Orthodox Observer - June 2002

VOL. 67 NO. 1190

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

JUNE 2002

60th Commencement Program Honors Outstanding Benefactors BROOKLINE, Mass. The warmth and joy of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology s graduation exercises stood in direct contrast to the cold, stormy weather on Saturday, May 18. Notwithstanding the rain and snow, Pappas Auditorium was filled with family, friends and well-wishers of the Class of 2002 as Archbishop Demetrios presided over the 60th annual commencement exercises.

by Harriet Kuliopulos

In addition to the surprise announcement from commencement speaker Chairman and CEO of E*Trade Group Dr. Christos M. Cotsakos and his wife, Tami, of the $1 million gift in honor of the classes of 2002, highlights of the commencement included honoring Dr. Cotsakos and Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis with the honorary degree of Doctor of Humanities, and the Revs. Anthony M. Coniaris and Dean Timothy Andrews with the Three Hierarchs Medal. The valedictorians were Calliope Chisnall for Hellenic College and Panteleimon Dalianis for Holy Cross.

Hellenic College and Holy Cross commencement exercises officially began during Vespers on the eve of graduation, during which Archbishop Demetrios conferred the school cross on the graduates of Holy Cross.

In the intimacy of the chapel not only a place of worship, but also a place of preparation for the graduates His Eminence exhorted the graduates to serve Christ the healer through whom we receive the fullness of truth.

On Saturday morning, after processing into Pappas Auditorium, His Eminence began commencement exercises with an Invocation and was joined by everyone in singing Christos Anesti, Christ Is Risen. In his Salutation school President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, thanked everyone for journeying with the graduates to this day and quoted a prayer from Matins, to Be mind-

D. Panagos

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS addresses the audience at the 60th annual commencement.

ful, Lord of those who keep the vigil and sing Your Glory, and that of Your onlybegotten Son and our God, and of Your Holy Spirit.

On Saturday, the HC/HC community said goodbyes not only to the new graduates, but to two dignitaries who have been important friends and loyal supporters of the school: George Chatzimichelakis, consul general of Greece and Eve Condakes,

president of the National Philoptochos Society. President Triantafilou thanked Mrs. Condakes for her leadership and the donation of $50,000 to the school by the National Philoptochos. His Eminence gave Mr. Chatzimichelakis a gift and thanked him for his support of the school during his time in Boston.

In addition to greetings from Mrs. Condakes and Mr. Chatzimichelakis,

George Behrakis, vice chair of the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Board of Trustees and Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, dean of Holy Cross greeted the audience.

In his remarks, Mr. Behrakis urged the Holy Cross graduates to preach Orthodoxy and Hellenism to the best of their ability and the Hellenic College gradu-

u page 32

36th Clergy-Laity Congress June 30-July 5 Los Angeles

AN EXTRAORDINARY MAN in an Extraordinary Ministry A tribute to ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW u Archbishop s Encyclical u 10 Archdiocese News u 2-3, 6, 26, 32 Challenge u 29 Classifieds u 28 Diocese News u 30 Ecum. Patriarchate u 4-5, 7, 26 Finance u 12 Greek Section u 21-24 HC/HC Report u 12 Holy Scripture Readings u 10

page 4 In Memoriam Interfaith Marriage IOCC News Letters Opinions Parish Profile Pentecost People Special GOYA Olympics Voice of Philoptochos

u u u u u u u u u u

9 8 9 10 10 25 11 25 31 27

OFFERING OUR ORTHODOX FAITH TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICA

SPECIAL PULL-OUT CENTER SECTION PGS. 13-20

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 2

A R C H D I O C E S E

JUNE 2002

N E W S

Archdiocese Day and Afternoon Schools Hold Graduations NEW YORK. As the school year draws to a close the parochial schools of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese held their commencement ceremonies. Archbishop Demetrios attended as many

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

events as possible and proposed that in the future the schools coordinate their scheduled graduations as not to coincide, so the Archbishop is able to attend all of them.

SCHOOL OF THE TRANSFIGURATION For the School of the Transfiguration in Corona, NY it was the first time in its 35-years of existence that an Archbishop presided at the Commencement exercises, Jun. 13.

The proud community of The Transfiguration of Christ celebrated over the span of the last two years, its 75th Anniversary with a number of memorable events, organized successfully by many devoted parish members under the leadership of their pastor the Very Reverent Archimandrite Fr. Cleopas Strongylis, the parish president Vasilios Livanos and the school principal Helen Lydakis. These included educational and informative lectures, the creation and opening of a Hellenic Heritage Museum at the parish, music and folk festivals etc. On Dec. 14 of last year the community laid to rest one of its own victims of the September 11 terrorist attack, firefighter Dimitrios Papageorgiou. The funeral was attended by many officials and dignitaries including Mayor Guiliani. That same day the first memorial built for the victims of September 11, was unveiled in front of the Church of Transfiguration by Archbishop Demetrios.

Jun. 13 was a day of celebration as a welcome delegation assembled in front of the school entrance to greet the Archbishop. The 9th grade graduates, class of 2002, the 35th class to graduate from this school took their places on stage and the ceremony began. A prayer, the national anthems, songs and hymns sang by the school choir, speeches and awards all were elements of an evening of joy as the Archbishop said at the beginning of his speech.

One of the graduates read a message from Patriarch Bartholomew in Greek in which His All Holiness congratulated the parish and school officials for their 35 years of service wishing them strength in the pursuit of their holy goals.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios spoke about paidea which as he explained, should not be translated simply as education because it encompasses much more, like character, personality and ethos. It is an enriched form of education, which is appropriate to our Orthodox Faith and Hellenic heritage. As the Archbishop was speaking interchangeably in English and in Greek he said he was doing it on purpose to underline the importance of being fully bi-lingual. He urged the school officials to aim for this fully bilingual education as a minimum standard.

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D. Panagos

CLASS OF 2002 graduates of the School of Transfiguration in Corona NY, with Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Paisios of Tyanon, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, parish priest Fr. Cleopas Strongylis, parish president Vasilios Livanos (far left) and school principal Helen Lydakis (right).

The members of the 2002 graduating class were: Katerina Belekios, Gary Chiang, Stavros Dimopoulos, Andy Kokkinos (Salutatorian), Stefanos Kolombos, Theodore Paloumbas, Alexis Patsurakis, Angela Siderakis, Ellen Skaris (Valedictorian), Helen Tran, and Penelope Tsoulos.

Graduating from the 8th grade and going on to High School were: George Despotopoulos, Stamatis Lathourakis, Nicholas Minadis, Kathy Papaioannou and Timmy Viuker.

Among the many parents, relatives and friends in attendance were Metropolitan Paisios of Tyanon, Bishop Theofilos of Meloa, Bishop Vikentios of Apameia, Mr.

Dimitrios Platis, Consul General of Greece in New York; Mr. Alexandros Mitrogogos, director of the Greek Trade Office and many members of the area clergy.

A reception in honor of the graduates followed.

WILLIAM SPYROPOULOS ST. NICHOLAS SCHOOL The St. Nicholas parish in Flushing, NY is sometimes referred to as the largest Greek-Orthodox community in the country. The day school, which bears the name of its great benefactor William Spyropoulos has a full program from kindergarten to 8th grade. On Friday, Jun. 14 the

FOLLOWING the Commencement exercises at William Spyropoulos St. Nicholas Day School in Flushing, NY; Archbishop Demetrios assisted by Valedictorian Sophia Kmvisios and Salutatorian Paul Plitas cuts a graduation cake.

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

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19th Commencement Exercises were held at the school auditorium. The graduating class of 2002 included 47 students.

Dennis Mehiel, a Greek-American entrepreneur member of L-100 and an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who s a candidate for Lt. Governor in the State of New York, was this year s keynote speaker.

He explained why he was proud of his heritage and advised the graduates not to listen to those who may discourage them from pursuing their dreams. They will tell you it s impossible , it can not be done , you won t succeed don t ever listen to that, he said and concluded: It is your obligation to succeed and once you succeeded to come back and give back to your community and your church.

Sophia Kamvisios, the Valedictorian spoke with pride about her experiences at the school, her teachers and priests and her Greek-Orthodox heritage. Paul Pitas, the Salutatorian spoke eloquently about his school and the life ahead of him and his fellow graduates.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios bestowed upon the graduates their diplomas and the various awards, medals and scholarships. In his concluding remarks His Eminence underlined the importance of a nurturing environment of community and family present at St. Nicholas which was evident he said throughout the ceremony.

He also spoke about the broad meaning of paidea, noting, The kind of paidea you obtained at this school was one of love, faith and justice and peace. Keep it and cultivate it and make your Church, your community, your parents, all of us proud.

Head pastor of the parish Protopresbyter Paul Palesty presented the program. Among the many participants, parents, teachers, relatives and friends were assistant pastors Frs. Dimitrios Lokis, Anastasios Diacovasilis and John Lardas, parish president Manny Kratsios, school board chairman Haeda Mihaltses, principal Athena Kromidas, PTA president Tony Barsamian and Philoptochos president Alexandra Tsiatis.

The class of 2002 consisted of: Sophia Amperiadis, Vassiliki Athanasiou, George Athanasopoulos, Peter Athanasopoulos, Garry Beratis, Kaliope Bourekas, Emmy Dallis, Christina Demos, Peter Dorizas, Lucia Garris, John Gatanas, Dean Georgoudis, Bobby Hadjiyerou, Eleni Hatzinikolaou, Alexandra Hristoff, Sophia Kamvisios, Kosta Kasomenakis, Demi Kiouvas, Nicholas Kofteris, Christina Kosmidis, Stephan Kouris, George Koutsouras, Zoe Kouzilos, John Kromidas, Nicole Lapsatis, Constantine Lascaridis, Joanna Liolios, Dino Litourgis, Michael Livanthinopoulos, Effie manolatos, Dina Moutopoulos, Maria Orisses, Michael Pantelidis, Jason Papadopoulos, Effie Pavlakos, Anna Pirgousis, Paul Pitas, Jason Prokos, Nicole Rallis, Tina Sarafoglou, Irene Sergiou, Marie Serpanos, Adrianna Sirica, Sylvia Theodoropoulos, Christopher Tselios, Panagiota Tsinias and Steve Vamvakis.

CORRECTION The Sexual Misconduct Hotline number is (877) 554-3382.

The number published in the last issue of the Orthodox Observer was incorrect.

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

A R C H D I O C E S E

AACST Coordinating Committee Named, Subcommittees Established NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios recently named a central coordinating committee to organize and plan the work of the Archdiocesan Advisory Committee on Science and Technology (AACST).

Coordinating Committee members include Drs. Achilles G. Adamantiades as executive secretary, Costas Efthymiou, associate executive secretary, and Christos Mantzoros, Vassiliki Boussiotis, David Doukas, Aristotelis Papanikolaou, Michael Polymeropoulos, and Hari Doumanidis.

In advancing the crucial work of the AACST, the Coordinating Committee met recently with Archbishop Demetrios to consider a number of issues and actions relating to the committee s structure and work.

The following three subcommittees were formed and coordinators were named: Bioethics and Medical Issues, Dr. Christos Mantzoros; Economics, Energy, Environment, Population, and Natural Resources, Dr. Achilles G. Adamantiades, and Natural Sciences and Modern Tech-

nologies, Dr. Hari Doumanidis.

Subcommittee appointments are being made with every effort to include professionals in these areas who are committed to assisting the work of the Church.

In the coming months, the subcommittees will propose discussion topic agendas as they relate to the Church s concerns.

The Coordinating Committee also scheduled meetings of regional committee members with the Archbishop, a formal meeting at the Clergy Laity Congress (Tuesday, July 2), and a national meeting of all AACST members tentatively set for Oct. 18-19 at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. This meeting will provide a forum for the discussion, planning, and establishing of each subcommittee s program and the AACST s broader agenda and function.

For more information contact Dr. Achilles G. Adamantiades aadaman @attglobal.net, Dr. Costas Efthymiou, c.efthymiou@att.net, or the Archdiocese at DnNektarios@goarch.org

Retiring Ambassador Philon Feted at Luncheon NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios hosted a luncheon at the Archdiocese on May 28, for retiring Ambassador of Greece to the United States Alexander Philon and his wife, Helen.

Appointed in 1998, his long and distinguished career in the Greek foreign service spanned 30 years beginning in 1965 as the attaché of the Foreign Ministry. His posts have included ambassadorships to India and Turkey.

Luncheon guests included Greek Consul General Dimitri Platis, and Mrs. Platis,

Greece s U.N. Ambassador Adamantios Vassilakis, Consul General of Cyprus Vaseleios Philippou and Mrs. Philippou, Ambassador of Cyprus to the UN Soterios Zackheos, Ambassador Andreas Jacovides and Mrs. Jacovides, Ambassador Loucas Tsilas, Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis and Mrs. Jaharis, National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew Dr. Anthony Limberakis, Emanuel Demos, Dr. John Brademas, John Hadjipateras, Nicholas Bouras and Mr. and Mrs. George Coumantaros.

Archbishop Addresses Queens College Byzantine Center Awards Dinner NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios delivered the Constantinos D. Paparrigopoulos Lecture at the 24th annual Certificate of Achievement Awards Dinner at the Queens College Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies on May 30, an occasion that also marked the retirement of Professor Harry J. Psomiades, founder and director of the Center.

Through the Paparrigopoulos Lecture, eminent scholars in classical Byzantine or modern Greek studies deliver lectures at the college on the continuity of Hellenism and/or within the context of contemporary problems confronting the Greek people.

Entitled, Yesterday s Answers to Today s Questions: Points of Hellenic Orthodox Legacy, Archbishop Demetrios lecture focused on four topics: Communication as beautiful, complete, precise, as in the great writers of antiquity and Sacred, as revealed

through the Orthodox Faith; Human Co-existence, how democracy, as used by the ancient writers, becomes the form of government which allows the Christian notion of community and service to one another to be lived in the most complete manner; Fate of the world, a world the ancients viewed with love and care, and which in Orthodoxy is affirmed as immense and timeless, having been created by God; And finally, The Fate of the Human Being, which underscores the priority of the human being to rediscover the supreme value of the human being because God became fully man.

Scholarships of $500 each are awarded annually to students of merit who are enrolled in the Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies Program. Archbishop Demetrios presented the Archdiocese scholarships to Panagis Alexatos and Georgia Belesis.

Home Missions Board meets Archbishop in N. Y. Members of the newly appointed Board of Home Missions meet June 11 at Archdiocese headquarters in New York for a daylong session on the work of this new department, including a session with Archbishop Demetrios. His Eminence said a director will be named soon and the office should begin to function by September. The Orlando and Philadelphia Clergy Laity Congresses mandated the Depart-

ment of Home Missions. Members present included Louis Nicozisis, Vivian Badami, James D. Speros, Angelo Stamoulis, Themis Fotieo, Philip Anast, John Johns, and Frs. Dennis Strouzas, Luke Uhl, Michael Stearns, Thomas Zaferes, Emmanuel Pratsinakis, James Dokos, Aris Metrakos and Demetrius Nicoloudakis.

Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and Mr. Nicozisis served as conveners.

PAGE 3

N E W S

ST. BASIL ACADEMY HOSTS 55th Graduation Ceremony

Orthodox Observer

ST. BASIL graduates (l. to r., standing) seniors Stavroula Katsifas, Melissa Papadakis and Dimitra Spentzas; eighth graders Andrew Spentzas, Christopher Skatchdopole, Eliud Suarez, Spyros Mitches and Efthimia Mitches. (seated, from left) Alma DeMetropolis (Class of ’83), Fr. Sitaras, holding Jonathan Clemente with His Eminence, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Dr. Steven Gounardes, and Stella Capiris.

GARRISON, N.Y. Overcast skies and an occasional drizzle didn t dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of persons who traveled to St. Basil Academy on June 15 for the 55th Commencement to honor the graduating children.

Nine children - three high school seniors, five eighth graders and a nursery school-age child were honored. They included high school graduates Stavroula Katsifas, Melissa Papadakis and Dimitra Spentzos; eighth graders Efthimia Mitches, Spyros Mitches, Christopher Skatchdopole, Andrew Spentzos and Eliud Suarez; and nursery-schooler Jonathan Clemente.

The students received several scholarships and gifts from benefactors and a number of Philoptochos chapters that consistently support St. Basil Academy.

Two of the seniors, Stavroula Katsifas and Melissa Papadakis, each received a $2,000 George and Naouma Gioles Scholarship, administered by the Archdiocese.

Dimitra Spentzas received the John N. Botsidis Scholarship.

All three girls also received the Society of Kastorians Omonoia Scholarship, and Philoptochos scholarships from chapters at Ascension Church, Fairview, N.J., and St. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, N.J. Archbishop Demetrios presented diplomas to the graduates and addressed the standing-room-only gathering. He recalled that the children of St. Basil s were among the first to respond to the tragedy of Sept.

11 when on the following day they presented a check for the Church s national relief effort.

It is something I will treasure as an expression of serving and responsibility when difficult pain and sorrow hit the people, he said.

His Eminence also told the graduates to be very proud of St. Basil, the 4th century Church Father and namesake of the academy, whom he extolled as a person of extreme dynamism who spent years and years studying and who possessed an immense knowledge of science and a display of knowledge that covered all fields.

The graduation speaker was a 1983 alumna of St. Basil s, Alma DeMetropolis, who spent nine years at the Academy and has gone on to achieve success as a vice

president/portfolio manager for J.P. Morgan.

Ms. DeMetropolis, who lived at the Academy when the current director, Fr. Constantine Sitaras, was also the director then, said that for her, the most significant thing about St. Basil s was that it gave me love, unconditional love.

She expressed thanks that the Church gave her the opportunity to attend the Academy, and exhorted the students to enjoy life, have faith in God and trust Him. The three senior girls and eighth grader Efthemia Mitches delivered graduation addresses, followed by Fr. Sitaras who told the audience that the Academy serves to promote each child s spiritual, intellectual and physical growth and the children are permitted to reside at St. Basil until they can become independent.

St. Basil s board President Dr. Steven Gounardes told the graduates the Academy will continue to be your light and hope, offering any assistance you need.

Other speakers included Dr. Geniene Guglielmo, superintendent of Highland Falls School District, where the students pursue their public school education; and AHEPA s representative, Demetrios Poll.

Dr. Guglielmo praised the students academic performance and achievements.

Mr. Poll told the students to be proud of their Greek heritage. Along with the Philoptochos, AHEPA has strongly supported the institution over the years.

Representatives of many area Philoptochos chapters presented gifts to the graduating students, including Stella Capiris, the mistress of ceremonies and president of the Archdiocesan District Philoptochos, New Jersey Diocese Philoptochos, and the chapters from Bridgeport, Conn., which for the fourth consecutive year has provided $7,000 in support of one of the children at the Academy; Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, St. Nicholas, Flushing, N.Y., Holy Cross, Brooklyn, N.Y., Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y., St. George in Clifton, N.J., St. Barbara s in Manhattan; Sts. Constantine and Helen, Jackson Heights, N.Y., Assumption in Fairview, N.J., St. Gerasimos, Manhattan, St. Barbara s, Orange, Conn., St. John the Theologian in Tenafly, N.J., and St. Spyridon s in Manhattan.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 4

ECUMENICAL

PATRIARCHATE

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH

BARTHOLOMEW:

An Extraordinary Man in an Extraordinary Ministry

by Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis*

Preface Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America serve the church in many ways. Their mission is comprised of spiritual, educational and philanthropic activities related to the protection, promotion and defense of the Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. This essay was developed to communicate to the Orthodox faithful in America the extraordinary ministry of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew who is projecting our Orthodox Faith to the four corners of the world, working to safeguard the environment, bringing warring peoples together to find the path towards peace, and now in America, consulting with the Archbishop, the Eparchial Synod and the Church at all levels to provide a Charter of governance that is true to the Holy Canons of the Orthodox Church and sensitive to the unique needs of the Greek Orthodox American faithful.

Modern Apostle Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a modern apostle of peace and love, is the head of the world s oldest and second largest Christian faith community.

Based in a Moslem country geographically positioned between East and West, between Christianity and Islam, the developed and underdeveloped worlds, he is, by tradition, the 270th successor to an actual apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Andrew, the first-called apostle and brother of St. Peter.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate has existed since the fourth century A.D. when Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome to Constantinople, now Istanbul.

His All Holiness Bartholomew, as he is called, has led the world s 300 million Orthodox Christians for 11 years, quietly bringing together major religious leaders and intervening in wars and conflicts and the environmental crisis.

He must deal every day with a Moslem society and a secular Turkish government under which he endures restrictions, yet he has become recognized as a passionate advocate of human rights everywhere in the world.

World Spiritual Leader His All Holiness has been welcomed and honored at the White House by Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, at the United Nations by Secretary General Kofi Annan and at the United States Congress where he was awarded the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal that had also been given to Mother Teresa and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. In fact, His All Holiness received more votes in Congress for this distinction, than any other individual. He has been honored as well by kings, prime ministers, sheiks, muftis, chief rabbis and business, cultural and environmental leaders around the world.

His All Holiness has bridged gaps in understanding around the world. With His Holiness Pope John Paul II, His All Holiness has made progress toward reconciliation of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches.

In the 1990s, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew convened a long-line of other conferences and interventions to promote peace and interfaith cooperation, addressing crises in Bosnia and Kosovo and bringing together religious leaders from the major faiths and heads of government in Berne, Switzerland and Istanbul where both the Berne Declaration and the Bosphorus Declaration, respectively, also condemned violence in the name of religion.

In December of 2001, within a few months of the tragedy of September 11, His All Holiness organized a major interfaith conference in Brussels, co-sponsored by the President of the European Commission, Romano

JUNE 2002

Prodi. The Brussels Declaration restated his long-held belief that war in the name of religion is war against religion and that it is the will of God for peace to prevail in the world.

His All Holiness has traveled to the Moslem countries of Bahrain in 2000 and, early this year, to Iran where he addressed the ministry of foreign affairs.

Just last March, His All Holiness met with President Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell at the White House and State Department, respectively, where his tireless efforts on behalf of world peace and cooperation were acknowledged.

On that same trip, His All Holiness awarded former President George H. W. Bush and former First Lady Barbara Bush the Patriarch Athenagoras Human Rights Award of the Order of Saint Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at a banquet in New York City.

While in New York His All Holiness officiated at the six-month memorial service for the victims of September 11 at ground zero, at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, and at the site of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, destroyed with the World Trade Towers.

Environmental Leader Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has addressed the environmental crisis of our day through seminars and symposia on the seas, studying the degradation of the Black Sea, the Danube River, and the Aegean and Adriatic Seas. He has become known as the Green Patriarch .

His environmental initiatives were acknowledged on this side of the Atlantic by Vice President Al Gore and Scenic Hudson, which honored him in 2000 with the international visionary award for environmental achievement at ceremonies in New York City.

In Europe, the Sophie Foundation of Norway awarded Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew the prestigious Sophie Prize for pioneering efforts is linking faith to the environment and the Binding Institute of Liechtenstein for efforts toward protection of nature. His All Holiness contributed the prize monies to UNICEF for the destitute children of Africa, to the street children of Athens and Istanbul, and to organizations supporting ecological activities. He has boldly stated, We cannot expect to leave no trace on the environment. However, we must choose either to make it reflect greed and ugliness or to use it in such a way that its beauty shows god s handiwork through ours.

Orthodox Church Leader The head of the Orthodox Church worldwide, the Ecumenical Patriarch s full title is Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch.

When Constantinople became the seat of the Roman Empire, all the principle teachings of Christianity were put down in seven ecumenical councils held in or near

the great imperial city.

The Orthodox Church is the oldest Christian Church in the world. The one undivided Christian Church split in 1054 A.D. when the Roman Catholic Church separated from the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople.

The Ecumenical Patriarch remained the acknowledged head of the Orthodox Church, being recognized as the first among equals of the Orthodox Patriarchs.

Ecumenical Patriarchs maintained this uninterrupted role even though Constantinople fell to the Moslem Turks in 1453 A.D. and the Great Church of Christ became a Church in Captivity for more than 500 years. With the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the early Twentieth Century, the position of the Ecumenical Patriarch regained some freedoms.

Today, the Ecumenical Patriarch is acknowledged as the spiritual leader of a worldwide Orthodox Church that still holds to the original and basic teachings and practices of undivided Christianity, hence the name Orthodox .

The Holy Orthodox Church can no longer be said to exist only in the traditional East , for now it has millions of followers in North and South America, Central America and the Caribbean, as well as in Asia, Australia, New Zealand and Oceania. It is also growing in Western Europe. The benefits of the canonical, as well as spiritual leadership of the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Diaspora , or overseas Greek Orthodox communities, in these places have been dramatic in manifold ways: Churches have grown and flourished Orthodox faithful know they are part of a truly historic and global Christian community Members of pluralistic, multi-ethnic societies are organized under a truly ecumenical leadership that transcends national ethnic divisions The true prophetic and international message of Orthodox Christianity is heard over parochial and limited concerns The teachings of the undivided Christian Church have resonance and credibility Orthodox Christianity has one, unifying voice in doctrine, teaching and practice The global reality of the Orthodox Church is resonant with the new global economic and political order The Mother Church holds out the real possibility of Orthodox unity, the promise of Christian unity and the hope of cooperation of all religions and all men and women of good will.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has shown the world that true Church leadership is the spiritual leadership of service, passionate advocacy of peace and justice and human rights and concern for the environment, for all of God s creation and creatures, for the cosmos.

The Ecumenical Patriarch and the New Charter Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is sensitive to the unique needs of the faithful in the United States and has supported the work of the Joint Charter Committee of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of America.

His All Holiness has been open to hear the suggestions offered from all levels of the Church, and he is aware that church governance, while adhering to Orthodox canons and tradition, must affirm the tremendous potential for the growth and witness of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. His concern is to uphold the unity and catholicity of our worldwide Orthodox faith.

Conclusion The Ecumenical Patriarchate, in conjunction with the Hierarchs, clergy and laity, has encouraged and guided the Greek Orthodox Church in America over the years, and the Church has flourished from within this essential relationship. Consider our clergy, our own sense of spirituality, our multifaceted ministries addressing a myriad of contemporary issues, all these components indicative of the vitality of our Church in America. We must acknowledge and recognize the benefits of our connection to the Mother Church, for united with her and united in Orthodoxy, we have been the heirs to extraordinary growth and achievement in the Church in America. * Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis is Archon Aktouarios, National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew / Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America This article has been endorsed by the National Council of the Order of Saint Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriachate.

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Editor s Note: July marks the 30th anniversary of the passing of Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, whose death occurred during the Clergy-Laity Congress in Houston. Archbishop Iakovos made the announcement of the Patriarch s passing at the Grand Banquet.

I

²²²

will be with you at the ClergyLaity in Los Angeles - with you in spirit and in thought, in prayer and in love.

by Fr. Nicholas L. Vieron

I was born in Epirus March 25, 1887 and slept in the Lord in Constantinople July 7, 1972 My dream was always to...serve Most of you old-timers remember me. I certainly remember you. I came to this country a long time ago, before some of your younger brothers in Christ were even born. I was sent by the Church as your Archbishop. The year was 1931. My name is...ATHENAGORAS. When I arrived on these shores, I found a church divided. It was almost like anarchy. The church was in two political camps. Some were paying homage to a Monarchy, others to another political leader. (Basilikoi kai Benizelikoi). I immediately set forth to travel across this vast country preaching one thing - that we all belong to one Lord! He is our King and Ruler. The Orthodox Teaching was resurrected in the hearts of the then young immigrants. I preached that theme over and over again. The truth, if preached often and well, is, in due time, believed. I want the young people - both priests and laypersons - to remember that.

My first mission in America was to establish a center of operations.

You, today, take the Archdiocese and the Dioceses for granted. Yet, my higher mission was not just to organize an archdiocese, much needed as it was, but to also let the faithful know that I came to America for one main purpose, to serve!

However, as tall as I was - over six feet, four - tall indeed, especially for a person of Greek ethnic background I had to be much taller in scope and in extension.

Let me tell you what I mean by extension. I needed priests who would fit into the mold of the American landscape. Of course, clergymen from the old country were welcomed and needed. They served the Church well. They still do but I foresaw the need for a school to train American-born young men to study and prepare for the priesthood.

My first attempt to establish a school was in 1932. It failed. My second attempt was in 1937. This time I found the right man to serve as dean. His name was Athenagoras, also - Athenagoras Cavadas - from the island of Kerkira where I had served as Metropolitan.

We discovered a beautiful piece of property in Connecticut, near a small town, called Pomfret, and Holy Cross was born. Its beginnings were not easy. It remained in Pomfret 10 years. Some of you refer to it as The Golden Decade! I can t blame you veteran priests for being nostalgic and humbly proud of your old seminary in Pomfret.

In 1947 we moved the school to a town just outside of Boston - Brookline.

The same school, the same concept - to prepare young men (women now, too) to serve.

Bishop Cavadas and I agreed on that concept which he instilled in his students - the future priests in America - the duty to serve! I hear that a few of our clergy think that they should be served. No! We were chosen not to be served, but...to

My Name Is...Athenagoras

serve - to serve Our Lord and His people.

We must remember, If anyone be first, he shall be the servant of all. That applies not only to deacons, but also to you priests, and to us bishops, as well. We ve all been called to serve.

For instance, without Bishop Cavadas sacrificial services, we would probably not have a Holy Cross Theological Seminary today.

There were other needs, also the need to protect the orphans, to house the homeless, and those from broken homes, and to prepare young ladies to teach spoken Greek - the language of the New Testament.

Thus, on the banks of the Hudson River, right across from the West Point Academy, we founded in 1944 St. Basil s Academy. Its first administrator?, Bishop Cavadas, of course! Again, to serve!

One of my favorite passages from Scripture is from the Gospel of St. Matthew. As a priest I used to look forward to that reading each year as Great Lent was approaching. Epeinasa gar kai edwkate moi fagein...gumnos kai periebalete me... These words, I was hungry and you gave me to eat.... were for me part of the essence of our Faith.

However, this sacred message must always be implemented. I had done so in Corfu while serving there. I had organized both men and women in this cause.

But, here in the States, the immigrant men were busy providing for their families, educating their children. Therefore, one of my first efforts was to establish the Ladies into a Philoptochos Society. The date was November 1931. I take humble pride in this.

I loved projecting our Greek Orthodox Church and our Greek Archdiocese before the world. But, I also loved trying to bring all Orthodox jurisdictions closer to each other, and to have closer ties with the Protestant and Roman Catholic churches. I am not sharing all this with you to compel you toward this ecumenical spirit that I so loved. You must decide that for yourself.

