Orthodox Observer - December 2008 by Orthodox Marketplace

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Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year

Icon with the Nativity. Byzantine, 15th century, Volpi Collection, Venice; Peratikos collection, London.

DECEMBER 2008 • Vol. 73 • No. 1245

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

DECEMBER 2008

My Journey to Ionian Village by Anastacia “Annie” Economou

I always assumed that I knew all there was to know about being a Greek Orthodox Christian. I have two Greek parents, I’ve grown up in a Greek Orthodox community and I have Yiayias and a Papou that live nearby. My Yiayia even makes the prosforo for Sunday liturgy (quite an accomplishment in my book). What I failed to realize was how much more there is to my culture and faith. I took traditions at face value, never knowing their meaning or origin. Through the generosity of my parents, I was given the opportunity for a sort of “great awakening”. I was allowed to go to Ionian Village, the travel abroad summer camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. It was this camp that would open my eyes to the depth and richness of the Greek culture and of my Orthodox Christian faith. Ionian Village gives teens the chance to travel throughout Greece for three weeks. Upon arriving in Bartolomio (the village in which the camp is located), around one hundred-thirty campers are welcomed to a gated beach community. Behind these gates lies a “horio” made of white stucco cottages and vine covered arbors. These cottages surround a large trapezaria, or outdoor dining space, and a miniature chapel. Near the “trap”, as we affectionately call our outdoor dining area, is an Olympic-size, salt water pool hidden by patches of colorful flowers.

Annie and friends pose in front of the Parthenon during their sojourn in Athens.

The Ionian Sea hugs Ionian Village, providing campers with their own piece of the clearest, bluest water in the world. While at the camp, teens participate in various daily activities such as Orthodox life, arts and crafts, music and Greek culture, sports, and beach time. In the evenings, the entire camp joins for a large group activity such as cabin

One favorite stop on their tour of historic Greece was the site of ancient Olympia, scene of the first Olympics in 776 BC. EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis

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Olympics or a music festival. When we weren’t enjoying our own “horio”, we were out traveling and experiencing the beauty of life in Greece. Some of the spots I visited included Meteora, Kalavrita, Zakynthos, Olympia, Kefalonia, and Patras. While the camp grounds were breathtaking and camp days were fun-filled, the tour days were those that impacted my life the most, changing my view of the Greek Orthodox world. One of our travel days included a visit to Kalavrita, a town of incredible history and meaning to Greeks. The most memorable part of this town was visiting Megaspeileon, a monastery near Kalavrita. This monastery holds one of the most ancient artifacts I’ve ever seen, an icon of the Panagia that is said to be painted by St. Luke himself. I was able to venerate a work done by one of the most significant disciples of our Holy Church. The experience was soul shaking. I can’t even begin to explain the complexity of the many emotions I felt while venerating this icon. I stood in front of an icon that the Virgin Mary herself had posed for. This icon is presented in reverse relief. Legend has it that Saint Luke felt unworthy and did not wish to look at the Theotokos while he carved her portrait, instead looking only at her shadow. I stood in front of an icon that had performed miracles, survived attacks, and withstood fires. In that very moment I saw the connection

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between the seemingly distant world of the Bible and the modern world that I live in today. Two worlds that, in my mind had no previous tie, were instantly united. The opportunity that Ionian Village had given me, in seeing that holy work, is one that I will be eternally grateful for. Not only did Ionian Village help me draw connections between the biblical world and today’s world, but also it helped me draw connections between my life as a Greek Orthodox teen in Eagan, Minnesota to the lives of other Greek Orthodox teens all over the United States. The core beliefs that the campers shared allowed us to form friendships deeper than those with our friends at school. The commonality of our faith provided a basis from which we could form long lasting, spiritual relationships. Although three weeks seems a short time, I have no doubt that the friends I made at Ionian Village will be ones that I can count on for a lifetime. Who knows, perhaps some of my new friends will be nounas and nounos to my future children? I do know that the experiences we shared and the wonders we witnessed connect us, regardless of how far away we live from each other. No matter how far away from Greece I am, or how much time passes from my trip to Ionian Village, there will always be a special place for Bartholomio, Greece in my heart. I will remember my summer at Ionian Village as one of spiritual growth, learning, and incredible fun. If it were not for the opportunity my parents had given me, I am not sure that I would be so confident in my Greek Orthodox faith. I am grateful that I was allowed the chance to strengthen my faith and learn about my culture. Annie is a member of St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis. She is senior in high school, 17 years old, and enjoys writing, reading, rollerblading, traveling and enjoys visiting different tea shops.

DECEMBER 2008

WORLD ORTH DOX NEWS Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow falls asleep in the Lord Ecumenical Patriarch Leads Delegation that Includes Archbishop Demetrios NEW YORK – Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia, who only three months ago participated in the Synaxis of the Heads of the Autocephalous Churches at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, died Dec. 5 at age 79 at his residence outside Moscow. According to Asia News, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said the following that same evening after Great Vespers for the feast of St. Nicholas in Ipsomatia. After chanting a Memorial for the late Patriarch, His All Holiness said: “The Mother Church of Constantinople shares in the sorrow of our Russian brothers, over the death of our brother Alexy, Patriarch of Moscow. Sometimes there was tension between us, and we did not have the same opinion on various questions concerning the Orthodox Church. Constantinople and Moscow have gone through difficult moments over the question of the independence of the Estonian Orthodox Church, which Moscow wanted to control; on relations with Catholics; on the Orthodox Churches of the Diaspora; on the attitude toward the Ukrainian Churches. When I went [to Ukraine] to participate in the celebration of the 1,020 years of the Christianization of the Russian people, after the celebration of the Liturgy and after the official lunch, we had a long and productive meeting, in which [Patriarch Alexy] told me that he felt his end was approaching, and that we had to work to reestablish peace within the Church. He told me that he might not be able to come to the pan-Orthodox meeting last October. In spite of his dour predictions, and disobeying the orders of his own doctors, Patriarch Alexy came to the meeting because he had a strong desire to add his signature to the important final document

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Alexy at the Ukrainian Church Millennial celebration in Kiev last July.

of the pan-Orthodox meeting, which constitutes the reply of the entire Orthodox Church to the challenges of the contemporary world. With this signature, he left an indelible mark of his testimony.” Upon learning of his passing, Archbishop Demetrios immediately sent condolences to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church. In his letter, the Archbishop wrote: “On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Russian Orthodox Church, the deeply beloved and respected

D. PANAGOS

Archbishop Demetrios greets Patriarach Alexy as he arrives at the Phanar for the Synaxis in October. At right is Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk, elected on Dec. 6th the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of Russia.

late Patriarch Alexy II. The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Russian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his wise and pastoral stewardship of the Russian Orthodox Church during this most significant period of Her rebirth, after decades of very harsh times for Her. “Having learned that only yesterday the Patriarch served the Divine Liturgy for the Entrance of the Virgin Mary into the Temple, we take a measure of comfort from the knowledge that he is now within the Holy of Holies not-made-by-hands, and in the presence of the Theotokos and her Lord and Son. “Your Eminences and dearly beloved and respected brothers in the Lord, as you reflect on this incalculable loss, prepare to bid farewell to the beloved Patriarch Alexy II, and face the extraordinary task of electing his successor, please be assured of our prayers for you and all the pious Russian People. As we remember you in this time of national grief and mourning, we shall also offer our fervent supplications to God for him, that he may find the reward of “the faithful and wise steward” that he most surely was, and that he may rest in the blessed hope of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. May his memory, the memory of this exceptional leader of the Church, be eternal.” On Friday evening, Dec. 5, Archbishop Demetrios attended the official Memorial Service, conducted by the Moscow Patriarchal Vicar in the USA, Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk, at the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Moscow Patriarchate in New York City. As Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Archbishop represented not only the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, but also the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) as Chairman. Also present from SCOBA were Proto-Presbyters of the Antiochian

N. MANGINAS

Archdiocese, the Serbian Archdiocese, the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA). The Papal Nuncio to the United Nations, the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations, the Russian Consul General and an official representative from the Armenian Orthodox Church joined the faithful who filled the Cathedral to capacity. After the memorial service, at the invitation of Bishop Mercurius, Archbishop Demetrios addressed the congregation. In his remarks, His Eminence spoke of his long acquaintance with the late Patriarch and of the extraordinary rebirth of the Russian Orthodox Church under his 18-year reign on the Patriarchal Throne. After extending consolations to the assembled faithful on behalf of SCOBA, the Archbishop greeted the dignitaries and congregants. The service was filmed for Russian television (Channel 1) and was broadcast in part the next day, Saturday. Part of the broadcast included an interview with the Archbishop that was conducted after his remarks. On Sunday, Dec. 7, Archbishop Demetrios departed for Moscow, accompanied by Archdeacon Pandeleimon, in order to join the Official Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the funeral of the late Patriarch Alexy II. In an important signal of the fraternal and cooperative spirit between the Ecumenical and Moscow Patriarchates, His All Holiness Bartholomew is leading the Delegation (which also includes Metropolitan Germanos of Tranoupolis, the Grand Archdeacon Maximos, the Grand Ecclesiarch Fr. Benjamin, and Nikolaos Manginas, journalist and photographer). The funeral for the late Patriarch was set for Tuesday, Dec. 9 in the Christ the Savior Cathedral, the largest Church in Russia, with burial in the Epiphany Cathedral.

DECEMBER 2008

Funeral Service of Patriarch Alexy II

THOUSANDS fill the vast Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on Dec. 9 for Patriarch Alexyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s funeral.

Patriarchate of Moscow photos

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his delegation that included Archbishop Demetrios were among the thousands of faithful and Church and government leaders who attended the Dec. 9 funeral of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia. The heads of all Orthodox Churches worldwide, or their representatives, including Patriarch Daniel of Romania, Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece, and Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania, Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slovakia and Archbishop Szymon of Lodz and Poznan of the Church of Poland. World leaders included Russian President D. Medvedev, Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin, the presidents of Belarus, Serbia and Armenia, and the U.S. ambassador and other ambassadors. Patriarchal Locum Tenens Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad presided at the Office of the Dead for the All-Night Vigil on Dec. 8 at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and at the Divine Liturgy on the following day. Accompanying Archbishop Demetrios were Fr. Mark Arey, director of the Archdiocese Department of InterOrthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, and Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos.

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Batholomew pays his respects at the casket.

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew and other heads of Orthodox Churches.

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS at the casket of the Russian patriarch.

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew with Metropolitan Kirill, the patriarchal locum tenens.

DECEMBER 2008

ECUMENICAL

PATRIARCHATE

Pope Greets Ecumenical Patriarch on Feast of St. Andrew ISTANBUL, Turkey - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received warm, fraternal greetings from Pope Benedict XVI on Nov. 30, the Feast Day of the Ecumenical Throne, of St. Andrew the First-Called disciple. In his message, the Pope observed that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has visited the Vatican three times during this calendar year, most recently to deliver his “most thoughtful address” to the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church this October, held in the Sistine Chapel. This historic occasion was the first time ever that an Ecumenical Patriarch has addressed this Synod of over 400 cardinals, archbishops and bishops. The Pope also expressed his trust that the relationship between Catholics and Orthodox is becoming more substantive and that the day will come when both Churches will share the celebration of the Eucharist. The Pope’s message was delivered to the Ecumenical Patriarch by Cardinal Walter Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, during the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. The Vatican delegation also included Bishop Brian Farrell, secretary of Council, and Father Vladimiro Caroli, a member of the council, and Archbishop Antonio Lucibello, the apostolic nuncio in Ankara. After the midday Angelus with crowds in St. Peter’s Square, Pope

Benedict spoke of the bonds of friendship with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Speaking of the relationship of Sts. Peter and Andrew the Pope said: “St. Andrew is the patron of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and so the Church of Rome feels linked to the Church of Constantinople by a special fraternal bond.... With all my heart, I offer my greeting and my best wishes to him [His All Holiness] and to the faithful of the Patriarchate, invoking the abundance of heavenly blessings upon all.” The Pope’s message to His All Holiness can be read below: “Grace to you and peace from God the Father” (Gal 1: 3) It is with deep joy that I address these words of St. Paul to Your Holiness, the Holy Synod and all the Orthodox clergy and lay people assembled for the feast of St. Andrew, the brother of St. Peter and, like him, a great apostle and martyr for Christ. I am pleased to be represented on This festal occasion by a delegation led by my venerable brother Cardinal Walter Kasper, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, to whom I am entrusting this message of greetings. My own prayers join with yours as we plead with the Lord for the wellbeing and unity of the followers of

