VOL. 67 NO. 1189
http://www.observer.goarch.org E-mail: observer@goarch.org
MAY 2002
ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL DISCUSSES Upcoming Congress, Proposed Charter at Chicago Meeting CHICAGO Discussions on the proposed Charter, and positive information on Church finances, clergy ordinations and enrollments at Holy Cross School of Theology, and new projects highlighted the Archdiocesan Council s spring meeting May 10. byJim Golding
Council members also discussed progress and preparations for this summer s Clergy-Laity Congress.
Charter progress
The lengthy discussion on the proposed new charter focused on the process in formulating the document, and on responses received from many parishes and diocese clergy-laity conferences. Over the Orthodox Observer
Holy Week, Holy Myrrh at Ecumenical Patriarchate Cotsakos gives
$1 Million to HC/HC
D. Panagos
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Demetrios and other Hierarchs during the consecration of the Holy Myrrh.
by Stavros H. Papagermanos
I had felt as if I had lived, in some impersonal way, some bits and pieces from the life of Constantinople, as if I had remotely experienced some of its history
O
ver the past few years extensive and critical efforts have been made by special committees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Ecumenical Patriarchate to review the existing 1977 Charter of the Archdiocese and to prepare a Charter that reflects the organization, direction and potential of our Orthodox Church in this country. This article is presented to provide a brief overview of the necessity and importance of the Charter process and of the Charter itself for the work and future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.
What is an Ecclesiastical Charter?
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The name Constantinople does not simply denote the name of a city. It signifies a rich history and evokes deep emotions.
THE PROPOSED CHARTER: Progress and Potential
and its present, through the pages of history books, through the narrations and stories of my grandmother, the psalms and hymns of our Church, the songs about the City, the multitude of photographs, the documentaries and travel accounts of friends and visitors, the news items on TV, the articles and the more recent stories of some fellow journalists.
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CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS Archbishop s Encyclical u 11 Archdiocese News u 2-3, 8 Challenge u 29 Diocese News u 26-27 Ecum. Patriarchate u 6-7 Greek section u 15-19
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In Memoriam u 25 Letters u 10 Opinions u 10 Parish Profile u 23 People u 23 Voice of Philoptochos u 30
BROOKLINE, Mass. Christos M. Cotsakos, Ph.D., chairman and CEO of E*TRADE Group, offered $1 million for the continued work and growth of Hellenic College/ Holy Cross School of Theology May 18 at the school s commencement. Dr. Cotsakos announced the gift at the conclusion of his commencement address that followed the conferral of an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from Hellenic College. In addressing the graduating classes, he spoke of his experiences, struggles and success in life, and emphasized the significance of his faith and relationship with the Church. Regarding the offering, Archbishop Demetrios stated, This is a wonderful gift that strengthens the work of our School and provides tremendous assistance in the preparation of priests and leaders for our parishes. I am sure that the gesture of Dr. Cotsakos will become an invitation for other people to proceed with similar offerings. Dr. Cotsakos is engaged in various philanthropic activities related to education, community projects and church programs through the Christos M. Cotsakos Family Foundation and Trust. He recently completed his Ph.D. in economics from the University of London.
An ecclesiastical Charter first defines the relationship between the Mother Church, i.e. the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Second, it is a grant of rights and privileges by the Patriarchate to the Archdiocese. That the Charter is a grant is made clear by Article 23 of the existing 1977 Charter, which states in part that it was the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which granted it (i.e. the Charter) in its present form to the Archdiocese. However, the Charter is not a grant made by the Patriarchate without thorough discussion. On the contrary, as it happened in our case, during the past 18 months the Patriarchate and the Archdiocese have entered into extensive and detailed discussions on the contents of the Charter with constant attention to the needs of the Archdiocese, as well as its present and future status. The resulting document, the proposed Charter, is the product of those discussions.
Why the need to update the Charter?
The existing 1977 Charter was granted to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. Since the time of the grant, Canada, Central America and South America have been made separate Metropolises. In addition, the Archdiocese has changed its corporate name to The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. These changes, together with the need to provide a proper foundation for continued growth and dynamic ministry at the Archdiocesan, Diocesan and parish levels necessitated the process of updating the Charter. The proposed Charter has been carefully designed to provide a framework for the structure of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese today as well as for its mission in the foreseeable future. This could not be accomplished with amendments or revisions to the 1977 Charter. Thus, the process began in earnest over six years ago and reports were given to the Clergy Laity Congresses in Orlando (1998) and Philadelphia (2000). Shortly after his arrival in 1999, Archbishop
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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Archdiocesan Council Discusses Upcoming Congress, Proposed Charter at Chicago Meeting become priests, relieving them of the debt that has burdened previous graduates of the school. At the Council meeting, Leadership 100 Chairman Arthur Anton announced the organization has formed a Student Loan Committee to pay the outstanding student loans of active clergy. We have allocated $100,000 this year to the program and are considering more as we are determined to ensure that no priest is financially burdened. Mr. Anton also reported that, among other grants Leadership 100 has provided nearly $588,000 to the Archdiocese Sept. 11 Relief Fund, $140,000 for Retired Clergy Benefits, and $108,000 for Home Mission parishes,
u page 1 past several months, copies of the charter were distributed to each parish for review and constructive comments. A report on the Charter will be presented to delegates attending the Clergy-Laity Congress and comments received will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for consideration and final decision. The Archbishop said the charter is significant as a text, but also it is significant in offering an exemplary model for conducting the affairs of the Church. He said the Church is not a corporation, political party or other institution. He further stated the Charter process is something we should be proud of Let us go to the end of this difficult process by setting an example for the future, for any activity that is a long process in the Church. Several Council members, including Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis, Elenie Huszagh and Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis, expressed dismay at the misinformation circulated in the news media and in the Greek Orthodox community regarding the charter. Ms. Huszagh noted the document provides a very high degree of autonomy. The legal counsel for the Archdiocese, Emmanuel Demos, said the Ecumenical Patriarchate grants a charter to assist the Archdiocese in its governance and that it is a canonical document. He said the charter is not a business contract, and the Church wants the broadest possible representation of views from the laity in the process. Addressing concerns voiced by some on the unity of the Church in the United States, he said the Archdiocese will continue as one unified body given our numbers this is the only way we can operate effectively. He continued, The laity is not deprived of anything. The language is the same as last charter. Council member Andrew Athens commented that he has never seen anything as thoroughly reviewed as this document, adding, I don t ever want to hear that this Church isn t open to suggestions. We must continue to tell our story honestly, correctly, and on the broadest possible basis. The Archbishop concluded discussion on the charter, emphasizing there is no diminishing of the unity of the Archdiocese by the proposed charter. We have no right to deprive people of the fullness of truth on all levels, he stated, on what is being done.
Congress update
Organizing Committee Chairman Peter Preovolos of San Diego provided an update on preparations for the 36th ClergyLaity Congress, giving an overview of the week s program of some 130 activities that consist of services, meetings, cultural and social programs and other events. (See
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Archdiocesan Council members held a productive meeting in Chicago on May 10.
schedule of events, page 5) Among the speakers scheduled to address the Congress will be California Gov. Grey Davis. For the first time, online registration is available at www.clergylaity.org Archbishop Demetrios said participation by as many people as possible is a priority. We have to make sure this is a part of the life of the Church, he said, urging the Council members to increase their efforts to encourage more parish participation.
Financial report
John Marks, co-chairman of the Archdiocesan Council Finance Committee, commented that things are steadily improving financially and that the Church is back to fiscal responsibility. John Barbagallo, director of the Archdiocese Department of Finance, gave an encouraging report about Church finances, noting a significant decrease in total debt while, after a period of decline following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, revenues have rebounded well. We re not in any financial crisis, he said. Mr. Barbagallo said the Archdiocese ended 2001 with a net surplus of $232,000, resulting from an increase in Total Commitment, a significant reduction in liabilities and grants from Leadership 100 and the Niarchos Foundation. He said total debt has been reduced since 1999 by nearly $3 million and lines of credit are available again. There also are tighter controls on restricted funds. However, he and several Archdiocesan Council members commented on the need to develop additional revenue sources, instead of relying solely on Total Commitment, which is affected by economic cycles. Mr. Jaharis said a new development office of the Archdiocese will be set up to create new giving programs. We want to get people in the parishes to give whatever they can as part of a lifelong program. We want to get everyone involved, not just
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
the (Church) leadership, he said. Part of this effort will include the creation of an endowment fund for the Archdiocese. Archbishop Demetrios said that giving is a matter of spirituality we have to educate people to share in the financial burden and not depend on large donations. He also acknowledged a recent $500,000 gift from an anonymous donor that has reduced the Church s debt by one-third.
Holy Cross progress
The Archbishop, in his introductory remarks at the meeting, reflected on encouraging trends relating to Hellenic College-Holy Cross, noting the number of candidates for ordination to the priesthood has been rising, and the number of first-year students at the school of theology has increased. It is an extremely hopeful vision and encouraging event, he said. HC/HC President the Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou reported that the number of new admissions to the graduate school total almost 50 with about 35 new applicants for Hellenic College. Projected enrollment for 2002 may reach as high as 200 students Fr. Triantafilou said that, under the school s strategic plan, the goal is to expand the undergraduate enrollment and to have as many as 150 graduate students. He noted several fund-raising efforts and programs, including the successful golf tournaments held in Boston over the past nine years that has resulted in $1.5 million for the school, and in Florida beginning this year, which raised nearly $500,000. The president also reported that HC/ HC received the maximum 10-year accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
Leadership 100
One of the primary supporters of the school is the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which last year initiated a $10 million dollar scholarship program for students planning to
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Archbishop Demetrios also informed the Council of plans for a center for family care that will minister to families in need, clergy families, interfaith families and that will provide resources for all aspects and concerns of family life. His Eminence also discussed developments in the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the Americas involving Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America who is retiring at the end of July after 25 years as head of the OCA. A new Romanian archbishop in the United States was recently elected and his ordination will take place in July. Emmanuel Demos, legal counsel, gave a brief report on the Church s new sexual misconduct policy with a synopsis to be published in an upcoming issue of the Observer. The Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, director of the Department of Religious Education, discussed a teen-age curriculum committee recently established that will develop a curriculum for grades 9-12. He also reported that the theme of the next issue of Praxis magazine will be The Sacraments. Fr. Mark Leondis, director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, reported that significant progress has been made in strengthening the Young Adult League, Campus Ministry, and the training of youth directors and coordinators. The report on Greek Education highlighted the ongoing projects of the department. Archbishop Demetrios acknowledged the accomplishments of several schools in New York and trend of the establishment of early childhood and day school programs throughout the Archdiocese. Jerry Dimitriou, executive director of the Archdiocese, gave a brief communications report on the new quarterly news program, Illuminations, which is produced by GOTelecom and will be distributed to each parish.
Study Under Way on Clergy Needing Aid In his concern for the well-being of the clergy and their families, Archbishop Demetrios has authorized Fr. Evagoras Constantinides to make a comprehensive study of all the active clergy, the disabled clergy, the retired clergy, and the widowed presbyteres in financial need. If you belong to any of these groups, please write to Fr. Evagoras at 9433 Arthur Street, Crown Point, IN 46307-1914, or call him at (219) 663-2276, or fax (219) 663-8847. All information will be kept in the strictest confidence.
MAY 2002
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City Council of Bari Votes Donation for St. Nicholas THE PROPOSED CHARTER: Progress and Potential u page 1 Demetrios appointed a committee to continue the work on the Charter, the committee to be guided by the goal and vision of producing a document that would acknowledge the progress of the Archdiocese over its eighty years of existence and manifest the potential of our Greek Orthodox Church for offering faith, quality ministry, and true life in Christ in America and throughout the world.
What is the status of the Charter process?
Photo by Luca Turi
Members of the City Council of Bari, Italy, officially vote to donate 500 million lira (about $240,000) for the reconstruction of St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero. A delegation sent by Archbishop Demetrios consisting of Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Fr. John Romas, pastor of St. Nicholas; and John Couloucoundis, parish treasurer, attend the meeting where the vote was taken (seated at dais with flowers). Also present is Mayor Simeone De Cagno Abbrescia.
Archdiocese Publishes Policy on Sexual Misconduct by Clergy The problem of sexual misconduct by clergy has been much in the news in recent months, and has been shown to have devastating consequences, not only for the individuals involved, but for their communities as well. In order to make clear the extreme seriousness with which the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America regards this matter, and also to promote healing for the victims of misconduct, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese put into effect in the year 2000 a national policy on the investigation and resolution of complaints of sexual misconduct by clergy. At this time, the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese would like to reaffirm its position and provide the faithful with a greater understanding of the existing policy. The most recently updated version of this policy includes a carefully planned procedure designed to ensure that allegations of sexual misconduct by clergy are taken seriously, investigated thoroughly, and adjudicated justly. Responsibility for administering the process is assigned to the Chancellor of the Archdiocese. The Archdiocese will also cooperate with applicable civil authorities in investigating these issues, particularly if the charge involves a minor. To assist in the investigation process, a telephone hotline - (877) 544-3382 has been established to answer questions
regarding the policy and to accept complaints relating to sexual misconduct by clergy. All calls with questions or complaints will be taken seriously and allegations will be investigated fully and impartially. Callers can ask to speak with a male or female volunteer in either Greek or English. Calls may also be made directly to the Archdiocesan Chancellor s Office, (212) 570-3513. Persons staffing the hotline are all lay volunteers and come from a variety of backgrounds including psychology, social work and human resources. Hotline staffers attempt to return calls as quickly as possible, and generally within 48 hours. The Church s policy on misconduct was developed by working groups that included hierarchs, clergy, lay leaders, lawyers and clinical and academic experts. The chancellors of the dioceses, who play an important role in all matters affecting the clergy, were key participants. The group also reviewed policies developed by other religious denominations. The full text of the policy, in English and Greek, will soon be available on the Archdiocesan Web Site (www.goarch.org), and upon request from the Chancellor s Office. Copies have also been mailed to each priest and parish council within the Archdiocese. The telephone hotline will be ready to receive calls beginning June 17, 2002.
Dn. Nektarios Morrow Named Director of Communications NEW YORK Archbishop Demetrios announced the appointment of the Rev. Deacon Nektarios Morrow as director of Communications for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. In this new position, Deacon Nektarios will coordinate the work and planning of the communication offices of the Archdiocese, and their directors, including News and Information/Public Affairs, Greek Orthodox Telecommunications (GOTelecom), the Orthodox Observer and Internet Ministries. This appointment is part of an intense effort of the Archdiocese to enhance communication and coordination at all
levels of the Church in America. In the work and planning of the Department, significant attention will be given to assisting the Hierarchs, clergy, parishes, departments, organizations, and institutions of the Archdiocese in receiving and communicating information in timely and effective ways. Deacon Nektarios has been with the Archdiocese for almost two years as deacon to the Archbishop. He graduated as valedictorian from Holy Cross School of Theology, and has a graduate degree in Church history from Baylor University and an undergraduate degree in biblical studies from Howard Payne University.
The intense labors a) of the original committee consisting of Hierarchs, priests, and lay people, b) of our Eparchial Synod, c) of the enlarged committee including representatives of all of our Dioceses in accordance with a recommendation of the Orlando Clergy Laity Congress of 1998, and finally, d) of the mixed committee comprising 18 distinguished Hierarchs, Canon Law and legal specialists from the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archdiocese who met 4 times at the Patriarchate for 2 days each time, resulted in a proposed text of the Charter that was presented to the Archdiocesan Council at its meeting in New York on November 30 and December 1, 2001. The discussions at that meeting acknowledged the tremendous value and the decisive significance of the proposed Charter. At the same time, attention was drawn to some points of concern related to specific articles. These points of concern consisted of an affirmation of the integrity and unity of the Archdiocese, of issues related to the election of the Archbishop, the Metropolitans and the Auxiliary Bishops, and of the extensive lay participation in the administrative process of the Archdiocese. In February 2002, these points of concern, together with a brief summary of the history of the Charter process and the texts of the proposed Charter and the 1977 Charter were sent to all of the parishes of the Archdiocese with a request for responses in the form of constructive comments and positive contributions. This request for input was viewed as a necessity given the ability and maturity of the Church in America and the recognition of this fact by the Ecumenical Patriarch. At the recent spring Archdiocesan Council meeting in Chicago, a report was given on the status of the Charter process since the Council meeting in the fall of 2001, including the responses to the request for constructive comments from the parishes. As of May 6, 2002, 185 out of over 500 parishes had responded to that request by the Council after having relevant parish council or general assembly meetings. Of the written responses received by these parishes by either fax or letter, the majority concurred with the points of concern issued by the Archdiocesan Council. In contradiction to erroneous reports and rumors propagated from outside of the Archdiocese, less than 10 of a total of 185 parishes stated that they rejected the Charter text or process. Most of the parishes offered substantial thoughts and opinions that were either alternative suggestions to those of the Council or expressed concerns with various articles of the Charter. Following this presentation at the Chicago meeting, remarks were made by members of the Council affirming the process and showing widespread support for its continuation and completion. The next step in the process is the careful review of the responses of parishes and individuals and the verification that
input has been provided from as many who wished to offer it. At the upcoming Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles a report on the proposed Charter including the responses from the parishes will be presented. All concerns regarding the proposed Charter will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for consideration and decision.
What is the significance of the Charter for the future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese?
As stated above, the Charter is critical to the present and future of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The reasons are several. First, the process itself has revealed much about the level of maturity of the Church in America. Discussions on the Charter in the meetings of the Patriarchal and Archdiocesan committees revealed the expertise, concern, and visionary thinking of our Hierarchs, clergy and lay people. The Charter presentations at the Archdiocesan Council meetings have been characterized by respect, moderated concern, and deep compassion for the proper existence and function of the Archdiocese. All of this is a witness to people throughout the world of the proper and godly way of conducting the affairs of the Church. Second, the proposed Charter strengthens even more the existing bond and unity between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, a unity vital for the accomplishment of the mission and work of the Church in our contemporary world. Third, the proposed Charter is a progressive step in the Charter history of the Archdiocese. The text is composed of a clear theological language. It helps those outside of the Archdiocese to understand its structure and function. Further, the Charter addresses issues that are not included in the 1977 Charter (Metropolitans and Auxiliary Bishops, Monasteries, etc.) Fourth, the Charter provides the foundation and opens the way for the revision of the Regulations of the Archdiocese, so that they address contemporary needs and reflect the true spirit of the Gospel and our mission. These Regulations relate to the work of the Eparchial Synod, the frequency and role of Clergy Laity Congresses, and the function of Councils, Assemblies, and the Parishes of the Archdiocese. This will involve an extensive work that is primarily the responsibility of the clergy and laity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Finally, the proposed Charter text not only upholds the necessity of having both clergy and laity administer the Archdiocese, but it provides the foundation for even greater relationships and synergy between clergy and laity in ever-increasing our focus on the mission of the Church in the world. Progress has been made and will be furthered by this Charter; but, more importantly, attention must be given to the potential we have as a strong, unique, and vibrant Archdiocese in offering our faith to the people of America and in supporting ministry around the world that brings the message of salvation to all who are in need of our Risen Lord. For related documents and texts, including the proposed Charter, the 1977 Charter, the Memorandum addressed to the parishes, and the Points of Concern, 1) go to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese web site at www.goarch.org 2) contact your local parish 3) request the materials from the Archdiocese at The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, c/o Charter Information 8 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021
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MAY 2002
DRE Plans Four Workshops for Educational Sessions of 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress Clergy Laity Congress Delegates OFFERING OUR ORTHODOX FAITH TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICA The Department of Religious Education (DRE) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is diligently preparing for the upcoming Clergy Laity Congress which is scheduled to take place June 30July 5, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. The DRE plans to conduct four educational workshops that will coincide with the overall theme of the Clergy Laity Congress. The workshops will provide delegates an opportunity to review data concerning the current status of our Archdiocesan religious education agenda, discuss new and creative parish-based educational methods and programs, and make recommendations concerning the design of our future administrative and catechetical agenda. For the past five years the DRE has conducted a comprehensive survey of the overall educational climate of parishes throughout the archdiocese. Administered every two years, the Religious Education Climate Survey (RECS) gathers data concerning the catechetical programs and the number of children and adults that attend them in each of the nine diocesan areas. Apart from budgetary and other general demographic information the needs assessment survey also evaluates administrative progress in a number of key educational areas such as (a) teacher and parish volunteer training, (b) distance learning, (d) library and multimedia services, (e) oratorical festival, (f) leadership development, and (g) magazine subscription. Every two years the survey data is tabulated, evaluated and distributed in a comprehensive report to the Clergy Laity gatherings for discussion. According to the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Director of the Department of Religious Education the survey data provides the necessary direction for Clergy Laity deliberation. Without valid and impartial information, Marangos warns, committee discussion concerning the status and proposed future of Orthodox religious education in America frequently
digresses into sweeping and unproductive categorizations that are merely based on anecdotal opinions. The data, suggests Marangos, provides the means for evaluating past performance and for developing strategies that will help the Orthodox Church provide better educational services to its faithful in the future. The data helps all of us remember that the apparent obstacles and challenges of the future are valuable educational opportunities and not threats! This year, the DRE will conduct four workshops that will provide an opportunity for delegates and guests to discuss and learn about creative methods that can help them meet the educational needs of their respective parishioners. Apart from information concerning teacher training techniques and methods that will soon be published, the workshops will focus attention on issues such as: (a) How to use the newly designed teenage curriculum material, (CANA curriculum model); (b) How to establish a parish distance learning project and technology center; (c) The protocols of an effective parish religious education program; (d) The qualities of an effective religious education teacher. The DRE distributed a RECS survey to every parish of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by mail at the beginning of Great Lent. In order for the data to effectively reflect the actual condition of the educational climate of our archdiocese, the DRE urges clergy and parish councils to take appropriate steps to properly complete and return the needs assessment instrument to its offices. While the information provided by each respective parish will be held in strict confidence the data will be tabulated and reported in aggregate form. The names of each parish that complete the survey will be listed in the appendix of the final Clergy Laity Report.
Working and Worshipping with Our Neighbors ............................... Ecumenical Panel Discussion His Grace Bishop Dimitiros of Xanthos, The Very Rev. Demetri Kantzavelos, Mrs. Elenie Huszagh An Orthodox Christian Perspective of Marriage ................................................... Interfaith Marriage Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides Building the Parish Web Site ................................................................................... Internet Ministries Using the Newly Designed Teenage Curriculum Material .................................. Religious Education Liturgical Music for Contemporary America: ........................... National Forum of Church Musicians Feast Day and Sacramental Hymns in English Introduction to Software in the Church Office .............................................. Information Technology Sharing Our Orthodox Tradition with Non-Traditional Kids ..................................................... Youth Rev. Deacon Paul Zaharas Addressing Intermarried Couples Unique Pastoral Challenges ......................... Interfaith Marriage Rev. Fr. Charles Joanides Internet Basics .......................................................................................................... Internet Ministries Making Our Faith Visible in the Media ...................................................................... Communications Presvytera Nikki Stephanopoulos, Marissa P. Costidis, Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos Establishing a Parish Distance Learning Project and Technology Center ....... Religious Education Technology in the Parish ................................................................................. Information Technology Architecture as a Timeless, Living Icon of Orthodoxia .......................................... Art/Architecture Christ J. Kamages Christ and the Gospel in the Parish .................................................................................... Preaching Rev. Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos Clergy Tax Workshop ............................................................................................................... Finance Members and Mailing Lists ............................................................................. Information Technology Protocols of an Effective Parish Religious Education Program ....................... Religious Education The Philanthropic Parish ................................................................................................... Stewardship The Very Rev. Anthony Scott and Mr. Jerry Minetos Involving Families in Youth Ministry .......................................................................................... Youth Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis Orthodox Chaplaincy Workshop ........................................................................... Chaplains Program Parish Early Childhood Programs ................................................................ Greek Education - Panel Technology in the Ministry .............................................................................. Information Technology Rediscovering the Apostolic Vision for Missions in Contemporary America ... Home Missions-Panel Catherine J. Lingas, Rev. Fr. Theodore Dorrance The Scope and Mission of the Department of Philanthropy .......................................... Philanthropy His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane Stewardship and Contributions ...................................................................... Information Technology Environment and Parish: Orthodox Spirituality and Care for the Environment ......... Environment Rev. Fr. John Chryssavgis The Qualities of an Effective Religious Education Teacher ............................... Religious Education Parish Capital Campaigns: Climbing Multi-Million Dollar Mountains ........................... Stewardship The Very Rev. Anthony Scott and Mr. Jerry Minetos Creative Ideas for the Parish Web site .................................................................... Internet Ministries Establishing Young Adult Ministries .................................................................. Young Adults - Panel Resources for Outreach ....................................................................................................Philanthropy His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane Sacraments, Memorials, and More ................................................................. Information Technology The Program of Hellenic Heritage in Afternoon Schools ........................... Greek Education Panel Ministry in the Small Parish ........................................................................................................ Panel Rev. Fr. Theodore Dorrance, Rev. Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos Book Fairs and Spiritual Emphasis Programs .......................................................................... Panel Rev. Fr. William Chiganos, Rev. Fr. Steven Tsichlis, Rev. Fr. Christopher Metropulos
Diocese of Detroit Nears $200,000 in Giving to Sept. 11 Fund Parishes of the Diocese of Detroit have contributed about $200,000 to the Sept. 11 National Relief Fund set up by Archbishop Demetrios shortly after the tragedy. The list of donors from throughout the Archdiocese published in a previous edition of the Observer did not list the individual parishes and organizations that have contributed, but included all contributions under one entry for the Diocese. The Church is greatly appreciative of the generous donations provided by the many organizations within the Diocese. The following list of parishes represents contributions from many individuals, Philoptochos chapters, GOYA chapters, Church schools, AHEPA chapters, senior citizens groups and proceeds from parish collections and special fund-raisers. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Little Rock, AR Zoodochos Peghee Greek Orthodox Church - Hot Springs, AR Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - Fort Wayne, IN Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - Indianapolis, IN Assumption Greek Orthodox Church - Louisville, KY Panagia Pantovasilissa Greek Orthodox Church - Lexington, KY Anagnostou Family/Elliniki Heiroteknia - Detroit, MI Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral - Detroit, MI Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Kalamazoo, MI Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Muskegon, MI Anonymous - Detroit,
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
Bishop Nicholas of Detroit and Archdiocesan Council member Gus Stavropoulos present at check for $16,000 to Archbishop Demetrios at the May 10 Council meeting for the Archdiocese Sept. 11 Fund. The amount represents donations from the Diocese parishes and a few individuals. Last fall, the bishop presented a $175,000 check for the fund, bringing the Detroit Diocese’s contributions to $191,000. MI Association of Stereolladites - Sterling Heights, MI Assumption Greek Orthodox Church - Flint, MI Assumption Greek Orthodox Church - St.Clair Shores, MI Bennet A. Detroit, MI Detroit Greek Orthodox Diocesan Council Members - Detroit, MI Detroit Greek Orthodox Diocese Operational Group - Detroit, MI Detroit Greek Orthodox Diocese Philop-
tochos - Detroit, MI Economou G. - Detroit, MI Greek Orthodox Detroit Diocese Clergy Syndesmos - Detroit, MI Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church - Farmington Hills, MI Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - Grand Rapids, MI Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Lansing, MI Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Monastery - Smith s Creek, MI Ignatiades A. - De-
troit, MI Mutter R. - Detroit, MI Nativity of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church - Plymouth, MI St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church - Saginaw, MI St. George Greek Orthodox Church - Bloomfield Fields, MI St. George Greek Orthodox Church - Sault St. Marie, MI St. George Greek Orthodox Church Southgate, MI St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church - Sterling Heights, MI St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Ann Arbor, MI St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Troy, MI Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Chapel - Battle Creek, MI Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church - Westland, MI Tetakis M. - Detroit, MI Traverse City Greek Orthodox Mission Church - Traverse City, MI Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Buffalo, NY Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church Rochester, NY Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Vestal, NY Holy Spirit Greek Orthodox Church - Rochester, NY Pan-Macedonian Association - Buffalo, NY St. Athanasios Greek Orthodox Church - Elmira, NY St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church - Ithaca, NY St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Jamestown, NY St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church - Syracuse, NY St.Vasilios Greek Orthodox Church Watertown, NY Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Dayton, OH Assumption Greek Orthodox Church - Springfield, OH Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral - Toledo, OH Holy Trinity/St.Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church - Cincinnati, OH Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church - Middletown, OH Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Chattanooga, TN Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church - Memphis, TN Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church - Nashville, TN.
MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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OFFERING OUR ORTHODOX FAITH TO CONTEMPORARY AMERICA PART THREE Editor s Note: This is the third of four articles by Archbishop Demetrios in a series on the theme of this year s Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles. ²²² he theme of our upcoming 36th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contempo rary America, directs us to focus on the purpose and importance of offering . Essential, though, to an act of offering and to a life of offering is what is offered.
T
by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America
As a person, each one of us is receiving life and salvation through our faith in God. As a community, the Body of Christ, the Church, we are led in the path of salvation through the worship, teaching, and manner of life that has been offered through the centuries. All of this is God s offering to us through Christ and through the Church, and we know and affirm that this, Our Orthodox Faith, is what we must offer to others. Our Orthodox Faith could be analyzed in two main areas. First, we start with the our . This our is a very strong component in what we offer. It introduces, in a very clear way, the personal character of what is being offered, i.e. personal faith. It is personal because it belongs to a history that is ours, of generations that have gone before us who shared in the same faith. In some instances, we may have direct connections with martyrs, saints, and great people of the Church. Thus, our faith consists of a lineage of people who experienced and bore witness of true faith.
Our Orthodox Faith Our Orthodox Faith is also a personal faith in light of our own experience. For each one of us this experience is similar in many ways and also different. Faith may be nurtured, experienced, or understood through an extraordinary liturgical or worship experience, through the struggles and challenges of life, and/or through some external event that we witness and that affects us deeply. There are many ways in which we affirm and experience faith as very real and very personal, as a very dynamic connection with God, the object of our faith. An example of this in Scripture that we have recently celebrated in the liturgical life of our Church is the confession of Saint Thomas the Apostle (John 20:19-31). Following His Resurrection, our Lord appeared to His disciples as they were gathered together. He stood among them, offered peace, blessed and strengthened them with the Holy Spirit, and they rejoiced in His presence. However, Thomas was not with them. When the disciples reported all of this to Thomas he said, Unless I see the mark of the nails in His hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in His side, I will not believe (20:25). A week later as the disciples were gathered together again, this time with Thomas, Jesus appeared to them. Jesus, Himself, invited Thomas to touch His wounds and see that it was the Lord. Thomas had a tremendous personal moment of faith as he saw Jesus and exclaimed, My Lord and my God (20:28). Here we see this my , the recognition that this Lord and this God is not an abstract, absolute being somewhere in a distant place, completely disconnected
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from the real needs of any one person. He is my Lord. I am personally experiencing His presence, His action, and His love, which is extended to me in a very personal and intimate way. Throughout the book of Psalms we find further affirmations of this personal nature of faith. The acclamations My God and You are my God again reveal direct, personal experience of God. This person is not talking objectively about the existence of God; he is calling out in pain to a God who hears and answers, or he is extolling in jubilation a God that is triumphant. Through all of these confessions we are offered a personal witness of the power and presence of our Lord. This our is thus a critical component of the theme of the Clergy Laity Congress. The Orthodox Faith that we offer to those around us is first and foremost our faith. We must also emphasize further that this personal nature of our faith is combined with tremendous content and substance. Through our experience and the testimony of the Church we know that Our Orthodox Faith is a faith that is a guiding, healing, teaching, comforting, saving, and transforming reality. It is a faith that has been very clearly, very carefully and very beautifully formulated down through the ages as recording in the Old and New Testaments, explained and applied by the Fathers of the Church, declared by the Ecumenical Councils, and manifested in the
lives of saints, martyrs, and multitudes upon multitudes of Christians. It is a faith that has a tremendously large and diversified content that responds to all the needs of life. It is a faith that addresses every aspect of our human existence. It is a faith that resonates with our intelligence, our heart, our will.. The challenge before us is to offer Our Orthodox Faith in its completeness and wholeness, with all of its integral facets, rather than offering something that is truncated or distorted. Thus, when we speak about offering Our Orthodox Faith we must talk about offering a faith, which we know and experience, which we offer in its fullness, totality, and genuineness. This, of course, points directly and inexorably to the need for constant training and growth in our faith. There is a need to become more and more aware of the content of our tremendous treasure. There is a need for each of us to be able to know the basics from which we can offer a true witness to others, so that what we offer is clear and convincing. This does not mean that if we offer our faith genuinely and completely the result will always be the conversion of others. We know that our Lord had opponents who never accepted what He said. We also know the struggle of many other confessors of the faith down through the history of the Church. The question is not that we have to offer Our Orthodox Faith in a way that will be by necessity convincing to all people, but the necessity is that we offer Our Orthodox Faith to all people in all of its power, beauty, clarity, truth, and love.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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ECUMENICAL
MAY 2002
PATRIARCHATE
Holy Week and the Holy Myrrh Consecration at the Ecumenical Patriarchate u page 1 I had inside me a sense for Constantinople. There were sounds and pictures, excerpts of a whole that like small pebbles randomly thrown together comprise a mosaic that was opaque but at the same time attractive and enchanting. It was an undetermined and distant sense, since it was neither personal nor direct, but at the same time it felt so deep and familiar as if it had been part of a collective consciousness. I had not seen or lived in this City, but it was alive inside me, a legacy carried within my being, inside my cells as if part of my genetic make-up. It was Holy Wednesday. It was Holy Week in Constantinople. *** Archbishop Demetrios of America arrived in Constantinople on Holy Wednesday, just before noon. He was there to participate along with dozens of other Hierarchs from around the world in the consecration ceremonies of the Holy Myrrh, a unique occasion. Hierarchs gathered in the Ecumenical Patriarchate both as an affirmation of unity and as a witness to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. In the old historic neighborhood of Phanar, the Ecumenical Patriarchate was bustling with visitors and pilgrims for Holy Week and Pascha, especially this year as
Patriarch Bartholomew leads the procession of the Holy Myrrh.
many wanted to partake in the ceremonies of the preparation and consecration of the Holy Myrrh that was to occur on Holy Thursday, an event that only occurs approximately every 10 years. In the Hall of the Throne, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was welcoming visitors, among them Archbishop Demetrios who had just arrived from the airport; the deputy foreign minister of Greece, Mr. Yiannis Magriotis; diplomats, a contingent of journalists, many Hierarchs and representatives of other Orthodox Churches and from the United States, the Metropolitans Iakovos of Krinis, Antonios of Dardanellion, Maximos of Ainou, Methodios of Aneon and the Bishop of Atlanta Alexios, who had all arrived earlier. A great number of pilgrims were visiting the Patriarchate to venerate the Holy Patriarchal Church of St. George, receive the grace of the Great and Holy Unction the service for which had just concluded and get the blessing of His All Holiness. High above the Patriarchal Court, from the windows of the Hall of the Throne, the warm sunrays on this first day of May glittered above the calm waters of the Golden Horn, bringing memories and apparitions from centuries past. In this cradle of Orthodoxy, Orthodoxy was alive and one could sense the presence of our Lord in our midst during this most Holy Week in N. Manginas His All Holiness mixes in some of the ingreour ecclesiastical calendar. dients used in the preparation of the Holy Myrrh.