In spite of all the efforts of the Archdiocese, it remains for the local parish, for the local church and community to function as an extension of the Archbishop, of the Bishop, of the Metropolitan (as you now have it) toward the fulfillment of my dream to...serve and please both God and His people. And who has the greater responsibility here?

None other than the parish priest, the pastor, the proistamenos you can go by any name as long as it is in the Name of Him Whom we worship.

Allow yourselves, Fathers, to be guided by your Hierarchy. You take encyclical letters for granted. I understand that some of you don t even read them. I always believed that my clergy needed to be guided, encouraged, and loved by their Archpastor.

The time came for me to leave America. The year was 1948 when I was elected Ecumenical Patriarch - an honor, indeed, but I was sad because I was leaving my beloved Child - for that is how I

felt about the Church in America. I had to place my loving Child in the right hands. If I did anything right, give me credit for that - for choosing the right person as my successor - Michael!

Archbishop Michael s personality was different from mine. I was considered a diplomat-churchman; Michael an intellectual-mystic. I had placed emphasis on matters of administration, public relations, on organizational structures; Michael on piety and religious awakening, on discipline and sacramental life.

What I had been unable to do, Michael initiated and advanced with great success.

One of his greatest contributions was the founding of the youth movement - GOYA! It was this concern for the young people that gained him the recognition as a beloved friend of the youth.

Another reason I share this with you, beside the historical overview, is that you priests often find yourselves in parishes where a clergyman very different from you has or is serving. That does not mean that one is right and the other wrong.

PAGE 5

There is a need for both, for many different personalities and talents in the Church. Michael and I were different. You and your successor are different. It is well, as long as both of you serve the same Lord. The Church needs and uses a wide variety of talented people.

Michael s death in 1958 necessitated my choosing another spiritual leader for my beloved Child. Give me credit again, greater credit, for this time I chose Iakovos Coucouzis - a dynamic churchman who directed your Church in the Americas to your present heights. His 38 years as your Head Shepherd, until his retirement in 1996, were some of the most glorious decades of the Church in the Americas. His mantra was like that of his mentor, Athenagoras Cavadas, and that was to serve! And indeed, he did serve! Following him you received your first American-born Archbishop - Spyridon - who, to the best of his ability, served the Church in the Americas.

Now you have a new Spiritual Leader - Demetrios - a man of God filled with humility, piety and deep religious convictions, a teacher, a man whose didactic beautiful expressions capture the spirit and the essence of Him Whom he serves.

I am aware of some of the difficulties of your time.

Some of the issues will be discussed and hopefully resolved at your forthcoming Clergy-Laity in Los Angeles. I recall how I enjoyed presiding at those congresses. I understand that now it is done differently, and more properly so.

However, I, your former Archbishop, will be with you in California, July 1-4, 2002. I will with be you in spirit and in thought, in prayer and in love.

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 6

JUNE 2002

Oratorical Festival Year Comes to a Successful Close NORFOLK, Va. Annunciation Cathedral served as the setting for the Archdiocesan St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival held June 7-9. The host committee, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Costa G. Christo and Dr. James Meares, planned and conducted a successful weekend program.

by Presvytera Margaret Orfanakos

Concluding its 19th year, the Oratorical Festival program of the Department of Religious Education is headed by the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos. Archdiocese Co-chairmen are the Rev. John Orfanakos and Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos.

The first official gathering of the finalists took place at the cathedral where Archbishop Demetrios officiated at Great Vespers.

Participating clergy included Fr. Costa Christo, cathedral dean; Fr. Constantine Rogakos, associate pastor; Fr. Charles Goumenis, pastor emeritus, Fr. Frank Marangos, Fr. John Orfanakos, and clergy from neighboring parishes.

Coinciding with the festivities of the Oratorical Festival, the Cathedral celebrated its 90th anniversary throughout the weekend.

On Saturday, following the Archbishop s invocation, a welcome by Fr. Christo, and greetings from Fr. Marangos, the first speaker took the podium. Speakers subsequently took their turn delivering a powerful speech on selected topics.

The Festival s 2002 theme was: The Theology and Dogma of the Orthodox Church. Some topics addressed included: Why is the Theotokos called the Second Eve ? and The Orthodox Church does not accept the Roman Catholic Doctrine of Original Sin. Explain the Orthodox interpretation of the Fall of Adam.

JUNIOR DIVISION

Junior Division diocese finalists were:

NATIONAL ORATORICAL Festival, Diocese representatives with Archbishop Demetrios

Archdiocesan District- Anna Kentros, Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y.; Atlanta Diocese- Emanuel Caros, Holy Trinity Church, Clearwater, Fla; Boston Diocese- Emily Sherman, Annunciation Church, Cranston, R.I; Chicago DioceseMarianna Ruggerio, St. Haralambos Church, Niles, Ill; Denver Diocese- Alissa Iatridis, Holy Trinity Church, Dallas; Detroit Diocese- Christina Munk, Holy Trinity Church, Lansing, Mich; New Jersey Diocese- Sam Aydlette, St. George Church, Bethesda, Md; Pittsburgh Diocese-Nicholas Kolitsos, St. John Church, Youngstown, Ohio; San Francisco Diocese-Lia Eliades, Nativity of Christ Church, Novato, Calif.

SENIOR DIVISION

Senior Division finalists were: Archdiocesan District- Andromache Baritis, St. Nicholas Church, West Babylon, N.Y; Atlanta Diocese- Peter Catsimpiris, St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Fla; Boston Diocese- Paul Bitsikas Chatelain, St. George Church, Centerville, Mass;

JUNIOR Division, First Place : Anna Kentros, Church of Our Savior, Rye, NY • Archdiocesan District Why is the Theotokos called the Second Eve ?

When were you last faced with a difficult decision? Think about your decision. How important was it? Was it a trivial one, such as what to wear or what color car to buy? Imagine being faced with making a decision which would impact all of humanity.

In the well-known story of Genesis, Eve had to make a decision which had a lasting effect on all of mankind. Eve lived with Adam in the paradise of the Garden of Eden. There, God supplied them with everything they needed for a satisfying life.

In return for these gifts, God asked only one thing of them; that they not eat the fruit of just one tree in the garden. However, Eve chose to disobey God. Eve was unwilling to accept what he had asked of her and was bold enough to defy God. Adam followed Eve, a woman, instead of following God. She and Adam were cast out of the Garden of Eden. The consequence of Eve s decision continued throughout the Old Testament.

Many years later, in a town in Galilee called Nazareth, a young woman named Mary was betrothed to a man named Joseph. Mary wasn t rich, she did not have political power, and she didn t come from an especially prominent family. What Mary did have was amazing humility and faith in God. The angel Gabriel came to her and told her that though she was a virgin, she

would bear a son who would become the savior of the human race. Mary was an intelligent young woman and questioned the Angel Gabriel, How will this be? {Luke 1;34} She did not make her decision blindly and thought about the implications of it. Mary showed her willingness to trust in the Lord when, as stated in the Gospel of Luke, Mary said Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. {Luke 1; 38} Unselfishly, but not passively, she agreed to follow God s wishes. How many people in today s society would realistically respond in the same way?

Eve and Mary were faced with difficult decisions. Both these women were free to respond in any way they wanted.

The fate of every person in the world was placed into their hands. Eve chose to go against God s will. By sending the Angel Gabriel to Mary, God was giving the world a second chance to make the correct choice. As a result, Mary is sometimes called the second Eve. I am struck by the fact that Mary was not much older than I am when she made her decision. Each time I walk into an orthodox church, the vision of the platytera, the beautiful icon of the Virgin Mary holding Christ, reminds me of Mary s role as a bridge between God in heaven and me on earth. Mary serves as a striking role model to all Christians.

This second Eve shows us that power comes not from money, weapons or strength, but from humility and love.

Chicago Diocese- Elliot Arsoniadis, St. Sophia Church, Elgin, Ill; Denver Diocese- Robert Bruce Shand, Prophet Elias Church, Salt Lake City Detroit Diocese- Elizabeth Mellas, Annunciation Church, Buffalo, N.Y; New Jersey Diocese- Jaclyn Limberakis, St. Luke Church, Broomall, Pa; Pittsburgh DioceseJaclyn Sarah Elias, St. John Church, Youngstown, Ohio; San Francisco Diocese- John Kocolas, Annunciation Church, Modesto, Calif.

The presentation of awards took place during the luncheon where all participants received a plaque and certificate personally signed by Archbishop Demetrios.

First Place honors and a $2,000 college scholarship was awarded to Anna Kentros in the junior division and John Kocolas in the senior division.

Second Place recognition and a $1,500 College scholarship went to Emily Sherman in the junior division and Elliot Arsoniadis in the senior division.

Third Place honors and a $1,000 college scholarship were awarded to Lia

Eliades in the junior division and Jaclyn Limberakis from the senior division.

Each Honorable Mention honoree received a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.

Archbishop Demetrios in his comments to the Oratorical Festival participants stated, Objectively, if this was a class, and we were not judges but professors, I would have given an A to all the speakers without any difficulty; not as a gift, but as something earned by the hard work that was clearly noticeable in the content, performance, posture, and oratorical excellence these young adults displayed.

These young adults demonstrated the power, the beauty, and the elegance of language as the unique gift God has given us to communicate with one another.

After referring to St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, and St. Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop Demetrios told the participants, You are in a realm so rich and so beautiful.

In addition, His Eminence stated, You may be called to share your gifts as Sunday school teachers or leaders of young adults.

Be ready to serve the Church with your talents in creative and novel ways.

After the program, host committee members escorted the finalists and their families to the USS Wisconsin for a tour of this historic battleship. From there, a stop was made at the famous Captain George Restaurant for a sumptuous dinner. The last stop of the day was the resort town of Virginia Beach.

Sunday began with a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy presided over by Archbishop Demetrios, who also delivered an inspiring homily. At the end of the service, His Eminence elevated Fr. Marangos to the rank of Protopresbyter.

Since it s never too early to begin thinking about the next Oratorical Festival, the 2003 Topics should be posted on the Department of Religious Education website by the end of July. Check them out at: www.religioused.goarch.org

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

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JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 7

Ecumenical Patriarch, Pope Issue Joint Declaration on Environment ROME, VENICE Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in Venice following the completion of a five-day voyage around the Adriatic Sea on his fourth crusade to point out ecological problems, signed a Joint Declaration on Articulating a Code of Environmental Ethics on June 10 with Pope John Paul II in Rome via video-link between the two cities.

The Associated Press reported that about 250 religious figures, scientists and environmentalists joined the patriarch on the Adriatic voyage. Other trips have taken him to the Aegean and Black Seas and down the Danube River.

The Adriatic faces pollution from raw sewage, herbicides, pesticides and industrial waste which flow into the 420-mile Mediterranean offshoot, surrounded by Italy and the Balkans.

Coastal habitats such as wetlands are gradually being destroyed. This is a serious and increasing problem with the further development of tourism, said a statement from marine biologists who accompanied Bartholomew.

The conference said the main source of pollution in the Adriatic was the most prosperous nation in the region Italy.

Apart from pollution flowing from the Po River, a large petrochemical industry near Venice has contaminated seafood and there is no adequate monitoring program for the developing oil industry along the Italian coast, the scientists said.

Both the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch have described the declaration as another step in helping bridge the nearly 1,000-year-old rift between the two ancient branches of Christianity.

The text, which does not out outline any binding action, was the first the two religious leaders have signed concerning the environment. However, common declarations between the two are not unusual.

U.S. Church leaders statement In a response to the joint declaration

by Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope John Paul by Orthodox and Roman Catholic Church leaders in the United States, Archbishop Demetrios and the Most Reverend Wilton Gregory, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement on June 20.

We welcome the Joint Declaration on Articulating a Code of Environmental Ethics issued by Pope John Paul II and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople on June 10. We echo their voices in stating that at this moment in history, at the beginning 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 accounts its limits.

As religious believers, we are called to promote an awareness, an ethic and a culture that demonstrate respect, appreciation and a sense of awe and care for the natural world. Our common concern is that even with so much progress our human stewardship of the world s environment has sometimes faltered. Pope John Paul II and Patriarch Bartholomew remind us that in the face of global environmental challenges we are called to collaborate with God in watching over creation in holiness and wisdom. We hope that Orthodox and Catholic believers in collaboration with others of good will cooperate in responding to this common plea to work generously together to heal

and care for God s creation.

Text of Declaration Following is the text of the Joint Declaration on Articulating a Code of Environmental Ethics.

We are gathered here today in the spirit of peace for the good of all human beings and for the care of creation. 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.

Almighty God envisioned a world of beauty and harmony, and he created it, making every part an expression of his freedom, wisdom and love (cf. Gn. 1:125).At the center of the whole of creation, he placed us, human beings, with our inalienable human dignity. Although we share many features with the rest of the living beings, Almighty God went further with us and gave us an immortal soul, the source of self-awareness and freedom, endowments that make us in his image and likeness (cf. Gn. 1:26-31; 2:7). Marked with that resemblance, we have been placed by God in the world in order to cooperate with him in realizing more and more fully the divine purpose for creation.

At the beginning of history, man and woman sinned by disobeying God and rejecting his design for creation. Among the results of this first sin was the destruction of the original harmony of creation.

If we examine carefully the social and environmental crisis which the world community is facing, we must conclude that we are still betraying the mandate God has given us: to be stewards called to collaborate with God in watching over creation in holiness and wisdom.

God has not abandoned the world. It is his will that his design and our hope for it will be realized through our cooperation in restoring its original harmony. In our own time we are witnessing a growth of an ecological awareness that needs to be encouraged, so that it will lead to practical programs and initiatives. An awareness of the relationship between God and humankind brings a fuller sense of the importance of the relationship between human beings and the natural environment, which is God s creation and which God entrusted to us to guard with wisdom and love (cf. Gn. 1:28).

Respect for creation stems from respect for human life and dignity. It is on the basis of our recognition that the world is created by God that we can discern an objective moral order within which to articulate a code of environmental ethics.

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 toward self, toward others, toward creation.

What is required is an act of repentance 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. A genuine

conversion in Christ will enable us to change the way we think and act.

First, we must regain humility and recognize the limits of our powers, and most important, the limits of our knowledge and judgment. We have been making decisions, taking actions and assigning values that are leading us away from the world as it should be, away from the design of God for creation, away from all that is essential for a healthy planet and a healthy commonwealth of people. A new approach and a new culture are needed, based on the centrality of the human person within creation and inspired by environmentally ethical behavior stemming from our triple relationship to God, to self and to creation. Such an ethics fosters interdependence and stresses the principles of universal solidarity, social justice and responsibility in order to promote a true culture of life.

Second, we must frankly admit that humankind is entitled to something better than what we see around us. We and, much more, our children and future generations are entitled to a better world, a world free from degradation, violence and bloodshed, a world of generosity and love.

Third, aware of the value of prayer, we must implore God the Creator to enlighten people everywhere regarding the duty to respect and carefully guard creation.

We therefore invite all men and women of good will to ponder the importance of the following ethical goals: 1. To think of the world s children when we reflect on and evaluate our options for action.

2. To be open to study the true values based on the natural law that sustain every human culture.

3. To use science and technology in a full and constructive way, while recognizing that the findings of science have always to be evaluated in the light of the centrality of the human person, of the common good and of the inner purpose of creation. Science may help us to correct the mistakes of the past in order to enhance the spiritual and material wellbeing of the present and future generations. It is love for our children that will show us the path that we must follow into the future.

4. To be humble regarding the idea of ownership and to be open to the demands of solidarity. Our mortality and our weakness of judgment together warn us not to take irreversible actions with what we choose to regard as our property during our brief stay on this earth. We have not been entrusted with unlimited power over creation, we are only stewards of the common heritage.

5. To acknowledge the diversity of situations and responsibilities in the work for a better world environment. We do not expect every person and every institution

to assume the same burden. Everyone has a part to play, but for the demands of justice and charity to be respected the most affluent societies must carry the greater burden, and from them is demanded a sacrifice greater than can be offered by the poor. Religions, governments and institutions are faced by many different situations; but on the basis of the principle of subsidiarity, all of them can take on some tasks, some part of the shared effort.

6. To promote a peaceful approach to disagreement about how to live on this earth, about how to share it and use it, about what to change and what to leave unchanged. It is not our desire to evade controversy about the environment, for we trust in the capacity of human reason and the path of dialogue to reach agreement.

We commit ourselves to respect the views of all who disagree with us, seeking solutions through open exchange, without resorting to oppression and domination.

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.

Rome-Venice, June 10, 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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Marriage

Promoting Healthy, Holy Marriages and Families I received this e-mail the other day.

God knows it came at a good time. It lifted my spirits and confirmed a message that lies deep within my heart and soul the best things in life really are free.

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

Father Charles, It s hard for me not to think of you every time I hear the word separation, or when Nicole and I celebrate our marital reunion. Timing can be a funny thing sometimes. It was a year ago today when I asked Nicole to remarry me in front of the kids . In a recent autobiography that my youngest daughter wrote in school, she mentioned that the happiest day of her life was that day when mommy and daddy got back together.

May God continue to bless you, your family and ministry.

Joe A few years ago, Joe and his wife came to me. They were having some serious marital problems. With one foot out the door, both argued their cases convincingly and with great passion. She s self-centered He works too hard and never has time for us... She s into some New Age religion... He s been unfaithful I think she s been unfaithful... He doesn t understand She s ungrateful . Quite frankly, the flow and regularity of these types of comments seemed endless.

We went around in circles for three sessions. Little was accomplished. It was exhausting for all of us. In the midst of this crucible, during the third session, I was reminded of something a valued mentor had once shared. She said, If you re working harder than they are, you re outgunned and over-matched. There s no way therapy will succeed.

At that moment, I stopped the session, and offered the following observations with no apology. Listen, I m willing to go the distance with you to save your marriage, but you both have to feel the same way. Until you re invested in change, I can t do any more.

Both partners seemed stunned. They didn t know what to say.

When you work with couples, there are certain moments that I sometimes refer to as, aha moments. They are very ephemeral in nature, and they can quickly disappear if you re not tracking the process carefully. Fortunately, I was plugged in enough to discern this opportunity.

Let s stop for now, I continued in a respectful manner. I can t do anymore.

We re simply wasting our time and your money. Call me if you want to continue.

They knew I was right. The session ended with no objections.

I didn t hear anything from this couple for several months. I figured they either slipped back into their old unhealthy habits, stopped trying and decided to get a divorce or found another therapist. Then one day, without warning, Joe contacted me. He explained that he wanted to continue therapy, but his wife didn t. He said she s not ready. But I ve

been thinking about what you said. You were right. With God s help, I m determined to do all I can to save my marriage and family.

I invited him to come back. We started individual marital therapy that would eventually lead us to some couples work. Today this couple and family is back together - happier and more hopeful than ever.

Unless spouse abuse or some other form of abuse is taking place, I ve come to believe that a substantial number of marriages that end in divorce can be saved.

Admittedly, it takes time and commitment, but it s possible. I ve seen it happen.

The effects of divorce are acutely severe. Perhaps that s why divorce is referenced as one of the top psychosocial stressors in the DSM-IV. Divorce correlates with adult depression, poverty, children s poor school performance, children s low selfesteem, adolescent crime and violence, out of wedlock birth rates and child abuse.

And this is only a partial list.

My research clearly indicates that our faithful are not immune to these problems.

Many indicate this is one primary reason why they go to church. Almost in the same breath, they also repeatedly observe that they desire more help than is currently offered.

I don t know why the Church s voice has failed to resonate with regard to many of the important issues that its members marriages and families face today. It seems that somehow the human sciences have either snatched this responsibility from the Church s hands or we ve relinquished it.

But thankfully, things are changing. Society has realized that the social sciences don t have all the answers.

Please don t misunderstand me. I m one of those individuals who believes that a cross fertilization between human science and religion can prove beneficial to the Church s faithful. As we struggle to protect the integrity of what we believe in a post-Christian society, human science can impact our work in many positive ways, so long as we remember to defer to Divine revelation when the two conflict.

God is reaching out to marriages and families throughout our great nation in a positive way. A movement to decrease the divorce rate and promote marriage and family life is under way at all levels of our nation, even as I write. And many people of faith are leading this effort. We must become a part of this important, holy work. We can t afford to stand on the sidelines any longer. The consequences of doing more of the same are too serious.

In the coming months, I will begin elaborating upon this last statement. Together with the articles related to the intermarriage challenge that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is facing, this column will begin featuring topics of a general nature that concern all marriages and families.

With God s help, we can help to make a difference.

In addition to the work Fr. Charles is doing in the area of intermarriage, he also conducts marriage-building workshops.

For more information about these workshops, you can contact him at joanidesch@aol.com.

Advertise with the Orthodox Observer

observer@goarch.org

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

iocc newsiocc news Cycling,‘Virtual’ Teams Prepare for ‘Race’ BALTIMORE - They come different backgrounds, but for 25 days in August they ll put their lives on hold for a common goal: to support the humanitarian mission of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

They are the official race team for the Race to Respond, a coast-to-coast bicycle tour celebrating IOCC s 10th anniversary as the premier humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians in North America.

The five men, ranging in age from 26 to 45, will ride from New Jersey to California starting Aug. 3. They include team leader Jim Angelus, 45, an advertising professional from Hopewell, N.J.; Constantine Dino Davlantis, 30, an aircraft mechanic from Oaklawn, Ill.; Konstantin Kanelis, 35, an electrical engineer from Munich, Germany; Alex Mazarakos, 27, a telecommunications professional from Burbank, Ill.; and Michael Tsakalos, 26, a development officer from Phoenix, Md. For me, cycling across the country is going to be such a huge challenge, Tsakalos said. But completing this race also will leave a legacy for IOCC and the people it serves worldwide.

Calling the Race to Respond a journey for the glory of God, Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese recently blessed the five cyclists at Baltimore s Annunciation Cathedral to honor IOCC s anniversary. He prayed that God would bless the good intent and work of the cyclists. He also acknowledged the race effort, announced the names of all the cyclists and called the two riders present, Angelus and Tsakalos, to the altar for a prayer.

The five cyclists are top-conditioned athletes who have dedicated countless hours to a training regimen that will enable them to complete the grueling 3,500mile race. Their epic ride will take them from Keyport, N.J., to Point Reyes Station, Calif. Some major stops will include Pittsburgh, Akron, Cleveland, Chicago, Denver, Salt Lake City and San Francisco.

The IOCC benefit is not a race in the traditional sense but a long-distance test of endurance. The route covers the mountains of Pennsylvania, the plains of the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and the loneliest highway in America: U.S. 50 in Nevada. The cyclists will reach elevations of 12,200 feet, including the 7,130-foot climb up Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park.

Accompanying the riders will be a support-and-gear crew, a lead crew and an IOCC staff vehicle. The support team will closely monitor the cycling team, prepare meals, maintain equipment and provide advance scouting.

Support team members include crew chief Kerry San Chirico, a seminarian at St. Vladimir s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y., and bicycle mechanic Zack Burkett, a longtime cycling enthusiast and crew veteran of the Race Across America.

Along the way, participants will attend dozens of ral- lies and welcoming events at Orthodox Christian parishes and other venues.

I think it s an effort that will be supported and embraced (by all Orthodox Christians), said Kanelis, who has done cycling tours in the Alps.

The event will raise awareness and funds for the humanitarian mission of IOCC, which was founded in 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas. Since then, the agency has done more than $130 million in programs in 21 countries.

The cross-country bicycle tour is a tangible way to show how IOCC works to connect communities around the globe. Every day, IOCC is in a race to respond to the needs of people suffering from war, disease, natural disaster, poverty and famine.

Realizing that most people cannot cycle across the country, IOCC is offering other ways for individuals, parishes, businesses and organizations to support the Race to Respond.

Individuals and organizations can form virtual e-teams by logging on to the Race Web site at www.racetorespond.org.

Parishes along the race route can host a rally or welcoming event for the race team, and a variety of sponsorship opportunities also are available.

Through e-teams, people can help the Race team reach its goals of building awareness about IOCC and raising money in support of its mission. Participants can combine their efforts via the Internet, set their own fund-raising goals and invite others to join. Those who register to start or join an e-team will receive regular email updates on the progress of the race.

Those who donate at least $125 online will receive an official Race to Respond T-shirt. Prizes also will be given for the top fund-raising e-participant and top e-team.

PAGE 9

‘Faces’ Exhibit in L.A. Presents Sept. 11 Heroes, Including Archbishop Demetrios LOS ANGELES The Sept. 11 tragedy is never far from the thoughts of most Americans and a vivid reminder of the catastrophe will be on display at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles (coinciding in part with the Clergy-Laity Congress), June 20 through July 14.

Faces of Ground Zero: A Tribute to America s Heroes, is an exhibit of life-size photographic portraits that honors the heroic men, women and children who through their involvement saved hundreds of lives or rallied the traumatized country to overcome the catastrophe. Former veteran Life photographer Joe McNally conceived of creating life-size portraits of these individuals who represent various occupations, including firefighters, police, rescue workers, along

In Memoriam

Thomas A. Athens CHICAGO Thomas A. Athens, brother of Andrew Athens, died June 4 in Des Plaines, Ill. He was 81.

Mr. Athens and his brother were motivating forces in the founding of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, and brought in the most members from the Diocese of Chicago. He also was a founder of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Glenview, Ill., and raised thousands of dollars for various Church functions. He also was an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate/Order of St. Andrew the Apostle.

For his service and dedication to the

with former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and Archbishop Demetrios, the only Church leader honored.

The Skirball Cultural Center is about 15 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, at 2701 North Sepulveda Blvd.

Viewing hours are Tuesdays through Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and weekends 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free.

To reach the center, follow the Santa Monica Freeway west to the San Diego Freeway (I-405) north to the Skirball Center Drive exit.

Boston, London, San Francisco, Chicago, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Washington, Dallas and Atlanta are among other cities where the exhibit has been displayed or will be scheduled to visit.

Church and community, he was a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor Mr. Athens had also served as a board member and finance chairman of the United Hellenic America Congress.

Born in Chicago to immigrant parents, he attended Northwestern University and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. After the war, he joined Andrew in Belgium to found Metron Steel Corporation, which became one of the largest independent steel service centers with facilities throughout the Midwest.

He retired in 1985.

Survivors include his wife, Irene; daughters Carol Burke and Elise Bard; eight grandchildren; brothers Andrew Athens and Dr. William Athens; and a sister, Tula Georgeson. A son, Dr. Aris Athens and a sister, Mary Diveris, predeceased him.

Services took place June 8 at Sts. Peter and Paul Church.

PAGE 10

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

EDITORIAL

The Time to Offer Our Faith Is at Hand The time has arrived for the convening of the Clergy-Laity Congress, the biennial gathering of Greek Orthodox Christians from throughout the Archdiocese to deliberate on the important issues facing the Church, to learn of the important progress the Church has made over the past two years, to renew friendships and acquaintances, and to strengthen the ties that help foster our national identity.

This marks the second congress over which Archbishop Demetrios will preside, a gathering that should instill a new, higher level of spiritual involvement among the delegates and other participants so they can, in turn, take this experience with them when they return to their parishes.

To this extent, the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress will be characterized by a wide range of workshops, forums and worship services that will serve greatly to enhance our level of religious education and awareness and to help us better fulfill the theme of the Congress Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America.

His Eminence has stated that we have a direct connection to those who have gone before us and bore witness to the faith martyrs, saints, great

Church leaders and others and we are called upon to continue this tradition.

We have the challenge in this society of offering our Orthodox Christian faith in its completeness and wholeness. In order to do that, we need to train and grow consistently in our own faith, so that we become more aware of its content and realize what a valuable treasure we have.

Along with this, we will gather for the various working committees and plenary sessions necessary for the governance of the Church.

The Congress, as the highest lay and clergy deliberative and legislative body of the Archdiocese, has the responsibility of ensuring that the institutions, parishes and ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church in America have the support and resources to function properly and fulfill their tremendous potential.

To this extent, understanding our faith, and participating in the day-today workings of the Church go handin-hand.

Therefore, let us convene in a spirit of love and respect for each other, for the Church and her ministries and project this attitude in our meetings and outreach to contemporary America.

JUNE 2002

4th of July Encyclical To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

O

n Independence Day we come together as families, as communities, and as a nation to celebrate freedom and to honor the history of a country that has offered people unprecedented opportunity for achievement and growth in all areas of life. But as we gather on this day, we do so following the events of September 11, a day of national and world tragedy on which we witnessed the death of thousands of innocent people and a vicious attack on freedom.

In the aftermath of these events we have affirmed our love of freedom and have manifested the strength that true freedom offers for overcoming destructive hatred and the unjust attacks of evil. As members of this society we know and experience freedom as a political and social reality that has tremendous potential for fostering and upholding what is good. Even more significant, though, as Orthodox Christians and members of the heavenly kingdom, we know and experience the eternal reality of freedom in Christ, a freedom from the bondage of sin and death, an unsurpassable freedom that gives us abundant life and assurance that rests upon the promises of God. Therefore, our task on this day is not just one of remembrance and thanksgiving for the freedom that is offered in America. Our calling as the faithful of God and as carriers of the Hellenic legacy, a legacy that reveals the nobility of freedom, is to share with others a deeper understanding of freedom that will nurture and uphold the existence of a free society an understanding of what it means to be truly free not only in the temporal world of uncertainty, but for all ages unto eternity.

May the life of true freedom and unlimited blessings in the Lord be yours always.

With paternal love in Christ,

ÿ DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

u Easter date reponse t Editor, In response to your many letters regarding our Paschal traditions, I would like to offer another perspective, particularly in regards to our family having two Easters.

I am cradle Greek Orthodox, one of three children, and the only one who continues to be Orthodox. One brother does not practice any faith, and the other has become part of a Protestant non-denominational big-box church.

My husband was raised Roman Catholic, but was Chrismated on Palm Sunday. We live in an area that is overflowing with Protestant churches and Mormons trying to include our children in their activity nights; the pressures on our children are constant. Our family members are celebrating Easter at a different time and a different way than we do as Orthodox. Bill and I consider this a unique blessing of our faith, because it offers our children the opportunity to see the stark differences in our Orthodox worship and practice, and those of other faiths.

For example, several years ago, my born-again sister-in-law invited us to attend Easter services at their church. Their service was half musical production and half Jerry Springer.

To this day, my children recall some of what they heard and saw that day with amazement that that is how some people think Pascha is to be practiced and observed. I, personally, will never forget, after one woman s recounting of how Christ was in her life, having my thennine-year old son turn and ask me what incest meant.