Christ throughout the world. I give thanks to God that he has enabled us to deepen the bonds of mutual love between us, supported by prayer and ever more regular fraternal contact. In the course of the year that is now drawing to a close, we have been blessed three times by the presence of Your Holiness in Rome: on the occasion of your magisterial address at the Pontifical Oriental Institute, which is honored to number you among its alumni; at the opening of the Pauline Year on the feast of Rome’s patron saints, Peter and Paul; and at the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, held in October on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church, when you delivered a most thoughtful address. As a sign of our growing communion and spiritual closeness, the Catholic Church for her part was represented at the celebrations of the Pauline Year overseen by Your Holiness, including a symposium and a pilgrimage to the Pauline sites in Asia Minor. These experiences of encounter and shared prayer contribute to an increase in our commitment to attain the goal of our ecumenical journey. In this same spirit, Your Holiness has informed me of the positive outcome of the Synaxis of the Primates and Representatives of the Orthodox Churches, which took place recently at the Phanar. The hopeful signs which emerged

for inter-Orthodox relations and ecumenical engagement have been welcomed with joy. I believe and pray that these developments will have a constructive impact on the official theological dialogue between the Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church, and will lead to a resolution of the difficulties experienced in the last two sessions. As Your Holiness remarked during your address to the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church, the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox is now addressing a crucial issue which, once resolved, would draw us closer to full communion. On this feast of St. Andrew, we reflect with joy and thanksgiving that the relations between us are entering progressively deeper levels as we renew our commitment to the path of prayer and dialogue. We trust that our common journey will hasten the arrival of that blessed day when we will praise God together in a shared celebration of the Eucharist. The inner life of our Churches and the challenges of our modem world urgently demand this witness of unity among Christ’s disciples. It is with these brotherly sentiments that I extend to Your Holiness my cordial greetings in the Lord, who assures us of his grace and peace. From the Vatican, 26 November 2008

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Addresses Ukrainian Nation on 75 Anniversary of Holodomor th

ISTANBUL, Turkey – The Holodomor is the name given to the famine that took place in Soviet Ukraine in the 1932-1933 agricultural season, as part of a wider famine which took place in other regions of the USSR. The famine was caused by the food requisition actions carried by Soviet authorities. The Holodomor is considered one of the greatest national catastrophes to affect the Ukrainian nation in modern history where millions of inhabitants of Ukraine died of starvation in an unprecedented peacetime catastrophe. Estimates for the total number of casualties within Soviet Ukraine vary between 2.2 million (demographers’ estimate) and 3-3.5 million, and up to 14 million (historians’ estimate). The address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine to the Entire Pious Ukrainian Nation can be read below:

Beloved children of the Church, dear Ukrainians! By God’s Providence, we have another occasion for a paternal address to you. The Mother Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, hereby again addresses you to share with you not only joy, but also the grief caused by the Holodomor. The few sons and daughters of the Ukrainian nation whom the Lord helped to survive at the time of the Ukrainian tragedy, the Holodomor of 1932-1933, increasingly often are leaving forever their homes, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Therefore, our address is first of all to young people representing the future of the Ukrainian state.

Together with you, we seek to comprehend not only the number of Ukrainians killed by the famine, but, above all, the causes which led to the tragedy. Let us leave the study of the political and social causes to secular scholars. We will try to look at the Holodomor from the Church’s viewpoint. Why did Ukraine, which from ancient times supplied bread to countries which lacked it, begin at a peaceful time to starve more severely than any European nation did in times of war? The power of the newly-established state on the territory of the collapsed empire replaced the star of Bethlehem with one of human blood, and in place of Christ’s purple, which absorbed the holy blood of the Savior of the world and which has been its holy banner, leading to eternal life and always followed by believing people, the red flag began flying, which made the innocent blood of the best sons and daughters of your nation invisible. As soon as an oppressor comes to power, he does not care about the good of the governed native nation or respect its spiritual, cultural and material values. He knows well that sooner or later the people will begin to see and get rid of the yoke. Therefore, to ensure a long rule, it is necessary to terrorize the titular nation. The preserved historic documents of the Soviet Union are rich in information about the nationality of the repressed. The overwhelming majority of the destroyed, imprisoned or exiled people were Ukrainians who were nationally conscious or good managers. The inspirers, organizers, managers and chief executors of the extermination of the Ukrainians were people who can be described with the words of Jesus Christ: “You belong to your father, the devil... He was a murderer

from the beginning...” (Jn. 8:44) Three holodomors, repressions, and war should have become for you, the Ukrainian nation, a stimulus to spiritual purification, moral improvement, return to your forefathers` Christian tradition with its own Church and internal Christian spirituality and not an imported external, formal Christianity verging on the worship of ritual. And our visit to Kyiv for the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine showed us the real sons and daughters of the Ukrainian Church, who pray to God and not to man, even if he holds a high post. We saw that even the terrors of the 20th century did not break the backbone of the nation, did not make the Ukrainian a slave and obedient executer of other people’s intentions. We call all to turn their faces to Kyiv, to Ukrainian spiritual shrines, religious and cultural, to the Ukrainian nation: all people born in Ukraine have one and the same mother, Ukraine, which should be served by everyone, without exception, both those vested with power and “small” citizens. Remember the Savior’s words: “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” (Matt. 12:25) Dear Ukrainians! Your past, whether joyful and victorious or sad and tragic, especially the Holodomor, will always remain with you, even when you try to forget, diminish or distort it to please your neighbors. The following words of the Apostle Paul apply to you: “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.” (1st Cor. 7:24) Your calling is to be good Christians

within the ancient Ukrainian Church tradition and citizens of Ukraine, as well as to witness unanimously to the tragedies of the Ukrainian nation in the 20th century, especially the Great Holodomor of 19321933, to the world. It is your duty to the memory of your great grandparents, grandparents and parents, for there was no tragedy in human history when more representatives of a single nation were destroyed in one peaceful year than during the several years of a war. And no matter what anyone says or if they try to belittle the evil, this is the clear sign of genocide. Children of Christ’s Church, dear Ukrainians! In the days of remembrance of the victims of the Great Holodomor of 1932-1933, especially on its 75th anniversary, your Mother-Church, the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, grieves together with you and expresses its deep and sincere sympathies to all of you and Ukraine’s President, Viktor Yushchenko, who represents Ukraine before the world and through whose persistent efforts the world learns increasingly more information about the terrible tragedy of Ukrainians in the 20th century. We bring our prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ and ask the Most Gracious Savior to give rest in holy dwellings to the souls of all those killed by the Famine and admit them to the assembly of His Martyrs as those innocently killed. May their memory live forever and may the heavenly blessing of the Most High be on you who are alive! At the Phanar, 20 November 2008 Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch

DECEMBER 2008

May the joy and peace of the Infant Christ Child dwell in your hearts now and evermore

A Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

Stephen G. Yeonas, Chairman Constantine G. Caras,Vice Chairman George E. Safiol, Treasurer Mark D. Stavropoulos, Secretary Paulette Poulos, Executive Director (Interim)

Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Incorporated Advancing Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America

DECEMBER 2008

The Voice of Philoptochos President’s Message

Archbishop Appoints Aphrodite Skeadas as National President

CHRISTMAS 2008 To the National Board, Chapter Presidents and members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14 For 2,000 years the birth of this most remarkable Child has transformed the world through love. On the eighth day after His most humble birth, He was given the precious name of Jesus. “The name that is above every name” (Philippians 29). So we confess in every Divine Liturgy and from the depth of our hearts: He is the Holy One, our Christ, our Lord and our Savior! He was born in a humble manger that miraculous night in Bethlehem so that the world would be saved. Through His example we are offered the opportunity to achieve heavenly salvation by emulating the humility of Jesus through our relationship with Him, with one another and with nature on our contemporary earth. The faithful women of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society have a long and rich history demonstrating our love and compassion through fulfillment of our philanthropic mission. We know that need is forever, as is our promise to heed the call. To continue to meet that need, let us be mindful that our purpose to serve is further demonstrated and the fulfillment of our mission is nearer with each addition to our corps. With the economic crisis headlined in the news each day, difficult times for many may be expected, resulting in a heightened importance for social assistance. Through prayer and renewed commitment, the women of our great Society will wholeheartedly resolve, with deeper promise and renewed spirit, to aid and to embrace those most in need. There is an infinite possibility to continually expand our Society’s work through our collective resources. We must prioritize and return to basics and to our teachings. We must look within, unite with family, and expand our reach throughout the Church and community. Let us be cognizant and embrace the gift of life and its environment and let us multiply our efforts to live, by example, the life of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Especially at this glorious time of year, let us ask Him in our prayers to guide us to make good and correct choices, to live our lives responsibly, to assume responsibility on behalf of those in need and as stewards of this Earth, to preserve our world. May you and your families receive the blessings of the Lord and His bountiful gifts that will come as we commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus and may you continue to preserve Christmas as meaningful throughout your year and always. With love and admiration in the Newborn King, Aphrodite Skeadas

Metropolis of Boston Charities Benefit Luncheon participants: L to R: Luncheon Co-Chairman, Maria Tamvakologos; Consul General Constantinos Orphanides; Metropolitan Methodios; National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas; Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President Diane Miminos; and Luncheon Co-Chairman Georgia Lagadinos.

Charities Benefit Luncheon Honors

Volunteers “People Who Make A Difference”

Under the spiritual guidance of Metropolitan Methodios and the leadership of Diane Miminos, Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President, Luncheon CoChairs Georgia Lagadinos and Maria Tamvakalogos and the Metropolis Philoptochos Board achieved great success with the Charities Benefit Luncheon that honored Volunteers – “People Who Make a Difference”. More than 250 Philoptochos members and friends of the Metropolis participated in this beautiful afternoon filled with great fellowship on November 16, 2008 at the Newton Marriott Hotel in Newton, Mass. The Luncheon honored four area volunteer organizations which have made significant contributions to the Metropolis ministries and their projects. Program greetings included remarks from the, Consul General of Greece in Boston Constantinos Orphanides; President Miminos who recognized the organizations being honored as “our sisters in Christ, sharing a common bond of philanthropy and service to others”; and, the newly appointed National Philoptochos President, Aphrodite Skeadas, who made her first official visit at the luncheon and in her inspirational remarks recognized the honorees stating that “volunteers are not paid because they are priceless.” Keynote Speaker Demetra Ganias, reporter for the WTEN News 10 in Albany, offered a testimonial on the influence of the Church and Philoptochos on her career and volunteer activities. Ms. Ganias spent her early years at the St. Spyridon Cathedral parish in Worcester, MA. Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Kacoyanis then delighted the audience with a beautiful musical interlude. The Luncheon highlight featured the recognition of the four volunteer organizations and their members who represent all volunteers who give freely and unselfishly of their time and their spirit to make a difference in the lives of others. Each organization designated one individual to accept on behalf of the group. The four honorees are the following: The Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association - Represents the women who met the growing need for a Hellenic Nursing Home where an aging immigrant population could receive care and comfort in an environment of ethnic, cultural and spiritual familiarity. The Association continues to oversee and guide the administration of the facility and serves as the primary source of capital which supports expansion, programs and enhancements. Anastasia Caras, a 35–

year volunteer, represented the Hellenic Women’s Benevolent Association. The Hellenic Women’s Club (EOK) – An organization of dedicated women who offer their talents, energies and spirit to the mission of charity. For the past decade their successful fundraising resulted in over $750,000 being donated to myriad charities including hospitals, research foundations, homeless shelters, scholarship funds, the Philoxenia House and other Metropolis ministries as well as Hellenic College/ Holy Cross. Recent donations include the renovation of a bedroom at the Philoxenia House, a physical therapy room for the Hellenic Nursing Home, and an iron lung to a sick child. Pamela Lazares, President, represented the EOK. The North Shore Hellenic Women’s Guild - Comprised of women with Greek heritage from the North Shore of Boston whose mission is to provide resources for worthy charitable causes. The women support the Philoxenia House, the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center, Hellenic Nursing Home, Hellenic College/Holy Cross, Saint Basil Academy, American Heart Association, North Shore Cancer Center, North Shore Hospice, Children’s Hospital and the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund. Mary Lou Sambatakos, President, represented the Guild. The Volunteer Women of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology – Women dedicated to helping the school to function and grow for over seventy years. Their support of educational, cultural and environmental programs has contributed to the success of the school. They established the Campus Beautification Fund which has been instrumental in preserving the aesthetic quality of the campus. The Volunteers welcome seminarians during their theological studies and have initiated outreach programs for the youth. Elaine Zetes, past president, represented the Volunteer Women. During the luncheon President Diane Miminos announced the generous donation of $100,000 to the Metropolis Philoptochos by grand benefactor Catherine Pappas. Mrs. Pappas continues to demonstrate her magnanimous spirit and the Metropolis Philoptochos is very grateful to her for her loving and generous support. The donation was made in memory of Vera Biemann, Mrs. Pappas’ sister. Metropolitan Methodios closed the program with his reflections and blessings and thanked everyone for their continued support of the Metropolis Ministries.

Archbishop Demetrios announced the appointment of Aphrodite Skeadas of Greenwich, Conn. as the new National Philoptochos president at the inaugural meeting of the 2008 – 2010 National Philoptochos Board held in Chicago. The Archbishop praised Mrs. Skeadas for her commitment and service to Philoptochos and the Church. Born in Apidia, Lakonia, Greece, Aphrodite Skeadas immigrated to the United States with her family when she was five years old. She spent her early years at Prophet Elias Church in Yonkers, N.Y. and is currently a member with her husband, Peter, and children Constantina and Nicholas of the Church of Our Savior in Rye, NY. Aphrodite Skeadas has unconditional love for her family, her Church and for the Philoptochos Society that has positively impacted her life for more than twenty-five years. She recognizes the power Philoptochos has to transform and energize people’s lives through the Church’s teachings and family values just as it did her own life. Aphrodite has served as chapter president, on the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board. She has been a member of the National Philoptochos Board for 16 years where she served with distinction as its treasurer. She and her husband support other philanthropic efforts and Aphrodite serves on the Greenwich Committee for the American Farm School in Thessaloniki, Greece. Mrs. Skeadas accepted the appointment and the charge of Archbishop Demetrios and set clear goals for her two–year term to increase membership, embrace the younger generation and enhance the use of technology. Other members elected to the executive board include: Arlene Siavelis, first vice president; Maria Stavropoulos, second vice president; Kathy Gabriel, third vice president; Elaine Cladis, secretary; Joanne Kakoyiannis, treasurer, and Martha Stefanidakis, assistant treasurer.

