the Future.” They also touched on the pastoral challenges resulting from the divisions of the two churches. Metropolitan Sotirios, of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto and Exarch of All Canada, hosted the group for lunch before the discussion at the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. Cardinal Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of Toronto also encouraged the seminarians and members of the Consultation in their important work. The next meeting of the North American Orthodox Theological Consultation group is scheduled to take place June 2–4, 2014.
TECHNOLOGY Director Theo Nikolakis reported that the IT Department recently consolidated several web sites it previously maintained to achieve a yearly savings of about $100,000. At the same time, the capacity of the Archdiocese web site has increased about “45 fold.” The department also has developed a new version of “Bulletin Builder,” the program that simplifies creation and production of parish bulletins. It is multi-lingual, available in Greek, English and Arabic. The new program was made possible by a Leadership 100 grant. A new database has been developed for the Archdiocese, in which several systems have been consolidated into a single database. The director also noted that the Archdiocese is partnering with the Roman Catholic Church under FaithandSafety.org to educate families on technology safety.
Marriage & Family u u from page 20 or reclaiming marital satisfaction. The process is ongoing and requires that we intentionally invest the time and expend the effort to make on our spouse and marriage a high priority. A Few Final Thoughts So this is what I suggest. Stop ignoring the lingering blandness and take action. In your action plan you should (1) recruit your husband’s help, (2) consider the internal discontentment and address it with help if necessary, and (3) turn to God and permit Him to help. Embracing this approach should make a difference. – By Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D.,LMFT
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NOVEMBER 2013
Day Schools At Holy Trinity Academy
Holistic Education Is Priceless by Juli Pritsos
PHOENIX - Twelve years ago, when Holy Trinity Academy was coming together, the founder, Peter Bilitsis, asked my husband and I if we would be interested in an Orthodox education for our then 1-yearold. Of course, we jumped at the chance and when Costa was old enough, he started preschool at Holy Trinity Academy, the only Greek Orthodox day school in the southwestern United States. At the time, I never thought sending Costa to HTA would result in me becoming first a teacher and then
Sophie Papanduros puts the finishing touches on a volcano.
“I definitely need to get another carrier. All I can hear is the ocean.”
Emily, Sophie and Aanya enjoy recess.
the director of this thriving and successful pre-school and Kindergarten. Making a difference in the lives of these children and their families is the most rewarding thing I have ever done. The difference at HTA is obvious – it’s our faith. Our Orthodox faith affects our whole life every day, not just on Sundays. In past Orthodox generations, so much of a person’s life was governed by his faith. Meals and celebrations were built around the church calendar and each aspect was connected through one’s faith. There was not a gap in how one lived his life, his culture, and his language. All were interwoven in a fine tapestry that was naturally and holistically Orthodox. What the faithful thought, sang, ate, and how they acted, were influenced by the faith of their country. Today, there are so many choices and influences that surround us that we must make every effort to maintain our faith and culture. That is not the case with the families who send their children to HTA. They know that their children are immersed in both the Greek language and Greek culture on a daily basis, prayer and hymns of the church Orthodoxy taught on a daily basis In addition to our faith, our children study the great artists through the 21st century, music, world cultures and history, along with other subjects that embody a traditional holistic education. These subjects are not available to most children in other educational institutions, yet they are considered part of the basic curriculum at HTA. Over the years, our students have excelled above grade-level in the areas of mathematics, science and reading. We create opportunities in the 3-year-old preschool class to learn about people that have shaped the world around us, not only from this century, but throughout history. The opportunity to introduce, learn, discuss, and write about these things make up the basis of HTA, which is virtually unheard of at other non-Orthodox schools. This is only possible in a school that values smaller classroom size, and believes in developing a love of learning that inspires children from a young age to embrace their creativity and learn new things at their own pace. All while being surrounded by a nurturing and loving staff who recognize that not all children learn the same way and who truly believe in what they are teaching. Holy Trinity Academy is continually striving to find new and creative ways to build our student population while, at the same time, striving to give our current students an outstanding education in an Orthodox environment. HTA is led by our proistamenos and principal, Fr. Apostolos Hill, and a board that consists of the director and parents who have a vested interested in HTA’s continued growth and success. Our staff loves what they do and we have a foundation of parents who believe wholeheartedly in HTA’s teaching philosophy and what their children are learning. Mary McCormick, mother of two preschoolers, and an older daughter who attended HTA said, “My husband and I had no idea how much the decision for early childhood education would impact our children’s lives. HTA has greatly contributed to our children’s social, spiritual and academic development. The success of our children
(Above) Director Juli Pritsos with students of HTA. (Below) Fr. Apostolos Hill and teacher Stephanie Danos with pre-schoolers.
