Orthodox Observer - May/June 2004 by Orthodox Marketplace

MAY – JUNE 2004 • Vol. 69 • No. 1208

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

KOREAN CHURCH ELEVATED TO METROPOLIS 9

The Archdiocese NGO in the United Nations 31

HC/HC 2004 GRADUATES

Clergy-Laity Congress 30

NEW YORK CITY July 23-30 2004 8

Hellenic College/Holy Cross Is A Story Worth Telling BROOKLINE, Mass.— It was a glorious spring day in Boston, May 15, when 16 students graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Hellenic College and 33 received a Master’s degree from Holy Cross School of Theology during an inspirational commencement ceremony, the 62nd in the School’s history. Greek-American entrepreneur and renowned philanthropist Alex Spanos offered half a million dollars to the School just before he and his wife Faye were awarded honorary Doctor of Humanities degrees. by Stavros H. Papagermanos

D. PANAGOS

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS Receives Ellis Island Medal

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37th Biennial Congress Gets Under Way in July The 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress is slated to begin in a few weeks as New York awaits the arrival of more than a thousand delegates, observers and other participants. The Parish, its strengthening and enhancement will be at the center of the Congress. Much of this year’s event will focus on an expanded education program, which proved highly successful at the previous Congress. Participants will have a variety of religious education topics and workshops to choose from during the July 25-30 event. A major task facing the Congress is approval of the revised Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations (UPR), which include the roles and responsibilities of the Archdiocese and the Metropolises, and that clarify the responsibilities of the parishes. This new document also includes information concerning real estate guidelines, a conflict of interest policy and a policy dealing with dispute resolution.

The Graduation ceremonies began the day before, as Archbishop Demetrios conferred the School’s crosses –stavrophoria– to the graduates of Holy Cross during the vespers service. The small chapel atop the hill that for years filled with their prayers and chants this Saturday morning was filled with their friends and family members attending the Divine Liturgy. A short reception followed for everyone. As the Paschal hymn of Christos Anesti was chanted and with the School’s flags and banners leading the way, the graduating classes and faculty of the Hellenic College and the Holy Cross School of Theology, invited guests, the Board of Trustees, the President and the two deans, followed by the hierarchs and the Archbishop formed a procession in front of the administration building

D. PANAGOS

ALEX and Faye Spanos Receive Honorary Doctorates from Holy Cross School of Theology.

and as tradition has it led to the Pappas Auditorium. The President of the School, Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, in his salutation delivered in both Greek and English welcomed the honored guests and the families and friends of the graduates. He expressed his gratitude to the families of the students for their entrusting them to the Holy Cross Institution. Speaking to the

graduates Fr. Triantafilou said, in part, “you have contributed greatly to the growth of both of our schools.” He then welcomed George Chryssis, the vice chair of the Board of Trustees who served as master of ceremonies. Greetings to the new graduates were offered by the president of the National Philoptochos Georgia Skeadas

Alex Spanos Gives 1/2 Million to HC/HC

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Prime Minister Karamanlis Visits Archdiocese

MR. KARAMANLIS along with his wife Natasha paused at the Archdiocesan chapel of St. Paul for a few moments, lit a candle and venerated the icons.

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios welcomed the new Prime Minister of Greece Constantine Karamanlis to the Archdiocese on May 18, as he began his first official visit to the U. S. Immediately following greetings and the exchange of gifts the Prime Minister and the Archbishop held an hour-long meeting discussing issues of mutual concern including education and the upcoming Athens Olympics 2004. The prime minister was accompanied by his wife Natasha, Minister of Foreign Affairs Petros Molyviatis; Minister of State and Government spokesman Theodoros Roussopoulos; Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs Takis Skandalakis and Yiannis Valinakis; Ambassador of Greece to the United States George Savvaides and Consul General of Greece in New York Catherine Boura. Archbishop Demetrios later accompanied Mrs. Karamanlis to Astoria to visit the Archdiocesan parochial schools of St. Demetrios Cathedral. Prime Minister Karamanlis met with President George Bush at the White House on Thursday, May 20.

ARC HDI O C E S E

N EWS

MAY – JUNE 2004

Archdiocesan Council Calls for Withdrawal of Lawsuit, Reviews New Special and Parish Regulations CHICAGO – Intensive and productive were the two-day meetings of the Archdiocesan Council which convened for its annual spring session at the Marriott Downtown hotel April 24-25. The formation and discussion of the new Special Regulations and the Uniform Parish Regulations were the main agenda items. Archbishop Demetrios in his opening address apprised the members of the developments in the life of the Church, the new initiatives and the progress of the many ministries around the country. His Eminence explained the new upgraded and expanded composition of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of which he is a member. The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the host, Metropolitan Iakovos, the other hierarchs in attendance and the Council members for their work and dedication to the Archdiocese.

Special Regulations and UPR

The Council members heard a review of the detailed work of the Archdiocesan Council Administration Committee in revising the Special Regulations and Uniform Parish Regulations (UPR) to include the roles and responsibilities of the Archdiocese and the Metropolises, and clarify the responsibilities of the parishes. This new document, titled “Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,” includes information concerning real estate guidelines, a conflict of interest policy and a policy dealing with dispute resolution. The regulations document was prepared by the Administration Committee over the past year using the current charter and UPR. The Committee considered UPRrelated resolutions from local councils and Metropolis assemblies. Also, the Committee sought to work in consultation and cooperation with the

ANNUAL PARISH REPORTS Requested Before C-L

NEW YORK – All parishes of the Archdiocese have been asked to complete the 2004 Annual Parish Report and return the form to the Archdiocese. The reports are being compiled for presentation at the 37th Biennial ClergyLaity Congress, July 25-29, in New York. The Archdiocese implemented this new reporting system in 2003 as a means of gathering information and data for the proper evaluation of the ministries and programs at every level of the Church in America. Also, the goal of the program is to combine various department reports that are distributed to the parishes on an annual or biannual basis. If your parish has not submitted the 2004 report, please do so as soon as possible so that the information can be available for the Congress. If you have questions regarding the Report, please contact the Department of Communications at 212-774-0244.

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tical grounds and does not represent the views or desires of the faithful across the country, and WHEREAS, the members of the Archdiocesan Council, representing the faithful across the country acknowledge the absolute validity of the 2003 Charter, NOW THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: The Council adopts by reference the resolutions passed by the local Assemblies of San Francisco, New York and New Jersey, and by the Council of the Denver Metropolis (being the only meetings that occurred after the commencement of the

church organizations familiar with the current issues our Church must address, by requesting input from the chancellors of the Metropolises, the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee, the Retired Clergy Association, the Presbyter’s Council and the Finance Committee of the Archdiocesan Council. “These regulations were developed to clarify the role and responsibilities of clergy and laity at all levels of our Archdiocese and to focus specifically on governance and accountability,” commented Anthony Stefanis, chairman of the Administration Committee. Other Council members noted that the role of the laity under the new Charter is indeed enhanced, a fact that is not very well known around our parishes. “We had one and a half days of very intense meetings here in Chicago; we covered in large measure the proposed regulations that have been drafted pursuant to the Charter that was granted in January 2003 to the Archdiocese,” said Eleni Huszagh to the Orthodox Observer. She also noted the importance of the work in view of the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress: “There are a number of new provisions involving the Archdiocese and the Metropolises; there are a number of new modifications and changes that bring the Parish regulations up to date. All of these will be presented to the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress, and we expect the delegates will be receiving the material in advance and we hope they will pay very careful and very precise attention to the documents themselves; because if they don’t read them in advance it will be hard to make sense out of the volume of material that it will be dealt with at that time,” she concluded. Comments have been requested from members of the Archdiocesan Council and from the hierarchs of the Holy Synod and will be incorporated into a final document that will be reviewed at a special meeting of the Archdiocesan Council in June. The regulations will then be distributed to the delegates for discussion and adoption by the full body of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress, scheduled for July 25-29 in New York City. The regula-

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

AT THE COUNCIL MEETING in Chicago (L to R) Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Anthony Stefanis, Eleni Huszagh at the podium, Archbishop Demetrios, Michael Jaharis and Emmanuel Demos.

tions will then be forwarded to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for approval as provided for in the 2003 Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In addition, some other matters of pending business were discussed including an update by Tim Maniatis on the preparations for the 37th Clergy Laity Congress. It was announced that Nicholas Bouras of NJ will be the Congress general chairman. Stephen Cherpelis, who chairs the Album Committee, spoke on the publication of the special commemorative album now in preparation and asked everyone’s contribution. The Archdiocesan Council, after hearing Emanuel Demos, legal counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, comment on the matter of the lawsuit filed by certain individuals against the Archdiocese, unanimously adopted the following resolution:

Resolution

WHEREAS, certain individuals have filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York against the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Archbishop Demetrios which is unacceptable on both canonical and ecclesias-

DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Stavros H. Papagermanos EDITOR: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis)

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Lawsuit), and it is further resolved, That those Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit are requested to reconsider their actions and remove their names as Plaintiffs in the Lawsuit, and further, That they use their best efforts to obtain the dismissal of the Lawsuit at the earliest, and further, That our clergy is requested to pastorally approach the plaintiffs to assist them in understanding that they are misinformed regarding the full process that was taken in granting the 2003 Charter. — SP

Archbishop’s Encyclical................ u 11 Archdiocese News ........................u 2-3 Archpastoral Reflections ...............u 10 Challenge ..................................... u 25 Classifieds.................................... u 28 Clergy Update .............................. u 29 Commentary ................................. u 13 Greek Section .............................. u 15-19 HC / HC Graduates ..................... u 30 Letters............................................u 10 Metropolis News .......................... u 26-27 OCF .............................................. u 31 Opinions....................................... u 10 Parish Profile ................................ u 23 Total Commitment Parishes ......... u 22 Viewpoint...................................... u 14 Voice of Philoptochos .................. u 21

MAY – JUNE 2004

ARC HDI O C E S E

N EWS

Alex and Faye Spanos Receive Honorary Doctorates of Humanities u page 1 who said, “Success should be measured by moral and humanistic values” and in her speech she recommitted the efforts of the National Philoptochos to the important mission of HC/HC. Consul General of Greece in Boston Konstantinos Bikas in his greeting to the graduates pledged the continued support of the Consulate and the Greek government. “One that sees something good must tell its story,” with this proverb from Uganda opened her greeting Dr. Lily Macrakis, dean of Hellenic College, who was enthusiastically received and cheered by the graduates. “I have seen the story of success of Hellenic College and Holy Cross and I would like to bear witness to it…” said in her inspiring comments and exhorted the graduates of both schools to “Explore, dream and discover…” The dean of Holy Cross, the Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis spoke on behalf of the faculty of Holy Cross. “I greet you all and with pride I present to you the graduating class of 2004,” he said and continued: “They came with dreams, they came with a desire not to accept reality as it is today, full of injustices, violence, torture and despair. They have a dream and this dream is to bring the peace and love of God to the World, they dream … and we as faculty try to cultivate their dreams beD. PANAGOS PHOTOS

HOLY CROSS School of Theology Class of 2004 with (L to R) HC Dean Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis, Bishop Ilia of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, Bishop Savas of Troas, Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Bishop Gerasimos of Krateia and HC/HC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou.

Sotirios Malamis presented HC valedictorian Fr. Costin Radu Popescu who delivered his address. (see p. 30) Ten of this year’s 33 Holy Cross graduates are already ordained clergy.

Alex and Faye Spanos

FAYE SPANOS receives her honorary degree from the Archbishop.

cause in their dreams and in their resolve we see the smile of God. Accept them as your leaders.” Angela Nelson, graduating class president presented Triandafyllos Bogiannou this year’s Hellenic College valedictorian who delivered his address to the graduates in both English and Greek. (see p. 30) Similarly the graduating class president of Holy Cross School of Theology

Fr. Spencer Ketzios, a member of the board of Trustees introduced the two honorees Alex and Faye Spanos. He said that Mr. Spanos is “an internationally renown entrepreneur, philanthropist and churchman,” and he is well known for his devotion to his wife, his family of 4 children and 15 grandchildren. “We honor his devotion to family values and his generosity which touched the lives of many,” he concluded. In speaking about Mrs. Faye Spanos, Fr. Ketzios referred to her many philanthropic works across the country and said, “that she is an example of Christian humility and devotion…” Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of HC/HC, noted that “it is a great honor

ALEX and Faye Spanos were the recipients of HC/HC Doctorate of Humanities. Pictured just before the ceremony with (L to R) Consul General of Greece in Boston Konstantinos Bikas, Archbishop Anastasios, Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Methodios.

and privilege to be able to recognize two extraordinary Greek Orthodox Christians” and read the decision of the Board of Trustees. Archbishop Demetrios conferred to both Faye and Alex Spanos a Doctorate of Humanities, honoris causa amidst the enthusiastic applause of the graduates and their families. Accepting the honor Mr. Spanos spoke on the importance of family in his life and success, for which he attributed a great deal to his wife of 55 years, Faye. “Your family is your rock, your base and your rudder,” he said. He also offered advise to the graduates urging them to always have a positive attitude, develop a vision, accept risks and have trust to one’s instincts. “Believe in yourself and what you can accomplish,” he said.

Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania was visiting the U.S. invited by Boston University to be the commencement speaker at another graduation and was present at the HC/HC ceremonies. When he was asked by Archbishop Demetrios to offer a few thoughts to the graduates he exhorted them to “stay until the

Share the Wealth Archbishop Demetrios began his paternal exhortation to the graduates by relaying the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as well as those of retired Archbishop Iakovos. The Archbishop informed the audience that following the Divine Liturgy and just before the graduation ceremonies Mr. Alex Spanos told him of a gift of half-a-million dollars he was making to Hellenic College/ Holy Cross. “It is a first,” said the Archbishop “Mr. Spanos is making such an offering on his first, ever visit to the School.” The Archbishop spoke of the vast wealth of knowledge and faith inherent in Orthodoxy and Hellenism and of the spiritual wealth cultivated and multiplied in the sacred institution of Hellenic College and Holy Cross. “You are leaving with your hands full of wealth,” he said, “now share the wealth…what we have as Orthodox and Hellenes is always for distribution and not ownership.” “You are ambassadors of God and for God, you are ambassadors of Christ, you are the voice of Christ, you are the face of Christ and you have the power of Christ against any violence, any distortion of the truth and any attack against the Church,” he concluded.

Fr. Emmanuel Clapsis

end of their lives students and deacons,” an advice he said he was given when first ordained to the priesthood. He also asked them to keep their horizons and perspectives wide open especially to the work of missions and as they share “their wealth” to also consider sharing it with the whole world, with all humanity. Concluding his remarks His Beatitude reminded the students of a central point of Orthodox Christianity: “We should remain people of the cross, because a Christianity without a cross is no longer Christianity,” he said. Musical selections and the National Anthems were performed by the combined School’s Chorale directed by Constantine Limberakis and the School’s Byzantine choir under the direction of Sotirios Malamis performed some selections in Greek. George A. Georgenes served as the ceremony’s marshal.

MAY – JUNE 2004

Metropolitan Anthony Consecrates Palm Desert Church

PALM DESERT, Calif. – On Myrrh-Bearer Sunday, April 25, Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco consecrated St George Church, sealing the martyrs’ relics in the altar. Relics included St. Panteleimon the Holy Unmercenary, St. Kyrikos the infant and the many martyrs of Raithou in Palestine. The five-day celebration included Vespers with Blessing of the Loaves and Divine Liturgy for St. George Metropolitan Anthony, Bishop Anthimos and Fr. James Tavlarides. on April 23. The church’s annual golf tournament was held on Friday The opening of the doors, with the and Saturday. dramatic dialogue taken from Psalm 24 Following Saturday Great Vespers on describing the defeat of the powers of Myrrh-Bearers Sunday, Metropolitan An- the evil one by the King of Glory (Christ) thony, assisted by Bishop Anthimos and followed. After placing the holy martyr’s the parish priest, Fr. James Tavlarides, relics into the altar and sealing them with a along with other local priests and deacons combination of elements representing the performed the Service of Consecration. fragrant spices used by The Myrrh-bearers, The relics of the martyrs were taken Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea to around the church three times in a beau- anoint the Body of Jesus, the altar itself tiful procession accompanied by psalms, was washed, anointed and newly vested, scripture readings and hymns, which so followed by the anointing of the Church beautifully describe Christ’s church and and it’s beautiful mosaics. people’s relationship with Him. The Divine Liturgy was attended by friends and visitors from other parishes and the entire community. A banquet followed the service and Mrs. James Costakis was honored. The parish in Palm Desert has been in existence for over 25 years and the Church structure was built in 1996. The community is a vibrant community that has many outreach programs and welcomes visitors from all over the country. The Church iconography is spectacular, along with its unique and simple design it has rightfully earned it’s nickname “The Miracle in the Desert.”

GOSPEL: A Divine Liturgy for Special Orthodox People

Congress Educational Program to Offer Variety of Sessions NEW YORK. – The Educational Program will once again be an important component of the 37th Biennial ClergyLaity Congress and will offer Congress participants the opportunity to attend a wide variety of sessions on topics related to the Congress theme, Building Communities of Faith and Love: Orthodox Parishes in Worship and Ministry. The sessions will be held on Monday through Thursday of the Congress and will include workshops offered by various departments and ministries, as well as special sessions on unique parish ministry programs. With an emphasis on the importance of equipping and training for ministry in and through the local parish, all sessions will be open to Congress participants and to a limited number of laity in the New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut areas who are involved in parish ministry. A complete schedule of dates and times is being mailed to area parishes. The packet will include registration information for non-delegate participants. There will be no charge for non-Congress delegates, however space will be limited and early registration is requested. In conjunction with the educational program, Holy Cross Press, St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, and Conciliar Press will be offering a 20% discount on their publications. This will assist clergy and laity by providing the resources needed to continue and enhance ministry in the local parish. Below is a topical listing of many of the sessions that will be offered at the Congress. In the coming weeks more information will be made available on the Congress web site at www.clergylaity.org. Following is a listing of areas and subjects to be covered during the various sessions of the Educational Program. Religious Education: Developing a Family Based Catechetical Program; Using Technology in Christian Education Programming; A Primer for Orthodox

Leadership Development; Conducting a Successful Parish Oratorical Festival Youth and Young Adult: Using Media When Working With Youth; Setting Standards for Youth Workers; Topics for Youth Groups. Family Ministry: Family as Church; Implementing the Home Family Night; Planning and Directing the Monthly Parish Family Night; Pre-Marital Counseling; Family Counseling; Families in Crisis; Living as Families; Special Needs Families. Interfaith Marriage: Ministering to Intermarried Couples and Their Families; Enhancing Outreach to Intermarried Couples and Their Families. Outreach and Evangelism: Outreach and Evangelism in the Small Parish; Outreach and Evangelism in the Established Parish; Spiritual Enrichment Programs in the Local Parish Greek Education: Purpose and Objectives of Greek Education; Parochial Education– Changing Times, Changing Objectives; New Materials and Resources for Greek Education. Missions: Foreign Missions in the Local Parish. Stewardship: Stewardship and Ministry; Parish Development Programs; Implementing the Parish Stewardship Program. Ecumenical: Building Communities of Faith and Love in a Pluralistic Society. Philanthropy and Social Ministry: Parish Philanthropic Ministries; Global Fight Against Trafficking in Persons. Internet Ministries: Bulletin Builder; Advanced Bulletin Builder: Bulletin Builder, XML, and Adobe InDesign; Building Your Parish Web Site; Orthodox Web Site Builder; Creative Ideas for Parish Web Sites; Streaming Audio and Video on your parish web site; Photoshop 1; Photoshop 2; Adobe InDesign and PDF; Parish E-mail; Parish Management Software I: Introduction; Parish Management Software 2: Members; Parish Management Software 3: Stewardship; Parish Management Software 4: Sacraments.

National Philoptochos Convention Chairwomen Appointed

ROSLYN, N.Y. – For several years Archangel Michael Church has offered a special ministry to its mentally or physically disabled members group called “GOSPEL” (the Greek Orthodox Special People’s Liturgy. One Saturday a month, a Divine Liturgy is held for the group at the church. Coinciding with GOSPEL’s 14th anniversary, Archbishop Demetrios celebrated Divine Liturgy at the parish on the Saturday of Lazarus. These parishioners were joined by others with disabilities from seven area parishes. His Eminence joined the group after the Liturgy during its fellowship gathering. It was then that the parent of one of the members articulated what all were feeling…that although these individuals may not have perfect minds and bodies, they are perfect in spirit and love and have immeasurable value. She thanked His Eminence on behalf of all the families for coming and bearing witness to the special gift they are.

National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas recently announced the appointment of Maria Logus, 1st vice president, and Froso Beys, 3rd vice president, as chairwomen of the 37th Biennial National Philoptochos Convention. The National Convention will take place at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York the week of July 25-30. The First National Philoptochos Convention was held at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Cambridge, Mass. in October, 1935 with its founder Archbishop Athenagoras presiding. In communication to Philoptochos Chapters throughout the United States, Miss Logus and Mrs. Beys stated: “We plan to bring you the very best experiences New York City can offer combined with a revamped format for our meetings, and new and interactive workshops. You will hear about those and other plans very soon. We want you to work hard at this convention but we also want you to enjoy yourselves, and more importantly, we hope that you will leave this convention with new ideas and new friends. “We can also tell you that the convention site, the Marriot Marquis Hotel, situated in the midst of the New York’s theater

district – Times Square – will be an exciting experience.” The 37th National Philoptochos Biennial Convention Committees are as follows: Executive Chairman - Archbishop Demetrios; General Chairman - Georgia Skeadas; Convention Chairmen - Froso Beys and Maria Logus; Host Committee Efthalia Katos, chairman and Georgia Vlitas – co-chairman; Direct Archdiocesan District - Bessie Drogaris – co-chairman, New Jersey Metropolis Legal Advisor - Yorka Linakis; Legal Committee - Anita Kartalopoulos; Anita Varunas; Secretaries - Anita Varunas, Marina Katsoulis and Joanne Stavrakis; Greek secretaries - Aspasia Melis and Kali Tsitsipas; Awards - Elaine Kevgas and Esther Mitchell; Parliamentarian - Kassandra Romas; Convention Liaison - Helen Lavorata; Philoptochos Banquet - Aphrodite Skeadas and Pauline Callas O’Neal; Registration - Georgia Vlitas, Nellie Logothetides and Helen Misthos; Hospitality - Georgia Kaloidis and Kalli Tsitsipas Public Relations - Terry Kokas; Bylaws - Maria Logus; Metropolis videos - Georgia Vlitas, Bessie Drogaris, Lori Voutiritsas, Merope Kapetanakis, Dee Nicouuu

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D. PANAGOS

John Catsimatidis (left) and William Fugazy, vice-chairman and chairman of the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation presented the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor to Archbishop Demetrios. Also shown is the events Master of Ceremonies Mark Simone.

Archbishop Demetrios Receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios was awarded the prestigious Ellis Island Medal of Honor during the 2004 Annual Award ceremony on Ellis Island, May 15. His Eminence was among this year’s 133 honorees from across the country including 19 Greek-Americans. by Stavros H. Papagermanos

The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are presented to American Citizens of diverse origins for their outstanding contributions to their own ethnic group, their ancestral countries and American Society. Honorees typically include U.S. presidents, Nobel Prize winners, leaders of industry, and gifted artists, performers and athletes. More than 1,500 people took a ferryboat from Battery Park and New Jersey pier across the river to the “isle of hope, the isle of tears” their forefathers had once gone through and to this day symbolizes the hope and the promise of America. The ceremony was a celebration of the immigrant experience organized by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation, Inc. (NECO). About 250 members of the U.S. Armed Forces participated. Archbishop Demetrios offered the opening prayer and many officials and honorees offered inspiring remarks. Radio personality and entertainer Mark Simone and TV personality and host Marvin Scott co-hosted the event while the medals were presented by NECO officials William Fugazy, chairman; John Catsimatidis, Vicechairman and Richard Grace, president. His Eminence was called upon to receive his medal last and in his remarks urged everyone to be grateful to those uuu

laou, Sylvia Vitsas, Katherine Kotsis, Martha Stefanidakis, Valerie Roumeliotis Guidelines Chairmen: Finance - Aphrodite Skeadas; Personnel - Pauline O’Neal; Protocol - Helen Demos; Social Services - Efthalia Katos and Helen Misthos; Web ReDesign - Helen Sampsonis; Arrangements/Logistic - Arlene Siavelis; Archives Committee - Terry Kokas, Argeria Logus and Eva Vardakis. Protocol - Helen Kocolatos Demos; Orientation video- Kassandra Romas, coordinator; Maria Logus, Froso Beys, Georgia Skeadas, Efthalia Katos, Georgia Vlitas and Bessie Drogaris. Skills Forum - Georgia Skeadas, Froso Beys, and Aphrodite Skeadas; Credentials - Argeria Logus, Helen Anagnostakos, Anna Zaharakos, Sylvia Vellios, and Fotoula Vassilakos.

who gave their lives so we could enjoy the many gifts of freedom. A black-tie gala dinner followed. According to the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations Foundation the recipients are chosen from the thousands of nominees based on the following criteria: A person exemplifies a life dedicated to the American way of hard work, selfimprovement, and community service; Preserves and celebrates the history, traditions, and values of his/her ancestry group(s); Dedicates himself/herself to support and defend the values of American life; Builds bridges between ethnic, racial, and religious groups in the U.S. and/or abroad; Reinforces the bonds between an American heritage group and its land(s) of origin; Nurtures the life of a particular ethnic or heritage group, enabling that group to participate more fully in American society; Shares his or her personal and professional gifts with the local, national or international community; Contributes distinguished service to humanity in any field, profession, or occupation. It is not necessary for the nominee (or the nominee’s ancestors) to have come through Ellis Island to be considered for this award. The 19 Greek-American recipients of the 2004 Ellis Island Medal were: Arthur C. Anton, Nicholas Peter Bissias, George Peter Canellos, M.D., Nicholas E. Chimicles, Yanni Chryssomallis, John A. Daskalakis, Archbishop Demetrios, Spyros Enotiades, Kenneth Frangadakis, DDS, Nicholas P. Koutsomitis, Steve A. Manta, George Pappas, Thomas Passios, Charles Louis Poulos, John Psarouthakis, Gus Stavropoulos, Savas S. Tshontikidis, James G. Veras and Gus M. Vratsinas. Delegate Liaisons - Pat Gogos, Arch. District; Toni Kourepinos, Arch. District; Dolly Demetris,-N.J. Metropolis; Aspasia Melis, NJ; Chrysoula Tomaras, Chicago; Faye Peponis, Chicago; Francesca Callas, Boston; Bessie Papigiotis, Boston; Tula Gallanes, S.F.; Helen Patronis, Atlanta; Helen Malachias, Atlanta; Helen Peterson, Atlanta; Eleni Zaferes, Detroit; Billie Zumo, Denver; Mitzi Theo, Denver; Harriet Matthews, Pittsburgh; and Angela Morris, Pittsburgh. Wellness Program - Paulette Geanacopoulos; Ask the National Bd.Pennie Anast. Workshops: Budget/Finance Aphrodite Skeadas and Pauline O’Neal; Resolutions- Elaine Kevgas; Bylaws- Maria Logus; Small Chapters- Elaine Cladis and Chrysoula Tomaras; Membership- Pauline O’Neal and Pennie Anast; Computer- Helen Anagnostakos and Christine Charitis.