SAVE THE DATE Mark your Calendar! for the 12th National Philoptochos Children’s Medical Fund Luncheon Hosted by the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Nov. 13-14, 2009 Boca Resort and Hotel, Boca Raton, Fla. More information to follow!

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

DECEMBER 2008

The Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas

SCOBA Mourns Passing of Patriarch Alexy II NEW YORK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America, notes with great sorrow the falling asleep in the Lord of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on Dec. 5. In a letter to his fellow SCOBA member, the Moscow Patriarchal Vicar in the United States Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk, Archbishop Demetrios said: Please accept my deepest sympathies on the falling asleep in the Lord of the deeply beloved

and respected late Patriarch Alexy II. I am sure that his passing is a profound loss to the Russian Church and People, and a deep personal loss for you.... I know that you are returning this evening from [Moscow], only to return tomorrow for the funeral preparations. I will be joining you this evening at the St. Nicholas Cathedral to pray with you for the repose of his blessed soul, and to share both your grief and gratitude for the extraordinary arch-pastoral ministry of this blessed man of God and beloved son of the Russian People.

Orthodox Hierarchs Celebrate Annual Prayer Service for UN NEW YORK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and of the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches in America (SCOOCH) recently celebrated the 8th annual Prayer Service for the United Nations. Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern), welcomed Archbishop Demetrios, SCOBA chairman, and other hierarchs, clergy, ambassadors and dignitaries of the UN Diplomatic Corps and laity to St. Vartan Armenian Cathedral, the traditional site when the service is hosted by an Oriental Orthodox Church. Archbishop Barsamian presided over the Vespers service on Oct. 30, which included liturgical chanting by Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian choirs.

The Vespers marked a significant milestone in the life of SCOBA, as for the first time, Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk (Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate) participated in the Vespers as a full Member of SCOBA. Additionally, there were present Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Church, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church (who is also President of the NCC), and representation from the OCA. Ambassador Negash Kebret, the Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations addressed the assembled faithful. Following the conclusion of Vespers, led by the Hierarchs and the Diplomatic Corps, over 200 of the Clergy and Faithful attended a reception in the Kavookjian Hall.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

DECEMBER 2008

Commentaries and Opinions A Christmas Message

My Beloved Christians, Once again we celebrate the great Feast of Christmas, the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Church invites us to a joyful celebration with the magnificent hymn: “Christ is born, glorify Him! Christ is coming from heaven, receive Him. Christ is on earth, lift yourselves up! Let all Earth sing to God!” It is important to remember that as we glorify the Almighty God today, the God Who became man and dwelt among us, we are glorifying the One who shared our pains, our anxieties, our exhaustion, our ordeals, and even our death. Our God, by becoming human being, has shared in our every ordeal. This is of vital importance because we are living at a time when in our world we are experiencing heavy levels of anxiety due to many ordeals. Some of these ordeals include the present state of our global economy, the rising of unemployment, the problems caused by the ways that we rely upon energy, the health of our environment, and the continuing presence of terrorism and civil unrest. In the face of such tremendous stress, we take comfort that our loving and Almighty God Himself took on all kinds of ordeals. Indeed, the newborn Christ took on all the evils, sins, and pains of the entire humanity, and He transformed these ordeals into hope, strength, peace and resurrection. We are strengthened by remembering that God humbled Himself so that we could be exalted and abide in His love forever. We are renewed with courage because He has shown to us that our final destination is not our limited earthly world, but the immensity of heaven. And we share the joy of His birth because He has made it clear to us that our lives are always in a state of constant upward movement, from low to high, from Earth to Heaven, from death to life, and from this world to God. My beloved Christians, Christ is born! Glorify Him, and let all Earth sing to God! Let us sing to the newborn Christ a new song of hope, love, and gratefulness! Let us receive Him joyfully, and pray that He be with us throughout this Holy Nativity season and indeed every day of the dawning New Year. I wish you all a joyful Christmas and a blessed New Year.

† Archbishop Demetrios of America

To all the faithful, our readers, advertisers, supporters and friends

DECEMBER 2008

TALES FROM THE STOLÉ

Seeking the Mystical by Fr. John S. Bakas

At a recent dinner get together with friends, a couple approached me with a worried look on their faces. Seeing my clerical collar they felt I was the one who could perhaps help. They told me that their 20-something son was giving up his middle class Christian life style and was leaving for Amsterdam, Holland to study Oriental mysticism. The way they phrased it sounded like he was going there to be treated for some rare disease. I asked them why their son had come to this decision, and they told me that he was bored with conventional Evangelical Christianity, and according to them, he was burned out on “hand clapping, hand waving, cutting edge musical WOW worship and pastors prancing around a stage, waving a bible.” He wanted to experience the sublime mystical element. He wanted a deeper spiritual experience. The mother glancing about the room lowered her voice as not to be heard by the others asked: “What is a mystic? What is mysticism? We’re worried for our son.” This isn’t the kind of question I get everyday and I told her that from the Eastern Orthodox Christian point of view, “mysticism” was not something weird or exotic but a genuine part of Orthodox Christianity going back to the beginning of the Faith. The term unfortunately has been hijacked by those enamored with the so–called trendier parts of Eastern religions and New Age movements. The Eastern Orthodox faith teaches, and that is exclusively from where I am speaking, that a mystic is a spiritual person who has the Holy Spirit within and this is confirmed by the uninterrupted remembrance of God. The mystical life is a life in which the gifts of the Holy Spirit are pre-dominant over human effort. This life is not just for the elect. It is open to all who wish to

discipline themselves in prayer, contemplation and meditation on the divine. It is to seek the transcendent God in the immanent person of Jesus Christ. I’m not sure I satisfied the question of my two new friends, but at least I encouraged them to seek a deeper understanding of Christianity in the unending wealth of writings from the fathers and great saint theologians of the Eastern and Western Churches. I wish I could have spoken to that young man before he boarded the plane for Amsterdam to at least introduce him to the writings and thoughts of the great Christian mystics of our Holy Orthodox Tradition. I wish I could have told him about St. Theophan the Recluse who taught that “We are to keep our mind in the heart at all times. It is the secret dwelling place where God lives.” Or to have him spiritually meet St. Macarius who would have told him that “The heart is but a vessel; and yet dragons and lions are there, and there are poisonous creatures and all the treasures of wickedness; rough, uneven paths are there, and gaping chasms. There likewise is God, there are the angels, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace; all things are there.” I would have told him that he didn’t have to journey to Amsterdam, or for that matter any particular geographic area on the planet. The greatest journey for all of us is the “journey within” where the “heavenly city” exists. In this heavenly city, the heart, one will find Christ’s Palace. There Christ the King comes to take His rest and give us rest. There all mystical truths will be found. Even for the mystic, the Kingdom of God is to experience the rule of God, to acknowledge the authority of God, to recognize God’s right to be the formative and final voice for the decisions we make in our faith and practice. It is simply the power of the Holy Spirit leading us to the uninterrupted remembrance of God.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HEALTHY & BLESSED NEW YEAR

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DECEMBER 2008

Bible Insight

The Message of Christmas by Fr. William Gaines

“When the fullness of time had come…” (Gal. 4:4-5) This is one of the mighty texts of the Bible. Here is sublime language that links earth with heaven; words which gather all mankind into the range and sweep of God’s eternal purpose that He purposed in Christ. And there is no more majestic a text for Christmas Sunday morning in the whole of the New Testament than this one. For it is full of Christmas, of God’s coming to earth as a little baby long ago; of that divinity that shone forth resplendent in the warm life of our humanity. The text tells us what God has done. The tremendous fact is declared in five simple words. God sent forth His Son. That is what Christmas means. That is why throughout the world today companies of men and women meet together to worship God. This is why we keep a holiday which is also a holy day. This is why our mouth is filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. This is why Christmas is the happiest time in all the year. Because God sent forth His Son. Christmas began with God, God acted. God took the initiative. God sent forth His Son. All real religion begins with God. We cannot go up to him. He must come down to us. And so God revealed Himself. He has come down to earth in Christ His Son. God was in Christ. God sent forth His Son. Our text also tells us, while thus stating in categorical language what God has done, now tells us also when He did it. “When the fullness of time had come,

God sent forth His Son.” These thrilling words bring to us a new conception of ancient history, for they make it part of the purpose and plan of God. The preChristian centuries were a preparation for the advent of God’s Son. God had been preparing the world for His coming through Latin and Greek, but it was through the Jewish nation, most of all, that He had been making ready for that one divine event to which the whole creation moved. For it was the Jews who kept a light in the world; the lamp of pure and undefiled religion. Judaism had many grievous faults, as the words of our Lord clearly indicated. But let us never forget that, in spite of its many abuses, the religion of the Jews was the loftiest and noblest religion men knew before Christ. God sent forth His Son; and He did so at that hour in the world’s history when everything was ready for His coming. But how did God do it? Our text tells us: “God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law.” In other words, God chose a method simple yet sublime, the way of our humanity. God sent forth His Son, and there came to earth a little child. God might have chosen other methods, of course. He might have sent forth His Son trailing clouds of glory from the opened heavens and with a legion of angels for His bodyguard. But no! A baby is born of a humble Jewish girl and love has set forth on its mighty redeeming work. The Word became flesh and, in that

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Arsinoi D. Lainioti Law Offices

Merry Christmas and

BLESSED and Happy New Year a

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DECEMBER 2008

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To His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, the Eparchial Synod, our Beloved Reverend Clergy & all Orthodox Faithful.. Our Warmest Wishes for a Joyous & Blessed Christmas & Prosperous New Year! Nicholas, Maria, Stefan & Andrew Furris

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DECEMBER 2008

A RCHDIOCESE NEWS Christmas Greetings from... Minneapolis-St. Paul to Host 2009 Oratorical Festival The Metropolis of Chicago will host the 26th annual St. John Chrysostom National Oratorical Festival of the Archdiocese in the Minneapolis–St. Paul, Minn., the weekend of June 12-14. Frs. Paul Paris and R. Demetrios Andrews, the co-chairmen, and members of the host committee recently met with Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos, Archdiocese co-chairman, to discuss plans for the weekend. The 2009 Topics and Topic Tips are posted on the Web-site of the Department of Religious Education at www.goarch. org/archdiocese/departments/religioused/ sjcof. There is a different list of topics for the Junior and Senior Divisions. Students from grades seven to nine must select a topic from the Junior Division and students in grades 10 through 12 from the Senior Division. As students need time to select a topic and write about it, parishes should already be promoting the Festival among the youth and have already started planning their parish Oratorical Festival.

When all metropolises have scheduled the dates of their respective district and metropolis oratorical festivals, the information will be posted on the web– site of the Department of Religious Education. The benefits of participating in the Oratorical Festival are many. Aside from the college scholarships of $2,000, $1,500, and $1,000 awarded to the top three speakers of each division and $500 US Saving Bonds awarded to all other national finalists, each and every participant at the local parish level is given the opportunity to learn about their Orthodox Faith, to develop their writing skills and to increase their poise and self-confidence when speaking. Also, Hellenic College has recently created the Chrysostom Scholarship, which will offer free tuition to any qualifying senior division first place speaker at the parish level. Information is also located on the Department’s web page (see address above). It is hoped that even more parishes will encourage their youth to participate in the 2009 Oratorical Festival.

Metropolis of Pittsburgh – (from left) Fr. Stelyios Muksuris, Dennis Kusturiss, Jr., Phyllis Meshel Onest, Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh, Rhea Ballas, Presbytera Eileen Sedor, Alexandra Kemrer, and. Archdeacon Ryan Gzikowski, chancellor.

Archdiocese Helps Launch Spanish Children’s Bible The Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries, in cooperation with the American Bible Society, helped launch the Spanish Bible Reader in Argentina. According to IT Department Director Theo Nikolakis, who serves as the liaison with the ABS, the Spanish Bible also will be released in the United States and other Spanish-speaking countries. The Archdiocese coordinated and did all the layout and desktop publishing for the edition, which was produced by Peter Petropoulakos, who donated his time for the project. Already, 100 Spanish Children’s Bibles have been donated and are being sent to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala to be given to the orphans there. This Bible will likewise be made

available to other Christian churches so that they can be exposed to the rich iconographic tradition of the Orthodox Church and Scripture This publication is just the latest in a series of successful projects between the Archdiocese and the American Bible Society that have included: The Children’s Bible Reader, The Orthodox Marketplace online store (official store of the Archdiocese), the web sites for churches project and, in the near future, the first pocket New Testament and Psalms that is made specifically for our service men and women. The Spanish language edition marks the third language the Children’s Bible has been translated into. (Greek and English are the other two).

Metropolis of Boston – (from left) Sophia Nibi, Julie Tziolas, Dino Pappas, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and Fr. Theodore Barbas, chancellor.

