VOL. 64 NO. 1165
http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer E-mail: observer@goarch.org
SEPTEMBER 1999
Demetrios of Vresthena Elected Archbishop of America Enthronement Set Sept. 18 NEW YORK - Enthronement services for Archbishop Demetrios, who was elected to the throne of the Archdiocese of America on Aug. 19 by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate following the resignation of Archbishop Spyridon, will take place Saturday, Sept. 18, at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral. He will be enthroned by Archbishop Iakovos, former primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America, at the request of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Archbishop Demetrios, one of the Orthodox world s most noted theologians and scholars, was welcomed at the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Aug. 20 for the formal election announcement (Mega Minima). Prior to the election, the Phanar contacted the Autocephalous Church of Greece seeking Demetrios release from its jurisdiction. The new archbishop s first act was to appoint Bishop George of New Jersey to serve as Archiepiscopal vicar and administrator until the enthronement. His Eminence will arrive in the United States from Greece on Sept. 16, with a 4 p.m.-arrival time at Kennedy Airport on Olympic Airways. Metropolitan Maximos of Aenos and Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, will escort Archbishop Demetrios. Those planning to welcome His Eminence at the airport include the Archdiocese Holy Synod, clergy, Archdiocesan Council and Philoptochos members, Archons and many area faithful. Upon his arrival, Archbishop Demetrios will read a statement and will then proceed to the Archdiocese for a Doxol-
Challenge
Archbishop Spyridon Resigns Archbishop Spyridon submitted his resignation as Archbishop of America to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Aug. 19, effective Aug. 30. The following encyclical from the Archbishop announcing his decision is addressed to the Faithful of the Archdiocese.
u page 18
N. Manginas
NEWLY ELECTED Archbishop Demetrios with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the Throne room at Patriarchal headquarters.
u 2 - 5, 8
Interfaith Marriage u 18
u 21
Opinions u 6
Classified ads
u 20
Orthodoxy Worldwide u 16
Diocese News
u 10
Parish Profile u 2 3
Ecum. Patriarchate u 2 - 3, 5
People u 2 2
Feature story u 2 4
Reflections u 7
Greek section
Relating to Faith u 19
In Memoriam
u 11-15 u 17
BROOKLINE, Mass. The four Hellenic College-Holy Cross professors arbitrarily removed from their jobs in July 1997 have been reinstated. The decision came Sept. 7 after a special committee of school trustees held several meetings since last October to consider the academic teaching status of the Revs. Alkiviadis Calivas, George Papademetriou, Theodore Stylianopoulos, and Emmanuel Clapsis The panel was formed following a Clergy-Laity Congress vote last year in Orlando calling for their reinstatement. The four were dismissed from their posts, including administrative positions held by three, following a controversy sparked by a disciplinary action involving a student. The special panel was charged only with reviewing the professors academic positions, not their previous administrative posts, and made its recommendations to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee on Aug. 11. That committee then forwarded its specific recommendations to the HC/HC Executive
u page 4
u page 3 Archdiocese News
Professors Restored to Teaching Positions
5 &14
Voice of Philoptochos u 9
4
Athens Earthquake Kills at Least 100 Exactly three weeks after the devastating earthquake that struck northwestern Turkey, the strongest quake to hit Athens, Greece, in 85 years killed an estimated 100 people in mid-afternoon, Sept. 7. As the Observer was going to press, news reports also said about 30 persons were still unaccounted for, many of them feared trapped in the collapsed and flattened buildings. About 100 buildings were reported to have crumbled and the city s chief prosecutor launched an investigation to determine if the cause was poor workmanship. Police reported that more than 400
u page 5
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 2
A R C H D I O C E S E
SEPTEMBER 1999
N E W S
Orthodox Observer
The Rev. Dr. Robert Stephanopoulos, dean of Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York, reads the official message from the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Archdiocese staff meeting on the election of Archbishop Demetrios. Also in photo are His Grace Bishop George of New Jersey (standing) and Bishop Philotheos of Meloa.
Bishop George of New Jersey Serves as Archepiscopal Vicar NEW YORK. Archbishop Demetrios first official action after his election was to name Bishop George of New Jersey as archiepiscopal vicar. He is directing day to day activities at the Archdiocese until the enthronement on Sept. 18. The bishop met with staff members on Aug. 20 and on Sept. 8, following services for the Nativity of the Theotokos, which he celebrated. Bishop George has been serving as head of the New Jersey Diocese since his enthronement on April 17. He was consecrated as a bishop June 13, 1998, after serving as a parish priest more than 35 years. His Grace also issued an encyclical letter appealing for aid to the victims of the Turkish earthquake in August, and the following encyclical following the election of Archbishop Demetrios.
The Encyclical To the Reverend Clergy, The Esteemed Councils of our Communities, The Philoptochos Sisterhoods, The Youth Organizations And the Christ-loved Faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America Beloved Greek Orthodox Christian Sisters and Brothers, Yesterday, Thursday, August 19, the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate met under the presidency of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and elected Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena as the new Archbishop of America. Today, Friday, August 20, the liturgical service of the Mega Minima (Acceptance) and expressions of thanksgiving by the new Archbishop took place. The new Archbishop has assigned my humble person the duties of the Archiepiscopal Vicar. Faithful to the directive of the Ecumenical Patriarchate I am forwarding the Patriarchal Encyclical which proclaims the joyous news of the election of Archbishop Demetrios, and I earnestly request that it be read from the pulpit at the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, August 22, 1999. Also, effective today the clergy of the Archdiocesan District of New York will commemorate Archbishop Demetrios by name, whereas the clergy of the three Dioceses, namely of New Jersey, Atlanta, and Detroit will commemorate Archbishop Demetrios by name as well as the name of their respective diocesan Bishop. Conveying the good wishes and blessings of Archbishop Demetrios, I remain,
N. Manginas
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew addresses the newly elected Archbishop Demetrios of America during the Lesser Mandate (Mikro Minima) session of the Holy and Sacred Synod on August 20.
ADDRESS BY HIS ALL HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW TO HIS EMINENCE, NEW ARCHBISHOP OF AMERICA DEMETRIOS, during the Lesser Mandate Synod session (August 20, 1999) Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of America, beloved brother and concelebrant of our Modesty. Welcome! With great pleasure, we announce to Your Most Reverence that, based on our recommendation, the highest administrative body of our Holy Mother Church, the Holy and Sacred Synod, yesterday elected you Archbishop of America and successor to your predecessor, Archbishop Spyridon, who has been transferred to the Holy Metropolis of Chaldea. The Mother Church looked to your distinguished person, holy brother, because you possess many gifts from God: profound and extensive knowledge, gentleness, humility, love, ecclesiastical ethos and conviction. For all this you enjoy universal esteem and respect. You are now called upon to offer your Godgiven gifts to the flock in whose service you begin your ministry today. We are entrusting you with the largest and most dynamic eparchy of the most venerable Ecumenical Throne and exhort you to restore and guard the highest values of peace and unity of the beloved flock of the Mother Church. In this endeavor and generally in the exercise of your pastoral ministry in the Holy Archdiocese of America we will stand by your side, because this Eparchy is a most beloved member of the single
With paternal blessings, USPS 412340
ISSN 0731-2547
Published by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Semi-monthly in March, April, May, June, October and November, and monthly in January, February, July, August, September and December.
ÿ Bishop George of New Jersey Archiepiscopal Vicar
Editorial and Business Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021. TEL.: (212) 570-3555, 774-0235. FAX (212) 774-0239.
MANAGING EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Zoe Gnesoulis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Irene Kyritsis CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas Manginas Eleni Daniels
body of the Holy Orthodox Church under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Throne and because our holy common course is undivided. Moreover because the responsibility within the Church is one and undivided. The Ecumenical Patriarchate does not aspire to financial aid from America, over which it has repeatedly been misunderstood and slandered. Not that the Patriarchate does not have material needs, which are many indeed, but the interest in the flock of our God-saved Eparchy does not stem from any expectation of material support, as it can survive without. On the contrary, the Church in America is in greater need of the maternal affection and care of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which represents spiritual guarantee and security. Most reverend brother, we congratulate you with all our being for this well deserved honor and we express our hope and wish that you will fully justify the expectations of the Church. From this Holy Center we shall pray that God grant you strength to carry the heavy cross you are undertaking. We will always be ready to assist you in the face of emerging problems. The Mother Church has honored you. Honor Her and honor your Eparchy so that we can jointly glorify the Holy name of God. Amen. Axios!
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
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
A R C H D I O C E S E
PAGE 3
N E W S
Archbishop Demetrios Elected u page 1
Upon arriving at the Patriarchate, Metropolitan Demetrios received the good ogy of Thanksgiving at St. Paul Chapel. A wishes and blessings of the Mother Church on the assumption of his new duties. reception will follow. Archbishop Demetrios, 71, was born An official delegation from the Church of Greece, led by three Metropolitans, and in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1928. An hongovernment representatives, will arrive ors graduate of the University of Athens School of Theology (1946-1950), he also Friday, Sept. 17. The enthronement ceremony will holds degrees from Harvard (Ph.D.), and begin at the Cathedral (319 East 74th St., the University of Athens (Th.D.). Manhattan) at 11 a.m. with a luncheon to (See biography on page 5) For 11 years he served as the Distinfollow at the Waldorf Astoria hotel at l p.m. Representing Ecumenical Patriarch guished Professor of Biblical Studies and Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Christian Origins at Holy Cross School of Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Theology. He also taught at Harvard Dipresiding hierarch will be Archbishop vinity School as Visiting Professor of New Iakovos, former Primate of the Greek Or- Testament. In June 1993 he left the United States thodox Archdiocese of North and South where he had spent over 20 years, and reAmerica. Archbishop Demetrios will con- turned to Greece to pursue full-time scholcelebrate the Divine Liturgy on Sept. 19 arly research and writing, along with assuming responsibilities at the Archdiocese of Athens. He has published extensively, including three major books: Authority and Passion (1987), The Transcendent God of Eugnostos (1991), and Christ, the Pre-existing God (1992). The newly-elected Archbishop was ordained a deacon in 1960 and priest in 1964. He was elected titular Bishop of Vresthena in 1967 as auxiliary bishop to the Archbishop of Athens with primary responsibility for the programs and theological education of the clergy. In 1968, he was elected N. Manginas Metropolitan of Attika and ANTONIOS TRAKATELLIS, with his brother the Archbishop Megaridos, not accepting the as he is welcomed by Patriarch Bartholomew. election because a military with the eight Hierarchs, members of the junta was ruling Greece at that time. Archbishop Demetrios speaks Coptic, Holy Eparchial Synod at Holy Trinity CaEnglish, French, Greek, German, Hebrew thedral beginning at 9:30 a.m. and Latin. Election His brother Andonios, a biochemisThe 12-member Synod of the Ecu- try professor and former rector of the menical Patriarchate, convening at the University of Thessalonika, is currently Phanar (Istanbul) on Aug. 19 under the serving a second term as a member of the chairmanship of Ecumenical Patriarch European Parliament. Bartholomew, transferred Archbishop Demetrios has been living in Athens Spyridon to the Metropolis of Chaldea in with his mother, who reportedly will be Turkey. relocating to the United States with the new archbishop.
uOCL Welcomes Election of New Archbishop
Upon the announcement of the election of Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena as the new Greek Orthodox Archbishop of America, the president of the Orthodox Christian Laity, George D. Coupounas, issued the following statement: The Orthodox Christian Laity welcomes the joyous news that a hierarch of the caliber of Metropolitan Demetrios has been elected Archbishop of America, and expresses its gratitude to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in addressing the Church crisis in America. We welcome our new primate as a man of piety, prudence and love, and pledge our support to him in restoring the unity of the Church in America. We view his election as a manifestation of the restoration of the traditional role of the laity and clergy in Church governance syndiakonia shared ministry a goal which OCL has pursued since its founding 12 years ago. OCL looks forward to working with His Eminence in bringing about ecclesial unity of the Church in America Panta Axios (May he be worthy always).
Enthronement committee Bishop George has announced the following Enthronement Committee members: Honorary Chairmen: Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis and Presiding Hierarch of the Chicago Diocese; Metropolitan An-
u Enthronement on Internet, TV Anyone wanting to view the Sept. 18 enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios live on their home computer can do so via the Internet at the following address: http:/live.goarch.org Coverage begins at 10:45 a.m. A delayed broadcast of the ceremony will air nationally on the Odyssey Channel, Sunday, Sept. 26, 1 p.m.; Eastern and Pacific. Check listings for other time zones. The channel is available through 1,500 cable systems and PrimeStar directto-home satellite channel 84 and C-Band dish owners. For more information, contact Marissa Pappageorge at (212) 570-3588, or through the Archdiocese website, www.goarch.org.
N. Manginas
ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew received Archbishop Demetrios in His All Holiness’ office.
thony of Dardanellion and Presiding Hierarch of the San Francisco Diocese; Metropolitan Maximos of Ainou and Presiding Hierarch of the Pittsburgh Diocese; Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon and Presiding Hierarch of the Boston Diocese; Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisou and Presiding Hierarch of the Denver Diocese; Bishop George of New Jersey; Bishop Nicholas of Detroit and Bishop Alexios of Atlanta. General Chairman: Bishop George of New Jersey, archiepiscopal vicar. Chairmen: John Catsimatidis, Andrew Athens and Alex Spanos Coordinators: the Rev. Alexander Leondis, the Rev. Alexander Karloutsos and Paulette Poulos.
Holy Trinity Cathedral: The Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos, Dean; Elias Kulukundis, board president Treasurer: Nicholas J. Bouras Legal advisor: Emanuel Demos Public relations: Nikki Stephanopoulos Luncheon: Alice Keurian and Thalia Georgiou Official invitations to dignitaries, parishes and all auxiliary organizations were sent in late August. For those planning to attend the enthronement activities, rooms may be booked at the Waldorf Astoria (1-800-9253673) or The Plaza (1-800-756-3000 ). Specify Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
Patriarchal Encyclical on Archbishops Election To the Most Reverend and beloved of God Hierarchs of the Most Sacred Dioceses of the Holy Archdiocese of America, dearest Brothers in Christ and co-celebrants, the honorable Presbyters, and all the faithful who are beloved of Christ of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, most beloved in the Lord children of our Modesty: Grace and peace from God. With much love, prayer, and concern we have followed the affairs of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and with a view to its benefit, peace, good order and spiritual progress, we have been led together with our Holy and Sacred Synod to the decision to transfer the present Archbishop of America Spyridon to the Holy Metropolis of Chaldia, with the view of assigning him to other duties in the future. In the newly vacated position of the Archbishop of America, we have elected His Excellency Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena, who has received widespread acceptance and acclaim. The warmest blessings and prayers of the Mother Church accompany him, so that with care and wisdom and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit he may steer the vessel of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to a peaceful harbor in a safe and godly manner. We paternally exhort you from the depths of our heart, our most beloved and Christ-loved Omogeneia, to be united around him as with one soul and one heart, to accompany him in his difficult task, forgiving and committing to oblivion anything in the past which may have upset or dismayed or separated any members of the Archdiocese from one another, and extending the right hand of cooperation for the common good of all the sisters and brothers of the Omogeneia, irrespective of their past differences and preferences. Accordingly may God be your help, and may His Divine Grace and great mercy be your protector and savior. Amen. August 22, 1999 Your beloved brother in Christ,
ð BARTHOLOMEW Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch
PAGE 4
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
An Interview with Archbishop Iakovos RYE, N.Y. As the Observer went to press, a milestone in the life of the Church and Holy CrossHellenic College in particular took place Sept. 12 with the dedication of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center, a magnificent new edifice that is the centerpiece of the school campus. Hundreds of guests attended the noon ceremony that followed Divine Liturgy. (Because of deadlines, complete coverage of the event will run in October). Honorary chairmen for the dedication are former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George Bush. The facility has been in use for a year, while some construction work to the interior and exterior continued. Seminarians and undergraduates students have at their disposal more than 100,000 books, nearly 800 periodicals, hundreds of audio-visual materials, and other resources. A few days before the dedication, the Orthodox Observer conducted a brief interview with Archbishop Iakovos who shared his thoughts about the new library and other subjects. O.O: Your Eminence, how do you envision the new library s lasting contribution to the community? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: It will project the legacy of our people and my personal legacy to the Greek American generations to follow and will remind them that, when the finger of God pointed the way for the immigrants to come here, it was not simply to improve our financial and social position. And it will also tell the American public that through the library and research center, we are telling you thank you and inviting you to share with us the treasures of books and manuscripts of Orthodox Christian thought and Hellenic values and ideals. O.O: How do you feel about the recent election of Metropolitan Demetrios of Vresthena as Archbishop of America? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: I believe that the election of a hierarch who not only has been gifted by God to lead, but who has taken time to contemplate the talents he has received and how to use them for the benefit of Christ s Church has been worth the wait. I believe he is fully aware of our people, of the strengths of some and the weaknesses of others. But he also knows quite well something demonstrated by the faithful over the last three years, and which is a positive response to what St. Paul once said, to stay unshakable, immovable and stable in the faith. O.O: What issues do you feel the new archbishop must give top priority? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: He will determine what issues to address after he studies them in depth, and after he decides to draw strength, advice and guidance from the Holy Spirit, not from professionals. The first issue that he must address immediately, however, is to convince the faithful members of the church, both clergy and laity, that it is time to turn our attention to the spiritual and moral values of Orthodox Christianity and cease to be guided by any kind of parochialism. O.O: In the past three years since your retirement, what are some of the activities you have pursued? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: I have been giving much thought to my concept of church administration and developing new ideas to add to the spirit and life of the Church. The Church has been my life for 60 years and I cannot dare to say what St. Paul said when they were preparing to execute him, I lived for Christ, I will die for Him. I did not serve the Church under anyone s orders, except Him who shed His blood for the Church. I did not serve for self-glorification or the glorification of others. What made me stronger in the faith and more dedicated to Him who called me with the words, Follow me. I also strive to pray in a way that my prayers will be heard and answered by God for His people on earth to advance spiritually and to gird themselves with the breastplate of an invincible faith because the Lord Jesus said everything is possible to him who believes. I also pray that God may protect the faithful from erring and estranging themselves from Christ, who suffered even death for our salvation. Lastly, I give much time and meditation on how to compose and dispose of my legacy to these people whom I loved and served for almost 60 years as a deacon, priest and archbishop. O.O: Are you are in the process of completing your memoirs. How are you progressing? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: I have finished most of the text. After it is finished I will go over it for a second and third reading before giving it to an editor. I must say, however, that I will not in anyway address myself to people who thrive on sensational texts. O.O: As we are about to enter a new millennium, Your Eminence, what advice do you wish to impart to the Orthodox faithful? ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS: With the beginning of a new ecclesiastical year, and as we proceed through the twilight of the 20th century, we must gird ourselves with the belt of unshakable faith and prepare to walk the extra mile on the journey to evangelize those far off with the word of God and spread the faith to the ends of the earth through our domestic and foreign missions center. The call to which Jesus said, that His people must be the light of the world. Stretch your arms to grasp the lofty ideals of Orthodox Christianity. Do not look back, except when you can draw some lessons from the past and proceed toward the renewal of your mind through the brilliant hope that faith and Christian optimism will provide for you. by Jim Golding
SEPTEMBER 1999
HC/HC President, Fr. Ganas Resigns NEW YORK - Bishop George of New Jersey, archiepiscopal vicar, announced the resignation of the Very Rev. Damaskinos V. Ganas as president of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., effective Aug. 25. Fr. Ganas has served as president since Sept. 14, 1998. Immediately upon receiving the official letter of resignation, Bishop George spoke with Archbishop Demetrios in Athens who accepted the resignation and offered the gratitude of the Church for Fr. Ganas service as a priest and as school president. Archbishop Demetrios also announced that all academic procedures will be followed in the selection of the new president. At his request, Father Ganas has been reassigned as pastor of his former parish of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Professors Restored to Teaching Positions u page 1
Orthodox Observer
Do not look back, except when you can draw some lessons from the past
Committee, which rendered the following decision: Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas, former president, resumes full-time teaching duties as professor of liturgics this semester. His status during the 1997-98 academic year was that of full-time professor. He chose to take a one-year sabbatical (academic year 1998-99), during which he received full pay and benefits. Fr. Clapsis, former college dean, and currently a parish priest in the Boston Diocese, has not been employed by Hellenic College since August 1997. He resumes his full-time appointment as associate professor of dogmatic theology at the beginning of this semester. Fr. George Papademetriou, former head of the library, will continue as full-time associate professor of systematic theology, the position he has held during the past two academic years. Fr. Stylianopoulos has returned to his full-time duties as professor of New Testament this semester. His status has always been as a tenured professor at Holy Cross. During the two previous academic years (1997-98 and 1998-99) he had no teaching responsibilities, but continued to receive full salary and benefits from the institution.
Archdiocese statement Upon learning of the Board of Trustees Executive Committee decision to reinstate the four professors Archiepiscopal Vicar Bishop George of New Jersey issued the following statement: It is with deep joy and relief that the faithful of the Archdiocese of America receive the news that this unhappy situation has come to a rather satisfactory conclusion. This unfortunate episode began two years ago and has caused a great deal of pain to the hearts of many people, and has incurred a great deal of damage to the life and reputation of our holy and highest institution of learning in America. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that I announce to you that the four professors Rev. Protopresbyter Alkiviadis Calivas, Rev. Protopresbyter George Papademetriou, Rev. Protopresbyter Theodore Stylianopoulos, and Rev. Economos Emmanuel Clapsis have been fully reinstated to their academic posts and will begin their teaching responsibilities on September 9, 1999. On behalf of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, I want to express the appreciation of the entire Archdiocese of America to the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of Hellenic College Inc., and especially to the vice-chairman, for the courageous and fair decision to return these four most able priests and professors to their positions. I hope and pray that all of us will unite our efforts and give the administration and the faculty of the School all of the necessary means and resources, and especially our love and affection, so that it may continue to function peacefully in the fulfillment of its sacred calling.
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Biography of Archbishop Demetrios
Aid to Victims of Turkey’s Earthquake
L
ast month s devastating earth quake that struck Istanbul and northwestern Turkey on Aug. 16 and which left tens of thousands dead and injured and hundreds of thousands homeless brought out the best in humanity, especially Orthodox Christians in the United States, Greece and Cyprus. Miraculously, the severe quake spared the Ecumenical Patriarchate and there were no injuries, although the Fanar was without electricity and telephone service for several days.
N. MANGINAS
capacity as Archiepiscopal Vicar, issued an encyclical appealing for the faithful to come to the victims aid. As Greek Orthodox Christians, we cannot remain silent at this hour. We have a responsibility to show these victims our deepest heartfelt love and compassion, the Bishop wrote.
Greek and Cypriot response
The governments of Greece and Cyprus set aside political differences with Turkey to respond to the call for humanitarian aid. Patriarch visits stricken areas Foreign Minister George Papandreou Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was the first foreign person to call his visited part of the earthquake area in counterpart, Turkish Foreign Minister northwestern Turkey, including the city Ismail Cem, after the earthquake. Also expressing condolences to their of Nikomidea where he met with the governor, mayor and other officials, and as- Turkish counterparts were Greece s presisessed the situation and needs of the dent, prime minister, defense minister, and president of the Greek parliament. people. A few hours after the earthquake We wanted to see with our own eyes struck, three Greek the pain and the sufC-130 military transfering of the people Greek Orthodox port planes arrived in and the needs that have arisen. We Demonstrate Christian Faith Turkey carrying two fully equipped Greek wanted to show our compassion, which is not only a Christian mobile emergency teams that included 11 obligation, but a human and a universal doctors. A 25-member emergency rescue team arrived with specialized equipment one, said the Patriarch. The governor of the area responding to help find victims. The team included to the Ecumenical Patriarch thanked him structural engineers and seismologists. It and referred to a Turkish proverb that says, also brought pharmaceutical supplies and pain that is shared is less painful while firefighting equipment. A group of team members pulled a 9joy that is shared is more joyous. Your presence, he said to the Patri- year-old boy, the son of a Turkish naval officer, from the rubble of a three-story arch, makes our pain more bearable. Patriarch Bartholomew was accompa- apartment building after digging with their nied by Armenian Patriarch Mesrop, rep- hands 14 hours. Greece also sent tons of pharmaceuresentatives of Turkey s other Christian churches, including Roman Catholics, tical aid, foodstuffs and other items to meet the victims basic needs. Protestants, Syrians and others. The government also announced it These Christian leaders raised $50,000 dollars for the purchase of 200 will spearhead an initiative to secure aid for Turkey from the European Commistents. A few days later the Patriarch visited sion and the mayors of the five largest the area for a second time, accompanied Greek cities have coordinated humanitarby Metropolitan Jeremiah of France and ian aid to Turkey. Cyprus has sent at least $100,000 in members of the Orthodox community of Constantinople. He visited the University aid to Turkey, as well as sending doctors of Nikomidea, which had sustained mas- to assist with rescue efforts. President Glafcos Clerides sent a messive destruction. He presented the university s president a check for $100,000 sage to his Turkish counterpart, Suleyman Demirel and political parties issued anfor the institution s rebuilding. The donations that the Patriarch gives nouncements of sorrow over the loss of come from donations of the flock of the life. Here in the United States, InternaPatriarchate given for that purpose, especially from abroad and the Archdiocese of tional Orthodox Christian Charities America after the specific collection done (IOCC) established a Turkey Earthquake Relief fund and arranged to provide asfor this purpose. sistance through the Ecumenical PatriarchArchdiocese appeal ate and the Archdiocese. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese set Tax deductible contributions desigup a Turkish Victims Fund and asked that nated for Turkey Earthquake Relief may a special tray be passed in the parishes be sent to IOCC, POP Box 630225, BaltiAug. 29. more, MD21263-0225, or call (877) 803Bishop George of New Jersey, in his IOCC.
PAGE 5
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS was elected as Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Aug. 19, 1999, by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and enthroned Sept. 18 at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York. He was born Demetrios Trakatellis on Feb. 1, 1928, in Thessaloniki, Greece. After graduating from the Experimental High School of the University of Thessaloniki 1946, he enrolled in the University of Athens School of Theology, graduating highest distinction in 1950. While doing research in the field of biblical studies, he also worked as a preacher in the Archdiocese of Athens. He concurrently served as theological advisor to the Student Christian Union of Greece, edited religious periodicals and organized theological conferences. He was ordained a deacon in 1960 and as a priest in 1964. Coming to the United States in 1965, he enrolled at Harvard University Graduate School on a scholarship and as a recipient of the prestigious Arthur Darby Nock Fellowship. He studied New Testament and Christian Origins, earning his Ph.D. in 1972. In 1967, he was elected as Bishop of Vresthena and assisted the Archbishop of Athens with the theological education of the clergy. He was elected Metropolitan of Attica and Megara in 1968, but declined the post because of canonical and political issues relating to the military junta in power at the time. Bishop Demetrios joined the Harvard faculty as Visiting Professor of New Testament during the 198485 and 1988-89 academic years. He taught at Holy Cross School of Theology, where he was Distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Origins, from 1983-93. In 1977, Bishop Demetrios received a Th.D (also with highest distinction) from the University of Athens. He continued to research and write extensively. He was elevated to Metropolitan of Vresthena in 1991. After his return to Athens in 1993, Metropolitan Demetrios resumed his duties at the Archdiocese of Athens, while simultaneously continuing his academic activities in the field of New
N. MANGINAS
Testament as a researcher, lecturer and writer. He has produced numerous books, scientific articles and other writings in Greek and English for publications around the world. Among his published books are The Pre-Existence of Christ in Justin Martyr, The Transcendent God of Eugnostos (1991), In the Presence of the Holy Spirit, Authority and Passion, Christ, the Pre-existing God, and The Interpretations of the Fathers. He also has participated in hundreds of scientific, biblical and theological seminars throughout Europe and the United States and is member of several scientific organizations, including the Society of Biblical Literature (United States), the Orthodox Theological Society of America, the Hellenic Organization of Biblical Studies (Greece), the Societas Novi Testamenti Studiorum (Britain), the Colloquium Ecumenicum Paulinum (Italy), and others. The Archbishop has served as member to the committee responsible for the publication of theological magazines that included the Greek Orthodox Theological Review, The Second Century, and others. Archbishop Demetrios speaks English, French and German fluently, but he also has commanding knowledge of Hebrew, Latin, Aramaic and Coptic which he learned in connection with his pursuit of New Testament research. Over the past six years in Greece, he has been living with his mother. His brother Antonios, a biochemistry professor and former rector of the University of Thessaloniki, currently is serving a second term as a member of the European Parliament.