We are able to attend Bill s non-practicing parents annual Easter egg hunt,

when the children get their Easter baskets from the Easter Bunny, and our children understand that is a fun tradition at grandma and granddad s house. This is commercial Easter, not really Easter to my children.

My sons spiritual investment is in Lent and Pascha. These they approach with reverence, and awe. They understand that Lent its observance and lessons are a gift given to us to become the best people we can be. They look forward to Holy Week. My eight-year old son softly and lovingly sings, and Joseph took his body, and he laid it in the tomb.

This is Orthodoxy; my children know they are Orthodox.

They actually know what happened to Christ in his last week and that he was crucified something my sister-in-law hides from her children, because it is too violent. (She also can t imagine that communion is the precious Blood and Body of our Lord.)

Knowing and being aware of the contrast in our reverence for our Lord, how he died and rose on the third day are essential to my children continuing their Orthodox faith, because they know other Christian faiths don t practice Christianity the way we do.

Two Easters ridiculous? No, an advantage at my house.

Idiosyncratic? No, faithful. Our reckoning for Pascha is a testimony of our preservation of that which the Apostles taught us. Our continuity is a treasure.

Confusing? Not for my children. We love to have the opportunity to answer questions and share our faith in with community that has no idea what Orthodoxy is. I am proud to walk into my school office and tell them that my children will be out of school at certain times because we are Orthodox, and it is our

Holy Week.

I don t envy my Christian brothers and sisters united in their observance of Easter, because they have lost the truth and fullness of faith, and the separation of the dates is witness to that fact. Our faith has withstood many tests in 2000 years, lets not change now our family (mine and all of yours) has too much to lose.

Margaret Mueller Roseville, California

u Prayers for Monica Annat Editor, In last month s (May) Orthodox Observer I read an article sent in by a loving, caring mother asking for prayers and cards for her ailing daughter, Monica Anna.

This touched friends and me very deeply and without hesitation sent at least 30 cards from friends and me.

We are interested in how Monica Anna is doing.

Thank you, Theresa Nictakis See following letter Editor, I want to thank you for publishing my letters and I want to thank each and every one of your readers, friends for your prayers, cards and support. The operation went fine, now we have to deal with the rest.

Monica Anna read every card with tears rolling on her face, the feelings were immeasurable. From the depths of my heart I thank you for giving my daughter the medicine for life.

Christina Hager Three Oaks, Mich.

HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS JULY ........

1 M ...... Rom. 2:28-29, 3:1-18; Matt.

10:1, 5-8 2 T .......... Rom. 4:4-12; Matt. 7:15-21 3 W ....... Rom. 4:13-25; Matt.7:21-23; 4 Th ...... Rom. 5:10-16; Matt. 8:23-37 5 F ........ Rom. 5:17-21; Matt. 9:14-17 6 S ............ Rom. 3:19-24; Matt. 7:1-8 7 SUN .. Rom. 2:10-16; Matt. 4:18-23 8 M ..... Rom. 7:1-14; Matt. 6:31-34, 7:9-11 9 T ........ Rom. 7:14-25; Matt. 7:15-21 10 W ...... Rom. 8:2-13; Matt. 7:21-23; 11 Th ... Rom. 8:22-27; Matt. 8:23-27; 12 F ....... Rom. 9:6-19; Matt. 9:14-17; 13 S Rom. 3:28-31, 4:1-3; Matt. 7:1-8 14 SUN ... Titus 3:8-15; Matt. 5:14-19 15 M ..... Rom. 9:18-33; Matt. 11:2-15 16 T ..... Rom. 10:11-21, 11:1-2; Matt.

11:16-20 17 W ... Rom. 11:2-12; Matt. 11:20-26 18 Th Rom. 11:13-24; Matt. 11:27-30 19 F ...... Rom, 11:25-36; Matt. 12:1-8 20 S ...... Rom. 6:11-17; Matt. 8:14-23 21 SUN .... Rom. 5:1-10; Matt. 8:5-13 22 M ....... Rom. 12:4-5, 15-21; Matt.

12:9-13 23 T ... Rom. 14:9-18; Matt. 12:14-16, 22-30 24 W ... Rom. 15:7-16; Matt. 12:38-45 25 Th ...... Gal. 4:22-27; Luke 8:16-21 26 F ........ Rom. 16:1-16; Matt. 13:3-9 27 S ....... 2 Tim. 2:1-1; Luke 21:12-19 28 SUN Rom. 10:1-10; Matt. 8:28-9:1 29 M . Rom. 16:17-24; Matt. 13:10-23 30 T ....... 1 Cor. 1:1-9; Matt. 13:24-30 31 W ......... 1 Cor. 2:9-16, 3:1-8; Matt.

13:31-36

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 11

ON PENTECOST

by Rev. George Mastrontonis

THE DESCENT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT ON APOSTLES

For centuries, from the beginning of the Christian Church just fifty days after the Resurrection of Christ, the Holy Spirit has continuously inspired the faithful members and granted them the spiritual prerequisites for salvation. The fiftieth day after the Resurrection of Christ, the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit made His official entrance into the Church. This took place When the day of Pentecost had come, they (the Apostles) were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance, Acts 2:1-4. This miraculous event changed the attitude of the, Apostles and others, who because of fear of arrest and punishment by the Jews were together in the upper room .

This attitude of fear and doubt was reversed, turning into courage and the bold faith to preach to all peoples. These Apostles and their disciples immediately became heralders and preachers of the Gospel of Christ. Despite their belief that the Lord had risen from the dead and appeared to them, showing them the wounds of His hands, walking with the two to Emmaous and speaking to them often, the Apostles were fearful and unable of themselves to face the people and begin their commission. From the day of the arrest of Christ, the Apostles showed great weakness. They not only were unable, to fight against the false accusations and slanders, but some also scattered and went into hiding. Even Peter, the pillar of the Apostles, denied under oath that he even knew Christ.

Such was the condition of the Apostles and other disciples of Christ up to the day of Pentecost and the descent of the Holy Spirit. All these weaknesses were foretold

by Christ, especially on the day before His arrest. But what an abrupt change came over the Apostles and disciples on this day of Pentecost. Fear and doubt turned to courage and strong faith. They recalled all that Christ had taught them; their conviction became deep and abiding. Their intention, spiritual power and attitude toward the killers of Christ was the, substance of their steadfast preaching. How did the Apostles receive so abruptly this changing power? How did the Apostles receive strength and durability? This changing power came from the Holy Spirit. He recalled to their minds the inexhaustible, eternal source of the Wisdom of the Christian Message. This changing Power came upon the Apostles and disciples on the day of Pentecost with the descent of the Holy Spirit. It engulfed them like the rush of a mighty wind ... And there appeared to them tongues as of fire . . . distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit (vs. 2, 3, 4). This changing Power transformed them into great heralders and preachers of the Word of God. The Apostles emerged boldly, from their hiding place into the open to preach, teach and heal everyone in the name of Christ, and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (v 4).

THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH

On this very same day of Pentecost, when many peoples from all nations had gathered to celebrate the feast in Jerusalem, the Apostles began their divine commission, which was destined to change the

world. The multitude of people had heard this sound and They were bewildered, because each one heard them (the Apostles) speaking in his own language.

And they were amazed and wondered saying, Are not all these who are speaking Galilians? How is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language (vs. 6-8). All were amazed and perplexed saying to one another, What does this mean? (v. 12).

It is very clear that the People recognized to their bewilderment the various languages being spoken and understood. Each one realized that he understood what was being said in his own native language (v.

8). The astonishing fact is that either the Apostles spoke in various languages of the people gathered there, or they used one language which miraculously was transmitted to the people in their own native language . The Apostles received this Power when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, (v. 4). Regardless of how the words of the Apostles were transmitted to the people, the miracle lies in the power of the Holy Spirit transforming the Apostles themselves from fear and doubt to the courage to go out openly to preach faith in Christ.

Apostle Peter lifted up his voice and addressed the multitudes. He spoke about the prophecy of Prophet Joel concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1721), and reminded them of the miracles, wonders, and signs performed by Christ, being Crucified and Resurrected according to the plan and foreknowledge of God (v. 23). The people, upon hearing this from Peter, asked him and the other Apostles: Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter said to them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (vs. 37, 38). The words of Peter so moved the people that those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls (v. 41). And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved (v. 47). The Apostles were also given the power to heal the afflicted.

Apostles Peter and John, while on their way to the temple, came upon a lame beggar. Peter said to him: I have no silver and gold, but I give you what I have; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk . And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. And leaping up he stood and walked and entered the temple with them, walking, and leaping and praising God , Acts 3:6-8.

This movement of the Apostles established the Church of Christ on this day of Pentecost, which is regarded as the birthday of the Christian Church. The Apostles became missionaries in their own land and abroad. The power of preaching and sanctifying was shared by other preachers and deacons, especially by Apostle Paul. The Grace of the Holy Spirit was very obvious in gaining new leaders and adherents to this new movement. This Grace was the only armor that the Apostles and their disciples had when they came out of hiding to convert the multitudes to the Christian Faith. They were without weapons, fame, money or prestige, being persecuted by their own people as well as by peoples of other lands. The Holy Spirit continuously gave them energy and strength, His Grace, as divine instrument to gain victory in the name of God. This struggle during the first three centuries established the Church, whose solid foundation was laid in the blood of the Apostles, disciples and the people themselves. It was the Holy Spirit Whom the Father and the Son had sent to protect the Church and guide man s salvation.

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 12

Q&AARCHDIOCESE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE How to Create Restricted Funds and Estate Planning Dear Editor: I find your column to be informative and long overdue.

There are many Greek Orthodox Christians in my community that would like to give to the Archdiocese, however they want to make sure that the money is used in accordance with their wishes.

Please tell me how do we create restricted funds at the Archdiocese in the name of our parents and how can others leave restricted money to the Archdiocese upon their death.

Many of us are in the process of preparing our wills and would like some more information.

Petros Papadakos Brooklyn, NY

by John Barbagallo, CPA Archdiocese Director of Finance

The first thing I would recommend is to decide what type of restricted fund you would like to create. One suggestion is a scholarship fund to assist students majoring in a certain field of study (Chemistry, Journalism, Accounting, etc) or students from a particular school (St. Basil Academy, your local Greek-American parochial school, etc.) Another suggestion is an endowment fund that would help in the operations of the Archdiocese. In either case, the funds can be named for anyone you choose.

The initial creation of restricted funds is the most important part of the process.

It is recommended to have an attorney create a legal document outlining the terms of funds and most importantly the nature of the restriction. Also, will you want the fund to be created now or will it be part of your estate? There are certain

tax strategies to consider in both scenarios, so check with you tax advisor for which one is best for you. Since the Archdiocese has assisted in the creation of many such restricted funds, we would provide you with a sample document approved by our auditor and attorneys so that you can pass it along to your attorney. It would save your attorney time and it would also save you money in legal fees.

When preparing your document, you should include/consider the following: The name of the fund (Your name or the name(s) of your loved ones) How the original donation should be invested (Stocks, bonds, etc.)

If you donated stock instead of cash, when should we sell the stock? (There are significant tax benefits to donating stock instead of cash) How much of the original donation is to be permanently restricted and how much of the investment income should be used for the funds purpose?

These are just a few of the things you need to include in your document, however the above list is not all-inclusive.

It is also important those donors who donate to the Archdiocese be properly recognized and remembered. If your restricted fund is structured properly, the names of your loved ones will remain as part of the Archdiocese forever Each year the Archdiocese would publish the names of the endowment funds that have contributed money in the form of annual distributions of investment income.

Please submit questions to: 8 East 79th Str., New York, NY 10021 attn: John Barbagallo, CPA or by email: finance @goarch.org

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JUNE 2002

HC/HC REPORT

Students Participate in Kenya Mission Team

HC/HC MISSION Team with Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president. (l. to r) Andrew Bersu, Irene Makrinos, Alex Maistros, Dimitrios Lee, Holy Cross Dean Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Hector Firoglanis, team leader Archimandrite Gerasimos Makris, Nektarios Antoniou, and Melanie Tsikouras.

BROOKLINE A team of eight students led by Archimandrite Gerasimos Makris, director of the Office of Student Life at Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology traveled to Kenya as part of a mission from May 24 to June 22.

Five medical personnel and other Orthodox Christians joined the group from. The team went to Kenya as part of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center s (OCMC) summer mission team program.

At the invitation of Archbishop Makarios of Kenya, the 2002 Kenya Mission Team visited Nairobi and the Makarios III Seminary before departing for western Kenya. The team traveled to the village of Chavogere, which has become a center for Orthodoxy in western Kenya.

Prior OCMC teams have built a medical clinic and the St. Mark Orthodox Church in Chavogere. This time the team will assist with the construction of an eightroom secondary school next to the church and clinic. The theological students also traveled to surrounding villages to offer catechism lessons and religious retreats.

The idea for this first-ever mission trip from the school originated last year, when Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis, dean of Holy Cross and professor of dogmatic theology, proposed the idea for some students in his dogmatics class to plan a trip to Africa. The motivation behind Professor Clapsis proposal was for the students to use their theological knowledge and talents in a practical setting, as a reminder that their God-given gifts are not for themselves alone, but for the world community.

Hector Firoglanis, a second-year student working towards his Master s of Divinity at Holy Cross, embraced his professor s challenge along with some other students, and together they contacted the OCMC and began planning for their trip to Africa. Hector sees the trip to Kenya as a wonderful opportunity for the students to broaden their vision of the Church s mission to the world. As theological students, we must learn from now to continue the work of the Apostles with a spirit of humility and love, so that the Church can radiate the glory of the living Lord all over the earth.

Fr. Gerasimos, who was asked to lead

the mission in place of Fr. Clapsis who is focusing on his new position as dean of Holy Cross, explains how excited he is to be going to Kenya with the students and the other team members. To kill two birds with one stone is considered a good thing, but I never expected three. First, with this mission trip to Kenya a dream I had from seminary days is being fulfilled. It is a reminder to me of Christ s words to Martha that only one thing is needful. Many times the call to spread the good news and to help our brothers in need throughout the world can be limited by daily preoccupations and administrative work. Second, it has always amazed me to see the extreme humility, goodness and patience found in the students that come from Africa. This mission trip will allow me to experience the culture that produces such character, a character that our high-tech, materialistic and advanced society does not produce so frequently. To top off these two blessings, I will have the opportunity to share these experiences with the beloved students of HC/HC. It is only within a community that we grow in Christ; therefore how much more so when it is with people that I consider my family.

With Fr. Clapsis and Fr. Gerasimos guidance, the students raised $3,400 each to cover some of the building supplies for the school, the plane ticket, ministry expenses, food and housing. Despite the extra time spent on fund-raising and planning amidst their other responsibilities, the students expressed their feeling that their efforts and time are being put to good use. As Melanie Tsikouris (second year, M.Div.) said, I am confident that Christ is blessing our intentions, and that He will continue to bless our work. Just as He multiplied the five loaves and the two fish in the wilderness and fed the 5,000, He will take what little we have to offer with our limitations and weaknesses and multiply what is good so that His children s souls in Kenya may be fed.

Participants from Holy Cross and Hellenic College include: Fr. Gerasimos Makris, Hector Firoglanis, Melanie Tsikouras, Andrew Bersu, Jennifer Servetas, Nektarios Antoniou, Dimitrios Lee, Alex Maistros, and Irene Makrinos.

36 Clergy-Laity Congress th

OFFERING OUR ORTHODOX FAITH TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICA Welcome Message

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America Jesus said to them, Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.

(John 20:21) Beloved Delegates and Participants of the 36th Biennial ClergyLaity Congress, I greet you with the love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and extend to you a warmhearted welcome to the 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles, California.

As Christians our calling is to continue the mission of Christ, to radiate His saving love, to convey His peace, to sow the seeds of His work, to exemplify His deeds of compassion, to Offer Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America in meaningful and life changing ways.

In this City of Angels, we gather as God s messengers to strengthen this 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. May we challenge each other on how to best be a bold witness with a love not in words and speech, but in deed and truth (I John 3:18). May we manifest in our deliberations an authentic and genuine expression of the splendor of Orthodoxy and the universal value of our Hellenic tradition, thus offering contemporary America a clear demonstration of the true life in Christ through our divine, inspirational, and pastoral ministries that will bring hope and salvation to all people.

I pray for God s blessings and inspiration upon our discussions, planning, and implementation, and may we acknowledge in our lives, our relationships, and our sacred work the presence of His infinite grace.

With paternal love in Christ,

Peace be with you.

As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.

(John 20:21)

ÿ DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

Welcome Message

by His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of Dardanelles To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Clergy, Presvyteres, Congress and Philoptochos Delegates, Choir Members, Young Adults, and all the Participants of the 2002 Clergy Laity Congress: It is with a deep sense of the historical import of this moment that I welcome you the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in Los Angeles, California. Exactly fifty years ago, the first Clergy-Laity Congress to be held on the west coast was convened in this very city. Moreover, twenty years ago the newly-constituted Diocese of San Francisco hosted its first Clergy-Laity Congress in San Francisco, an event that in many ways set the tone for my own episcopal ministry. I greet you on behalf of the Planning Committee and all those who have labored so diligently to make this momentous event a reality, confident that the proceedings of this unique synergy of clergy and laypeople will prove a source of renewal and revitalization for our entire Archdiocese.

The theme of this year s Congress is Offering our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America. But what is the content of this offering; what is the unique gift of our Church to the nation, especially in these uncertain times? I am convinced that the answer to this question has been given to us already during the recent Feast of Pentecost. The Scripture tells us that on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples as they were gathered together in one place ([åðß ôü á õôü). The coming of the Holy Spirit heals the estrangement and fragmentation that besets human nature after the fall, as evidenced by the miraculous reintegration of human languages. In the same way, as we gather together as one Church, one Archdiocese, one family, we too become vessels of the Holy Spirit, and offer an icon of the peace and harmony of the Kingdom of God to a world torn by division, fear, and conflict.

May this same Divine Spirit, who descended upon the disciples on the Day of Pentecost, illumine our hearts and minds, so that in the unity and mutual forbearance of Christ we may carry out the tasks set before us, to the glory of God the Father, and for the benefit and advancement of our Holy Church.

Paternally,

ÿ Metropolitan Anthony of the Dardanelles Bishop of San Francisco

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 14

JUNE 2002

Highlights of 36th Clergy-Laity Congress

T

he 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention welcome delegates and their families and other participants from parishes across the United States.

This year s events place added emphasis on the necessity of offering our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America and the multitude of ways this could be done.

The Congress begins Sunday, June 30, and concludes Friday, July 5.

Some preliminary events will take place prior to the start of the congress, including the Archdiocesan Council meeting, the Young Adult League Convention and the annual meeting of the Diocese of San Francisco Choir Federation.

Worship services On Sunday, the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy will begin at 9:30 a.m., with Archbishop Demetrios as the main celebrant. The service will take place at the Convention Center, a few blocks from the headquarters hotel, the Westin Bonaventure in downtown LA. All local area churches (from San Diego to Bakersfield) will be closed. A Welcome Fest will be held outdoors at St. Sophia Cathedral from 2 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Divine Liturgies will also take place on each day of the Congress in the Congress chapel of the hotel beginning with Matins at 7 a.m. Given the missionary nature of this year s theme, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America, substantial portions of daily Liturgies will be offered in various languages, such as Korean and Spanish.

There will also be a special July 4th Ecumenical Doxology at St. Sophia Cathedral near downtown Los Angeles. The service will take place from 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Other opening events His Eminence will lead in the Opening Ceremonies and will also attend the Philoptochos Convention opening on Monday morning. In addition, he will preside at the official exhibit opening on Sunday, and attend receptions of various church organizations.

Meetings of The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate-Order of St. Andrew, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, and the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council will take place during the Congress.

Education program events The Educational Program of the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress will offer to Congress participants an extensive schedule of sessions that will focus on presenting guidance and resources for Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America.

With a strong emphasis on education and the development and enhancement of ministry as critical both in offering a true witness of our faith and in addressing the tremendous challenges and opportunities of our contemporary world, the program will include more than 50 sessions designed to equip the faithful for the continued work and growth of ministry within the

parishes of our Archdiocese.

The sessions will be offered by departments, organizations and programs within the Archdiocese and will include specific sessions on topics related to the theme.

The Departments of Religious Education, Youth and Young Adults, Philanthropy, Family and Interfaith Marriage, Greek Education, Communications, Internet Ministries, and the Ecumenical Office will offer sessions integrating the theme with the scope and mission of their particular ministries.

Additional sessions will be offered by the National Forum of Church Musicians and the Orthodox Chaplains.

Further sessions will be held on the topics of Stewardship, Home Missions, Ministry in the Small Parish, Senior Adult Ministry, Art and Architecture, Environmental Issues, Preaching, and Church Libraries and Book Fairs.

Most of the educational sessions will be held on Mon-

day and Tuesday of the Congress, scheduled in two-hour blocks, 11 a.m. 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. 6 p.m.

Sessions will be one hour in length, with time offered for discussion and attention given to resources and models for ministry. Some of the sessions will be panel presentations/discussions.

Plans also have been made to audio tape all sessions, with tapes made available for purchase and/or offered digitally through the website of the Archdiocese.

Other features of the Congress Hospitality Area: The hospitality area will be open in the Pasadena Room during the posted hours.

Exhibit Hall: Approximately 100 exhibitors and information booths have been set up by the Archdiocese, its various ministries, iconographers and other Orthodox Christian-related organizations and vendors.

Computer Lab: Under the direction of Theo Nicolakis, director of Information Technology for the Archdiocese, a computer lab and computer training seminars will be held each day during the congress. The seminars will focus on using parish administration software, the Internet, and Microsoft Office. After hours, the computer lab will be open to attendees to apply what they learned in the classes, surf the Internet, and check email.

For more information on all aspects of the Congress, visit the Congress website at: www.clergylaity.org.

AN EXTERIOR VIEW of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Los Angeles (above) INTERIORS of the main atrium areas. (left) A SCHEMATIC representation of the meeting and ballroom areas. (below)

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 15

OFFERING OUR ORTHODOX FAITH TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICA Editor s Note: This is the fourth and final article by Archbishop Demetrios in a series on the theme of this year s Clergy Laity Congress. For the texts of all four articles, please see the Clergy Laity web site at www.clergy laity.org. Also, copies may be requested from the Orthodox Observer at observer@goarch.org.

the world. Politically, our country could be identified as providing the most freedom, the best democratic system, and the highest levels of civic involvement and responsibility. Demographically, we could show that America is a nation of nationalities and the most pluralistic society in the world in terms of religious association. In this

Contemporary America

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America

PART FOUR

I

n acknowledging the signifi cance and the meaning of our theme of the 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America, we have affirmed both the priority of offering and the tremendous content and quality of our Orthodox Faith. Offering is the manner of life, being, and relationship of the Orthodox Christian, and what we offer has been granted by God to us to guide us and others unto abundant life (John 10:10), and ultimately, unto eternal life.

To offer, though, and to have something to offer, signifies several things. First, it is a recognition of the value of what is offered. What I have is worthy of sharing, so I will do so.

Second, and more important to our understanding of our sacred mission, is our awareness of those in need. To offer is to know that we live in a world, a country, and a society where the needs are immense. To offer our Orthodox Faith is to affirm that what we have is appropriate and indispensable in addressing these needs and in bringing truth and life to those around us.

When we offer our faith we believe that Christ and faith in Him are able to satisfy the longings of human beings in an enduring way. We know and we celebrate that this offering brings salvation to all suffering under sin and evil. We are assured that our Orthodox Faith offers a sure foundation that upholds the potential of the heart and mind, that fosters acceptance of others and concern for their lives, and that leads people beyond themselves to true communion with God and one another.

The question, then, is to whom do we offer our faith. In following the Great Commission of our Lord, we are sent to make an offering to all nations (Matthew 28:19), to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). In terms of our theme for structuring this Congress, the focus has been placed on Contemporary America. How do we define contemporary America? How does this American context affect the message and the means of our offering? Who or what should be our primary concern? What is the role of each Orthodox Christian in making this offering a reality?

What is Contemporary America?

We could define Contemporary America in very broad, recognizable ways that show the uniqueness of this country within our modern world.

America could be described as the wealthiest, the strongest, and the most technologically advanced country in

line we could continue with economics, scientific and medical advancement, law, etc.

We could also choose to address many of the difficult issues and challenges that define life in contemporary America. Some of these include moral crises that lead to the devaluation of the human being and to the destruction of life.

Some of the challenges include the material things that enslave the minds and hearts of many people so that their relationships and abilities are limited.

Other issues involve the lives of our youth and children who are facing a rapidly changing world, often in the midst of family crises. In addition, are attitudes and modes of being that perpetuate superficial relationships, excessive self-dependence, and a negation of anything that is related to God or that is truth. Further, in the aftermath of September 11, a defining event of contemporary America, is the experience of living under the threat of terrorism, knowing that personal and familial well-being are challenged in yet another way.

In thinking about the implications of the blessings and challenges of living in America, or in reviewing examples that illustrate much that is good as well as much that reflects the fallen nature of our world, one could easily raise again our questions of how we offer. The clarity of this task comes, however, when we see that all of the above are the conditions, the context in which we offer. All of these affirmations, facts, issues, and struggles affect the lives of each one of us and of those around us. This is the reality of where we live. These are the issues that challenge us on a daily basis, that affect our families, that influence our perceptions and decisions. These are the obstacles that have to be overcome.

These are the uncertainties that must be faced. These are the resources that should be used wisely. This is the country, this is contemporary America in which we live, work, and worship, and it is within this context and to those with whom we share it that we must

offer our Orthodox Faith.

How we offer our faith in Contemporary America?

The context and conditions of contemporary America do affect the manner in which we offer our Orthodox Faith. First, we are aware of these conditions, and as disciples of our Lord who are sent to help others and share His redeeming love, we recognize the needs that are inherent both to human life and to life in America.

It is important to recognize that we do this in a society that grants us the freedom to share our faith and to meet the needs of others. This freedom can and has been dangerous to the ministry of the Gospel when it leads to apa-

employ technology to share the message of truth. In addition, our Hellenic heritage, a heritage of superb and most effective communication, constitutes a unique resource. Within our parishes, departments, and institutions we must also be aware of methods that can be used to enhance our work, expand our reach, and facilitate our ministry.

Our offering must be effective. We do not measure our success in numbers, though. One will plant. Another will nurture. Someone else will cultivate. And yet another will harvest. The priority is that we offer; and in offering we give ourselves completely to the service of the Lord, we pray and we strive to grow daily in our faith and witness. When we allow ourselves to be used by God for His work, we will be effective effective in being God s fellow workers (I Corinthians 3:9).

Who is Contemporary America?

thy. However, as Orthodox Christians with a tremendous offering to make, we must see that we have the greatest potential to offer. Our ministry, our parishes, and our outreach are expanding at a critical time in the life of our nation. More and more resources are available to enhance our programs and strengthen the work of our Hierarchs, Priests, and Laity.

Thus, the time and the challenge to offer is before us. We must fulfill our calling and answer the challenge by offering ourselves, our gifts, and our resources in true, unique, and effective ways. We offer in truth through the content of our faith, but more specifically through the life, worship, and fellowship of our parishes. Within and through the community of believers gathered in locations throughout this country, others must see the truth of God and the beauty of our faith exhibited in our worship. They must see the love of Christ offered through our fellowship and shared ministry. They must know that what is shared among brothers and sisters in Christ has the power to transform lives.

Our offering must be transmitted in unique ways. We live in an age where people are fascinated and captivated by technology and change. Certainly, this can be devastating to spirituality; however, it can also be the means by which a life encounters our Orthodox Faith. As faithful stewards of the resources of this world, we must

As Orthodox Christians we know that we must offer our faith, and we know that we must labor to live this faith and grow in our knowledge and understanding of it. We also know the context in which we must share it, i.e. contemporary America. This is no neglect of the Commission to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth. However, our work here will be the foundation, the support, the impetus for our work all over the world.

We know the context of what is Contemporary America. But it is also important to ask: Who is Contemporary America?

Contemporary America is your son or daughter, your spouse or family member to whom you have the responsibility to nurture in faith and the life in Christ, so that they are equipped to face each day and the future with the strength and assurance that comes from a strong relationship with God. Contemporary America is your neighbor whom you know or should know, who may share with you concerns, struggles, and joys in life, giving you the opportunity to listen, to love, to share.

Contemporary America is your coworker who will benefit from your godly example of life and conduct, who longs for something stable and true, who may have deep pain but needs someone to trust.

Contemporary America is the family in your community that is Orthodox but does not come to the church and perhaps is waiting for someone other than the priest to visit, call, or invite.

Contemporary America is the person who lives near you or near your church who does not associate with any religious group and is in need of contact and would perhaps respond to people who love and show concern.

Contemporary America is that person who has special needs but lacks the resources or assistance to do the tasks that we take for granted.

Contemporary America is the child or young person who needs your time and attention because they have no one at home.

Contemporary America is the person sitting next to you in the pew at church who is suffering through a hardship of life and who needs to know that you are praying for him or her.

Contemporary America are the persons you do not know who may one day in heaven thank you for your witness and offering that led them to live forever in the immensity of the love of God and the eternity of His joy.

PAGE 16

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

JUNE 2002

SCHEDULE OF THE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS MONDAY, JULY 1 11:00 AM 12:00 NOON 1. BYZANTINE MUSIC WORKSHOP San Bernardino Presenter: Stelios Kontakiotis This workshop will provide a basic overview of Byzantine music theory with some references to historical development.

2. PROCEDURES FOR THE PRESERVATION Exhibit Hall Theatre OF PARISH HISTORIES - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE (11:00 12:30) Presenters: Prof. Paul G. Manolis, Mary Mousalimas, and Nikie Calle This workshop will affirm the crucial need for the preservation of community histories and provide guidelines on techniques for systematic research and existing archival resources.

3. FIFTY PRACTICAL WAYS TO ENHANCE Santa Anita A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION IN YOUR PARISH Department of Religious Education Presenters: Mr. Themis J. Fotieo, Esq. and Rev. Fr. James Bogdan This session will discuss a multitude of ways to enhance and expand the program of Religious Education in the parish, including Speaker Programs, Audio/video Cassette Ministry, Bookstores, Parish Media/Computer Learning Center, and a host of other ideas and possibilities.