CLERGY UPDATE Ordination to the Diaconate Stephen Potter, by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, at St. Nektarios Church, Charlotte, S.C. 11/02/08 Aristidis Arizi – Metropolitan Alexios – Holy Cross School of Theology Chapel, Brookline, Mass. 11/15/08 Thomas Guerry – Metropolitan Alexios – Holy Trinity Church, Columbia, S.C. 11/16/08 Constantine Yavis – Bishop Andonios of Phasiane – St. Sophia Church, Albany, N.Y. 11/23/08 Ordination to the Priesthood Deacon Sotirios Malamis – Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago – Holy Trin-

ity Church, Chicago, 11/16/08 Assignments Fr. Dionisios Marketos – Evangelismos Tis Theotokou Church, Jersey City, N.J. 06/01/08 Fr. Constantine Mersinas – St. Katherine Church, Naples, Fla. 11/16/08 Fr. George A. Dokos – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Boulder, Colo. 12/01/08 Fr. Evangelos Mago – Assumption Church, Flint, Mich. 12/15/08 Appointments Rev. Deacon Panagiotis Hanley as chief secretary of the Metropolis of New Jersey 06/15/08

Metropolis of Atlanta – (from left) Michell Cassimus, Karen Powers, Cindy Stanton, Fr. George Tsahakis, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Helen Burleigh,Fr. Grigorios Tatsi, and Joanne Mertzanis.

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Metropolis of Detroit – (from left)Eva Kokinos, Anna Diamantaras, Fr. Chris Dalamangas, Fr. Dean Hountalas, Metropolian Nicholas of Detroit, Fr. Teodor Petrutiu, and Harriet Stoukas.

DECEMBER 2008

LMU Recognizes Archbishop as Humanitarian and Ecumenical Leader by Stavros H. Papagermanos

LOS ANGELES – Loyola Marymount University, the pre-eminent Catholic University of Los Angeles, bestowed upon Archbishop Demetrios of America the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters, honoris causa, during a formal conferral ceremony held in the university’s Sacred Heart Chapel, Nov. 13. The degree was awarded to the Archbishop, in recognition of his role in the growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, recognizing him as an international humanitarian leader who has reached out to Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders, said a University official.

“Substantive ecumenical relations take additional importance today, in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and dialogue among religions and cultures.” “We applaud the work His Eminence has done to contribute to the interfaith dialogue among all religions and it is our honor to bestow this degree on him,” said LMU President Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J. “LMU prides itself on educating our students to appreciate and learn from traditions other than their own.” “Loyola Marymount University bestows honorary degrees on persons who symbolize, in an outstanding manner, those values it cherishes as an academic community,” said in his welcome remarks David W. Burchman, the executive vicepresident and provost. “I feel highly honored for receiving today this honorary doctoral degree from the renowned Loyola Marymount University. This occasion was a great opportunity for me to offer to a select audience of the University a lecture about Saint Paul, to whom both the Orthodox Church and the Roman–Catholic Church have dedicated 2008 as the Year of St. Paul;” said Archbishop Demetrios. He particularly noted that, “both the conferral of the degree and the lecture on Saint Paul are related to the ongoing effort to promote substantive ecumenical relations among the Churches. These relations, especially today, in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and dialogue among religions and cultures, take additional importance. Therefore, I warmly congratulate

University officials, other ecumenical dignitaries and Metropolitan Gerasimos honor Archbishop Demetrios after the conferral of the degree. (Alexandra Zarkas photo)

Loyola Marymount University for its contribution to the cultivation of the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue as part of its various academic activities, like the present one.” At another occasion, Archbishop Demetrios said the honor bestowed upon him really belongs to all the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Church in general as represented in the person of the Archbishop. Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, as the host Orthodox hierarch offered the invocation at the ceremony attended by many university officials, faculty members and students as well as many members of the Orthodox clergy and laity of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco. Other Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches of the greater Los Angeles area were also very well represented by members of their hierarchy and clergy. They included Bishop Joseph of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, of the Western Armenian Diocese. Archbishop Demetrios offered an in depth portrait of St. Paul in his address entitled “St. John Chrysostom’s Paul” which was received with great interest and attention. Fr. Alexy Smith the Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Roman-Catholic Archdiocese

of Los Angeles conveyed a written a message of His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles who was traveling and could not attend. Fr. John Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Cathedral and Lecturer at the University offered a greeting on behalf of the LMU faculty. The Combined Southern California Greek Orthodox Choirs, under the direction of Constance Callinicos, sang the Great Doxology and other hymns. The University in honor of its guest and honoree offered a luncheon that preceded the ceremony and a reception at the nearby Sculpture Garden, which followed. Loyola Marymount University places special emphasis on theological scholarship, ethics and spirituality and a commitment to fostering greater ecumenical dialogue. Within this context and at the impetus of significant gifts from philanthropist, film producer and former U.S. Congressman Michael Huffington and his Archangel Michael Foundation, LMU launched last year the Huffington Ecumenical

LMU President Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J. presents the honorary title to Archbishop Demetrios. (Glenn Cratty-LMU photo)

Institute. The institute’s goal is to promote the unity of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches. The University believes that its location in the religiously and culturally diverse Los Angeles area provides many opportunities to reach Catholic and Orthodox communities, both local and international, and to foster first-hand ecumenical and intercultural experiences. LMU, founded in 1911, is the largest Catholic institution on the West Coast with nearly 10,000 students, four colleges, two schools, the Loyola Law School, and 80 majors and programs.

Archbishop Demetrios Speaks to the Metropolis of SF Fall Clergy Institute LONG BEACH, Calif. – The Metropolis of San Francisco, under the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos, welcomed to the Los Angeles area, Archbishop Demetrios

of America who made a two-day visit, Nov. 13-14. As part of this visit, the Archbishop Demetrios received an honorary doctoral

degree from Loyola Marymount University in the afternoon of Nov. 13. (story above). Later that evening the community of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The Clergy of the Metropolis of San Francisco gathered for the Metropolis Fall Institute in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach. Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Gerasimos are in the center. (Alexandra Zarkas photo)

Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach welcomed the Archbishop and the local hierarch Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. Fr. John Roll, along with parish president George Demos, Philoptochos chapter president Kathy Bastas and children of the community greeted the two hierarchs as they arrived. The Assumption community hosted a dinner for the hierarchs and all the Metropolis clergy who came from as far as Alaska and Hawaii to attend the Fall Clergy Institute gathering. At the conclusion, Metropolitan Gerasimos spoke of the importance and the success of the Clergy Institute gathering and expressed everyone’s joy and gratitude for the Archbishop’s presence. Archbishop Demetrios conveyed his pastoral love for the people of the Metropolis of San Francisco and noted with joy the high participation of the clergy to the gathering that reached almost 95 per

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ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2008

ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ ΓΕΝ ΝΑ και ΕΥ Τ Υ ΧΙΣΜΕΝΟΣ Ο Κ Α ΙΝΟΥ ΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ

Εικόνα της Γεννήσεως, Μοναστήρι Αγίας Αικατερίνης του Σινά, 13ος αιώνας

ΕΤΟΣ 73 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1245

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2008

Ἡ Θρονική Ἑορτή τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας Ἡ Ἁγία τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μ. Ἐκκλησία μετά τῆς ἐπιβαλλομένης λαμπρότητος καί ἱεροπρεπείας ἐτίμησε καί ἐφέτος τήν ἱεράν Μνήμην τοῦ ἱδρυτοῦ καί προστάτου αὐτῆς Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, ἑορτάσασα τήν Θρονικήν αὐτῆς ἑορτήν. Ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Πατριάρχης, ἐχοροστάτησεν ἐν τῷ Π. Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ, κατά τόν Ἑσπερινόν τῆς Ἑορτῆς, τό Σάββατον, 29ην Νοεμβρίου, καθ’ ὅν παρίσταντο συμπροσευχόμενοι Ἀρχιερεῖς ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ, ὡς καί πολυπληθεῖς ὅμιλοι προσκυνητῶν ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ, πρός οὕς ὁ Πατριάρχης ὡμίλησε, καί προέστη τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς καί Συνοδικῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τῆς ἑπομένης, Κυριακῆς, 30ῆς λ. μ. Νοεμβρίου, συλλειτουργούντων Αὐτῷ τῶν Σεβ. Μητροπολιτῶν Γέροντος Χαλκηδόνος κ. Ἀθανασίου, Ζακύνθου κ. Χρυσοστόμου,Ἴμβρου καί Τενέδου κ. Κυρίλλου, Περγάμου κ. Ἰωάννου, Πριγκηποννήσων κ. Ἰακώβου, Μυτιλήνης κ. Ἰακώβου, Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, Ἱεραπύτνης καί Σητείας κ. Εὐγενίου, Ἐλασσῶνος κ. Βασιλείου, Κωνσταντίας-Ἀμμοχώστου κ. Βασιλείου, καί Ἀρκαλοχωρίου, Καστελλίου καί Βιάννου κ. Ἀνδρέου, ἐπί παρουσί ᾳ τῆ ς ἐπί τού τῳ ἐ λθούση ς ἐπισήμου Ἀντιπροσωπείας τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Ρώμης. Τόν Θεῖον Λόγον ἐκήρυξεν ὁ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Σεβαστείας κ. Δημήτριος. Κατά τήν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν παρίσταντο συ μπροσευχόμενοι οἱ Σεβ. Μητροπολῖται Γέρων Δέρκων κ. Κωνσταντῖνος, Πέργης κ. Εὐάγγελος, Θεοδωρουπόλεως κ. Γερμανός, Βελγίου κ. Παντελεήμων, Ντένβερ κ. Ἠσαΐας, Μυριοφύτου καί Περιστάσεως κ. Εἰρηναῖος, Μύρων κ. Χρυσόστομος, Μοσχονησίων κ. Ἀπόστολος, Δαρδανελλίων κ. Νικήτας, Σασίμων κ. Γεννάδιος, Ἰκονίου κ. Θεόληπτος, καί Λέρου, Καλύμνου καί Ἀστυπαλαίας κ. Παΐσιος, οἱ Θεοφιλ. Ἐπίσκοποι Τρῳάδος κ. Σάββας, Φαναρίου κ. Ἀγαθάγγελος, Κνωσοῦ κ. Εὐγένιος καί Ἀβύδου κ. Κύριλλος, ὁ Θεοφιλ. Ἐπίσκοπος τῶν ἐνταῦθα ΡΚαθολικῶν κ. Louis Pelatre, ὁ Πανοσιολ. Ἀρχιμανδρίτης κ. Νεκτάριος Σελ αλμ ατζίδης, Ἐπίτροπος τοῦ Παναγίου Τάφου ἐνταῦθα, οἱ Αἰδεσιμ. ἐκπρόσωποι τοῦ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου τῶν ἐνταῦθα Συροϊακωβιτῶν κ. Yusuf Cetin, Κληρικοί, Μοναχοί καί Μοναχαί ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ, Ἄρχοντες Ὀφφικίαλοι τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, οἱ Ἐξοχ. κ. κ. Θεόδωρος Κασσίμης, Ὑφυπουργός ἐπί τῶν Ἐξωτερικῶν τῆς Ἑλλάδος, μετά συνεργατῶν αὐ τοῦ, ἐ κ μ έρου ς τῆ ς ἐν τίμ ου Κυ βερνήσεως αὐτῆς, Φώτιος Ξύδας, Πρέσβυς αὐτῆς ἐν Ἀγκύρᾳ, καί Νικόλαος Σηφουνάκης, πρῴην Ὑπουργός καί Βουλευτής τοῦ Κόμματος ΠΑ.ΣΟ.Κ. τοῦ Νομοῦ Λέσβου, ὁ Ἐντιμ. κ. Βασίλειος Μπορνόβ α ς, Γενικός Πρόξενος τῆ ς Ἑλλάδος ἐνταῦθα, ἡ Εὐγεν. κ. Χαρά Σκολαρίκου, Γεν. Πρόξενος αὐτῆς ἐν Σμύρνῃ, οἱ Ἐντιμ. κ. κ. Νικόλαος Σιγάλας καί Νικόλαος Σαπουντζῆς, Πρόξενοι ἐν τῇ Πόλει, ἄλλοι ἐπίσημοι, καί πλῆθος πιστῶν ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ. Ἐν τῷ τέλει τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας, ὁ Πατριάρχης προσεφώνησε δι’ ἐπισήμου ὁμιλίας τήν ἐκ τοῦ Βατικανοῦ Ἀντιπροσωπεί αν κ αί ἀπήντησεν ὁ Σεβ. Καρδινάλιος κ. Walter Kasper, ὅστις ἐκόμισε τῷ Πατριάρχῃ ἑόρτιον συγχαρητήριον Μήνυμα τῆς Αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος, τοῦ Πάπα. Τήν μεσημβρίαν παρετέθη γεῦμα ἐν τῷ ἑστιατορίῳ Halat, τό δέ ἑσπέρας

