VOL. 64 NO. 1167
http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer E-mail: observer@goarch.org
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Holy Eparchial Synod Meets in a Spirit of Unity STATEMENT OF HOLY SYNOD AFTER ITS FIRST MEETING
D. Panagos
THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, in session, during the October 14-15 meeting.
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America. Brothers and Sisters in Christ, One of the finest American customs is the annual observance of Thanksgiving Day. There is something special about this day which we set aside for expressions of gratitude in our family gatherings.
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For the holiday of Thanksgiving is more than a gracious acknowledgment of God s bounties at the close of the harvest: it is also a demonstration of our faith and hope for the future, even in the face of the winter months ahead. This national readiness to thank the Lord for His abundant blessings, to see His hand at work even in difficult circumstances, and to look towards tomorrow without cynicism or despair is an element of the American heritage that is in profound accord with the traditions of Orthodox spirituality. As Greek-Americans who are Orthodox Christians, therefore, we find a double joy in the observance of this day. Many families have a Thanksgiving tradition of giving every person at the table an opportunity to express a reason for gratitude in the year that has passed. How fitting it would be for our family in Christ the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
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N. Manginas
O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136: 1)
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America met in New York on Oct. 14 and 15, in its first regular meeting after the election of the new Archbishop. Taking part in this meeting, presided over by Archbishop Demetrios, were Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis (president of the Diocese of Chicago), Metropolitan Anthony of Dardanelles, (president of the Diocese of San Francisco), Metropolitan Maximos of Ainos (president of the Diocese of Pittsburgh), Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon (president of the Diocese of Boston), Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisos (president of the Diocese of Denver), and Bishop Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop George of New Jersey, and Bishop Nicholas of Detroit. The meeting was characterized by the spirit of cordial cooperation and unity. Each and every member of the Synod did his best to contribute to an objective and fruitful discussion of the issues of the agenda which are related to the current life and activities of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The topics under discussion included various issues relating to the present condition of the Church, and also issues relating to education both Greek and religious, worship, the living witness of the faith, social concerns and philanthropy, the special care for the clergy, Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, the next ClergyLaity Congress, and monastic life in the United States, among others. The Synod also proceeded with the formation of standing and special Synodical committees which will deal with the further study, application, and enforcement of the Synodical decisions in the various areas of the life of the Church. October 15, 1999 From the Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod
OF KRINIS AND DIOCESE OF CHICAGO CELEBRATE 30 YEAR MILESTONE
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH ON THE ISLAND OF LEROS
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Metropolitan Jonah of Uganda Completes U.S. Lecture-Tour by Jim Golding
NEW YORK The only native African Orthodox Christian bishop in the world recently concluded a mission lecture tour in the United States sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center in St. Augustine, Fla. Metropolitan Jonah of Kampala and All Uganda traveled to the U.S. to muster support for his struggling Church in the heart of Africa. His itinerary also included participating in the enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios and a stop at Archdiocese headquarters where he visited His Eminence a
realized the country first had to have schools for the entire population. Since then, the Orthodox have established 26 schools throughout the country and have educated many Ugandans. That emphasis on education has extended to theological training. About 30 Ugandans have gone on to study at Holy Cross School of Theology, more than any other African country. Born Jonah Lwanga into an Orthodox family in 1945, he grew up in Namung ona, Uganda. His grandfather was one of the founders of the Orthodox Church in Uganda. After high school, he traveled to Crete to attend an Orthodox seminary, then con-
D. Panagos
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS displays the crystal apple gift presented by Gov. Pataki. At left is New York Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue.
N.Y. Governor Receives Archbishop
Orthodox Observer
METROPOLITAN JONAH discusses his speaking tour with Archbishop Demetrios and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, former head of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.
few days later. He has known the Archbishop for several years. It brought me to be so moved, Metropolitan Jonah said of the enthronement. I pray that he s going to work for the success of the Church here. He also told the Observer about the Church in Uganda and its future outlook. In the 1970s and 80s, the east-central African nation underwent several years of persecution under its former leader, Idi Amin. We lost many communities under Amin, Metropolitan Jonah said. The people suffered because of civil wars and one priest was imprisoned. However, His Eminence stated that the church now has a bright future, although the country is very poor. It has been recognized as the country s fourth major faith. Most of the nation s 21 million people are Roman Catholic about 8 million. There are about 4.5 million Anglicans and the rest follow Islam and various tribal religions. Uganda s Orthodox Church consists of more than 200,000 faithful, with 23 priests and 70 communities, two minor seminaries, schools, medical clinics and a 15-bed hospital with one doctor. In addition to serving as head of the church, the Metropolitan also is a member of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Alexandria. Among the Church s major problems are finances and finding people with the expertise to staff its facilities, especially doctors and administrators. We need people who are willing to go and stay for a while, he said. Over the years, the Church has maintained a good relationship with the people, the Metropolitan explained, and that its leaders earned their support during the nation s independence movement. The first leaders (of the Church) were oriented to fighting for independence and
tinued his studies at the University of Athens School of Theology, graduating in 1978. After ordination to the priesthood, he returned to Africa and served as the dean of the Makarios III Patriarchal Seminary in Nairobi for 10 years. On July 26, 1992, Jonah was elevated as the first Orthodox Bishop of Bukoba in Tanzania. On March 12, 1997, he was elected Metropolitan of Kampala and All Uganda and was enthroned that May by Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria and All Africa. Metropolitan Jonah began his U.S. visit Sept. 11. From then until Oct. 3, His Eminence traveled to the following Orthodox communities: Holy Cross Church, Pittsburgh, Holy Trinity Church, Ambridge, Pa., Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Reading, Pa., Annunciation Church, Lancaster, Pa., St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary, Crestwood, N.Y., St. Spyridon School and Annunciation Church, New York, St. George Church, Bethesda, Md., St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, Calif., Annunciation Cathedral in San Francisco, Assumption Cathedral in Denver, St. Elijah Church in Oklahoma City, St. Demetrios Church, Rocky River, Ohio, Holy Trinity Church in Orlando, Fla., and St. Mark Church in Boca Raton, Fla. His mission lecture tour concluded with a visit to the OCMC in St. Augustine, which sponsored his travels.
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NEW YORK - Gov. George E. Pataki received Archbishop Demetrios for an informal get-acquainted meeting at the governor s Manhattan s office on Oct. 28. Joining in the official welcome was Lt. Gov. Mary Donohue. We are confident that your spiritual leadership will help make all of our people stronger and more vibrant, Gov. Pataki told His Eminence at a press conference after the meeting. The Archbishop said that government and church leaders share a common
ground because we serve the people. He also said that as an Athenian, I relate to a long historical tradition. As a New Yorker, I feel part of the modern, the contemporary and avant-garde. Gov. Pataki presented His Eminence with a Tiffany Crystal Apple symbolizing New York. The Archbishop immediately invited the governor and his family, whose permanent residence is in Garrison, N.Y., not far from St. Basil Academy, to join him in a visit to the Academy in the near future.
Athens Mayor Visits Archdiocese NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios welcomed the Mayor of Athens, Greece Demetrios Avramopoulos to Archdiocese headquarters Nov. 1. During their meeting, Mr. Avramopoulos assured His Eminence of his unlimited support of the Archbishop s enthusiastic endeavors in strengthening the bonds of Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America. In an exchange of gifts, the Mayor of Athens presented Archbishop Demetrios with a silver bowl bearing the emblem of Athens, and His Eminence presented Mr. Avramopoulos with a historical book on the Ecumenical Patriarchate. In a brief question-and-answer session with the media after their meeting, the Archbishop said they discussed issues that large cities such as New York and Athens share in common, the ongoing efforts to assist victims of the earthquake that struck in September, and other topics.
Bishop Dimitrios Speaks on Missions BROOKLINE, Mass. - Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, the Archdiocese ecumenical officer, presented a lecture Nov. 2 at Holy Cross School of Theology titled Orthodox Missions through the Ages. He delivered his address at the Maliotis Cultural Center. Bishop Dimitrios also serves as the Archdiocese liaison to International Orthodox Charities (IOCC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), and has responsibility for the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA). The annual Lecture on Orthodox Missions is sponsored by The Endowment Fund for Orthodox Missions, established in 1981.
MANAGING EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Irene Kyritsis CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas Manginas Elizabeth Economou
Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely inhouse. 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
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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Greek Education Director Retires
D. Panagos
DR. VERA King Farris, vice president of Stockton College presents His Eminence with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters at ceremonies held Oct. 31. Also shown are Fr. Demetrios Constantelos and Dr. James C. Wright.
N.J. College Awards Honorary Degree to His Eminence POMONA, N.J. Archbishop Demetrios received his first honorary degree since assuming his new position in a ceremony attended by several hundred persons at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Oct. 31. The Archbishop was invited to Stockton as guest of honor for the annual symposium of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation at the college and the Friends of Hellenic Studies at Stockton, organized by the Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos, scholar in residence and Charles Cooper Townsend Distinguished Professor of History and Religious Studies Emeritus. It was a great success, said Fr. Constantelos. Earlier in the day, His Eminence participated in the Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Egg Harbor Township, where Fr. Constantelos served as pastor
for nine years. At the presentation, Fr. Constantelos introduced the President of Stockton College, Dr. Vera King Farris, a great supporter of Greek Studies over the years who bestowed the degree upon His Eminence. In accepting the honor, Archbishop Demetrios spoke on the values of ancient Hellenism and Christian Hellenism. The program included an illustrated lecture by Dr. James C. Wright, dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and professor of classical and Near Eastern archaeology at Bryn Mawr College. His topic was Our Classical Past and Present: A personal account. He is an authority on Mycenean Greece. In a musical program that followed, the Kassiani Chorus of South Jersey sang Byzantine hymns and popular songs and the Greek dance group Opa performed.
Dr. Nicholas Kladopoulos, director of the Archdiocese Office of Greek Education, retired Oct. 29 after 38 years service to the Church in America. At a staff reception in his honor, Archbishop Demetrios praised his work in promoting Greek education in the United States, paraphrasing from the Book of Proverbs his qualities as a good listener, counselor and architect. Dr. Kladopoulos has served as Greek Education director since 1989. Previously, he was head of the Registry DeOrthodox Observer partment, secretary of the spiritual court and Archbishop Demetrios presents Dr. Nicholas Kladopoulos with a taught at the Cathedral cross from the Ecumenical Patriarchate upon his retirement at the end of October after more than 38 years’ service to the Archdiocese. School from 1964-79. Born in the Istanbul suburb of early 1980s. His total service to the Church spans Chalcedon, he went on to study at the Patriarchal Theological School at Halki, 44 years. Dr. Kladopoulos told the Observer graduating in 1953. He then went to England to study and observe the function that during his service as education department director, he focused his efforts of the Anglican Church s clergy. In 1955, returning to the Ecumenical on visiting communities, meeting the Patriarchate, he served as secretary of the needs of Greek students and working to Spiritual Diaconate under Patriarch elevate the standards of teachers. We tried to evaluate the salaries of Athenagoras, and was also placed in charge of all the catechetical schools in the Greek afternoon school teachers to keep them in line with those of the day schools, city of Constantinople. He joined the Patriarchal Press Office he said. During his tenure, the state of New in 1956 as director of the weekly Apostolos Andreas, the official publication of York Board of Education gave accreditation to the Greek day schools as non-pubthe Patriarchate. Dr. Kladopoulos came to the United lic schools. Emphasis also was placed in States in 1961 at the invitation of Arch- meeting the standards for the State Rebishop Iakovos to continue his education. gents Exams. Dr. Kladopoulos said his retirement He enrolled at Union Theological Seminary in New York where he studied homi- plans include relaxing and thinking deeply letic theology, while also working in the about his future, and added that he would continue to serve the church in some caOffice of the Archbishop. He completed his doctorate in theol- pacity. I am a soldier of the Church beogy at the University of Thessaloniki in the cause I am a theologian, he said.
SCOBA Leaders Agree on New Initiatives SOUTH BOUND BROOK, N.J. Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America, at their fall meeting held Oct. 25, elected Archbishop Demetrios as SCOBA chairman by acclamation and acted on several new initiatives. Metropolitan Philip, primate of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America and SCOBA vice chairman, opened the meeting at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA headquarters by introducing Archbishop Demetrios, who also serves as exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. The meeting agenda included an extensive discussion on a pastoral letter marking the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. This letter will address themes that reflect the basic tenet of Christianity: that God took on human nature in the person of His son, Jesus Christ. The hierarchs expressed their conviction that this fundamental Christian belief can be a source of hope and encouragement for many people searching for deeper meaning in their lives. The letter is scheduled to be released
D. Panagos
SCOBA HIERARCHS (from left): Metropolitan Nicholas, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese; Metropolitan Constantine, Ukrainian Orthodox Church; Metropolitan Philip, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America; Archbishop Demetrios; Metropolitan Theodosius, Orthodox Church in American; Metropolitan Christopher, Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada; Archbishop Peter, OCA; and Metropolitan Joseph, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Not present was the V. Rev. Illia Katre, Vicar General of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America.
late next year, with final approval planned for SCOBA s spring meeting. To further emphasize their unity, the hierarchs endorsed a youth rally for participants from all jurisdictions on March 19, after the Sunday of Orthodoxy Liturgy at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York. All SCOBA hierarchs will concelebrate. Noting the increasing numbers of Oriental Orthodox Christians and hierarchs in North America who seek closer contact with the Orthodox Church, the SCOBA hierarchs established a Joint Commission to study the issue. They also discussed a proposal to participate in a National Interfaith Survey of Congregations in 2000: the Cooperative Congregations Study Project. The project is a Lilly Endowment-supported effort directed by the Center for Social and Religious Research at Hartford Seminary. About 40 religious groups, including the Roman Catholic Church and every major Protestant denomination, are active in developing a common core questionnaire to provide a national profile of the strengths and contributions of congregations to the nation.
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ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
St. Michael’s Home Completes Enhancement Project YONKERS, N.Y. St. Michael s Home recently completed a major enhancement project to enable its residents to spend more time outdoors. While the Home already had two small outdoor seating areas, there was a critical need for a larger sunnier spot where the elderly residents could enjoy the outdoors. A fund-raising effort that began last spring help support the installation of a 35 foot circular patio with extensive landscaping and an iron picket fence around the property. Philoptochos chapters of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut and many individuals such as Spiros Milonas (of Ionian Transport-NY) and others responded to a Paschal appeal that raised the funds needed for the work.
where the residents can enjoy sunshine and fresh air. stated Fr. Andonios. I cannot tell you how impressed all visitors are with the beauty of the Home which has been transformed into a truly magnificent facility serving the needs of the elderly. Lucy George who resides at St. Michael s and is the resident representative to the administration continued, Getting old is very difficult but somehow be-
N. Manginas
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew joins other world religious and political leaders at Forum 2000 in the Czech Republic.
Patriarch Discusses Globalization and Faith at International Conference Before and after photos of recent enhancement project
Halfway through the project, Fr. Andonios Paropoulos, the director of the St. Michael s Home, received a call from John Hambos of Columbia (NJ) who said he wanted to do something special in memory of his beloved wife. With his large contribution, the scope of the project was broadened. Once again Almighty God has blessed St. Michael s with a special friend who has made a difference in the lives of our residents and now in part because of Mr. Hambos magnanimous generosity, the Home has a beautiful outdoor area
ing in such a pleasant and loving environment makes life easier. Recently two of the residents who have been at St. Michael s for a number of years told me that they are now proud to tell people that they live at the Home because it has become such a beautiful facility! In recognition of the generous gift of Mr. Hambos, the garden is dedicated to the memory of his wife, Andriani. In April, I had received the Paschal Appeal from St. Michael s requesting help with the garden project and felt that it would be a worthwhile endeavor to support. I visited the Home with my son and was very impressed with what I saw. I know that my wife would be very happy that his garden, dedicated in her memory, brings such joy and comfort to the elderly who call St. Michael s their home.
Archbishop, AHEPA President Discuss Common Issues NEW YORK AHEPA Supreme President George J. Dariotis and Archbishop Demetrios recently held their first meeting since they both assumed their new leadership positions. The two met Oct 4 at Archdiocese headquarters and discussed the state of both the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and AHEPA, focusing on common challenges that lie ahead, including keeping the youth involved in the Greek-American community and preserving Hellenic heritage. Mr. Dariotis, age 35, is the youngest supreme president in 35 years. Both the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and AHEPA were founded 77 years ago and have worked closely on numerous projects, including AHEPA s donation of nearly $2 million toward the building of a school building and dormitories at St. Basil s Academy, Garrison, N.Y. AHEPA s St. Basil s Academy Committee chairman, Terry Mitchell of Niantic, Conn., accompanied the supreme president to the meeting with Archbishop Demetrios. In addition to St. Basil s Academy, AHEPA, more so than any other organization, was a primary contributor to the
Orthodox Observer
AHEPA President Dariotis with His Eminence.
building of many Greek Orthodox churches across the United States, added Dariotis. AHEPA is most proud of this accomplishment. The supreme president invited Archbishop Demetrios to the AHEPA Family Biennial Salute on March 20 in Washington, and to the AHEPA Supreme Convention, July 26-30, in New Orleans. They also discussed the proclamation of AHEPA Day in the spring.
PRAGUE, Czech Republic Ecu- other by plane is a matter of a few hours menical Patriarch Bartholomew recently and has become a daily occurrence. addressed an international conference on The use of force against those resistglobalization that was part of a series of ing submission by the firing of long-range forums organized by President Vaclav missiles launched from the earth, the sea, Havel. the air or satellites is a fact; so is the cataThe conference, Forum 2000, drew strophic might of modern military weaphundreds of political, religious, financial onry, especially nuclear arms. Conseand academic leaders from around the quently, it appears that the vision of gloworld. bal domination could become a reality. In his address, Globalization and Its The Patriarch attributed the tendency Religious Aspects, His All Holiness spoke to divide and to subject the world to selfof the dangers of domination by a few ishness. The unification under such groups and the need circumstances, comfor toleration of reliing from outside gion to counteract “In expressing the faith of the Ortho- and being imposed, the forces that contains the seed of would subjugate dox Church, we accept the dimension of the re-division since the mankind. universality of humankind, namely, the attitude of the egoThe Patriarch centric selfishness said that the break- unity of humankind in God, and the accep- has not bee ing up and fragmenchanged. It has simtance of the others’ diversity as a founda- ply been subjected tation of human society worldwide has tion of love, which is the very being of God.” to another self-cenas its foundation and tered desire, starting point man s whether out of nenarcissistic, egocentric and individualistic cessity or opportunity and, consequently, attitude, which is expressed in a vehe- given the opportunity, it will manifest itmence to invade, to discriminate, to ap- self by division and schism. propriate and control everything. He noted that the Christian vision of He said this self-centered attitude unity demands a journey in the opposite includes excessive pride, a demonstration direction of selfishness. of force, contesting the superior position His All Holiness said we are aware of God and the equality of men, as well as that the acceptance of the Thou as equal man s desire to become God by shutting to I demands great courage and a higher out the true God and ruling over his fel- moral ground. low human beings, thus, as might be er As a churchman and religious leader, roneously supposed, supplanting God s he said, we do not interfere in the rivalry authority over men. for prevalence among the different pow We said supposed because the real ers in the world. We address ourselves to relationship of God to man is not one of a all our fellow men and women and we prolord over his servant or master to his sub- claim them a message which is constantly ject; it is a relationship of a loving father now and revolutionary, even though it has to his beloved son or daughter; it is a rela- been heard for nearly two thousand years. tionship that has the potential of devel- It is a message of love, that is, the message oping even further, to that of one friend of accepting the Thou as being equal to to another. the I , and, therefore, deserving our atten Such a relationship is the perfect tion, interest, care and affection, indepenexample of what human relationships dently of whether it belongs to the same should be. Unfortunately, however, what group as we do or not. is symptomatic of Cain, who killed his He continued, In expressing the faith brother out of jealousy, is still circulating of the Orthodox Church, we accept the like a deadly virus infecting humanity. dimension of the universality of humanIn relating how modern technology kind, namely, the unity of humankind in has made the prospect of global domina- God, and the acceptance of the others tion by one power a reality, His All Holi- diversity as a foundation of love, which is ness said that Man s supervision of the the very being of God. whole world through the technology of Globalization, being a human activsatellites is nothing unusual. Man s trav- ity towards unity, should not conceal any eling from one point of the earth to the ideological or religious totalitarianism.
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ARCHBISHOP S THANKSGIVING ENCYCLICAL u page 1 America to follow this tradition! As a Church, as brothers and sisters in the Faith, and as fellow communicants at the table of the Lord, we surely have found many causes for thanksgiving to God in the past year. Yet on this Thanksgiving Day 1999, we have a special obligation to voice our gratitude. Our generation stands, according to the common reckoning, on the threshold of the third millennium since the birth of Christ. Poised as we are at this unique vantage point in the history of humankind, it behooves us to look back with thanksgiving, not only on the previous year, but also on the century and the millennium that now come to a close. If we cast our gaze over the last 1,000 years, one outstanding feature meets our eye: the inexorable spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the entire world, passing beyond the borders of the ancient Roman Empire into more distant lands and even into parts unknown to the earliest generations of Christians. When the Apostle Paul spoke of the Gospel bearing fruit in all the world (Col. 1:6), he meant the Mediterranean world of the Pax Romana. Yet in our times we can truly see the Word of Life bringing forth fruit on every inhabited continent on the globe, such that men and women of every tribe and nation and tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. In this last millennium, every event in the life of the Church even the most tragic has served ultimately to advance the proclamation of the Gospel and the progress of the human family. Times of oppression and persecution have paradoxically worked for the dissemination of the Good News, just as in the earliest days of the Church (cf. Acts 8:1, 4). Moreover, we as Greek-Americans have received a special measure of grace in recent times. Though our community began humbly as a collection of poor immigrant families, we now at the end of the 20th century have become one of the most prosperous and highly educated ethnic groups in the country. This is undoubtedly a blessing of God. But above all, as Orthodox Christians, we have preserved the unity of the faith until now, despite serious threats of schism on various occasions in the past two centuries. This unbroken unity with one another and with our Mother Church is surely the most precious gift of all that the Holy Spirit has bestowed upon us, and we as a community of faith are bound to express our gratitude for this inestimable blessing. The Psalmist tells us, Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who have pleasure in them (Psalm 111:2). As we study the previous thousand years of our life as a Church, we see without hesitation or doubt that it has been a millennium of the richest heavenly blessings. Strengthened in soul by these thoughts, with hearts of thanksgiving and praise, let us magnify the name of God, Who has given His only begotten Son to us and to the whole world, along with every blessing of this life and of the life to come. May the Lord grant to all of you a truly Happy Thanksgiving and a blessed closing to this year and this millennium of grace. With paternal love in Christ,
ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA
HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS DECEMBER ..........................................
