Orthodox Observer - November 2006

NOVEMBER 2006 • Vol. 71 • No. 1226

St. Basil Academy Granted Operating Certificate NEW YORK -- An administrative law judge has ruled that the New York State Office of Children and Family Services improperly denied an operating certificate to St. Basil Academy, a Greek Orthodox home for children in need in Garrison, N.Y. The decision should conclude a lengthy legal battle that pitted St. Basil against the town and the state and ensures that the home can once again accept children in need.

At the core of the dispute is whether St. Basil (www.stbasil.goarch.org), in operation since 1944, can send its children to the Garrison school.

As a result of the decision, the school board should recognize that they must accept St. Basil children, said Gregory Horowitz, an attorney with Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel who is representing St. Basil pro bono. "It's been very distressing to us that Garrison has tried to shut us out and shut us down," Horowitz said.

"We hope that this decision will cause them finally to start talking with us about a mutually beneficial relationship. We just want to be part of the community, and we have a lot to offer. We will work with Garrison to minimize the finan-

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ATHENAGORAS AWARD TO NICHOLAS BOURAS

D. PANAGOS

ARCHON Nicholas Bouras (c) receives the 2006 Athenagoras Award and a standing ovation from the hundreds of attendees present. (L to R) Senator Paul Sarbanes, Archbishop Demetrios and Archons’ National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis. (see story on last page)

Archdiocesan Council Holds First Meeting of New Session NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Council welcomed 20 new members to its Oct. 21 meeting, the first of its 2006-08 term. Total membership, excluding the nine hierarchs of the Eparchial Synod and three auxiliary bishops, is 122.

New members are as follows: (Archbishop’s appointees) George Demos, New York; William B. Marianes, Tucker, Ga.; Dr. Constantine Papadakis, Wayne, Pa.; Dr. Greg Papadeas, Englewood, Colo.; Fr. George Pyle, Champaign, Ill.; Paul Sogotis, Burlingame, Calif.; Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, Sacramento, Calif.; George Tsunis, Centerport, N.Y.; Gus Vratsinas, Little Rock, Ark.; Fr. James Dokos, Milwaukee, Wis.; (Metropolis of Boston) Mark Adam, Manchester, N.H.; Christopher Pappas, Hopkinton, Mass.; Fr. George D. Tsoukalas, North Billerica, Mass.

(Metropolis of Atlanta) Fr. Paul Costopoulos, Birmingham, Ala. (Metropolis of Detroit) Fr. Nicholas Kyritis, Macomb, Mich.

(Metropolis of New Jersey) the Very Rev. Constantine Moralis, Timonium, Md., Leon Andris, Potomac, Md. (ex officio) Presbytera Cynthia Paleologos, Worcester, Mass.; Fr. James Rousakis, Clearwater, Fla.; Fr. Steven P. Tsichlis, Rancho San Margerita, Calif.

His Eminence administered the oath of office to the entire Council following the introduction of new members at the meeting.

Archbishop Demetrios thanked all the council members for their volunteering to serve, but reminded them that “volunteering stops at the appointment.

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Ecumenical Patriarchate . . . . 4-5 Archbishop’s Encyclicals.............  8, 11 Challenge .....................................  27 Classifieds ..................................... 28 Greek Section .............................. 15-18 Opinions .......................................  10 Parish Profile ................................  19 Philoptochos ................................  26

Archdiocesan Council members take the oath of office at the October meeting.

D. PANAGOS

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Receive Pope Benedict XVI CONSTANTINOPLE – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, spiritual leader of more than 300 million Orthodox faithful worldwide, will receive Pope Benedict XVI on November 29-30 at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Pope Benedict’s three-day visit to Istanbul comes at the personal invitation of the Ecumenical Patriarch on the occasion of the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, the older brother of St. Peter. St. Andrew traveled across Asia Minor and is considered the founder of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, the former name for present-day Istanbul. Both prelates are noted throughout the world as peacemakers and for their extraordinary efforts to create bridges of truth and love across religious, ethnic, environmental and political divides.

“We are awaiting the Pope’s visit with fraternal love and great anticipation,” said Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “it will be very important for our country and Orthodox-Catholic Relations.”

Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in Istanbul, on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 29, to be received by His All Holiness and will attend a Doxology of Peace at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. The prayer service will include a mutual veneration of the Holy Relics of Saint Gregory the Theologian and St. John Chrysostom, the Predecessors of the Ecumenical Patriarch, and will be followed by a private meeting between the two Church leaders.

On Thursday morning, Nov. 30, Benedict XVI will attend the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George where both prelates will deliver official addresses, exchange the Kiss of Peace and jointly bless the faithful present. After the Divine Liturgy, a common declaration of ecumenical solidarity will be read and signed. Following the signing, Pope Benedict will join the Ecumenical Patriarch for lunch at the Patriarchate.

On Dec. 1, the Ecumenical Patriarch will attend the Papal Holy Mass presided by the Pope, at the Roman Catholic Church of the Holy Spirit. Afterward Pope Benedict will depart for Vatican City.

His All Holiness Bartholomew is the Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch. He is the 269th successor of the 2,000-year old local Christian Church founded by St. Andrew.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is a living witness to the world of Orthodoxy’s painful and redemptive struggle for religious freedom and to the innate dignity of humankind.

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NOVEMBER 2006

Holy Eparchial Synod Convenes for Fall Meeting in New York NEW YORK –The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese convened at Archdiocese headquarters Oct.18 and 19 with Archbishop Demetrios presiding.

The following Metropolitans of the Synod attended the fall session: Iakovos of Chicago, Maximos of Pittsburgh, Methodios of Boston, Isaiah of Denver, Alexios of Atlanta, Gerasimos of San Francisco, and Evangelos of New Jersey.

Also present was the Very Rev. Archimandrite Sebastianos Skordallos, newly appointed chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod.

Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit was absent due to illness.

The Agenda included the following subjects: • The guidelines for the Operation Regulations of the Holy Synod • The guidelines for the Regulations of the Ecclesiastical Spiritual Court • The program of education for candi-

D. PANAGOS

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS (c) with (L to R) Very Rev. Archimandrite Sebastianos Skordallos chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Metropolitans Gerasimos of San Francisco, Methodios of Boston, Iakovos of Chicago, Maximos of Pittsburgh, Alexios of Atlanta and Evangelos of New Jersey. Metropolitans Isaiah of Denver and Nicholas of Detroit are not shown.

dates for the Permanent Diaconate • The Hellenic College/ Holy Cross School of Theology • The recent SCOBA Conference in Chicago • Liturgical matters including the preparation of the text of the Divine Liturgy for approval by the Holy Eparchial Synod • Canonical issues regarding Church order • Pastoral issues concerning the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese • Religious Education Greek Education • The nomination of three candidates (“triprosopon”) for the position of auxiliary bishop of the Metropolis of Chicago, from which one will be elected by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

• Various issues concerning the life of the Church in general.

Archdiocesan Council Holds First Meeting of New Session   page 1 He said being named to the Archdiocesan Council “is an honor, but it is a duty that has to be performed,” and urged them to faithfully attend the meetings.

The Archbishop also announced that the Archdiocesan Council Executive Committee members would consist of Michael Jaharis (vice chairman), Nicholas Bouras (treasurer), Catherine BouffidesWalsh (secretary); Peter Kikis, George Behrakis, George Vourvoulias, Anthony Stefanis, George Matthews and Dr. Elenie Huszach. Emanuel G. Demos serves as legal counsel.

In addition, the four past presidents of the Council -- Andrew Athens, John Catsimatidis, Demetri Moschos and Alex Spanos -- would participate on the committee in an advisory capacity “to enhance the work of the executive committee,” His Eminence said.

He also said there is a need for educating people on what is the essence of the faith and that the executive com-

Members of the Archdiocesan Council at their business meeting

mittee should work toward furthering this effort. In his brief comments, Mr. Jaharis said “Continuity is very important” and pledged to address the “lack of understanding of the faith” by the Greek Orthodox faithful, but the ministries of

D. PANAGOS

the Church need the proper funding to accomplish this.

“We can’t operate on a $13- or $14million operating budget and hope to accomplish anything,” he said.

Concluding his presentation to the

Council, Archbishop Demetrios noted that the Faith Endowment initiative established for the purpose of supporting the National Ministries has received $10 million and pledges of up to $32 million.

Before breaking up into the various committees for discussions, Council members also heard from Administration Committee Chairman Tony Stefanis and Fr. Frank Marangos on the SWOT analysis and Finance Committee Chairman George Vourvoulias on meetings held at the various Metropolises to discuss the new financial strategy for funding the Archdiocese budget. The new formula is based on expenses rather than parish income and is intended to be more equitable.

Meetings with Metropolitans and parish council presidents are taking place to introduce the plan. Under the new plan, certain exemptions from the expense assessments would be permitted at the discretion of the Metropolitan.

Each local Metropolitan would have the discretion of looking at special cases and determine whether to grant a waiver.

Hundreds Celebrate Archbishop’s Nameday at Archdiocese NEW YORK – Hundreds gathered at the Archdiocesan Chapel on Oct. 26 to celebrate the nameday of Archbishop Demetrios. The evening included the chanting of the Doxology in honor of St. Demetrios, the reading of telegrams and a special welcome to the guests by Bishop Savas of Troas, chancellor of the Archdiocese.

Formal greetings were also offered by Fr. Emmanuel Gratsias, president of the Direct Archdiocesan District Clergy Syndesmos, Fr. Nicholas Triantafillou, president of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, Michael Jaharis, vicechairman of the Archdiocesan Council, Georgia Skeadas, president of the National Philoptochos Society, Ekaterini Bouras, consul general of Greece, and Martha Mavrommatis, consul general of the Republic of Cyprus.

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PHOTOS D. PANAGOS

FAITHFUL of all ages came to the Archdiocese to greet and wish Archbishop Demetrios on the Feast Day of St. Demetrios.

Archbishop Demetrios warmly welcomed the faithful to the Archdiocese and thanked them for their love.

In his remarks, he stressed that the Church should not focus on the charisma or accomplishments of individuals.

"As the body of Christ," His Eminence said, "the Church ministers through the collective work of all the faithful."

Guests later had the opportunity to personally greet the Archbishop during an Open House reception in honor of the Feast.

The entire celebration can be viewed on-line at: www.goarch.org .

NOVEMBER 2006

Archdiocese Active in NCC’s Mideast Visit NEW YORK – Nearly 45 religious leaders from Christian and Muslim backgrounds, including Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, who represented the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, met recently with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for an open discussion about the role religious communities can play in reversing the deepening crisis between Iran and the United States.

This was the first face-to-face meeting between several main line Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical and other church leaders with Iran’s president.

Much of the 70-minute discussion focused on a mixture of religious and political issues such as the harsh language between the U.S. and Iranian governments, Ahmadinejad’s publicly stated position on the Holocaust and the role of religious groups in the nuclear weapons dispute.

Bishop Dimitrios also traveled to Lebanon recently as part of a National Council of Churches of Christ of Christ delegation on a tour of the war-torn country.

The delegation spent five days (Oct. 10-15) in Lebanon visiting towns and villages. They met with government and religious leaders and saw firsthand the effects of the 34-day war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Bishop Dimitrios conveyed to each religious and civic leader the sympathy of Archbishop Demetrios and the Greek Orthodox faithful in America, for the innocent victims of the recent invasion of the nation of Lebanon. He noted the significant work being implemented by the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) to assist the people of Lebanon.

The Bishop offered memorial prayers in Qana over the graves of the men, women and many children who perished there.

The Middle East Council of Churches made the arrangements for the meetings and tours. The delegation will make a report to the NCC’s General Assembly annual meeting in Orlando, Fla. (Nov. 7-9) and determine how best to communicate the findings to the U.S. government.

Bishop Dimitrios (fourth from left) and the NCC delegation with Beirut’s Greek Orthodox Archbishop Elias Aude.

Bishop Dimitrios holds a memorial service for a group of families in Qana who lost loved ones in the recent war.

St. Basil Academy Granted Operating Certificate   page 1 cial impact because the health of the district is a primary concern of ours."

The OCFS in October denied the license on two grounds: lack of an adequate education plan for the children and the harboring of an illegal alien - a 14-year old girl whose mother brought her to the US when her brother needed cancer treatment in NYC. When the brother died, the mother left her. St. Basil has cared for her ever since.

After hearing the case in Albany in May before Administrative Law Judge William B. Day, the Bureau of Special Hearings issued its decision Nov. 3, rejecting both of the state's arguments and directing that OCFS must "issue St. Basil a certificate to operate a residential care program forthwith."

The operating certificate, issued Nov. 10, is the first the Academy has ever received. It allows the facility a capacity of 30 beds.

In his comments to the Observer about the action, Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director of St. Basil Academy, said, “The children are relieved and excited to know that this attack on their home is now over. We have concluded a very long and exhausting journey.”

He continued, “Gratitude has to be

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A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

Chicago Chancellor Elected as New Auxiliary Bishop

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America announces on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the unanimous election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Very Rev. Archimandrite Demetrios Kantzavelos, Chancellor of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago, as an auxiliary bishop to the Archdiocese, "presently for the needs of the Metropolis of Chicago, with the high title of the once renown diocese of Mokissos."

On the announcement of the election, Archbishop Demetrios said: "I congratulate the newly elected bishop and I wholeheartedly wish him a fruitful and creative service in his new most sacred mission. May he have the permanent support of God in his labors for the good of the Church and for the glory of God." The reading of the “mega-minima” (great message) officially announcing his election will take place at 3:30 pm. Dec. 7 at the Chapel of St. Paul at Archdiocese headquarters in New York.

His ordination to the episcopacy will take place Saturday, Dec. 9 at Assumption Church in Chicago.

The election announcement from the Ecumenical Patriarchate is as follows: His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, New York We inform your most beloved Eminence that following a dully executed election in the Most Sacred Patriarchal Church, the Rev. Archimandrite Demetrios Kantzavelos was elected unanimously auxiliary Bishop to the Holy Archdiocese of America, presently for the needs of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago, with the high title of the once renown diocese of Mokissos. Congratulations Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Fanar, 30 October 2006.

advertise St. Basil Academy children with Archbishop Demetrios during a festive occasion.

expressed to the law firm of Kramer, Levin , Naftalis, and Frankel LLP and, in particular, to Mr. Gregory Horowitz and his entire team for an amazing job well done.”

Fr. Sitaras also said that “this has been a commitment to do the right thing for the children of St. Basil academy and we are

truly grateful. We are now able to accept children in need from throughout America and we are able to do the life-saving ministry which is our mission.

“This is truly a victory for God and for His children,” he concluded. “It’s fantastic.”

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NOVEMBER 2006

ECUMENICAL

PATRIARCHATE

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Receive Pope Benedict XVI  page 1 His All Holiness’s personal experience provides him a unique perspective on the continuing dialogue among the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds. For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was heralded as a Bridge Builder and Peacemaker and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress in 1997.

Apart from its impact on Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian ties, the meeting of these two influential bridge builders will most certainly influence the current strained relationship between the Western and Muslim worlds.

It will also have a profound impact on religious freedom and on the recognition of minority rights in Turkey, a state that ignores, despite international commitments and continued pressure from Europe, a resolution of the European Parliament that urges them to provide religious freedom to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious communities and ethnic minorities.

Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch, is the 270th successor of the 2,000 year-old local Christian Church founded

by St. Andrew.

In his person, Patriarch Bartholomew represents the memory of the life and sacrifice of the martyred Orthodox Church of the 20th century as experienced over 70 years of communist repression and Turkish rule.

The Patriarch is a living witness to the world of Orthodoxy’s painful and redemptive struggle for religious freedom and to the innate dignity of humankind. As a citizen of Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew’s personal experience provides him a unique perspective on the continuing dialogue among the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds.

He works to advance reconciliation among Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox communities, such as in former Yugoslavia, and is supportive of peace building measures to diffuse global conflict in the region.

Pope Benedict is the 265th and reigning pope of the Roman Catholic Church,

and as such, sovereign of the Vatican City.

One of the best-known theologians since the 1960s and a prolific author, Pope Benedict is viewed as a defender of traditional Catholic doctrine and values and of their importance in the survival of Western civilization.

He served as a professor at various German universities, and was a theological consultant at the Second Vatican Council before becoming Archbishop of Munich.

Pope Benedict has emphasized what he sees as a need for Europe to return to fundamental Christian values in response to increasing de-Christianization and secularization in many developed countries.

For this reason, he has identified

relativism's denial of objective and moral truths as the central problem of the 21st century.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate holds a place of special honor among the world's Orthodox leaders. The future of the Orthodox Church in Turkey, however, is muddled by a number of government policies that require, for one thing, that the ecumenical patriarch must be a Turkish citizen. Orthodox Christians want to be able to elect their religious leader from the church's wider membership, in countries ranging from South Korea to the United States.

Other governmental infringements include the closure of the Patriarchate’s Halki Theological School and the confiscation of religious properties, including that of a historic orphanage. Despite pressure from the European Union and past U.S. administrations, the Turkish government has given no sign of relenting on these and other issues, basic to religious issues.

The visitation of Pope Benedict with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul comes at a time of increased hostility and misunderstanding between the Christian West and the Muslim world.

Standing in both worlds, the Ecumenical Patriarchate may provide the sure footing that is necessary for these two bridge builders to successfully strengthen ties between religious communities, and help heal global wounds.

Additional information about the visit of Pope Benedict to the Ecumenical Patriarchate may be found online at: http:// www.patriarchate.org

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church Durham, North Carolina

Serving the Triangle Area The Parish of Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox church, founded l946 in Durham, is located in the renowned Research Triangle Park region of central North Carolina, a major hub of education, medicine and research. On its 50th Anniversary in 2000, the community purchased six acres of prime land in southern Durham. This action provided a dedicated Parish team a threshold opportunity to plan a new facility to praise the Lord.

The Parish took the next important step toward realizing its goal by celebrating a Groundbreaking Blessing September 9, 2006, for their new spiritual home.

His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta officiated, assisted by Father Andrew Koufopoulos, parish priest, and various area clergy.

Following the vespers and ground blessing was a well-attended celebration banquet at a local hotel.The selection of renowned Architect Christ J. Kamages, AIA of CJK Design Group of San Francisco, has proven invaluable to the Saint Barbara community. Mr. Kamages and his firm have created a village-like arrangement of the church and support parish facilities, centered around an elliptical platea within the naturally wooded features of the property.

The milestone groundbreaking ushered in the initial phase of a church seating over 300, whose crowning feature will be the distinctive Byzantine dome. The Saint Barbara community plays a pivotal role in the Triangle area with its outreach programs for students of Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill. In addition, the Philoptochos Society sponsors a medical ministry for Orthodox Christians receiving specialized treatment at Duke Children’s Hospital and Duke Medical Center. Over the years, hundreds of Orthodox Christians have passed through our community who are now living across America. We reach out to all of you to share in our “vision” of making this new church a reality.

For more information, visit the parish’s website: www.stbarbaraschurch.org or contact Fr. Andrew Koufopoulos at 919-682-koufopoulos@bellsouth.net Donations are presently being accepted for the Building Fund.

Name ________________________________________ Street Address______________________________State___________Zip Code________ Amount Enclosed ________ Make checks payable to Saint Barbara Building Fund and mail to: Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church P.O. Box 1149, Durham, NC 27702-1149

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NOVEMBER 2006

Orthodox-Catholic Consultation Prays for Meeting of Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch NEW YORK – The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation, meeting at St Paul's College in Washington, Oct. 26-28, has issued a statement on the upcoming visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey.

After reviewing briefly the history of previous meetings between Popes and Ecumenical Patriarchs, the statement concludes with a prayer "that the meeting of the Pope and Ecumenical Patriarch will contribute to the unity of the churches and to the reconciliation of all peoples."

In the statement, the members of the Consultation also expressed their concern about the restrictions that the Turkish government has placed on the Ecumenical Patriarchate's ministry. These restrictions include limitations on the election of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the non-recognition of the Patriarchate's international role, the closing of the Theological School on the island of Halki in 1971, and the confiscation of churches and other property.

The Consultation concludes that "the visit of Pope Benedict XVI to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in late November will highlight once again the crucial role played by the Ecumenical Patriarchate for many centuries not only among the Orthodox Churches but also in the broader Christian world."

The full text of the statement is below.

At this 71 st meeting of the Consultation, the members continued their in-depth study of primacies and conciliarity in the Catholic and Orthodox churches. Professor John Barnet of St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary presented a paper, "The Role of Peter in the New Testament." Professor Brian Daley, SJ, of Notre Dame University, offered a study of the 34 th Apostolic Canon, an ancient source often cited as offering insights on this question.

Addressing contemporary issues, Rev. Chorbishop John D. Faris of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, delivered his study, "A Synergy of the One and the Many: Governance in the Eastern Catholic Patriarchal Churches." Rev. Dr. Theodore Pulcini of Dickinson College gave a paper entitled "'Done Properly and in Order' (I Cor. 14:40): An Examination of Orthodox Ecclesiology Through Its Application in Four Contemporary Situations.'

On the evening of Thursday October 26, the members discussed recent events in the lives of their churches, including the Ninth Plenary Session of the International Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue in Belgrade, the June 2006 meeting of the Joint Committee of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops, the election of a new Archbishop of Cyprus, the visit of Cardinal Kasper to Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, relations between the two Romanian Orthodox jurisdictions in North America, relations between the Moscow Patriarchate and the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia, the 2006 Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and the meeting of the Orthodox bishops of the USA in Chicago in October.

The Consultation also devoted one session to a discussion of reactions to the lecture given by Pope Benedict XVI in Regensburg, Germany, on September 12, entitled "Faith, Reason and the University: Memories and Reflections."

The North American dialogue welcomed a new Catholic member, Rev. Paul McPartlan, the Carl J. Peter Professor of Systematic Theology and Ecumenism at the Catholic University of America in Washington. Fr. McPartlan is also a member of the international CatholicOrthodox dialogue, and informed the Consultation about its most recent meeting, which took place in Belgrade, Serbia, in September 2006.

The participants also congratulated Fr Thomas FitzGerald for his appointment as Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.

During the Washington meeting the Consultation members joined the Paulist priests, students and novices residing at St. Paul's College for meals and worship. Archbishop Pilarczyk presided at Mass on Friday morning, with Consultation members participating to the extent allowed by their respective church disciplines.

The 72 nd meeting of the Consultation has been scheduled to take place from June 4 to 6, 2007, at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York.

The North American OrthodoxCatholic Theological Consultation is co-chaired by Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh and Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati.

The other Orthodox members of the Consultation include Fr. Thomas FitzGerald (Secretary), Fr. Nicholas Apostola, Professor Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Fr. James Dutko, Professor Paul Meyendorff, Fr. Alexander Golitzin, Dr. Robert Haddad, Fr. Paul Schnierla, Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos, Dr. John Barnet, the Rev Dr Theodore Pulcini, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, general secretary of SCOBA (staff).

The additional Catholic members are Fr. Brian Daley, SJ (Secretary), Professor Thomas Bird, Fr. Peter Galadza, the Rev. Chorbishop John D. Faris, Fr. John Galvin, Fr. Sidney Griffith, ST, Fr. Joseph Komonchak, Fr. Paul McPartlan, Fr. David Petras, Sr Susan K. Wood, SCL, Dr. Vito Nicastro, and Fr. Ronald Roberson, CSP (staff).

The North American Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation is sponsored jointly by the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), the Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. Since its establishment in 1965, the Consultation has issued 22 agreed statements on various topics.

All these texts are now available on the website of the USCCB at http://www. usccb.org/seia/officialdialogues.shtml and on the SCOBA website at http://www. scoba.us/resources/index.asp

If you have questions regarding the Archdiocesan Clergy Sexual misconduct Policy or want to report a complaint of clergy misconduct, call the toll-free hotline (877) 544-3382 All complaints will be taken seriously and allegations will be investigated fully and impartially. Callers may speak with a male or female volunteer in either Greek or English.

