Orthodox Observer - June 2001

VOL. 66 NO. 1182

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

JUNE 2001

Three Receive Honorary Doctorates at HC/HC Graduation

by Jim Golding

BROOKLINE, Mass. Hellenic College-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology at the 59th annual Commencement on May 19 awarded degrees to 37 students and honorary doctorates to U.S. Ambassador to Greece Nicholas Burns, Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Boston, and Nicholas J. Bouras of Westfield, N.J., a long-time supporter of the Church.

Commencement-related activities began the previous day. Following Vespers at Holy Cross Chapel, presided over by Archbishop Demetrios, His Eminence held the stavrophoria ceremony in which he presented each graduate with the cross of the school.

As you exit this school, we give the cross of the school to you as a symbol, as a companion, as a guide, said the Archbishop.

He said for St. Paul the cross was a symbol of sorrow and wisdom and that the Church, through the cross, proclaims Christ the crucified one as the power and wisdom of God. His Eminence also told the graduates the cross has the power for life and creativity and that it is not heavy on you, pushing you down, but a symbol of strength to take you higher and higher. (see full textof Archbishop s address on p.11) Saturday s events began with orthros and liturgy in the chapel.

Archbishop Demetrios, in brief comments after the service, reminded the congregation of the thousands of Orthodox

HOLY CROSS School of Theology graduates with Archbishop Demetrios, Ambassador Burns, Metropolitans Methodios and Paissios, President Fr. Triantafilou, Holy Cross acting Dean James C. Skedros and Hellenic College acting Dean Dr. Artistotle Michopoulos.

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ARCHBISHOP S COMMENCEMENT ADDRESS u 11

Philanthropist P. Angelopoulos, 92, Dies in Athens

UN SECRETARY GENERAL Kofi Annan welcomes Archbishop Demetrios.

D. Panagos

Archbishop Applauds UN Resolution on Religious Sites

N.Manginas

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D. Panagos

NEW YORK- Archbishop Demetrios joined with the Appeal of Conscience Foundation and a diverse group of religious leaders, to applaud the passage on May 31st by the U. N. General Assembly of a resolution that protects and preserves religious sites and cultural heritage around the world.

The passage of this resolution today,

said Archbishop Demetrios, leads to a wonderful direction of rejoining respect for the beliefs of others, for the religious history of humanity, which is a common heritage for tolerance and for preserving the concept of the sacred and holy, a concept gradually disappearing under the

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Archdiocese News u 2 - 3, 6-7 Books u 26 Challenge u 31 Classified ads u 28 Clergy Update u 25 Contemporary Issues u 4 Diocese News u 24-25 Ecum. Patriarchate u 8,18 Greek section u 15-20 Interfaith Marriage u 5 Junior Olympics u 32 Missions u 29 Opinions u 10 Orthodox Heritage u 21 Orthodoxy Worldwide u 14 Parish Profile u 22 People u 22 Relating to the Faith u 13 Religious Education u 14 Scholarships u 23 Voice of Philoptochos u 30

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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A R C H D I O C E S E

JUNE 2001

N E W S

37 Graduate at HC/HC Commencement u page 1 students studying at colleges and universities and the need to think of them and pray they remain culturally strong and maintain their Orthodox faith in their environment.

A procession to Pappas Gymnasium for the commencement followed the services.

HC/HC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou offered the salutation. Greetings were offered by George D. Behrakis, vice chairman of the board of trustees, National Philoptochos President Eve Condakes, who presented Fr. Triantafilou with a $50,000 check for the school; Consul General of Greece George Chatzimichelakis; Holy Cross acting Dean James C. Skedros and Hellenic College acting Dean Dr. Artistotle Michopoulos.

Dean Skedros recognized Professor George Bebis for his nearly 50 years service to the school. Bebis will retire this year

lenism to its students, through learning the ideals of a classical education and Orthodox theology, while also receiving professional training.

He also noted that the relationship between Greece and the United States is in very good shape, and noted Greece s efforts in working for peace in the Balkans, and seeking justice for Cyprus.

Metropolitan Methodios, in his acceptance of the honorary degree, referred to the annual day of commencement as a Feast Day of Achievement. He noted that the achievements for which he has been credited with attaining were not his, but the achievements of those who encouraged me and challenged me.

Mr. Bouras, who with his wife founded Bouras Industries in 1960, received the honorary degree for his strong support of the Church: as a founder of Holy Trinity Church in Westfield, N.J., and a 33-year chairman of its building committee, Archdiocesan Council member for 20

D. Panagos

HONORARY DOCTORATE recipients Nicholas Bouras, Metropolitan Methodios and Ambassador Burns with Archbishop Demetrios and Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou.

after a teaching career at Holy Cross that began in 1956.

Christa Jane Dokos gave the Hellenic College valedictory address. Panteleimon Papadopoulos was the Valedictorian for Holy Cross.

Commencement speaker Ambassador Burns, who delivered the commencement address, has served as ambassador to Greece since 1997, and will be moving to another assignment in a few months. He had previously served as a member of the National Security Council under the Clinton Administration and was an advisor to President George H. Bush on Greece, Turkey, Cyprus and the Middle East.

In his address, the Ambassador referred to HC/HC as the heart of Hellenism in the United States and that the institution s role has been to impart the gift of understanding of the faith and Hel-

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years and secretary of the Executive Committee, executive vice commander of the Order of St. Andrew/Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and member of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.

Holy Cross-Hellenic College officials also bestowed the school s Three Hierarchs Medal upon the Rev. George Nicozisin and Katherine Pappas.

Fr. Nicozisin is a 1956 graduate of the school who has authored several books on the Orthodox faith, served as director of the Religious Education Department in the 1970s, and was a parish priest in California, New York, New Hampshire and, most recently, in St. Louis, for 20 years.

Mrs. Pappas, who was unable to attend the event, served on the National Philoptochos Board more than 30 years, and as president for eight. She also served as national chairman for the Hellenic College Project.

DIRECTOR & MANAGING EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Nikos Katsanevakis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Soula Podaras CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas Manginas Elizabeth Economou

AMBASSADOR BURNS delivers the Commencement Address.

Archbishop Demetrios offered his exhortatory remarks to the graduates, stressing the theme of the great need for priests in the United States. We have to double if not triple the number we need to have today, he said.

In discussing the roles of both institutions in light of the challenges facing the Church, His Eminence noted that Hellenic College should not simply be a place to study history, language and literature related to Greece and Hellenism; Hellenic College should be the place to study, a distinguished center of learning and research. Our ambition should be to offer the best in these areas and related fields, so that the name Hellenic College is associated with a thorough and intensive education in our rich heritage that has so much to offer to our modern world.

Regarding Holy Cross, Archbishop Demetrios said We have an urgent need for a dramatic increase in the number of clergy in our Holy Archdiocese. Citing a few examples of parishes where the lack of an adequate number of clergy has hindered the communities progress and outreach, he said there is a genuine need to cultivate and prepare an adequate number of priests in order to minister effectively and that the parishes should nurture and motivate our young men toward the priesthood.

He also said that Holy Cross has an additional role of being an invaluable resource, a vital center for addressing the challenges of 21st century American society. He listed these challenges as bioethics, changing family structures and altered conceptions of marriage, relativization, technology, social and environmental and spiritual.

Certainly these challenges are formidable, he said. But they are challenges facing our society, our communities, our people, and we have the resources and the persons to address these challenges in knowledgeable and insightful ways that manifest the spiritual wealth of Orthodoxy

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and the ability of our faith to guide us in life and relationships in these modern times.

His Eminence called on the school to expand its role as a place for theological consultation...for dialogue and quality interaction, and a place where we gather those who can contribute to the life and ministry of the Orthodox Church in North America and beyond.

2001 Graduates Bachelor of Arts John Peter Couchell, Mathews, N.C.; Christa Jane Dokos, Sioux Falls, S.D; Eleni Nikolaou Goudanas, Thessaly, Greece; Sarantis P. Loulakis, Newington, Conn; Alexander S. Magdalinos, Western Springs, Ill; Luke Murphy Melackrinos, Columbia, Md; Pantelis D. Papadimitriou, Thessaloniki, Greece; George Papacostas, Athens, Greece; Costas Pieri, Dallas; Anna E. Pipilas, Glenview, Ill. Master of Arts in Church Service Peter C. Mariades, Orlando, Fla. Master of Theology George Kouzelis, Athens, Greece; Eleni Aspasia Monas, Miami; Laney J. Ross II, St. Clairsville, Ohio.

Master of Theological Studies George John Anastasiou, New York; Khalil-Anastasius zad Ashkan, Tehran, Iran; Pamela K. (Blackmon) Bailey, Quincy, Mass.; Thomas Harry Dallianis, Chicago; Alexander George Dragas, Brookline; George Khitiri, Manchester, N.H.; Constantine M. Mbonabingi, Kampala, Uganda; and Deacon Theodore Sakellar, San Jose, Calif.

Master of Divinity Tasos Angelo Douglas, Charlotte; Antony Elbahou, Oklahoma City; Francisco J. Galindo Acuna, Santiago, Chile; Nicholas Michael Halkias, Pittsburgh; Gary Kyriacos Kyriacou, Sun Valley, Calif; Lia Lewis, Budd Lake, N.J; Deacon Adam Peter Metropoulos, Millinocket, Maine; Nicholas Michael Paleologos, Worcester, Mass; Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Norwalk, Conn; Peter George Polychroni, Lincoln Park Mich; Harry J. Theodore, Grand Rapids, Mich; James W. Theos, North Easton, Mass; Julie J. Tsiolas, Niles, Ill; John T. Vlahos, Crown Point, Ind.; and Peter Zougras, Staten Island, N.Y.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

A R C H D I O C E S E

Boston University Awards Fr. Triantafilou Honorary Doctorate

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C-L Congress Set for L.A. June 30-July 4 NEW YORK - The 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will convene in Los Angeles, June 30th to July 4th, 2002. The Diocese of San Francisco will host the Congress that will be headquartered at the Bonaventure hotel.

Archbishop Demetrios will preside at the Congress, which is expected to attract 3,000 participants, including some 1,500 registered delegates.

Offering Orthodoxy to 21st Century

America is the theme of the Congress, inspired from the biblical text: Jesus said to them: Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you (John 20:21).

The Clergy-Laity Congress is convened biennially and presided over by the Archbishop. It is concerned with all matters, other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the life, growth and unity of the Church, her institutions, her finances, her administration, educational and philanthropic concerns and her growing role in the religious life of the Nation.

Philanthropist P. Angelopoulos, 92, Dies in Athens His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Presides At Funeral

FR. TRIANTAFILOU accepts honorary doctorate from President Westling

BOSTON Boston University awarded the Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree at commencement exercises May 20.

According to a letter from BU President Jon Westling, the degree was presented in recognition of Fr. Triantafilou s deep commitment to excellence in education and in honor of your many works on behalf of our nation s religious institutions.

Dr. Westling also wrote of Fr. Triantafilou s career with the Church that he has established and nurtured schools, churches and parishes that have helped millions to reflect on the spiritual currents in their lives.

Fr. Nick delivered the invocation at the Commencement and the Baccalaureate Address.

He told the thousands of graduates, parents and other audience members, in part: Orthodox theology teaches that syn-

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ergy is defined as two equally necessary but unequal forces: God s energy and our energy. Our willful actions toward the solutions of the challenges facing us are encompassed by God s powerful energy. We are called to press forward toward eradicating all inequalities in local, national and worldwide interpersonal living The previous day to the Boston University honor, Fr. Nick took part in his first commencement as president of Hellenic College-Holy Cross. Reflecting on his first year as president to the Observer prior to the ceremony, Fr. Nick remarked that the mother school is indeed a reality because he faculty, staff, students, board of trustees, hierarchs and alumni have all embraced the school with respect and love.

The school is constantly nurturing them through its mission, its prayer life and educational setting, he continued. There is a family lifestyle that is edifying. The school will continue to see bright days.

Harvard Divinity School Honors Archbishop Iakovos CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Harvard Divinity School, at Alumni Day ceremonies June 6, presented its Rabbi Martin Katzenstein Award to Archbishop Iakovos, who headed the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America for 37 years.

The Rabbi Martin Katzenstein Award was established in 1979 to recognize a Divinity School graduate who exhibits a passionate and helpful interest in the lives of other people, an informed and realistic faithfulness, an embodiment of the idea that love is not so much a feeling as a way of acting, and a reliable sense of humor. It honors Martin Katzenstein, ThM 58, who died in 1970 while he was the School s acting dean of students.

The ceremony was attended by Arch-

bishop Demetrios, also a graduate of Harvard Divinity School, and a former professor there.

Archbishop Iakovos, STM 45, served as primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America from 1959 until his retirement in 1996. Known the world over for his commitment to social justice and ecumenism, which included marching side by side with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., in the epochal 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery, the beloved leader also successfully brought what was an immigrant church into the mainstream of American society. He was unable to attend the ceremony due to the death of Panagiotis Angelopoulos. Metropolitan Methodios accepted the award on his behalf.

Welcoming nominee Archbishop Demetrios recently welcomed John Negroponte, President Bush’s nominee for U.N. ambassador, at Archdiocese headquarters.

Also present was Emanuel Demos, the Archdiocesan counsel, a classmate of Mr. Negroponte at Yale.

Orthodox Observer

NEW YORK Panagiotis Angelopoulos, 92, Greek industrialist and major benefactor of the Greek Orthodox Church worldwide, died June 5 in the intensive care unit of Athens Hygia hospital after a long illness.

Archbishop Demetrios issued the following statement on the pass- N.Manginas ing of Mr. AngeEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with President Clinton and lopoulos: Panagiotis Angelopoulos, accompanied by his grandson at the The church is Patriarchate, November 1999. grateful to the Almighty God for this devoted servant of Greece; without benefit of formal education God. His offerings have left an indelible he developed stature through his industrial imprint on the collective life of the Church. operations in Greece, Switzerland, England As a benevolent benefactor to our Ecu- and the United States. Friend to presidents, menical Patriarchate, to the Holy Archdio- premiers, patriarchs and royalty, he was a cese and her ministries, Mr. Angelopoulos frequent visitor to the White House under was a true steward inspiring others former Presidents Bush and Clinton. through his acts of generosity and faith.

He was also one of the foremost proAngelopoulos, who co-founded moters of the 2004 Olympic Games in AthGreece s first heavy industry and later ex- ens, led by his daughter-in-law, Gianna panded from steel works to shipping, was Angelopoulos-Daskalaki, president of the best known in his later years as a philan- organizing committee. thropist who funded the restoration of the In Greece, he financed the restoration headquarters of the Ecumenical Patriarch- of the homes of national heroes Patriarch ate in Constantinople earning as a result Gregory V and Paleon Patron Germanos in the distinction of Great Benefactor and Ar- Dimitsana, who raised the banner for Greek chon Megas Logothetis (Grand Deputy), Independence in 1821; and the home of the highest honor accorded a laymen by Kolokotronis in Limbovisi, both located the Ecumenical Patriarch, the spiritual near his village. He also funded the conleader of the world s Orthodox Christians. struction of St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Church in Zurich, Switzerland, in memory flew to Athens on June 8 to preside at the of his brother Dimitris, who was killed by a funeral held at Athens First Cemetery.

Greek terrorist group in 1986.

Archbishop Demetrios was repreBorn in 1909 in the small village of sented at the funeral by Bishop Dimitrios Vlachorafti, in southern Greece, Angeloof Xanthos. poulos moved to Athens with his parents A longtime friend of Archbishop and three brothers in 1922. Along with his Iakovos, Mr. Angelopoulos was a member father and two of his brothers, the of Leadership 100, the major endowment Angelopoulos family founded a cable fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese manufacturing company in 1932 and, in of America, Grand Benefactor of the Arch- 1948, set up Halyvourgiki, Greece s first bishop Iakovos Library and Learning Re- steel foundry and works. His brother source Center, and a supporter of Holy Yianni died in 1974, while his brother Trinity Cathedral and many other religious Angelos, an academician and economist, and social and philanthropies, including died in 1995. the Carter Center in Atlanta.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mr. Angelopoulos became one of the Eleni; two sons: Theodore and Constamost dominant personalities in modern ntine; and four grandchildren.

Fr. Harakas Delivers Commencement Address at St.Vladimir’s Former Holy Cross School of Theology professor the Rev. Dr. Stanley S. Harakas, was the commencement speaker at St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary on May 19 in Crestwood, NY. He addressed the graduating class on the relationship of the Church and contemporary society, the challenges Orthodox Christianity will face in the 21st century and

concluded with practical guidelines for priestly and church service ministries.

A former dean of Holy Cross, who retired in 1995, Fr. Harakas has continued to write and publish books and articles about the Orthodox Church.

He is Archbishop Iakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology, Emeritus, of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 4

AS A MATTER OF FAITH

JUNE 2001

New Cathedal School Library Opens

Continuous Holy Communion

by Fr. Evangelos Constantinides

Is eating a custom? Yes and no. In the sense that we cannot survive physically without eating, it is more of a necessity than a custom. But in the sense that we have designated specific periods at which we eat with such regularity and ritualistic performance, it is a custom. Thus eating is both a necessity, a pleasant one at that, and a custom which few people find bothersome.

By common agreement, however, we are not physical beings alone but spiritual as well. In other words we are gifted with reason, choice and will power, and freedom to exercise the promptings of these powers. In their exercise, such things as learning discretion and wisdom are very much necessary for the attainment of the desired goals.

Now learning can be accomplished by almost every animal-rational or not-by repetition and accumulation. But what of wisdom? Is it a necessary corollary of learning? Many learned men are wise and many are not.

Wisdom comes as a fruit of the Spirit from the very source of our being, the God who created us and was revealed to us in the person of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Growth in wisdom, therefore, comes by nourishing the spirit through constant communion with our Lord Jesus Christ. This conclusion is not only reasonable but inevitable of we truly accept and confess our Lord Jesus as our God and Redeemer. Nor is there any other way of nourishing our spirit if we are true Orthodox Christians.

Now, how often do we commune

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with

with Him? Every time the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, as was the practice in the early Church?

At least once a week when we attend the Lord s Supper? What a joy it would be to the Lord and to us if we did that.

Strangely enough, we find ourselves in the absurd situation of attending the supper but not partaking of it. In other words, we add insult to injury to our Host at whose table we sit without partaking, and grave damage to ourselves by inflicting upon us spiritual starvation. The words of our Lord, the actions and canons of the Apostles and the Fathers, the Divine Liturgy itself all attest to the need of constant union with our Lord through regular-continuous in fact- Holy Communion. For He said: I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread he will live for ever; and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world (John 6, 51).

Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will live because of me.

This is the bread that came down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever (John 6,53-58).

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D. Panagos

NEW YORK. – On Sunday of Pentecost, Archbishop Iakovos officiated at the opening and aghiasmos of the new library of The Cathedral School at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York City.

The new school library is a ‘state of the art’ facility designed by architects and members of the Cathedral, George Savaidis and Anastasia Smith.

Thoughts on Fatherhood Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4

eing a father in America is a tough job. Many men don t want the responsibility, and those who do have little training or experience Ever since the industrial revolution, men were pulled away from the home for their livelihood, and America has since taught men that fatherhood involves providing food and shelter for the family.

B

by Fr. Angelo Artemas

Mothers were to nurture and raise their children, and fathers were to be the breadwinners. Even in modern America, most fathers are judged based on their ability to provide for their children. Witness how outraged Americans are at deadbeat dads (fathers who do not fulfill their child support payments), even more so than absent or abusive fathers who provide child support.

All children whose fathers are absent, regardless of race or income, are at a greater risk of emotional problems.

Breadwinning, while necessary, is clearly not as important as the presence of fathers in the lives of their children.

While 30 percent of children born in America are born to single mothers, and while American sperm banks are not restricted in selling to single women, as they are in other countries, the obvious is once again overlooked. American society would be far better off if fathers were first husbands. It is difficult to even talk about fatherhood when husbandhood itself is disregarded.

It is no coincidence that before St. Paul addresses fatherhood in Ephesians 6:4, he first addresses husbands in Ephesians 5:25 in this manner: Husbands love your wives as Christ loved the Church and died for her. American men need to comprehend that a worthy father must first be a Christ-like husband. The most important factor in the emotional stability of children is the knowledge that their father loves their mother. When a father is not a husband, or not a loving husband, chil-

dren will inherently suffer.

Beyond being a loving husband, a father s next greatest responsibility is the following: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Can there be a more important call for fathers? In as much as mothers nurture their children physically, emotionally, and intellectually, fathers must join them in this nurturing, and further nurture them spiritually.

There is no life without the physical nurture of the womb and the breasts, and there is no life without the nurture of the spirit. The call for fathers to nurture spiritually is just as holy as the call for mothers to nurture physically. Teenage problems such as violence, self esteem, gender awareness, and depression require the diligent spiritual nurture of the father.

A father must thus be a mentor and role model of a spiritual life. To limit fathers to breadwinning is to take from them their holiest responsibilities.

America suffers from abusive fathers and from absent fathers; both those who have never been in the home, and those who put all of their time into their employment or leisure. What America desperately needs is an Orthodox Christian call to fatherhood.

Based on the traditions and teachings of the Orthodox faith, the call seems to be as follows: Fathers, bring up your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Bless them as a priest blesses the faithful. Be worthy role models for your children in the way you live your lives, and in the way you love others; beginning with your wives.

Teach them faith, morals, and virtuous behavior as if their lives depended on it; for they do. Assist your wives -the life givers of your children - in the infinite responsibilities of nurture, and take charge of the spiritual nurture of your children.

Always remember that your children will only comprehend our Heavenly Father in and through their relationship with you.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Marriage

INTERFAITH

When Children Reach Adolescence

by Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D./LMFT

The couple you will meet below is a composite of other couples that participated in the Interfaith Research Project (IRP). This information is offered as a way to facilitate intermarried couples efforts to help their children develop a strong and healthy religious and cultural identity.

Meet John & Jessica John, age 43, and Jessica, age 38, have been married for 18 years. John is Greek Orthodox and a successful executive in a large company. Jessica is Southern Baptist and manages a local women s boutique. The couple has two teenagers, Maria (15) and John (13).

Both children have been baptized in the Greek Orthodox Church. They reside in a mid-sized northwestern city and periodically attend a Greek Orthodox mission parish some fifty miles from their home.

They also admit to having had mixed experiences with the Greek Orthodox Church over the years.

For the past several years, they have contemplated leaving the Greek Orthodox Church, but have yet to arrive at a decision to do so. Our conversation began from this point.

He said: I suppose I can t pin the fault entirely on the Greek Orthodox Church, stated John. But I m beginning to believe my long-time insistence that we attend the Greek Church has made it harder for my family to have much of a religious life.

Don t get me wrong, I m sure part of the problem rests in the fact that we ve moved a great deal.

She said: Now that s not true, Jessica interjected. I ll admit that moving has frequently made it difficult on the family, but our regular moves aren t really that much a part of the problem we re talking about.

The real problem is that John has always wanted some connection with his Greek heritage, but wasn t really very religious until recently.

There s some truth to what Jessica is saying, stated John. Up until recently, I haven t been the most religious person, and what seemed important to me was having some contact with my Greek heritage. But today - for reasons I won t explain here - I feel different. I m still very proud of my Hellenic background, but I m equally interested these days in finding a church home that meets my family s needs.

John paused for a moment to determine if his wife had anything to add. Noting her silence, he continued. These days I ve been wondering how the Greek Orthodox Church fits into my family s religious needs, especially our kids needs.

What I mean is that my wife is not Greek, and she and the children really don t identify with the ethnic side of the Greek Church. So lately, I ve been wondering if we need to find another church home.

I gave in to John when we got married, and agreed to attend the Greek Church, Jessica remarked, breaking into the conversation abruptly. John is a strong-willed person I suppose that s why he s so successful - and I didn t have the energy to challenge him regarding our family s religious needs. But I guess I ve never fully accepted our decision to worship in the Greek Orthodox Church.

Not accepted At this juncture in our conversation, Jessica paused, and looked at her husband as if she was asking him to help her ex-

plain her next point. John accommodated her silent request by stating, I suppose what my wife might want to say at this point is that she s never really felt accepted in the Greek Orthodox Church.

That s part of it, Jessica stated, and then paused momentarily to collect herself. She appeared visibly upset. Sometimes I ve felt like a second class citizen because I m not Greek Orthodox but that s not my real struggle these days.

I m especially concerned with our children s spiritual welfare. Over the past few years, Maria, our oldest, says she hates going to church because she doesn t understand what s going on, and John doesn t have any interest for much the same reasons. I d do almost anything to reverse this, maybe even become Greek Orthodox.

Appearing sorrowful, John stated, Sometimes I feel like it s my fault. I m certain that my attitude toward religion hasn t helped . and at other times, I feel as if we both share some of the blame because maybe we haven t given the Greek Orthodox Church a fair shake.

Whatever the reason, all I know is that, as a family, we re now at a point where I m almost willing to do anything to correct this situation including finding a new church home.

Incidentally, we just found out that we ll be moving again in a few months to a bigger city and I ve made some preliminary inquiries about this area. I m told that this city has several Greek Orthodox churches.

Rather than change religions at this point in our kid s lives, we ve sort of decided to give it one more try. But if we can t find a Greek Orthodox Church that feels right this time, I m sure we ll be making a change.

Some Observation and Consequences It is unclear how this couple and their children will fair. However, the change of heart that both partners have had regarding religion should prove helpful to them and their children s religious and spiritual development.

Additionally, this conversation illustrates how intermarried couples that are either conflicted or indifferent about religion can negatively effect their children s religious development. It also serves to remind such parents that when their children reach adolescence they will likely observe them rebelling against church attendance.

Results from the IRP also suggest that in later adolescence couples may watch helplessly as their children reject organized religion altogether. This does not imply that such reactions are permanent, since research indicates that many will end up revisiting this decision as adults and embracing organized religion. However, there is a high probability that these adults will select a faith tradition other than their parent s faith background.

Intermarried couples interested in avoiding this pattern must be especially vigilant regarding the messages they send their maturing children about religion. They must also make some definite decisions regarding their children s religious affiliation.

While it is true that many adolescents will question the value of organized religion, if parents are able to provide them with consistent, meaningful answers and faithful examples, most will likely emerge from adolescence with a stronger commitment to their faith background.

For more information log on to the Interfaith Marriage Website at www.interfaith.goarch.org.

PAGE 5

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 6

A R C H D I O C E S E

JUNE 2001

N E W S

Archbishop Applauds UN Resolution on“Protection Of Religious Sites” u page 1 pressure of secularization, technology and a hectic life style. It is a call to rediscover and preserve what is sacred and holy, and this is exemplified by the sacred religious sites.

Prior to the vote of the General Assembly, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan met with three of the signatories of the Appeal of Conscience Declaration: Rabbi Arthur Schneier, president of the Appeal of Conscience Foundation; Archbishop Demetrios; Imam Mohammad Mostafa Ibrahim Jumeiah, director of religious and cultural affairs of the Islamic Center of New York.

Also present were Archbishop Renato R. Martino, Apostolic Nuncio, Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the

UN and ACF Trustee Reverend Dr. Fred Anderson of the Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church. They presented the Secretary General with a copy of the appeal to Stop The Desecration Of The Holy Sites and thanked him for his efforts on behalf of peace, religious freedom and tolerance.

The adoption of the UN Resolution for the Protection of Religious Sites condemns all threats and acts of violence against religious sites and calls upon governments to exert their utmost efforts to protect and preserve such sites.

Originally sponsored by Austria and Hungary, the final resolution included 115 countries as sponsors, out of a total of 180, and was passed by consensus. The religious leaders attended the vote in the General Assembly and held a press conference following the final tally.

Former President Carter Eulogizes Archon Arthur Cheokas for Inspiring Rebuilding of Patriarchal Headquarters

Baltimoreans visit

Orthodox Observer

MEMBERS OF the Baltimore-Pireaus Sister City Committee of Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore paid a visit to Archdiocese headquarters during a recent trip to New York. They were led by Fr. Constantine Moralis, assistant pastor.

Archdiocese Web Site Named Site of the Month by PBS Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Online, the Web site for the Public Broadcasting Service s television series of the same name, has selected the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America s Web site (http:// www.goarch.org) as its Site of the Month for June.

The weekly television program and its Web site, which can be accessed at: http:/ /www.pbs.org/religionandethics, cover top stories in religion and ethics news focusing on important and significant events, controversies, people, and practices of all religions, all denominations, and all expressions of faith.

Since its inception in 1995, the Archdiocese s Web site has been recognized with numerous awards for its quality, rich content, and technological innovation.

The Web site is one of the largest and most comprehensive on Orthodox Christianity in the world and is used by educational institutions and government agencies as a resource on the Orthodox Church.

Some of the site s many features include:

ARTHUR AND Anna Cheokas in an undated photo with President and Mrs. Carter.

A text and video library on the history, faith and life of the Orthodox Church Live audio and video broadcasts of liturgical services A searchable directory of parishes in the United States A rich multimedia section including hymns in RealAudio and a virtual reality tour of an Orthodox Church A daily calendar with the lives and writings of the saints Current news and information on the Archdiocese Weekly online radio programming Religious education classes in RealAudio Electronic greeting cards Chat rooms and message boards Orthodox Christian clip art Links to other Orthodox Christian sites and much more The Archdiocese s web site is the work of the Department of Internet Ministries and has been made possible by the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.

Write to the Ortodox Observer

observer@goarch.org

AMERICUS, Ga.- Former President Jimmy Carter offered the eulogy at funeral services for Archon Arthur (Athanasios) Cheokas May 18th in Americus.

In his remarks to some 300 people attending services for his long-time friend and supporter, President Carter said Mr. Cheokas had inspired him to aid the Ecumenical Patriarchate by getting permission for the rebuilding of its headquarters.

He recalled that Arthur had convinced him to visit Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitiros and then-Metropolitan Bartholomew in Istanbul in 1985.

The former President, who was made an honorary Archon in 1987, the year he was presented with the Athenagoras Human Rights Award by the Order of St. Andrew, had long understood the situation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Archbishop Demetrios, and Bishop Alexios of Atlanta officiated at the funeral and read a proclamation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that credited Mr. Cheokas with untiring efforts in bringing about the momentous event, alluding to the 1985 visit.

In observing the traditional Greek Orthodox funeral service, President Carter said he held that he and all Christians always learn a great deal from the Orthodox faith. He said that while most people know of the Pope as leader of the Catholic Church, too few understand the signifi-

cance of the Ecumenical Patriarch as spiritual leader of 300 million Christians throughout the world and the Ecumenical Patriarchate as one of the most vital religious institutions in the world.

President Carter described the difficulty over several years in securing permission from Turkish authorities to reconstruct the main building at the Phanar that had burned down in 1941. The new headquarters was finally erected and dedicated in 1989 with the generous support of Greek industrialist Panayiotis Angelopoulos.

The former President went on to praise Mr. Cheokas for his efforts in opposing segregation in their early days together in Sumter County, Georgia, which includes Americus and his hometown of Plains.

Other speakers, including a former mayor of Americus, J. Frank Myers and a prominent Atlanta attorney, Warren Fortson, praised Mr. Cheokas, who was a veteran of World War II, as a champion for freedom, both in Greece and America, who embodied Greek civilization and Hellenic values.

Mr. Cheokas died May 15 after a long illness. In addition to his wife and son, three grandchildren survive him. The funeral took place at Calvary Episcopal Church since there is no Orthodox Church in the area. Fr. Michael Vastakis of Holy Cross Church in Macon celebrated the service with Fr. Karloutsos

Principals meet

Orthodox Observer

Greek School principals of the metropolitan New York area recently met with Archbishop Demetrios and Greek Education department Director Dr. George Pilitsis at Archdiocese headquarters.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Armenian Patriarch Visits Archdiocese

PAGE 7

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NEW YORK. – On the occasion of the 1700th Anniversary of Armenia’s Conversion to Christianity, His Holiness Karekin II, Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians recently visited the United States and attended several official events in Washington DC and New York.

Archbishop Demetrios of America welcomed the Armenian Patriarch and hosted a luncheon in his honor at the Archdiocesan headquarters.

Shown with Patriarch Karekin II (center) and Archbishop Demetrios are (from left) Archbishop Khajag, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in America, Consul General of Greece in New York Dimitris Platis and Cyprus’ Ambassador to the UN Sotos Zacheos.

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Clinton Returns to Arkansas to Console Childhood Friend LITTLE ROCK Bill Clinton returned to Arkansas May 30 for the first time since leaving the White House to be with a childhood friend whose teenage daughter died in a traffic accident.

Thea Leopoulos died on Memorial Day when she was thrown from the car she was driving on Interstate 630 in Little Rock.

Clinton and the girl s father have been friends since they were 9 years old in Hot Springs.

We were always just really close and kept in touch over the years, Clinton said.

Police said Thea s car flipped several times, and the 17-year-old was not wearing a seat belt. A passenger, who was re-

strained, survived.