ἐδόθη ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις ἡ καθιερωμένη δεξίωσις ἐπί τῇ Θρονικῇ Ἑορτῇ τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας, εἰς ἥν παρέστησαν πλεῖστοι ὅσοι προσκεκλημένοι τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος καί τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου, ἐκ τοῦ θρησκευτικοῦ, διπλωματικοῦ, δημοσιογραφικοῦ, καλλιτεχνικοῦ καί ἐπιχειρηματικοῦ κόσμου τῆς πόλεως ἡμῶν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ, καθ᾿ ἥν ὡμίλησεν ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης. Η ΑΝΤΙΠΡΟΣΩΠΕΙΑ ΕΚ ΡΩΜΗΣ Τό ἀπόγευμα τοῦ Σαββάτου, 29ης Νοεμβρίου, ἀφίχθη ἐκ Ρώμης, ἡ ἐπίσημος Ἀντιπροσωπεία τῆς Α. Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Πάπα Βενεδίκτου τοῦ ΙΣΤ´ καί τῆς κατ᾿ Αὐτόν Ἐκκλησίας τῆς Ρώμης, ἀποτελουμένη ἐκ τῶν Σεβ. Καρδιναλίου κ. Walter Kasper, Προέδρου τοῦ Ποντιφηκοῦ Συμβουλίου διά τήν προώθησιν τῆς ἑνότητος τῶν Χριστιανῶν, Ἀρχιεπισκόπου κ. Antonio Lucibello, Νουντσίου τοῦ Βατικανοῦ ἐν Ἀγκύρᾳ, Θεοφιλ. Ἐπισκόπου κ. Brian Farrell, Γραμματέως τοῦ ὡς ἄνω Συμβουλίου, καί Ὁσιολ. κ. Vladimiro Caroli, στελέχους αὐτοῦ, ἵνα παραστῇ, κατά τό ἐπικρατῆσαν ἔθος, κατά τήν Θρονικήν Ἑορτήν τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μ. Ἐκκλησίας. Τήν Ἀντιπροσωπείαν ὑπεδέχθησαν ἐκ μέρους τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, τοῦ Πατριάρχου, ἐν τῇ αἰθούσῃ τῶν ἐπισήμων τοῦ Ἀεροδρομίου ὁ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Μύρων κ. Χρυσόστομος καί ὁ Ἱερολ. Πατριαρχικός Διάκονος κ. Γρηγόριος Φραγκάκης, οἵτινες συνώδευσαν αὐτήν εἰς τό ὡς κατάλυμα αὐτῆς ὁρισθέν Ξενοδοχεῖον «Hyatt». Ἀκολούθως, ἡ ὡς ἄνω Ἀντιπροσωπεία ὡδηγήθη εἰς τά Πατριαρχεῖα, ἔνθα ἐγένετο ἐπισήμως δεκτή ὑπό τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχου κ. κ. Βαρθολομαίου, ἐν συνεχείᾳ δέ αὕτη συνειργάσθη μετά τῆς ὑπό τήν προεδρείαν τοῦ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Περγάμου κ. Ἰωάννου Συνοδικῆς Ἐπιτροπῆς ἐπί τοῦ Διαλόγου μετά τῆς ΡΚαθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Αὐθημερόν τό ἑσπέρας, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Πατριάρχης, μετά τῆς συνοδείας Αὐτοῦ μετέβη εἰς τό Σισμανόγλειον Μέγαρον, τοῦ ἐνταῦθα Γενικοῦ Προξενείου τῆς Ἑλλάδος καί παρέστη εἰς τήν προβολήν τῆς ταινίας τοῦ Ἐντιμ. κ. Γεωργίου Μουτεβελῆ διά τό Ὀρφανοτροφεῖον Πριγκήπου μέ θέμα: «Τό καμάρι τοῦ Γένους», ὁμιλήσας καταλλήλως, τό δέ ἑσπέρας παρεκάθησεν εἰς τό ὑπό τοῦ Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπισκόπου κ. Antonio Lucibello, Νουντσίου, παρατεθέν πρός τιμήν Αὐτοῦ δεῖπνον. Ὁμιλία τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχου κ. κ. Βαρθολομαίου κατὰ τὴν Θρονικὴν Ἑορτὴν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου (30 Νοεμβρίου 2008) Σεβασμιώτατε Καρδινάλιε κύριε Walter Kasper, ἐκπρόσωπε τῆς Α. Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Πάπα καὶ Ἐπισκόπου Ρώμης κυρίου Βενεδίκτου τοῦ 16ου, μετὰ τῆς τιμίας ὑμῶν συνοδείας, Μετὰ πολλῆς ἐν Κυρίῳ χαρᾶς καὶ ἀγαλλιάσεως χαιρετίζομεν τὴν παρουσίαν καὶ συμμετοχὴν ὑμῶν καὶ εἰς τὸν ἐφετεινὸν ἑορτασμὸν τῆς ἱερᾶς μνήμης τοῦ Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου, ἱδρυτοῦ τῆς καθ’ ἡμᾶς ἁγιωτάτης Ἐκκλησίας Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Εὐχαριστοῦμεν ἀπὸ καρδίας

τὸν λίαν ἀγαπητὸν ἡμῖν ἀδελφὸν Προκ αθήμενον τῆ ς ἐν Ρώμῃ ἁγιωτάτη ς Ἐκκλησίας κύριον Βενέδικτον, διότι ἠγαθύνθη νὰ ἀποστείλῃ ὑμᾶς ἐνταῦθα, κομιστὰς τοῦ ἀδελφικοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνύματος αἰσθημάτων ἀγάπης καὶ τιμῆς, ἅτινα καὶ ἀνταποδίδομεν ἀπὸ μέσης καρδίας, εὐχόμενοι αὐτῷ καὶ τῇ ἁγιωτάτῃ ἀδελφῇ Ἐκκλησίᾳ Ρώμης πᾶσαν ἀπὸ Θεοῦ εὐλογίαν καὶ χάριν. Κατέστη ἤδη ἀπὸ δεκαετιῶν ἔθος ἱερὸν ἡ ἀνταλλαγὴ ἐπισκέψεων ἀντιπροσωπειῶν τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς θρονικὰς ἑορτὰς ἀλλήλων. Οἱ ἀοίδιμοι Προκαθήμενοι τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν Πατριάρχης Ἀθηναγόρας καὶ Παῦλος ὁ Στ’ καθιέρωσαν τὸ πρῶτον τὸ ἔθος τοῦτο ἐμφορούμενοι ὑπὸ τῆς ζωηρᾶς ἐπιθυμίας ὅπως αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι ἡμῶν, ἐπὶ χιλιετίαν ὅλην ἐν διαστάσει καὶ ἐνίοτε ἐν ὀξείᾳ ἀντιθέσει, ὡς μὴ ὤφελε, διατελοῦσαι, εἰσέλθωσιν εἰς περίοδον διαλόγου ἀγάπης καὶ ἀληθείας ,ἐπὶ τῷ τέλει τῆς ἀποκαταστάσεως τῆς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ μ. Χ. χιλιετίᾳ πλήρους αὐτῶν ἑνότητος. Ὑπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς ζωηρᾶς ἐπιθυμίας διακατεχόμενοι καὶ οἱ σήμερον ἐμπεπιστευμένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐλέους τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ἡγεσίαν τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν συνεχίζομεν τὸν διττὸν τοῦτον διάλογον, τῆς ἀγάπης δηλονότι καὶ τῆς ἀληθείας, ἐναποθέτοντες τὴν ἔκβασιν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ Πανάγιον Πνεῦμ α, τὸ ὁδηγοῦν «εἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειαν» (Ἰω. 16, 13) καὶ εἰς τὸν μόνον αὐξάνοντα τὸν σπόρον ἡμῶν Θεόν (Α’ Κορ. 3, 6-7). Τὴν πορείαν τοῦ διττοῦ τούτου Διαλόγου ἀνυστάκτως καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ τούτου Κέντρου παρακολουθοῦντες, χαίρομεν καὶ συγχαίρομεν ἐπὶ τῇ αἰσίᾳ συνεχίσει καὶ προόδῳ αὐτοῦ, τοῦ μὲν διαλόγου τῆς ἀγάπης ἀποκαθαίροντος τὰς σχέσεις ἡμῶν ἐκ πάσης προσηλυτιστικῆς ἢ ἄλλης ἐνεργείας ἀντικειμένης εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀμοιβαίου σεβασμοῦ καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης, τοῦ δὲ διαλόγου τῆς ἀληθείας συνεχίζοντος διὰ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦτο συσταθείσης Μικτῆς Διεθνοῦς Ἐπιτροπῆς τὸ δυσχερὲς καὶ ἐπίπονον ἔργον αὐτοῦ ὑπὸ τὴν συμπροεδρείαν καὶ τῆς ὑμετέρας ἀγαπητῆς Σεβασμιότητος, τὴν ὁποίαν καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ συγχαίρομεν καὶ εὐχαριστοῦμεν. Κατὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῆς ἐκ τοῦ ἱεροῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Ἰωάννου περικοπῆς – κατὰ τὴν τελεσθεῖσαν σήμερον Θείαν Λειτουργίαν – ἠκούσαμεν πόσον ἰσχυρὸς ὑπῆρξεν ὁ μετὰ τοῦ Κυρίου δεσμὸς τῶν αὐταδέλφων Μαθητῶν Ἀνδρέου καὶ Πέτρου. Ἀφοῦ διῆλθε μετ’ ἄλλου τινὸς μαθητοῦ, πιθανῶς τοῦ Ἰωάννου, μίαν ὁλόκληρον ἡμέραν συνομιλῶν καὶ ἀναστρεφόμενος μετὰ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς τὸ κατάλυμα Αὐτοῦ – ὁποῖον, ἀληθῶς, καὶ ὄντως μέγα προνόμιον! – ὁ Ἀνδρέας σπεύδει νὰ ἀναγγείλῃ εἰς τὸν Πέτρον μετὰ χαρᾶς ὅτι «εὑρήκαμεν τὸν Μεσσίαν», καὶ νὰ παρουσιάσῃ αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν Κύριον. Ἡ σκηνὴ εἶναι ὄντως συγκλονιστικὴ καὶ ἀποφασιστικῆς σημασίας, δι’ ὅσα θὰ ἠκολούθουν εἰς τὸ μέλλον. Πέτρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας, ἀδελφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα, κατέστησαν τὴν στιγμὴν ἐκείνην καὶ ἀδελφοὶ ἐν Χριστῷ, ἑνωθέντες τόσον μετ’ Αὐτοῦ ὅσον καὶ μετ’ ἀλλήλων διὰ δεσμῶν ἀκαταλύτων. Ὅτε δὲ μετὰ τὴν εἰς οὐρανοὺς Ἀνάληψιν τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ τὴν ἐπιφοίτησιν τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς ἐξῆλθον εὐαγγελιζόμενοι τοὺς λαοὺς καθιστάμενοι μάρτυρες τοῦ Ἀναστάντος Χριστοῦ, ὁ μὲν Πέτρος ἔφθασε μέχρι Ρώμης καθαγιάσας διὰ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐκεῖ Ἐκκλησίαν, ὁ δὲ

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ΝΕΟ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Το νέο Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής για την περίοδο 20082010, πραγματοποίησε την πρώτη του συνεδρία στις 6 και 7 Νοεμβρίου στο Σικάγο, υπό την προεδρία του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου. Το Αρχ ιεπ ισ κοπ ικό Συμβούλιο αποτελούν 128 μέλη, κληρικοί και λαϊκοί, τα οποία εκλέγονται και διορίζονται από όλη την επικράτεια της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, και υπηρετούν διετή θητεία, η οποία στην προκειμένη περίπτωση λήγει με το πέρας της επόμενης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως το 2010. Οι εργασίες της ολομέλειας του νέου Αρχ ιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου ξεκίνησαν το πρωί της 7ης Νοεμβρίου με την καθιερωμένη κοινή συνεδρία του Σώματος με το Συμβούλιο της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου. Μετά την εναρκτήρια προσευχή, ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος καλωσόρισε τα νέα μέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου και μετέφερε τις θερμές ευχές και ευλογίες του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη κ. Βαρθολομαίου. Στην ομιλία του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος αναφέρθηκε στις ειδικές και ιδιάζουσες συνθήκες που επικρατούν στη χώρα και στον κόσμο γενικότερα οι οποίες είναι συνθήκες πολέμων και συγκρούσεων, αναφέρθηκε και στις εντάσεις και στην αγωνία που δημιουργεί η παγκόσμια οικονομική κρίση η οποία επηρεάζει αρνητικά τη ζωή των πιστών και της Εκκλησίας. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος μίλησε και για την ιστορική εκλογή του νέου Αμερικανού Προέδρου και σημείωσε ότι συμπωματικά εκείνη τη στιγμή στην ακριβώς απέναντι αίθουσα του ξενοδοχείου, ο νεοεκλεγείς Πρόεδρος συνεδρίαζε με τους οικονομικούς του συμβούλους και λίγο αργότερα θα παραχωρούσε την πρώτη του συνέντευξη Τύπου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ενημέρωσε τα μέλη των συμβουλίων για την πρόσφατη Σύναξη των Προκαθημένων των Ορθοδόξων Εκκλησιών στην Κωνσταντινούπολη την οποία συγκάλεσε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος και την χαρακτήρισε «ιδιαιτέρως σημαντική» τονίζοντας τον «ηγετικό ρόλο του Παναγιωτάτου αλλά και τον σεβασμό και την αναγνώριση των άλλων Πατριαρχών και Προκαθημένων προς το πρόσωπό του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη». Ο Σεβασμιώτατος μίλησε ακόμη για την σημασία και την έννοια των διαλόγων και των επαφών που πραγματοποιούνται σε διάφορα επίπεδα μεταξύ Ορθοδόξων και άλλων δογμάτων ή θρησκειών με σκοπό την επίτευξη μιας προοπτικής και κατανόησης όχι μόνο των άλλων αλλά και της δικής μας θέσεως στον κόσμο. Ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα επέδωσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος στην προώθηση των θεμάτων που απορρέουν από το μήνυμα της τελευταίας Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως «Συναγάγετε τον λαό μου στον οίκο μου», προτρέποντας όλους να εντείνουν τις προσπάθειές τους στους τομείς της προσέγγισης της νε-