N. MANGINAS

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the Patriarchal Office.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate CONSTANTINOPLE – German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Phanar in early October. The German Chancellor held a half-hour meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who was accompanied by Synod members and the Archbishop of Tirana and All Albania Anastasios, who was visiting at the

Phanar. Mrs. Merkel had the opportunity to be briefed on problems facing the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Later, the Ecumenical Patriarch accompanied by Archbishop Anastasios of Albania attended a formal dinner given by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan, in honor of the German Chancellor.

NOVEMBER 2006

Archbishop Pays First Visit to Bahamas Community Archbishop Demetrios paid his first visit to the Greek Orthodox parish in The Bahamas the weekend of Sept. 29-Oct. 1, bringing the community closer to the Archdiocese in the process.

by Jim Golding

The parish of Annunciation, with about 300 members, is the only Greek Orthodox church in the island nation off the coast of Florida, had been part of the Archdiocese for most of its history since the late 1920s, but had been assigned to Central America following the division of the Archdiocese of North and South America in 1996.

The community petitioned to rejoin the Archdiocese and was accepted in November 2003.

His Eminence was greeted at the international airport by a delegation of parish council executive committee members led by the president, Alexander P. Maillis II, and by Fr. Teodor Bita, who had been assigned to the parish a week prior to the Archbishop’s visit to fill the vacancy left by long-time pastor Fr. Theofanis Kolyvas who died in May. Mr. Maillis told the Observer that, following brief stops at the church and the hotel, His Eminence was taken to Government House where he was “very warmly received” by the deputy governor general of the Commonwealth of Bahamas, Lady Marguerite Pindling.

“At Government House, His Eminence engaged in substantial and meaningful dialogue with Her Ladyship,” Mr. Maillis said. She noted that the Constitution of Bahamas specifically references Christianity as an important part of Bahamian life, which prompted the Archbishop to comment that he would like to mention that fact to certain Europeans who had left out any references to Christianity when they recently adopted the constitution of the European Union.

Archbishop Demetrios later went to the church where he met with various groups including the parish council and children of the community who were “very attentive,” Mr. Maillis said.

Later at the banquet in the adjacent church hall, the Archbishop remarked that the children “asked very positive questions, touching on immediate issues.” He said that when he asked them about the reasons they should express thanks to God, instead of hesitating to answer, “All hands went up in answer to the question,” His Eminence also gave the keynote address, in which he praised the community for its enthusiasm in maintaining the Orthodox Christian faith, and for the beauty of their church.

NASSAU’S Annunciation Church beams in bright, pastel colors.

“I congratulate you for your zeal,” the Archbishop said. “I am very happy to be at the place where we have a tremendous adherence to Orthodoxy and tremendous adherence to universal Greek values.”

He went on to discuss the role of the Archdiocese and its relationship to the parish. “What is the connection between a parish like this and the Archdiocese?” he asked. “This is not a club and a community it is not merely a spiritual entity and is not a corporation. It is the body of Christ,” he declared.

“It has to have the best of the human quality called love, and caring. And that was the case tonight.”

The Archbishop also said the con-

PHOTOS: D. PANAGOS

nection between the Archdiocese and a parish “is not singular. It’s ‘connections;’ all possible connections: spiritually, financially, culturally.”

He cited the various functions and resources of the Archdiocese that benefit its communities and members, such as Holy Cross School of Theology for its training of the clergy, the outreach programs including the development of the Center for the Family, religious education, Greek education. “You need these kinds of things,” His Eminence said. “This happens because of the Archdiocese. You have something to rely upon with the Archdiocese.”

But the Archbishop noted that it

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS, along with Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou meet with parishioners and with the young people of the community (below).

is through individuals that the various programs and ministries are made possible.

“The Church operates through you,” he said. It is not a Church of the clergy or theologians. It is a Church of all the people.”

He discussed the importance of “praying for the mission of the Church, which is going beyond ourselves and opening our embrace to everyone.” He said the “pain, suffering and need are tremendous” and call for a “generosity of the heart, in abundance.”

The Archbishop said the faithful of the Nassau community are “people who are alive to the idea of making the Annunciation community in the Bahamas a model community.”

He added, “It’s something expected, to offer to Orthodoxy in the Western Hemisphere. Don’t hesitate to spread this treasure in any direction.”

The Archbishop was presented with several mementoes of his weekend stay, including a quilt prepared by ladies of the community, a book about the Bahamas; a Bahamian $2 commemorative coin with an engraving of the Nativity on one side.

The following day, His Eminence officiated at the hierarchical Divine Liturgy, assisted by Fr. Bita and Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, who accompanied the Archbishop on the visit and whose interest in the community goes back many years.

“Fr. Nick has played a pivotal role in helping us maintain our church, said Mr. Maillis. Over the years Fr. Triantafilou has held seminars and retreats and most recently helped in the search for a new parish priest.

Archbishop Demetrios had commented at the banquet that it was at Fr. Triantafilou’s urging that he came to the Bahamas at this time.

Mr. Maillis said of the Archbishop’s first visit to the Nassau parish that “it was an absolutely fantastic visit, a wonderful visit. Our community was very moved. We look forward to many more visits in the future. I think he was quite please with what he found in the Bahamas.”

He added, “The visit of His Eminence also served to complete our full immersion into the Archdiocese, to bring it close to the people and to raise the Archdiocese’s awareness of who we are as a parish.” He also said that Annunciation is “the only Orthodox parish in the country of the Bahamas and the potential of impact at national level is phenomenal.”

He also noted that Bishop Savas, chancellor of the Archdiocese, has visited on numerous occasions “to bring us a better understanding of the Archdiocese.”

NOVEMBER 2006

Fr. Thomas FitzGerald Appointed Dean of Holy Cross School of Theology

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios has announced the appointment of the Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald as the dean of Holy Cross School of Theology.

In announcing the appointment, the Archbishop commended Fr. Thomas for his outstanding service to the Church and the school as a priest, theologian, teacher and author.

The appointment followed the unanimous recommendation of the Search Committee and the unanimous vote of the Board of Trustees during its meeting on Sept. 14-15.

Fr. FitzGerald is currently the tenured Professor of Church History and Historical Theology. He began his teaching career at Holy Cross over 25 years ago. A native of Cambridge, Mass., he received his undergraduate degree from Suffolk University.

He earned graduate degrees in theology from Holy Cross School of Theology, Boston University and the School of Theology of the University of Thessaloniki where he received his doctorate.

Welcoming the appointment of the new dean, Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, HC/ HC president, said, “Fr. Tom brings many years of experience in theological education, pastoral ministry, administrative leadership, and academic integrity to the office of the Dean. I congratulate him on his new appointment and look forward to sharing in the fruits of his labors.”

Ordained a deacon in Thessaloniki, Greece, in 1979 and a priest in Brookline in 1981, Fr. Thomas was granted the rank of protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in 2000. He also serves as the pastor of St. Nicholas Church in Manchester, N.H. Fr. Thomas is married to Dr. Kyriaki Karidoyanes FitzGerald, a theologian and licensed psychologist.

A noted author and lecturer on Orthodox spirituality, she is the founder and coordinator of St. Catherine’s Vision, an association of Orthodox women theologians.

Active in ecumenical dialogues, Fr. Thomas represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate as the senior Orthodox theologian at the headquarters of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland, from 1994 to 1999.

He directed the Program Unit of Unity and Renewal, including the programs on Faith and Order, Theological

Education and Worship. He continues to represent the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople at theological meetings and ecumenical dialogues in this country and abroad.

For over two decades, he has been a member of the Orthodox-Roman Catholic Bilateral Consultation in North America, currently serving as its Orthodox executive secretary.

He is also the chairperson of the ecumenical commission of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOBA). He has been active in dialogues of the National Council of Churches and the Massachusetts Council of Churches.

A past president of the Orthodox Theological Society in America, he is the author of a number of books including: The Ecumenical Movement: An Introductory History, The Orthodox Church, The Ecumenical Patriarchate and Christian Unity and Turn to God: Rejoice in Hope.

Recently, he has co-authored with his wife the book Living the Beatitudes: Perspectives from Orthodox Spirituality.

His scholarly articles dealing with Orthodox theology and history have appeared in St. Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly, Sobornost, Ecumenical Trends, Theological Education, Mid-Stream, and The Greek Orthodox Theological Review.

In his teaching, research, and writings, Fr. Thomas has a particular interest in the issues of division and reconciliation, reflected especially in the Ecumenical Councils of the Church and in more recent dialogues.

He has been a visiting professor at St. Vladimir's Orthodox Theological School, Boston College, and the Ecumenical Institute in Geneva.

He has lectured at the University of Thessaloniki, St. John of Damascus School of Theology near Beirut, Boston University, The Catholic University, Washington, St. Paul’s University in Ottawa, and the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

Fr. Thomas assumed his responsibilities as Dean on Sept. 15. In his service as dean, he will bring unparalleled experience as a priest, teacher, mentor, scholar and theologian.

In addition to his service at Holy Cross and in the Church in this country, he has participated in theological conferences in over 30 countries. He has also co-led study-tours to Greece, Turkey and the Middle East.

Nashville’s Greek-American News Anchorwoman

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

In the Observer’s September issue, the name of the WSMV-TV news anchor in the Nashville story who interviewed Archbishop Demetrios and emceed the Philoptochos banquet was incorrect. It is Demetria Kalodimos, not Kalonidis.

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NOVEMBER 2006

A R C H I E P I S C O PA L E N C Y C L I C A L S

Thanksgiving Day To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, 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, I greet you in the love of our gracious God as we celebrate our national holiday of Thanksgiving. As we come together as families, friends, and communities from across the land on this wonderful day it is indeed appropriate to feast with one another in a spirit of Christian gratitude; for God has blessed us with gifts and treasures which we must never take for granted. Among the more precious of these God-given gifts that we remember on this day are the indispensable values of our democracy, our religious freedom, and our civil liberties.

Our celebration of Thanksgiving traces its roots to the 17th century experience of the early colonists to the New World and their interactions with the Native American peoples of what is today known as New England. This interaction and concurrent celebration of the so-called “First Thanksgiving” in 1621, continues to be a subject that is worthy on its own terms of more honest examination and study. More than two centuries later, by official Proclamation in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established the holiday as a “day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” It is in this broad historical context that our national holiday of

Thanksgiving has become interwoven in the fabric of the religious consciousness of the United States.

Precisely because of its rich history and its express theological orientation, Thanksgiving Day is one of the few, if not the last, of our remaining national religious holidays. For us, the religious character of Thanksgiving resonates melodiously with our Orthodox Christian faith, as exemplified by hymns of doxology that we offer to God in our regular worship of Him: “We praise you, we bless you, we worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.” This short phrase constitutes one measure of the larger hymn of the “Great Doxology” that we as a Church chant and recite in our daily liturgical services. By these terms, Thanksgiving is quite literally for us a daily holiday that transcends the geographical boundaries of the United States and reaches out universally to all persons in all corners of our world, all of whom are recipients of God’s abiding love and comfort, particularly those who live in dire conditions of need for the love and comfort of God, whom we remember prayerfully on this day.

My beloved Christians, as we gather with our loved ones during this Thanksgiving holiday, worshiping God and feasting together in gratitude for His blessings, I pray that we may all continue to grow in our understanding of the tremendous implications and lessons of Thanksgiving Day. This is a holiday that is rich in history and in religious significance for our nation and for us as Orthodox Christians, who continuously give thanks to God for all His wonders and blessings. May God bless you and your families on this day of Thanksgiving, and may God bless America.

The Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries Sts. Cosmas and Damian 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 Distinguished Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, the members of our Parishes and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During his earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ sent out his twelve disciples commanding them to preach, "The kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 10:7). He also directed them to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons" (10:8).

This twofold mission of preaching and healing was made possible by the divine power of God working in and through the disciples, both for their own salvation and calling and for those who received their word and ministry. This divine power brought conviction and faith through the message offered by the disciples; and through

miraculous acts of healing; God’s power affirmed His loving and gracious presence.

The preeminence of this divine power and its witness to the love and presence of God was ensured by another commandment of our Lord: "You received without paying, give without pay” (10:8). Just as the disciples received freely the power and grace of God, they were to offer freely healing by the grace of God. The availability of divine power was not to be dependent on an exchange of money or gifts or even the necessities of life. The ministry of the disciples was to be a visible sign of the free offering of God’s love to humankind.

On the first day of November, we commemorate two holy men who continued this sacred vocation of the Holy Apostles. Saints Cosmas and Damian, the “Unmercenaries and Wonderworkers,” were given the power to heal the sick and cast out unclean spirits through their prayers. To poor and rich, friend and stranger, they offered the power and grace of God, accepting nothing in return. As they healed, they proclaimed that it was Christ, the Great Physician, who was working in and through them, bringing comfort, faith, and salvation.

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This offering and witness of the power and grace of God is also the primary mission of our National Ladies Philoptochos Society. For over seventy years the members of this Church organization have freely offered healing, comfort, and the grace of God. They have given generously and consistently, proclaiming Christ as Philanthropos , the one who loves humankind. They continue their offering, seeking only the healing and salvation of others and the glory of God. As a means of assisting the ministry of our Ladies Philoptochos Society, it has been our custom to have an annual collection for the National Philoptochos Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund. This fund provides resources for the hospitals, nursing homes, and philanthropic agencies of our Ecumenical Patriarchate.

On Sunday, November 5, all parishes

of the Archdiocese are asked to show our support and love for the venerable Greek Orthodox community of Constantinople by passing a special tray for this fund.

We have been blessed by God in so many ways, and this is a very visible way by which we can offer freely to those in need.

In addition, the command of our Lord, the example of the Holy Unmercenaries, and our support of our Ecumenical Patriarchate should remind us of our sacred calling as Orthodox Christians.

Each and every day of our lives is a day to discover new opportunities to offer freely the grace and power of God through words of compassion and selfless acts of kindness.

May our good and merciful Lord guide us all in seeking these opportunities, and may He strengthen you in every good work for His honor and glory.

OXI Day Represents a Stand for Liberty 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 Distinguished Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, the members of our Parishes and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

ingly though, if we look deeper into our own American history, we find a notable connection with the date of October 28; for on that day, in 1886, another important event that stood for liberty and freedom took place, namely, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty on Ellis Island, a safe harbor for hundreds of thousands of immigrants to America.

Much in the same way, this event too confirmed the fundamental rights of liberty and freedom, and today the Statue of Liberty stands as a monuBeloved Brothers ment that continues to herald these and Sisters in Christ, ideals to people throughout the world.

Once again we greet with joy the ar- Thus, as we commemorate the Twentyrival of the Twenty-Eighth of October. As Eighth of October, we first bring to mind Greek Orthodox Christians, we know the events of Greece in 1940 and the this day as “OXI Day,” a reference to the courageous “OXI” which the brave Heldefiant “NO” (or “OXI”) that the Hellenic lenic nation uttered in the face of fascist nation boldly proclaimed in 1940 to the aggression. demands of Mussolini to surrender to the We remember the stand of our Heldark forces of Fascism that were sweeping lenic fathers for liberty and freedom at across Europe at that time. all costs, which was a stand mandated by This day is important because of the their Orthodox Christian faith. Second, example that the nation of Greece set for we take this opportunity to probe deeper the rest of the world. Greece's defiance into notable events in American history to the demands of a hostile fascist aggres- that also occurred on the Twenty-Eighth sor stood for the undeniable, moral claim of October, specifically the dedication of that there are certain values in this world the Statue of Liberty in 1886, which stood that are so precious and so sacred, that for the very same principles. they cannot be compromised at any cost.

In so doing, we re-discover precious These values are those of liberty and symbols and events in history which bring freedom. unique import to us as Greek Orthodox The Hellenic nation knew then, as Christians who are citizens and residents the world knows now, that God out of of America, our beloved second home.

His love for all humankind has bestowed We are thankful to God for giving us imliberty and freedom as inalienable rights to portant events in history which serve to people of every culture, race, and religion remind us of the precious gifts of liberty the world over. The right to live in condi- and freedom. tions of liberty and freedom represents the It is my heartfelt prayer that as we product of a beautifully rich synthesis of reflect upon the significance of this date, Hellenism and Christianity. we may direct our hearts and minds to It speaks directly to us as Greek reflect upon the conditions of liberty and Orthodox Christians, who are the proud freedom which are essential to our identity bearers of this cherished and unique as Greek Orthodox Christians and which legacy, which we have the respon- rightfully belong to all human beings, essibility to share with our neighbors. pecially in places where these conditions In reviewing the history of October 28, are lacking.

OXI Day, it is natural for us to look first May the abiding love and peace of and foremost to our fathers and their our gracious and merciful God be with noble actions in Greece in 1940. Interest- you always.

With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop Demetrios of America

NOVEMBER 2006

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NOVEMBER 2006

Archpastoral Reflections Great questions of Life Each and every day of our lives we are confronted by different ideologies and philosophies that attempt to answer for us some of the great questions of life.

Some of these are very obvious, such as the views of different religions or the multitude of political and economic theories and systems that we find in our modern world.

Others are much more subtle and can often affect our lives in significant ways.

by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America In our contemporary American culture we see a strong emphasis on material wealth and possessions. A “successful” or “good life” is measured in terms of how much a person owns or how "comfortable" a lifestyle he or she has.

Our culture is also characterized by an attitude of relativism, i.e. what may be true for one person may not be for another, or what is moral for one person may not necessarily be so for another.

The challenge of these types of philosophies and ideas is that they are both appealing and deceptive.

They are appealing because of our desire to “fit in” to find ways to adapt peacefully with the culture around us and to be accepted by others. They are deceptive, as with many other ideas and attitudes, because they can lead us away from the truth of the Gospel and cause us to marginalize the role of faith in our lives.

In examining all of this, the following question may come to mind: “How do I live as an Orthodox Christian in a world filled with competing ideas that challenge the very nature of the Gospel, my understanding of God, my relationship with Him, and the purpose and mission of the Church?”

We can find assurance in knowing that a question such as this is not a new one at all for Christians. Rather, a question such as this provides a healthy opportunity to consider the role of Orthodox Christian education in our contemporary lives.

Since the time of our Lord’s earthly ministry, Christians have been confronted with philosophical ideas and cultural influences that led many to offer their words and even their lives as a witness of the truth of our faith.

In fact, the Church was inaugurated at a time in history when a full spectrum of ideas and related philosophical schools were vying for the attention and commitment of people.

In the midst of all of this, it was the Christian Gospel that brought truth, hope, and life to an ever-increasing number of believers.

Today, we can continue to find educational guidance in the writings of the great Fathers and Ecumenical Teachers of our Church, such as Sts. Gregory the Theologian, Basil the Great, John Chrysostom, and Gregory of Nyssa, who each wrote voluminously and preached passionately regarding matters that people of their day struggled with as they endeavored to learn more of what it meant to be a Christian living in a complex world.

Even the early theologians of the Christian Church; such as the Apostolic Fathers Ignatios of Antioch and Clement of Rome, or the apologists Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Tertullian, and Theophilos; offered applicable insights for their times which are equally applicable to our own age.

For example, in the first of his three letters to Autolycus, who was not a Christian, the apologist Theophilos engages him in a meaningful dialogue.

This dialogue focuses not on how we know God and truth, but in what manner we know God and truth. Theophilos states, “God is seen by those who are enabled to see Him when they have the eyes of their soul opened.”

Theophilos exhorts his reader to trust Jesus Christ, “Entrust yourself to the Physician who heals and makes alive through his word and wisdom.”

Through this healing, a person will be able to live in purity, holiness, and righteousness and will be able to discern what is true from what is not.

Certainly, not every ideology, philosophy, or cultural trend is beneficial or even good; but the soul that engages the world with a firm grounding in the Christian faith and with instruction in the nature and character of the Christian life will be able to discern what is truth and what is not.

The societal issues raised by the great Fathers of our Church and the questions raised by apologists like Theophilus are clear: What is the condition of your soul? If your soul is blinded by sin or if you do not seriously engage yourself in a real, full, and genuine Orthodox education, can you know the will of God? Or will you remain a child in the faith, easily misguided by vain and empty ideas?

These questions lead to a logical conclusion that if one does not cultivate the soul under the guidance of able and spiritual teachers of the faith, he will not have the maturity to discern between what is righteous, holy, and true and what is not.

However, through the struggle for purity of soul, truth will be revealed; and as the soul is nurtured through prayer, worship, learning, and ministry, God will bless His servants with wisdom and understanding, equipping all who are committed to following Him to recognize and turn from what is deceptive and destructive and to embrace what is true, life-giving, and eternal.

These questions and conclusions drawn from our Christian past continue to have an applicable relevance for our present age.

They are matters that touch and concern issues of our education as Orthodox Christians, and thus will always serve as an appropriate subject of reflection for the continued growth of our souls.

 Pope's Comments Editor, It is obvious to state that the Pope’s remarks were taken out of context. His lecture was about the openness of Hellenistic philosophy’s search for the meaning of man’s existence to the Christian Word “Logos.”

His point was that this was not sheer luck but deigned by God and why St. Paul was redirected away from the Asian cultures of the time in his proclamation of the Good News.

It is also obvious to state that the reaction seems excessive for Christians who do not take to the streets in riots when tax dollars fund blasphemous images of our Blessed Mother.

What may be missed here is the underlying intent of the reaction to keep the Pope from meeting with the Patriarch in Turkey. The history of the east is lost in our Western culture.

Those viewing the History Channel’s documentary “The Ottoman Empire – War Machine” were probably shocked to hear that Mohammed himself stated his wish to take the Christian city and stature of the Byzantine capital. This wish was fulfilled hundreds of years later by a teen-age sultan who also worked against Mohammed’s holy law to war against the Muslims of Persia and those in the Holy Lands by labeling them heretics.

The Ottoman Empire also financially funded the Protestant reformation to divide Christianity.

In World War I they chose the side of the Germans and killed many Australian and New Zealand soldiers attempting to retake Constantinople (Istanbul).

After the war the world agreed to return Anatolia and other lands to Greece but the Turks were successful in keeping the territory by force and expelling all Christians.

This history, the truths of the Armenian holocaust, and the German holocaust of WWII are being called fiction and slowly erased.

There is no cry for an offensive attack in a religious war by Christians. No demand for regaining territory.

We ask for the opportunity of freedom of religious practice and dialogue as the emperor and the Islamic cleric.

The new Turkish government is not an Islamic fundamentalist entity but the persecutions of religions other than Islam persist with fervor.

A recent article from the Orthodox Observer states the current Turkish laws and how they are intended to erase the ancient patriarchate with direct succession from the Apostle Andrew “the first called by our Lord.”

The current government refuses the opening of the ancient Theological school of Halki. They pass laws requiring the charitable organizations of the Patriarchate be under the ownership of Turkish nonprofit entities and then they are closed.

They also pass laws requiring The Patriarch and those who minister to him be Turkish citizens thereby controlling their activities and eventually choking off the Patriarchate through lack of eligible candidates with no seminary.

The over-reaction to the Papal remarks are intended to deteriorate the Christian presence in predominately Muslim countries.

After his ascent to the Papacy, Benedict XVI chose to accept an invitation to

the Patriarchate on the feast of St. Andrew as his first international trip.

Again it seems that they are looking for another excuse to prevent a papal visit on the feast of St. Andrew.

Christopher Botsolis Braintree, Mass.

 Reader's Comment Editor, Lack of space, I realize, makes it impossible for the Orthodox Observer to publish all letters it receives. Another factor should come into play in choosing not to publish a letter: judgment.

That should have been exercised in the June-July issue when the screed on propaganda appeared. In it, George Callas used a variety of hate-based irrationales to justify a holy war between Christianity and Islam.

Good judgment should have ruled that such an intemperate letter not be published. Instead we are given the injunction to “love one’s enemies.”

If we are to avoid having that guideline lapse into a platitude, letters that urge hate should not appear on your pages.