4. ENVIRONMENT AND PARISH: Santa Anita B ORTHODOX SPIRITUALITY AND CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT Presenter: Rev. Father John Chryssavgis This session will offer an audio-visual presentation on the intimate connection between religion and ecology. Attention will be given to three fundamental aspects of Orthodox theology and the spiritual life as they relate to understanding and care of creation.

5. WORKING AND WORSHIPPING Santa Anita C WITH OUR NEIGHBORS Office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Presenters: His Grace Bishop Dimitiros of Xanthos, His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Aenos, The Very Rev. Demetri Kantzavelos, Mrs. Elenie Huszagh, Esq., Rev. Fr. John Maheras Panelists will offer an actual hands-on overview of how our Church is offering our Orthodox faith to contem- porary America through involvement in inter-Orthodox, interchurch, and interfaith activities.

MONDAY, JULY 1 12:00 NOON 1:00 PM 6. BOOK FAIRS AND SPIRITUAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS Santa Anita A Presenters: Rev. Fr. William Chiganos, Rev. Fr. Steven Tsichlis Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos Panelists will offer information on the use of Book Fairs and Spiritual Emphasis Programs in the life of the local parish as a means of offering our Orthodox Faith within and beyond the community and as means of facilitating education, spiritual growth, and the awareness of resources.

7. WORKING WITH YOUTH WORKERS Santa Anita B Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Presenters: Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis, Rev. Fr. Bill Gikas, Rev. Dn. Paul Zaharas, Mr. Nicholas Kotsis This workshop will be a panel discussion for youth workers and clergy on how to interview, choose and hire staff and volunteers for youth ministry.

8. AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE Santa Anita C OF MARRIAGE Department of Marriage and Family Presenter: Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides This session will identify some of the key components of marriage from a Christian and Orthodox perspective, describe some of the ways our Orthodox faith positively impacts marital satisfaction, and offer balancing strategies that conflicted couples can employ in their efforts to enhance individual well-being, marital satisfaction and family stability.

9. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE I: INTRODUCTION Beaudry B Department of Information Technologies Presenter: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes This workshop will provide a general overview of how computers and software can be used effectively in the administration and ministry of an Orthodox parish. This session will be particularly useful for parishes just starting to implement computer use in the parish offices as well as for parishes upgrading their old equipment.

12. LITURGICAL MUSIC FOR CONTEMPORARY AMERICA Santa Barbara B/C FEAST DAY AND¨SACRAMENTAL HYMNS IN ENGLISH National Forum of Church Musicians Composers and arrangers from the various Dioceses have submitted hymns with English texts that participants will explore and sing as examples of the wealth of liturgical music materials now available in English for Greek Orthodox parishes.

13. BUILDING YOUR PARISH WEB SITE (3:00pm 4:00pm) Beaudry B Office of Internet Ministries Presenter: Rev. Fr. Peter Orfanakos Using as an example the web site of the St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, CT, this session will discuss 1) what are the first steps for a parish web site, 2) how to build a local Internet Ministry team, 3) how to assemble the structure and outline of your parish web site, and 4) selecting the appropriate content to put online.

MONDAY, JULY 1 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 14. PROCEDURES FOR THE PRESERVATION Exhibit Hall Theatre OF PARISH HISTORIES -PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE (4:00pm 5:30pm) (repeat) 15. THE QUALITIES OF A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHER Santa Anita A Department of Religious Education Presenter: Mrs. Eve Tibbs This workshop will discuss the skills and qualities of an effective Orthodox catechist.

The skills and Qualities will correspond to the six components of the CANA Curriculum Design Model (John 2:1-12).

16. THE SCOPE AND MISSION Santa Anita B OF THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILANTHROPY Department of Philanthropy Presenter: His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane This session will examine the mission and plans for the newly established Department of Philanthropy.

17. REDISCOVERING THE APOSTOLIC VISION Santa Anita C FOR MISSIONS IN CONTEMPORARY AMERICA Commission for Orthodox Mission and Evangelism Diocese of San Francisco Presenters: Mrs. Catherine J. Lingas, Rev. Fr. Theodore Dorrance This workshop will be short presentations inviting questions and discussion related to missions, including the history and function of the Commission for Orthodox Mission and Evangelism and models, challenges and experiences of the mission parish.

MONDAY, JULY 1 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 18. THE PHILANTHROPIC PARISH Santa Anita A Stewardship Presenters: The Very Rev. Anthony Scott, Mr. Jerry Minetos, CPA, MBA This seminar will introduce the professional theory and methodology of non-profit institutional development, as utilized by leading universities, major cultural institutions and national service agencies, as well as an by an increasing number of Orthodox parishes and Church organizations. Emphasis will be placed upon annual giving rather than capital campaigns or endowments.

19. PARISH EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS Santa Anita C Department of Greek Education Presenters: Rev. Fr. John Chakos, Dr. Cristal Chaney This session will include a presentation of the program of the Three Hierarchs Eastern Orthodox School and address the steps a community must take to start an early childhood program.

20. SHARING OUR ORTHODOX Santa Anita B TRADITION WITH NON-TRADITIONAL KIDS Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Presenter: Rev. Dn. Paul Zaharas The focus of this workshop is to understand better the society and culture that young people are growing up in today and to explore how we can share with them our Orthodox tradition through relational youth ministry.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 11:00 AM 12:00 NOON 21. BYZANTINE MUSIC WORKSHOP (repeat)

San Bernardino

22. PROCEDURES FOR THE PRESERVATION Exhibit Hall Theatre OF PARISH HISTORIES - Past, Present, and Future (11:00 12:30) (repeat)

10. INTERNET BASICS (2:00 PM 3:00PM) Beaudry B Office of Internet Ministries Presenters: Mr. Bill Flegas, Mr. Jamil Samara Geared for the novice user, this session will cover the basics on how to use the Internet. The session will answer a full range of questions from What is a web browser? to What is available on the Internet for BOrthodox Christians?

23. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE II: Beaudry B MEMBERS AND MAILING LISTS Department of Information Technologies Presenter: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes This session will look at how computer software can make managing member databases and mailing lists easier for parishes. Topics to be covered include 1) the benefits of computer-based records, 2) software options for churches, 3) special concerns for Orthodox parishes, and 4) keeping up with postal regulations and discounts. A hands-on software demonstration will be provided.

11. CLERGY WORKSHOP ON TAX ISSUES San Gabriel B Office of Finance Presenter: Harvey J. Berger, CPA, JD, Mr. John Barbagallo, CPA, Rev. Fr. Michael T. Kontogiorgis Clergy will be given information on various tax laws and recent changes that related to their compensation, benefits, and tax responsibilities.

24. HOW TO TEACH TEENS USING THE UPCOMING Santa Anita A TEENAGE CURRICULUM Department of Religious Education Presenter: Rev. Fr. Frank Marangos, Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis This session will describe the procedures that are currently being employed to develop the Teenage Curriculum and will outline how to use the new curriculum

MONDAY, JULY 1 2:00 PM 4:00 PM

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 17

SCHEDULE OF THE EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AND WORKSHOPS that is based on the needs of teenage students or learner.

25. CHRIST AND THE GOSPEL IN THE PARISH Santa Anita C Presenter: Rev. Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos This workshop will explore clear and practical ways in which all Orthodox Christians can 1) increase their understanding and meaning of the Gospel, 2) be inspired to live according to the vision of the Gospel, and 3) help create a parish context where the Holy Spirit releases the power of the Gospel for community spiritual renewal and a mighty bulwark against an all-encroaching cultural secularism.

26. ARCHITECTURE AS A TIMELESS, Santa Anita B LIVING ICON OF ORTHODOXIA Presenter: Mr. Christ J. Kamages, AIA It is the mission of this session to both connect and transform the participants in understanding the process and resultant product of the Orthodox architectural tradition as a key element of our Orthodox Faith and witness.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 12:00 NOON 1:00 PM 27. PARISH CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS: Santa Anita A CLIMBING MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MOUNTAINS Stewardship Presenters: The Very Rev. Anthony Scott, Mr. Jerry Minetos, CPA, MBA This workshop will offer a brief introduction into the professional theory and methodology of major gift fundraising gifts exceeding $100,000, the rare but oft-times massive planned gift, family foundations, endowments and understanding major donor motivation.

28. RESOURCES FOR OUTREACH Department of Philanthropy Presenter: His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane

Santa Anita C

29. MINISTERING TO THE FAMILY Santa Anita B Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries Presenter: Rev. Fr. Mark A Leondis This workshop will focus on models of family ministry and will assist the participants in defining the roles of parents, youth workers and clergy in family ministry. Materials and discussion will focus on local parish programming and starting a family ministry.

30. CREATIVE IDEAS FOR PARISH WEB SITES Beaudry B Office of Internet Ministries Presenter: Mr. Theo Nicolakis Whether your parish is looking to build a new web site or wants to improve the current one, this session will explore a variety of ideas that will make your parish web site more informative, relevant, and exciting.

TUESDAY, JULY 2 2:00 PM 4:00 PM 31. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE II: MEMBERS AND MAILING LISTS (2:00pm 3:00pm) (repeat)

Beaudry B

32. ORTHODOX CHAPLAINCY MEETING San Gabriel B AND CLERGY WORKSHOP Presenters: His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah of Proikonisos, Rev. Fr. Luke Uhl This workshop will include presentations on the Armed Forces, Veterans Administration, Police Department, Fire Department, and Hospital Chaplaincy Programs, as well as providing a time for general discussion on Chaplaincy work.

33. BUILDING YOUR PARISH WEB SITE (3:00pm-4:00pm) (repeat) Beaudry B

TUESDAY, JULY 2 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 34. MAKING OUR FAITH VISIBLE IN THE MEDIA Santa Anita C Department of Communications Presenters: Presvytera Nikki Stephanopoulos, Marissa P. Costidis, Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos This workshop will give clergy and laity the tools and constructive guidelines for making our Orthodox faith visible within their local newspaper and on their radio and tv stations. The session will also give an overview of the communications process already available as electronic media, radio programming, videos, etc.

35. ADDRESSING INTERMARRIED COUPLES Santa Anita B UNIQUE PASTORAL CHALLENGES Department of Marriage and Family Presenter: Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides Participants in this workshop will receive an overview of the Orthodox social ecological developmental theory, a theory which can assist clergy and lay workers in their efforts to address the unique pastoral challenges that intermarried couples and their families encounter as a result of their religious and cultural differences.

36. ESTABLISHING A PARISH DISTANCE Santa Anita A LEARNING PROJECT AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER Department of Religious Education Presenter: Rev. Fr. Frank Marangos This workshop will outline the steps that a parish can undertake to establish a distance learning program. Demonstrations will be provided of newly developed CDroms. A review of the Internet School of Orthodox Studies (ISOS) will be provided.

The ISOS is the Distance Learning Program of the DRE. 37. EXPLORING THE NEW ARCHDIOCESE WEB SITE Office of Internet Ministries Presenter: Mr. Bill Flegas

Beaudry B

The award winning Office of Internet Ministries has unveiled a new web site for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese at http://www.goarch.org. This new web site is packed with new features, resources, and information for Orthodox Christians. This session will explore the highlights of the new site.

38. PROCEDURES FOR THE PRESERVATION Exhibit Hall Theatre OF PARISH HISTORIES - PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE (4:00pm-5:30pm) (repeat)

TUESDAY, JULY 2 5:00 PM 6:00 PM 39. AGELESS MINISTRY IN A MODERN AGE Santa Anita A Senior Adult Ministry Presenter: Rev. Deacon Nektarios Morrow This session will give attention to the changing demographics of modern American society in which the number of senior adults is rapidly increasing. The presentation will address issues of ministry to senior adults, but also acknowledge the tremendous potential of ministry by senior adults.

40. MINISTRY IN THE SMALL PARISH Santa Anita B Presenters: Rev. Fr. Theodore Dorrance, Rev. Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos This workshop will offer models of ministry from the practical perspective of two parish priests who have had successful ministries in small parishes. As the dynamics and challenges are different in the smaller community, this workshop will provide a time for reflection and discussion on strengths and priorities of ministry in this context.

41. THE PROGRAM OF HELLENIC EDUCATION Santa Anita C IN THE AFTERNOON SCHOOLS Department of Greek Education Presenters: Rev. Fr. Efstathios Mylonas, Prof. Maria Pantelias This session will give attention to the importance and structure of parish Afternoon Schools, emphasizing the value and critical need for teaching our youth about their Hellenic heritage. Information will also be provided on Greek Studies programs and resources that assist in the program of afternoon schools.

42. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE III: Beaudry B STEWARDSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS Department of Information Technologies Presenter: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes This session will examine how computer software can manage recording of financial information, track and report pledges, regular offerings and special contributions.

Topics will include 1) using software in financial operations, 2) informing parishioners, 3) software options for parishes, and 4) special concerns for Orthodox parishes.

A hands-on software demonstration will be provided.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 43. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE III: STEWARDSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS (repeat)

Beaudry B

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 11:00 AM 12:00 NOON 44. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE IV: Beaudry B SACRAMENTS AND MEMORIALS Presenter: Fr. John Touloumes This session will look at how Orthodox parish management software can be used to produce sacramental reports , letters, and certificates and will include a hands-on demonstration of a computerized registry system. It will also show how memorial records and contributions can be combined to save hours of work in recording.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 12:00 NOON 1:00 PM 45. TECHNOLOGY IN THE PARISH Beaudry B Department of Information Technologies Presenters: Rev. Fr. Peter Orfanakos, Mr. Theo Nicolakis Technology can greatly improve both the speed and effectiveness of parish communication, help in the organization of the local parish, and assist the parish priest in his ministry. This session will 1) look at the technology and tools available to parishes and the parish priest and 2) explore tips and skills for using these tools to enhance ministry.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 2:00 PM 3:00 PM 46. BUILDING YOUR PARISH WEB SITE (repeat)

Beaudry B

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 3:00 PM 4:00 PM 47. CREATIVE IDEAS FOR PARISH WEB SITES (repeat)

Beaudry B

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 4:00 PM 5:00 PM 48. PARISH MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE V: Beaudry B ADVANCED USERS FORUM Department of Information Technologies Presenter: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes This forum is designed for users already familiar with parish management and office software who would like to go outside the box with their work. Learn about mailmerge, exporting to various software packages, integration and more. There will be ample time for users to ask questions and find solutions to unique situations.

THURSDAY, JULY 4 10:00 AM 11:00 AM 49. TECHNOLOGY IN THE PARISH (repeat)

Beaudry B

THURSDAY, JULY 4 12:00 NOON 1:00 PM 50. EXPLORING THE NEW ARCHDIOCESE WEB SITE (repeat)

Beaudry B

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 18

JUNE 2002

$50,000 GIFT TO YOUNG ADULTS

Delegates to the Future Program Leads the Way

Los Angeles Celebrating the 20th Anniversary National Young Adult League Conference, the National YAL Committee is excited to announce the establishment of the Delegates to the Future program at this year s historic conference. No previous National YAL Conference has ever offered YAL ministry training on such a scale and with such demonstrated commitment to gather and train new leaders.

by Steve G. Counelis

Possible only through an extraordinarily generous anonymous donation, forty-five young adults from nine dioceses will be transported, housed, and sponsored to attend this year s National YAL Conference for specialized leadership training.

The Archdiocesan Youth and Young Adult Ministry Team, which is comprised of each Diocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, will provide the three-day long delegate training, simultaneous with the National Conference. A new network of young adult leadership teams will return to their parishes, dioceses, and college campuses with the enthusiasm, tools and institutional support needed to establish new and revive existing Young Adult Ministries. Thereafter, Diocesan Youth Directors will be empowered and staffed with an immediate network of motivated and trained young adults available for youth and

young adult ministry programming, i.e. parish YAL ministries, summer camps, retreats, and Diocese YAL conferences, all for the advancement of Orthodoxy.

It was fitting and proper for this Program and Anniversary Conference to be the launching pad for the next twenty years of YAL ministry after having been born at the 1982 Clergy-Laity Congress and Youth Rally in San Francisco, California, offered Metropolitan Anthony.

Upon hearing of the anonymous gift, Evan Arapostathis, National YAL Coordinator, said, The dream of presenting a mini-training conference, in the form of the Delegates to the Future Program, at the National Conference has come to fruition thanks to Archbishop Demetrios unswerving commitment to the young adults of our Church and our anonymous patron donor.

The Delegates to the Future Program was conceived and developed by Los Angeles Conference Co-Chairs Maria Foskaris, Stacia Anest, and Steven Counelis, in response to Metropolitan Anthony s inspired call in June 2001 for a new and different type of National Young Adult Conference.

We believed the moment was

New Event Planned for Archons At Clergy Laity Congress in L. A.

T

he National Council lead ership and the local Ar chons of the Diocese of San Francisco headed by Regional Commander Theofanis Economidis, have planned three major events that will energize, inspire and inform the Archons of America at the 2002 Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles. All events are scheduled at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel and invited guests include our spiritual father His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Patriarchal Representatives and Their Eminences and Graces, the presiding Hierarchs of the Dioceses of the Holy Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. This year for the first time, in addition to the Archon Family Reception (Sunday afternoon) and the Archon Business Breakfast (Tuesday morning), which are the traditional Clergy Laity Congress activities of the Order of St. Andrew, an Archon Fellowship Dinner (Wednesday evening) is scheduled as the concluding event for Archons and their spouses/guests.

Archon Family Reception (Sunday afternoon; Archons & family members) This event is open to all Archons and members of their families and represents the Congress icebreaker for the Archons. Archons and their families from all over the country gather at the Reception and have the opportunity to interact with our spiritual father,

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the patriarchal representatives, our respected hierarchy and fellow Archons and family members.

Archon Business Breakfast (Tuesday morning; Archons only) The Business Breakfast is the event where the Archons will be updated regarding the activities of the Order, including details of our upcoming pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate scheduled for October 18th through the 23rd, receive greetings from the Patriarchal Representatives, preview the just completed interactive CDROM on the Ecumenical Patriarchate presented by Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Director of the Department of Religious Education and participate in a discussion following the keynote address of Commander Limberakis entitled The Roll of the Archon in Contemporary American Orthodoxy. The Breakfast will conclude with the remarks and charge of our spiritual father, Archbishop Demetrios of America.

Archon Fellowship Dinner (Wednesday evening; Archons & spouse/guest) This new event initiated by the local Archons of the Diocese of San Francisco will provide another opportunity to share fellowship among our brother Archons. More importantly, we will focus on our roll as Defenders of the Faith and the implications of that noble mission.

upon us in the history of the YAL to gather the most committed young adults in one place, at one time, with the necessary support to roll up our sleeves and learn group development, establish instant YAL teams, and create a better organization for the good of the greater Church, said Maria Foskaris, Conference Co-Chair. Now is the time to reinvigorate the movement so that the YAL ministry may continue to serve the Church at all levels.

20 Years Of The Young Adult\League Movement

through the Young Adult Movement.

Steering this movement for the past twenty years has been the National YAL Committee. This Committee currently operates under the following structure and membership: One National YAL Coordinator (appointed by the Archbishop), an Assistant Coordinator/Treasurer, two Young Adult representatives from each diocese (appointed by the presiding hierarch), two representatives from Hellenic College/ Holy Cross, all Diocesan Youth Directors, and a Spiritual Advisor [the Archdiocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.] This body has given considerable thought and discussion about the future of the YAL movement during this past year. The 2002 Delegates to the Future Program is the first step toward the Committee s efforts to plan for the future of the YAL and Church.

The Young Adult League of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was founded during the 1982 Clergy-Laity Congress and Youth Rally in San Francisco, California.

The Youth Rally garLA 2002 Conference Highlights nered 1,000 youth Hundreds of Young Adults from from across the nation, across the country arrived in Los Angewith an age range from ap- les for the 20th Anniversary Conference. proximately 12-30 years old.

The gathering offers the perfect balance Upon the completion of of spiritual edification and fellowship, the Youth Rally, the spiritual and in light of the theme Offering Our Orsocial needs of those 18-35 years old thodox Faith to Contemporary were realized to be entirely different America. from those in the younger age ranges.

The true mission of the Young Many young adults met with Arch- Adult League (YAL) is to take the spiribishop Iakovos to express these con- tual journey of introspection, to comcerns. The Congress Youth Commit- mit to learn about the Orthodox Christee recommended that an tian faith, to minister to one another Archdiocesan and to help those YAL Conference in need. The YAL or Retreat be held depends upon annually. The the commitment plenary session and desire of approved this clergy and laity to recommendalearn about and Be sure to visit tion. Archbishop love Christ and Iakovos gave his His Church by ofblessing and sefering their hearts, lected Holy Trinresources and tality Cathedral, ents. Indeed, Ta Conference web site Dallas, Texas to Sa ek ton Son, Soi host the First prospheromen.

Archdiocesan Thine Own of at: www.yal.org YAL Conference Thine Own, we for the Greek Oroffer to Thee. thodox ArchdioW o r s h i p cese of North and (Liturgia), WitSouth America in July 1983. Approxi- ness (Martyria), Service (Diakonia), and mately 600 young adults from through- Fellowship (Koinonia) are the four out the Archdiocese attended that first characteristics of a balanced Orthodox historic conference.

Christian life, thereby growing in His The Diocese of San Francisco wel- likeness. comes back the National Young Adult The Conference offers two discusLeague Conference twenty years later. sion group tracks: College & Career The Archdiocesan YAL Movement and Leadership. Each series focuses took off like wild fire from Dallas. on relevant issues for the 18-30 age Archdiocesan Conferences were group and the 30+ age group. A new hosted in the following cities across and enlightening program aimed speAmerica [biennially with the Clergy- cifically to meet the growth and comLaity Congress]: position of our modern day Young 1983 Dallas; 1984 New York/ Adult League will be unveiled. Topics CL; 1985 Seattle; 1986 Dallas/CL; such as the following are planned: My 1987 St. Louis; 1988 Boston/CL; Career & God s Will, Tolerance and 1989 Pittsburgh; 1990 Washington, Tradition, and Orthodoxy and Islam.

D.C./CL; 1991 - Los Angeles; 1992 All discussion groups will be interacNew Orleans/CL; 1993 Atlanta; 1994 tive and designed to prepare attendees Chicago/CL; 1995 Salt Lake City; to offer Orthodoxy to Contemporary 1996 New York/CL; 1997 - Minneapo- America. lis; 1998 Orlando/CL; 1999 PhoeOther weekend plans for confernix; 2000 Philadelphia/CL; 2001 ence guests include a Hollywood-style Denver; 2002 - Los Angeles/CL. welcome reception, Keynote breakfast, Grand Banquet, Hollywood Bowl conIt is not hyperbole to state that a cert, West Coast beach party, after whole generation of priests, mission- hours party, and optional trips on June aries, choir members, church school- 27 and July 1, 2002. teachers, parish council members, chanters, and lay leaders found their *Steven G. Counelis is LA 2002 YAL inspiration to serve the Church Conference Co-Chair

YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE

the 20th Anniversary

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 19

APC CLERGY: a Strong Presence at Congress

The clergy of the Archdiocese attend the Clergy-Laity Congress not only to be a part of the discussion of important issues facing our Church, but also to participate in the educational workshops and to share fellowship with one another.

Special programs for our priests include a review of the Sexual Misconduct

Portable Icon of the Pentecost

Policy, a clergy benefits session, and an update on tax issues clergy face. There will be a clergy family forum with presentations by a priest and a presbytera on life in the parish and how to deal with its challenges.

Concluding the congress for the clergy will be a gathering with Archbishop Demetrios, who will review what transpired at the congress and offer guidance as the clergy return to their parishes.

The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, comprised of clergy representatives from each diocese, supports, enhances and promotes the brotherhood of priests at all levels of their diakonia, spiritual growth and personal needs.

The current APC works closely with Archbishop Demetrios and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Bishop Savas of Troas, to address the concerns of the clergy.

by the hand of Athanasios Clark/DRE

HYMN OF PENTECOST O blessed are You, O Christ Our God, Who by sending down the Holy Spirit upon them made the fishermen wise and through them illumined the world, and to You the universe was ever drawn all glory to You O Lord.

INTERIOR ST. SOPHIA CATHEDRAL IN LOS ANGELES

NSP Celebrating Its 20 th Year at 36 th Congress

T

he National Sisterhood of Presvyteres will mark the 20 th anniversary of its founding that took place at the last Clergy-Laity Congress held in California.

In l982 at the 26th Biennial ClergyLaity Congress in San Francisco, with the support and blessings of Archbishop Iakovos, presbyteres of the Archdiocese formally met and organized the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres. In the two decades since its inception, the Sisterhood has seen much growth and progress.

Diocesan sisterhoods were formed in each of the dioceses with much activity and enthusiasm generating from the local level through special activities and programs.

A benevolent fund was established in the early years of the Sisterhood with the purpose of assisting presbyteres and their families in time of need.

In 1996, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres and the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council combined their funds into the APC/NSP Benevolent Fund and continue to offer assistance to clergy families.

The national newsletter serves as a means of communication among the presbyteres of the Archdiocese as well as a Website that provides updates on the various projects and activities of the Sisterhood. The archives and history of

the Sisterhood are kept by the historian.

A sister-to-sister committee serves as the official welcome to new deaconesses and presbyteres, encouraging and helping them as they begin their new parish life.

As the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres continues to grow, it remains focused on its goal and purpose to promote the spirit of Christian love among the presbyteres of the Archdiocese, to offer opportunities to become acquainted with one another and to develop outreach programs.

Schedule of events

The National Presvyteres Conference will include an interesting program. Following the official opening of the Congress and keynote address of Archbishop Demetrios, the conference will begin Monday afternoon.

Business meetings, discussions and workshops are planned.

On Tuesday morning , July 2, a memorial service for the souls of departed presbyteres will be offered after the liturgy. Names of presbyteres who have fallen asleep in the Lord may be submitted at the Presbyteres Registration Booth by Monday, July 1.

During the Tuesday morning business session, diocesan sisterhoods will meet, as will the retired and widowed presbyteres.

An anniversary tea will take place

Tuesday afternoon, July 2, when the National Sisterhood founders will be honored and the NSP s 20-year history will be celebrated.

All presbyteres are invited to attend the event, which will be reminiscent of the years prior to the National Sisterhood s establishment, when Archbishop Iakovos invited presbyteres attending clergy-laity congresses to afternoon teas. Out of these gatherings and fellowship the Sisterhood was born.

A special afternoon program has been planned, with Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Anthony, and representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in attendance.

An informative and interesting workshop is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

The Seasons of our Life Live in Peace....Not Pieces is chaired by Presbyteres Elaine Gigicos, Margaret Orfanakos, and Elaine Stephanides.

It will include a 12-member panel of presbyteres and will address issues facing clergy families as well as presbyteres various roles and lifestyles.

Panelists will include active, retired, and widowed presbyteres of all age groups. All presbyteres are urged to attend this unique workshop......and bring their husbands, too!

The Clergy Family Forum will take place on Wednesday evening and will fea-

ture two guest speakers: Fr. Danut Sushiu and Matushka Vickie Trouboucovich who will speak on Clergy Family Issues, followed by discussion, questions and answers.

Immediately following, the Archdiocese Benefits Office will hold a clergy benefits forum.

Thursday morning, July 4, the business meeting concludes with elections of the new national board for 2002-04.

The Clergy Kidz! Program: A program for clergy children ages 5-11 is being provided by the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres. The program will run as follows: Monday, July 1: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tuesday, July 2: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Wednesday, July 3: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The hours of the KidZ! program coincides with the presbyteres schedule to enable mothers of young children to attend Sisterhood meetings.

Teenage Clergy Children Rap Session Wednesday, July 3: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A rap session for teen-age clergy children will be held to help them get acquainted, share thoughts and have fellowship.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 20

JUNE 2002

National Forum of Church Musicians Convenes with Congress The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians will convene June 30-July 4 in conjunction with the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress.

The NFGOC s annual gathering marks the culmination of its 25-year anniversary celebration. It was at the 1976 Clergy-Laity Congress in Philadelphia when the National Forum received its charter.

Choir/church music federations representing each Diocese will send delegations that, along with additional National Forum members, will participate in the meetings and choral singing events.

National Forum meetings will begin Sunday, June 30 at 4 p.m. and continue through noon Thursday. Delegates and visitors will discuss national and diocesan priorities relating to church music, will also review current National Forum projects and deliberate on issues relating to the use of English, youth involvement, development of psaltai, continuing education of directors and choir members, and the liturgical music needs of parishes.

Other program highlights include the National Forum s reception on Monday, where Archbishop Demetrios will extend his anniversary blessings, followed by the presentation of the 2002 St. Romanos Medallion to recipients, National Chairman Dr. Vicki Pappas announced.

Members will receive an anniversary commemorative album chronicling the Forum s development as the Archdiocese s official umbrella organization on ecclesiastical music issues. Archon George Raptis, longtime Detroit Diocese church musician, served as the editor, with assistance of Ms. Barbara Minton of Southgate, Mich., Chris Zervos of Toledo, Ohio; Peter N. Vatsures of Columbus, Ohio; and Chairwoman Pappas.

At a workshop on July 1, participants will review and sing hymns submitted by composers and arrangers from various dioceses that are examples of liturgical music materials available in English.

An educational workshop for Congress delegates on the topic: Liturgical Music for Contemporary America: Feast Day and Sacramental Hymns in English will also take place July 2.

Plans also will be completed for the National Church Music Institute on the Use of English in Composition, Singing, and Chanting, planned for next spring at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, and the diocesan Church Music institutes to be

CONGRESS SCHEDULE SUNDAY JUNE 30 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. Orthros 9:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Hierarchical Divine Liturgy 2:00 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Organizational Meetings and Receptions 4:30 p.m. Exhibit Hall Museum Opening 2:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. Welcome Fest St. Sophia Cathedral MONDAY JULY 1 7:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Spanish) 9:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. Opening Ceremonies and Keynote Address 10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Educational Sessions 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. National Philoptochos Meeting 11:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Committee/Organization Meetings 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Educational Sessions 6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. National Philoptochos Reception & Dinner 10:30 p.m. Compline Service TUESDAY JULY 2 7:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (English) 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Committee/Organization Meetings 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. National Philoptochos Meetings 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. Educational Sessions 11:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Committee/Organization Meetings 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Educational Sessions 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Cultural Event - Plaza Terrace 10:30 p.m. Compline Service

held during 2002-03.

Several noted composers will attend, along with experts in youth music programs and transcription of Byzantine chant.

Hierarchs of the Archdiocese and department heads also plan to visit the meetings to share ideas about the direction of church music in America and how to meet the needs they have identified.