Photos by Juli Pritsos
independently speaks volumes for the abilities of their educators. The HTA staff is focused, well trained, and ready to encourage a love for learning for every child at any level. This genuine passion for a holistic education is priceless. Our family is blessed to have found HTA.” This is just one family’s experience at our school, and there are many more just like them. We have many parents who, like Mary, have helped sow the seeds of enrollment at HTA. They are dedicated to the success of this ministry and are always looking for new ways to help other families take advantage of this wonderful Orthodox
education. As the director of HTA, I know that through these good works, we will be able to continue to see the fruits of our labor, and will continue to reach other Orthodox families who will want to take advantage of this fine and growing educational institution. Holy Trinity Academy is located on the campus of Holy Trinity Cathedral. For more information on Holy Trinity Academy, call or e–mail 602-248-3881, or julipritsos@holytrinityacademyphx.org. Juli Pritsos is director of Holy Trinity Academy.
Teachers Stephanie Danos (l) and Senait Woldegebriel (r). with the pre-school class.
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Around the usa
“Around the USA” is a subcategory of Metropolis News that will present brief news and information items from a broad representation of communities, a print equivalent of a 15–second sound bite, with special focus on smaller parishes selected at random. Items may be submitted to the Observer (60 to 100–word limit) and will be considered on a space–available basis. No pictures. No Greek festivals. (Send to: jim@goarch.org) News of greater significance, and pictures, will continue to be included in Metropolis News. Each issue will feature different communities. New church rising 1. ANCHORAGE–Over the past three years, Holy Transfiguration parish has been striving to build a new church, Fr. Vasili Hillhouse reports. For more than 20 years, parishioners have worshipped on the ground floor of a converted house. Construction is nearing completion on the building, which will be adorned with traditional Byzantine mosaics and iconography. Opening will be sometime after Pascha 2014. Blame the hard Alaskan winters (and occasional funds shortages) for the delay. To view photos or to donate to the project, visit http://transfiguration.ak.goarch.org Existing in the desert 2. ELY-MCGILL–Two small chapels 12 miles apart in the eastern Nevada desert were the first and second oldest parishes in the state about 100 years ago when several copper mines operated in the area. (February 2008 Parish Profile). The mines closed in the 1970s and now the St. Alexios and St. Barbara chapels serve only a few elderly Greek Orthodox faithful twice a year when Fr. John Hondros of St. John the Baptist in Las Vegas drives four hours north through high desert and mountains to celebrate feast days in March and December, and for funerals. “They’re very limited at this point,” Fr. John said.
NOVEMBER 2013
church and recently built a handicapped ramp. Not long ago, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh and Chancellor Fr. George Callos paid an official visit. Saints be praised (and studied) 7. MOBILE–Here along Alabama’s Gulf Coast “Riviera,” Annunciation’s 5th and 6th graders spend much of the year studying their favorite saint in preparation for the annual All Saint’s Fair. “It’s a very nice event,” notes Fr. Elias Stevens, who said the children “present the life of a saint they have an affinity for” at the fair held in the parish’s Hellenic Center. April 6 is this school year’s date. Serving the poor 8. RALEIGH–For the past seven years, Holy Trinity parish has served the poor and needy in North Carolina through its St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry. Deacon Gavrilo Milkovich reports that the ministry provides much needed household items, clothing and food for the men, women, and children of Wake County. A new van was purchased in June that has logged dozens of trips and at least 2,000 miles. “We are currently engaged with over 25 agencies in helping to support or partner in some way,” he said.