1 W. ............................. 1 Tim. 5:22-6:11; Lk. 18:15-17, 26-30 2 Th. .......... 1 Tim. 6:17-21; Lk. 18:31-34 3 F ....... 2 Tim. 1:1, 2, 8-18; Lk. 19;12-28 4 S ..................................... Gal. 5:22-6:2 5 SUN ......... Eph. 6:10-17; Lk. 13:10-17 6 M .... Heb. 11:17, 27-31; Mk. 9:42-10:1 7 T ................. Heb. 12:25, 26, 13:22-25; Mk. 10:2-12 8 W ............ James 1:1-18; Mk. 10:11-16 9 Th ......... James 1:19-27; Mk. 10:17-27 10 F ........... James 2:1-13; Mk. 10:23-32 11 S .................. Col. 1:3-6; Lk. 16:10-15 12 SUN ..... 1 Tim. 1:15-17; Lk. 18:35-43 13 M ........ James 2:14-26; Mk. 10:46-52 14 T ........... James 3:1-10; Mk. 11:11-23 15 W ...... James 3:11-4, 6; Mk. 11:23-26 16 Th ........ James 4:7-5:9; Mk. 11:27-33
17 F .......... 1 Pet. 1:1,, 2, 10-12, 2:6-10; Mk. 12:1-12 18 S .......... 1 Thes. 5:14-23; Lk. 19:1-10 19 SUN. ..... Heb. 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40; Mt. 1:1-25 20 M .............. Heb. 8:7-13; Mk. 8:11-21 21 T ............... Heb. 9:8-10; Mk. 8:22-26 22 W .......... 2 Cor. 13:3-13; Mk. 4:35-41 23 Th ...... Heb. 10:35-11:7; Mk. 9:10-16 24 F .................. Heb. 1:1-12; Lk. 2:1-20 25 S ..................... Gal. 4:4-7; Mt. 2:1-12 26 SUN ... 1 Tim. 6:11-16; Mt. 12:15-21 27 M . Heb. 11:17, 27-31; Mk. 9:42-10:1 28 T .............. Heb. 12:25, 26, 13:22-25; Mk. 10:2-12 29 W ......... James 1:1-18; Mk. 10:11-16 30 Th ................. Phil. 3:1-8; Lk. 7:17-30 31 F ................. Phil. 3:8-19; Lk. 7:31-35
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One of the most frequently asked questions is: What are the qualities of an effective Christian educator? Rather than spend time answering this important query by describing the benefits of technical, philosophical and methodological presuppositions I would like to focus on the spiritual prerequisites of the effective Christian catechist by turning our attention to the story of David and Goliath. In the 17th chapter of the Old Testament book titled I Samuel, one of the most popular stories of the entire Bible is recounted; the story of David and Goliath. From a simple shepherd boy who carried food to his three brothers fighting in the front ranks of the Israelite army, to his emergence as a champion over the Philistine giant Goliath, David is an excellent role model for the contemporary religious educator. Having learned that Goliath had defied his nation s God and instilled fear among the army s ranks, young David volunteered and was reluctantly accepted as Israel s candidate to fight Goliath. The outcome of this confrontation would determine the future of Israel. The Philistines had a monopoly on iron smelting. The Israelites, on the other hand, depended upon the slingshot. The stones used were often two to three inches in diameter and were placed in a leather cup with two long leather cords. The warrior would then whirl the cup over his head until enough momentum was built up and release one of the cords to send the stone flying at about 200 yards per second. The projectile would hit its object with a force of about 5,000 pounds of energy and could crush bones and penetrate certain types of armor. The Philistines had been one of Israel s greatest enemies throughout much of their history as they established their kingdom in the land of Canaan. Historically the Philistines are believed to have come from across the sea, settling along the coast. They were a people of large physical stature. According to Holy Scripture, the Philistines brought forth their greatest warrior, a giant said to be 10-feet tall; a huge, awesome man of battle. He was also well-armored and trained for battle. It is this giant that stood in the valley between two armies and arrogantly defied the children of Israel to send someone out to fight him. While the nation of Israel was by now experienced at warfare the onlooking soldiers were terrified. Who, they thought, could prevail against this giant? The first thing David did in preparation for battle was to shed the heavy armor that King Saul had placed upon him. Although it was an honor and a privilege to wear the King s personal breastplate and helmet, David was nonetheless more confident fighting Goliath with his own tested weaponry a shepherd s staff and a sling shot. Selecting five smooth stones from a nearby brook, David prepared to confront his nation s adversary (I Sam. 17:40). Prior to slaying the giant with one of these stones, David made the following important declaration of faith to Goliath. You come to me with a sword and with a spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts (I Sam. 17:45).
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION b y F r. F r a n k M a r a n g o s
God to others. Chrysostom refers to Holy Scripture as the plow of the Word. He insists that through the constant teaching of the Holy Scriptures, the wisdom of God descends into the depth of the soul and roots out evil. Tragically, however, while Old Testament stories form the basis of much of Orthodoxy s theological as well as doctrinal standards most contemporary Greek Orthodox catechists are not familiar with their Faith s biblical presuppositions. If the quality of Orthodox religious education is to improve, then the time has come for us to commit to the systematic study of Holy Scripture. If we are to truly honor the theological treasure trove that we have inherited we must dip our eager hands into the cool waters of the Church and like David search out the smooth stone of Holy Scripture.
Slaying the Giant: The Catechist’s 5 Stones
Biblical stones The Bible has a lot to say about stones. Jacob used a stone as a pillow the night he wrestled with God (Genesis 28:11). Joshua set up memorial stones in the Jordan River as a reminder for future generations of God s power (Joshua 4:3). Elijah took 12 stones to build an altar to God when he called down fire from heaven on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:31-32). According to the writer of Ecclesiastes, there is a time to cast and a time to gather
Then David took his staff in his hands and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd bag, in his wallet; his sling was in his hand, and he drew near Goliath. (I Samuel 17:40) stones (Ecclesiastes 3:5). Jesus, Himself, declared that if the crowd was silent the stones would cry out in praise (Luke 19:39). St. Peter described the followers of Christ as living stones being built-up into a spiritual house, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:5). Perhaps the most interesting use of stones in Holy Scripture, however, is the story of David and Goliath. Although the Bible never describes the stones with which David confronted Goliath, an allegorical comparison with the catechist s instructional tools might prove beneficial. In his treatise on St. Paul s Letter to the Hebrews, St. John Chrysostom suggests that teachers are given five special talents from God. As such, he warns that teachers take care not to neglect the gift of teaching. In his exposition of St. Paul s letter to Timothy, Chrysostom once again distinguishes the offices of the Christian teacher and that of the priest as great in dignity. He warns teachers to be worthy of their divine election. What, then, are the five talents, the smooth stones God has imparted to the contemporary Christian educator? Jesus said that the two most important commandments were to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:29-31). Jesus statement is in accordance with the well-known Jewish Shema (Deut. 6:49; 11:13-21) which the devout were expected to recite three times a day. It is here interesting to note, however, that although the word for the heart in Hebrew idiom denotes the center of man s intellect, Jesus comment nonetheless adds an extra component to the Shema, namely, the mind. For the purpose of this article we will equate the five elements of these two commandments: heart, soul, strength, mind and love with the five smooth stones David used to slay Goliath. Like David, the contemporary catechist would be wise not to confront the opposition with only the secular armor of instructional skill and methodology but, rather, to sift through the cool waters of the Church in order to discover the most effective stones with which to champion our Faith Tradition.
Worship The first and foremost stone that is necessary to slay our modern-day Goliaths is worship. Corresponding to Jesus admonition to love the Lord our God with all our soul, the catechist should nurture a lifestyle that includes daily prayer and the corporate participation in the sacramental life of the Church. How can we consider confronting our Faith s enemies when many of us do not frequent the life-giving chalice of our Savior? Our Lord s exhortation is clear: He who does not eat of my Body and drink of my Blood has no life in him. In order to develop souls that yearn to love God it is imperative that Christian educators should regularly prepare themselves to receive the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. Likewise, we should make it a habit to participate in the saving grace of all the sacraments of our Church without excluding one over the other so that we might
be enabled by them to withstand Satan s spiritual attackers. It does not take much imagination to realize that our society is such that nothing less than the grace and power of God can correct its wickedness. In the words of the English poet Alfred Lord Tennyson, more things are wrought by prayer than the world dreams of. Worship, therefore, is an indispensable weapon. While society s educational representatives attempt to respond to such contemporary issues as drug abuse, pornography and teen violence with strictly secular weaponry, God calls upon Christian catechists to complement these approaches by girding themselves with the breastplate of courageous prayer, corporate worship and faithful sacramental participation. Perhaps this was the message of David s declaration to Goliath prior to their physical confrontation. Standing before the giant David was emphatic: the Lord saves not with the sword or spear, the battle is the Lord s (I Sam. 17:47). While giants always rely upon the sword, the Lord s shepherds, His catechists must trust on a God that listens and responds to their heart-felt petitions.
Scripture The second stone that Christian educators should have in their instructional quiver is a familiarity with Holy Scripture. I would suggest that this quality corresponds to the admonition to love the Lord with all our heart. Although the heart of Orthodox worship beats with the steady rhythm of Holy Scripture, it would be safe to say that Greek Orthodox Christians are perhaps the most ignorant Christian group when it comes to biblical knowledge. The Bible, insists A.W. Tozer, is the voice of God calling man from the wilds of sin . . . it is a road map for returning prodigals. According to Clement of Alexandria the full-length robes of the Lord, His multicolored tunic, really represents the brilliance of wisdom, the manifold and unfading value of Scripture, the Words of the Lord the glow with the rays of Truth. If Christian educators want to be successful, therefore, they should strive to be sheltered under the protective shadow of the Lord s tunic. In other words, the second stone Christian educators should use in the contemporary arena wherein they confront the post-modern Goliaths of deconstructionism, relativism and self-centered pluralism is the smooth Stone of Holy Scripture. Such learning suggests Clement is an ornament of gold. Holy Scripture provides teachers a basis of conviction without which truth is relegated to subjective interpretation. Without this precious stone, educators oftentimes become the victims of their own biases. Chrysostom warns teachers against reasoning without the assistance of Holy Scripture as interpreted by the Church. St. Paul s insist that faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). Chrysostom suggests that teachers should have two important qualities. They should be faithful to the Word of God and able to teach the Word of
Guidance and leadership The third stone that David chose to form his arsenal against Goliath might be compared to the wisdom of the Holy Fathers. This particular stone corresponds to admonition to love the Lord our God with all our strength. How can we develop the proper spiritual strength without the proper mentorship? The leadership provided by the council of the Holy Fathers is indispensable for the contemporary educational warrior. While it is essential to hear, read and study the words of the Holy Bible, it is critical for the catechist to provide students with the proper interpretation of its message. The Holy Fathers are the axiomatic guides of the Church. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the collective witness of the Holy Fathers provides educators with catechetical leadership. Their lives and writings furnish the Christian catechist with the templates with which to understand, articulate and live the truth of Holy Scripture. David is nearly the perfect archetype of obedience to God. Throughout his psalms he alludes to his need for spiritual guidance and leadership. Teach me your ways, O Lord, David prays, and I will walk in your truth: give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name (Psalm 86:11). Like David, the effective educators should therefore seek and remain obedient to the spiritual directives of the Church as expressed through the collective witness of the Holy Fathers.
Theology, dogma The fourth smooth stone that the faithful Christian educator should constantly strive to discover from the cool and life-giving water-brook of the Church is Her theology and dogma. Correct theology, which here corresponds to the admonition to love the Lord with our entire mind, is indispensable. Without a clear knowledge of the correct teachings of the Church as articulated in Her creedal formulae the contemporary student may be influenced by the theologies of society which, at best, are nothing more than the repackaged heresies of the past. Chrysostom urges educators to hold fast sound doctrine. He continues by asserting that sound doctrine is our wall, castle and our refuge. If, then, we are to confront these untiring Goliaths, religious educators must strive to better acquaint themselves with the dogmatic positions of Orthodoxy by studying the theological debates of the past. As we begin to cultivate the use of our minds we must guard against those who would advance a neo-Gnostic opinion that reason is unnecessary. St. Augustine of Hippo suggests that the trinity of the mind (memory, understanding, love) is the image of God, not
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R ETIRED CLERGY Fr. Ezekiel Tsoukalas Priest, Professor, Bishop, Dean, Archbishop, Monk by Fr. Nicholas Vieron
This is the brief story of a real saint on earth. Fr. Ezekiel Tsoukalas came to the United States in 1937, the year Holy Cross Seminary was founded in Pomfret, Conn. He came at the invitation of Archbishop Athenagoras and served parishes in Portsmouth, N.H., Haverhill, Mass., and Hartford, Conn. In 1940 he was appointed professor at Holy Cross where he taught homiletics and ethics. From 1949 to 1954 he served as dean. Later, he held other positions - bishop of the Chicago Diocese, Archbishop of Australia, Metropolitan of Pisidia, of Kos. However, we retirees recall his years at Holy Cross Seminary. If there was a clergyman who was revered, loved and respected almost as much as Bishop Cavadas, it was Fr. Ezekiel. In some aspects, even more. The eminent theologian Charles Malik states this characterization of a Christian Orthodox believer: The greatest thing about any civilization is the human person, the greatest thing about this person is the possibility of his encounter with the person of Christ Jesus. This describes Fr Ezekiel; his most descriptive virtue was humility. By example, with patience and perseverance, he inspired and instructed his students at Pomfret and in the early Brookline years. Fr Tsoukalas was a man of prayer and of great compassion, He understood St. John Chrysostom s exhortation: Rejoice with the joyful and lament with the sorrowful. One former student, a priest now, writes: In our sorrow he was there to comfort us, and in our joys to celebrate life in its fullness. Many of his students recall to this day how he traveled many miles to attend and bless their marriages, their children s baptisms, their parents funerals, and to ordain them. He lived in their homes and prayed with their children. Once during Holy Week he was found cooking fasoulada in the kitchen of his student-priest. The vow of poverty was a serious commitment for him. On the occasion of his episcopal ordination he gave all monetary gifts to Holy Cross. His worldly possessions were his books, icons, and simple vestments. A month after I entered Holy Cross in September 1942, my father had a fatal heart attack at age 56. Naturally, I was summoned. I was 16 and devastated. Fr. Ezekiel was then priest of the Hartford parish, and teaching two days a week at the seminary. That Friday afternoon when I was leaving for New Orleans, Fr Ezekiel was returning to his parish about 60 miles from Pomfret. I rode with him the first leg of my two-day journey to my home. I stayed with him that evening in his small apartment in Hartford. Early next morning he made breakfast for me and gave me a New Testament. I then left for New Orleans, accompanied by graduate student Constantine Andrews (my mother had requested that a student come along). When I arrived in New Orleans, a letter from Fr. Ezekiel was waiting for me, not only with expressions of comfort but also exhortations to return to the seminary. It was as if he read my mind, for I was tempted to stay with my mother. After all, I was her only son and she needed me.
However, she joined Fr Tsoukalas in encouraging me to return to Holy Cross where, in time I, too, would be able to claim the saintly Ezekiel as my mentor, teacher and friend. Today, at 74, I recall his memory with love and gratitude. Our beloved Ezekiel also possessed a missionary spirit which he manifested during his tenure as Archbishop of Australia, where the Church tripled in size under his leadership from 1959 to 1974. One of our retirees, 81-year-old Fr. George Kalpaxis, recently filling-in at a church in Melbourne, wrote: I have heard many refer to his wonderful Christian character, his deep faith in God, his love, kindness and humility, and his dedication to the mission of the Church and to his many Christian deeds. Archbishop Ezekiel was greatly loved and respected by all who knew him. Fr Ezekiel s last days on earth were spent in a hospital in Athens. His illness had worsened. Full of tubes and various monitoring devices and slipping in and out of consciousness, he was surrounded by his praying friends. Suddenly, the Archbishop become fully alert and firmly instructed the young monk, who was acting as his aide, to disconnect the tubes and monitoring devices and to help him get vested; others ran to fetch the doctor. When the doctor arrived, he was much alarmed to see Ezekiel dressed and standing beside the bed, and he went over to him and told him in stern professional tones that he had better get back into bed. When the young doctor had finished, Ezekiel placed his hands on the doctor s shoulders and, with a gentle smile said, You don t seem to understand, doctor. I am going to meet my Master, and I want to enter His Presence dressed as His servant. With these words, Ezekiel died in the doctor s arms. Ezekiel was buried at Xenofontos Monastery on Mount Athos. A former student of his recently made a pilgrimage to his grave, It is a simple, rustic and unique grave. His epitaph inscribed on a crude cross reads: Ezekiel, Ieromonacos - 1987 - so typical of this humble man that he should be, after a long, dedicated and productive service in the Church, be buried in the simplicity and humility of a monk. As I stood before his grave in prayer, great emotion came upon me. A legacy of Archbishop Ezekiel s is the numerous priests that he taught, encouraged and ordained. He was a man of unimpeachable character, discreet and compassionate. He was both devout and learned in the teachings of the Lord. He distributed whatever he had to the poor. He lived his Orthodox faith. His memory remains eternal in the hearts of those who were blessed to know him and love him. (Contributing excerpts for this article were Paul G. Manolis, director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Institute in Berkeley; Fr Constantine Dombalis, Class of 1949; Dr. David V. Hicks, headmaster of St. Christopher s School in Richmond, Va.; Fr George Kalpaxis, Class of 1942; and sentiments by the many students , including myself, about our beloved Fr. Ezekiel.) Write to Fr Nicholas L. Vieron, RCA Epistle editor, Pastor Emeritus of Annunciation Church, 573 N. Highland - Memphis, TN 38122 - (901) 323-9530
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EDITORIAL
I
Make a difference
n his first meeting with the entire Archdiocese staff, Archbishop Demetrios recently outlined the standards he expects them to live up to and the characteristics that should distinguish them as Orthodox Christians. For that matter, he could just as easily have been addressing any member of the Church, any organization, any man or woman, young adult or senior citizen, parish council member, family member, anyone. Kindness, dignity, sense of mission and professionalism were his key themes. The basic thing to come out of the Archdiocese should be kindness, he said. There is nothing to be lost
T
by being kind. His Eminence spoke of a sense of sacred dignity that should emanate from a church organization and of the importance of projecting a sense of mission of what the Church has stood for, for 2,000 years. If you re on a mission, you cannot hide it, the Archbishop said. Do we try to live up to these characteristics in our daily activities and in how we project ourselves? How wonderful it would be if everyone could abide by these principles. But that is too idealistic in our secular society. Yet, taking the first small step may be what is needed to make a difference.
A Continuing Assault
he joyous Advent season in which we celebrate the good news of the birth of Christ is upon us. We have become accustomed at this time of year to hearing the news, as noted in John 3:16, that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. So accustomed, in fact, that we have become complacent. Other messages also surface during this season every year that serve to undermine or slander the Christian holiday or that of the individual Christian s faith. Articles in national magazines or newspapers with titles such as Who was Jesus or the media s focus on other the commercial side of Christmas, or the promotion of holidays of other faiths attempt to dilute our faith in one way or another. Lately, the world of art has served as another conduit for the subtle attack on the Christian faith. The recent controversy over an art exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art is a case in point. It drew national attention when New York s Mayor Rudy Giuliani cut off city funding for the museum and even called for the museum s eviction from its city-owned location. The exhibit included several works of art that were outright blasphemous to Christianity, and others that were generally lewd and tasteless. Only one particular piece drew public, and the media s, attention,
uFond memories of Akron t Editor, As you suggest in the last issue of the Orthodox Observer, the congregation of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, Ohio, is certainly a remarkable one. The stability provided by being served by only three priests in a period of 75 years is one of its major accomplishments. From my early years there, I remember that wonderful com-
however: a painting depicting the Virgin Mary as African and decorated with elephant dung, supposedly symbolizing an African concept of regeneration. The news media focused only on the Mayor s furor, museum officials arguments about their expression of free speech and this painting s affect on Catholic sensitivities. Incredibly, no mention whatsoever was made of a painting depicting The Last Supper with the central figure being a nude woman, in place of Christ. No mention was made of other, explicitly pornographic paintings involving children. This is the latest example of the hypocrisy that many of those who set the public debate and agenda display when it comes to prejudice and bigotry aimed at Christianity. With their constant mantra of tolerance, would they tolerate a similar display whose subject was Moses, or Mohammed, or a major figure of another faith? No. But a big part of the problem is that we Christians have become very complacent to the news and message of Christ and the Church. When we shrug our shoulders with indifference, we leave the door wide open for these kinds of subtle, and not so subtle, attacks on our faith. Imagine the rage and furor caused by any misrepresentation or affront to our ethnic identity or values. Why should an attack against our faith or its teachings and values be treated any differently?
munity well, especially some of the immigrants, who, with courage and determination, undertook and completed the impressive projects of which you write. I have lived elsewhere for over fifty years, and do not mean to be presumptuous, but I believe that one of the points you make deserves to be augmented. Most of the newly arrived immigrants to Akron in the late 30 s, of whom I was
uuu
uuu one, lived in the outlying sections of the East Akron. Because of the expense and travel time involved, we were not able to attend the main Greek School taught by Mrs. Thalia Kyrakides at the downtown Church site. Thus, as you correctly noted, a second Greek School took root in East Akron. This second school was due to the vision and dedication of a young immigrant teacher from Greece named Mrs. Lela Girves (then Miss Moskos, our school teacher, our friend and our confidant). She was the one who urged and convinced the entire community of the need for another school. And she was the one who managed to establish it as an informal program of the East Akron Community House. Later, as respect and confidence in her grew, that school was adopted as a branch of the main Church school. Lela wasn t much older than some of her students when she organized the school. However, she clearly displayed the signs of leadership that were needed: the fire and sparkle, the patience, and the drive for excellence. She had an additional quality which proved invaluable: a love and commitment to the children of that area. Getting young people to attend Greek school was no easy task when measured against play or sport. But she pressured them gently, and they benefited! As I think back, her success reflects the ability of that congregation to work together, to focus on issues and to solve them in a timely manner. I hope you will accept this note as an effort, respectfully submitted, to further document your article with a story of the vision, love and commitment of one person a newly arrived immigrant who, in her own way, added another great chapter to the history of the Greek Orthodox Church of Akron, Ohio. John B. Farmakides Akron, Ohio
uAbout the Theotokos t Editor, I was saddened by the tone of Rev. Dr. Dumitru Macaila in the article, Venerating Our Most Holy Theotokos (August) Rev. Macalla s statement that Protestantism s claim to be Bible-believing is clearly disproved by their stubborn rejection of the Theotokos, was untrue of most Protestant Christians. Nowhere in Scripture are we taught that veneration of the Theotokos is the end all and be all of salvation or belief in the Holy Word of God. Jesus said in Matthew 12:49-50, (pointing to His disciples) here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother. The will of the Father is that we love each other as Christ loved the Church. If we want to have a strong witness for Christ as Christians, we must be unified in Him. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (Rom. 14:19) Attacking Protestant Christians as being unBible-believing or saying that
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they believe in a bowdlerized Bible only promotes strife. Christianity is not based on our friendship with the Virgin Mary or even her perpetual virginity after Christ s birth. Instead of creating a stumbling block for Protestant brothers and sisters, perhaps we should focus on the greatest commandment of all, to love the Lord our God with all our heart and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves, which is the second greatest of commandments. With the utmost love, humility and respect, I ask Rev. Dr. Macalla to prayerfully evaluate his claims against his Protestant brothers and sisters in Christ. Perhaps Protestant Christians are more correct than the Orthodox Church would like to give them credit for. Perhaps they do not reject the best friend they could ever have, but, instead, eagerly embrace a personal relationship with the Best Friend of all time, Jesus Christ, the Son of God! Sarah Clark, member of Annunciation Church Dayton, Ohio
ÄÄÄ Fr. Macaila s response: Yes, Protestants believe in a bowdlerized Bible as they reject so many of our Orthodox dogmas which are based on the Bible. A case in point is their attitude toward the Theotokos. It is true that, Nowhere in the scriptures are we taught that veneration of the Theotokos is the end all but it is part of our living faith based on God s Word. For that matter, nowhere in scripture are we taught to worship the Holy Trinity, but can one be a Christian without worshipping the Holy Trinity? The archangel Gabriel told Mary: Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women! (Luke 1:28) So, God Himself honored her. As for Mary, she said: For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. (Luke 1:48) Those Protestants who do not venerate her cannot be included in the phrase all generations. Even Billy Graham acknowledged: We evangelical Christians do not give Mary her due. Those who claim to eagerly embrace a personal relationship with the best friend of all time, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, completely disregard the fact that Christ Himself did honor His Mother. Moreover, Christ said to His disciple John: Behold your mother (John 19:27), thus symbolically establishing her role as mother of all who believe in Him. Protestants ignore these words of Christ. Yes, we should focus on the greatest commandment of all, but we should not give up asserting the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). The question is, How could we be unified in Christ without first having the unity of the faith? Mary was the first human being to receive Christ, and was chosen by God to bare His Son in her womb. Her place among humans is unique and our Orthodox Church has venerated her as the prototype of all Christians the model of what we are to become in Christ, and called her Theotokos, Mother of God. (See article in Orthodox Study Bible, p. 135.)
