Orthodox Observer - 20 May 1999

VOL. 64 NO. 1161

http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer E-mail: observer@goarch.org

MAY 20, 1999

Forty-Seven Receive Degrees at Annual Commencement

T

Fr. George Bacopulos, Former Archdiocese Chancellor, Dies The Rev. Protopresbyter George J. Bacopulos, 78, chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese from 1964 until his retirement in October 1986, died May 12 in Keene, N.H. During his tenure as chancellor, he was an active member of the General Board of the National Council of Churches, where he served on its General Policy and Strategy Committee.

Fr. Bacopulos was also involved with the Standing Committee of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), directing the Commission of Chaplain Affairs of the Armed Forces and the Veterans Administration, and serving on SCOBA s Study and Planning Commission.

He also worked very closely with Archbishop Iakovos and traveled extensively with him, including a visit to Vietnam.

Fr. Bacopulos was born on Christmas Day, 1921, in Decatur, Ill. He was a World War II veteran and studied at Texas Tech University in Lubbock before entering Holy Cross School of Theology. Though he graduated in 1956, he was ordained to the diaconate and priesthood in 1952. He was named assistant dean of Annunciation Cathedral in Boston in 1951 under Fr. Dimitrios Coucouzes (later Archbishop Iakovos), then became acting dean in 1955.

From 1957 to 1960, Fr. Bacopulos served as pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church before accepting the post of director of Inter-Church Relations at the Archdiocese.

While in New York, he also served as associate dean of Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral until 1962.

As Inter-Church Relations director, Fr. Bacopulos served as liaison between the Archdiocese and the National Council of Churches, and with other Orthodox and non-Orthodox Churches.

In addition, he was a member of the Commission of Churches on International Affairs of the World Council of Churches. In 1961, he attended the Third Assembly of the WCC in New Delhi, India, as a delegate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

See FR. BACOPULOS , page 3

hirty-four seminarians and 13 undergraduates received degrees at the 57th annual commencement of Holy Cross-Hellenic College on May 15.

The following earned Master of Theology degrees: Innocentios Byakatonda, Anestis Kyriakidis, Vasileios Kyriakidis (high distinction), Fr. Mihail S. Moisin, Timothy N. Robinson, and Dr. Charles Brant Pelphrey.

Master of Theological Studies degrees were awarded to: Charles Joseph Bradley, Fr. Boulos S. Khoury (high distinction), David R. Mascarenas, Fr. Peter Joel David Smith, and Steven Constantine Zimnes.

Master of Divinity recipients are: Spiro D. Bobotas, John Andrew Carros, Deacon Michael Diavatis, Fr. Robert F. Dick II (highest distinction), George Anastasios Dokos (highest distinction), Evangelo K. Evangelidis (high distinction), Helen Mary Geanon (distinction). Eleftheria A.N. Kehagias, Dr. Euthym Nicholas Kontaxis (high distinction), Fr. James William Kordaris (distinction), Nicholas George Louh (distinction), Deacon Vasile Mihai (distinction), George Nikas, Fr. Zisis Peter Nterekas (distinction), Daniel Paul Payne (highest distinction), Deacon Carl Paul Schroeder (highest distinction), James Morris Shadid (distinction), Michael K. Skrocki (high distinction), Fr. Demetrios E. Tonias (highest distinction), Fr. Theodore N.

D. Panagos

HELLENIC COLLEGE graduates with Archbishop Spyridon, Metropolitan John of Korce (left of Archbishop), school President V. Rev. Damaskinos Ganas, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa and other clergy.

sentation of the pectoral cross to each graduating senior) ceremony with Archbishop Spyridon.

In his homily during the service, His Eminence reminded the soon-to-be graduates to become bearers of that precept that the Lord has called us to fulfill... If any man

Archons Complete $500,000 Pledge to Ecumenical Patriarchate

D. Panagos

would come after me, let him take up his cross and deny himself and follow me.

The Archbishop told the students to receive their crosses as a sign of maturity and accomplishment in completing your course of theological studies, but that in serving God s people they will have only the cross that the Lord gives you...the holiness of your life in the midst of trials, that will be their only lasting resource and credential.

He added it is through serving other people that we learn to take up our cross and follow the Lord unto salvation.

At the commencement ceremony Sophia Bakloris of Hellenic College and Deacon Carl Paul R. Schroeder of Holy Cross gave the veledictory addresses.

The Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate recently completed the pledge of $500,000 made to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit to America in the fall of 1997.

The pledge, which represents the largest such donation in the history of the Order of St. Andrew, was presented at the grand banquet following the Archon s Patriarchal Concert for Peace featuring Nana Mouskouri in New York.

The $500,000 gift resulted from the sponsorship program of the Concert for Peace, the PBS video production of the Concert, the sponsorship Program of the 1999 Sunday of Orthodoxy Archon Banquet and private donations from the Archons of America during their annual appeal.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, national commander of the Archons said, the Order of St. Andrew is most appreciative of the Christian Stewardship of Miss Mouskouri who donated her artistic talents for the Concert for Peace, the video production of which continues to air throughout the United States on the PBS television network, as well as in Europe and Latin America.

For each sale of the videotape on the PBS network, the Order realizes royalty revenue due to the beneficence of Miss Mouskouri. The Order expresses its deepest gratitude to Executive Vice Commander Nicholas J. Bouras, for his unparalleled philanthropy and generosity.

The original pledge was made to support and facilitate the sacred ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate throughout the world.

The Order of St. Andrew is very proud of achieving this unprecedented and historic

See COMMENCEMENT , page 3

See ARCHONS , page 18

HOLY CROSS graduates with His Eminence, Metropolitan John and other hierarchs and priests.

Toppses, Joshua Waluyo Utorno, and the Very Rev. Iakovos N. Vassiliou.

Hellenic College graduates and their majors are: Sophia Bakloris, elementary education (highest distinction); Alexander George Dragas, classics; Ryan C. Gzikowski, religious studies; John Lasebe Johns (religious studies; Thalia Kirneli, elementary education; Dean Nicholas Krommydas, human development; Bus Constantine Lazerakis, religious studies; Konstantinos Mamakos, religious studies; Myrsini Marnakou, elementary education; Chris Alexander Politz II, religious studies; Michael K. Prevas, religious studies; Fotinie Tzortzakis, elementary education; and Evangelos N. Valsamis, religious studies.

The previous evening, seminarians and their families attended Great Vespers at the chapel, followed by the Stavrophoria (pre-

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 2

A R C H D I O C E S E

MAY 20, 1999

N E W S

Archbishop s Commission on Greek Language and Hellenic Culture to Submit Report Soon

W

ithin the next week, the Archbishop s Commission on Greek Language and Hellenic Culture will submit their report to His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon with recommendations for the improvement of Greek studies. This report is a result of the Commission s yearlong mission of assessing the status of Greek language and culture education in Greek Orthodox communities nationwide.

The Commission, chaired by Professor John A. Rassias, president of the Rassias Foundation at Dartmouth College, was made up of highly respected professionals in the areas of the public sector, academia, politics and business.

The makeup of the Commission, said

Inside Archdiocese News 2-3 Challenge 21 Classified ads 20 Clergy Update 19 Culture and Heritage 24 Diocese News 22 Greek section 11-14 Issues and Answers 7-8 Opinions 6 Orthodoxy Worldwide 10 Parish Profile 15 Relating to Faith 5 Religious Education 17 Retired Clergy 19 St. Basil Academy 4 Seminarian Profile 16 Stewardship 16 Voice of Philoptochos 9

USPS 412340

ISSN 0731-2547

Published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Semi-monthly in March, April, May, June, October and November, and monthly in January, February, July, August, September and December.

MANAGING EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Zoe Gnesoulis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Irene Kyritsis CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas Manginas Eleni Daniels Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial and Business Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021. Phone (212) 570-3555, 774-0235.

FAX (212) 774-0239. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely in-house. Past issues can be found on the Internet, at http://www.goarch.org/ goa/observer. E-mail: observer@goarch.org Articles do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeled.

Subscription rates are $5.50 per year. Canada $25.00. Overseas Air Mail, $55.00 per year. $1.50 per copy.

Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. Of this contribution, $3.00 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to ORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021

Prof. Rassias, assured us of the most qualified people to undertake a task of this magnitude. The fact that there were members who were born in Greece, some who were Greek-American, and some who were not of Greek heritage also played a key role.

This assembly of people with different backgrounds was essential to arrive at an unbiased consensus on major issues... A Commission made up of a completely Greek constituency would not have had the same degree of impartiality, said Professor Rassias.

On March 12, 1998, the 24-member Commission, under the auspices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the supervision of Archbishop Spyridon, was charged to assess the current status of the Greek language and culture educational system in the U.S. Over the course of the year, the Commission held six public hearings in the cities of Boston, the boroughs of Manhattan and Queens, New York, Chicago, Baltimore, and Los Angeles. These public hearings gave the community members the opportunity to express their feelings and share their ideas and concerns.

Many schools were visited by the commissioners and many of them had the opportunity to interview both teachers and students for a better understanding of the needs of the community.

First and foremost, the Commission developed a questionnaire in both Greek and English which was mailed along with letters in both languages, to Greek teachers and principals of Greek Day and Afternoon schools in the 500 plus communities in the U.S with the help of the Archdiocesan Department of Education. The response was positive. The questionnaire, answered anonymously, allowed for more freedom of expression. Professional statisticians were also brought in to carefully evaluate and analyze the information.

This unprecedented and timely report will incorporate the evaluation of all the statistical information drawn from the questionnaires as well as the information gathered

See COMMISSION, page 18

Fr. George Bacopulos, Former Chancellor, Dies from page1

He was named acting chancellor in June 1963 and chancellor on Jan. 1, 1964.

Upon learning of Fr. Bacopulos passing, Archbishop Spyridon commented: The entire Archdiocese feels the impact of this loss. My heart goes out to Presbytera and to all Fr. George s family. Our thoughts are also with our beloved brother, Archbishop Iakovos, at whose side Fr. Bacopulos served with love and loyalty. Many of the faithful priests feel this loss as though they were his family, for he served this Holy Archdiocese as Chancellor for a quarter of a century. His devotion and faithfulness will stand for generations to come as a legacy of his service to Christ and as an example to all who come after. I know that I speak on behalf of the hundreds of priests whose lives were touched by his ministry when I say that he shall be deeply missed. May his memory be eternal.

Services for Fr. Bacopulos took place May 15 at St. George Church in Keene.

In addition to his Presbytera of 53 years, Evanthia, survivors include four children, John, Dorothy, Maria and Chris; grandchildren and other relatives.

D. Panagos

1999 ELLIS Island honorees with Archbishop Spyridon, himself a past recipient, Chairman James Scofield, and co-chairmen John Catsimatidis, and Jim Demos.

20 Receive Ellis Island Medals of Honor NEW YORK Twenty Greek and Cypriot Americans are among this year s awardees of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation Inc. They were honored in ceremonies held May 8 at Ellis Island.

Established in 1986, the Ellis Island Medals of Honor pay tribute to the ancestry groups that comprise America s unique cultural mosaic. To date, some 1,100 ethnic American citizens and native Americans have received medals.

This year s Greek and Cypriot American recipients are: Thomas A. Athens, retired executive vice president, Metron Steel Corp.; Nicholas J. Bouras, president and owner of Bouras Industries Inc.; Theofanis V. Economidis, deputy director, TRW Inc.; Judge Peter C. Economus, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio; George Kantakis, chairman/owner, Associated Cut Flowers of New York and New Jersey; Constantine N. Katsoris, Wilkinson Profes-

sor of Law, Fordham University; Emanuel M. Kontokosta, president and CEO, Kontokosta Enterprises Ltd.; Arthur G. Koumantzelis, president and CEO, Gainsborough Investments LLC; Nick Mamalakis, president (retired), Mercer Realty Co.; Andrew E. Manatos, president, Manatos and Manatos; Charles Marangoudakis, CEO, Marangos Construction Corp.; John M. Mavroudis, CEO, Rio Vista Companies; Judge Nicholas P. Papadakos, retired justice, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; Tom Pappas, secretary, United Federation of Teachers; John M. Tsimbinos, chairman, Roslyn Bancorp. Inc.; Dr. Nicholas A. Tzimas, clinical professor of orthopedic surgery, New York University; Christine M. Warnke, governmental affairs advisor, Hogan and Hartson; Constantine Iordanou, CEO of Zurich U.S.; and Dr. Marianne McDonald, professor of theater and classics, University of California-San Diego. Professor McDonald is Irish American, but she is one of the Greek American community s staunchest supporters.

Ionian Village Offers Program for Adults

The Archdiocesan office of the Ionian Village announces a new travel program to Greece for adults of all ages for the summer of 1999. Faith Journey, a program designed specifically for adults, will integrate the rich culture of ancient and modern Greece with the liturgical and spiritual roots of Orthodox Christianity.

by Faye and Harold Peponis Scheduled for departure on Aug. 18 with a return on Aug. 28, Faith Journey will use the modern camp and resort facility of Ionian Village.

Situated approximately 45 miles west of the city of Patras on the northwest coast of the Peloponnese, the delightful whitewashed accommodations, Byzantine chapel, outdoor amphitheater, and beautiful beach provide a unique center for fellowship, learning and prayer. Facilities will provide comfortable and appropriate housing for couples, singles and groups.

An extensive travel schedule will encompass some of the most significant historic and religious sites in Greece. Activities will include workshops, spiritual discussion and retreat, with adequate time for relaxation and renewal.

Touring and travel will be provided by airconditioned bus. Experienced instructors and guides will offer instruction on the historic and religious locales and aspects of Orthodoxy.

Our Orthodox faith will be the center of

focus for the Faith Journey program. Each day will begin and end with prayer at the chapel. Aspects of our faith such as prayer, the Divine Liturgy, and iconography will be explored under the spiritual leadership of our clergy. Guided reading with discussion will be available as well as time to simply slow down and absorb the peace and beauty that is the essence of Ionian Village.

Travel from Ionian Village will include visits to religious sites at Kalavrita, Zakynthos and Patras and a tour of a Greek winery.

Stops on the return to Athens include Delphi, Arachova and Ossios Loukas.

Faith Journey continues with a full day in Athens, ending at Cape Sounion for the spectacular sunset and the following day concludes with a cruise to Aegina, Hydra, and Poros.

Participants may return home on the 28th or arrange to stay over in Greece. Arrangements may also be made to join the group on the 19th if you are already in Greece.

As we are inspired by the ancient sites of Hellenism, surrounded by the richness of Greek culture, guided by the footsteps of the saints and enveloped in the love of God and Orthodox spirituality, we pray that our hearts are fuller, our burdens are lighter and our faith is stronger.

For more information contact: Ionian Village, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021; (212) 570-3534, FAX: (212)7740252;Email: ionianvillage@goarch.org

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 3

A R C H D I O C E S E

N E W S

Annual Commencement at HC/HC

THE REV. Dr Frank Marangos, director of the Department of Religious Education and the Archdiocese co-chairmen of the Oratorical Festival, the Rev John and Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos, met recently with the Boston Diocese Host Coordinators, the Reverend Fathers Theodore J. Barbas, (Watertown) Nicholas Kastanas (Arlington)and Constantine Newman (Lexington), as well as other committee members, to discuss plans for the weekend.

D. Panagos

PROFESSOR ROMANIDES receives honorary degree from Archbishop Spyridon and the Very Rev. Damaskinos Ganas. (below) A HELLENIC COLLEGE graduate receives his diploma from Archbishop Spyridon.

St. John Chrysostom Orators in Boston BROOKLINE, Mass. Metropolitan Methodios recently announced that this year the Diocese of Boston is host for the 16th annual Archdiocese St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival will take place June 1113 with each diocese represented.

A weekend of activities is planned for June 11-13, which includes vespers and a welcome event at the St. Nicholas Parish in Lexington.

Speakers will make their presentations Satur-

day morning, June 12 at the Holy Cross Chapel on the Hellenic College/Holy Cross campus.

An awards luncheon will follow.

The Saturday morning program is open to the general public, beginning at 10am.

Parishes who have not instituted an Oratorical festival as part of their Religious Education program are especially invited to attend to witness the great power and benefit in this program.

This This summer summer tell tell your your kids kids to to go go and and take take a a hike... hike... and and swim, swim, and and meet meet new new friends, friends, and and learn learn about about their their faith, faith, and and have have a a great great time time

D. Panagos

from page 1 Keynote speaker was Metropolitan John of Korca, of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Albania, and a recent Holy Cross graduate with M.Div. and Th.M. degrees.

His main theme was the importance of the school to the graduates lives and ministries. This school is a blessing to this country because it is possible to learn the Word of God here and to discover true wisdom, the Metropolitan said.

In your studies, you are blessed because you have studied about God. These studies are not about an object outside of yourselves, but are about the very source of your life, of your being for today and for the future. The knowledge of God is the fulfillment of humankind because it is through this knowledge that we become fully human.

Metropolitan John also told them that Christianity has not promised and does not promise, a happy life in the worldly understanding of happiness, nor does it promise to remove the difficulties... Nevertheless, Christ provides the power to face these difficulties, and not just to face them, but to transform them.

He also related his experiences in ministering to Christians in his country who encounter such difficulties.

In the diocese where I serve, while visiting the sick, I have encountered several people who have manifested true gratitude.

Rarely in my live have I seen such joy and

thankfulness in the soul. These people had more reason than anyone else did to complain... Despite all this, their joy and their thankfulness were exceptional and emanated from their entire being. Even now as I remember them, I am ashamed of my own complaining.

The Metropolitan also warned the graduates to beware of the culture of complaining that has gripped our society today.

This is a destructive culture that erodes true vision, and creates a world and state of being where one cannot feel the presence of God a presence that brings thankfulness.

He continued, unfortunately, this culture has conquered everything so much so that if one does not complain, people think there is something wrong with him and view him as a stranger. Complaining has become a natural thing and we no longer see the enormous spiritual damage that accompanies it. This culture is deadly, and that which kills does not come from God. It changes true vision, destroys spiritual unity and darkens the mind. Only thankfulness in the soul purges the mind, takes away existential anxiety and opens up a clearer vision of the world.

In addition to the conferral of degrees on the graduates, honorary degrees were bestowed upon James John Paulos (Doctor of Humanities), a trustee of the school, and Professor John Savvas Romanides (Doctor of Divinity), a retired Holy Cross faculty member who taught dogmatic theology (1957-1970).

at Camp Good Shepherd

ST. BASIL ACADEMY

Camp Good Shepherd is a Summer Youth Program of the Archdiocesan District Youth Office. Camp Good Shepherd offers the young people of our diocese a great opportunity to meet new friends, share fun times and grow in their Orthodox faith while enjoying all the beauty and warmth of scenic St. Basil Academy on the banks of the Hudson River.

Ages: 8-16 July 25-August 1 $ 245 per camper Name _______________________________________________ Phone _________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________________________

Mail this form to: Archdiocesan Youth Office, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Or contact: George Hazlaris (212) 774-0296 or Fr. Costas Sitaras (914) 424-3500 If you would like to be a counselor please contact George Hazlaris (212) 774-0296

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 4

MAY 20, 1999

ST. BASIL ACADEMY

EOCS Holds 28th Annual Camporee GARRISON, NY. The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting held its annual camporee at the St. Basil Academy campgrounds under the leadership of co-chairmen George Sakellaris and George Vlahakis.

This annual event returned to the traditional Scout skills in contrast to last year s successful historical hike in Scranton, Pa.

by George N. Boulukos The chairmen coordinated the competition with Scout leaders from the Northeast.

Adding to this year s very successful camporee was the return as director of St. Basil Academy, the Rev. Constantine Sitaras, who made it like old home week for many of the old time Scout leaders.

tional Scouting activities and competition, including fire building, pioneering, knot tying, first aid, physical fitness, orienteering, and a nature hunt.

The competition also included camp site inspection and the preparing and presentation of the evening meal that were judged by following the procedures in the Scout handbook.

Each event and activity was judged individually and given points accordingly.

Awards were given for each event and activity, as well as for the total overall.

The competition was so fierce that the difference between the first four patrols in the overall point standing was only a few points.

Winners of the overall patrol competition were: Wolf Patrol in first place and the

D. Panagos

HELLENIC TIMES SCHOLARSHIP DANCE Archbishop Spyridon, flanked by John and Margo Catsimatidis, honorees Thalia Assuras of CBS News, and actress Paula Korologos with this year s recipients of Hellenic Times scholarships awarded at the annual banquet in New York on May 14.

MARKOS

DAILY DEPARTURES

with

travel service

V NON-STOP FLIGHTS ON JUMBO747 V EASY CONNECTIONS from anywhere in the U.S.A. at UNBELIEVABLE LOW RATES!

289

$

*

One Way

*A Limited Number of Seats

OTHER FLIGHTS

áðü

449*

$

Round trip

Call Markos Travel Now! NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE

800-243-7728 CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS 800-842-8260 644 SILAS DEAN HWY. WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109

...BOOK NOW AND SAVE!

Owner: Markos Hatzikonstantis

Learn Greek The Easy Way PAPALOIZOS

PUBLICATIONS

BOOKS (Adult level) Price 15.00 Modern Greek, Part 1 5.00 Workbook for Modern Greek, part 1 32.00 Cassete tapes for part 1 (set of 8, in Album) 13.00 Modern Greek, Part II 5.00 Workbook for Modern Greek, Part II 26.00 Cassette tapes for Part II (set of 6) 12.00 Grammar of Modern Greek, with workbook 18.00 333 Greek Verbs, fully conjugated, 400 pp.

12.00 Learning Greek through Conversation 30.00 Cassette tepes for Learning Greek (set of 8) 12.00 3400 Greek Words flash cards (spiral bound) 8.00 Basic Greek Conversation 24.00 Cassette tapes for Basic Greek (set of 6) SUBTOTAL Postage $4.25 first set, 0.25 each additional book

Qty.

Amount

REV. CONSTANTINE Sitaras, St. Basil Academy director, with winning scout patrol, Wolf Patrol of Troop 715 sponsored by Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., at the 28 th annual EOCS Camporee. Also shown are Scoutmaster Athanasatos (back row, left) and Chairman George Sakellaris (back row, right)

As the host, he participated in the opening and closing ceremonies, conducted religious services, and assured that all the needs of the program were available. He has a wonderful way with the young Scouts and they enjoyed his sermons which were meaningful and directed to today s youth.

Fr. Sitaras is looking forward to this upcoming EOCS Boy and Girl Scout retreat on Columbus Day weekend that attracts over 300 Scouts from the Northeast.

He is presently working with Holy Cross Seminary and the EOCS to make this annual retreat the most spectacular and rewarding Orthodox Scout event of the century.

The Scouts participating in the traditional Scouting events came mostly from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania were eager to compete.

All the troops camped by patrols in tents in the heavily forested area along the North boundary of the Academy.

The afternoon events involved tradi-

Flaming Arrow Patrol in second place. Both of these patrols are from Troop 715, sponsored by the Holy Cross Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, N.Y Close behind in third place was the Black Panther Patrol from Troop 568, sponsored by the Cathedral of St. Paul, Hempstead, NY. The cooking competition was outstanding. Most of the patrols received a perfect score and one patrol from Troop 23, sponsored by St. Demetrios, Astoria, N.Y., cooked a whole lamb on a spit and invited the students from St. Basil to dine with them.

As a result the students have invited that patrol to return the following week.

The next EOCS event will be the 39th annual retreat on Oct. 9-10 at the Academy. All Eastern Orthodox Boy and Girl Scouts are invited to attend and participate.

For information on EOCS events and programs contact EOCS Chairman George N. Boulukos, 862 Guy Lombardo Ave., Freeport, N.Y. 11520.

St. Basil s Resumes Camp Good Shepherd

TOTAL

We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, PERSONAL CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS. Card # ___________________________________________ Exp. date:___/ ____ SEND TO: (Street number, please. We ship UPS) Check here for free catalogue ¾ Name:______________________________________Phone:_________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City:___________________________State:_____________Zip:_______________ WRITE TO: PAPALOIZOS PUBLICATIONS Tel:(301) 593-0652 11720 Auth Lane, Silver Spring, MD.20902 Fax: (301) 681-3390 Also available Textbooks for Elementary School, grades 1-7, and auxiliary books.

We have been teaching Americans Greek since 1957! visit us at: www.papaloizos.com

GARRISON, N.Y. After a four-year hiatus, St. Basil Academy will again offer its unique week-long Greek Orthodox Christian experience for children ages 8-16 Camp Good Shepherd.

Nestled on a picturesque bluff overlooking the Hudson River, opposite West Point Military Academy and the majestic Catskill Mountains, the camp offers our young people the opportunity to enrich their understanding of their Orthodox faith while sharing fun times and meeting new friends.

Along with many outdoor activities, the camp gives children the opportunity to discuss and learn how to adjust to the pressures of society, while growing as Orthodox Christians.

This enriching experience also provides

children with abundant recreational facilities, including an indoor swimming pool with supervising staff, an athletic field and hiking opportunities in a beautiful forest on the Academy grounds.

Camp Good Shepherd offers children other valuable experiences, including learning to work together on various projects and crafts within a spiritual setting and under the supervision of Archdiocese youth workers and Holy Cross seminarians.

This year s camp will run July 25 to Aug.1 Cost for the program is $245.

For more information, and for camper or counselor applications, contact George Hazlaris at the Archdiocese Youth Office (212) 774-0296, or Fr. Costa Sitaras at St. Basil Academy (914) 424-3500.

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 5

Relating to Faith The Pentecost Observance

The event of Pentecost occurred on the 50th day after the Resurrection of Christ and the fiftieth day after the Jewish Passover.

The Jews were commemorating the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses.

Jerusalem was full of foreigners, but especially of Jews living in Diaspora, who had come to celebrate the feast.

by the Rev. Dr. Dumitru Macaila The Apostles were anxiously waiting in Jerusalem for the coming of the Paraclete Whom Jesus had promised. They were full of ineffably joyful expectation.

So, Christ sent the Spirit upon His disciples on the anniversary of the day that Moses had been given the Law, to remind us that the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1:17) What occurred at Pentecost is the exact opposite of what happened at the Tower of Babel. At Babel human tongues were divided because men tried to reach God through themselves as much as Adam and Eve tried to be like God by themselves.