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MAY – JUNE 2004

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D. PANAGOS

CATHEDRAL Dean Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos and board president Robert Shaw presented the Holy Trinity Award to His Eminence.

Archdiocesan Cathedral Honors our Spiritual Father

NEW YORK – Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral Board of Trustees presented Archbishop Demetrios with the 24th Holy Trinity Award at the annual Cathedral Ball, on April 16 at the Pierre hotel. This highest honor of the Archdiocesan Cathedral is presented as an expression of appreciation by the Cathedral to individuals dedicated to serving others – a distinguished honor bestowed upon those who have given of themselves, of their time and efforts to Greek Orthodoxy and Hellenic ideals. Kassandra Romas who was General Chair of the 73rd annual Ball welcomed the 250 participants. Congratulatory greetings were offered by Georgia Skeadas, President of the National Philoptochos; Ambassador of Cyprus to the US Evripides Evriviades; Katerina Boura, Consul General of Greece in New York; Ambassador of Greece to the UN Adamantios Vassila-

kis; Dr. Alan Brinkley, provost of Columbia University and Michael Jaharis, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Council. The Dean of the Cathedral Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos introduced Archbishop Demetrios highlighting his contributions to the Church in America during the last five years and together with Robert Shaw, President of the Board of Trustees presented the award, a sculptured in silver representation of the Cathedral created by Nicholas Ikaris. In accepting the award, Archbishop Demetrios expressed “his gratitude for the expressions of generosity and kindness” and said, “The honor should be attributed to the people and the community of the Cathedral.” Co-chairmen of the event were Nicholas Bouras, Michael Jaharis, and Dr. Anthony Limberakis. Coordinators were Froso Beys, Penelope Dambassis and Katerina Shaw.

Archbishop Attends NY State Prayer Breakfast

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FIRST LADY Laura Bush receives a standing ovation from attendees of the Prayer Breakfast. Archbishop Demetrios is third from left. Gov. and Mrs. George Pataki are at right.

ALBANY, N.Y. – At the invitation of Gov. and Mrs. George Pataki, Archbishop Demetrios attended the 10th annual State of New York Prayer Breakfast on May 11, where he offered the opening blessing before an audience of more than 1,500 people. Special guest was first lady Laura Bush who offered the main address. “We thank You for the great gift and privilege of prayer. We thank You for granting us the tremendous power of prayer, the ineffable joy of prayer, the heavenly peace of prayer and the unlimited perspective of prayer,” said the Archbishop in his invocation, following the Pledge of Allegiance. His Eminence also prayed for all those in attendance and said: “Be mindful, O God, of our gracious hosts, Gov. George Pataki, his beloved wife, Libby, and our honored guest, the first lady, Mrs. Laura Bush. Bless them abundantly and keep them, their families and the members of their staff in good health and in Your con-

stant favor, that they may serve the people of the state of New York and of our entire American nation as Your ambassadors of love, truth and life.” Mrs. Bush also spoke about the role of prayer and said, in part, “Today, we gather not as people of many faiths, but as a fellowship of faithful who share a love of God and humanity. We pray to find meaning and purpose in our lives. For in prayer, we recognize that we are loved and called to love, and that we can give hope and be hopeful.” She also noted, “I know that many Americans remember President Bush and me in their prayers, and we are grateful. I’m blessed to be married to a man who is strong enough to bear great burdens, and humble enough to ask God for help. We draw on our faith in times of joy and also in times of uncertainty. This as especially true in the days after September 11th. The annual event also included the participation of several representatives of other religious groups.

MAY – JUNE 2004

THE ASCENSION: Remembering The Mountain

“And he said unto them, These are my words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must needs be fulfilled, which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms, concerning me. Then he opened their mind, that they might understand the scriptures.” (Luke 24:44-45)

story is told of a deteriorating relationship between a father and his teen-age son. Day after day, week after week, the sound of arguing and constant door slamming could be heard from their otherwise comfortable urban home. On the advice of a friend, the father somehow convinced his son to join him on a camping trip. by Fr. Frank Marangos

Alone, except for each other, the two of them agreed to spend one weekend at the top of a New Hampshire mountain. For the first few days, their squabbling continued, disagreeing about everything from where to make camp, to the overcooking of their eggs. In time, however, an interesting thing began to happen. Having nothing to distract them from their purpose, the father and son began to exchange stories, jokes, philosophies, until finally one of the two tents was dismantled and love prevailed. Prior to their descent from their lofty retreat, the father and son made a joint commitment to continue their new-found relationship. If when things piled up and the routines of their lifestyles began to destroy the unity, each would remind the other of their experience on the mountain. After many years, they still greet each other with their cryptic slogan “remember the mountain!” On Thursday of the sixth week after Easter (40 days after Easter Sunday), the Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Christ’s Ascension. According to the sixth Matin Gospel, read during the Divine Liturgy, Jesus was “carried up to heaven”, having first “led His disciples to Bethany,” to the Mountain of Olives (St. Luke 24:36-53). While the Ascension is of very ancient origin, certainly dating back to Apostolic times, the homilies of St. Gregory of Nyssa

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and St. John Chrysostom attest that it was not celebrated as a separate feast during the first three centuries of Christendom. By the middle of the fourth century, however, this liturgical celebration of Christ’s ascent to His Father, which up to this point was included in the Celebration of Pentecost, was universally celebrated throughout the Roman Empire. The Orthodox Church, in keeping with its liturgical tradition, does not emphasize the message of the Ascension as a purely historical event. The importance of the Feast lies in its theological significance. As such, the Church exhorts the faithful to reflect upon the condition of their relationship with the “ascended” Lord! “Through this mystery,” writes St. John Chrysostom, “we who seemed unworthy of God’s earth are taken up to heaven.” A similar thought is expressed by one of the hymns of the Matins Service, insisting that, “... the likeness of Adam cast into

the vaults of Hades, was lifted with Thee in Thine Ascension.” The Ascension of our Lord, therefore, is our “mountain top” experience. It is the summit of our Paschal dialogue with our Heavenly Father. Having first descended into Hades to lose our shackled nature, Christ leads us like a loving father to the top of the Mount of Olives, where like His disciples we begin to dismantle our arrogant tents and become one with Him. The Ascension is the fruit of Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection. According to the Ascension Gospel, Jesus was “carried up to Heaven,” having first “opened the minds” of His disciples to “understand the scriptures.” The Synaxarion of the day informs us that during this period of forty days Jesus “ate, drank and conversed” with the disciples. On Wednesday, one day before the Ascension, the entire service of Easter, as it was celebrated forty days prior, is sung.

Perhaps, this rubric underscores the eschatological fact that these five weeks are understood as one liturgical day...one day on the mountain with our Lord. Although their mood during this difficult time was solemn preoccupied with Christ’s Crucifixion and Death, the Risen Lord began to introduce vital ideas that would once again give His disciples a positive perspective on the future. First, it was imperative for the disciples to understand that the hearts of men must certainly be prepared for the understanding of the Gospel message. Our contemporary celebration of Christ’s Ascension must, therefore, underscore this catechetical imperative, that like His disciples we are not in need of large segments of new truth in order to resurrect us from grief, depression or spiritual lethargy.

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MAY – JUNE 2004

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D. PANAGOS

NEW YORK – Twenty-eight Greek American students received scholarships at the 10th annual Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund dinner on May 7. Among the more than 1,000 in attendance at the Marriott Marquis at Times Square was Archbishop Demetrios, who offered the blessing. HTSF Chairman John Catsimatidis welcomed the attendees and recognized several individuals and organizations that have been key supporters of the scholarship fund. HTSF President and dinner Chairman Nick Katsoris also offered his welcoming remarks. In addition to the scholarship winners, H HTSF honored three outstanding individuals for their contributions in communications, business and the arts. They were Entertainment Tonight correspondent Maria Menounos; CSI Miami co-star Sofia Milos; and Atlantic Bank President and CEO Thomas O’Brien. Ms. Menounos was presented the 2004 Journalistic Achievement Award. A native of Medford, Mass., she graduate of Emerson College, joined the cast of ET in 2001 and most recently covered the Oscars. She also has been involved in several philanthropic and social causes Actress Sofia Milos was presented with the 2004 Artistic Achievement Award. Born in Zurich, Switzerland, Ms. Milos began a modeling career at age 15 and worked her way through business and economics school in Switzerland. She relocated to Los Angeles and began her film career, and has also appeared on several TV series, including The Sopranos before joining CSI Miami. Atlantic Bank President and CEO Thomas O’Brien received the 2004 Corporate Leadership Award. Prior to joining Atlantic Bank, he was President and CEO of North Side Savings Bank for 13 years. He also serves as a director or trustee of many organizations, including Pruden-

tial Insurance Mutual Fund and Niagara University. The three honorees presented scholarships in their names to the following. Maria Menounos Scholarship for Journalism: Daniel Good of Lancaster, Pa. - $5,000; Sofia Milos Scholarship for the Arts: Steven Wells of Katonah, N.Y. - $5,000; Atlantic Bank/Thomas O’Brien Scholarship for Business Studies - $5,000. Three honorees from past years also presented scholarships: local CBS-TV News anchor Ernie Anastos, “Days of Our Lives” star John Aniston and Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas. The recipients were as follows: Ernie Anastos Scholarship for Journalism - Gregory Argyrou of Dover, Del.$5,000; the John Aniston Scholarship for the Arts - Athena Arbes of Chatham, N.J.$2,000; the Don Monti Memorial Scholarship for Medical Studies - Eleny Romanos of Brooklyn, N.Y. - $2,000; and the Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas Scholarship for Legal Studies - Nicholas Malcovich of Florence, Mass.- $2,000 Winners of $2,000 scholarships for 2004 are Kelly Batouyios, Verona, Pa., Christopher Brooks, New Egypt, N.J., Timothy Calamaras, New Fairfield, Conn., Alex Gabriel, Norfolk, Va., Eleni Halkias, Warren, Ohio; Samantha Papadakis, Deerfield, Ill.; Regina Papadatos, Upper Darby, Pa., Peter Paximadis, Ypsilanti, Mich.; Rachel Trotter, Redmont, Wash.; Evan Xenos, White Plains, N.Y.; Nicholas Zerlentes, Orland Park, Ill.; Ashley Zervos, Blackwood, N.J.; Danielle Zubalake, Mount Sinai, N.Y.; Erica Zubalake, mount Sinai, N.Y.; Dimitrios Arvanitakis, Norwalk, Conn.; Genevieve Bonadies, Richmond, Calif., Andrea Floyd, Valley Stream, N.Y.; Zachariah Galatis, Poughkeepsie, N.Y.; Christina Katsifas, Garrison, N.Y.; Elena Mackawgy, Spring Valley, N.Y.; Matt Mirowski, Mason City, Iowa; Evangelia Papaioannou, Whittier, N.C.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

SCOBA COMMISSION MEETING Members of the SCOBA Study and Planning Commission meeting meet April 1 at Archdiocese headquarters. (L. to R.) Frs. David Brum (OCA), Patrick Tishel (Bulgarian Orthodox), Thomas Fitzgerald (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese); Nicholas Apostola (Romanian Orthodox), Bishop Dimitrios, SCOBA general secretary; Fr. Luke Mihaly (Carpatho-Russian Orthodox), Djokan Majstorovic (Serbian Orthodox), Bazyl Zavierucha (Ukrainian Orthodox) and Frank Estocin (Ukrainian Orthodox)

MAY – JUNE 2004

Korean Orthodox Church Becomes Separate Metropolis SEOUL, South Korea – The week of April 19th turned out to be an especially momentous one for the Orthodox Church in Korea as two major events took place. The bishop and a senior priest went to North Korea to have a dialogue with leaders of the recently formed Orthodox community for the capital city of Pyung-Yang. At the same time, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople elevated the Church in Korea to a separate Metropolis and named Sotirios Metropolitan of Korea. From April 20 to 22, Bishop Sotirios (Trambas) of Zelon, who has served in Korea as a missionary priest from Greece since 1975, and Protopresbyter Daniel Na, pastor of St. Paul Orthodox Church in Inchon, journeyed into the normally closed country of North Korea.

A member of the Sotirios will be held St. Nicholas Orthodox on June 20 in the St. Cathedral in Seoul Nicholas Cathedral in reported that on his Seoul. way in to North Korea, Founded by RusBishop Sotirios had his sian missionaries in cell phone confiscated 1900, the Orthodox at the border. They Church in Korea returned it only when maintained the faith he left to go back to despite very difficult South Korea. As a retimes throughout its sult, the hierarch was history. The long Japout of contact and did anese occupation of not know that half way Korea after the Russoaround the world, the Japanese War, World Holy Synod of the Ecu- Metropolitan Sotirios of Korea. War II, and especially menical Patriarchate the Korean War caused of Constantinople had created the new great hardships for the Church. Buildings Metropolis of Korea, formerly under the were destroyed and clergy and laity were Metropolis of New Zealand, and elevated scattered and in some cases captured and His Grace to be its first Metropolitan. taken to prison camps, never to return. “Word had reached the church here The Church was reborn thanks to the in Seoul,” wrote the cathedral member, efforts of Orthodox chaplains serving with “and an impromptu celebration was held elements of the Greek Army stationed in on his return Thursday night. His Grace Korea at the end of the Korean War. was informed of the news on his way back The Ecumenical Patriarchate took to the cathedral.” the Korean Church under its protection The enthronement of Metropolitan in 1956 after the petition by the members of the Orthodox Church in They met with the Chairman Mr. Il Korea during their General Jin Huh (George) and Vice Chairman Mr. Assembly. Chul Kim (Peter) of the organization that is More specifically the building the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church Holy Synod put the Church in Dong-Baik Dong, Pyung-Yang City to under the jurisdiction of discuss mutual cooperation. The church the Greek Orthodox Archis scheduled to open in April 2005. diocese of North and South Mr. Huh and Mr. Kim are likely the America. The Archdiocese first Orthodox Christians in North Korea provided some support, in many years. They were baptized in Januvisits by clergy and hierary in Moscow where four other North archs, and assignment of Koreans are now studying to become Ora missionary priest. thodox priests next year. Orthodoxy was In 1970, the Church welcomed into the North following a visit of Korea was placed unsome months ago by the country’s leader �� der the Archdiocese of to the Russian Far East where he toured New Zealand, and its hiIn 1953 Greek soldiers revived the St. Nicholas parish in Seoul. Orthodox churches.

Begins Dialogue with New Orthodox Group in N. Korea

erarch, Metropolitan Dionysios, where it remained until its elevation. America continued to assist through the Greek Archdiocese Missions Office that became the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC). Among the significant support provided was assistance in the education of clergy such as Fr. Daniel Na at Holy Cross Seminary in Brookline. Following the arrival of then Father Sotirios in 1975, who was ordained a bishop in 1993, the Church of Korea has grown from a single small parish in Seoul to six communities throughout the country, each with its own building. Today there are seven local Korean clergymen, one priest from Greece, one priest from Russia, a monastery with one nun and a novice, and over 2,500 faithful. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has visited Korea twice in recent years (1995 and 2000), and much help has come from Greece with volunteers and donations. There is a great opportunity for Orthodox in America to help the Church in Korea. For the first time this year, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center is sending a short-term Mission team to Korea. This construction/evangelism team will be staying here from August 20 to September 13. According to the OCMC, “The Team will assist in the construction of an Orthodox community center in Chuncheon, as well as witness in several church areas in Korea. The community center is located in a rural village with many elderly residents without families. It is also located near a large city and will serve as outr each to both areas. Volunteers with building skills and/or theological education as well as others are needed for this team.” For more information, contact teams@ocmc.org or call (904) 829-5132 or 1-877-GO FORTH (463-6784).

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MAY – JUNE 2004

E DITORIAL Welcome to New York The 37 th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress rapidly approaches. The July 25-30 event presents a unique opportunity for Greek Orthodox faithful from throughout the nation to assemble in fellowship and become re-energized in the faith. The Congress will convene in New York for the first time since 1996 and local Orthodox faithful are working diligently to ensure that the gathering in the heart of Times Square will be an outstanding success and to make every delegate and participant feel welcomed. The edition of the Congress will continue the successful religious education program for participants to expand their learning in an array of workshops and seminars offered. This particular Congress will place heavy emphasis on the important role played by the parish as a key component of the Church, as reflected in the theme “Building Communities of Faith and Love: Orthodox Parishes in Worship and Ministry.” Archbishop Demetrios has said in the past that we have a direct connection to those who have gone before us and bore witness to the faith –martyrs, saints, great Church leaders– and we are called upon to continue this tradition. We also have the challenge in this society of offering our Orthodox Christian faith in its completeness and wholeness. In order to do that, we need to train and grow consistently in our own faith, so that we become more aware of its content and realize what a valuable treasure we have. This begins at the local level. His Eminence most recently has expressed his views on the importance of each community to the propagation

of the Orthodox faith. “The mission of each parish is to offer worship and ministry that leads people to a genuine encounter and relationship with God,” he said. “Our challenge is to ensure that the parishes of our Greek Orthodox Church are responding dynamically, creatively and consistently to this calling and that they are demonstrating the zeal of a people who understand their responsibility to grow in faith and increase in love.” With our contemporary lives and culture seemingly in a constant state of flux, it is vitally important to make certain that we can connect with our faith at the local level to help us realize we make up part of something infinitely greater – the Body of Christ. Along with this need and opportunity for spiritual growth, delegates also will gather to conduct the routine, but highly important, business of the Church through the various working committees and plenary sessions necessary for the Church’s governance. As the highest lay and clergy deliberative and legislative body of the Archdiocese, The Clergy-Laity Congress has the responsibility of ensuring that the institutions, parishes and ministries of the Greek Orthodox Church in America have the support and resources to function properly and fulfill their tremendous potential. To this extent, understanding our faith and participating in the day-to-day workings of the Church go hand-in-hand. Therefore, let us convene in a spirit of love and respect for each other, for the Church and her ministries and project this attitude in our meetings and when we return to our individual parishes.

A good story, indeed! “One that sees something good must tell its story.” With this proverbial phrase from Uganda began her greeting Dr. Lily Macrakis, dean of Hellenic College during the 62nd Commencement Ceremony at Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, May 15. What one sees at HC/HC on every visit is good indeed, and what was witnessed during the two-day graduation celebrations is a story worth telling and worth knowing. This is a place of paramount importance for the life and future of our Church in America. This is the place where many of our young men and women dare to dream of a world filled with the love of God. This is a place that cultivates the leaders of our communities and the leaders of our Church tomorrow. This is the place where wealth –spiritual wealth– is multiplied so it can be shared. “What we have as Orthodox Christians is not to be owned but it is to be shared,” said once again Archbishop Demetrios, during this year’s Commencement exercises. “Share the

wealth,” he urged the graduates. This sacred institution of our Archdiocese atop the magnificent Holy Hill in the outskirts of Boston exists today because so many hierarchs, clergy and lay faithful found their sense of purpose here and were moved to invest in its sacred vision. Alex and Faye Spanos, successful Greek-Americans and faithful Christians, came to this place for the first time this year and they liked what they saw for it was truly good. They decided, as they have done in the past in so many other occasions, to share some of their material wealth in support of the work and the spiritual growth accomplished in this institution. The hearts and minds of our faithful across the Archdiocese are filled with pride for the generosity of such acts. And the hearts and minds of our faithful across the Archdiocese are filled with even more pride and joy as they witness the success of our Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology as it grows and prospers, for His Glory.

Archpastoral Reflections

The Power and Promise of Peace

he Holy Scriptures tell us that prior to the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, He began to prepare His disciples for the time when He would no longer be with them. He announced to them that he would “go to the Father” and “prepare a place for them,” assuring them with the promise that He would return some day so “that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2-3). Our Lord also prepared His disciples for the hatred, persecution, and suffering they would face in the world as they proclaimed the Gospel. While some would believe, others would respond violently to the message of

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America love and salvation. Jesus said, “The hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God” (John 16:2). These words of separation and anticipated travail filled the hearts of the disciples with sorrow and their minds with confusion. At that point in time, they did not fully understand how Jesus’ ministry and mission would be fulfilled. They could not envision the dramatic physical and spiritual events that were about to take place, events that would break humanity’s bondage to sin and destroy the power of death. Thus, our Lord comforted His disciples by assuring them of His love and the coming of the Spirit of truth, and by granting to them the peace of God. He said to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Knowing that many of them would flee in fear when He was arrested, knowing that as they preached and healed in the power of the Resurrection that they would be persecuted, He imparted to them a divine peace that would protect, preserve and keep their hearts and minds in Him. This peace granted by Christ to His disciples and to us as His Church is an eternal peace “which passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). It is a peace that is offered to us through the presence of the Holy Spirit who guides us in truth and assures us of God’s inseparable love for us. In the “eyes” of the world, it is an incomprehensible peace, because it provides Christians with the ability and the power to live and remain faithful to God even under the harshest and most violent circumstances. It is also a peace that guides us in working for peaceful conditions and environments and for non-violent resolutions to conflict throughout our world. While we know that all of creation “groans” under the burden of sin (Romans 8:20-22), awaiting the return of our Lord to be free from the bondage of war, terrorism, torture, crime, racism, and their tragic and violent effects, we also know that we are called to live in and promote relationships that establish and sustain peace. We know that when peace prevails in our homes, communities, societies, and between nations, when the social and political conditions of our world sustain and protect life, people are blessed with the opportunity to see the love and presence of God in the lives of others, children live and play in a nurturing environment that instills trust and values, and all know the power of peace to direct their lives beyond merely existing to the realization and experience of the potential God has given to every person. It is in this spirit of the power and promise of peace revealed to us by Christ, that the World Council of Churches refers to the first decade of the new millennium as “The Decade to Overcome Violence.” As Christians living in a world troubled by violence, we have a tremendous treasure to offer all peoples and nations through our example of peace by revealing the love of God and through our efforts to share the Gospel of peace, a message that grants true and enduring peace to those who believe in Christ. Just as our Lord assured His disciples, He assures us through the presence of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whose coming we celebrate this month on the Feast of Pentecost. It is the Holy Spirit who grants to us the peace of God, unites us in peace as the Church, and directs us in living peacefully in this world. May our prayers and our lives express our commitment to follow the guidance of the Spirit, and may we reveal to the world the power of peace to heal and the promise of peace to save.

u For the record t Editor, I was reading the Orthodox Observer regarding the Diocese of Boston and the Youth Camp located in Contoocook, N.H. I must tell you I was somewhat shocked when I read the sentence, “prior to the camp being finished the camp took place in rented space.” I am certain that this must have been an oversight so I thought I would provide you with a little history regarding the winter camp.

From 1992-1999 the St. George Cathedral hosted seven of eight winter camps. The winter camps took place over the long holiday weekend and campers and counselors totaling between 200-300 would convene on the St. George property from Friday evening through Monday. Metropolitan Methodios acknowledged our contributions and presented our community with a plaque stating, “In appreciation for the loving support of the Youth Ministry Program of the Diocese of Boston and specifically for hosting the

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MAY – JUNE 2004

Archiepiscopal Encyclical AHEPA Sunday To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ is Risen! It is in the joy of our celebration of the Resurrection of Christ that I commend to you the work of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). For decades, the AHEPA has distinguished itself as a dedicated fraternity of service and civic responsibility through establishing programs that promote education and philanthropy, and through addressing issues that are critical to members of our Omogenia throughout the world. Through such programs and services, the AHEPA has consistently advanced the enduring and universal values of Hellenism, which are inclusive of the fundamental principles of freedom and love for all humanity. The importance of these principles is particularly heightened during this festal Paschal season, which we celebrate as a Greek Orthodox family united in Christ. As we recall the wondrous and manifold blessings of God in our lives during this special season, we do so with a spirit of renewed thanksgiving and appreciation for our heritage and our faith. We also do so in view of the difficult times in which we live, during which the significance of the work of the AHEPA is even more clearly recognized. Thus, in recognition of the remarkable work of the AHEPA, I am pleased to designate this Sunday, May 16, 2004, as AHEPA Sunday, and I ask that you offer your prayers and support for the local chapters, as well as the national organization, as we grow in our love for one another and in our mission for the promotion of Orthodoxy and Hellenism. With paternal love in the Risen Christ,

† Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

uuu winter camp sessions, we extend our gratitude to the entire St. George Cathedral community for sharing our vision for the future of the Church” (copy enclosed). Although we do rent out our community center on occasion, no rental charge was ever assessed to the Diocese of Boston. In fact the St. George community absorbed all costs of the meals over the 3 days for the 200-300 campers and counselors that attended. There was also a significant number of St. George parishioners that assisted us with making the weekend as enjoyable as possible for all who attended. In addition to the above noted facts the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral Board of Directors approved a $25,000.00 donation to sponsor one of the cabins at the new youth center. Also in 2003 the St. George Board of Directors approved a $20,000.00 sponsorship of his Eminence Metropolitan Methodios’ Golf Tournament which also benefited the Youth Camp. The St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral community was delighted to have been asked by Metropolitan Methodios to participate and assist the future leaders of our communities. George N. Copadis Board President

u Remebering patriotst Editor, This July 4, America celebrates her 228th birthday. Wouldn’t it be nice if Americans would remember how this nation came into existence? “We hold these truths to be self-evident. That all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights.” These magnificent words, taken from the Declaration of Independence, are a real and tangible reminder of why we

celebrate this day. The fourth of July is not simply a day of fun and drinking. It is much more. It reminds us of the debt we all owe to the patriots of 1776. In honor of the patriots of 1776, let us work to rededicate hate from our great land. Let us work to become the best in whatever endeavors we choose. Let us accept all Americans as equals – as true brothers and sisters. Finally, let us honor the memory of the patriots of 1776 by instilling in our young people a love of country and nation. Let us work to see to it that future generations of Americans will keep alive the spark of liberty and freedom so dear to the patriots of 1776. John A. Micklos Baltimore, MD

u St. Cosmas parish t Editor, I agree with your editorial about St. Cosmas of Aitolia. Several points I would like to make. St. Cosmas was in my opinion one of the greatest men of the 18th century (along with J.S. Bach, Ben Franklin and George Washington). I think that our Archdiocese needs a parish named for him. There is a chapel in Astoria, N.Y. but we need a parish. There are new parishes formed all the time. St. Cosmas predicted the freedom of Greece, the telephone and many other things. He was a Greek patriot. I love his writings. I hope that the Archdiocese will soon have a parish named for him. John M. Clones Fenton, Mo.