Coast is clear 3.CORPUS CHRISTI–The South Texas community of St. Nicholas Church with about 120 families had an uneventful hurricane season, Fr. John Haby reports. An upcoming celebration the community looks forward to is Epiphany in January when the annual cross-diving event takes place. Also, the church recently completed a successful festival. ‘Superior’ ministries 4. DULUTH–Founded in 1918; Holy
Oriental carpet & area rugs
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Upholstery & fine fabrics
Headboards & bed frames
Drapery & shades
Fabric walls
Marble & stone cleaning
Leather furniture
Apostles Church at the western end of Lake Superior in Minnesota has a growing congregation of about 60 families and many active ministries, reports Fr. Timothy Sas. “I am most happy with the ministries to the community at large,” he said. “We have a great, charitable outreach involving clothing, food, a soup kitchen and we provide support to Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous groups who use our fellowship hall.” The parish has many adult converts, including four of five chanters with no Greek background, who are learning Byzantine chant. Weekly attendance averages 90 to 100 faithful. Sharing organic food 5. TRAVERSE CITY–Fr. Ciprian Streza reports that his small mission parish of Archangel Gabriel near the top of Michigan’s lower peninsula has embarked on a “Harvest Festival” project as a local community outreach. The parish will offer locally grown organic produce from its Angels Community Garden, which it already gives away to food banks and donates to local restaurants. The church also has begun planning a building project. Services take place in a rented office building. Mission IS possible 6. BELPRE–For a tiny mission parish, St. James Church on Ohio’s “southeast coast” (okay, the west bank of the Ohio River) has a larger community’s spirit and drive. Parish Council President Pete Couladis reports that services take place EVERY Saturday, with Huntington, W.Va., priest Fr. Mark Elliott driving the nearly 100-mile-distance. At times substitute priests from Morgantown and Charleston, W.Va., and Columbus, Ohio, hold services. The 30-family mission parish worships in its own building, a former Roman Catholic
An activity–filled year 9.WILMINGTON–Holy Trinity Church, Delaware’s only Greek Orthodox parish, with 550-600 families, is off to a very busy year, reports Fr. Nicholas Rafael. The church has 19 ministries to serve everyone’s needs: P.A.R.E.A. (21-55 yrs.), GOYA and Junior GOYA, HOPE/JOY, Sunday School, Greek School, Philoptochos, Young at Heart, AHEPA, Altar Guild, Orthodoxy 101, Bereavement Group, Terpsichorean Dance Troupe, Choir, Vacation Bible School, Altar Boys, Daughters of Penelope, Hellenic University Club and Holy Trinity Food Pantry/Emmanuel Dining Room, which deals with the poor and the hungry. Ninety percent recovered 10- ISLAND PARK–This Long Island community of Kimisis tis Theotokou was especially ravaged by Super Storm Sandy a year ago. Fr. John Paizis notes that his heavily damaged church has completed about 90 percent of its repairs. The powerful storm washed a boat of unknown ownership over the fence onto the church property. Nassau County officials ordered the boat’s removal or the parish would face a $500 fine. Fr. Paizis said he responded, “Do I look like someone who owns a boat.” New director, new windows 11. BANGOR–Up in the “great white north” of Maine at St. George Church, Fr. Adam Metropoulos reports “pretty good attendance” at Sunday Divine Liturgy services. Some parishioners among the 60 families drive up to three hours. They’ve got a new Sunday School director, Hillary Nason, of Orthodox Observer summer intern fame. And, not too long ago, the church installed new stained glass windows with crosses as part of a 75th anniversary present to itself.
Clean Water Vital for Cameroon’s Youth u u from page 21
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its nearly 20 million people. A generation of children is growing up in poor health, unable to attend school and destined to face a life of poverty and hardship. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is working to break that cycle of poverty and replace it with healthy and hopeful futures for young people. Through the generous support of the Katherine Valone “St. Photini” Water Program and in cooperation with the Holy Orthodox Metropolis of Cameroon and
Light of Africa, the humanitarian arm of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, IOCC is improving health and hygiene conditions with access to clean water for more than 9,000 schoolchildren and teachers living in north west Cameroon. Rainwater harvesting systems installed on two large secondary schools will use rooftop gutters, water filters and collection tanks to capture and store rainwater runoff, and provide an estimated 380,000 gallons of potable water each year. Plans for a third system installation at a local primary school are underway.
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NOVEMBER 2013
Giving Thanks to God by the Way We Live by Chris Avramopoulos
How often do you find yourselves being asked by your parents to say, “thank you?” Whenever you are offered a treat from a friend or an adult helps you out, you hear a voice from over your shoulder, “Now, what do you say?” Of course your parents want you to be respectful and use good manners, and this is why they teach you to say, “Thank you,” but I wonder if we truly know what it means to be thankful. Thankfulness is a state of being and a way of life for all Orthodox Christians, for you and me. A thankful spirit is a key characteristic of a Christian. It sets us apart from the world. It makes us different. Thankfulness is more than a comparison of our own circumstances to someone else’s. It is more than having enough food to eat, a nice home, good health, or financial security, because any of these can be lost in an instant. Thankfulness is being grateful to God for who we are His sacrifice for us, and the hope and joy of everlasting life. But how do we show our thankfulness to God? Faith in Good Works: First, the Orthodox Christian life is a life of faith — faith in a Lord who laid His life down for our salvation. No one would deny the fact that the Christian life is one full of faith. But St. James tells us that if we have true Christian faith, it will be shown in our good works. He writes, “What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself (James 2:14, 17).” He is telling us that
#LiveOrthodoxy This Thanksgiving 1) Attend Church: During these holiday/vacation weekends, we tend to “slack off” when it comes to our attendance in Church services. However, the Divine Liturgy and other services are the best way to give glory and thanksgiving to God. Make it a point to attend Divine Liturgy as a family. 2) Make a “Thank You” Prayer List: Make a list of people or things for which you are thankful. You will quickly see how many blessings you actually have. Whether you have three or thirty things on your list, say a special prayer on Thanksgiving and every day for those blessings. 3) Volunteer at a homeless shelter: With the incredible feasts during the Thanksgiving holiday, it is easy to forget those who will go without one simple, hot meal. Many homeless shelters serve Thanksgiving meals to those who come. Take the time to volunteer at a shelter that is serving meals this year. 4) Simply remember to say “Thank You”: We find ourselves forgetting to say “thank you” on a daily basis. So say “thank you” to your youth group advisors, teachers, parents, and to anyone who does something kind for you. 5) Plan a Food Drive: Nearly 17.2 million households in the United States are considered “food insecure.” So even if you’ve already held a food drive, sponsor another one! Contact your local food bank to see how you can help.