At Pentecost, the grace of God divides itself so that it may come upon each one of the Apostles individually and, thus, reunite them. As a result, all those who received the Holy Spirit started proclaiming the eternal Word of God. The Apostles are understood by all those in attendance, since all language barriers are melt down by the Word of God. This truth is accurately exposed by the kontakion of the Pentecost: When the Most High came down and confused the tongues, He divided the nations; but when He distributed the tongues of fire, He called all to unity. Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the all-holy Spirit.

At Pentecost, God gives the finishing touch to His work of re-creation of the fallen world. In fact, He accomplishes a new creation in two stages.

First, He sent down His only begotten Son, Who took on human flesh. In His sinless body, He assumed the old man s sins and nailed them upon the Cross. By His Resurrection, He raised our fallen human nature. Not only that, but Christ, New Adam, God and Man, deified His incorruptible human body also, and raised it up to heaven at the Ascension.

Secondly, He sent His Holy Spirit so that each one of us individually and all of us together might be grafted unto His mystical Body, the Church, and come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13). By sending Holy Spirit upon His disciples at Pentecost, Christ opens the door to theosis, deification, for every human being who truly believes in Him. And our own Pentecost begins at Baptism.

St. Gregory of Nazianzus says, For what greater thing than did He (Christ) promise, or the Spirit teach?... If He is not to be worshipped, how can He deify me by baptism?... And indeed from the Spirit comes our new birth, and from the new birth our new creation, and from the new creation our deeper knowledge of the dignity of Him from Whom it is derived... Look at these facts: Christ is born; the Spirit is His forerunner. He leads Him up. He works miracles; the Spirit accompanies them. He ascends; the Spirit takes His place (Fifth Theological Oration).

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38), said Jesus.

Commenting on this verse, St. John

Chrysostom pointed out that, Elsewhere He calls it eternal life, but here, living water.

He calls that living which ever works: for the grace of the Spirit, when It has entered into the mind and has been established, springs up more than any fountain, does not fail, never becomes empty... Consider the wisdom of Stephen, the tongue of Peter, the vehemence of Paul: how nothing bore, nothing withstood them, not the anger of multitudes, not the rising up of tyrants, not the plots of the devils, not daily deaths, but as rivers borne along with a great rushing sound... When He was about to send them He said, Receive the Holy Spirit, and then they wrought miracles. (Homily 51) We should not lose sight of the fact that the tongues of fire did descend on those whom Christ had prepared to receive the Holy Spirit. We might also add that, they did descend on those whose hearts were united by faith in the risen Christ.

One must believe in the Giver of Life to receive the gift. One must believe in the real presence of Christ in the Potirion in order for him to receive Him. The Holy Spirit did not descend on the world because the world was not able to receive the Spirit of truth, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him (John 14:17).

He descended upon the Church.

The Spirit is a personal gift, received by everyone individually, but at the same time when each one is assembled together.

Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Pergamos, in his excellent book Being as Communion, contends that Patristic theology sees man in the light of two modes of existence. One may be called the hypostasis of biological existence, the other is the hypostasis of ecclesial existence.

As a biological hypostasis, man is a tragic figure. He is born as a result of an ecstatic fact, erotic fact, erotic love, but this fact is interwoven with a natural necessity, so he lacks ontological freedom.

His body is the tragic instrument which leads to communion with other. But the same body is the vehicle of the final separation, death.

The hypostasis of ecclesial existence is generated by the new birth, by the acquisition of a new hypostasis through baptism.

The Church brings human beings seem to exist not as that which they are but as that which they will be.

Human existence itself, plagued by division and separation, is transformed into existence in communion where the otherness of persons is identical with communion with a body.

Further on, he says: The existential truth arising from baptism is simply the truth of personhood, the truth of communion. A new birth is required for this, simply because birth by normal procreation... is for created beings destined to death. Eternal life needs the new birth of baptism as a birth in the Spirit, just as Christ s own birth was in the Spirit, so that each baptized person can himself become Christ, his existence being one of communion and hence of true life. (Being as Communion, p.113) This existence of communion, of true life, was lived by the Apostles on the day of Pentecost.

And, like the Apostles on that holy day, we, who by baptism have been grafted together onto the mystical body of Christ, have to be conscious of the Word of God within ourselves.

Moreover, we have to proclaim His salvific Truth to all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the

See PENTECOST, page 18

GLOBAL CRUISES ADVERTISEMENT 1-800-882-6202

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 6

MAY 20, 1999

O P I N I O N S EDITORIAL

Welcome News

The New England Association of Schools & Colleges acceptance of the report submitted by Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology on its recent administrative changes and that its accreditation will continue is great news for the Archdiocese and the School community.

In its recent review of school policies, the NEASC found that these major changes... represent a considerable achievement and we find that as structure and policy they fulfill the relevant Standards for Accreditation...

The NEASC s letter to HC/HC President Fr. Ganas praises the institution s planning efforts, both long and short term, and decision making.

The accrediting agency also noted the significant progress made in all areas that needed to be addressed in a short time period.

These areas included the dilineation and modification of its boards powers,

LETTERS Media Distortion of Orthodoxy Editor, The misrepresentation and misinformation within the media about Eastern Orthodox Christianity is a pervasive problem which requires our utmost attention. I expect to encounter from friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who are unfamiliar with Orthodoxy questions regarding our faith. I am always enthusiastic to share the history and present vitality of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. However, a vast difference exists between honest and sincere inquiry and careless, thoughtless, and at times deliberate distortions by media professionals regarding Orthodoxy.

For example, on Western Easter, Andy Rooney of 60 Minutes News Magazine commented on various images of Christ throughout history. Upon showing the Byzantine mosaics and icons of Christ, he stated that they were created by Turks in Byzantium. Though I wrote to 60 Minutes twice about this inaccuracy, it was never corrected.

Another example is Victor Simpson s recent article from the Associated Press in Rumania reprinted in the Courier-Post Newspaper of New Jersey entitled Pope, Orthodox leader give hope for unity. He states that the Eastern Church definitively split from Rome. Untrue. The Patriarch from Rome was the one who desired greater autonomy in relationship to the other four Patriarchs, who in fact, are still intact today. He also spoke on the issue of Eastern rite Catholics. Once again, he distorted history by omitting the process by which one becomes an Eastern rite Catholic or Byzantine Catholic. The Catholic Church has a long standing policy of going into traditionally Orthodox countries and with the promise of economic support converts the Orthodox to Catholicism. As concession, they are permitted to keep their liturgical traditions, hymnologies, and iconography, as long as they accept the Pope as their spiritual leader. To omit vital information within media coverage is as damaging as reporting inaccuracies.

These are but two examples of a greater and more serious issue; the widespread distortion of Eastern Orthodox Christianity within the media, both in broadcast and in print. The traditions and liturgical continu-

clarification of ecclesiastical authority in the life of the institution, assurance of faculty rights and participation in the governance of the institution, and a reaffirmation of academic freedom.

Credit for this achievement goes to the diligent hard work by the administration, staff and trustees of Hellenic, working in close cooperation with the NEASC to ensure the continued efficient operation and future progress of the school.

Their efforts will manifest themselves in the school s maintenance of high academic standards and preparation of the best candidates for the priesthood.

Proof of this ongoing commitment to excellence is this year s commencement, where 47 highly motivated, well educated graduates have successfully completed their training that, along with their other talents, they will offer in service to the Church.

This is, indeed, most welcome news.

ity of Orthodoxy can be traced back to the Early Church. Despite a history containing persecution and oppression aimed at weakening and eliminating Orthodoxy by both the Crusades and the Ottoman Empire; Orthodoxy has endured. The light of Christ illuminated our Church despite internal and or external challenges.

The AHMP (American Hellenic Media Project) is one organization which mobilizes their forces against inaccuracies in the media concerning Hellenism and Orthodoxy.

The work they do is invaluable. However, as Hellenes, we can all do our part, be it a conversation with a friend or colleague, or a letter to our local newspaper or television network when we hear or see blatant distortions of our spiritual and cultural heritage.

I must include that not all reporting of Orthodox history is as distorted as the examples given above. Peter Jennings, of World News Tonight, recently broadcast an excellent segment commemorating the Armenian Genocide. He spoke eloquently and with the utmost integrity in relaying the truth about the brutal massacre of 2 million Orthodox by the Turks in 1915.

My prayer in entering the new millennium is that the voices and histories, both past and present, within all the world s religious traditions will be heard equally and reported accurately. This includes but is not limited to the voices of those in the Armenian Genocide and the Armenians and Greeks exterminated in the burning of Smyrna, in Asia Minor in 1922; the Pontian Greeks and those in present-day Cyprus and Northern Epirus, the Orthodox Serbians who were incarcerated in Croatian prison camps and those exiled from their homes in 1995; and all those suffering today in the Balkans.

My hope is that as we enter the new millennium, that all Hellenes and Philhellenes will work towards the accurate portrayal of Eastern Orthodox Christianity in the media. We must realize that we are harmed not only by the most blatant distortions of our faith but as well by the constant stream of subtle inaccuracies which in time erodes our very sense of truth.

Jackie Morfesis Pennsauken, N.J.

Understand liturgy Editor, I was saddened to read all of the articles in the Observer that questioned the validity of praying for our President and our American nation. Wake up folks and be illumined by God s Grace and Love. Our Holy

Pastoral Reflections My beloved spiritual children,

Our most precious national resource and national institution, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, has just concluded another academic year and graduated 34 worthy young people. As a Church, I believe we should all take great pride in the accomplishment of these fine graduates and the hope that they demonstrate for the future of our Holy Archdiocese.

The stability and the continuity that the School represents for every member of our Church is one of the most important elements of the National Ministries of the Archdiocese. The Seminary lies at the very heart of the future of the Archdiocese, because it embodies the dreams and labors of those who came before us. The accomplishments of our forebears and the builders of the parishes throughout the Archdiocese can be advanced only through an educated clergy who understand both the fullness of the Orthodox faith and the societal milieu in which we live.

Although we pray for the day when the School will be fully self-supporting, the full support of the individual parishes through their stewardship provides for the daily needs of Hellenic College and Holy Cross. I know how grateful the students are and I would like to express my thanks and congratulations to all the parishes of the Archdiocese for their commitment to this blessed institution.

For over sixty five years, the Seminary has provided our Church with exemplary clergy to serve the needs of the faithful flock of Christ. Throughout these years, the future clergy of our Church have been sustained in their educational pursuits through the National Ministries of the Church. My personal dream is that one day, our Archdiocese may be able to fully fund qualified candidates for the priesthood with total scholarship assistance. This goal is not so unrealizable as one might think. Many other national religious bodies do just that, and for quite a few years now, Metropolitan Anthony of the San Francisco Diocese has been funding his Diocesan candidates.

This is the kind of visionary leadership that we need to engage on a national level and the reason I established the Holy Cross Theological Scholarship Fund for the Priesthood.

In the final analysis, the Seminary is the students, and these students are the future Bishops, Priests and lay leaders of the Church. While we continue to strive to make the School a place of spiritual, administrative, academic and educational excellence, let us never forget that the quality of the School will always be conditioned by the quality of its students. The more that we as an Archdiocese can provide to inspire vocations to the Holy Priesthood, the more we shall benefit by having the best possible graduates.

For over a decade, the need for priests throughout the country has been acute.

Thank God for the retired clergy who continue to serve parishes (more than eighty!).

However, communities that previously could function adequately with one priest now need two. And with the average age of the clergy creeping closer and closer to retirement age, we must find a way to increase vocations to the priesthood.

We now have a remarkably increased number of men who have answered the call of Christ to become priests as a second career in their lives. They are usually married and have children. They often have degrees and professional status that, while not-transferable to the Theological School program, nevertheless equip them to be mature and experienced leaders.

However, in addition to receiving these excellent candidates, we need to encourage young men and women who are just entering College, so that they shall choose Hellenic College for themselves. The dream of establishing Hellenic College as a full partner to the academic world has yet to be realized. Only if we can encourage young men, right out of high school, to attend Hellenic College can we fortify the institution to live up to its full potential.

Our Holy Archdiocese rightfully takes pride in Hellenic College/Holy Cross. This sacred institution is the future of Orthodoxy in the United States. Let us continue to work together and do everything in our power to make them it the best that it can be.

Fathers were inspired by the Holy Spirit in developing our beautiful liturgies.

We MUST PRAY for ALL as the Holy Fathers did when developing the petitions.

We as Orthodox Christians may not condone the actions of our American leader at this time, but praying for them does not mean that we agree with them.

For all those who believe that the petitions be changed, I will pray for you to better understand the liturgy and its intent to help us ALL gain salvation.

Karen Jensen Modesto, Calif.

Remembering their sacrifice Editor, Although the formal observance of Memorial Day or Decoration Day, as it was called for years, dates from 1868, this nation has always remembered its fallen heroes. Let us all during this period remember with gratitude and reverence the millions of

Americans who made the great sacrifice.

We remember this month those brave men and women who made the supreme sacrifice so that others might live. We remember and lament the loss of our fellow Americans, who because of their sacrifice will never again see the dawn of a new day or watch the world tiptoe toward darkness.

We remember and despair of the thousands of our fellow Americans who never had a chance to taste life in all its greatness nor had the opportunity to grow old in time.

It is although proper that we as a nation should remember these dead, for these honored dead died to make men free. They have lit forever the eternal and sacred flame of freedom. We remember them today and always as our eyes turn towards heaven in sober testimonial.

On Fame s eternal camping ground their silent tents are spread today and ever more.

John A. Micklos Baltimore, Md.

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ISSUES & ANSWERS

PAGE 7

ACCREDITATION FULLY MAINTAINED

Accrediting Agency (NEASC) Accepts Report Submitted by Hellenic College/Holy Cross IN A LETTER DATED MAY 11, 1999, the accrediting agency for Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the New England Association of Schools & Colleges, Inc. (NEASC), accepted fully the report submitted by Hellenic College/Holy Cross, answering all issues which were raised in the decision of the focused site visit last spring. The report consisted of an extensive review and clarification of the governing instruments of the School, in order to bring them further in line with accepted accrediting standards. This review was the result of complaints lodged with NEASC against the School in 1997 by a former member of the Board of Trustees and a former administrator.

The original NEASC ruling, dated June 19, 1998, took the following action: that action be deferred on consideration of a motion to ask Hellenic College Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology to show cause why it should not be placed on probation; that the institution submit a report on February 1, 1999, demonstrating that it has in place policies and procedures for the effective governance of the institution in keeping with the Standards for Accreditation; that the institutional leadership be invited to meet with the Commission at its March 4-5 meeting as a part of its consideration of the institutional report.

During the period of the review, the NEASC accredited status for the School was fully maintained and a cooperative and reciprocal relationship with NEASC was developed. The outcome of final rulings of the May 11, 1999 NEASC letter as follows: that the report submitted by Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology be accepted; that no further consideration be given to asking the institution to show cause why it should not be placed on probation; that the scheduling of the next comprehensive evaluation for Fall 2001, be confirmed; that the self study developed in preparation for the comprehensive evaluation give emphasis to the institution s success in 1) implementing and otherwise realizing the promise of changes in the governance structure of the institution and related policies; 2) undertaking broad-based and participatory evaluation and planning directed toward the greater attainment of institutional purposes.

(The full text of the NEASC letter of May 11, 1999 appears on the next page.)

What this means for the School is that the normative schedule of NEASC review is resumed and the School has a completely clean bill of health. The time period over which the process of the review occurred did not begin until after the installation of the new President, the Very Reverend Archimandrite Damaskinos Ganas. A summary of the accomplishments of the review is outlined below.

The Institution s broad program of governance review involved the following: A comparative study of governance issues and recommendations by a national consulting firm with expertise in the area of institutional governance.

Review, evaluation and recommendations by an Advisory Committee appointed by the President comprised of a broad constituency of faculty, trustees, clergy, students, outside educators, Archdiocesan representatives, Deans of the Schools and the administration of the Institution.

Formal action approving changes to the Bylaws and the Policies and Procedures Manual (the Manual ) by the Board of Trustees and the Board of Corporate Members (the Corporate Board ).

Adoption of a Policy and Statement on Academic Freedom (see full text on this page).

Significant faculty involvement and actions of the Promotion and Tenure Committee and Academic Appointments in the College and School of Theology.

The most significant clarifications to the governance documents implemented as a result of this program were as follows: Clarification of the role of the ecclesiastical authority in the life of the Institution by: Amending the Bylaws to provide that the Board of Trustees and Corporate Board govern the Institution in all respects.

The Archbishop s role is defined as serving (i) as an indi-

vidual in his capacity as the Chairman of the Boards, and (ii) as the highest authority with respect to canonical, ecclesiastical and spiritual matters.

Amending the Bylaws to require that the Corporate Board appoint the President of the Institution from candidates proposed by an eight member committee, comprised of a member of the faculty of each School, two members of each Board and two appointees of the Archbishop.

Amending the Bylaws and the Manual to provide (i) for the appointment of the Dean of each School from candidates proposed by an eight member committee comprised of the President, two faculty members of the respective Schools, two Board members and three appointees of the Archbishop, and (ii) that the Dean of each School is the chief academic officer.

Amending the Manual to provide explicit language concerning the relationship between ecclesiastical and institutional authority with respect to clergy-faculty.

Adoption of a broad Policy and Statement on Academic Freedom. This policy is applicable to clergy and non-clergy faculty and includes a procedure for resolution of disputes with rights of appeal to the Committee on Academic Affairs of the Board of Trustees or the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (comprised of the Presiding Hierarchs of each Diocese of America and the Archbishop) with respect to canonical, ecclesiastical or spiritual matters.

Modifying and Delineating the Powers of the Boards.

Changes to the Bylaws were made in the two-tier Board structure for the governance of the Institution to: clarify that the primary responsibility of the Corporate Board is the long-term mission and purpose of the Institution. adopt several significant changes to the powers of the Corporate Board with corresponding additions to the powers to the Board of Trustees in areas of Institutional governance.

Assurance of faculty rights and responsibilities, and participation in governance and the academic and institutional life of the Institution. This commitment of the Institution is demonstrated in several ways, including but not limited to the following: changes to the Bylaws including a member of the fac-

ulty of each School and a student representative on the Board of Trustees. changes to the Bylaws and Manual relating to faculty participation in the appointments of the President and the Deans, adoption of the Policy and Statement on Academic Freedom. significant clarification to the Manual enumerating procedures for the recruitment and appointment of faculty members, appointment of adjunct faculty, increase in the percentage of tenured faculty, delineation of guidelines for long term contracts for full-time faculty members and addition of ranks of Distinguished and Emeritus Professors. actions during the past year of the Faculty Committee on Faculty Affairs and Appointments and the Promotions and Tenure Committee.

In commending the School, NEASC wrote: The Commission commends Hellenic College/Holy Cross for taking seriously and working hard to respond to our concerns related to the need for greater clarity and observation of lines of authority within the institution; the need to assure the appropriate participation of the faculty in matters that relate to its areas of responsibility and expertise; and the need to give authentic meaning to that participation by providing the faculty reasonable security. We note with favor that the various constituencies within the institutional community engaged in a comprehensive review of its by-laws and policies and procedures related to the issues of governance and faculty participation. Significant progress was made in all areas of concern.

In a short period of time, under circumstances not the most conducive for the exploration of critical issues, Hellenic College/Holy Cross has sought to delineate and modify the powers of its boards; to clarify ecclesiastical authority in the life of the institution; to assure faculty rights and responsibilities for participation in institutional governance; and to reaffirm academic freedom through a broad policy statement. These major changes taken together represent a considerable achievement and we find that as structure and policy they fulfill the relevant

See ACCREDITATION , on next page

Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Statement on Academic Freedom Preamble We, the Board of Corporate Members, the Board of Trustees, Administration, Faculty, and Students of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, in order to provide the guidelines and parameters by which the members of our two Schools are guaranteed the exercise of academic freedom commensurate with the purpose and mission of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, acknowledge the directives found in the Association of Theological Schools Policy Statement on Academic Freedom and Tenure (Bulletin 43, Part 1, 1998) and NEASC Standards of Accreditation (Standard 5.13). In light of these directives, we are committed to providing the best possible teaching and learning environment, assuring the integrity of our mission, the faith and teachings of the Orthodox Church, and the practices of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Statement Academic freedom at Hellenic College and Holy Cross shall be exercised in accordance with the following guidelines and expectations: 1. Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology adhere to the basic principle of academic freedom which guarantees the right of teachers to seek knowledge and present their findings without interference or penalty.

2. As institutions of higher learning, Hellenic College and Holy Cross strive to integrate the Orthodox Faith with learning. In that regard, the Institution adheres to the principles of academic freedom while simultaneously holding firm to principles based on the centuries-old dogmas and canons of the Orthodox Faith.

3. The Institution recognizes that this inherent right of the faculty is based on the principle that the function of an institution of higher learning is to increase and preserve

knowledge, evaluate it, and impart it to others. For the Institution to perform this function its scholars must be free to hold and express controversial views, for the sake of testing ideas and advancing knowledge.

4. In the religious, theological, and philosophical exposition and investigation of the scriptural, doctrinal, canonical, and moral foundations of the Orthodox Church, all faculty are expected to distinguish carefully between their own insights, developments, and speculations, on the one hand, and the teaching and dogmas which are held by the Orthodox Church on the other. In the classroom, faculty are free to discuss without harassment or limitations those subjects in which they have competence and a claim to be specialists.

5. Despite all good will, there may be conflicts arising from statements or reported teaching of the faculty. To meet this situation in cases which cannot be satisfactorily clarified and resolved by a conference between the Academic Dean and the faculty member, a formal process may be initiated by either party. This formal process will allow for the presentation of the facts of the conflict to a committee comprised of four faculty members and the President. Any decision of this committee involving matters of a doctrinal, ecclesiastical or canonical nature may be further appealed within ten days, in writing, to the Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for a final decision. Any other decision of this committee may be further appealed within ten days, in writing, to the Committee on Academic Affairs of the Board of Trustees for a final decision.

Adopted by the Faculties of Hellenic College and Holy Cross (3/23/99) Adopted by the Board of Corporate Members and the Board of Trustees (3/27/99)

SPECIAL SECTION ISSUES AND ANSWERS

PAGE 8

APRIL 20, 1999

The Full Text of the NEASC Letter to Hellenic College/Holy Cross May 11, 1999 The Very Rev. Damaskinos V. Ganas President Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology 50 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02146 Dear President Ganas: I write to inform you that at its meeting on April 22, 1999, the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education considered the report submitted by Hellenic College/ Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and took the following action: that the report submitted by Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology be accepted; that no further consideration be given to asking the institution to show cause why it should not be placed on probation; that the scheduling of the next comprehensive evaluation for Fall 2001, be confirmed; that the self-study developed in preparation for the comprehensive evaluation give emphasis to the institution s success in implementing and otherwise realizing the promise of changes in the governance structure of the institution and related policies; undertaking broad-based and participatory evaluation and planning directed toward the greater attainment of institutional purposes.

The Commission gives the following reasons for its action. The Commission commends Hellenic College/Holy Cross for taking seriously and working hard to respond to our concerns related to the need for greater clarity and observation of lines of authority within the institution; the need to assure the appropriate participation of the faculty in matters that relate to its areas of responsibility and expertise; and the need to give authentic meaning to that participation by providing the faculty reasonable security.

We note with favor that the various constituencies within the institutional community engaged in a comprehensive review of its by-laws and policies and procedures related to the issues of governance and faculty participation.

Significant progress was made in all areas of concern. In a short period of time, under circumstances not the most conducive for the exploration of critical issues, Hellenic College/Holy Cross has sought to delineate and modify the powers of its boards; to clarify ecclesiastical authority in the life of the institution; to assure faculty rights and responsibilities for participation in institutional governance; and to reaffirm academic freedom through a broad policy statement.

These major changes taken together represent a considerable achievement and we find that as structure and policy they fulfill the relevant Standards for Accreditation.

While we look with favor on these improvements, we also recognize that the fulfillment of their promise in terms of facilitating the successful accomplishment of institutional purposes in neither automatic nor inevitable. In this regard we are very much aware that there is less than perfect consensus within the institution as to the adequacy of the remedies adopted to address the Commission s concerns.

We appreciate, however, that the institution needs the opportunity to implement these changes fully, incorporating them into its daily activities, and to earn the confidence of the community in their efficacy. The period prior to the comprehensive evaluation will afford time to do so. Through the selfstudy prepared in advance of this evaluation, the Commission expects the College to thoroughly and candidly assess the effectiveness of the new structures and policies.

A primary purpose of the evaluation will be to validate the result of that assessment to the end of determining the institution s fulfillment of the relevant Standards in practice.

Of particular importance to the Commission in its review of the institution in 2001 will be the matter of the exercise of ecclesiastical authority particularly as it affects clergyfaculty. We recognize that this is an acutely sensitive area, but one which is also the heart of the matter. In emphasizing it here, the Commission wishes to make clear, as it has previously declares, that is makes no judgment whatsoever as to the substance of any previous exercise of that authority. We also wish to reiterate that we believe that there are special challenges facing an institution in service of a church which also serves a public educational function. The line between the two is not necessarily straight nor is there a perfect consensus among reasonable people as to its appropriate positioning. Nonethe-

menting its 1996/97 strategic plan. It would appear that one casualty of the difficulties subsequently experienced at the institution was this strategic plan. The Commission continues to believe that it is important for the institution to undertake planning and evaluation keeping with the relevant accreditation Standard which states in part: The institution undertakes both shortand long-term planning, including candid and realist analysis of internal and external opportunities and constrains. It responds to financial and other contingencies, establishes feasible priorities, and develops a realist course of action to achieve identified objectives. Institutional decision-making, particularly the allocation of resources, is consistent with planning priorities. The institution systematically collects and used data necessary to support its planning efforts and to enhance institutional effectiveness.

The institution evaluated the achieve-

D. Panagos

HUNDREDS OF family members and friends gathered at Pappas Gymnasium for the 57th Commencement of Holy Cross-Hellenic College, on Saturday May 15, 1999.

less, now having thoughtfully clarified in its governance document the role of ecclesiastical authority within the institution, Hellenic College/Holy Cross needs to demonstrate that the exercise of that authority in practice strikes an appropriate balance. In this regard, the Commission takes note that the institution s Policies and Procedures Manual has been modified to declare: The Archbishop of America exercises his canonical authority vis-a-vis the clergy faculty with discretion, having the utmost regard for the mission of Hellenic College/ Holy Cross School of Theology.