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s we all know, dad is rather a practical fellow, and it is a little hard to work up the same kind of emotional sentiments as we do for mom. But dad has a very important niche to fill and an important role and mission. by Bishop John of Amorion

We have talked about a mother’s influence until dad has come to feel more or less, that he is just a notch on a stick. Yet, dad has an important contribution to make in the religious training of the children, and he will respond provided his support is solicited. In the past, the constant demand of dad’s ability to provide for his family had reduced him to a bread-winner status in a good many instances. However, his real sphere of service is much greater than that of a provider of shelter, clothes and food. Dad is more than just a “sugar daddy,” if you please. That of being a provider is essential, but it is not the only task open to him as the father of any family. True, the most important partnership in the world is that formed by a man and a woman in the marriage relationship. To bear and rear children is no light undertaking. There are many responsibilities. In the traditional home, the father spends much time with mother and the children, and the impact of his personality is felt. A strong and warm relationship ought to exist between dad and his children. Dad should enjoy the confidence of his

The Mission of a Father children. Children should feel free to talk things out with their father without having tempers flair. It is in the home that the father is the chief guide in cooperation with the mother and sets the thoughts, sense of values and feet of their children in the right direction. The chosen paths must be those that lead to god. Dad must know not only the “though shalt nots” of the Gospel, but also the “thou shalts,” which he as has come to know in his own life, likewise to train his own children. This calls for constant attention to the religious and spiritual well-being of his children. This sacred mission and responsibility cannot be fulfilled on the6/8/04 golf course or aAM OrthodoxObserverAd 11:18 weekend fishing trip or a day at the beach,

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Right Way for Parents to Bring up their children,” points out that “a child learns good moral habits when he or she is very young and from their parents.” In closing, I am reminded of a young lad who was a great admirer of his father. He admired his dad’s character, his manner of life, his way of doing things – just everything about his dad. His mom has also encouraged him fully in his feelings of love and admiration for his dad. So, it is that on one day, his young lad went to the barber shop for his monthly haircut. When the barber asked him how he wanted his hair cut, the young lad answered, “I don’t mind how you cut it, except that I want it with a little bare spot on top just like my dad’s.” Simple as this story may be, I believe that it expresses eloquently the love, respect and loyalty which we ought all to have for our father ... I love you dad! Also, I love you, mom!

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Tomaras Pledges $100 K to Hellenic Museum CHICAGO – The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center has announced the receipt of a $100,000 pledge by Chicago businessman and philanthropist Chris P. Tomaras. This leadership gift is for the construction of the new, permanent home for the Center (HMCC) to be built on Museum property at the northeast corners of Van Buren and Halsted streets. “The HMCC will give Hellenes the opportunity to preserve their history from the time they first arrived in the New World,” explained Mr. Tomaras. He adds, “…the generations that follow will appreciate the effort and the struggle of their forefathers as they tried to sustain themselves in their new homeland.” Mr. Tomaras recognizes the value that HMCC will offer Chicago and the community at large. He views the project as “a source of pride of the entire Hellenic Community as it projects to the world, through its activities, the concept of Hellenism and the values derived from it.” Currently, a number of public schools conduct field trips to the Hellenic Museum’s temporary home at 801 W. Adams where they learn more about ancient Greece and the impact it has left upon Western Civilization. “We are grateful for this significant contribution by Mr. Tomaras,” comments HMCC President John Marks. “The construction of our new home represents the pinnacle of achievement by a people who have contributed in so many ways to the American society. We hope Mr. Tomaras’ example will be followed by many other leaders of the community.” The building will be a striking beacon in the heart of Greektown that will be visible from both the Eisenhower and Kennedy expressways. Mr. Tomaras is an Archon of the Order of St. Andrews of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. For more information call the Museum at 312.655.1234 or visit www.hellenicmuseum.org.

etc., but in a place of corporate worship and the sacramental life on the Lord’s day in church. It takes stern discipline to bring the entire family to church every Sunday, but there is no other way or substitutes. There are no short cuts to being a Christian father. If we adults, by our behavior indicate directly or indirectly that church attendance, the sacramental life and all other religious values and exercises are of secondary importance, then our sons and daughters will have no other course to take by to follow our misguided conduct. We must not try to dominate our children, but rather we must learn to guide them with love and example and discipline. St. 1John Chrysostom, who lived in Page the fourth century, in his treatise “the

MAY – JUNE 2004

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MAY – JUNE 2004

commentary How Do We Compare?

he Bureau of the Census says Greek Americans make 40 percent more that the average American. An extremely high percentage of we Greek Americans, probably including you, are among the 50 percent wealthier Americans, simply because we have a net worth greater than $65,000. by Andrew Manatos

Our educational accomplishments were reflected some years ago when two of the three Rhodes Scholars in the entire U.S. Senate and House of Representatives were Hellenes – Paul Sarbanes and John Brademas. We take justifiable pride in being among the best. And, we are among the best. However, we are not when it comes to supporting our church. In that area, we do not even come close. For example, the wonderful people in my parish, St. George’s, in one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S. (Montgomery County, Maryland), are generous by our standards, but not by the standards of other Americans. The average annual stewardship contribution in our church was $575 last year and looks to be $600 this year. By comparison, the Episcopalians down the street have an average annual stewardship contribution of $2,300. This is not an anomaly. A nation wide survey of 29 denominations found the average church member contributes $631.48 each year to their churches. That survey covered some churches containing some of the poorest Americans. For example, to be among the 50 percent wealthiest non-white Americans, one needs only a net worth greater than $6,500. The average American family contributed 2.66% of their annual income to their church. How many families in our church who make $100,000 a year even contribute the average 2.66 percent or $2.660 a year? Numerous individual parishes in other denominations have larger budgets than does our ministry to all 500 of our churches across America – the Archdiocese of America, headed by Archbishop Demetrios. Why is this? Like our people, some of our parishes shortchange our

church. A disappointing percentage of our parishes refuse to do what they are required – pass on for the operation of the Archdiocese and the Metropolises 15 percent of gross revenues from stewardship, trays, bequests, etc. and 15 percent of the net of festivals, auctions and other fundraisers. The problem is not our Archbishop who, all would agree, is unsurpassed in his spirituality and intelligence. Even our country’s current and former presidents highly value his wisdom and company. As well, the problem is not the truth of Orthodoxy; our impressive church participation figures show that. Then where is the problem? There are many easy to correct problems like the fact that the dollar bill many of us automatically put in the tray at church today is worth only two quarters compared to the dollar contributed in 1982 and only two dimes compared to 1972, according to the Consumer Price Index. Imagine Orthodox Christians worth hundreds of thousand or millions putting a dollar into the tray for decades. The larger problem, I believe, is a holdover from our “old country” Greece where parishioners are not use to contributing. The government pays the priests and most churches have no mortgages. I think that all would agree, it is time we Americanize ourselves with respect to contributing to our church. It will happen if our people simply know the standard against which we are compared. So, please pass on to your fellow parishioners information in this piece about the American standard of church support. We are unsurpassed in our extraordinary educational and financial success. Our people are at the top of every field. Many admire the strength of our families and our reliance on our churches. Our contribution practices can match the level of class we have demonstrated in these other areas.

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Orthodox Christian Student Center to Open at U. of Illinois URBANA-CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Orthodox Christian Alumni Association at the University of Illinois has established the Orthodox Christian Student Living and Meeting Center, the first such facility for Orthodox students in the nation. The Alumni Association recently acquired a building that is being reconditioned for occupancy in the fall and also has launched fund-raising efforts for the full purchase of the property. Archbishop Demetrios, upon learning of the center, noted recently, “This concept is a truly creative and resourceful expression of Orthodox faith and witness and an inspirational model for Orthodox Christian Fellowship groups to follow and replicate nationwide!” Visit www.orthodoxalumni.com ; email orthodoxalumni@aol.com; or call (217) 352-3452.

Engineering Scholarships TUCSON, Ariz. – The University of Arizona’s College of Engineering and Mines, Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering has research assistantships and fellowships available for those of Greek parentage pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. Research assistantships are available for up to $17,540, and fellowships for up to $11,000 per academic year. For info contact Dr. Dimitri B. Kececioglu, P.E., Professor of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, The University of Arizona, 1130 N. Mountain Ave., Bldg. 119, PO Box 210119, Tucson, Ariz. 85721-0119 or call: (520) 621-6120 (office), (520) 297-2679 (home),or e-mail:

dimitri@u.arizona.edu

MAY – JUNE 2004

The Passion Movie and Our Faith “Christ is risen, and no-one dead is left in the tombs”. Paschal canticle How daring and mysterious are these words. Man is still mortal, is he not? Humans are still dying, are they not? Have any deceased persons risen from their graves? So what does the above canticle mean? Elsewhere, on Easter night, resounding through all Orthodox Churches in the world, is this Easter hymn, “Christ has emptied the graves.” A firm hope is given to all who believe. He was the first. All will follow, each in his/her turn. By His resurrection Christ has made death impotent. by Rev. Dr. Miltiades B. Efthimiou

If one saw the controversial Mel Gibson film “The Passion of the Christ,” one might ask is this the same Christ depicted in the film, that Orthodoxy, and Christianity in general, proclaims as resurrected on Easter night? One scene in the film that is most poignant shows a brutalized, wounded Jesus falling over and over again under the weight of the cross. His mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, has made her way along the “Via Della Rosa,” way of the cross. As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt outside of their home. Just as she reached to protect Him from the fall, she was now reaching to touch His wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes, (and at all of us through the screen) and said, what, I believe, is the message of the film, and of Easter: “Behold, I make all

things new”. (These words are taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation- Apocalypse). Suddenly, the purpose of the pain (so descriptively written in the original Greek, noticeably absent in the film), was so clear and the wounds so graphic in His face, His back, His legs and side, became so meaningful and dynamic with an agenda beyond words that was only implied at the brief reference to Easter at the end of the film. Yes, this battered Jesus was indeed the Messiah, who suffered for our sins! To put it in practical terms, all of us, unless we relate to something more lasting and eternal, there is no hope. The logic of hope is that the battered body of Jesus, the Christ, is not dead. The Church stands for the fact that eternal life is as real as temporal decay. Proof of the faith in the empty tomb? It cannot be proved; otherwise it would not be faith. Evidence of the faith is the existence of the early Church whose credo was: we do not worship a battered Jesus, or a dead carpenter; we worship the living, resurrected Christ. Walking away from the film, in spite of it’s shortcomings, one cannot help but think in terms of life and what its ultimate meaning is, and we cannot think in terms of life unless we think in terms of its opposite – death. Yet you cannot separate Holy Week, the week of Passion, Good Friday, from Easter. Passion and Death is real, ultimate and final, IF Easter is not true. If God was defeated in His purpose and His righteousness on that first Good Friday, then there is no hope. But we do have hope. The empty cross is the true symbol of

Easter and not flowers, new suits and hats. Easter is not a time of meaningless phrases and beautiful symbols. It is a time, especially in these troubling times of terrorism everywhere, which compels us to speak of ultimate truth and ultimate reality. The resurrection account was a realistic account of how real death is unless it is overcome by eternal living, which rises above it. It was this eternal life that Jesus brought to light, not only to the Jews of His time, but also to all eternity. “ Behold, I make all thing new.” And because all the darkness in the world could not put out that light, we have our hope. Eternity is the present, which is always with us. Physical death is merely a milestone on the road to LIFE. He made it available to all, in spite of man’s inhumanity to man, and by extension, even to God Himself. This has always been the faith of the Church. Its saints have found in the love and fellowship of God a life that even death cannot take away. Indeed, as we proclaim during the Easter Paschal vigil, Christ has taken away death’s sting, revealing it to be merely a halfway station on the road to Eternal Life which can be discovered anytime, something which was opened to those first disciples despite the worst efforts of Sanhendrin Jews or Roman soldiers. It was a new faith that helped them realize that they now lived in a new dimension of life. The core of that faith was that we live not to have another day, but to have God’s love which reaches beyond the grave. May this legacy be ours, forever. Fr. Miltiades B. Efthimiou is a retired priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

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ΜΑΪΟΣ – ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2004

ΕΤΟΣ 69 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1208

Πανηγυρική Τελετή Αποφοίτησης σε Ελληνικό Κολλέγιο και Θεολογική Σχολή Δωρεά µισού εκατοµµυρίου δολαρίων από τον Άλεξ Σπανό

ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗ – Μια παροιμία από την Ουγκάντα λέει «όποιος βλέπει το καλό πρέπει να εξιστορεί όσα είδε...». Τα λόγια αυτά είναι της κοσμήτορος του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου Δρ. Λί λυ Μακράκη κατά την τελετή αποφοίτησης του Ελ ληνικού Κολ λεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Μπρουκ λάϊν της Βοστώνης που πραγματοποιήθηκε το Σάββατο 15 Μαΐου 2004. ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Το καλό πρέπει να λέγεται λοιπόν όπως λέει και ο λαός μας και τα όσα θετικά και ελπιδοφόρα συμβαίνουν καθημερινά στον λόφο της Θεολογικής μας Σχολής και ιδιαίτερα όσα ζήσαμε με αφορμή την τελετή αποφοίτησης και άξια λόγου είναι αλλά και δημιουργούν αισθήματα χαράς και περηφάνιας στο πλήρωμα της Εκκλησίας μας στην Αμερική. Στη φετινή 62η τελετή αποφοίτησης, 16 φοιτητές και φοιτήτριες έλαβαν τα πτυχία τους από το Ελληνικό Κολλέγιο και 33 έλαβαν πτυχία Masters από την Θεολογική Σχολή, ενώ 10 από αυτούς είναι ήδη χειροτονημένοι κληρικοί. Η Εφορία της Σχολής με ομόφωνη απόφασή της τίμησε τον ελ ληνοαμερικανό επιχειρηματία και φι λάνθρωπο Άλεξ Σπανό και την σύζυγό του Φαίη με διδακτορικά διπλώματα Ανθρωπιστικών Σπουδών, Τιμής Ένεκεν. «Λίγο πριν την έναρξη αυτής της τελετής ο κ. Σπανός μου δήλωσε ότ ι

Αλεξ και Φαίη Σπανός

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Ψάλλοντας το “Χριστός Ανέστη” η πομπή των τελειοφοίτων διασχίζει τον λόφο της Θεολογικής Σχολής.

προσφέρει στο Ελληνικό Κολλέγιο και Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού το ποσό του μισού εκατομμυρίου δολαρίων για την ενίσχυση του ανώτατου εκπαιδευτικού μας ιδρύματος...» ανακοίνωσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος την ώρα της απονομής των διπλωμάτων.

Σταυροφορία

Κατά την διάρκεια του κατανυκτικού εσπερινού της προηγουμένης οι απόφοιτοι της Θεολογικής Σχολής έλαβαν από τα χέρια του Αρχι-

επισκόπου τους σταυρούς της Σχολής. Το πρωί του Σαββάτου οι οικογένειες, φίλοι και συγγενείς των φοιτητών, καλεσμένοι της Σχολής και τα μέλη της Εφορίας, κατέκλυσαν από τον Όρθρο το παρεκκλήσι του Τιμίου Σταυρού όπου ήχησαν και πάλι οι μελωδίες των βυζαντινών ύμνων. Είναι παράδοση η πομπή που σχηματίζεται με τον Σταυρό και τα λάβαρα της Σχολής μπροστά,

u óåë. 19

ΑΠΟ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΞΑΣΘΑΙ: Ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. – Συνεκτικό κρίκο της Ομογένειας με την Ελλάδα χαρακτήρισε την Εκκλησία της Αμερικής ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος Κωνσταντίνος Καραμανλής επισκεπτόμενος την έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής, στις 18 Μαΐου 2004, πρώτο σταθμό της πρώτης επίσημης πενθήμερης επίσκεψής του στις Η.Π.Α. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος υποδέχθηκε στην είσοδο της Αρχιεπισκοπής τον Πρωθυπουργό και την σ ύζυγό του Νατάσσα Παζαΐτη-Καραμανλή και μαζί στάθηκαν να προσκυνήσουν ευλαβικά στο παρεκκλήσι της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Κατά την διάρκεια της συνάντησης που διήρκεσε μία περίπου ώρα και διεξήχθη σε πολύ εγκάρδιο κ λίμα, συζητήθηκαν πολλά θέματα σχετικά με την Ομογένεια, την Παιδεία και την διεξαγωγή των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων της Αθήνας.

Δηλώσεις Σε δηλώσεις των δύο ηγετών μετά την συνάντησή τους ο κ. Καραμανλής εξέφρασε την χαρά του για την δυνατότητα της επίσκεψης και τόνισε χαρακτηριστικά: «Θέλω να τονίσω, θέλω να υπογραμμίσω ότι ο ρόλος της Εκκλησίας

ETA PRESS

Σύντομη συνέντευξη Τύπου παραχώρησαν στα ΜΜΕ ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος και ο πρωθυπουργός Κώστας Καραμανλής, στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής στη Νέα Υόρκη.

είναι πάρα πολύ σημαντικός και όχι μόνο για το σπουδαίο πνευματικό, το κατ’ εξοχήν θρησκευτικό έργο που προσφέρει, α λ λά και διότ ι είναι ο ισχυρότατος συνεκτικός κρίκος ανά-

μεσα στην μητέρα πατρίδα και τους Έλληνες, τους πολλούς Έλληνες που ζουν και εργάζονται εδώ. Και θέλω με την ευκαιρία αυτή να τονίσω ότι το έργο της Αρχιεπισκοπής είναι πάρα παρά

πολύ σημαντικό, πάρα πολύ σημαντικό και καίριο». Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος αφού εξέφρασε την ιδιαίτερη χαρά της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής να φιλοξενεί τον Έλληνα Πρωθυπουργό και το εκλεκτό επιτελείο του δήλωσε: «Είχαμε την ευκαιρία ανταλλαγής σκέψεων και απόψεων που εστιάζονται στις σύγχρονες ανάγκες τόσο της Ομογενείας όσο και γενικότερα της Ελλάδος...» και σημείωσε ότι η τα 2 εκατομμύρια περίπου .των Ελλήνων της Αμερικής είναι το 1/5 του συνολικού Ελληνικού Πληθυσμού και πρόσθεσε: «Η ανταλλαγή λοιπόν των σκέψεων και απόψεων είχε ως επίκεντρο ακριβώς αυτό τον ευγενικό, τον μεγάλο, τον υπέροχο ελληνικό ορθόδοξο λαό. Και τον είχε με την προοπτική ενός λαού ο οποίος ζει για να υπηρετεί τον κόσμο. Και ζει για να υπερβαίνει τον εαυτό του και να δίνει απλόχερα και γενναιόδωρα προς πάσα κατεύθυνση». Και ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος κατέληξε λέγοντας: «Διαβεβαιώσαμε τον Πρωθυπουργό ότι είμεθα μαζί του από πλευράς παρου-

u óåë. 18

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΜΑΪΟΣ – ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2004

Το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο καταδικάζει τη δικαστική αγωγή, καταρτίζει τους ειδικούς εσωτερικούς κανονισμούς

ΣΙΚ ΑΓΟ – Έντονο από πλευράς ρυθμών και συγχρόνως παραγωγικό απεδείχθη το διήμερο των εργασιών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου της Ιεράς Ελληνικής Ορθοδόξου Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής το οποίο συνήλθε στις 23 και 24 Α πρι λίου 2004 για την τακτική εαρινή του συνεδρίαση σε κεντρικό ξενοδοχείο του Σικάγου. ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο ενημερώθηκε διεξοδικά από τον νομικό σύμβουλο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής κ. Εμμανουήλ Δήμο για την εξέλιξη του θέματος της δικαστικής αγωγής μελών της OCL εναντ ίον της Ιεράς Αρχ ιεπισκοπής. Στην σ υνέχεια εκφράστηκαν οι απόψεις του σώματος για το θέμα και το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο ομόφωνα ενέκρινε ψήφισμα με το οποίο υιοθετεί τα πρόσφατα ψηφίσματα των τοπικών Κληρικολαϊκών Συνελεύσεων των Μητροπόλεων Αγίου Φραγκίσκου, Νέας Ιερσέης και Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφερείας καθώς και του Μητροπολιτικού Συμβουλίου της Μητροπόλεως Ντένβερ, τα οποία ήταν και τα μόνα διοικητικά σώματα που πραγματοποίησαν προγραμματ ισμένες συνεδριάσεις μετά την υποβολή της δικαστικής αγωγής. Τα ως άνω ψηφίσματα τονίζουν την απόλυτη εγκυρότητα του υπό του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου παραχωρηθέντος νέου συντάγματος της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής και καταδικάζουν την υπό ομάδας ατόμων υποβληθείσα δικαστική αγωγή εναντίον της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής, επί του θέματος του νέου Συντάγματος. Επιπλέον, το ψήφισμα του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου παροτρύνει τα άτομα που συμμετέχουν στην δικαστική αγωγή αναλογιζόμενα τις ευθύνες τους να αποσύρουν τα ονόματά τους από την μηνυτήρια αναφορά και να καταβάλουν κάθε δυνατή προσπάθεια για απόσυρσή της.

Εσπερινός του Αγίου Γεωργίου Την παραμονή των εργασιών, συγχρόνως παραμονή της εορτής του Αγίου Γεωργίου, ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος προέστη Μεγάλου Αρχιερατικού Εσπερινού στον ιστορικό Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου του Τροπαιοφόρου του Σικάγου που παράλληλα γιόρταζε 81 χρόνια ζωής. Πλήθος κόσμου είχε κατακλύσει τον ναό, πολλοί πιστοί από κοντινές κοινότητες του Σικάγου, πολλά μέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου, Άρχοντες του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου και η Γενική Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στο Σικάγο κ. Αλίκη Χατζή. Με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο συνεόρτασαν 20 κληρικοί μεταξύ των οποίων ο πρωτοσύγκελος τ ης Μητροπόλ εως Σικάγου Αρχ ιμ. Δημήτριος Καντζάβελος και ο ιερατικώς προϊστάμενος του ναού π. Χρήστος Βάγιας. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ευχαρίστησε τον Μητροπολίτη Σικάγου κ. Ιάκωβο για την φιλόξενη υποδοχή επ’ ευκαιρία της συγκλήσεως του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και την ευκαιρία του πανηγυρικού εσπερινού. Στην ομιλία του στο εκκλησίασμα ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε ότι η εορτή του Αγίου Γεωργίου πρέπει να αποτελέσει ευκαιρία για να αναθεωρήσουμε τις προτεραιότητες και

ΟΙ σύνεδροι κατά την διάρκεια της πρώτης μέρας των εργασιών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο Σικάγο.

τους σκοπούς της ζωής μας θέτοντας και πάλι τον Θεό ως το πρώτο και το κύριο σημείο αναφοράς, της ζωής μας όπως ακριβώς έπραξε ο Άγιος Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιος.

Ενημέρωση του σώματος Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος στην εισαγωγική του ομιλία, ενημέρωσε μεθοδικά και διεξοδικά τα μέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου για την πρόοδο και τις εξελίξεις στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή, τις πρόσφατες πρωτοβουλίες και επισκέψεις καθώς και για την σημασία της διευρυμένης συνθέσεως της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου στην οποία συμμετέχει και ο ίδιος.

Οι ειδικοί κανονισμοί Το κύριο αντικείμενο των εργασιών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου αποτέλεσε η μελέτη των νέων ειδικών κανονισμών που πρέπει να διαμορφωθούν με βάση το νέο σύνταγμα και που με την σ ύνταξή τους έχει ήδη επισταμένως ασχοληθεί η Επιτροπή Διοικητικών θεμάτων. Ο κ. Αντώνιος Στεφανής έκανε μια συνοπτική παρουσίαση των ειδικών κανονισμών οι οποίοι χωρίζονται σε τρία μέρη: το πρώτο αναφέρεται στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή ως σύνολο, το δεύτερο στις επί μέρους Μητροπόλεις και το τρίτο στους ομοιόμορφους κανονισμούς των κοινοτήτων. Η κυρία Ελένη Χιούζακ παρουσίασε ανα λυτικότερα τα δύο πρώτα μέρη και ο π. Αλέξανδρος Λεοντής το τρίτο. Η κ. Χιούζακ μιλώντας στον Ο.Π. τόνισε: «Θα υπάρξουν (με βάση το νέο Σύνταγμα) νέες προβλέψεις σχετικά με την Αρχιεπισκοπή και τις Μητροπόλεις, καθώς και νέες τροποποιήσεις των ειδικών κανονισμών των κοινοτήτων. Όλα τα παραπάνω θα παρουσιαστούν στην προσεχή Κληρικολαϊκή συνέλευση της Νέας Υόρκης. Αναμένουμε ότι οι αντιπρόσωποι των κοινοτήτων θα λάβουν το υλικό εκ των προτέρων και ελπίζουμε να μελετήσουν προσεκτικά τους προτεινόμενους κανονισμούς ώστε να είναι προετοιμασμένοι...» Κατά την διάρκεια της κατ’ άρθρον μελέτης και παρουσίασης των ειδικών κανονισμών

εκφράστηκαν οι απόψεις και παρατηρήσεις των μελών οι οποίες θα συμπεριληφθούν στο τελικό κείμενο που θα προταθεί στην Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση της Νέας Υόρκης στα τέλη του προσεχούς Ιουλίου. Η διαδικασία προβλέπει ότ ι οι κανονισμοί μετά την τελική διαμόρφωσή των από την Κληρικολαϊκή, θα υποβληθούν στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο προς έγκριση.

Η Κληρικολαϊκή Ενημέρωση σχετικά με την πρόοδο των εργασιών προετοιμασίας της 37ης Κληρικολαϊκής που θα πραγματοποιηθεί στ ην Νέα Υόρκη μεταξύ 25-29 Ιουλίου 2004 έγινε από τον κ. Τιμ Μανιάτη ενώ ανακοινώθηκε ότι γενικός προεδρεύων της Κληρικολαϊκής έχει ορισθεί ο κ. Νικόλαος Μπούρας. Σύντομη παρουσίαση για την ειδική έκδοση του λευκώματος της Κ ληρικολαϊκής έγινε από τον υπεύθυνο κ. Στέφανο Τσερπέλη.

