Orthodox Observer - January/February 2006

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006 • Vol. 71 • No. 1221

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

Patriarchal Homily for Holy and Great Lent BARTHOLOMEW

By The Mercy Of God Archbishop Of Constantinople, New Rome, And Ecumenical Patriarch, To The Plenitude Of The Church, Grace And Peace from Our Savior Christ, Together With Our Prayer, Blessing And Forgiveness “Let us listen to the Scriptures on the Prodigal Son who regained wisdom, and let us follow the good example of his repentance.” (Oikos from the Sunday of the Prodigal Son) Beloved brothers and children in the Lord, By the grace of God, once more we are entering the period of the Triodion, during which the Holy Orthodox Church invites everyone to good repentance.

Although, according to the Holy Fathers, good repentance is necessary even for those who are faultless in faith and virtue, many Christians do not understand that they are in need of good repentance.

Many Christians refuse to repent, for they are convinced that they have not committed deeds for which they feel compunction and, thus, they do not feel the need to repent.

However, good repentance is a process much deeper than the mere acknowledgement of our sins and recognition of our errors as this relates to our actions.

Good repentance should primarily address the thoughts and reflections, and the beliefs and feelings from which our deeds spring.

Our Lord Jesus Christ taught us that our bad thoughts pollute us in the same way as our deeds, and that thinking the commission of evil is equal in weight to an actual commission of sin in the eyes of God. Being indifferent toward our fellow human beings; being confined only to our own selves, wishes and needs; feeling bitterness for other people’s actions; lack-

THE LORD Confronts the Disobedience of Adam and Eve and The Expulsion from Paradise. Nave Mosaics from Palatine Chapel, Palermo, Sicily. Mid 12th Century. (Courtesy of Dept. of Internet Ministries)

ing in love and feeling hatred and other disparaging sentiments toward others; harboring feelings of superiority, self-affectation, ambition, sensuousness, and avarice: all of these make for a person far distanced from the ideal human being.

The ideal human being is characterized by love, humility, meekness, peace, and the forgiveness of God. Therefore, we are all in need of good repentance, of changing our mentality and perceptions regarding good and evil, for we are all very different than the ideal human being.

We all look at the actions of other people. Indeed, we often criticize others for their cruelty, their lack of adequate knowledge regarding the truth on certain issues, and their self-assurance in insisting that they alone know the truth. We criticize other people for their insistence that they are capable of acting, thinking, and judging the best way, regardless of their inadequacies.

We need to reflect on whether other people see us in the same light, and we should consider which of our notions we need to change, which feelings we need

to improve, which pieces of knowledge we need to examine, change, or enhance. In examining ourselves in such a manner, we may realize that we too lack much and that we ignore our ignorance and our spiritual shortcomings.

The Holy Fathers consider as sins ignorance, negligence, carelessness, and indolence; namely, conditions which most of us hardly ever think as abnormal, but for which we nonetheless need to repent.

Besides these things, our love for our fellow human beings and for God is not always adequate, and there is room for much improvement. Therefore, we need good repentance for the little love we show, and we need to demonstrate more love for all others.

More importantly, we need to remove from our hearts our criticism of others.

We need not feel arrogance, bitterness, or, even worse, resentment toward other people for the way they treat us. We should not have a bad disposition toward others.

Church Enters journey of Great Lent NEW YORK – Greek Orthodox Christians have entered the solemn 40-day period of fasting and self-evaluation known as Great Lent leading to Holy Week and Pascha. Orthodox Christians will observe Easter (Pascha on April 23.

Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, acknowledging the spiritual significance of the Lenten period, states in his Lenten encyclical to the faithful: “As we embark upon this most sacred season of our Holy Orthodox Church, I pray that we may all look toward Holy Lent as an opportunity for renewed spiritual growth in Christ.

“Through increased opportunities for prayer and worship, increased opportunities to receive the grace of God through the Holy Sacraments, and intensified efforts at spiritual askesis and almsgiving, we embark upon a journey for our building of faith and our nourishing of love for one another. “May God provide you with strength during this journey of Holy Lent, so that each and every day along it you may 'grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18).”

The Orthodox Christian Lent always begins the Monday after Cheesefare Sunday, designated as “Clean Monday,” the day of cleansing or purification, when the faithful begin a spiritual and moral purification through fasting, prayer, meditation, repentance, attending Lenten religious services and partaking of the Sacraments of Confession and Communion.

Cheesefare Sunday also is referred to as the Sunday of Forgiveness, the last of the preparatory Sundays before Great Lent , which reminds us of our need for God’s forgiveness and guides our hearts, minds and spiritual efforts on returning to Him in repentance.

TO OUR READERS

FIRST HISTORIC VISIT TO CYPRUS

Section B

 page 14 

$1.25 per copy

EPIPHANY 2006 pages 2-5

We regret that this JanuaryFebruary issue of the ORTHODOX OBSERVER is published with some delay due to budget constraints in the new year, amplified by increases in printing, mailing and other operational costs.

As we try to overcome these difficulties and return to a monthly frequency in the near future, we ask your understanding and continuous support.

Thank you!

2

56 Teens Make Centennial History T as They Dive for the Cross

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

In the 1960s, the practice of using gold crosses ended and wooden crosses painted gold came into use. The paint color was changed to white in 1971 for better visibility. The selection of the 2006 divers was completed in mid-December.

The boys had to apply for the honor and prove they are worthy by attending a series of seminars.

The 56 who dived for the cross were as follows, according to age group.

16-year-olds: Manoli Angropoulos, Tarpon Springs; John Aloizakis, Dunedin; George Himontos Dick, Tarpon Springs; John Gialousakis, Palm Harbor; Ariel Alexander Gonzales, Clearwater; Matthew

N. MANGINAS

DIVE FOR GLORY – Fifty-six boys jump into Spring Bayou hoping to retrieve the cross. (Right) Kalliope Hatzileris, 16, prepares to release the dove.

he Centennial of the Epiphany cross diving event included 56 youths, nine more than last year’s event.

The teen-age boys, ages 16-18 walked at the head of the procession as it made its way around the block of the church complex, then turned westward on Tarpon Avenue for the 10-minute walk to spring bayou.

They assembled on the steps leading down to the platform built for the event where Patriarch Bartholomew read a prayer before they sprang into Spring Bayou on a sunny, but unseasonably cool and windy day.

As they made their way to the rowboats tied together in a semicircle, a few of the boats invariably capsized as the boys scrambled to get in. Some boats became swamped and the divers had to expend time and energy emptying the water.

There followed several minutes of nervous anticipation while the teens waited to make history.

They waited for the Patriarch to toss the wooden cross painted white made especially for the occasion by Bill Pascalakis. The original crosses were made of gold until several were lost or broken during the dive.

THOUSANDS of faithful line the banks of Spring Bayou for the centennial Epiphany celebration with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

USPS 412340

ISSN 0731-2547

Published bi-monthly except single issue in September and December by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Editorial and Business Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.

TEL.: (212) 570-3555, 774-0235.

FAX (212) 774-0239.

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

Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely in-house. Past issues can be found on the Internet, at: www.observer.goarch.org • E-mail: observer@goarch.org

PRODUCTION: Eleftherios Pissalidis ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Soula Podaras COLOR CORRECTION: Abel Montoya

Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25.00. Overseas Air Mail, $55.00 per year. $1.50 per copy.

Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese.

Of this contribution, $5.00 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer.

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR: Nicholas Manginas

Articles do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeled.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021

Thomas Kantaras, Holiday; Stamatios George Kapous II, St. Petersburg; Christopher Kavouklis, Tampa; Michael Kavouklis, Tampa; John Kokolakis, Palm Harbor; Michael Dimitrios Kontodiakos, Palm Harbor; John Koulias, Tarpon Springs; Andreas Lagos, Dunedin; Dean Makris, New Port Richey; Christos Manis, Tarpon Springs;Andrew James Nowels, Belleair; Theodore Paul Potaris, New Port Richey; John Seraskeris, Holiday; Christophoros Spiliotopoulos, Holiday; Nicholas Starnas, Tarpon Springs;Peter John Trihas, Palm Harbor; JACK VASILAROS, Clearwater Beach (winner); Eftechios Phil Xanphandakis, Safety Harbor; 17-year-olds: Savas Amorginos, Tarpon Springs; Michael Emanual Antonakakis, Tampa; Christos Argeras, Dunedin; Emmanuel J. Cortessis, Tarpon Springs; Alexander Giatras, Holiday; Phillip Nicholas Ginnis, Tarpon Springs; Dionisios Gizas, Safety Harbor; George Grawe III, Odessa; Demetrios Hatzileris, Palm Harbor; Patrick Hamilton Prestiss, Crystal Beach; Vasili Kambouris, Palm Harbor; Rousso George Kanaris, Homosassa; Chris Psetas, Port Richey; John Rinios, Tarpon Springs; Minas Trihas, Palm Harbor; Anthony Verlardocchia, Tarpon Springs; Richard R. Weaver, Tarpon Springs; Michael N. Xipolitas, Tarpon Springs; Chris Zervos, Tarpon Springs; 18-year-olds: Emanuel Caros, Oldsmar; Michael G. Danapas, Tarpon Springs; Michael Demas, Palm Harbor; Robert Southwell Dick IV, Tarpon Springs; Nicholas Chad Evans, Tarpon Springs; Miltiadis, Kerdemelidis, Tarpon Springs; George Koukos, Spring Hill; Panagiotis Koulias, Tarpon Springs; Konstantine Lagos, Dunedin; Christos Mylonas, Clearwater; Nicholas Pizanias, Tarpon Springs; William G. Starnas, Tarpon Springs; Robert Nicholas Stavrakis, Tarpon Springs; George H. Taktikos II, St. Pete Beach;

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

3

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

Ecumenical Patriarch Celebrates Centennial of Tarpon Springs’ Epiphany TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made his fourth visit to the United States Jan. 4-8 to lead the celebration for the 100th Anniversary of the Epiphany in this predominantly Greek Orthodox city on the Gulf Coast.

by Jim Golding

HIS ALL HOLINESS Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew tosses the Cross in the waters of Spring Bayou.

our Lord Who became human in order to deify us if, of course, we live according to the Holy Gospel.”

At the luncheon, among those who welcomed the Patriarch were Metropolitan Alexios, Dr. Panagiotis Skandalakis, deputy foreign minister of Greece and U.S. Sen. Paul Sarbanes of Maryland.

In his remarks, Archbishop Demetrios again praised the community on its centennial event. “A community that goes beyond 100 years is a community that needs to be commended,” he said..

Day Two – Connecting to Youth

Patriarch Bartholomew began the first full day of his visit with a breakfast at the Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor with Archbishop Demetrios and other Orthodox hierarchs.

A press conference followed attended by representatives of CBS, NBC, CNN and the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times. (See related story) His All Holiness then held two meetings with about 800 children and teens, ages 5 to 11 and 12 to 18.

The Patriarch told the young children to keep the Cross of Christ “deep inside your hearts” and to “grow up strong and true, genuine and sincere.”

He told the teens that “You are the hope for the future and the present of the church. You are the promise of a flourishing Greek Orthodox future in this land.”

He also exhorted them to learn to cope “with those opposed to the Orthodox tradition and in what you do personally especially in foreign world that is indifferent to or denying the existence of God.” He issued an invitation to the older children to visit him at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

In the afternoon, Patriarch Bartholomew attended a clergy/laity Centennial Luncheon, a private vasilopita reception for benefactors that included Bill Planes, chairman of the Patriarchal Centennial Visitation Committee, a reception for the Archons and other private events.

JACK VASILAROS of Clearwater Beach, received the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Demetrios right after he retrieved the Cross.

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES/CARRIE PRATT

During his visit he met with thousands of youth and faithful at several venues and delivered more than 20 addresses and witnessed first-hand the devastation in New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina last August.

His All Holiness arrived at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport shortly after 4:30 p.m. Jan. 4 aboard a private Gulfstream IV twin-engine jet provided by Alex G. Spanos for the Patriarch’s use.

Several hundred faithful, including a local organization of Imvrians, from his native island of Imvros, greeted Patriarch Bartholomew as he entered a nearby hangar.

The Patriarch, Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, who accompanied His All Holiness throughout his visit, and other metropolitans and bishops from the United States, Greece and Russia, representatives from Congress and the State Department, diplomats from Greece and Cyprus, including Greece’s ambassador to the U.S, Alexandros P. Mallas, assembled on a dais for the welcoming ceremony.

About a dozen local teens, the Clearwater Hellenic Dancers, performed a Cretan dance for the audience.

Archbishop Demetrios, in his introductory remarks, praised the efforts of the area’s faithful in maintaining the tradition of Epiphany over the past 100 years. He also suggested that, with the historic first visit of an Ecumenical Patriarch to the area, Tarpon Springs should also be known as the “Ecumenical Epiphany City.”

Others welcoming the Patriarch included Congressman Michael Bilirakis and Tarpon Springs Mayor Beverley Billiris, who read a proclamation declaring Jan. 6 as “Patriarch Bartholomew Day” in Tarpon Springs, and the Consul General of Greece in Tampa.

Congressman Bilirakis thanked the Patriarch for his visit to Tarpon Springs and “for persevering at the Ecumenical Patriarchate under very, very difficult conditions.”

In his salutation, Patriarch Bartholomew said, in part, “It is good to be here in your midst, beloved brothers and sisters and children and most honorable dignitaries of this locale, where, with the help of God, we decided to concelebrate with you the Feast of Epiphany and to pray for you all...

“We came here, beloved brothers and sisters to see your honest faces and to fulfill the joy of our spiritual, living communion with you. We rejoice when we hear about all of the honorable and virtuous things that you, the Orthodox people of Greek descent accomplish, as people of order and obedience of the great United States of America…”

Following the ceremony, the Patriarchal entourage was whisked by motorcade to St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs for an evening doxology.

The church was filled to capacity for the Patriarch’s arrival.

In his homily, the Patriarch said, in part, that “our gathering here …in this most sacred Holy Church of St. Nicholas reveals the truth that we indeed are members of the mystical Body of the Incarnate Lord. We comprise one body, one operating unity and we ought to keep this unity unbroken, as our Lord Jesus Christ wishes;

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES/CARRIE PRATT

Day Three – Epiphany

His All Holiness, Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios began the day with the celebration of Orthros and the Divine Liturgy at the cathedral.

His All Holiness officiated at the service that included about 100 clergy n attendance.

  page 25

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Ecumenical Patriarch’s Visit Brings Enthusiasm to Tampa Bay Area

“Fr. Tryfon died 10 weeks ago and I didn’t get to finish the trip with him, said Mr. Planes, his voice choked with emotion. “It’s very hard to describe.”

The Patriarch’s visit touched many other individuals in personal ways. Among them was the son of Anthony Hatzileris, a retired U.S. Army sergeant who headed the security subcommittee for the visit.

His son, Dimitrios, a member of the 53rd Combat Support Group of the Florida National Guard who is serving in Iraq, was home on leave and received a special blessing from the Patriarch before returning to his unit. Anthony Hatzileris also fought in Iraq, during the Gulf War in 1990.

TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – Two years and thousands of hours of preparations by parishioners of St. Nicholas Cathedral in the period leading up to the 100th anniversary of the Epiphany ended successfully and happily with the first visit to the area of an Ecumenical Patriarch.

by Jim Golding

Members of the St. Nicholas Cathedral community, especially Centennial Visit Chairman William Planes and members of his committee, could breathe a collective sigh of relief as the Patriarch boarded the private jet Jan. 8 for the return trip to the Patriarchate.

Among those well pleased with the successful outcome was the cathedral dean, the Very Rev. Sebastian Skordallos. “It was very beautiful. I felt we were on Mount Tabor observing the glory of God,” he said.

“It was awesome experience. People are still writing their feelings about the visit in the local newspapers.

They’re always s positive.”

Fr. Skordallos said the five-day event was “very well organized” and that all the Tampa Bay-area churches were “very supportive; they worked well together.” The priest said of the patriarch that “He didn’t only present himself in terms of the spiritual, he was very humble, greeting every person on Sunday, and the cathedral was full. After he passed out antidoron; he walked from cathedral to the new hall and greeted everyone along the way. It was just an awesome experience and we are still relishing the event. We are in a daze.”

Fr. Skordallos also mentioned the large amount of publicity the Patriarch’s visit generated. “The publicity we had was unprecedented. My mother in Cyprus was watching it live. And in over 150 countries it was televised live.” He also said the Hallmark Channel will carry a one-hour segment of the visit on Jan. 29.

The priest also noted “It was a great witness of our faith. The goal of Mr. Planes and his committee was to witness the Orthodox faith around the world and to carry the message and peace and love from our Ecumenical Patriarch. That mission was accom-

D. PANAGOS

ECUMENICAL Patriarch Bartholomew with Patriarchal Visitation Commitee Chairman Bill Planes and his wife Regina.

N. MANGINAS

THE PROCESSION to Spring Bayou starts in front of the imposing Cathedral of St. Nicholas. Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios in the front followed by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Hundreds of the cathedral’s faithful assisted with the visit, along with those on the organizing committee who, in addition to Mr. Planes and Fr. Skordallos, included Harry Patsalides, Epiphany 2006 Chairman Emmanuel Gombos, George Kouskoutis, Nikitas Manias, Jerry Theophilopoulos, Nicholas Katsaras, Dr. Theodore Vlahos, Kenneth Henderson, Paul Aiello and George Psetas.

Subcommittee members included Anthony Hatzileris, Michael Kouskoutis, Dr. Andreas A.

N. MANGINAS

HIERARCHS attending the patriarchal doxology upon His All Holiness arrival. (L to R) Metropolitan Apostolos of Moshonisiou, Archbishop Demetrios of America, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Theologos of Seron and Metropolitans Iakovos of Chicago, Methodios of Boston, Nicholas of Detroit, Nikitas of Hong-Kong, Evangelos of New Jersey and Paisios of Tyana.

plished,” he said. “It’s beautiful.”

“I’m greatly touched by the visit,” Chairman Bill Planes told the Observer,” and that he was particularly impressed by the Patriarch’s “tenderness toward the children, his reverence toward the elderly and his acceptance of our love.”

Of his participation in the centennial celebration, Mr. Planes said, “I only stopped to reflect on it, noting the contributions of the generations that sustained the parish over the past 100 years.

“Tens of thousands of people moved us along the way,” he said. Mr. Planes said of the far-reaching effects of the centennial, “We extended a forum to witness to Christ today, and not only at Spring Bayou.”

His emotions regarding the visit were mixed. “Personally, I feel joy, fulfillment and satisfaction we set a course that we successfully completed,” he said. But at the same time he also experienced feelings arising from “the burden of mourning” because of the recent passing of the long-time cathedral dean, Fr. Tryfon Theofilopoulos.

D. PANAGOS

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offers to the delighted Very Reverend Archmandrite Fr. Sebastian Skordallos, pastor of St. Nicholas Cathdral, a silver censer and a patriarchal cross.

THE YOUTH of the Metropolis of Atlanta celebrated the visit of His All Holiness and received in wonder and amazement the Patriarchal blessing.

Paloumpis, Elisabeth Theofilos, Joanne H. Kambouris, Regina M. Planes, Theo Samarkos, Kathy Theofilos, Helen Katzaras, Dee Nicolaou, Dr. Dean Theophilopoulos and Bessie Zantopoulos.

Honorary committee members included Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios, Congressman Michael Bilirakis, Alex and Faye Spanos, Mayor Beverley Billiris and (posthumously) Fr. Fr. Tryfon Theofilopoulos. The parish also received support and participation from the numerous Tampa Bay area Greek Orthodox communities, including St. John the Baptist, Tampa; St. George, New Port Richey; St. Stefanos in St. Petersburg; Holy Trinity in Clearwater; St. Sophia, Winter Haven; St. Barbara’s in Sarasota; and Sts. Raphael, Nicholas and Irene Orthodox Mission in Palm Harbor and Christ the Savior Orthodox Mission in Spring Hill.

The Grand Benefactors were Charles Masterpolis, William and Regina Planes and Alex and Faye Spanos. The Archons of St. Andrew were among the benefactors.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

One of Tarpon Springs’ Finest Offers His Finest Effort

N. MANGINAS

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addresses members of the press as Archbishop Demetrios translates. Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta (left) and Metropolitan Theologos of Nigritis and Serron ar in attendance.

Patriarch Discusses the Patriarchate, Papal Visit at Press Conference On the second day of his visit, Jan. 5, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held a press conference where he discussed a wide range of issues relating to the Patriarchate and announced a visit to the Phanar by Pope Benedict XVI in the near future.

With Archbishop Demetrios translating his remarks, the Patriarch explained that, in addition to his pastoral duties, he has two other priorities, “rapprochement among people: and “ecological issues.”

He cited his involvement in several inter-religious and intercultural activities, among the Peace and Tolerance meetings with representatives of three monotheistic religions. The first such gathering occurred in 1994, and the second was in Brussels in December 2001.

Recently, he traveled to Austria for an interreligious meeting sponsored by Austrian government under the theme “Islam in a Pluralistic World.”

Expanding on the role of the Patriarchate, he said it “is not involved in politics or political discussions but, unfortunately, the Patriarchate finds itself affected by political issues, particularly between Greece and Turkey.”

The Patriarch said he seeks to make a contribution “to the lessening of tensions, to promote reconciliation, helping to eliminate terrorism” and seeking a rapprochement of religions to bring about “the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth.”

He also noted the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s basic role concerns the “coordination among Orthodoxy and securing unity of the faith around the world,” adding that “the Patriarchate is not involved in the administration of various autocephalous churches.”

The Patriarch also noted the Patriarchate is a founding member of the World

Council of Churches and a member of the Union of Council of European Churches.

It also functions as a coordinator of dialogue with the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and other Churches.

Discussing relations with the Roman Catholic Church, the Patriarch explained the differences between the two Churches to the reporters, specifically with regard to “administration and ecclesiology.”

The Patriarch said he has a good relationship with the new pope, Benedict 16th, who will make an official visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate “sometime this year.” His All Holiness also said the Churches are preparing to restart their dialogue at the international level a fiveyear cessation over the issue of the Uniates in Eastern Europe.

Ecological activities

His All Holiness also touched upon the Patriarchate’s ecological priority. “For many years we have tried to sharpen the sensitivity and consciousness of people to the importance of dealing with these issues,” he said.

He cited five major international symposia organized by the Patriarchate that have been held on various seas and rivers, and a sixth upcoming conference on the Amazon. The Patriarch recalled that, at end of his fourth meeting with Pope John Paul II, he signed with late Pope a declaration explaining the dimensions of ecological problems.

News organizations represented at the press conference included the St. Petersburg Times, Tampa Tribune, Fox News, CNN, CBS and NBC. Later in the week, Archbishop Demetrios noted at several public events that the extent of coverage of the Patriarch’s visit was worldwide and that viewers as far away as China and Australia had seen the Epiphany ceremony.

A moment of spontaneous and mutual joy and affection between Patriarch Bartholomew and this young boy.

His All Holiness had many joyful opportunities to greet and bless children and youths during his first pastoral visit to Florida.

D. PANAGOS

For one police officer on the security detail of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, his preparation Officer Steve Tsataros for the visit began four months ago.

Officer Steve Tsataros of the Tarpon Springs Police Department was one of more than 250 city, state and federal law enforcement officers involved in the visit, but provided the Patriarch with something more to remember his visit by.

Since September, Steve, who does carving as a hobby, along and his brother John, hand-carved a highly detailed replica of a typical sponge boat of Tarpon Springs.

The model, which he created D. PANAGOS from a block of basswood, is nearly Officer Steve Tsataros presents to the Ecumenical two feet in length. At the Epiphany Patriarch a replica of a Tarpon Springs sponge boat. banquet the evening of Jan. 6, he pre- dents about the law and to “help them stay sented the boat, which he named the St. out of trouble.” Officer Tsataros, a 24-year Sophia, to His All Holiness. The vessel, is veteran of the Tarpon Springs police and a encased in a Plexiglas box.

Tarpon Springs native, remembered that, “My father was a sponge diver,” he as a teen, he too had dived for the cross in said of his reason for thinking of a sponge Spring Bayou. He came to within two or boat. “I wanted the Patriarch to have some- three yards of getting it one year. thing to remember of his visit here.”

He also recalled that while in high Steve and fellow Greek American po- school, he came very close to attending lice officer Mike Kazouris, also with TSPD, Hellenic College/Holy Cross. While playand both fluent in Greek, spent about 40 ing for his GOYA basketball team, the hours each above their normal work week officer, who stands about 6’4”, said that as they accompanied every motorcade to while participating at a tournament in the various venues where the patriarch Rhode Island, he was approached by a was to appear. “I’ll probably wind up representative of the school, a priest, who sleeping that many hours, too,” he noted offered him a full scholarship to play at on Sunday afternoon, Jan. 8, shortly be- Hellenic College, which at the time had fore he had to escort the Patriarch back to an intercollegiate basketball team. the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport.

But Steve said he felt it still might The next day he would be back to his have been a hardship for his parents – his regular routine. His duties include serving mother worked in a bakery and his father, as a resource officer at the Tarpon Springs in addition to sponge fishing, did part-time Middle School, where he counsels stu- painting.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

INTERFAITH



When Orthodox Christians Marry Non-Christians

MARKOS

DAILY DEPARTURES

with

travel service

• NON-STOP FLIGHTS ON JUMBO JET • EASY CONNECTIONS from anywhere in the U.S.A. at UNBELIEVABLE LOW RATES!

$

289

*

One Way *A Limited Number of Seats

OTHER FLIGHTS

$

από/from

395*

Round trip plus taxes & fees

Owner: Markos Hatzikonstantis

Call Markos Travel Now! NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE

800-243-7728 800-842-8260 CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS 860-296-1722

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS

48 SILAS DEANE HWY. SUITE 12 WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109

...BOOK NOW AND SAVE!

Dear Father Charles, I have fallen in love with someone who isn’t Christian. He is Moslem. Recently I approached my priest to inquire about marriage, and he informed me that we cannot get married in the Orthodox Church.

Can you help me understand why?

E-mail respondent

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

There is hardly a month that passes when I fail to receive an e-mail like the one above. Some are more impassioned and longer than this one, but they all ask the above question along with questions like the following few: Why is the Church shutting me out? Why can’t I get married and retain my sacramental privileges? Why is the Church forcing me to choose between the one I love and my faith tradition?

This article will not attempt to answer all these questions. However, it will focus attention on Orthodox Christians who marry non-Christians, with the underlying assumption that the implications and challenges related to this pastoral challenge are very complex and deserve considerably more attention.

Some General Statistics

Research studies investigating religion in this country suggest that non-Christians comprise nearly 4 percent of the population. These studies also indicate that some of the fastest growing faith groups in this country are non-Christian, which means that the number of non-Christians who populate America’s religious landscape will likely increase.

Coupled with this, recent studies also indicate that the percentage of people who do not have a religious affiliation is on the rise, up from 8% in 1990 to over 14 percent in 2001. Given these and other similar statistics, one could argue that it is becoming increasingly more likely for Orthodox Christians to meet and fall in love with someone from a non-Trinitarian and non-Christian background.

How Pervasive?

We do not know the percentage of Greek Orthodox Christians who are choosing to marry non-Christians. Nonetheless, on the basis of the attention delegates have placed on this issue during the last three Clergy Laity Congresses, it could be argued that the number of Greek Orthodox Christians marrying non-Christians may be increasing. In particular, during the last three Congresses - held in Philadelphia, Los Angeles and New York - delegates who participated in the Interfaith Marriage Committee spent an inordinate amount of the committee’s time discussing the challenges they faced related to inter-religious marriage. Moreover, the committee reports given at the plenary during these Congresses reflect the importance that delegates placed on this issue.

My own personal experiences also suggest that marriages between Orthodox Christians and non-Christians are likely on the rise. In addition to the e-mail I receive from Orthodox and non-Orthodox who are typically puzzled by the Church’s stance regarding inter-religious marriage, both lay leaders and clergy often approach me asking if anything is being done to address the needs of those who choose to marry non-Trinitarian Christians and nonChristians outside of the Church.

Only a Small Percentage My experiences working with thousands of marriages and families within the GOA has taught me that while it is

true that the type of couples this article is focused upon comprises a small percentage of the marriages that Greek Orthodox Christians are entering, I believe that a sizable number of people are impacted by this trend. To be more specific, when thinking about these marriages, I would maintain that it is an error to simply limit our focus to the Orthodox partner who enters these marriages. I would further argue that Greek Orthodox Christians who crossover religious boundaries are embedded within marriages, families and extended families, and the pastoral challenges they face tend to not only impact them, but also affect their marriages, children, families and extended families. All of which suggests that more than just the individual Orthodox spouse is affected by this pastoral challenge.

Unique Challenges

Studies investigating inter-religious marriages typically group most of the challenges these spouses and couples encounter in the following categories.

Moreover, these challenges tend to impact individual, marital, family and extended family well-being and stability. What follows are a few examples.

Individual Challenges. When compared to inter-Christian couples and single faith couples, studies suggest that Christians who marry non-Christians encounter a host of unique challenges that tend to have a negative impact on the frequency and practice of their faith.

Marital Challenges

Christians who marry non-Christians tend to face a host of unique challenges that can potentially have a negative impact on marital satisfaction and religious and spiritual well-being.

Children’s Developmental Challenges Studies also suggest that children raised in households where parents’ religious backgrounds are inherently different indicate that some will end up identifying with one or the other parents’ religious background, others will identify with a faith background that is different than either of their parents’ backgrounds and a large percentage will fail to identify with any religious background.

Extended Family Challenges

Extended family challenges tend to also be more pronounced and more frequent in number due to spouses’ cultural and religious differences. When compared to inter-Christian couples and single faith couples, higher levels of culture shock are commonly reported. Higher numbers of cut-offs between one or both partners and extended family are also reported.

Current Pastoral Guidelines

For reasons similar to those listed above, the Orthodox Church does not endorse inter-religious marriage, nor does it permit Orthodox Christians who choose to marry non-Trinitarian Christians and non-Christians to marry in the Orthodox Church. Moreover, the only way that a marriage of this type can be conducted in the Orthodox Church is if the non-Orthodox partner considers conversion. Should this fail to be an option, and the Orthodox Christian chooses to marry outside of the Orthodox Church, s/he will lose their good standing and will be unable to actively practice their Orthodox faith.

Some Lingering Questions and Concerns As I have indicated, I have received

 page 14

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

D. PANAGOS

Archbishop Demetrios of America with departing L-100 chairman John Payiavlas present Minister Demetris Avramopoulos with the Award for Excellence.

L-100 Honors Avramopoulos at 15th Annual Meeting KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – The 15th annual Leadership 100 Conference held Feb. 9-12, honored Greece’s minister of tourism and featured a sports workshop with famed New York Yankees third baseman and power hitter Alex (A-Rod) Rodriguez.

The conference also included a Forum on Hellenism led by author Nicholas Gage and his daughter, Eleni; a business forum conducted by long-time Leadership 100 member and entrepreneur John Catsimatidis and a women’s workshop by businesswoman and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Barbara Spyridon Pope.

The Leadership 100 Award for Excellence presented to Mr. Avramopoulos recognizes outstanding Greek Orthodox and Greek American leaders who have excelled in their vocation and who are committed to the advancement of Orthodoxy and Hellenism in their professions and in their lives.

(Since the award presentation, a restructuring of the Greek government took place and Mr. Avramopoulos was assigned the portfolio of Minister of Health).

Mr. Avramopoulos also is a former mayor of Athens, Greece, serving from 1994-2002. In 2004, he was elected to Parliament.

Major Leaguer

Since his debut in Major League Baseball, Rodriguez has received many awards, shattered MLB records, and become one of the premier baseball players in the league. In addition to winning the 2005 American League MVP, he also won the award in 2003. He is a nine-time All-Star, with seven Silver Slugger and two Gold Glove awards.

Rodriguez fielded numerous questions about his record-breaking career in major league baseball, his youth, his business interests, his values and his family life.