Clinton said he and Paul David Leopoulos lived two blocks from each other while growing up in Hot Springs and kept in close touch while he was president.

A funeral for the teenager was held May 31.

Clinton was in London on Tuesday when his spokeswoman, Julia Payne, announced that he had canceled a trip to Japan to return for the funeral.

Correspondence to David and his wife ,Linda, can be addressed to their home at: 5409 North Hills Road, North Little Rock, AR 72116.

OCA’s Metropolitan Theodosius Granted Medical Leave SYOSSET, N.Y. Metropolitan Theodosius, primate of the Orthodox Church in America, recently was granted a four-month medical leave from his archpastoral and primatial duties by the Holy Synod of Bishops.

His request was made after results from recent physical examinations revealed he had suffered two minor strokes and, more recently, a more serious stroke, according to published reports.

The Holy Synod announced that Archbishop Herman of Philadelphia and Eastern Pennsylvania would serve as temporary administrator of the OCA, as of May 4.

D. Panagos

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9 HC/HC Golf Classic Set in July BROOKLINE, Mass. The ninth annual Hellenic College-Holy Cross Golf Classic will take place July 16 at the Kernwood Country Club in Salem, Mass.

General Chairman George Safiol noted that this year a doubles tennis tournament will be added.

Tournament activities will include a morning brunch, the golf and tennis tournaments, hole-in-one contest, prizes, a reception and a lobster dinner with live Greek music.

Mr. Safiol heads a committee that includes the following: James Argeros, George Behrakis, George Chryssis, George Danis, John Gianakouras, George Kalambokis, George Karavasiles, Peter Kosto-

poulos, Arthur Koumantzelis, Michael Krone, James Lemonias, John Panagako, James Skedros, Ernest Sofis, Panos D. Spiliakos, Angelo Stamoulis, Leon Zaimes and the Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of the school.

The committee and I have set our highest expectation yet for this year s financial goal is to exceed last year s nearly $330,000 for our beloved scholi, said Mr. Safiol.

The golf tournament is limited to 144 and the tennis doubles to 32 players.

To be a sponsor and to register, call Mr. Spiliakos at (617) 850-1227.

The golf classic web site is at: www.hchc.edu

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

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

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 8

ECUMENICAL

JUNE 2001

PATRIARCHATE

His All Holiness Visit Southern Italy METROPOLITAN ELECT TARASIOS OF BUENOS AIRES Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew recently included Calabria in South Italy and Sicily in his worldwide pastoral effort to visit the Orthodox faithful around the globe.

Government officials, ecclesiastical leaders, both Orthodox and Catholic and the people of towns and villages he visited, warmly received Patriarch Bartholomew.

In the Greek-speaking villages of Calabria he was welcomed with the local traditional music of tarantella and showers of rose pedals.

Speaking to the people who have preserved their language, Stories and photos

by Nicholas Manginas

culture, religion and traditions for thousands of years the Patriarch said: You have probably heard the saying that we do not go to Constantinople but we return. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits the Church of Visiting Calabria these days, we St. John the Harvester (theristes)near Bivongi, South Italy. have the same feeling that we haven t come Upon his return to Constantinople, here for the first time, but we are return- the Patriarch praised the work of the Holy ing. For many centuries, our Genos- Metropolis of Italy in reviving and revitalRomiosyni, Hellenism and Orthodoxy are izing old churches and monasteries and here. They are still here today, deeply thus creating new islands of Hellenism and rooted in our history and in the conscious- Orthodoxy He further expressed that in ness of the people who live here. These a few years he foresees a bloom of Helpeople are welcoming today with such lenic letters and Orthodoxy in that part of warmth and enthusiasm the Patriarch of the world for which we could all be proud.

Constantinople, the city and the center towards which they had for centuries their allegiances.

In welcoming the Patriarch, they welcome everything that is Greek and speaks to their hearts and souls and reconnects them with their past and roots.

Later, while in Aceriale of Catania in Sicily His All Holiness, invited by the Catholic Church, addressed the 4 th Congress of the In the remote greek-speaking village of Galetsiano in Southern Italy a square was named in honor of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Churches of Sicily.

Patriarch Receives Warm Reception in Hungary

BUDAPEST During an official session of the Hungarian Parliament Prime Minister Victor Orban presented Patriarch Bartholomew with the Great Cross of the Hungarian Republic, the highest decoration of the country.

While in Budapest the Patriarch was also awarded with an honorary doctorate from the city s Catholic University. The Rector of the University, Bishop Peter Erdo, thanked the Patriarch for his efforts towards the unity among Christians.

The Grand Archdeacon Tarasios, upon recommendation and by permission of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, was unanimously elected , as the Metropolitan of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and South America on May 8, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, succeeding Metropolitan Gennadios, who served the Buenos Aires jurisdiction many years. Metropolitan-elect Tarasios consecrated bishop.

The first American of Greek descent to serve at the Patriarch- Martyr, the deacons and cantors of the ate, Metropolitan elect Tarasios was or- Patriarchal court and Archdiocese, attenddained to the Holy Diaconate on Decem- ing to the Patriarch on religious occasions, ber 30, 1990, by Patriarch Bartholomew and accompanying him extensively on of(then the Metropolitan of Chalcedon). ficial and private visits at home and abroad, As a member of the patriarchal court as well as representing him in delegations in the Phanar, in addition to being the and at meetings. grand archdeacon, he has held the posiHe also supervised publication of the tions of deuterevon (second Deacon to the first detailed English-language guidebook Patriarch), tritevon (third Deacon to the on the Patriarchal Cathedral and other Patriarch), acting-codicographer, and pa- Greek Orthodox holy sites in Istanbul triarchal deacon. scheduled to be published later this year.

The Metropolitan-elect is the son of His presence brought an unprecPeter and Angela Anton of San Antonio, edented number of American visitors to the Texas. Born in Gary, Ind. in 1956, he was Phanar, and he arranged easier access to area baptized Panayiotis (Peter) and reared in pilgrimage sites for them, a recent article in San Antonio where he was an active mem- the San Antonio Express-News reported. ber of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. His new post in Buenos Aires ushers Sophia. The Antons joined the church him into a new phase in his ministry to when they moved to San Antonio in 1960. the Holy Great Church of Christ. As a hiHe studied at Hellenic College-Holy erarch of the Ecumenical Throne he will Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theol- continue the mission to the Orthodox ogy in Brookline, Mass., Trinity University faithful who come under the spiritual juin San Antonio, the University of Notre risdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Dame, the Pontifical Oriental Institute in in the Southern Hemisphere.

Rome and the Pontifical School of PaleogThe Archdiocese of Buenos Aires and raphy and Archives at the Vatican.

South America covers 25 Orthodox parIn 1980 he served as a lay assistant at ishes and communities throughout ArgenSt. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in tina, Brazil, Chile, Peru and Uruguay. MetSt. Louis and, in 1988, as the administra- ropolitan-elect Tarasios brings with him tive assistant of the Diocese of Atlanta. the experience of eleven years under the While serving at the Phanar, Metro- tutelage of Ecumenical Patriarch Barthopolitan-elect Tarasios responsibilities cen- lomew and other members of the Ecutered on the English language correspon- menical Patriarchate. dence of the Patriarch and the Chief SecHe speaks English, Greek, Italian, retariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod, and and French, with a reading knowledge acting as liaison to visiting delegations, the of Spanish.

Consular Corps in Istanbul, and special His ordination to the Holy Priesthood projects, especially environmental sympo- took place May 27 at an open-air liturgy sia and seminars convened under the pa- in Prokopi, Cappadocia, and his consecratronage of Patriarch Bartholomew. tion to the Episcopacy on June 3 at the His duties also included a role in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. administration of the Archdiocese of His enthronement will take place July Constantinople, overseeing of the Patriar- 14 at Kimisis tis Theotokou (Assumption) chal Cathedral of St. George the Great Cathedral in Buenos Aires.

The Ecumenical Patriarch with Metropolitan-elect Tarasios and his family.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 9

ST. BASIL ACADEMY

Mission On The Hudson A “Sweeping” Success ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ - ÁÈÇÍÁ ÊÁÔ ÅÕÈÅÉÁÍ ÐÔÇÓÅÉÓ ×ÙÑÉÓ ÓÔÁÈÌÏ ÌÅ ÊÁÍÏÍÉÊÁ ÄÑÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁ

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The weekend of March 31 saw the success of the first annual Mission on the Hudson at St. Basil Academy.

Organized by Agatha Pihakis of Alabama, Carnation Tsonakas of Michigan, and Cynthia Pearl of Illinois, this Lenten diakonia project drew more than 30 volunteers from many states, including Alabama, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Washington, D.C.

by Clio D. Nicolakis

Volunteers camped out in the available dormitory space in the girls dorms and work began early Friday and Saturday morning on the main weekend project, cleaning the AHEPA School building.

Although the building continues to be used for ongoing retreats, cultural and religious classes, and for individual tutoring sessions, the facility needed some attention to clear out unusable furniture, obsolete and outdated teaching materials and dried-out art supplies.

It didn t take long for the crew to fill a dumpster. The fruits of their labors were quickly seen as the assembly line group passed garbage down the stairwells, filling the truck.

What a sight it was to behold, at the end of the day, when the re-established pre-K classroom was restocked with the miniature tables and art easels, the science lab was transformed into a large, bright art studio, and the former school office was refined into a Music Practice room.

The volunteers were of various vocations, although there seemed to be a strong representation of those in the educational field. Regardless of their backgrounds, there were many ways to make use of the multitude of talents. One of the weekend coordinators was heard saying: Last weekend was invigorating to say the least!

Holy Cross Seminary graduate George Stavros came down from Boston with his wife, Despina, and their two daughters.

Despite the exhaustion, he emphasized, We had a wonderful weekend! Just let us know when the next one is.

Other volunteers organized, swept, rearranged furniture, inventoried archival materials, prepared books for the Sumas Library, or evaluated old computer equipment.

Volunteer Lia Ladas, who visits often with the N.Y. YAL, said: I really had a great time up there and it felt so good to help!

As was expected, Sunday was a day of rest for the hard-working crew. The volunteers attended Divine Liturgy and Brunch with the children of St. Basil Academy, before heading to the airport or the highways for home. St. Basil Academy s Executive Director Fr. Constantine L. Sitaras, grateful for the tremendous work accomplished by the volunteers, offered his most sincere appreciation during the morning s sermon by emphasizing the Church in her fullness is actualized when faithful stewards come from all parts of the country to work for the glory of God and His children and to worship as one at the Holy Eucharist. Thank you St. Basil missionaries.

Mission on the Hudson was a clear example of how a few motivated individuals can help make a difference at Saint Basil Academy. Just like the GOYA volunteers from the Chicago Diocese who came and helped last summer, volunteers on this Mission were able to help the staff of the Academy tackle the many cleaning and maintenance projects which constantly challenge the available limited human resources. Maintaining 250 acres and over 25 buildings, all while caring for the physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs of the resident children of Saint Basil Academy isn t easy. Thankfully, through the continued prayers, support and diakonia of individuals like the Mission on the Hudson volunteers, the task of providing a safe, secure home for Orthodox children in need is made easier, enabling the Academy to help these children lead happy, healthy, wholesome, changed lives.

If you would like information about participating in Mission on the Hudson Summer Projects, or organizing your own volunteer project, please call the Academy at (845)424-3500 or email stbasil@bestweb.net

$740 $745 $785 $865 $835 $835 $895 $895

Cleveland/Washington Boston/Philadelphia/Atlanta Dallas Charlotte/Raleigh Duram Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Tampa/Orlando New Orleans/Seattle/San Francisco Los Angeles

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 10

EDITORIAL

A Unique Beacon with Many Roles June 16 marked the 54th year of commencement exercises at St. Basil Academy. Since the somber days of World War II, the former estate located on a bluff overlooking the beautiful Hudson Valley and West Point Military Academy has been a beacon of hope on a hill for hundreds of children coming from situations offering little or no hope.

Inspired by Archbishop Athenagoras, the caring women of the National Philoptochos purchased the 200plus-acre property in 1944 as a refuge for Greek Orthodox orphans that were a sad legacy of the war.

Over the years, the institution has acquired other roles, but with the focus still being on children.

From the late 1940s to early 70s, the Church maintained a teachers college where many young women could learn the skills of being an educator with the benefit of having a ready-made laboratory at the Academy with its population of children eager to learn.

St. Basil s moved beyond its initial function as an orphanage (don t call it that now) as the Archdiocese established a fully functioning and accredited school that has provided a quality education for children coming from many different environments and difficult home situations.

A functioning school building was constructed thanks to AHEPA, which has continued to support the institution and its children over the years.

While in recent years St. Basil Academy s role as a full-time school has changed, it continues to provide for the

u Pope’s Visit to Greece t Editor, I applaud John Paul II for being an ambassador of peace and good will and for bringing his message in person to the people of Greece. The 13 centuries that have elapsed between Papal visits to Greece serve as a constant reminder of the strained relations between Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

If the Pontiff truly desires reconciliation and not just improved relations, concessions must be made to his eastern brothers I simply cannot foresee the Vatican making.

First and foremost, the papacy must stop maintaining the image of itself as the spiritual center of world Christianity, a view that was foreign to the ancient church.

The Apostles founded five major centers of Christianity or Patriarchates throughout the Roman Empire during the first century. With the exception of Rome, four of the five original Patriarchates still exist and are still under the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church. At no time did any of the Patriarchates have authority on another. Furthermore, the decrees of the Ecumenical Councils which were convened between the fourth and eighth centuries also placed limitations on episcopal authority.

The trouble began in the 9th century when Rome started claiming universal jurisdiction over the other patriarchates.

Things got so bad that Patriarch

spiritual and cultural education of its children, who now receive a quality education in the highly rated Highland Falls public schools in the Garrison area.

The Academy s role of providing spiritual and cultural education in recent years has not been limited to the resident children, however, Under the leadership of Fr. Costas Sitaras, the executive director, St. Basil s has begun to develop as a major retreat center for the entire Archdiocese. Camp Good Shepherd, St. Timothy s Summer Camp, All Sts. Language Camp are three of the major programs taking place at the Academy this summer.

Twice a year, fall and spring, the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting holds weekend retreats there and Fr. Sitaras has plans for expanding St. Basil s retreat facilities to host spiritual retreats for many church groups throughout the year. A series of artist s drawings in The Main, the former mansion that serves as the administration building, underscores the ambitious goals to accomplish this.

Thanks to the National Philoptochos, the mainstay of support for the Academy, along with that of AHEPA, the dedicated board of trustees who give of their time and resources, and the many parishes and indiviudual benefactors around the country who also are a constant source of support, St. Basil Academy has and will continue to serve as a beacon of Orthodoxy and spirituality for the children to which it is entrusted and the faithful of the Archdiocese.

We should all be part of that role.

Photios of Constantinople accused Pope Nicholas of heresy and excommunicated him. The official split, or Great Schism, occurred in 1054. Since then, the two churches have gone their separate ways.

Thomas Karras Cedar Rapids, Iowa

u A Christian gesture t Editor, It is a fact that the greatest number of Greek Orthodox by far live in large metropolitan areas and are served by long-established, affluent churches.

There is a small number, however, who make their homes in towns of less than 200,000 who, nevertheless, manage to establish and maintain precarious outposts of Orthodoxy in their communities.

The fate of these tiny churches, I feel, should concern all who belong to our Church. This problem touched my conscience in the last year through personal experience of two dramatically different situations.

Situation 1: A tiny Greek Orthodox church in a small town in the Texas Panhandle; its membership consists of a few Greeks, fewer Lebanese and Russians and a sprinkling of Ethiopians.

The problem this church has is not lack of spiritual devotion or poor leadership. The problem is financial survival.

The church nearly closed its doors last year because the deficit reached a figure that to us in big cities would seem

insignificant less than $10,000. But for this community, $10,000 is a large sum of money. The church managed to survive by making a special appeal. However, there is always next year.

Situation 2: A church in Southeast Florida, between Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale serving a large, affluent community.

The church has just built a new sanctuary, and it also is facing a problem how to spend $1.5 million to decorate the interior of the church.

Ironically, in my opinion and that of a number of people with whom I ve talked, the interior is stunningly beautiful in its simplicity, even though it lacks the gold and silver manifestations of materialism.

Ten thousand dollars for survival, $1.5 million for decoration. What are we to make of this in a Christian context?

I cannot help wondering what will happen to those Orthodox in the small Texas town the next time they cannot balance their church budget.

Perhaps a tentative solution to that problem would be to have each affluent parish with money to burn to embrace one of the marginally existing ones. What a meaningful Christian gesture that would be.

Nicholas Nirgiotis Boca Raton, Fla.

u Beloved Priest t Editor, I was delighted to read the article by Fr. Nicholas Vieron about Fr. Anastasius Bandy, one of our beloved retired clergymen.

Fr. Bandy served as our parish priest many years ago, during my adolescence.

Now, as a retired educator of 38 years, I can reflect on the example he set for many of us. He was truly progressive and inspirational. His vision and dedication to our faith is a testament of his ministry.

I join Fr. Vieron in wishing Fr. Bandy and his Presbytera Anastasia many years with health and happiness.

Katherine Panos Bacalis Jacksonville, Fla.

u Interfaith Dilemma t Editor, For the past many months I have enjoyed reading the Interfaith Marriage column by Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D. My husband of 10 years is a convert to Orthodoxy. Within the bounds of our marriage and family, we have, fortunately, not faced any of the crises, which are so candidly, and well addressed in the columns. We have faced on numerous occasions the narrow-mindedness and Greek worship so prevalent in our Greek Orthodox communities.

I am struck by the article in the March-April issue: Costa s and Teresa s Dilemma. I agree it is a huge dilemma.

Although Costa is a baptized Orthodox, he is not a practicing Orthodox. Like so many people, he married in the Church to please family All of us as Orthodox, not just those facing interfaith marriage, need to prayerfully and humbly look at ourselves. Are we living our faith? Are we reaching out to those around us who are hungry, thirsty, needy or simply alone?

Are we growing and learning in our faith so that we can, with love and understanding, teach those who come to us whether alone, by marriage or otherwise?

Anne L. Randall Northville, Mich.

JUNE 2001

...

u Acknowledge presbyteres t Editor, At the recent Greek Independence Day celebration at our local parish, I was again embarrassed that the priest overlooked one of our local treasures. That treasure is a widowed presbytera that is a very active member of the parish.

The priest announced that the presbyteres would lead the singing of the Star Spangled Banner and then went on to introduce his wife and a visiting presbytera. He once again overlooked the widowed presbytera that was present.

Perhaps he will have her lead the singing of the Greek National Anthem since she has a stronger command of the Greek language , I thought, but he lead it himself.

A presbytera remains a presbytera until the day she dies, even if she is a widow. She should be given the same respect and treated with the same dignity as when her husband was alive.

These older presbyteres should be treated as the treasures they are. They have the wisdom and knowledge to be an asset to younger presbyteres and priests, yet these women are overlooked and ignored. Those who disregard them should be ashamed.

Katina Hawe Fresno, Calif.

u Remember Memorial Day t Editor, Although the formal observance of Memorial Day, or Decoration Day as it was called for years, dates from 1868, this nation has always remembered its fallen heroes. Let us all during this period remember with gratitude and reverence the thousands of Americans who made the great sacrifice.

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

John A. Micklos Baltimore

u Comment on coverage t Editor, While the subjects reported on the front page of the February issue were of great significance, the greatest event of February in our Church was the beginning of Great Lent. There was no mention of Great Lent until page 6.

Even more astounding is the MarchApril issue.

1. The most important event and news in our Church Calendar for April was the glorious Resurrection of our Lord. Important matters were reported on the front page but where was news of the Resurrection? Where was the greeting Christ is Risen ? Where was the icon of the Anastasi ? There was no mention of Pascha until page 10.

I suggest that the Observer review its policies as to where the proper emphasis should be in reporting the life of our Church.

Evan Alevizatos Chriss Baltimore Note: The February issue was published prior to the beginning of Lent and, as you noted, we published an advance story on the inside of the paper. The MarchApril issue covered events prior to the beginning of Holy Week. Our Easter issue was published in May.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Commencement Address of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology May 19, 2001, Brookline, Massachusetts

A

s we gather on this day we offer praise and thanksgiv ing to God our Creator and Redeemer who has brought us out of darkness and guides us into the radiant light of His eternal glory.

This first commencement of the new millennium is a momentous occasion for several reasons: we are here to recognize the achievements of these men and women who are soon to be graduates of Hellenic College and Holy Cross; we are here to honor and remember those who have contributed to the life and work of this vital institution of our Holy Archdiocese; and we are here to acknowledge the continuous service and provision to the Church that has come from a school and a community that is now embracing a renewed vision for the future of ministry and mission in our parishes, in the broader society, and throughout the world.

Today, our hope and prayer is that such a vision has been established and will be perpetuated in the hearts and minds of you, our graduates. May the knowledge, the wisdom, the deep insights, and the spiritual and intellectual resources that you have acquired here be both an invaluable guide and a firm foundation for the tasks that God will give to you. In affirmation of your future role in our parishes and communities and of your witness to the transformative power and presence of our Risen Lord, it is not enough to say that you represent the struggle for ideals, the love of learning, the endeavor for truth, and the cultivation of faith that we seek to manifest in this place; for you are the embodiment of these labors, the fruit of the true vine, who have been nurtured and strengthened by being members of this sacred community.

Such an image of our graduates and of all those who have preceeded them directs each one of us to consider our Godgiven task and responsibility to remain constantly in a mode of progress, advancement, and achievement. The lives of these men and women and of the generations to come, their ministry that will bring honor and glory to God, the challenges and turmoil of our contemporary world, the needs of our parishes, all of these require us to examine carefully our goals for this school and the means by which they are accomplished. We must affirm that our rich cultural and spiritual heritage does not lead us to accept the status quo or be satisfied and limited by the parameters of excellence determined by the society around us. We must progress further; we must advance beyond; we must strive for the highest level of achievement that can be conceived.

The validity and necessity of this task is magnified by our cherished understanding of paideiva and by the biblical conception of wisdom. First, paideiva education, learning, the shaping of character, of mind and body is not focused on a fixed or final standard, not a stagnant mark that can be easily determined or influenced by the world around us. To the contrary, true paideiva has as its focus ever-expanding goals, ideals, and concepts that challenge our intellectual abilities, transform our perceptions, and lead us in directions we never knew existed. Second, passages from the books of Proverbs and The Wisdom of Solomon portray divine wisdom with incomprehensible limits and inexhaustible knowledge, truly a gift from God for our perfection and salvation. From The Wisdom of Solomon the following: For wisdom is more mobile than any motion; because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things. For she is a breath of the power of God, and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty; therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her. For she is a reflection of eternal light, a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness. Although she is but one, she can do all things, and while remaining in herself, she renews all things; in every generation she passes into holy souls and makes them friends of God, and prophets; for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom. She is more beautiful than the sun, and excels every constellation of the stars. Compared with the light she is found to be superior, for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail. She reaches mightily from one end of the earth to the other, and she orders all things well. (The Wisdom of Solomon 7:24-8:1) These brief references to paideiva and to divine wisdom are further exemplified

by Christ and the labors of the martyrs, saints, and great theologians of the Church, collectively presenting to us a mind-set, a method, a mode of shaping our work so that we are constantly progressing and offering ourselves to God, to the Church, and to others at the highest levels of achievement.

Thus, we are presented with a challenge a challenge that, as stated, speaks directly to our work here at Hellenic College and Holy Cross. How do we progress?

What are the practical steps that will move us toward the goals and levels of achievement we so desire? Certainly, these are issues that are being discussed by the leadership of this institution. However, let me

u page 12

PAGE 11

HELLENIC COLLEGE Quality liberal arts education

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 12

JUNE 2001

Commencement Address of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios After a Liturgy in one of our parishes, the church having been filled to capacity, I asked the priest how many families belonged to the community. He said, 500 approximately. I asked him, Are there other Greek Orthodox people in the geographical area of the parish who are not involved? He said, Yes. I said, Have you any idea how many? He said, 500 at least, maybe 700. I almost fell from my chair. We speak of 500 connected, at least another 500 that are not. Then he said to me, You know if another priest was here, I can tell you, we could gather many of them; but I work from early morning to midnight most days. I am unable to do more. This points to a genuine need to cultivate and prepare an adequate number of priests in order to minister effectively. Another experience is from a trip to an area of our country that has experienced a tremendous population growth.

In less than a decade, one established parish has expanded to four parishes and two missions, without diminishing the size of the first parish. Further, throughout our Archdiocese there exist an extensive activity of building and expansion to accommodate worship, Sunday schools, day schools, youth activities, social ministries, and camp and recreational programs. In addition, opportunities arise on an almost daily basis throughout America for mission and service in unique and meaningful ways. At this moment we lack a sufficient number of clergy to equip the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12) Certainly, this is a challenge to our parishes to nurture and motivate our young men toward the priesthood. However, it also a challenge to us in evaluating, affirming, and extending the program of Holy Cross to provide a spiritual and intellectual environment, to foster a deep experi-

u page 11 speak specifically concerning the task before us if we are to be good stewards of what has been granted to us by God. First, I will address the role of Hellenic College. Those among us who are Greeks and Greek-Americans, we have a mandate from our own history and from the needs of our contemporary world to foster an awareness of the value and worthiness of Hellenic ideals, ideals that are exemplified in our culture, language, literature, art, and our understanding of the sciences. It is redundant to say that these ideals, associated modes of thought, and established principles have shaped and permeated societies and cultures throughout history. Here exists an understanding of excellence and achievement that has tremendous potential in revitalizing aspects of modern life and further transforming the world around us. This is our heritage; this is our inheritance to offer to others in a substantive way. This means that Hellenic College should not simply be a place to study history, language, and literature related to Greece and Hellenism; Hellenic College should be the place to study, a distinguished center of learning and research. Our ambition should be to offer the best in these areas and related fields, so that the name Hellenic College is associated with a thorough and intensive education in our rich heritage that has so much to offer to our modern world.

Second is the role of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. First and foremost we have a mandate issued by our parishes, by our faithful laity and clergy, by our beloved hierarchs. We have an urgent need for a dramatic increase in the number of clergy in our Holy Archdiocese.

Allow me to offer a personal experience.

ence of koinwniva of community and fellowship and to edify and nourish faith and love for God that not only affirms the divine calling placed upon the life of a man, but transforms that calling into a lifelong vocation of priestly ministry to the Body of Christ.

In accepting this mandate and in our efforts to meet the needs of our parishes, our School of Theology has an additional role of being an invaluable resource, a vital center for addressing the challenges of 21st century American society. At the recent Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America held in Washington, D.C., I offered the following list of the most pressing challenges of our time that we must be able to address in conjunction with our mission to proclaim the Gospel: 1) the bio-ethical challenge, 2) the challenge of the changing structure of the family and altered conceptions of marriage, 3) the relativization challenge, 4) the technological challenge, 5) the social and environmental challenge, and 6) the spirituality challenge. Certainly, these challenges are formidable. But they are challenges facing our society, our communities, our people, and we have the resources and the persons to address these challenges in knowledgeable and insightful ways that manifest the spiritual wealth of Orthodoxy and the ability of our faith to guide us in life and relationships in these modern times. Thus, this school must expand its role as a place for theological consultation, a place for dialog and quality interaction, and a place where we gather those who can contribute to the life and ministry of the Orthodox Church in North America and beyond.

Today, we seek to renew our awareness of the task that lies before us. From our religious tradition and cultural heri-

tage we have the proper orientation in striving for excellence and unlimited achievement. From the needs of our parishes and the challenges of our contemporary society we have a mandate to cultivate the priestly vocation and equip our Orthodox faithful in the work of ministry.

Our commission and motivation for accomplishing these things is rooted in the transformation that is being affected in each of our lives. Our faith and experience of the Risen Lord animates, imbues with life, all that we do. For in these days we have celebrated and affirmed that faith and life, ministry and mission are centered on the Resurrection of Christ. The ultimate power manifested in His victory over evil, sin, and death, is the same magnificent power given to us through the amazing love of God for our salvation, for our ministry to one another, and for our service through this sacred institution to our parishes and throughout the world. It is an affirmation of this bond of love and its transformative and unifying power that is sung triumphantly by the Apostle Paul: If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:31-32,38-39).

In the joy and light of this blessed Paschal season we affirm that we are empowered in love to do all things through Christ , to move mountains , to do greater works than these , to do the work of God; for His blessings are unlimited, His mercy is boundless, and His love endures forever.

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JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

RELATING TO THE

Faith

Pentecost – The Birthday of the Church If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink (John: 7:37).

On Pentecost, the disciples of Christ witnessed a manifestation of the Holy Trinity. It is true, this manifestation was not like the ones that occurred historically at the Theophany and the Metamorphosis of Christ.

by Rev. Dr Dumitru Macaila

The ascended Christ sent the Holy Spirit to His Apostles as He promised them, to guide them into all truth. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are mine. Therefore I said that He will take of mine and declare it to you (John 16:14-15).

It is inconceivable to believe that the Holy Spirit will glorify only the Son, if all things that the Father has are the Son s.

To point out that Pentecost is a Theophany, our Orthodox Church instituted a second holy day that stems from the Pentecost event on Monday following the Pentecost.

In fact, the Vespers of Pentecost, that is sung immediately after the Divine Liturgy for the Pentecost Sunday, emphasizes our faith that Pentecost is a Theophany.

Here is just one of its songs that illustrates the point: The Holy Spirit has always been, is now and ever shall be, having neither beginning nor end, but one with the Father and the Son: Life and life-giving; goodness itself and source of goodness, through Whom the Father is made known and the Son is glorified, and is known by all: one power, one unity, one worship, of the Holy Trinity.

Here is what Bishop Kallistos Ware, a distinguished modern Orthodox theologian, has to say about Holy Trinity, the most incomprehensible dogma of our faith: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one in essence, not merely in the sense that all three are examples of the same group or general class, but in the sense that they form a single, unique, specific reality. Each of the three is fully and completely God. None is more or less God than the others. Each possesses, not one third of the Godhead, but the entire Godhead in its totality; yet each lives and is this one Godhead in His own and personal way.

On this holy day we celebrate the birthday of the Church, also. The Church established mystically by Christ on the Cross is now made visible by the Holy Spirit. The Church is the Bride of Christ, Who loved it and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of the water by the word (Eph. 5:25-26). She is the Body of Christ, a prolongation of Christ s Body throughout the centuries.

Members of Christ Those who believe in Christ as the Savior and the Son of God are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones (Eph. 5:30). It was on Pentecost that God the Holy Spirit came to abide within the Church.

Since then, the Church became a continuous Pentecost that will end up on the Eighth Day, the unending, perpetual, eternal day of God s Kingdom.

This is the only, sacred raison d etre of the Church: to take people to the Kingdom, to save people for eternity with God. Yes, each and every human being was saved by Christ s death on the Cross. From the crucible of the Cross Christ said: It is finished (John 19:30), which means that

He did everything to complete the salvation of whole humankind.

But in order for this to be made known to all human beings of every time and place, Christ established His Church as the means for salvation to brought to all peoples to the end of the world.

What the Apostles did on the Day of Pentecost is what the Church does each and every day. That s why some call the Church, using a highly beautiful and accurate metaphor, a perpetual Pentecost.

Moreover, every human who enters the Church has his personal Pentecost, which happens during the second mystery of Christian initiation: Chrismation, following immediately the Baptism. It is during Baptism that we die, are buried, and rise with Christ, Who gives us a new nature, and unites us with His Body, the Church.

Says Bishop Kallistos: This [Chrismation] is for each one a personal Pentecost: the Spirit, Who descended visibly upon the Apostles in tongues of fire, descends upon every one of us invisibly, yet with no less reality and power However careless and indifferent the baptized may be in their subsequent life, this indwelling presence of the Spirit is never totally withdrawn. But unless we co-operate with God s grace it is likely that the Spirit s presence within us will remain hidden and unconscious. The Pentecostal spark of the Spirit, existing in each one of us from Baptism, is to be kindled into a living flame.

We are to become what we are.

Yes, we are to become what we were created to be, to regain our pristine selves.

What most of those who call themselves Christians lose sight of is that the Church is not a man-made institution. It was established by Christ on the Cross and made visible by the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.

The proof of losing sight of this ultimate truth is the fact that some call themselves Lutherans, some others claim to be Reformed, and so on, and so forth, in 26,000 ways only here in the States.

The Church is the pillar and ground of the truth (I Tim. 3:15) and, because of this, She cannot reconcile with false teachings and heresies! The Church is infallible since her Head, Christ, is infallible.

Not of the Spirit Those who obstinately profess heresies cannot claim to be inspired by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17), Who will guide you [the true followers of Christ] into all truth (John 16:13). God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), as Christ said to the Samaritan woman.

In Luke Acts 2: 1-11, the Holy Spirit came when Christ s followers had gathered together and prayed in their church.

He came heralded by a rushing mighty wind then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them (Acts 2:2-3).

As a result of His coming, a great change came upon those who had received the Holy Spirit. The rabbits became lions!