Athens Earthquake Kills at Least 100 u page 1 people were injured by falling debris, chunks of concrete, glass shards and shattered marble. Most damage occurred in working class and immigrant areas. The earthquake was centered about 12 miles north of the city between Menidi and Mount Parnes, a national park area with few inhabitants. It lasted about 10 seconds and registered 5.9 on the Richter scale. Tremors were felt as far away as Izmir, Turkey, 180 miles across the Aegean. Last month s Turkish earthquake registered 7.9 and has cause at least 15,000 deaths. There were more than 700 after-
shocks, including eight of more than 4.0. Some 2,500 homes sustained structural damage, but historic sites in Athens, including the Acropolis, were not affected, news reports said. However, many areas of the city lost power and telephone service. Officials declared a one-day state of emergency in the Athens metropolitan area, closed all public schools and warned people to stay out of even slightly damaged homes until they were inspected. Bishop George, on behalf of Archbishop Demetrios, announced the establishment of an Archdiocese Athens Earthquake Victims Fund and called for a special tray to be passed during church services on Sept. 12.
PAGE 6
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
SEPTEMBER 1999
GUEST EDITORIAL
Towards a New and Brighter Future And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord are being changed into His likeness from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord (II Cor. 3:18) e have so very much to be thankful for as Greek Orthodox Christians in America! Our gracious God, like a loving Father, has guided and nurtured our Church continually throughout the seventy-seven years of our existence as an Archdiocese. At every step of the way, He has given us that which we needed in order to grow and to thrive as children of grace in this blessed land. And what has been one of God s greatest blessings upon our Archdiocese? Paradoxically, it is the blessing of crises. Through many crises we have been granted splendid opportunities to learn and develop, to mature and to grow. When we embrace crises in faith, we find that they are not obstacles to our life in Christ, but rather openings through which the grace of God reaches us, empowering us with the freedom to act decisively to resolve the immediate problem and with the tools and experience to face the next. This Archdiocese was born in crisis. The tenure of its first Archbishop Alexandros was marked by a series of crises. The life of the first ten years of the Greek Archdiocese of North and South America resembles a Greek tragedy. Among the characters in this modern Greek tragedy were the hierarchy, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Church of Greece, the Greek government, and the Greek-American press. In the end, the role of the saving catalyst was played by an outstanding personality, Archbishop Athenagoras, who was sent to America to restore ecclesiastical order and to lead the American Church out of the ashes to new heights of glory. Archbishop Athenagoras was a man of great energy and vision. Like a second Moses, he led the people of God into a new life as a new community of faith. With love, with patience, and with his enormous creativity and unique charisma, Archbishop Athenagoras laid the foundations of our Archdiocese on solid ground. From disunity and disarray, he brought about unity and order. Let us remember his ministry among us with deep gratitude to the Lord. After him came Archbishop Michael, a deeply devout and scholarly man with a God-given sense of mission and evangelical fervor. Soft-spoken and pious, his loving personality was truly a breath of spiritual fragrance. Archbishop Michael built upon the foundation of Athenagoras, and was instrumental in helping Americans of Greek descent pass through the crisis of identity that occurs in every maturing immigrant community. He paid special attention to the youth of our Church: one of his chief accomplishments was the founding of GOYA. His entire life and work were an inspiration to a whole generation of young people. We give thanks to God for the love He showed to us through this holy man. Thereafter, our Church was blessed with a truly unique man for our spiritual father and shepherd, Archbishop Iakovos, a hierarch with the awe-inspiring presence and voice of a mighty angel. This beloved Archbishop undertook the Herculean task of projecting our Orthodox faith and Hellenic values to the American society in which we lived, a society that was not always open to our modes of life and thought. There is no Greek Orthodox Christian of any age whose life has not been touched by the special ministry of Archbishop Iakovos, and we owe a special debt of gratitude to the Lord for the gift of this man to our Church. Most recently, the Lord sent to us Archbishop Spyridon, the first Americanborn Archbishop. He faced a difficult task, the task of replacing a man who had presided over this Archdiocese for thirty-seven years. Archbishop Spyridon called us to strengthen our love for the Mother Church of Constantinople and for the Greek language, the mother tongue of Apostolic Christianity. We pray that the Lord will bless and prosper his future archpastoral endeavors in the Church. Each of these four Archbishops of our Holy Church in America has done his best to advance the mission of the Church in this New World even in crisis and failures. Each taught that the Church reigns majestically above all of us and our personal aspirations. And this is the great gift that every one of our previous Archbishops has made to the Archdiocese and to our people. Archbishop Demetrios will continue this tradition of self-giving and self-sacrifice for the edification of his flock and for the glory of God. And so, beloved friends, with hearts full of anticipation and thanksgiving, we receive by the Providence of God our newest spiritual father, Archbishop Demetrios. He is well known among us for his scholarship, his spiritual warmth, and for his virtuous life. He is a man of love and forgiveness, a man who speaks, as St. Dionysios the Areopagite counsels, with clarity and simplicity, with forgiveness towards those who oppose him or accuse him falsely. In this way, he is the very model of a Christian bishop. Just as important, though, is the fact that Archbishop Demetrios knows his new flock well: he knows our strengths and weaknesses, our needs and our potential. Though his citizenship is Greek, he loves America, having both studied and taught in this land for many years. By virtue of his great love for our country, Archbishop Demetrios is truly in spirit a citizen of America. Indeed, his spirit of Christ-like love entitles him to be called a citizen of every country, a citizen of the whole world. And by this same love, he will lead all of us, from glory to glory, to become citizens De Civitate Dei in the words of Saint Augustine Of the City of God. The crisis is over. The rebuilding begins. Let us put aside our differences. Hierarchs and priests, clergy and laity, have one duty and one responsibility: to unite in love, in spirit, and in works, and being led by the one chosen of the Holy Spirit, to witness not only to our own people, our own generation, our own children, but also to the American society at large. This is the spirit of Orthodoxy. Demetrios is our Archbishop, our leader. Let us follow him. ÿ Bishop George of New Jersey Archiepiscopal Vicar
W
uImproving Greek Education t Editor, I would like to suggest a very likely solution to at least five of the problem areas you listed in the June issue of your newspaper. Universities have courses for prospective teachers of foreign languages that an aspiring Greek school teacher or administrator might well consider. A course on foreign language teaching puts one in contact with a great number of ways to efficiently teach a foreign language as well as sources with which to stay in touch with improved ways to teach, and learn how to develop a curriculum. One can also approach a professor of such a course and arrange a workshop for Greek school teachers. Teachers can also improve their preparation by taking courses in modern Greek at a university. My community s Greek school in Mobile Ala., has benefited tremendously from all its close relationship with its university, the University of South Alabama. I encourage other Greek Americans to do so as well. I would like to correspond further with any individuals searching to improve their Greek school. My e-mail address is mstratas@aol.com. My mailing address is 1214 Sudan St./Mobile, AL 36693 Mike Stratas Mobile, Ala.
u Who Needs A Passport... if You Speak Greekt Editor, It has been said that for one to travel safely and well, one must have a passport and speak English or French. I was reflecting on that as I read the recent articles about our rich Greek language and culture. After 32 years in the U.S. Navy, and during my whole life as an American of Greek heritage, I can safely say It ain t necessarily so. I have visited nearly 40 countries and always found a fellow Greek available to facilitate my needs and provide hospitality. I should state that it was at my widowed mother, Tula s, insistence that I learned Greek. Example: In 1976, as commanding officer of the USS Dewey, I was ordered to participate in the grand opening of the port of Salerno, Italy, after years of reconstruction since World War II. When we arrived early on the appointed morning, we were expected to moor in the inner harbor. I decided to double check the depth of the inner harbor and found it to be too shallow for our ship despite assurances from the port authority. When the Italian pilot arrived, we tried to explain to him our dilemma but he only spoke Italian, no English. I knew only a few words in Italian. Fortunately, I did know non parlo Italiano, chi somo Greco (I don t speak Italian, I am a Greek). The pilot s face brightened and he responded, Ah, Tenente Colombo (which meant Lt. Colombo), who was an Italian-born Greek Orthodox. We were saved. He and I wrote our joint orders in Greek, then in Italian and English, and then briefed our respective crews and leaders.
We anchored in the outer harbor safely and even conducted a television news interview touring my ship with the questions asked in Italian, then passed to me in Greek. I responded in Greek and then he in Italian back to the TV reporters. Because of Greek language facility I was able to complete my Navy mission, anchor safely and certainly demonstrate to the press that the Americano captain could communicate in other than English. Vice Adm. Michael Kalleres (USN, ret). Florida
u Not be a “counterfeit” t Editor, Fr. Marangos article Catechists... not Counterfeits, (August 1999 issue) although hard to swallow, was a well needed wake-up call to our educational system. I am a novice teacher and the article gave me reason to rethink my own role and how it should change to glorify God. Too many times, quantity is held on a pedestal above quality. Shame on any of us who compromises Orthodox Truth, so as not to offend our students, youth, parishioners and sometimes-even clergy. This article will cause me to take a stronger stance and do what is right in the classroom or, I need to rethink whether I may also be a counterfeit. Give Fr. Frank my appreciation for not watering down his message and for being refreshingly politically-incorrect!! Athanasios Karros West Chester, Pennsylvania
u Comparison not valid t Editor, A priest summed it up for me the other day. The Observer and Pravda are quite similar because they print only what they WANT to print, not the actual news. He said it perfectly, I think. During the recent crisis you were careful not to print a word about the problems. Do you think your readers can ever really trust you again? I know I cannot. My wife gets your paper and we both know now that it is worthless. James Hord BeachBuckeye@prodigy.net The comparison is not accurate. As you know, the Soviet Union no longer exists and, from reports that have occasionally appeared in our own mass media, the press in Russia has considerably more freedom than in the past. editor
Write to Us...
!
ORTHODOX OBSERVER 8 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021 Fax:(212) 774-0239 e-mail: observer@goarch.org MUST INCLUDE YOUR MAILING ADDRESS AND DAYTIME NUMBER
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 7
REFLECTIONS
Archbishop Demetrios - A True Mentor by Dr. James Skedros
It is often the small things in life that we remember the most and which have the greatest impact on us. Even in the midst of an internationally known academician and a man of unquestionable spiritual authority, it is the brief and insignificant encounters with such a person that we keep close to our hearts. We all knew that Archbishop Demetrios was an extremely well-educated individual, that he could sight-translate from Greek, Hebrew, or Coptic at a moment s glance, and that he held the much deserved title of Distinguished Professor of Christian Origins. Yet even in the midst of such greatness, it was the micro-events in our encounters with him as students that impacted us the most. Although our stories may be different, the impression was always the same. For example, the time when I went to his office to ask for some academic advice and, being Great Lent, he went to his closet pulled out a jar of Planter s Peanuts and offered me a snack. I don t remember the advice he gave me but the peanuts were good. Or the time when I just happened to be walking by the administration building and he was carrying boxes of books to his office. I offered my assistance, which he gladly accepted. As we moved several heavy boxes of books from his car to his office, I realized that this 60-something year-old bishop was able to carry boxes of books up three flights of stairs without any problem. We all knew he was an intellectual giant, but he proved to be a physical one as well? Through his many years of service at Holy Cross, Archbishop Demetrios has educated hundreds of clergy and lay people who have passed through the doors of his classrooms. His area of teaching expertise was that of the New Testament. Yet his linguistic skills and breadth of knowledge allowed him to teach courses in Old Testament as well as the history and theology of the early Church. On more than one occasion, he filled the role as a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School. One of the greatest gifts Archbishop Demetrios had as a teacher was his ability to begin each class with a brief story or anecdote that usually had very little to do with the academic subject matter at hand but was relevant to life in general. Unfortunately, the stories he told have not remained in my memory, but his gift of putting academic education into proper perspective was remarkable. His classes were always full; students rarely missed his lectures not only out of respect for him but, more importantly, because they knew that their absence meant one less opportunity to experience the rare gifts of a true mentor. Bishop Demetrios scholarship was and continues to be respected. In the classroom students rarely were in a position to disagree with him. Yet, even those moments when we showed our ignorance through questions or comments that went against what he had just told us, he had the gift of acknowledging our critical thinking and gently bringing us back on course. Bishop Demetrios was always prepared for class. He was well read within his academic field and was current on the most recent scholarly developments in his field.
There was one event each year that students especially looked forward to. It had become a tradition for Archbishop Demetrios to deliver the sermon at the end of each of the three Bridegroom services during the first three days of Holy Week. In most of our Greek Orthodox parishes, the Bridegroom Service attracts only a handful of faithful. Yet, at Holy Cross, the pews were always full for the simple reason that everyone knew that Bishop Demetrios would be delivering the sermon. They were not ordinary sermons. Rather, he took the opportunity to deliver a series of educational and spiritual talks based on one or two general themes. His insights into the liturgical, scriptural, and spiritual meaning of the first three evenings of Holy Week were remarkable. From the simple bishop s throne that adorns the chapel of Holy Cross, Bishop Demetrios would unlock the hidden depths of our spiritual calling to love each other and to serve Christ and His Church. We would listen attentively, knowing that we were especially blessed to be the hearers of words of grace and wisdom. There is one particular experience that stands out in my mind. I was a doctoral student at Harvard Divinity School when Bishop Demetrios was a visiting professor and taught a course on Gnosticism, a religious movement prevalent during the first few centuries of the history of the Church and one which occupied the collective energy of Christianity for several centuries. Having been a student at Holy Cross and having already taken several classes from Archbishop Demetrios, I was well aware of the quality of instruction I would receive. Yet in this class I witnessed two things for the first time. First, I saw the respect that the students of Harvard Divinity School, an extremely diverse and generally theologically liberal lot, showed Bishop Demetrios. Even with his politically incorrect flowing black robe, his kind demeanor and keen intellect were respected by the most ecclesiastically skeptical student. Yet the event which spoke volumes of the character of Bishop Demetrios and one which I have tried to adopt as a professor, if not in practice at least in spirit, was the following. On the last day of school, with a class of about 40 students Bishop Demetrios, after giving his final lecture, thanked the students for their attentiveness and hard work throughout the semester. Then he asked each student as he or she departed the lecture hall to approach him so that he could shake their hand and wish them well. In my many years as a student at Holy Cross and Harvard, I had never witnessed such an event. Perhaps because only a person such as Archbishop Demetrios, who has successfully combined academic acumen, spiritual insight, and human warmth, could accomplish such a feat. There is no question that those of us who were fortunate to have had Archbishop Demetrios as a professor experienced one of the great pleasures of education: to be taught by a genuine scholar and a gentleman. James Skedros, Th.D., is acting dean of Holy Cross School of Theology. He graduated from Holy Cross in 1988, and studied at Harvard from 1988-96.
21st Century Diversity that Works! Learn Greek The Easy Way PAPALOIZOS
PUBLICATIONS
BOOKS (Adult level) Price 15.00 Modern Greek, Part 1 5.00 Workbook for Modern Greek, part 1 32.00 Cassete tapes for part 1 (set of 8, in Album) 13.00 Modern Greek, Part II 5.00 Workbook for Modern Greek, Part II 26.00 Cassette tapes for Part II (set of 6) 12.00 Grammar of Modern Greek, with workbook 18.00 333 Greek Verbs, fully conjugated, 400 pp. 12.00 Learning Greek through Conversation 30.00 Cassette tepes for Learning Greek (set of 8) 12.00 3400 Greek Words flash cards (spiral bound) 8.00 Basic Greek Conversation 24.00 Cassette tapes for Basic Greek (set of 6) SUBTOTAL Postage $4.25 first set, 0.25 each additional book
Qty.
Amount
TOTAL
We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, PERSONAL CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS. Card # ___________________________________________ Exp. date:___/ ____ SEND TO: (Street number, please. We ship UPS) Check here for free catalogue ¾ Name:______________________________________Phone:_________________ Address: __________________________________________________________ City:___________________________State:_____________Zip:_______________ WRITE TO: PAPALOIZOS PUBLICATIONS Tel:(301) 593-0652 11720 Auth Lane, Silver Spring, MD.20902 Fax: (301) 681-3390 Also available Textbooks for Elementary School, grades 1-7, and auxiliary books.
We have been teaching Americans Greek since 1957! visit us at: www.papaloizos.com
NEW PUBLICATION From the Department of Religious Education
Volume 2
The AR Annual Resource C Companion Theme: Holy Tradition
1999 - 2000 Catechetical Resources Department of Religious Education Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
2nd Annual Orthodox Catechetical Resource Guide Educational Articles Concerning “Holy Tradition” for Clergy, Teachers, Parents and Students! 2000 Saint John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics and Speaker Tips Included Order Your Copy Today: (800) 566-1088 $5.00 per copy
(plus S&H)
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 8
SEPTEMBER 1999
BYZANTINE PERIOD ART
archDIOCESE NEWS
PURE SILVER & 24KT GOLD
ISOS Announces Fall Semester Adult Classes
by ATHOS WORKSHOP
Treated against tarnish you never have to polish. Each Icon is crafted in our work shop. Certificate of Authenticity with each Icon. SPECIAL HOLIDAY OFFER September 1 through November 15, 1999
Any Icon 20% Discount framed and in gift box. For the Icon of Your Choice Please Contact Us: Toll free 1-800-952-8467 Or E-mail your request at hellenic@neca.com
You may also visit our web site to view a few of our icons,
www.religiousicons.com
91/2 X 11 GLIKOFILOUSA
WE ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS MASTER CARD VISA AMEX DISCOVER PERSONAL CHECKS
SPECIAL DISCOUNTS
offered to Communities, Organizations, Church festivals and all other functions.
Kontos F oods famous for its POCKET -LESS PIT A, Foods POCKET-LESS PITA is proud to present its original products once again.
Fillo Kataifi
Spanakopita Tyropita with the highest quality ingredients
Delicious, traditional products made
Courteous Service WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA KONTOS FOODS, INC EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President
BOX 628, PATERSON, NJ 07544 (973) 278-2800 Fax: (973) 278-7943
BROOKLINE, Mass. The Archdiocese Department of Religious Education will offer its fall adult religious education classes for Boston Diocese Orthodox faithful through the Internet School of Orthodox Studies. Theme of the ISOS classes is Sing Praises to the Lord: A Theological Examination of the Eight Tones and students will examine scriptural and theological aspects of the eight tones hymnology in a casual yet systematic setting. The free series of 90-minute sessions will help Orthodox Christians better prepare for Sunday Orthros and Liturgy. Classes will meet Tuesdays (Sept. 28Nov 30, 7-8:30 p.m.) at Holy Cross School of Theology. The Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Depart-
ment of Religious Education director and adjunct professor at Holy Cross, will teach most classes. Several diocese clergy also have been invited to co-teach. The School of Theology will present certificates of educational recognition to participants. Anyone unable to attend can access the live broadcasts via the Internet, in realtime, through the Archdiocese Web Server. The ISOS web site address is: www. goarch.org/webcasts/religioused.html. Presentations also will be archived so that students can listen when their schedule permits. Participants are asked to bring Bibles. For more information, contact the Department of Religious Education, (617) 850-1218.
Forum Tape Helps Children Learn Hymns The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has developed a cassette teaching tape to familiarize young people with the hymns of their faith. According to Dr. Vicki Pappas, national chairman, We developed the tape based on requests from Church school and Greek school teachers to assist them in teaching the hymns of the Divine Liturgy and Feast Days to young children. The tape includes 12 of the most frequently used hymns, performed by the group Eikona, a vocal trio of sisters that has recorded several cassettes and CDs of church music and performed at Clergy Laity Congresses and at other events. The trio consists of Chrisanthy Therianos, and
Presbyteres Marika Brown and Stacey Dorrance. The hymns are presented first in Greek and then in English, using traditional melodies. The tape may be used alone, or with the Hymns of the Orthodox Church instruction booklets. Tapes sell for $12 each. Classroom packets sell for $9 and include 20 copies of any one hymn, a family packet of one booklet of each hymn and tape sells for $15; A classroom special of all 12 hymns, 20 booklets each and a tape is $110. More information or to order, contact: Vicki Pappas, 1700 North Walnut St., Apt. #302, Bloomington, IN 47404; e-mail PAPPAS@indiana.edu.; (812)855-8248.
DRE Completes New Publication ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ - ÁÈÇÍÁ ÊÁÔ ÅÕÈÅÉÁÍ ÐÔÇÓÅÉÓ ×ÙÑÉÓ ÓÔÁÈÌÏ ÌÅ ÊÁÍÏÍÉÊÁ ÄÑÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁ
ÖÈÉÍÏÐÙÑÏ
$
599
+Tax
7 Óåðôåìâñßïõ - 31 Ïêôùâñßïõ $599 $609 $645 $699 $645 $709 $675 $709
Boston Philadelphia Baltimore/Washington D.C. Cleveland/Pittsburgh Atlanta Chicago/Detroit Miami Dallas/Houston/Minneapolis
$715 Raleigh Durham/Tampa $699 Charlotte $719 W. Palm Beach/New Orleans Ft. Lauderdale $745 Denver/Salt Lake City $775 L.A./San Francisco $775 Seattle/San Diego/Phoenix
ÅÉÄÉÊÅÓ ÔÉÌÅÓ ÊÁÉ ÁÐÏ ÁËËÅÓ ÐÏËÅÉÓ ÐÁÉÄÉÁ 2-11 ÅÔÙÍ ÐËÇÑÙÍÏÕÍ 25% ËÉÃÏÔÅÑÏ
BROOKLINE, Mass. Volume two of The Annual Resource Companion (ARC), published by the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education, is available. The 1999-2000 ARC contains 231 pages of insightful essays, lesson plans and general catechetical articles written by archdiocesan metropolitans, diocesan bishops, clergy, theologians, seminarians and other noted Orthodox authors. Theme is Holy Tradition and contains articles that focus on scripture, the canons, ecumenical councils, hymnology, iconography and liturgical instruction. The upcoming St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival topics and speaker tips are also included. The Religious Education Department advances a pedagogical agenda to help Orthodox Christians of all ages better understand the Church s liturgical, scriptural, theological, canonical and ethical underpinnings. The ARC was established to develop such a comprehensive educational vision, with the DRE publishing another
catechetical volume each year focusing on a different aspect of Orthodoxy. As such, the Archdiocese will establish an encyclopedic anthology of Orthodox catechetics. Volume I (1998-1999), on the theme the Liturgical Year, is still available and makes a wonderful companion to this year s edition. The department provides the Archdiocese s parishes and dioceses with materials and services to advance their religious education programs. It also serves individuals, organizations, military bases, ecumenical groups, and overseas parishes with catechetical resources that advance the spiritual admonition to Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). The Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Religious Education Department director and ARC editor, recommends the volume to religious educators, clergy, church leaders, youth workers, parents and students. Both editions can be purchased for $5 each (plus S&H) from the DRE at (800) 566-1088.
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
The Voice of
Philoptochos
Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon Set Oct. 2
P
LANS ARE UNDER WAY for the 7th National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund Luncheon under the high patronage of Archbishop Demetrios on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Tara Sheraton hotel in Parsippany, N.J. Proceeds of the event will benefit the University Institute for Children s Health in Newark, N.J., and the Children s Hospital in Philadelphia as well as the National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund. The luncheon will feature the fashions of Eleny and furs by Christie Brothers. Organizers hope it will prove to be another record breaking event in the amount of proceeds raised to assist those children desperately needing medical attention and care. Eve Condakes, the National Philoptochos Board president, and Aspasia Melis, luncheon chairman and New Jersey Diocese Philoptochos Board president met in July with the luncheon committee composed of National Board members and New Jersey Diocese board members. The sponsors committee has already received more than $80,000 in donations. Prizes including European trips, cruises, jewelry, silver and crystal pieces have been gathered. A reception and concert are planned for early arrivals on Friday evening preceding the luncheon, and the arrangements committee is working feverishly to make the luncheon the most spectacular ever. The National Board Committee members of the Children s Medical Fund are: general chairman and President Mrs. Condakes; honorary national presidents, Katherine Pappas, Beatrice Marks, Dionisia Ferraro, Dina Skouras Oldknow, Mimi C. Skandalakis; national liaisons, Aphrodite Skeadas, Anne Gustave, Aspasia Mitchell, Kalli Tsitsipas; luncheon Chairman Aspasia Melis; national advisor Elaine Kevgas; honorary sponsor Chairman Margo Catsimatidis; national sponsor chairmen Patty Chacopoulos, Anastasia Cantonis, Diane Poulos Harpell, Georgia Kaloidis, Marissa Payiavlas, Selia Poulos, Susan Regos, Demetra Safiol; finance chairmen Nellie Logothetides, Maria Lyras, Kyriaki Parkis; commemorative album chairmen Lila Prounis, Effie Venduras, Georgia Vlitas; grand raffle chairmen Lena Spyropoulos, Penelope Dambassis, Bess Nicholas; publicity chairmen Rose Papanikolas, Irene Philip. New Jersey Diocese board committee members are: general sponsor chairmen, Kassandra Romas, Dolly Demetris, Dr. Maria Michell Caras; Sponsors Committee, Pennie Anast, Mary Cocoros Argerakis, Marian Clonaris, Trish Kapsidelis, Eve Katramados, Alice Nikas, Mary Papageorge, Mary Romais, Athena Savvas, Mary Vaughn; treasurer, Athena Georgotas; assistant treasurer, Ronnie Kyritsis; Secretary, Olga Parks; favors chairman, Bessie Drogaris; special events, Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos, Georgia Skeadas, Maria Makrinos; on-site chairmen Patty Bolton, Mary Boulegeris, Ann Gourmas, Helen Karagias, Eugenia Manuel, Yiota Stillianessis; hospitality committee, Sophia Altin, Elpis Kyriazis, and Helen Loukedis. More information, call National Philoptochos office, (212) 744-4390.
ST. INNOCENT Orthodox Orphanage and Mission Church in Tijuana, Mexico, provides a home for young teen-age boys who otherwise would be forced to live on the streets.