Patriarch Bartholomew to Receive 2nd Environmental Award CONSTANTINOPLE Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has been named as the recipient of the 2002 Award of the Binding Institute of Liechtenstein for his efforts toward the protection of nature and the environment. The award, which brings 50,000 Swiss francs (equivalent of almost $30,000), will be conferred upon His All Holiness at a ceremony in Vaduz, the capital, in November with some 400 dignitaries attending. The award was the second major recognition of the leadership of His All Holiness in issues relating to the environment.
Earlier this year, he had been named the winner of the Sophie Prize of Norway, valued at $100,000, to be presented June 12 at a ceremony in Oslo. The Ecumenical Patriarch announced that the monies from that award would be distributed through UNICEF to destitute children of Africa, to street children of Istanbul and Athens, and to organizations supporting ecological activities. Also in June, Patriarch Bartholomew will receive an honorary doctorate from the University of Ravenna s School for the Protection of Cultural Treasures, in Italy.
N.Manginas
There is a place for everyone at the Patriarchal dining rooms where a Lenten luncheon is served. In the afternoon, the preparation of the Holy Myrrh will conclude. The preparation and consecration of the Holy Myrrh is of particular significance for our Orthodox Church. The Holy Myrrh is used in all our Orthodox Churches primarily during the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. The priest anoints the newly baptized with Holy Myrrh in the sign of the Cross saying: The seal of the Holy Spirit, following this, the gifts of the Holy Spirit descend upon the newly baptized Christian. It is similarly used in the sacrament of Holy Chrismation, for those coming into the Church having already been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. The Holy Myrrh is also used to anoint the Holy Altar during the consecration of new churches. This year, the second consecration of the Holy Myrrh occurred during the Patriarchy of Patriarch Bartholomew. On Palm Sunday His All Holiness charged Archon Myrepsos (the maker of the myrrh) and his associates with the great and holy responsibility of the preparation of the Holy Myrrh. The task requires specialized knowledge and therefore people who are either chemists of pharmacists are selected. Archon Myrepsos of the Great Church of Christ is Mr. Prodromos Thanassoglou, a biochemist from Constantinople, who studied in Greece and leads a team of other chemists and pharmacists, also named as Myrepsoi (myrrh-makers). It is the sixth time that I participate in the preparation of the Holy Myrrh, he says. I started in 1951 and in the beginning I was an apprentice and an assistant. Again I was part of the preparation in 1960. In 1973 my predecessor had passed away and I was named Archon Myrepsos. George Dariotis of Washington, DC, past supreme-president of AHEPA and a pharmacist by training, traveled to Constantinople on the recommendation of Archbishop Demetrios, was named Myrepsos and became part of the team. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had expressed a wish for someone from the Archdiocese of America to participate this year. It is an honor to be asked to participate in such an important event, said Dariotis. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. The process of preparation of the Myrrh occurs in a specific part within the Patriarchal compound called Holy Kouvouklio.
We begin with pure olive oil sent to us from Greece says Archon Myrepsos Mr. Thanassoglou. The first day Holy Monday the Patriarch blessed the seven boiler tanks, inside which the Myrrh is prepared and then he lit the fire underneath them. He did the same on the second day, Holy Tuesday. In the meantime extracts, essences and spirits of roots, fruits and leaves are mixed in the oil. Today, Holy Wednesday we did not fire the boilers we added ethereal essential oils and for that the oil should not be hot. The pure, excellent quality olive oil is the basic ingredient. There are some 100 more ingredients used; sweet-smelling fragrances, flower pedals and leaves and a wide gamut of ethereal oils of which the most important is the rose-essence sent by the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria. The Holy Archdiocese of America has symbolically contributed 100 grams of amber. These ingredients with some variations over time appear in lists for the preparation of the Holy Myrrh from the 8th to the 19th centuries. These include wine, iris, natural gum from the island of Chios, natural myrrh, zinnia and countless others. An ethereal extract from the glands of a male calf is also used.
Silver urns are filled with Myrrh.
D.Panagos
On Holy Monday morning, following the Divine Liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew came into the kouvouklion and led a special service of sanctification spraying with holy water the boilers, the utensils and the basic ingredients to be used. Then, with the lit dikerotrikera (archieratical candles) fired the boilers. Some unusable ecclesiastical books, old and useless pieces of wood from church fixtures and seats and some pieces of previously destroyed icons that are of no use or have no hope of repair are used to feed these fires. These items are collected over the years by the faithful of Constantinople and brought to the Patriarchate during Holy Week for this purpose. The Patriarch then reads some passages from the Holy Gospel and initiates the mixing of the various ingredients. The reading of Gospel passages continues on a regularly rotating basis by other hierarchs and priests. The overview of the whole process lies with Metropolitan Athanasios of Ilioupoleos and Theiron, who also presides over the appropriate Synodical Committee. As Archon Myrepsos Thanassoglou
uuu
MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
ECUMENICAL
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PATRIARCHATE PATRIARCHAL ENCYCLICAL ON HOLY PASCHA ð BARTHOLOMEW BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH UNTO THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE FROM THE GLORIOUSLY RISEN SAVIOR CHRIST Christ is Risen!
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios (center) in the procession of the Holy Myrrh.
D.Panagos
D.Panagos
Archbishop Demetrios along with Metropolitans Iakovos of Krinis and Methodios of Aneon, and Mr. George Dariotis visit the “Holy Kouvouklion” where the Holy Myrrh was prepared.
uuu
was detailing the chronicle of the preparation of the Holy Myrrh, his team was transferring the clear, brilliant myrrh into large silver urns, and smaller silver and alabaster containers. A gentle sweet scent was gradually spreading across the Patriarchate s court as the urns and smaller containers were transferred to the Patriarchal Chapel of St. Andrew and the groups of visitors and pilgrims were coming in and out trying to capture with their cameras the moment for eternity. In the morning of Holy Thursday, the Ecumenical Patriarch led a procession of the Hierarchs from all the Orthodox Churches and other clergy and visitors to the Patriarchal Church of St. George, each holding a small silver or alabaster container with the previously prepared Myrrh. Twenty-four priests carried the 12 large silver urns. Once inside the Church the urns and the containers were placed on and around the Holy Altar. During the Holy Thursday Liturgy of St. Basil that followed presiding His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the service of the Myrrh consecration was held. Following the end of the Liturgy another procession led to the myrofilakion, the place where the Holy Myrrh is kept and distributed to the Churches that need it. Each Hierarch who participated took a small silver container of Holy Myrrh with him. The Holy Myrrh has been prepared and consecrated at the Phanar nine times during the 20th century, almost once every decade: In 1903 and 1912 during the Patriarchy of Joachim the III, in 1928 during the Patriarchy of Vassilios the III, in 1939 during the Patriarchy of Benjamin,
in 1951 and in 1960 both during the Patriarchy of Athenagoras and in 1973 and 1983 both times again during the Patriarchy of Dimitrios and lastly in 1992 during the Patriarchy of our current Patriarch Bartholomew. The time period between consecrations is not definitively set but it is dictated mainly from the arising needs of the Orthodox Churches around the world. *** It was early afternoon on Holy Thursday. A motorcade left the Phanar towards the Patriarchal Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi in Valoukli. As the cars were traveling along the highway, the eyes could not help but gaze at the remnants of the great walls that once enclosed and protected the great capital of Byzantium and the mind could not help but wonder in bewilderment. A thousand years sped before us in only a few minutes in an emotional roller coaster of historical memory. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hosted a luncheon in the Monastery at Valoukli for all the guests of the Patriarchate. While at the monastery, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios descended prayerfully and venerated the Holy Fountain of Zoodohos Pigi. In the church court the white marble crosses stood solemnly above the graves of former patriarchs, yet another reminder of the historical and spiritual magnitude of the place. On Holy Thursday night the Great Passion of Christ and His ascent to the Cross, was once again witnessed by the faithful pilgrims who attended the service of the 12 gospels. They were some precious moments of inward reflection, prayer and catharsis.
We welcome with this joyous salutation, beloved brethren and sons and daughters in the Lord, the feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We participate this year once again in the universal celebration of the Resurrection, through which and on account of, we experience in our life the transcendence of death and all sorrow. We bow before and thank our Lord Jesus Christ, Who rose from the dead, because He renders worthy those of us who, in the orthodox way, worship and honor Him to see the wondrous deeds of God, to become recipients of the supernatural light of His resurrection, which leads us to a new life, and to feel this new life pulsating robustly in our hearts and vanquishing the many and great sorrows of the present life. Standing without wavering upon the rock of faith in the Lord s resurrection and our own, we sing joyfully along with the hymnographer and praise the sacred and allvenerable Pascha. The outward and festal Pascha, but also the inner and mystical one, which is accomplished in the depths of our hearts, instills in our spirit the life of the Risen Christ and the unquenchable joy of the eternal life in Christ. We rejoice in every way, enjoying in body and spirit the gifts of Jesus Christ who loves us. And we wholeheartedly wish that all our fellow human beings would become participants of this joy and blissful life, especially those who are downtrodden by various sorrows and tribulations and those who do not know the joy of the Resurrection and the love of the Risen Christ towards us all. Faith in the Resurrection of Christ and participation in it deflect every pain, offer hope, conquer the fear of death, and grant optimism and joy. We are not ignorant of human pain, injustice, harassment, illness, poverty and deprivation. We do not live outside the present sorrowful universal condition. We are crucified with Christ and suffer with all our fellow human beings that are treated unjustly. But we know that there is a healer of all these, our Risen Lord Jesus Christ, who suffered and was crucified for us, who also granted us victory over death and, overcoming all sorrows, the expectation of ineffable joy and the indisputable promise of eternal life. The feast of the Resurrection of Christ is for us a turning point of joy within the vast sea of the sorrows of life. It is a point of recovery through hope and of re-equipment through spiritual endurance and vigor, so that we can face the complexities of contemporary life with optimism. It is from this feast that we draw courage, according to the word of the Lord, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, because the Resurrection is the greatest victory over the power of evil in the world, which is very good inasmuch as it was God s goodness that created it for us human beings. The Resurrection of Christ reminds us that we have the possibility and the duty through His grace to resist every fall into sin, every disappointment and pessimism, and to look to Him and to His Church for receiving Divine Grace and help in every difficult circumstance of our life. Be of good cheer, then, beloved sons and daughters in the Lord, and make peace with one another, rejoicing in the worldwide paschal celebration, because Christ s Resurrection is also our resurrection, and Christ s victory over evil can also be ours through His grace and our persistence in the struggle against every evil, pain and bereavement. This is what we wholeheartedly wish for all of you, on whom we invoke the grace, the peace and the strength of the Risen Christ. And we call all of you to repeat at this Pascha as well, the salutation of the victory of Christ over every evil: Christ is Risen! Holy Pascha 2002 Your fervent supplicant before God ð Bartholomew of Constantinople
Ecumenical Patriarchate Ordains Bishop for Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America NEW YORK Protopresbyter Ilia Katre was ordained May 12 at the Ecumenical Patriarchate as titular Bishop of Philomelion to head the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America. He had been unanimously elected in late April by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Metropolitan Antonios of Dardanellion presided at the ordination. Bishop Ilia served for many years as the vicar general of the Albanian Ortho-
dox Diocese of America and, since 1988, as pastor of St. John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas, Nev. Born of Albanian Orthodox parents in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., he is a 1972 graduate of Hellenic College (B.A.) and Holy Cross School of Theology with a Masters of Divinity in 1973. He served as director of Student Affairs at Hellenic College/Holy Cross from 1983-88. A widower, Bishop Ilia has two married children and two grandchildren.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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ARCHDIOCESE
MAY 2002
DEPARTMENTS
Q&A ARCHDIOCESE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE by John Barbagallo, CPA Archdiocese Director of Finance
Ask and you shall receive. Thank you for the positive responses to this column. Below is a letter that was recently sent to the Archdiocese: Dear Sir: Thank you for your informative article explaining how the Total Commitment proceeds are handled and disbursed. Following your invitation for questions, I propose the following for your consideration: 1)What are the expenses paid on behalf of each Diocese? 2) Can each Diocese solicit money on their own behalf from each Parish and not have that money go through the Archdiocese? My memory, from past Parish Assembly meetings, is that each Parish was to submit money only to the Archdiocese and the Archdiocese would in turn provide money to the Diocese. Sincerely Yours, George Galanes Cincinnati, Ohio
These are both great questions. There are generally three types of expenses the Archdiocese pays for a Diocese; salaries, employer FICA (social security), and health insurance. In certain Diocese, incidental expenses are sometimes paid (auto expenses, travel, etc.), but only in cases where expenses are less than 25 percent of Total Commitment collections. In addition, if a Diocese expenses (salaries, FICA, and health insurance) are less that 25 percent of Total Commitment collections, that Diocese will also receive a monthly grant check. Prior Clergy-Laity Congresses have dealt with the issue of assessments to the Parish by a Diocese. The rule is that a Diocese cannot assess a Parish an annual or monthly commitment for general contributions to the Diocese or to fund specific projects. A Diocese can however have a fund-raiser for Archdiocesan Council approved projects such as building funds, mortgage elimination funds, disaster funds, etc. The Department of Finance welcomes your questions. Please submit all questions to: 8 East 79 Steet, New York, NY 10021 attn: John Barbagallo, CPA or by email: finance@goarch.org
Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund Established The Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund has been established at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese by means of a generous gift from the estate of Katina John Malta. The donation and the formation of the scholarship program has been done by the sister of Katina Malta, Mrs. Elli Malta Paleologos, in recognition of the love Katina had for the Church and in honor of the desire she had to help others, especially children and youth. Katina graduated from the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William and Mary and pursued a career in the medical field. After serving in several clinical laboratories and training programs, she worked for more than twenty years for the National Institutes of Health as a scientific information specialist. In her parish Katina was instrumental in establishing a nursery program for young children, and she mentored teens in assisting in the care and religious education of the children. The Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund will initially provide four thousand dollars per year in scholarship resources. Candidates will be asked to submit an application together with supporting documentation and information on academic
KATINA JOHN MALTA
standing, test scores, and financial needs. Candidates must be of the Eastern Orthodox faith, and, at the time of application either high school seniors or fulltime matriculated students committed to serious study in a degree-earning program at an accredited college or university. A formal application process will be announced in the fall of 2002, and guidelines and applications will be made available through the Office of the Chancellor of the Archdiocese.
Youth-Young Adults, Ionian Village Relocate GARRISON, N.Y. The Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries has relocated to the recently established Youth and Family Ministry Resource Center at St. Basil Academy. The new location also houses the Office of Ionian Village and Camping Ministries. According to Jerry Demetriou, executive director of administration of the Archdiocese, In doing this, we have centralized our efforts and offices building a true vision of Orthodox Youth Ministry in this country. Adding to this, Fr. Mark A. Leondis, the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries director, added, By fulfilling this vision of Archbishop Demetrios, we
are able to better serve the needs of our youth and youth workers of the Holy Archdiocese of America. New address and phone numbers are: DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 83 St. Basil Road; Garrison, New York 10524 Tel: (646) 519.6180 Fax: (646)519.6191 OFFICE OF IONIAN VILLAGE AND CAMPING MINISTRIES, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 83 St. Basil Road Garrison, New York 10524 Tel: (646) 519.6190, Fax: (646)519.6192 ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT - OFFICE OF YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES, 83 St. Basil Road; Garrison, New York 10524 Tel: (646)519.6183 Fax: 646.519.6191
MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PASCHAL REFLECTIONS Duel Between Life And Death In the ancient Greek theater a threedimensional dialogue took place at each presentation. The first group consisted of the actors and characters who spoke their parts on the center part of the stage. The second group, equally important in its function, is what is called the chorus. The chorus consisted of critics and kibitzers that narrated the plot in unison. They editorialized and reflected as the drama or tragedy progressed. byFr. George Nicozisin
The third group was the listening and observing audience. They were given the opportunity and privilege to watch and absorb with pathos. To experience and identify with the vicissitudes of life learned, acted out and experienced on. On the last week of Easter Pascha Lent, we entered Holy Week, where the greatest drama mankind has ever known unfolds. Like the ancient Greek theater each evening of Holy Week is a three-dimensional presentation and dialogue of a duel between Satan and our Precious Lord Jesus Christ. The duel is between life and death. If we concluded with the services of Holy Thursday and Good Friday, there can be no question as to who won the battle. Jesus died on the Cross! Death won out! However, if we take a closer look at the Lamentation hymns also called Praise and Engomia hymns, which highlight the Good Friday evening service, we find the struggle and battle are long from over. Come with me and discover the depth and breadth and power of these hymns we sing on Good Friday evening. They are onetwo sentence theological, spiritual, psychological and philosophical messages. Like the ancient Greek theater, Panaghia at times speaks directly to Jesus and sometimes about Him. Sometimes the chorus participates and other times the audience takes part. The Lamentation hymns are divided into three stanzas. The First Stanza sets the tone and mood with the following hymn: You O Christ, the Life was laid in the Tomb, Armies of angels were amazed and they glorified Your condescension. The Second Stanza addresses the pathos, drama and sufferings of Christ. It begins, The earth shuddered and the sun hid itself, when You, O Christ, the Savior, the Unwaning Light, endured Death for our Resurrection. The concept of duel between life and death manifests itself over and over. The Third Stanza, the triumphant and joyous one, is the connecting link, the turning point. Let us examine some of the magnificent dialogue hymns between Panaghia,
Jesus and the People. Notice the intimate metaphors the hymnographer summons. Light of my eyes, Beloved Child, how are you hidden in the grave. Note the bond of affection between Mother and Child. Again we see the tri-dimensional dialogue at its best between Panaghia, the chorus and the audience. In the next strophe we are reminded of the ingratitude of the ancient Israelites who turned against God. Those whom God had fed the manna bread in the desert turned their heel to their Benefactor. The following are two classical sampling of some of the gems in the Third Stanza: Come all generations of creation and bring triumphal hymns to our Creator. By Your resurrection give peace to Your Church and salvation to Your people. The Orthodox Lamentation service begins as a funeral service. The hymns go from sadness to abundant joy. But then there is a gradual transition. The struggle goes on between sorrow and grief, life and death. Jesus has come to release us from sinfulness. The duel between our Lord and Satan is that the Devil continues to entice us, tempt us and place obstacles between Him and us. One of Satan s tools is to convince the world that Jesus never rose from the dead. That we don t have to obey God, neither His commandments nor His teachings. These penetrating messages of Jesus are like a mine shaft with pay loads at different levels. One lamentation word which is rendered three times both in Greek and English, is deceiver, It best sums up the concept of duel between life and death: The deceiver has been deceived, and he who is deceived is redeemed by Your wisdom, O My God. What must the Disciples have thought seeing their Master, their Hope, their crowning light, their shining future, now seeing Him lifeless and bereft of form. Something to hold to, and Jesus did give them something to hold on to. The Disciples needed a faith to fall back on, a battle to be fought, a duel to be won. Jesus gave us all these and much more. Above all He gave us the victory over Satan, sin and evil. This is the message Good Friday and the Lamentation Praise hymns proclaim once again today. As we said at the outset, Good Friday commences as a funeral service over a dead body. However the reality is that our Sweet Jesus died once and for all. We darken the church, light our candles and process around the church to proclaim that without Christ there is only darkness. Conversely, with Christ there is unwaning light. It is the love of Christ and His saving grace that will win for us the struggle the battle and the duel!
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 10
EDITORIAL
Minister to the Suffering
On May 18, Paul Pavlou, the 15year-old son of Andreas and Georgia Pavlou of Seaford, N.Y., died following a lengthy battle with leukemia. He was a young boy full of life who bravely fought to survive the ravaging disease for more than a year, supported by his loving family and friends. A few weeks before his untimely passing, his fellow Church school and Greek school students at St. Demetrios Church in Merrick, along with other children in the immediate area who heard of his plight, took part in a Pins for Pauly bowling tournament organized by a parish council member, Alex Exarchou, a certified bowling coach and competitive bowler, that raised several thousand dollars to help the family with the staggering expenses that have accumulated in treating the disease. The effort has resulted in the establishment of a foundation and the tournament as an ongoing endeavor to help other children suffering from the disease. Unfortunately, there are many Paul Pavlous in a number of communities who find themselves up against lifethreatening or other debilitating illnesses. Their parents and relatives must experience the worst kind of sadness as too often they must deal with the loss of a beloved child. At times like these, the Church individuals, groups and organizations has the opportunity to rise above its customary path through the course of the year of planning for festivals,
celebratory events, building concerns and the like, and come closer to fulfilling its responsibilities it is called to meet in Christ s teaching in Matthew 25:36 with regards to the sick, and St. Paul s advice to Timothy to be ready to give, willing to share. (1 Tim. 6:18). From Church-affiliated institutions such as the Philoxenia House in Boston to Camp Agape in the state of Washington, to local hospitals and other venues in between, the opportunity to minister to those who are suffering, children and adults alike, always presents itself. Whether we can make personal visits, or at least donate generously to a cancer or heart fund, or contribute to any other effort that benefits the seriously ill, there is much to do in support of this kind of ministry. The Philoptochos women at the national, diocese and parish levels faithfully support many such efforts and programs continuously; GOYA chapters raise money for children s medical funds at various hospitals and also make patient visits; and private individuals acting as benefactors can all have a significant impact in fulfilling this basic tenet of our Orthodox Christian faith. As we approach the summer months and engage in much-needed recreational pursuits and rest from our yearly labors, let us also raise our level of consciousness and action with regard to those who suffer from serious illness and need ministry.
uGood advice t Editor, Kudos to student A.M. Shukla on her advice to teens to take the opportunity to participate in the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival or contest, which is sponsored by the Dept. of Religious Education. It is certainly a worthwhile venture. Having listened to these young people here at Holy Trinity Church in Clearwater, Fla., on a few occasions and being a judge at one such contest, I was totally amazed at the extent of their knowledge, concerning the person or topic they each chose to study and do their speech on. As an adult, they revealed things that I was unaware of, about their subjects. So while they learn to speak and express themselves in front of others, we as adults and those in the audience learn at the same time. So by their study, everyone is a winner of more knowledge concerning God and our faith. One youth spoke about Mary and the details he gave us were amazing and I was so impressed, I asked for a copy of the speech, as it had many details I had never studied. Even adults could profit from such religious education. So God bless our Orthodox churches for giving these young people the opportunity to participate and learn more about our religion, which enables them to get closer to God and His church. This is definitely and example of what good parenting can accomplish, when they encourage their children to join these learning events. Fran Glaros Clearwater, Fla.
u Easter? t u Easter datet
u Late date t
Editor, I await and read your paper with much enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge. I have been a high school teacher for 34 years and love it as much today, as I did four decades ago. Children have not really changed at all. They still want and need honesty, attention, compassion, understanding, a smile, and inject humor whenever possible. I am also happy to say that I was born-baptized-educated-and volunteered as an (Greek) Orthodox. I have never questioned our religion, however as of this year, I must make the following observation or comment: Why can we not celebrate Easter with our fellow Christians? Do not give me the answer regarding the Calendar. It doesn t help our younger generation explain to their friends why our Easter was over a month apart this year. Many of our children (including my own) have married non-Orthodox and our grandchildren are given two Easters! Ridiculous! Let s get together! Completely and ideally uniting the Christian faiths is too much to ask for now, however, we could at least Give a little and stop confusing our children (and many adults)! I hope you will keep sending me this paper, as I will keep being proudly Orthodox, regardless of our Idiosyncrasies. Helen Lois Martakis Bronx, N.Y.
Editor, In New York, the vernal equinox this year occurred on the afternoon of March 20. We Greek Orthodox celebrated Holy Pascha on May 5 this year. Although Dr. Patsavos s explanation for the lateness of Pascha this year is the best of several explanations appearing in this paper over the years, I disagree with him that the Orthodox need to observe patience and openness in revisiting the (calculation of the) date issue. The Holy Canons are quite clear as to the calculation of the date of Pascha. The canons don t say Holy Pascha shall be celebrated on the best approximation of the vernal equinox, etc. There is no need for patience or for openness. Patient for what? Open for what? As I understand it, as early as 1923 several Orthodox churches agreed in principle to base the date of Holy Pascha on the actual (astronomical) vernal equinox. That is consistent with the canon, isn t it? If it is based on the astronomical vernal equinox on the meridian of Jerusalem, then only the Jewish Passover date (14th Nisan) is in question. But, as this too is supposed to be related to the vernal equinox, a simple solution is to specify that the Jewish Passover occurs on the first full moon following the astronomical vernal equinox. This unifies the matter and relates all to the astronomic reality. After all, the Magi followed a real star, not a calculated one. Pete Mertzanis Langhorne, Pa.
Editor, Christos Anesti! PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE STOP using the term Easter in reference to Holy Pascha in your communications. We as Orthodox Christians must be true to our faith and to God. The English word Easter comes from the Anglo-Saxon Eastre, a Teutonic goddess to whom sacrifice was offered in April, so the name was transferred to the paschal feast. We American (Greek, Antiochian, Russian) Orthodox have obviously allowed this, one of many, western influences to penetrate the Holy Church. The most holy event and celebration on our Orthodox Christian calendar is called by the name of a pagan goddess? This is absurd! I am not criticizing the Archdiocese
HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS JUNE ........
1 S ..................... Acts 12:1-11; John 8:31-42 2 Sunday ........... Acts 11:19-30; John 4:5-42 3 M ................... Acts 12:12-17; John 8:42-51 4 T ........... Acts 12:25, 13:1-12; John 8:51-59 5 W ...................... Acts 13:13-24; John 6:5-14 6 Th Acts 14:20-28, 15:1-4; John 9:39-41, 10:1-9 7 F ..................... Acts 15:5-12; John 10:17-28 8 S ..................... Acts 5:35-41; John 10:27-38 9 Sunday ............ Acts 11:19-30; John 4:5-42 10 M .................... Acts 17:1-9; John 11:47-54 11 T ................. Acts 17:19-28; John 12:19-36 12 W ................ Acts 18:22-28; John 12:36-47 13 Th ................... Acts 1:1-12; Luke 24:36-53 14 F ....................... Acts 19:1-8; John 14:1-11 15 S ................... Acts 20:7-12; John 14:10-21
MAY 2002
...
for using the term, rather, in the Orthodox Observer, Archdiocese web site, or other communications we should be accurate to our Traditions and to Christ s Holy Resurrection and not be inclined to use Western Pagan names so we might fit in. As I m sure you know, Pascha is more than just a word, it symbolizes the Passover of death granted to us by Christ s Holy Resurrection. In the end, it is we Orthodox who are correct in the interpretation and worship of Christ. Let us please remember this. Truly He is Risen!, John Sames Tulsa, Okla. Editor s note: Because of the fact that many individuals who are not of Orthodox Christian background, and news organizations, receive our press releases, web site information, the Orthodox Observer and other communications, we also use the word Easter along with Pascha so they will understand what we are referring to. This eliminates unnecessary phone calls and e-mails asking what the word Pascha means.
u Encourage the Faith t Editor, I was very happy to read the editorial in your paper A Great Opportunity to Offer Our Faith to America. After 35 years of searching my husband and I finally found the Orthodox Church. We have to travel an hour and a half to get to an Orthodox Church, and at times find it very discouraging when much of the service is in a language we don t understand. I was a little disturbed to read the letter to the editor on the same page expressing concern about losing the Greek language. If parents teach their children that s wonderful, but if you really want to share your faith with this needy land you will do all you can to help your neighbors to understand this treasure that you have in a language they can understand. The Orthodox Church has suffered much through the years and has been cruelly hindered in her efforts to share Christ. Let us now take advantage of the freedom we still have in this land of our citizenship. You will find the Russian Orthodox Church in Russia, the Japanese Orthodox in Japan. Let us build an American Orthodox Church so that they may be one that the world may believe John 17:21. Marian Peifer Hope, Maine 16 S ...... Acts 20:16-18, 28-36; John 17:1-13 17 M .... Acts 21:8-14; John 14:27-31, 15:1-7 18 T ................. Acts 21:26-32; John 16:2-13 19 W ................ Acts 23:1-11; John 16:15-23 20 Th .......... Ascension Acts 25:13-19; John 16:23-33 21 F ........ Acts 27:1-44, 28:1; John 17:18-26 22 S ................. Acts 28:1-31; John 21:15-25 23 Sunday ............................ PentecostActs 2:1-11; John 7:37-52, 8:12 24 M . Ephesians 5:18-19; Matthew 18:10-20 25 T Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; Matthew 4:23-25, 5:1-13 26 W ...... Romans 1:18-27; Matthew 5:20-26 27 Th Romans 1:28-32, 2:1-9; Matthew 5:27-32 28 F ....... Romans 2:14-28; Matthew 5:33-41 29 S ......... Romans 1:7-12; Matthew 5:42-48 30 Sunday ..... All SaintsHebrews 11:33-40, 12:1-2; Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38
MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 11
Archiepiscopal Encyclical AHEPA Sunday 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, Christ is Risen! It is in the joy of our celebration of the Resurrection of Christ that I commend to you the vision and work of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and call upon all of our faithful to honor this organization on the 80th anniversary of its founding. In doing this we give recognition to the tremendous contributions that the members of AHEPA have made over the decades in promoting the significance of our Hellenic heritage, in addressing critical issues of our Omogenia throughout the world, and in meeting the needs of Greeks and Greek-Americans in educational and philanthropic ways. This legacy of service and offering provides a solid foundation upon which the AHEPA family continues to build today. With concern for our youth and the challenges they are facing, with an awareness of the needs of senior adults, and with a willingness to assist with special medical and educational programs, the members of AHEPA are responding by establishing and perpetuating activities that show genuine compassion for others and a love for our freedom in America, our Orthodox faith, and our Greek history and culture. As Greek Orthodox Christians living and ministering in America we know the power and potential of all of these resources for saving lives and healing our world. Therefore, in recognition of the on-going work of AHEPA in the service of our heritage and faith, Sunday, May 19, 2002 is designated as AHEPA Sunday, and I ask that you offer your prayers and support for the local chapters, as well as the national organization, as we labor together in the love and light of our Risen Lord. Truly the Lord is Risen! With love in the Risen Christ,
ÿ DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America
Donation Completes Second Phase of Earthquake Relief Contributions WASHINGTON-The AHEPA family presented the keys of a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 315/35 ambulance to administrators of Evangelismos Hospital in Athens on May 10, completing the second of three installments of donations aimed to augment rescue mechanisms used by rapid response units, and to help rebuild facilities damaged from the September 1999 earthquake that struck Athens and its surrounding municipalities. The AHEPA family explored means by which our relief efforts could assist with the enhancement of response measures, seeing as immediate aid following the earthquake was provided quickly by the Greek government and local relief agencies to those affected by the natural disaster, said Banis. We are proud to donate this ambulance to Evangelismos Hospital, a fine medical institution with which the AHEPA shares a history. The hospital has been the beneficiary of AHEPA s philanthropic deeds in the past, including the 10-story AHEPA Wing completed in 1949.
