Orthodox Observer - July/August 2002

VOL. 67 NO. 1191

JULY - AUGUST

2002

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

Congress Focuses on Increasing Awareness of the Faith, Expanding Role in Society LOS ANGELES Nearly 800 delegates representing some 358 parishes participated in the 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America June 30-July 5.

Nearly 1,200 Clergy Laity Congress and Philoptochos Convention delegates attended the combined opening session on July 1. Some 130 were first-time delegates to the Congress, according to Peter Preovolos, general chairman.

Following a prayer service led by Archbishop Demetrios, Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis officially opened the Congress and its proceedings.

In conjunction with the Clergy Laity Congress and Philoptochos Convention, the annual meetings of several Church-affiliated organizations also were held at the Westin Bonaventure hotel. These included the Young Adult League Conference, which preceded the Congress and took place at the nearby Biltmore hotel, the Order of St. Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Retired Clergy Association, National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres and the National Presbyters Council.

Delegates spend a considerable amount of time devoted to the plenary sessions discussing the proposed charter and offering several recommendations that will be forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for consideration before the final version of the charter is granted.

The Congress also featured daily worship services, including an all-Spanish language Divine Liturgy, reflecting the demographics of this predominately Hispanic area of the United States.

A Philoptochos Tribute Dinner honored outgoing National President Eve Condakes who is retiring after the successful completion of two terms.

A nearly standing-room-only audience packed St. Sophia Cathedral for the July 4 Ecumenical Service that featured a rousing address by the Rev. Cecil Murray, senior minister of the African Methodist Church in Los Angeles. A combined choir of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians offered a majestic rendition of the hymns of the service.

The grand finale of the Congress took place that evening with the Grand Banquet that featured a moving patriotic theme, beginning with the impressive entrance of members of the Los Angeles Fire Department Color Guard and Scottish bagpipe players, and the hotel staff parading with the flags of each U.S. state, to the musical celebration produced and directed by Helen Lambros that featured singer-actress Genna Ambatielos, operatic soprano Michelle Patazakis-Prappas and baritone George Miserlis and other accomplished professional musicians.

Opening session Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention, the representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, read a message to the Congress from Patriarch Bartho-

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DELEGATES of the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress at the first plenary session.

N.Manginas

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS AND SCOBA HIERARCHS MEET WITH PRESIDENT BUSH NEW YORK At the invitation of President George W. Bush, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, joined with other Orthodox leaders on Tuesday, July 9th for a meeting at the White House. The meeting of almost one hour was attended

by Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), including Archbishop Demetrios, SCOBA Chairman, Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese, Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America, Metropolitan Christopher of the Serbian Orthodox Church, Bishop Ilia Katre of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, General Secretary of SCOBA. The President opened the meeting by expressing his gratitude for the prayers and service of the Orthodox leaders and communities since the tragic events of September 11th. He expressed his optimism, hope and faith that peace will be achieved in many crisis areas of the world. Discussion followed on issues related to conflicts in the Middle East and the Balkans, and the President highlighted the efforts and plans of the United States government to foster peace and restore stability in these areas.

In his remarks, Archbishop Demetrios acknowledge the tremendous potential of Orthodox Christians in America who have

White House

PRESIDENT BUSH welcomed to the Oval Office the Orthodox hierarchs of SCOBA. (l to r) Bishop Ilia Katre (Albanian), Metropolitan Theososius (OCA), Archbishop Demetrios - chairman, Metropolitan Philip (Antiochian), Metroplitan Christopher (Serbian) and Bishop Demetrios (GOA).

unique and beneficial connections with many of the areas that are in crisis. Together with the other Hierarchs, he stressed that the Orthodox presence in this country is significant due to the vitality of Orthodox communities and institutions, to the contribution that has been made to the growth and strength of our country, and to the ability to provide service and

ministry in areas that are critical to the life of the nation, such as family life, moral issues, and the role of religious faith.

This meeting was hosted by President Bush to offer the SCOBA Hierarchs the opportunity to share their concerns and to discuss the efforts to promote peace, compassion, and care for the needs of others.

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Congress Focuses on Increasing Awareness of the Faith, Expanding Role in Society He called on the Church s leaders to devote the next two years to the parish to facilitate its unrestricted growth. (Complete text, page 6)

u page 1 lomew,(see p. 4) in which the Patriarch said, in part, with regard to the offering of Orthodoxy to America in the land of tremendous freedom of movement of ideas and of religious creeds, and also of toleration of every personal religious perception, your experience is most useful and must be worthily utilized, he said.

Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that such an offering is the work of God, though it takes place through human beings and, therefore, God should have the first and the last word in everything that is connected with it.

The Metropolitan drew resounding applause later in the speech when he said The Ecumenical Patriarchate does not have either the possibility or the intention to interfere in the self-governing of he Holy Archdiocese of America and of the parishes and communities or institutions that are under it. Neither does it have the intention to restrict the autonomy of the above that has existed for some time.

Charter discussion

D. Panagos

ARCHBISHOP Demetrios delivers the Key-note address at the Clergy-Laity opening session.

less than two years, resulted in the offering of more than $5 million, radically reducing our debt. This is quite a blessing.

Discussing the impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Archbishop Demetrios said, In midst of death, destruction and pain, there was love comfort and assistance. He said it raised the level of sensitivity, prayer, caring, and fund-raising, especially for the orphans. It was a tremendous outpouring of love demonstrated by

church, clergy and laity.

The Archbishop also briefly described the progress made by various Church institutions and the Archdiocese s efforts to reach out to the faithful.

He charged the delegates This Clergy-Laity Congress should be a congress that will cultivate an awareness of tremendous importance of the parish; and to make the parish a powerful witness and powerful promoter of Orthodox faith.

Delegates devoted the first two of four plenary sessions to a discussion of the proposed new charter.

With Dimitri Moschos presiding, Elenie Huszagh led the delegates through an article-by-article presentation and informative discussion.

Delegates were given the opportunity to ask for clarification or information on all points. They offered suggestions, ideas and recommendations.

Recommendations also were received in writing from some delegates.

After the presentation and discussion of the proposed charter, a motion was made and passed that stated that the Clergy-Laity Congress respectfully submits a request to our Ecumenical Patriarchate that it grant to this Holy Archdiocese the proposed charter with such modifications as will reflect the major concerns expressed by the Archdiocesan Council, the parishes and by this Clergy-Laity Congress.

The delegates were informed that the recommendations presented at the Congress would be sent to the Patriarchate for review prior to the charter being granted by the Patriarchate to the Archdiocese.

Choir directors at the Divine Liturgy

Church Musicians Honor 2 with Medal, Bestow Major Gift to Holy Cross

He drew more applause near the end of the speech in his praise of Archbishop Demetrios, who is worthy and a peacemaker in every way, and who steers in a God-loving manner, the vessel of the Holy Archdiocese of America. (Complete text, page 4) In his opening remarks, Archbishop Demetrios said the Church is entrusted

by Christ with the awesome mission to do what He did, to do what He offered and sealed with His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.

Alluding to the tragic events of Sept.

11, the Archbishop said the past year has been filled with explosive death, and explosive life and love.

He listed several areas of progress for the Church, in the ordination of new bishops and clergy and the building and consecration of several new churches. We give thanks to God for our new bishops and priests, the Archbishop said.

His Eminence also pointed to the efforts by the Church s leadership, the Archdiocesan Council and anonymous individuals that have drastically reduced the Archdiocese s indebtedness.

In Philadelphia, we reported a sizeable debt from past, drastically hampering the work and ministries of the Church Who would think that people would give large amounts of money for the dissolution of past debts?

He continued that these efforts, in

The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians held its annual conference in conjunction with the ClergyLaity Congress and made a large donation for the establishment of a choral music program at Holy Cross School of Theology.

During the Plenary session on July 4, Dr. Vicki Pappas, national chairwoman, announced a major gift of $385,000 to Holy Cross School of Theology from the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians. This gift emanated from contributions received by church musicians, choirs, parishes, and local Philoptochos chapters over the past 20 years.

In 1998, the Forum donated part of the monies ($100,000) to the School to establish a Liturgical Music Room at the Archbishop Iakovos Learning Center.

At this year s Clergy-Laity Congress, Dr. Pappas announced the completion of the gift - a $285,000 endowment to establish a Visiting Scholar Program in Byzantine and church choral music.

At the musician s reception on Monday evening, July 1, Dr. Pappas announced the recipients of the St. Romanos Medallion, the annual award bestowed by the National Forum to individuals who have made exemplary national contributions to church music.

The 2002 recipients are Dr. Dino Anagnost of the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan

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D. Panagos

A mixed but melodic choir, consisting of area church choir members participated in the liturgy.

Cathedral in New York, and Mr. Kevin Lawrence of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Greensboro, N.C. Attending the reception were Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi, the Ecumenical Patriarchate s representative to the Congress.

Dr. Pappas also announced two awards from the National Music Religious

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Week Alliance organization to people who have made significant contributions to church music in all denominations.

Of the 15 choir directors chosen nationally to receive the Alliance s award, two were Greek Orthodox - Presbytera Anna Gallos, of St. Demetrios Church in Baltimore, was honored for developing one of the foremost worship music programs.

Tikey Zes, the choir director of St. Basil Church in San Jose, Calif. received an honorable mention award.

In his brief remarks at the end of the reception, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios described Church music as a combination of the perfect poetry and the best music.

The National Forum chairwoman presented the Archbishop with the first copy of a newly published album commemorating the organization s 25-year celebration. The book will be made available to every priest and choir director in the country.

JULY - AUGUST 2002

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ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS, Celebrates 91st Birthday July 29 Editor s note: The Orthodox Observer and the entire Archdiocese staff expresses its best wishes to Archbishop Iakovos on the occasion of his 91st birthday, along with our prayers for good health and God s blessings. Eis polla eti, Despota.

ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS

Archives

by Rev. Constantine N. Dombalis

Greek Orthodox communications and so many others in America and throughout the world will remember on July 29th, a world religious leader known to humanity as a prelate who stood at a crucial moment in our civil rights history for what is right, unafraid with courage of conviction.

During four decades as coryphaeus of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the Americas, Archbishop Iakovos resolved

with the help of our Creator to make things what they ought to be.

Our feelings as we honor Archbishop Iakovos, on this day, are nurtured by religious sensibility, religion, and religious values for a saintly and prophetic voice whose generosity of spirit moved beyond institution and doctrine. Archbishop Iakovos reached the unreachable, touched the untouchables, and loved the unloved.

Our thoughts and flow of gratitude, is for one whose real strength is anchored in faith and who did not falter when confronted by risks. His Eminence was destined to one day become the leader of Ecumenical Orthodoxy, but he chose as a servant of our Master to commit himself to share his life afar from his native land.

His Eminence pioneered an ambitious building program to educate our youth and clergy in this great land, to shelter children of broken homes, the aged and infirmed. Our humanitarian hierarch continuously pledged the material and spiritual resources of the Archdiocese in the cause of the poor, the disadvantaged, the new immigrant and the racially discriminated. This icon becomes the hallmark of our legacy: to be militantly allied with our Archdiocese, to reflect the image of Christ Jesus, and to never bring a tear to the cheek of mother.

We wish a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to our Archdiocese Iakovos, whose ninety-one years have fulfilled an impressive responsibility. We will continue to be with our Shepherd in all the empty places he must walk.

Your Eminence, THANKS seems such a small word for all you ve done.

Fr. Dombalis is Dean Emeritus of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Virginia.

BOARD MEMBERS with Bishop Dimitrios

St. Photios Board Holds Annual Meeting ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. St. Photios National Shrine s Board of Trustees met in June in conjunction with the annual celebration of National Shrine Day. Attending the meeting were Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Dr. and Mrs. George Croffead, the Shrine s godparents; George Parandes, Deacon John Vlahos, Joanne

Stavrakas, Christopher D Anna, Harry Plomarity, Steve Xynidis, Paul Sogotis, Charles Masterpolis, Ted Pappas, the Very Rev. Nicholas Graff, director; Angelo Koukoulis, George Reganis, Dr. Manuel Tissura, Andre Gregory, Georgia Klamson, Mike Gaetanos, Alex Khalifa and Fr. Nikitas Theodosian.

YOUTH OFFICE BLESSING

2002 National YAL Conference a Success!

Delegate Training Led the Way LOS ANGELES More than 500 young adults participated in the 20th Anniversary National Young Adult League Conference, held June 27-July 1.

by Steven G. Counelis

The conference provided the ideal balance of spiritual edification and fellowship, in light of the theme Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America.

The event s highlights included: a capacity-filled breakfast and Bible study with Archbishop Demetrios, a keynote breakfast and presentation by Bishop Savas, powerful workshops, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, the grand banquet and glendi, a Hollywood Bowl concert, and a trip to Hermosa Beach.

Additionally, the Conference offered two discussion group tracks: College and Career and Leadership.

Each series focused on relevant issues for the 18-30-year-old age group and the 30-and-older age group.

A new and enlightening program aimed specifically to meet the growth and composition of our modern day Young Adult Ministry was unveiled.

Topics included: My Career and God s Will, Tolerance and Tradition, and Orthodoxy and Islam.

All the discussion groups were designed to prepare the participants to offer Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America.

First-Ever Delegate Training Offered The National Young Adult Conference also provided for the first time a Delegate Training Program. The Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team

Orthodox Observer

Archbishop Demetrios conducts an aghiasmo (holy water blessing) service June 15 at the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries that relocated to St. Basil Academy in late May. At right is Fr. Mark Leondis, director.

D. Panagos

AT THE GRAND BANQUET, Archbishop Demetrios and Youth department director, Fr. Mark Leondis with a group of Young Adults.

(comprised of each diocese director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries) presented the three-day long training to 45 young adults, five from each diocese.

Each delegate was transported, housed, and sponsored to attend the training through an extraordinarily generous and anonymous donation of $50,000 from

a sole patron.

Upon completing the delegate training, a new network of young adult leadership teams have returned to their dioceses and parishes with action plans, enthusiasm, tools and resources, as well as the institutional support needed to establish new and revive existing Young Adult ministries.

Each Diocese Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is now empowered and staffed with an immediate network of motivated and trained young adults available for young adult ministry programming, i.e. parish young adult ministries, summer camps, retreats, and diocese young adult conferences, all for the advancement of Orthodoxy.

For information on how to implement a delegate training program, contact your Diocese s Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Visit the 20th Anniversary Conference web site at: www.yal.org or www.goarch. org to see the Conference s Online Photo Gallery.

The 21st National YAL Conference will be held in Baltimore.

Mr. Counelis is LA 2002 Conference co-chair.

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MESSAGE OF HIS ALL HOLINESS ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW TO THE DELEGATES AND PARTICIPANTS OF THE 36TH BIENNIAL CLERGY LAITY CONGRESS Protocol No. 507 Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, Supremely Honored Exarch of the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, beloved brother in the Holy Spirit, and concelebrant of our Modesty: Grace be to Your Eminence and peace from God. It is with much love, affection, joy and honor that we address the wholehearted salutation of our Modesty and of the Mother Church, the Great Holy Church of Christ, to you, to their Eminences, the Hierarchs of your Holy Archdiocese, to the Clergy and the Laity who participate in its 36th Clergy Laity Congress, and to all its people who bear the name of Christ and are represented in it.

We express our deep satisfaction for the main theme chosen for this Congress, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America, because it reveals the high sense of responsibility which imbues the body of the local Church in offering to all their fellow human beings in America the treasure of the Orthodox Faith, which the Providence of God has entrusted to you.

Indeed, according to the Orthodox Faith, the personal salvation of each individual presupposes his desire and care for the salvation of the whole world. The Orthodox Church, faithfully following the will of the Lord our God who loves and wishes that all human beings be saved and come to the realization of the truth, has always been, from the first days of its inception to the present, a missionary Church open to all.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate does not have either the possibility or the intention to interfere in the self-governing of the Holy Archdiocese of America and of the Parishes and Communities or Institutions that are under it.

Neither does it have the intention to restrict the autonomy of the above that has existed for some time.

The Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea and of the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople named the One and Holy Church of Christ catholic and apostolic, because it has the intent and the possibility to include completely all human beings, it is based on the Holy Apostles and the Apostolic succession, and it continues the Apostolic work. An example of this, well known to all, is the Christianizing of the Slavs by St. Cyril and St. Methodios who were commissioned by the Mother Church of Constantinople. There are, of course, many more innumerable missions to most of the peoples that were accessible at that time, some of whom responded positively, whereas others rejected the preaching of Christ. This missionary offering of the Orthodox Church, in general, is continued today to the peoples of Asia, Africa and Australia, who are geographically far from us; and the peoples of Europe and America, who are closer.

D. Panagos

METROPOLITAN Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention delivers the Patriarchal Message.

More particularly, with regard to the offering of Orthodoxy in America, i.e. in the land of tremendous freedom of movement of ideas and of religious creeds, and also of toleration of every personal religious perception, your experience is most useful and must be worthily utilized. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that such an offering is the work of God, though it takes place through human beings, and, therefore, God should have the first and the last word in everything that is connected with it. He should be its inspiration and its purpose and not another personal or corporate aspiration.

Unselfishness, then, on the part of those who offer the word of God is the supreme prerequisite of the divine blessing and of the success of such an endeavor. This is innate, of course, in the notion of offering.

Such being its theme and such also its disposition of offering, the 36th Clergy Laity Congress that has been summoned is in harmony with the spirit and ethos of our Orthodox Faith and Church and has the complete prayer and blessing of our Modesty and of the entirety of the Holy and Great Church of Christ for every success and good accomplishment in its proceedings.

It is certainly the case that all its participants have come to it in the name of Christ and with the purpose to seek His Holy Will and not to impose their own views. Therefore, there will be no winners and no losers, but only winners, if indeed the Will of God, that is being sought by all, is found and prevails.

God s primary will, as we all know, is our sanctification, for only by being sanctified we will truly see Christ (cf. Hebrews 12:14) and will enjoy eternal life even in our present earthly condition. Eternal life does not begin after death. It begins in the present life and, to be exact, at the moment when the believer is united with Christ, the source of life and immortality.

This is why our Lord assured us that he who hears His word and believes in the One who sent Him has eternal life, and he is no longer subject to judgement, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24).

Viewed from this angle of the eschatological perspective, the problems and events of our life take on their real dimensions. The problems of everyday life,

those of ever-changeable legal relations and arrangements, those of ever-fluid economics, those of health, which are in constant alteration, and all others similar to the above, reveal their earthly and temporary meaning. It is certain that they are not deprived of significance, but also that they do not require the full dedication of all our powers. They are evaluated in a positive way and take their proper position in the list of our interests.

Correspondingly, the matters of our spiritual grounding, of the practical application of love, of meekness, of peace, of goodness, of respect for our neighbors, of our interest in the difficulties of our fellow human beings, of prayer, of participation in the sanctifying sacraments of the Church, of the study of God s law, of self-understanding and self-control, of forgiveness and of our sanctification in general, are not overlooked, but take their proper and foremost position in our life.

In this way, by being sanctified and living a life of irremovable joy, peace and eternity in Christ, we find ourselves filled with living water, which we offer to our fellow human beings, and, in this way, our zeal in contributing to the lives of our fellow citizens in America as members of the Orthodox Church is materialized.

Without this direct experience of the Divine Grace we simply speak about it, but are not able to transmit it to our fellow human beings who thirst for it. As Abba Isaac says, the water in a painting does not quench the thirsty people. We must offer the living water, concerning which the Lord spoke to the Samaritan woman, which the Lord gives only to those who have for it a strong desire. Such people are those who are not all wise themselves, who do not rely on their own knowledge, but seek, in the exercise of virtue, the knowledge of God and His illumination through His Church.

We are confident that all of you realize the priority of your sanctification, and that no one will sacrifice this sanctification for the sake of selfish aspirations. We are certain that the Holy Archdiocese of America, which is most beloved to us, will offer Saints from her bosom and that it has undertaken in God s Providence the duty to evangelize our fellow human beings in America. It has already made much

progress in the cycle of its growth, organizationally, liturgically, staff-wise and educationally; and the signs of its autonomous growth are hopeful. They offer the possibility of predicting that the remaining stages for its development will be followed with thoughtful and prudent utilization of the possibilities which have been granted and which will be granted to it. The Ecumenical Patriarchate does not have either the possibility or the intention to interfere in the self-governing of the Holy Archdiocese of America and of the Parishes and Communities or Institutions that are under it. Neither does it have the intention to restrict the autonomy of the above that has existed for some time. On the contrary, it strongly desires and envisages the Holy Archdiocese growing in all respects especially spiritually so as to take more responsibilities and to engage in a more important role in offering the Orthodox message to the people of America.

It should not be forgotten, however, that the work of offering the truth and salvation in Christ is, as we already said, the work of God and not the work of us human beings, whom God is well pleased to use as instruments. Thus, let us repeat once more that we must become worthy bearers and re-transmitters of the Divine Grace and of the pure Orthodox truth and not of our personal ideas about it, as it happens with preachers who belong to other Christian Confessions. Our Orthodox Church has a radiant, holy and spiritual tradition and experience of holiness, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has only this single duty towards the Holy Archdiocese of America, to care with paternal affection and love for the preservation of this pure, holy and spiritual tradition and experience. All other matters of local concern ought to be responsibly met within the framework of the Orthodox Tradition by the local responsible agencies of the Orthodox Church under the spiritual oversight and guidance of Their Eminences and Their Graces, and the Most Reverend Archbishop Demetrios of America, who is worthy and a peace-maker in every way, and who steers in a God-loving manner, the vessel of the Holy Archdiocese of America.

Hence, we wholeheartedly wish that our Lord Jesus Christ sends His All-Holy Spirit upon all of you, so that in peace, concord, unity and love you may delve into the depths of this most important theme of your present Clergy Laity Congress and find the God-favored ways of realizing the offering of the Orthodox Church to the American People.

Thus, we bestow upon all of you our wholehearted paternal prayer and our Patriarchal blessing, wishing you health, long-life, peace, progress in every good work and sanctification in Christ, the giver of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of blessedness, of eternal life and of every good and perfect gift.

May His Grace and His abundant Mercy be with you all, most beloved brethren and children. Amen.

A.D. 2002, June the 23rd Your beloved brother in Christ and fervent supplicant before God,

ð BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ECUMENICAL

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PATRIARCHATE

TWO PAGES IN THE BOOK OF HISTORY The Ecumenical Patriarch in Ravenna and Venice

T

Such is the model of our ecological endeavors. Such is the foundation of any environmental ethic. The Cross must be at the very center of our vision. Without the Cross, without sacrifice, there can be no blessing and no cosmic transfiguration.

On Monday, June 10, delegates attended the closing ceremony in the Palazzo Ducale of Venice, where yet another historical moment unfolded. In a session chaired by Roger Cardinal Etchegaray, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew signed a document of environmental ethics with Pope John Paul II. The two spiritual leaders communicated by satellite, while participants witnessed the frail Pope join them by video link-up and sign the joint Venice Declaration.

This was the first text ever jointly signed by the two religious leaders on

he fourth in a series of sea-borne symposia, organized by the Religion and Science Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and initiated by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew under joint auspices with the European Commission, The Adriatic Sea: a Sea at Risk, a Unity of Purpose assembled some two hundred and fifty scientists, environmentalists, policy-makers, journalists and religious leaders in order to promote global awareness about regional environmental issues and to formulate a common vision for environmental action.

by Fr. John Chryssavgis

Convened on a vessel circumnavigating the Adriatic Sea from June 5-10, 2002, participants visited Albania, Montenegro, Croatia, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Slovenia and Italy. However, participants experienced two particularly unique and historical moments in the final ports of call in Italy.

On Sunday, June 9, the Ecumenical Patriarch celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the church of Sant Apollinare in Classe for the first time in twelve centuries. Perhaps the most impressive basilica of early Christianity, this church boasts the tomb of St. Apollinare (the first bishop of Ravenna) as well as unparalleled sixth-century mosaics. The artistic beauty of the basilica has survived centuries of plundering and destruction.

The spiritual reality expressed in the mosaics suggests a sense of eternity and wonder; it is literally a lifting and entry into heaven. The artistic decorations display great originality and innovativeness, depicting the transformation of earth and the correspondence between earth and heaven. In a way never before represented, the Transfiguration of Christ on Mount Tabor is rendered in a completely symbolical manner, with the figure of Christ shown as a Cross and the face of Christ at its center, with the voice of the Father replaced by a hand coming out of a cloud and the Apostles shown as lambs ordered around the Cross (further symbols of martyrdom), and with the entire world shown as beautiful rocks, bushes and flowers. The overwhelming notion communicated is that of reconciliation between Christ, humanity and all of creation. The connection is also clear between transfiguration, crucifixion, eucharistic mystery, and cosmic resurrection.

The Liturgy was broadcast throughout Italy, Greece and other parts of the world, while the Pope also remarked on the historical occasion in his own sermon of that day. In his closing address of the symposium, entitled Sacrifice: the missing dimension, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew observed: The Cross is our guiding symbol in the supreme sacrifice, to which we are all called. It sanctifies the waters and, through them, transforms the entire world. Who can forget the imposing symbol of the Cross in the splendid mosaic of the Basilica of Sant Apollinare in Classe? As we celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Ravenna, our attention was focused on the Cross, which stood at the center of our heavenly vision, at the center of the natural beauty that surrounds it, and at the center of our celebration of heaven on earth.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope John Paul II in tele-conference from the Vatican as they sign the Vatican declaration (top). His All Holiness and Archbishop Anastasios during the Divine Liturgy in Ravenna (right).

Nicholas Manginas photos

ECUMENICAL Patriarch Bartholomew with Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy, Metropolitan Ioannis of Pergamos and Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires concelebrate Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. Apollinare in Ravena, Italy.

environmental issues and marked the end of the five-day voyage around the Adriatic Sea, from poverty-stricken Albania to the culturally prosperous Italy. The document (published in the O.O. - June 2002) emphasizes that protecting the environment is a moral and spiritual duty of all people: At this moment in history, at the beginning of the third millennium, we are saddened to see the daily suffering of a great number of people from violence, starvation, poverty and disease. We are also concerned about the negative consequences for humanity and for all creation resulting from the degradation of some basic natural resources such as water, air and land, brought about by an economic and technological progress which does not recognize and take into account its limits.

In this perspective, Christians and all other believers have a specific role to play in proclaiming moral values and in educating people in ecological awareness, which is none other than responsibility towards self, towards others, towards creation.

What is required is an act of ecological metanoia on our part and a renewed attempt to view ourselves, one another, and the world around us within the perspective of the divine design for creation.

The problem is not simply economic and technological; it is moral and spiritual. A solution at the economic and technological level can be found only if we undergo, in the most radical way, an inner change of heart, which can lead to a change in lifestyle and of unsustainable patterns of consumption and production.

It is not too late. God s world has incredible healing powers. Within a single generation, we could steer the earth toward our children s future. Let that generation start now, with God s help and blessing.

What had begun as the turning of a new page in the book of nature concluded as a memorable page in the book of history. May it also constitute a significant page in the book of life.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 6

JULY - AUGUST 2002

KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS TO THE DELEGATES AND PARTICIPANTS OF THE 36TH BIENNIAL CLERGY LAITY CONGRESS LOS ANGELES, CA - 2002 OPENING CEREMONIES - JULY 1

1

The Lord said to His disciples: Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, even so I send you (John 20:21). This was the great and unique apostolic commission given by the risen Christ to His disciples, a commission that has changed the world.

The Lord says to us today, July 1, year 2002, here in Los Angeles: Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, even so I send you.

This is our great and holy commission. And this is the essential meaning of the phrase Offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America , the phrase which constitutes the theme of our 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress. Offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America means to respond dynamically, creatively and consistently to the holy call that Christ addresses to us: As the Father sent me, even so I send you.

God the Father sent to us Christ, the Son; He offered Him to us, to all humanity, to the whole world, so that we may have abundant life, enduring peace and eternal salvation.

But then, Christ our God sends us to the world, to our fellow human beings, specifically, to the people of contemporary America. He sends us to do what He did, to bring the joyful and saving message of the Gospel, to offer the unfailing love of Christ, the fullness of His life and His unwavering truth. We are entrusted

by Jesus Christ with the awesome mission and the sacred task to do what He did, to offer unhesitantly, wholeheartedly, without reservations or conditions what He offered, to continue His work which He sealed with His sacrificial death on the Cross and His glorious Resurrection. We are called by Him to be at any place and at any time, but particularly here in America, today, His visible, touchable, life-giving presence.

Beloved and respected Hierarchs, priests and deacons, lay brothers and sisters, I greet you this morning warmly, and I embrace you with reverence as this visible and touchable presence of Christ, as ambassadors of God, which you are, commissioned by Him and gathered here to this holy and sacred meeting of our Archdiocese, our 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress. Welcome to the city of Angels as angels, as messengers of Christ the Lord.

2

Two years have passed since our last meeting in Philadelphia. Two years filled with activities, events, growth, difficulties and progress, joys and sorrows; years filled with explosive death on September 11, 2001, but also with explosive life and love.

God gave us much more than all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). He gave us the grace to be able to say with St. Paul, In all things we are more than conquerors through Him (i.e. Christ) who loved us (Rom. 8:37).

During the past two years, God offered us a multitude of gifts, a plethora of blessings. It would take long hours even to enumerate them briefly. But let me bring back from memory just a few of them as indications of the intense love and graciousness of God and as items for a warm thanksgiving prayer.

1) Six Churches were consecrated and two had Thyranixia or opening ceremonies in various parts of the country: New Orleans in Louisiana, Cardiff-by-the-Sea in California, Elkins Park in Pennsylvania, Annapolis in Maryland, Bayard in Ne-

braska, Dallas in Texas, Port Jefferson in New York, and Naples in Florida. In almost all of the cases the consecrated Churches belong to elaborate building complexes, including Community Centers, Classrooms, Gymnasiums and office space. This shows a tremendous activity by our communities. In addition to the consecration of Churches we had inaugurations of Community Halls, Cultural Centers, schoolrooms or groundbreaking ceremonies for similar projects in places like Houston, Texas; Staten Island, New York; Waterbury, Connecticut; Little Rock, Arkansas; and Denver, Colorado. At this moment a significant activity is taking place all over the United States related to building new Churches or expanding old ones and constructing buildings and facilities in order to accommodate the everincreasing needs of the communities. Just in our immediate vicinity here in Los Angeles, in the suburb of Downey, we visited last Friday evening a new, magnificent Church under construction. We offer thanks to God for this building and for the expanding activity of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

2) Three new Bishops have been ordained and have been given to the Church.

They are the Chief Secretary of our Holy Synod, Bishop Gerasimos of Krateia, the Chancellor of our Holy Archdiocese, Bishop Savas of Troas, and the Director of the Philanthropic work of our Holy Archdiocese, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane. They are gifted and dedicated Hierarchs, who will direct important areas of our Church ministries and serve as Auxiliary Bishops, thus covering vital pastoral and spiritual needs of our communities.

In addition to the Bishops, we have had during the same period of the last two years an impressive number of ordinations to the priesthood and to the Diaconate.

Graduates of our Holy Cross School of Theology of previous years are expressing the willingness to be ordained and serve. At the same time, the percentage of current students ready to commit themselves to the priesthood is rapidly rising.

In the two-year period between Philadelphia and Los Angeles we have had 24 ordinations to the Diaconate, and 18 ordinations to the Priesthood. We give thanks to God for our new Bishops, Priests and Deacons.

3) In the 35th Clergy-Laity Congress in Philadelphia we reported a sizeable debt from the past, which weighted heavily on our Archdiocese, drastically hampering our work and ministries. A quiet effort was made which started with the members of the previous Archdiocesan Council and continued with the members of the present one, who have been working tremendously and marvelously between Congresses. The eagerness of the truly distinguished members of our Church to assist with the task to eliminate the debt was amazing. Here, a remarkable phenomenon emerged, and something unexpected happened. Who would really think that people would give large amounts of money for the dissolution of past loans, deficits and debts? However, the unexpected happened! Between Philadelphia of 2000 and Los Angeles of 2002, within less than 2 years, some astonishingly generous brothers and sisters offered more than 5 million dollars in donations, thus radically reducing our debt. Quite a blessing. Just last April one such truly noble brother came up to me after a meeting and said: I know that we have still a remaining debt of 1.5 million dollars to a bank. I

think our dignity, our identity as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America obliges us to eliminate it as soon as possible. For this reason, he added, please accept a half a million dollar donation from me, but anonymously, toward this goal. We give thanks to God for the very noble souls, the truly champion contributors of more than 5 million dollars towards the elimination of the heavy debt, which tormented our Archdiocese.

4) September 11, 2001 has been a day of death, darkness and unbelievable pain.

As a Greek Orthodox Community we lost approximately 25 members of our community. They might have been more, but unfortunately there is no secure data available. May the memory of our brothers and sisters slaughtered on September 11 be eternal. At the same, exceedingly painful time, however, God granted to our Church the opportunity to offer in the midst of death, destruction and unbearable pain, love and comfort and assistance.

September 11 gave to our Church the sacred occasion to raise up to an admirable level of sensitivity, care and offering in may ways: continuous prayer services, blood donations, supporting and counseling availability, and fund raising for the families of the victims especially the orphans of the tragedy. I personally witnessed the tremendous outpouring of love demonstrated by our parishes and individually by members of our Church, both clergy and laity. It will take not hours but days and months to speak adequately and report accurately the many touching stories and incidents in which our Greek Orthodox people showed unusually high human qualities of love, generosity and valiance. Let me close temporarily this subject by also giving you two specific numbers. The one is the amount collected in the September 11 Relief Fund: $2,050,000. The other is the St. Nicholas Fund, which has been assisted by unexpected sources: $1,300,000. In addition, all of the material needs for building a new church have been offered. We give thanks to God for deeming us worthy as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to offer a strong witness of love and faith in the midst of a catastrophic event of huge proportions such as the September 11 terrorist attack.

5) Another special blessing during this two-year period has been the progress at our Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology. A concerted effort by our Hierarchs, Priests, and communities and various individuals, together with the substantial assistance of a generous offering of scholarships by Leadership 100 resulted in a doubling of the number of first year students, especially in the School of Theology for the academic year 2001-2002.

We have the same phenomenon for the academic year 2002-2003. This practically means that we reasonably expect a dramatic increase of the people preparing for the priesthood and thus covering a vital need of our Church in America. Certainly, this Church in America could easily accommodate double the number of priests. We give thanks to God for the progress of our sacred institution of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

6) Among the special blessings, we should also include the activities of our Archdiocese related to SCOBA. The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities), which this year completed ten years of existence, continues to develop and increase its activities to a considerable degree, spending millions of dollars in

assistance to areas of disaster and urgent needs around the world. The same holds true for the OCMC (Orthodox Christian Mission Center), which at this point in time has 54 of our people fully working in missionary fields outside of the United States and supports financially many Orthodox Churches in Africa, the Far East, and Albania. Currently, the Mission Center is providing for the salaries for all of the Orthodox priests in Africa, so we are not just praying, and giving advice, we are offering financial support. OCMC has a budget of approximately 2 million per year, which increasing, a fact indicative of its activities and bright prospects. We give thanks to God for the work of IOCC and OCMC.

3

As the Greek Orthodox Church we have been the blessed recipients of the precious and unique gifts of God for the past 2000 years all over the world, and for the past 100 plus years here in America, starting with our heroic pioneers. Today, in view of such an amazing past loaded with gifts and blessings, in view of the progress and astonishing achievements of our community, and in view of the immediate and the distant future, we hear again and again the commission of our Lord: Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, even so I send you. (John 20:21) It is the commission to continue with more intensity, creativity and effectiveness the offering of our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America.

What are the prospects before us?

How do we see such an offering on our part? What is the true vision of transforming a divine mandate into powerful action?

1) Offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America begins with each one of us individually. The Lord Jesus Christ sends personally every member of our Church to offer the treasures of the Orthodox Faith to the people we meet, to the people who constitute contemporary America. He gives us the privilege to share with others the treasures of the absolute and liberating truth of God and the infinite, life-giving love of Christ. Are we ready and well prepared as individuals to respond to such an awesome call? Are we growing in the knowledge of Christ and in a sustained, personal close relationship with Him? Is our knowledge of the truth of God adequately advanced? Are we well aware of our Hellenic Orthodox tradition?

Is our individual life of worship and prayer sufficiently rich? Are we in a state of continuous growth in our love and care for others who are assuredly contemporary Americans? If our Orthodox Faith is not organically and inseparably related to our personal life, there is no real way to offer it to anyone. In the final analysis, we cannot offer our faith to contemporary America, we cannot be ambassadors of Christ, we cannot be the true, whole image of Christ if we are not personally and fully committed to Him. Such a commitment must be characteristic of each and every member of our Church, if we are serious about offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America.

2) The commission, however, to share what we have and to give what we have generously received from God, the commission to offer our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America, goes beyond individuals, and addresses the Church as such. And the center of the Church as witness of faith is the Parish, the community of believers gathered around the Eucharistic holy table.

u page 11

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 7

AT PLENARY SESSION Reports and Resolutions Show Continuing Progress of the Church set by the Clergy Remuneration Guidelines, whether or not they are ordained clergy.

Also recommended was an increased emphasis on diocese youth ministry programs.

LOS ANGELES Following the lengthy presentation and discussion over the proposed charter, delegates approved reports presented at the final Plenary Session on the various Archdiocesan departments, ministries and programs, along with several resolutions. Following is a summary of key points in the reports.

Interfaith Marriage

Institutions Committee Harry Cavalaris of the St. Photios National Shrine Board of Trustees in St. Augustine, Fla. presented a report with a resolution asking communities of the Archdiocese for a one-time donation of $2,000 over a four-year period to create an endowment

by December 2005. Communities will be listed on the Wall of Tribute. Fr. Nicholas Graff, executive director, also gave a report.

Nikitas Drakotas gave a brief report on St. Michael s Home in Yonkers, N.Y., which urged communities of the Archdiocese to continue their financial support and commended the work of the Home s staff and director, Bishop Andonios.

St. Basil Academy Director Fr. Constantine Sitaras, and board Chairman Dr. Steve Gounardes, noted the recent addition to the facility of the offices of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Ionian Village and the Family Ministry Center. About 4,500 persons visit the Academy annually.

Missions Committee Chairman Louis Nicozisis report included resolutions recommending the following: That the Home Mission Department be named the Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach and Evangelism.

That a study should be done before the next Congress as to how the Archdiocese can make awareness of domestic and foreign mission central to the life of the Church and parishes.

That the director of the department foster a national awareness of home mission and evangelism and gather information about existing Orthodox domestic mission efforts.

That a conference be convened on Home Mission and Evangelism.

That the new department Home Missions at the Orthodox Christian Mission Center work in harmony.

Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, president, gave a glowing report on enrollment projections, financial progress and program development at the school.

For the 2002-03 academic year, anticipated enrollment of new students is 30 to 35 for Hellenic College and 42 to 47 for Holy Cross.

Over the past eight months, gifts, pledges, irrevocable trusts and other sources have brought in $6 million.

The first annual Florida Golf Classic held March 4 under the sponsorship of Peter Dion and Steven Pappas brought in about $500,000. Over the past nine years, the annual Boston golf tournament sponsored by James A. Argeros and George E. Safiol, has raised nearly $1.5 million for the school.

Fr. Triantafilou reported that Hellenic College-Holy Cross have received the maximum 10-year accreditation renewal from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, and Holy Cross received the maximum 10-year accreditation renewal from the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.

Inter-Orthodox, Interchurch and Interfaith Relations Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos submitted a report detailing the work of his of-

N. Manginas

METROPOLITAN Isaiah of Proikonisos addressing the Plenary session of the Clergy-Laity

fice primarily through SCOBA and the National Council of Churches in Christ.

He noted that more than 200 Orthodox Christians are associated with the United Nations, including the current U.S. Ambassador, John Negroponte.