National Forum members will join San Francisco Diocese Church Music Federation members in a combined choir for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, June 30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Andriana Kolendrianos, director of the St. Barbara choir in Santa Barbara, Calif., will serve as guest conductor.

Also singing at the service will be a youth choir, directed by Ms. Pat Tsalgalakis.

Dr. George Bilalis and Stelios Kontakiotis will chant the Orthros and other hymns of the service, as well as one of the morning liturgies.

Final rehearsals for all singers will be held Friday and Saturday, June 29-30.

Guest directors have been selected to conduct other liturgical musical

events that will occur during the Congress. Federation and National Forum members will sing for the official opening of the Congress on Monday morning, led by Archon Dr. Tikey Zes of San Jose, Calif.

Nicholas Kyrus of Alexandria, Va., will lead a group of National Forum singers for a musical interlude during the National Forum reception Monday evening. The Fourth of July Doxology will feature Los Angeles-area choir members, joined by National Forum delegates.

Ms. Kristen Bruskas, San Francisco Diocese Church Music Federation president and director of the Holy Trinity choir in Phoenix, will be the guest conductor for this event.

Church musicians from throughout the Archdiocese are invited to join the National Forum and be eligible to participate fully in the annual meeting.

Other Congress delegates, Philoptochos members, Presbyteres, YAL members, and clergy interested in church music are invited to attend the Forum s meetings and share ideas about church music needs and ways to meet them.

For further information, contact Dr. Vicki Pappas, National Chairman: 812-855-8248 or email: pappas@indiana.edu.

COMPUTER LAB SCHEDULE DATE/TIME

TOPIC

PRESENTER SUNDAY 6/30

Open until 9:00 p.m.

Open Lab

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Parish Management Software 1: Introduction

Fr. John Touloumes

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Internet Basics

Bill Flegas and Jamil Samara

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Building your parish web site

Fr. Peter Orfanakos

4:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Open Lab

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Open Lab

11:00 - 12:00 a.m.

Parish Management Software 2: Members

Fr. John Touloumes

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Creative Ideas for Parish Web Sites

Theo Nicolakis

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Open Lab

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Parish Management Software 2: Members

Fr. John Touloumes

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Building Your Parish Web Site

Fr. Peter Orfanakos

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Exploring the New Archdiocese Web Site

Bill Flegas

5:00-6:00 p.m.

Parish Management Software 3: Stewardship

Fr. John Touloumes

6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Open Lab

MONDAY 7/1

TUESDAY 7/2

WEDNESDAY 7/3

WEDNESDAY JULY 3 7:00 a.m. 8:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy (Greek) 8:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Diocesan Clergy Meetings 9:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. Committee/Organization Meetings 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. National Philoptochos Session 11:00 a.m. 1:00 p.m. First Plenary Session.

2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Second Plenary Session.

7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Clergy Family Forum 10:30 p.m. Compline Service

9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Open Lab

10:00-11:00 a.m.

Parish Management Software 3: Stewardship

Fr. John Touloumes

11:00 - 12:00 a.m.

Parish Management Software 4: Sacraments

Fr. John Touloumes

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Technology in the Parish

Fr. Peter Orfanakos and Theo Nicolakis

1:00 - 2:00 p.m.

Open Lab

2:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Building Your Parish Web Site

Fr. Peter Orfanakos

3:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Creative Ideas for Parish Web Sites

Theo Nicolakis

4:00-5:00 p.m.

Parish Mgmnt Software 5: Advanced Users Forum Fr. John Touloumes

THURSDAY JULY 4 9:00 a.m. Noon Third Plenary Session 2:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Ecumenical Doxology St. Sophia Cathedral 6:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. Grand Banquet Reception 7:30 p.m. Grand Banquet

5:00 - 8:00 p.m.

Open Lab

FRIDAY JULY 5 8:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Clergy Breakfast with Archbishop Demetrios

THURSDAY 7/4 9:00-10:00 a.m.

Open Lab

10:00-11:00 a.m.

Technology in the Parish

11:00 - 12:00 p.m.

Open Lab

12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

Exploring the New Archdiocese Web Site

1:00 - 6:00 p.m.

Open Lab

Fr. Peter Orfanakos and Theo Nicolakis Bill Flegas

ÅÔÏÓ 67

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2002

ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1190

Ïé áðüöïéôïé ôùí Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêþí ó÷ïëåßùí áéôßá ðåñçöÜíéáò êáé ðçãÞ åëðßäáò ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Êáèþò ìéá áêüìá ó÷ïëéêÞ ÷ñïíéÜ ðëçóéÜæåé óôï ôÝëïò ôçò, ôá êïéíïôéêÜ ó÷ïëåßá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ðñáãìáôïðïéÞóáí ìå îÝ÷ùñç ðåñçöÜíéá ôéò ôåëåôÝò áðïöïéôÞóåùò. ÌÝóá óôïí ðõñåôü ôùí ðñïåôïéìáóéþí ãéá ôçí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç, åß÷áìå ôçí åõêáéñßá íá ðáñáêïëïõèÞóïõìå ïñéóìÝíåò áðü ôéò ôåëåôÝò ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêáí óôçí ÌçôñïðïëéôéêÞ ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò. ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ðáñåõñÝèçêå óå üóåò ðåñéóóüôåñåò áðü ôéò áðïöïéôÞóåéò Þôáí äõíáôü êáé æÞôçóå áðü ôéò äéåõèýíóåéò ôùí ó÷ïëåßùí íá óõíôïíßæïõí ìåôáîý ôïõò ôéò çìåñïìçíßåò ôùí ôåëåôþí, Ýôóé ðïõ íá ìðïñåß íá ðáñåõñßóêåôáé óå üëåò.

ÔÏ ÓXÏËÅÉÏ ÔÇÓ ÌÅÔÁÌÏÑÖÙÓÇÓ

Ç 13ç Éïõíßïõ Þôáí ç ðñþôç öïñÜ óôçí 35÷ñïíç éóôïñßá ôïõ ó÷ïëåßïõ ôçò Ìåôáìüñöùóçò óôçí Êïñüíá ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ðïõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ðáñåõñÝèç êáé ðñïÝóôç ôçò ôåëåôÞò áðïöïéôÞóåùò. Ç éóôïñéêÞ êïéíüôçôá ôçò Ìåôáìïñöþóåùò ôïõ ÓùôÞñïò, Ýæçóå ðïëëÝò êáé ìåãÜëåò óôéãìÝò óôçí 75÷ñïíç éóôïñßá ôçò. Ïé åïñôáóìïß ãéá ôçí óçìáíôéêÞ áõôÞ åðÝôåéï Üñ÷éóáí ôïí ðñïçãïýìåíï ÷ñüíï ìå ôçí åðéôõ÷Þ äéïñãÜíùóç ðïëëþí áîéïóçìåßùôùí åêäçëþóåùí ðïõ Ýöåñáí óå ðÝñáò ôá áöïóéùìÝíá êáé áêïýñáóôá ìÝëç ôçò êïéíüôçôïò õðü ôçí êáèïäÞãçóç ôïõ äñáóôÞñéïõ éåñáôéêþò ðñïúóôáìÝíïõ, Áñ÷éì. ÊëÝïðá Óôñïããýëç, ôïõ ðñïÝäñïõ Âáóéëåßïõ Ëéâáíïý êáé ôçò äéåõèýíôñéáò ôïõ Ó÷ïëåßïõ ÅëÝíçò ËõäÜêç. Ïé ðïëõÜñéèìåò åðåôåéáêÝò åêäçëþóåéò ôçò êïéíüôçôáò, ðïõ áíåóôÜëçóáí ãéá Ýíá äéÜóôçìá ëüãù ôùí ãåãïíüôùí ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ, ðåñéåëÜìâáíáí åêðáé-

Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

ÁðïíïìÞ äéðëùìÜôùí áðü ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï êáé ôçí äéåõèýíôñéá ê. ÅëÝíç ËõäÜêç.

äåõôéêÝò êáé ðëçñïöïñéáêÝò äéáëÝîåéò, ôçí äçìéïõñãßá êáé ôá åãêáßíéá åíôüò ôçò Êïéíüôçôïò Ìïõóåßïõ ÅëëçíéêÞò ÊëçñïíïìéÜò ðïõ åãêáéíßáóå ìÜëéóôá ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ìïõóéêÝò êáé ëáïãñáöéêÝò åêäçëþóåéò, ðáíçãõñéêïýò åïñôáóìïýò ôùí ìåãÜëùí èñçóêåõôéêþí åïñôþí êáé ðáíçãýñåùí ê.Ü. Óôéò 14 Äåêåìâñßïõ ôïõ ðåñáóìÝíïõ ÷ñüíïõ ç êïéíüôçôá èñÞíçóå Ýíá äéêü ôçò ðáéäß, ôïí ðõñïóâÝóôç ÄçìÞôñéï Ðáðáãåùñãßïõ, ðïõ Ýðåóå èýìá ôçò ôñïìïêñáôéêÞò åðéèÝóåùò ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ. Ðïëëïß áíþôåñïé áîéùìáôïý÷ïé êáé åðßóçìïé ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí êáé ï äÞìáñ÷ïò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ÔæïõëéÜíé ðáñÝóôçóáí óôçí åîüäéï áêïëïõèßá ôçò ïðïßáò ðñïÝóôç ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò. Ëßãï áñãüôåñá ôçí ßäéá ìÝñá, ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò ìáæß ìå ôïí äÞìáñ÷ï ÔæïõëéÜíé, Ýêáíå ôá áðïêáëõðôÞñéá ôïõ ðñþôïõ ìíçìåßïõ ðñïóöïñÜ ôçò êïéíü-

ôçôïò ðïõ äçìéïõñãÞèçêå óå üëç ôç ÷þñá ãéá ôá èýìáôá ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ. Ç 13ç Éïõíßïõ ôïõ 2002 Þôáí ìéá áêüìá ìåãÜëç ìÝñá, ìÝñá ãéïñôáóìïý ÷áñÜò êé åëðßäáò, óôçí éóôïñßá ôçò êïéíüôçôïò, êáèþò ìéá ïìÜäá õðïäï÷Þò ìå ðñþôï ôïí éåñÝá ôïõò óôÝêïíôáí ìðñïóôÜ óôçí åßóïäï ôïõ ó÷ïëåßïõ íá õðïäå÷èïýí ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï. Óå ëßãï ïé áðüöïéôïé ìáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞôñéåò ôçò 9çò ôÜîåùò, ôçò ôÜîåùò ôïõ 2002, ðÞñáí ìå åðéóçìüôçôá ôéò èÝóåéò ôïõò óôçí óêçíÞ êáé ç ôåëåôÞ Üñ÷éóå. Ðñïóåõ÷Þ, åèíéêïß ýìíïé, ôñáãïýäéá êáé ýìíïé áðü ôçí ó÷ïëéêÞ ÷ïñùäßá, ïìéëßåò, ìíÞìåò, üíåéñá, âñáâåßá êáé ìåôÜëëéá óõíÝèåóáí Ýíá «ìùóáúêü ÷áñÜò» üðùò ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ ðáñåôÞñçóå ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò. ¸íáò áðü ôïõò áðïöïßôïõò

Êáíïíéóìüò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéêïðÞò ãéá èÝìáôá åðéëÞøéìçò óõìðåñéöïñÜò êëçñéêþí ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ôï ðñüâëçìá ôçò åðéëÞøéìçò óåîïõáëéêÞò óõìðåñéöïñÜò êëçñéêþí Ý÷åé ëÜâåé ìåãÜëç äçìïóéüôçôá ôïõò ôåëåõôáßïõò ìÞíåò ìå áðïôÝëåóìá êáôáóôñåðôéêÝò óõíÝðåéåò ü÷é ìüíï ãéá ôá åìðëåêüìåíá ìÝñç áëëÜ êáé ãéá ôéò êïéíüôçôÝò ôïõò. Ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò åðéèõìþíôáò íá êáôáóôÞóåé óáöÞ ôçí áðüëõôç óïâáñüôçôá ìå ôçí ïðïßá ç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ áíôéìåôùðßæåé ôï óõãêåêñéìÝíï èÝìá áëëÜ êáé íá ðñïáãÜãåé ôçí èåñáðåßá ôùí ðëçãþí ôùí èõìÜôùí, Ýèåóå óå åöáñìïãÞ ôï 2000, ðáíáìåñéêáíéêü êáíïíéóìü Ýñåõíáò êáé áíôéìåôþðéóçò êáôáããåëéþí åðéëÞøéìçò óåîïõáëéêÞò óõìðåñéöïñÜò áðü êëçñéêïýò. ÓÞìåñá ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò åðéèõìåß íá åðáíáâåâáéþóåé ôçí èÝóç ôçò áõôÞ êáé íá ðñïóöÝñåé óôï ÐëÞñùìá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìåãáëýôåñç êáôáíüçóç ôçò éó÷ýïõóáò ðïëéôéêÞò. Ï ðñïóöÜôùò áíáèåùñçèåßò ó÷åôéêüò êáíïíéóìüò ðåñéëáìâÜíåé ìßá ðñïóåêôéêÜ ó÷åäéáóìÝíç äéáäéêáóßá ðïõ åããõÜôáé üôé êáôáããåëßåò åðéëÞøéìçò óåîïõáëéêÞò óõìðåñéöïñÜò êëçñéêþí ëáìâÜíïíôáé óïâáñÜ õð üøéí, åñåõíþíôáé ëåðôïìåñþò êáé åêäéêÜæïíôáé äéêáßùò. Ôçí åõèýíç ãéá ôçí ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò Ý÷åé ï Ðñùôïóýãêåëïò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ èá óõíåñãÜæåôáé åðßóçò ìå ôéò áñìüäéåò êñáôéêÝò áñ÷Ýò óôçí äéåñåýíçóç ôÝôïéùí õðïèÝóåùí, åéäéêÜ åÜí ç êáôáããåëßá áöïñÜ áíÞëéêï. Ìå óêïðü ôçí äéåõêüëõíóç ôçò äéåñåõíçôéêÞò äéáäéêáóßáò äçìéïõñãÞèçêå åéäéêÞ ôçëåöùíéêÞ ãñáììÞ (877) 5543382 áö åíüò ìåí ãéá íá äßíïíôáé áðáíôÞóåéò óå åñùôÞìáôá ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôïí ùò Üíù êáíïíéóìü, áö åôÝñïõ äå ãéá íá äÝ÷åôáé êáôáããåëßåò åðéëÞøéìçò óåîïõáëéêÞò óõìðåñéöïñÜò êëçñéêþí. ¼ëåò ïé

u óåë. 23

u óåë. 24

ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ

4 Éïõëßïõ 2002, ÇìÝñá Áíåîáñôçóßáò Ðñoò ôïõò ÓåâáóìéùôÜôïõò êáé ÈåïöéëåóôÜôïõò Áñ÷éåñåßò, ôïõò ÅõëáâåóôÜôïõò Éåñåßò êáé Äéáêüíïõò, ôïõò Ìïíá÷ïýò êáé Ìïíá÷Ýò, ôïõò ÐñïÝäñïõò êáé ÌÝëç ôùí Êïéíïôéêþí Óõìâïõëßùí, ôá ÇìåñÞóéá êáé ÁðïãåõìáôéíÜ Ó÷ïëåßá, ôéò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõò Áäåëöüôçôåò, ôçí Íåïëáßá, ôéò Åëëçíïñèüäïîåò Ïñãáíþóåéò êáé ïëüêëçñï ôï ×ñéóôåðþíõìïí ðëÞñùìá ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Áäåëöïß êáé áäåëöÝò åí ×ñéóôþ, Ôçí ÇìÝñá ôçò Áíåîáñôçóßáò óõãêåíôñùíüìåèá ùò ïéêïãÝíåéåò, êïéíüôçôåò êáé ùò Ýèíïò ãéá íá åïñôÜóïõìå ôçí åëåõèåñßá êáé íá ôéìÞóïõìå ôçí éóôïñßá ìéáò ÷þñáò, ç ïðïßá ðñïóÝöåñå óôïõò áíèñþðïõò ðñùôïöáíåßò åõêáéñßåò ãéá åðéôåýãìáôá êáé áíÜðôõîç óå üëïõò ôïõò ôïìåßò ôçò æùÞò. ÁëëÜ åöÝôïò óõãêåíôñùíüìåèá ìåôÜ áðü ôá ãåãïíüôá ôçò 11çò Óåðôåìâñßïõ, ìéáò çìÝñáò åèíéêÞò êáé ðáãêïóìßïõ ôñáãùäßáò êáôÜ ôçí ïðïßá ãßíáìå ìÜñôõñåò ôïõ âéáßïõ èáíÜôïõ ÷éëéÜäùí áèþùí áíèñþðùí êáé ìéáò êáêüâïõëçò åðéèÝóåùò åíáíôßïí ôçò åëåõèåñßáò. ÌåôÜ áð áõôÜ ôá ãåãïíüôá åðéâåâáéþóáìå ôçí áãÜðç ìáò ãéá ôçí åëåõèåñßá êáé åêäçëþóáìå ôçí äýíáìç ç ïðïßá áðïññÝåé áðü ôçí ðñáãìáôéêÞ åëåõèåñßá, ç ïðïßá ìáò êáèéóôÜ éêáíïýò íá õðåñíéêÞóïõìå ôï êáôáóôñïöéêü ìßóïò êáé ôéò Üäéêåò åðéèÝóåéò ôïõ êáêïý. Ùò ìÝëç áõôÞò ôçò êïéíùíßáò ãíùñßæïõìå êáé âéþíïõìå ôçí åëåõèåñßá ùò ìéá ðïëéôéêÞ êáé êïéíùíéêÞ ðñáãìáôéêüôçôá, ç ïðïßá åíÝ÷åé ôåñÜóôéï äõíáìéêü ãéá ôçí êáëëéÝñãåéá êáé äéáôÞñçóç ôïõ êáëïý. Ôï ðéï óçìáíôéêü ãåãïíüò

üìùò ãéá åìÜò ðïõ åßìåèá Ïñèüäïîïé ×ñéóôéáíïß êáé ìÝëç ôçò âáóéëåßáò ôùí ïõñáíþí åßíáé üôé ãíùñßæïõìå êáé âéþíïõìå ôçí áéþíéá ðñáãìáôéêüôçôá ôçò åëåõèåñßáò åí ×ñéóôþ, ìéáò åëåõèåñßáò áðü ôá äåóìÜ ôçò áìáñôßáò êáé ôïõ èáíÜôïõ, ìéáò áðáñÜìéëëçò åëåõèåñßáò ç ïðïßá ìáò ÷áñßæåé ðåñßóóåéá æùÞò êáé âåâáéüôçôá ç ïðïßá âáóßæåôáé óôéò õðïó÷Ýóåéò ôïõ Èåïý. ÅðïìÝíùò, ôï êáèÞêïí ìáò áõôÞ ôçí çìÝñá äåí åßíáé áðëþò íá èõìçèïýìå êáé íá åõ÷áñéóôÞóïõìå ãéá ôçí åëåõèåñßá ðïõ áðïëáìâÜíïõìå óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. ÊáèÞêïí ìáò ùò ðéóôþí ôïõ Èåïý êáé ùò öïñÝùí ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò êëçñïíïìéÜò, ìéáò êëçñïíïìéÜò ç ïðïßá öáíåñþíåé ôçí áñ÷ïíôéêÞ öýóç ôçò åëåõèåñßáò, åßíáé íá ìïéñáóèïýìå ìå ôïõò Üëëïõò ôçí âáèýôåñç Ýííïéá ôçò åëåõèåñßáò. Ìéáò åëåõèåñßáò ç ïðïßá èá êáëëéåñãÞóç êáé èá óõíôçñÞóç ôçí ýðáñîç ôçò åëåýèåñçò êïéíùíßáò - êáé ôçí óõíåéäçôïðïßçóç ôçò ðñáãìáôéêÞò åëåõèåñßáò ü÷é ìüíï ìÝóá óôïí ðåðåñáóìÝíï êüóìï ôçò áâåâáéüôçôïò, áëëÜ ìÝóá óôïõò áéþíåò ìÝ÷ñé ôçí áéùíéüôçôá. Åßèå íá áðïëáìâÜíåôå ôç æùÞ ôçò áëçèéíÞò åëåõèåñßáò êáé ôçò áðåñéüñéóôçò åõëïãßáò ôïõ Êõñßïõ åóáåß. Ìå ðáôñéêÞ åí ×ñéóôþ áãÜðç,

ÿ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 22

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2002

ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ Áíáêáéíßóèçêå ï íáüò üðïõ âáðôßóèçêå ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò Óå óõãêéíçôéêÞ áôìüóöáéñá ôåëÝóèçêáí ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ ôïõ ÈùìÜ (12 ÌáÀïõ) áðü ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ê. Âáñèïëïìáßï ôá èõñáíïßîéá ôïõ áíáêáéíéóèÝíôïò íáïý ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ óôï ÷ùñéü ôùí Áãßùí Èåïäþñùí ôçò ºìâñïõ.

íáïý, ïé ïðïßåò âñßóêïíôáí óå Üó÷çìç êáôÜóôáóç óå äéÜöïñá óçìåßá ôïõ íáïý. Ç óõíôÞñçóç ôùí åéêüíùí ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå óå åéäéêÜ äéáìïñöùìÝíï åñãáóôÞñéï ôï ïðïßï ç ïìÜäá ôùí óõíôçñçôþí åãêáôÝóôçóå óôïí ãõíáéêùíßôç ôïõ íáïý. ¼ëåò ïé öÜóåéò ôçò óõíôÞñçóçò ôåêìçñéþèçêáí êáé öùôïãñáöÞèçêáí ëåðôïìåñþò, ç äå åñãáóßá åêôåëÝóèçêå ìå ó÷ïëáóôéêÞ åðéóôçìïíéêüôçôá, êÜôé éäéáßôåñá äýóêïëï ãéá ôéò óõíèÞêåò ôïõ ÷þñïõ åêåß. Áîßæåé íá óçìåéùèåß üôé ïé ðåñéóóüôåñåò åéêüíåò åßíáé åîáéñåôéêÞò ôÝ÷íçò ôïõ 18ïõ áéþíá ìå ðñïÝëåõóç ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç. ÊÜðïéåò ìÜëéóôá åßíáé öåñìÝíåò êáé áðü ôï ¢ãéï ¼ñïò.

ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Ðñüêåéôáé ãéá ôïí íáü óôïí ïðïßï âáðôßóèçêå ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, óôï ßäéï ÷ùñéü óôï ïðïßï ãåííÞèçêå. Åðßóçò óôïí ßäéï íáü âáðôßóèçêå êáé ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ðñþçí Â. êáé Í. ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÉÜêùâïò.

Ôï åðÜíù ìÝñïò ôïõ áíáêáéíéóìÝíïõ ÔÝìðëïõ.

äéáäï÷Þí ÷åéìþíïò êáé Ýáñïò, èÝñïõò êáé öèéíïðþñïõ. Ç ðñï ïëßãïõ ÷åéìåñéíÞ êáé êáèçìáãìÝíç åéêþí ôïõ Éåñïý ôïýôïõ Íáïý ôïõ Áãßïõ ÌåãáëïìÜñôõñïò êáé ôñïðáéïöüñïõ Ãåùñãßïõ ìåôåâëÞèç Þäç Üñäçí êáé êáôÝóôç åáñéíÞ êáé áíáóôÜóéìïò». Óôï ôÝëïò ôçò ïìéëßáò ôïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò äéÜâáóå ìå ðïëý óõãêßíçóç ôçí åðéóôïëÞ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ðñþçí Â. êáé Í. ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Éáêþâïõ ãéá ôá èõñáíïßîéá ôïõ íáïý, ï ïðïßïò äåí ìðüñåóå íá ðáñåõñåèåß óôçí ºìâñï. ÂáèéÜ óõãêéíçìÝíïò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò åíþ äéáâÜæåé ôçí åðéóôïëÞ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Éáêþâïõ.

Ôçí äáðÜíç ôçò áíáêáßíéóçò áíÝëáâå ï åöïðëéóôÞò ê. Ãåþñãéïò ÃõöôÜêçò, åéò ìíÞìçí ôçò óõæýãïõ ôïõ ÐáñáóêåõÞò. Ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ ôùí èõñáíïéîßùí ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ðñïåîÞñ÷å ôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò, óôï ôÝëïò ôçò ïðïßáò ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ºìâñïõ êáé ÔåíÝäïõ ê. Öþôéïò óå ðñïóöþíçóÞ ôïõ áíáöÝñèçêå óôï ãåãïíüò ôçò áíáêáßíéóçò ôïõ íáïý êáé ìåôáîý Üëëùí ôüíéóå: «Ç ÷áñÜ ìáò, ìÝóá åéò ôáò áíôéîïüôçôáò êáé ôáò áðÝëðéäáò åí ðïëëïßò çìÝñáò ôïõ äéáñêïýò ÷åéìþíïò ôïí ïðïßïí áðü åôþí äéåñ÷üìåèá åíôáýèá, óÞìåñá êáé ç åëðßò ìáò áíáèÜëëåé, äéüôé ìáæß ìå ôçí Üíïéîéí ôçò öýóåùò ìáò öÝñåôå êáé ôçí Üíïéîéí ôçò áíáêáéíßóåùò êáé ùñáéïðïéÞóåùò ôïõ ðáëáéöÜôïõ ôïýôïõ éóôïñéêïý íáïý». Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ, ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå, ï åöïðëéóôÞò Ãåþñãéïò ÃõöôÜêçò åðåóÞìáíå: «Ðïéüò áðü åìÜò èá ôï ðßóôåõå, ìåò ôïí ÷åéìþíá, ìÝóá óôçí åñçìéÜ, ðùò ìéá ïìÜäá íÝùí ðáéäéþí áðü ôçí ÅëëÜäá, ôçí Ôïõñêßá êáé áðü Üëëåò ÷þñåò, äïýëåøáí óêëçñÜ êáé ìå ôçí êáèïäÞãçóç ôïõ ð. Ðáýëïõ Ðïëßôç êáé ôéò åõ÷Ýò êáé ôçí óõìðáñÜóôáóç ôïõ ÐáíáãéùôÜôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ìáò ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ðÝôõ÷áí ôï áêáôüñèùôï, íá áíáóôÞóïõí ôçí ïìïñöéÜ, íá öÝñïõí ôçí ¢íïéîç». Ôçí éäéáßôåñç ÷áñÜ ôïõ êáé óõãêßíçóç ãéá ôï ãåãïíüò ôçò åðéóêåõÞò êáé áíáêáéíßóåùò ôïõ íáïý ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ åîÝöñáóå ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ôïíßæïíôáò üôé: «Ï âáñýò ÷åéìþí êáé ï éó÷õñüò êáýóùí åîáöáíßæåé ðñïóùñéíþò ôçí âëÜóôçóéí, áëë ï óðüñïò ôçò æùÞò äéáôçñåßôáé êáé õðåñéó÷ýåé êáé åìöáíßæåôáé ïëüäñïóïò êáé æùôéêüôáôïò êÜèå Üíïéîéí, åìðíÝùí áéóéïäïîßáí êáé ðßóôéí üôé ùò ôá öõóéêÜ ïýôù êáé ôá áíèñþðéíá áíáêõêëïýíôáé êáôÜ ðåñéüäïõò êáé õðüêåéíôáé åéò ôçí

Ï íáüò ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ

Ç åêêëçóßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ êôßóèçêå óôéò áñ÷Ýò ôïõ 18ïõ áéþíá êáèþò ôï ÷ùñéü ôùí Áãßùí Èåïäþñùí Üñ÷éóå íá åðåêôåßíåôáé ðñïò ôá õøþìáôá ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò. Êáôüðéí ôïýôïõ ç âõæáíôéíÞ åêêëçóßá ôùí Áãßùí Èåïäþñùí Üñ÷éóå íá ÷Üíåé ôçí êåíôñéêÞ èÝóç ôçí ïðïßá êáôåß÷å ðñïçãïõìÝíùò. Ï íáüò ôïõ Áãßïõ åßíáé õøéëüóôåãç âáóéëéêÞ óôçí ïðïßá Ý÷åé ðñïóôåèåß íÜñèçêáò ìå êéïíïóôïé÷ßá ôï 1883 üôáí åß÷å ãßíåé ç ôåëåõôáßá áíáêáßíéóç ôïõ íáïý. Öõóéêü Þôáí ìå ôçí ðÜñïäï ôùí äåêáåôéþí ï íáüò íá ðåñéÝëèåé óå êáôÜóôáóç ôÝôïéá ðïõ íá ÷ñåéÜæåôáé ìéá óå âÜèïò áíáêáßíéóç ìå ôçí ïðïßá íá áíôéìåôùðéóèïýí üëá ôá ðñïâëÞìáôá ðïõ óõóóùñåýèçêáí. Ç åðéóêåõÞ ôçò óôÝãçò Þôáí ôï áðáñáßôçôï îåêßíçìá, Ôï ìåãÜëï âÝâáéá ðñüâëçìá áðïôåëïýóáí ôï åéêïíïóôÜóéï êáé ïé öïñçôÝò åéêüíåò. Ôï åéêïíïóôÜóéï, Ýñãï ôïõ 18ïõ áéþíá, Þôáí éäéáßôåñá ðåñßôå÷íá óôïëéóìÝíï ìå äéÜôñçôá âõæáíôéíÞò ðñïÝëåõóçò ìïôßâá êáé ðëïýóéá äéáêïóìçìÝíï ìå Ýã÷ñùìá öõôéêÜ èÝìáôá. Ëüãù ôçò ëåðôÞò äïõëåéÜò ôïõ, ç ðñïóâïëÞ ôïõ áðü îõëïöÜãá Ýíôïìá ôï åß÷å êáôáóôÞóåé éäéáßôåñá åýèñáõóôï. Ãéá íá óõíôçñçèåß ÷ñåéÜóèçêå íá áðïóõíáñìïëïãçèåß êïììÜôé-êïììÜôé. Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá êÜèå ôìÞìá ôïõ åâáðôéæüôáí óå ñåõóôÝò ñçôßíåò, êáèáñßæïíôáí, óôåñåþíïíôáí, óõìðëçñþíïíôáí ü,ôé ÷ñþìáôá Þ ÷ñõóü åß÷å ÷áèåß êáé åðáíáôïðïèåôïýíôáí. Ìüíï ãéá ôçí åñãáóßá áõôÞ åñãÜóèçêáí 6 Üôïìá ãéá áñêåôïýò ìÞíåò. ÐáñÜëëçëá üëåò ïé åéêüíåò ôïõ ôÝìðëïõ, äçëáäÞ 12 ÄåóðïôéêÝò êáé 32 ôïõ Äùäåêáüñôïõ êáé ôï Áðïóôïëéêü ðÝñáóáí áðü ðáñüìïéá äéáäéêáóßá ðïõ áðáßôçóå âÝâáéá êüðï, ÷ñüíï êáé ðñïóï÷Þ óôçí ëåðôïìÝñåéá. Ìå ôïí ßäéï ôñüðï óõíôçñÞèçêáí êáé ïé õðüëïéðåò 60 åéêüíåò ôïõ

Öùôïãñáößåò Íéê. Ìáããßíá

ÅîùôåñéêÞ üøç ôïõ Éåñïý Íáïý Áãßùí Êùí/íïõ êáé ÅëÝíçò óôï ÷ùñéü ¢ãéïé Èåüäùñïé ôçò ºìâñïõ.