When Christ was crucified they ran in fright; now they were ready to defend Christ with their whole beings. Peter, who denied Christ three times during His Passion, stood up now and fearlessly and undauntedly preached Christ to those who had crucified Him. Yet, this is not the greatest conse-

u page 14

PAGE 13

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 14

JUNE 2001

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Religious Education Dept. Creates Baptism CD-ROM Orthodox Monk Slain in Drive-By Shooting near Jerusalem BROOKLINE, Mass. The Archdiocese Department of Religious Education has produced a multimedia instructional CD-ROM now available for purchase, Put On Christ: Baptism & Chrismatiom.

This educational tool teaches Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike the rich traditions of baptism and chrismation in the ancient apostolic faith, and how they are observed in a typical parish today.

It focuses on the theology, scripture, hymnology and patristic implications of holy baptism and allows users/students to examine the sacrament according to their particular interests.

The baptism CD-ROM includes 22 animated presentations, 12 video clips of the baptism and chrismation service, 14 hymns, integrated text search, 65 quiz questions, and more that 150 articles and other information.

This just-completed CD-ROM is the second of a series of interactive instructional resources developed to educate students, converts, and parents on the Orthodox Church s rich liturgical traditions.

According to the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, department director and codeveloper of the instructional resource, when used together with a computer projection device, the CD-ROM provides religious educators a valuable classroom tool that has been proven to keep student interest by developing personal inquiry and critical thinking skills!

Fr. Marangos underscores that families and individuals can also use it at home to learn about the Church.

The previously released CD-ROM, on Great Lent, has received acclaim from educators and Church leaders alike. Titled The Royal Road: A Journey Through Great Lent, it includes 32 Gospel, Epistle and other readings, patristic quotes/theological inquiry, 36 Lenten hymns in Greek and English, eight hymns from premiere Byzantine artists,12 video clips of Lenten ser-

vices, dozens of articles, 75 Lenten recipes, and 85 quiz questions. It allows the user to learn about the Sunday services and hymns of Great Lent and Holy Week.

Fr. Marangos is the systems author, and Bradley Borch, president of ACTIVA Digital Media Design, provides the technical authoring for these programs.

According to Fr. Marangos, the DRE has received two major grants to develop a series of multimedia instructional products to help students, teachers and parishes learn more about the faith.

Apart from a $165,000 Leadership 100 grant that funded the current CD-ROM project, the Archons-Order of St. Andrew, is providing the financial support to develop a similar product to help Orthodox Christians better understand the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

This CD-ROM will include video clips of Patriarch Bartholomew and other patriarchal representatives, a retrospective of past ecumenical patriarchs, which will provide a hyperlink to their respective biographies, activities and theological achievements.

In addition to a virtual reality tour of the patriarchal chapel, the CD will include an interactive quiz and list of past and present Archons with brief biographies.

The Religious Education Department plans to develop several future instructional multimedia products. Apart from the patriarchal project, the DRE is currently working on a CD-ROM to be titled Dancing Together.

This interactive, instructional product will help couples better prepare themselves for the sacrament of marriage by examining its scriptural, theological and pastoral implications from various interfaith perspectives.

Put On Christ: Baptism & Chrismatiom is available from the Religious Education Department at (800) 566-1088.

RELATING TO THE FAITH u page 13

quence of the descent of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest result was a new creation of the world through grace.

When our Triune God created our ancestor from the dust of the earth, he was lifeless until He breathed into him the breath of life, and made him a living soul.

On the Cross, Christ established His Church, and through resurrection became Himself the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep (I Cor. 15:20). On Pentecost Day, God sent His Spirit into the Church, breathed into it a mighty wind, and the Church stood up and became the living Body of Christ.

And since the Church is the living Body of Christ, every member of the Church is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (I Cor. 3:16. See, also, I Cor. 6:19).

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:37-38), said Jesus. The Scripture He was referring to was from Isaiah 12:3, where we read: Therefore with joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.

In Isaiah s time the Hebrews were carrying up water to the Temple during the Festival of Tabernacles to thank God for the gift of water, and as a reminder of the water that sprang from the rock when they journeyed through the wilderness.

But Christ points to a different kind of water. He doesn t refer to the water that quenches our physical thirst, He is speaking about the water that will quench the soul s thirst. Didn t the Preacher say: He [God] put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end? (Eccl. 3:11).

It was because God put eternity into our minds that Christ used this dramatic historical ceremony to turn the thoughts of men to the thirst for God and for their eternity with Him. The living water is the grace of the Holy Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified (John 7:39).

As members of the perpetual Pentecost that is the Church, let us refresh our personal Pentecost! Come, let us drink from the Fountain of Immortality, making vivid our personal Pentecost!

Home Delivery of the Orthodox Observer to subscribe e-mail us at

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JERUSALEM Terrorists killed a 34year-old monk June 12 on the JerusalemMa aleh Adumim highway in a drive-by shooting. The security establishment had earlier warned of possible Palestinian attacks on major roads.

Fr. George Pzipokatsatakis, a Greek Orthodox monk, was shot from a passing car some 100 meters from the Border Police roadblock just east of the capital s French Hill neighborhood, in an area under Israeli control. Security officials believe the man was targeted because the terrorists, seeing his car s yellow Israeli license plates, presumed he was a Jew. They are believed to have fled in the direction of Abu Dis or Al Azzariya in Area B, which is under Israeli security control.

Soldiers and Border Police personnel immediately searched the surrounding area for the perpetrators following the attack.

A MDA ambulance received word of the attack shortly before 10:30 p.m., and declared Pzipokatsatakis dead at the scene.

He is believed to have been a resident of a monastery near Wadi Kelt.

The attack also put the spotlight on the Greek Orthodox community, caught in the middle of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

The members of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre, shocked by the incident, are determined to continue their spiritual mission in the Holy Land guarding the Holy Places in spite of sacrifices and difficulties, the Synod said in an announcement following an urgent session in which it condemned this and similar attacks.

However, members of the Synod were not willing to comment on speculation that a bearded Orthodox priest in a car at night might easily be mistaken for an Orthodox Jew. Like many of the Greek Orthodox monks in this country, Georgios, 34, had been born near Thessaloniki. He came to Jerusalem in 1990.

Four years later he became the acting superior of the Monastery of St. George in Wadi Kelt, a picturesque site that appears to cling to the side of the cliff above a stream running down a deep ravine.

The monastery also serves as a silent witness to the fact that violence is not new for the Greek Orthodox monks. As in many of the desert monasteries, this ,too ,holds the bones of numerous monks killed dur-

ing the seventh century.

In the 19th century there would have been dozens, if not hundreds, of monks at such a monastery, leading an active life, tilling the terraced gardens under the monastery walls, praying, and receiving thousands of devout pilgrims. Even a decade or so ago there were at least three or four monks living there.

In the current conflict, though, the monastery, not far from Jericho under PA control, found itself caught between Palestinians and Israelis, and Germanos was not only the acting superior, but also the sole monk, who received groups of visiting Orthodox Christian pilgrims.

The Greek Orthodox are the largest Christian community in Israel. Dr. Nissim Dana, acting director of the Religious Affairs Ministry department for Christian communities, estimates their numbers at 45,000 to 50,000. However, they are without a spiritual head.

In December 2000, Diodoros I, the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem, passed away. In a procedure established during the Ottoman rule, the Synod sent the names of candidates for his replacements to the Jordanian and Israeli prime ministers. The Jordanians approved the list, but so far the Israelis have not even replied, neither under former prime minister Ehud Barak nor under Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The Patriarchate has made no comment.

Regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, of which Georgios was apparently another victim, it speaks only in the most general terms.

The incident raises concerns and worries about the ongoing unstable situation in the Holy Land and the recycling of bloodshed which results in the loss of many innocent victims, yesterday s statement said. It continued with an appeal to both parties to put forward their efforts to achieve peace.

The Synod also called upon authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. It prayed that Georgios is the last victim in the conflict.

The funeral took place June 14 in Wadi Kelt.

Compiled from published reports

Fr. Kyriakakis Named IOCC Director of Quality Assurance BALTIMORE - As part of its recently adopted strategic plan, the Board of Directors of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has laid plans for continued growth in the provision of the agency s humanitarian aid and development programs while emphasizing its continued commitment to excellence in its service to communities in need. The IOCC Strategic Plan for 2002-2004 establishes an evaluation program aimed at measuring program outcomes with input from the beneficiaries of IOCC programs around the world.

Rev. James Kyriakakis, who served as IOCC s director of development since 1998, has been appointed as director of quality assurance and will spearhead the effort by the agency to conduct outcomebased evaluations of its programs around the world. A key aspect of the program will be to identify and measure the im-

pact of programs through a collaborative process that will include the beneficiaries of the services the agency provides.

Rev. Kyriakakis will also manage the IOCC Honors Internship Program.

During Fr. Kyriakakis tenure as the director of development IOCC s annual fund-raising effort, which helps to support emergency relief and sustainable self-help initiatives conducted by the organization worldwide, more than doubled. Over the same period IOCC s program services grew from $11.9 million to $23.9 million.

IOCC currently has operations in 13 countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the United States. Since its establishment in 1992, communities in need in more than 20 countries have been served through IOCC programs conducted on behalf of Orthodox Christians worldwide.

ÅÔÏÓ 66

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1182

59ç ÁÐÏÖÏÉÔÇÓÇ ÓÔÏ ÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÊÏËËÅÃÉÏ

ÈÅÏËÏÃÉÊÇ Ó×ÏËÇ ÔÉÌÉÏÕ ÓÔÁÕÑÏÕ Áðïöïßôçóáí 37 öïéôçôÝò êáé öïéôÞôñéåò

ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ - Ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ êáé óå êëßìá åíèïõóéáóìïý êáé áéóéïäïîßáò ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå ç 59ç ôåëåôÞ áðïöïßôçóçò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý óôï Brookline ôçò Âïóôþíçò. Áðïöïßôçóáí óõíïëéêÜ 37 öïéôçôÝò êáé öïéôÞôñéåò, 10 áðü ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï êáé 27 áðü ôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ. ÁðïíåìÞèçêáí ôéìçôéêÜ äéäáêôïñéêÜ äéðëþìáôá óôïí Áìåñéêáíü ðñÝóâç ôùí ÇÐÁ óôçí ÅëëÜäá ê. Íßêïëáò ÌðÝñíò, óôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÁíÝùí ê. Ìåèüäéï, ðñüåäñï ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Âïóôþíçò êáé óôïí ê. Íéêüëáï Ìðïýñá áðü ôï Westfield ôçò ÍÝáò ÕåñóÝçò, åðß ìáêñüí õðïóôçñéêôÞ ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ãåíéêþôåñá. Ç ôåëåôÞ, ìåôÜ ôçí åíáñêôÞñéï ðñïóåõ÷Þ, Üíïéîå ìå ÷áéñåôéóìü ôïõ ðñïÝäñïõ ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ðñùôïðñåóâýôåñïõ ð. ÍéêïëÜïõ Ôñéáíôáöýëïõ. Óôïí ÷áéñåôéóìü ôïõ ï ð. Íéêüëáïò åõ÷áñßóôçóå ôïõò êáèçãçôÝò, öïéôçôÝò, åöüñïõò, åõåñãÝôåò êáé ößëïõò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ãéá ôçí áìÝñéóôç êáé ïëüèåñìç óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ ôïõò ó áõôüí ôïí ðñþôï ÷ñüíï ôçò èçôåßáò ôïõ ùò ðñïÝäñïõ. Óçìåßùóå äå ôçí ðñüïäï ðïõ åðåôåý÷èåé êáé ðïõ åããõÜôáé óõí Èåþ, ôçí åëðéäïöüñï êáé äçìéïõñãéêÞ ðïñåßá ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò óôï ìÝëëïí.

ÁíáíåùìÝíï üñáìá

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ðñïò ôïõò áðïöïßôïõò, ôïõò öïéôçôÝò êáé öïéôÞôñéåò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò, ôïõò êáèçãçôÝò êáé åðßóçìïõò ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïõò ôüíéóå ãéá ìéá áêüìç

ÁÐÅÂÉÙÓÅ ÓÅ ÇËÉÊÉÁ 92 ÅÔÙÍ Ï ÐÁÍÁÃÉÙÔÇÓ ÁÃÃÅËÏÐÏÕËÏÓ

ÌÅÃÁÓ ÅÕÅÑÃÅÔÇÓ ÔÏÕ ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÕ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÕ ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ- Áðåâßùóå óôéò 5 Éïõíßïõ, óå çëéêßá 92 åôþí óôï íïóïêïìåßï ôùí Áèçíþí ÕÃÅÉÁ êáé ìåôÜ áðü ìáêñü÷ñïíç áóèÝíåéá, ï äéåèíþò ãíùóôüò ãéá ôï öéëáíèñùðéêü ôïõ Ýñãï åðé÷åéñçìáôßáò Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò.

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Ïé áðïöïéôïýíôåò áðü ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï, ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôåò Ìåèüäéï êáé Ðáúóéï, ôïí ð. Ôñéáíôáöýëïõ, ôïí Íßêïëáò ÌðÝñíò êáé ìÝëç ôïõ Êáèçãçôéêïý óþìáôïò.

öïñÜ ôçí êáèïñéóôéêÞ óçìáóßá ôïõ äéäýìïõ åêðáéäåõôéêïý éäñýìáôïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ôéò äõíáôüôçôåò êáé ôéò ðñïïðôéêÝò ðïõ áíïßãïíôáé óôï ìÝëëïí, êáèþò êáé ôçí åðéôáêôéêÞ áíÜãêç ãéá äéðëáóéáóìü Þ áêüìç êáé ôñéðëáóéáóìü ôïõ áñéèìïý ôùí éåñÝùí ãéá ôçí êÜëõøç ôùí áíáãêþí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò áíáöåñüìåíïò óôçí ðñþôç áðïöïßôçóç áðü ôç Ó÷ïëÞ óôç íÝá ÷éëéåôßá åßðå üôé «åßìåèá åäþ ãéá íá áíáãíùñßóïõìå ôá åðéôåýãìáôá áõôþí ôùí íÝùí áíäñþí êáé ãõíáéêþí ðïõ åßíáé

ïé åöåôåéíïß áðüöïéôïé ... ãéá íá ôéìÞóïõìå êáé íá èõìçèïýìå åêåßíïõò ðïõ Ý÷ïõí óõíåéóöÝñåé óôç æùÞ êáé ôï Ýñãï áõôïý ôïõ æùôéêïý éäñýìáôïò ôçò ÉåñÜò ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé íá áíáãíùñßóïõìå ôçí óõíå÷Þ õðçñåóßá êáé ðñïóöïñÜ ðñïò ôçí Åêêëçóßá, áõôÞò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò êáé ôçò êïéíüôçôïò ðïõ ôþñá áãêáëéÜæåé Ýíá áíáíåùìÝíï üñáìá ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò äéáêïíßáò êáé ôçò áðïóôïëÞò ôçò ðñïò ôéò åíïñßåò ìáò, ðñïò ôçí åõñýôåñç êïéíùíßá

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ìüëéò åðëçñïöïñÞèç ôï ãåãïíüò åîÝöñáóå ôçí âáèýôáôç ëýðç ôïõ êáé ôçí ïëüøõ÷ç óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôçí ïéêïãÝíåéá ôïõ ìåôáóôÜíôïò êáé ìåôáîý Üëëùí äÞëùóå: «Ç Åêêëçóßá åßíáé åõãíþìùí óôïí Ðáíôïäýíáìï Èåü ãé áõôüí ôïí ðéóôü õðçñÝôç ðïõ ôçò å÷Üñéóå. Ïé ðñïóöïñÝò ôïõ Ý÷ïõí áöÞóåé áíåîßôçëá óçìÜäéá óôç óõëëïãéêÞ æùÞ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. Ùò öéëÜíèñùðïò åõåñãÝôçò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ ìáò, ôçò ÉåñÜò

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ÅíáñêôÞñéá Ïìéëßá ôïõ ÓåâáóìéùôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ êáôÜ ôçí ôåëåôÞ áðïöïßôçóçò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý 19 ÌáÀïõ 2001, ÌðñïõêëÜúí, Ìáóóá÷ïõóÝôôçò ÓõãêåíôñùèÞêáìå áõôÞ ôçí çìÝñá ãéá íá áíáðÝìøïõìå äÝçóç êáé åõ÷áñéóôßá óôïí Èåü, ôïí Äçìéïõñãü êáé ËõôñùôÞ ìáò, ï Ïðïßïò ìáò åîÞãáãå åê ôïõ óêüôïõò êáé ìáò ïäÞãçóå óôï ëáìðåñü öùò ôçò áéùíßáò äüîçò Ôïõ. ÁõôÞ ç ðñþôç ôåëåôÞ áðïöïéôÞóåùò ôçò íÝáò ÷éëéåôßáò åßíáé Ýíá âáñõóÞìáíôï ãåãïíüò ãéá ðïëëïýò ëüãïõò:åßìåèá åäþ ãéá íá áíáãíùñßóïõìå ôá åðéôåýãìáôá áõôþí ôùí íÝùí áíäñþí êáé ãõíáéêþí ðïõ åßíáé ïé åöåôåéíïß áðüöïéôïé ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý? åßìåèá åäþ ãéá íá ôéìÞóïõìå êáé íá èõìçèïýìå åêåßíïõò ðïõ Ý÷ïõí óõíåéóöÝñåé óôç æùÞ êáé ôï Ýñãï áõôïý ôïõ æùôéêïý éäñýìáôïò ôçò ÉåñÜò ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò? êáé åßìåèá åäþ ãéá íá áíáãíùñßóïõìå ôçí óõíå÷Þ õðçñåóßá êáé ðñïóöïñÜ óôçí Åêêëçóßá, ç ïðïßá ðñïÝñ÷åôáé áðü ìéá Ó÷ïëÞ êáé ìéá êïéíüôçôá, ðïõ áãêáëéÜæïõí Ýíá áíáíåùìÝíï üñáìá. ¸íá üñáìá ðïõ áöïñÜ óôï ìÝëëïí ôçò äéáêïíßáò êáé ôçò áðïóôïëÞò ìáò óôéò

åíïñßåò, óôçí åõñýôåñç êïéíùíßá, êáé ó üëï ôïí êüóìï. ÓÞìåñá, ç åëðßäá ìáò åßíáé üôé áõôü ôï üñáìá Ý÷åé èåìåëéùèåß êáé èá äéáôçñçèåß óôéò êáñäéÝò êáé ôï íïõ õìþí, ôùí áðïöïßôùí. Ãé áõôü ðñïóåõ÷üìåèá. ÌáêÜñé ç ãíþóç, ç óïößá, ç âáèéÜ äéïñáôéêüôçôá êáé ôá ðíåõìáôéêÜ åöüäéá êáèþò êáé ôá åöüäéá ôçò äéáíïÞóåùò ôá ïðïßá Ý÷åôå áðïêôÞóåé åäþ íá êáôáóôïýí áíåêôßìçôïò ïäçãüò êáé ãåñü èåìÝëéï ãéá ôçí åêðëÞñùóç ôïõ êáèÞêïíôïò ðïõ èá óáò áíáèÝóåé ï Èåüò. ÐñÝðåé íá ôïíéóèåß üôé ãéá ôçí åðéâåâáßùóç ôïõ ìåëëïíôéêïý óáò ñüëïõ óôéò åíïñßåò êáé ôéò êïéíüôçôåò êáé ãéá ôçí êáôÜèåóç ôçò ìáñôõñßáò ðåñß ôçò ìåôáìïñöùôéêÞò äõíÜìåùò êáé ðáñïõóßáò ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò Êõñßïõ, äåí åßíáé åðáñêÝò ôï íá ðïýìå üôé åêðñïóùðåßôå ôïí áãþíá ãéá éäáíéêÜ, ãéá ôçí áãÜðç ôçò ìáèÞóåùò, ãéá ôçí êáôÜèåóç ôçò áëÞèåéáò, êáé ãéá ôçí êáëëéÝñãåéá ôçò ðßóôåùò, ôçí ïðïßá åðéäéþêïõìå íá ðáñïõóéÜóïõìå ó áõôüí ôïí ÷þñï? äéüôé äåí åêðñïóùðåßôå áëëÜ åßóèå ç åíóÜ-

ñêùóç áõôþí ôùí ðñïóðáèåéþí, åßóèå ï êáñðüò ôçò áëçèéíÞò áìðÝëïõ ðïõ Ý÷åé êáëëéåñãçèåß êáé åíäõíáìùèåß áðü ôï ãåãïíüò üôé åßóèå ìÝëç áõôÞò ôçò éåñÜò êïéíüôçôïò. ÁõôÞ ç åéêüíá ôùí åöåôåéíþí áðïöïßôùí êáé üëùí áõôþí ðïõ Ý÷ïõí ðñïçãçèåß ïäçãåß ôïí êáèÝíá íá áíáëïãéóèåß ôï èåüóäïôï Ýñãï êáé ôçí åõèýíç ðïõ Ý÷åé íá ðáñáìÝíåé äéáñêþò óå ñõèìü ðñïüäïõ, áíåëßîåùò êáé åðéôõ÷ßáò. Ç æùÞ ôùí óçìåñéíþí áðïöïßôùí êáé áõôþí ðïõ èá áêïëïõèÞóïõí, ç äéáêïíßá ôïõò ðïõ ðñïóöÝñåé ôéìÞ êáé äüîá óôïí Èåü, ïé ðñïêëÞóåéò êáé ïé áíáôáñá÷Ýò ôïõ óõã÷ñüíïõ êüóìïõ ìáò, ïé áíÜãêåò ôùí åíïñéþí ìáò, üë áõôÜ áðáéôïýí áðü ìáò íá åîåôÜóïõìå ðñïóåêôéêÜ ôïõò óôü÷ïõò ìáò ãé áõôÞ ôç Ó÷ïëÞ êáé ôïõò ôñüðïõò ìå ôïõò ïðïßïõò èá ôïõò åðéôý÷ïõìå. ÐñÝðåé íá êáôáóôÞóïõìå óáöÝò üôé ç ðëïýóéá ðïëéôéóôéêÞ êáé ðíåõìáôéêÞ ìáò êëçñïíïìéÜ äåí èá ìáò ïäçãÞóåé óôï íá áðïäå÷èïýìå ôï «êáôåóôçìÝíï» Þ íá åßìåèá éêáíïðïéçìÝíïé êáé ðåñéïñéóìÝíïé

áðü ôéò ðáñáìÝôñïõò ôçò õðåñï÷Þò ïé ïðïßåò Ý÷ïõí êáèïñéóèåß áðü ôïí ãýñù ìáò êüóìï. ÐñÝðåé íá ðñïïäåýóïõìå ðåñéóóüôåñï? ðñÝðåé íá åîåëé÷èïýìå ðåñáéôÝñù? ðñÝðåé íá áãùíéóèïýìå ãéá íá öôÜóïõìå óôï õøçëüôáôï åðßðåäï åðéôõ÷éþí ðïõ ìðïñïýìå íá óêåöèïýìå. Ç áîßá êáé ç áíáãêáéüôçôá áõôïý ôïõ Ýñãïõ åðáõîÜíåôáé áðü ôçí áßóèçóç ðïõ Ý÷ïõìå ðåñß ôïõ üñïõ ðáéäåßá êáé áðü ôçí âéâëéêÞ Ýííïéá ôïõ üñïõ óïößá. Ðñþôïí, ç ðáéäåßá ç ìüñöùóç, ç åêðáßäåõóç, ç äéáìüñöùóç ôïõ ÷áñáêôÞñïò, ôïõ óþìáôïò êáé ôïõ íïõ äåí åóôéÜæåé ôï åíäéáöÝñïí ôçò ó Ýíá ðáãéùìÝíï êáé óôáèåñü åðßðåäï, ïýôå ó Ýíá óôÜóéìï óçìåßï ôï ïðïßï êáèïñßæåôáé Þ åðçñåÜæåôáé åýêïëá áðü ôïí êüóìï ãýñù ìáò. Áíôßèåôá, ç áëçèéíÞ ðáéäåßá Ý÷åé ùò êÝíôñï ôçò ôïõò óõíå÷þò äéåõñõíïìÝíïõò óôü÷ïõò, ôá éäáíéêÜ êáé ôéò èåùñÞóåéò ðïõ ðáñïõóéÜæïíôáé ùò ðñüêëçóç Ýíáíôé ôùí

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ÓÅËÉÄÁ 16

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

59ç ÁÐÏÖÏÉÔÇÓÇ ÓÔÏÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÊÏËËÅÃÉÏ ÈÅÏËÏÃÉÊÇ Ó×ÏËÇ ÔÉÌÉÏÕ ÓÔÁÕÑÏÕ u óåë. 15 êáé ðñïò üëï ôïí êüóìï». Óå Üëëï óçìåßï ôçò ïìéëßáò ôïõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ìéëþíôáò ãéá ôá âÞìáôá ðñïüäïõ ðïõ ðñÝðåé íá ãßíïõí áðü åäþ êáé ðÝñá ôüíéóå: «ÐñÝðåé íá åðéâåâáéþóïõìå üôé ç ðëïýóéá ðíåõìáôéêÞ êáé ðïëéôéóôéêÞ ìáò êëçñïíïìéÜ äåí ìáò åðéôñÝðåé íá äå÷èïýìå ôï status quo Þ íá éêáíïðïéïýìåèá êáé íá ðåñéïñéæüìåèá áðü ôéò ðáñáìÝôñïõò áñéóôåßáò ðïõ êáèïñßæåé ç êïéíùíßá ãýñù ìáò. ÐñÝðåé íá ðñïïäåýóïõìå ðáñáðÝñá, ðñÝðåé íá ðñï÷ùñÞóïõìå êé Üëëï, ðñÝðåé íá áãùíéóôïýìå ãéá ôï áíþôáôï äõíáôü åðßðåäï åðéôåýãìáôïò». Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò åêöñÜæïíôáò åéäé-

èìïý ôùí êëçñéêþí óôçí ÉåñÜ ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ» êáé ðñüóèåóå üôé ôï ãåãïíüò áõôü åßíáé «ìéá ðñüêëçóç ðñïò ôéò êïéíüôçôåò êáé åíïñßåò ìáò íá êáëëéåñãÞóïõí êáé íá åìðíåýóïõí ôïõò íÝïõò ðñïò ôçí êëÞóç ôçò éåñùóýíçò». Ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò áíÝðôõîå ôï ðåñßãñáììá âÜóåé ôïõ ïðïßïõ «ç Ó÷ïëÞ ðñÝðåé íá äéåõñýíåé ôï ñüëï ôçò ùò ÷þñïò èåïëïãéêÞò áíôáëëáãÞò áðüøåùí, ÷þñïò äéáëüãïõ êáé ðïéïôéêÞò áëëçëåðßäñáóçò êáé ÷þñïò óõãêÝíôñùóçò üëùí üóùí ìðïñïýí íá óõìâÜëëïõí óôç æùÞ êáé ôçí äéáêïíßá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò óôçí Âüñåéá ÁìåñéêÞ áëëÜ êáé åõñýôåñá».

ÔéìçôéêÜ äéðëþìáôá

Ï ê. Íßêïëáò ÌðÝñíò ðïõ õðçñåôåß

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Éäéáßôåñç ìíåßá êáé ôéìÞ ãéá ôïí êáèçãçôÞ Ðáôñïëïãßáò ê. Ãåþñãéï ÌðåìðÞ (êÝíôñï) ðïõ èá óõíôáîéïäïôçèåß ìåôÜ áðü 45 ÷ñüíéá õðçñåóßáò.

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

ÁÐÏÖÏÉÔÏÉ ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ðáñáêïëïõèïýí ìå åíäéáöÝñïí ôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ.

êþôåñá ôï üñáìá ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí ìßëçóå ðñþôá ãéá ôïí ñüëï ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé óõíïøßæïíôáò åßðå: «...ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï äåí èá ðñÝðåé áðëÜ íá åßíáé Ýíáò áêüìç ÷þñïò ìåëÝôçò ôçò éóôïñßáò, ôçò ãëþóóáò êáé ôçò ëïãïôå÷íßáò ðïõ ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé ôïí Åëëçíéóìü... èá ðñÝðåé íá êáôáóôåß ï êáô åîï÷Þí ÷þñïò ìåëÝôçò, Ýíá äéáêåêñéìÝíï êÝíôñï ìÜèçóçò êáé Ýñåõíáò. Ç öéëïäïîßá ìáò ðñÝðåé íá åßíáé ç ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõ Üñéóôïõ óôïõò ôïìåßò áõôïýò êáé óå Üëëá ó÷åôéêÜ áíôéìåßìåíá óðïõäþí, þóôå ôï üíïìá Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï íá óõíäÝåôáé ìå ôçí åéò âÜèïò êáé åíôáôéêÞ åêðáßäåõóç óôçí ðëïýóéá êëçñïíïìéÜ ìáò, ðïõ ôüóá ðïëëÜ Ý÷åé íá ðñïóöÝñåé óôïí óýã÷ñïíï êüóìï». Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá, áíáöåñüìåíïò óôï ñüëï êáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ôüíéóå ôçí «åðåßãïõóá áíÜãêç ãéá äñáìáôéêÞ áýîçóç ôïõ áñé-

ùò ðñÝóâçò ôùí ÇÐÁ óôçí ÅëëÜäá áðü ôï 1997 êáé ðñüêåéôáé íá äéïñéóèåß óå Üëëç èÝóç åíôüò ôùí ðñïóå÷þí ìçíþí, Þôáí ï êýñéïò ïìéëçôÞò ôçò ôåëåôÞò áðïöïéôÞóåùò êáé áðïäÝêôçò ôéìçôéêïý äéäáêôïñéêïý äéðëþìáôïò. Ðñéí ôçí èçôåßá ôïõ óôçí ÁèÞíá ï ê. ÌðÝñíò õðÞñîå ìÝëïò ôïõ Åèíéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ Áóöáëåßáò ôçò êõâåñíÞóåùò Êëßíôïí êáé óýìâïõëïò ôïõ ðñïÝäñïõ Ôæüñôæ Ìðïõò åðß ó÷Ýóåùí ìåôáîý ÅëëÜäïò, Ôïõñêßáò, Êýðñïõ êáé ÌÝóçò ÁíáôïëÞò. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ï ê. ÌðÝñíò áíáöÝñèçêå óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï êáé ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ùò «ôçí êáñäéÜ ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý óôéò ÇíùìÝíåò Ðïëéôåßåò» êáé óôïí ñüëï ôïõ åêðáéäåõôéêïý éäñýìáôïò «íá åíóôáëÜîåé ôï äþñï ôçò êáôáíüçóçò ôçò ðßóôåùò êáé ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý óôïõò óðïõäáóôÝò ôïõ, äéá ìÝóïõ ôçò ãíþóçò ôùí éäáíéêþí ôçò êëáóóéêÞò ðáéäåßáò êáé ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Èåïëïãßáò...». Óçìåßùóå åðßóçò ôéò ðïëý

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Ç ðñüåäñïò ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ Áäåëöüôçôïò ê. Åõáíèßá ÊïíôÜêç ðáñáäßäåé óôïí ðñüåäñïò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ð. Ôñéáíôáöýëëïõ åðéôáãÞ 50 ÷éë. äïëáñßùí ãéá ôçí Ó÷ïëÞ.

êáëÝò ó÷Ýóåéò ìåôáîý ÅëëÜäïò êáé ÇíùìÝíùí Ðïëéôåéþí êáé ôéò éäéáßôåñåò ðñïóðÜèåéåò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ãéá åéñÞíç óôá ÂáëêÜíéá êáé äßêáéç ëýóç ôïõ Êõðñéáêïý. Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ìåèüäéïò áðïäå÷üìåíïò ôï ôéìçôéêü äéäáêôïñéêü äßðëùìá, ôüíéóå üôé ç çìÝñá ôçò åôÞóéáò áðïöïéôÞóåùò áðïôåëåß «çìÝñá åïñôáóìïý ôùí åðéôåõãìÜôùí». Ïóï ãéá ôá åðéôåýãìáôá ðïõ áðïäßäïíôáé óôïí ßäéï (óôçí ðñïåäñåßá ôïõ óôçí Ó÷ïëÞ) åßðå üôé «åßíáé åðéôåýãìáôá üëùí üóùí ôïí åíèÜññõíáí êáé ôïõ óõìðáñáóôÜèçêáí» óôï Ýñãï ôïõ.