if you have faith in Christ, and your life is locked into that faith, then your faith will naturally lead you to do good works. The proof of your faith is in good works. Can the proof be found in your life? Again St. James says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word and not just hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22). Too often we join the people who hear but fail to produce the works that would make us doers. By doing the good works that Jesus taught us to do, we show by our actions that our faith is real. The proof of thanksgiving in the Christian Life is Faith that produces good works. Love Equals Sacrifice: But it doesn’t just stop here. The Christian Life is a life of Love. Love not in just words but in action, and love in action is Sacrifice. Love is sacrifice. St. John tells us “We know love by this that He laid down His life for us .” (1 John: 3).We must sacrifice our will for the will of Christ, just as He sacrificed His will for the will of the Father. Many of you might be involved in sports and many of your games might take place on a Sunday morning. What do you
do? Do you continue to participate in a league that causes a conflict between you and your faith that holds Sunday morning as a time dedicated to the sacred worship; a faith that offers the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion for all the faithful to receive Him and become one with Him? Which will you choose? If you sacrifice your participation in this league that plays on Sunday mornings, it is a real way of showing that you put God first. It shows that Christ is so important in your life that you want to show it by offering thanksgiving and worship to Him at Sunday Divine Liturgy. We have already said that Works are the proof of Faith, and Sacrifice shows our Love. But there is one more aspect of our thankfulness to Christ that we need to think about. Discipleship/Apostles for Christ: What does it mean to be a disciple? We know the original 12 Disciples followed Jesus, and traveled with Him during His ministry. They lived with Him and ate with Him, took on His ways, His teachings, His
Bible–in–a–Year Video Blog The Holy Scriptures are very important to our Orthodox Christian faith. The Holy Scriptures offer us instruction on how to live a Christian life, a history of our faith, and guidance on how to handle the many temptations and challenges of this life. Many of us “say” we want to study the Scriptures a little more carefully. However, it is very easy to get intimidated and leave our goal by the wayside. Why not join others on a daily journey to explore the Bible in a year? Join National Young Adult Ministries Coordinator Nick Lionas, for the “Bible-in-aYear” YouTube video blog. Using the daily readings provided by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, you can learn about the Orthodox Christian faith one day at a time.
You can follow the video blog on your own, follow it as a family, or consider getting a group of friends together to follow along. It is never too late to start learning and growing in your faith! Join today!! For more information about the “Bible in a Year” Video Blog, visit the following links: GOA Young Adults Facebook Page www.facebook.com/ GOAyoungadults List of “Bible in a Year” Daily Readings www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/youth/ youngadultministry/osb-inone-year.pdf Y2AM YouTube Channel www.youtube.com Channel: “Y2AM – REAL Orthodoxy”
values, and His character. Not only that, but they also became apostles by teaching the faith to others, helping others to know Jesus.They were true followers, true disciples of Jesus. We as Orthodox Christians in the 21st Century are also disciples by living as He taught us. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word you are my disciples indeed (John 8:31).” Jesus was saying that if you are trying to live your life the way I have taught you, then you are my follower. You can truly be called a Christian. If you love the way He has told you to love — by SACRIFICE — then you are part of Him and the proof of your thankfulness is clear. If you try to walk in Faith, do His Works, and are obedient to His will, the proof of your thankfulness is clear. A tree branch stays alive and bears fruit only because it is attached to and draws nourishment from the tree. We are the branches and Jesus is the tree. We draw nourishment through Him. Being thankful to God is not just an idea. Often we say things but there is no substance behind it. We’ve talked about real ways of showing our thanks to God -- not just in words but in the way we offer our lives to God: Faith leads us to do works of charity, help those in need, offering our time and talents; Love encourages us to sacrifice our lives and be obedient to the will of God, so that our will is the same as the will of God; and, Living a Christ-centered life and walking in His ways, as His disciples and apostles did, bring us to the very center of our Faith. Chris Avramopoulos has served as director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of Chicago since 2003. He is a ‘92 graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a ‘98 graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology. He served as the National YAL Coordinator from 2002 -04 and has worked in youth and young adult ministry for more than 15 years.