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ολαίας και όσων για τον ένα ή τον άλλο λόγο βρίσκονται μακριά από την Εκκλησία. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος αναγνώρισε ότι ορισμένοι πρόσφατοι παράγοντες οικονομικής πίεσης δρουν ανασταλτικά στο έργο αυτό αλλά συγχρόνως τόνισε ότι δεν θα πρέπει κάτι τέτοιο και με κανένα τρόπο να σταθεί εμπόδιο στο έργο του Ευαγγελίου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος σημείωσε ακόμη ότι στις ημέρες μας που κυκλοφορεί ευρύτατα, ως κυρίαρχη έννοια, η λέξη «δύναμη» (δηλ. εξουσία - power) και καθορίζει τις εξελίξεις και τη ζωή των ανθρώπων, εμείς ως Ορθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί μπορούμε να βασιζόμαστε και να υπολογίζουμε στη δύναμη και την ισχύ του Θεού η οποία «είναι δύναμις υψηλής τάσεως και πρέπει να τη χρησιμοποιούμε κατάλληλα». Ακολούθησε η ορκωμοσία του νέου Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου, η υποβολή υποψηφιοτήτων και η εκλογή της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής. Ως μέλη της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής της οποίας προεδρεύει ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος εξελέγησαν οι ακόλουθοι: Εμμανουήλ Τζαχάρης – αντιπρόεδρος, Νικόλαος Μπούρας – ταμίας, Αικατερίνη Μπουφίδη-Walsh – γραμματέας και μέλη οι Γεώργιος Μπεχράκης, Παναγιώτης Κίκης, Αντώνιος Στεφάνης, Ελένη Χιούζακ, Γεώργιος Μάθιους και Γεώργιος Βουρβούλιας. Οι εργασίες του Συμβουλίου συνεχίστηκαν με την παρουσίαση και διεξοδική συζήτηση θεμάτων που αφορούν στη ζωή και στην διακονία της Εκκλησίας, θέματα τα οποία είχαν ήδη μελετήσει και παρουσίασαν οι ειδικές κατά τομέα επιτροπές του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου, οι οποίες είχαν συναντηθεί την προηγουμένη ημέρα, 6 Νοεμβρίου. Οι επιτροπές αυτές είναι οι εξής: Διοικητικών θεμάτων, Επικοινωνιών, Ελληνικής Παιδείας, Οικονομικών και Λογίας, Κατηχητικής Παιδείας και Ελληνικού Κολεγίου, θεμάτων Γάμου και Οικογένειας, Ιεραποστολικού έργου, Νεολαίας, Φιλανθρωπίας και Τεχνολογίας. Παράλληλα με το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο συνεδρίασε και το Συμβούλιο της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότ ητος τ ης Αρχ ιεπ ισ κοπής η οποία αριθμεί 30 χι λιάδες περίπου μέλη. Κατά την αρχή των εργασιών ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος ανακοίνωσε τον διορισμό της κυρίας Αφροδίτης Σκιαδά από το Greenwich του Κονέκτικατ ως νέας προέδρου της Φιλοπτώχου για την διετία 2008-2010. Η κ. Σκιαδά αποδεχόμενη τον διορισμό δήλωσε ότι θα εργαστεί ώστε η Φιλόπτωχος να προσεγγίσει περισσότερο τη νέα γενιά και να αυξηθεί ο αριθμός των μελών της σε όλη την Αμερική. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος διόρισε και τα λοιπά μέλη της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής ως εξής: Αρλίν Σιαβέλη – αντιπρόεδρος, Μαρία Σταυροπούλου – 2η αντιπρόεδρος, Κάθυ Γαβριήλ – 3η αντιπρόεδρος, Ελένη Κ λάδη – γραμματέας, Ιωάννα Κακογιάννη – ταμίας και Μάρθα Στεφανιδάκη – βοηθός ταμίας.

Μήνυμα Χριστουγέννων 2008 Προσφιλεῖς μου Χριστιανοί, Ἀκόμη μία φορά γιορτάζουμε τήν μεγάλη Ἑορτή τῶν Χριστουγέννων, τή γέννηση τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἡ Ἐκκλησία μας μᾶς καλεῖ σ’ ἕναν χαρμόσυνο πανηγυρισμό μέ τόν ἐξαίσιο ὕμνο: «Χριστός γεννᾶται• δοξάσατε! Χριστός ἐξ οὐρανῶν• ἀπαντήσατε. Χριστός ἐπί γῆς• ὑψώθητε! Ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ!» Εἶναι σημαντικό νά ἐνθυμούμεθα ὅτι καθώς δοξάζουμε σήμερα τόν Παντοδύναμο Θεό, ὁ Ὁποῖος ἔγινε ἄνθρωπος καί ἔζησε ἀνάμεσά μας, δοξάζουμε Ἐκεῖνον ὁ Ὁποῖος μοιράσθηκε τούς πόνους μας, τίς ἀγωνίες μας, τήν ἐξάντλησή μας, τίς δοκιμασίες μας, καί ἀκόμη τόν θάνατό μας. Ὁ Θεός μας γενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἔχει μοιρασθεῖ μαζί μας ὅλες τίς δοκιμασίες μας. Αὐτό ἔχει ζωτική σημασία διότι ζοῦμε σέ μιά χρονική συγκυρία κατά τήν ὁποία βιώνουμε ἔντονες ἀγωνίες λόγῳ τοῦ μεγάλου ἀριθμοῦ τῶν δοκιμασιῶν πού ἀντιμετωπίζουμε. Ἀνάμεσα σ’ αὐτές συγκαταλέγεται ἡ παροῦσα κατάσταση τῆς παγκόσμιας οἰκονομίας, ὁ αὐξανόμενος βαθμός ἀνεργίας, τά ἐνεργειακά προβλήματα, τά θέματα ὑγείας καί περιβάλλοντος, ἡ συνεχιζομένη παρουσία τοῦ φαινομένου τῆς τρομοκρατίας καθώς καί ἡ κοινωνική ἀναταραχή. Στήν ἀντιμετώπιση αὐτοῦ τοῦ τεραστίου βάρους τῶν προβλημάτων, μᾶς ἀνακουφίζει ἡ σκέψη ὅτι ὁ Ἴδιος ὁ φιλάνθρωπος καί Παντοδύναμος Θεός γε-

νόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἀντιμετώπισε ὅλων τῶν εἰδῶν τίς δοκιμασίες. Πράγματι, ὁ Θεάνθρωπος Χριστός ἀντιμετώπισε τό κακό, τήν ἁμαρτία καί τούς πόνους ὁλόκληρης τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος, καί μεταμόρφωσε ὅλα αὐτά σέ ἐλπίδα, εἰρήνη, δύναμη καί ἀνάσταση. Ἀποκτοῦμε δύναμη ὅταν ἀναλογιζόμεθα ὅτι ὁ Θεός ἐταπείνωσε Ἑαυτόν γιά νά μᾶς ἀνυψώσῃ καί νά μᾶς χαρίσῃ τή ζωή μέσα στήν ἀγάπη Του γιά πάντα. Τό θάρρος μας ἀνανεώνεται διότι Ἐκεῖνος μᾶς ἔδειξε ὅτι ὁ τελικός προορισμός μας δέν εἶναι ὁ περιορισμένος γήινος κόσμος ἀλλά ἡ ἀπεραντοσύνη τοῦ οὐρανοῦ. Συμμετέχουμε στή χαρά τῆς Γεννήσεώς Του διότι μᾶς ἀπεκάλυψε ὁλοκάθαρα ὅτι ἡ ζωή μας βρίσκεται συνεχῶς σέ ἀδιάκοπη ἀνοδική πορεία, ἀπό τά χαμηλά στά ψηλά, ἀπό τή γῆ στόν οὐρανό, ἀπό τόν κόσμο στόν Θεό. Προσφιλεῖς μου Χριστιανοί, Χριστός γεννᾶται• δοξάσατε, καί ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ! Ἄς ψάλουμε στόν νεογέννητο Χριστό ἕνα νέο ἅσμα ἀγάπης καί εὐγνωμοσύνης! Ἄς τόν δεχθοῦμε μέ χαρά καί ἄς τόν παρακαλέσουμε νά εἶναι μαζί μας σέ ὅλη αὐτή τήν χαρμόσυνη περίοδο τῶν Χριστουγέννων καί σέ κάθε ἡμέρα τοῦ ἀνατέλλοντος Νέου Ἔτους. Εὔχομαι σέ ὅλους καλά Χριστούγεννα καί εὐλογημένο τό Νέον Ἔτος.

ÿ ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Στον Παναγιώτατο Οικουμενικό μας Πατριάρχη κ. Βαρθολομαίο Στον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο Στους Ιεράρχες της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου Στον Ιερό Κλήρο Στο Τάγμα των Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Στην Ηγεσία των 100 Στους εκπαιδευτικούς και τη μαθητιώσα νεολαία Σε όλη την Ομογένεια της Αμερικής και στον απανταχού Ελληνισμό

Είθε η ταπεινή φάτνη του Χριστού μας να χαρίζει γαλήνη στη ψυχή μας και ειρήνη σ’ όλο τον κόσμο

Οικογενειακώς,

Στέφανος Τσερπέλης

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2008

DECEMBER 2008

PEOPLE

New Congresswoman Former Nevada state Sen. Dina Titus was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the November election. A native of Tipton, Ga., Congresswoman-elect Titus attends St. John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas. She previously ran unsuccessfully for governor of Nevada in 2006.

Joins Foundation The Make–A–Wish Foundation® of the Mid-Atlantic Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Bethesda, Md., that fulfills the wishes of local children fighting life-threatening medical conditions, recently welcomed Mike Manatos of Manatos & Manatos in Washington to membership on its board.

A gunner’s story One of the latest additions to the vast body of writings about World War II has just been published by John Katsaros, past president of Holy Apostles –Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Haverhill, Mass. Mr. Katsaros relates in “Code Burgundy–The Long Escape”, his experiences as a gunner on B-17 bomber missions over Germany. He was shot down on a mission over France by the Luftwaffe and was captured after suffering broken ribs and escaped twice from the Gestapo with the help of French Resistance. His oath of secrecy was recently lifted by the U.S. government, which enabled him to write of his experiences. The book is published by Oakford Media of Norwalk, Conn., and is edited by USAF Col. G. Steve Chirigotis (retired). For more information email Mr. Katsaros at www.jkatsaros3@ comcast.net.

Eagle Scout The state convention of the American Legion in Louisiana recently presented its Eagle Scout of the Year Award to Luke John Loukas, son of John and Vicki Loukas of Sulphur, La. Luke is a member of Troop 86 in Westlake, La., sponsored by Legion Post 370. He is a senior at Sulphur High School and a member of St. John Church in Lake Charles, where he is an acolyte. He is the grandson of Luke and Sophie Loukas of Port Arthur, Texas.

Scholarship winners The George P. Nestor Memorial Scholarship Fund of Absecon, N.J., has awarded two $1,000 scholarships to Michael Mercado, son of Luis and Demetria Mercado of Cape May Court House, N.J., who plans to attend Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology, and to Zachary Zachariades, a member of Holy Trinity Church in Bargaintown, N.J., He is the son of Peter and Donna Zachariades of Egg Harbor Township, and was active in GOYA, serving as vice president.

EOCS winners The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting has awarded its 2008 annual Scout Scholarships to Anastasia C. Markiw of Pittsburgh, and runnerup Samuel C. Ely of Merrillville, Ind., who received $1,000 and $500 respectively.