Ðñïóêýíçìá óôçí Êáððáäïêßá Äýï Èåßåò Ëåéôïõñãßåò

Óå êëßìá ÷áñÜò êáé óõãêßíçóçò ôåëÝóèçêáí äýï Èåßåò Ëåéôïõñãßåò óôçí Êáððáäïêßá. ÓõãêåêñéìÝíá óôïí éóôïñéêü íáü ôùí Áãßùí Êùíóôáíôßíïõ êáé ÅëÝíçò óôç Óéíáóóü êáé óôï Ðñïêüðé, üðïõ ôåëÝóèçêå õðáßèñéá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôçí çìÝñá ìíÞìçò (27 ÌáÀïõ) ôïõ Áãßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôïõ Ñþóïõ, ï ïðïßïò Ýæçóå êáé áãßáóå óôç ðüëç áõôÞ. ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Óôéò Èåßåò Ëåéôïõñãßåò ðïõ ðñïåîÞñ÷å ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò ïé Ìçôñïðïëßôåò Ãïñôýíçò êáé Áñêáäßáò Êýñéëëïò, Ëáïäéêåßáò ÉÜêùâïò, Óåâáóôåßáò ÄçìÞôñéïò êáé Áñêáëï÷ùñßïõ ÁíäñÝáò êáèþò êáé ïé çãïýìåíïé ôùí Ìïíþí Êïõôëïõìïõóßïõ Áãßïõ ¼ñïõò, Áñ÷éì. ×ñéóôüäïõëïò êáé Ðáíáãßáò ÔáôÜñíçò, Áñ÷éì. Äïóßèåïò. ÊáôÜ ôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá óôï íáü ôùí Áãßùí Êùíóôáíôßíïõ êáé ÅëÝíçò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò óå ïìéëßá ôïõ ðáñïõóßá ðëÞèïõò ðñïóêõíçôþí áðü ôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, ôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé ôçí ÁìåñéêÞ åßðå: «Åõëïãçôüò ï Èåüò ôùí ðáôÝñùí ìáò, ï ïðïßïò ìáò çîßùóå íá Ýëèïõìå êáé ðÜëéí åöÝôïò åéò ôçí áãéïôüêïí Êáððáäïêßáí êáé õðü ôçí óêéÜí ôïõ ÷éïíéóìÝíïõ áêüìá Áñãáßïõ íá ôåëÝóïõìå ôçí Èåßáí Ëåéôïõñãßáí êáé íá êïéíùíÞóïõìå ôùí á÷ñÜíôùí ìõóôçñßùí åéò áõôüí ôïí åãêáôáëåëåéììÝíïí íáüí ôùí Áãßùí Êùíóôáíôßíïõ êáé ÅëÝíçò ôçò Óéíáóóïý êáé áýñéïí ðÜëéí åéò ôï Ðñïêüðéïí, åí õðáßèñù, êÜôù áðü ôïí ïõñÜíéïí èüëïí, åðß ôç ìíÞìç ôïõ Ïóßïõ ÉùÜííïõ ôïõ Ñþóïõ. Êáé íá ìíçóèþìåí ôùí ðñïáðåëèüíôùí ðáôÝñùí êáé áäåëöþí çìþí, ôùí ôå åéñçíéêþò êïéìçèÝíôùí êáé ôùí ìáñôõñéêþò ôåëåéùèÝíôùí åéò üëçí ôçí Ýêôáóéí ôçò åõëïãçìÝíçò Êáððáäïêßáò, üðïõ åäçìéïýñãçóáí Ýíá õðÝñï÷ïí ðïëéôéóìüí,

Óôï Ðñïêüðé ôçò Êáððáäïêßáò

ìÝ÷ñéò üôïõ Þëèå ç áðïöñÜò çìÝñá ôïõ îåñéæùìïý ôùí áðü ôáò ðñïãïíéêÜò åóôßáò».

ÈñçóêåõôéêÝò åëåõèåñßåò êáé ç ×Üëêç

ÅîÜëëïõ, êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá óõæÞôçóçò óôñïããõëÞò ôñáðÝæçò ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå óôá ðëáßóéá ôïõ «Ðïëéôéóôéêïý êáé êáëëéôå÷íéêïý öåóôéâÜë Óéíáóóüò», ðïõ ïñãÜíùóå ç ôïðéêÞ áõôïäéïßêçóç ôçò Óéíáóóïý óôçí Êáððáäïêßá ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáöÝñèçêå óôç óõññßêíùóç ôçò åëëçíéêÞò ìåéïíüôçôïò óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, áëëÜ êáé óôçí óõññßêíùóç Üëëùí ÷ñéóôéáíéêþí êïéíïôÞôùí óôçí Ôïõñêßá.

u óåë. 24

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2002

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÓÅËÉÄÁ 23

Ïé áðüöïéôïé ôùí Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêþí ó÷ïëåßùí áéôßá ðåñçöÜíéáò êáé ðçãÞ åëðßäáò u óåë. 23 äéÜâáóå ìå ðïëý ðñïóï÷Þ êáé áêñßâåéá óôá ÅëëçíéêÜ ôï åðß óõìðëçñþóåùò 35åôßáò óõã÷áñçôÞñéï ìÞíõìá ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ. Ï Ðáíáãéþôáôïò, óôï ìÞíõìÜ ôïõ åîÞñå ôï ðïëõåôÝò Ýñãï ôçò Êïéíüôçôïò êáé ôïõ Ó÷ïëåßïõ êáé åõ÷Þèçêå «...ï Èåüò íá åíéó÷ýåé üëïõò üóïõò áãùíßæïíôáé ãéá ôïõò èåÜñåóôïõò óêïðïýò ôçò éäñýóåùò ôïõ ó÷ïëåßïõ». Ç áñéóôåýóáóá ìáèÞôñéá ÅëÝíç ÓêáñÞ óôçí ïìéëßá ôçò ôüíéóå ôç óçìáóßá ôçò åëçíïñèïäüîïõ ôáõôüôçôáò, óôçí äéáìüñöùóç ôçò ïðïßáò, åßðå, ôï ó÷ïëåßï ôïõò Ýðáéîå êáèïñéóôéêü ñüëï. Ï Ãåí. Ðñüîåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç ê. ÄçìÞôñçò ÐëáôÞò óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ óçìåßùóå üôé ç ÅëëçíéêÞ êëçñïíïìéÜ êáé ðáéäåßá áðïôåëåß áñéóôïêñáôßá ôïõ ðíåýìáôïò êáé áñéóôïêñÜôåò ðñÝðåé íá èåùñïýíôáé ïé Ý÷ïíôåò êáé ìåôÝ÷ïíôåò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò. Ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò Êïéíüôçôïò ê. Âáóßëåéïò Ëéâáíüò åîÝöñáóå ôçí õðåñçöÜíåéá üëùí ãéá ôçí ðñüïäï êáé ôéò åðéäüóåéò ôïõ ó÷ïëåßïõ êáé ôüíéóå üôé ôï ó÷ïëåßï áðïôåëåß ãéá ôçí êïéíüôçôá óçìåßï êáé êÝíôñï áíáöïñÜò.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò

Ôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ðáñïõóßáóå ï ð. ÊëÝïðáò, ï ïðïßïò áíáöÝñèçêå ìå èÝñìç êáé óõãêßíçóç óôçí ðñþôç ãíùñéìßá ôïõ ìå ôïí óïöü ðáíåðéóôçìéáêü äÜóêáëï óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôçò Âïóôþíçò. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò åõ÷áñßóôçóå üëïõò ôïõò ðáñåõñéóêüìåíïõò, ôïõò ãïíåßò êáé äáóêÜëïõò êáé éäéáßôåñá ôïõò áðïöïéôïýíôåò ìáèçôÝò ãéá ôï ìåãÜëï êáé éåñü Ýñãï ôçò ðáéäåßáò ôïõ ïðïßïõ üëïé ìåôÝ÷ïõí êáé ÷áñáêôÞñéóå «áêïýñáóôç êáé áêáôáìÜ÷çôç» ôçí äéåõèýíôñéá ôïõ ó÷ïëåßïõ ê. ËõäÜêç. Ìéëþíôáò åíáëëÜî óôá ÁããëéêÜ êáé ÅëëçíéêÜ, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò äÞëùóå üôé ðñüêåéôáé ãéá óõíåéäçôÞ åðéëïãÞ ôïõ ìå óêïðü íá ôïíßóåé ôçí óçìáóßá êáé ôçí áíÜãêç ãéá ðëÞñç êáé ôÝëåéá ãíþóç êáé ôùí äýï ãëùóóþí. «Äåí ðñÝðåé ôá ÅëëçíéêÜ íá áíôéìåôùðßæïíôáé ùò äåýôåñç Þóóïíïò óçìáóßáò ãëþóóá», åßðå êáé ôüíéóå üôé äåí èá Ýðñåðå íá áñêåóèïýìå óå êÜôé ôÝôïéï áëëÜ íá åðéäéþîïõìå ôçí ðëÞñç êáé óùóôÞ ãíþóç êáé ôùí äýï ãëùóóþí. Áêïëïýèùò áíÝëõóå ôçí Ýííïéá ôçò ëÝîåùò ðáéäåßá ôçò ïðïßáò ç áðüäïóç óôá ÁããëéêÜ ùò åêðáßäåõóç åßíáé åëëéðÞò åßðå, «äéüôé ðáéäåßá åßíáé ìüñöùóç, ãíþóç, äéáìüñöùóç ðñïóùðéêüôçôïò, åßíáé ðáéäåßá åéñÞíçò, áãÜðçò, óïößáò êáé äéêáéïóýíçò, åßíáé ðáéäåßá Êõñßïõ». Ïé áðüöïéôïé ôçò 9çò ôÜîåùò áðü ôï ó÷ïëåßï ôçò Ìåôáìïñöþóåùò åßíáé: Êáôåñßíá ÌðåëÝêéïõ, ÃêÜñé ÔóéÜíãê, Óôáýñïò Äçìüðïõëïò, ÁíäñÝáò Êüêêéíïò (2ïò áñéóôïý÷ïò), ÓôÝöáíïò Êïëüìðïò, Èåüäùñïò Ðáëïýìðáò, ÁëÝîéò ÐáôóïõñÜêç, ÁããåëéêÞ ÓéäåñÜêç, ÅëÝíç ÓêáñÞ (1ç áñéóôïý÷ïò) ÅëÝíç ÔñÜí êáé Ðçíåëüðç Ôóïýëïõ. Áðü ôçí 8ç ôÜîç áðïöïßôçóáí ìå óêïðü ôçí óõíÝ÷åéá ôùí óðïõäþí ôïõò óôï Ëýêåéï ïé Ãéþñãïò Äåóðïôüðïõëïò, ÓôáìÜôçò ËáèïõñÜêçò, Íéêüëáïò ÌéíÜäçò, ÊÜèõ ÐáðáúùÜííïõ êáé Ôßììé Âéïýêåñ. Óôçí ôåëåôÞ ðáñåõñÝèçêáí ðïëëïß ãïíåßò, óõããåíåßò, êëçñéêïß êáé ìÝëç ôçò êïéíüôçôïò êáé åêôüò ôùí ðñïáíáöåñèÝíôùí ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÔõÜííùí ÐáÀóéïò, ï Åðßóêïðïò Ìåëüçò Öéëüèåïò, ï Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ÂéêÝíôéïò êáé ï äéåõèõíôÞò ôïõ Åìðïñéêïý ðñïîåíéêïý ãñáöåßïõ ÁëÝîáíäñïò Ìçôñïãþãïò. Áêïëïýèçóå äåîßùóç ðñïò ôéìÞí ôùí áðïöïßôùí.

äáóêÜëùí, ößëùí êáé óõããåíþí ðáñåõñÝèçóáí ïé âïçèïß éåñåßò ôçò êïéíüôçôïò ð. ÄçìÞôñéïò Ëüêçò, ð. ÁíáóôÜóéïò Äéáêïâáóßëçò êáé ð. ÉùÜííçò ËáñäÜò. Ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò êïéíüôçôïò ÅììáíïõÞë ÊñÜôóéïò, ç ðñüåäñïò ôçò ó÷ïëéêÞò åðéôñïðÞò ×Üúäù Ìé÷Üëôóç, ç äéåõèýíôñéá ÁèçíÜ Êñïììýäá, ï ðñüåäñïò ôïõ óõëëüãïõ äáóêÜëùí êáé êçäåìüíùí Ôüíé ÌðáñóáìéÜí êáé ç ðñüåäñïò Ïñèüäïîïò ÐáñáôçñçôÞò ôçò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ ÁðïíïìÞ äéðëùìÜôùí óôïõò áðïöïßôïõò ôïõ Áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ. ÁëåîÜíäñá ÔóéÜôç. ÇÌÅÑÇÓÉÏ Ó×ÏËÅÉÏ Ç ôÜîç ôùí áðïöïßôùí ðåñéëáìâÜíåé ÔÏÕ ÁÃÉÏÕ ÍÉÊÏËÁÏÕ ôïõò åîÞò: ÂáóéëéêÞ Áèáíáóßïõ, Ãåþñãéïò Ç äñáóôÞñéá êïéíüôçôá ôïõ Áãßïõ Áèáíáóüðïõëïò, Ðßôåñ Áèáíáóüðïõëïò, ÍéêïëÜïõ óôï ÖëÜóéíãê ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò Óïößá ÁìðåñéÜäç, ÓôÞâ ÂáìâÜêçò, èåùñåßôáé áðü ðïëëïýò ùò ç ìåãáëýôåñç ÉùÜííçò ÃáôáíÜò, Íôßí Ãåùñãïýäçò, åëëçíïñèüäïîç êïéíüôçôá ôçò ÷þñáò. Ôï Ëïõêßá ÃêáñÞ, Åììõ ÄáëëÞ, ×ñéóôßíá çìåñÞóéï ó÷ïëåßï ðïõ öÝñåé ôï üíïìá ôïõ ÄÞìïõ , Ðßôåñ Äüñéæáò, Óýëâéá ÈåùäïñïìåãÜëïõ åõåñãÝôç ôïõ Ãïõßëëéáì Óðõñü- ðïýëïõ, Óïößá Êáìâýóéïõ, Êþóôáò ðïõëïõ, åßíáé áðü ôá ðïëõðëçèÝóôåñá ÊáóóïìåíÜêçò, ÄÞìçôñá Êéïýâá, Íéêüó÷ïëåßá ìáò êáé ðñïóöÝñåé Ýíá ðëÞñåò ëáïò ÊïöôÝñçò, ×ñéóôßíá Êïóìßäïõ, ðñüãñáììá áðü ôï íçðéáãùãåßï Ýùò êáé ÓôÝöáíïò ÊïõñÞò, Ãåþñãéïò Êïýôóïõñáò, ôçí 8ç ôÜîç. ÆùÞ Êïýæéëïõ, ÉùÜííçò Êñïììýäáò, Íéêüë ÓáñÜíôá-åðôÜ ìáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞ- ËáðóÜôç, Êùíóôáíôßíïò Ëáóêáñßäçò, ôñéåò áðïöïßôçóáí öÝôïò áðü ôçí 8ç ôÜîç ÉùÜííá Ëéüëéïõ, Êùíóôáíôßíïò Ëéôïýñãçò, êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ìéáò óåìíÞò áëëÜ êáé Ìé÷áÞë Ëéâáíèéíüðïõëïò, Åööç ÌáíùëáìðñÞò ôåëåôÞò ôçí ÐáñáóêåõÞ 14 ëÜôïõ, ÃêÜñé ÌðåñÜôçò, Êáëëéüðç ÌðïõÉïõíßïõ. ñÝêá, Íôßíá Ìïõôïðïýëïõ, Ìáñßá Ïñßóç, Ï åëëçíïáìåñéêáíüò åðé÷åéñçìáôßáò Ìé÷áÞë Ðáíôåëßäçò, ÉÜóùí ÐáðáäüÍôÝíéò Ìå÷éÝë, ðïõ åßíáé ìÝëïò ôçò ðïõëïò, Åööç ÐáõëÜêïõ, ¢ííá ÐõñãïýÇãåóßáò ôùí 100 êáé Üñ÷ùí ôïõ Ïéêïõìå- óç, Ðáýëïò Ðßôáò, ÉÜóùí Ðñüêïò, Íéêüë íéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáèþò êáé õðïøÞöéïò ãéá ôï áîßùìá ôïõ áíôéêõâåñíÞôç ôçò ðïëéôåßáò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, åß÷å ðñïóêëçèåß ùò êýñéïò ïìéëçôÞò ôçò ôåëåôÞò. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ìßëçóå ãéá ôçí ðåñçöÜíéá ðïõ áéóèÜíåôáé ãéá ôçí êáôáãùãÞ ôïõ êáé ôçí åëëçíïñèüäïîç êëçñïíïìéÜ ôïõ êáé óõìâïýëåõóå ôïõò áðïöïßôïõò íá áãùíéóèïýí êáé íá ðñáãìáôþóïõí ôá üíåéñÜ ôïõò áíôéóôåêüìåíïé óå üóïõò ôõ÷üí óôç ðïñåßá ôïõò áðïèáññýíïõí. Êáé êáôÝëçîå: «¼÷é ìüíï ðñÝðåé íá åðéôý÷åôå -êáé èá åðéôý÷åôå- áëëÜ íá èõìÜóôå ìåôÜ ôçí åðéôõ÷ßá íá åðéóôñÝøåôå óôçí êïéíüôçôá êáé óôçí åêêëçóßá óáò ðïõ Ý÷åé áíÜãêç ôçò ðñïóöïñÜò óáò». Ç Óïößá Êáìâýóéïõ, áñéóôåýóáóá ìáèÞôñéá, ìßëçóå ìå ðåñçöÜíéá ãéá ôéò åìðåéñßåò ôçò óôï ó÷ïëåßï, ôïõò äáóêÜëïõò ôçò êáé éåñåßò ôçò êïéíüôçôïò, ôá åöüäéá ðïõ áðåêüìéóå áð áõôü êáé êõñßùò ôçí åëëçíïñèüäïîç êëçñïíïìéÜ ôçò. Ï Ðáýëïò Ðßôáò, åðßóçò áñéóôåýóáò ìáèçôÞò, ôüíéóå üôé óôï ó÷ïëåßï ôïõ Áãßïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ ëÜâáíå ôéò âÜóåéò ðÜíù óôéò ïðïßåò èá óôçñé÷èïýí óôçí ðïñåßá ôïõò óôï ìÝëëïí. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò áðÝíåéìå óôïõò áðïöïßôïõò ôá äéðëþìáôá êáèþò êáé ôá äéÜöïñá âñáâåßá, ìåôÜëëéá êáé õðïôñïößåò. Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò óçìåßùóå ôçí óçìáóßá ôïõ êëßìáôïò ôçò èáëðùñÞò, ôçò êïéíüôçôïò êáé ôçò ïéêïãÝíåéáò, êëßìá êáé áßóèçóç åßðå, ðïõ õðÜñ÷ïõí óôïí ¢ãéï Íéêüëáï êáé Þôáí ïñáôÜ êáé öáíåñÜ êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò ôåëåôÞò. Ìßëçóå áêüìç ãéá ôçí åõñýôçôá ôçò Ýííïéáò ðáéäåßá ðñïóèÝôïíôáò üôé: «...óôï ó÷ïëåßï áõôü ëÜâáôå ðñÜãìáôé ðáéäåßá. Åßìáé ðïëý ðåñÞöáíïò ãéá óáò. Åßìáóôå üëïé ðïëý ðåñÞöáíïé. Ç ðáéäåßá ðïõ ëÜâáôå åäþ åßíáé ðáéäåßá áãÜðçò, ðßóôåùò, äéêáéïóýíçò êáé åéñÞíçò. ÖõëÜîôå ôçí êáé ÷ñçóéìïðïéÞóôå ôçí áðü åäþ êé åìðñüò». Ï áêïýñáóôïò éåñáôéêþò ðñïúóôÜìåíïò ðñùôïðñåóâýôåñïò ð. Ðáýëïò Ðáëåóôßäçò Þôáí êáé ï ðáñïõóéáóôÞò ôçò åêäÞëùóçò. Ìåôáîý ôùí ðïëëþí ãïíÝùí,

ÑÜëëç, Ôßíá ÓáñÜöïãëïõ, ÅéñÞíç Óåñãßïõ, Ìáñßá Óåñðáíïý, ÁíäñéÜííá Óéñßêá, ×ñéóôüöïñïò ÔóÝëéïò, Ðáíáãéþôá ÔóéíéÜ, Ìðüìðõ ×áôæçãÝñïõ, ÅëÝíç ×áôæçíéêïëÜïõ êáé ÁëåîÜíäñá ×ñéóôüö.

Ôï áðïãåõìáôéíü ó÷ïëåßï

Ôçí åðïìÝíç 15 Éïõíßïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå ç ôåëåôÞ áðïöïßôçóçò ôçò 8çò ôÜîçò ôïõ Áðïãåõìáôéíïý Ó÷ïëåßïõ ôçò ßäéáò êïéíüôçôïò. Áðåöïßôçóáí 41 ìáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞôñéåò. Ï êýñéïò ïìéëçôÞò, äçìïóéïãñÜöïò ê. ×áñßëáïò ÄáóêáëïèáíÜóçò, ìßëçóå óôïõò áðïöïßôïõò ãéá ôçí óçìáóßá äõï âáóéêþí ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêþí óôïé÷åßùí ôçò åëëçíéêÞò ðáéäåßáò êáé öéëïóïößáò, ôçí éóïññïðßá êáé ôçí áñéóôåßá êáé ôïõò ðáñüôñõíå íá ôá ÷ñçóéìïðïéÞóïõí ùò ïäçãü óôç æùÞ ôïõò. Ç ôÜîç ôùí áðïöïßôùí Ý÷åé ùò åîÞò: Áíáãíùóôüðïõëïò Óðõñßäùí, ÁíäñÝïõ Áõãïýóôá, ÂïõâïõäÜêçò ÉùÜííçò, Âñïýëïò Íéêüëáïò, ÃéïõñïõêÜêçò ÉùÜííçò, Äéáìáíôïðïýëïõ ÁããåëéêÞ, ÈùìÜôïò ×áñÜëáìðïò, ÊáâáëëéåñÜôïò Ãåþñãéïò, Êáëáìðüãéáò ÉùÜííçò, Êïýñôç ÓôåñãéáíÞ, ÊõñéÜêïõ ÐçãÜóéïò, ÊõñéÜííçò Ìé÷áÞë, Ëáóêáñßäç Ìáñßíá, ËéôóÜêç ÅéñÞíç, ËõìðåñÜôïò Íéêçöüñïò, Ìáñãáñþíç Èåïäþñá, Ìïó÷ïðïýëïõ ÉóìÞíç, ÌðáêáëïêùíóôáíôÞ ÇëéÜíá, ÌðïõæáëÜêïò ÐÝôñïò, ÌðïõæáëÜêïõ Õáêßíèç, ÎåñáêéÜ Ãåùñãßá, ÐáðáäÜôïõ Ìüíéêá, ÐáñèÝíç Êùíóôáíôßíá, ÐåñÜêç Êáôåñßíá, ÐÝôñïõ ÌáñéÜííá, ÐéñðéíéÜò Ãåþñãéïò, ÑïõâÜò Íéêüëáïò, ÓáêáëÞò ÁèáíÜóéïò, ÓáíéäÜò Êùí/íïò, ÓáñÜíôç ÖùôåéíÞ, Óéáìðïýëç Êáôåñßíá, ÓêïõôåëÜò Êùí/íïò, Óðõñïðïýëïõ Êáôåñßíá, Óôáìðïýëçò Ãåþñãéïò, ÔïõìáóÜôïõ ÁããåëéêÞ, Ôóïýëïõ Ãåùñãßá, Öïõíôïýëçò Áíôþíéïò, ÖïõíôïõëÞ ÍéêïëÝôá, Öñåìáíôßôçò ÉùÜííçò, ÖñõäÜ Âßâéáí êáé ×ñéóôïöïñßäïõ Ìáñßá.

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ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ

ÉÏÕÍÉÏÓ 2002

Ðñïóêýíçìá óôçí Êáððáäïêßá ÓÕÌÂÏÕËÅÕÔÉÊÇ ÅÐÉÔÑÏÐÇ ÅÐÉÓÔÇÌÇÓ ÊÁÉ ÔÅ×ÍÏËÏÃÉÁÓ u óåë. 22 «Ç åëëçíéêÞ ìåéïíüôçôá áðü 120.000 Ý÷åé ìåéùèåß óå ôñåéò ÷éëéÜäåò», åßðå ÷áñáêôçñéóôéêÜ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò êáé áíáöÝñèçêå êáé óôçí ãåíÝôåéñÜ ôïõ ôçí ºìâñï. «Óôçí ãåíÝôåéñÜ ìïõ ôçí ºìâñï üôáí Þìïõí ðáéäß õðÞñ÷áí 6-7 ÷éëéÜäåò ¸ëëçíåò, ôþñá õðÜñ÷ïõí äåí õðÜñ÷ïõí 250 Üôïìá», åßðå. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáöÝñèçêå êáé óôçí ôý÷ç ôùí óõñïúáêùâéôþí ôçò íïôéïáíáôïëéêÞò Ôïõñêßáò. «Óôï ÌÜñíôéí êáé ôá ðåñß÷ùñá (íïôéïáíáôïëéêÞ Ôïõñêßá) õðÞñ÷áí ÷éëéÜäåò óõñïúáêùâßôáé åíþ ôþñá ï áñéèìüò ôïõò åßíáé ãýñù óôéò äõï ÷éëéÜäåò. ÊáôÝöõãáí óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç êáé ïé ðåñéóóüôåñïé óôçí äõôéêÞ Åõñþðç». «¼ëá áõôÜ äåí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôùí Áãßùí Êùíóôáíôßíïõ êáé äåß÷íïõí íá ðñõôáÅëÝíçò óôç Óéíáóóü ôçò Êáððáäïêßáò. íåýåé ç áñ÷Þ ôçò áíï÷Þò», åßðå ï Oéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáé íá ìçí Ý÷ïõí áõôÞ ôçí äõíáôüôçôá», åßðå ðñüóèåóå: «ÐáñÜ ôá ëÜèç áõôÜ êáé ôéò Ëïõôöß ÍôáãÜí, ðñþçí õðïõñãüò åðéêñááäéêßåò ôïõ ðáñåëèüíôïò, óÞìåñá ðñÝðåé ôåßáò êáé ðñþçí ðñüåäñïò ôçò äéåõèýííá áíáãíùñßóïõìå üôé õðÜñ÷ïõí èåôéêÝò óåùò èñçóêåõôéêþí õðïèÝóåùí ôçò åîåëßîåéò óôçí Ôïõñêßá, üðùò ð.÷. ï Ôïõñêßáò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáäéáèñçóêåéáêüò äéÜëïãïò, ï ëåãüìåíïò èñçóêåõôéêüò ôïõñéóìüò, ìÝóá óôá öÝñèçêå êáé óôï ðñüâëçìá åðáíáëåéðëáßóéá ôïõ ïðïßïõ ãßíïíôáé êáé ôá ôïõñãßáò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôçò ðñïóêõíÞìáôá êáé ïé ëåéôïõñãßåò ôùí ×Üëêçò. «Óôçí óõíèÞêç ôçò ËùæÜííçò áíáöÝÏñèïäüîùí åäþ óôçí Êáððáäïêßá». Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò áíáöÝñèçêå åðßóçò ñåôáé üôé ïé ìåéïíüôçôåò óôçí Ôïõñêßá êáé óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Ïßêï ðïõ êáôá- äéêáéïýíôáé íá Ý÷ïõí åëåõèåñßá èñçóêåõóôñÜöçêå ôï 1941 áðü ðõñêáúÜ êáé ôéêÞò åêðáßäåõóçò. Áðü ôüôå ðïõ Ýêëåéóå ÷ñåéÜóèçêå 46 ÷ñüíéá ãéá íá åîáóöáëßóåé ç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ åìåßò äåí Ý÷ïõìå áõôÞí ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ôçí Üäåéá ôçò áíïéêïäü- ôçí åëåõèåñßá», åßðå. «¼ôáí ãßíåôáé ëüãïò ãéá ôï èÝìá ôçò ìçóÞò ôïõ. Åßðå ó÷åôéêÜ: «ÐáñÜ ôéò ðñïóðÜèåéÝò ìáò, äåí ìðïñïýóáìå íá ×Üëêçò», óõíÝ÷éóå «ìåñéêïß äçìïóéïãñÜöïé åîáóöáëßóïõìå ôçí Üäåéá ìÝ÷ñé ôï 1987, ðñïâÜëëïõí ôï üôé ç åðáíáëåéôïõñãßá ïðüôå ï Ôïõñãêïýô ÏæÜë ùò ðñùèõ- ðñïóêñïýåé óôïí íüìï. ÁëëÜ åãþ ôïõò ðïõñãüò åß÷å ôï èÜññïò íá åêäþóåé áõôÞ áðáíôþ: ÅîáñôÜôáé ìå ðïéá äéÜèåóç êáé ðùò åñìçíåýåôáé ï ó÷åôéêüò íüìïò êáé ôçí Üäåéá». Óôç óõæÞôçóç Ýëáâáí ìÝñïò äéáíï- ëÝãù áêüìç üôé åí áíÜãêç ìðïñåß íá ïýìåíïé, êáèçãçôÝò ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ, åêäïèåß êáé íÝïò íüìïò, åÜí õðÜñ÷åé ðïëéôéêÞ âïýëçóç ãéá íá éêáíïðïéçèåß ðïëéôéêïß êáé ïé ôïðéêÝò áñ÷Ýò. «Ïé ×ñéóôéáíïß óôçí ÷þñá ìáò ðñÝðåé áõôü ôï áßôçìá ôùí ÷ñéóôéáíþí êáôïßêùí íá Ý÷ïõí ôçí äõíáôüôçôá íá åêðáéäåýïõí ôçò ÷þñáò êáé íá ìðïñïýí êáé áõôïß íá ôïõò èñçóêåõôéêïýò ëåéôïõñãïýò ôïõò, åêðáéäåýïõí ôïõ èåïëüãïõò êáé ôïõò üðùò åìåßò Ý÷ïõìå ôéò èåïëïãéêÝò ìáò êëçñéêïýò ôùí». ó÷ïëÝò. Ç óõíåßäçóÞ ìïõ äåí ôï äÝ÷åôáé

Êáíïíéóìüò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéêïðÞò ãéá èÝìáôá åðéëÞøéìçò óõìðåñéöïñÜò êëçñéêþí u óåë. 24 êëÞóåéò ìå áðïñßåò Þ êáôáããåëßåò èá ëáìâÜíïíôáé óïâáñþò õð üøéí êáé ïé éó÷õñéóìïß èá äéåñåõíïýíôáé ðëÞñùò êáé áìåñüëçðôá. Ïé åíäéáöåñüìåíïé èá Ý÷ïõí ôçí äõíáôüôçôá íá óõíïìéëÞóïõí ìå Üíäñá Þ ãõíáßêá åèåëïíôÞ óôçí ÁããëéêÞ Þ óôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ ãëþóóá. ÔçëåöùíéêÝò êëÞóåéò èá ãßíïíôáé åðßóçò äåêôÝò êáô åõèåßáí áðü ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü ãñáöåßï ôïõ ÐñùôïóõãêÝëïõ, (212) 570-3513. Ôá Üôïìá ðïõ èá áðáíôïýí óôçí åéäéêÞ ôçëåöùíéêÞ ãñáììÞ èá åßíáé ëáúêïß, åèåëïíôÝò äéáöüñùí åéäéêïôÞôùí óõìðåñéëáìâáíïìÝíùí øõ÷ïëüãùí, êïéíùíéêþí ëåéôïõñãþí ê.á. Ïé õðåýèõíïé ôçò åéäéêÞò ôçëåöùíéêÞò ãñáììÞò èá åðéóôñÝöïõí ôçëåöùíÞìáôá ôï ôá÷ýôåñï äõíáôüí, óå ãåíéêÝò ãñáììÝò åíôüò 48 ùñþí.