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS’ FIRST ENCYCLICAL TO THE FAITHFUL To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and all devout Christians of the Holy Archdiocese of America Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians 4:4) I greet you with paternal love and with fervent prayer for your peace, welfare, and unity on the occasion of the completion of my first month as your Archbishop. As I begin, by the grace and the will of God, my sacred ministry among you, entrusted to me by our Ecumenical Patriarchate, I call to mind the words of the Apostle Paul, who commends us at all times to the evangelical calling to rejoice. His two-fold injunction Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice defines the life of faith that we now live by the grace of the Son of God, a life of blessings multiplied through the fellowship with God and our fellow man that we experience in Christ. These apostolic words, Rejoice in the Lord, are an immediate reality for me, moreover, because of the overwhelming reception that you gave me upon my arrival as your new Archbishop. In truth, I was deeply impressed by the kindness that you demonstrated. Your cards and letters and embraces, your loving words and deeds have moved me deeply, so that I cannot find words to express my gratitude. Glory be to God for the joy and grace He constantly bestows on us! As I assume the weighty responsibility of this diakonia in your midst, I am constantly encouraged by your positive disposition, your willingness to be of assistance, and your spirit of Christian charity and reconciliation. May the Lord our God richly reward you for your kindness towards me and towards one another. This inaugural month of my pastoral ministry has been occupied with many important matters of administration. At all times, though, it is necessary to carry out the work of the Church with a view to the future not just to the coming month or year, but to the new millennium that lies ahead. For it is not enough to think about our plans and aspirations only in terms of the immediate future, because everything we do has consequences that extend unto time unknown. We must be mindful of the great potential that we have with every deed and word to affect the lives of those who come after us. Our capacity to influence the future is neither limited nor predetermined. At this critical juncture in human history, we daily hear various kinds of forecasts about the future. Some predict doom, while others project a bright future full of promise. The fact of the matter, however, is that our destiny is a book waiting to be written. Each day that lies ahead is like a blank sheet, one whose contents depend on the quality of our works, our prayer, and our willingness to receive the grace of Almighty God. Let us then put aside all unprofitable prognostication about the future and commit ourselves to the labor of the Gospel. Let me repeat my plea to all of you to strive for the further cultivation and growth of our Orthodox faith and for the preservation of our precious cultural heritage, to extend the range of our love for our fellow human beings, and earnestly to maintain our God-given unity in the body of Christ, which is the Church. Joined together by the threefold cord of faith, philanthropy, and fidelity to the One Holy Church, we shall never be separated from the God Who has called us to bear the sacred name of Orthodox Christians. Marching forward together in this dynamic faith, unlimited love, and unbreakable unity, we cannot help but chant hymns of praise and adoration to the Triune God, Whose grace has saved us and blessed us so richly. Thus shall we fulfill the Apostle s saying, rejoicing in the Lord and again rejoicing evermore, until the day that we join the song of the angelic throngs (Rev. 7:12), saying: Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God for ever and ever. Amen. With paternal love in Christ,
ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
The Voice of
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Philoptochos
Seventh Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon Held In New Jersey
HIS EMINENCE with (L. to R.) A. Esther Mitchell, Bessie Papigiotis, Eve Condakes, Elaine Kevgas and Aspasia Melis.
communicate in words that we as a community can do miraculous things, not only in terms of preventing violence, but also hunger, abuse, and so on. Then I thought also of coming here today. In conclusion, His Eminence said, Bishop George stated earlier that I was needed here in this country in order to bring love. But you don t need me to import love: I look all around me and I see love. You are exporters of love all of your outstretched arms together express love. The fashion show featured presentations by Eleny and Christie Brothers Furs, two top names in fashion. Alexis Christoforous served as luncheon toastmaster and Fr. John Orfanakos of St. John Church in Clifton, N.J., gave the benediction. The weekend ended with Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning at St. John s in Clifton, N.J., followed by a brunch hosted by the Clifton Philoptochos Society.
prayers-remembering your work of faith, your labor of love, and your endurance of hope. I think this labor of love and endurance of hope constitute a basic element of this philanthropic society-that is, our philanthropic society, the Philoptochos. He continued, Philoptochos has a long history. It is not something born yesterday. Philoptochos is something that started humbly and quietly, and then developed into something truly great. You know, some people in Athens asked me, Do you have people there that can get things done? I think I was right when I said to them, Yes, fortunately, I do. In fact, I would like to hire a few planes and put them on board and bring them to the States to see what is happening. I wish they were here today, to see this, to be in the presence of the people here, so strong, so vibrant, so promising, I think that we could dream the most impossible dreams in terms of doing things that aren t yet done, doing even impossible things. His Eminence also said: You have such a wonderful task ahead. As we look to the future, we see that there is always a possibility of increasing and enhancing what we have done. I want to emphasize specifically what you are doing for the children. The other day at the prayer breakfast in the White House, there was a very strong discussion about children and violence. During this whole discussion I kept thinking about the very strong family life among the Greek Orthodox that prevents this kind of violence, but it was a difficult thing to
In addition to Mrs. Condakes and Mrs. Melis, national committee members include: National liaisons: Anne Gustave, A. Esther Mitchell, Kalli Tsitsipas, and Aphrodite Skeadas; National advisor: Elaine Kevgas; Honorary sponsor chairman: Margo Catsimatidis; National sponsor chairmen: Patty Chacopoulos, Anastasia Cantonis, Diane Poulos Harpell, Georgia Kaloidis, Marissa Payiavlas, Susan Regos, and Demetra Safiol; Publicity chairmen: Irene Philip and Anita Kartalopoulos; Finance chairmen: Nellie Logothetides, Maria Lyras, and Kyriaki Parikas; Commemorative journal: Lila Prounis, Effie Venduras, and Georgia Vlitas; Grand raffle chairmen: Penelope Dambassis and Lena Spyropoulos; Favors: Helen Lambros and Kalli Tsitsipas. In addition to Aspasia Melis, New Jersey committee members included: Sponsor chairmen: Dr. Maria Carras, Dolly Demetris, and Kassandra Romas; Treasurers: Athena Georgotas and Ronnie Kyritsis; Secretary: Olga Parks; Reservations: Bessie Drogaris; Invitations: Mary Romais; Special events: Ronnie Kyritsis, Penney Anast, and Mary Papageorge; Special gifts: Helen Karagias; On-premises raffle: Effie Kambourakis, Mary Boulegeris, Effie Capetan, and Lola Katsanos; Hospitality: Sophia Altin, Elpis Kyriazis, and Helen Loukedis; Protocol: Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos; Decorations: Georgia Skeadas.
by Elaine Kevgas
PARSIPPANY, N.J. More than 500 persons from across the nation participated in the seventh National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund Luncheon and Fashion Show on Oct. 2. This major fund-raising event provides support to medical programs at major children s hospitals. Proceeds will benefit the University Institute for Children s Health, in Newark, N.J.; Children s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund. The luncheon took place in Parsippany with the support and participation of Archbishop Demetrios, who attended his first official Philoptochos event. National Philoptochos President Eve Condakes served as general chairman and, Aspasia Melis, New Jersey Diocese Philoptochos president and the National Board s Greek secretary, served as chairman. His Eminence, assisted by Diocese Chancellor Fr. Alexander Leondis, gave the invocation.
President s remarks In her welcoming remarks, Mrs. Condakes praised the luncheon and national committees for their commitment and efforts.
D. Panagos
chairmen: Elaine Kevgas, Methuen, Mass., and Bessie Papigiotis, Greenville, R.I. That event, which raised $200,000, benefited Boston Children s Hospital and Hasbro Hospital for Children in Providence, R.I., with donations of $50,000 each. The remaining amount went to the National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund. Bishop George, addressing the gath-
FLUTIST SOPHIA Anastasia, accompanied by Christian McLeer, performed at the Medical Fund Luncheon reception.
She stated: It has been said that no one stands as tall as when he stoops to help a child. Today, our Philoptochos Society fulfills these words - with pride in our heritage, with gratitude for our countless blessings, with love for our precious children, with dedication to our Church and with faith in our glorious God - as we gather once again for the Children s Medical Fund Luncheon. May the Lord bless you richly for your part in this holy endeavor. Mrs. Condakes welcomed Archbishop Demetrios and Bishop George of New Jersey, presenting them with mementos of the event. She and Mrs. Melis also honored two extraordinarily dedicated and devoted Philoptochos members, Anne Gustave and Effie Venduras, who volunteer countless hours at the national office, and to Georgia Vlitas. Others whose efforts received recognition included the sponsor-chairmen for the previous luncheon, held in Boston in May 1997: Janice Argeros, Lynnfield, Mass.; Anna Demetrakas, Cranston, R.I.; and A. Esther Mitchel, Niantic, Conn., and the
ering, spoke of the Philoptochos dedicated efforts and related how he has worked closely with Philoptochos in helping critically ill children.
Thoughts from His Eminence In his remarks, Archbishop Demetrios stated his appreciation for the good deeds that Philoptochos performs and is confident that Philoptochos will continue to achieve great things. This is a meeting of joy because, as you know, the best source of joy is love and Philoptochos is love, the Archbishop said. Philoptochos, therefore, is also joy, and this lunch today is a lunch of love and joy. I would like to encourage you, as you enjoy this lunch and visit with one another, to feel this sense of togetherness in a common cause which is this wonderful love we share, he said. As I am with you now and looking at all of you, I am reminded of something that St. Paul writes in his first Epistle to the Thessalonians. He greets the Thessalonians with a very beautiful and warm greeting, saying to them: Ihank the Lord for you and mention you constantly in my
Committee members
An Appeal to Support Christmas Ornament Project Dear Philoptochos Member, To commemorate the highly successful National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund Luncheon, the Diocese has designed a commemorative beveledglass Christmas tree ornament that will be treasured by everyone because its date signifies the end of the century. It is 2 3/8 inches in diameter, etched with the 1999 Medical Fund Luncheon logo with a silver cord for hanging. Above is a picture of the actual size replica of the memento that will be individually boxed. The ornaments sell for $20 each. Orders will be accepted in lots of 5 at a cost of $100 plus $10 postage fee. Cut-off date for orders is Oct. 25. Anyone with special requests or who would like just one ornament should call Helen Karagias. Make checks payable to Greek Ladies Philoptochos Society CMF 1999, and mail it along with your order to: Helen Karagias, 84 Richmond Avenue, Deal, NJ 07723, Telephone: (732) 531-7412. Proceeds from this fund-raiser will be donated to the University Institute for Children s Health in Newark, N.J.; the Children s Hospital of Philadelphia, and to the National Philoptochos so it can continue to help Greek and Greek-American children in need of medical aid. Please contribute to this very worthwhile cause. Yours in sisterly love, Aspasia Melis, N.J. Diocese Philoptochos president; Evanthia Condakes, national president; Helen Karagias, special gifts chairman
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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PEOPLE u Washingtonian made honorary Chanian Archon Andrew Manatos was made an honorary citizen of Chania, Crete, the city from where his family emigrated to America in the early 1900s. He was joined by numerous family members and friends at the Aug. 14 ceremony. Mr. Manatos was the highest-ranking Hellene to serve in President Carter s administration, where he was assistant secretary of commerce. He is the son of the first Greek American to work in the White House (in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations). He has also served as an associate staff director of a U.S. Senate committee, and has been a major contributor to the Church and to Hellenic political activities, including serving as president of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes. Mr. Manatos has also served on the Archdiocesan Council. Earlier this year, he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in New York. He heads his own public relations firm in Washington and helped gain the first recognition of Greek Independence Day outside Greece. He also was recently selected as one of the 100 most influential people in private Washington by Regardies magazine.
u Wins top awards Knoxville News-Sentinel Editor Harry Moskos on behalf of his newspaper received two national first-place honors in mid-October. On Oct. 13, he accepted the national Excellence in Urban Reporting Award sponsored by the Freedom Forum and the Enterprise Foundation. On the 15th, the Associated Press Managing Editors Association presented him with its national Freedom of Information Award. Mr. Moskos is an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and former Archdiocesan Council member.
u Outstanding Arcadian Arcadians of Texas Houston chapter recently honored Fr. George and Presbytera Bess Thanos. Fr. Thanos has served as parish priest in Galveston since 1993 and is current president of the Southeast Texas Orthodox Clergy Association. Fr. George and presbytera, both of Arcadian background, settled in Houston in the 1960s where he assisted Fr. George Kalpaxis and Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou at Annunciation Cathedral before his ordination in 1983.
u Receives industry leadership award Gus Perdikakis, president of Gus Perdikakis Associates Inc., of Cincinnati, has received the National Technical Services Association Industry Leadership Award at the NTSA s annual conference in Nashville. A former NTSA president, he also was elected to serve another term next year. Mr. Perdikakis is a former Archdiocesan Council member, an Archon, and former Hellenic College-Holy Cross trustee and National Development Committee chairman.
u Wins election Thomas Tsounis of Whitestone, N.Y., recently won election as the borough of Queens Bus Driver of the Year for 1999. He qualified for the honor after receiving the most Apple Awards from Queens commuters.
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Church Serves Small Community in Ivy League Town
I
thaca! The name conjures images of Odysseus on his 10year voyage home after the Trojan War; of patient Penelope waiting on the idyllic little island in the Ionian Sea, fending off suitors in hopes that her husband would return home alive; of Telemachus aiding his father, disguised as a beggar, in killing these interlopers with a bow that no one else could string. Nowadays, only those who have attended Greek school or studied the classics in college know this story and
PARISH
in 1965. Philoptochos and GOYA chapters were soon organized. Seeking to acquire a formal house of worship, the community purchased a former Congregationalist church building that serves as its present home. The historic building in downtown Ithaca was erected in 1883 and contains original memorial windows designed by Louis E. Tiffany in 1885. The structure was renovated and transformed into an Orthodox church, with an altar, iconostasis and other highlights, including a crystal prism chandelier received as a gift from Annunciation Church in Endicott. After Fr. Iakovos, who went on to become Bishop Iakovos Argyroupoleos, seven priests have served the community. Fr. Lilley, 33, the current pastor, has served the parish more than four years. A convert from Presbyterianism of Scots-Irish background, he became Orthodox at age 18 after studying early Church history. He underwent catechism at St. Catherine s Church in Falls Church, Va. He had a long-time desire to enter the ministry and enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology before going on to study at the University of Thessaloniki. Since his parish is so 1930s, Greeks from Ithaca would travel to small, Fr. Lilley also functions as secother cities in the region having services: retary and as part-time caretaker. Syracuse, Binghamton and Endicott, Timewise it s kind of hard, he said. In addition to his regular duties, which at the time had a church. Three times a year: the Saturday of the priest also serves as chaplain to OrLazarus, the Dormition of the Theotokos thodox students at Cornell and Ithaca and during Christmas season, the priest College. He also conducts a catechism in Endicott would travel to Ithaca to con- class twice a month for Goyans and duct Divine Liturgy in the parish hall of high school students, in lieu of a weekly church school. A small Sunday an Episcopal church. During World War II, a small Syrian school each week serves younger children, many of whom Orthodox community in a nearby vilare JOY members. lage and the Ithaca Greek Orthodox The parish also offers held joint Good Friday and EasGreek school. ter services at the Episcopal A regular Bible Church. study draws about 18 A young members. community A small choir member who sings the Liturgy, but attended ITHACA, N.Y. there is no chanter. Holy Cross Presently, the parSeminary in ish consists of some the 1950s, immigrants, second suggested and third in 1955 that generation the community organize and ask for a G r e e k priest for Holy Week services and for semiAmericans, narians to serve as cantors. Syrians, Slavs Over the next three years, the Archdiocese assigned a priest and seminarians and a few converts. It is the only Orthodox church in Ithaca. during Holy Week. Most parish income comes from Meanwhile, efforts got under way to the stewardship program. There is no formally organize a parish. The community purchased a building Greek festival, but an annual dinner from Cornell University used to house for- dance is a big fund-raising event. Through the efforts of the Philopeign students and converted its main floor into a Greek Orthodox church. Priests tochos, the parish aids several local from Endicott, Rochester, Syracuse, philanthropic activities. Fr. Lilley says that the most diffiBinghamton and other communities regularly traveled to Ithaca to celebrate Liturgy cult challenge he faces is transmitting the Orthodox faith to people not as and other services. The Ithaca community had grown to rooted as in Orthodox countries. We can t be exactly like Greece, he said. 50 families by the late 1950s. St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church We have become very secularized and became incorporated on Oct. 28, 1964 and it is important to keep the faith viable received its first permanent priest, and rooted among our people. compiled by Jim Golding Archimandrite Iakovos Papavasilopoulos, eral parishioners are associated with them. Mr. Tsaconas, the first Greek settler, opened an ice cream parlor and is reported to have created the first ice cream sundae. Over the next several decades this village, and one or two others around Sparta, provided the bulk of Greek immigrants who settled in Ithaca. These first settlers established restaurants, other ice cream parlors, fruit and vegetable stands and grocery stores. To this day, Ithaca has several Greek restaurants. The community grew slowly. In the
profile
Name: St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church Location: Ithaca, N.Y. Founded: 1964 Diocese: Detroit Size: about 110 families Clergy: Fr. Stephen Lilley (University of Thessaloniki, 1991) Noteworthy: Most of the early settlers came from the Sparta area. countless others from ancient Greek literature and mythology. But in the early years of this nation s history, knowledge of Greek and those ancient literary masterpieces was fairly common. Greek, as well as Latin, was taught in public school. Perhaps the America of that era came far closer to identifying with the ideals of ancient Greece than does today s technocratic society. Cultivation of this knowledge and ideal fostered a spirit of philhellenism which, especially in the 1820s, manifested itself in American culture. That is why many public buildings in our nation s capital were inspired by Greek architecture, and why there are at least 13 cities and towns named Athens, a city in Michigan named Ypsilanti, numerous Spartas and Corinths and Ithaca. Ithaca, N.Y., received its name in 1804 from a former Continental Army surveyor-general in the Revolutionary War, Samuel DeWitt, who acquired a 2,000-acre tract at the southern end of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes District of western New York. The site had formed part of another town known as Ulysses. Ironically, in 1821, the year the Greek revolution began, Ithaca was incorporated as a village with a population of 1,000. Some 75 years later, the first recorded Greek immigrant arrived, a member of the Tsaconas family of the Spartan village of Tsinzina, according to a parish history. Much like the area surrounding Sparta, the city of Ithaca is built on rugged terrain, characterized by several steep hills and deep gorges. It is primarily a college town of about 30,000, home to the Ivy League s Cornell University, and to Ithaca College and sev-
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Õðü ôçí Ðñïåäñßá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ óõíÞëèå óå ðñþôç óõíåäñßá ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ - Ãéá ðñþôç öïñÜ õðü ôçí Ðñïåäñßá ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ óõãêëÞèçêå êáé óõíåäñßáóå óå ðëÞñç óýíèåóç êáé ãéá äýï óõíå÷åßò ìÝñåò (14-15 Ïêôùâñßïõ) ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ïé åñãáóßåò ôçò Óõíüäïõ äéåîÞ÷èçóáí êáôÜ ãåíéêÞ ïìïëïãßá, óå êëßìá åíüôçôáò êáé ìå äåäïìÝíç ôç äéÜèåóç êáé ôçí áðïöáóéóôéêüôçôá ôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí íá åñãáóôïýí áðü êïéíïý êáé ìÝóá óôá ðëáßóéá ôïõ Óõíïäéêïý èåóìïý ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò ãéá ôçí Üìåóç êáé áðïôåëåóìáôéêÞ áíôéìåôþðéóç üëïõ ôïõ öÜóìáôïò ôùí ðñïâëçìÜôùí ôçò ðëÞèïõóáò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý åí ÁìåñéêÞ Åêêëçóßáò. ÌåôÜ ôï ôÝëïò ôùí åñãáóéþí ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò åîÝäùóå åðßóçìï áíáêïéíùèÝí -ðïõ áêïëïõèåß- êáé ðáñá÷þñçóå áðü êïéíïý ÓõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ ãéá ôïõò áíôéðñïóþðïõò ôùí ÌÝóùí ÌáæéêÞò ÅíçìÝñùóçò. ÁÍÁÊÏÉÍÙÈÅÍ Ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, óõíÞëèå óôçí ðñþôç ôáêôéêÞ ôçò óõíåäñßá ìåôÜ ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ íÝïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ôçí ÐÝìðôç êáé ÐáñáóêåõÞ 14 êáé 15 Ïêôùâñßïõ 1999. Óôçí óõíåäñßáóç õðü ôçí ðñïåäñåßá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò ïé Ìçôñïðïëßôåò ÊñÞíçò ê. ÉÜêùâïò, Äáñäáíåëëßùí ê. Áíôþíéïò, Áßíïõ ê. ÌÜîéìïò, ÁíÝùí ê. Ìåèüäéïò êáé ÐñïéêïíÞóïõ ê. Çóáúáò, ðñüåäñïé áíôéóôïß÷ùò ôùí Åðéóêïðþí ÓéêÜãïõ, Áãßïõ Öñáãêßóêïõ, Ðéôôóâïýñãïõ, Âïóôþíçò êáé ÍôÝíâåñ, êáé ïé Åðßóêïðïé ÁôëÜíôáò ê. ÁëÝîéïò, ÍÝáò ÉåñóÝçò ê. Ãåþñãéïò êáé Íôçôñüúô ê. Íéêüëáïò. Ïé óõíåäñéÜóåéò äéåîÞ÷èçóáí ìÝóá óå áôìüóöáéñá åãêÜñäéáò óõíåñãáóßáò êáé åíüôçôïò. Áðü üëïõò ôïõò Óõíïäéêïýò Áñ÷éåñåßò êáôåâëÞèç êÜèå ðñïóðÜèåéá áíôéêåéìåíéêÞò êáé êáñðïöüñïõ óõæçôÞóåùò ôùí ôåèÝíôùí æçôçìÜôùí ðïõ óõíäÝïíôáé ìå ôçí ôñÝ÷ïõóá æùÞ êáé ôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôåò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ìåôáîý ôùí èåìÜôùí ðïõ åîåôÜóèçêáí Þôáí êáé èÝìáôá ôçò ðáñïýóçò åêêëçóéáóôéêÞò êáôáóôÜóåùò, ôçò Ðáéäåßáò ôüóï ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò üóï êáé ôçò ÅêêëçóéáóôéêÞò, ôçò èåßáò ëáôñåßáò, ôçò æþóçò ìáñôõñßáò ôçò ðßóôåùò, ôçò êïéíùíéêÞò ðñïíïßáò êáé öéëáíèñùðßáò, ôçò åéäéêÞò ìåñßìíçò ãéá ôïí êëÞñï, ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáé ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ, ôçò ðñïóå÷ïýò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò 2000, ôïõ åí Ç.Ð.Á. Ìïíá÷éóìïý, êëð. Ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ðñïÝâç åðßóçò êáé óôïí êáôáñôéóìü ôüóï ôùí ôáêôéêþí üóï êáé ôùí åéäéêþí Óõíïäéêþí Åðéôñïðþí, ïé ïðïßåò èá Ý÷ïõí ùò Ýñãïí ôçí ðåñáéôÝñù ìåëÝôç êáé ôçí åöáñìïãÞ ôùí Óõíïäéêþí áðïöÜóåùí óôïõò äéÜöïñïõò ôïìåßò ôçò åêêëçóéáóôéêÞò æùÞò. 15 Ïêôùâñßïõ 1999 Åê ôïõ Ãñáöåßïõ ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ
Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò
Ôá ìÝëç ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ, óôï ðáñåêêëÞóéï ôïõ Áðïóôüëïõ ôùí Åèíþí Ðáýëïõ, ëßãï ðñßí ôçí Ýíáñîç ôùí óõíåäñéÜóåùí.
ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ
ü Çìåñá ôùí Åõ÷áñéóôéþí 1999 <Eîïìïëïãåßóèå ôù Êõñßù, üôé áãáèüò, üôé åéò ôïí áéþíá ôï Ýëåïò áõôïý>. (Øáëì 136: 1) Ðñïò ôïõò ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò, ôïõò ÅõëáâåóôÜôïõò Éåñåßò êáé Äéáêüíïõò, ôïõò Ìïíá÷ïýò êáé Ìïíá÷Ýò, ôïõò ÐñïÝäñïõò êáé ÌÝëç ôùí Êïéíïôéêþí Óõìâïõëßùí, ôéò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõò Áäåëöüôçôåò, ôá ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ Ó÷ïëåßá, ôçí Íåïëáßá, ôéò Åëëçíïñèüäïîåò Ïñãáíþóåéò êáé ïëüêëçñï ôï ×ñéóôåðþíõìïí ðëÞñùìá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Áäåëöïß êáé ÁäåëöÝò åí ×ñéóôþ, ¸íá áðü ôá ðéï üìïñöá ÁìåñéêáíéêÜ Ýèéìá åßíáé ï åïñôáóìüò ôçò ÇìÝñáò ôùí Åõ÷áñéóôéþí. ÕðÜñ÷åé êÜôé éäéáßôåñï ó áõôÞ ôçí çìÝñá, ôçí ïðïßá áöéåñþíïõìå óôéò åêöñÜóåéò åõãíùìïóýíçò ìÝóá óôéò ïéêïãåíåéáêÝò ìáò óõãêåíôñþóåéò. Äéüôé ç åïñôÞ ôùí Åõ÷áñéóôéþí åßíáé êÜôé ðåñéóóüôåñï áðü ìéá åõãåíéêÞ áíáãíþñéóç ôçò ãåííáéïäùñßáò ôïõ Èåïý óôï ôÝëïò ôçò åðï÷Þò ôçò óõãêïìéäÞò. Åßíáé, åðßóçò, ìéá åêäÞëùóç ôçò ðßóôåùò êáé åëðßäïò ìáò ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí, êáé ìÜëéóôá ëßãï ðñéí áðü ôïí åñ÷ïìü ôïõ ÷åéìþíá. ÁõôÞ ç åèíéêÞ ðñïèõìßá íá åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Êýñéï ãéá ôéò Üöèïíåò åõëïãßåò Ôïõ, íá âëÝðïõìå ôçí âïÞèåéÜ Ôïõ áêüìá êáé óå äýóêïëåò óõíèÞêåò, êáé íá áôåíßæïõìå ôï ìÝëëïí ÷ùñßò êõíéóìü Þ áðåëðéóßá åßíáé Ýíá óôïé÷åßï ôçò ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò êëçñïíïìéÜò ôï ïðïßï åßíáé óå óõìöùíßá ìå ôéò ðáñáäüóåéò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðíåõìáôéêüôçôïò. Ãé áõôü êáé ùò Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíïß ðïõ åßìáóôå êáé Ïñèüäïîïé ×ñéóôéáíïß, ÷áéñüìáóôå äéðëÜ óôïí åïñôáóìü áõôÞò ôçò çìÝñáò.
ÐïëëÝò ïéêïãÝíåéåò äéáôçñïýí ìéá ðáñÜäïóç, ôçí ÇìÝñá ôùí Åõ÷áñéóôéþí íá äßíïõí óå êÜèå Üôïìï ðïõ êÜèåôáé óôï ôñáðÝæé ôçí åõêáéñßá íá åêöñÜóåé ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ôïõ ãéá êÜôé ðïõ Ýãéíå êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò ÷ñïíéÜò ðïõ ðÝñáóå. Ðüóï èá ôáßñéáæå óôçí åí ×ñéóôþ ïéêïãÝíåéÜ ìáò -ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò- íá áêïëïõèïýóå áõôÞ ôçí ðáñÜäïóç! Ùò Åêêëçóßá, ùò áäåëöïß êáé áäåëöÝò åí ðßóôåé, êáé ùò óõíäáéôõìüíåò óôï ôñáðÝæé ôïõ Êõñßïõ, Ý÷ïõìå áóöáëþò ðïëëïýò ëüãïõò, ãéá íá åõ÷áñéóôÞóïõìå ôïí Èåü, ãéá ôïí ÷ñüíï ðïý ðÝñáóå. ¼ìùò áõôÞ åéäéêÜ ôçí ÇìÝñá ôùí Åõ÷áñéóôéþí ôïõ 1999, Ý÷ïõìå ìéá éäéáßôåñç õðï÷ñÝùóç íá åêöñÜóïõìå ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ìáò. Ç ãåíéÜ ìáò âñßóêåôáé, óýìöùíá ìå ôç óõíÞèç ìÝôñçóç, óôï êáôþöëé ôçò ôñßôçò ÷éëéåôçñßäïò áðü ôç ãÝííçóç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. ÔïðïèåôçìÝíïé óôçí ðëåïíåêôéêÞ èÝóç óôçí ïðïßá âñéóêüìáóôå óôçí éóôïñßá ôçò áíèñùðüôçôïò, áñìüæåé íá åßìáóôå åêåßíïé ðïõ èá åêöñÜóïõìå ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ìáò, ü÷é ìüíï ãéá ôç ÷ñïíéÜ ðïõ ðÝñáóå, áëëÜ åðßóçò êáé ãéá ôïí áéþíá êáèþò êáé ãéá ôç ÷éëéåôçñßäá ðïõ ôþñá âñßóêïíôáé óôï ôÝëïò ôïõò. Áí ñßîïõìå ôç ìáôéÜ ìáò ðÜíù óôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ßëéá ÷ñüíéá, åêåßíï ôï ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêü ðïõ èá ìáò åíôõðùóéÜóåé åßíáé ç áóôáìÜôçôç åîÜðëùóç ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ ôïõ Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý ó ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï, ðïõ îåðåñíþíôáò ôá óýíïñá ôçò áñ÷áßáò ÑùìáúêÞò Áõôïêñáôïñßáò åéó÷þñçóå óå ðåñéóóüôåñá áðüìáêñá
u óåë. 16
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 14
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÁÃÉÏÓ ÍÅÊÔÁÑÉÏÓ Ï Ïõñáíüöñùí Åðßóêïðïò Ðåíôáðüëåùò Ï
óýã÷ñïíïò éåñüò õìíïãñÜöïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò, ï ìáêáñéóôüò ÃåñÜóéìïò Ìéêñáãéáííáíßôçò áðïêáëåß ôïí Üãéï ÍåêôÜñéï <ïõñáíüöñïíá>, <éåñïöÜíôïñá>, <èåüóïöïí> êáé <íÝïí áãëÜúóìá ôçò ÅëëÜäïò>. Êáé ðïëý óïöÜ. Ãéáôß ï íåïöáíÞò Üãéïò ôïõ áéþíá, ôïõ ëÞãïíôïò åéêïóôïý áéþíá, õðÞñîå ðñÜãìáôé, <ç ëáìðÜäá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò>, <ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôï ðåñéôåß÷éóìá>, <ï áêñÜäáíôïò óôýëïò ôçò áëÞèåéáò>. Óýã÷ñïíç ðáôåñéêÞ ìïñöÞ, óõíäõÜæåé üëá åêåßíá ôá ÷áñéóìáôéêÜ êñéôÞñéá, ðïõ ÷áñáêôçñßæïõí ôïõò ìåãÜëïõò ÐáôÝñåò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò. Ôçí áãéüôçôá ôïõ âßïõ, ôçí ïñèïäïîßá ôïõ äüãìáôïò êáé ôçí ðÜãêïéíç áíáãíþñéóç ôïõ ðëçñþìáôïò ôçò ïéêïõìåíéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò. Ãéá íá áðïäåé÷èåß, ãéá ìéá áêüìç öïñÜ, üôé ç Åêêëçóßá, ç Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ïõäÝðïôå Ýðáõóå íá ãåííÜ êáé íá ðñïâÜôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ ëåé ìÝóá áðü ôá óðëÜ÷íá ôçò áãßïõò, óåìíïýò, çñùéêïýò, åðéóêüðïõò êáé éåñåßò êáé ëáúêïýò, ðïõ åßíáé ðÜíôïôå Ýôïéìïé íá äïîÜóïõí ìå ôçí æùÞ ôïõò ôï Ü÷ñáíôï üíïìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ìáò êáé íá æïõí ôçí æùÞ ôçò Üöèáñôçò ðíåõìáôéêÞò ôåëåéüôçôáò. Óôï öùôåéíü ðñüóùðï ôïõ áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ, ìå ôç èåïëïãéêÞ æùðýñùóÞ ôïõ êáé ôçí öùôïöüñá ìïíáóôéêÞ ôïõ ôáðåßíùóç, äéáâëÝðïõìå üëïé ôï ðáñÜäåéãìá ôçò ðëÞñïõò áöéÝñùóçò êáé õðáêïÞò êáé êÜèáñóçò êáé áíáëÜìøåùò åí ïíüìáôé ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ ôïõ Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý. ¸ôóé ç óðïõäÞ êáé ç ìåëÝôç ôçò æùÞò ôïõ <èåïëÞðôïõ> Íåêôáñßïõ êáèßóôáôáé ðñÜãìáôé áðáñáßôçôç êáé ìåôáâÜëëåôáé <åéò åëáßáí êáôÜêáñðïí>, ðïõ ðáñÝ÷åé óå üëïõò ìáò ôï Üãéï ìýñï ôçò áöèáñóßáò êáé ôçò åí ×ñéóôþ óùôçñßáò. Ï Üãéïò ÍåêôÜñéïò ãåííÞèçêå ôçí 1ç Ïêôùâñßïõ 1846 óôçí Óõëçâñßá ôçò ÈñÜêçò. ÊáôÜ ôï Üãéï âÜðôéóìá ïíïìÜóôçêå ÁíáóôÜóéïò. Ïé öôù÷ïß ãïíåßò ôïõ, ÄÞìïò êáé ÂáóéëéêÞ ÊåöáëÜ ôïí áíÝèñåøáí <åí íïõèåóßá Êõñßïõ>, áëëÜ ç Èåßá ×Üñç êáèïäçãïýóå ôïí íåáñü ÁíáóôÜóéï óôá ðáéäéêÜ êáé íåáíéêÜ âÞìáôá ôçò æùÞò ôïõ. Óå çëéêßá äåêáôåóóÜñùí åôþí ôïí âñßóêïõìå óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç íá åñãÜæåôáé õðÜëëçëïò óå Åëëçíéêü êáôÜóôçìá êáé áñãüôåñá íá ðñïóëáìâÜíåôáé ùò ðáéäïíüìïò óôï ó÷ïëåßï ôïõ Ìåôï÷ßïõ ôïõ Ðáíáãßïõ ÔÜöïõ. Óå çëéêßá åßêïóé åôþí ôáîéäåýåé óôçí ×ßï, óôï ÷ùñéü Ëßèéï óõíå÷ßæïíôáò ôï Ýñãï ôïõ ðáéäïíüìïõ. ÁëëÜ ç íåáñÞ, áãíÞ êáé ïóßá øõ÷Þ ôïõ áíáæçôïýóå êÜôé ôï áíþôåñï êáé õøçëüôåñï. ÐëÞñçò áðü ôïí <èåßïí Ýñùôá> ôçò ïëïêëçñùôéêÞò èõóßáò êáé ðñïóöïñÜò åéóÝñ÷åôáé óôçí ðåñßöçìç ÌïíÞ ôçò ×ßïõ ôçí ïíïìáæüìåíç <ÍÝáí ÌïíÞí> üðïõ óôéò 7 Éáíïõáñßïõ 1876 åêÜñç ìïíá÷üò ìå ôï üíïìá ËÜæáñïò. ï 1877 ÷åéñïôïíÞèçêå äéÜêïíïò áðü ôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç ×ßïõ Ãñçãüñéï, ï ïðïßïò ôïí ìåôïíüìáóå ÍåêôÜñéï. Ìå õðïôñïößá áðü ôïí åõóåâÞ ðëïýóéï ×éþôç ÉùÜííç ×ùñÝìç ìåôÝâç óôçí ÁèÞíá, üðïõ êáé áðïöïßôçóå áðü ôï ÃõìíÜóéï. Áêïëïýèùò, ìåôÝâç óôçí ÁëåîÜíäñåéá, áëëÜ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Áëåîáíäñåßáò Óùöñüíéïò ôïí Ýóôåéëå óôçí ÁèÞíá ôï 1882 ãéá ÐáíåðéóôçìéáêÝò óðïõäÝò êáé ôï 1885 áðïöïßôçóå áñéóôïý÷ïò áðü ôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ Áèçíþí. Óôéò 23 Ìáñôßïõ 1886 óôïí Êáèåäñéêü íáü ôïõ áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ óôï ÊÜéñï ÷åéñïôïíÞèçêå ðñåóâýôåñïò êáé Ýëáâå ôï ïöößêéï ôïõ áñ÷éìáíäñßôç. Óôéò 15 Éáíïõáñßïõ 1889 åîåëÝãç êáé ÷åéñïôïíÞèçêå Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ðåíôáðüëåùò. Ôçí ÷åéñïôïíßá ôÝëåóå ï ßäéïò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Áëåîáíäñåßáò Óùöñüíéïò ìáæß ìå ôïí ðñþçí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Êåñêýñáò ×áñéÜôïõ êáé Óõíáßïõ Ðïñöõñßïõ. Ç åðéóêïðéêÞ êáé ðïéìáíôéêÞ äñÜóç êáé äñáóôçñéüôçôá ôïõ íÝïõ åðéóêüðïõ õðÞñîå üíôùò åíôõðùóéáêÞ. ÁëëÜ ï <ìéóüêáëïò> äéÜâïëïò åíÝóðåéñå óôçí êáñäéÜ ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Óùöñïíßïõ ôá æéæÜíéá ôçò óõêïöáíôßáò êáé ôçò æÞëéáò. ÅöèïíÞèç ï íÝïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò áðü ôïõò óõíåñãÜôåò ôïõ, ïé ïðïßïé üëùò áäßêùò ôïí óõêïöÜíôçóáí óôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç, üôé äÞèåí åðåäßùêå ôçí áðñåðÞ áíáññß÷çóÞ ôïõ óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Èñüíï. ¸ôóé, ï íÝïò öùóôÞñ ôçò ôùí ÁëåîáíäñÝùí Åêêëçóßáò âñÝèçêå, ìÝóá óå ëßãåò ìüíï ìÝñåò, åêôüò ôçò ÅðéóêïðéêÞò ôïõ êáèÝäñáò êáé êáôáðåñéöñïíçìÝíïò åîüñéóôïò óôçí ÁèÞíá. ×ßëéá ðåñßðïõ åõóåâÞ ìÝëç ôçò ÁëåîáíäñéíÞò Åêêëçóßáò Ýóôåéëáí óõãêéíçôéêÞ åðéóôïëÞ óôïí êáôáöñïíçìÝíï ðñþçí Ìçôñïðïëßôç Ðåíôáðüëåùò óôéò 29
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Éïõëßïõ 1890 óôçí ïðïßá áðïêáëïýí ôçí áðï÷þñçóç ôïõ Åðéóêüðïõ Íåêôáñßïõ <áðþëåéá äõóåðáíüñèùôç> êáé óõìðëÞñùíáí, <Áíïìïëïãïýìåí êáé áýèéò üôé ìåãÜëùò èëéâüìåèá åðß ôç áíá÷þñçóç Óáò, äéüôé áéóèáíüìåèá åí ôç êáñäßá çìþí åíáðïëçöèÝí ôé êåíüí êáé ëïãéæüìåèá ìåãÜëçí çèéêÞí æçìßáí ôçí óôÝñçóéí ôïõ óõìðáèåóôÜôïõ ôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí êáé ôïõ äñáóôçñéïôÜôïõ ôùí êëçñéêþí>. ëëÜ ìÜôáéá ïé ðñïóðÜèåéåò. Ï ôáðåéíüò Üãéïò åðßóêïðïò ÍåêôÜñéïò âñÝèçêå ðÜìöôù÷ïò óôçí ÁèÞíá... Ôïí ÖåâñïõÜñéï 1891 ôï Åëëçíéêü Õðïõñãåßï Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí äéüñéóå ôïí ôáðåéíü åðßóêïðï ÍåêôÜñéï éåñïêÞñõêá ôïõ Íïìïý Åõâïßáò êáé áñãüôåñá ôçò åðáñ÷ßáò Öèéþôéäïò êáé Öùêßäïò. Ôï êçñõãìáôéêü ôïõ Ýñãï Üöçóå åðï÷Þ. Ç Ýìðñáêôç ðßóôç êáé ç Ýìöõôç åõãëùôôßá ôïõ óáãÞíåõóáí ÷éëéÜäåò øõ÷Ýò óôïí ×ñéóôü êáé ôçí Åêêëçóßá Ôïõ. Ôï 1894 äéïñßæåôáé ÄéåõèõíôÞò óôçí ðåñßöçìç ÑéæÜñåéï ÅêêëçóéáóôéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ óôçí ÁèÞíá, ôçí ïðïßá äéáêüíçóå ãéá äåêáôÝóóåñá óõíáðôÜ Ýôç. Ìå ôçí åãíùóìÝíç ðñáüôçôÜ ôïõ, ôçí ðáíèïëïãïõìÝíç åéñçíéêüôçôÜ ôïõ êáé ôçí áðáñÜìéëëç ìïíáóôéêÞ áñåôÞ ôïõ óõíÝâáëå ôá ìÝãéóôá óôçí äéáìüñöùóç áîßùí êáé áíôáîßùí êëçñéêþí ôçò áãéïôÜôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò. ÁëëÜ ôï Üãéï Ýñãï ôïõ âñÞêå ïëïêëÞñùóç ôï 1904 üôáí ï Åðßóêïðïò ÍåêôÜñéïò ßäñõóå ôçí óåâÜóìéá ÌïíÞ ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò óôçí Áßãéíá. Ïé ìïíá÷Ýò, ðïõ ôïí áêïëïýèçóáí äéçãïýíôáé ôçí áãéüôçôá ôïõ êáôÜöùôïõ âßïõ ôïõ. Ìåéëß÷éïò ðÜíôïôå, åõãåíÞò, áðëüò ôáðåéíüò, óôïñãéêüò ðáôÝñáò êáé ãéá ôéò ìïíá÷Ýò êáé ãéá ôïõò åêáôïíôÜäåò åðéóêÝðôåò, ðïõ ìåôÝâáéíáí óôçí Áßãéíá. Åñãáôéêüôáôïò êáôÜ ðÜíôá, êáëëéåñãïýóå ôç ãç, ðüôéæå ôïõò êÞðïõò, Üíïéãå õäñáãùãïýò, ìåôÝöåñå ëßèïõò, åðéäéüñèùíå ôá õðïäÞìáôÜ ôùí ìïíáæïõóþí, Ýãñáöå êáé óõíÝãñáöå óõíå÷þò. ¢öçóå ðåñßðïõ 42 óõããñÜììáôá, ìÝóá áðü ôá ïðïßá äéáöáßíåôáé ç êáôÜ êüóìï óïößá ìåí, áëëÜ êõñßùò ç êáôÜ Èåü <öéëïóïößá>. ¢ññùóôïò áðü ðñïóôáôßôéäá ðáñÝìåéíå óôï Áñåôáßåéï Íïóïêïìåßï Áèçíþí ãéá ðÝíôå ìÝñåò êáé ôçí íýêôá ôçò 8çò ðñïò ôçí 9ç Íïåìâñßïõ 1920 ðáñÝäùóå ôï Üãéï ðíåýìá ôïõ óôïí Èåü, ôïí ïðïßï áãÜðçóå êáé ëÜôñåøå êáé äéáêüíçóå æþíôáò <áããåëéêÞí æùÞí> êáé <êáèáñüôçôá ðïëéôåßáò>. Üíäçìïò õðÞñîå ç åîüäéïò Áêïëïõèßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ êáé ôá ðÜìðïëëá èáýìáôÜ ôïõ ôïí áíÝäåéîáí óå Ýíá áðü ôïõò ðñïóöéëÝóôáôïõò êáé âáèýôáôá ôéìçìÝíïõò óýã÷ñïíïõò áãßïõò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò. Óôéò 20 Áðñéëßïõ 1961, Ðáôñéáñ÷åýïíôïò ôïõ áïéäßìïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ Áèçíáãüñá Á´, ç ÉåñÜ Óýíïäïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ áðïöÜóéóå, üðùò <óõíáñéèìÞóåé> ìåôáîý ôùí ïóßùí êáé áãßùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò ôïí <áïßäéìïí ÉåñÜñ÷çí ÍåêôÜñéïí ÊåöáëÜí>, üðùò ôéìÜôå <ðáñÜ ôùí ðéóôþí êáé ýìíïéò åãêùìßùí ãåñáéñüìåíïò ôç 9ç Íïåìâñßïõ...> ÅðéðëÝïí, ôç öåôåéíÞ ÷ñïíéÜ, 1999, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Áëåîáíäñåßáò ê. ÐÝôñïò áíáêÞñõîå ôï 1999 Ýôïò áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ êáé åðéóêÝöèçêå ôïí íÝï ðåñéêáëëÞ Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ óôçí Áßãéíá, óôïí ïðïßï, óå ëáìðñü Áñ÷éåñáôéêü Óõëëåßôïõñãï æÞôçóå óõãíþìç ç ôùí ÁëåîáíäñÝùí Åêêëçóßá. Åí ôù ìåôáîý äåêÜäåò Íáïß ïéêïäïìÞèçêáí ðñïò ôéìÞ êáé äüîá ôïõ áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ êáé ðëåßóôá üóá óõããñÜììáôá Ý÷ïõí ãñáöôåß ãéá ôçí åìðíåõóìÝíç æùÞ ôïõ. Áîßæåé íá áíáöåñèåß ç ìåëÝôç ôïõ ðñïóöéëïýò ìáò ðñþçí ìáèçôÞ ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, áñ÷éìáíäñßôç ð. Êëåüðá Óôñïããýëç, ï ïðïßïò ìåëÝôçóå, åíäåëå÷þò ôéò ðçãÝò êáé óõíÝãñáøå åîáßñåôç äéáôñéâÞ ãéá ôïí Üãéï ÍåêôÜñéï. Ðñùôüôõðç ìåëÝôç áðïôåëåß êáé ôï ùñáéüôáôï âéâëßï ôïõ ößëïõ ê. Ìáíþëç Ìåëéíïý, <Ìßëçóá ìå ôïí Üãéï ÍåêôÜñéï> ôï ïðïßï ðåñéÝ÷åé óõíåíôåýîåéò ôéò ïðïßåò Ýëáâå áðü ôïõò ãíùñßóáíôáò ôïí Üãéï ÍåêôÜñéï. Áò åðéóêåöôïýìå íïåñÜ ôçí ÉåñÜ ÌïíÞ ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò, óôï åõëïãçìÝíï íçóß ôçò Áßãéíáò êé áò æçôÞóïõìå ôçí åõëïãßá êáé ôçí ðñïóôáóßá ôïõ áãßïõ Íåêôáñßïõ. <×áßñå äé ïý ïé ðéóôïß õøïýíôáé... ×áßñïéò åí þ áöèáñóßá ÷ïñåýåé... ×áßñå äé ïý íÞóïò Áßãéíá ÷áßñåé... ×áßñïéò ÐÜôåñ ÍåêôÜñéå...>
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Ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ó. ÌðåìðÞò åßíáé êáèçãçôÞò Ðáôñïëïãßáò,óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.