Téìçôéêü äéäáêôïñéêü äßðëùìá áðåíåìÞèç êáé óôïí ïìïãåíÞ åðé÷åéñçìáôßá ê. Íéêüëáï Ìðïýñá ãéá ôçí óõíå÷Þ êáé óèåíáñÞ õðïóôÞñéîÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ï ê. Ìðïýñáò õðÞñîå éäñõôÞò ôçò êïéíüôçôïò ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò ôïõ Westfield, N.J., ãéá 33 ÷ñüíéá ðñüåäñïò ôçò åðéôñïðÞò áíïéêïäïìÞóåùò ôçò ßäéáò êïéíüôçôáò, ìÝëïò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ åðß åéêïóáåôßá, ãñáììáôÝáò ôçò ÅêôåëåóôéêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò ôïõ Á. Ó., åêôåëåóôéêüò õðïäéïéêçôÞò ôïõ ÔÜãìáôïò ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí Áðïóô. ÁíäñÝáò êáé ìÝëïò ôïõ áðïèåìáôéêïý ôáìåßïõ «Çãåóßá ôùí 100». Ï êïóìÞôïñáò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ÓêÝäñïò Ýêáíå éäéáßôåñç ìíåßá ãéá ôçí åðß äåêáåôßåò áöïóéùìÝíç êáé ðéóôÞ ðñïóöïñÜ óôç Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ êáèçãçôÞ ê. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ ðïõ èá óõíôáîéïäïôçèåß öÝôïò Ý÷ïíôáò õðçñåôÞóåé ðéóôÜ

áðü ôï 1956. Ïé áñéóôåýóáíôåò, ×ñéóôßíá Äüêïõ (Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï) êáé ÐáíôåëÞìùí Ðáðáäüðïõëïò (ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ) áðçýèçíáí ÷áéñåôéóìïýò åê ìÝñïõò ôùí áðïöïßôùí. Åî Üëëïõ ç äéïßêçóç ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý áðÝíåéìå ôï ìåôÜëëéï ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò óôïí ð. Ãåþñãéï ÍéêïæÞóç êáé óôçí êá Áéêáôåñßíç ÐÜððá. Ï ð. ÍéêïæÞóçò åßíáé áðüöïéôïò ôçò ó÷ïëÞò (1956) êáé Ý÷åé óõããñÜøåé âéâëßá åðß ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò. ÕðçñÝôçóå ùò äéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ ÔìÞìáôïò ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò êáôÜ ôçí äåêáåôßá ôïõ 70 êáé ùò éåñÝáò ãéá 20 ÷ñüíéá, óôçí Êáëéöüñíéá, ÍÝá Õüñêç, Íéïý ×Üìóáúñ êáé ðéï ðñüóöáôá óôï Óáßíô Ëïýúò. Ç êá ÐÜððá, ðïõ äåí êáôÝóôç äõíáôüí íá ðáñåõñåèåß óôçí ôåëåôÞ, õðçñÝôçóå óôï Åèíéêü Óõâïýëéï ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ ãéá 30 êáé ðëÝïí ÷ñüíéá, ïêôþ ôùí ïðïßùí ùò ðñüåäñïò. ÕðçñÝôçóå åðßóçò ùò óõíôïíßóôñéá ôïõ åéäéêïý ôáìåßïõ ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ ãéá ôçí åíßó÷õóç ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ. ÔÝëïò, êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôçò ôåëåôÞò áðïöïéôÞóåùò ç ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ êá Åõáíèßá ÊïíôÜêç ðáñäùóå óôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ð. Íéêüëáï Ôñéáíôáöýëïõ åðéôáãÞ 50 ÷éë. äïëëáñßùí åê ìÝñïõò ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò õðïäÝ÷èçêå ôïí Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÄçìçôñéÜäïò ê. ÉãíÜíôéï, óôçí Ýäñá ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôïí åíçìÝñùóå ãéá ôï ðïéìáíôéêü Ýñãï ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé óå åðßðåäï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, Åðéóêïðþí êáé Åíïñéþí êáèþò êáé ãéá ôçí ðñüïäï êáé ìáñôõñßá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêáíéêÞ êïéíùíßá.

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 17

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò óôïí ÏÇÅ ãéá ÁÐÅÂÉÙÓÅ ÓÅ ÇËÉÊÉÁ 92 ÅÔÙÍ ôçí ðñïóôáóßá Éåñþí Èñçóêåõôéêþí Ôüðùí Ï ÐÁÍÁÃÉÙÔÇÓ ÁÃÃÅËÏÐÏÕËÏÓ ÓõíÜíôçóç ìå ôïí Ãåíéêü ÃñáììáôÝá Êüöé ÁíÜí

Ï Ã. Ã. ôïõ ÏÇÅ áíôÜëëáîå áðüøåéò ìå ôïõò èñçóêåõôéêïýò áñ÷çãïýò.

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ.- Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò åß÷å éäéáßôåñç óõíÜíôçóç ìå ôïí Ãåíéêü ÃñáììáôÝá ôïõ Ïñãáíéóìïý ÇíùìÝíùí Åèíþí Êüöé ÁíÜí, ôçí ÐÝìðôç 31 Ìáúïõ 2001 óôçí Ýäñá ôïõ ÏÇÅ óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç, êáé áêïëïýèùò ðáñåõñÝèçêå óôç óõæÞôçóç êáé øÞöéóç áðü ôçí ÏëïìÝëåéá ôçò ÄéáêÞñõîçò ãéá ôçí Ðñïóôáóßá ôùí Éåñþí Èñçóêåõôéêþí Ôüðùí êáé ðñïóêõíçìÜôùí áíÜ ôïí êüóìï.

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáé ôùí Üëëùí èñçóêåõôéêþí áñ÷çãþí, ôï êåßìåíï ôïõ øçößóìáôïò åôÝèç óôçí äéáäéêáóßá ìå ôçí åéóÞãçóç ôùí áíôéðñïóþðùí ôçò Áõóôñßáò êáé ôçò Ïõããáñßáò áëëÜ êáé ôçí óõíõðïãñáöÞ 115 óõíïëéêÜ ÷ùñþí ìåëþí ôïõ ÏÇÅ ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí ç ÅëëÜäá êáé ç Êýðñïò. ÌåôÜ ôçí óõæÞôçóç êáé ôéò ôïðïèåôÞóåéò ôùí åéóçãçôþí êáé ôùí åêðñïóþðùí ôçò Öéëáíäßáò, Óïõçäßáò êáé ÔáûëÜíäçò, ôï øÞöéóìá Ýãéíå ïìüöùíá äåêôü. Óôçí ÓõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ ðïõ áêïëïýôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý èçóå ï Ñáââßíïò Arthur Schneier, ðñüåäñïò Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò óõíõðÝãñáøå ôïí ôïõ ïñãáíéóìïý Áppeal of Conscience ðåñáóìÝíï ÄåêÝìâñéï êåßìåíï-Ýêêëçóç Foundation, ðáñïõóßáóå ôï éóôïñéêü ôçò ðïõ õðåâëÞèç óôïí Ïñãáíéóìü ÇíùìÝ- óõíôÜîåùò êáé ðñïùèÞóåùò ôïõ øçößíùí Åèíþí ùò øÞöéóìá, êáé êáëåß ôéò óìáôïò ðïõ Ýôõ÷å åðßóçìçò êáé ïìüêõâåñíÞóåéò üëùí ôùí ÷ùñþí êáé ïñãáíé- öùíçò áðïäï÷Þò áðü ôïí ÏÇÅ. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áðåõèõíüìåíïò óìïýò Þ Üôïìá óå üëï ôïí êüóìï, íá óåâáóôïýí êáé íá ðñïóôáôåýóïõí ôïõò óôïõò åêðñïóþðïõò ôïõ äéåèíïýò Ôýðïõ éåñïýò èñçóêåõôéêïýò ôüðïõò êáé ðñïóêõ- åßðå üôé ðñüêåéôáé ãéá ìéá «üíôùò éóôïñéêÞ íÞìáôá üëùí ôùí èñçóêåéþí êáé íá çìÝñá», êáé åîÝöñáóå ôéò åõ÷áñéóôßåò ôïõ ðñïùèÞóïõí ôçí ðáãêüóìéá åéñÞíç, óôïí Ñáââßíï Schneier ãéá ôçí êáèïñéóôéêÞ óõìâïëÞ ôïõ óôçí ðñïþèçóç ôïõ øçößáóöÜëåéá êáé áëëçëïêáôáíüçóç. óìáôïò. Ôï êåßìåíï áõôü Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ï Óåâáåêôüò áðü ôïí Áñ÷é... ç êáôáóôñïöÞ óìéþôáôïò ðáñáëëÞëéóå ôçí åðßóêïðï óõíõðåãñÜöñïíôßäá ðïõ åîáóêåßôáé öç áðü ôïí ñáââßíï ôùí éåñþí ôüðùí êáé Arthur Schneier, ôïí ìíçìåßùí áðïôåëåß äéåèíþò ãéá ôçí ðñïóôáóßá ôïõ ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò, ìå ôçí ñùìáéïêáèïëéêü Êáñäé- ðñÜîç âßáò åíáíôßïí áíÜãêç ãéá ðáñüìïéá öñïíÜëéï ôçò ÏõÜóéíãêôïí íôßäá ðñïóôáóßáò ôùí ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò êáé (ðñþçí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï éåñþí ôüðùí «ôùí ïðïßÍéïýáñê) Theodore E. ôïõ ðïëéôéóìïý. ùí ç êáôáóôñïöÞ áðïMcCarrick, ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïôåëåß ðñÜîç âßáò åíáíôßïí ðï ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò ôçò ÁñìåíéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò ÁìåñéêÞò Kajag Barsamian, ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò êáé ôïõ ðïëéôéóìïý». Êáé óõíÝ÷éóå: «¼ðùò üëïé åßìáóôå ôïí åðéóêïðåëéáíü Åðßóêïðï ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ðñüèõìïé íá êáôáðïëåìÞóïõìå ôçí Richard F. Grein êáé ôïí ÉìÜìç ôïõ Éóëáìéêïý ÊÝíôñïõ ÍÝáò Õüñêçò Moham- ñýðáíóç ôïõ öõóéêïý ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò ðñÝðåé íá öáíïýìå ôï ßäéï ðñüèõìïé íá mad Jumeiah. Ï ê. ÁíÜí êáëùóüñéóå êáé åõ÷áñß- êáôáðïëåìÞóïõìå êáé íá ìçí åðéôñÝóôçóå ôïõò èñçóêåõôéêïýò áñ÷çãïýò êáé øïõìå ôçí êáôáóôñïöÞ ôùí èñçóêåõåîÝöñáóå ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ôïõ ãéá ôçí ôéêþí éåñþí ôüðùí, äéüôé ç êáôáóôñïöÞ ðñùôïâïõëßá ôïõò. Ï Ãåíéêüò ÃñáììáôÝáò ôïõò áðïôåëåß êáôáóôñïöÞ ôïõ ðíåýìáäÞëùóå üôé ôï éóôïñéêü áõôü øÞöéóìá, ôïò êáé ôçò øõ÷Þò ôçò áíèñùðüôçôïò. Ç ìåôÜ ôçí ÝãêñéóÞ ôïõ áðü ôçí ÃåíéêÞ êáôáóôñïöÞ ôïõò áðïôåëåß ðñÜîç âßáò ÓõíÝëåõóç, èá áðïôåëÝóåé ïäçãü ãéá ôéò åíáíôßïí ôçò Éóôïñßáò êáé ùò ôÝôïéá, êõâåñíÞóåéò êáé ôçí ðáãêüóìéá êïéíüôçôá èáíÜóéìï ëÜèïò êáé áìáñôßá. Ç óçìåñéíÞ áðüöáóç, ìáò äåß÷íåé ôïí ðïõ èá âïçèÞóåé óôçí áëëçëïêáôáíüçóç äñüìï ãéá ôçí áíÜêôçóç ôïõ óåâáóìïý ôçò êáé óõíåñãáóßá ìåôáîý ôùí èñçóêåõôéêþí ïìÜäùí, áëëÜ êáé êñéôÞñéï ìå ôï ïðïßï ïé èñçóêåõôéêÞò éóôïñßáò ôçò áíèñùðüôçôoò êõâåñíÞóåéò üëùí ôùí ÷ùñþí ðñÝðåé íá êáé ôçò äéáôÞñçóçò ôçò Ýííïéáò ôïõ éåñïý êáé ôïõ ïóßïõ ðïõ öáßíåôáé óôáäéáêÜ íá óõììïñöþíïíôáé. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. åêëåßðåé õðü ôçí ðßåóç ôùí ôå÷íïëïãéêþí ÄçìÞôñéïò ðñïóöùíüíôáò ôïí Ãåíéêü åîåëßîåùí, ôïõ åêëáúêéóìïý êáé ãåíéêÜ ôïõ ÃñáììáôÝá åîÝöñáóå ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ôñüðïõ æùÞò ðïõ åðéêñáôåß. Ç áðüöáóç ôïõ ãéá ôçí óôÞñéîç êáé ðñïþèçóç ôïõ áõôÞ, êáôÝëçîå ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò, áò øçößóìáôïò êáé ôçí åëðßäá ôïõ ãéá ôçí èåùñçèåß êáé ùò Ýêêëçóç ãéá íá îáíáåöáñìïãÞ ôïõ ïðïõäÞðïôå áõôü êáôá- âñïýìå êáé íá äéáôçñÞóïõìå ùò áíèñùðüôçò ü,ôé áðïôåëåß éåñü êáé üóéï êáé Ý÷åé óôåß áíáãêáßï. Áñãüôåñá êáôÜ ôçí óõíåäñßá ôçò åêöñáóèåß êáôÜ ôñüðï ïñáôü äéá ôùí ÃåíéêÞò ÓõíÝëåõóåùò ôïõ ÏÇÅ, ðáñïõóßá èñçóêåõôéêþí ìíçìåßùí».

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u óåë. 15 Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò êáé ôùí õðçñåóéþí ôçò, ï åêëéðþí Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò åíÝðíåõóå ìå ôï ðÜèïò ôïõ êáé Üëëïõò ìÝóù ôùí áäéáëåßðôùí ðñïóðáèåéþí ôïõ êáé ôùí ãåííáéüäùñùí ÷åéñïíïìéþí ôïõ, êáé êáôÝóôç Ýíáò áðü ôïõò âáóéêïýò êáé áêëïíÞôïõò õðïóôçñéêôÜò ôïõ éåñïý Ýñãïõ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. ÌÝóù ôùí åõñãåôéêþí ðñÜîåþí ôïõ äéåôñÜíùíå ôçí ðßóôç êáé áöïóßùóÞ ôïõ óôá êåëåýóìáôá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôåþò ìáò». Ï Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò Þôáí áðü ôïõò ðñþôïõò ðïõ áó÷ïëÞèçêáí êáé åãêáèßäñõóáí ôçí âáñéÜ âéïìç÷áíßá óôçí ÅëëÜäá, åíþ áñãüôåñá óõìðåñéÝëáâå óôéò åðé÷åéñçìáôéêÝò ôïõ äñáóôçñéüôçôåò, ôá íáõôéëéáêÜ. Ï Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò äéáêñßèçêå ãéá ôï öéëáíèñùðéêü ôïõ Ýñãï. Áíáêçñý÷èçêå ÌÝãáò ÅõåñãÝôçò êáé ¢ñ÷ùí ÌÝãáò ËïãïèÝôçò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ. Ôï 1987 áíÝëáâå åî ïëïêëÞñïõ ôçí áíáóôÞëùóç êáé áíáêáßíéóç ôùí êôéñéáêþí åãêáôáóôÜóåùí ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, ôï ïðïßï åß÷å êáôáóôñáöåß ïëïêëçñùôéêÜ áðü ðõñêáãéÜ ôï 1941, Ýñãï ðïõ ïëïêëçñþèçêå ôï 1989. ÕðÞñîå åðßóçò åðß ìáêñüí óôåíüò ößëïò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Éáêþâïõ, ìÝëïò ôçò «Çãåóßáò ôùí 100», ÌÝãáò ÅõåñãÝôçò ôçò ÂéâëéïèÞêçò Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Éáêþâïõ, õðïóôçñéêôÞò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Êáèåäñéêïý Íáïý ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò óôï Ìáí÷Üôáí êáèþò êáé áíáñßèìçôùí Üëëùí êïéíùöåëþí êáé öéëáíèñùðéêþí óêïðþí. ¹ôáí èåñìüò õðïóôçñéêôÞò ôùí

Ïëõìðéáêþí Áãþíùí ôïõ 2004 óôçí ÁèÞíá êáé êáé ùò ãíùóôüí, ç íýöç ôïõ ÃéÜííá Áããåëïðïýëïõ-ÄáóêáëÜêç çãåßôáé ôçò ïñãáíùôéêÞò åðéôñïðÞò «ÁèÞíá 2004». Ï Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò ãåííÞèçêå ôï 1909 óôï ÷ùñéü Âëá÷üññáöôç ôçò ïñåéíÞò Áñêáäßáò, êáé ôï 1922 ìåôïßêçóå óôçí ÁèÞíá ìå ôçí ïéêïãÝíåéÜ ôïõ. Ìå ôïí ðáôÝñá ôïõ êáé ôïõò äýï áäåëöïýò ôïõ ßäñõóáí ôï 1932 åñãïóôÜóéï óõñìáôïõñãßáò êáé áñãüôåñá ôçí «Âéïìç÷áíßá Îýëïõ». Ôï 1948 ßäñõóáí ôçí «×áëõâïõñãéêÞ» ôçí ðñþôç âáñéÜ âéïìç÷áíßá óôçí ÅëëÜäá. Ï áäåëöüò ôïõ ÄçìÞôñçò Áããåëüðïõëïò äïëïöïíÞèçêå ôï 1986 áðü ôñïìïêñáôéêÞ ïñãÜíùóç. Ï Üëëïò áäåëöüò ôïõ ÃéÜííçò áðåâßùóå ôï 1974, åíþ ï ôñßôïò áäåëöüò ôïõ ¢ããåëïò, ðïõ õðÞñîå Áêáäçìáúêüò êáé Ïéêïíïìïëüãïò áðåâßùóå ôï 1995. Ï Ðáíáãéþôçò Áããåëüðïõëïò áöÞíåé ðßóù ôïõ ôçí óýæõãü ôïõ ÅëÝíç, äýï ãéïýò ôïí Èåüäùñï êáé Êùíóôáíôßíï, êáé ôÝóóåñá åããüíéá. Ôçò íåêñþóéìçò áêïëïõèßáò êáé ôïõ åíôáöéáóìïý, ðïõ Ýãéíå óôéò 7 Éïõíßïõ óôï Á´ íåêñïôáöåßï Áèçíþí, ðñïÝóôåé ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðïõ ìåôÝâç óôçí ÁèÞíá ãé áõôü ôï óêïðü êáé óõììåôåß÷áí ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Áèçíþí êáé ÐÜóçò ÅëëÜäïò ê. ×ñéóôüäïõëïò êáèþò êáé ðëÞèïò êüóìïõ, ößëïé êáé óõããåíåßò êáé åðßóçìïé åêðñüóùðïé ôïõ ðïëéôéêïý êáé åðé÷åéñçìáôéêïý êüóìïõ. Ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï åêðñïóþðçóå ï Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÎÜíèïõ ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò.

ÅÉÄÉÊÅÓ ÐÑÏÓÖÏÑÅÓ Aðï ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ/ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ Óå ÁÈÇÍÁ-ÈÅÓÓÁËÏÍÉÊÇ

APRIL 01-JUN 10 & SEP 01-OCT31,2001

JUNE 11-AUG31, 2001

ÄéáêåêñéìÝíç ÈÝóç $ $ RT 1,960 - 1,147 OW

ÄéáêåêñéìÝíç ÈÝóç $ $ RT 2,460 - 1,344 OW

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ÔïõñéóôéêÞ ÈÝóç

ÔïõñéóôéêÞ ÈÝóç

1 Month $752 - 3 Months $770 OWY $438- 6Motnhs $840- 1 Year $984

1 Month $1,066 - 3 Months $1,112 OWY $605- 6Motnhs $1,171 - 1 Year $1,307

ÐåôÜìå ìå ôá êáéíïýñãéá ôåôñáêéíçôÞñéá AIRBUS 340 Åêðôþóåéò ãéá ðáéäéÜ Ýùò 12 åôþí Ìå $100 åðß ðëÝïí ðåôÜôå óå ïðïéïäÞðïôå óçìåßï ôçò ÅëëÜäïò Ìüíï $65 åðß ðëÝïí ãéá åðéóôñïöÞ áðü 15 Áõãïýóôïõ Ýùò 15 Óåðôåìâñßïõ Áíá÷ùñÞóåéò êáé åðéóôñïöÝò áðü ôï Üíåôï êáé ðïëõôåëÝò ôÝñìéíáë 1 ôïõ áåñïäñïìßïõ ÊÝíåíôé ÅéäéêÝò ôéìÝò éó÷ýïõí áðü 92 ðüëåéò ôéò ÁìåñéêÞò

© ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò áðïôáèåßôå óôïí ôáîéäéùôéêü óáò ðñÜêôïñá Þ óôçí ÏëõìðéáêÞ Áåñïðïñßá

1-800-223-1226

www.olympic-airways.gr ÏËÕÌÐÉÁÊÇ ÁÅÑÏÐÏÑÉÁ Ç ÄÉÊÇ ÓÏÕ ÅÔÁÉÑÉÁ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 18

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ Ï ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÓ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÇÓ ÓÔÇÍ ÊÁËÁÂÑÉÁ ÊÁÉ ÓÉÊÅËÉÁ Ùò åîáéñåôéêÞò óçìáóßáò ÷áñáêôçñßóèçêå ç åðßóêåøç ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßïõ óôçí Êáëáâñßá ôçò Íïôßïõ Éôáëßáò êáé ôç Óéêåëßá. ÊáôÜ ôçí õðïäï÷Þ ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ óôï Catanzaro, ï Ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÐåñéöåñåéáêÞò ÊõâåñíÞóåùò ôçò Êáëáâñßáò Giuseppe Chiaravalloti êáëùóüñéóå ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ìå ôá ðéï åãêÜñäéá êáé èåñìÜ áéóèÞìáôá, óôç ãç ðïõ, üðùò õðïãñÜììéóå, õðÞñîå ðÜíôïôå ãÝöõñá ÁíáôïëÞò êáé Äýóåùò. Êåßìåíá êáé öùôïãñáößåò ôïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ Ìáããßíá Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ìåôáîý Üëëùí ï Ðñüåäñïò ôüíéóå: «Åßìáé âÝâáéïò ç åðßóêåøÞ Óáò óôç ãç ôçò Êáëáâñßáò, ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÅëëÜäá, ðåñéï÷Þ ìåãÜëçò áîßáò ãéá ôïí ðïëéôéóìü êáé ôçí ðíåõìáôéêüôçôá ôçò âõæáíôéíÞò ïéêïõìÝíçò áðïôåëåß Ýíá óôáèìü óðïõäáéüôáôï óôïí ïéêïõìåíéêü äéÜëïãï ìåôáîý ôùí äéáöüñùí Åêêëçóéþí». Ï ÐñïêáèÞìåíïò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò êáôÜ ôçí ðáñáìïíÞ ôïõ óôç Íüôéï Éôáëßá åðéóêÝöèçêå ôéò ðüëåéò: Áãßá Óåâåñßíá, ÉÝñáêá, Óôýëï, Bivongi, üðïõ êáé ç ÌïíÞ ôïõ Áãßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôïõ Èåñéóôïý, Monte Stella, Vibo Valencia, ÌåëéêïõêÜ, ÑÞãéï, ôá åëëçíüöùíá ÷ùñéÜ ÃêáëåôóéÜíï, Êïíôïöïýñç êáé Ãõáëü ôïõ Âïýá. Åðßóçò óôç Óéêåëßá ìåôÝâç óôï Mandanici, ÊáôÜíç êáé ÐáëÝñìï. Ðáíôïý õðïäÝ÷èçêáí ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï ïé åêêëçóéáóôéêÝò Áñ÷Ýò ÊáèïëéêÝò Þ Ïñèüäïîåò, ïé ÄÞìáñ÷ïé êáé Üëëïé ðïëéôéêïß ðáñÜãïíôåò êáé ðëÞèïò êüóìïõ ìå èåñìÝò êáé åíèïõóéþäåéò åêäçëþóåéò. Óôá åëëçíüöùíá ÷ùñéÜ ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç õðïäÝ÷èçêáí ìå ôç ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÞ ìïõóéêÞ, ôéò ôáñáíôÝëåò ôçò Êáëáâñßáò êáé ìå åãêÜñäéåò åêäçëþóåéò. Ïëïêëçñþíïíôáò ôçí åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óå åëëçíüöùíá ÷ùñéÜ ôçò Êáëáâñßáò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò åõ÷Þèçêå «ÆÞôù ç ÌåãÜëç ÅëëÜäá» ðñïêáëþíôáò ôï èåñìü ÷åéñïêñüôçìá ôïõ óõãêåíôñùìÝíïõ ðëÞèïõò.

ÌáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞôñéåò ôïõ ÄÞìïõ Êïíôïöïõñßïõ, óôá åëëçíüöùíá ÷ùñéÜ ôçò Íüôéáò Éôáëßáò, õðïäÝ÷ïíôáé ìå åðéãñáöÝò êáé ëïõëïýäéá ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç Éôáëßáò ê. ÃåííÜäéï.

«Èá Ý÷åôå áêïýóåé ðïõ ëÝíå óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç äåí ðçãáßíïõìå åðéóôñÝöïõìå. Åìåßò ðïõ åâñéóêüìåèá áõôÝò ôéò çìÝñåò óôçí Êáëáâñßá Ý÷ïõìå ôï ßäéï áßóèçìá üôé äåí Þñèáìå ãéá ðñþôç öïñÜ, áëëÜ üôé åðéóôñÝöïõìå. Äéüôé åðß ðïëëïýò áéþíáò ôï ÃÝíïò ìáò, ç Ñùìéïóýíç, ï Åëëçíéóìüò, ç Ïñèïäïîßá Þôáí åäþ. Êáé åßíáé ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá âáèéÜ ñéæùìÝíá áõôÜ ôá ðñÜãìáôá, ç éóôïñßá ìáò, ç äüîá ôïõ ðáñåëèüíôïò. Êáé åðåéäÞ áõôü åßíáé âáèéÜ ÷áñáãìÝíï ìÝóá óôç óõíåßäçóç ôùí êáôïßêùí ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò ãé áõôü õðïäÝ÷ïíôáé ìå ôüóï åíèïõóéáóìü ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò, ðñïò ôçí ïðïßá åðß áéþíáò åß÷áí ôçí áíáöïñÜí ôïõò åêêëçóéáóôéêÜ, ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôçí óõíïäåßá ôïõ êáé êÜèå ôé ôï Åëëçíéêü. Áõôü ìéëÜåé óôçí øõ÷Þ ôïõò, ôïõò óõãêéíåß, ôïõò åðáíáóõíäÝåé ìå ôï ðáñåëèüí, ìå ôéò ñßæåò ôïõò».

ÅîáéñåôéêÞ äéÜêñéóç óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç áðü ôçí ÏõããñéêÞ Äçìïêñáôßá êáé ôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ôçò ÂïõäáðÝóôçò ÂÏÕÄÁÐÅÓÔÇ. Ôï ðáñÜóçìï ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Óôáõñïý ôçò ÏõããñéêÞò Äçìïêñáôßáò áðïíåìÞèçêå óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá åðßóçìçò ôåëåôÞò óôï Ïõããñéêü Êïéíïâïýëéï. Ç áðïíïìÞ Ýãéíå áðü ôïí Ðñùèõðïõñãü ôçò Ïõããáñßáò Victor Orban, åî ïíüìáôïò ôïõ ÐñïÝäñïõ ôçò ÏõããñéêÞò Äçìïêñáôßáò Ferenc Madl. Óôçí ÷áéñåôéóôÞñéá ïìéëßá ôïõ, ï Ðñùèõðïõñãüò áíÝöåñå üôé ïé íÝåò ÏõããñéêÝò ãåíåÝò, óôçí ðïñåßá ôïõò ìÝóá óôç æùÞ, Ý÷ïõí áíÜãêç áðü ôï êýñïò ðñïóùðéêïôÞôùí, ôüóï áðü ôç ÷þñá ôïõò üóï êé áðü Üëëá ìÝñç ôïõ êüóìïõ, ðïõ äéáêñßíïíôáé ãéá ôï Þèïò ôïõò, ôçí ðíåõìáôéêüôçôÜ ôïõò êáé ôï óèÝíïò ôïõò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò åðåóÞìáíå üôé ïé Ïýããñïé áíÞêïõí ìåôáîý åêåßíùí, ïé ïðïßïé Ý÷ïõí ðñïåôïéìáóèåß øõ÷éêÜ êáëýôåñá ìå ôçí óêÝøç ôçò ðñïóÝããéóçò ôçò ÁíáôïëéêÞò êáé ÄõôéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò. Áêüìç êáôÜ ôçí ðáñáìïíÞ ôïõ óôçí ÂïõäáðÝóôç ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáêçñý÷èçêå óå åðßôéìï ÄéäÜêôïñá áðü ôï Êáèïëéêü ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ôçò ÂïõäáðÝóôçò Peter Paszmany . Ï Ðñýôáíçò ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ åðßóêïðïò Peter Erdo óôçí ðáíçãõñéêÞ ôïõ ïìéëßá

Ï ðñùèõðïõñãüò ôçò Ïõããáñßáò áðïíÝìåé ôïí ìåãáëüóôáõñï ôçò ÷þñáò ôïõ óôïí Ïéê. ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç.

åõ÷áñßóôçóå ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï ãéá ôéò ìåãÜëåò ðñïóðÜèåéåò ðïõ Ý÷åé êáôáâÜëëåé ùò ðñïò ôçí åíäõíÜìùóç ôçò åíüôçôáò ìåôáîý ôùí ×ñéóôéáíþí. Åðßóçò ôüíéóå üôé ìå ôçí áíáêÞñõîç ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç áíáãíùñßæïíôáé ïé ãíþóåéò ôïõ óôéò ÍïìéêÝò ÓðïõäÝò êáé åéäéêþôåñá óôïí ôïìÝá ôùí Éåñþí Êáíüíùí.

Óôï Aceriale ôçò ÊáôÜíçò óôç Óéêåëßá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Þôáí ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïò ôçò ÊáèïëéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ìßëçóå óôï Ä´ ÓõíÝäñéï ôùí Åêêëçóéþí ôçò Óéêåëßáò. Ôçí åðüìåíç ôçò åðéóôñïöÞò ôïõ áðü ôçí Íüôéï Éôáëßá, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, ÷ïñïóôÜôçóå óôï íáü ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý ôçò Èåïôüêïõ óôï Âáöåï÷þñéï ôïõ Âïóðüñïõ. Ìéëþíôáò óå ðëÞèïò ðñïóêõíçôþí áðü ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé ôï åîùôåñéêü êáé áîéïëïãþíôáò ôçí åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óôçí Éôáëßá åßðå ìåôáîý Üëëùí: «Ç ÉåñÜ Ìçôñüðïëéò (Éôáëßáò) åñãÜæåôáé êáôÜ ôñüðïí õðïäåéãìáôéêüí, ðáßñíåé ðáëáéïýò íáïýò êáé ÌïíáóôÞñéá, ôá áíáêáéíßæåé, äçìéïõñãåß êáéíïýñãéåò åóôßåò åëëçíéóìïý êáé Ïñèïäïîßáò ó áõôÜ ôá ìÝñç ôá ïðïßá Þóáí äéêÜ ìáò, ãéá ðïëëïýò áéþíåò êáé ðñïâëÝðù êáé äéáéóèÜíïìáé üôé óå ëßãá ÷ñüíéá èá ìðïñïýìå íá óåìíõíüìåèá êáé íá õðåñçöáíåõüìåèá ãéá ôç äéÜäùóç ôùí Åëëçíéêþí ãñáììÜôùí ôïõ åëëçíéêïý ðïëéôéóìïý ôçò åëëçíéêÞò ðáéäåßáò êáé ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ó áõôÜ ôá ìÝñç».

Ï ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÇÓ ÓÔÉÓ ÌÇÔÑÏÐÏËÅÉÓ ÔÙÍ ÍÅÙÍ ×ÙÑÙÍ

Ôá åãêáßíéá ôïõ íåüäìçôïõ Éåñïý Íáïý ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí óôéò ÓÝññåò ôÝëåóå ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò.

ÎÁÍÈÇ. Ôéò Ìçôñïðüëåéò ôùí ëåãïìÝíùí «ÍÝùí ×ùñþí» ÎÜíèçò, Óåññþí êáé Íéãñßôçò êáé ÊïìïôçíÞò åðéóêÝöèçêå ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ìåôÜ áðü ðñüóêëçóç ôùí ðïéìåíáñ÷þí ôïõò. Åðßóçò åðéóêÝöèçêå ôï ÄÜóïò ôçò ÄáäéÜò óôïí ¸âñï, ìåôÜ áðü ðñüóêëçóç ãéá îåíÜãçóç áðü ôï Ðáãêüóìéï Ôáìåßï ãéá ôç öýóç, ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò (WWF). Óôçí ÎÜíèç åðßêåíôñï ôùí åêäçëþóåùí Þôáí ç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ãéá ôïí ðñþôï åïñôáóìü ôçò êáôÜôáîçò óôï Áãéïëüãéï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ôçò ìíÞìçò ôïõ Áãßïõ ÈåïöÜíïõò, Åðéóêüðïõ Ðåñéèåùñßïõ. Óôéò ÓÝññåò åðßêåíôñï ôùí åêäçëþóåùí Þôáí ôá åãêáßíéá óôçí ÔåñðíÞ ôïõ ðåñéêáëëïýò íáïý ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí ðïõ áíáãÝñèçêå ìå äáðÜíç ôïõ ¢ñ÷ïíôïò ïööéêéÜëïõ ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ ÁíáóôáóéÜäç.

Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò æçôÜ ôçí åðéóôñïöÞ ôùí Åëãéíåßùí ÌáñìÜñùí êáé ôùí éåñþí êåéìçëßùí

Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò áðáíôþíôáò óôçí ðñïóöþíçóç ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÎÜíèçò ÐáíôåëåÞìïíïò êáôÜ ôçí îåíÜãçóç ôïõ êáèçãçôÞ Á. ÃåùñãáíôæÞ, óôçí éóôïñéêÞ ÌïíÞ Áñ÷áããåëéþôéóóáò (14ïò áéþíáò) ìåôáîý Üëëùí åßðå: «Åý÷ïìáé ôï äßêáéïí áßôçìá ôçò

åðéóôñïöÞò ôùí áöáéñåèÝíôùí êùäßêùí áõôÞò ôçò ÌïíÞò íá éêáíïðïéçèåß ôï ôá÷ýôåñïí äõíáôüí. ¼íôùò ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí Ýãñáøå óôçí Âïõëãáñßáí, ìåóïëáâþíôáò ãéá ôçí åðéóôñïöÞí ôùí êùäßêùí áõôþí, äåí çóçêïýóèçìåí ïýôå åóåßò ïýôå åìåßò ìÝ÷ñé óôéãìÞò, áëëÜ äåí èá ðáýóùìåí íá åðáíåñ÷üìåèá åéò ôï äßêáéïí áõôü áßôçìá ôçò åðéóôñïöÞò ôùí éåñþí êåéìçëßùí ôçò ÌïíÞò Åéêïóéöéíßóóçò, ôçò ÉåñÜò Ìçôñïðüëåùò ÄñÜìáò, ðïõ åõñßóêïíôáé êáé áõôÜ åéò ôçí Âïõëãáñßáí. »¼ðùò åßíáé äßêáéïí êáé ôï áßôçìá ôçò åðéóôñïöÞò ôùí Åëãéíßùí ÌáñìÜñùí áðü ôçí ÌåãÜëçí Âñåôáíßáí åéò ôçí ÅëëÜäá. ÁõôÜ áíÞêïõí, ôá êåéìÞëéá êáé ôá ÷ñéóôéáíéêÜ êáé ôá ðñï÷ñéóôéáíéêÜ, åéò ôïí ëáüí, åéò ôï Ýèíïò, åéò ôçí ðáôñßäáí ç ïðïßá ôá åäçìéïýñãçóå êáé ðñÝðåé íá åðáíáðáôñéóèïýí, ôï ôá÷ýôåñïí äõíáôüí. Ç Âïõëãáñßá, ç ïðïßá êáé áõôÞ åðéèõìåß íá õðïãñáììßóåé ôïí åõñùðáúêüí ðñïóáíáôïëéóìüí ôçò êáé áðïâëÝðåé ðñïò ÄõóìÜò, ðñÝðåé íá îáíáóêåöèåß áõôÞí ôçí õðï÷ñÝùóéí ôçò. ÅÜí èÝëåé íá óõìâáäßæåé ðñïò ôá äéåèíÞ éó÷ýïíôá êáé ôï äéåèíÝò äßêáéïí ðñÝðåé íá óõììïñöùèåß êáé íá åðéóôñÝøåé áõôÜ ôá ïðïßá êáè ïéïíäÞðïôå ôñüðïí äåí óôåêüìåèá ó áõôÞí ôçí ëåðôïìÝñåéáí áäßêùò ðÜíôùò áöçñÝèçóáí áðü ôá ÌïíáóôÞñéá, üðùò êáé ôá Åëãßíåéá ÌÜñìáñá áðü ôáò ÁèÞíáò».

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

Ï Ì. Áñ÷éäéÜêïíïò ÔáñÜóéïò íÝïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò ÊÙÍÓÔÁÍÔÉÍÏÕÐÏËÇ. ÍÝïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò åîåëÝãåé ï ÌÝãáò Áñ÷éäéÜêïíïò ÔáñÜóéïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ. Ç ÷åéñïôïíßá ôïõ óå ðñåóâýôåñï Ýãéíå áðü ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò õðáßèñéáò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò ðïõ åôåëÝóèç óôï Ðñïêüðé ôçò Êáððáäïêßáò, ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ 27 Ìáúïõ, çìÝñá ìíÞìçò ôïõ Áãßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôïõ Ñþóóïõ, ï ïðïßïò Ýæçóå óôï Ðñïêüðé ôïí 18ï áéþíá. Åßíáé ðñþôç öïñÜ ìåôÜ ôçí ÌéêñáóéáôéêÞ ÊáôáóôñïöÞ ðïõ Ýãéíå ÷åéñïôïíßá éåñÝùò óôçí Êáððáäïêßá. Ç ÷åéñïôïíßá ôïõ íÝïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôïõ óå Åðßóêïðï Ýãéíå ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ ôçò ÐåíôçêïóôÞò, 3 Éïõíßïõ óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ óôï ÖáíÜñé áðü ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßï êáé ÉåñÜñ÷åò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Èñüíïõ.

Ï ÁÃÉÏÓ ÌÅÈÏÄÉÏÓ Ï ÏÌÏËÏÃÇÔÇÓ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÓ ÊÙÍÓÔÁÍÔÉÍÏÕÐÏËÅÙÓ

O

Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò õðÞñîå Ýíáò ìåãÜëïò ÐáôñéÜ ñ÷çò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò ôïí 9o áéþíá êáé èåñìüò õðåñáóðéóôÞò ôçò ôéìçôéêÞò ðñïóêýíçóçò ôùí éåñþí åéêüíùí. Ôüóï ìåãÜëç Þôáí ç áöïóßùóÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôá ðáñáäåäåãìÝíá äüãìáôá êáé ôç ëåéôïõñãéêÞ ðñÜîç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, þóôå õðÝóôç êáé öõëÜêéóç êáé öñéêþäç ìáóôßãùóç ðñïò äüîáí ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ðñïò ôéìÞí ôùí á÷ñÜíôùí åéêüíùí. ôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ

Ï éåñüò õìíùäüò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò áðïêáëåß ôïí Üãéï Ìåèüäéï, ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò êáé ÏìïëïãçôÞ, «áëçèåßáò åäñáßùìá», «èçóáõñüí äéäáãìÜôùí» êáé «öùóôÞñá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò», Ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò åßíáé ðáñÜäåéãìá áãßïõ âßïõ, áðïëýôïõ êáé áêñáöíïýò ðßóôåùò óôçí Ïñèüäïîï èåïëïãéêÞ áëÞèåéá êáé áíõðï÷þñçôçò áöïóßùóçò óôá éåñÜ äüãìáôá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé éäéáéôÝñá óôçí ôéìçôéêÞ ðñïóêýíçóç êáé åõëáâÞ áãÜðç ðñïò ôéò Üãéåò êáé éåñÝò åéêüíåò. Ï Üãéïò Öþôéïò ï ÌÝãáò, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò ðñïóèÝôåé, ÷áñáêôçñßæïíôáò ôïí Üãéï Ìåèüäéï «Ýíäïîïí» êáé «ìÝãá êåéìÞëéïí ôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí».

Ë

ÊáôÜ ôçí ÷åéñïôïíßá ôïõ óå Åðßóêïðï ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ óõíå÷Üñåé ôïí íåï÷åéñïôïíïýìåíï ÉåñÜñ÷ç ãéá ôçí «åîü÷ùò õðåýèõíïí êáé ðïëõöñüíôéäá èÝóéí ôïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôïõ ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò», ôïíßæïíôáò ìåôáîý Üëëùí: «Ç ÌÞôçñ Áãßá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ÌåãÜëç Åêêëçóßá óôçñßæåé ðïëëÜò ÷ñçóôÜò åëðßäáò åéò ôïí æÞëïí, ôáò ãíþóåéò, ôïí åíèïõóéáóìüí êáé ôçí ðåßñáí, áëëÜ êáé ôçí æùôéêüôçôá ôïõ áäåëöïý çìþí Ôáñáóßïõ, êáé åðéêáëåßôáé õðÝñ áõôïý ôáò ðñïóåõ÷Üò üëùí ôùí ôÝêíùí ôçò, þóôå ï Êýñéïò íá óõìðïñåýåôáé ìåô áõôïý, êáé íá êáèéóôÜ äõíáôÜ êáé ôá ðáñ áíèñþðïéò áäýíáôá. Äéüôé, üíôùò ôï áíáôéèÝìåíïí åéò áõôüí ôåñÜóôéïí Ýñãïí åßíáé éêáíüí íá êëïíßóåé êáé ôáò ðëÝïí ãåííáßáò êáñäßáò. Áëë ï Êýñéïò ôïõ áìðåëþíïò èá ðÝìðç åî ïõñáíïý áöáíþò ôçí âïÞèåéáí åêåßíçí, ç ïðïßá åßíáé áðáñáßôçôïò, êáé èá åßíáé ìåô áõôïý ðÜóáò ôáò çìÝñáò ôçò æùÞò ôïõ, ùò Üëëùóôå áîéïðßóôùò õðåó÷Ýèç». Ï íÝïò åìøçöéóèÞò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò óôçí áíôéöþíçóÞ ôïõ ìåôáîý Üëëùí åßðå: «Ìå áãÜðçí ðïëëÞí, åõ÷áñéóôþ ôçí Ñùìçïóýíçí ôçò Ðüëåùò. Ìå çãáðÞóáôå êáé óáò çãÜðçóá. Óáò áðï÷ùñßæïìáé ìå ðüíïí øõ÷Þò. Äåí èá óáò ëçóìïíÞóù ðïôÝ. Éäéáßôåñïí áäåëöéêüí ÷áéñåôéóìüí êáé öüñïí öéëßáò êáé ôéìÞò áðåõèýíù ðñïò ôçí åõëïãçìÝíçí êáé áãáðçôÞí íåïëáßáí ôçò Ðüëåùò, ìåôÜ ôçò ïðïßáò óõíåäÝèçí ìå äåóìïýò áêáôáëýôïõ öéëßáò êáé áãÜðçò. »Ìå éäéáéôÝñáí áãÜðçí êáé ôéìÞí áðåõèýíù åãêÜñäéïí ÷áéñåôéóìüí ðñïò ôïõò ðáñéóôáìÝíïõò áíôéðñïóþðïõò ôçò ÁãéùôÜôçò Ìçôñïðüëåùò ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò, êáèþò êáé ðñïò Üðáíôáò ôïõò ôéìþíôáò ìå óÞìåñïí åî ÅëëÜäïò, Åõñþðçò êáé Ç.Ð.Á. ÔÝëïò, åõ÷áñéóôþ ôçí Ðüëéí ôáýôçí. Ôçí Ðüëéí ôùí ïíåßñùí ìïõ, ôçí Ðüëéí ôçò ÕðåñìÜ÷ïõ Óôñáôçãïý, ôçí Ðüëéí ôùí Ïéêïõìåíéêþí Óõíüäùí, ôçí Ðüëéí ôçò Ðñùôïèñüíïõ Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò, ôçí Ðüëéí üðïõ åãáëïõ÷Þèçí åéò ôá íÜìáôá ôçò Áãßáò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ÌåãÜëçò Åêêêëçóßáò êáé åäéäÜ÷èçí ôï Ùñáßïí, ôï ÌÝãá, ôï Áëçèéíüí». Ç åíèñüíéóç ôïõ íÝïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôïõ ê. Ôáñáóßïõ Ý÷åé ðñïãñáììáôéóèåß ãéá ôéò 14 Éïõëßïõ 2001 óôïí Êáèåäñéêü Íáü ôçò ÊïéìÞóåùò ôçò Èåïôüêïõ óôï ÌðïõÝíïò Áúñåò.

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 19

ßãá áðü ôá óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ äéáóþèçêáí, ï äå âßïò ôïõ ôüóï óôçí ðåñßöçìç Ðáôñïëïãßá Migne P. G. (Ôüìïò 100) üóï êáé óôï ÓõíáîÜñéï åßíáé óýíôïìïò, áëëÜ ïðùóäÞðïôå, ìåóôüò áðü ðëçñïöïñßåò êáé ðëÞñçò éåñþí íïçìÜôùí. Ï âéïãñÜöïò ôïõ ìáò ðëçñïöïñåß üôé ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò ãåííÞèçêå óôéò Óõñáêïýóåò ôçò Óéêåëßáò áëëÜ óå íåáñÞ çëéêßá ìåôÝâç óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, üðïõ Ýãéíå ìïíá÷üò, ðáñÜ ôçí ðñïôñïðÞ ôùí ãïíÝùí ôïõ íá íõìöåõèåß. Ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò, ï ÏìïëïãçôÞò, Ýãéíå çãïýìåíïò ôçò ÉåñÜò ÌïíÞò ×çíïëÜêêïõ êáé ï ÓõíáîáñéóôÞò óõìðëçñþíåé, üôé åîåëÝãç Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Êõæßêïõ. ËÝãåôáé üôé, áíáãêÜóèçêå íá êáôáöýãåé óôç Ñþìç, ìåôÜ ôçí Ýíáñîç ôùí óêëçñþí äéþîåùí åíáíôßïí ôùí ößëùí ôùí åéêüíùí, õðü ôïõ åéêïíïìÜ÷ïõ áõôïêñÜôïñá ËÝïíôïò ôïõ Áñìåíßïõ (813-820). Ìå ôçí åðéóôñïöÞ ôïõ óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç åðß ôçò âáóéëåßáò ôïõ áõôïêñÜôïñá Ìé÷áÞë Ôñáõëïý (821) ôéìùñÞèçêå äéá öïâåñÞò ìáóôéãþóåùò, êõñßùò, äéüôé èåùñÞèçêå ðåéèÞíéï üñãáíï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Ñþìçò. Öõëáêßóèçêå óôï íçóß ôïõ Áãßïõ ÁíäñÝá. Ï áõôïêñÜôïñáò Èåüöéëïò, áí êáé åéêïíïìÜ÷ïò åêôéìïýóå ôïí Üãéï Ìåèüäéï êáé ãéá ôï Þèïò êáé ãéá ôçí ëáìðñÞ ðáéäåßá ôïõ, áëëÜ êáé ãéá ôçí áíáãíþñéóÞ ôïõ áðü ôïí ëáü êáé ôïí óåâáóìü ðïõ Ý÷áéñå áðü üëïõò.

Ç

áõôïêñÜôåéñá Èåïäþñá, åí ïíüìáôé ôïõ áíçëßêïõ õéïý ôçò Ìé÷áÞë, áëëÜ êáé ëüãù ôçò ðñïóÞëùóÞò ôçò ðñïò ôéò Üãéåò åéêüíåò, åðÝëåîå ôïí Üãéï Ìåèüäéï ùò ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò êáé óõíãêÜëåóå ôïí ÌÜñôéï ôïõ 843 Óýíïäï, ç ïðïßá áíåóôÞëùóå ôéò åéêüíåò, áíåãíþñéóå ôïõò êáíüíåò ôçò åí Íéêáßá Óõíüäïõ ôïõ 787 êáé êáèÞñåóå ôïõò åðéóêüðïõò ðïõ õðïóôÞñéîáí ôçí åéêïíïìá÷ßá. Äõóôõ÷þò êáé ìåôÜ ôçí Óýíïäï ôïõ 843 ç åéêïíïìá÷ßá äåí óôáìÜôçóå íá áðïôåëåß ðñüâëçìá ôüóï óôéò ôÜîåéò ôïõ êëÞñïõ üóï êáé ôïõ ëáïý. Ç áðïêáôÜóôáóç ôùí åêäéù÷èÝíôùí åéêïíïößëùí êëçñéêþí Ýãéíå ìå ðíåýìá óåâáóìïý êáé áãÜðçò, áëëÜ êáé ç åêëïãÞ ôùí íÝùí êëçñéêþí áðïôÝëåóå Ýíá áðü ôá áêáíèþäç ðñïâëÞìáôá, ôá ïðïßá áíôéìåôþðéóå ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò. ¼ðùò óçìåéþíåé ï êáèçãçôÞò ê. ÖåéäÜò, êáôÜ ôçí åðï÷Þ ôïõ éåñïý Ìåèïäßïõ äéáìïñöþèçêáí äýï ðáñáôÜîåéò êáé ìåñßäåò êëçñéêþí êáôÜ ôïí 9ï áéþíá êáé êáôÜ ôéò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ 10ïõ, äçëáäÞ äýï ðáñáôÜîåéò õðü ôçí çãåóßá åßôå ôïõ éåñïý Éãíáôßïõ êáé åßôå ôïõ áãßïõ Öùôßïõ, üðùò åðßóçò ïé ðáñáôÜîåéò ôïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ ôïõ Ìõóôéêïý êáé ôïõ éåñïý Åõèõìßïõ. Ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò áíÞêå óôçí Ïñèüäïîç åéêïíüöéëç ìåñßäá, ôçí ïðïßá áñãüôåñá áêïëïýèçóå êáé ï ðåñßöçìïò áíéøéüò ôïõ, ï Üãéïò Öþôéïò. Ç Ýíôïíç áíôßèåóç ôùí Óôïõäéôþí ìïíá÷þí ðñïò ôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Ìåèüäéï õðÞñîå éäéáßôåñá ðéêñÞ ãé áõôüí. Ìïëïíüôé ïé Óôïõäßôåò

éêáíïðïéÞèçêáí ìå ôçí íßêç ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, åí ôïýôïéò ïé Óôïõäßôåò õðÞñîáí áíôßðáëïé ôïõ Ìåèïäßïõ ãéá ôçí åêëïãÞ ôïõ óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü èñüíï êáé åðßóçò èïñõâÞèçêáí ìå ôçí áðïìÜêñõíóÞ ôïõò áðü ôçí áõôïêñÜôåéñá Èåïäþñá áðü ôéò äéÜöïñåò èÝóåéò ðïõ êáôåß÷áí ùò ôüôå. (ÖåéäÜ, óô. 901). Êáé óôçí ðåñßðôùóç áõôÞ ï Üãéïò Ìåèüäéïò Ýäåéîå ìåôñéïðÜèåéá, ôáðåéíïöñïóýíç, áãÜðç êáé óõã÷ùñçôéêüôçôá ðñïò ôïõò Óôïõäßôåò ìïíá÷ïýò áðïóýñïíôáò ôéò áõôçñÝò ôéìùñßåò êáé åðéôñÝðïíôáò åðéôßìéá.

E

êïéìÞèç åí Êõñßù óôéò 14 Éïõíßïõ 847 êáé ôï éåñü ëåßøáíü ôïõ åôÜöç ìå ìåãÜëåò ôéìÝò óôïí íáü ôùí Áãßùí Áðïóôüëùí. Ï ÓõíáîáñéóôÞò ðåñéãñÜöåé ôá ôçò êçäåßáò ôïõ ìå óõãêëïíéóôéêÝò ëåðôïìÝñåéåò. Ï áõôïêñÜôùñáò êáé ç Óýãêëçôïò ðáñÝóôçóáí óôçí êçäåßá êáé ïé Áñ÷éåñåßò êáé ï êëÞñïò ôçò Âáóéëåýïõóáò. Ï ëáüò ôïõ Èåïý åîÝöñáóå, ðáíôïéïôñüðùò ôçí åõëÜâåéá êáé ôçí ôéìÞ êáé ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç ðñïò ôï éåñü ëåßøáíï ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç. ÃñÜöåé ï éåñüò ÓõíáîáñéóôÞò: «Ôéò äå íá äéçãçèÞ ôï ðëÞèïò üðïõ óõíÝäñáìåí åéò ôçí êçäåßáí ôïõ ôïéïýôïõ Áãßïõ; ÔÜ÷á êáèõóôÝñçóáí ôá ìéêñÜ âñÝöç; ÔÜ÷á äåí ðñïóÝäñáìåí üëïí ôï ðëÞèïò ôùí áññþóôùí ôçò Ðüëåùò, äéá íá ëÜâùóéí áãéáóìüí êáé õãåßáí, êáè Ýíáò êáôÜ ôçí íüóïí ôïõ; ÔÜ÷á ðüóïé åðïäïðáôÞèçóáí åêåßíçí ôçí çìÝñáí, óôåíï÷ùñïýìåíïé ðïßïò íá ðñïöèÜóåé íá ðÝóç õðïêÜôù ôçò êëßíçò ôçò éåñÜò êáé ÷áñéôïâñýôïõ, üðïõ åâÜóôáæåí åêåßíïí ôï áèëïöüñï êáé óåðôüí óþìá, ôïí ìõñéüâéâëïí èçóáõñüí, êáé ôï ôáìåßïí ôçò ÷Üñéôïò»; ÔÝôïéïò Þôáí ï óõíùóôéóìüò ôïõ ðëÞèïõò, þóôå êáé èÜíáôïé åóçìåéþèçêáí êáé ïé áðïèáíüíôåò ÷áñáêôçñßæïíôáé áðü ôïí éåñüí óõããñáöÝá «óõíïäïéðüñïé ôçò ìáêáñßáò åêåßíçò øõ÷Þò».

A

îéïèáýìáóôç ëïíôùò Þ ðñïóùðéêüôçôá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìåèïäßïõ. ÓõíäõÜæåé áãéüôçôá âßïõ, ðïéìáíôéêÞ éêáíüôçôá, áõóôçñüôçôá óôçí ôÞñçóç ôùí êáíüíùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, áöïóßùóç óôá éäåþäç êáé ôçí ðñÜîç ôïõ ìïíá÷éêïý âßïõ, áëëÜ êáé åîáßñåôç èåïëïãéêÞ êáôÜñôéóç. Ç üëç ôïõ èåïëïãéêÞ äéäáóêáëßá êáé ðßóôç ðåñéêëåßåôáé óôçí ðåñßöçìç öñÜóç ôïõ, ôçí ïðïßá äéáôýðùóå, ìå ôïí óýã÷ñïíü ôïõ êáé ößëï ôïõ, Ìçôñïðïëßôç ÓÜñäåùí Åõèýìéï: «...Åé ôéò äåí ðñïóõíåß ôïí Êýñéïí çìþí Éçóïýí ×ñéóôüí, êáé ôçí ÐáíÜ÷ñáíôïí áõôïý ÌçôÝñá, êáé ðÜíôáò ôïõò áãßïõò åí åéêüíé ðåñéãñáðôïýò, Ýóôù ôïõ áéùíßïõ áíáèÝìáôïò êáé ôïõ áóâÝóôïõ ðõñüò ôçò ãåÝíçò õðüäéêïò (Ï ÌÝãáò ÓõíáîáñéóôÞò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò, Ôüìïò 6ïò, Ìçí Éïýíéïò. Åêä. Âéêô. Ìáôèáßïõ, ìïíá÷ïý, ó. 159). Åßíáé ëõðçñü üôé ôá ðåñéóóüôåñá óõããñÜììáôá ôïõ ìåãÜëïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ áðùëÝóèçêáí êáèþò êáé ïé åãêùìéáóôéêïß ëüãïé êáé ýìíïé, ôïõò ïðïßïõò óõíÝãñáøå ï áíéøéüò ôïõ ï éåñüò Öþôéïò. Ï êáèçãçôÞò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ Áèçíþí ê. Âë. ÖåéäÜò óå Üñèñï ôïõ ãéá ôïí Üãéï Ìåèüäéï (ÈñçóêåõôéêÞ êáé ÇèéêÞ Åãêõêëïðáßäåéá ôùí Áèçíþí, ô. 8ïò, óô. 899-901) ðáñáèÝôåé åîáßñåôç âéâëéïãñáöéêÞ êÜëõøç. Ïñèþò, ïñèüôáôá, ôï ôñïðÜñéï ôïõ «ïõñáíüöñïíïò» Ìåèïäßïõ ôïí áðïêáëåß «Ïñèïäïîßáò ïäçãüí, åõóåâåßáò äéäÜóêáëïí, öùóôÞñá ôçò ÏéêïõìÝíçò êáé ôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí èåüðíåõóôïí åãêáëëþðéóìá».

Í

á óçìåéùèåß, üôé ôï ôéìçìÝíï üíïìá ôïõ áãßïõ Ìåèïäßïõ öÝñåé åðÜîéá êáé ï óåâáóôüò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÁíÝùí êáé Ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò Âïóôþíçò ê. Ìåèüäéïò. Ïðùò áêñéâþò ï Üãéïò êáé ïìïëïãçôÞò «öùôïöüñïò» Ìåèüäéïò, áò ãßíïõìå ìéìçôÝò ôïõ êáé áò äïîÜæïõìå ôïí Êýñéï, þóôå ìå ôïí èåÜñåóôï âßï ìáò íá êáôáóôïýìå áíôÜîéá êáé èåïóôÞñéêôá ôÝêíá ôçò Âáóéëåßáò Ôïõ. Ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ó. ÌðåìðÞò åßíáé êáèçãçôÞò Ðáôñïëïãßáò,óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 20

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2001

ÅíáñêôÞñéá Ïìéëßá ôïõ ÓåâáóìéùôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ êáôÜ ôçí ôåëåôÞ áðïöïßôçóçò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý u óåë. 15 äéáíïçôéêþí ìáò äõíáôïôÞôùí, ðïõ ìåôáëëÜóïõí ôéò áíôéëÞøåéò ìáò êáé ìáò ïäçãïýí óå êáôåõèýíóåéò ôéò ïðïßåò ïýôå êáí ãíùñßæáìå áðü ðñéí. Äåýôåñïí, åäÜöéá áðü ôá âéâëßá ôùí Ðáñïéìéþí êáé ôçò Óïößáò ôïõ Óïëïìþíôïò ôçò ÐáëáéÜò ÄéáèÞêçò, ðáñïõóéÜæïõí ôçí èåßá óïößá ùò Ý÷ïõóá áðñüóéôá üñéá êáé áíåîÜíôëçôç ãíþóç, áëçèéíÜ Ýíá äþñï áðü ôï Èåü ãéá ôçí ôåëåßùóç êáé ëýôñùóÞ ìáò. Ôï åäÜöéï ðïõ áêïëïõèåß åßíáé áðü ôçí Óïößá Óïëïìþíôïò: «Äéüôé ç óïößá åßíáé ðéï êéíçôéêÞ áðü ôçí ïðïéáäÞðïôå êßíçóç? åî áéôßáò ôçò êáèáñüôçôÜò ôçò äéáðïôßæåé ôá ðÜíôá êáé äéåéóäýåé ðáíôïý. Äéüôé åßíáé ìéá ðíïÞ ôçò äõíÜìåùò ôïõ Èåïý, êáé áãíÞ áðüññïéá ôçò äüîçò ôïõ ÐáíôïäõíÜìïõ? ãé áõôü ôï ëüãï ôßðïôå ñõðáñü äåí ôç äéáðåñíÜåé. Äéüôé åßíáé ç áíôáíÜêëáóç ôïõ áéùíßïõ öùôüò, Ýíáò ðåíôáêÜèáñïò êáèñÝöôçò ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôïõ Èåïý, êáé ìéá åéêüíá ôçò áãáèüôçôüò Ôïõ. Ðáñ üëï ðïõ åßíáé ìüíï ìßá, ìðïñåß íá êÜíåé ôá ðÜíôá, êáé åíþ ðáñáìÝíåé óôïí åáõôü ôçò, áíáíåþíåé ôá ðÜíôá? åéó÷ùñåß óôéò Üãéåò øõ÷Ýò êÜèå ãåíåÜò êáé ôéò êáèéóôÜ öéëéêÝò ðñïò ôïí Èåüí, êáé ðñïöçôéêÝò? äéüôé ï Èåüò äåí áãáðÜ ôßðïôá ðåñéóóüôåñï áðü Ýíáí Üíèñùðï ðïõ äéÜãåé ôïí âßï ôïõ ìå óïößá. Åßíáé ðéï üìïñöç áðü ôïí Þëéï, êáé ðéï õðÝñï÷ç áðü êÜèå áóôåñéóìü. ¼ôáí óõãêñéèåß ìå ôï öùò åßíáé áíþôåñç, äéüôé åêåßíï áêïëïõèåßôáé áðü ôï óêïôÜäé, åíþ ôï êáêü äåí õðåñéó÷ýåé Ýíáíôé ôçò óïößáò. Ðñïùèåßôáé äõíáìéêÜ áðü ôç ìéá Üêñç ôçò ãçò ìÝ÷ñé ôçí Üëëç êáé èÝôåé óå ôÜîç üëá ôá ðñÜãìáôá ìå óùóôü ôñüðï.» (Ç Óïößá ôïõ Óïëïìþíôïò 7:24-8:1) ÁõôÝò ïé óýíôïìåò áíáöïñÝò óôçí ðáéäåßá êáé ôç èåßá óïößá Ý÷ïõí ùò ðáñÜäåéãìÜ ôïõò ôïí âßï ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ôï Ýñãï ôùí ìáñôýñùí, ôùí áãßùí êáé ôùí ìåãÜëùí èåïëüãùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, êáé óõëëïãéêÜ ìáò ðáñïõóéÜæïõí ìéá íïïôñïðßá, ìéá ìÝèïäï, Ýíáí ôñüðï äéåêðåñáéþóåùò ôïõ Ýñãïõ ìáò Ýôóé þóôå íá åîåëéóóüìåèá äéáñêþò êáé íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôïí åáõôü ìáò óôïí Èåü, óôçí Åêêëçóßá, êáé óôïõò Üëëïõò Ý÷ïíôáò öèÜóåé óôïí õøçëüôáôï âáèìü åðéôåýãìáôïò.