George Beres Eugene, Oregon

 Five Pomfret survivors Editor, I would like to inform the Observer's readers there are, in fact, five surviving members of Pomfret's first graduating class in 1942.

The fifth is Father Dean Timothy Andrews, formerly the librarian of Holy Cross and Hellenic College and who still resides in Massachusetts. Certainly, Demetra Andrews-Vartian is correct when she refers to the importance of the associations many of us have had with members of the Class of '42, as well as others from Pomfret.

When I was growing up on Long Island my parish priest at St. John's in Blue Point was Father Constantine Theodore, a member of that class who became the first American born man and first graduate of Holy Cross to be ordained to the priesthood.

What fond memories I cherish of him from those years, then while a student at Hellenic College and Holy Cross and in years after that!

He was not only a pastor but a missionary (as were all of the priests from those years) of whom it can be said "Behold, truly, an Israelite in whom there is no guile" (John 1:48).

John Papson Jamaica Plain, Mass.

 On retired clergy  Editor, In the June-July edition, I read a brief essay written by Fr. Nicholas L. Vieron that might have been written by many of us of his generation.

His thoughtful self-examination was brilliant and expressed the value of humanity regardless of age, background, education, occupation or past experiences.

His thoughts “Who am I now that I am old and retired” are not a lament, but an introspective perspective of what one

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11

NOVEMBER 2006

Archiepiscopal Encyclical

Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels 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 Distinguished Archons of the Order of St. Andrew, 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 with much joy that I greet you on this festive occasion of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, a day designated by our Church to remember the active role in our lives of the myriad of myriads and thousand of thousands of angelic beings, constantly praising and glorifying God (Revelation 5:11-14).

Given the high level of appeal that angels receive in our contemporary culture, this day affords us with an opportunity to reflect upon the uniquely spiritual identity of the angels as understood by our Orthodox Church.

The Epistle to the Hebrews describes the holy angels as ministering spirits sent forth to serve for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation (1:14).

The Holy Tradition of our Orthodox Church also teaches that each of us is assigned a guardian angel at the time of our baptism to watch over us throughout our earthly lives. Thus, angels perform a role that is vital in our earthly lives; they minister to us through their activities as God’s messengers and our protectors.

In recognition of this important role and on the occasion of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, it has become the good custom of our Archdiocese to set aside this day in tribute to the work of St. Michael’s Home, our senior adult home in New York named appropriately after the Archangel Michael, which for more than 40 years has provided an Orthodox Christian sanctuary of ministry, care and dignity for people from throughout the United States.

As the operating budget for the Home depends largely on donations from you the faithful, your continual support of this vital ministry is much needed.

Accordingly, in annual observance, our parishes will be passing a special tray for St. Michael’s Home this Sunday, Nov. 12. Your financial contributions will help to return the precious gift of love and care to a generation of our earthly guardians, parents and godparents who reside today at St. Michael’s Home.

Any additional contributions that you would like to offer should be made payable to Saint Michael’s Home and sent to the Office of the Archbishop at the Archdiocese.

Your offerings will benefit not only the residents of St. Michael’s Home, but will also support the continued growth and expansion of this important ministry for generations to come.

With deep thanks for your offerings of support, and for the diligent work of the clergy, board members, staff, volunteers, caregivers, and families who make St. Michael’s Home a truly sacred and honored institution of our Holy Archdiocese; I offer on behalf of all Greek Orthodox Christians my heartfelt prayers for the continued physical and spiritual health of all who reside at St. Michael’s. I furthermore pray that the divine protection of the Holy Archangels be with you all on this day and every day of your lives.

With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop Demetrios of America

 has achieved and can still achieve. Each generation has produced and offered all it could possibly do as it laid the groundwork for the next generations.

Some previous generations gave us the foundation to build on. It behooved us to continue the building blocks that future generations will continue to build.

We octogenarians are still vital even if we do not appear on any payroll. We have paid our dues but are still performing. No one should underestimate our past or current accomplishments. In God’s eyes we are all His important people.

I look on these retirement years as gifts from God who is aware of our existence and is allowing us to continue our function in society. I view each day as another blessing and try to make each one count. For those of us who are fairly

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healthy and active, we are not “retired” but occupying our time differently. This is done with a smile and a grateful heart.

Unfortunately, many are not healthy, are forgotten by loved ones, and simply exist. Yes, even those persons are children of God and He has a reason for their longevity. He blesses all of us in His own way.

Thank you Father Nicholas Vieron.

You made my day with your equating us to tradition. You are so correct with your analogy. May the dear Lord bless you always and grand you many more productive years.

Fotene T. Neos Manchester, N.H. Submission policy on letters to the editor: All letters to the editor must contain a verifiable name, address and daytime phone number.

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12

NOVEMBER 2006

A Revolutionary Concept or Strictly Biblical?

Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of visiting several churches throughout the Archdiocese and sitting down with their parish councils to speak with them about stewardship.

by Chris Andreas

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There is no greater pleasure for me in my role as the administrator for stewardship than in this form of dialogue. Sadly, however, I have realized that within the Church in general there is a serious lack of understanding in the relationship between our personal stewardship, our salvation and the growth of the local parish community.

This relationship is deeply rooted, and I hope to have the opportunity to discuss it more fully in the future.

For now, let’s discuss growth. When I use this word, I mean it in terms of our stewardship growth, spiritual growth and the growth of the physical church community.

All three aspects of growth are intertwined. One will never fully exist without the other.

Upon sitting down with a parish council, I begin to listen to the problems of the community. While several churches may be thriving, more normally I hear such things as, “We have no money. The people are not responding. People don’t come to church on Sundays. Our membership is dropping.”

Almost always there is great room for improvement over what currently exists.

My main response to their concerns is something that in almost all cases is viewed by them as completely revolutionary, something they have never heard before, and yet it is strictly biblical and historical.

The crux of what I say is this: “We have to learn to separate the purpose of the Church from the necessities of the Church.

The purpose of the Church is not to pay for our mortgages, salaries or utilities.

It is not to pay for a new roof or to buy a new boiler.

These are necessities, and they certainly have to be met, but the purpose of the Church is salvation in Christ Jesus.”

Now, certainly this comes in many ways, which space does not permit a full discussion on, but where growth is concerned, it takes ministries, successful spiritually centered ministries, of which there are many and where our Lord can guide us thoroughly, to see this growth

perpetuated within any community.

Without successful ministries, we will see no growth, neither in stewardship, our own spirituality for the overall community, or growth in physical numbers.

While ministries in themselves cannot guarantee growth, normally they enhance it greatly; the lack of successful ministries, on the other hand, offers no chance for this growth.

What we are normally left with is a very complacent and slowly decaying parish. And whenever we accept the status quo, decay sets in, just as it does whenever we fail to make adjustments to meet those new challenges in an ever-changing environment.

This is a fundamental truth in all forms of administration, and the Church is no exception.

Believe it or not, the biblical Church and later historical Church grew and thrived through her ministries. Evangelism, for instance, is a ministry, and this has always been supported by the stewardship of those within the Church.

The early Church thrived despite intermittent persecutions not only because of the incredible faith and love of all Christians, but also in large part because of her ministries.

In accordance to our Lord’s teachings, by the way, Christian love is exemplified through the act of giving, as love is active, not passive. Ministries of love were especially visible in the later Byzantine Church.

Perhaps the greatest work ever produced on this subject is ‘Byzantine Philanthropy and Social Welfare’ by Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos and published by Rutgers University.

It’s a book that no parish should be without.

Before closing, if and when we view stewardship solely in terms of financial matters of the local parish, then we have lost much of its true meaning.

That said, parishes must also learn to raise money through Christian biblical principles with ministries as the main recipient of those funds.

Speaking in realistic terms, the necessities of the Church as well as all other administrative work done in any nonprofit organization is one of the most difficult areas to raise money for, whereas ministries themselves are usually highly successful sources of revenue.

There are important practical lessons that can and should be drawn from all of this.

Muslims in Iraq Behead Orthodox Priest MOSUL, Iraq–Muslim extremists connected the Orthodox and Catholic faiths as they reportedly beheaded an Orthodox priest on Oct. 12 in Iraq because the Orthodox Church did not condemn Pope Benedict’s recent remarks about the Prophet Mohammad.

Relatives of the beheaded Iraqi priest, who was not identified in published reports, said his captors had demanded a church apology for recent papal comments about Islam.

In a speech last month, the pope quoted a medieval text describing Islam as a religion spread by the sword.

They said the Orthodox priest was abducted Sunday by an unidentified group, which also demanded a ransom.

One extremist group in Turkey, the Grey Wolves, has long focused on

these two Christian faiths. One of their members, Mehmet Ali Agca, shot Pope John Paul II and, in recent years, they are suspected in bombings aimed at Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch will soon celebrate the feast day of St. Andrew together in Muslim Turkey.

The relatives said the priest’s church had already posted signs condemning the pope’s statement.

A similar message was posted again after the abduction.

The priest’s son had apparently been talking with the kidnappers by phone, and had agreed to pay a $40,000 ransom. But contact abruptly ceased Tuesday night. The priest’s decapitated body was found Wednesday in the northern Iraq city of Mosul.

NOVEMBER 2006

Communicating the Faith

Religious Bridge-Builders to Meet in Istanbul As the world continues to move inextricably toward a collision of civilizations, the gathering of two of the world’s most important Christian leaders in Istanbul, Turkey at the end of November may provide the opportunity for building significant religious as well as political bridges among Europe, Christianity, and Islam.

by Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos

In spite of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent remarks on Islam and the controversy that followed, the Vatican has officially confirmed that the pontiff has accepted the personal invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of more than 250 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.

Pope Benedict will spend three days with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of the feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle, who traveled across Asia Minor and is considered the founder of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the Byzantine name for present-day Istanbul.

"We are awaiting the pope's visit with fraternal love and great anticipation,” said the patriarch in late September. “It will be very important for our country and for Catholic-Orthodox relations," Apart from its impact on Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian ties, the meeting of these two influential bridge builders will most certainly influence the current strained relationship between the Western and Muslim worlds. It will also have a profound impact on religious freedom and on the recognition of minority rights in Turkey, a state that ignores, despite international commitments and continued pressure from Europe, a resolution of the European Parliament that urges them to provide religious freedom to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other religious communities and ethnic minorities.

Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch, is the 270th successor of the 2,000 year-old local Christian Church founded by St. Andrew.

In his person, Patriarch Bartholomew represents the memory of the life and sacrifice of the martyred Orthodox Church of the 20th century as experienced over 70 years of communist repression and Turkish rule.

The Patriarch is a living witness to the world of Orthodoxy’s painful and redemptive struggle for religious freedom and to the innate dignity of humankind. As a citizen of Turkey, Patriarch Bartholomew’s personal experience provides him a unique perspective on the continuing dialogue among the Christian, Islamic and Jewish worlds.

He works to advance reconciliation among Catholic, Muslim and Orthodox communities, such as in former Yugoslavia, and is supportive of peace building measures to diffuse global conflict in the region. For his inspiring efforts on behalf of religious freedom and human rights, Patriarch Bartholomew was heralded as a Bridge Builder and awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by the U.S. Congress.

Pope Benedict is the 265th and reigning pope of the Roman Catholic Church, and as such, sovereign of the Vatican City. One of the best-known theologians since the 1960s and a prolific author, Pope Benedict is viewed as a defender of traditional Catholic doctrine and values and of their importance in the survival of Western civilization.

He served as a professor at various German universities, and was a theological consultant at the Second Vatican Council before becoming Archbishop of Munich.

Pope Benedict has emphasized what he sees as a need for Europe to return to fundamental Christian values in response to increasing de-Christianization and secularization in many developed countries.

For this reason, he has identified relativism's denial of objective and moral truths as the central problem of the 21st century.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate, the location of the Nov. 29-Dec. 1 meeting, holds a place of special honor among the world's Orthodox leaders. The future of the Orthodox Church in Turkey, however, is muddled by a number of government policies that require, for one thing, that the ecumenical patriarch must be a Turkish citizen. Orthodox Christians want to be able to elect their religious leader from the church's wider membership, in countries ranging from South Korea to the United States.

Other governmental infringements include the closure of the Patriarchate’s Halki Theological School and the confiscation of religious properties, including that of a historic orphanage. Despite pressure from the European Union and past U.S. administrations, the Turkish government has given no sign of relenting on these and other issues, basic to religious issues.

The visitation of Pope Benedict with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul fortunately comes at a time of increased hostility and misunderstanding between the Christian West and the Muslim world.

Standing in both worlds, the Ecumenical Patriarchate may provide the sure footing that is necessary for these two bridge builders to successfully strengthen ties between religious communities, and help heal global wounds.

HC Extends Cross-Registration Agreement with Boston College BROOKLINE, Mass. – After one year of trial and testing, Hellenic College has officially announced an agreement with Boston College to allow students from each college to register from the course catalog of the other’s school, thereby extending the offerings to students at both institutions.

Under the cross-registration agreement Hellenic College students may take one course per semester at Boston College, and Boston College students can take one course per semester at Hellenic College. Course work is fully credited on students’ transcripts.

This program allows students from

different backgrounds and different faiths to open a dialogue on such subjects as religion, Hellenism, science and technology, management and leadership, and the arts.”

Already more than a dozen students from Hellenic College are taking advantage of the reciprocal arrangement.

Through newly acquired passenger vans, the Brookline students are making the daily commute to the Boston College campus in Newton. A significant number of Boston College students have in turn, regularly appeared on the Brookline campus for both academic and social events.

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Developing a Mentoring Program for Intermarried Couples Father, When I converted to the Orthodox Church, I was helped by two people helped me integrate into the Church and the community. In a few years, I was completely integrated into both. I don’t know what I would have done without them. They are my best friends. I urge you to emphasize my experience in one of your columns to help converts become integrated.

An E-mail respondent

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Like the E-mail respondent whom I have quoted above, most non-Orthodox partners report experiencing some level of culture shock when they first encounter their Greek Orthodox partner’s faith tradition.

They further indicate that the uneasy feelings associated with culture shock, together with the confusion that triggers these feelings, can often make the non-Orthodox partner feel like an “outsider,” and “a second class citizen who really doesn’t matter much.”

In keeping with our Lord’s respectful and welcoming pastoral approach, and without compromising what we believe, we must do all we can to make the non-Orthodox partner feel respected, welcomed and as comfortable as possible in our churches.

My work has taught me that when we embrace such an approach, we are more likely to keep the non-Orthodox partner actively engaged in our communities’ religious and social life.

This approach is also more likely to facilitate a process whereby these couples will consider baptizing, raising and nurturing their children in the Orthodox, and becoming a single-church couple and family.

One strategy that our churches can employ to facilitate these and other similar outcomes is to develop a mentoring program that is designed to help the non-Orthodox partner become more comfortable with the religious traditions, cultural idiosyncrasies and social life of our communities. This article will briefly explain what I mean by (1) defining the term mentor, (2) describe a mentoring program, and (3) provide some direction to communities who are interested in developing such a program.

What is a Mentor?

In my efforts to define what I mean when using the term mentor, I would like to point to another well-established role with which all Orthodox Christians are intimately familiar – the godparent’s role. As many of us know, among the many tasks that the godparent assumes, is as a resource person who helps a newly baptized person grow into a personal understanding of the Orthodox Church’s faith and its numerous religious and cultural traditions.

Godparents also provide role models and support their godchild’s efforts to integrate into the faith tradition. And finally, this role creates additional social interconnects between the baptized person, their family and the community at large.

Mentors, like godparents, fulfill these important functions. Like a godparent, mentors are resource persons who assume change of providing information to the non-Orthodox partner. This information might be related to any number of different questions and concerns.

For example, many non-Orthodox partners are typically confused to the reasons why they can’t receive Holy Communion. Similarly, questions related to the holy icons, infant baptism and married priests are not uncommon. A well-informed mentor can provide information related to these and other concerns and questions.

Mentors might also answer questions related to non-religious concerns. Here are a few typical examples of what I mean.

Am I welcome to help at the festival? Do you have to be Greek Orthodox to help in the bookstore? Who do I see if I’m interested in donating some of my time and talents toward the maintenance and upkeep of the facility?

Mentors ensure that the non-Orthodox partner has at their disposal an insider who can provide information and facilitate interconnections with the community.

These instrumental functions will tend to reduce initial culture shock, and minimize the risk that the non-Orthodox partner will continue to feel “unwelcome” and like “a second class citizen.”

Developing a Mentoring Program

Developing a mentoring program is actually quite simple.

The following are some guidelines that have worked for other communities.

• The concept should be broached and explained at a parish council meeting. The idea behind this is that cooperation between the parish’s leadership and congregation must be enlisted for such a program to be successful.

• Once the parish council sees the value of a mentoring program, with the pastor’s assistance and guidance, and before the recruitment process begins, a committee should be formed in order to plan the preliminary steps. To be more specific, this process will define what qualities a good mentor should have. For example, a suitable mentor might be intermarried, be knowledgeable of our faith tradition and be a familiar, well respected member of the community.

• When the committee has developed a “mentor profile,” this can be publicized in the Church’s newsletter/bulletin. This strategy has two benefits. It makes the community aware of this new ministry.

It also helps the committee identify and recruit interested individuals who will consider becoming a mentor.

• Once these steps are completed, with the knowledge and support of the pastor, the committee can then begin the recruitment process, with the understanding that the pastor and committee will work together to select the most qualified and best suited individuals for this role.

Conclusion

The challenges that non-Orthodox partners encounter in their effort to integrate into our churches are numerous and well documented. Information from the Interfaith Research Project, together with the thousands of intermarried couples with whom I have interfaced suggest that it is not easy for most non-Orthodox partners to integrate into one of our communities. If this is correct, and I believe it is, then we are missing a vital opportunity for outreach and evangelism.

Since most our converts still come from the ranks of those who are intermarried, and since intermarried couples far

  page 20

ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2006

ΕΤΟΣ 71 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1226

Στο Νικόλαο Μπούρα το Αθηναγόρειο Βραβείο 2006 ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Το Αθηναγόρειο Βραβείο του Τάγματος των Αρχόντων του «Αγίου Ανδρέου» του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου απονεμήθηκε φέτος στον Νικόλαο Μπούρα, ήρωα του 2ου Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου, βιομήχανο στο επάγγελμα, με πλούσιο φιλανθρωπικό έργο είναι ένθερμος υποστηρικτής και μέγας ευεργέτης της Ελληνικής Ορθοδόξου Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. Η τελετή της απονομής έγινε κατά τη διάρκεια επισήμου γεύματος στο ξενοδοχείο Hilton της Νέας Υόρκης στις 21 Οκτωβρίου. Την επομένη, στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό Καθεδρικό Ναό της Αγίας Τριάδος πραγματοποιήθηκε η τελετή της χειροθεσίας των νέων αρχόντων από τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο. Με το Αθηναγόρειο Βραβείο τιμήθηκαν στο παρελθόν ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος

ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Ο κ. Μπούρας παραλαμβάνει το βραβείο από τον ∆ρ. Λυμπεράκη και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο ∆ημήτριο, παρουσία των (από αρ.) Γεωρ. Μπεχράκη και τον Γερουσιαστή Σαρμπάνη.

Desmond Tutu, ο πρόεδρος Jimmy Carter, ο πρόεδρος George H. W. Bush και η Barbara Bush, η Μητέρα Teresa, ο

Elie Wiesel, ο Ρώσσος πρόεδρος Mikhail Gorbachev και ο μακαριστός Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ιάκωβος.

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙ ΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥ Κ ΛΙΟΣ 28η Ὀκτωβρίου 2006 Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Ἀκόμη μία φορά, χαιρετοῦμε μέ χαρά τόν ἐρχομό τῆς Εἰκοστῆς Ὀγδόης Ὀκτωβρίου. Ὡς Ἑλληνορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί γνωρίζουμε τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή ὡς Ἡμέρα τοῦ ΟΧΙ. Αὐτό τό ΟΧΙ ἀναφέρεται στήν ἀρνητική ἀπάντηση τήν ὁποία μέ θαρραλέα περιφρόνηση ἀντέταξε τό Ἑλληνικό ἔθνος τό 1940 στίς ἀπαιτήσεις ὑποταγῆς στίς σκοτεινές δυνάμεις τοῦ φασισμοῦ πού σάρωναν τήν Εὐρώπη τήν ἐποχή ἐκείνη. Αὐτή ἡ ἡμέρα εἶναι σημαντική ἐξαιτίας τοῦ παραδείγματος πού ἔδωσε τό ἔθνος τῶν Ἑλλήνων σέ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο. Ἡ περιφρονητική ἀπάντηση τῶν Ἑλλήνων στίς ἀπαιτήσεις τοῦ ἐχθρικοῦ φασιστικοῦ ἐπίδοξου κατακτητῆ ἐξέφραζε τήν ἀναντίρρητη ἠθική ἀξίωση ὅτι ὑπάρχουν συγκεκριμένες ἀξίες στόν κόσμο μας οἱ ὁποῖες εἶναι τόσο πολύτιμες καί ἱερές καί οἱ ὁποῖες ἀσχέτως κόστους δέν τίθενται ὑπό διαπραγμάτευση. Πρόκειται περί τῶν ἀξιῶν τῆς ἐλευθερία ς καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας. Τό Ἑλληνικό ἔθνος ἐγνώριζε τό 1940, ὅπως ὁ κόσμος γνωρίζει σήμερα, ὅτι ὁ Θεός ἀπό τήν ἀγάπη Του γιά τό ἀνθρώπινο γένος ἐχάρισε τά δῶρα τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας ὡς ἀναφαίρετα δικαιώματα στούς ἀνθρώπους ὅλων τῶν πολιτισμῶν, φυλῶν καί θρησκειῶν. Τό δικαίωμα νά ζῇ κάποιος σέ συνθῆκες ἐλευθερίας καί ἀνεξαρτησίας ἀντιπροσωπεύει τό προϊόν μίας ὡραιοτάτης πλουσίας συνθέσεως Ἑλληνισμοῦ καί Χριστιανισμοῦ. Μᾶς ἀφορᾶ ἄμεσα ὡς Ἑλληνορθοδόξους Χριστιανούς διότι εἴμεθα ὑπερήφανοι φορεῖς αὐτῆς τῆς σπουδαιοτάτης καί μοναδικῆς κληρονομίας, τήν ὁποία ὀφείλουμε νά μοιραζόμεθα μέ τούς συνανθρώπους μας. Ἐξετάζοντας τήν ἱστορία τῆς 28ης Ὀκτωβρίου, τῆς Ἡμέρας τοῦ ΟΧΙ, εἶναι φυσικό νά σκεπτόμεθα πρῶτα καί κυριώτερα τούς προγόνους μας καί τίς ἡρωικές πράξεις των στήν Ἑλλάδα τοῦ 1940. Μέ τό ἴδιο ἐνδιαφέρον, ἐρευνώντας βαθύτερα καί τήν δική μας Ἀμερικανική ἱστορία, ἀνακαλύπτουμε μία ἀξιοσημείωτη σύνδεση μέ τήν ἡμερομηνία τῆς 28ης Ὀκτωβρίου. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή, τό 1886, ἔγινε ἕνα σημαντικό γεγονός τό ὁποῖο

συμβόλιζε τίς ἔννοιες τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί ἀνεξαρτησίας. Τήν ἡμέρα ἐκείνη ἔγινε ἡ ἀφιέρωση τοῦ Ἀγάλματος τῆς Ἐλευθερίας στό Ellis Island, στό νησί αὐτό πού ἀποτελοῦσε ἀσφαλές λιμάνι γιά ἑκατοντάδες χιλιάδων μεταναστῶν. Σέ μεγάλο βαθμό, τό γεγονός αὐτό ἐπικύρωνε κατά τόν ἴδιο τρόπο τά βασικά δικαιώματα τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας, καί σήμερα τό Ἄγαλμα τῆς Ἐλευθερίας ἀποτελεῖ μνημεῖο τό ὁποῖο ἐξακολουθεῖ νά διακηρύττῃ αὐτά τά ἴδια ἰδανικά στούς ἀνθρώπους ὅλου τοῦ κόσμου. Καθώς, λοιπόν, ἑορτάζουμε τήν Εἰκοστή-Ὀγδόη Ὀκτωβρίου, σκεπτόμεθα πρῶτα τά γεγονότα τοῦ 1940 στήν Ἑλλάδα καί τό θαρραλέο «ΟΧΙ» τό ὁποῖο βροντοφώνησε τό γενναῖο Ἑλληνικό ἔθνος στό πρόσωπο τῆς φασιστικῆς ἐπιθετικότητος. Ἐνθυμούμεθα τήν ἀσχέτως φοβεροῦ κόστους ἀμετακίνητη στάση τῶν Ἑλλήνων προγόνων μας ὑπέρ τῶν ἰδανικῶν τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας, στάση ἡ ὁποία ὑπαγορευόταν ἀπό τήν Ὀρθόδοξη Χριστιανική πίστη. Δεύτερον, μᾶς δίδεται ἡ εὐκαιρία νά ἐρευνήσουμε βαθύτερα ἀξιοσημείωτα γεγονότα τῆς Ἀμερικανικῆς ἱστορίας τά ὁποῖα ἐπίσης συνέβησαν τήν Εἰκοστή-Ὀγδόη Ὀκτωβρίου. Εἰδικώτερα ἐννοοῦμε τήν ἀφιέρωση τοῦ Ἀγάλματος τῆς Ἐλευθερίας τό 1886, τό ὁποῖο συμβόλιζε αὐτά ἀκριβῶς τά ἰδανικά. Μέσῳ αὐτῆς τῆς νοερῆς διαδικασίας ἀνακαλύπτουμε καί πάλι πολύτιμα σύμβολα καί γεγονότα τῆς ἱστορίας τά ὁποῖα εἶναι γιά μᾶς τούς Ἑλληνορθοδόξους Χριστιανούς καί ταυτόχρονα πολίτες καί κατοίκους τῆς δεύτερης πατρίδας μας Ἀμερικῆς πολύ σημαντικά. Εἴμεθα εὐγνώμονες στόν Θεό ὁ Ὁποῖος μᾶς χαρίζει γεγονότα τά ὁποῖα μᾶς ὑπενθυμίζουν τά πολύτιμα δῶρα τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας. Προσεύχομαι ὁλόθερμα, καθώς ἀναλογιζόμεθα τήν σπουδαιότητα τῆς ἡμέρας αὐτῆς, νά στρέψουμε τήν καρδιά καί τό νοῦ μας στίς ἔννοιες τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας οἱ ὁποῖες ἀποτελοῦν βασικό στοιχεῖο τῆς ταυτότητός μας ὡς Ἑλλήνων Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν καί οἱ ὁποῖες δικαίως ἀνήκουν σέ ὅλους τούς ἀνθρώπους, εἰδικά σέ περιοχές ὅπου αὐτές οἱ ἔννοιες ἀπουσιάζουν. Εἴθε ἡ μόνιμη ἀγάπη καί εἰρήνη τοῦ φιλανθρώπου καί ἐλεήμονος Θεοῦ νά εἶναι μαζί σας πάντοτε.

Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

ÿ ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

Ο Οικ. Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος θα υποδεχθεί τον Πάπα Βενέδικτο ΙΣΤ΄ στο Φανάρι ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ – Ο Παναγιώτατος Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος θα υποδεχθεί τον Πάπα Βενέδικτο ΙΣΤ΄ στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο από 29 έως 30 Νοεμβρίου 2006. Ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος πραγματοποιεί την πρώτη του επίσκεψη στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ανταποκρινόμενος στην πρόσκληση του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαρθολομαίου επ’ ευκαιρία της Θρονικής εορτής του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, εορτής του Αποστόλου Ανδρέου του Πρωτοκλήτου, ιδρυτού της Εκκλησίας της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος αλλά και ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος έχουν εργασθεί για την παγκόσμια ειρήνη δια της ευαγγελικής αλήθειας και αγάπης και έχουν διακριθεί για τις προσπάθειες γεφύρωσης των διαφορών που χωρίζουν την ανθρωπότητα. «Αναμένουμε με αδελφική αγάπη και μεγάλη προσμονή την επίσκεψη του Πάπα», δήλωσε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος, «θα είναι μία επίσκεψη πολύ σημαντική για την Χώρα μας και για τις σχέσεις μεταξύ Ορθοδόξων και Καθολικών». Ο Πάπας θα φθάσει στην Κωνσταντινούπολη, το απόγευμα της Τετάρτης 29 Νοεμβρίου. Θα τον υποδεχθεί ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης και ακολούθως θα μεταβούν στον Πάνσεπτο Πατριαρχικό Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου όπου θα τελεσθεί πανηγυρική Δοξολογία Ειρήνης. Οι δύο ηγέτες θα προσκυνήσουν τα Ιερά Λείψανα των Αγίων Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου και Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου, προκατόχων του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου και θα ακολουθήσει μεταξύ των ιδιωτική συνάντηση. Το πρωί της Πέμπτης 30 Νοεμβρίου, ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος θα παρακολουθήσει την Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία στον Πάνσεπτο Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου. Ακολούθως οι δύο ηγέτες θα απευθύνουν επίσημες προσφωνήσεις, θα ανταλλάξουν τον ασπασμό της Ειρήνης και θα αναγνωσθεί και υπογραφεί κοινή διακήρυξη οικουμενικής αλληλεγγύης. Στη συνέχεια ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης θα παραθέσει γεύμα στον Πατριαρχικό Οίκο προς τιμήν του Πάπα. Την επομένη, Παρασκευή 1η Δεκεμβρίου, ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος θα παρακολουθήσει την Ρωμαιοκαθολική Θεία Λειτουργία που θα τελέσει ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος στο Ρωμαιοκαθολικό Ναό του Αγίου Πνεύματος της Κωνσταντινούπολης. Την ίδια ημέρα ο Πάπας Βενέδικτος θα αναχωρήσει για το Βατικανό. Περισσότερες πληροφορίες για την επίσκεψη του Πάπα στη σελίδα http:// www.patriarchate.org

16

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2006

Α ρχιεπισκοπικη Εγκυκλιοσ Ἑορτή Συνάξεως Ἁγίων Ἀρχαγγέλων Ἀγαπητοί Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ,

8η Νοεμβρίου 2006

Μέ μεγάλη χαρά ἐπικοινωνῶ μαζί σας ἐπ’ εὐκαιρίᾳ τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Συνάξεως τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀρχαγγέλων, μιά ἡμέρα τήν ὁποία ἐπέλεξε ἡ Ἐκκλησία μας γιά νά τιμήσουμε τόν ἐνεργό ρόλο πού ἔχουν στή ζωή μας οἱ μυριᾶδες τῶν μυριάδων καί χιλιᾶδες τῶν χιλιάδων ἀγγέλων, οἱ ὁποῖοι συνεχῶς ἐπαινοῦν καί δοξολογοῦν τόν Θεό (Ἀποκ. Ἰωάννου 5:11-14). Δεδομένου τοῦ ὑψηλοῦ βαθμοῦ προσοχῆς τήν ὁποία προσφέρει στούς ἀγγέλους ἡ σημερινή κοινωνία, ἡ ἡμέρα αὐτή μᾶς δίδει τήν εὐκαιρία νά ἀναλογισθοῦμε τήν ἐξαιρετική πνευματική των ὕπαρξη, ὅπως τήν ἐννοεῖ ἡ Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία μας. Ἡ πρός Ἑβραίους Ἐπιστολή περιγράφει τούς ἁγίους ἀγγέλους ὡς λειτουργικά πνεύματα εἰς διακονίαν ἀποστελλόμενα διά τούς μέλλοντας κληρονομεῖν σωτηρίαν (Ἑβρ. 1:14). Ἡ δέ Ἱερά Παράδοση τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας μας διδάσκει ὅτι κατά τήν βάπτισή μας ἀνατίθεται σέ ἕναν ἄγγελο ἡ φύλαξή μας καθ’ ὅλη τή διάρκεια τῆς ζωῆς μας. Αὐτό σημαίνει ὅτι οἱ ἄγγελοι ἐπιτελοῦν ἔργο ζωτικό, τό ὁποῖο εἶναι σημαντικότατο γιά τή ζωή μας. Μᾶς διακονοῦν διά τῶν ἐνεργειῶν των ὡς ἀγγελιαφόροι τοῦ Θεοῦ καί προστάτες μας. Ὡς ἀναγνώριση αὐτοῦ τοῦ σημαντικοῦ ἔργου καί ἐπ’ εὐκαιρίᾳ τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Συνάξεως τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀρχαγγέλων, ἡ Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή μας ἔχει καθιερώσει μία ὡραία παράδοση νά ἀφιερώνῃ αὐτή τήν ἡμέρα στό ἔργο τοῦ Οἴκου Εὐγηρίας Ἅγιος Μιχαήλ, τοῦ σπουδαίου Ἑλληνορθοδόξου οἴκου εὐγηρίας στίς ΗΠΑ, ὁ ὁποῖος φέρει τό ὄνομα αὐτό πρός τιμήν τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου Μιχαήλ. Ὁ Οἶκος αὐτός ἀποτελεῖ ἐπί 48 καί πλέον ἔτη Ὀρθόδοξο Χριστιανικό καταφύγιο διακονίας, φροντίδος καί ἀξιοπρεπείας γιά ἀνθρώπους ἀπό ὅλη τήν ἐπικράτεια. Καθώς ὁ λειτουργικός προϋπολογισμός τοῦ Οἴκου Εὐγηρίας ἐξαρτᾶται πρωτίστως ἀπό δωρεές τῶν πιστῶν ὅπως ἐσεῖς, ἡ συνεχής στήριξη πού παρέχετε σ’ αὐτή τή ζωτικῆς σημασίας διακονία εἶναι ἄκρως ἀπαραίτητη. Γι’ αὐτόν τόν λόγο, ὡς ἐτήσια προσφορά, οἱ ἐνορίες μας θά περιφέρουν εἰδικό δίσκο γιά τή συγκέντρωση χρημάτων πρός στήριξη τοῦ Οἴκου τοῦ «Ἁγίου Μιχαήλ» αὐτή τήν Κυριακή, 12 Νοεμβρίου. Ἡ οἰκονομική συνδρομή σας θά ὠφελήσῃ στό νά ἀνταποδώσουμε τά πολύτιμα δῶρα τῆς ἀγάπης καί φροντίδος στούς γήινους προστάτες μας, γονεῖς καί συγγενεῖς μας πού διαβιοῦν σήμερα σ’ αὐτόν τόν Οἶκο Εὐγηρίας. Ἐάν θέλετε νά προσφέρετε ἐπιπλέον οἰκονομική ἐνίσχυση παρακαλοῦμε ἀποστείλετε τήν ἐπιταγή σας πληρωτέα στόν Οἶκο Ἁγίου Μιχαήλ στό Γραφεῖο τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς. Οἱ προσφορές σας δέν θά ὠφελήσουν μόνον τούς τροφίμους τοῦ Οἴκου Εὐγηρίας Ἅγιος Μιχαήλ, ἀλλά θά στηρίξουν τήν συνεχιζόμενη ἀνάπτυξη καί ἐξάπλωση αὐτῆς τῆς σημαντικῆς διακονίας γιά τίς ἑπόμενες γενιές. Ἐκφράζω τίς ἐγκάρδιες εὐχαριστίες μου γιά τήν προσφορά στηρίξεως, καί τήν ἐπιμελῆ ἐργασία τοῦ κλήρου, τοῦ διοικητικοῦ συμβουλίου, τοῦ προσωπικοῦ, τῶν ἐθελοντῶν, καί τῶν οἰκογενειῶν πού πράγματι καθιστοῦν τόν Οἶκο Εὐγηρίας Ἅγιος Μιχαήλ ἱερό καί τιμημένο ἵδρυμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας. Καί προσφέρω ἐκ μέρους ὅλων τῶν Ἑλληνορθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν τίς ὁλόθερμες προσευχές μου γιά συνεχῆ φυσική καί πνευματική ὑγεία ὅλων τῶν τροφίμων τοῦ Ἁγίου Μιχαήλ. Ἐπίσης, προσεύχομαι ἡ θεϊκή προστασία τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀρχαγγέλων νά εἶναι μαζί σας αὐτή τήν ἡμέρα καί κάθε ἡμέρα τῆς ζωῆς σας.

Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

ÿ ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

«Στο ίδιο μήκος κύματος...» Ο Υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών αρμόδιος για θέματα Απόδημου Ελληνισμού κ. Θεόδωρος Κασσίμης, κατά τη διάρκεια της παραμονής του στη Νέα Υόρκη, επισκέφθηκε τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο. Μετά το πέρας της συνάντησης ο κ. Θ. Κασσίμης και ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος κ. Δημήτριος προέβησαν σε δηλώσεις στους εκπροσώπους των ελληνικών και ομογενειακών ΜΜΕ. ΥΦΥΠΕΞ κ. Θ. Κασσίμης: Θέλω να πω ότι με χαρά και συγκίνηση ήρθα να επισκεφθώ τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο, να τον ενημερώσω για το μέχρι σήμερα ταξίδι μου στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες, αλ λά πάνω απ’ όλα να πάρω τη γνώμη του και τη συμβουλή του για την ενίσχυση των δράσεων που θέλουμε να προγραμματίσουμε στις ΗΠΑ, όσον αφορά στο θέμα της εκμάθησης της γλώσσας, του πολιτισμού και της ενίσχυσης των δεσμών των Ελλήνων των νέων γενεών της Αμερικής με την Ελλάδα. Παράλληλα ενημερώθηκα για την πορεία της ελληνικής κοινότητας στις ΗΠΑ, για τη δράση των σχολείων τα οποία κάνουν εκπληκτική δουλειά. Πραγματικά σε όλα τα σχολεία που επισκέφθηκα, έφυγα ενθουσιασμένος και συγκινημένος για την δουλειά η οποία γίνεται. Συζητήσαμε τις πολύ ωραίες προτάσεις του Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής, όσον αφορά τους τρόπους για να φέρουμε πιο πολλά παιδιά στην Ελλάδα. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος πιστεύει ότι όσο πιο πολλά ελληνόπουλα της Αμερικής επισκέπτονται την πατρίδα, τόσο πιο πολύ αυξάνεται ο σύνδεσμος. Συζητήσαμε, τις δυνατότητες... και θέλω να πιστεύω ότι θα μπορέσει και η Ελ ληνική Πολιτεία να ενισχύσει τις δράσεις που πραγματοποιούνται από την Αρχιεπισκοπή και από όλες τις ελληνικές οργανώσεις για να ένα καλύτερο αποτέλεσμα σ’ αυτό που επιδιώκουμε. Επιδιώκουμε όχι μόνο την ενίσχυση των δεσμών, αλλά και ο ελληνικός πολιτισμός και το ελληνο-ορθόδοξο πνεύμα να περάσει και στην αμερικανική κοινωνία. Αυτό επιτυγχάνεται με τη δράση των Ελλήνων, με τον τρόπο που λειτουργούν και συμπεριφέρονται στην μεγάλη αμερικανική κοινωνία. Νομίζω ότι η δουλειά η οποία γίνεται εδώ είναι πάρα πολύ σημαντική. Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος: Ευχαριστώ ιδιαιτέρως τον κύριο Υπουργό για την σημερινή επίσκεψη. Όπως τον ενημέρωσα επέστρεψα χθες από την δυτική ακτή των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών, από τον Άγιο Φραγκίσκο και το Λος Άντζελες. Ο κύριος Υπουργός ήταν εκεί και οι άνθρωποι, μου είπαν ότι τον είδαν και τους άκουσε με πολύ προ-

σοχή. Επομένως κατά τη σημερινή μας συνάντηση είχαμε τη δυνατότητα μιας πολύ ουσιαστικής συζητήσεως για θέματα, όπως ανέφερε ο ίδιος, που έχουν σχέση με την πολιτιστική, παιδευτική και την εκκλησιαστική κατάσταση τόσο στην Αμερική όσο και γενικότερα. Θίξαμε θέματα που αφορούν την Ορθοδοξία σε όλο τον κόσμο και ιδιαιτέρως σε ορισμένες περιοχές των Πατριαρχείων που έχουν ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες. Είναι πάρα πολύ σημαντικό όταν έχουμε τέτοιου είδους επισκέψεις, από τους αρμοδίους της Ελληνικής Πολιτείας για τον χειρισμό θεμάτων Ελλήνων του εξωτερικού, διότι υπάρχει η δυνατότητα συνεννόησης, κατανόησης και συντονισμού των ενεργειών για να υπάρξει μεγιστοποίηση των δυνατοτήτων που έχουμε. Θέλω να τονίσω ότι οι δυνατότητες μας, δεν είναι δυνατότητες επιβίωσης του ελληνικού στοιχείου ή των ελληνικών γραμμάτων, της γλώσσης, και των πολιτιστικών γνώσεων. Δεν είμεθα απλώς για να επιβιώσουμε, αυτό είναι μια πολύ μινιμαλιστική άποψη για μας. Εμείς θέλουμε να δώσουμε ως Ορθοδοξία και ως Ελ ληνισμός κάτι το οποίο θα είναι ότι ωραιότερο, ότι καλύτερο. Έχουμε τη δυνατότητα να περάσουμε από τις θεωρίες περί επιβιώσεως, σε θεωρίες περί της αποστολής που έχουμε. Να δώσουμε αυτό που έχουμε στα χέρια μας, το οποίο δεν μπορούμε να το παζαρεύουμε ή να το μειώνουμε για λόγους οι οποίοι είναι γνωστοί ή άγνωστοι σε πολλούς ή σε λίγους. Ευχαριστώ ιδιαιτέρως τον κύριο Υπουργό γιατί και σήμερα μας έδωσε αυτό το στίγμα, το στοιχείο μιας δυνατότητας να κάνουμε ως Ελληνισμός και ως Ορθοδοξία στην Αμερική κάτι το οποίο θα θέσει μια έντονη σφραγίδα στην εδώ κοινωνία και στην εδώ ζωή. ΥΦΥΠΕΞ κ. Θ. Κασσίμης: Τον ευχαριστώ και εγώ ιδιαίτερα γιατί πολλές σκέψεις μου επιβεβαιώθηκαν και αυτό αν θέλετε μου δίνει μεγαλύτερη διάθεση και χαρά. Είμαστε όπως απλά λέγεται, στο «ίδιο μήκος κύματος» για το τι μπορούμε και πως μπορούμε να το κάνουμε. Σε ερώτηση δημοσιογράφου σχετικά με τις επισκέψεις του Υπουργού στα Ελληνικά Σχολεία ο κ. Κασσίμης απήντησε: Θέλω να πω μόνο ότι δεν εξεπλάγην, διότι ήξερα τι δουλειά γίνεται, αλλά εντυπωσιάστηκα και συγκινήθηκα. Το λέω ειλικρινώς, θα έπρεπε να ήσασταν εκεί για να αισθανθείτε όπως αισθάνθηκα και εγώ. Γίνεται μια πολύ αξιόλογη δουλειά, πάρα πολύ σημαντική για την Ελλάδα, για την Ορθοδοξία...

ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2006

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ΕΚΛΟΓΗ ΝΕΟΥ ΒΟΗΘΟΥ ΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΥ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος ανακοινώνει εξ ονόματος της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου την υπό της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου παμψηφεί εκλογή του Πανοσιολογιωτάτου Αρχιμανδρίτου κ. Δημητρίου Καντζαβέλου, Πρωτοσυγκέλλου της Ι. Μητροπόλεως Σικάγου, εις βοηθόν Επίσκοπον παρά τη Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής «διά τάς ἀνάγκας

«Ἱερώτατον Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Ἀμερικῆς κ. Δημήτριον Εἰς Ν. Ὑόρκην,

Άμα τη αναγγελία της εκλογής, ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος είπε:

Γνωρίζοµεν ὑµετέρᾳ ἀγαπητῇ Ἱερότητι ὅτι ψήφων κανονικῶν γενοµένων ἐν Πανσέπτῳ Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ ὁ Ὁσιολ. Ἀρχιµανδρίτης κ. ∆ηµήτριος Καντζάβελος ἐξελέγη παµψηφεί βοηθός Ἐπίσκοπος παρά τῇ Ἱερᾷ Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ Ἀµερικῆς διά τάς ἀνάγκας ἐπί τοῦ παρόντος τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως Σικάγου, ὑπό ψιλόν τίτλον πάλαι ποτέ διαλαµψάσης Ἐπισκοπῆς Μωκησσοῦ. Συγχαίροµεν. Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµαῖος Φανάριον 30.10.2006»

Η εκ του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου αναγγελία της εκλογής έχει ως ακολούθως:

Η τελετή του Μεγάλου μηνύματος του εμψηφισμένου επισκόπου θα πραγματοποιηθεί στο παρεκκλήσιο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής στις 3:30 μμ της 7ης Δεκεμβρίου 2006 και η εις επίσκοπον χειροτονία του στον Καθεδρικό Ναό της Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου στο Σικάγο, το Σάββατο 9 Δεκεμβρίου.

ἐπί τοῦ παρόντος τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως Σικάγου, ὑπό ψιλόν τίτλον πάλαι ποτέ διαλαμψάσης Ἐπισκοπῆς Μωκησσοῦ».

«Συγχαίρω τον νεοεκλεγέντα Επίσκοπο και εύχομαι εγκαρδίως καρποφόρο και δημιουργική διακονία εις τη νέα του ιερωτάτη αποστολή και μόνιμο τη συμπαράσταση του Θεού εις το έργο του προς οικοδομή της Εκκλησίας και δόξα Θεού».

Ο Υπουργός Επικρατείας στην Αρχιεπισκοπή

Ο υπουργός Επικρατείας και κυβερνητικός εκπρόσωπος, Θεόδωρος Ρουσόπουλος, επισκέφθηκε την Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής, και συναντήθηκε με τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο κ. Δημήτριο. Στη συνάντηση ήταν παρόντες η γενική πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στη Νέα Υόρκη Αικατερίνη Μπούρα και η διευθύντρια του Γραφείου του Υπουργού Αμαλία Κυπαρίσση. Συζητήθηκαν θέματα που αφορούν την ελληνοαμερικανική κοινότητα, τις σχέσεις της Ομογένειας με τη γενέτειρα και γενικότερα τον Ελληνισμό και την Ορθοδοξία. Ο κ. Ρουσσόπουλος βρέθηκε στη Νέα Υόρκη εκπροσωπόντας την κυβέρνηση στους εορτασμούς του Οργανισμού Ηνωμένων Εθνών για τα 61 χρόνια του, είχε την ευκαιρία να έχει επαφές με αξιωματούχους του Οργανισμού, δημοσιογράφους και στελέχη της ελληνοαμερικανικής κοινότητας.

ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Ο κ. Ρουσόπουλος παρακάθησε την Πέμπτη σε γεύμα που παρέθεσε προς τιμήν του ο μόνιμος αντιπρόσωπος της Ελλάδας στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη, πρέσβης Αδαμάντιος Βασιλάκης. Στο γεύμα παραβρέθηκαν ο βοηθός γενικός γραμματέας του ΟΗΕ, αρμόδιος για θέματα Επικοινωνίας και Δημόσιας Πληροφόρησης, Σάσι Ταρούρ, ο πρόεδρος της ΕΡΤ Χρήστος Παναγόπουλος, ο πρόεδρος του Κοινωφελούς Ιδρύματος “Αλέξανδρος Σ. Ωνάσης” Αντώνης Παπαδημητρίου και Αμερικανοί δημοσιογράφοι διαπιστευμένοι στα Ηνωμένα Έθνη. Επίσης ο κ. Ρουσόπουλος παραβρέθηκε και χαιρέτησε τη δεύτερη συναυλία της Συμφωνικής Ορχήστρας της ΕΡΤ στο Λίνκολν Σέντερ του Μανχάταν, που πραγματοποιήθηκε με τη χορηγία του Ιδρύματος Αλέξανδρος Σ. Ωνάσης, στο πλαίσιο των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων για την Ημέρα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών.