The Committee submitted the following recommendations: That the Archdiocese support the dialogue process to expand the ecumenical movement to include the Roman Catholic, Pentecostal and Evangelical churches.

That SCOBA s Guidelines for Ecumenical Relations be updated and periodic pastoral reminders be issued about Orthodox clergy participation in ecumenical gatherings.

That each Diocese appoint a local ecumenical officer to oversee various ecumenical endeavors, such as participating in state Councils of Churches.

That additional funding be sought from other sources to support ecumenical development.

Communications Deacon Nektarios Morrow, director of Communications, discussed the role of Communications.

This includes communicating the scope of the Archdiocese s ministry and activity, the coordinated planning and communicating of the Archbishop s vision and goals for the Archdiocese, administering a continuous plan for communicating the work of the Archdiocese s institutions and ministries, the dioceses and parishes and work of the hierarchs; and providing technical and resource assistance to the Church.

Our task is to ensure an on-going dialog among all levels and areas of the Archdiocese, said Deacon Nektarios, so that our work is known, our ministries are equipped and our lives are edified through a knowledge of and involvement in the multiple facets of the life of the Church throughout the world.

Greek Education Chaired by Dr. Steven Gounardes, the Greek Education Committee recommended that the Archdiocese should encourage parishes and clergy to emphasize the importance of Greek education and to create early childhood programs that would include teaching Greek language and culture. It further recommended the creation of an advisory committee to assist the Department of Greek Education and that the department should promote education through the Internet.

A resolution adopted unanimously called for the inclusion of a parochial school at each parish.

Other highlights of Dr. Gounardes report noted that Archbishop Demetrios met with Greece s Minister of Education Petros Efthymiou and other government officials to discuss how the Greek government could assist the Archdiocese with Greek education, and a meeting with Hellenic American Union President Chris Spyrou, during which he offered advice in teacher training to the Department of Greek Education.

Youth and Young Adult Ministries The Committee approved a resolution calling for diocesan youth directors to be compensated at the prevailing level

The Committee s report noted that about 64 percent of all marriages conducted by the Archdiocese are inter-Christian and intercultural and that 75 percent of adults of marriageable age are intermarrying. Some dioceses and local churches report higher percentages.

The Interfaith Marriage Committee approved four resolutions: That the knowledge acquired through the Interfaith Marriage Project conducted by Fr. Charles Joanides, the director, be incorporated into the required curriculum at Holy Cross.

That each diocese appoint a priest or liaison person to work with Fr. Joanides on intermarriage issues.

That the Archdiocese set up a missionary effort to unaffiliated intermarried couples, especially in the suburbs.

That the Holy Synod address the pastoral challenges inter-religious couples face and focus on the Orthodox partner s sacramental standing.

The committee also recommended the term interfaith be replaced with the terms intermarriage, inter-Christian, interChurch and intercultural, for use when appropriate, and that the Church examine pastoral guidelines relating to interreligious marriages of Greek Orthodox with non-Christians.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 8

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New Archdiocese Web Site Debuts The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has launched a new web site at: http:// www.goarch.org created by the Dept. of Internet Ministries and made possible with a grant from the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.

The site offers a vast selection of inspirational, educational, multimedia, and interactive content on the Orthodox Christian faith and life. More than 80 percent of the content is either new or updated.

This new site, said Theo Nicolakis, director of the Archdiocese s Internet Ministries Department, is intended to be the premiere resource for Orthodox Christians who wish to learn more about their faith, fundamental for non-Orthodox who desire to learn more about Orthodox Christianity, and an indispensable resource for those involved in ministry at any level. Most importantly, however, it serves as an essential ministry to our faithful and a vital evangelistic medium for spreading the Good News of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We are proud that this site both reflects and continues the department s mission and tradition of using technology, the Internet, and multimedia to proclaim the Gospel to the whole world.

Highlights of the new Archdiocese web site include: 1) New home page: The new home page offers the saints and feasts celebrated, the day s Scripture readings, the latest Archdiocese news and events, a weekly full length video feature on the Orthodox faith and life, a spotlight on the various ministries of the Archdiocese, and an integrated Bible search.

2) Redesigned User Interface and Search Engine: The new user interface and search engine empower visitors to find relevant material quickly and easily.

3) Online Chapel: This new section expresses the rich liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church. It provides inspirational spiritual content for Orthodox Christians including live broadcasts of liturgical services, an online calculator for determining the date of Easter and moveable Feasts, the lives of the Saints, the texts of the daily Scripture readings, prayers from the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church appropriate to the time of day, and a weekly reflection.

4) Orthodox Calendar: The new online calendar lists the Saints commemorated for each day of the year with a link to the life of the Saint, a searchable Easter calendar that displays the date Easter is celebrated as well as the moveable feasts of the Orthodox Church.

5) Parish Directory: The new online parish directory allows individuals to find Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States. This new parish directory features searching for parishes by zip code, an online map of a parish s location, and driving directions.

6) Learn to Chant: Visitors to the site can now listen to and learn the hymns of the Divine Liturgy and the Sunday Orthros services online.

7) Multimedia: Over 60 full-length educational videos on the Orthodox Christian faith, live Internet broadcasts of church services, virtual reality tours of churches, distance learning classes, and online radio programs highlight this expanded section.

8) Our Faith: Individuals wishing to learn more about the Orthodox faith will find dozens of articles covering a variety of topics such as biblical studies, apologetics, spirituality, theology, and worship.

9) Ministry Resources: Clergy, youth workers, teachers, and lay assistants will find a plethora of practical tools for parish ministry including sermons, clip art, youth ministry sessions, and stewardship campaigns.

10) Ministry Outreach of the Archdiocese: Assistance for spouses, couples, and families of interfaith marriages; the philanthropic work of the Archdiocese; foster care for children; assistance for the poor, destitute, and elderly; religious education; youth and young adult ministry; global relief efforts of the Orthodox Church; and the missionary work of the Orthodox Church highlight this new section of the site.

11) Updated information on the Archdiocese, her departments, ministries, institutions, and organizations.

The Archdiocese web site is one of the most active Orthodox Christian web sites on the Internet, with nearly 80,000 page views each day.

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ECUMENICAL REVIEW

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 9

Orthodox-Catholic Consultation Concludes Spring Session BROOKLINE, Mass. The 62nd meeting of the North American OrthodoxCatholic Theological Consultation met for its spring session at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology June 3-5.

Co-sponsored by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas and the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, 12 Orthodox and 10 Catholic theologians met over a three-day period to continue their on-going discussions of theological issues. Topic for this session was a continuation of their study on the filioque.

Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh and Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati co-chaired the meeting. Archbishop Pilarcyzk was newly appointed to the Consultation by Bishop Tod Brown of Orange, chairman of the Bishops Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs. He succeeds Archbishop Rembert Weakland of Milwaukee who stepped down after the October 2001 meeting in view of his impending retirement.

The first theological session was led

by Professor Fr Brian Daley, SJ, who discussed the Holy Spirit in Augustine and the work carried out recently on the filioque by the Pro Oriente foundation in Vienna, Austria. He also commented on Thomas Weinandy s article, Clarifying the Filioque: The Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue.

The second day began with Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Metropolitan Maximos at Holy Cross Chapel. In the second theological session, reviews on the filioque in contemporary Orthodox theology were given by Fr Nicholas Apostola (Romanian Archdiocese), who spoke on the theology of Fr Dumitru Staniloae, and Fr James Dutko (Carpatho-Russian Diocese), who surveyed Fr John Meyendorff s writing on the topic.

For the third theological session, Professor Fr. Thomas FitzGerald (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), reviewed the filioque in contemporary bilateral ecumenical dialogues with the Orthodox, beginning with the discussions that have taken place under the auspices of the World Council of Churches. He then examined the work of bilateral dialogues involving the Orthodox Church, including international dialogues with the Old Catholic Churches, the Roman Catholic Church, the Reformed Churches, the Anglican Communion, and the OrthodoxLutheran dialogue in the United States. Fr Peter Galadza (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) and Professor Susan Ashbrook Harvey (Antiochian Archdiocese) reviewed points of convergence between eastern and western traditions and work of the dialogue to-date.

In the fourth and final theological session, participants considered a proposed joint statement that will be drafted over the summer for consideration at the next meeting.

The Consultation also heard a number of reports about major events in the lives of our churches. Archbishop Pilarczyk presented an overview of the crisis in the Catholic Church over the handling of sex abuse cases by the clergy and the issues the Catholic bishops will be facing when they meet in Dallas.

There was also a wide-ranging discussion of the crisis in relations between the Catholic Church and the Russian Ortho-

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dox Church occasioned by the creation of four Catholic dioceses in Russia in February 2002.

Other topics included the election of a new Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and its relations with the Moscow Patriarchate, the intercommunion agreement between the Assyrian Church of the East and the Chaldean Catholic Church, relations between the Orthodox and the World Council of Churches, the election of John Erickson as dean of St Vladimir s Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y., the consecration of Holy Myrrh at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the drafting of a new charter for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, developments in the international OrthodoxCatholic dialogue, Cardinal Kasper s Prolusio at the Plenary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, new Ruthenian Catholic bishops in Van Nuys and Pittsburgh, the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to America last March, the election of a new Romanian Orthodox Archbishop of America, the visit of a delegation of the Orthodox Church of Greece to Rome, the retirement of Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America, and the visit of Pope John Paul II to Bulgaria.

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation has been meeting semiannually since its founding in 1965 under the auspices of the Bishops Committee for Ecumenical and Inter-religious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). It works in tandem with the Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops that has been meeting annually since 1981.

Theologians representing the Catholic Church included Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati, Professor Robin Darling Young (Catholic University), Professor Fr. John Galvin (Catholic University), Fr. Peter Galadza, Fr. John Long, SJ (America House), Sister Donna Geernaert, SC (Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops), Professor Fr. Brian Daley, SJ (Notre Dame), Professor Fr. David Petras (Byzantine Catholic Seminary), Professor Thomas Bird (Queens College), and Fr. Ron Roberson, CSP, of the Secretariat for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington.

From the Orthodox delegation, Metropolitan Maximos, Professor Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Professor John Erickson (Orthodox Church in America), Professor Fr. Alexander Golitzin (Orthodox Church in America), Fr Paul Schneirla (Antiochian Archdiocese), Professor Lewis Patsavos (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), Dr. Robert Haddad (Antiochian Archdiocese), Fr. Nicholas Apostola, Fr. James Dutko, Professor Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese) and Professor Fr. Thomas FitzGerald. Staff: Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, general secretary of SCOBA and Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and Fr. Gregory Havrilak, associate general secretary of SCOBA. The next meeting of the OrthodoxCatholic Consultation is scheduled for Oct. 31-Nov. 2 at St Paul s Seminary in Ottawa, Canada, under the auspices of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.

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At Christmas time, twelve year old Jonathan discovers both a magic coin and the Orthodox Christian faith. The coin allows Jonathan and friends, Daniel and Niko, to be present at the birth of Jesus, but one mistake could strand them in Biblical times forever.

Stacy and the Greek Festival Ten year old Stacy s love for her great grandmother and pride in her Greek heritage are tested when she must decide between dancing at the Greek Festival or riding horseback in the mountains - two events taking place on the same weekend.

Stacy and the Greek Village Wedding Stacy and her family are off to the Greek Islands where wedding preparatins mix with the urgent search for a miracle producing icon. While this is a summer of firsts for Stacy - her first airplane trip, her first wedding, her first kiss - it is also a disturbing time for Papa who is just now beginning to realize that his little girl of twelve is growing up.

PAGE 10

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

EDITORIAL

The 36th Clergy-Laity Congress The 36th Clergy-Laity Congress is now history and it will go down as one of the most productive and educational Church congresses ever held.

It was also an opportunity for the faithful from every corner of the nation to reconnect with friends and acquaintances in the spirit of Orthodox Christian fellowship.

More importantly, delegates had the opportunity to participate in a real way in the Charter process of the Archdiocese. For two of the four plenary sessions, the Congress participants reviewed the document that consists of 25 articles, providing suggestions and recommendations that will be forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for consideration before it grants the final version to the Archdiocese.

Furthermore, the wishes, desires and hope of the faithful America have been made well-known to the Patriarchate through the presence of its representative, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention, who has attended several past congresses and is well-acquainted with the character of the Church in America.

In keeping with the Congress theme of presenting the faith to contemporary America, participants learned first-hand of the success of the Los Angeles community s efforts that have resulted in the development of the

u Mayo ministry t Editor, Needless to say, I was really surprised to see Fr. Nick Kasemeotes at my husband s bedside when he was a patient at the Mayo Clinic, in Rochester, Minn., not once but six different times, during his three-week stay this past month.

My first visit to Mayo Clinic was in 1981 and many times after that over the years and Fr. Nick never failed to visit us, if he was in town and 95 percent of the time he s there. How he does the work at Holy Anargyroi and continues to visit all Orthodox patients who come to the clinic is amazing to me. He s truly a dedicated servant of the Lord. My daughter and I enjoyed two of his wonderful services while we were in Rochester.

So when he told us about the plans to build a larger and much needed church, I wanted everyone to know about it. I m sure that many of our readers have been blessed over the years by Fr. Nick, whether it was need for healing or a need for comfort, when no more could be done, he s always there.

Holy Anargyroi has been serving the needs of the community as well as the Orthodox patients at the Mayo Clinic for over 50 years, so you know after all this time; the membership has certainly outgrown the present church.

They have plans for a worldwide shrine for healing in the form of a new Byzantine church and to convert the existing church into a fellowship hall and to remodel the fellowship hall for a youth and educational center. What a wonderful idea to build a new church, for the community as well as a shrine for healing?

Byzantine-Latino Quarter of the city s near West Side, surrounding St. Sophia Cathedral.

What was once rapidly becoming a dilapidated neighborhood has instead become an area of modest, but freshly painted well-kept houses with clean palm tree-lined streets because St. Sophia parish took the initiative to reverse its neighborhood s deterioration. The result has been official recognition by the State of California.

Fr. John Bakas, the cathedral dean, announced after the July 4 Ecumenical Doxology that Gov. Grey Davis and the state Legislature designated the area as an official historic district.

The effort of this one parish should serve as a shining example of what all of our churches can do in one way or another to project the visibility of Orthodox Christianity within their local communities.

Archbishop Demetrios made it very clear to the Congress participants that he wants more focus placed on the parish and its religious growth and development, especially in the next two years before then next Clergy-Laity Congress.

The many workshops and seminars offered to the participants will hopefully become a first step in this process, as they take what they ve learned to their individual communities.

My hopes are that anyone who s been given hope or comfort by Fr. Nick and the members of this blessed house of worship will consider a donation toward their vision for a new larger church to serve the community and the Orthodox Christians who come to Mayo for medical reasons.

This is certainly worthwhile cause for any of us, even if we have never been to the Mayo Clinic. After all, as true Christians, we should all help to see that God s work is being done. Churches do not grow, unless love abounds in that sanctuary and can be felt by one and all. And that s exactly what happens when Fr. Nick and his blessed members meet and greet new faces at Holy Anargyroi in Rochester, Minn.

Their address is: 703 West Center St. Rochester, MN 55902; website is www.

Holyanargyroi.mn.goarch.org; phone 507-282-1253.

Fran Glaros Clearwater, Fla.

u Young person’s view t Editor As a young person in the Orthodox Church, I have been following with great interest the articles and letters in the Orthodox Observer on the celebration of Pascha/Easter.

I ve been involved with the Church for pretty much my whole life, and have spent several years at the truly awesome Boston Diocese Camp, where I realized that while I always thought I knew who Jesus Christ was, I didn t. I had made up an image of Him in my mind that was

not the Jesus Christ of the Holy Bible in our Orthodox Church.

This was a shock for me, but it was right there in the Bible, in black and white.

Since I am a young person, and a student, I decided that now is the time for me to try to do what God wants, by offering a view by a young person on the whole Easter/Pascha date question that I keep reading about. Mrs. Helen Lois Martakis of the Bronx wrote to you in the May issue and said we should change our Church so that yuoung people like me won t have to explain to their friends why our Church is different. She seems pretty upset, and I want to remind her, and everyone, that not all young people feel they have to be ashamed of who they are.

She s right, though, when she says that children need honesty, attention, compassion, understanding and a smile In fact, everybody does. That s what BDC taught me so well.

In our tolerant country, my friends never had any reason to doubt me when I told them why we have a different Easter than they do. I talk about my Church and even sometimes show them this paper. When they ask questions I just tell them the truth and they accept it.

I may not have paid as much attention as I should in Greek class, but I know what after Jewish Passover means. The Church fathers knew that the Jews of their time could no longer see their crops in Jerusalem and use them to tell the time of their holy day; That s why the bishops didn t want to rely on the Passover date the Jews were using. These bishops decided to use the Passover date used at the time of Jesus.

The Church fathers decided then never to follow the moon and the stars to determine the time of Christ s ressurection. They did this even though they knew that the telescope in Alexandria would tell them when the light of the moon was brightest, and that it would be different from what most of the churches in 325 A.D. were proclaiming, simply by celebrating Easter/Pascha when they did.

These bishops were very holy people who were also very smart; they knew exactly what they were doing and decided for all of us, that we shouldn t follow scientists or astrologers, who are only looking at the stars or the moon, if we really want to know when the light is brightest; we should follow the Son. Alex Pavuk Wilmington, Del.

u Honor Patriots t Editor, The document known as the Declaration of Independence is one of the most prolific documents ever conceived by mankind.

Yes, we should celebrate with parades and pomp in honor of our nation s 226th anniversary, but we should also strive more than ever to rectify the many problems, small and large in our country.

Finally, we can honor the patriots of 1776 by working and committing ourselves in some small way to make America a better country for all people.

The patriots of 1776 gave us a nation. Let us all continue in their honor to work to perpetuate this nation forever, intact and united in its belief in a democratic system.

John A. Micklos Baltimore

JULY - AUGUST 2002

u Orthodox witness t Editor, The Jehovah Witnesses have done it again! They had 5,000 people attend their annual convention in Huntington a couple of weeks ago.

I wonder why our Diocese never sponsors a convention for the laity and the clergy to gather together all of our Orthodox Christian people, extending invitations to other Orthodox Christians for the purpose of educating each other on our faith.

This would be a spiritual gathering to educate ourselves and also afford the general public the opportunity to know more about our faith. People need people and especially in these times when nobody really knows about the Orthodox Christian dogma and traditions. We need to be more visible in this world.

This would be a very valuable program for the laity since they are virtually excluded from the huge gatherings every two years of hierarchy, priests and elected council members.

For the women of the church, this would be very enlightening as to their role as a wife and mother and the importance of being the bulwark of the home and would afford them the opportunity to speak about their many contributions to humanity, i.e. ministering to the sick, praying for and feeding the hungry and all other acts of mercy women perform; too numerous to mention here.

Just getting together and showing our unity as Orthodox Christians would be a spiritual first for all of us. Let s do this for the Glory of God. Robert Scernica Huntington, W.Va.

HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS AUGUST ........

1 T ....... 1 Cor. 3:18-23; Mt. 13:36-43 2 F ............ 1 Cor. 4:5-8; Mt. 13:44-53 3 S ............. Rom. 12:1-6; Mt. 9:18-26 4 SUN . Rom. 12:6-14; Matthew 9:1-8 5 M ...... 1 Cor. 5:9-6:11; Mt. 13:54-58 6 T .... 1 Cor. 6:20, 7:1-12; Mark 9:2-9 7 W ...... 1 Cor. 7:12-24; Mt. 14:35-36, 15:1-11 8 Th ...... 1 Cor. 7:24-35; Mt. 15:12-21 9 F 1 Cor. 7:35-40, 8:1-7; Mt.15:29-31 10 S ...... Rom. 12:1-6; Mt. 10:37-11:1 11 SUN ..... Rom. 15:1-7; Mt. 9:27-35 12 M ......... 1 Cor. 9:13-18; Mt. 16:1-6 13 T ........ 1 Cor. 10:5-12; Mt. 16:6-12 14 W ... 1 Cor. 10:12-22; Mt. 16:20-24 15 Th ..... 1 Cor. 10:28-33, 11:1-8; Mt. 16:24-28 16 F ...... 1 Cor. 11:8-23; Mt. 17:10-18 17 S ....... Rom. 13:1-10; Mt. 12:30-37 18 SUN 1 Cor. 1:10-17; Mt. 14:14-22 19 M ...... 1 Cor. 11:31-34, 12:1-6; Mt. 18:1-11 20 T ... 1 Cor. 12:12-26; Mt. 18:18-22, 19:1-2, 13-15 21 W 1 Cor.13:4-13,14:1-5; Mt.20:1-16 22 Th .... 1 Cor. 14:6-19; Mt. 20:17-28 23 F ... 1 Cor. 14:26-40; Mt. 21:12-14, 17-20 24 S ........ 1 Cor. 14:6-9; Mt. 15:32-39 25 SUN .. 1 Cor. 3:9-17; Mt. 14:22-34 26 M ... 1 Cor. 15:12-20; Mt. 21:18-22 27 T .... 1 Cor. 15:29-38; Mt. 21:23-27 28 W ..... 1 Cor. 16:4-12; Mt. 21:28-32 29 Th .... Acts 13:25-33; Mark 6:14-30 30 F ...... 2 Cor. 1:12-20; Mt. 21:23-33 31 S .... Rom. 15:30-33; Mt. 17:24-27, 18:1-4

SEPTEMBER ........

1 SUN ........ 1 Tim. 2:1-7; Lk. 4:16-22

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 11

ARCHBISHOP S KEY NOTE ADDRESS u page 6 It is the Parish, it is the local community, which has been, is, and will forever be the central, indispensable agent for offering our Orthodox faith to contemporary America.

This 36th Clergy-Laity Congress should be the Congress, which will cultivate the awareness of the tremendous importance of the Parish, of the need to support, by all possible measure, the Parish, to help develop the life and activities of it, to make the Parish a powerful witness and passionate promoter of Orthodox Faith and Tradition. In this Congress we should designate the two years between now and the next Biennial Congress as years of an intense care for the Parish in order to facilitate its unrestricted growth.

The Archdiocese as a whole and the Dioceses as parts of it must focus on the Parishes, constantly assist them, consistently serve them, providing them with all means available so that they can be true witnesses of the Gospel, genuine transmitters of the life of Jesus and His salvation offered to all people and to contemporary America. Our Dioceses and Hierarchs do this constantly and with care.

As the Archdiocese we will intensify and enlarge our efforts to be focused on our Parishes, we will steadily persist in our task to be of substantive and effective assistance to our communities. With the help of God we intend to establish a relationship in which the primary concern is to serve the Parish, to promote and enhance the life and activities of the local communities all over the country. Only strong, healthy and constantly developing church communities can offer our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America in a realistic way.

But how are we going to strengthen and develop our parishes? What are the specific steps we intend to take in order to make them units of vitality and powerful witnesses of faith?

3) In order to advance the real serving attitude of the Archdiocese toward our Parishes, we have already started or are about to start a number of specific major projects. Let me briefly give you a report on them.

(1) The existing department of Family and Marriage at the Archdiocese, dealing mostly with cases of mixed or interfaith marriages, is rapidly developing and becoming the Center for Family Care. It will be located and operating at St. Basil Academy in Garrison N.Y. The Center for Family Care will develop programs and resources that will address questions and issues related to preparation for marriage, marital difficulties, mixed marriages, clergy families, and families of divorces. It will also produce video, audio and printed material relevant to the above mentioned areas and make these resources available to Parishes and families. It will organize seminars and educational opportunities that will address areas of family life and development and will make available counseling possibilities via telephone or the Internet. All of these resources will be available and easily deliverable to our parishes so that the families within each community will become the object of constant and methodical attention, care and assistance. Our vision and our objective, in this instance, is to create with the help of God a Center for Family Care that will be a model institution for the advancement of healthy, happy, and dynamic Orthodox families, and for the full incorporation of interfaith marriages into the life of each and every Parish. Our vision is to create a model institution, which will be a leader in the field of family care among the Christian denominations of contemporary America.

(2) The Youth Department is also being restructured and expanded so that it will be able to offer to our parishes the necessary help in organizing the work related to the youth. In cooperation with the Department of Religious Education and the Greek Education Department, which provide hundreds of educational resources, the Youth Department will assist the communities in their tasks related to JOY, GOYA and YAL. Particular attention has been given to YAL, a vital young age group of our Church, which probably has not been provided with the proper means for a healthy growth in recent years. Also, particular attention is being given to the revitalization of the Orthodox Campus Fellowship, a ministry under SCOBA, which is directed towards the thousands of Orthodox students in our Colleges and Universities. Our vision and our objective is to overcome the sad phenomenon observed in almost all religious entities in America, according to which adolescents and young adults in the age bracket of 16 to 30 drop out of their respective religious communities. A mighty way to offer our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America is to demonstrate as a fact that Orthodoxy can create a vigorous and productive youth that remain faithfully within the Church and constitute her most exciting and effective age group.

The steady orientation of the Youth Department will be to the youth of the Parish, and it is to the Parish that the pertinent activities will be incessantly channeled.

(3) There is a third major development in organizing important Archdiocesan services for the Parishes, thus rendering our offering of our Faith to contemporary America more effective.

This is the creation of the Philanthropy Department.

The charitable work of the Church is a huge area of action. Our Ladies Philoptochos Society has been doing a truly remarkable work over the years, for which we all of us are exceedingly proud.

The area of philanthropy, however, presents us with the potential for further, unlimited growth, encompassing vital needs of contemporary America. The case, for instance, of our aging people is such an immediate need. Several of our communities have already established various types of homes for the aged. We have, for instance, a central place of this type in Yonkers, N.Y., St. Michael s Home. But the needs are overwhelming. The Philanthropy Department will try to support all pertinent efforts, providing the appropriate resources and guidance.

The same Department will further assist all philanthropic tasks undertaken by the communities, developing at the same time a complete file of all philanthropic activities of the Parishes. This way pertinent information and experience emanating from local efforts could be communicated nationally to all Parishes for possible developments of similar tasks.

There are cries for help coming from various places: people with special needs, people hungry and poor, people sick and abandoned, reach out, if they can, begging for support. This new Department will gradually and systematically enlarge its realm of activity and do anything possible to assist our Parishes in their sacred efforts to offer our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America in the form of philanthropic witness, in the form of a limitless love in the name of Christ and in continuity with His unique ministry of love, compassion, and care. Our vision and objective here is to project through our Parishes, Dioceses and Archdiocese a witness of

u page 24

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

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 12

H C / H C

JULY - AUGUST 2002

R E P O R T

Two HC Members Named to Major Committees International Ecumenical Conference Set in October BROOKLINE, Mass. The Rev. Dr. George D. Dragas, a member of the Holy Cross faculty, recently was appointed to the Ecumenical Patriarchate s delegation for the new international bilateral dialogue between the Orthodox Church and the Methodist Communion.

And the Very Rev. Dr. Archimandrite Joachim Cotsonis, director of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center, has been voted a member to the executive committee of the U.S. National Committee for Byzantine Studies.

Fr. Dragas, at the Ecumenical Patriarch s invitation, participated in planning this dialogue. Its primary aim is to explore the differences keeping the Orthodox Church and the Methodist Communion apart and to recommend ways to overcome the division.

The delegates will work towards this goal by acquainting each other with the tenets of their traditions and learning to

what extent the faith is shared.

Fr. Dragas also was a featured speaker at the second annual Orthodox Conference held in Toronto on May 24-26.

The conference was sponsored by the Canadian chapter of the St. Mark s Orthodox Fellowship, an organization founded

by Coptic Christian laypeople to promote unity between the Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

Fr. Cotsonis appointment follows an active career in Byzantine Studies. He is a specialist in the religious images found on Byzantine seals, and in Byzantine processional crosses.

The executive committee is composed of professional Byzantinists in the United States. It disseminates news and information to Byzantinists, provides a forum for discussion, sponsors scholarly projects and commissions, and holds the International Byzantine Congress every five years. The next Congress will take place in London in 2006.

Cotroses Name HC-HC as Beneficiary of Trust BROOKLINE, Mass. Charles Cotros, chairman and chief executive officer of Sysco Corporation in Houston and his wife, Connie,, recently named Hellenic College and Holy Cross as a beneficiary of the Cotros Charitable Remainder Unitrust.

The trust was established on Dec. 12, 2000 with an initial gift of $6 million and which today is worth $8 million.

HC/HC and the Archdiocese are each 20 percent beneficiaries of the trust.

The Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, HC/ HC president, expressed deep gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Cotros for their far-reaching and forward-looking gift.

Connie and Charles Cotros live daily an exemplary Christian Orthodox lifestyle.

They value and enhance our Orthodox Faith, while respectfully advancing our rich culture and Greek heritage, Fr. Triantafilou said. They and their children s families hold fast to the tenets of wholesome family living centered on Jesus Christ and His teachings. The consequences of such generosity for our School and subsequently for the entire Greek Orthodox community in America and abroad will bear fruit for many years.

As it serves to build a financial foundation, it also centrally contributes to the development of the entire vision of our school.

Mr. Cotros believes the school is the most critical part of the church in its role of educating and producing new priests.

He said he hopes his gift to HC/HC and the Archdiocese will help strengthen the Church as a body, especially at this time with so many challenges facing her; challenges such as providing priests for Orthodox communities without a priest, the pull of other churches, and becoming more meaningful in the lives of young people.

He sees this time as an opportunity to help the Church in developing new youth programs and in the long process of producing more priests.

advertise observer@goarch.org Tel (212) 570-3555 Fax (212) 774-0239

Mr. Cotros also said this is an opportunity to support the great leadership at the Archdiocese and seminary and expressed hope that other Greek-Americans will see the advantages of creating such a trust that allows you to do great things with your money.

Mr. Cotros began his career in the food service industry with his father after graduating from college. Food service has long been a family business Mr. Cotros father and uncle began in the 1920s distributing food to Greek restaurants. When Mr. Cotros graduated from college, his father came out of retirement to start a new business with his son.

When Sysco Corporation offered to buy them out, father and son saw the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a growing company. Now Mr. Cotros is chairman and chief executive of Sysco, a company worth $25 billion.

Sysco provides meals prepared away from home and food-related products to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, and airlines; in addition to food it provides equipment and supplies over 195,000 stock items in all.

In addition to his successful business career, Mr. Cotros is a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and churchman. He and his wife of 40 years, Connie, have two daughters and two sons.

His children, who are married with three children each, also work at Sysco in the family business.

Mr. and Mrs. Cotros were both born and raised in Memphis, where they lived most of their lives and raised their children. He served as president of the Memphis church s board and Connie served as Philoptochos president for 20 years. They have made Houston their home since 1988.

Mr. and Mrs. Cotros have a great love of their Greek heritage, language, and tradition. At the same time, they feel that it is important that the Church adjusts to our contemporary world, for example, by using English during services.

In addition to the Archdiocese and HC/HC, the Cotroses also have named as 20-percent beneficiaries St. Jude s Hospital for children with leukemia in Memphis, M. D. Anderson, a cancer treatment center in Houston; and the United Way, the American Cancer Society, and Mr. Cotros alma mater, Christian Brothers College.

BROOKLINE, Mass. Holy Cross School of Theology will host an International Conference on The Orthodox Churches in a Pluralistic World: An Ecumenical Conversation, Oct. 3-5 The Conference, The Orthodox Churches in Pluralistic world: An Ecumenical Conversation, is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, and presented in cooperation with the Boston Theological Institute and Harvard Divinity School s Initiatives in Religion and Public Life.

The gathering will explore the mission and public presence of Orthodox Churches in a pluralistic world. In conversation with other Christian theologians, social scientists, and Church hierarchs.

The Conference also will explore how the Orthodox churches have contributed in the past, and can continue in the present and the future, to work towards the reconciliation of communities which find themselves in violent opposition to one another for ethnic, racial, political, economic and religious differences.

The conference will begin at 7 p.m., Oct. 3, with a welcome from Holy Cross President the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, followed by the keynote address on the Orthodox Church in a Pluralistic World

by Archbishop Demetrios.

Dr. Richard Falk, professor of International Law and Practice at Princeton University, will address the conference Oct. 4 on globalization and religion. On Friday evening at 7:30 p.m., World Council of Churches General Secretary Dr. Konrad Raiser, will address the conference on violence and religion.

Friday and Saturday presentations will begin at 9 a.m. on both days, and will address issues of globalization, human rights, nationalism and ethnic conflicts, Orthodox spirituality and social activism, Christian missions in a global world, reconciliation and forgiveness, and the Orthodox Churches interactions with the modern world.

Presentations also will be given by Professor Christos Yannaras of Panteion University (Greece); Dr. David Little, professor and director of the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard Divinity School; Metropolitan Daniel of Moldavia and Bukovina (Romania); Dr. Diana Eck, professor and director of pluralism projects at Harvard University; Dr. Petros Vassiliadis, of the University of Thessalonike (Greece); Christopher Duraisingh, Otis Charles Professor of Applied Theology, Episcopal Divinity School; Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, professor and associate director of the Institute on Religion and World Affairs at Boston University; Dr. Rodney L. Petersen, executive director, Boston Theological Institute; the Rev. Kwame Labi of the WCC Community and Justice Mission; Teny Pirri-Simonian of the WCC; the Rev. Dr. Stanley Harakas, Archbishop Iakovos Professor of Orthodox Theology Emeritus, Holy Cross; the Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald, professor of Church history and historical theology at Holy Cross; the Rev. Dr. John Chryssavgis, professor of Theology, Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross; and the Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, dean of Holy Cross School of Theology.

Fr. Triantafilou, commenting on the importance of the conference, stated that the community of Holy Cross is excited to host this international conference and to welcome the distinguished group of Christian theologians, hierarchs, and scholars who will address and deliberate on the Church s mission in a highly complex and pluralistic world.

The conference is open to the public and will take place at the Maliotis Cultural Center on the Holy Cross campus, 50 Goddard Ave., Brookline.

To register and for further information, contact Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology at (617) 850-1213, or by fax at (617) 850-1460. Information can also be obtained on the HC/HC website at www.hchc.edu.

Hellenic College Sponsoring Conference on Olympics BROOKLINE, Mass. Hellenic College Greek Studies Program will host an international conference, The Olympic Games: Yesterday and Today, Oct. 18-19.

This will be the Program s eighth biennial conference.

Olympics 2004 in Athens, Greece will serve as a unique moment in history where the Olympics, both modern and ancient, link physically and culturally.

Scholars, politicians, and Olympic organizers will explore the importance of the modern and ancient Games. One of the most important issues is the proposed armistice for the duration of the Olympics.

This was a practice during the ancient

Greek Olympics and, if it occurs, it will be the first time that it will be implemented during the modern Games.

Speakers will include Dr. John MacAlloon, University of Chicago; Dr. David Young, University of Florida; Dr. Constantine Santas, Flagler College, Florida; Dinos Siotis, press counselor of the Greek Consulate in Boston, and professors from Greece. They will speak on Olympic topics of their expertise.

The conference, which is free and open to the public, will take place at the Maliotis Cultural Center on the HC-HC campus.

Holy Cross to Hold Summer Evening Institute BROOKLINE Holy Cross School of Theology will conduct its Summer Evening Institute 2002 on four consecutive evenings, Monday, Aug. 5 through Thursday, Aug. 8.

Attendees will have an opportunity to enrich their knowledge of the Church and strengthen their prayer life. Theme of this year s institute is The Theotokos in the Life of the Church. Each session begins at 5 p.m. with the Service of the Paraklesis to the Mother of God sung in the chapel of the Holy Cross followed by dinner and a lecture/presentation by a faculty member of Holy Cross.

The opening lecture will be offered

by Dr. Bruce Beck on The Theotokos in the Bible. Dr. Beck is adjunct assistant professor of New Testament at Holy Cross for the 2002-2003 academic year. He holds Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees from Harvard Divinity School the latter in the area of New Testament, and is a member of Annunciation Church in Newburyport, Mass.

Tuesday evening s lecture will be offered by Fr. Frank Marangos on the topic

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JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

A R C H D I O C E S E

PAGE 13

N E W S

Workshop Focuses on Importance of Preserving History and the Role of Archdiocese Archives

O

ne first-time workshop offered at the Clergy-Laity Congress focused on the growing sense of awareness to preserve the history of the Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States.

The issue has been deemed so important that the final Administration Committee report included a resolution urging that each community of the Archdiocese establish a History Preservation Committee to gather, record and store any items pertaining to a parish s history and culture.

Metropolitan Anthony, who briefly addressed the workshop attendees, said the session was just the beginning in helping to sow small seeds at home and in our parishes on the need to preserve community history.

There should be no parish or diocese that has no historical records, the Metropolitan said.

He noted his own diocese s efforts to preserve its historical records, including the development of a museum at the monastery of Zoodochos Peghe at St. Nicholas Ranch.

The Workshop on Preservation of Parish Histories was presented by Professor Paul G. Manolis, retired director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in Berkeley; Mary K. Mousalimas, chairwoman of the Ascension Historical Committee of Ascension Church in Oakland; and Nikie Calle, director of the Archives of the Archdiocese.

Several parishes in the West, notably Salt Lake City, Oakland and Stockton, Calif.; and Phoenix, have done extensive historical preservation work.

Professor Manolis, who has himself done extensive historical research for the Sacramento church, discussed several resources that are available to a parish, including city directories, telephone directories, church files, daily newspapers, Greek newspapers and local libraries.

Information that can be gleaned includes births and deaths, business names, weddings, baptisms and other events in the life of a community. Collecting photographs of individuals and events is another method of preserving the community s history, he said.

The archives of the Archdiocese and Patriarchate can also provide important information. Manolis said he discovered through the Patriarchate s archives that Annunciation community in Philadelphia sent an African American named Robert Morgan to the Patriarchate in 1907 for catechism, baptism and ordination to convert African Americans to Orthodoxy. His name was changed to Rafael, but he disappeared from the parish s records after a few years.

Manolis also suggested that commu-

nities conduct oral history projects with any senior members of the parish. It s important to record the recollections of older parishioners, he said.

The methodical documentation and preservation of our community history in this country is long overdue, said Mrs. Mousalimas. While other ethnic groups are trying to discover their roots, our own rich heritage is being diminished and even distorted. We are losing untold volumes of written and material resources on a daily basis.

She said factors that affect the collection and storage of historical records included lack of adequate office space, file storage, outgoing officers who take records with them for safekeeping but which are discarded by subsequent generations. Furthermore, she said, records have been purposely destroyed due to schism or an unfortunate scandal.

Mrs. Mousalimas also likened each individual to a book. We ourselves are books. We are living books. We hold the memories of our childhoods, the memories of our parents and others who have gone before us, and the stories they have told us these are treasures. We must preserve these treasures.

The Archdiocese Archives Established more than 30 years ago, the Department of Archives has been systematically evaluating, organizing and classifying voluminous files, which date as far back as 1905.

Some of these documents precede the formal establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America in 1922. They are a record of the history, progress and growth of the Church s institutions, the Greek American community and the numerous fraternal, social, cultural and educational organizations.

Whatever parishes and organizations send to the Archdiocese, we have it there, said Ms. Calle, who noted that the files are available for scholars and researchers, though some consist of private correspondence and are not open.

Other data the Department of Archives has stored include the structure and reorganization of the Archdiocese, an extensive photograph file and library of books on Greeks in America, records of the Ecumenical and other Orthodox patriarchates and the historical development of key institutions and governing bodies within the Church. Documents are in the languages of Greek, English, French, German and Russian.

For additional information on historic preservation and archiving, the Ascension Historical Committee s website is www.

PAHH.com. The Archdiocese Archives Department e-mail is: archives@goarch.org.

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS joins several members of the RCA and their presbyteres who attended a breakfast meeting during the Clergy-Laity Congress.

Retired Clergy Continue Valuable Service to the Church Retired clergy can still provide a very valuable service to the Church, was Archbishop Demetrios message to Retired Clergy Association members at their breakfast meeting July 3.

His Eminence praised the retired clergy for their continuing involvement and service to the church. Many still serve communities in one capacity or another.