Ùò óõíÝðåéá ðñïêýðôåé üôé áíôéìåôùðßæïõìå ìéá ðñüêëçóç, ìéá ðñüêëçóç ðïõ, üðùò Ý÷åé ëå÷èåß, Ýñ÷åôáé óå Üìåóç ó÷Ýóç ìå ôï Ýñãï ìáò åäþ óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï êáé ôïí Ôßìéï Óôáõñü. Ðþò ðñïïäåýïõìå; ÐïéÜ åßíáé ôá ðñáêôéêÜ âÞìáôá ðïõ èá ìáò ïäçãÞóïõí ðñïò ôïõò óôü÷ïõò ìáò êáé ôá åðßðåäá åðéôõ÷ßáò ðïõ äéáêáþò åðéèõìïýìå; ÖõóéêÜ, áõôÜ åßíáé èÝìáôá ðïõ óõæçôïýíôáé óå åðßðåäï çãåóßáò áõôïý ôïõ éäñýìáôïò. Åí ôïýôïéò, èá Þèåëá íá áíáöåñèþ åéäéêÜ óôï èÝìá ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí åõèýíç ðïõ Ý÷ïõìå íá åßìåèá êáëïß äéá÷åéñéóôáß áõôïý ðïõ ìáò Ý÷åé äïèåß áðü ôïí Èåü. Ðñþôïí, èá èßîù ôï èÝìá ôïõ ñüëïõ ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëåãßïõ. Åìåßò ðïõ åßìåèá ¸ëëçíåò êáé Åëëçíï-Áìåñéêáíïß Ý÷ïõìå ìéá õðï÷ñÝùóç ðïõ ðçãÜæåé áðü ôçí éóôïñßá ìáò êáé áðü ôéò áíÜãêåò ôïõ óõã÷ñüíïõ êüóìïõ íá êáëëéåñãÞóïõìå ôç óõíáßóèçóç ôçò óçìáóßáò êáé áîßáò ôùí Åëëçíéêþí éäáíéêþí? éäáíéêþí ðïõ åíóùìáôþíïíôáé óôïí ðïëéôéóìü ìáò, óôç ãëþóóá ìáò, óôç ëïãïôå÷íßá ìáò, óôçí ôÝ÷íç ìáò êáé óôïí ôñüðï ðïõ áíôéëáìâáíüìáóôå ôéò åðéóôÞìåò. Åßíáé ðåñéôôü íá ðïýìå üôé áõôÜ ôá éäáíéêÜ, ïé ôñüðïé óêÝøåùò êáé ïé èåìåëéþäåéò áñ÷Ýò Ý÷ïõí äéáìïñöþóåé êáé åðçñåÜóåé êïéíùíßåò êáé ðïëéôéóìïýò óôç äéáäñïìÞ ôçò éóôïñßáò. Åäþ õðÜñ÷åé ìéá áßóèçóç õðåñï÷Þò êáé åðéôåýîåùò ç ïðïßá åìðåñéÝ÷åé ôñïìåñü äõíáìéêü üóïí áöïñÜ óôçí áíáæùïãüíçóç ðëåõñþí ôçò óõã÷ñüíïõ æùÞò êáé óôç äéáìüñöùóç ôïõ êüóìïõ ãýñù ìáò. ÁõôÞ åßíáé ç êëçñïíïìéÜ ìáò? áõôü åßíáé ôï êëçñïäüôçìá ðïõ ðñïóöÝñïõìå óôïõò Üëëïõò ìå ïõóéáóôéêü ôñüðï. Áõôü óçìáßíåé üôé ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï äå èá Ýðñåðå íá åßíáé ìüíï Ýíáò ÷þñïò óôïí ïðïßï äéäÜóêåôáé éóôïñßá, ãëþóóá êáé ëïãïôå÷íßá ðïõ ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé ôïí Åëëçíéóìü? Ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï èá Ýðñåðå íá åßíáé ï êáô åîï÷Þí ÷þñïò åêìáèÞóåùò, Ýíá äéáêåêñéìÝíï êÝíôñï óðïõäþí êáé åñåýíçò. Ç öéëïäïîßá ìáò èá Ýðñåðå íá åßíáé íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ü,ôé êáëýôåñï ó áõôïýò êáé ó Üëëïõò ó÷åôéêïýò ôïìåßò, Ýôóé þóôå ôï üíïìá Åëëçíéêü ÊïëÝãéï íá åßíáé Üññçêôá óõíäåäåìÝíï ìå ìéá ðëÞñç êáé åíôáôéêÞ åêìÜèçóç ôçò ðëïõóßáò êëçñïíïìéÜò ìáò ç ïðïßá Ý÷åé ôüóá ðïëëÜ

ÔÁ ÏÍÏÌÁÓÔÇÑÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÕ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÏÕ ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ.- Ç ÏìïãÝíåéá êáé ç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò ãéüñôáóå ìå ðáíçãõñéêü ôñüðï, ôçí ÄåõôÝñá 11 Éïõíßïõ, ôá ïíïìáóôÞñéá ôïõ ÐáíáãéùôÜôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ, ðïõ öÝôïò ôï öèéíüðùñï èá óõìðëçñþóåé ôçí ðñþôç ôïõ äåêáåôßá óôïí èñüíï ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò. Õðü ôçí áéãßäá êáé ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå áíïé÷ôÞ ãéá ôï êïéíü åïñôáóôéêÞ åêäÞëùóç áöéåñùìÝíç óôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç, óôï Ðïëéôéóôéêü ÊÝíôñï ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, óôçí Áóôüñéá ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. Ôçí ïñãÜíùóç êáé åðïðôåßá ôçò åêäÞëùóçò åß÷å ï äéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ Ðïëéôéóôéêïý ÊÝíôñïõ Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïò. Ï Äñ. Íéêüëáïò Êëáäüðïõëïò, ðñþçí äéåõèõíôÞò Ðáéäåßáò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò Þôáí ï êýñéïò ïìéëéôÞò. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò óõíå÷Üñç ôïí Äñ. Êëáäüðïõëï ãéá ôï Ýîï÷ï äåßãìá ãëþóóáò êáé ôïí åýóôï÷ï éóôïñéêü óõíäõáóìü ôçò éóôïñßáò ôïõ Ïêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ ìå ôçí ðñïóùðéêüôçôá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ. Ôüíéóå áêüìç üôé áîßæïõí óõã÷áñçôÞñéá óôïí Èåïö. Åðßóêïðï Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéï ãéá ôçí Üøïãç ïñãÜíùóç êáé åðéìÝëåéá ôïõ ðñïãñÜììáôïò. Äéåâßâáóå åðßóçò óôï áêñïáôÞñéï ôéò ðáôñéêÝò åõ÷Ýò êáé

åõëïãßåò ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç. Êáôüðéí áíáöÝñèçêå óå ìéá óåéñÜ «êýêëùí» åðéññïÞò êáé öñïíôßäáò ïôõò ïðïßïõò Ý÷åé äéåõñýíåé ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò. «Åßíáé ï Üíèñùðïò ðïõ ðïíÜ êáé áãñõðíÜ ãéá ôçí Ïñèïäïîßá» åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ áíáöåñüìåíïò óôïí ðñþôï êýêëï öñïíôßäáò ðïõ åßíáé ç Ïñèïäïîßá «üðùò ôçí îÝñïõìå êáé ôçí æïýìå». Ï äåýôåñïò êýêëïò åìðåñéÝ÷åé ôçí öñïíôßäá ãéá ôçí Ïñèïäïîßá áíÜ ôïí êüóìï êáé ôéò ó÷Ýóåéò ìå ôá Üëëá ðáôñéáñ÷åßá êáé äéêáéïäïóßåò. Ï ôñßôïò êýêëïò áöïñÜ ôéò ó÷Ýóåéò ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ìå ôïõò ìÞ ïñèïäüîïõò ÷ñéóôéáíïýò. Ùò ôÝôáñôï êýêëï åðéññïÞò áíÝöåñå ôçí êáëëéÝñãåéá ó÷Ýóåùí ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ìå Üëëá äüãìáôá êáé èñçóêåßåò ìÞ ÷ñéóôéáíéêÝò. Ï ðÝìðôïò êýêëïò åìðåñéÝ÷åé ôçí Ïñèïäïîßá êáé ôïí Êüóìï êáé ôÝëïò ùò Ýêôï êýêëï ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áíÝöåñå ôçí öñïíôßäá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ãéá ôï ðåñéâÜëëïí. ×áéñåôéóìïýò êáé åõ÷Ýò áðçýèçíáí ï Ãåíéêüò Ðñüîåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ÐëáôÞò êáèþò êáé ï Ãåíéêüò Ðñüîåíïò ôçò Êýðñïõ ê. Âáóßëåéïò Öéëßððïõ. ÔÝëïò ï ðÝóâçò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôïí ÏÇÅ ê. Öþôéïò Îýäáò, ï ïðïßïò õðçñÝôçóå óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç áðåêÜëõøå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ üôé «ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êïéìÜôáé Þóõ÷á áðü ôüôå ðïõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò áíÝëáâå ôá çíßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ».

íá ðñïóöÝñåé óôïí óýã÷ñïíï êüóìï. Äåýôåñïí, èá ìéëÞóùìå ãéá ôï ñüëï ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý. Ðñùôßóôùò, Ý÷ïõìå åõèýíç Ýíáíôé ôùí åíïñéþí ìáò, ôùí ðéóôþí ôïõ ðïéìíßïõ ìáò, ôïõ êëÞñïõ êáé ôùí ðñïóöéëþí éåñáñ÷þí ìáò. Áíôéìåôùðßæïõìå ìéá ðéåóôéêÞ áíÜãêç ãéá äñáìáôéêÞ áýîçóç ôïõ áñéèìïý ôùí êëçñéêþí óôçí ÉåñÜ ìáò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ. ÅðéôñÝøôå ìïõ íá óáò áíáöÝñù ìéá ðñïóùðéêÞ ìïõ åìðåéñßá. ÌåôÜ áðü ìéá Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá óå ìéá áðü ôéò åíïñßåò ìáò, åíþ ç Åêêëçóßá Þôáí êáôÜìåóôç áðü êüóìï, ñþôçóá ôïí éåñÝá íá ìïõ ðåé ðüóåò ïéêïãÝíåéåò Þôáí åíåñãÜ ìÝëç ôçò êïéíüôçôïò. Ìïõ åßðå, «ðåñßðïõ 500». Ôïí ñþôçóá, «ÕðÜñ÷ïõí Üëëïé ¸ëëçíåò Ïñèüäïîïé åäþ óôçí ßäéá ãåùãñáöéêÞ ðåñéï÷Þ ðïõ äåí åßíáé ìÝëç;» Ìïõ åßðå, «Íáé». Ôïõ åßðá, «ÌÞðùò Ý÷åôå êÜðïéá éäÝá ãéá ôï ðüóïé ìðïñåß íá åßíáé;» Åßðå, «ôïõëÜ÷éóôïí 500, ßóùò êáé 700». ¸ìåéíá åìâñüíôçôïò. Ïìéëïýìå ãéá 500 åíåñãÜ ìÝëç êáé ãéá ôïõëÜ÷éóôïí Üëëá 500 áíåíåñãÜ. «Âåâáßùò», ðñüóèåóå, «áí õðÞñ÷å åäþ êáé Üëëïò éåñÝáò, ìðïñþ íá óáò äéáâåâáéþóù, èá ìðïñïýóáìå íá óõãêåíôñþóïõìå ðïëëïýò áð áõôïýò ðïõ äåí óõíäÝïíôáé ìå ôçí Åêêëçóßá? áëëÜ, óõíÝ÷éóå, åãþ åñãÜæïìáé áðü íùñßò ôï ðñùß ìÝ÷ñé ôá ìåóÜíõ÷ôá ôéò ðåñéóóüôåñåò çìÝñåò. Äåí ìðïñþ íá ðñïóöÝñù ôßðïôá ðåñéóóüôåñï». Áõôü ôï ãåãïíüò êáôáäåéêíýåé ìéá âáóéêÞ áíÜãêç ðïõ åßíáé ç êáëëéÝñãåéá êáé ç ðñïðáñáóêåõÞ åðáñêïýò áñéèìïý éåñÝùí ãéá íá ìðïñïýí íá äéáêïíïýí áðïôåëåóìáôéêÜ. Èá óôá÷õïëïãÞóù áêüìá ìéá åìðåéñßá ìïõ ôçí ïðïßá âßùóá óå ìéá ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò ÷þñáò óôçí ïðïßá åìöáíßóèçêå ìéá ôñïìåñÜ ìåãÜëç ðëçèõóìéáêÞ áýîçóç: óå ëéãüôåñï áðü ìéá äåêáåôßá, ìéá ïñãáíùìÝíç åíïñßá Ý÷åé åðåêôáèåß óå ôÝóóåñéò åíïñßåò êáé äýï éåñáðïóôïëéêÝò êïéíüôçôåò, ÷ùñßò íá Ý÷åé åëáôôùèåß ôï ìÝãåèïò ôçò áñ÷éêÞò åíïñßáò. Åðßóçò, óå üëç ôçí åðéêñÜôåéá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò õðÜñ÷åé ìéá åêôåôáìÝíç äñáóôçñéüôçôá åõñÝóåùò êáéíïýñãéùí êôéñéáêþí åãêáôáóôÜóåùí ãéá íá êáëõöèïýí ïé áíÜãêåò ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñïõò ÷þñïõò ëáôñåßáò, Êáôç÷çôéêþí, Çìåñçóßùí Ó÷ïëåßùí, ãéá íåáíéêÝò äñáóôçñéüôçôåò, êïéíùíéêÝò õðçñåóßåò, êáôáóêçíþóåéò êáé ðñïãñÜììáôá øõ÷áãùãßáò. Åðéðñüóèåôá, óå êáèçìåñéíÞ ó÷åäüí âÜóç åìöáíßæïíôáé ðåñéðôþóåéò ó üëç ôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ðïõ ðñïóöÝñïíôáé ãéá áðïóôïëéêü Ýñãï ìå ìïíáäéêïýò êáé óçìáíôéêïýò ôñüðïõò. Áõôü ôï äéÜóôçìá óôåñïýìåèá éêáíïý áñéèìïý éåñÝùí ãéá íá êáôáñôßóïõí ôïõò áãßïõò, äéÜ ôï Ýñãïí äéáêïíßáò (Åöåó. 4:12). ÖõóéêÜ, áõôÞ åßíáé ìéá ðñüêëçóç ðïõ áíôéìåôùðßæïõí ïé åíïñßåò ìáò þóôå íá äçìéïõñãÞóïõí öõôþñéá íÝùí áíäñþí ðïõ èá êéíçèïýí ðñïò ôçí éåñùóýíç. Åðßóçò, ç ðñüêëçóç ðïõ Ý÷ïõìå íá áíôéìåôùðßóïõìå óõíßóôáôáé óôçí åêôßìçóç, åðéâåâáßùóç êáé äéåýñõíóç ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ãéá íá ðñïóöÝñåé Ýíá ðåñéâÜëëïí ðíåýìáôïò êáé äéáíïÞóåùò, ãéá íá êáëëéåñãÞóåé ìéá âáèéÜ åìðåéñßá ôçò êïéíùíßáò êïéíüôçôïò êáé áäåëöüôçôïò êáé ãéá íá äéáðëÜóåé êáé íá åìöõóÞóåé ôçí ðßóôç êáé ôçí áãÜðç ãéá ôï Èåü, ç ïðïßá ü÷é ìüíï åðéóöñáãßæåé ôç èåßá êëÞóç ç ïðïßá áðåõèýíåôáé óôïí Üíèñùðï, áëëÜ ìåôáôñÝðåé ôçí êëÞóç áõôÞ óå éóüâéá éåñáôéêÞ äéáêïíßá ôïõ Óþìáôïò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Áðïäå÷üìåíç áõôÞ ôçí åõèýíç êáé óôçí ðñïóðÜèåéÜ ôçò íá êáëýøç ôéò áíÜãêåò ôùí åíïñéþí ìáò, ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ Ý÷åé áêüìá Ýíáí ñüëï, äçëáäÞ ôï íá åßíáé ìéá áíåêôßìçôç ðçãÞ, Ýíá æùôéêü êÝíôñï áíôéìåôùðßóåùò ôùí ðñïêëÞóåùí ôçò ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò êïéíùíßáò ôïõ 21 ïõ áéþíïò. Óôçí ðñüóöáôç Óýíïäï ôùí Êáíïíéêþí Ïñèïäüîùí Åðéóêüðùí ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò, ç ïðïßá Ýëáâå ÷þñá óôçí ÏõÜóéãêôïí, ðñïóÝöåñá ôïí åðüìåíï êáôÜëïãï áðïôåëïýìåíï áðü ôéò ðéï

ðéåóôéêÝò ðñïêëÞóåéò ôïõ êáéñïý ìáò, ïé ïðïßåò ðñÝðåé íá áíôéìåôùðéóèïýí óå óõíäõáóìü ìå ôçí áðïóôïëÞ ìáò íá êçñýîïõìå ôï ÅõáããÝëéï: 1) ôçí âéï-çèéêÞ ðñüêëçóç, 2) ôçí ðñüêëçóç ôçò áëëáãÞò ôçò äïìÞò ôçò ïéêïãåíåßáò êáé ôùí äéáöïñåôéêþí èåùñÞóåùí ðåñß ãÜìïõ, 3) ôçí ðñüêëçóç ôçò ó÷åôéêïðïéÞóåùò ôùí áîéþí, 4) ôçí ôå÷íïëïãéêÞ ðñüêëçóç, 5) ôçí êïéíùíéêÞ êáé ðåñéâáëëïíôéêÞ ðñüêëçóç, êáé 6) ôçí ðñüêëçóç ôçò áíÜãêçò ôçò ðíåõìáôéêüôçôïò. ÖõóéêÜ, áõôÝò ïé ðñïêëÞóåéò åßíáé ôñïìåñÝò. ÁëëÜ åßíáé ðñïêëÞóåéò ðïõ Ýñ÷ïíôáé áíôéìÝôùðåò ìå ôçí êïéíùíßá ìáò, ôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ìáò, ôïõò áíèñþðïõò ìáò, êáé åìåßò äéáèÝôïõìå ôá åöüäéá êáé ôïõò áíèñþðïõò ðïõ èá áðáíôÞóïõí ó áõôÝò ôéò ðñïêëÞóåéò ìå ôñüðï ïõóéáóôéêü êáé äéïñáôéêü ðïõ öáíåñþíåé ôïí ðíåõìáôéêü ðëïýôï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò êáé ôçí éêáíüôçôá ôçò ðßóôåþò ìáò íá ìáò ïäçãåß óôç æùÞ êáé ôéò ó÷Ýóåéò ìáò ó áõôü ôï óýã÷ñïíï êüóìï. ¸ôóé, áõôÞ ç Ó÷ïëÞ ðñÝðåé íá äéåõñýíåé ôï ñüëï ôçò êáé íá ãßíåé ÷þñïò ìå èåïëïãéêü-óõìâïõëåõôéêü ÷áñáêôÞñá, ÷þñïò ãéá äéÜëïãï êáé ðïéïôéêÝò áëëçëåðéäñÜóåéò, êáé ÷þñïò óôïí ïðïßïí óõãêåíôñþíïõìå åêåßíïõò ðïõ óõìâÜëëïõí óôç æùÞ êáé ôçí äéáêïíßá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Âïñåßïõ ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ðáñáðÝñá. ÓÞìåñá åðéæçôïýìå íá áíáèåñìÜíïõìå ôç óõíáßóèçóç ãéá ôçí ðñïóðÜèåéá ðïõ áíïßãåôáé åìðñüò ìáò. Ç èñçóêåõôéêÞ ìáò ðáñÜäïóç êáé ç ðïëéôéóôéêÞ êëçñïíïìéÜ ìáò ìÜò Ý÷ïõí ÷áñßóåé ôïí óùóôü ðñïóáíáôïëéóìü ãéá ôï Ýñãï óôïí áãþíá ìáò ãéá ôåëåéüôçôá êáé ãéá áðåñéüñéóôá åðéôåýãìáôá. Ïé áíÜãêåò ôùí åíïñéþí ìáò êáé ïé ðñïêëÞóåéò ôïõ óõã÷ñüíïõ êüóìïõ ìáò ìÜò áíáèÝôïõí ôçí áðïóôïëÞ íá êáëëéåñãÞóïõìå ôï åíäéáöÝñïí ãéá ôçí éåñùóýíç êáé íá åîïðëßóïõìå ôïõò ðéóôïýò Ïñèïäüîïõò ìå ô áíáãêáßá åöüäéá óôï Ýñãï ôçò äéáêïíßáò. Ôï üöåëïò êáé ôï êßíçôñü ìáò áðü ôçí åðéôõ÷ßá áõôþí ôùí óôü÷ùí èá åßíáé ç áëëáãÞ ðïõ èá åðÝëèåé óôç æùÞ üëùí ìáò. Ç ðßóôç ìáò êáé ç âßùóç ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò Êõñßïõ æùíôáíåýåé êáé äéáðïôßæåé ìå æùÞ, üëá üóá êÜíïõìå. Äéüôé áõôÝò ôéò çìÝñåò Ý÷ïõìå ðáíçãõñéêÜ êáôáêõñþóåé ôï ãåãïíüò üôé ç ðßóôç êáé ç æùÞ, ç äéáêïíßá êáé ç áðïóôïëÞ Ý÷ïõí ùò êÝíôñï ôïõò ôçí ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Ç õðÝñôáôç äýíáìÞ Ôïõ ðïõ äéáöáßíåôáé óôï èñßáìâü Ôïõ åðß ôïõ êáêïý, ôçò áìáñôßáò êáé ôïõ èáíÜôïõ, åßíáé ç ßäéá õðÝñï÷ç äýíáìç ðïõ ÷áñßæåé óå ìáò, ìÝóù ôçò êáôáðëçêôéêÞò áãÜðçò ôïõ Èåïý, ôçí äõíáôüôçôá äéáêïíßáò ôïõ åíüò ðñïò ôïí Üëëïí, êáé äéáêïíßáò ìáò ìÝóù áõôïý ôïõ éåñïý éäñýìáôïò ðïõ ðñïóöÝñåôáé óôéò åíïñßåò ìáò êáé ó ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï. Åßíáé ç åðéâåâáßùóç ôïõ äåóìïý ôçò áãÜðçò êáé ôçò äõíÜìåùò ç ïðïßá ìåôáëëÜóóåé êáé åíþíåé, åíüò äåóìïý ãéá ôïí ïðïßï ïìéëåß èñéáìâåõôéêÜ ï Áðüóôïëïò Ðáýëïò: « ÅÜí ï Èåüò åßíáé ìå ôï ìÝñïò ìáò, ðïéüò ìðïñåß íá åßíáé åíáíôßïí ìáò; Åêåßíïò ðïõ äåí åöåßóèç ôïí Õéüí Ôïõ áëëÜ ðáñÝäùóå áõôüí åéò èÜíáôïí ðñïò ÷Üñéí üëùí ìáò, äåí èá ìáò ÷áñßóç ìáæß ìå áõôüí êáé ôá ðÜíôá; ... Äéüôé åßìáé ðåðåéóìÝíïò üôé ïýôå èÜíáôïò, ïýôå æùÞ, ïýôå Üããåëïé, ïýôå áñ÷Ýò, ïýôå äõíÜìåéò, ïýôå ðáñüí, ïýôå ìÝëëïí?ïýôå ýøïò, ïýôå âÜèïò, ïýôå êáíÝíá Üëëï äçìéïýñãçìá óôçí üëç êôßóç, äå èá ìðïñÝóç íá ìáò ÷ùñßóç áðü ôçí áãÜðç ôïõ Èåïý, ôçí ïðïßáí Ýäåéîå äéÜ ×ñéóôïý Éçóïý ôïõ Êõñßïõ ìáò » (Ñùì.

8:31-32, 38-39) ÌÝóá óôç ÷áñÜ êáé ôï öùò áõôÞò ôçò åõëïãçìÝíçò ðáó÷áëéíÞò ðåñéüäïõ äéáêçñýóóïõìå üôé åßìåèá åíäõíáìùìÝíïé åí áãÜðç «ãéá íá æïýìå åí ×ñéóôþ, ãéá íá ìåôáêéíïýìå âïõíÜ, íá ðñáãìáôïðïéïýìå ôï Ýñãï ôïõ Èåïý? äéüôé ïé åõëïãßåò Ôïõ åßíáé áðåñéüñéóôåò, ôï Ýëåüò Ôïõ Üðåéñï, êáé ç áãÜðç Ôïõ äéáñêåß áéþíéá.

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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O R T H O D O X HERITAGE Ancient Cynic, Christian Monastic Beliefs Old But Very Modern

M

odern society s obsession with materialism, its absorption with consum erism in its search for happiness and fulfillment, is not unique.

The ancient Greek historian Diodoros Sileliotis (first century BC) writes that his compatriots, the citizens of the city of Acragas, ate so much every day as if they were to die the following day, but they built houses as if they were to live forever!

by Rev. Dr. Demetrios J. Constantelos

It was against a background of materialism that the principles and teachings of the school of philosophy known as Cynicism revived in the same century and became popular among thoughtful people.

Cynicism was a school of ethical philosophy that provoked extremes of admiration but also hostility. Because of the behavior of some followers of Cynicism, it has brought to light some of its teachings of great contemporary significanceteachings parallel to those of Christianity, Christian monasticism in particular. It is interesting that the revival of interest in Cynicism coincided with the emergence of Christianity.

Cynics origins In this article, we will present some of Cynicism s teachings that are of modern value, and consider them either as influential on, or as parallel to Christianity.

The origins of Cynicism can be traced to the fifth century before Christ but, following a period of decline, it became very popular during the first two centuries of the Christian era, more precisely from the last quarter of the last century before Christ to the end of the reign of Marcus Aurelius (c. 180 AD).

It survived at least until the end of the fifth century.

The Cynic philosophers of this period ( 27 BC-180 AD ) taught the importance of the principles of self-sufficiency, simplicity, independence, asceticism, cosmopolitanism and philanthropy toward all people, independently of race and ethnic origins.

Furthermore, along with Stoic and Neopythagorean teachers, revived Cynicism taught principles of frugality, temperance and in general, humanitarian concerns.

The best persons who personified these principles were Krates of Thebes and Apollonios of Tyana. Nevertheless some of the Cynic principles can be traced back to the teachings of Socrates and his students, including Antisthenes of Athens.

Concept of virtue Antisthenes ( ca. 455-360 BC ) a devoted follower of Socrates, a sophist and professional teacher, taught that happiness is based on virtue (arete) and that virtue is acquired through knowledge.

Thus virtue can be taught. Virtue is not identified with material pleasures but through constant exertion and heroic effort. For Antisthenes, Herakles was the ideal person and a human prototype to imitate.

As far as religion is concerned, Antisthenes believed that, not withstanding the fact that people believed in many gods, a study of nature and the cosmos speak of the existence of a unity, one Creator God. Antisthenes is one of the early Greek philosophers who conceived of mankind s unity through homonia and philanthropia.

He taught that it is not the legalistic application of the city s laws but the law of arete that should guide people in their daily life. Virtue, goodness, is the same for men and women.

Because of his humanitarian teachings and acts of philanthropia, along with other Cynic philosophers, Antisthenes was considered a liberator of people and healer of their passions.

Long before Antisthenes Greek philosophers, such as the Ionians, attempted to replace inherited religious beliefs about the world by rational explanations.

It is believed that Antishenes teachings influenced Diogenes of Sinope of Pontos ( Asia Minor) ( ca. 400-c.325 BC ), the philosopher who is commonly considered the father of the Cynic school of philosophy.

Diogene s main principles of philosophy, too, were about happiness. What is happiness? What contributes to happiness?

How does one become happy?

Diogenes taught that happiness is identified with a life of self-sufficiency, oligarkia- contentment with little, training of the body to have as few needs as possible, to kata physein zein- to live according to natural needs. To live according to nature is to live a simple and undemanding life. What is natural is good, whatever has been added by convention is evil and a source of unhappiness.

Diogene s teachings about simplicity, self-sufficiency, and independence attracted many followers from among both educated and uneducated classes in Athens and other Greek cities.

His critics called him kyon (dog) because he had rejected many conventions and emphasized that living a free life, a dog-like life is natural. In the ancient world, dogs were symbols of a life without shame- anaideia (shamelessness). Thus Diogene s teachings became the basis of a school of philosophy known as Cynicism.

For some other scholars, however, the name Cynicism did not derive from Diogene s dog-like life teachings, an unjust label coined by his enemies, but from the name Cynosarges, a place in Athens where Cynic philosophers taught children of a mixed- marriage, a marriage of an Athenian father but with a non- Athenian mother (including a mother from any other Greek city-the blue-blooded Athenians were exclusive!).

Influence of Cynicism The question that requires our attention is to what degree Cynic principles of philosophy, asceticism, and philanthropy influenced Christian thought, monasticism in particular. Arete, autarkeia, askesis, ponos, important elements of Cynicism, became integral parts of Christian monasticism.

The principles of Cynicism advocated an asceticism that aimed at the achievement of spiritual freedom and independence, a freedom that required a constant askesis (training, labor) to harden the body and strengthen the spirit. Such an exertion implied ponos (pain) a painful struggle that leads to virtue and purification.

Revived Cynicism, in the early Roman Empire (27BC-180AD) developed a moral philosophy which included a powerful philanthropic impulse and advocated humanitarian treatment of all people, a spiritual gospel for the betterment of all-poor and rich, Greeks and barbarians, literate and illiterate.

Through theory and practice several Cynic philosophers set an example of selfsufficiency, autonomy of will, independence of action, attacking luxury and sensual indulgence.

By their own justification of poverty, they offered hope to the poor and weak, the peripheral of societies and the oppressed. The fame of some of Cynicism s representatives survived for many centuries. Krates of Thebes, one of Diogenes most faithful disciples, along with his wife, devoted themselves to humanitarian and good works.

Kerkedas of Megalopolis was inspired

by Cynicism s principles proposed reforms, attacked inequalities in his efforts to bring a renaissance in his city.

Later, in the beginning of the Christian era, Apollonios of Tyana in Cappadocia became famous for his ascetic life and his wanderings, teaching the principles of simplicity to the extent that later writers paralleled him with Jesus Christ.

Demetrios, Dio Chrysostomos, Demornax, Peregrinus Proteus, Oinomaos of Gadara, Sostratos, Theagenes and Salustios lived in the early Christian centuries (first to the fifth).

For Cynic political philosophy, a monarch, emperor, or king, was expected to be a person of virtue and wisdom. Thus some of the Cynics, such as Demetrios, were men of courage and did not hesitate to condemn corrupt leaders. Because of his anti-monarchical teachings and criticism of Nero, Demetrios was exiled.

Dio Chrysostomos (AD c.40-120) is better known because of his writings. He became known as Chrysostomos (the golden mouthed) not to be confused with the Church Father John Chrysostom (AD347-407) because of the quality of his orations and his rhetorical style.

He exerted a great influence because of his speeches on the duty of a prince.

He emphasized a virtuous active life. Later in the second century, Demonax of Cyprus came from a wealthy family, but like some Christian ascetics he elected to live in poverty, indicating that happiness is not necessarily identified with possession of material wealth. He avoided some of the extremes of some Cynics and maintained a moderate attitude toward life.

The principles of Cynic philosophy such as arête, oligarkia, autarkeia, askesis, ponos (virtue, satisfied with little, self-sufficiency, asceticism, pain and labor) could be found in other philosophies, philosophies outside of the Greek world.

Christianity and Cynicism Nevertheless, they were popular principles in a period when Christianity spread in the Roman Empire and the emergence of Christian monasticism in particular.

During the fourth and fifth centuries we find even Christian theologians who claimed to be followers of Cynic philosophers such as Salustios, described by Julian the Emperor as an excellent man.

Notwithstanding his praise for Salustios, Julian delivered an oration (no.6) scolding the new Cynics who had deviated from the pure principles of Antisthenes, Diogenes and Krates.

Some of the new Cynics of the fourth century of our era were called by Julian hypocrites, wearing the coarse cloak, the staff and wallet, and long hair. They were compared with some hypocrite Christian monks of the

day, for their greed and pretentious piety, their itinerant and mendicant life. These kinds of Christian monks were derided not only by Julian and other non-Christians, but Church Fathers such as Gregory of Nyssa, John Chrysostom, and others. There were followers of Cynicism that went to extremes and condemned for anaideia (shamelessness) and there were Christian monks, too, who went to extremes in their teachings and their practices.

We must note however that there were some basic differences between Cynics and Christian monks. The aim of the Cynic way of life was to achieve an undisturbed, peaceful, independent, happy life on earth. The main purpose of Christian monasticism was personal sanctification on earth that ultimately leads to eternal happiness in God s heavenly kingdom. Cynics aspired for happiness on earth, while Christian monasticism s target was heaven.

Monasticism The ideals of Christian monasticism were set by Sts. Anthony, Pachomios, and Basil the Great in particular, who defined the aims of monasticism and introduced rules that guided it throughout the Byzantine era (324-1453).

Anthony, the founder of Christian monasticism, taught that the chief purpose of the monk is personal sanctification and the gain of God s Kingdom in heaven through the practice of poverty, chastity, asceticism, discipline of daily life.

He set an example of poverty by giving away his possessions, retiring himself into the desert. A similar example was set

by Basil who used his wealth to establish a complex of philanthropic institutions, hospitals (nosokomia), hotels (xenones) for travelers, an orphanage, leprosarion, for the relief of lepers, ptocheia-homes for the poor. Basil, too, emphasized that a monk s life should require poverty and chastity.

But, once again, the aim of the monastic life and the practice of the principles of poverty, chastity, asceticism, philanthropy in general was the kingdom of heaven-not necessarily happiness on earth.

Closer to the ideals and practices of Cynicism was Christian hermitic monasticism. Hermits, like Cynics, who practiced an extreme form of asceticism, including defiance of all forms of convention, became antisocial. But their ideal, too, was not earthly happiness but the gaining of the Kingdom of God. Because of their extreme practices, Christian hermits went against some of the teachings of the organized church.

Many Fathers of the desert and others, known as Stylites, fools for Christ s sake, were admired, but it was coenobitic (communal life) monasticism that prevailed and established itself as the arm of the Church.

Fools for Christ The Fools for Christ s sake more than any other form of monasticism adopted some principles of Cynic philosophy and imitated the daily life of their representatives. They became known as saloi (fools) because they tried to follow St. Paul s advice that Christians should become fools so that you may become wise (1 Co. 3:18) and that Paul himself and

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 22

PEOPLE A

u Judge inducted

Attorney Maria Ressos was inducted as a judge of the Housing Part of the Civil Court of the City of New York in an official ceremony on May 24.

u Elected bar president

Indianapolis attorney James Dimos recently won election as the 123rd president of the Indianapolis Bar Association.

Mr. Dimos is a graduate of the Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

His practice covers intellectual property, business and construction disputes and assists clients in dealing with state and local governments.

u Named dean

Dr. Ellene Contis, a professor at Eastern Michigan University s chemistry department, has been named interim dean of EMU s College of Arts and Sciences.

Born in New Kensington, Pa., she moved with her family to Warren, Ohio, in 1958.