FOR YOUTH WORKERS AND PARENTS • Launched in November 2013, Discovering Orthodox Christianity is a series of talks, shows, and presentations designed to introduce and explain the basic teaching of Orthodox Christianity. Sponsored by the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund the series covers a wide range of topics, including Orthodoxy and our Youth featuring Fr. Jason Roll (Archdiocese Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries! Check out this video and others by visiting www.goarch. org/ourfaith/discovering • Show us how you #LiveOrthodoxy! Order one of our #LiveOrthodoxy t-shirts and take pictures at your youth/young adult events, retreats, outings, or simply your everyday activities. Snap with us on Instagram at @ GOA_Youth and @GOA_YoungAdults. • Don’t forget to sign up for the YOUTH WORKER PULSE! This is the weekly listserv of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Subscribers will receive valuable tips, tools, and resources for creating a successful and transformative youth ministry experience. Sign up today at www. youth.goarch.org.
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NOVEMBER 2013
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NOVEMBER 2013
Family Connections by Fr. Alexander Veronis
The Church In the House
“Father, my teenager is losing interest in Sunday School and in the Church,” a parent comments with obvious frustration. “What can I do?” Her concern is prompted following a sermon on John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Sunday school, the Divine Liturgy, youth ministries, summer camps, Bible studies, pilgrimages, monasteries, and mission trips - all represent ways the Church attempts to make John 3:16 a reality in peoples’ Christian experience. From birth to death, we use these avenues to bring others to love and follow Jesus Christ, especially during the formative years of their youth. We want everyone to experience God’s love and to know that He “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:3-4). Where can young people experience this better than in a Christ-centered home? We need the home environment that includes parents, grandparents, and relatives to manifest this love of God. St. Paul speaks of the “church in the home.” The Church depends on the ‘church in the home’ to fortify its teaching of the gospel. What does a Church in the Home look like? Here are some ingredients: • It is a home where there are plenty of icons. At least one icon of Christ should be displayed in a prominent place in our homes. This immediately tells every guest that Jesus Christ is Lord of this home and family. Icons of the Theotokos and patron saints of our family members should also be present. By displaying icons, we let others know that our home is a sacred and holy place - a place of faith, love, rest, and renewal - just like the Church. • It is a home where the family prays. Some families create a prayer corner or area where everyone can gather to pray. An easy-to-read Bible in a modern translation, a children’s Bible, a book of Orthodox saints, and an Orthodox prayer book make it possible for children to share in the readings during family devotions. Children will remember for the rest of their lives that they once prayed together in their home with their parents and siblings. • It is a home where the family speaks positively of the Church. They discuss the good things that take place in Church, in the atmosphere of grace. This includes talking about the Liturgy and Holy Communion or a particular sermon that taught
or inspired the parish. Children can learn to be positive and optimistic about Church or they can turn negative and critical depending upon what they hear. It is often written of the saints that they grew up in a pious home with parents who loved the faith and taught their children to also respect and honor it. • It is a home that is hospitable. The Bible says, “Be hospitable to one another” (I Peter 4:9). A family enriches its members by inviting people into their home and offering them Christian hospitality. Over the years, we’ve received many blessings by having in our home neighborhood children, schoolmates of our children, foreign students, college students, monks, nuns, missionaries, retreat speakers, priests, bishops, Sunday School teachers, choir members, parish council members, visitors, and friends! They left a positive influence on our family. More importantly, our children realized that their home was open to everyone. There is no limit to showing Christian love to others. Our Lord said, “Inasmuch as you do it for the least of my brethren, you do it for me.” (Matthew 25:40). • It is a home where the family relates their faith to the surrounding world. “The poor you shall always have with you,” Jesus says (John 12:8). Our cities and neighborhoods have needy adults and children who beg to be loved and accepted. They bless us when we reach out to them in the name of Christ. A parishioner once shared this story: I was passing by a street person, an elderly man clinging to his knapsack. Suddenly I had the urge to pull out a $20 bill and gave it to him. “Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” he repeated over and over. “I’ll pray for you! Do you believe in prayer? Prayer really helps! We all need prayer! Do you believe in prayer?” he asked. “Yes, yes, I certainly do!” I said. As the parishioner told this story in a Bible study group, she related it with tears in her eyes because of the blessings she had received from the street person. “I think it was Christ himself blessing me with such enthusiasm at that moment!” she said. And it probably was. “Blessed is the one who considers the poor,” the Psalmist writes (41:1) St. John Chrysostom says, “A rich man is not one who has much, but one who gives much. For what he gives remains his forever.” There are so many ways to serve the poor, the refugees, the hungry, the homeless, and the foreigner—especially in times of high unemployment. Some parishes do it through CROP/CWS Hunger