Για ερωτήματα σχετικά με τον Κανονισμό για θέματα επιλήψιμης σεξουαλικής συμπεριφοράς κληρικών της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής ή για σχετικές καταγγελίες καλέστε χωρίς χρέωση τον ειδικό αριθμό (877) 544-3382 Όλες οι καταγγελίες θα ληφθούν σοβαρά υπ’ όψιν και θα διερευνηθούν πλήρως και με απόλυτη αμεροληψία. Μπορείτε να μιλήσετε Αγγλικά ή Ελληνικά σε εθελοντή ή εθελόντρια.

Στο τεύχος Νοεμβρίου του βραβευμένου περιοδικού United Hemispheres, το οποίο εκδίδεται από την αμερικανική αεροπορική εταιρία United Airlines και διανέμεται στους επιβάτες της κατά την διάρκεια των πτήσεών της, δημοσιεύεται άρθρο του Tom Mueller, με τίτλο «Greek to me». Επισημαίνουμε ότι σύμφωνα με τον δικτυακό τόπο του περιοδικού (http://w w w. hemispheresmagazine.com) η αναγνωσιμότητά του (σύμφωνα με ίδιες εκτιμήσεις) ξεπερνά τα δύο εκατομμύρια μηνιαίως. Ο συγγραφέας παραθέτει την προσωπική του εμπειρία όσον αφορά την εκμάθησης της αρχαίας ελληνικής, εκφράζοντας τον θαυμασμό του για τον πλούτο της γλώσσας αυτής και την οξύνοια των αρχαίων Ελλήνων. Έναυσμα για την ενασχόλησή του με την αρχαία ελληνική γραμματεία αποτέλεσε η μελέτη της Ιλιάδας, το πιο γνωστό και με την μεγαλύτερη επιρροή στο σύγχρονο κόσμο αρχαίο ποίημα. Αρχικά, κάνει λόγο για τις ιδιαιτερότητες της αρχαιοελληνικής γραμματικής, αναφερόμενος στην μοναδική χρήση των μετοχών, της μέσης φωνής, της ευκτικής και των ανωμάλων ρημάτων. Η πολυπλοκότητα της δομής και η πυκνότητα των νοημάτων ήταν το κίνητρο για να εμβαθύνει στον κόσμο της αρχαίας ελληνικής γραμματείας. Στη συνέχεια άρχισε να ανακαλύπτει το τρόπο με τον οποίο οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες συνέλαβαν τον κόσμο και την ανεξίτηλη σφραγίδα που έχουν αφήσει στο σύγχρονο δυτικό πολιτισμό,

απόδειξη για την οποία αποτελεί η χρήση αρχαιοελληνικών λέξεων στην ιατρική, τη φυσική ιστορία και τη φιλοσοφία. Εν συνεχεία, κάνει λόγο για τις μεταφράσεις των αρχαίων ελληνικών κειμένων. Σύμφωνος με τη ιταλική ρήση «traduttore traditore», υποστηρίζει όσο καλή και να είναι μια μετάφραση δεν είναι δυνατόν να αποδώσει το πλήρες νόημα του κειμένου δεδομένων των πολλαπλών εννοιών που απαντώνται στα περισσότερα από αυτά. Ο μόνος τρόπος να διεισδύσει κανείς στον κόσμο των αρχαίων Ελλήνων συγγραφέων είναι η μελέτη της αρχαίας ελληνικής γραμματείας στο πρωτότυπο. Τέλος, θέτει το ζήτημα της σκοπιμότητας μελέτης μιας γλώσσας, η οποία δε χρησιμοποιείται πλέον. Ακόμα και αν υποστηρίξει κανείς ότι πολλά σε επίπεδο επιστημών έχουν ξεπεραστεί από τη σύγχρονη επιστήμη, παραμένει αδιαμφισβήτητο το γεγονός ότι οι αρχαίοι Έλληνες υπήρξαν πρωτοπόροι στη φιλοσοφία, τις κοινωνικές και πολιτικές επιστήμες δεδομένου ότι η σύλληψη των περισσοτέρων βασικών εννοιών των επιστημών αυτών αποδίδεται σε αυτούς. Η ανά τους αιώνες αναδρομή στην αρχαία ελληνική γραμματεία αποδεικνύει την διεισδυτική ματιά των αρχαίων Ελλήνων για τον κόσμο και τις ανθρωπιστικές επιστήμες. Σημ: Το πλήρες κείμενο μπορεί να αναζητηθεί στον δικτυακό τόπο http:// www.hemispheresmagazine.com

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

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Από 1 Νοεμβρίου 2006 έως 31 Μαρτίου 2007 Εκτός από 16-24 Δεκεμβρίου 2006

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Από 1 Νοεμβρίου 2006 έως 31 Μαρτίου 2007 Εκτός από 16-24 Δεκεμβρίου 2006

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ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2006

Περιοδεία Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη σε Λέσβο και Σάμο Tο μήνυμα της ελληνοτουρκικής φιλίας και των δίκαιων της ελληνικής μειονότητας στην Kωνσταντινούπολη μετέφερε, κατά την πρόσφατη περιοδεία του στο Aιγαίο ο Oικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος.

Στη Λέσβο H περιοδεία του Oικουμενικού Πατριάρχη ξεκίνησε από το νησί της Λέσβου με αφορμή τις εκδηλώσεις για τα 200 χρόνια από τα εγκαίνια του τρίτου ναού του Προσκυνήματος της Παναγίας στην ορεινή Aγιάσο, μετά από πρόσκληση της Μητρόπολης Μυτιλήνης και της Νομαρχιακής Αυτοδιοίκησης Λέσβου. Συνοδευόμενος από τους Μητροπολίτες Σεβαστείας Δημήτριο, Μυριοφύτου και Περιστάσεως Ειρηναίο και Αγίου Φραγκίσκου Γεράσιμο ο Παναγιώτατος έφθασε στο αεροδρόμιο Μυτιλήνης με ειδική πτήση από την Κωνσταντινούπολη. Τον υποδέχθηκαν ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, ο Μητροπολίτης Μυτιλήνης Ιάκωβος, ο υπουργός Αιγαίου

είχε η ανάβαση στην κορυφή του όρους Όλυμπος, του ψηλότερου βουνού του νησιού όπου ο Παναγιώτατος απελευθέρωσε άγρια θη­ ράματα, όπως και η επίσκεψη στην Ιερά Μονή του Αγίου Ραφαήλ. Ο Πατριάρχης θεμελίωσε τον Ιερό Ναό του Μετοχίου του Προφήτη Ηλία της Ιεράς ΔΗΜ. ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ Μονής Υψηλού, Ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Χριστόδουλο. όπου και ενέδυσε Αριστοτέλης Παυλίδης και ο ευρωβουλευ- τους πρώτους καλογέρους του και κατέθετής Νίκος Σηφουνάκης. σε στεφάνι στο άγαλμα της ΜικρασιάτισΚατά τη διάρκεια της επίσκεψής του σας Μάνας. στη Λέσβο ο Παναγιώτατος εγκαινίασε το Από τη Λέσβο ο Οικουμενικός ΠατριΜουσείο Μικρασιατικού Ελληνισμού στη άρχης μίλησε υπέρ της προσέγγισης Σκάλα Λουτρών. Ξεχωριστό ενδιαφέρον Eλλήνων και Tούρκων. Στην ομιλία του

στη Λέσχη Aξιωματικών λίγο πριν αναχωρήσει από τη Mυτιλήνη για τη Σάμο σημείωσε: «Eιλικρινώς επιθυμούμε την ελληνοτουρκική φιλία και συνεργασία. Διά την επίτευξιν της οποίας και την εδραίωσιν πάντοτε προσευχόμεθα. Kαι διά την οποίαν έχομεν εκφραστεί κατ’ επανάληψιν. Xαίρομεν οσάκις βλέπομεν να σημειώνονται βήματα προς την κατεύθυνσιν προαγωγής και σταθεροποιήσεως αυτής της φιλίας και της δημιουργικής συνεργασίας των δύο γειτόνων λαών».

Στη Σάμο

Τον προκαθήμενο της Ορθοδοξίας υποδέχθηκαν στο αεροδρόμιο της Σάμου ο Aρχιεπίσκοπος Αθηνών και Πάσης Ελλάδος Χριστόδουλος, ο υπουργός Aιγαίου Aριστοτέλης Παυλίδης, ο Μητροπολίτης Σάμου-Ικαρίας Ευσέβιος και οι τοπικές αρχές. O κ. Bαρθολομαίος επισκέφθηκε την πρωτεύουσα Bαθύ, το Kαρλόβασι, το Πυθαγόρειο και τον Μαραθόκαμπο, οι αρχές των οποίων τον ανακήρυξαν επίτιμο δημότη και του επέδωσαν τα χρυσά μετάλλια των πόλεων τους.

ΕΓΚΑΙΝΙΑΣΤΗΚΕ ΤΟ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΑΚΙ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑΣ ΣΟΥΜΕΛΑ Γουέστ Μίλφορντ, Νέα Ιερσέη. – Mετά από 24 χρόνια λειτουργίας του Ιερού Ιδρύματος «Παναγία Σουμελά» οι Πόντιοι της Αμερικής γιόρτασαν την Μεγαλόχαρη σε νέο ιδιόκτητο χώρο που συμπεριλαμβάνει και παρεκκλήσι και αναβίωσαν τα πατροπαράδοτα έθιμα του Πόντου, ενωμένοι και ατενίζοντας το μέλλον με αισιοδοξία. Το προσκύνημα είναι το μοναδικό στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες αφιερωμένο στην Παναγία Σουμελά. Στον αγιασμό και τα θυρανοίξια του νέου παρεκκλησίου που βρίσκεται στο Γουέστ Μίλφορντ χοροστάτησε ο Μητροπολίτης Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελος. Ο κ. Ευάγγελος προέστη στη Θεία Λειτουργία συλλειτουργούντος του ποντιακής καταγωγής Επισκόπου Φασιανής κ. Αντωνίου. Το οικόπεδο στο οποίο βρίσκεται το νέο προσκύνημα αγοράστηκε από το ομώνυμο Ιερό Ιδρυμα τον περασμένο Φεβρουάριο. Ο χώρος περιλαμβάνει οικία, πολιτιστικό κέντρο και παρεκκλήσι. Πόντιοι από την Βοστώνη, τη Νέα Υόρκη, τη Νέα Ιερσέη, τη Φιλαδέλφεια, το Τορόντο και το Ώλμπανι, συνέρρευσαν για να γιορτάσουν τη μνήμη της Κοίμησης της Θεοτόκου. Μετά τον αγιασμό και την ακολουθία των θυρανοιξίων εψάλη εσπερινός και ακολούθησε η λιτάνευση της εικόνας της Παναγίας Σουμελά, πιστό αντίγραφο της θαυματουργής εικόνας που φιλοτέχνησε ο Ευαγγελιστής Λουκάς και φυλάσσεται στην ομώνυμη μονή στο όρος Βέρμιο, στο νομό Ημαθείας. Το ίδιο βράδυ στήθηκε παραδοσιακό ποντιακό γλέντι με τη συνοδεία ποντιακής λύρας και την παρουσία του χορευτικού συγκροτήματος του Ποντιακού Συλλόγου «Πόντος» του Κονέκτικατ. Στη Θεία Λειτουργία και τις εορταστικές εκδηλώσεις παρευρέθηκε η Γενική Πρόξενος της Ελλάδας στη Νέα Υόρκη κ. Αικατερίνη Μπούρα και ο Πρόεδρος της Παμποντιακής Ομοσπονδίας κ. Ηλίας Τσεκερίδης. Ο Μητροπολίτης κ. Ευάγγελος καλωσόρισε τους προσκηνυτές και συνεχάρη τους υπεύθυνους του ιδρύματος για την απόκτηση ιδιόκτητου χώρου,

Ο ΜΗΤΡΟΠΟΛΙΤΗΣ κ. ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΟΣ ΤΕΛΕΣΕ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΑΣΜΟ ΚΑΙ ΤΑ ΘΥΡΑΝΟΙΞΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΡΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΟΥ ΤΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΙΑΣ ΤΩΝ ΠΟΝΤΙΩΝ

ETA PRESS

Λιτάνευση της εικόνας της Παναγίας Σουμελά στον χώρο γύρω από το νέο παρεκκλήσι.

ETA PRESS

Στη Θεία Λειτουργία, την Κυριακή, χοροστάτησε ο Μητροπολίτης Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελος βοηθούμενος από τον Επίσκοπο Φασιανής κ. Αντώνιο, τον Αρχιμανδρίτη Χρύσανθο Ζώη και τον Πρωτοσύγκελο της Μητροπόλεως π. Ανάργυρο Σταυρόπουλο.

ενώ επεσήμανε ότι πνευματικός σύμβουλος του Ιερού Ιδρύματος «Παναγία Σουμελά» Ποντίων Αμερικής είναι ο επίσκοπος Φασιανής κ. Αντώνιος. Επί πολλά χρόνια πνευματικός σύμβουλος του ιδρύματος διετέλεσε και ο Επίσκοπος Μελόης κ. Φιλόθεος. Ο κ. Ευάγγελος πρόσφερε ως δώρο στον πρόεδρο του Ιερού Ιδρύματος δρα. Χαράλαμπο Βασιλειάδη μια εικόνα του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Χρυσοστόμου, προστάτη της Μητροπόλεως Νέας Ιερσέης, ευχόμενος καλή επιτυχία στους σκοπούς του ιδρύματος. Ακολούθησε η λιτάνευση της ιερής εικόνας. Στην συνέχεια παρετέθη γεύμα στην ύπαιθρο προς τιμή των προσκεκλημένων. Στον χαιρετισμό της η Γενική Πρόξενος συνεχάρη το Δ.Σ. του Ιδρύματος για την πρωτοβουλία του να αγοραστεί οικόπεδο για να στεγαστεί εκεί η μονή της Παναγίας Σουμελά του Νέου Κόσμου. Η κ. Αικατερίνη Μπούρα τόνισε ότι οι Πόντιοι παρέμειναν πιστοί στην παράδοση και με επιμονή και δημιουργικότητα κατάφεραν να μας κάνουν περήφανους και αισιόδοξους για το μέλλον. Ο Πρόεδρος της Παμποντιακής Ομοσπονδίας κ. Ηλίας Τσεκερίδης, εξέφρασε την ικανοποίηση και την χαρά των Ποντίων Αμερικής και Καναδά για την δημιουργία μόνιμου προσκηνύματος, πρόσφερε δε ως δώρο στο ίδρυμα ένα πίνακα ζωγραφικής που φιλοτέχνησε ομογενής καλλιτέχνης και απεικονίζει την ιστορική μονή της Παναγίας Σουμελά στον Πόντο. Ο πρόεδρος του Ιερού Ιδρύματος δρ. Χαράλαμπος Βασιλειάδης υπογράμμισε στην ομιλία του ότι πρόκειται για μια ιστορική στιγμή της ποντιακής ρωμιοσύνης στην Αμερική. Ο κ. Βασιλειάδης αναφέρθηκε και στην υλοποίηση των στόχων του Δ.Σ. για τη νέα μονή και ζήτησε τη συνεργασία όλων για την ολοκλήρωση του έργου. Τόνισε ακόμη ότι πρέπει να συνεχιστούν οι προσπάθειες για την διαμόρφωση του χώρου. Οι εγκαταστάσεις του προσκυνήματος «Παναγία Σουμελά» βρίσκονται στη διεύθυνση 253 Marshall Hill Road, West Milford, NJ 07480. Η ταχυδρομική διεύθυνση είναι: P.O. Box 5232, Woolsey Station, Astoria, NY 11105-5232.

19

NOVEMBER 2006

PEOPLE Small Community Finds a Haven in Connecticut City

Honoring Judge

The Hellenic Lawyers Association plans to honor Senior Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas of the United States Court of International Trade for his 20 years on the federal bench.

He was appointed to the court in 1985 by President Reagan.

Previously, he was a state Supreme Court Justice in Kings and Queens counties in New York and had presided over the “Son of Sam” trial. Judge Tsoucalas also is a member of the Order of St. AndrewArchons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and former member of the Archdiocesan Council.

Katsoris book CD

Some of today’s most successful celebrities have joined together in a new children’s book/CD project to help children discover that they can choose to be whatever they want in life. In “Growing Up With Loukoumi” by Nick Katsoris, a lamb named Loukoumi (Greek for “sweet”) struggles with what she wants to be when she grows up. The CD version of the book features the voices of singing legend Gloria Gaynor, (Grammy Award winner for “I Will Survive”) Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, national CBS correspondent and MarketWatch anchor Alexis Christoforous, American Idol Heartthrob Constantine Maroulis of American Idol fame, and Guiding Light actor Frank Dicopoulos. Growing Up With Loukoumi will also be translated with a narration by Greek pop superstar Anna Vissi.

National award

The choir director of the Church of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville N.Y., Demetrios Pappas, received a major award from a national inter-Christian music organization on Oct. 1. The award was presented to Mr Pappas after the Sunday Liturgy by Dr. Vicki Pappas, chairwoman of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians who came from Indiana to personally present the honor.

Leadership award

Lisa Gerontes Bowe, past president and current vice president of the All Saints Philoptochos chapter in Peoria, Ill., is the recent recipient of the 25 Women in Leadership Award from the Peoria Chamber of Commerce, The Marketeer Magazine and Week TV-25. The award recognizes women who have demonstrated dedication to the betterment of themselves, their family, their company, and their community at large.

Eagle status In a formal ceremony before family and friends, Jonathan C. Limberakis was elevated to the rank of Eagle Scout of BSA Troop 542. Jonathan is the son of Dr. Cary and Alexis Limberakis and the brother of Alyssa, Jaclyn and Kyra of Ambler. His grandparents are Fr. John and Presbytera Elizabeth Limberakis and Jack and Dolly Demetris. Jonathan received the BSA Alpha Omega Eastern Orthodox medal and the John Allemang Memorial Award for his outstanding performance in the Troop.

After having accumulated 37 merit badges, his ascent to Eagle culminated with the completion of his 185 man-hours service project in which he directed the reconstruction of the Bird Blind feeding area at a local park for environmental studies.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. – More than 20 years ago, the Greek Orthodox parish in Connecticut’s second largest city was known as St. Barbara’s.

It was a much larger church located in downtown New Haven, which had been undergoing a steady decline for several decades.

Many of the congregants decided they wanted to move St. Barbara’s Church to the suburbs. They established the church in Orange, about 10 miles west of New Haven. The remaining parishioners, who favored keeping the church in downtown New Haven, near

P A R I S H

constructed. “In a few short years we’re going to build a church building next to the hall,” Fr. Don said.

Until two years ago, when Fr. Don was assigned, the community was served by supply priests from the Archdiocese who had no parish of their own but served in other capacities and as assistant priests.

“The church lacked a pastor’s oversight,” he said.

Fr. Don was one such priest who substituted for a few Sundays before being assigned permanently.

A native of Warren, Ohio, Fr. Don enrolled at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary

assistant priest under Fr. Chris Maniudakis, where he served for 10 years.

Upon being assigned to New Haven, Fr. Don realized that the church needed someone with his skills. The church lacked many basic accoutrements necessary to function properly.

“I think God sent me there because they needed a carpenter,” he said.

He set about to build storage cabinets, shelves in the altar, a wall to separate a storage area from the altar, and cabinets for vestments and the amplification system.

The carpenter-priest refinished

p ro f i l e

Name: St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church Location: New Haven, Conn.

Metropolis: Archdiocese District Size: about 40 stewards Founded: 1986 Clergy: Fr. Donat Augusta (St. Vladimir’s ’70) E-mail: frdonataugusta@mail.goarch.org Noteworthy: a REALLY small community St. BASIL THE GREAT GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Yale University where many of them in Crestwood, N.Y. and was ordained in work, purchased a plot of land at the 1970 after graduation. He is of “Russyn” new community’s present location on background. His family comes from the Tower Lane, near the university. western Ukraine and eastern Slovakia, in While everyone automatically as- the Carpathian Mountain region. sociates New Haven with Yale, the city He served various churches in Cona true college town, services as the loca- necticut under the jurisdiction of the tion of five other institutions of higher Orthodox Church of America for 25 years, learning: the University of New Haven, including parishes in Willimantic, Norwich Southern Connecticut State University, and Hartford.

Quinnipiac University, Albertus MaxiFr. Don lives in West Hartford, about mus College and Gateway Community 45 minutes north of New Haven.

College.

He left the large OCA parish in HartFr. Donat Augusta, who has served ford for the position at Middlesex Comas the parish’s permanent pastor the past munity College in 1994, but continued two years, is a priest to serve part-time in with a lay profession. various parishes.

His weekday job is as Along the way, a graphic artist in the he has always supplemarketing and public mented his income relations department with various jobs in of Middlesex Commuthe secular world nity College in Midwith skills mostly NEW HAVEN dletown, Conn., on self-taught. Fr. Don Interstate 91 about first worked as a carhalf-way between penter, and also has New Haven and been a plumber, electrician and Hartford. auto mechanic at various times. “I’m the “Fr. Don”, as he is known only priest I know who has rebuilt a car to his parishioners, said that among engine,” he said. those who wanted to have a presence “I always enjoyed church work and near Yale was the current parish council secular work,” he explained. “I find it president, Dr. Spyros Condos, because challenging. I keep my skills honed and “a large part of the community was con- perfected.” nected with Yale.”

Fr. Don has an artistic side. He likes to Dr. Condos, one of the found- paint in water colors and acrylics and has ers of St. Basil's Church, is a native considerable skill as a photographer. Two of Greece. He is a Ph.D. in medical of his photographs appearing in publicaresearch and was the head of the re- tions of his college have won awards. search lab at Yale. In his career he and For 25 years he also operated a small his team perfected the heart transplant print shop, while for 26 years he hosted a procedure. He retired from Yale and 15-minute radio program in Hartford, the serves as a consultant to the Greek gov- Voice of Orthodoxy on WJMJ 107.1 FM. ernment, traveling there on occasion.

The program still airs on tape at 1:15 p.m.

The members soon built the cur- on Sundays. rent building to serve as a hall. It also After leaving the OCA parish in Hartfunctions as the church until a Byz- ford, he attended St. George Greek Orthoantine-style house of worship can be dox Church there and was named part-time

the altar, and built an oblation table, gospel stand, censor stand and the Royal Doors.

He painted the interior and made other renovations. With his wife, Janet, a school teacher, he faux-painted the iconostasion with a gold and greenish finish to give the icons a proper background.

He also installed a microwave in the kitchen of the hall area.

“They needed a priest who had those trade skills,” he said.

“The parishioners feel good about themselves,” Fr. Don said of the members’ attitude toward their parish.

During Sunday services, Fr. Don, though not a native Greek speaker (he studied Greek at seminary) does the Orthros service in Greek, and the Divine Liturgy in Greek and English. “I’m not fluent (in Greek) but that’s acceptable to the parish,” he said.

Congregational singing is encouraged and there is a full-time cantor.

“I want people to participate and encourage people to receive communion,” said Fr. Don. The parish has mostly Greek-born members, many from Thessaloniki, and “a good contingency of faculty and students,” the priest said. Members include “six or eight physicians and cardiologists and he estimated that a high percentage of parishioners have Ph.D’s.

The community has a Greek school with 12 students and three teachers.

Classes are held every Thursday.

The Sunday school also has 12 students and two young women serving as teachers.

