Orthodox Observer - February 2003

FEBRUARY 2003 • Vol. 68 • No. 1197

www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: observer@goarch.org

Archbishop Responds to Shuttle Tragedy

ETA PRESS HELLENIC LETTERS Archbishop Demetrios recently honored the top students from Greek parochial schools in the New York metropolitan area at the Salute to Hellenic Letters event held at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral (See related stories on page 24).

Archdiocesan District Holds Clergy-Laity Assembly RYE, N.Y. – More than 125 delegates from 44 of the 67 Archdiocesan District parishes attended the annual Clergy-Laity Assembly Feb. 8 to deliberate on issues affecting various district departments and ministries, especially education and with the previous day’s announcement on everyone’s minds that

by Jim Golding

the nation’s alert status for a possible terrorist attack had risen a notch to the second highest Condition Orange, Archbishop Demetrios noted in his opening remarks to the gathering at the Church of Our Savior that, “We are meeting at a very critical time nationally and internationally under high alert… but being disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, we always have to be on high alert, regardless of any high alert from any other source.”

His Eminence said that as decisions having an immediate impact on millions of people are being made in Washington, we are meeting to “keep the line of communication open to our Creator, our God.” He reminded the delegates of their role as carriers of the Orthodox message among “unique multicultural and multiethnic components” of the New York metropolitan area with more than 200 ethnic and cultural groups, but with “a heavy Greek Orthodox population.”

“It’s one thing to live in a remote area with a homogenous population,” said the Archbishop; “It’s another thing to live in this area; a challenge that warrants the necessity of a very strong identity. We can’t survive in this environment unless we have strong identity.”

He emphasized that such a strong identity is inherent in belonging to the Church, “an organism with special assets.”

THREE HIERARCHS GREEK LETTERS CELEBRATIONS

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Metropolises’ News Missions On Philanthropy Opinions Orthodoxy Worldwide Outreach And Evangelism Parish Profile People SCOBA Voice of Philoptochos

u23 u20 u15 u8 u16 u22 u17 u17 u10 u19

Archbishop’s Encyclical Archdiocese News Archpastoral Reflections Challenge Classifieds Ecumenical Patriarchate Greek Section Holy Scripture Readings IOCC Letters

u9 u2, 3, 5-7 u8 u 21 u20 u4 u11–14 u9 u18 u8

Strong parishes

A key component for this strong identity is the parish. “You have to have strong parishes,” the Archbishop said, and that cultivating a strong parish “is a task that belongs to everyone. The Church of the people is not the Church of the few.”

But he also said church members should not only think in terms of their own local communities. “We have to cultivate the mentality of growing beyond our parishes,” he said. “If we are centered in an exclusive, isolationist way, this will have a negative impact.

You can’t have an isolated view.” The Archbishop called for an “alertness to the needs of our neighbor communities.”

Drawing attention to the Archdiocesan District, His Eminence said, “This district is the center of Archdiocese as a whole, the headquarters of the Archdiocese.” He continued, “We have to build this direct Archdiocesan District as a very strong district. We don’t have a clearly local character, but a mixture of national and local.” He said the district also is a pastoral area to be taken care of and it should be “a very strong unit as the ‘Direct Archdiocese District’ in addition to being the headquarters of the entire Archdiocese of America. A strong Archdiocese District presupposes a strong Archdiocese.”

He named some of the basic resources of the district that also “are central ministries to the whole Archdiocese” – including youth, family and home missions all of which are located at St. Basil Academy.

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NEW YORK. – Upon learning of the tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia on the morning of Satruday, Feb. 1, Archbishop Demetrios immediately expressed his deepest condolences to President Bush on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and issued the following encyclical to all parishes of the Archdiocese that was read from the pulpits on Sunday.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, His Eminence in his homily on the Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord spoke about the tragedy of the previous day and he explained the finite nature of human life, “a life which is a gift of God,” he said. He also added that the astronauts “were also people of God –the same God of ours– and therefore we have to pray for their souls and we pray for their families who were waiting down at Cape Canaveral.”

That night, His Eminence called for a moment of silence in honor of the seven Columbia astronauts at the beginning of a Three Hierarchs Celebration at St. Demetrios Cathedral’s School in Astoria, NY. 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, I am writing to you on this tragic day after having expressed to our President George W. Bush my deepest condolences, to call all of our faithful to prayer and remembrance as you gather this Sunday for the Divine Liturgy. On Saturday, February 1, the astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia died tragically as they were making their return from a 16-day science mission in space.

As people of faith, love, and hope, I ask you to pray for the families who have lost loved ones and to remember these crew members who were a magnificent mosaic of humanity and who heroically exemplified our ability to strive for achievement and progress for all the people of this planet.

May we also on this day and in the days to come pray for our President and our national leaders, asking God to grant them wisdom and strength as they address the needs that follow this national tragedy. Further, I ask you to pray for the many who are exposed to grave danger each day while serving faithfully our country and our communities. We must always be mindful of their offering and their sacrifice.

May the grace of the Holy Trinity protect all of you, and may the presence of our Lord bring comfort and peace.

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N EWS

FEBRUARY 2003

Archdiocesan District Clergy-Laity Assembly Held lish Orthodox Christian Fellowship organizations at various college campuses also are under way.

u u page 1 One particular area of concern under philanthropy where Archbishop Demetrios feels more can be accomplished is in the ministry to children with cancer and their parents and families who come to New York.

“People are here, far away from their homes, facing the prospect of the difficult condition of the child, and are struggling to get the money to meet medical expenses and to stay at the Ronald McDonald House,” the Archbishop said.

He said that, because of the expense and length of stay involved, “hospitals want a down payment of about $400,000 per person.” The families also need “another $600,000 to $700,000 for treatment.” His Eminence encouraged the assembly to “think about what we can do and we should do with our philanthropy.”

PHILOPTOCHOS

Reports from ministries, elections held

After the Archbishop’s opening remarks, assembly delegates heard reports from Archdiocesan District departments and ministries, followed by nominations and elections to the District and Archdiocesan councils and St. Michael’s Home. Delegates then split into committees during a working lunch for discussions on the work of each department and ministry, and then reconvened in an afternoon plenary session for the presentation of committee mission statements and reports.

Delegates also elected the following 11 persons to the Diocesan Council: James Gabriel, Glen Cove, N.Y.; George Zimmer, Rye, N.Y.; Dr. Constantine Flokas, Yonkers, N.Y.; Harry Raptakis, Hempstead, N.Y.; Stephen Cherpelis, Douglaston, N.Y.; Peter Stavrinos, Roslyn, N.Y.; Helen Limnios, Hartford, Conn.; George Condos, New Rochelle, N.Y.; Athena Gergotas, New York; Dr. George Saines, Middletown, N.Y.; and William Kallinikos, Hempstead, N.Y. Fr. Peter Orfanakos, pastor of St. Barbara’s Church in Orange, Conn., Dr. Antoine Harovas of Roslyn, N.Y., and William Kallinikos of Hempstead, N.Y., were elected as the District’s representatives to the Archdiocesan Council.

Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos, pastor of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church on Staten Island, was selected as the representative to St. Michael’s Home.

Reports heard during the assembly included:

ARCHDIOCESE CHANCELLOR Bishop Savas Zembillas addresses delegates to the District Clergy-Laity Assembly.

GREEK EDUCATION

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Maria Makedon, Archdiocesan District Director for Greek Education, reported that 54 Greek afternoon schools with an estimated enrollment of 3,500 students operate in the District.

In the 11 parochial day schools of Metropolitan New York, enrollment totals 2,393, a slight decrease from last year’s enrollment of 2,508. The schools operate on an annual budget of nearly $10 million and experienced a deficit of nearly $1.5 million in 2002.

Ms. Makedon also reported that two projects currently being developed are a compilation of the examination in Modern Greek of the past 10 years, and the development of a bilingual kindergarten curriculum. Both projects are funded by Niarchos Foundation Grants.

George Hazlaris, Archdiocese District youth director, reported on the success of the JOY and GOYA athletic programs over the years, and encouraged more parishes to participate.

He said the Youth Department is in the process of developing a Youth Ministry Team to work with young people as a cohesive unit. Team members would be trained in the psychology of working with young people and how to work with them.

The District’s summer camp program continues with Camp Good Shepherd the last two weeks in July at St. Basil Academy, co-sponsored by the Metropolis of New Jersey.

Mr. Hazlaris also said the Young Adult League is being restructured on a District-wide level, and efforts to estab-

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CHOIR FEDERATION

Archdiocesan District Choir Federation President Spyros Kalas of Blue Point, N.Y., reported the organization is working to expand the number of choirs taking part in the District federation and several programs it supports, including increasing youth participation, increasing awareness of western-style liturgical music and the use of more English in the Liturgy, Matins and on feast days.

The District choir federation also sponsors several Christmas programs featuring sacred, secular and patriotic music.

The federation’s annual conference will take place May 30-June 1.

CULTURAL CENTER

Kaliope Zavakopoulou reported on the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center located in Astoria, NY. The center includes a 200-seat theater, a reception area and exhibition hall for iconography, paintings, photography; a chapel dedicated to St. Cosmas, offices and a religious bookstore; and a broadcast studio for the “Voice of the Greek Orthodox Church” radio program and Internet web cast. The center under the direction of Bishop Vikentios of Apameia organizes lectures, plays, musical and dance performances and various other cultural events.

CHANCELLORY

Bishop Savas of Troas, Archdiocesan chancellor, reported that the 67 parishes of the District are served by 69 priests, a few have two or more, while some have no full-time priest but are served by 21 retired priests and priests with lay vocations.

More than half are age 57 or older, 17 percent are over age 70. The average age is 52 years, 9 months. The longest serving active priest is Fr. George Poulos, 81, of Archangels Church in Stamford, Conn., with 48 years of service.

Nineteen students at Holy Cross School of Theology are from the District; 12 of them are men preparing for ordination, seven are women.

District President Stella Capiris reported there are 61 chapters in New York, Connecticut and the District of Columbia. She stated the District Philoptochos acts as a liaison between the National Philoptochos and the local chapters. Church institutions the District supports as part of its ongoing obligations include St. Michael’s Home and the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria.

Along with the National Philoptochos, the District women have supported St. Basil Academy over the years, recently giving $500 for library computer programs. Some parishes sponsor individual children at the Academy, at an annual cost of $7,000 per student, including Bridgeport and Norwalk, Conn., Rosyln Heights, N.Y., Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral and Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Washington.

Mrs. Capiris also noted the following: a contribution of $7,000 by St. Barbara’s Philoptochos Chapter at St. Demetrios Church in Merrick, N.Y., for children of Greek heritage undergoing treatment at children’s hospitals, the Roslyn Heights, N.Y. Philoptochos assistance with the monthly services for the physically and mentally handicapped children; and other philanthropic projects.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

IOANNIS THOMAS

YOUTH MINISTRY Committee members (shown here) and other committees held working lunches after the opening session to deliberate on issues and goals for the Archdiocesan District.

DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) PRODUCTION MANAGER: Costa Eliopoulos COLOR CORRECTION: Abel Montoya ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Soula Podaras CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Nicholas Manginas

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Theo Nikolakis, director, discussed several web-based services being developed by the Department of Internet Services to aid parishes in the development of a weekly parish bulletin, calendar publication, and the use of e-mail list servers and a chat room/message board.

COMMITTEES

Under new procedures adopted to revitalize the process for conducting the clergy laity assembly, the delegates separated into committees after the report presentations for a working lunch to deliberate on the work and goals of the departments and ministries.

The afternoon plenary session consisted of presentations of recommendations by each committee.

They were as follows: Communications: Recommended holding regional workshops to present

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ARC HDI O C E S E

FEBRUARY 2003

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Newly Formed Mission Team SCOBA Hierarchs Address Present New York Meets with Archbishop Challenge to Security and Peace NEW YORK – The Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America issued the following statement on Feb. 11.

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NEW YORK -- The newly formed Mission Team New York met with Archbishop Demetrios on Feb. 6, and received His Eminence’s blessing to promote the work of missions to the people and parishes in the greater New York area, including New Jersey and Connecticut.

The meeting was attended by members of the steering committee, which include Dimitra DeFotis, Florence Givelis, Thalia Karakitsios, and Andrew Yiannakos.

Also participating in the meeting were Fr. Nektarios Morrow, the group’s spiritual advisor, and Athan E. Stephanopoulos, the New York-based director of OCMC’s Capital Campaign.

In offering his archpastoral blessings, the Archbishop spoke of many other endeavors that have been initiated in the recent history of the Orthodox Church that led to the establishment of substantive missionary work around the world.

“Your initiative,” he told the group, “is a clear indication of your love for missions; and this effort will help others to know that missions is essential to the life and work of the Church.”

The focus of Mission Team New York is to encourage more Orthodox Christians in the metropolitan area to be witnesses to the gospel message of Jesus Christ through participation in the mission programs and

CLERGY

the short and long-term missions activities coordinated by the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, the foreign missions agency of SCOBA. The group is developing additional programs to assist clergy and parish leadership in raising awareness of missions, including presentations by long-term OCMC missionaries and former mission team members.

The group will also serve as a support to those who will participate on future mission teams. Domestically, as it strengthens its ranks, the group will help local parishes needing assistance for basic programs and building projects.

This new effort by the New York group follows the successful ministry and program of Mission Team Chicago, which was formed in 1996 under the guidance of the late Fr. George J. Scoulas.

Mission Team New York is hosting a reception the evening of March 4 at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese to gather former OCMC mission team participants.

Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, founding director of the Mission Center, will speak at the event. Former team members and active OCMC missions supporters living in the New York area are encouraged to attend.

UPDATE

Ordination to the Diaconate: John Kontogianes – Metropolitan Isaiah – Holy Trinity Church, Tulsa, Okla., 12/22/02 Demetrios Govostes – Bishop Savas – St. Barbara Church, Orange, Conn., 01/26/03 Ordination to the Priesthood: Dn. Philippe Mousis – Metropolitan Methodios – Annunciation Cathedral, Boston, 01/19/03 Dn. Demetrios Govostes– Bishop Savas – Archangel Michael Church – Roslyn, N.Y., 02/02/03 Assignments: Fr. Demetrios-Earl Cantos – Metropolis of San Francisco – chancellor, 01/01/03 Fr. Paul Schroeder-director of St. Nicholas Ranch Center, Dunlap,CA., 01/01/03 Fr. Bill C. Gikas – St. George Church, Trenton, N.J., 01/01/03 Fr. Mark Emroll – Annunciation Church, Dayton, Ohio, 01/01/03 Fr. Catalin Mot – Annunciation Church, Vestal, N.Y., 01/01/03

Fr. George Khitiri – St. George Church, Shreveport, La., 01/15/03 Fr. Michael Monos – Holy Trinity Church, Augusta, Ga., 01/16/03 Fr. Philippe Mousis – Annunciation Cathedral, Boston (assistant), 01/19/03 Fr. Stylianos Muksuris – St. George Cathedral, Manchester, N.H., 02/01/03 Fr. Presbyter Demetrios Govostes – Archangel Michael Church, Roslyn Heights, N.Y., 02/03/03 Offikia: Metropolitan Alexios bestowed the office of protopresbyter upon Fr. Paul A. Kaplanis, 09/15/02 Metropolitan Alexios bestowed the office of protopresbyter upon Fr. Michael D. Vastakis, 11/24/02 Metropolitan Alexios bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. Aristides P. Metrakos, 12/22/02 Metropolitan Nicholas bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. James A. Bogdan, 01/12/03 Suspensions: Rev. Fr. Alex Prodes, 11/21/02

ÿ Metropolitan Philip, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese

ÿ Metropolitan Christopher, Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER

MISSION TEAM New York members Andrew Yiannakos, Florence Givelis, Dimitra DeFotis, Thalia Karakitsios, Athan Stephanopoulos, and Fr. Nektarios Morrow.

Other steering committee members include Antonia Chelpon and John Paterakis.

t this time, one of the most critical in human history, we the Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America, painfully understand the exceedingly great existential burden placed upon our government leaders, who, at this crucial moment are charged with the power to decide the fate of innumerable human beings. They will have to make the ultimate decisions required by the information available to them. We pray for them, for their wisdom, determination and compassion as they contemplate actions that may have a tremendous impact upon millions of our fellow human beings, including many of our own sons and daughters.

As leaders of Orthodox Christian Communities throughout America and as servants of the One who on His way to the cross said: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you.” (John 14:27), we urge all leaders of governments to utilize every means available to seek a peaceful resolution to the present challenge to the security and happiness of all humankind, posed by the forces of terror and evil that threaten not only the civilized world, but the very survival of human existence.

As Orthodox Christians we constantly and fervently pray in each and every worship service of our Church “for the peace from above”, and incessantly implore the Lord “for the peace of the whole world”. As disciples and followers of Jesus Christ we seek and pursue peace in prayer, in faith and in action. Death, terror, destruction, and endless suffering are formidable enemies with which we are not ever going to be reconciled.

In the uniquely significant days ahead, may our good and loving God enable us all, the people of this blessed country, to know and to do what is just and right in order to secure a lasting peace on our planet Earth. ÿ Archbishop Demetrios ÿ Metropolitan Herman Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Orthodox Church in America

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FEBRUARY 2003

Archons Announce 2003 Athenagoras Award Recipients NEW YORK – The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has announced that two agencies of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) will be honored as recipients of the 18th annual Athenagoras Human Rights Awards.

The recipients are International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). The official presentation will take place at the organization’s grand banquet at the New York Hilton Hotel on March 8, 2003.

Since its creation in 1992 as the humanitarian and philanthropic agency of SCOBA, International Orthodox Christian Charities has evolved into an important relief organization that is internationally recognized and respected. In its first decade, IOCC has become a vital conduit enabling Orthodox Christians in the churches of America to channel resources of human energy, as well as financial and material support towards those in need. IOCC has distributed more than $160 million in aid through its initiatives both domestically and in 21 countries around the world. It has carried out its mandate of humanitarian service with distinction, responding to the needs of victims of war, poverty, disease and natural disasters. IOCC has earned numerous commendations for both its organizational efficiency and program effectiveness.

The Order has also selected the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, the international missionary agency of SCOBA, as a worthy recipient of the Athenagoras Award. For almost two decades, the Mission Center has been the vehicle for Orthodox Christians in America to participate in the Church’s missionary endeavors

around the world.

Since its inception in 1985, the Mission Center has offered missionary support to over 35 countries through sending long-term and short-term missionaries, supporting the development of indigenous Orthodox churches, and funding educational and philanthropic programs.

During this time, the Mission Center has sent more than 800 dedicated volunteers on teaching, building and medical teams, conducted 25 building and restoration projects of churches, schools and medical clinics, and financially supported over 230 indigenous Orthodox clergy in twelve countries. This summer OCMC will send 11 teams to regions of East and West Africa, Central America, Eastern Europe, Asia, and Alaska.

In announcing the 2003 Awards, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Order of St. Andrew, stated, “The Order is very pleased to honor both IOCC and OCMC with the Athenagoras Award, as they are two agencies of the Church that lead our Orthodox faithful in humanitarian and charitable work throughout the world. This they have

done and will continue to do in the love of Christ for all people in need.”

Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Chairman of SCOBA, will host the event which is expected to attract more than 1,500 Orthodox Christian laymen and clergy from across the country. Board Chairman Bert W. Moyar and Executive Director Constantine M. Triantafilou will accept the award on behalf of IOCC. Board President Helen Nicozisis and Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi will accept the award on behalf of the OCMC. Established in 1986, The Athenagoras Human Rights Award has been presented annually by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle to a person or organization which has “…consistently exemplified by action, purpose and dedication, concern for the basic human rights and religious freedom of all people regardless of race, color or creed.”

The Award, as the preeminent recognition for humanitarian works presented within the Orthodox Churches in the Americas, is dedicated to the memory of one of the 20th century’s most notable Orthodox Christian religious leaders, Patriarch Athenagoras.

Born in Greece on March 25, 1886, he rose through the clerical ranks to become Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church

of North and South America in 1931 and was elected Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in November, 1948. Patriarch Athenagoras died in 1972. He was the 268th successor to the ancient Patriarchal Throne established in Constantinople or “New Rome” by the Apostle Andrew.

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is the U.S. organization of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, an international group of church laymen recognized for outstanding service, dedication and loyalty. While these individuals are involved in contemporary activities of service and stewardship, the designation “Archon” and the individual titles the members acquire, date to the era of the Byzantine empire. There are more than 800 current members of the Order in America.

Athenagoras Human Rights Award Previous Recipients: 2002 President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush 2001 Archbishop Anastasios of Albania 2000 Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu 1999 Elie Wiesel 1998 Nana Mouskouri 1997 Reverend Clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese 1996 Order of AHEPA 1995 Hon. Edward Derwinski 1994 Hon. Paul S. Sarbanes 1993 George Douris 1992 Ladies Philoptochos 1991 Andrew A. Athens 1990 Hon. John Brademas 1989 Anthony G. Borden, MD 1988 Mother Theresa 1987 President Jimmy Carter 1986 Archbishop Iakovos

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FEBRUARY 2003

Encounter delivers hope, confidence Little did Sandy Litton know she was in for a religious experience this past weekend when she took her daughter, Hannah, to Tampa International Airport to catch a flight.

by James A. Jones Jr.

The Bradenton woman found herself sharing an airport tram with a clergyman wearing flowing black robes. She described him as having a long white beard and the “face of an angel.”

“I made my way right beside him.

I wanted to touch his black robe, that seemed to float across the floor when he walked,” Sandy said, sensing she was in the presence of a highly spiritual person.

And then she surprised herself by reaching to touch the icon, dangling from a gold chain around the clergyman’s neck.

“I just closed my eyes and started to pray as I held it in my hand. He began to pray with me, too,” she said.

When they finished praying, Sandy asked whom the icon depicted.

In a response that she said was almost childlike, the man responded, “My Jesus.”

Afterward, Sandy discovered the man was Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader for the Greek Orthodox Church community in North America.

Demetrios was traveling to Tarpon Springs for an annual ceremony where boys dive for a cross. The boy who brings the cross to the surface hopes to receive a special blessing, called “divine providence.”

Sandy, a self-described born-again Christian, is not Greek Orthodox. But she felt rejuvenated by the encounter with the archbishop. Some bad experiences over the past few years had cast a pall over her life.

In 2000, Sandy came to the aid of a

young man who had been hit by lightning while fishing in the Braden River from a small aluminum boat.

Although she administered CPR and prayed for the man, she was unable to save his life.

A Herald story from July 31, 2000, quoted Sandy as saying, the storm “came out of nowhere. We were going to take the Jet Ski out and the whole sky fell in. It was the blackest sky you ever saw.”

She never quite got over the tragedy.

Or a second fatality in the Florida Keys a year later. “It was a very painful experience that I have not been able to put behind me,” she said.

More recently, she went through a divorce and found herself in need of a job.

On Tuesday, she told me she had landed a job at a local nursing home. “I got my bright light back and I’m raring to go,” she said.

She credits the turn-around to that prayer session in the airport tram.

The Rev. Frank Kirlangitis of St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in East Manatee said Sandy’s experience is not unusual.

“Archbishop Demetrios is a very pious man; a very simple, spiritual person,” Kirlangitis said. “He is just a beautiful person. One of our parishioners also met him at the airport. They were just overwhelmed.”

“I feel so blessed,” Sandy said of meeting the archbishop. “It was as if I dove into the waters and received the divine providence.”

James A. Jones Jr., is editor of the East Manatee Herald. He can be reached at 782-5516 or at jajones1@bradentonher ald.com. Reprinted with permission from James Jones Jr

St. Nicholas Church Included on Two Final Plans for WTC Site NEW YORK -- The goal to restore St. Nicholas Church, crushed in the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, has moved closer to its realization. The Feb. 6 issue of the New York Times reported that the proposed architectural plans for the rebuilding of the World Trade Center have been narrowed to two and both include sites for the church.

One plan has the church rebuilt on or very close to its original location at 155 Cedar St. The other shows a new location for the church, several hundred feet to the northeast corner of the site, at Church and Vesey streets across from St. Pauls Roman Catholic Chapel.

“We have to see what is finally the best,” Archbishop Demetrios told delegates to the Archdiocese District Clergy Laity Assembly in updating them on the church’s status.

“We want more space, said the Archbishop, but space is limited. If church is going to serve as place of Orthodox witness, and of offering peace and comfort to any person, you need more space.”

!

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A CONCEPTUALIZATION (above) of proposed World Trade Center site. Map below shows original location of St. Nicholas Church (A), and proposed relocation site in one of the two plans (B).

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6

FEBRUARY 2003

St. Photios Foundation Holds Annual Meeting ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The annual meeting of the St. Photios Foundation Board of Trustees took place during the weekend of the 21st annual St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine Pilgrimage on Feb. 1 at the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Fla. Representing the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese was Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit. His Eminence opened the meeting with a blessing and encouraged the trustees to “help make the St. Photios Shrine a place of pilgrimage” and the work of the trustees should mirror “the struggle of the first colony” in its efforts to thrive.

The executive director, the Very Rev. Nicholas Graff, evaluated the goals of the previous term, and reported that the majority of the goals have been met, including the hiring on an associate director and empowering an active working Board of Trustees. He listed expectations for trustees to help them in their efforts to further promote and support the Shrine.

Fr. Nicholas also presented trustees two major initiatives for the St. Photios Foundation. The first includes the St. Photios Shrine Archbishop Iakovos Endowment Fund. “Named after our founding hierarch, the endowment fund drive, of $1 million, will be set aside for the perpetual growth and needs of the St. Photios National Shrine,” stated Fr. Nicholas. He also introduced the St. Photios Shrine Archbishop Iakovos Enhancement Project.

Associate Director Andrew J. Lekos reported on the progress of the programs at the Shrine, including a strategic plan on how the trustees can fulfill their role in the work of the Shrine.

Operations manager James Stremanos reported that National Shrine Church Supplies showed a profit “primarily due to the loyal base of churches that actively support the Shrine and the continued popularity of our 100 percent beeswax candles and our Epiphany holy water bottles.”

Shrine chaplain Fr. Nikitas Theodosion stated there are more groups visiting

that request services at the St. Photios Chapel. He plans to celebrate a Divine Liturgy for the St. Photios Shrine Dedication Day on Feb. 27.

Trustee Vice-President Harry Thomas Cavalaris recognized Archon Dr. George and Georgia Croffead for “having served the St. Photios Shrine for over 30 years.”

Mr. Cavalaris, also an archon, reported on the Endowment Fund and the resolution that was unanimously passed at the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress this past summer.

Cina Daskalakis reported that St. Photios Shrine is the Greek-American’s Ellis Island and “every Greek Orthodox household should know of the Shrine and have their names listed on the Shrine’s Wall of Tribute.”

Archon George Parandes presented the financial report for 2002, and the new treasurer, Maria Carantzas proposed the 2003 St. Photios Foundation Budget.

Nicholas Furris familiarized the trustees with the St. Photios Shrine Archbishop Iakovos Enhancement Project that will improve the audio-visual presentation of the Shrine exhibits.

Other reports included the annual Friends Appeal - Friends of the St. Photios Shrine; Light A Candle program; and the annual Greek Landing Day Celebration, June 28-29, which will honor Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos for the 20th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood.

Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura, the St. Photios Shrine Pilgrimage chairperson, announced the events of the weekend including the program of the luncheon, which featured Archbishop Desmond Tutu as the keynote speaker. Special honoree was Archbishop Iakovos, St. Photios Shrine chairman emeritus.

Archons Dr. George Croffead, Charles Masterpolis, and Ted Pappas were to be honored for their elevation to trustee emeritus board status.

The next annual trustees meeting and pilgrimage will be Feb. 6-8, 2004 in St. Augustine.

Archbishop Tutu Speaks at St. Photios Luncheon

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ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The 21st annual St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine Feast Day Luncheon, held Sunday, Feb. 2, featured Nobel Prize winner Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa as guest speaker.

The annual St. Photios National Shrine Pilgrimage celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. Photios the Great.

Among those attending were St. Photios Foundation Shrine President, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.

St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner welcomed all the attendees by recounting the history of the first Greek colony in the New World, and welcomed Archbishop Tutu to the city saying, “It is fortunate that our distinguished guest is recognized as much for his humor as his life of dedication to justice, reconciliation and equality for mankind.”

Toastmaster Nicholas Furris placed a telephone call to Archbishop Iakovos, St. Photios Foundation chairman emeritus, and via a conference speakerphone, His Eminence gave greetings and blessings to all the attendees.

Archbishop Tutu was presented with an Engolpion of the Theotokos and Metropolitan Alexios accepted the St. Photios Award Special Honoree plaque presented for Archbishop Iakovos.

Archbishop Tutu, a former recipient of the Order of St. Andrew’s Athenagoras Human Rights Award, gave his keynote presentation to more than 230 attendees of the luncheon. He spoke of peace, conflict, resolution, and “justice and forgiveness.”

Archbishop Tutu began his speech

praising the Greek’s role in western civilization. Referring to figures of ancient Greek culture, Tutu asked, “What would western civilization be without Greek culture and history? Greek history has become current culture.”

“Forgiveness belongs in the hard world of real politics. We have discovered in South Africa that there is no future without forgiveness,” Tutu said. Truth and reconciliation must come together for victory over repression and oppression. “You will never have true security from the barrel of a gun,” he said. Tutu concluded, “True security will happen when all believe they have justice.

There is no future without forgiveness.”

At the end of his speech, Archbishop Tutu received a standing ovation. Tutu is in northeast Florida temporarily, teaching this semester at the University of North Florida.

The feast day luncheon featured a musical interlude by the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Concert Chorale in Jacksonville, Fla., conducted by Jeffrey Clayton. Also featured were paintings by artist Mac Truque, including one entitled, “Portrait of Leadership,” depicting Archbishop Tutu.

The chairman of the 21st annual St. Photios Shrine Pilgrimage was Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura, and Elaine Tissura was the feast day luncheon chairperson. Dr. John and Marcia Fotopoulos donated beautiful conch shell centerpieces decorated with fresh orchids for each table.

The St. Photios Shrine is the only national shrine of the Archdiocese. Located in downtown St. Augustine, it is referred to as the “Jewel of St. George Street.”

7

FEBRUARY 2003

The Pre-Lenten or Triodion Period

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The beginning of lent is determined by the date upon which Pascha falls. Lent is generally divided into three parts: four Pre-Lent weeks, five weeks of Great Lent itself, and Holy Week.

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by Bradley S. Borch

The four-week Pre-Lent period is also known as the Triodion, because the services observed during this period are included in the Triodion, the book of Lenten services.

These first four Sundays, the Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee, the Sunday of the Prodigal Son, the Sunday of Final Judgment, and Forgiveness Sunday are each characterized by a variation on the great theme of lent: repentance.

The Sunday of Final Judgment is also called Meatfare Sunday because it is the last days the faithful are permitted to eat meat; likewise, Cheesefare Sunday is the last day dairy products are permitted.

However, this pre-lent period is intended to do more than “ease us” into the rigors of the lenten fast. They also focus our thoughts and efforts and set the tone for the spiritual struggle that lies ahead of us.

This article and many more Lenten resources are found on The Royal Road, the multimedia CD by the Department of Religious Education.

The Origins of Lent

In the early Church Pascha was considered the most important time for the conferring of those sacraments by which redemption is made: Baptism, chrismation (Confirmation), and the Eucharist.

Lent began as the preparation penitents underwent for these sacraments. During the course of the fourth century the solem-

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nities of Holy Week and the celebrations of Bright Week (i.e. the week after Pascha) were elaborated. The time of preparation for Pascha was gradually increased and the joyous period of the Paschal time was lengthened.

The weeks before baptism were, therefore, devoted to the training and instruction of the candidates for baptism and the preparation of the penitents. This intense period of preparation, which included fasting, began forty days before Holy Week. The choice of forty days came about for symbolic reasons based on Biblical precedents such as the fortyday fasts of Moses, Elias the Prophet, and the period our Lord himself spent in the desert. Lent gradually became a universal institution, observed by catechumens and faithful alike for its salutary effects on the life of the Christian community.

This article and many more Lenten resources are found on The Royal Road, the multimedia CD by the Department of Religious Education. For more information call 1-800-566-1088.

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Sharing Lent with Your Children Take your child to church. Whenever a service is scheduled, plan to attend.

Services like The Canon of St. Andrew of Crete may be physically tiring with the many prostrations, but don’t think your child can’t be a part of them.

by Ann Marie Gidus-Mercera

In one parish, which is filled with preschoolers, the children do a great job of making prostrations right along with the adults. Many of the children will join in as “Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me” is sung. This experience is good for our children! If they see their parents attending services, they get the message that attending Church is important.

If we bring our children to church with us (both young and old), they get the message that their presence in church is important. The Canon of St. Andrew of Crete is especially good for teaching our children that we worship with our entire bodies.

Explain the service that your family will be attending. Notice that the word “family” is used in the first sentence.

Now is a good time to stress that the entire family should be attending services. Some father’s can’t make it home from work in time for all of us to get to services together, but he can meet the family at church.

This tells our children that church is important enough for daddy to meet us there. As children get older, homework and after-school may tempt them (and us!) to skip church services. Don’t let it!

First of all, if we give in, then what we’re really telling them is that worldly affairs are more important than spiritual affairs. By allowing our children to miss church, we make it extremely easy for them to fall away as teenagers or young adults.

Last of all, if we allow our older children to miss church, we are telling our younger children that church is not

important when they get to be big sister or big brother’s age.

Enforcing church attendance by the entire family is no easy task. In fact, enforcing it may be one of the hardest jobs you encounter. Sticking to your rule will be even tougher. It’s a choice we must make as Orthodox parents. Maybe, it makes our task easier if we ask ourselves, “What would God want us to do?” The answer is obvious.

Prepare your child for Lent.

The weeks prior to Lent help us take on the right frame of mind for entering Lent. Let them do the same for your child.

Read the stories and let your child color (or draw) the pictures prior to attending the Sunday services.

You may want to read the story again on Saturday evening, or let your child take the color sheet to Church. A simple reminder Sunday morning concerning what the service and gospel reading will contain can be enough.

Pre-schoolers have the ability to remember even the briefest of comments (even when it’s something we DON’T want them to remember!) Keep your explanation simple and BRIEF in order to hold his/her attention.

Don’t feel mountains have to be moved the day Lent begins, or even during Lent.

It might be a quiet, even uneventful day. That’s okay! Nothing magical needs to happen. We must only be ready to give our hearts to Christ, and we should gladly hand them over in an effort to be a good example to our children. This is our greatest task as Orthodox Christian parents. © 1998 by Orthodox Family Life and the original author(s).

This article and many more Lenten resources are found on The Royal Road, the multimedia CD by the Department of Religious Education.

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FEBRUARY 2003

EDITORIAL

The Columbia Is Lost

Once again, the nation has experienced a catastrophic tragedy with the loss on Feb. 1 of the space shuttle Columbia and the deaths of all seven astronauts on board.

For a nation still reeling from the effects of 9/11, this sudden calamity is one more exceedingly painful experience to be endured for a long time to come.

It also brings to mind the horrible images from January 1986 of the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger shortly after liftoff.

The heartbreaking TV footage of the shuttle breaking up over North Texas touched not only those immediately associated with the nation’s space effort, but the entire human family throughout the world. It is indeed an international tragedy, not only because the crew was international, but also because so many nations take part in our space program and its benefits have affected people throughout the world.

Our prayers and thoughts go out to the families of these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

It was almost 22 years ago that the Columbia completed the first

u HC/HC Progress t Editor, Readers of the Observer should be aware of the remarkable academic strides now being made at Holy Cross School of Theology thanks to the support of the Leadership 100 Committee and the guidance of its president, Fr. Nick Triantafilou.

Leadership 100 is perhaps is perhaps best known for underwriting the costs of seminarians who plan to enter the priesthood. In addition, however, the scholarship program has made it possible for me as an ordained member of the priesthood to undertake advanced theological study, earning a Master’s of Theology (Th. M.) degree to enhance my ministry.

Contemporary ministry depends on an educated clergy who can bring the insights of inspired theological faculty to the pulpit, the confessional and the church classroom.

In my case, I have benefited from further instruction in New Testament under Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos, while also taking advantage of opportunities at Harvard Divinity School to improve my ability to teach and preach the word of God. Fr. Triantafilou, along with seminary Dean Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Bishop Gerasimos, and many others, deserve our thanksgiving and praise for the creative and encouraging spirit by which they lead the students. I am more confident than ever that the seminary will meet the challenges facing theological education in our post-modern and multi cultural society.

The staff and contributors of Leadership 100 can rest assured that their kind support for the seminary will bear much fruit in Our Lord’s vineyard.

Fr. John Kostas Brookline, Mass.

uPre-Lenten Thoughtst Editor, As we approach the start of the Lenten journey towards the greatest of celebrations I offer these thoughts: It is my hope that upcoming issues of

flight ever of a space shuttle, a feat that made travel into space, or at least near space, a routine, commonplace experience.

Yet, we are reminded that the astronauts who have made this seemingly routine procedure possible epitomize the highest form of bravery and dedication to their calling.

We are also reminded that life is precious and ephemeral.

We need to be reminded on occasion that whatever our “long-range” plans and lofty goals may be, they can vaporize in an instant if our lives are abruptly cut short, whether in a tragic accident or by illness.

That is why, as St. Paul, our Church Fathers and our contemporary clergy remind us, we should live each day as if it were our last on earth.

We don’t know how long we have in this existence, only God knows. So we must act in accordance with His will in whatever we do and eliminate the pettiness, the strife, conformity with the world, and whatever else keeps us from living our lives as Christ has directed us.

the Orthodox Observer devote more space to the words and teachings of Jesus Christ.

At a time when Americans face uncertainty over war, terrorism, and the economy we all need the comfort and hope that HIS words provide.

As Orthodox Christians the Lenten journey offers us a unique opportunity to demonstrate to nonbelievers that the Lord loves them and all they have to do is come to Him and ask for it. Showing love and tolerance to nonbelievers is the clearest way to demonstrate His love for them, as we become the example He wishes us to be.