Accompanied by his wife, the former Cynthia Scurtis, the granddaughter of a Greek Orthodox priest, he spoke of growing up in Miami where his mother worked at a Latin American restaurant, his early devotion to baseball, which he uses as a metaphor for life, and the courting of his wife and her Greek American family.

He said that his marriage into one “of the most beautiful families” changed his lifestyle and gave him direction and appreciation of true values to live by, citing the advice of his wife’s grandfather.

His wife reciprocated, calling him one of the most dedicated, loyal and honest partners.

Hellenism forum

Nicholas Gage, former New York Times reporter and author Nicholas Gage addressed the topic: “Can Orthodoxy and Hellenism Survive in the American Melting Pot?” He pointed to the unique identity of Greeks and Greek Americans who carried the values paramount in an enlightened world, and gave Western Civilization not only the gift of democracy, but also the gift of the love of life or “pursuit of happiness.”

The author of the best-selling books Eleni and Greek Fire, was joined by his daughter, Eleni Gage, who gave the perspective of women and youth, saying that mothers preserved and perpetuated Orthodoxy and Hellenism by passing on the language, values and culture of their faith and heritage. The author of a new book, North of Ithaka, she spoke of her experience, recounted in the book, of returning to her father’s native village, Lia, in Epirus, Greece, to restore the ancestral home.

Now living in New York and an editor at People magazine, she said she learned that “you can go home again,” but that the essence of Hellenism was to be neither Greek nor American, but as Socrates said, “A citizen of the world.”

General Assembly

Earlier, Leadership 100 held its General Assembly, introducing George Behrakis as the new chairman and Stephen Yeonas as vice chairman, and reported on record-setting assets at the end of 2005 in the Endowment Fund of $54.9 million, the highest number of contributions, in the same period, since 2001, and grants allocated, including $2.5 million in 2006, now exceeding $20 million since the inception of the organization in 1984.

At the traditional Leadership 100 Greek Night, guests of honor were Avramopoulos and Congressman Michael Bilirakis of Florida who is retiring from Congress after several decades of service.

Leadership 100, formally named The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund in recognition of the late Archbishop Iakovos’ vision, is a separately incorporated endowment fund supporting the priority needs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, but broadly dedicated to advancing the Orthodox faith and Hellenic ideals in America, disbursing grants ranging from scholarship funds for individuals studying for the priesthood, building an information infrastructure and Internet ministries for the Archdiocese, promoting Home Mission and providing assistance to emergencies such as September 11, earthquakes and medical needs.

ARE YOU PROUD TO BE A GREEK? Would you like to learn your glorious past and present ?

The great contribution of Greece in every aspect of civilization ?

READ THIS BOOK JOIN THE THOUSANDS WHO DID ALREADY

CONTAINS YOUR LEGACY WHICH MAKES YOU UNIQUE IN THIS WORLD

“Greeks: The Lighthouse of Civilization throughout the Ages”

By Damian M. Danopoulos, M.D. A luxurious soft-bound edition of 200 pages and 93 colored illustrations. (NOW IN GREEK, TOO) Price: $ 22 free shipping anywhere in the world.

TO ORDER:Call 1-937-298-5200 (Author) You pay after you receive the book (2-3 books come via priority mail.)

Publisher: www.eptalofos.gr

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Direct Archdiocese District Holds Clergy-Laity Conference NEW YORK – The Direct Archdiocesan District Clergy Laity Assembly met for the first time in two years Feb. 6-7, with participants coming from as far away as the Bahamas, Washington, D.C., and Hartford, Conn.

Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, N.Y., was the host parish.

About 90 delegates registered representing 52 of the district’s 65 parishes.

Following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast Day of St. Photios, the assembly convened in its first plenary session with Archbishop Demetrios delivering the keynote address. His Eminence urged the communities to meet their financial obligations, and to respond to the needs of the Church, including the low response to a recent survey requested by the Archdiocese.

The Archbishop said the Archdiocesan district leads the other Metropolises statistically in terms of baptisms and weddings “by a long way,” but lack of proper financial support limits the development of vital programs needed to serve the faithful.

“Let’s be a model church,” His Eminence said.

Delegates heard reports from Archdiocesan Chancellor Bishop Savas, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, director of St. Michael’s Home, Director of Administration Jerry Dimitriou, Georgia Vlitas of the district Philoptochos and Fr. Luke Melackrinos on the Youth and Camping ministries.

Afterward, the delegates attended workshops on Digital Tools for Parish Ministry, Raising Parish Funds and Revitalizing Faith, followed by committee meetings covering family and youth ministries, Greek Education, outreach and evangelism, religious education and total commitment.

At the second plenary session, upon the recommendation of the Rev. Dr. Robert Stephanopoulos, dean of Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral, that the nominees for

D. PANAGOS

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS addresses the recent Archdiocese District Clergy Laity Assembly at Holy Trinity Church in New Rochelle, N.Y. Looking on are (l. to r.) Fr. Demetrios Moraitis ( standing), Fr. Nicholas Anctil, pastor of Holy Trinity; Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and Bishop Andonios of Phasiane.

the Archdiocesan District Council elected two years ago, be reappointed, since the council did not meet since the previous assembly in 2004.

They are: Nicholas Anagnostopoulos, Sts. Constantine and Helen, West Nyack, N.Y.; Anthony Brigis, Resurrection Church, Old Brookville (former located in Glen Cove) N.Y.; Stella Capiris, Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, Conn.; Stephen Cherpelis, St. Nicholas, Flushing, N.Y.; the Rev. Constantine Combitsis, St. Spyridon, Washington Heights, N.Y.; Dr. Constantine Flokas, Prophet Elias, Yonkers, N.Y.; Fr. Constantine Matthews, Annunciation, Stamford, Conn.; Fr. James Moskovites, Annunciation, New York; the Very Rev. Eugene Pappas, Three Hierarchs, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos, Holy Trinity/St. Nicholas, Staten Island, N.Y.; Vasilios Pipinos, Sts. Anargyroi, New York; Harry Rap-

takis, St. Paul, Hempstead, N.Y., Fr. Demetrios Recachinas, Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, Conn.; Constantine Rogdakis, Archangel Michael, Roslyn Heights, N.Y.; Dr. George Saines, Holy Cross, Middletown, N.Y.; Fr. Chris Talleos, Holy Cross, Middletown, N.Y.; Fr. Elias Villis, Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y.; Dr. George Zimmer, Church of Our Savior, Rye; and Fr. Peter Orfanakos, St. Barbara Church, Orange, Conn.

Committee reports were presented at the third plenary session on Tuesday.

In her report on Greek Education, Maria Makedon listed the following recommendations by the committee: that an expert on school law and sexual harassment issues be invited to speak at the schools, that sponsors and benefactors be located to help the schools, that neighboring schools should consider merging in the face of declining enrollment and that

the Committee on Greek Education meet at least twice a year.

In the youth ministry report, recommendations included that each parish offer a minimum of $500 to support the Camp St. Paul Program for children who cannot afford the registration costs, and that a standardized mandatory marriage preparation program be developed and required in all parishes of the district, developed in conjunction with the Family Care Center at St. Basil Academy.

The Outreach and Evangelism Committee recommended that parishes encourage congregational participation in the services and that each parish establish an outreach committee.

The Religious Education Committee urged that the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival be heavily promoted and that each parish have an Oratorical Festival Sunday where the priest meets with students to discuss their topics.

The Total Commitment Committee recommended that the district should have a staff for the ministries and activities throughout the district, that a stewardship committee be established for the Archdiocesan District and that testimonials be included from parishioners and stewardship committee members who pledge more than the minimum to help inspire others and to bring guest speakers to parishes to discuss stewardship and total commitment.

In a brief discussion of the upcoming Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville, Archbishop Demetrios said the congress “will try to focus on things much more directly related to the life of the Church, and with a focus on education, worship and philanthropy.

The Archbishop said that “worship is a central issue and basic way of attracting people from outside.”

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Demos Kukeas

ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

Great and Holy Lent

Your Real Estate Professional in Naples, FL and Bonita

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, As we begin the season of Great and Holy Lent, we embark upon a spiritual journey replete with abundant opportunities for spiritual growth in Christ.

This forty-day period is a time for intensified prayer and fasting. It is a time whereby the Church invites us to seek the forgiveness of our loving and compassionate God, to distance ourselves from sin, and to remain steadfast along the path of righteousness toward His heavenly Kingdom.

In the words of the hymnologist, it is a time for each of us “to enter the inner chamber of our soul” (Hymn from Tuesday Matins, Week One).

As a time for inner reflection, we approach Holy Lent with a spirit of anticipation, for we look forward to our growth in Christ that this period occasions. At the same time, we acknowledge that the act of looking inward is a task that requires great courage.

To look inward in a manner that is truly honest requires serious labors of the mind, heart, and soul. It requires us to be willing to encounter our own shortcomings, faults, and habits by which we separate ourselves, intentionally or unintentionally, from the love of God. More than this, it requires us to correct our faults through our commitment to genuine repentance, to metanoia, which is a complete turning of our minds toward wholesomeness and union with God. We engage upon this exercise not with feelings of grief, but rather with feelings of reassurance, knowing that the grace of God has the power to eliminate our every infirmity and to restore any level of distance that we may have placed between ourselves and our loving Creator.

Our task of approaching our shortcomings with honesty and courage is fortified by prayer and by our exercise of fasting throughout Holy Lent. As a discipline of spiritual askesis, fasting accords us with the ability to offer our prayers to God with sharpened focus and power, to probe more deeply into the inner recesses of our hearts, and to rid ourselves of excess entanglements that interfere with our ability to come closer to the Lord.

Thus, fasting is a spiritual discipline aimed at abstaining not simply from certain foods, but ultimately from sin itself, from any obstacle that blocks our communion with God. Additionally, Holy Lent is important for us because it prepares us spiritually for the special period of Holy Week, when we venerate Christ's saving passion and crucifixion, and His victory over death through His resurrection.

As such, Holy Lent is a time to appreciate more fully the unending love of God, which has permeated history since the dawn of humanity and continues to work miracles within our contemporary world.

This act of appreciating more fully God's love for us complements our prayer, our commitment to repentance, and our exercise of fasting. It also enables us to respond accordingly with acts of love and philanthropy toward others, remembering that “by loving one another do all people know that we are disciples of Jesus” (cf. John 13:35).

Viewed in this manner, the period of Holy Lent is not only a period of quiet solicitude to pray for our own reconciliation with God; it is also a time to renew our Christian identity as people of compassion, to intensify our efforts to pray for the peace of the entire world, and to aid our brothers and sisters everywhere in need, particularly in light of so many tragedies brought on by natural disasters and armed conflict, which our world has painfully witnessed in recent months and years.

My beloved Christians, As we embark upon this most sacred season of our Holy Orthodox Church, I pray that we may all look toward Holy Lent as an opportunity for renewed spiritual growth in Christ.

Through increased opportunities for prayer and worship, increased opportunities to receive the grace of God through the Holy Sacraments, and intensified efforts at spiritual askesis and almsgiving, we embark upon a journey for our building of faith and our nourishing of love for one another.

May God provide you with strength during this journey of Holy Lent, so that each and every day along it you may “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop Demetrios of America

Call me for all your Real Estate needs, Residential: Resale and Preconstruction Investment: 1031 Exchange, Tax Differed Tel.: Toll Free: 800-NAPLES-8 (800) 627-5378 Direct: (239) 592-9222 3411 Tamiami Trail North, Naples, FL 34108

E-mail: demos@golfbeach.com www.naplesflproperties.com

10

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

EDITORIAL

A Major Milestone The visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is now history, but its impact will leave a lasting impression.

Making his fourth trip to the United States, more than any other Ecumenical Patriarch, His All Holiness paid his first visit to the Tampa Bay area, with its heavy concentration of Greek Orthodox faithful, and to the devastated city of New Orleans.

He came to take part in a great milestone for the Church in America, the 100th anniversary of the Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs, the oldest and largest such event outside of Greece.

In the process, Patriarch Bartholomew raised the status of the event to an even greater height as, for the first time ever, through satellite broadcast, more than 150 countries were able to view the leaders of our Church celebrate the Jan. 6 ceremonies live.

From the moment he arrived Jan. 4 at the St. Petersburg-Clearwater airport, to his departure on the 8th following the Sunday Divine Liturgy and luncheon where he personally greeted hundreds, the Patriarch was received with joy and enthusiasm.

More importantly, at every venue he went, Patriarch Bartholomew brought the spiritual message of Orthodox Christianity to the area and witnessed to Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike.

And he brought the blessings of the Patriarchate not just to those from the immediate area, but also to many

 Prayer cards Editor, On opening the November issue of the Orthodox Observer I was so pleased to see that the Archdiocese was distributing prayer cards to our parishes. However my pleasure was short lived when I read the Lord’s Prayer and saw that a version with the word “trespasses” was approved by our Holy Synod. That so many Greek Orthodox parishes have been using this version was always appalling to me.

The Greek word “ophileimata” has only one legitimate English translation, and that is “debts.” Most major translations of the Holy Bible use debts and debtors, and in none of them does the word trespasses appear in the Lord’s Prayer.

This version of the Lord’s Prayer was introduced to the United States through the worship of many non-Orthodox Christians and was uncritically adopted by our Orthodox parishes in the early years when our clergy may not have had full understanding of the English language.

Incidentally, 10 years ago the Ecumenical Patriarch had formally approved an English version of the Divine Liturgy, which included the Lord’s Prayer containing the words debts and debtors.

Father Ephrem Lash, a noted translator of Orthodox services, had made an extensive analysis of the Lord’s Prayer for the Archdiocese of Great Britain in which he concluded that the version containing the word debts and debtors

who traveled thousands of miles to see him – including California, Rhode Island, New York Minnesota, Ohio and Alabama.

He also brought the message of love and caring to thousands of others when he toured the city of New Orleans for several hours on Jan. 7 and spoke of the feeling of pain he shared with the residents and government leaders.

The Patriarch delivered more than 20 addresses to various groups at several venues as he presented his message over a five-day period.

Considering this was the first visit of the Patriarch to the Tampa Bay area, the event was a resounding success.

Of everything seemed to flow effortlessly, it was due to the hard work of the hundreds of volunteers who deserve special thanks for such an outstanding achievement.

Parishioners in the Tarpon Springs community, and those in the surrounding parishes, who gave of themselves, their time, and their resources to help make this visit a reality and a success.

Under the leadership of the Very Rev. Sebastian Skordallos and Mr. William “Bill” Planes, whose boundless energy brought together many people who previously had not worked together to move enthusiastically toward the common goal.

They did their community and the Tampa Bay area proud.

Their accomplishment, indeed, was also a significant milestone, in the Church’s ministry.

is unquestionably correct.

The Orthodox Study Bible speaks clearly in explaining the true words, saying that “Debts refers to spiritual debts: when we sin we ‘owe’ restitution to our offended neighbor and to God.” By definition all debts, both those created by sin as well as by money, are an obligation requiring expiation unless they are otherwise forgiven. It is in this context that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke in teaching this prayer to His disciples.

Debts also express our obligation to correct the “sins of omission” which Jesus eloquently presents in His account of the separation of the goats and the sheep (Matthew 25:44-46).

Why would Jesus be quoted by both Matthew and Luke as having used debts and debtors exclusively in this prayer, whereas in all other places in the Scriptures the words “amarties” and “paraptomata” are used, and properly translated as sins and trespasses?

Trespasses is a word that in English makes a very weak statement.

Over my 80 years of existence I have seen our Orthodox hierarchs and priests accept another early Anglo-Saxon phrase – “The Holy Ghost” – which they used in their writings and worship in America for many decades until, in the early 1960’s, that error was finally corrected to “The Holy Spirit”.

By approving an incorrect translation of the Lord’s Prayer our Holy Synod is now perpetuating another erroneous expression.

Archiepiscopal Reflections Overcoming the Stress of Modern Life In continuing our series of reflections, we have repeatedly emphasized that our Orthodox Christian faith is imbued with a spirit of joy and reassuring hope, for we rest secure in the knowledge that our victory over sin, evil, and death has been secured by Christ.

Despite the spiritual comfort that comes from this

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America knowledge, however, we would be remiss if we were to overlook and fail to consider the very real presence of stress, anxiety, and depression in the lives of so many people.

Here, a pressing question arises: How is it that people who are genuinely committed to living their lives in the Christian faith, a faith which has the power to move mountains (Matthew 21:21), can continue to experience considerable levels of stress and anxiety, even to the point of being emotionally overwhelmed?

Several answers to this question may be offered.

As members of a highly advanced technological society, it is not surprising that the hyper-saturation of stimuli available to us through so many channels results not in feelings of satisfaction, but rather in feelings of uneasiness. These stimuli place heavy pressures upon us.

For example, popular magazines place strong pressures upon women to “look a certain way” or upon men to “have a certain job” in order to meet what society has deemed as “appropriate standards for success.” These pressures are particularly heavy upon young adults who live in an increasingly professional, complicated, and mobile world.

For newly married couples, the balancing of work and family life is a stressful adjustment indeed; and for all married couples, the financial pressures associated with family expenses, child education, or elderly care indeed carry enormous stress.

Our closer attention and appreciation of the invaluable remedies offered by our Orthodox Christian Church may provide us with the additional inner strength and wisdom that we need in order to overcome pressures, to deal with all sorts of stressors, and to ultimately arrive, in the midst of painful feelings, at a level of tranquility that St. Paul describes as the peace of God which surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

One of these remedies is our participation in the Sacraments of the Church, especially our regular receiving of Holy Communion, where we partake of the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Other means through which we may be recipients of the healing grace of God are our encountering of His Word in reading the Holy Scriptures, our prayer, our spiritual exercise of fasting, especially during this period of Holy Lent now at hand, our fellowship with our neighbors, and our expressions of love and philanthropy to others in need.

This short reflection has attempted to deal with some of the sources of stress, anxiety, and uneasiness in our lives. It is by no means exhaustive.

It has, by way of offering two or three examples, tried to explain concisely some of the remedies offered by our Orthodox Church concerning these potentially debilitating feelings.

Ultimately, it is our faith in the God of peace and love that constitutes the absolute remedy to any anxiety, stress, uneasiness, or depression. It is in this spirit that I fervently pray that we may remain confident in the love of our Lord for us always, encouraged by the eternal joy and unlimited hope of our Christian beliefs, and unbridled in our capacity to grow as human beings fully alive and forever protected by His infinite mercy and care.

For how many decades must we once again endure a liturgical mistake introduced to us by the non-Orthodox world?

How can we explain and rationalize to our faithful, our children and our grandchildren why this version, which does not appear in the Holy Bible, would be used in our worship?

Isn’t Orthodoxy the repository of Christ’s true words?

John P. Nasou. M.D.

 Silver Spring Editor, With regards to the “Official Prayer Cards,” it is fantastic to see an effort to standardize the English version of our prayers, hymns and liturgical heritage.

However it is equally important that we

break away from the shackles of the old English translation of the 1600s and all their biases. For example the last word in the Lord’s Prayer, “evil,” in the Orthodox tradition refers to the “evil one,” the devil.

Not to evil in general.

More importantly the old English translation is replete with sexist translations that we have the opportunity to make right.

One would argue that in contemporary usage “men” and “brethren” has really taken on a generic meaning and is not referring just to men but to all humans.

That may be, but given the choice and the chance to do it right we should take every opportunity to convey the true message of our heritage, a message of inclusiveness and equal worth in the eyes of God and the Church for men and women.

Demetri Papacostas Bedford, N.Y.

11

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Archiepiscopal Encyclical The Feast of the Three Hierarchs 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, It is in following the beautiful and blessed tradition of our Holy Orthodox Church that we gather once again to commemorate the Three Hierarchs and ecumenical teachers, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom.

Through their legacy of faith, piety, and divine wisdom, these holy Fathers have guided Christians down through the centuries toward the true source of love and salvation, Jesus Christ.

It was their love for God, their experience of the presence of Christ, their lives of prayer, and their deep theological reflection that showed these great leaders of the Church to be living images of Christ, abiding in Him as branches joined to the “true vine” (John 15:1). Drawing from this omniscient and eternal source of life and wisdom, the Three Hierarchs bore “fruit that remains” (John 15:16).

Their witness of Christ and their service to Him and His Church continue to this day through the record of their saintly lives, their sermons, orations, and great theological treatises, and through this annual commemoration by which we honor these three great luminaries.

As bearers of divine fruit, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom knew the significance of this metaphor offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, and they each addressed this in their sermons and writings as they called the faithful to be joined to Christ and to bear the fruit of witness and service.

In his homily on John 15, St. John Chrysostom emphasized the continual presence of Christ with us, the true vine that is always connected to the branches giving them life.

St. John states that Christ has shown his love to us in many ways: He has made known to us what He has heard from the Father (v. 15); He calls us His friends and has chosen us for His divine work (vv. 14-16); and He has granted us the greatest of blessings by suffering for us.

Further, Christ shows His great love for us by “remaining continually with those who shall bring forth fruit; for it is needful to enjoy His aid, and so to bear fruit” (Homily 77 on the Gospel of St. John).

St. John affirms that Christ in His great love for us has joined Himself to us and is offering us all that we need to bear good fruit that will lead us to salvation.

In his great treatise, the Hexaemeron, St. Basil the Great refers to the vine, focusing on the importance of the Church, the community of believers, in bearing good fruit.

He states that in establishing the Church, Christ “has planted for us…apostles, prophets, and teachers…. He wishes that the claspings of love, like the tendrils of the vine, should attach us to our neighbors and make us rest on them, so that, in our continual aspirations towards heaven, we may imitate these vines, which raise themselves to the tops of the tallest trees” (Homily 6).

Here, St. Basil affirms the necessity of our life in the Church. To grow spiritually and bear good fruit in our journey toward eternal salvation, we need the community of faith and the guidance of our divine services, teachings and traditions.

These offer us a witness of the lives of many who have attained the heights of glory, and in our trust and imitation of those who have gone before us we will experience an abiding communion with Christ that will transform our lives and the lives of those around us.

It is the witness of our faith to others that is addressed by St. Gregory the Theologian in his Oration on the Holy Lights.

Speaking on the presence of Christ in our lives as a source of strength and protection against evil, he states that “having guarded our soul with every care, and having appointed goings up in our heart, and broken up our fallow ground, and sown unto righteousness…let us speak of the Wisdom of God that has been hid in a mystery, and enlighten others.

Meanwhile, let us purify ourselves, and receive the elementary initiation of the Word, that we may do ourselves the utmost good, making ourselves godlike, and receiving the Word at His coming; and not only so, but holding Him fast and showing Him to others.”

While St. Gregory affirms the necessity of spiritual growth, he acknowledges that our lives should direct others to Christ. If our souls are initiated in Christ and secured to the true vine, then our lives will offer a witness to the world by revealing His saving presence and enlightening others with His truth.

These words of the Three Hierarchs offer deep insight into our spiritual lives and the divine task we are called to do. To bear fruit and offer a ministry of witness and service in this world we must be joined to Christ, and we must be assured of His guiding presence.

This assurance and experience of His divine presence comes through our lives of prayer and our full participation in His Holy Church. Through daily communion with Him and our spiritual growth through the sacramental and didactic life of the Church, we will bear enduring fruit in our own souls that will lead us to salvation and eternal fellowship with our Lord.

We will also bear fruit in the lives of others as we cultivate our souls in holiness and divine truth. Following the example of the Three Hierarchs, “who have illumined all of the world and with godly knowledge have watered all creation in clear and mighty streams,” may we strive to bear fruit that will remain for our families, our parishes, and for generations to come as a witness to the love of our Lord Jesus Christ.

With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop Demetrios of America

12

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The Sixth Psalm for the Sixth Year of the 21st Century What does the Sixth Psalm have to say to the hearts of a nation entering the sixth year of the 21st century?

While many might consider the content and message of the Psalter irrelevant and out-dated, the hymns of David provide valuable wisdom for those of us who look to the Holy Scriptures for spiritual guidance.

Looking to BUY or SELL a Home in Florida?

21737 State Road 7 Boca Raton, Florida 33428 Office: 1 888 350-2345 Ext. 318 Office: 1 561 488-1669 Direct

ΟΜΙΛΟΥΜΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

Offered to Communities, Organizations, Church festivals and all other functions.

Kontos Foods famous for its POCKET-LESS PITA, is proud to present its original products once again.

Fillo Kataifi Delicious, traditional products made

Spanakopita Tyropita with the highest quality ingredients

Courteous Service • WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA KONTOS FOODS, INC • EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President

BOX 628, PATERSON, NJ 07544

(973) 278-2800 • Fax: (973) 278-7943

by Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos

The Book of Psalms of the Old Testament is composed of songs of praise that were originally sung in worship, accompanied by a musical instrument. The time of their composition was primarily before the time of the Babylonian exile, but probably ranges over five centuries.

The authorship of 73 of the Psalms is attributed to David. The numbering of Psalms often differ by one, the Hebrew Psalter being one more than the Greek translation (Septuagint).

The Hebrew Psalms number 150, and are generally of three types: (a) laments, both individual and communal, (b) hymns, and (c) songs of thanksgiving.

Others are classified as royal psalms, some wisdom psalms, and others defy classification. Beginning with Psalm Six the Psalter also provides a series of seven penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51,102, 130, 143) that bring great comfort to a repentant heart.

As we embark upon yet another New Year it would do us well to consider the moral of the following story, which beautifully conveys the timeless counsel of David’s Sixth Psalm.

While Niko was visiting his grandparents during Christmas they gave him his first slingshot. He practiced in the woods, but he could never hit his target. As he came back to Grandma’s back yard, he spied her pet duck. On an impulse he took aim and let fly. The stone hit, and the duck fell dead.

The boy panicked. Desperately he hid the dead duck in the wood pile, only to look up and see his sister watching. Sophia had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch that day, his grandmother asked Sophia to help her wash the dishes. But Sophia said that Niko told her that he wanted to help in the kitchen today. “Didn’t you, Niko?” she asked, and whispered to him, “Remember the duck!” So Niko did the dishes.

Later Niko’s grandfather asked if he and Sophia wanted to go fishing. “I’m sorry,’ YaYa said, “but I need Sophia to help with supper.” But Sophia smiled and said, “That’s all taken care of. Niko wants to do it.” Again she whispered, “Remember the duck.” So Niko stayed while his sister went fishing. After several days of Niko doing his sister’s chores, he confessed to his grandmother that he had killed the duck.

“I know,” she said, giving him a hug. “I was standing at the window and saw the whole thing. Because I love you, I forgave you.

However, I was wondered how long you would try to hide your sin and let Sophia make a slave of you.”

The primary focus of the sixth psalm is the liberating grace of sincere repentance.

On the other hand, as illustrated in the aforementioned anecdote, weakness, fear, pain and sadness are all the consequences of mankind’s distorted nature - our unwillingness to acknowledge personal sin and our dependence on God. According to St. Gregory of Nyssa, “sin is the enemy” to which David refers in his sixth psalm. The truly liberated are those who recognize and acknowledge that the spiritual and physical distresses that we experience in this life are often “the result of passions, greed, delusion, ambition, jealousy and the entire swarm of human evils.”

“Our enemies,” Nyssa concludes, are not those that assail us from the outside, but “domestic ones that proceed from the heart to defile a person.”

The testimony of David’s Sixth Psalm reveals the fact that life languishes when “our enemies” entice us to live it without God. Perhaps this is the reason why many living in our contemporary society often appear so miserable and gloomy. Yes, while many have amassed great wealth, obtained degrees, risen to positions of power and prominence, and appear self-dependent, one can discern an inner poverty and spiritual hunger in the literature, film and music that they simultaneously enjoy.

We need only peruse the titles of popular television shows such as “Lost,” the “Dead Zone,” “Criminal Minds,” “Sex and the City” and “Desperate Housewives” to detect the immense level of humanity’s desperate attempt to either conceal or rationalize it’s inner emptiness.

Where can we turn for guidance? What greater counsel can a nation entering the sixth year of the 21st century receive than the sixth testimony of a man who, as King of Israel, apparently had it all!

And yet, without God, and without repentance, he described his soul as “broken ... languishing... and sorely troubled” (Psalm 6: 2-3). “I am withering away,” David laments, “O Lord, save me!”

In such a state, the psalmist casts himself upon the loving-kindness of God. He desires that his readers learn the truth that a life lived in secret sin, or with undefeated injurious habits will age the body at a far greater pace than any life lived honestly.

Although un-forgiveness, bitterness, pride, and even disappointment, have the ability to rot the very bones of a man, St. Gregory of Nyssa stresses the pedagogical value of such spiritual and physical brokenness as routes for returning to virtue and wholeness.

Like David, Nyssa insists that repentance is the essence of such a journey whereby sin, mistakes and inadequacies are acknowledged and forgiveness is inherited.

Like David and Nyssa, St. John Chrysostom emphasizes the great opportunity that repentance affords the spiritually broken by subdividing the process of their healing into three stages.

Using the Psalm Six as his template Chrysostom suggests that repentance includes: (a) sorrow, (b) supplication, and (c) separation. He likens the entire process of repentance to the healing relationship that exists between physician and patient whereby the “wounds of sin are not neglected.”

Like David, we too are encouraged by Chrysostom to first develop a sincere sense of sorrow (6:2-3, 6-7) for our condition.

“My soul is troubled,” laments David, “I am weary with morning... I drench my bed with weeping.” Such contrition is the direct result of honest evaluation and assessment of the presence and consequence of sin in our lives.

By “imitating his sorrow,” writes Chrysostom, we, like David, might receive the “medicine” of tears.

Only when sorrow has firmly taken hold, Chrysostom insists, we will learn how to genuinely supplicate (6:4-5) the Divine Physician for relief from our malady.

This is the second stage of repentance.

Like David we will turn from our respective sources of self-dependence to that of God. Having turned from societal mirages that promise happiness, wisdom and strength through curative self-mastery the suppli-

 page 29

13

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

TICKETS TO GREECE ON SALE !! ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ - ΑΘΗΝΑ - ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ ΧΕΙΜΩΝΑΣ

ROUND TRIP FROM

$

338

248

ONE WAY $ FROM

SPRING 2006: FROM $ 498 - SUMMER 2006: FROM $ 775 RESTRICTIONS APPLY - SPACE IS LIMITED-FUEL + TAXES EXTRA ΧΑΜΗΛΕΣ ΤΙΜΕΣ ΑΠ΄ΟΛΗ ΤΗΝ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗ

STERLING TRAVEL Toll Free: 1-800-473-3238 20 LAUREN LANE, PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. 08865

908-213-6826 or 908-213-1251 www.hellastickets.com Owner: Vasilis & Minna Angelis

In New Orleans: “to answer the need of our soul” NEW YORK – “ Your pain was and is our pain. It was felt by all humanity,” said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during his visit to hurricane-ravaged New Orleans on Jan. 7, which was featured nationaly on New York Times’ front page.

His All Holiness reminded the world of the daunting task ahead as he prayed for the more than a thousand lives lost to Katrina.

“The city of New Orleans will be rebuilt”, he said. “Damage will be restored. Life will blossom. Let us build our personal lives according to the will of God; then we will find happiness and be truly at peace.”

Accompanied by Archbishop Demetrios of America, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, and several other hierarchs, clergy and laity, His All Holiness had included the visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral of New Orleans, the first Greek Orthodox community in America, as a part of his historic visit to Tarpon Springs, Fla. for the Centennial Celebration of Epiphany and St. Nicholas Cathedral. Following Katrina, the visit was given even more urgency, “to answer the need of our soul”, he said.

Fr. Anthony Stratis, cathedral dean, said Katrina’s impact on the city, including a quarter of the community’s 500 families whose homes were destroyed, only made the Ecumenical Patriarch more determined to visit. Hurricane Katrina, one of the worst disasters ever to strike the United States, also inflicted heavy

damage to several other communities and scattered Orthodox faithful from Texas to Florida.