The class meets the first Sunday of each month after communion and the children’s sermon. The students receive a packet of Sunday School materials

page 29 31    page

20

NOVEMBER 2006

AHEPA Delegates Re-elect Gus J. James as President

COOKING with a GREEK FLAIR a terrific gift anytime!

6 ” x 9” spiral, plastic laminated cover, divider tabs, a quality book with easy to read bold letters.

488 recipes, now in its 3rd printing 1/2

Check or Money Order for $20 each book, plus $3 postage & handling to: Thyestes Chapter #187, Daughters of Penelope, 1218 Douglas Street., Joliet, IL 60435

WASHINGTON–Delegates at the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) convention in late July reelected Gus J. James, II, of Virginia Beach, Va., as supreme president for 2006-07.

Mr. James is the first president elected to a second term since Dr Spiro J. Macris who served from 1994 to 1996. He is a member of Robert E. Lee Chapter No. 122, Norfolk, Va. Mr. James’ roots are in the northern occupied Cypriot village of Koma Tou Yialou, where his father and grandparents are buried.

He left Cyprus at the age of seven with his two sisters. Mr. James is an Archon in the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle and a member of Annunciation Cathedral in Norfolk.

He is CEO and president of the Norfolk law firm Kaufman & Canoles.

Supreme Lodge & Board of Directors Elections

The remaining Supreme Lodge officers are as follows: Foti Antoniou, Canadian president; Gus Stefanadis, supreme vice president; Nick Karacostas, supreme secretary; Dr. John Grossomanides Jr., supreme treasurer; Chris Rockas, supreme counselor; and Dr. Monthe N. Kofos, supreme athletic director.

The eight Supreme Governors are: Mark Alevizos; Anthony Drakos; Anthony Kouzounis; Michael Manios; Harry Psaltis; James Selimos; Spiro Vasilakis and Tom Cavalaris.

AHEPA Family Elections

The remaining organizations that comprise the AHEPA family also held

GUS JAMES with Metropolitan Alexios and Archbishop Demetrios.

elections. Georgia Psichogios was elected grand president of the Daughters of Penelope; Elias Papadopoulos was elected supreme president of the Sons of Pericles and Maria Panayotou was elected grand president of the Maids of Athena.

AHEPA is the largest Greek-American association in the world with chapters in the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus and sister chapters in Australia and New Zealand. It was established in 1922 by visionary Greek Americans to protect Hellenes from prejudice originating from the KKK, and in its history, AHEPA joined with the NAACP and B'nai B'rith to fight discrimination.

The mission of the AHEPA family is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence.

interfaith marriage   page 14 and away the greater portion of those who marry in our churches, doesn’t it make sense that we begin establishing useful programs and strategies to assist us in ministering more effectively to this growing population of couples and families.

The strategy that I’ve defined in this article is one effective way, among many others, that our communities can use to

help intermarried couples develop stronger, personal connections to our church communities.

If you would like more information about the challenges the non-Orthodox partner faces, please consult the Interfaith Marriage Web site at www.interfaith. goarch.org and read my book titled, Ministering to Intermarried Couples: A Resource for Clergy and Lay Workers.

GIRL SCOUT troop members form Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Holmdel, N.J. at opening ceremonies of the retreat.

Scouts Hold 46th Annual Retreat at St. Basil’s GARRISON, N.Y. – Nearly 190 Scouts and Scouters attended the 46th annual EOCS Scout Retreat at St. Basil Academy.

The weekend event included Boy and Girl Scouts.

Seminarians and students from Holy Cross School of Theology developed and directed the retreat program, under the theme “Seek God,” that provided a spiritual experience for the Scouts and a training session for the six seminarians and one Holy Cross student.

Four Orthodox priests volunteered their time to hear confessions from the Scouts who in many cases were going

to their first confession. The Boy Scouts camped in the woods while the Girl Scouts stayed in the dormitories of the Academy.

Following a Lenten dinner, Scouts and their leaders attended a traditional bonfire and performed skits and songs under the direction of the seminarians.

A Divine Liturgy took place on Sunday morning with Frs. Anthony Falsarella and John Bacon officiating.

After the Liturgy, the Eastern Orthodox Religious Scouting Awards were presented to several Scouts. In addition, Tony Triant was recognized for the 35 continuous years as retreat chairman.

NOVEMBER 2006

CLERGY

UPDATE

ordination to the Diaconate Andronache, Virgil Petrisor–Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago – St. Andrew Church, South Bend, Ind. 06/04/06 Dalianis, Panteleimon–Metropolitan Iakovos–St. John the Baptist, Des Plaines, Ill. 06/25/06 Harner, Christopher–Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta–St. Paul Church, Savannah, Ga. 06/29/06 Christ Margellos–Metropolitan Iakovos–Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Merrillville, Ind. 07/02/06 ordination to the Priesthood Deacon Michael Lambakis Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver–St. George Church, Oklahoma City, 07/09/06 Deacon Christopher Harner–Metropolitan Alexios–Holy Trinity–Holy Cross Cathedral, Birmingham, Ala. 07/23/06 Deacon Robert O’Loughlin–Metropolitan Alexios–St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Fla. 07/30/06 Deacon Andrew D. Cadieux–Bishop Andonios of Phasiane–Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y. 08/19/06 Deacon Vasileios Flegas, by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, at Assumption Cathedral, Denver 04/16/06 Deacon Spiro Bobotas, by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, at St. Demetrios, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 06/18/06 Deacon Robert Stephen Lawrence,

by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta at Holy Trinityh, Raleigh, N.C., 10/01/06 Assignments Fr. Nicholas Jonas–Sts. Constantine & Helen, Palos Hills, Ill. (06/04/06) (Fr. Byron Papanikolaou named pastor emeritus and continues to assist at the parish) Fr. Spiro Bobotas–St. Demetrios, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (06/18/06) Fr. Timothy Robinson–Annunciation, Sacramento, Calif. 07/01/06 Fr. Robert J. Archon–St. Mark Church, Boca Raton, Fla. 07/01/06 Fr. Robert John O’Loughlin–St Mark, Boca Raton, Fla. (assistant) 07/01/06 Fr. Christos Christofidis–Annunciation, Elkins Park, Pa. 07/01/06 Fr. Paul Pappas–St. Barbara, Toms River, N.J. 07/01/06 Fr. Gregory Georgiou–St. Nektarios Church, Charlotte, N.C. 07/01/06 Fr. Paul Pappas–St. Barbara Church, Toms River, N.J. 07/01/06 V. Rev. Ambrosios Bitziadis–St. George Church, Clifton, N.J. 07/01/06 Fr. Christos Christofidis–Annunciation Church, Elkins Park, Pa. 07/01/06 Fr. Michael Lambakis–Annunciation Cathedral, Houston, 07/15/06 Fr. Michael Condos–Annunciation Church, Montgomery, Ala. 07/15/06 Fr. George Gartelos–Sts. Constantine & Helen, Cheyenne, Wyo. 07/15/06 Fr. John Johns–Holy Trinity Church, Charleston, S.C. 07/15/06 Fr. James S. Katinas–Annunciation Church, Kansas City, Mo. 07/15/06 Fr. Panagiotis Papageorgiou–Holy Transfiguration, Marietta, Ga. 08/01/06 Deacon Christ Margellos–Sts. Constantine & Helen, Merrillville, Ind. 08/01/06 Fr. Christopher Constantinides –Holy Trinity Church, Dallas 08/01/06 Fr. Dimitrios Antokas–St. George Church, Bethesda, Md. 08/01/06 Fr. Michael Petrides–St. George Church, New Port Richey, Fla. 08/01/06 Fr. Nicholas Samaras–Sts. Constantine & Helen, West Nyack, N.Y. 08/01/06 Deacon Gregory Patsis – Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas, Cincinnati, 08/01/06 Fr. Emmanuel Lillios–Holy Trinity Church, Ambridge, Pa. 08/01/06 Fr. Christopher Harner–Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral, Birmingham, Ala. 08/01/06 Fr. Konstantinos Eleftherakis–Holy Cross Church, Macon, Ga. 08/15/06

Fr. Simon Thomas–St. Barbara Church, Santa Barbara, Calif. 08/16/06 Fr. Peter Pappas–St. John the Baptist Church, Omaha, Neb. 08/16/06 Fr. Paul Paris–St Mary Church, Minneapolis 08/16/06 Fr. Costin Popescu–St. Vasilios, Peabody, Mass. (since 09/01/04) Fr. Nicholas Andrews – St. Nectarios Church, Covina, Calif., 10/01/06 Fr. Peter Stratos–St. Anthony Church, Pasadena, Calif., 10/01/06 Fr. Paul Patitsas – St. George Church, Albuquerque, N.M., 10/01/06 Fr. Matthew Streett – Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, 10/01/06 Fr. John Kariotakis – St. John the Baptist, Salinas, Calif., 10/01/06 Fr. John Roll–Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Long Beach, Calif., 10/01/06 Fr. Peter Thornberg–St. Sophia, Sts. Faith, Hope & Agape Church, Jeffersonville, Pa., 10/01/06 V. Rev. Gerasimos Makris–Holy Cross, Brooklyn, N.Y., 10/02/06 Fr. George Passias–St. Spyridon Church, New York, 10/15/06 Fr. Andrew Scordalakis–St. Spyridon, San Diego, Calif., 11/01/06 Fr. Dean Panagos–St. Sophia, New London, Conn., 11/01/06 Fr. Michael Pastrikos–Annunciation Church, Pensacola, Fla., 11/01/06 Fr. Nikitas Theodosion–St. Andrew Church, Miami, 11/01/06 Appointments Archimandrite Sebastian Skordallos as Chief Secretary of Eparchal Synod 06/01/06 Leave of Absence Fr. George Dokos 07/18/06 Archimandrite Anastasios Garaboa, 08/01/06 Fr. Michael Pastrikos, 10/01/06 offikia Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. Constantine Nastos (06/04/06), and upon Fr. Panagiotis Papanikolaou (06/18/06) Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. Nicholas Dotson (06/29/06) Metropolitan Alexios bestowed the office of Economos upon Fr. Nikitas Theodosion 07/09/06 Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. Mark Arey 07/23/06 Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver bestowed the office of Economos upon Fr. Apostolos Hill 08/15/06 Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. Stavros Akrotirianakis 10/08/06 Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh bestowed the office of Protopresbyter upon Fr. John M. Loejos 10/30/04 retired Priests Fr. Theodore Sideris 06/30/06 Archimandrite Peter D. Costarakis 07/31/06 Fr. Christos J. Vagias 08/01/06 releases Archimandrite Kyrillos Markopoulos/ Aug. 15, 2006 (to Church of Crete) receptions Rev. Presbyter Stephen Karcher/ Aug. 23, 2006 (from the Patriarchate of Jerusalem) Suspended Fr. Nicholas Katinas 07/05/06 Fr. Nicholas Rafael II 07/14/06 New Chapel Metropolis of Pittsburgh St. George Chapel, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cemetery, Allison Park, Pa. (Affiliated with and serviced by Holy Trinity, Pittsburgh)

21

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Fr. Efstathios V. Mylonas The Rev. Protopresbyter Efstathios V. Mylonas, Ph.D., priest and pastor of St. Anthony Church for the past 20 years, died Sept. 22. after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was 69. Fr. Mylonas was born on March 27, 1937, in Thessaloniki, Greece. From a very early age, he demonstrated a thirst for education, determination and integrity.

Fr. Mylonas was a graduate of the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki in Constantinople. He was ordained to the priesthood on Dec. 2, 1962. Fr. Mylonas served the parish of Holy Archangels of Michael and Gabriel in Constantinople and worked as a codificator at the Ecumenical Patriarchate until Patriarch Athenagoras requested that Fr. Mylonas be assigned to a parish in Canada where he was able to fulfill his life long dream of serving the Orthodox Church abroad while further pursuing his studies.

He married Maria Vomvolaki of Hania, Crete, in August 1962 Fr. Mylonas faithfully served parishes in Toronto, Canada; Port Jefferson, N.Y.; Concord, N.H.; Brockton, Mass. and Modesto, Calif. while he completed his graduate and post graduate education.

Fr. Mylonas received a Master of Sacred Theology degree from Boston University in 1971, and Master of Arts in Christian Ethics from Harvard Divinity School in 1974. In 1985, Mylonas received a Ph.D. in theological and philosophical studies from Boston University.

He was bestowed the rank of protopresbyter at St. Anthony Church in Pasadena by Bishop Anthony of San Francisco in 1988.

Fr. Mylonas will be remembered for the many honors and awards he received as a devoted servant to his church.

He will also be remembered as a fervent ecumenist who tirelessly worked to unite all circles of Christianity and who participated in numerous dialogues, organized ecumenical services and presented lectures and sermons to both Orthodox and non-Orthodox church leaders As an educator, Fr. Mylonas taught courses at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., and at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, Calif. In 1983, Fr. Mylonas participated with Orthodox and Roman Catholic clergy in a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Egypt and Rome.

After the Los Angeles riots, Father Mylonas became a member of the Interfaith and Interreligious Groups to Heal Los Angeles and joined hands with other religious leaders in a march for peace.

In 1992, Fr. Mylonas traveled to the Ukraine to help Orthodox Christians, who were deprived for almost three generations, of their right to practice their Orthodox faith. Throughout his ministry, Father Mylonas sought to help the youth, the poor and the elderly in his parishes as well as in his communities. Father Mylonas inspired and encouraged countless young people to pursue higher education, trained seminarians from Holy Cross School of Theology, raised money to help the poor, ministered to the sick and elderly and provided guidance, compassion and support to his young parishioners.

A trisagion was officiated Sept. 27 by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and brother clergy at St. Anthony Greek Orthodox Church, located at 778 South Rosemead Blvd. in Pasadena. On Sept.

28, Matins and Divine Liturgy were followed by the funeral service at St. Anthony Church in Pasadena.

Internment was at Rose Hills Cemetery, Whittier, Calif.

Fr. Mylonas is survived by his wife of 44 years, Maria, his daughter Anastasia

I n

M e m o r i a m

Mylonas Baumeister, son-in-law Bryan, and beloved granddaughter Emily, and his son Vasilios George Mylonas and daughter-in-law, Linda as well as two brothers, brothers and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

The family has requested that donations in his memory be made to The Rev. Efstathios V. Mylonas Memorial Fund, which has been established at the Metropolis of San Francisco, 372 Santa Clara Avenue, San Francisco, Calif., 94127. The family, with the guidance of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos will distribute the donations to fulfill the wishes of Fr. Mylonas.

Presb. Georgia Chamberas Georgia Chamberas 58, of Hebron, N.H., fell asleep in the Lord on Saturday, June 3, after a brief illness.

She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Fr. Peter A. Chamberas of Hebron; her daughter Alexia Chamberas of Jamaica Plain, Mass.; her daughter and son-in-law Anastasia and Fr. Mark Leondis of Thiells, N.Y., grandchildren Juliana and Alexander Leondis, her mother Athena Dalber of Manchester, N.H., a sister Sophie Kyriakidis and family and her brother Fr. Steve Dalber and family.

She is predeceased by her beloved son Athan P. Chamberas.

She graduated from the teachers college at St. Basil Academy in Garrison, N.Y., where she met her husband. Later she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Hellenic College, and worked as a teacher for numerous years.

Her role as a wife of a Greek Orthodox priest played a pivotal role not only in her personal development but in the life of the communities in which they served; St. Nectarios in Roslindale, Mass., St. George Cathedral in Manchester, N.H. and Holy Trinity in Concord, N.H. She directed and led various ministries of the Church (JOY and GOYA), taught Sunday school and Greek school, was a leading force behind the Archdiocese's development of a Vacation Bible School and published a JOY curriculum for young children in grades 3-6.

Georgia was devoted to her family and spent her entire life dedicated to her loving husband and children. She proudly raised her family within the realms of the Orthodox Christian Faith. Her love and dedication to family was extended to the families in each of the parishes where she and her husband served for many years.

While raising her own family, she cared for other children surrounding her.

Later in life her love of children also extended to the New Hampshire CASA program where she volunteered for many years. She inspired the lives of thousands of young people throughout her life. She enjoyed reading, gardening and writing children's stories. Her entire life was a living eulogy of its own that inspired the life of the members of her own family, her many friends and relatives, and the countless young people of the three parishes Presbytera Georgia served with her husband, Fr. Peter.

The wake took place at St. George Cathedral in Manchester on June 7. A Divine Liturgy was celebrated June 8 by several priests at St. George Cathedral followed by the funeral service led by Archbishop Demetrios with more than 30 priests participating and several hundreds of faithful in attendance.

Fr. Mark Leondis, gave the eulogy; Fr. Athanasios Demos, Metropolis of Boston chancellor, read a letter from Metropolitan Methodios, extolling the person and work of Presbytera Georgia, while Archbishop Demetrios offered a most inspiring spiritu-

al message for the entire congregation.

Interment took place at the family plot in Pine Grove Cemetery in Manchester.

Memorial donations may be offered to the children of the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage in Guatemala, payable to “ICAOAG / Hogar Rafael Ayau” and sent care of Fr. Peter Chamberas, 439 North Shore Road, Hebron, NH 03241.

Fr. Achilles A. Siagris Fr. Achilles A. Siagris, 87, died June 20 at Astoria General Hospital. He had been retired since 1987 and living in Astoria, Queens, until his passing.

Born in Piraeus, Greece, on Nov. 21, 1918, he completed high school in Athens, Greece, and attended the University of Athens Theological School from 1933-37.

He attended Union Theological Seminary in New York from 1946-49 and earned a Master’s in Sacred Theology degree, the University of Thessaloniki from 1951-53, where he received a Doctor of Divinity degree and the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1970, earning a master’s in theology.

He immigrated to the United States in January 1954, married Liouby Milosevis of Corfu in August of that year. They had two daughters, Christine and Louise). He was ordained as a deacon by Bishop Demetrios of Olympos and as a priest by Archbishop Michael in October 1954.

Fr. Siagris served the following parishes: Annunciation in Mobile, Ala. (1955-56), St. Demetrios, Warren, Ohio (1956-59); Annunciation, Newburyport, Mass., where he received the office of protopresbyter, (1959-63); Annunciation, Modesto, Calif.

(1963-64); Transfiguration, Concord, Calif. (1967-68); St. George, Fresno, Calif.

(July-Sept. 1968); Assumption, Pocatello, Idaho (1968-69); St. George, Bakersfield, Calif. (1969-73); administrative assistant of the Diocese (1973-74); Three Hierarchs, Champaign, Ill. (1975-76) St. Nicholas, Lorain, Ohio (1976-80); and Annunciation, Farrell, Pa. (1980 until his retirement).

Survivors include his Presbytera and daughters. Funeral service took place June 24 at St. George Cathedral in Philadelphia, with Fr. Nektarios Cottros officiating.

Fr. George Neofotistos Fr. George Neofotistos, 78, retired since 1994, died Aug. 22.

Fr. George was born in Lowell, Mass. on July 22, 1928 and attended public schools in Lowell. He went on to Holy Cross School of Theology and graduated in 1951. He married Veatriky Moringelis on Sept. 9, 1951, then was ordained a deacon that month by Bishop Ezekiel of Nazianzos and as a priest on Sept. 29 by Bishop Demetrios of Olympos.

His first assignment was Annunciation Church in Pensacola, Fla., where he served from 1951 to 1954. He was then assigned to St. George Church in Springfield, Mass., serving until 1956. Fr. George returned to the South and served at Annunciation Church in Mobile, Ala. until 1962. Fr. George returned to Boston to serve at St. John the Baptist Church. He also earned a master’s in education at Northeastern University. In 1964, he was assigned to Assumption Church in Denver, where he remained for 21 years. He also earned a Ph.D. at the University of Colorado.

Fr. George’s next assignment was as director of St. Basil’s Academy in Garrison, N.Y., from 1985-87.

His final assignment was at St. Sophia Cathedral in Miami, where he served from July 1, 1987 until October 10, 1993.

In addition to his presbytera, Fr. George is survived by four children: Marry Allan, Elaine Sinton, Peter Neofotistos and

NOVEMBER 2006

John Neofotistos. The funeral took place Aug. 29 at St. George Church in Albuquerque, N.M., with Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver officiating.

Fr. James Chakalos Rev. James Chakalos, 82, formerly of Monmouth Beach, N.J., passed away on Monday, Sept, 4, 2006 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, N.J. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Eleni, his daughter, Georgia Reamer, of Ridgewood, N.J, granddaughter Julia of Natick, Mass., grandson, James, of Morristown, Tenn., sister, Chrisula Zahos, of Illinois, and a brother Timoleon, of Keen, N.H., in addition to many loving nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his parents Pamela and Nicholas, brothers John and Dino, sisters Helen, Sophia, Effrocene, and his son, Nicholas.

He was born in Keene, N.H. Fr. Jim was a veteran of World War II, Battle of the Bulge. After the war he was employed by the U.S. government with his last assignment as the housing referral officer.

When he retired he decided to pursue a life long dream of becoming a priest.

After first becoming a deacon, he was ordained as a Greek Orthodox lay priest in 1972. He went on to serve the New Jersey Greek Orthodox communities of St. George in Asbury Park, St. Barbara in Toms River, and finally, his present community of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel.

His focus and devotion has always been to serve the youth of the Greek Orthodox community. In 1972, with Presbytera Eleni, he co-founded The Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey, whose reputation is now recognized nationally. It has been said of Fr. Jim that he is called "Father" not only because he wears a clerical collar, but because he is a father to all his youth.

His interest in their lives extends beyond dancing to their many dreams and accomplishments.

Funeral services were held at the church at 11 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 8. Burial was at St. George Cemetery in Neptune.

The family requests donations be made to The Hellenic Dancers of NJ - PO Box 183, Monmouth Beach, NJ 07750 or to the Building Fund of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church - 20 Hillcrest Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733.

Fr. George A. Xenofanes Fr. George Xenofanes, 70, pastor at St. Nicholas Church in Atlantic City, died July 30. He had been serving the parish since Jan. 1, 2003.

Born in Newark, N.J., Oct. 26, 1935, he attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey and earned a B.S. degree in engineering in 1959, and an MBA in business and economics in 1964, graduating cum laude. He married Stavroula Vahaviolos of Mystra, Sparta, Greece in January 1963.

He entered a special diaconate program under the Patriarchal Jurisdiction of Moscow in the United States and 1991 and, in 1996, received a licentiate in theology from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the U.S.A. He was ordained to the diaconate Feb. 26, 1995, and as a priest on Dec. 31 of that year, by Metropolitan Silas of New Jersey. Fr. Xenofanes served as a deacon and assistant priest at St. Nicholas Church in Newark from Feb. 1885 to September 1997. His next assignment was Annunciation Church in Miami, from September 1997 to June 1998. From December 1998 to August 1999, and from December 2000 until December 2002, he served at St. George Church in Asbury Park, N.J. Funeral took place Aug. 1 with Metropolitan Evangelos officiating.

23

NOVEMBER 2006

OUTREACH and EVANGELISM “…and You Shall be My Witnesses…”

Acts 1:8 Forty days after His Resurrection, at the time of His Ascension, Jesus gathered His disciples with Him and promised that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit.

He called upon them to be His witnesses “…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Fr. James W. Kordaris

This same calling is directed to each one of us – not only to professional religious people such as clergy and monastics.

This calling to be witnesses of the faith was originally directed to the disciples, who were faithful people with ordinary professions. And these people changed the world by their witness. They didn’t do this by use of their vast knowledge of theological issues, but by their simple faith in what they had experienced in Jesus.

The front lines of Jesus’ army today are you – faithful men and women who live ordinary lives in the world, attending school, making a living, raising families, participating in the daily life of our society. You are the ones who will reach the people whom the clergy may never see – relatives, friends, coworkers, and in athletics, clubs and organizations. You will be placed in situations where you will be a witness to your faith – not by standing up and preaching – but by the way you conduct yourself as a Christian. In whatever you do, you are a Christian first – a Christian athlete, a Christian doctor, a Christian in business, a Christian parent, Christian teacher, a Christian friend.