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Atlanta Boston Charlotte/Raleigh Duram Cleveland Dallas/Houston Ft. Lauderdale/Miami New Orleans Tampa/Orlando Los Angeles/San Francisco Phoenix Pittsburgh Washington
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Supreme President Andrew T. Banis (left), Sons of Pericles Supreme President Nick Livaditis (center), and Maids of Athena Grand President Katherine Papadimitriou (second from right) and AHEPA family members of Hellas District 25 gather around the Mercedes-Benz ambulance gifted to Evangelismos Hospital.
PAGE 12
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
MAY 2002
iocc newsiocc newsiocc newsiocc news 10th Anniversary Celebration Held in Baltimore BALTIMORE - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) marked its first decade in existence at a commemoration dinner April 18 at Annunciation Cathedral s Orthodox Center. IOCC represents a hopeful, healing response to a world increasingly filled with despair, alienation and insecurity, Archbishop Demetrios said in his congratulatory comments at the dinner. What we offer is something very, very precious, He said. We offer a presence in these areas that are either in conflict or in increasing insecurity. His Eminence was guest of honor and keynote speaker at the 10th anniversary event. IOCC, founded in 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, is SCOBA s official humanitarian aid agency. Over the past 10 years, it has initiated more than $140 million in programs in 21 countries. Through its relief and development work, IOCC has shown that the Orthodox Church can respond to the hardest challenges facing the world today, the archbishop said. IOCC is something for which we are very proud, he said. In the last 10 years, IOCC has opened avenues for Orthodox activity where no one imagined we would ever go. In his capacity as chairman of SCOBA, Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the bishops blessings, thanks and continued support for IOCC. Also on April 18, SCOBA issued a special letter commemorating
Bert Moyar Elected New Chairman
GOA
Chairmen Jeanne and Nick Tsakalos presented Archbishop Demetrios with an icon of St. Sava
IOCC s 10th anniversary. We urge all Orthodox Christians in America to offer strong support to IOCC through prayer and through gifts of money and other resources, the bishops said. In IOCC, we, the bishops and clergy and laity of the Orthodox churches in America, have a common instrument to do the work of Christ s compassion. Bert Moyar, newly elected IOCC chairman, also addressed the audience of 380 guests, outlining his vision for IOCC s future. During Thursday s program, event Chairmen Jeanne and Nick Tsakalos pre-
West Bank Program Expands JERUSALEM - International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding to the man-made disaster in the West Bank with a comprehensive program of rural development that is designed to create jobs, improve public health, clean up the environment and expand community services for Palestinians. The two-year, $2.6 million program, funded primarily by the U.S. Agency for International Development, builds on an IOCC rural assistance project currently under way with the support of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The new program expands the reach of IOCC s humanitarian assistance from four villages to 24 villages in the troubled regions surrounding Jenin, Nablus and Ramallah - 12 villages in the first year and an additional 12 in the second year. We are focusing on remote villages that have almost nothing, no presence of international organizations, said Nora Kort, IOCC s country representative for Jerusalem/West Bank/Gaza. We re helping the poorest of the poor communities. The people of Palestine have suffered great hardship, said Metropolitan Philip of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. The Orthodox Church in the United States, having its roots in Jerusalem, is pleased that IOCC is helping to alleviate this suffering on a long-term basis. Ms. Kort said the program would address the No. 1 problem in the West Bank -unemployment - by creating more than 3,200 jobs. Unemployment in the West Bank is at 37 percent, and an estimated 46 percent of all Palestinians live below the poverty line. The average monthly income of a family of five is $400, Ms. Kort said.
The problem is worsened by the heightened level of hostilities between Palestinians and Israel over the past 16 months, she said. The closure of many Palestinian communities by the Israeli army has led to the loss of jobs and further economic hardship. Most of the 24 villages, while in areas of Palestinian control under the Oslo agreements, are isolated because they are surrounded by settlements under Israeli control, Ms. Kort said. Many of them lack essential community services such as sanitation, kindergartens, women s and youth centers, public health education and job training programs. Who takes care of these people? No one, she said, noting that the IOCC program targets women, children and young people. Many Palestinian village women have had little formal education beyond the sixth grade, Ms. Kort said. In the project, women will receive opportunities for community education, vocational training and marketing their skills for extra family income. The project also will engage women in home-based agricultural production and in the production and marketing of traditional crafts. The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation in Silver Spring, Md., has agreed to market those products in the United States through the Melia Art Center in Jerusalem. Most of the jobs generated by the project will be in the construction trades, for the improvement of the infrastructure in vulnerable rural areas, Ms. Kort said. Labor is needed especially for building retaining walls, hedging and fencing for agricultural purposes; building and repairing agricultural roads; renovating and repairing community centers for women
sented Archbishop Demetrios with an icon of St. Sava, the 13th century founder of the Serbian Orthodox Church. The icon was painted in a Serbian workshop supported by an IOCC program. The evening s activities included a proclamation by Baltimore Mayor Martin O Malley declaring April 18, 2002, as IOCC 10th Anniversary Day. The program was preceded by a vespers service at Annunciation Cathedral, presided over by the Archbishop and attended by several area clergy, including the Rev. Constantine Monios, cathedral dean and a longtime supporter of IOCC.
and young people; repairing schools and health clinics; cleaning up debris and garbage from public areas; and planting seedlings and trees. The main goal of the project is emergency employment generation that will see a long-term impact, Ms. Kort said. The impact is long-term because you re helping to upgrade something that will be used for years to come. Such projects will enable Palestinians to take better control of their lives and their future, she said. This is a man-made disaster. Many women, because of the closures, cannot even get medicines for their kids, and they cannot reach hospitals. When they have a clinic in their own villages, it makes their lives easier. IOCC already has begun hiring local people to do the work and will provide on-the-job vocational training. Ms. Kort said IOCC will work with an extensive network of local partners, including non-governmental organizations, engineers, contractors and village committees, to implement all aspects of the project. In accord with our mission to respond to the call of Jesus, IOCC will bring long-term assistance, hope and love to generations of Palestinians, both Muslim and Christian, said IOCC Chairman Charles Ajalat, a Lebanese-American. IOCC also continues to provide shortterm, humanitarian assistance to an estimated 5,000 people most affected by the violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza. IOCC, founded in 1992, is the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians in the United States and works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church worldwide. Its international headquarters are in Baltimore and its Jerusalem office opened in 1997.
BALTIMORE - The Board of Directors of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has elected Bert Moyar as its new chairman. Moyar, of Cleveland, was elected during the board s annual meeting, held March 8-9 in Baltimore. He succeeds two-term Chairman Charles Ajalat of Los Angeles. I am humbled and honored to assume the chairmanship of IOCC, Moyar said. I will seek to continue our past practice of prudent growth in countries and programs where we can do the most good, while maintaining the highest standards of responsibility to our donors and those we benefit. Prior to becoming chairman, Moyar served two consecutive terms as IOCC vice chairman. He is president of MEI Hotels Incorporated, a hotel development firm based in Cleveland. Moyar said that, as chairman, his priorities for IOCC include expanding the U.S. program. He said IOCC is uniquely positioned, through its relationship with Orthodox parishes in the United States, to sponsor English language classes for immigrants and refugees, to support parish-based food and shelter programs and to train people in emergency response capabilities. Moyar said he also would like IOCC to expand its school lunch program, which currently is operating in Lebanon and the Republic of Georgia as part of the Global Food for Education Initiative. There are many doors of opportunity for IOCC to serve others, he said. We must open only those that will fit our capabilities and resources. Moyar said he also has a broader vision for IOCC. In its 10th year, IOCC is now in a better position to give voice to the Orthodox perspective and provide leadership in international forums and the corridors of power, he said. Moyar said he wants to work with the Board of Directors to establish an endowment fund for the humanitarian programs of IOCC. It is only with appropriate levels of private funding that we can continue to fulfill our mission, he said. Moyar formerly served on the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and was a member of its Executive Committee during the tenure of Archbishop Iakovos. He currently serves as treasurer, chairman of the Grant Committee and a member of the Executive Committee of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, an endowment that supports the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and Orthodox initiatives. He also has served as president of the Board of Trustees of Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral in Cleveland. Currently, Moyar is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and a member of the Board of the Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts of America. IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians.
MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 13
Archbishop Demetrios Blesses IOCC Cyclists, Race Young Adult Spirituality by Fr. Angelo Artemas
Bill Rettberg Sr.
His Eminence blesses Jim Angelus (left) and Michael Tsakalos, cyclists in the IOCC upcoming benefit “Race to Respond”
which runs from Aug. 3-27, will cover 3,500 miles from New York to California. People also can support the race by forming virtual e-teams at www.racetorespond.org. Through eteams, participants can help the race team reach its goals of building awareness for IOCC and raising money in support of its mission. Participants can combine their efforts via the Internet, set their own fundraising goals and invite others to join.
The Standing Conference
of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
SCOBA Letter on IOCC 10th Anniversary I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me (Matthew 25: 34-36). To the Clergy and Laity of the Holy Orthodox Churches in America, These words of Christ are found in the parable of the Last Judgment. The teaching is unmistakably clear. When we serve our brother and sister who are in need, we minister to Christ himself. Love expressed in service to the hungry and thirsty, the stranger and the naked, the sick and the imprisoned is the basic and most important measure of our faithfulness to the Gospel of Christ. The creation of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in March 1992 by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) was an important milestone in our life and witness as Orthodox Christians in America, because it opened the possibility of reaching Orthodox Christians abroad. In IOCC we have a visible and tangible way to respond together - as a community of faith - to the teaching of Christ. Indeed, we have responded together, as Orthodox Christians of America. Through the work of IOCC we have responded in regions and countries devastated by economic crisis and war. In Russia and Georgia, in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro, in Romania, in Albania and the Middle East and Ethiopia, IOCC has served the poor and the sick, the internally displaced and the refugees. Through IOCC we have begun to respond together to human need and suffering in the United States. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, IOCC assisted the Orthodox communities in the New York area to respond pastorally to the needs of suffering and traumatized people. The month of March in the year 2002 marked the tenth anniversary of Interna-
tional Orthodox Christian Charities. We mark this anniversary with gratitude to God, and with our archpastoral blessings to all those who give their support to IOCC and to all those who labor on the IOCC staff and programs. We urge all Orthodox Christians in America to offer strong support to IOCC through prayer and through gifts of money and other resources. In IOCC we, the bishops and clergy and laity of the Orthodox churches in America, have a common instrument to do the work of Christ s compassion. We commend to the attention of all the Orthodox faithful and all Orthodox parishes the words of the Mission Statement of IOCC: The Mission of IOCC is to respond to the call of our Lord Jesus Christ to Minister to those who are suffering and are in need throughout the world, sharing with them God s gifts of Food, Shelter, Economic Self-Sufficiency, and Hope. We urge all in the Orthodox communities to see and understand the mission of IOCC as our common mission and commitment. With Paternal Blessings and Love in Christ, ÿ Archbishop DEMETRIOS, Chairman Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America ÿ Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chairman Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America ÿ Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER, Secretary Serbian Orthodox Church in the USA and Canada ÿ Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA ÿ Metropolitan THEODOSIUS Orthodox Church in America ÿ Metropolitan JOSEPH, Locum tenens Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada ÿ Metropolitan JOSEPH Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church ÿ Metropolitan CONSTANTINE Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA
Would you like two tickets to the NBA finals at Staples Center? How about two tickets to the Super Bowl, or maybe tickets to a favorite concert, opera, stage production or musical? Most people would say absolutely! Who turns down free tickets to a favorite event? Why do people like to attend sporting events and the arts live and in person? Perhaps because when people come together with others with the same interests, there is a certain spirit in the air. Fanaticism or being a fan makes more sense when one is with others. One cannot be considered a true fan if they turn down tickets because they would rather stay at home and watch on television or listen on the radio. Most people don t think twice about attending a favorite event with thousands of other people, that is until they are invited to church. Why is it that so many young adults will argue that they don t have to go to church in order to be spiritual? What is being spiritual? By definition spirit is something that comes from outside the person, not from within the person. The Hebrew word for spirit is wind. There is only one type of wind that comes from within the person, and that is not a pleasant wind. Spirit is something that comes from outside and has an impact and an effect on people. That is why there is a spirit in the air at stadiums, ballparks, theaters and other centers. Even alcohol at one time in America was referred to as spirits because alcohol came from outside the person and had an imbibing affect on the drinker. If one would argue that they don t have
to go to church to be spiritual, the question to ask is where does the spirit of their spirituality come from? Does the spirit come from the newspaper, the television, music, or their friends? Does the spirit come from their dorm, school, or their car? Does the spirit come from their internal fuzzy feelings about God? St. John of the Ladder writes He who has himself for his spiritual father has a fool for a spiritual father. Going outside of oneself and joining others has always been an essential element of spirituality even in monasticism. Many young adults feel indifferent, stagnant or even bored with religion, but a sure way to revive spirituality is to go and join others in worship and fellowship. For too many young adults going to the local parish may seem too familiar or ordinary. Going to a larger event has a way of reviving the local experience. This year as in others young adults have another opportunity to attend a National Conference in the City of Angels Los Angeles, California. This conference promises to be an opportunity to become a fan again a fan of our Orthodox faith. It will be an opportunity for college students, grad students, working young adults, older young adults to reinvigorate their souls and their lives. Workshops will offer many tools for living a meaningful life and ministering to others. Worshiping with hundreds of peers has a way of reawakening one s true spirituality, and can change the way we worship at home. Enough of the frivolous excuses and shallow arguments. One cannot be spiritual in a vacuum. Go to L.A. and experience for yourself.
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BALTIMORE Calling the Race to Respond a journey for the glory of God, Archbishop Demetrios during his recent visit to Baltimore, blessed the five cyclists who will make the cross-country ride for International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) this summer. The Race to Respond is a coast-tocoast cycling tour that will take place in August to raise awareness and funds for IOCC s humanitarian mission. Archbishop Demetrios gave his blessing to the riders during a special vespers service held Thursday at Baltimore s Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation to honor IOCC s 10th anniversary. He prayed that God would bless the good intent and work of the cyclists: Jim Angelus, Constantine Dino Davlantis, Konstantin Kanelis, Alex Mazarakos and Michael Tsakalos. Along with his archepiscopal blessing, His Eminence gave each rider a sterling silver cross to accompany them on their mission. The cyclists also were recognized at the program that followed at the Annunciation Orthodox Center. During the program, two anonymous donors said they would support the Race to Respond at 50 cents a mile. The ride,
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 14
MAY 2002
Archbishop Offers Encouragement to St. Nicholas Members In the months following the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and the destruction of St. Nicholas Church, its parishioners have tried to maintain their cohesiveness as a community. byJim Golding
The have been holding monthly meetings at St. Eleftherios Church in Chelsea, a Manhattan neighborhood north of the WTC, to map out their future plans and those who can attend services officiated by their pastor, Fr. John Romas, who has been celebrating Divine Liturgy at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Brooklyn. On April 20, community members moved closer to realizing their goal of rebuilding as about 50 parishioners, including several board members and their pastor, Fr. John Romas, met for the first time with Archbishop Demetrios. Since he took the helm of the Archdiocese, His Eminence s hectic schedule had taken him from one corner of the United States to another on parish visitations and other important business. He had intended to visit some churches closer to home, including St. Nicholas, but because of many commitments had to delay such pastoral visits. Since Sept. 11, however, the parish has
Orthodox Observer
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS and other Archdiocese and parish officials listen to members share nostalgic memories about their church that was destroyed on Sept. 11.
not been far from His Eminence s thoughts and actions. The fate of the tiny church has drawn international interest as generous donations to help rebuild have poured in from throughout the nation and around the
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world, many from unexpected quarters and the Archbishop has been at the forefront in mustering support for the church s reconstruction. Archbishop Demetrios and the St. Nicholas parishioners held their first meeting together at the Seamen s Church Institute of New York and New Jersey, a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of New York a few blocks from the WTC. The Archbishop, who was accompa-
But a few days later when he saw the full-page advertisement titled Upon this Rock I will Rebuild My Church, sponsored by the Archdiocese in the New York Times, I knew we d eventually rebuild the church. Archbishop Demetrios told the gathering that St. Nicholas is on its way to becoming some sort of national/international Orthodox shrine It s a great destiny. He recited a list of some of the major contributors, including the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek government, Mayor Dimitrios Avramopoulos of Athens, Greece; Christos Cotsakos, chairman of E* Trade; the city of Bari, Italy; the Emir of Qatar; the International Plumbers Union, who also offered to donate services; and the American Jewish Committee. The Archbishop also noted that a group of residents in Darien, Conn., who live on St. Nicholas Road, sent money after learning of the church s fate because of their street s namesake. Parish officials estimated that the cost of rebuilding would approach about $5 million. Archbishop Demetrios said that wherever he travels around the country, St. Nicholas is the topic of questions from many journalists. He has also held meetings with New York Gov. George Pataki and other key leaders regarding the future of the site. I told the governor this is a holy site for 80 years and it should continue to serve that purpose, he said, add-
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ALEXANDROS ZAHARATOS offers some thoughts on the old church to the Archbishop and the other panel members.
nied by the chancellor, Bishop Savas of Troas; Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis and legal counsel Emmanuel Demos, received an enthusiastic welcome and spent two hours listening to parishioners reminiscences of their little church community and their hopes for the future. Speakers included an elderly woman sharing memories of her grandmother taking the ferry from Hoboken, N.J., to attend Liturgy; another woman who recalled her wedding in the summer of 1976 in the hot, un-air-conditioned building she called that wonderful church; and the parishioner who did major renovations in 1993, Alexandros Zaharatos, who installed the first gas and air-conditioning equipment. Another woman, relating her memories in Greek, broke down in tears. Parish Council President John E. Pitsikalis, whose grandfather was one of the church founders, said he awoke on Sept. 12 fearful we would lose our church to the giants all around, referring to the many large corporations and landowners who might try to wrest the tiny property from the parish.
ing that Gov. Pataki has committed himself to doing. His Eminence continued that the future church would not simply be a parish church but would take on an additional function. The church has assumed by necessity a tremendous role, he said. He also assured the audience that the new church would not be a memorial representing all faiths. We would by no means agree to anything that would change the status of an independent St. Nicholas Church. We have to be firm. We can participate in a (separate) memorial, but it has nothing to do with an independent St. Nicholas Church. The audience responded with a standing ovation. One community member, Stamatis Lykos, an architect, discussed some proposals for a new building, but emphasized that any plans are hypothetical at this point. James Maniatis, who until recently served as parish council president for 30 years, offered some final words of encouragement at the end of the meeting to the community s hopes, urging his fellows parishioners to continue to communicate, and to follow the path of Jesus Christ.
ÅÔÏÓ 67
ÌÁÚÏÓ 2002
ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1189
ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäá óôçí Ðüëç êáé ï êáèáãéáóìüò ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ ÐÑÏÔÁÈÅÍ ÓÕÍÔÁÃÌÁ:
Ðñüïäïò êáé Äõíáìéêü
Ôï üíïìá Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç äåí öáíåñþíåé áðëÜ ôï üíïìá ìéáò ðüëçò, åßíáé ìéá ëÝîç öïñôéóìÝíç éóôïñéêÜ êáé óõíáéóèçìáôéêÜ.
Ôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá åéäéêÝò åðéôñïðÝò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ Ýêáíáí åêôåíåßò êáé êñéôéêÝò ðñïóðÜèåéåò íá åðáíåîåôÜóïõí ôï õðÜñ÷ïí Óýíôáãìá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ôïõ 1977 êáé íá êáôáñôßóïõí Ýíá Óýíôáãìá ôï ïðïßï èá áíôáíáêëÜ ôçí ïñãÜíùóç, ôçí êáôåýèõíóç êáé ôï äõíáìéêü ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ìáò ó áõôÞ ôç ÷þñá. Óêïðüò ôïõ ðáñüíôïò Üñèñïõ åßíáé íá ðñïóöÝñåé ìéá óýíôïìç ðáñïõóßáóç ôçò áíáãêáéüôçôïò êáé ôçò óçìáóßáò ôüóï ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò ðñïåôïéìáóßáò ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò üóï êáé áõôïý ôïýôïõ ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ãéá ôï Ýñãï êáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò.
ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý
¸íïéùèá ðùò åß÷á æÞóåé ìå êÜðïéï ôñüðï áðñüóùðï, êïììÜôéá êáé óôéãìÝò áðü ôçí Ðüëç, ôçí éóôïñßá ôçò êáé ôï ðáñüí ôçò, ìÝóá áðü ôéò óåëßäåò ôùí âéâëßùí, ôéò áöçãÞóåéò ôçò ãéáãéÜò, ôïõò øáëìïýò êáé ôïõò ýìíïõò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ôá ôñáãïýäéá ôçò ðñïóöõãéÜò, ôéò ðÜìðïëëåò öùôïãñáößåò, ôá íôïêéìáíôÝñ êáé ôéò ôáîéäéùôéêÝò ðåñéãñáöÝò, ôéò äéçãÞóåéò ößëùí êáé åðéóêåðôþí, ôá ðëÜíá áðü ôá äåëôßá åéäÞóåùí, ôá Üñèñá êáé ôéò ðñüóöáôåò áíôáðïêñßóåéò óõíáäÝëöùí. ¸ôóé Þôáí ðëáóìÝíç ìÝóá ìïõ ç Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç. Áêïýóìáôá êé åéêüíåò ðïõ áðïóðáóìáôéêÜ óõíèÝôïõí óáí øçößäåò Üôáêôá ìáæß ñéãìÝíåò Ýíá ìùóáúêü èïëü ìåí, áëëÜ ãïçôåõôéêü óõã÷ñüíùò. Åßíáé ìéá ãíþóç êáé ìéá áßóèçóç áðüìáêñç, áöïý äåí åßíáé ðñïóùðéêÞ êáé Üìåóç, áëëÜ ôüóï âáèéÜ êáé ãíþñéìç, ìå åðéìÝëåéá õöáóìÝíç ìÝóá óôçí óõëëïãéêÞ ìáò óõíåßäçóç. Êé áí äåí ôçí åß÷á äåé êáé æÞóåé, áõôÞ «æïýóå» êáé êõêëïöïñïýóå ìÝóá ìïõ, êëçñïíïìéÜ ðáëéÜ ðïõ ôçí êïõâáëÜåé êáíåßò óôï ßäéï ôïõ ôï åßíáé, óôá êýôôáñÜ ôïõ ìÝóá, ùò Üëëïõ åßäïõò ãåíåôéêü êþäéêá. ¹ôáí ÌåãÜëç ÔåôÜñôç. ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäá óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç. *** ÌåãÜëç ÔåôÜñôç ëßãï ðñéí ôï ìåóçìÝñé Ýöèáóå óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò ìå óêïðü íá óõììåôÝ÷åé óôçí ôåëåôÞ êáèáãéáóìïý ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ ìáæß ìå äåêÜäåò Üëëïõò éåñÜñ÷åò áð üëï ôïí êüóìï. ÁëçèéíÜ ìéá îå÷ùñéóôÞ åõêáéñßá åðéâåâáßùóçò ôçò åíüôçôïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé óõã÷ñüíùò ìáñôõñßá óôçí äýíáìç êáé ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Ðíåýìáôïò. Óôçí ðáëéÜ éóôïñéêÞ óõíïéêßá ôïõ Öáíáñßïõ, ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï åßíáé ãåìÜôï êüóìï, åðéóêÝðôåò êáé
Í. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ
Ï Ïéê. Ðáôñéáñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðñïÝóôç ôçò ôåëåôÞò êáèáãéáóìïý ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ ôçí ïðïßá ðáñáêïëïýèçóå êáé ï õöõð. Åîùôåñéêþí ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ê. ÃéÜííçò Ìáãêñéþôçò.
ðñïóêõíçôÝò ãéá ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäá êáé ôï ÐÜó÷á, áëëÜ éäéáßôåñá öÝôïò ðïõ ðïëëïß èÝëçóáí íá ðáñåõñåèïýí óôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ôéò ìÝñåò ôçò ðñïåôïéìáóßáò ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ êáé ôïõ êáèáãéáóìïý ôïõ ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÐÝìðôç, ðïõ ãßíåôáé êÜèå äÝêá ÷ñüíéá ðåñßðïõ. Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò õðïäÝ÷ïíôáí óôçí Áßèïõóá ôïõ Èñüíïõ, üëïõò ôïõò åðéóêÝðôåò, áíÜìåóá ôïõò ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï ðïõ ìüëéò åß÷å öôÜóåé áðü ôï áåñïäñüìéï, ôïí õöõðïõñãü åîùôåñéêþí ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ê. ÃéÜííç Ìáãêñéþôç, äéðëùìÜôåò;êáé äçìïóéïãñÜöïõò, Áñ÷éåñåßò êáé åêðñïóþðïõò Üëëùí ïñèïäüîùí åêêëçóéþí, êáé áðü ôéò ÇÐÁ, ôïõò Ìçôñïðïëßôåò ÊñÞíçò ê. ÉÜêùâï, Äáñäáíåëëßùí ê. Áíôþíéï, Áßíïõ ê. ÌÜîéìï, ÁíÝùí ê. Ìåèüäéï êáé ôïí Åðßóêïðï ÁôëÜíôáò ê. ÁëÝîéï, ðïõ åß÷áí áöé÷èåß íùñßôåñá. Ðëçèþñá ïé ðñïóêõíçôÝò ðåñíïýí áðü ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï, íá ðñïóêõíÞóïõí óôïí Éåñü Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ
Ãåùñãßïõ, íá ÷ñéóèïýí ìå ôï ëÜäé ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Åõ÷åëáßïõ ôïõ ïðïßïõ ç ôåëåôÞ ìüëéò Ý÷åé ôåëåéþóåé êáé íá ëÜâïõí ôçí åõëïãßá ôïõ ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ôïõ ÃÝíïõò. ØçëÜ áð ôá ðáñÜèõñá ôçò Áßèïõóáò ôïõ Èñüíïõ, ï ðñùôïìáãéÜôéêïò Þëéïò ëÜìðåé ðÜíù áð ôá íåñÜ ôïõ ÊåñÜôéïõ êüëðïõ êáé áíáäåýåé ìíÞìåò êáé åéêüíåò, óáí ïðôáóßåò ðáëéÝò áðü áéþíåò. Åäþ, óôï ëßêíï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ç ïñèüäïîç ðßóôç åßíáé æùíôáíÞ êé ç ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Èåïý Ýíôïíç, áõôÞ ôçí ðéï éåñÞ åâäïìÜäá ôïõ åêêëçóéáóôéêïý ìáò çìåñïëïãßïõ. Óôéò ôñáðåæáñßåò ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ Ý÷åé ìéá èÝóç ãéá üëïõò óôï íçóôßóéìï ôñáðÝæé. Ôï áðüãåõìá ïé ðñïåôïéìáóßåò ôïõ Ìýñïõ Ý÷ïõí ôåëåéþóåé êé áõôü ìåôáöÝñåôáé ìå ðñïóï÷Þ óå ðïëõÜñéèìá ìõñïäï÷åßá äéáöüñùí ó÷çìÜôùí êáé ìåãåèþí Ýôïéìá ãéá ôçí ôåëåôÞ ôïõ êáèáãéáóìïý ôçò åðïìÝíçò.
u óåë. 16
ÔÉÓ ÐÑÏÊËÇÓÅÉÓ ÔÏÕ ÌÅËËÏÍÔÏÓ ÁÍÔÉÌÅÔÙÐÉÓÅ ÔÏ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÏ ÓÕÌÂÏÕËÉÏ ÓÔÏ ÓÉÊÁÃÏ ÓÉÊÁÃÏ. ÓõíÞëèå ãéá ôçí ðñïêáèïñéóìÝíç åáñéíÞ ôïõ óõíåäñßáóç óôéò 10 ÌáÀïõ óå êåíôñéêü îåíïäï÷åßï ôïõ ÓéêÜãïõ ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï ôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ôá õðü óõæÞôçóç èÝìáôá ðåñéåëÜìâáíáí ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá, ôçí èåôéêÞ åéêüíá ôùí ïéêïíïìéêþí ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ôçí ðñüïäï ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáé ïñéóìÝíåò ðñïôÜóåéò áíÜðôõîçò êáé äçìéïõñãßáò íÝùí ðñïãñáììÜôùí, êáèþò êáé ìéá åêôåíÞò ðáñïõóßáóç ôùí ðñïåôïéìáóéþí ãéá ôçí ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò. Óôçí áñ÷éêÞ åéóÞãçóç ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå ôçí ðñïóåõ÷Þ, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò, áíáöÝñèçêå óå ðñüóöáôá ãåãïíüôá ðïõ åðÝäñáóáí óôç æùÞ ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí ç åðßóêåøç ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ôïí ðåñáóìÝíï ÌÜñôéï, ç ÷åéñïôïíßá ôñéþí íÝùí âïçèþí Åðéóêüðùí ôïí
u óåë. 18
Ôß åßíáé Ýíá Åêêëçóéáóôéêü Óýíôáãìá;
Ôï Åêêëçóéáóôéêü Óýíôáãìá ðñþôïí êáèïñßæåé ôçí ó÷Ýóç ìåôáîý ôçò ÌçôÝñáò Åêêëçóßáò, äçë. ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, êáé ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Äåýôåñïí, áðïôåëåß ÷ïñÞãçóç äéêáéùìÜôùí êáé ðñïíïìßùí áðü ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ðñïò ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ. Ôï üôé ôï Óýíôáãìá ÷ïñçãåßôáé áðü ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï öáßíåôáé áðü ôï ¢ñèñï 23 ôïõ õðÜñ÷ïíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ôïõ 1977, ôï ïðïßï ëÝãåé åí ìÝñåé üôé ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï Þôï åêåßíï ôï ïðïßï ÷ïñÞãçóå ôï Óýíôáãìá óôçí ôùñéíÞ ôïõ ìïñöÞ óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ. ¼ìùò, áõôü äåí óçìáßíåé üôé ôï Óýíôáãìá ÷ïñçãåßôáé ÷ùñßò íá ðñïçãçèïýí åíäåëå÷åßò óõæçôÞóåéò åð áõôïý. ÁíôéèÝôùò, üðùò óõíÝâç óôçí ðåñßðôùóÞ ìáò, ôïõò ôåëåõôáßïõò 18 ìÞíåò ôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï êáé ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ðñï÷þñçóáí óå åêôåôáìÝíåò êáé ëåðôïìåñåßò óõæçôÞóåéò åðß ôïõ ðåñéå÷ïìÝíïõ ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò, Ý÷ïíôáò óôáèåñÜ åóôñáììÝíç ôçí ðñïóï÷Þ óôéò áíÜãêåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò , êáèþò êáé óôï ðáñüí êáé óôï ìåëëïíôéêü êáèåóôþò ôçò. ÁðïôÝëåóìá áõôþí ôùí óõæçôÞóåùí åßíáé ôï ðáñá÷èÝí êåßìåíï ôïõ ðñïôáèÝíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò.