He said he was uneasy with the term retired priests because priests never really retire from serving God. Some 80 percent of retired clergy continue to minister to parishes and serve in vital capacities throughout the Archdiocese.

Your assistance part-time or full time is very, very important, the Archbishop said. Priests in your age bracket have tremendous experience are a great asset to our Church.

He urged the retirees, especially those living in major cities having several Greek Orthodox churches, to offer their expertise and serve in advisory roles.

Two such examples of retired clergy still actively serving are Fr. George Kalpaxis, whose recent travels included a period of several months in Australia and serving during Holy Week in Brazil, along with continuing to serve throughout the United States, and Fr. Constantine Raptis, who lives in Las Vegas, but once or twice a month celebrates the Divine Liturgy at St. John the Baptist Church in Pueblo, Colo., a community that otherwise would have no priest.

The Archbishop said Fr, Kalpaxis, a graduate of the first class of Holy Cross in 1942, is indicative of this generation of priest, who when asked to serve, does so.

Following his trip to Brazil, Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires stated he was amazed at the stamina, disposition and quality of service that Fr. Kalpaxis offered.

The Archbishop also cited his own experience of relying on the advice of the Church s most prominent retired hierarch, referring to the immense benefit he receives in regularly communicating with Archbishop Iakovos. I see the wealth of experience and sound advice I receive,

he said. The same should be applicable in your case, for you to be the resource persons and advising in terms of priestly and other experience.

He also cited the lack of an adequate number of priests in the United States to serve the faithful.

The number of priests in our country is not exactly what we should have.

As an example, with a ratio of one priest per 1,000 persons in Greece, the Archbishop said there should be about 2,000 priests here to serve the nearly 2 million Greek Orthodox Christians.

We are understaffed and this causes significant problems in reaching the number of unchurched, which is high because we don t have enough priests to take care of our people.

He said that in one community of 500, there are perhaps another 500 families not being served because the priest works from 6 a.m. to midnight to serve his existing parishioners and has no time to reach out to the unchurched.

Archbishop Demetrios also said that, while the Church in America cannot offer the level of medical and other benefits and possibilities for continued service the Church in Greece provides, We try to do as much as possible on this issue and similar issues and hope we are going in the right direction.

In regular business, RCA President William Gaines (who said he is retiring as president this year) noted the progress on the proposed RCA office being developed in Colorado Springs, Colo. that will serve as a repository for the organization s meeting records and historical documents.

Fr. Raptis son, John, agreed to provide space in an office building he is developing.

Fr. Kalpaxis offered a Trisagion for departed clergy.

The guest speaker, Presbytera Elaine Stephanides, widow of the late Fr. George Stephanides, said a community with a retired priest in residence is doubly blessed. He represents a wealth untapped, and we don t realize it until it s too late.

She added, You re the silent teachers for the younger generation of priests.

CHAPLAINCY Program Serves Those Who Might Otherwise Be Lost A number of Orthodox Christians would fall through the cracks without the ministry of the chaplains. Those who serve their country in the military, or their local communities as firemen and police officers, or those who are confined in prison, still have spiritual needs that must be served; but their particular circumstances often prevent their participation in regular worship services and parish activities.

A small number of Orthodox priests serve as chaplains. Two in particular pioneered the Greek Orthodox chaplaincy were the late Fr. Nicholas Karras, and Fr. (Capt.) George J. Paulson, USN (ret.), who

was the former Greek Orthodox Archdiocese endorsing agent for chaplains.

Metropolitan Isaiah, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Denver, serves as the hierarch of the Archdiocese known as the Military Ordinary that oversees the function of the chaplains. Fr. Luke Uhl, the Denver Diocese chancellor, now serves as the endorsing agent for military and VA Orthodox chaplains.

The Congress workshop on Clergy Chaplaincy Ministries featured presentations on five major activities served by chaplains, including police (Fr. Louis Noplos of St. Demetrios Church, Baltimore), fire departments (Fr. George

Poulos, Archangels parish, Stamford, Conn.) prison ministry (Archimandrite Duane Pederson represented Orthodox Christian Prison Ministries) Veterans Administration (Fr. George Philippas, Assumption Church in Hegewisch, Ill.) and the U.S. military (Fr. Bill Bartz and John Kalantzis, both U.S. Navy chaplains).

It is an opportunity to present Orthodoxy to America, Fr. Kalantzis said, in relating the ministry to the congress theme.

Fr. Kalantzis, a lieutenant commander in the Navy, has been serving on an aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Pakistan.

Fr. Bartz, a Navy captain, has served on the island of Okinawa, where Orthodox chaplains have served continuously for 20 years. He spoke of the advantages of the military chaplaincy, which includes full support of his military command for his program of religious ministry.

The two constitute two-thirds of active duty Orthodox chaplains.

Metropolitan Isaiah noted that chaplaincy is an opportunity for priestly ministry, a truly unique and necessary ministry to those who may have no regular connection to a local parish or to those who are serving our country or communities in sacrificial ways.

PAGE 14

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

JULY - AUGUST 2002

iocc newsiocc news iocc newsiocc news IOCC Volunteer ‘Blitz Builds’ in South Africa Oldest IOCC Volunteer Committees Host Events BALTIMORE - Deborah Hadjes Funti recently went on a very special mission that combined her commitment to Orthodox Christianity and her interest in ecumenism.

From June 2-7, Mrs. Funti participated in a Habitat for Humanity project to build 100 houses in Durban, South Africa. Part of a National Council of Churches work team, she went as a representative of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

Mrs. Funti, 47, of New Orleans, is a longtime Greek Orthodox delegate to the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA and supporter of IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians.

She and 2,000 other volunteers, including Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter, built 100 houses in five days as part of Habitat s annual Jimmy Carter Work Project.

It s a very special mission, Mrs. Funti said. I m just incredibly blessed and honored to be a part of this. And I m very grateful to IOCC for making it happen.

Mrs. Funti said Orthodox involvement in such projects is important. I think my presence will be a witness that Orthodox people in America do care, she said. And it s just a great opportunity for me to put on the IOCC hat and let people know that we as Orthodox are out there and willing to get our hands dirty.

Her participation also illustrates IOCC s ongoing commitment to providing safe, affordable housing to people in need. IOCC s humanitarian work over the past 10 years has included the rebuilding of homes in war-torn areas such as BosniaHerzegovina.

Since 1997, IOCC has helped rebuild

BALTIMORE - Two leading Orthodox churchmen were honored June 2 at the eighth annual banquet of the Chicago Metropolitan Committee of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

Metropolitan Nikitas of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia and the Rev. Irinej Dobrijevic were recognized for their humanitarian work on behalf of IOCC. Metropolitan Nikitas and the Rev. Dobrijevic have been involved with IOCC since its earliest days. Metropolitan Nikitas was consecrated a hierarch in 1996 and enthroned as the first Metropolitan of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia in January 1997.

He previously was IOCC s director of development.

The Chicago group is one of 26 met-

Project Helps Romania’s Abandoned Children Christian Council of Mozambique

A house in Mozambique gets built with the help of IOCC. As part of its ongoing efforts to provide shelter to people in need, IOCC sent Greek Orthodox laywoman Deborah Hadjes Funti to South Africa to be its representative on an ecumenical home-building project.

an estimated 500 homes damaged in the 1992-1995 war there. A current IOCC program supplies construction materials and teams of skilled workers to Bosnian refugees returning to their pre-war homes.

Also present for the South Africa event were Habitat for Humanity founders Millard and Linda Fuller. In all, the 2002 Jimmy Carter Work Project will build 1,000 homes throughout Africa.

Language Class Offers Way Out of Isolation BALTIMORE - A trip to the zoo, a visit to the local library, dinner at a restaurant.

All three are simple activities that can seem insurmountable to someone who doesn t know English.

For recent immigrants to the United States, that sense of isolation, compounded by a lack of familiarity with American culture, can lead to poverty.

Learning English as a second language (ESL) is an important key to survival, as a group of 16 Ethiopian immigrants recently found out.

The Ethiopians, whose native tongue is Amharic, participated in a pilot ESL project sponsored by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). The parish-based class was professionally staffed and volunteer supported. The students, four men and 12 women, attend St. George Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Arlington, Va. I like this class because I didn t know English before I took this class, said a student named Asnakhe.

I practice some words, said another student, named Heymannot. My hope is to get better after I take all of the class.

For more than 30 weeks, the Ethiopians learned basic English language skills and how to apply them in real-life situations. Three of them are preparing to graduate to a public ESL program designed to bring students to full language proficiency. Others will repeat the IOCC class.

Because publicly-funded ESL classes have high drop-out rates, feeder programs such as IOCC s are necessary to prepare students for further instruction,

ropolitan committees throughout the United States that provides volunteer and fund-raising support for IOCC. In Cleveland, the metropolitan committee held its 10th annual banquet on June 10 at St. Sava Orthodox Church in Broadview Heights. IOCC Development Officer Dan Christopulos was guest speaker, and Joe Pagonakis, a news anchor at Cleveland television station WEWS (Channel 5), served as emcee.

The Cleveland and Chicago groups are among the oldest IOCC metropolitan committees in the country, raising thousands of dollars a year for IOCC s humanitarian work. To join a committee, visit www.iocc.org and click on How can I get involved?

said Robert Pianka, director of IOCC s U.S. Program.

The concept of creating a feeder program that draws on the knowledge and support systems of (Orthodox) churches ... is rather unique, said MaryAnn Florez, assistant director of the National Center for ESL Literacy Education in Washington.

It is also extremely practical in that it uses the talents and resources of (parish) members, while moving learners toward the resources and structures that exist in the wider community.

If community support can be secured, IOCC is prepared to start a second class in the Washington area. Students in the pilot project went on field trips to the National Zoo in Washington, to local libraries and to an Ethiopian restaurant. The class focused on vocabulary, grammar, numbers, colors, time and the calendar, as well as language skills in the areas of health and medicine, and money and banking.

ESL addresses the key cause of poverty within our immediate reach, Pianka said. The goal is to teach study habits, give the students basic skills and confidence, and create a support group to sustain them in their continuing studies. We can warm students up so that they can succeed in the public sector.

Citing U.S. Census data, Pianka said linguistic isolation is the leading cause of poverty among refugees and recent immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Historically, those immigrants who overcome the language barrier achieve a lower incidence of poverty than the na-

BUCHAREST The focus of worldwide media attention, Romania s abandoned children often end up on the streets or in inhumane institutions. But a growing reform movement, supported by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and other organizations, is changing that.

IOCC was recently awarded a $200,000 contract to implement an innovative child welfare reform program in about 20 communities in southwest Romania.

The two-year program aims to reduce the likelihood of child abandonment and the number of children in institutions, said Samir Ishak, IOCC director of operations.

The most affected portion of the population are families with many children who are confronted with the daily struggle to survive, Ishak said.

With its partner, the Romanian Orthodox Church, IOCC will work to identify and support at-risk families through a variety of community-based services, reintegrate children with their natural families, create alternatives to institutionalization and establish a child safety net of trained mentors, counselors and social workers.

Total cost of the project is $335,000, with $135,000 coming from IOCC, the Romanian Orthodox Church and Romanian county governments.

According to Nicholas Chakos, project coordinator for IOCC s office in Bucharest, child abandonment in Romania is largely the result of economic hardship and the perceived inability of families to care for their children. Only a small fraction of abandoned children are orphans: 84 percent have at least one living parent and 60 percent have two.

Since the fall of the Ceausescu regime in 1989, thousands of Romanian children either have been abandoned by their families or run away from state-run institutions - consigned to lives of misery and squalor on the streets.

IOCC s program will include a public awareness campaign designed to change attitudes about child institutionalization, improve the knowledge of community-based services and increase support for children and families.

The IOCC initiative is part of the larger ChildNet program, sponsored by World Learning, a U.S.-based organization, and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. IOCC and the Roma-

nian Orthodox Church are partners with World Learning and USAID in the project.

That partnership will be carried out in three Romanian counties: Dolj, Gorj and Mehedinti. In all three counties, the goal of the program is to reduce the number of institutionalized children by 50 percent and the number of children entering institutions by 70 percent.

These areas are some of the most gravely affected by Romania s political, social and economic transition ... and the collapse of the mining industry, Chakos said.

In Mehedinti County, IOCC will work with the Roma community in the town of Punghina, which has a high rate of child abandonment. There, IOCC seeks to reduce the number of child abandonment cases by 90 percent by opening a day care center, assisting Roma families with childcare skills and creating support networks of volunteers and mentors.

Priority will always be given to returning the child back to its mother, Chakos said. In cases in which this is not possible, reintegration of the child to the extended family will be pursued.

Other aspects of the program include: Creating volunteer assistance programs such as Mentor Mothers and Parent for a Day. Enlisting hospital chaplains and other authorities to help identify women who are at-risk of abandoning their children.

Providing material assistance, such as food, utility payment and medical necessities, to at-risk mothers.

Offering counseling services to families and individuals.

IOCC will establish three regional offices to coordinate the program and will hire, train and supervise child welfare specialists to staff each of the offices. IOCC also will work closely with county health departments and departments of child protection to identify at-risk families and children.

On the national level, IOCC will coordinate a public awareness campaign in cooperation with the Romanian Orthodox Church, its official partner for social assistance issues.

Founded in 1992, IOCC opened an office in Bucharest two years ago. Romania is one of several Balkan countries where IOCC is doing relief and development work. For more information, visit www.iocc.org.

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ÅÔÏÓ 67

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1191

Ïñèüäïîç Ìáñôõñßá êáé ðñïóöïñÜ ðßóôåùò óå óõíÝ÷åéá 20 áéþíùí äéáôñÜíùóå ç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ôïõ Ëïò Áíôæåëåò ËÏÓ ÁÍÔÆÅËÅÓ Ç áññáãÞò åíüôçôá, ç ðñïóÞëùóç êáé ï óåâáóìüò ðñïò ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï, ç ðñïóöïñÜ êáé ç Ïñèüäïîç ìáñôõñßá ôçò ðßóôåþò ìáò óôçí óýã÷ñïíç êïéíùíßá, ç áíÜãêç ãéá åìâÜèõíóç óôá íÜìáôá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò êáé ç âßùóÞ ôïõò ùò öùôåéíü ðáñÜäåéãìá ãéá ôïõò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò êáèþò êáé ç Ýíôïíç áßóèçóç ãéá ðñïóùðéêÞ êáé óõëëïãéêÞ éåñáðïóôïëÞ Þôáí ôá óôïé÷åßá åêåßíá ðïõ ÷áñáêôÞñéóáí êõñßùò ôçí 36ç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå óôï Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò ìåôáîý 30 Éïõíßïõ êáé 5 Éïõëßïõ, 2002.

ÁññáãÞò åíüôçôá, óåâáóìüò êáé óôÞñéîç ãéá ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï. Ìå óåâáóìü õðïâïëÞ ðñïâëçìáôéóìþí ãéá ôï Óýíôáãìá

ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Ðáñüíôåò 1.200 êáé ðëÝïí áíôéðñüóùðïé ôùí åíïñéþí-êïéíïôÞôùí óôçí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç êáé óôï Åèíéêü ÓõíÝäñéï ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå ðáñÜëëçëá óõììåôåß÷áí óå ìéá ðëåéÜäá åðéôñïðþí åñãáóßáò, óåìéíáñßùí ìåëÝôçò êáé äéáëÝîåùí ðïõ Ýëáâáí ÷þñá êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôïõ ôåôñáçìÝñïõ êáé îåðÝñáóáí óå óõììåôï÷Þ êáé åíäéáöÝñïí êÜèå ðñïçãïýìåíï.

Ç Áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá

¹ôáí ìéá îå÷ùñéóôÞ ÊõñéáêÞ, 30 Éïõíßïõ 2002. ÇìÝñá áðáñ÷Þò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò ÓõíÝëåõóçò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ìå áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá óå åéäéêÜ äéáìïñöùìÝíï ÷þñï ôïõ Óõíåäñéáêïý ÊÝíôñïõ ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò, þóôå íá óõìðñïóåõ÷çèïýí óôïí ßäéï ÷þñï ü÷é ìüíï ïé óýíåäñïé êáé ïé åðéóêÝðôåò áëëÜ êáé üëïé ïé ðéóôïß ôçò åõñýôåñçò ìçôñïðïëéôéêÞò ðåñéï÷Þò ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò. ¹ôáí åðßóçò ìéá îå÷ùñéóôÞ êáé åõëïãçìÝíç çìÝñá ðïõ ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ãéüñôáæå óõã÷ñüíùò ôçí åïñôÞ ôùí Áãßùí ÐÜíôùí êáé ôçí Óýíáîç ôùí 12 Áðïóôüëùí. «¹ôáí ìéá ëåéôïõñãßá ìå äåóðüæïõóá ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò üëùí ôùí Áãßùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò êáé ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò ôùí Áðïóôüëùí», åßðå áñãüôåñá ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò. Ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò ðñïåîÞñ÷å ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò, óõëëåéôïõñãïýíôùí üëùí ôùí Éåñáñ÷þí ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ êáé ðïëëþí éåñÝùí, åíþ êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéÜ ôçò Ýøáëëå ðïëõìåëÞò ÷ïñùäßá áðïôåëïýìåíç áðü ìÝëç ôçò Ïìïóðïíäßáò Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí Ìïõóéêþí ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò ôïõ Áãßïõ

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

ÃåíéêÞ Óõíåäñßáóç åí åîåëßîåé. (áðü áñéóôåñÜ) ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Áíôþíéïò, ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ôõñïëüçò êáé Óåñåíôßïõ ÐáíôåëåÞìùí, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò, ç ê. ÅëÝíç ×éïýæáê, ï ê. ÄçìÞôñçò Ìüó÷ïò êáé ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÉÜêùâïò.

Öñáãêßóêïõ êáé áðü ìÝëç ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Åíþóåùò Åëëçíïñèïäüîùí Ìïõóéêþí áðü üëåò ôéò ÅðéóêïðÝò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, õðü ôçí äéåýèõíóç ôçò ÁíäñéÜííáò Êïëåíäñéáíïý, äéåõèýíôñéáò ôçò ÷ïñùäßáò ôïõ É. Íáïý ôçò Áãßáò ÂáñâÜñáò óôçí ðüëç Santa Barbara, CA. Óôï ôÝëïò ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áðåõèõíüìåíïò óôï ðïëõðëçèÝò åêêëçóßáóìá áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí åõëïãçìÝíç óõãêõñßá ôïõ äéðëïý åïñôáóìïý êáé ìå áõôÞí ôçí áöïñìÞ ìßëçóå ãéá ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ êáé ìáñôõñßá ôçò ðßóôåþò ìáò óôçí óýã÷ñïíç

ÁìåñéêÞ. «ÐñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí ðßóôç ìáò óôçí óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ êáé óôï êüóìï ïëüêëçñï, ü÷é îáöíéêÜ óôçí áñ÷Þ ôïõ 21ïõ áéþíïò áëëÜ ùò óõíÝ÷åéá ìéáò ðñïóöïñÜò ðßóôåùò áðü ôïõò Áðïóôüëïõò, ìÜñôõñáò, ðáôÝñáò êáé áãßïõò. Åßìåèá óå ìéá óõíÝ÷åéá ãñáììÞò ç ïðïßá êñáôÜ 20 áéþíåò, ãñáììÞò ç ï ïðïßá äéáóþæåé ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîç ðßóôç êáé ðáñÜäïóç», åßðå êáé ðñüóèåóå üôé

u óåë. 16

ÐÑÏÃÑÁÌÌÁÔÉÊÇ ÏÌÉËÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÓÅÂÁÓÌÉÙÔÁÔÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÕ ê. ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏÕ ÓÔÏÕÓ ÁÍÔÉÑÏÓÙÐÏÕÓ ÊÁÉ ÓÕÌÌÅÔÅ×ÏÍÔÅÓ ÓÔÇÍ 36ç ÄÉÅÔÇ ÊËÇÑÉÊÏ-ËÁÉÊÇ ÓÕÍÅËÅÕÓÇ 1 Ï Êýñéïò åßðå óôïõò ìáèçôÜò Ôïõ: ÅéñÞíç õìßí. Êáèþò áðÝóôáëêÝ ìå ï ÐáôÞñ, êáãþ ðÝìðù õìÜò (ÉùÜí. 20:21). ÁõôÞ Þôáí ç ìåãÜëç êáé åîáéñåôéêÞ áðïóôïëéêÞ åíôïëÞ ôçí ïðïßá áðçýèõíå ï ×ñéóôüò óôïýò ìáèçôÜò Ôïõ, ìßá åíôïëÞ ç ïðïßá Üëëáîå ôïí êüóìï. Ï Êýñéïò ëÝãåé óå ìáò óÞìåñá, áõôÞ ôçí 1ç Éïõëßïõ ôïõ Ýôïõò 2002, åäþ óôï Ëüò ¢íôæåëåò: ÅéñÞíç õìßí. Êáèþò áðÝóôáëêÝ ìå ï ÐáôÞñ, êáãþ ðÝìðù õìÜò. ÁõôÞ åßíáé ç ìåãÜëç êáé éåñÞ áíÜèåóç áðïóôïëÞò ìáò. Ôáõôü÷ñïíá áõôÞ åßíáé êáé ç ïõóéáóôéêÞ óçìáóßá ôçò öñÜóåùò «ÐñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ», öñÜóç ç ïðïßá áðïôåëåß ôï èÝìá ôçò 36çò Äéåôïýò Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò. Ôï íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ óçìáßíåé íá ìðïñÝóïõìå íá áíôáðïêñéèïýìå äõíáìéêÜ, äçìéïõñãéêÜ êáé ìå óõíÝðåéá óôçí éåñÞ êëÞóç, ôçí ïðïßá ìáò áðåõèýíåé ï ×ñéóôüò: «Êáèþò áðÝóôáëêÝ ìå ï ÐáôÞñ, êáãþ ðÝìðù õìÜò». Ï Èåüò ÐáôÞñ ìáò Ýóôåéëå ôïí ×ñéóôü, ôïí Õéü Ôïõ. Ôïí ðñïóÝöåñå óå ìáò, óå üëç ôçí áíèñùðüôçôá, ó ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï, Ýôóé þóôå íá ìðïñïýìå íá áðïëáìâÜíïõìå ðåñßóóåéá æùÞò, äéáñêÞ åéñÞíç êáé áéþíéá óùôçñßá. ÓÞìåñá üìùò, ï ×ñéóôüò, ï Èåüò ìáò, óôÝëíåé åìÜò óôïí êüóìï, óôïõò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò, åéäéêÜ óôïõò áíèñþðïõò ôçò óõã÷ñüíïõ ÁìåñéêÞò. Ìáò óôÝëíåé ãéá íá ðñÜîïõìå áõôü ðïõ Åêåßíïò Ýðñáîå, äçëáäÞ, íá öÝñïõìå ôï ÷áñìüóõíï êáé óùôÞñéï ìÞíõìá ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ, íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí áóöáëÞ áãÜðç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý,

ôçí ðëçñüôçôá ôçò æùÞò Ôïõ êáé ôçí áêëüíçôç áëÞèåéá Ôïõ. Ï Éçóïýò ×ñéóôüò ìáò Ý÷åé åìðéóôåõèåß áõôÞ ôçí óõãêëïíéóôéêÞ áðïóôïëÞ êáé ôï éåñü êáèÞêïí íá áêïëïõèÞóïõìå ôá âÞìáôÜ Ôïõ, íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ÷ùñßò äéóôáãìü, ïëüøõ÷á, ÷ùñßò åðéöõëÜîåéò Þ üñïõò ü,ôé Åêåßíïò ðñïóÝöåñå. Íá óõíå÷ßóïõìå ôï Ýñãï Ôïõ ôü ïðïßï åóöñÜãéóå ìå ôçí èõóßá ôïõ èáíÜôïõ Ôïõ åðß ôïõ Óôáõñïý êáé ôçí ëáìðñÞ ÁíÜóôáóÞ Ôïõ. Ìáò êáëåß íá åßìåèá ðáíôïý êáé ðÜíôïôå, áëëÜ åéäéêüôåñá åäþ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, óÞìåñá, ç ïñáôÞ, áðôÞ êáé æùïðïéüò ðáñïõóßá Ôïõ. Ðñïóöéëåßò êáé óåâÜóìéïé ÉåñÜñ÷áé, éåñåßò êáé äéÜêïíïé, áäåëöïß êáé áäåëöÝò, óáò ÷áéñåôßæù èåñìÜ áõôÞ ôçí þñá êáé óáò åíáãêáëßæïìáé ìå ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ óåâáóìü, ãéáôß åßóèå áõôÞ ç ïñáôÞ êáé áðôÞ ðáñïõóßá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ãéáôß åßóèå ïé ðñåóâåõôáß ôïõ Èåïý, åíôåôáëìÝíïé áðü Åêåßíïí êáé óõãêåíôñùìÝíïé åäþ ó áõôÞ ôçí éåñÞ óõíÜíôçóç ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò, ôçò 36çò Äéåôïýò Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåþò ìáò. Êáëùóïñßóáôå óôçí ðüëç ôùí ÁããÝëùí, ùò Üããåëïé êáé áðåóôáëìÝíïé ôïõ Êõñßïõ ìáò, Éçóïý ×ñéóôïý.

u óåë. 17

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 16

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

5 óçìåßá ðñïóöïñÜò êáé åíßó÷õóçò ôçò Åíïñßáò áíÝðôõîå ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò u óåë. 15

ç ðïëýôéìç êëçñïíïìéÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôåþò ìáò êáé ç ïìïëïãßá êáé ìáñôõñßá ôçò «åßíáé ìéá åõëïãßá ðïõ üìùò áðáéôåß èÜññïò, äýíáìç êáé áðïöáóéóôéêüôçôá» êáé óçìåßùóå ôï áðüóðáóìá ôçò åõáããåëéêÞò ðåñéêïðÞò ôçò çìÝñáò: «Ðáò ïõí üóôéò ïìïëïãÞóåé åí åìïß Ýìðñïóèåí ôùí áíèñþðùí, ïìïëïãÞóù êáãþ åí áõôþ Ýìðñïóèåí ôïõ ðáôñüò ìïõ ôïõ åí ôïéò ïõñáíïßò».(Ìáôè. 10,32) Ôï áðüãåõìá ôçò ÊõñéáêÞò ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò óõíåðéêïõñïýìåíïò áðü ôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç Áíôþíéï êáé Üëëïõò ÉåñÜñ÷åò åãêáéíßáóå ôïí åêèåóéáêü ÷þñï ôçò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò ðïõ éäéáßôåñá öÝôïò ðåñéåëÜìâáíå êáé ìïõóåéáêÜ êáé éóôïñéêÜ åêèÝìáôá áðü ôçí æùÞ êáé ôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôåò ôùí åíïñéþí ôçò Íüôéáò Êáëéöüñíéáò. Ôï âñÜäõ ôçò ßäéáò ìÝñáò ç êïéíüôçôá ôïõ êáèåäñéêïý íáïý ôçò Áãßáò Óïößáò, ãíùóôÞ ãéá ôï ìåãÜëï Ýñãï êáé ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò óôçí ðåñéï÷Þ ðïõ âñßóêåôáé êáé ãéá ôçí êáèéÝñùóç ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò ùò Byzantine-Latino Quarter öéëïîÝíçóå ôïõò óõíÝäñïõò ôçò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò, ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ êáé ôùí Üëëùí óùìÜôùí ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò óå ìéá ðáíçãõñéêÞ âñáäéÜ ÷áñÜò óôïí õðáßèñéï ÷þñï ãýñù áðü íáü. Éäéáßôåñç åíôýðùóç ðñïêÜëåóå ç óõììåôï÷Þ ÷ïñåõôéêþí ïìÜäùí áðü üëç ôçí Êáëéöüñíéá ðïõ ðáñïõóßáóáí ìå ðéóôüôçôá êáé æùíôÜíéá ðáñáäïóéáêïýò ÷ïñïýò áðü äéÜöïñá ìÝñç ôçò ÅëëÜäïò. Ôï åßäïò ôùí ðáñáäïóéáêþí ÷ïñþí êáëëéåñãåßôáé êáé áêìÜæåé ôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá óôçí Êáëéöüñíéá ìå ôçí åôÞóéá äéïñãÜíùóç ôïõ ÖåóôéâÜë ðáñáäïóéáêþí ÷ïñþí ãíùóôïý ùò FDF. (Folklore Dance Festival) Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áðáíôþíôáò óå åñùôÞóåéò ôïõ Ôýðïõ ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôá ãåãïíüôá ôçò çìÝñáò äÞëùóå: «¹ôáí ìéá ìÝñá ÷áñÜò, ìéá ìÝñá åíüôçôïò üëùí, ìéá ìÝñá óõíáíôÞóåùò üëùí ôùí çëéêéþí êáé üëùí ôùí ðåñéï÷þí ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò, äåßãìá ìéáò Åêêëçóßáò, ðïõ ðñÝðåé ðÜíôïôå íá åßíáé ìéá Åêêëçóßá åíùìÝíç, ÷áñïýìåíç, åéñçíéêÞ, óôçí ïðïßá óõíäõÜæïíôáé üëá áõôÜ ôá óôïé÷åßá. ¸íôïíç êáé ïõóéáóôéêÞ ëáôñåßá, ÷áñÜ êáé éêáíïðïßçóç êáé êïéíü ôñáðÝæé êáé êïéíÞ óõììåôï÷Þ óôá áãáèÜ ôá ïðïßá ìáò ÷Üñéóå ï Èåüò». Áðáíôþíôáò äå óå åñþôçìá ãéá ôï ðùò áéóèÜíåôáé ãéá ôçí ðïñåßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôç ÁìåñéêÞ åßðå: «Åßìáé ãåìÜôïò ðñïóäïêßá, ãåìÜôïò åëðßäá, ãåìÜôïò ðßóôç, äéüôé âëÝðù ôá äåäïìÝíá, âëÝðù ôçí ÷Üñç ôïõ Èåïý êáé ôï äõíáìéêü ôùí áíèñþðùí êáé åßìáé âÝâáéïò üôé Ý÷ïõìå ìðñïóôÜ ìáò, ÷ñüíéá óôá ïðïßá áõôÞ åäþ ç Åêêëçóßá êáé ç ÏìïãÝíåéá èá äçìéïõñãÞóåé ðñÜãìáôá ôá ïðïßá èá åßíáé üíôùò ìéá êáéíïýñãéá ìåãÜëç óõìâïëÞ óôçí üëç ìáêñÜ éóôïñßá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò».

¸íáñîç ôùí åñãáóéþí

Ìå Ýêäçëï åíèïõóéáóìü êáé éêáíïðïßçóç õðïäÝ÷èçêáí ïé óýíåäñïé ôï ìÞíõìá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ êáé ôá ðïëëáðëÜ êáé ìåóôÜ íïçìÜôùí ìçíýìáôá ôçò ðñïãñáììáôéêÞò ïìéëßáò ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Äçìçôñßïõ êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôçò ôåëåôÞò åíÜñîåùò ôùí åñãáóéþí ôçò ãåíéêÞò óõíåäñßáò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò ôï ðñùß ôçò 1çò Éïõëßïõ. Óôï ìåãÜëï óõíåäñéáêü ÷þñï ôïõ îåíïäï÷åßïõ Westin Bonaventure êáé ìðñïóôÜ óå ðïëõðëçèÝò áêñïáôÞñéï áðïôåëïýìåíï áðü 800 ðåñßðïõ óõíÝäñïõò ôçò óõíåëåýóåùò, áíÜëïãïõ áñéèìïý ìåëþí ôïõ 36ïõ Óõíåäñßïõ ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ Áäåëöüôçôïò, ðïëëþí ðñåóâõôåñþí, Áñ÷üíôùí, êáé ìåëþí Üëëùí ïñãáíþóåùí êáé ïñãáíéóìþí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ï áíôé-

D. PANAGOS

Áñ÷éåñáôéêü óõëëåßôïõñãï, ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï ðåñéóôïé÷ßæïõí (áðü áñéóôåñÜ) ïé Ìçôñïðïëßôåò Ìåèüäéïò, Áíôþíéïò, ÉÜêùâïò, ÌÜîéìïò, Éóáúáò êáé ï Åðßóêïðïò Íéêüëáïò.

ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ê. Ìé÷áÞë Ôæá÷Üñçò êÞñõîå ôçí åðßóçìç Ýíáñîç ôùí åñãáóéþí ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò. ÌåôÜ ôï èåñìü êáëùóüñéóìá áðü ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçò äéïñãáíùôéêÞò åðéôñïðÞò ê. Ðßôåñ Ðñéüâïëï, ï åðßóçìïò åêðñüóùðïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ôõñïëüçò êáé Óåñåíôßïõ ê. ÐáíôåëåÞìùí ìåôÝöåñå ôï ìÞíõìá ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ, ôï ïðïßï Ýôõ÷å éäéáßôåñçò ðñïóï÷Þò áðü ôï áêñïáôÞñéï, ôï ïðïßï åîÝöñáóå ôçí éêáíïðïßçóÞ ôïõ ìå ÷åéñïêñüôçìá óå áñêåôÜ óçìåßá ôïõ ìçíýìáôïò.

Ôï ìÞíõìá ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç

Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò óôï ãñáðôü ìÞíõìÜ ôïõ áíáöÝñèçêå åí óõíôïìßá óôçí êáèïñéóôéêÞ óçìáóßá êáé âáñýôçôá ãéá ôçí Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ôïõ êõñßùò èÝìáôïò ôçò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò «ÐñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèüäïîçò Ðßóôçò ìáò óôçí óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ» ùò åíäåéêôéêïý «ôïõ õøçëïý áéóèÞìáôïò åõèýíçò ôï ïðïßïí äéáêáôÝ÷åé ôï óþìá ôçò ôïðéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò äéÜ ôçí ðñïóöïñÜí ðñïò üëïõò ôïõò åí ÁìåñéêÞ óõíáíèñþðïõò ôïõ èçóáõñïý ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò, ôïí ïðïßïí Ý÷åé åìðéóôåõèåß åéò õìÜò ç Ðñüíïéá ôïõ Èåïý». Ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò áíÝöåñå åðßóçò «ôçí áìÝñéóôïí åõ÷Þí êáé åõëïãßáí çìþí êáé óõìðÜóçò ôçò Áãßáò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ÌåãÜëçò Åêêëçóßáò, ðñïò åðéôõ÷ßáí êáé åõüäùóéí ôùí åñãáóéþí [ôçò óõíåëåýóåùò]...» êáé ôüíéóå üôé äåäïìÝíïõ üôé üëïé óõíÞëèáí åéò áõôÞí åéò ôï üíïìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý «... äåí ðñïâëÝðåôáé íá õðÜñîïõí íéêçôáß êáé çôôçìÝíïé, áëëÜ ìüíïí íéêçôáß...» Óå Üëëç äå áðïóôñïöÞ ôïõ ëüãïõ ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ôüíéóå ôá åîÞò ðñïêáëþíôáò ôï Ýíôïíï ÷åéñïêñüôçìá ôïõ áêñïáôçñßïõ: «Ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí äåí Ý÷åé ïýôå ôçí äõíáôüôçôá ïýôå ôçí ðñüèåóéí íá åðåìâáßíåé åéò ôçí áõôïäéïßêçóéí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôùí õð áõôÞí Åíïñéþí êáé ÊïéíïôÞôùí Þ ÉäñõìÜôùí. Ïýôå Ý÷åé ðñüèåóéí íá ðåñéïñßóåé ôçí áðü ìáêñïý õöéóôáìÝíçí åëåõèåñßáí áõôþí ùò ðñïò ôçí äéá÷åßñéóéí ôùí õðïèÝóåþí ôùí. ÁíôéèÝôùò, åðéèõìåß æùçñþò êáé ïñáìáôßæåôáé ôçí ÉåñÜí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞí áõîáíïìÝíçí êáôÜ ðÜíôá êáé éäßùò ðíåõìáôéêþò, þóôå íá áíáëÜâåé áêüìç ðåñéóóïôÝñáò åõèýíáò êáé íá äéáäñáìáôßóåé óðïõäáéüôåñïí ñüëïí åéò ôçí ðñïóöïñÜí ôïõ Ïñèïäüîïõ Ìçíýìáôïò åéò ôïí ëáüí ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò». Ç áíáöïñÜ ôÝëïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ óôçí «ðíåõìáôéêÞ åðïðôåßá êáé ôïí óõíôïíéóìü ôïõ êáôÜ ðÜíôá áîßïõ êáé åéñçíïðïéïý ÉåñùôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò êõñßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ, ôïõ

èåïöéëþò ðçäáëéïõ÷ïýíôïò ôï óêÜöïò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò» Ýãéíå äåêôÞ ìå ðáñáôåôáìÝíï ÷åéñïêñüôçìá áðü ôï ðëÞèïò. Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Äáñäáíåëëßùí êáé ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅðéóêïðÞò ôïõ Áãßïõ Öñáãêßóêïõ ê. Áíôþíéïò êáëùóüñéóå ôïõò óõíÝäñïõò, åõ÷áñßóôçóå ôéò äéïñãáíùôéêÝò åðéôñïðÝò êáé üëïõò ôïõò óõíôåëåóôÝò êáé Ýêáíå ìéá óýíôïìç áíáöïñÜ óôï ÷ñïíéêü ôùí åðßðïíùí ðñïóðáèåéþí óõíôïíéóìïý êáé äéïñãÜíùóçò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò, éäéáßôåñá õðü ôéò áíôßîïåò óõíèÞêåò ìåôÜ ôçí 11ç Óåðôåìâñßïõ. ÁìÝóùò ìåôÜ ðáñïõóßáóå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ìå éäéáßôåñá èåñìÜ ëüãéá.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò

«Êáëþò Þëèáôå óôçí Ðüëç ôùí ÁããÝëùí, óáí ¢ããåëïé êáé Áããåëéïöüñïé ôïõ ×ñéóôïý», åßðå ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò óôçí áñ÷Þ ôçò ïìéëßáò ôïõ ðñïò ôï óýíïëï ôùí óõíåëèüíôùí óôçí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò. Ç ðñïãñáììáôéêÞ ïìéëßá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ åßíáé áõôÞ ðïõ èÝôåé ôïí ôüíï áëëÜ êáé ôï ðëáßóéï ü÷é ìüíï ôùí åñãáóéþí ôçò óõíåëåýóåùò áëëÜ êáé ôçò åí ãÝíåé ðïñåßáò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò óôï åããýò áëëÜ êáé áðþôåñï ìÝëëïí. (âë. óåë. 15, 17) «Åßðåí ï Êýñéïò. ÅéñÞíç õìßí^ êáèþò áðåóôáëêÝ ìå ï ÐáôÞñ, êáãþ ðÝìðù õìÜò» Ìå áðáñ÷Þ ôçí åõáããåëéêÞ áõôÞ ðåñéêïðÞ áðü ôï ÊáôÜ ÉùÜííçí ÅõáããÝëéï, ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áíÝðôõîå ôï êõñßùò èÝìá ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôåùò óôçí óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. Áêïëïýèùò áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí ðñüïäï êáé ôá åðéôåýãìáôá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò óôï äéÜóôçìá ðïõ ðáñÞëèå áðü ôçí ôåëåõôáßá ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ óå üëïõò ôïõò ôïìåßò ôùí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí, ïéêïíïìéêü, ðïéìáíôéêü, öéëáíèñùðéêü, éåñáðïóôïëéêü êáé éäéáßôåñá õðü ôéò äõóìåíåßò êáé ôñáãéêÝò óõíèÞêåò ðïõ ðñïÝêõøáí ùò áðïôÝëåóìá ôçò 11 çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ 2001. Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ôüíéóå üôé ç ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò îåêéíÜ áðü ôïí êáèÝíá îå÷ùñéóôÜ êáé ðñïóùðéêÜ êáé óõíå÷ßæåé äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôçò êïéíüôçôïò êáé ôçò åíïñßáò, ç ïðïßá Þôáí åßíáé êáé èá ðáñáìåßíåé ôï êÝíôñï ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò ðßóôçò ìáò ðñïò ôïí Ýîù êüóìï êáé ôçí óýã÷ñïíç áìåñéêáíéêÞ êïéíùíßá. ¸ôóé ëïéðüí ç É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ èá åíôåßíåé êáé èá åðéêåíôñþóåé ôçí öñïíôßäá êáé ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò ðñïò ôéò åíïñßåò ôçò êáé ôçí åíäõíÜìùóÞ ôïõò. Ðñïò ôçí êáôåýèõíóç áõôÞ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò áíÝðôõîå ðÝíôå âáóéêÜ êáé óõãêåêñéìÝíá ðñïãñÜììáôá.