She holds degrees from Youngstown State University, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Michigan.

u Named to board

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-Atlantic recently placed Mike Manatos, one of its top fund raisers, on the board of its fund-raising arm Wish Friends Inc. Make-A-Wish fulfills the wishes of children ages 2 ½ to 18 with terminal or life-threatening diseases. Last year Manatos set a record at the Make-A-Wish Foundation Triathlon, enabling three children fighting terminal or life-threatening illnesses to each have their dream come true. He has raised a total of $36,662 for Make-A-Wish over the last three years and is on track to break the $60,000 mark.

u Dentist honored

A Manhattan dentist, Dr. James H. Doundoulakis, D.M.D., recently was invested as chevalier in the Sovereign Military Orders of the Templar Knights of Jerusalem and the Orthodox Knights Hospitaller of St. John. The investiture ceremony took place at the Holy Virgin Protection Russian Orthodox Cathedral in New York.

u Authors book

Barbara Pappas, of Holy Apostles Church in Westchester, Ill., recently wrote a book for Orthodox children, God s Bubbly, Gurgly, Overwhelming, Overflowing Love, published by Amnos Publications in Westchester. It is an easy to read book relating to creation and is her fourth book. She has also written two books on St. Paul s epistles, and another on the Orthodox Christian process of salvation. The new book is illustrated by Irene Boutzarelos.

u Earns doctorate

Elaine Pierce Chakonas has earned a doctorate in education from Loyola University in Chicago. Dr. Chakonas is an assistant professor in education and coordinator of the elementary education program at Northeastern Illinois University. She attends Assumption Church in Chicago with her husband, William, and their three sons.

JUNE 2001

Making the Most with the Fewest

bout the only reason anyone might choose to settle in Morgantown is West Virginia University, the 22,000-student institution that is the town s major industry.

The students and faculty form a vital part of the area s economy.

The university presently is also the only source for any new members Assumption parish hopes to attract. But the academic community s transient nature means most new members stay for only a brief period.

We re not growing, said Fr. Bender, a Pittsburgh native who has served the community seven years. A professor and his family may come for a few years, and then move. We lost 17 members in one recent year, mostly people moving away, and a few deaths.

PARISH

cation made it difficult for WVU students and others to attend services.

A small number of leading business men of the community met in October 1954 to discuss relocating the church to a more central area.

On Jan. 21, 1955, at a general meeting of 47 members of the Greek Orthodox Church Organization of Morgantown, under the supervision of Fr. Demetrios Heliopoulos, in the basement of the First Baptist Church, they voted to ask recognition from the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Michael granted the community its charter on June 18.

The congregation also decided to purchase the First Christian Church building on Spruce Street, in the heart of downtown, which continues to serve as Assumption s home.

Once a month, the Philoptochos pass a tray to collect money for a local non-denominational charitable organization, Christian Help of Morgantown, that helps the poor and homeless.

Since Assumption parish is too tiny to support a Greek festival, with its lack of facilities and members, the Philoptochos raises a significant percentage of the budget each year, said Fr. Bender, through bake sales, and monthly covered-dish luncheons after church.

The ladies also assist other charities, including Circle of Friends, a ministry to the homeless that provides meals on weekends when the local soup kitchen is not open, and a downtown cooperative ministry, where the church sponsors a Lenten luncheon

profile

Name: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Location: Morgantown, W.Va Diocese: Pittsburgh Size: 35 Families Founded: 1955 Clergy: Fr. Chris Bender (Yale 76, Holy Cross 81, Aristotelian University of Thessaloniki) Noteworthy: very tiny Sometimes many more are leaving than coming, that s just the nature of a university town.

The priest continued, We ve had some wonderful families that we ve been privileged to have as members.

West Virginia is not a growth state.

There s not a lot of opportunity here and children grow up and move away unless they have a specific tie to the university.

What attracted the first Greek Orthodox to this part of east central West Virginia in the early years of the 20th century was not WVU, but a tin mill and coal. The bulk of the first immigrants who settled here came from Chios, as they did in their sister community of Clarksburg, about 35 miles to the southwest on Interstate 79. They worked at the tin mill and the coalmines. Some established businesses.

For the past century or more, the Monongahela River Valley (Morgantown [population less than 50,000] lies in its upper reaches) bustled with industrial activity: coal mining, steel and other manufacturing along its 130-milelength to Pittsburgh. This attracted many Greek immigrants to the region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

For the most part, those industries faded by the early 90s. Recently, however, area leaders have been seeking to attract high-tech firms to the area, taking advantage of the presence of WVU, with the help of government funding.

Early history According to a parish history, by 1928, the Morgantown Greeks established St. Markella s Church, the fpredecessor of to Assumption, in a remote neighborhood of the town. Its lo-

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH The first service at the converted Protestant church took place Nov. 6, 1955, with Fr. Timothy Devetzakis of St. Spyridon Church in Clarksburg officiating. The two communities shared Fr. Devetzakis for several months until the appointment of the first full-time priest, Fr. Constantine Pappas.

In February 1957, parishioners paid the balance of the mortgage and in March voted to change the name of the church to Assumption to proclaim their devotion and love for the Theotokos.

Several internal and external renovations have taken place over the years and the church s consecration took place Oct. 7, 1984, with Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh officiating. Over the last 10 years, additional extensive remodeling has been done to the interior and the roof of the more than 100-year-old building.

Women s groups offer support While men made up the first boards of trustees, the women of the community provided stalwart support through their work and fund-raising efforts.

Even before the founding of St. Markella s, several women, led by Mrs. George Comuntzis and Mrs. Tom Petropoulos, founded The Athena Society in 1927 to pay the salary of a Greek teacher for their American-born children.

They also held fund-raising events to help the community purchase the church building.

In September 1955, the society evolved into the Ladies Auxiliary Organization, whose purpose was to support the church financially.

Fr. Bender said the group became a Philoptochos chapter about 10 years ago and expanded its role to aid the needy in the greater community.

and Bible study. The ladies prepare a meal and Fr. Bender preaches.

Fund-raising The stewardship program accounts for the balance of parish revenue. We meet our budget every year, Fr. Bender said.

Current parish membership consists of a few Greek-born, several firstand second-generation Greek Americans and converts. We re a microcosm of the Archdiocese, he said.

Occupations include business and university affiliated.

In addition, members include some retirees, executives and miners, from the coal industry.

At the other end of the scale are the children. There are six in the Church school s two classes (split between younger and older children).

Two of the six are Fr. Bender s two daughters, ages 11 and 8.

Three women teach Sunday school, one of whom is his presbytera, Dr. Filitsa Bender, a nephrologist and associate professor of medicine at WVU s medical school. When she is on call, the third teacher substitutes for her.

There also are five boys who serve as acolytes every Sunday; four of them do not attend church school, the youngest does.

The Greek school, consisting of four students, meets once a week.

There is no GOYA, though one did exist many decades ago. When you re talking about two or three kids, it s had to get organized, said Fr. Bender. He added there could be more children

u page 27

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

SCHOLARSHIPS AHEPA Educational Foundation Awards 54 Scholarships WASHINGTON The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), and its educational foundation, have awarded $46,000 in scholarships to 54 recipients for the 2000-01 academic year.

Twenty-seven scholarships were distributed from five different memorial funds for undergraduate studies, three scholarships were awarded from the Nick Cost Scholarship Fund for graduate studies, and there was one recipient of the Carlos T. Touris Scholarship for study at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary.

The remaining 23 students received AHEPA National Scholarships awarded yearly by each AHEPA district s educational committee or foundation.

According to Dr. Pandeli Lee Dubertaki, chairman, AHEPA Educational Foundation, scholarship awards range from $500 to $2,000 subject to availability of

funds. Scholarships are disbursed from the national level and do not include the thousands of scholarships awarded by AHEPA districts and chapters annually totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Scholarship Recipients: Thomas Angelos Backus, Silver Spring, Md.; University of Maryland; Nicholas Kounaris; Theodore James Christakos; Johnston, Iowa; Drake University; Patricia Ann Dalis; Augusta, Ga., University of Georgia; Virginia Maria Diavolitsis; Gainesville, Fla., Princeton University; David Alexander Exarhopoulos; Hudson, Mass.; Worcester State College; James Alexander Exarhopoulos; Hudson, Mass.; Clark University; Paul Arthur Fili; Milton, Mass.; Harvard University; Vasilios Giannopoulos; Commack,

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PAGE 23

The 2001 YEARBOOK of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ORDER NOW and pay only $18 an incredibly valuable resource offering up-to-date information for Orthodox Christians on the following: 3Descriptions & contact information for all Archdiocesan departments and Dioceses 3Complete listings and contact information for all Archdiocese parishes & clergy 3 2001 monthly calendar with Orthodox Saints & Feast days 3Contact & website information for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew plus the Holy Synod, Metropolitanates and monasteries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate 3Listings of over 160 web sites of special interest to Orthodox Christians 3Contact information for other jurisdictions of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America 3Special Resource Section which includes u Pastoral guidelines for fasting, weddings, baptisms, funerals & memorials u Listings of press, radio & television programs of special interest to Orthodox Christians u Contact information for cultural, educational and ethnic federations & organizations u Listings of Byzantine, Classics & Modern Greek Studies college & university programs

YEARBOOK 2001

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sang the Greek National Anthem at the dinner and will begin her masters studies at The Mannes College of Music this September.

Olympia Dukakis Scholarship for the Arts ($5,000) - Irene Hrousis. Irene sang the Star Spangled Banner at the dinner and will graduate from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of Fine Arts this semester. After graduation, she plans to attend Boston University s Graduate program for the arts specializing in Voice Performance.

The Don Monti Memorial Scholarship for Medical Studies ($5,000) - Angela Kokkosis - presented by Tita Scandalis Monti. Angela will graduate from Sachem High School this year ranked 4th in her class of 952 students. In the Fall, she plans to attend SUNY Stony Brook majoring in PreMedicine and eventually she hopes to specialize in oncology and cancer research.

The Marina Sirtis Scholarship for The Arts ($5,000) - Ioannis Potamoussis Ioannis is a graduate of the State Music University of Cologne - Germany and is currently enrolled in the Graduate Program at The Mannes College of Music.

The Patrick Tatopoulos Scholarship for Film Studies ($5,000) Constantine Tsistinas Constantine is a student at Rutgers University, where he is majoring in film.

The Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas Scholarship for Legal Studies($5,000) - Chris Neamonitis Chris will graduate from Chaminade High School this year where he has won 15 trophies with the Speech & Debate Team. After graduation, he plans to attend New York University.

Other Scholarship Recipients include: Alexis Boerger (California), Leif Causey (Florida), Alexander Dragas (Florida), Emily Eglezos (New York), Jamie Kallinikos (New York), Alexia Kotsopoulos (Georgia), Chris Lafakis (Alabama), Christina Manthos (New York), Effie Marinos (New York), Zoe Mavroudi (Greece), Alexandra Pankas (Pennsylvania), Alexandros Pappas (New Jersey), Anna Patchias (Virginia), Elizabeth Patchias (Maryland), Virginia Pourakis (New York), Anna Sakalis (New York), Anna Serafin (Massachusetts), Shannon Sierpina (Connecticut), Rene Spanos (Ohio), Virginia Triant (Massachusetts), William Triant (Massachusetts), Eleni Trilivas (New York), Savvas Tsivikos (New Jersey), Demetris Vlachos (Illinois), Georgia Yiannoulos (New York), Stella Yopp (New York), Thomas Zanios (Iowa), Whitney Zanios (Iowa), Konstandina Zorzos (Washington, D.C.)

Name: ___________________________________________________________________________ Card #____________________________________________________________________________

NEW YORK: More than 1,500 guests packed the New York Hilton on May 11 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund.

Oscar winner Olympia Dukakis was the evening s honoree.

Past HTSF honorees returned to award scholarships named in their honor including: CBS Anchorman Ernie Anastos, actor John Aniston, humanitarian Tita Scandalis Monti, Star Trek s Marina Sirtis, film executive Patrick Tatopoulos and Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas.

Orthodox Observer

Nick Katsoris presents Olympia Dukakis with the humanitarian award

This year the Hellenic Times awarded 37 scholarships totaling $100,000 including seven $5,000 awards to Greek American students from across the United States.

Nick Katsoris, general counsel of the Red Apple Group, served as dinner chairman and master of ceremonies.

2001 - Scholarship Recipients Recipient of the Ernie Anastos Scholarship for Journalism ($5,000) -Chris Rodakis. Diagnosed as an infant with a hearing impairment, he grew up as a deaf boy determined to overcome the challenges around him. With the help of mastering sign language and a cochlear implant, he became the star of his high school basketball team and the first deaf team member in Long Island history. He is also an Award winning writer in Gallaudet University s National Essay Contest. This fall he plans to attend Sacred Heart University where he hopes to major in journalism.

John Aniston Scholarship for the Arts ($5,000) - Alexandra Skendrou The recipient of the John Aniston Scholarship for The Arts

Expiration ______________________ Signature__________________________________________ Address:__________________________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________________ State:_____________Zip__________________ Tel.: _________________________________________ Fax: _________________________________ Send your check/money order (payable to Holy Cross Bookstore) or credit card information to:

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YEARBOOK 2001 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline, MA 02445 Order by fax: (617) 850-1230 Order by email: HCBKS@omaccess.com

PAGE 24

news

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

DIOCESE

JUNE 2001

Denver Diocese to Build Its First Center

Fire Damages Buffalo’s Annunciation Church BUFFALO, N.Y. A three-alarm fire heavily damaged Annunciation Church on May 20, but no one was injured. An investigation into the fire continues but arson is strongly suspected as the cause of the blaze, which began beneath the floor of the nave.

Little by little we starting to get things back together, the parish priest, Fr. James Doukas, told the Observer in early June.

Thank God no one got hurt. He said one firefighter lost his bearings in the thick smoke and nearly ran out of oxygen, but he was rescued.

The fire began late in the day, at the end of community s four-day Greek festival. According to published reports, some parishioners who remained at the church in the evening noticed the flames shooting up from the basement and immediately notified the fire department.

For the foreseeable future, services are taking place in the Demakos Community Center next door to the church.

Thank goodness we have the Demakos center, Fr. Doukas said. The center also houses the Greek school and Sunday school classes.

The interior of the church sustained extensive smoke and heat damage. Fire damage was confined to part of the floor, pews, ductwork and air vents.

The iconostasion was not damaged.

Fr. Doukas observed that all the candles on a large stand in front of the icono-

stasion melted in the heat, but the Resurrection candle that had been placed on a stand on the altar side of the iconostasion did not melt.

Damage estimates are at least $3 million, and could go as high as $5 million.

We re hoping the insurance will cover the expenses, said Fr. Doukas.

It may be Christmas, at the earliest, but more likely next year, before the church can be used for services.

The building that houses Annunciation Church was a former Presbyterian house of worship built between 1903 and 1907. There was no damage to the structure itself.

To prepare the hall for services, the parish received some most welcome assistance from Fr. George Savas of Holy Spirit Church in Rochester, along with his son, and a retired Antiochian Orthodox priest and a parishioner who built an iconostasion frame upon which several icons have been placed.

The parish had an extra wooden altar table.

Since the tragedy, the more than 750 parishioners and the greater Buffalo community, including area churches and the bishop of the Roman Catholic diocese have offered their support.

Annunciation parish was founded in 1907.

The church is located at 146 W. Utica St., in Buffalo. Phone number is (716) 8829485.

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DENVER Groundbreaking ceremonies took place May 19 for the construction of the first Greek Orthodox Diocesan Center between Chicago and San Francisco.

Metropolitan Isaiah presided over the festive occasion at which many priests and parishioners were in attendance from throughout the Diocese including Missouri, Texas, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Colorado. The Metropolitan announced that over one million dollars had been received for the project with another million dollars in pledges. With the backing of the Colorado State Bank and Trust, the fundraising drive is continuing under the direction of Stewardship Advocates, which is headed by Fr. Anthony Scott.

Another million dollars is expected to help to endow the operational activities of the center, especially youth programs.

Through the love and generosity of the faithful members of the Assumption Diocese Cathedral, a portion of the 10acre property was leased and allocated to the Diocese for the purpose of the construction of the center. It will be the first time since the establishment of the Denver Diocese in 1979 by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that per-

manent offices will exist for the Diocese Youth, the Diocese Philoptochos, and the Diocese Choir Federation, as well as for home missions to help the smaller parishes in the plains and mountain states.

Construction of the project is expected to begin this June with a foreseeable completion date of June 2002.

The architect of the Diocese Project is Mr. Christ J. Kamages of EKONA Architects and Planning from San Francisco, California.

A unique feature of the center will be an archives section where articles and documents from each of the forty-eight parishes of the Diocese will be displayed showing the unity of the parishes of the Diocese from a historical perspective.

The first immigrant settlers of these parishes will be honored in this archives section.

Through the prayers of not only the faithful people of the Diocese, but of all people of faith, the Diocese of Denver Center will help to strengthen the moral fiber of our American society which today stands at a dangerous crossroads, especially among the young people, as well as to support the ministries of the Orthodox Christian parishes of all jurisdictions.

DEDICATION CEREMONY, outside St. Sophia Cathedral, of the Statue of the Blessing Hand.

Southern Californians Welcome Archbishop LOS ANGELES On his recent pastoral visit to Southern California, Archbishop Demetrios joined with heads of other churches and community leaders to salute the efforts of St. Sophia Cathedral at neighboring St. Thomas Roman Catholic Church in bringing together the ethnically diverse neighborhood known as the Byzantine-Latino Quarter, and met with some 300 youth at St. Anthony s Church in Pasadena.

His Eminence attended a lunch in his honor at the Cathedral hall with guests that included Metropolitan Anthony, Presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco, Cardinal Roger M. Mahoney, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Los Angeles, and Episcopal Diocese Bishop John Bruno.

We celebrate community spirit, said Archbishop Demetrios, the community of Los Angeles, the coming together of religious leaders of all religions. We are celebrating being human.

In walking around the neighborhood, Metropolitan Anthony said he noticed no graffiti, no drug dealing, no prostitution

and no litter. It s amazing what is happening around here.

At the luncheon, Fr. John Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Cathedral, sang a Mexican song accompanied by a children s mariachi band. Afterward, he led those in attendance outside to for the dedication of the Statue of the Blessing Hand, officiated by Archbishop Demetrios.

In Pasadena, the Archbishop and Metropolitan welcomed young people from throughout the region at a prayer service, pastoral assistant Bill Tragus reported.

At a breakfast at St. Anthony s, His Eminence held a question and answer session with the youth, where he encouraged them to stay close to the church and grow in faith throughout their lives. A GOYA member and altar boy from the parish, John Rigas, read a prayer from the children to the Archbishop.

Fr. Efstathios Mylonas, pastor, noted The answers of the Archbishop were direct and went to the hearts of the young questioners.

JUNE 2001

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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PAGE 25

Pan-Orthodox Celebration of Pentecost in Atlanta

Orthodox Observer

MATHEW KOSMAS leads Achilleas Fourakis, George Haralambopoulos and Peter in Hunter in the Zonaradikos dance.

California Dancers Win SF Dance Contest byEffie Fourakis

PASADENA, Calif. A group of 19 young Greek dancers from Marin and Sonoma counties won the top trophy at the recent San Francisco Diocese Greek Folk Dance Festival, where more than 80 folk dance groups took part.

After months of rehearsing together, sometimes three days a week, the Minoan Dancers III of Nativity of Christ Church in Ignacio, swept the competition and won

the Division II Sweepstakes Trophy.

The dancers, consisting of elementary and junior high students, will present a 30-minute show at next year s festival in Spokane, Wash. They entertained at the Marin Greek Festival on May 26-27.

The annual competition draws groups from the western states and occasionally from the East Coast and Greece.

At the festival, the groups performed two suites of traditional dances.

For the first time ever a Pan-Orthodox celebration and picnic for Pentecost was held in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 3rd. The event was organized by the Pan-Orthodox Fellowship of Georgia which consists of lay people with representatives from all Orthodox churches in the State of Georgia in association, and under the direction of the clergy brotherhood of Sts. Methodios and Cyril of Metropolitan Atlanta.

The celebration began with a special service for HIS GRACE Bishop Alexios of Atlanta officiates at the Pentecost Pentecost led by His Grace Pan-Orthodox service.

Bishop Alexios of Atlanta.

Thirteen priests from various jurisdicIn the prayer service His Grace Bishop tions participated and ten parishes. Spe- Alexios and lay men and women from the cifically Very Rev. Sebastian Skordallos, participating parishes read the Holy GosPresident of the Pan-Orthodox Clergy pel in different languages reminding the Brotherhood of Metro Atlanta, and Fr. participants of the first Pentecost when the George Pallas represented Holy Tran- Holy Spirit appeared as tongues of fire and sfiguration in Marietta, Fr. George rested on top of the heads of the Holy Alexson, Fr. Michael Eaccarino, the An- Apostles as they spoke in the different lannunciation Cathedral, Fr. Peter Smith, St. guages of the people in attendance.

Mary of Egypt OCA, Fr. Andrew Moore, At the end of the prayer service, chilSt. Stephen s Antiochian, Fr. Milovan dren and adults dressed in the national Katanic, Sts. Peter and Paul Serbian, Fr. costumes, offered national foods and John Prepelka, St. Elizabeth s Carpatho- sweets that were blessed by His Grace.

Russian, Fr. Jacob Myers, St. John the His Grace Bishop Alexios gave a thunWonder Worker OCA, Fr. Kenneth An- derous message in the midst of storms and thony, SS. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene, lightening and stressed the need for OrGreek Orthodox, Cumming, GA, Fr. An- thodox unity and witnessing. His Grace thony Salzman, St. Philothea Greek Or- said that the difference of our foods and thodox, Athens, GA, GO, Fr. Michael cultures should not prevent us from beVastakis, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox, Ma- ing one Orthodox Christian family and that con, GA, GO, Fr. Vasili Bitere, Holy Trans- we need to share our treasure of Orthofiguration Greek Orthodox, Columbus, doxy with those who are hungry for the GA, GO. Also participating was the truth and salvation.

Antiochian parish of St. Elias of Atlanta.

The celebration continued and conFr. Joseph Samaan was not able to attend cluded with a barbecue and ethnic dances because of a scheduling conflict. despite the heavy rains.

Assumption Cathedral Hosts National Young Adult Conference

Orthodox Observer

GREGORY KELLER, Lucy Diamantopoulos, Alexandra Kambur, Melina Destein and Alexis Captanian.

Fr. Dokos Observes 25th Anniversary MILWAUKEE Annunciation parish honored their pastor, Fr. James Dokos, for his 25 years as a priest.

The Philoptochos Society hosted luncheon May 8 and a formal dinner took place June 9.

Born in Lowell, Mass., Fr. Dokos graduated from Hellenic College in 1973 and from Holy Cross in 1976. He married the former Christina Slemon in 1975 and was ordained in 1976 in Lowell.

His assignments have included St. Nicholas in St. Louis, St. Nicholas, Youngstown, Ohio; and St. Haralambos, Canton, Ohio. He has served Annunciation Church for 11 years.

In addition to Presbytera and their daughter, Marissa, dinner guests included Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, and Metropolitan Nikitas of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia.

Frances Ann Matsis and Sophia Patripilo were dinner chairmen.

DENVER The Assumption Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Denver will be hosting the 19th annual Archdiocesan Greek Orthodox Young Adult League National Conference July 5-9 which will primarily be held at the Westin Westminster.

All Greek Orthodox Young Adults are invited to participate. In attendance at the conference will be Archbishop Demetrios and His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah as well as many other dignitaries.

The conference will consist of many activities including: many spiritual workshops

rafting, horseback riding, hiking, biking, a 5 k run, a night on the town, as well as a Grand banquet to conclude the conference. Information may be found at www.yal2001.org, or call 303/808-6314 We are very excited to be hosting Denver s first national Young Adult Conference, said Demetrios Zannis, Chairman of the Committee. We have many attractive activities for the Young Adults.

It certainly will be a memorable conference for all. This year s theme will be Journey Through Life s Milestone s

CLERGY U P D A T E

Ordination to the Diaconate: Kyriakos (Gary) Kyriacou- Metropolitan Anthony- St. Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles, 05/27/01 Andrew G. Georganas- Metropolitan Iakovos Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, Ill., 05/31/01 Assignments: Rev. Presbyter Demetrios Tonias Holy Trinity Ft Wayne, Ind.,06/01/01 Rev. Presbyter Tilemahos Alikakos Holy Trinity Church Sioux City, Iowa, 06/01/01 Rev. Presbyter Cosmas Halekakis Holy Taxiarchai/St. Haralambos Church, Niles, Ill.06/01/01 Rev. Economos Peter G. Balkas St. Nectarios Church Palatine, Ill.,06/01/01 Rev. Presbyter Angelo Artemas Sts. Peter & Paul Glenview, Ill., 06/01/01

Rev. Dn. Kyriakos(Gary) KyriakouAscension Cathedral Oakland, Calif. (assistant), 06/01/01 Rev. Presbyter Christopher Flesoras St. Anna Church Roseville, Ca, 06/01/01 V. Rev. Archimandrite John E. Constantine- St. George Church Downey, Calif., 06/01/01 Rev. Economos Andrew Eugenis St. George Church Asbury Park, N.J., 06/04/01 Offikia: On May 17, 2001 Patriarch Bartholomew bestowed the Office of Protopresbyter upon: Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Rev. Fr. James Dokos, Rev. Fr. James S. Gordon, Rev. Fr. Andrew Maginas, Rev. Fr. Paul Palesty, Rev. Fr. Theodore Pantels, Rev. Fr. Philip Yanulis

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 26

JUNE 2001

B O O K S GWUC Publishes Book on Illinois Pioneer Women CHICAGO The Greek Women s University Club (GWUC) has published a new book , Greek-American Pioneer Women of Illinois: based on the stories of Georgia Bitzis Pooley, Presbytera Stella Christoulakis Petrakis, Theano Papazoglou Margaris, Venette Askounes Ashford, and Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis.

The GWUC s book was published by Arcadia Press, shows the struggles and triumphs, the pathos and joy of five Greek women who immigrated to the USA from 1885 to 1923.

With compelling biographies and over 125 historic photos and documents the book showcases the compelling life stories of immigrant pioneer women, their families, friends, and the emerging GreekAmerican community of Illinois. It illustrates the important role these devoted women had in preserving the Greek heritage and in building the churches and community organizations.

Greek women pioneers faced a difficult life when they arrived in the xeneetia (strange land) from the rural farms of Greece. They did not speak English, and were bewildered by crowded Chicago and the alien culture. They cried for the beloved family and friends they had left behind.

They struggled against poverty and faced cruel discrimination as foreigners. Yet these

brave, spirited women triumphed over adversity and embraced their adopted country to become exemplary citizens. They leave a wonderful legacy.

The book is a continuation of an extensive five-year project undertaken by the Greek Women s University Club entitled, Greek-American Women of Illinois: 111 Years of Courage, Struggle and Triumph .

This project included lectures, panel discussions, a literary reading, an oral history project, and a traveling exhibit upon which this book is based, Greek-American Pioneer Women of Illinois (co-curators were Penny Sarlas and Elaine Thomopoulos).

A panel presentation on the book was hosted by the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center at 168 N. Michigan on June 3.

The panel featured distinguished speakers including state Sen. Adeline J. Geo-Karis, Dr. Andrew T. Kopan and Alice Orphanos Kopan (scholars and contributors to the book), Joan Pappas (granddaughter of Georgia Bitzis Pooley), Harry Mark Petrakis (son of Presbytera Petrakis and renown author of books regarding the Greek-American experience), and Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos (editor and contributor to the book).

The presentation is also coordinated by Georgia Mitchell, vice president, and programs chairman of the Hellenic Museum.

What Is Life? Why Are You Here?

What Is Your Reason For Living?

By Anthony Coniaris, Light & Life Publishing Company, 2001 Anthony Coniaris, the prolific author of over 40 books on Orthodox spirituality, has given the above title to his latest book.

Coniaris has single-handedly educated and inspired a whole generation of readers by his personal writings. In addition he is the founder of the Light & Life Publishing Company, one of the largest publishers of Orthodox literature worldwide. byFr. Alexander Veronis

Coniaris answers the profound questions in the book s title by skillfully intertwining biblical passages and the wisdom of well-known Christian authors. Among quoted writers are St. Paul, C.S. Lewis, Alexander Schmemann, St. Innocent of Alaska, Pascal, Carl Sandburg, Henri Nouwen, St. Macarius, Eric Fromm, St. Maximus the Confessor, St. Gregory the Theologian, St. Symeon the New Theologian, Mother Maria of Paris, St. John of Karpathos, St. Isaac the Syrian, St. Seraphim of Sarov, St. John Chrysostom, St. John of Kronstadt, Bishop Gerasimos Papadopoulos, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Tolstoy, St. Herman of Alaska, Bishop Kallistos Ware, St. Augustine, St. Nicholas Cabasilas, St. Basil, St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain, St. Andrew of Crete, St. Benedict, and others.

Coniaris has a skillful way of relating Orthodox spirituality to daily life, as demonstrated in his latest book. He asks common questions and provides practical answers.

This book has a sense of urgency. Life s brevity compels a Christian to get on with the business of living for the right reasons.

Coniaris wants readers to waste no time in finding the answer to life s purpose. He quotes Pascal s comment: Between heaven and hell is only this life, which is the most fragile thing in the world.

Coniaris writes about Christ as one

who knows and lives Christ. He answers the questions he asks in the title in perceptive ways, with convincing illustrations.

He then summarizes the book s content by stating the purpose of life in a series of brief statements. Here are some: The purpose of my life is to become not just another Christian but another Christ. I live yet not I but Christ lives in me, said Paul.

My purpose in life is to express my faith through works of love. For, We are created in Christ Jesus for good works.

(Ephesians 2:10) The purpose of my life is to achieve theosis, to become god by grace, as Jesus is God by nature, to be transfigured through faith, grace, and love that I may behold the glory of God forever.

My purpose in life is to do the work of Him who sent me while it is still day, for night comes when no man can work.

I believe that my life is a journey from God to God; that this world is a bridge. I pass over it, but I do not build a lasting home on it. Who builds a home on a bridge?

Since we are what we are alive to, my purpose in life is to remain alive to God in Christ through watchful prayer, the Eucharist and His Word.

Coniaris includes two memorable descriptions on the purpose of life written by two spiritual giants, St. Nicodemus of the Holy Mountain and St. Benedict, the Father of Western Monasticism.

What is Life? Why Are You Here? What is Your Reason for Living is written in short paragraph form, with large print. Its 161page content can be read quickly, but the profound thoughts it contains will keep the reader returning to the book often in meditation and prayer.

Clergy, teachers, speakers, youth workers, preachers, and anyone who desires to grow in the Orthodox Christian faith will find this readable book a powerful resource.

A Book For Your Prayer Life

by Presbytera Emily Harakas

My Daily Orthodox Prayer Book: Classic Orthodox Prayers for Every Need, (Light & Life Publishing Co.,)

by Father Anthony Coniaris is a beautiful and edifying book of Orthodox Prayers compiled and edited in a unique manner. It is a valuable contribution to our spiritual growth.

The book begins with the explanation and importance of the Orthodox Rule of Prayer , with suggestions and helps on how to prepare for prayer. The book then continues with a plethora of prayers, including Liturgical prayers, prayers from the Services of our Church, prayers that can be said throughout the day and evening, and many more. There

are prayers to the Holy Trinity, the Holy spirit, the Theotokos, the saints, and many more. Also there are prayers of thanksgiving, forgiveness, confession, healing prayers, intercessory prayers, and many more. There are personal prayers, children s prayers, prayer for the death of a loved one, prayer for protection, prayers for married persons, prayer in the time of trouble, prayers for a new mother, and many more. In other words, there is a prayer for every reason, a prayer for every season! There even is a prayer, When we don t know What to Pray For. St. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, Pray without ceasing. Father Coniaris book is a tremendous help for us to do this as we seek to enrich our prayer life and come to a deeper and closer relationship with our God.

Publication Available on Starting Youth Music Program The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians has produced a new publication, How to Start a Youth Music Program in Your Parish.

This handbook, filled with practical tips and guidelines, was developed to stimulate the development of youth choir and hymnology programs in the parishes.

The stimulus for such a goal was the late Bishop George, in whose blessed memory the publication is dedicated. At the 1998 Clergy-Laity Congress in Orlando, His Grace exhorted church musicians and clergy to make every parish in the Archdiocese establish a junior choir! This is a must!

In recent years, the National Forum has published a wealth of materials to increase the liturgical education and participation of young Orthodox Christians. Publication of this Handbook was a collaborative effort among the National Forum, the Southeastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians and Choirs, and Leadership 100.

Primary authors of the handbook were Joanne Kambouris, music director at the Holy Trinity Church in Clearwater, Fla., and Lynne Jebeles, youth music director at Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral in Birmingham, Ala. Other musicians and clergy assisted in the editorial and production process.

The handbook contains a wealth of suggestions for establishing a parish program. It provides ideas for age groupings, names for the groups, start-up suggestions, rehearsal tips, a suggested calendar,

themes for the year, and types of rewards for achievement.

The suggestions have an Orthodox focus and flavor to them. Many ideas were gleaned from Joanne and Lynne s own experiences plus those of other church musicians from the various dioceses that work with young children and young adults.

The handbook also presents resources, including types of people to recruit from the parish and materials available from the National Forum, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese s Department of Religious Education, and elsewhere.