Ãéáôß Þôï áíáãêáßá ç áíáèåþñçóç ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò;
Ôï éó÷ýïí Óýíôáãìá ôïõ 1977 ÷ïñçãÞèçêå óôçí ôüôå «ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ Âïñåßïõ êáé Íïôßïõ ÁìåñéêÞò». ÊáôÜ ôï äéáññåýóáí äéÜóôçìá ï ÊáíáäÜò, ç ÊåíôñéêÞ êáé ç Íüôéá ÁìåñéêÞ Ý÷ïõí áíáêçñõ÷èåß îå÷ùñéóôÝò Ìçôñïðüëåéò. ÅðéðñïóèÝôùò, ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ Ý÷åé ðñïâåß óå áëëáãÞ ôïõ ïíüìáôüò ôçò, ôï ïðïßï åßíáé «ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîïò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò». Ïé áëëáãÝò áõôÝò ìáæß ìå ôçí áíÜãêç íá ïéêïäïìçèåß ìéá óôÝñåá âÜóç ãéá ôçí óõíå÷éæüìåíç áíÜðôõîç êáé äõíáìéêÞ äéáêïíßá óå Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü, Åðéóêïðéêü êáé Åíïñéáêü åðßðåäï êáôÝóôçóáí áíáãêáßá ôçí äéáäéêáóßá åêóõã÷ñïíéóìïý ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò. Ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá Ý÷åé ó÷åäéáóèåß ðñïóåêôéêÜ ãéá íá ðñïóöÝñåé ôï ðëáßóéï ãéá ôçí äïìÞ ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ãéá ôï ðáñüí êáèþò êáé ãéá ôçí áðïóôïëÞ ôçò óôï Ïñèüäïîïò ÐáñáôçñçôÞò
u óåë. 19
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 16
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÌÁÚÏÓ 2002
ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäá óôçí Ðüëç êáé ï êáèáãéáóìüò ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ u óåë. 15
Ç äéáäéêáóßá ôçò ðáñáóêåõÞò êáé «åøÞóåùò», ôïõ øçóßìáôïò äçëáäÞ, ôïõ Ìýñïõ ãßíåôáé óå åéäéêü ÷þñï óôïí ðåñßâïëï ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ ðïõ ïíïìÜæåôáé «êïõâïýêëéï». «Áñ÷ßæïõìå ìå áãíü åëáéüëáäï ðïõ ìáò óôÝëíïõí áðü ôçí ÅëëÜäá», ìáò ëÝåé ï ¢ñ÷ùí Ìõñåøüò ê. ÈáíÜóïãëïõ. «Ôçí ðñþôç ìÝñá ÌåãÜëç ÄåõôÝñá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åõëüãçóå ôïõò åðôÜ ëÝâçôåò, óôïõò ïðïßïõò ðáñáóêåõÜæåôáé ôï ìýñï êáé Üíáøå ôç öùôéÜ. Ôï ßäéï Ýêáíå êáé ôçí äåýôåñç ìÝñá, ÌåãÜëç Ôñßôç. ÐáñÜëëçëá áíáìéãíýïíôáé ìå ôï ëÜäé áðïóôÜãìáôá
Ç ðáñáóêåõÞ êáé ï êáèáãéáóìüò ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ Ý÷åé éäéáßôåñç óçìáóßá óôçí Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ìáò êáé ðñáãìáôïðïéåßôáé êÜèå äÝêá ÷ñüíéá ðåñßðïõ óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÅâäïìÜäïò. Ôï ¢ãéï Ìýñï ÷ñçóéìïðïéåßôáé óå üëïõò ôïõò ïñèïäüîïõò íáïýò óôï ìõóôÞñéï ôïõ âáðôßóìáôïò ãéá ôçí ìåôÜäïóç ôùí äùñåþí ôïõ Áãßïõ Ðíåýìáôïò óôïõò íåïöþôéóôïõò ÷ñéóôéáíïýò, ãéá ôï ÷ñßóìá ôùí åôåñïäüîùí ðïõ ðñïóÝñ÷ïíôáé óôçí Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá êáé ïé ïðïßïé Ý÷ïõí Þäç âáðôéóèåß óôï üíïìá ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò, êáèþò êáé åðß ôçò Áãßáò ÔñÜðåæáò óôçí ôåëåôÞ êáèáãéáóìïý ôùí Éåñþí Íáþí. ÖÝôïò Þôáí ç äåýôåñç öïñÜ ðïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò, åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò ôïõ êáèáãßáóå ôï ¢ãéï Ìýñï. Ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ ôùí ÂáÀùí ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ìå åéäéêÞ åõ÷Þ áíÝèåóå óôïí ¢ñ÷ïíôá Ìõñåøü êáé óôïõò óõíåñãÜôåò ôïõ Ìõñåøïýò, ôï ðïëý õðåýèõíï êáé éåñü Ýñãï ôçò ðñïðáñáóêåõÞò ôïõ Ìýñïõ. Ôï Ýñãï áõôü áðáéôåß åéäéêÝò ãíþóåéò êáé ãé áõôü ôï áîßùìá ôïõ Ìõñåøïý áíáëáìâÜíïõí ÷çìéêïß êáé öáñìáêïðïéïß. Îå÷ùñßæïõí ùò åðáÀïíôåò, íôõìÝíïé óôéò Üóðñåò éáôñéêÝò ðïäéÝò ôïõò êáé ôçí êïñäÝëá ì Ýíá ÷ñõóü óôáõñü ðïõ ôïõò ðÝñáóå ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò. Ï ¢ñ÷ùí Ìõñåøüò ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý Åêêëçóßáò ê. Ðñüäñïìïò ÈáíÜóïãëïõ, Êùíóôáíôéíïðïëßôçò êáé âéï÷çìéêüò ðïõ óðïýäáóå óôçí ÅëëÜäá çãåßÍ. Ìáããßíáò ôáé ôçò ïìÜäïò áõôÞò. «Åßíáé ÌåãÜëç ÄåõôÝñá ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò îåêéíÜ ôçí ìßîç ôùí ç Ýêôç öïñÜ öÝôïò ðïõ óõóôáôéêþí. óõììåôÝ÷ù óôçí ðáñáóêåõÞ ôïõ ìý- êáé åê÷õëßóìáôá ñéæþí, êáñðþí êáé ñïõ...» ìáò ëÝåé. «¢ñ÷éóá ôï 1951 êáé óôçí öýëëùí. ÓÞìåñá, ÌåãÜëç ÔåôÜñôç, äåí áñ÷Þ Þìïõí ìáèçôåõüìåíïò, îáíÜ ôï 1960. áíÜøáìå öùôéÜ... ðñïóèÝóáìå ôá áéèÝñéá Ôï 1973 êé áöïý áðåâßùóå ï ðñïêÜôï÷üò Ýëáéá êáé ãé áõôü ôï ëÜäé äåí ðñÝðåé íá åßíáé ðïëý æåóôü». ìïõ, ïíïìÜóèçêá ¢ñ÷ùí Ìõñåøüò...» Ôï áãíü êáé Üñéóôçò ðïéüôçôïò åëáéüÃéá íá ðñïóöÝñåé ôéò õðçñåóßåò ôïõ ùò ìõñåøüò êáé ìåôÜ áðü óýóôáóç ôïõ ëáäï åßíáé ôï âáóéêü óõóôáôéêü. ×ñçóéìïðïéïýíôáé áêüìç 100 ðåñßðïõ äéáöïñåôéêÜ óõóôáôéêÜ. ÁñùìáôéêÜ öõôÜ, äñüãåò êáé áéèÝñéá Ýëáéá, áðü ôá ïðïßá ôï óçìáíôéêüôåñï åßíáé ôï ñïäÝëáéï, ôï ïðïßï áðïóôÝëëåôáé áðü ôçí Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá ôçò Âïõëãáñßáò. Ç ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò ðñïóÝöåñå óõìâïëéêÜ öÝôïò 100 ãñáììÜñéá Ýâåíï, äçë. êå÷ñéìðÜñé. Ôá óõóôáôéêÜ áõôÜ ìå äéÜöïñåò ðáñáëëáãÝò Ï ÊåñÜôéïò êüëðïò áðü ôá ðáñÜèõñá ôçò Áßèïõóáò ôïõ Èñüíïõ. êáé ðñïóèÞêåò åìöáíßÁñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Äçìçôñßïõ ôáîßäåøå æïíôáé óå êáôáëüãïõò áðü ôïí 8ï ìÝ÷ñé êáé öÝôïò óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ï åëëçíï- ôï ôÝëïò ôïõ 19ïõ áéþíá êáé åíäåéêôéêÜ áìåñéêáíüò ê. Ãåþñãéïò Äáñéþôçò, áíáöÝñïõìå ïñéóìÝíá üðùò ôïí ïßíï, ôï öáñìáêïðïéüò ôï åðÜããåëìá êáé ðñþçí êéííÜìùìï, ôçí ßñéäá, ôçí ìáóôß÷á ×ßïõ, ôçí ðñüåäñïò ôçò Á×ÅÐÁ. ¹ôáí åðéèõìßá áããåëéêÞ, ôï óÜøé÷ï, ôá ìýñá, ôï ìõñïâÜÜëëùóôå êáé ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç ëáíï, ôç æéíãêßâåñç, ôçí íÜñäï êáé ôá ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ íá óõììåôÝ÷åé êáé öýëëá éíäéêïý. ×ñçóéìïðïéïýíôáé åðßóçò êáé æùéêÜ êÜðïéïò áðü ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ÁìåñéêÞò. «Åßíáé éäéáßôåñç ôéìÞ êáé åõëïãßá íá ëÜâù óõóôáôéêÜ üðùò áéèåñéïý÷ï æùéêü ÝêêñéìÝñïò óôçí ðáñáóêåõÞ ôïõ Ìýñïõ... åßíáé ìá áðü ôïí áäÝíá áñóåíéêïý ìüó÷ïõ. Ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÄåõôÝñá ôï ðñùß, ìåôÜ ìéá åõêáéñßá ìïíáäéêÞ óôçí æùÞ ìïõ...» ôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá, ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò äÞëùóå ï ê. Äáñéþôçò.
Ä. ÐáíÜãïò
Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò êáé Üëëïé áñ÷éåñåßò ôçí þñá ôïõ êáèáãéáóìïý ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ.
ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ðñïÝóôç åéäéêÞò áêïëïõèßáò óôï Éåñü Êïõâïýêëéï êáé áãßáóå ôá âáóéêÜ óõóôáôéêÜ ôïõ ìýñïõ. ¼ðùò ïñßæåé ôï ôõðéêü, ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ñáíôßæåé ìå áãéáóìü ôïõò ëÝâçôåò, ôá óêåýç êáé ôá õëéêÜ ðïõ èá ÷ñçóéìïðïéïýíôáí ãéá ôçí ðáñáóêåõÞ ôïõ Áãßïõ Ìýñïõ. Óôç óõíÝ÷åéá, êñáôþíôáò áíáììÝíá ôá äéêçñïôñßêçñá áíÜâåé Ýíáí-Ýíáí ôïõò ëÝâçôåò, óôïõò ïðïßïõò Ý÷ïõí ôïðïèåôçèåß ùò êáýóéìç ýëç öèáñìÝíá åêêëçóéáóôéêÜ Ýíôõðá, ðáëéÜ êáé Ü÷ñçóôá îýëá áðü äéÜöïñá ìÝñç íáþí üðùò áíáëüãéá, óôáóßäéá êáé ìåñéêÝò öïñÝò êïììÜôéá áðü åéêüíåò ðïõ êáôáóôñÜöçêáí óå ôÝôïéï âáèìü ðïõ äåí áíáãíùñßæïíôáé ðéá ùò åéêüíåò. Ïé ðéóôïß ôçò Ðüëçò ãíùñßæïõí êáëÜ áõôÞ ôçí ðáñÜäïóç êáé óõëëÝãïõí ìå ðñïóï÷Þ ôÝôïéá áíôéêåßìåíá ãéá íá ôá öÝñïõí óôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäá. Êáôüðéí ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò áíáãéãíþóêåé ðåñéêïðÝò áðü ôï éåñü ÅõáããÝëéï êáé ðáñÜëëçëá îåêéíÜ ôçí áíÜìéîç ôùí äéáöüñùí óõóôáôéêþí. Ç áíÜãíùóç ôùí åõáããåëéêþí ðåñéêïðþí óõíå÷ßæåôáé áðü Áñ÷éåñåßò êáé éåñåßò ïé ïðïßïé åíáëëÜóóïíôáé óå ôáêôÜ ÷ñïíéêÜ äéáóôÞìáôá. Ðáñüìïéá äéáäéêáóßá áêïëïõèåßôáé ôçí ÌåãÜëç Ôñßôç êáé ôçí ÌåãÜëç ÔåôÜñôç. Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Çëéïõðüëåùò êáé Èåßñùí ê. ÁèáíÜóéïò ùò ðñüåäñïò ôçò áñìüäéáò óõíïäéêÞò åðéôñïðÞò åß÷å öÝôïò ôçí åðßâëåøç ôçò üëçò äéáäéêáóßáò. ¼óï ï ¢ñ÷ùí Ìõñåøüò ê. ÈáíÜóïãëïõ ðáñÝèåôå ôéò ëåðôïìÝñåéåò êáé ôï ÷ñïíéêü ðáñáóêåõÞò ôïõ ìýñïõ, ïé âïçèïß ôïõ ìåôÜããéæáí ìå éäéáßôåñç ðñïóï÷Þ ôï äéáõãÝò êáé ëáìðåñü ìýñï óå ìåãÜëïõò áñãõñïýò áìöïñåßò, óå ìéêñüôåñá áñãõñÜ äï÷åßá êáèþò êáé óå áëáâÜóôñéíá. Ìéá ëåðôÞ êáé ãëõêéÜ åõùäßá ðëçììýñéóå ôïí ðåñßâïëï ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, êáèþò ôá äï÷åßá ìåôáöÝñïíôáí óôï Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü ðáñåêêëÞóé ôïõ Áãßïõ ÁíäñÝá, êáé ïé ïìÜäåò ôùí ðñïóêõíçôþí ìðáéíüâãáéíáí êáé ðåñéçãïýíôáí óôçí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞ áõëÞ ðñïóðáèþíôáò íá áðïèáíáôßóïõí öùôïãñáöéêÜ ôá ôåêôáéíüìåíá. Ôï ðñùß ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐÝìðôçò, ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò, ïé Áñ÷éåñåßò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáé ïé Áñ÷éåñåßò ðïõ åß÷áí óõíá÷èåß áðü üëåò ôéò ïñèüäïîåò Åêêëçóßåò áíÜ ôïí êüóìï ó÷çìÜôéóáí ëéôáíåßá ðñïò ôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ. ÅßêïóéôÝóóåñéò éåñåßò ìåôÝöåñáí ôïõò 12 ìåãÜëïõò áñãõñïýò áìöïñåßò, ï êÜèå Áñ÷éåñåýò êñáôïýóå áðü Ýíá ìéêñü áñãõñü Þ áëáâÜóôñéíï äï÷åßï êáé ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò åìðñüò áð üëïõò êñáôþíôáò óêáëéóôü êáé ðåñéêáëëÝò áñãõñü äï÷åßï. ÌÝóá óôï íáü ïé
Áñ÷éåñåßò ôïðïèÝôçóáí åí óåéñÜ ôá äï÷åßá, ìéêñÜ êáé ìåãÜëá, ðÜíù êáé ãýñù áðü ôçí Áãßá ÔñÜðåæá. ÊáôÜ ôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐÝìðôçò ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå, ðñïåîÜñ÷ïíôïò ôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷ïõ Ýãéíå ï êáèáãéáóìüò ôïõ ìýñïõ óå ¢ãéï Ìýñï êáé áêïëïýèùò ðÜëé åí ðïìðÞ ôá äï÷åßá ìåôáöÝñèçêáí óôï åéäéêü ìõñïöõëÜêéï ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ üðïõ öõëÜóóåôáé êáé áðïóôÝëëåôáé üðïõ ÷ñåéÜæåôáé óå üëåò ôéò Ïñèüäïîåò Åêêëçóßåò. Ï êÜèå Áñ÷éåñåýò ðïõ óõììåôåß÷å, ðÞñå ìáæß ôïõ áíá÷ùñþíôáò Ýíá ìéêñü äï÷åßï ìå ôï ¢ãéï Ìýñï. Ôï ¢ãéï Ìýñï ðáñáóêåõÜóèçêå êáé êáèáãéÜóèçêå óôï ÖáíÜñé 9 öïñÝò êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá ôïõ 20ïõ áéþíá, ðåñßðïõ áíÜ äåêáåôßá: ôï 1903 êáé ôï 1912 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Éùáêåßì ôïõ ô, ôï 1928 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Âáóéëåßïõ ôïõ ô, ôï 1939 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Âåíéáìßí ôïõ Á´, ôï 1951 êáé ôï 1960 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Áèçíáãüñïõ ôïõ Á´, ôï 1973 êáé ôï 1983 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Äçìçôñßïõ ôïõ Á´, êáé ôï 1992 åðß Ðáôñéáñ÷ßáò Âáñèïëïìáßïõ ôïõ Á´. Ôï ìåôáîý ÷ñïíéêü äéÜóôçìá äåí ïñßæåôáé óõãêåêñéìÝíá áëëÜ üðùò ïé áíÜãêåò ôùí Ïñèïäüîùí Åêêëçóéþí åðéâÜëëïõí ôçí ðáñáóêåõÞ íÝïõ. *** ¹ôáí ìåóçìÝñé ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐÝìðôçò. Ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáé ç ðïìðÞ áðü áõôïêßíçôá áíá÷þñçóå áðü ôï ÖáíÜñé ìå êáôåýèõíóç ôçí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞ êáé ÓôáõñïðçãéáêÞ ÌïíÞ ôçò Æùïäü÷ïõ ÐçãÞò ôïõ ÂáëïõêëÞ. Ç ìáôéÜ êé ï íïõò ðëáíéüíôáé á÷üñôáãá êé áìÞ÷áíá óôá åñåßðéá ôùí ôåé÷þí ðïõ áéþíåò ðñéí Ýêëåéíáí ìÝóá ôïõò ôç Âáóéëåýïõóá. ×ßëéá ÷ñüíéá ðåñíïýí ìðñïóôÜ ìáò óå ëßãá ìüíï ëåðôÜ. Ìéá áíåßðùôç óõíáéóèçìáôéêÞ öïõñôïýíá åßíáé ôï áðïôÝëåóìá. Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðáñÝèåóå ãåýìá óôç ìïíÞ ôïõ ÂáëïõêëÞ ãéá üëïõò ôïõò ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïõò ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, Áñ÷éåñåßò, åðéóêÝðôåò êáé äçìïóéïãñÜöïõò. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò êáôÝâçêå ìå êáôÜíõîç êáé ðñïóêýíçóå ôï Áãßáóìá ôçò Æùïäü÷ïõ ÐçãÞò. Ëßãï ðéï ðÝñá óôïí áõëüãõñï ôïõ íáïý ïé ôÜöïé ôùí Ðáôñéáñ÷þí åßíáé ìéá áêüìç éóôïñéêÞ, ðñïóêõíçìáôéêÞ êáé ðíåõìáôéêÞ õðüìíçóç. Ôï âñÜäõ ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐÝìðôçò, ôï ÌÝãá ÐÜèïò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý êáé ç ðïñåßá ðñïò ôç Óôáýñùóç îåôõëß÷èçêå ìðñïóôÜ óôï ðëÞèïò ôùí ðñïóêõíçôþí ðïõ ìå êáôÜíõîç ðáñáêïëïýèçóå ôçí áêïëïõèßá ôùí äþäåêá åõáããåëßùí. ÌïíáäéêÝò óôéãìÝò åóùôåñéêÞò Ýñåõíáò, ðñïóåõ÷Þò êáé êÜèáñóçò.
ÌÁÚÏÓ 2002
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÉÊÇ ÁÐÏÄÅÉÎÉÓ ÅÐÉ Ô~~Ù ÁÃÉ~Ù ÐÁÓ×Á ÿ ÂÁÑÈÏËÏÌÁÉÏÓ ÅËÅ~Ù ÈÅÏÕ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏÓ ÊÙÍÓÔÁÍÔÉÍÏÕÐÏËÅÙÓ, ÍÅÁÓ ÑÙÌÇÓ ÊÁÉ ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÓ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÇÓ ÐÁÍÔÉ Ô~Ù ÐËÇÑÙÌÁÔÉ ÔÇÓ ÅÊÊËÇÓÉÁÓ ×ÁÑÉÍ, ÅÉÑÇÍÇÍ ÊÁÉ ÅËÅÏÓ ÐÁÑÁ ÔÏÕ ÅÍÄÏÎÙÓ ÁÍÁÓÔÁÍÔÏÓ ÓÙÔÇÑÏÓ ×ÑÉÓÔÏÕ ×ñéóôüò [ ÁíÝóôç! ÌÝ á[õôüí ôüí ÷áñìüóõíïí ÷áéñåôéóìüí, ôüí ]ïðï`éïí [áðåõèýíïìåí ðñüò [áëëÞëïõò, ]õðïäå÷üìåèá, [áäåëöïß êáß ôÝêíá [åí Êõñß~ù [áãáðçôÜ, ôÞí ]åïñôÞí ô`çò[ ÁíáóôÜóåùò ôï`õ Êõñßïõ ]çì`ùí [ Éçóï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ. ÓõììåôÝ÷ïìåí êáß ðÜëéí [åöÝôïò å[éò ôÞí ðáíÞãõñéí ô`çò [ ÁíáóôÜóåùò êáß ìÝó~ù á[õô`çò êáß å} íåêá á[õô`çò æ`ùìåí ôÞí õ ] ðÝñâáóéí ôï`õ èáíÜôïõ êáß ðÜóçò èëßøåùò. Ðñïóêõíï`õìåí êáß å[õ÷áñéóôï`õìåí ôüí Êýñéïí ç ] ì`ùí [ Éçóï`õí ×ñéóôüí, ôüí[ ÁíáóôÜíôá å[ ê íåêñ`ùí, äéüôé êáôáîéþíåé ç ] ì`áò ôïýò ï [ ñèïäüîùò óåâïìÝíïõò êáß ôéì`ùíôáò Á[õôüí íÜ âëÝðùìåí ôÜ èáõìÜóéá ôï`õ Èåï`õ, íÜ êáèéóôÜìåèá äÝêôáé ôï`õ õ ] ðåñöõï`õò öùôüò ô`çò á [ íáóôÜóåþò Ôïõ, ôï`õ ï ] äçãï`õíôïò ç ] ì`áò å[éò íÝáí æùÞí, êáß íÜ á[éóèáíþìåèá ôÞí íÝáí á[õôÞí æùÞí óöñéã`ùóáí å[éò ôÜò êáñäßáò ìáò êáß íéê`ùóáí ôÜò ðïëëÜò êáß ìåãÜëáò èëßøåéò ôï`õ ðáñüíôïò âßïõ. [ Åðß ô`çò ðÝôñáò ô`çò ðßóôåùò å[éò ôÞí ôï`õ Êõñßïõ êáß å[éò ôÞí ç ] ìåôÝñáí á [ íÜóôáóéí á [ ôáëáíôåýôùò é] óôÜìåíïé, óõìøÜëëïìåí å[õöñïóýíùò ìåôÜ ôï`õ õ ] ìí~ùäï`õ êáß õ ] ìíï`õìåí ÐÜó÷á ôü é] åñüí êáß ðáíóåâÜóìéïí. Ôü öáíåñüí êáß å] üñôéïí ÐÜó÷á, á [ ëëÜ êáß ôü ìõóôéêüí, ôü óõíôåëïýìåíïí å[éò ôÜ âÜèç ô`ùí êáñäé`ùí ìáò êáß ìåôáããßæïí å[éò ôü ðíå`õìá ç ] ì`ùí ôÞí æùÞí ôï`õ [ ÁíáóôÜíôïò ×ñéóôï`õ êáß ôÞí á [ íáöáßñåôïí ÷áñÜí ô`çò á[éùíßïõ å[ í ×ñéóô~ù ` æù`çò. Å[õöñáéíüìåèá êáôÜ ðÜíôá, á [ ðïëáìâÜíïíôåò óþìáôé êáß ðíåýìáôé ôÜò äùñåÜò ôï`õ á [ ãáð`ùíôïò ç ] ì`áò [ Éçóï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ, êáß å[õ÷üìåèá ï ] ëïêáñäßùò íÜ ãßíïõí ìÝôï÷ïé ô`çò á [ íáóôáóßìïõ ôáýôçò ÷áñ`áò êáß å[õöñïóýíçò ðÜíôåò ï]é ôáëáéðùñïýìåíïé õ ] ðü ðïéêßëùí èëßøåùí êáß êáêïõ÷é`ùí óõíÜíèñùðïé ç ] ì`ùí êáß é[ äß~á ï]é ìÞ ãíùñßæïíôåò á [ êüìç ôÞí ÷áñÜí ô`çò [ ÁíáóôÜóåùò êáß ôÞí ðñüò ç ] ì`áò êáß á[õôïýò á [ ãÜðçí ôï`õ [ ÁíáóôÜíôïò ×ñéóôï`õ. Äéüôé ç ] ðßóôéò å[éò ôÞí [ ÁíÜóôáóéí ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ êáß ç ] ìåôï÷Þ å[éò á[õôÞí á [ ìâëýíåé ðÜíôá ðüíïí, ðñïóöÝñåé å[ ëðßäá, íéê~á ` ôüí öüâïí ôï`õ èáíÜôïõ êáß ÷áñßæåé á[éóéïäïîßáí êáß ÷áñÜí.
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 17
ÅÍÁ ÅÊÁÔÏÌÌÕÑÉÏ ÄÏËËÁÑÉÁ ÃÉÁ ÔÏ ÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÊÏËËÅÃÉÏ/ÈÅÏËÏÃÉÊÇ Ó×ÏËÇ ÁÐÏ ÔÏÍ ×ÑÇÓÔÏ ÊÙÔÓÁÊÏ ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇ. Ï ×ñÞóôïò ÊùôóÜêïò, ðñüåäñïò êáé äéåõèõíôÞò ôçò åôáéñåßáò E*TRADE Group ðñïóÝöåñå ôï ðïóü ôïõ åíüò åêáôïììõñßïõ äïëëáñßùí óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï/ÉåñÜ ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôçò öåôéíÞò ôåëåôÞò áðïöïéôÞóåùò, ÓÜââáôï 18 ÌáÀïõ, ìå óêïðü ôç óõíÝ÷éóç ôïõ Ýñãïõ êáé ôçí áíÜðôõîç ôïõ äéäýìïõ áíùôÜôïõ åêðáéäåõôéêïý éäñýìáôïò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ï äñ. ÊùôóÜêïò áíáêïßíùóå ôç äùñåÜ óôïí åðßëïãï ôçò ïìéëßáò ôïõ ðñïò ôïõò öïéôçôÝò êáé áðïöïßôïõò ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ìåôÜ ôçí áðïíïìÞ ðñïò ôïí ßäéï ôéìçôéêïý äéäáêôïñéêïý äéðëþìáôïò Áíèñùðéóôéêþí Óðïõäþí áðü ôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï. Óôçí ïìéëßá ôïõ ðñïò ôïõò áðïöïéôïýíôåò ï äñ. ÊùôóÜêïò áíáöÝñèçêå óôéò åìðåéñßåò ôïõ, ôïõò áãþíåò ôïõ êáé ôçí åðéôõ÷ßá ôïõ óôç æùÞ ôïíßæïíôáò ôç óçìáóßá ôçò ðßóôçò êáé ôùí äåóìþí ôïõ ìå ôçí Åêêëçóßá. Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò äÞëùóå ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôç äùñåÜ: «...áðïôåëåß Ýíá èáõìÜóéï äþñï ðïõ åíäõíáìþíåé ôï Ýñãï ôçò Ó÷ïëÞò ìáò êáé ðñïóöÝñåé ôåñÜóôéá õðïóôÞñéîç óôçí ðñïåôïéìáóßá éåñÝùí êáé çãåôþí ãéá ôéò åíïñßåò ìáò. Åßìáé âÝâáéïò
×ÑÇÓÔÏÓ ÊÙÔÓÁÊÏÓ
üôé ç ÷åéñïíïìßá ôïõ äñ. ÊùôóÜêïõ èá áðïôåëÝóåé ðñüóêëçóç êáé ãéá Üëëïõò ïìïãåíåßò íá ðñïâïýí óå ðáñüìïéåò äùñåÝò». Ï äñ. ÊùôóÜêïò óõíåéóöÝñåé óå äéáöüñïõò öéëáíèñùðéêïýò óêïðïýò óå ó÷Ýóç ìå ôçí åêðáßäåõóç êáé êïéíùíéêÜ êáé åêêëçóéáóôéêÜ ðñïãñÜììáôá ìÝóù ôïõ éäñýìáôïò «×ñÞóôïò Ì. ÊùôóÜêïò». Ðñüóöáôá Ýëáâå ôï äéäáêôïñéêü ôïõ äßðëùìá óôéò ÏéêïíïìéêÝò ÅðéóôÞìåò áðü ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ôïõ Ëïíäßíïõ.
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ÄÝí á [ ãíïï`õìåí ôüí á [ íèñþðéíïí ðüíïí, ôÞí á [ äéêßáí, ôïýò êáôáôñåãìïýò, ôÜò á [ óèåíåßáò, ôÞí ðôù÷åßáí, ôÜò óôåñÞóåéò. ÄÝí æ`ùìåí å[ êôüò ô`çò èëéâåñ`áò ðáãêïóìßïõ êáôáóôÜóåùò. Óõóôáõñïýìåèá ô~`ù ×ñéóô~`ù êáß óõìðÜó÷ïìåí ìåôÜ ðÜíôùí ô`ùí á [ äéêïõìÝíùí êáß ôáëáéðùñïõìÝíùí óõíáíèñþðùí ìáò. [ ÁëëÜ ãíùñßæïìåí ï } ôé ï } ëùí á[õô`ùí èåñáðåõôÞò õ ] ðÜñ÷åé ï ] [ ÁíáóôÜò Êýñéïò ç ] ì`ùí [ Éçóï`õò ×ñéóôüò, ï ] ðáèþí êáß óôáõñùèåßò õ ] ðÝñ ç ] ì`ùí, } Ïóôéò êáß å[ ÷áñßóáôï ç ] ì`éí ôÞí êáôÜ ôï`õ èáíÜôïõ íßêçí, ôÞí ô`ùí èëßøåùí õ ] ðÝñâáóéí, ô`çò á [ íåêëáëÞôïõ ÷áñ`áò ôÞí ðñïóäïêßáí, ô`çò á[éùíßïõ æù`çò ôÞí á [ äéÜøåõóôïí õ ] ðüó÷åóéí. ] Ç å] ïñôÞ ô`çò [ ÁíáóôÜóåùò ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ å\éíáé äé ç ] ì`áò óôáèìüò ÷áñ`áò å[ íôüò ôï`õ ðåëÜãïõò ô`ùí èëßøåùí ôï`õ êüóìïõ. Óôáèìüò á [ íåöïäéáóìï`õ äé å[ ëðßäïò êáß å[ îïðëéóìï`õ äéÜ ðíåõìáôéê`çò [áíôï÷`çò êáß [éó÷ýïò ðñüò á[éóéüäïîïí [áíôéìåôþðéóéí }ïëùí ô`ùí äõó÷åñåé`ùí ô`çò óõã÷ñüíïõ æù`çò. [ Åî á[õô`çò á [ íôëï`õìåí èÜññïò, óõìöþíùò ðñüò ôüí ëüãïí ôï`õ Êõñßïõ èáñóå`éôå, å[ ãþ íåíßêçêá ôüí êüóìïí , äéüôé ç ] [ ÁíÜóôáóéò åßíáé ç ] ìåãáëõôÝñá íßêç êáôÜ ô`çò äõíÜìåùò ôï`õ êáêï`õ å[éò ôüí êáëüí ëßáí êüóìïí, ôüí ï ] ðï`éïí å[ äçìéïýñãçóåí ï ] á [ ãáèüôáôïò Èåüò äé ç ] ì`áò ôïýò á [ íèñþðïõò. ] Ç [ ÁíÜóôáóéò ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ ì`áò õ ] ðåíèõìßæåé ï } ôé Ý{ ÷ïìåí äéÜ ô`çò ÷Üñéôïò Á[õôï`õ ôÞí äõíáôüôçôá êáß ôü êáè`çêïí íÜ á [ íéóôÜìåèá êáß ç ] ìå`éò á [ ðü êÜèå ðô`ùóéí å[éò ôÞí á ] ìáñôßáí, ôÞí á [ ðïãïÞôåõóéí êáß ôÞí á [ ðáéóéïäïîßáí êáß íÜ ðñïóâëÝðùìåí å[éò Á[õôüí êáß ôÞí [ Åêêëçóßáí Ôïõ é} íá ëáìâÜíùìåí Èåßáí ×Üñéí êáß âïÞèåéáí å[éò ð`áóáí äõóêïëßáí ô`çò æù`çò. Èáñóå`éôå, ëïéðüí, êáß õ ] ìå`éò, ôÝêíá å[ í Êõñß~ù á [ ãáðçôÜ, êáß å[éñçíåýåôå êáß ÷áñ`çôå ôÞí ðáó÷Üëéïí ðáíÞãõñéí, äéüôé ç ] [ ÁíÜóôáóéò ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ å\éíáé êáß é[ äéêÞ ìáò á [ íÜóôáóéò êáß ç ] å[ ðß ôï`õ êáêï`õ íßêç ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ äýíáôáé íÜ ãßí~ç äéÜ ô`çò ÷Üñéôüò Ôïõ êáß ôï`õ á [ ã`ùíïò ìáò êáß é[ äéêÞ ìáò íßêç êáôÜ ðáíôüò êáêï`õ êáß ðüíïõ êáß ðÝíèïõò. Ôï`õôï êáß å[õ÷üìåèá ï ] ëïêáñäßùò å[éò ï } ëïõò õ ] ì`áò, å[ ðß ôïýò ï ] ðïßïõò êáß å[ ðéêáëïýìåèá ôÞí ÷Üñéí êáß ôÞí å[éñÞíçí êáß ôÞí äýíáìéí ôï`õ [ ÁíáóôÜíôïò ×ñéóôï`õ. Êáß êáëï`õìåí ðÜíôáò ï } ðùò êáß êáôÜ ôü ðáñüí ÐÜó÷á å[ ðáíáëÜâùìåí ôüí ÷áéñåôéóìüí ô`çò íßêçò ôï`õ ×ñéóôï`õ å[ ðß ðáíôüò êáêï`õ: ×ñéóôüò [ ÁíÝóôç! } Áãéïí ÐÜó÷á 2001
ÿ ] Ï Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò äéÜðõñïò ðñüò ×ñéóôüí [ ÁíáóôÜíôá å[õ÷Ýôçò ðÜíôùí ]õì`ùí^
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ÓÅËÉÄÁ 18
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÌÁÚÏÓ 2002
ÔÏÍ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÏ ÄÇÌÇÔÑÉÏ ÔÉÌÇÓÅ Åêèåóç Áñ÷áßùí Åðéãñáöþí óôçí Áóôüñéá Ï ÅËËÇÍÏÁÌÅÑÉÊÁÍÉÊÏÓ ÏÑÃÁÍÉÓÌÏÓ «Á-Ù» ÔÇÓ ÂÏÓÔÙÍÇÓ
GOA
Áîéùìáôïý÷ïé ôïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ «Á-Ù», ìå ôïí Óåâáóìéþôáôï êáé Üëëïõò ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïõò.
ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ç åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞ ïñãÜíùóç «¢ëöá-ÙìÝãá», áðÝíåéìå ôï áíþôáôï âñáâåßï ôçò «Åðßôåõãìá ÆùÞò» ãéá ôï Ýôïò 2002, óôïí Óåâáóìéþôáôï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï, ôï ÓÜââáôï 18 ÌáÀïõ êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá äåßðíïõ óôçí âéâëéïèÞêç John F. Kennedy ôçò Âïóôþíçò. Ç ïñãÜíùóç «¢ëöá-ÙìÝãá» éäñýèçêå ôï 1976 áðü ôïí áåßìíçóôï Ðßôåñ ¢ãêñéò, åêäüôç ôçò åöçìåñßäïò «ÅëëçíéêÜ ×ñïíéêÜ»ôçò Âïóôþíçò. Áðïôåëåßôáé áðü äéáêåêñéìÝíïõò Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíïýò óå üëïõò ôïõò ôïìåßò ôçò êïéíùíéêÞò æùÞò. Ïé óêïðïß ôïõ ïñãáíéóìïý ðåñéëáìâÜíïõí ôçí êáëëéÝñãåéá êáé ðñïþèçóç ôïõ ðáôñéùôéóìïý êáé ôùí éäåùäþí ôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý êáé ôçí óõíå÷Þ äéáôÞñçóç ôùí öéëéêþí åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêþí ó÷Ýóåùí. Ôçí åêäÞëùóç ðáñïõóßáóáí êáëùóïñßæïíôáò ôïõò ðñïóêåêëçìÝíïõò êáé ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï, ï áíôéðñüåäñïò ôïõ ïñãáíéóìïý êáé äéïñãáíùôÞò ôçò âñáäéÜò ê. ÉùÜííçò ÐáíáãÜêïò, ï ôåëåôÜñ÷çò ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ìðå÷ñÜêçò êáé ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò «Á-Ù» ê. Ãñçãüñéïò Ößëéáò. ×áéñåôéóìïýò êáé ó÷üëéá áðçýèõíáí ï ê. Richard Jackson, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Áìåñéêáíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ Èåóóáëïíßêçò, ï Áéä. ð. Íéêüëáïò Ôñéáíôáöýëëïõ, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ/ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò ×áôæéìé÷åëÜêçò, ãåíéêüò ðñüîåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôçí Âïóôþíç, ç ê. Åõáíèßá ÊïíôÜêç, ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅèíéêÞò Öéëïðôþ÷ïõ Áäåëöüôçôïò êáé ï êáèçãçôÞò Éóôïñßáò ôçò Èñçóêåßáò ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ ÐáíåðéóôÞìéïõ ×Üñâáñíô ê. Francois Bovon. Ïé ïìéëçôÝò åîÝöñáóáí ôçí ÷áñÜ êáé ôïí åíèïõóéáóìü ôïõò ãéá ôçí âñÜâåõóç
ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáé åîÞñáí ôï Ýñãï, ôçí ðñïóöïñÜ êáé ôçí åí ãÝíåé óõìâïëÞ ôïõ ÓåâáóìéùôÜôïõ óôçí æùÞ êáé ðñüïäï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ôçò ÅëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞò ÏìïãÝíåéáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. «Áíïßîáôå ôçí êáñäéÜ óáò êáé áðëþóáôå ÷åßñá âïçèåßáò óå áíèñþðïõò êÜèå ðßóôåùò óå üëï ôïí êüóìï. Ðáñïôñýíåôå üóïõò Ý÷ïõí åõëïãçèåß ðëïõóéïðÜñï÷á óôçí æùÞ ôïõò íá óôáèïýí áñùãïß óôçí æùÞ Üëëùí áíáîéïðáèïýíôùí óõíáíèñþðùí ìáò, æþíôáò ôá äéäÜãìáôá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò... Åðéäéþêåôå ôïõò óêïðïýò ôçò åéñÞíçò êáé äéêáéïóýíçò, áíáãíùñßæïíôáò üôé ôï ìÝëëïí åîáñôÜôáé áðü ôçí äõíáôüôçôá áñìïíéêÞò óõìâßùóçò ôùí ëáþí», ãñÜöåé ìåôáîý Üëëùí óå åðéóôïëÞ ôïõ ðñïò ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï åð åõêáéñßá ôçò âñÜâåõóÞò ôïõ, ï öéëÝëëçíáò ãåñïõóéáóôÞò ê. Edward M. Kennedy ðïõ äåí ìðüñåóå íá ðáñåõñåèåß, åíþ êáôáëÞãåé: «Áñìüæåé éäéáßôåñá üôé ç âñÜâåõóÞ óáò ëáìâÜíåé ÷þñá óôçí ÂéâëéïèÞêç ôïõ ÐñïÝäñïõ ÊÝíåíôé. Ï áäåëöüò ìïõ áñÝóêïíôáí íá áíáöÝñåé ôïí Åëëçíéêü ïñéóìü ôçò åõôõ÷ßáò ùò ôçí ðëÞñç ÷ñÞóç ôùí éêáíïôÞôùí ðáñÜëëçëá ìå ôçí áñåôÞ êáé óáò óõã÷áßñù äéüôé åóåßò áõôü ôï æåßôå êáèçìåñéíÜ». Ðáñüìïéåò óõã÷áñçôÞñéåò åðéóôïëÝò áðÝóôåéëáí ïé ãåñïõóéáóôÝò ê. John Kerry êáé Paul Sarbanes êáèþò êáé ç ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Ðáíáìåñéêáíéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ Åêêëçóéþí ê. ÅëÝíç ×éïýôæáê. ÐáñÜëëçëá óõã÷áñçôÞñéá øçößóìáôá áíáãíþñéóçò êáé åêôßìçóçò ðñïò ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï áðÝóôåéëáí ç êõâåñíÞôçò ôçò Ìáóá÷ïõóÝôçò ê. Jane Swift êáèþò êáé ç ÂïõëÞ ôùí Áíôéðñïóþðùí êáé ç Ãåñïõóßá ôçò Ìáóá÷ïõóÝôçò.
Äéäáêôïñéêü äßðëùìá áðü ôï Áìåñéêáíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï Èåóóáëïíßêçò
ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ìå Äéäáêôïñéêü Äßðëùìá Áíèñùðéóôéêþí Óðïõäþí ôßìçóå ôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÄçìÞôñéï ôï Áìåñéêáíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï Èåóóáëïíßêçò êáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá åéäéêÞò ôåëåôÞò êáé äåßðíïõ ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå ôçí ÐÝìðôç 23 ÌáÀïõ 2002 óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç, åðß ôçò èáëáìçãïý Highlander ôçò ïéêïãåíåßáò Forbes êáé åð åõêáéñßá ôçò óõìðëçñþóåùò åéêïóáåôßáò áðü ôçí ßäñõóç ôïõ Êïëëåãßïõ. Ôçí áðïíïìÞ ôïõ ôéìçôéêïý ôßôëïõ óôïí Óåâáóìéþôáôï áðåöÜóéóå ôï Óþìá ôùí Åöüñùí ôïõ Êïëëåãßïõ ÁÍÁÔÏËÉÁ ðïõ åäñåýåé óôçí Âïóôþíç êáé ôìÞìá ôïõ ïðïßïõ áðïôåëåß ôï Áìåñéêáíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï Èåóóáëïíßêçò. Ï ôéìçôéêüò áõôüò ôßôëïò áðïíÝìåôáé óå Üôïìá ðïõ Ý÷ïõí óõíåéóöÝñåé óçìáíôéêÜ óôçí ìáêñÜ öéëßá êáé óõíåñãáóßá ìåôáîý ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý êáé Áìåñéêáíéêïý ëáïý, Ý÷ïõí åðéäåßîåé äéÜ æùÞò ðñïóÞëùóç óôá éäåþäç ôùí ãñáì-
ìÜôùí, ôùí êáëþí ôå÷íþí êáé åí ãÝíåé ôçò ðáéäåßáò, Ý÷ïõí áöéåñþóåé ôçí ðñïóùðéêÞ ôïõò óôáäéïäñïìßá óôçí ìåëÝôç êáé ðñïþèçóç åíüò Þ ðåñéóóïôÝñùí êëÜäùí ôùí Åëëçíéêþí Óðïõäþí êáé Ý÷ïõí áðïäåäåéãìÝíç áöïóßùóç óôçí õðçñåóßá ôïõ äçìïóßïõ êáëïý. Ôïí Óåâáóìéþôáôï ðñïóöþíçóå ï ê. Wallace F. Forbes êáé ôïí äéäáêôïñéêü ôßôëï áðÝíåéìáí ïé ê.ê. George S. Bissell, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Óþìáôïò ôùí Åöüñùí êáé Richard L. Jackson, ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Áìåñéêáíéêïý Êïëëåãßïõ Èåóóáëïíßêçò, ï ïðïßïò ðáñïõóéÜæïíôáò ôïí Óåâáóìéþôáôï, áíáöÝñèçêå óôçí åí ãÝíåé äñÜóç êáé ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõ êáé ôüíéóå üôé ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÄçìÞôñéïò «...áðïôåëåß ðñïóùðïðïßçóç üëùí ôùí êñéôçñßùí åðéëïãÞò óôïí õðÝñôáôï âáèìü, ü÷é ìüíï óôçí óôáäéïäñïìßá ôïõ áëëÜ êáé óôçí êáèçìåñéíÞ ôïõ æùÞ êáé óôçí ðíåõìáôéêüôçôÜ ôïõ».
ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ. Ç ÅëëçíéêÞ ÃñáöÞ åßíáé ôï èÝìá Ýêèåóçò ÁíôéãñÜöùí Áñ÷áßùí Åðéãñáöþí êáé Âõæáíôéíþí ×åéñïãñÜöùí ðïõ ëåéôïõñãåß óôçí êýñéá áßèïõóá ôçò Ïìïóðïíäßáò Åëëçíéêþí Óùìáôåßùí Ìåßæïíïò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, óôçí Áóôüñéá. Ç Ýêèåóç ðáñïõóéÜæåôáé áðü ôï Åðéãñáöéêü Ìïõóåßï ôçò ÅëëÜäïò êáé åßíáé ðñïóöïñÜ ôïõ Õðïõñãåßïõ Ðïëéôéóìïý. ÐåñéëáìâÜíåé áíôéðñïóùðåõôéêÜ äåßãìáôá åðéãñáöþí äçìïóßïõ, èñçóêåõôéêïý êáé éäéùôéêïý ÷áñáêôÞñá, áðü äéÜöïñá ìÝñç ôïõ Åëëáäéêïý ÷þñïõ. Ìåôáîý Üëëùí, åêôßèåíôáé áíôßãñáöá ðÞëéíùí ðéíáêßäùí ðñïáëöáâçôéêþí ãñáöþí, ïñéóìÝíåò áðü ôéò ïðïßåò öÝñïõí ãëõðôÞ äéáêüóìçóç áðü ôçí áñ÷áßá, ðáëáéï÷ñéóôéáíéêÞ êáé âõæáíôéíÞ ðåñßïäï, åêìáãåßá åðéãñáöþí óå ëßèï, åêìáãåßá åíüò ÷Üëêéíïõ äßóêïõ êáèþò êáé ðéóôÜ áíôßãñáöá ÷åéñïãñÜöùí. ¼ëá ôá åêèÝìáôá åßíáé ðéóôÜ áíôßãñáöá áðü ôá ðñùôüôõðá êáé êáôáäåéêíýïõí ôçí áäéÜóðáóôç åîÝëéîç êáé óõíÝ÷åéá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ãëþóóáò êáé ãñáöÞò áðü ôï 2000 ð.×. Ýùò óÞìåñá. Ç Ýêèåóç åãêáéíéÜóôçêå áðü ôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. ÄçìÞôñéï óôéò 13 Áðñéëßïõ êáé èá ëåéôïõñãåß ìÝ÷ñé 30 Éïõíßïõ. Åßíáé ðñáãìáôéêÜ ìéá ìïíáäéêÞ åõêáéñßá ãéá ôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá êáé êáíåßò áðü ôçí ìçôñïðïëéôéêÞ ðåñéï÷Þ äåí ðñÝðåé íá
Ä. ÐáíÜãïò
÷Üóåé áõôÞ ôçí óðÜíéá åõêáéñßá. Ç åßóïäïò åßíáé öõóéêÜ åëåýèåñç, ç äéåýèõíóç ôçò Ïìïóðïíäßáò åßíáé 22-51 29ç ïäüò (ìåôáîý Ditmars Blvd. êáé 23çò ëåùöüñïõ) êáé ôï ôçëÝöùíï ãéá ðëçñïöïñßåò (718) 204-6500.
Óõíåäñßáóå ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï óôï ÓéêÜãï u óåë. 15
ÖåâñïõÜñéï, êáèþò êáé ç åðßóçìç åðßóêåøç ôïõ éäßïõ óôçí ÅëëÜäá óõíïäåßá óçìáíôéêÞò áíôéðñïóùðåßáò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò åðßóçò áíÝðôõîå ôá ó÷Ýäéá ôïõ ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí åðÝêôáóç ôùí õðçñåóéþí äéáêïíßáò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óå ðïëëïýò ôïìåßò, ìåôáîý ôùí ïðïßùí êáé ç ßäñõóç ÊÝíôñïõ ÏéêïãåíåéáêÞò Ìåñßìíçò ôï ïðïßï èá ðñïóöÝñåé õðçñåóßåò óôçí ïñèüäïîç ïéêïãÝíåéá ôüóï óå åíïñéáêü üóï êáé óå åðéóêïðéêü åðßðåäï. ÊáôÜ ôçí äéÜñêåéá ôçò ïëïÞìåñçò óõíåäñßáóçò, ôá äéÜöïñá ôìÞìáôá, ïñãáíéóìïß êáé éäñýìáôá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ðáñïõóßáóáí ôéò ó÷åôéêÝò áíáöïñÝò ôïõò. Ìåôáîý áõôþí ìßá åêôåíÞ ïéêïíïìéêÞ áíáöïñÜ ç ïðïßá åßíáé åíäåéêôéêÞ ôçò ðñïüäïõ ðïõ Ý÷åé åðéôåõ÷èåß ìÝóá óôá ôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá ç ïðïßá ðáñïõóéÜæåé ôéò ðñïêëÞóåéò ðïõ ðñÝðåé íá áíôéìåôùðéóèïýí ãéá íá ìðïñÝóåé ç Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ êáé ïé ÅðéóêïðÝò íá åðáíäñùèïýí ìå ôá êáôÜëëçëá ìÝóá êáé ðñïóùðéêü. Åðßóçò ðáñïõóéÜóèçêå ç ðñüïäïò ó÷åäéáóìïý ãéá ôçí äçìéïõñãßá íÝïõ áíáðôõîéáêïý ðñïãñÜììáôïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. ÐáñïõóéÜóèçêå áêüìç îå÷ùñéóôÞ Ýêèåóç ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôéò ðñïåôïéìáóßåò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò ÓõíÝëåõóçò, ç ïðïßá äßíåé Ýìöáóç óôïí ðñïãñáììáôéóìü ôùí åêäçëþóåùí, ôï åêðáéäåõôéêü ðñüãñáììá êáé ôá ïéêïíïìéêÜ èÝìáôá. Ïé åêèÝóåéò ôùí äéáöüñùí ôìçìÜôùí êáé éäñõìÜôùí ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ðåñéëáìâÜíïõí ôá åîÞò êýñéá óçìåßá: á) ï áñéèìüò íÝùí åããñáöþí óôï Åëëçíéêü ÊïëëÝãéï/ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ãéá ôéò åðüìåíåò ÷ñïíéÝò áíáìÝíåôáé íá öôÜóåé ôïí áñéèìü ñåêüñ ôçò ðåñáóìÝíçò ÷ñïíéÜò â) êáéíïýñãéåò ðçãÝò êáé åêðáéäåõôéêÜ ðñïãñÜììáôá ðñïóöåñüìåíá áðü ôï ôìÞìá Íåïëáßáò, ã) ðñïãñáììáôéóìüò ãéá óåìéíÜñéá ÅëëçíéêÞò åêðáßäåõóçò óôá ðëáßóéá ôçò Êëçñéêï-
ëáúêÞò êáé ä) ôá ðïëëÜ óõíå÷éæüìåíá ðñïãñÜììáôá ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò ÈñçóêåõôéêÞò åêðáßäåõóçò ôá ïðïßá ðñïóöÝñïõí åêðáéäåõôéêÜ ìÝóá êáé åöüäéá óå êëçñéêïýò êáé äáóêÜëïõò. Ôá ìÝëç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ åß÷áí ôçí åõêáéñßá íá ðáñáêïëïõèÞóïõí Ýíá áðüóðáóìá ôïõ íÝïõ åíçìåñùôéêïý ôçëåïðôéêïý ðñïãñÜììáôïò (video) ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìå ôçí ïíïìáóßá Illuminations ôï ïðïßï ðáñÜãåôáé ôÝóóåñéò öïñÝò ôïí ÷ñüíï ìå ÷ïñçãü ôçí Çãåóßá ôùí 100 êáé ôï ïðïßï èá äéáíÝìåôáé óå ìïñöÞ video óå üëåò ôéò åíïñßåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Åðßóçò ôï Óþìá åíçìåñþèçêå ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá êáé ðáñïõóéÜóèçêå ç ðïñåßá ôùí åîåëßîåùí ðïõ áêïëïýèçóáí ôçí óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ, ôï Öèéíüðùñï ôïõ 2001. ÁíáöÝñèçêå üôé ìåôÜ ôçí ôåëåõôáßá óõíÜíôçóç ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò áíôßãñáöá ôïõ ðñïôáèÝíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò êáé Ýíáò êáôÜëïãïò ó÷ïëßùí ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ åðß ôùí êõñßùí óçìåßùí åíäéáöÝñïíôïò, äéáíåìÞèçêáí óå üëåò ôéò åíïñßåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. ÌÝ÷ñé ôçí çìÝñá åêåßíç 185 åíïñßåò åß÷áí áðáíôÞóåé, åê ôùí ïðïßùí ç ðëåéïøçößá ôùí áðáíôÞóåùí óõìöùíåß ìå ôá óçìåßá ìå ôá ïðïßá áó÷ïëÞèçêå ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï. ÌåôÜ ôçí åíçìÝñùóç ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôï Óýíôáãìá, ôá ìÝëç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ó÷ïëßáóáí èåôéêÜ ôçí äéáäéêáóßá êáé ðñïóÝöåñáí ôçí óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ ôïõò ãéá ôçí óõíÝ÷éóç êáé ïëïêëÞñùóÞ ôçò. ÁíáöÝñèçêå üôé Ýêèåóç ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôï Óýíôáãìá êáé ôá ó÷üëéá ôùí åíïñéþí åð áõôïý, èá ðáñïõóéáóèåß óôçí åñ÷üìåíç ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç. Ç åðüìåíç óõíÜíôçóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ, óýìöùíá ìå ôçí êáèéåñùìÝíç ðñáêôéêÞ, Ý÷åé ðñïãñáììáôéóèåß íá äéåîá÷èåß ôçí ðñïçãïõìÝíç ôçò åíÜñîåùò ôçò 36çò ÊëçñéêïëáúêÞò ÓõíÝëåõóçò óôï Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò, 30 Éïõíßïõ5 Éïõëßïõ.
ÌÁÚÏÓ 2002
ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ
ÐñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá: Ðñüïäïò êáé Äõíáìéêü u óåë. 14
Ôï Óýíôáãìá ôïõ 1977
ðñïâëåðüìåíï ìÝëëïí. ÁõôÞ ç äéáäéêáóßá äåí ìðïñïýóå íá ãßíåé ìå «ôñïðïëïãßåò» Þ «áíáèåùñÞóåéò» ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ôïõ 1977. ¸ôóé, ç äéáäéêáóßá Üñ÷éóå ïõóéáóôéêÜ ðñéí áðü Ýîé ÷ñüíéá, êáé ó÷åôéêÝò áíáöïñÝò ðáñïõóéÜóèçêáí óôéò ÊëçñéêïËáúêÝò Óõíåëåýóåéò ôïõ ÏñëÜíôï (1998) êáé ôçò Öéëáäåëöåßáò (2000). Óýíôïìá ìåôÜ ôçí ÜöéîÞ ôïõ ôï 1999, ï Óåâáóìéþôáôïò Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ê. ÄçìÞôñéïò äéüñéóå ìéá åðéôñïðÞ ãéá íá óõíå÷ßóåé ôéò åñãáóßåò åðß ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò, ìéá åðéôñïðÞ ôçí ïðïßá èá êáèïäçãïýóáí ïé óôü÷ïé êáé ïé ïñáìáôéóìïß ðñïò ðáñáãùãÞ åíüò êåéìÝíïõ ôï ïðïßï èá áíáãíþñéæå ôçí ðñüïäï ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìÝóá óôá ïãäüíôá ÷ñüíéá áðü ôçò éäñýóåþò ôçò êáé èá öáíÝñùíå ôï äõíáìéêü ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Åêêëçóßáò ìáò ãéá ðñïóöïñÜ ðßóôåùò, äéáêïíßáò ðïéüôçôïò êáé áëçèéíÞò åí ×ñéóôþ æùÞò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ êáé ó ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï.
Óå ðïéü óôÜäéï âñßóêåôáé ç äéáäéêáóßá ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò;
Ïé Ýíôïíåò åñãáóßåò 1) ôçò áñ÷éêÞò åðéôñïðÞò ç ïðïßá áðïôåëåßôï áðü ÉåñÜñ÷åò, êëçñéêïýò êáé ëáúêïýò, 2) ôçò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ ìáò, 3) ôçò äéåõñõìÝíçò åðéôñïðÞò ðïõ ðåñéåëÜìâáíå áíôéðñïóþðïõò üëùí ôùí Åðéóêïðþí ìáò óýìöùíá ìå ðñüôáóç ôçò ÊëçñéêïËáúêÞò Óõíåëåýóåùò ôïõ ÏñëÜíôï ôï 1998, êáé ôåëéêÜ, 4) ôçò ìåéêôÞò åðéôñïðÞò áðïôåëïõìÝíçò áðü äéáêåêñéìÝíïõò ÉåñÜñ÷åò êáé åéäéêïýò ôïõ Êáíïíéêïý Äéêáßïõ êáé ôçò ÍïìéêÞò ÅðéóôÞìçò, áðü ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï êáé ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ, ïé ïðïßïé óõíáíôÞèçêáí 4 öïñÝò åðß äéçìÝñïõ óôï Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï, åß÷áí ùò áðïôÝëåóìá ôï ðñïôáèÝí êåßìåíï ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ôï ïðïßï ðáñïõóéÜóèçêå óôçí óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêç áðü ôéò 30 Íïåìâñßïõ ìÝ÷ñé êáé ôçí 1ç Äåêåìâñßïõ, 2001. Ïé óõæçôÞóåéò ðïõ äéåîÞ÷èçóáí ó áõôÞ ôç óõíåäñßáóç áíåãíþñéóáí ôçí ôåñáóôßá óçìáóßá êáé ôçí áðïöáóéóôéêÞ áîßá ôïõ ðñïôáèÝíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò. ÐáñÜëëçëá, äüèçêå ðñïóï÷Þ óå ïñéóìÝíá óçìåßá åíäéáöÝñïíôïò êáé ðñïâëçìáôéóìïý ôá ïðïßá óõíäÝïíôáí ìå ó÷åôéêÜ Üñèñá. Ôá óçìåßá áõôÜ áíáöÝñïíôï óôçí åðéâåâáßùóç ôçò áêåñáéüôçôïò êáé åíüôçôïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, óå èÝìáôá ðïõ áöïñïýóáí óôçí åêëïãÞ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ, Ìçôñïðïëéôþí êáé Âïçèþí Åðéóêüðùí, êáé óôçí åêôåôáìÝíç óõììåôï÷Þ ôïõ ëáúêïý óôïé÷åßïõ óôéò äéïéêçôéêÝò äéåñãáóßåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ôïí ÖåâñïõÜñéï ôïõ 2002, ôá áíùôÝñù
óçìåßá ìáæß ìå ìéá óýíôïìç ðåñßëçøç ôïõ éóôïñéêïý ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò ðñïåôïéìáóßáò ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò êáèþò êáé ôá êåßìåíá ôïõ ðñïôáèÝíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò áëëÜ êáé ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ôïõ 1977, åóôÜëçóáí óå üëåò ôéò åíïñßåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. ÆçôÞèçêå äå áð áõôÝò íá óôåßëïõí ôéò áðáíôÞóåéò ôùí óå ìïñöÞ ïéêïäïìçôéêþí ó÷ïëßùí êáé èåôéêþí óõìâïëþí. ÁõôÞ ç åíÝñãåéá ãéá óõëëïãÞ áðáíôÞóåùí êñßèçêå ùò áíáãêáßá äåäïìÝíçò ôçò éêáíüôçôïò êáé ùñéìüôçôïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ êáé ôçò áíáãíùñßóåùò áõôïý ôïõ ãåãïíüôïò áðü ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï. Óôçí ðñüóöáôç åáñéíÞ óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ óôï ÓéêÜãï, ðáñïõóéÜóèçêå ìéá Ýêèåóç ó÷åôéêÜ ìå ôçí ðïñåßá ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ìåôÜ ôçí óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ Óõìâïõëßïõ óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç ôï öèéíüðùñï ôïõ 2001. Ç Ýêèåóç áõôÞ åìðåñéåß÷å ôéò áðáíôÞóåéò ôùí åíïñéþí óôçí ðñüóêëçóç ãéá ðñïóöïñÜ ïéêïäïìçôéêþí ó÷ïëßùí. ÌÝ÷ñé êáé ôéò 6 ÌáÀïõ 2002 áðü ôéò 500 êïéíüôçôåò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò åß÷áí áíôáðïêñéèåß óôçí ðñüóêëçóç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ 185, êáôüðéí êïéíïôéêþí, Þ ãåíéêþí óõíåëåýóåùí ðïõ áó÷ïëÞèçêáí ìå ôï èÝìá áõôü. Ïé ðåñéóóüôåñåò ãñáðôÝò áðáíôÞóåéò ïé ïðïßåò åóôÜëçóáí ôá÷õäñïìéêþò Þ ìÝóù fax óõìöùíïýóáí óôçí ðëåéïøçößá ôùí ìå ôá óçìåßá åíäéáöÝñïíôïò êáé ðñïâëçìáôéóìïý ôá ïðïßá åß÷å ðáñïõóéÜóåé ôï Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Óõìâïýëéï. Óå áíôßèåóç ìå åóöáëìÝíåò ðëçñïöïñßåò êáé öÞìåò ïé ïðïßåò äéáäßäïíôáé åêôüò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ëéãüôåñåò áðü 10 êïéíüôçôåò óå óýíïëï 185 áðÝññéøáí ôï Óýíôáãìá Þ ôçí üëç äéáäéêáóßá ðïõ ó÷åôßæåôáé ìå áõôü. Ïé ðåñéóóüôåñåò åíïñßåò ðñïóÝöåñáí ïõóéáóôéêÝò óêÝøåéò êáé ãíþìåò ïé ïðïßåò Þôáí åßôå åíáëëáêôéêÝò ðñïôÜóåéò ó áõôÝò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ Þ åîÝöñáæáí ðñïâëçìáôéóìü ó÷åôéêÜ ìå óõãêåêñéìÝíá Üñèñá ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò. ÌåôÜ áð áõôÞ ôçí ðáñïõóßáóç óôç óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ ÓéêÜãïõ, ìÝëç ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ Ýêáíáí ó÷üëéá åðéâåâáéùôéêÜ ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò ðïõ áêïëïõèÞèçêå êáé åíäåéêôéêÜ ôçò åõñåßáò õðïóôçñßîåùò ãéá ôç óõíÝ÷éóç êáé ïëïêëÞñùóç ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò. Ôï åðüìåíï óôÜäéï ôçò äéáäéêáóßáò åßíáé ç ðñïóåêôéêÞ åîÝôáóç ôùí áðáíôÞóåùí ôùí åíïñéþí êáé ôùí áôüìùí êáé ç åîáêñßâùóç üôé Ý÷ïõí óõëëåãåß ïé áðáíôÞóåéò üëùí åêåßíùí ðïõ Þèåëáí íá óõìâÜëïõí ó áõôü ôï Ýñãï. ÊáôÜ ôçí ðñïóå÷Þ Êëçñéêï-ËáúêÞ ÓõíÝëåõóç ôïõ Ëïò ¢íôæåëåò èá ãßíåé ðáñïõóßáóç ìéáò áíáöïñÜò åðß ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò, ç ïðïßá èá ðåñéëáìâÜíåé êáé ôéò ó÷åôéêÝò áðáíôÞóåéò ôùí Åíïñéþí. ¼ëá ôá óçìåßá åíäéáöÝñïíôïò êáé ðñïâëçìáôéóìïý èá õðïâëçèïýí åí óõíå÷åßá óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï ãéá ìåëÝôç êáé áðïöÜóåéò.