We also note that the institution s corporate by-laws have been amended, so that as Chairman of the Board of Corporate Members and the Board of Trustees, the Archbishop of America acts and votes as an individual member and not as the Archbishop of America.

Moreover, the report submitted by the institution, while acknowledging the ecclesiastic origins and purposes of the School, also affirms that in the day-to-day operation of the School, the Institution functions on its own in accordance with its adopted governance documents and does not receive interference from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Through the institutional self-study and visit in 2001, the Commission looks forward to being assured that practice at the institution accurately reflects these mandates and perspectives.

In its action on the institution s fifth-year interim report, taken in Spring 1997, the Commission asked Hellenic College/Holy Cross in its 2001 self-study report to give particular emphasis to its success in imple-

ment of its mission and purposes, giving primacy focus to the realization of its educational objectives.

Its evaluative procedures are appropriate and effective for addressing its unique circumstances. To the extent possible, evaluation enables the institution to demonstrate through verifiable means its attainment of purposes and objectives both inside and outside the classroom.

The institution systematically applies information obtained through its evaluation activities to inform institutional planning, thereby enhancing institutional effectiveness especially as it related to student achievement. (Planning and Evaluation, 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5) The importance we attach to such planning efforts is derived from our belief that as a small special-purpose institution, Hellenic College/Holy Cross needs to be extremely thoughtful about its future in an organized, purposeful fashion if it is to continue to be successful in achieving and enhancing the fulfillment of its purposes. It is also the Commission s perspective that seriously undertaking planning and evaluation activities will provide an opportunity for the institution to move away from the difficulties of the past through cooperative activity within the community, undertaken with mutual respect and comity, aimed at fashioning commonly accepted institutional goals and developing the means for their attainment. Through the 2001 comprehensive evaluation, the Commission looks forward to reviewing the success of such institutional planning and evaluation activities.

The Commission expressed appreciation for the report submitted by the institution, which was commendably comprehensive, well-written, and suitably documented.

It also welcomed the opportunity to meet with you, Acting Dean James Skedros, and Mr. John Mavroudis.

You are encouraged to share this letter with all of the College s constituencies. It is Commission policy to inform the chairperson of the institution s governing board of action on its accreditation status. In a few days we will be sending a copy of this letter to His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon. The institution is free to release information about the evaluation and the Commission s action to others, in accordance with Commission policy.

In keeping with Commission policy, Valerie Karras and John Collis, the original complainants, as well as Dr. John Chirban, Dr. Elias Patsavos, Dr. Manny Paraschos, and Father John Chryssavgis, who submitted information to the Commission and which was provided to you, will be informed of this action.

If you have any questions about the Commission s action, please contact Charles M. Cook, Director of the Commission.

Sincerely, Walter F. Eggers NEASC Chair, 1999

ACCREDITATION from page 7

Standards for Accreditation.

Of particular note was the clarification of ecclesiastical authority and the recognition of the special challenges facing an institution in service of a church which also serves a public educational function. The summation of NEASC was forthright in their analysis of the complexity of the issues and the recognition of divergence of opinion within the institution.

The encouraging and cooperative tone of the letter clearly demonstrates that the exemplary work done at Hellenic College/Holy Cross has navigated a course for the School that NEASC looks forward to seeing implemented over the next two years. The next comprehensive evaluation for the School in the Fall 2001 will afford both the School and the accrediting body an opportunity to measure the success of the changes that have been made, as well as the implementation of a thorough program of strategic planning.

The action of NEASC brings to a favorable conclusion a process that originated in complaints against the School. With the fur-

ther development of the institutional charter of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the Archdiocese is assured of an ever-improving Seminary that will meet the needs of the Church in the future. Greater participation, clearer lines of communication and a strengthened chain of command at the School will help to insure that the resources and talent employed for the Seminary are not only put to the best possible use, but that they are in full accordance with the accreditation standards that give academic standing to the Seminary.

It is important to note that this positive result was a cooperative effort between Faculty, Administration and the Board of Trustees, working in concert with NEASC. The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS) is expected to rule in the next few weeks future on their own assessment of the report, which responded to the concerns raised in the ATS ruling of June 16, 1998.

The School is hopeful that ATS will recognize the significant changes enacted by the School, much as did NEASC, and give their own clean bill of health.

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

The Voice of 10th Biennial Detroit Diocese Conference Scheduled The Detroit Diocese Philoptochos invites all diocese members to attend its 10th biennial conference in Dayton, Ohio, June 9-11.

An exciting and dynamic series of programs is planned, including work shops presented by the Very Rev. Damaskinos Ganas from Hellenic College/Holy Cross, the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, director of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education, and Michael Pappas, director of Ionian Village.

In addition, we will be honored by the presence of Eve Condakes, National Philoptochos President. Clergy, Laity, and Philoptochos groups will meet separately for their own business sessions and board meetings, while the workshops are designed to benefit all delegates.

A banquet will be held for all on Friday evening.

As the host parish, Annunciation Church and Community Memorial Center has made arrangements for delegates to have free time to explore museums in the Dayton area, which is rich in the heritage of American ingenuity.

Notable inventions originating in Dayton include the automatic self-starter for automobiles, the heart-lung machine, the cash register, and laser technology to carbonless paper and the flip-top soda pop can.

Philoptochos

Lenten Project Helps HIV/AIDSInfected Babies

AT NAMEDAY celebration, from left: Spacia Diamond, Bess Jameson, Effie Theohares, National Philoptochos President Eve Condakes, Evelyn Nearhos, Popy Koshivos, Georgia Tassiopoulos and Matina Glaropoulos.

Annunciation Cathedral Feast Day Luncheon Held in Boston BOSTON The Annunciation Cathedral s Feast Day Luncheon was held by the Philoptochos, who also celebrated their chapter name Evangelismos on March 21st at the Cathedral Center.

The successful luncheon drew many parishioners who enjoyed a delicious dinner and a program which included greetings by National Philoptochos President Eve Condakes, and George Chatzimi-

chelakis, Consul General of Greece in Boston (who was the main speaker on Greek Independence Day). Following the prayers of the Dean, Fr. Constantine Xanthakis, greetings from Parish Council President Constantine Calliontzis and Philoptochos President Bess Jameson, Greek School children in historical costumes recited poetry in honor of Greek Independence Day.

Akron Chapter Pittsburgh Diocese Hosts 21st Lupus Luncheon and Fashion Show Hosts Festival PITTSBURGH Continuing a 65-year tradition of giving, Diocese Philoptochos hosted their 21st annual Lupus Luncheon and Fashion Show on May 16 at the Hilton.

Local television personality Larry Richert of KDKA Channel 2 emceed the event, which featured spring and summer clothing from Saks Fifth Avenue.

Local businesses have pledged their support to the benefit by contributing items for an auction, as well as purchasing ad space in the program book. At least 1,000 people attended.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease which most often affects young women, but can strike anyone regardless of age.

Since the chapter s inception in 1975, it has raised and contributed over $1 million to Lupus research and has provided members, patients, family, and friends with services and programs designed for living those with Lupus.

Free information pamphlets, support groups, educational seminars, and quarterly newsletters are currently provided to more than 7,000 people living in 20 Pennsylvania counties.

New Philoxenia House Acquired in Baltimore

BALTIMORE For many years, the Philoptochos chapter members had dreamed of setting up a Philoxenia House. On March 1, that dream came true.

The house, located diagonally across the street from St. Nicholas Church, was sold to the Philoptochos by a faithful parishioner, Evangelos Orfanos, who died on Holy Saturday.

The famed Johns Hopkins Hospital is less than three miles away from the church and the house, and the parish has received many calls asking about places to stay for families whose loved ones are undergoing treatment.

Since the parish, consisting of more than 1,100 families, is located in the Greektown section of southeast Baltimore.

The Philoptochos ladies felt that it was time to establish a permanent form of community outreach, and the new Philoxenia House fills the bill perfectly.

With the support and love of Archbishop Spyridon, Fr. Evangelos Kourounis, parish priest Fr. Manuel Burdusi, and Parish

PAGE 9

Council President George Perdikakis, the dream of a Baltimore Philoxenia House will become a reality when its doors open for the first time this fall.

AKRON, Ohio An imaginative new fund-raiser called the Festival of Tables has raised $3,200 to help the Akron Philoptochos meet their monthly obligations.

Chairwoman Helen Meneghos organized the event, which consisted of 33 decorated tables set up in the church s social hall.

Each table was uniquely decorated by its sponsor in the theme of her own choosing. Imagination and creativity were limitless, and many diverse themes were represented, including Victorian, music, the Cleveland Indians, Greek Independence Day, Yiayia s Knitting Basket, and several Christmas motifs.

There were tables decorated to delight the children, such as Lego Land with its intricately executed architecture as a centerpiece, Tea with the Mad Hatter, teddy bears, angels, and toys, toys, toys.

Nancy Pappas and Miriam Farmakides created a centerpiece of giant honey-bees with all the accompaniments to honor our chapter name, Melissa.

Guests circulated among the tables during the social hour admiring the displays and photographing smiling faces of relatives and friends. A sumptuous meal was then served with strolling musicians providing entertainment.

More than 300 people were present for a night of fun, fellowship, and fine food. The evening culminated with a gift basket silent auction.

Beautifully and diversely decorated baskets of baked goods, baby baskets, coffee and tea-time baskets, kitchen gadgets and even a basket of tools were auctioned to the highest bidder.

The Melissa chapter of Akron is proud to share this wonderful fund-raising idea with all its sister chapters.

More than 200 volunteers from the parish, the community, and area service organizations recently took part in the 7th annual Family Lenten Project, the AIDS Babies Quilt-a-thon at Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, N.J. Volunteers ranging from toddlers to senior citizens measured, cut, pinned, sewed, and tied to create 275 colorful quilts in a one-day marathon that changed the parish center into a factory assembly line.

Under the guidelines of ABC (At-Risk Babies Crib) Quilts, a national nonprofit organization based in New Hampshire, the quilts were made specifically for babies born with HIV/AIDS, fetal-alcohol syndrome, born addicted to drugs, and boarder babies, who are abandoned in hospitals in nearby cities. It is a labor of love during Lent to help these innocent babies whose lives and futures are so fragile.

Fr. Dimitrios Antokas, pastor of Holy Trinity, who has given the project his encouragement and support, blessed all the quilts at the altar before they were distributed to 10 local hospitals and transitional homes.

This annual parish-wide Lenten project is funded by the Ladies Philoptochos and is coordinated with the Sunday School and the youth of Holy Trinity (GOYA).

The Philoptochos provided all materials free of charge, asking only that volunteers give their time. Participants also brought baby supplies, including food, diapers, and toys part of a special collection that the youth group delivered, along with the quilts, to transitional homes for babies born drug-addicted, and HIV/AIDS babies.

Several years ago, Philoptochos members introduced the quilt-a-thon to the district, and last year the Baltimore chapter hosted its own version of the event.

It s Election Time

The time is quickly approaching for elections of new Philoptochos Chapter boards of directors and officers for the term of June 1999 through May 2001.

Some important reminders for procedures are as follows: A) Elections must be conducted in May. If your chapter has been on a different schedule, NOW is the time to correct it.

B) No president or any other officer, may serve more than two consecutive twoyear terms in the same elected office.

C) A chapter shall have a board of directors of not less than seven and not more than 21 members. This figure is based upon the number of your general membership.

The chapter must be careful to elect an odd number of directors so that deadlocks are avoided. Additionally, the immediate past president is automatically a voting member of the board by virtue of her position as its advisor.

D) Elections must be ratified by the Board of the National Philoptochos and approved and signed by Archbishop Spyridon.

Forms for elections and membership are available through the National Philoptochos Office.

Please call the office at (212) 744-4390 for the appropriate forms or if you have any questions or concerns.

Following the election of officers, the results should be mailed immediately to the National Office for ratification. Many thanks for following these guidelines, and good luck!

PAGE 10

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

IOCC Holds Fifth Annual Fund-Raiser

The fifth annual IOCC Fund Raising Dinner took place April 25 in Chicago with representatives of several Orthodox jurisdictions in attendnce.

Among those present were Metropolitan Iakovos of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Chicago, and Metropolitan Christopher of the Serbian Orthodox Metropolitanate of Midwestern America.

Other guests included the Very Rev. Protopresbyter Robert S. Kondratick, OCA chancellor and IOCC board secretary who introduced the honoree, Bishop Job of the OCA, and Nicholas Chakos, IOCC Field Desk Officer.

Barry Koncel and Elias Zimianitis were co-chairmen of the banquet, which was attended by some 500 parishioners and guests representing the various Orthodox Christian churches in the area.

Following a short film illustrating the work of the International Orthodox Christian Charities in countries where appalling conditions necessitate the services of IOCC, a check for $50,000 was presented on behalf of an anonymous donor.

That gift and the other contributions received exceeded the goal of $100,000 according to Midwest Chairman Dr. George Dalianis.

The IOCC was established in 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishop in the Americas (SCOBA) as the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians to work in cooperation with the Orthodox Churches worldwide.

More than $65 millions in programs throughout the world have been administered

by IOCC assisting thousands each year in Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Indonesia, the Middle East, Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Republika Srpska, Greece, the Russian Federation and the Republic of Georgia.

Ecumenical Delegation Visits Albania An ecumenical delegation is visiting Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, May 18-25.

The objective of the visit, which is jointly planned by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Conference of European Churches (CEC), in cooperation with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), is to observe the humanitarian situation, to demonstrate solidarity with the churches, and to support their ministry to refugees, explained Elizabeth Ferris, WCC International Relations. This visit is taking place in the context of widespread international concern about the tragic events taking place in Kosovo and the NATO bombing of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

Although Action by Churches Together (ACT) has a major humanitarian relief program through the churches in the region, there is, according to Ferris, a growing ecumenical concern about the longer-term consequences of this difficult humanitarian situation.

The visit is a response to an invitation of the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania which has been providing humanitarian relief to the refugees.

The members of the delegation are: Dr. Antonios Papantoniou, Church of Greece; Wilhelm Nausner, representative of the United Methodist Church, based in Linz, Austria; Sylvia Raulo, Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland; and Elizabeth Ferris, WCC International Relations.

MAY 20, 1999

Pope Ends Historic Visit Urging Unity

By PETER SMITH © 1999 Religion News Service

BUCHAREST, Romania On Sunday (May 9), thousands of Orthodox and Roman Catholic Romanians turned out to bid farewell to Pope John Paul II after his first-ever visit to an Orthodox nation.

After the pope held Friday and Saturday meetings with top government and church officials both Roman Catholic and Orthodox hundreds of thousands of Romanians thronged the center of their capital as His Holiness John Paul II and His Beatitude Patriarch Teoctist each attended a worship service conducted by the other.

His Beatitude ARCHBISHOP ANASTASIOS with crew members in front of cargo plane delivering humanitarian aid to refugees. Also shown is Penny Panagiota Deligiannis, director of Diaconia Agapes.

Archbishop Anastasios Visits Refugees

A refugee camp in the town of Ndroq, near Tirana, which began operating on May 3 received a visit from His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios on May 6.

The camp is set up on a green hill and has all the suitable conditions needed for sheltering the Kosovo refugees.

The camp has been established by Action by Churches Together (ACT)/Diaconia Agapes (DA) which works through the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania and under the care of Archbishop Anastasios.

Five hundred Kosovo refugees are already living in the camp, and plans are to increase to a full capacity of 1,500 people.

The Archbishop asked about the conditions of the camp thus far which are being improved on a daily basis. He brought the message of hope and assurance in God s help to the entire camp. He had discussions with camp personnel and Kosovo refugees

- most especially, the children.

He also has asked the students at the Orthodox Theological Academy, Resurrection of Christ, to volunteer as to organize amusement activities and games for the children.

His Beatitude left the camp promising to return when the work is fully completed.

One hundred seven tents are already set up at the camp while the work to renovate existing buildings continues. Each tent is secured with beds, mattresses and blankets.

Food is distributed according to each family s needs which allows them cook with gas stoves There is running water 24 hours each day which is collected in the reservoirs where the water is filtered and chlorinated.

Special attention is being given not to destroy the foliage.

Other sites are currently being studied by the ACT/DA Team which plans to set up new camps for 15,000 people.

Book Highlights Albania s Post-Byzantine Monuments

TIRANA, Albania The Orthodox Church recently sponsored a book showing of the noted architect and restorer Dr. Pirro Thomo s newest release, Post-Byzantine Churches in Southern Albania at the National Museum of History.

by Fr. Luke Veronis His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios took part in the official presentation on March 31, together with Dr. Professor Ylli Popa, the Head of the Academy of Science, Mr. Artan Shkreli, the director of the National Institute of Monuments, Dr. Aleksander Meksi, the former Prime Minister and a noted historian in architecture, and Dr. Professor Ali Muka, who represented Dr. Pirro Thomo.

Numerous other professors and academicians, along with the ambassadors of Great Britain, Greece, and Romania attended the showing.

Archbishop Anastasios opened the presentation by emphasizing the interest and important role the Orthodox Church has played in the restoration of cultural monuments in Albania. Over the past eight years, the Church has invested more than $3 million in the restoration of such national cultural monuments. The Church

has restored more than 63 churches, many of which are post-Byzantine. In addition to restoration work, the Church has build 67 new churches, and repaired 100 others.

As another sign of interest in restoration work, the Church published the present scientific study as an effort to fill a vacuum in this area of research. Archbishop Anastasios noted in his opening talk, We must underscore our obligation and urgent need to promote and protect such valuable historical and cultural monuments.

Today, the great enemies are indifference, time, and harsh weather. Scathed as they have been, these monuments nonetheless reveal the fervent faith, the artistic power, and the spiritual energy of their creators. Despite having to cope with a variety of enormous difficulties, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will continue to preserve these eloquent witnesses to the uninterrupted presence of Orthodox Christians in this country.

The restoration of these sacred monuments is a debt of honor to the cultural heritage of Europe, and our duty to offer the younger and upcoming generations places of spiritual renewal and artistic inspiration.

The pope also gave an undisclosed cash donation toward a construction of a planned new Orthodox cathedral.

I hereby express the wish that in the third millennium, if we are not totally united, we can at least move closer to full communion, John Paul told his Orthodox hearers shortly before his departure.

The worship services drew throngs of Catholic and Orthodox faithful despite the wilting sun. Most worshippers were unable to attend the pope s appearances the first two days of the visit, held in smaller churches and other venues with only enough room for selected dignitaries.

The visit here marked another milestone in Jthe Pope s efforts to improve relations with other religions, both Christian and non-Christian.

The visit was also marked by an unusual joint statement by Pope John Paul and Patriarch Teoctist calling for negotiations to end the war in neighboring Yugoslavia.

And while saluting Romanians for freeing themselves from the nightmare of Communism, he warned at airport departure ceremonies that the dangerous dreams of consumerism (can) also kill the future.

But ecumenism, not economics, dominated the day. At midday Sunday, the pope looked on as Patriarch Teoctist presided over a three-and-a-half-hour Orthodox service in Union Square. About 100,000 attended.

Patriarch Petros VII Visits Russia ALEXANDRIA, Egypt His Beatitude Petros VII, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, made his first official visit to the Orthodox Patriarchate of Moscow on April 22.

Patriarch Petros and his retinue were welcomed by His Beatitude Alexy II, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, representatives of the Greek embassy, the Ambassador of Cyprus, the Consul of the Arab Republic and many officials.

ÅÔÏÓ 64

20 ÌÁÚÏÕ 1999

ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1161

Ç 57ç ôåëåôÞ áðïöïßôçóçò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý/Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ

<ÊñõöÞ åëðßäá ãéá ôï áýñéï...>

Ì

éá éäéáßôåñç ìÝñá ãéá ôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáé ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï óôç Âïóôþíç Þôáí ç 15ç ÌáÀïõ. Ôï ôÝëïò ìéáò áêüìç áêáäçìáúêÞò ÷ñïíéÜò. Ãéá ôïõò ôåëåéüöïéôïõò Þôáí ç óôéãìÞ ðïõ ðåñßìåíáí áíõðüìïíá, ìåôÜ áðü êüðïõò êáé éäñþôá åôþí, íá êñáôÞóïõí óôá ÷Ýñéá ôïõò ôá äéðëþìáôÜ ôïõò.

ôçò ÑåâÝêêáò Ðáðáäïðïýëïõ ¹ôáí üëïé åêåß. ÖïéôçôÝò, äÜóêáëïé, ãïíåßò. Óå ìéá ôåëåôÞ ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò óôï ÐáñåêêëÞóé ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý óôï ÌðñïõêëÜúí ôçò Ìáóóá÷ïõóÝôçò, ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá, Ýãéíå ãéá 57ç ÷ñïíéÜ ç áðïíïìÞ ôùí äéðëùìÜôùí óå óõíïëéêÜ 47 áðïöïßôïõò ôùí äýï ó÷ïëþí. Ïé åõ÷Ýò ðñïò ôïõò íÝïõò áðïöïßôïõò ðïëëÝò êáé áðü üëïõò, åíþ ôá äéêÜ ôïõò ëüãéá ðëçììýñéæáí ìå áéóéïäïîßá üóïõò ðáñåõñÝèçêáí óôï ÷þñï ôçò áðïíïìÞò. ¹ôáí Üëëùóôå êáé ç äéáâåâáßùóç ðïõ Ýäùóáí üóïé áðü ôïõò íÝïõò ðÞñáí ôï ëüãï, üôé èá óõíå÷ßóïõí ìå ôçí ßäéá öëüãá ôï Ýñãï ðïõ îåêßíçóáí óôç Ó÷ïëÞ.

Ïé áñéóôåýóáíôåò

<Óå Ýíáí êüóìï ðïõ óêïðåýåé ôçí éóïðÝäùóç êáé èá ôçí êáôáöÝñåé ìå ôçí áðñüóùðç êáé áðÜíèñùðç ðáãêïóìéïðïßçóç, åôïýôïò ï ôüðïò ôçò ÅëëÜäáò êáé ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ìÝóá óôçí áìåñéêáíéêÞ åêêïóìßêåõóç áðïôåëåß êñõöÞ åëðßäá ôïõ áýñéï. Áõôü åßíáé ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï ìå ôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôçò Âïóôþíçò, ìéá Ýêñçîç öùôüò êáé áãÜðçò>, ôüíéóå ç Óïößá Ìðáêëþñç, öïéôÞôñéá ðïõ áñßóôåõóå óôïí ôïìÝá ôçò. <Áò ìáßíåôáé Ýîù ç ôñéêõìßá, áò âñõ÷Üôáé ï âïñéÜò ôïõ áíèñùðéóìïý, áò öáßíåôáé ðùò êáôáðïíôßæåôáé ôï ðëïßï. Åäþ ôåëåóéïõñãåßôáé ôï ìÝãá ìõóôéêü. Áèüñõâï ôï Ýñãï. Ìá ôï áëÝôñé óêÜâåé âáèéÜ. ¼íïìá ßóùò ôáðåéíü, ìá âÜèïò ìÝãá, áâõóóáëÝï>, õðïãñÜììéóå. <¼ôáí Þñèáìå åßäáìå ìéá ñùãìÞ ôïõ Ïõñáíïý. ¸íá èáýìá åßðáìå ôçò ðñþôçò åíôýðùóçò, ìá ôï èáýìá äéÞñêåóå ðïëý. Ìáò Üñðáîå êáé ìáò óôñéöïãýñéæå ìáæß ôïõ. ÆÞóáìå Ýíá èáýìá. Èáýìá áëëáãÞò, èáýìá ìåôáìüñöùóçò, èáýìá áãÜðçò, ãíþóçò, óïößáò. Äåí ðÞñáìå ôï èáýìá. Ìáò ðÞñå, ìáò áãêÜëéáóå, ìáò Ýíùóå ìáæß ôïõ, ãßíáìå Ýíá êáé åêåßíï ôï èáýìá ìáò ðëïýôéóå, ìáò ãÝìéóå êáé ôüôå áñ÷ßóáìå íá äßíïõìå. ÂãÜëáìå áðü ðÜíù êáé áðü ìÝóá ìáò üôé ìáò âÜñáéíå. Äþóáìå øõ÷Þ êáé ôþñá áéóèáíüìáóôå, ðáñÜ ôï äüóéìï, êáé ßóùò ãé áõôü, ãåìÜôïé>, óçìåßùóå, êÜíïíôáò Ýíáí áðïëïãéóìü ôùí ôåóóÜñùí ÷ñüíùí ðïõ ðÝñáóå óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï. <Ç Ó÷ïëÞ êáé ïé äÜóêáëïß ìáò ìáò óôÝëíïõí íá ìáèçôåýóïõìå ôïí êüóìï. ÐïñåõèÝíôåò..., ìáò ëÝíå, ìá ç ìéóÞ øõ÷Þ ìáò ìÝíåé åäþ. Ðñïóðáèïýìå íá ôçí áðïóðÜóïõìå áëëÜ ìáò åßíáé áäýíáôï. ºóùò íá åßíáé êáëýôåñá. Ãßíáôå, áãáðçìÝíç Ó÷ïëÞ êáé äÜóêáëïé, ðçãÞ æùÞò, Ýìðíåõóçò, Ýñùôá, äñÜóçò. Íá ðëÜóïõìå ìáò óôÝëíåôå Ýíáí êüóìï óôïí ïðïßï äå èá ðÝöôïõí âüìâåò öñßêçò, ìá ëïõëïýäéá

(åðÜíù) Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùí áðåõèýíåé íïõèåóßåò êáé óõã÷áñçôÞñéá óôïõò áðïöïéôïýíôåò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò. (äåîéÜ) Ç áñéóôïý÷ïò öïéôÞôñéá ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ Óïößá Ìðáêëþñç åêöñÜæåé ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ôçò ãéá üóá ðÞñå áðü ôéò óðïõäÝò ôçò óôç Ó÷ïëÞ.