There will be good days – those days when things fall into place and you feel that God is using the gifts that He has given you for His purposes. You will sense that He has placed you in a certain situation for which you are uniquely prepared. You will succeed and hopefully you will honor Him with your success, knowing that all that you accomplish has come from Him. There will be bad days – those days when the world seems to reward those who do not honor God or His commandments, those who strive to succeed regardless of the spiritual cost to themselves and others. Success, as it is measured in the world today seems to reward unethical, un-Christian behavior. As Christians living and working in this world, we struggle to remain faithful, and are wounded in the battle.

St. John Chrysostom referred to the Church as a “hospital” where people come to wash away their sins. The Church is like an army field hospital where clergy and staff work behind the lines, providing spiritual nourishment and a place to be healed and refreshed in the faith. People enter the doors of their local church

each week, tired and wounded in their daily lives, doing their best to be faithful Christians in a world that does not always encourage or reward Christian values.

The church should be a safe place.

Just like the giant cross painted on the army field hospitals and vehicles to keep them from being attacked, the cross of the church should remind us all that church is a safe place where we come to be healed, to be what God created us to be, free from the fear of attack.

We are healed by praying and worshipping with others. There is a great sense of community that gives us strength when we pray and worship together in liturgy. We pray for ourselves and others and we thank God for the many blessings in our lives We also lay out our troubles before Him, as Hezekiah did in the Old Testament when he “spread out his troubles before the Lord.” There is no problem so small that we cannot place it before God in prayer. As Saint Paul wrote to the Philippians, “…in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will set your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

It is important to let God speak to us.

The Holy Spirit may move us in the silence of prayer, in interaction with other people of faith, and through the reading of Holy Scripture.

This often-neglected source of spiritual nourishment has the ability to change your life. Reading our Bible, participation in worship and sacraments, and daily prayer provide us with the spiritual armor to face the challenges of daily life and to be witnesses of our faith by the way we live our lives.

In his book, Bread for Life, New Testament Professor Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos writes, “God will provide many opportunities to the growing Christian for sharing with others his or her experience with the Bible. What better witness for the truth of the Christian faith than a solid Christian life nourished by Holy Scripture and radiating true Christian love at home, at Church and at work?”

God will place you in situations to share your faith. As He called upon His disciples on the day of His Ascension, He has also called upon you to be His witnesses “…in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

May He bless your ministry.

Fr. Jim Kordaris (FrJimK@goarch.org) is the Director of the Department of Outreach & Evangelism. Visit www.Outreach. goarch.org for information and resources for outreach in your parish.

Seattle Church Hosts First Olympics SEATTLE -- St. Demetrios Church recently hosted its first Pan-Orthodox Youth Olympics that drew 55 children and young adults ages 5 to 18 from five parishes: St. Demetrios, Church of the Assumption, St. Nicholas, St. Nectarios and St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox.

They participated in track events, soccer, basketball, swimming competitions, checkers and backgammon

tournaments. Medals were awarded to event winners and many children and teens went home with multiple 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place awards.

New friendships were made and the faith was shared as all athletes were reminded of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the Faith.”

24

NOVEMBER 2006

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NOVEMBER 2006

A Visit to the Home of ‘Andreas Jackopoulos’ THE HERMITAGE – Now that we have your attention, no, the seventh president of the United States, Andrew Jackson, was not Greek, he was of Scotch-Irish descent and a Presbyterian, But he was a strong proponent of classical learning.

by Jim Golding

His parents immigrated to South Carolina from Ulster, Northern Ireland, in 1765 and he was born two years later.

Jackson’s presidency spanned the years 1829 to 1837, a critical period in Greek history when the Greek War of Independence drew to a close and the new Kingdom of Greece precariously struggled to survive.

Because of Monroe Doctrine, expressed in 1823 by President James Monroe that stated the United States would stay neutral in European wars, but that any foreign military actions in the Americas would be viewed as an attack on the U.S. So there was no official military involvement in the Greek struggle.

However, this did not prevent many “Philhellene” Americans from sending private aid in the form of food, clothing and even military supplies to the struggling Greeks.

Jackson’s keen interest in the classics and Greek culture extended to architecture.

According to “Classical Nashville: Athens of the South” published by Vanderbilt University Press, beginning in the 1780s, when Nashville was founded, an architectural style, known as “Greek Revival” developed in the United States. It was rooted in the admiration by many of the Founding Fathers for “Greek democracy and Roman republicanism.”

Greek Revival was characterized by the use of columns reminiscent of the Parthenon and building designs in the style of Greek temples.

Jackson, in 1804 bought a 400-acre farm he named The Hermitage, probably after an estate in Ireland. From the late 1780s he practiced law in Nashville, became Tennessee’s first U.S. Congressman in 1796, and later served in the U.S. Senate.

From 1804 to 1821, Jackson and his wife, Rachel, lived in a two-story log cabin

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

(Up) A side view of The Hermitage showing the six-column Greek Revival façade. (Right) Photo of a painting by Ralph E.W. Earl in the 1830s showing Jackson on his horse,“Sam Patch,” presented to him by the citizens of Philadelphia.

on the property. He briefly served as the first territorial governor of Florida, then returned to Tennessee in 1821 and built a four-room brick home around a central hall in the Federal architectural style.

The small farm eventually became a self-supporting operation of more than 1,000 acres when Jackson grew cotton, raised livestock and bred racehorses.

A fire in 1834 damaged the house and Jackson remodeled and eventually expanded the residence to include the present Greek Revival façade of six Corinthian columns Upon entering the main hall, visitors are greeted with the sight of the original wallpaper imported from Paris that still covers the 10-foot high walls it depicts a scene from Greek mythology of Telemachus searching of Ulysses.

Nearly 200 years later, Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Demetrios of Sevasteia, the Metropolitans of the Holy Synod and the auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese, were guests at a dinner at The Hermitage on Saturday, July 15.

The National Historic Site is about eight miles east of the Congress location

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

at the Opryland resort.

Archbishop Demetrios noted his impression of the visit later in the week at the Congress, commenting that Jackson’s appreciation of Greek culture was evident in the presence of the Greek columns and

the wallpaper with its Greek mythology motif.

Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit remarked that, “All the bishops were fascinated. It reminded us of the Old South.”The Metropolitan said the dinner took place at another building on the grounds of the estate and not in the elegant dining room with its original furnishings.

“The only person allowed to eat in the house is the President of the United States,” Metropolitan Nicholas said.

Ninety-five percent of the furnishings in the home are originals, brought by Jackson from Philadelphia, tour guides inform visitors to the Hermitage.

Other hierarchs in the group included Bishops Dimitrios of Xanthos and Savas of Troas who also commented on the historic site.

Bishop Dimitrios was impressed with the mint condition of the original furniture. “No other house president’s house can make the claim that 95 percent of the furnishings are authentic, including the wallpaper,” he said.

On a tour of the grounds, Bishop Savas viewed the original, squalid and tiny cabins used as the slave quarters.

“What impressed me the most was that it took 150 slaves to run the place,” said Bishop Savas, who observed that the ratio of slaves to white residents of the estate was 10 to 1.

Other congress participants also visited the Hermitage at various points, including Fr. Emmanuel Gratsias, pastor of Holy Resurrection Church in Brookville, N.Y., and Clifford T. Argue of Seattle, president of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center.

“Andrew Jackson, as a figure in American history, is known as a strong proponent of the rights and dignity of every person to participate in the democratic process though he himself, by owning slaves, seemed to contradict that,” said Fr. Gratsias. “But in his time and place, he was a fresh, exciting personality and this reflects Hellenism’s ideals and principals.

“What impressed me was that the first Hermitage consisted of two small buildings and a log cabin,” said Mr. Argue. “It’s where he lived when they first bought that farm. It’s very graphic to see this was the American dream, from a log cabin to becoming president of the United States.”

Third Generation Manatos Becomes Archon WASHINGTON, D.C. – Among the 27 Archons invested at the recent Archons event in New York was the third member of a family to receive the honor.

Mike Andrew Manatos of the public policy company of Manatos & Manatos in Washington joins his father and grandfather in upholding the tradition. His father, Andrew, was the highest-ranking GreekAmerican in the Carter Administration, as Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and was also a U.S. Senate staff director. He is now president of Manatos & Manatos, which he began with his father, Mike, and which his son joined immediately after graduating from Princeton University.

The first Manatos Archon, Mike, is the grandfather and namesake of this year’s new Archon. He was also the first GreekAmerican to work in the White House, serving as administrative assistant to Presidents John Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. From that position he undertook numerous activities in Washington to assist Orthodoxy and Hellenism. The family name is Manatakis and originated in Crete.

MIKE MANATOS receives the Archon cross from Archbishop Demetrios this year.

ANDREW MANATOS during his investiture

by Archbishop Iakovos.

MIKE MANATOS (the senior) was the first in the family to receive the title Archon

by Archbishop Iakovos.

26

NOVEMBER 2006

The Voice of Philoptochos National Philoptochos Holds Successful Convention The 2006 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville from July 14–July 20. National President Georgia Skeadas convened the opening session on Sunday, July 16, welcomed Archbishop Demetrios who offered the opening prayer and addressed the delegates, calling Philoptochos an “army of women.”

Metropolitan Nicholas, host of the Clergy Laity Congress, offered remarks.

President Skeadas reported on the activities of the organization during the past two years and praised all of the Metropolis presidents and board and the chapter presidents and members who responded with open hearts to several unprecedented natural disasters.

She described new initiatives including the Literacy Outreach Program, the National Philoptochos newsletter, an enhanced website, and a successful Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon.

President Skeadas announced that more than $4.8 million was distributed

to the organization’s many ministries and commitments since her tenure began in 2002. National Treasurer Aphrodite Skeadas presented the treasurer’s report and the 2007-2008 budgets that were adopted by the delegates.

Additional reports were heard from the many Philoptochos Commitment/Programs. Dr. Anthony Limberakis, national commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate/Order of St. Andrew, urged the delegates to contact their parishes and elected officials to encourage support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Fr. Constantine Sitaras described the St. Basil Academy programs that offer full support to the students.

Fr. Mark Leondis, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, spoke of the important effort to keep our college students connected to the faith and on behalf of Constantine Triantafilou, executive director of the International Orthodox Christian Charities, Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou thanked the Philoptochos Society for its extraordi-

nary support for the IOCC efforts.

Fr. Triantafilou also presented a full report on Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology.

The Social Services program presentation included a look at the new website and offered a social services workbook as a valuable resource tool for all chapters.

Each metropolis president received a check for $10,000 for the immediate physical needs of the elderly within their respective metropolises.

Numerous resolutions were adopted including support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the establishment of a National Philoptochos 75th Anniversary Founders Fund to provide financial support to existing continuing care facilities serving the aging Greek Orthodox population in the United States and for the establishment of similar facilities.

Awards were presented in the categories of Chapters for Growth and Expansion, 100 percent Participation in National Commitments, Best Practices, Best Outreach

Project and Best Newsletter.

A special feature of the business meetings was a highlight of each metropolis Philoptochos and its activities presented by presiding officer Maria Logus.

Sessions, with overflowing attendance, were presented on the budget, mock elections, bylaws, membership, project bank and social services.

A panel discussion on serving the aging population, an officers’ skills forum and the women’s health fair rounded out the agenda. A special highlight of the convention was the Philoptochos banquet, “Celebrating 75 Years of Philanthropy,” honoring the philanthropic tradition of the Society. A video tracing the organization from its beginning to the present delighted the guests.

In addition, representatives from various projects and programs across the country, described the enormous philanthropic assistance that the Philoptochos Society has provided for a myriad of their recipients.

President Georgia Skeadas Sets Course for National Board

the organization, to enhance outreach and to raise the bar with new projects and activities.

She stressed the importance of communication highlighting our successes and providing awareness of the Philoptochos Society through the Philoptochos Voice newsletter, which carries many informative articles about philanthropy and outreach on all levels of our Society, and the new interactive web site, which will carry information about our Society and link, through the Social Services home page to a myriad listing of services available to those in need of philanthropic assistance.

Populations to whom National Philoptochos must reach out include the homeless, those in poverty and those with disabilities. She further challenged members to increase multigenerational membership.

Through the combined efforts and synergy of the National, Metropolis and local chapters, Philoptochos will achieve these goals.

It was announced that the 11th Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon will be hosted by the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos in Huntington Beach, Calif. on Nov.10, 2007.

Presentations throughout the two-day board meetings included financial reports, emergency preparedness and a discussion on convening committees.

Members participated in lively, interactive workshops for each of the standing committees and presented the goals for these committees for this term.

Members reported that the interactive workshops at the 2006 National Convention were very well received and they offered suggestions to further enhance the 2008 Convention.

The National Board meets again in the winter and the spring.

Archbishop Demetrios opened the joint session of the Archdiocesan Council and the National Philoptochos Board by framing the conditions of the world today and the great power that is given to us through the Orthodox faith which offers the truth of the gospel with love and without compromise.

His Eminence spoke of conditions of illness, infant mortality and ideological confusion that destabilize institutions as the family. He described conditions for Orthodox faithful in many parts of the world who live in a crisis state and encouraged an educational process to spread out the faith.

Archbishop Demetrios then convened the fall meeting of the 2006-2008 National Philoptochos Board and announced the appointment of Mrs. Georgia Skeadas as National President to serve a third term.

The following Executive Board slate was presented and ratified by the members. They include: Maria Logus, first vice president; Arlene Siavelis, second vice president; Maria Stavropoulos, third vice president; Elaine Cladis, secretary; Aphrodite Skeadas, treasurer, and Pauline O’Neil, assistant treasurer.

The Metropolis presidents who serve by virtue of their position according to thebylaws, as members of the Executive Board are: Georgia Vlitas (Archdiocesan District), Dee Nicolaou (Atlanta), Bessie Drogaris (New Jersey), Helen Lagios (Pittsburgh), Lori Voutiritsas (Chicago), Katherine Kotsis (Detroit), Diane Miminos (Boston), Martha Stefanidakis (Denver) and Valerie Roumeliotis (San Francisco).

President Skeadas then announced the following appointments: Helen Demos, protocol; Kassandra Romas, parliamentarian; Anita Varunes, legal advisor.

There has been a concerted effort to ensure that the National Board and Executive Board is fairly represented geographically and numerically based on the Metropolis membership.

Through this process, several Metropolises experienced a reduction of representatives on the Board and other Metropolises recognized an increase in board representation due to an increase in their Chapter membership.

President Skeadas addressed the Board and described the care and evolution

D. PANAGOS

NATIONAL Philoptochos Board members take the oath of office at the opening of their convention.

of the National Philoptochos Society which has experienced significant growth in the past four years.

She congratulated the 2006 National Philoptochos Society Biennial Convention Chairs, Maria Stavropoulos, Katherine Kotsis and Eleni Zaferes for a convention that was an extraordinary success and an unforgettable experience.

President Skeadas thanked the selfless and untiring efforts of the entire Philoptochos Society for personally touching the countless number of people in our communities that have received the benefits of the Society’s noble mission of philanthropy

for over 75 years.

As a consequence of these enormous efforts, the National Philoptochos was able to distribute an unprecedented amount of over $5.3 million in financial assistance to the National Commitments and special projects, since the beginning of her administration in 2002.

President Skeadas outlined her goals and objectives for the next two years.

Philoptochos needs to become a familiar word, not only in our Greek Orthodox communities, but in all communities across the nation and the world. President Skeadas’ goals are: to continue to grow

Virginia Chapter Has Big Plans for the Year NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Sts. Constantine and Helen Philoptochos Society’s St. Helen Chapter began its new season with a covered dish for the September meeting where everyone present enjoyed a great variety of both Greek and non-Greek delicacies and where plans were laid for the activities of the 2006-07 term.

The chapter began its outreach and philanthropic activities for the new term with a luncheon on Oct. 23, and hosted a luncheon for the Golden Heart Senior

Group and their guests from the sister communities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach.

On Sunday, Nov. 5, the Sunday designated as Sts. Cosmas and Damianos Sunday, the chapter held a memorial service for all deceased members.

Early in December, Members will begin baking Vasilopites and will host their annual Vasilopita luncheon Jan. 7 for the entire community and their guests.

During the community’s New Year’s Eve celebration, they will raise funds with

the proceeds earmarked for St. Basil Academy. The funds raised from these various events are already designated to go to a number of charitable endeavors. They have up to now helped defray the cost of legitimate expenses incurred by a parishioner who needed this help, and are considering doing so for another.

The chapter also has contributed to the church’s roof fund to repair and replace the roof of the sanctuary and those of related buildings in the church complex.

NOVEMBER 2006

Challenge

YOUTH MINISTRY

e-mail: youthoffice@goarch.org

What’s Up our Orthodox Christian Identity?

WITH

"All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away.

But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

1 Peter 1:24-25

by Eva Kokinos

Fads come and go! Whether its clothes, movie stars, or music, it is almost impossible to keep track of who or what is cool. As Orthodox Christians, we are blessed to have an identity that endures society’s changing faces.

Orthodox Christians can be identified by the way we live Christ’s teachings and how we share Christ with others.

To understand our Orthodox Christian Identity, or O.C.I.D., we will first examine the foundation of our identity.

Secondly, we will describe 4 essential Orthodox Christian characteristics: Worship, Service, Witness, and Fellowship. Finally, we will discuss ways we can incorporate these characteristics into our lives.

Each one of us becomes an equal member of Christ’s church.

The Four Characteristics of our O.C.I.D.

It is through our Worship (Liturgia) that we offer glory and thanksgiving to God. More importantly, we experience God through the Holy Sacraments.

Our services, our feasts, and even the way we make the sign of the cross are parts of our Orthodox Christian Identity.

These services and traditions have endured years of change in society and culture. In Mark 14: 22-24, we read about the Last Supper that the disciples had with Jesus Christ.

Today, we celebrate this event through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist at every Divine Liturgy.

Service (Diakonia) is an exercise of

The Foundation of our Identity

Our Orthodox Christian Identity is built on two things: the Image of God and our Baptism into the Orthodox Church. From the beginning, God gave us a permanent identity that will never go “out of style.”

In the Book of Genesis, God set humanity apart from the rest of creation. He formed us from the dust of the ground, gave us the breath of life, and created us in His image.

Then, we are received as Orthodox Christians through baptism and chrismation. When we are received into the Orthodox Church, every person is clothed with the armor of Christ.

PARENTS and YOUTH Workers Corner • The Nativity season begins on Nov. 15. Here are some Nativity lesson plans for all age groups: http://dce.oca.org/Sections/FocusUnits/index.asp. Also, stay tuned to the Youth Worker Pulse listserv for more ideas: http://youth.goarch.org • IOCC Sunday is Nov. 19.

Visit the kid's page on their website: http://www.iocc.org/kidspage. shtml.

• Mark your calendars for the College Conference, sponsored

by Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the inter-Orthodox campus ministry organization. This year's conference will take place Dec. 27-31. Visit www.ocf.net for more details.

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

27

A

self sacrifice and servitude for each other.

Service is not only reserved for those who are less fortunate, but for the good of all people.

The most honored and revered leaders of our faith were those who worked tirelessly and selflessly for God and His plan. In Matthew 25:40, Jesus emphasizes the importance of this aspect.

He says, “…inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my Brethren, you did it to Me.” Since we are created in the image of God, the way we serve one another is the way we would serve our Lord.

Witness (Martyria), in the Orthodox Church, involves one’s ability and willingness to speak about the Gospel.

But witnessing one’s faith is not limited to just talking about it.

Witness involves being a living example of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Did You Know…

s an adolescent, you are still developing your identity, which will continue to develop even into your twenties.

• Although your identity is a “work in progress,” you have control over who you present yourself to be. Is your identity consistent in different settings?

Are you authentic?

• For instance, is your identity on the weekends different than your iden-

Letting the World See Who We Are

tity during the week? Is your identity on Sunday morning different than your identity on Saturday night? Is your identity at school different than your identity on MySpace?

• God desires us to be whole, authentic people (even if we are still trying to figure out who that is!). It’s easy for others (like our friends or the media) to define what or who we should. Don't forget to always ask yourself: am I being who God created me to be?

Media Review

Accepted by God

After many years of preparation and sleepless nights, it all comes down to one day. That one day will decide our entire future. That one day feels like it took an eternity to arrive, and when it finally does, the pressure begins to break. That day is the day that we find out whether or not we got accepted into the college of our choice. In the movie Accepted, a similar situation occurs.

by Georgia Spiropoulos

The movie takes these emotions to an extreme. After the main characters realize that they are "failures" because they were not accepted by any college, they resort to desperate measures. As the movie unfolds, we learn that applying to college is not as easy as we all had hoped.

The fear of not getting into the college of our choice overwhelms us with the idea that we are failures. But the thing is, we are not failures.

Failure is relative: just because we didn’t manage to get into the school of

Jesus preached God’s commandments with His words AND His actions.

In today’s society, we might find it very hard to be a witness to our Orthodox Christian faith.

Sometimes, witnessing our faith requires us to deny temptations, material things, and peer pressure.

But in Matthew 10:24-33, Jesus Christ teaches that those who witness Christ before others will be confessed by Him before God. Fellowship (Koinonoia) deals with community. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus tells us that “where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am in the midst of them.”

We are not only called to love God, but to love each other as well. Jesus Christ teaches that this is the Greatest Commandment.

Our most perfect example of a fellowship is through the Holy Trinity. The Trinity, as it states in our hymnology, is ONE in essence and inseparable.

Though we are unique individuals, we are ONE because we are created in the image of God. We are inseparable because Jesus Christ unites us.

our choice doesn’t mean that we failed at being a good Christian. The movie exaggerates the fact that the characters did not get into any college and forces them to invent their own college just so their parents will not be disappointed with them. This idea follows the fact that young hopeful minds fear disappointment and rejection. We as Orthodox Christians must realize that in God’s eyes we are not a disappointment.

As a high school senior, I am undergoing the same pressure. I am aware that the application process is stressful and that when the day comes when I find out if I get accepted to the college of my choice, my life will not be the same. So it is for all seniors around the nation.

But as Orthodox Christians, we should approach the application process from a different light. Are we researching the different churches in the neighborhood of the colleges we want to attend?

  page 29

We all struggle to work on our Orthodox Christian Identity. We can strengthen our Orthodox Christian identity on a personal level, as well as in a community.

Once we incorporate these characteristics into our lives, we realize that each one is essential.

How can we, through these four characteristics, show our O.C.I.D.? Here are some ideas to get you started: • Worship is not restricted to Divine Liturgy and it DOES require your attendance. Check your parish calendar and attend different kinds of services.

Also, concentrate on building your prayer life.

Prayer is definitely a key component to our Orthodox Christian worship that you can take with you anywhere!

• Your parish and local community need your Service and time. Get involved in philanthropic projects: raise money for charity, volunteer time at a shelter or soup kitchen, team up with your parish Philoptochos chapter, get your youth group to sponsor a service project, etc.

• Attend Bible Studies, Sunday School, and Youth Group discussions to learn more about your Orthodox Christian faith.

You can visit www.goarch.org for articles, audio, and video clips about Orthodoxy.

Learning about your faith will give you confidence to Witness the truth of the Gospel.

• GET INVOLVED! Join organizations in your parish to share your faith, fun, and Fellowship.

Join the youth or young adult group, sing the choir, attend parish events, and much more.

Ask your parish priest about ways you can become involved!

Eva Kokinos received her Masters of Theological Studies from Holy Cross School of Theology in 2003. She currently serves as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit. To contact Eva Kokinos, email her at youth@detroit. goarch.org.

28

NOVEMBER 2006

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NOVEMBER 2006

Critical Medical Relief to Lebanon BALTIMORE – Nearly $100,000 in antibiotics, surgical supplies and other critically needed medicines has arrived in Beirut.