ÐïéÜ åßíáé ç óçìáóßá ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ãéá ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò;
¼ðùò ðñïáíáöÝñèçêå, ôï Óýíôáãìá áðïôåëåß êñßóéìï óôïé÷åßï ãéá ôï ðáñüí êáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. Ïé ëüãïé åßíáé ðïëëïß. Ðñþôïí, ç äéáäéêáóßá áõôÞ êáè áõôÞ öáíÝñùóå óå ìåãÜëï âáèìü ôï åðßðåäï ùñéìüôçôïò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ. Ïé óõæçôÞóåéò åðß ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò êáôÜ ôéò óõíåäñéÜóåéò ôùí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêþí êáé Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêþí åðéôñïðþí áðåêÜëõøáí ôçí ðåßñá, ôï åíäéáöÝñïí êáé ôïí ïñáìáôéóìü ôùí Éåñáñ÷þí, êëçñéêþí êáé ëáúêþí ìáò. Ïé ðáñïõóéÜóåéò ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò óôéò óõíåäñéÜóåéò ôïõ
ÓÅËÉÄÁ 19
ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÉÊÇ ÅÃÊÕÊËÉÏÓ
ÊÕÑÉÁÊÇ ÔÇÓ Á×ÅÐÁ 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, ×ÑÉÓÔÏÓ ÁÍÅÓÔÇ! ÌÝóá óôçí åïñôÜóéìç ÷áñÜ ôçò ÁíáóôÜóåùò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý äñÜôôïìáé ôçò åõêáéñßáò íá åðáéíÝóù ôéò õðçñåóßåò êáé ôïõò ïñáìáôéóìïýò ôïõ ÅëëçíïÁìåñéêáíéêïý Åêðáéäåõôéêïý Ðñïïäåõôéêïý Óõëëüãïõ (AHEPA) êáé íá êáëÝóù üëïõò ôïõò ðéóôïýò ìáò íá ôéìÞóïõìå áõôüí ôïí ïñãáíéóìü åðß ôç 80Þ åðåôåßù áðü ôçò éäñýóåþò ôïõ. Ìå ôïí ôñüðï áõôü áíáãíùñßæïõìå ôçí åðß äåêáåôßåò ìåãÜëç óõìâïëÞ ôùí ìåëþí ôçò AHEPA óôçí ðñïþèçóç ôçò óçìáóßáò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò êëçñïíïìéÜò ìáò, óôçí áíôéìåôþðéóç êñéóßìùí èåìÜôùí áöïñþíôùí ôçí ÏìïãÝíåéá áíÜ ôïí êüóìï, êáé óôçí êÜëõøç áíáãêþí ÅëëÞíùí êáé ÅëëçíïÁìåñéêáíþí ìÝóù åêðáéäåõôéêþí êáé öéëáíèñùðéêþí äñáóôçñéïôÞôùí. ÁõôÞ ç ìáêñÜ éóôïñßá ðñïóöïñÜò êáé õðçñåóéþí áðïôåëåß óôÝñåá âÜóç åðß ôçò ïðïßáò ç ïéêïãÝíåéá ôçò AHEPA óõíå÷ßæåé íá ïéêïäïìåß êáé óÞìåñá. Ôï åíäéáöÝñïí ãéá ôç íåïëáßá ìáò êáé ôéò ðñïêëÞóåéò ôéò ïðïßåò áõôÞ óõíáíôÜ ç óõíåéäçôïðïßçóç ôùí áíáãêþí ôùí áôüìùí ôñßôçò çëéêßáò, êáé ç äéÜèåóç ðñïò âïÞèåéá ìÝóù åéäéêþí éáôñéêþí êáé åêðáéäåõôéêþí ðñïãñáììÜôùí, ùèåß ôá ìÝëç ôçò AHEPA óôç èåóìïèÝôçóç êáé äéáéþíéóç åíåñãåéþí ïé ïðïßåò öáíåñþíïõí Ýíá áëçèéíü óõíáßóèçìá óõìðüíïéáò ãéá ôïõò óõíáíèñþðïõò ìáò êáé áãÜðç ãéá ôçí åëåõèåñßá ìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, ãéá ôçí Ïñèüäïîç ðßóôç ìáò, êáé ãéá ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ ìáò éóôïñßá êáé ôïí ðïëéôéóìü. Ùò Åëëçíïñèüäïîïé ×ñéóôéáíïß ðïõ æïýìå êáé äéáêïíïýìå óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ ãíùñßæïõìå ôçí éó÷ý êáé ôï äõíáìéêü üëùí áõôþí ôùí âïçèçìÜôùí ãéá ôçí ßáóç ôùí ðëçãþí ôçò áíèñùðüôçôïò êáé ãéá ôçí óùôçñßá ôçò æùÞò óõíáíèñþðùí ìáò. ¸ôóé, åéò áíáãíþñéóéí ôçò óõíå÷ïýò ðñïóöïñÜò ôçò AHEPA óôçí õðçñåóßá ôçò åèíéêÞò ìáò êëçñïíïìéÜò êáé ôçò Ïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôåþò ìáò, ç 19ç Ìáúïõ 2002 áíáêçñýóóåôáé ÊõñéáêÞ ôçò AHEPA. Óáò ðáñáêáëþ êáé óáò ðñïóêáëþ íá ðñïóöÝñåôå ôéò ðñïóåõ÷Ýò êáé ôçí óõìðáñÜóôáóÞ óáò óôéò ôïðéêÝò ìïíÜäåò ôçò AHEPA üðùò êáé óôçí åèíéêÞ êåíôñéêÞ ïñãÜíùóç, êáèþò åñãáæüìåèá áðü êïéíïý åí ôç áãÜðç êáé ôù öùôß ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò Êõñßïõ. ÁËÇÈÙÓ ÁÍÅÓÔÇ Ï ÊÕÑÉÏÓ! Ìå áãÜðç åí ôù ÁíáóôÜíôé ×ñéóôþ,
ÿ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò
Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõëßïõ ÷áñáêôçñßóèçêáí áðü óåâáóìü, ìåôñçìÝíç áíçóõ÷ßá êáé âáèý åíäéáöÝñïí áãÜðçò ãéá ôç óùóôÞ êáé åýñõèìç ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. ¼ëá áõôÜ ôá óôïé÷åßá áðïôåëïýí ìáñôõñßá ãéá ôïýò áíèñþðïõò ôïõ êüóìïõ ðåñß ôçò óùóôÞò êáé Ýíèåçò äéá÷åéñßóåùò ôùí èåìÜôùí ôçò Åêêëçóßáò. Äåýôåñïí, ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá åíéó÷ýåé Ýôé ðëÝïí ôïí õðÜñ÷ïíôá äåóìü êáé ôçí åíüôçôá ìåôáîý Ïéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ êáé Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò, ìéáí åíüôçôá æùôéêÞ ãéá ôçí ðñáãìáôïðïßçóç ôçò áðïóôïëÞò êáé ôïõ Ýñãïõ ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôïí óýã÷ñïíï êüóìï. Ôñßôïí, ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá áðïôåëåß ðñïïäåõôéêü âÞìá óôçí éóôïñßá ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Ôï êåßìåíï Ý÷åé óõíôá÷èåß óå êáèáñÞ èåïëïãéêÞ ãëþóóá. Âïçèåß ôïýò áíèñþðïõò åêôüò ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò íá êáôáíïÞóïõí ôç äïìÞ êáé ôç ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò. Åðßóçò, ôï Óýíôáãìá áó÷ïëåßôáé êáé ìå èÝìáôá ôá ïðïßá äåí áíáöÝñïíôáé óôï Óýíôáãìá ôïõ 1977 (ð.÷. Ìçôñïðïëßôåò, Âïçèïß Åðßóêïðïé, ÌïíáóôÞñéá, êëð.) ÔÝôáñôïí, ôï Óýíôáãìá ðñïóöÝñåé ôç âÜóç êáé áíïßãåé ôï äñüìï ãéá ôçí áíáèåþñçóç ôùí Êáíïíéóìþí ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ïýôùò þóôå íá êáëýøïõí óýã÷ñïíåò áíÜãêåò êáé íá áíôáíáêëïýí ôï áëçèéíü ðíåýìá ôïõ Åõáããåëßïõ êáé ôçò áðïóôïëÞò ìáò. Áõôïß ïé Êáíïíéóìïß ó÷åôßæïíôáé ìå ôï Ýñãï ôçò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ, ôçí óõ÷íüôçôá êáé ôïí ñüëï ôùí Êëçñéêï-Ëáúêþí Óõíåëåýóåùí, êáé ôçí ëåéôïõñãßá ôùí Óõìâïõëßùí, Óõíåëåýóåùí
êáé Åíïñéþí ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò. Áõôü ôï èÝìá èá áðáéôÞóåé åêôåôáìÝíç åñãáóßá êáé èá åßíáé ðñùôáñ÷éêÞ åõèýíç ôïõ êëÞñïõ êáé ôïõ ëáïý ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò. ÔÝëïò, ôï êåßìåíï ôïõ ðñïôáèÝíôïò ÓõíôÜãìáôïò ü÷é ìüíï äéáôçñåß ôçí áíáãêáéüôçôá ôçò óõìðñÜîåùò êëÞñïõ êáé ëáïý óôç äéïßêçóç ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, áëëÜ ðñïóöÝñåé ôï èåìÝëéï ãéá âáèýôåñç ó÷Ýóç êáé óõíåñãßá ìåôáîý êëÞñïõ êáé ëáïý óôçí óõíå÷þò áõîáíüìåíç Ýìöáóç ôçò áðïóôïëÞò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò óôïí êüóìï. ¸÷åé åðéôåõ÷èåß ðñüïäïò êáé èá óõíå÷éóèåß ìÝóù áõôïý ôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò, áëëÜ ðéï âáóéêü áð üëá åßíáé íá äþóïõìå ðñïóï÷Þ óôï äõíáìéêü ðïõ äéáèÝôïõìå ùò éó÷õñÞ, ìïíáäéêÞ êáé óöñéãçëÞ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ êáèþò ðñïóöÝñïõìå ôçí ðßóôç ìáò óôï ëáü ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò êáé êáèþò óôçñßæïõìå ôç äéáêïíßá ìáò ó üëï ôïí êüóìï, äéáêïíßá ç ïðïßá ìåôáäßäåé ôï ìÞíõìá ôçò óùôçñßáò ó üëïõò üóïõò Ý÷ïõí áíÜãêç ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò Êõñßïõ. Ãéá ó÷åôéêÜ Ýããñáöá êáé êåßìåíá ôá ïðïßá óõìðåñéëáìâÜíïõí ôï ðñïôáèÝí Óýíôáãìá, ôï Óýíôáãìá ôïõ 1977, ôï Ìíçìüíéï ðïõ åóôÜëç óôéò åíïñßåò, êáé ôá Óçìåßá ÅíäéáöÝñïíôïò ìðïñåßôå íá: 1) Åðéóêåöèåßôå ôçí éóôïóåëßäá ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèïäüîïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò óôç äéåýèõíóç www.goarch.org 2) Áðïôáèåßôå óôçí ôïðéêÞ åíïñßá óáò 3) ÅðéêïéíùíÞóåôå ìå ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ óôç äéåýèõíóç: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America c/o Charter Information, 8 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
MAY 2002
B O O K S US Impact on Greek War of Independence SCIENCE in the World of Spiritual Values Founded on Freedom and Virtue Documents Illustrating the Impact in the United States of the Greek War of Independence, 1821-1829 Edited by Constantine G. Hatzidimitriou lxiv+384 pages, illustrated Available paperbound and clothbound Paperbound ISBN: 0-89241-581-9 Clothbound ISBN: 0-89241-572-X http://www.caratzas.com NEW YORK Melissa International Publications Ltd. Publisher Aristide D. Caratzas, announces the publication of Founded on Freedom and Virtue: Documents Illustrating the Impact in the United States of the Greek War of Independence, 1821-1829. Edited by Constantine G. Hatzidimitriou; it is a work of special interest to Greeks and Greek-Americans as it traces the roots of the relationship between Greece and the United States. This book, the product of more than 15 years of research, extensively documents the American response to the declaration of the Greek War of Independence. It is not widely known today that when news of the Greek uprising reached the United States the American reaction was spontaneous. In large part due to the efforts of Edward ( Grecian ) Everett, Harvard Greek professor and later prominent political figure, some of the most distinguished Ameri-
cans of the time publicly supported the Greek struggle. Because the Greeks were descendants of the ancients, but largely because of their commitment to democracy and the Christian faith, Americans of all walks of life expressed an intense emotional commitment to the Greek cause and organized an extensive and generous movement in support. As detailed information on the fighting and the brutality of the Turkish response became known in America, prominent men such as Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe; Congressmen Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, Sam Houston and many others, were moved to speak and to act in support of Greek independence. Founded on Freedom and Virtue is a collection of official and unofficial contemporary documents tracing the American response. The book is divided into the following sections: Aspects of American Philhellenism, which concentrates on Everett s activities seeking to inform public opinion and to arouse interest in the plight of the Greeks. The Greek Uprising as Reported in the Press, includes representative articles reporting events that influenced American public opinion such as the fall of Messolongi and the massacre at Chios. The Grass Roots Response, includes
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ny one interested in serious questions concerning the future of mankind in the context of science and human values (intellectual, spiritual, physical) in the light of past human experiences should read Place of Science in the World of Values and Facts by Dr. Loukas G. Christoforou (published by Kluwer/Plenum, New York-Boston, Dordrecht, London, Moscow, 2001).
A
by Fr. Demetrios J. Constantelos
It is a profound and challenging book and it should be of particular interest to clergymen, teachers and academicians who are often called upon to teach or answer questions about science and ethical values, science and religion, science and social issues. Even though the title of the book appears intimidating to a non-scientist, to a humanist, whether secular or religious, the book is both thought provoking and timely but also simple enough to be read by nonspecialists, in fact, by any interested reader. It was written by a highly accomplished representative of the physical sciences who is also a humanist with a strong bend toward and appreciation of religious faith. For several years a professor at the University of Tennessee and a member of the research faculty at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Dr.Christophorou is now at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
The author has done much research and he knows what he is talking about. Disagreements over some of the author s views are bound to be raised but the author is convincing and disarming on some controversial issues. He moves freely in the historical arena, citing historical facts, keeping the reader s interest alive. While his field is physics, he handles philosophical and religious issues with knowledge and confidence. The relevance of the book lies on the questions it raises but also on the answers it provides, always on the basis of historically tried and experienced values. The book is concerned with physical science (p. 58) and falls into eleven chapters. It includes relevant bibliographies, appendices, and index, and a brilliant prologue by professor Sean P. McGlynn of Louisiana State University. To be sure, not every chapter is easy reading such as chapters three and four. I found of particular interest the chapters on The World of Values and Facts; Modern People and the State of their Societies; The Way Science Works and Evolves; Where Science meets Religion, and Limits of and to science. The nature of the topics and the variety of the themes explored, make the book subject to serious discussion but also vulnerable to criticism. This is understand-
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MAY 2002
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
The Voice of
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Philoptochos
BIENNIAL CONVENTION GREETING Jamaica, NY Chapter Promotes Mammography Program from National President Condakes My Beloved Sisters in Christ, Christos Anesti! Please accept my best and heartfelt Paschal greetings in the spiritual joy of the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The excitement is building as we draw near to our National Philoptochos Biennial Convention, one that promises to be the best ever. I want to express my thanks to our Beloved Metropolitan Anthony for all of his guidance, inspiration and concern for our Philoptochos. His ministry to us is sure to guarantee that we have a successful event full of joy and agape in Los Angeles. I also must congratulate our tireless general chairwoman, Loula Anaston, the San Francisco Diocese president. She has provided extraordinary leadership to all of our wonderful sisters in California and throughout the Diocese. I am also grateful to the administration chairwoman, Georgia Vlitas, who has dedicated herself to ensuring this Convention will be both exciting and memorable. I know that you will be inspired as well by the informative program that our work-
shop chairwoman, Susan Regos, has prepared for you. Our resolutions and legislative chairperson, Maria Logus, will conduct the important Resolutions Workshop on Sunday afternoon. But above all else, I want to thank you - the delegates and members of Philoptochos - for responding so magnificently to attend this most important Philoptochos and Church Conference. From the registrations that have been pouring in, it looks to be one of the best attended held to date. As we draw near to the closure of my four-year tenure as your President, I want you all to know that I continually thank our Loving God for the part that each of you have played in my life, and for the remarkable opportunity I have had to serve such a devoted and wonderful group of loving Greek Orthodox women. With all my heart and soul, I look forward to greeting you in Los Angeles to embrace you with sincere gratitude and profound love. Your loving sister in the Risen Christ, Eve Condakes National Philoptochos President
Archdiocese District Philoptochos Hold Retreat NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. The Archdiocese District Philoptochos, led by President Stella Capiris, recently held their first retreat at Holy Trinity Church. All Philoptochos Chapters from throughout the Diocese were invited to join together in fellowship for this unique opportunity to learn together about our faith. Following the morning Psychosavato prayer service; Diocese President Stella Capiris extended her special greetings and gratitude to Archbishop Demetrios, to all the guest speakers, to Fr. Nicholas Anctil for hosting the Retreat at his parish, to the Philoptochos of New Rochelle, to Demi Brountzas, co-chairlady, to the Diocese Board, and to all the participants. A welcome greeting from New Rochelle Philoptochos President Effie Nakos followed.
Archbishop Demetrios then offered inspirational remarks to the 100 participants on the retreat theme: Keeping God Alive in the Orthodox Christian Home. Following the morning presentation, the participants enjoyed a delightful Lenten lunch prepared by the Philoptochos Chapter of New Rochelle. The afternoon session commenced with a presentation on the Icons of the Panagia by Dr. Anton Vrame. Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, director of both St. Michael s Home and the Archdiocesan Department of Philanthropy, extended his personal greetings. Fr. Anctil led the enthusiastic group in a discussion on our faith followed by a question and answer session. The women departed with a better understanding of the Faith and all felt that the retreat was successful both educationally and spiritually.
NSQ Philoptochos Gives $42,000 to St. Michael’s Home
JAMAICA, N.Y. Philoptochos Ladies of St. Demetrios- Jamaica, under the leadership of their president, Marion Cardasis and her board, for eight years have sponsored a program in which a mobile mammography van has been provided for the ladies of their community. To further augment the program, a lecture was presented at a general meeting and a video was presented to each laky demonstrating self-breast examination. The mammograms are provided for all women 40 and older at no cost to them. This program is especially useful for those who do not have health insurance. Another rewarding program was a visit to the St. Michael s Home for the Aged. A bus filled with ladies and three male musicians visited the home on March 26. The three musicians, Tom Dimantopoulos, Lycourgos Demas and Andonis Iliou, sang and played many old ballads, which encouraged the residents to participate. Later, dance music was played and our ladies along with the residents enjoyed showing off their unique dance steps. By the time that the group departed they were as happy as the residents who
with smiles on their faces declared that they all enjoyed the xoroesperida. The residents of St. Michael s Home are annually invited to participate at the Thanksgiving Luncheon, which takes place in the Community Hall. A bus from the Home brings an average of 15 residents to eat, drink, sing and dance with the Philoptochos members and guests. During the Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter holidays baskets of food and money are presented to the needy of the community. Of course provisions are given whenever needed. New clothes are purchased and delivered for children 5 to 18 years of age residing at Creedmore Hospital in Queens, N.Y. Coupons are given to homeless people who come to the church office requesting food. A local Deli gives the homeless food and the monthly bill is paid by Philoptochos. St. Demetrios Philoptochos also gives support to the Day School of the community and the afternoon Greek School. The Ladies of St. Demetrios Philoptochos are proud to be a part of a community that works together to meet the challenges placed before them.
Archdiocesan Board Meets at Cultural Center ASTORIA, NY The Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board recently met at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, received a welcome by the director, Bishop Vikentios. Board members took a tour of the Hellenic Cultural Center and His Grace presented an informative talk . The Center was established in 1986 with the goal to perpetuate the Orthodox Heritage and Hellenic customs and culture. The facility features a theater with a seating capacity of 200 where lectures, concerts, discussions, dance performances and theatrical plays take place. There is a reception area for exhibitions of iconography, paintings, and photography. A beautiful chapel is dedicated to St. Cosmas. There is a broadcasting studio for the Voice of the Greek Orthodox Church Radio Program and effort are underway to install a TV station. The Hellenic Cultural Center was adopted as a Diocese commitment through the efforts of Bishop Alexios who came to a Diocese Conference and explained the needs and causes of the Hellenic Cultural Center. Following the meeting, Board President Stella Capiris, thanked His Grace for his graciousness, his hospitality and his informative talk.
BISHOP VIKENTIOS with Archdiocesan District Philoptochos President Stella Capiris
The president then presented a check, on behalf of the Board to Bishop Vikentios to assist with the various projects and pledged to His Grace the Archdiocesan Diocese Philoptochos Board s continuous support.
N. J. Chapter Holds Fashion Show
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Representatives of the combined New York chapters of Nassau, Suffolk and Queens presented a $42,000 donation to St. Michael’s Home on March 30. Helen Toth, past chairwoman of NSQ Philoptochos, made the presentation. Above members with His Grace Bishop Andonios, director of St. Michael’s.
WESTFIELD, N.J. Westfield, N.J. More than 350 guests attended Stepping Into Spring, the fashion show/dinner hosted by the Ladies Philoptochos of Holy Trinity Church on Wednesday, May 15, at the Chanticler in Milburn. Fashions were by Emily s Boutique of Staten Island and furs by Christie Brothers of New York City. Proceeds from this event will benefit the many charities supported by the Ladies Philoptochos. Chairs were Athena Economou of Mendham and Phyllis Verenes of Morristown. President is Cynthia Ladas of Westfield. National President Eve Condakes of Boston, Diocesan President Ronnie Kyritsis, and guests from New York and Connecticut attended. An array of beauti-
ful baskets for the raffle will be filled with elegant and exciting gifts. There was a special raffle for the Laine s Angels Foundation, a national organization created to assist parents of children with Ewing s Sarcoma and other childhood cancers. Through the foundation a network of volunteers, 1,000 have already signed on, will help, comfort and share information with the parents so they can face the daily challenges. The organization has a parent advocate angel in the Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick that works in association with the Institute for Children at the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. For information, please call 908-2338533.
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
around the
Southeastern Goyans Gather for Annual Retreat OAK ISLAND, N.C. About 100 Goyans and their advisors spent part of their spring vacation at Fort Caswell Baptist Retreat and Conference Center beginning March 29 for the seventh annual Atlanta Diocese GOYA Lenten Retreat of the Northeast and Coastal Conference. The weekend spiritual conference began with the youth joining with 10 current and former seminarians from Holy Cross Seminary, chanting the second Salutation to the Virgin Mary. Fr. Regis John Alexoudis, priest of host parish St. Nicholas Church, Wilmington, N.C., shepherded the conference, welcoming the group by saying good things come in little packages. This was emphasized because in past years, the retreat numbered as many as 250 participants, but this year, due to the spring break, the attendance was far less. However, Fr. Regis stated the quality far surpasses the quantity. Keynote speaker, Fr. Hans Jacobsi from Fort Myers, Fla., spoke on the topic of Who Am I? Small discussion groups followed, led by the seminarians. Despite the overcast day, football games, basketball games, beach walks, and
miniature golf were activities enjoyed by many. The popular tour of Ft. Caswell, which is an old historic Civil War site, was also one of the choices for the afternoon activities. The day ended with a campfire program and confessions with Fr. Hans and Fr. Regis. On Sunday, all attended St. Nicholas Church for Orthros and Divine Liturgy. Participants from each visiting parish read from the chanter s stand and served in the altar. After the services, the Wilmington parish hosted a farewell luncheon. Other participating parishes included: St. Nectarios, Charlotte; Dormition of the Theotokos, Greensboro, N.C; Holy Trinity, Raleigh, N.C; St. Barbara, Durham, N.C; Holy Trinity, Charleston, S.C; St. John the Baptist, Myrtle Beach, S.C. Visiting seminarians were: Richard Vanderfhoef, Jennie Servetas, Yianni Triantafellou, Gregory Christakos, Peter Thomburg, Angelo Valsamis, Chris Politz, Theodore Pritsis and former seminarians: Peter Polychroni from the Archdiocese Chancellor s Office and Taso Douglas, youth director of St. Nectarios in Charlotte. Next year s retreat will take place at Ft. Caswell on March 28-30.
Arson Suspected in Fire at Calif. Antiochian Church LOS ALTOS HILLS, Calif. Fire destroyed the Antiochian Orthodox Church of the Redeemer early April 7 and caused an estimated $1 million damage, according to news reports. Firefighters responded to the threealarm fire just after 4:30 a.m. and it took about 55 firefighters more than two hours to bring the blaze under control. The building was empty at the time of the blaze and no injuries were reported. On April 11, investigators for the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said a liquid flammable material fueled the fire. They had not determined a motive. The fire engulfed the church and later
caused its roof to collapse, the Fire Department said. The church did not have a sprinkler system and investigators believe the smoke alarm was not activated at the time the fire began. The blaze forced church officials to move services to St. Steven s Antiochian Orthodox Church in Cupertino. Parishioners later stood outside the lost church to pray and hold a candlelight vigil. The congregation includes many Palestinian families and other Arab Americans who are Orthodox Christians Parishioners plan to rebuild the church and say they have had numerous calls of support and donations from other congregations.
SAE Women Celebrate ‘Year of Greek Woman of the Diaspora’ The SAE Women s Network - North and South America Region, held a special event April 11 at Terrace on the Park in New York. to recognize and to offer awards to women who distinguished themselves in the areas of science, education, the arts, politics and business. In a room filled to capacity, 36 women were honored with the Kallikrateion award, which is primarily offered to personalities with achievements in the above areas of endeavor. This event, as well as other similar events during 2002, took place in the spirit of celebrating and acknowledging the Woman of the Diaspora for her contribution to the preservation of the Hellenic Heritage in the countries of the Diaspora. This was recognized by the Hellenic Republic by its proclamation of The year 2002 is the year of the Greek Woman of the Diaspora. To every woman, and especially the Greek-American woman, we express our gratitude for what she has contributed as a wife and a mother, and for all her accomplishments in the professional and civic life. These accomplishments have decisively contributed to the elevation and distinction of the Greek community within the American society, stated Chris Tomaras, SAE Vice President and Regional Coordinator of N. & S. America Region. A number of dignitaries from Greece attended the event including Grigoris
Niotis, chairman of the Parliamentary Inter-Party Committee for Greeks Abroad; Dr. Panayiotis Skandalakis and Nikos Gatzis, both committee vice presidents; Members of Parliament Nikos Sfiriou, Evangelos Meimarakis and Demetris Sioufas, Consul General of Greece in New York Demetris Platis, Consul General of Panama in Philadelphia Georgia Athanasopoulou, SAE President Andrew Athens, SAE Secretary Charles Marangoudakis; Panos Stavrianides, SAE Regional Coordinating Council member and President of the Panpontian Federation of USA and Canada; and Dr. Anna Salsman, SAE Women s Network coordinator, N. & S. America Region and an SAE Women s Network World Board member. Also attending was Elias Betzios, president of the Panepirotic Federation of USA, Canada and Australia, and Nina Peropoulos, president of the Pan-Macedonian Association of USA. Stella Kokolis of the Women s Network Regional Coordinating Council served as general chairwoman. Assisting were Venetia Kyritsis, New York District coordinator; and Dr. Anna Salsman, the N. & S. America coordinator. Other organizers included Fofo Mancini, Dora Lagos, Zoi Koutsoupakis, Maria Stratoudakis, Elizabeth Liakos, Helen Skarla, Stacey Moraides and Toula Mecetzithes.
MAY 2002
USA
SAE CALLS FOR OPENING OF HALKI SAE America (Council of Hellenes Abroad) has issued a statement supporting the reopening of the Halki Theological School and urges all Hellenes in Diaspora to sign the petition. The Theological School of Halki was a fountain of education for Orthodox Hierarchs for 127 years (1844-1971) until the Turkish government ordered it to cease functioning in 1971. It contains an irreplaceable library of rare and unique books and publications, which were an integral part of the highest quality education for Orthodox Hierarchs. Thus, Christian Orthodoxy, one of the world s major religions with over 300 million followers worldwide, has been deprived of the major source of education for future Hierarchs. SAE America represents Hellenes, which are the vast majority among the 7
million Orthodox Christians throughout the American continent. SAE America wholeheartedly supports the international effort to effectively document to the Republic of Turkey the benefits this Theological School of Halki provides to the world so that it will allow the Orthodox Patriarchate to reopen the School as an Orthodox Seminary. We urge all Hellenes in Diaspora to sign the petition (electronic or paper) which can be found at the web site of the Hellenic Electronic Center (HEC) at the following address: www.greece.org/ themis/halki. It is time for the government of Turkey to show that Turkey is indeed a modern democracy which subscribes to the international standards for religious freedom said Chris Tomaras, vice president of SAE and chairman of SAE s Coordinating Council for North and South America.
Folklore Society Sponsors Music Festival CHICAGO More than 750 guests took over the Niles West High School auditorium March 16 when they attended the 2002 Festival of Greek Music and Dance, organized by the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society and sponsored by the Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE), N&S American Region, along with several local organizations in Chicago. James N. Stoynoff, a prominent Chicago music personality, was the master of ceremonies. Nikos Economidis and the Keros Music group from Greece presented songs and musical selections from the Greek islands, particularly those of the Northern Aegean, Dodecanese, Cyclades and Kythera. Traditional island instruments were featured such as the violin, tsabouna (island bagpipe), lute, oud, souravli (island flute) and many others. The Orpheus Dance Troupe also performed dances from those areas accompanied by the music of Nikos Economidis and the
Keros group. People attending the festival responded enthusiastically to the event. It was a fantastic event from start to finish and you should all be proud of this accomplishment, said Michael Orlove, coordinator of World Music Festival of the Department of Cultural Affairs in Chicago, when he addressed the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society. He added: Clearly, your organization went through great efforts at putting the event together. I thought it was a smashing success. I look forward to seeing you soon. Chris Tomaras, SAE vice president and a serious supporter of Orpheus said: The work of these young people is a significant contribution to our effort for the preservation of Hellenic Culture and the values derived from it. This is the second year that this festival was hosted by the Orpheus Hellenic Folklore Society and SAE. Last year, artists from Macedonia and Thrace were featured.
Syracuse Honors Fr. Harmand SYRACUSE, N.Y. Hundreds of parishioners and friends, together with Bishop Nicholas of Detroit and Fr. Thomas Zaferes, pastor, recently paid tribute to the Rev. Michael C. Harmand for his 50 years in the service at a luncheon at St. Sophia Church. Fr. Harmand on Oct. 2, 1951 became the 14th priest of St. Sophia. Although Fr. Harmand retired as the pastor in 1992, he has continued to serve at the church, celebrating liturgies, performing sacraments and participating in the church choir. Father has the distinction of being recognized by the Greek Archdiocese as the first American-born to be ordained to serve the Greek Orthodox faith in the United States. Father was born in Nashua, N.H., the son of the Rev. and Presbytera Constantine Harmand. He is a graduate of the University of Athens School of Theology, Class of 1938. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1941 and thereafter assumed the pulpit at St. George s Church in Pontiac, Mich. and remained with congregation until he
joined St. Sophia parish. Fr. Harmand has taken a keen interest in the youth of the community. Under his leadership with Presbytera Mary the English language Sunday school program was initiated and he encouraged the youngsters of the parish to retain the Greek language by instructing youth and adults in Greek. Today he still continues to teach Greek to adults of the community. He has devoted many hours in directing and rehearsing the church choir. He organized a mandolin ensemble in his early years at the Church and a children s orchestra at the current St. Sophia s. For many years he visited communities to the north and east of Syracuse to celebrate liturgies and sacraments when said communities did not have an Orthodox Church in the area. He was elevated by Archbishop Iakovos to protopresbyter in 1972. As a lasting tribute to Father, St. Sophia s Chapel was named St. Michael s Chapel on Nov. 18, 1986, by the bishop of Detroit.