Katrina Relief Fund

According to Bishop Andonios, director of the Dept. of Philanthropy, as of Jan. 31, $937,379.49 has been received by the Archdiocese from parish collections and individuals to its Hurricane Katrina Fund.

To date, $567,000 has been disbursed leaving a balance of $370.379.22. Bishop Andonios emphasized that “all funds will be disbursed as each case comes to our attention.

Because of the displacements caused by the hurricane, it is taking a long time to locate many of those in need and we understand that there are still between 70-80 families who need assistance.

To date, 60 families have received grants and funds have been disbursed according to need. “It is noteworthy,” he continued, “that many of the recipients had only received several hundred dollars from the Red Cross, and $2,000 from FEMA, while most grants from the Archdiocese were for $5,000.”

Archbishop Demetrios sent an additional gift at Christmas and wrote: “As you work to rebuild your lives, I trust that the funds sent you from our Archdiocesan Hurricane Katrina Fund have been of assistance to you in this period of recovery...”

FEATURING LENTEN MENUS THE IDEAL GIFT! 40% discount on orders of 10 or more to all fund-raising groups and retail outlets For less than 10 copies use the coupon below

Now with 60 NEW recipes for $ 14.95!

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY 30 Race Street Charleston, South Carolina 29403 Please send me ______ copies of “Popular Greek Recipes” at $14.95 plus $3.50 postage and handling for each copy. (Total $18.45 each)

Enclosed you will find $ _______________ for this order Name _______________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________ City__________________________ State ________ Zip Code __________

14

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Patriarchal Homily for Holy and Great Lent

 page 1 We need to substitute negative feelings with forgiveness, reprieve and prayer.

We should offer our beneficent actions to all of our fellow human beings, even, and perhaps most particularly, to the ones who hate, persecute and harm us.

When we examine ourselves to see whether we have it within us to forgive and to love others, we will then realize that we are in great need of good repentance, for we may be lacking in feelings of kindness, and we need to cleanse the inner recesses of our hearts of feelings and thoughts that, though we think they are permanently etched into us, do not befit our Christian identity.

Christ is ready to accept our good repentance and to help us spiritually regroup.

The heavens rejoice when sinners repent; indeed, great joy and feelings of freedom and relief overtake the Christian who offers good repentance for what he is, and who wishes for the increase of his love for God and other persons.

The soul of the person who clings onto feelings of aversion, hatred and other cruel and non-benevolent feelings toward others and God, on the other hand, is replete with grief and malevolence. Such a person causes pain not only to his fellow human beings but to himself.

In fact, the pain he inflicts upon himself is more than the pain he inflicts upon others. The people he traumatizes and hurts may be able to take comfort, to transform their pain into prayer and peace in their hearts.

The person who envies, though, who hates and dislikes, who is hostile, and who in general fights his fellow human beings, without repenting, lives an internal suffering caused by feelings of this kind.

The person who is not hostile toward others, but who is indifferent toward God

InTERFAITH MARRIAGE  page 6 many questions related to the marriages this article has briefly focused upon. Many have perturbed me and evoked a number of strong feelings and thoughts that have also left me with a number of related questions. As a way to end this article I would like to share some of these questions. In sharing these questions, my intention is not to create controversy, but to simply indicate that the trends I have briefly described may need more prayerful attention. Are we doing all we can for those

who marry non-Christians? Other than what we presently do for those who marry non-Christians, is there anything else we can do? What pastoral guidelines do other Orthodox Churches worldwide follow in an effort to address this challenge?

If the Orthodox partner desires to actively participate in their faith background, is there a way for the church to continue to minister to both the Orthodox partner and their children? And finally, is it time for our best and brightest to gather in an effort to examine this pastoral challenge more carefully?

and his fellow human beings and closes himself off from them, may end up in despair before death. Life will have no meaning for him.

He may even feel helpless and miserable about the way he leads his life, and he may see no hope. At some point, this person will come into contact with the truth, and he will, inevitably, encounter reality and repent, experiencing change.

Repentance will reveal itself in a different and real light than he is used to knowing.

If this is a person prepared to repent, and if he is filled with hope toward God, and if he leads his life toward the Father, he will be surprised by the reality he will experience.

But, having been familiarized with this good repentance, he will be empowered by its intensity and, he will fight all doubts and throw himself in the bosom of the Father, as did the prodigal son. He will partake of the Father’s love for which his soul was craving.

If a person, however, was not leading the good path toward good repentance, he will despair before the new reality for which he had never prepared. He will turn his back to the embrace of the virtuous God, and he will torment himself in the negation of the love that is offered to him.

Unfortunately, life is filled with regretful, desperate, and disappointed people who hesitate to return to the Father although He waits for them with open arms.

The repentance of every person is inevitable.

The time will surely come for each one of us when we will find ourselves before the truth; then, we will realize how far away we were from the truth during our lifetimes.

We will change our minds; namely, we will repent.

Blessed will be the one who repents the good repentance of the prodigal son, replete with hope, for he will find himself in the bosom of the Father. Miserable will be the one who will not change his mind and will not repent, thus leaving himself without hope.

He will resemble the one who admitted to handing an innocent man over to be killed, but, nevertheless, did not ask for forgiveness nor did he cry, but rather went away and hanged himself.

Let us listen carefully to the story of the prodigal son, fathers and children, and let us repent the good repentance in his likeness. Amen.

Holy and Great Lent 2006

Patriarch of Constantinople BARTHOLOMEW Your fervent intercessor before God

GRAND PRIZE - A BRAND NEW $500,000 CALIFORNIA HOME! Win a gorgeous brand new home in Southern California, close to LA, the beaches, Hollywood and even a short drive to Las Vegas.

DRAWING: April 15, 2006

Additional Prizes 1st Prize

Ticket sales end April 6, so don’t delay!

Brand New, 3,300+ Sq Ft, 5 bedroom, 3 bath, upstairs game room, loft, 3 car garage, fully landscaped front and back, granite countertops throughout, in a great Lancaster, CA neighborhood, close to the 14 freeway, 45 minutes to Beverly Hills and the LA scene, and only 3 hrs to Vegas and San Diego!

Tickets are only $100 for a chance to win this $500,000 home, or walk away with $250,000 cash!

2006 BMW 325i from Valencia BMW

2nd Prize

Greek Islands Cruise

To purchase tickets, call

1-800-494-4907 9am-5pm

3rd Prize Pacific Time

or download an entry form at www.avhouselottery.com The house was built and graciously donated by:

Benefits Sts. Contantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Building Fund. Tickets sold after 7 Jan 06 will also benefit the Antelope Valley School Districts. If enough tickets are sold, will also benefit Trinity Children’s Foundation and Grace Resource Center for the homeless in the Antelope Valley. Help us meet our goal and help our local charities. Full details available at www.avhouselottery.com

CA Attorney General’s Office Non-Profit Raffle Registration #: R-2988

42” Plasma TV from Calif. Soundworks

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ - ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2006

ΕΤΟΣ 71 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1221

Τα λαμπρότερα Θεοφάνεια της εκατονταετηρίδος TARPON SPRINGS, Fla – Η μικρή αυτή πόλη της Φλόριδας, «η πόλη των Θεοφανείων» γνώρισε εφέτος την πιο λαμπρή ημέρα της ιστορίας της και αναβαθμίστηκε με την παρουσία και ευλογία του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαρθολομαίου ώστε στο μέλλον θα είναι πλέον γνωστή ως «η Οικουμενική πόλη των Θεοφανείων». ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Ο Παναγιώτατος Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος προεξάρχων της τελετής της κατάδυσης του Τιμίου Σταυρού και ψάλλοντας το «Εν Ιορδάνη βαπτιζομένου σου Κύριε…» έριξε τον ειδικά κατασκευασμένο ξύλινο σταυρό στα νερά του γραφικού κολπίσκου Σπρίν γκ Μπαγιού καθώς ένα λευκό περιστέρι ξέφυγε από τα χέρια της νεαρής Καλλιόπης Χατζιλέρη και πέταξε στον γαλανό ουρανό, σύμφωνα με την παράδοση της Εκκλησίας μας. Πενήντα πέντε έφηβοι από τις ελληνορθόδοξες κοινότητες της ευρύτερης περιοχής που είχαν ήδη λάβει θέσεις σε βάρκες στοιχισμένες σε ημικύκλιο γύρω από την εξέδρα των επισήμων βούτηξαν

 óåë. 17

Α ΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

CAMERON THORP

Αγία και Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή

Ἀγαπητοί µου ἀδελφοί καί ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Καθώς ἀρχίζει ἡ Μεγάλη καί Ἁγία Τεσσαρακοστή, ξεκινοῦµε ἕνα πνευµατικό ταξίδι γεµᾶτο µέ πλῆθος δυνατοτήτων γιά πνευµατική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀνάπτυξη. Αὐτή ἡ περίοδος τῶν σαράντα ἡµερῶν εἶναι περίοδος ἐντατικῆς προσευχῆς καί νηστείας. Εἶναι περίοδος κατά τήν ὁποία ἡ Ἐκκλησία µᾶς προσκαλεῖ νά ἀναζητήσουµε συγχώρηση ἀπό τόν στοργικό καί εὔσπλαγχνο Θεό µας, νά ἀποµακρυνθοῦµε ἀπό τήν ἁµαρτία, καί νά παραµείνουµε σταθεροί στήν ὁδό τῆς δικαιοσύνης πού ὁδηγεῖ στήν οὐράνια βασιλεία Του. Ὅπως λέγει ὁ ὑµνωδός «∆εῦτε συνέλθωµεν ἐν τῷ ταµείῳ τῆς ψυχῆς Κυρίῳ τάς εὐχάς ἀποδιδόντες» (Ὕµνος τοῦ Ὄρθρου τῆς Τρίτης Α΄ Ἑβδοµάδος). Πλησιάζουµε µέ προσδοκία στή Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή, τήν περίοδο αὐτή τοῦ ἐσωτερικοῦ στοχασµοῦ, διότι ἐπιθυµοῦµε τήν ἐν Χριστῷ ἀνάπτυξή µας πού αὐτή µᾶς προσφέρει. Ταυτόχρονα, ἀναγνωρίζουµε ὅτι ὁ ἐσωτερικός ἔλεγχος ἀπαιτεῖ πολύ θάρρος. Τό νά στραφῇ κανείς καί νά ἀντικρύσῃ τόν ἑαυτό του µέ εἰλικρίνεια προϋποθέτει σοβαρή ἐργασία τῆς διάνοιας, τῆς καρδιᾶς καί τῆς ψυχῆς. Ἀπαιτεῖ τό νά θέλουµε νά συνειδητοποιήσουµε τά ἐλαττώµατα, τίς ἀδυναµίες καί τίς συνήθειες ἐξ αἰτίας τῶν ὁποίων ἀποµακρυνόµεθα, ἐκουσίως ἤ ἀκουσίως, ἀπό τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ. Περισσότερο, ὅµως, ἀπαιτεῖται νά διορθώσουµε τά ἐλαττώµατά µας µετανοώντας ἀληθινά, κάνοντας δηλαδή πλήρη στροφή πρός τήν ὁλοκλήρωση καί ἕνωση µέ τόν Θεό. Εἰσερχόµεθα στήν διαδικασία αὐτῆς τῆς ἀσκήσεως ὄχι µέ αἰσθήµατα θλίψεως ἀλλά µᾶλλον µέ αἰσθήµατα βεβαιότητος, γνωρίζοντας ὅτι ἡ χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ ἔχει τήν δύναµη νά ἐξαλείψῃ κάθε ἀναπηρία καί νά ἀποκαταστήσῃ οἱασδήποτε µορφῆς καί ἐκτάσεως ἀποµάκρυνση πού ἔχουµε προκαλέσει µεταξύ ἡµῶν καί τοῦ στοργικοῦ ∆ηµιουργοῦ. Ἡ προσπάθεια ἀντιµετωπίσεως τῶν ἐλαττωµάτων µας µέ εἰλικρίνεια καί θάρρος ὑποβοηθεῖται ἀπό τήν προσευχή καί τή νηστεία κατά τή διάρκεια τῆς Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστῆς. Ὡς πειθαρχηµένη πνευµατική ἄσκηση, ἡ νηστεία µᾶς παρέχει τή δυνατότητα νά προσφέρουµε τήν προσευχή µας στόν Θεό µέ ὀξυµένη προσοχή καί δύναµη, νά ἐρευνήσουµε βαθειά τίς ἐσώτερες πτυχές τῆς καρδιᾶς µας, καί νά ἀπαλλαγοῦµε ἀπό περιττές καταστάσεις οἱ ὁποῖες ἀποτελοῦν τροχοπέδη γιά τήν προσέγγισή µας στόν Θεό. Ἔτσι, ἡ νηστεία, ἀποτελεῖ πνευµατική ἄσκηση πού δέν ἀποσκοπεῖ µόνο στήν ἀποχή µας ἀπό συγκεκριµένες τροφές, ἀλλά, ἐν τελευταίᾳ ἀναλύσει, σέ ἀποχή ἀπό τήν ἁµαρτία, καί γενικά ἀπό κάθε ἐµπόδιο πού ἀνακόπτει τήν κοινωνία µας µέ τόν Θεό. Ἐπί πλέον, ἡ Ἁγία Τεσσαρακοστή εἶναι σηµαντική διότι µᾶς προετοιµάζει πνευµατικά γιά τήν βίωση τῆς εἰδικῆς περιόδου τῆς Μεγάλης Ἑβδοµάδος, κατά τήν ὁποία προσκυνοῦµε τό σωτηριῶδες πάθος τοῦ Χριστοῦ, τή σταύρωση καί τόν θρίαµβό Του

ἐπί τοῦ θανάτου διά τῆς ἀναστάσεώς Του. Ἡ Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή εἶναι, ἑποµένως, µία περίοδος κατά τήν ὁποία µποροῦµε νά ἐκτιµήσουµε πληρέστερα τήν ἀπέραντη ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἡ ὁποία ἔχει διαποτίσει τήν ἱστορία ἀπό τήν ἀρχή τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος καί συνεχίζει νά κάνῃ θαύµατα µέσα στόν σύγχρονο κόσµο µας. Αὐτή ἡ πράξη τῆς πληρέστερης ἀναγνωρίσεως τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά µᾶς, ἐνισχύει τήν προσευχή µας, τήν ὑποχρέωσή µας γιά µετάνοια, καί τήν ἄσκηση τῆς νηστείας. Ἐπίσης, µᾶς καθιστᾶ ἱκανούς νά πραγµατοποιοῦµε πράξεις ἀγάπης καί φιλανθρωπίας πρός τούς ἄλλους, ἐνθυµούµενοι τήν ρήση «ἐν τούτῳ γνώσονται πάντες ὅτι ἐµοί µαθηταί ἐστε, ἐάν ἀγάπην ἔχητε ἐν ἀλλήλοις» (Ἰωάν. 13:35). Κοιτάζοντας τήν περίοδο τῆς Μεγάλης Τεσσαρακοστῆς ὑπ’ αὐτή τήν ὀπτική γωνία, συνειδητοποιοῦµε ὅτι δέν πρόκειται ἁπλῶς γιά µιά περίοδο ἥσυχης περισυλλογῆς καί προσευχῆς γιά τή συµφιλίωσή µας µέ τόν Θεό. Πρόκειται ἐπίσης γιά περίοδο κατά τήν ὁποία ἀνανεώνουµε τήν ταυτότητά µας ὡς ἀνθρώπων στοργῆς, ἐντατικοποιοῦµε τίς προσπάθειές µας καί προσευχόµεθα γιά τήν εἰρήνη ὁλοκλήρου τοῦ κόσµου, καί βοηθοῦµε τούς συνανθρώπους µας πού χρειάζονται βοήθεια ὅπου καί ἐάν βρίσκονται, εἰδικά ὅταν ἀναλογιζόµεθα τίς πολλές τραγωδίες πού προκλήθησαν ἀπό φυσικές καταστροφές καί ἔνοπλες συγκρούσεις κατά τά τελευταῖα χρόνια καί τούς πρόσφατους µῆνες. Ἀγαπητοί µου Χριστιανοί, Καθώς ἀρχίζει αὐτή ἡ ἱερή ἐποχή γιά τήν Ὀρθόδοξο Ἐκκλησία µας, προσεύχοµαι νά καλωσωρίσουµε ὅλοι τήν ἔλευση τῆς Ἁγίας Τεσσαρακοστῆς ὡς ἐποχή πνευµατικῆς ἀνανεώσεως καί ἐν Χριστῷ ἀναπτύξεως. ∆ιά τῶν αὐξηµένων δυνατοτήτων γιά προσευχή καί λατρεία, διά τῶν αὐξηµένων εὐκαιριῶν γιά τήν πρόσληψη τῆς χάριτος τοῦ Θεοῦ µέσα ἀπό τά Ἱερά Μυστήρια, διά τῶν αὐξηµένων προσπαθειῶν γιά πνευµατική ἄσκηση καί ἐλεηµοσύνη, ξεκινοῦµε ἕνα ταξίδι γιά τήν οἰκοδόµηση τῆς πίστεως καί τήν καλλιέργεια τῆς ἀγάπης ἀνάµεσά µας. Εἴθε ὁ Θεός νά σᾶς δίνῃ δύναµη κατά τήν περίοδο τῆς Ἁγίας Τεσσαρακοστῆς, οὕτως ὥστε κάθε ἡµέρα νά «αὐξάνετε ἐν χάριτι καί γνώσει τοῦ Κυρίου ἡµῶν καί Σωτῆρος Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ» (Β΄ Πέτρου 3:18).

Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

ÿ ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀµερικῆς ∆ηµήτριος

16

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ-ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2006

Η ΦΛΟΡΙΔΑ ΑΓΚΑΛΙΑΣΕ ΤΟΝ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗ κ. ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟ TARPON SPRINGS, Fla – «Διάβαζα και άκουα γι’ αυτούς τους εορτασμούς και τώρα είμαι ευτυχής που εφέτος έχω την χαρά να προεξάρχω αυτών των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων», δήλωσε κατά την άφιξή του ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος. Η ελληνορθόδοξη Ομογένεια της Φλόριδας επεφύλαξε πολύ θερμή υποδοχή στον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη ο οποίος πραγματοποίησε πενθήμερη ιστορική επίσκεψη στο «ελληνικό χωριό» Τάρπον Σπρινγκς, μεταξύ 4 και 8 Ιανουαρίου επ’ευκαρία των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων των Θεοφανείων και της συμπλήρωσης 100 χρόνων από την πρώτη τελετή κατάδυσης του Τιμίου Σταυρού στο γραφικό κολπίσκο της πόλης, Spring Bayou. «Καλώς ήρθατε και πάλι στην Αμερική…», είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος προσφωνώντας τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη κατά την σεμνή αλλά ενθουσιώδη τελετή υποδοχής. «Σας καλωσορίζουμε στο Τάρπον Σπρίνγκς, σας καλωσορίζουμε με άδολη χαρά, θερμότατη αγάπη και βαθύτατο σεβασμό γιατί στο πρόσωπό σας αναγνωρίζουμε τον ακάματο, δυναμικό και πολυτάλαντο κήρυκα του Ευαγγελίου του Χριστού. Η επίσκεψή σας Παναγιώτατε είναι όντως ιστορική διότι είστε ο πρώτος Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης που επισκέπτεται την περιοχή αυτή, στην όντως επιβλητική εορτή των Θεοφανείων που διεξάγεται με ειδικό τρόπο εδώ στο Τάρπον Σπρίνγκς». Παρόντες στην υποδοχή μαζί με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο, ήταν ο τοπικός ιεράρχης Μητροπολίτης Ατλάντας κ. Αλέξιος, οι Μητροπολίτες της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, Σικάγου Ιάκωβος, Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, Ντιτρόϊτ Νικόλαος και Νέας Ιερσέης Ευάγγελος, καθώς και οι Μητροπολίτες Χόνγκ-Κονγκ Νικήτας και Ισπανίας Επιφάνιος αλλά και άλλοι ιεράρχες της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Συγκινημένος από τον ενθουσιασμό του κόσμου ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος χαιρετίζοντας το συγκεντρωμένο πλήθος των πιστών που προσήλθε για την υποδοχή από τις γειτονικές περιοχές και ενορίες είπε: «Με ιδιαιτέραν χαρά και συγκίνηση ευρίσκομαι και πάλι ανάμεσά σε σας, τους αγαπητούς Ομογενείς της Αμερικής… Διάβαζα και άκουα γι’ αυτούς τους εορτασμούς και τώρα είμαι ευτυχής που εφέτος έχω την χαρά να προεξάρχω αυτών των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων. Προγεύομαι της χαράς της επικοινωνίας και της συναναστροφής με όλους σας τας ημέρας αυτάς και είμαι βέβαιος ότι επιστρέφοντας στο Πατριαρχείο μας θα αποκομίσω και αυτή την φορά, τις καλύτερες εντυπώσεις και τις πιο γλυκές αναμνήσεις και θα διηγούμαι την πρόοδο, την προκοπήν, τα επιτεύγματα και το μεγαλείον της Ομογενείας μας εδώ εις την Αμερικήν». Τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη υποδέχθηκαν μεταξύ άλλων ο ελληνοαμερικανός ομοσπονδιακός βουλευτής Μάϊκλ Μπιλιράκης, ο γενικός πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στην Τάμπα της Φλόριδας Ανδρέας Ψυχάρης και η δήμαρχος του Τάρπον Σπρινγκς Μπέβερλυ Μπιλίρης η οποία του επέδωσε ειδική διακήρυξη του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου. Ιδιαίτερος ήταν ο ενθουσιασμός των παιδιών και των νέων της Ομογένειας της Φλόριδας που πολιόρκησαν κυριολεκτικά τον Πατριάρχη. Ο ίδιος δέχθηκε με μεγάλη ευχαρίστηση τις εκδηλώσεις αγάπης της νέας γενιάς συζητώντας μαζί τους με στοργή και πατρική αγάπη.

ΑΔΙΑΧΩΡΗΤΟ δημιούργησε η νεολαία της Φλόριδας στην τελετή υποδοχής του Οικ. Πατριάρχη.

Πλήθος κόσμου, μαθητές και σχολεία συμμετέχουν στην πομπή των Θεοφανείων.

ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Στη συνέχεια η Πατριαρχική αυτοκινητοπομπή κατευθύνθηκε στον Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου όπου ο Πατριάρχης επευφημούμενος από το πλήθος του κόσμου εισήλθε στο ναό και χοροστάτησε πανηγυρικής δοξολογίας. Ο ευφημέριος του ναού π. Σεβαστιανός Σκορδαλός υποδέχθηκε τον Πατριάρχη και ο Μητροπολίτης Ατλάντας κ. Αλέξιος εκφώνησε το «ως ευπαρέστητε» εκ μέρους του κλήρου και του λαού Ιεράς Μητροπόλεως Ατλάντας. Τον Πατριάρχη συνόδευαν οι Μητροπολίτες Σερρών και Νιγρίτης κ. Θεολόγος και Μοσχονησίου κ. Απόστολος.

Αναφερόμενος στις σχέσεις με την Ρωμαιοκαθολική Εκκλησία ανακοίνωσε ότι μέσα στο 2006 θα επισκεφθεί το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος ο 16ος και ότι μετά από διακοπή αρκετών ετών θα επαναληφθεί εντός του τρέχοντος έτους ο διάλογος μεταξύ της Ορθοδόξου και της Ρωμαιοκαθολικής Εκκλησίας. Ολοκληρώνοντας την επαφή του με τα ΜΜΕ ο Παναγιώτατος ευχαρίστησε τον έντυπο και ηλεκτρονικό Τύπο για το ενδιαφέρον του και ευχήθηκε δι’ αυτού στον Αμερικανικό Λαό από Θεού ευλογία.

Συνέντευξη Τύπου

Η δεύτερη ημέρα της επισκέψεως του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαρθολομαίου ήταν σημαντική και ιδιαίτερη αφού ήταν αφιερωμένη εξ ολοκλήρου στην ελληνορθόδοξη νεολαία της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, προς την οποία ο Παναγιώτατος απέστειλε μεστά μηνύματα. Είχε την ευκαιρία να βρεθεί κοντά στα μικρά παιδιά και στους νέους, να δεχθεί τις άδολες εκφράσεις της αγάπης τους, να απαντήσει στις ερωτήσεις τους, να νοιώσει τον παλμό τους και να αφουγκραστεί τον σφυγμό τους. Πρώτα ο Πατριάρχης συναντήθηκε με παιδιά 5-9 χρονών στα οποία παίρνοντας αφορμή από την Γέννηση του Σωτήρα Χριστού, απηύθυνε λόγια νουθεσίας παροτρύνοντας τους να αναλογισθούν και να προσεύχονται για τα εκατομμύρια παιδιών του πλανήτη μας που αντιμετωπίζουν αντίξοες συνθήκες διαβίωσης, συνθήκες πείνας, φτώχιας, εκμετάλλευσης ή πολέμου. «Μείνετε μακριά από τις ποικίλες και ποικιλότροπες εξαρτήσεις, είτε σωματικές, είτε ψυχολογικές, είτε

Ο Παναγιώτατος Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης συνοδευόμενος από τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο και το Μητροπολίτη Ατλάντας κ. Αλέξιο παρέθεσε συνέντευξη Τύπου το πρωί της 5ης Ιανουαρίου κατά την διάρκεια της οποίας παρουσίασε το έργο και τις δραστηριότητες του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου με βάση δύο κυρίως άξονες. Ο πρώτος αφορά στον διαθρησκειακό διάλογο και στο έργο της αγάπης, της ειρήνης, της αλληλοκατανοήσεως, της καταλλαγής και της συμφιλιώσεως μεταξύ των ανθρώπων και ο δεύτερος στις αδιάκοπες οικολογικές πρωτοβουλίες και στα οικολογικά συνέδρια «εν πλώ» που διεξάγει το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ανά τον κόσμο. Ο Παναγιώτατος απαρίθμησε τις αντίξοες συνθήκες και τα προβλήματα που αντιμετωπίζει το Πατριαρχείο και ευχαρίστησε την κυβέρνηση των Η.Π.Α για την διαρκή πολιτική υποστήριξης στα δίκαια του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου.

Κοντά στη Νεολαία

πνευματικές. Μη γίνεσθε δούλοι ανθρώπων, αλλά πάντοτε παραμείνετε ελεύθεροι», τόνισε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης. «Δεν θα μπορούσατε να μου επιφυλάξετε καλύτερο καλωσόρισμα από αυτό», δήλωσε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος στους εξακόσιους και πλέον νέους και νέες ηλικίας 10-18 ετών από την γύρω περιοχή, οι οποίοι έψαλλαν «Τη Υπερμάχω Στρατηγώ» υποδεχόμενοι με το συγκινητικό αυτό τρόπο τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη που γνώριζαν για πρώτη φορά. «Σας ευχαριστώ διότι έτσι δείχνετε την αγάπη σας προς την Παναγία, δείχνετε την αγάπη σας προς την Εκκλησία μας, προς την Ορθοδοξία μας, προς τις παραδόσεις μας προς το γένος μας, του οποίου στρατηγός και προστάτης είναι η Υπεραγία Θεοτόκος», τόνισε στη συνέχεια ο Πατριάρχης και πρόσθεσε: «να είστε υπερήφανοι για την καταγωγή σας και για την γλώσσα των πατέρων σας και να μαθαίνετε όσο μπορείτε περισσότερο και καλύτερα τα Ελληνικά. Θα σας χρειαστούν και τώρα και αύριο». Τέλος ο Παναγιώτατος απηύθυνε ανοιχτή πρόσκληση σε όλους τους νέους να επισκεφθούν και να γνωρίσουν το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο από κοντά όταν τους δοθεί ευκαιρία, ως δικοί του ιδιαίτεροι προσκεκλημένοι. Μετά το πέρας της εκδηλώσεως όλα ανεξαιρέτως τα παιδιά είχαν την ευκαιρία να λάβουν το καθένα ξεχωριστά την Πατριαρχική ευλογία και να λάβουν από τα χέρια του Πατριάρχου ειδικό ενημερωτικό φυλλάδιο για την ιστορία και τη ζωή του Πατριαρχείου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Ο πλήρωμα της τοπικής Εκκλησίας, ο κλήρος και ο λαός της Φλόριδας αλλά και των γύρω περιοχών παρέθεσαν γεύμα προς τιμήν του Πνευματικού των ηγέτη στο οποίο παρεκάθησαν πολλοί προσκεκλημένοι των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων των Θεοφανείων εκπρόσωποι του διπλωματικού και πολιτικού κόσμου μεταξύ των οποίων ο Ελληνοαμερικανός γερουσιαστής Πώλ Σαρμπάνης και ο Ελληνοαμερικανός ομοσπονδιακός βουλευτής Μάϊκλ Μπιλιράκης. Την Ελληνική Πολιτεία και τον Πρωθυπουργό της Ελλάδος εκπροσώπησε ο υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών της Ελλάδος Παναγιώτης Σκανδαλάκης ο οποίος στον χαιρετισμό του μίλησε με βαθύ σεβασμό για τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη ως «θεματοφύλακα του Ελληνισμού και της Ορθοδοξίας». Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος παρουσίασε τον Παναγιώτατο τονίζοντας ότι το «Οικουμενικός» τα λέει όλα, διότι εκτός των άλλων, είναι τίτλος δηλωτικός της συνεχούς φροντίδος για τον άνθρωπο και το φυσικό περιβάλλον. Για την μεταλαμπάδευση της Ορθοδοξίας μίλησε κ. Βαρθολομαίος στους πολυάριθμους συνδαιτυμόνες του και πνευματικά του τέκνα εν Αμερική. «Μας τιμά ο Θεός όλως ιδιαιτέρως με το να μας εμπιστεύεται την παρακαταθήκη της σωζούσης αληθείας και πρέπει να έχωμεν αίσθησιν αυτής της τιμής, αλλά και της συναφούς ευθύνης», είπε τονίζοντας ιδιαίτερα ότι «…η Ορθόδοξος πίστις δεν προορίζεται υπό του Θεού μόνον δια το Γένος μας. Πρέπει όλοι να την αποδεχθούν και σωθούν μέσω αυτής. Όπως η φλόγα του κεριού δεν ελαττώνεται όταν μεταδίδεται εις άλλο κερί, κατά τον ίδιον τρόπον και η ιδική μας φλόγα πρέπει να ανάψει πολλά κεριά συνανθρώπων μας δια να έχει εκπληρώσει ορθώς την αποστολή της. Τότε δεν θα έχει σβήσει αλλά θα έχει γίνει ήλιος φωτεινότατος».