Walks, building homes through Habitat for Humanity, serving in a local Soup Kitchen, becoming Big Brothers or Big Sisters, or tutoring those who need guidance. • It is a home where children learn to be givers. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) When parents teach their children at an early age to fill their Sunday school offering envelopes, to give a generous portion of their money to charity, and to offer some of their time in service for others, those children will grow up as givers. On the other hand, it is sad when parents fail to teach their children to give to charity and the work of the Church. Those children are more likely to grow up self-centered
and indifferent to charitable requests. Later on as young adults, they resent the Church for asking for a stewardship contribution. Yet they will think nothing of spending $50,000 for their wedding. Recently, a lovely mother of five children died unexpectedly of a heart attack at the relatively young age of 47. She and her husband were active in their parish. Over 1,000 people came to her funeral. She and her family had touched so many people through their strong faith and example as Orthodox Christians. In the eulogy her priest said: “Elisabeth and her husband John and their five beloved children have made their home a ‘church in the home.’ One feels the presence of Christ as much in their home as in the Church.” What a tribute it will be for each of us, when we appear before the Lord one day, to present a record of living the faith and walking the walk as this devout woman did. Remember the ‘church in the home.’ Help make it alive and vibrant in Christ. The children raised in such homes will reflect a Christian life. Fr. Alexander Veronis, pastor emeritus, has served Annunciation Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania for 50 years. He and Presbytera Pearl have five children and 15 grandchildren. Their son, Fr. Luke, served as a long-term missionary in Kenya and Albania for 12 years and now teaches courses related to missions at Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology and heads the Missions Institute based there.
Resources for Families Raising Saints (www.ancientfaith.com) Raising Saints with Elissa Bjeletich offers tools to bring the Orthodox Christian faith to life for our children. Providing specific ways to express complex ideas to children so that they can understand and make them their own, and offering concrete and practical suggestions to reinforce those ideas, this podcast hopes to equip adults to share the faith with children, shaping the way in which our youth understand their lives. The Sounding Orthodox Blog (www.soundingblog.com) At the Sounding Orthodox Blog, you’ll find practical and thoughtful posts on a number of topics—including marriage and family—presented from a variety of perspectives, all of them rooted in the tradition of the ancient Christian faith. Upcoming Orthodox Lectures, Retreats & Events This is an e-mail that goes out about once a month and provides a comprehensive list of all the upcoming nationwide Orthodox lectures, retreats and events. To subscribe to this list, e-mail Mary Photini at iphnh3@earthlink.net HomeWord Center for Youth and Family (www.homeword.com) HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, equipping, and encouraging parents and churches to build God-honoring families from generation to generation. Vibrant Faith Ministries (www.vibrantfaith.org) Vibrant Faith Ministries supports families who are intentional about their faith and religious practice as they raise the next generation of committed Christians. Doing Good Together (www.doinggoodtogether.org) The idea behind Doing Good Together (DGT) is to inspire, encourage and equip families to volunteer together, to spend time with loved ones while also helping the larger world. In the process, we raise children who are compassionate, aware of social issues, and are instilled with the lifelong habit of giving. DGT provides hands-on tools specifically for parents, and also teaches organizations how to more effectively engage families in service. Family-to-Family (www.family-to-family.org) Family-to-Family, through its family sponsorship program, is dedicated to connecting, one-to-one, families with enough to share, to impoverished American families with profoundly less. In addition to the family sponsorship program, we’ve created a constellation of other giving opportunities, all designed to provide kids, families and adults with meaningful, hands-on giving experiences.