Ο Μητροπολίτης Σικάγου Ο Μητροπολίτης Σικάγου κ. Ιάκωβος μίλησε στα μέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου για την ανάγκη της προσήλωσης στους ιερούς κανόνες και τις παραδόσεις της Ορθοδοξίας σε όλες

τις εκφάνσεις των δραστηριοτήτων της Εκκλησίας. Εξάλ λου και μετά την λήξη των εργασιών του ΑΣ ο κ. Ιάκωβος δήλωσε στον Ορθόδοξο Παρατηρητή: «Μαζί με την χαρά της Αναστάσεως του Κυρίου μας, ψάλλοντας τον θριαμβευτικόν ύμνον της Αναστάσεως «Χριστός Ανέστη», δεχθήκαμε και την χαρά της επισκέψεως του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου μας, των συνεργατών του και των μελών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου διά μιαν διήμερον σύσκεψιν. Η Ιερά Μητρόπολις του Σικάγου εχάρη με την παρουσία του Σεβασμιωτάτου ο οποίος είχε την ευκαιρία να προστεί του πανηγυρικού εσπερινού της ενορίας του Αγίου Γεωργίου να ομιλήσει προς τον λαόν και ο λαός να ανταποκριθεί με αγάπην και με σεβασμό και με υπακοή στον Σεβασμιώτατον. Επίσης ο Σεβασμιώτατος συμπροσευχήθηκε στην Θεία Λειτουργία και είχε και πάλιν την ευκαιρία –τον παρακάλεσα– να χαιρετίσει τον λαόν και είπε σωστές αλήθειες γύρω από την Ιερά μας Αρχιεπισκοπή, όσον αφορά την έλλειψη ιερέων και όλα αυτά τα θέματα τα οποία ενδιαφέρουν τ ην Εκκλησία μας. Επίσης ήταν πολύ εποικοδομητική η σ υζήτηση μεταξύ των μελών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου επί θεμάτων που είναι απόλυτα ενδιαφέροντα για το παρόν και για το μέλ λον της Εκκλησίας μας όσον αφορά τα διοικητικά τα οικονομικά τα περί νεολαίας, τα περί πνευματικότητος, τα περί του stewardship και θέματα που ενδιαφέρουν όλες τις εκφάνσεις και εκφράσεις της εκκλησιαστικής μας ζωής. Για αυτό ευχαριστούμε τον Θεό και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο που έφερε εδώ τον Αρχιεπισκοπικόν Συμβούλιο και ευχόμεθα καλή επιτυχία στην προκειμένην Κληρικολαϊκήν Συνέλευσιν εις την Νέαν Υόρκην».

Οι πραγματικές προκλήσεις Στο κ λείσιμο των εργασιών του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος κάλεσε τα μέλη του να αναλογισθούν ποίες είναι οι πραγματικές προκ λήσεις που αντιμετωπίζει η Εκκλησία μας και ποία θα πρέπει να είναι τα κύρια σημεία ενασχόλησης των ηγετικών λαϊκών στελεχών της εν όψει των σημείων των καιρών που διερχόμεθα.

Το Περιστέρι θα συνεισφέρει στην ανοικοδόμηση του Αγίου Νιικολάου ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Δήμαρχος Περιστερίου Ανδρέας Παχατουρίδης εκπροσώπησε τους δημάρχους της Ελλάδος στην Διεθνή Σύνοδο για την Παγκόσμια Ειρήνη και τον Αφοπλισμό που πραγματοποιήθηκε στην έδρα του ΟΗΕ στην Νέα Υόρκη. Ο κ. Παχατουρίδης επισκέφθηκε τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο και τον διαβεβαίωσε ότι ο Δήμος Περιστερίου θα συμβάλει στην ανοικοδόμηση του Αγίου Νικολάου που καταστράφηκε ολοσχερώς από το τρομοκρατικό κτύπημα της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ευχαρίστησε τον δήμαρχο Περιστερίου και του ζήτησε να διαβιβάσει τις ευχές και ευχαριστίες του στους δημότες και στον Μητροπολίτη Περιστερίου.

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ΜΑΪΟΣ – ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2004

Με το Μετάλλιο του Ellis Island τιμήθηκε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος συνομιλεί με τους συνέδρους στην αίθουσα τελετών της Ακαδημίας Αθηνών.

Διεθνές Συνέδριο για τις Πανανθρώπινες Αξίες ΑΘΗΝΑ. – Με θέμα Πανανθρώπινες Αξίες και Θρησκεία» μίλησε ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος στο Διεθνές Συνέδριο για τις Πανανθρώπινες Αξίες που διοργάνωσε η Ακαδημία Αθηνών μεταξύ 26 και 28 Μαΐου στα πλαίσια των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων του 2004. Η Θεματολογία του Συνεδρίου συμπεριελάμβανε ακόμη εισηγήσεις για τις Πανανθρώπινες Αξίες και την παιδεία, τα

ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα, την παγκόσμια ειρήνη, την τεχνολογία, την βιοηθική και τη βιοϊατρική αλλά και συζήτηση στρογγυλής τραπέζης. Εκτός από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο συμμετείχαν πολλοί καθηγητές ακαδημαϊκοί από την Ελλάδα και πανεπιστήμια της Αμερικής και της Ευρώπης, εκπρόσωποι της πολιτείας, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αλβανίας κ. Αναστάσιος και ο Μητροπολίτης Περγάμου, κ. Ιωάννης.

«Πάνω στο Φέρι» η καλύτερη ταινία από τη Νέα Υόρκη NEA YOΡΚΗ.– Στο 4ο Φεστιβάλ Μαθητικών Ταινιών που πραγματοποιήθηκε την Κυριακή 25 Απριλίου, συμμετείχαν συνολικά 115 σχολεία από την Ελ λάδα (Αττική, Θεσσα λονίκη, Νησιά Βορειανατολικού Αιγαίου), αλλά και επτά σχολεία της Νέας Υόρκης, των Ελληνορθοδόξων κοινοτήτων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Το Βραβείο καλύτερης ταινίας της περιοχής Νέας Υόρκης «Πάμε Σινεμά; 2004» απονεμήθηκε στο Λύκειο του Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας για την

ταινία «Πάνω στο Ferry». Eπιπλέον, ειδική τιμητική διάκριση απονεμήθηκε στην ταινία “Γέφυρα στον Ηλιο” της Ενορίας Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης της Κοινότητας του Γουέστ Νάϊακ. Φανερά ικανοποιημένος από τις «κινηματογραφικές» αποδόσεις των μαθητών των σχολείων των Ελληνορθοδόξων κοινοτήτων της περιοχής της Νέας Υόρκης που έλαβαν μέρος στο φετεινό 4ο Φεστιβάλ, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής, κ. Δημήτριος, είπε μεταξύ

u óåë. 19

ΠΡΟΣΚΥΝΗΜΑ ΣΤΟ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟ

ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ.– Προσκυνηματική-εκπαιδευτική επίσκεψη στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο στην Κωνσταντινούπολη πραγματοποίησαν 17 τελειόφοιτοι της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού Βοστώνης συνοδευόμενοι από τον κοσμήτορα της Σχολής π. Εμμανουήλ Κλάψη. Η ετήσια επίσκεψη των τελειοφοίτων έχει καθιερωθεί εδώ και δεκαπέντε χρόνια και το Πατριαρχείο προσφέρει την φιλοξενία και την δυνατότητα στους τελειόφοιτους σπουδαστές να γνωρίσουν από κοντά την ζωντανή παρουσία της Βυζαντινής κληρονομιάς στον τόπο που γεννήθηκε. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος συζήτησε μαζί με τους τελειόφοιτους και τους ενθάρρυνε στην ιερατική τους κλίση και διακονία, αναφέρθηκε δε στους ισχυρούς δεσμούς που υπάρχουν μεταξύ της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής και της Μητέρας Εκκλησίας της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Στην συνέχεια οι τελειόφοιτοι επισκέφθηκαν το Άγιο Όρος και τα πολλά βυζαντινά και ιστορικά μνημεία του Ελλαδικού χώρου.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. – Το Έλις Άϊλαντ, η μικρή νησίδα στην είσοδο του λιμανιού της Νέας Υόρκης στάθηκε για εκατομμύρια μετανάστες νησίδα ελπίδας αλλά και τόπος αγωνίας και δακρύων. Από το 1892 μέχρι και το 1954 δώδεκα περίπου εκατομμύρια μετανάστες διεκπεραιώθηκαν από αυτήν την νησίδα. Σήμερα είναι μουσείο αφιερωμένο στην ιστορία της μετανάστευσης που στάθηκε και παραμένει καθοριστικός παράγοντας στην εξέλιξη της Αμερικής. Στον χώρο αυτό ταξίδεψαν στις 15 Μαΐου, με τα μικρά φεριμπότ από τον νότιο τμήμα του Μανχάτταν και από την Νέα Ιερσέη, 1.500 περίπου άνθρωποι για την ετήσια τελετή των τιμητικών διακρίσεων του Έλις Άϊλαντ. Μεταξύ των 133 φετινών παραληπτών του μεταλλίου και ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος αλλά και άλλοι 18 διακεκριμένοι Ελληνο-αμερικανοί. Το μετάλλιο του Έλις Άϊλαντ απονέμεται σε διακεκριμένους Αμερικανούς πολίτες οι οποίοι επιλέγονται από χιλιάδες προτεινόμενους για την εξαιρετική συνεισφορά τους στην ιδιαίτερη εθνική τους ομάδα, για την συνεχή συνεισφορά τους στις χώρες καταγωγής τους και ιδιαίτερα στην Αμερικανική κοινωνία. Μεταξύ των τιμηθέντων από την καθιέρωση του τιμητικού αυτού μεταλλίου το 1984 συμπεριλαμβάνονται Αμερικανοί πρόεδροι όπως ο Ρόναλντ Ρίγκαν, ο Τζίμυ Κάρτερ και ο Μπιλ Κλίντον αλλά και πολλοί νομπελίστες, επιστήμονες, ακαδημαϊκοί, επιχειρηματίες, καλλιτέχνες και αθλητές. Το Μετάλλιο του Έλις Άϊλαντ θεωρείται δεύτερο σε αξία μόνο μετά το Χρυσό Μετάλλιο του Αμερικανικού Κογκρέσσου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έκα-

νε την εναρκτήρια προσευχή στην επίσημη τελετή απονομής και μετά την παρασημοφόρησή του που έγινε τιμητικά στο τέλος της τελετής, ευχαρίστησε το Ίδρυμα Συνεργασίας Εθνικών Οργανισμών, το οποίο αριθμεί 250 και πλέον οργανισμούς-μέλη και έχει την οργανωτική ευθύνη του θεσμού. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος παρότρυνε το ακροατήριο να αναλογισθεί τις θυσίες και την προσφορά όσων θυσιάστηκαν για την ελευθερία, την ειρήνη και την δικαιοσύνη. Ο Ελληνοαμερικανός ομογενής επιχειρηματίας Γιάννης Κατσιματίδης, ως αντιπρόεδρος του Ιδρύματος έκανε την απονομή των μεταλλίων. Ακολούθησε περιήγηση στους χώρους του Μουσείου και επίσημο τιμητικό δείπνο.

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος με τους υπόλοιπους τιμώμενους της βραδιάς, διακρίνονται μεταξύ άλλων ο πρέσβης της Ελλάδος στον ΟΗΕ, Αδαμάντιος Βασιλάκης, η γενική πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στη ΝΥ, Αικατερίνη Μπούρα, ο Γιάννης Κατσιματίδης και ο ομογενής πολιτειακός βουλευτής της Νέας Υόρκης, Μάθιου Μυρώνης.

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Στην συνάντηση του Πρωθυπουργού με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο συμμετείχαν και οι Θεόδωρος Ρουσόπουλος, Μιχαήλ Τζαχάρης, Νατάσσα Καραμανλή, Παναγιώτης Σκανδαλάκης και Πέτρος Μολυβιάτης.

ΜΑΪΟΣ – ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2004

Η Νατάσσα Καραμανλή μαζί με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο επισκέφθηκαν το μεγαλύτερο ελληνοαμερικανικό σχολείο, του Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας. Η κυρία Καραμανλή συνομίλησε με τα παιδιά όλων των τάξεων και αντάλλαξαν δώρα.

ΑΠΟ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΞΑΣΘΑΙ: Ο Πρωθυπουργός της Ελλάδος στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής u óåë. 15 σίας και από πλευράς αυτού που μπορούμε να κάνουμε ως Εκκλησία...». Τον κ. Καραμανλή εκτός από την σύζυγό του συνόδευαν ο Υπουργός Εξωτερικών κ. Πέτρος Μολυβιάτης, ο Υπουργός Επικρατείας και Κυβερνητικός Εκπρόσωπος κ. Θεόδωρος Ρουσόπουλος, οι Υφυπουργοί Εξωτερικών κ.κ. Γιάννης Βαληνάκης και Τάκης Σκανδαλάκης, ο Πρέσβης της Ελλάδος στις Η.Π.Α. κ. Γιώργος Σαββαϊδης και η Γενική Πρόξενος της Ελ λάδος στην Νέα Υόρκη κυρία Αικατερίνη Μπούρα.

Στα Σχολεία Μετά την συνέντευξη Τύπου στην Αρχιεπισκοπή, ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος μαζί με την κ. Νατάσσα Καραμανλή επισκέφθηκαν τα ημερήσια σχολεία της κοινότητος του Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας. Είχαν την ευκαιρία να βρεθούν στις τάξεις του νηπιαγωγείου και των πρώτων τάξεων του Δημοτικού αλλά και να γνωρίσουν τα μεγαλύτερα παιδιά του Γυμνασίου και Λυκείου.

ÖÙÔÏÃÑÁÖÉÅÓ ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Θερμή χειραψία Αρχιεπισκόπου - Πρωθυπουργού.

Η σύζυγος του Έλληνα Πρωθυπουργού έτυχε θερμής υποδοχής, δέχθηκε την αγάπη και τις ανθοδέσμες των μικρών μαθητών, άκουσε ποιήματα και τραγούδια, συνομίλησε με τα παιδιά των μεγαλυτέρων τάξεων τα οποία δήλωσαν ότι «ήταν περήφανα που είχαν την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσουν την πρώτη Κυρία της Ελλάδος» και ενημερώθηκε για τα προγράμματα σπουδών των Ελληνικών σχολείων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Ολοκ ληρώνοντας την επίσκεψή της δήλωσε κατενθουσιασμένη και ευχαριστημένη που είχε την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσει τα παιδιά των Ελ λήνων Ομογενών, πολ λά από τα οποία είναι τρίτης και τέταρτης γενιάς. Η κυρία Καραμανλή συνεχάρη μαθητές και δασκάλους για το μεγάλο και δύσκολο έργο που επιτελούν καθώς και για την θερμή υποδοχή που της επιφύλαξαν. Εξάλλου ο κ. Καραμανλής κατά την διάρκεια της παραμονής του στην Νέα Υόρκη συναντήθηκε με τον γενικό γραμματέα του ΟΗΕ Κόφι Ανάν, και στις 20 Μαΐου συναντήθηκε με τον πρόεδρο Μπους στον Λευκό Οίκο.

ΕΙΔΗΣΕΙΣ - ΕΙΔΗΣΕΙΣ Σύντομα η επαναλειτουργία της Θεολογικής Σχολής Χάλκης Σε σύντομο χρόνο αναμένεται η άδεια για την επανα λειτουργία της Θεολογικής Σχολής της Χάλκης, σύμφωνα με όσα μετέδωσε το τουρκικό τηλεοπτικό δίκτυο NTV, το οποίο ανέφερε ότι έχει ήδη ολοκληρωθεί ο συντονισμός των ενεργειών που απαιτούνται μεταξύ των διαφόρων αρμοδίων τουρκικών υπουργείων για την έκδοση της άδειας. Σχολιαστής του τουρκικού τηλεοπτικού δικτύου ανέφερε πως η Άγκυρα κάνει αυτό το βήμα στο πλαίσιο των προσπαθειών που καταβάλλει για ενίσχυση της θέσης της απέναντι στην Ευρωπαϊκή Ένωση. Στο μεταξύ, η γερουσιαστής Χίλαρι Κλίντον που έχει και την ιδιότητα του μέλους της Επιτροπής Ελσίνκι για τα Ανθρώπινα Δικαιώματα (Helsink i Watch), απέστειλε επιστολή στον πρόεδρο Τζορτζ Μπους, τον οποίο προτρέπει να συναντηθεί με τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο κατά τη διάρκεια της επίσκεψής του στην Κωνσταντινούπολη –στο περιθώριο της συνόδου του ΝΑΤΟ– προκειμένου να συζητήσει μαζί του τα προβλήματα που

αντιμετωπίζει το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο. Παράλληλα, καλεί τον κ. Μπους να πιέσει τον Τούρκο πρωθυπουργό Ρετζέπ Ταγίπ Ερντογάν, για την επαναλειτουργία της Θεολογικής Σχολής της Χάλκης.

Παρασημοφορήθηκε Έλληνας Βετεράνος της Νορμανδίας Ο Έλληνας Γρηγόρης Παυλάκης, που ήταν ανθυποπλοίαρχος στη φρεγάτα «Κριεζής» και συμμετείχε, στο πρώτο κύμα απόβασης, στις ακτές της Νορμανδίας στις 6 Ιουνίου του 1944, τιμήθηκε με το παράσημο του Ιππότη της Λεγεώνας Τιμής από τον Γάλ λο πρόεδρο, Ζακ Σιράκ. Η συγκίνηση για τον 83χρονο ήταν μεγά λη, οι αναμνήσεις έντονες, τα συναισθήματα ανάμεικτα ικανοποίηση μα και θλίψη, αφού φθάνοντας στη Νορμανδία πληροφορήθηκε για το θάνατο της συζύγου του στην Αθήνα. Ο Έλληνας βετεράνος δήλωσε πως αισθάνεται περηφάνια και χαρά για την πατρίδα, που είχε την τύχη να πάρει μέρος στην απόβαση. Όσο για τη σημασία που είχε για τον ίδιο η συμμετοχή για πρώτη φορά του Γερμανού καγκελάριου στον εορτασμό είπε ότι αυτό

δείχνει «πως ξεπεράσαμε το παρελθόν και προχωράμε να αδελφωθούμε στην Ευρώπη, πράγμα που είναι ευχάριστο και παρήγορο», είπε.

Πέφτουν τα ψηφιδωτά Στο ανάκτορο του Τοπ Καπί αντί για την εκκλησία της Αγίας Σοφίας θα πραγματοποιηθεί τελικά η συναυλία της φιλαρμονικής ορχήστρας της Κωνσταντινούπολης κατά τη Σύνοδο Κορυφής του ΝΑΤΟ στα τέλη Ιουνίου. Ο λόγος; Κομμάτια από τα ψηφιδωτά της βασιλικής της Αγίας Σοφίας αποσπώνται συχνά και πέφτουν στο έδαφος, εγκυμονώντας κινδύνους τραυματισμών. Σύμφωνα με δημοσίευμα της εφημερίδας Zaman, οι τουρκικές αρχές αποφάσισαν να αλλάξουν το χώρο της συναυλίας της φιλαρμονικής ορχήστρας της Κωνσταντινούπολης και της φιλαρμονικής των Γενίτσαρων της οθωμανικής αυτοκρατορικής φρουράς, που επρόκειτο αρχικά να πραγματοποιηθεί μέσα στην Αγία Σοφία, φοβούμενες μήπως κομμάτια από τα ψηφιδωτά πέσουν πάνω στους προσκεκλημένους, μεταξύ των οποίων θα είναι και ο πρόεδρος των ΗΠΑ Τζορτζ Μπους. Περίπου 800 άνθρωποι έχουν προσκληθεί στη συναυλία, η οποία θα δοθεί την πρώτη βραδιά της Συνόδου Κορυ-

φής και θα συμβολίζει την αρμονία μεταξύ των τριών μονοθεϊστικών θρησκειών, της ισλαμικής, της χριστιανικής και της εβραϊκής. Σύμφωνα με την εφημερίδα, καθημερινά πέφτουν από την οροφή της Αγίας Σοφίας, πολλά κομμάτια ψηφιδωτών, κάτι που θα μπορούσε να δημιουργήσει κίνδυνο για την ασφάλεια των θεατών στη διάρκεια μιας εκδήλωσης.

Η Αυλή των Θαυμάτων στη ΝΥ Το Κέντρο Ελ ληνικού Πολιτισμού παρουσίασε με μεγάλη επιτυχία στις αρχές Μαΐου στην Αστόρια το κλασικό θεατρικό έργο του Ιάκωβου Καμπανέλλη «Η Αυλή των Θαυμάτων», σε σκηνοθεσία Κώστα Βάντζου. Ο κ. Βάντζος είναι γνωστός από τ ην πολυετ ή προσφορά του σ τα θεατρικά δρώμενα της Ομογένειας στην Αμερική. Το έργο ήταν μια παραγωγή του Πολιτιστικού Κέντρου Εργαζομένων ΟΤΕ Ν. Αττικής και παρουσιάστηκε σε πολ λές παραστάσεις στην Ελλάδα αλλά και άλλες χώρες τ ης Ευρώπης. Το Κέντρο Ελληνικού Πολιτισμού που εδρεύει στην Αστόρια παρουσιάζει νεοελληνικό θέατρο στην Ομογένεια για 30 σχεδόν χρόνια.

ΜΑΪΟΣ – ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2004

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Γενναιόδωρη προσφορά Σπανού στην τελετή αποφοίτησης u óåë. 15 τους τελειοφοίτους, το καθηγητικό σώμα, τους επίσημους προσκεκλημένους, τα μέλη της Εφορίας, τον πρόεδρο και τους κοσμήτορες της Σχολής και στο τέλος τους Ιεράρχες και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο να ξεκινά από τον κτίριο της διοίκησης, να διασχίζει τον λόφο της Σχολής και να καταλήγει στην αίθουσα τελετών. Ο πρόεδρος της Σχολής π. Νικόλαος Τριανταφύλλου καλωσόρισε τους προσκεκλημένους και ευχαρίστησε τις οικογένειες των φοιτητών διότι εμπιστεύθηκαν τα παιδιά τους στο εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου και της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Το βήμα έλαβε ο αντιπρόεδρος της Εφορίας Γεώργιος Χρύσης ο οποίος και παρουσίασε το πρόγραμμα. Η πρόεδρος της Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητος Γεωργία Σκιαδά στον χαιρετισμό της, τόνισε το ιδιαίτερο βάρος των ηθικών αξιών στην σημερινή κοινωνία. «Η Φιλόπτωχος θα συνεχίσει να στηρίζει με κάθε τρόπο την Σχολή» δήλωσε. Ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ε λ λάδος στ ην Βοστώνη Κωνσταντίνος Μπίκας μετέφερε χαιρετισμό προς τους αποφοίτους αλ λά και την υπόσχεση αρωγής της Ελληνικής Πολιτείας στο έργο και τους σκοπούς της Σχολής. Την μαρτυρία της για την επιτυχή πορεία της Σχολής κατέθεσε και η κοσμήτωρ του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου Δρ. Λί λυ Μακράκη και παρότρυνε τους αποφοίτους να ονειρεύονται, να ερευνούν και να ανακαλύπτουν. Ο κοσμήτωρ της Θεολογικής Σχολής π. Εμμανουήλ Κλάψης, εκπροσωπώντας το καθηγητικό σώμα της Σχολής είπε: «Μέσα σε ένα κόσμο γεμάτο βαρβαρότητα, γεμάτο βία, γεμάτο απελπισία, γεμάτο αδικία, σ’ ένα κόσμο που είναι καταπιεσμένος μέσα στην φυλακή του ρεαλισμού, αυτά τα παιδιά τολμούν να ονειρεύονται ένα διαφορετικό κόσμο ένα κόσμο γεμάτο αγάπη, ένα κόσμο γεμάτο ειρήνη, ένα κόσμο με απεριόριστη ζωή. Τον κόσμο της βασιλείας του Θεού. Πρέπει να ξαναβρούμε το όνειρο πρέπει να ξαναβρούμε την δύναμη να αντισταθούμε σ’ όλες τις απάνθρωπες δυνάμεις της ιστορίας. Κι’ οι φοιτητές μας ήρθαν μ’ αυτό το όνειρο, μ’ αυτή την

ÄÇÌ. ÐÁÍÁÃÏÓ

Οι απόφοιτοι του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο (κέντρο) και (από αριστερά) οι Επίσκοποι Φιλομελίων Ηλίας, Τρωάδος Σάββας, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αλβανίας Αναστάσιος, ο Μητροπολίτης Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, ο Επίσκοπος Κρατείας Γεράσιμος και ο πρόεδρος της Σχολής π. Νικόλαος Τριανταφύλλου.

επιθυμία να αλλάξουν τον κόσμο, να φέρουν τον Χριστό, να φέρουν την ειρήνη, να φέρουν την δικαιοσύνη γι αυτό ποτέ δεν δέχονται τον κόσμο όπως είναι, γι’ αυτό προσεύχονται. Η ελπίδα μας, οι προσευχές μας είναι μαζί τους. Χαιρόμαστε για τον δρόμο που διαλέξανε και ελπίζουμε... γιατί μέσα στην δική τους απόφαση χαμογελάει ο ίδιος ο Θεός». Οι αριστεύσαντες Τριαντάφυλλος Μπογιάννου από την τελειόφοιτη τάξη του Ελ ληνικού Κολ λεγίου και ο π. Κωστίν Ποπέσκου από την τελειόφοιτη τάξη της Θεολογικής Σχολής εκφώνησαν τους λόγους τους. (κείμενα και ονόματα αποφοίτων βλ. σελ. 30) Ακολούθησε η απονομή των τιμητικών διδακτορικών διπλωμάτων στον Άλεξ Σπανό και στη σύζυγό του Φαίη τους οποίους παρουσίασε ο π. Σπυρίδων Κέζιος. «Η οικογένεια είναι ο βράχος, η βάση και το πηδάλιο στην ζωή μας» δήλωσε ο κ. Σπανός συγκινημένος από την ταυτόχρονη τιμή στον ίδιο και την σύζυγό του. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος μετέφερε στους παρευρισκόμενους τις πατρικές ευλογίες του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη κ. Βαρθολομαίου αλλά και τις ευχές του πρώην Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Ιακώβου τον οποίο είχε επισκεφθεί τις αμέσως προηγούμενες μέρες.