1) Ôçí ìåôåîÝëéîç ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò ÏéêïãÝíåéáò êáé ÃÜìïõ óå ÊÝíôñï ÏéêïãåíåéáêÞò Öñïíôßäïò, ôï ïðïßï èá åäñåýåé

êáé èá ëåéôïõñãåß óôçí Áêáäçìßá Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ óôï Garrison ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò êáé èá êáôáóôåß ðñüôõðï ßäñõìá ãéá ôçí ðñïþèçóç ìéáò õãéïýò, åõôõ÷éóìÝíçò êáé äõíáìéêÞò ÷ñéóôéáíéêÞò ïéêïãÝíåéáò.

2) Ôçí áíáäéïñãÜíùóç ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò Íåïëáßáò êáé ôçí óôåíÞ óõíåñãáóßá ôïõ ìå ôá ôìÞìáôá ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò êáé ÅëëçíéêÞò ðáéäåßáò ìå óêïðü ôçí åíäõíÜìùóç ôçò íåïëáßáò êáé ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò, éäéáßôåñá üóïí áöïñÜ ôéò çëéêßåò áðü 1630 åôþí.

3) Ôçí äçìéïõñãßá ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò Öéëáíèñùðßáò ìå óêïðü ôçí óõíå÷Þ ðñïóöïñÜ óôÞñéîçò ðñïò ôéò åíïñßåò êáé ôïí óõíôïíéóìü öéëáíèñùðéêþí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí óå åðßðåäï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, Åðéóêïðþí êáé åíïñéþí.

4) Ôçí óõíå÷Þ êáé óôáèåñÞ ðñïóöïñÜ õðçñåóéþí, ðëçñïöïñéþí êáé êÜèå åßäïõò õëéêïý áðü ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ðñïò ôéò åíïñßåò äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôùí åõêáéñéþí ðïõ ðáñÝ÷ïõí ïé óýã÷ñïíïé ôñüðïé åðéêïéíùíßáò, üðùò ôï äéáäßêôõï êáé ôï çëåêôñïíéêü ôá÷õäñïìåßï, ìå óêïðü ôçí äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí ìáñôõñßá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ìáò ðßóôåùò êáé ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ áãÜðçò ×ñéóôïý óôïí êüóìï.

5) Ôçí åíôáôéêïðïßçóç êáé áíÜðôõîç ôùí åêðáéäåõôéêþí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìå êýñéá óçìåßá áíáöïñÜò ôçí Ïñèüäïîç ÐáñÜäïóç êáé ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ ÊëçñïíïìéÜ ðïõ ðåñéëáìâÜíïõí ôïõò ôïìåßò ôçò ãëþóóáò êáé ôïõ ðïëéôéóìïý ìå óêïðü ôç äéáöþôéóç êáé ðáéäåßá ôùí ðéóôþí ìáò ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí áëçèéíÞ ðáãêüóìéá åëëçíïñèüäïîç ôáõôüôçôá. Ôá ðáñáðÜíù èá ðñïùèçèïýí äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ôùí ôìçìÜôùí ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò åêðáßäåõóçò êáé ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò, ôùí êïéíïôéêþí ó÷ïëåßùí êáé êõñßùò ìå ôçí ðñïþèçóç ôçò Ðáéäåßáò ùò êåíôñéêü êáé êáèïñéóôéêü óçìåßï áíáöïñÜò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò êáé ôùí åíïñéþí ìáò. ÅðéðëÝïí ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ôüíéóå üôé âñßóêåôáé óôçí åõ÷Üñéóôç èÝóç íá áíáêïéíþóåé üôé åîÝ÷ïíôá ìÝëç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò Ý÷ïõí äçëþóåé ôçí åðéèõìßá êáé ôçí õðüó÷åóç íá óôçñßîïõí ïéêïíïìéêÜ ìå åêáôïììýñéá äïëÜñéá ôá ðñïôåéíüìåíá áõôÜ ðñïãñÜììáôá. ÁëëÜ óõã÷ñüíùò óçìåßùóå üôé ç åðéôõ÷ßá ôïõò ðñïûðïèÝôåé ôçí õéïèÝôçóç êáé èåñìÞ õðïóôÞñéîÞ ôïõò áðü ôï óýíïëï ôïõ ðëçñþìáôïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. ÊáôáëÞãïíôáò ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò åîÝöñáóå ôï üíåéñï êáé ôç ïñáôÞ ðéèáíüôçôá ãéá ìéá «íÝá åðï÷Þ óôçí éóôïñßá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ôçí äçìéïõñãßá åíüò íÝïõ ìïíôÝëïõ ïéêïõìåíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ôïõ ìïíôÝëïõ ôçò Åëëçíï-ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò ôïõ 21ïõ áéþíá»

Ç Öéëüðôù÷ïò

ÁìÝóùò ìåôÜ ôçí åíáñêôÞñéá ôåëåôÞ ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò Ýãéíå ç ðñþôç óõíåäñßáóç ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßá ç áðåñ÷üìåíç ðñüåäñïò ê. Åõáíèßá ÊïíôÜêç áðçýèõíå ôçí áðï÷áéñåôéóôÞñéá ïìéëßá ôçò åõ÷áñéóôþíôáò ôüóï ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ê. ÄçìÞôñéï, üóï êáé ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ãéá ôçí âïÞèåéá êáé ôçí óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ ôïõò óôï Ýñãï ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ. Ôï âñÜäõ ç ÅèíéêÞ Öéëüðôù÷ïò Áäåëöüôçò ðáñÝèåóå äåßðíï ðñïò ôéìÞí ôçò áðåñ÷ïìÝíçò ðñïÝäñïõ ôçò ê. ÊïíôÜêç, óôï ïðïßï ðáñáêÜèéóáí 1.500 ðåñßðïõ óýíåäñïé, ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïé êáé åðßóçìïé.

ÃåíéêÞ óõíåäñßá êáé Óýíôáãìá

Ïé óýíåäñïé, êáôÜ ôéò äýï ðñþôåò ãåíéêÝò óõíåäñßåò, áó÷ïëÞèçêáí ìå ôï íÝï óýíôáãìá. Ðñïåäñåýïíôïò ôïõ ê. Äçìçôñßïõ Ìüó÷ïõ, ç ê. ÅëÝíç ×éïýæáê ðáñïõóßáóå êáô Üñèñï ôï íÝï óýíôáãìá

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ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 17

ÐÑÏÃÑÁÌÌÁÔÉÊÇ ÏÌÉËÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÓÅÂÁÓÌÉÙÔÁÔÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÕ ê. ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏÕ u óåë. 15 2 Äýï ÷ñüíéá ðáñÞëèáí áðü ôçí ôåëåõôáßá ìáò Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç óôçí ÖéëáäÝëöåéá. Äýï ÷ñüíéá ãåìÜôá ìå äñáóôçñéüôçôåò, ãåãïíüôá, áíÜðôõîç, äõóêïëßåò êáé ðñüïäï, ÷áñÝò êáé ëýðåò. ×ñüíéá óçìáäåìÝíá ìå ôçí Ýêñçîç èáíÜôïõ ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ, 2001, áëëÜ êáé ÷ñüíéá åìðëïõôéóìÝíá ìå ìéáí Ýêñçîç æùÞò êáé áãÜðçò. Ï Èåüò ìáò Ýäùóå ðïëý ðåñéóóüôåñá áðü üóá ìðïñïýìå íá æçôÞóïõìå Þ íá óêåöèïýìå (Åöåó. 3:20). Ìáò Ýäùóå ôçí ÷Üñç íá ìðïñïýìå íá äéáêçñýîïõìå ìå ôïí Áð. Ðáýëï, Áëë åí ðÜóé ôïýôïéò õðåñíéêþìåí äéÜ ôïõ áãáðÞóáíôïò õìÜò, äçë. ôïõ ×ñéóôïý (Ñùì. 8:37). ÊáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôùí äýï ôåëåõôáßùí ÷ñüíùí ï Èåüò ìáò ÷Üñéóå ìåãÜëï áñéèìü äþñùí, ðëçèþñá åõëïãéþí. Èá áðáéôïýóå ðïëý ÷ñüíï íá ôá áðáñéèìÞóïõìå üëá Ýóôù êáé óõíïðôéêÜ. ÁëëÜ åðéôñÝøôå ìïõ íá áíáêáëÝóù áðü ôçí ìíÞìç êáé íá áíáöåñèþ óå ìåñéêÜ áð áõôÜ ùò åíäåßîåéò ôçò Ýíôïíçò áãÜðçò êáé ÷Üñéôïò ôïõ Èåïý êáé ùò èÝìáôá èåñìÞò ðñïóåõ÷Þò åõãíùìïóýíçò ó Åêåßíïí.

1) ¸îé Íáïß åãêáéíéÜóèçóáí êáé Ýãéíáí äýï Èõñáíïßîéá óå äéÜöïñåò ðåñéï÷Ýò ôçò ÷þñáò: óôç ËïõúæéÜíá ôçò ÍÝáò ÏñëåÜíçò, óôï Cardiff-by-the-Sea ôçò Êáëéöüñíéáò, óôï Elkins Park ôçò ÐåííóõëâÜíéáò, óôçí ÁíÜðïëç ôïõ ÌÝñõëáíô, óôï Bayard ôçò ÍåìðñÜóêá, óôï ÍôÜëáò ôïõ ÔÝîáò, óôï Ðïñô ÔæÝöåñóïí ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò êáé óôç ÍÜðïëç ôçò Öëüñéäáò. Óôéò ðåñéóóüôåñåò ôùí ðåñéðôþóåùí áõôþí ïé êáèáãéáóìÝíïé Íáïß áðïôåëïýí ìÝñïò åíüò áíåðôõãìÝíïõ ïéêïäïìéêïý óõãêñïôÞìáôïò, ôï ïðïßï ðåñéÝ÷åé ÅíïñéáêÜ ÊÝíôñá, Áßèïõóåò Äéäáóêáëßáò, ÃõìíáóôÞñéá êáé Ãñáöåßá. Áõôü öáíåñþíåé ìéá ôåñÜóôéá äñáóôçñéüôçôá ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé óôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ìáò. Åêôüò áðü ôïí êáèáãéáóìü ôùí Åêêëçóéþí Ý÷ïõí ãßíåé êáé ôá åãêáßíéá Êïéíïôéêþí Áéèïõóþí, Ðïëéôéóôéêþí ÊÝíôñùí, áéèïõóþí äéäáóêáëßáò Þ ôåëåôÝò åãêáéíßùí ãéá ðáñüìïéá Ýñãá óå ìÝñç üðùò ôï ×éïýóôïí ôïõ ÔÝîáò, ôï ÓôÜôåí ¢úëáíô ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, ôï Ãïõþôåñìðåñõ ôïõ ÊïíÝêôéêáô, ôï Ëßôë

Ä. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Ñüê ôïõ ¢ñêáíóù êáé ôï ÍôÝíâåñ ôïõ ÊïëïñÜíôï. ÁõôÞ ôç ÷ñïíéêÞ óôéãìÞ óõíôåëåßôáé ìéá áîéüëïãç ïéêïäïìéêÞ äñáóôçñéüôçôá óå üëç ôçí åðéêñÜôåéá ôùí ÇíùìÝíùí Ðïëéôåéþí óå ó÷Ýóç ìå ôçí áíÝãåñóç íÝùí Åêêëçóéþí, ôçí åðÝêôáóç ðáëáéþí êáé ôçí áíïéêïäüìçóç êôéñßùí êáé ÷þñùí ãåíéêÜ ïé ïðïßïé èá êáëýøïõí ôéò óõíå÷þò áõîáíüìåíåò áíÜãêåò ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí. Åäþ äßðëá ìáò, óôçí Üìåóç ðåñéï÷Þ ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò, óôï ðñïÜóôéï ÍôÜïõíé, åðéóêåöèÞêáìå ðñï÷èÝò ôçí ÐáñáóêåõÞ Ýíáí ìåãáëïðñåðÞ Íáü ï ïðïßïò âñßóêåôáé õðü áíÝãåñóç. Åõ÷áñéóôoýìå ôïí Èåü ãéá ôçí ïéêïäïìéêÞ êáé ãéá ôçí åí ãÝíåé áíáðôõîéáêÞ äñáóôçñéüôçôá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò.

2) Ôñåéò íÝïé Åðßóêïðïé å÷åéñïôïíÞèçóáí êáé ÷áñßóèçêáí óôçí Åêêëçóßá. Áõôïß åßíáé ï Áñ÷éãñáììáôåýò ôçò ÉåñÜò Óõíüäïõ, Åðßóêïðïò Êñáôåßáò, ê. ÃåñÜóéìïò, ï Ðñùôïóýãêåëëïò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò, Åðßóêïðïò ÔñùÜäïò, ê. ÓÜââáò êáé ï ÄéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ Öéëáíèñùðéêïý Ýñãïõ ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò, Åðßóêïðïò ÖáóéáíÞò, ê. Áíôþíéïò. Ðñüêåéôáé ðåñß ôáëáíôïý÷ùí êáé áöïóéùìÝíùí Éåñáñ÷þí ïé ïðïßïé èá êáôåõèýíïõí óçìáíôéêïýò ôïìåßò ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôçò äéáêïíßáò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé èá õðçñåôÞóïõí ùò Âïçèïß Åðßóêïðïé, êáëýðôïíôáò Ýôóé æùôéêÝò ðïéìáíôéêÝò êáé ðíåõìáôéêÝò áíÜãêåò ôùí Åíïñéþí ìáò.

Åêôüò áðü ôïõò íÝïõò Åðéóêüðïõò, åß÷áìå êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá áõôþí ôùí ôåëåõôáßùí äýï ÷ñüíùí êáé Ýíáí óçìáíôéêü áñéèìü ÷åéñïôïíéþí éåñÝùí êáé äéáêüíùí. Áðüöïéôïé ðáëáéïôÝñùí ÷ñüíùí ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý åêöñÜæïõí ôçí åðéèõìßá íá ÷åéñïôïíçèïýí êáé íá õðçñåôÞóïõí ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ôáõôü÷ñïíá, ôï ðïóïóôü ôùí ôùñéíþí óðïõäáóôþí ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ìáò ïé ïðïßïé åîÝöñáóáí ôçí åðéèõìßá íá åíôá÷èïýí óôéò ôÜîåéò ôïõ êëÞñïõ áõîÜíåôáé ìå ôá÷ý ñõèìü. Óôçí ðåñßïäï ôùí äýï åôþí ìåôáîý ôùí Êëçñéêï-Ëáúêþí ôçò Öéëáäåëöåßáò êáé ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò åß÷áìå 24 ÷åéñïôïíßåò Äéáêüíùí êáé 18 ÷åéñïôïíßåò ÐñåóâõôÝñùí. Åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Èåü ãéá ôïõò íÝïõò Åðéóêüðïõò, Éåñåßò êáé Äéáêüíïõò ìáò.

3) Óôçí 35ç Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞ ôçò Öéëáäåëöåßáò åß÷áìå áíáöåñèåß óå Ýíá áñêåôÜ ìåãÜëï ïéêïíïìéêü ÷ñÝïò ôïõ ðáñåëèüíôïò, ôï ïðïßï âÜñáéíå óçìáíôéêÜ ôçí

Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ìáò, êáé åäõóêüëåõå áðïöáóéóôéêÜ ôï Ýñãï ôçò äéáêïíßáò ìáò. Ìéá Þóõ÷ç ðñïóðÜèåéá îåêßíçóå áðü ôá ìÝëç ôïõ ðñïçãïõìÝíïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ êáé óõíå÷ßóèçêå áðü ôá ìÝëç ôïõ ðáñüíôïò. Ç ðñïèõìßá áõôþí ôùí áëçèéíÜ äéáêåêñéìÝíùí ìåëþí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò íá âïçèÞóïõí óôçí åîÜëåéøç ôïõ ÷ñÝïõò õðÞñîåí åêðëçêôéêÞ. Åäþ óõíÝâç Ýíá åîáéñåôéêü êáé áðñïóäüêçôï öáéíüìåíï. Ðïéüò èá ðåñßìåíå üôé èá õðÞñ÷áí Üíèñùðïé ïé ïðïßïé èá Þóáí äéáôåèåéìÝíïé íá äéáèÝóïõí ìåãÜëá ïéêïíïìéêÜ ðïóÜ ãéá ôçí åîÜëåéøç ðáëáéþí äáíåßùí, åëëåéììÜôùí êáé ÷ñåþí; Ðáñ üëá áõôÜ ôï áðñïóäüêçôï óõíÝâç! Ìåôáîý ôçò Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞò ôçò Öéëáäåëöåßáò , 2000, êáé ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò, 2002, ìÝóá óå ëéãüôåñá áðü äýï ÷ñüíéá, ìåñéêïß åíôõðùóéáêÜ ãåííáéüäùñïé áäåëöïß êáé áäåëöÝò ìáò ðñïóÝöåñáí ðáñáðÜíù áðü 5 åêáôïììýñéá äïëëÜñéá óå äùñåÝò, åëáôôþíïíôáò Ýôóé äñáóôéêÜ ôï ÷ñÝïò ìáò. ÁëçèéíÞ åõëïãßá Èåïý! Ôïí ðåñáóìÝíï Áðñßëéï, Ýíáò áð áõôïýò ôïõò åõãåíåßò áäåëöïýò ìå ðëçóßáóå ìåôÜ áðü êÜðïéá óõãêÝíôñùóç êáé ìïõ åßðå: «Ãíùñßæù üôé õðÜñ÷åé áêüìç Ýíá ÷ñÝïò ôïõ ýøïõò ôùí 1,5 åêáôïììõñßùí äïëëáñßùí ïöåéëüìåíï óå êÜðïéá ôñÜðåæá. Íïìßæù üôé ç áîéïðñÝðåéÜ ìáò êáé ç éäéüôçôÜ ìáò ùò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ìáò õðï÷ñåþíåé íá ôï åîáëåßøïõìå ôï óõíôïìþôåñï äõíáôü. Ãéá ôïí ëüãï áõôü, ðñïóÝèåóå, ðáñáêáëþ äå÷èåßôå áðü ìÝñïõò ìïõ ôï ðïóü ôùí $500,000 äïëëáñßùí, áíùíýìùò, ðñïò áõôüí ôïí óêïðü.» Åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Èåü ãéá áõôÝò ôéò ðïëý åõãåíéêÝò øõ÷Ýò, ôïõò ðñáãìáôéêÜ ðñùôáèëçôÝò äùñçôÝò ôùí Üíù ôùí 5 åêáôïììõñßùí äïëëáñßùí ðñïò ôçí áðüóâåóç ôïõ óïâáñïý ÷ñÝïõò ôï ïðïßï

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ÐÅÔÁÎÔÅ ÓÔÇÍ ÁÈÇÍÁ BUSINESS CLASS êáé óáò ðñïóöÝñïõìå ïðïéïíäÞðïôå ðñïïñéóìü åíôüò ÅëëÜäïò ÄÙÑÅÁÍ*

ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ôïõ Ëïò Áíôæåëåò ¢ëëá óþìáôá

åðåîçãþíôáò ëåðôïìåñþò ôéò åðß ìÝñïõò äéáôÜîåéò ôïõ. Ïé áíôéðñüóùðïé-óýíåäñïé ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí åß÷áí ôçí åõêáéñßá íá áíôáëëÜîïõí áðüøåéò êáé íá õðïâÜëëïõí ðñïôÜóåéò ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôéò äéÜöïñåò ðñïâëÝøåéò ôïõ óõíôÜãìáôïò. ÔÝëïò ç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ åíÝêñéíå ðñüôáóç ç ïðïßá ðñïâëÝðåé ôçí «ìå óåâáóìü õðïâïëÞ ðáñÜêëçóçò ðñïò ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï üðùò ÷ïñçãÞóåé óôçí ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ôï ðñïôåéíüìåíï óýíôáãìá ëáìâÜíïíôáò õð üøéí, ôïõò êýñéïõò ðñïâëçìáôéóìïýò ðïõ åîåöñÜóèçóáí áðü ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï, ôéò åíïñßåò êáé ôçí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ».

Ïé åðéôñïðÝò

Óõíåäñßáóáí üëåò ïé åðéôñïðÝò åñãáóßáò ôçò Óõíåëåýóåùò êáé áöïý åðåîåñãÜóôçêáí ôá åðß ìÝñïõò èÝìáôá ðáñïõóßáóáí óôçí ãåíéêÞ óõíåäñßá ôá ðïñßóìáôÜ ôïõò ðñïò óõæÞôçóç êáé Ýãêñéóç. ÁõôÝò ðåñéåëÜìâáíáí ôéò åðéôñïðÝò Äéïéêçôéêþí èåìÜôùí, Ïéêïíïìéêþí, ÉäñõìÜôùí, Éåñáðïóôïëþí, Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ êáé ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, Äéïñèüäïîùí, Äéåêêëçóéáóôéêþí êáé Ïéêïõìåíéêþí èåìÜôùí êáé ó÷Ýóåùí, Åðéêïéíùíéþí, ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò, Íåïëáßáò êáé Ìéêôþí ÃÜìùí.

Îå÷ùñéóôÝò åñãáóßåò êáé åêäçëþóåéò ðñáãìáôïðïßçóáí ôï ÔÜãìá ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí ôïõ Áãßïõ ÁíäñÝá, ç ¸íùóç Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí Ìïõóéêþí, ï óýëëïãïò ðñåóâõôåñþí êáé ïé Åíþóåéò Êëçñéêþí åí åíåñãåßá, óõíôáîéïý÷ùí êáé óôñáôéùôéêþí. ÌåãÜëç Þôáí ç óõììåôï÷Þ ôùí óõíÝäñùí óå åêðáéäåõôéêÜ óåìéíÜñéá êáé þñåò èñçóêåõôéêÞò ìåëÝôçò êáé ïñèïäüîïõ ðáéäåßáò. Ôá óåìéíÜñéá áõôÜ áó÷ïëÞèçêáí ìå ôçí êáëýôåñç äéïñãÜíùóç êáé ôçí áðïôåëåóìáôéêÞ åðéêïéíùíßá óå åðßðåäï åíïñéþí êáèþò ôçí áíÜãêç äéáôÞñçóçò ôùí éóôïñéêþí óôïé÷åßùí ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí, éäñõìÜôùí, ó÷ïëåßùí êáé åí ãÝíåé ôçò éóôïñéêÞò ðïñåßáò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò.

Åêäçëþóåéò

Ôçí çìÝñá åïñôáóìïý ôçò ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò ðáëéããåíåóßáò, 4 Éïõëßïõ, åôåëÝóèç ðáíçãõñéêÞ äïîïëïãßá óôïí êáèåäñéêü íáü ôçò Áãßáò Óïößáò, ôçí ïðïßá ðáñáêïëïýèçóáí ðïëëïß ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïé êáé åêðñüóùðïé ôùí ôïðéêþí áñ÷þí. Ôï ßäéï âñÜäõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò, ïé ÉåñÜñ÷åò ôçò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ, ïé óýíåäñïé êáé ðïëëïß Üëëïé åðßóçìïé ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïé ðáñáêÜèéóáí óå åðßóçìï äåßðíï, ìå ôï ïðïßï ïõóéáóôéêÜ ïëïêëçñþèçêáí ïé åñãáóßåò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò.

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ÄéáêåêñéìÝíç ÈÝóç $ $ RT 2,460 - 1,344 OW SEP 01 - OCT 31, 2002

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

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NOV 01, 2002 - MAR 31, 2003

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ÄéáêåêñéìÝíç ÈÝóç $ $ RT 1,799 - 1,099 OW

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ÓÅËÉÄÁ 18

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÐÑÏÃÑÁÌÌÁÔÉÊÇ ÏÌÉËÉÁ ÔÏÕ ÓÅÂÁÓÌÉÙÔÁÔÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÕ ê. ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏÕ u óåë. 17 âáóÜíéæå ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ìáò.

4) Ç 11ç Óåðôåìâñßïõ, 2001, Þôáí çìÝñá èáíÜôïõ, óêüôïõò êáé áðßóôåõôïõ ðüíïõ. Ùò ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîç Êïéíüôçôá èñçíÞóáìå ðåñßðïõ 25 ìÝëç ìáò. Ìðïñåß íá Þôáí êáé ðåñéóóüôåñá, áëëÜ äõóôõ÷þò äåí õðÜñ÷ïõí áêñéâåßò ðëçñïöïñßåò. Áéùíßá ç ìíÞìç ôùí áäåëöþí ìáò ðïõ åóöáãéÜóèçóáí ôçí 11ç Óåðôåìâñßïõ. ¼ìùò ôïí ßäéï áõôüí êáéñü ôïõ õðåñâïëéêÜ åðþäõíïõ ðüíïõ, ï Èåüò ÷Üñéóå óôçí Åêêëçóßá ìáò ôçí äõíáôüôçôá íá ðñïóöÝñåé åí ìÝóù ôïõ èáíÜôïõ, ôçò êáôáóôñïöÞò êáé ôïõ áíõðüöïñïõ ðüíïõ, áãÜðç, áíáêïýöéóç êáé âïÞèåéá. Ç 11 ç Óåðôåìâñßïõ Ýäùóå óôçí Åêêëçóßá ìáò ôçí éåñÞ åõêáéñßá íá áíõøùèåß óå Ýíá áîéïèáýìáóôï åðßðåäï åõáéóèçóßáò, öñïíôßäïò êáé ðñïóöïñÜò ìå ðïëëïýò ôñüðïõò: ìå óõíå÷åßò óõíÜîåéò ðñïóåõ÷Þò, ìå áéìïäïóßåò, ìå ðñüóâáóç óå õðïóôçñéêôéêÞ êáé èåñáðåõôéêÞ âïÞèåéá, ìå óõãêÝíôñùóç ÷ñçìÜôùí ãéá ôéò ïéêïãÝíåéåò ôùí èõìÜôùí, åéäéêÜ ãéá ôá ïñöáíÜ ôçò ôñáãùäßáò. ¸÷ù Üìåóç ðåßñá ôçò ôåñÜóôéáò ðëçììýñáò áãÜðçò ôçí ïðïßáí åîåäÞëùóáí ïé êïéíüôçôÝò ìáò ùò óýíïëá êáé ìÝëç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò ùò Üôïìá, êëçñéêïß êáé ëáúêïß. Èá ÷ñåéáæüìáóôå ü÷é þñåò áëëÜ çìÝñåò êáé ìÞíåò ãéá íá ïìéëÞóïõìå åðáñêþò êáé ãéá íá áíáöåñèïýìå ìå áêñßâåéá óôéò ðïëëÝò óõãêéíçôéêÝò éóôïñßåò êáé ãåãïíüôá óôá ïðïßá ïé Åëëçíïñèüäïîïé áäåëöïß ìáò åðÝäåéîáí áóõíÞèéóôá õøçëÞ áíèñþðéíç ðïéüôçôá áãÜðçò, ãåííáéïäùñßáò êáé áíäñåßáò. Áò êëåßóù áõôü ôï èÝìá áíáöÝñïíôÜò óáò ìüíï äýï óõãêåêñéìÝíïõò áñéèìïýò. Ï ðñþôïò åßíáé ôï ðïóü ðïõ óõãêåíôñþèçêå ãéá ôï Ôáìåßï Âïçèåßáò 11 Óåðôåìâñßïõ , ôï ïðïßï åßíáé $2,050.000. Ôï Üëëï åßíáé ôï ðïóü ôï ïðïßï óõãêåíôñþèçêå ãéá ôï Ôáìåßï ÁíåãÝñóåùò ôïõ É.Íáïý Áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ, ôï ïðïßï åíéó÷ýèçêå áðü áðñïóäüêçôåò ðçãÝò. Ôï ðïóü áõôü åßíáé $1,300.000. ÅðéðñïóèÝôùò, üëá ôá õëéêÜ ãéá ôçí áíÝãåñóç ôïõ Íáïý Ý÷ïõí Þäç ôåèåß óôç äéÜèåóç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò äùñåÜí. Åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Èåü ðïõ ìáò áîéþíåé ùò ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå éó÷õñÞ ìáñôõñßá áãÜðçò êáé ðßóôåùò åí ìÝóù êáôáóôñïöéêþí ãåãïíüôùí ôåñáóôßùí äéáóôÜóåùí üðùò Þôáí ç ôñïìïêñáôéêÞ åíÝñãåéá ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ.

5) Ìéá áêüìç ìåãÜëç åõëïãßá ôá ôåëåõôáßá äýï ÷ñüíéá áðïôåëåß ãéá ìáò ç ðñüïäïò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ/ ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý. Ç ïñãáíùìÝíç ðñïóðÜèåéá ôùí Éåñáñ÷þí, ôùí ÉåñÝùí, ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí ìáò êáé äéáöüñùí áôüìùí, ìáæß ìå ôçí ïõóéáóôéêÞ ãåííáéüäùñç ðñïóöïñÜ õðïôñïöéþí áðü ôçí «Çãåóßá ôùí 100» åß÷å óáí áðïôÝëåóìá ôïí äéðëáóéáóìü ôïõ áñéèìïý ôùí ðñùôïåôþí öïéôçôþí, åéäéêÜ óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ, ãéá ôï áêáäçìáúêü Ýôïò 2001-2002. ÐáñïõóéÜæåôáé ôï ßäéï öáéíüìåíï ãéá ôï áêáäçìáúêü Ýôïò 2002-2003. Áõôü ðñáêôéêÜ óçìáßíåé üôé äéêáéïëïãçìÝíá ðåñéìÝíïõìå ìéá äñáìáôéêÞ áýîçóç ôùí áíèñþðùí ðïõ ðñïåôïéìÜæïíôáé ãéá ôçí éåñùóýíç, êáëýðôïíôáò Ýôóé ìéá æùôéêÞ áíÜãêç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. ÏðùóäÞðïôå, ç Åêêëçóßá óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ èá ìðïñïýóå Üíåôá íá áðïññïöÞóåé äéðëÜóéï áñéèìü éåñÝùí. Åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Èåü ãéá ôçí ðñüïäï ôïõ éåñïý êáèéäñýìáôüò ìáò, ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý.

6) ÁíÜìåóá óôéò åõëïãßåò èá ðñÝðåé íá óõìðåñéëÜâïõìå êáé ôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò óå ó÷Ýóç ìå ôç SCOBA. Ç ÖéëáíèñùðéêÞ ÏñãÜíùóç IOCC (ÄéåèíÞò Ïñèüäïîïò ×ñéóôéáíéêÞ Öéëáíèñùðßá), ç ïðïßá óõìðëÞñùóå åöÝôïò 10 ÷ñüíéá áðü ôçò éäñýóåþò ôçò, óõíå÷ßæåé íá áíáðôýóóåé êáé íá áõîÜíåé

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

ÌÝëç ôçò ìéêôÞò ÷ïñùäßáò åíïñéþí ôçò Í. Êáëéöüñíéá Ýøáëáí óôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá.

ôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôÝò ôçò óå óçìáíôéêü âáèìü, äéáèÝôïíôáò åêáôïììýñéá äïëëÜñéá ðñïò âïÞèåéá óå ðåñéï÷Ýò áíÜ ôïí êüóìï ðïõ åðëÞãçóáí áðü êáôáóôñïöÝò êáé áíôéìåôùðßæïõí åðåßãïõóåò áíÜãêåò. Ôï ßäéï éó÷ýåé êáé ãéá ôï OCMC (Ïñèüäïîï ×ñéóôéáíéêü Éåñáðïóôïëéêü ÊÝíôñï), ôï ïðïßï áðáó÷ïëåß áõôÞ ôç óôéãìÞ 54 áíèñþðïõò ìáò ïé ïðïßïé ðñïóöÝñïõí ôéò õðçñåóßåò ôïõò óå éåñáðïóôïëÝò åêôüò ôùí ÇíùìÝíùí Ðïëéôåéþí, êáé óôçñßæåé ïéêïíïìéêÜ ðïëëÝò Ïñèüäïîåò Åêêëçóßåò óôçí ÁöñéêÞ, ôçí ¢ðù ÁíáôïëÞ êáé ôçí Áëâáíßá. Ôï Éåñáðïóôïëéêü ÊÝíôñï ðëçñþíåé ôïõò ìéóèïýò üëùí ôùí Ïñèïäüîùí éåñÝùí óôçí ÁöñéêÞ, ãåãïíüò ðïõ óçìáßíåé üôé äåí ðñïóåõ÷üìåèá áðëÜ êáé äßäïõìå óõìâïõëÝò, áëëÜ ôáõôü÷ñïíá ðñïóöÝñïõìå êáé ïéêïíïìéêÞ âïÞèåéá. Ôï Éåñáðïóôïëéêü ÊÝíôñï äéáèÝôåé ðñïûðïëïãéóìü 2 ðåñßðïõ åêáôïììõñßùí, ï ïðïßïò êáé áõîÜíåôáé, ãåãïíüò ðïõ áðïôåëåß Ýíäåéîç ôùí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí êáé ëáìðñþí ðñïïðôéêþí ôïõ. Åõ÷áñéóôïýìå ôïí Èåü ãéá ôï Ýñãï ôïõ IOCC êáé ôïõ OCMC.

3 Ùò ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîïò Åêêëçóßá åßìåèá ïé åõëïãçìÝíïé áðïäÝêôáé ôùí ðïëýôéìùí êáé ìïíáäéêþí äþñùí ôïõ Èåïý ôùí ðåñáóìÝíùí 2000 åôþí ó´ üëç ôçí õöÞëéï, êáé ãéá ôá ôåëåõôáßá 100 êáé ðëÝïí Ýôç åäþ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, îåêéíþíôáò ìå ôïõò çñùúêïýò ðñùôïðüñïõò ìáò. ÓÞìåñá, åí üøåé áõôïý ôïõ õðÝñï÷ïõ ðáñåëèüíôïò, ôï ïðïßï åßíáé ãåìÜôï áðü äþñá êáé åõëïãßåò, åí üøåé ôçò ðñïüäïõ êáé ôùí åíôõðùóéáêþí åðéôåõãìÜôùí ôùí êïéíïôÞôùí ìáò, êáé åí üøåé ôïõ Üìåóïõ êáé áðùôÝñïõ ìÝëëïíôïò, áêïýìå êáé ðÜëé ôçí áíÜèåóç áðïóôïëÞò ôïõ Êõñßïõ ìáò: ÅéñÞíç õìßí. Êáèþò áðÝóôáëêÝ ìå ï ÐáôÞñ, êáãþ ðÝìðù õìÜò (ÉùÜí. 20:21). Åßíáé ç åíôïëÞ íá óõíå÷ßóïõìå ìå ìåãáëýôåñç Ýíôáóç, äçìéïõñãéêüôçôá êáé áðïôåëåóìáôéêüôçôá ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. ÐïéÝò åßíáé ïé ðñïïðôéêÝò ðïõ áíïßãïíôáé ìðñïóôÜ ìáò; Ðþò áíôéëáìâáíüìåèá áõôÞ ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ; Ðþò ïñáìáôéæüìåèá ôçí ìåôáôñïðÞ ôçò èåúêÞò åíôïëÞò óå äõíáìéêÞ åíÝñãåéá; 1) Ç ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ îåêéíÜ ìå ôïí êáèÝíá áðü ìáò îå÷ùñéóôÜ. Ï Êýñéïò Éçóïýò ×ñéóôüò óôÝëíåé ôï êÜèå ìÝëïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, ðñïóùðéêÜ, íá ðñïóöÝñåé ôïõò èçóáõñïýò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò ó üëïõò ôïõò áíèñþðïõò ìå ôïõò ïðïßïõò Ýñ÷åôáé ó åðáöÞ, ó üëïõò äçëáäÞ áõôïýò ðïõ áðïôåëïýí ôçí óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. Ìáò ÷ïñçãåß ôï ðñïíüìéï íá ìïéñáóèïýìå ìå ôïõò Üëëïõò ôïõò èçóáõñïýò ôçò áðïëýôïõ êáé ëõôñùôéêÞò áëçèåßáò ôïõ Èåïý êáé ôçí Üðåéñç, æùïðïéü áãÜðç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Åßìåèá üìùò Ýôïéìïé êáé êáëÜ ðñïåôïéìá-

óìÝíïé íá áíôáðïêñéèïýìå ó áõôÞ ôçí õðÝñï÷ç êëÞóç; Ìåãáëþíåé ìÝóá ìáò ç ãíþóç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý; Äéáôçñïýìå ì Åêåßíïí ìéá óõíå÷Þ, ðñïóùðéêÞ, óôåíÞ ó÷Ýóç; ¸÷ïõìå ðñïùèÞóåé ôç ãíþóç ìáò ðåñß ôçò áëçèåßáò ôïõ Èåïý; Åßìåèá åðáñêþò åíçìåñùìÝíïé ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîï ðáñÜäïóÞ ìáò; Åßíáé ç ðñïóùðéêÞ ìáò æùÞ ðëïýóéá óå ëáôñåßá êáé ðñïóåõ÷Þ; Áíáðôýóóåôáé óõíå÷þò ç öñïíôßäá êáé ç áãÜðç ìáò ãéá ôïõò Üëëïõò, ïé ïðïßïé âåâáßùò åßíáé ïé óýã÷ñïíïé Áìåñéêáíïß; ÅÜí ç Ïñèüäïîïò Ðßóôéò ìáò äåí áðïôåëåß ïñãáíéêü êáé áíáðüóðáóôï êïììÜôé ôçò ðñïóùðéêÞò ìáò æùÞò, äåí õðÜñ÷åé êáíÝíáò ôñüðïò íá ôçí ðñïóöÝñïõìå óôïõò Üëëïõò. Óå ôåëéêÞ áíÜëõóç, äåí ìðïñïýìå íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ, äåí ìðïñïýìå íá åßìåèá áðåóôáëìÝíïé ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, äåí ìðïñïýìå íá åßìåèá ç áëçèéíÞ, ðëÞñçò åéêüíá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý åÜí äåí åßìåèá ðñïóùðéêÜ êáé ïëïêëçñùôéêÜ áöïóéùìÝíïé ó Åêåßíïí. ÁõôÞ ç áöïóßùóç ðñÝðåé íá ÷áñáêôçñßæåé ôï êáèÝíá êáé üëá ôá ìÝëç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò, åÜí ðñïóåããßæïõìå ôï èÝìá ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ ìå óïâáñüôçôá.