Ï ðáñüí êáíïíéóìüò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò óõíôÜ÷èçêå áðü ïìÜäåò åñãáóßáò áðïôåëïýìåíåò áðü Áñ÷éåñåßò, éåñåßò, çãåôéêÜ óôåëÝ÷ç åê ëáúêþí, íïìéêïýò êáé Üëëïõò åéäéêïýò áðü ôïí êëéíéêü êáé áêáäçìáúêü ÷þñï. Êýñéá Þôáí ç óõììåôï÷Þ ôùí ðñùôïóõãêÝëëùí ôùí Åðéóêïðþí ïé ïðïßïé ðáßæïõí óçìáíôéêü ñüëï óå üëá ôá èÝìáôá ðïõ åðçñåÜæïõí ôïí êëÞñï. Êáíïíéóìïß Üëëùí èñçóêåõôéêþí äïãìÜôùí êáé äéêáéïäïóéþí ìåëåôÞèçêáí áðü ôéò ïìÜäåò åñãáóßáò. Ôï ðëÞñåò êåßìåíï ôïõ åí ëüãù êáíïíéóìïý õðÜñ÷åé óôçí éóôïóåëßäá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò (www.goarch.org), êáé äéáôßèåôáé åðßóçò áðü ôï Ãñáöåßï ôïõ ÐñùôïóõãêÝëïõ. Áíôßãñáöá Ý÷ïõí áðïóôáëåß óå üëïõò ôïõò êëçñéêïýò êáé ôá åíïñéáêÜ óõìâïýëéá ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ç åéäéêÞ ôçëåöùíéêÞ ãñáììÞ (877) 5543382 ëåéôïõñãåß áðü ôéò 17 Éïõíßïõ 2002.

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò áíáêïßíùóå ðñüóöáôá ôïí äéïñéóìü Êåíôñéêïý Óõíôïíéóôéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ìå áñìïäéüôçôá ôçí ïñãÜíùóç êáé ôïí ó÷åäéáóìü ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêÞò ÓõìâïõëåõôéêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò åðß èåìÜôùí ÅðéóôÞìçò êáé Ôå÷íïëïãßáò (ÁÓÅÅÔ). Ç óõíôïíéóôéêÞ åðéôñïðÞ áðïôåëåßôáé áðü ôïõò: äñ. Á÷éëëÝá ÁäáìáíôéÜäç, åêôåëåóôéêü ãñáììáôÝá, äñ. Êþóôá Åõèõìßïõ, áíôåðéóôÝëëïíôá åêôåëåóôéêü ãñáììáôÝá êáé ôïõò äñ. ×ñÞóôï Ìáíôæþñï, äñ. ÂáóéëéêÞ Ìðïõóéþôç, äñ. ÍôÝúâéíô Äïýêá, äñ. ÁñéóôïôÝëç ÐáðáíéêïëÜïõ, äñ. Ìé÷áÞë Ðïëõìåñüðïõëï êáé äñ. ×Üñç Äïõìáíßäç. Óêïðüò ôçò ÅðéôñïðÞò åßíáé ç ìåëÝôç óýã÷ñïíùí öëåãüíôùí èåìÜôùí ðïõ îåðçäïýí óôç óçìåñéíÞ êïéíùíßá äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôçò ôá÷ýôáôçò áíÜðôõîçò óôïõò ôïìåßò ôçò ÉáôñéêÞò, ôùí åðéóôçìþí åí ãÝíåé êáé ôçò êáëðÜæïõóáò ôå÷íïëïãßáò êáé Üðôïíôáé ôïõ Ýñãïõ êáé ôçò æùÞò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ôùí ðéóôþí. Ôï Óõíôïíéóôéêü Óõìâïýëéï óõíáíôÞèçêå ðñüóöáôá ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç ìå óêïðü ôçí ðñïþèçóç ôïõ óçìáíôéêïý Ýñãïõ ôçò ÁÓÅÅÔ. ÄçìéïõñãÞèçêáí ôñåéò õðïåðéôñïðÝò êáé äéïñßóôçêáí óõíôïíéóôÝò ôïõò ùò åîÞò: 1) ÂéïçèéêÞò êáé ÉáôñéêÞò, ìå óõíôïíéóôÞ ôïí äñ. ×ñÞóôï Ìáíôæþñï 2) Ïéêïíïìéêþí, ÅíÝñãåéáò, ÐåñéâÜëëïíôïò, Ðëçèõ-

óìïý êáé Öõóéêþí Ðüñùí, ìå óõíôïíéóôÞ ôïí äñ. Á÷éëëÝá ÁäáìáíôéÜäç 3) Öõóéêþí Åðéóôçìþí êáé Óýã÷ñïíùí Ôå÷íïëïãéþí, ìå óõíôïíéóôÞ ôïí äñ. ×Üñç Äïõìáíßäç. Ïé äéïñéóìïß óôéò õðïåðéôñïðÝò ãßíïíôáé ìå êÜèå ðñïóðÜèåéá íá ðåñéëáìâÜíïõí åéäÞìïíåò óå êÜèå ôïìÝá, ïé ïðïßïé ðñïóöÝñïíôáé íá óôçñßîïõí ôï Ýñãï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. Óôïõò åñ÷üìåíïõò ìÞíåò ïé õðïåðéôñïðÝò èá êáôáñôßóïõí êáôÜëïãï èåìÜôùí ðïõ Üðôïíôáé ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. ÅðéðñïóèÝôùò, ôï íÝï óõíôïíéóôéêü üñãáíï üñéóå ðñüãñáììá óõíáíôÞóåùí ðïõ ðåñéëáìâÜíåé ðåñéöåñåéáêÝò óõóêÝøåéò ôùí ìåëþí ôçò ÅðéôñïðÞò ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï, óõíÜíôçóç êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò óôï Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò (Ôñßôç 2 Éïõëßïõ) êáé ìßá ÐáíáìåñéêáíéêÞ óõíÜíôçóç üëùí ôùí ìåëþí ôçò ÁÓÅÅÔ ðïõ ðñïóùñéíþò Ý÷åé ðñïãñáììáôéóèåß ãéá ôéò 18-19 Ïêôùâñßïõ 2002, óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý. Ç óõíÜíôçóç áõôÞ èá äþóåé ôçí äõíáôüôçôá ãéá óõæÞôçóç êáé ó÷åäéáóìü ôïõ ðñïãñÜììáôïò ôçò êÜèå õðïåðéôñïðÞò êáèþò êáé ôïí ãåíéêïý ðëáéóßïõ ôçò ÁÓÅÅÔ. Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêÞ ÓõìâïõëåõôéêÞ ÅðéôñïðÞ ÅðéóôÞìçò êáé Ôå÷íïëïãßáò, ïé åíäéáöåñüìåíïé ìðïñïýí íá åðéêïéíùíïýí ìå ôïí äñ. Á÷éëëÝá ÁäáìáíôéÜäç (aadaman @attglobal.net), ôïí äñ. Êþóôá Åõèõìßïõ (c.efthymiou@att.net), Þ ìå email óôçí É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ DnNektarios@goarch.org.

Öùò óôçí ÊõðñéáêÞ ôñáãùäßá Ôá ìõóôéêÜ áñ÷åßá ôïõ Êßóéíôæåñ - Ç áðüöáóç ãéá ôç äé÷ïôüìçóç, ôùí Ìé÷Üëç Éãíáôßïõ êáé Êþóôá ÂåíéæÝëïõ. Åêäïôéêüò Ïñãáíéóìüò ËéâÜíç. ISBN: 960-14-0554-2, óåëßäåò: 524 Äéáôßèåôáé óôï äéáäßêôõï (www.livanis.gr) êáé óå ïìïãåíåéáêÜ âéâëéïðùëåßá.

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ìå ôç óõììåôï÷Þ ôïõ ðñïÝäñïõ ôçò ÂïõëÞò ôùí ÅëëÞíùí Áðüóôïëïõ ÊáêëáìÜíç, êáé ìðñïóôÜ óå ðïëõðëçèÝò áêñïáôÞñéï ðáñïõóéÜóôçêå óôï Ðïëéôéóôéêü ÊÝíôñï ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò óôçí Áóôüñéá ôï áðïêáëõðôéêü âéâëßï «Ôá ìõóôéêÜ áñ÷åßá ôïõ Êßóéíôæåñ - Ç áðüöáóç ãéá ôç äé÷ïôüìçóç» ôùí äçìïóéïãñÜöùí Ìé÷Üëç Éãíáôßïõ êáé Êþóôá ÂåíéæÝëïõ, ôùí åêäüóåùí ËéâÜíç. Ç ðáñïõóßáóç áðïôÝëåóå ôçí ôñßôç êáôÜ óåéñÜ, ìåôÜ áðü áíÜëïãåò åðéôõ÷åßò ðáñïõóéÜóåéò óôçí ÁèÞíá êáé ôçí Ëåõêùóßá. Óôï âéâëßï áðïêáëýðôïíôáé ðïëëÜ íôïêïõìÝíôá ôùí çìåñþí ôçò ÊõðñéáêÞò ôñáãùäßáò ìíçìüíéá, ôçëåöùíéêÝò óõíäéáëÝîåéò, ìõóôéêÝò åêèÝóåéò äßíïíôáò óôïí áíáãíþóôç ìéá óöáéñéêÞ åéêüíá ôïõ ôé äéåìåßöèç óôá ðáñáóêÞíéá. Åßíáé Ýíá üíôùò äéáöùôéóôéêü êáé óõíáñðáóôéêü áíÜãíùóìá ãéá üóïõò åíäéáöÝñïíôáé ãéá ôï óêïôåéíü áõôü êïììÜôé ôçò óýã÷ñïíçò éóôïñßáò ìáò. Ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÂïõëÞò ôùí ÅëëÞíùí Áðüóôïëïò ÊáêëáìÜíçò óå ìéá Ýíôïíá óõíáéóèçìáôéêÞ ïìéëßá êáé áöïý óõíå÷Üñç ôïõò óõããñáöåßò «ãéá ôç óïâáñÞ åìðåñéóôáôùìÝíç åñãáóßá ôïõò», åîÞñå ôç óçìáóßá ôïõ Ýñãïõ, éäéáßôåñá óÞìåñá ðïõ, üðùò åßðå, êñßíåôáé ç ôý÷ç ôçò Êýðñïõ. Ôï âéâëßï ðáñïõóßáóáí ïé äçìïóéïãñÜöïé Ðáíßêïò Ðáíáãéþôïõ êáé ÁèáíÜóéïò ¸ëëéò. Ï ê. Ðáíáãéþôïõ áíÝöåñå üôé «ôéò ðåñéóóüôåñåò öïñÝò, ç éóôïñßá åßíáé èáììÝíç êÜôù áðü óêïðéìüôçôåò, øåõäïëïãßåò êáé ðáñá÷áñÜîåéò. Ç áëÞèåéá äåí âïëåýåé áñêåôïýò, áðïêñýðôåôáé êáé

÷ùíéÜæåôáé ìå ôá ëåãüìåíá Üêñùò áðüññçôá Ýããñáöá óôá äéÜöïñá áñ÷åßá êáé óôá ÷ñïíïíôïýëáðá». Ôüíéóå åðßóçò üôé «ïé óõíÜäåëöïé Éãíáôßïõ êáé ÂåíéæÝëïò, ìå åõóõíåéäçóßá êáé åðáããåëìáôéóìü, óôïé÷åéïèÝôçóáí ôïí åíï÷ïðïéçôéêü ñüëï ôïõ Êßóéíôæåñ ãéá ôçí äé÷ïôüìçóç ôçò Êýðñïõ». Ï ê. ¸ëëéò åßðå üôé «ìå ôï âéâëßï áõôü âãáßíïõìå ðëïõóéüôåñïé óå ó÷Ýóç ìå ôçí éóôïñßá ôïõ Êõðñéáêïý», åðéóçìáßíïíôáò üôé «ìå óôïé÷åßá üðùò áõôÜ, áíáãêÜæïíôáé ðïëéôéêïß íá ïìïëïãïýí ôéò åõèýíåò ôïõò». Ï ãíùóôüò óôïí ïìïãåíåéáêü ÷þñï äçìïóéïãñÜöïò êáé óõããñáöÝáò ôïõ áðïêáëõðôéêïý áõôïý íôïêïõìÝíôïõ Ìé÷Üëçò Éãíáôßïõ åßðå üôé ôï âéâëßï ãåííÞèçêå óáí ðñïóùðéêÞ ôïõ áíÜãêç íá ìÜèåé «ôé óõíÝâç óôçí Êýðñï ôéò Ýîé åêåßíåò çìÝñåò, áðü ôéò 1520 Éïõëßïõ 1974». Åßðå ðùò ôï óõìðÝñáóìá ôïõ âéâëßïõ åßíáé üôé «ï ðñþçí õðïõñãüò Åîùôåñéêþí öÝñåé üëç ôçí åõèýíç ôçò ôñáãùäßáò, ó÷åäßáóå ôç äé÷ïôüìçóç êáé åðÝâëåøå ôçí õëïðïßçóç ôùí ó÷åäßùí, åíþ áðü ôá Ýããñáöá åìöáíßæåôáé íá áðïëáìâÜíåé ôçí ôñáãùäßá». Ï ê. Éãíáôßïõ åðåóÞìáíå üôé ïé ðñÜîåéò ôïõ Êßóéíôæåñ ðáñáâßáóáí ôï áìåñéêáíéêü óýíôáãìá ãé áõôü êáé ðïëëïß ïñãáíéóìïß ó üëï ôïí êüóìï áãùíßæïíôáé ãéá íá ðëçñþóåé ãéá ôéò ðñÜîåéò ôïõ. Óôçí åêäÞëùóç ðáñåõñÝèçêáí ìåôáîý Üëëùí, ï ìüíéìïò áíôéðñüóùðïò ôçò ÅëëÜäáò óôïí ÏÇÅ, ðñÝóâçò ÁäáìÜíôéïò ÂáóéëÜêçò, ï áíáðëçñùôÞò ìüíéìïò áíôéðñüóùðïò ôçò Êýðñïõ óôïí ÏÇÅ, Ãéþñãïò Êáóïõëßäçò, ïé ãåíéêïß ðñüîåíïé ôçò ÅëëÜäáò êáé ôçò Êýðñïõ óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç, ÄçìÞôñçò ÐëáôÞò êáé Âáóßëçò Öéëßððïõ, áíôßóôïé÷á, ï Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïò, ï Åðßóêïðïò Ìåëüçò ê. Öéëüèåïò êáé áñêåôïß ðáñÜãïíôåò ôçò åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞò êïéíüôçôáò.

JUNE 2002

PEOPLE

u Medal recipients

The following Greek Americans are among the recipients of the 2002 Ellis Island Medal of Honor presented in ceremonies May 11: Elias S. Adamopoulos, Stephen Cherpelis, William J. Dollis MD., George Gialarnas, Professor Andrew G. Kampiziones, Gust C. Kraras, Nicholas A. Natsios, Louis Nicozisis, Vasillia (Bess) Pappas, John G. Poles, John C. Rakkou, Chris Victor Semos, N.Y. state Sen. Dean G. Skelos, retired U.S. Ambassador Michael Sotirhos, George W. Souvall, Dean A. Spanos, Maj. Gen. George N. Williams, George C. Zoley, Michael F. Parlamis.

u Assemblyman tribute

California state Assemblyman Lou Papan of Millbrae recently was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the organization Dynamis. Assemblyman Papan has served in the Assembly more than 20 years and has more than 30 years of public service.

u W.H. honoree

Middle school student Peter D. Nicholas III, son of Dr. Peter and Maureen Nicholas of Leesburg, Pa., recently was honored at the White House by President Bush for winning an essay contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, along with 50 other teens from around the world. His Essay, Is Freedom Really Free, was judged best among more than 100,000 entries from students in all 50 states.

u Honored by VCC

The Virginia Council of Churches bestowed its Faith in Action Award upon the Rev. Dr. Constantine N., Dombalis, dean emeritus of Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Richmond on May 14, in recognition of his having served as the presidential appointed delegate to the UN General Assembly s 38th session and as the presenter of the US Statement on Religious Intolerance. He currently has been working to muster support for Africa s need for an urgent and exceptional response to HIV/AIDS.

u Chairs care group

Cardiologist Dennis K. Dickos MD., a member of Leadership 100 and an archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has been elected board chairman of The Care Group LLC, a network of Indiana physicians.

u News co-anchor

TV newswoman Andrea Stassou has been co-anchoring the weekend newscasts at WHDH-TV, Channel 7 in Boston since May 18. She was previously a reporter for WTNH-TV in New Haven, Conn.

She has also worked at TV stations in Springfield and Worcester, Mass. Ms. Stassou grew up in Tenafly, N.J., where she was a member of St. John the Theologian Cathedral.

u Named judge

Judge Manuel Kyriakakis, formerly First Justice of the Southeastern Housing Court in Massachusetts, has been named to a five-year term as Chief Justice of the Housing Court Department. Judge Kyriakakis lives in South Dartmouth with his wife, Elaine. They have two grown children and four grandchildren.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 25

A Church that Nurtured Two Present Bishops

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. Imagine an isosceles triangle in east-central New York with its apex pointing northwest.

St. George Church s city of Schenectady lies at the apex with the Archdiocese District parishes in Albany and Troy, N.Y., at the base angles.

St. George is the oldest of the three communities located in the region along the banks of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers known as the Capital District.

The parish today has a membership of mostly American-born Greek Orthodox along with many immigrants from Greece who settled here in the 1960s and 70s.

Established by a Dutchman, Adrent Vancurler of Nijkirk, Netherlands in 1661 on land purchased from

PARISH

World War II, the community experienced a long period of progress. By 1964, membership had reached 260 families.

Among those who grew up in the parish in the post-war years was James Couchell, who went on to become a priest and presently Bishop of Dimitrios of Xanthos.

Though born in Greenville, S.C., he lived in Spartanburg, S.C., until the age of seven, and spent most of his younger years in Schenectady where his father owned a flower shop.

It was very vibrant and alive at that time, with many programs, Bishop Dimitrios said of the parish. He attended Greek school and was a member of GOYA and the choir, and served as an altar boy. The bishop told the Observer he was inspired to become a priest, Fr. James Christon, the pastor during his teen years.

In the one instance of the expansion of its physical plant, in 1961 St. George parish built a modern 400-person capacity Hellenic center next to the church for community functions and as a banquet hall available to the public. The church complex occupies an entire city block and the parish appears to be there to stay.

Fr. Koutsoukas, who has served the community for the past 10 years, said of the parishioners, they never wanted to build a new church, they have so much love for the old church. The Archimandrite was born in ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH nearby Troy of an Irish mother and a Greek father from ConstaMeanwhile, the Balkan Wars, which raged from 1912-14, involved several ntinople. After completing his theoGreeks from Schenectady who went back logical training in Athens where he lived for six years, he took monastic to fight for Greece.

One of those, John Kansas, on his way vows. (He had also attended Holy home from the war met a Fr. Andreas Cross for one year). He was ordained Constantinides, who agreed a deacon by Metropolitan Silas of New to become St. George com- Jersey in November 1966. Two weeks munity s first priest. He later he was ordained to the priestserved the parish until hood by Bishop Germanos Polyzoides and was elevated to archimandrite 1923.

He was succeeded by rank in Tacoma, Wash., by Bishop Anthe Very Rev. Germanos thony of San Francisco in 1985.

In addition to the immediate parLiamadis, who served until Schenectady ish membership, Fr. Koutsoukas also his transfer to Endicott in 1938. He was later elevated ministers to several Greek Orthodox to titular Bishop of families in the outlying towns of Constantia. John Johnstown, which has a mission church; Kansas went on to Saratoga and Glens Falls, hometown of serve as parish council Bishop Nicholas of Detroit.

It s kind of odd, Bishop Nichopresident under both priests. las remarked to the Observer, of the The Great Depression forced the closing of some of the restaurants and lunch- fact that two hierarchs came out of the rooms owned by a few members of the same parish, but added that it also was a real blessing for the Schenecommunity.

After the founding of the National ctady community.

The bishop, born Nicholas E. Philoptochos Society in 1932, the ladies of St. George established Sts. Cosmas and Pissare, recalled that priests from Damian chapter in 1938, with Mrs. John Schenectady would come to hold services in Glens Falls once a month for Kansas as its first president. the small number of Greek families in The new and present church the area. There was an Antiochian Also in that year, the families of the church there, but the Greeks wanted parish, by now numbering 150, raised a Greek priest to serve them, the $45,000 to build a new church. The building continues to serve the community today. Construction was completed in 1939. u page 26 After weathering the Depression and By 1914, 13 families had settled in Schenectady, according to a parish history.

On Jan. 5, 1914, three men James Stathelopoulos, Nicholas Contompasis and Anthony Svolos met at a coffee shop on Clinton Street in the city s downtown to discuss the need for a church.

After meeting with another friend, Alexander Karastathes, who encouraged the project, the three presented the idea to the other families and a committee was formed to establish a church.

By early April 1915, they had purchased a two-family house at 107 Clinton, where the present church eventually was built. St. George received its charter on April 19 of that year. The small wood-frame house for many years served as church, hall, school and residence for the pastor.

profile

Name: St. George Greek Orthodox Church Location: Schenectady, N.Y. Diocese: Archdiocese District Size: about 175 families Founded: 1915 Clergy: The Very Rev. Paul K. Koutsoukas (Licentiate, University of Athens School of Theology, 66) Noteworthy: childhood parish of Bishops Nicholas of Detroit and Dimitrios of Xanthos the Mohawk Indians, Schenectady, an Iroquois word meaning beyond the pine barrens, was the gateway to the west and a center of trade in colonial times. The Indians burned it to the ground in 1690, but the village was rebuilt and flourished again in the 1700s. The opening of the nearby Erie Canal in 1825 ended Schenectady s role as a major trading center.

The pioneer generation of Greeks first arrived in Schenectady in the 1890s, coming mostly from Asia Minor, Cephalonia, Cyprus and the village of Skoura (Sparta).

During the 19th century, heavy industry developed in the city. In 1887 Thomas Edison relocated his Edison Machine Works to the city, and became the predecessor of the General Electric Company, the city s largest industry.

In the city s heyday, GE employed about 40,000 persons at its Schenectady Works plant, including many Greeks. But with the economic downturn in the 1970s, the number of employees diminished to 7,000, including several parishioners of St. George Church. Some members are retirees of the company.

Two other major industries at the turn of the 20th century were the manufacture of railroad locomotives, until 1969, and the Schenectady Varnish Company, which in 1962 became Schenectady Chemicals Inc., and then Schenectady International in 1992.

Within this economic setting based on heavy industry, the Greek pioneer immigrants arrived and established themselves in the fruit and produce business.

Later, many became entrepreneurs and opened restaurants and diners.

PAGE 26

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

MY NAME IS ATHENAGORAS u

page 5

I leave you now with three exhortations: 1) Do not try to go it alone. You priests need your hierarchy, and both of you need your faithful parishioners. Only together can you possibly continue to accomplish much greater things.

2) Continue to grow spiritually. That is very important. I illustrate this with a story: There was once an artist who in painting the Last Supper sought models for each person. He found one for his outgoing Andrew, another for the doubting Thomas, and a youth with features of a sensitive nobility, a compassionate face, filled with hope, for his Christ. However, he could not find one suitable for Judas.

As a result, the painting was left undone.

Years went by and one day in a cheap cafe he saw a sullen weak looking cynical person who was just right for Judas.

For a bottle of wine he would pose. You don t remember me? he asked the artist. No, I am afraid I don t. Should I?, replied the painter without missing a stroke. I am the man who once sat for your Christ!

God pity the soul who, once having achieved a noble hour, thinks that he has arrived - that he can enjoy his talents - rest on his laurels. We must either continue to grow spiritually or we die while breathing.

3) Do not fall into the sin of INDIFFERENCE. It is one of the worse things that can happen to a soul - adiaforia. As a priest, and later as an archbishop, I preferred to face a polemic, one who was against what I advocated, rather than one who manifested adiaforia - indifference.

I had a poet friend in England, G.A. Studdert-Kennedy, who died in 1929 -

two years before I came to America. He composed one of my favorite poems in which he imagines Christ coming back to earth and being crucified again on the Cross of Indifference. He wrote: When Jesus came to Birmingham, people simply passed Him by, they never hurt a hair of Him, they only let Him die; For men had grown more tender, they would not give Him pain, they only just passed down the street, and left Him in the rain.

Still Jesus cried, Forgive them, for they know not what they do, And still it rained the winter rain that drenched Him through and through; The crowds went home and left the streets without a soul to see, and Jesus crouched against a wall and cried for Calvary.

In other words, Our Lord would prefer to be crucified again rather than suffer the indifference of our modern world.

I, Athenagoras, leave you now. The shadows are calling me. No, not the shadows but the Light - the Light which is Our Lord, Christ Jesus, His Blessed Mother, His Saints, my friends - Cavadas and Ezekiel, Germanos and Michael, others, too. We ll all be waiting for you to join us in His Good Time, to be together again, for as we all know, ou gar ecomen wde menousan polin, alla thn mellousan epizhtoumen. (Heb. 13:14) In the meantime, I exhort you to work together to gain His continued Blessing in your collective and personal lives by being mindful that your response is needed to His Invitation - to embrace His Birth in you, to make His Passion your passion, and to celebrate His Glorious Resurrection. Be mindful that only all together can you achieve this. I leave you with these words from a poem you prob-

ably know all too well: Whenever there is silence around me, By day or by night -I am startled by a cry.

It came down from the cross The first time I Heard it.

I went out and searched And found a man in the throes of crucifixion, And I said, I will take you down, And I tried to take the nails out of his feet.

But he said, Let them be For I cannot be taken down until Every man, every woman, and every child Come together to take me down.

And I said, But I cannot hear your cry.

What can I do?

PARISH PROFILE u page 25 bishop said. He, too, remembered Fr. Christon, along with other priests who served the satellite community. Occasionally, they would make the hour-long drive to Schenectady to attend church at St. George s. Young Nicholas often served as an altar boy.

He noted that his father, Emmanuel, a candy store and shoe store owner, built a small chapel in South Glens Falls for the families to attend services when the late Bishop Philip of Atlanta was a priest in Schenectady.

The contemporary parish

Like most parishes of the Archdiocese, St. George has many members in interchurch marriages and converts. Fr. Paul said he uses Greek and English equally in the Divine Liturgy.

The community has several young people, but Fr. Paul observed with dismay that, when they reach their teens, many

JUNE 2002

And he said, Go about the world Tell everyone that you meet There is a man on the Cross.

The above is an abbreviated form of the soliloquy by Fr Nicholas L. Vieron, editor of the Retired Clergy of America newsletter, The Epistle Initially rendered in 1993 at a Diocesan meeting in Cincinnati. Revised for this issue of The Orthodox Observer.

For a copy of the complete original text, write to Fr Vieron: 573 N. Highland Memphis, TN 38122 . email: nvieron@bellsouth.net

become involved in sports that take place on Sundays, or work in their parents diners and restaurants that day and miss out on the Liturgy.

He also noted that the younger adults tend to gravitate to St. Sophia parish in Albany, the largest community of the three Capital District communities, which offers more social contacts.

Financially, the parish supports the stewardship program. Its major income source is the Greek festival that takes place the weekend after Labor Day. Until last year, bingo was another source of revenue, but the parish chose to end that activity, to which Fr. Paul remarked, Thank God. Fr. Paul, who will retire at the end of summer, said the biggest challenge of his ministry has been keeping the young people and instilling Greek heritage in the children.

I really believe in the Greek heritage and keeping the old ways, he said. We must keep our Greek heritage and traditions. compiled by Jim Golding

JUNE 2002

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

The Voice of

PAGE 27

Philoptochos

National Convention Offers Interesting Program

W

here is Philoptochos going? What has Philoptochos accomplished?

How can we get new members?

How can we make our meetings more interesting? How does Philoptochos work within the community, both the parish and outside, to be more meaningful? What kind of programs do our Philoptochos chapters have to reach out to those in need?