PROJECT MEXICO:
Building Hope
Many Philoptochos chapters have been holding fund-raisers for Project Mexico for several years. This is a charity that directly touches the lives of the poverty-stricken, and supporting this worthy cause truly makes the Philoptochos live up to its name: Friend of the Poor. Here is some information to help YOUR chapter get involved! What is Project Mexico? Project Mexico is an outreach that involves Orthodox young people in the alleviation of suffering by building homes for Mexico s poor. Thousands of teens and young adults from all jurisdictions across the United States and Europe have participated. Our outreach also includes St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage and Mission Church in Tijuana, Mexico. This facility serves as abase for home-building trips and as a center from which evangelistic outreach can be conducted in neighboring communities. St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage provides a home for young teen-age boys who otherwise would be forced to live on the streets. This is the only facility in all of Tijuana which focuses on orphaned and abused teen-age boys. In addition, the Mexican director of the orphanage as well as all of the boys have become baptized or chrismated Orthodox Christians. Why Mexico? Working in Mexico offers a unique environment for spiritual growth and a time to experience God s blessings. Each person involved has an opportunity to give to others in a special way serving those who can only repay with sincere gratitude. Participants often find it to be a lifechanging experience and have a chance to evaluate their lives, deepen their commitment to Christ, and receive a new perspective on life. What do you do there? We building homes for the poor who live in dirt-floor shacks covered only with tin or cardboard. We build solid two-room structures which will provide the family with shelter for many years. How is this done? Each participant pays a fee for materials which are purchased in Mexico and delivered to the work site. No power tools are used which makes the worksite very safe. A trained supervisor works with the groups to teach and manage the actual
PAGE 9
construction of the house. Construction experience is not at all necessary. Our best workers are usually those with the biggest hearts and a sense for adventure! How long are the work trips and how long does it take to complete an entire house? Work trips range from one day to several weeks in length. Under normal circumstances, a group of 15 or more people who work diligently can complete a home in five days. (This includes four working days and one rest day to allow the cement foundation to cure). Obviously, unexpected weather conditions and other uncontrollable factors may affect this schedule. Is it all work? While hard work is involved, there is also plenty of time to meet the local people who are usually very curious and most gracious. Games, crafts, and Bible stories are provided for the children who love to get involved and quickly make friends with everyone. We close each day-long trip in worship with a Vespers Service and meal at the orphanage. What else happens on a longer trip? Schedules are determined on a group by group basis but normally include evening sessions (e.g. special speakers, group discussions, etc.) Time for recreation, shopping and
sightseeing, a Divine Liturgy if the trip includes a Sunday, and various other activities. What are your plans for the future? In an effort to bring hope to those who have none, we plan to continue reaching out to our neighbors who live in extreme poverty so close to us. Various projects have been implemented to achieve a level of self-sufficiency for St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage, especially the establishment of an endowment. Efforts are under way to further share the love of Christ in neighboring communities. In the process of bringing the Orthodox community together through working together for Christ, we wish to build a solid foundation of faith for our youth and reinforce that in our adults. To that end, we have implemented vocational training for the boys of the orphanage and are in the process of constructing a new computer learning center. How are you organized? Project Mexico is a non-profit 501(c) 3 corporation accountable to both Mexican and American boards of directors comprised of Orthodox lay people and clergy who have been leaders in the Faith. The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) has given its blessings for all jurisdictions to participate. Bishop Basil is the official bishop and liaison appointed to Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orthodox Orphanage from SCOBA. How can I take part in a work trip to Mexico? There are two ways to participate as a group or as an individual. You may schedule a trip just for your group or join with another group. You may also reserve a place for yourself on one of our already scheduled trips. Work trips range from one day to several weeks in length. Are there other ways to be involved? You can personally be involved in several ways. You can join the group of faithful who regularly pray for the staff and outreach of Project Mexico. Financial and material donations for Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage are needed on an ongoing basis. Short-term and long-term internships are available. How can we get involved? Contact Project Mexico at 619-216-4974, write to them at PO Box 120028,Chula Vista, CA 91912, or look up their website at www.projectmexico.org.
Atlanta Diocese Philoptochos Hold Annual Conference GREENVILLE, S.C. About 400 delegates and observers attended the recent Atlanta Diocese Philoptochos Conference luncheon to hear National President Eve Condakes speak on the love of her mother and the traditions and values taught to her as a young child. Diocese President Renee Gahagan presented Mrs. Condakes an icon of St. Ephemia, patron saint of the Atlanta Diocese Philoptochos Board on behalf of all chapters. Mrs. Condakes then joined Bishop Alexios in presenting 50-year pins and certificates to: Mary K. Augustine and Angeline Constant of Daytona Beach, Fla., Fotini Psihogios, Mary Pappas, Frene Musios, Mimitsa Mitchell, Connie Kleto, Bea Corum, Faye Cazana, Mary Consin, Helen (Nitsa) Cavalaris, and Florence Cazana of Knoxville, Tenn., and Thalia Vezos of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Holy Trinity Philoptochos in New
Orleans was this year s recipient of the Cavalaris Bowl, awarded annually to the chapter with the largest percentage increase in membership. The chapter experienced an 80 percent increase. The bowl is named for Zoe Cavalaris, the diocese Philoptochos first president and its first representative to the National Board. Benefactor Archon H.T. Cavalaris was on hand to do the honors on behalf of the Cavalaris family. The president s award was presented to Archon Dr. George Croffead for his dedicated service to Philoptochos and the church community. At the plenary, Mrs. Gahagan presented checks for $5,000 to Bishop Alexios toward the diocese Diakonia Deka project; $4,000 to Fr. Michael Eccarino for youth ministry and a third check toward the Papouli Endowment, a scholarship fund that awards $3,000 to men in the diocese seeking to become priests.
news
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 10
DIOCESE
SEPTEMBER 1999
North Texas Pan-Orthodox Help Orphanage DALLAS The North Texas Pan Orthodox Missions Committee has launched a new project to provide diapers to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala, which serves 140 children, ages infant to 13. The Committee consists of 14 Orthodox parishes in North Texas who came together to unify their mission work. Founded in 1995 by Fr. Nicholas Katinas and John Sallas of Holy Trinity Greek Or-
thodox Church, the organization pursues many projects, including sponsorship of a weekly Orthodox radio program and lectures by foreign missionaries. Anyone wanting to donate to the diaper project may send donations to: Orthodox Christian Radio-Diapers, c/o Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 13555 Hillcrest, Dallas, Texas 75240. The organization s website address is www.gohtdallas.org.
Connecticut Church Awards Scholarships
Orthodox Observer CHURCH SCHOOL KIDS Children from the Boston Diocese recently took part in a week-long vacation church school at Diocese headquarters in Brookline, Mass. VCS director is Presbytera Artemis Gregory. Some children from the Archdiocese District also attended.
Boston-Area Doctors Honored WATERTOWN, Mass. Metropolitan Methodios and members of the Hellenic Business Network recently honored Bostonarea physicians at Taxiarchae Church on the feast day of St. Panteleimon, patron saint of doctors. His Eminence, assisted by Frs. Emmanuel Metaxas, pastor, and Ted Barbas, offered
an artoclasia for their health and well being. A reception hosted by the Philoptochos chapter followed the service. Each physician received a laminated icon of St. Panteleimon. Guests included Consul General of Greece in Boston George Chatzimichelakis and state Rep. Theodore Speliotis.
ORANGE, Conn. Ten students have received more than $18,000 in scholarships from St. Barbara Church to pursue higher education. The St. Barbara Endowment Fund Committee manages the scholarship funds, which are given annually through the generosity of individuals and the parish council to college students in the parish. The following received $1,000 scholarships: Mary Anderson, Eugene and Kitty Lightle Scholarship recipient; Paul Ballas and Bill Diamantis, Stella Jean Scarveles
Scholarship recipient; Antonios Iosifidis, AHEPA Scholarship and $1,100 VartelasVonetes Scholarship; Sophia Iosifidis, AHEPA Scholarship. Maria Moriatis received the $1,400 John L. Soterakos Scholarship. The following received the $2,000 St. Barbara Scholarship: George Pavlou and Stephanie Petrakis. George Parsenios received the $3,200 James Verinis Scholarship and Andrea Goodrich was presented the $3,700 Mary Alexiades Scholarship.
Trinity Homes Receives High Rating SAN FRANCISCO Trinity Homes (formerly Guadalupe Homes for Children) recently received a top rating from an internationally recognized research leader in the treatment of children s psychiatric problems. Fr. Tom Avramis, a Greek Orthodox priest and CEO of Trinity Children and Family Service s (TCFS), recently asked Dr.
OMISSION
The name of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Milwaukee was inadvertently omitted from an article in the August issue about an Orthodox Christian Women s Conference. The conference is set for Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center in Milwaukee. Sts. Constantine and Helen is one of the co-sponsors.
Hans Steiner of Stanford University to evaluate Trinity s behavior modification and treatment model, Group-Centered Leadership (GCL). Through his research, Dr. Steiner has identified the necessary components a childcare organization s treatment program must have if it is to be effective. In his report, The Trinity Children and Family Services Program: A Continuum of Care for Severely Disturbed Children and Adolescents, Dr. Steiner finds the program to be state-of-the-art. He praises the Trinity approach because it recognizes that adolescent anti-social behavior is often the result of the existence of simultaneous and often complicating problems. The Trinity program provides not only behavior modification but treats attendant emotional problems, as well.
ORGANIST HONORED Parishioners in Palos Hills, Ill., recently honored Sts. Constantine and Helen Church organist Joan Kakos for her years of service with the senior choir and for her activities with the folk dance group and as GOYA advisor. Along with Ms. Kakos (holding plaque) are, (l. to r.) Very Rev. Archimandrite Dionyssios of Exaltation of the Holy Cross Monastery in Thebes, Greece; Fr. Byron Papanikolaou, pastor; Fr. Nicholas Jonas, assistant pastor; parish council President Peter Lagen, senior choir director Helen Fefles and Kay Cosmas, choir president.
STARTEC - LONG DISTANCE DIAL: 1010 -719 CUSTOMER SERVICE: 1-800-651-8923
ÅÔÏÓ 64
ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÓ 1999
ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1165
óåéóìüò Ï ÂñåóèÝíçò ÄçìÞôñéïò Ðïëýíåêñïò Ýðëçîå ôçí ÁèÞíá íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò A ôùí Êþóôá ÐáëÜêá Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá Óôáýñïõ Ðáðáãåñìáíïý
Ó
ôéò 19 Áõãïýóôïõ, 1999 ç Áãßá êáé ÉåñÜ Óýíïäïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ åîÝëåîå ôïí Ðáíéåñüôáôï ÔéôïõëÜñéï Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÂñåóèÝíçò ÄçìÞôñéï ùò íÝï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò, áìÝóùò ìåôÜ ôçí ðáñáßôçóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Óðõñßäùíá êáé ôçí ìåôÜèåóÞ ôïõ óôçí É. Ìçôñüðïëç ×áëäßáò. (âëÝðå Üëëç óôÞëç) Ç 19ç Áõãïýóôïõ, êáèþò êáé ç 18ç Óåðôåìâñßïõ 1999 çìåñïìçíßá åíèñïíßóåùò ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ê. Äçìçôñßïõ, áðïôåëïýí ôçí ðñþôç óåëßäá åíüò íÝïõ êåöáëáßïõ ôçò Ýíäïîçò éóôïñßáò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèüäïîçò Åêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò åßíáé ï Ýêôïò êáôÜ óåéñÜ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áðü ôçí ßäñõóç ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, ôï 1922. Óå áíáêïßíùóÞ ôçò ìåôÜ ôç ëÞøç ôçò áðïöÜóåùò, ç Áñ÷éãñáììáôåßá ôçò Áãßáò êáé ÉåñÜò Óõíüäïõ ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Èñüíïõ áíÝöåñå ìåôáîý Üëëùí êáé ôá áêüëïõèá: «Ç áðüöáóéò êáé êáíïíéêÞ áýôç ðñÜîéò ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò, áðïôÝëåóìá ðïëëÞò ðñïóåõ÷Þò êáé ðïëëáðëÞò óôáèìßóåùò üëùí ôùí äåäïìÝíùí, áðïâëÝðåé åéò ôçí åéñÞíçí êáé ôçí åíüôçôá ôçò åí ÁìåñéêÞ ðñïóöéëïýò Ïìïãåíåßáò, ôçí ïðïßáí ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí óôïñãéêþò êáëåß íá óõóðåéñùèÞ ðåñß ôïí íÝïí åêêëçóéáóôéêüí çãÝôçí áõôÞò êáé íá åðéäïèÞ åéò Ýñãá áãÜðçò êáé ðñïüäïõ, åð áãáèþ åáõôÞò êáé åéò äüîáí Èåïý». Ï Ðáíéåñüôáôïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÂñåóèÝíçò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò, áðáíôþíôáò óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ðïõ ôïí ðëçñïöüñçóå ôçëåöùíéêÜ ãéá ôçí áðüöáóç, åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ: «Åöüóïí ðñüêåéôáé ãéá åêëïãÞ åí Áãßù Ðíåýìáôé, Ðáíáãéþôáôå, äåí ìðïñþ íá êÜíù ôßðïôå Üëëï áðü ôï íá ôåèþ óôçí õðçñåóßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò». Ôçí åðïìÝíç ìÝñá, 20 Áõãïýóôïõ, ï åøçöéóìÝíïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ôáîßäåøå óôçí Ðüëç ãéá ôçí ôÝëåóç ôïõ Ìéêñïý êáé ÌåãÜëïõ Ìçíýìáôïò. Ç ôåëåôÞ ôïõ Ìéêñïý Ìçíýìáôïò ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé åí óõíåäñßá ôçò Áãßáò êáé ÉåñÜò Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞò Óõíüäïõ, üðïõ êáëåßôáé ï åøçöéóìÝíïò ÉåñÜñ÷çò êáé ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôïõ áíáêïéíþíåé ôï áðïôÝëåóìá ôçò øçöïöïñßáò êáé ôçí áðüöáóç åêëïãÞò ôïõ. ÁìÝóùò ìåôÜ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò äçëþíïíôáò ôçí áðïäï÷Þ ôçò åêëïãÞò ôïõ åîÝöñáóå ôéò åõ÷áñéóôßåò êáé ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ôïõ ðñïò ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôá ìÝëç ôçò Áãßáò êáé ÉåñÜò Óõíüäïõ. Ëßãï áñãüôåñá, óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Ç Á.È.Ð. ï Ïéê. ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðáñïõóéÜæåé ôïí íÝï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï, óôç áßèïõóá ôïõ Èñüíïõ, ëßãï ìåôÜ áðü ôçí ôåëåôÞ ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Ìçíýìáôïò.
Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå ç ôåëåôÞ ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Ìçíýìáôïò áðü ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï, êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò ïðïßáò åøÜëçóáí ôñïðÜñéá ôçò ÐåíôçêïóôÞò êáé ï íåïåêëåãÞò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Ýêáíå åéäéêÞ äÝçóç õðÝñ ôïõ êëÞñïõ êáé ôïõ ëáïý ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Áêïëïýèçóå ç õðïãñáöÞ ôçò ðñÜîçò åêëïãÞò ðïõ
êáôá÷ùñÞèçêå óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Êþäéêá. Ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò óôçí ðñïóöþíçóÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôïí íåïåêëåãÝíôá Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ìåôáîý Üëëùí ôüíéóå êáé ôá åîÞò:
u óåë. 13,15
ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ ÁÍÁÊÏÉÍÙÈÅÍ
[ Áíáêïéíï`õôáé }ïôé êáôÜ ôÞí óçìåñéíÞí óõíåäñßáí ô`çò ] Áãßáò êáß Éåñ`áò Óõíüäïõ ]ï Óåâ. [ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò [ Áìåñéê`çò ê. Óðõñßäùí ìåôåôÝèç å éò ôÞí ÉåñÜí Ìçôñüðïëéí ×áëäßáò êáß ðñüêåéôáé íÜ ô`~ù [áíáôåè~`ç ]õðü ôï`õ Ï éêïõìåíéêï`õ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ {áëëç ]õðçñåóßá [åí ô`~ù ìÝëëïíôé. Å éò ôÞí ï}õôù êåíùèå¡éóáí èÝóéí ôï`õ [ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ [ Áìåñéê`çò å[ îåëÝãç ]ï Ðáíéåñþôáôïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÂñåóèÝíçò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò, å éò ôüí ]ïðï¡éïí, êáôÜ ôÞí å[ êêëçóéáóôéêÞí ôÜîéí, ðñïöñüíùò å[ äüèç êáíïíéêüí á [ ðïëõôÞñéïí ]õðü ô`çò ] ÁãéùôÜôçò [ Åêêëçóßáò ô`çò ] ÅëëÜäïò. ] Ï å[ êëåãåßò [ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò [ Áìåñéê`çò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò å[ ñ÷üìåíïò á}õñéïí, ÐáñáóêåõÞí, 20Þí ô.ì., å éò ÖáíÜñéïí, èÜ ôåëÝó~ç ôü ÌÞíõìá êáß ôÞí Å[õ÷áñéóôßáí êáß èÜ ëÜâ~ç ôÜò å[õ÷Üò êáß å[õëïãßáò ô`çò Ìçôñüò [ Åêêëçóßáò äéÜ ôÜ íÝá á[õôï`õ êáèÞêïíôá. ] Ç [áðüöáóéò êáß êáíïíéêÞ á}õôç ðñ`áîéò ô`çò Ìçôñüò [ Åêêëçóßáò, [áðïôÝëåóìá ðïëë`çò ðñïóåõ÷`çò êáß ðïëëáðë`çò óôáèìßóåùò }ïëùí ô`ùí äåäïìÝíùí, á [ ðïâëÝðåé å éò ôÞí å éñÞíçí êáß ôÞí å] íüôçôá ô`çò å[ í [ Áìåñéê`ç ~ ðñïóöéëï`õò ] Ïìïãåíåßáò, ôÞí ]ïðïßáí ôü Ï éêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷å¡éïí óôïñãéê`ùò êáëå¡é íÜ óõóðåéñùè~ç ` ðåñß ôüí íÝïí å[ êêëçóéáóôéêüí ç ] ãÝôçí á[õô`çò êáß íÜ [åðéäïè~`ç å éò {åñãá [áãÜðçò êáß ðñïüäïõ, [åð [áãáè`~ù ]åáõô`çò êáß å éò äüîáí Èåï`õ. [ Åí ôï¡éò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïéò, ô~`ç 19~ç Á[õãïýóôïõ 1999 [ Åê ô`çò [ Áñ÷éãñáììáôåßáò ô`çò ] Áãßáò êáß Éåñ`áò Óõíüäïõ
õîÜíåôáé êáèçìåñéíÜ ï ìáêÜâñéïò êáôÜëïãïò ôùí èõìÜôùí ôïõ öïâåñïý óåéóìïý ìåãÝèïõò 5,9 ôçò êëßìáêáò Ñß÷ôåñ ðïõ Ýðëçîå ôçí ÁèÞíá ôçí Ôñßôç, 7 Óåðôåìâñßïõ. ¹ôáí ï éó÷õñüôåñïò óåéóìüò ðïõ óçìåéþíåôáé óôçí ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò ÁôôéêÞò êáôÜ ôá ôåëåõôáßá 85 ÷ñüíéá. ÌÝ÷ñé ôç óôéãìÞ Ýêäïóçò ôïõ öýëëïõ áõôïý ï áñéèìüò ôùí íåêñþí Ýöôáóå ôïõò 108, åíþ Ý÷ïõí áíáóõñèåß 85 æùíôáíïß êÜôù áðü ôá åñåßðéá, áãíïåßôáé ç ôý÷ç 35 áôüìùí êáé ÷Üíïíôáé óéãÜ-óéãÜ ïé åëðßäåò ãéá ôçí áíåýñåóç æùíôáíþí. ÅðéðëÝïí, õðÜñ÷ïõí åêáôïíôÜäåò ôñáõìáôßåò, ïé Üóôåãïé áíÝñ÷ïíôáé óå åêáôïíôÜäåò ÷éëéÜäåò êáé áíõðïëüãéóôï ðáñáìÝíåé áêüìç ôï áêñéâÝò ìÝãåèïò ôùí æçìéþí. Áðü ôéò ìÝ÷ñé óôéãìÞò åêôéìÞóåéò ôùí ìç÷áíéêþí ôïõ áñìüäéïõ õðïõñãåßïõ, Ý÷ïõí åëåã÷èåß Üíù ôùí 10.000 ïéêçìÜôùí, åê ôùí ïðïßùí ôï 12% êñßèçêáí áêáôÜëëçëá êáé êáôåäáöéóôÝá. Ç êõâÝñíçóç ôçò ÅëëÜäïò Ý÷åé áíáêïéíþóåé ìéá óåéñÜ ìÝôñùí ãéá ôçí áíáêïýöéóç ôùí óåéóìïðáèþí êáé ôçí áíïéêïäüìçóç ôùí êáôåóôñáììÝíùí ïéêçìÜôùí. Ôñåéò ìüëéò åâäïìÜäåò ìåôÜ áðü ôïí êáôáóôñåðôéêü óåéóìü ìåãÝèïõò 7,9 âáèìþí ðïõ Ýðëçîå ôçí Ôïõñêßá êáé ðñïêÜëåóå ôï èÜíáôï ðåñßðïõ 15.000 áôüìùí, ï óåéóìüò ôçò ÁôôéêÞò óçìåéþèçêå óå áðüóôáóç 12 ìßëéá âüñåéá ôùí âïñåéïäõôéêþí ðñïáóôßùí ôçò ÁèÞíáò, äéÞñêåóå 10 äåõôåñüëåðôá êáé Ýãéíå áéóèçôüò ìÝ÷ñé êáé ôçí Óìýñíç. Ôïí êõñßùò óåéóìü áêïëïýèçóáí ðåñéóóüôåñåò áðü 700 ìåôáóåéóìéêÝò äïíÞóåéò ï÷ôþ áðü ôéò ïðïßåò îåðåñíïýóáí ôï ìÝãåèïò ôùí 4 âáèìþí ôçò êëßìáêáò Ñß÷ôåñ. Ïé óåéóìïëüãïé ðéóôåýïõí üôé ï óåéóìüò ðïõ Ýðëçîå ôçí ÁôôéêÞ äåí ó÷åôßæïíôáí Üìåóá ìå ôï ìåãÜëï óåéóìü ôçò Ôïõñêßáò, áëëÜ ïé äïíÞóåéò áðïôåëïýí Ýíäåéîç ìéáò áõîçìÝíçò óåéóìéêÞò äñÜóçò óôç ãåùãñáöéêÞ æþíç ìåôáîý ÉñÜí êáé Éôáëßáò. Áîßæåé íá óçìåéùèåß üôé óõãêéíçôéêÞ Þôáí ç ìÝ÷ñé óôéãìÞò ç áíôáðüêñéóç ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò óôéò ðñïóðÜèåéåò ãéá ôç óõëëïãÞ ÷ñçìÜôùí ìå óôü÷ï ôçí áíáêïýöéóç ôùí áäåëöþí ìáò ÅëëÞíùí óåéóìïðáèþí. Ç É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò ìåôÜ áðü Ýêêëçóç ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ê. Äçìçôñßïõ, æÞôçóå áðü üëåò ôéò êïéíüôçôåò ôçí ðåñéöïñÜ åéäéêïý äßóêïõ ãéá ôç óõëëïãÞ âïÞèåéáò ãéá ôïõò óåéóìïðáèåßò.
Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Óðõñßäùí õðÝâáëå ôçí ðáñáßôçóÞ ôïõ ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Óðõñßäùí õðÝâáëëå ôçí ðáñáßôçóç ôïõ ùò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò óôçí Á.È.Ð. ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï óôéò 19 Áõãïýóôïõ. Áêïëïõèåß åãêýêëéá åðéóôïëÞ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Óðõñßäùíá ðñïò ôï ðëÞñùìá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò óôçí ïðïßá áíáêïéíþíåé ôçí ðáñáßôçóÞ ôïõ.
u óåë. 14
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 12
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÂÉÏÃÑÁÖÉÊÏ ÓÇÌÅÉÙÌÁ ÔÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÕ ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏÕ
Ï
Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò êáôÜ êüóìïí ÄçìÞôñéïò ÔñáêáôÝëçò, 71 åôþí, ãåííÞèçêå óôç Èåóóáëïíßêç, ôï 1928. Áñéóôïý÷ïò ðôõ÷éïý÷ïò ôçò Èåïëïãßáò ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ Áèçíþí (1946-1950), ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò åðßóçò Ýëáâå ôï 1977 ôï äéäáêôïñéêü ôçò Èåïëïãßáò áðü ôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï Áèçíþí. Ï íåïåêëåãåßò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò å÷åéñïôïíÞèç ÄéÜêïíïò ôï 1960 êáé Ðñåóâýôåñïò ôï 1964. ÅîåëÝãç Åðßóêïðïò ÂñåóèÝíçò ôï 1967, ùò âïçèüò ðáñÜ ôù Áñ÷éåðéóêüðù Áèçíþí, åðéöïñôéóèåßò ìå åéäéêÞ åõèýíç ãéá ôá èÝìáôá êáé ðñïãñÜììáôá ôçò èåïëïãéêÞò åêðáéäåýóåùò ôïõ ÊëÞñïõ. Ôï 1968 åîåëÝãç Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÁôôéêÞò êáé Ìåãáñßäïò, ìÞ áðïäå÷èåßò ôçí åêëïãÞ ãéá ëüãïõò ó÷åôéæüìåíïõò ìå ôçí êáíïíéêÞ ôÜîç êáé ôçí ôüôå åðéêñáôïýóá ðïëéôéêÞ êáôÜóôáóç óôçí ÅëëÜäá. Ôï 1965 Þñèå óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò êáé åöïßôçóå óôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï Harvard áðü ôï ïðïßï Ýëáâå ìå åðáßíïõò ôï äéäáêôïñéêü ôïõ ôï 1972. ÊáôÜ ôçí ìáêñü÷ñïíç ðáñáìïíÞ ôïõ óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò åðß 11 ÷ñüíéá äéáôÝëåóå ÄéáêåêñéìÝíïò ÊáèçãçôÞò Âéâëéêþí Óðïõäþí êáé ×ñéóôéáíéêþí ðçãþí óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý Brookline Ìáóá÷ïõóÝôçò, åíþ êáôÜ ôçí ßäéá ðåñßïäï åðßóçò åäßäáîå ùò åðéóêÝðôçò ÊáèçãçôÞò ôçò ÊáéíÞò ÄéáèÞêçò óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ Harvard Ôïí Éïýíéï, 1993 êáé ìåôÜ áðü äéáìïíÞ Üíù ôùí 20 ÷ñüíùí óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò åðÝóôñåøå óôçí ÅëëÜäá ðñïêåéìÝíïõ íá áó÷ïëçèåß ìå áêáäçìáúêÞ Ýñåõíá, óõããñáöéêü Ýñãï, äéáëÝîåéò êáé Üóêçóç êáèçêüíôùí óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ Áèçíþí. ¸÷åé äçìïóéåýóåé ðïëëÜ âéâëßá êáé Üñèñá åðéóôçìïíéêïý êáé åðïéêïäïìçôéêïý ÷áñáêôÞñá ôüóï óôçí åëëçíéêÞ üóï êáé óôçí áããëéêÞ ãëþóóá. ÅíäåéêôéêÜ áíáöÝñïíôáé ôá âéâëßá: The Pre-existence of Christ in Justin Martyr, Ï õðåñâáôéêüò Èåüò ôïõ Eõãíþóôïõ, Ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ðíåýìáôïò, Åîïõóßá êáé ðÜèïò, ×ñéóôüò ï ðñïûðÜñ÷ùí Èåüò, êáé Ïé ÐáôÝñåò åñìçíåýïõí. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò åßíáé ãíþóôçò ôùí ãëùóóþí áããëéêÞò, ãáëëéêÞò, ãåñìáíéêÞò, åâñáúêÞò, ëáôéíéêÞò, áñáìáúêÞò êáé êïðôéêÞò.
ÊÕÑÉÏ ÁÑÈÑÏ «Å
í Áãßù Ðíåýìáôé>, ç Áãßá êáé ÉåñÜ Óýíïäïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ìáò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, áíÝèåóå ôï ðçäÜëéï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, óôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÂñåóèÝíçò ÄçìÞôñéï. Ç éåñÜ ðíåõìáôéêÞ óõìðüñåõóç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ êáé ôïõ Óåðôïý ÊÝíôñïõ ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò åßíáé áäéáßñåôç êáé ç <åí ôç Åêêëçóßá åõèýíç> åíéáßá êáé áäéáßñåôç, üðùò ôüíéóå ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ìáò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðñïóöùíþíôáò ôïí íåïåêëåãÝíôá Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï. Ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï äéáâåâáßùóå óôï ðñüóùðï ôïõ íÝïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ, ðùò èá óôáèåß óôï ðëåõñü ìáò. ÁðÝäåéîå ãéá ìéá áêüìç öïñÜ, ìå áðñüóìåíç ãéá ðïëëïýò áíôéêåéìåíéêüôçôá êáé óïößá, ðùò ìüíïò ãíþìïíÜò ôïõ åßíáé ç æþóá åí ÁìåñéêÞ Åêêëçóßá êáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò êáé ç ðáñï÷Þ ðñïò áõôÞí, ôçí ðïëõáãáðçìÝíç èõãáôÝñá ôçò, <ìçôñéêÞò öñïíôßäáò êáé óôïñãÞò>. Óôçí ðïëõêýìáíôç éóôïñßá ôçò, ç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò åß÷å êáé Ý÷åé ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò ùò êéâùôü, ùò ïäçãü êáé äÜóêáëï êáé óõíïäïéðüñï ðïõ ìðïñåß íá ìáò ïäçãÞóåé óå ìéá áíáâÜðôéóç óôçí áíüèåõôç Ïñèïäïîßá ôùí ÐáôÝñùí, ðïõ åßíáé ôáãìÝíï íá äéáöõëÜôôåé óôïõò áéþíåò.