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ-ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2006

17

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Τα λαμπρότερα Θεοφάνεια της εκατονταετηρίδος  óåë. 15 με ορμή στα νερά του κολπίσκου και σε λίγα μόνο δευτερόλεπτα ο 16χρονος Ζαχαρίας Βασίλαρος ανέσυρε τον λευκό σταυρό και καταχειροκροτούμενος από τις δεκάδες χιλιάδες των πιστών και των επισκεπτών έφερε και παρέδωσε τον σταυρό στον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη. Ο Παναγιώτατος τον συνεχάρη και του έδωσε ως ευλογία το έπαθλο κύπελο των Θεοφανείων και χρυσό επιστήθιο σταυρό. Χιλιάδες συνέρρευσαν στον Καθεδρικό ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου και στον περιβάλλοντα χώρο παρακολουθώντας τη λαμπρή και μεγαλοπρεπή Πατριαρ-

στόλου και του Μητροπολίτη Σερρών και Νιγρίτης κ. Θεολόγου. Συγχρόνως και σε ζωντανή τηλεοπτική μετάδοση εκατομμύρια ίσως άνθρωποι σε όλη τη γη παρακολούθησαν τις τελετές που μεταδίδονταν δορυφορικά σε όλη την Αμερική και σε όλο τον κόσμο με πρωτοβουλία και ευθύνη της διοργανωτικής επιτροπής των φετεινών εορτασμών. Στην Θεία Λειτουργία, την τελετή των Θεοφανείων και σε όλες τις σχετικές εκδηλώσεις παρευρέθηκε εκπροσωπώντας την Ελ ληνική Κυβέρνηση ο υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών της Ελλάδος

Ν. ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑΣ

χική Θεία Λειτουργία που προηγήθηκε προεξάρχοντος του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου και συλλειτουργούντων του Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου, του Μητροπολίτη Ατλάντας κ. Αλεξίου, του Μητροπολίτη Μοσχονησίων κ. Απο-

κ. Παναγιώτης Σκανδαλάκης. Παρέστησαν επίσης ο πρέσβης της Ελ λάδος κ. Α λέξανδρος Μαλ λιάς, ο πρέσβης της Κύπρου κ. Ευριπίδης Ευρυβιάδης, ο ελληνοαμερικανός γερουσιαστής Πολ Σαρμπάνης και ο ομοσπον-

διακός βουλευτής Μάϊκλ Μπιλιράκης. Μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία και το Μέγα Αγιασμό σχηματίστηκε πομπή από τον ναό με κατεύθυνση τον κολπίσκο Σπρίνγκ Μπαγιού για την τελετή της κατάδυσης. Προηγούνταν οι νεαροί βουτηχτές, νεαρά λευκοντυμένα κορίτσια που συνόδευαν την εικόνα της βαπτίσεως του Χριστού, τα μέλη της χορωδίας, οι ιεροψάλτες, οι ιερόπαιδες, και τα μέλη του Κοινοτικού Συμβουλίου και της Φιλοπτώχου. Ακολουθούσε ο κλήρος, οι Αρχιερείς, λάβαρα και σημαίες, ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο και τον τοπικό Μητροπολίτη Ατλάντας Αλέξιο. Πλήθος κόσμου πα-

ρακολουθούσε την πομπή κατά μήκος της διαδρομής, ενώ χιλιάδες είχαν από ώρα λάβει τις θέσεις τους για την τελετή. Λίγο πριν πλησιάσουν την εξέδρα ο Πατριάρχης διάβασε ειδική ευχή και έδωσε την ευλογία του στους νεαρούς βουτηχτές που έτρεξαν να λάβουν θέσεις. Μετά το πέρας της τελετής σ’ ένα μεγάλο πανηγύρι γιορτής και χαράς κατά μήκος της προκυμαίας, χορευτικά συγκροτήματα νέων από όλα τα μέρη της Αμερικής παρουσίασαν για τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη με λεβεντιά και υπερηφάνεια παραδοσιακούς χορούς από την Μακεδονία, τα νησιά, τον Πόντο και άλλες περιοχές της Ελλάδος.

Για τα Ελληνικά Γράμματα

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ-ÁÈÇÍÁ-ÈÅÓ/ÍÉÊÇ ÊÁÔ’ ÅÕÈÅÉÁÍ ÐÔÇÓÅÉÓ ×ÙÑÉÓ ÓÔÁÈÌÏ ÊÁÉ ÌÅ ÊÁÍÏÍÉÊÁ ÄÑÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁ

ONE WAY

ÁÐÏ

$

Φωτογραφίες ETA PRESS

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ - (επάνω) Διάλεξη με θέμα “Ο ανθρώπινος πόνος και οι Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας” έδωσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος στην εκδήλωση που διοργάνωσε το Γραφείο Παιδείας της Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπής για την ημέρα των Ελληνικών Γραμμάτων στην κοινοτική αίθουσα του Καθεδρικού Ναού στις 2 Φεβρουαρίου. (κάτω) Σε ξεχωριστή εκδήλωση των σχολείων στο Πολιτιστικό Κέντρο στην Αστόριας στις 4 Φεβρ. απονεμήθηκαν τα Βραβεία Αριστείας των Τριών Ιεραρχών. Κύριος ομιλητής ήταν ο καρδιόλογος Δρ. Βασίλειος Τένετ.

ROUND TRIP

299 388 ÁÐÏ

$

+Tax

1 Νοεμβρίου ,05 - 31 Μαρτίου ,06

+Tax

1 Νοεμβρίου ,05 - 31 Μαρτίου ,06

•$55 åðéðëÝïí åðéâÜñõíóç êáõóßìùí ãéá êÜèå äéáäñïìÞ •$25 åðéðëÝïí åðéâÜñõíóç ãéá üóïõò ôáîéäåýïõí ÐáñáóêåõÞ, ÓÜââáôï Þ ÊõñéáêÞ •ÐáéäéÜ 2-11 åôþí ðëçñþíïõí 25% ëéãüôåñï

ΤΗΛΕΦΩΝΕΙΣΤΕ ΜΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΓΙΑ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ • ΥΠΑΡΧΟΥΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΡΙΣΜΟΙ

ΤΟ ΓΡΑΦΕΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΣΤΑΘΕΡΟΤΗΤΑΣ ASTORIA OFFICE

34-10 Broadway, Astoria, NY 11106 (718) 932-7800 ■ 1-800-321-1199

BROOKLYN OFFICE

8125 Fifth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209 (718) 680-9200 ■ 1-800-445-8550

18

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ-ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2006

ΛΟΓΟΣ ΚΑΤΗΧΗΤΗΡΙΟΣ ΕΠΙ Τῌ ΕΝΑΡΞΕΙ ΤΗΣ ΑΓΙΑΣ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΗΣ ΤΕΣΣΑΡΑΚΟΣΤΗΣ ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ ΕΛΕῼ ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ, ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ Τῼ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ, ΧΑΡΙΣ ΕΙΗ ΚΑΙ ΕΙΡΗΝΗ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΣΩΤΗΡΟΣ ΗΜΩΝ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ, ΠΑΡ HΜΩΝ ∆Ε ΕΥΧΗ, ΕΥΛΟΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΓΧΩΡΗΣΙΣ «Τῶν Γραφῶν ἀκουσόµεθα περί τοῦ Ἀσώτου -καί σώφρονος πάλιν- καί τούτου πίστει ἐκµιµησόµεθα τήν καλήν µετάνοιαν» (Οἶκος Κυριακῆς τοῦ Ἀσώτου). Ἀδελφοί καί τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, Εἰσερχόµεθα καί πάλιν, εὐδοκίᾳ Θεοῦ, εἰς τήν περίοδον τοῦ Τριῳδίου, κατά τήν ὁποίαν ἡ Ἁγία Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία καλεῖ πάντας εἰς καλήν µετάνοιαν. Παρ᾿ ὅλον δέ ὅτι ἡ καλή µετάνοια εἶναι, κατά τούς Ἁγίους Πατέρας, ἀπαραίτητος καί εἰς τούς τελείους εἰς τήν πίστιν καί τήν ἀρετήν, πολλοί τῶν Χριστιανῶν δέν γνωρίζουν ὅτι ἔχουν καί αὐτοί ἀνάγκην καλῆς µετανοίας. Ἀρνοῦνται ὡς ἐκ τούτου τήν καλήν µετάνοιαν αὐτῶν λέγοντες ὅτι δέν διέπραξαν πράξεις διά τάς ὁποίας αἰσθάνονται ἔλεγχον συνειδήσεως καί ἀνάγκην µετανοίας. Ἡ καλή µετάνοια ὅµως εἶναι διεργασία πολύ βαθυτέρα τῆς παραδοχῆς τῶν ἁµαρτιῶν µας καί τῆς ἀναγνωρίσεως τῶν σφαλµάτων µας, τῶν ἀναφεροµένων εἰς τάς πράξεις µας. ∆ιότι ἡ καλή µετάνοια ἀναφέρεται πρωτίστως εἰς τάς σκέψεις µας καί τούς διαλογισµούς µας, εἰς τάς πεποιθήσεις µας καί τά αἰσθήµατά µας, ἐκ τῶν ὁποίων προέρχονται καί αἱ πράξεις µας. Ὁ Κύριος ἡµῶν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός µᾶς ἐδίδαξεν ὅτι οἱ διαλογισµοί µας µᾶς µολύνουν ἐξ ἴσου µέ τάς πράξεις µας καί ὅτι ἡ διά τῆς φαντασίας διάπραξις τοῦ κακοῦ εἶναι ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ ἰσοδύναµος µέ τήν ἔµπρακτον διάπραξιν αὐτοῦ. Ἡ ἀδιαφορία διά τόν συνάνθρωπον, ὁ ἐγκλωβισµός µας εἰς τό «ἐγώ», τάς ἐπιθυµίας του καί τάς ἀνάγκας του, ἡ πικρία διά τήν συµπεριφοράν τῶν ἄλλων, ἡ ἔλλειψις ἀγάπης καί, ἀκόµη περισσότερον, τό µίσος καί ὅλα τά ὑποτιµητικά διά τόν ἄλλον αἰσθήµατα, ὡς καί τά ἰδικά µας αἰσθήµατα ὑπεροχῆς, ἀνθρωπαρεσκείας, φιλοδοξίας, φιληδονίας καί φιλαργυρίας, διαµορφώνουν ἄνθρωπον πολύ διαφορετικόν ἀπό τόν ἄνθρωπον-εἰκόνα τοῦ γεµάτου ἀπό ἀγάπην, ταπείνωσιν, πρᾳότητα, εἰρήνην καί καταλλαγήν Θεοῦ. Συνεπῶς, ὅλοι ἔχοµεν ἀνάγκην καλῆς µετανοίας, δηλαδή ἀλλαγῆς νοοτροπίας καί ἀντιλήψεων περί τοῦ καλοῦ καί τοῦ κακοῦ, διότι ὅλοι εἴµεθα πολύ διαφορετικοί ἀπό τήν εἰκόνα τοῦ ἰδεώδους ἀνθρώπου. Ὅλοι βλέποµεν τάς πράξεις τῶν ἄλλων καί ἐπικρίνοµεν πολλάκις τήν σκληροκαρδίαν αὐτῶν, τήν ἔλλειψιν ἐπαρκοῦς γνώσεως τῆς ἀληθείας ἐπί διαφόρων ζητηµάτων καί τήν παρά ταῦτα αὐτοπεποίθησίν των ὅτι γνωρίζουν τήν ἀλήθειαν, ὅτι ἐνεργοῦν ὀρθῶς, ὅτι σκέπτονται ὀρθῶς καί ὅτι κρίνουν ὀρθῶς. Πρέπει νά διερωτώµεθα µήπως καί οἱ ἄλλοι βλέπουν ἡµᾶς κατά τόν ἴδιον τρόπον καί ἑποµένως πρέπει νά ἐξετάζωµεν ποίας ἀντιλήψεις µας πρέπει νά ἀλλάξωµεν, ποῖα αἰσθήµατά µας πρέπει νά βελτιώσωµεν, ποίας γνώσεις µας νά ἐλέγξωµεν, νά τροποποιήσωµεν καί νά

αὐξήσωµεν. Ἐλέγχοντες κατά τόν τρόπον αὐτόν τόν ἑαυτόν µας θά διαπιστώσωµεν ὅτι ὑστεροῦµεν πολύ καί ὅτι ἀγνοοῦµεν τήν ἄγνοιάν µας καί τάς λοιπάς πνευµατικάς ἐλλείψεις µας. Οἱ Ἅγιοι Πατέρες θεωροῦν ὡς ἁµαρτήµατα, διά τά ὁποῖα ὀφείλοµεν νά µετανοήσωµεν, καί τήν ἄγνοιάν µας καί τήν λησµοσύνην µας, τήν ἀµέλειάν µας καί τήν ραθυµίαν µας, ἤτοι καταστάσεις τάς ὁποίας οἱ πλεῖστοι οὐδόλως φανταζόµεθα ὡς µή κανονικάς. Πέραν ὅµως αὐτῶν, ἡ ἀγάπη µας διά τόν συνάνθρωπον καί τόν Θεόν δέν ἔχει φθάσει εἰς τό πρέπον µέτρον καί ἐπιδέχεται βελτίωσιν. Χρειαζόµεθα ὡς ἐκ τούτου καλήν µετάνοιαν διά τήν ὀλίγην ἀγάπην, τήν ὁποίαν ἔχοµεν, καί καλήν προσπάθειαν διά νά αὐξήσωµεν τήν πρός ὅλους ἀγάπην µας. Πολύ περισσότερον χρειαζόµεθα νά ἀποβάλωµεν ἀπό τάς καρδίας µας τά αἰσθήµατα κατακρίσεως τοῦ ἄλλου, ὑπεροψίας ἀπέναντί του, πικρίας διά τήν ἀπέναντί µας συµπεριφοράν του καί πολύ περισσότερον µνησικακίας µας καί κακῆς τυχόν διαθέσεώς µας. Εἰς τήν θέσιν αὐτῶν πρέπει νά βάλωµεν τήν συγχώρησιν καί τήν καταλλαγήν, τήν ὑπέρ τῶν συνανθρώπων µας, ἀκόµη καί αὐτῶν οἱ ὁποῖοι µᾶς µισοῦν, µᾶς διώκουν καί µᾶς βλάπτουν, προσευχήν καί τήν πρός αὐτούς εὐεργετικήν συµπεριφοράν µας. Ἐάν ἐλέγξωµεν ἑαυτούς κατά πόσον ἐµφωλεύει εἰς τάς καρδίας µας ἡ συγχωρητική αὐτή καί φιλάνθρωπος διάθεσις, ἀσφαλῶς θά ἴδωµεν ὅτι ἔχοµεν τεράστιον πεδίον καλῆς µετανοίας διά τά ἀνεπαρκῆ αἰσθήµατα καλωσύνης µας καί διά τήν ἀνάγκην καθάρσεως τοῦ ἐσωτερικοῦ µας ἀπό τά εἰς αὐτό µονίµως ἐγκατεστηµένα κατώτερα τῆς χριστιανικῆς µας ἰδιότητος αἰσθήµατα καί σκέψεις. Ὁ Χριστός εἶναι ἕτοιµος νά δεχθῇ τήν καλήν µετάνοιαν µας καί νά µᾶς βοηθήσῃ νά ἀνασυγκροτηθῶµεν πνευµατικῶς. Χαρά γίνεται ἐν τῷ οὐρανῷ ἐπί ἑνί ἁµαρτωλῷ µετανοοῦντι. Ἀλλά καί µεγάλη χαρά, αἴσθηµα ἐλευθερίας καί ἀνακουφίσεως, καταλαµβάνει ὁλόκληρον τήν ὕπαρξιν τοῦ Χριστιανοῦ, ὁ ὁποῖος µετανοεῖ καλῶς δι᾽ αὐτό τό ὁποῖον εἶναι, καί ἐπιθυµεῖ τήν αὔξησιν τῆς ἀγάπης του πρός τόν Θεόν καί τόν ἄνθρωπον. Ἀντιθέτως, πλήρης ὀδύνης καί κολάσεως εἶναι ἡ ψυχή τοῦ ἀνθρώπου, ὁ ὁποῖος ἐµµένει εἰς τήν ἀντιπάθειαν, τό µίσος καί ὅλα τά σκληρά καί ἀφιλάνθρωπα αἰσθήµατα πρός τόν συνάνθρωπον καί τόν Θεόν. Αὐτός δέν προκαλεῖ πόνον µόνον εἰς τούς συνανθρώπους του, ἀλλά καί εἰς τόν ἑαυτόν του τόν ἴδιον, καί µάλιστα πολύ περισσότερον εἰς τόν ἑαυτόν του παρά εἰς τούς ἄλλους. ∆ιότι οἱ ἄλλοι, τούς ὁποίους τραυµατίζει καί πονεῖ, δύνανται νά παρηγορηθοῦν, νά ἀντιµετωπίσουν τόν πόνον καί νά µεταβάλουν αὐτόν εἰς προσευχήν καί εἰς εἰρήνην τῶν καρδιῶν των. Ἐκεῖνος ὅµως ὁ ὁποῖος φθονεῖ, µισεῖ, ἀντιπαθεῖ, ἐχθρεύεται καί ἐν γένει καταπολεµεῖ τόν συνάνθρωπόν του, χωρίς καλήν µετάνοιαν διά τά αἰσθήµατά του αὐτά, ζῇ τό ἐσωτερικόν µαρτύριον, τό ὁποῖον προκαλοῦν ὅλα τά παρόµοια αἰσθήµατα. Ἀλλά καί ἐκεῖνος ὁ ὁποῖος δέν τρέφει ἐχθρικά αἰσθήµατα, ἀλλά ἀδιαφορεῖ διά τόν Θεόν καί τόν συνάνθρωπον καί κλείεται µόνον εἰς τό ἄτοµόν του, καταλήγει εἰς τό τέλος εἰς τό ἄγχος ἔναντι τοῦ θανάτου, εἰς τήν ἔλλειψιν νοήµατος εἰς τήν ζωήν του, εἰς τήν ἀπελπισίαν καί τήν κακήν µετάνοιαν διά τόν τρόπον τῆς ζωῆς του, δηλαδή τήν µετάνοιαν χωρίς ἐλπίδα. ∆ιότι ὁ ἄνθρωπος θά ἀντιµετωπίσῃ ὁπωσδήποτε τήν ἀλήθειαν καί θά ἀλλάξῃ ἀντιλήψεις, θά ζήσῃ δηλαδή ἀναποτρέπτως τήν µετάνοιαν ἐνώπιον τῆς πραγµατικότητος, ἡ ὁποία θά τοῦ ἀποκαλυφθῇ διαφορετική ἀπό τάς µέχρις ἐκείνης τῆς στιγµῆς ἀντιλήψεις του. Καί ἐάν µέν ἦτο προητοιµασµένος διά τήν καλήν µετάνοιαν, καί ἦτο γεµάτος ἐλπίδα πρός τόν Θεόν, καί ἐπορεύετο τήν ὁδόν πρός τόν Πατέρα, θά ἐκπλαγῇ ἀπό τήν ἀληθινήν πραγµατικότητα, τήν ὁποίαν θά ἴδῃ, ἀλλά, συνειθισµένος εἰς τήν καλήν αὐτήν µετάνοιαν, θά ἐξαλείψῃ διά τῆς ἐντάσεώς της πάντα δισταγµόν καί θά ριφθῇ εἰς τάς ἀγκάλας τοῦ Πατρός, ὡς ὁ ἄσωτος υἱός, καί θά ἀπολαύσῃ τῆς ἀγάπης του, ὅπως ἐπεθύµει ἡ ψυχή του. Ἐάν ὅµως δέν ἐπορεύετο εἰς τήν ζωήν του τήν ὁδόν τῆς καλῆς µετανοίας, θά ἀπελπισθῇ ἐνώπιον τῆς νέας πραγµατικότητος, διά τήν ὁποίαν οὐδεµίαν προετοιµασίαν εἶχε κάµει, θά στρέψῃ τά νῶτα πρός τήν ἀγκάλην τοῦ ἀγαθοῦ Πατρός καί θά κατατυραννῇ ἑαυτόν εἰς τήν χώραν τῆς ἀρνήσεως τῆς ἀγάπης, ἡ ὁποία τοῦ προσφέρεται. Ἡ ζωή εἶναι ἀτυχῶς γεµάτη ἀπό µετανοηµένους, ἀπηλπισµένους καί ἀπογοητευµένους, οἱ ὁποῖοι δέν θέλουν νά κάµουν τό βῆµα τῆς ἐπιστροφῆς πρός τόν Πατέρα, παρ᾽ ὅλον ὅτι αὐτούς τούς ἀναµένει µέ τάς ἀγκάλας ἀνοικτάς. Ἡ µετάνοια παντός ἀνθρώπου εἶναι ἀναπόφευκτος. Ὅταν εὑρεθῇ, καί ἀσφαλῶς θά ἔλθῃ ἡ ὥρα κατά τήν ὁποίαν πάντες θά εὑρεθῶµεν, ἐνώπιον τῆς ἀληθείας, θά διαπιστώσῃ πόσον µακράν αὐτῆς εὑρίσκετο εἰς τήν ζωήν του καί θά ἀλλάξῃ νοῦν περί αὐτῆς, ἤτοι θά µετανοήσῃ. Μακάριος ἐάν µετανοήσῃ τήν γεµάτην ἐλπίδα καλήν µετάνοιαν τοῦ ἀσώτου, διότι θά εὑρεθῇ εἰς τάς ἀγκάλας τοῦ Πατρός. ∆υστυχής ἐάν µετανοήσῃ τήν χωρίς ἐλπίδα κακήν µετάνοιαν ἐκείνου ὁ ὁποῖος παρεδέχθη ὅτι ἥµαρτε παραδούς αἷµα ἀθῶον, ἀλλά δέν ἐζήτησε συγχώρησιν οὔτε ἔκλαυσε πικρῶς, ἀλλ᾽ ἀπελθών ἀπήγξατο. Τῶν Γραφῶν ἀκούσοµεν, πατέρες καί ἀδελφοί, περί τοῦ ἀσώτου καί τούτου µιµησόµεθα τήν καλήν µετάνοιαν. Ἀµήν. Ἁγία καί Μεγάλη Τεσσαρακοστή 2006 διάπυρος πρός Θεόν εὐχέτης πάντων ὑµῶν ÿ Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΣ

1

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

PEOPLE Clearwater Community Offers Something for Everyone Ground Zero official Anne Papageorge of Brooklyn, N.Y., and a member of St. Nicholas Church in Asbury Park, N.J., was the recent subject of a New York Times article following her promotion from design director of the Ground Zero Memorial, a position she has held since 2004, to senior vice president for memorial and cultural development. In her new job, she oversees a $330 million budget for the memorial and museum that eventually will be built to commemorate the tragedy of Sept. 11, 2001. Ms. Papageorge, sister of acting Archdiocese Communications Director Marissa Costidis, has worked in city government for 20 years.

Ms. Papageorge was raised in Monmouth County, N.J. and studied architecture at Syracuse University.

Scholarship winners Eleven students from St. John’s University and one student from New York University were recent recipients of scholarships from the Greek American Homeowners Association of Astoria, N.Y. George Fakiris and the Greek American Homeowners Association presented the awards to: Andromache Baritis; Danielle Katsanis; Klaudjan Baxhija; Spiros Kostaras; Keily Abreu; Mathew Tsionis; Stephanie Kontopoulos; Efthimia Orkopoulos; Georgios Spanos; Jamie Touros; Katerina Georgiades and Georgia Stagias. Professor Catherine Tsounis, adjunct instructor of the Modern Greek Language and Literature at St. John’s, was honored for her dedicated work in spreading the learning of the Modern Greek language and literature.

Off-Broadway producer Barbara Panas, a former New Jersey Goyan produced an off-Broadway original play, “The Black Bird Returns,” which premiered recently. Barbara is a member of the St. George Church in Asbury Park where she was very active in GOYA as a youth. After graduating she was involved in directing several of the Greek plays for the annual Sights and Sounds competitions including “Iphigenia in Aulis” and an adaptation of the book “Eleni” which she adapted and translated herself. She also directed the world premier of “Oedipus Wrecked” by Alexis Kozak (co-author of The Black Bird Returns).

Recent promotion John Mallos of Portland, Ore., recently was promoted to the rank of lieutenant commander in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. He also received the Surgeon General’s Exemplary Service Medal in recognition of his dedication between 2002 and 2005.

LtCdr Mallos’ mother, Anastasia Mallos and Surgeon General V. Adm. Richard Carmona pinned on the new shoulder insignia upon her son.

Awarded scholarship Dr. John G. Siolas, associate professor of education, graduate division, School of Education and Psychology at Touro College in New York was selected by the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation to be a visiting professor for the spring 2006 semester at the University of Athens, Department of Linguistics. He will be working and teaching with Professor Christoforos Charalambakis, chairman of the Linguistics Department. Dr. Siolas is involved in the instruction of Applied Linguistics and Bilingual/Multi-Cultural education at Touro College for the past five years.

CLEARWATER, Fla. – Holy Trinity Church is one of the successful “spinoffs” of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

Located about 10 miles south of Tarpon Springs and about the same distance from St. Stefanos Church in St. Petersburg, the church complex takes in a seven-acre site near the location of the Philadelphia Phillies professional baseball team’s spring training camp.

Fr. Rousakis, the pastor here since 1991, said a large number of Greek Orthodox Christians living in the area of central Pinellas County, between St.

P A R I S H

The parish has ministries for every age group and an active outreach effort, Fr. Rousakis noted. This parish has very few Clearwater natives, the priest said, “Everyone came from somewhere else.”

He added there are many immigrants in the congregation, but they came from various places in Greece, not one particular area.

The parish has many fraternal organizations that represent the different regions and islands.

There are a large number of ministries and church-related organizations, including a Bible Study, senior and junior choirs, and the “Leisure Timers” senior citizens

pressure of senior citizens and advises them on health matters. “We have large population of senior citizens,” said Fr. Rousakis, “but it’s not a retirement community. We do have a lot of young families.”

Another organization unique to the parish is the Sewing Club, an outgrowth of the local Philoptochos chapter.

Fr. Rousakis noted the members meet the second Tuesday of each month and make stuffed bears and lap blankets that they distribute to hospitals, to the elderly and to nursing care facilities.

p ro f i l e

Name: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Location: Clearwater, Fla. Metropolis: Atlanta Size: more than 700 supporting members Founded: 1968 Clergy: Rev. James Rousakis (Holy Cross ’70; assistant, Fr. Iulian Damian, Holy Cross ’05) Web site: www.holytrinityclwtr.org E-mail: goholytrinityclwtr@aol.com Noteworthy: very family oriented.

Petersburg and Tarpon Springs, wanted a more convenient location to attend church closer to where they lived.

St. Nicholas Cathedral is not only the mother church of the Clearwater parish, but was the first and only church in Florida for many years and from which other communities sprang. “Even people from Miami came up here,” Fr. Rousakis said. In fact, Clearwater is one of several Greek Orthodox parishes and mission parishes in this part of Florida, including St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Tampa, and Spring Hill.

According to a parish history, 17 founding members established the Eastern Orthodox Church of Clearwater in 1968 and began immediate fund-raising efforts for a building program. The land was purchased that year and groundbreaking for the church took place on Dec. 1. Construction began in 1969 and the church was completed in time for the first Divine Liturgy to take place on Christmas Day of that year, celebrated

by Fr. John P. Athas, the first proistamenos. The church was named Holy Trinity by Mr. and Mrs. James Matheos, the godparents. In addition to the main church, the complex includes Matheos Hall, which can accommodate many large events and banquets, a gymnasium and recreation center, an educational building behind church and the Sts. Constantine and Helen Chapel, and a parking lot for more than 200 cars.

Fr. Athas served until 1984, when he was succeeded by Fr. Theo Anastas.

The parish grew at such a rapid pace that a second priest had to be added in 1988. Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the church in January 1989.

Fr. Anastas was reassigned to Phoenix in 1991 and Fr. Rousakis arrived and has been the longest serving priest. He previously had served Holy Trinity in Indianapolis. His son, Fr. Soterios Rousakis, is the priest at St. Nicholas Church in San Jose, Calif.

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

group, Philoptochos, Parent Teacher Organization, a parish nurse program and a sewing group. The Leisure Timers consist of about 110 members who meet twice a month and participate in several activities, including games and attending lectures.

Outreach efforts

Every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m., parishioners and non-parishioners from the greater community alike are invited to attend the Meals at Matheos dinners, which raise funds for the parish and worthy causes.

Many youth programs Four entrees are served and paThe community also has a highly active trons have the opportunity to have youth ministry, consisting of the Church fellowship. The event developed from school and Greek school, acolytes, HOPE, the Greek festival, which is held each JOY, GOYA, YAL and Vacation Bible School. year for a three-day period two weeks The Church school has an enrollment of before Lent.

250; Greek school has about 100 children.

The festival is the largest in the area, with at least 10,000 attending.

In addition to the festival, other fund-raising activities include the annual dance in October, the New Year’s celebration, and a golf tournament Sunday that was recently started. It is a oneschool childay event played on Dec. 1 and is dren attend the complete open to anyone in the parish.

Divine Liturgy service in the Assisting Fr. Rousakis is Fr. CLEARWATER chapel on most Sundays, and Damian, originally from Rothen go to their classes. On mania, who graduated from the first Sunday of each month, Holy Cross last May. His they attend services in the main father also is a priest in his sanctuary where the Liturgy is native Romania. There also all English. At the same time, an are two retired priests in resall Greek Liturgy is under way in the idence in the community, chapel. The church’s Papadi Education Fr. Constantine Xanthakis, Center, where the schools meet, is also former dean at Annunciation home to the “Plato Academy,” a charter Cathedral in Boston, who does school open to the public. It is operated chanting, and performs other duties, by the Pinellas School Board, which rents and Fr. Rousakis’ brother-in-law, Fr. the classroom space. Greek is taught at the Petros Kopsahilis, former chancellor of school as a second language. the Metropolis of Atlanta.

The junior Hellas and Hellas dance With his large parish about to troupes function like professional dance switch to stewardship from membergroups and perform at many venues in ship dues, Fr. Rousakis describes one Florida and also go outside the state to of the biggest challenges he faces as perform. The parish nurse is a new pro“educating the people as to what true gram, conducted by Presbytera Rousakis, stewardship is, as opposed to the dues a trained nurse who works for the local system,” along with trying to fulfill all Baycare Hospital System and was made his responsibilities in reaching out to aware of the nurse program. people, “which time doesn’t always She provides information to parishiopermit.” ners on medical issues through seminars – Compiled by  Jimpage Golding 31 on an ongoing basis, and takes the blood

20

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

‘This is a book to be cherished for the heritage it preserves.’ — Kent Powell, Historian, Utah State Historical Society

Preserving the Greek Heritage mily A Fa Makes ake – Keeps eat Gift! a Gr

100 Years of

Faith and Fervor A History of the Greek Orthodox Church Community Of Greater Salt Lake City, Utah 1905-2005

By Constantine J. Skedros, Historian P U B L I S H E D B Y T H E G R E E K O RT H O D OX C H U RC H O F G R E AT E R S A LT L A K E

Highly Acclaimed by Historians and Religious Leaders 100 Years of Faith and Fervor chronicles the remarkable story of the establishment and growth of the now-thriving Greek Orthodox Community of Salt Lake City, Utah, and its visionary early members who helped expand the church westward.

• • • •

176 Color and b/w Pages 1,136-Name Index 128 Photos and Illustrations Ideal for Home Library or Coffee Table • Void of Advertising • Makes a Lasting Gift

2, Faith and Fervor

— Andy Katsanevas, b. 192

Due to a generous donation by the Sotiriou family of Salt Lake City, all proceeds from the sale of this book go to programs of the Greek Orthodox Church Community of Greater Salt Lake, 279 South 300 West, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

BOOK ORDER FORM – Please print clearly

Please mail _____________ copies of Faith and Fervor at $29.95 per copy, plus shipping and handling ($8.00 per book if mailed within Utah, $10.00 per book if mailed outside of Utah).

Enclosed is a check or money order in the amount of $___________________ Make check or money order payable to the Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Salt Lake.

Name (please print clearly)

Address City Phone

State (

)

Presbytera Jennie M. Makredes Presbytera Jennie Mary Makredes, widow of the late Rev. Michael S. Makredes, died last July 4 of last year in Fresno, Calif. following an extended illness.

Born in Haverhill, Mass., to Christopher and Panayiota Makris, Jennie was raised on the East Coast where she received her education, later to meet a young seminary student Michael Makredes whom she married in 1948.

Following Fr. Makredes ordination they began their journey of faith and love which took them throughout the United States in his priestly ministry, with his assignments at Greek Orthodox parishes in Minot, N.D.; Shreveport, La.; Des Moines; Iowa, Kansas City, Mo.; Fresno and finally Castro Valley, Calif..

She endeared herself to the church families and was an integral part of the various parishes. St. George Church and the Greek community of Fresno recognized her with the “Georgie Award” in 2001, the highest award given for extraordinary services to the community and church.

The Ladies Philoptochos Society, of which she was a devoted member, named her Mother of the Year in 1992.

Jennie was very supportive and an advocate for the Orthodox nuns in numerous ways at the Monastery of the Theotokos The Living Spring in Dunlap, Calif.