These are some of the topics submitted in response to a questionnaire National Philoptochos sent to each of its chapters for this year s convention. Those questions were asked over and over by chapters throughout the country. These questions will be used as springboards to open the workshop portion of the Convention.

There will be several short presentations at this year s convention as well. One of them will be an informative presentation on Camp Agape.

Camp Agape is a residential camp program for children suffering with cancer, sustained by the Diocese of San Francisco chapters.

Another presentation will focus on women s health issues. This year s focal point will be the heart and a cardiologist will to offer helpful information on this health problem not usually associated with women.

Theme of this year s Convention, Of-

fering our Orthodox faith to Contemporary America, will be discussed when we hear a presentation on the important role that women play in America in maintaining the Orthodox home.

There will also be presentations by St. Basil Academy, Hellenic College Holy Cross, and the Social Services Department of National Philoptochos.

An exciting part of the week is the presentation of awards to the chapters who have won in each of the contest s eight categories. This is the fourth year that Philoptochos has been recognizing the extraordinary efforts, programs and projects of Philoptochos chapters across the Archdiocese of America.

A highlight of the program in Los Angeles will be the Philoptochos Tribute Dinner honoring National President Eve Condakes. Many exciting events have been planned for this memorable evening.

Another highlight of this year s Convention is the tour of Los Angeles, including Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and Grauman s Chinese Theatre/Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame sponsored by the San Francisco Diocese Philoptochos for Philoptochos delegates.

We look forward to an exciting, fulfilling and rewarding experience in Los Angeles and hope to see many of our Philoptochos sisters there.

A

A Memorable Tribute Dinner to Honor Condakes Delegates and guests of the 36th Biennial Clergy-Laity Philoptochos Convention are invited to attend the Monday evening Philoptochos Tribute Dinner honoring National President Eve Condakes.

It will be an unforgettable gala . . . of music, nostalgia and looking towards the future, a celebration for Philoptochos!, organizers say.

Vicki Laviakis, the beautiful, young and vivacious, Emmy Award-winning news anchor of KRON-NBC4, San Francisco will be the mistress of ceremonies for the evening.

Carole Neblett, the internationally renown and esteemed Grammy winning soprano will perform for us. Born and raised in Southern California, becoming part of a family musical tradition of 125 years, she began, at the age of 18, after touring with the Rodger Wagner Chorale, making her professional debut at Carnegie Hall.

She is a leading soprano with the Metropolitan, San Francisco, Chicago, New York City, Salsburg, Hamburg, La Scala, and virtually every other opera company in the world.

Signature roles include Tosca with Luciano Pavarotti, and the Grammy winning performance of Puccini s La Fanciulla del West, with Placido Domingo.

She was invited to sing for Queen Elizabeth s Jubilee Celebration at Covent Garden, which was filmed live as well as recorded and has been a featured guest

on many television shows.

Charis Dimaras, born in Athens Greece, a distinguished, cosmopolitan concert pianist will perform both classical and contemporary Greek music. He holds a doctorate from the Manhattan School of Music and has studied at the Julliard School of Music in New York on an Alexandros S. Onassis Beneficiary Foundation scholarship, and at the Royal College of Music in London.

He has performed in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Austria, Germany, Holland, Great Britain, Brazil, Portugal and the USA. His recitals include the Philharmonic Orchestra in upstate New York and the Megaron Concert in Athens, Greece.

Other celebrities who will enlighten the evening include Sharon Lawrence, of NYPD Blue, earning her place on Broadway in some of the best musicals such as Zorba the Greek, Cabaret, and Fiddler on the Roof. An Emmy Award-winning actress, a high-energy singer and dancer, with comedic talents, she is one of the most sought-after actresses working in television and film today.

Delegates tickets are included in their packets and are part of the registration fee.

Guests wishing to attend should call (323) 721-8862 or (858) 487-3625 Reservations are $125 per person and checks should be made payable to: Philoptochos Tribute Dinner.

Agape Luncheon Held in Florida

came to him in spirit to fulfill this test. With faith and charity in his heart, he succeeded.

He took a handful of dedicated Christian ladies and opened their hearts to the needs of others. Since then we have progressed. Now we are recognized as the second largest philanthropic organization in America.

Helen lauded Philoptochos as a unique organization, saying that We are God inspired, ordained to fulfill a mission of charity and philanthropy. Helen exhorted the people to continue working on behalf of Philoptochos many charitable projects, quoting Scripture saying, Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works.

Bishop Alexios, was very moved by the spirit of love and fellowship at the Agape Luncheon. His Grace s eyes sparkled with joy as he stood and looked around the brightly decorated hall filled with so many of his flock. I ve had a wonderful time.

Have you had a wonderful time? he asked.

A thunderous applause answered this question.

The bishop, extended his sincere thanks to everyone present who made the Agape Luncheon a reality.

St. Sophia Cathedral Philoptochos recently honored Faye Kyriax Demetriou as the chapter’s Mother of the Year at a recent special event in Los Angeles. Mrs. Demetriou are members of the annual Fashion Show and Luncheon Committee.

mid sounds of music and fellow ship the Philoptochos Society of Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church hosted the 5th Annual Agape Luncheon on May 25th in Tallahassee, Florida. The theme of the luncheon was A Celebration of Orthodox Women.

Over a hundred people attended the event, which was organized by Carol Koralis, the General Chairperson, Olibia Drzewiecki, the President of the Holy Mother of God Philoptochos and Angie Poulos, Atlanta Diocese Ambassador.

There were guests from throughout the vicarage of Northern Florida.

A delicious meal, prepared by Andrew Poulos and Mike Papageorge was served.

Greek dancers headed by Alexandros Theodoropoulos provided entertainment.

Olibia Drzewiecki welcomed the guests to Tallahassee.

Fr. Nicholas Graff, Vicar of Northern Florida, extended a hearty congratulations to the parish of Holy Mother of God for hosting the event. He announced that Jacksonville and Gainesville will host the 2003 and 2004 Agape Luncheon s respectively.

Fr. Nicholas remarked that it was a day to Gather to support our bishop as a confer-

NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS President Eve Condakes (right) and Anita Kartolopoulos, chairman of the Philoptochos Patriarchal Fund, recently presented Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with a $100,000 donation for the work of the Patriarchate and its important programs.

ence and the bishop s many projects. We pledge to him our continuing support and love for his vision and programs. The vicar also praised the faithful women of Philoptochos, saluting them as the Mother of the Church, and thanked them for being a co-pastor with every parish priests.

Fr. Dionysios Listermann-Vierling, the parish priest of Holy Mother of God Greek Orthodox Church, also spoke. He welcomed the guests present to Tallahassee.

Fr. Dionysios, commenting on Tallahassee s celebrity during the 2000 Election, stressed that people now knew where Tallahassee was. He hoped that the Greek Orthodox Faithful would visit the city and parish again in the future.

Dee Nicholaou President of the Diocese of Atlanta Philoptochos, spoke to the assembly. She complimented the Tallahassee Community, saying, You ve done a beautiful job. On behalf of the Philoptochos Board we are very, very proud of you.

Referring to the Agape Luncheon, Dee explained, This is one our ministries we are trying to get started and rejuvenated and

we are very happy with the turnout. The best thing about these Agape Celebrations is that we get to meet people, to bond together in Christian fellowship and love.

Mrs. Nicholaou spoke very warmly about Philoptochos spiritual father, Bishop Alexios. We are very lucky in Philoptochos to have Bishop Alexios, she said, who is always there for Philoptochos day, night or in between. He is always tireless, working for Philoptochos.

Among the programs the bishop is active in is the Diakonia Serbia and everyone was reminded to support this worthy cause.

Dee concluded her remarks by urging all the women present to return to their home communities and spread the word that the Diocese of Philoptochos of Atlanta is alive and there for all those in need.

The guest speaker was Helen Patronis of Panama City. She is a past president of the Diocese of Atlanta Philoptochos.

Helen spoke about the late Archbishop Athenagoras and the creation of Philoptochos. By nature His Eminence was a dreamer, she said, One day God

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Youth Ministry

challenge

Summer Soul Cleansing:

7 Ways to Use Your Vacation Time

A

hh summertime is finally here. Time to get out the sun screen, swimsuits, sunglasses, and the Bible? When preparing for summer vacation, some of us choose a tropical destination to spend our days.

by Eva Cokinos

Others choose to be productive and get to those long projects that cannot be done during school or work time. But, few of us remember to continue our spiritual growth. So, why not try a little spiritual renewal this summer? Consider it a summer soul cleansing, if you will. If you have not tried this before, here are seven things you can do to catch-up spiritually (in no particular order).

1) Focus on your prayer life: We must never forget to pray unceasingly.

Therefore, make it a point to pray more throughout your day. It does not have to be a specific or special prayer. The Jesus Prayer is always a great start Lord, Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on Me, a Sinner. Also, remember that prayer is not restricted to reading something. Prayer includes living each day of your life for the glory of the Lord. Here is something creative: write your own prayer. Look to a prayer book or the Bible to guide you.

2) Volunteer your time: In addition to taking care of yourself, remember to take care of others. There are many organizations that desperately need help throughout the year. For example, you can volunteer at the hospital, nursing homes, shelters, and your own parish. Check your local phone book or check the web for organizations in your area. Take the time to give thanks for the gifts you have by giving to those less fortunate.

3) Read up on your faith: You do not need Oprah to find a good book this summer. There are many amazing books about the Orthodox faith, which you can purchase for your summer reading. Need some suggestions? What the Church Fathers Say About , edited by George W. Grube, is an excellent source for Orthodox beliefs and practices. The two-volume series includes writings from many Church Fathers say about topics spanning from Pascha to Astrology. Of course, you cannot forget one of the most popular books of all time The Bible!

4) Try Summer Camp: Do not be a couch potato! Get out there and have fun. Summer camp is a great opportunity to meet new people, participate in exciting activities, and learn more about the Orthodox faith. Orthodox camp programs take place throughout the summer. Plus, it is not too late. Some camps still have plenty of room to accommodate more campers. Check with your local parish and diocese for camps near you. Or, you can 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

PAGE 29

visit www.goarch.org for camp information.

5) Attend Church Where You re Vacationing: There are Orthodox churches just about everywhere. With a little research, you can find a church where you are spending your vacation. There are monasteries and parishes throughout the U.S. No two churches are alike. So, visiting a different Orthodox church would be a great new experience. Plus, you will meet other Orthodox young people from around the country.

6) Silence is Golden Listen to God: Summer is a time when we like to watch television, listen to music, and talk with our friends on the phone. Why not just sit and listen to God for once? In other words, take some time every day to sit in complete silence. Find a quiet place in the house or go for a walk. Open your heart and mind to God without any distractions.

This way, we are not just asking God for things. But, we are giving time to the One who always has time for us. As St. Seraphim says, acquire peace in your heart, and thousands around you will be saved.

7) Find or Use Your Talents: Some of us have hobbies and talents that we love.

Some of us are still searching for activities that we thrive in. For those who already have a talent or hobby, use it wisely. If you are a talented singer, audition for a community theater production. Or, if you are an artist, teach a beginning art class for your parish or community. If God has blessed you with a gift, it would be a sin not to utilize your talent. For those who might not have a hobby they like, think about possibly taking up classes or lessons.

For example, some schools and universities offer summer sports programs or music lessons over the summer. Do not be afraid to try something new.

Everyone must remember that God never takes a summer vacation from loving and protecting us. So, we should do the same for Him. Use these suggestions, or come up your own Seven Summer Soul Cleansings. Share them with friends and family. Most importantly, share your summer with God.

Where Does God Go For Summer Vacation?

This creative book, published by the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, helps breath life into summer youth programs. It is a workbook written for young people of all ages.

The author takes the concepts of fellowship and faith creating some wonderful activities that are sure to entertain and engage young people while they learn about their Orthodox Faith. The resource book also includes a youth worker/parent s guide. To order the book, contact the Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at (646) 519-6180. The book cost $10 plus $2 shipping and handling.

What s Up

Email: youthoffice@goarch.org

Dear God: Do You Take a Vacation?

Summer is here. Ahhh beach, baseball, Bar-B-Q, church. HUH? That s right, church. No church time during vacation, right? NOT!!! Summer is probably the best time for people to attend church. While school, sports, and activities take a break God NEVER takes a vacation!

by Kiki Karayannis

Pray without ceasing ring a bell?

What better time to be able to participate in the serenity of the Divine Liturgy that while your mind and body are recharging during those long summer days. Need a running start? Read on!

Check it out! While vacationing, check out the local Greek Orthodox church. It s fun to meet new people and participate in their church services. You may even strike up a new friendship or stumble upon a distant relative.

Chill out! While swimming, fishing, shell collecting, or boogie-boarding, think about the awesome miracle of God s great oceans. Now add a sunrise or sunset mind boggling, isn t it? Don t forget Who is there beside you. In Him was life, and the life was the light of all people. And the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. John 1:1-5 Go for the Gold! Exchange letters of you summer reflections and prayers with friends. Challenge them to answer;

Movie Review Spider man

It is finally here! Spiderman, making its big screen debut, has become one of the biggest blockbuster movies ever.

Spiderman successfully gives viewers all the action and adventure they could possibly imagine. But, that is not all it has to offer. Spiderman also provides us a lesson that can parallel the life of Orthodox Christians.

by Eva Kokinos

Spiderman, fights the typical good vs. evil battle against the Green Goblin, his archenemy. However, Spiderman was not always a super hero. Spiderman is actually Peter Parker, portrayed by Tobey Maguire: an ordinary, shy, and intelligent student. But one day, Peter wakes up to realize that he is not so ordinary any longer. With his newly acquired powers, Peter decides that his efforts should be used to battle crime and evil.

Part of this battle against evil involves the Green Goblin, the maniacal alter ego of the wealthy Norman Osborn. Out of greed and selfishness, Osborn takes an untested drug, hoping it will assist him in winning a profitable contract for his company. The drug is more dangerous than Osborn expected. As a result of this greed and hastiness, he creates this split personality that is a menace to society: a menace who can only be suppressed by Spiderman.

chances are, the have similar thoughts and questions. And don t forget your Bible, it s the key to every mystery. He walks upon the wing of the wind. Psalm 104:3 Join the CIA! Not the Secret service.

Meaning? USE your Central Intelligence to keep God s word alive don t keep it a secret, SHARE the wealth! You ll be amazed when you discover how much you have in common with Peter, John, Thomas and more. Friends haven t changed a whole lot in 2 millenniums that s 2000 years! Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action is dead. - James 2:17 Scope it out! Don t worry, you can keep those cool shades on. Look with your heart and soul. Life is God s miracle and gifts to us all. Open His package and unfold the mysteries He created. Riddle me this: If the world is such a wonder, what s it like in Heaven? Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God that we might know the things freely given to us by God 1Corinthians 2:12 Praise the Lord! Where? Anywhere!

Everywhere! Where else? IN CHURCH!!

Rejoice in the Lord always the Lord is near! Philippians 4:4 Have an awesome summer and Shine as lights in the world! Philippians 2:12-16 Kiki is the JOY and altar director at St. Luke s Greek Orthodox Church in Broomall, Pa. So, how could this possibly parallel the lives of Orthodox Christians? The Bible provides us with multiple examples of ordinary individuals who, through the power of faith and prayer in God, are able to achieve amazing things. Moses was able to free his people from an oppressive Egyptian empire through his faith in God and prayer. Joseph overcame tremendous temptation by putting his faith in God. Another excellent example is St. Paul the Apostle. St Paul declares, in I Corinthians 2:1-5, that he was not a scholar or a well-seasoned speaker. However, St. Paul is one of the most successful and well-known preachers of the Gospel.

Each individual was a common man who realized the power of God within them, to conquer the difficulties of the time. In the same way, Spiderman was able to discover his new powers and use it to battle the evil of his time.

Today s Orthodox Christians are not called to swing from buildings or cast spider webs from their wrist like Spiderman.

But, in general, they are called to take on a similar role. Christians all possess power that surpasses those of Spiderman. If each Christian were to tap into the power of faith and prayer, they could also transform into a hero for their fellow humans. All humans, at one time or another, must fight their own archenemies. Whether it is a bully in school or overcoming greed and selfishness, Christians hold the power to battle these evils by living their lives in Christ. Using the power God has given them, Christians can be ordinary individuals who accomplish extraordinary feats.

Eva attends Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. She is from Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Indianapolis. She is working as an intern at the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

news

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PAGE 30

DIOCESE

JUNE 2002

Alpha Omega Council, American College of Thessaloniki Honor His Eminence BOSTON The Alpha Omega Council bestowed its Lifetime Achievement Award upon Archbishop Demetrios at its 22nd annual awards banquet May 18 at the John F. Kennedy Library.

The Alpha Omega Council, founded in 1976 by the late Peter Agris, publisher of the former Boston-based newspaper Hellenic Chronicle, selects as its award recipient a Hellene or philhellene of international, national or regional prominence who exemplifies the organization s ideals.

Council members include a cross-section of distinguished Greek-Americans from business, academia, education, medicine, law and politics.

Council Vice-President John Panagako, chaired the dinner, with George Behrakis and President Gregory Filias as co-hosts.

Offering greetings and congratulations were Richard Jackson, president of the American College of Thessaloniki, the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College/ Holy Cross School of Theology, Consul General of Greece in Boston George Chatzimichelakis, Eve Condakes,

GOA

PRESIDENT Gregory Fillias and his wife with Archbishop Demetrios

president of the National Philoptochos and Francois Bovon, professor of New Testament at Harvard Divinity School.

The speakers expressed appreciation to His Eminence and praised his untiring efforts in bringing a strong sense of community and spirituality to the Greek Orthodox in America.

Most particularly, said Mr. Filias, Arch-

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bishop Demetrios, with his spiritual presence and involvement in the blessing and healing of those victimized by the September 11th tragedy, has made our Church a significant and guiding light the world over.

Congratulatory messages also were read from Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who could not attend, and who said in his letter, Open up your hearts and extend your hand to people of all creeds throughout the world. Urge the ones that have been generously blessed to become helpers of our undeservedly suffering fellow human beings, living thus the teachings of the Church Seek peace and justice, while recognizing that the future depends on the ability of people to live with one another in harmony. He concluded, It is very appropriate that this event is taking place in the Library of President Kennedy.

My brother used to like the Greek definition of happiness as the total utilization of one s abilities imbued with virtue and I congratulate you because you experience this reality daily.

Similar congratulatory letters were sent by Sens. John Kerry and Paul Sarbanes, and Elenie Huszagh, president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. Massachusetts Gov. Jane Swift, along

with the state House of Representatives and the Senate sent congratulatory resolutions and letters of recognition and appreciation to Archbishop Demetrios.

AMERICAN COLLEGE OF THESSALONIKI

The American College of Thessaloniki awarded a doctorate in Humane Letters to Archbishop Demetrios at a special ceremony May 23 aboard the Forbes family yacht, The Highlander, in New York.

Trustees of the College headquartered in Boston bestowed the honorary degree in for His Eminence s significant contributions to the long-lasting friendship and cooperation between the Greek and American people.

Award recipients must have devoted their career to studying and promoting one or more branches of Greek studies and shown their dedication to the general good, reflecting the ideals taught at the College.

Wallace F. Forbes addressed the Archbishop while Board President George S. Bissell and college President Richard L. Jackson presented the degree.

Mr. Jackson spoke of His Eminence s work and service and emphasized that he constitutes the personification of all selection criteria in the superlative degree, not only in his career but in his everyday life and spirituality as well.

AHEPA Family Prepares for 80th Annual Convention in New York WASHINGTON-The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the largest and oldest association of Americans of Greek heritage and Philhellenes, will celebrate its 80th anniversary during its Supreme Convention in New York, July 17 to 21, 2002. The annual event is one of the largest gatherings of Hellenes in North America. The HiltonNew York is the official venue for the historic event.

We are filled with great anticipation and excitement about commemorating our 80th anniversary in a city that welcomed many of our immigrant forbearers and is considered to be the cradle of Greek-America, said Supreme President Andrew T. Banis. We aspire to present a convention program that provides many cultural, educational and social activities for our attendees, including events that support the good citizens and economy of New York.

The AHEPA membership chose to move its annual meeting to New York following the tragic events of Sept. 11. It was a bold initiative welcomed by former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, countless members of Congress, including Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), and NYC & Company, the convention and visitors bureau of New York.

In the months following September 11th the organization has donated its time and services to New York and by moving your annual Supreme Convention to New York City you once again prove your commitment to this great city, said Sen. Schumer. You truly love New York and I think I speak for all New Yorkers when I say thank you.

According to Supreme President Banis, federal and state government officials from the New York City area have been invited to be honorary chairs for the convention. Thus far, those accepting are: U.S. Reps. Gary Ackerman (D-5-NY), Joseph Crowley (D-7-NY), Benjamin Gilman (R-20-NY), Nita Lowey (D-18-NY), Carolyn

Maloney (D-14-NY), and State Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-36-Astoria).

The convention culminates with the 80th Grand Banquet, Friday, July 19, where U.S. Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller will deliver the keynote address.

Author Thea Halo, who received critical acclaim for her novel, Not Even My Name, will receive the 2002 AHEPA Homer Award for excellence in poetry and prose, and her mother, Sano Themia Halo, the subject of her novel, will receive the AHEPA Medal of Freedom.

Moreover, events to enlighten and provide insight on cultural, educational, and societal issues include: an exhibit of photographs of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos presented by the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York and His Grace Bishop Nikiforos (July 18), an International Conference on the Parthenon Marbles, featuring expert panelists from across the globe, including the U.S., U.K., and Australia (July 19), Bone Marrow Registry Drive (July 19 and 20), a Symposium presented by the AHEPA Educational Foundation and Daughters of Penelope Penelopean Foundation, featuring Dr. John Brademas, former U.S. Congressman and President Emeritus of New York University (July 20), and *a book signing/reading by Author Thea Halo (July 20).

Events are being arranged by a local AHEPA committee to encourage support, involvement and participation in all that the city has to offer. These events include: a Ground Zero Pilgrimage, an outing to a Broadway show, a golf tournament, and an organized gathering for The Today Show gallery.

Contact the Hilton-New York directly, 212.586.7000, to reserve a discounted room rate of $149 a night plus tax by asking for the AHEPA room block.

Registration for events is available onsite, starting on Wednesday, July 17. The registration form is offered at www.ahepa.org, or by contacting AHEPA Headquarters, 202.232.6300.

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Three Dioceses H o l d G O YA O l y m p i c s

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emorial Day Weekend was a busy time for more than 3,000 young people in the dioceses of Chicago, New Jersey and the Archdiocese District as they took part in their annual Junior Olympics.

Some of the major events included track and field, softball, tennis, chess, checkers, volleyball and swimming.

The Chicago Diocese also held a wheelchair basketball game.

Diocese of New Jersey young people participated in the 33rd annual Outdoor GOYA Olympics hosted by the Northern New Jersey Youth Commission.

More than 400 young people ages 12-18 from 15 parishes competed in various events, climaxed with a 2.5-mile run marathon around town.

The events were held at the Dunn Sports Center of Elizabeth High School in Elizabeth, N.J. Some 600 people attended the games, which began with the traditional lap around the track carrying the Olympic torch and concluded with the awarding of the medals.

The St. Barbara parish of Toms River, N.J. (Ocean County) won the most medals overall (27) and the most gold medals (15).

Fr. Bill Gikas, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, said the Olympic committee under Andy Hios direction, plans to continue inviting all the parishes of the diocese with the objective of expanding both the number of events and the number of participating parishes.

In the Chicago Diocese, Sts. Constantine and Helen parish served as the traditional host for more than 2,000 young people in the 21st Junior Olympics from 35 parishes in the six states of the Diocese.

Four athletes won $500 Olympics scholarships. They were George J. Kappas of All Saints Church, Joliet, Ill.; Joseph A. Calash, St. Sophia parish in Elgin, Ill.; Karen C. Lindemann, St. Demetrios, Hammond, Ind.; and Elaine Kandalepas of St. Athanasios Church, Aurora, Ill. Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis officially opened the event.

More than 1,100 Goyans and JOY members from 21 parishes of the Archdiocese District participated in the 24th annual Olympics weekend event held at the State University of New York-Stony Brook on Long Island.

Each group had its own events according to age levels.

Alex Constantinou, one of the original organizers of the Archdiocese District Olympics, served as chairman.

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8 OLYMPIC PARTICIPANTS in all three dioceses take part in many events. (clockwise from top right)

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(1) Archdiocese District JOY broad jumper; (2) Metropolitan Iakovos presides over the Chicago Diocese events.

(3) Chicago wheelchair basketballers; (4) Archdiocese District chess matches; (5) NJ Diocese girls running winners; (6) Archdiocese District soccer competition; (7) NJ Diocese runners; (8) Archdiocese District girls running event; (9) Chicago Diocese softball player.

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JUNE 2002

HC/HC 60th Graduation Cotsakos, Limberakis, Frs. Coniaris and Andrews Honored u page 1 ates to strive for excellence in whatever they do.

Fr. Clapsis asked the audience to empower the graduates with their prayers and embrace them with their love and they, as our hope and future, will offer us the best of what they are the image of Christ.

After striking renditions of AmericaOur Heritage and Easter Alleluia by the Hellenic College and Holy Cross Chorale and Brass Choir, under the direction of Constantine Limberakis, Calliope Chisnall gave her Valedictory address.

Ms. Chisnall, a religious studies major from Nassau, Bahamas, was introduced by fellow graduate Deacon Paul Pappas, as a loving, talented, hard worker who contributed much of her personal time to good works such as retreats, student orientation, and international missions. Ms. Chisnall demonstrated her wit and theological knowledge with a humorous adaptation of St. John Chrysostom s powerful Paschal Homily.

Class President Deacon Michael Prevas introduced Holy Cross Valedictorian Panteleimon P.G. Dalianis as a person full of love and admiration for the saints, who is always trying to improve himself and exerts a positive influence on others.

In his address, Mr. Dalianis set forth a challenge for Orthodoxy in America to produce more indigenous saints because he believes the number of saints the Church produces is its measure.

Mr. Dalianis will spend the next year in Thessaloniki, Greece studying Modern Greek and Canon Law. The Three Hierarchs medal was pre-

strengthen ties to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He also serves on the Board of Trustees of HC/HC and is an active alumnus of Duke University Medical Center.

Dr. Christos M. Cotsakos, who also delivered the commencement address, received the honorary doctorate in recognition of his leadership in all of his endeavors from the founding of E*Trade, to his distinguished service to his country in the Vietnam War and for his many philanthropies including the University of Hanoi, his parish of St. Athanasius in Paramus, N.J. and to William Paterson University, Wayne, N.J., of which he is an alumnus.

In his address, Dr. Cotsakos recounted stories from his life that involved taking risks and not fearing controversy.

This year s class sizes were small a total of 26 students, but as Dn. Michael, a 2002 graduate receiving his Master of Divinity stated about the graduates, their love for Christ is overflowing.

Hellenic College graduated six students with a Bachelor of Arts. Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology graduated 19 students: one Master of Arts in Church Service, four Masters of Theology, four Masters of Theological Studies, and 10 Masters of Divinity.

Of the graduates, seven are already clergy members. Below is a list of graduates, their degrees and dioceses.

HELLENIC COLLEGE GRADUATES HOLY CROSS School of Theology graduates with His Eminence, Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Behrakis, President Fr. Triantafilou, Dean Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis and Bishop Gerasimos of Krateia.

FR. CONIARIS receives the Three Hierarchs Medal

sented to the Rev. Dean Anthony Andrews, a member of the first graduating class of Holy Cross in 1942, who served as a pastor in several communities and also as director of the HC/HC Library for many years.

Also receiving the Three Hierarchs Medal was the Rev. Anthony M. Coniaris, Class of 1948, who was honored for his 44-year ministry to St. Mary s Church in Minneapolis, for his many books on Orthodoxy for the general public, for his establishment of the internationally-known publishing house Light and Life Publishing Company, and for his renown as a homilist.

Honorary degree recipient Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis is national commander of the Order of St. Andrew and a practicing radiologist. As an Archon of the Church, he has worked to raise money and

HELLENIC COLLEGE graduates with the Archbishop, Vice Chairman Behrakis and President Fr. Triantafilou.

D.Panagos photos

He also shared with the audience that his life has been enriched by his Greek heritage and guided by three things: his Orthodox faith, family, and the guiding principle that you can do anything with a little courage.

He also looked to the graduates as the next generation of greatness in this troubled world. In concluding his remarks, he announced a gift of one million dollars for the continued work and growth of the school.

Archbishop Demetrios, in closing the ceremonies, noted that in a world of increased insecurity, instability, and a reluctance for commitment, the new graduates carry the possibility to react to these forces in a positive way with the firm basis of God and the absolute truth of the Gospel. He concluded by inviting the graduates to help create the new face of Christianity in our postmodern world.

Finally, after all the inspiring words and amid cheers and a standing ovation, the graduates approached the podium to receive their degrees from Archbishop Demetrios.

HIS EMINENCE and Fr. Triantafilou present Dr. Limberakis with honorary doctorate. They also presented an honorary degree to Christos Cotsakos.

Religious Studies Calliope Chisnall, Metropolis of Central America; Deacon Paul G. Pappas, Pittsburgh; John Sanidopoulos, Boston; Ioannis Triantafilou, Atlanta; Ioannis Vernikos Church of Greece; and Andrew T. Walsh, Chicago.

Elementary Education Israel G. Collins, Antiochian Archdiocese of America.

HOLY CROSS GRADUATES Master of Arts in Church Service: Fr. Gabriel Rehatta, Metropolis of Hong Kong; Master of Theology: Fr. Ilie I. Anitei, Church of Romania; Iulia Corduneanu, Church of Romania; Alexander G. Dragas, Boston; and Archimandrate Anastasios Kihali, Patriarchate of Alexandria Master of Theological Studies: Rev. Nicholas M. Bargoot, Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia; Lisa T. Boston, Detroit Diocese; and Pandeli Dhima, Albanian Diocese Master of Divinity: Athanasius M. Akunda, Patriarchate of Alexandria; Evan A. Amatas, Denver; Panteleimon P.G. Dalianis, Chicago; Ryan C. Gzikowski, Pittsburgh; Rev. Dn. John L. Johns, Atlanta; Bus C. Lazarakis, Denver; Deacon Michael K. Prevas, Chicago; Elizabeth Scott, Orthodox Church of America; Michael P. Tervo, San Francisco; Peter J. Thornberg, New York Archdiocese District; and Richard M. Vanderhoef, Chicago.