10 ÍÏÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ 1999
44 ÷ñüíéá ðáñÜäåéãìá ðñïò ìßìçóç êáé Ýìðíåõóç ÓÕÍÔÁÎÉÏÄÏÔÇÈÇÊÅ Ï Äñ. ÊËÁÄÏÐÏÕËÏÓ ÌåôÜ áðü 44 ÷ñüíéá åõäüêéìçò êáé áöïóéùìÝíçò õðçñåóßáò óôçí Åêêëçóßá áðïóýñåôáé ôçò åíåñãïý äñÜóçò ï ÄéåõèõíôÞò Ðáéäåßáò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò Äñ. Íéêüëáïò ×. Êëáäüðïõëïò. ÃåííÞèçêå êáé ìåãÜëùóå óôç ×áëêçäüíá ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëçò üðïõ óõìðëÞñùóå ôéò åãêýêëéåò ãõìíáóéáêÝò ôïõ Ï Äñ. Íéêüëáïò ×. Êëáäüðïõëïò. óðïõäÝò. Áðïöïßôçóå áñéóôïý÷ïò áðü ôçí ðáëáßöáôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôçò ×Üëêçò ôï 1953. Êáôüðéí åóôÜëç óôçí Áããëßá ãéá íá ìåëåôÞóåé ôïí ôñüðï æùÞò ôùí Êëçñéêþí êáé ôçí äéïñãÜíùóç ôùí ÊïéíïôÞôùí ôçò ÁããëéêáíéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò. Ôï 1955, åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷åßáò ôïõ áåßìíçóôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Áèçíáãüñá ôïõ Á´ äéïñßóôçêå ÃñáììáôÝáò ÐíåõìáôéêÞò Äéáêïíßáò áíáëáìâÜíïíôáò ôçí åðïðôåßá ôùí Êáôç÷çôéêþí Ó÷ïëåßùí ôùí ÊïéíïôÞôùí ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëçò. Ôï 1956 äéïñßóèçêå äéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷éêïý Ôõðïãñáöåßïõ êáé åêäüôçò ôïõ åâäïìáäéáßïõ ðåñéïäéêïý «Áðüóôïëïò ÁíäñÝáò». Êáôüðéí ðñüóêëçóçò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Â. êáé Í. ÁìåñéêÞò, ê. Éáêþâïõ, Ýöôáóå óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ôï 1961 ãéá íá óõíå÷ßóåé ôéò óðïõäÝò ôïõ óôï Union Theological Seminary êáé óôï New York Theological Seminary. ÕðçñÝôçóå ãéá ìéêñü ÷ñïíéêü äéÜóôçìá óôï Ãñáöåßï ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáé ôï 1964 äéïñßóôçêå ÃñáììáôÝáò ôïõ Ðíåõìáôéêïý Äéêáóôçñßïõ. ÐáñÜëëçëá èÞôåõóå ùò ìÝëïò êáé ÃñáììáôÝáò ôïõ ÁíùôÜôïõ Åêðáéäåõôéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ. Ôï 1974 äéïñßóôçêå ÄéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ Ëçîéáñ÷åßïõ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò üðïõ êáé õðçñÝôçóå ðéóôÜ ìÝ÷ñé ôï 1989. ÕðÝâáëå ôçí äéäáêôïñéêÞ ôïõ äéáôñéâÞ ìå ôßôëï «Ç ãíþóéò ôïõ Èåïý êáôÜ Äéïíýóéïí ôïí Áñåïðáãßôçí» óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ Èåóóáëïíßêçò, áð üðïõ Ýëáâå ôï Äéäáêôïñéêü ôïõ Äßðëùìá ôï 1981. Ôï 1989 äéïñßóèçêå ÄéåõèõíôÞò Ðáéäåßáò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò Â. êáé Í. ÁìåñéêÞò. ÊáôÜ ôçí äåêáåôÞ ôïõ õðçñåóßá óôï Ãñáöåßï Ðáéäåßáò óõììåôåß÷å óå ðïëëÜ åêðáéäåõôéêÜ óåìéíÜñéá êáé ðåñéüäåõóå äéÜöïñåò êïéíüôçôåò ãéá íá ðáñáêïëïõèÞóåé áðü êïíôÜ ôá áéôÞìáôá ôùí ãïíÝùí, äéåõèõíôþí, äáóêÜëùí êáé ìáèçôþí, êïéíïôáñ÷þí êáé ðñïÝäñùí ôùí ÊïéíïôÞôùí üðïõ ëåéôïõñãïýí ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ ó÷ïëåßá. Ç áöïóßùóç, åíåñãçôéêüôçôá, óõíåñãáóßá êáé áíèñùðéÜ ôïõ óôá 38 ÷ñüíéá õðçñåóßáò ôïõ óôçí ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò áðïôåëïýí ðáñÜäåéãìá ðñïò ìßìçóç êáé Ýìðíåõóç ãéÜ üóïõò åß÷áí ôçí ôý÷ç êáé ôéìÞ íá óõíåñãáóèïýí ìáæß ôïõ. Ç áðüöáóÞ ôïõ íá áðïóõñèåß ôçò åíåñãïýò õðçñåóßáò Ýãéíå äåêôÞ ìå êÜðïéá åðéöýëáîç êáé äéóôáãìü áðü ôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï. Ðñïò ôéìÞ ôïõ ïñãáíþèçêå ìéá óåìíÞ áðï÷áéñåôéóôÞñéá ôåëåôÞ óôçí Ýäñá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò üðïõ ðáñáâñÝèçêáí ïé óõíåñãÜôåò ôïõ ãéá íá ôïõ ðñïóöÝñïõí ôéò åõ÷Ýò êáé ôéò åõ÷áñéóôßåò ôïõò. Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò åîÞñå ôï Þèïò ôïõ ÷áñáêôÞñá êáé ôçí ðïëõåôÞ ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõ Äñ. Êëáäüðïõëïõ êáé ôïõ ðñüóöåñå óõìâïëéêü äþñï Ýíá ÷ñõóü óôáõñü áðü ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï. Ï Äñ. Íéêüëáïò ×. Êëáäüðïõëïò åßíáé íõìöåõìÝíïò ìå ôçí Ìáñßá, ôï ãÝíïò Êïýôóáñç, êáèçãÞôñéá ãõìíáóßïõ êáé åßíáé ðåñÞöáíïé ãéá ôá ôñßá ôïõò ðáéäéÜ, ôçí Áéêáôåñßíç, ôïí ×ñÞóôï, êáé ôïí Èåüäùñï ðïõ äéáðñÝðïõí óôïí åðé÷åéñçìáôéêü êáé áêáäçìáúêü êüóìï. Óôïí áðï÷áéñåôéóôÞñéï ëüãï ôïõ ï Äñ. Íéêüëáïò ×. Êëáäüðïõëïò ôüíéóå ðùò èá ðáñáìåßíåé ðñüèõìïò åéò ôá êåëåýóìáôá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçí ïðïßá õðçñÝôçóå ôüóï ðéóôÜ êáé åõóõíåßäçôá ãéá 44 ÷ñüíéá êáé åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ: «Åßìáé óôñáôéþôçò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò äéüôé åßìáé Èåïëüãïò».
10 ÍÏÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ 1999
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 15
<Ç ÐÁÃÊÏÓÌÉÏÐÏÉÇÓÇ ÔÇÓ ÁÃÁÐÇÓ>, ôï ìÞíõìá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óôç ËÝñï ×áñáêôçñéóôéêü óôïé÷åßï áðü ôçí ôñéÞìåñç åðßóêåøç ôïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ, èåùñåßôáé ç èåñìÞ õðïäï÷Þ ðïõ åðåöýëáîáí óôïí ÐñïêáèÞìåíï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ïé êÜôïéêïé ôçò ËÝñïõ, áëëÜ êáé áíôéðñïóùðåßáò áðü ôçí ÊÜëõìíï êáé ôçí ÁóôõðÜëáéá, öèÜíïíôáò ìÜëéóôá óôï óçìåßï íá óçêþóïõí ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óôïõò þìïõò ôïõò. Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ê. ÍåêôÜñéïò, åêöñÜæïíôáò ôçí öéëéêÞ ðñïò ôï ÖáíÜñé äéÜèåóç ôïõ ëáïý êáé ôïõ êëÞñïõ, äåí äßóôáóå íá êÜíåé åðßèåóç óå üëïõò åêåßíïõò ïé ïðïßïé ìéëïýí ãéá áðïãáëáêôéóìü ôùí ÄùäåêáíÞóùí áðü ôçí áãêáëéÜ ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò êáõôçñéÜæïíôáò ôçí óôÜóç <ôùí ïëßãùí åêåßíùí êáëÜìùí ôçò äçìïóéïãñáößáò ðïõ ðñïùèïýí ðáñüìïéåò êáôáóôñïöéêÝò ãéá ôï ÃÝíïò éäÝåò>.
ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá
<ÌðñïóôÜ óôïí ðüíï äåí õðÜñ÷ïõí èñçóêåßåò, öõëÝò êáé Ýèíç. ÕðÜñ÷åé ìüíï ç áãÜðç ãéá ôïí Üíèñùðï. Ãé áõôü êáé ðñÝðåé üëïé ìáò íá Ý÷ïõìå óôü÷ï ôçí ðáãêïóìéïðïßçóç ôçò áãÜðçò êáé ü÷é ëáíèáóìÝíùò ôçò ïéêïíïìßáò ðïõ Ý÷ïõìå óÞìåñá>. ÁõôÜ åßðå ìåôáîý Üëëùí óå ïìéëßá ôïõ óôï Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ óôç ËÝñï, ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò åðßóêåøÞò ôïõ óôï íçóß, óôá ôÝëç ôïõ ðñïçãïýìåíïõ ÓåðôÝìâñç.
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò êõñÞôôåé ôçí Ýíáñîç Äéåèíïýò Óõíåäñßïõ ìå èÝìá <Ïñèüäïîïò êüóìïò êáé ÅõñùðáúêÞ ¸íùóç ìðñïóôÜ óôç ôñßôç ÷éëéåôßá> óôï íåïíáãåñèÝí Óõíåäñéáêü ÊÝíôñï ôçò Ìçôñïðüëåùò ËÝñïõ. Äéáêñßíåôáé êáé ï Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ËÝñïõ, Êáëýìíïõ êáé ÁóôõðÜëáéáò ê. ÍåêôÜñéïò.
ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå õðü ôçí ðñïåäñßá ôïõ áêáäçìáúêïý, Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÐåñãÜìïõ ê. ÉùÜííïõ, êáé óõììåôåß÷áí êïñõöáßïé ¸ëëçíåò êáé îÝíïé Ïñèüäïîïé èåïëüãïé. Ï ÄÞìáñ÷ïò ËÝñïõ êáëùóüñéóå ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç óôçí ðñùôåýïõóá ôïõ íçóéïý ôïí ÐëÜôáíï, ôïíßæïíôáò óôçí ðñïóöþíçóÞ ôïõ ôïõò Üññçêôïõò åðß áéþíåò äåóìïýò ôçò ËÝñïõ ìå ôï ÖáíÜñé, áðÝíåéìå ôï ÷ñõóü êëåéäß ôçò ËÝñïõ óôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç. Óôçí áíôéöþíçóÞ ôïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôüíéóå ìåôáîý Üëëùí, üôé <ç êáñäéÜ ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò, Þôï áíÝêáèåí áíïéêôÞ êáé ÷áñéóìÝíç ìåôÜ ìåãÜëçò áãÜðçò åéò ôá ðåéñéëçìÝíá ôÝêíá ôçò íÞóïõ ËÝñïõ êáé üëçò ôçò ÄùäåêáíÞóïõ>. Óôï Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ ôçò ËÝñïõ ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò óõëëåéôïýñãçóå ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Öéëáíäßáò ÉùÜííç êáé Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò ÉåñÜñ÷åò ðïëëþí Ïñèüäïîùí Åêêëçóéþí. ÊáôÜ ôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò óôïí íáü áíÞããåéëå ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ 100.000 äïëáñßùí ãéá ôïõò óåéóìüðëçêôïõò ôçò ÁôôéêÞò. ÌåôÜ ôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ÷ïñïóôÜôçóå óôç Äïîïëïãßá ðïõ ôåëÝóèçêå ìå áöïñìÞ ôçí 56ç èëéâåñÞ åðÝôåéï ôçò âõèßóåùò ôïõ ðïëåìéêïý <Âáóßëéóóá ¼ëãá> áðü Íéê. Ìáããßíáò ôïõò Ãåñìáíïýò óôï ëéìÜíé ôçò ËÝñïõ. Ìå åíèïõóéáóìü êáé áãÜðç õðïäÝ÷èçêå ï ëáüò ôçò ËÝñïõ Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôÝëåóå ôïí <Äåóðüôç ôïõ> ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç. ìíçìüóõíï ãéá ôïõò ðåóüíôåò óôïí ÷þñï ôçò âõèßóåùò. Áðü ôçí ðëåõñÜ ôïõ ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Áêüìç ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åðéóêÝöèçêå ôïõò ËÝñïõ, Êáëýìíïõ êáé ÁóôõðÜëáéáò ê. ÍåêôÜ- ôñïößìïõò ôïõ Èåñáðåõôçñßïõ ôçò ËÝñïõ êáé ñéïò åðåóÞìáíå ôçí áíÜãêç ãéá áãÜðç ìåôáîý Ýèåóå ôï èåìÝëéï ëßèï ãéá ôçí áíÝãåñóç ôùí áíèñþðùí, ôïíßæïíôáò üôé <ç Åêêëçóßá óýã÷ñïíïõ ÊÝíôñïõ ÁðïêáôáóôÜóåùò ÁíáðÞåý÷åôáé åê âÜèïõò øõ÷Þò, íá ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß ñùí, óå ïéêüðåäï óôçí ðåñéï÷Þ Ëáêêßïõ äùñåÜ ôï üñáìá ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßïõ, íá óôçí ôïðéêÞ Åêêëçóßá ôïõ Ðáíáãéþôç Óïýëïõ. ãßíåé ôï Áéãáßï ìéá ëßìíç åéñÞíçò..., ðñïò äüîáí Ï ÐñïêáèÞìåíïò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ìåôÜ Èåïý êáé åõôõ÷ßá üëùí ôùí ëáþí ôçò Ìåóï- ôçí åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óôçí Ðáíáãßá ôïõ ÊÜóôñïõ, ìåôÝâç óôï óôÜäéï ôçò ËÝñïõ, üðïõ ôïí ãåßïõ>. Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëï- ðåñßìåíáí åêáôïíôÜäåò êÜôïéêïé ôïõ íçóéïý ìáßïò, êáôÜ ôçí ðáñáìïíÞ ôïõ óôç Ìçôñüðïëç êñáôþíôáò óôá ÷Ýñéá ôïõò áíáììÝíá êåñéÜ. ËÝñïõ, ðïõ õðÜãåôáé ðíåõìáôéêÜ êáé äéïéêç- Áêïëïýèçóå Ýíá ðëïýóéï ìïõóéêï÷ïñåõôéêü ôéêÜ óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï, åãêáéíßáóå ðñüãñáììá ðïõ åß÷å åôïéìáóèåß ðñïò ôéìÞ ôïõ. ôï Óõíåäñéáêü ÊÝíôñï ôçò Ìçôñüðïëçò, óôá Ç Ýêðëçîç üìùò ãéá ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ¢ëõíôá ðïõ áíáãÝñèçêå ìå ðñùôïâïõëßá ôïõ Âáñèïëïìáßï Þñèå üôáí äýï íåáñïß ìáèçôÝò, Ìçôñïðïëßôç ËÝñïõ Íåêôáñßïõ êáé ìå ôçí Ýíáò Ôïýñêïò êáé ìéá Åëëçíßäá ôïõ Ýäùóáí äýï åðé÷ïñÞãçóç ôïõ åëëçíéêïý Äçìïóßïõ êáé ôçò ëåõêÜ ðåñéóôÝñéá ôá ïðïßá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ÅõñùðáúêÞò ¸íùóçò. Âáñèïëïìáßïò åëåõèÝñùóå. ¹ôáí ôï óõìâïÅðßóçò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ëéêü áðïêïñýöùìá ôçò áäåëöïðïßçóçò äýï êÞñõîå ôçí Ýíáñîç Äéåèíïýò Óõíåäñßïõ ìå èÝìá Äçìïôéêþí Ó÷ïëåßùí, ôïõ Ôïýñêéêïõ Gòllòk êáé <Ïñèüäïîïò êüóìïò êáé ÅõñùðáúêÞ ¸íùóç ôçò Áãßáò Ìáñßíáò ËÝñïõ. Ïé ìáèçôÝò ôùí äýï ìðñïóôÜ óôç ôñßôç ÷éëéåôßá> ðïõ ðñáãìáôï- ó÷ïëåßùí, óõíáíôÞèçêáí óôç ËÝñï êáé ÷üñåðïéÞèçêå óôï Óõíåäñéáêü ÊÝíôñï êáé ïñãáíþ- øáí ìáæß äßíïíôáò Ýôóé ìÞíõìá åéñÞíçò, öéëßáò, èçêå áðü ôç Ìçôñüðïëç ËÝñïõ. Ôï óõíÝäñéï áãÜðçò êáé óõíáäÝëöùóçò ôùí ëáþí.
ÌÞíõìá áãÜðçò êáé óõíáäÝëöùóçò Ýäùóáí äõü íåáñïß ìáèçôÝò, áíôéðñïóùðåýïíôáò ôá ó÷ïëåßá ôïõò ðïõ áäåëöïðïéÞèçêáí, ðáñáäßäïíôáò óôïí Ðáíáãéüôáôï äõü ëåõêÜ ðåñéóôÝñéá ôá ïðïßá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åëåõèÝñùóå.
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ôáîßäåøå óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ ðåñáóìÝíïõ ìÞíá óôçí ÐñÜãá ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïò áðü ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò Äçìïêñáôßáò ôçò Ôóå÷ßáò ê. ÂÜôóëáâ ×Üâåë ãéá íá óõììåôÜó÷åé óôï óõíÝäñéï Forum 2000 ðïõ ïñãÜíùóå ãéá ôñßôç ÷ñïíéÜ ï ÔóÝ÷ïò ðñüåäñïò. Ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò ìßëçóå ìå èÝìá <Ç Ðáãêïóìéüôçôá êáé ïé ÈñçóêåõôéêÝò ôçò ¼øåéò>. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ôüíéóå ôçí áíÜãêç íá áíôéðáñáôåèåß óôçí åéêüíá ôùí áíôéðáëïôÞôùí ãéá ôçí ðáãêüóìéá êõñéáñ÷ßá, ç åéêüíá ôçò åí ×ñéóôþ åíüôçôïò ôïõ êüóìïõ. Óôá ðëáßóéá ôïõ óõíåäñßïõ ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åß÷å ôçí åõêáéñßá íá óõíáíôçèåß êáé íá áíôáëëÜîåé áðüøåéò ìå ðïëëÝò ðñïóùðéêüôçôåò ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí ôïí ðñßãêéðá ôçò Éïñäáíßáò ×áóÜí Ìðéí Áë ÔáëÜë, ôïí Íïìðåëßóôá ðñþçí ðñüåäñï ôçò Íïôßïõ ÁöñéêÞò ÖñÝíôåñéê Íôå ÊëÝñê, ôïí Íïìðåëßóôá êáé äéÜóçìï óõããñáöÝá Elli Wiesel, ôïí åðé÷åéñçìáôßá Ôæüñôæ Óüñï êáé ðïëëïýò Üëëïõò çãÝôåò ôïõ èñçóêåõôéêïý, ðïëéôéêïý, áêáäçìáúêïý êáé åðé÷åéñçìáôéêïý êüóìïõ, ðïõ óõììåôåß÷áí óôï óõíÝäñéï. Óôç öùôïãñáößá ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá éäéáßôåñçò óõíÜíôçóÞò ôïõ ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï ÂÜôóëáâ ×Üâåë óôïí ïðïßï äþñéóå ìéá åéêüíá ôçò Ðáíáãßáò.