She was appointed by the Diocese of San Francisco to begin the Kids N Cancer program for children with cancer to spend quality time at a camp with their families.

From Fresno this program spread throughout the state of California.

Family was most important to Jennie and following the death of Fr. Michael in 1983, she returned to make her home in Fresno to be near her son and his family.

In addition to her parents and husband, Jennie was preceded in death by sisters Helen Contos and Ann Attalla and by brother Spiro Makris.

She is survived by her devoted son and daughter in law, S. Michael and Phyllis Makredes of Fresno; her brother, Paul Makris and his wife, Astrid, of Elk Grove, Calif.

She is the cherished Yiayia to Dean, Mike, and Christopher Makredes all of Fresno. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

Presbytera Jennie lay in state at St. George Church in Fresno where a Trisagion service was chanted July 10.

Her funeral took place July 11. Participating clergy included Frs. James Pappas of Fresno, James Adams of Novato, Thomas Paris of Oakland, Demetrius Dogias of Sacramento, Demetrios Earl Cantos of St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, George Gligich, and Deacon Peter Livanis.

Memorial contributions may be made in Presbytera Jennie Makredes’ name to The Athena Philoptochos Society’s Kids ‘n Cancer Program, c/o St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2219 N. Orchard Avenue, Fresno, CA 93703 or to The Monastery of the Theotokos “The Living Spring,” P.O. Box 549, Dunlap, CA 93623.

Angeliki Chronopoulos Demos

was “There was no way that I ody yb an or r he going to marry else on a fixed situation.”

✃

In Memoriam

Zip

This address is a: ❏ residence ❏ business

E-mail address (for tracking purposes only)

Shipping will be insured and sent by UPS to facilitate tracking.

Note: Books cannot be mailed to a P.O. box. To expedite your order, please enclose the proper amount of money for the book(s) and for shipping and handling.

Thank you!

Mail check/money order and this order form to:

Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 26793 Salt Lake City, Utah 84126 - 0793

Angeliki Chronopoulos Demos, sister of Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, died Wednesday, Jan. 4 in Los Angeles, according to published reports.

Born in New England, she had lived in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and moved with her family to Los Angeles in 1952.

A business college graduate, she first went to work for the Metropolitan Transit Authority, and in time was employed by the National Conference of Christians and Jews in Los Angeles.

It was while she was employed there that she was constantly offered an acting career, which she declined, but she did decide to attend modeling school, studying at the Blue Book and the Christine Mellon Schools.

Her natural talent for style and color developed well, and almost immediately she began modeling sports clothes and junior miss apparel. From there she entered into print work in advertisements for both high fashion magazines and catalogs.

Angeliki Demos was married with

two children, James and Yanni. After nine years as a homemaker, she accepted employment at UCLA as an administrative assistant in the Medical School, serving in various departments.

She accepted early retirement which was offered to long-term employees at UCLA, and then spent time at home with her sons and mother. Mrs. Demos is predeceased by her parents, Dennis and Mary, and older brother, Steve, and her younger son, Yanni.

In addition to Metropolitan Isaiah, other surviving family members are her son James, of Los Angeles, and another brother, Gene Chronopoulos also of Los Angeles.

The trisagion memorial service was sung on Monday, Jan. 9 and the funeral service was celebrated on Tuesday, Jan. 10. Both services took place at the St. Sophia Cathedral.

Memorial tributes may be sent to the Denver Metropolis Building Fund at 4550 E. Alameda Ave., Denver, CO 80246 in her memory.

Helen G. Pappas Helen G. Pappas, executive director of the Daughters of Penelope for 25 years, died Dec. 4 after a lengthy illness.

Ms. Pappas became synonymous with the organization she loved and for which she had worked first as a member and officer on every level of the organization and then as executive director where all matters of management were her responsibility.

“We deeply mourn the loss of Helen Pappas as ‘sister’ to thousands and friend to countless members of our sisterhood.

Her passing marks the end of an era of gentility and kindness which were the hall

marks of her office,” remarked Mary Boufis Filou, Ph.D., grand president.

“The love she felt for this organization and for many of us was returned in kind.”

Supreme President Gus J. James, II said, “Helen Pappas will be sorely missed by all of us in the AHEPA family. She was a dedicated employee and I know how much our AHEPA staff enjoyed working with her on daily basis in Washington.

Helen was loved by all.”

Funeral services were held Dec. 8 at Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis, Md.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

The Voice of

21

Philoptochos

National Philoptochos Holds Successful Medical Fund Luncheon DALLAS – The National Philoptochos Board held its winter meeting in Dallas in conjunction with the 10th National Philoptochos Society Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon.

Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver were present throughout the meeting.

The Archbishop expressed his gratitude to the National Board members for their steadfast commitment to Philoptochos and its philanthropic mission.

He offered an inspiring spiritual reflection based on the Book of Revelation and discussed Christ’s seven letters sent to the major churches and their unique structure that begins with an expression, followed by instruction and ending with a promise.

Archbishop Demetrios stated that, “We are pillars in the house of God as long as we are conquering and fighting to be victorious, the way He would want us to be.”

Metropolitan Isaiah welcomed Archbishop Demetrios and thanked President Georgia Skeadas, the National Board, members of the Metropolis of Denver, Luncheon Chairman Martha Stefanidakis and Co-Chairmen Elaine Cladis and Cindy Demeris; Fr. Nicholas Katinas and the Dallas community and area churches for their participation, cooperation and support for the Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon.

President Skeadas rendered her report and shared her thoughts for the blessed Christmas season.

“Born in a manger at Christmas, as a gift to all of us from our Father above, an infant whose name was Jesus brought humankind the gift of God’s love; thus, the gifts that we give have no purpose, unless God is a part of the giving, and unless we make the true spirit of Christmas the spirit of our everyday living.

“Christmas is the season of giving, and giving is the essence of living a Christian life. Let us give of ourselves, not only at Christmas, but each and every day.

“Always remember a kind and thoughtful deed, a hand outstretched in time of need, for this caring gesture is the rarest gift of all, because it emanates from a loving heart, and those who give of themselves will find true joy and peace of mind. Always remember that the richest gifts are God’s to give, so may you possess them as long as you live, and may you walk with Him and dwell in His love, as He continues to send you good gifts from heaven above.

“Christmas is the most appropriate time of the year to express the love of Christ through special acts of giving and of compassion; remember that you are able to give, because you have first received. your gifts of time, talent and treasure are an extension of His gift of love and grace to you.

“Christmas is first about receiving God’s great love and then giving back in return. When our hearts deeply feel the suffering of the lonely and the helpless, and when another person’s happiness and peace become even more important to us than our own, we are fully immersed in the spirit of Christmas.

“When serving someone else brings us greater joy than being served, and when pleasing our heavenly Father becomes our greatest passion, we begin to approach the likeness of His image, as we forge the bonds of love, namely, love of God and our Lord and love of one another.”

President Skeadas announced that the National Philoptochos Society had

collected $131,590 as of Nov. 30, 2005, for the National Philoptochos Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund and expressed heartfelt thanks to all of the Philoptochos chapters for this outpouring of love, concern and generosity, which is a direct result of their commitment to the ideals of our Philoptochos Society.

She extolled that, “We, the ladies of Philoptochos, work with devotion and faith, always with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios in our hearts and in our minds, as he leads and guides our Society and our communities with great wisdom, grace and unwavering religious leadership.

“It is with His Eminence’s blessings that this National Philoptochos contribution of $98,000 donated in early November to the Archdiocese Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, will specifically be earmarked to address the temporary housing expenses and the purchasing of necessary major appliances for the Orthodox families victimized by the hurricanes.

“The remaining contributions collected will once again be forwarded to the Archdiocese Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund.”

President Skeadas reminded the members that the crisis for the families affected by this devastation continues and the organization is responding to this great need by establishing the Adopt a Family Project.

This is set-up as a voluntary project, but she called on the entire national organization to continue to demonstrate

its support through the Adopt a Family Project.

Continuing its mission of support, a donation of $15,000 has been made to the Retired Clergy Benevolence Fund and a future distribution is forthcoming.

Additionally, the National Board approved the following recommendations for distribution of funds as presented by National Treasurer, Aphrodite Skeadas: • $37,500 to Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology in scholarship funds for 25 seminarians.

• $25,000 to UNICEF, for the children who are victims of the Pakistan earthquake.

• An additional contribution of $25,000 to St. Basil Academy for operational expenses to assist with the increased costs of heating and other utilities.

• A $100 gift card to each of the 28 students at St. Basil Academy for Christmas.

The President informed the Board that she is extremely proud of the work accomplished by the National Board Standing and Special Committees. She reviewed the work of the following committees: Project Bank – This sub-committee is implementing a new National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program. The objective of this project is to promote literacy through a “hands-on” approach.

The program targets both children and adults and can be customized according to the capabilities of each Philoptochos chapter. It serves as an excellent opportunity to heighten awareness of Philoptochos within the community.

Support for Orthodox Children of Ethiopia The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, at its last National Board meeting held at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, committed its support to a medical clinic and school in Ambo, Ethiopia to be constructed by International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) in cooperation with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

The six-room medical clinic will be located in the West Showa Diocese in the Oromiya region of Ethiopia.

Outfitted with modern equipment and staff trained not only in advanced medical treatment and care, but also in care, support and counseling techniques for people living with HIV/AIDS, this much-needed medical diagnostic and treatment clinic will serve the population of Ambo and the surrounding villages.

The clinic will adjoin a school and specifically focus on the provision of free medical care and free primary education to HIV and AIDS-infected orphans.

Ambo’s infrastructure is ill-suited to support its rapidly growing population and current government-run health facilities are over-burdened, under-staffed and poorly equipped.

The health status of the region ranks among the lowest in the country. Data from 2004 indicates that less than half of Ethiopians have access to health services and Malaria is the leading cause of deaths for both infants and adults.

About 120,000 Ethiopians die from AIDS-related causes per year and there are more than one million HIV/AIDS orphans in the country.

IOCC has been active in Ethiopia since 2001, when it began supporting small-scale agricultural projects in partnership with the Ethiopian Orthodox

Church’s relief office, the Development and Inter-Church Aid Commission.

IOCC and the Ethiopian Orthodox Church supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are in the second year of a three-year project to offer faith-based community care to nearly 9,000 AIDS orphans and vulnerable children, provide palliative care to more than 26,000 people living with HIV/AIDS by 2007 and prevent future infections of the disease.

Philoptochos seeks to alleviate the burden carried by many of the Orthodox orphans in Ethiopia by providing hope for a better future.

The Literacy Program goals are to: • Promote motivation, success and enjoyment of reading and oral communication for grade school children; • Increase the self-esteem of students participating in the program; • Offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for Philoptochos members and others within our Greek Orthodox church communities; • And to strengthen the ties between generations by providing opportunities for adult tutors and young children to bond through additional instruction, support and encouragement.

Public Relations – The Committee has successfully promoted Philoptochos in an effective manner that projects the spirit of a viable, vibrant, and intergenerational philanthropic organization.

Chairman Helen Anagnostakos and the committee have accomplished this through the informative Orthodox Observer Philoptochos page, the establishment of Philoptochos list-servers, and through the newly designed and informative Philoptochos website.

The new Philoptochos newsletter, the Philoptochos Voice, under the capable leadership of National Board member Evellyn Tsiadis, is compiling information from throughout the organization to include in this new tool of communication for the membership.

2006 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention – Maria Stavropoulos, 3rd vice president of the National Board is serving as chairman along with co-Chairmen Katherine Kotsis, president of the Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos Board and Eleni Zaferes, National board member.

The committee is preparing the schedule and a program that will stimulate and inspire the Philoptochos members to establish new benchmarks for philanthropic outreach and ministry.

The Metropolis presidents and the following committees presented reports: The 10th Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Family and Society, Hellenic College-Holy Cross, National Commitments, Public Relations, Orthodox Christian Mission Center, Social Services and Spiritual Enrichment.

President Skeadas concluded her remarks by thanking the members of the Executive Board, the National Board, Bishop Andonios as spiritual advisor and the luncheon chairman.

Martha Stefanidakis, and co-Chairmen Elaine Cladis and Cindy Demeris. She extended special thanks to Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Isaiah for honoring the Board with their leadership and participation.

Following the National Board meeting the Dallas Philoptochos and the entire parish welcomed all the honored guests at a magnificent reception chaired by Pauline Atalis, president, and Elaine Carnegis, Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon host co-chairmen.

Fr. Nick Katinas offered special greetings and a wonderful evening was enjoyed by everyone.

Following the National Board Meeting the Dallas Philoptochos and the entire parish welcomed all the honored guests at a magnificent reception chaired by Pauline Atalis, president, and Elaine Carnegis, Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon host co-chairmen.

Fr. Nick Katinas offered special greetings and a wonderful evening was enjoyed by everyone.

22

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Three Hierarchs Parish Honored AHI S C H O L A R S H I P S

Katina John Malta Scholarship Applications

(L-R) Nick Larigakis and Gene Rossides receiving the Greek Letters Day Award at the Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church, Brooklyn, NY by the Rev. Arch. Eugene N. Pappas and Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos.

NEW YORK – On January 29, 2006, the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) was honored for Greek Letters Day by the Three Hierarchs Parish in Brooklyn, New York. At a ceremony, with 400 guests in attendance, the Rev. Archimandrite Eugene N. Pappas presented the Greek Letters award to the American Hellenic Institute through its President Gene Rossides who was accompanied by AHI Executive Director Nick Larigakis. The award stated: “Three Hierarchs Parish recognizes and honors the untiring efforts in support of Greek Letters to defend, preserve and foster Hellenism, its culture and principles by the American Hellenic Institute and its affiliates AHI Public Affairs Committee and the AHI Foundation.”

In presenting this award, Fr. Eugene N. Pappas said: “The American Hellenic Institute is being honored for its exemplary and extraordinary service to the

Greek American cause here and abroad.

Coming to the fore in support, witness and advocacy of Hellenism as the hallmark of the Institute’s modus vivendi and modus operendi, implores our acknowledgment and praise. Far too often as the case reveals, we take our liberties and luxuries of freedom for granted, until we either lose or are denied these hard earned legacies of Hellenic principles. It is to the American Hellenic Institute and its untiring endeavors and efforts to protect, preserve and foster global Hellenism that we are indebted as never before.”

Mr. Rossides, in accepting this award stated: “This is a great honor coming from the Three Hierarchs Parish for the American Hellenic Institute and its affiliates the AHI Foundation and the AHI Public Affairs Committee on Greek Letters Day. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our efforts in support of Hellenism.”

Peter Agris Scholarship Applications Available BOSTON – For the last 14 years, aspiring journalists of Greek American descent have been given an important boost from scholarships offered in memory of one of our community’s most influential former journalists.

The Alpha Omega Council, comprised of leading businesspersons of Hellenic ancestry, continues to honor its late founder by presenting the Annual Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships to young Greek Americans pursuing studies in the fields of journalism or communications.

The scholarships are given in honor of Peter Agris, founder and publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, for fifty years the premier Greek American national English-language weekly newspaper in this country. Mr. Agris was also an Archon of the Greek Orthodox Church and a trustee of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology.

Criteria for candidates includes: Greek American heritage; current fulltime enrollment as a journalism or communications major at the gradu-

ate or undergraduate level in an accredited college or university in the United States; active participation in school, community, church organizations; a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need. The $5,000 non-renewable scholarships will be presented at the Alpha Omega Council’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner this spring, during which time a noted Greek American will be honored for his or her contributions to Orthodoxy and Hellenism.

Eligible candidates may request an application by accessing the Alpha Omega Council’s website at www. alphaomegacouncil.com or by writing to: The Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships Committee, c/o Nancy Agris Savage, 9 Nonesuch Drive, Natick, MA 01760. Questions may be directed to nancyasavage@cs.com.

Applications, transcripts and the required essay may be returned by mail to the above address, by fax to 508-655-1402 or by email to nancyasavage@cs.com

WEDDING FAVORS

Unique imported Koufeta Flower favors.

Also Lenox, Mikasa, frames and candles.

Mention this ad, get $10 off any order over $100 www.ConfettiFlowers.com and www.GiftFavors.com Phone: (732) 583-1943

Applications are available for the Katina John Malta Scholarship Fund, a scholarship program established at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America by means of a generous gift from the estate of Katina John Malta.

The donation and the formation of the scholarship program has been done in recognition of the love Katina had for the Church and in honor of the desire she had to help others, especially children and youth of the Orthodox Christian Faith.

At least two scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded for the 2006-07 academic year. Selection of the recipients will be based on the following criteria: Candidates must: • be of the Eastern Orthodox faith (within a jurisdiction of the member Churches of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas – SCOBA), and at the time of application, high school seniors or fulltime matriculated students committed to serious study in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university.

• be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

• be firmly planning to commence or continue their studies, full time, at the college or university of their choice in the next academic year.

• provide the Scholarship Committee with evidence of their scholastic standing, including transcript records with a grade level of at least a B, 85 percent or 3.0 average.

• provide a typed one-page essay setting forth the reason for applying for the award and include as enclosures three Letters of Recommendation, as well as a Letter of Acceptance or Continuation

from their undergraduate college or university.

• Candidates who are high school seniors must have achieved and must provide proof of a combined new SAT minimum score of 1500*, or older SAT minimum score of 1000. If the SAT is not administered, another measure used by the academic community, for example the ACT, should be substituted. College students must also submit both current college as well as high school transcripts, including their testing record of SAT and/ or ACT scores. *NOTE: New SAT writing section may be waived.

• submit an application to the Scholarship Committee and be available for an interview at the Committee’s discretion.

Applications must be filled out in their entirety.

• provide evidence of financial need.

Preference will be given to candidates who are orphans and to those who are undertaking studies in the sciences, business and the arts.

The committee will not consider incomplete applications.

Applications may be requested from the Office of the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America by calling (212) 774-0513, by e-mail at scholarships@goarch.org, or by written request.

Completed applications should be sent to the Malta Scholarship Fund – c/o Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Office of the Chancellor, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.

Scholarships must be postmarked by the April 15, 2006 deadline. Applications are also available on-line at: http://www. goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/maltascholarship.pdf

Gioles Scholarship Applications Available for 2006-2007 Applications are available for scholarships to be awarded from the George and Naouma (Gioule) Gioles Scholarship Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

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

At least three scholarships of $1,500 each will be awarded for the 2006-07 academic year.

Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria: • must be of the Greek Orthodox faith (with preference to those of Greek descent) and must be high school seniors at time of application or full-time matriculated students committed to serious study in an undergraduate degree program at an accredited college or university.

• be firmly planning to commence or continue their studies, full time, at the college or university of their choice in the next academic year.

• be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.

• provide the Scholarship Committee with evidence of their scholastic standing, including transcript records with a grade level of at least a B, 85 percent or 3.0 average.

• Candidates who are high school seniors must have achieved and must provide proof of a combined new SAT minimum score of 1500*, or older SAT minimum score of 1000.

If the SAT is not administered, an-

other measure used by the academic community, for example the ACT, should be substituted.

College students must also submit both current college as well as high school transcripts, including their testing record of SAT and/or ACT scores. (*NOTE: The new SAT writing section may be waived).

• must submit an application to the Scholarship Committee and be available for an interview at the Committee’s discretion. Applications must be filled out in their entirety. The committee will not consider incomplete applications.

• must provide evidence of financial need. Preference will be given to those who are orphans and to those who are undertaking studies in the sciences, business and the arts, with one scholarship reserved for a candidate who has chosen to study journalism.

Applications may be requested from the Office of the Chancellor of the Archdiocese by calling (212) 774-0513, by e-mail at scholarships@goarch.org, or by written request.

Completed applications should be sent to the Gioles Scholarship Fund – c/o Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America – Office of the Chancellor – 8 East 79th Street – New York, NY 10021.

Scholarships must be postmarked by the April 15, 2006 deadline. Applications are also available on-line at: http://www. goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/giolesscholarship.pdf

For the Orthodox Family...

Do Our Choices Matter?

23

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Choices, we are all faced with them daily. Throughout our day, we make some choices unconsciously - choosing to stop at a red light or choosing to brush our teeth in the morning.

Other choices do not require a great deal of thought – what to eat for breakfast or whether we need gloves when it is 10 degrees outside.

can hope “staying” will be such a “norm,” so “ingrained,” that it will be the natural response.

The Choices that Follow Our ”Yes” to God

by Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div.

However, there are choices that require much more consideration. To help us discern the right choices for our lives, even for less complex choices, we gather a variety of information.

As parents, part of our role to help our children learn how to gather this needed information for making choices. We start small by laying out clothes then have the children choose or giving them a choice between hot dogs and hamburgers.

As they grow older and their knowledge increases, we give them more opportunities to practice making appropriate choices for their lives, hoping they will continue to do so throughout their lives.

One choice is often overlooked, one that our children are often unprepared to make: the choice to continue to live their lives in the Orthodox Church, the Church in which they have been raised.

This is no small choice! It requires a commitment to be active participants in the Church, the Body of Christ.

Let us look closer at what the Church has to say about making choices.

Free Will

Adam and Eve were created in the Image and Likeness of God, spoke to and knew God, and were to learn to worship Him while in Paradise. They misused their free will, made the wrong choice and lost Paradise.

Centuries later, the Theotokos used her free will to make the right choice. She accepted to give birth to Jesus, the Son of God, so that humanity could return to Paradise. With what Christ did for us, and the Holy Spirit’s help, we can use our Free Will to strive for a life of Good Choices, know God, and enter Paradise when we die.

Children are God’s Gift

Children are God’s gift to us, but they come attached with a Ribbon of Responsibility, that is, to bring them up in the Orthodox Christian Faith so they know God and worship Him, which can occur even when they are children.

They need to know God and worship

Him before they begin their own homes and families, before they marry, before they date and seek a spouse, before college, before high school, before junior high, even before middle school.

Our responsibility began the moment they entered this world and we held them in our arms. If we think about it, it began even earlier, when our children were in utero and we prayed for their health and safe delivery.

Since New Testament times, the family, along with the Church through her worship and teachings, has been the primary teacher of the Faith.

Where Do We Start?

When we travel by plane the Stewardess announces, “If the oxygen masks come down, place one on yourself FIRST, and then help those around you.” The same is true with our children’s salvation. Our first concern must be our salvation.

We need to be knowledgeable about the Faith, know how to worship, pray to be good examples for our children, and to know God. If the Faith is not part of our lives, how can we expect it to become part of our children’s lives? Making these Choices requires us to make the best use of our Free Will. The parish priest or one’s spiritual father is here to help.

Our Goal

If or when our children are put to the test, to make The choice – whether to stay or leave the Orthodox Church - we

FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT In Galatians 5:22 St. Paul lists the 9 “Fruit of the Holy Spirit.”

When we try to live a Christian life, the Holy Spirit helps us develop these qualities.

Directions: Begin at the L at the top left corner and write every third letter on the next available line except for the Special Instructions. Go around until all the blanks are filled. The first two have been done for you.

Special Instructions: At the end of words 3 & 4, go 4 letters to begin words 4 & 5 instead of 3.

Word No. 7: Move 2 letters instead of 3 between the 9th & 10th letters of the word. Word No. 9 is hyphenated.

Choice 1 • Choosing to encounter God, especially His Son Jesus Christ The Orthodox Church is a universal Faith, for all people, for all times. Since the Family is the Primary Teacher of the Faith, adults need to study and learn the Faith so it can be shared with our Children and others. As we learn more, Worship becomes more meaningful, and we come closer to Christ.

Choice 2 • Choosing to Live an Orthodox Way of Life If we are just saying “Yes” to God now, then we need faith that God will give us the strength we need. The Parish Priest or Spiritual Father and other parishioners seeking to do the same are there to help.

Basic to an Orthodox lifestyle is “Praying” to communicate with God, “Fasting” for strength to do this, “Giving Alms,” i.e. sharing God’s abundance with the needy, and living by the Church calendar (www. goarch.org has a wealth of information).

As we come closer to Christ and His Church, we begin to live an Orthodox lifestyle. Eventually that Orthodox lifestyle can become as natural as breathing.

Choice 3 • Choosing Regular Church School Attendance Although the Church School lessons are insufficient to pass the Orthodox faith to the next generation, the church school provides different kinds of Lessons for Life.

Parents need to be involved, helping children to memorize prayers and hymns and to make up missed lessons. Our children deserve these lessons.

Choice 4 • Choosing Family Worship Children learn from experience and Orthodox worship is experiential.

Learning occurs at each age, even as babies, and why would we want them to miss out?

Those who grew up attending Church School during Liturgy may have missed experiencing Christ in the Eucharist by not being in Liturgy to prepare. I believe we want more for our children.

The long-term consequences of not teaching our children the Orthodox Faith and how to worship are lukewarm Christians and falling away from the Church altogether.

This article may help: “Helping Our Children Grow In Faith: What They Can Do, When They Can Do It, And How Parents Can Help.” (www.phyllisonest.

com / Resources / Articles on Orthodox Family Life) Choice 5 • Choosing Extra-curricular Activities Some choices are good in one context, but not in another. Let’s begin by defining sin as a choice to turn away from God. An activity that is done during the week is great, but when we chose to do the same activity on Sunday morning, we have a problem.

We know that this is the only time our family can worship God and our children can attend their Church School classes (in most parishes).

If we chose to participate in the activity on Sunday morning, we also turn away from worshipping God. This is something to seriously think about. What does it teach our children?

In addition, choosing too many activities results in not enough time for (1) Church School, (2) JOY or GOYA functions, (3) Dance Group, (4) Metropolis Youth Events, (5) Church Basketball, (6) Jr. Choir, (7) Vacation Church School, (8) Summer Camp, (9) other parish activities.

Why are numbers 1-9 important?

They keep our children attached to the parish and to other Orthodox young people. They develop lifetime friendships at retreats and summer camp.

Our young people continue learning about the faith and become more comfortable being Orthodox Christians when they participate in these activities.

Choose selectively. “build in time” for Church and Church activities; Family and family Activities. These are worthwhile “investments” for the spiritual future of our children.

The Challenge

So many choices! Many are inconsequential but take the place of ones that are truly important. Someone once wrote, “That which is least important should never take the place of that which is not.”

This is precisely what our society does. It pulls us away from anything that is morally good and can or will sabotage what we are trying to do. I hope that we will consciously choose God over Society.

The New Year is a good time to evaluate our choices. What are the best choices we can make for ourselves? … the best Choices we can make for our children? … the best Choices we can help our c1hildren make?

Phyllis Meshel Onest, M.Div. is one of the first women graduates of Holy Cross School of Theology (1977), has served as the director of Religious Education for the Metropolis of Pittsburgh for 12 years, and is the mother of two young adult daughters. www.phyllisonest.com is for religious educators, Clergy and anyone interested in Orthodox Christian education.

Answer Key: love, peace, joy, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

24

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Commemorate One of the Most Holy Events of 2006!

The Patriarchal Centennial Epiphany Celebration in Tarpon Springs, FL

Relive this once in a lifetime experience with mementoes of the historic visitation of His All Holiness BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch to the Centennial Celebration of Epiphany at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

A. Epiphany Cross on a black necklace - $100 This cross, engraved with “Epiphany 2006,” was inspired by the one that is used in the diving of the cross ritual.

B. St. Nicholas Centennial Crystal Cathedral - $20000 This specially commissioned crystal is approx. 2.5 inches deep by 3 inches tall and bears the name and likeness of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Tarpon Springs, FL, as well as the words “Centennial 2006.”

C. Mario Frangoulis Concert T-shirts - $1000 Tell the world that you’re a big Mario Frangoulis fan when you wear this hi-quality shirt that features this fabulous singer’s photo on the front of the shirt.

D. Mario Concert Programs - $1000 Commemorating this historic concert at the Sun Dome, the program spotlights Mario Frangoulis, soprano Debra Myers, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir.

E. Centennial Patriarchal Visit Commemorative Coin - $3000 This handsome coin is engraved with the likeness of His All Holiness BARTHOLOMEW, Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios on one side and St. Nicholas Cathedral on the other.

F. St. Nicholas Cathedral Patriarchal Visitation Commemorative Table Top Book - $3000 A must for every home, this coffee-table book chronicles the events of this most holy week with stunning four-color photography.

G. 2006 Patriarchal Liturgy on the Feast Day of Epiphany and Ceremony at Spring Bayou - $3000 Enjoy this momentous service over and over again via a word-for-word printed copy of the liturgy service.

H. 2006 Centennial Epiphany Celebration DVD - $3000 The DVD is approximately 2 hours of the 2006 Patriarchal Centennial Divine Liturgy of the Feast Day of Epiphany and includes the Parade and Bayou Cross Retrieval Service that was broadcast around the world!

Order online at www.patriarchalcentennialvisit.com. Follow prompts. Or fax your order to 727-781-9853. Or call the 2006 Patriarchal Epiphany Visitation Committee at 727-771-2099.

MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express will be accepted. Shipping is $6.

Presenting the pledge (l to r) Harry Cavalaris, Very Rev. Nicholas T. Graff, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, great-benefactor Charles Masterpolis, Nick Furris and Fr. Constantine Zozos.

$1 Million Pledge to St. Photios Shrine, by Charles Masterpolis ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Archon and major benefactor Charles Masterpolis from Tybee Island, Ga.. pledged $1 million to the St. Photios National Shrine’s Archbishop Iakovos Endowment/Enhancement Fund.

In accepting his gift, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, representing Archbishop Demetrios, asked Mr. Masterpolis, “How does it make you feel to give such a generous gift?”

Mr. Masterpolis replied, in his usual humility, “I only wish I had more to give.”

This expression of generosity, and Christian humility, brought the over 150 attendees of the annual St. Photios Pilgrimage Luncheon to their feet in applause.

The Very Rev. Nicholas T. Graff, the executive director, also took the occasion of the 24th annual Pilgrimage Luncheon to announce several other major donations to the Fund.

A significant pledge was announced of $250,000 by Archon and Mrs. William Planes of Florida, major benefactor of the recent Patriarchal visit to Tarpon Springs.

Tom and Carolyn Pappas, and Daniel and Charlotte Randopoulos, both of

California, have collectively pledged over $80,000 to the fund.

More than $1, 330,000 in pledges were announced.

Fr. Graff reminded everyone that the St. Photios National Shrine is a self-supported institution of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and we are committed never to be a financial burden to our Archdiocese, or to our beloved Archbishop Demetrios.

As the Shrine anticipates its 25th anniversary in 2007, the Board of Trustees has moved to honor the three most significant sources of support and inspiration.

In 2005, the Shrine honored the National Philoptochos Society, and this year, the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Throne was the special honoree.

Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis was the keynote speaker and also presented the Shrine with a $10,000 check, completing the Archon’s pledge to the Enhancement Fund.

The 25th Anniversary Pilgrimage Weekend 2007 has been set for Feb. 4-5, where the Shrine will honor the Order of AHEPA.

Record Turnout for OCF College Conferences BOSTON – The annual Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) College Conferences are accustomed to large turnouts. Over the past 10 years, the College Conferences have attracted thousands of college students, high school graduates, and young adults to the five-day winter event. Yet, this year’s conferences – held Dec. 27-31 – were different.

Since records are indeed made to be broken, then this year’s college conferences will long be remembered. Young adults turned out in record numbers, and in the process set the bar very high for future OCF College Conferences.

The combined East Coast Conference at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pa., and the West Coast Conference at St. Nicholas Ranch in Dunlap, Calif., drew more than 330 young adults.

They actively participated in workshops, listened to keynote addresses from V. Rev. Thomas Hopko and Rev. Hieromonk Jonah Paffhausen, attended worship services, were involved in service projects, and enjoyed the fellowship of Orthodox Christian brothers and sisters from throughout North America.

“This was one of the most uplifting experiences of my life,” one participant enthusiastically offered.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Abide in Me, and I in You” (John 15:4-5). Fr Hopko, Dean Emeritus of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, and Fr Jonah, Abbot of the Monastery of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, and himself a St Vladimir’s Seminary graduate, spoke dynamically during their keynote addresses.