2) Ç åíôïëÞ, üìùò, íá ìïéñáæüìåèá ü,ôé Ý÷ïõìå êáé íá äßäïõìå ü,ôé ìáò Ý÷åé ãåííáéüäùñá äùñçèåß áðü ôïí Èåü, ç åíôïëÞ íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ, áíÜãåôáé óå èÝìá ðïõ äåí áöïñÜ ðëÝïí ôá Üôïìá, áëëÜ ôçí ßäéá ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ôï êÝíôñï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, ùò ìáñôõñßá ðßóôåùò, åßíáé ç Åíïñßá, ç êïéíùíßá ôùí ðéóôþí ïé ïðïßïé óõãêåíôñþíïíôáé ãýñù áðü ôçí Áãßá ÔñÜðåæá. Ç Åíïñßá, ç ôïðéêÞ êïéíüôçò Þôáí, åßíáé êáé èá åßíáé ãéá ðÜíôá ôï êÝíôñï, ï áðáñáßôçôïò öïñÝáò ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. ÁõôÞ ç 36 Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóéò èá ðñÝðåé íá êáëëéåñãÞóåé ôçí óõíåéäçôïðïßçóç ôçò ôåñáóôßáò óçìáóßáò ôçò Åíïñßáò, ôçò áíáãêáéüôçôïò íá õðïóôçñé÷èåß ìå üëá ôá äõíáôÜ ìÝóá ç Êïéíüôçò, Ýôóé þóôå íá ìðïñÝóåé íá áíáðôýîåé ôçí æùÞ êáé ôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôÝò ôçò, íá êáôáóôåß äõíáìéêüò ìÜñôõñáò êáé Ýíèåñìç ìåôáäüôñéá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò êáé Ðáñáäüóåùò. Ó áõôÞ ôçí Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞ èá ðñÝðåé íá ïñßóïõìå ôá åðüìåíá äýï ÷ñüíéá, ìÝ÷ñé ôçí åðïìÝíç ÄéåôÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç, ùò ÷ñüíéá åíôüíïõ öñïíôßäïò ãéá ôçí Åíïñßá Ýôóé þóôå íá äéåõêïëõíèåß ç áíåìðüäéóôç áíÜðôõîÞ ôçò. Ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ùò óýíïëï êáé ïé ÅðéóêïðÝò ùò ìÝñç áõôÞò ðñÝðåé íá åóôéÜóïõí ôçí ðñïóï÷Þ ôïõò óôéò Åíïñßåò, íá ôéò âïçèïýí óõíå÷þò, íá ôéò õðçñåôïýí ìå óõíÝðåéá, êáé íá ôéò åöïäéÜæïõí ìå üëá ôá áðáñáßôçôá ìÝóá Ýôóé þóôå íá êáôáóôïýí áëçèéíïß ìÜñôõñåò ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ, ãíÞóéïé ìåôáäüôåò ôçò æùÞò ôïõ Éçóïý êáé ôçò óùôçñßáò Ôïõ, ç ïðïßá

ðñïóöÝñåôáé óå üëïõò ôïõò áíèñþðïõò êáé óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. Ïé ÅðéóêïðÝò ìáò êáé ïé ÉåñÜñ÷áé ìáò öñïíôßæïõí ðñïò áõôü ôï óêïðü, óõíå÷þò. Ùò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ èá åíôåßíïõìå êáé èá áõîÞóïõìå ôéò ðñïóðÜèåéÝò ìáò þóôå íá åóôéáóèïýí óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò, èá åðéìåßíïõìå óôáèåñÜ óôï êáèÞêïí ìáò íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ïõóéáóôéêÞ êáé áðïôåëåóìáôéêÞ âïÞèåéá óôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ìáò. Ìå ôç âïÞèåéá ôïõ Èåïý óêïðåýïõìå íá äéáìïñöþóïõìå ìßá ó÷Ýóç óôçí ïðïßá ç ðñùôáñ÷éêÞ öñïíôßäá èá åßíáé ç êÜëõøç ôùí áíáãêþí ôçò Åíïñßáò, ç ðñïþèçóç êáé åíäõíÜìùóç ôçò æùÞò êáé ôùí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí ôùí ôïðéêþí ÊïéíïôÞôùí ó üëç ôç ÷þñá. Ìüíï ïé äõíáôÝò, ïé õãéåßò êáé ïé óõíå÷þò áíáðôõóóüìåíåò åêêëçóéáóôéêÝò êïéíüôçôåò ìðïñïýí íá ðñïóöÝñïõí ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ ìå ñåáëéóôéêü ôñüðï. ÁëëÜ ðþò èá åíäõíáìþóïõìå êáé ðþò èá áíáðôýîïõìå ôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò; ÐïéÜ åßíáé ôá óõãêåêñéìÝíá âÞìáôá ðïõ ðñÝðåé íá êÜíïõìå ãéá íá ôéò êáôáóôÞóïõìå ìïíÜäåò æùôéêüôçôïò êáé äõíáìéêÞò ìáñôõñßáò ôçò ðßóôåùò; 3) Ãéá íá ðñïùèçèåß ç áëçèéíÞ äéÜèåóç ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò íá õðçñåôÞóåé ôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò Ý÷ïõìå Þäç îåêéíÞóåé Þ åßìåèá Ýôïéìïé íá îåêéíÞóïõìå ìéá óåéñÜ óõãêåêñéìÝíùí óçìáíôéêþí Ýñãùí. Áò áíáöÝñù ìåñéêÜ áð áõôÜ óõíïðôéêÜ.

(1) Ôï õðÜñ÷ïí ôìÞìá Ïéêïãåíåßáò êáé ÃÜìïõ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ôï ïðïßï áó÷ïëåßôáé êõñßùò ìå èÝìáôá ìéêôþí Þ äéáèñçóêåéáêþí ãÜìùí, áíáðôýóóåôáé ìå ãïñãü ñõèìü êáé ãßíåôáé ÊÝíôñï Ìåñßìíçò ôçò Ïéêïãåíåßáò. Èá åãêáôáóôáèåß êáé ëåéôïõñãÞóåé óôïí ÷þñï ôçò Áêáäçìßáò ôïõ Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ óôï ÃêÜññéóïí ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. Ôï ÊÝíôñï Ìåñßìíçò ôçò Ïéêïãåíåßáò èá áíáðôýîåé ðñïãñÜììáôá êáé ìÝóá, ôá ïðïßá ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå èÝìáôá ðñïåôïéìáóßáò ãéá ôï ãÜìï, äõóêïëéþí ìÝóá óôï ãÜìï, ìåéêôþí ãÜìùí, ïéêïãåíåéþí êëçñéêþí êáé ïéêïãåíåéþí äéáæõãßùí. Åðßóçò èá ðáñáãÜãåé âéíôåï-áêïõóôéêü êáé Ýíôõðï õëéêü ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôá ðáñáðÜíù èÝìáôá ôï ïðïßï èá ðáñÝ÷åôáé óôéò Åíïñßåò êáé ôéò ïéêïãÝíåéåò. Èá ïñãáíþíåé óåìéíÜñéá êáé åêðáéäåõôéêÝò åõêáéñßåò ïé ïðïßåò èá áíáöÝñïíôáé óôçí ïéêïãåíåéáêÞ æùÞ êáé áíÜðôõîç, êáé èá ðñïóöÝñåé óõìâïõëåõôéêÞ õðïóôÞñéîç ìÝóù ôïõ ôçëåöþíïõ Þ ôïõ Äéáäéêôýïõ. ¼ëá áõôÜ ôá ìÝóá èá äéáôåèïýí êáé äéáíåìçèïýí óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò, Ýôóé þóôå ïé ïéêïãÝíåéåò óå êÜèå êïéíüôçôá íá ãßíïõí áíôéêåßìåíï óõíå÷ïýò êáé ìåèïäéêÞò ðñïóï÷Þò, öñïíôßäïò êáé âïçèåßáò. Ôï üñáìá êáé ï óôü÷ïò ìáò ó áõôÞ ôçí ðåñßðôùóç åßíáé íá äçìéïõñãçèåß, ìå ôçí âïÞèåéá ôïõ Èåïý Ýíá ÊÝíôñï Ìåñßìíçò ôçò Ïéêïãåíåßáò, ôï ïðïßï èá åßíáé ðñüôõðï ßäñõìá ãéá ôçí äéáìüñöùóç õãéþí, åõôõ÷éóìÝíùí êáé äõíáìéêþí Ïñèïäüîùí ïéêïãåíåéþí, êáé ãéá ôçí ðëÞñç åíóùìÜôùóç ôùí ìåéêôþí ãÜìùí ìÝóá óôç æùÞ ôçò êÜèå Åíïñßáò. Ôï üñáìÜ ìáò åßíáé íá äçìéïõñãÞóïõìå Ýíá ðñüôõðï ßäñõìá, ôï ïðïßï èá åßíáé ðñùôïðüñï óôïí ôïìÝá ôçò ïéêïãåíåéáêÞò ìåñßìíçò ìåôáîý ôùí ×ñéóôéáíþí üëùí ôùí äïãìÜôùí óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ.

(2) Ôï ÔìÞìá Íåïëáßáò âñßóêåôáé åðßóçò õðü áíáóõãêñüôçóç êáé äéåýñõíóç Ýôóé þóôå íá ðñïóöÝñåé óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò ôçí âïÞèåéá ðïõ ÷ñåéÜæïíôáé ãéá ôï Ýñãï ðïõ ó÷åôßæåôáé ìå ôçí íåïëáßá. Óå óõíåñãáóßá ìå ôï ÔìÞìá ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò êáé ôï ÔìÞìá ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò, ôá ïðïßá ðñïóöÝñïõí åêáôïíôÜäåò åêðáéäåõôéêÜ åöüäéá, ôï ÔìÞìá Íåïëáßáò èá âïçèÞóåé ôéò åíïñßåò óôá Ýñãá ðïõ ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå ôéò ïñãáíþóåéò JOY, GOYA êáé YAL. ÅéäéêÞ ðñïóï÷Þ Ý÷åé äïèåß óôçí ïñãÜíùóç YAL, ç ïðïßá áðïôåëåß ìéá æùôéêÞ íåáíéêÞ ïìÜäá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò, ç ïðïßá ìÜëëïí äåí åß÷å åöïäéáóèåß ìå êáôÜëëçëá ìÝóá ãéá ôçí áíÜðôõîÞ ôçò ôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá.

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ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 19

uuu Åðßóçò, åéäéêÞ ðñïóï÷Þ äßäåôáé êáé óôçí áíáæùïãüííçóç ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ÐáíåðéóôçìéáêÞò ÓõíôñïöéÜò (Orthodox Campus Fellowship), ìéáò äéáêïíßáò ðïõ Ý÷åé áíáëÜâåé ç SCOBA êáé áðåõèýíåôáé óôïõò ÷éëéÜäåò Ïñèïäüîïõò óðïõäáóôÜò ôùí Êïëëåãßùí êáé Ðáíåðéóôçìßùí ìáò. Ïñáìáôéæüìåèá êáé óôï÷åýïõìå íá õðåñíéêÞóïõìå ôï èëéâåñü öáéíüìåíï ðïõ ðáñáôçñåßôáé óå üëåò ó÷åäüí ôéò èñçóêåõôéêÝò ïíôüôçôåò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, üðïõ ïé íÝïé çëéêßáò 16 30 åôþí áðïìáêñýíïíôáé áðü ôéò áíôßóôïé÷åò èñçóêåõôéêÝò êïéíüôçôÝò ôùí. ¸íáò äõíáìéêüò ôñüðïò ãéá íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ åßíáé íá êáôáäåßîïõìå ùò ãåãïíüò üôé ç Ïñèïäïîßá ìðïñåß íá óöõñçëáôÞóåé ìéá óöñéãçëÞ êáé ðáñáãùãéêÞ íåïëáßá, ç ïðïßá èá ðáñáìÝíåé ðéóôÞ óôçí Åêêëçóßá êáé èá áðïôåëåß ôçí ðéï åíèïõóéþäç êáé áðïôåëåóìáôéêÞ ïìÜäá ôçò. Ïé åíÝñãåéåò ôïõ ÔìÞìáôïò Íåïëáßáò èá êáôåõèýíïíôáé óôáèåñÜ ðñïò ôçí íåïëáßá ôùí Åíïñéþí, êáé ïé ó÷åôéêÝò äñáóôçñéüôçôåò óõíå÷þò óôéò Êïéíüôçôåò.

(3) ÕðÜñ÷åé áêüìç ìéá óðïõäáßá åîÝëéîç óôçí äéïñãÜíùóç óçìáíôéêþí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêþí õðçñåóéþí ðñïò ôéò Åíïñßåò, êáèéóôþíôáò áõôÝò ôïéïõôïôñüðùò ðéï áðïôåëåóìáôéêÝò óôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. Ç åîÝëéîç áõôÞ åßíáé ç äçìéïõñãßá ôïõ Öéëáíèñùðéêïý ÔìÞìáôïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ôï öéëáíèñùðéêü Ýñãï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò åßíáé Ýíáò ôåñÜóôéïò ôïìÝáò äñÜóåùò. Ç Öéëüðôù÷ïò Áäåëöüôçò ôùí Êõñéþí ðñïóöÝñåé ðñÜãìáôé åîáéñåôéêü Ýñãï üëá áõôÜ ôá ÷ñüíéá, ãéá ôï ïðïßï åßìåèá üëïé ðïëý õðåñÞöáíïé. Ï ôïìÝáò ôçò öéëáíèñùðßáò, üìùò, ìáò ðáñÝ÷åé ôç äõíáôüôçôá ãéá ðåñáéôÝñù áðåñéüñéóôç áíÜðôõîç, ç ïðïßá óõìðåñéëáìâÜíåé êáé æùôéêÝò áíÜãêåò ôçò óõã÷ñüíïõ ÁìåñéêÞò. Ç ðåñßðôùóç ôùí çëéêéùìÝíùí áíèñþðùí ìáò åðß ðáñáäåßãìáôé, åßíáé ìéá áð áõôÝò ôéò Üìåóåò áíÜãêåò ìáò. ÁñêåôÝò áðü ôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò Ý÷ïõí Þäç äçìéïõñãÞóåé äéáöüñùí åéäþí êáôïéêßåò ãéá Üôïìá ôñßôçò çëéêßáò. ¸÷ïõìå, ùò ðáñÜäåéãìá, Ýíá êåíôñéêü ßäñõìá ôÝôïéïõ ôýðïõ óôï ÃéÜíêåñò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, ôï Óðßôé ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìé÷áÞë. ÁëëÜ ïé áíÜãêåò åßíáé ôåñÜóôéåò. Ôï Öéëáíèñùðéêü ÔìÞìá èá ðñïóðáèÞóåé íá õðïóôçñßîåé üëåò ôéò ó÷åôéêÝò ðñïóðÜèåéåò, ìå ðáñï÷Þ êáôÜëëçëùí ìÝóùí êáé êáôåõèõíôçñßùí ãñáììþí. Ôï ßäéï ÔìÞìá èá âïçèÜ åðéðëÝïí êáé ó üëá ôá öéëáíèñùðéêÜ Ýñãá ôá ïðïßá ðñáãìáôïðïéïýí ïé êïéíüôçôåò, êáé ôáõôü÷ñïíá èá êáôáãñÜöåé üëåò ôéò öéëáíèñùðéêÝò åíÝñãåéåò ôùí Åíïñéþí. Êáô áõôüí ôïí ôñüðï, ó÷åôéêÝò ðëçñïöïñßåò êáé åìðåéñßåò ðïõ åêðçãÜæïõí áðü ôïðéêÝò ðñïóðÜèåéåò èá ìðïñïýí íá äéï÷åôåýïíôáé ó üëåò ôéò Åíïñßåò ôçò ÷þñáò ãéá ôçí äéåõêüëõíóç áíáëüãùí åíåñãåéþí. ÕðÜñ÷ïõí ðïëëÝò áíÜãêåò óå äéÜöïñá ìÝôùðá: Üôïìá ìå åéäéêÝò áíÜãêåò, ðåéíáóìÝíïé êáé Üðïñïé, Üññùóôïé êáé åãêáôáëåëåéìÝíïé, åêëéðáñïýí, üóï ìðïñïýí, ãéá âïÞèåéá. Ôï ÔìÞìá Öéëáíèñùðßáò èá åðåêôåßíåé ôïí ôïìÝá äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí ôïõ, óôáäéáêÜ êáé óõóôçìáôéêÜ, êáé èá êÜíåé ü,ôé ìðïñåß ãéá íá âïçèÞóåé ôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò óôï éåñü Ýñãï ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ, ðñïóöÝñïíôáò ìáñôõñßá öéëáíèñùðßáò, ìáñôõñßá áðåñéüñéóôçò áãÜðçò óôï üíïìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ùò óõíÝ÷åéá ôçò ìïíáäéêÞò ðñïóöïñÜò áãÜðçò, óõìðüíïéáò êáé öñïíôßäïò Åêåßíïõ. Ï óôü÷ïò ìáò åäþ åßíáé íá ðñïâÜëïõìå ìÝóù ôùí Åíïñéþí, Åðéóêïðþí êáé ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò ìéá ìáñôõñßá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ ðñïóöÝñïíôáò áãÜðç, üðùò ôçí ðñïóÝöåñå ï ×ñéóôüò óôïí êüóìï.

(4) Ôï ôÝôáñôï ìåßæïí Ýñãï, Ýñãï ðñáãìáôéêÜ åíôõðùóéáêþí äéáóôÜóåùí

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Áíôéðñüóùðïé ôùí ôïðéêþí öéëïðôþ÷ùí áäåëöïôÞôùí ðáñáêáëïõèïýí ôï Åèíéêü ÓõíÝäñéï

êáé åñãáóßáò áîéþóåùí åßíáé áõôü ðïõ ó÷åôßæåôáé ìå ôïí ôïìÝá åðéêïéíùíéþí. Åäþ Ý÷ïõìå ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï ôùí éóôïóåëßäùí êáé ôïõ Äéáäéêôýïõ, ãåíéêÜ, âéíôåï-áêïõóôéêÝò ðáñáãùãÝò, ðñïðáñáóêåõÞ êáé äéáíïìÞ åíôýðïõ õëéêïý êáé åðéêïéíùíßá ìå ôïí Ôýðï. Ôï Ýñãï ðïõ Ý÷ïõìå Þäç ðñáãìáôïðïéÞóåé ó áõôüí ôïí óçìáíôéêü ôïìÝá åßíáé ðïëý áíáâáèìéóìÝíï êáé Þäç ðñïóöÝñïõìå óçìáíôéêÝò õðçñåóßåò óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò. Åßìåèá óôçí åõ÷Üñéóôç èÝóç íá óáò áíáêïéíþóïõìå üôé ç êáéíïýñãéá êáé áíáíåùìÝíç éóôïóåëßäá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ëåéôïõñãåß áðü ôçí ðñïçãïýìåíç åâäïìÜäá. Óôü÷ïò ìáò, âÝâáéá, åßíáé íá áõîÞóïõìå áõôÞ ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ êáé íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò, óå êáíïíéêÞ âÜóç, óçìáíôéêü õëéêü ôï ïðïßï èá åßíáé ðñïò Üìåóç ÷ñÞóç. Ãéá ðáñÜäåéãìá, ó÷åäéÜæïõìå íá åêäþóïõìå ôõðïðïéçìÝíï õëéêü ãéá íá ÷ñçóéìïðïéçèåß óôï åâäïìáäéáßï åíçìåñùôéêü öõëëÜäéï ôçò Åíïñßáò, íá êáôáóôÞóïõìå ðñïóâÜóéìï ôü êçñõãìáôéêü, åêðáéäåõôéêü êáé êáôç÷çôéêü õëéêü êáé Üëëá åöüäéá, êáé íá âïçèÞóïõìå ôéò êïéíüôçôåò ìå ðëçñïöïñßåò ó÷åôéêÝò ìå ôïõò ôïìåßò ôçò ðïéìáíôéêÞò, öéëáíèñùðéêÞò êáé åõáããåëéêÞò äéáêïíßáò. Ïé åðéêïéíùíéáêÝò åõêáéñßåò, Üìåóá äéáèÝóéìåò óôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ìáò, èá áðïôåëÝóïõí ìéá áðü ôéò ðéï äõíáìéêÝò õðçñåóßåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, êáé öõóéêÜ èá áðïôåëÝóïõí ìåßæïíá ðñïóðÜèåéá ôïõ ðáñüíôïò êáé ôïõ ìÝëëïíôïò. Ðéóôåýïõìå áêñÜäáíôá üôé ìå ôéò ðïéêßëåò ìïñöÝò âïçèåßáò ðïõ ðñïóöÝñïíôáé áðü ôï ÔìÞìá Åðéêïéíùíéþí óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò, èá ìðïñïýí áõôÝò íá ðñïóöÝñïõí ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ ìå êáëëßôåñï ôñüðï. Óôü÷ïò ìáò êáé ðñïïðôéêÞ ìáò óôçí ðåñßðôùóç áõôÞ åßíáé íá áíáðôýîïõìå êáé íá ÷ñçóéìïðïéÞóïõìå Ýíá óýóôçìá åðéêïéíùíßáò ôï ïðïßï èá áðïôåëÝóåé äõíáìéêü ü÷çìá ãéá ôçí ìåôáöïñÜ ôïõ ìçíýìáôïò ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ óôéò êáñäéÝò ôùí Áìåñéêáíþí óõìðïëéôþí ìáò, ãéá ôç ìåôÜäïóç ôçò áëçèéíÞò öùíÞò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý óôá áõôéÜ êáé ôéò êáñäéÝò ôùí áíèñþðùí ôïõ êüóìïõ.

(5) Ç ôåëåõôáßá ìåßæùí åîÝëéîç ç ïðïßá ó÷åôßæåôáé ìå ôçí áðïóôïëÞ ìáò íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí ìáñôõñßá ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôçí óçìåñéíÞ ÁìåñéêáíéêÞ êïéíùíßá, åßíáé ç åíôáôéêïðïßçóç êáé ç áíÜðôõîç ôùí åêðáéäåõôéêþí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò. Õößóôáôáé ç Üìåóïò áíÜãêç íá ðñïùèçèåß ç ãíþóç ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðáñáäüóåþò ìáò êáé ôçò ãíçóßáò ðáãêïóìßïõ ÅëëçíéêÞò êëçñïíïìéÜò. ÁõôÞ åßíáé ìéá èáõìÜóéá êëçñïíïìéÜ, ç ïðïßá åßíáé ïñãáíéêÜ óõíäåäåìÝíç ìå ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç êáé åìðåñéÝ÷åé ôéò áðÝñáíôåò ðåñéï÷Ýò ôçò êáëëéåñãåßáò, ôïõ ðïëéôéóìïý êáé ôçò ãëþóóáò, êáé ç ïðïßá äåí åßíáé óôåíÜ åèíéêÞ, áëëÜ áíÞêåé ó ïëüêëçñï ôïí ðïëéôéóìÝíï êüóìï. Åßíáé Üìåóç áíÜãêç íá äçìéïõñãçèåß Ýíá óþìá ðéóôþí ïé ïðïßïé èá åßíáé ðñáãìáôéêÜ

öùôéóìÝíïé, üíôùò ìïñöùìÝíïé, ðëÞñùò êáé áëçèþò åíçìåñùìÝíïé ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîï ôáõôüôçôÜ ìáò. ÌÝóù ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ-ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôùí ÔìçìÜôùí ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò Åêðáéäåýóåùò êáé ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò, ìÝóù ôùí ó÷ïëåßùí êáé ìÝóù üëùí ôùí Üëëùí äõíáôïôÞôùí ðïõ äéáèÝôïõìå ó÷åäéÜæïõìå íá ðñïùèÞóïõìå ôçí åêðáßäåõóç, ôçí ðáéäåßá, ùò êåíôñéêü, óçìáíôéêü óôïé÷åßï ôçò æùÞò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò åäþ. Áõôü åßíáé Ýíá èÝìá ðïõ ðñÝðåé íá äçìéïõñãçèåß êáé íá êáëëéåñãçèåß óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò, êáé ôï ïðïßï èá ôéò âïçèÞóåé íá ìåôáäþóïõí ôçí ðßóôç ìáò áðïôåëåóìáôéêÜ êáé íá ôçí ðñïóöÝñïõí óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ, óôç ÷þñá ôçò áðßóôåõôçò ðñïïüäïõ óå èÝìáôá åðéóôÞìçò êáé ãíþóåùò.

4 ÐáñïõóéÜóáìå ðÝíôå ìåßæïíåò åîåëßîåéò óðïõäáßáò óçìáóßáò óôçí ðñïóðÜèåéÜ ìáò íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí Ïñèüäïîï Ðßóôç ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ: 1) Ôï ÊÝíôñï Ìåñßìíçò ôçò Ïéêïãåíåßáò, 2) Ôçí áíáóõãêñüôçóç êáé åíôáôéêïðïßçóç ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôïõ ÔìÞìáôïò Íåïëáßáò, 3) Ôç äçìéïõñãßá ôïõ ÔìÞìáôïò Öéëáíèñùðßáò, 4) Ôçí áíáäéïñãÜíùóç ôïõ ÔìÞìáôïò Åðéêïéíùíéþí ãéá ôçí åðßôåõîç ôÝëåéáò ôå÷íïëïãéêÞò áðïäüóåùò,êáé 5) Ôïí åìðëïõôéóìü êáé ôçí ðñïþèçóç ôùí åêðáéäåõôéêþí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí ìáò. Ç óçìáóßá ôùí áíùôÝñù áíáöåñïìÝíùí åîåëßîåùí ó÷åôßæåôáé êáé ìå ôï ãåãïíüò üôé áðåõèýíïíôáé ïëïêëçñùôéêÜ óôéò Åíïñßåò ìáò êáé äñïìïëïãïýíôáé ðñïò þöåëüò ôùí. ÕðÜñ÷åé, åðßóçò, áêüìç ìßá

óçìáíôéêÞ Üðïøç ðïõ ó÷åôßæåôáé ìå ôéò ðáñáðÜíù åîåëßîåéò. Åõñßóêïìáé óôçí üíôùò åîáéñåôéêÜ åõëïãçìÝíç èÝóç íá óáò ôçí ðáñïõóéÜóù óÞìåñá. Ðñüêåéôáé ãéá ôï ãåãïíüò üôé Ý÷ïõìå äéáêåêñéìÝíá ìÝëç ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáò åäþ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, ôá ïðïßá åêôéìïýí âáèéÜ ôéò åîåëßîåéò óôá ðñïãñÜììáôá êáé ôçí óçìåéùèåßóá ðñüïäï, ç ïðïßá öáíåñþíåé ôçí äõíáôüôçôá ìéáò Üíåõ ðñïçãïõìÝíïõ áíáðôýîåùò ôùí Åíïñéþí ìáò êáé ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò. Áõôïß ïé åîáßñåôïé áäåëöïß ìáò, ïé ðñáãìáôéêïß óôýëïé ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò Ý÷ïõí åêäçëþóåé ôçí äéÜèåóç êáé ôç äÝóìåõóÞ ôùí íá óôçñßîïõí ïéêïíïìéêÜ áõôÜ ôá áíáããåëèÝíôá ðñïãñÜììáôá. Êáé ç äÝóìåõóéò áõôÞ áíÝñ÷åôáé óå åêáôïììýñéá äïëëáñßùí - ìéá ðñÜãìáôé ôåñÜóôéá ðñïóöïñÜ, Üìåóá äéáèÝóéìç. ÁëëÜ áõôü äåí åßíáé èÝìá ìåñéêþí ìåéæüíùí äùñçôþí. Áõôü ôï èÝìá áããßæåé üëïõò ôïõò ðéóôïýò. Ôá Ýñãá ãéá ôá ïðïßá ïìéëïýìå ðñÝðåé íá ôá åíóôåñíéóèïýí üëïé ìå èåñìüôçôá, íá óôçñé÷èïýí ìå äýíáìç áðü üëïõò, íá ðñïùèçèïýí ìå ðÜèïò áðü üëïõò. Åßíáé Ýñãá ðïõ Ý÷ïõí ùò óôü÷ï ôïõò ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåþò ìáò óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ ìå Ýíáí êáëÜ åóôéáóìÝíï, ðñïóåêôéêÜ éóïññïðçìÝíï, êáé ïëïêëçñùìÝíï ôñüðï. Ôá áðïôåëÝóìáôá ìðïñåß íá îåðåñÜóïõí êÜèå ðñïóäïêßá, óêÝøç êáé ïñáìáôéóìü ìáò. Ôá áðïôåëÝóìáôá ìðïñåß íá ìçí åßíáé ðïëëÜ áëëÜ Ýíá ìüíï: ç äçìéïõñãßá ìéáò êáéíïýñãéáò åðï÷Þò óôçí éóôïñßá ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ç äçìéïõñãßá åíüò êáéíïýñãéïõ ðñïôýðïõ óôçí ïéêïõìåíéêÞ Ïñèïäïîßá, ôïõ ðñïôýðïõ ôçò ÅëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò óôïí 21ï áéþíá êáé ðáñáðÝñá. Ðïéüò îÝñåé åÜí äå ìáò Ýóôåéëå ï Èåüò ó áõôÞ ôçí åõëïãçìÝíç ÷þñá, áõôÞ ôç ÷ñïíéêÞ óôéãìÞ, áêñéâþò ãéá íá ðñïóöÝñïõìå áõôü ôï ðñüôõðï ôçò ïéêïõìåíéêÞò Ïñèïäïîßáò Ýíá ðñüôõðï ðïõ Ý÷åé ùò ðñïïñéóìü ôïõ íá åêöñÜóåé ôçí áõèåíôéêÞ, ðëÞñç, æùïðïéü êáé éåñÞ öùíÞ ôïõ ×ñéóôïý óå êÜèå Üíèñùðï óå êÜèå ôüðï, áëëÜ åéäéêÜ åäþ óôç óýã÷ñïíç ÁìåñéêÞ. Ðñïóêáëïýìåèá óôï üíïìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý, ôïõ Êõñßïõ êáé Èåïý ìáò, åöïäéáóìÝíïé ìå ôçí áêáôáíßêçôç äýíáìÞ Ôïõ, íá Ý÷ïõìå ôï üñáìá åñãáóßáò êáé ðñïóåõ÷Þò ãéá ôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, þóôå áõôÞ íá ãßíåé ï ôüðïò ìéáò ëáìðñÞò, ðñùôïðüñïõ, ðñïôýðïõ êáé çãÝôéäïò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò. ÁõôÞ ç ðñüóêëçóç ðéèáíüí íá ìáò Ý÷åé áðåõèõíèåß ðñéí áðü êáéñü. ÓÞìåñá üìùò, ó áõôÞí ôçí 36ç ÊëçñéêïËáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò, áõôÞ ç ðñüóêëçóç áíôç÷åß äõíáôÜ êáé êáèáñÜ. ÐñÝðåé íá áðáíôÞóïõìå óôïí Èåü. ÐñÝðåé íá åñãáóèïýìå ìáæß Ôïõ. ÐñÝðåé íá äçìéïõñãÞóïõìå ìáæß Ôïõ ôçí ëáìðñÞ Ïñèïäïîßá ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò.

Áðåâßùóå ç åêðáéäåõôéêüò ÅëëÜò ÑåðáíôÞ Áðåâßùóå óôéò 24 Éïõëßïõ óå çëéêßá 55 åôþí êáé ìåôÜ áðü óýíôïìç áóèÝíåéá, ç ÅëëÜò ÑåðáíôÞ, ç ïðïßá äéåôÝëåóå äéåõèýíôñéá ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý ÇìåñÞóéïõ Ó÷ïëåßïõ ôçò Áêáäçìßáò ôïõ Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ ãéá ìéá åéêïóáåôßá ðåñßðïõ. Ç ÅëëÜò ÑåðáíôÞ ãåííÞèçêå óôç ÌõôéëÞíç êáé ìåôáíÜóôåõóå óôéò ÇÐÁ ôï 1966. Åöïßôçóå óôï Ðáéäáãùãéêü ÔìÞìá ôçò Áêáäçìßáò ôïõ Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ áðü üðïõ áðåöïßôçóå ôï 1969. Ðñùôïäéïñßóôçêå äáóêÜëá óôï ó÷ïëåßï ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ óôçí ÔæáìÝúêá ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ôï 1972. ¹ôáí êÜôï÷ïò ðôõ÷ßïõ Â.Á. áðü ôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï Adelphi êáé ðôõ÷ßïõ ÌÜóôåñò áðü ôï Teacher s College ôïõ

Columbia University êáèþò êáé ôçò åðßóçìçò Üäåéáò åêðáéäåõôéêïý ôçò Ðïëéôåßáò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. ÕðçñÝôçóå ìå áöïóßùóç êáé ðßóôç ôçí ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ùò äéåõèýíôñéá ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý ÇìåñÞóéïõ Ó÷ïëåßïõ ôçò Áêáäçìßáò ôïõ Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ áðü ôï 1975 ìÝ÷ñé ôï 1996, ìå ìéá ìéêñÞ äéáêïðÞ óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôçò äåêáåôßáò ôïõ 80 ãéá ôçí ðåñÜôùóç ôùí óðïõäþí ôçò. Ôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá æïýóå óôçí Öëüñéäá üðïõ óõíÝ÷éæå ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò óôçí ôïðéêÞ êïéíüôçôá. Ç êçäåßá Ýãéíå óôïí É. Íáü ôïõ Áã. Äçìçôñßïõ óôï Ft. Lauderdale, ôçò Öëüñéäá. Ç ÅëëÜò ÑåðáíôÞ áðïëåßðåé Ýíáí áäåëöü óôçí Öëüñéäá êáé áíÞøéá óôçí Öëüñéäá êáé óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç.

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 20

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ Ä´ ÄéåèíÝò äéáèñçóêåéáêü óõìðüóéï ãéá ôï ðåñéâÜëëïí óôçí ÁäñéáôéêÞ