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 16
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
10 ÍÏÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ 1999
Öéëáíèñùðéêü Ýñãï ôïõ Ó.Á.Å. óôçí Áëâáíßá óå óõíåñãáóßá ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁíáóôÜóéï
Ïñäüäïîïò ÐáñáôçñçôÞò
Ï ÄÞìáñ÷ïò ôçò ÁèÞíáò óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Óå åãêÜñäéï êëßìá óõíáíôÞèçêáí óôçí Ýäñá ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò êáé ï äÞìáñ÷ïò ôçò ÁèÞíáò ê. ÄçìÞôñçò Áâñáìüðïõëïò, óôéò 2 Íïåìâñßïõ. <ÈÝëù íá ôïíßóù ðüóï óçìáíôéêÞ åßíáé áõôÞ ç äéáêïíßá êáé áõôÞ ç áíôáëëáãÞ áðüøåùí óå èÝìáôá ðïý åßíáé óïâáñÜ êáé ðïõ áíáöÝñïíôáé óôéò ðñïïðôéêÝò êáé óôéò äõíáôüôçôåò óõíåñãáóßáò êáé áíáðôýîåùò...> åßðå ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò óå äçëþóåéò ôùí äýï áíäñþí ìåôÜ ôç óõíÜíôçóç. Ï ê. Áâñáìüðïõëïò áöïý åõ÷áñßóôçóå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ãéá <ôçí åãêáñäéüôçôá ôçò õðïäï÷Þò êáé ôçí åõêáéñßá ôçò åðéêïéíùíßáò ôüíéóå: <ÈÝëù íá ôïõ áðåõèýíù êáëÞ äýíáìç óôç íÝá ôïõ ðïñåßá êáé íá ôïí äéáâåâáéþóù ãéá ôçí áìÝñéóôç õðïóôÞñéîÞ ìáò óå üëç áõôÞ ôçí ðñïóðÜèåéá ãéá ôçí åíäõíÜìùóç êáé
ôçí åíßó÷õóç ôçò ðáñïõóßáò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò êáé ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý ó áõôü ôï åõáßóèçôï êïììÜôé ôïõ êüóìïõ>. ÅîÜëëïõ, áíáöåñüìåíïò óôç âïÞèåéá ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò óôïõò óåéóìïðáèåßò ôçò ÁèÞíáò åßðå: <Ãíùñßæïõìå üôé ç ÏìïãÝíåéá Ý÷åé ðÜñåé áðü ìüíç ôçò ðñùôïâïõëßåò ãéá íá åíéó÷õèïýí ôá èýìáôá ôùí óåéóìþí, åßìáóôå óå áíïé÷ôÞ ãñáììÞ êáé ìå ôïõò ïìïãåíåéáêïýò öïñåßò êáé âåâáßùò ðñùôïðüñïò óå üëç áõôÞ ôç ðñïóðÜèåéá âñßóêåôáé åäþ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ç ïðïßá Ý÷åé èÝóåé üëåò áõôÝò ôéò ðñïóðÜèåéåò õðü ôçí áéãßäá ôçò>. Ï äÞìáñ÷ïò ôçò ÁèÞíáò ðñüóöåñå óôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï Ýíá ðåñßôå÷íï áóçìÝíéï äßóêï ìå ôï Ýìâëçìá ôçò ÁèÞíáò êáé ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áíôáðÝäùóå ôï äþñï ìå Ýíá éóôïñéêü ôüìï ãéá ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, ðïëõôåëÞ Ýêäïóç ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ.
Ôï ðñþôï ôïõ ôáîßäé óôá Ôßñáíá ðñáãìáôïðïßçóå ï ðñüåäñïò Óõìâïõëßïõ ÁðïäÞìïõ Åëëçíéóìïý ê. ¢íôñéïõ ¢èåíò üðïõ óõíáíôÞèçêå ìå ôçí áíþôáôç ðïëéôéêÞ çãåóßá ôçò ÷þñáò êáé ôïí Ìáêáñéüôáôï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÔéñÜíùí êáé ÐÜóçò Áëâáíßáò ê. ÁíáóôÜóéï, èÝôïíôáò ôéò âÜóåéò ãéá íá åõñý öéëáíèñùðéêü ðñüãñáììá óôç ÷þñá áõôÞ. Ï ê. ¢èåíò åß÷å îå÷ùñéóôÝò óõíáíôÞóåéò ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò Áëâáíßáò ê. ÐåôæÝð ÌåúíôÜíé êáé ôïí ðñùèõðïõñãü ê. ÌÜéêï óôïõò ïðïßïõò êáé åîÞãçóå ôçí ðñüèåóç ôïõ ÓÁÅ íá âïçèÞóåé ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ ìåéïíüôçôá. Ôï ÓÁÅ ó÷åäéÜæåé íá âïçèÞóåé ìå ôçí ðáñï÷Þ ôçò áìÝóùò áðáñáßôçôçò éáôñéêÞò ðåñßèáëøçò, ôçí áíïéêïäüìçóç åêðáéäåõôéêþí êáé Üëëùí ó÷ïëéêþí êôéñßùí êáé ôçí óõíäñïìÞ óå Üëëåò áíÜãêåò ôçò êïéíüôçôáò. Ç ðáñÝìâáóç ôïõ ÓÁÅ óôçí Áëâáíßá áêïëïõèåß Ýíá ðïëý åðéôõ÷çìÝíï ðñüãñáììá ßäñõóçò éáôñéêþí êÝíôñùí óôéò Ýîé íÝåò äçìïêñáôßåò ôçò ðñþçí ÓïâéåôéêÞò ¸íùóçò. <Ðñüêåéôáé íá óõíåñãáóôïýìå ðïëý óôåíÜ ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁíáóôÜóéï ðïõ
Ý÷åé Þäç ðñïóöÝñåé óôï ãåíéêü ðëçèõóìü óçìáíôéêÜ Ýñãá êáé åðéôåýãìáôá üðùò ôï Éáôñéêü ÊÝíôñï óôá Ôßñáíá ôï ïðïßï åßíáé åöÜìéëëï ðáñüìïéùí êÝíôñùí ôùí äõôéêþí ÷ùñþí> åßðå ï ê. ¢èåíò ìéëþíôáò ìå åíèïõóéáóìü ãéá ôï Ýñãï ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáé ôüíéóå üôé óôéò óõíáíôÞóåéò ôïõ ìå ôïõò Áëâáíïýò çãÝôåò áíáöÝñèçêå êáé óôéò áíçóõ÷ßåò ãéá ôçí áóöÜëåéá êáé åõçìåñßá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò êïéíüôçôáò. Ï ê. ¢èåíò óõíáíôÞèçêå åðßóçò ìå ÅëëçíéêÞò êáôáãùãÞò áîéùìáôïý÷ïõò ôçò Áëâáíßáò, ôïí õðïõñãü Õãåßáò ê. ËÝïíáñíô Óüëéò, ôïí áíáðëçñùôÞ Õðïõñãü Åêðáßäåõóçò ê. ÁíäñÝá ÌÜñôïò, ôïí Õðïõñãü Ïéêïíïìéêþí ÁíáóôÜò ÁíôæÝëé êáé ôï ðñüåäñï ôïõ Êüììáôïò Áíèñùðßíùí ÄéêáéùìÜôùí Âáóßëç ÌÝëï. ¹ôáí ç äåýôåñç óõíÜíôçóç ôïõ ê. ¢èåíò ìå ôï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁíáóôÜóéï êáé ç äåýôåñç åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óôçí Áëâáíßá. Óôçí ðñþôç ôïõ åðßóêåøç, áðïóôïëÞ ôïõ ÓÁÅ óôç íüôéá Áëâáíßá ôï ðåñáóìÝíï êáëïêáßñé, åß÷áí åðéóêåöèåß ôï Áñãõñüêáóôñï êáé ôïõò Áãßïõò ÓáñÜíôá, üðïõ åßíáé óõãêåíôñùìÝíï ôï ìåãáëýôåñï ðïóïóôü ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò êïéíüôçôáò.
Áíþôáôá óôåëÝ÷ç ôçò ÏëõìðéáêÞò óå åèéìïôõðéêÞ åðßóêåøç óôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï
ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ ÃÉÁ ÔÇÍ ÇÌÅÑÁ ÔÙÍ ÅÕ×ÁÑÉÓÔÉÙÍ u óåë. 16 ìÝñç êáé áêüìá óå ìÝñç ôá ïðïßá äåí Þôáí êáí ãíùóôÜ óôéò ãåíéÝò ôùí ðñþôùí ×ñéóôéáíþí. ¼ôáí ï Áðüóôïëïò Ðáýëïò êÞñõîå ôï ÅõáããÝëéï öÝñíïíôáò ôïí êáñðü ôçò ðßóôåùò ó üëï ôïí êüóìï (Êïë. 1:6), åííïïýóå ôïí Ìåóïãåéáêü êüóìï ôçò Pax Romana. ¼ìùò óôéò ìÝñåò ìáò ìðïñïýìå ðñÜãìáôé íá äïýìå ôïí Ëüãï ôçò ÆùÞò íá ðáñÜãåé ôÝôïéïí êáñðü óå êÜèå êáôïéêçìÝíç Þðåéñï ôçò õöçëßïõ, þóôå Üíäñåò êáé ãõíáßêåò êÜèå öõëÞò êáé Ýèíïõò êáé ãëþóóçò íá ïìïëïãïýí üôé ï Éçóïýò ×ñéóôüò åßíáé ï Êýñéïò, ðñïò äüîá ôïõ Èåïý Ðáôñüò. Ó áõôÞ ôçí ôåëåõôáßá ÷éëéåôçñßäá, êÜèå ãåãïíüò óôç æùÞ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò -áêüìá êáé ôï ðéï ôñáãéêü- Ý÷åé åîõðçñåôÞóåé ôçí äéÜäïóç ôùí êçñõãìÜôùí ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ êáé ôçí ðñüïäï ôçò áíèñþðéíçò ïéêïãÝíåéáò. Ïé êáéñïß ôùí êáôáðéÝóåùí êáé äéùãìþí Ý÷ïõí ðåñéÝñãùò âïçèÞóåé óôçí äéÜäïóç ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ, áêñéâþò üðùò êáé óôéò ðñþôåò çìÝñåò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò (âë. Ðñáî 8:1,4). Åðß ðëÝïí, åìåßò ùò Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíïß Ý÷ïõìå äå÷èåß ôïí ôåëåõôáßï êáéñü ìéá éäéáßôåñç ÷Üñç. Áí êáé ç êïéíüôçôÜ ìáò îåêßíçóå ôáðåéíÜ ùò ìéá óõãêÝíôñùóç öôù÷þí ïéêïãåíåéþí ìåôáíáóôþí, ôþñá óôï ôÝëïò ôïõ 20ïõ áéþíïò Ý÷åé ãßíåé ìéá áðü ôéò ðéï åýðïñåò êáé óå ìåãÜëï âáèìü ìïñöùìÝíåò åèíéêÝò ïìÜäåò áõôÞò ôçò ÷þñáò. Áõôü åßíáé áíáìößâïëá åõëïãßá Èåïý. ÁëëÜ ðÜíù áð üëá, ùò Ïñèüäïîïé ×ñéóôéáíïß Ý÷ïõìå äéáôçñÞóåé ôçí åíüôçôá ôçò ðßóôåùò ìÝ÷ñé ôþñá, ðáñÜ ôéò óïâáñÝò áðåéëÝò ó÷ßóìáôïò ðïõ åíÝóêçøáí óå äéÜöïñåò ðåñéóôÜóåéò êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôùí ôåëåõôáßùí äýï áéþíùí. ÁõôÞ ç áêëüíçôç åíüôçôá ìåôáîý ìáò êáé ìå ôç ÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá åßíáé áóöáëþò ôï ðéï ðïëýôéìï äþñï áð üëá üóá ìáò Ý÷åé ÷áñßóåé ôï ¢ãéï Ðíåýìá. Ùò êïéíüôçôá ðßóôåùò ïöåßëïõìå íá åêöñÜóïõìå ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ìáò ãéá áõôÞ ôçí áíåêôßìçôç åõëïãßá. Ï Øáëìùäüò ìáò ëÝåé, <ÌåãÜëá ôá Ýñãá Êõñßïõ, åîåæçôçìÝíá åéò ðÜíôá ôá èåëÞìáôá áõôïý> (Øáëìüò 111:2). Êáèþò ìåëåôïýìå ôá ðñïçãïýìåíá ÷ßëéá ÷ñüíéá ôçò æùÞò ìáò ùò Åêêëçóßáò, âëÝðïõìå ÷ùñßò äéóôáãìü Þ áìöéâïëßá üôé áõôÞ ç ÷éëéåôçñßäá õðÞñîå ðëïõóéüôáôç óå ïõñÜíéåò åõëïãßåò. ÄõíáìùìÝíïé óôçí øõ÷Þ áð áõôÝò ôéò óêÝøåéò, ìå êáñäéÝò ãåìÜôåò áðü åõ÷áñéóôßåò êáé äïîïëïãßåò, áò åîõìíÞóïõìå ôï üíïìá ôïõ Èåïý, ï Ïðïßïò Ýäùóå ó åìÜò êáé ó üëïí ôïí êüóìï ôï ìïíáäéêü Õéü Ôïõ, ìáæß ìå êÜèå åõëïãßá áõôÞò ôçò æùÞò êáé ôçò æùÞò ðïõ èá áêïëïõèÞóåé. Åý÷ïìáé ï Èåüò íá ÷áñßóåé óå üëïõò óáò ìéá åõôõ÷éóìÝíç ÇìÝñá Åõ÷áñéóôéþí êáé ïé ôåëåõôáßåò çìÝñåò áõôïý ôïõ ÷ñüíïõ êáé ôçò ÷éëéåôçñßäïò ôçò ÷Üñéôïò íá åßíáé åõëïãçìÝíåò. Ìå ðáôñéêÞ åí ×ñéóôþ áãÜðç,
Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò
Ï Äéåõèýíùí Óýìâïõëïò ôçò ÏëõìðéáêÞò ê. Rod Lynch (áñéóôåñÜ) êáé ï Ãåíéêüò ÄéåõèõíôÞò ãéá ôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ê. Êþóôáò ÓöçíéÜò ìå ôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï óôï ãñáöåßï ôïõ êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò åðßóêåøÞò ôïõò.
Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò êáëùóüñéóå óôçí É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ôá çãåôéêÜ óôåëÝ÷ç ôçò ÏëõìðéáêÞò Áåñïðïñßáò ðïõ ôïí åðéóêÝöèçêáí ãéá íá ôïõ åõ÷çèïýí ãéá ôçí áíÜëçøç ôùí êáèçêüíôùí ôïõ áëëÜ êáé íá ôïí åíçìåñþóïõí ãéá ôá âÞìáôá ðñïüäïõ ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéåß ç ÏëõìðéáêÞ. Ç ÏëõìðéáêÞ Áåñïðïñßá èåùñåßôáé ðÜíôá áëëçëÝíäåôá äåìÝíç ìå ôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò, ìéá ðïõ ùò åèíéêüò áåñïìåôáöïñÝáò êáé ðñáãìáôïðïéþíôáò êáèçìåñéíÝò ðôÞóåéò ÷ùñßò óôáèìü, óõãêåíôñþíåé ôçí ðñïôßìçóç ôïõ óõíüëïõ ó÷åäüí ôùí ïìïãåíþí ãéá ôéò ìåôáêéíÞóåéò ôïõò áðü êáé ðñïò ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé áðïôåëåß ãéá ðïëëÝò äåêáåôßåò ôþñá ôïí óõíäåôéêü êñßêï. Ç ÏëõìðéáêÞ Ý÷åé áñ÷ßóåé ðñüóöáôá Ýíá ðñüãñáììá áíáäéïñãÜíùóçò êáé åêóõã÷ñïíéóìïý ôïõ ôñüðïõ ëåéôïõñãßáò ôçò áëëÜ êáé ôïõ óôüëïõ ôùí áåñïóêáöþí ôçò. ¼óïí áöïñÜ ôá äñïìïëüãéá ôçò
ÁìåñéêÞò, ç ÏëõìðéáêÞ áíáêïßíùóå üôé ðáñÝëáâå êáé ôï ôÝôáñôï ïëïêáßíïõñéï áåñïóêÜöïò ôýðïõ Airbus A340-300 êáé ôï ïðïßï ïíüìáóå <Ìáñáèþí>. Ôá ôÝóóåñá áåñïóêÜöç ðñüêåéôáé åíôüò ôïõ ÷ñüíïõ íá áíôéêáôáóôÞóïõí ôá ãåñáóìÝíá ðéá Jumbo-B747 ðïõ åêôåëïýóáí ôá äñïìïëüãéá ÁìåñéêÞò, ÊáíáäÜ êáé Áõóôñáëßáò. Ôá íÝá áåñïóêÜöç åßíáé ÷ùñçôéêüôçôïò 295 åðéâáôþí êáé äéáèÝôïõí ôçí ôåëåõôáßá ëÝîç ôçò ôå÷íïëïãßáò óå üôé áöïñÜ ôçí áóöÜëåéá áëëÜ êáé ôçí Üíåóç êáé ðïëõôÝëåéá êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôïõ ôáîéäéïý, üðùò äïñõöïñéêÜ ôçëÝöùíá, öáî, ðñïóùðéêÝò ïèüíåò ôçëåïñÜóåùò ãéá ôïí êÜèå åðéâÜôç êëð. Óå ðñþôç öÜóç ç ÏëõìðéáêÞ ó÷åäéÜæåé ôçí ðñáãìáôïðïßçóç 10 ðôÞóåùí ôçí åâäïìÜäá áðü ôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç êáé ôñéþí îå÷ùñéóôþí êáé áíåîÜñôçôùí ðôÞóåùí áðü ôçí Âïóôþíç ìå óêïðü íá åãêáèéäñýóåé êáé áð åõèåßáò îå÷ùñéóôÞ óýíäåóç ìå ôï ÓéêÜãï.
10 ÍÏÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ 1999
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 17
Ç ÐÑÙÔÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ 30 Ïêôùâñßïõ 1999 Ðñïò ôïõò ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò, ôïõò ÅõëáâåóôÜôïõò Éåñåßò êáé Äéáêüíïõò, ôïõò Ìïíá÷ïýò êáé Ìïíá÷Ýò, ôïõò ÐñïÝäñïõò êáé ÌÝëç ôùí Êïéíïôéêþí Óõìâïõëßùí, ôéò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõò Áäåëöüôçôåò, ôá ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ Ó÷ïëåßá, ôçí Íåïëáßá, ôéò Åëëçíïñèüäïîåò Ïñãáíþóåéò êáé ïëüêëçñï ôï ×ñéóôåðþíõìïí ðëÞñùìá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.