êáé ÷áìüãåëá áãÜðçò, ðßóôçò êáé áíèñùðéÜò. Áõôü èá äþóïõìå ãéáôß áõôü ðÞñáìå áðü óáò. Êáé ãé áõôü óáò åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ìå åõãíùìïóýíç. ÁõôÞ ôç óôéãìÞ âÜæïõìå Ýíá ëéèÜñé ãéá Ýíáí êáëýôåñï êüóìï. ÅðÜíù ôïõ ãñÜöïõìå Hellenic College>, êáôÝëçîå. <ÓÞìåñá ÷áéñüìáóôå ü÷é ìüíï ãéáôß öôÜóáìå óôïí ðñïïñéóìü ìáò, áëëÜ êáé ãéáôß öôÜóáìå ìáæß>, ôüíéóå ï ÊÜñë Ðïë ÓñÝíôåñ, áðüöïéôïò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò, åêöñÜæïíôáò ôç ìåãÜëç ôïõ ÷áñÜ ðïõ âñÝèçêå ôá ôÝóóåñá ðñïçãïýìåíá ÷ñüíéá óôç Ó÷ïëÞ, ìáæß ìå ôïõò óõìöïéôçôÝò ôïõ. <Êáèþò ðåñðáôïýóáìå ôï ìáêñéíü áõôü äñüìï, ìÜèáìå íá óåâüìáóôå, ìÜèáìå íá åìðéóôåõüìáóôå, ìÜèáìå íá áãáðÜìå áëëÞëïõò ùò óýíôñïöïé êáé óõíôáîéäéþôåò óôï ßäéï ôáîßäé>, åßðå. <ÓÞìåñá åõöñáéíüìáóôå ü÷é ìüíï ãéáôß áðïëáìâÜíïõìå ôïõò êáñðïýò ôùí êüðùí ìáò áëëÜ ãéáôß óõììåôÝ÷ïõìå óôçí åõöïñßá áõôþí ôùí êáñðþí. ÓÞìåñá áãáëëüìáóôå ü÷é ìüíï ãéá ôéò áôïìéêÝò ôïõ åðéôõ÷ßåò ï êáèÝíáò, áëëÜ êáé ãéá ôç óõëëïãéêÞ ìáò åðéôõ÷ßá. Äüîá ôù Èåþ ôá êáôáöÝñáìå>.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò

Ôá èåñìÜ ôïõ óõã÷áñçôÞñéá, ôïí Ýðáéíï êáé ôçí õðåñçöÜíåéá ôçò ÉåñÜò

öùôïãñáößåò Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, åîÝöñáóå óôïõò áðïöïßôïõò ãéá ôçí åðéôõ÷Þ ïëïêëÞñùóç ôùí óðïõäþí ôïõò, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Óðõñßäùí, äéáâåâáéþíïíôÜò ôïõò üôé ç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ èá åßíáé <ðÜíôá óõìðáñáóôÜôçò óôçí åêäÞëùóç ôùí ðåñáéôÝñù ó÷åäßùí ôïõò ãéá õðçñåóßá óôïõò ÷þñïõò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò>. <Ç ÉåñÜ ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ åßíáé õðåñÞöáíç ãéá óáò, óáò óõã÷áßñåé êáé åêöñÜæåé ôéò ðéï èåñìÝò êáé åéëéêñéíåßò ôçò åõ÷Ýò ãéá êÜèå óáò ìåëëïíôéêÞ åðéôõ÷ßá åßôå óôï ÷þñï ôïõ éåñïõñãåßí, üðïõ èá êëçèåßôå íá éåñïõñãåßóåôå ôùí ðéóôþí, åßôå óå Üëëïõò ÷þñïõò åêêëçóéáóôéêïýò üðïõ ïé ëáúêïß ðñïóöÝñïõí ÷ñÞóéìåò õðçñåóßåò>, ôüíéóå ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò, åíþ áðåõèõíüìåíïò óôïõò ãïíåßò ôùí áðïöïßôùí åõ÷Þèçêå <ï Èåüò íá ôïõò äßíåé äýíáìç êáé íá åíèáññýíïõí ôá ðáéäéÜ ôïõò êáé óå íÝåò áêüìç åîïñìÞóåéò, óå íÝá êáôïñèþìáôá, óå íÝá åðéôåýãìáôá ãéá ôá ïðïßá èá áéóèáíüìáóôå üëïé õðåñÞöáíïé>.

Ï ðñüåäñïò ð. Äáìáóêçíüò ÃêáíÜò

<Ç óçìåñéíÞ ìÝñá åßíáé óðïõäáßá ìÝñá ãéá ôç Ó÷ïëÞ ìáò. Åßíáé ç ðïèçôÞ ìÝñá êáôÜëçîçò åíüò áêáäçìáúêïý Ýôïõò, óôåöáíùìÝíç ìå åðéôõ÷ßá áðü üëåò ôéò ðëåõñÝò. Åíüò Ýôïõò ìå çñåìßá êáé ðñüïäï, óåë. 13

Åôïéìç ç Ýêèåóç ãéá ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ãëþóóá êáé Ðïëéôéóìü. Åíôüò ôùí çìåñþí áíáìÝíåôáé íá ðáñáäþóåé ôçí ÝêèåóÞ ôçò óôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ê. Óðõñßäùíá ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêÞ ÄéåñåõíçôéêÞ ÅðéôñïðÞ ãéá ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ãëþóóá êáé ôïí Ðïëéôéóìü. Ç åðéôñïðÞ ðïõ äéïñßóôçêå áðü Óåâáóìéüôáôï ðñßí Ýíá ÷ñüíï, åðùìßóèçêå ôï âÜñïò ôçò åéò âÜèïò ìåëÝôçò ôùí óõíèçêþí êáé ðñïâëçìÜôùí ðïõ ðåñéâÜëëïõí ôçí äéäá÷Þ ôçò åëëçíéêÞò ãëþóóáò óôï åêðáéäåõôéêü óýóôçìá ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò áíÜ ôçí ÷þñá. Ç ÝêèåóÞ ôçò áíáìÝíåôáé íá áíôéêáôïðôñßæåé ôçí êáôÜóôáóç ðïõ åðéêñáôåß óÞìåñá êáèþò êáé ëýóåéò êáé ðñïôÜóåéò ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí. Ôçò åðéôñïðÞò çãåßôáé ï êáèçãçôÞò ê. ÉùÜííçò ÑáóóéÜò, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Éäñýìáôïò ðïõ öÝñåé ôï üíïìá ôïõ óôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ÍôÜñôìïõè. Ìåôáîý ôùí ìåëþí ôçò óõãêáôáëÝãïíôáé åðéóôÞìïíåò ôïõ äçìüóéïõ êáé éäéùôéêïý åðé÷åéñçìáôéêïý, ðïëéôéêïý êáé áêáäçìáúêïý êüóìïõ. Ï êáè. ê. ÑáóóéÜò, åîÞñå ôç óïâáñüôçôá, ôïí åðáããåëìáôéóìü êáé ôçí áöïóßùóç êáé ôùí 24 ìåëþí ôçò åðéôñïðÞò. ÊáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôïõ ÷ñüíïõ ðïõ ðÝñáóå ç åðéôñïðÞ ÷ñçóéìïðïßçóå äéÜöïñåò ìåèüäïõò ãéá ôç óõëëïãÞ êáé áîéïëüãçóç óôïé÷åßùí êáé ðëçñïöïñéþí. ÊáôÜñôéóå åñùôçìáôïëüãéï êáé óôéò äõï ãëþóóåò, ÁããëéêÜ êáé ÅëëçíéêÜ, ôï ïðïßï êáé Ýóôåéëå óå üëåò ôéò êïéíüôçôåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ãéá íá óõìðëçñùèåß êõñßùò áðü åêðáéäåõôéêïýò êáé äéåõèõíôÝò ó÷ïëåßùí áëëÜ êáé áðü ãïíåßò êáé ìáèçôÝò. ÏñãÜíùóå åðéóêÝøåéò åðéôåëåßïõ ôçò åðéôñïðÞò óå áóôéêÜ êÝíôñá üðïõ æåé ìåãÜëïò áñéèìüò ïìïãåíþí êáé óõãêÜëåóå áíïé÷ôÝò äçìüóéåò óõæçôÞóåéò ãéá ôçí êáôÜóôáóç ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò. ¸ôóé äüèçêå ç åõêáéñßá áðü ôç ìéÜ óå Ýíá åõñý öÜóìá ïìïãåíþí íá åêöñÜóåé ôéò áðüøåéò ôïõ êáé óõã÷ñüíùò óôá ìÝëç ôçò åðéôñïðÞò íá áéóèáíèïýí ôïí ðáëìü ôùí Üìåóá åíäéáöåñüìåíùí êáé íá êáôáãñÜøïõí ôéò ðñïôÜóåéò ôïõò. Ç åðéôñïðÞ ðéóôåýåé üôé ç åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞ êïéíüôçôá åíäéáöÝñåôáé ìå ðÜèïò ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí êáé ôçí ðñüïäï ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò ó áõôÞ ôç ÷þñá. Ç ÅðéôñïðÞ åîÜëëïõ åõåëðéóôåß üôé ç ÝêèåóÞ ôçò èá äçìéïõñãÞóåé Ýíá õãéÞ êáé ðñïóïäïöüñï äéÜëïãï ãéá ôçí õðüèåóç áõôÞ óå ðáíáìåñéêáíéêü åðßðåäï. ÌÝóá áðü ìéá ôÝôïéá áíïé÷ôÞ äéáäéêáóßá, äÞëùóáí ìÝëç ôçò åðéôñïðÞò, êáé õðü ôçí çãåóßá ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá, ðïõ Üëëùóôå îåêßíçóå ôçí üëç ðñïóðÜèåéá, èá ãÝíåé äõíáôüí ìÝóá óå ëßãá ÷ñüíéá íá åðÝëèïõí ïé áëëáãÝò åêåßíåò ðïõ èá äéáóöáëßóïõí ôï ìÝëëïí ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò.

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 12

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

20 ÌÁÚÏÕ 1999

Åêåß ðïõ äåí êåëáçäïýí ðéá ôá êïôóýöéá...

Ê

áôÜóðáñôç ãç ìå ìïíáóôÞñéá, ôñïýëïõò, óôáõñïýò, åéêüíåò êáé áãßïõò. ÊáôÜóðáñôç ãç ìå ïóôÜ êáé äéøáóìÝíç ãéá áßìá. Ôï ïñïðÝäéï ðïõ êåëáçäïýóáí ôá êïôóýöéá. Ï ÃïëãïèÜò åíüò ëáïý êáé ïé Üãéïß ôïõ ôüðïé. Åßíáé ôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï, ôï Êüóïâï. ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ðáðáãåñìáíïý Ïé ÓÝñâïé öôÜóáíå óôç ÷åñóüíçóï ôïõ Áßìïõ, ðïõ áñãüôåñá ðïëý ï Ôïýñêïò ôá ïíüìáóå ÂáëêÜíéá êáé ðïõ óçìáßíåé ïñåéíÜ, Üãñéá êáé äýóôñïðá, êÜðïõ óôïí 6ï ìå 7ï áéþíá. Ï áõôïêñÜôïñáò ÇñÜêëåéïò ôïõò ðñüóöåñå ôüôå ôçí ïñåéíÞ ÷þñá áðü ôï Äïýíáâç ùò ôçí ÁäñéáôéêÞ. Ôïí 9ï áéþíá ôá áäÝñöéá-ìïíá÷ïß, Êýñéëëïò êáé Ìåèüäéïò áðü ôç Èåóóáëïíßêç, êßíçóáí âüñåéá êáé äéÝäùóáí ôïí ×ñéóôéáíéóìü óôïõò óëáâéêïýò ëáïýò êáèéåñþíïíôáò ôç ÓëáâéêÞ ãñáöÞ, ôï ðåñßöçìï Êõñéëéêü áëöÜâçôï.

èáõìáóôÜ ðáñáäåßãìáôá. Åããïíüò ôïõ ÓôÝöáíïõ ôïõ ´ Þôáí ï ÓÝñâïò âáóéëéÜò Ìéëïýôéí. Ðáíôñåýôçêå ôçí êüñç ôïõ áõôïêñÜôïñá Áíäñüíéêïõ ´ Ðáëáéïëüãïõ êáé ïé óõããåíéêïß äåóìïß ìå ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, óå óõíäõáóìü ìå ôçí áíáãÝííçóç ôùí ðïëéôéóôéêþí êáé êáëëéôå÷íéêþí ñåõìÜôùí ôçò äõíáóôåßáò ôùí Ðáëáéïëüãùí óõíÝôåéíå èåôéêÜ óôçí áíÜðôõîç ôùí ôå÷íþí óôç Óåñâßá. Ï Ìéëïýôéí êÜëåóå óôçí áõëÞ ôïõ ôïí ðåñßöçìï áãéïãñÜöï ôçò åðï÷Þò áðü ôç Èåóóáëïíßêç, Ìé÷áÞë ÁóôñáðÜ ðïõ ìáæß ìå ôï êëéìÜêéü ôïõ êáé ðïëëïýò ÓÝñâïõò âïçèïýò óõíÝâáëáí óôï íá ãßíåé ôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï Ýíá ìïõóåßï ìåôáâõæáíôéíÞò ôÝ÷íçò. ÌÝóá áðü ôéò êïéëÜäåò ôçò Óåñâßáò ðåñíïýóáí ôá êáñáâÜíéá ðïõ Ýíùíáí áíáôïëÞ êáé äýóç. Ïé äáóìïß ðïõ åðÝâáëáí ïé ÓÝñâïé êáé ç áíèçñÞ ïéêïíïìßá ðïõ äçìéïõñãÞèçêå óáí áðïôÝëåóìá, êáôÝóôçóáí ôç Óåñâßá õðïëïãßóéìç äýíáìç óôá ÂáëêÜíéá. Ôï êáëïêáßñé ôïõ 1331 Ýìåëëå íá áíáëÜâåé ôç âáóéëåßá ï ÓôÝöáíïò ÄïõóÜí, ðïõ ðÝñáóå ôá ðñþôá ÷ñüíéá ôçò æùÞò ôïõ óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ìå ôïí åîüñéóôï ðáôÝñá ôïõ. Ï ÄïõóÜí Þôáí åããïíüò ôïõ Ìéëïýôéí. Ðïëëïß ôïí åßðáí ÍáðïëÝïíôá ôïõ Ìåóáßùíá. ÊáôÝêôçóå ôç Ìáêåäïíßá, ôçí ¹ðåéñï, ôçí Èåóóáëßá ðåñéïñßæïíôáò ôçí êõñéáñ÷ßá ôïõ Âõæáíôéíïý áõôïêñÜôïñá óôá ÂáëêÜíéá, ìüíï óôç Èåóóáëïíßêç êáé ôç ÈñÜêç. Ï èÜíáôüò ôïõ, ôï 1355, óôÜèçêå áðáñ÷Þ ôçò ðáñáêìÞò. ÌÝóá óå 10-15 ÷ñüíéá ïé íÝåò êáôáêôÞóåéò ÷Üèçêáí êé ïé åóùôåñéêÝò äéáìÜ÷åò ïäÞãçóáí óôç äéáßñåóç. Ïé Ïýããñïé êáñðþèçêáí ôá âüñåéá ôìÞìáôá åíþ ïé Ôïýñêïé áëþíéæáí ôá íüôéá.

ÿþ

Ì

Ï ðñßãêçðáò êáé ôóÜñïò ËÜæáñïò ìå ôá ìÜôéá óôïí ïõñáíü ôçí þñá ôçò åóùôåñéêÞò ôïõ ðÜëçò.

åñéêÜ ïíüìáôá öÝñíïõí äÜêñõá óôá ìÜôéá êáé ÷áìüãåëá óôá ÷åßëç... ïíüìáôá ðïõ ãßíïíôáé éóôïñßåò êáé èñýëïé. Ôï ÌïíáóôÞñé ôçò ÃñáôóÜíéôóáò, ï ôåëåõôáßïò íáüò ðïõ Ýêôéóå ï âáóéëéÜò Èñýëïé ðïõ ãßíïíôáé ôñáãïýäéá. Ìéëïýôéí óôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï ìåôáîý 1317-1321. Áðïôåëåß áñéóôïýñãçìá ÔÝôïéï üíïìá, óôï óåñâéêü õðïóõáñ÷éôåêôïíéêÞò ôçò áíáããåíçóéáêÞò åðï÷Þò ôùí Ðáëáéïëüãùí. íåßäçôï, åßíáé ôï üíïìá ËÜæáÓôéò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ 12ïõ áéþíá ï ÓÝñâïò ñïò Ãáâñéëüíïâéôò. Êáôüçãåìüíáò ÓôÝöáíïò ÍåìÜíéá Ýíùóå ôïõò ñèùóå íá ðÜñåé ðßóù ôï ÓÝñâïõò êáé åãêáèßäñõóå ôç äõíáóôåßá ôùí ÂåëéãñÜäé êé üôé áðÝìåéíå áðü Íåìáíéôþí ðïõ êñÜôçóå êÜðïõ 200 ôçí êëçñïíïìéÜ ôïõ ÄïõóÜí ÷ñüíéá. Ç åðéññïÞ ôïõ Âõæáíôßïõ êáé ï êáé ôï 1371 êáôáôñüðùóå åê÷ñéóôéáíéóìüò ôùí ÓÝñâùí ôïõò êáôáôïõò Ôïýñêïõò óôï ÌáõñïôÜóóåé óôá ôÝëç ôïõ 12ïõ áéþíá ðïëéâïýíéï êáé áíáêçñý÷èçêå ôéóìéêÜ óå èÝóç õðåñï÷Þò óõãêñéôéêÜ ìå âáóéëéÜò ôùí ÓÝñâùí. ôïõò âüñåéïõò ëáïýò ôçò Åõñþðçò. ¼ôáí Ïé Ôïýñêïé åß÷áí áðü ï ÓôÝöáíïò ÍåìÜíéá ìðïñïýóå íá õðïêáéñü ðåñÜóåé óôá åõñùãñÜöåé ôá åðßóçìá Ýããñáöá ôïõ íåüöõôïõ ðáúêÜ åäÜöç. ÌåèõóìÝíïé âáóéëåßïõ ôïõ, ï áõôïêñÜôïñáò ôçò áðü ôéò åýêïëåò íßêåò ðñïÃåñìáíßáò Öñåéäåñßêïò Á´, ï Ìðáñðáñüóá Ýëáõíáí áóôáìÜôçôïé. Ï êáôÜöåñíå ìïíÜ÷á íá âÜëåé ôï áðïôýÌïõñÜô ï Á´ äåí ÷áñéæüôáí ðùìá ôïõ áíôß÷åéñá ôïõ. óå êáíÝíáí. Ôï ìÜôé ôïõ Ï ÍåìÜíéá Ýðáéîå Ýîõðíá ôï äéðëùáäçöÜãï óôñÜöçêå ðñïò ìáôéêü ðáé÷íßäé êáé ôçí áíôéðáëüôçôá âïññÜí. Ïé ïñäÝò ôïõ Ýöôáìåôáîý Âõæáíôéíþí êáé Ëáôßíùí Äõôéêþí. óáí áñ÷Ýò êáëïêáéñéïý óôï ÅîáóöÜëéóå óôÝììá ãéá ôïí ãéü ôïõ ÓôÝöáíï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï. Ï ËÜæáñïò ´ áëëÜ êáé ðïëéôéêÞ áíáãíþñéóç áðü ôïí Ôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï êáôÜóðáñôï áðü Âõæá- Ãáâñéëüíïâéôò äåí áéóèáÐÜðá. Ï áäåëöüò ôïõ, ÑÜóôêï, Þôáí íôéíÝò åêêëçóéÝò êáé ìïíáóôÞñéá ðïõ íüôáí Ýôïéìïò. ¢ëëùóôå ïé ìïíá÷üò áðü ôï ¢ãéï ¼ñïò ìå ôï üíïìá êÜðïôå áñéèìïýóáí ôá äéáêüóéá. Ý÷èñåò êáé ïé äéáìÜ÷åò áíÜÓÜââáò. Ôï 1218 Ýðåéóå ôïí åîüñéóôï ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ìåóá óôïõò ÓÝñâïõò äåí åß÷áí óôáìáôÞóåé. Óôá ìÜôéá Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò óôç Íßêáéá, íá ðáñá÷ùñÞóåé óôç ôùí óôñáôçãþí ôïõ êáé ôùí óôñáôéùôþí ôïõ äåí äéÝêñéíå Óåñâßá åêêëçóéáóôéêÞ áõôïíïìßá. ¸ôóé êé Ýãéíå êáé ï åêåßíç ôç ëÜìøç ðïõ áðáéôïýóå ç ðåñßóôáóç. Äéáéóìïíá÷üò ÓÜââáò, ï Üãéïò ÓÜââáò, Ýãéíå ï ðñþôïò èÜíèçêå ðùò ï ÌïõñÜô äåí Þôáí åýêïëïò áíôßðáëïò. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ôùí ÓÝñâùí, ÷ñßæïíôáò óõã÷ñüíùò ôïí ¹ôáí ðéóôüò êáé èåïóåâïýìåíïò ï ËÜæáñïò. áäåëöü ôïõ ÓôÝöáíï âáóéëéÜ êáé åãêáèéóôþíôáò ôçí Ýäñá <¸íáò áåôüò öôÜíåé áðü ìáêñéÜ, ôïõ óôïí ÉðÝêéïí (Ðåê) ðïõ Þôáí ìåôü÷é ôïõ ìïíáóôçñéïý áð ôçí éåñÞ ÉåñïõóáëÞì, ôçò Æßôóáò. ¹ôáí ëßãá ìüëéò ÷ñüíéá ìåôÜ ôçí åéóâïëÞ ôùí êáé óôï ñÜìöïò ôïõ êñáôÜ Ýíá ÷åëéäüíé. Ëáôßíùí Óôáõñïöüñùí óôç Âáóéëåýïõóá. Ìç äåí åßíáé ðïõëß; Ìç äåí åßíáé áåôüò; Óôá ÷ñüíéá ðïõ áêïëïýèçóáí (13ïò-14ïò áéþíáò) Ï ðñïöÞôçò Çëßáò åßíáé... ìå ôï ÂõæÜíôéï êáôåóôñáììÝíï áðü ôïõò Ëáôßíïõò, ïé ...óôá ÷Ýñéá ôïõ êñáôÜ âéâëßï Üãéï, ÓÝñâïé âáóéëéÜäåò ÷ôßæïõí, êïóìïýí êáé åéêïíïãñáöïýí óôáëìÝíï áðü ôçí ÐáíáãéÜ. ìïíáóôÞñéá êáé åêêëçóßåò ó üëï ôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï. Ôï Ôï áêïõìðÜ óôá ãüíáôá ôïõ ÔóÜñïõ (ËÜæáñïõ) ìïíáóôÞñé ôçò ÓôïõíôÝíéôóáò êáé ïé íáïß ôïõ Éðåêßïõ êáé ôïí ñùôÜ: ôùí Áãßùí Áðïóôüëùí, ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ (ôïõ ïðïßïõ Ãéá ðéï âáóßëåéï ðïëåìÜò; ç ëáôñåßá åß÷å ìåãÜëç áðÞ÷çóç óôç Óåñâßá), ôçò Ãéá ôï åðßãåéï Þ ôï åðïõñÜíéï;> Ðáíáãßáò ôçò ÏäçãÞôñéáò åßíáé ìüíï ëßãá áëëÜ

Ôï åðßãåéï Þ ôï åðïõñÜíéï...; ÁíáñùôÞèçêå. ¸óôñåøå ôï âëÝììá ôïõ øçëÜ óôïí ïõñáíü. Ç ðÜëç ìÝóá ôïõ öïýíôùíå. ¹ôáí ðéóôüò êáé èåïöïâïýìåíïò ï ËÜæáñïò. Ï Âïýê ÂñÜíêïâéôò Þôáí áðü áñéóôïêñáôéêÞ êáôáãùãÞ êé ï Ìßëïò ¼âéëéôò áðü ìÜëëïí ëáúêüôåñç. Ðáíôñåýôçêáí äõï áäåñöÝò, êüñåò ôïõ ÔóÜñïõ ËÜæáñïõ. Ç éóôïñßá èÝëåé ôéò äõï áäåñöÝò óôá ìá÷áßñéá êáé ôïõò äõï óþãáìðñïõò êáé óôñáôçãïýò ôïõ âáóéëéÜ íá óõíáãùíßæïíôáé óôçí Ý÷èñá êáé ôç æÞëéá ôéò ãõíáßêåò ôïõò. Áðïâñáäßò ï ËÜæáñïò æÞôçóå íá ôïõ öÝñïõí êñáóß. ÓÞêùóå ôç ÷ñõóÞ êïýðá íá åõ÷çèåß. ÅöéÜëôåò ôïí âáóÜíéæáí. Äåí êñáôÞèçêå. Ïíüìáóå ôñåéò, ðïõ öïâüôáí ðåñéóóüôåñï. ÁíÜìåóÜ ôïõò ï Ýíáò ãáìðñüò ôïõ, ï Ìßëïò ¼âéëéôò. Ôïõ ðñüóöåñå ôç ÷ñõóÞ êïýðá ôïõ êáé ôïí åîüñêéóå íá ìçí ôïí ðñïäþóåé. <...ç ðñïäïóßá êÜèåôáé ôþñá äßðëá óïõ> áðÜíôçóå ëáêùíéêÜ ï Ìßëïò, êÜíïíôáò óáöÞ õðáéíéãìü ãéá ôïí Üëëï ãáìðñü ôïõ ÔóÜñïõ, Âïõê ÂñÜíêïâéôò. <Áýñéï èá ÷áèþ ðïëåìþíôáò ãéá ôçí ðßóôç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý>, åßðå. Êé ï ÔóÜñïò, Ý÷ïíôáò ðÜñåé ôçí áðüöáóÞ ôïõ êáé ðáñáöñÜæïíôáò ôïí ÅõáããåëéóôÞ Ìáôèáßï (Ìáôè. 6:33) áðÜíôçóå: <Ôï åðßãåéï âáóßëåéü ìïõ åßíáé åöÞìåñï, áëëÜ ôï åðïõñÜíéï ðáíôïôéíü>. Ï ÌïõñÜô áéöíéäßáóå ôïõò ÓÝñâïõò, íùñßò ôï Üëëï ðñùß. Ï ËÜæáñïò Ãáâñéëüíïâéôò Þôáí ðñùß-ðñùß óôçí ðáñáêåßìåíç åêêëçóßá, óôç ÓáìïäñÝæá. Åêåß ôïõ öÝñáí ôá ìáíôÜôá: ðùò ï Ìßëïò ìå ôïõò Üëëïõò äýï <åöéÜëôåò> ôïõ, êáâÜëá óô Üëïãá, êßíçóáí ðñéí ôï ÷Üñáìá ãéá ôéò ôïõñêéêÝò ãñáììÝò. Ï ËÜæáñïò, ðñþôïò óôï ìÝóï ôçò ÓåñâéêÞò ðáñÜôáîçò ñß÷ôçêå óôç ìÜ÷ç. Ïé ÓÝñâïé ìå ôéò ãõáëéóôåñÝò ÷ñõóïðïßêéëôåò ðáíïðëßåò ôïõò êáé ôá öôåñïóôüëéóôá êñÜíç ôïõò áðü ôç ìéÜ êé ïé ìáíéáóìÝíïé Ôïýñêïé êáâÜëá óôá áêïýñáóôá, êïíôüêïñìá, ìïããïëéêÜ ôïõò Üëïãá áð ôçí Üëëç. Óýííåöï ôïýñêéêá âÝëç óêÝðáóáí ôïí ðñùéíü êáëïêáéñéÜôéêï Þëéï. Ïé ÓÝñâïé óôÝêïíôáí óÜ óéäåñÝíéá âïõíÜ. Ç äåîéÜ ðôÝñõãá ôùí ÓÝñâùí Üñ÷éóå íá êéíåßôáé åíÜíôéá óôïõò ôïîüôåò óáí ô áãñéåìÝíá êýìáôá ôçò Ìáýñçò ÈÜëáóóáò. Ï ãéïò ôïõ ÓïõëôÜíïõ ÂáãéáæÞô, ãíùóôüò ìå ôï ðáñáôóïýêëé <êåñáõíïâüëïò>, áíôÝäñáóå áêáñéáßá óåë. 13

20 ÌÁÚÏÕ 1999

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 13

Áðïöïßôçóç óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý óåë. 11

êáôÜ ôï ïðïßï üëïé ïé öïñåßò ôùí äýï ó÷ïëþí ìáò, ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÉåñÜò ìáò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý óõíåôÝëåóáí þóôå íá õðÜñ÷åé áëëçëïêáôáíüçóç êáé óôÞñéîç óôï Ýñãï ìáò>, õðïãñÜììéóå ìéëþíôáò óôïí <Ïñèüäïîï ÐáñáôçñçôÞ> ï Ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò, ð. Äáìáóêçíüò ÃêáíÜò. <Åßíáé ìéá óôÜóç ôçò öïéôçôéêÞò æùÞò ôùí öïéôçôþí ìáò ç áðïöïßôçóç áõôÞ, ç ïðïßá åßíáé êáé ç áñ÷Þ ìéáò êáéíïýñéáò æùÞò, ç æùÞ áõôÞ, ç ïðïßá èá êáôåõèýíåé ôç ìåëëïíôéêÞ ôïõò óôáäéïäñïìßá, þóôå ïé ðåñéóóüôåñïé íá õðçñåôÞóïõí ìå ôç âïÞèåéá ôïõ Èåïý ôçí ÉåñÜ ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ, ôçí Åêêëçóßá Þ Üëëïõò ôïìåßò, ôçí Ðáéäåßá óáí êáèçãçôÝò êáé óáí äéäÜóêáëïé>. <ÈÝëù íá ðéóôåýù>, êáôÝëçîå, <üôé üëïé ïé ðéóôïß ìáò äéÜêåéíôáé åõíïúêþò ðñïò ôç Ó÷ïëÞ ìáò êáé èá óõíå÷ßæïõí íá ðñïóåý÷ïíôáé êáé íá ìáò õðïóôçñßæïõí çèéêÜ, ðíåõìáôéêÜ êáé õëéêÜ>.