Ðñþôïò óôü÷ïò ç åéñÞíç êáé ç åíüôçôá
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò óôç ðñþôç óõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ óôçí áßèïõóá ôçò Åíùóçò Óõíôáêôþí
ÁÈÇÍÁ. Ìå èáõìáóìü êáé éêáíïðïßçóç ïé åêêëçóéáóôéêïß óõíôÜêôåò ôïõ Áèçíáúêïý Ôýðïõ áëëÜ êáé ïñéóìÝíïé ïìïãåíåßò, ðáñáêïëïýèçóáí óôéò 26 Áõãïýóôïõ 1999, ôçí ðñþôç óõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ ðïõ ïñãáíþèçêå áðü ôçí ¸íùóç Óõíôáêôþí Çìåñçóßùí Åöçìåñßäùí Áèçíþí (Å.Ó.Ç.Å.Á). Óå áíáêïßíùóÞ ôïõ ôçí ïðïßá áðçýèõíå óôïõò äçìïóéïãñÜöïõò ìå ôçí Ýíáñîç ôçò óõíÝíôåõîçò, ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ ùò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò, óôçí åê ìÝñïõò ôïõ áðïäï÷Þ ôçò ìåãßóôçò áõôÞò ôéìÞò ôçò ÌçôÝñáò Åêêëçóßáò ôçí ïðïßá, üðùò åßðå, åäÝ÷èç <åí âáèåßá ôáðåéíþóåé, öüâù Èåïý êáé áöÜôù åõãíùìïóýíç> êáé óôçí ðñïò áíÜëçøç óçìáíôéêÞ êáé ðïëõäéÜóôáôç áðïóôïëÞ ôçò ðïéìáíôïñßáò ôïõ, äßíïíôáò éäéáßôåñç Ýìöáóç óôçí áíÜãêç áðïêáôÜóôáóçò ôçò åíüôçôáò êáé ïìüíïéáò óôçí É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò.
Ï
Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò êáëåßôáé íá åðùìéóèåß ôéò åõèýíåò ìéáò, üðùò ï ßäéïò åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ, «äéáêïíßáò Óôáõñïý» êáé óõã÷ñüíùò ìéáò «äéáêïíßáò ÷áñÜò êáé åëðßäáò» óå ìéá êñßóéìç ÷ñïíéêÞ óõãêõñßá óôï ëõêáõãÝò ôçò íÝáò ÷éëéåôßáò. Óå ÷ñüíéá äýóêïëá êáé äýóâáôá, ï Åëëçíéóìüò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò äéáìüñöùóå Ýíá üñáìá ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí. ÌåôÜ áðü ÷ñüíéá óôåñÞóåùí êáé óêëçñÞò äïõëåéÜò, Ý÷ôéóå Ýíá êïéíùíéêü ïéêïäüìçìá, ðïõ äåí åßíáé åýêïëï íá ãêñåìéóôåß. Ôüóï ç õðïäïìÞ üóï êáé ôï üñáìá ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò, ãéá èåìÝëéï Ý÷ïõí ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ç ÏìïãÝíåéá ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò âëÝðåé óôï ðñüóùðï ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ ôïí íÝï ðíåõìáôéêü ôçò çãÝôç ï ïðïßïò êñáôþíôáò ãåñÜ óôï ÷Ýñé ôï ôñéêÝñé ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý êáé ôçò ÐáñÜäïóçò êáé ùò öÜñïò öùôåéíüò, èá ôçí ïäçãÞóåé óôçí áíôéìåôþðéóç ôùí ðñïâëçìÜôùí ôçò ôá ïðïßá ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå ôç äéáôÞñçóç ôçò Ïñèüäïîçò ðßóôçò ìáò êáé ôçò ìáêñáßùíçò ðïëéôéóôéêÞò ìáò êëçñïíïìéÜò êáé ôáõôüôçôáò. Ï íÝïò ÐïéìåíÜñ÷çò ìáò, áíôáðïêñßíåôáé óôçí ðñüóêëçóç êáé áíôéëáìâÜíåôáé ðëÞñùò ôçí ðñüêëçóç êáé åßíáé äéáôåèåéìÝíïò <ìå ïëïôåëÞ áöïóßùóç> íá ðñïóöÝñåé üëï ôïõ ôï åßíáé, <ôï ìÝãéóôïí êáé Üñéóôïí>. ÁìÞí.
äéüôé ôïí ãíùñßæù åðß ìáêñÜí óåéñÜí åôþí, åêëÞèçí õðü ôïõ Èåïý íá äéáêïíÞóù. Íá ôïí äéáêïíÞóù ìå üëçí ìïõ ôçí ýðáñîéí, ìå üëáò ìïõ ôáò äõíÜìåéò, ìå ïëïôåëÞ áöïóßùóéí>. <... Ç ðñïïðôéêÞ áõôÞ, ç ïðïßá áðïôåëåß êáé ôçí ïõóßáí ôïõ ìçíýìáôïò ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ, óõíïäåõïìÝíç áðü ôïí ðëïýôïí ôçò ìáêñáßùíïò ðáñáäüóåùò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý ìáò ÃÝíïõò, èá åßíáé âáóéêÜ óôïé÷åßá ôçò ðñïóðáèåßáò ìáò åí ÁìåñéêÞ. Ìéáò ðñïóðáèåßáò ç ïðïßá ìå ôçí ðáíóèåíÞ âïÞèåéáí ôïõ Èåïý, ôçí áìÝñéóôïí óõìðáñÜóôáóéí ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò, ôçí Ýîï÷ïí ðñïèõìßáí ôþí åí ôç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò ðñïóöéëåóôÜôùí áäåëöþí Áñ÷éåñÝùí, ôïõ éåñïý ÊëÞñïõ åí ãÝíåé , êáé ôïõ Ëáïý, èá êÜìç ðáí ôï äõíáôüí äéÜ íá óõíå÷ßóåé åí âáèåßá åéñÞíç, åíüôçôé êáé ïìïíïßá ôçí åðß ìáêñÜí óåéñÜí åôþí ðñïóöïñÜí ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ ôçò áëçèåßáò êáé ôþí èçóáõñþí ôçò Ïñèïäü-
Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Äçìïêñáôßáò ê. ÊùóôÞ Óôåöáíüðïõëï êáôÜ ôçí åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óôï Ðñïåäñéêü ÌÝãáñï
Ê
áôÜ ãåíéêÞ ðáñáäï÷Þ, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò äéáêñßíåôáé ãéá ôï ÷ñéóôéáíéêü ôïõ Þèïò, ôïí áêÝñáéï ÷áñáêôÞñá ôïõ, ôá åîáéñåôéêÜ äéáíïçôéêÜ ôïõ ÷áñßóìáôá, ôéò óôÝñååò ðíåõìáôéêÝò ôïõ áîßåò, ôçí åìâñéèÞ èåïëïãéêÞ êáôÜñôéóç êáé ôçí ðßóôç êáé áöïóßùóÞ ôïõ óôçí Åêêëçóßá ùò Óþìá ×ñéóôïý êáé Êéâùôü Óùôçñßáò ôïõ áíèñþðïõ. Áðüññïéá ôçò óèåíáñÞò ðßóôçò êáé áöïóßùóÞò ôïõ áðïôåëåß ç ðåðïßèçóÞ ôïõ ãéá ôçí åðéèõìçôÞ õðÝñâáóç ôùí áíôéîïïôÞôùí óôïõò êüëðïõò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò ç ïðïßá åðéóöñáãßæåôáé ìå ôç äÞëùóç ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõ üôé: <Ç Åêêëçóßá Ý÷åé ôç äõíáôüôçôá ÷ùñßò õðï÷ùñÞóåéò óôï äüãìá êáé óôéò ðáñáäüóåéò ôçò íá åêöñÜóåé ôçí åëåõèåñßá ôçò êáé íá åíóùìáôþóåé áñìïíéêÜ ôéò äéáöïñïðïéçìÝíåò íïïôñïðßåò êáé éäÝåò... ôÝôïéïõ åßäïõò äéáöïñåôéêÝò èÝóåéò ïé ïðïßåò ðñïêÜëåóáí óõãêñïýóåéò åß÷áìå êáé óôçí Áñ÷áßá Åêêëçóßá êáé óôç óõíÝ÷éóÞ ôçò äéÜ ìÝóù ôùí áéþíùí. Ç Åêêëçóßá ðÜíôïôå ðñï÷ùñåß ìå ôçí åëåõèåñßá ôçò óêÝøçò êáé ôçò Ýêöñáóçò. ÐéóôÞ üìùò ìïíßìùò óôçí áãÜðç, óôçí áëÞèåéá, óôç äéêáéïóýíç êáé áìåôáêßíçôç óôï Ýñãï ôçò óùôçñßáò ôïõ áíèñþðïõ êáé ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ ôïõ Èåïý». Ç èÝóç áõôÞ åêëáìâÜíåôáé ùò ìéá åëðéäïöüñá ðñïóÝããéóç ôùí åêêñåìïôÞôùí ôçò ðéï ìåãÜëçò Åðáñ÷ßáò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Èñüíïõ, åíüò ÷þñïõ ðïéìáíôïñßáò ðïëõäéÜóôáôïõ êáé ðïëýðëïêïõ áðü áðüøåùò ìåãÝèïõò, óõíèÝóåùò êáé ãåùðïëéôéêÞò èÝóåùò.
ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÓ 1999
GANP-APE
Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áðÜíôçóå ìå åõêñßíåéá êáé åõèýôçôá üëåò ôéò åñùôÞóåéò ôùí äçìïóéïãñÜöùí. <Äåí öåßäåóèå âëÝðù, ôïõ íÝïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ>, åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ ãéá ôéò <äýóêïëåò> ìåñéêÝò öïñÝò åñùôÞóåéò ðïõ ôïõ õðïâëÞèçêáí. Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò ðñïôßìçóå íá ìçí åðåêôáèåß óå ëåðôïìÝñåéåò êáé ðñïãñáììáôéêÝò äçëþóåéò ìéá êáé üðùò åßðå èåùñåß áðáñáßôçôç ðñþôá ôçí åðáöÞ ôïõ ìå ôï ÷þñï, ôïí êëÞñï êáé ôïí ëáü ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé éäéáßôåñá ìå <ôïõò áäåëöïýò ìïõ óõí-åðéóêüðïõò ôçò É. Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ>, åßðå. Óôçí åéóáãùãéêÞ ôïõ ïìéëßá ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò ìåôáîý Üëëùí ôüíéóå: <¼ðùò äéáöáßíåôáé óáöÝóôáôá..., ç ôéìÞ ôçí ïðïßáí ìïõ Ýêáìå ç ÌÞôçñ Åêêëçóßá åßíáé üíôùò ìåãßóôç, äé áõôü êáé åßìáé âáèýôáôá åõãíþìùí. ÁëëÜ êáé ç åõèýíç ç ïðïßá ìïõ áíáôßèåôáé åßíáé ðñÜãìáôé ôåñáóôßá, ôüóïí Ýíáíôé ôïõ Èåïý üóïí êáé Ýíáíôé ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ìáò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáé ôïõ åêëåêôïý êáé åõãåíïýò ëáïý ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ôïí ðëÞñç æùôéêüôçôïò êáé åîáéñåôéêÞò äõíáìéêüôçôïò ëáüí áõôüí ôïõ Èåïý, ðñïò ôïí ïðïßïí ôñÝöù âáèõôÜôçí åêôßìçóéí êáé áíåðéöýëáêôïí áãÜðçí
îïõ ðßóôåùò åéò ôïí áðÝñáíôïí áëëÜ êáé öéëüîåíïí êüóìïí ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò. ¸íá êüóìïí ðïëõäéÜóôáôïí, ðïëõðïëéôéóìéêüí, ìå èñçóêåõôéêÜò êáé åèíéêÜò äéáöïñïðïéÞóåéò, ìå óçìáíôéêÜò êïéíùíéêïðïëéôéêÜò áíáêáôáôÜîåéò, êáé ìå êáëðÜæïõóáí ôå÷íïëïãéêÞí ðñüïäïí, äçëáäÞ Ýíá êüóìïí, ï ïðïßïò ðñïóêáëåß êáé ðñïêáëåß ôçí Ïñèïäïîßáí íá ðñïóöÝñç ôï ìÝãéóôïí êáé ôï Üñéóôïí>.
ÓõíáíôÞóåéò
ÅîÜëëïõ, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò, ìåôÜ ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ êáé êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò ðñïåôïéìáóßáò ôïõ ãéá ôçí Üöéîç ôïõ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ êáé ôçí åíèñüíéóç, åß÷å ìéá óåéñÜ óõíáíôÞóåùí ìå ðïëéôåéáêïýò êáé ðïëéôéêïýò ðáñÜãïíôåò ôçò ãåíÝôåéñáò üðùò ìå ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Äçìïêñáôßáò ê. ÊùóôÞ Óôåöáíüðïõëï, ôïí ðñùèõðïõñãü ê. Êþóôá Óçìßôç, õðïõñãïýò êáé çãÝôåò ôùí êïììÜôùí ôçò áíôéðïëßôåõóçò. Ïé óõíáíôÞóåéò áõôÝò, åêôüò áðü ôïí åèéìïôõðéêü ÷áñáêôÞñá ôïõò, Ýäùóáí ôçí åõêáéñßá ãéá áíôáëëáãÞ áðüøåùí ãéá ôçí ðïñåßá ôïõ åëëçíéóìïý óôéò ÇÐÁ êáé ôçí ðåñáéôÝñù óýóöéãîç ôùí ó÷Ýóåùí ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò ìå ôç ãåíÝôåéñá.
ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÓ 1999
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 13
ÖèÜíåé óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò ÓÔÉÓ 18 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ Ç ÅÍÈÑÏÍÉÓÇ
u óåë. 11
ëáñßïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôïõ Âñåó«...ÓÜò åìðéóôåõüìåèá èÝíçò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ åßíáé ç ôçí ìåãáëõôÝñáí êáé ðëÝïí áñßóôç ðáóþí êáé äåäïäõíáìéêÞí åðáñ÷ßáí ôïõ ìÝíùí ôùí éäéáéôÝñùí ðíåõðáíóÝðôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ìáôéêþí, èåïëïãéêþí, ðñáÈñüíïõ êáé ðñïôñåðüêôéêþí êáé äéáíïçôéêþí ôïõ ìåèá õìÜò íá áðïêáôá÷áñéóìÜôùí ðñïúùíßæåôáé óôÞóåôå êáß íá ðåñéöñïõìå ôçí ÷Üñéí ôïõ Èåïý ç ñÞóåôå ôá ýøéóôá áãáèÜ áíáãÝííçóéò ôçò Åëëçíïñèïôçò åéñÞíçò êáé ôçò åíüôçäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Áìåñéôïò ôïõ åí áõôÞ ðñïóöéêÞò. Óõã÷áßñïìåí ôïí åêëåëïýò ôç Ìçôñß Åêêëçóßá ãÝíôá, ï ïðïßïò õðÞñîå áðü ëáïý ôïõ Èåïý. Åéò ôçí ôçò åêëïãÞò ìáò åéò ôï áñ÷éðñïóðÜèåéÜí óáò áõôÞí... åðéóêïðéêüí áîßùìá åêëåèá åßìåèá ðáñÜ ôï ðëåõñü êôüò, ðïëýôéìïò êáé Üñéóôïò õìþí...> (ôï ðëÞñåò êåßìåíï óõíåñãÜôçò êáé ðñïóåõäçìïóéåýôáé óå Üëëç óôÞëç) ÷üìåèá êáé ðéóôåýïìåí êáé Áðáíôþíôáò óôçí ôïõ åõ÷üìåèá êáëÞí åðéôõðñïóöþíçóç ôïõ Ïéê. ÷ßá åéò ôçí íÝáí ôïõ õøçëÞí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç, ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßáðïóôïëÞí. Óõã÷áßñïìåí óêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞáêüìç êáé ôïí Åëëçíéóìüí ôñéïò åîÝöñáóå ôéò åõ÷áñéôçò ÁìåñéêÞò äéüôé åéò ôï óôßåò ôïõ êáé ôçí åõãíùðñüóùðïí ôïõ íÝïõ Áñ÷éìïóýíç ôïõ ðñïò ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé Íéê. Ìáããßíáò åðéóêüðïõ åßíáé âÝâáéïí, üôé ôïõò Óõíïäéêïýò Áñ÷éåñåßò Åãêüëðéï êáé ÷ñõóüò óôáõñüò Þôáí ôá ðáôñéáñ÷éêÜ äþñá óôïí Óåâ. èá åýñåé ôïí áëçèÞ êáé ãíÞóéïí ðïéìÝíá êáé ôïí áîéáãÜãéá ôçí üíôùò ìåãßóôç ôéìÞ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï. ðçôïí ðáôÝñá» ðïõ ôïõ Ýãéíå áðü ôçí ÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá íá ôïí åêëÝîåé Ðñïêá- ×ñéóôüäïõëïò êáé ï Ìáêáñéüôáôïò Áñ÷éÏ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÉÜêùâïò åðßóêïðïò ÔéñÜíùí êáé ÐÜóçò Áëâáíßáò èÞìåíï ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÃÝñùí ðñþçí ÅîÜëëïõ, óå äÞëùóç ìåôÜ áðü ôçí ê. ÁíáóôÜóéïò. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ×ñéóôüäïõëïò Ýêáíå ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÉÜêùâïò, óå äÞëùóÞ ôïõ åêëïãÞ ôïõ, ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ôüíéóå: «Ìå áðÝñáíôç åõãíùìïóýíç ôçí åîÞò äÞëùóç: <Ç åêëïãÞ åéò Áñ÷éåðß- õðïãñÜììéóå: «ÐñïóùðéêÜ êáé óáí óôï Èåü êáé âáèýôáôç óõãêßíçóç åäÝ÷- óêïðïí ÁìåñéêÞò ôïõ ìÝ÷ñé ôïýäå Ôéôïõ- ðñþçí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Âïñåßïõ êáé Íïôßïõ ôçêá óÞìåñá áðü ôï óôüìá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ ôçí áðüöáóç ôçò åêëïãÞò ìïõ óôç èÝóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò. Ìå ôçí áðü-
ÐÑÏÓÖÙÍÇÓÉÓ ÔÇÓ Á.È. ÐÁÍÁÃÉÏÔÇÔÏÓ ÔÏÕ ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÕ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÏÕ ê.ê. ÂÁÑÈÏËÏÌÁÉÏÕ ÐÑÏÓ ÔÏÍ ÍÅÏÍ ÓÅÂ. ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÍ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇÓ ê. ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏÍ ÊÁÔÁ ÔÏ ÅÐÉ ÓÕÍÏÄÏÕ ÌÉÊÑÏÍ ÌÇÍÕÌÁ (20 Á[õãïýóôïõ 1999)
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
öáóÞ ôïõ áõôÞ ôï Óåðôü Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ìïõ Ýêáíå ìéá óðïõäáßá ôéìÞ êáé ìå åðéöüñôéóå ìå ìéá ôåñáóôßá åõèýíç Ýíáíôé ôïõ åêëåêôïý êáé åõãåíåóôÜôáôïõ ëáïý ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ôïí åîáßñåôïí áõôüí ëáüí ôïõ Èåïý ðïõ åðß ÷ñüíéá ãíùñßæù, âáèýôáôá åêôéìþ êáé áíåðéöýëáêôá áãáðþ, êáëïýìáé óÞìåñá íá äéáêïíßóù Èåßá ÷Üñéôé áðü ôçò èÝóåùò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ».
ÊáèïëéêÜ áðïäåêôüò Ç åßäçóç ôçò ïìüöùíçò åêëïãÞò ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÂñåóèÝíçò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ óôïí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Èñüíï ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò Ýãéíå äåêôÞ ôüóï óôçí ÅëëÜäá üóï êáé óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ùò åëðéäïöüñï ìÞíõìá. Ç Ýêöñáóç áéóèçìÜôùí áãáëëßáóçò, åíèïõóéáóìïý êáé åõãíùìïóýíçò ðñïò ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü ìáò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï Þôáí êáèïëéêÞ.
Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Áèçíþí
Áðü ôïõò ðñþôïõò ðïõ óõíå÷Üñçóáí ôïí åøçöéóìÝíï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò Þôáí ï Ìáêáñéüôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Áèçíþí êáé ÐÜóçò ÅëëÜäïò ê.
Éåñþôáôå [ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðå [ Áìåñéê`çò êýñéå ÄçìÞôñéå, ëßáí á [ ãáðçôÝ á [ äåëöÝ êáß óõëëåéôïõñãÝ ô`çò ç ] ì`ùí Ìåôñéüôçôïò, Êáë`ùò {çëèåôå! ÌåôÜ ðïëë`çò ÷áñ`áò á [ ããÝëëïìåí ô`ç ~ õ ] ìåôÝñ~á ößë~ç Éåñüôçôé ï } ôé ÷èÝò, ðñïôÜóåé êáß ðñïâïë~`ç ]çì`ùí, ]ç ðåñß ]çì`áò ] Áãßá êáß ÉåñÜ Óýíïäïò, ]ç óõãêñïôï`õóá ôü á [ íþôáôïí äéïéêçôéêüí ó`ùìá ô`çò Ìçôñüò [ Åêêëçóßáò, å[ îåëÝîáôï ]õì`áò [ Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïí [ Áìåñéê`çò, å éò äéáäï÷Þí ôï`õ ðñïêáôü÷ïõ ]õì`ùí êõñßïõ Óðõñßäùíïò, ìåôáôåèÝíôïò å éò ôÞí ÉåñÜí Ìçôñüðïëéí ×áëäßáò. [ ÁðÝâëåøå äÝ ç ] ÌÞôçñ [ Åêêëçóßáò å éò ôü äéáêåêñéìÝíïí ðñüóùðïí õ ] ì`ùí, á } ãéå á [ äåëöÝ, äéüôé óõãêåíôñþíåôå ðëå¡éóôá ï } óá ÷áñßóìáôá ôï`õ Èåï`õ: ëéðáñÜí ìïñöùóéí, ðñ~áüôçôá êáß óåìíüôçôá, [áãÜðçí, [åêêëçóéáóôéêüí \çèïò êáß öñüíçìá. Êáß äéÜ ðÜíôá ôá`õôá ÷áßñåôå å[ êôéìÞóåùò êáß óåâáóìï`õ êáèïëéêï`õ. ÔÜ å[ ê Èåï`õ ÷áñßóìáôá ôá`õôá êáëå¡éóèå ôþñá íÜ èÝóåôå å éò ôÞí äéÜèåóéí ôï`õ ðïéìíßïõ, ôï`õ ï ] ðïßïõ á [ ðü ô`çò óÞìåñïí á [ íáëáìâÜíåôå èåß~á óõíÜñóåé ôÞí äéáðïßìáíóéí. Ó`áò [åìðéóôåõüìåèá ôÞí ìåãáëõôÝñáí êáß ðëÝïí äõíáìéêÞí å[ ðáñ÷ßáí ôï`õ ðáíóÝðôïõ Ï éêïõìåíéêï`õ Èñüíïõ êáß ðñïôñåðüìåèá õ ] ì`áò íÜ á [ ðïêáôáóôÞóåôå êáß íÜ ðåñéöñïõñÞóåôå ôÜ õ } øéóôá á [ ãáèÜ ô`çò å éñÞíçò êáß ô`çò ]åíüôçôïò ôï`õ [åí á[õô~`ç ðñïóöéëï`õò ô`~ç Ìçôñß [ Åêêëçóß~á ëáï`õ ôï`õ Èåï`õ. Å éò ôÞí ðñïóðÜèåéÜí á[õôÞí êáß [åí ãÝíåé å éò ôÞí äéáðïßìáíóéí ô`çò Éåñ`áò [ Áñ÷éåðéóêïð`çò [ Áìåñéê`çò èÜ åªéìåèá ðáñÜ ôü ðëåõñüí ]õì`ùí, äéüôé á}õôç [áðïôåëå¡é ðñïóöéëÝóôáôïí ìÝëïò ôï`õ ]åíüò óþìáôïò ô`çò ]õðü ôÞí {áìåóïí äéêáéïäïóßáí ôï`õ Ï éêïõìåíéêï`õ Èñüíïõ ] ÁãéùôÜôçò [ Ïñèïäüîïõ [ Åêêëçóßáò êáß äéüôé å®éíáé á [ äéáßñåôïò ç ] é åñÜ ðíåõìáôéêÞ óõìðüñåõóéò á[õôï`õ ôå êáß å[ êåßíçò. Êáß [áêüìç äéüôé <]ç [åí ô`~ç [ Åêêëçóß~á å[õèýíç ôõã÷Üíåé ]åíéáßá êáß [áäéáßñåôïò>. ÄÝí á [ ðïâëÝðåé ôü Ï éêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷å¡éïí å éò ôÞí å[ î [ Áìåñéê`çò õ ] ëéêÞí âïÞèåéáí, ]ùò ðïëëÜêéò {å÷åé ðáñåîçãçè`ç êáß óõêïöáíôçè`ç. { Ï÷é äéüôé äÝí å{ ÷åé õ ] ëéêÜò á [ íÜãêáò. { Å÷åé êáß ìÜëéóôá ìåãÜëáò. [ ÁëëÜ ôü å[ íäéáöÝñïí ôïõ äéÜ ôü ðïßìíéïí ô`çò ]õìåôÝñáò Èåïóþóôïõ [ Åðáñ÷ßáò äÝí ðñïÝñ÷åôáé [åê ô`çò [áíáìåíïìÝíçò ]õëéê`çò [åî á[õô`çò óõìâïë`çò êáß óõìðáñáóôÜóåùò. [ Çìðïñå¡é íÜ æÞó~ç êáß ÷ùñßò ôÞí óõìâïëÞí á[õôÞí. [ ÁíôéèÝôùò ]ç [åí [ Áìåñéê`~ç [ Ïñèüäïîïò [ Åêêëçóßá ÷ñåéÜæåôáé ðïëý ðåñéóóüôåñïí ôÞí ìçôñéêÞí óôñïãÞí êáß öñïíôßäá ôï`õ Ï éêïõìåíéêï`õ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, ôü ï ] ðï¡éïí á [ ðïôåëå¡é ðíåõìáôéêÞí å[ ããýçóéí êáß á [ óöÜëåéáí äé á[õôÞí. Éåñþôáôå [ á äåëöÝ, Ó` á ò óõã÷áßñïìåí ] ï ëïèýìùò äéÜ ôÞí [ å ðáîßùò ðñïóãåíïìÝíçí õ ] ì¡éí ôéìÞí êáß å[ êöñÜæïìåí ôÞí å[ ëðßóá êáß ôÞí å[õ÷Þí ï } ðùò äéêáéþóçôå ðëÞñùò ôÜò ðñïóäïêßáò ô`çò [ Åêêëçóßáò. [ Áðü ôï`õ Éåñï`õ ôïýôïõ ÊÝíôñïõ èÜ ðñïóåõ÷þìåèá äéÜ ôÞí é êÜíùóéí õ ] ì`ùí á [ ðü Èåï`õ å[ í ô`ç ~ á { ñóåé ôï`õ á [ íáôéèåìÝíïõ õ ] ì¡éí âáñÝïò óôáõñï`õ êáß èÜ å{ ÷ùìåí å] ôïßìùò íÜ óõíáíôéëçöè`ùìåí õ ] ì¡éí å] êÜóôïôå ðñüò á [ íôéìåôþðéóéí ô`ùí á [ íáöõïìÝíùí ðñïâëçìÜôùí. Ó`áò [åôßìçóåí ]ç ÌÞôçñ [ Åêêëçóßá. ÔéìÞóáôå á[õôÞí êáß ôÞí [ Åðáñ÷ßáí óáò äéÜ íÜ äïîÜóùìåí {áðáíôåò ]ïìï`õ ôü }áãéïí { Ïíïìá ôï`õ Èåï`õ. [ ÁìÞí. { Áîéïò!