Their words, and the entire five days for that matter, made a profound impact on Tara Powley, who was attending her fourth OCF College Conference.

“The conference is always a wonderful time of renewal for me,” said Powley, a senior at Colorado State University-Pueblo. “Everything about the conference - the workshops, keynotes, worship services, projects and fellowship - provides the type of refueling I need in order to face another semester of college. The week I spend at the college conference is almost surreal.

I find myself leaving the conference every year, for four years now, on such an amazing spiritual high!”

2

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Tarpon Springs’ Epiphany Centennial  page 3 In addition to the standing-room-only gathering in the nave, hundreds of others filled a tent set up in the cathedral courtyard, and in the downstairs hall, where they followed the service on TV screens.

A thousand or so others filled the streets surround the cathedral as they listened to the service on loudspeakers.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Patriarch held the Blessing of the Waters ceremony in the cathedral before proceeding with Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios and the other clergy to Pinellas Avenue in front of the church to join the 56 teen divers for the procession to Spring Bayou.

According to official estimates, at least 50,000 persons lined the streets and the banks of Spring Bayou to view the procession and Diving for the Cross.

Following a brief prayer for the divers at the steps leading to the water, they jumped into the cold water and headed to the nine waiting dinghies to await the throwing of the cross by the Patriarch.

Meanwhile the Patriarch read from the Gospel of John’s account of the Baptism of Jesus.

During the passage where the Holy Spirit descends like a dove, 16-year-old Kalliope Hatzileris released a dove that quickly soared over part of the crowd.

After a false start by some of the divers, the Patriarch threw the cross and the water quickly was churning as the boys scrambled to retrieve it.

Within 10 seconds, Jack (Zecharias) Vasilaros, 16, of Clearwater, surfaced as he held aloft the white cross.

Other divers hoisted him onto their shoulders and onto the dock where he

received the Patriarch’s blessing before the entire group of teens, dripping wet and freezing in the brisk cold wind, walked back to the cathedral for final blessings

by His All Holiness.

Glendi at sponge docks

Epiphany afternoon, the parish held a glendi near the sponge docks along Dodecanese Avenue where under a tent, the Patriarch and other hierarchs had lunch and viewed performances and a competition by more than a dozen dance groups.

Among them was the “Odyssey” dance group from Cranston, R.I., and the “Akritis” group from Astoria, N.Y. Following the glendi, the Patriarch attended a private reception before the evening’s main event, the Centennial Epiphany Banquet.

New York Fox TV News anchor Ernie Anastos served as master of ceremonies.

He introduced Archbishop Demetrios who discussed the significance of the Ecumenical Patriarch and St. Sophia Church in his introduction of the Patriarch.

His All Holiness, discussing the significance of Epiphany, said the feast day was not only a celebration of Christ’s baptism, but is “also a revelation of the Holy Trinity and our own baptism.”

He noted that because many people in the United States have taken an interest in Orthodoxy, “It is our brotherly duty to witness to them the beauty and content of the faith.”

Praising Archbishop Demetrios for his ministry, the Patriarch said his mind is “at ease” knowing the Archbishop is leading the Church in America.

His All Holiness was presented with several gifts, including the key to the city from Mayor Billeris, a hand-carved replica

of a sponge boat presented by a Tarpon Springs Greek American police officer assigned to the Patriarch’s detail, a copy of the Epiphany cross made by Bill Vassilakis, who for 36 years has been making the crosses used each year at the Epiphany, a limited edition crystal model of the cathedral and a model of the statue of a sponge diver that stands along Dodecanese Avenue that was presented by St. Nicholas Cathedral Dean the Very Rev. Sebastian Skordallos.

Fr. Skordallos told the Patriarch “remember that the people of Tarpon Springs and our youth love you. We are your spiritual family.”

Day Four-New Orleans visit

Saturday morning His All Holiness flew to New Orleans for a brief visit where he viewed the devastation left by Hurricane Katrina. (See related story). His visit was reported nationally with a large color photo on page one of the late national edition of the Sunday New York Times.

The visit to the city had been planned before the hurricane hit in August.

The Patriarch was joined by government representatives, including the Mayor, Ray Nagin, Gov. Kathleen Blanco, and U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu.

At an ecumenical prayer service at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Patriarch Bartholomew stated in his remarks, “Your pain was and is our pain. It was felt by all humanity.”

Returning to Florida in late afternoon,

the Patriarch attended a reception hosted by Greece’s ambassador, followed by a two-hour concert performed by Mario Frangoulis at the University of South Florida Sun Dome, north of Tampa, who sang a variety of romantic classical ballads in English, Greek, Italian and Spanish, and selections from the musicals Phantom of the Opera and West Side Story.

He was joined by British soprano Debra Myers, members of the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Youth Choir from New York, and about 250 Greek dancers from Florida and other parts of the U.S. and Canada, who dances included the theme of Zorba the Greek. The Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra provided the accompaniment.

Proceeds from the event went to the St. Nicholas Cathedral Parochial School.

Day Five-Liturgy and farewell

Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the Centennial Divine Liturgy on Sunday, Jan. 8, the final day of his visit.

After distributing the antidoron to all the faithful, he proceeded to the farewell Centennial Luncheon at the nearby Cathedral Community Center.

Following the good-byes the Patriarch departed for the airport for the return flight to Constantinople.

Reflecting on the Patriarch’s visit at one point, Patriarchal Visit Committee Chairman Bill Planes said, “I’m touched by the visit of His All Holiness. He’s a wonderful person.”

Mr. Planes noted that, as a result of the Patriarch’s visit, a family member who had not received Holy Communion in 50 years, did so at the Epiphany liturgy. “He brought my family together,” he said.

Holy Cross Bookstore Hellenic College - Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline, MA 02445

Lent - Pascha

~ Orthodox Books ~

~ And More ~

- Religious Studies - Bibles - Saints - Iconography - Spirituality - Monasticism - Theology

- Easter Cards - Cookbooks - Gift Books - Greek Studies - Gifts: Religious & Ethnic - Children Books - Music

Now on the internet at www.holycrossbookstore.com Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm est

Toll Free: 1-800-245-0599

Fax: 617-850-1430

Email: hcbks@hchc.edu

26

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

$FMFCS BUJOH ZFBST PG TFOEJOH NJTTJPOBSJFT ❧ 1SFQBSJOH GPS UIF OF YU ZFBST

WWW OCMC ORG s

n'EORGE "RAVOS

MEMBER 0ROJECT (OPE -ISSION #ONSTRUCTION 4EAM #HAVOGERE +ENYA

-ISSION #ONSTRUCTION 4EAM

$EAR &RIEND

7HAT EXCITING WORDS 3INCE THAT LAST NAIL WAS DRIVEN YEARS AGO OVER PEOPLE HAVE RECEIVED MEDICAL CARE IN #HAVOGERE /VER THE YEARS THANKS IN PART TO THE WORK OF THIS MISSION TEAM THE -ISSION #ENTER HAS HELPED PIPE IN FRESH WATER BUILD A CHURCH A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND A HIGH SCHOOL 3INCE THE /RTHODOX #HRISTIAN -ISSION #ENTER HAS BEEN SENDING MISSIONARIES INTO THE HARVEST lELD -UCH HAS HAPPENED IN OUR YEARS OF MISSION WORK s MISSIONARIES HAVE BEEN SENT FROM THE 5NITED 3TATES TO A MISSION COUNTRY s THE -ISSION #ENTER HAS SUPPORTED ALMOST MISSION PRIESTS WHO FAITHFULLY LABOR IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY AND DEVOTE THEMSELVES TO THE WORK OF THE PRIESTHOOD s OVER MISSION TEAM MEMBERS HAVE PARTICIPATED IN PROJECTS LIKE THE ONE IN #HAVOGERE 4HROUGH THE EFFORTS OF OUR MISSIONARIES MISSION PRIESTS AND MISSION TEAMS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE LOVE OF #HRIST 4HOUSANDS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO THE /RTHODOX FAITH "UT THERE IS STILL SO MUCH TO DO 'OD CONTINUALLY REVEALS OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE PEOPLE TO JOIN IN THE HARVEST 2IGHT NOW WE RE LOOKING FOR NEW MISSIONARIES WHO HAVE BEEN REQUESTED BY HIERARCHS AROUND THE WORLD 7E ARE ALSO RECRUITING FOR MISSION TEAMS THAT WILL BE SENT THIS YEAR 4OGETHER WE CAN SEND THESE WORKERS INTO THE HARVEST lELD /VER OF OUR SUPPORT COMES FROM FAITHFUL PEOPLE LIKE YOU 9OUR GIFT TO THE -ISSION #ENTER HELPS RECRUIT THOSE WHO WILL SHARE THE 'OSPEL IN WORD AND DEED 4HEY SERVE AS PRIESTS TEACHERS DOCTORS YOUTH WORKERS AND MORE !S OUR ,ORD SAYS

h) TELL YOU OPEN YOUR EYES AND LOOK AT THE lELDS 4HEY ARE RIPE FOR HARVEST v *OHN !S OUR ,ORD OF THE HARVEST ASKS IN THIS ,ENTEN SEASON OF INCREASED PRAYER FASTING AND ALMSGIVING

PLEASE PRAY AND GIVE GENEROUSLY THAT WE MAY SEND OUT WORKERS FOR THE HARVEST 9OURS IN #HRIST

h 4HE HARVEST IS PLENTIFUL BUT THE WORKERS ARE FEW !SK THE ,ORD OF THE HARVEST

&R -ARTIN 2ITSI %XECUTIVE $IRECTOR

THEREFORE TO SEND OUT WORKERS INTO HIS HARVEST lELD v

n-ATTHEW

✁ 9%3 ) SEE THE lELDS ARE RIPE FOR HARVEST ) WOULD LIKE TO GIVEx ) WILL PRAY AND ASK THE ,ORD OF THE HARVEST TO SEND OUT WORKERS

PLEASE SEND MORE INFORMATION

0LEASE GIVE TO 0LEASE GIVE TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF ENSURE THE FUTURE OF

/RTHODOX MISSIONS /RTHODOX MISSIONS

/BNF "EESFTT

$JUZ 4UBUF

)PNF 1IPOF &NBJM

1BSJTI

035)0%09 .*44*0/4

."*- 50 0 $ . $ 1 0 # 0 9 t 4 5 " 6 ( 6 4 5 * / & ' - t

$ONATE /NLINE AT WWW OCMC ORG OR CALL TOLL FREE

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Challenge

YOUTH MINISTRY

What’s Up Epiphany?

WITH

T

here were so many questions in the crowd! “What’s all of this about?

What are they saying? Why would anyone dive into cold waters on a blustery day like today? Who is that man? Are all of these people Greek?”

by Margo NT Kelley

You, too, would have heard these and more questions if you were anywhere near “Epiphany City” the week of Jan, 6.

Barricades closed off the heart of the city. Buses shuttled people in and out.

Escorted motorcades delivered hierarchs.

The streets collected the overflow of thousands hoping to participate in the Divine Liturgy, the Blessing of the Waters, the procession through town, the release of the dove, the dive for the cross, and the celebration that would continue through the weekend.

There was live coverage with on-thespot interviews, news helicopters hovering overhead, high security (on the roofs in fact!)—and the build up of excitement from the 99 years before!

This year marked the Centennial Celebration of Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, Florida! And, after 100 years, no questions ought to remain unanswered about the celebration of this Great Feast of the Church.

January 6 brings so much! It’s the day the Church proclaims that Christ was baptized in the Jordan River.

It’s called Epiphany (a revealing moment), Theophany (a visible manifestation of the deity, or when God is seen), and The Feast of Lights. It’s also recorded as the day that begins Christ’s Divine Mission.

There is so much for us to see, that it simply shines forth on us!

To show this belief, people carried lit lamps, just as we are still lighting those candles in our homes and churches today.

It’s all about God showing Himself, like a light in darkness. In fact, He Is the Light that is shines upon us so that we may believe.

Christ comes to the banks of the Jordan to be baptized. St. John the Prophet and Forerunner is in awe, and believes that Christ should be baptizing him.

The waters turn back, the mountains leap, and the heavens open.

The Holy Spirit, in the form of a dove, comes down on Christ, while the voice of the Father affirms His Son and how pleased He is with Him (Mark 1:9-11).

This occurrence is an all-in-one package of truth about Christ shining forth and being revealed as the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is One with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Studying the scriptures will remind us that Christ did not need this baptism, but participates in it to “fulfill all righteousness.”

From His being baptized, all Christian baptism begins, setting His Divine Mission into motion through the ages, to our very own. That same Mission begins in each of us as we are baptized.

The Divine Services of the day point us into knowing the importance of our action in Christ.

We are renewed and sanctified, united

and strengthened. Moreover, being in the presence of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew pulls all of that together for the faithful.

Among the thousands of people touched by his presence, were many young people.

His All Holiness visited with more than 600 middle and high school students at a youth event on Jan. 5.

Excitement filled the room as Fr. Constantine Zozos led a dialogue similar to that of popular trivia game shows, setting the stage for the Patriarch’s entry into their lives.

It’s not often that young people are in the presence of so many hierarchs!

Entering the room with the Patriarch was our beloved Archbishop Demetrios, along with Metropolitans and Bishops from throughout the world.

The Patriarch relies upon these other bishops to keep all churches directly in line with Christ, and to preserve and affirm the Faith in all they do.

Among them, the host, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta particularly stood out to children of families from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Protection of the Theotokos in Dover, Fla. They felt “thankful to God’ for his warm welcome and the opportunity to attend along with the other churches from the area.

All listened as Patriarch Bartholomew challenged the younger generation to answer many questions for themselves about living faithful lives in the world today.

He told them to look to Christ, “The Greatest Reality,” and to look beyond this world. What gain will young people have by remaining faithful to Christ in this world?

“I will gain the knowledge that the Lord our God will watch over us if we remain true and faithful to Him, even in our day and age,” said Christine Cassimus. She also shared her idea of bringing God’s love into the world by “letting Him into [her] heart and truly believing in Him.” Anna Shoji emphasized prayer, and shared that she could “spread the word about God and Christianity.”

Both young women are from Marietta, Ga. His All Holiness also spoke to the young people about the waters of Epiphany, asking them to consider how they can make each moment of their lives refreshed and sanctified by these waters.

Then he asked them to set focus on The Cross, and how we must always keep it deep inside our hearts. For the faithful in Tarpon, especially for young men, the Cross and Epiphany waters are always held deep within.

Amidst more than 50 other young men who dove in Spring Bayou during year’s historic dive, 16-year-old Jack Vasilaros came up from the waters with strength, bearing the Cross.He immediately received the blessings of the Patriarch and confirmation of the triumph of The Cross, as he was carried back to the St.

Nicholas Cathedral on the shoulders of his equally exhausted peers.

Great joy was shared with his family, as they greeted him deep within the congratulatory embrace of the entire community that was gathered.

Jack proclaimed, “It’s going to change my life forever!”

For Pantelis Kontodiakos of Tarpon Springs, his focus on The Cross also remains clear.

Like many young boys from the area, a family’s legacy has grown deep within him all fourteen years of life.

Over the past 30 years, his father and his father’s three brothers have retrieved the cross from Spring Bayou.

He considers this event “an honor to be a part of,” and looks forward to his coming of age when he will be the next diver in his family.

Meanwhile, Pantellis will carry deep within his heart each day what he considers the Treasure of the Orthodox Faith, Christ Himself, by saying, “Without Christ we have nothing.”

For the St. Nicholas community and our entire Archdiocese, the visit of the Patriarch made this Epiphany celebration more complete.

Marianna Karavokiros, age 13, said the Patriarch’s visit to her hometown was “truly a unique experience.

It seemed like everybody had a chance to get really close to him and exchange even a few words.

That was a big thing for me at least.

I admire him so much–his knowledge, his simplicity, his kindness and calmness–even his voice.”

Before leaving the stage to bless each young person as they left, a final message from the Patriarch was translated by Archbishop Demetrios.

The Patriarch challenged the young people to learn and use at least one other language in their life. He is fluent in Greek, English, Turkish, Italian, French, Latin, and German, which helps him carry out the worldwide duties of his office.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is the leader of all Orthodox Christians in the world. He is the 270th Patriarch of Constantinople, following the long line of successors since Saint Andrew, the First-Called Apostle. http://patriarchalcentennialvisit.com/ Christ sent the Apostles throughout the world, to speak to all people and share His Good News. This is Christ’s Divine Mission, which formally began with His Baptism.

May Epiphany always be a light of truth to all people, carried in the hearts of all who join in this Mission–beginning with each of us, no matter where we find ourselves! May our Heavenly Father have joy and be well pleased with our action as we further His Word in the world around us!

Margo is the Resource Coordinator for the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

2

e-mail: youthoffice@goarch.org

Did You Know…

T

hrough your Baptism and being part of the Church, you bring God’s love to the world!–by the way you act, and the way you speak, and by the things you do... ... All who are baptized in the Name of the All-Holy Trinity are spiritual brothers and sisters!

We are all members of the Body of Christ! ... Every moment of life is to be like the refreshing waters of the Feast of Epiphany! Everyone in your world: your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends and schoolmates, your teachers and guardians will be anointed by the love you bring and the joy you give. ... When the Cross is cast out upon the waters, it ought to remind us that the Cross of our Lord sweetens everything that we do!

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew • If you choose to study and use another language, consider carrying Christ’s Cross to the people who speak that language! Remember that many people are chosen, but few are called to carry out His Holy Ministry!

• A more faithful world is right outside your door—if you are willing to be faithful to the unchanged Apostolic Faith and Tradition of the Orthodox Church! It all begins with each of us!

• The Holy Apostles were twelve men who Jesus sent to teach others the Good News. We are hundreds and thousands more! Just think what the world could learn about Christ if all of us joined His Mission!

PARENTS and YOUTH Workers Corner “Let Us Be Radiant”: The National Altar Boys’ Retreat and National Girls’ Retreat will take place simultaneously at Hellenic College/Holy Cross in Brookline, Mass., April 6-9.

The weekend will be filled with wonderful opportunities for participants to explore aspects of their life in service to Christ. Sign up for to receive weekly resources and tips for Youth Workers.

Send an e-mail to listserv@listserv. goarch. Leave the subject blank, and in the body of the e-mail type the words: subscribe youth. You will receive confirmation of your subscription shortly thereafter.

Visit our website at http://www. goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/youth/ for more information and archives that can be useful to youth ministry.

Challenge is the Youth & Young Adult Ministries supplement to the Orthodox Observer.

Articles reflect the opinion of the writers.

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

28

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

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

Dr. ARES D. AXIOTIS

ATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW ÄÉÄÁÊÔÙÑ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ OXFORD, ENGLAND Ô. ËÅÊÔÙÑ ÍÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁÓ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND MEMBER OF NY AND CT BARS 36 West 44th Street – Suite 1300, New York, NY 10036

Tel.: (212) 840-3422 or (203) 255-3312

Athens Law Firm

Assists managing your property in Greece: Collects rents, find renters, takes up eviction proceedings, handles repairs and maintence; generally looks after property, assists to establish ownership and handles sales and purchases.

Contact us at:

Nikitiades and Associates

5 Lycabettus Street, Kolonaki, Athens, Greece 10672 Tel: +30 210 364-2909 • Fax: +30 210 362-5331 e-mail: gnikit@ath.forthnet.gr Information Ms. Chantzopoulou or Mr. Anastasopoulos

WEDDINGS-GIFTS KENTRIKON-NOUFARO 23-35 31 St. Astoria, NY 11105 Wedding and Christening items, Favors, Martirika, Vaptistika, Ecclesiastical items.

PHILOTHEI Orthodox Vestments & Gifts Custom made Vestments, Cassocks, Baptismal Robes and Gifts www.churchtailor.com

REAL ESTATE Waterfront Lot in picturesque bayou. Direct access to Gulf of Mexico. Large Greek community.

98 ft waterfront.

Build your Dream Home. $950,000 Call (727) 934-5195

RENT a new waterfront townhome.

Beautiful location on Gulf of Mexico.

2,600 sq ft, 3BR/3Ba. Includes private elevator. Available immediately.

Call Len @ (651) 503-9135

FISHER REALTY CLEARWATER-TARPON SPRINGS

SALE or RENT

FLORIDA

Call George Steriadis

New Homes & Resales Toll Free: 1-866-308-8987 (727) 804-8289 cell

ÏÌÉËÏÕÌÅ ÅËËÇÍÉÊÁ

Exclusive Villas in Schinias, near Marathon w/ Aegean Sea and mountain views, offer your choice of a home less than 100 m from water.

Open floor plan, 3 or 4 BDR, 2 BA, prvte balconies and gardens, swimming pool and more.

Spectacular views. Just 45 min. drive from Athens.

Great Investment Opportunity. Call 602-819-2300 E-mail: EBM100@ATTGLOBAL.NET

FOR SALE

CAPE SOUNION AREA

Rare large hiltop parcel, 11 plus stremata, overlooking sea and valley. Close to Temple of Poseidon, in area of year round and vacation villas. Firm price $600.000 U.S. Subject to increase without notice. Serious inquiries only!

Call: ( 207 ) 282-1197

Restaurant business for SALE. Call for details.

Serious inquiries only.

Steve or Angela at (864) 244-7195

TARPON SPRINGS - FL

ZAKYNTHOS-GREECE

Coldwell Banker Wikle.

Charlie Phillips (727) 787-2727 PYLOS

KEFALONIA

2,3 Stremata (6,5 stremata olive trees cultivated) 197.5 meters bordering Pylos-Methoni national road. 2 Klm from Pylos platea.

Suitable for commercial use.

Call (908) 232-1296

FOR SALE LOT 1,072 m

2

4 km from Argostoli on main road within city building limits.

Grand view of Argostoli below

Serious inquiries only: 646-206-1082

Naples Florida Real Estate

GEORGE KENT•GREEK•AMERICAN•INTERNATIONAL ORCHESTRA & ENTERTAINMENT EXPOSÉ REQUESTED! “BOOK EARLY FOR 10% REBATE!”

ONLY TRUST YOUR SOCIAL TO A PROVEN NAME GROUP OF FULL TIME PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS ENTERTAINERS, AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, WHO’S ONLY BUSINESS IS MUSIC. PERFORMING AUTHENTIC GREEK MUSIC OF ALL REGIONS, COLONIES OF GREECE. FEATURING THE “PRIME VOICE OF GREECE...” THE CLARINO & BOUZOUKI PLUS VOCALS. BEWARE! OF GREEK BANDS PROMISING AMERICAN MUSIC, THEN PLAYING TAPES! ALL OUR MUSIC IS PERFORMED “LIVE”...OUR AMERICAN SOUNDS PURE AMERICAN, WITH NO ACCENT!

The Fabulous Grecian Keys

The Very Best Singers Violin, Clarino & Bouzoukia

800-GET-KEYS - 330.394.0404 Free CDs for your Festival!

www.greciankeys.com

Georgio Theofilos

THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS Greek & American Music Unlimited Continuous “Live” Greek & American DJ Entertainment FOR ALL OCCASSIONS

Steve: (410) 456-5339 - Andreas: (717) 464-4562 Fax:(410) 256-5524 e-mail: bouzoukinights@aol.com

Experience the Difference... ...the Difference is Experience 20+ Years in Real Estate

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Downing-Frye Realty, Inc.

Tel: (212) 570-3555

MISCELLANEOUS

Dimitrios

Photography & Video

Call our studio to talk about the wide variety of wedding packages for nearly every budget.

CALL NOW ( 516) 931-2333

TRANSLATIONS-ΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΕΙΣ

Professional Translation Service GREEK-ENGLISH-GREEK Reasonable Rates-Fast Service Inquire by email: metafrastis2004@yahoo.com Call today at 917.412.7465 and leave a message

Μιλώ Ελληνικά

1-800-448-3411 ext. 508 (239) 777- 4904

www.vickylowry.net

PLANNING ON RETIRING?

Consider Williamsburg ROBERT MARAKOS Mobile: (757) 570-4076

E-Mail: rmarakos@williamewood.com www.williamewood.com/rmarakos

5208 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA 23188

ADVERTISING RATES

MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS “Type page width” is 59 picas (9.75”), depth is 14 inches

(718) 204-0400

VL Vicky Lowry, SRA

www.kentrikon-noufaro.com

DISPLAY ADVERTISING per column inch: ......$ 55.00 quarter pg: ...............$ 750.00 half page: ................$ 1,500.00 full page: ..................$ 3,000.00 CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING single column inch ......$ 50.00 dbl. column inch ..........$100.00

of NEW YORK

THE ULTIMATE IN GREEK AND AMERICAN MUSIC EMAIL:TROJAN888@AOL.COM

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020

2

$495,000

TROJANS

THE

or write: 118 Bolmer Ave., N.Yonkers, NY 10703-1637 Send for CD albums “Zorba” or “Athena” $15 for one, $25 for both (cassette $11.00 for one, $20 for both) to address above.

Ksirokastelo Basilikou Land Parcel 12,667,50 m with approved permits for Hotel. Call for details at 011-30-210-6930581 and 011-30-6979390624 E-mail: em276@otenet.gr and ngalaxidas@yahoo.com

WATERFRONT HOME 2br./2ba., dock.

(718) 721-9190

Live-in help needed for our beloved mother, a home bound disabled senior in Washington, DC. Household duties, cooking and laundry required.

Please call Niki ( 703 ) 533-9155

TARPON SPRINGS - FL

TARPON SPRINGS, FL

We ship anywhere!

ELDERCARE

MUSICIANS

REV111502

LEGAL SERVICES

Display ads: Four columns to a page. Single column width is 14 picas (2.25”). For each additional column add 15 picas (2.5”).

Classified ads: Six columns to a page. Single column width is 9 picas (1.5”), double column width is 19 picas (3.25”) Camera ready ads preferred.

DEADLINES: Reservations: 25 days before publication.

PAYMENT TERMS: All ads are payable in advance, unless contract agreement is in effect and account current.

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

observer@goarch.org Tel: (212) 570-3555

Meraklides Orchestra

TRADITIONAL GREEK MUSIC FOR ALL OCCASIONS DEMOTIKA - LAIKA NIKOLAS DELKOURAS

meraklides@comcast.net

(781) 267-6362

GUIDELINES FOR PHOTOGRAPHS 1) Conventional photographs We accept Color or Black & White photos, printed on photographic paper. Photographs should be sharp and clear. Pictures printed on color printers, either Inkjet or Laser and photocopies or clippings of previously published photos are NOT accepted.

2) Digital photographs We accept digital pictures if they conform to the following specifications: • Minimum resolution 1600 pixels wide x 1200 pixels high (approx. 2 mega pixels, digital cameras should be set to high resolution, high quality. If you scan a standard photograph -usually 4x6”- use a minimum of 300 dpi. We discourage scanning your own photos, send the actual photo.)

• File format JPEG or TIFF (JPEGs are smaller files and easier to e-mail, TIFFs are better quality) • Color mode RGB, color depth minimum 8-bit.

• Image files placed within any word-processing file or any other application are not accepted.

• Digital pictures can be submitted by e-mail, CDROM, Zip, Floppy Disk (Disks can not be returned) • E-mail to: observer@goarch.org. In the subject line write only the word “photos” VERY IMPORTANT: Attach the image files and do not include them in the body of the e-mail or they will not be usable.

3) Please include information about the photo(s); place, time and event as well as the names of all persons shown, left to right.

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

College Students Serve on Their Spring Break BOSTON – Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s (OCF) Real Break program offers college students life-changing experiences serving Orthodox communities, orphanages and monasteries on their spring break “being fruitful in every work and growing in the knowledge of God” (Col. 1:10) Registration for Real Break 2006 is now open for teams of 10-15 young people to travel to exciting locations such as Project Mexico, Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala, Raphael House in San Francisco, Holy Monastery of the Twelve Apostles in Greece, and El Salvador to share in the experience of serving others, prayer, fellowship and fun.

A Real Break team may also serve an affected disaster area through a Hurricane Relief project in partnership with International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).

While the accepted norm for a college spring break is to waste away the week on

a beach, Real Break provides a fantastic alternative to this traditional view.

It is a time to serve others, grow spiritually, learn about different com-

munities and experience the reality of Christian life.

Each team is accompanied by a priest who serves as the team leader providing opportunity for one-on-one interaction and spiritual growth. Each participant is asked to fundraise for their trip with family, friends and their local parish. The donors become an important part of each participant’s experience as photos and stories are shared upon their return.

A student from Miami University who participated in a Real Break to Guatemala last year, wrote about his experience as follows: “By the grace of God working through these orphans, I was able to see Christ in all those around me.”

The dates and locations for 2006 are: February 18 - 26 Twelve Holy Apostles Monastery (Greece), February 25 - March 4 Project Mexico, March 4-11 Project Mexico, Raphael House (San Francisco), March 11-18 Hogar Rafael Ayau (Guatemala), Hurricane Relief, El Salvador, March

and attain to the grace and loving-kindness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” Like Niko, the beginning of the sixth year of the 21st century provides us an opportunity to embark on a process of sorrow, supplication and separation from sinful habits.

Only by our sins in such a fashion can we begin to receive the grace of liberation.

By merely cataloging resolutions without facing previous transgressions the New Year will quickly find us a slave to irreversible past habits! The Sixth Psalm of David invites us to start the New Year by realizing that God already knows our shortcomings and will be quick to forgive. We can listen to the counsel of the psalmist or, like Niko,

we can allow ourselves to be ever manipulated by a futile strategy of self-deception!

According to David, all we have to do to free ourselves from the tyranny of sin is to humbly approach our Heavenly Father with the truth of our failings and thereby initiate the process of forgiveness.

The Sixth Psalm has served as a special source of prayer and reflection for centuries. The tone of David’s honest pleading is compelling and invites us to turn to our Lord with the same candor and desire.

Although our struggles, our sins, our “enemies” - and the ways we describe them - may be different than those encountered by the faithful at other times throughout

29 18-25 (26*) Project Mexico, Twelve Holy Apostles Monastery (Greece)*, March 25 - April 1 Hogar Rafael Ayau (Guatemala) Now in its seventh year, over 400 participants have experienced Real Break, serving ten different locations.

Fr. Mark Leondis, chairman of the OCF Executive Committee stated, “this program is perhaps one of the greatest ways that our college students can put their faith into action. We feel blessed to have worked with these students on these service projects and are grateful for their zeal for the faith and love for those who are less fortunate. God has indeed blessed their efforts.”

Registration and more information on Real Break can be found on the OCF website at www.ocf.net or by calling 800919-1OCF. 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 fifteen person Student Advisory Board.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION page 12 cant will, like David, be granted the revelation that the Lord has “heard our weeping” and “accepted our prayers” (6:8-9).

Finally, after sincere sorrow has developed into acceptable supplication, the penitent must desire to “depart from all workers of evil,” (6:8, 10) that is, those things that lead us into future sin. The greatest benefit of shame and sorrow of sin, counsels Chrysostom, is retreat from wickedness. Through such “preventive measures,” Chrysostom asserts, we, like a “galloping horse,” are “restrained from heading towards more serious cliffs . . .

history, the Sixth Psalm continues to provide an valuable antidote by drawing us before God, as sinners with real needs.

The Sixth Psalm has much to say to those of us entering the Sixth Year of the Twenty-First Century. Let us acknowledge the wisdom of this important psalm and come to know the timelessness of God’s love, forgiveness and mercy.

Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is director of Religious Education for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and adjunct assistant professor of religious education and homiletics at Holy Cross School of Theology.

30

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Leadership 100 Fitness Center Dedication, Married Student Apartments Blessing Held at HC-HC BROOKLINE, Mass.–What began as a celebration, official dedication and blessing of the newly opened Leadership 100 Fitness Center on the campus of Hellenic College and Holy Cross on Nov. 17 became a day-long celebration honoring many selfless donors who have given their talents and resources to strengthen the School and advance its vital mission of educating the future clergy and lay leaders of the Church.