«Είναι κι αυτό μια πρωτιά» είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αναφερόμενος στην μεγάλη δωρεά του ζεύγους Σπανού κατά την πρώτη τους επίσκεψη στην Σχολή. «Εσείς που είστε σε αυτό το εκπαιδευτικό ίδρυμα είχατε την δυνατότητα να χαρείτε αυτόν τον συνδυασμό μιας παιδείας που ξεκινάει από το βάθος των κλασσικών ελληνικών χρόνων χρησιμοποιώντας μια απίθανη γλώσσα, περνάει και φτάνει μέχρι και το Βυζάντιο και παραμένει ζωντανή ως και τις μέρες μας», είπε. «Φεύγετε με γεμάτα τα χέρια φεύ-

ΟΙ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΕΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΕΣ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΧΟΡΗΓΟΣ ΤΩΝ ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΩΝ ΑΓΩΝΩΝ AÈÇÍÁ 2004

4ο Μαθητικό Φεστιβάλ Κινηματογράφου u óåë. 17

ΜΕΓΑΣ ΧΟΡΗΓΟΣ

Σκηνή από την ταινία “Πάνω στο Φέρι”.

Αχρονη Μνήμη, Κοινότητα Κοίμησις της Θεοτόκου-Σαουθάμπτον, Γέφυρα στον Ήλιο, Kοινότητα Αγίων Κωνσταντίνου και Ελένης-West Nyack, NY, Magic Bus, Ημερήσιο Σχολείο Μεταμόρφωσ ης-Κορόνα, Πάνω στο Ferr y, Γυμνάσιο Αγίου Δημητρίου- Αστόρια, H Απόφαση, Λύκειο Αγίου ΔημητρίουΑστόρια, Nυχτοπεταλούδα, Ακαδημία Αγίου Βασιλείου-Garisson, NY, Πώς περάσατε στο σχολείο σήμερα, Hμερήσιο Σχολείο Ουϊλιαμ Σπυρόπουλος Flushing, Νέα Υόρκη.

άλλων: «Είναι ένα φεστιβάλ που βοηθάει πάρα πολύ τα παιδιά στο να αναπτύξουν ταλέντα και δραστηριότητες που συνδέονται με παραγωγή κινηματογράφου και τηλεόρασης και την δημιουργία έργου καλλιτεχνικού. Καλλιεργείται έτσι η έννοια του ωραίου, αλλά και η ηθοποιία, η φωτογραφία και το γράψιμο. Συγχαίρω ιδιαιτέρως τα παιδιά του Αγίου Δημητρίου της Αστόριας για το πρώτο Βραβείο αλλά συγχαίρω και τα παιδιά του West Nyack για τον έπαινο που πήραν αλλά και όλα τα σχολεία μας για την πρώτη αυτή συμμετοχή τους. Είναι κάτι που αξίζει να καλλιεργηθεί γιατί έχουμε πολύ μεγάλες δυνατότητες. Οσο έχουμε τα παιδιά αυτά ο κόσμος έχει μέλλον κι αυτό είναι μεγάλο πράγμα». Οι επτά ταινίες που αντιπροσώπευσαν τη μαθητική κοινότητα της Νέας Υόρκης και συμμετείχαν στο 4ο Φεστιβάλ Μαθητικών Ταινιών ήταν:

γετε με ένα τεράστιο πλούτο. Μοιραστείτε αυτό που έχετε, διότι αυτό που έχουμε ως Ορθοδοξία και Ελληνισμός είναι πάντοτε προς διανομή, δεν είναι προς ιδιοκτησία», τόνισε χαρακτηριστικά. Στην συνέχεια ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ζήτησε από τον Μακαριώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Τιράνων και Πάσης Αλβανίας κ. Αναστάσιο –ο οποίος βρέθηκε στην Αμερική για να μιλήσει και να παραλάβει τιμητικό διδακτορικό δίπλωμα από το Πανεπιστήμιο της Βοστώνης– να απευθύνει λίγα λόγια. «Να μείνετε ως το τέλος της ζωής σας διάκονοι και σπουδαστές» συνέστησε προς τους αποφοίτους ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αναστάσιος και τους συνέστησε να κρατήσουν ανοιχτούς τους ορίζοντες τους στο έργο της ιεραποστολής όχι μόνο στην Αμερική αλλά και πέρα από αυτήν και να μοιραστούν τον πλούτο που απόκτησαν στην Σχολή με όλη την ανθρωπότητα. Καταλήγοντας δε τον σύντομο χαιρετισμό του αναφέρθηκε στον Σταυρό που αναλαμβάνουν όσοι ακολουθούν την ιερατική κλίση. «Πρέπει να παραμείνουμε άνθρωποι του Σταυρού, είπε, γιατί Χριστιανισμός χωρίς Σταυρό δεν είναι Χριστιανισμός», κατέληξε ο Σεβασμιώτατος. Την χορωδία της Σχολής διηύθυνε ο Κωνσταντίνος Λυμπεράκης και την Βυζαντινή Χορωδία ο τελειόφοιτος της Θεολογικής Σχολής και πρόεδρος της τάξης του 2004 Σωτήριος Μαλάμης.

Οι Ολυμπιακοί Αγώνες επιστρέφουν στον τόπο από όπου ξεκίνησαν και οι ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΕΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΕΣ με μέγιστο αίσθημα ευθύνης γίνονται αρωγός αυτής της μεγάλης ιδέας του Ολυμπισμού. Οι ΟΛΥΜΠΙΑΚΕΣ ΑΕΡΟΓΡΑΜΜΕΣ θα αποδείξουν, για μιαν ακόμη φορά, ότι μπορούν να στηρίξουν έμπρακτα μια τόσο μεγάλη και ιστορική στιγμή, ένα σπουδαίο παγκόσμιο αθλητικό γεγονός.

MAY – JUNE 2004

The Pope’s Apology to the Orthodox for the 4th Crusade

ecently, the spiritual leader of Orthodoxy, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, accepted an “apology” from Pope John Paul II for the destruction of Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, by Crusaders coming from the Latin West to the Greek East in 1204. It was accepted by the spiritual leader of worldwide Orthodoxy on the 800th anniversary of the city’s sacking, an acknowledgement which conjures up “old wounds” between Greek East and Latin West, and which became the basis of much discussion relative to major and minor differences between Orthodox and Roman Catholics. by Rev. Dr. Miltiades B. Efthimiou

What happened back then? Why this animosity between East and West when historically, Eastern doctrine, intact to the present day, was held by the overwhelming majority of Christians who lived throughout the Empire and who irrespective where they resided, were still part of the Community of Churches professing a common faith of the “ One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. (Creed, 1st. Ecumenical Council, 325 A.D.) To answer this and understand what led up to the sacking of Constantinople in 1204, which set up a Latin Empire for about 50 or 60 years, ( 1204 – 1261), we must look at : Ecclesiastical and political differences, between East and West

Ecclesiastical Differences

The Latin-Greek split or schism before, during, and after the Fourth Crusade led to the theory that the Roman Catholic Church has one bishop ( the Pope), and all the other bishops are in essence his local representatives. (This eventually led to the erroneous dogma of papal infallibility proclaimed in 1870). Even after the great Schism of 1054, the split was not perceived consciously and the two Churches of East and West considered themselves in complete union. During the Frankish occupation of Greece and Cyprus, this relationship was readily demonstrated. But by the end of the 12th century and well into the thirteenth economic and political clashes and a deeper exposure to one another’s beliefs engendered a deep and vehement hatred. This became a pronounced reality in 1204 immediately following the sack of Constantinople, when the Pope approved the Venetian cleric Thomas Morisini as Patriarch of Constantinople. One of the key areas of doctrine that separated Latin from Orthodox Christianity was the Latin innovation and addition of the phrase “filioque” to the Nicene – Constantinopolitan Creed of the 1st and 2nd Ecumenical Synods (325 and 381 A.D., respectively). With this innovation the Latin creed reads; “…The Holy Spirit…which proceeds from the Father and the Son”. The Eastern Church rejected this addition both from an historical point of view, as well as a doctrinal one. The alteration of the original Creed occurred some time in the sixth or seventh century in Spain probably by mistake, for the Spanish Church had few men of learning in those early centuries. Most likely those who first introduced the “filioque” clause thought that they were using the original version and had no intention of challenging the authority of the Ecumenical Synods. This tradition spread North , and in the eighth century , it entered into the theological tradition of the Frankish Church. From Charlemagne on forward, theologians began interpreting the “fil-

Map of the infamous 4th Crusade.

ioque” in the strictest and most literal terms. Although a few popes ( Hadrian I and Leo III ) opposed it, by the ninth century the “filioque” had become a permanent tradition in the West. This tradition became the object of attack by Patriarch Photios, whose opposition to the Latins included a strong admonition to the hierarchy of the Western Church. In one of his homilies, Photios, probably for the first time, suggests that the “shepherds” of the West were heretics: “ Is the shepherd a heretic? Then he is a wolf, and it will be needful to flee and keep away from him….is the shepherd Orthodox?…then submit to him, since he governs according to the standards of Christ.” As the issues of the procession of the Holy Spirit became the object of heated debate in the next several centuries, the Orthodox began to reason like Patriarch Photios in their attitudes toward the Latins. The Latins in turn, in total ignorance of the history of the addition of the “filioque,” actually charged the Byzantines of Constantinople with the crime of having “ deleted “ the phrase from the Creed. By the fourth crusade in 1204, each side retreated from earlier more moderate positions, and took up extreme ones, and in the case of the Latins, used it as one of the main reasons for sacking Constantinople and defiling the great Church of Hagia Sophia, firmly believing that as crusaders, they were defending orthodoxy against heresy. Ergo, pillaging, raping, killing, in the name of the Church and Pope. What were some of the other key ecclesiastical differences? Married clergy. In East and West there had always been married clergy as well as celibates. Until the sixth century bishops could be married, but from that century on, Church canons stated that bishops must be celibate. In the West, however, the Spanish Council of Elvira ( 300 A.D.) insisted that the clergy must renounce cohabitation with their wives. In the East a married man was eligible to be ordained bishop, but no clergyman already ordained was allowed to marry. Canon 13 of the Quinisext Ecumenical Synod condemned the Latin practice of obligatory celibacy. Although there were other religious theological differences with the Greeks of Byzantium, the throng of crusaders entering Constantinople in 1204 had a long list of religious indictments they used to persecute their fellow Christians in the East. The most serious one was the use of leavened bread in the Holy Eucharist, or, in the case of the Latins, unleavened bread (azyma.) In the 11th century Patriarch Michael Kerularios initiated a formal attack upon the western practice of the use of unleavened bread. He ordered Archbishop Leo of Ochrid to draw up a treatise attacking the Latin innovation as not consistent with how the Eucharist was used in the early

Church when leavened bread – enzyma – was used. There were other innovations of doctrine ( i.e. purgatory, divorce, liturgical abuses, which would take a whole book to list, and which were defended by the crusaders and Latins to subjugate the Byzantines in 1204.)

Political Differences

Prior to 1204, the opposing views between East and West first came into serious collision with Patriarch Photios when he encouraged missionaries to propagate the Creed, without the ‘filioque” clause among the Slavic people in the North. Pope Nicholas I, (858-867) told the Byzantine emperors that they were not emperors of the Romans in the West. This was consistent with the Council of Frankfort in 794 that decided that the Frankish king, independent of both of Pope and Emperor had now replaced, by this alleged universal council, the Byzantine Basileus, and was now directing the entire Church. By the 10th. century, beginning with Otto I in 962, the Saxon emperors came to Rome to be crowned according to Frankish-Germanic liturgical practices which had permeated the West ( since the time of Charlemagne,) almost 2 centuries earlier. From the time of Henry II, and with the blessings of Benedict VIII, (1012-1024), the “filioque” clause was permanently added to the Creed in the Roman mass, and from this time, popes appointed by the Saxon emperors were not commemorated in the liturgies in the East, (a practice which continues to the present day.) In the days of the crusaders, the Byzantines considered the Western Church as heretical. Following the tragic event of July 16,1054, when cardinal Humbert entered Hagia Sophia and immediately before the Divine Liturgy placed a bull of excommunication on the Altar, on behalf of the deceased pope Leo IX, things went from bad to worse when in 1071, the Normans conquered Bari (Italy), the last remaining Byzantine possession in Italy. By that time, the Byzantine Empire found itself unable to defend its land even closer than Italy. They were unable to cope with the double invasion that swept the empire – by the Patzinaks from across the Danube and by the Turks from the heart of Asia Minor. In 1071 they defeated and captured Emperor Romanos IV in the tragic battle of Manzikert. The loss of Bari and defeat at Manzikert in the same year indicated the condition of the Empire. In 1071 Jerusalem and the Holy Sepulchre also passed into Turkish hands for the first time. These desperate circumstances minimized the ecclesiastical differences between Byzantium and the West. Leaders in all parts of Europe, including Byzantium, considered the papacy as the only power able to restrain the Normans and the Patzinaks and Turks. After the fall of Manzikert, the new emperor of Byzantium, Michael VII,

opened negotiations with the Normans and with Gregory VII, the new pope. Gregory opened a new page in the history of East – West relations. Church and Imperium assumed new dimensions that presaged the disastrous betrayal of the papacy that led to the tragic fourth Crusade of 1204. It includes an account of the reconciliatory policies of practically all Byzantine Emperors toward the Pope for mercenary troops, beginning with Pope Urban II, and the first Crusade in 1095, and ending with the Fourth Crusade in 1204, when Emperor Alexios enlisted sympathy and aid from the West in battling the Turks, with a prerequisite that any negotiation with Pope Innocent III, must include acknowledging the primacy of Rome over all aspects of Byzantium, ( which was now a shell of what was once a great Empire). In April, 1204, they sacked Constantinople, and Count Baldwin of Flanders and Hainaut became the Emperor of the newly established Latin Empire. Contributing to the demise of the Byzantines and the establishment of a Latin Empire following the Fourth Crusade was the weakness of the Angeloi dynasty and the greed and hostility of Byzantium’s Latin enemies. The pattern in the West was very consistent. Innocent declared that Christians who did not adhere to the Latin West were “ worse than Saracen Turks” because they stood in the way of the recovery of the Holy Sepulchre.

Conclusion

While Pope John Paul II gives an apology to Patriarch Bartholomew for the Fourth Crusade, there are several things that historically need to be always before us: Historians and Church leaders often emphasize political and military causes of the Crusades, but have glossed over,- even ignored – the religious, economic, social and intellectual causes. This oversight indicates that the study of Byzantium itself has been too long a neglected area of Western history. Now that the darkness is gradually lifting, one sees that in the East, the history of the Empire was much more than a chronicle of palace intrigues, internal revolutions, theological controversies, conclaves and ritualistic ceremonies, which historians viewed as trivial. The Fourth Crusade also gives us an opportunity to observe how people or rulers confronted the accidents and peculiarities of history and how, as a result, the course of human events were determined. These events involved not only the establishment of an empire in Constantinople, but also in other places. The history of Frankish Greece begins with the Fourth Crusade – an attempt to unite Europe and the East in the interest of temporal and ecclesiastical gain. Does the “apology” of Pope John Paul II include this? After an existence of half a century, the Latin Empire of Constantinople also failed, nevertheless, the East remained full of Latin settlements. Does the “apology” of Pope John Paul II include this? Venice retained the essential positions of her colonial empire in the Levant, Negrepont and Crete, and the strong citadels of Modon and Coron; her patrician families kept most of their signories in the Archipelago, as did the other Latin states in Greece which were products of the Crusade. Does the Pope’s “Apology” include these? The tragedy of the Fourth Crusade was that by the time of Michael Palaiologus’ Solemn entry into Constantinople on Aug. 15, 1261, marking the end of the Latin Empire, darkness befell a disillusioned Europe. u page 24

MAY – JUNE 2004

The Voice of

Philoptochos

North Carolina Doctor Gives Major Gift to Children’s Medical Fund DEARBORN, Mich. – Dr. and Mrs. Michael Morykwas of North Carolina, attending the 9th Biennial National Philoptochos’ Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon at the Ritz Carlton hotel, were inspired to contribute a matching grant of $125,000 to the National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund at the same time that the National President of Philoptochos, Georgia Skeadas, was presenting by Terry Kokas

$25,000 to each of five hospitals in the Metropolis of Detroit. The purpose of the matching contribution was to increase the $25,000 donation amount to $50,000 to each hospital, in order to do research and care for seriously ill Greek Orthodox children. The luncheon was hosted by the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos under the chairmanship of Maria Stavropoulos, a member of the National Board for many years, and under the spiritual leadership of Metropolitan Nicholas. Mrs. Skeadas invited Dr. and Mrs. Morykwas to come to the dais where Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Nicholas warmly greeted and thanked them for their wonderful contribution. Dr. and Mrs. Morykwas are natives of Detroit and alumni of the University of Michigan. They were married at the Annunciation Cathedral in Detroit, MI in 1981. During the past 15 years they have resided in North Carolina where Dr. Morykwas is a distinguished wound care researcher at Wake Forest University School of Medicine. He and his partner, Dr. Louis Argenta, are the inventors of the V.A.C (Vacuum Assisted Closure) a would healing device and technique used world wide as a standard for wound care. Dr. and Mrs. Morykwas are benefactors of the Winston-Salem Symphony, the public radio, classical music station in Winston-Salem and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. They are extremely supportive of animal rescue. The newly renovated and

LUNCHEON DIGNITARIES – National Philoptochos Medical Fund Luncheon guests (l. to r.) Nia Vardalos, Dr. and Mrs. Michael Morykwas, Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Nicholas and Georgia Skeadas.

expanded Forsyth County Humane Society building in Winston-Salem is named “The Franklin and Peabody Morykwas Adoption Center” in memory of their late basset hounds. They are also benefactors of the North Shore Animal League, Canine Companions for Independence, and the Animal Adoption and Rescue Foundation. They are in addition financially assisting the Ayios Georgis orphanage in Athens, Greece. Dr. and Mrs. Morykwas who live in Winston-Salem recently donated all of the iconography for the dome at the Annunciation Cathedral in Detroit, in memory of their mothers, Mrs. Steven (Georgia) Galanos and Mrs. Steve F. (Katherine) Morykwas. Mrs. Morykwas’ mother was a member of the Annunciation Cathedral Philoptochos serving as an officer including chapter president. The National Philoptochos President, Georgia Skeadas officially thanked Dr. and Mrs. Morykwas

for their generous contribution stating: “Words cannot begin to express to you the tremendous gratitude of the entire National Philoptochos Society for the extraordinary donation you contributed as a matching grant of $125,000 to the five hospitals in the Metropolis of Detroit, at our 9th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon in Dearborn. “It is through your most generous gift and loving tribute, made in memory of your beloved mother, Georgia Galanos, and your aunt, Alice J. Pappas, that the National Philoptochos Society is able to continue to assist gravely ill children through innovative programs at leading Children’s Hospitals that are at the forefront of research and medical care.” “Once again, our deepest expression of love and gratitude is extended to you for your generosity and commitment of children and ideals of Philoptochos.” “May God shower you with love, peace and every good and perfect gift.”

President Skeadas Congratulates Members

Dear Chapter Presidents and Members, Congratulations!!! This congratulatory letter is directed to you, the presidents of our great philanthropic organization, and in turn to the esteemed members of your boards and chapters. Under your superb leadership (and of course under the leadership of the previous past presidents of your chapters), you have truly inspired your members to be the most generous of contributors, which produced a banner year, 2003. As a result of the generous donation of your time and talent, you have contributed a record amount of monies enabling the National Board of Philoptochos, on your behalf, to be most charitable in its donations. In 2003, the National Board distributed a total of $1,472,421 from the fund drives. In addition, $70,79l was collected from the chapters and forwarded to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for the medical expenses of the Sclavos family. That brings the grand total to $1,543,212. Your selfless and untiring efforts resulted in helping the fine causes listed in the enclosed attachment. Let us be thankful in the Lord that your successes have assisted most profoundly in the needs of others. In addition, it should also be emphasized, that the number of recipients touched by the donations listed represents only a small part of the countless numbers of people that have been personally touched in your community by your local chapter. Remain strong, faithful, united, and continue to promote the goals of your Philoptochos. We are proud of you – our fine presidents and members and we thank each and every one of you. Congratulations and may God bless you and your families with much love, peace and goodness. With love in Christ, Georgia Skeadas, President National Philoptochos Society

More than 70 Years of Christian Philanthropy

he Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society reached an important milestone in 1981 – its 50th Anniversary. Established in 1931 by then Archbishop Athenagoras, Philoptochos became the philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in North and South America. In November, 1981, a Golden Anniversary luncheon took place at the Pierre Hotel in New York City to commemorate 50 years of Christian charity. The 50th anniversary of Philoptochos was officially celebrated during the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention in July, 1982 in San Francisco. To mark this historic event, a 50th anniversary album was printed focusing on the history and philanthropic achievements of Philoptochos. Beautiful messages were received from Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios, from Archbishop Iakovos, from first lady Nancy Reagan, from many governors and mayors across America, as well as religious leaders from the U.S. and Greece. A special highlight of the album was a photograph and history of all the Diocesan Philoptochos’ and every Philoptochos chapter in the United States, Canada, and South America.

T H E 5 0 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y Special features were included on St. Basil Academy, Holy Cross theological school, and the many National Philoptochos programs that had been undertaken during the 50-year history of Philoptochos. In his special greeting, Ecumenical Patriarch Demetrios states, “We wish to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the wonderful benevolent service your Society has offered during the past half century. Your Society ahs demonstrated true Christian love and has rendered valuable service on behalf of our suffering and needy brothers and sisters.” Archbishop Iakovos in his message state, “The blessed soul of the great and ever-memorable Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras would certainly rejoice and be filled with gladness on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the life and dedicated work of your Philoptochos Society. “Looking back over those 50th years, we can safely say that the Patriarch’s hopes and expectations in what your organization might achieve have been fulfilled in exactly the way he had envisioned. The Philoptochos Society’s outreach in the area of philanthropy and social and

moral concerns in the community and throughout the Archdiocese, across the nation and in Greece and other parts of the world has certainly been successful, perhaps even indescribable. “Most importantly, it bears the seal of the sensitivity and refinement that is the hallmark of your love souls as Greek Orthodox Churchwomen. “You certainly deserve to be praised and commended. As your spiritual father, allow me to convey the gratitude and appreciation of our Church on this special anniversary observance of your Society. “I congratulate all of you on your many achievements and I pray that God will bless you in abundance and enable you to continue in your praiseworthy, dedicated service to His Holy Church.” Mrs. Reagan stated, “You are to be commended for the many wonderful contributions you are making in your communities all across the country. There’s a marvelous saying that you only begin to live when you begin to give. How true that is. The President joins me in sending you our appreciation and warmest good wishes.” Then-National Philoptochos President Katherine Pappas of Boston, issued a

special message stating: “The accomplishments of the thousands of Philoptochos women from the early days of the twentieth century in the United States are too numerous to mention for any one history, any one album of celebration. “For many of these are unsung heroines who carried out their blessed tasks with discretion and confidence. It is a rare church and school of our Archdiocese that did not enjoy the beauty off the Philoptochos woman’s hands and hearts translated into deed of kindness and love. “A half century has passed since our beloved Patriarch Athenagoras I founded the Philoptochos Society, brining together the women of the Greek Orthodox faith with the inspired vision of a National Philoptochos organization. A dream that came to pass in 1931. “As we embark on the second half of this century, we are joined by the thousands of descendants of those early founders. Let us pray that the philanthropic goals and progressive programs that have inspired us for all these 50 years will continue to be blessed by the Lord and that the name of Philoptochos shall continue to be a beacon of light to all who need the loving service of Philoptochos women.” — by Terry Kokas