Áäåëöïß êáé ÁäåëöÝò åí Êõñßù, <×áßñåôå åí Êõñßù ðÜíôïôå^ ðÜëéí åñþ, ÷áßñåôå>.(ðñïò Öéëéððçóßïõò 4:4) Åðß ôç åõêáéñßá ôçò óõìðëçñþóåùò ôïõ ðñþôïõ ìçíüò áðü ôçò åíèñïíßóåþò ìïõ ùò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ, óáò áðåõèýíù åãêÜñäéï ÷áéñåôéóìü ðáôñéêÞò áãÜðçò óõíïäåõüìåíï áðü èåñìÝò ðñïóåõ÷Ýò õðÝñ åéñÞíçò, ðñïüäïõ êáé åíüôçôïò. Êáèþò áñ÷ßæù, ìå ôçí ÷Üñç êáé ôï èÝëçìá ôïõ Èåïý, ôçí éåñüôáôç äéáêïíßá ìïõ, ôçí ïðïßá ìïõ åíåðéóôåýèç ôï óåðôü Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ìáò, öÝñù óôï íïõ ìïõ ôá ëüãéá ôïõ Áðïóôüëïõ Ðáýëïõ, ï ïðïßïò ìáò ðñïóêáëåß ðÜíôïôå óå óõììåôï÷Þ óôçí åõáããåëéêÞ êëÞóç ôçò ÷áñÜò. Ç äéðëÞ åíôïëÞ ôïõ <×áßñåôå åí Êõñßù ðÜíôïôå^ ðÜëéí åñþ, ÷áßñåôå> êáèïñßæåé ôçí æùÞ ôçò ðßóôåùò ðïý æïýìå ìå ôçí ÷Üñç ôïõ Õéïý ôïõ Èåïý, ìéá æùÞ ðëÞñç åõëïãéþí ðïõ ðïëëáðëáóéÜæïíôáé äéÜ ôçò êïéíùíßáò ìáò ðñïò ôïí Èåü êáé ôïí óõíÜíèñùðü ìáò, åõëïãéþí ðïõ áðïëáìâÜíïõìå äéÜ ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Ôá áðïóôïëéêÜ áõôÜ ëüãéá, <×áßñåôå åí Êõñßù>, ôá áéóèÜíïìáé ùò ìéá Üìåóç ðñáãìáôéêüôçôá, ëüãù ôçò õðÝñï÷çò õðïäï÷Þò ðïõ ìïõ åðéöõëÜîáôå Þäç áðü ôçí çìÝñá ôçò áößîåþò ìïõ, ùò ôïõ íÝïõ óáò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ. ÐñÜãìáôé, ç êáëïóýíç ôçí ïðïßá ìïõ äåßîáôå ìïõ Ýêáìå âáèåéÜ åíôýðùóç. Ïé êÜñôåò óáò, ôá ãñÜììáôÜ óáò, ïé åíáãêáëéóìïß óáò, ôá ëüãéá êáé Ýñãá ôçò áãÜðçò óáò ìå óõíåêßíçóáí âáèýôáôá, þóôå íá ìçí åõñßóêù ëüãïõò ãéá íá åêöñÜóù ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ìïõ. Áò åßíáé äïîáóìÝíï ôï üíïìá ôïõ Êõñßïõ ãéá ôçí ÷áñÜ êáé ôçí ÷Üñç, ôçí ïðïßá Åêåßíïò ðÜíôïôå ìáò ðñïóöÝñåé! Êáèþò áíáëáìâÜíù ôçí ìåãÜëçí áõôÞí åõèýíç ôçò äéáêïíßáò ìïõ áðÝíáíôß óáò, åíèáññýíïìáé óõíå÷þò áðü ôçí èåôéêÞ óáò áíôáðüêñéóç, ôçí äéÜèåóÞ óáò íá âïçèÞóåôå, êáé ôï ðíåýìá ôçò ÷ñéóôéáíéêÞò áãÜðçò êáé êáôáëëáãÞò. Åý÷ïìáé, üðùò Êýñéïò ï Èåüò, óáò áíôáìåßøåé ðëïõóéïðÜñï÷á ãéá ôçí êáëïóýíç óáò ôüóï ðñïò ôï ðñüóùðü ìïõ üóï êáé ðñïò áëëÞëïõò. Áõôüò ï ðñþôïò ìÞíáò ôçò ðïéìáíôéêÞò ìïõ äéáêïíßáò áíáëþèçêå óå ðïëëÜ êáé óçìáíôéêÜ äéïéêçôéêÜ èÝìáôá. Èá ðñÝðåé, üìùò, ðÜíôïôå, íá åðéôåëïýìå ôï Ýñãï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, áôåíßæïíôáò ôï ìÝëëïí ü÷é ìüíï ôïí åðüìåíï ìÞíá ç Ýôïò, áëëÜ êáé ôçí åñ÷üìåíç ÷éëéåôçñßäá ðïõ ðñïâÜëëåé åìðñüò ìáò. Äéüôé äåí áñêåß íá óêåðôüìåèá ðåñß ôùí ó÷åäßùí êáé ôùí ðñïóäïêéþí ìáò, ìüíï ìå âÜóç ôï Üìåóï ìÝëëïí. ÏôéäÞðïôå ðñÜôôïìå Ý÷åé åðéðôþóåéò ðïý åðåêôåßíïíôáé óôï Üãíùóôï ìÝëëïí. Èá ðñÝðåé íá áíáëïãéæüìåèá ôéò ôåñÜóôéåò äõíáôüôçôåò, ðïõ Ý÷ïìå ìå êÜèå ëüãï Þ Ýñãï ìáò íá åðçñåÜóïõìå ôçí æùÞ ôùí ãåíåþí ðïõ èá ìáò áêïëïõèÞóïõí. Ç äõíáôüôçôÜ ìáò íá åðçñåÜóïõìå ôï ìÝëëïí äåí åßíáé ïýôå ðåñéïñéóìÝíç ïýôå ðñïêáèïñéóìÝíç. Ó áõôÞ ôçí êñßóéìç êáìðÞ ôçò áíèñþðéíçò éóôïñßáò, áêïýìå êáèçìåñéíþò ðïëëÝò êáé äéÜöïñåò ðñïâëÝøåéò ðåñß ôïõ ìÝëëïíôïò. ¢ëëïé ðñïâëÝðïõí Ýíá ìÝëëïí ðëÞñåò êáôáóôñïöþí, åíþ Üëëïé Ýíá ìÝëëïí ðëÞñåò õðïó÷Ýóåùí. Ôï ãåãïíüò üìùò ðáñáìÝíåé, üôé ôï ìÝëëïí åßíáé Ýíá âéâëßï ðïõ äåí Ý÷åé ãñáöåß áêüìç. ÊÜèå çìÝñá ðïõ åõñßóêåôáé åìðñüò ìáò åßíáé óáí ìéá Üãñáöç óåëßäá, ôçò ïðïßáò ôï ðåñéå÷üìåíï èá åîáñôçèåß áðü ôçí ðïéüôçôá ôùí Ýñãùí ìáò, ôéò ðñïóåõ÷Ýò ìáò êáé ôçí ðñïèõìßá ìáò íá äå÷èïýìå ôçí ÷Üñç ôïõ ÐáíáãÜèïõ Èåïý. Áò áöÞóïõìå ëïéðüí êÜèå óôåßñá ðñüãíùóç ôïõ ìÝëëïíôïò êáé áò áöéåñþóïõìå ôïí åáõôü ìáò óôï Ýñãï ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ. Èá Þèåëá íá åðáíáëÜâù ôçí ÝêêëçóÞ ìïõ ðñïò üëïõò óáò, íá áãùíéóèïýìå ãéá ôçí ðåñáéôÝñù êáëëéÝñãåéá êáé áíÜðôõîç ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôåþò ìáò êáé ôçí äéáôÞñçóç ôçò ðïëõôßìïõ ðïëéôéóôéêÞò êëçñïíïìßáò ìáò, íá åðåêôåßíïõìå ôï ðåäßï ôçò áãÜðçò ìáò ðñïò ôïí óõíÜíèñùðü ìáò, êáé íá äéáöõëÜîïõìå ìå æÞëï ôçí èåüóäïôç åíüôçôá ôïõ óþìáôïò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ðïõ åßíáé ç Åêêëçóßá Ôïõ. ÅíùìÝíïé ìå ôïí ôñéðëü äåóìü ôçò ðßóôåùò, ôçò öéëáíèñùðßáò êáé ôçò ðéóôüôçôïò ðñïò ôçí Åêêëçóßá, ïõäÝðïôå èá ÷ùñéóèïýìå áðü ôïí Èåü, ï Ïðïßïò ìáò êÜëåóå íá Ý÷ïõìå ôï éåñü üíïìá ôùí <Ïñèïäüîùí ×ñéóôéáíþí>. Ðñï÷ùñþíôáò åìðñüò ìáæß ó áõôÞ ôçí ðïñåßá ôçò äõíáìéêÞò ðßóôåùò, ôçò áðåñéïñßóôïõ áãÜðçò êáé áññáãïýò åíüôçôïò, äåí ìðïñïýìå ðáñÜ íá øÜëëïõìå ýìíïõò äïîïëïãßáò êáé ëáôñåßáò ðñïò ôïí Ôñéáäéêü Èåü, ôïõ Ïðïßïõ ç ÷Üñç ìáò Ýóùóå êáé ìáò åõëüãçóå ðëïõóßùò. ¸ôóé èá åêðëçñþóïõìå ôçí áðïóôïëéêÞ ðáñáããåëßá <×áßñåôå åí Êõñßù ðÜíôïôå^ ðÜëéí åñþ ÷áßñåôå>, Ýùò ôçí çìÝñá ðïõ èá åíùèïýìå ìå ôïí ÷ïñü ôùí áããåëéêþí ôáãìÜôùí ãéá íá õìíÞóïõìå ôïí Èåü ëÝãïíôáò ìáæß ôïõò: <ç åõëïãßá êáé ç äüîá êáé ç óïößá êáé ç åõ÷áñéóôßá êáé ç ôéìÞ êáé ç äýíáìéò êáé ç éó÷ýò ôù Èåþ çìþí åéò ôïõò áéþíáò ôùí áéþíùí^ ÁìÞí>. (Áðïê. 7:12). ÌåôÜ ðáôñéêÞò áãÜðçò åí Êõñßù,
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Revisiting Kosovo by Elizabeth Economou
On September 13, 1999, nearly three months after Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic bowed to NATO demands and plucked his troops out of Kosovo, Albanian extremists mined and destroyed the church of the Saints Cosmas and Damian of the 14th Century Zociste Monastery, in the village of Zociste in Kosovo.
Gravesites of deceased monks at the Zociste Monastery have not been spared desecration.
What is left of the iconostasis of St. Eliah’s Church near Djakovica, after it was vandalized and desecrated last June.
The church built in the year 1327 AD and known for its paintings depicting images of Old Testament prophets is especially famous for housing holy relics of Saints Cosmas and Damian. The Holy Unmercenaries as they were called were Christian Physicians who healed many from their spiritual and bodily sickness. Since the official ending of the war between NATO and Yu- The Holy Trinity Church in Velika Reka was vandalized and gutted . goslavia on June 20, 1999, more than seventy Serbian Ortho- tion and desecration blighting Orthodox dox Christian Churches and Monasteries shrines in Serbia in this so-called time of in Kosovo and Metohija have been de- peace. In a recent letter to the Christian and stroyed or damaged. What s more, the Serbian Orthodox Church and its histori- civilized world, the Patriarch of Serbia, cal and religious heritage are being ex- His Holiness, Pavle writes: In Kosovo and posed to systematic destruction and ex- Metohija there will be no victory of hutermination amid the presence of UN and manity and justice while revenge and disthe International Peace Forces (KFOR), the order prevail. No one has the moral right to celebrate the victory complacently, as world s most powerful armed forces. These photos on the official web site long as one evil is being replaced with anof the Serbian Orthodox Church represent other and the freedom of one people is a smattering of the widespread destruc- becoming the slavery of another.
Monks stand amid the rubble in the wake of an explosion that demolished St. Nicolas Church in Slovinje last July.
NOVEMBBER 10, 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Parental Influence on Children Bible part of their reading? Students with concerned and involved parents score the highest academin 1950, historian Henry Steele cally, regardless of economic conditions Commager wrote in a Life maga- or whether the school is public, charter zine article on the status of mod- or private. Parents can not afford to wait ern education: Many of the failures we for new education policies or for the Ten ascribe to contemporary education are, in Commandments to go up at school. Students with disciplined, involved fact, failures of society as a whole. Since so many Americans are con- and moral parents tend to exhibit better cerned about education, before new poli- character. Parents must know all Ten Comcies and campaign promises are given se- mandments, and be living witnesses of rious consideration, perhaps a thorough them for their children. Moral education and academic edulook at societal failures is necessary. cation begins a home. When asked, probEducation reformer Chester E. Finn Jr. writes in the September issue of Com- ably 99.9 percent of Orthodox children mentary: Although many parents con- credit their mothers for teaching them tinue to work with great determination to about their faith. However, St. Paul admonishes: Faensure that their children develop into adults of sound character, an appallingly thers, do not provoke your children to large number are falling down on the job. anger, but bring them up in the training Parents are failing their children. In and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians many cases parents would rather sue school 6:4). Why would St. Paul single fathers boards than accept that they must discipline out in this particular admonition? Perhaps because instructing children in godly ways their children. does not come as Rarely do they naturally to fathers read teacher memos Orthodox Christians should as to mothers? or school newsletters, What children and fewer and fewer not put their hope in “Caesar” need most to learn attend parent-teacher develop moral conferences. Yet, they or government policies first. and character are posidemand higher Orthodox Christians should tive role models. grades, even if their When they instruct children perform marfirst trust in God, and follow their children, parginally. ents are most credToday s parents up by taking responsibility. ible when they are show greater lenience not hypocrites. Past in allowing their children to miss school, and become much less indiscretions do not automatically make involved with homework and school them hypocrites. Parents must be reconciled through projects. Some parents simply care more for their own careers than their children s confession and then not compromise their morality. Past drug use, for example, does education. While many parents sleep at the not mean that cigarettes are okay. Past wheel, they await the next great politician sexual indiscretions do not mean that mild or policy that will save their children. Wait- pornography is now acceptable. Past vioing for politics to fix education is like ex- lent behavior does not mean that verbal pecting television ratings to purify viewing. abuse is okay now. When parents strive Television ratings have been in use for higher standards and excellence, chilfor over three years and, as predicted, pro- dren will learn and follow. What s a parent to do? grams only have worsened. Be involved in your children s lives, Ratings were an excuse for many parents to relinquish their responsibility to and understand that quality time is quanmonitor programs. The family hour is his- tity time. Read daily to your children. tory, and adult language and sexual con Read the Bible to them, and live it. tent surpass cable programs. Record num Eliminate or drastically curtail telebers of children view WCW and WWF wrestling filled with obscene gestures and lan- vision viewing. Read reviews on TV programs, movguage that would embarrass NFL athletes. Despite strong cautions from the ies, concerts, new CDs, video games and Motion Picture Association of America, even children s magazines before your movie theaters showing R-rated American children are exposed to them. Attend church with your children, Pie and South Park this summer were filled with elementary school-aged children; and participate in the Eucharist with them. Talk with your children, even when many of them with their parents. Parents are the most serious problem they are teens. When they are non-responin their children s sports programs. Soc- sive simply redirect questions and comcer games are riddled with foul language, ments instead of putting them down. Love your spouse unconditionally, insults and poor sportsmanship by parents. About the only benefit of soccer to- for this is perhaps the greatest stabilizing day is that it keeps parents off the streets force in children s lives. Love your children unconditionally, on Saturdays. Many well-intentioned parents blame for they are basically your genes with their schools for certain failures in society, but failed own will and God s image. Fathers, all of the above goes double for you. parenting hurts both schools and society. Orthodox Christians should not put Some well-intentioned parents urge school boards and governments to pub- their hope in Caesar or government licly display the Ten Commandments; but policies first. Orthodox Christians should those same Ten Commandments are no- first trust in God, and follow up by taking responsibility. where to be found at home. Real influence over children is not at Do concerned parents ever open those 2.3 bibles per household and in- school or in popular culture, but at home struct their children? For 20 years educa- with mom and dad. Fr. Artemas is pastor of St. George tion experts have urged parents to read to their children daily. Are they? And is the Church in Downey, Calif. by Fr. Angelo Artemas
I
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Interfaith Marriage When Both Spouses Are Highly Religious by Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D./LMFT
In this short article you will meet two interfaith spouses who have strong attachments to their religious backgrounds, and consider these attachments of paramount importance to their individual, couple, and family well being. Moreover, while this couple is fictitious, rest assured that these types of interfaith couples do fill our pews on Sunday mornings, and the comments and information that follow are typical of highly religious interfaith couples perceptions and lived experiences.
Meet Joe and Ellen Joe (46) and Ellen (45) have been married for 19 years. Joe is Catholic, and identifies himself as a third generation Italian-American. Ellen self identifies herself as a second generation Greek-American who was raised in a Greek-American Orthodox home. In addition, Joe is a successful small business owner, and Ellen is an elementary school teacher. Both describe their marriage is positive terms, and boast about their three children during our conversation. When asked how they met, Joe states that we were introduced through some mutual friends at a small Christian liberal arts college. Ellen agrees, and continues the conversation by offering the following observation. What attracted me to Joe was his strong faith in God: a quality that I had difficulty finding in the Greeks and nonGreeks that I dated before Joe. Joe continues this line of thought and also states, if either of us were marginal believers, I don t think we would have considered marriage. We fell in love with each other because of our mutual Christian faith. And it s our faith in Christ that continues to play a central role in our happiness as a couple and family. When this couple is asked if they attend one church or two, Ellen states, we try and respect both of our religious traditions, because we believe that, that is what God wants. But we probably attend the Greek Orthodox Church more frequently because we have chosen to baptize our children in the Orthodox Church. So I guess what you might say about us is that we re a Christian family who work at being Christians through two closely related Christian traditions. Absolutely, Joe emphatically adds. We believe that we are both Christians who are part of Christ s Church, but we also respect our individual religious preferences. The truth is, Ellen feels more comfortable in the Greek Orthodox Church, and I feel more comfortable in the Catholic Church. We respect and honor this very private and important part of our spiritual walks, and also celebrate our common Christian Faith. It s also a lot of work, Ellen adds. We have spent considerable time becoming very familiar with each religious tradition. And I might also add here that Joe, bless his heart, has sometimes struggled with all the Greek in the services, but he is doing better then he was when we first got married. After making this latter point, Joe nods in agreement, but chooses to change the subject and talk about their struggles as parents. And we ve also labored long and hard to help our three children gain a respect for our Lord, as well as both parents religious traditions.
That s right, Ellen states. That s always been very important to us. By now both spouses are talking very freely about their marriage and family, and Ellen, with a twinkle in her eye continues, And maybe people might think that our focus on being a two-church family may create confusion, but nothing could be further from the truth. The real truth is that our efforts to honor and respect both religious traditions have been a real plus for our family, and if (for some reason) we hadn t proceeded in this way, I believe that this might have been very harmful to our marriage and family. Ellen looks at Joe for confirmation, and Joe continues our conversation. It s like Ellen said. We re pretty happy with where we find ourselves at this time in our life, because we believe it s where God wants us to be . Sure, we d like things to be different between our two churches, and we pray that things may be different one day in the future, but we understand that won t happen anytime soon. So, we love and respect both traditions, and try and help our children to do the same.
Some Observations 1. Inter-Christian couples like Joe and Ellen not only have strong attachments to their religious traditions, but also believe that they are a single-faith family who worship God through two closely related Christian faith traditions. 2. These types of couples do not generally consider conversion a viable alternative for reasons like the following few. They strongly believe God has not called them to become a single religion couple and family. They believe that God desires that they continue to respect each partner s faith tradition. They respect each other s religious needs and preferences, and maintain that conversion could function to disturb their partner s personal relationship with God. They believe that conversion might function to negatively impact couple and family well being, rather than having a positive affect on their marriage and family. 3. These types of couples also tend to espouse an ecumenical vision of the church, and conceptualize themselves as Christians who were born into one Church that has many religious/cultural traditions. 4. As parents these types of couples will likely baptize their children in one church, and raise their children in one church. Nonetheless, because of their ecumenical perception of the church, these types of couples will also seek to enhance their children s developing religious identity by exposing them to each parent s religious traditions.
Serving these Types of Couples While the recommendations that follow may be far from comprehensive, they are representative of some of the suggestions that highly religious interfaith couples have given during their participation in the Interfaith Research Project. These types of couples desire that both our clergy and lay people to avoid making any disrespectful inferences or judgments regarding their decision to remain in an interfaith marriage. In this later case, they suggest that clergy and other members of the congregation might remember that their present choice has prayerfully emerged, and it is
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION u page 5 because the mind itself remembers itself, understands itself, and loves itself, but rather because it can remember, understand and love its Maker. He continues by asserting that when the minds does this, it is made wise. All of the Church Fathers correctly defended the use of the mind in this fashion. Only in this fashion can we be prepared to hurl smooth rather than rough stones at the enemy.
Role models The fifth and final stone that should characterize the life of an effective Christian catechist is personal praxis. Praxis corresponds to the final admonition of our Lord, that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. For Clement of Alexandria, Christian praxis, phronema or life-style is the very goal of the entire educational enterprise. As such, he defines divine education as the sound training from childhood in the path of virtue. Like Clement, Chrysostom insists that it is necessary for educators to be good role models to their students. According to Chrysostom, the work of the teacher is a mighty contest . . .a good warfare . . . and therefore requires that the teacher must be clothed in battle array. According to Chrysostom, one of the qualities that a Christian teacher should have is a good conscience. In other words, a good teacher must first teach himself. Chrysostom insists that he who was not a good solider cannot be a good general. Consequently, teachers must be instructed whole-heartedly in the faith. The lives of teachers should match their words. Before concluding our brief examination of the spiritual qualities of the effective Christian catechist we would do well to pause and recall where David chose his respective ordnance. As an experienced shepherd, David had learned that smooth
INTERFAITH MARRIAGE u page 21 not the result of laziness or certain philosophical secular influences. These types of couples also suggest that they are more likely to remain engaged and supportive of their local Greek Orthodox Church if their church refrains from the following: being overly ethnocentric
stones are rarely found in stagnant waters. So he knelt beside the swift flowing waters of a nearby stream. The wise Christian educator must do likewise. The most effective catechetical stones are only found in the ever-flowing waters of the Church where they might be tested by time and tempered by the Grace of the Holy Spirit.
Not alone In the final analysis, David was not willing to confront Goliath because he felt confident in his mastery of the slingshot. He stood before the Philistine giant because he truly believed that he did not stand alone in the contest. He did so because he believed that the God of his Fathers was with him. Although David was an expert with the slingshot his victory was not the result of his choice of stones. David could have dredged the stream dry of smooth stones yet they would never caused him to prevail over Goliath. The most important stone was David s absolute reliance on God. He was willing to place himself in the slingshot of God s purposes. St. Peter insists that we are all living stones . . . being built up . . . offering ourselves up as a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God (I Peter 2:5). The contemporary Christian educator would do well to remember this important truth. While skill, knowledge and technique are indeed indispensable instructional tools, the holy work of catechesis belongs to God. He and He alone is able to open the hearts of our students and impart wisdom, truth and the gifts of the Holy Spirit to them. In the end, like David, we must not rely upon ourselves but upon, Jesus Christ, the Eternal Stone for victory. He alone is the Rock . . . the Way, the Light and the Truth. Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is director of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education; frfrank@omaccess.com
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NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Youth Ministry
How Will They Know That We Are Christians? by Fr. Anastasios Bourantas
Is there anything on television that promotes abstinence, that advocates Christian morals and ethics? Does Hollywood encourage peaceful and amicable resolutions to conflict or do the producers continually resolve disagreements with aggressiveness, violence and a vengeful spirit? What happened at Woodstock 99? It wasn t the peaceful experience that it was intended to be, but it inflamed a spirit of immoral, vulgar and even criminal behavior. Media and society continuously send us subtle yet powerful messages about violence, sex and relationships. Studies conclusively link violence seen in the media with aggressive, hostile behavior. Violence, sex, and immoral behavior in movies, song lyrics, and television have desensitized our minds, our hearts, and our souls to the point where we do not realize how much they have negatively affected us. We are assaulted with these behaviors and attitudes that they do no bother us anymore and eventually we adopt them ourselves. If we see someone being mugged or beaten up, do we run to help, as the Good Samaritan did, or do we walk away? If we hear a friend boasting of their sexual conquests, do we envy them, or do we encourage them to treat them as human beings, and not as objects? How many times have we caught ourselves singing a catchy tune, only to realize that the words are crude, vulgar, offensive, and immoral? We may not be able to stop or even curb the promotion of sex and violence in our society, but we can remove it from our own personal lives. There will always be temptations around us that we will always have to battle. In the epistle to the Ephesians, St. Paul tells those who struggle with worldly evils, to take up the whole armor of God and put on the breastplate of righteousness with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. Everyone who stands for what is good, must wage a constant battle with the forces of evil. If we call ourselves Christians, we must express it by our faith and our actions by following God s commandments. Now he who keep His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. (1 John 3:24) This is reiterated by the modern Christian camp tune, they will know we are Christians by our love, by our love . We must stand firm to the teachings of our Orthodox faith and refrain from being tempted and falling into the mainstream of society that encourages violent and immoral behavior. We must take action against the violence and obscenity that is continuously promoted by television and music by refusing to go to movies that are full of gratuitous violent and immoral scenes, and also by steering clear from musical groups and individuals that glamorize aggressive, brutal behavior. Then, they will know that we are Christians, by our imitation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 25
challenge S AINTS AND F EASTS
St Gregory of Palamas Archbishop of Thessaloniki NOVEMBER 14
St. Gregory was born in 1296 to a noble family in Constantinople. While being raised in the royal palace, he received an excellent education in theological and philosophical studies. However, at the age of 21, he abandoned all of his comforts and withdrew to Mount Athos where he became a monk. St. Gregory was determined to restore Mt. Athos to the spiritual center it had once been and eventually succeeded in bringing it under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. St. Gregory was a supporter of Hesychasm a way of monastic life whose purpose is to achieve quietness (hesychia) through the contemplation of God in uninterrupted prayer. Although this hermetic way of life was challenged by opposing viewpoints, St. Gregory succeeded in defending Hesychasm and having it officially recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church. In 1347, St. Gregory was appointed Archbishop of Thessalonika, where he was known as a caring and loving pastor. After 12 years, at the age of 63, he died. Today, His holy relics rest in a beautiful church dedicated to him in Thessalonika. St. Gregory the scholar is recognized on the 2nd Sunday of Lent for his dedication to an ascetic life of prayer and fasting. In addition, the feast day of this theologian and hierarch is celebrated on Nov. 14.