The day’s events began at 2 pm with the blessing of the new state-of-the-art fitness center, located on the second level of the Pappas Gymnasium at Hellenic College and Holy Cross, by Archbishop Demetrios, followed by the blessing of the recently named married student apartments on campus collectively known as Dendrinos Village.

After a reception in the Maliotis Center, the celebrants concluded the day with a gala dinner at the Boston Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel celebrating the philanthropy that has made these excellent improvements possible.

During the blessing of the Fitness Center, Archbishop Demetrios spoke of the importance of developing, as the ancient Greeks prescribed, “mind, body and soul.” He also read a passage from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews that included the phrase “let us also lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” In reflecting upon the official name of the fitness center, The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fitness Center, Archbishop Demetrios said the name is fitting, considering, among other things, Archbishop Iakovos’ outstanding example not only as Archbishop but also as a well-rounded and disciplined person who devoted himself to prayer, learning, service and even exercise, adding, “he exercised regularly.”

Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross, thanked the donors, together with Leadership 100, for their “continuous, sterling and loving generosity and their exemplary leadership.” He then introduced Mr. Stephen G. Yeonas, of the greater Washington area, the catalyst for the new fitness center, SEATTLE – The Rev. John P. Angelis, pastor of St. Demetrios Church in Seattle for the past 11 years, was honored at a recent banquet by the parish and the greater Greek Orthodox community of the area for his 39 years as a priest.

by Cliff Argue

Fr. Angelis retired as proistamenos, but will continue to serve St. Demetrios as a part-time assistant priest. Fr. Photios Dumont is the proistamenos.

Over 300 people attended the function that recognized Fr. Angelis’ long and dedicated service to the Church. KIRO-TV news reporter Chris Legeros was master of ceremonies, introducing the many speakers who reflected on Fr. Angelis’ excellence, love, compassion, humility and spirituality.

A video prepared by Fr. Angelis’ son Luke captured the essence of his life and ministry from the difficult days growing up in war-ravaged Greece, to coming to America, and serving several parishes, nearly all in the West.

Fr. Paul Schroeder, San Francisco Metropolis chancellor, representing Metropolitan Anthony who was ill at the time

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS, Fr. Triantafilou and Stephen G. Yeonas during the Blessing of the Leadership 100 Fitness Center on the campus of Hellenic College and Holy Cross.

who stated emphatically: “Hellenic College and Holy Cross is the cornerstone of our Church in America. As the only Greek Orthodox seminary in America, it is the West Point and Naval Academy of our Church.

This is where our priests and leaders are educated and formed. What could be more important?”

Mr. Yeonas added, “If we want to attract the best young people to become clergy and lay leaders of our church, we need not only the best teachers but the best facilities.”

Mr. Yeonas, assisted by Fr. James Katinas, the School’s director of Institutional Advancement, spearheaded the fundraising efforts for the center.

The construction of the facility was led by the team of Mr. Yeonas, George Georgenes, Jim Karloutsos and Christian Levitsky. The following individuals were Grand Benefactors to the Fitness Center: Arthur C. Anton, George D. and Margo Behrakis, Nicholas J. Bouras, Gus and Ann Chafoulias, Nicholas and Kathleen Chimicles, Mary and Michael Jaharis, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, George

M. Marcus, John and Mary Pappajohn, George and Thelma Paraskevaides, John and Marisa Payiavlas, James and Theodore Pedas, James A. Regas, Alex and Faye Spanos, Nick and Nancy Vidalakis Family, and Stephen and Thelma Yeonas. Patrons of the Center were Dr. James Alex, George Alex, Virginia Alex, John and Margo Catsimatidis, and Franklin and Mary Manios.

The day’s activities on campus culminated with a warm and elegant gala dinner at the Fairmont Copley Plaza in downtown Boston honoring principal donors to the School. Following an opening prayer by Archbishop Demetrios, Dr. Thomas C. Lelon, vice chair of the Board of Trustees and former president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross, welcomed those in attendance. He stated that the evening was devoted to “honoring very special people who direct and have directed their philanthropy to our Faith. They have given their heart, soul and spirit to assist us in sustaining and advancing Holy Cross and Hellenic College.”

Fr. Triantafilou, serving as the master of ceremonies, opened a series of brief

Fr. John Angelis Honored for 39 Years’ Service and could not attend, noted Fr. Angelis’ many accomplishments in the Metropolis parishes he pastored.

Letters were read from Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishops Iakovos and Demetrios, as well as clergy and laity across the country. In his remarks, Fr. Angelis summarized his service by noting: “My approach in my ministry has been to share my vision with my co-workers, to do my part and invite and encourage them to contribute to the work at hand according to their ability. I have always believed in synergism, in shared leadership, in using everybody’s gifts to achieve the set goal for the common good. When it comes to my priorities in life, I have put God and His Church first, my family second and everything else last.”

Fr. Angelis was born in 1937 in the village of Tithorea in Fthiotis, Greece, the sixth of seven children of Panagiotis and Violetta Angelis. The family suffered greatly during World War II and the ensuing Greek Civil War. He came to America in 1956

and enrolled in Holy Cross Seminary in the fall of 1957. He graduated from the seminary summa cum laude in 1962 and attended Harvard Divinity School, graduating in 1965. In the meantime, he met and married Anna Avramides, and they went to Thessaloniki after Harvard to continue his studies. He was ordained both as a deacon in 1965 and priest in 1966 in Thessaloniki, returning to the U.S. later that year.

Fr. Angelis’ first parish assignment was to St. George Church in St. Paul, Minn. where he soon faced the task of building a new church to replace the one destroyed by an arsonist. In 1975, he was assigned to Annunciation Church in Sacramento, Calif., which built a major senior citizens’ housing complex during his pastorate. He moved to St. George Church in Fresno, Calif., in 1981 and to St. Katherine Church in Chandler, Ariz., in 1985. He came to St. Demetrios, Seattle, in 1993 after the sudden death of long-time pastor Fr. Homer Demopulos.

Fr. Angelis helped the parish recover from its shock and grief with compassion

remarks by thanking all in attendance for “making the School the home and womb of Orthodoxy in America.” Remarks were also offered by Dr. Lily Macrakis, dean of Hellenic College; Acting Consul General Catherine Economou-Demeter; and Fr. James Katinas, Director of Institutional Advancement.

Archbishop Demetrios then addressed the gathering by pointing out the significance of the event taking place during the Thanksgiving period and in the wake of a major conference on world poverty. He emphasized his sincere gratitude for the philanthropy of the major benefactors of Hellenic College and Holy Cross and stated that, in light of the fact that one third of the world lives in extreme poverty, we must all commit ourselves to even greater philanthropy.

Citing the great generosity, creativity and initiative of the Hellenic College and Holy Cross benefactors, His Eminence said that this is proof that, working with God and one another: “nothing is impossible.”

The beautiful evening concluded with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and Fr. Triantafilou presenting tokens of appreciation to the Great Benefactors who were being honored for their principal gifts to the School. They included Eula Carlos, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cotros, Curtis LeRoy, nephew of the late John Andromedas; Charles Masterpolis, Ms. Laura Nixon; and Mrs. Catherine Pappas, founder of the Pappas Patristic Institute at Holy Cross.

Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology is the only fully-accredited Christian Orthodox undergraduate liberal arts college, graduate center for Orthodox higher education, and Greek Orthodox seminary in America.

Hellenic College serves liberal-artsminded students with an undergraduate curriculum of professional preparation grounded in Orthodox Christian values as well as a Religious Studies program designed to prepare students who will continue their graduate studies at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Theological School. The schools are located at 50 Goddard Ave. in Brookline. and understanding, and to build upon and expand various programs. These included youth and YAL activities, Philanthropia House – a residence for the elderly next to the church–, Camp Agape for children with cancer, Folk Dance Festival participation, and many others that helped make a strong faith community.

Fr. John and Presbytera Anna were blessed with three children – Luke, Theodore, and a daughter, Elizabeth. They suffered great tragedy when Elizabeth and her two children Fischer and Ian perished in a fire at their home in 1998. The parish in turn showed immense love and support during this difficult period. Always a gracious host to visiting clergy, during his time at St. Demetrios, Fr. Angelis also mentored several assistant priests, each of whom is now serving his own parish. He is a great supporter of missionary efforts both at home and overseas. Respecting his wishes regarding a gift, the parish has established an endowment fund for the Sunday school to provide additional materials, special speakers, and other help for religious education. Donations may be sent to St. Demetrios Church, 2100 Boyer Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98112.

31

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

TH "IENNIAL #LERGY ,AITY #ONGRESS .ATIONAL 0HILOPTOCHOS #ONVENTION .!3(6),,% s *5,9

A RETREAT FOR ALL /RTHODOX #HRISTIANS WITH WORKSHOPS

FAMILY PROGRAMS AND EVENTS FOR ALL AGES #LERGY ,AITY #ONGRESS s #LERGY (EALTH AND 7ELLNESS PROGRAM s #ULTURAL EVENT AT 4HE 0ARTHENON STARRING !RISTA RECORDING ARTISTS $IAMOND 2IO s 'RAND "ANQUET WITH UNIQUE ENTERTAINMENT AND PROGRAM s h$INE !ROUNDv .ASHVILLE RESTAURANT PROGRAM .ATIONAL 0HILOPTOCHOS #ONVENTION s (EALTH AND 7ELLNESS PROGRAM s 0HILOPTOCHOS 'RAND "ANQUET AT 'AYLORD /PRYLAND 2ESORT s ! NIGHT AT THE 'RAND /LE /PRY 9OUNG !DULT #ONFERENCE s h"LUEBIRD ON THE -OUNTAINv SONGWRITERS NIGHT AT $YER /BSERVATORY s !N EVENING AT "" +ING S "LUES #LUB s 0OOL 0ARTY AT 'AYLORD /PRYLAND 2ESORT WWW CLERGYLAITY ORG

"ELLE -EADE 0LANTATION

&AMILY 3YNAXIS 0ROGRAM "RING THE FAMILY FOR THIS lRST EVER FAMILY SPIRITUAL RETREAT 0ROGRAMS DESIGNED FOR PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL WITH GROUP FAMILY EVENTS AND MORE -USIC #ITY s 'AYLORD /PRYLAND 2ESORT AND #ONVENTION #ENTERˆRESERVE EARLY s 4HE 0ARTHENONˆTHE ONLY FULL SCALE REPLICA IN THE WORLD s 'RAND /LE /PRYˆLEGENDARY LIVE RADIO BROADCAST s #OUNTRY -USIC (ALL OF &AME AND -USEUM SPECIAL EXHIBIT ) #AN T 3TOP ,OVING 9OU 2AY #HARLES AND #OUNTRY -USIC s 4HE (ERMITAGEˆHOME OF 0RESIDENT !NDREW *ACKSON s &RIST #ENTER FOR THE 6ISUAL !RTS SPECIAL EXHIBIT 4HE 1UEST FOR )MMORTALITY 4REASURES OF !NCIENT %GYPT s 'OLF 4OURNAMENT AT 3PRING(OUSE ,INKS

WWW VISITMUSICCITY COM

32

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Town, Water, Sponges, Greeks: Circumstances Leading to the Tarpon Springs Epiphany Celebration

F

our factors created the circumstances that led to the unique celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Epiphany in Tarpon Springs – the city that was conceived as a winter resort for northern millionaires, the sea creature known as the sponge that proliferated in the Gulf of Mexico, Greek sponge divers from the Dodecanese Islands and the small body of water known as Spring Bayou, site of the annual Diving for the Cross.

as the docks along the Anclote were piled high with sponges waiting for export to other parts of the nation and the world.

But the industry’s demise followed close behind.

A series of blights began in 1939 that destroyed or greatly diminished the sponge beds, followed by the “red tide” in 1947 that devastated what remained.

Also, following World War II, sponge dealers in the Mediterranean flooded the world market with sponges that drove down the price and synthetic sponges were introduced that are mostly used to this day.

Harvesting real sponges, though, is still important to the local economy, as many shops along Dodecanese Boulevard that cater to tourists sell what the few local spongers bring in.

Today, what had been the Sponge Exchange, where the sponges were bought and sold, has become a mall-like facility with many tourist shops and cafes.

Greek Town consists of several blocks and many restaurants and tourist shops.

by Jim Golding

Before 1867, this part of Florida, the central western coast, was still a vast wilderness.

Shortly after the Civil War, the first white settlers arrived and built cabins along the Anclote River, a 15-mile long shallow salt water stream that empties into the Gulf of Mexico.

Branching off the main channel are four cul-de-sac-like inlets – bayous.

In her book, “Images of America: Tarpon Springs, author Dolores Kilgo notes that a Philadelphia businessman, Hamilton Disston, a friend of the governor of Florida, purchased a 4 million acre tract for 25 cents an acre around 1880 in what would the area of Tarpon Springs and Pinellas County.

His associate, Anson P.K. Safford, came up with plans to develop a winter resort to attract northern millionaires.

In the late 1800s, Italy was the prime destination for wealthy Americans to vacation. Promoters in Florida hoped to make the state an alternate destination. Local boosters touted Tarpon Springs as “the Venice of the South.”

Sport fisherman were drawn here because of the abundance of tarpon, hence the first part of the settlement’s name.

Tarpon Springs was still a collection of scattered houses with about 500 residents and about 90 percent undeveloped when it was incorporated in 1887.

Sponge fishing

About 1890, a local businessman, John Cheyney, became interested in sponge fishing, which existed in the state since the 1850s.

The Gulf of Mexico has been one of the largest sponge producing areas outside of the Mediterranean. Some 9,300 square miles of the Gulf produce sponges.

In the 1800s, spongers from Key West, called “Key West Conchs”, sailed as far north as the Florida Panhandle in search of sponges.

Ironically, the soup served at the Epiphany Clergy-Laity Luncheon on Jan. 5 was “Key West Conch Chowder.”

The city became the largest in Florida and one of the wealthiest in the nation because of the sponge trade.

In those days, sponge fishermen harvested sponges from small boats, using 15- to 40-foot long poles equipped with hooks. Consequently, only sponges near the surface could be harvested.

By in the 1890s, Cheyney created a new center for the sponge trade, with the invaluable help of some Greeks.

Around that same period Tarpon Springs became connected to the outside world with the arrival of the first railroad, the Orange Belt Railroad, that would transport tons of sponges to northern markets.

Thousands were employed in the sponge business. Many of the spongers were African Americans, then one of the largest minority groups in the city.

Spring Bayou

Tarpon Springs continued to grow in the 1890s. Wealthy businessmen built

Epiphany

Archbishop Athenagoras blesses the cross-retriever in 1947.

stately Victorian mansions that circled the bayou and built numerous boat houses along its banks.

Boating was a highly popular pastime back then.

The boat houses have long gone, but many of the Victorian homes remain. A green belt containing palms, pines and other trees now surrounds the bayou.

The city dock also was located on the bayou, at the foot of Tarpon Avenue, where the annual diving for the cross now takes place.

Spring Bayou, the smallest of the city’s four bayous, got its name from a deep mineral spring that periodically erupted through the salt water and was said to have “medicinal” value.

The Greeks

In 1895, a young Greek sponge buyer who worked for a New York dealer went to Key West, John M. Cocoris, is credited with transforming the sponge industry into a worldwide operation.

He eventually was hired by Cheyney, who persuaded him to come to Tarpon Springs. He also hired Cocoris’ three brothers.

Cocoris moved to Tarpon Springs in 1902 with his wife, Anna, the first Greek woman in the city.

Realizing that more sponges could be harvested in very rich sponge beds that lay in deep water beyond the reach of the sponge hooks, he convinced Cheyney that Greek divers and equipment could greatly increase the yield of sponges.

In 1885, Greeks developed the diving suit, known as a skafandro. It consisted of a rubberized suit fitted with a bronze collar, a heavy bronze detachable helmet, shoes and a belt weighted with metal.

The entire apparatus weighed about 400 pounds. An air hose was attached to a valve in the helmet. A pump on board the vessel provided a steady supply of air.

This enabled divers to go into deep water and harvest far more sponges than they could otherwise. Divers could stay on the ocean floor up to two hours.

Using this method, a diver could col-

lect four times as many sponges as a hook fisherman during that time period.

The first team of Greek divers to arrive in Tarpon Springs came in 1905. By the summer there were 500 Greek men in the city. They came without their families and some lived on the boats, others slept in makeshift barracks, cooking and washing outside.

They settled in large numbers from the islands of Kalymnos, Halki, Symi, Hydra, Spetse and Aegina.

The Greek population grew to such an extent that, by 1911, the Greek American Bank was chartered and, in the 1920s, the name of Anclote Boulevard, which ran along the river at the sponge docks, was changed to the present Dodecanese Boulevard, the main street of “Greek Town.”

Greek flags became a common sight and the sponge boats were painted blue and white and colorfully decorated.

The sponge business provided about 2,500 jobs in the city in the 1920s.

Sponge diving was not without its risks. Divers faced the danger of sharks and a cut or kinked hose could lead to suffocation.

Also, rising too quickly to the surface could cause depression sickness, known as “the bends” and could cause paralysis and death.

By 1936, Tarpon Springs had a sponge fleet of 200 boats, one of the largest in the world, which worked the entire west coast of Florida and harvested about $3 million worth of sponges annually.

Several Hollywood movies had been made about the sponge industry of Tarpon Springs. The most famous was “Twelve Mile Reef,” that starred a young Robert Wagner who played the teen-ager who retrieved the cross. The priest in that movie was played by the actual priest of the community at the time.

It was the story of the rivalries between the Tarpon Springs and the Key West spongers, which sometimes led to violence.

The city acquired the title of “Sponge Capital of the World in the 1930s and ‘40s,

The Greek divers who came to Tarpon Springs were very devout and, from the beginning practiced their faith and established a parish community.

Their first priest was recruited from Kalymnos. They soon built their first church, St. Nicholas, located on Orange Street, near the present cathedral. Each diver would donate a day’s wages and each sponge boat captain would give part of his profits to build a church.

The first church, a wooden structure, was completed in 1907. It was heavily damaged twice by fire until it was replaced in 1943 by the present church, modeled after St. Sophia in Constantinople. It was designated a cathedral on Jan. 6, 1976.

The Epiphany celebration began to draw national attention in the 1920s.

Several prominent leaders and celebrities have witnessed the colorful event.

In 1922, Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos and his wife Eleni Skylitsi came to Tarpon Springs. Former President Calvin Coolidge visited in 1930. Others have included Vice President Spiro Agnew.

The event also was the subject of a National Geographic magazine feature in the 1940s. The cover featured Archbishop Athenagoras throwing the cross.

In 1975, Tarpon Springs was designated as the official “Epiphany City” of the United States by the city’s Board of Commissioners.

Perhaps the most memorable moment in the Epiphany celebration in recent history occurred in 1974 when, shortly after the release of the dove by Stephanie Lelekis, the bird came to rest atop Archbishop Iakovos’ mitre.

Along with the religious observance of Epiphany, many faithful also visit the small St. Michael’s Shrine chapel on Hope Street, which contains the icon of the Taxiarchis Michael (Panormitis) that has had miracles attributed to it.

It was built by Maria Dim. Tsalichis to house an icon of the Taxiarchis given to her in 1937 by the abbot of the monastery in Symi in the Dodecanese.

Miracles that have been attributed to it include the curing of her son in 1939 who had gone into a coma, the restoration of sight to a blind girl in 1943, the curing of a crippled woman from Chicago, the restoration of hearing to a deaf woman in 1954, and the curing of a crippled woman in 1958 who had gone through nine operations without success.

FIRST HISTORIC VISIT TO CYPRUS

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

A Historic Pilgrimage to the Land of Saints, Martyrs and Heroes NEW YORK – Cyprus. A golden-green leaf thrown amidst the ocean. Cyprus is the land of dreams, it is an island irrigated and sanctified by the blood of heroes and martyrs. It is the land of Apostles and saints. It is the land of olive groves and of joy, of lemon orchards and of love. “Who really knows this island?” asks the Greek Nobel Laureate poet George Seferis. As Teucer wondered-off to Cyprus following the fall of Troy in Euripides’ Helen, similarly I found myself traveling for the first time to this land, to this island of our dreams.

by Stavros H. Papagermanos His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America was en route to Cyprus making his first official visit the Republic of Cyprus.

It was his first visit personally and the first official visit of an Archbishop of America to Cyprus. It was an auspicious occasion and I was very honored and glad to be included in the official delegation.

The Republic of Cyprus has expressed gratitude before to the person of Archbishop Demetrios for his contributions and support by bestowing in 2004 upon the Archbishop its highest honor, the Great Cross of the Order of Archbishop Makarios. The presidential invitation then

by President Tassos Papadopoulos for an official visit seemed only a natural followup. At the same time, the autocephalous Church of Cyprus, the Church founded

by Apostle Barnabas in 46 A.D., through its Holy Synod extended an additional invitation.

On Jan. 24 Archbishop Demetrios as he landed in Larnaca Airport and began his 6-day pilgrimage to Cyprus, kneeled with respect and paid homage to this land, which has suffered much and has given much.

“This is the sweet land of Cyprus, according to the poet,” said the Archbishop “and we set foot on its sacred ground with gratitude and respect.”

Welcoming the Archbishop and his party at the airport on behalf of the Republic were the Minister of Education and Culture Pefkios Georgiades who thanked the Archbishop for his previous and continued support for Cyprus and its people.

Also greeting Archbishop Demetrios at the airport was the Presiding Hierarch of the Holy Synod of Cyprus Metropolitan Chrysostom of Paphos who also expressed the wholehearted thanks of the Cypriot people to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archbishop. The welcoming party included Metropolitan Chrysostom of Kition, Bishop Vassilios of Trimithous and the Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Sotos Zakhaios.

“For me is not just a visit but a pilgrimage,” said Archbishop Demetrios explaining how he views the land and the people who, throughout the millennia, have stood upright and have survived with dignity, overcoming many adversities and contributing to peace and world civilization. His Eminence closed by stating that he looks forward to the days ahead in order to experience the true life of Cyprus and thanked again President Papadopoulos and the people of Cyprus for the warm welcome they offered.

Later that evening, President Papadopoulos and his wife Fotini, hosted a private dinner at their residence, in honor of the Archbishop.

At the Presidential Palace

The next rainy morning, Archbishop Demetrios arrived at the Presidential Palace and as a first official act he placed a wreath at the statue of Archbishop

Makarios III facing the palace in which he had worked and from which he was overthrown.

The Archbishop then met privately with President Papadopoulos in his office where the two discussed the latest developments in the Cyprus issue, including the possibilities that exist and the role of the Greek-American Omogeneia towards a just resolution of the Cyprus issue. His Eminence stated that the work which is being done is done on the basis of continuity and long-term planning without any pause or rest.

President Papadopoulos then received all the members of the delegation for further discussion on the issue. The official party accompanying Archbishop Demetrios included: His Grace Bishop Savvas of Troas, Chancellor of the Archdiocese; Very Reverend Archimandrite Sebastian Skordallos, Pastor of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs Fla.; A Press cOnFerence at arrival in larnaca international Airport. (l to r) Ambassador sotos Zakhaios, Metropolitan chrysostomos of Kitiou, Bishop savas of troas, Minister of education and culture Pefkios georgiadis and Archbishop demetrios.

this lArger-than-life statue of Archbishop Makarios dominates the entrance to the Archdiocese of cyprus in nicosia.

PHOTOS D. PANAGOS

Deacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos; Andrew Athens, president of the Council of Hellenes Abroad and UHAC; Panicos Papanicolaou, president of the Cyprus Federation of America; Dr. Anthony Limberakis, commander of the Archons Order of St. Andrew; Maria Stavropoulos, vicepresident of the National Philoptochos; Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Alice Keurian, director of the Office of the Archbishop and this writer.

The bells of the Cathedral of Saint John at the Archdiocese of Cyprus tolled to mark the arrival of Archbishop Demetrios.

A welcoming ceremony and doxology took place inside the magnificent cathedral. A short and emotional visit with the ill Archbishop of Cyprus Chrysostomos followed.

was the newly constructed social services facility of St. Dometius, the half-occupied suburb of Nicosia.

Archbishop Demetrios offered symbolic monetary gifts on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Also offering symbolic monetary gifts were the vice-president of the National Philoptochos Society, Maria Stavropoulos, the National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, Andrew Athens on behalf of the United Hellenic American Congress (UHAC) and Panikos Papanikolaou on behalf of the Cyprus Federation of America.

The President of the Republic, Tassos Papadopoulos hosted an official State dinner in the Presidential Palace in honor of

Archbishop Demetrios. Many Ministers, leaders of political parties and government officials were in attendance, including the hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus and former presidents Vassiliou and Clerides.

In his official speech, President Papadopoulos praised and thanked the Archbishop, who in his response among other things stated that “even the longest and darkest night eventually has an end because no one can prevent the rise of the sun, especially when it is the bright rising sun of justice.”

The following day Jan. 26, a marathon of meetings and visits ensued. In the capital city Nicosia, the Archbishop visited Parliament and its President Demetris Christofias, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Yiorgos Iacovou and Minister Pefkios

Archdiocese of Cyprus

Archbishop Demetrios toured the Archdiocese headquarters and the residence of the late Archbishop Makarios, which is preserved as a museum. His Eminence marveled at the magnificent iconography of the Byzantine museum of the Archdiocese. He then met with the members of the Holy Synod which hosted an official luncheon in his honor.

Following, His Eminence, accompanied by the wife of the President of Cyprus, Fotini Papadopoulos, visited various philanthropic institutions. Those were moving and emotional moments of humanity and love. He visited the nursery and kindergarten school “Manna”, located only yards away from what is called green-line and separates the city of Nicosia and the island of Cyprus in two. The children welcomed the Archbishop, recited poems, sang songs and asked him to pray for freedom and peace in their country. Another institution

Archbishop demetrios visits the ailing Archbishop chrysostomos of cyprus.

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

President of the Republic of Cyprus Tassos Papadopoulos welcomes Archbishop Demetrios to the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.

HIERARCHS of the Church of Cyprus offer to Archbishop Demetrios a tour of the Archdiocese headquarters.

thanked Mayor Zampelas stating that he accepts the honor in the name of Greek Orthodox Christians in America, who will continue to support a just and fair solution for Cyprus. Mayor Zampelas and members of the National Guard escorted Archbishop Demetrios to the military post at the “Green Line”, which separates the heart of the city in two. Nicosia remains the last divided capital in Europe. As His Eminence and his escort walked the streets of Nicosia they stopped the historic Georgiadis at the Ministry of Education and Culture where he spoke at a public gathering.

He also visited United States Ambassador Ronald Schlicher and Greek Ambassador Demetrios Rallis who hosted a luncheon.

In the evening the University of Cyprus organized a Hellenic Letters Celebration attended to capacity where his Eminence, the honored speaker presented the topic of “Human Impasses and the Holy Fathers of the Church.”

Imprisoned Tombs

On Friday, Jan. 27, Archbishop Demetrios placed a wreath on the “imprisoned tombs” of those who had been executed by hanging and buried in prison during the Cypriot struggle for Independence of 1955-1959. His Eminence offered memorial prayers for the eternal repose of their souls and visited the jail cells and the execution chambers where young heroic fighters were executed by hanging.

Following, Archbishop Demetrios and his entourage visited City Hall in Nicosia and were greeted by Mayor Michael Zampelas, the City Council, various dignitaries and the general public. During ceremonies that followed, Mayor Zam-

Official Meeting and discussions at the Presidential office with the Archbishop and President Tassos Papadopoulos.

pelas presented Archbishop Demetrios with the Golden Key to the City, citing His Eminence’s tireless work for a just solution to the Cyprus issue and the Archbishop’s contributions to Hellenism and Orthodoxy. In response, Archbishop Demetrios

At the Presidential Palace, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and President Tassos Papadopoulos (center) flanked by the members of the Archbishop’s entourage (L to R) Alice Keurian, Maria Stavropoulos, Fr. Sebastian Skordallos, Dn. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Andrew Athens, Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Bishop Savas of Troas, Panicos Papanicolaou, Dr. Anthony Limberakis and Stavros Papagermanos.

Church of Panayia Phaneromeni and the mausoleum where the holy relics of the martyred Archbishop Cyprianos rest.

Later His Eminence visited the world renown PanCyprian High School where he spoke to the students about what can be accomplished with hard work and the importance of education.

Next, His Eminence traveled to the Holy Metropolis of Kition in Larnaca, meeting with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Kition and later back in Nicosia with Metropolitan Pavlos of Kirenia, where the occupied Metropolis of Kirenia is headquartered since its displacement in 1974.

Saturday, Jan. 28, was a day of travel outside of Nicosia. Archbishop Demetrios visited the Metropolis of Morphou in the village of Evrichou where he A lively discussion between Archbishop Demetrios, President Tassos Papadopoulos and Panicos Papanikolaou.

was greeted with warmth and enthusiasm

by Metropolitan Neofitos, clergy and laity. Up the long winding road to Mount Troodos Archbishop Demetrios visited the Holy Stavropegial Monastery of Kikkou where he was greeted by Bishop Nikiforos, the abbot of the Monastery. There in the majestic scenery of the mountains, in Throni lays the body of the late Archbishop Makarios III, the first and great leader of the Republic of Cyprus. On his tomb Archbishop Demetrios placed a memorial wreath and offered a Trisagion Service.

Later in the day, Archbishop Demetrios visited the Apostolic City of Paphos and met with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Paphos. The final Metropolis visited on Saturday was the Metropolis of Lemesos where Archbishop Demetrios was greeted

by Metropolitan Athanasios of Lemesos and civic leaders of the city at a reception in his honor. Finally, on Saturday evening back in Nicosia, US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher hosted a dinner at his residence for the Archbishop and a select group of guests.

On Sunday, Jan. 29, Archbishop Demetrios of America, and hierarchs of the Church of Cyprus, concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Panagia Palouriotissa in Nicosia. The Divine Liturgy was broadcast via live TV throughout Cyprus. In the afternoon, Archbishop Demetrios hosted a reception, attended by some 400 guests, to thank President and Mrs. Papadopoulos for the gracious invitation and the hospitality of the people of the Republic of Cyprus.

As we were boarding the plane for departure the next day, I recalled the hospitality and the demeanor of our hosts and the words of George Seferis again who had loved Cyprus: “Faithful people, determined, willfully and gently steadfast people.” Truly this visit, this pilgrimage to Cyprus had widened our view of the world, had widened all of our horizons.

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Historic First Visit to Cyprus 3

1

1. HIS EMINENCE with the Mayor of Nicosia Michael Zampelas.

2

2. CONCELEBRATING Liturgy with the Hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus.

3.THE FOREIGN Minister of Cyprus George Iacovou welcomes the Archbishop.

4. US Ambassador to Nicosia Ronald Schlicher with the Archbishop Demetrios in his residence.

5. Statements to the Press following the Archbishop’s visit to the Archdiocese.

6. Majestic view from Kykkos Monastery of the mountain ridge of Troodos.

4

7. The children hand-out to the Archbishop’s entourage certificates of appreciation they handdrew themselves.

8. The occupied Nicosia, across the dividing line.

5

9. School children greeting the Archbishop.

6 7

8

9

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Προσκύνημα ες γην εναλίαν Κύπρον χθες το βράδι προς τιμήν του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου στο Προεδρικό Μέγαρο. «Κάποτε και η μακρότερη και σκοτεινότερη νύχτα έχει ένα τέλος. Κανείς δεν μπορεί να εμποδίσει την ανατολή του ηλίου όταν μάλιστα είναι ήλιος της δικαιοσύνης», σημείωσε μεταξύ άλλων ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ανταπαντώντας στην προσφώνηση του Κύπριου Προέδρου. Η 3η ημέρα στην Κύπρο, 26 Ιανουαρίου ήταν ένας μαραθώνιος συναντήσεων και επισκέψεων. «Ήρθαμε να ζήσουμε τον παλμό και να συμμεριστούμε τον πόνο αυτού του λαού», δήλωσε επανειλημμένα ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος μετά τις συναντήσεις του με υψηλούς αξιωματούχους της Κύπρου.