The Valley is a ‘Totally Awesome’ Site for a Vibrant Parish P A R I S H Name: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church Location: Northridge, Calif. Metropolis: San Francisco Size: about 650 members Founded: 1948 Clergy: Fr. Anthony Savas (M. Div., Holy Cross 1997; Fr. Haralambos Fox, M. Div. 2005) Web: www.st-nicholas.info E-mail: stnicholas@st-nicholas.info Noteworthy: First parish established in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles. The San Fernando Valley, located north of Beverly Hills in the northern reaches of the vast sprawl that is the city of Los Angeles, is home to the first parish established in LA after St. Sophia Cathedral, the mother church of the region. Spanish missionaries founded missions there in the 1700s and land grant ranches soon followed. Until the 1920s, the entire Valley was a farming and ranching community, then several movie studios moved there from Hollywood because it was largely open land. The onset World War II brought development, military bases, large aircraft factories and the first substantial development to the eastern and southern edges of the Valley. The fledgling aerospace industry continued to expand after the end of the war. Housing developments, freeways, and the baby boom came to the San Fernando Valley. Millions of Americans migrated to Los Angeles seeking opportunity. During this period the first Greek and Greek-American families began to move into the Valley from the central part of the city, impressed by the “totally awesome” location, to use the area’s contemporary “Valley girls” lingo. A few were immigrants from Greece and the Middle East, according to a parish history. Others came from the East Coast and Midwest, finding work in the defense factories, entertainment industry, restaurants and various other businesses and professions. Part of the region’s draw was its resemblance to Greece, with its olive and orange groves, mild climate, and proximity to the ocean and mountains. By 1948, before the creation of the vast network of freeways, going to church involved traveling 20 miles and crossing the Santa Monica Mountains to attend services at St. Sophia, on the West Side of downtown Los Angeles The Valley Hellenic Society was formed in 1948 to bring together the Greek people of the San Fernando Valley. It provided the means to share and preserve Greek fellowship, life and faith. The establishment of this organization on Dec. 19, 1948 marks the birth of the community that would become the parish of St. Nicholas. The Society held Greek picnics in local parks, dances, and an annual Christmas Party in local social halls.

p ro f i l e

ST. NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

They started a Greek school and held Greek Independence Day celebrations. The Valley Hellenic Society contacted the Archdiocese to arrange for the services of a priest and the first Divine Liturgy in the San Fernando Valley was held on Jan. 17, 1951. Bishop Athenagoras Kokkinakis and Fr. Anthony Kostouras officiated at the Moose Hall in Burbank. For the next several years, the community held services in rented halls whenever a priest was available. Parish organized The Archdiocese recognized the need to form a parish from the growing number of Greek Orthodox faithful and assigned Fr. Photios Pentikis as the first full-time priest. Shortly after the first board of trustees meeting and creation of the Ladies Guild in 1954, they held an auction party on Dec. 19 of that year. The highest bid came from a group of the original board members who all shared the name Nicholas. The church is one of the few that have actual relics of St. Nicholas and has a shrine set up for veneration by the faithful throughout the year. The parishioners then proceeded to build a church on recently acquired property in Northridge that contained a farmhouse, garage and some fruit trees. A 1,200-square-foot building was erected as a temporary church, which later served as the parish hall. The farmhouse and garage became the Sunday school, Greek school, office, kitchen and residence for Fr. Pentikis. A larger church was completed in 1958. The year 1960 was a watershed for the community. It marked the arrival of Fr. Spencer T. Kezios, who was to become the longest-serving priest of the community– more than 40 years–and had the greatest impact. He previously had served churches in Keene, N.H., Gary, Ind., and started the parish in Pocatello, Idaho. Since retiring as Pastor Emeritus in 2004, Fr. Kezios continues to maintain an office at the church and operates Narthex Press, which publishes liturgical books. He has also translated the entire cycle of Orthros services of the Church into English. A former assistant pastor under Fr. Kezios, Fr. Vasilios Thanos, who served from 1966 to 1995, also is retired and continues to assist with parish ministries. He received his theological education in Kalamata, Greece and came to the parish as a sexton and Greek school teacher. During the recent St. Nicholas Feast Day

celebration, Metropolitan Gerasimos bestowed the title of protopresbyter upon Fr. Thanos. In the early ‘60s, the parish had outgrown its facilities and a four-acre site was purchased at what is the church’s present location at 9501 Balboa Blvd. The new church was built; the white building with a gold dome that sits on a hilltop It opened its doors on Feb. 26, 1967 to serve the 250 families who were parishioners. Under Fr. Kezios, the community built a low–cost senior residence in the 1970s, which serves the parish to this day. A second senior citizens apartment complex was built in the 1980s on an adjacent parcel of land next to the recently completed community center. Construction on the Community Center building began in 1979. It includes a grand ballroom and catering facilities to seat dinner parties of up to 500, a full size gymnasium, 14 meeting and classrooms, parking and playground space. In addition to its stewardship program, a major source of revenue for St. Nicholas parish is the Greek Festival, held during Memorial Day weekend. The festival got its start in 1974. In 1976, the Ladies Guild became a formal member of the Ladies Philoptochos Society. A year later, the parish established the St. Nicholas Parochial School to provide a high-quality education in an Orthodox environment. Today the school, which includes pre-school through eighth grade, has an enrollment of more than 240. Its curriculum includes instruction in the Greek language. There is no separate Greek school. Over the years, four members of the church went on to study at Holy Cross School of Theology and became priests. Fr. Peter Salmas, current pastor of Holy Cross Church in Belmont, Calif.; Fr. Michael Pallad, at St. Haralambos Church in Peoria, Ariz.; Fr. Cosmas Halekakis, at St. Demetrios Church in Waukegan, Ill.; and Fr. Michael Monos, Transfiguration Church in Charlottesville, Va. A major factor in spurring young parishioners to serve the church has been the altar boy program. Fr. Savas, a Salt Lake City native

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DECEMBER 2008

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Like a sharp arrow, the heart of the Orthodox Church worldwide was pierced in recent days by the announcement of the unexpected repose of the venerable Primate of our sister Autocephalous Church in Russia, our beloved brother and concelebrant Alexy. Therefore, we open our occasional farewell address with the timely words of the heavenly Apostle Paul to Timothy inasmuch as we are absolutely convinced of the unbroken continuity in the martyric confession, perpetual expression and dynamic faith that are manifest from time to time in virtuous individuals, who follow St. Paul’s example in their life. Of course, there is never an absolute identification between St. Paul and these individuals. Nevertheless, we are able to draw this intimation because, in all places, indomitable fighters boldly bear the cross of the same “good fight,” continuing in this way the same ministry and mission through the centuries. And as a fighter, our late brother is a deserving recipient of these words as well as of the crown that awaits him. For, he journeyed with dignity and humility along the difficult path of his supreme yoke and highly responsible ministry as Primate. Yet we, in full recognition of his pioneering contribution to the revival and establishment of his flock, replete with wounds – a flock among which the providential care of our Lord as Shepherd of shepherds appointed to be its inspired leader – are able to attribute to him the words of the Apostle Paul as an expression of gratitude to God for offering in the person of this worthy Hierarch an imitable example for His struggling people. The late Patriarch Alexy skillfully administered his Church and was able to lead the Orthodox Church of Russia out of the limited boundaries of its internal turns. As a simple Hierarch, prior to being elevated to the leading bastion of the Patriarchal See, he encountered the stubborn and fanatical opposition of inimical authority. This consolidated in his heart the conviction with regard to the endless and unyielding struggle, as well as expectation of the evidence of resurrection that derives from the power of the cross. Indeed, the blessed hope of this martyric expectation and anticipation was achieved in the days of his inspired tenure as Patriarch, when that deplorable spectacle experienced over numerous years by his martyric predecessors at last disappeared, so that – in order to quote our own great predecessor, St. Gregory the Theologian – “Jerusalem was erased and the honorable and golden sons of Sion were led in captivity, while thousands fell and the earth was covered with their blood and corpses.” Today, as we gather around the venerable body of the Patriarch, in the midst of a mourning Church, we profess and proclaim: “How awesome are the works of the Lord!” In the abundance of

his strength, His enemies were revealed to be liars; we have seen His works, and we know that He is far more powerful that the sons of men; for His eyes have looked upon this blood-stained flock, and those who embittered the Lord’s people were unable to realize their complete destruction; instead, the Lord of all power granted life to their souls and led them to a place of refreshment; the ineffably loving Lord protected them from the wiles of the evil ones; God showed mercy upon His people and gave them a Patriarch who was great in achievements and bold in crises so that, through the unquenchable strength of the Patriarch’s boundless love and longsuffering tolerance, God might preserve the integrity of this bruised vineyard and grant support to its shaken conscience of the Church. He was truly distinguished as a reviver and brilliant illuminator of the faith in word and deed, working toward excellent cooperation with the sister Orthodox Churches throughout the world. He looked toward the First among the Thrones, the Church of Constantinople, as a womb of regeneration of the superb people that he selflessly shepherded. Whenever clouds arise in the harmonious relations of the two churches, those relations are restored by the heavenly breath of love and the hierarchical order based on the sacred canons. He was extremely appreciative of the missionary witness ascribed at times by the Mother Church of Constantinople to this sacred and glorious land of Russia, recognizing it as a principal cause and fundamental contributor to the revival achieved here. It is in the same spirit that the Mother Church, too, always communicated with him. We often followed and studied the life that this greatly numerous Church took shape during his inspired tenure. Our impressions were filled with surprise after surprise; the organization of the Church was perfect, disciplined and fruitful; there were extraordinarily beautiful Churches and splendid Monasteries with thousands of monks and nuns; there were Theological Academies, Holy Seminaries and in general everything for which any well cultivated Orthodox Church must take pride; we have seen them all and duly admired them. The existing spiritual bond between us and this deeply fertile Church ever increased, adding the refreshing heavenly taste of authentic experience to the vibrant global community in our time. This sacred bond was also enhanced by the ardent and active late Patriarch, with whom we had the inexpressible joy recently of celebrating in common both in Kiev of the Ukraine and in the Queen of Cities. Nothing alarming was forewarning us of his sudden repose, which was painful for the entire Church. However, the ways of the Lord are different; the tireless Patriarch Alexy reached the end of his human life, as the Lord sets this for us all. He concluded his brilliant ecclesiastical journey, “having fought the good fight”

  page 21

DECEMBER 2008

Timely Discussions

INCARNATION OR INAUGURATION?

The True Transfer of Power by Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos

“The people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” (Luke 6:19) America has finally voted and chosen its 44th commander in chief. After what has been described as the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in U.S. history, the voice of the electorate has spoken in favor of Barack Obama as its new president. However, while the season of “spin” is over, the weeks leading up to the Inauguration will no doubt be marked with a continued echo of politically charged words and language. Regardless of one’s respective political affiliation, most commentators agree that the most frequently used term of the entire 2008 presidential campaign was the word “power.” While phrases such as the “pursuit” and “quest” for political power were used prior to Election Day, the “transfer” of power best describes the period leading up to the launch of Obama’s new administration. While politicians and their dedicated constituents look with anticipation towards the official transfer of presidential authority and prestige that will occur on Inauguration Day, Orthodox faithful should likewise focus their attention on the opportunities associated with the transmission of another type of influence . . . the transfer and benefit of the spiritual power associated with our Lord’s Holy Incarnation. In the eighth chapter of his gospel, St. Luke the Evangelist describes the miraculous transfer of power between Jesus and a woman who had been suffering from a constant flow of blood for 12 years (Luke 8:40-48). This condition tragically classified her as “unclean” by the legalistically tenacious Jewish religious authorities of the time. Anyone who came into contact with such a woman would have also been considered temporarily unclean. As a result, the woman in the biblical narrative was unfortunately stigmatized as a religious outcast, unable to approach the synagogue, her people or God! St. Luke, an evangelist and medical doctor, readily admits that his profession was unable to cure the unfortunate woman’s gynecological ailment. In fact, St. Luke informs his readers that the woman had depleted her financial resources desperately searching for a successful medical remedy for her tragic malady. It is no wonder therefore, that having heard of His prior miracles, the woman secretly seeks to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garments. Her act, however, does not go unnoticed. “Who touched me?” Jesus inquires. “I am certain that someone touched me – for I perceive that power has been transferred!” A transfer of power had taken place. It is here significant that Jesus publicly acknowledges being touched by the stigmatized woman. In so associating with her boldness, Jesus ran the risk of being himself labeled as “unclean.” While other religious authorities would most assuredly have punished or, at the very least, rebuked the woman, Jesus classifies her gesture as “great faith.” Rather than scorn her, He applauds her act and sends her on her way with a blessing! This simple act provides an important clue to the purpose of Jesus’ Incarnation. He came to associate with humanity’s distorted condition. He came to transfer power ...to transfer His healing Grace to us. He does so while simultaneously participating in our respective bleeding... our spiritual, psychological and physical secret wounds. The healing ministry of Jesus is

the most important transfer of power in all of human history. This, in fact, is one of the most important gifts of the Holy Nativity itself! While America’s political power and authority is transferred at the conclusion of political campaigns, the Grace of Christ is available to all who humbly reach for the ever-present hem of his eternal garment. St. Luke was most wise in providing the details of this important incident in his gospel. As a spiritual as well as physical physician he rightly understood the fact that we are all “secret bleeders,” in need of something or Someone who promises to stop the shame of our unending sinfulness. A few days after the presidential election an interesting ceremony took place in Georgetown, Del. called the “Return Day Parade.” Held since 1791, the semiannual event includes the presence of the Democratic and Republican opponents of the previous election. The victorious and defeated candidates ride together in a horse-drawn carriage through the downtown Georgetown streets, leading their respective constituents to a special location where a significant gesture occurs. As a symbol of mutual contrition for the campaign words and actions that may have injured the other, both candidates join in burying a commemorative hatchet and pledge to cooperate for the benefit of society. The Return Day Parade is a wonderful icon of humanity itself, marching through history - an endless procession of brothers and sisters - fellow bleeders in search of kings, presidents, and yes, even religious leaders who promise to heal their suffering and pain. Like the woman in Luke’s Gospel story, however, we have all exhausted our resources in search of such temporal healing. In the end, we must learn to reach beyond the pledged assurances of politics, science, and economics for the hem of God’s garment where the constant flow of our respective bleeding may be abated. Consequently, it is only through the Life-giving Chalice, the manger of the Church, that we experience the POWER that heals, and reunites us with God and with each other. The post-election period provides a wonderful backdrop for the transfer of such spiritual power to occur. This time frame coincidently corresponds to the preNativity cycle of fasting and self-reflection during which Orthodox Christians prepare themselves and their families to celebrate anew the Incarnation of Jesus Christ, their Eternal Leader. While the inauguration of a new political leader always elicits confidence in the possibility of discovering the solution to life’s problems, history has demonstrated the tragic fact that political administrations never really match the hype of their campaign’s rhetoric. Let us, therefore, seek Incarnation rather than mere Inauguration. Let us hunger for the gentle power and grace that comes from above. As both political parties and their constituents come together to welcome America’s 44th president, let us also focus on rededicating ourselves to the King of kings. Let us reach for the person of Jesus and seek to experience a lasting transfer of power - the only power that can truly heal humanity’s social, economic, political and religious bleeding. Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is the dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City. He is also an adjunct assistant professor at St. John’s University in New York.