The alternative of cloaking ourselves in self righteousness is all to frequently on display during Lent. It tells the nonbeliever that we belong to an exclusive club that has no room for new members, and it is wrong!

I wish us all a Great Lenten journey with hope that each of us works toward the goal of having a non-believer see His Light through our compassion, tolerance and love!

Peter M. Pappas Crystal Lake, Ill.

u A Response to Fanny Pappas t Editor, As the catechist for our parish I want to respond. First of all, your summary comment regarding the convert is completely out of touch with the struggle and agony faced by many who convert.

I know of those who are disowned by their families when they embrace the Faith. I do not take their struggle lightly.

Nor should others. I take exception to what seems to be an all too common blurring of the distinction between the Faith and ethnic identity. I am one of those “non-Greeks” who embraced Orthodoxy. My wife also is a “non-Greek” who did the same.

Our family are members of a Greek Orthodox parish, and have been since we were received nine years ago.

However, when we arose from the waters of baptism, our word of rejoicing was

Archpastoral Reflections

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America

Being in the Triodion season, we are preparing to embark upon the spiritual journey of Lent, a special seven-week period leading toward the glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are invited during this sacred time to nurture more attentively our relationships with God and with one another. Through prayer, fasting, and through selfless acts of charity, we approach the inexhaustible love of God. This love, which manifested itself uniquely in the Cross of Christ, renews our hearts and our world with peace, hope, and the promise of a life without end.

As members of the Body of Christ, we are called to grow in our love for Christ and for His brothers and sisters all over the world. This calling comes at a particularly crucial juncture in human history, in an age where the capacity of human beings to love one another as children of God is tested increasingly, and where threats to peace and justice grow insidiously. In the face of war, terror, poverty, disease, environmental degradation, and other threats to the peace of God, we are called to exercise especially heightened vigilance dictated by love. The Lenten season teaches us, through the superb example of our Lord marching toward His crucifixion, not to despair in the presence of distress or suffering, but, rather, to offer the same love and care which God Himself offers to the world. The journey of Lent reminds us of our need for communion with God and with one another based on love. Above all things, it reminds us of the ultimate victory of life over death, of the triumph of joy over sorrow, and of the comforting knowledge that love casts out fear in all its dimensions and manifestations. (1 John 4:18).

This Lenten season, our Holy Orthodox Church offers us many opportunities to build our love and faith in Jesus Christ. By participating in the Divine services and in the many retreats and lectures organized by our parishes throughout our country during this season, our journey toward the love of God is greatly enriched. Through acts of philanthropy, and through developing a vibrant life of prayer, we may direct our energies toward the love of God and neighbor in ways that reveal His image and likeness in persons from all walks of life. In so doing, each of us contributes to the advancement of peace within our communities, our nation, and our world, since there is no peace without love.

I pray that the infinite love of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior grant encouragement to you in your every step along the sacred journey of Lent this year. May each of us continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God as we reflect during this time upon His love, peace, and promise of life.

not that we had become “Greek.” Rather, it was that we had become Orthodox.

The holy Faith of the Orthodox Church is trans-cultural, not the private domain of one ethnic group.

Further, the problem with this movie, apart from trivializing morality, is that it reduces the holy Faith of the Orthodox to a mere parody of Greek life and presents a caricature of the Faith as the reality. For many, this caricature of Orthodoxy may be the only encounter that they will ever have.

That, by itself, is a legitimate concern.

Why would anyone want to embrace that which they perceive to be buffoonery?

Lastly, I disagree with you in that I applaud the efforts of the Fr. Petrides and the Teen Movie Review Group. I encourage them to keep on examining our culture. Would that more of us compare the teachings of our Faith to the things the Hollywood media tries to feed us. Keep up the good work!

I should point out that you’ve implied abstinence for those over 30 is no longer an issue, as it is for those who are younger. Maybe “Greekness,” whatever that is, would propagate that, but Orthodoxy does not.

Sexual purity is a virtue, no matter how old or young we are.

Let us be careful that we do not appear to grant license where our holy Faith does not.

OK, I’ll lighten up. I understand it’s “only” a movie. After all, “everyone” loved the thing. It’s “just” a comedy and it was very “successful” financially. Does not the end justify the means? I don’t know, but I should prefer to think that even “Greekness,” whatever that is, does not lead me to believe that it does.

Daniel Morton St. Louis

u About ‘Asking God’ t Editor, As I read Fr. George’s Liacopoulos message, “Asking Questions of God” in the January issue of the Orthodox Observer, as to how the average Christian struggles with the issue of whether it is okay to ask questions of God? This is one question that can be solved, if we read and reread His Holy word, as ninety-nine percent of the time, the answers we are seeking are right there in black and white.

I don’t mean it’s exactly the very same problem we are facing at the time, but I do find, that every time I read my Bible, I find an answer to something I had wondered about at one time or another.

One thing we need to remember, is that when we do seek answers from our Heavenly Father, we need to be willing to abide by His will, even when it’s not exactly what and how we hoped things would work out.

As Fr. George stated, we can always discuss our questions with our priest or those of higher learning in our church home. Also there are some questions we shouldn’t ask or be concerned about, like life and death, as He and He alone, knows when life begins and when our time will end, and we have no right to question His will.

Yes, real true Christian life is a constant struggle, but when we truly believe, He is always there for us and we can always turn to Him. That’s why I feel sad for those who have no personal relationship with God and His Son Jesus Christ, as when any disaster occurs, they have no where to turn for answers or just some peace of mind.

Fr. George’s article was interesting and certainly something to think about.

Fran Glaros Clearwater, Fla.

9

FEBRUARY 2003

Archiepiscopal Encyclical Feast of St. Photios and National Shrine Day 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.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On the 6th of February we commemorate the holy memory of a most illustrious Saint of our Holy Orthodox Church, Saint Photios the Great. Raised in Constantinople within the surroundings of a noble Byzantine family, Saint Photios was accorded all the benefits of an advanced education, served in the most important offices of the Imperial court, and was eventually elected as Patriarch of Constantinople in the year 857. Most importantly, he was a pinnacle of patience and vision -- exceptional and God-inspired virtues that serve as a beacon to all persons across all levels of society.

With patience, Saint Photios overcame considerable opposition from those who espoused heretical teachings contrary to the Orthodox faith. With vision, he looked toward the expansion of Christianity, dispatching the celebrated missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodios to offer the saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the people of the Slavic Lands, an effort, which would culminate in one of the most fruitful missionary endeavors in Christian history.

Over a millennium later, the legacy of Saint Photios is evident in the mission and ministry of the Saint Photios National Shrine in Saint Augustine, Florida. This historic and sacred place commemorates the lives and struggles of over 400 Greek immigrants who sailed to America in 1768 and settled in the colony of New Smyrna. With patience they endured an arduous voyage and the hardships of persecution, eventually relocating to Saint Augustine. It was here that a structure known as the Avero House, built in 1749, became the center of the religious and social life of these early immigrants.

Today this building is the home of the Saint Photios Shrine, having been purchased by the Archdiocese in 1966.

Each year, pilgrims from across the land journey to this place of Greek-American beginnings to participate in the active witness of this important ministry of the Church. Like its patron Saint, the Shrine is called to be a steadfast beacon to the faithful, maintaining and perpetuating our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage, which we offer graciously to contemporary America. On Sunday, February 2, our National Ladies Philoptochos Society lead us in collecting funds for the continued progress of this vital work. With your support and contribution, and with God-inspired vision, the Saint Photios National Shrine will continue toward a bright and prosperous future, shining the light of truth before all so that they may know Him Who said, “I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

May the pure light of our Lord shine within your hearts, and may His blessings be upon you, your homes, and your sacred service to God and His Church.

With paternal love in Christ,

†Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

HOLY SCRIPTURE READINGS

MARCH . . . . . . . .

1 Sat. ....1Thes. 4:13-17; Lk. 21:8-9, 2527, 35-36 2 Sun ................ I Cor 8:8-9:2; Mt. 25:31 3 Mon 3 John 1:1-15; Lk. 19:29-40, 22: 7-39 4 Tues... Jude 1:1-10; Lk. 22:39-42,23:1 5 Wed. . Jude 1:1-10; Lk. 22:39-42,23:1 6 Thurs . Jude 1:11-15; Lk. 23:1-31, 33, 44-56 7 Fri. Jude 1:11-15; Lk. 23:1-31, 33, 44-56 8 Sat. .. Rom. 14:19-23, 16:25-27; Mt. 6: 1-13 9 Sun.Romans 13:11-14, 14:1-4; Mt. 6:14-21 10 Mon. ..(Lent begins) Genesis 1:1-13; Isaiah 1:1-20; Proverbs 1:1-20 11 Tues. ...... Gen. 1:14-23, Isa. 1:20-31; Prov. 1:20-33 12 Wed. ...... Gen. 1:24-31; Isa. 12:3-11; Prov. 2:1-22 13 Thurs. ...... Gen. 2:4-19, Isa. 2:11-21, Prov. 3:1-19 14 Fri.Gen. 2:20-24, 3:1-20; Isa. 3:1-14, Prov. 3:19-34 15 Sat. ...... II Tim. 2:1-10; Mark 2:23-3:5 16 Sun.Heb. 11:24-26,32-40; Mk. 1:35-44

17 Mon. Gen. 3:21-24, 4:1-7; Isa. 4:1-6, 5:1-7; Prov. 3:34-35, 4:1-21 18 Tues.. Gen. 4:8-15; Isa. 5:8-16; Prov.

5:1-15 19 Wed. ...... Gen. 4:16-26; Isa. 5:17-25; Prov. 5:1-22 20 Thurs. ........ Gen. 5:1-24; Isa. 6:1-12; Prov. 6:1-20 21 Fri.Gen. 5:32-6:8; Isa. 7:1-4; Prov. 6: 20-35, 7:1 22 Sat. ....Hebrews 3:12-16; Mk 1:35-44 23 Sun.Hebrews 1:10-14, 2:1-3; Mk. 2:1-12 24 Mon. .... Gen. 6:9-22; Isa. 8:13-22, 9: 1-7; Prov. 8:18-21 25 Tues..........Heb. 2:11-18; Lk. 1:24-38 26 Wed.Gen. 7:6-9; Isa. 10:12-20; Prov.

9:12-18 27 Thurs. ...Gen. 7:11-24, 8:1-3; Isa. 11: 10-16, 12:1-2; Prov. 10:1-22 28 Fri. .. Gen. 8:3-21; Isa. 13:2-13; Prov.

11:1-12 29 Sat. ....... Heb. 10:32-38; Mk. 2:14-17 30 Sun. ....... Heb. 4:14-16; Mk. 8:34-9:1 31 Mon Gen. 8:21-22, 9:1-7; Isa. 14:2432; Prov. 11:19-31, 12:16

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10

FEBRUARY 2003

The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas

Sunday of Cheesefare and Mission Sunday THE HIERARCHS OF THE STANDING CONFERENCE OF CANONICAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS IN THE AMERICAS To all the Clergy and the Laity of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We greet you in peace as we begin the season of Great and Holy Lent, the fortyday journey toward the feast of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Along this journey, we are presented with the magnificent task of drawing closer to God, of being filled with His inexhaustible love, and of spiritually renewing ourselves through prayer, through fasting, and through acts of charity.

As we worship and minister together, may we rejoice in the treasure which is our Orthodox Christian faith. May we progress also in the knowledge that Christ invites us to share this faith with others, so that they too “become members of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19b).

As the Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), we are mindful of this global invitation. This is the reason why each year on the Sunday of Cheesefare, we ask all of the Orthodox faithful throughout America to be mindful of the

sacred work of missions.

From the time of our Lord’s coming over two millennia ago, faithful people of the Church have traveled to distant lands, have overcome barriers of language and race, and have given sacrificially so that others as well may enjoy the unique gift of faith.

Through their efforts and those of our missionaries serving today, untold millions are “no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:19-20).

With God’s guidance and with the power of the Holy Spirit, these efforts constitute today the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) located in St. Augustine, Fla. This Center, the foreign missions agency of SCOBA, is the means by which Orthodox people and parishes all across America participate in the essential work of missions. Through the quality programs of the Mission Center, Orthodox Christians have the unique opportunity to be directly involved in sharing faith and grace with those in need of the truth and life offered by the Gospel.

Currently, OCMC is coordinating the support for over 20 missionaries serving in Albania, Romania, Guatemala, and Uganda. In addition, 237 indigenous priests are receiving monthly assistance.

During the history of the Mission Center, more than 800 dedicated Orthodox people have committed time and resources to serve on short-term mission teams that have labored for the sake of the Gospel throughout the world. This summer 10 mission teams will follow in this apostolic tradition and offer faith and love to others in Alaska, Ghana, Guatemala, Uganda, Romania, and India. Finally, numerous philanthropic and educational programs are funded directly through the generous contributions of Orthodox faithful in America.

All of this must continue to grow as we fulfill the commission of our Lord to offer the Gospel to more and more people.

In the joy of being joined together as His people, we call upon you to support the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center and to contribute according to your available means to the task of building the Church throughout the world.

Through this sacred work, those who do not know Christ will become citizens of the kingdom, those who are separated from God will become His beloved children, and together we will glorify the God of our joy and salvation.

May the grace of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ be with all of you.

With paternal blessings and love in Christ, ÿ Archbishop Demetrios Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

ÿ Metropolitan Herman Orthodox Church in America ÿ Metropolitan Philip, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese ÿ Metropolitan Christopher, Serbian Orthodox Church in the US and Canada ÿ Metropolitan Nicholas, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church ÿ Metropolitan Joseph, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Diocese in the USA ÿ Archbishop Nicolae, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada ÿ Metropolitan Constantine Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA ÿ Bishop Ilia Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America

Cutline correction

In the last issue of the Observer, the name of Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America was not included in the names under the photo of attendees at the recent SCOBA Conference. Archbishop Antony of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church was incorrectly identified as a metropolitan.

ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2003

ΕΤΟΣ 68 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1197

ΛΥΠΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΗΝ Οδηγός το φωτεινό παράδειγμα των Τριών Ιεραρχών ΒΑΘΥΤΑΤΗ ΤΡΑΓΩΔΙΑ ΤΟΥ COLUMBIA ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Πλούσια σε εορταστικές εκδηλώσεις και τελετές ήταν η Εβδομάδα εορτασμού των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων και Τεχνών την οποία όρισε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος από 27 Ιανουαρίου έως 2 Φεβρουαρίου και διοργάνωσε το Γραφείο Παιδείας της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής υπό την επίβλεψη της διευθύντριας κ. Μαρίας Μακεδών.

εκφράζει ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δηµήτριος στον Πρόεδρο Μπους

ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Την παραμονή της εορτής των Τριών Ιεραρχών ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τέλεσε Μέγα Αρχιερατικό Εσπερινό στον πανηγυρίζοντα Ιερό ναό των Τριών Ιεραρχών στο Brookly n της Νέας Υόρκης και ακολούθησε δεξίωση στην κοινοτική αίθουσα καθώς και παρουσίαση εορταστικού προγράμματος από ¢ñéóôåò åíôõðþóåéò Üöçóå ç êïéíÞ ðáñïõóßáóç ôùí Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêþí ó÷ïëåßùí óôçí åêäÞëùóç ðïõ ðñáãìáôïðïéÞèçêå óôçí áßèïõóá ôåëåôþí ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ óôçí Áóôüñéá. τους μαθητές και μαθήτριες του σχολείου με απαγγελίες και ποιήματα. χών. Τους μαθητές και μαθήτριες συνό- στεως, το φως της αλήθειας, το φως της Ο Σεβασμιώτατος μίλησε με λόγια απλά δευαν οι δάσκαλοι, οι δασκάλες και οι γνώσεως και της σοφίας για όλους του για το λαμπρό παράδειγμα των Τριών διευθυντές των σχολείων καθώς και ανθρώπους για όλα τα παιδιά που είναι Μεγίστων Πατέρων της Εκκλησίας μας πολλοί γονείς. κοντά μας και γύρω μας όπου κι αν και το μεγάλο πάθος για την μάθηση και Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος ανήκουν, σε όποια θρησκεία ή σε όποια την Κ λασσική Ελ ληνική παιδεία το Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος καλωσόρισε καταγωγή». οποίο επέδειξαν. μαθητές και εκπαιδευτικούς και συνεΚαι κατέληξε: «Έχουμε καθήκον Αθρόα και ευλαβική ήταν η συμ- χάρη τα μέλη της παιδικής χορωδίας του παιδιά μου να δώσουμε το φως γιατί μας μετοχή των μαθητών και μαθητριών των Καθεδρικού ναού τα οποία έψαλλαν εξ το ζητάει ο Θεός που μας δημιούργησε. Ημερήσιων Ελληνοαμερικανικών Σχο- ολοκλήρου τη Θεία Λειτουργία. Ας λάμπει λέει πάντοτε το φως σας λείων της Μητροπολιτικής περιοχής της Με αφορμή την περικοπή του Ιερού μπροστά στου ανθρώπους. Και το φως Νέας Υόρκης στην Θεία Λειτουργία που Ευαγγελίου ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε ότι υπήρξε πάντοτε το χαρακτηριστικό της τέλεσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος στον Καθεδρι- «ως παιδιά της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας Εκκλησίας μας και της κληρονομιάς μας κό ναό της Αγίας Τριάδος στο Μανχάτ- εδώ στην Αμερική έχετε –έχουμε– το και της παιδείας μας και για αυτό το ταν το πρωί της Πέμπτης 30 Ιανουαρίου μεγάλο καθήκον να είμαστε το φως. Το u óåë. 13 ανήμερα της εορτής των Τριών Ιεραρ- φως της Ορθοδοξίας, το φως της πί-

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

Εορτή του Αγίου Φωτίου και Ημέρα του Ιερού Προσκυνήματος του Αγίου Φωτίου Προς τους Σεβασμιωτάτους και Θεοφιλεστάτους Αρχιερείς, τους Ευλαβεστάτους Ιερείς και Διακόνους, τους Μοναχούς και Μοναχές, τους Προέδρους και Μέλη των Κοινοτικών Συμβουλίων, τα Ημερήσια και Απογευματινά Σχολεία, τις Φιλοπτώχους Αδελφότητες, την Νεολαία, τις Ελληνορθόδοξες Οργανώσεις και ολόκληρο το Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Αδελφοί και αδελφές εν Χριστώ, Την 6η Φεβρουαρίου εορτάζουμε την ιερά μνήμη ενός όντως επιφανούς Αγίου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας μας, του Μεγάλου Φωτίου. Αναθρεμμένος στην Κωνσταντινούπολη μέσα στο περιβά λ λον της αριστοκρατικής Βυζαντινής οικογενείας του ο Άγιος Φώτιος, είχε την ευκαιρία να αποκτήσει μεγάλη μόρφωση, να υπηρετήσει στις σημαντικότερες θέσεις της Αυτοκρατορικής αυλής και τελικά να εκλεγεί Πατριάρχης Κωνσταντινουπόλεως το έτος 857. Το πιο σημαντικό όμως είναι ότι υπήρξε άνθρωπος απέραντης υπομονής και ασυνήθων οραματισμών, δηλαδή άνθρωπος εξαιρετικών και υπό του Θεού εμπνεομένων αρετών, οι οποίες αποτελούν φάρο για τους ανθρώπους όλων των κοινωνικών στρωμάτων.