The handbook is an important addition to the literature of liturgical materials for Church Schools, Greek School, and other youth ministries.

Dr. Vicki Pappas, national chairman of the National Forum said she hopes the work will provide the stimulus, the ideas, and the dynamis to begin a liturgical music program for the children and youth of our parishes.

Joanne and Lynn offered this publication to perpetuate our beloved Orthodox faith through thoughtful quality instruction.

Thanks to a grant from Leadership 100, the National Forum is distributing one copy of this publication free of charge to each parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, beginning in early May. Additional copies of the Handbook are available at $15 plus shipping and handling. For further information or top place an order, contact Vicki Pappas at or call 812-855-8248.

Book Lecture’s Proceeds Benefit IOCC NEW YORK- The International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) sponsored a lecture by attorney/author Nick Katsoris and a book signing of his debut novel Crimes of Fire on May 23 at the New York Hilton. All proceeds from the book sales were donated to the IOCC. Nick is a New York attorney and since 1995 has served as general counsel of the Red Apple Group. At the lecture Katsoris spoke about the book and its road to publication.

The suspense takes place on the Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini, on Italy s sparkling Amalfi Coast, and eventually, in the courtroom. For further information on the book visit the book s website at www.crimesoffire.com.

The IOCC was established in 1992 as the official humanitarian aid and develop-

ment agency of Orthodox Christians worldwide to work in cooperation with the Orthodox Churches. The IOCC is currently working to provide urgently needed supplies to assist the survivors of the El Salvador and India earthquakes find emergency shelter and food, and then begin to rebuild their lives. In the Holy Land, IOCC is also providing emergency assistance and medical supplies.

In addition, the IOCC has been chosen as one of a select number of organizations to participate in a global school lunch program that will provide meals for poor children around the world. Over the past nine years, IOCC has brought life-sustaining aid to millions of people in 21 countries.

For further information about the IOCC call 877-803-4622 or e-mail ioccrsvp@hotmail.com.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 27

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u page 23

N.Y.; Cooper Union; Lindsay Christine Gronell; Wheeling, W.Va.; West Virginia University; Eleni Katakozinos; McAffee, N.J.; Muhlenberg College; Maria Christina Lakas; Bethesda, Md.; University of Maryland; Megan Elena Manos; West Columbia, S.C.; New York University; Michael Harry Mastromichalis; Weirton, W. Va.; West Virginia University; Democritos Timotheos Mavrellis; Ann Arbor, Mich.; University of Michigan; John Patrick McCann; Pittsburgh, Johns Hopkins University; Alexander John Mijalis; Shreveport, La.; Texas A&M University; Andrew George Pappas; Tucson, Ariz.; Occidental College; Elena Mantas Paulus; Germantown, Tenn.; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; Kristen Marie Petros, Fredericksburg, Va., University of Virginia; Andrea Lynn Roscoe; Hamilton, N.J., University of Richmond; Alicia Anne Spillias; West Palm Beach, Fla.; University of Florida; Demetra Aglaia Spounias; Southfield, Mich., University of Michigan; Christina Evyenia Stamoolis; Pittsburgh, Bucknell University; Maria Angela Tsagaris; Chamblee, Ga.; Vanderbilt University; Catherine Diana Vlachos, Matthews, N.C.; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Mary Lee Xenos; Waukegan, Ill.; Carroll College; George

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National Scholarship District Winners Doria Lynn Gjerde, District 1; Courtney Christine Devane; District 2; Thomas Angelos Backus; District 3; Evangelos Kostoulis; District 4; Voula Alexopoulos; District 5; Evan T. Perperis; District 6; Maria Markos; District 7; Lea Koveos; District 8; Angelo Pappas, District 9; Vana S. Kokkinos; District 10; Georgia Demetria Ifantiedes; District 11; Stephen Lindermann; District 12; Maria Provias; District 13; Lukas Mark Johnson; District 14; Bessie Antonopoulos; District 15; Haralambos George Tzavellas; District 16; Jeanne Gatseos; District 17; Nicaline Katsilometes; District 19; Chris Roumeliotis; District 20; Demetra M. Yfantis; District 21; Aaron Hartling; AHEPA District 22; Pauline Liabotis; District 23; Vasilis Pappas; District 26;

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attending, but a certain number of families don t go to church very often. We do the best with what we have.

Despite its size, the parish has an impressive choir and a chanter, the priest noted. The choir consists of about one-third of the congregation (10 voices). Metropolitan Maximos told us on one occasion that our choir sings better than some he s heard at larger parishes, Fr. Chris said.

Anyone attempting to telephone the church (304-292-9048) hears a voice recording where one may leave a message.

There is no secretary and the office consists of a tiny room located next to a storage room. So Fr. Chris works out of his home, going to the church during the week only for appointments.

Nevertheless, he pursues a vital and fruitful ministry and outreach program.

I considerate it a special mission of the parish to be there for the Orthodox students of West Virginia University, said Fr. Chris. There is a challenge today on college campuses. The generations coming up are just not joiners.

Fr. Bender said the number of Orthodox students on campus varies, but usually ranges from 10 to 15, though he said in the past few years the numbers have plummeted.

He added that most now are older, more mature graduate students.

The priest is a member of the Monongahela County Ministerial Association and

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

has chaired its interfaith conference on Faith Community and the Environment.

He also is active with environmental issues at the Archdiocesan level. At the request of the Ecumenical Office, he serves as a member of the National Council of Churches eco-justice working group (currently one of its two co-chairs).

The future As for future prospects, the parish is not in a financial position to construct a new church building or expand its facilities. When you re only 35 families it s not something you can look at lightly, Fr. Bender said.

The challenge now is to make the existing facility handicapped-accessible. A significant number of our older members can t come to church because it is not (handicapped) accessible, Fr. Chris said.

I don t know how we re going to resolve that, we re still investigating options. We re praying and asking for the Lord s guidance on how to most responsibly provide for our handicapped members, but also be fiscally responsible.

Yet when reflecting on his ministry he speaks glowingly of the parish and its environment, citing many intangible factors.

There is a wonderful family atmosphere in our parish, the priest said. We try to be supportive of one another because we re so few. There is a sense here we are one flock in Christ. There s a sense of intimacy and a cooperative spirit. People don t argue all the time and the parish council has been a dream to work with all these years. I m very grateful for the wonderful people I m privileged to serve.

What the community might lack in a material sense, it makes up for aesthetically. We re nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and it s beautiful, Fr. Chris said. You see the mountains in the distance and it takes your breath away.

There s a good quality of life.

He added, We would be thrilled to welcome new members. I always believe the Lord will provide and that He will be gracious to us in the future. I think my parishioners share that feeling with me. compiled by Jim Golding

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

missions

IOCC-OCMC Collaboration Benefits RomanianYouth CLUJ, Romania (OCMC) Last December, IOCC-Romania program coordinator Nicholas Chakos and OCMC missionary Craig Goodwin discussed collaborating on a USAID-funded program to benefit at-risk youth in that country.

The program was initially designed by IOCC/Romania for the town of Aiud but, due to technical difficulties, the program was unable to begin there.

Chakos informed Goodwin of the project s nature and Goodwin traveled through the Cluj-Napoca and BistritaNasaud regions searching for an adequate project site.

After meeting with representatives of local communities, he proposed three towns where the project could best be put into effect.

They next met with the Archbishop of Cluj-Napoca and the head of the Archdiocesan Social Assistance Office and determined that Bistrita would be best suited.

After USAID accepted the town, Goodwin became part of IOCC s core working group responsible for project start-up activities and has played a vital role as a member of this group.

Goodwin has served as a de facto IOCC representative in Cluj and Bistrita, disseminating IOCC and project information to key Romanian civil, church, and governmental officials.

In addition, he has provided IOCC with important links to Cluj and Bistrita.

IOCC and OCMC are working at creating a successful model to serve youth and communities and provide educational, vocational, and cultural lessons to at-risk youth.

The program has been heralded as a USAID mission flagship project in Romania.

For more information, visit the OCMC web: http://www.ocmc.org/missionaries/ goodwin/

ORTHODOX HERITAGE u page 20 other apostles became fools for the sake of Christ (1 Co.4:10).

Church historians and chroniclers such as Palladios, Evagrios Scholastikos and others of later centuries write of men and women who became fools, or played the fool, for the sake of Christ. An anonymous nun in a convent at Tabennisi in Egypt, Symeon of Emesa, Andreas o Salos, Vasilios the Younger, Symeon Eulaves, Kyrillos Phileas, Savvas the Younger are some saints named saloi.

They came from various geographical areas of the Byzantine Empire and lived between the fourth and the fourteenth centuries.

All the saloi for Christ s sake had something in common with Cynic philosophers. They had rejected traditional values of urban civilization, social conventions and had pursued a life of austerity, living an itinerant ascetic life in the streets and fields, subjecting themselves to all kinds of ridicule and humiliations like their predecessor Cynics.

One thing is certain, there were many followers of the principles of Cynic philosophy who were greatly influential and admired, as there were many Christian monks who made their mark on history. For example the Cynic philosopher Krates enjoyed a reputation for moral excellence because of his great sense of fairness and justice (dikaiosyne) but also his profound concern for the practice of philanthropia for the wellbeing of all people.

From as early as the Homeric age (eighth century before Christ), from the fifth century in particular, philanthropia in Greek moral philosophy was used in a broad sense to include acts of kindliness, gentleness and benevolence in general.

But in revived Cynic philosophy, as well as in Christian theology, philanthropia was used in the profound sense of love for mankind-love toward all independently of color or creed.

It became synonymous to agape. In addition to a common understanding of philanthropia, both Cynicism and Christianity held progressive views on issues we today consider very important: the equality of the sexes, the breaking down of social barriers, concern for all people over nationalistic extremes.

Universal attributes The universal human attributes advocated by Cynic philosophers such as Krates, Demetrios and Apollonios were not related to logos (reason) but to arete, eleos, philanthropia. Like many Church Fathers, who were less concerned with dogma and abstracts but more with the application of pistis (faith), elpis (hope) and, above all, agape (love-1Cor.13:13).

Furthermore, it needs to be said that notwithstanding the limits imposed upon them by both history, geography, and their environment, Greek thinkers such as Cynics and Stoics perceived of the human being as the center of the cosmos and emphasized the unity of humankind free of violent nationalisms, color and religions prejudice. Neither divisions in city-states nor conflicts between them prevented them from promoting the idea of common fellowship bringing together all humankind.

To be sure similar ideas could be found among other people contemporary to the Greeks, but the Greek concept of humanity s unity is distinct because it appears as a single connected process through a variety of Greek poets, philosophers and historians from Homer and Hesiod through the pre-Socratic philosophers, the tragedians, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle and especially the Cynics and the Stoics.

There is little doubt for the student of ancient Hellenism and the Hellenistic Age in particular that the views of the philosophers mentioned above became a paidagogos, a prelude to Christian ideas about the unity of human kind.

Whether the principles of Cynic philosophy influenced the ideals of Christian hermits, or whether both developed along parallel lines, is academic. Neither Cynicism s philosophy nor Christian ideals of asceticism were unique.

They were known and practiced in other parts of the world. Human beings everywhere have common needs, both material and spiritual.

What unites them is a common aspiration for happiness in daily life and eternal life beyond the grave. Self -sufficiency, simplicity, independence, asceticism, philanthropy, temperance, frugality (oligarkia, arete, autarkeia, askesis, ponos), principles that harden the body and strengthen the spirit are just as important today as they were in the time of Diogenes the Cynic and Basil the Christian.

PAGE 29

E C U M E N I C A L

Orthodox-Catholic Consultation Continues Study of Filioque CRESTWOOD, N.Y. The 60th meeting of the North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, held May 29-31 at St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary, continued its study of the issue of the filioque.

The term refers to the insertion into the article of the Creed dealing with the Holy Spirit by the Western Church of the phrase, and the Son. This practice, which was first sanctioned in Spain at the Council of Toledo in 598 but was not accepted in Rome until the 11th century, has for many centuries been the object of dispute between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

Along these lines, the Rev. George Berthold presented a paper titled The Procession of the Holy Spirit in Some Greek Fathers, which studied those texts frequently cited by Latin authors in defense of the filioque.

Professor Robert Haddad read his paper, The Stations of the Filioque, which surveyed the evolution of the filioque controversy in its political and ecclesiological context.

Rev. James Dutko presented an article by Theodore Stylianopoulos entitled, The Filioque: Dogma, Theologoumenon or Error? that had been read at a 1985 consultation on the Holy Spirit sponsored by the Faith and Order Commission of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. In addition, Fr. Paul Schnierla presented a brief paper on Archbishop John Quinn s 1999 book, The Reform of the Papacy: The Costly Call to Christian Unity, and the members examined a number of developments in the lives of their respective churches and the relations between them.

The Consultation s study of the filioque problem will continue at its next meeting, scheduled for Oct. 11-13 in Washington.

His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos, Presiding Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh, chaired the May meeting on the Orthodox side. The Roman Catholic Co-Chairman, Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee, was unable to attend because of pressing matters in his Archdiocese.

Members of the Consultation were honored on May 30 with a visit from His Eminence Iakovos, retired Greek Ortho-

dox Archbishop of North and South America, one of the founders of the North American dialogue.

In his extemporaneous remarks, His Eminence recalled events early in his life that caused him to become firmly committed to the effort to reestablish full communion between the Orthodox and Catholic churches.

He encouraged the members to continue in the same spirit in which the dialogue had begun, and thanked them for not growing tired with its slow pace, especially on the international level.

While some have lost hope that the goal of unity will be achieved, it is nevertheless the will of Christ, His Eminence said. The Archbishop advised patience and fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit would reanimate the old fire in our hearts for unity.

The North American OrthodoxCatholic Theological Consultation is sponsored jointly by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of America and the Bishops Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops.

It was the first official dialogue between the two churches, founded in 1965 and predating the international dialogue by 15 years. Another body, the Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops, has been meeting annually since 1981 to discuss pastoral issues between the two churches.

In addition to the two co-chairmen, the Orthodox members of the Consultation include Rev. Thomas FitzGerald (secretary), Archbishop Peter of New York, Rev. Nicholas Apostola, Prof. Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Rev. Alkiviadis Calivas, Rev. James Dutko, Prof. John Erickson, Rev. Alexander Golitzin, Rev. Emmanuel Gratsias, Dr. Robert Haddad, Prof. Lewis Patsavos, Rev. Paul Schnierla, Rev. Robert Stephanopoulos, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos (staff).

The additional Catholic members are Rev. Brian Daley, SJ (secretary), Msgr.

Frederick McManus, Rev. George Berthold, Prof. Thomas Bird, Rev. Peter Galadza, Rev. John Galvin, Sr. Donna Geernaert, SC, Rev. Sidney Griffith, ST, Rev. John Long, SJ, Rev. David Petras, Prof. Robin Darling Young, and Rev. Ronald Roberson, CSP (staff).

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 30

The Voice of

JUNE 2001

Philoptochos

UN Association Names Condakes as Volunteer of Year The United Nations Association-USA has named National Philoptochos President Eve Condakes as a U.N. Volunteer of the Year at ceremonies in June 14. She also was recognized by the U.S. Committee for the International Year of Volunteers.

In April, Mrs. Condakes was named the National Philoptochos Board s Volunteer of the Year.

The United Nations promoted the work of volunteers to highlight global awareness of volunteerism in local communities.

President Condakes voluntary service is a cause for celebration and warrants special recognition of her many achievements.

As Philoptochos president she has overseen the organization s national pro-

grams, which benefit St. Basil s Academy, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology; Archdiocesan Missions; St. Photios Shrine; Philanthropies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as well as Social Services programs including committees on AIDS, Aging, Homelessness, Children s Cardiac Program and Children s Medical Fund.

Mrs. Condakes was a member of the Massachusetts Governor s Commission on the Status of Women, a director of the Visiting Nurses Association, and is currently involved in a Greek-Turkish peace initiative sponsored by the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

She received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in May 2000 and was the honoree of the HANAC 28th annual dinner dance on Oct. 27, 2000.

DIOCESE PHILOPTOCHOS luncheon officials (l. to r.) Rosemary Nikas, Nancy Sofis, Victoria Biagas and Harriet Matthews (Diocese president).

Pittsburgh Luncheon Supports Care Fund Diocese Philoptochos members held their Daffodil Luncheon in support of the organization s Special Care Fund, a commitment that supplies lodging for Greek patients and their families who come to Pittsburgh for treatment of devastating illnesses.

Speaker was Jo Ann Kehris, Ronald McDonald House director; and Dr. Beth Piraino.

Luncheon Committee members included Nancy Sofis, chairman, Holy Cross

Church, Pittsburgh; Dorothea Papoutsis, co-chair, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Camp Hill, Pa.; Rosemary Nikas, All Saints, Canonsburg, Pa.; Victoria Biagas, protocol, Holy Cross, Pittsburgh; Sophia Tangalos, speaker chair, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh; and Georgia Antinopoulos, special care committee chair, Holy Trinity Church, Ambridge, Pa. Kathy Drakos of All Saints, Canonsburg, produced the Ad Book.

Connecticut Presidents Hold Breakfast Meeting Medical Fund Luncheon National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund Luncheon planners Susan Regos (general chairman), and co-chairs Lori Voutiritsa and Mary Ann Bissias hope for a big turnout at the annual event,

which this year will take place in Oak Brook, Ill., on Nov. 10. Since its inception in 1989, the annual event has raised nearly $1 million for the medical needs of children around the country.

St. Sophia Cathedral Chapter Celebrates Mom’s Day LOS ANGELES More than 450 mothers and their families attended St. Sophia s 53rd annual Mother s Day celebration, which featured a luncheon, fashion show and the naming of Mary A. Gallanis as Mother of the Year.

Chapter President Bess Pappas welcomed guests to the event held at the Regency Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Proceeds will benefit St. Sophia Camp and Retreat Center, a future Orthodox Christian nursing home and rehabilitation center, and other Philoptochos charities.

Benefit Chairman was Tina Callas. Her program included lyric soprano Michele Patzakis Prappas and the fashion show, with Philoptochos 2001 debutantes as models.

Fr. John Bakas, cathedral dean, presented Mrs. Gallanis with an icon of St.

Fla. Chapter Holds ‘Spring Fling’ SARASOTA, Fla. St. Barbara chapter recently hosted its Spring Fling luncheon, attended by several area chapters.

Also attending were members of a local organization, Families Area Needs Club, which receives support from the local Philoptochos groups.

Mary from Jerusalem. She received a traditional silver bowl from Mrs. Pappas.

Ms. Patzakis, who also is deputy counsel to Mayor Richard Riordan, presented Mrs. Gallanis with a special commendation from the City of Los Angeles.

Mrs. Gallanis and her husband, Andy, have been married 42 years. They have three children and two grandchildren.

She has volunteered her service to the cathedral Philoptochos for 30 years and has chaired the Debutante Ball, Sunday of Orthodoxy and Cathedral Name day celebrations and co-chaired the Mother s Day Luncheon.

She also has supported the VIPs, Kids n Cancer, welfare, holiday basket, Easter picnic and March 25th committees, and for years served on the Philoptochos board of directors and top leadership positions.

Committee members included: Vicky Ambatielos, Frances Bissias, Anastasia Chames, Connie Cooper, Jennie Doumak, Irene Frankos, Nicole French, Lola Gialketsis, Olympia Harris, Vannie Karavas, Electra Koutsoukos, Jeanne Lambros, Diane Lapa, Mary Lappas, Virginia Noyes, Bess Pappas, Susan Patzakis, Christine Peratis, Marianna Politis, Aileen Preonas, Rita Stephanou, Kitsa Treantafelles and Georgia Vasila

ORANGE, Conn. Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board President Stella Capiris recently convened a working breakfast meetings of Connecticut chapter presidents.

The diocese president informed the participants on progress made in various areas, including national commitments, St. Basil Academy, St. Photios Shrine, social services, Hellenic College-Holy Cross and the newsletter.

Discussion also took place on two diocese obligations: St. Michael s Home and the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria. The diocese will spearhead a drive for a future St. Michael s nursing home.

Over the past two years, Connecticut chapters have held fund-raisers for St. Basil s and HC/HC. The Bridgeport chapter was the first

to sponsor a child s education at the Academy. They plan to hold a Festival of Tables fund-raiser in the near future.

The Hartford chapter sponsored a Palm Sunday luncheon for parishioners.

In Orange, the Philoptochos recently held a luncheon with proceeds benefiting Multiple Sclerosis research at YaleNew Haven School of Medicine.

Mattituck Member Honored MATTITUCK, N.Y. Cleo P. Tsounis, a member of Transfiguration of Christ Church Philoptochos, recently was honored by her parish as Mother of the Year.

Mrs. Tsounis, one of the founders of this eastern Long Island community, served as church secretary more than 25 years.

San Antonio Chapter Holds Several Events SAN ANTONIO Omonoia chapter recently was visited by Diocese President Elaine Cladis. The group took her on a tour of Holy Archangels Monastery with Fr. Joseph.

They also held two retreats with Fr. Makarios and Fr. Stelios Sitaras of Corpus

Christi as retreat masters.

Also taking place was a luncheon for the community s senior citizens. The chapter dispersed funds to three local charities: The Children s Bereavement Center, Women s Shelter of Bexar, and the Children s Service Bureau.

Long Island Charity Event Held MERRICK, N.Y. Members of St. Barbara chapter of St. Demetrios Church held a fund-raising event to benefit the Greek Children s Fund at Schneider Children s Hospital.

Hundreds of Philoptochos members from several Long Island parishes and Queens attended the dinner held the Sand Castle banquet hall in Franklin Square.

The Merrick chapter also honored Archdiocese Chancellor the Very Rev.

Savas Zembillas with a special presentation. Fr. Savas served as pastor of St. Demetrios prior to becoming chancellor.

The gala event also featured special drawing of gold and diamond earrings by jewelry designer Doris Panos, which aided the charity effort.

Chapter President Diane Calimopoulos, Vice President and event coordinator Barbara Kolis Miciotta, and Treasurer Theoni Anagnostou, conducted the program.

JUNE 2001

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Youth Ministry

challenge

Summer Programming?

by Fr. Mark A. Leondis

During the summer months, families are extremely busy; planning vacations, visiting grandparents and trying to have their children grow up even quicker than they already are by enrolling them in college summer classes.

Just notice the attendance at the Divine Liturgy the Sunday Church School graduation. The congregation is probably cut in half! In many parishes, it seems that parish life in the summer comes to a halt and is almost non-existent.

Unfortunately, this happens in almost all of our parishes. Even the parish youth programs are cut down to almost nothing, besides a one-week Vacation Bible School for the younger children.

Has God taken a vacation during the summer? I think we all know the answer to that question. It is true many people go away in the summer. But they don t all go away at once. What about the young people that can t afford to go away for the summer? What about programs for them?

Maybe 50 percent of the GOYA has left for vacation. Maybe another 25 percent will be in the mountains or down the shore.

And maybe another 22 percent will visit grandparents. What about that 3 percent or more of young people who are still around? What about programs for them?

It is unfortunate that many of our parishes seem to stop all programming for the summer months. The summer is not dead time or merely time to plan for your fall programs.

It is a time when you can expand on your youth ministry program by drawing in young people whose lives are cluttered with obligations the rest of the year. In reality, this is a very teachable time. You don t have to battle with homework, athletics and other school activities to grab their attention.

If you are interested in doing something for your young people who are around in the summer, try some of these inexpensive activities. You might find them helpful!

Gather a group to send to the Diocesan summer camp or Ionian Village.

Meet twice a month at a public pool.

Have a movie night at the church hall or at alternating houses.

Take me out to the ball game you can always buy cheap seats.

Do a church (grounds) clean up.

Gather ten kids and take them to the next town for a night (stay at a local hotel, retreat center, hostel or camp ground) and hold a mini retreat.

Host a once a week morning Bible study (alternating houses).

Visit the elderly, nursing homes, etc.

Take a classroom (at the church) and transform it into a GOYA meeting room. (if possible continue using it throughout the year) Take them to a park, national forest, etc., and have a religious scavenger hunt.

Start a youth garden at the church. (let the youth discover what it takes to grow in Christ) Have them work on a skit (use a parable) perform it during the elderly visitations.

Most importantly ask the youth themselves what they would like to do!

These are just a few ideas which might help you get started creating a summer youth program. Use your imagination and creativity! Above all, listen to the young people they will tell you what they want. Remember be creative and have fun! Even with only three children, ministry can still take place. Remember, Christ went searching for the one!

Where Does God Go

f o r S u m m e r Va c a t i o n ?

This creative book, published by the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, helps breath life into summer youth programs. It is a workbook written for young people of all ages. The author takes the concepts of fellowship and faith creating some wonderful activities that are sure to entertain and engage

young people while they learn about their Orthodox Faith. The resource book also includes a youth worker/parent s guide. To order the book, contact the Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at (212) 5703560. The book cost $10 plus $2 shipping and handling.

Bi-Annual Meeting of the Archdiocese Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team With the blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the biannual meeting of the Archdiocese Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team convened in Seattle, Washington, May 1-3, 2001. The team discussed strategic planning and goal Challenge is the Youth & Young Adult Ministries supplement to the Orthodox Observer.

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 or email: youthoffice@goarch.org

PAGE 31

setting for ministry to youth and young adults throughout our Archdiocese. Over the next year, the team will assist in establishing a new paradigm for youth and young adult ministries, as well as developing a strategic plan for expanding and improving the ministry on a national, diocesan, regional and local levels. The focus of the ministry will be placed on the following three areas: Youth Worker Training, Family Ministry and Clergy Training.

The Archdiocese Youth and Young Adult Ministry team is comprised of each Diocese Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Email: youthoffice@goarch.org

What s Up alone with God

by Fr. Mark A. Leondis

U

P LATE LAST NIGHT FINISHING homework... preparing for the math quiz... getting to homeroom on time... rushing to sports or play practice... coming home and finishing homework... finding some time to spend with friends.

Sound familiar? Do you find yourself at times running around almost out of control? If you do, you re not crazy, you are the typical busy teen-ager.

Many times, we get so caught up in our hectic day-to-day schedules, that we don t find time for ourselves, and more importantly, our personal growth: reading the Bible, daily prayers and time alone with God. Someone once said, I have so much to do today, I must spend two to three hours this morning with God in order to get it all accomplished. Finding time for ourselves and God is often quite difficult, but most necessary. It is only when we learn to discipline ourselves that we can truly live a life in Christ.

What a great time of the year! The flowers are budding, the trees are turning green again, and most importantly, school is almost over. What a great time of the year to re-focus ourselves back to God. We can re-focus ourselves in many ways. We can go to a summer camp, volunteer at the church or a local soup kitchen and spend more time alone with God. What a great time of the year, a time to become more centered on God in our lives!

While many of your friends are rushing to watch more TV, hang out with

Movie Review

by Rev. George Nikas

Chocolat NNNN Set amidst the semi-sweet backdrop of a sleepy and pious French village in 1959, this delightful film is sure to please all who crave to see it. Juliette Binoche stars as Vianne Rocher who has opened up a fantastic chocolate shop across from the towncChurch at the beginning of Lent.

It doesn t take long for Vianne s decadent chocolates to become the center of controversy, as the non-Lenten sweets magically transform the villagers conservative attitudes and ritualistic thinking. It seems that everyone who devours Vianne s healing chocolates emerges liberated, having conquered any suppressed desires.

The mayor, who is very self-righteous with his religion, is less than pleased with this development. This movie gives examples of what it is that we must be practicing as Orthodox Christians and example of what we should not be practicing.

Both the mayor and Vianne display Christian principles that we should imitate, and yet both had some very serious faults that made them bittersweet.

The mayor is a fiery example of Christian determination and perseverance in the face of temptation. He attends church

friends, spend time on the internet and play computer games you can set aside a few minutes each day to re-focus your life back to God. A famous writer once said, There is always one more phone call, one more letter, one more book and one more party. Together, these form an insurmountable pile of activities. There is always one more thing. Life can get so busy. But if our life is focused on God, the busy-ness turns into peace and the difficulty into joy.

If we look at the life of Jesus, we see that He was not afraid to spend some time each day alone with God. He spent quality time with His Father each day.

We too, need to start spending more time with God every day. If we begin each day in prayer and solitude, then our lives will continue Christ-centered. When I was a child, I remember passing by my father s study every morning, to see him on his hands and knees, starting his day in prayer.

This is a practice I have tried my best to follow. Whether it s one, two or ten minutes a day, we need to start somewhere. I don t think God is looking down on us and saying, Look at John. He s only giving me five minutes a day. I think that our God is looking down and saying, Look at John. That s great. He gave me five minutes today. Maybe tomorrow he ll give me ten.

During the summer months, instead of increasing your social time with your friends, spend a few extra minutes each day alone with God increasing your spiritual time with God. I guarantee that it will be worth it! every Sunday, strongly encourages others to do so. He would have been an excellent Orthodox model for the villagers to follow if only he did not also encourage gossip and encourage non-acceptance of those who were different .

Indeed, perhaps his greatest barrier to perfection was his pride and inability to humble himself before God and others.

Vianne, our story s heroine, is a breath of fresh air for the uptight town, engaging everyone that she meets regardless of their religious dedication or if they fit into mainstream society. She lent a helping hand to a woman in need, a tireless ear to the forgotten grandmother and a welcoming mat to all who would visit her.

Vianne also had many faults that any Orthodox Christian could easily pick out.

She was a pagan, or at least someone who did not go to church at all. Without a second thought, she tempted everyone with her chocolates during a time of fasting and restraint.

In this movie chocolate becomes the cure for every sickness of the heart and soul. As Orthodox Christians we know that only Christ and His Church can deliver us from temptation into Paradise, from broken hearts to mended ones and from despair to hope.

I fully recommend this movie to all as it is most enjoyable and full of theological undertones, once one gets past the sumptuous temptations of Chocolat.

Fr. George Nikas is assistant priest at the Cathedral of St. John the Theologian in Tenefly, N. J.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 32

JUNE 2001

THREE DIOCESES HOLD MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND JR. OLYMPICS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND has become the traditional period when thousands of Greek Orthodox youth participate in a weekend of Christian athletic fellowship in the Junior Olympics.

Three dioceses – Chicago, New Jersey and the Archdiocese District – enabled these young people to test their skills and abilities in well organized events. Metropolitan Iakovos officiated at the opening ceremonies held at the host parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Palos Hills, Ill. More than 2,100 teens and preteens from GOYA and JOY chapters in 37 chapters took part in the DIOCESE OF CHICAGO Junior Olympics, with the support of more than 200 volunteers. The children represented communities in Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Events took place at A.A. Stagg High School High School, Moraine Valley Community College and elsewhere.

The games were dedicated to Christine Marx, a 5-year-old who died in January.

Events included a wheelchair basketball team playing several games, along with traditional track-and-field, volleyball, soccer, tennis, softball, 10K run, chess, checkers, table tennis and basketball.

IN THE DIOCESE OF NEW JERSEY, more than 1,000 young people ages 12 to 18 competed at Williams Field and Dunn Sports Center in Elizabeth.

Events included swimming, track and field, volleyball and a mini-marathon.

The Northern New Jersey Youth Commission has organized the annual event for 32 years.

Under the leadership of Andy Hios, chairman, this is the first year that all 53 parishes of the diocese, which encompasses New Jersey, the Philadelphia area, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia, took part.

Communities with medal winners included Ocean County, Fairview, Holmdel, Asbury Park, Westfield, Paramus, Piscataway, Trenton, Tenafly, Perth Amboy, Orange, Union, Newark, Morris, Clifton and Wyckoff.

The New Jersey Olympics featured many track-and-field and swimming events.

THE ARCHDIOCESE DISTRICT, under the leadership of Alex Constantinou, chairman, set a record for the number of participants in the 23 years of its existence, with more than 1,100 young people from 23 parishes.

Unfortunately, torrential rains curtailed the outdoor events and many of the youth could not compete in their sport. This year, the athletes were limited to indoor track-and-field, volleyball, basketball free-throw, chess, backgammon and swimming events.

Archbishop Demetrios paid a visit on the morning of May 26 and witnessed many of the JOY members competing in the various relay races.

Participating communities included: (from New York) Astoria, Blue Point, Bronx, Corona, Flushing, Glen Cove, Greenlawn, Hempstead, Hicksville, Jamaica, Merrick, New Rochelle, Port Jefferson, Roslyn, Rye, Southhampton, Staten Island, West Babylon, West Nyack, Whitestone, Yonkers, and (in Connecticut) Norwalk and Stamford.

The Archdiocese District Olympics took place at the State University of New York-Stony Brook campus on Long Island.

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS with young athletes at the Archdiocesan District Olympics in L.I.

METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS holds the torch shortly after lighting the flame in the opening ceremony.

TWENTY-FOUR boys and girls teams competed in the Archdiocesan District Olympics for a chance to win the gold medal in events ranging from track-and-field to volleyball to basketbal and freethrow, chess, backgammon and swimming events.

Photos by DemetriosPanagos