 óåë. Â-8 των σημερινών δεδομένων του Κυπριακού ιδιαίτερα σε συσχετισμό με το ρόλο της Ομογένειας και τις δυνατότητες που υπάρχουν στην Αμερική σε διάφορα επίπεδα και τομείς. «Αγωνιζόμεθα σε βάση συνεχείας και μακροπνόου πολιτικής πάντοτε χωρίς να σταματούμε», δήλωσε μεταξύ άλλων ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος εξερχόμενος από το Προεδρικό Μέγαρο. Προηγουμένως, ο κ. Παπαδόπουλος δέχθηκε τα μέλη της επίσημης συνοδείας του Αρχιεπισκόπου την οποία αποτελούσαν ο Θεοφ. Επίσκοπος Τρωάδος κ. Σάββας, Πρωτοσύγκελλος της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, ο Αρχιμανδρίτης π. Σεβαστιανός Σκορδαλ λός, προϊστάμενος του Καθεδρικού Ναού Αγίου Νικολάου Tarpon Springs, Florida, ο Διάκονος π. Παντελεήμων Παπαδόπουλος, ο πρόεδρος του ΣΑΕ Ανδρέας Άθενς, ο πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Ομοσπονδίας Αμερικής Πανίκος Παπανικολάου, ο πρόεδρος του Τάγματος των Αρχόντων Αγίου Ανδρέου του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Δρ. Αντώνιος Λυμπεράκης, η αντιπρόεδρος της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Μαρία Σταυροπούλου, ο π. Αλέξανδρος Καρλούτσος, η διευθύντρια του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Γραφείου Αλίκη Κιουριάν και ο υποφαινόμενος.

Στην Αρχιεπισκοπή Χαρμόσυνα ήχησαν οι καμπάνες του Ιερού Καθεδρικού Ναού του Αγίου Ιωάννου μόλις η αυτοκινητοπομπή έφτασε μπροστά στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Κύπρου. Οι Ιεράρχες της Ιεράς Συνόδου της Εκκλησίας της Κύπρου επεφύλαξαν θερμή υποδοχή στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο. Μετά την τελετή υποδοχής και την δοξολογία στο ναό, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος και η συνοδεία του επισκεφθήκαμε τον ασθενούντα Αρχιεπίσκοπο Κύπρου κ. Χρυσόστομο. Ξεναγηθήκαμε στο διαμέρισμα του αειμνήστου Αρχιεπισκόπου Μακαρίου του Γ΄ το οποίο διατηρείται ως είχε, στο εντυπωσιακό Βυζαντινό Μουσείο και στους άλλους ιστορικούς χώρους της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος συναντήθηκε με τα μέλη της Ιεράς Συνόδου στο Μικρό Συνοδικό και ακολούθως ο προεδρεύων της Συνόδου Μητροπολίτης Πάφου κ. Χρυσόστομος παρέθεσε επίσημο γεύμα.

Θερμό καλωσόρισμα για τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο από τα παιδιά του Νηπιαγωγείου Μάνα: “Χίλια Καλωσορίσατε στην Κύπρο την γλυκιά μας και γρήγορα ευχόμαστε να ‘ρθεί η λευτεριά μας”.

ποιήματα και τραγούδησαν τραγούδια, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος το θυμήθηκε και ζήτησε από τα δυο μικρά κυπριωτόπουλα να το επαναλάβουν, επιθυμία, ευχή και προσευχή μαζί. Και στα δύο ιδρύματα τα οποία επισκέφθηκε –με την ευγενική συνοδεία της συζύγου του Προέδρου της Κύπρου κ. Φωτεινής Παπαδοπούλου– ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος προσέφερε συμβολικές χρηματικές δωρεές ως ελάχιστη συμβολή στο φιλανθρωπικό έργο που επιτελούν εκ μέρους της Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Παρόμοιες δωρεές προσέφεραν η αντιπρόεδρος της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου κ. Μαρία Σταυροπούλου, ο πρόεδρος των Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου δρ. Αντώνιος Λυμπεράκης, ο κ. Ανδρέας Άθενς εκ μέρους του UHAC και ο κ. Πανίκος Παπανικολάου εκ μέρους της Ομοσπονδίας Κυπρίων Αμερικής.

Προεδρικό Δείπνο «Η νήσος των αγίων και ηρώων, η εν πολλαίς δοκιμασίαις περιπεσούσα Κύπρος, χαιρετίζει την εδώ παρουσία του σεπτού και σεμνού Ιεράρχη, την οποία και διερμηνεύει ως επαναβεβαί-

Στιγμιότυπο από την επίσκεψη στο Πολυδύναμο Κέντρο Παροχής Κοινωνικών Υπηρεσιών του ημικατεχόμενου Δήμου Αγίου Δομετίου, προάστιο της Λευκωσίας.

ωση του αδιάλειπτου ενδιαφέροντος, της συνεπούς στήριξης και της ειλικρινούς αγάπης του προς τον αγωνιζόμενο για ελευθερία και διακαίωση μεγαλομάρτυρα λαό μας» τόνισε στην ομιλία του ο Πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας κ. Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος κατά την διάρκεια επισήμου δείπνου που παρέθεσε

Σε Φιλανθρωπικά Ιδρύματα Συγκινητικές στιγμές ήταν οι επισκέψεις του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου που ακολούθησαν. Πρώτα στο Νηπιαγωγείο του Σωματείου Ελληνίδων Κυριών «Μάνα» και στο νεόδμητο «Κέντρο Παροχής Κοινωνικών Υπηρεσιών» του ημικατεχόμενου Δήμου Αγίου Δομετίου. «Χίλια Καλωσορίσατε στην Κύπρο την γλυκιά μας και γρήγορα ευχόμαστε να ‘ρθεί η λευτεριά μας» απήγγειλαν δυο μικρά κυπριωτόπουλα προσφέροντάς λουλούδια στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο στην είσοδο του Νηπιαγωγείου. Το άκουσε και το συγκράτησε αυτό το καλωσόρισμα ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος κι αργότερα όταν ατενίσαμε απένταντι και σε απόσταση αναπνοής από τα τζάμια του νηπιαγωγείου, την πράσινη γραμμή, τις τουρκικές σημαίες και τα κατεχόμενα κι όταν τα μικρά παιδιά απήγγειλαν

Παραδοσιακό δώρο του προέδρου της Κυπριακής Βουλής Δημήτρη Χριστόφια προς τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο.

Ο πρόεδρος της Βουλής των Αντιπροσώπων κ. Δημήτρης Χριστόφιας καλωσόρισε τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο ως «ένα μεγάλο φίλο και συμπαραστάτη του Κυπριακού λαού». Κατά την διάρκεια της συναντήσεως που διήρκεσε μια περίπου ώρα ο κ. Χριστόφιας εξέθεσε διεξοδικά στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο και στα μέλη της συνοδείας του τις βασικές πτυχές του Κυπριακού. Σε δηλώσεις του στον Τύπο ο Πρόεδρος της Βουλής δήλωσε ότι επρόκειτο «για μια αδελφική συνομιλία σε κλίμα κατάνυξης, αλληλοκατανόησης και ψυχικής ταύτισης», και χαρακτηριστικά σημείωσε: «μου δόθηκε η δυνατότητα να ευχαριστήσω θερμότατα τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο και τους συνεργάτες του για την άοκνη προσπάθεια που καταβάλουν καθημερινά για προωθήσουν τα δίκαια και τα δικαιώματα του λαού της Κύπρου». Εξίσου σημαντική κι αλησμόνητη ήταν η επίσκεψη στον Υπουργό Εξωτερικών της Κύπρου κ. Γιώργο Ιακώβου στο γραφείο του, ο οποίος μας καλωσόρισε τονίζοντας ότι «στο πρόσωπό σας βλέπουμε την υποστήριξη του Ελληνισμού της Αμερικής». Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος είπε ότι η επίσκεψη αυτή αποτελεί «προσκύνημα και οδοιπορικό δια του

 óåë. Â-6

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Προσκύνημα ες γην εναλίαν Κύπρον  óåë. Â-5 οποίου αισθανόμαστε την αγάπη, τον πόνο και τις προσδοκίες αυτού του λαού… το βλέπουμε στα πρόσωπα των μικρών παιδιών και των απλών ανθρώπων της Κύπρου». Ο Υπουργός Παιδείας και Πολιτισμού κ. Πεύκιος Γεωργιάδης καλωσορίζοντας τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο σε ανοιχτή εκδήλωση στο Υπουργείο Παιδείας εξήρε την προσωπικότητα και το έργο του και τον διαβεβαίωσε «για τη συμπαράσταση και την υποστήριξή μας σε ό,τι θα μπορούσαμε να συνεισφέρουμε στο πολυδιάστατο και πλούσιο έργο σας» Το μεσημέρι ο Σεβασμιώτατος επισκέφθηκε στην κατοικία του τον Αμερικανό Πρέσβη στην Κύπρο κ. Ronald Schlicher ο οποίος ανέλαβε πρόσφατα αυτό το πόστο και στην συνέχεια τον πρέσβη της Ελλάδος κ. Δημήτριο Ράλλη, ο οποίος παρέθεσε γεύμα προς τιμή του Αρχιεπισκόπου.

Τα φυλακισμένα μνήματα

Τα αδύνατα δύναται Θεός Το απόγευμα στην κατάμεστη αίθουσα τελετών του Πανεπιστημίου Κύπρου, και στα πλαίσια της Γιορτής των Γραμμάτων του Πανεπιστημίου, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έδωσε διάλεξη με θέμα «Τα Ανθρώπινα Αδιέξοδα και οι Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας». Παρέστη ο Πρόεδρος της Δημοκρατίας κ. Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος και πολλές προσωπικότητες του πολιτικού και ακαδημαϊκού χώρου. Τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο χαιρέτισε ο πρόεδρος του Πανεπιστημίου κ. Κίκης Λαζαρίδης και τον παρουσίασε ο αντιπρύτανης καθηγητής κ. Χρίστος Σχίζας.

(επάνω) ΚΑΤΑΘΕΣΗ στεφάνου στο Ηρώον των πεσόντων στις φυλακές της Λευκωσίας. Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ Δημήτριος αποτίει φόρο τιμής στους τάφους των Κυπρίων Αγωνιστών Γρηγόρη Αυξεντίου και Ευαγόρα Παλλικαρίδη. (αριστερά) Βουβοί μπροστά στην αγχόνη, τόπο μαρτυρίου και θυσίας των παλληκαριών του εθνικοαπελευθερωτικού αγώνα της Κύπρου.

Καταλήγοντας την ομιλία του Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε: «η εποχή μας είναι εποχή φορτωμένη με αδιέξοδα και πολύπλοκα προβλήματα. Ο χώρος ακριβώς αυτός ανήκει σε μια γη ιερή που επί αιώνες μακρούς γνώρισε και γνωρίζει οδυνηρά αδιέξοδα στο προσωπικό, στο κοινωνικό και στο εθνικό επίπεδο. Στο σημείο αυτό οι Μεγάλοι Πατέρες της Εκκλησίας μπορούν κάλλιστα να είναι οδηγοί μας. Διότι ομίλησαν και έγραψαν με πάθος και πειστικότητα για τις δυνατότητες εξόδου από το αδιέξοδο. Δυνατότητες που θα μπορούσαν να συμπυκνωθούν σε δυο φράσεις: Η πρώτη από τον Άγιο Ιωάννη τον Χρυσόστομο: Πιστεύσαι δεί ότι τα αδύνατα δύναται Θεός, και η δεύτερη από τον Μέγα Βασίλειο: όσο αναπνέουμε και μπορούμε να μιλούμε είναι αδύνατο να μείνουμε σιωπηλοί ενώπιον του κινδύνου καταστροφής των ανθρωπίνων υπάρξεων». Το ίδιο βράδυ και μετά την δεξίωση του Πανεπιστημίου, ο υπουργός Εξωτερικών παρέθεσε δείπνο προς τιμή του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου παρουσία πολιτικών και διπλωματικών αρχών.

Ένα ακόμα βροχερό πρωϊνό στη Λευκωσία, η 27η Ιανουαρίου, ένα πρωϊνό που μας επεφύλασσε γνώση και εμπειρία που δεν αποκτιέται από τη μελέτη ιστορικών δοκιμίων. «Ήταν μια συγκλονιστική εμπειρία να δούμε τα φυλακισμένα μνήματα, να δούμε τους αγώνες, να προσκυνήσουμε τον χώρο αυτό της θυσίας και του μαρτυρίου», δήλωσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αμέσως μετά την επίσκεψή του στο χώρο των Φυλακών της Λευκωσίας και συγκεκριμένα στα φυλακισμένα μνήματα όσων ηρωϊκών αγωνιστών μαρτύρησαν και θάφτηκαν εκεί κατά την διάρκεια του Απελευθερωτικού Αγώνα 1955-59. Εκεί ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος συνοδευόμενος από τον Υπουργό Δικαιοσύνης και Δημοσίας Τάξεως κ. Δώρο Θεοδώρου κατέθεσε στεφάνι στα μνήματα των Κυπρίων ηρώων και έψαλε με σεβασμό και συγκίνηση το Αιωνία σας η Μνήμη. Στη συνέχεια ξεναγήθηκε από τον Διευθυντή των Φυλακών στα κελιά των μελλοθανάτων που διατηρούνται όπως ήταν τότε και στην αίθουσα του απαγχονισμού. Η συντριβή των εντυπώσεων αυτών που ζωγραφίστηκε εκείνο το πρωί στα πρόσωπα όλων μας, χάραξε και τις καρδιές μας και οριοθέτησε την εικόνα μας για το φιλόξενο τόπο που πατούσαμε. Το Δημαρχείο της Λευκωσίας ήταν η επόμενη στάση. Τον Σεβασμιώτατο υποδέχθηκε ο δήμαρχος κ. Μιχαλάκης Ζαμπέλας, το Δημοτικό Συμβούλιο πολλοί επισήμοι και πλήθος κόσμου. Κατά τη διάρκεια της τελετής που ακολούθησε ο Δήμαρχος Λευκωσίας καλωσόρισε τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο και του επέδωσε το Χρυσό Κλειδί της πόλης «για τις άοκνες προσπάθειες σας για την δίκαιη έκβαση του πολιτικού μας προβλήματος και την εν προσφορά σας στον Ελληνισμό και την Ορθοδοξία». «Ευχαριστώ για την μεγάλη αυτή τιμή εκ μέρους της Ελληνοορθοδόξου Ομογενείας, διότι είναι η Ομογένεια η οποία συμπαραστέκεται στον Αγώνα του Κυπριακού Λαού». Στη συνέχεια ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος συνοδευόμενος από τον Δήμαρχο και μέλη της Εθνοφρουράς περπάτησε κατά μήκος της οδού Λήδρας και επισκέφθηκε την Γραμμή Καταπαύσεως του Πυρός. Αμέσως μετά προσκύνησε στον ιστορικό Ιερό Ναό της Φανερωμένης και το μαυσωλείο όπου φυλάσσονται τα λείψανα του εθνομάρτυρα Αρχιεπισκόπου Κυπριανού.

Παγκύπριο Γυμνάσιο Στο ιστορικό «Παγκύπριο Γυμνάσιο» ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έγινε δεκτός από την φιλαρμονική μπάντα του Γυμνασίου και την χορωδία του. «Να προσεύχεσθε υπέρ ειρήνης και προόδου χωρίς συρματοπλέγματα στο σχολείο μας και στο νησί μας» ζήτησε ο διευθυντής από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο κι εκείνος στον παραινετικό του λόγο τόνισε ότι «δεν υπάρχει επίτευγμα χωρίς πολύ και επίμονη εργασία και μόχθο… να μην φοβάστε την πολλή δουλειά», είπε προς τους νέους ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος και πρόσθεσε: «Λαοί που δεν ανέπτυξαν ή δεν διατήρησαν παιδεία δεν επιβίωσαν».

B

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006 Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ Δημήτριος έγραψε στο βιβλίο επισκεπτών των Φυλακών Λευκωσίας:

Αιωνία η μνήμη και αδιάκοπη η τιμή και το κλέος των μεγάλων ηρώων και μαρτύρων που στον χώρο αυτό έδωσαν τη ζωή τους και άφησαν την ύστατη πνοή τους στο βωμό της ελευθερίας, της πίστεως και της Πατρίδος.

καθώς στρατιωτικό άγημα απέδιδε τιμές. Ο οικείος Μητροπολίτης Λεμεσού κ. Αθανάσιος και οι αρχές της πόλεως παρέθεσαν δεξίωση προς τιμή του Αρχιεπισκόπου και της συνοδείας του. Το βράδι ο Αμερικανός πρέσβης στην Κύπρο κ.Ronald Sclicher παρέθεσε δείπνο προς τιμή του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου στην κατοικία του στη Λευκωσία. Απόγειο και κατάληξη η Κυριακή 29 Ιανουαρίου. Στον Ιερό Ναό της Παναγίας Παλλουριωτίσσης στη Λευκωσία ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος συμμετείχε στο πολυαρχιερατικό συλλείτουργο που μεταδόθηκε τηλεοπτικά σε όλη την Κύπρο, στην Ελλάδα και σε άλλες χώρες της Ευρώπης μέσω δορυφόρου.

Λευκωσία 27.1.2006 Ο Αμερικής Δημήτριος Στις Μητροπόλεις Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ταξίδευσε στη συνέχεια στη Λάρνακα η οποία ανήκει στην Ιερά Μητρόπολη Κιτίου όπου ο Μητροπολίτης Κιτίου κ. Χρυσόστομος που είχε και την ονομαστική του εορτή, επεφύλαξε θερμή υποδοχή και παρέθεσε εορταστικό γεύμα. Στην έδρα της προσφυγικής Μητροπόλεως Κυρηνείας που στεγάζεται σ’ ένα μικρό κτίριο της Λευκωσίας βρέθηκε στη επόμενη επίσκεψή του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος όπου έγινε με

μετά την εισβολή η Ιερά Μητρόπολη Μόρφου. Ο Μητροπολίτης κ. Νεόφυτος ως δείγμα ευγνωμοσύνης και αγάπης προσέφερε στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο μια εικόνα του Αγίου Μάμαντος του Καππαδόκη, ο οποίος απεικονίζεται να ιππεύει ένα λιοντάρι, με την ευχή να απελευθερωθεί γρήγορα το κατεχόμενο κομμάτι της Κύπρου και να λειτουργήσει και πάλι ο ναός του Αγίου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος παίρνοντας αφορμή από τον συμβολισμό της εικόνας μίλησε για τις δυνατότητες συνύπαρξης ανθρώπων

Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ εξερχόμενος από το Παγκύπριο Γυμνάσιο στη Λευκωσία.

κου έγινε σύντομη τελετή και ανταλλαγή δώρων. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος επανέλαβε ότι η Ομογένεια βρίσκεται σε συνεχή κατάσταση συμπαραστάσεως και προσπάθειας ακατάπαυστης και έντονης. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος είχε την ευκαιρία να επισκεφθεί το Μουσείο της Μονής στο οποίο στεγάζονται πολλές εικόνες κυπριακής τεχνοτροπίας. Χαίρονται οι αισθήσεις το μεγαλιώδες της φύσης θαύμα, γεμίζουν τα πνευμόνια οξυγόνο κι η καρδιά γεμίζει ελπίδα. Τούτα τα βουνά ψέλνουν ύμνους αγγελικούς. Μέσα στους κέδρους και στα πεύκα, στο Θρονί βρίσκεται ο Τάφος του αειμνήστου Αρχιεπισκόπου και Εθνάρχη Μακαρίου Γ΄, εκεί ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος σταμάτησε με την συνοδεία του, ετέλεσε τρισάγιο και

Το Καμπαναριό της Μονής Κύκκου.

κατέθεσε στεφάνι. Μετά το μεσημέρι φτάσαμε στην αποστολική πόλη Πάφο όπου ο οικείος Μητροπολίτης Πάφου κ. Χρυσόστομος παρέθεσε γεύμα κατά την διάρκεια του οποίου εξέφρασε την βεβαιότητα για την συμπαράσταση του ανά τον κόσμο Ελληνισμού στα δίκαια της Κύπρου. Στη Λεμεσό, τον τελευταίο σταθμό του μαραθωνίου γύρου επισκέψεων, πολύς κόσμος υπό τους ήχους της στρατιωτικής μπάντας υποδέχθηκαν τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο έξω από το Μητροπολιτικό Μέγαρο,

Αυτός ο ευγενής λαός, σκεφτόμουν καθώς ανέβαινα τα σκαλιά του αεροπλάνου της επιστροφής, αυτός ο Κυπριακός Ελληνισμός, μας υποδέχθηκε, μας φιλοξένησε, μας άνοιξε την καρδιά του. Θυμήθηκα και πάλι τα λόγια του Γιώργου Σεφέρη: «Ένας πιστός λαός, πεισματάρικα και ήπια σταθερός», είχε συμπεράνει τότε ο ποιητής μετά την πρώτη του επίσκεψη, δηλώνοντας ότι «Η Κύπρος πλάτυνε το αίσθημα που είχα για την Ελλάδα». Όντως η Κύπρος πλάτυνε το αίσθημα που είχαμε για τον κόσμο ολάκερο, πλάτυνε τους ορίζοντές μας.

Το μεσημέρι ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος εκφράζοντας ένα μεγάλο ευχαριστώ, παρέθεσε στο Ξενοδοχείο Χίλτον της Λευκωσίας ανταποδοτική δεξίωση προς τιμή του Προέδρου της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας και της συζύγου του και στη συνέχεια συνέντευξη Τύπου για τα Κυπριακά και Ελληνικά ΜΜΕ.

ΥΠΟΔΟΧΗ στον προαύλιο χώρο της Μονής Κύκκου.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

θέρμη δεκτός από τον Μητροπολίτη Κυρηνείας κ. Παύλο. Στις έδρες όλων των μητροπόλεων που επισκέφθηκε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος, ο κλήρος και λαός της μαρτυρικής μεγαλονήσου Κύπρου τον υποδέχθηκε με ενθουσιασμό, τυμπανοκρουσίες, βυζαντινούς ύμνους, λουλούδια και δάφνες που έστρωναν κυριολεκτικά στο πέρασμά του ως ένδειξη της μεγάλη τιμής και της αγάπης των. Η πρώτη επίσκεψη της 28ης Ιανουαρίου ήταν στους πρόποδες του Τρόοδος, στο χωριό Ευρίπου όπου εδρεύει

και λαών και διαβεβαίωσε τους παρόντες για την συνέχιση της υποστήριξης των δικαίων του Κυπριακού Ελληνισμού από την Ομογένεια των Η.Π.Α.

Μονή Κύκκου Με πατροπαράδοτο και μεγαλοπρεπή τρόπο ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έγινε δεκτός στην Ιερά Σταυροπηγιακή Μονή Κύκκου από τον Επίσκοπο Κύκκου και καθηγούμενο της μονής κ. Νικηφόρο. Ψηλά μέσα στα κατάφυτα και περήφανα βουνά της Κύπρου, στον περικαλλή Ναό της Παναγίας του Κύκ-

B8

JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2006

Προσκύνημα ες γην εναλίαν Κύπρον ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Η Κύπρος η θαλασσοφίλητη. Ένα όνειρο στο νου κι ένα άλγος στη καρδιά. Η Κύπρος η πολυτραγουδισμένη και η αιματοποτισμένη. Η καθαγιασμένη με το αίμα ηρώων και μαρτύρων. Η γη της λεμονιάς, της ελιάς και της χαράς, η γη της πικραμένης Παναγιάς και των παλικαριών, η Κύπρος της αγάπης και του ονείρου, ένα «χρυσοπράσινο φύλλο ριγμένο στο πέλαγο».

ΦΩΤΟ: ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

ΚΑΤΑΘΕΣΗ ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΥ στον τάφο του Αρχιεπισκόπου Μακαρίου στο Θρονί.

του Σταύρου Η. Παπαγερμανού «Ποιος το γνωρίζει τούτο το νησί»; θυμήθηκα το στίχο του Σεφέρη καθώς ως άλλος Τεύκρος, ταξίδευα για πρώτη φορά στη γη των ονείρων μας. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος πραγματοποιούσε για πρώτη φορά επίσημη επίσκεψη στην Κύπρο. Πρώτη επίσκεψη για τον ίδιο αλλά και πρώτη ιστορική επίσκεψη Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής στην Κύπρο. Τιμή ιδιαίτερη και τύχη να με συμπεριλάβει στην επίσημη συνοδεία του. Η Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία δεν έκρυψε ούτε για μια στιγμή τα τελευταία χρόνια την ευαρέσκεια και ευγνωμοσύνη της προς το πρόσωπο του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου για την συμβολή του στο Κυπριακό. Το 2004 σε ειδική τελετή στη Νέα Υόρκη ο πρόεδρος Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος απένειμε στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Δημήτριο το μεγαλόσταυρο του Αρχιεπισκόπου Μακαρίου, την ανώτατη διάκριση της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας. Η επίσημη και προσωπική πρόσκληση του ίδιου του προέδρου Τάσσου Παπαδόπουλου ήταν λοιπόν μάλλον φυσικό επακόλουθο, αλλά συγχρόνως και μεγάλη τιμή. Παράλ ληλα η Αυτοκέφαλη Εκκλησία της Κύπρου, η Εκκλησία που ίδρυσε ο Απόστολος Βαρνάβας το 46 μ. Χ., δια της Ιεράς της Συνόδου, απηύθυνε κι αυτή ξεχωριστή πρόσκληση. Στις 24 Ιανουαρίου 2006, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος πατώντας το έδαφος της Κύπρου στο αεροδρόμιο της Λάρνακας, έκλινε με σεβασμό το γόνυ και προσκύνησε τα αγιασμένα χώματά της. «Πατούμε σήμερα με συγκίνηση και ευγνωμοσύνη, το πράγματι ιερό έδαφος αυτής της χώρας – για να χρησιμοποιήσω την έκφραση του αρχαίου ποιητού– είναι η γλυκεία χώρα της Κύπρου», είπε λίγα λεπτά μετά την άφιξή του στο αεροδρόμιο ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος. Παρόντες στην επίσημη υποδοχή στο αεροδρόμιο ο Υπουργός Παιδείας και Πολιτισμού της Κύπρου κ. Πεύκιος Γεωργιάδης, ο προεδρεύων της Ιεράς Συνόδου Μητροπολίτης Πάφου κ. Χρυσόστομος, ο Μητροπολίτης Κιτίου κ. Χρυσόστομος, ο Επίσκοπος Τριμυθούντος κ. Βασίλειος και ο διευθυντής του Υπουργείου Εξωτερικών Πρέσβης κ. Σώτος Ζακχαίος και πλήθος δημοσιογράφων και φωτορεπόρτερ. «Γνωρίζουμε τους αγώνες σας για την Κύπρο και τη μεγάλη σας προσφορά στον αγώνα αυτόν», τόνισε ο υπουργός κ. Πεύκιος Γεωργιάδης καλωσορίζοντας τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο εκ μέρους του προέ-

δρου κ. Τάσσου Παπαδόπουλου και συμπλήρωσε: «Ο κυπριακός λαός αισθάνεται ιδιαίτερη χαρά αλλά και ευγνωμοσύνη για αυτή σας τη βοήθεια και προσβλέπουμε να συνεχίσετε τις προσπάθειες αυτές γιατί πράγματι η Κύπρος σας χρειάζεται. Καλωσορίσατε». Καλωσορίζοντας τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο ο Μητροπολίτης Πάφου κ. Χρυσόστομος τόνισε: «δραττώμεθα της ευκαιρίας να σας ευχαριστήσωμε και να σας διαβεβαιώσουμε ότι ο Κυπριακός λαός, το ποίμνιό μας, είναι ευγνώμων και προς σε εσάς προσωπικά και στο Οικουμενικό μας Πατριαρχείον για τες υπηρεσίες σας προς το Έθνος». Καταλήγοντας τις δηλώσεις του την

εδώ και προσδοκούμε ότι στις ημέρες που θα ακολουθήσουν θα έχουμε την ευκαιρία να ζήσουμε, να ανα π νεύσουμε και να αναζωογονηθούμε με τον αέρα αυτόν ο οποίος πνέει εδώ, αέρα σεβασμού για την Ειρήνη, τη Δικαιοσύνη, την Αλήθεια, τη δυνατότ ητα όλων των ανθρώπων να ζήσουν και να ευτ υχήσουν και να παραγάγουν. Και πά λι εκφράζω θερμότατες ευχαριστίες και μεταφέρω για μια ακόμη φορά τις

ΤΕΛΕΤΗ υποδοχής του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου στην Κύπρο στον Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Ιωάννου στη Λευκωσία.

άφιξη στο Αεροδρόμιο ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος είπε: «Για μας δεν είναι απλώς μια επίσκεψη , είναι ένα προσκύνημα. Ένα προσκύνημα στον χώρο και στο λαό ο οποίος δια του πολιτισμού, στάθηκε ορθός κι όχι απλώς επιβίωσε, αλ λά επιβίωσε με τρόπο πάντοτε ειρηνικό και πάντοτε στην υπηρεσία των μεγάλων αρχών της δικαιοσύνης, της αλήθειας και της ειρήνης και μπόρεσε παρά τις φοβερά δύσκολες συνθήκες, να σταθεί όρθιος έστω και με πολύ μεγάλη προσφορά ιδρώτος και αίματος. Είμαστε

Ο ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ κ. Δημήτριος προσκυνά και ευλογεί το ιερό και τιμημένο χώμα της Κύπρου κατά την άφιξή του στο διεθνή αερολιμένα της Λάρνακας.

θερμότατες κι εγκάρδιες ευχές για κάθε πρόοδο, για κάθε ευλογία και για κάθε επιτυχία αυτού του μεγάλου λαού της Κύπρου, μαζί με τη βεβαιότητα ότι παρά τις δυσκολίες, παρά τα εμπόδια, παρά τα προβλήματα σε όλα τα επίπεδα, ένας λαός που έζησε και μεγαλούργησε χιλιάδες χρόνια θα ξεπεράσει και τις δυσκολίες του 21ου αιώνος και θα καθιερώσει έναν ακόμη μεγάλο πολιτισμό, ο οποίος θα είναι πολιτισμός, όχι απλός ελληνικός και ορθόδοξος, αλλά πανανθρώπινος. Ευχαριστούμε για την μεγάλη ευκαιρία που μας δίδετε. Ο Θεός να είναι πάντοτε μαζί σας».

Αργότερα το εσπέρας ο φιλόξενος οικοδεσπότης, Πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας κ. Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος και η σύζυγός του Φωτεινή παρέθεσαν ιδιωτικό δείπνο προς τιμήν του Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου στην κατοικία τους. Ήταν το πρώτο βράδι, ένα βράδι του χειμώνα, αλλά αισθανόμαστε ήδη όλοι μας τη φιλόξενη θαλπωρή της Κύπρου. Το βροχερό πρωϊνό της 25ης Ιανουαρίου ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αφίχθη με τη συνοδεία του στο Προεδρικό Μέγαρο και κατέθεσε στεφάνι στον ανδριάντα του αειμνήστου Αρχιεπισκόπου και Εθνάρχη Μακαρίου του Γ΄. Ο Πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Δημοκρατίας κ. Τάσσος Παπαδόπουλος υποδέχθηκε τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο στο γραφείο του, στο ιστορικό γραφείο του Αρχιεπισκόπου Μακαρίου, στο οποίο όπως δήλωσε ο Κύπριος Πρόεδρος, δεν άλλαξε τίποτε από τότε που ήταν του Μακαρίου, εκτός από το τηλέφωνο και μερικές προσωπικές οικογενειακές φωτογραφίες. Οι δύο άνδρες είχαν ιδιωτική συνάντηση κατά την διάρκεια της οποίας έγινε επισκόπηση

 óåë. Â-5