Χάρις στην υπομονή του, ο Άγιος Φώτιος υπερνίκησε την σημαντική αντίσταση την οποίαν προέβαλαν εκείνοι οι οποίοι είχαν ασπασθεί αιρετικά διδάγματα αντίθετα προς την Ορθόδοξο πίστη. Ενεργώντας με διορατικότητα, οραματίσθηκε την εξάπλωση του Χριστιανισμού και απέστειλε τους φημισμένους ιεραποστόλους Αγίους Κύριλλο και Μεθόδιο για να κηρύξουν το σωτήριο μήνυμα του Ευαγγελίου του Ιησού Χριστού στους λαούς των Σλαβικών Χωρών. Αυτή η προσπάθεια είχε σαν αποκορύφωμα μία από τις πλέον καρποφόρες ιεραποστολικές επιχειρήσεις στην Χριστιανική ιστορία. Μία χιλιετία αργότερα, η παρακαταθήκη του Μεγάλου Φωτίου είναι έκδηλη στο έργο και τη διακονία του Ιερού Προσκυνήματος του Αγίου Φωτίου στην πόλη St. Augustine της Φλόριδα. Αυτός ο ιερός και ιστορικός τόπος μνημονεύει τη ζωή και τους αγώνες των τετρακοσίων και πλέον Ελλήνων μεταναστών οι οποίοι έφθασαν στην Αμερική το 1768 και εγκατεστάθησαν στην αποικία της Νέας Σμύρνης τ ης Φλόριδα. Υπέμειναν το επίπονο ταξίδι και τ ις σκληρότητες των διωγμών μέχρι τη στιγμή που μετεγκα-

u óåë. 14

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. — Ο Σεβασµιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής κ. Δηµήτριος µόλις πληροφορήθηκε το τραγικό συµβάν της καταστροφής του διαστηµικού λεωφορείου Columbia την 1η Φεβρουαρίου εξέφρασε την βαθύτατη λύπη του για τον αναπάντεχο θάνατο των 7 αστροναυτών. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος συνέταξε αµέσως τηλεγράφηµα προς τον πρόεδρο των ΗΠΑ κ. Τζορτζ Μπους στο οποίο εκφράζει τα βαθύτατα συλλυπητήρια του ιδίου και σύσσωµης της Ιεράς Ελληνορθοδόξου Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής. Εξ άλλου την ίδια µέρα απέστειλε επειγόντως επιστολή σε όλες τις κοινότητες της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής η οποία ανεγνώσθη στους ναούς από του άµβωνος την Κυριακή 2 Φεβρουαρίου 2003. Στην επιστολή του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος κάλεσε τους πιστούς να προσευχηθούν για την ανάπαυση των ψυχών των αστροναυτών του Κολούµπια –που όπως σηµειώνει αποτελούσαν «ένα θαυµάσιο ανθρώπινο µωσαϊκό»– και για την από Θεού παρηγορία των οικογενειών που έχασαν αγαπηµένα τους πρόσωπα καθώς και για τον Πρόεδρο και τους ηγέτες της χώρας ώστε να τους χαρίζει ο Θεός φώτιση και δύναµη στην επιτέλεση του καθήκοντός τους αλλά και για την προστασία όσων εκτίθενται καθηµερινά σε κίνδυνο στην υπηρεσία της πατρίδος και της ελευθερίας. Εξ άλλου στο κήρυγµά του την ίδια Κυριακή στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό Καθεδρικό ναό της Αγίας Τριάδος, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος µίλησε για την σηµασία της εορτής της Υπαπαντής του Χριστού και αναφέρθηκε στην ξαφνική τραγωδία της προηγουµένης ηµέρας: «Είναι µια τραγική µέρα η οποία δείχνει ότι ποτέ δεν µπορεί να είναι κανείς βέβαιος για την ανθρώπινη ζωή... διότι η ζωή δεν µας ανήκει, είµαστε πεπερασµένοι και η ζωή είναι δώρο του Θεού και ζητούµε το έλεος του Θεού» είπε, και πρόσθεσε: «...έτσι και οι αστροναύτες του Κολούµπια, ήταν πλάσµατα του Θεού, άνθρωποι του Θεού, του ίδιου Θεού που λατρεύουµε γι’ αυτό και προσευχώµεθα σήµερα για την ανάπαυση των ψυχών τους και την παρηγορία των οικογενειών τους».

12

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ÏÉÊÏÕÌÅÍÉÊÏÍ ÐÁÔÑÉÁÑ×ÅÉÏÍ Νέα Μητρόπολη Ισπανίας, νέοι Μητροπολίτες Ελβετίας και Γαλλίας ΦΑΝΑΡΙ – Η Αγία και Ιερά Σύνοδος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου κατά την συνεδρία της 20ης Ιανουαρίου 2003 προέβη σε ανακατατάξεις και εκλογές Μητροπολιτών του Θρόνου καθώς και στην ίδρυση της νέας Ιεράς Μητροπόλεως Ισπανίας. Συγκεκριμένα, μετέθεσε με ομόφωνη απόφαση εις την Ι. Μητρόπολη Αδριανουπόλεως τον μέχρι τώρα Μητροπολίτη Ελβετίας Δαμασκηνό προς τον οποίον σύμφωνα με την ανακοίνωση της αρχιγραμματείας της Συνόδου «εξέφρασε την ευαρέσκεια και τον έπαινο της Μητρός Εκκλησίας διά την μακράν και εύορκον από διαφόρων θέσεων διακονίαν και προσφορά αυτού, ομού μετά των θερμών ευχών υπέρ αποκαταστάσεως της πολυτίμου υγείας αυτού». Εξέλεξε παμψηφεί στην θέση ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ του Μητροπολίτη Ελβετίας τον μέχρι τώρα Μητροπολίτη Γαλλίας Ï Óåâ. Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ãáëëßáò ê. ÅììáíïõÞë κ. Ιερεμία στον οποίο και ανέθεσε την προϊσταμενία του Ορθοδόξου Κέν- οποία θα υπάγονται η Πορτογαλία και οι τρου του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Κανάριοι Νήσοι, ενώ η εκ λογή του στο Σαμπεζύ της Γενεύης, την Γραμ- πρώτου Μητροπολίτου Ισπανίας θα γίνει ματεία της προετοιμασίας της Αγίας και προσεχώς. Στην κενωθείσα Ιερά Μητρόπολη Μεγάλης Συνόδου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας και τη εκπροσώπηση του Οικου- Γαλλίας εξέλεξε παμψηφεί τον Θεοφιμενικού Πατριαρχείου στον Θεολογικό λέστατο Επίσκοπο Ρηγίου κ. Εμμανουήλ, Διάλογο μεταξύ Ορθοδοξίας και Παλαιο- διευθυντή του Γραφείου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας στη Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση στις καθολικισμού. Απέσπασε από την Ιερά Μητρόπολη Βρυξέλλες, θέση που θα συνεχίσει να Γαλλίας την Εξαρχία πάσης Ιβηρίας και κατέχει ενώ του ανετέθη και η εκπροίδρυσε νέα επαρχία του Οικουμενικού σώπηση του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Θρόνου με τίτλο «Ιερά Μητρόπολις στον Θεολογικό Διάλογο της Ορθοδοξίας Ισπανίας» και έδρα την Μαδρίτη στην με τις Αρχαίες Ανατολικές Εκκλησίες.

Η ηγεσία ΕυρωπαίωνΧριστιανοδημοκρατών στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ. – O Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος δέχθηκε τον πρόεδρο του Ευρωπαϊκού Λαϊκού Κόμματος και πρώην πρωθυπουργό του Βελγίου κ. Wilfried Martens, τον ευρωβουλευτή και αντιπρόεδρο του ιδίου κόμματος Wim Van Velzen, τον Έλ ληνα ευρωβουλευτή καθηγητή κ. Αντώνιο Τρακατέλλη καθώς και αντιπροσωπεία ευρωβουλευτών του Ευρωπαϊκού Λαϊκού Κόμματος και των Ευρωπαίων Δημοκρατών οι οποίοι πραγματοποίησαν επίσημη επίσκεψη στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο στις 8 Φεβρουαρίου 2003. Οι Ευρωπαίοι Χριστιανοδημοκράτες Ηγέτες πραγματοποίησαν την επίσκεψη αυτή σε ένδειξη τιμής προς το δισχιλιετές Σεπτό Κέντρο της Ορθοδοξίας, που ιδρύθηκε από τον Πρωτόκλητο των Αποστόλων Ανδρέα και εκφράζεται μέχρι σήμερα στην Τρίτη Χιλιετία από το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης συζήτησε με τους Χριστιανοδημοκράτες ηγέτες για την πρόοδο του διαθρησκειακού διαλόγου καθώς και για την μελλοντική πορεία του, ιδιαίτερα δε σε ότι αφορά τον διάλογο με θρησκευτικούς

ηγέτες του Ισλάμ. Οι δύο πλευρές συμφώνησαν στο πρόγραμμα και το θέμα του 7ου Διαλόγου των Ευρωπαίων Χριστιανοδημοκρατών με την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία, που πρόκειται να διοργανώσει το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο από τις 15 έως τις 17 Οκτωβρίου 2003 στην Κωνσταντινούπολη. «Η Νέα Ευρώπη μετά το 2004» επιλέχθηκε ως θέμα της συνδιάσκεψης και οι συζητήσεις πρόκειται να επικεντρωθούν στο υπό κατάρτιση νέο Ευρωπαϊκό Σύνταγμα, την Χάρτα Θεμελιωδών Δικαιωμάτων και στην προετοιμασία της Ευρωπαϊκής Διακυβερνητικής Συνάντησης που θα πραγματοποιηθεί από την Ιταλική Προεδρία στα τέλη του 2003. Οι δύο πλευρές υπογράμμισαν τον καταλυτικό ρόλο του Θεού ως πηγή των ανθρωπίνων αξιών κατά το παρελθόν, το παρόν και στο μέλλον της Ευρώπης. Παρών στην συνάντηση ήταν και ο νέος Μητροπολίτης Γαλλίας Εμμανουήλ, αντιπρόσωπος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου και Διευθυντής του Γραφείου της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας στις Βρυξέλλες καθώς επίσης και ο κ. Stephen Biller, αναπληρωτής γενικός γραμματέας του Ιδρύματος Robert Schuman.

ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2003

Βιβλίο για την ζωή του Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιακώβου «ΕΓΩ Ο ΙΑΚΩΒΟΣ» είναι ο τίτλος του βιβλίου του δημοσιογράφου Γιώργου Μαλούχου που αναφέρεται σε γνωστές και άγνωστες πτυχές της ζωής και δράσεως του Αρχιεπισκόπου πρώην Β. και Ν. Αμερικής Ιακώβου και το οποίο παρουσιάσθηκε πρόσφατα στην Αθήνα. Το περιεχόμενο του βιβλίου «Εγώ ο Ιάκωβος» βασίστηκε σε μακροσκελή συνέντευξη του Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιακώβου στον δημοσιογράφο Γεώργιο Μαλούχο που παρουσιάσθηκε στην ραδιοφωνική εκπομπή «Ντοκουμέντα» του σταθμού Σκάϊ 100,3. Το βιβλίο περιέχει ακόμη πολλά έγγραφα, φωτογραφίες και ανέκδοτες επιστολές από το προσωπικό αρχείο του Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιακώβου. Στην εκδήλωση για την παρουσίαση του βιβλίου μίλησαν ο Ιωάννης Α. Αλαφούζος, διευθύνων σ ύμβουλος του «Σκάϊ», ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αθηνών και πάσης Ελλάδος Χριστόδουλος και η Δήμαρχος Αθηναίων Ντόρα Μπακογιάννη. Συντονιστής της εκδήλωσης ήταν ο συγγραφέας του βιβλίου Γ. Μαλούχος. Μετά τις ομιλίες των επισήμων προσκεκλημένων, έκπληξη προκάλεσε μαγνητοσκοπημένο μήνυμα του Αρχιεπισκόπου πρώην Αμερικής κ. Ιακώβου ο οποίος τόνισε ότι μέσα από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου παρουσιάζεται ο πραγματικός του εαυτός. Συγκεκριμένα ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιάκωβος στο μήνυμά του μεταξύ άλλων είπε: «Σας απευθύνω αγαπητοί μου όλοι ένα θερμό χαιρετισμό. Χαιρετισμό αδερφικό, χαιρετισμό πατριωτικό αλλά προπαντός χαιρετισμό... ορθόδοξο χριστιανικό. Μου έρχεται πάρα πολύ δύσκολο να μιλήσω για την παρουσίαση ενός βιβλίου, θέμα του οποίου είναι ο ομιλών... Αναφέρεται στην ζωή μου, από την παιδική ηλικία έως την σημερινή που ευρίσκομαι χάρη στο Θεό στα 91 μου χρόνια. Είναι μια ζωή α π λ ή, καθόλ ου περίπλοκη, καθόλου δραματική και καθόλου ηρωϊκή. Είναι η σταδιοδρομία ενός παιδιού, μικρού που ποθούσε να ζει σε ένα ελεύθερο περιβάλλ ον, να α να π νε ύσε ι ε λ ε ύθερ α , να σ κ ε φ τε ί ελεύθερα και να εκφραστεί ελεύθερα. Αυτή ήταν η επιθυμία μου και ο Θεός μου εχάρισε την πραγματοποίηση αυτής της επιθυμίας μου εδώ στην Αμερική, τον νέο κόσμο που είναι πραγματικά ακόμη πολύ νέος για πολλούς οι οποίοι δεν τον πλησίασαν, δεν τον εγνώρισαν παρά μονάχα με τα χρώματα τα οποία τον παρουσιάζουν οι φίλοι και οι μη φίλοι της Αμερικής. [Είναι] ένα βιβλίο το οποίο παρουσιάζει τον αληθινό εαυτό μου... ανεπιτήδευτα, πολύ απλά και συγκεκριμένα ένα εαυτό μου ο οποίος είναι διαφανής, πολύ διαφανής... τον οποίο θα ήθελα να γνωρίσετε καλύτερα και όχι μονάχα από τις σελίδες [άλλων] βιβλίων, εφημερίδων, περιοδικών που για διαφόρους λόγους παρουσίασαν τον εαυτό μου είτε ως αμφισβητούμενο Έλληνα, είτε ακόμα ως αμφισβητούμενο ορθόδοξο.

Η προσωπική μου υπηρεσία στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ήταν προς το Πατριαρχείο αυτό που εγνώρισα ταπεινό, καταφρονεμένο στο Φανάρι... να το κάνω γνωστό λίγο παραπέρα διότι για μένα το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο δεν είναι απλώς η μάνα της Ορθοδοξίας αλ λά η μάνα της ιστορίας μας, της ορθόδοξης ιστορίας. Κανένα κέντρο εκκ λησιαστικό δεν ανέπτυξε τόση δραστηριότητα όση το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο. Όχι με ηρωισμούς ή με εκστρατείες αλλά με την αρετή του, με την ιστορία του αλλά και όπως γράφτ ηκε α πό τους Βυζαντινούς χρονογράφους και ιστορικούς. Μια ά λ λη επιθυμία μου ήταν να γ νωρίσω σ τον ε λ λην ισμό τ ης Αμερικής τον εαυτό μου γιατί πολλές φορές μέσα στον ανεμοστρόβιλο της ζωής, των απασχολήσεων χάνουμε την έννοια του εαυτού μας ακόμα και του προσώπου μας. ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ Επιθυμία μου ήταν και είναι να υπηρετήσω ως το τέλος της ζωής μου και να εκπληρώσω με ένα τρόπο ταπεινό και ευλαβικό την παραγγελία του πατέρα μου όταν με κατευόδωνε – από τα Δαρδανέλλια να φτάσω στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και από εκεί στην Χάλκη το 1927– μου είπε με μάλλον αυστηρή γλώσσα: «θέλω να γίνεις καλός Έλληνας και καλός χριστιανός και να μείνεις τέτοιος». Προσπάθησα να το τηρήσω αυτό, για αυτό θα δείτε στις συνομιλίες με τον κύριο Μαλούχο, αν το κατόρθωσα, αν το επέτυχα ή όχι. Είναι πολύ παράδοξο και περίεργο πράγμα και ασυνήθιστο να παρουσιάζω εγώ ένα βιβλίο που να ασχολείται με τον εαυτό μου. Το κάνω όμως από αγάπη και από ενδιαφέρον και από κάποια νομίζω οφειλή προς τον λαό στον οποίο ανήκω. Επειδή έχουν ακουστεί και γραφτεί πολλά γύρω από το άτομό μου και γύρω από την όλη μου ζωή και ύπαρξη... πρέπει να δει ποιός είναι ο αληθινός εαυτός μου. Αν εφώναξα όλη την Ομογένεια εις την Ουάσινγκτον... ότι η Κύπρος είναι δικιά μας και ότι ο εθνικός μας ύμνος ο δεύτερος είναι το «Τη Υπερμάχω στρατηγώ τα νικητήρια...», το έκανα διότι με παρωθούσε η ψυχή μου ολόκληρη και η καρδιά μου. Εάν φώναξα στην Ουάσινγκτον με χιλιάδες κόσμο «η Μακεδονία είναι μία και είναι ελληνική» το έκανα γιατί το πίστευα και το πιστεύω. Τα πιστεύω αυτά απόλυτα και τώρα ... Δεν θα επεκταθώ περισσότερο... ήθελα μονάχα να σας πω ότι ο CIAκωβος είμαι εγώ όπως με βλέπετε. Ποτέ δεν υπηρέτησα κανέναν άλ λο παρά τον Χριστό, ούτε μυστική οργάνωση, ούτε εθνική οργάνωση, ούτε σωματειακή οργάνωση. Είμαι ο Ιάκωβος ο υπηρέτης του λαού, αρχίζοντας από το υπηρέτης του Θεού. Και σαν υπηρέτης του Θεού, σαν υπηρέτης της αλήθειας, του λαού, της ιστορίας της δικής μας σας ευχαριστώ που με ακούσατε. Δεν παρουσιάζω το βιβλίο εγώ, παρουσιάζω την ιστορία του ελ ληνισμού της Αμερικής από εθνικής και θρησκευτικής απόψεως η οποία ίσως να μην είναι τόσο γνωστή όσο θα έπρεπε να είναι γνωστή εις τον ελληνικό λαό. Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ».

ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2003

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Εβδομάδα εορτασμού των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων και Τεχνών u óåë. 11 λόγο ας μείνουμε πάντοτε παιδιά του φωτός». Ακολούθησε ιδιαίτερη τελετή απονομής των Βραβείων «Αριστείας των Τριών Ιεραρχών» στους μαθητές και μαθήτριες που αρίστευσαν έλαβαν δηλαδή βαθμό 100, στ ις εξετάσεις Νεοελληνικής Γλώσσας το 2002. Τα ονόματα των βραβευθέντων έχουν ως εξής: Λύκειο Αγίου Δημητρίου (Astoria, NY): Αφροδίτη Φούντα, Ανατολή Μάστορα, Μελίνα Σινοπίδη, Δέσποινα Γαλάτουλα, Πάμελα Λάμπρου, Φαίη Μαλωνά, Ιωάννης Μαρκεζίνης, Σταύρος Μιχαήλ, Κων/νος Σουκέρας και απόντες: Άννα-Μαρία Σουέρεφ, Δήμητρα Βασιλοπούλου και Έλενα Γεωργοτά. Γυμνάσιο Ουίλιαμ Σπυρόπουλος /Αγίου Νικολάου (Flushing, NY): Σοφία Καμβίσιου και Νικόλ Λαψάτη. Σχολείο Καθεδρικού (N YC): Γιάννα Κοσμοπούλου Σχολείο Αργύριος Φάντης (Brooklyn, ΝΥ): Τζένη Βούρου Σχολείο Δ. Και Γ. Κα λοειδή (Brooklyn, ΝΥ): Έλσα Παπανικολάου (απούσα) ΑΠΟΓΕΥΜΑΤΙΝΑ Σχολείο Αγίου Νικολάου (Flushing, NY): Μαρία Χριστοφορίδη, Νικηφόρος Λυμπεράτος και Νικόλαος Ρουβάς. Σχολείο Αγίας Τριάδος (Hicksville, NY): Τάνια Μπελέση, Παρασκευή Καβουρά και Ειρήνη Πιλάβα. Σχολείο Παναγίας (Island Park, NY): Αγγέλα Παπαδημητρίου. Σχολείο Αγίου Νικολάου (Newburgh, NY): Βίκυ Βακιρτζή. Σχολείο Ευαγγελισμού (Rochester, NY): Μαρία Κατσέτου (απούσα). Σχολείο Αγίου Νικολάου ( Staten Island, NY): Χριστίνα Στυλιανού. Ανεξάρτητοι: Ιάσων Ρήγας και Βάλερυ Χρυσανθοπούλου (απούσα). Δημόσιο Σχολείο Fort Hamilton High School (Brooklyn, NY): Μιχαήλ Μπόης, Δημήτριος Μπουλές και Ρενέ Μακρινού. Σε αίθουσα του Metropolitan Club της Νέας Υόρκης δεξιώθηκε τους Εκπαιδευτικούς των ελληνικών ημερήσιων και απογευματινών σχολείων ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος και έκοψε την Βασιλόπιτα για την νέα χρονιά, το εσπέρας της εορτής των Τριών Ιεραρχών. Ακολούθησε ξεχωριστή εκδήλωση σε άλλη αίθουσα του Metropolitan Club που παρακολούθησαν τριακόσια και πλέον άτομα. Το πρόγραμμα περιελάμβανε διάλεξη του καθηγητού εκκλησιαστικής ιστορίας Δημητρίου Σκέδρου με θέμα την συμβολή των Τριών Ιεραρχών στην ζωή της Εκκλησίας και πλούσιο μουσικό πρόγραμμα με την συμμετοχή της βυζαντινής χορωδίας «Ρωμανός ο Μελωδός» η οποία ερμήνευσε εκκλησιαστικούς ύμνους υπό την διεύθυνση του Δρ. Νικολάου Ράλλη και επιλογές από κλασσικό ελληνικό ρεπερτόριο από την πιανίστρια Τάνια Παπαγιανοπούλου και την σοπράνο Νικόλ Πάντου. Το πρόγραμμα παρουσίασε ο καθηγητής Ιστορίας του Πανεπιστημίου Richard Stockton της Νέας Ιερσέης Δρ. Θωμάς Παπαδημητρίου και χαιρετισμούς απηύθυναν η κ. Μαρία Μακεδών, ο πρόξενος της Κύπρου Γιώργος Χριστοφίδης και ο γενικός πρόξενος της Ελλάδος κ. Δημήτριος Πλατής. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος παρουσίασε σύντομα και με τον δικό του μοναδικό τρόπο στοιχεία και πτυχές της

Για την συμβολή των Τριών Ιεραρχών στην πρόοδο της Εκκλησίας Ο Σεβασμιώτατος παρακολουθεί την κ. Μαρία Μακεδών μίλησε ο δρ. Σκέδρος που καλεί τα ονόματα των αριστούχων.

Με υπερηφάνεια επιδεικνύουν τα «Βραβεία Αριστείας»

Η βυζαντινή χορωδία «Ρωμανός ο Μελωδός»

Μαθητές και μαθήτριες παίρνουν από τα χέρια του Αρχιεπισκόπου τα βραβεία αριστείας των Τριών Ιεραρχών. Öùôïãñáößåò ETA PRESS

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος με μικρούς μαθητές και μαθήτριες που παρουσίασαν το εορταστικό σχολικό εορταστικό πρόγραμμα.

Με ικανοποίηση παρακολουθούν το εορταστικό πρόγραμμα στον Άγιο Δημήτριο της Αστόρια μαζί με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο ο Μητροπολίτης Τυάνων κ. Παϊσιος και ο εκπαιδευτικός σύμβουλος του Προξενείου κ. Νικ. Νικολιδάκης.

ζωής και του ζήλου για μάθηση των Τριών Ιεραρχών του Μεγάλου Βασιλείου, του Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου και του Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου. Κλείνοντας δε το πρόγραμμα ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε: «Είναι ένα πρόγραμμα και μια εκδήλωση αφιερωμένη πρώτιστα στους εκπαιδευτικούς και τους μαθητές των σχολείων μας». Η εορταστική εβδομάδα έκλεισε το απόγευμα της Κυριακής 2 Φεβρουαρίου με μεγάλη πανηγυρική σχολική εκδήλωση που πραγματοποιήθηκε στην αίθουσα τελετών «Πέτρος Πατρίδης» του Ημερησίου Ελληνοαμερικανικού Σχολείου του Αγίου Δημητρίου στην Αστόρια.

Ιεραρχών και των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων. Χαρακτηριστική και εντυπωσιακή ήταν η παρουσίαση των μικρών παιδιών του Νηπιαγωγείου του Αγίου Δημητρίου που απέσπασαν τα αθρόα χειροκροτήματα του πλήθους. Εντύπωση ακόμη προκάλεσε η άψογη παρουσία της Αρχιεπισκοπικής Μητροπολιτικής Χορωδίας Νεολαίας που φαίνεται να υπόσχεται πολλά στο μέλλον. Οι διοργανωτές επεφύλαξαν στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο μια έκπληξη παρουσιάζοντας του μια τούρτα επ’ ευκαιρία των γενεθλίων του που γιόρταζε την προηγουμένη ημέρα, καθώς και πολλές ευχές για έτη πολλά.

Ήταν η πρώτη ίσως φορά που όλα τα Ελ ληνοαμερικανικά σχολεία της Μητροπολιτικής περιοχής της Νέας Υόρκης συμμετείχαν από κοινού σε μια τέτοια διοργάνωση που πραγματοποιήθηκε σε συνεργασία με το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Ελληνικό Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος ζήτησε από το ακροατήριο την τήρηση ενός λεπτού σιγής στην αρχή του προγράμματος εις ένδειξη τιμής των αδικοχαμένων αστροναυτών του Κολούμπια που χάθηκε την προηγούμενη μέρα. Οι μαθητές και μαθήτριες παρουσίασαν ποιήματα, τραγούδια και χορούς αφιερωμένα στην εορτή των Τριών

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2003

Η ΠΡΟΣΩΠΙΚΟΤΗΤΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΦΩΤΙΟΥ Ο Πατριάρχης Φώτιος, από τις μεγαλύτερες μορφές της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας, κατήγετο από επιφανή οικογένεια. Έλαβε αρίστη μόρφωση εις την «θύραθεν και ιεράν παιδείαν», έδρασε με μεγάλη επιτυχία ως καθηγητής της φιλολογίας, της Αριστοτελικής φιλοσοφίας και της Θεολογίας. Προικισμένος με άφθονα τα δώρα της γνώσεως – ιστορικός, νομικός, πολιτικός, ρήτωρ, γραμματεύς, αρχαιολόγος, ποιητής, μουσικός, γεωγράφος, μαθηματικός, ιατρός, φιλόσοφος, και θεολόγος– ο Φώτιος αφιέρωσε όλες τις δυνάμεις του στην διδασκαλία των πολυπληθών φοιτητών του. ôïõ Åðéóêüðïõ Áìïñßïõ ê. ÉùÜííïõ

Εκτός από τη διδασκαλική δράση του, ο Φώτιος απέδειξε και πολιτική δεξιότητα. Σε νεαρά ηλικία έλαβε τα αξιώματα του Πρωτοσπαθαρίου της Αυτοκρατορικής Αυλής. Ο Φώτιος προικισμένος με πλούσια χαρίσματα της φύσεως ανυψώθη από λαϊκός εις τον Πατριαρχικό Θρόνο της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως την 25η Δεκεμβρίου του 858. Ως Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης ο Φώτιος εργάσθηκε με ζήλο για την διάδοση του Χριστιανισμού στην Βουλγαρία, Ρωσία, Ασσυρία και την Μεσοποταμία, για την μόρφωση και ανύψωση του κλήρου και για την καταπολέμηση των διαφόρων αιρέσεων. Επίσης ανήγειρε βιβλιοθήκες, φιλανθρωπικά ιδρύματα, μοναστήρια και ναούς. Πρώτος ο Πα-

τριάρχης Φώτιος ανέλαβε τον φρικτό αγώνα κατά των αξιώσεων του Παπισμού, τον οποίον και διεξήγαγε νικηφόρως. Τοιουτοτρόπως η Μητέρα Εκκλησία δεν υπoδουλώθηκε από την Παπική Έδρα της Ρώμης και δεν θυσιάσθηκαν οι θεμελιώδεις χριστιανικές αρχές. Λόγω της στάσεώς του εναντίον των παπικών αξιώσεων το πρόσωπο του Φωτίου σ υνδέθηκε με το σ χ ίσμα των Εκκλησιών. Ο Πατριάρχης Φώτιος όμως δεν έδρασε ενεργώς μόνον ως ιεράρχης, α λ λά ανεδείχθη ως ο σημαντικότερος άνδρας του 9ου αιώνα και ένας εκ των διαπρεπέστερων ανδρών στην ιστορία της Βυζαντινής Γραμματολογίας. Η πολυμερής μόρφωσή του και η αγάπη του προς την κλασσική παιδεία οδήγησε τον Φώτιο στην πολυτιμότατη συγγραφική παραγωγή του. Τα σπουδαιότερα συγγράμματα του Πατριάρχου Φωτίου είναι τα εξής: 1) «Το Μυριόβιβλον ή Βιβλιοθήκη» το οποίο περιέχει περι λήψεις 280

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1 ÁÐÑÉËÉÏÕ Ýùò 14 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ ÊÁÉ 1 ÓÅÐÔÅÌÂÑÉÏÕ Ýùò 31 ÏÊÔÙÂÑÉÏÕ.............................................. $728 Ãéá ôáîßäé ðïõ áñ÷ßæåé:

15 ÉÏÕÍÉÏÕ Ýùò Ýùò 31 ÁÕÃÏÕÓÔÏÕ................................................................................................ $1028 • ÅéäéêÝò ôéìÝò éó÷ýïõí áðü 92 ðüëåéò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò • Öüñïé áåñïäñïìßùí åßíáé åðéðëÝïí. Éó÷ýïõí ðåñéïñéóìïß

© ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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

θεολογικών και άλλων έργων με κριτικές σημειώσεις, σχόλια και πληροφορίες ιστορικών, σ υνόδων και των βίων των Αγίων.

2) «Τα Αμφιλόχια ή Λόγων Ιερών Συλλογή» έργο στο οποίο γίνεται ανάλυση ζητημάτων της Θείας Γραφής. Αυτό το εκτενές θεολογικό σύγγραμμα του Πατριάρχου Φωτίου ασχολείται με δογματικά και φιλοσοφικά ζητήματα και ιδιαίτερα με την ερμηνεία της Αγίας Γραφής.

3) «Λόγος περί του Αγίου Πνεύματος Μυσταγωγίας», όπου αντικρούοντας τους παπικούς υποστηρίζει το δόγμα της εκπορεύσεως του Αγίου Πνεύματος μόνον εκ του πατρός και όχι και εκ του Υιού (Filioque).

4) «Η Λέξεων Συναγωγή», λεξικό για την ερμηνεία δυσνόητων και στρυφνών όρων και φράσεων των κ λασσικών συγγραφέων.

5) «Ο Νομοκάνων» συλλογή των αποστολικών και συνοδικών κανόνων. Η εξαιρετική προσωπικότης του λογίου ιεράρχου του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου κατέχει μία εντελώς εξέχουσα θέση στην ένδοξη ιστορία της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας. Ο Πατριάρχης Φώτιος προικισμένος με πολ λές αρετές και προτερήματα, υπερείχε όλων των συγχρόνων του. Εν τούτοις ουδείς άλλος αρχαίος εκκλησιαστικός άνδρας αδικήθηκε περισσότερο εκ μέρους των ιστoρικών. Οι δυτικοί ιστορικοί ακολουθώντας τυφλά τους γνωστούς εχθρούς του Φωτίου - Νικήτα του Παφλαγόνος, Μητρο-

φάνους Μητροπολίτου Σμύρνης, Στυλιανού του Νεοκαισαρείας και Αναστασίου του Βιβλιοθηκαρίου εν Ρώμη, ανέκαθεν παρουσίαζαν τον Πατριάρχη Φώτιο ως τον αίτιο του σχίσματος των Εκκλησιών. Παρά ταύτα η εξέχουσα μορφή του Πατριάρχου Φωτίου σήμερα αναγνωρίζεται από όλους, ομόδοξους και αλλόδοξους συγγραφείς. Ο διάσημος Βυζαντινολόγος Κάρολος Κρουμβάχερ εξυμνώντας τον Φώτιο λέγει «Αίφνης ανεγείρεται ως υψηλή βουνού κορυφή από χώρας ομαλής, μία των γιγαντωδών μορφών της ιστορίας των Ελληνικών γραμμάτων...θαυμαστή εν τω μεγαλείω αυτής προσωπικότης, ήτις ενεφύσησεν νέαν και ισχυράν πνοήν εις την πνευματικήν μόρφωσιν ο μοναδικός του έθνους διδάσκαλος, ο αναστήσας αύθις την παλαιάν λογοτεχνίαν». Ο καθηγητής Ostrogorsky παρατηρεί πως «ως αντίπαλος της Ρώμης ο Φώτιος απεδείχθη όχι μόνο ο υπέρμαχος της ανεξαρτησίας της Βυζαντινής Εκκλησίας, αλ λά και των ζωτικότερων συμφερόντων του Βυζαντινού Κράτους». Ο Dvornik λέγει: «Δικαιούμεθα να αναγνωρίσουμε τον Φώτιο ως μέγα εκκλησιαστικό άνδρα, ως πολυμαθή ανθρωπιστή και ως αληθινό Χριστιανό πρόθυμο να συγχωρήσει τους εχθρούς του και να λάβει την πρωτοβουλία προς συμφιλίωση». Τέλος ο Πάπας Ιωάννης Η΄ απεκάλεσε τον Πατριάρχη Φώτιο «άνδρα εν τη Ορθοδόξω πίστει διαπρέποντα, βίον τε σεμνότητι και ακριβεί πολιτεία πεφημισμένου... και σοφία και συνέσει τη περί τα ανθρώπινα πάντων διαφέροντα και περί τα θεία και τα ανθρώπινα πάντων διαφέροντα και περί την των άλλων πρακτικήν αρετήν και επιμέλειαν των θείων ενταλμάτων ανεπαίσχυντον εργάτην διαβοώμενον». Ο Θεοφ. Επίσκοπος Αμορίου είναι τέως πρόεδρος του προσκυνήματος του Αγίου Φωτίου στο St. Augustine, Florida

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

u óåë. 11

τεστάθησαν στον Άγιο Αυγουστίνο. Στον καινούργιο αυτόν τόπο ένα κτίριο επ’ ονόματι Avero House, κτισμένο το 1749, έγινε το κέντρο της θρησκευτικής και κοινωνικής ζωής αυτών των πρώτων μεταναστών. Σήμερα, κατόπιν της αγοράς του από την Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής το 1966, το κτίριο αυτό αποτελεί τον χώρο στεγάσεως του Ιερού Προσκυνήματος του Αγίου Φωτίου. Κάθε χρόνο, προσκυνηταί απ’ όλη τη χώρα επισκέπτονται τον τόπο στον οποίον έγιναν τα πρώτα Ελληνοαμερικανικά βήματα για να συμμετάσχουν ενεργά στη μαρτυρία αυτής της σπουδαιοτάτης διακονίας της Εκκλησίας. Όπως και ο προστάτης Αγιός του, το Ιερό Προσκύνημα καλείται να αποτελέσει σταθερό φάρο για τους πιστούς, διατηρώντας και διαιωνίζοντας την Ορθόδοξο πίστη μας και Ελληνική κληρονομιά μας, την οποία ευχαρίστως προσφέρουμε στη σύγχρονη Αμερική. Την Κυριακή, 2 Φεβρουαρίου, η Εθνική μας Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότης Κυριών θα ηγηθεί μιας προσπαθείας για την συγκέντρωση χρημάτων τα οποία θα διατεθούν για την συνέχιση και πρόοδο αυτού του ζωτικής σημασίας έργου. Με την δική σας υποστήριξη και συνεισφορά, και με θεοκίνητους οραματισμούς, το Ιερό Προσκύνημα του Αγίου Φωτίου θα εξακολουθήσει να εργάζεται για ένα λαμπρό ακμής και προόδου μέλλον, φωτίζοντας όλους με το φως της αληθείας ούτως ώστε να γνωρίσουν Εκείνον που είπε «ἐγώ εἰµι τό φῶς τοῦ κόσµου· ὁ ἀκολουθῶν ἐµοί οὐ µή περιπατήσῃ ἐν τῇ σκοτία ἀλλ’ ἕξει τό φῶς τῆς ζωῆς.» ( Ἰωάν. 8:12). Είθε το καθαρό φως του Κυρίου μας να λάμπει μέσα στις καρδιές σας και οι ευλογίες Του να προστατεύουν εσάς, τις οικογένειές σας και την ιερά υπηρεσία την οποία προσφέρετε στον Θεό και την Εκκλησία Του. Ìå ðáôñéêÞ åí ×ñéóôþ áãÜðç,

1-800-223-1226 www.olympic-airways.gr Ï Ë Õ Ì Ð É Á Ê Ç Á Å Ñ Ï Ð Ï Ñ É Á • Ç ÄÉÊÇ ÓÏÕ ÅÔÁÉÑÉÁ

ÿ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ÄçìÞôñéïò

15

FEBRUARY 2003

On Philanthropy

Philanthropy Means Reaching Out …“for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you took me in, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me” (Matthew 25:35)

by Bishop Andonios of Phasiane

Faithful churchgoers will immediately recognize the above passage as part of the Gospel reading of Meatfare Sunday (March 2nd this year), otherwise known as Judgment Sunday since the above words of our Lord are part of His discourse on the Final Judgment that will take place at His Second Coming.