MAY – JUNE 2004

2003 TOTAL COMMITMENT PARISHES ARCHDIOCESAN DISTRICT: Annunciation Church, Stamford, CT • Archangels Church, Haralambos Church, Peoria, AZ • St. Katherine Church, Chandler, AZ • Annunciation Cathedral, San Stamford, CT • Assumption Church, Danbury, CT • Holy Trinity Church, Ansonia, CT • Holy Trinity Francisco, CA • Annunciation Church, Modesto, CA • Annunciation Church, Sacramento, CA • AscenChurch, Bridgeport, CT • Holy Trinity Church, Waterbury, CT • St. Barbara Church, Orange, CT • St. sion Cathedral, Oakland, CA • Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Long Beach, CA • Church of the Demetrios Church, Bristol, CT • St. George Church, New Britain, CT • St. George Church, Norwalk, Resurrection, Castro Valley, CA • Holy Cross Church, Belmont, CA • Holy Trinity Church, San Francisco, CT • Saint Sophia Cathedral, Washington, DC • Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Washington, DC • CA • Nativity of Christ Church, Ignacio, CA • Prophet Elias Church, San Bernardino, CA • Prophet Elias Annunciation Church, New York, NY • Archangel Michael Church, Roslyn Heights, NY • Assumption Church, Santa Cruz, CA • Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles, CA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Church, Port Jefferson, NY • Assumption Church, Windham, NY • Church of Our Saviour, Rye, NY • Vallejo, CA • St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church, Roseville, CA • St. Anthony Church, Pasadena, CA • Church of the Resurrection, Glen Cove, NY • Holy Cross Church, Brooklyn, NY • Holy Trinity Cathe- St. Barbara Church, Santa Barbara, CA • St. Basil Church, San Jose, CA • St. Basil Church, Stockton, dral, New York, NY • Holy Trinity Church, Hicksville, CA • St. Constantine & Helen Church, Cardiff-ByNY • Holy Trinity Church, New Rochelle, NY • Holy The-Sea, CA • St. Demetrios Church, Camarillo, CA Trinity-St. Nicholas Church, Staten Island, NY • Ki• St. Demetrios Church, Concord, CA • St. George, misis Tis Theotokou, Island Park, NY • Kimisis Tis Bakersfield, CA • St. George, Downey, CA • St. and the Department of Stewardship Ministry Theotokou, Brooklyn, NY • Kimisis Tis Theotokou George, Fresno, CA • St. George, Palm Desert, CA • extend their gratitude to all the parishes listed Church, Southampton, NY • St. Barbara Church, St. Gregory of Nyssa Church, El Cajon, CA • St. John New York, NY • St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, NY the Baptist Church, Anaheim, CA • St. John the Bapwhich have faithfully supported and completed the • St. Demetrios Church, Jamaica, NY • St. Demetrios tist Church, Salinas, CA • St. Katherine Church, Elk “2003 TOTAL COMMITMENT PROGRAM” Church, Merrick, NY • St. Eleftherios Church, New Grove, CA • St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, as of 3/31/2004 York, NY • St. George, Kingston, NY • St. George CA • St. Nectarios Church, Covina, CA • St. Nicholas - St. Demetrios Church, New York, NY • St. George Church, Northridge, CA • St. Nicholas Church, San “OUR LORD CONTINUES TO BLESS US ALL!” Church, Schenectady, NY • St. George Tropeoforos Jose, CA • St. Nicholas Church, Temecula, CA • St. Church, New York, NY • St. Gerasimos Church, New Paul Church, Irvine, CA • St. Spyridon Church, San York, NY • St. John Church, Blue Point, NY • St. John The Baptist Church, New York, NY • St. Markella Diego, CA • St. Spyridon Church, Upland, CA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Honolulu, HI • Church, Wantagh, NY • St. Nicholas Church, Newburgh, NY • St. Nicholas Church, West Babylon, NY • St. Anthony Church, Reno, NV • St. John the Baptist Church, Las Vegas, NV • Holy Trinity Church, St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY • St. Paraskevi Church, Greenlawn, NY • St. Paul Cathedral, Portland, OR • St. George Church, Eugene, OR • St. John the Baptist Church, Portland, OR • AssumpHempstead, NY • St. Peter the Apostle Church, Bronx, NY • St. Sophia Church, Albany, NY • St. Spyridon tion Church, Seattle, WA • Holy Trinity, Spokane, WA • Saint Sophia, Bellingham, WA • St. Demetrios Church, New York, NY • Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Jackson Heights, NY • Sts. Constantine & Church, Seattle, WA • St. Nicholas Church, Tacoma, WA Helen Church, West Nyack, NY • Transfiguration of Christ Church, Corona, NY • Transfiguration Of METROPOLIS OF ATLANTA: Annunciation Church, Mobile, AL • Annunciation Church, MontChrist Church, Mattituck, NY • Zoodohos Peghe Church, Bronx, NY gomery, AL • Holy Cross/SS.Constantine & Helen Church, Huntsville, AL • Holy Trinity-Holy Cross METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY: Holy Trinity, Wilmington, DE • Annunciation Cathedral, Balti- Cathedral, Birmingham, AL • Annunciation Church, Ft. Myers, FL • Annunciation Church, Pensacola, FL more, MD • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Annapolis, MD • SS. Peter and Paul Church, Frederick, • Holy Mother of God Church, Tallahasse, FL • Holy Trinity, Clearwater, FL • Holy Trinity, Maitland/OrMD • St. Demetrios Church, Baltimore, MD • St. George Church, Bethesda, MD • St. George Church, lando, FL • Holy Trinity, Port Charlotte, FL • Holy Trinity, St. Augustine, FL • SS. Markella & Demetrios Ocean City, MD • St. Nicholas Church, Baltimore, MD • St. Theodore Church, Lanham, MD • Ascen- Church, Ft. Walton Beach, FL • St. Andrew Church, Miami, FL • St. Barbara Church, Sarasota, FL • sion Church, Fairview, NJ • Evangelismos Tis Theotokou, Jersey City, NJ • Greek Orthodox Church St. Catherine Church, West Palm Beach, FL • St. Demetrios Church, Ft. Lauderdale, FL • St. Elizabeth Hunterdon County, Flemington, NJ • Holy Trinity, Egg Harbor Township, NJ • Holy Trinity, Westfield, Church, Gainesville, FL • St. George Church, Hollywood, FL • St. George Church, New Port Richey, FL NJ • Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Holmdel, NJ • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Orange, NJ • St. Andrew • St. John the Divine Church, Jacksonville, FL • St. John The Theologian Church, Panama City, FL • St. Church, Randolph, NJ • St. Anthony Church, Vineland, NJ • St. Athanasios Church, Paramus, NJ • St. Katherine Church, Melbourne, FL • St. Katherine Church, Naples, FL • St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Barbara Church, Toms River, NJ • St. Demetrios Church, North Wildwood, NJ • St. Demetrios Church, FL • St. Michael the Archangel Church, Lecanto, FL • St. Nicholas Cathedral, Tarpon Springs, FL • St. Perth Amboy, NJ • St. Demetrios Church, Union, NJ • St. Fanourios Church, Elizabeth, NJ • St. George Nicholas Chapel, Brooksville, FL • St. Nicholas Church, Ft. Pierce, FL • St. Sophia Cathedral, Miami, Church, Asbury Park, NJ • St. George Church, Clifton, NJ • St. George Church, Piscataway, NJ • St. FL • St. Sophia Church, Winter Haven, FL • St. Stefanos Church, St. Petersburg, FL • Annunciation George Church, Trenton, NJ • St. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, NJ • St. Nicholas Church, Cathedral, Atlanta, GA • Holy Cross Church, Macon, GA • Holy Transfiguration Church, Marietta, GA Newark, NJ • St. Nicholas Church, Wyckoff, NJ • St. Thomas Church, Cherry Hill, NJ • Annunciation • Holy Transfiguration Mission, Columbus, GA • Holy Trinity, Augusta, GA • SS Raphael, Nicholas & Church, Elkins Park, PA • Evangelismos Church, Philadelphia, PA • St. Demetrios Church, Upper Irene Church, Cumming, GA • St. Paul Church, Savannah, GA • St. Philothea Church, Watkinsville, Darby, PA • St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia, PA • St. George Church, Media, PA • St. Luke Church, GA • Holy Trinity Cathedral, New Orleans, LA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Monroe, LA • Holy Broomall, PA • St. Sophia, SS. Faith, Hope & Agape Chur, Jeffersonville, PA • Annunciation Cathedral, Trinity, Biloxi, MS • Holy Trinity&St. John the Theologian Chu, Jackson, MS • Annunciation Church, Norfolk, VA • Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church, Winchester, VA • Holy Trinity, Roanoke, VA • SS. Winston-Salem, NC • Dormition of the Theotokos Church, Greensboro, NC • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Richmond, VA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Newport News, Charlotte, NC • Holy Trinity, Asheville, NC • Holy Trinity, Raleigh, NC • SS. Constantine & Helen VA • St. Elpis Church, Hopewell, VA • St. George Church, Lynchburg, VA • St. Katherine Church, Falls Church, Fayetteville, NC • St. Barbara Church, Durham, NC • St. George Church, High Point, NC • Church, VA • St. Nicholas, Virginia Beach, VA • St. Peter Church, Danville, VA • The Nativity of the St. Katherine Church, Burlington, NC • St. Nektarios Church, Charlotte, NC • St. Nicholas Church, Theotokos, Fredericksburg, VA • Transfiguration Church, Charlottesville, VA Wilmington, NC • Holy Resurrection Church, Hilton Head, SC • Holy Trinity, Charleston, SC • Holy METROPOLIS OF CHICAGO: Holy Trinity Church, Sioux City, IA • St. Demetrios Church, Trinity, Columbia, SC • St. George Cathedral, Greenville, SC • St. John The Baptist Church, Myrtle Waterloo, IA • St. Elias The Prophet Church, Dubuque, IA • St. George Church, Des Moines, IA • Beach, SC • St. Nicholas Church, Spartanburg, SC • Transfiguration Church, Florence, SC • St. George St. John the Baptist Church, Cedar Rapids, IA • Transfiguration of our Lord Church, Mason City, IA Church, Knoxville, TN • All Saints Church, Joliet, IL • All Saints Church, Peoria, IL • Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago, IL METROPOLIS OF PITTSBURGH: Annunciation Church, Akron, OH • Archangel Michael Church, • Annunciation Church, Decatur, IL • Annunciation Church, Kankakee, IL • Ascension of Our Lord Campbell, OH • Holy Trinity, Canton, OH • Holy Trinity, Steubenville, OH • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Lincolnshire, IL • Assumption Church, Chicago, IL • Assumption Church, East Moline, IL • Cathedral, Cleveland, OH • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Mansfield, OH • St. Demetrios Church, Assumption Church, Hegewisch, IL • Assumption Church, Olympia Fields, IL • Holy Apostles Church, Rocky River, OH • St. Demetrios Church, Warren, OH • St. George Church, Massillon, OH • St. Nicholas Westchester, IL • Holy Cross Church, Justice, IL • Holy Taxiarhai - St. Haralambos Church, Niles, IL • Church, Lorain, OH • St. Paul Church, North Royalton, OH • Zoodochos Peghe Church, Martins Ferry, Holy Trinity Church, Chicago, IL • Saint Sophia Church, Elgin, IL • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, OH • All Saints Church, Canonsburg, PA • Annunciation Church, Lancaster, PA • Annunciation Church, Palos Hills, IL • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Rockford, IL • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, McKeesport/White Oak Boro, PA • Annunciation Church, York, PA • Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Swansea, IL • SS. Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, IL • St. Andrew Church, Chicago, IL • St. Anthony Church, New Kensington, PA • Dormition of the Theotokos Church, Oakmont, PA • Evangelismos Church, Springfield, IL • St. Athanasios Church, Aurora, IL • St. Basil Church, Chicago, IL • St. Demetrios Church, Easton, PA • Evangelismos Church, Farrell, PA • Holy Cross Church, Pittsburgh, PA • Holy Church, Chicago, IL • St. Demetrios Church, Elmhurst, IL • St. Demetrios Church, Waukegan, IL • St. Cross Church, Stroudsburg, PA • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Camp Hill, PA • Holy Trinity, Ambridge, PA • George Church, Chicago, IL • St. George Church, Dekalb, IL • St. George Church, Rock Island, IL • Holy Trinity, Pittsburgh, PA • Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Aliquippa, PA • Sts. Constantine & Helen, St. John the Baptist Church, Des Plaines, IL • St. Nectarios Church, Palatine, IL • St. Nicholas Church, Reading, PA • St. Mary’s Church, Johnstown, PA • St. Matthew, Reading, PA • St. Nicholas Cathedral, Oak Lawn, IL • St. Spyridon Church, Palos Heights, IL • Three Hierarchs Church, Champaign, IL • SS. Pittsburgh, PA • St. Spyridon, Monessen, PA • Assumption Church, Morgantown, WV • St. George Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Merrillville, IN • St. Andrew Church, South Bend, IN • St. Demetrios Church, Huntington, WV • St. John Church, Charleston, WV • St. Spyridon Church, Clarksburg, WV Church, Hammond, IN • St. George Church, Schererville, IN • St. Iakovos Church, Valparaiso, IN • METROPOLIS OF DETROIT: Annunciation Church, Little Rock, AR • Zoodochos Peghe Church, Holy Anargyroi/SS.Cosmas&Damianos Church, Rochester, MN • St. George Church, St. Paul, MN • Hot Springs, AR • Holy Trinity, Indianapolis, IN • Assumption Church, Louisville, KY • Panagia PanSt. Mary’s Church, Minneapolis, MN • The Twelve Holy Apostles Church, Duluth, MN • Assumption tovasilissa Church, Lexington, KY • Annunciation Cathedral, Detroit, MI • Annunciation Church, Church, Town & Country, MO • St. Luke the Evangelist Church, Columbia, MO • St. Nicholas Church, Kalamazoo, MI • Annunciation Church, Muskegon, MI • Assumption Church, Flint, MI • Assumption St. Louis, MO • Annunciation Church, Milwaukee, WI • Assumption Church, Madison, WI • Holy Trinity Church, Marquette, MI • Assumption Church, St. Clair Shores, MI • Holy Cross Church, Farmington Church, Fond Du Lac, WI • Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church, Racine, WI • SS. Constantine and Helen Hills, MI • Holy Trinity, Grand Rapids, MI • Holy Trinity, Lansing, MI • Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church, Wauwatosa, WI • St. Nicholas Church, Appleton, WI • St. Spyridon Church, Sheboygan, WI Church, Plymouth Township, MI • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Westland, MI • St. Demetrios METROPOLIS OF BOSTON: Holy Trinity Church, Danielson, CT • Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, Church, Saginaw, MI • St. George Church, Bloomfield Hills, MI • St. George Church, Southgate, MI • CT • Saint Sophia Church, New London, CT • Annunciation Cathedral, Boston, MA • Annunciation St. John Church, Sterling Heights, MI • St. Nicholas Church, Ann Arbor, MI • St. Nicholas Church, Troy, Church, Brockton, MA • Annunciation Church, Newburyport, MA • Annunciation Church, Woburn, MI • Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY • Annunciation Church, Rochester, NY • Annunciation Church, MA • Assumption Church, Ipswich, MA • Assumption of the Virgin Mary Church, Dracut, MA • Holy Vestal, NY • Holy Spirit Church, Rochester, NY • Saint Sophia Church, Syracuse, NY • SS. Theodoroi Apostles / SS. Peter & Paul Church, Haverhill, MA • Holy Trinity Church, Fitchburg, MA • Holy Trinity Church, Gloversville, NY • St. Catherine Church, Ithaca, NY • St. Nicholas Church, Jamestown, NY • Church, Holyoke, MA • Holy Trinity Church, Lowell, MA • Nativity of the Virgin Mary, Cohasset, MA • Annunciation Church, Dayton, OH • Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin, Springfield, OH • Holy SS. Anargyroi Church, Marlboro, MA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Andover, MA • SS. Constantine Trinity - St. Nicholas Church, Cincinnati, OH • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Toledo, OH • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Chicopee Falls, MA • SS. Constantine & Helen Church, Webster, MA • St. Athanasius & Helen Church, Middletown, OH • Annunciation Church, Chattanooga, TN • Annunciation Church, the Great Church, Arlington, MA • St. Catherine Church, Quincy, MA • St. Demetrios Church, Weston, Memphis, TN • Holy Trinity, Nashville, TN MA • St. George Cathedral, Springfield, MA • St. George Church, Hyannis/Centerville, MA • St. George METROPOLIS OF DENVER: Assumption Cathedral, Denver, CO • Saint Catherine Church, Church, Lowell, MA • St. George Church, Lynn, MA • St. George Church, New Bedford, MA • St. George Greenwood Village, CO • SS. Peter & Paul Church, Boulder, CO • St. John The Baptist, Pueblo, CO • Church, Pittsfield, MA • St. George Church, Southbridge, MA • St. Gregory the Theologian Church, St. Nicholas Church, Grand Junction, CO • Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Boise, ID • St. Dionysios Mansfield, MA • St. John The Baptist Church, Boston, MA • St. Luke Church, East Longmeadow, MA Church, Overland Park, KS • St. George, Shreveport, LA • Annunciation Church, Kansas City, MO • • St. Nectarios Church, Roslindale, MA • St. Nicholas Church, Clinton, MA • St. Nicholas Church, Lex- Annunciation Church, Missoula, MT • Annunciation Church, Lincoln, NE • Assumption Church, Baington, MA • St. Spyridon Cathedral, Worcester, MA • St. Vasilios Church, Peabody, MA • Taxiarchae yard, NE • St. John the Baptist Church, Omaha, NE • St. Elias the Prophet Church, Santa Fe, NM • St. Church, Watertown, MA • Transfiguration of Our Saviour Church, Lowell, MA • Holy Trinity Church, George Church, Albuquerque, NM • Holy Trinity, Tulsa, OK • St. George Church, Oklahoma City, OK Lewiston, ME • Holy Trinity Church, Portland, ME • St. Demetrios Church, Saco, ME • St. George • Annunciation Cathedral, Houston, TX • Assumption Church, Galveston, TX • Assumption Church, Church, Bangor, ME • Assumption Church, Manchester, NH • Assumption Church, Somersworth, NH San Angelo, TX • Holy Cross Church, Wichita Falls, TX • Holy Trinity, Dallas, TX • Saint Sophia Church, • Holy Trinity Church, Concord, NH • St. George Cathedral, Manchester, NH • St. George Church, San Antonio, TX • St. Andrew Church, Lubbock, TX • St. Athanasios the Great Church, San Angelo, Keene, NH • St. Nicholas Church, Manchester, NH • St. Philip Church, Nashua, NH • St. Vasilios TX • St. Basil the Great Church, Houston, TX • St. Demetrios Church, Fort Worth, TX • St. John the Church, Newport, NH • Annunciation Church, Cranston, RI • Assumption Church, Pawtucket, RI • Baptist Church, Euless, TX • St. John the Prodromos Church, Amarillo, TX • St. John the Theologian Dormition of The Mother Of God Church, Burlington, VT Church, Webster, TX • St. Nicholas Church, Corpus Christi, TX • St. Nicholas Church, El Paso, TX • St. METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO: Holy Transfiguration Church, Anchorage, AK • Assumption Nicholas Church, Waco, TX • Transfiguration, Austin, TX • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Salt Lake City, UT • Church, Scottsdale, AZ • Holy Trinity Cathedral, Phoenix, AZ • St. Demetrios Church, Tucson, AZ • St. Transfiguration, Ogden, UT • Holy Trinity, Casper, WY • SS. Constantine & Helen, Cheyenne, WY

THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

MAY – JUNE 2004

PEOPLE

uNew judge The first judge of Greek Orthodox background recently was sworn in Horry County, S.C. Chris Arakas took the oath on March 1 at the Conway City Courthouse with Fr. George S. Zervos, pastor of St. John The Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach giving the invocation. Judge Arakas is a former police sergeant for the city of Myrtle Beach.

uDoctor joins center John C. Sarantopoulos D.O. recently was named director of “Regenesis,” the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Greek American Rehabilitation and Nursing Centre in Wheeling, Ill. Dr. Sarantopoulos received his medical degree from the Ohio University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency at the University of Chicago/Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital Program. He is currently in private practice in Chicago and Roselle, Ill.

uGWUC Awards The Greek Women’s University Club of Chicago recently honored four winners at its 16th National Music Competition on March 27. They were flutist Kristin Paxinos of Aurora, Ill.; soprano Mitina of St. Petersburg, Russia; pianist Anastasia Antonakis of Biddeford, Maine; and soprano Mary Lutz of Chicago.

uWins election John Lazares, superintendent of the Warren County (Ohio) Educational Services Center, Warren County Alternative School and Warren County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, has won statewide election to the State Teachers Retirement System Board. He will begin his four-year term Sept. 1. Mr. Lazares is a member of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church in Cincinnati and was a parish council member 14 years.

uChi Rho winner Nine-year-old Stavroula Christopoulos, a member of St. George Church in Knoxville, Tenn., recently became the first winner in Knoxville of the Chi-Rho Award from the Eastern Orthodox Committee of Scouting. Stavroula earned the honor through projects she did as a member of Girl Scout Troop 327. Among these projects, Stavroula collected about 50 baby items, including sleepers, blankets and other clothing that she donated to the neonatal intensive care unit at East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. She also baked prosforo for services at her church. During a visit to the village of Diakastro, Greece, where her father was born, she volunteered to help restore one of the old church buildings there. She spent about half a day sweeping floors and using sticks to clear out spider webs and cobwebs. Another of Stavroula’s projects was to run in the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure. Stavroula is the daughter of Christos and Xrisanthe Christopoulos and granddaughter of Harry and Victoria Marie Moskos of Albuquerque, N.M.

From St. John Chrysostom to St. Nicholas FLUSHING, QUEENS, N.Y. – On any given day during the school year, more than 1,000 children pass through the doors of St. Nicholas Shrine Church. But that’s only one of the staggering statistics that characterizes this community, possibly the single largest church of the Archdiocese (technically, the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria may be larger, but it has two churches, St. Demetrios Cathedral and St. Catherine-St. George). There are at least 25 separate organizations that serve the vast parish membership, ranging from several youth groups, to men’s and women’s organizations, Bible study groups, a senior citizens group, a fellowship group

P A R I S H

pacity of 500, a typical Sunday morning service is standing room only, much like the Easter Resurrection service at most parishes. The first liturgy uses a little more English, while the second makes more use of Greek. Once a month, an all-English liturgy is celebrated in the Sts. Cosmas and Damianos Chapel, attached to one side of the main church building. Speaking of Easter, and Holy Week, to accommodate the hundreds more who attend these services than other liturgies during the year, two services are held simultaneously on Palm Sunday, and again on Holy Friday and at the Anastasis service Holy Saturday night. The main church quickly becomes filled beyond capacity and the second

church’s first, and longest-serving priest. He served the community for 23 years. On Nov. 13, Archbishop Michael officiated at a Divine Liturgy and offered the first name for the church, St. John Chrysostom. An assembly followed in where parishioners were able to vote on several names presented and the name St. Nicholas was chosen by a 200-vote margin. From its beginning, the parish grew rapidly. In 1964, the community purchased its present site at 196th Street and Northern Boulevard, the busy main thoroughfare of northern Queens. Archbishop Iakovos broke ground for the new building and construction began in 1969. The Arch-

p ro f i l e

Name: Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas Location: Flushing, N.Y. Direct Archdiocese District Size: 2,000 families pledged; but serves up to 5,000 in the area Founded: 1955 Clergy: Rev. Paul Palesty (Holy Cross ’76), Rev. John K. Lardas (HC ’91), Rev. James I. Iliou (HC ’96); and Fr. Anastasios Diakovassilis (retired part-time priest) Noteworthy: One of the three largest single churches in the U.S.

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

for widows, two choirs and others. services take place in the community “Our ministry is fulfilling in the center/gymnasium located below ground sense that the size of the parish, and under the Spyropoulos School. Several especially the ministries with children, hundred people attend. offers,” said Fr. Paul Palesty, now in his When the time comes for the outdoor seventh year as proistamenos. Epitaphios procession, both Kouvouklions Much of the focus of his ministry, are brought out and the two congregations and that of the assistant priests and merge for the procession before returning church community as a whole, is edu- to their respective worship areas. cation and youth. The parish has scout Again on Holy Saturday groups, sports teams, a junior choir night, two services take place and three schools as part of this until the Anastasis service, outreach. when the groups file outside One major and again merge into a sea of component is faces and candles that fills the the William Spysidewalks and street in front of ropoulos Greek the church. American Day Even with the extra serSchool with vices, there is still an overflow an enrollment crowd outside listening of 500 in grades nursery through FLUSHING, NY to the service over the 8th. The school is one of the top-rated sound system. private educational institutions in New The amazing fact about York and is housed in a two-story buildthis mega-parish is that it ing that is part of the sprawling church reached this size in less than 50 years. complex. Tuition is $4,050 per year for Taking a doctor’s advice junior high students and $3,750 for elAccording to a parish history by Krisementary level. After regular school hours, the tine Marames, the parish got its start in Greek afternoon school takes over the 1955, when a Dr. Anthony Vasilas and his building. Greek school enrollment is father proposed the idea of a church for nearly 375 that also goes through 8th the Flushing and eastern Queens area. At the time, the closest parishes were in grade. In September 2000, the parish the Queens neighborhoods of Corona, opened the first city-accredited pre- a few miles west; and Jamaica, to the school, the Evlavia Doulaveris School, southwest. Within a few weeks, more than 450 with an enrollment of nearly 75. Sunday School has 570 students people met with Archdiocese officials enrolled in two sessions. The size of the to discuss the establishment of a new parish necessitates two Sunday morn- church. The community purchased an existing divine liturgies and the children meet at those times in the Spyropoulos ing church, a wood-frame and stucco building, coming into the church for building in a quiet neighborhood near central Flushing in September. communion. Fr. Constantine Volaitis became the While the nave has a seating ca-

bishop officially opened the church on March 28, 1971. Built in an octagonal design patterned after an ancient church in Constantinople, Sts. Sergius and Bacchus its imposing exterior is of “old Indian brick,” having a deep brown hue with white trim topped by a central dome. In 1972, Archbishop Iakovos received relics of St. Nicholas from the Roman Catholic church in Bari, Italy, and St. Nicholas became a shrine church. The church launched an extensive iconography project in 1977 with four different iconographers, a Romanian and three from Greece, producing the interior decoration, including the platytera, pantocrator and other works. Awe-inspiring could best describe the church’s cavernous interior. Upon entering the nave, a visitor to St. Nicholas is confronted by six massive fresco panels on the north and south walls that depict various scenes from the life of Christ, from the Annunciation to the Ascension, Pentecost, women saints, stories from the parables, the Creation story and the Last Judgment. The relics of St. Nicholas are enshrined in a reliquary to the right of the altar. Mosaics and marble carvings made from marble imported from the same quarry used by Michelangelo are among other interior decorations.

Physical expansion

As the parish continues to grow in numbers, so does its need for an expanded physical facility. Over the past decade, the community has been purchasing property

u page 24

Video Honors Contributions of George Kokalis NEW YORK.– GOTelecom has recently

produced a video about the inspiring life of George P. Kokalis and his philanthropic activities on behalf of the Church. “With God All Things Are Possible: The Inspirational Life of George P. Kokalis” traces his life from his early childhood in Greece to his formative and adult years in Chicago beginning at age 11 where he came to learn the produce business from a brother in law and ended up as a supermarket chain owner. In the process, he became very much involved with the Church, from the parish to the national level as a member of the Archdiocesan Council, as a founding member of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund. The video was produced to inspire others to support the Church and its ministries. “It’s very important to stimulate people to give more money,” said Mr. Kokalis, who over the years has supported many causes in addition to the Church’s

ministries. Since 1965 he has lived in Phoenix and has helped build that community over the years, from purchasing property to donating for the new church, community center and classrooms. His philanthropy has extended to the greater Phoenix community, supporting the construction of a chapel at a local hospital and other projects. In the 38-minute film, there are testimonials in praise of Mr. Kokalis from Archbishop Iakovos, Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco and Holy Cross-Hellenic College President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou. Archbishop Demetrios said of Mr. Kokalis that he is “very clear about what leadership is about,” and that he was “eager for Leadership 100 to fund the ministries of the Church. The video was sponsored by Charles Speros in memory of his daughter, Charlynn Stella Speros, Mr. Kokalis’ godchild, who died in 1988.

4TH CRUSADE u page 20

Once and for all, the course of events, the ideology of a united Christendom between Latins and Greeks had diminished, and despite many “apologies” by many church leaders through the ages, subsequent history after the Fourth Crusade was one of gradual decay. Perhaps there is hope. But it will take more than an “apology.” It means a return wholly to the traditional faith of the Church, which includes an ecclesiology before there was any such thing as a Byzantine Empire or a Papacy. Not an endorsement of an alien sectarian or modern concept of “church” but simply an Orthodox Catholic and Apostolic Faith held in common by all those who lived during the first centuries of Christian history. An “apology” coupled with this acknowledgement will go far to clean up the misnomers of 1204.