ÁìåñéêÞò, ÷áßñù ÷áñÜ ìåãÜëç ãéá ôçí áíáôïëÞ ôçò íÝáò åëðéäïöüñïõ çìÝñáò ãéá ôá åêêëçóéáóôéêÜ ðñÜãìáôá ôçò ìåãáëõôÝñáò Åðáñ÷ßáò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Èñüíïõ. Ï åêëåãåßò íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò åßíáé Üíèñùðïò ìå åõñýôçôá ðíåýìáôïò, ìå ôáðåßíùóéí áëçèéíÜ ÷ñéóôéáíéêÞí, ìå ðíåõìáôéêÝò áîßåò óôÝñååò êáé ìå ôç èÝëçóç íá ïäçãÞóåé ôï ðïßìíéü ôïõ ìå ÷Ýñé êáé ëüãï ðáôñéêü êáé óôïñãéêü».
Ï Õöõðïõñãüò Åîùôåñéêþí Ï Õöõðïõñãüò Åîùôåñéêþí ê. Ãñçãüñçò Íéþôçò, áñìüäéïò ãéá èÝìáôá Áðüäçìïõ Åëëçíéóìïý êáé Èñçóêåõôéêþí & Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí ÕðïèÝóåùí, óå äÞëùóÞ ôïõ ÷áñáêôÞñéóå ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÂñåóèÝíçò Äçìçôñßïõ ùò íÝïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò «ðïëõóÞìáíôç áðüöáóç êáé êáíïíéêÞ ðñÜîç ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò» ôïíßæïíôáò ôá åîÞò: <Åßìáé âÝâáéïò üôé ôï óýíïëï ôùí ïìïãåíþí ìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ èá õðïóôçñßîåé ôçí áðüöáóç áõôÞ. Ùò áñìüäéïò Õöõðïõñãüò ãéá ôïí Áðüäçìï Åëëçíéóìü, êáëþ ôïõò ïìïãåíåßò ìáò óôéò ÇÐÁ íá óõóðåéñùèïýí ðåñß ôïí íÝï åêêëçóéáóôéêü ôïõò çãÝôç äéáóöáëßæïíôáò ôçí åéñÞíç êáé ôçí åíüôçôá ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý êáé ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò».
Ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï Óå åðßóçìç áíáêïßíùóç ôïõ ðñïÝäñïõ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ê. Ôæüí Êáôóéìáôßäç ìåôáîý Üëëùí áíáöÝñïíôáé êáé ôá áêüëïõèá: «Åê ìÝñïõò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ, èá Þèåëá íá óõã÷áñþ ôï Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÂñåóèÝíçò ÄçìÞôñéï ãéá ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ ùò äéáäü÷ïõ ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Óðõñßäùíá... èá Þèåëá åðßóçò íá äéáâåâáéþóù ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï êáé ôï Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÄçìÞôñéï üôé èá êÜíïõìå ü,ôé åßíáé äõíáôü þóôå ç ìåôÜâáóç íá åßíáé ïìáëÞ... >ÐáñÜëëçëá, õðïó÷üìáóôå ôçí ðëÞñç óõíåñãáóßá ìáò ìå ôï íÝï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï áêüìá êáé ðñéí áðü ôçí ÜöéîÞ ôïõ, êáé èá êÜíïõìå ïôéäÞðïôå ìáò æçôÞóåé. Áõôü ðïõ ìåôñÜåé ðéï ðïëý åîÜëëïõ, åßíáé ôï ßäñõìá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, êáé èá åîõøùèïýìå ðÜíù áðü ðñïóùðéêÝò áíçóõ÷ßåò, þóôå íá êÜíïõìå ôï êáëýôåñï äõíáôü ãéá ôçí êïéíüôçôá ôçò ðßóôçò ìáò».
Ï ðñüåäñïò ôïõ ÓÁÅ Åêðñüóùðïé ôùí ïñãáíùìÝíùí öïñÝùí ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò óôïí áìåñéêáíéêü ÷þñï ðñïÝâçóáí óå äçëþóåéò åðáéíþíôáò ôçí éóôïñéêÞò óçìáóßáò ó÷åôéêÞ áðüöáóç ôçò ÉåñÜò Óõíüäïõ ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáé åîáßñïíôáò ôï Þèïò, ôï ÷áñáêôÞñá êáé ôçí ðïëõäéÜóôáôç áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ, ðíåõìáôéêÞ êáé áêáäçìáúêÞ ðñïóùðéêüôçôá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ. Óå áíáêïßíùóÞ ôïõ, ï ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Ðáãêïóìßïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ ÁðïäÞìïõ Åëëçíéóìïý (ÓÁÅ) ê. ¢íôñéïõ ¢èåíò ìåôáîý Üëëùí áíÝöåñå ôá áêüëïõèá: «Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò äåí åßíáé Üãíùóôïò óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò, óôïõò Åëëçíïñèüäïîïõò ðéóôïýò êáé ôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ôïõò. Ç åìðåéñßá ôïõ åßíáé åêôåôáìÝíç... Ç êëÞóç ôïõ íá õðçñåôÞóåé ôï ðïßìíéï ôïõ Êõñßïõ Þôáí ðÜíôïôå ôï êýñéï ìÝëçìá áõôïý ôïõ äçìïöéëïýò ÉåñÜñ÷ç êáé ðñÝðåé íá åõ÷áñéóôÞóïõìå ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôçí ÉåñÜ Óýíïäï óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ãéá ôçí öñïíôßäá êáé áðüöáóÞ ôïõò íá óôåßëïõí ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï óôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá ôùí ÇíùìÝíùí Ðïëéôåéþí óå áõôÞ ôçí ðåñßïäï... ÔÝëïò, êáëþ ôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá íá õðïóôçñßîåé ôçí åðéëïãÞ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ... êáé íá äå÷ôåß ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ óáí ìéá åõêáéñßá ãéá íá åðéôåõ÷èåß ìåãáëýôåñç åíüôçôá, äýíáìç êáé ðñüïäïò óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò ìåôáîý ôïõ ðïéìíßïõ, ôïõ êëÞñïõ êáé ôùí éåñáñ÷þí».
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 14
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÓ 1999
Ç ðáñáßôçóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Óðõñßäùíá u óåë. 11 Ç åãêýêëéïò
Ðñïò ôïí åõëáâÞ ÊëÞñï, ôïõò åõóåâåßò Ìïíá÷ïýò êáé Ìïíá÷Ýò, ôá ÄéïéêçôéêÜ Óõìâïýëéá ôùí Åëëçíïñèïäüîùí ÊïéíïôÞôùí, ôéò Öéëüðôù÷åò Áäåëöüôçôåò, ôéò Ïñãáíþóåéò ôçò Íåïëáßáò, ôá ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ Ó÷ïëåßá, ôïõò Åëëçíéêïýò Óõëëüãïõò êáé Ïìïóðïíäßåò, êáé üëïõò ôïõò öéëü÷ñéóôïõò ðéóôïýò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèüäïîçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. ÐñïóöéëÝóôáôïé áäåëöïß êáé ôÝêíá åí Êõñßù, <Áëë ïõäåíüò ëüãïí ðïéïýìáé ïõäÝ Ý÷ù ôçí øõ÷Þí ìïõ ôéìßáí åìáõôþ, ùò ôåëåéþóáé ôüí äñüìïí ìïõ ìåôÜ ÷áñÜò êáé ôçí äéáêïíßáí çí Ýëáâïí ðáñÜ ôïõ Êõñßïõ Éçóïý, äéáìáñôýñáóèáé ôï ÅõáããÝëéï ôçò ÷Üñéôïò ôïõ Êõñßïõ> (ÐñÜî. 20, 24). Óôï üíïìá ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ ðïõ õðçñÝôçóá ôá ôñßá áõôÜ ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá, áíáããÝëëù óÞìåñá üôé õðÝâáëá ôçí ðáñáßôçóÞ ìïõ, ùò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ óáò, óôçí Á.È.Ð. ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê.ê. Âáñèïëïìáßï. ÕðÝâáëá ôçí ðáñáßôçóç áõôÞ ìå éó÷ý áðü ôçí 30Þ Áõãïýóôïõ, ãéá ëüãïõò ôåëåßùò áíåîÜñôçôïõò áðü ôéò ðñïóùðéêÝò ìïõ ðñïèÝóåéò êáé Üó÷åôïõò ìå áõôÝò åî ïëïêëÞñïõ. Óôçí äéÜñêåéá ïðïéáóäÞðïôå äéáêïíßáò ðïõ åìðéóôåýåôáé ï Èåüò óôïí Üíèñùðï, Ýñ÷åôáé ç þñá ðïõ ïé áñ÷Ýò êáé ç áëÞèåéá äåí ìðïñïýí íá äéáêõâåõèïýí ðåñéóóüôåñï êáé ðÝñá áðü ôçí áêåñáéüôçôá ôïõ áíèñþðéíïõ ðíåýìáôïò. Ïé óôéãìÝò áõôÝò åßíáé åêåßíåò ðïõ ìáò ðñïóäéïñßæïõí ùò ðñüóùðá, ðïõ ìáò êÜíïõí áõôü ðïõ åßìáóèå. Åõ÷áñéóôþ ôï Èåü ðïõ êé åãþ, óáí áðëüò Üíèñùðïò <ðåñéðáôþí êáôÜ óÜñêá êáé æùí åí êüóìù>, åßìáé óå èÝóç íá áíáãíùñßóù ðáñüìïéåò óôéãìÝò. Êáé êÜôé ðïõ Ý÷åé ìåãáëýôåñç áêüìç óçìáóßá: õðÜñ÷åé ÷Üñéò áíôß ÷Üñéôïò, äéüôé áðï÷ùñþ ìå êáñäéÜ êáèáñÞ áðü êáêßá Þ ÷üëï Þ äéÜèåóç êñéôéêÞò ôùí Üëëùí. Áí êáé ôï ÷ñïíéêü äéÜóôçìá ðïõ ìáæý äéáíýóáìå, õðÞñîå âñá÷ý, åßìáé âáèýôáôá åõãíþìùí ãéá <ôïí äñüìïí êáé ôçí äéáêïíßáí çí Ýëáâïí ðáñÜ ôïõ Êõñßïõ>. ¹ôáí ôüóá ðïëëÜ áõôÜ ðïõ Ýðñåðå íá óõíôåëåóèïýí, üôáí ðñéí ôñßá ÷ñüíéá áíáëÜìâáíá ôçí âáñåéÜ åõèýíç ôïõ ðíåõìáôéêïý óáò çãÝôç, ôüóç ç óðïñÜ ðïõ Ýðñåðå íá ãßíåé óôïí áìðåëþíá áõôüí ðïõ åöýôåõóå ç äåîéÜ ôïõ Êõñßïõ. * * * Ìüíï ìå ôç âïÞèåéá ôùí åêáôïíôÜäùí ÷éëéÜäùí ðéóôþí ôçò ìåãÜëçò áõôÞò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìðïñÝóáìå ìáæß íá áõîÞóïõìå êáé ïéêïäïìÞóïõìå ðåñáéôÝñù ôï óþìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ôçí ðïëýôéìÞ ìáò Åêêëçóßá. Ìå ïäçãü ôéò áñ÷Ýò ôçò ðåñé÷þñçóçò êáé ôçò ôéìÞò ðñïò ôçí ïéêïãÝíåéá, åêôåßíáìå, óôá ðëáßóéá ìéáò ðñùôüãíùñçò ìÝ÷ñé ôþñá äéáêïíßáò, ôÞ ÷åßñá óôá ìÝëç ôùí ìåéêôþí ãÜìùí. Ìå ïäçãü ôïí óåâáóìü ãéá ôéò ÷ñçìáôéêÝò èõóßåò ôùí åëëçíïñèïäüîùí ïéêïãåíåéþí áíïßîáìå äéÜðëáôá óå üëïõò ôá ïéêïíïìéêÜ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìå áðáñÜìéëëç äéáöÜíåéá êáé åíôéìüôçôá. Ìå ïäçãü ôç óôáèåñÞ åðéèõìßá íá äéáäþóïõìå ôï åõáããÝëéï ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ìðïñÝóáìå íá åöáñìüóïõìå ðïéêßëá åðéêïéíùíéáêÜ ðñïãñÜììáôá ìÝóù ôïõ Äéáäßêôõïõ, åíüò äéåõñõìÝíïõ Ãñáöåßïõ Ôýðïõ êáé ìéáò áíáæùïãïíçìÝíçò åêäïôéêÞò ðñïóðÜèåéáò, êáèéóôþíôáò Ýôóé ðñïóéôÜ ôá ïõóéþäç ôçò ðßóôåùò ìå óýã÷ñïíïõò ôñüðïõò. Ìå ïäçãü ôçí áãÜðç ðñïò üëá ôá ôÝêíá ôïõ Èåïý ðñïóåããßóáìå ìå ôï äéÜëïãï ôüóï ôïõò ìáêñéíïýò Åâñáßïõò ößëïõò ìáò, üóï êáé ôïõò êïíôéíïýò Ðáëáéïçìåñïëïãßôåò áäåëöïýò, ôùí ïðïßùí ôåëåõôáßùí ç åðéóôñïöÞ óôïõò êüëðïõò ôçò ÌçôÝñáò ìáò Åêêëçóßáò áðïôåëåß óðïõäáßá êáé ìïíáäéêÞ ðåñßðôùóç êáôáëëáãÞò óôçí éóôïñßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò. Áíôß ôïõ ó÷ßóìáôïò êáé ôçò äéáéñÝóåùò, èñéÜìâåõóå ç óõìöéëßùóç êáé ç êïéíùíßá. Ìáæß ðÜëé ðåôý÷áìå íá åíþóïõìå ôéò åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÝò ïñãáíþóåéò óå Ýíá ðëáßóéï óõíåñãáóßáò ìå óôü÷ï ôçí ðñïþèçóç ôùí êïéíþí ìáò óôü÷ùí. Ìå èÜññïò õøþóáìå ôç öùíÞ ãéá ôçí åëåõèåñßá êáé ôçí áóöÜëåéá ôçò Áãßáò Ìçôñüò ìáò Åêêëçóßáò, êáèéóôþíôáò Ýôóé ãíùóôÞ óôçí áìåñéêáíéêÞ ðïëéôéêÞ êáé êïéíùíéêÞ óêçíÞ ôçí ðñáãìáôéêüôçôá ðïõ áíôéìåôùðßæåé ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï. Õøþóáìå ìå ôüëìç ôç öùíÞ ãéá ôïí êáôáðïíçìÝíï Óåñâéêü ëáü êáé ãéá ôçí åðéêñÜôçóç ôçò åéñÞíçò êáé ôçò äéêáéïóýíçò óôçí Êýðñï, Ý÷ïíôáò ðëÞñç óõíåßäçóç üôé ïé åíÝñãåéåò áõôÝò äåí áðïôåëïýí ìÝñïò åíüò ðïëéôéêïý ðñïãñÜììáôïò, áëëÜ ôçí çèéêÞ åõèýíç ðïõ öÝñïõìå ùò ïñèüäïîïé ÷ñéóôéáíïß ðïëßôåò ôçò ðéü ðñïíïìéïý÷áò êáé åëåýèåñçò êïéíùíßáò ðÜíù óôç ãç. ÁëëÜ ðÝñá áðü ôçí åõèýíç áõôÞ, åíþóáìå ôéò
äõíÜìåéò ìáò ãéá íá áíôáðïêñéèïýìå óôï óôáèåñü êáèÞêïí ìáò íá ôéìÞóïõìå ôçí áðáñÜìéëëç êëçñïíïìéÜ ôïõ ðáñåëèüíôïò ìáò, åðéêåíôñþíïíôáò ôçí ðñïóï÷Þ óôá ïõóéþäç ôïõ åëëçíéêïý ðïëéôéóìïý êáé êáèéóôþíôáò ðñïóéôü óôçí åðüìåíç ãåíåÜ áõôü ðïõ ïé äéêïß ìáò ãïíåßò ôüóï ðåñÞöáíá ðáñÝäùóáí óÝ åìÜò. Ãé áõôü Þôáí áíáãêáßï íá äïèåß éäéáßôåñç Ýìöáóç óôçí åêðáßäåõóç, ôüóï ôçí êáôç÷çôéêÞ üóï êáé ôçí ðïëéôéóôéêÞ, þóôå ôá ðáéäéÜ ìáò íá ìðïñÝóïõí íá åßíáé åëëçíïñèüäïîïé áðü óõíåéäçôÞ åðéëïãÞ êáé ü÷é êáô áíåðßãíùóôï Ýèïò. Ãíùñßæïíôáò êáëÜ üôé ç èåïëïãßá äåí ìðïñåß íá õðÜñîåé áðü ìüíç ôçò, Þôáí áðáñáßôçôï íá åõèõãñáììéóèåß ç äéäáóêáëßá ôçò ìå ôçí ðáñáäïóéáêÞ ðñÜîç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, þóôå ç ðëçñüôçôá ôçò ðßóôçò íá áíáâéþóåé óôï ÷þñï ôçò ðñïóùðéêÞò åìðåéñßáò. Ç ðëçñüôçôá ôçò ðßóôåùò õðÞñîå ç âáóéêÞ áðïóôïëÞ êáé ôï êýñéï üñáìá ôçò áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêÞò äéáêïíßáò ðïõ óåéò üëïé âïçèÞóáôå íá ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß óôç äéÜñêåéá ôùí ôåëåõôáßùí ôñéþí åôþí. ¸ôóé, <ùò ïõäÝí õðåóôåéëÜìçí ôùí óõìöåñüíôùí ôïõ ìç áíáããåßëáé õìßí>, Ýóôù êáé áí áõôü äåí óõíÝâáëëå ðÜíôá óôçí äçìïôéêüôçôá ôïõ åêêëçóéáóôéêïý óáò çãÝôç. Äéüôé ç ïõóßá ôçò çãåóßáò óõíßóôáôáé êáé óôï áí äéáêõâåýåé ï çãÝôçò ôç äçìïôéêüôçôÜ ôïõ êáé ãé áõôÞí Ýóôù ôçí ßäéá ôçí áãÜðç ìüíï. * * * ÊáôÜ ôçí ðñáãìáôïðïßçóç ôïõ Ýñãïõ áõôïý, äïêßìáóá áðôÜ ôçí õðïóôÞñéîç, ôçí áãÜðç êáé ôçí áöïóßùóç ôçò óõíôñéðôéêÞò ðëåéïíüôçôáò ôùí ðéóôþí áõôÞò ôçò åõëïãçìÝíçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ôüóï ôïõ êëÞñïõ üóï êáé ôïõ ëáïý. Óå åêåßíïõò ðïõ êïðßáóáí óôï ðëåõñü ìïõ óôç äéÜñêåéá áõôþí ôùí ôåëåõôáßùí ôñéþí åôþí, åêöñÜæù ôç ðéü âáèåéÜ åõãíùìïóýíç ãéá ôçí áðåñéüñéóôç áãÜðç, ôç óõãêéíçôéêÞ õðïóôÞñéîç êáé ôïõò áêÜìáôïõò êüðïõò ôïõò ãéá ôçí éåñÞ õðüèåóç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ôçò Áãßáò Ôïõ Åêêëçóßáò. ÅêöñÜæù ôïí äßêáéï Ýðáéíï óå üëïõò óáò, ôéò áíáñßèìçôåò ÷éëéÜäåò ôùí êáëþí, åíôßìùí êáé ðéóôþí áíèñþðùí ãéá ôïõò õøçëïýò êé åõãåíåßò óêïðïýò, ôç óôáèåñüôçôá êáé üëåò óáò ôéò áãáèÝò ðñïèÝóåéò. Ó åêåßíïõò ôïõò ïëßãïõò êÜèå âáèìïý, ðïõ óôçí äéÜñêåéá áõôþí ôùí ôåëåõôáßùí ôñéþí åôþí áíôéôÝèçêáí óôç æùôéêÞ áðïóôïëÞ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, åîáðïëýïíôáò êÜèå åßäïõò ëåêôéêÞ åðßèåóç ðïõ ôåëéêÜ æçìßùóå ðïëý ðåñéóóüôåñï ïëüêëçñç ôçí åëëçíïñèüäïîç ïéêïãÝíåéÜ ìáò ðáñÜ ôçí óôï÷åõüìåíç åêêëçóéáóôéêÞ ôçò çãåóßá, ðáñÝ÷ù ïëüèåñìç ôçí áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ ìïõ óõã÷þñåóç. Åëðßäá ìïõ óôáèåñÞ åßíáé íá ìðïñÝóïõí êÜðïôå íá ïñáìáôéóèïýí Ýíá ìÝëëïí, óôï ïðïßï èá ðáýóïõí ïé ëÝîåéò íá åßíáé üðëá êáé èá ãßíïõí åéêüíåò ôïõ æþíôïò Ëüãïõ ôïõ Èåïý, öïñåßò ôïõ åõáããåëßïõ ôçò åéñÞíçò. Ãé áõôü êáé ðáôñéêÜ ðñïôñÝðù üëïõò óáò êáé ôïí êáèÝíá ÷ùñéóôÜ, óåéò ðïõ õðÞñîáôå ôá ðíåõìáôéêÜ ìïõ ôÝêíá ôá ôåëåõôáßá áõôÜ ôñßá ÷ñüíéá, íá óôáèåßôå áìåôáêßíçôïé óôçí <Üðáî ðáñáäïèåßóáí ôïéò áãßïéò ðßóôéí>. ÊñáôÞóôå ìå óôáèåñüôçôá êáé áãÜðç ôçí åíüôçôá ôçò ìåãÜëçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ðïõ ïéêïäïìÞèçêå ìå ôïí éäñþôá êáé ôá äÜêñõá üóùí ðÝñáóáí ðñéí áðü åìÜò êáé áíôéóôáèåßôå óôïí ðåéñáóìü ôçò õðïêáôÜóôáóçò ôùí óôü÷ùí ìå ôá ðñüóùðá. Ìüíï ìå âÜóç ôçí åíüôçôá, ôçí áëëçëåããýç êáé ôçí ïìüíïéá áõôÞ èá ìðïñÝóåé ç Åëëçíïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ íá åðéâéþóåé êáé ìÜëéóôá íá èñéáìâåýóåé óôï ìÝëëïí. ÊñáôÞóôå áíáëëïßùôïõò ôïõò äåóìïýò óáò ìå ôçí ÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò, áðü ôçí ïðïßá êáé ðáñáëÜâáôå ôçí ðßóôç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Êáé íá åßóèå ðåñÞöáíïé ðÜíôá ðïõ ãåííçèÞêáôå ¸ëëçíåò Ïñèüäïîïé, äéüôé Ýôóé èá óáò ãíùñßæïõí üëïé ïé Üíèñùðïé ùò ëáü ðßóôåùò, ëáü ðáñáäüóåùò, ëáü ìå ïñáìáôéóìïýò, ëáü ðñüèõìï íá èõóéÜóåé êáé íá èõóéáóèåß ãéá ôçí áëÞèåéá. Êáé ãéá ÷Üñç ôçò áëÞèåéáò áõôÞò <ôá íõí ðáñáôßèåìáé õìÜò, áäåëöïß, ôù Èåþ êáé ôù ëüãù ôçò ÷Üñéôïò áõôïý, ôù äõíáìÝíù åðïéêïäïìÞóáé êáé äïýíáé õìßí êëçñïíïìßáí åí ôïéò çãéáóìÝíïéò ðÜóéí>. Ç áãÜðç ôïõ Èåïý êáé Ðáôñüò êáé ç ÷Üñéò ôïõ Êõñßïõ çìþí Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý êáé ç êïéíùíßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ðíåýìáôïò åßç ìåôÜ ðÜíôùí çìþí, ìå ôéò ïéêïãÝíåéÝò óáò êáé ìå üóïõò êáôÜ äéÜíïéá Ý÷åôå, óÞìåñá êáé ðÜíôïôå. Ìå ïëüèåñìåò ðáôñéêÝò åõëïãßåò êáé ðïëëÞ åí Êõñßù áãÜðç,
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ìå ôïí ÁñìÝíéï ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Ìåóñüð åðéóêÝðôïíôáé ôá óõíôñßìéá ðïõ Üöçóå ï óåéóìüò óôç ÍéêïìÞäåéá.
×ñéóôéáíéêü áëëÜ êáé ðáíáíèñþðéíï êáèÞêïí ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá
ÊÙÍÓÔÁÍÔÉÍÏÕÐÏËÇ. Ôçí óåéóìüðëçêôç ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò Íéêïìçäåßáò, óôçí ÂïñåéïäõôéêÞ Ôïõñêßá, óôï ÌáñìáñÜ, åðéóêÝöèçêå ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, üðïõ óõíáíôÞèçêå ìå ôïí ÍïìÜñ÷ç, ôïí ÄÞìáñ÷ï, ðïëëïýò áñìüäéïõò ðáñÜãïíôåò êáé åß÷å åðéêïéíùíßá ìå óåéóìüðëçêôïõò. Óêïðüò ôçò åðéóêÝøåùò Þôáí, íá äéáðéóôùèïýí ïé áíÜãêåò ôùí óåéóìïðëÞêôùí êáé üðùò ôüíéóå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò: <íá äéáðéóôþóïõìå ìå ôá ßäéá ôá ìÜôéá ìáò ôïí ðüíï ôùí áíèñþðùí, ôéò õðÜñ÷ïõóåò áíÜãêåò, íá äåßîïõìå áëëçëåããýç êáé óõìðáñÜóôáóç, ðñÜãìá ôï ïðïßï åßíáé ü÷é ìüíï ÷ñéóôéáíéêü êáèÞêïí, áëëÜ êáé áíèñþðéíï êáé ðáíáíèñþðéíï>. Ï ÍïìÜñ÷çò ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò áðåõèõíüìåíïò óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç áöïý ôïí åõ÷áñßóôçóå èåñìÜ ãéá ôï åíäéáöÝñïí ôïõ áíáöÝñèçêå óå ìéÜ ôïõñêéêÞ ðáñïéìßá ðïõ ëÝãåé: <ï ðüíïò ðïõ ìïéñÜæåôáé åëáôôþíåôáé, åíþ ç ÷áñÜ ðïõ ìïéñÜæåôáé áõîÜíåôáé>, ãéá íá êáôáëÞîåé: < Ç äéêÞ óáò ðáñïõóßá- áíáöåñüìåíïò óôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç- ðïõ ìïéñÜæåóôå ôïí ðüíï ìáò, ãßíåôáé áöïñìÞ íá ôïí åëáöñþóåé>. Óôç ÍéêïìÞäåéá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ìåôÝâç ðëáéóéïýìåíïò áðü ôïí ÁñìÝíéï ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Ìåóñüð, êáé åêðñïóþðïõò ôùí Üëëùí ÷ñéóôéáíéêþí åêêëçóéþí óôçí Ôïõñêßá, üðùò Ñùìáéïêáèïëéêþí, Óõñïúáêïâéôþí, Ãåñìáíþí Ðñïôåóôáíôþí êáé åêðñüóùðï ôïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ Åêêëçóéþí ÌÝóçò ÁíáôïëÞò, áðü ôçí Éïñäáíßá. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáé ïé åêðñüóùðïé ôùí ÷ñéóôéáíéêþí Åêêëçóéþí ìåôÜ áðü Ýñáíï ðïõ Ýãéíå ìåôáîý ôïõò, óå ðñþôç öÜóç, óõãêÝíôñùóáí ôï ðïóü ôùí 50.000 äïëáñßùí ãéá ôçí áãïñÜ 200 óêçíþí ãéá ôç óôÝãáóç óåéóìïðëÞêôùí. Ç åãêáôÜóôáóç ôùí óêçíþí èá ãßíåé óå ÷þñï ðïõ Þäç åðåëÝãç êáé ôïí ïðïßï åðéóêÝöèçêáí ïé äýï ÐáôñéÜñ÷åò êáé ïé Üëëïé ÷ñéóôéáíïß åêðñüóùðïé. Ï ÐñïêáèÞìåíïò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, ìåôÝâç êáé ðÜëé ãéá äåýôåñç öïñÜ óôç ÍéêïìÞäåéá, óõíïäåõüìåíïò áðü ôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç Ãáëëßáò Éåñåìßá êáé ïìïãåíåßò ôçò Ðüëçò, åðéóêÝöèçêå ôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ôçò ðüëçò, ôï ïðïßï Ý÷åé õðïóôåß åêôåôáìÝíåò æçìéÝò áðü ôïí óåéóìü. Óôïí Ðñýôáíç ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ, ê. *Baki KomsuoÈlu, êáé ðáñïõóßá ôïõ ÍïìÜñ÷ïõ, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðñüóöåñå åðéôáãÞ 100.000 äïëáñßùí ãéá ôçí áíïéêïäüìçóç ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ ôçò ÍéêïìÞäåéáò. Íá óçìåéùèåß üôé ïé äéÜöïñåò äùñåÝò ðïõ êÜíåé ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ãéá ôçí êÜëõøç ôùí áíáãêþí ôùí óåéóìïðëÞêôùí ðåñéï÷þí, ðñïÝñ÷ïíôáé áðü äùñåÝò ôïõ ðïéìíßïõ ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, áðü ôçí Ýäñá ôïõ êáé áðü ôï åîùôåñéêü êáé éäéáßôåñá áðü ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôïí åéäéêü Ýñáíï ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå. Ôá ðïóÜ áõôÜ ðñïùèïýíôáé óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ãéá íá áîéïðïéçèïýí áíÜëïãá êáé êáôÜ ôçí êñßóç ôïõ, ãéá ôéò áíÜãêåò ôùí óåéóìïðáèþí.
ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÓ 1999
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÓÔÉÓ 18 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ Ç ÅÍÈÑÏÍÉÓÇ Ç ¢öéîç Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò áíáìÝíåôáé íá áöé÷èåß óôï áåñïäñüìéï ÊÝíåíôõ ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ôï áðüãåõìá ôçò 16çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ 1999, óõíïäåõüìåíïò áðü ôïí Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôç Áßíïõ êáé ðñüåäñï ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Ðéôóâïýñãïõ ê. ÌÜîéìï ï ïðïßïò åß÷å ìåôáâåß óôçí ÅëëÜäá ãé áõôü ôï óêïðü. Ôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò èá õðïäå÷èïýí óôï áåñïäñüìéï ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò, ìÝëç ôïõ êëÞñïõ, ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ, ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ, ôïõ ÔÜãìáôïò ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáé ðëÞèïò ðéóôþí áðü ôçí ÌçôñïðïëéôéêÞ ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. ÁìÝóùò ìåôÜ ôçí ÜöéîÞ ôïõ, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò èá äéáâÜóåé äÞëùóÞ ôïõ êáé êáôüðéí èá ìåôáâåß óôçí ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ üðïõ óôï ðáñåêêëÞóé ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïóôüëïõ Ðáýëïõ èá ôåëåóèåß åõ÷áñéóôÞñéá Äïîïëïãßá õðÝñ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ, èá óõíáíôçèåß ìå ôï õðáëëçëéêü ðñïóùðéêü ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé èá áêïëïõèÞóåé äåîßùóç ðñïò ôéìÞí ôïõ.
Ç Åíèñüíéóç
Ôï ÓÜââáôï, 18 Óåðôåìâñßïõ óôéò 11:00 ôï ðñùß, óôïí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Êáèåäñéêü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò óôï Ìáí÷Üôáí èá ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß ç ôåëåôÞ ôçò Åíèñüíéóçò. ÌåôÜ áðü ôçí ôåëåôÞ èá áêïëïõèÞóåé ôï åðßóçìï ãåýìá óôï îåíïäï÷åßï Waldorf Astoria. Ôçí Á. È. Ð. ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ìáò ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê. Âáñèïëïìáßï êáé ôçí Áãßá êáé ÉåñÜ Óýíïäï ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ åêðñïóùðåß ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÃÝñùí ðñþçí Â. êáé Í. ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÉÜêùâïò, ðïõ èá ðñïåîÜñ÷åé üëùí ôùí åêäçëþóåùí ôçò åíèñüíéóçò. Ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ, 19 Óåðôåìâñßïõ ôåëåßôáé óôïí Êáèåäñéêü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò ç ðñþôç Áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá, ðñïåîÜñ÷ïíôïò ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ê. Äçìçôñßïõ êáé ìå ôç óõììåôï÷Þ ôùí ïêôþ Áñ÷éåñÝùí ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ ÁìåñéêÞò. Ç óýíèåóç ôçò ÅðéôñïðÞò Åíèñïíßóåùò, åðéêåöáëÞò ôçò ïðïßáò åßíáé ï Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÍÝáò ÉåñóÝçò ê. Ãåþñãéïò, Ý÷åé ùò áêïëïýèùò: Åðßôéìïé Ðñüåäñïé: Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÊñÞíçò êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò ÓéêÜãïõ ê. ÉÜêùâïò, Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Äáñäáíåëßùí êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò
MARKOS
DAILY DEPARTURES
with
Ó
Íéê. Ìáããßíáò
ÅðéôñïðÞò Áãßïõ Öñáãêßóêïõ ê. Áíôþíéïò, Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Áßíïõ êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Ðéôóâïýñãïõ ê. ÌÜîéìïò, Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÁíÝùí êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Âïóôþíçò ê. Ìåèüäéïò, Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÐñïéêïíÞóïõ êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò ÍôÝíâåñ ê. Çóáúáò, Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÁôëÜíôáò ê. ÁëÝîéïò, Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÍÝáò ÉåñóÝçò ê. Ãåþñãéïò êáé Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Íôçôñüéô ê. Íéêüëáïò. Ãåíéêüò Ðñüåäñïò: Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÍÝáò ÉåñóÝçò ê. Ãåþñãéïò, Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêüò Åðßôñïðïò. Óõí-Ðñüåäñïé: ê. Ôæïí Êáôóéìáôßäçò, ê. ¢íôñéïõ ¢èåíò êáé ê. ¢ëåî Óðáíüò. ÓõíôïíéóôÝò: Áéä. ð. ÁëÝîáíäñïò ËåïíôÞò, Áéä. ð. ÁëÝîáíäñïò Êáñëïýôóïò êáé ä. ÐùëÝô Ðïýëïõ. Êáèåäñéêüò Íáüò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò: Áéä. Äñ. ×áñÜëáìðïò Óôåöáíüðïõëïò, Éåñáôéêþò ðñïúóôÜìåíïò, ê. Çëßáò ÊïõëïõêïõíäÞò, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Ä. Ó. êáé ê. ÅììáíïõÞë ÄÞìïò. Ôáìßáò: ê. Íéêüëáïò Ìðïýñáò. Ïéêïíïìéêüò ÓõíôïíéóôÞò: ê. ÔæÝñé Äçìçôñßïõ. Äçìüóéåò Ó÷Ýóåéò: ðñåóâ. Íßêç Óôåöáíïðïýëïõ. Åðßóçìï Ãåýìá: ê. Áëßêç Kéïýñéáí êáé ê. ÈÜëåéá Ãåùñãßïõ.
travel service
V NON-STOP FLIGHTS ON JUMBO747 V EASY CONNECTIONS from anywhere in the U.S.A. at UNBELIEVABLE LOW RATES!
289*
$
One Way
*A Limited Number of Seats
OTHER FLIGHTS
áðü
449*
$
Round trip
Call Markos Travel Now! NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE
800-243-7728 800-842-8260
CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS
644 SILAS DEAN HWY. WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109 Owner: Markos Hatzikonstantis
Ï Óôáõñüò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò ôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ
Ï Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÃÝñùí ×áëêçäüíïò Éùáêåßì óõã÷áßñåé ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéï, áìÝóùò ìåôÜ ôçí ôåëåôÞ ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Ìçíýìáôïò.
...BOOK NOW AND SAVE!
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 15
ôçí ðñþôç óõíÝíôåõîç ôïõ ðñïò ôïí Åëëçíéêü Ôýðï óôçí ÁèÞíá, ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò, ï áðü ÂñåóèÝíçò ÄçìÞôñéïò, ùò ðñïåéóáãùãÞ äéÜâáóå ôçí ðñïóöþíçóç ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ êáôÜ ôï <Ìéêñü ÌÞíõìá> åíþðéïí ôçò Óõíüäïõ óôï ÖáíÜñé. Ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò óôç óåìíÞ ðñïóöþíçóÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôïí íÝï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï ôüíéóå üôé <ïýôïò èá áíáëÜâç íá Üñç âáñý óôáõñüí> ôçò íÝáò ôïõ äéáêïíßáò êáé åéò ôçí Üñóéí ôïõ óôáõñïý áõôïý ç ÌÞôçñ Åêêëçóßá èá óõíáíôéëçöèÞ ôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï, èá ôïí åíéó÷ýóåé äçëáäÞ, óôçí äýóêïëç êáé åðßðïíç äéáêïíßá ôïõ. Êáé üíôùò, ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò äÝ÷èçêå íá Üñåé ôïí óôáõñü áõôü ùò <äéáêïíßá ðßóôåùò, áãÜðçò êáé åëðßäïò, äéüôé ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé åí ïíüìáôé ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ôïõ Èåïý, ï ïðïßïò Ýãéíå Üíèñùðïò, ãéá íá äþóåé åéò ôïí Üíèñùðïí æùÞí êáé ðåñßóóåéáí æùÞò üðùò ï ßäéïò åâåâáßùóåí: <Åãþ Þëèïí ßíá æùÞí Ý÷ùóéí êáé ðåñéóóÞí Ý÷ùóéí>. (Éùáí. 10,10). Ãéá íá äþóåé óôïí Üíèñùðï êáé ôïí êüóìï ðñïïðôéêÞ åëåõèåñßáò, åéñÞíçò, ÷áñÜò, äéêáéïóýíçò êáé äçìéïõñãéêüôçôáò. <Ç ðñïïðôéêÞ áõôÞ, ç ïðïßá áðïôåëåß êáé ôçí ïõóßá ôïõ ìçíýìáôïò ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ, óõíïäåõïìÝíç áðü ôïí ðëïýôï ôçò ìáêñáßùíçò ðáñÜäïóçò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý ìáò ÃÝíïõò, èá åßíáé âáóéêÜ óôïé÷åßá ôçò ðñïóðÜèåéáò ìáò åí ÁìåñéêÞ>. ÅðéðëÝïí, ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò äÞëùóå üôé ôñÝöåé <âáèõôÜôçí åêôßìçóéí êáé áíåðéöýëáêôïí áãÜðç> ðñïò ôïí ëáü ôïõ Èåïý, ôïí ïðïßï ðñÝðåé íá äéáêïíÞóåé. Ìå áõôÝò ôéò óýíôïìåò êáé áðëÝò ëÝîåéò, ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Ýèåóå ôá ðíåõìáôéêÜ èåìÝëéá, åðß ôùí ïðïßùí èá ïéêïäïìÞóåé ôçí üëçí åí ×ñéóôþ äéáêïíßá ôïõ. Äéáêïíßá, åëåõèåñßá, ÷áñÜ, äéêáéïóýíç, ôï ÅõáããÝëéï, ç ðáñÜäïóç, ç áãÜðç åßíáé ïé åõáããåëéêïß êáé áãéïãñáöéêïß üñïé ãýñù áðü ôïõò ïðïßïõò ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò óôçñßæåé ôï Üãéï üñáìÜ ôïõ ãéá ôïí ëáü ôïõ Èåïý óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. ÁëëÜ, ðñï ðÜíôùí áíáãíùñßæåé ôçí óôáõñéêÞ êáé èõóéáóôéêÞ êáé óùôçñéïëïãéêÞ ðñïïðôéêÞ êáé ðñïÝêôáóç ôçò éåñÞò áðïóôïëÞò ôïõ. Åßíáé ðñÜãìáôé åõôõ÷Þò êáé åõëïãçìÝíç óõãêõñßá, äéüôé ï íÝïò ìáò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò êáôáöèÜíåé óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ êáé åíèñïíßæåôáé óôïí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü ôïõ èñüíï, êáôÜ ôçí åâäïìÜäá ôçí ïðïßá ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ãåñáßñåé êáé ðáíçãõñßæåé ôçí ðáãêüóìéá ¾øùóç êáé Áíýøùóç ôïõ Ôéìßïõ êáé æùïðïéïý Óôáõñïý ôïõ Êõñßïõ çìþí Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý. ¸ôóé ëïéðüí ãéá ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï, ï Óôáõñüò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý èá êáôáóôåß <ñÜâäïò ç ôçò äõíÜìåùò, õö Þò ðïéìáéíüìåèá>, <éåñÝùí åõðñÝðåéá>, <üíôùò ÷áñÜò óçìåßïí>, <üðëïí åéñÞíçò>, <×ñéóôïý èåßá äüîá>, ãéá íá ìåôá÷åéñéóôïýìå ôçí åìðíåõóìÝíç ãëþóóá ôùí óôé÷çñþí ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Åóðåñéíïý ôçò ÄåóðïôéêÞò áõôÞò ãéïñôÞò. Ãéá ìáò ôïõò ðéóôïýò, êëçñéêïýò êáé ëáúêïýò ï Óôáõñüò ôïõ Êõñßïõ èá êáôáóôåß <óôçñéãìüò> êáé <ðåñéôåß÷éóìá> ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, <öñïõñüò> êáé <öýëáêáò> ôçò æùÞò ìáò, ðñáãìáôéêüò <ëéìÞí ôçò óùôçñßáò> ìáò. Óôéò 14 Óåðôåìâñßïõ êÜèå ÷ñüíï èõìüìáóôå ìå êáôÜíõîç, áãáëëßáóç êáé åõãíùìïóýíç ôçí ðáãêüóìéá ýøùóç ôïõ Ôéìßïõ êáé æùçöüñïõ Óôáõñïý ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ç ïðïßá Ýãéíå óôéò 14 Óåðôåìâñßïõ 335 áðü ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Éåñïóïëýìùí ÌáêÜñéï, üôáí ãéá ðñþôç öïñÜ õøþèç êáé åðåäåß÷èç óôïí ëáü ï ðáíóÝ-
âáóôïò Óôáõñüò ôïõ Êõñßïõ, ìåôÜ ôçí áíåýñåóç êáé áíáãíþñéóç ôïõ áðü ôçí áãßá ÅëÝíç, ôçí åõóåâåóôÜôç ìçôÝñá ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Êùíóôáíôßíïõ. Èõìüìáóôå, áêüìç ôçí ýøùóç ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý áðü ôïí áõôïêñÜôïñá ôïõ Âõæáíôßïõ ÇñÜêëåéï, ï ïðïßïò åðáíÝöåñå ôïí Ôßìéï Óôáõñü óôïí éåñü Íáü ôçò ÁíáóôÜóåùò óôá Éåñïóüëõìá óôéò 14 Óåðôåìâñßïõ 628, ìåôÜ áðü 14 ÷ñüíéá áé÷ìáëùóßáò óôá ÷Ýñéá ôùí Ðåñóþí. Ôüóï ï áõôïêñÜôïñáò ÇñÜêëåéïò, üóï êáé ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Æá÷áñßáò, åí åõöñïóýíç ðïëëÞ åðÝäåéîáí ôïí Óôáõñü ôïõ Êõñßïõ óôá ðëÞèç ôïõ åõóåâïýò ëáïý, ðïõ ìå ìéá êáñäéÜ Ýøáëå <Óþóïí Êýñéå ôïí ëáüí óïõ êáé åõëüãçóïí ôçí êëçñïíïìßáí óïõ>. Ôçí áãßá ÷áñÜ êáé ôçí èåßá åõëïãßá ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôçí æåé êÜèå ìÝñá, áëëÜ éäéáßôåñá óôéò 14 Óåðôåìâñßïõ ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ ìáò Ó÷ïëÞ, ç ïðïßá öÝñåé åí êáõ÷Þóåé Êõñßïõ, ôï üíïìá ôïõ Ôéìßïõ êáé æùïðïéïý Óôáõñïý. ¼óïé Ý÷ïõìå ôçí õøçëÞ êëßóç íá äéáêïíïýìå óôçí Ó÷ïëÞ ìáò, èõìüìáóôå, ìå âáèýôáôç óõãêßíçóç, üôé ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ìáò, åßíáé ï åêëåêôüò ôïõ Èåïý, ï ðñïóöéëÞò êáé Ýìðéóôïò ÉåñÜñ÷çò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ìáò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, áëëÜ ôáõôü÷ñïíá êáé óõíÜäåëöïò êáé ößëïò êáé óõíåñãÜôçò êáé óõíáãùíéóôÞò, üëùí üóùí äéáêïíïýìå óôçí Ó÷ïëÞ ìáò êáôÜ ôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá. ÐñïóçíÞò êáé ôáðåéíüò ùò Üíèñùðïò, öùôéóìÝíïò êáé åìðíåõóìÝíïò ùò êáèçãçôÞò êáé äéäÜóêáëïò, ðáñáäåéãìáôéêüò, ðÜìöùôïò, ïëïêÜèáñïò ùò åðßóêïðïò êáé áñ÷éåñÝáò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò. Ìáò èõìßæåé ôïí ÁââÜ ÐïéìÝíá ôïõ Ãåñïíôéêïý, ï ïðïßïò ìéëþíôáò ãéá ôïí ÄáíéÞë ôïí ðñïöÞôç Ýëåãå: <...äåí âñÝèçêå åíáíôßïí ôïõ êáôçãïñßá, åêôüò áðü üôé ëåéôïõñãïýóå óôïí Êýñéï êáé Èåüí ôïõ> (Åä. 53). Ìïëïíüôé õðÞñîå <ôçò èåïëïãßáò åðþíõìïò> ãéá íá ìåôá÷åéñéóèþ ôçí ùñáßá Ýêöñáóç ôïõ áãßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôçò Êëßìáêïò ãéá ôïí Üãéï Ãñçãüñéï ôïí Èåïëüãï (Êåö. 15ï), åíþ äçëáäÞ ï íÝïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðüò ìáò õðÞñîå êáé åõëáâÝóôáôïò êëçñéêüò êáé äéáðñåðÞò äéäÜóêáëïò êáé óõããñáöÝáò êáé êáôáîéùìÝíïò èåïëüãïò äéáôÞñçóå <ôçí áãßáí ôáðåßíùóéí> ãéá íá ìåôá÷åéñéóèþ êáé ðÜëé ôçí ãëþóóá ôïõ áãßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôçò Êëßìáêïò (Êåö. 25ï). <¼ðïéïò åíõìöåýèç ôçí ôáðåßíùóéí åßíáé Þðéïò, ðñïóçíÞò, åõêáôÜíõêôïò, åõóðëá÷íéêüò... ãáëÞíéïò... ÷áñùðüò... Üëõðïò...> óõìðëçñþíåé ï Üãéïò áóêçôéêüò ÐáôÞñ, ï ïðïßïò ðñïäéáãñÜöåé ôçí ðñïóùðéêüôçôá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ. Èõìüìáóôå, üôé óôçí Âïóôþíç, åíôüò êáé åêôüò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ï åðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò êõêëïöïñïýóå ìå Ýíá áóÞìáíôï ôáðåéíü óôáõñü óôï óôÞèïò ôïõ. Êáé ìáò õðåíèýìéæå ìå ôï ðáñÜäåéãìÜ ôïõ üôé ç ìüíç êáý÷çóÞ ôïõ Þôáí ï Óôáõñüò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáôÜ ôçí ùñáßá Ýêöñáóç ôïõ Áðüóôïëïõ Ðáýëïõ (Ãáë. 6,14). Êáèþò ðáíçãõñßæïõìå ôçí èñéáìâåõôéêÞ ¾øùóç ôïõ Ôéìßïõ êáé Æùçöüñïõ Óôáõñïý ôïõ Êõñßïõ êáé êáèþò õðïäå÷üìáóôå ôïí íÝï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï áò ðñïóåõ÷çèïýìå, üëïé ìáæß, êáé ìáæß ìå ôïí éåñü õìíùäü ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò áò øÜëëïõìå <... Öþôéóïí çìÜò ôç åëëÜìøåé óïõ, ÓôáõñÝ æùçöüñå, áãßáóïí çìÜò ôç éó÷ýú óïõ, ðáíóÝâáóôå ÓôáõñÝ. Êáé êñÜôõíïí çìÜò ôç õøþóåé óïõ... Ùò åìåãáëýíèç ôá Ýñãá Óïõ, Êýñéå äüîá óïé...> Ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ó. ÌðåìðÞò åßíáé êáèçãçôÞò Ðáôñïëïãßáò,óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 16
SEPTEMBER 1999 spt13
u Hong Kong Metropolitanate Moves to Permanent Facility The Metropolitanate of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia has moved into a permanent facility in Central Hong Kong, helping to further establish its presence in the region. The new site comprises a chapel accommodating up to 100 people, a library, and administrative facilities for the Metropolitan, a priest, and a liaison to the Chinese community. Acquisition of the facility was made possible by Archon Stavros Papadopoulos. The facility serves as a focal point for the community to gather, interact, and form an identity. Additionally, the chapel offers a permanent Orthodox environment where liturgies and services may be celebrated. The Metropolitanate has an opendoor policy and maintains office hours Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., serving as a community center where all are invited to stop by to discuss upcoming events, church programs, or just to visit. The new address is: #704 Universal Trade Centre, 3 Arbuthnot Road, Hong Kong Tel.: (852)2573-8328 Fax: (852)257-3837 e-mail: OMHKSEA@netvigator.com
u Bomb Explodes in Kosovo Cathedral (RNS) A bomb exploded early Aug. 1 in a Serbian Orthodox cathedral located in Pristina, Kosovo. The blast did little structural damage to the half-built Cathedral of Holy Salvation, leading some to speculate the intent was to intimidate. The explosion that came at 1:20 a.m. is the latest of several recent attacks on Serbian holy sites. Fr. Sava, the spokesman for Bishop Artemije, head of the Serbian Orthodox Church in Kosovo, condemned the attacks. The spokesman described the bombings as part of a campaign by Kosovo Albanians to remove all traces of the church in Kosovo, The New York Times reported. United Nations and NATO officials joined church representatives in denouncing the bombings. A NATO spokesman in Kosovo called the bombing a cowardly attack against a place of worship. Inside the church, the scaffolding was just slightly disturbed. Two small holes and marks show where the charges had exploded. Bricks were shattered and an iron girder was twisted. Dr. Bernard Koucher, the United Nations chief administrator for Kosovo, visited the site soon after the bombing. Koucher said he would not accept such acts of revenge regardless of what the Albanians had suffered. One security worker with an international relief organization speculated on the apparent ineffectiveness of the blast. It was not someone who knew what he was doing, said the guard. Or he was just making a statement. But weeks of intimidation and violence seem to be taking a toll. Officials in nearby Zitinje watched as all the town s Serbs fled under the protection of a U.S. military escort. One soldier said all of Zitinje s 450 Serbs left with the convoy. The town has 650 Albanians.
Albanian Journal
u Serbian Bishops Join Opposition to Milosevic
Expressions of Gratitude by Fr. Luke A. Veronis
As Kosovar refugees continue their trek home, some have stopped by to express their gratitude for the help given to them and their families in their moment of desperation. Fatmir and his wife were a couple Faith had met during her daily visits to the maternity hospital. Fatmir s wife had given birth to twins, and over the following weeks, we became friends with them and offered help in the form of clothing and food. Now, as this young father prepared to take his family back to Kosovo, he stopped by our house at the last moment to say goodbye and thank us for all the help his family and their two newborns had received. As we gave him a final food package and supplies for his babies, as well as support to pay for the transport home, he began crying. He said he would never forget what the Orthodox Church had done for him and his family during this most difficult time in his life. Ramadan was a man I had become friends with during our weekly trips to the camp in Ndroq. Numerous times I stopped in his tent to have the traditional Turkish coffee and share in conversation. Our discussions often revolved around spiritual themes because Ramadan continually tried to understand how this tragedy had taken place. He was friends with numerous Serbs before the war. In fact, it was his Serbian friends who had helped him and his family escape alive. But he had seen his business looted and burned, and he didn t know the status of his house. Thankfully, all his family members were still alive, as far as he knew. For two months, he stayed in the ACT(Action by Churches Together) /Orthodox Church Camp in Ndroq. When the time came for him to finally return to Kosovo, he stumbled with words of gratitude for all that our Church and ACT had done. A week after he left, I received a phone call. It was Ramadan telling me that he s back in Tirana, trying to buy needed supplies hard to find in Kosovo. While in Tirana, he wanted to meet me again. He came with a neighbor from Djakova into my office. This time I offered him coffee as he told me about his situation back home. His house was
totally looted, but at least the structure was still standing and in good shape. And in general, his family was well except for two nephews whose whereabouts were unknown. He was hoping that they were in prison in Serbia, but this was unconfirmed. His neighbor shared a more gruesome tale. His house was spared, but his sister and brother-in-law were burned alive in their home. He saw the skeletons himself. As we talked together, Ramadan said that he still believed that Kosovo could be a multiethnic country with Albanians and Serbs living together. But his friend disagreed. He bluntly said that he could never live with a Serb as a neighbor. An awkward moment followed, but since I had a relationship with Ramadan, I felt that I could express my understanding for hope in the future. From a human perspective, I surely understood his anger and hatred. I myself cringed when I heard him describe the skeletons of his sister. But I softly told him that such human anger and hatred would only perpetuate other acts of violence in the future. What Kosovo and the entire Balkan region needs more than ever is not human anger and revenge, but divine mercy and forgiveness. He looked at me not fully understanding, but he politely listened as I told him that only through the grace and power of God could concrete hatred be turned into mercy and love for ones enemies. Surprisingly, Ramadan nodded his head in agreement and said that he still had believed in the future. It will be extremely difficult, seemingly impossible, he reflected, but I still have hope. As he got up to leave my office, he handed me a large oil painting. He apologized that it wasn t the most beautiful painting, but he said it was all he could find in Djakova. He told me it was a small token of his gratitude for all the Orthodox Church and ACT had done for him and his family. He said that through the concrete and loving actions of the Church and her people, he still had hope in humanity despite the atrocities he had witnessed. He ended by saying, I have seen what true Christianity is all about.
READ AND SPEAK LANGUAGE LESSONS ON CDROM A GREAT E GIFT ANYTIM
GREEK LANGUAGE LESSONS IN ONE CDROM by George Balanis PhD, MBA and Toula Balanis AA AnoTek, Inc. VISIT: http://www.anotek.com Üëïãï ðüëç Þëéïò öüñåìá horse
city
sun
dress
If you want to learn Greek quickly and easily, our CDROM courses are for you. Our Read and Speak Greek CDROM will teach you the Greek language taught in Greek schools today. This course covers 6 years of school and teaches Reading, Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Phonetics, Grammar and Sentence Generation. You will learn the Structure of the Greek language and how it differs from the structure of English. The new software version (Ver. 3.0) improves the previous version to allow (a) program expansion to fit larger screens, and (b) running on networks (Windows NT). Our Read and Speak English CDROM teaches English to Greek speaking people. The course teaches Pronunciation, Vocabulary, Reading and the Basics of Grammar equivalent to about two years of school. All instructions are in Greek.