It is a dramatic reminder of our obligation to do good works and to show mercy to those in need. It is also an awesome reminder of our accountability before the Lord and the consequences of our failure to be responsive to His exhortations.

It was almost 15 years ago, as deacon to Archbishop Iakovos that I happened one morning to answer the phone in the Office of the Archbishop. On the other end, was a mother, full of pain and frustration, that her son who was incarcerated had not been visited by a clergyman. Raised in the Church, an altar boy for many years, in a moment of weakness under the influence of drugs he had committed a crime and was now paying the price for his deed.

His parish priest, many of his friends and even his own father refused to visit or even communicate with him. His one desire was to see a priest, to confess his actions and to hopefully receive, at some point, Holy Communion.

Fortunately, the Good Lord did provide such a priest, in the person of Fr. Nicholas Lassios, who visited this young man and other Orthodox inmates for a number of years, but since his untimely death three years ago, this young man has not been visited by a clergyman nor received the Sacraments.

His mother, with whom I have maintained a friendship, now finds herself calling me again, with pain and yes, frustration, seeking my help in identifying a priest who can visit her son and minister to his spiritual needs.

Last year, as director of the Department of Philanthropy, I was contacted by the head of the Greek Alliance for the Mentally Ill about a young man who is in a mental-health facility in upstate New York.

According to this woman, this individual was “literally begging for confession and communion.” According to her, no one from the nearby parish would take the time to visit this patient. Several attempts to prod the local priest to be more responsive met with little response and I felt obligated to visit the institution myself.

One can only imagine the great joy of this patient upon seeing someone from his community but also the great embarrass-

ment I felt in speaking with the chaplain and hearing his own frustration in trying to get our priest to visit and the apparent indifference of our local parish.

One year later, I still receive communiques from this patient, who among other things, shares with me his continued disappointment at being isolated from his community.

Yet another letter was recently sent to the Office of the Archbishop, this time from a young man in a prison in New Jersey who recounted his own pain at being abandoned by his family and Church.

“Your Eminence, I’ve written many churches, which only ignored me cause of where I am…to this day, I still think about that, and it hurts so much inside. I’ve even had a very upsetting conversation with someone at a church who accepted my call.

The person called me a murderer, etc., it was very upsetting when that happened.”

Fortunately, this young man was not totally ignored but is visited on occasion by one of our clergyman who travels a great distance to minister to his spiritual and emotional needs.

Without a doubt, there are countless other similar stories of individuals scattered throughout our Archdiocese, ignored by society and, worse yet, by their Faith. This is not an attempt to pass judgment on any clergyman or parish or individual but rather a reminder of our obligation as Orthodox.

Especially now, as we embark upon our Lenten journey, a time of reflection and of rededication to our identity as Christians, let us honestly reflect upon our own actions. As disciples of Christ, have we been as responsive as we should?

Who amongst us would not feed, give drink, extend hospitality, cloth, visit, go to Christ, if He were hungry, thirsty, a stranger, naked, sick, in prison? Surely none of us would be deaf to His pleas or indifferent to His needs.

Why then are there so many who feel isolated and abandoned, not only the individuals above who find themselves in institutions or prisons, but also, the elderly confined to their homes and nursing facilities, the sick in hospitals, the homeless who wander the streets of our cities and towns, the “strangers” who visit our churches and are not extended hospitality, even a kind word. How long can we remain indifferent and callous to their plight?

We boast that we are the Church of the fullness of God’s Word, the Church of true Faith, the Church of unbroken Tradition and the descendants of the early Christians, the Church of the Fathers and the saints…but are we the Church of good works? Remember those words of our Lord, also part of the opening passage, “inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to me.”

Bishop Andonios is director of the Department of Philanthropy.

Search for Fulltime Teaching Appointment In Pastoral Theology Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology invites applications for a full time teaching position in the area of Pastoral Theology. The position includes instruction in pastoral theology and ministerial formation as well as involvement in contextual education through the Field Education Program. It also will include special programs for pastoral care responding to the needs of the contemporary Church in America. Candidates should be graduates of an Orthodox Theological School and possess a Ph. D. or Th. D. equivalent in the area of pastoral theology. Prior teaching experience, good communication skills and the ability to work in a collegial manner are expected. Knowledge of Modern Greek is desirable. Particular consideration will be given to qualified priests who also have extensive pastoral experience. Academic rank will reflect qualifications and experience. Applications should be sent by March 15, 2003 to: Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Dean - Faculty Affairs and Appointments Commitee, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, 50 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445 USA

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16

FEBRUARY 2003

Archbishop Demetrios Dedicates Archdiocesan Cathedral Library

ARCHBISHOP MAKARIOS of Kenya and Irinopoulos holds a Blessing of the Waters service on Lake Victoria.

FOUNDATION BOARD Kallinikeion Foundation trustees with Archbishop Demetrios, from left, Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Helen Bender, Emmanuel Demos, Helen Moneo of Northridge,Calif., Alexandra Kallin (seated) and Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos.

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios dedicated the new Library of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Feb. 2 following the Divine Liturgy.

The new, full-service Library was recently completed with a $125,000 grant from the Kallinikeion Foundation, established by Alexandra Kallin, a benefactor of Greek education and culture.

Archbishop Demetrios congratulated the 96-year-old Kallin who was present at the dedication and wished that others would follow her example. His Eminence called the new library “an addition of wisdom and knowledge,” and said “a library is something that every church and every

ETA PRESS

parish should have… it will help increase the knowledge of our Orthodox faith and our Hellenic tradition.”

According to Cathedral Dean, Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos, the new Library is the latest addition to several religious, social and educational outreach programs of the Cathedral. The new library includes a computer center and video display. Most of the books come from Fr. Robert’s personal collection but others have also donated and the Cathedral will undertake an effort for more book donations.

More information on programs and activities are available at: www.thecathed ral.goarch.org

Archbishop of Kenya Blesses Lake Victoria NAIROBI, Kenya – Archbishop Makarios of Kenya and Irinopouleos recently celebrated Divine Liturgy at the chapel of St. Makarios of the Orthodox Patriarchal Seminary.

In early January, accompanied by seminarians, he traveled to Kakamega District in the country’s Western Province where he celebrated Divine Litrgy with priest of the Vihiga Bishopric at St. Paul, Mulundu. He celebrated a Blessing of the Waters service and visited St. Mark parish, the Orthodox Mission Clinic of Chavogere Secondary School, visited Holy Resurrection parish and met with clergy of Nandi.

He also traveled to Ndigwa in Nyanza province where he celebrated the Great

Blessing of the Waters of Lake Victoria with Fr. George Mirah.

It was the first time in Orthodox history in East Africa that the service of the Great Blessing of the Waters was celebrated at Africa’s largest lake.

Later in January, the Archbishop celebrated the Divine Liturgy with priests from the Central Province at the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kahuho and ordained police inspector and seminary graduate Michael M. Njau to the deaconate.

He also celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Church of Holy Resurrection and St. Spiridon, Uthiru and ordained Deacon Michael to the priesthood. Fr. Michael will serve the Church of St. John the Theologian, Kahuho.

17

FEBRUARY 2003

PEOPLE

uJudge Honored The Eastern Orthodox Lawyers Association will honor Civil Court Judge Maria Ressos at their annual dinner dance Feb. 28. EOLA also will induct the following new officers and directors: Kate Christoforatos, president; Maria Hartofilis, 1st vice president; George Magriples, 2nd vice president; Mamie Stathatos, corresponding secretary; John Saketos, recording secretary; Peter Lagonikos, treasurer; board members: Spiros A. Tsiminos, chairman; Bill Gianaris, cochair; Yorka C. Linakis, John Ioannou, Mario T. Karonis, Christopher G. Kulakis, Nick Katsoris, James Kocoris, Michael Hartofilis, Maria Miles, Michael Gianaris, George Poulos, Chrisanthy Zapantis, Gus Haritos, Elena Paraskevas Thadani, Kerry Katsorhis, Argyria A.N. Kehagias, Christopher J. Patsos, Steven Ateshoglou and George Zapantis.

uLegislator on TV Wisconsin state Rep. Leah (Papachristou) Vukmir (R-Wauwatosa) appeared in a Jan. 21 live broadcast of News Parents Can Use titled “Empowering Parents, Creating Change: The 1st Anniversary of the “No Child Left Behind Act,” President Bush’s education reform effort. The episode was broadcast live to school districts nationwide.

A taped delayed broadcast was shown nationally on “The Learning Channel” (TLC).

Mrs. Vukmir is a first-generation Greek American. She is the assistant choir director and lifelong member of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee. She also is a nationally certified pediatric nurse practitioner with more than 20 years of clinical and teaching experience.

uNurse honored The University of Akron’s Nursing Alumni Board recently honored Aris Beoglos, R.N., Ph.D., with its Distinguished Nursing Alumni Award. Ms. Beoglos, director of the Children’s Center for Excellence in Nursing Education, is a member of Holy Trinity Church in Canton, Ohio,, has served on the parish council, and is a Sunday School teacher. She holds a doctorate from Boston College.

uCitizen of the year The San Angelo, Texas, Chamber of Commerce recognized George Alexander as its Citizen of the Year at its annual banquet Feb. 4. He serves as president of the City of San Angelo Development Corp.

Mr. Alexander is a longtime member of Assumption Church in San Angelo and served on the parish council many years.

He is a graduate of Texas A&M University and an Air Force veteran.

uHAWC directors Hellenic American Women’s Council (HAWC) announces its new board of directors for 2003-04. Officers elected at HAWC’s ninth annual conference officially assumed their roles on Jan. 11.

HAWC officers are: President Theodora S. Hancock; First Vice President Maria Stamoulas, Second Vice President Diana Armenakis, Treasurer Katherine Johnson, Secretary Elaine Pouletsos Miller, Assistant Secretary Harriet George.

Once the Nation’s Largest, Assumption Still Thrives

A

ssumption (locally referred to as Panaghia) Church is really two places of worship in one.

Located on the West Side of Chicago, a block north of Interstate 290, the bi-level building houses Assumption Church on the upper level and the Chapel of St. Catherine’s below. It is one of eight churches within the city of Chicago.

Two liturgies take place each Sunday, with an available retired priest officiating at one service while Fr. Massouras celebrates the other. The Assumption Divine Liturgy is about 55 percent in Greek, while the St. Catherine’s service is nearly all-English. Its congregation consists mostly of Sunday

PARISH

and the Royalist-Venizelist political controversy raged in Greece and spilled over to this country, the Greeks on the West Side founded their church. They acquired a wooden building, a former eight-car garage, and converted it into a church.

According to a parish history, the first liturgy took place on Aug. 15, 1925, the feast day of the church. Fr. Konstantinos Hazidimitriou was the first priest and served until 1926.

Also in 1925, the community founded the Plato School, the afternoon Greek school that became a full-day elementary school in 1953. It flourished until the early 1990s when enrollment began to dwindle.

Renamed the Plato Academy in 1991, it was reorganized in 1999 as a Saturday morning

Many ministries

Assumption Church ministers to the needs of parishioners of all ages.

Its youth program, which began with the founding of Plato School, followed by the establishment of one of the first GOYA chapters in 1951 and Boy Scout Troop in 1957, continues with the Cherub program for young children ages 18 months to 3 years, which meets on a weekday and enables the young mothers to socialize. A youth director oversees the activities of the JOY, HOPE, GOYA and YAL chapters.

There are Greek language classes on Saturdays for adults and children.

About 40 adults are enrolled, and a smaller number of children.

p ro f i l e

Name: Assumption Greek Orthodox Church Location: Chicago Metropolis: Chicago Size: about 800 families Founded: 1925 Clergy: Fr. George C. Massouras, (Holy Cross ’59; Notre Dame ’67, masters) website: www.stgeorgeclifton.org e-mail: assumptionchurch@aol.com web: www.assumptionchicago.org

Noteworthy: at one time, the largest parish in U.S.

ASSUMPTION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

school children and adults preferring Greek language and culture program for an English-language service. children and adults. The academy ceased In the days when Assumption was operating at the parish and now functions the largest parish in the United States, near the community of Skokie. the late 1940s and ‘50s, its Sunday By the mid-1930s, the parish needed school numbered 2,000 chillarger facilities and acquired dren and 160 teachers; two the present site across the liturgies took place simultanestreet from Columbus Park.

CHICAGO ously. There were four priests, Parishioners dreamed including assistants, officiatof establishing a major cening. Services would begin as ter to promote the Greek early as 5 a.m.

Orthodox faith and Greek Over the years, Asculture and developed a sumption became the three-phase plan. “mother church” for Construction of the many suburban parishes new 75x100-foot church west of Chicago. Membertook place in 1937-38 ship, though still large, diminand was built at a cost of ished. $200,000. The first service Today, the Sunday school took place on Christmas Day has about 130 students. that year.

In the early 1900s, the neighThe second phase was borhood around the church on South the construction of a $175,000 Central Avenue, near what was then the 70x140-foot two-story building last stop of the trolley from The Loop in to house Plato School on the east Downtown Chicago, was comprised of side of the new church. nearly all-Greek immigrants who were The final phase was the completion shopkeepers and restaurateurs. of a recreation center connected to the As was the case with nearly all Chi- other buildings and that houses office cago-area Greek immigrants, most came space and a gymnasium. from Tripolis in the Peloponnesus.

On Oct. 19, 1947, Archbishop AthenaSucceeding generations moved goras, with Bishop Gerasimos of Chicago to the suburbs as they prospered and and other clergy, consecrated the church. no Greek Orthodox parishioners live More than 2,000 parishioners attended. around the church now, but are scatDuring most of the community’s tered throughout the Chicago metro- existence, the Assumption Women’s politan area, Fr. Massouras said. “Some Club served as the ladies auxiliary orcome from 45 to 50 miles away.” The ganization, supporting the church’s priest himself lives in Palos Heights and philanthropic programs, donating the commutes 30 miles daily. marble pangaria and icon stands for the narthex, dedicating a room at the local Its beginnings In January 1925, in the midst of Ronald McDonald House, and restoring the heady, prosperous era known as the Plato Hall. It was reorganized as a the “Roaring ’20s” and the “Jazz Age,” Philoptochos Society chapter in 1998 and when Al Capone held sway in Chicago currently has about 130 members.

An active senior citizens organization meets regularly. Fr. Massouras, remarking on the longevity of some parishioners, noted that he recently held a funeral service for a 107-yearold church member; and that two other living members, both age 102, are from the generation of founders.

Community membership is now into the fifth generation, with about 83 percent consisting of families in interfaith marriages. More parishioners work in the professions and trades than are restaurant owners.

Over the past 78 years, only eight priests have served Assumption Church.

There have been 27 assistant priests.

Fr. Massouras, a native of Ellensburg, Wash., has been the longest-serving priest, arriving in the community in 1981.

In addition to serving other parishes, he also taught New Testament Greek at the University of Notre Dame for a year.

Besides pastoring his far-flung flock at the church, Fr. Massouras’ ministries include visiting 17 area hospitals, and maintaining the church’s website, which has e-mail links to most of the parish council members among its many features. He also has led nine pilgrimages to the Holy Land.

But Fr. Massouras said his main concern is “ministering to the needs of the advancing age of our people. Their needs are more prevalent now than before.” He said one of the parish’s goals is to install an elevator in the church building for the elderly.

Fr. Massouras continued, “As an intercity church, we must be very diligent in meeting the needs of our people who live far away and are loyal to Panaghia.

u page 22

18

FEBRUARY 2003

New Hope for Refugees in Former Yugoslavia BALTIMORE – From hunger to hope, and from hope to opportunity – That’s how Bert Moyar, board chairman of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), describes the impact of IOCC in the former Yugoslavia over the past 10 years.

Moyar and his wife, Marjorie, recently completed a trip to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) and Bosnia-Herzegovina on behalf of IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians. “(IOCC) came there to fight hunger and to distribute food and medical supplies,” Moyar said. “We have helped many people along their journey from hunger to hope, and now we are giving aid to those who are housed and fed, so that they may build lives of economic self-sufficiency.”

Since 1992, IOCC has delivered more than $50 million in relief and development assistance to people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds in the former Yugoslavia – enabling the return of refugees, creating opportunity for retur ned families, reconciling neighbors and communities, and meeting people’s immediate needs.

A Serbian girl plants seedlings in a plastic greenhouse provided to her family by IOCC complete with seeds, fertilizer, pesticide tools etc.

IOCC agronomist Dragan Terzic looks on.

Still, Moyar said Serbia is faced with an enormous humanitarian challenge as it struggles to resolve the fate of the estimated 620,000 refugees and displaced persons within its borders, some displaced by the 1999 crisis in Kosovo and many others by the earlier conflicts in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Together, they constitute the single largest refugee community in Europe.

“Probably the most painful thing I saw were the people who are forced to live in these refugee shelters,” he said. “Some of them have lived there for 10 years, since they were forced from their homes. Some of them are without hope. They don’t see a way out. They know they’re not going to go back to Croatia. And they’re afraid to go back to Kosovo.”

The return of displaced persons, mostly Serbs and Roma, to Kosovo remains an elusive goal of the international bodies charged with the administration of Kosovo in the wake of the 1999 NATO bombing campaign. Most want to return but need the international community’s help to provide a secure environment and the necessary living conditions.

During the Serbian portion of their trip, the Moyars met with Patriarch Pavle of the Serbian Orthodox Church and Bishop Artemije of the Diocese of Raska and Prizren (Kosovo and Metohija), who have given their blessings to IOCC’s humanitarian work.

Bishop Artemije stressed the need for IOCC to advocate on behalf of displaced persons eager to return to Kosovo. About 85 percent of the Serbs who lived in Kosovo before 1999 now live in Serbia proper, creating a humanitarian problem with little sign of improving. Those who remain in Kosovo suffer from a lack of mobility and security, making military protection necessary.

An elderly woman whiles away the hours knitting at a refugee center outside Belgrade, Serbia.

She is one of more than 600,000 refugees in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia who, displaced by war, remain in shelters or other living arrangements.

IOCC has been active in Kosovo since 1992. During the NATO bombing campaign of 1999, IOCC was one of only three relief organizations to maintain an operational presence in the region, providing continuous humanitarian assistance to refugees and displaced persons in Serbia and Montenegro.

More recently, IOCC has done small-

scale projects in Kosovo through its office in Podgorica, Montenegro, and the Visoki Decani Monastery, as well as supporting Bishop Artemije’s soup kitchen in the eastern part of the province.

The Moyars also met with officials of the U.S. and local governments. Both William Montgomery, U.S. ambassador to Yugoslavia, and Clifford Bond, U.S.

ambassador to Bosnia, praised IOCC’s 10year record in the region and expressed concern over the lingering effects of the 1990s conflicts.

“The world is turning away to concentrate on other problems, and aid money is drying up,” Moyar said. “The people there feel forgotten by the world.”

The Moyars’ visit took them to Belgrade, Serbia, and outlying areas, where they witnessed the desperate conditions at refugee centers and the good works of IOCC and partners such as Philanthropy (Covekoljublje), the humanitarian arm of the Serbian Orthodox Church. They also traveled to Banja Luka, Bosnia, where IOCC’s “intensive and diversified” program covers all aspects of refugee return, and Sarajevo, where the scars of war are still evident.