PARISH PROFILE u page 23 adjacent to the church to the point where it now owns more than half the block the church complex occupies. Fr. Palesty noted the community “is looking to build a cultural center that will interface with the existing complex” that will include a new fellowship hall, auditorium, full-size gym; two levels of classrooms and meeting rooms. The proposed 35,000-square-foot project will involve reconfiguring the current underground center that also serves as a cafeteria for the school. It will be split into two floors, with the upper part to serve as the new wing for the preschool. Fr. Palesty is only the fourth priest to serve the parish since its founding. Following Fr. Volaitis’ departure in 1979 to serve as chancellor of the Pittsburgh Diocese, he was succeeded by the Very Rev. Athenagoras Aneste (currently Metropolitan Athenagoras of Panama) who was the priest for three years before he was ordained a bishop. Fr. George Passias, then the assistant pastor, became the proistamenos in 1982 and served until August 1997, when he became the Archdiocese chancellor. Fr. Palesty came to St. Nicholas from a parish of fewer than 300 families on Long Island, St. Demetrios in Merrick. Previously, he had served communities in San Jose, Calif., and Lexington, Mass. He said he felt “a little trepidation,” at suddenly going to a parish 10 times the size of that he was serving, “not so

Rev. Dr. Miltiades B. Efthimiou, a retired priest of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America after 45 years, has served parishes in New York, Michigan, Ohio and New Jersey. For 15 years, (1981-1996), he held leadership positions in the Archdiocese among them Director of the Department of Church and Society, Executive Director of ArchonsOrder of St. Andrew, and Ecumenical Officer of the Standing Conference of Orthodox Bishops in America. He holds the highest honorific title for a priest: Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, and has published numerous articles and essays, as well as two books:” The History of the Greek Orthodox Church of America;” and “Greeks and Latins on Cyprus.” Dr. Efthimiou has two children and two grandchildren and resides in New York.

much for the ministry, because whether your in a large or small parish, ministering to people is the same, but I felt the administrative aspect would take away from being a priest. But that’s why we have the assistants that we have. “One thing we managed to keep is a personal ministry with people. St. Nicholas has always had that. We don’t allow the size of the parish to make us feel we’re too large to reach out.” That reach out includes almost daily visits by the priests to nursing homes and hospitals. The four priests divide the ministries with each taking a different activity at different times. Fr. Paul’s day, for example, usually begins about 8 a.m. and with his duties and ministries, including attending the parish council and other meetings, the day could stretch “all the way through midnight.” In addition to the clergy, running the parish involves a large staff and numerous volunteers, including four secretaries in the administrative office and two in the school, and a large budget. The number of volunteers reaches into the hundreds, including about 60 church school teachers, as well as nearly 150 youth advisors and basketball coaches. The operation takes an annual operating budget, including that of the schools, of about $3.8 million, with most revenue derived from stewardship, supplemented by a yearly Greek festival held in October and other sources. — Compiled by Jim Golding

MAY – JUNE 2004

Cappella Romana Performs in Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS – A world-renowned classical vocal group brought Byzantine and Slavic chants to life in “Music for the Fall of Constantinople,” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 21 at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral. The group, Portland, Oregon-based Cappella Romana, a vocal chamber touring ensemble of nine singers, performed in Indianapolis as part of the Holy Trinity Church Cappella Romana Vocal Ensemble during a performance. Cultural Series and the Bloomington Early scholarship in its continuing exploration Music Festival. of musical traditions of the East and West, Led by founder and musical director with emphasis on early and contemporary Alexander Lingas, Cappella Romana’s music. Its name derives from the medieval sound transports Western audiences far concept of the Roman inhabited world, from the 21st century music they have or oikoumene, including the ‘Old’ Rome grown accustomed to. The ensemble, and Western Europe, the ‘New Rome’ instead, exhibits emphasis of early and of Constantinople, the ‘Third Rome,’ contemporary music of the Christian of Moscow and the commonwealth of East and West. “The choir sings hymns Slavic and Syriac countries. Visit http: and antiphons, mostly a capella, often //www.cappellaromana.org. in unison,” writes Chris Pasles of the The mission of the Holy Trinity Los Angeles Times. “When it breaks into Church Cultural Series is to provide the harmony, the effect is like jeweled light Indianapolis community an opportunity flooding the space.” Most recently, Cap- to experience an array of artistic talent, as pella Romana performed on the world it relates to Greek Orthodoxy and Hellenic stage, as part of the Byzantine Festival in Culture. Each May, the Bloomington Early London, which included distinguished Music Festival brings together leading soguests such as The Duke of Kent, Sir John loists and ensembles for a series of conTavener and the ambassador of Greece to certs, opera, workshops, and pre-concert Great Britain. The group also performed talks. As the only festival of its kind in the at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New Midwest, the festival serves the BloomingYork, as part of the international exhibi- ton community, the Midwest region, and tion, “Byzantium: Faith and Power.” a growing number of music lovers from Founded in 1991, Cappella Romana across the United States. For more inforis dedicated to combining passion and mation, visit http://www.blemf.org.

THE ASCENTION u page 7 Rather, our liturgical mountain top experience of the Ascension should bring both a recollection, as well as an endeepening of existing truth already possessed about our Lord. Like the “angels” and “powers” beholding Christ’s Ascension, the first thing we learn, therefore, upon the mountain is the identity of Christ. Although the disciples had known Jesus as a man, the Ascension revealed to them that He has likewise “inseparable from the Father’s bosom,” as the Doxastikon of the Vesper Service indicates. In other words, our ability to truly grasp the mystery of Christ’s Incarnation, Crucifixion and Resurrection worship of His Ascension must be enhanced. The humiliation of Christ’s Passion, must therefore, find its ultimate glorification in His Ascension. The second facet of a three-pronged examination of the catechetical content of Christ’s Ascension concerns the descent of the Holy Spirit. The Apolotikion of the Ascension insists that, “Christ ascended so that He might send the Holy Spirit.” Although, as we have already noted, Christ opened their eyes to the scriptures, He Himself insisted that it would be the Holy Spirit’s responsibility to expand and strengthen this understanding. “When a spirit of truth comes,” counseled Jesus, “He will guide you unto all truth.” This information about the Holy Spirit’s arrival calmed the inner dissonance caused by their Master’s impending departure and helped create joy in the disciples’ hearts. Finally, the celebration of Christ’s Ascension is a liturgical opportunity for spiritual joy. Once again the hymnology of Vespers petitions of our behalf: “make us likewise worthy of the immeasurable joy which Thou didst fill the disciples and mother by your ascension.” This, then, is our contemporary joy, although we were not given the historical

opportunity to physically walk with our Lord, the ministry of the Holy Spirit affords us the opportunity to nevertheless “know Him” (John 16:14) and “abide in Him.” (John 15:7) St. Gregory of Nyssa, having experienced this joy underscores with conviction that “the Ascension of Christ is the confirmation and fulfillment of all other feasts and the happy and the joyous conclusion of the earthly sojourn of Jesus Christ.” “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord...to the house of the God of Jacob and He will teach us His ways.” (Isaiah 2:2-3) So concludes the first of the three Old Testament lessons read at the Great Vespers of the Ascension. As we “take leave” of the Easter Feast, the Celebration of Christ’s Ascension gathers together all of Christ’s physical appearances during the Pentecostarion period during whose forty days “Christ appeared and taught His apostles about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1-3) Here then our experience of “the mountain” grows in majesty for in the words of St. Augustine, “The mountain, as the prophets have taught us, is the Lord Himself.” What about our experience of Christ during this time? Have we spent time with the Risen Lord in prayer upon His mountain...receiving the Holy Eucharist? Perhaps this is why so many Orthodox Christians depart from the Resurrection feast only to lose the warm flame of the Resurrectional light during the ensuing weeks. The Ascension marks the conclusion of our mountain top experience with Christ. When our zeal wanes, however, and we discover the separation between our Heavenly Father and us growing, let us encourage one another... “remember the mountain!” Rev. Frank Marangos, D.Min., Ed.D, is director of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education.

MAY – JUNE 2004

Challenge

YOUTH MINISTRY

e-mail: youthofce@goarch.org

What’s Up

WITH

ABC’s Good Morning America TV show has a segment called “Most Amazing Families.” In this show, the network presents stories of families from different backgrounds and locations that have succeeded in the face of challenge. by Mary Long

For instance, they featured a family from Tennessee that biked across America after mortgaging their home. Another family from California has their own Celtic band. Yet another family in Virginia has 11 children, seven of whom are adopted. All these families are “amazing” in their own way. Is your family “amazing?” Some of you might say yes; others would give a resounding no. Most of us would agree that our families have both great qualities as well as areas in which we would like to improve. No matter how perfect or imperfect your family, there’s another family to which Christians belong. When you were baptized and chrismated, you became part of God’s family. Now that you’re older and make your own decisions about what you believe, you decide whether or not to be a part of this family. The author Michael Crichton has said, “If you don’t know [your family’s] history, then you don’t know anything. You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.” This is also true when we speak of Christ’s family, of which we are a part. How can we be a part of such a big family tree, without being aware of the rest of the tree? Christ said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). By comparing Himself to the vine and us to the branches, Christ shows that He is in fact the “trunk” of our family tree - He is what holds us together. It is because of Him that we exist, and we all “grow” off of Him. When we take a look at Jesus Christ’s family tree, we see there are many branches that extend into the past as well as into the future. In our family tree, there are all the figures from the Old Testament like Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Joseph, David, Ruth, and all the patriarchs and prophets. The apostles and disciples of Christ, as well as the evangelists (the writers of the Gospel), are all important branches in Christ’s family tree. There are also the many saints that lived from the time of Christ until now, like St. George and St. Katherine, among others, who are branches in our family tree. In fact, when we worship in the Divine Liturgy, we are worshipping with all the other members of our Christian family. It’s like having a big family reunion every time we go into Church. And not only do we join all of Christ’s earthly family when we worship; we also join the heavenly hosts (angels, archangels, cherubim, seraphim, etc). The Book of Hebrews in the Bible

Being Part of Jesus Christ Family? speaks of us as “being surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses” (Heb 12:1) and this cloud consists of all the branches and leaves of our family tree. Now that you know a little about this family that you were baptized into, what does it mean to continue being a part of this family? If you choose to be in Jesus’ family, what does that mean for your life? Well, funny you should ask. Jesus talked about this very thing during His earthly ministry. One time as Jesus was speaking to the crowds, someone informed Him that His mother and stepbrothers were waiting for Him apart from the crowd and wished to talk to Him. Jesus then asked what appears to be a strange question by saying, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then he put His hand out toward his disciples and replied, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother, and sister, and mother” (Mt. 12:50). By calling His disciples members of His family, Jesus shows that He doesn’t limit His family just to Joseph, Mary, and His stepbrothers. He opens it up to anyone (including us!) as long as they do the will of God. But what does it mean for us to do God’s will? The Bible tells us that we are doing God’s will when we believe in Jesus Christ and love one another (1 John 3:23). When we are in God’s family, we look upon God as our Father and treat each other as brothers and sisters. We know that our family extends through the past and into the future. We have our “family reunions” every week as we gather to worship and pray to God in the Liturgy. We share our family meal together when we partake of the holy Eucharist. Now that you know a little about Jesus’ family, it’s up to you to learn even more. Remember, you are a part of this family. You are like a little leaf on a really big tree. The leaf is a part of a huge tree and can’t exist on its own, just like you. Challenge yourself to find out more about your family tree. In doing this, you’ll find out more about yourself as well. Mary Long is originally from Austin, Texas. She attends Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology where she is working toward her Master’s in Divinity. She works for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

PARENTS and YOUTH Workers As youth workers, it is important to keep in mind that the single greatest influence on how young people develop a sense of self is their parents. It is therefore critical that while we minister to the young people, we also minister to their parents. We should consider our ministry a supplement to the vital “home ministry.” For a family session to do with teens, their parents and siblings visit our website at www.youth.goarch.org. You’ll find

Movie Review

Mel Gibson’s film, “The Passion of the Christ” begins with Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweating blood, winded and out of breath, praying to His Father in short desperate pleas, while His disciples are sleeping under a tree a few steps away. In this film, we follow a thin tired Christ from the garden to the Cross. We watch Judas betray Him. We see Him judged and rejected by His own community. We see Him brutally beaten and whipped by the Romans, while His own people look on and curse at him. The beatings are so bad

by Rev. Dn. Constantine “Buz” Lazarakis that by the middle of the film, Christ hardly looks like a person at all. His eye is swollen shut from being beaten, His jaw hangs open and He slouches from exhaustion and pain, and most disturbing, most of His skin is literally torn off of His back, sides and chest from the whips of the Roman soldiers. It is truly a gruesome sight. If you have a sensitive stomach, or don’t deal well with extreme violence in films, this is definitely not your movie. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone younger the 17 without adult supervision (It is rated R) or to anyone under 15 even if your folks go with you. That is really the problem with the film. It is so violent, and Jesus’ beatings and Crucifixion are so savage, that it is hard to think about anything else. The film doesn’t really tell who Jesus was, or why he suffered like he did. These are the questions we really need to ask if we want to understand Christ’s Crucifixion. One teenager said to me, it was like a Marilyn Manson video, only two hours long. The violence is too much. I am not saying that we should turn away from the brutality of Christ’s Crucifixion, I am just saying that the film showed too much of it for too long. The viewer could have got the point with less actual minutes of the beatings. Then we could have seen more about Christ’s ministry and Resurrection. Still, there are some good things about the film. First of all, everyone in America has been talking about the film. Christ is on the minds of a lot of people. I would bet that you have heard more people talking about Jesus lately than you normally do. The world is looking at who Jesus was. This is a great opportunity for Christians to ask their priests more questions, re-read the Gospels, spend time in prayer, and to put Christ back to the front of their minds. Also, even though the violence is excessive, it is important to realize that it under the For Youth Workers Section along with other Sessions. For more information on working with Christian families, visit the Focus on the Family website at www.family.org. Focus on the Family began in 1977 in response to Dr. James Dobson’s increasing concern for the American family. Their mission is to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in disseminating the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, and, specifically, to accomplish that objective by helping to preserve traditional values and the institution of the family.

the passion of the christ Christ suffered for our salvation, that it was real, and that He was fully God and fully a person. As a human being, He knew what it was to experience physical pain, and to be hurt by the people He loved. His love was so great for us that he went through the Passion. Seeing Christ suffer, seeing Him rejected and then killed, reminds us that God became a person, just like us. He knows what we go through, and we can know Him, because He went through the range joy and pain that we can go through. Here is the bottom line about the movie. If you went to services on Holy Thursday evening and listened to the Gospels, you know that our Church believes in the story of Christ’s Passion. However, you can’t understand the Passion, if you don’t understand the Resurrection. The Resurrection makes the passion a victory. Without the Resurrection, the passion is another sad story about how terrible people can be. Because Christ rose from the dead, His suffering saves us. The Resurrection makes Christ victorious and our Savior. That makes Him our Savior and our God. Even though the film shows the Resurrection, there isn’t enough to help us understand what all the blood and guts are about. So, if you are old enough and you can stomach the violence, see the movie. But whether you see it or not, take this opportunity to realize what Christ did for you. Ask your priest the questions you have. With Christ at the center of the media, take the opportunity to make Him the center of your life! And always remember the Resurrection of our Lord. Christ is Risen! 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

Orders are now being taken for the 2004-2005 Planner. Get your orders in early for graduation, festivals and all your parish ministries. Orders will be shipped (started on May 24, 2004). Use The Planner to keep track of all your schedules. Keep a daily focus on Christ with scriptural readings, fast days, prayers, saints of the day and inspiration from the Father and noted Theologians. The Planner follows the Ecclesiastical (Church) year beginning in September and ending in August. To download the order form visit www.youth.goarch.org

MAY – JUNE 2004

Annunciation Church of Milwaukee Opens New Cultural Center MILWAUKEE, Wis. – Hundreds of parishioners from the Annunciation Church joined Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago on March 7 to celebrate the blessing and the official opening of the Church’s new James W. Pihos Cultural Center. Following a hierarchal Divine Liturgy, the Metropolitan was joined by the Annunciation’s Fr. James Dokos, proistamenos and Fr. Michael Constantinides as well as Rev. Ted Trifon of Milwaukee’s Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in blessing the doors, the Chapel of St. Iakovos and the

said Metropolitan Iakovos. “The Lord has answered our prayers by giving the community this strength, commitment and courage needed to make this project a reality.” He praised James W. Pihos for his support and dedication to the project and also congratulated the hundreds of other donors who contributed to the effort. In particular, Metropolitan Iakovos complimented Building Committee Chairman John W. Galanis for his leadership in raising the necessary funds for

HIERARCHS And clergy conducting memorial service. (l to r) Fr. Dean Botsis; Bishop Job; Archbishop Vsevelod, Metropolitan Iakovos, Bishop Longin, Bishop Peter, Fr. Samuel Sherry. Icon at altar represents the angels opening the doors of the concentration camp and our Lord leading the prisoners out. Original is at the Russian Orthodox Chapel at Dachau.

Dachau Memorial Exhibit Opens At Hellenic Museum

Fr. James Dokos (left) and Fr. Michael Constantinides (right) lead parishioners from Annunciation Church to the new James W. Pihos Cultural Center for the official blessing conducted by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. In the background is Rev. Fr. Ted Trifon from Sts. Constantine and Helen Church. Hundreds of parishioners joined His Eminence for the official blessing and tours of the new building.

rest of the new building, which includes Sunday school classrooms, a combination banquet hall and gymnasium, a library, a full kitchen, locker rooms, a conference room and administrative offices. “The Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Milwaukee has succeeded in realizing the dream of a new generation in opening this wonderful facility for the entire Orthodox community to enjoy,”

Univ. of Chicago OCF Begins Holding Services CHICAGO – Three Hierarchs Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Chicago has begun holding the Divine Liturgy on campus the first Sunday of each month. The services, which began in February, take place at the Disciples of Christ Chapel of the Holy Grail in Hyde Park and are open to all Orthodox students, staff and their families, along with visitors and inquirers. The chaplain is Fr. Nicholas Jonas, assistant pastor at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Palos Hills. In addition to the liturgy, the OCF’s mainstay activity is its weekly fellowships/ bible studies held every Thursday at the Roman Catholic Calvert House on University Avenue. For more information, contact Fr. Jonas at (708) 974-3400; or visit the website: OCF.UCHICAGO.EDU

the project. “Hundreds of people helped make this building possible, but it was the leadership of John Galanis and Father Dokos that made this dream come true. Orthodoxy and the Greek community in the Milwaukee area are grateful to them for their service to the Lord,” His Eminence added. “The new Cultural Center provides an opportunity for our church community to expand and enhance its Orthodox mission in our community. Our parish has grown and progressed into a vibrant and culturally diverse group of families, and the opening of the new James W. Pihos Cultural Center marks the beginning of a new and exciting chapter in the history of our parish,” said Fr. Dokos. Designed by prominent architect Steven P. Papadatos of New York, the James W. Pihos Cultural Center sits on land near the world-renowned, Frank Lloyd Wright designed Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Milwaukee. Groundbreaking for the building took place in July 2002, and the facility will be used for educational programs, athletic activities regular Sunday school classes, special religious programs, wedding receptions, an Orthodox day care and other community functions. “We are honored that His Eminence celebrated Liturgy with us, presided over the official blessing and participated in the grand opening of our new building. With the Metropolitan’s love and prayers for our parish, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church community in Milwaukee has achieved this important milestone,” Fr. Dokos added.

CHICAGO – The Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center in cooperation with Orthodox Christian Synergy presented a new exhibit on March 4 at the Museum’s gallery on West Adams Street. Dachau: April 29,1945 – An Orthodox Christian Memorial portrays the events following the liberation by the American troops, of the Dachau Concentration Camp in Germany in 1945 at which the majority of the prisoners were Christians. Bishop Job, OCA Diocese of the Midwest, read the report of Orthodox Christian prisoner Gleb Rahr who had described the story of the liberation which took place on Orthodox Christian Holy Week and of the many Orthodox Christian prisoners who wished to observe the Resurrection Service and give thanks to God for their liberation. In as much as the area was devastated from the war, no vestments or service books were available. With the determination of the prisoners who made the necessary priestly petrahilia from towels and red crosses from the infirmary, the service was conducted from memory. On the evening of the exhibit opening, hierarchs from area Orthodox Christian jurisdictions conducted a memorial service to honor those brave prisoners. Participating were Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago; Archbishop Vsevelod of Skopelos, Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the U.S; Bishop Longin, Serbian Orthodox Diocese of America and Canada; Bishop Peter, Russian Orthodox Church Abroad; Fr. Dean Botsis, clergy head of Orthodox Christian Synergy and pastor, St. Haralambos Church; and Fr. Samuel Sherry, president Orthodox Christian Clergy Association and pastor of St. Michael’s Church. The Pan Orthodox Choir under the direction of Gordana Trbuhovich sang the responses. Among the other clergy present were Fr. Demetri Kantzavelos, chancellor, Metropolis of Chicago; Fr. Evagoras Constantinides; Fr. John Adamcio, Holy Trinity Church, OCA; Fr. Byron Papanikolaou, Sts. Constantine & Helen Church; Fr. Nicholas Nikokavouras, Annuciation Cathedral; Father Chris A. Webb, St. Demetrios Church; Father Thomas Kazich, Serbian Orthodox Church. After the service, Museum president

John Marks thanked the hierarchs, clergy, choir and visitors for their participation in the memorial service which communicated the solemnity of the deep faith of the Orthodox Christian prisoners at the Dachau concentration camp. He also briefly spoke about the mission of the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center and about its permanent to be constructed at Van Buren and Halsted streets. Museum visitors were visibly moved by the service. Most said they had never heard the story and were thankful to the Hellenic Museum and Orthodox Christian Synergy for sharing the event with the community. The exhibit can be viewed Mondays through Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. For further information, call 312-655-1234.

Celebrating the Orthodox Faith

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – The First Annual Pan-Orthodox Education Day Conference will take place at Holy Trinity Church, June 12, from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Presentations include: Church as Spiritual Hospital by Fr. Noah Bushelli; Parish Governance: Conciliatory Concerns on the Parish Level, by Fr. Nicholas Apostola; The Vision of Mission, by Fr. Vladimir Aleandro and Fr. Deacon John Zarras; Challenging the Past, by Fr. John Behr. For Information call Conference Committee call (203) 366-1187 or (203) 374-5561. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church is located at 4070 Park Avenue Bridgeport.

In the Calendar JUNE 1 .................Tuesday of the Holy Spirit 6 ..........Synaxis of the Twelve Apostles 6 ...................First Sunday of Matthew 11 ..Bartholomew and Barnabas Holy Apostles 23 ................ Mark, Bishop of Ephesus 29 ....Peter and Paul, the Holy Apostles 30 ..Synaxis of the Twelve Holy Apostles JULY 18 .............Sunday of the Holy Fathers 20 ............................Elias the Prophet

MAY – JUNE 2004

Fr. Mylonas 41st Anniversary of Ordination

ORTHODOX OBSERVER PINS FOR PAULY More than 170 kids and adults from St. Demetrios parish in Merrick, N.Y., and several other Long Island parishes took part in the annual “Pins for Pauly” bowl-a-thon May 8 to raise money for the “Pins or Pauly” Foundation that helps families with children suffering from leukemia. The non-profit organization, founded by members of St. Demetrios, was named for Paul Pavlou, a 10-year-old altar boy and the son of Andreas and Georgia Pavlou of Seaford, who passed away about two years ago from the disease. The Foundation has since expanded its efforts regionally and nationally, holding bowl-a-thon fund-raisers in Salt Lake City and Westchester, in addition to its second annual event in Wantagh on Long Island. Other participants came from the Greek Orthodox communities in Astoria, Babylon, Hempstead, Hicksville, Island Park and Whitestone.The event raised about $30,000 in corporate sponsorships and $25,000 from bowlers’ pledges.

Hartford Community Honors Fr. Maniudakis HARTFORD, Conn. – A testimonial dinner honoring the Rev. Dr. Chris Maniudakis, dean of St. George Cathedral was held May 2 on the occasion of his retirement. by Dr. James C. Rouman

Fr. Chris served the community of Greater Hartford the past 10 years in a ministry that took him to numerous parishes in the United States and Greece. A native of Crete and a graduate of the Patriarchal Seminary at Halki, Fr. Chris was assigned on arrival in this country to Kimisis tis Theotokou in Port Jefferson, N.Y. before transferring to Buffalo, N.Y., where, during his 11-year tenure at Annunciation Church, he earned a masters degree from Canisius College and a doctorate at the State University of New York, both in Buffalo. His ministry continued with short periods at parishes in the San

Francisco Bay area as well as Seattle. Fr. Maniudakis returned to Greece as dean of St. Minas Cathedral in Irakleon, Crete, which preceded his studies at the University of Thessaloniki, While there, he ministered to a small community and earned a second doctorate. After a six-year stay in Greece, Fr. Chris came back to the United States, serving briefly at St. George in Norwalk, Conn. and St. Catherine in Naples, Fla. before arriving in Hartford to become dean of St. George Cathedral. Joining the many parishioners to honor him were Bishop Savas, chancellor of the Archdiocese, and other clergy from throughout the state. At the dinner, parish council President Helen Limnios, said on behalf of the community, “Father Chris will be remembered by all of us for his great spirituality, his skill as a liturgist and the numerous innovative programs he initiated during his life’s journey takes him.”

PASADENA, Calif. – St. Anthony Church recently honored Fr. Efstathios V. Mylonas, Ph.D. on the 41st anniversary of his ordination. Fr. Mylonas was born on March 27, 1937, in Thessaloniki, Greece and is the first of three sons of the late Vasilios Efstathios and Anastasia Mylonas. In 1958, Father Mylonas entered the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki. He graduated with highest honors and received his master’s degree in Orthodox Theology. On Aug. 19, 1962, Father Mylonas married Maria Vomvolakis in the village of Kambanos, Crete. He was ordained deacon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople by Metropolitan of Myra Chrysostomos Konstantinidis at the Patriarchal Church of St. George on Nov. 25, 1962, and, on Dec. 2, was ordained presbyter by the late Metropolitan of Stavroupolis Maximos Rapanellis at the Holy Trinity Chapel of the Patriarchal School of Halki. As a presbyter, Fr. Mylonas served Holy Archangels of Michael and Gabriel parish in Constantinople and worked as a codificator at the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, it was always Fr. Mylonas’ desire to serve his church abroad and to further pursue his studies. In the spring of 1963, Patriarch Athenagoras requested that Fr. Mylonas be assigned to a parish in Canada. He became the pastor of St. George in Toronto, one of the largest parishes of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. Archbishop Iakovos reassigned the priest on Sept. 1, 1965, to the newly established parish of the Assumption in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. where he served until Sept. 1, 1969, when he was reassigned to Holy Trinity in Concord, N.H., then to Annunciation in Brockton, Mass. In November 1971, Fr. Mylonas relocated to the West Coast in 1980 and became the pastor of the Annunciation in Modesto, California on Dec. 10, then became the pastor of his current parish, St. Anthony in Pasadena. Father Mylonas received a Master’s of Sacred Theology degree from Boston University School of Theology, a Master of Arts from Boston College and a Ph.D.

in Theological and Philosophical Studies from Boston University. From 1988-1990, Father Mylonas was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos and served as a member of the Archdiocesan Council. In January 1996, Father Mylonas was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer for which there is presently no cure. He has confronted his illness with a deep and profound faith and has used his experience to provide inspiration and hope to those who suffer. Throughout his ministry, Father Mylonas has sought to help the youth, the poor and the elderly in his parishes as well as in his communities. Fr. Mylonas has inspired and encouraged countless young people to pursue higher education, trained seminarians from Holy Cross School of Theology, raised money to help the poor, ministered to the sick and elderly and provided guidance, compassion and support to his young parishioners.