Ïé ïìéëçôÝò

Êýñéïò ïìéëçôÞò êáôÜ ôçí ôåëåôÞ ôçò áðïöïßôçóçò Þôáí ï Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÊïñõôóÜò ÉùÜííçò, ðáëáéüò áðüöïéôïò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ï ïðïßïò óõíå÷Üñç ôïõò íÝïõò áðïöïßôïõò êáé ôïõò åõ÷Þèçêå êáëÞ óõíÝ÷åéá, ìå ôç âïÞèåéá ôïõ Èåïý, óôï äýóêïëü ôïõò Ýñãï, ìåôáöÝñïíôÜò ôïõò ðáñÜëëçëá êáé ôéò äéêÝò ôïõ åìðåéñßåò, êáôÜ ôçí ðáñáìïíÞ ôïõ ùò öïéôçôÞ óôç Âïóôþíç. <Ï Åëëçíéóìüò ðñÝðåé íá Ý÷åé óõíÝ÷åéá óå áõôÞí ôç ÷þñá. Åóåßò åßóôå ïé áðüöïéôïé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò, åóåßò èá ãßíåôå ïé äÜóêáëïé óôéò êïéíüôçôÝò óáò ìéêñÝò Þ ìåãÜëåò>, óçìåßùóå åê ìÝñïõò ôçò Åöïñåßáò ôùí äýï Ó÷ïëþí, ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ìðå÷ñÜêçò, åíþ ç Ðñüåäñïò ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ êá. Åýá ÊïíôÜêç åðáíáâåâáßùóå ôç óõìðáñÜóôáóç ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ óôçí <éåñÞ áõôÞ Ó÷ïëÞ êáé ôïõò áãáðçìÝíïõò öïéôçôÝò ôçò>. <ÊáëÞ óôáäéïäñïìßá> åõ÷Þèçêå óôïõò áðüöïéôïõò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ï Ðñüîåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäáò óôç Âïóôþíç ê. Ãåþñãéïò ×áôæçìé÷åëÜêçò.

<Íá ìçí îå÷Üóïõí ôï óêïðü ãéá ôïí ïðïßï ðñéí áðü ìåñéêÜ ÷ñüíéá ðÝñáóáí ôï êáôþöëé ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò>, êÜëåóå ôïõò áðïöïßôïõò ôçò ï ðñýôáíçò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ê. ÔæÝúìò ÓêÝäñïò, åíþ áðü ôçí ðëåõñÜ ôïõ ï ðñýôáíçò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ, ê. ÁñéóôïôÝëçò Ìé÷üðïõëïò, åðéóÞìáíå üôé <áðïöïßôçóç óçìáßíåé Ýíá íÝï îåêßíçìá, ìéá íÝá áñ÷Þ ãéá Ýíá óõíáñðáóôéêü ôáîßäé óôç æùÞ. Ó áõôü ôï ìåãÜëï ôáîßäé èá óõíáíôÞóåôå ðïëëÝò öïñÝò ìðñïóôÜ óáò ôïõò Ëáéóôñõãüíåò êáé ôïõò Êýêëùðåò, áëëÜ íá îÝñåôå üôé ï Èåüò èá åßíáé ìáæß óáò>. <Åßìáóôå ìéá ìéêñÞ ÅëëÜäá Ýîù áðü ôá åëëçíéêÜ óýíïñá>, ôüíéóå ï ê. Ìé÷üðïõëïò, åðéóçìáßíïíôáò ôç ìåãÜëç óçìáóßá ðïõ áðïêôÜ óÞìåñá ç ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ôïõ Êïëåãßïõ óôç Âïóôþíç. Ôá äéðëþìáôá ôïõò ðÞñáí áðü ôá ÷Ýñéá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá óõíïëéêÜ 47 áðüöïéôïé ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý. Óå äåêáôñåßò öïéôçôÝò áðïíåìÞèçêå ôï Âachelor of Arts, óå Ýíáí ôï Certificate of Studies, óå Ýîé ôï Master of Theology, óå ðÝíôå ôï Master of Theological Studies êáé óå åéêïóéäýï ôï Master of Divinity.

Ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý/Ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï

Ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý éäñýèçêå ôï 1937 áðü ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Áèçíáãüñá ôïí Á´ óôï Ðüìöñåô ôïõ ÊïííÝêôéêáô, ðÜíù óôï ìïíôÝëï ôùí éåñáôéêþí ó÷ïëþí ôçò ÅëëÜäáò êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôçò ×Üëêçò. Ôï 1947 ç Ó÷ïëÞ ìåôáöÝñèçêå óôï ÌðñïõêëÜúí, Ýíá ðñïÜóôéï ôçò Âïóôþíçò üðïõ êáé ëåéôïõñãåß ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá. Óôá ôÝëç ôçò äåêáåôßáò ôïõ 60 éäñýèçêå ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï ðïõ åßíáé ôï ðñþôï óêÝëïò ôïõ Éäñýìáôïò êáé ðáñÝ÷åé áíþôáôç åêðáßäåõóç äéÜñêåéáò ôåóóÜñùí ÷ñüíùí, åíþ ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ Ýãéíå ìåôáðôõ÷éáêü ôìÞìá. Ôç äåêáåôßá ôïõ 70 ôá ðôõ÷ßá ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò áíáãíùñßóôçêáí áðü ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ðïëéôåßá ùò éóüôéìá ôùí åëëçíéêþí ðáíåðéóôçìßùí, åíþ ôï ßäéï Ýãéíå óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôçò äåêáåôßáò ôïõ 90 ìå ôá ðôõ÷ßá êáé ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ.

Åêåß ðïõ äåí êåëáçäïýí ðéá ôá êïôóýöéá... óåë. 12

ðëáãéïêïðþíôáò ôïõò ÓÝñâïõò. Êé åêåßíç ôç êñßóéìç óôéãìÞ 12 ÷éëéÜäåò ðÜíïðëïé ÓÝñâïé, õðü ôïí Âïõê ÂñÜíêïâéôò Üñ÷éóáí ôáêôéêÞ õðï÷þñçóç. ÌÜôáéá ðñïóðÜèçóå ï ËÜæáñïò íá áíáóõãêñïôÞóåé ôïõò õðüëïéðïõò êáé íá áíôåðéôåèåß. Ðëçãþèçêå êáé ðéÜóôçêå áé÷ìÜëùôïò. Íùñßò ôï áðüãåõìá ç ìÜ÷ç åß÷å Þäç êñéèåß. Ï ËÜæáñïò ïäçãÞèçêå óôç óêçíÞ ôïõ ÓïõëôÜíïõ. Ï ÁëÞ, Ýíáò ðáóÜò êáé óõìâïõëÜôïñáò ôïõ ÓïõëôÜíïõ êåßôïíôáí Þäç íåêñüò. Êé ï ßäéïò ï ÌïõñÜô, èáíÜóéìá ðëçãùìÝíïò óôï óôÞèïò. Êé ïé äõï áðü ôï ßäéï ÷Ýñé ôïõ Ìßëïò ¼âéëéôò ðïõ ìðÞêå óôçí óêçíÞ ôïõ ÓïõëôÜíïõ ôÜ÷á íá ðáñáäïèåß êáé íá ôïõ öéëÞóåé ôá ðüäéá. Ï ÂáãéáæÞô äéÝôáîå ôïí áðïêåöáëéóìü ôïõò, ìðñïóôÜ óôá ìÜôéá ôïõ ÓïõëôÜíïõ ðïõ áñãïðÝèáéíå. Ï ËÜæáñïò êé ïé ÓÝñâïé Üñ÷ïíôåò æÞôçóáí í áðïêåöáëéóôïýí ðñþôïé. Ï ÂáãéáæÞô áñíÞèçêå áñ÷éêÜ. ÁëëÜ üôáí Ýíáò õðáóðéóôÞò ôïõ ËÜæáñïõ æÞôçóå íá ôïõ åðéôñáðåß íá êñáôÞóåé ôçí ðïñöýñá ôïõ ãéá íá ìçí ðÝóåé ôï êåöÜëé ôïõ âáóéëéÜ óôï ÷þìá, ï ÂáãéáæÞô åíôõðùóéÜóôçêå êáé óõìöþíçóå. Ï Ìßëïò ¼âéëéôò áðïêåöáëßóôçêå ðñþôïò. Ï ËÜæáñïò ðÞãå êÜôé íá ðåé. Ïé Ôïýñêïé ôïí ãïíÜôéóáí êáé ðñéí ðÝóåé ç óðÜèá óôï óâÝñêï ôïõ ðñüëáâå íá øåëëßóåé: <ÈåÝ ìïõ, äÝîïõ ôç øõ÷Þ ìïõ>.

Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

Ôçí åìðïñéêÞ Ýêèåóç Åëëçíéêþí ðñïúüíôùí <ÅñìÞò> ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå öÝôïò óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç, åãêáéíßáóå ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùí óôéò 7 Ìáúïõ. Äßðëá óôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï ï ê. Èåüä. Óðõñüðïõëïò, ðñüåäñïò ôçò åêèÝóåùò êáé áñéóôåñÜ ï ê. Ðáýëïò Êïôñüôóéïò, ï éäñõôÞò ôçò åêèÝóåùò êáé åêäüôçò ôçò åöçìåñßäáò Hellenic News.

Ï

Þëéïò åß÷å ðÜñåé ôïí êüêêéíï äñüìï ôïõ ãéá ôïí êÜôù êüóìï. ¹ôáí 15 Éïõíßïõ 1389 (28 Éïõíßïõ ìå ôï ÍÝï Çìåñïëüãéï). ¹ôáí ç ìÝñá ôïõ ìÜñôõñá Âßôïõ. Âßíôâïíôáí üðùò ôç ëÝíå ïé ÓÝñâïé ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá. Åßíáé ç ìÝñá ôïõ ðñßãêéðá ËáæÜñïõ ðïõ ç ÓåñâéêÞ Åêêëçóßá Ýêôïôå Ýèåóå óôéò ôÜîåéò ôùí Áãßùí. Ôï áßìá ôùí 77 ÷éëéÜäùí ÓÝñâùí óÞìáíå ôçí áñ÷Þ ôçò ÏèùìáíéêÞò êõñéáñ÷ßáò óôçí Åõñþðç. Êé áêïëïýèçóáí 500 ÷ñüíéá óêëáâéÜò. Ôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï Ýãéíå óõíþíõìï óôï ðïëéôéóìéêü ëåîéêü áëëÜ êáé óôï õðïóõíåßäçôï ôïõ ÓÝñâéêïõ ëáïý, ìå ôçí áõôïèõóßá êáé ôïí áãþíá ãéá ôçí åëåõèåñßá. Ç ìíÞìç êáé ôï ìÞíõìá åðÝæçóå ãéá Ýîé áéþíåò, ðáñÜäåéãìá ôçò ðßóôçò, óôçí ðñïóùðéêÞ êáé èñçóêåõôéêÞ åëåõèåñßá. Ôçò ðßóôçò, üôé êáíÝíáò Üíèñùðïò äåí Ý÷åé äéêáßùìá íá äéáöåíôåýåé ãéá ëïãáñéáóìü ôïõ ôéò ôý÷åò ôïõ Üëëïõ. Ç éóôïñßá åðáíáëáìâÜíåôáé. Óôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï åðáíáëÞöèçêå îáíÜ êáé îáíÜ. ¸îé óöáãÝò ìÝóá óå Ýîé áéþíåò. Êé áõôÞ ç áëÞèåéá ôçò éóôïñéêÞò åðáíÜëçøçò, ç ôüóï åìöáíÞò óôá äýóôñïðá êáé êáêïôñÜ÷çëá ÂáëêÜíéá, öÝñíåé óÞìåñá ñßãç êáé ôñüìï óå üëïõò ôïõò ëáïýò ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò. Êáèþò ñïäßæåé óôïí ïñßæïíôá ç íÝá ÷éëéåôßá, ôá êïôóýöéá Ýðáøáí ðÜëé íá êåëáçäïýí óôï ïñïðÝäéï ôïõò.

Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

Ôçí Ýêèåóç Åëëçíéêþí ðñïúüíôùí Hellenic Exhibition, ðïõ êáèéÝñùóå áðü öÝôïò ï ãíùóôüò ôçëåðáñáãùãüò êáé åêäüôçò ê. ÄçìÞôñçò ÊáóôáíÜò åãêáéíßáóå ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò ðïõ óôï óôéãìéüôõðï äÝ÷åôáé áíìíçóôéêü äþñï áðü ôïí íïìÜñ÷ç Áñêáäßáò ê. Ãéáííüðïõëï.

ÅÉÄÉÊÅÓ ÐÑÏÓÖÏÑÅÓ ÔÇÓ ÏËÕÌÐÉÁÊÇÓ ãéÜ ÅËËÁÄÁ Áíïéîç êáé Êáëïêáßñé ÊÁÉ ÊÕÐÑÏ

NEW YORK/BOSTON-ATHENS Ìåô åðéóôñïöÞò

$

768

ÁÐÏ

NEW YORK/BOSTON-LARNACA Ìåô åðéóôñïöÞò

$ ÁÐÏ

818

ÁãïñÜæïíôáò ôþñá êáé ìÝ÷ñé ôçí 20 Áðñéëßïõ ôá åéóéôÞñéÜ óáò, ìðïñåßôå íá êÜíåôå ôéò äéáêïðÝò óáò ôçí Üíïéîç êáé ôï êáëïêáßñé óôçí ðáôñßäá, Üíåôá êáé öèçíÜ, êåñäßæïíôáò åêáôïíôÜäåò äïëÜñéá áðü ôéò éó÷ýïõóåò ôéìÝò. ÁãïñÜæïíôáò ôþñá ôá åéóéôÞñéÜ óáò áðïöåýãåôå ïðïéáäÞðïôå áýîçóç ôéìþí ãßíåé áñãüôåñá. ÄéáëÝãåôå êáé åîáóöáëßæåôå áðü ôþñá ôéò çìåñïìçíßåò ðïõ óáò ôáéñéÜæïõí. Áêüìç Ýêðôùóç $200 äïëáñßùí áðü ôéò ðáñáðÜíù ôéìÝò ãéá ðáéäéÜ ìÝ÷ñé 12 åôþí. Áðü ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ Þ ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ ãéá ÁÈÇÍÁ Þ ÈÅÓÓÁËÏÍÉÊÇ Ãéá ôáîßäé ðïõ áñ÷ßæåé: 1 ÁÐÑÉËÉÏÕ Ýùò 10 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ êáé 1 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ Ýùò 31 ÏÊÔÙÂÑÉÏÕ........ .$768 Ãéá ôáîßäé ðïõ áñ÷ßæåé: 1 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ Ýùò 31 ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÕ....................................................$878 Áðü ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ Þ ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ ãéá ËÁÑÍÁÊÁ Ãéá ôáîßäé ðïõ áñ÷ßæåé: 1 ÁÐÑÉËÉÏÕ Ýùò 10 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ êáé 1 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ Ýùò 31 ÏÊÔÙÂÑÉÏÕ. . .$818 à éá ôáîßäé ðïõ áñ÷ßæåé: 1 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ Ýùò 31 ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÕ.....................................................$978 Éó÷ýïõí ðåñéïñéóìïß. Ïé èÝóåéò åßíáé ðåñéïñéóìÝíåò. Ãéá åðéóôñïöÞ 15 ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÕ - 15 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ åðß ðëÝïí ìüíï..........$100

Áðïôáèåßôå ôþñá óôïí ôáîéäéùôéêü óáò ðñÜêôïñá Þ óôçí ÏëõìðéáêÞ Áåñïðïñßá. . .êáé êåñäßóôå!

Ç ÄÉÊÇ ÓÁÓ ÁÅÑÏÐÏÑÉÊÇ ÅÔÁÉÑÅÉÁ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 14

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

20 ÌÁÚÏÕ 1999

Ç Ðñþôç ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò Íßêáéáò êáé ï ÌÝãáò ÁèáíÜóéïò

Ç

Ýâäïìç ÊõñéáêÞ ìåôÜ ôï Üãéï ÐÜó÷á, <ÊõñéáêÞ ôùí Èåïöüñùí ÐáôÝñùí>, åßíáé áöéåñùìÝíç óôïõò áãßïõò 318 ÐáôÝñåò ôçò Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞò Óõíüäïõ ôçò Íßêáéáò.

ôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ Ôï 325, üôáí óõíÞëèå ç Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò óôç Íßêáéá, Ýîù áðü ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, ç Åêêëçóßá ôùí ðñþôùí ìáñôõñéêþí ÷ñüíùí, åß÷å èñéáìâåýóåé, ôüóï Ýíáíôé ôùí óêëçñþí äéùãìþí ôùí Ñùìáßùí áõôïêñáôüñùí, üóï êáé ôùí áäõóþðçôùí åðéèÝóåùí ôùí Åëëçíïñùìáßùí öéëïóüöùí êáé óôï÷áóôþí. Éäéáßôåñá ç íßêç ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Êùíóôáíôßíïõ åíáíôßïí üëùí ôùí óõíáõôïêñáôüñùí ôïõ, ôüóï óôçí Äýóç, üóï êáé óôçí ÁíáôïëÞ, êáé êõñßùò ç ðåñéöáíÞò íßêç ôïõ óôçí ëåãüìåíç Ìéëâßá ãÝöõñá êïíôÜ óôç Ñþìç ôï 312, áëëÜ êáé åíáíôßïí ôïõ áõôïêñÜôïñá Ëéêéíßïõ áìÝóùò ìåôÜ, ôïí êáôÝóôçóå ôï 324, áðüëõôï ìïíïêñÜôïñá ôçò áðÝñáíôçò ÑùìáúêÞò áõôïêñáôïñßáò. ÓõãêëïíéóìÝíïò ï áñ÷áßïò åêêëçóéáóôéêüò óõããñáöÝáò ï Êáéóáñåßáò ÅõóÝâéïò, ðåñéãñÜöåé ôïí ÌÝãá Êùíóôáíôßíï ùò ôïí Þëéï ôçò ÏéêïõìÝíçò êáé ï óýã÷ñïíïò éóôïñéêüò T. G. Elliott óôï âéâëßï ôïõ ãéá ôïí Üãéï Êùíóôáíôßíï ôïíßæåé ôçí óõìâïëÞ ôïõ íá åíþóåé êáé íá óõíäÝóåé ôçí Åêêëçóßá ôï ×ñéóôïý ìå ôçí á÷áíÞ ÑùìáúêÞ áõôïêñáôïñßá. Ï èñßáìâïò üìùò áõôüò, ôçò ôáðåéíÞò èñçóêåßáò ôïõ ôáðåéíïý Íáæùñáßïõ, åðÝöåñå åðßóçò êáé ðïëëÜ åóùôåñéêÜ ðñïâëÞìáôá. Ó÷ßóìáôá êáé áéñÝóåéò Üñ÷éóáí íá óõãêëïíßæïõí ôï óêÜöïò ôçò áñ÷áßáò Åêêëçóßáò. Áðü ôçí åðï÷Þ ôçò ÊáéíÞò ÄéáèÞêçò áêüìç, âëÝðïõìå ôçí ðáñïõóßá ðáñåñìçíåõôþí ôïõ Åõáããåëéêïý ëüãïõ. ÐáñïõóéÜæåôáé ðëçèþñá Ãíùóôéêþí ðáñáöõÜäùí êáé êáêïäéäáóêáëéþí ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôï ðñüóùðï ôïõ Éçóïý êáé ôçí ó÷Ýóç ðñïò ôïí Èåü ÐáôÝñá êáé áíáóôáôþíïõí ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ôüôå åìöáíßóôçêå êáé ï ¢ñåéïò. ÃåííÞèçêå óôçí Ëéâýç êáôÜ ôï äåýôåñï ìéóü ôïõ ôñßôïõ áéþíá, ìïñöþèçêå óôçí Áíôéü÷åéá êáé ÁëåîÜíäñåéá, ÷åéñïôïíÞèçêå ðñåóâýôåñïò áðü ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Áëåîáíäñåßáò ÐÝôñï. Ìå åîáßñåôï ðáñÜóôçìá, áëëÜ êáé ìå

ëáìðñü Þèïò, áóêçôéêüò êáé Ýíôïíá åõóåâÞò áðÝêôçóå óýíôïìá èáõìáóôÝò êáé áêïëïýèùò ðéóôïýò êáé áöïóéùìÝíïõò. Ðáñ üëá áõôÜ ôïí åíï÷ëïýóå êáé ôïí ðñïâëçìÜôéæå ôï èÝìá ôçò ó÷Ýóçò ôïõ Õéïý ôïõ Èåïý ìåôÜ ôïõ Èåïý êáé Ðáôñüò. Ç åíüôçôá ôçò èåüôçôïò Þôáí ôï êýñéï ìÝëçìÜ ôïõ. Ðñïóðáèïýóå íá äéáöõëÜîåé ôçí ðßóôç óå Ýíá Èåü (Ìïíïèåúóìü) êáé ôçí <ðñïáéþíéá> ýðáñîç Áõôïý. Ôá óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ, Ýãéíáí äçìïöéëÞ êáé ç ãíùóôÞ <ÈÜëåéá>, ðïßçìá ìå èåïëïãéêÝò ðñïäéáãñáöÝò, áðáããÝëëïíôáí êáé ôñáãïõäéüôáí óôïõò äñüìïõò ôçò ÁëåîÜíäñåéáò. Óýíôïìá ç äéäáóêáëßá ôïõ Ýãéíå ãíùóôÞ óå üëç ôçí ÁíáôïëÞ êáé äéáöáéíüôáí ðëÝïí, üôé ç Åêêëçóßá ïäçãïýíôáí ðñïò ìéá áíåîÝëåãêôç ðïëõöùíßá êáé äéáßñåóç. Ôá êýñéá óçìåßá ôçò êáêïäéäáóêáëßáò ôïõ Áñåßïõ äéáöõëÜ÷ôçêáí áðü ôïí ¢ãéï ÁèáíÜóéï óôï âéâëßï ôïõ <ÊáôÜ Áñåéáíþí> (êåö. Á´, 5). Ï ¢ñåéïò äßäáóêå üôé ï Èåüò äåí Þôáí ðÜíôïôå ÐáôÞñ, áëëÜ Ýãéíå áñãüôåñá ÐáôÝñáò. Ï Õéüò äåí õðÞñ÷å ðÜíôïôå, áëëÜ êáé áõôüò äçìéïõñãÞèçêå, êáé õðÞñ÷å êÜðïôå ÷ñüíïò, êáôÜ ôïí ïðïßï äåí õðÞñ÷å... (Êåßìåíï êáé ÌåôÜöñáóç, <¸ëëçíåò ÐáôÝñåò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, Ì. Áèáíáóßïõ ¸ñãá, ôüìïò 2, ó.40). ÏõóéáóôéêÜ, ï ¢ñåéïò äßäáóêå üôé ï Éçóïýò ×ñéóôüò Þôáí áðëïýóôáôá, êôßóìá êáé äçìéïýñãçìá ôïõ Èåïý Ðáôñüò. ÌÝãáò ÁèáíÜóéïò áíôéìåôùðßæïíôáò ôïí ¢ñåéï ÷áñáêôÞñéóå ôçí êáêïäéäáóêáëßá ôïõ ùò áóÝâåéá, âëáóöçìßá, ôïí äå ¢ñåéï ïíüìáóå <÷ñéóôïìÜ÷ï> (ÊáôÜ Áñåéáíþí, Á´.7). Ï Üãéïò ÁèáíÜóéïò åðéðëÝïí êáôÜëáâå, üôé ðßóù áðü áõôÞ ôçí êáêïäéäáóêáëßá êáé ðëÜíç êñõâüôáí ìéá åéäùëïëáôñéêÞ åîßóùóç ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò ìå ôá äçìéïõñãÞìáôá, ç õðïâßâáóç ôïõ ÓùôÞñïò ×ñéóôïý óå Ýíá êôßóìá, åðïìÝíùò ç èåßá ëáôñåßá ìåôáôñåðüôáí óå áíèñùðïëáôñåßá êáé ç óùôçñßá ôïõ áíèñþðïõ ãéíüôáí áêáôüñèùôç. Åðß ðëÝïí ïé Ýíôïíåò áíôéðáñáèÝóåéò êáé ïé äéáîéöéóìïß ìåôáîý ôùí ÷ñéóôéáíþí áðïóôáèåñïðïéïýóáí ôçí åéñÞíç êáé ôçí åíüôçôá ôçò ÑùìáúêÞò áõôïêñáôïñßáò. ¸ôóé ôçí 1ç Éïõíßïõ 312 óõãêëÞèçêå óôç Íßêáéá ç Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò ìå ôçí ðñüóêëçóç ôïõ áõôïêñÜôïñá Êùíóôáíôßíïõ. Ï äéÜóçìïò ÊáèçãçôÞò ôçò ÅêêëçóéáóôéêÞò Éóôïñßáò ê. Âë. ÖåéäÜò óôï âéâëßï ôïõ ãéá