MAY 2002
PEOPLE
u Heart seminar
Three heart specialists, Drs. William Tenet, Constantine E. Kosmas and Thomas Mastakouris, spoke at a seminar on heart disease in early April at Transfiguration Church in Corona, N.Y. The April 7 event was part of Transfiguration s 75th anniversary and 35th year of its day school.
u Bestowed award
The University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign recently awarded its Young Alumni Award to Aurora native and missionary to Albania Penny Panayiota Deligiannis. She earned her bachelor s degree in 1987 and her master s in speech communication in 1992 and has used her skills in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania in addition to her present assignment in Albania where she coordinates the Orthodox Church s Office of Publications, direct Diaconia Agape, and serves as an advisor to Archbishop Anastasios.
u Receives grant
Professor Constantine Georgiou of New York University, a recognized authority in the field of children s literature, has received a $2 million grant over the next three years to enable the Steinhard School of Education to strengthen its collection of children s literature and to establish the Constantine Georgiou Model Library and Teacher Resource Center and Conference Room.
u Maine pianist
Pianist Anastasia Antonacos, a member of St. Demetrios Church of Saco, Maine, performed a concert May 11 at the church hall. A native of Saco, she is an associate instructor at Indiana University, where she earned her master s, and will teach piano at the University of Southern Maine this fall.
u Hockey champs
Dr. Paul John Frangedakis of Lexington, Ky., originally from Detroit and Dr. Spiro Polyhronopoulos, originally from Vancouver, Canada, are captain and assistant captain, respectively, of a local men s hockey team that recently won the Lexington Men s Hockey League Championship. Most of the players are University of Kentucky students from all over the U.S.
u Award recipient
Dr. Marika Anthony received the Humanitarian Award from the Peninsula Chapter of the National Conference for Community and Justice( NCCJ) on Feb. 21. Dr. Anthony and her husband, Tony, are parishioners at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church of Newport News, Va.
u Eagle Scouts
Two Greek Orthodox Boy Scouts recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Constantine P. Lapaseotes, a member of Kimisis Church in Bayard, Neb., and the son of Peter C. and Robin Lapaseotes, was honored in ceremonies held in December His Eagle service project involved the installation of computers in a community center. Christopher John Breaux of Anaheim Hills, Calif., son of Robert and Dora Breaux, was installed in ceremonies held April 4. He is a member of a local Greek Orthodox parish. For his Eagle project, he renovated two Sunday school rooms.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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A Small Community Doing Nicely in an Idyllic Setting St. Iakovos Church exists in a laidback Midwestern setting amid the many farms and cornfields and bedrock small-town values of Porter County in northwestern Indiana, about 50 miles from Chicago. The community consists of mostly American-born Greek Orthodox, along with a few Jordanian families and some converts, one of which is Valparaiso s mayor, David Butterfield, whose fatherin-law, Nick Adams, helped build Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in nearby Merrillville and served on its board. The founding families of St. Iakovos were mostly former cathedral members and descendants of Greek immigrants who worked in the steel mills
PARISH
parish has a booth at the event, for those who would like some souvlaki with their popcorn. The Greek festival takes place in late August. In October 1982, Bishop Iakovos named the parish St. Iakovos, for his patron saint. The first permanently assigned priest was Fr. Evagoras son, Fr. Chris Constantinides, who arrived on June 26, 1983 and served more than two years. Temporary priests served for the next year-and-a-half until the arrival of Fr. Steve Bithos in June 1987. Fr. Greanias has pastored the community since 1999. A native of Chicago, he is the son of the late Fr. Louis Greanias, a well-known clergyman in the Diocese who
fund. The church is located in an older part of Valparaiso where some low-income residents occasionally need help either in paying their rent or utility bills, or buying food. The parish has given close to $10,000 over the years to those with genuine needs, through direct payments to creditors, or purchasing food, Fr. Greanias said. St. Iakovos has a small, but very active youth program. Church school enrollment is about 40. Greek school has 10 students. A parishioner volunteers to teach Greek once a week on Wednesdays and there is no tuition. GOYA has 10 members and JOY has about 40 members, ages 4 to 12. One of the popular programs for the children is the annual summer
profile
Name: Greek Orthodox Church of St. Iakovos Location: Valparaiso, Ind. Diocese: Chicago Size: 150 families Founded: 1981 Clergy: Fr. James Greanias (Holy Cross 88) Noteworthy: parish characterized by its friendliness Email: iakovoschurch@netscape.net
ST. IAKOVOS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH helped build churches in several commuof Gary and vicinity. In 1980, the group formed a so- nities, including nearby Hammond, Ind., cial club called the Hellenic Friend- and Aurora, Oak Lawn, Elmhurst and ship Circle. According to a parish his- Kankakee, Ill. Coincidentally, St. Iakovos chanter, tory, this movement led to the beginnings of a satellite church to the cathe- who Fr. Jim refers to as Uncle Gus, dral after several meetings, including served as an altar boy under his father in with then-Bishop Iakovos of Chicago. Hammond and got his start as a chanter The first Divine Liturgy at the there. He drives 20 miles each Sunday to Greek Orthodox Church of Porter attend services in Valparaiso. The Divine Liturgy is done mostly in County took place Jan. 4, 1981, in the basement of a Roman Catholic school, English, with some Greek, though the St. Paul s, with Fr. Michael Kouremetis Lord s Prayer is recited in three languages, the third being Arabic for the officiating. benefit of the Jordanian famiSubsequently, Frs. VALPARAISO lies. Evagoras Constantinides, Retirees comprise a large William Conjelko, and number of members who turn Nikitas Lulias (now Metroout especially during weekday politan of Hong Kong and services. It s a very laid back Southeast Asia) served the life here, said Fr. Greanias, parish until a permanent and the church is the center priest was assigned. of life for them. By July of 1981, the Four retired men volunchurch had relocated to its teer their services every week present home, a former to do cleaning and mainteMethodist church whose nance. They really enjoy it, interior was transformed the priest said. Many retirees and converted into a sing in the 15-member choir, espeGreek Orthodox house cially at weekday services. The senior of worship. Diocese Chancellor Fr. Isaiah (now Metropoli- citizens organization has a monthly luntan Isaiah) blessed the church on Aug. cheon and field trips. St. Iakovos parish s very active Philo1 and Archbishop Iakovos granted the parish its charter on Sept. 15 of that ptochos consists of some 35 members, along with auxiliary members husyear. That same month, the community bands of members who show up at meetheld its first Greek festival, its main rev- ings, Fr. Greanias said. The men sit in enue source over the years, in the one corner and have coffee while the women have their meeting. Redenbacher Popcorn Tent. In addition to supporting the National One of Valparaiso s claims to fame is as the home of Orville Redenbacher, and Diocese-level Philoptochos projects, whose widely recognized brand of pop- the local chapter aids local homeless shelcorn graces store shelves throughout ters, shelters for abused women, and other the nation and the annual Orville philanthropic programs. Another way of helping the local comRedenbacher Popcorn Fest draws tens of thousands of visitors. St. Iakovos munity is through an emergency assistance
camp Camp KFC (Kids for Christ). It is held at the church every day in early August. Fellowship is a strong point of the community and Fr. Jim strives to maintain that open, friendly atmosphere he says characterizes the parish. One means of promoting this fellowship is the creation of the St. Iakovos Theater Society, which involves participants attending plays and having dinner together locally or in Chicago. Economically, the parish relies on Greek festival revenue, but also has a successful stewardship program and an annual dinner dance. Another major fund-raising source has been performances by a Greek American comedian, Vasili, who has performed on occasion at a local banquet hall. Looking to the future the community, which has experienced a slow growth over the years, eventually hopes to build a new church. The parish already has purchased an 8 ½-acre site a few miles north of Valparaiso and plans to by another 22 acres. The priest noted that many Greek Orthodox have moved from Chicago to this area, which is still conveniently located to the city, but where the pace of living is nicer and quieter. Some parishioners work in Chicago, and many are employed in the area s steel mills, located about 20 miles to the north. Locally, members work in various professions, in construction trades and in the restaurant business. Fr. Greanias describes his community as a really delightful parish. People are always giving of themselves. These people are very kind, open and friendly. It s really a delightful parish, people always giving. compiled by Jim Golding
missions
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
OCMC Looks at Ways to Help Church in South America
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. Fr. Martin Ritsi, executive director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, on a trip to Argentina in early April to assess the needs of Orthodox ministries in South America, said a lot of work needs to be done there and that Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires and All of South America faces many challenges. He has a vibrant and progressive vision of what the Church can be, Fr. Martin said. During the trip, Fr. Martin concelebrated with hierarchs and priests representing five different jurisdictions at an ecumenical service on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. He also participated in a youth retreat,
where services were conducted in Spanish. The youth at the retreat were very excited about hearing services in the native language and were turned on to Orthodoxy, Fr. Martin said. Fr. Martin said there are various ways that OCMC can help in South America. OCMC is looking into possibilities to fund projects in South America, as well as send long- and short-term missionaries to support the ongoing work there. The Orthodox churches in the U.S. have the resources to inject in [South America], he said. I hope we can do something now, Fr. Martin said, and hopefully we can do even more later.
OCMC Hosts Annual Retreat Twenty-five people attended this year s recent 13th annual Mission Retreat at the Marywood Retreat and Conference Center in Switzerland, Fla. The retreat focused on the challenges and growth of Orthodoxy in Africa. Featured retreat speakers included Rev. Neophytos Kongai of West Nandi, Kenya, and Basil Ayete Labi of Accra, Ghana. Both spoke about the history of Orthodoxy and the horizon for missions in their respective countries. Fr. Kongai is an OCMC mission student at Holy Cross School of Theology. Labi is a student at Hellenic College/Holy Cross, was the youth leader of the Orthodox youth in Ghana. He is the son of mission leader Fr. Joseph Kwame Labi. OCMC s newest missionaries, Peter
and Sharon Georges gave a presentation about their upcoming assignment to Uganda and SAMP Coordinator Presbytera Renee Ritsi spoke about the history of missions in the Orthodox Church. The OCMC staff also gave presentations about the work of the Mission Center. Over the years it has become a joy to host others, and give them an opportunity to learn about missions, said OCMC Project Coordinator Andrew Lekos. This year s retreat sought to inform participants about issues that face the Church in Africa and to give them a better understanding of foreign missions, especially mission in Africa. Participants also were given the opportunity to discuss ways to further the mission outreach of the Orthodox Church.
Ohio Couple to Serve in Uganda ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. In obedience to Christ s imperative to go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation, a couple from Mentor, Ohio, have entered full-time service as Orthodox missionaries to the African nation of Uganda. Peter and Sharon Georges will serve under the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) based in St. Augustine. The OCMC is the official missions and evangelism agency of SCOBA. Peter was raised in the Zoodochos Peghe Church in Martins Ferry, Ohio, where his family still attends. Both Sharon and Peter have been deeply involved in parish ministry at St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Mentor for 15 years. Sharon is a choir director and teaches the Sunday adult class. Peter is a tonsured Reader and teaches the older teens. He has also composed and arranged numerous liturgical works for use in worship. Both have served on parish council, and both have represented the parish at regional and national councils. Peter currently serves on the OCMC Board of Trustees. The missionary pioneer in the Georges family was their daughter Betsy who participated in a month-long construction mission in Ghana in 1991 sponsored by the Archdiocesan Mission Center, the predecessor to the OCMC. Last summer, Sharon was part of the annual OCMC teaching team to India, while Peter led a group of teens from their parish on a house-building mission to Project Mexico. However, it was Sharon s direct involvement with the OCMC s first all-medi-
cal team to Uganda in 2000 that provided her with first-hand experience of the joys and sorrows of the Ugandan people, and the steadfast efforts of the Church to bring relief to their suffering. At that time, they both began to seek God about a more serious missionary commitment to Uganda. The Ugandan Orthodox Church was established in the 1920s by Africans who were seeking an authentic Christian tradition. It was canonically accepted by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria in 1946 and has experienced impressive growth since then. Currently numbering more than 200,000, the Ugandan Church is rich in faith, but lacking in material resources. The people of Uganda have suffered under the dictatorship of Idi Amin, then through years of civil war. Added to this is the epidemic of AIDS. Although there are still disturbances in some border areas, most of the nation is at peace and is valiantly attempting to rebuild. With a large proportion of the most productive age group wiped out by war and disease, the task is not an easy one. Uganda has taken the lead among African nations in AIDS prevention and education, but the nation still must care for 1.7 million orphaned children. Under the leadership of Metropolitan Jonah of Kampala and All Uganda, the Ugandan Church is actively ministering to the needs of its people spiritual, physical, and educational. The Church is building and supporting schools, clinics, and orphanages. New church construction is also needed, since
uuu
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US Impact on Greek War of Independence u page 22 the texts of proclamations of support issued by state legislatures and a range of organizations: fraternal, professional and student groups as well as letters from individuals to the press, editorials and other evidence of popular expression. The Greek Question as an Issue in U.S. Foreign Policy documents the debate between the Executive and Congress on whether to support the Greeks. The speeches often eloquently juxtapose the conflicts still encountered by democracies, i.e. the clash between geopolitical and commercial considerations versus ideals, principles and values. Tangible Support documents the actions of some Americans who were moved by the Greek cause to join the freedom fighters. Extracts from their letters and memoirs are included in this section. It is less known that perhaps the first, albeit unofficial, U.S. foreign aid project is
probably that which was collected and delivered to Greece. Finally, an extended introduction by Caratzas and Hatzidimitriou provides the background and context for each of the document sections. At a time when foundational values of the United States are tested by policies, such as support for the tyrannical Kemalist Turkish regime, this book in part aims to remind us of the intrinsic relationship between two democracies. The closing lines of the letter by the Messenian Senate asking for support by the citizens and Congress of the United States stated: . . . the bonds of gratitude and fraternity will forever unite the Greeks and the Americans. Our interests are of a nature more and more to cement an alliance founded on freedom and virtue. Distributed by: Caratzas/SVS Book Service, 575 Scarsdale Road, Crestwood NY 10707-1677 USA, Tel: 914-961-2203 Fax: 914-961-5456
SCIENCE in the World of Spiritual Values u page 22 able and expected of any book ideas devoted to a search for knowledge and truth. The first chapter, for example, reminds us that, notwithstanding the phenomenal progress in medicine, biology, genetics, technology, physics and other scientific disciplines, there is today an emptiness between the microcosmic, the human world, and the macrocosmic cosmos-universe; between the visible and explorable, and the invisible and unexplorable. The knowledge that the physical sciences have achieved in recent times is infinitesimal when compared to what we do not know, to what cannot be known. The scientist, of any field, should never be so confident and arrogant, prone to commit a hubris by assuming that science has an answer for everything. The author reminds us that science cannot establish values. It does not possess the presuppositions to render ethical judgments. It harbors no absolute or final truths, recognizes no eternal questions, claims no eternal answers, and has no substitute for self-correction and selfimproving understanding. It openly modifies its position when the facts demand it. Science has no evidence for or against the existence of the soul, or the reality of the miracle. There is no principle of love in science. This tran-
UGANDA uuu many communities still do not have permanent worship facilities. The Church maintains a small hospital and outpatient clinic at Namungoona, near the capital city of Kampala, but at this time they have only one doctor on staff. Peter will work primarily in the management and administration of the various ministries of the Archdiocese, freeing the Metropolitan to devote his efforts to the spiritual formation of his flock and the training of additional priests, deacons, and catechists. Sharon, an RN, will be working in health care and health education. In addition to helping out at the Church s medical center, she is preparing to conduct basic health care classes in the various parish communities. She will be providing instruction in general health and hygiene, pregnancy, labor and delivery, infant and childcare, immunizations, and AIDS prevention. Peter and Sharon will leave for
scends science, he writes. What transcends science becomes the domain of religion. It is religion that deals with the person, ontologically but also metaphysically speaking. It is religion that answers the question who are we? Religion is concerned with man s life and death, his actions and behavior, his values and ethics, his faith and belief, his place in the cosmos, the ultimate meaning of existence, the purpose of the universe. The author emphasizes that the human being of whatever age returns to religion to satisfy his need for faith for it is religion, faith that lasts and endures in contrast to ideological faiths (e. g. Marxism, Maoism) which come and go, appear and disappear. These are encouraging words coming from an atomic scientist. His observations remind me of what Albert Einstein several years ago wrote in Look magazine that science without religion is lame and that religion without science (science as knowledge) is blind. Chapter nine in particular is of great importance because it tells us why we need both science and religion. Though in parallel and autonomous realms, they are complementary. They address two irreducible aspects of human behavior: the physical and the ethical. And we need both now and tomorrow. For serious thinkers and reflective minds, for scientists and humanists, Dr. Christophorou s book is a must reading.
Uganda in July, once their fund-raising efforts are complete. Contributions to their mission should be made payable to OCMC, and sent to P.O. Box 4319, St. Augustine, FL, 320854319. Please note Georges in the memo portion of the check. Additional information may be found at the OCMC s web site: http://www.ocmc.org
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HC/HC REPORT First Golf Fund-raiser Held in Florida for School BROOKLINE, Mass. The first-ever Golf Classic Tournament for Hellenic College and Holy Cross recently held in Florida raised more than $500,000 for the school. Peter M. Dion and Steve Pappas served as co-chairmen of the March 4 event. Committee members included Nick Lucas, John Papadakis, Dena Michael, and Art Poly. Held at the Binks Forest Country Club in Wellington, the tournament brought together golfers and benefactors from throughout the United States. Guests of honor from Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross were George D. Behrakis, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees; and the Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president. Also attending were current and former HC/HC board members and officers. Other attendees were Arthur C. Anton, chairman of Leadership 100, a number of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, members of Leadership 100, the Archdiocesan Council, the Ladies Philoptochos Society, the AHEPA, and many other longterm supporters of Hellenic College and Holy Cross. The driving force behind the fundraiser was Mr. Dion. He stated that providing support for Hellenic College and Holy Cross is vital to the future of the Greek Orthodox Church in the United States, as its primary mission is to educate and train men for the priesthood and women and men to serve in our parishes throughout the Archdiocese. Mr. Behrakis thanked those present for their long-standing support of the school, which is celebrating its 65th anni-
versary this year. He also discussed the important role of the school in the Church. Fr. Triantafilou s remarked that the school belongs to all the faithful. While HC/ HC plays an important role in maintaining Greek culture and heritage in the United States, it is vitally important for the school to expand its outreach to all Orthodox faithful who seek an education. Rev. Triantafilou also discussed plans for the growth of the school, increased student enrollment, significant recent pledges that total approximately $6 million as it anticipates an upcoming capital campaign, and the new appointments of the dean of Holy Cross and co-directors of admissions. In closing, Fr. Triantafilou asked the faithful to remember the school in their prayers and with their contributions, so that Hellenic College and Holy Cross may continue to educate and prepare priests and lay leaders for our Holy Archdiocese. The winners of the various golfing prizes were as follows: Nearest to the pin at various holes: Guy DiGennaro, Fr. James Gavrilos, Jimmy Passinos, Jacques Waters. For the longest drive at various holes: Gene Panella. First place at 68/57 goes to the foursome Gus Lekatsos, Steven Pappas, Don White, and Gregory Arzoumanidis. Second place at 72/58 goes to the foursome John Papadakis, Dr. Dino Barbounis, Steve Milona, and Andy Armatas. Third place at 70/59 goes to the foursome Dennis Maloney, Art Poly, Matt Jenetopoulos, and Becky Gidas.
College to Offer Intensive Greek Summer Program BROOKLINE, Mass. An Intensive Greek Language Program for second year Master of Divinity students and Religious Studies A students will teach Modern Greek fundamentals in a four-week period. Students will not have to schedule other courses nor will they be distracted by other academic obligations and activities. The total immersion approach in teaching the language is ideal for this type of course and time of the year, since it requires many hours daily and a strong focusing on materials taught in the morning and reinforced through various activities during the afternoon. The program is modeled after similar ones offered by Dartmouth College, Middlebury College and some graduate programs where students complete a substantial number of credits in a modern or classical language within a short period of time.
Content and schedule
The Program will include an intensive teaching of Modern Greek in the morning, followed by enhancement activities in the afternoon. It will begin the second week of August and end the first week of September. At least three instructors will teach; one for the morning, the second for reinforcement drills and other exercises in the afternoon, and the third for Byzantine chanting one hour in the afternoon to reinforce the oral-aural skills taught in the morning. To be totally immersed in the Greek language and culture students will be expected to speak Greek not only in class but also in the cafeteria and in their other interactions on campus. In general the program will try to simulate life in a Greek-speaking environment and thus maximum participation and optimum linguistic performance by the students.
As part of their total immersion in this new linguistic environment the students will also watch Greek videos, films, and other educational materials. They would have to do a lot of homework in order to absorb material covered in class and do required written exercises. In sum, the students are expected to be totally immersed in a Greek linguistic and cultural environment during this fourweek period. Upon successful completion of the program they will be awarded 6 credits in Beginning Modern Greek and will continue their program in the fall.
Expected Outcomes
Upon completion of this program students should be able to read and comprehend basic structures of the Greek language and communicate their thoughts, express their ideas and use some idiomatic Greek expressions. They also should have an oral-aural ability equivalent to the level of the Intensive Modern Greek I course (6cr) offered in the fall semester. Students that might fail the course will be required to register for the fall Intensive Modern Greek I course, but will still have benefited from the immersion. Those who will pass the course will take its sequel in the fall and spring and will join other students in Intermediate Modern Greek.
Program cost
The program will require substantial funding of about $75,000 for 30 students. Anticipated expenses include the Polemenakos Hall and the cafeteria will have to open four weeks earlier; expenses associated with them are room and board, instruction materials including videos, movies, tapes, posters; stipends for instructors and teaching assistants; student health insurance and other miscellaneous expenses.
In Memoriam Fr. John Stavros Kamelakis The Very Rev. Archimandrite John Stavros Kamelakis who served almost 60 years as a parish priest, died March 4. John Stavros Kamelakis was born in Agios Vasilios, Crete, Greece, on Jan. 27, 1911, to Anna and Stavros Kamelakis. He arrived in America at the age of three and attended public schools in Boston. Under a scholarship granted by AHEPA, he was one of the first six GreekAmericans to study for the priesthood at the famous Patriarchal School of Halki and at the University of Athens in 1932. Returning to America, he was ordained a deacon in Chicago in 1942 and then as a priest in 1943 at St. George Church, Schenectady, N.Y. In 1976, he received the title Archimandrite, bestowed upon him Bishop Meletios Tripodakis in Vallejo, Calif. Fr. John served in Schenectady and Syracuse, N.Y; the cathedral in Pittsburgh; and churches Detroit, Vancouver, British Columbia; Ann Arbor, Mich; Vallejo, Calif, Enfield, Conn., Louisville, Ky; and New Haven, Conn, from where he retired in 1998. He also assisted the parishes in Norwalk and Bridgeport, Conn., and spearheaded the building of the new Assumption church and cultural center in Detroit, the new St. George Church in Vancouver, British Columbia and the Hellenic Center at St. Nicholas in Ann Arbor. He also served as chaplain and counselor for the children at St. Basil Academy in Garrison, N.Y. He has been instrumental in helping these communities grow, and providing spiritual and cultural guidance, instituting new programs for young and old alike, introducing Greek festivals that attracted thousands of people from surrounding communities, increasing membership and participation, and building new places of worship for the expanding parishes. He was active in many organizations: AHEPA, Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary International in which he has been designated a Paul Harris Fellow.
When recently extending his congratulations to Fr. John for the triple celebration of his 90th birthday, 58th anniversary in the priesthood, and the feast day of his patron saint, Archbishop Demetrios stated, I know you have always responded in thanksgiving to the abundant gift of grace you have received from above and offered the first fruits of your time, talents, and resources to the church and her ministries. St. Gregory the Great in the Book of Pastoral Rule states that Every preacher should make himself heard rather by deeds that by words, and that by a righteous way of life should imprint footsteps for people to tread I know it is the spirit of this truth that has guided your ministry to the faithful and brought countless individuals closer to Christ. Rev. Kamelakis is preceded in death by his wife, Andrormache Economides Kamelakis, daughter of the Rev. George and Ourania Economides (who established the Greek Orthodox parish in Peabody, Mass.); parents, Anna and Stavros Kamelakis; brothers, Nick, Emmanuel, George, and Minas; and beloved sister Celia. Fr. Kamelakis is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Phoebe and John Leask of Fairfield, Conn; his grandchildren Peter and Andrew Rizos, Joanna and David Bogardus; Jay Leask; his adored great-grandchildren: Christopher, Rose, and Aaron Bogardus; his brother and sister-in-law, Zachary and Georgia Kamelakis of Cape Cod. Contributions in memory of Fr. John may be made to the scholarship fund established in his honor for seminarians Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology. Make checks payable to: The Rev. John S. Kamelakis Scholarship Fund, c/o Leask & Leask, P.C.; PO Box 320235; Fairfield, CT 06432. Burial was in Cape Cod where his Presbytera Andromache rests. Archbishop Demetrios officiated at the funeral on March 13 at Holy Trinity Church, in Bridgeport, Conn.
Fr. Emmanuel N. Vergis SKOKIE, Ill. Fr. Emmanuel N. Vergis, 76, died Jan. 30. He was a retired priest and a former pastor of St. Demetrios Church in Chicago. He was born Feb. 10, 1925, in Cambridge, Mass., and attended public schools in Belmont, Mass. He graduated from Holy Cross School of Theology in 1947. He married Sultana Mackel of Danvers, Mass., in September 1947 and Bishop Athenagoras Cavadas ordained him to the diaconate on Oct. 12 in Boston and to the priesthood Oct. 26 in Nashua, N.H. Fr. Vergis was assigned to Annunciation Church in Montgomery, Ala., in November 1947 and served there until April 1952.
His next assignment was to Annunciation Church in Milwaukee, which he served 18 years, until Sept. 30, 1970. He was then assigned to St. Demetrios and served there until retiring in January 1995. Fr. Vergis also earned a master s degree in philosophy from Marquette University in Milwaukee, and held the ecclesiastical ranks of confessor, oikonomos and protopresbyter. In addition to Presbytera Sultana, survivors include three children, Nicholas, Harry and Mary Lynne Watts, grandchildren and other relatives. Funeral services took place Feb. 2, with Metropolitan Iakovos, Presiding Hierarch of the Chicago Diocese, officiating.
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DIOCESE AHI Presents Awards, Holds Special Events WASHINGTON American Hellenic Institute (AHI) recently honored five individuals at its 27th anniversary Hellenic Heritage Achievement and National Public Service Awards Dinner. U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., of New Jersey was the recipient of the Hellenic Heritage National Public Service Award for his outstanding career in public service spanning two decades. AHI presented its Hellenic Heritage Achievement Award to Marilyn Rouvelas for her career as an author documenting the traditions of the Greek community in the U.S; to Antonis H. Diamataris for his pioneering work as publisher of the National Herald newspaper; to Nadia Weinberg for her career as a vocal soloist promoting Greece and its musical culture and for her commitment to philanthropy; and to Christos M. Cotsakos, chairman and CEO of E*TRADE Group, for his entrepreneurial achievements and philanthropic service to the nation and community.
AHI Salutes Importance of Truman Doctrine to Greece
AHI also recently commemorated the 55th anniversary of the Truman Doctrine that provided aid to Greece during the crucial period of its civil war and held other programs. At the Truman Doctrine anniversary event guest speaker, U.S. Army Gen. Andrew J. Goodpaster (ret.), former supreme commander of NATO, focused on the threat to Greek (and Allied) independence and democracy. Commenting on Greece s pivotal role in turning the tide during World War II, he said, To comprehend the depth and the scope of the crisis in Greece, it s necessary to look back to World War II and, and, specifically, to the heroic role that Greece had played in that war and to the fearful toll that its valiant stand in defiance of Hitler had taken. The story is familiar, but it bears repetition. It must not be forgotten But this campaign (into Greece by German forces) delayed Hitler s attack on Russia, a delay that very well may have tipped the scale against German victory in Russia. That delay was everything.
Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day
AHI hosted A Congressional Salute to Greek Independence Day March 9 at
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Lenten Music Concert
the Rayburn Building on Capitol Hill to kick off the celebration of the 181st anniversary of Greek Independence. The event, attended by more than 250 people, was held in cooperation with the Congressional Hellenic Caucus s co-sponsors, Reps. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis thanked the two members of Congress for their ongoing efforts in promoting Hellenic issues.
Pangalos Lectures at Hellenic House
Greek Parliament member and former Foreign Minister Theodore Pangalos spoke at an AHI-sponsored program on current issues and developments of Greece s foreign policy and his perspectives on U.S. foreign policy.
Professor Gerolymatos Discusses Balkan Stability
On April 10, Dr. Andre Gerolymatos, associate professor of history at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, British Columbia and chairman of Hellenic Studies at the Hellenic Canadian Congress of B.C., addressed AHI members on a historic and current overview of Balkan stability and Greece s pivotal role in the region.
Deputy Foreign Minister Visits AHI
Greece s Deputy Foreign Minter Ioannis Magriotis met with AHI leaders on March 26 and discussed issues relating to U.S. relations with Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, and reviewed AHI s initiatives.
Ambassador Weston Discusses Status of Cyprus Talks
Ambassador Thomas G. Weston, U.S. Special Coordinator for Cyprus, recently met with AHI leaders to discuss progress on UN-led talks between Republic of Cyprus President Glafcos Clerides and Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktash. He noted several areas of progress and concern, including the slow pace of talks, while both sides have made positive moves.
Vocalist Performs at Concert
AHI recently sponsored the kick-off leg of a North American concert tour by Nadia Weinberg and soloists of the Symphony Orchestra of Athens. Her repertoire included an anthology by renowned Greek composers Manos Hatzidakis and Mikis Theodorakis, and several ballads.
Retreat and Workshops at Southampton
Peter Christopulos photo
Members of the Eastern Federation-Greek Orthodox Choirs from 11 New Jersey parishes and Staten Island, N.Y., performed to a capacity crowd at St. Demetrios Church in Perth Amboy, N.J., April 26. The event’s proceeds will benefit the Archdiocese’s September 11 Relief Fund. The 56member choir sang 18 liturgical and Lenten hymns.
Atlanta Diocese Holds Conference of Leadership Groups ATLANTA Under the leadership of Bishop Alexios, Diocese-level organizations held biannual meetings April 5-7 at the Diocesan Center. They included the Diocesan Council, Philoptochos Board, Archons of the Order of St. Andrew and Diakonia Deca Ministry. At this first gathering, Bishop Alexios introduced and welcomed the new diocesan chancellor, Rev. Fr. George Tsahakis, former parish priest of Charleston, S.C. The Conference began with the Diocesan Council meeting chaired by Council President Harry Thomas Cavalaris of Charlotte, N.C. A light Lenten dinner followed before the gathering attended the Friday evening service, Salutations to the Virgin Mary at the Annunciation Cathedral. Saturday morning the day began with a Divine Liturgy at the Diocesan Chapel of Archangel Michael as the Diocesan Family had yet another opportunity to worship together. After enjoying fellowship during a continental breakfast, the meeting of the Diocesan Philoptochos Board began with Dee Nicolaou of Tampa, Fla., presiding. Theodora Campbell of Atlanta, president of the Diocesan Diakonia Deca Endowment Trust, began the meeting. That afternoon Steve E. Alexander of Atlanta presided as regional commander at the Archons meeting. After Saturday evening Vespers, the an-
nual Archon and Diakonia Deca Dinner took place at the Atlanta Fish Market Restaurant. Joining the Diocesan Family was the Very Rev. Fr. Sebastian Skordallos president of the Diocesan Clergy Synthesmos and pastor of Holy Transfiguration Church of Marietta, Ga. Harry Demas of Naples, Fla., served as master of ceremonies for the program and Peter Zervakos of Atlanta gave the keynote address on Stewardship-a Service not merely a Title. Frank Cockinos of Charlotte N.C., cochairman of the Diakonia Deca Membership Drive, also spoke to encourage support of the Ministry. The Diakonia Deca Ministry honored 15 new member/stewards with a certificate of appreciation for their support. Also recognized with an Archangel Michael plaque of appreciation were 11 member/stewards of the Diakonia Deca who had fulfilled their membership pledge this year. Sunday at the Cathedral Bishop Alexios celebrated the Divine Liturgy commemorating the Holy Cross, assisted by Fr. Tsahakis, Fr. George Alexson, Cathedral dean, and Fr. Konstantinos Kostaris of Tampa Fla.. The Archons of the Diocese participated in the procession of the Holy Cross. Bishop Alexios then elevated Fr. Tsahakis to Protopresbyter and congratulated his family, Presbytera Marinda and their three children, John, Andrew and Katie, and thanked them for their sacrifice and support.
Virginia Greek School Reunion Set Virginia Beach, Va. The alumni of Pallicary-Vedova Greek School are organizing a reunion for Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 2002 and are trying to locate alumni that have
Fr. Alex Karloutsos, pastor of Kimisis Church of Southhampton, Long Island, and Presbytera Xanthi, recently welcomed the Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald, Presbytera Koula and monk Fr. Chrysostomos at the church’s annual Sophocles N. and Louisa S. Zoullas Memorial Lenten Retreat. Fr. Chrysostomos spoke about the Holy Land. Fr. and Presbytera Fitzgerald, both renowned Orthodox scholars and authors, conducted several sessions on the theme: “Jesus Christ Our Light, Our Guide and Our Hope.”
not been contacted. For information contact Bill and Katherine Bacalis, 4014 Buckskin Trail E., Jacksonville, Fla., 32277 or email KPB63@aol.com.
Museum Celebrates Decade of Existence CHICAGO Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center commemorated its 10th anniversary on May 17. The event took place at the Hotel Intercontinental.
Embarking on its second decade the museum has begun construction of a permanent home at Halsted and Van Buren streets, in the area known as Greek Town.
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DIOCESE Annunciation Cathedral Hosts Event for Nutrition Program BOSTON Volunteers from Annunciation Cathedral, Hellenic College, and Holy Cross Seminary join Metropolitan Methodios, the presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Boston, for an April 9 fundraiser to benefit the Roxbury-based John Shelbourne Community Center s afterschool nutrition program. Cathedral members and seminarians are the nutritional sponsors for the program launched in February. They gathered and delivered the food to the center. The after-school nutrition program serves about 100 students daily. The Greek Orthodox Diocese is the first religious community in Massachusetts to sponsor an after school snack program. The community worked with Project Bread The Walk for Hunger, on the planning and operation of a nutritional meal program for elementary school stu-
dents. This year, Project Bread gave more than $175,000 in grants to help start nutrition programs for children in the Bay State as part of an initiative to focus attention on feeding children after school. Under Mayor Thomas Menino, after school snack programs in Boston have increased four-fold. Among those attending the fundraiser were Mayor Thomas, Ellen Parker, executive director, Project Bread; Sheri Cope, John Shelbourne Community Center executive director; Bishop Gerasimos, assistant to the president, Hellenic College/Holy Cross Seminary; and Fr. Dean Panagos of Annunciation Cathedral The event took place at the Cathedral Center in Brookline. Visit www.projectbread.org for more information or to pledge online.