Also visiting the region recently was IOCC board member Leonidas “Lee” Kapetanakis, who said that IOCC’s experience in Serbia and Bosnia would serve it well as it seeks to repatriate people displaced from Kosovo.

“Kosovo is a place where we absolutely have to be,” he said. “The need there is tremendous.” Kapetanakis, who traveled to Kosovo on behalf of IOCC, said the international community is starting to show an interest in the return of all nationalities to Kosovo. “IOCC ought to be part of that effort,” he said. “The world has lost a lot of its interest in the Balkans. It’s incumbent on IOCC to try to maintain focus there.”

Fr. Irinej agreed. “Kosovo is still a fresh wound compared to the rest of the region,” he said.

Ukrainian Sailors Get Assistance from IOCC Network BALTIMORE - Seventeen Ukrainian sailors who were rescued Jan. 24 from a sinking freighter off the stormy coast of North Carolina are getting assistance from the U.S. Program of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

Through the generosity of Orthodox Christians across the country, IOCC will be able to provide the sailors with work kits for when they ship out again. The kits include maritime winter coats and boots, assorted undergarments, heavyduty waterproof flashlights, duffle bags and, possibly, personal items such as eyeglasses.

“They may lose their pay and compensation for all their lost gear and personal effects, not to mention compensation for their injuries and expenses involved with being stranded in America for a week,” said the Rev. Joshua Anna, an Orthodox priest who has been assisting the sailors on IOCC’s behalf.

Fr. Joshua is part of an Orthodox emergency response network being formed by IOCC, the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians, in the wake of 9/11.

This is the first time the network has been tested in an actual emergency.

“IOCC has spent the last decade responding to emergencies overseas, and our U.S. Program is working to apply this expertise to the American context,” said Samir Ishak, IOCC Director of Operations.

“The emergency response network is one way we can build the capacity of the Orthodox Church to meet needs here.”

Since the sailors were brought to Wilmington, N.C., on Jan. 25, Fr. Joshua has been coordinating the assistance being provided by Orthodox Christians and serving the sailors as an interpreter and case-worker, helping to solve the problems they face getting food, shelter and medical treatment.

The Ukrainian seamen were aboard the White Seal, a 600-foot freighter regis-

The Ukrainian crew of the freighter “White Seal,” with Fr. Joshua

tered in Tonga, when they were rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter the morning of Jan. 24. En route from Haiti to Bridgeport, Conn., the ship started sinking after it lost power because of engine problems.

“The sea’s swells off the North Carolina coast ...were cresting between 20 and 30 feet. The wind was blowing sharply at a steady 50 miles per hour,” Fr. Joshua explained. “Certain death awaits sailors in the 52-degree salt water. This is a common maritime drama 120 to 150 miles off the Carolina coast, aptly called the ‘Graveyard of the Atlantic.’”

Captain “Jake” Y. Korniyuk radioed the Coast Guard that all the men on the White Seal needed to be rescued. A sailor injured in the incident was taken to a hospital in Wilmington, where he was treated and released.

Fr. Joshua, a priest of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S.A., said the Ukrainians have been welcomed and assisted by the local community.

“There has been a heart-warming mix of good old Southern hospitality from a bunch of wonderful Protestant folks, along with the help and moral and spiritual support of Orthodox Christians of both Ukrainian and Russian descent from Wilmington,” he said.

Fr. Joshua is one of 16 Orthodox priests who have received training as part of a national pan-Orthodox emergency response network being assembled by IOCC’s U.S. Program. The priests receive the training at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., in cooperation with Church World Service.

IOCC is establishing the national network to give Orthodox parishes and priests a shared mechanism for responding to disasters, said U.S. Program Director Robert Pianka. Each of the 25 priests in the network, of which Fr. Joshua is one, will serve as regional coordinators for Orthodox emergency response.

“We have been able to assemble the majority of our clergy team,” Pianka said.

“Our next step will be to build teams of qualified lay volunteers who can assist each clergyman.”

The Rev. David Kossey, an Orthodox priest from New York City, is helping Pianka organize the network.

“What Orthodoxy can do is, it can bring to disasters a canny and adept response at whatever scale we’re able to afford,” Fr. Kossey said. “We are working for a practical network to get practical things done in the first days and weeks of a disaster.”

Anyone interested in getting involved with the emergency response network can call Pianka toll-free at 1-877-803-4622.

To learn more about IOCC’s humanitarian programs in the United States and around the world, please visit www.iocc.org. Founded in 1992, IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians.

FEBRUARY 2003

The Voice of

19

Philoptochos

National Board Holds Winter Meeting at Academy How Philoptochos Helps St. Basil’s

GARRISON, N.Y. – The National Board of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society convened its winter meeting at St. Basil Academy in Garrison, N.Y., on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 24-25.

National President Georgia Skeadas of Villanova, Pa., who opened the meeting, said in her remarks: “Philanthropy is defined as love, a love of mankind shown by practical kindness to humanity. Philoptochos is the heart of the Gospel, which is love. We, the ladies of Philoptochos, show a deep love for humankind. This love manifests itself in our ability to participate in all aspects of Philoptochos.

Giving is an extension of this love. Our

by Terry Kokas

compassion and love enable us to give to the afflicted, the needy and the poor. We must continue, maintain and even intensify this philanthropic giving.”

Mrs. Skeadas said it was most appropriate that this meeting was being held at the Academy of St. Basil, as St. Basil the Great was widely honored and revered as one of the early pioneers of philanthropy.

“The vibrant success of Philoptochos as a National entity is evident by the astounding figures in philanthropic contributions that have been distributed by National, totaling over $8 million over a 10-year period between 1993 and 2002.”

Following her opening remarks, President Skeadas made two announcements: The committee assignments through 2004 include four new committees: Special Events/Fundraising chaired by Froso Beys of New York; National Commitments/ Project Management chaired by Susan Regos of Westchester, Ill., which will review, evaluate and report on the current standing committees, and will also research new philanthropic outreach projects for our organization, Programs (for National Board meetings), chaired by Maria Logus of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Public Relations, chaired by Terry Kokas of New York, which will encompass publicity, media, and other publications and will work closely with the Technology Committee, chaired by Kassandra Romas of Short Hills, N.J., to improve communication through our soon to be updated web-site.

The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon for 2003 will be hosted by the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos on Nov. 1, the Feast Day of Sts. Cosmas and Damianos, the patron saints of Philoptochos.

General Chairman of the Luncheon is Maria Stavropoulos of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The Luncheon will take place at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dearborn, Mich.

The Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon was established in 1989 to assist children with life-threatening illnesses.

National Philoptochos has distributed more than $1 million to support innovative programs at children’s hospitals at the forefront of research and to pay for medical care of critically ill children whose families cannot.

One of the goals Mrs. Skeadas envisions for Philoptochos is the expansion of the number and levels of philanthropic venues for Philoptochos on a national basis. This goal can be further accomplished through an increase in membership. “This focus will create new stimulation and new motivation, which is vital to ensure and to realize the future growth, hopes and dreams of Philoptochos,” she said.

On Saturday morning, Jan. 25, Archbishop Demetrios arrived at St. Basil Academy where he was warmly greeted by

GOA

CHILDREN OF St. Basil Academy join National Board members and Archbishop Demetrios, and (rear left) Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, director of the Department of Philanthropy; and St. Basil Academy Director Fr. Constantine Sitaras.

members of the National Board, Fr. Costas Sitaras, director of the Academy, and the children who reside at the Academy.

Following the blessing and cutting of the Vasilopita, the National Board meeting reconvened with His Eminence’s remarks to the members concluding with the reading from passages of the Epistles of Saint Paul to the Ephesians and the Galatians.

During the meeting Mrs. Skeadas announced that the Executive Board on behalf of the National Board of Philoptochos resolved to make three contributions: A $71,662 contribution was given to St. Basil Academy for three new vans from the Sisterhood Fund.

A contribution will be given to Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for 23 scholarships for the students in the mount of $50,000.

A contribution to Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology in the amount of $100,000 for the renovation of the cafeteria, purchase of new desks for the classrooms, the completion of the reception area within the veranda from the Lenten Event Fund.

After lunch the ladies were taken on a tour of St. Basil’s to acquaint them with all of the facilities of the Academy, as this was a first visit for many of the members.

At the conclusion of the two day meetings, President Skeadas stated in an interview, “It is most impressive that the National Philoptochos Society through its 475 chapters, and throughout its over 70-year history, has consistently and continually contributed to our own charitable and philanthropic programs and commitments, along with the institutions and programs of the Archdiocese.

Our National programs and commitments include: the Academy of Saint Basil, Social Services, the Cardiac Fund, St. Photios Shrine, the Archdiocesan Missions program, Hellenic College Holy Cross, IOCC, Support a Mission Priest, the Cancer Fund, Ecumenical Patriarchate and UNICEF. In addition, Philoptochos has supported in the past and will faithfully continue to assist with disaster and earthquake relief funds, the National Emergency Fund, the September 11th Fund, the Archbishop

GARRISON, N.Y. – St. Basil Academy is an institution of the Archdiocese purchased by the National Philoptochos Society in March 1944, at the request of Archbishop Athenagoras.

It is located on the shores of the Hudson River opposite West Point Military Academy. It consists of 250 acres and is the former residence of Jacob Rupert known as “Eagles Rest.”

The Academy is a residential and educational center for Greek Orthodox children. The children are provided with a loving Orthodox Christian environment where they receive their housing, recreational activities and religious training.

The children attend elementary and high school at the local school districts. Financial assistance for their college education is provided from the Zoe Cavalaris Educational Fund.

The Academy is financially supported by National Philoptochos through its Vasilopita Fund.

There are two additional funds for St. Basil Academy: the Sisterhood Fund and the Graduation Ceremonies Fund. The Sisterhood Fund provides for the needs of the children of the Academy. The fund provides assistance towards the expenses for the graduation ceremonies at the conclusion of the school year.

Iakovos Library and Resource Center and a myriad of others, as needs arise.

I am overwhelmed with the love, dedication, and commitment of the members of the National Board, the members of the Metropolis Philoptochos Boards and the more than 25,000 phenomenal members of the National Philoptochos Society, across America, offering countless hours to the philanthropic, humanitarian and true mission of Philoptochos and our Greek Orthodox Church in America.”

Correction

Due to an editing error, the story about the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon planned for Nov. 1 in Dearborn, Mich., said Archbishop Iakovos is slated to attend. It should have read Archbishop Demetrios.

SAVE THE DATE NASSAU SUFFOLK QUEENS Combined Pholoptochos Chapters

ETA PRESS

PAST PRESIDENT HONORED The Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos chapter held an afternoon tea event at the Archdiocese on Jan. 16. During the gathering Archbishop Demetrios addressed the members and urged them to continue and intensify their efforts in the service of their important ministry. He also honored Helen Daphnides for her years of service as president of the Cathedral philoptochos.

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Challenge

YOUTH MINISTRY

21

e-mail: youthofce@goarch.org

Media Review Women What’s Up... Church Creed: “my sacrifice” in the

with

Do you remember being younger?

Remember your parents had all sorts of things that they wanted you to get involved in to become more cultured and learn to a skill. Greek school may be one of the first things that came to your mind.

by Vasie-Leigh Chames

Perhaps it was Scouting or Indian Guides/Princesses? Maybe they wanted you to take up violin, since your grandfather used to play and “he would be so proud” (I had that experience myself).

Whether it be sewing, wood working, car repair, cooking, ballet, music lessons, or art classes, we all had some kind of activity our parents thought would be good for our character-building.

I remember being younger and my mom telling my brother that she really wanted him to be an altar boy.

“You know dad was an altar boy,” she explained and “you will get to carry candles around.”

Though playing with fire is a big seller when you are eight, she just couldn’t convince him to go into the altar. Year after year, she came up with incentives to convince my brother to go into the altar and he never did.

Ironically enough, instead of ending up with an altar boy, she ended up with an “altar” girl, figuratively of course. It was her daughter, that’s me, who was called to the ministry of the church, not her son.

In the eyes of the Church, men and women are equal, yet sometimes have different roles. We function differently, that is why there are two genders. The Theotokos is an example of a woman created equal to a man, but chosen for a different role than the role of the Apostles.

Though she was not ordained, she holds the highest esteem in our Church as the “bride of God, the God bearer and the apse of the heavens.” She is an example of purity (purity is not a female attribute, it is a Christian attribute), parenthood, and apostleship that we should all strive to achieve.

Our baptism makes each one of us a full member of the church. In the Orthodox Church, whether you are male or female you are offered salvation through Jesus Christ.

Whether you are clergy or laity (nonclergy), you have the same opportunities to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Our gender and our roles in the church do not determine our salvation, but rather how we live our lives as Christians.

In our American society, we often like to place value on different roles. What we have to remember is that we are not a deck Challenge is the Youth & Young Adult Ministries supplement to the Orthodox Observer.

Articles reect the opinion of the writers.

Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 83 St. Basil Rd., Garrison, New York 10524 or email: youthofce@goarch.org

of cards with point values of worth.

We are the body of Christ, the Church. Each one of us is a part of the body, dependent on another part of the body. Therefore everyone has a role to play and every role is important, whether you are the skin, the brain, or just one microscopic cell.

What is the “priestly” role of women in the church if they will not be ordained to the Holy Priesthood? Young women and men have many roles and gifts to offer the church.

Our church life is not limited to the roles of the priest, the parish council and Philoptochos. We are all called to make an offering before God. What can you do if you are a teenager?

• Make prosforon and bring it to church before Liturgy.

• Make artos (sweet bread blessed during the service of artoclasia) in honor of your parents, godparents, or godchildren on their name day.

• Run for GOYA president or to be an officer.

• Organize a service project or visit a shut in.

• If you sew, offer to mend liturgical items or learn how to make vestments.

• Make koliva in memory of grandparents or other loved ones.

• Volunteer to be an assistant to the JOY or HOPE advisors.

• Sing in the choir.

• Volunteer to read the Epistle.

• Learn how to chant the services of the church. I could go on, but you get the point.

The role of a woman or a man in the church is to listen for their calling from God and to offer themselves to God. Just because you are a young man doesn’t mean you have been called to be an altar boy and just because you are a young woman doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to serve the Church.

Did you know that in female monasteries, it is the Sisters who have a blessing to serve as acolytes during the services, which assist the priest, not just any male guests at the monastery?

Think of your role model in the church, whether it be a grandmother, a grandfather, a saint of the church or your parish priest. Think of ways they have shown you how to serve the church. Now, get up and grab a pen and paper and write down some of their spiritual attributes.

Do you want to know what the role of women in the church is? You have it at your fingertips. Pray and listen closely…

God will have a special role just for you.

Vasie-Leigh is the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. She is a graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology with a Master of Divinity degree. She has held many leadership roles on both the parish and Metropolis level. She has the blessing of her Metropolitan to be a reader, chanter and even deliver sermons to parishes on Sunday morning.

The band Creed is a Christian Rock band that is unlike many Christian bands of the past. Unlike many Christian bands that are only heard on Christian stations, their music is played on mainstream radio stations. The name of the band even suggests their religious tone because as we know a Creed is a statement of belief.

by Yianna Kappas

The song “My Sacrifice” was one of Creed’s many popular songs within the past couple of years. The song begins with the words, “Hello my friend we meet again.”

With this opening, you get the impression that the person the song is about had been away and has just reunited with that person. One interpretation is that the person had strayed away from God and had just rediscovered Christ and was beginning a new life with him.

The line “Of perfect love that you gave to me.” Makes and allusion to John 3:16 which states, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

This perfect love the songs speaks of could very well be referring to the gift of salvation that God gave to us when he sent Jesus here to Earth.

The chorus of the song is made up of the lines “When you are with me I’m free, I’m careless, I believe. Above all the others we’ll fly. This brings tears to my eyes my sacrifice.”

The “you” could be God. The person in the song is saying that when God is with him he can do anything. If he is in trouble or needs help, he can lift those troubles to God and all will be taken care of.

The tears that the person talks about could not be defined as either tears of sor-

Did YtouRuns Know…

in the Family

No doubt, you have all heard of St. Basil the Great. You may have even heard that he was a brother of St. Gregory of Nyssa (they had another brother, St. Peter of Sebastia).

But did you know that his mother, Emily (July 19th) and grandmother Macrina (July 14th) are both saints in the Orthodox Church. But it doesn’t stop there. Did you know there was a sister, Macrina (named for her grandmother)?

She was the oldest sibling.

It was her example that led St. Basil to live a holy life. We celebrate St. Macrina on July 19th. The moral… being holy can be contagious…go for it!

To learn more about the saints in St. Basil’s family visit the online chapel on the website for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at: http://www. goarch.org/en/Chapel/index.asp?D=1/ 27/2003&T=14 Click on the daily calendar for lives of the saints. Check out other women saints and see how they have contributed to the life of the Church.

row for what he did, or sorrows for him straying away from God and the church.

They could even be tears of joy because he finally came back and realized the goodness of God. The next verse talks about how the person had good days and bad days and was constantly moving up and down in his life and his actions.

The person also talks about how quickly one can change and how good it feels once he finally reunites with God. The last lines of the verse are, “Within yourself and within your mind. Let’s find peace there.”

It is just the last reassuring thing that the person needed to know that once he was with God he would be at peace with himself and in his life and that he knew it would all be okay from then on.

And the last line of the song is, “I just want to say hello again.” Which just allows the people to know how sincere this person is about his journey back to God. The song never clearly states what the sacrifice is in the song. But perhaps his sacrifice was his other life, the life he had before he came back to God. This life could have included alcohol, drugs, and other sins that are sometimes hard to give up, but in order to reunite with God you must try to give them up and be as good a person as you can be.

(A big thank-you to the high school Sunday school Class of the Dormition of the Theotokos Church in Greensboro, N.C., for all their ideas and contributions to this review. I could not have done this without them! Thanks!)

Yianna is a sophomore in high school. She enjoys playing soccer, hanging with friends (online, on phone and in person) and visiting her favorite relatives in California.

Parent and Youth Worker’s Corner For a session on The Role of Women in the Church and/or Family Activity go to our website at: http: //www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/ departments/youth/youthworkers/ sessions/ If you haven’t done so already, sign up for our youth worker listserver! We send weekly resources, ideas and activities for parents and youth workers. To sign up, send an Email to listserv@listserv.goarch.org. Leave the subject blank and in the body of the e-mail type in “subscribe youth” (without the quotation mark). You’ll get confirmation of your subscription shortly after.

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22

FEBRUARY 2003

OUTREACH and EVANGELISM The Mission of the Orthodox Christian Parish in America I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

-John 10:16

by Fr. James W. Kordaris

The Orthodox Churches in America find their roots mostly in the immigration of the past 100 years.

Coming from countries where Orthodox Christianity was the established religion, there was very little understanding of evangelism and the need for mission among the immigrant Orthodox population.

In order to survive, the early Greek immigrants were forced to band together, finding strength in numbers. The church building became the center of the Greek community in America, providing a place of worship, a cultural center, and a place to organize in order to survive. The focus of both Greek Orthodox leadership and laity was directed inward, concentrating mainly on internal organization and religious/ethnic identity.