Challenging Word Scramble On the New Testament: U , SING THE CLUES BELOW UNSCRAMBLE
THE WORDS TO DISCOVER THE DIFFERENT BOOKS OF THE
NEW TESTAMENT.
SIPHENEAS - A passage from this Epistle is read at the Wedding service.___________________ KRAM - Shortest of the Gospels, commonly thought to be the first written. ____________________ NAGSITALA - Epistle addressed to a group of churches in Asia Minor dealing with the question of whether a Gentile must become a Jew before he can become a Christian. ____________________ TYHTOMI - Two pastoral epistles written directly to this specific leader providing guidance and instruction how to overcome hardships in ministry to the faithful. ___________________________ TVEERLOINA - The only New Testament book not read in the liturgical services of the Orthodox Church. _______________________ SCAT - Accounts the spread of the Gospel by the Apostles from Jerusalem to the whole world. ________________________ THICRIASNON - Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; is not arrogant or rude . . . __________________________ ENHIPLOM - Letter asking for reconciliation between Onesimus, a runaway slave, and his master. _________________________ TAHWETM - Gospel to the Jews describing Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of God s promise as disclosed in the Old Testament. _______________________ SLANOSHATNIES - Two letters written to this young and unstable church in the capital of Macedonia. Considered to be the first written material (letters) of the New Testament. ______________________ MAJSE - General epistle, not written by St. Paul, whose major theme deals with the harmony of faith and works. _________________ MARONS - The longest of St. Paul s letters and probably his most influential. The major theme is God s righteousness revealed in Christ.__________________
Special Events
CELEBRATE THE END OF THE MILLENNIUM! Pan-Orthodox Youth Workers Conference Nov. 19-21 Antiochian Village Retreat Center, Ligonier, Pa.
Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) College and Young Adult Conference Dec. 18-22 Antiochian Village Retreat Center , Ligonier, Pa. For more information on both youth events, call your Diocese Youth Office or the National Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries @ 212-570-3560.
Email: youthoffice@goarch.org
FROM THE CHURCH FATHERS TO US! Among us you can find uneducated people, artisans, and dear old mothers who would not be able to put into words the usefulness of their teaching, but by their deeds they demonstrate the usefulness of their principles. They do not repeat words learned by heart, but they show good deeds: when hit they do not hit back, when robbed they do not go to court, they give to those who ask, and they love their fellow men as themselves. - Athenagoras, A Plea Regarding Christians
e g e l l o C : For udents St (OCF) Orthodox Christian Fellowship OCF is the Orthodox Church community on college and university campuses. The organization provides a caring environment for the life and growth of Orthodox Christians students and also maintains an effective witness to Christ and the Church on campus. OCF is not a substitute for Church, but a place to go between times of Church attendance. It is also a group to help make Church more meaningful. OCF is simply a manifestation of the Church on campus. To learn more about OCF, contact your local priest, or your Diocese Youth Director, or call the National Youth Office at 212-570-3560. Also, to place your name on the National OCF Mailing List, send name, address AND e-mail to youthoffice@goarch.org. Packages including Young Adult Events and other information and ideas will be sent to you, so that you stay connected.
To subscribe to the Youth Office Listserver, send an e-mail to: majordomo@list.goarch.org In the BODY of the e-mail, type in: subscribe youth
Liturgical Hymns of Praise by Orthodox Youth Now Available !
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 to this page Fr. Anastasios Bourantas Natalie Kulukundis Lia Ladas
DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 26
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
NJ Diocese Holds Clergy Laity Assembly by Peter Christopoulos
CHERRY HILL, N.J. On Oct. 22-23, the first combined Clergy-Laity Assembly of priests, parish councils, Philoptochos and presbyteres took place at St. Thomas Church with Bishop George of New Jersey presiding. The Assembly consisted of delegates from most of the Diocese s 52 parishes, representing New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. The activities began with a small Vesper Service in which Archbishop Demetrios participated. The meditation was offered eloquently by Fr. George Liacopoulos of Holy Trinity Church of Egg Harbor Township, N.J., on Jesus Christ the same, yesterday, today and forever, the conference theme. After Vespers, a dinner took place welcoming His Eminence. Bishop George delivered the Keynote Address A New
Peter Christopoulos
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS and Bishop George greet delegates to the Clergy-Laity Assembly.
Referring to Bishop George, the chancellor said: We have a Bishop who is able, willing and capable of leading our Diocese to newer, nobler and loftier challenges as Greek Orthodox Christians. He asked for the support of all the parishes and concluded by saying Our dreams and vision are beyond what the eye can see because we place all our faith, hope and
trust in Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Following breakfast the parish councils and Philoptochos met in separate sessions to discuss their agendas. A combined lunch session was held in appreciation of the Very Rev. Archimandrite Evangelos Kourounis, for his many years of service as the chancellor of the Diocese. Bishop George, praised Fr. Kourounis for his diligent and dedicated work in preserving the Diocese and serving all of its needs. Fr. Demetrios Antokas of Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, N.J., a fellow schoolmate of Fr. Kourounis at Holy Cross, presented him with a silver pen. Fr. Kourounis in his warm and emotional response thanked everyone who had contributed to his advancement in the service of the Church and wished Bishop George and his staff success in serving the Diocese and Church. His remarks were received with a standing ovation. Fr. Evangelos donated $1,000 towards the purchase of a Diocesan center. After lunch the delegates returned to their meeting rooms to finish their agendas and elect new member to serve their respective organizations. Fr. Emmanuel Pratsinakis and his entire staff at St. Thomas parish were the Assembly hosts.
Delegates Hear Bishop’s Goals, Progress Reports by Fr. Milton Efthimiou
Peter Christopoulos
Archimandrite EVANGELOS Kourounis addresses the luncheon event held in his honor.
CONTACT INFO:
Beginning in which he gave a brief accounting of the recent developments in our Church in America and praised the new Archbishop for restoring the spirit of collegiality in the Church. Referring to the New Jersey Diocese, he stated: I dare to call it the most supportive, the most faithful and the most generous Diocese of the Archdiocese. His Grace presented His Eminence with a black and gold pastoral staff, which the Archbishop said in humor was beautiful but a little heavy. Fr. Emmanuel Pratsinakis, St. Thomas parish priest, presented Archbishop Demetrios with a pair of gold candle holders (Dikera and Trikera). Smiling the Archbishop commented that he will give his old staff to His Grace but will keep both of the candle holders, the Assembly in laughter approved of His Eminence decision with thunderous applause.
His Eminence thanked the more than 200 delegates and clergy for having invited him and asked them for their support and prayers for the difficult task he has undertaken as the Spiritual leader of our Church in America, it s a challenge I humbly accept with enthusiasm, he stated. At the end of the program, before His Eminence departed, he spent a considerable time exchanging greetings and comments on various subjects with the delegates and Clergy. It was a very enjoyable and rewarding evening for everyone, with our new Spiritual Father smiling and shaking hands with his spiritual children. On Saturday morning the program began with Orthros prayers and meditation by Fr. Robert Archon of Elkins Park, Pa., followed by breakfast session during which the Chancellor Rev. Fr. Alexander G. Leondis, reported on activities and future plans of the Diocese.
GREEK ORTHODOX DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY ÿ His Grace Bishop George of New Jersey ÿ Fr. Alexander Leontis, Chancellor 115 Grove Street East P.O. Box 2670 Westfield, NJ 07091-2670
Tel.: (908) 233-3070 Fax: (908) 233-3376
CHERRY HILL, N.J. Convening under the theme A New Beginning: Jesus Christ Is the Same, Yesterday, Today and Forever, (Heb. 13:8), representatives from throughout the New Jersey Diocese greeted Archbishop Demetrios and honored their former chancellor at their first Clergy-Laity Conference under Bishop George. In his keynote address, His Grace outlined his goals for the progress and development of the Diocese of New Jersey. He said he would continue to build on the legacy of his beloved predecessor Metropolitan Silas. I have set some high goals for our Diocese and I hope that the good Lord will grant me the health, the strength and, especially, the wisdom to meet the high hopes and expectations you have placed on me. The bishop also discussed the charters of the Archdiocese and the unity of the Church. The New Jersey Diocese is not separate from the other dioceses and, indeed, of the Archdiocese. The eight dioceses comprise the one body, a united Archdiocese. As members of the one united Church, we cannot separately choose our destiny; we are bound and bonded together. Bishop George also said that his first goal will be to visit all 52 parishes in his diocese. Archbishop Demetrios gave a response to the bishop s keynote address, extolling the ministry of the diocese based on biblical exegesis that inspired the delegates to think about the topics to be discussed the next day. The Diocese also honored Fr. Evangelos Kourounis at a luncheon, in
recognition of his service as the diocesan chancellor for nearly six years. At the opening plenary session, Diocese Chancellor Fr. Alexander Leondis explained the relationship between the bishop and the diocese with the Archdiocese and how this relates to the parish. Other reports and their presenters were as follows: Diocesan headquarters, by Kassandra Romas; financial report, James C. Fountas; Greek language, Stamatis Kartalopoulos; youth, Fr. John Theodosion; religious education, Fr. Athanasios Demos; YAL 2000, Athena S. Flamporis, Panayiotis A. Chrisanthopoulos and Pantelis Kostoulos; and total commitment and stewardship, James Youlios. The diocese has achieved the highest percentage of any diocese in its total commitment payments for 1998, meeting 95.8 percent of its allocation with a total of $1.1 million. Aspasia Melis, Diocese Philoptochos president, presented her report to the assembly highlighting the organization s philanthropic projects undertaken during the year. Elections to the Diocesan Council also took place. The following 11 members were elected: Leon Andris, Bethesda, Md.; Avgerinos Konstantinos, Philadelphia; Peter Barris, Bethesda; James Fountas, Westfield, N.J.; George Kaloudis, Bethesda; Stamatis Kartalopoulos, Westfield; Nicholas Konides, North Wildwood, N.J.; John Lignos, Tenafly, N.J.; Gary Padussis, Baltimore; Aphrodite Tsairis, Wyckoff, N.J.; and James Youlios, Westfield. Bishop George will appoint other clergy and laypersons to the council who will serve until the next meeting of the diocese Clergy-Laity conference, to be held in April.
NOVEMBER 10, 1999
news
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
DIOCESE
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Diocese of Boston Long-Island Inter-GOYA Sponsors Walk for Hope ’99 Ministers to Students Through an expanding college ministry program constantly under review by Metropolitan Methodios the Boston Diocese provides opportunities for students in New England-area colleges to become involved in an Orthodox Christian Fellowship group. There are established OCF groups at Boston University , Boston College, Harvard, M.I.T., Northeastern and Tufts universities, Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire. New groups have been established at Brown University in Rhode Island and Bates and Bowdoin colleges in Maine. The OCF groups meet weekly for about an hour and a half. Their program includes Vespers and prayer services, discussions on subjects such as interfaith marriages, cults, science and religion and other topics of interest to the students. Bible studies are conducted in addition to social activities, retreats and church visitations. Metropolitan Methodios, in his welcoming letter to the students, states: The start of the academic year coincides with beginning of the ecclesiastical year in the Orthodox Church. On behalf of the 62plus parishes in the Diocese of Boston, its clergy and laity, I extend a warm welcome to you who came to New England from all over the world to study in the renown institutions of learning. Please consider our communities as homes away from home and the parish priests and dedicated laity members of your family. Our diocese campus ministers are anxious to meet you and serve your spiritual needs. The OCF programs offer students an opportunity to enhance their Orthodox faith and heritage. They provide an Orthodox witness on campus and help to develop relationships between Orthodox and other Christian and non-Christian organizations. The OCF is also involved in campus and community service projects. Every month a different college sponsors an event for all college students throughout the Diocese. The next event is hosted by Tufts University OCF and is a Divine Liturgy Service at Goddard Chapel, 5 p.m., Nov. 17. Celebrants will be Metropolitan Methodios and area clergy. For further information contact Fr. Anastasios Coulouras at the Boston Diocese (617) 277-4742 (home 978-251-4485) Email Frernie@flash.net, or Fr. Anthony Hughes at St. Mary s Church (617) 547-1234.
Pasadena Luncheon to Benefit Medical Center PASADENA, CA The St. Anthony s Philoptochos Society of Pasadena will host their 29th Annual Christmas Benefit Luncheon on Saturday, December 4, 1999 at the Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel. Proceeds from the event will benefit the City of Hope National Medical Center in its battle against breast cancer and the Young & Healthy Program for children in need of special care. This year s theme, The Little Drummer Boy, promises to put all guests in the holiday spirit. The day s festivities include a Fashion Show featuring fashions by Lourdes Couture, Silent Auction, Christmas Boutique, Santa s Kitchen, and Grand Prize Drawing. For more information, call Chairman Judith Christopoulos (626) 792-2394.
MERRICK, N.Y. About 120 persons took part in the first Long Island InterGOYA Walk-a-thon, raising about $6,500 to benefit the Greek Children s Fund at Schneider Children s Hospital at Long Island Jewish Hospital. Goyans and adults from eight parishes raised the funds through pledges for their 3-mile walk through Eisenhower Park in East Meadow. The following communities sent walkers: St. Nicholas Church, Flushing; St. Paul s Cathedral, Hempstead; St. Nicholas, Babylon; St. Demetrios, Merrick; Assumption, Port Jefferson; Church of the Resurrection, Glen Cove; St. Paraskevi, Greenlawn; and St. John s, Blue Point. St. Demetrios of Merrick had the largest representation, 34 participants; and raised the most money, $1,300. The fund provides professional bilingual/bicultural psychosocial services to the many Greek and Greek American families who come to Schneider Children s Hospital each year for treatment. It also renders non-medical financial assistance to those pediatric patients and their families with particular needs, such as housing, food, daily living assistance, etc. The fund maintains strong ties with
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WALKING FOR HOPE – Long Islanders walk to raise funds for Greek Children’s Fund at local hospital.
the Ronald McDonald House at LIJ and other medical residences for patients who must travel long distance for treatment and who may require long stays. It also provides educational training of medical and hospital personnel from
Greece and Cyprus. The Greek Children s Fund creates an endowed program at Schneider Children s Hospital which secures in perpetuity its services to the Greek patients who come to the renowned hospital for treatment.
Florida Radio Program Expands Its Reach by Nicole Sterghos Brochu Special to the Orthodox Observer
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. It began as one South Florida church s attempt to reach into the homes of parishioners who could not always make it to Sunday Liturgy, a regular radio program that went beyond the music selections of traditional Greek stations to bring its members food for the soul. Now, just three years later, the Come Receive The Light radio show is going semi-national, promising to become the farthest-reaching Orthodox Christian program of its kind in the United States. Beginning Dec. 4, the Fort Lauderdale-based program will air each week across the southeastern United States, to AM and FM radio listeners in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. But the signal itself, beamed by satellite, has the capacity to reach even further, ultimately stretching the program s message to faithful across the United States and Canada. The capacity is incredible, said the Rev. Christopher Metropulos, parish priest at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Lauderdale and the radio show s co-founder. Radio stations willing to pick up the signal will treat their listeners to comprehensive discussions on a wide range of topics affecting Orthodox Christians, including interfaith marriage, Orthodox orphanages, the raising of children in today s society and a roundtable discussion with a panel of youths. Callers can also participate in the discussion, share a message of hope, or receive feedback from clergymen and lay theologians by calling in at 1-877-2RECEIVE. Individuals who are to be contacted as guests include Archbishop Demetrios, former Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis, author Harry Mark Petrakis, Bishop Kallistos Ware and many more.
The program will air Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m., but stations with scheduling conflicts will be able to tape it and broadcast it at a more convenient time. The show s market expansion comes three years after Fr. Metropulos and Emmy Louvaris, a St. Demetrios parishioner, recognized the need to broadcast their church s message, not only for the homebound who could not attend church but also for the continuing enrichment of active members. There were lots of stations where you could get Greek music, explained Mrs. Louvaris. But there was really nothing to feed our souls. So in the fall of 1996, Come Receive The Light was born, airing live to parts of South Florida in what Mrs. Louvaris called a baptism by fire. Various CDs and pre-recorded sermons supplemented the show, as Fr. Metropulos led group discussions and Mrs. Louvaris served as host. On one typical day, one of the CDs refused to work. On another, a heavy rain had doused the small station s studio. But the feedback was tremendous and the number of listeners and volunteers grew. The following year, a major benefactor sponsored the construction of a broadcast studio in one of St. Demetrios chapels, and a group of dedicated parishioners built the small station by hand. Active St. Demetrios member Ron Spiegel then lent his technical expertise to improving the show s quality. And Vinny Hogan, a parishioner with a background in motion-picture editing, recorded the show on sophisticated sound equipment. Finally, the significantly enhanced program was aired on a larger station, reaching 8,000 faithful from Hobe Sound to the Florida Keys and parts of the Caribbean. It was at the suggestion of Bishop Alexios of Atlanta, who had a radio program in New York, that Fr. Metropoulos got the idea to bring the message to other parts of the country. Now, hundreds of thousands of Orthodox Christians will be exposed to the show s spiritual message
and educational value. The goal, Fr. Metropulos said, is to bring the Orthodox community together as one. Program sponsors also hope the wider program area will broaden the talent base of those participating in the show s development. But as with any ministry, it is supported exclusively by volunteers and donors. The program continues to be supported by the parish councils and Philoptochos chapters of eight parishes in Southeast Florida, but it is currently looking for 50 Giver of Light sponsors to donate $100 a month for the show s operations. Interested donors or those looking for more information can call the St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church at (954) 467-1515. Nicole Brochu is a staff writer for the Sun-Sentinel, the daily newspaper in Fort Lauderdale, and a member of St. Demetrios Church.
Michigan Charity Dance to Benefit Needy Families WARREN, Mich. Greekstock III, a musical happening whose proceeds go to benefit needy families during the holiday season through 10 area Philoptochos chapters, will take place Nov. 19 and is expected to draw more than 1,500 young adults. The event, originated by the Detroit band Levendes, will also include the bands Atlantis from Philadelphia and two DJs. The entertainers donate their time and all proceeds after expenses will be given to the Philoptochos groups. Over the past two years, more than $20,000 has been raised. Music will include traditional demotika, modern popular hits, and American music from the 70s to the 90s. Plans are also under way to hold this charity event in the Philadelphia area. The Nov. 19 dance will take place at the Royalty House, beginning at 8 p.m.
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NOVEMBER 10, 1999
Hundreds, Including President Bush, Get First-Hand Look at Library BROOKLINE, Mass. Following the Sept. 12 dedication service in front of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center, the hundreds of faithful who attended entered the facility for a firsthand look at the impressive collection of books and memories it contains. Among the visitors was former President George Bush, who accompanied Archbishop Iakovos on a private tour that included the 5,000-square-foot thirdfloor museum containing the Archbishop Iakovos archives. The room houses vestments, photographs and many other articles of memorabilia from his decades of service to the Church. At a press conference after the tour, President Bush remarked: You can t help but be impressed with the Archbishop Iakovos collection. A lot of young people will be inspired. He also said he was very impressed with the overall expansion of the library. This new landmark on the Holy Cross-Hellenic College Campus became reality through the efforts and financial support of many individuals and groups. In addition to Archbishop Iakovos, several grand benefactors made completion of the library possible: Panagiotis and Helen by Jim Golding Angelopoulos, George D. and Margo Behrakis, Gregory P. Callimanopulos, Vaseleos Colevas, Angelus N. Cotsidas, Michael and Mary Jaharis, the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Theodore Tonna. Great benefactors are George P. and Stephanie Kokalis, and Milton H. and Harriet Sioles. Dedication Committee members included honorary Chairmen Presidents George Bush and Jimmy Carter, Metropolitan Methodios, V. Rev. Damaskinos V. Ganas, Panagiotis Angelopoulos, George D. Behrakis, Massachusetts Gov. A. Paul Cellucci, George Chatzimichelakis, Vaseleos Colevas, Dr. Donald J. Dietrich, former Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, John W. Georgas, Rev. Dr. Benjamin T. Griffin, Elias P. Gyftopoulos, Michael Jaharis, U.S. Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry, Rev. Diane C. Kessler, George P. Kokalis, Most Rev. Bernard Cardinal Law, Monsignor Richard G. Lennon, Rev. Dr. Robert F. Manning, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Rev. Dr. Robert C. Neville, Rev. Dr. Rodney L. Petersen, U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes, Dr. John Silber, and U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe. Master of ceremonies at the event was New York TV anchorman Ernie Anastos.
RIBBON CUTTING caps dedication ceremony for new library. Joining the President and Archbishop are (L. to R.) George Behrakis, Metropolitan Methodios, Panagiotis Angelopoulos and his grandson Panagiotis.
D. Panagos
PRESIDENT BUSH and Archbishop Iakovos respond to a question at press conference following their tour.
Orthodox Observer
Greater capacity The entire library encompasses 25,000 square feet of floor space almost three times that of the old Cotsidas -Tonna library. Currently, it holds about 180,000 volumes about 60,000 more than the old library and has the capacity for thousands more. The facility also seats about 170 students - double the old library s seating capacity. Designed by the architectural firm of Tappe Associates of Boston, along with John Cunningham Associates who collaborated on the design. The planning stage took nine months. Inspired by Byzantine architecture, the imposing building hugs the side of the hill that separates the upper campus from the lower and serves to link the two. George Delegas of Tappe Associates, the project manager who led the design team, said the major challenges surrounding the project included placing the building on the slope and incorporating the old library building within the new structure, without threatening an ancient oak tree said to be more than 150 years old that has become a familiar campus landmark. The library, built at a cost of $5.5 million, has a brick exterior, with lead-coated copper roofing. Administrative changes at the school during the construction period also created some delays and made continuity of the project difficult, he said. Mr. Delegas also said that the design integrates the library with the other buildings on campus that represent a variety of architectural styles.
Metropolitan Methodios and Archbishop Iakovos accompanied by the Very Rev. Andonios Paropoulos tour the library stacks.
D. Panagos
THE MUSEUM’s many display cases contain mementos and artifacts spanning most of Archdiocese history.
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