28
NOVEMBER 2013
The Metropolis of Denver Revisited
by Fr. Luke Uhl
By the grace of God, our Church remains a tower of strength, an anchor of faith, and a rock of hope for all people who seek refuge, comfort, and peace. It is the catholic Church, which means that it exists at all times, in every place of the world, and for every person. This is the Church faithfully planted and cultivated by saints, by the clergy, and by the pious faithful in the western plains, mountain, and great southwestern states of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. The Metropolis of Denver is the largest metropolis in geographic area, encompassing 1.3 million square miles, within the Archdiocese; the San Francisco Metropolis is second largest with 1.2 million square miles. It has parishes in 14 states. The Metropolis of Denver is the smallest in total parishioners, having about 29,000 faithful in 50 parishes. The Orthodox faith “spreads” where it is planted, typically around a hierarchical see. This seems apparent in the great Orthodox population centers: New York, Chicago, New Jersey-PhiladelphiaBaltimore, Boston, and San Francisco. On the other hand, it does not usually appear that the faith grows as robustly where it is “planted” in rural parishes. This phenomenon seems to hold true in the Metropolis of Denver as well, where a large and growing concentration of Orthodox parishes of all jurisdictions are spread along the interstate highway corridor (I-25), from northern New Mexico to southern Wyoming. Perhaps no other Metropolis has as many remote parishes as there are in the Metropolis of Denver. There are only two parishes in all of Montana, the fourth-largest state in the U.S., one in Missoula and the other in Great Falls. The parishes are over 210 miles apart. One has only recently received a full-time priest, and the other is served occasionally. There are likewise only two Greek Orthodox parishes in Idaho, the 14 th largest state, one in Boise and the other in Pocatello. These parishes are over 230 miles apart. One has a full-time priest, and the other is served twice a month by a supply priest. In South Dakota, the 17th largest state, there is only one parish with a full-time priest. There is no parish in North Dakota, the 19th largest state in the nation. Metropolitan Isaiah is often quoted as saying, “Slow grow is sure growth.” He notes that the arid geography of the western states in the Metropolis provides a parable bearing witness to the truth of this statement. Desert plants develop very slowly, waiting for scarce rainfall to briefly blossom and continue their gradual yet tenacious growth. Our faithful are like these plants, isolated not only geographically but also within the social desert of contemporary culture. They come to the Divine Services, hoping to receive God’s grace like the desert plants awaiting rain from heaven. When they receive this grace, the faithful, together with families and their parishes, blossom brightly and continue in their resolute effort to faithfully maintain the Orthodox tradition. Metropolitan Isaiah often explains the growth of the Orthodox faith in his metropolis when referring to the eight, striking, historical murals installed in the stoa of the Denver Metropolis Center in 2012.
Metropolis of Denver Headquarters building.
Reflecting on the first the four murals on the east side, he thoughtfully considers the difficulties of immigrants who fled from wars and hunger, who arrived in this remote region, and who labored under harsh conditions in mines and on railroads. Far away from lands where the Orthodox faith is maintained by family traditions, they struggled with tears, and often died in grief, hoping one day to see a priest and to receive the Holy Mysteries once again. Reflecting on the other four panels on the south side, however, the Metropolitan’s face lights up as he describes
Archdiocese of America in 1931, he visited and established many of the parishes that still stand today as enduring beacons of the Light of Christ, devotedly maintaining the Orthodox faith for new generations. Below these two eminent hierarchs Metropolitan Isaiah regards the crowd depicted in the panel: people of all colors, races, cultures, and ethnicities. He explains that these are the people who received healing and assistance from members of the national Philoptochos Society which Archbishop Athenagoras established. The logo of the Philoptochos Society is depicted near Patriarch Athenagoras.
Affirming the vitality of the Church today, he gives thanks to God that a second parish was recently established in Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. He notes that the parish was founded specifically to reach out to all who are seeking the original Christian faith, and that the members accordingly chose to name their church “Holy Apostles.” In the middle of the chapel at the Metropolis Center, Metropolitan Isaiah stands before the newly-completed iconography written by Leonidas Diamantopoulos. Contemplating the large icon of the Ascension of the Lord on the south wall, Metropolitan Isaiah softly repeats the words of Psalm 47 spoken by the celebrant when he takes up the Holy Gifts for the Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, “... God ascended with a shout...” Then, turning toward the icon of the Second Coming of Christ on the north wall, he completes the Psalm verse, “... The Lord with the sound of the trumpet” (Psalms 47:6). The Metropolitan explains that in the present age we stand between these two great soteriological events. The Ascension is the culmination of the incarnation of our Lord: His conception, birth, life, suffering, death, resurrection and ascension. The Second Coming is the fulfillment of the economy of our salvation, and our entry into the eternal joy of God’s coming Kingdom. The Orthodox Church stands unwaveringly, bearing constant witness to the truth of this reality. The parishes of the Metropolis stand as beacons of hope, enlightening all who come to them seeking that truth. Fr. Uhl is the Denver Metropolis chancellor.