Ï

ôçí Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäï (ÁèÞíá, 1974) ôïíßæåé üôé ï ÌÝãáò Êùíóôáíôßíïò óõãêÜëåóå ôçí Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäï (êáô áñ÷Üò óôçí ¢ãêõñá) êáé Ýðåéôá óôç Íßêáéá ôçò Âéèõíßáò ìå ôçí õðüäåéîç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Áëåîáíäñåßáò ÁëÝîáíäñïõ êáé ôçí ïìüöùíç ãíþìç ôùí åðéóêüðùí ôçò ÁíáôïëÞò. (ó.39). Ìå ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Êùíóôáíôßíïõ, ï ïðïßïò ðáñÝó÷å ðëïýóéá êáé åõãåíÞ öéëïîåíßá óôïõò óõíïäéêïýò åðéóêüðïõò êáé ôïõò óõíåñãÜôåò ôïõò, ç Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò êáôáäßêáóå ôïí ¢ñåéï êáé ôïõò åðéóêüðïõò ðïõ ôïí áêïëïýèçóáí. åâáßùò üðùò óùóôÜ ðáñáôçñåß ï ÊáèçãçôÞò ÖåéäÜò, ï ¢ñåéïò åß÷å Þäç êáôáäéêáóôåß áðü ôéò ôïðéêÝò Óõíüäïõò ôçò Áëåîáíäñåßáò êáé Áíôéï÷åßáò. Êáé áöïý õðïäåß÷èçêå óôïõò Áñåéüöñïíåò åðéóêüðïõò ç åðéóôñïöÞ ôïõò óôçí Ïñèüäïîç ÊáèïëéêÞ Åêêëçóßá, äéáôõðþèçêå ôï <Óýìâïëï ôçò ðßóôåùò ôçò Íßêáéáò>. (ó. 76-77 êáé 102). Ï ãíùóôüò üñïò <ïìïïýóéïò> åéóÞ÷èç óôï Óýìâïëï êáé áíáöÝñåôå óôç ó÷Ýóç Èåïý Ðáôñüò êáé Õéïý. Ç áêñßâåéá, ç áõôÜñêåéá êáé ç óýíåóç ôùí áãßùí ÐáôÝñùí ôçò Íßêáéáò áðïôåëïýí èñßáìâï ôçò Áñ÷áßáò Åêêëçóßáò. Ç Óýíïäïò ôçò Íßêáéáò óõãêëÞèçêå ùò <Áãßá êáé ÌåãÜëç Óýíïäïò>, áëëÜ óýíôïìá ï Üãéïò ÁèáíÜóéïò ôçí áðïêÜëåóå <ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ>. (Ðñïò ôïõò åí ÁöñéêÞ, 2). Ç åðéêñÜôçóç ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò ôçò Íßêáéáò ïöåßëåôáé óôçí Üãéá êáé éó÷õñÞ åðéìïíÞ ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Áèáíáóßïõ. Ìå ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ óôçí Óýíïäï, ìå ôá åêëåêôÜ óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ, ìå ôéò ðÝíôå åîïñßåò, ìå ôïí Ýíèåñìï áãùíéóôéêü ôïõ öñüíçìá êáôÝóôç ï <Óôýëïò> ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò. Äßêáéá ï Üãéïò Ãñçãüñéïò ï Èåïëüãïò ôïí óõíäÝåé êáé ôïí ôáõôßæåé ìå ôçí áñåôÞ. <[ ÁèáíÜóéïí å[ ðáéí`ùí, á [ ñåôÞí å[ ðáéíÝóïìáé>. (Åéò ôïí ÌÝãá ÁèáíÜóéïí, 1). Ï Üãéïò ÁèáíÜóéïò äéáôýðùóå ìå óïößá ôï ðíåýìá ôçò Á´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞò Óõíüäïõ áëëÜ êáé ôç äéá÷ñïíéêÞ öùôéóìÝíç åìðåéñßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ãñÜöïíôáò óôï Ðåñß Åíáíèñùðßóåùò óýããñáììÜ ôïõ ãéá ôïí ÓùôÞñá ×ñéóôü: <Áõôüò åíçíèñþðçóåí, ßíá çìåßò èåïðïéçèþìåí>.

Â

Ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ó. ÌðåìðÞò åßíáé êáèçãçôÞò Ðáôñïëïãßáò,óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 15

One Community, Two Churches in a Sea of Mormonism PARISH

profile

Name: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral and Prophet Elias Greek Orthodox Church Founded: 1905 (Holy Trinity), 1969 (Prophet Elias) Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Diocese: Denver Size: 1,050 pledging families (combined total) Clergy: Rev. Protopresbyter John Kaloudis (Holy Cross 79), Rev. Presbyter George S. Politis (retired teacher and lay priest, graduate of Brigham Young University), Rev. Presbyter John Tsaras (Holy Cross 96), Deacon Elias Koucos and Deacon Anatoli Kireiev (both former lay parishioners) Noteworthy: Oldest parish between St. Louis and San Francisco.

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL(ABOVE) AND PROPH. ELIAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH (BELOW)

S

alt Lake City is one of only two Greek Orthodox communities in the United States having two churches and one parish council under its jurisdiction. The other is Astoria, N.Y. The arrangement came about through the desire of Holy Trinity Cathedral s communicants to remain a united parish while expanding their facilities to accommodate an ever-growing membership.

Overseeing both churches for the past 11 years is Fr. John Kaloudis, who serves as dean of the cathedral and proistamenos of Prophet Elias. He presides at services at each church on alternate Sundays while Frs. Politis and Tsaras assist at their respective churches.

A single 15-member parish council, elected by parishioners of both churches, administers the two facilities.

Candidates for the council campaign for election at both churches.

The parish s central office is located at the cathedral. The total budget is determined based on each church s needs, with funds contributed by both pooled into a common account.

Each church has its own choir and Sunday School, but one youth program and youth director serve both. The youth program consists of five groups: Little Lambs, JOY, HOPE, Junior and Senior GOYA. There also is an active Young Adult League, and junior and senior dance groups.

Fr. John characterizes his ministry as extremely active, with a large number of sacraments and personal counseling sessions with members.

At Holy Trinity, located near downtown, he uses more Greek in the liturgy, while at Prophet Elias, on the city s south side, more of the service is conducted in English, reflecting the composition of each church.

Most parishioners are second and third generation American-born, although there are many immigrants, especially at Holy Trinity. There also are several converts, including some Mormons.

and traditional values.

By 1920, the parish needed a larger church. A new site was purchased and the cornerstone was laid in August 1923.

The new Holy Trinity building was consecrated two years later.

The mainstay church organizations originated in the 1920s AHEPA, the Sunday School and various fraternal groups, including the Pan Cretans, Pan Arcadians, Society of Argos, Panahaikos Society and others.

Athletic groups started in the 1930s and the basketball program became highly successful to the present day.

Currently, the parish has a youth basketball league that consists of six teams, and an adult league with eight teams within the community.

The first choir and women s groups also began in the 1930s, including the Hellenic Mothers Club which in 1962 became the Philoptochos chapter.

A youth organization was founded in the late 1940s that became the impetus for the youth movement in the Mountain States and Northern California.

In the late 1950s and early 60s, Holy Trinity experienced phenomenal growth in its Sunday School program which rendered the existing facilities inadequate. By 1967, annual Sunday School enrollment was 1,035.

This space shortage eventually led to the creation of a second church after several years of holding double sessions every Sunday.

A second church

Mormonism was the reason for Utah s Salt Lake City from Crete. creation in the 19th century, as practitioners According to a parish history by of this religion were chased out of Western Constantine Skedros, the first Greek immiNew York, then Ohio, Illinois and Missouri grant thought to have settled in the heart of before they finally migrated to the western Mormon country, what was then Utah territory, was Nicholas Kastro in the 1870s. desert.

A few others settled in the 1890s, about Over the years, Greek Orthodox Christians faced a certain degree of persecution the time Utah became a state in 1896.

By 1910, there were some 100 Greek as they came to settle.

Fr. Kaloudis said that relations between entrepreneurs in Salt Lake City. A number of other immigrants came to work on Greek Orthodox and the the railroads and coal mining, metal Mormons had been difficult mining, smeltering and construction. at times.

The immigrants took He said they persesteps to organize the comcuted the Greek Orthodox, munity in January 1905. A but now the relationship is SALT LAKE CITY temporary place of worship good. He added, we cowas maintained on the third exist, but there is constant floor of a bank building. pressure (from the MorWithin a few months, mons) to convert. a site was purchased for Fr. John continued, $7,000 for construction of Mormons are very aggresa church, which was comsive in spreading their faith pleted and dedicated on and we have to be stronger Oct. 29 of that year. in our own identity as OrWorld War I-era Greek thodox Christians. He and politics brought strife and his fellow clergy strive to accomplish this through religious education. division to Salt Lake City, half a world away, He explained that the parish offers three as individuals declared their support for eiweekly Bible study classes, two levels of ther the Venizelists or the Royalists.

For a brief period, the anti-Royalists adult catechism, an instruction class in Greek religious education and an adult semi- organized a temporary community with nar held immediately after Divine Liturgy separate church services, but the rift was soon healed. while the kids are in Sunday School.

The community established its first He said the children stay in church until after receiving their antidoron at the end Greek school in 1916. Classes were held of the service. It s so important for the kids Monday through Friday 4:30-6:30 p.m. The school to this day has played a major role in to be at Liturgy, the priest said.

Most of the early immigrants came to keeping alive ethnic, cultural, educational

After years of debate over whether to build a larger church to replace the present building, or to spin-off part of the parish and build a second church complex, members chose the latter option in 1966.

Construction began in fall 1968. The name Prophet Elias was selected by the children of pioneer settler Louis (Elias) and Christina Chipian Strike in memory of their father.

Archbishop Iakovos conducted a thyranoixia (opening of the doors) ceremony Aug. 29, 1969, and the first liturgy took place on Dec. 21 that year.

Total cost of the complex that reached completion in December 1970 was $900,000.

The new complex included 21 classrooms.

Mosaics were added to Prophet Elias in the 1970s and Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the building in July 1991. In April 1986, he elevated Holy Trinity to cathedral status.

Fund-raising sources include stewardship and the Greek festival which began in 1977. In 1998, the festival won a special award from the Downtown Business Alliance of Salt Lake City. Members of both churches organize and conduct the festival.

Recent improvements in the parish include a $2.1 million expansion at Prophet Elias now under way that will feature a new gymnasium and education center.

The church has also established a parochial school with two pre-school classes and a first grade. We hope to expand by one grade per year, Fr. John said.

Another major fund-raising effort is under way for a renovation project at the cathedral.

Aside from the major physical improvements, Fr. John concluded that the Salt Lake City parish s major goal is to be a Christ-centered community and maintain our identity as Orthodox Christians. compiled by Jim Golding

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 16

S T E WA R D S H I P

The Heart of the Stewardship Program As we enter the summer months, families look forward to good weather, vacations, cookouts, outdoor recreational activities and celebrating holidays like the Fourth of July.

by Dr. Dennis K. Dickos The freshness and new life of summer allows us to reflect and renew our innermost feelings and thoughts. As we reflect in prayer, we must constantly remind ourselves that all good things in our lives ultimately come from God. Orthodox Christians in America have been bequeathed our ancient Faith by our forefathers and mothers who came to this country. They made monumental sacrifices from what little they had in order to firmly establish their Faith in the New World. these pioneers -clergy and laity together- nourished Christ s Church out of thanks for the bounty and religious freedom that America had given them.

These early 20th century Orthodox Christians were true stewards of the Faith.

As we enter the 21st century, will we be able to emulate our forefathers and mothers and build on their foundations?

The Total Commitment Program of our Archdiocese, commonly known as the Stewardship Program, is dependent on the financial commitment of each and every parish household.

Many households commit thousands of dollars to vacations, eating out, entertainment, new cars, homes and trips to Greece -as they are most certainly entitled to do.

Yet these same parishioners deem a one or two hundred dollar annual donation to Christ s Church as adequate to thank Him for the myriad blessings they enjoy.

Just as we nourish our bodies, we must sacrificially nourish the Source of our nourishment -Christ s Church- with love and thanksgiving in our hearts.

No individual growth can be experienced until somebody gives from the depths of their heart and their pocketbook. It is God who abundantly gives to us first, but we do not grow until we give Him a portion in return.

There are few who make sacrifices in order to give back to the Lord that portion that is rightly His. True stewards of God s

Write to Us...

!

ORTHODOX OBSERVER 8 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021

Fax:(212) 774-0239 e-mail: observer@goarch.org Include your address and daytime number

gifts understand, that what others call sacrifice is actually a source of abundant joy and spiritual rewards.

Living in a free and democratic society, all of us have differing opinions in all aspects of life and fortunately we are able to express these differing views.

Regardless of these differences, the Greek Orthodox Church family should never use Stewardship as a way of expressing our views or differences. When we withhold financial contributions to the Church -the Body of Christ- isn t this essentially like trying to deprive Jesus Christ himself of nourishment?

To make an imperfect analogy, can or should we -as U.S. citizens- withhold our city, state or federal taxes if we disagree with policies? Wouldn t this impact essential programs like: police and fire protection, transportation, farm subsidies, national defense, Social Security, Medicare-result in chaos and anarchy in our nation?

In the same way, our holy Archdiocese has sacred and essential programs that need to be funded in order to avoid chaos and anarchy in the Church.

The entire National Ministries budget for 1998 was $11,241,277. An essential program like Hellenic College/Holy Cross received only $1.2 million. Youth Ministries received $373,000 while Religious Education was allocated a paltry $139,000.

How can we possibly be worthy successors of those who founded our Church in America while affording such meager amounts to such crucial ministries?

Our Church is only as healthy as our collective love and commitment to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Christ -as He is manifested by the Patriarchate and Archdiocese in our everyday live- is the heart of our Orthodox Christian Faith.

Our Patriarchate and Archdiocese must be nourished in order to continue to serve as beacons of Christ around the world. Our parishes and faithful are the lifeblood and sustenance of our Patriarchate and Archdiocese.

Christ-Patriarchate-Archdiocese-Diocese-Parish-People Any fracture or hemorrhage at any site in this chain will allow our Orthodox Faith the continued growth and prosperity necessary to continue proclaiming Christ s true teachings.

This summer, as we vacation and celebrate the anniversary of our nation s freedom, let us all recommit ourselves to also freeing our Church from the constraints that bind Christ and His message.

Only in this way can we fulfill our sacred obligation to the protoporoi -those who founded our Church in America- and be worthy stewards of their promise to generations yet to come.

Dennis K. Dickos, M.D., is a member of Holy Trinity Church, Indianapolis.

HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

JUNE .......................................................

1 T ..... Rom.-1:1-7; 13-17; Mt. 4:25-5:13 2 W ............... Rom. 1:18-27; Mt. 5:20-26 3 Th ............. Rom. 1:28-2:9; Mt. 5:27-32 4 F ................ Rom. 2:14-29; Mt. 5:33-41 5 S .................. Rom. 1:7-12; Mt. 5:42-48 6 SUN ........ Heb. 11 :33-12:2; Mt. 10:32, 33, 37, 38; 19:27-30 7 M. Rom. 2:28-3:18; Mt. 6:31-34; 7:9-11 8 T .................. Rom. 4:4-12; Mt. 7:15-21 9 W ............... Rom. 4:13-25; Mt. 7:21-23 10 Th ............ Rom. 5:10-16; Mt. 8:23-27 11 F ............. Rom. 5:17-6:2; Mt. 9:14-17 12 S .................. Rom. 3:19-26; Mt. 7:1-8 13 SUN ......... Rom. 2:10:16; Mt. 4:18-23 14 M ............ Rom. 7:1-13; Mt. 9:36-10:8 15 T ............. Rom. 7:14-8:2; Mt. 10:9-15

16 W ............. Rom. 8:1-13; Mt. 10:16-22 17 Th .......... Rom. 8:22-27; Mt. 10:23-31 18 F .............. Rom. 9:6-19; Mt. 10:32-36 19 S ............ Rom. 3:28-4:3; Mt. 7:24-8:4 20 SUN ........... Rom. 5:1-10; Mt. 6:22-33 21 M ............. Rom. 9:18-33; Mt. 11:2-15 22 T ....... Rom. 10:11-11:2; Mt. 11:16-20 23 W ........... Rom. 11:2-12; Mt. 11:20-26 24 Th ........ Rom. 11:13-24; Mt. 11:27-30 25 F .............. Rom. 11:25-36; Mt. 12:1-8 26 S .............. Rom. 6:11-17; Mt. 8:14-23 27 SUN ........ Rom. 10:1-10; Mt. 8:28-9:1 28 M ......... Rom. 16:17-24; Mt. 13:10-23 29 T .............. 1 Cor. 1:1-9; Mt. 13:24-30 30 W 1 Cor. 2:9-3:8 30 W .......... 1 Cor. 2:9-3:8; Mt. 13:31-36

MAY 20, 1999

Seminarian

PROFILE: Name: TIMOTHY N. ROBINSON

Family: wife, Marsha Hometown & Parish: Oakland, Calif., Cathedral of the Ascension.

Age: 44 Graduating Class: 1999 Th.M Previous Education: B.A. English, California State University M. Div. Western Baptist Seminary, Portland, Oregon Previous Work: After graduating from seminary in 1985, I worked for two years teaching secondary school, and then for eight years for XEROX Corporation in various capacities.

What is your family background?

I come from a typical mixed ethnic American background. On my father s side, I am fifth generation Scotch-Irish mixed with some German and English. On my mother s side, English and Scottish. I grew up in middle class Evangelical Baptist circles. My parents were very dedicated Christians who were always active in church.

My wife and I encountered Orthodoxy during my seminary studies in the early 1980 s, grew dissatisfied with our Evangelical roots in the late 80 s, and finally embraced Orthodoxy in 1991. We are the only ones in our families who are Orthodox.

In what ways were you involved in your home parish?

I helped on the Altar, chanted (as I was able), and worked part time as sexton before I left for Holy Cross.

What are some of your most memorable moments while growing up?

First, when I was four years old and I made a conscious decision to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, then when I was 18 and I renewed that decision. Then, I was received into the Holy Orthodox Church at age 36.

What prompted you to go to the seminary?

I have always felt a distinct call to the pastoral ministry, a call that I have at times followed and at other times resisted. My parents prayed for a child and promised to give that child back to God. I was the answer to their prayer, and it is to their faith, their promise, and God s faithfulness that I attribute my persistent call to service. Training for the Priesthood is the natural culmination of their faith and God s call.

What person influenced you most to aspire to the priesthood?

My parish priests, Fr. Tom, Fr. Ari, and Fr. Peter, as well as a very good friend of ours, an Armenian priest, Fr. Mesrob.

How has attending Holy Cross affected you?

I have been affected by the regular liturgical life of the school. I see more and more the power and significance of the services. I have also appreciated the opportunity here to concentrate completely on preparing for ministry. Before I came here, I read as much as I could in Orthodox theology, the Holy Scriptures, etc., but I was always distracted by the demands of full-time work.

What are your favorite courses?

My Th.M. electives in Patristics. I have

been very pleased to interact with the Holy Fathers of the Church, to delve directly into our rich Tradition with all of its texture and variety.

What are your campus activities?

We have found a wonderful Christian community here, and we have made many new friends that we trust will remain friends for the rest of our lives.

What is your favorite recreational activity?

I love to walk. I took up racewalking a few years ago, and I enjoy exercising this way. My wife and I also enjoy sightseeing here in beautiful New England.

What is the toughest part of being a seminarian?

Everyone says that the hardest part of school is time management, and I suppose that this is true. Keeping up with the schedule of classes, services, studies, home life, etc. is a challenge, but it is good training for future work in the parish. Actually, I would say that being a seminarian is relatively easy. Being a Christian is hard.

What gifts do you hope to bring to your service to the Church?

My experience in the working world will, I trust, give me sympathy and understanding for my parishioners who live much of their lives in factories, classrooms, and office cubicles.

What are your major strengths and weaknesses?

No comments. I cannot really evaluate myself accurately. I have a lot of faults and sins with which I struggle.

Who is your favorite saint and why?

The Apostle Timothy and St. John Chrysostom.

What is your most noteworthy memory as a seminarian?

Late night vigils in the chapel. The darkened church, the hymns, the struggle to stay alert in prayer as the service passes into the morning hours. It reminds me of services I experienced on Mt. Athos.

How can the Church reach out to the unchurched?

We Greek Orthodox faithful in this country must discover how to love one another. Otherwise, people around us will not believe that we are God s people.

Suggest one way of keeping young people in Church: The Church needs to give loving support and instruction to the whole family and particularly to parents as they struggle to raise children. Besides all of the outreach that the Church can do to reach Youth, and that outreach is important, if young people simply see their parents living the Faith, they will be more likely to follow Christ themselves.

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION The Ascension Remember the Mountain

A story is told of a deteriorating relationship between a father and his teen-age son. Day after day, week after week, the sound of arguing and constant door slamming could be heard from their otherwise comfortable urban home.

by Fr. Frank Marangos On the advice of a friend, the father somehow convinced his son to join him on a camping trip. Alone, except for each other, the two of them agreed to spend one weekend at the top of a New Hampshire mountain.

For the first few days, their squabbling continued, disagreeing about everything from where to make camp, to the overcooking of their eggs. In time, however, an interesting thing began to happen.

Having nothing to distract them from their purpose, the father and son began to exchange stories, jokes, philosophies, until finally one of the two tents was dismantled and love prevailed.

Prior to their descent from their lofty retreat, the father and son made a joint commitment to continue their new found relationship. If when things piled up and the routines of their lifestyles began to destroy the unity, each would remind the other of their experience on the mountain.

After many years, they still greet each other with their cryptic slogan... remember the mountain!

On Thursday of the sixth week after Easter (40 days after Easter Sunday), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Christ s Ascension.

According to the sixth Matin Gospel, read during the Divine Liturgy, Jesus was carried up to heaven, having first led His disciples to Bethany, to the Mountain of Olives (St. Luke 24:36-53).

While the Ascension is of very ancient origin, certainly dating back to Apostolic times, the homilies of St. Gregory of Nyssa and St. John Chrysostom attest that it was not celebrated as a separate feast during the first three centuries of Christendom.

By the middle of the fourth century, however, this liturgical celebration of Christ s ascent to His Father, which up to this point was included in the Celebration of Pentecost, was universally celebrated throughout the Roman Empire.

The Orthodox Church, in keeping with its liturgical tradition, does not emphasize the message of the Ascension as a purely historical event. The importance of the Feast Day lies in its theological significance. As such, the Church exhorts the faithful to reflect upon the condition of their relationship with the ascended Lord! Through this mystery , writes St. John Chrysostom, we who seemed unworthy of God s earth are taken up to heaven. A similar thought is expressed by one of the hymns of the Matins Service, insisting that, ...the likeness of Adam cast into the vaults of Hades, was lifted with Thee in Thine Ascension.

The Ascension of our Lord, therefore, is our mountain top experience. It is the summit of our Paschal dialogue with our Heavenly Father. Having first descended into Hades to lose our shackled nature, Christ leads us like a loving father to the top of the Mount of Olives, where like His disciples we begin to dismantle our arrogant tents and become one with Him. The Ascension is the fruit of Christ s Crucifixion and Resurrection. According to the Ascension Gospel, Jesus was carried up to Heaven, having first opened the minds of His disciples to understand the

scriptures. The Synaxarion of the day informs us that during this period of forty days Jesus ate, drank and conversed with the disciples.

On Wednesday, one day before the Ascension, the entire service of Easter, as it was celebrated 40 days prior, is sung. Perhaps, this rubric underscores the eschatological fact that these five weeks are understood as one liturgical day...one day on the mountain with our Lord.

Although their mood during this difficult time was solemn preoccupied with Christ s Crucifixion and Death, the Risen Lord began to introduce vital ideas that would once again give His disciples a positive perspective on the future.

First, it was imperative for the disciples to understand that the hearts of men must certainly be prepared for the understanding of the Gospel message. Our contemporary celebration of Christ s Ascension must, therefore, underscore this catechetical imperative, that like His disciples we are not in need of large segments of new truth in order to resurrect us from grief, depression or spiritual lethargy.

Rather, our liturgical mountaintop experience of the Ascension should bring both a recollection, as well as an endeepening of existing truth already possessed about our Lord. Like the angels and powers beholding Christ s Ascension, the first thing we learn, therefore, upon the mountain is the identity of Christ.