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êáé áðü åêêëçóéáóôéêÞò áðüøåùò ãéáôß ç ÑùìáéïêáèïëéêÞ Åêêëçóßá áíáãíùñßæåé ôïí ñüëï êáé ôçí óçìáóßá êáé ôçí áíôéðñïóùðåõôéêÞ éó÷ý ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, áëëÜ êõñßùò áðü ðïëéôéêÞò áðüøåùò ãéáôß ðñüêåéôáé ãéá Ýíá äéÜâçìá ðïõ Ý÷åé äéåèíÞ áðÞ÷çóç. Ðñüêåéôáé ãéá Ýíá ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá ìÞíõìá ðïõ áðü åäþ, áðü ôçí Âåíåôßá, ìå ðñùôïâïõëßá ôïõ Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáé Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç, ôï ï ÐÜðáò õðÝãñáøáí ôáõôü÷ñïíá ëáìâÜíïõí üëåò ïé êõâåñíÞóåéò ôïõ óôç Âåíåôßá êáé ôï Âáôéêáíü êáôÜ ôç êüóìïõ, éäßùò ôþñá ðïõ Ý÷åé áñ÷ßóåé äéÜñêåéá åéäéêÞò ôçëåïðôéêÞò óýíêáé ç ðáãêüóìéá ÄéÜóêåøç ôïõ äåóçò, ôçí «ÄéáêÞñõîç ôçò Âåíåôßáò», Ãéï÷Üíåóìðïõñãê». ùò áðïôÝëåóìá ôïõ Ä´ Äéåèíïýò êáé Ôï ðëïßï ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ ðïõ îåêßÄéáèñçóêåéáêïý Óõìðïóßïõ ðïõ åß÷å íçóå áðü ôçí ÊÝñêõñá Ýêáíå 6 óôáèùò èÝìá: «Ç ÁäñéáôéêÞ. Ìéá áðåéëïýìïýò. Óôï ÄõññÜ÷éï ôçò Áëâáíßáò, óôï ìåíç èÜëáóóá, Ýíáò êïéíüò óôü÷ïò». Êïôüñ ôïõ Ìáõñïâïõíßïõ, óôï Óðëéô Ôï Ä´ ÄéåèíÝò åí ðëù Óõìðüóéï ôçò Êñïáôßáò êáé óôï Êüðåñ (Êáððïäéïñãáíþèçêå áðü ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü äßóôñéá) ôçò Óëïâåíßáò, ðüëç áðü ôçí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï êáé ôåëïýóå õðü ôçí ïðïßá êáôÜãåôáé ç ïéêïãÝíåéá ôïõ áéãßäá ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ÂáñèïëïÊáððïäßóôñéá, ôïõ ðñþôïõ êõâåñíÞìáßïõ êáé ôïõ ÐñïÝäñïõ ôçò Åõñùôïõ ôçò ÅëëÜäïò. Ç ÑáâÝííá êáé ç ðáúêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò Romano Prodi. Âåíåôßá ôçò Éôáëßáò Þôáí ïé ôåëåõôáßïé ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ Ôï Óõìðüóéï äéÞñêåóå áðü 5 óôáèìïß ôïõ Äéåèíïýò Óõìðïóßïõ. Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðñïóöùíåß ôïõò óõíÝäñïõò ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ. ìÝ÷ñé 10 Éïõíßïõ êáé êáôÝëçîå, ìå ôï Óôïõò óôáèìïýò áõôïýò óôï åëëçíéêü ðëïßï «Öáéóôüò ÐáëÜò» óôç Scrutini ôïõ Palazzo Ducale (ôïõ Áíáêôü- Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðëïßï åðéâéâÜæïíôáí, óõììåôåß÷áí óôéò Âåíåôßá, üðïõ êáé ï ôåëéêüò óôáèìüò ôïõ ñïõ ôùí Äüãçäùí). óå ïìéëßá ôïõ áðåõèõíüìåíïò óôïí ÐÜðá åñãáóßåò ôïõ Óõíåäñßïõ êáé ìéëïýóáí ïé Óõìðïóßïõ. Óôç Âåíåôßá Ýëáâå ÷þñá ç ÐáñÝóôçóáí ìçôñïðïëßôåò, êáñäéíÜ- ÉùÜííç Ðáýëï ´, ðïõ Þôáí «ðáñþí» óå ðñüåäñïé ôùí ÷ùñþí Þ åêðñüóùðïé ôïõò, êáôáëçêôÞñéá óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ ëéïé, õðïõñãïß, äÞìáñ÷ïé, Üëëïé åðßóçìïé ìåãÜëç ïèüíç, óå æùíôáíÞ óýíäåóç ìå ôï ðñùèõðïõñãïß, õðïõñãïß ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò êáé ç ôåëåôÞ ôçò õðïãñáöÞò ôçò Äéáêçñý- êáé ïé óýíåäñïé ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ. Âáôéêáíü, áöïý ÷áéñÝôçóå ôïí ÐñïêáèÞ- êáé Üëëïé, äÞìáñ÷ïé, èñçóêåõôéêïß ðáñÜîåùò ôçò Âåíåôßáò óôçí áßèïõóá ôùí ÊáôÜ ôçí ôåëåôÞ ôçò õðïãñáöÞò ï ìåíï ôçò ÑùìáéïêáèïëéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ãïíôåò, Ïñèüäïîïé, Êáèïëéêïß êáé Ìïõôïí åõ÷áñßóôçóå ãéá ôçí áðü êïéíïý óïõëìÜíïé. ÓõíïëéêÜ ãýñù óôïõò 250 õðïãñáöÞ ôïõ êåéìÝíïõ ãéá ôçí çèéêÞ ôïõ óýíåäñïõò Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò óôï Óõìðüóéï ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò ôüíéóå üôé: «Ôïéáýôáé ôçò ÁäñéáôéêÞò. êïéíáß åíÝñãåéáé åðß óõãêåêñéìÝíùí Ï Ðñüåäñïò ôçò Áëâáíßáò èåìÜôùí ðïõ áðáó÷ïëïýí ïëüêëçñïí ôçí Áîßæåé íá áíáöÝñïõìå ïñéóìÝíåò áðü áíèñùðüôçôá, Ý÷ïõí ü÷é ìüíïí ðñáêôéêÞ ôéò áðüøåéò ôùí Áëâáíþí ðáñáãüíôùí, áëëÜ êáé óõìâïëéêÞí óçìáóßáí êáé äåß÷- ìéá êáé ç ÷þñá áõôÞ ãíþñéóå ãéá äåêáåôßåò íïõí ôçí åðéèõìßáí ôùí Åêêëçóéþí ìáò êáé ôï ðéï óêëçñü êáé áíåëÝçôï áèåúóôéêü ôùí ðéóôþí ìáò íá óõíå÷ßóïõí ôçí áðü êáèåóôþò. Èåïý åõëïãçìÝíçí ðñïóðÜèåéáí õðÝñ ôçò Óôï ÄõññÜ÷éï, óôï ðëïßï Þëèáí êáé åéñÞíçò ôïõ óýìðáíôïò êüóìïõ êáé ôçò ìßëçóáí óôï Óõìðüóéï ï Ðñüåäñïò ôçò ôùí ðÜíôùí åíþóåùò». Áëâáíßáò, ï Ðñùèõðïõñãüò, ï Õðïõñãüò Êáôüðéí ï ÐÜðáò ÉùÜííçò Ðáýëïò ï ÐåñéâÜëëïíôïò, ï ÄÞìáñ÷ïò Äõññá÷ßïõ ´ áðçýèõíå åãêÜñäéï ÷áéñåôéóìü óôïí êáé Üëëïé åðßóçìïé. Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ëÝãïíôáò ìåôáîý Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò Üëëùí üôé: «Ç ðáñïýóá óýíäåóéò, ÷Üñéò åéò Áëâáíßáò ÑåôæÝð ÌåúíôáíÞ áöïý åîÝöôçí ïðïßáí äõíÜìåèá íá óõíõðïãñÜöïìåí ñáóå ôçí éäéáßôåñç ÷áñÜ ôïõ ãéá ôï Óõìôçí ôåëéêÞí «ÄÞëùóéí» ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ, ðüóéï êáé ôüíéóå ôï ðüóï óçìáíôéêü åêöñÜæåé áõôÞí ôçí åíüôçôá ôùí óôü÷ùí ãåãïíüò áðïôåëåß ãéá ôçí ÁäñéáôéêÞ, åîÞñå ôçí ïðïßáí áíáöÝñåé ôï ßäéï ôï èÝìá ôïõ ôéò ïéêïëïãéêÝò ðñùôïâïõëßåò ôïõ Ðáôñéãåãïíüôïò (äçë. ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ). Ç Üñ÷ïõ Âáñèïëïìáßïõ. Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá óõíÜíôçóßò ìáò, Ýóôù êáé åî áðïóôÜóåùò, ôüíéóå: «Ðéóôåýù óôï ñüëï ôçò èñçóêåßáò, ìáò åðéôñÝðåé íá åêöñÜóùìåí ïìïý ôçí óôçí äçìéïõñãßá åðáöþí ìå ôïõò áíèñþêïéíÞí èÝëçóéí ðñïò óùôçñßáí ôçò Äçìé- ðïõò, óôç óõíåñãáóßá ìåôáîý êñáôþí êáé ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ ïõñãßáò, íá ðëçóéÜóùìåí êáé íá õðïóôç- áíèñþðùí. Ðéóôåýù, êáé ùò åðéóôÞÕðáßèñéï âáðôéóôÞñéï ôùí ðñùôï÷ñéóôéáíéêþí áéþíùí óôï Âïõèñùôü ôçò Áëâáíßáò. ñßîùìåí êÜèå ðñùôïâïõëßáí ç ïðïßá ìïíáò, üôé ìüíç ôçò ç åðéóôÞìç óôï èÝìá Ôçí éóôïñéêÞ ðáñáèáëÜóóéá ðüëç ðïéçèïýí ôï ôá÷ýôåñï äõíáôüí êáôÜ ôïí áðïâëÝðåé åéò ôï íá åîùñáÀóåé, íá èåñá- ôçò ïéêïëïãßáò åßíáé ìïíüðëåõñç, ðñÝðåé ðåýóåé, íá óõíôçñÞóåé áõôÞí ôçí ãçí ðïõ íá õðÜñ÷åé ôï ðíåõìáôéêü èåìÝëéï ðïõ ôïõ Âïõèñùôïý åðéóêÝöèçêå ï ÐáôñéÜñ- êáëýôåñï ôñüðï». ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáôÜ ôçí ðáñáìïíÞ Êáôüðéí ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Áëâáíßáò ï Èåüò ìáò å÷Üñéóå ãéá íá ôçí öõëÜóóùìåí åßíáé ç èñçóêåßá. Ï óõíäõáóìüò ôçò ôå÷íïëïãßáò ðïõ ðñïóöÝñåé ç åðéóôÞìç ôïõ óôçí Áëâáíßá, áðü ôçí ÷þñá ðïõ ÁíáóôÜóéïò äÞëùóå: «Ãéá ìáò åßíáé ìå óïößáí êáé áãÜðçí.» Óôçí óõíÝ÷åéá áöïý áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí êáé ôçò ðíåõìáôéêÞò ðáéäåßáò ðïõ ðñïóÜñ÷éóå ôï ÄéåèíÝò Óõìðüóéï. Ôïí éóôïñéêü ìïíáäéêÞ åõêáéñßá ôï ãåãïíüò üôé ó áõôüí áõôü ÷þñï ãíùóôü áðü ôçí áñ÷áéüôçôá åäþ ôïí ÷þñï ãéá ðñþôç öïñÜ ýóôåñá óõíÜíôçóç ôçò Áóóßæçò, ôïí ðåñáóìÝíï öÝñåé ç èñçóêåßá åßíáé óôïé÷åßá ðïõ êáé ôç ÂõæáíôéíÞ ðåñßïäï, ðåñéçãÞèçêå ï áðü áéþíåò, ßóùò ãéá ðñþôç öïñÜ óôçí ÉáíïõÜñéï, óôçí ïðïßá óõììåôåß÷å ï ìðïñïýí íá ìáò âïçèÞóïõí óôç äéÜóùóç ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò óõíïäåõüìåíïò áðü ôïí éóôïñßá, åßíáé ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò Ïéêïõìå- ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, ï ÐÜðáò åßðå: ôçò ÁäñéáôéêÞò». Áðü ôçí ðëåõñÜ ôïõ ï ÐñùèõÁñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÔéñÜíùí êáé ðÜóçò Áëâá- íéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò. «ÓÞìåñá Ý÷ù åãþ ôçí åõ÷áñßóôçóç íá íßáò, ÁíáóôÜóéï. Óå äÞëùóÞ ôïõ ï Ðáôñé- Íïìßæù üôé äßíåé Ýíá Üëëï ôüíï óå üëç áõôÞ åíþíïìáé ìáæß Óáò ãéá ôçí ðáñïýóá ðïõñãüò ôçò Áëâáíßáò ÐáíôåëÞ ÌÜúêï Üñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò åîÝöñáóå ôïí ôçí åðßóêåøç åäþ êáé ðñÜãìáôé îáíá- óçìáíôéêÞ åíÝñãåéá. Èåùñþ üôé áõôáß áé õðïãñÜììéóå üôé: «Èñçóêåßá êáé åðéóôÞìç èáõìáóìü ôïõ ãéá ôçí ðåñéï÷Þ ôïõ æùíôÜíåøáí ü÷é áðëþò ìíÞìåò, åãþ áíôéäüóåéò ìáò åßíáé áëçèéíÜ äþñá ôïõ éäßïõ êáëïýíôáé íá ôåèïýí óôçí õðçñåóßá ôïõ Âïõèñùôïý, ãéá ôçí åíäéáöÝñïõóá áðü íïìßæù üôé îáíáæùíôÜíåøå ç áßóèçóç ôçò ôïõ Êõñßïõ, ¼óôéò ìáò õðïäåéêíýåé ôïõò ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò. ×ùñßò êáôáíüçóç ôçò áðüøåùò öõóéêÞò ïìïñöéÜò áëëÜ êáé áðü ðßóôåùò êáé ôçò ðáñïõóßáò ôçò Ïñèï- ôñüðïõò üôé ôï ðíåýìá óõíåñãáóßáò åßíáé ãëþóóáò ôçò öýóåùò, ÷ùñßò áíáãêáßï éêáíüí íá åýñç íÝáò åêöñÜóåéò ãéá íá äþóåé óåâáóìü ãéá ôéò ó÷Ýóåéò êïéíùíßáòáðüøåùò áñ÷áéïôÞôùí éóôïñéêÞò ìíÞìçò. äïîßáò ó áõôÜ åäþ ôá ìÝñç». Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ðñüóèåóå: Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò äéåñù- óôáèåñüôçôá êáé óõãêåêñéìÝíï ÷áñáêôÞñá ðåñéâÜëëïíôïò, ï ðïëéôéóìüò äåí èá «Åßäáìå üôé ï ×ñéóôéáíéóìüò ó áõôÞ ôçí ôÞèçêå ãéá ôï ôé íá åéðùèåß óôçí íÝá ãåíéÜ åéò áõôÞí ôçí ìáñôõñßá êïéíùíßáò ôçí áíáðôõóóüôáí öõóéïëïãéêÜ». Áêüìç ï Áëâáíüò ðñùèõðïõñãüò ðåñéï÷Þ Ý÷åé ñßæåò, åßäáìå ôçí ÂáóéëéêÞ ëÝãïíôáò ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ: «Áêïýóôå ôéò ïðïßáí ï êüóìïò áíáìÝíåé áðü åìÜò». Óôï ôÝëïò ôçò õðïãñáöÞò ôçò Äéáêç- åðåóÞìáíå ôçí áíÜãêç åêäüóåùò êþäéêá áðü ôïí 6ï ì.×. áéþíá, åßäáìå ôï âáðôé- ðÝôñåò óáò ðïõ öùíÜæïõí áäéÜêïðá ãéá óôÞñéï êáé Üëëá ìíçìåßá ôá ïðïßá ç ìéá éóôïñßá ðÜñá ðïëý üìïñöç ç ïðïßá ñýîåùò ôçò Âåíåôßáò ï Õðïõñãüò Ðïëéôé- ìå ÷ñÞóéìåò ïäçãßåò ãéá ðåñéâáëëïðÜñïäïò ôá óêÝðáóå ìå ôçí Ü÷ëçí êáé ìå äåí áíáöÝñåôáé ìüíï óôï ðáñåëèüí áëëÜ óìïý ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ÅõÜããåëïò ÂåíéæÝëïò, íôïëïãéêÜ èÝìáôá ëÝãïíôáò: «¸íáò çèéêüò ðåñéâáëëïíôéêüò êþäéêáò ÷ñåéÜæåôáé íá ôçí ëÞèçí áëëÜ ôþñá îáíáæùíôáíåýïõí åßíáé êáèïäçãçôéêÞ ãéá ôï ðáñüí êáé ôï äÞëùóå: «H õðïãñáöÞ ôçò Äéáêçñýîåùò ôçò äéáìïñöùèåß åðåéãüíôùò õðü ôï ôñéðëü ïé ìíÞìåò êáèþò õðÜñ÷åé èñçóêåõôéêÞ ìÝëëïí êáé åëðßæïõìå üôé áõôÜ äåí èá åßíáé åëåõèåñßá åí áíôéèÝóåé ðñïò ôï ðñüóöáôï áðëþò áñ÷áéïëïãéêïß ÷þñïé áëëÜ èá Âåíåôßáò ãéá ìßá íÝá ïéêïëïãéêÞ çèéêÞ áðü ðñßóìá èñçóêåßáò, åðéóôÞìçò êáé ðïëéôéðáñåëèüí êáé åõ÷üìåèá áõôïß üëïé ïé ãßíïõí êáé ðÜëé êÝíôñá ëåéôïõñãéêÞò êáé ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôïí ÐÜðá êÞò, ðñïêåéìÝíïõ íá ðñïóöÝñåé ÷ñÞóéìåò ÷þñïé ïé éóôïñéêïß, áñ÷áéïëïãéêïß, ÷ñéóôéá- ðíåõìáôéêÞò æùÞò êáé áíáãåííÞóåùò, Þäç ÉùÜííç Ðáýëï ôïí ´, Þôáí ìßá åîáéñåôéêÜ ïäçãßåò ãéá ðåñéâáëëïíôéêÞ ðïëéôéêÞ óçìáíôéêÞ, èá Ýëåãá, ìßá éóôïñéêÞ óôéãìÞ ðÜíù óå çèéêÝò áñ÷Ýò ãåíéêÞò áðïäï÷Þò». íéêïß êáé öõóéêþò ôüóï ùñáßïé íá áîéï- îáíáñ÷ßóáìå ìå ôï ×ñéóôüò ÁíÝóôç ».

å êïéíÞ äéáêÞñõîÞ ôïõò ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáé ï ÐÜðáò ÉùÜííçò Ðáýëïò  ´ åðéóçìáßíïõí üôé: «Ôï ïéêïëïãéêü ðñüâëçìá äåí åßíáé áðëþò ïéêïíïìéêü êáé ôå÷íïëïãéêü, åßíáé çèéêü êáé ðíåõìáôéêü».

ÎáíáæùíôÜíåøáí ìíÞìåò óôçí Áëâáíßá

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 21

ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ Ç ÉÓÔÏÑÉÊÇ ÈÅÉÁ ËÅÉÔÏÕÑÃÉÁ ÓÔÇ ÑÁÂÂÅÍÁ ÔÇÓ ÉÔÁËÉÁÓ «×áìïãåëïýóáí» ôá øçöéäùôÜ ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ ÑÁÂÅÍÍÁ ÉóôïñéêÞò óçìáóßáò ãåãïíüò áðïôåëåß ç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ðïõ ôåëÝóèçêå óôç ìåãáëïðñåðÞ âõæáíôéíÞ âáóéëéêÞ ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ óôçí ÑáââÝíá-in classe. Óôç ëåéôïõñãßá ðñïåîÞñ÷áí ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÔéñÜíùí êáé ðÜóçò Áëâáíßáò ÁíáóôÜóéï êáé Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò ïé Ìçôñïðïëßôåò Éôáëßáò ÃåííÜäéïò, ÐåñãÜìïõ ÉùÜííçò, ÄçìçôñéÜäïò ÉãíÜôéïò, ÌðïõÝíïò ¢úñåò ÔáñÜóéïò êáé ï Åðßóêïðïò Ñçãßïõ ÅììáíïõÞë. ÊáôÜ ôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá óôï íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ óôï ÷þñï ôçò Áãßáò ÔñáðÝæçò ôïðïèåôÞèçêáí, áñéóôåñÜ êáé äåîéÜ, äýï öùôïãñáößåò ìå

ôçò ðåñß ôçí áãÜðçí Ý÷åé åîáëåéöèÞ êáé Þäç ç åíåñãüò áãÜðç ùèåß ðñïò ôïí äéÜëïãïí, äõó÷åñÞ ìåí êáé åðßðïíïí, áðáñáßôçôïí üìùò êáé åëðéäïöüñïí. Ôçò áãÜðçò áõôÞò Ýêöñáóéò åßíáé êáé ç åììïíÞ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò åéò ôçí ðéóôåõïìÝíçí áëÞèåéáí, äéüôé, ùò ôïíßæåé êáé ï Áðüóôïëïò Ðáýëïò äéá ôïõ áëçèåýïíôåò åí áãÜðç , ç õðï÷þñçóéò áðü ôçò áëçèåßáò óõíïäåýåôáé áðü õðï÷þñçóéí åéò ôçí áãÜðçí. Áëçèåýïíôåò, ëïéðüí, êáé çìåßò åí áãÜðç äéáëåãüìåèá êáé ðñïóåõ÷üìåèá êáé ðñïóäïêþìåí ôçí ùñáßáí êáé åõëïãçìÝíçí åêåßíçí çìÝñáí, êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßáí èá áðïêáôáóôáèÞ ç ðíåõìáôéêÞ êïéíùíßá ôùí Åêêëçóéþí ìáò».

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

ÅîùôåñéêÞ Üðïøç ôçò âõæáíôéíÞò âáóéëéêÞò ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ óôç ÑáâÝííá.

Ç Ðáíáãßá ç Íéêïðïéüò óôïí ¢ãéï ÌÜñêï Âåíåôßáò

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

ÈáõìáóôÜ øçöéäùôÜ ôïõ 6ïõ ì.×. áéþíá êïóìïýí ôïí íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ.

áðåéêïíßóåéò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ôçò Ðáíáãßáò. Ïé ìåãÜëùí äéáóôÜóåùí öùôïãñáößåò øçöéäùôþí ôçò Áãßáò Óïößáò, ìåôáöÝñèçêáí áðü ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç. Áêüìç óôç Ëåéôïõñãßá Ýøáëëå åììåëëÝóôáôá ç ÅëëçíéêÞ ÂõæáíôéíÞ ×ïñùäßá õðü ôçí äéåýèõíóç ôïõ Ëõêïýñãïõ Áããåëüðïõëïõ. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÑáâÝííçò Giuseppe Verucchi, áíáöåñüìåíïò óôçí çìÝñá êáé óôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôüíéóå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ: «÷áìïãåëïýí éêáíïðïéçìÝíá óÞìåñá ôá øçöéäùôÜ ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ ìå ôï ãåãïíüò áõôü». Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáôÜ ôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá åîÝöñáóå ôçí âáèéÜ óõãêßíçóç êáé ÷áñÜ ôïõ ãéá ôï ãåãïíüò ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò óôï íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ, ðïõ èõìßæåé ôçí åðï÷Þ ðïõ ç Åêêëçóßá Þôáí åíùìÝíç. ÅðåóÞìáíå ôá ðñïâëÞìáôá êáé ôéò äõó÷Ýñåéåò ðïõ õðÜñ÷ïõí óôï Èåïëïãéêü ÄéÜëïãï åõ÷üìåíïò íá ïäçãçèïýìå õðü ôï öùò ôçò áëçèåßáò ôïõ Èåïý óôçí åíüôçôá ôçò ðßóôçò êáé ðñüóèåóå: «Óýìðáóá ç Ïñèüäïîïò Åêêëçóßá êáèçìåñéíþò åý÷åôáé õðÝñ ôçò ôùí ðÜíôùí åíþóåùò åí ôù ×ñéóôþ, áëëÜ âëÝðåé ôçí Ýíùóéí åí ×ñéóôþ, ùò Ýíùóéí åí ôç ðåñß Áõôïý ðßóôåé ôçò ðñþôçò áäéáéñÝôïõ Åêêëçóßáò, êáé ü÷é ùò ïñãáíùôéêÞí Þ äéïéêçôéêÞí Ýíùóéí». Êáôüðéí ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò áíáöåñüìåíïò óôïí äéÜëïãï ôüíéóå: «ÐáñÜ ôáò êëçñïíïìçèåßóáò äéáöïñÜò ðåñß ôçí ðßóôéí, ïé ïðïßáé åéóÝôé ðáñáìÝíïõí êáé óõæçôïýíôáé, ç êëçñïíïìçèåßóá øõ÷ñü-

Ó÷åäüí ôçí ßäéá þñá, ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ åêåßíç ôçò 9çò Éïõíßïõ, ï ÐÜðáò óôçí êáèéåñùìÝíç ïìéëßá ôïõ ðñïò ôïõò ðéóôïýò ðïõ óõãêåíôñþèçêáí, üðùò êÜèå ÊõñéáêÞ, óôçí ðëáôåßá ôïõ Áãßïõ ÐÝôñïõ, áíáöÝñèçêå ìåôáîý Üëëùí óôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò ÑáâÝííáò áðåõèýíïíôáò óôïí ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ôïí áäåëöéêü ôïõ ÷áéñåôéóìü ëÝãïíôáò: «ÓÞìåñá ôï ðñùß, óôç ÑáâÝííá, óôçí ìåãáëïðñåðÞ âõæáíôéíÞ âáóéëéêÞ ôïõ Áãßïõ Áðïëëéíáñßïõ in classe, ìÜñôõñá ôçò åðï÷Þò êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßá ïé Åêêëçóßåò ôçò ÁíáôïëÞò êáé ôçò Äýóåùò æïýóáí óå ðëÞñç êïéíùíßá, ï áãéþôáôïò Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò ï Á´, åôÝëåóå ìéá ðáíçãõñéêÞ Ëåéôïõñãßá». Êáôüðéí ï ÐÜðáò åßðå: «Ç ÑáâÝííá êáé ç Âåíåôßá ìáò óõíäÝïõí ìå ôçí ßäéá ôçí éóôïñßá ôïõò êáé ìáò åíèáññýíïõí íá óõíå÷ßóïõìå ôçí ðïñåßá ðñïò ôçí ðëÞñç åíüôçôá ìåôáîý ôçò ×ñéóôéáíéêÞò ÁíáôïëÞò êáé ôçò ×ñéóôéáíéêÞò Äýóåùò. ÁíáèÝôïõìå áõôü ôï ãåãïíüò åéò ôçí ìçôñéêÞí ðñïóôáóßáí ôçò Õðåñáãßáò Èåïôüêïõ Ìáñßáò». ÐáñÜëëçëá êáé ÷ùñßò êáìßá ðñïóõíåííüçóç, ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáôáêëåßïíôáò ôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ åéò ôïí ¢ãéïí ÁðïëëéíÜñéïí ôçò ÑáâÝííáò, Ýëåãå: «Ðñïôïý ôåëåéþóïõìå áõôÞí ôçí ïìéëßá ìáò, åðéèõìïýìå íá áðåõèýíïõìå åéò ôçí áõôïý Áãéüôçôá ôïí áäåëöüí ìáò ÐÜðáí ÉùÜííçí Ðáýëïí ôïí ´ Ýíáí èåñìüí êáé åéëéêñéíÞ ÷áéñåôéóìüí, ðñïóåõ÷üìåíïé õðÝñ ôçò êáëÞò õãåßáò êáé ôçò ìáêñïçìåñåýóåùò ôïõ». Í.Ì.

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

ÕðÝñìá÷å ÓôñáôçãÝ öýëáãå ôï ÃÝíïò ìáò áðü ðÜóáí åðéâïõëÞí... ÌåôÜ ôçí õðïãñáöÞ ôçò «Äéáêçñýîåùò ôçò Âåíåôßáò» (10 Éïõíßïõ), áêïëïýèçóå Óõíáõëßá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ÂõæáíôéíÞò ×ïñùäßáò ðïõ äéåõèýíåé ï Ëõêïýñãïò Áããåëüðïõëïò, ìå âõæáíôéíïýò ýìíïõò, óôï íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ ÌÜñêïõ Âåíåôßáò. ÐáñÝóôçóáí ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Áëâáíßáò ê. ÁíáóôÜóéïò, ÊáñäéíÜëéïé, Üëëïé Ïñèüäïîïé êáé Êáèïëéêïß ÉåñÜñ÷åò, õðïõñãïß êáé Üëëïé åðßóçìïé êáèþò êáé ïé óýíåäñïé ôïõ óõìðïóßïõ. ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

ÓõãêéíçôéêÝò óôéãìÝò Ýæçóáí ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáé ç óõíïäåßá ôïõ üôáí, óôï ðÝñáò ôçò Óõíáõëßáò ôçò ×ïñùäßáò ôïõ Ëõêïýñãïõ Áããåëüðïõëïõ óôï íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ ÌÜñêïõ Âåíåôßáò, ðñïóêýíçóáí ôçí éóôïñéêÞ åéêüíá ôçò Ðáíáãßáò ôçò Íéêïðïéïý, ðïõ ìáæß ìå Üëëá êåéìÞëéá ìåôáöÝñèçêáí áðü ôïõò Óôáõñïöüñïõò áðü ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç óôçí Âåíåôßá êáé ãåíéêÜ óôç Äýóç. ÌðñïóôÜ óôçí åéêüíá, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáé ç óõíïäåßá ôïõ Ýøáëáí êáôáíõêôéêÜ ôï êïíôÜêéï «Ôç

ÕðåñìÜ÷ù Óôñáôçãþ...». ÁìÝóùò ìåôÜ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò äÞëùóå: «¹ôáí ìßá ðïëý óõãêéíçôéêÞ óôéãìÞ ãéá üëïõò ìáò éäéáéôÝñùò ãéá ôïõò ¸ëëçíåò, ìåôáîý üëùí ôùí ðáñüíôùí, êáé áêüìç ðéï ðïëý ãéá ìáò ðïõ ðñïåñ÷üìåèá áðü ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç. ¹ôáí ôï êáëýôåñï åðéóôÝãáóìá ôïõ Óõìðïóßïõ ìáò... ÅìíÞóèçìåí çìåñþí áñ÷áßùí, ãõñßóáìå ðßóù óå Ýíäïîá ÷ñüíéá ôçò éóôïñßáò ôïõ ÃÝíïõò ìáò, áëëÜ êáé óõã÷ñüíùò óå äõóÜñåóôá ÷ñüíéá, üôáí Ýãéíå áõôÞ ç ìåãÜëç áäéêßá åéò âÜñïò ôïõ Âõæáíôßïõ. Êáé åííïþ ôçí 4ç Óôáõñïöïñßá, áðïôÝëåóìá ôçò ïðïßáò Þôáí ôï íá áöáéñåèïýí áðü ôïí öõóéêü ôïõò ÷þñï üëá áõôÜ ôá ÉåñÜ êåéìÞëéá, ôá óåâÜóìáôá ôçò ðßóôåþò ìáò êáé íá Ýëèïõí åäþ üðïõ öéëïîåíïýíôáé ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñá. Ôï ìÝëëïí åßíáé åéò ôá ÷Ýñéá ôïõ Èåïý. Åìåßò ôéìïýìå êáé óåâüìåèá ôçí éóôïñßá ìáò êáé ôïõò ðñïãüíïõò ìáò êáé ôïõ ðñïðÜôïñÝò ìáò êáé åõ÷üìåèá ï Èåüò äéÜ ôùí ðñåóâåéþí ôçò ÕðåñìÜ÷ïõ Óôñáôçãïý ôïõ ÃÝíïõò ìáò íá ôï öõëÜãåé, ôï ÃÝíïò ìáò, êáé ôçí Ïñèüäïîïí Åêêëçóßáí ôïõ áðü ðÜóáí ïñáôÞí êáé áüñáôïí åðéâïõëÞí».

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 22

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕËÉÏÓ - ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÓ 2002

ÌÞíõìá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Âáñèïëïìáßïõ óôçí 36ç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ Áñéèì. Ðñùô. 507 Éåñþôáôå Áñ÷éåðßóêïðå ÁìåñéêÞò, õðÝñôéìå êáé Ýîáñ÷å Ùêåáíþí Áôëáíôéêïý ôå êáé Åéñçíéêïý, åí Áãßù Ðíåýìáôé áãáðçôÝ áäåëöÝ êáé óõëëåéôïõñãÝ ôçò çìþí Ìåôñéüôçôïò êýñéå ÄçìÞôñéå, êáé ðÜíôåò ïé ìåôÝ÷ïíôåò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, ÷Üñéò åßç õìßí êáé åéñÞíç ðáñÜ Èåïý. ÌåôÜ ðïëëÞò ôçò áãÜðçò, ôçò óôïñãÞò, ôçò ÷áñÜò êáé ôçò ôéìÞò áðåõèýíïìåí ôïí ïëïêÜñäéïí ÷áéñåôéóìüí ôçò çìåôÝñáò Ìåôñéüôçôïò êáé ôçò Ìçôñüò Áãßáò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ÌåãÜëçò Åêêëçóßáò ðñïò õìÜò, ôïõò ÉåñùôÜôïõò êáé ÈåïöéëåóôÜôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò ôçò êáè õìÜò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ðñïò ôïõò êëçñéêïýò êáé ôïõò ëáúêïýò, ïé ïðïßïé ìåôÝ÷ïõí åéò ôçí 36çí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞí ÓõíÝëåõóéí áõôÞò, êáé ðñïò Üðáí ôï õð áõôÞò åêðñïóùðïýìåíïí ÷ñéóôåðþíõìïí ðëÞñùìá. ÅêöñÜæïìåí ôçí âáèåßáí éêáíïðïßçóéí çìþí äéÜ ôï åðéëåãÝí êýñéïí èÝìá ôçò åí ëüãù Óõíåëåýóåùò «Ç ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò åéò ôçí óýã÷ñïíïí ÁìåñéêÞí», äéüôé äé áõôïý öáíåñïýôáé ôï õøçëüí áßóèçìá åõèýíçò, ôï ïðïßïí äéáêáôÝ÷åé ôï óþìá ôçò ôïðéêÞò Åêêëçóßáò äéÜ ôçí ðñïóöïñÜí ðñïò üëïõò ôïõò åí ÁìåñéêÞ óõíáíèñþðïõò ôïõ èçóáõñïý ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðßóôåùò, ôïí ïðïßïí Ý÷åé åìðéóôåõèåß åéò õìÜò ç Ðñüíïéá ôïõ Èåïý.

Ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí äåí Ý÷åé ïýôå ôçí äõíáôüôçôá ïýôå ôçí ðñüèåóéí íá åðåìâáßíåé åéò ôçí áõôïäéïßêçóéí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôùí õð áõôÞí Åíïñéþí êáé ÊïéíïôÞôùí Þ ÉäñõìÜôùí. Ïýôå Ý÷åé ðñüèåóéí íá ðåñéïñßóç ôçí áðü ìáêñïý õöéóôáìÝíçí åëåõèåñßáí áõôþí ùò ðñïò ôçí äéá÷åßñçóéí ôùí õðïèÝóåþí ôùí. ÐñÜãìáôé, êáôÜ ôçí Ïñèüäïîïí Ðßóôéí ç ðñïóùðéêÞ åêÜóôïõ óùôçñßá ðñïûðïèÝôåé ôçí åðéèõìßáí êáé ôçí ìÝñéìíáí áõôïý äéÜ ôçí óùôçñßáí üëïõ ôïõ êüóìïõ. Ç Ïñèüäïîïò Åêêëçóßá, ðéóôþò áêïëïõèïýóá ôçí èÝëçóéí ôïõ áãáðþíôïò ôïõò ðÜíôáò Êõñßïõ êáé Èåïý çìþí, ôïõ èÝëïíôïò ðÜíôáò áíèñþðïõò óùèÞíáé êáé åéò åðßãíùóéí áëçèåßáò åëèåßí, áíÝêáèåí áðü ôùí ðñþôùí çìåñþí ôçò éäñýóåþò ôçò ìÝ÷ñé óÞìåñïí, õðÞñîåí éåñáðïóôïëéêÞ êáé áíïéêôÞ ðñïò üëïõò. Ïé ¢ãéïé ÐáôÝñåò ôçò ðñþôçò åí Íéêáßá êáé ôçò äåõôÝñáò åí Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåé ÏéêïõìåíéêÞò Óõíüäïõ ùíüìáóáí äéÜ ôïõ Óõìâüëïõ ôçò Ðßóôåùò ôçí Ìßáí, Áãßáí Åêêëçóßáí ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáèïëéêÞí êáé áðïóôïëéêÞí , õðü ôçí Ýííïéáí üôé Ý÷åé ðñüèåóéí êáé äõíáôüôçôá íá ðåñéëÜâç ðÜíôáò ôïõò áíèñþðïõò êáè ïëïêëçñßáí, üôé óôçñßæåôáé åðß ôùí Áãßùí Áðïóôüëùí êáé ôçò ÁðïóôïëéêÞò äéáäï÷Þò êáé üôé óõíå÷ßæåé ôï áðïóôïëéêüí Ýñãïí. Ðáóßãíùóôïí ðáñÜäåéãìá åßíáé ï õðü ôùí áðåóôáëìÝíùí õðü ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò Áãßùí Êõñßëëïõ êáé Ìåèïäßïõ åê÷ñéóôéáíéóìüò ôùí ÓëÜâùí. ÕðÜñ÷ïõí, âåâáßùò, êáé Üëëáé áðåéñÜñéèìïé áðïóôïëáß ðñïò ôïõò ðëåßóôïõò åê ôùí ôüôå ðñïóéôþí ëáþí, ôéíÝò ôùí ïðïßùí áíôáðåñêñßèçóáí êáé ôéíåò çñíÞèçóáí ôï êÞñõãìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. ÁõôÞ ç éåñáðïóôïëéêÞ ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ åí ãÝíåé Åêêëçóßáò óõíå÷ßæåôáé êáé óÞìåñïí ôüóïí ðñïò ôïõò

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

Ï äéïéêçôÞò ôïõ ÔÜãìáôïò ôùí Áñ÷üíôùí äñ. Áíô. ËõìðåñÜêçò êáëùóïñßæåé ôïí Ìçôñïðïëßôç Ôõñïëüçò êáé Óåñåíôßïõ ê. ÐáíôëåÞìùíá óå åêäÞëùóç ôïõ ÔÜãìáôïò.

ôïðéêþò ìáêñÜí áðü çìÜò ëáïýò ôçò Áóßáò, ôçò ÁöñéêÞò êáé ôçò Áõóôñáëßáò, üóïí êáé ðñïò ôïõò åããýò ëáïýò ôçò Åõñþðçò êáé ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò. Åéäéêþò üóïí áöïñÜ ôçí ðñïóöïñÜí ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò åéò ôçí ÁìåñéêÞí, ôçí ÷þñáí ôçò áðïëýôïõ åëåõèåñßáò äéáêéíÞóåùò ôùí éäåþí êáé ôùí èñçóêåõôéêþí äïîáóéþí, áëëÜ êáé ôçò áíï÷Þò ðÜóçò ðñïóùðéêÞò èñçóêåõôéêÞò áíôéëÞøåùò, ç õìåôÝñá ðåßñá åßíáé ÷ñçóéìùôÜôç êáé ðñÝðåé íá áîéïðïéçèÞ. ÁëëÜ äåí ðñÝðåé íá ðáñáâëÝðåôáé üôé áõôÞ ç ðñïóöïñÜ, Üí êáé ãßíåôáé äé áíèñþðùí, åßíáé Ýñãïí Èåïý êáé äé áõôü ðñÝðåé ùò ðñïò ôá áöïñþíôá áõôÞí ï Èåüò íá Ý÷ç ôïí ðñþôïí êáé ôåëåõôáßïí ëüãïí, Áõôüò íá åßíáé ï åìðíåõóôÞò êáé ï ôåëéêüò óêïðüò ôçò êáé ü÷é Üëëáé ïéáéäÞðïôå ðñïóùðéêáß Þ óõëëïãéêáß åðéäéþîåéò. Ç áíéäéïôÝëåéá, ëïéðüí, ôùí ðñïóöåñüíôùí ôïí ëüãïí ôïõ Èåïý åßíáé ôï ðñþôéóôïí ðñïáðáéôïýìåíïí ôçò èåßáò åõëïãßáò êáé ôçò åðéôõ÷ßáò ôçò ðñïóðáèåßáò. ÁõôÞ, Üëëùóôå, åíõðÜñ÷åé áõôïíïÞôùò åéò ôçí Ýííïéáí ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò. Ìå ôïéïýôïí èÝìá êáé ìå ôïéáýôçí äéÜèåóéí ðñïóöïñÜò óõíåñ÷ïìÝíç ç 36ç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóéò åíáñìïíßæåôáé ðñïò ôï ðíåýìá êáé ôï Þèïò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ çìþí Ðßóôåùò êáé Åêêëçóßáò êáé Ý÷åé ôçí áìÝñéóôïí åõ÷Þí êáé åõëïãßáí çìþí êáé óõìðÜóçò ôçò Áãßáò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý ÌåãÜëçò Åêêëçóßáò, ðñïò åðéôõ÷ßáí êáé åõüäùóéí ôùí åñãáóéþí ôçò. Áóöáëþò äå ðÜíôåò ïé ìåôÝ÷ïíôåò áõôÞò óõíÞëèïí åéò áõôÞí åéò ôï üíïìá ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ðñïò áíáæÞôçóéí ôïõ Áãßïõ ÈåëÞìáôïò Áõôïý êáé ü÷é ðñïò åðéâïëÞí ôùí éäéêþí ôùí áðüøåùí. Ùò åê ôïýôïõ äåí ðñïâëÝðåôáé íá õðÜñîïõí íéêçôáß êáé çôôçìÝíïé, áëëÜ ìüíïí íéêçôáß, åÜí ðñÜãìáôé åõñåèÞ êáé åðéêñáôÞóç ôï ðáñ üëùí æçôïýìåíïí ÈÝëçìá ôïõ Èåïý. Ôï ðñþôéóôïí äå ÈÝëçìá ôïõ Èåïý åßíáé, üðùò üëïé ãíùñßæïìåí, ï áãéáóìüò çìþí, äéüôé ìüíïí áãéáæüìåíïé èá ßäùìåí áëçèþò ôïí ×ñéóóôüí (ðñâë. Åâñ. 12,14) êáé èá áðïëáýóùìåí ôçò áéùíßïõ æùÞò áðü ôçò ðáñïýóçò åðéãåßïõ êáôáóôÜóåþò ìáò. Ç áéþíéïò æùÞ äåí Üñ÷åôáé ìåôÜ èÜíáôïí. Áñ÷ßæåé áðü ôçí ðáñïýóáí æùÞí êáé äç áðü ôçí óôéãìÞí êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßáí èá óõíäåèÞ ï ðéóôüò ìå ôïí ×ñéóôüí, ôçí ðçãÞí ôçò æùÞò êáé ôçò áèáíáóßáò. Äé áõôü êáé ï Êýñéïò ìáò äéåâåâáßùóåí üôé ï ôïí ëüãïí Ôïõ áêïýùí (åìðñÜêôùò) êáé ðéóôåýùí åéò ôïí ðÝìøáíôá Áõôüí Ý÷åé (áðü ôïýäå) æùÞí áéþíéïí, êáé åéò êñßóéí ïõê Ýñ÷åôáé, áëëÜ ìåôáâÝâçêåí åê ôïõ èáíÜôïõ åéò ôçí æùÞí (Éùáí. 5,24). Õðü ôï ðñßóìá áõôÞò ôçò åó÷Üôïõ ðñïïðôéêÞò ïñþìåíá ôá ðñüâëÞìáôá êáé ôá ãåãïíüôá ôçò æùÞò ìáò, ëáìâÜíïõí ôáò ðñáãìáôéêÜò ôùí äéáóôÜóåéò. Ôá ðñïâëÞ-