Read and Speak Greek CDROM Ver. 3.0 (6-year course Greek font included) Read and Speak French CDROM-Step 1 Ver. 1.0 (2-year course - Fonts included) Read and Speak English for Greeks CDROM - Step 1, Ver. 1
$95.00 $55.00 $95.00
We accept VISA, M/C, AMEX, DISCOVER, CHECKS & MONEY ORDER q Check Box for free catalog ORDER FORM: (Please put street and number. We ship UPS) Card #______________________________________________ Exp. Date: _______/ _____ Product: ________________________________________ X ____ Total $:_______________ Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________ Address:___________________________________________________________________ City __________________________________________ State________ Zip ______________ Your E-mail: ________________________________________________________________
WRITE TO: AnoTek/G. Balanis 2349 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405 Tel: (310)450-5027 Fax: (310)450-0867 Email: georgeb@anotek.com
Also available in books illustrated with full color pictures.
(RNS) The Serbian Orthodox Church has stepped up its call for the resignation of Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic following the recent NATO military action in Kosovo province. Serbian President Milan Milutinovic, a Milosevic ally, was also urged to step down. The church s bishops, meeting Tuesday (Aug. 10), added their voices to an earlier demand that Milosevic resign that was issued in June by the influential church s senior leadership, the Holy Synod led by Patriarch Pavle. In a statement, the bishops said we appeal to the presidents of Serbia and Yugoslavia if they genuinely do not want to turn their people and their state into their own hostages to immediately make way for other figures to take over the helm of state and take the people out of the cul de sac in which they have been driven, Reuters news service reported. Serbia is the dominant republic in Yugoslavia. Kosovo is a province of Serbia. While Serbs are generally Orthodox Christians, Kosovar Albanians who dominate the province are by and large Muslims. While calling for a change in government leadership, the bishops some of whom in the past have supported Milosevic s attempts to consolidate Serbian control over Kosovo were highly critical of the international sanctions against Yugoslavia for its actions in Kosovo and Bosnia. They also criticized the NATO bombing campaign in Kosovo and the international community s inability to prevent revenge attacks by Kosovar Albanians against Kosovar Serbs.
u Red Cross Issues Starvation Warning According to the BBC, the president of the International Federation of the Red Cross, Astrid Heiberg, has warned that many people in Serbia are on the verge of starvation because of the effects of the recent NATO air raids and international sanctions. Dr. Heiberg told the BBC that it was not only Serb refugees from Kosovo who were suffering, but also many elderly people on fixed incomes. She was speaking in Belgrade at the end of a five-day visit to Serbia designed to highlight the situation. Dr. Heiberg also appealed to the international community to provide humanitarian aid to Serbia without conditions. WELCOME TO THE
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA WORLD WIDE WEB HOME PAGE Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: http://www.goarch.org Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: http://www. patriarchate.org Orthodox World News: http://www. goarch.org/worldnews Orthodox Ministry ACCESS: http://www.goarch.org/access Orthodox Observer: http://www.goarch. org/goa/observer
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 17
In Memoriam James J. Paulos DALLAS James J. Paulos, a member of the Archdiocesan Council Executive Committee, Holy Cross-Hellenic College Board of Trustees and an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, died Aug. 30 of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was 68. Mr. Paulos also was a great benefactor of Holy Trinity Church in Dallas and Holy Cross in Pittsburgh, having served as president at both parishes, and a member of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund board. Three days before he died, he made a $10,000 donation as a sponsor of the upcoming enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios. Born in Detroit on Dec. 17, 1930, Mr. Paulos graduated from the University of Michigan in 1952 with a bachelor s in business administration. He earned his CPA certificate in 1955. Mr. Paulos worked for more than 30 years at LTV Corporation of NEW BERN, N.C. John A. Kyris, 92, a retired businessman who recently benefacted three Archdiocese and Patriarchal ministries, died May 26. He divided his estate of $600,000 equally to St. Michael s Home, St. Basil Academy and the Patriarchal Balukli Hospital in Constantinople. Mr. Kyris was born Nov. 6, 1906, in Fanati, Turkey. His father died in Constantinople the following year and he went to live with his maternal grandfather. After graduating from high school, he went to a school for language and business in Parra, Turkey. He soon moved to Greece and got a job as a mess boy on a freighter. On a voyage to Montreal, he left the boat and made his way to Toronto, then Buffalo, N.Y., to Connecticut, where an
Louis John Sitaras
BALTIMORE Louis John Sitaras, 84, father of the Rev. Constantine Sitaras, director of St. Basil Academy, died May 10. Mr. Sitaras was born Dec. 17, 1915, in Egrigoros, Chios, and emigrated to the United States with his parents in 1925 and settled in Baltimore. He was married to his wife, Helen Paides Sitaras, and they had four sons. She preceded him in death. During most of his working life, Mr. Sitaras owned a restaurant and also sold restaurant supplies. He was a faithful churchman who
Mary Costarakis SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. Presbytera Mary Costarakis, 61, wife of Fr. Peter D. Costarakis, pastor of St. Elias Church, died April 9, Good Friday. She was born Oct. 6, 1937, in Albany, N.Y. She worked for the New York State Department of Education after completing her schooling. She married Fr. Costarakis in 1963. They served parishes in Great Falls, Mont., Troy, N.Y., and San Bernardino, where she had served as choir director since 1980. Presbytera Costarakis had undergone
Dallas, as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and at its Jones and Laughlin Steel subsidiary in Pittsburgh. After retiring in 1986, he served as chairman of Merchants Metals Corp., of Houston, of J&L Specialty Steel Corp., in Pittsburgh, and of Rhythm Band Instruments, a Fort Worthbased distributor of musical instruments to elementary schools. Survivors include his wife, Angela; three children, Flora, John and Sam; and five grandchildren. Services took place Sept. 3 at Holy Trinity Church with Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver officiating, assisted by Fr. Nicholas Katinas, pastor, and other clergy.
BYZANTINE INC The Cruise with the Stars 1-800-208-8652
John A. Kyris uncle lived and eventually to New York to live with a sister. He found work at Greek restaurants, eventually rising to general manager, and attended Columbia University part time. He also invested in the stock market. Mr. Kyris was drafted into the army in 1942 and was sent to Miami, then to Columbia, S.C., where he trained to be a navigator. While preparing to go to another location for training with his battalion, he disembarked from the plane and returned to the barracks after he had heard his name called. The plane took off without him and crashed, killing everyone on board. He settled in Haddam, Conn., in 1964 when an uncle sold him 31 acres for $600. He later bought a condo in Daytona Beach, Fla., then eventually moved to North Carolina. During his travels, he visited St. Basil Academy, St. Michael s Home and Balukli hospital, which inspired him to leaving most of his estate to these institutions. loved his Savior and his Church and was very proud of his children and sisters, commented Fr. Sitaras. In addition to his second wife, Rose Pappas Sitaras, and Fr. Costa and Presbytera Valerie, other survivors include sons and daughter-in-laws Anthony and Margaret Sitaras of Towson, Md., Dr. Peter and Diane Sitaras of Belair, Md., and Joane Sitaras, also of Belair, whose husband, John, is deceased. Several grandchildren and a great-grandchild, and sisters Mary Arambiges and Anna DePuy also survive. Services took place at Annunciation Church, where Mr. Sitaras had been a member the past 17 years. surgery twice for benign brain tumors, and had other operations. She had directed the choir on Holy Thursday evening for the last time. She passed away while her husband was celebrating the Great Hours on Great Friday. The trisagion took place April 12, with 32 priests taking part. Metropolitan Anthony and 36 priests from throughout the San Francisco Diocese celebrated the funeral service on April 14.
MåôáöÝñïõìå
MåôáöïñÝò
áðü ÁìåñéêÞ óôçí ÅëëÜäá. ÏéêïóêåõÝò, áõôïêßíçôá, ïéêïäïìéêÜ õëéêÜ, çëåêôñéêÝò óõóêåõÝò, áåñïðïñéêÝò ìåôáöïñÝò.
Kronos New Kronos
International Shippers, Inc.
ôï ëÜäé óáò áðü ôï ÷ùñéü ç ðüëç óáò óôçí ÅëëÜäá óôï óðßôé óáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ
22 N. Sangamon, Chicago, IL. 60607 Tel. 312-432-0011 / 800-535-9635 Fax. 312-432-0507
E-Mail: kronos@kronosint.com
M åôáöïñÝò Måãáëýôåñç
Ýêèåóç çëåêôñéêþí óõóêåõþí ìå ñåýìá ÅëëÜäïò. Øõãåßá, ÐëõíôÞñéá, óôåãíùôÞñéá, êïõæßíåò, ôçëåïñÜóåéò, âßíôåï, êëéìáôéóôéêÜ, ìéêñïóõóêåõÝò êïõæßíáò.
áðü ÅëëÜäá óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. ÐñïóùðéêÜ áíôéêåßìåíá, áõôïêßíçôá, Ýðéðëá, åìðïñéêÜ öïñôßá.
We carry the complete line of GENERAL ELECTRIC export appliances in 220V. 50 Hz.Refrigerators-washers-dryerssplit airconditioners-Ranges-dishwashers etc.Electronics from : Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Jvc, Sharp.
ÄÙÑÅÁÍ ÁÐÏÓÔÏËÇ ÊÁÔÁËÏÃÏÕ
220 V. Export Appliances & Shipping
PAGE 18
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Archbishop Spyridon s Last Encyclical u page 1 Beloved Brothers and Children in the Lord: But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may accomplish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the Gospel of the Grace of God. (Acts 20:24) In the name of the Gospel that I have served these past three years, I am announcing today that I have submitted my resignation as your Archbishop to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I have submitted this resignation, effective Aug. 30, for reasons totally independent of and unrelated to my personal intentions. In the course of any ministry that God delivers into the hands of a man, there comes a time when principle and truth cannot be risked above and beyond the integrity of the human spirit. These moments are the ones that define us as human persons, that make us what we are. I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ that even as a simple man dwelling in the flesh and living in the world I still know such moments. And what is more, there is grace upon grace; for my heart is clean of any malice, ill will, or judgment of others. Even though our time together has been short, I am deeply grateful for the course and the ministry which I received from the Lord. There was so much to accomplish when I assumed the awesome responsibility of being your spiritual leader three years ago, so much new seed to sow in this vineyard planted by the Lord s right hand. It is only with the help of the hundreds of thousands of faithful people throughout this great Archdiocese that together we have been able to further increase and edify the Body of Christ, our precious Church. Guided by the principles of inclusion and honor for the family, we have joined hands to reach out with an unprecedented ministry to interfaith marriage partners. Guided by respect for the sacrificial giving of Greek Orthodox families, we have put shoulder to shoulder to open the windows on the financial operations of the Archdiocese with unparalleled accountability and candor. Guided by an abiding desire to spread the Good News of the Gospel, we have enacted various communications programs through the Internet, an expanded press office, and a revitalized publications effort, thus making available the substance of the Faith in ways never before seen. Guided by a love for all God s children, we have together reached out through dialogue as far as our Jewish friends and as close as our Old Calendarist brethren, whose reception into the bosom of our Mother Church represents the single largest instance of healing and reconciliation with this movement. In place of schism and division, communion and community have triumphed. Together, we have succeeded in uniting Greek-American organizations in a cooperative fellowship dedicated to serving our common interests. We have spoken up with courage on behalf of freedom and security for our Holy Mother Church and in so doing, raised the political and social consciousness of America for the realities faced by the Ecumenical Patriarchate. We have spoken out decisively for the sake of the suffering Serbian people and for peace and justice in Cyprus, being fully aware that these moments constitute not a political agenda, but our moral responsibility as Orthodox Christians who live in the most advantaged and free society on the face of the earth. But beyond this responsibility, we
have joined forces to respond to our perennial duty to honor the legacy of our past by re-focusing on the essentials of Hellenic culture and to make available to the next generation that which our parents so proudly delivered to us. That is why it became necessary to stress education, both catechetical and cultural, so that our children might be Greek Orthodox by conscious commitment, and not by uninformed custom. That is why, knowing that theology cannot exist in a vacuum, it was necessary that the theology we teach be aligned with the traditional praxis of the Church, in order for the fullness of the faith to come alive in personal experience. This fullness of faith has been the central mission and vision of my ministry, which you have joined with me to accomplish. Thus, I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, even when it was not popular. For the essence of leadership is to risk being unloved, if only for the sake of love. As we have carried out these tasks, I have felt in a very real and tangible way, the support, love, devotion and loyalty of the vast majority of the faithful of this Archdiocese, both clergy and laity. To those who have labored with me side by side during these past three years, I express my most profound gratitude for your unlimited love, your touching support, your tireless efforts for the cause of Christ and His Holy Church. I commend all of you, the countless thousands of good, decent, faithful people, for all your good intentions, purposes and resolve. For those few of every grade who during these past three years have opposed this vital mission of the Church and have spared little ordnance in an attack of words that has done far more damage to our Greek Orthodox family than it has to those entrusted with its leadership, I extend my heartfelt archpastoral forgiveness. It is my abiding hope that you will be granted to envision a future in which words will cease to be weapons and become icons of the Living Word of God, heralds of the Gospel of Peace. Therefore, I enjoin each and every one of you, who have been my spiritual children these past three years, to stand firm and hold fast to the Faith that was once delivered to the Saints. Hold fast and dear the unity of the great Archdiocese of America, which was built with the toil and tears of those who came before us, resisting the temptation to replace purpose with personality. It is only upon this unity, this solidarity, and this concord that the Church will be able to survive and indeed thrive in the future. Hold fast your bonds with the Mother Church of Constantinople, from which you have received the faith of Jesus Christ. And be not ashamed of the name Greek Orthodox, for thus you are known to all men as a people of faith, a people of tradition, a people of purpose, a people willing to sacrifice for the sake of the truth. For the sake of that truth, I now commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified. May the love of God the Father, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you, your families, and all whom you hold dear, both this day, and until the end of time. With heartfelt blessings and paternal love in Christ,
SEPTEMBER 1999
Interfaith Marriage Changes and Challenges Facing the Church by Fr. Charles Joanides
W
hen social scientists compare contemporary young adult dating and mating patterns with previous generations, they discover that contemporary young adults are mixing more and intermarrying more. Moreover, this finding clearly applies to Greek Orthodox young adults, since statistics indicate that 60 - 80 percent of our young adults choose to intermarry annually. But how is one to interpret these statistical trends? And how will these trends effect the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese s future? Should we expect to face new challenges in our local churches, and at the Diocesan and Archdiocesan levels as a result of these trends? Are there adjustments that must be made? And what are these adjustments? Obviously a short article like this one can not possibly address all these complex questions. Nevertheless, articles like this one can begin facilitating and encouraging prayerful discussion of the type that can guide us to some answers. It is both hoped and anticipated that what follows will make a small contribution in this direction: to God s glory and our salvation.
Meet Sara and Danny In the brief conversation that follows, you will be introduced to a fictional couple whom I shall call Sara and Danny. And even though this couple is fictional, I assure you that the remarks offered below are typical of numerous interfaith couples who attend our churches, since the contents of this short exchange will be based on the observations and descriptions of numerous couples who have participated in the Interfaith Research Project (IRP). Sara (27) and Danny (26) have been married for several years. Sara is a third generation Greek Orthodox Christian, while Danny was raised Catholic, comes from a mixed Irish, Scottish, and Italian ethnic background, and does not know how to determine which generation he might be. Both would like children in the future, are well educated, and will in all probability live a middle to upper-middle class existence. When asked what compelled them to marry, both indicate that the primary factor was their mutual love for one another. Sara is also quick to offer the following observation: It certainly wasn t like that for my parents. I think there was more pressure on them to marry a Greek. My mom s dad (my papou) was very insistent that she date and marry a Greek. Danny is familiar with this story and offers the following observation without any objection from Sara. Yeah, but that wasn t necessarily true of your parents. I mean, they didn t really care that much. Sara agrees, and adds, That s true, but I think way down deep somewhere in their hearts they might have preferred that I marry a Greek. But we never really discussed it, and I think my mom was determined not to impose the same types of dating restrictions on me that were imposed on her. Besides I think we both knew that pressure wouldn t have worked. Danny interrupts and states, Yeah, these are different times. When the couple is asked which church they attend, and why, Sara offers the following remarks. When we go to church, which is about once a month, we generally go to my church. And the reason why is connected to Danny s indifference to his religious background and my
desire to attend my family s church. As this conversation continues, Sara also observes that she probably attends the Greek Orthodox Church for slightly different reasons than her parents. She states that I think my parents came because their parents pressured them to come, and they kind of felt that that s where GreekAmericans should worship. But I come because the liturgy makes worshipping God easier. And even though I really don t understand it very much, I like the incense, the familiar hymns, and icons, because they make me feel close to God. At this juncture Danny is asked if he would like to add anything, and he says, Well, not really. I think what Sara has said pretty much answered your questions. Two brief observations from this Conversation: First, social science informs us that connections to the old country thin out and weaken from one generation to the next. Moreover, a careful examination of what was stated above appears to confirm this latter point. While Sara has some connects to her ethnic background, her remarks suggest that they are thinner and weaker than her grandparents and parents ethnic connects. Moreover, while Danny s ethnic connections remain in the backdrop of this conversation, one infers from his few comments that this is the case because they are so thin and weak as to be indiscernible to him. Second, social scientists also suggest that as people s ethnic connects thin out and weaken, the dominate American culture plays a greater role in influencing who they are and how they see the world. While there are no direct references that would serve to reinforce this later point, there are plenty of indirect references. For example, this couple s decision to intermarry is perhaps the strongest evidence that their behavior and decisions are influenced more by the dominant American culture than either of their ethnic backgrounds.
Some Concluding Responses Results from the IRP suggest that past generations of Greek Orthodox Christians attended services because the church met their ethno-religious needs. Present third, fourth, and fifth generations are less likely to be connected to their Greek ethnic roots and, by extension, may be less likely to attend as a result of their ethnic connections. Results also suggest that one of the factors, among others, that appears to motivate third, fourth, and fifth generation GreekAmerican church attendance is a need to meet certain religious and spiritual needs. Furthermore, many of these types of faithful may be lacking in knowledge of their Greek Orthodox faith tradition, but come because it feels the most familiar and most comfortable way to worship. And finally, as a researcher who has tried to assume a not knowing attitude of curiosity so as to avoid allowing my own biases to contaminate the results that have been emerging from the IRP, I have asked myself the following questions, and I conclude this short article with these questions as a way to stimulate further conversation about interfaith issues across our Archdiocese. If it is true that ties to the old country thin out and weaken from one generation to the next, what factors will keep our intermarried young adults connected to our churches?
u page 22
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 19
R E L AT I N G T O F A I T H
Exaltation of the Holy Cross by Rev. Dr. Dumitru Macaila
Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? (Mt. 17:25-26) The Exaltation of the Holy Cross is a royal feast, but it is a fast day, also. It is a fast day because it reminds us of the Crucifixion, and the Crucifixion is considered by the Orthodox Church as the sorrowful Pascha. It is a Pascha, even if a sorrowful one, since it is the beginning of the Resurrection, i.e., it is ontologically linked with the Resurrection of Christ, the triumphant Pascha. The Crucifixion is the beginning of the Resurrection as much as, in Metropolitan Anthony Bloom s words, Christ s birth is for Him not the beginning of life, it is the beginning of death. He accepts all that is inherent in our condition and the first day of His life on earth is the first day of His ascent to the Cross. These two redeeming events in the life of Christ are linked on the Cross as a whole. The Cross can be seen as the cosmic tree, since it contained the One who cannot be contained but, who in accordance with the eternal counsel of the Trinity, accepted to be contained. During His High Priestly prayer, Jesus said, And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was (John 17:5). Before the world was, since the heavens are the work of His fingers (Psalm 8:3), and He contains the whole universe. The Cross is the visible sign of the whole material universe s participation in the process of Redemption. To enter into our created world, Christ used the Virgin s womb. To reconcile us with His Father, Christ used the Cross as the altar on which He offered Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice able to pave the way to God s kingdom. As many times as the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, both the redeeming Sacrifice of Christ and His Resurrection are re-enacted. I think that a historical analogy may be in order. While wandering through the Wilderness of Sin, the children of Israel, led by Moses, were terribly thirsty. At the command of the Lord, Moses struck the rock and, instantly, drinking water came out of it, so all those thirsty could quench their thirst. But whoever drank of the water that gushed from the rock did thirst again, as much as all those who drank water from Jacob s well did thirst again (Jn 4:13). While being crucified, Christ jabbed with His Cross not a rock, but on the top of Golgotha, He jabbed the very heart of human history. It is from that heart that every human being, and not only one people, is called on to drink. Moreover, unlike the water offered by Moses from the rock, the living water offered by Christ as the offerer and the offered, the One who receives and is distributed, will become in every believer s heart a fountain of water spring-
ing up into everlasting life. The one who drinks from it with fear of God, with faith, and with love, will never thirst again. Only Christ s blood full of Divine Presence could wash away the sins of the world. Only the death of the One who cannot be contained by death could free humankind from the death brought about by our ancestors sin. The death of Christ, writes Metropolitan Anthony Bloom, is a tearing apart of an immortal body from an immortal soul - of a body that could not die from a soul that is alive, remains alive forever. This makes the death of Christ a tragedy beyond our imagining, far beyond any suffering which we can humanly picture or experience. Christ s death is an act of supreme love. It is only because of His supreme love that Christ became helpless on the Cross. St. John Chrysostom points out that Christ did not descend from the Cross, not because H could not, but because He would not. For Him, Whom the tyranny of death did not restrain, how could the nails of the Cross restrain? What sort of philosopher, among those who have studied logic, of those knowledgeable in Jewish matters, has saved us and made known the Truth? Not one! No one, because no one was untouched by corruption. Only the incorruptible One could defeat corruption, only the deathless One could accept the impossible death, and to assume and defeat in His human body the full tragedy of our sinful condition. No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (Jn. 3:1315). Commenting on these verses, the exegete of the Orthodox Study Bible points out: Moses lifted up a bronze serpent to cure the Israelites from the deadly bites of poisonous snakes. Christ will be lifted up on the Cross. As the believer beholds the crucified Christ through faith as Savior, the poisonous bite of that old serpent, the devil, and the bite of sin and death, is counteracted and cured. The moment of Christ s greatest humiliation becomes the moment of exaltation for completing His redeeming work. On the Exaltation of the Holy Cross holiday, let us renew our decision to make the Cross of Christ our own cross. Without the cross, Christ could not get to the Resurrection. By the same token, we cannot get to our own resurrection without making Christ s Cross our own. Our own dally crucifixions the prelude of our own resurrection. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. (Mt. 16:24). Paraphrasing St. Symeon the New Theologian, Anthony Bloom says, How can one who knows nothing of the Resurrection in this life, expect to discover and enjoy it in his death? Only the experience of the Resurrection can make the death of the body into sleep and death itself into the Gate of Life. But in order for our death to conquer Death, it has to be preceded by the assuming of the Cross. St. Paul says, For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake. (Phil. 1:29) While St. Peter points out, Even if you should suffer for righteousness sake, you are blessed (and) rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ s sufferings. (1 Pet. 3:14; 4:13) Let us take to heart these words of St. Isaac of Syria, When tribulations come upon you, do not be sullen or consider this as something alien to the way of God. For this path of God has been trodden from all generations by means of the Cross and death. The path to God is a daily cross. No one has ascended to heaven by way of ease. We know where the easy way leads! Fr. Macaila is assistant pastor of Annunciation Church in Lancaster, Pa.
The Millennial Myth by Fr. Angelo Artemas
T
he man mostly responsible for the celebration of the year 2000 (Y2K) in less than four months is Dionysius Exiguus. Dionysius was a Scythian monk in the early 6th century. Scythia was the land between the Black Sea and the Volga basin, and Dionysius was a common name in that region. In order to distinguish himself, the Scythian monk added the name Exiguus which means insignificant. Dionysius the Insignificant went to Rome in AD 500 and proposed a new calendar based on the life of Jesus Christ. According to Dionysius formula, the new calendar began with Jesus conception March 25th in AD 1, not AD 0. This raises the endless question as to whether the millennium begins in 2000 or 2001. When Pope Gregory XIII corrected the calendar in 1582, he moved New Year s Day back to Jan. 1. Although he did an admirable job based on the information available to him, Dionysius the Insignificant, though quite significant in getting the empire to accept the new calendar, got it wrong. Today s biblical scholars know with some certainty that Jesus of Nazareth was born in 4 BC. The 2000th anniversary of Christ s birth therefore occurred sometime in 1996. While 2,000 is a significant year, calling it Christ s 2,000th birthday is a myth. All of the end of the world and Jesus is coming fanatics should simply relax and have a belated birthday party. Nevertheless, the significance of the new millennium cannot be understated. Lost in the furor over computer failures and market collapses is the simple fact that without the historical Jesus Christ, the modern world would be on some other calendar. The significance of Dionysius calendar is great. For those who believe in Jesus and for those who have never heard of Him, Jesus Christ is the reason for this millennial celebration. Every time someone dates a letter or a check, they silently honor him. The fact that the upcoming year is AD 2000, and not year 4000 or 7000, is because of the historical Jesus Christ. Perhaps the greatest irony of all time is that despite this post-modern, post-Christian, antiChristian time, Jesus is the exclusive reason for the season. In a time when many have written off Christianity as insignificant, irrelevant, politically incorrect, repressive and ancient, even those who despise Christianity are entirely bound by a calendar centered on Jesus Christ. Those who are truly anti-Christian should switch to a calendar centered on some other historical figure. For those who are Christian, and especially for those who are united to the historical Orthodox Christian Church, a new millennium is not a time to fear, but a time to celebrate. The concept of celebration (jubilee) is found in Leviticus 25. The people of Israel once celebrated every 50th year as a yobel/jubilee year. The Hebrew word yobel means ram. Ram s horns were used as trumpets to announce the year of jubilee. Jubilee years were signposts designed to remind the people of Israel where they had come from and where they were going. Jubilee was a reminder that God had freed his people, and was leading them to greater things. If an insignificant monk can bring Christ to the world, imagine what faithful Christians can do. The calendar binds the modern world to the historical Jesus Christ. In America and throughout the world, Christ and His historical Church should be celebrated while there is time. Rather than fostering a climate of hysteria, Orthodox Christians should glorify Christ, and remember that the greatest feast is not His birth, but His Resurrection. Fr. Angelo Artemas is pastor of St. George Church, Downey, Calif.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 20
SEPTEMBER 1999
CLASSIFIED ADS
LEGAL SERVICES
Dr. Kimon A. Legakis
Athens University Law SchoolUMaster of Law, Hervard Law School Doctor of Law, Greece UCertificate of International Law, Hague Academy of Int l Law
Le g a l C o n s u l t a n t OFFICES 209 Garth Road Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 & (914) 725-4717 Fax: (914) 725-4936
14 Nikitaras Street Athens 106 78, Greece & (011-301) 383-3340 & (011-302) 992-7111 Fax: (011-301)382-0838
REAL ESTATE/BUS.
LOCA TION MEANS B USINESS OCATION BUSINESS Currently Operating as a Restaurant. Building and Land -$979,000. Just off Pensacola Bay in Pensacola, Florida. Fantastic Waterview! Owners are retiring! Call Diane Toepfer @ Coldwell Banker JME Realty. 1-800-346-6289.