Although the disciples had known Jesus as a man, the Ascension revealed to them that He was likewise inseparable from the Father s bosom, as the Doxastikon of the Vesper Service indicates. In other words, our ability to truly grasp the mystery of Christ s Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection worship of His Ascension must be enhanced. The humiliation of Christ s Passion, must therefore, find its ultimate glorification in His Ascension.

The second facet of a three-pronged examination of the catechetical content of Christ s Ascension concerns the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Apolotikion of the Ascension insists that Christ ascended so that He might send the Holy Spirit.

Although, as we have already noted, Christ opened their eyes to the scriptures, He Himself insisted that it would be the Holy Spirit s responsibility to expand and strengthen this understanding. When a spirit of truth comes, counseled Jesus, he will guide you unto all truth.

This information about the Holy Spirit s arrival calmed the inner dissonance caused by their Master s impending departure and helped create joy in the disciples hearts.

Finally, the Celebration of Christ s Ascension is a liturgical opportunity for spiritual joy. Once again the hymnology of Vespers petitions of our behalf: make us likewise worthy of the immeasurable joy which Thou didst fill the disciples and mother by your ascension. This, then, is our contemporary joy, although we were not given the historical opportunity to physically walk with our Lord, the ministry of the Holy Spirit affords us the opportunity to nevertheless know Him (John 16:14) and abide in Him . (John 15:7) St. Gregory of Nyssa, having experienced this joy underscores with conviction that the Ascension of Christ is the confirmation and fulfillment of all other feasts and the happy and the joyous conclusion of the earthly sojourn of Jesus Christ.

See RELIGIOUS EDUCATION, page 18

PAGE 17

Ionian Village Celebrating 30 Years

Friendships and Memories that last a lifetime!

At Ionian Village this year!

Please check the program you are interested in: ____ Summer Travel Camp, Ages 12-15 June 28 - July 17 ____ Byzantine Venture, Ages 16-18 July 25 - August 12 ____ Byzantine Venture, Optional Trip to Constantinople Departs July 20 ____ Spiritual Odyssey, Young Adults 19 and older July 11-26 Name ______________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________ City, State, Zip ______________________________________________ Phone ______________________________________________________ Mail this form to: Ionian Village, 8-10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Or contact us at: Phone (212) 570-3534, E-mail ionianvillage@goarch.org Ionian Village is a program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

529

279-329

$

OCT-DEC

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 18

READ AND SPEAK LANGUAGE LESSONS ON CDROM

GREEK LANGUAGE LESSONS IN ONE CDROM

by George Balanis PhD, MBA and Toula Balanis AA AnoTek, Inc. VISIT: http://www.anotek.com Üëïãï ðüëç Þëéïò öüñåìá

A GREAT E ANYTIM GIFT

horse

city

sun

dress

If you want to learn Greek quickly and easily, our CDROM courses are for you.

Our Read and Speak Greek CDROM will teach you the Greek language taught in Greek schools today. This course covers 6 years of school and teaches Reading, Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Phonetics, Grammar and Sentence Generation. You will learn the Structure of the Greek language and how it differs from the structure of English. The new software version (Ver. 2.0) improves the previous version and adds female voice, more grammar and more dialogs.

Our Read and Speak English CDROM teaches English to Greek speaking people. The course teaches Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Reading and the Basics of Grammar equivalent to about two years of school. All instructions are in Greek.

Read and Speak Greek CDROM Ver. 2.0 (6-year course Greek font included) Read and Speak French CDROM-Step 1 (2-year course - Fonts included)

$75.00 $75.00

We accept VISA, M/C, AMEX, DISCOVER, CHECKS & MONEY ORDER q Check Box for free catalog ORDER FORM: (Please put street and number. We ship UPS) Card #______________________________________________ Exp. Date: _______/ _____ Product: ________________________________________ X ____ Total $:_______________ Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________ State________ Zip ______________ Your E-mail: ________________________________________________________________

WRITE TO: AnoTek/G. Balanis 2349 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: (310)450-5027 Fax: (310)450-0867 Email: georgeb@anotek.com

Also available in books illustrated with full color pictures.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

offered to Communities, Organizations, Church festivals and all other functions.

Kontos F oods famous for its POCKET -LESS PIT A, Foods POCKET-LESS PITA is proud to present its original products once again.

Fillo Kataifi

Spanakopita Tyropita

Delicious, traditional products made

with the highest quality ingredients

Courteous Service WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA KONTOS FOODS, INC EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President

BOX 628, PATERSON, NJ 07544 (973) 278-2800 Fax: (973) 278-7943

Introducing:

Cost - $15.00 includes postage and shipping.

REACHING FOR THE FRUITS Helping Children to Grow Spiritually

A book for children ages six through twelve, contains eight chapters for discussion and six plays for dramatization as well as a teacher s section. Fictional characters face problems and challenges and try to grow in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit - love, kindness, patience, self-control, joy, peace, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness.

To order: Destro Publishers - PO Box 258824, Chicago, IL 60625 (773) 784-7358

HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER

27-09 Crescent Street, Astoria, NY 11102 Tel: (718) 626-5111-Fax: (718) 626-1398

Ç ÖùíÞ ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèüäïîçò Åêêëçóßáò <Ôçí äéáêïíßáí óïõ ðëçñïöüñçóïí> Åâäïìáäéáßï ñáäéïöùíéêü ðñüãñáììá ôçò ÅËËÇÍÉÊÇÓ ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÇÓ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÇÓ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇÓ Äéåýèõíóç-Ðáñïõóßáóç: Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïò ÓÅ ÏËÇ ÔÇÍ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇ: ANTENNA Satellite Radio ÐÝìðôç 5-6ì.ì.

FLORIDA: GREEK VOICE, WXYB-1520 AM êáé WPSO-1500 AM ÓÜââáôï 6-7ì.ì., ÊõñéáêÞ 9-10ð.ì.

CHICAGO: Hellenic Communications- WHCI-FM 107.5 ÓÜââáôï 1-2ì.ì.

INTERNET: http://www.goarch.org/webcasts/hellenic.html ÊáèçìåñéíÜ 10ð.ì.-10ì.ì.

MAY 20, 1999

Archbishop s Commission on Greek Language and Hellenic Culture Soon to Submit Report from page 2 at all of the community public hearings. It will also be published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and will be made available to all the Greek-American communities throughout the country.

Based on their findings via the impassioned participation in the hearings and the responses to the questionnaires, Professor Rassias and his team members are convinced that the Greek-American community is truly interested and concerned in improving the instruction of the Greek language and Hellenic culture.

The Commission believes that their report will generate wide public discussion and believe that, under the leadership of Archbishop Spyridon, important changes will be made in the span of two to three years.

Throughout the public hearings, the Commission members posed the basic question of how Greek-Americans can thrive as Greeks in the Diaspora.

As we all know, the Greek-American community is in transition, as Greek is no longer spoken at home due to second and third-generation families, and mixed marriages.

However, the Commission s findings indicate that most of the students in Greek school are proud to be Greek. Professor Rassias indicates that the schools task becomes how to preserve and enhance this Hellenic consciousness. How can parents be induced to speak some Greek at home when the children are tired, when they want

to watch television or go out to play instead of studying or hearing Greek? How can children overcome their conviction that Greek is useless for them?

And an important question that the Commission heard over and over was whether one s heritage can be maintained if the language is lost.

The Commission praised the numerous contributions made from administrators and teachers throughout the schools to preserve and promote the Greek language and Hellenic culture, but they also identified common problems. They include: inadequate preparation of teachers; a lack of sound teaching materials; a lack of imaginative curricula; a lack of uniform standards and criteria for evaluation and testing of language proficiency; a lack of recognition of good teachers; inadequate compensation and fringe benefits for teachers; inadequate realized partnerships among parents, teachers, and clergy, etc.

The Commission wants us not to be alarmed with these findings but rather, to begin thinking about the future of our Hellenic culture by becoming aware of our weaknesses and working together to build a better educational system for our children: the future of our Hellenism.

The problems we are facing with language is not different from the problems faced by other ethnic communities in the U.S., affirmed Professor Rassias. The question for us will be what will we do with the plethora of information at our hands. More on the Commission s report in our next issue.

RELATING TO FAITH from page 5 Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Mat. 28:19) If we strongly believe that baptism is our personal Pentecost; that living in our ecclesial communion is tantamount to experiencing an unending Pentecost; we have to bring every human being to Christ, -the only Way in which one can worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24) It is the only Way which leads to salvation, to eternal life!

We are incorporated into the Church, Pentecost is still with us today.

The third Person of the Holy Trinity has been continuously present since that time, when Peter fearlessly preached the Resurrection of the crucified Christ to those who crucified Him. He still comes down to consecrate those who bear witness to Christ s Resurrection, because through St. Paul s mouth He told us that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit. (I Cor. 6:19) Why, then, not preach the risen Christ as fearlessly and courageously as Peter to those who do not know Him, even to those who

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION from page 17

Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...to the house of the God of Jacob and He will teach us His ways. (Isaiah 2:2-3) So concludes the first of the three Old Testament lessons read at the Great Vespers of the Ascension.

As we take leave of the Easter Feast, the Celebration of Christ s Ascension gathers together all of Christ s physical appearances during the Pentecostarion period during whose forty days Christ appeared and taught His apostles about the Kingdom of God. (Acts 1-3) Here, then, our experience of the mountain grows in majesty for in the words of St. Augustin, the mountain, as the proph-

conscientiously and stubbornly reject Him? Are we not called to extend the Pentecost from Jerusalem to the end of the age? (Mat. 28:20) Fr. Macaila is assistant parish priest of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Lancaster, Pa.

ARCHONS from page 1

donation which is symbolic of our love, respect and fidelity to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Holy Archdiocese of America, Dr. Limberakis said. When Archons work together, in unity, and with the love of Jesus Christ in our hearts, anything can be accomplished...and it was! We look forward to continue our support of the Mother Church with all our energies and resources so that our ties our strengthened and fortified. We stand ready to assist Archbishop Spyridon in his initiative to reopen and safeguard the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki and pursue other programs that will facilitate the sacred mission of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

ets have taught us, is the Lord Himself.

What about our experience of Christ during this time? Have we spent time with the Risen Lord in prayer upon His mountain...receiving the Holy Eucharist?

Perhaps, this is why so many Orthodox Christians depart from the Resurrection feast only to lose the warm flame of the Resurrectional light during the ensuing weeks.

The Ascension marks the conclusion of our mountain top experience with Christ.

When our zeal wanes, however, and we discover the separation between our Heavenly Father and us growing, let us encourage one another... remember the mountain!

Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is director of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education; frfrank@omaccess.com

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

R ETIRED CLERGY What Is a Pomfret?

Two senior couples are walking along, wives in front, husbands in back. George says to John, We ate at a wonderful new restaurant last night - had a delicious meal.

The prices were good, too.

by Fr Nicholas L. Vieron John says, Well, we like to eat out, also.

What was the name of the restaurant.

George says, You re going to have to help me out a bit here, John. What s the name of that pretty flower, smells sweet, sometimes grows on a thorny bush?

You mean a rose? John responds.

Yes, yes, that s it, cries George, then calls ahead to his wife, Rose, hey, Rose, what was the name of that restaurant we ate at last night?

Recently, I read in a book titled, No Wrinkles On The Soul, an article about Remembering to Forget. These may sound like strange words, for we older adults seem to have a constant fear of forgetting.

Many of us become irritated when we cannot remember names or dates, or where we put our eye glasses, or how much medicine we took today.

Sometimes forgetfulness makes us feel as if we are losing our minds. So, what does remembering to forget mean?

Jacob s son, Joseph, had a lot of bitter memories: the hatred and jealousy of his brothers, their treacherous betrayal, their murderous act of selling him to Egypt. But Joseph learned the grace of forgiveness. He even named one of his sons, Manasseh, which means, God has made me forget.

(Genesis 41:51) The Church in her Palm Sunday evening service says it beautifully, as the synaxarion that evening states, we commemorate the blessed and noble Joseph. We need to imitate Joseph and remember to forget old wounds from the past.

Sometimes people suffer from depression because they hold on to old resentments. Yes, we need to forget.

However, there are things places, people, events we need to remember.

Many of us old timers love to recall with fond memories our days at Holy Cross when

it was in the small town of Pomfret, Conn.

When the Conference Room of the Archbishop Iakovos Library was designated The Pomfret Room, the RCA immediately embraced the idea and the opportunity. That is one reason why President Fr. William Gaines authorized Treasurer Fr. Philemon Payiatis to write out a check, according to the wishes of the Retired Clergy Association, for the amount of $16,250 toward The Pomfret Room of the Archbishop Iakovos Library.

For you see, such names as - Cavadas, Pomfret, Athenagoras, Iakovos - are synonymous with the best in the history of our Church in America... especially with our beloved Scoli.

Recently, a young student attending Holy Cross in Brookline asked me, What is a Pomfret? We old timers would like to believe that there is at least one lecture given for all the students at Holy Cross to learn about the history of The School - from its beginnings in 1937, through the first ten years in that small Connecticut town when the first dean, Bishop Cavadas, met with Triumph and Disaster and treated those two imposters just the same.

It was during that Golden Decade, as historian Fr. George Poulos refers to that important era of our Church, when the foundations of Holy Cross were established.

A young priest then by the name of Fr. Iakovos Coucouzis was there, side by side with Cavadas, implementing the dream of that other venerable churchman, Archbishop Athenagoras, the subsequent Ecumenical Patriarch.

However, it was during the 38 years of Iakovos reign as archbishop that Holy Cross became the Beacon of Learning in the Boston area.

Yet, we want to remember POMFRET and all it represents. Thus, our donation of $16,250 toward The Pomfret Room in the beautiful new Archbishop Iakovos Library.

There are some things we should forget; however, there are some things we want to remember. We hope others will, also.

Write to Fr. Nicholas L. Vieron, RCA Epistle editor Pastor Emeritus of The Annunciation Church 573 N. Highland - Memphis, TN 38122 - (901) 323-9530 E-mail address: nlvieron@ixlmemphis.com

CLERGY U P D A T E Offikia The office of ECONOMOS was bestowed upon Father Peter Harrison, St. Constantine and Helen, Cheyenne, WYMetropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 6/ 6/98 The office of ECONOMOS was bestowed upon Father Andrew Eugenis, Annunciation Proto-Cathedral, Houston, TX-Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou 10/25/98 The office of PROTOPRESBYTER was bestowed upon Father Luke Uhl, Assumption Cathedral, Denver, CO-Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 11/1/98 The office of PROTOPRESBYTER was bestowed upon Father Constandine Pavlakos, Assumption Cathedral, Denver, CO-Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 11/1/98 The office of PROTOPRESBYTER was bestowed upon Father Louis Chris-

topulos, St. Catherine, Greenwood Village, CO-Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 11/22/98 The office of ECONOMOS was bestowed upon Father Constantine (Dean) Dimas, St. George, Wichita, KS- 11/29/98 The office of ECONOMOS was bestowed upon Father William Christ, Holy Trinity, Tulsa, OK- Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 1/24/99 The office of ECONOMOS was bestowed upon Father Mario Giannopoulos, St. George, Albuquerque, NM- Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou - 5/2/99 Assignments Rev. Presbyter Johannes L. Jacobse, Associate Director of Saint Basil Academy, Garrison, NY - 4/15/99 Retired Rev. Protopresbyter Parry A. Paraschou, St. George, St. Paul, MN - 5/1/99

PAGE 19

YOUNG ADULTS

Travel to Greece and Constantinople with the Spiritual Odyssey program of Ionian Vil age !

July 11 - 26, 1999 Spiritual Odyssey is a summer travel program for young adults ages 19 and older. You will experience the faith, culture and heritage of Greece, while making friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.

The highlight of the trip is an audience with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople and a tour of the Patriarchate and the Byzantine monuments of the city.

Please send me information on Spiritual Odyssey: Name: _________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________________ City, State, Zip:___________________________________________ Phone:_________________________________________________ IONIAN VILLAGE 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021 or call us at: (212) 570-3534 Email: ionianvillage@goarch.org VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.ionianvillage.org

STARTEC advertisement 1-800-397-4205

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 20

MAY 20, 1999

CLASSIFIED ADS

LEGAL SERVICES

Dr. Kimon A. Legakis

Athens University Law SchoolUMaster of Law, Hervard Law School Doctor of Law, Greece UCertificate of International Law, Hague Academy of Int l Law

Le g a l C o n s u l t a n t OFFICES 209 Garth Road Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 & (914) 725-4717 Fax: (914) 725-4936

14 Nikitaras Street Athens 106 78, Greece & (011-301) 383-3340 & (011-302) 992-7111 Fax: (011-301)382-0838

With emphasis on: Settlement of Inheritance, Taxes, Disputed Properties, Civil, International Family and Business Law in Greece

U.S. IMMIGRATION TAXATION BUSINESS LAW INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS WILLS & ESTATES

Dr. ARES D. AXIOTIS

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW ÄÉÄÁÊÔÙÑ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ OXFORD, ENGLAND Ô. ËÅÊÔÙÑ ÍÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁÓ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND MEMBER OF N.Y. AND CT BARS 36 West 44th Street Suite 1300, New York, NY 10036

Tel.: (212) 840-3422 or (203) 255-3312

REAL ESTATE/BUS.

Apartment for Sale Magnificent location in Vouliagmeni 100m2 apartment 2 bedrooms, living room, dining room, 1 bath, kitchen, 2 balconies 500m from the beach Please call: (954) 455-0012, 455-3351 leave a message

Classified Ads

rate is $50.00 per column inch. This Box is one column by one inch and costs $50.

ALL ADS ARE PRE-PAID

Over 500 Dances Complete Catalogue on Web Site Charles Kyriacou (818) 360-9844 e-mail: ChKyriacou@aol.com Web Site: www.filetron.com/grkmanual

IMMEDIATE RESULTS

IS WHAT YOU GET BY ADVERTISING IN THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER The Orthodox Observer reaches more than 138,000 homes and Greek-American communities in every corner of the United States of America. Advertising in the Orthodox Observer is the best way to reach this focused audience.

Tel: (212) 570-3555 Fax: (212) 774-0239

YOUTH & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Full-time position with benefits Salary commensurate with qualifications Please send or fax resume to:

DISPLAY ADVERTISING per columninch:.................................................$55.00 quarter pg:...................................................... $750.00 half page: ...................................................... $1,500.00 full page: ....................................................... $3,000.00

e-mail: Trojan888@aol.com

GEORGE KENT GREEK AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA & ENTERTAINMENT Y FOR 10% REB ATE! EXPOSÉ REQUESTED! BOOK EARL EARLY REBA

ONLY TRUST YOUR SOCIAL TO A PROVEN NAME GROUP OF FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS ENTERTAINERS, AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, WHO S ONLY BUSINESS IS MUSIC. PERFORMING AUTHENTIC GREEK MUSIC OF ALL REGIONS, COLONIES OF GREECE. FEATURING THE PRIME VOICE OF GREECE... THE CLARINO & BOUZOUKI PLUS VOCALS. BEWARE! OF GREEK BANDS PROMISING AMERICAN MUSIC, THEN PLAYING TAPES! ALL OUR MUSIC IS PERFORMED LIVE ...OUR AMERICAN SOUNDS PURE AMERICAN, WITH NO ACCENT!

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020

or write: 118 Bolmer Ave., N.Yonkers, NY 10703-1637 Send for stereo cassette albums Zorba or Athena $11.00 for one, $20 for both to address above.

Pre-press Publication Worker for Layout and Design for SVS Press Administrative Assistant for SVS Press Development Officer for the Office of Advancement Student Recruitment, Public Relations and Events Organizer Maintenance and Repair Worker For information about these employment opportunities write, fax or email (no phone calls please): Employment St. Vladimir s Seminary 575 Scarsdale Rd. Crestwood, NY 10707-1699 Fax: 914-961-4507 Email: employment@svots.edu

PROF. S E R V I C E S DIMITRIOS PANAGOS PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

ADVERTISING RATES

of NEW YORK FOR 30 YEARS THE ULTIMATE IN GREEK & AMERICAN MUSIC

EMPLOYMENT

Emplo yment Oppor tunities aatt St. Vladimir Employment Opportunities Vladimir ss Seminary

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel.:201.768.9100 INTERNET: http://www.vali.com Email:Music@vali.com

Greek MS Society (Multiple Sclerosis) wishes penpals abroad. Letters translated into Greek.

Name, Address to: Mrs. Phaedra Damianakos 525 East 89th St., 2L New York, NY 10128

Tel.: (212) 753-1100 Toll Free: (800) 223-5570

MAIN OFFICE: 55E. 59th Street, New York, NY 10022

Gus Vali

Greek Dance Videos for Sale or Trade

NOBODY CAN BEAT OUR PRICES

Leading Char ter Charter and T our Oper ator Tour Opera

Featuring

MISCELLANEOUS

Youth Director Search Committee Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral 30 Malvern Avenue Richmond, VA 23221-2658 Fax: (804) 342-1947

VACATIONS-TRAVEL

MUSICIANS

RANGAVES PETER SMALL DANCE BANDS LARGE ORCHESTRAS

American Italian French Greek German Latin Call Peter 707-526-1138

3342 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407

MOVING? NOT RECEIVING?

Å WEDDINGS Å BAPTISMS Å PORTRAITS Å NEWS Å PASSPORTS

(516) 931-2333 Web page:http://www.dimitrios.com 111 Broadway (Rt. 107), Hicksville, N.Y. 11801

ÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÔÕÐÏÃÑÁÖÅÉÏ

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

If you are moving, please attach your old label here ò

Y VER

NT RTA O P IM

single column inch ...........................................$ 50.00 dbl. column inch ................................................$100.00

Ëåõêþìáôá ãéá óõëëüãïõò êáé êïéíüôçôåò

MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS

y Type page width is 59 picas (9.75 ), depth is 14 inches y Display ads: Four columns to a page. Single column width is 14 picas (2.25 ). For each additional column add 15 picas (2.5 ). y Classified ads: Six columns to a page. Single column width is 9 picas (1.5 ), double column width is 9 picas (1.5 ), double column width is 19 picas (3.25 ) y Camera ready ads preferred.

COLOR: additional charges apply. DEADLINES: ® Reservations: 25 days before publication. PAYMENT TERMS:®All ads are payable in advance, unless contract agreement is in effect and account current.

40-12 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105

Tel.: (718) 545-2323 Fax: (718) 545-2366

ÕÐÅÕÈÕÍÏÔÇÔÁ & ÓÙÓÔÅÓ ÔÉÌÅÓ

LETTERHEADS ¦ LOGOS ¦ ENVELOPES ¦ BUSINESS CARDS JOURNALS ¦ MAGAZINES ¦ BOOKS ¦ BOOKLETS ¦ WEDDING INVITATIONS ¦ SIGNS ¦ BANNERS ¦ COMPUTER GRAPHICS ¦ PAPER SIGNS ¦ COLOR BROCHURES ¦ MENUS ¦ ADS

Mail this coupon to the Orthodox Observer 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021 AND Ask your parish to forward your name and new address to the Observer in order for you to continue receiving the newspaper IF you move but your new home is located in the district of the same parish, then list your new address below:

NAME___________________________________________ ADDRESS______________________________________ CITY___________________STATE ________ZIP_______

MAY 20, 1999

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

challenge

“Going To The Chapel . . .”

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised . . . A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

by Fr. Anastasios Bourantas

W

e read these rare words of wisdom in the book of Proverbs(31:30), where the qualities of a wife (or a husband) are strongly impressed so that one may make the right decision when choosing their spouse.

The Lord said to Samuel in the Old Testament, Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

(1 Samuel 16:7) We are too easily impressed by image, emulating television, music and sports stars, that we fail to recognize the greater qualities and values that are God s measures to happiness and ultimate triumph which lead to salvation.

In finding a spouse, it does not only depend on finding the right person to marry, but more important, on becoming the right person ourselves. We, too, must prepare ourselves in becoming the right person for our spouse.

We cannot ignore our current responsibilities and expect to magically gain the strength of character and virtue that will make us good husbands and wives. If we are not faithful and growing in the relationships we have now, we will not be prepared to pursue faithfulness and growth in marriage later.

We can practice now by honoring and respecting our mothers and fathers, our brothers and sisters, so that when the time of marriage arrives, we will not be changed into new people, but reveal who we already are. We must practice now what we want to become in the future.

According to the 1st century writing of the Didache (Teachings of the Apostles), the three most important qualities that demonstrate true character in an individual and in a potential spouse are how the individual relates to God, the way he or she treats others, and the way they discipline their personal life. These are honorable traits that tell

a lot about a person.

First you, as a single person, must focus on God and seek Him wholeheartedly by placing Him as a priority in your life. Do you attend Church regularly and partake of the sacraments, especially the Holy Eucharist?

Are you a good Christian example, continuously aspiring to imitate the glorious example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? Do not worry about impressing the opposite sex, or flaunting your gifts, but constantly strive to glorify God with your gifts. Sooner or later, you will catch the attention of people with the same Christian morals and priorities.

Secondly, how do you treat others around you? How is the relationship you have with authority figures, parents, family members, the opposite sex and friends?

Knowing how they and you interact with others will reveal the type of relationship that you will have.

Finally, personal discipline is a very important characteristic that gives insight to an individual s disposition. How do you spend your time? Are you productive?

Do you strive for excellence or do you spend countless hours in front of the television? How do you spend your money, is it to buy clothes, cars and material things, or do you contribute to worthy causes and are a steward of the Church?

Do you take care of your body? Without being totally obsessed, do you have healthy eating habits, exercise regularly and dress appropriately, treating your body as the true temple that God has given you? It is pleasing to God to be both spiritually and physically fit, in order to do His will in whatever capacity that is required of us.

God desires for you that most wonderful love, that perfect human relationship, that everlasting union which will be bestowed upon you as you follow the characteristics that are centered and guided by His will. So that by identifying these simple qualities first in yourself, it will allow you to become the same spouse that you too are seeking.

What Do You FROM THE CHURCH Think About...? FATHERS TO US

C

17-year-old Jonathan Jackson who plays the character Lucky on daytime soap opera General Hospital recently stated in an interview in Soap Opera Weekly: I don t think sex was really meant to be something that you compared to everyone you did it with. I think that it was meant to be with one person, and you can only really compare it to that experience. I think that s kind of the way God intended it, and for me, I want to follow down that road…And I would be more pleased to find a woman who wanted to wait till she was married also.