The supplies will help an estimated 20,000 patients for three months. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) arranged for the shipment, which was airlifted from Holland to Damascus, Syria.

After weeks of heavy bombing of the Lebanon/Syria highway, safe passage was confirmed on Aug. 21 and the supplies were loaded onto two trucks for the 220mile extended road trip from Damascus to Beirut through northern Lebanon.

St. George Orthodox Hospital in Beirut will receive one half of the supplies, assembled in accordance with emergency aid standards set by the World Health Organization.

The other half (24 boxes) will be divided between five hospitals, three near Beirut’s hard-hit southern suburbs, and two in southern Lebanon.

The medical supplies were donated

by Northwest Medical Teams.

“These medicines and medical supplies will be of great value and assistance to the poor and to the people who were affected by the recent crisis in Lebanon,” says George Antoun, IOCC Middle East Regional Director.

“We are grateful to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East in Damascus for all their assistance in getting this very important medical shipment from Syria to Lebanon.

We appreciate all the hard work of

our partners, Northwest Medical Teams, and our IOCC colleagues at the home office for sending these much-needed supplies.”

St. George Orthodox Hospital in Beirut, one of the largest in the country, has been serving the many displaced and injured patients that streamed into Beirut since the early days of the conflict.

The five other hospitals that will benefit from the shipment are strategically located near Beirut’s southern suburbs and the southern villages that have suffered the most damage.

Lebanon IOCC staff is coordinating efforts with the United Nations Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the U.S. Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, the Middle East Council of Churches, and with the Orthodox Church in areas that IOCC distribution of supplies is taking place.

IOCC has been active in Lebanon since 2001 where it has been implementing a USDA-funded school feeding and education program in over 250 public schools throughout Lebanon. It was this development program that became the platform for IOCC’s emergency efforts when the crisis broke out in July.

To help in providing emergency relief, call IOCC’s donation hotline tollfree at 1-877-803-4622, make a gift online at www.iocc.org, or mail a check or money order payable to “IOCC.” Donors can write “Lebanon Crisis 2006,” in the memo line. Mail to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, Md. 212630225.

PARISH PROFILE  page 19 based on the Antiochian curriculum, which they are to complete over the remainder of the month in time for the next formal lesson they will have.

St. Basil’s has an active Philoptochos chapter of 15 members who help sponsor the pot luck dinners served on the first Sunday of each month following the liturgy.

These dinners, and the Greek festival held in June, serve as the parish fund-raisers.

The community participates in the stewardship program.

Fr. Don’s immediate plans for the parish include starting a GOYA chapter and an e-bulletin, along with raising funds for new icons, for which “the people have responded very well.” Reflecting on his role in the community and the parish ministry, Fr. Donat commented, “I feel very privileged to be a priest in the Orthodox Church and would encourage young men to serve the Church.

And about serving a community of this size, he noted, “It’s okay to be small.

That’s a nice feeling I enjoy being a priest in a small community. It’s like a small Greek village church.”

He continued, “The community felt there should be a church in New Haven and they worked very hard and sacrificed a lot. They reawakened by consistent pastoral concern and effort.”

Though he works at the college on weekdays, he is still available in his offhours to meet the needs of the parish, in addition to the weekends. He also noted that parishioners also give more of their time for the parish. “It’s good that people step up to the plate and participate and do things for the community,” Fr. Don said.

CHALLENGE

to be accepted by Christ Our Savior on Judgment Day. On a positive note, the movie stressed that individuality and defining yourself is important. But on a negative note, the movie promoted parties and sleeping around.

As Orthodox Christians we know that lifestyle is wrong, but the media promotes this to attract the youth of today because it is "acceptable" in today’s society, but not in the eyes of God.

 page 27 Are we looking to see if there is a thriving OCF in the community?

We should not be afraid of not being accepted by the colleges; rather, we should be afraid that we may not be accepted into the Kingdom of Heaven. The pressure may be overwhelming, but we must always remember that in the light of God we will truly shine.

It is through God’s grace and mercy that we have achieved so much. As we strive to do well at school so that we can be accepted into a good college, we should also strive to live our lives in a Christian manner, so that we will be able

— Compiled by Jim Golding

Georgia is 17 years old and lives in Austin, Texas, where she attends Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church. She is a Student Council officer and GOYA president. She enjoys singing in her school choir and attending school functions.

30

NOVEMBER 2006

NH Parish Marks 75th Anniversary with Visit of Archbishop

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios cuts the ribbon on the St. Nicholas Greek Legacy Exhibit during the gala festivities.

NEW CASTLE, N.H. – The Wentworthby-the-Sea Hotel on the island of New Castle was an appropriate setting for the 75th anniversary of St. Nicholas parish from neighboring Portsmouth.

Archbishop Demetrios, attended the Sept. 29 event and cut the ribbon for the parish’s own Greek Legacy exhibit put on display the next day at the Strawbery Banke Museum for a six-month run. The exhibit tells the story of the parish, its history and its contributions to the surrounding Seacoast New Hampshire community.

Designed by parishioners Doreen Athans Papatones and Pam Pappas-Clarkin, the Greek Legacy exhibit brings an immigrant perspective to the coastal city Archbishop Demetrios congratulated the parish for its longevity and accomplishments, and also praised the community for giving so much back to the city and region around it. In addition to His Eminence, also attending was Portsmouth Mayor Steve Marchand, who addressed the crowd with

an official proclamation from City Hall.

Parish Council President Dr. Aristotle Damianos, delivered moving remarks about the parish’s first families, their struggles in America, and their significant contributions even as a minority in the coastal city.

More importantly, he went on to describe the single focus of the founding fathers Orthodox faith as truly helping the parish to survive and grow.

All who attended received a silver embossed commemorative book highlighting the parish’s history and accomplishments.

The 70- page book was designed and produced by parishioner, Valerie Filias, who together with her husband, Greg Filias, have run a successful advertising and design firm for almost 20 years.

Co-chairing the anniversary event were Richard Rizza and Greg Filias. The two, along with Fr. Angelo Pappas, were responsible for originally approaching the Strawbery Banke Museum with the idea of the Legacy Exhibit.

Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago Celebrates Patron’s Feast Day Chicago Choir Federation The Metropolis of Chicago observed the feast-day of St. Iakovos, their spiritual shepherd’s Apostolic Patron, with the celebration of the Great Vesper Service and Divine Liturgy of St. Iakovos and a banquet to honor Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago.

On Sunday, October 22nd, the celebration of the Great Vesper Service took place at the parish of Saint Iakovos in Valparaiso, Ind. The feast-day of St. Iakovos was celebrated at the Annunciation Cathedral on Oct. 23. St. Iakovos, the first Archbishop of Jerusalem elevated to this Episcopal rank by the Apostles, wrote this first Liturgy.

Clergy, chanters and faithful of the Holy Metropolis of Chicago, joined in these celebrations. Students and teachers of the day and afternoon schools of Koreas, and Socrates Greek America School also attended.

The Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos sponsors the annual banquet in honor of Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago. Over 700 clergy and faithful attended the Oct. 24 event at the Carlisle Banquet Hall, in Lombard, Ill. Hosts for the evening were officers of the Metropolis of Chicago Clergy Syndesmos: Frs. John Kalomas of St. Andrews Chicago, president; Apostolos Georgiafentis of St. Demetrios-Chicago, vice president; James Greanias of St. Iakovos in Valparaiso, Ind, secretary; and Joseph Tzougros of As-

METROPOLITAN Iakovos of Chicago.

sumption Madison, Wis, treasurer.

The evening began with the young and talented Katrina Georgiafentis singing both the American and Greek national anthems. This was followed by the beautiful sounds of the Chicago Hellenic Choir that consisted of youth and adults from the Metropolis.

The program included speeches by Metropolis Philoptochos President Lori Voutiritsas (who, on behalf of the Philoptochos presented a check for $ 50,000 to benefit the Retreat Center), Vice-Consul of Greece Vasiliki-Maria Grivitsopoulou, and by both Co-Chairs of the event Fr. John Kalomas (who, on behalf of the Clergy Syndesmos pledged over $ 250,000) and Fr. Apostolos Georgiafentis.

Metropolitan Iakovos delivered his keynote address. He spoke of St. Iakovos,

his life and his celebrated epistle. The Metropolitan also spoke on the subject of the newly acquired St. Iakovos Retreat Center in Brighton, Wis. For over 25 years there has been discussion for the need of a permanent Orthodox Center to that will serve the essential functions for church ministries for the children and adults of the Metropolis.

George Vourvoulias, as president of the Retreat Center Board extensively examined numerous properties and discovered a magnificent parcel in Wisconsin that was purchased in June 2006. Metropolitan Iakovos, who by no means petitions for donations requested that the debt be retired for the purchase of the property in order to begin the property’s transformation into one of the finest Retreat Center in our Holy Archdiocese.

Metropolitan Iakovos spoke of his love for each person assembled and his love for everyone in the Holy Metropolis of Chicago. Moved by his remarks and inspired by the spirit of the evening, Chris Tomaras, vice president and regional coordinator for World Council of Hellenes Abroad North & South American Region, underwrote the expenses of the banquet, and also made a substantial initial contribution for the retreat center. Proceeds from the grand banquet will benefit the St. Iakovos Retreat Center and the ministries of the Metropolis Chicago Clergy Syndesmos.

Annual Conference

MILWAUKEE – The 49th annual Metropolis of Chicago Choir Federation was hosted Oct. 13-15 by the Annunciation Church choir. About 130 voices from the Midwest, Florida, Virginia and Texas gathered under the guidance of the guest conductor Christopher Kypros, of Norfolk, Va., whose music was sung at the Sunday Hierarchical Divine Liturgy.

The Liturgy was celebrated by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago; assisted

by Frs. James Dokos and Jon Boukis.

Newly-elected Federation officers and board members took the oath of office

by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago.

Elected were Denise Karras, president; Sophia Sakoutis, vice president; Elena Beissiner, secretary; Joanne Volakakis, treasurer; Maggie Bovis, librarian and Elaine Alexander, Theoney Bouris, Pete Condos, Michael Doran, John Douglas, Jerry Hughes, George Karafotias, Alexis Mitchell, Stella Papachristou, Ida Trakadas and Nick Paloumpis.

Awards for 60 years of choir service were given to Tessie Cladis, Akela Karambelas and Elaine Douglas; for 50 years of service to Bess Davis, Aspasia Sarris, Lula Economos, Sam Condes, Mona Skalkos, Olympia Mott, James Pouros and Lamona Legeros.

Orthodox Christian Network to Air “Share the Light” Program Orthodox Christian Network’s third annual “Share The Light Sunday” is set for Jan. 21, and the bishops of SCOBA are urging each parish to enthusiastically participate by passing a special tray, and becoming Share the Light Parishes, on this Sunday to help build a national, sustainable and effective media witness for the Orthodox Church.

OCN is creating tools to assist Orthodox priests, ministries and parishes across the country. Through the flagship national weekly radio program, Come Receive the Light; the new international 24/7 internet radio station, The Ark; multimedia libraries provided to all of the parishes which have chosen to be members of OCN; and new initiatives currently in development, OCN is working to strengthen the Orthodox

Christian communities of North America by giving them additional resources to inspire their faithful, retain their children, call back the wayward, and reach beyond to their towns and cities.

The director of Orthodox Christian Network, Fr. Christopher Metropulos, recently interviewed film producer Deacon George Taweel, for his “Come Receive the Light radio program.”

Deacon George is an Emmy-Award winning writer and producer, and with his partner Rob Loos co-founder of TLC Entertainment (www.tlcentertainment. com). They created, wrote and served as the executive producers of TLC Entertainment’s most recent production: Kids’ Ten Commandments, an award-winning series of five TLC mini-movies designed to bring

the Bible’s Ten Commandments to life for the kids of today by combining state-of-the art animation, original music, celebrity voices and innovative storytelling. He also is a deacon in the Orthodox Church.

Fr. Metropulos asked him in a recent interview for his radio program what role does the Orthodox faith play in media today? Deacon Taweel replied, “Very little, unfortunately. I wish I could say that there was a greater role that the Church had. There are small little pockets – for example, your show. But I’m just sorry to say that the Church is busy doing other things and not concentrated on the powerful tool of media.”

Taweel continued, “Jesus was a great storyteller. You notice that He very seldom talked about chapter and verse in

Scripture. He told stories. He told stories for people at a level that they could understand, like comparing the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed.” He said that other faiths understand that Jesus must be promoted in the media. “The Catholic Church is in media. The Protestant churches are certainly in media,” he said.

“From my own travels around the country to speak in various cities, it seems that the more we speak about the Church’s use of media, the more people realize that it is a necessity. That we must do it.

What message are we sending our children when we, the Orthodox churches, are escaping detection in any media form whatsoever? We’re sending the message that our faith is not important, that you should just go watch everybody else.”

31

NOVEMBER 2006

The First 100 Years of Denver’s Assumption Cathedral DENVER -- Assumption of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Metropolis Cathedral celebrated its centennial Sept. 22-24.

The memorable, three-day event, “Honoring the Past, Embracing the Future,” celebrated the community’s founding in November 1906, and its current, uninterrupted continuation in 2006.

Present for the celebration was Archbishop Dimitrios, who joined in the festivities of community members as they gathered to talk with friends and family and reminisce about their pioneer grandparents and parents through artifact displays, picture slide shows and chatter of "Remember when"...

Also in attendance was Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, who lived in Denver for a dozen years, with his family, while serving as a priest.

It all began with the Historic Committee, chaired by Connie Armatas and Mrs. Liz Contos.

by Elaine Kasulas

They, along with Stephanie Papageorge, who collected a house full of photographs, arranged for Saturday morning ‘socials,’ and invited members of the community to come and share their photographs and memories with each other.

As they talked, each was videotaped, with the intent to archive their memories. The response was tremendous! The importance of “community” was shared and felt by all cross generations.

A series of three DVD’s was produced depicting the history and people of the first 100 years. On Sept. 22, the Fr. Diakandrew Hellenic Community Center was turned into a 1906 memory lane to celebrate “A Night in Historic Denver.” Attendees received a “passport” luggage tag when entering and many came dressed in 1906 attire .They strolled past a street scene...the old candy store... the shoe shine parlor... the kafeneio..., the old mine...and enjoyed hors’ d’ oeuvres.

In another room, enlarged photographs of the earliest memories were suspended from the ceiling; table displays included original passports and naturalization papers, youth group activities through the years, a military display of members who had served in the armed forces, choir activities, the Greek festival, weddings, and a tribute to Fr. George Neofotistos, who recently passed away.

Fr. George had been the lon-

gest serving priest of the community.

It was thrilling to have former priests and youth directors return to the bond of the Denver community.

Denver natives Frs. John Travis, Nick Papedo, and Jordon Brown, along with Frs. John Magulias, Paul Costopoulos, and Anastasi Yatrelis, all came to celebrate with the community they had served.

The Saturday night banquet, held at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, was attended by more than 750 people.

Honored guests included Archbishop Dimitrios, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, Bishop John of Amorion, Archbishop Chaput of the Denver Roman Catholic Archdiocese, Colorado Gov. Bill Owens, mayor of Glendale,

Larry Harte, Paulette Poulos of Leadership 100, National President of Philoptochos Georgia Skiadis, a former president of the Denver Philoptochos.

All offered inspiring remarks and best wishes for the event. Also present were Ted Hellen, 100th Anniversary chairman, Elaine Cladis and Klea Kappos, banquet co-chairs. Emcee was Dr. Greg Papadeas.

Choirmaster Dr. James Maniatis, presented a program with the Reunion Choir. Dance music by Etho Ellas capped the evening.

Following the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday with Archbishop Dimitrios and Metropolitans Isaiah and Nicholas, a lunch with roast lamb on a spit, and a cathedral-shaped anniversary cake were enjoyed by community and guests. Children released balloons.

St. Augustine Church Celebrates Opening of the Doors ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Under a beautiful blue sky, the Orthodox Christian faithful in St. Augustine, recently opened the doors of Holy Trinity Church at its new location at 2940 County Road 214.

More than 150 parishioners and guests attended the July 8 event, the culmination of years of prayer, planning and fundraising.

Joining in this blessed event were Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Fr. Nikitas Theodosion of Holy Trinity, Mayor George Gardner, Commissioner Karen Stern and many visiting clergy and guests from various parts of the country.

Metropolitan Alexios said, “With the help of God, your new edifice will inspire you to achievement in revealing His mercy and infinite love.

Truly this milestone event will be a precious legacy for the present and future generations to enjoy!”

The celebration weekend began with the Opening of the Doors and ribbon-cutting ceremony, a Vespers service held in the new sanctuary and finally a banquet in the fellowship hall.

Continuing on Sunday, July 9, a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy was celebrated followed by the luncheon sponsored by the Ladies Philoptochos Society.

Metropolitan Alexios bestowed the honor of Economos upon Fr. Theodosion, ordained Michael Fotianos to sub-deacon and tonsured four new Acolytes.

Two OCMC short-term Orthodox Mission teams attended Divine Liturgy and His Eminence commissioned the 18-team members traveling to Romania and Guatemala.

“Our dream has become a reality, and our commitment to God and each other forever shines like a guiding light through our doors,” said Kathy Mendez, Grand Opening chairwoman.

Groundbreaking Held for Another Christian Orthodox Beacon in North Carolina's Triangle Region DURHAM, N.C. – St. Barbara Church, founded in l946, took an important step recently by celebrating a much-anticipated groundbreaking Sept. 9-10 for their new spiritual home.

The milestone groundbreaking ushered the initial phase of a dramatic Byzantine-style church seating over 300, with accompanying support facilities for the various parish ministries. Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta officiated, assisted by parish priest Fr. Andrew Koufopoulos and area clergy.

“The selection of renowned Orthodox Architect Christ J. Kamages, AIA of CJK design Group, has been invaluable,” said Charles Roupas, building committee chairman.

Following vespers and the groundbreaking agiasmos, the community hosted a banquet with the Metropolitan as keynote speaker. “I am delighted with

the efforts and hard work of the parish of St. Barbara and have looked forward

to being with the faithful in Durham to break ground for this beautiful Byzantine

Church,” Metropolitan Alexios said.

The evening’s program included lively exhibition dancing by St. Barbara's dance troupe as well as a slide presentation showing photographs of the past, present and future of the St. Barbara community presented by Dr. Pascal Trohanis, parish council president and master of ceremonies.

The community plays a pivotal role in the Triangle area with its outreach programs for students of Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill.

In addition, the Philoptochos Society sponsors a Medical Ministry for Orthodox Christians receiving specialized treatment at Duke Children's Hospital and Duke Medical Center.

For more information, visit the Parish's website at www.stbarbaraschurch.org or contact Fr. Andrew Koufopoulos at 919682-1414 Koufopoulos@bellsouth.net

32

NOVEMBER 2006

The 2006 Class of the New Archons A steel magnate with a legendary reputation for his generosity received the Athenagoras Human Rights Award on Oct. 21 from the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America.

by Sophia Stratakis Huling

The Archons presented the award to veteran Archon Nicholas J. Bouras at their annual banquet at the New York Hilton, part of a weekend during which they also welcomed 27 new members at an investiture service at New York’s Holy Trinity Cathedral with Archbishop Demetrios presiding.

A general assembly annual meeting was held for all members Saturday, Oct. 21, where they were updated on the Order’s activities for the year, including efforts to protect the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul from the religious persecution perpetrated by the Turkish government.

Bouras founded a steel manufacturing business more than 30 years ago, which has spawned five subsidiaries, employs more than 600 people, and supplied steel to building sites around the country. But his real work of construction has gone beyond the material. For well over 40 years, the distinguished Archon and founding member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Westfield, N.J. has donated millions of dollars to his parish and to hosts of Orthodox Christian causes including missions, education, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate after he was invested an Archon in 1975.

Applause from more than 550 banquet attendees repeatedly interrupted Archbishop Demetrios as he described Bouras’ legendary generosity.

The newly invested Archons and the hierarchs following the ceremony at the Cathedral.

“I, like my parents, am a Greek Orthodox Christian who tries to love God with all my heart, all my mind, and all my soul, and love my neighbor as myself,” Bouras said. “Human rights is not a right just for us. It’s a right and a responsibility of every human being on earth.”

The decorated World War II veteran added, “I would like to recognize the members of the armed forces who put themselves in harm’s way so we can pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Emanuel, who grew up ARCHBISHOP Demetrios presents Nicholas Bouras with a cross in Westfield’s Holy Trinity church, called Bouras “a fabricated from the steel of the fallen WTC towers. member of the greatest virtually no fanfare or hoopla has provided generation,” Americans who persevered the resources to empower individuals, through the Great Depression and the institutions and churches to pursue their Second World War. noble and charitable missions. This man Sarbanes gave Bouras the gift of a flag of steel has provided the economic and which has flown over the U.S. Capitol, a material foundation for numerous orga- symbol of American democracy. “In honnizations to build their own skyscrapers oring Nicholas Bouras, the Order recogof accomplishment," said Archon National nizes a model of integrity, of generosity, Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis. of benevolence,” said Sarbanes. “He has “These humanitarian accomplishments demonstrated the true meaning of Chriswere done quietly, with unparalleled tian stewardship.” generosity and with the dignity that has be9/11 survivor Kassimatis sent Bouras come a trademark for Archon Nicholas.” a cross fabricated from the structural steel In his short acceptance speech, the of the north tower of the World Trade unassuming Bouras admitted feeling un- Center, destroyed on Sept. 11 along with comfortable with the title “humanitarian.” St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in

lower Manhattan – a church Bouras has offered to help rebuild. Archon Kassimatis called the cross a tribute to his generosity “to help rebuild the church on this most sacred ground."

A videotaped tribute played on massive overhead screens, featuring photos of Bouras’ family, mementoes of his military service as a bombardier in Europe during World War II, and praise from some of his employees. Bouras was married to his wife, Anna, for 52 years until her death in 1994. They had no children, but he is known to consider his employees as his family.

The 27 new members were invested into the Order during Sunday’s liturgy by Archbishop Demetrios of America with support from Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and Archdiocese Chancellor Bishop Savas of Troas.

Following is the list of new Archons.

George James Anderson, Vaios Nicholas Athanasiou, DVM, Panagiotis Konstantinos Contos, John Daskos, Jerry Dimitriou, John Dennis Georges, Leslie P. George, Esq., Peter Georgiopoulos, Eppaminondas George Johnson, Konstandinos Kazakos, Demetrios S. Kotsakis, Harry Nicholas Kotsis, John Lagadinos, Arthur Loridas, Emmanuel Andrew Manatos, Nicholas Michael Moustoukas, MD, Kosmas M. Pablecas, Peter Clyde Papadakos, Esq, Michael J. Patzakis Constantine Poll, George C. Rockas, Esq., Wesley A. Stinich, Nicholas E. Terezis, MD; Constantine Menelaus Triantafilou, Kyriakos Tsakopoulos, Esq., George James Tsunis, Esq., and Theodore P. Vlahos, MD.

Constantine Triantafilou receives the Archon cross from Metropolitan Evangelos.

Jerry Dimitriou receives the Archon cross from Archbishop Demetrios.

“What Mr. Bouras did was not just simply to be a benefactor, giving money here or there. This type of offering creates an atmosphere of reaching out beyond your own limited ego,” said Archbishop Demetrios. “He is an example of the way of Christ, of giving and giving and always overcoming himself in order to give to other people.”

At the banquet, accolades came from a string of dignitaries including U.S. Senator and Archon Paul Sarbanes, White House Associate Director of Public Liaison Dana Edwards representing President George W. Bush, New York/New Jersey Port Authority Inspector and Archon John Kassimatis, and toastmaster and Fox News National Security Correspondent Mike Emanuel.

"This evening we honor a great churchman and Archon, a World War II hero and patriot, a humanitarian and a successful industrialist. A man who with

ARCHONS participating at the investiture ceremony pose for a group photo

PHOTOS D. PANAGOS