Metropolis of Denver Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver
how missionary priests brought the Sacraments, assisted in establishing churches, and helped change the lives of the faithful through God’s grace. Small businesses and restaurants were established, Orthodox family life flourished, and the growth of parishes in this vast geographic area began. Beneath the last mural, the Metropolitan pauses thoughtfully. He contemplates Archbishop Tikhon who, as the Metropolitan of Orthodox Christians in America from all traditions, personally established our Saint John the Baptist parish in Pueblo, Colorado. The missionary struggles of this archpastor were crowned with martyrdom when, after returning to Russia in 1907, he was elected Patriarch of Moscow in 1917 and was killed by the Soviets in 1925. In the same mural, the Metropolitan ponders on the labors of Archbishop Athenagoras. Sent by the Ecumenical Patriarchate to unite our parishes and establish the
44550 East Alameda Ave. Denver, CO 80246-1208
www.denver.goarch.org
To access the map key for the communities in the graphic visit the Archdiocese website www.goarch.org. Then go to News, click on Observer and go to the September 2012 archived edition, page 36
Chancellor: Fr. Luke Uhl Administrative Assistant: Fr. Ambrose Omayas Office Coordinator: Evangeline (Lynn) Dallas Secretary/Registry: Presbytera Ruth Uhl Clergy Syndesmos: Fr. Christopher Constantinides Director of Youth Ministries: Fr. Paul Zaharas Metropolis Council Vice Chair: Dr. Lou Roussalis Metropolis Advocates 1000: Elaine Cladis Regional Archon Commander: Dr. Gregory Papadeas Metropolis Philoptochos: Marian Catechis Religious Education: Irene Cassis Choir Federation: Dr. Jim N. Maniatis
Resurrection
November 15, 2013 I greet the entire pleroma of the Holy Archdiocese of America with love and faith and with joyous good news. The Saint Nicholas Church, destroyed in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, is being resurrected at Ground Zero. Our journey of twelve long years has arrived at a singular moment, the moment when the Archdiocese and the Parish have approved an outstanding design from the world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava. In addition, the parish of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero is becoming a National Shrine of the Holy Archdiocese of America, so that its mission and presence will have even an international significance. In these few pages, you will behold a first glimpse of the historic vision for the new Saint Nicholas. From the ashes of Ground Zero, the new church structure will rise like a glorious phoenix, with hope in its wings. As the Prophet Isaiah predicted so many centuries ago, “I will give them glory for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).
a rigorous search for a design architect. A special committee was formed, including academic experts in Church Architecture, to interview a select group of firms with international reputations for excellence.
Photo Courtesy: Eric O’Connell
Rendering by Santiago Calatrava
Archbishop Demetrios set the tone for this process, “The design for church must respect the traditions and liturgy of the Greek Orthodox Church, but at the same time must reflect the fact that we are living in the 21st century.” In the end there was an overwhelming consensus advising His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in favor of the design and expertise of Santiago Calatrava. Calatrava developed his plan from a wealth of Byzantine precedents, including the famous Church in Chora and Hagia Sophia itself. At the top of this page, you can see how Calatrava’s artistic inspiration for the design emerged from the mosaics of Hagia Sophia. The renderings presented here not only show its appearance, but
its relationship to its environment. It is clear that the Church will be a lamp on a lampstand, and a city set on a hill (cf. Matthew 5:14,15) The tradition of hospitality that Saint Nicholas exemplified throughout the twentieth century will continue at the new location. There will be a Meditation/Bereavement space and a Community room, housed in the upper levels above the Narthex, to welcome visitors and faithful. The parish will continue to function as a parish of the Archdiocese, but it will also be a National Shrine on hallowed ground. The scope of its mission will span the globe, as literally millions of visitors to the Ground Zero memorials and museum pass by it every year. Its doors will be open to all to light a candle, say a prayer, or just sit quietly. It will shine as a spiritual beacon of hope and rebirth to cherish the memory of those who were lost that fateful day, and to build a better future for generations yet to be born.
Just over twelve years ago, our nation and world were shattered by the senseless and hateful terrorist attacks of September 11th. But as a Church, and as a Nation, we would not bow to hatred. In the rubble of the catastrophe, many of us felt helpless and numb. But through the years and tireless labors, we have reached this watershed moment of rebuilding the only House of Worship that was destroyed on 9/11. The resurrection of Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero is truly a resurrection of the spirit of our Nation. The foundations laid are as much of faith and hope as they are of steel and stone. The dome and cross above are as much a testimony to God’s love and protection for all people as they are a shelter to the worshipping faithful. And the walls – inside and out – bear witness that our Greek Orthodox Faith is an eternal testimony to the everlasting reign of God! I am inviting every member of our Holy Archdiocese to join in the vision for this resurrected Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, a National Shrine of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Indeed, the new Saint Nicholas Church at Ground Zero will be much more than a rebuilt parish of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. It will be an inspirational shrine and place of pilgrimage for our Nation. And in accordance with the word of the Lord, it will be a House of Prayer for all people (Mark 11:17). I ask for your prayerful support. And I call you to join in our partnership of excellence for the resurrection of the Saint Nicholas Church, in honor of the human and unto the never-ending glory of God. With paternal agape in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
“Glory for ashes” Isaiah 61:3