Challenge is the youth supplement to the Orthodox Observer a service of the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries.

Articles reflect the opinion of the writers.

Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 8 East 79th Street,New York, N.Y. 10021

Contributors for this issue Fr. Anastasios Bourantas Natalie Kulukundis

Do you pay enough attention to the state of your soul? Whether it is in good health? Whether its life is vigorous? And if its present temporal life is happy, then is it eternal life and happiness ensured by a lively faith in God, Jesus Christ, in the Church?

Do you practice good works, humility, gentleness, love of honesty, abstinence, chastity, mercy, patience and other such virtues? If not, then all your labor is useless. St. John of Kronstadt

Pan Orthodox Youth Workers Confrence NOVEMBER 19-21, 1999

Moral & Ethical Issues Confronting Orthodox Youth Sponsored by: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Orthodox Church in America Antiochian Village Heritage & Learning Center, Ligonier, PA For further information contact: 212-5703560 or e-mail youthoffice@goarch.org

Email: youthoffice@goarch.org

SAINTS AND FEASTS Pentecost means the fiftieth day.

It is on the day of Pentecost that the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles in the form of fire, 50 days after the resurrection of Christ. Let us recall the account of Pentecost in chapter 2 of the Acts of the Apostles.

While the apostles were all assembled in one place, a rush of wind came into the house and the Holy Spirit filled each of them, giving them the power to speak in all languages and to be understood by all men.

Pentecost

The Icon of the Pentecost

The 12 apostles we see on the icon form the apostolic college. The apostolic college is the foundation of the Church, the 12 columns on which the building rests, built over the cornerstone, which is Christ. The icon of the Pentecost is not the illustration of a historical event, but the symbol of the Church.

The presence of the Holy Spirit is indicated by the flames which come from heaven and rests upon each apostle. The absence of Christ, necessary for the Holy Spirit to come (Jn 16:7), is indicated by an empty place.

In fact, we notice that the arc of the circle is not closed at the top of the horseshoe formed by the Apostles, leaving an empty space. This is the place Christ will occupy at the Second Coming.

What does the person we see standing at the bottom of the icon, holding a length of cloth, mean? What the apostles received on that day of Pentecost is not reserved only for the apostolic college. The Holy Spirit is destined for all peoples.

This crowned person represents the cosmos, the entire universe. The descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles is a cosmic event, and all creation will be penetrated by the luminous rays, the divine energies which God communicates.

The length of cloth represents the expectation of the world ready to receive the gifts of the Spirit. It is from the Church, the

center of the world, that comes the fire which will consume the whole universe.

Christ and the Spirit are sent by the Father from heaven to transfigure the world.

The crowned king holding the cloth represents all the nations, ready to receive the Christian teaching. The tongues of Pentecost give rise to comprehension among the members of the Church, even if they are of different races, countries and epochs.

For all share the Good News of the resurrected Christ, the Good News proclaimed and transmitted from century to century, from the time of the apostles down to our own day.

In the Holy Spirit, the apostles are united, but not confused, for each keeps his own identity and diversity. They are the image of God, Trinity-Unity, the three persons always united but never confused.

In the same way the apostles are united, but they are all different. The miracle of tongues received personally by each apostle, each speaking a different language, is the miracle of perfect unity in variety. It is like an orchestra playing a symphony: the most diverse instruments are attuned to produce a single sound.

Out of this vision of the 12 apostles united in the Holy Spirit through the fire of Pentecost flows the entire history of the Church, with its councils always and everywhere proclaiming the same catholic and apostolic faith. The unity of the apostles with the Holy Spirit is perpetuated in the whole Church, beginning with the bishops, who are the successors of the apostles. This concord allows the Fathers of the Church to say, at every council, the formula pronounced by the apostles in Jerusalem: It has seemed good to the Holy Sprit and to us (Acts 15:28).

(Excerpts reprinted from The Incarnate God: The Feasts of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, edited by Catherine Aslanoff)

Challenging

Puzzle

Appearances of Christ After His Resurrection Match the quotes on the left with the person from the list of people in the column on the right 1) My Lord and My God 2) He is not here, for he has risen. . .

3) Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation 4) Are You the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?

5) Who will roll away the stone for us from the door of the tomb?

6) Jesus said to him Feed my sheep

A) Angel of the Lord B) Peter C) Thomas D) Cleopas E) Jesus F) Mary Magdalene

Answers: 1- C (Jn 20:28); 2-A (Mt 28:6, Lk 24:6); 3-E (Mk 16:18); 4-D (Lk 24:18); 5-F (Mk 16:3); 6-B (Jn 21:2)

Youth Ministry

PAGE 21

news

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 22

DIOCESE

Special Program Rejuvenates St. Spyridon School

NEW YORK St. Spyridon School this year celebrates its 40th anniversary of providing a quality education to Greek Orthodox children and its first year of offering a pioneer program.

With the blessing of Archbishop Spyridon, the institution became the first Greek Orthodox parochial school to provide a Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program in cooperation with the New York City Board of Education.

Short on classroom space, but with a long list of students needing a Pre-K education, the Board of Education approached St. Spyridon s about leasing some classroom space for the program.

This was a tremendous opportunity for us to expose our Orthodox faith and Greek heritage to the community, said the Rev. Anastasios Garaboa, pastor of St. Spyridon Church. In addition, the school receives much needed income to help maintain and improve its parochial school, which would have had a difficult time surviving without the Universal Pre-K. The new program has an enrollment of 240 students, while the parochial school has about 55 children enrolled. In the past, enrollment had been as high as 250.

School officials said that a tremendous number of improvements have been made to the school building as a result of the program, including new computers and renovations to the facility, which came at no cost to the parish.

Involvement in such government programs may be a benefit to schools, not only in New York, but in other states as well, said Fr. Garaboa.

Enrollment for the Universal Pre-K program is coordinated through the Board of Education. Parochial School enrollment for the 1999-2000 school year is currently under way.

For more information, contact Steve Hantzarides (212) 715-2172.

Maine Parish to Build New Church

Gerry Petrakos

His Grace Bishop George of New Jersey spoke eloquently at the recent Community Center Groundbreaking Ceremony held at St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church in Randolph, NJ. At right is parish priest, Rev. Konstantine Tsigas, Protopresbyter, and assisting Bishop George is Deacon Vasile Mihai.

New Jersey Church Celebrates Milestone RANDOLPH, N.J. Over 600 people attended a ground-breaking ceremony for the St. Andrew community center, held at St. Andrew Church, on April 4, 1999. Presiding was Rev. Konstantine Tsigas, Protopresbyter, who has been the parish priest since its founding thirty-seven years ago.

The day was marked by the presence of the newly-named Bishop of New Jersey, His Grace Bishop George, who performed the blessing service along with Rev. Tsigas and Deacon Vasile Mihai. County and local dignitaries present included Morris County Sheriff Edward V. Rochford, Randolph Mayor Jon Huston and Randolph Councilwoman Ann Huber.

St. Andrew Parish President Teresa Demetriou and Development Committee Chairman John Moskonas announced the building fund s major gift contributors. Many other donations were presented at the ceremony, including over $25,000 from a par-

ish-wide Groundbreaking Drive.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, leaders of the church and its organizations -aged toddler to senior citizen- stood as one community with shovels in hand, simultaneously breaking ground for the new Center.

The St. Andrew Community Center will serve as a much-needed facility for this growing parish of more than 400 families.

The center will provide the classroom space needed for Greek and Sunday School classes. Other plans for the space include a gymnasium, kitchen, library and expanded administrative and storage areas.

The church, established in Dover, N.J., in 1962, has been located in Randolph since 1975.

For more information on St. Andrew Greek Orthodox Church, or to learn the schedule for services, please call (973) 5840388.

Hellenic Univ. Club Tenth Retreat of Orthodox Christian Missions Grant Competition Under Way The Hellenic University Club of New York has announced its annual Graduate Research Grant competition for candidates of Hellenic ancestry.

One program, named for the donor, Dr. Fred Valergakis, funds graduate, doctoral or post-doctoral research in the medical, biological, behavioral, or social sciences.

Another program, honoring Dr. George Papanicolaou and our Hellenic heritage, finances graduate, doctoral or post-doctoral research on Hellenic studies from the classical period through the 18th century.

Grants are a minimum of $1,000.

Deadline for postmarks on applications for both research grant programs is June 30.

More information and applications are available by visiting the HUC of NY web site at www.hucny.org, e-mail at visionid @prodigy.net or write to the scholarship committee at PO Box 6882, FDR Sta., New York, NY 10150-6882.

Hellenic University Club of New York is a cultural, educational, and social organization for college graduates of Hellenic origin. Established more than 80 years ago, the club has members representing a range of professions and ages.

SWITZERLAND, Fla. Sixty participants from all over the United States recently gathered at the annual spiritual retreat here to celebrate 10 years of Orthodox mission retreats.

The Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) -the mission and evangelism agency of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of America (SCOBA)- hosted the event outside of St. Augustine, at the Marywood Retreat Center.

Speakers included Fr. Martin Ritsi, the new executive director of the OCMC, along with Presbytera Renee Ritsi. Both were past OCMC missionaries to Africa and Albania.

Throughout the weekend Fr. Martin challenged the participants to understand the relationship of missions and Orthodoxy as one, and to continue responding to this blessed calling of the Church. He presented facts concerning the need for missions and evangelism in areas of the world where Christ s name has not been preached.

Concern for the Church and the future of missions also were discussed, along with the fact that the Orthodox Church in the United States currently only has a tiny fraction of its communicants actively serving in the mission field.

Presbytera Renee gave a historical perspective of Orthodox missions, helping participants better understand the call to go to all nations.

The historical precedent for missions

MAY 20, 1999

dates back to the Old Testament. Presbytera cited the lives of the great missionary saints of the Church, and gave examples from the lives St. Paul, Sts. Cyril and Methodios, St. Nicholas of Japan, St. Innocent of Alaska and others.

Each participant was challenged to understand the Great Commission how would you know if God is calling you to missions?

In closing the retreat, the new OCMC Agape Canister coordinator Athan Stephanopoulos presented a touching video on the mission in Calcutta, India.

He explained his recent experiences of working with Metropolitan Nikitas in Hong Kong and of the life of the Church in the Far East.

The OCMC welcomes all those interested in Orthodox missions to participate in OCMC s annual mission retreat and to respond to the call of missions. Contact the OCMC in St. Augustine (PO Box 4319, St. Augustine, FL 32085, Tel. (904) 829-5132, Fax (904) 829-1635, e-mail: ocmc@aug.com) for more information.

The

ORTHODOX OBSERVER ON THE INTERNET

www.goarch.org/goa/observer

BIDDEFORD, Maine. St. Demetrios parish held a groundbreaking ceremony May 1 for a new church complex that should be completed by early next year.

The church, designed by EKONA, combined attributes of the central Byzantine church of the 6th century and Cross-andsquare Church of the 8th century.

Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Boston, noted at the ceremony, I am delighted with the efforts and hard work of the wonderful Church of St. Demetrios and I look forward to being with the faithful in Saco, Maine to break ground for the beautiful Byzantine Church. I am thankful to those who have already generously given and those yet to give, so that we can fully realize the vision and dreams of the St. Demetrios Parish in building a Temple dedicated to the Glory of God. St. Demetrios parish was founded in 1909 in Biddeford, Maine, a historic community between Kennebunkport and Portland.

Construction of a new courthouse adjacent to the present church brought the need to sell the Church s 3,200-square-foot facility and other properties that had been purchased for future expansion.

The community then purchased a 10plus acre wooded lot in a central location in neighboring Saco, Maine, one mile from its present location.

The purchase of the acreage provided a threshold opportunity for the parish under the leadership of Fr. Basil Arabatzis, presbyter; George Pappavasiliou, church council president and Bonny Hadiaris, Building and Planning Committee chairman, to plan a vision for future generations to come.

Our parishioners worked together through the journey of planning the future of the Parish and whether simple or challenging issues, our group sought consensus every step of the way, noted Fr. Basil.

We had to balance the current and future needs of our Parish with economics and other realities, added George Pappavasiliou.

Building and Planning Chair Bonny Hadiaris points out, We visited many Orthodox Church projects in the northeast to view examples of aesthetic and functional planning and their physical results. Our research proved valuable to determine our preferences and to also address those problems and issues that we wanted to avoid.

Fr. Basil adds, Our consensus was that the temple was our priority and that a traditional Byzantine structure would be our priority and goal.

Building Committee member John Maragus and Fundraising Chairman Jim Pouravelis noted, Our parish has responded in an incredible manner. Their dedication and unselfish giving have provided a wonderful foundation from which we will build. While our campaign continues, we are at 75 percent of our goal.

Christ J. Kamages, AIA, principal and director of EKONA notes, The St. Demetrios group has been fantastic to work with.

Their resolve and teamwork have been an inspiration to our team.

Magna cum laude

Marianthi Manak, daughter of Robert and Anthi Manak, members of Annunication in Cleveland, graduated Magna cum laude from Xavier University in Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. She will pursue her education in pediatrics in the fall at the Medical College of Ohio in Toledo.

MAY 20, 1999

&events ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PEOPLE

Fr. Tasos Diakovasilis to Retire

Summer Credit Studies in Greece

By Catherine T. Siolas

Jesus, give me faith and strength, wrote the Rev. Tasos Diakovasilis in his poem, The Tomb of Christ. These words summarize the ministry of Rev. Tasos (as he is known to his congregation). He knows how to inspire persons with words that reinforce a positive outlook in life. When everything is hopeless, Fr. Tasos would say, Do not listen to negative thinkers. God is great. St. Nicholas will help you. These words inspired parishioners to overcome physical and spiritual obstacles.

A priest strives to offer material and moral support to the needy, sick and infirm within his community. He sacrifices to build the spiritual lives of young and old. Parishioners in the Old Country as well as 20th century America know the local parish priest is there during difficult and prosperous times. Fr. Tasos has epitomized the best in the priesthood. He will retire in June from St. Nicholas Church, Flushing, NY. Fr. Tasos was born in Nisyros, an Aegean island off the coast of Asia Minor on Feb. 21, 1936. He lived through the horror of WWII. His older brother died in Albania during Greece s victory against the Axis Powers.

He attended Nisyros High School where his outstanding talent for singing was noticed. All these factors contributed to his decision to attend the ecclesiastical seminary in Rhodes for four years. He graduated with honors. Fr. Tasos also attended Richard Bland College in the United States, studying psychiatry.

After graduation from the seminary, he served as a deacon to Bishop Spyridon of Rhodes. Fr. Tasos began his religious education career as a teacher at the boys orphanage at Arenou Rhodes.

H and his wife Maria, who were married in 1960, have three children: Eugenia Samaras, Eleni Sergiou and Paul Diakovasilis.

In 1963, Fr. Tasos and Presbytera Maria immigrated with their family to Astoria, N.Y. He served as a deacon at St. Demetrios Church.

On March 16, 1975, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Philotheos of Meloa in St. Demetrios Church. His first assigned parish was at Hopewell, Va., for 2½ years.

During his ministry, he was honored by the Prince George County chapter of the American Red Cross chapter. Fr. Tasos was cited for unselfishly giving of his time and energy to make a better community to all.

His next assignment was at St. Sophia Cathedral in Washington, D.C., for seven years.

In January 1984, Fr. Tasos was appointed as assistant pastor to at Nicholas Church, Flushing. He has served the community for over 15 years.

Fr. Tasos has been honored on numerous occasions during his ministry. On Dec. 23, 1984, he was bestowed the title of Oikonomos and Eromologos.

The Franklin Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in 1997, presented the beloved priest with a certificate of recognition in appreciation for dedicated volunteer service to the residents.

Fr. Tasos has a unique gift for writing poetry. His works have been published in Greek-American newspapers and periodicals in the United States and Greece. His poetry reflects his faith in God and commemorates unique events in the life of his congregation.

A testimonial in his honor will be held on June 4 at the Sand Castle in Franklin Square, N.Y.

D. Panagos

ARCHIERARCHAL VESPERS Archbishop Spyridon and Archbishop Iakovos both attend the Vespers of the Ascension at Church of Our Saviour in Rye, N.Y., on May 19. Archbishop Iakovos spoke on the importance of unity and expressed his support for Archbishop Syridon.

Hellenic College/Holy Cross 7th Annual Golf Classic Set BROOKLINE, Mass. Preparations have begun for the seventh annual Hellenic College/Holy Cross Golf Classic, under the chairmanship of George E. Safiol.

On Monday, July 19, the beautiful Kernwood Country Club in Salem, Mass., will once again host the prestigious event, which will benefit the missions of the School in preparing future priests and lay leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

The V. Rev. Damaskinos V. Ganas, president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, is honorary chairman.

Mr. Safiol has enthusiastically agreed to direct this popular fund-raiser for the second consecutive year, and he plans to surpass the $250,000 raised in 1998.

Working with him to ensure the success of this year s Golf Classic are cochairman Michael Krone and committee members George D. Behrakis, George Chryssis, John Gianakouras, George Kalambokis, Dr. Monthe Kofos, Peter Kostopoulos, Arthur Koumantzelis, James Lemonias, Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, John Panagako, Ernest Sofis, Angelo Stamoulis and Luke Tsokanis.

They will be aided by Sally Kaloyanides and Leon Zaimes of Hellenic College/Holy Cross.

This tournament has traditionally been a complete sellout, and early registration is recommended. For reservations and further information, call Leon Zaimes at (617) 7313500.

New Jersey Street to Be Named for AHEPA

NORTH WILDWOOD, N.J. The Rev. Steven J. Vlahos, pastor of the St. Demetrios Church recently announced the naming of a North Wildwood street that borders his church to AHEPA Street.

Fr. Vlahos arranged with North Wildwood Mayor Aldo Palombo for the naming of the street.

The naming also honors Gust C. Kraras of Reading, Pa., and Wildwood, chairman of the Annual AHEPA Wildwood Greek

New officers

AHEPA Chapter No. 300 in Morris County, N.J., recently elected new officers.

The are: Spyros Moraitis, president; Efthimios Papayanis, vice president; Michael Borzeka, secretary; and John A. Borzeka, treasurer. Appointed officials include: William M. Nikolis, warden; John Kostakis, chaplain; John A. Borzeka, Capt. of Guard; Nick Mavraganis, sentinel; and Stelios Rotsides, athletic director.

Publishes story

Jane Sarlas-Fontana, author of the Spero the Orthodox Church Mouse series for children, has published a new book, The Golden Cobwebs, a Christmas folktale.

PAGE 23

Weekend for 24 years.

This is a social, cultural and religious event that draw hundreds of people from throughout the northern United Stated and has enormously benefited the St. Demetrios Church, Fr. Vlahos said.

The Wildwood-by-the-Sea chapter of AHEPA through funds raised from the annual weekend has provided almost $50,000 in AHEPA educational scholarships and over $300,000 to St. Demetrios Church.

The contributions include monetary offerings, church and community center mortgage payments, narthex expansion, bell tower construction and the original community center parking lot.

The ecclesiastical appointments, improvements and enhancements contributed include the new electronic church organ, the Pantocrator icon on the church ceiling, Shrine icon and reliquary, stained glass windows and numerous liturgical vessels.

The dedication and sign unveiling ceremonies are planned for Sunday, Oct. 3, during the AHEPA Wildwood Greek Weekend.

Leading the Oct. 3 ceremony will be North Wildwood Mayor Aldo Palombo, joined by Fr. Vlahos, Gust C. Kraras, national and district AHEPA leaders, local AHEPA President William Mitchell and Nicholas D. Konides, church council president.

DIAS International Studies Inc., and the University of Indianapolis-Athens, will both offer study abroad programs this summer in Greece.

DIAS is a non-profit organization dedicated to arranging for students from around the world to attend summer-accredited courses at Greek universities.

Courses are offered in English according to requirements of American universities and are accepted by them.

The following Greek universities are participants in the program: University of Crete School of Philosophy offers course credit in field archaeology excavations, ancient history of Eastern Mediterranean, modern Greek, Minoan and Mycenean history and elementary (ancient) Greek.

Poytechnic University of Crete - offers introduction to computer science, data analysis, techniques and applications using computers, modern Greek, and introduction to environmental science.

The DIAS summer program is sponsored by the Department of Education of Greece, the Pan-Cretan University Endowment Fund, the General Secretary of Greeks Abroad and other institutions.

For applications and information, contact: Dr. John Nathenas, 18 West View Dr., Upper Brookville, NY 11771-2811; (516 624-9015; Fax (516) 624-9050; e-mail; dias.Intl@worldnet.att.net

Odyssey in Athens The University of Indianapolis offers semester and year-long programs. Its summer Odyssey in Athens will run from June 21 to July 21 and will offer courses in Greek art and archaeology and modern Greek society and culture.

The university is accredited by the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

For more information, contact: Barbara Tsairis, U.S. Director; (603) 431-4999; email odyssey@star.net

Hosts Coalition Connecticut s highest ranking Greek American elected official, Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz, recently hosted the second meeting of the Hellenic-American Coalition of New England., which took place at the Center for Hellenic Studies Paideia at the University of Connecticut (UCONN) in Storrs.

Other elected officials attending included Rhode Island state Sen. Leonidas Raptakis, Peter Nanos of the Stamford Board of Representatives, and Connecticut state Reps. John Geragosian, Demetrios Giannaros, and Themis Klarides.

They were joined by UCONN President Philip Austin, Eastern Connecticut State University President David Carter, John Ostrout of the Connecticut Commission on the Arts, Assistant Secretary of State Dr. Christopher Pappas, Center Director Ilias Tomazos, Consul General of Greece in Boston George Chatimichalakis, and other prominent Greek-Americans.

Artemis Award

Evangeline Gouletas, of Chicago, cofounder and co-chairman of American Invsco Corp., will receive the Euro-American Women s Council s Artemis Award at a ceremony in Athens, Greece, this month. Ms. Gouletas recently was keynote speaker at a Women in Real Estate dinner in Chicago.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 24

MAY 20, 1999

In what has been described as an unprecedented array of objects ever to be displayed at one of the world’s renowned museums, the opening of the New Galleries for Archaic and Classical Greek Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on April 20, has thus far, attracted more than 150,000 people.

D. Panagos

A MAJESTIC VIEW of the Mary and Michael Jaharis Gallery at the Metropolitan Museum.

Metropolitan Museum Unveils

New Greek Galleries

Grave stele of a girl with doves. Marble.

Greek, ca. 450-440 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. Fletcher Fund, 1927.

T

by Eleni Daniels

he New Greek Galleries repre sent a major milestone in the museum s second phase, decade-long master plan for the complete renovation and reinstallation of its Greek and Roman exhibition galleries. The seven new galleries are devoted to the display of masterpieces of Archaic and Classical Greek art from the sixth through fourth centuries B.C. recreated in a backdrop of their original neoclassical splendor.

At an inauguration reception in honor of the New Greek Galleries held at the museum, His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon commented on the opening of the exhibit: This is a proud day for all those who love Hellenic culture, but particularly for those members of our community who have made contributions enabling the whole of our society to enjoy and appreciate the glories and the accomplishments of Greece.

The exhibition opening took place in the framework of the official visit of Prime Minister Costas Simitis to the United States from April 18 to 21.

Greece s Prime Minister also commented on the new galleries saying that, the uniqueness of Greek art is due to its timelessness (the galleries) constitute a basis for reflection and thought in the artistic quest into the 21st century.

The Galleries consist of the Mary and Michael Jaharis Gallery, a grand barrelvaulted gallery (formerly known as the Cypriot Corridor) and six flanking galleries - the Spyros and Eurydice Costopoulos Gallery, the Stavros and Danae Costopoulos Gallery, the Wiener Gallery, the Bothmer Galleries, and the Judy and Michael H. Steinhardt Gallery.

The opening follows the 1996 debut of the Robert and Renee Belfer Court for prehistoric and early Greek art. The final phase will include the installation of a Roman sculp-

D. Panagos

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON with Prime Minister of Greece and Mrs. Costas Simitis and Michael Jaharis (left).

ture court and new galleries for the display of Cypriot, Hellenistic, South Italian, and Etruscan art. When completed, the new galleries will constitute the largest and most comprehensive permanent installation of its kind in the Western Hemisphere.

The new exhibition provides an introduction to the remarkable artistic achievements of the Ancient Greeks that will surely inspire and delight any inquisitive mind.

A walk through these galleries is like a walk through the annals of our Greek ancestors. Not only is it an aesthetically awakening experience but an opportunity to momentarily view the private lives of the ancient Greeks.

However dimly reflected in the archaeological remains of their sanctuaries, cities and houses - the displayed statues and painted scenes on black and red figure pottery, and their jewelry during the 6th and 5th centuries B.C. offer a unique glimpse of

daily life taking place inside Greek homes.

The artifacts you will see tell a vivid story of life in ancient Greece. The accompanied text on the walls expands on this story, and together they create a detailed interpretation of Greek art and material culture.

The works are arranged for the time in a contextual display that combines works of many media. Objects in the New Greek Galleries embrace themes such as religion, funerary customs, civic life, and athletics.

Masterpieces to marvel at include: heroic marble sculptures and Athenian funerary monuments, rare bronzes and delicate work in glass and gold, painted vases and terracottas, all of which meet the eye in a utter amazement.

These galleries are a major achievement, one that has been realized after years of planning and labor by a dedicated team of curators and other Museum staff. It has been realized, too, because of the generosity of many donors... I am also proud to announce support for the galleries from Greece itself from Yannis Costopoulos, chairman of Alpha Credit Bank, who has been so creatively involved with the Metropolitan, not only through his support of the 1997 exhibition The Glory of Byzantium, but also as an honorary trustee of the Metropolitan Museum, said Philippe de Montebello, director of the Metropolitan Museum.

This exhibition encompasses all of the inherent beauty and the rich history of the ancient world. Its aim is to help broaden people s understanding of ancient Greek culture and raise continuing questions in the minds of those interested in the relevance of our past to the present.

A varied schedule of programs, such as: lectures, gallery talks, feature and documentary films, school tours, family and teacher programs, and more are planned throughout the year.

For more information, call the Museum at (212) 535-7710 or visit them via the web at www.metmuseum.org.

Grave stele of a family group.

Marble. Greek, ca. 360 B.C. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY. Rogers Fund, 1911.