OCEAN COUNTY CELEBRATES Ocean County N.J. Board of Freeholders recently joined with St. Barbara Church in raising the Greek flag at the county Administration Building in Toms River in honor of Greek Independence Day. (L. to R) Freeholders Joseph H. Vicari and Gerry P. Little, with Fr. George Nikas of St. Barbara Church.

Ohio Greek Community Unveils Texas Church Holds Door-Opening Ceremonies Cleisthenes and Jefferson Busts AUSTIN, Texas – Transfiguration Church celebrated the Thyranexia of its new church on Jan. 31 with Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver officiating. He was assisted by Deacon Paul Zaharas in the door-opening service. A festival of Orthodoxy followed the dedication, offering a book fair and guest speakers throughout the day. After Great Vespers, a grand banquet was held in celebration of the event. On Sunday, Feb. 1, Metropolitan Isaiah officiated at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy in the new church. Transfiguration parish celebrated its 18th anniversary in November. The parish purchased property located at 414 St. Stephens School Road in 1990 and built a facility that functioned as both the church and parish hall.The new Byzantine style church was erected adjacent to the parish hall and stands atop the highest elevation point in southwestern Travis County, making it an Orthodox beacon in the Texas Hill Country.

Participating in the weekend celebration were: Fr. Luke Uhl, chancellor of the Metropolis of Denver; Egoumenos Dositheos and Fr. Ephraim, Holy Archangels Monastery, Kendalia, Texas; Fr. George Kalpaxis, Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, Md. (ret.); Fr. Nicholas Katinas, Holy Trinity, Dallas; Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos, St. Nicholas, Waco, Texas; Fr. Dan Suciu, St. Sophia, San Antonio; Fr. John Salem, St. George Antiochian parish, Houston; Fr. George Dokos, Holy Trinity, Dallas; and Fr. Nectarios Morrow, Archdiocese of America. Also in attendance was Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, who was instrumental in the starting of the Transfiguration parish while serving at Annunciation Cathedral in Houston. Transfiguration is a parish of 180 families and has been served by Fr. Jordan Brown since 1997. Fr. Brown and Fr. Triantafilou together cut the ceremonial ribbon to open the new church.

COLUMBUS – Members of Ohio’s Greek American community unveiled the busts of the first image in the world of Cleisthenes, father of democracy, and Thomas Jefferson in ceremonies in the Ohio Statehouse Chambers of the Senate and House on March 24. Museum colleagues in Greece of Cleisthenes sculptor, Anna D. Christoforidis, whose work is well known in her native Greece, viewed the House chamber unveiling live in Athens and Thessaloniki via OGTV (Ohio Government Television). A committee called the Cleisthenes Project, chaired by Aristotle I. Hutras, was formed in 2002 with its primary goal to initiate the return to the Statehouse busts of legendary figures in the development of democratic governance. An estimated 80 busts have disappeared over the past 100 years. Cleisthenes is credited with creating the model for modern democracy. He is known as the father of Athenian democracy

the first democracy in the world. Thomas Jefferson, a founding father of America, was president of the United States at the time of Ohio’s statehood. Christoforidis, of Upper Arlington in suburban Columbus, had the difficult task of creating a Cleisthenes figure as no recorded statue of the leader could be found. The Cleisthenes Project Committee is raising funds for the project from individuals and Hellenic organizations throughout Ohio. Other committee members include former state Sen. Harry Michalakis Meshel, of Youngstown, vice chairman; state Rep. James Aslanides of Coshocton; state Rep. James Trakas of Cuyahoga County; state Rep. Bryan Williams of Akron; Harry Barlos, Lucas County commissioner; Anna Christoforidis, sculptor, Chris Bouzounis and Pauline Hesske, all of Columbus, and Carl Icarus Hollister of Cincinnati. Members of Greek American organizations and legislators from throughout Ohio attended the luncheon and ceremonies.

MAY - JUNE 2004

U.S. IMMIGRATION • TAXATION BUSINESS LAW INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS WILLS & ESTATES

Dr. ARES D. AXIOTIS

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MAY – JUNE 2004

Bishop Savas to Lead Young Adult Pilgrimage to Greece and Constantinople

GARRISON, N.Y. – Archdiocese Chancellor Bishop Savas of Troas will lead a pilgrimage of young adults to Greece and Constantinople Oct. 8-16, in conjunction with the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries and the Young Adult National Committee. The pilgrimage to visit sites of great spiritual and historical significance for all Orthodox Christians. The highlight of this experience will be an audience with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. Young adults will stay for three nights at the newly renovated Ionian Village campgrounds, and two nights each at hotels in Athens and Constantinople. They will visit the islands of Zakynthos, Cephalonia and Aegina, to see the home villages of Sts. Dionysios, Gerasimos and Nektarios, as well as have the opportunity to travel to Patras, where they will venerate the relics of St. Andrew and the X shaped cross on which he was martyred. Additionally, young adults will visit the monasteries of Mega Spiliaion and Agia Lavra where they will venerate St. Luke the Evangelist’s icon of the Theotokos and

visit sites associated with the Greek War of Independence and World War II. In Constantinople, young adults will visit the Phanar, the great Cathedral of St. Sophia, and the Church of Christ of the Chora (karkiyedjami). They will also visit Theological school on the island of Halki, the Topkaki Palace Museum and have the opportunity to shop in the great covered bazaar. According to Fr. Mark Leondis, national director of the department, “This pilgrimage is being made available in order that young adults experience the Orthodox Faith in a way they have never experienced before. They will be able to walk in the land of the saints, visit various religious and historical sites, and have an audience with the Spiritual Father of World Orthodoxy while experiencing the fellowship and love of the participants.” The pilgrimage is limited to 25 participants and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. The pilgrimage will depart and return from New York (JFK). For information on registering please log onto www.youth.goarch.org or contact the Young Adult Office at 646.519.6180.

OCMC Spring Board Meeting- A Milestone for Many ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The Spring 2004 meeting of the OCMC Board of Trustees held April 27-29 featured the election of a new slate of officers. Elected to three-year terms were the following: Clifford Argue, president; Fr. Chad Hatfield, vice-president; Fr. Raymond Velencia, treasurer and Fr. George Liacopulos, secretary. A chapter ended for Teresa Polychronis who, after 30 years of service on the OCMC Board, has retired. After being made an honorary member for life, she was visibly moved by the tribute when Fr. Alexander Veronis, president emeritus, presented her with a plaque and a “Go to All Nations” icon. Catherine Lingas also retired after 18 years of dedicated service and many years on the executive committee as treasurer and chairwoman of the finance committee. Three new OCMC Missionaries were commissioned at the meeting, which took place at St. Mark Church in Boca Raton. They were: John Burnett, who is going to Uganda; and Christine and Driko Pappas, who are going to Albania. They are three of 11 people who are currently preparing to serve as OCMC missionaries in Uganda, Hong Kong, Albania, India and Guatemala. A liturgical service to commission the three followed the Divine Liturgy celebrated on the last day of the meeting. Long-time OCMC Missionaries in Ro-

mania, Craig and Victoria Goodwin, gave a presentation about the mission work they have been doing in Romania over the last seven years, including opening the St. Pantelimon Medical Clinic and a home for abandoned infants called the Protection of the Theotokos Family Center. Another significant presentation was given by Dr. Elizabeth Prodomou on the status of the Orthodox Church as it relates to American Society. A highlight of the event was the “Bringing the Light of Christ to All Nations” banquet attended by more than 200 people from many local Orthodox churches. It was a time for those attending to deepen their understanding of the need and impact of Orthodox missions. Fr. Peter Gillquist, OCMC board member, renowned author and speaker, and director of the Department of Missions & Evangelism of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, was the keynote speaker. The OCMC Board includes clergy and laymen and women representing all SCOBA jurisdictions. Twice a year they meet in different parts of the country to review the progress of the Mission Center’s programs as they seek to respond to Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”

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CLERGY

UPDATE

Ordination to the Diaconate Nikolaos Pelekoudas, by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, St. George Church, Lynn, Mass., 12/28/03 Daniel Payne, by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, St. Nicholas Church, Waco, Texas, 02/08/04 Paul Kalina, by Bishop Anthimos of Olympos, Assumption Church, Scottsdale, Ariz., (Permanent Deacon) 02/22/04 Eleftherios N. Legakis, by Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, St. George, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., 03/06/04 Innocent Duchow-Pressley, by Bishop Anthimos of Olympos, St. John the Baptist Church, Portland, Oregon (Permanent Deacon), 03/07/04 George Ioannou, by Bishop Savas of Troas, Church of the Resurrection, Glen Cove, N.Y., 03/18/04 Kyriakos-Cary Constantine, by Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco, St. Katherine Church, Redondo Beach, Calif. (Permanent Deacon) 05/02/04 George N. Gartelos, by Metropolitan Isaiah, Assumption Cathedral, Denver, 05/09/04 Assignments Rev. Presbyter Demetrios Demopoulos, Annunciation Church, Nassau, Bahamas, 02/15/04 Rev. Protopresbyter Peter Rizos, Annunciation Church, Woburn, Mass., 03/01/04 Rev. Protopresbyter Theoharis G. Theoharis, Holy Trinity/St. John the Theologian Church, Jackson Mich., 03/28/04 Rev. Economos Teodor Bita, Annunciation, Montgomery, Ala., 03/28/04

Rev. Presbyter Michael H. Kontos, Annunciation Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio, 05/01/04 V. Rev. Archimandrite Alexander Kile, St. George Church, Piscataway, N.J., 05/01/04 Rev. Presbyter Panagiotis Lekkas to St. Athanasios Church, Paramus, N.J., 05/01/04 Rev. Presbyter John Theodosion, St. Andrew Church, Randolph, N.J., 05/01/04

Retired Priests

Rev. Fr. Spencer Kezios 05/01/04 Rev. Fr. Nickolas Milatos 05/01/04 Rev. Fr. Konstantine Tsigas 05/01/04

Priests on Loan

V. Rev. Fr. Apostolos Koufallakis, (Church of Greece) 03/01/04

Offikia Metropolitan Isaiah bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Rev. Fr. Theodore Tsitsilianos 02/08/04 Patriarch Bartholomew bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Rev. Fr. Nicholas Katsoulis 03/02/04 Metropolitan Evangelos bestowed the office of Archimandrite upon Rev. Fr. George Nikas, 03/24/04 Metropolitan Evangelos bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Rev. Fr. Demetrios Antokas, 02/08/04 Metropolitan Evangelos bestowed the office of Archimandrite upon Rev. Fr. Gerasimos Rassias, 04/17/04 Bishop Anthimos of Olympos bestowed the office of Economos upon Rev. Fr. Photios Dumont, 05/09/04

Suspensions

Rev. Fr. Gabriel Barrow, 03/04/04

MAY – JUNE 2004

Valedictory Address by Fr. Costin Popescu, Holy Cross – Class of 2004

THE GRADUATES OF 2004 BACHELOR OF ARTS Markella A. Balasis Bryan Bodien Triandafyllos Bogiannou Gueorgui Dimitrov Demetrious E. Glimidakis Konstantina N. Goudanas Alexandros Haziminas Micah Hirschy Triada Kokkosis Dimitrios Lee Erini Gekas Angela Grace Nelson Louis Nicholas Bogorrul Sabtchev Dora Maria Sanidopoulos Dimitri Tobias MASTER OF THEOLOGY Fr. Stavros Anagnostopoulos Philip S. Francis III Fr. Stylianos E. Massaras Sotirios A. Vlavianos MASTER OF THEOLOGICAL STUDIES Fr. Vasili Bitere Sarah Campbell Matthew Lootens Demetrius Pandelis Peter Michael Preble Joshua Alan Resnick Anna Rozonoer John Sanidopoulos Sarai Southrey Ioannis Triantafilou Jason Alexandros Zachos MASTER OF DIVINITY Dn. James O. Berends Andrew D. Bersu Fr. Stephen Francis Burke Constantine Christopher Cambas Hilary Marie Chala Demetrios Thomas Costarakis Konstantinos Eleftherakis Hector Firoglanis Dn. George Gartelos Wesley Gregory Hohnholt Fr. Sarantis Loulakis Alexander S. Magdalinos Sotirios P. Malamis Dn. Mark A. Munoz Theofanis Papantonis Fr. Costin Radu Popescu Damon Smith Fr. Andrew Nektarios Tsikitas BTI CERTIFICATE AWARD International Mission and Ecumenism Antonia Constantinou

Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Your Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Albania, Your Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Your Graces, respected professors, distinguished guests, beloved fellow students, families and friends, Christ is Risen! Three years ago, with great expectations and hope I first set foot on this campus, firmly committed to serving Christ as a priest. I had written in my application that I expected my period of studying at Holy Cross to be a blessed one, and indeed it was. In three years of intense studying I have done what I had set out to do, but God also worked in me transformations that I did not and could not expect. In this journey, I was not alone. I started out as a member of the first large class that benefited from the generous and momentous help of Leadership 100 scholarships. A few of us are finishing early, together with students from previous classes, which makes our graduating class a mosaic combining students with different mindsets and various backgrounds. My feeling is that our differences have not set us apart, but rather that we have learned from each other. Today I would like to say a few words about our journey of learning and becoming. There are three great sources of learning about the faith: Scripture, Tradition and Life. Concerning the Holy Scriptures, our distinguished professors have taught us to treat them as sacred, but at the same time to study them thoroughly and with an open mind. We have been encouraged to consider traditional as well as modern commentaries, but first and foremost to look at the inspired text itself. The same open-minded and balanced approach always placed on a foundation of faith and respect was used in studying the traditions of our church, whether liturgical, canonical or patristic. We were taught

to distinguish between eternal truths and practical developments, and especially to place a teaching in its appropriate context. We have come to understand, in the words of our dean, Fr. Clapsis, that Orthodoxy is an offering to the world rather than a way to set oneself apart or even against it. The ultimate test of all teaching, however, remains its connection to Life. All of us are facing a lifetime challenge to live up to the teachings of the Gospel and hence to make these teachings relevant to our people. This process of becoming and spreading the message of Christ was also initiated here, at the seminary, through the pastoral curriculum and field education. For me personally, but I believe also for most of my classmates, the most powerful and transforming experience was Hospital Ministry. Today I would like to share with you an important theological point that came out of this experience. As a way of processing our reactions and feelings from pastoral visits, we were asked to write one theological reflection each semester. My first reflection was entitled “Wholeness.” My second, “Brokenness.” In the former, written before the bulk of the pastoral visits, I was trying to emphasize the

need to project an image of wholeness to the sick person, to awaken its hope of recovering its own wholeness. By the time I completed my hospital visits, I realized that I clearly did not have this wholeness, and yet I was able to minister out of my own brokenness, out of my own wounds. This observation is in fact deeply rooted in the reality of our Orthodox Church in America. We cannot claim the harmony, the continuity between faith and life that exists in Orthodox countries. That continuity is realized through the all-embracing liturgical life that penetrates language and human relationships. The priest can then minister directly out of his liturgical persona, because the pastor and the liturgist have become one. We do not yet have that wholeness in our American Orthodoxy; hence we need to learn to use our brokenness with unwavering faith, to let God’s unbreakable power work through our broken selves. To sum up all of the above, the model of ministry that we have learned at Holy Cross is to start by accepting our own brokenness and, informed by a balanced theological study and a solid life of prayer and good works, to aspire towards an allembracing liturgical wholeness. Today is a day of rejoicing, and I do not want to over-burden you with heavy thoughts. There is one last temptation that I have to face before closing my speech, and that is the Oscar syndrome - the compulsion to acknowledge everybody who made this moment possible. I will resist it this time, not without mentioning that there are people who give themselves completely to the cause of improving our School, there are other people who give in moderation and yet others who remember to give only from time to time, but today we thank them all for what they have given us. To the first group, though, we are truly indebted, and the only way to really thank them is by continuing their work of love and complete dedication. So help us God!

Valedictory Address by Triandafyllos Bogiannou, Hellenic College – Class of 2004 Σεβασμιώτατε Πάτερ και Δέσποτα, Μακαριώτατε Άγιε Τιράννων και Πάσης Αλβανίας, Σεβασμιώτατε Άγιε Βοστώνης, Θεοφιλέστατοι, Αιδεσιμολογιώτατε άγιε πρόεδρε, Ελλογιμώτατοι Κοσμήτορες και Καθηγητές, Αγαπητοί Επισκέπτες, Φίλοι και συμφοιτητές Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Your Beatitude, Your Eminence, Your Graces, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Triantafillou, Dear Deans, Professors, and Distinguished Guests, beloved families, and fellow students Χριστός Ανέστη Έχοντας φτάσει στην περιπόθητη στιγμή της αποφοιτήσεώς μας θα ήθελα να εκφράσω την από βάθους ψυχής ευγνωμοσύνη όλων μας για τα όσα το Ελληνικό Κολλέγιο μας προσέφερε αυτά τα τελευταία χρόνια. Eίνα πολύ σημαντικό για τον κάθε ένα και την κάθε μία που φοιτά στην πολυαγαπημένη μας Σχολή να έχει πάντα κατά νου ότι για να πετύχει στο θεάρεστο έργο της εν Χριστώ διακονίας θα πρέπει να έχει στραμμένα τα μάτια της ψυχής και της καρδιάς του πάντα προς τον Κύριό μας Ιησού Χριστό. Αυτός με τη Σταυρική θυσία και την ένδοξη Ανάστασή του μας άνοιξε ξανά τις πύλες του Παραδείσου. Graduating college is an important moment for us all. The doors to our future are open and we are now called to enter. For most of us here, graduating college is nothing more than a bridge we are about to start crossing. It will be the bridge that will lead us to the next step of our journey, namely the preparation for ordination and service of Christ. Whether we are a man or a woman we are not different for we are created in

the image and likeness of God. We are all called to equally serve Christ in the ministry of our Church. Our service has started from the moment we entered our beloved school. By having been a member of the Hellenic College family for the past few years, and I speak on behalf of my fellow graduating students, I can say that there is one lesson to be drawn from our experience here. The lesson is that only love, true and honest love, not fake and pretentious love, will hold us together as a family. It is not the deep prostrations that make a difference, or at least they should not be. One should not focus on that, but we should strive for purity of our hearts, and minds, for as Christ has said blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

We are now called to prepare to become the vessels for the light of the world, for as we read in the Gospel of Mathew WE ARE the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Nor do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all in the house. Therefore, let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father, which is in heaven. Finally, I would like to thank the people that have helped me to be here today. First of all, I want to express my deep gratitude and thanks to His Eminence, our Archbishop Demetrios. He is an example of a spiritual father and leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America for all of us. He always conveys to us the blessings of His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and of the Mother Church, which we always keep close to our hearts and minds. I also want to thank my parents and my spiritual father, as well as my professors and all of my friends and classmates for being there over these past years, especially Mrs. Stella Primpas and Dr. Lily Macrakis, who over the past couple of years has worked hard by improving the field of Greek studies, as well as the other academic departments, and has helped us with problems that we faced. Now, I am looking forward for a new and promising beginning, under the guidance of our spiritual father and great president of our school, Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou. Και θα σας αφήσω με ένα μεγάλο, ένα πολύ μεγάλο ευχαριστώ.

MAY – JUNE 2004

Over 100 Students Live the Orthodox Faith BOSTON – This spring, while hundreds of thousands of college students flocked to spring break hot-spots such as Cancun and Ft. Lauderdale, 102 Orthodox college students opted for dramatically different destinations. These students chose to spend their week away from school pressures serving those less fortunate. Real Break, the spring break alternative program of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) had another record breaking year, with eight teams working in five different locations. They served the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala, Project Mexico, the Aleutian village of Eklutna, Alaska, Raphael House in San Francisco and St. George the Martyr Monastery in Greece. Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala hosted two teams, who experienced the love and hope of over 150 children living there. Real Break returned to Project Mexico with three trips, where the teams completed three buildings to be used as housing for Project Mexico’s summer groups. The Orthodox young people also spent valuable time with the 18 boys of St. Innocent Orphanage. In the serene landscape of Alaska, a world away from the tropical beaches where many of their classmates were spending their week, a team built a new floor for St. Nicholas Church. In Karditsa, Greece, the students worked on a monastery landscaping project, while witnessing the vibrant expressions of Orthodoxy of the surrounding community and monasteries. Real Break also returned to San Francisco to help serve food and maintain facilities at Raphael House, a shelter for homeless families. The intent of the program is to impact our Orthodox college students with the life-changing experience of living a full Orthodox lifestyle. Elyse Pickwick, a sophomore from Eastern Kentucky University reflected on her experience in Greece: “I have been influenced in so many ways? my focus was put into perspective. I realized it’s ok to change your plans for no other reason but GOD!”

Now in its fifth year, Real Break has had 340 students participate, with 2004 the biggest year, seeing a 50% increase in participation. Fr. Michael Nasser, executive director of OCF stated, “Real Break has become one of the most important experiences a student can choose to take. The time spent in these amazing places changes the student for life, spiritually and mentally, ultimately bringing them closer to Christ.” Each Real Break provides alternatives to “traditional” spring breaks for Orthodox college students, and gives them instead a full Christian experience of fellowship and service to others. The program provides opportunities for spiritual growth with one-on-one interaction with a priest accompanying each group. Each participant is asked to raise the funds for their trip, with donors becoming a part of each participant’s experience as photos and stories are shared upon their return. Excess funds are distributed directly to the location. This year over $30,000 will be given to these locations’ ministries on behalf of the students and their donors. For more information about Real Break visit http://realbreak.ocf.net About OCF: Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official campus ministry effort of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). It is a Pan-Orthodox effort, overseen by an Executive Committee and aided by a sixteen-person Student Advisory Board. The office is located in Boston, MA, where a full time staff develops OCF programs and resources. The staff is available to guide and support local OCF chapters through communication with the larger Orthodox community, national programs, and development of resources for use by Orthodox college students. SCOBA designated the 3rd Sunday in September each year as “College Student Sunday” to raise awareness of our students on campus and OCF’s activities.

Washington Church Holds Icon Exhibit WASHINGTON – Sts. Constantine and Helen Church hosted a Pan Orthodox icon exhibit March 13-14 that featured the work of several iconographers who have studied her and abroad. A formal opening ceremony took place March 14 after the Divine Liturgy.

A Slavic male chorus performed later in the afternoon. This is the third year of the exhibit, which was originated by Margot Kopsidas Siegel who also arranged for iconographers to instruct parishioners on how to write icons.

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The Archdiocese NGO Role at the UN NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council is an accredited NGO (Non Governmental Organizations) at the United Nations. We can voice our opinions on special issues that concern us by making oral statements, submitting papers and proposing agenda items for consideration by the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiaries, such as the Human Rights Commission. The following issues have been among our major concerns at the United at Nations: by Lila Prounis

The Family: The United Nations is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary of the Year of the Family. Love and care of children is only assured in the context of the family. Education of the family will reflect on the future of children and youth. Take children away from a loving and caring family environmental and we are sure to witness a violent youth and increase in juvenile criminality. If communities wish to protect children, the best way to do it is to strengthen the family. This is where children belong, not on the battlefield or in the dark corners of drugs and violence. The value of the family must be safeguarded and the role of parents must be promoted. Aging: The United Nations recognizes for the first time the need to eliminate violence toward the elderly, particularly women. Older persons should be able to live in dignity and security and be free of exploitation and physical and mental abuse. They should be encouraged to work later in life and be provided with technological skills training so that they will not experience alienation in the work place. The world can find enormous benefits offered by the aging. Older people can bring a lifetime of experience to education and other areas. The world will have to start thinking of its older citizens less as a burden on society and more as a resource whose experience and knowledge can be tapped for the benefit of themselves and the societies they live in. Trafficking of Women and Children: Many countries are involved in the sale of women and children who have been sexually exploited for prostitution and pornographic purposes. This is incompatible with the dignity and worth of human persons and endangers the welfare of the individual, the family and the community. The United Nations is working with governments to develop

and implement anti-trafficking initiatives. Religious communities should also help in this effort. The United States has warned its citizens that it is not only the women and children smuggled into the United States but also American born women and children who are being kidnapped and enslaved by criminal elements. It is becoming a problem of crises proportion. Alleviating Poverty World Wide: One of the goals of the Millennium Summit of the General Assembly of the United Nations is to reduce poverty by the target date of 2015. Women’s literacy is the way to achieve this. Development agencies have long identified the education of women as the single most important factor in development. The education of women and girls has a tremendous impact not only on their well being, but also on that of their family and community. It acts as catalyst in virtually every dimension of poverty including infant mortality, improvement in child survival and family health. In many countries women play a role in the growing of food and the trading of crops for necessary items. Therefore, women’s literacy can also play a significant role in improving productivity and a nation’s economic situation. The United Nations hopes that by 2015 all children will have access to primary schooling with equal opportunities for both genders at all levels of education. Education will be the key to the alleviation of poverty worldwide. Recommendations: Each Greek Orthodox Christian can become involved in the implementation of these significant goals of the United Nations through our local parishes. 1) Parishes should educate families and help safeguard the value of the family. 2) Parishes should give opportunities to the younger generation to interrelate with Senior Citizens. 3) Parishes should support legislation to stop the anti trafficking of women and children locally and worldwide. 4) Parishes should initiate programs to alleviate poverty locally, and support programs that are engaged in this work nationally and internationally, such as the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). Lila Prounis heads the Archdiocesan United Nations NGO team. Other members of the team are Mrs, Sophia Altin, Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, Miss Stacey Malacos and Mr. Paul Zamora.

A Musical Treasury for Children

Introduce your children or grandchildren to Greek language and culture in a way they love... through music!

Fun Songs for Learning Greek

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From the seashore, to the village, to the market, young children will feel the beat as they roll koulourakia, sing, clap and count their way through Greece! All songs translated into English with English phonetics. Set includes music CD and hardcover color illustrated songbook. A great gift for infant to elementary aged children! Each set $23.95 plus $6.50 s/h. Add 90¢ s/h for each additional set. Checks payble to: GrAm Publishing, PO Box 3883, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3883. Orders must include payment. Quantity pricing available. For more information call 203-838-1436.

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MAY – JUNE 2004