Your SouthernFlorida Real Estate Connection Greek Spoken Fluently American Southern Properties Inc. Realtors
THOMAS DELIS Realtor Associate (954) 568-0081 days (954) 781-0140 evening
With emphasis on: Settlement of Inheritance, Taxes, Disputed Properties, Civil, International Family and Business Law in Greece
Dr. ARES D. AXIOTIS
ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW ÄÉÄÁÊÔÙÑ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ OXFORD, ENGLAND Ô. ËÅÊÔÙÑ ÍÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁÓ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND MEMBER OF N.Y. AND CT BARS 36 West 44th Street Suite 1300, New York, NY 10036
Tel.: (212) 840-3422 or (203) 255-3312 VACATIONS-TRAVEL Leading Char ter Charter our Oper ator Tour Opera and T
NOBODY CAN BEAT OUR PRICES MAIN OFFICE: 55E. 59th Street, New York, NY 10022
Tel.: (212) 753-1100 Toll Free: (800) 223-5570
WEDDINGS KENTRIKON-NOUFARO 23-33 31 St. Astoria, NY 11105 Wedding and Christening items, Favors, Martirika, Vaptistika, Ecclesiastical items. We ship anywhere!
(718) 721-9190
www.omogenia.com/kentriko-noufaro
S T E FA N A Artistically designed and handmade utilizing: porcelain, leather, pearl beads, crystal-like flowers and silk flowers Custom framing available
Featuring
Gus Vali
CAPE SOUNION AREA
Rare large hilltop parcel, 11 plus stremata, overlooking sea and valley. Thirty minutes from Athens airport, in area of year round and vacation villas. Sale price $375,000 (US) or best reasonable offer. Serious inquiries only!Call:(207)282-1197
EMPLOYMENT Position Available
Tel.:201.768.9100 INTERNET: http://www.vali.com Email:Music@vali.com
GEORGE KENT GREEK AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA & ENTERTAINMENT Y FOR 10% REB ATE! EXPOSÉ REQUESTED! BOOK EARL EARLY REBA
ONLY TRUST YOUR SOCIAL TO A PROVEN NAME GROUP OF FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS ENTERTAINERS, AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, WHO S ONLY BUSINESS IS MUSIC. PERFORMING AUTHENTIC GREEK MUSIC OF ALL REGIONS, COLONIES OF GREECE. FEATURING THE PRIME VOICE OF GREECE... THE CLARINO & BOUZOUKI PLUS VOCALS. BEWARE! OF GREEK BANDS PROMISING AMERICAN MUSIC, THEN PLAYING TAPES! ALL OUR MUSIC IS PERFORMED LIVE ...OUR AMERICAN SOUNDS PURE AMERICAN, WITH NO ACCENT!
CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020
or write: 118 Bolmer Ave., N.Yonkers, NY 10703-1637 Send for stereo cassette albums Zorba or Athena $11.00 for one, $20 for both to address above.
P ARISH L AY A SSISTANT /Y OUTH D IRECTOR The Greek Orthodox Community of St. Nicholas, Baltimore, Maryland is looking to fill the position of Parish Lay Assistant/Youth Director. This position will be responsible for the various youth programs, assist in the enrichment of Catechetical curriculum, and various parish administrative duties. Master s of Divinity or Church Service preferable. Bachelors degree required and 1-2 years experience in youth work. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume with references to St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 520 S. Ponca Street, Balitmore, MD 21224 by November 1, 1999.
Greek School Program Complete Greek School Program K-6th Grade at Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Glen Cove. Every Friday afternoon 4:00-7:00 p.m. For more information, please call (516) 671-5200. ÏëïêëçñùìÝíï Ðñüãñáììá åðôÜ ôÜîåùí Åëëçíéêïý Áðïãåõìáôéíïý Ó÷ïëåßïõ óôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ôçò ÁíáóôÜóåùò ôïõ ÃêëÝí Êüïõâ, êÜèå ÐáñáóêåõÞ áðüãåõìá 4:00-7:00 ì.ì. Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò ôçëåöùíÞóôå óôïí áñéèìü (516) 671-5200.
PROF. S E R V I C E S
Handcr afted Handcrafted Heir looms Heirlooms
Tel.& ffax ax (781) 862-8435 Free catalog available We Ship Anywhere
Marousi, Athens
Agiou Thoma 12, Paradisos 1 B.R. Condo, in a 9 unit building. Convenient to all: shopping center, public transportation. For more information call Jim at: U.S. (612) 920-1732 Greece 011-301-808-1740 until 9/21
Tarpon Springs Clearwater-Florida
U.S. IMMIGRATION TAXATION BUSINESS LAW INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS WILLS & ESTATES
MUSICIANS
RANGAVES PETER SMALL DANCE BANDS LARGE ORCHESTRAS
SE THEMAME & GREEK MAKARENA
E LECTROLYSIS
KOSTAS TASLIS & His Orchestra
Greek and American Music Klarino - Bouzoukee etc. Featuring Katerina - Vocalist
Add $3.00 ea. s&h PMT TO: Omikron Record Co. P.O.Box 913 47 Bacon Str., Winchester, MA 01890
___ #CDs @15.00 ___ #CASSETTES @ $10.00 TOTAL DUE: $ _____ ( )Check ( ) M.O.
THE ONLY SAFE, PERMANENT METHOD OF HAIR REMOVAL. FREE CONSULTATION LICENSED AND CERTIFIED
3342 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Call Kostas (781)729-2643
ORDER OUR NEWEST RELEASE
American Italian French Greek German Latin Call Peter 707-526-1138
Disposable Needles Dry Heat Sterilization Thermolysis Multi-Needle Galvanic Blend Methods
Robin F. Levin L.E., C.P.E.
For more information call: (212) 371-9135 57 West 57th St., New York, NY 10019
DIMITRIOS PANAGOS PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO Å WEDDINGS Å BAPTISMS Å PORTRAITS Å NEWS Å PASSPORTS
(516) 931-2333 MOVING? NOT RECEIVING?
If you are moving, please attach your old label here ò
Web page:http://www.dimitrios.com 111 Broadway (Rt. 107), Hicksville, N.Y. 11801
ÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÔÕÐÏÃÑÁÖÅÉÏ
NT RTA O P Y IM VER Mail this coupon to the Orthodox Observer 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021 AND Ask your parish to forward your name and new address to the Observer in order for you to continue receiving the newspaper IF you move but your new home is located in the district of the same parish, then list your new address below:
NAME___________________________________________ ADDRESS______________________________________ CITY___________________STATE ________ZIP_______
Ëåõêþìáôá ãéá óõëëüãïõò êáé êïéíüôçôåò
40-12 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105
Tel.: (718) 545-2323 Fax: (718) 545-2366
THE OMEGA PROJECT TAMPA FLORIDA AMERICAS FINEST GREEK/AMERICAN BAND! CONVENTIONS, DANCES, FESTIVALS & WEDDINGS Call: (813) 949-3409 E-mail: omegaproject@juno.com
Orion Express
L IVE G REEK M USIC
FOR ALL
O CCASIONS
AT
R EASONABLE R ATES
Call Thanasis at: (216)281-4270 Fax (216) 281-7557
ÕÐÅÕÈÕÍÏÔÇÔÁ & ÓÙÓÔÅÓ ÔÉÌÅÓ
LETTERHEADS ¦ LOGOS ¦ ENVELOPES ¦ BUSINESS CARDS JOURNALS ¦ MAGAZINES ¦ BOOKS ¦ BOOKLETS ¦ WEDDING INVITATIONS ¦ SIGNS ¦ BANNERS ¦ COMPUTER GRAPHICS ¦ PAPER SIGNS ¦ COLOR BROCHURES ¦ MENUS ¦ ADS
CALL NOW
TO
RESERVE ADVERTISING SPACE
Tel: (212) 570-3555 Fax: (212)774-0239
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Youth Ministry
challenge
Off to College
by Vasie-Leigh Chames
T
he car is packed. Pictures of your friends and relatives are off the shelves. Your dog is hovering at your feet. He knows that something is about to change. You take a look around the room you grew up in for the last time. The next time you come home for Christmas Vacation, your little sister will have converted your room into a shrine to NSync. Today is the day you move into your college dormitory to begin your freshmen year. Going to college is one of the largest steps you will take in your entire life time. This is your first step into adulthood. The Book of Ephesians says that, man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife... Most young adults now days don t leave their father and mother for their husband or wife, but rather for the unknown roommate in their sterile new dorm room. As most colleges offer you an orientation packet full of all the do s, don ts, and where to go s of campus life, the following are some suggestions of how to survive college as an Orthodox Christian on the forefront of adulthood. What to pack? Orthodox Study Bible An icon of Christ or your patron saint An Orthodox Prayer Book (contains prayers for students and travelers) Address list of local parishes (ask your parish priest) The Orthodox Church: 455 Questions and Answers by Fr. Stanley Harakas Introducing the Orthodox Church by Fr. Anthony Coniaris The phone number of your spiritual father or parish priest Socialization Interested in meeting other Orthodox Christian with similar morals and upbringing? Many college campuses have Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) chapters that meet regularly on campus. OCF is an opportunity for you to socialize and worship with other Orthodox students on campus. Call the local parish priest to be put on a general parish/OCF/ YAL mailing list. It is always helpful to have a home away from home and friendly faces to greet you on Sunday. Transportation So, are you without a car? Well if you are not, someone else may be. Call the local parish priest and let him know you are in town and need a ride to church or that you can give a ride to someone else. Parishes love new young adults who are interested in their faith. The priest can hook you up with a nice person to give you a ride and an occasional home cooked meal. (Hint, hint parishes, keep an eye out for students) Education Going to college doesn t mean that you have to forget about your culture and your faith. Most campuses offer courses in classical art, history, and language. Some campuses offer modern Greek
PAGE 21
courses. Few campuses offer courses in Eastern Christianity/ Religion, however don t let that stop you. Private schools, especially, will create courses which are asked for in great demand by the students. Inquire if the local Orthodox priest could offer a one semester course. Also, consider doing a semester exchange program in Greece or at Hellenic College. Both will offer you opportunities to learn about Greek language, history, culture, and religion. What to do for break? Are you short on cash, but still want to see the world? Consider a service oriented vacation by going on a OCMC sponsored mission trip. With a little fund raising, prayer, and dedication, you can experience life in Africa, Asia, S. America, or Europe. If your passport is nearing its expiration date, consider service as a summer camp counselor at one of the 20 diocese/ parish camps or at Ionian Village. This is a great way to make friends, learn about your faith and to see a new part of the country. Stressed Out College can be fun, but the pressure is on to produce. For many college freshmen, stress is relieved by participating in the four-day weekend drinking ritual. Don t forget to use prayer as an alternative stress release. God can t take your O-Chem exam for you, but He can give to the strength to get through it. Regular attendance in divine sacraments of communion, confession and unction will help relieve you of your anxiety and give you support. Taking the time out for church is difficult, but if you just do it you will find that the benefits will reveal themselves. With one last look around the room for forgotten items, you hear the honk of the car horn. It is time to leave mom and dad. Here s to a great freshman year!
Email: youthoffice@goarch.org
SAINTS FEASTS ExaltationAND of the Holy Cross September 14
ne of the most revered observances in all of Orthodoxy is the feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on Sept. 14. On this day, we commemorate two historical events: First, the discovery of the Cross of Christ by St. Helen, mother of Constantine the Great, during the fourth century. Secondly, its recovery by Emperor Heracleios and return to Jerusalem after being taken by the Persians in 614. The following are some interesting facts about this feast day:
O
Did you know? St. Helen discovered an unusual and sweet-smelling plant growing in a lonely and abandoned area which she thought to be Golgotha-the site of Christ s crucifixion. During excavation they found the three crosses upon which Christ and the two thieves were crucified. As a result, the plant discovered there was named Basil or Basilikos in Greek, which means royal or the plant of the King. That is why priests distribute Basilikos on this special feast day. Different stories exist as to how St. Helen identified the cross upon which Christ was crucified. One version states that the cross was inscribed with the words Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. Another says that a paralytic laid on each cross and recovered miraculously af-
ter being placed on the true Cross of Christ. Yet a third story claims that during a funeral procession, the dead man was placed on the Cross of Christ and was miraculously restored to life. Constantine the Great built the Church of the Resurrection in Jerusalem, at the request of his mother in the area where she discovered the Cross. Consecrated in 335, this church still remains the most respected place of Orthodox worship today. The tradition of the procession of the Cross around the church began during the seventh century on Sept. 14. Emperor Heracleios, humbly dressed and wearing no shoes, carried the cross on his back in procession to the Church of the Resurrection. The cross was exalted or raised before the people and venerated. The Holy Fathers of the Church, realizing the many dangers of invading Arabs in the Holy Land, decided to cut and distribute the Cross of Christ to the many great spiritual centers of Christendom. According to St. Cyril of Jerusalem in 349, most Christians carried with them pieces of wood which they believed were fragments of the original cross. When in danger, they would touch the wood, believing that the power of God, through the cross, would protect them. This act developed into our present day expression, Knock on wood.
Challenging Word Puzzle Word Search for the Holy Cross
After reading the article on this feast day, find all the bold words in this puzzle! Have fun
From the Church Fathers to US
Reject completely every suspicion about someone else that rises in your heart, because it destroys love and peace.
- Theoliptos, Metropolitan of Philadelphia Challenge is the youth supplement to the Orthodox Observer, a service of the Department of Youth & Young Adult Ministries. Articles reflect the opinion of the writers. Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8 East 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 Contributors for this issue Fr. Anastasios Bourantas Natalie Kulukundis Tiffany Alexopoulos Vassi-Leigh Chames Lia Ladas Linda Mort
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.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 22
SEPTEMBER 1999
PEOPLE
u Greek-American journalist honored
GLOBAL CRUISES 1-800-882-6202
More than 150 persons from across the nation honored Chicago writer and commentator James M. Mezilson for his 80th birthday and 60 years of accomplishments and service to the community. Called the undisputed dean of Greek American journalism in a recent cover story by the Greek American Review magazine. Mr. Mezilson began his career January 1942 as a copy boy with the Chicago Sun (now Chicago Sun-Times) and worked his way up to reporter. He eventually became a columnist there, as well as with several Greek American publications, including the Greek Press, where he has chronicled the life of Chicago s Greek American community, and the Hellenic Chronicle, The Ahepan and Athene magazines. Other career accomplishments include serving as an assistant for many years to the late Sen. Paul Douglas of Illinois and the establishment of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center of Chicago.
u 40th anniversary Fr. Anthony Tomaras and Presbytera Sophronia of St. Demetrios Church in Seattle recently were feted for the 40th anniversary of his ordination. More than 200 friends and relatives attended. Guests included Presbytera Theano Rexinis, sister of Fr. Anthony.
u
Named full professor
University of Chicago Medical School s Department of Surgery has given Dr. Anthony J. Geroulis full clinical professorship status. Dr. Geroulis holds international workshops at the University of Chicago where he teaches plastic/ cosmetic surgical procedures he
u Meets ambassador
Illinois Gov. George H. Ryan recently met with Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis, Cyprus ambassador to the United States, and Andrew Athens, world president of Greeks Living Abroad (SAE), at the governor s Chicago office.
u Hall of honor inductee
EMKAY CANDLES V-CORE WICK CANDLES 1-800-448-7884
Texas Restaurant Association recently inducted former Texas State representative and restaurateur Chris V. Semos of Dallas, into its Hall of Honor, the highest honor that is bestowed by the Association. Mr. Semos owned The Torch of Acropolis Restaurant in Dallas which was established by his father, Victor, in 1948 to feature Greek food in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Mr. Semos also served in the Texas House of Representatives for 16 years and as Dallas County commissioner for 12 years. He currently heads his own government consulting firm.
Interfaith u page 18
If our intermarried young adults are coming to our churches because they feel the most comfortable with Greek Orthodoxy, but also lack knowledge of their faith, how will this effect their children and their children s childrens commitment to Greek Orthodoxy? If interfaith marriages are more than a passing trend, then what adjustments should the Church be considering in its efforts to minister to a population of faithful whose ethnic ties are weaker than previous generations?
SEPTEMBER 1999
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 23
Long-Serving Priests Bring Stability to Community
N
ot many communities can profess to having only three pastors in 73 years, or worshipping in the same church building for 70 years. Annunciation Church in Akron can. Beginning with Fr. John Kapenekas in 1926, who served the parish 43 years, followed by Fr. George Bartz, pastor for 38 years, to the current priest, Fr. Jerry Hall, a relative beginner with five years service, the community has continued to
PARISH
men soon applied for and received a state charter. The new parish adopted the name Annunciation and set membership dues at 50 cents a month. A series of visiting priests held regular services but they stayed in the community anywhere from a few months, or a year or two at most. The parish organized its first permanent Greek school in 1919 with Thalia Kyriakides as the teacher. She taught the language to successive generations of chil-
Meanwhile, the parish history notes that five parish leaders resolved the parish s financial problems and organized two additional building fund drives in 1939 and in the early 1940s, allowing the congregation to burn its mortgage in November 1943 and recover its pews. Archbishop Athenagoras attended the mortgage-burning ceremony. During World War II, some 200 men from Annunciation fought in the conflict and, by strange coincidence, the same number died as during the First World War seven.
profile
Name: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Location: Akron, Ohio Founded: 1918 Diocese: Pittsburgh Size: About 600 families Clergy: Fr. Jerry Hall (Holy Cross, 88), Fr. Michael Menos, assistant (Holy Cross 98) Noteworthy: Three priests have served during most of church s existence. ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
move forward and progress spiritually and materially. The Greek Orthodox Christians presence in the Akron area actually began sometime in the late 1800s. According to an extensive parish history, the first fruit commissioner in Summit County (of which Akron is the county seat), was a Greek, although the document does not record his name. In the ensuing years, hundreds of unskilled young men from throughout Greece settled in Akron. They were attracted by the city s factories, especially those of the new rubber industry the household names of Firestone and Goodyear that dominated its economy from World War I until the 1970s. Those able to save some money soon became fruit vendors, or opened coffee shops (there were at least 12 by 1917), restaurants, candy stores and other businesses. Some 803 young Greek Akron men fought in the war. Seven were killed. By 1918, Akron s Greek population had grown to 2,500. Most were bachelors who came to earn money to send home to their struggling families, but who intended to return to Greece as soon as they made their fortune. Strongly desiring spiritual fulfillment, they attended church services once a month in a rented room of a clothing store with a visiting priest from Cleveland, 30 miles to the north, Fr. John Zografos celebrating liturgy. The few families who settled there wanted something more. Several men of the community held meetings in 1918 with the intention of formally organizing a church. A five-member committee of married
In the 1950s, the community experidren for 32 years. Today, the Greek school enced a sustained period of growth. The has an enrollment of about 70. In 1920, the community purchased a hall was remodeled and the Sunday School house for worship services. Four years later, program was revitalized with the introduction of a bilingual curriculum. With the elecseveral parishioners formed a choir. The era of stability began Aug. 15, tion as president of James Bollas in 1955, 1926, when Fr. Kapenekas celebrated his the American-born generation began to first liturgy at Annunciation. He helped es- assume leadership roles in the community. A major transition in the life of Annuntablish many of the parish institutions, including the La- ciation Church occurred the following year dies Society Melissa, forerunner of the with the retirement of Fr. Kapenekas after Philoptochos chapter, and the Sunday 30 years of leading the community. He was School, also under the leadership of Mrs. named pastor emeritus and remained a staKyriakides. The school has grown to its bilizing influence in the parish until his present enrollment of more than 200 chil- death in 1969. Fr. George Bartz then dren. continued the tradition of Hoping to fileadership set by his prenally build a permadecessor. He expanded nent house of worthe Sunday school and ship, parish leaders launched a fund drive to formed a building Akron build a cultural center. The committee in 1927. new facility was completed A year later, the parin 1963 and dedicated by ish purchased a lot Archbishop Iakovos. on South Union OHIO Assisting her husband Street, where Anin his ministry, Presbytera nunciation still Zafera, a graduate of St. Basil stands, for $15,000. Academy, enriched the Sunday Construction school curriculum and also taught on the new building Greek school. began in August 1929, Their son, William, went on to beonly two months before the come the first parishioner to graduate nation s economy collapsed in the from Holy Cross. He also was the first priest Great Depression. Despite the hardship, work progressed to be ordained in the parish. Currently, Fr. and the building was completed in about a Bill Bartz serves as a U.S. Navy chaplain. With the women s movement gaining year. Dedication ceremonies took place momentum in the 1970s, members elected Nov. 16, 1930. The Depression had a debilitating ef- the first woman to the church board, Olga fect on the parish treasury throughout the Yogmour, who served as secretary. In 1972, a debate raged as to whether 1930s, however, as the community fell behind on its mortgage payments. The bank women had the right to vote at assembly meetings in their husbands absence. A repossessed the pews. But the Greek Orthodox population committee named in 1975 studied the iscontinued to grow and a second Greek sue, which was resolved in 1977 with the school took root in East Akron, eventually creation of family memberships and voting privileges for both spouses. becoming church-sponsored.
Parishioners elected the first woman president, Helen Menegos, in 1985. During part of the 1970s, the issue of whether to relocated to another part of the city sparked continuing debate. After an attempt to sell the property to the University of Akron failed, parishioners voted to stay at their present location and launched a major expansion program. They approved spending nearly $900,000 to double the size of the hall, develop a parking lot and for other improvements. The new community center was dedicated in 1981. A woman iconographer, Shirley Kontos, was awarded a contract in 1986 to complete the church s iconography. Also under Fr. Bartz leadership, the parish adopted the stewardship program, which has become highly successful as the prime revenue source. Another Akron-area native ordained in the church, Fr. Jerry Hall, returned to Annunciation to serve as assistant pastor after graduation. A former pharmacist and United Church of Christ member, Fr. Jerry converted to Orthodoxy in the early 1980s when he married his wife, Helene (Theodore), also a pharmacist, and parish member, at the time. History repeated itself in 1994, when Fr. Bartz retired after 38 years, and has continued his participation in community life as pastor emeritus. He really has been an exemplary retired priest, said Fr. Hall. He lets me do my job and is always there to listen and advise me. Fr. Hall has picked up where Fr. Bartz left off in furthering Annunciation s diverse ministries. Most congregants now are thirdand fourth-generation American-born and reflect the diversity of the city s economy, representing a wide range of professions. Fr. Hall noted there is a steady stream of converts as a result of interfaith marriage. Two notable recent converts are his parents, whom he chrismated in January. That was a wonderful event, he recalled. One of the more active ministries, the Philoptochos chapter, prepares 120 food boxes a month and supports local charities to help the hungry and homeless. Members also visit shut-ins. In addition to GOYA and JOY, Fr. Hall ministers to younger people through a campus ministry at Kent State University and the church s across-the-street neighbor, the University of Akron. Other ministries include Greek and English Bible studies, visiting lecturers and adult education, which also includes a 15-minute radio program Sunday mornings. At the Pan-Orthodox level, Annunciation is one of 10 Orthodox churches in Akron that cooperate in several events and activities during the year. Fr. Hall described his parish as having the feeling of a close family. One of his concerns is in ministering adequately to such a large community. We re trying to make sure that people don t fall through the cracks, he said. It s easy to happen. He concluded that keeping track of everybody is the biggest challenge, but it s a wonderful parish and I feel very blessed to be here. compiled by Jim Golding
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 24
SEPTEMBER 1999
2
3 1
ENTRANCE TO Boston Diocese Camp, deep in the central New Hampshire forests.
2 3 1
THE CHAPEL is the focal point of spiritual life at the camp.
FOOD SITE – The dining hall serves nutritious meals to more than 100 at a sitting.
4
4
THE LAKE offers an enclosed shallow swimming area for inexperienced and younger swimmers, while the more experienced can swim in deeper water on the far side of the pier.
Story and photos by Jim Golding
CLOUGHVILLE, N.H. (or what used to be) Deep in the central New Hampshire forest near the village of Coontocook some 15 miles west of Concord, a 19th century hamlet serves as the backdrop for the spiritual nourishment of potentially thousands of Orthodox Christians. The collection of 30 or so aging wooden buildings, most of them painted red, lies hidden under a dense growth of towering pine, sycamore, elm and oak trees astride a gravel-and dirt road on a 200-acre site that serves as the permanent home of the Boston Diocese Camp and Retreat Center. Lying along the shore of a pristine lake, it s a young camper s dream, offering swimming, canoeing, nature trails, arts and crafts, sports and fellowship. But it s not limited to youth. Through the generosity of benefactor George Behrakis of Tewksbury, Mass., who provided the $500,000 downpayment on the $1.2 million property and others, the Diocese of Boston purchased the ready-made camp site in 1998, after years of renting privately owned facilities. Chris Papoutsy of Portsmouth, N.H., headed the camp search committee that found the property and recommended it to Metropolitan Methodios. He also gave a $100,000 donation. It s very important that our people have a spiritual retreat once a year, said Metropolitan Methodios, who envisions a facility to serve all Orthodox Christians of the Boston Diocese and beyond, and led the efforts to acquire the permanent camp. The camp will be available for the whole spectrum of congregants, he said, expressing hope that senior citizens, college students, marriage encounter groups and clergy will be among those using the facility. In direct charge of the facility is the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, the executive director, who has spent much of the summer upgrading the camp, including refurbishing the cabins. Our hope is that the camp will turn into a year-round retreat center, said Fr. Nick, who said its ministry will be to share the vision of the Church and the Great Commission of Christ. He listed several groups planning to use the facility in the near future, including two YAL groups from Boston and Charlotte, N.C., his former parish. In August, the Orthodox Church in America leased the camp for two weeks. The Diocese will offer its winter camp here in February. Metropolitan Methodios and Fr. Triantafilou
BDC CAMP and Retreat Center Director Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou pitches to Metropolitan Methodios during a softball game between Goyans from around the diocese in the spacious field also used for soccer. For part of the game, the Metropolitan designated himself the designated hitter of both teams. The lofty pines form a natural stadium for athletic contests.
A 3-POINTER! — Fr. Triantafilou scores “from downtown,” as they say in the NBA, while spending time with these young campers on the basketball court.
envision retreats for clergy, both in small groups and as a syndesmos, religious education directors, parish council and Philoptochos chapter presidents, choir leaders, acolytes and others, and even a hockey camp for Bruin or Ranger wannabees. Among its many attractions, in addition to two lakes (Kimball Lake, which is undeveloped and serves as a nature preserve, and Clement
Pond which offers swimming and canoeing), are soccer/softball fields, basketball, tennis and volleyball courts, an arts and crafts center, playhouse, dining hall, an indoor chapel and an outdoor altar near the lake shore. Most of this rustic collection of buildings in what was once Cloughville (pronounced Clo-vil) date from the early 1920s, when the YMCA operated a children s summer camp. For more than 100 years prior to that, however, it was a hamlet that was home to two families, the Cloughs and the Clements, who intermarried over several generations. The Cloughs owned the village. They worked as farmers, carpenters, shoemakers and printers, but the heart of their economic activity was a sawmill, along with a grist mill and cider mill, both powered by a stream flowing between the two lakes. Around 1906, the few remaining residents abruptly abandoned the site for some unexplained reason, most likely to find employment in nearby towns. At least two of the original buildings remain. The YMCA acquired the property in 1920 and operated it for 30 years. Two young men from New York then bought the site in 1950 and operated a it as a for-profit camp until its purchase by the Diocese. Much of the facility s successful operation depends on its dedicated staff of about 180, which includes about 130 volunteers. Among them are Michael Sintros, the summer camp director, and his wife, Kate, of Somerville, Mass., Dr. Dave Walter, a private physician from Lewiston, Maine, and a member of Holy Trinity Church there, who volunteers for two weeks as camp doctor; Spyros Bobotas, acting Diocese youth director and camp co-director; Ann Metsakos, the religious education director and others. Fr. Nick sees from 750 to 1,000 children using the camp for annual summer sessions. This past summer, 600 to 700 persons from various organizations have used the camp. An open house at the end of August to celebrate the first year of the BDC s existence drew about 600. Considering the exceedingly tranquil setting that makes BDC a perfect place for spiritual renewal, the array of never-a-dull-moment activities available, the excellent facilities and its year-round operation, the goals and dreams that many have for the camp seem quickly attainable.