This inward focus began to shift outward in the 1960’s under the influence of Archbishop Iakovos, who served as co-president of the World Council of Churches (1959-1968).

Archbishop Iakovos also recommended the establishment of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA), and served as chairman for many years.

Renewed Focus on the Parish

This January, Archbishop Demetrios commissioned the new Archdiocesan Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach & Evangelism to put forth every effort to bring the Gospel of our Lord to all those within the boundaries of our Archdiocese of America who thirst to know The Way, The Truth and The Life. The focus of this effort is on the parish, as he stated in his keynote address to the Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles: “It is the parish, it is the local community which has been, is, and will forever be the central, indispensable agent for offering our Orthodox faith to contemporary America.”

The Archbishop called upon the Congress to, ‘‘...cultivate the awareness of the tremendous importance of the parish, of the need to support, by all possible measure, the parish, to help develop the life and activities of it, to make the parish a powerful witness and passionate promoter of Orthodox Faith and Tradition.’’

The Ministry of the Laity in the World

From the earliest times, the Gospel was preached not only by the apostles, evangelists and teachers, but as Paul

writes, by those lay people who “were able to teach others” (2 Tim 2:2). It is important to note that many prophets, teachers and evangelists were lay people, and many clergy and fathers of the Church first distinguished themselves as lay people in the Church. The challenge to the clergy of today is the proper training of laity for the work of mission in their daily lives. The corresponding challenge to the layperson is the redefinition of one’s priorities in light of the calling to be “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’sown people”(I Peter 2:9), to do God’s work in all aspects of life.

Orthodox Christianity in the Context of American Culture

As Orthodox in America, we belong to the Orthodox Church, but we do not belong to an Orthodox culture. Though at one time it was possible to isolate one’s self in a sub-culture, those days are coming to an end. Orthodox Christians find themselves to be dedicated to the Eastern Church, yet living in a society that is completely Western, and as a result are called to re-discover the Church as mission.

Outreach to Nominal Orthodox

The witness of the faithful is, first of all, for the “Christian who is not a Christian.”This is the person who, though baptized, has put off Christ, whether by choice or by apathy. The ethnic and cultural nature of the Orthodox in America makes it possible for these nominal Orthodox to continue to relate to the Church community. Parish Renewal, Outreach and Evangelism offers the parish the tools to reach out to those Orthodox Christians who have been weakened in their faith – a critical aspect of parish ministry. This inner mission is directed to the renewal of the members of the Church, and is an ongoing process of any living Christian community.

Orthodoxy and the Ecumenical Movement

The Orthodox in America are continually brought into dialogue with individuals of other faiths. Witness to believers of other faiths requires first that we confirm whatever truth we find in their teachings, while affirming the fullness of the truth of Orthodoxy. The commonly held beliefs, the points of contact, provide starting points for discussion.

A New Beginning

It is time for a new beginning and a renewed effort to inspire creativity and revival in Orthodox Christianity in the United States. The American culture offers the Church great opportunities to conduct successful parish renewal, outreach and evangelism, offering our Orthodox faith to contemporary America.

PARISH PROFILE u page 25 “We must preserve the heritage the founding fathers bequeathed to us and strive in every way possible to perpetuate this heritage in our children and in their children.”

Indications are the number of young people is increasing and many future goals and programs will be aimed at this group.

In 2000, the community accomplished a major goal of renovating and restoring the church’s interior, including its iconography. The $1.5 million needed

for the project were raised within a year.

The main revenue source is stewardship. There is a small Greek festival held Labor Day weekend, but “is not a big moneymaker,” said Fr. Massouras.

It’s part of our tradition and we want to keep it.”

Among the community’s strong points that draws Fr. Massouras’ praise is the parish’s “strong adherence to tradition and the unity that we have,” he said.

–compiled by Jim Golding

Lenten Resources Available on the Internet For Orthodox Christians, Great Lent is a period of intense fasting and prayer. It is a time when both the Church and her faithful enter into an intense period of penitence to prepare for the glory of the resurrection.

Recognizing this, the Department of Internet Ministries has created a special section on the Archdiocesan web site, which is dedicated to assist the faithful

by Theo Nicolakis

in their journey through Great Lent. The site is available at: http://www.goarch.org/en/ special/lent.

Visitors to the site will find it filled with a vast number of resources, multimedia, and devotional material that will both assist them and challenge them in their Lenten journey. Some highlights of the site include: DAILY BIBLE READINGS: A daily Bible reading guide is available with the specified biblical readings for each day of Lent.

ICONOGRAMS: Orthodox Christians can send free electronic icon greeting cards for the Lenten and Easter periods to family and friends.

VIDEOS: Educational and inspirational videos from GOTelecom are available online. These videos explore various Lenten themes such as prayer and fasting and also explain the various services of Great and Holy Week.

HYMNS: A vast audio collection of hymns and services from the Lenten season and Holy Week is available in both Greek and English so that visitors can listen to and learn these beautiful melodies from the rich liturgical tradition of our Orthodox Church.

LIVE BROADCASTS: Live broadcasts of Lenten services from parishes in the Archdiocese. These live broadcasts are available to anyone with a connection to

the Internet and are perfect for those who, for good reason, are unable to attend a service during the Lenten period due to illness or inclement weather.

PRAYERS AND SERVICES: Lenten prayers and the full texts of liturgical services, such as the Akathist Hymn are available online.

LEARN TO CHANT: A special section of the site has been established where individuals can learn to chant the Akathyst Hymn online. The full text of the service is complimented with the appropriate chanted audio snippets.

SERMONS: Preaching material to assist clergy in their preparation of Lenten sermons.

EDUCATIONAL: Topics such as the meaning of Great Lent, fasting, how the date of Easter is determined, and Holy Week are covered in a vast selection of online articles.

YOUTH MINISTRY: Complete and ready-to-run, a variety of youth and young adult ministry sessions on Lenten themes are available as a resource for clergy and youth workers.

The web site will be updated continuously during the Lenten period to include additional resources.

DISTRICT CLERGY-LAITY u page 2

methods of communication and resources available, and to conduct a campaign for communicating to parish councils.

Family Ministry: Plans include holding a parish synaxis in New Rochelle with an evening of fellowship for families, an overnight retreat at St. Nicholas Church in Flushing; and an outreach program at St. Nicholas-Holy Trinity on Staten Island.

Greek Education: a proposal was made to study the centralization of parochial schools in Brooklyn in light of increasing deficits.

Parish Development: Recommendations include making a greater effort to reach out to inactive and unchurched Greek Orthodox; developing guidelines for welcoming individuals returning to the Church or newcomers as part of an ongoing program; developing a hospital ministry plan to enable lay people to assist clergy in this ministry.

Religious Education: Proposals include conducting a survey of religious education efforts and needs at each parish, appointment of a coordinator to visit each parish on its program; make parish specific programs to see what methods are necessary for a religious ed program to be effective, teach and inspire Sunday school teachers, and follow-up on progress made through a committee that would report on its findings. Archbishop Demetrios named Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos, pastor of St. Demetrios Church in Merrick, as the coordinator for the District’s religious

education efforts.

Total Commitment/Stewardship: Recommendations included initiating a stewardship education program for parishes, determining a method to calculate the percentage of a parish’s budget from stewardship; and encouraging parishes to establish an endowment fund for their own financial stability.

Youth/Young Adult: goals include cultivating, training and equipping youth workers and leaders, fostering unity between parishes, supporting youth ministry programs within the district, establishing a District Youth Ministry Team consisting of representatives from all parishes, establishing regional youth worker training seminars, expanding campus ministry efforts and Orthodox Christian Fellowship chapters.

Philanthropy: The Archdiocesan Department of Philanthropy plans to identify a philanthropy coordinator in every parish and provide resources and educational materials to each parish and organization.

It also seeks to promote on a local and/or regional basis specific ministries that will integrate into the life of the Church those who are, but not limited to, in prisons, hospitals and other health-care facilities; shut-ins; and individuals.

Following the afternoon reports, the dates for this year’s District Council meetings were announced. They will take place on Wednesday, May 28, and Tuesday, Oct. 7, at the Archdiocese headquarters.

23

FEBRUARY 2003

Florida Church Celebrating 50th Year NJ Clergy Syndesmos Holds Annual Retreat DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – St. Demetrios Church is in the midst of its 50th anniversary year that began in October.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta recently officiated at a Name Day Vespers and Divine Liturgy. At the vespers, he was assisted by the pastor of St. Demetrios, Fr. Nick G. Manousakis, and Frs. Michael Byer, Mark Elliott and Demetrios Leousis. Frs. Manousakis and Leousis assisted at the Liturgy.

An anniversary banquet took place at the Adam’s Mark hotel and resort.

Keynote speaker was noted author Harry Mark Petrakis, who told humors stories of bygone days that brought memories of first-generation Greek American life.

Other speakers included Metropolitan Alexios, parish council President George Pappas, St. Barbara’s Philoptochos President Eve Ann Magoulas, and Diocesan Philoptochos President Dee Nicolaou.

Palos Hills Church Supports Worthy Christmas Projects PALOS HILLS, Ill. – During the Christmas season, Sts. Constantine and Helen Church donated gifts for some 200 children as part of the Department of Children and Family Services toy drive. The drive was sponsored by the Orthodox Christian Clergy Association and supported by the parish along with other Chicago-area churches.

In a related need children’s pro-

gram, Sts. Constantine and Helen also sponsored children of St. Innocent’s Orphanage in Mexico. Money was collected to purchase coats in response to their Christmas wish list.

The church’s youth choir in mid-December visited residents of Hollywood House, a senior citizens residence, where they sang Christmas carols.

Search Under Way for OCF Exec. Director The National Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) Executive Board is accepting applications for the position of executive director. Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA).

The candidate should be a graduate of an accredited college/university, an active member of a SCOBA parish possessing a strong commitment and interest in and experience with Orthodox campus ministry, with strong organizational skills in planning and executing programs.

The executive director will be responsible for overseeing the staff of the National Office, developing communication between the office and local chapters as well as facilitating communication between the chapters themselves, organizing national and local events, overseeing the solicitation of grants and fundraising campaign and must be able to effectively

represent OCF to the Hierarchy, Clergy and laity of the Orthodox Church.

Applications should include a resume, references (a minimum of three) and an essay describing experience, credentials and proficiency.

OCF is a pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an executive committee and aided by an 11-member student advisory board.

The office is located in Boston, where a full-time staff develops programs and resources. The staff guides and supports local OCF chapters through communication with the larger Orthodox community, national programs, and development of resources for use by Orthodox college students.

Applications should be sent no later than March 15 to: The Rev. Mark A. Leondis OCF Search Committee 83 St. Basil Road Garrison, NY 10524.

FIRST VISIT -- National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas visited the Metropolis of Boston Philoxenia House on Monday, February 10 and had the opportunity to observe first hand the Philoxenia House ministry established in 1986 by Metropolitan Methodios. (from left) Michael and his mother, Marina, from Patmos, Despina from Thessalonike, Metropolitan Methodios, Georgia Skeadas and Merope Kapetanakis, Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos Board president. Mrs. Skeadas was very touched during her first visit especially since she had the opportunity to meet a few of the residents who shared with her both their medical problems and their gratitude to Metropolitan Methodios and the faithful of the Metropolis of Boston for the hospitality they offer them.

BALTIMORE -- The Clergy Syndesmos of the Metropolis of New Jersey held its annual retreat on Feb. 3,4,5 at Bons Secours in Baltimore. Frs. Lou Noplos and Kosmas Karavellas were the facilitators for this year’s program.

by Fr. James Moulketis

The retreat began with Vespers followed by an inspirational reflection of Fr. Alexander Leondis’, chancellor of the New Jersey Metropolis on priesthood and ministry.

The Rev. Dr. Patrick Visusco led the evening discussion giving us insight into the sacred canons of our church. Contemporary issues were revisited in the light of these sacred canons offering in-depth insight and discovery for spirituality and added meaning and direction in parish ministry and clergy life.

After morning Liturgy, Fr. George Liacopulos gave a moving sermon on the clergy life. The priests then traveled to Dumbarton Oaks Center in Washington DC. Dumbarton Oaks is the leading center in the world for

Byzantine Studies. Leaders from the Center spoke to the priests who were given a special guided tour of the magnificent artifacts of the Byzantine Empire that are prominently displayed in the Center.

St. Katherine Church in Falls Church VA., hosted a sumptuous luncheon for the clergy in their newly completed parish center. The priests enjoyed a wonderful tour of Washington stopping at the Capitol and other interesting sites. Before returning to the Baltimore retreat house they visited the magnificent Cathedral of St. Sophia in our nations’ capital, Fr. Steven Zorzos guided them through the Church.

Fr James C. Moulketis, president of the Clergy Syndesmos convened the annual brotherhood meeting. Fr. Alexander Leondis, chancellor, offered his report, Fr. Demetrios Antokas, Syndesmos secretary read the minuets, Fr Chioros, Syndesmos treasurer offered his report.

Fr. Chris Kontos, Archdiocese Benefits Committee representative, and Fr Paul Panos, Hellenic College Holy Cross representative, offered their reports.

Dallas Hosts Denver Metropolis Basketball Tournament DALLAS – Over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend, Holy Trinity Church hosted the Metropolis of Denver GOYA Basketball Tournament. Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver presided over 700 players, coaches, advisors, parents and clergy assembled for the largest youth event ever to take place in the diocese, culminating with almost 800 participants at the Awards Banquet on Sunday evening.

The tournament was organized into four divisions, junior and senior, boys and girls.

In all, 42 teams, representing 19 parishes from throughout the mountain, southwestern, and plains states participated in the tourney. The three-day tournament was also host to the Annunciation parish of Little Rock, Ark., a part of the Metropolis of Detroit. Beyond fellowship and basketball competition, the weekend included a private evening at the Hard Rock Cafe, where His Eminence was presented with, and proudly wore his very own Hard Rock leather jacket.

Goyans were also pleased to enjoy the participation of the local NBA team, the Dallas Mavericks, who sent “MavsMan,” their team mascot, to perform a slamdunk show between games. The profes-

sional team also awarded each division MVP winner with a team-autographed basketball.

The tournament weekend, for the first time, also included a community outreach project. Participants donated clothing items and needed supplies to the Austin Street Shelter of Dallas, a shelter for homeless and needy families.

Facility directors attended the awards banquet to accept these goods, as well as, a $5,000 donation from the Holy Trinity community.

Tournament youth and advisors had the opportunity to receive Metropolitan Isaiah’s blessings and to hear his words as he presided over the Sunday Divine Liturgy in Holy Trinity’s sanctuary that was filled to capacity.

Following the Divine Liturgy, participants took part in a brunch at the Arthur L. Sarris Community Center where they heard a presentation by Fr. Jim Katinas of Hellenic College/Holy Cross. After the brunch they went on to the semi-final and final games of the tournament.

Metropolis of Denver Goyans are looking forward to the 2004 Basketball Tournament that will take place in Kansas City, Mo.

24

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios on the occasion of the Feast Day of the Three Hierarchs, declared the week of Jan. 27 – Feb. 2, 2003 as “Week of Celebrations Honoring the Greek Letters and Arts.”

His Eminence celebrated the Great Vespers of the Feast at the Three Hierarchs Church in Brooklyn, NY. A reception followed in the adjacent parish hall, which featured a recital of modern and classical Greek texts and poems from students spanning several grades at the parish day school. The Archbishop exalted the example of the Three Hierarchs noting that they “displayed a tremendous passion for classical Greek education.”

The morning of Jan. 30, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, attended by over 400 students of the several Greek Orthodox Parochial Day Schools, who together with their parents, teachers and principals came from throughout the New York Archdiocesan District.

“You are the carriers of an extremely precious tradition of wisdom, knowledge, faith, and truth,” said the Archbishop as he reminded the young students and their teachers of their unique responsibilities.

After the Liturgy, the Archbishop assisted by Archdiocesan District Director Mrs. Maria Makedon, presented the Three Hierarchs Award for Excellence to more than 25 students who had achieved a perfect score in the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek for the year 2002, prepared annually by the Archdiocesan Department of Greek Education for purposes of satisfying academic foreign language requirements for accredited schools in the state of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

That afternoon His Eminence hosted a reception in honor of the educators of the parochial day and afternoon schools of the Metropolitan New York Area at the Metropolitan Club of New York and cut the traditional “Vasilopita.”

A special well-attended celebration followed at the West Lounge of the Metropolitan Club which featured a lecture

by HC/HC professor James Skedros on the contributions of the Three Hierarchs to the progress of the Church and a musical program which included Byzantine hymns by “Romanos o Melodos” choir under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Rallis and a classical selection performed by pianist Tania Papayannopoulou and soprano Nicole Pantos. The program presented Prof. Tom Papademetriou of the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Hundreds of people attended the concluding tribute to Hellenic Letters and the Three Hierarch event of the week held at the Cultural Center of St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria in the afternoon of Sunday Feb. 2.

The event was organized by the Archdiocesan Department of Greek Education in collaboration with the Archdiocesan Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria and all the Greek-American Day Schools of the area who recited poems and other literary works and performed songs and dances. The program also featured the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir, which justly received the enthusiastic applause of the audience.

FEBRUARY 2003

Celebrations Honoring Three Hierarchs, Hellenic Letters

ETA PRESS PHOTOS

(Clockwise from top) KINDERGARTNERS of St. Demertios School; ARCHDIOCESAN Metropolitan Youth Choir; MUSICIANS Tania Papayannopoulou and Nicole Pantos with the Archbishop; Dr. JAMES Skedros; HIS EMINENCE greets those in attendance at The Metropolitan Club event.

Chicago Celebrations In Chicago the celebration began with the annual Aristeion literary competition for youth on the morning of Saturday, Jan.18, at St. Demetrios Church, in the heart of Chicago’s historic north side Greek enclave.

The following morning, the DePaul area church of St. George hosted a memorial service, led by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, and offered for departed educators, broadcasters and journalists who tirelessly worked to preserve Greek fluency and literacy amid the waves of Anglicization that often marginalize immigrant cultures and languages.

Metropolitan Iakovos presided at the Feast’s Divine Liturgy at the northwest side parish of Holy Trinity followed by a program presented by the parish’s elementary school.

The week’s celebrations culminated in the annual Hellenic Letters Luncheon that followed the feast day liturgy, an event uniquely honoring pre-eminent educator Fotis Litsas, and awarding winners of the Aristeion.

Perhaps the highlight of this year’s celebration was the presence and presentation of its keynote speaker, Archimandrite Timotheos, chancellor of

METROPOLITAN Iakovos of Chicago with winners of the annual Aristeion literary competition

the Metropolis of Panama and Central America.

A native of Colombia, Fr. Timotheos movingly described his life as ‘beginning’ when he embraced the Orthodox faith.

Presenting in university-level Greek, he told of his spiritual journey and his deep appreciation for Hellenic cultural contri-

butions as a Latin American.

His experience and vision underscored the real universality of the Orthodox faith, and the classical consciousness that the ‘letters’ of the ancient Greeks are indeed a heritage and an inspiration for and belonging to all the world’s peoples.