ìáôá ôçò êáèçìåñéíÞò æùÞò, ôùí åõìåôáâëÞôùí íïìéêþí ó÷Ýóåùí êáé ñõèìßóåùí, ôá ðÜíôïôå ñåõóôÜ ïéêïíïìéêÜ, ôá ôçò åí äéáñêåß öèïñÜ õãåßáò êáé ôá üìïéá öáíåñþíïõí ôçí åðßãåéïí êáé ðñüóêáéñïí óçìáóßáí ôùí. Áóöáëþò äåí êáèßóôáíôáé Üíåõ óçìáóßáò, áëëÜ êáé äåí áðáéôïýí ôçí ðëÞñç åéò áõôÜ áöéÝñùóéí üëùí ôùí äõíÜìåþí ôùí. Áîéïëïãïýíôáé èåôéêþò êáé ëáìâÜíïõí åéò ôçí êëßìáêá ôùí åíäéáöåñüíôùí ìáò ôçí ðñÝðïõóáí èÝóéí. Áíôéóôïß÷ùò êáé ôá èÝìáôá ôçò ðíåõìáôéêÞò êáôáñôßóåùò çìþí, ôçò åìðñÜêôïõ åöáñìïãÞò ôçò áãÜðçò, ôçò ðñáüôçôïò, ôçò åéñÞíçò, ôçò êáëùóýíçò, ôïõ óåâáóìïý ôïõ ðñïóþðïõ ôïõ óõíáíèñþðïõ, ôïõ åíäéáöÝñïíôüò ìáò äéÜ ôïõò åí äõóêïëßáéò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò, ôçò ðñïóåõ÷Þò, ôçò óõììåôï÷Þò åéò ôá áãéÜæïíôá ìõóôÞñéá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò, ôçò ìåëÝôçò ôïõ íüìïõ ôïõ Èåïý, ôçò áõôïãíùóßáò êáé ôïõ áõôïåëÝã÷ïõ, ôçò óõã÷ùñÞóåùò êáé ôïõ åí ãÝíåé áãéáóìïý ìáò äåí ðáñáèåùñïýíôáé, áëëÜ ëáìâÜíïõí ôçí ïñèÞí êáé ðñïÝ÷ïõóáí èÝóéí ôùí åéò ôçí æùÞí ìáò. Êáô áõôüí ôïí ôñüðïí áãéáæüìåíïé êáé âéïýíôåò ôçí åí ×ñéóôþ áíáöáßñåôïí ÷áñÜí, åéñÞíçí êáé áéùíéüôçôá åõñéóêüìåèá ðëÞñåéò ýäáôïò æþíôïò. Åê ôïõ ïðïßïõ êáé ðñïóöÝñïìåí åéò ôïõò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò, êáé ïýôù ï æÞëïò ìáò äéÜ ðñïóöïñÜí åéò ôïõò åí ÁìåñéêÞ óõìðïëßôáò ìáò åê ìÝñïõò çìþí ùò ìåëþí ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò õëïðïéåßôáé. ¢íåõ áõôÞò ôçò áìÝóïõ ðåßñáò ôçò Èåßáò ×Üñéôïò áðëþò èá ïìéëþìåí ðåñß áõôÞò, áëëÜ äåí èá äõíÜìåèá íá ìåôáããßóùìåí áõôÞí åéò ôïõò äéøþíôáò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò. Ùò ëÝãåé ï ÁââÜò ÉóáÜê, ôï æùãñáöéóôüí ýäùñ äåí éêáíïðïéåß ôïí äéøáóìÝíïí. ÐñÝðåé íá ðñïóöÝñïìåí ôï ýäùñ ôï æùí, ðåñß ôïõ ïðïßïõ ùìßëçóåí ï Êýñéïò åéò ôçí Óáìáñåßôéäá, ôï ïðïßïí ðáñÝ÷åé ï Êýñéïò ìüíïí åéò ôïõò óöïäñþò åðéèõìïýíôáò áõôü, ôïõò ìç óïöïýò åí åáõôïßò êáé ìç ðåðïéèüôáò åðß ôçí éäßáí ãíþóéí, áëëÜ æçôïýíôáò åí áóêÞóåé áñåôÞò ôçí ãíþóéí ôïõ Èåïý êáé ôïí öùôéóìüí Áõôïý ìÝóù ôçò Åêêëçóßáò Ôïõ. Åßìåèá ðåðåéóìÝíïé üôé ïé ðÜíôåò êáôáíïåßôå ôçí ðñïôåñáéüôçôá ôïõ áãéáóìïý õìþí êáé üôé ïõäåßò èá èõóéÜóç áõôüí ôïí áãéáóìüí ÷Üñéí éäéïôåëþí åðéäéþîåùí. Åßìåèá âÝâáéïé üôé ç ëßáí åéò çìÜò áãáðçôÞ ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò èá áíáäåßîç åê ôùí êüëðùí ôçò Áãßïõò êáé üôé Ý÷åé åðùìéóèÞ áðü ôçí Ðñüíïéáí ôïõ Èåïý ôï êáèÞêïí ôïõ åõáããåëéóìïý ôùí åí ÁìåñéêÞ óõíáíèñþðùí ìáò. ¸÷åé Þäç ðñï÷ùñÞóåé êáôÜ ðïëý åéò ôïí êýêëïí ôçò áíáðôýîåþò ôçò, ïñãáíùôéêþò, ëåéôïõñãéêþò, óôåëå÷éáêþò, ìïñöùôéêþò êáé ôá äåßãìáôá ôçò áõôïíüìïõ áíáðôýîåþò ôçò åßíáé åëðéäïöüñá. ÐáñÝ÷ïõí ôçí

äõíáôüôçôá ðñïâëÝøåùò üôé ç ðåñáéôÝñù óôáäéáêÞ áíÜðôõîßò ôçò èá áêïëïõèçèÞ áðü ðåñéåóêåììÝíçí êáé öñüíéìïí ÷ñçóéìïðïßçóéí ôùí Þäç ðáñáó÷åèåéóþí êáé ôùí ðáñáó÷åèçóïìÝíùí åéò áõôÞí äõíáôïôÞôùí. Ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí äåí Ý÷åé ïýôå ôçí äõíáôüôçôá ïýôå ôçí ðñüèåóéí íá åðåìâáßíåé åéò ôçí áõôïäéïßêçóéí ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôùí õð áõôÞí Åíïñéþí êáé ÊïéíïôÞôùí Þ ÉäñõìÜôùí. Ïýôå Ý÷åé ðñüèåóéí íá ðåñéïñßóç ôçí áðü ìáêñïý õöéóôáìÝíçí åëåõèåñßáí áõôþí ùò ðñïò ôçí äéá÷åßñçóéí ôùí õðïèÝóåþí ôùí. ÁíôéèÝôùò, åðéèõìåß æùçñþò êáé ïñáìáôßæåôáé ôçí ÉåñÜí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞí áõîáíïìÝíçí êáôÜ ðÜíôá êáé éäßùò ðíåõìáôéêþò, þóôå íá áíáëÜâç áêüìç ðåñéóóïôÝñáò åõèýíáò êáé íá äéáäñáìáôßóç óðïõäáéüôåñïí ñüëïí åéò ôçí ðñïóöïñÜí ôïõ Ïñèïäüîïõ Ìçíýìáôïò åéò ôïí ëáüí ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò. ÁëëÜ äåí ðñÝðåé íá ëçóìïíÞôáé üôé ôï Ýñãïí ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò åí ×ñéóôþ áëçèåßáò êáé óùôçñßáò åßíáé, ùò ðñïåßðïìåí, Ýñãïí Èåïý êáé ü÷é Ýñãïí çìþí ôùí áíèñþðùí, ôïõò ïðïßïõò åõäïêåß íá ÷ñçóéìïðïéÞ ï Èåüò ùò üñãáíÜ Ôïõ. Ùò åê ôïýôïõ, ðñÝðåé, åðáíáëáìâÜíïìåí, íá ãßíùìåí Üîéïé öïñåßò êáé áíáìåñáäüôáé ôçò Èåßáò ×Üñéôïò êáé ôçò áêñáéöíïýò Ïñèïäüîïõ áëçèåßáò êáé ü÷é ôùí ðñïóùðéêþí ìáò ðåñß áõôÞò éäåþí, ùò óõìâáßíåé ìå ôïõò êÞñõêáò, ôïõò áíÞêïíôáò åéò Üëëáò ×ñéóôéáíéêÜò Ïìïëïãßáò. Ç Ïñèüäïîïò Åêêëçóßá ìáò Ý÷åé ëáìðñÜí áãéïðíåõìáôéêÞí ðáñÜäïóéí êáé ðåßñáí ôçò áãéüôçôïò, ôï äå Ïéêïõìåíéêüí Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïí ôïýôï ìüíïí ôï êáèÞêïí Ý÷åé Ýíáíôé ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, íá öñïíôßæç ìå ðáôñéêÞí óôïñãÞí êáé áãÜðçí íá äéáôçñÞôáé áëþâçôïò áõôÞ ç ÁãéïðíåõìáôéêÞ ðáñÜäïóéò êáé ðåßñá. ¼ëá ôá Üëëá ôïðéêïý åíäéáöÝñïíôïò èÝìáôá ðñÝðåé íá áíôéìåôùðßæùíôáé õðåõèýíùò åíôüò ôùí ðëáéóßùí ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Ðáñáäüóåùò õðü ôùí êáôÜ ôüðïõò õðåõèýíùí ïñãÜíùí ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò õðü ôçí ðíåõìáôéêÞí åðïðôåßáí êáé êáèïäÞãçóéí ôùí ÉåñùôÜôùí êáé ÈåïöéëåóôÜôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí êáé ôïí óõíôïíéóìüí ôïõ êáôÜ ðÜíôá áîßïõ êáé åéñçíïðïéïý ÉåñùôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò êõñßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ, ôïõ èåïöéëþò ðçäáëéïõ÷ïýíôïò ôï óêÜöïò ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. ¼èåí, ïëïêáñäßùò åõ÷üìåèá üðùò ï Êýñéïò çìþí Éçóïýò ×ñéóôüò êáôáðÝìøç ôï ÐáíÜãéïí Áõôïý Ðíåýìá åðß ðÜíôáò õìÜò, þóôå åí åéñÞíç, ïìïíïßá, åíüôçôé êáé áãÜðç íá åìâáèýíçôå åéò ôï êåöáëáéþäåò èÝìá ôçò ðáñïýóçò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò õìþí Óõíåëåýóåùò êáé íá åýñçôå ôïõò èåáñÝóôïõò ôñüðïõò ðñáãìáôïðïéÞóåùò ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ðñïò ôïí Áìåñéêáíéêüí Ëáüí. Åðß äå ôïýôïéò, åðéäáøéëåýïìåí ðÜóéí õìßí ïëüèõìïí ôçí ðáôñéêÞí çìþí åõ÷Þí êáé ôçí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞí çìþí åõëïãßáí, åõ÷üìåíïé õìßí õãåßáí, ìáêñïçìÝñåõóéí, åéñÞíçí, ðñüïäïí åí ðáíôß Ýñãù áãáèþ êáé áãéáóìüí åí ×ñéóôþ, ôù ÷ïñçãþ ôçò óõããíþìçò, ôçò êáôáëëáãÞò, ôçò ìáêáñéüôçôïò, ôçò áéùíßïõ æùÞò êáé ðáíôüò áãáèïý êáé ôåëåßïõ äùñÞìáôïò. Ôïýôïõ ç ×Üñéò êáé ôï ðëïýóéïí ¸ëåïò åßçóáí ìåôÜ ðÜíôùí õìþí, ëßáí áãáðçôïß áäåëöïß êáé ôÝêíá. ÁìÞí. Åí ôïéò Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïéò, ôç 26ç Éïõíßïõ 2002

ÄéÜðõñïò ðñïò Èåüí åõ÷Ýôçò ðÜíôùí õìþí

missions

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

B O O K S

First Two OCMC Mission Teams Return Home Two OCMC Mission Teams returned home in late June after successfully completing their missions.

The 22-member Mission Team to Kenya was led by Fr. Gerasimos Makris, the dean of Student Life at Holy Cross/ Hellenic College in Boston.

In a report sent to OCMC, Fr. Gerasimos noted that team members used their many talents to edify the Church in Kenya and that team members themselves were edified by the faith of the Kenyans.

Team members became the living ambassadors of the Church in America while simultaneously the concrete recipients of the love that the Kenyan people had to offer. I feel extremely blessed to have escorted this Mission Team, Fr. Gerasimos wrote.

The team built a new secondary school in Chavogere, where past OCMC mission teams helped build St. Mark s Orthodox Church and the Chavogere Orthodox Medical Clinic.

Some team members participated in medical outreach and catechism to the surrounding areas. Two doctors and a nurse participating on the team did medical outreach.

Archbishop Makarios of Kenya and Irinoupolis expressed his gratitude for the OCMC team. I wish to state my deep appreciation of your efforts on behalf of the Orthodox Archbishopric of Kenya and Irinoupolis and Orthodox Mission in Kenya, the Archbishop wrote in a letter.

The idea of having American students making an official and formal visitation to [build] this school will, certainly, leave a lasting impression and will encourage our own students to greater heights, Archbishop Makarios wrote.

OCMC trustee Dr. Spero Kinnas is also participating on the team. The Nichols Family Foundation supported the project with a $30,000 donation.

ALBANIA MISSION The OCMC Team to Albania also returned at the end of June. The six-member team spent time at the Orthodox seminary in Durres and then paired up with the seminarians to evangelize in two cities in western Albania.

Team members passed out invitations to events at local churches, including talks on the meaning of life by Fr. Michael Byars of Daytona Beach, Fla. and Dr. George Bithos of Dallas, Tex. Between 150 and 250 people attended each night for the entire week.

OCMC Missionary Director Rob O Loughlin participated on the team and said that the timing and placement of the team were ideal. The two cities the team worked in, Durres and Kavaja, both have churches that can follow up with the many people who attended the meetings, and the seminary in Durres can provide support for the churches.

The time is right for missionary work in Albania, O Loughlin said. After years of oppressive communist rule, when all religion was outlawed, people are beginning to look for answers about the meaning of life. The Orthodox Church, which had over 1,600 churches and monasteries destroyed under the communists, is in the process of rebuilding.

We witnessed the hope of the Albanian people, O Loughlin said, and shared with them that they are not alone in their journey to re-establish our Orthodox Faith there, he said.

This summer OCMC has fielded eight short-term teams. OCMC s first-ever youth team is in Romania helping at a camp for disadvantaged youth. Another team departed for Guatemala. Teams to Alaska and Tanzania were set to go out in late July, and a team to India and a second team to Guatemala will leave in August.

PAGE 23

A New Book on the Orthodox Faith Fr. Stanley S. Harakas, Archbishop Iakovos Professor Emeritus, who retired from Holy Cross School of Theology in 1995, has published a book titled Orthodox Christian Beliefs: Real Answers to Real Questions from Real People.

It is based on the questions and answers in his well-known Religious Question Box column published for 23 years.

Fr. Harakas, who now lives in Spring Hill, Fla., has begun organizing the material in topical form with the goal of publishing them in separate volumes. The second volume now in press contains the answers given to questions on the Bible.

The 300-page book is a veritable encyclopedia of Orthodox Theology for rapid access for both clergy and laity. Orthodox Christian Beliefs is part of a projected series Exploring Orthodox Christianity, though each book stands by itself as an easy to read and understand, yet accurate presentation of the Orthodox Faith.

It deals with 75 important questions asked by real people from the Church in a clear, easily understood, yet comprehensive way. Among the topics dealt with are: Religious Knowledge; One God; A Trinity of Divine Persons; Jesus Christ; The Holy Spirit; The Creation; Human Beings; The

Church; Saints; Salvation; Suffering and Evil; Icons; Heaven and Hell; End Times; Christ s Second Coming; Theology and Life.

Readers will find Orthodox Christian Beliefs a practical guide to understanding the beliefs of Orthodoxy, in which they will find answers to many perplexing questions, which express genuine concerns, including many that raise doubts, conflicts and disagreements with accepted teachings.

All the answers are based on the Bible and the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church. It is a valuable resource for individuals, parish libraries, discussion groups, camp programs, youth and young adult organizations, and for anyone interested in having their questions answered regarding the Orthodox Christian Faith.

The book is planned for easy access to desired information, with a full and detailed table of contents and indexes of both topics and biblical passages used in the text. Orthodox Christian Beliefs, can be obtained at your parish bookstore, or any Orthodox bookstore or from Light and Life Publishing Co., at: LIGHT & LIFE PUBLISHING; 4808 Park Glen Rd, Minneapolis, MN 55416; Tel.: (952)925-3888 Fax: (888) 925-3918; www.light-n-life.com

COUPLE EMBARKS ON MISSION TO UGANDA My wife, Sharon, and I depart this summer for a two-year term as OCMC missionaries to the African nation of Uganda.

by Peter Georges

With two married daughters and five wonderful grandchildren living near us, some may find it unusual that a couple our age would make such a life-changing direction at this stage of our lives.

And, I m turning my back on a successful 25-year career in telecommunications. There is no earthly explanation for what we re about to do.

But Sharon and I have learned one thing after many years together: when God speaks the same word to both of our hearts, we had better respond!

The seeds of missionary work had been planted in Sharon long before we met.

As a child, she wanted to be a missionary nurse. An early marriage (to me!) put a hold on her nursing plans, but after our girls were born, Sharon went back to school and became an RN. Missionary work would have to wait though, because at that time neither of us was attending church. Like so many of our generation, we had fallen away from the faith of our fathers and were trying to make it on our own.

I had been baptized Orthodox and Sharon was a Methodist minister s daughter, but Sunday mornings were a time for sleeping in and reading the newspaper.

In 1980 after a time of searching, we recommitted our lives to Christ, but little did we suspect that the Orthodox Church was in our future. We spent seven years in charismatic evangelical congregations where we grew in faith and in knowledge of scripture.

However, the lack of spiritual depth and the fragmentation of the Western Church left us hungering for an authentic Christianity that we were not sure even existed. More out of curiosity than anything else, we visited St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mentor, Ohio, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, 1987.

The Holy Spirit spoke to both of us that day, because we were back two weeks later and began meeting weekly with the priest, Fr. Andrew Clements. Through his solid faith and patient answering of our many questions, we became convinced of the glorious truth of Orthodoxy, and Sharon and I and our two daughters were reunited with the Church on Pentecost Sunday that same year.

Missions have always been a part of our life in the Church. In our evangelical days, we financially supported foreign missions and missionaries, including a

u page 26

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 24

SCHOLARSHIPS Archdiocese Awards 2002-03 George and Naouma Gioles Scholarships Through the George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship Program the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has awarded 12 scholarships totaling $20,000 for the 200203 academic year. The scholarships were given to the following recipients who are pursuing undergraduate degrees at major colleges and universities in America: Miss Niki P. Stamos of Campbell, OH; Miss Anna E. Moniodis of Canton, MI; Miss Constandina Demetra Giannakopoulos, of Norridge, IL; Mr. Dean J. Arnaoutakis of Dunedin, FL; Mr. George J. Arnaoutakis of Dunedin, FL; Miss Alice Marie Shukla of Ann Arbor, MI; Mr. Tassos A. Recachinas of Washington, D.C.; Miss Katerina Recachinas of Washington, D.C.; Miss Sophia S. Karas of Princeton, NJ; Miss Melissa Papadakis of Garrison, NY; Miss Stella Louise Yopp of Garrison, NY; and Ms. Stefania Sarros of Miami, FL. These twelve individuals were chosen by the

Scholarship Committee from numerous applications that were submitted by Greek Orthodox young men and women from throughout the Archdiocese.

The Gioles Scholarship Fund was established in 1997 with a generous gift in memory of George and Naouma Gioles.

At least three scholarships are awarded on an annual basis to Greek Orthodox high school seniors or college students who are committed to serious study in a degree earning undergraduate program at an accredited college or university. Applicants are asked to provide transcripts of previous academic work, letters of recommendation, and evidence of financial need.

Applications and guidelines for the 200304 academic year will be available from the Office of the Chancellor, 10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021, after January 1, 2003, with an application deadline of April 1, 2003.

ARCHBISHOP S KEY NOTE ADDRESS u page 24 Orthodox Faith to contemporary America by means of offering love the way Christ offered it to the world.

(4) The fourth major project, a project of truly impressive proportions and demanding tasks is the one dealing with communications. Here you have the whole area of web sites and the Internet in general, video and audio productions, printed material preparation and distribution, and the connection with the press.

Our project in these truly critical areas is well advanced, and we are already providing significant services to our Parishes.

We are in the joyful position to announce that our new and upgraded web site of the Archdiocese was released last week. Our goal, however, is to increase this offering and provide our Parishes, on a regular basis, with substantive material which will be of immediate use for them. For instance, we plan to issue formatted material to be used for the weekly bulletin of the community, to make available sermonic, educational, and catechetical material and other resources, and to help them with information related to pastoral, philanthropic and evangelistic ministry.

The communications opportunities, immediately accessible to our communities, will be one of the most dynamic services of the Archdiocese, and certainly it will be a central task in the present and in the years to come.

We strongly believe that with the multifarious assistance provided by the Communications Department to our Parishes, they will be in a better position to offer our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America. Our vision and objective in this case is to develop and to use a communications system that will be a powerful vehicle for the transmission of the Gospel message to the hearts of our fellow Americans, for the transmission of the very voice of Christ to the ears and the hearts of the people of the world.

(5) The last major development related to our mission for offering the witness of our Orthodox Faith to today s American society, is the intensification and growth of the educational activities of our Church. There is an urgent need to advance the knowledge of our Orthodox Tradition and our truly universal Hellenic heritage. This is a splendid heritage that is integrally connected with our Orthodox

Faith, is encompassing the vast areas of culture, civilization and language, and is not narrowly ethnic but belongs to the whole civilized world. There is an urgent need for creating a body of faithful who will be truly illumined, truly educated, truly and fully informed about our Greek Orthodox identity.

Through our unique institution of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, through our Departments of Religious Education and Greek Paideia, through our schools, through all other means available we plan to promote education, paideia, as a central, vital issue in the life of our Church here. This is an issue that has to be nurtured and cultivated in our Parishes, thus enabling them to promote effectively our faith and offer it to contemporary America, the place of astonishing progress in matters of science and learning.

4

We have presented five major developments of great importance for offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America: 1) The Center for Family Care; 2) The restructuring and intensification of the work of Youth Ministry; 3) The creation of the Philanthropy Department; 4) The reorganizing of the Communications Department for maximum, state of the art performance; and 5) The enhancement and promotion of our educational activities.

The importance of the above-mentioned developments has to do also with the fact that they are developments fully directed towards our Parishes and for the benefit of them.

There is, however, another aspect of importance related to the above developments, which I am in the exceedingly blessed position to share with you today.

There are distinguished members of our Church here in America, who are deeply appreciative of such developments and such progress, which shows the potential for the unprecedented growth of our Parishes and our Archdiocese. These remarkable brothers, these true pillars of the work of the Church, have declared their willingness and their commitment to support financially these projects and programs.

And the commitment is millions of dollars a truly tremendous contribution, readily available. uuu

JULY - AUGUST 2002

Archons Program Focuses on Duty, Role LOS ANGELES Concurrent with the Clergy-Laity Congress, the Order of St. Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate held their events, highlighted by a dinner sponsored by the Archons of the Diocese of San Francisco, under the leadership of Regional Commander Theofanis Economidis.

Archon Dr. James Kallins and his family hosted a Church leadership dinner in honor of Archbishop Demetrios on June 29 at their residence, which included some 200 dignitaries, hierarchs, clergy and other Archons.

An Archon family reception took place June 30 at the Westin Bonaventure hotel, which was sponsored by Archons Gerry Ranglas and Alkiviadis Vassiliadis and their wives.

On July 2, the Archons business breakfast was held at the hotel. Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis spoke at length on the role and duty of an Archon in contemporary American Orthodoxy. Archons are working for the parish, the diocese, Archdiocese and Patriarchate to help the Church, said Dr. Limberakis, and the Mother Church is greatly pleased when the Church in America flourishes.

The role and duty of an Archon, is that of complete devotion, stewardship and obedience to the apostolic commission, any time, any place, he said.

He noted that the three main areas of concern are spirituality, education and philanthropy. In their spiritual role, Archons undertake an annual pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to show their respect, obedience and devotion, Limberakis explained.

He announced that this year s pilgrimage would take place Oct. 18-23, and will include meetings with Patriarch Bartholomew and Turkish government officials with whom they will discuss the possibility of reopening the seminary of Halki.

In the role of education, the Order actively promotes the Mother Church in contemporary society. To that extent, a treatise on the history of the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been completed as a reference source.

The Archons philanthropic activities have included giving more than $700,000 to the Patriarchate over the last several years; not including gifts for the Halki seminary. But Limberakis said other stewardship qualities include the giving of time and talent.

The national commander also called for the establishment of an endowment of the Mother Church. Our duty is to support the Ecumenical Patriarch and his position. We are a religious body and we want to be true to our orthodox tradition.

The program included a presentation by the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, director of the Department of Religious Education, on a newly completed interactive CD-ROM

uuu But this is not a matter of a very few major donors. This is a matter of all of our faithful. The projects we are talking about must be warmly embraced by all, strongly supported by all, passionately promoted by all. They are projects aimed at offering our Orthodox Faith to contemporary America in a well focused, carefully balanced, and all-encompassing manner.

The results might far exceed our thoughts, expectations and visions. The results might not be many, but one: the creation of a new era in the history of Orthodoxy, the creation of a new model in ecumenical Orthodoxy, the model of Greek-American Orthodoxy of the 21st century and beyond. Who knows if God has not sent us in this blessed country at this

on the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The CD is not a video, but a complex, computer-driven software product, Fr. Marangos said. It was made possible by a $38,000 grant from the Order of St. Andrew.

It includes a timeline, a virtual reality tour of the Patriarchate, and selected video resources that provide a wealth of information. It is also the only location offering biographies in English of all the ecumenical patriarchs and biographies of the Archons. This first interactive CD-rom also is being translated into Spanish. The Order of St. Andrew is underwriting the distribution of the CD to all 1,500 parishes under SCOBA. In his remarks to the Archons at the end of their program, Archbishop Demetrios said the Archons are people in a position to do many things. They have a holy cause of protecting, enhancing patriarchate to develop its optimum ability to function.

In comparing the members to their patron saint, St. Andrew, who traveled the greatest distance between cultures, he said, You have this tremendous ability of reaching seemingly unbridgeable gaps.

This also describes the Patriarchate. It is ecumenical in the largest possible difference between culture and civilizations.

At the Archons dinner on July 3, attended by about 200 Archons and spouses, Archbishop Demetrios briefly addressed the gathering. He referred to the Archons as a family in every sense.

God gives us the possibility to be strengthened so we can understand the length, depth and breadth of the love of Christ that constitutes any family. It is something that is beyond knowledge that is the love of Christ.

Also in attendance at both events was Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention, the representative of the Patriarchate to the Clergy Laity Congress who expressed the appreciation of Patriarch Bartholomew for the Order s support and love through the years.

Metropolitan Panteleimon was ceremoniously presented with a personalized copy of The Archon Album, Millennium Edition and the CD-ROM on the Ecumenical Patriarchate with expressions of respect, affection and fidelity to the Ecumenical Throne.

In addition to the official events of the Order of St. Andrew at the Clergy Laity Congress, Archons participated in the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, June 30, which marked the opening of the Congress.

A strong contingent of Archons attending the Congress from all over the country, together with local Archons, entered St. Sophia Cathedral in a ceremonial procession to participate in the Ecumenical Doxology on July 4th in observance of the nation s Day of Independence and the conclusion of the Congress proceedings. time, at this hour, precisely in order to offer this model of universal Orthodoxy a model destined to carry the authentic, whole, life-giving and holy voice of Christ to every person in every place, but primarily here in contemporary America.

We are invited in the name of Christ our Lord and God, and with His invincible power to have the vision to work and to pray for an America which will become the place of a shining, pioneer, model and leading Orthodox Faith. This invitation might have been issued some time ago.

Today in this 36th Clergy Laity Congress of our Archdiocese, This invitation is heard clearly and loudly. We have to respond to God. We have to work with Him. We have to create with Him the shining Orthodoxy of America.

JULY - AUGUST 2002

PEOPLE

u Honored in Brussels

The Hellenic Community of Brussels declared World Council of Hellenes Aboard President Andrew A. Athens as an honorary member of their community.

An official ceremony for the event took place at the St. Giles City Hall and was attended by numerous officials of the European Union, Greece, Cyprus and other organizations. Among his countless humanitarian works, Mr. Athens recently launched a medical care initiative for Hellenes living in nations formerly part of the Soviet Union. Mrs. Louise Athens also was recognized for supporting her husband s charitable work. St. Giles Mayor Pique praised Mr. Athens role as a protector of the cultural identity of communities around the world.

u Alumni award National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA President Elenie Huszagh, the first woman to hold that position, was awarded the University of Chicago s Alumni Award for Professional Achievement on June 2. Ms. Huszagh, a lawyer, has served on the Archdiocesan Council since 1974 and as a member of the Church s delegation to the NCC General Assembly since 1979. She has also served as legal counsel to the Diocese of Chicago and World Council of Hellenes Abroad.

u Professor honored St. John s University instructor Catherine Tsounis has been selected for inclusion in the seventh edition of Who s Who Among America s Teachers 2002.

Professor Tsounis teaches modern Greek language and literature in SJU s Department of Modern Foreign Languages and Classical Studies. She is a member of several professional organizations.

u Academy graduate Thomas Uhl, son of Fr. Luke and Presbytera Ruth Uhl of Denver, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy on May 24 and was commissioned as an ensign. He will attend Naval Flight Training School in Pensacola, Fla., later this summer.

u Named to post Ellen Cokinos of Houston, has been named as chief development and strategy officer for the California-based Trinity Children and Family Services, one of the nation s largest nonprofit providers of childcare services. Mrs. Cokinos is a member of Annunciation Cathedral in Houston, where she lives with her husband, Paige, and children Demetrios and Alexandra. She also is president and national director of the National Institute of Child Advocacy. Trinity Children and Family Services was chosen as the nonprofit beneficiary of the movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, produced by Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson.

u Appointed to board The Western Policy Center, a nonprofit corporation in Washington that works to focus U.S. government policies in Southeastern Europe and to improve relations among Greece, Turkey and Cyprus within NATO, has announced that Markos Kounalakis, president and publisher of the magazine Washington Monthly has joined its board of directors.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 25

The Pacific Northwest s First Greek Orthodox Community SEATTLE The oldest parish in the Seattle area can be thought of as a religious United Nations, according to Fr. John Angelis, with many nationalities represented among its members.

Most of the congregation is second and third-generation American-born, and also includes many Greek immigrants who came to Seattle between the 1950s and 1970s, along with Orthodox Christians of Lebanese, Egyptian, Palestinian Arab, Ethiopian, Eritrean and Slavic backgrounds, who arrived in recent decades to escape their war-torn native lands.

There also are converts resulting from interchurch marriages.

The parish goes beyond the confines of its north side neighborhood

PARISH

sumption Greek Orthodox Church, and Mommy and Me, organized in 2001 for young mothers (and fathers) and their children. It meets monthly.

Concern for the parish s senior citizens prompted the establishment of Philanthropia House in January 1995 with a $150,000 donation from the Nick Vitos estate. The facility, which is adjacent to the church property, opened in 1998 can house up to six persons as full-time residents or for daycare. Community volunteers regularly visit the residents.

St. Demetrios Church is one of the most active when it comes to supporting the missions program. Since 1985, the parish has been sending at least one member on missions to Africa, Eastern Europe or Mexico.

sions, industry and technology.

Several members are in executive positions at Microsoft and the aerospace industry giant, Boeing. Fr. Angelis said about 30 parishioners are members of a Boeing Club and hold regular meetings. One congregant, Clifford Argue, occasional contributor to the Observer, is vice president of Seattlebased Alaska Airlines.

Economic opportunity has flourished in this corner of the nation since the city s founding in the early 1850s.

By the late 1880s, shortly after the Northern Pacific and Great Northern railroads connected Seattle with the rest of the nation, the first permanent Greek immigrants arrived.

Technically speaking, however,

profile

Name: St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Location: Seattle, Wash.

Diocese: San Francisco Size: about 980 families Founded: 1916 Clergy: Fr. John P. Angelis, protopresbyter, (H/C, 62); Fr. Demetrios Pappas, assistant, (Holy Cross, 99); Website: www.saintdemetrios.com Noteworthy: Mother church of Greek Orthodox communities in the Pacific Northwest.

ST. DEMETRIOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Other outreach programs for those wanting to study the faith include an extensive bookstore, which draws many visitors, and the Rev. Dr. A. Homer Demopulos Library, named for the late Fr. Demopulos, St. Demetrios longest-serving priest.

Youth activities and programs abound, for children ages pre-school to young adult. Parallel to the various youth organizations are the five award-winning folk dance groups of St. Demetrios taking part in the annual Diocese of San Francisco Folk Dance Festival.

Much to offer In the 1980s and 1990s, the church St. Demetrios Church serves the itself and four families established five faithful through more than 25 parish separate scholarships for parish students organizations and outreach programs. completing high school and currently enA few examples: rolled in undergraduate or graduate colChurch school has an enleges and universities and rollment of more than Orthodox seminaries.

300 children, with 25 The St. John Chryteachers and a direcsostom Oratorical Festitor. A nursery room val is another program in for small children is SEATTLE which many children equipped with closedtake part. There also are circuit TV so parents 36 altar boys. can still experience the Other parish activiDivine Liturgy. ties and programs inThe Philoptochos chapclude a senior citizens group, adult ter of more than 200 members oper- religious education, choir, Greek school ates two special projects during the with an enrollment of about 80, and the year: feeding the homeless at a local annual Greek festival. There also is a GAPA shelter and the Kids n Cancer pro- (Greek American Progressive Association) gram at Camp Agape Northwest at All chapter.

Saints Camp on Raft Island. The facilThe church s major income source is ity was purchased in 1980. the stewardship program, Fr. Angelis said, Philoptochos members also pro- which St. Demetrios members strongly vide transportation, translation and support. other assistance to patients coming to High tech, low tech and in-between a local cancer research center for bone marrow transplants.

Parishioners engage in a wide range There are two mothers groups of economic activities, including small the Moms Group that meets twice a businesses there are the traditional resmonth jointly with mothers from As- taurateurs, and pizza parlors the profes-

known as Montlake, between Lake Union and Lake Washington near the University of Washington campus.

Some members served by the church live as far as 300 miles away.

Fr. Angelis conducts visits and holds occasional services in other cities across the state including Yakima and Wenatchee, both in south-central Washington, and Pullman in the southeast, location of Washington State University, where he ministers to Orthodox students.

the first known Greek to visit the area was a navigator sailing for Spain in the 1500s, Apostolos Valerianos, also known as Ioannis Phocas, who is credited with discovering the 100-milelong strait that bears his name in Spanish, Juan de Fuca. The local AHEPA chapter is named in his honor.

The Strait of Juan de Fuca separates the state of Washington (and the United States) from Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Greek merchant seamen first came to Seattle through the strait into Puget Sound in the 1880s.

Soon others came from throughout Greece, with large contingents from the island of Leros, the village of Kriekouki, near Thebes, and also Crete and northern Greece.

Greeks and Russians According to a parish history by Theodora Argue and Dorothy Mootafes, a large group of Russian Orthodox Christians already lived in the area when the first Greeks arrived. In 1894, Nicholas and Irene George donated the land for the first Orthodox Church in Seattle, the combined Greco-Russian Church of St. Spyridonus and the two groups worshipped together.

St. Spyridon church continues to function today as part of the Orthodox Church in America. Priests from Russia fluent in Greek and Russian served the congregation from 1895 to 1916.

In January of that year, 300 Greek men met to form a separate community. They contacted a priest in Greece, Archimandrite Panaretos Anagnostopoulos, who agreed to serve as pastor. He was paid $100 a month, a gen-

u page 26

PAGE 26

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Q&A ARCHDIOCESE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE Total Commitment Clarified Dear Editor: Part of your Q&A section in the April Orthodox Observer confuses me; actually it is just the first question and answer. You state that 90% of the Archdiocese s revenue comes from the Total Commitment program. You go on to define this program as a financial obligation assigned by the Diocesan Hierarch. This is where my confusion lies. Here in Charlotte, NC I have been told by local leaders that the Total Commitment is calculated by the Archdiocese by a formula that was developed in a prior Clergy-Laity Congress (I can t remember the year but I think it was 1984 in San Francisco?) Which one is it? Is it an assignment by the Diocesan Hierarch or is it calculated by the Archdiocese?

From my view it cannot be both. If it is a calculation, can you please forward me a copy of this formula as to how the exact financial obligation is calculated? If it is an assignment by the Diocesan Hierarch, can you please give me some advice as to how I could find out how he comes up with this assignment?

Thank you, Kosta J. Pappas Charlotte, NC

by John Barbagallo, CPA Archdiocese Director of Finance

Sorry for the confusion. It is important to first give a little history of how we got to the current arrangement of Total Commitment, courtesy of Chris Andreas of the Archdiocese Stewardship Ministries Department.

Some may remember the time when the National Ministries of the Archdiocese began the program called the monodollarion, an amount of $1 per family for the Church in America. Subsequently, it was increased to the deka dollarion, an amount of $10 per family. Not long after that it became the eikosi dollarion, $20 per family for the National Ministries.

Those who remember the increase from $10 to $20 will tell you of the struggle they faced to meet the needs of the National Church. As a result, a short time later it was determined that a certain formula as well as a set dollar amount should be used to calculate the amount necessary to support the National Ministries. The formula agreed to was as follows: 15% of the parish s budget, including the net profit from special fundraisers (Festivals, Dinner Dances, etc.) or a minimum of $75 per family. After years of working with this formula it was decided that our parishes had matured and that it was time to allow each Parish to make a free-will offering to the Archdiocese (Stewardship). Unfortunately, our stewards did not respond as expected, so the decision was made to return to a formula of giving. The formula approach

was reinstated at the Clergy-Laity Congress in San Francisco in 1982. The 1982 San Francisco Clergy-Laity decision was as follows: the Total Commitment Program required all parishes to provide financial statements and submit 15% of their Gross Receipts, including building funds and special projects (special projects are net of expenses) to the Archdiocese.

Prior to 2002, the Archdiocese in consultation with the local Hierarch would perform the above calculation and determine how much each Parishes Total Commitment Obligation should be on an annual basis. If a Parish submitted their financial statements to the Archdiocese Stewardship Ministries Office, the Archdiocese would generally calculate 15% of revenue to arrive at an annual Total Commitment obligation. If a Parish did not submit financial information, a determination was made in consultation with the local Hierarch as to what the Parish Total Commitment obligation should be.

Beginning in 2002, the Archdiocese submitted to each Diocese a Total Commitment Obligation expected from all Parishes within that Diocese. The local Hierarch would then take the Archdiocese allocation and divide it up amongst his Parishes by assigning each Parish an annual Total Commitment Obligation. The amount assigned to each Parish was generally based on recent payment history and/or what the Hierarch believes that Parish could afford to pay. Now that the local Hierarch decides each Parishes obligation, the 15% rule is used as a final goal for the Parish to achieve, in accordance with the decisions of the Clergy Laity Congress. To summarize, the Archdiocese now determines the amount of Total Commitment expected from All Parishes within each Diocese, while the Diocese Hierarch determines how much each Parish should pay.

As expected, the Total Commitment program was the topic of much discussion at the 2002 Clergy-Laity Congress in Los Angeles. It was decided to revisit the 15% formula and to create a task force to propose clarifications to the formula.

Tax Issues for Clergy On July 1, 2002, at the Clergy-Laity Congress, our auditors, Grant Thornton, LLP, gave a seminar entitled Tax Issues for Clergy . The seminar included discussions on the latest tax issues effecting housing allowances, expense reporting, retirement, social security, and education incentives. If you would like a copy of the 90page spiral bound handout, please write to us at Department of Finance, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY, 10021, or email us at finance@goarch.org.

MISSIONS u page 23 couple that became good personal friends.

Sharon and I often talked about serving overseas, and we felt particularly drawn to Africa.

After we returned home to Orthodoxy, we were pleased to discover the existence of the Archdiocesan Mission Center, the predecessor to OCMC. We began to follow its progress, and our daughter Betsy became the first missionary from our family in 1991, when she joined a summer construction team to Ghana.

The trip inspired both her and us, and she returned a month later wearing the one dress she still owned, having given away all her other clothes prior to leaving Africa. Her stories about the faith and joy of the African Christians increased our desire to learn more about the Orthodox Church on that continent.

Two years ago, we began to seriously consider becoming full time missionaries.

We submitted applications to OCMC, but circumstances intervened that delayed a final decision.

Later that year, I was appointed by the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) to the OCMC Board of Trustees and accepted this service as an alternative to overseas work.

Meanwhile, Sharon volunteered for the first all-medical team to Uganda in 2000. She returned even more convinced that mission work was in our future. At the 2001 OCMC Mission Retreat, we met Fr. Constantine Mbonabingi from Uganda and the pattern continued to unfold.

Last year, Sharon participated in the

PARISH PROFILE u page 25 erous salary in that era. He was the first of 17 priests to serve the parish.

From 1916 until 1961 when it acquired its present name, the parish was officially called the Greek Community Association of Seattle.

In 1939, many leading families left the parish and established the Church of the Assumption, with Fr. Stephanos Phoutrides as pastor.

Seattle s third Greek Orthodox community, the mission parish of Holy Apostles, got its start in June 2001.

In addition to the three Greek Orthodox churches, this city of more than 500,000 has OCA (Russian), Antiochian and other Orthodox parishes.

Until 1925, when St. Nicholas Church in Tacoma was built, St. Demetrios was the only Greek Orthodox church in a vast region that included all of Washington state, British Columbia and Idaho. Eventually, more churches were founded in other parts of the Pacific Northwest.