Grand Opening for Greek-American Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS and other clergy at the blessing service
WHEELING, Ill The Greek American Rehabilitation and Nursing Center celebrated its grand opening during March. Grand opening festivities took place throughout the month as the Greek American Nursing Home Committee s efforts were realized. To add to the celebration, the first two residents, both of Greek descent were admitted and the state of Illinois completed its certification process and awarded the facility s nursing home Committee s efforts were realized.
March celebrations unite community
VOLUNTEERS FROM Annunciation Cathedral, Hellenic College, and Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline joined guests [l to r] Deacon Alex Chetsas, seminarian; Ellen Parker, executive director at Project Bread; Luke Palumbis, seminarian; Bishop Gerasimos, assistant to the president of Hellenic College/Holy Cross; Metropolitan Methodios, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Boston; Fr. Dean Panagos, Annunciation Cathedral; and Yvette Mosley, after school specialist at the John Shelbourne Community Center, at the kickoff event and fund-raiser for the Community Center’s after-school nutrition program. Greek Orthodox community members are the nutritional sponsors for the after-school program that began in February and which serves about 100 students daily. Proceeds from the fund-raiser directly benefit the after-school nutrition program.
Church Begins Live Online Services ORANGE, Conn. Individuals with access to the Internet are now able to receive live audio and video broadcasts of the Divine Liturgy and other services each week from St. Barbara Church. The live broadcasts are being made possible by the Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries and are available from both the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese web site: http://www.goarch.org/ live.html and from the St. Barbara web site: http://www.saintbarbara.org. These live broadcasts are an attempt to minister to those who, for good reason, are unable to attend services. We are very excited to offer this ministry to Orthodox Christians worldwide, said Rev. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of St. Barbara Church. This provides a wonderful opportunity for those who are unable to attend services on a regular basis. They still can experience the prayer cycle of the Orthodox Church by logging on to our website, and prayerfully attending the services. Fr. Peter further emphasized, Attending the services via cyberspace should be seen as a vehicle is to enhance the participation of the faithful in their local com-
munities. As an integral part of this outreach, the youth at St. Barbara have begun setting up these live broadcasts for parishioners unable to attend due to health concerns and those in nursing homes, who will benefit most from this ministry. Parishioners attending the site on a regular basis have described the environment as spiritually connecting them to the community, captivating and attention getting, a focused and prayerful opportunity otherwise not available. Orthros begins at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time each Sunday and the Divine Liturgy at 9:45 a.m. Eastern Time. Since 1998, the Department of Internet Ministries has been providing live weekly broadcasts of the divine services from the Church of the Holy Cross in Belmont, Calif. The addition of St. Barbara now provides weekly broadcasts in multiple time zones. The live broadcasts are part of a national initiative by the Department of Internet Ministries to connect every diocese and parish in the Archdiocese to the Internet.
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Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Chicago, presided at a blessing ceremony for the center on March 3. Public grand openings took place at the center March 15 and 17 and a Greek Independence Day celebration with parade participation and the performance of Greek traditional dances by the Olympian Dance Troupe rounded off the month on March 25.
Philoxenia and care at the center
The Greek American Center is a fourstory, 204-bed facility and provides warm, friendly nursing care in a sparkling facility. Greek hospitality and quality care are at the core that drives the staff to perform at a higher level. Both private and semiprivate rooms are available. Services include a full range of rehabilitative therapies, long term nursing care and respite care. A separate wing is dedicated to residents diagnosed with Alzheimer s and dementia. The staff is specially trained to
provide support that enables maximum independence, socialization and increased selfesteem for all our residents. The Rehabilitation and Nursing Center is a not-for-profit facility. Both Medicare and Medicaid certification are anticipated soon. The center is conveniently located at 220 N. First St (near Milwaukee and Dundee) in Wheeling. The expansive, beautiful grounds include a small lake, an outside patio and walkways for the enjoyment of residents, families and visitors.
Auxiliary support and social services
An entire framework of auxiliary support and social services are included: Dietary Meals are a combination Greek and American selections served in attractive dining rooms located on each floor. Residents will enjoy well-balanced meals that will include Greek dishes, to the extent medical needs permit. Activities and entertainment programs will reflect Greek, international and American themes to accommodate the needs of all residents. Many of facility s staff is bilingual for the comfort of those residents who may require it. Languages spoken include English, Greek, Spanish, Polish, Tagalog and German. Religious An Orthodox chapel is included for the celebration of religious holidays and special occasions. For all inquiries, tours, volunteering and information, call the center at 847-4598700; or e-mail pvhayes@sprynet.com
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS (seated) Dr. Elaine Thomopoulos, Dr. Kioutas and Helen Georges. (standing) George Lekas, Theresa Tzakis, John Rassogiannis, Tina Spiratos, Gerry Garbis, Bill Kakavas, Harry Tompary, John Secaras and Toni Panos.
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 28
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 29
challenge Developing Family Time
Youth Ministry
Email: youthoffice@goarch.org
A
little over a year ago, my inlaws came to visit my home. With their help, we planted a garden in our backyard. In the garden we planted corn, cucumbers, squash and other vegetables, as well a blueberry bush. by Fr. Mark A. Leondis
Now, if we do not spend the time necessary to water our garden – to make sure that each seed is getting what it needs to grow to maturity, our garden will not survive. If we do not make sure that each seed is getting the right amount of sunlight and that no animals are using them as their food, our garden will not last. Just as the seed that needs water, sunlight, love and attention, so do our families. If we do not spend the proper time nurturing our families, spending time, making sure they receive the proper light, the light of Christ, then our families will not flourish to maturity. One of the greatest ways that we can nurture our families is by spending the appropriate time with them. We live in a busy world. We wake up in the morning, rush to get the children ready for the day, for school and day care. We rush to work – work hard, return phone calls. We experience our days as filled with things to do, people to meet, projects to finish, letters to write, calls to make and appointments to be kept. Our lives can be compared to a suitcase. Imagine you are going on a trip. You pack your suitcase with the necessary things you will need when you travel. We pack them in with so many things, that our lives are bursting at the seams. If we are serious about developing quality family time, we must be willing to set our priorities. We must be willing to turn off our cellular phone when we arrive at home, we must be willing to come home at a decent hour, we must be willing to make family a priority. In a lifetime, the average American will: ÂSpend six months sitting at traffic lights waiting for them to change. ÂSpend one year searching through desk clutter looking for misplaced objects. ÂSpend eight months opening junk mail. ÂSpend two years trying to call people who are not in or whose lines are busy. ÂSpend five years waiting in lines. ÂSpend three years in meetings. ÂLearn how to operate 20,000 different things, from soda machines to can openers. The average person will: ÂCommute 45 minutes every day. ÂBe interrupted 73 times every day (every 8 minutes) ÂTravel 7,700 miles every year ÂWatch 1,700 hours of television every year A Christian home is modeled on the relationship between Christ and His Church. What is the relationship between Christ and His Church? Christ loved His Church so much, that He ultimately gave up His life for the Church. This is the same Challenge is the Youth & Young Adult Ministries supplement to the Orthodox Observer. Articles reflect the opinion of the writers. Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8 East 79th Street, New York, N.Y. 10021 or email: youthoffice@goarch.org
in the Christian home – the love that permeates must be self-sacrificial, never ending and unconditional. In a healthy Christian family, all members of the family unit submit themselves to the will of God. How do they do this? By actively seeking what is best for any particular individual. By putting others first. By being self-sacrificial. By loving unconditionally. Mother, father, and children, all work together as a healthy unit, as a family. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve had a choice: to live separate from God, or to live with God forever in Paradise. They chose separation from God. As Orthodox Christians, we too have a choice. A choice to follow God, or a choice not to follow him. As Orthodox families, we have a choice: to live a holy, pure life together, or to succumb to the pressures and realities of this world. We have a choice – to make a covenant with God or not to. To put Christ at the center of our lives or to put the world at the center of our lives. We read in the Gospel of Matthew, “When two or three are gathered in my name, I am there.” When a husband and wife join in His name, Christ is there. When a child comes along and gathers with the father and mother in His name, Christ is also there. There is something sacred about two or three Christians gathering together in His Name. There is something sacred about a family that has placed Christ at the center of their lives, walking together toward salvation. As we are about to begin the beautiful summer months, when children are off from school and when families make time for vacation, I challenge you to develop some quality family time. This family time should be developed and nurtured so that when the busy year begins in September, it is carried through. To develop healthy Christian families, developing a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is a must for all families. Below are some tips to begin your family time journey. After a family dinner with all members, begin a discussion with your family. Ask the following questions: ÂWhat does the term family time mean to you? ÂWhat are some examples of family time? ÂHow can we make more time in our lives for our family? ÂWhat are some concrete ways that we can develop family time with our families? (turning off the television, prayers, reading the bible together, going for walks, hikes, etc.) ÂOnce you have discussed these questions, develop a family time ritual for your family. We must be fully committed to our Lord, not only as individuals, but also as families. We must be willing to make the proper decisions and choices, ones that will affect our future. Once we commit ourselves to our Savior, a covenant is made, a holy covenant. A covenant that will be passed on to the generations to come. The moment we begin to experience life with others – with our spouses and children – the greater the responsibility we have.
A Session for Families
After dinner one evening during the week, gather together in a quiet place with each member of your family. Let them know ahead of time that this weekly time is family time (no phones, beepers or interruptions). Select one member of the
family who will lead this group weekly. The parents should begin the leading as to show the children how to do it. Opening Prayer: Begin with the LordÂ’s Prayer or a spontaneous prayer by one member of the family. Encourage each family member to prepare a prayer for each session that they lead. Scripture Passage: Read the Gospel reading for the upcoming Sunday. Ask your parish priest how to obtain this information. It is available in the Ecclesiastical Planner that is published annually by the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Questions: Ask questions regarding the Sunday Gospel reading. Ask the group the following generic questions: What does this passage mean? Who are the central figures in this passage? How does it pertain to your life? What are some things you can take from this passage and apply it to your everyday life? Challenge: Have each person in the group challenge themselves throughout the upcoming week by taking a key element from the Scripture and applying it to their daily life. The challenge should be reviewed at the following weekÂ’s family time session. The leader should begin by asking each family member to review their challenge and explain how they man-
O H D E VW D L O Y $ QH -X
aged to uphold their challenge throughout the week. Activity Time: Select a group activity that the family can participate in each week. The leader of the group decides the activity. Some examples are: A board game: Play a board game together (an excellent interactive tool to be used) CD Night: Have each family member play their favorite song and explain why they like it. Charades: Still a classic and fun game for everyone. Book of Questions: Purchase the “Book of Questions” (available from Barnes and Noble). It is an excellent discussion starter. The group leader can be as creative as they like. Once you have finished the activity, close with a family prayer together. You could read the Small Compline Service, read evening prayers, or speak with your parish priest about developing a family prayer rule. As you begin to experience family time, you will all begin to look forward to it. Remember, the Tradition of Orthodoxy clearly indicates that parents have passed on their Faith to their children. In upcoming Challenge sections, we will offer you some “family time” sessions. May God grant you and your family the peace from above.
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ORTHODOX OBSERVER
PAGE 30
MAY 2002
The Contribution of the Church Fathers to the Preservation of the Classical Tradition
T
he following is the text of a lecture delivered by Professor Maria C. Pantelia, on the occasion of the last Celebration of Greek Letters, the Feast Day of the Three Hierachs, at the Cathedral Center in NYC. It is indeed a text worth sharing with the readership of the Orthodox Observer. byProf. Maria C. Pantelia*
The tragic events of last September have awaked in all of us a renewed sense of priorities and values borne of tragedy, loss, and war, themes that are so pervasive in ancient Greek literature. In that regard, speaking in this city and on this day, it is fitting to think of the ancient Greeks and how their wisdom continues to be relevant. Homer s description of the Trojan War and Achilles quest for immortality, Plato s discussions of human nature, Euripides emphasis on the countless innocent victims of a futile war, and most importantly Thucydides analysis of history offer profound explications and analogies to our contemporary experience. As our historical moment intersects with those of our Greek ancestors, we become conscious of the fact that ancient works are not mere historical artifacts or objects of purely theoretical interest, but vital lessons for how we should conduct our lives in the face of ongoing hardships and challenges. The Greeks, as they say, had a word for everything and they are able to speak to us even now. In my remarks this evening, I would like to address a number of key themes relative to the preservation of the classical tradition through the late antique and Byzantine world with particular emphasis to the role of the Church Fathers in this process. The ancient Greek world is often given the title classical. This word carries the implication that the works of art and literature produced in antiquity possess an absolute value, that they form the standard by which all others are to be judged. If we think of Western literature and art, politics, science, education, even the architecture of our cities we immediately notice the continuous presence of the ancient world in the modern. Western civilization grew out of the classical world, and it never lost the knowledge that a high culture had preceded it, whose legacy was there to be emulated and admired. The classical tradition, its survival and continuous influence is too vast a theme to be explored here. Since my own work and research is focused on the study of ancient texts my comments this evening will focus on the transmission of ancient works of literature. Despite the influence that ancient Greek literature has exerted throughout the centuries, only a very small portion of it survives today. Most ancient texts are lost and what remains is widely scattered, written on fragile papyri and medieval manuscripts, and often difficult to read and interpret. Late antiquity and Byzantium saw the establishment of large research libraries, such as the famous one built in Alexandria in the third century B.C. by the Ptolemies, the Imperial Library of Byzantium, and the Patriarchal Archives, that helped preserve and transmit much of extant literature. Over time, however, these valuable collections the collective memory of the Greek world suffered increasingly from accidental destruction, the natural devastation of time, and foreign invasion both from western crusaders and eastern Islamic armies. Thus, most ancient
Professor Maria C. Pantelia
GOA
works, an estimated 90% of ancient literary production, are now irretrievably lost. The means by which the Classics have been preserved and the form in which scholarly activity has taken place has changed over the centuries. Homer, or at least his predecessors, had no physical means of recording their writings. With the development of the Greek alphabet probably during the 8th century writing became more widespread. Papyri, wax tablets, scrolls and ultimately the book were used to record literary works. Classical scholarship was recorded, copied, preserved, and studied in libraries by individual scholars of later antiquity. The study of classical culture flourished for well over two thousand years before our time. The library of Alexandria, which was undeniably the largest one in antiquity was established during the Hellenistic period by the Ptolemies, the Greek rulers of Egypt, and was probably designed with Aristotle s library in mind. The exact number of volumes kept in the library is difficult to estimate due to the varying reports from ancient authors. According to the Church historian Eusebius and the Byzantine grammarian Tzetzes the library may have contained 200,000 or 490,000 volumes during the third century. According to other accounts, the library started with 200,000 volumes acquired by the librarian Demetrius and possessed no less than 700,000 in the first century BC. With later acquisitions, including the gift of 200,000 rolls of the Pergamum Library given by Anthony to Cleopatra, the vast collection at its height possibly comprised nearly one million volumes. The library of Alexandria became an example and model for future libraries, glorified even by fifteenth and sixteenth century humanists. Even though a large part of its collection was destroyed first in the years 48 to 47 during Caesar s war against Egypt and subsequent wars, its name and influence remain immortal. Libraries in the ancient world contained copies of books of major importance. Of the works of lesser poets, however, remarkably little has survived. Hundreds of poets and writers are known either by their names only or by the titles of their works. Obviously, the popularity of a certain book or author contributed to the survival of the work. For example, copies of the Iliad outnumber copies of the Odyssey. Homer s works were the common cultural property of all Hellenes and therefore spread wherever Greeks lived similar to the Bible. Homer has been preserved in 110 codices, Sophocles in nearly 100, Aeschylus in nearly 50 and Plato in 11. An especially important event for the
transmission of ancient literature took place in the second century when texts were copied and transferred from the papyrus roll to the more enduring form of the parchment book. It was at that time that books were selected for their content and often for inclusion in the school curriculum. Some authors were preserved; some were not. In reality many factors and events have conspired to deprive us of the greater part of the literary treasures of antiquity. Political persecution was not unknown in ancient times as exemplified by the public burning of the books of Protagoras in 411 BC Athens. Numerous invasions contributed to the loss of many books and libraries. Finally the ravages of time and climate took their share to the point that one has to wonder not that we have so few ancient writings but that we have any! Greek writings had a profound influence on other cultures too. Practically no aspect of the Roman culture went untouched by the Greeks. Latin literary history begins with an adaptation of the Odyssey, Virgil s Aeneid, and no Roman would have considered himself well educated without knowledge of Greek literature. In the words of Plutarch, Rome was at its greatest at the very time she was most intimate with Greek learning and culture. Greek was not only the language of learning, but also the common language between people of different nationalities in the East. In contrast with the Roman culture, of which Rome was nearly always the main center, Athens cannot be considered the exclusive center. Corinth, Delos, Syracuse, Smyrna, Alexandria, and many other places were important cultural centers at different times. It was in this cultural world that Christianity made its appearance and it was no accident that the New Testament was written in Greek. In a remarkably short period of time, the Christian faith spread beyond the villages of Palestine throughout the entire Graeco-Roman world and beyond all the way to the imperial palace. Church Fathers had to face the challenge of adapting a successful classical system of education in order to express the new truths of Christianity. Greek and Latin authors were eagerly adapted, assimilated and made relevant. Christian authors recognized that the intellectual tradition of the classical past was not entirely alien to them. For example, stoic ethics that were critical of slavery or wealth were an important part of contact between the new faith and the ancient culture. Similarly, Platonic metaphysics affirmed divine transcendence, the freedom of the human will, the immortality of the soul and the idea that virtue is necessary and sufficient for happiness. In early Christian thinkers such as Justin, Clement of Alexandria, and Origen, Platonism and Christian thought came together in new and exciting ways. In terms of literary style and poetical form, the supreme model in poetry was Homer and this remained true through the late Byzantine period when schoolboys learned each day between 30 and 50 lines of Homer by heart. An elementary school course normally included the first book of the Iliad and one play each of Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. Byzantine teachers of the 12th century are found debating the question keenly discussed a millennium earlier (for example by Dio Chrysostom), namely whether the superhuman elements in Homer s poetry required one to reject the historicity of Odysseus and even of the Trojan War itself. In the fifth century Theodoret, bishop
of Cyrrhus in Syria, also composed dozens of letters decorated with Homeric echoes. But the question is, would the classical tradition have survived in late Byzantium and beyond if our early Church Fathers, especially the 3 hierarchs had not appreciated and encouraged the study of classical texts during the early days of Byzantium? There can be no question that the appreciation of classical literature owes much to the spirit of the early Church fathers, above all the three hierarchs, fittingly celebrated today, St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory the Theologian (of Nazianzus) and St. Basil the Great. All three of them developed their rhetorical skills following principles of oratory established by ancient orators. All three of them were well conversed with classical literature which they regularly quoted and alluded to in their own writings. For example, as a young man, St. Basil the Great counted many prominent non-Christian Greeks among his teachers, including Libanius, one of the greatest professors of rhetoric of late antiquity. Basil learned his lessons well as we can see from his works where he regularly quotes or alludes to Plato and ancient poets, especially Homer and Hesiod, but also the tragedians and ancient historians such as Herodotus, Xenophon, Thucydides and, especially, Plutarch. His views on classical texts are best expressed in his much celebrated essay Address to Young Men about How they might Profit from Greek Literature where he makes it clear that there are valuable lessons to be learned from an attentive reading of ancient classics. That St. Basil remained open to the classical Greek authors is all the more remarkable inasmuch as Greek religion continued to provide Christianity with serious competition and remained a viable option for his 4th century contemporaries. Similarly, St. Gregory s works contain numerous references to ancient mythological figures and themes including a famous lengthy description of ancient mystery cults. In his Eulogy of St. Basil, St. Gregory compares St. Basil s family and lineage to the great houses of antiquity, of Pelops, Alcmaeon and Heracles and compares his education to that offered to Achilles by the centaur Chiron. These examples demonstrate the extent to which the early Church Fathers kept an open mind to the culture and traditions of their religious rivals. Of course, they could also be critical, and their appropriation of the classical tradition was informed by the canons and criteria of the Christian faith. Nonetheless, their openness and tolerance towards ancient literature is best seen in the fact that the Byzantine school curriculum included ancient authors and great value was attached to classical education. The maintenance of such a curriculum entailed the preservation of the literary texts in the best condition possible, in order that they may be properly understood and passed on to future generations. The respectful attitude of the Church fathers towards much of ancient literature is particularly important because of its timing. As Christianity became the dominant religion of the Roman Empire the fate of the Classical world and its heritage was potentially at risk. The enlightened approach of the three hierarchs therefore insured the survival of the classical tradition. The 3 hierarchs established a precedent, a standard for later generations to
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MAY 2002
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follow. They essentially put a seal of approval on ancient literature, which they conveyed not only through their works but most importantly through their own literary activity. Within a century of their own lifetime they became Classics of their own right and their works were copied and studied by later scholars. Thus, we have 1500 manuscripts of Gregory s Orations, fourteen commentators known to us by name explained his prose and classical allusions and at least two lexica were in existence before the 10th century, interpreting his vocabulary. The Byzantine polymath, Michael Psellus, wrote two treatises comparing St. Gregory s style to Isocrates and Demosthenes. This is to say that the study of the writings of the 3 hierarchs with their classical references and allusions drew considerable attention to ancient works and ensured the permanence and accessibility of these works for Byzantine readers. The absorption of the classics by such men as St. Gregory and St. Basil deeply shaped the attitudes of the Byzantines towards the classics throughout the life of Byzantium. Without the intellectual climate produced by such an attitude, neither the scholarly interest in Hellenism nor the sheer power of the Greek spirit could have ensured the survival of ancient Greek literature. Thus it seems appropriate that the tradition about the institution of the feast of the Three Hierarchs itself is a lesson in unity, tolerance and acceptance. According to Byzantine historians around AD 1100, during the reign of Alexius I Comnenus, there were debates among the scholars of Constantinople as to which of the three hierarchs commemorated in the month of January was the greatest. Some decided in favor of St. Basil because of his intelligence and austere morality; others for St. John Chrysostom, because of the convincing gentleness of his discourses; and others were attracted to St. Gregory for his elegant rhetoric and dialectical cleverness. In this conflict, Bishop John, the Metropolitan of Euchaita intervened and spoke about a vision he had of the three hierarchs who told him that among them there was neither disagreement not division but unity of faith and that a common day should be chosen to celebrate the Liturgy in their honor and to thank God for the graces which He has bestowed to all three of them. The message seems clear: other than elevate a single voice to the level of exclusive authority, the church in her wisdom embraced a diversity of viewpoints, suggesting that the life of the mind is best served by a plurality of voices. The example set by the early Church Fathers encouraged the study and therefore preservation of the classical tradition by later generations. Later Church Fathers followed the example of the Three Hierarchs and their contemporaries, and preserved in their writings the classical heritage. Texts were copied and studied, commentaries and scholia on ancient works were systematically produced preserving not only original passages that would otherwise be lost but also offering useful interpretations of ancient works. I would mention in particular the work of Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople, during the 9th century. Besides his Lexicon, a list of words and expressions he collected in the course of his voracious reading, Photios was also the author of the Bibliotheca (Myriobiblos) where he describes 386 books among these are many classical, late antique and early Byzantine works which are now lost. The work consists of 280 chapters, each corresponding to a volume on the shelf in Photius personal library. They vary in length from two lines to seventy pages, a total of 1600 printed pages in the modern edition. Following Photius tradition, Arethas, Archbishop of Caesarea collected a large per-
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sonal library and commissioned copies of ancient works. Arethas had the habit of adding notes in the margins of his books to identify transcripts of other volumes he possessed but have subsequently been lost. Emperor Constantine Porphyrogenetos (912-AD 959.) had extracts from ancient Greek literature produced. During his reign, Constantinople became the center of the Greek spirit and a source of manuscripts. For example the world famous Codex Venetus A with its valuable commentaries of Homer and the best texts from Aeschylus, Sophocles and Apollonius of Rhodes comes precisely from this period. The monasteries of Mt. Athos played an important role in the history of preservation and transmission of ancient texts. For centuries monks laboriously copied cultural works from the past, especially books of the church and theological learning saving them for posterity. With the fall of Constantinople to the Turks in AD 1453, a large number of manuscripts were lost. According to contemporary sources, over 120,000 manuscripts are supposed to have been destroyed during the three day plundering of the city. A large number of manuscripts escaped destruction though and were transported to Western Europe by Byzantine scholars who fled carrying their valuable possessions with them. Once they settled in Europe they began copying their manuscripts. The discovery of printing helped their reproduction. In the period that followed the fall of Constantinople, scholars, writers and traders often visited Mt. Athos and obtained manuscripts that were later reproduced in Western Europe mostly in Venice. This was the beginning of a tradition of classical scholarship in the west, which continues to this day. Until recently, research in classical scholarship has been characterized by traditional methods. However, the past 3 decades have produced the most efficient and productive research tool yet developed, the computer. In 1972 a major database project was established at the University of California, the Thesaurus of the Greek Language, known by its Latin name as Thesaurus Linguae Graecae or TLG. The aim of the project is to produce a permanent digital corpus containing all extant Greek literary works from antiquity to the present era. In the thirty years of its existence, the Thesaurus project has collected more than 15,000 bibliographical records, representing more than 3,500 authors and 11,000 works starting with Homer up to the fall of Byzantium in AD 1453. By digitizing these works (some existing only in rare editions in remote libraries) the project has made sure that whatever little has survived from antiquity through Byzantium will never be lost and will be readily available. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, almost the entire corpus of Greek literature is available on a single compact disk. What is more pertinent to this presentation today, however, is the fact that the existence of this technology has given us better and more efficient ways to confirm the presence of classical themes in patristic and Byzantine theological works. With the use of the TLG one can search the occurrence and frequency of words or expressions in any given author, genre or historical period. This kind of search would previously require intense reading of thousands of works and millions of lines of text, something practically impossible. Today this can be done in seconds. For example St. John Chrysostom is the largest author represented in the TLG corpus with more than 4.5 million words in edited homilies, letters and commentaries. Locating all the occurrences of a given word in his works takes less than a second. A few searches in the TLG corpus of theological works yield very interesting results. The name of Odysseus appears 5,000 times in theologi-
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
Religious Ed. Teen-age Curriculum in Progress The executive members of the Archdiocesan Teenage Curriculum Committee (ATCC) recently gathered in Denver, Colorado to discuss the status of the Department of Religious Education s Teenage Curriculum project. His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah, the presiding Hierarch of the Diocese of Denver, welcomed the committee and prayed for the success of their deliberations. Under the direct leadership and spiritual blessings of Archbishop Demetrios, the committee is composed of four specific teams that are respectively responsible for developing the catechetical material for grades 9-12 The Denver meeting was the first time the ATCC has gathered since the committee was formally entrusted with their task at the 2001 Religious Education Summer Institute held at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. According to the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, Director of the Department of Religious Education for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the ATCC is charged with overseeing the process of developing a comprehensive curriculum that will focus on the spiritual, emotional and intellectual formation of teenagers in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Scope and Sequence chart designed and developed by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America referred to as Living the Orthodox Faith serves as the foundational guideline for the development of the Teenage Curriculum. Based on the needs assessment data collected from the Religious Education Climate Survey (RECS) that canvassed churches throughout the Archdiocese in March 2000, Marangos has designed a curriculum paradigm called the CANA Curriculum Design Model. The CANA Curriculum Design Model refers to a pedagogical process of religious education that is based on the account of Jesus first miracle (John 2). The miracle took place at a wedding in a small, obscure town called Cana where the wine at the wedding had run out. As such, Jesus was asked by his mother to find a solution for the newlyweds problem. Although initially reluctant, Jesus nonetheless complied with his
mother s request and utilized the opportunity to produce His first sign (miracles). The CANA (Catechetical, Affective, and Noetic Assets) Curriculum Design Model includes six interrelated components: (a) Catechist, (b) Client (Child/ Adult), (c) Content, (d) Context, (e) Community, and (f) Corroboration. Related to the six stone water pots of Cana, the six C s of the CANA Curriculum Design Model provide interrelated catechetical, affective and noetic resources for the teaching/learning process. While it is not necessary to utilize them in a linear fashion, the components function best when employed in a cohesive way. Each of the six components includes resources and instructional assets that correspond to its respective focus. The CANA model is a comprehensive curriculum model that introduces students to an integrated understanding of the liturgical, scriptural, patristic and ethical content of the Orthodox Church. Currently, each curriculum development team consists of approximately 20 clergymen and five lay representatives. Two co-directors will lead each team. In total, there are approximately 100 individuals involved in the teenage curriculum project. Several members of the Holy Synod have agreed to provide spiritual oversight for their respective team. The hierarchs and co-directors of each curriculum development team are as follows: 12th grade team - Metropolitan Anthony, Fr. Stephen Kyriacou, and John Kalinoglou; 11th grade team - Metropolitan Maximos, Fr. Steven Tsichlis, and Eve Tibbs; 10th grade team - Metropolitan Isaiah, Fr. Nick Manousakis, and Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas Fotinis; and the 9th grade team - Metropolitan Methodios, Irene Cassis and Dr. Anton Vrame. All initiatives concerning curriculum theory design, research, and development of the teenage curriculum will be conducted by the staff of the Department of Religious Education ( DRE ) under the executive supervision of its director, Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, and Dr. Vasiliki Tsigas Fotinis, curriculum coordinator. Any questions or concerns can be directed to the DRE at ( 617) 850 1218.
cal works although the name of his faithful wife, Penelope appears only 450 times. Homer is the most often cited author with 2,900 references with Plato cited 2,500 and Aristotle 951. These are of course provisional figures since they represent a significant percentage but not the complete corpus of extant theological works. They will undoubtedly grow as our collection grows over time. We, Greeks are the recipients of a long cultural heritage that is unparalleled for its brilliance in literature, philosophy and the arts. With this privilege comes pride but also the responsibility to maintain this tradition, study it, understand it, appreciate it pass it on to our children and students not as dry encyclopedic knowledge or as empty cultural rhetoric but in meaningful ways that relate deeply and authentically to their experience. Our Church fathers recognized the spiritual and intellectual values of Hellenism and preserved as much of it as they possibly could. Their firmly held convictions did not prevent them from appreciating the best that was available to them. Following their example, generations of scholars and monks worked laboriously to preserve this material and hand it down to us. Now it is our turn to do the same and modern technol-
ogy has come to our aid in ways that were unimaginable even forty years ago. The question of the preservation of our Greek cultural heritage is a more pressing one for those of us living outside the borders of Greece, in what we usually term as the Diaspora. Questions about education and the perpetuation of the Greek language and culture come up every day prompting a range of different views. As we celebrate the Feast of the Three Hierarchs we have an opportunity to reflect on the example they set for us an example which continues to be both relevant and timely and reaffirm our commitment to preserve our cultural heritage. In the words of St. Basil: All the writers we remember for their wisdom, have in different ways, and each to the best of his power, discoursed in praise of virtue. To these men, we must listen and apply their words to our lives. For the one who confirms his devotion to wisdom by his deeds, unlike those who merely talk, alone has understanding, but the others, flit about like shadows. 1 * Maria C. Pantelia is Professor of Classics and Thesaurus Linguae Graecae Director at the University of California, Irvine Homer, Odyssey 10. 495.
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Scenes from Holy Week and Pascha 2002 1
1- HIS EMINENCE AND Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos, Holy Trinity Cathedral dean, at the Resurrection service.
2 - THE ARCHBISHOP reveres the cross at St. George Cathedral at the Phanar on Holy Thursday night.
3 - METROPOLITAN IAKOVOS distributes palms at Annunciation Church in Milwaukee on Palm Sunday as he begins his Holy Week activities in the Diocese of Chicago.
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4 - MIROPHORES CIRCLE the epitaphios on Holy Friday night at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York.
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7 5 - THE VIGILANT faithful listen attentively at the Holy Friday service. 6 - ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS tosses bay leaves at the Holy Saturday morning service at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria.
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7 - BISHOP NICHOLAS of Detroit presides at the Reading of the 12 Gospels service on Holy Thursday at Assumption Church in St. Clair Shores, Mich., one of the parishes he visited during Holy Week.