The Seattle Greek Orthodox community s first church building was erected in 1921 and remained in use until 1963 when the present building was completed under the pastorship of Fr. Neketas S. Papassis.

The contemporary church According to a description by Theo-

HOLY CROSS EVENING u page 12 The Theotokos, Religious Education and the Orthodox Spiritual Life.

Wednesday evening Dr. James Skedros, associate professor of church history, will speak on the topic of The Theotokos and the Saints.

Dr. Skedros teaches courses in early Christianity, the Byzantine Church, and the lives of saints.

The institute concludes with a presentation by Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas on The

Theotokos and the Liturgical Cycle.

Fr. Calivas is a noted liturgical scholar who has been teaching at Holy Cross for more than 25 years. He is perhaps best known for his work on the history and structure of the Holy Week services.

Lectures begin at 7 p.m. in the Cotsidas-Tonna Reading Room of the Archbishop Iakovos Library and Learning Resource Center.

Registration is required. A $50 fee covers registration for the entire week (including meals); otherwise the fee is $15 per evening with dinner, or $10 per

JULY - AUGUST 2002

evening without dinner. A limited number of single dormitory rooms are available for the week at a cost of $25 per night.

The Summer Evening Institute is an out-reach program of Holy Cross for interested laypersons and clergy.

As a continuing education program, the Summer Evening Institute seeks to provide the opportunity for individuals to learn and growth in knowledge of and commitment to their Orthodox faith.

For registration information please (617) 850-1261 or visit the web site at www.hchc.edu.

OCMC teaching team to Calcutta, India, and I led a group of teens from our parish on a house-building trip for Project Mexico. We knew that we could not defer the call to missions for much longer.

At the November OCMC Board meeting in Denver, we met with Fr. Martin Ritsi and expressed our desire to reactivate our mission applications and to discuss where we might serve. Uganda, he said, without hesitation. Metropolitan Jonah has been asking us for someone with your skills. Thus the message was confirmed in our hearts through Fr. Martin s prophetic insight.

Only God knows what awaits us when we arrive in Uganda, but that knowledge is more than sufficient for us. Sharon hopes to make full use of her nursing and teaching abilities, as I do of my management experience. We re looking forward to participating in the rich and vibrant liturgical life of the Ugandan Church. We re looking forward to fulfilling a destiny that has been tugging at our hearts for many years.

Our departure will be bittersweet, as we say good-bye to our beloved family and friends, but at the same time we eagerly anticipate becoming part of a new family.

In fact, this new family in Uganda is one that through the mystical communion of our Lord, we have always been a part of, although we have yet to meet.

Please pray for our mission, and us and for the Orthodox faithful in Uganda.

(Peter and Sharon are currently raising funds for their mission assignment.

You can learn more about the Georgeses and the Ugandan Orthodox Church at the OCMC web site: www.ocmc.org) dora Argue, the exterior of the present church is concrete with a brick facade on the sides. It has up to the five arches under the barrel-vaulted, or hyperbolic parabaloid, roof.

The church complex is built around a courtyard. The fence in front of the church is variegated brick. The exterior walls flanking the front doors are covered in green mosaics with a gold Greek cross centered on each wall.

Long-serving priest In 1968, Fr. Papassis was succeeded

by Fr. Demopulos who had a lasting influence on the present community, serving for 25 years until his death in May 1993.

Many parish programs were established under his tenure.

During Fr. Demopulos ministry, the community center was completed in September 1981 and the center s library, balcony and stage were added in 1988. The center, with a capacity of 540 persons, includes offices, classrooms, meeting rooms and two kitchens. The entire church complex occupies a three-acre site.

Fr. Angelis arrived in the parish in October 1993. A native of Fthiotis in the foothills of Mount Parnassus in Central Greece, he came to the United States with his family in 1956 and graduated from Holy Cross in 1962. He served in several parishes before coming to Seattle.

Together with his assistant priest, Fr. Pappas, and Deacon Spyridon Angelos, who has a lay profession, they minister to more than 2,000 individuals.

Albums, programs, histories One of the parish s short-term goals is the completion of the history of the Greek Orthodox Community of Seattle St. Demetrios Church from the 1880s through 1999, a project undertaken by Theodora Argue and Dorothy Mootafes, with Paul Plumis as coordinator. They hope to have the history album published this fall. The book will have about 250-300-page book will be filled with text, rare old photos and many modern-day pictures.

Compiled by Jim Golding

JULY - AUGUST 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

The Voice of

PAGE 27

Philoptochos

Arch. District Philoptochos National Philoptochos Convention Honors Condakes President Honored NEW YORK Archdiocesan District Philoptochos President Stella Capiris recently was honored by the St. Demetrios Church chapter in Jamaica Hills.

Mrs. Capiris also serves on the STELLA CAPIRIS National Philoptochos Board, on St. Basil Academy s board and is the institution s graduation chairman; and is secretary of the St. Michael s Home board.

Marion Cardasis, Jamaica Philoptochos chapter president, Evelyn Coundouris, Venus Dimou, Tessie Moriates, Venetia Hatzikyriakos, Ritsa Taktekos and Toula Haralampoudis planned a luncheon in Mrs. Capiris honor.

SF Diocese Women Present $40,000 to HC SAN FRANCISCO Diocese Philoptochos President Loula Anaston and Metropolitan Anthony of Dardanelle s recently presented a $40,000 gift to be used for scholarships to officials of Holy Cross School of Theology.

Philoptochos National President Eve Condakes and her husband, Leo, hosted a dinner in Boston in their honor during the presentation. Also attending were HC/ HC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou and all graduating students from the San Francisco Diocese.

Metropolitan Anthony addressed the students and Mrs. Condakes reminded them of Philoptochos dedication to them.

Over the years, the Philoptochos Society has been one of the major benefactors of HC/HC.

Melbourne Chapter Feeds the Hungry MELBOURNE, Fla. Local Philoptochos ladies recently prepared and served a meal to 187 persons in the local Daily Bread program, a non-profit corporation founded in 1987 to feed the hungry.

The project was a joint undertaking of the St. Katherine Church Philoptochos, the Goyans and Ahepans.

New Chapter Donates to National Programs COLUMBIA, Mo. Philoptochos members of the Mid-Missouri Greek Orthodox Church, a mission parish, recently contributed funds to St. Basil Academy, and International Orthodox Christian Charities.

The chapter plans to hold fund-raising events to benefit Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology and the Missions program.

THE NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS HEADQUARTERS OFFICE 345 E 74th Street New York, NY 10021-3701 Tel.: (212) 744-4390 Fax: (212) 861-1956

LOS ANGELES The 36th biennial Philoptochos Convention featured several presentations on the work of the Archdiocese s philanthropic arm and tributes to outgoing President Eve Condakes.

Over the years, the National Philoptochos Society, through its hundreds of chapters, has been the major supporter of St. Basil Academy and Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross School of Theology, and has also provided funds to other institutions that include St. Photios Shrine, the Missions program, IOCC, children s medical funds, Ionian Village, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and others.

The following donations have been made during the past four years: St. Basil Academy, $1,234,200; Hellenic College, $252,000; St. Photios Shrine, $64,000; Missions, $124,800; Support a Mission Priest, $15,000; UNICEF, $61,300; IOCC, $9,300; Sept. 11 Relief Fund, $129,600; the Ecumenical Patriarchate, $400,000; $400,000 from two Children s Medical Fund luncheons to hospitals in the nine dioceses; cardiac program, $180,000; and $30,000 to Ionian Village from the chapters.

The 343 convention delegates heard presentations from Mary Danakas, director of Project Mexico and St. Innocent Orphanage, who brought a group of young boys to address the gathering, Fr. Costas Sitaras, director of St. Basil Academy and Dr. Steve Gounardes, board president, HC/HC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, who presented a video on the school, Catherine Lingas, president of the Commission for Orthodox Missions and Evangelism, Dr. Panagiotides, a cardio thoracic surgeon who spoke on heart disease and its prevention, and Fr. John Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, who gave an inspiring and emotional presentation on children suffering from cancer and the Kids n cancer camps that offer these children a one-week program.

The Philoptochos Tribute Dinner held July 1 included several speakers and an

D. Panagos

AT THE BANQUET in honor of the Phioptochos President (l to r) Lila Prounis, Susan Regos, Eve Condakes, Christine Peratis, Aspasia Melis, Lenore Trigonis and Lori Voutiritsas

hour-long musical program with Grammy award-winning soprano Carol Neblett and concert pianist Charis Dimaras who came all the way from Greece to honor Mrs. Condakes. Mistress of ceremonies was Vicky Liviakis, a news anchor for a Sacramento television station.

Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi offered the greetings of the Ecumenical Patriarch and praised the Philoptochos for their unwavering support of the Patriarchate.

State Sen. Phil Angelides noted the important role of Philoptochos in lifting up the spirits of those who have the least.

He also praised the leadership of its president, Mrs. Condakes.

In her reflections on the event, Mrs. Condakes said she strived to represent the spirit of the Greek Ladies Philoptochos and all it represents to the community.

She continued, I am grateful for the people I have come to know and said she was dedicating the honor she received to the mothers of those in the organization,

who journeyed to America whom she called brave, courageous women who persevered and succeeded.

We are here because of our mothers sacrifice and because of their faith.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Demetrios said it was an honor and joy to have Mrs. Condakes as president, noting her loyalty and hard work. Also receiving the Archbishop s praise was Mrs. Condakes husband, Leo, for his support of her work.

The Archbishop also cited the end of the last chapter of Romans, where the Apostle Paul lists names of those he was sending greetings, which includes a large percentage of women s names. Do we see here the first list of the Ladies Philoptochos? he asked rhetorically. I think we do. They did whatever the Philoptochos does. They combined philanthropy with witness.

He urged the audience of more than 1,200 to remain philanthropoi and philoptochoi.

Weston Chapter Awards Three Scholarships in Fairfield, Conn., received WESTON, Mass. Phia Bachelor of Science in loptochos Society members nursing and is a registered of St. Demetrios Church renurse in the cardiac unit of cently awarded three scholarthe University of Massachuships. Two are two given ansetts Memorial Center in nually the James Salas/ Worcester.

Maria Papoulias Memorial Eugenia Metrakas reScholarship and the Nicholas ceived the Voss Scholarship and Effee Voss Scholarship. in 1996. She attended VillaOne additional award, given nova University, and refor the second time this year, ceived her Bachelor of Arts is the Chris Doku Family CHRISANTHI MAKKAS MATTHEW DIOZZI ALEXA REMPIS degree in Human Services Scholarship.

Chrisanthi Makkas of Millis received Scholarship established by Sophia and with minors in both psychology and socithe 23rd annual James Salas and Maria Theodore Voss in honor of their parents, ology, She spent a year as a full time volSalas Papoulias Memorial Scholarship. early and well respected members of St. unteer at the Central Virginia Legal Aid This award was originally established in Demetrios. The award was presented by Society before entering law school at 1980 as the James Salas Memorial Schol- Euthimia Vlahos.

Catholic University of America s Columarship from a bequest to Philoptochos by Diozzi, a 2001 graduate of Belmont bus School of Law in Washington. the late Mr. Salas, a well-known restaura- High School, will attend Syracuse UniverShe has completed her first year of teur and early benefactor of St. Demetrios. sity. He is the son of Stavroula and Tho- law school and is working this summer at In 1985, his cousins Helen O Leary mas Diozzi. the Legal Counsel for the Elderly, part of and Demetra Samellas made a generous The Doku Family Scholarship for aca- AARP. contribution to the endowment in demic excellence was awarded to Alexa Scholarship Committee members are memory of their mother, Maria Salas Rempis and was presented by Dr. Chris Amelia Nychis, chairwoman; Jean CanelPapoulias, and the scholarship was re- Doku. los, Angelyn Konugres Coupounas, named to honor both Mr. Salas and Mrs. Rempis, a graduate of Arlington High Kathleen Hamilton, Helen Nayar, Helen Papoulias. The award was presented by School will attend Saint Anselm College. Papoulias O Leary, Euthimia Vlahos, Helen Dr. Helen O Leary.

She is the daughter of Deborah and James Wojtasik, Clotilde Zannetos and Cynthia Makkas, a 2002 graduate of Dana Hall Rempis.

Zervas. The Rev. Fr. Nicholas Krommydas School, Wellesley, will attend Boston ColEach year the Scholarship Committee is pastor of St. Demetrios Church. lege. Chrisanthi is the daughter of Evie and presents an update of past recipients.

Panos Makkas.

Katerina Kritikos received the Salas/ For additional information contact: Matthew Diozzi of Belmont, received Papoulias Scholarship in 1996. She stud- Dr. Angelyn Konugres, 35 Singletree Rd., the 16th annual Nicholas and Effee Voss ied nursing at Sacred Heart University Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

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PAGE 28

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Youth Ministry

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

challenge

with S T E W A R D S H I P : What s Up P

What are you waiting for?

ass the trays and get out your dollars!

After all, isn t that what stewardship is all about? Wrong! Lets face it, when most of us think of stewardship, we think of money. Well that is part of it but only part. To be a good steward, we should give back the many blessings we have received to Him who granted them to us. Stewardship is using our time, talent and treasure to give glory to our Lord.

by Melissa Bazos

I know what your thinking sounds great, you ll pass the information onto your parents since they handle stewardship in your house. With school, work, activities and friends you have no time to give. As for talent, you don t sing or star on the football team, so you really have no talent to give. And what about your treasure? Well forget about it! The money you make working at the mall on the weekend won t even cover gas for your car, so you have no treasure to give.

So, why should you worry about stewardship? After all, you re still young. Surely you can wait until you are an adult and become a member of your church. Right?

Wrong! You became a full member of the church when you were baptized. Therefore, YOU need to give your time, talent and treasure for the Glory of God. No matter how busy we are, we all need to make time for the Lord in our lives.

Actually, the busier we are the more time we really should make for Him. Consider this; the average person spends 6 months of their life waiting at traffic lights and 5 years waiting in line. When our life on this earth has ended and the tallies of how much time we spent in different activities is run, wouldn t you hope you spent more time in prayer and service of the Lord rather than waiting in line or at lights.

Talent is so much more than being able to perform, create or excel at a sport.

We all have talents that have been granted to us by God. Each of us has different talents. Therefore, we are called serve the Lord differently. We should not look at our friends and wonder why we cannot be more like them. But rather, we should look within ourselves and ask what gifts have we been given. In I Corinthians 12, it is written, for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles What have you been given?

What about treasure? Why do we need to give of our treasure if we don t make tons of money? Surely, our small donation won t make any difference. Not true! In Mark 12, 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, 83 St. Basil Rd., Garrison, New York 10524 or email: youthoffice@goarch.org

Christ tells of a poor widow who put a very the tree while they ate. Genesis 18:1-8 small amount into the collection plate. Christ Abraham and Sarah gave their time, said, this poor widow has put in more talent and treasure as stewardship to the than all those who have given; for they put Lord. What are we giving? in out of their abundance, but she put in all Giving Your Time... that she had. Christ does not ask us to give To realize the value of one year: Ask a like those around us, but according to what student who has failed a final exam. we are able.

To realize the value of one month: Ask So, now that we know what stewardship is, what should we do? I want you to a mother who has given birth to a premago get a piece of paper and a pen right ture baby.

To realize the value of one week: Ask now (don t worry I ll wait). Now, make a an editor of a weekly newspaper. list of all of the things that God has blessed To realize the value of one hour: Ask you with in your life the friends who are (think time, talent and waiting to meet. treasure). We ll call To realize the this your blessing value of one minute: list . Let s make anAsk the person who other list on how you has missed the train, can use all the things bus or plane.

Matthew 5:16 listed on the blessing To realize the list for the glory of God. This will be your stewardship list . value of one second: Ask the person who Now close your eyes (no peeking). Use has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one. Treasure every the pen to randomly point to something moment you have. We have 1,440 minutes on your stewardship list . Open your eyes everyday; use them to the Glory of God. and read what you have selected. So, what HOW MUCH TIME ARE YOU GIVare you waiting for? Go ahead, the Lord is ING TO GOD? eagerly awaiting your stewardship!

Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven

Ideas for Stewardship for Young and Old Spend time with God: in prayer, in study (reading the Bible), in His service, in the Sacraments Make Prosforo for Liturgy talk to your priest about how to do this Set aside part of your income to give to the church and those in need. Do this even if all you have is just your allowance or babysitting money Ask your priest if there are any chores that need doing around the church (painting, gardening, cleaning, etc ) Check with your community and find out if there are any community service projects you can assist Visit the elderly, the sick and those in need. Smile and let God s love shine through you to those around you.

The Hospitality of Abraham And the Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men stood in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the earth, and said, My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree while I fetch a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on - since you have come to your servant. So they said, Do as you have said.

And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes. And Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds, and milk and the calf, which he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under

Giving Your Talent...

A violet shed its modest beauty at the foot of an old oak tree. After it had lived there several days, the oak said, Aren t you ashamed of yourself, little violet, when you look up at me? you little thing down there when you see how large I am, and how small you are? No, said the violet, we are both where God has placed us, and God has given us both something. To you he gave strength, to me sweetness, and I offer Him back my fragrance, and I am

PAGE 29

Email: youthoffice@goarch.org

thankful.

Sweetness is all nonsense, said the oak. a few days a month at the most and where and what will you be? You will die, and the place of your grave will not lift the ground higher by a blade of grass.

I expect to stand for a good long time ages perhaps. And then when I m cut down, I shall be a ship that bears people over the sea, or a coffin that will hold the dust of a king or a prince. What is your lot compared to mine?

But we re both what God made us, and we re both where He placed us. I suppose I shall die soon but I hope to do so as fragrantly as I have lived. You too must be cut down at last. It doesn t matter that I live a few days or a few ages. My littleness or your greatness comes to the same thing at last. We are what the Lord made us we are where he placed us! God gave you strength. God gave me sweetness.

ARE YOU OFFERING YOUR TALENTS BACK TO HIM?

Giving of Your Treasure...

A certain Christian once said to a friend, Our church costs too much. They are always asking for money.

Some time ago a little boy was born in our home, replied her friend. He cost me a lot of money from the very beginning: he had a big appetite, he needed clothes, medicine, toys, and even a puppy.

Then he went to school, and that cost a lot more; later he went to college, then he began dating, and that cost a small fortune! But in his senior year at college he died, and since the funeral he hasn t cost me a penny. Now, which situation do you thing I would rather have?

After a significant pause she continued, As long as this church lives, it will cost. When it dies for want of support, it won t cost us anything. A living church has the most vital message for all the world today, therefore I am going to give and pray with everything I have to keep our church alive.

ARE YOU HELPING TO KEEP THE CHURCH ALIVE BY CONTRIBUTING YOUR TREASURE?

The Planner 2003-2004:

The Orthodox Daily Calendar & Resource Guide

Time-Talent-Treasure:

Our Stewardship in the Lord Use the Planner to keep track of your work or school schedules, personal appointments, church activities and much more. Each month shares a biblical story about stewardship and each week a quote. Each day has the Epistle and Gospel readings and a list of the Saints of the day. The Planner contains morning and evening prayers and guidelines for fasting.

Planners are $12.95 each including shipping and handling. To order contact Holy Cross Bookstore, 50 Goddard Avenue; Brookline, MA 02445 Tel.: (800) 245-0599 or (617) 731-3500

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DIOCESE

JULY - AUGUST 2002

Boston Cathedral Plans Centennial Celebration Rochester, MN Parish Continues Vital Ministry at Mayo Clinic BOSTON Excitement continues to build among present and past members of the Cathedral of the Annunciation. As the time rapidly approaches for celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2003, the committee and parish organizations are working very diligently in preparing to make this a most memorable Centennial event.

To honor and share in the Cathedral s glorious past, a host of religious and political dignitaries, former parishioners and friends, are expected to attend and to relive their memorable experiences while visiting or growing up in the Cathedral community.

Highlighting a list of exciting activities and events are a Centennial Celebration Banquet at the John F. Kennedy Library where past leaders will be recognized; a Concert of Sacred Music for Sacred Places given by present past Cathedral Choir members; the Consecration of the Cathedral Chapel in Brookline fol-

lowed by a reception; a Grand Banquet at the Boston Sheraton Hotel; a Cathedral Holiday at Pops Concert at Symphony Hall; a Community Group Photo in front of the Cathedral; a Youth Rally ; a Centennial Commemorative Album with photographs and articles of past and present Cathedral events; and a Documentary Video.

The Centennial Committee includes James P. Lemonias, chairman; and Dr. Marica Arvanites, co-chair. Other co-chairs include Cathedral Dean Fr. Dean A. Panagos, liturgical services; parish council President Portia Pantages, commemorative album; Fay Andreadis and Annette Kaselis, banquet; Fr.. Panagos and Chris Hatzopoulos, chapel consecration; Dean Limberakis; music; Bob and Kally Badavas, Cathedral at Pops; George Niakaros, video producer; John Georgountzos, finance coordinator; Marie Romanos, secretary; and Dr. Christopher Gussis, publicity.

In Memoriam Rev. Constantine M. Monios BALTIMORE Rev. Constantine M. Monios, 68, dean of Annunciation Cathedral and the senior-ranking Greek Orthodox clergyman in Maryland, died June 21 of prostate cancer.

Fr. Monios served the cathedral since November 1975.

He was born in Monessen, Pa. on Oct. 25, 1933, the son of immigrants from Chios.

After completing high school, he enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology and earned a BA degree in 1957. He went on to Boston University, where he received a Master s in Sacred Theology.

He married Mary Christodoulou of Weirton, W.Va., in July 1956 and was ordained to the deaconate in October in Warren, Ohio by Bishop Polyefktos of Tropaiou. In January 1957, he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Athenagoras Kokkinakis at Holy Cross in Brookline. He later received the offiikia of confessor (1957), economos (1971), and protopresbyter (1981).

Prior to his assignment in Baltimore, Fr. Monios served the parishes of Assumption, Manchester, N.H.; and Holy Cross in Pittsburgh.

He was enormously respected and loved by his congregation, Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes said in an interview with the Baltimore Sun. Sen. Sarbanes was a longtime parishioner who had known Fr. Monios since the priest arrived in Baltimore . He was also regarded as one of the leading Orthodox priests in the country, he said.

Fr. Monios, assisted by Fr. Dean Moralis, served more than 1,200 families who attend the cathedral, and Fr. Monios frequently worked 12-hour days ministering to his congregation and running the church.

One liturgy wasn t like the next one to him. He tried to make each one different, Fr. Moralis said in the Baltimore Sun story by Michael Stroh and John Rivera.

He served with Fr. Monios for the past seven years.

Active in ecumenical and interfaith relations, Father Monios served as men-

tor to many Greek Orthodox priests in the Baltimore area.

He showed you how to be a pastor, not just a priest, said the Rev. Louis Noplos of St. Demetrios Church in Cub Hill. He had worked with Fr. Monios for nearly 15 years. A pastor is more of a shepherd. He was there to teach us to be shepherds of our flocks.

The Rev. Manuel Burdusi of St. Nicholas Church in Highlandtown said one of Father Monios greatest gifts was his ability to intently listen to anyone who approached him for counsel.

You felt like you mattered the most to him at that particular time, Fr. Burdusi said. I know it s a hard thing for me to do in my own church, when I ve got a hundred things on my mind.

Fr. Monios grew up in the small, tight-knit Greek community of Monessen, the Baltimore Sun reported. He quickly acquired a love of his Greek tradition, especially when it came to the church.

He became an altar boy at 5 and entertained dreams of becoming a priest even then.

In a chance encounter he would recount the rest of his life, a 14-year-old Costa met the then head of the Greek Orthodox church in America, Archbishop Athenagoras, who looked into the boy s eyes and told him that one day he would be a priest. Four years later, Constantine Monios entered Holy Cross Seminary.

Afterward he sent a picture of himself in priestly garb to the Archbishop as thanks.

In addition to his ministry in Baltimore, Fr. Monios was a member of the National Presbyters Council, one of many ecclesiastical and professional organizations he served on over the years.

Funeral services were held at the Cathedral on June 26 with Archbishop Demetrios officiating.

Fr. Monios is survived by Presbytera Mary, his wife of 46 years; three daughters Athena Stem of New Freedom, Pa; Amalia Monios and Nikki Anagnostou, both of Perry Hall, Md; two sons, Harry Monios and Michael Monios, both of Perry Hall; and nine grandchildren.

ROCHESTER, Minn. For the hundreds of Orthodox Christians who come to the Mayo Clinic from all over the world, they will in the near future, God willing, see a new Byzantine church whose dome will tower above the existing building next door.

Since the church s founding in 1954, the Holy Anargyroi parish faithful and priests have welcomed the many Orthodox visitors to Mayo.

Whether for a routine checkup, a second opinion, surgery, cancer or other treatments, the Church attracts those in need of prayer, comfort, and fellowship. On any Sunday, the parish of 100 families welcomes those who have come for medical attention. Indeed, the very mission of this parish has been to try to make the visitors feel at home and give them strength in what can Fr. Nick Kasemeotes with Nick Laskaris, often be a very difficult time.

Fr. Nicholas Kasemeotes, the parish priest a patient from Wisconsin for 18 years, regularly visits the two Mayo hospitals offering Holy Unction and Holy Communion to Orthodox Christians.

Soula Pampori, a retired physical therapist from Mayo, also visits the patients. All the priests who have served the parish have been hospital chaplains at Mayo and have a great history of service to the sick.

Lasting friendships beA drawing depiction of the new church edifice. tween the both priests and parishioners have often resulted with the Fund-raising Committee. The goal is to many visitors who have come to the start construction in the spring of 2003.

So far, parishioners have raised $1.5 Church.

The parish, located only a few blocks million towards the $2.5 million goal, with from the Mayo complex, also gets a great eight parishioners giving $100,000 or deal of foot traffic from those wanting to more each.

Parishioners hope to be in their new light candles and to pray for health. The parish was appropriately named after the church by the end of 2003. The present miraculous physician saints, Kosmas and church will be remodeled into a fellowDamianos, who received no pay, and ship hall and the present lower level hall through their prayers, the healing minis- into educational and youth space.

Chris Kamages of Eikona architectry of the Lord still continues.

Dr. Nick Maragos, an ENT at Mayo and ture has been contracted for the new church choir director, has been named church and Fr. Anthony Scott and Laura Building Committee chairman. Gus Paulus of Stewardship Advocates have Chafoulias, a newly installed Archon, has been contracted to assist in the fundbeen named honorary chairman of the raising campaign.

Koraes School Holds Graduation Ceremony PALOS HILLS, Ill. Commencement exercises took place June 6 for the 86th graduating class from Koraes Elementary School at Sts., Constantine and Helen Church. Koraes is the elementary day school operated by the parish.

Attending were Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, the presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Chicago; parish priests the Revs Byron Papanikolaou and Nicholas Jonas, Parish Council President Peter G. Lagen, Principal Kelly Flaskos and other dignitaries.

Salutatorian Tom Loukas and the covaledictorians Eugenia Kyriakopoulos and Evie Skiadopoulos offered inspiring speeches. A special highlight was the address of Paul Vallas, who spoke on the importance of education and the Church in today s society.

SE Choir Federation Meets CHARLESTON, S.C. The Southeastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Choirs and Musicians convened its 26th annual conference at Holy Trinity Church, July 19-21.

Activities included workshops on hymnology and a Divine Liturgy featuring a 200-voice combined choir.

Graduates of the Class of 2002 were Eleni Bekiaris, Hara Drakopoulos, Panagiotis Gialamas, Chrysa Jonas, Jim Kametas, Vanessa Kanavos, Angela Kladis, Eugenia Kyriakopoulos, Tom Loukas, Angela Marneris, Sophia Normantas, Cali Pappas, Peter Parhas, Natassa Pettas, George Pitsilos, Alexandria Polychronopoulos, Evie Skiadopoulos, and Alysia Vallas.

For information about Sts. Constantine and Helen Church activities, call the church office at 708-974-3400. For school information, call 708-974-3402.

Colorado Church Named to Historic Register PUEBLO, Colo. St. John the Baptist Church recently was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties.

The church is the oldest Greek Orthodox Church west of the Mississippi that still holds services in the original building and site. Retired priest Fr. Constantine Raptis holds services twice a month for the 35 members of the parish.

Decades ago, the Greek population in Pueblo numbered about 5,000.

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Senior Winner in Chrysostom Oratorical Festival IOCC Bicyclists Kick Off Cross-Country Tour Editor s note: The following speech inadvertently was not published in its entirety in the June issue of the Observer and is reprinted here.

SENIOR Division, First Place: John J. Kocolas, Annunciation Church, Modesto, CA •Diocese of San Francisco The Orthodox Church does not accept the Roman Catholic Doctrine of Original Sin. Explain the Orthodox interpretation of the Fall of Adam.

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully. Before it blossomed, he examined it. He saw a bud that would soon bloom. He also saw the thorns, and he thought, How can any beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns? Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was ready to bloom, it died.

Consider this story as a parallel of the Roman Catholic perception of original sin.

In this belief Catholicism teaches that we, descendants of Adam, hold that sin throughout our lives.

Holding this premise I envision myself in front of Christ, his angels and all the Saints, and Christ relates, John, you have lived a good Christian life, making very good choices, but your great ancestors committed a horrible sin and for that, you shall not enter eternal paradise.

The Orthodox Church does not agree with the Roman Catholics when they profess that all humankind inherits the original sin of Adam and Eve. Orthodoxy teaches us that sin is not hereditary. We understand that brown eyes, blond hair, and the color of our skin is hereditary; however, each of us is responsible for our own soul. On judgment day no one will be held accountable for a sin that a great ancestor committed.

Through God s love we have been given free will. We have the choice to choose from right and wrong. When we choose, it does not affect anyone else s soul, except our own. When we make good decisions, it keeps us close to God, and we stay in communion with Him. This is something that Adam and Eve did not do. They were tempted by evil, and by eating the fruit form the tree of knowledge,

they felt they could be like God. And because they made that choice, we live in a fallen world, but we are not held accountable for Adam and Eve s original sin.

If we inherit brown eyes, we are born brown-eyed. If we inherit sin, than we are born sinful. And if sin is something continually passed down from generation to generation, then it is never forgiven.

The Orthodox belief is that we are not sinners, until we have sinned. The soul itself is pure but it is born into a sinful world. Every time we go to confession, we have the opportunity to confess our sins and be cleansed of them.

The first letter of John, Chapter 1 verse 8 through chapter 2 verse 2, states, If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. In this passage, Christ reveals to us that he loves us so much, he will forgive the sins of the world.

I sometimes think of the word guidance. I keep seeing dance at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God s will is a lot like dancing.

Dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. When I see the word guidance I see G . I think of God, followed by u and i . God, u and i dance . I am willing to trust that I will get guidance throughout my life. I am willing to let God lead. He tells me that in this dance of life he will forgive my sins.

When Roman Catholics believe they are born with sin, they are born with sharp thorns. And now their attitude is the same of the man who stopped watering his rose.

How can I possibly blossom to be a good Christian, with all of these sharp thorns?

And they too will lose faith, and die.

As Orthodox Christians, we cannot have that same attitude. We need to look past the sins that we have committed, confess them and continue to water ourselves through the knowledge, faith, and love for Jesus Christ. So one day, we will blossom into a Christian that Christ will look upon and say: Enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.

2nd Edition of Greek Traditions Guide Debuts at Luncheon SAE Sponsors World Youth Camp 2002 CRANSTON, R.I. Good Samaritan Philoptochos Chapter of Annunciation Church recently hosted a luncheon that featured the debut of A Guide to Greek Traditions and Customs in America, Second Edition, by author Marilyn Rouvelas.

The Philoptochos will use the proceeds from sale of the book to support ongoing projects at the Ronald McDonald House, Interfaith Food Bank, Amos and McCauley House, Insight, and other civic charities.

The chapter also supports two diocesan projects the Philoxenia House in Brookline, mass., and the Diocese Camp and Retreat Center in New Hampshire.

The book includes the addition of two new chapters. The Historic Orthodox Church provides a church history and other useful information on the ethnic Orthodox Churches in the United States, and The Greek Diaspora gives an overview of Greeks abroad. Website addresses are included.

Event committee members included Helen Quinn Argeris, Frances Ward-Smith and Ethel Strekouras. Bessie Papigiotis is chapter president.

CHICAGO The World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) has organized in cooperation with its Youth Network a World Youth Camp 2002 for 600 Youth Hellenes Abroad, ages 18-25, at Poseidi of Halkidiki.

Two sessions are taking place this summer: July 8-22 and July 29 to Aug. 12.

The goal of the camp is the contact of Hellene youth with Greece and its culture, as well as the creation of relationships among them.

The camp program includes presentations of social volunteer s organizations and a special presentation of the ATHENS 2004 Volunteerism Program for the Olympic Games of Athens.

An important part of the camp program will include the teaching of the Greek language in cooperation with the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the Center for the Study and the Development of Hellenic Civilization of the Black Sea and the Greek Ministry of Education.

During their stay, the youth will have the opportunity to visit Thessaloniki and various areas in Halkidiki.

Orthodox Observer

IOCC RACE Team members Jim Angelus and Mike Tsakalos complete the “first leg” of the Race to Respond as they enter Morgan Park in glen Cove. Among those cheering them on are Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos (center) and Fr. Emmanuel Gratsias.

GLEN COVE, N.Y. Though the International Orthodox Christian Charities first coast-to-coast bicycle tour, the Race to Respond, is slated to begin in New Jersey on Aug. 3, the kick-off event took place June 22 on Long Island.

The IOCC s Metropolitan Committee sponsored a Pan-Orthodox family picnic at Morgan Park where two of the five riders taking part in the race completed the first leg of the race across northern Long Island.

Jim Angelus of Hopewell, N.J., and Michael Tsakalos of Phoenix, Md. Arrived at the local park to applause of many Orthodox Christians and the sounds of old-

ies performed by a garage band comprised of former Archdiocesan Cathedral Youth Fellowship members, who donated their time to the IOCC. A brief ceremony included comments from Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, the Archdiocese ecumenical officer and SCOBA member, and proclamations from state Sen. Carl Marcellino, Nassau County Legislator Brian Muller, and Glen Cove City Council member Albert Granger.

Also in attendance was Ivan Bojanic from the IOCC s Baltimore headquarters, who serves as volunteer service coordinator.

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Resolutions of the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Los Angeles, July 4, 2002 WHEREAS, the 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (the Congress ) was convened in Los Angeles, California on July 1, 2002, in the spirit of Peace, Love and Unity; WHEREAS, the Congress has convened during times in which our nation thirsts for Truth and the authentic love and peace that Christ provides; WHEREAS, we have sought the Grace of the Holy Spirit, asking to be filled with the Living Water , so that, being filled, we may help to quench that thirst, bringing the Living Water to our fellow citizens through the Offering of Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America; NOW THEREFORE, on this, the birthday of our nation, July 4, 2002, the Congress adopts the following resolutions.

1) RESOLUTION REGARDING THE SEPTEMBER 11 TRAGEDY WHEREAS, we, the Congress, wish to express our deepest sympathy and love for the victims and families of the September 11, 2001 tragedy, praying with all our hearts that the peace of God will bring healing to our nation and to all the world; and WHEREAS, we further wish to express our gratitude to those who heroically assisted the victims of this great tragedy and to our hierarchs and priests who prayed with the families of those who lost their loved ones; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That we, the Congress, pledge our continued support to those who have suffered during this unspeakable act of terrorism and hereby reaffirm our commitment to the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Church that was located at Ground Zero, the only Church destroyed during the attacks of September 11.

2) RESOLUTION REGARDING THE PATRIARCHAL THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL AT HALKI WHEREAS, the Patriarchal Theological School at Halki, a beacon of Orthodoxy that for more than a century played a central role in the education of our clergy and the preservation and transmission of the Orthodox Faith, is vital to the health and function of our Mother Church and to world Orthodoxy; and WHEREAS, the Seminary has been closed for the past three decades; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That, we, the Congress,

D. Panagos

ARCHBISHOP Demetrios presided at the Clergy-Laity Divine Liturgy, held June 30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

call upon the Government of the Republic of Turkey to permit the Ecumenical Patriarchate to reopen immediately and to operate the School, unfettered and without governmental interference; and FURTHER RESOLVED: That we call upon the United States Government to continue its activities so that the Turkish

D. Panagos

ALL THE HIERARCHS of the holy Eparchial Synod Concelebrate Liturgy, on the first-day of the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress in Los Angeles.

Government will honor its human rights and treaty commitments, especially towards the religious minorities in Turkey.

3) RESOLUTION REGARDING THE RECENT COURT DECISION RELATING TO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE WHEREAS, as Greek Orthodox Americans, we, the Congress, were dismayed by the recent decision of a panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that the phrase under God be stricken from the Pledge of Allegiance ; WHEREAS, we respect the Constitutional rights of all Americans but do not believe that the phrase under God within the Pledge of Allegiance violates those rights; and WHEREAS, we believe that these words represent an important truth underlying the foundation of our nation; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That we urge the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the panel s ruling, thus preserving for our children and generations to come the right to express this profound truth, undiminished and uncompromised.

4) RESOLUTION REGARDING THE RECOGNITION OF THE PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM WHEREAS, the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem has duly elected His Beautitude Irenaios as Patriarch of Jerusalem; and

WHEREAS, the Government of Israel has not yet acknowledged the valid election of the Patriarch, in spite of the passing of almost one year since the said election; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That, we the Congress, call upon the Government of Israel to respect the integrity and independence of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and to recognize the election of the Patriarch.

5) RESOLUTION REGARDING PHILOPTOCHOS WHEREAS, the Ladies Philoptochos Society, the major philanthropic arm of our Holy Archdiocese, and a vital ministry of our Church, provides constant support to our Church and assists her in responding to Christ s call that we love one another; and WHEREAS, the Philoptochos, our sisters in Christ, have met together with us during this Congress in the spirit of Christian fellowship and unity; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That we express our sincere gratitude for the tireless work of the Philoptochos; His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane; Evanthea Condakes, National Philoptochos President; Maria Logus, First Vice-President; Loula Anaston, Convention Chair and San Francisco Diocese Philoptochos President; Mary Ann Bissias, Convention Co-Chair and Chicago Diocese President; Susan Regos, General Chair and Convention Co-Chair; Georgia Vlitas and Lori Voutiritsas, Convention Co-Chairs; the Philoptochos officers and National Board members; and all the Diocesan and local chapters of this organization which is a true Friend of the Poor and all those in need.

6) RESOLUTION OF THANKS WHEREAS, this Congress has provided us with a unique opportunity to strengthen the witness of faith and love, to facilitate the work of our parishes, Dioceses and our Holy Archdiocese, and to receive and share a vision for mission and ministry in a time and place where the needs and challenges are immense; and WHEREAS, we wish to express our sincere gratitude to those who made it possible for us to bear witness to our Holy Orthodox Faith as one family, gathered together in one place, as were the disciples of Christ on the Day of Pentecost; NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved as follows: RESOLVED: That we hereby express our heartfelt thanks to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America; His Eminence Metropolitan Panteleimon of Tyroloi and Serention; His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of the Dardanelles, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of San Francisco and the host of this Congress; the hierarchs of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Mr. Michael Jaharis, Vice-Chair of the Archdiocesan Council; Mr. Peter Preovolos, Congress Chair; Mr. Theofanis Economidis, Congress Co-Chair; Mrs. Elenie Huszagh, President of the National Council of the Churches and Congress Co-Chair; the clergy of the Diocese of San Francisco; Mr. Emanuel G. Demos; Mr. Demetri Moschos; the choir directors, members and Church musicians who participated and inspired us throughout the Congress; the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; the presiding officers and participants in Congress committees and workshops; the Congress staff; Mr. Jerry Dimitriou and the staff of the Archdiocese; and all those clergy and laity who came together in this Congress to bear witness to Christ and to work together to serve our Holy Church.