MESSAGE by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Funeral of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow   page 20 as a soldier of Christ in the position he was appointed. As those of us, who are left behind, consider the results of his fellowship with us as well as his inspired leadership of this eminent Church of Russia, let us ask ourselves if it is proper for sorrow to prevail overwhelmingly in the present gathering. When the Church sees off one of its distinguished members – indeed, one who is also an exceptionally fruitful

Primate, who admittedly retained spiritual vigilance over his people to his last breath – then pain is transformed into joyful mourning and sadness over loss becomes joyful sorrow, filled with peace. The Lord’s word, on which the late Patriarch based his whole life and manifold ministry, offers an entirely different dimension to today’s event: “Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11.25-26). Amen.

‘The Valley is a ‘Totally Awesome’ Site for a Vibrant Parish   page 19 who has served the parish for three years, said the altar boy development program “gives the boys “a great deal of responsibility and helps them develop leadership skills.” He said there now are more than 30 boys who serve in altar, beginning with the fifth grade. Two head altar boy positions are filled by high school seniors who are paid because of their additional duties. They assist with some of the sacraments and have other responsibilities associated with the role of a “neokoro.” Fr. Anthony works closely with the altar boys, holding frequent meetings to teach them their duties.

In addition, there are active JOY and GOYA programs for all the youth of the community. The Sunday school has an enrollment of about 110. “One of the wonderful things of serving in Southern California is the growing trend of the churches in getting together, and for the youth to meet often together,” Fr. Anthony said. He noted that many of his classmates from Holy Cross now serve parishes from Santa Barbara to San Diego and they have stayed in touch. “We have a strong relationship and I’m blessed with the support of the many churches around us.” — Compiled by Jim Golding

DECEMBER 2008

by Melissa K. Tsogranis

O Christ, what shall we offer You for Your coming on earth as a Man for our sake? Every creature that has its being from You give thanks to You: the angels offer hymns of praise, the heavens give a star: wise men present their gifts, and the shepherds, their wonder; the earth provides a cave and the desert a manger. As for us, we offer You a Mother, a Virgin Mother. O God who are from all eternity, have mercy on us! –from the service of Great Vespers The presents have been opened, the food has been eaten, and the Christmas tree is really starting to shed—yes, your house is showing the effects of Christmas Day. Now you begin to focus on putting your house and life back together from the hectic pace you have likely kept since Thanksgiving. But while the “holiday season” may be winding down—for Christians the Christmas season is just getting started. You’ve heard of the 12 days of Christmas, right? This is when they begin! The 12 days of Christmas refer to the period between Christmas and the Eve of Theophany/Epiphany (January 5). This is a time of celebration—rejoicing in the birth of our Lord and Savior! As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). The 40 day fasting period before Christmas is meant to be a preparation for the coming of Jesus! The messages on television and in magazines tell us generally to “rejoice” and “be merry” (which they usually equate with material gifts) but as Orthodox Christians we must remember the reason for the rejoicing and the merriment comes from the birth of God the Word—Jesus. Once the Christ child enters this world, then, we have something to celebrate! So, how do we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in our homes? We strive each and every day to remember the joyous gift we received on Christmas. As we read in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” In recognition of the Feast, the Church has designated no fasting during these days except for January 5th, the eve of Theophany, which is a strict fast day. Here are a few things you can do with your family to keep the celebration going for the full 12 days of Christmas. Nativity Greetings At Pascha, we all know that we greet one another by saying “Christ is risen!” and responding “Truly He is risen!” for 40 days. Did you know that there is a similar greeting for Christmas? We should greet everyone after the Divine Liturgy on the

A Story for Families: The Fourth Wise man

LET’S CELEBRATE

The12 Days of Christmas Nativity by proclaiming “Christ is born!” The response is “Glorify Him!” Continue using this greeting the entire 12 days of Christmas. Add the beautiful Katavasia of the Nativity, which this greeting comes from, to your family prayer during this period: Christ is born! Glorify Him! Christ comes from heaven; meet Him. Christ is on earth exalt Him. O you earth, sing to the Lord. O your nations, praise Him in joy for He has been glorified. Giving Thanks Take time to give thanks for all of your blessings in life. Each night when you say prayers as a family, have each member share one thing they are thankful for that happened during the day. Discuss ways that you can show gratitude to God for all of His blessings. Consider making thanksgiving ornaments using left-over wrapping paper, ribbon, and markers. Write the different things you are thankful for in life on the wrapping paper, cut them out in different shapes, and use the ribbon to hang them on your tree. Also, this would be a good time to write those Christmas thank you notes to relatives and friends who have honored you with gifts—both material and otherwise throughout this past year. Be Mindful Remember the reason for the season by keeping your mind focused on Christ and His Church. One way of doing this is to keep aware of the different saints celebrated each day and as well as the daily scripture readings. You can find much of this information at www.onlinechapel. goarch.org. The lessons you and your children learn from the lives of the saints and Scripture will be precious gifts from God. Here are a few of dates to look out for during the 12 days of Christmas: December 27th (St. Stephen Archdeacon and First Martyr) – You can read about St. Stephen in the Epistle reading for the day Acts 6:8-7:5, 47-60 (perhaps shorten the reading and adapt it for young children). Notice his extreme faith as he was being martyred. Discuss how we can look to him as an example of faith and love. January 1st (St. Basil the Great) – St. Basil is a wonderful saint from which learn about wisdom and charity. We can honor him by attending the Divine Liturgy on his feast day, reading about him, participating in the tradition of the Vasilopita, and giving to those in need. Get the entire family involved in making the Vasilopita. Begin with a prayer and read about the tradition and the life of St. Basil. If you have never made this sweet bread, consider asking an older family

member or member of your community to come and teach you how to make it. Discuss ways you as a family can be charitable like St. Basil. To learn more about Saint Basil and the tradition of the Vasilopita, visit the website of St. Basil Academy at www.stbasil.goarch.org. January 4th (The Synaxis of the 70 Holy Apostles) – Did you know that the Lord did not just appoint 12 disciples? As we read in the Gospel, “…the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:1-2). Discuss how we can add to the “laborers” by living as apostles spreading the Gospel of Christ. Capture the Memories Create a Faith Capsule during the 12 days of Christmas. Use some sort of container and place an item in each day that will remind you of this year’s celebration of the birth of our Lord (i.e. a clipping from your tree, a piece of wrapping paper, a paper icon, pictures, quotes, etc.). Have each person in the family create a thank-you note or drawing to God for giving us the gift of His Son. After you share with one another, place these in the time capsule, and store it where it will not be disturbed until next year. Decide which day you will open it next year and write it on your calendar. Wrap it up with a Splash! Make a point to attend Vespers of Theophany as a family. If work and school permits, attend the Divine Liturgy with the Great Blessing of the Water the next day as well. For more information on celebrating Theophany, read Diving in: Living Theophany in the Orthodox Christian Home by Nichola Krause which can be found at: www.family.goarch.org/art-feastdays.asp. Don’t forget to schedule a time for your priest to come and bless your home. These are just a few suggestions on ways you can celebrate the 12 days of Christmas. Be creative and come up with your own family traditions for this period as well. Remember that this celebration shouldn’t run you ragged. Keep it simple and enjoy the time together as a family. But more importantly enjoy the time you spend glorifying our Lord and rejoicing in His birth. Christ is Born! Glorify Him! Melissa Tsongranis is the associate director for the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (www.family.goarch.org).She can be reached at mtsongranis@goarch.org

Three wise men, led by a star, went to worship the Baby of Bethlehem and gave Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They say there was another wise man, called Artaban. He was to meet the three Wise Men in Babylon and then start the journey to find and worship the newborn Baby. Artaban sold all his possessions, bought three jewels—a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl—to present to the Baby, and set out to join the other three Wise Men. On his way, Artaban saw an unknown injured man and stopped to help him. To do this he had to sell his sapphire and was delayed in his journey. By the time he reached Babylon, he found that the other three Men had already departed. He set out alone again, but when he arrived in Bethlehem, he found that Joseph of Nazareth and his family had fled to Egypt. “I will leave immediately for Egypt to worship the new King,” exclaimed Artaban. But during his journey he met a soldier on his way to slay a woman’s child on orders from Herod. Artaban gave the soldier his ruby and the infant’s life was saved. He then hurried to Egypt where he wandered in vain, searching for the King. Old and weary, after 33 years, Artaban finds himself in Jerusalem, learning that a so-called King of Israel was to be crucified that very day. Thereupon he determines to ransom Him with his pearl. On his way to Golgotha, Artaban was stopped by a young girl who was being dragged off by two brutal soldiers. He then gave his last jewel, the pearl, to the soldiers to save her. A little while later, when Jesus was dying on the Cross, Artaban realized that he could neither ransom Him nor pay tribute to Him, as he did not have any jewels left. Artaban collapsed from sorrow, but when he was lying face down, he heard a soft voice, saying: “I was hungry and thirsty and you gave me food and drink; I was naked and sick and you clothed me and visited me.” “Not so, my King,” protested Artaban. “Thirty-three years I have looked for You, but I have never seen Your Face, nor served You, my Lord.” But the voice replied: “Whatever you have done unto one of the least of these my brothers, you have done it to me.” —Taken from Lovely Little Stories for People of All Ages by Metropolitan Polizoides

New Resource for Family Ministry The Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese announces the publication of the Parish Family Night program. Thanks to a generous donation from Leadership 100, this resource has been sent to each parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. This resource includes 12 detailed sessions and information on how to plan a family night at your parish. Each session includes family activities, age specific break-out sessions, and take home handouts to continue the learning at home. For further information on this program, contact familycare@ goarch.org.

DECEMBER 2008

Marriage and Family

If You’re Not Getting Enough from Your Marriage, You’re Probably Not Giving Enough to Your Marriage by Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT

Recently I conducted an initial consultation with a couple that was having serious marital problems. After a few pleasantries were shared, both partners wasted little time describing how their marriage and spouse were failing to meet their needs. I listened respectfully, while keeping tight control over the conversation to prevent it from escalating out of control. After about 20 minutes of complaints, I felt I had some understanding of what had prompted this couple to seek couple therapy. At that point, I moved the conversation into a different direction. “Correct me if I’m wrong,” I stated. “But here’s what I’ve heard so far. You’re both here because neither of you believe you’re getting enough of your needs met by your partner, which means that your partner’s needs are also being ignored. Correct?” Both appeared to reluctantly agree. I guessed their hesitancy was related to the second part of my statement, but I didn’t pursue this hunch. Instead, I continued undeterred. “Okay then, if this is correct, I have the solution.” At this point both perked up a little and seemed more engaged and interested. “Here’s what I think. If you’re not getting enough from your marriage, then maybe it’s because you’re not giving enough to both your marriage and your partner.” I then began to explain this statement by indicating that spouses who report high levels of marital satisfaction aren’t only focused on what their getting from their marriage and partner, they’re also equally focused on what they’re giving to their marriage and partner. ”Okay, so here’s the bottom line,” I stated. “I don’t expect you to completely buy into these statements today. But, if you’re interested in meeting with me again, you should know that a large part of the work we’ll be doing together will be devoted to helping you develop a much deeper understanding of these statements.” I’m happy to report that by the end of this session, both decided to commit to six months of therapy. I’m equally pleased to report that as they were both able to shift away from a self-centered perspective that focused on what their weren’t getting from each other, to a perspective that’s characterized by a spirit of service, giving and compassion for their partner, marital satisfaction slowly began returning. An Emphasis on Personal Needs We’re a society that places a great premium on self-fulfillment, self-determination, self-sufficiency and self-improvement. By the way, did you notice the emphasis on self? I believe that’s one reason why many unhappy spouses have bought into the notion that they deserve to be happy, and if they aren’t happy, they’re quick to blame their spouse and marriage for their unhappiness. In fact, a substantial amount of advice found in self-help books is based on these assertions. As pervasive as these attitudes are, I also believe they’re fatally flawed. Moreover, some of the newest research - and by extension, couple’s therapy – emerging from the human sciences suggests that no

one can make us happy, and that we are in charge of our happiness. This work, which has an empirical foundation based on new findings from neuroscience also maintains that happiness essentially emerges when we give of ourselves to others, rather than when we focus on our needs and take from others. By the way, does any of this sound familiar? It should. That’s because Christian relationships are based on service, giving and compassion. So, as innovative as these findings might be, they’re not news to couples who live a Christ-centered lifestyle. Here are a few additional insights to reinforce this last statement. Service, Giving and Self-Sacrificial Compassion In St. Mark’s Gospel Jesus is quoted as offering the following counsel to his disciples who are in the midst of a heated argument. “You know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mk 10: 42-45). In effect, this counsel was alluding to two key attributes that characterize Christcentered relationships. Based on Christ’s own example, the first is that a spirit of service, giving and self-sacrificial love would be part and parcel of Christians’ transactions and interactions with one another. The second would be that these attributes would distinguish Christian relationships from other types of relationships that are based on power politics, manipulation and selfish attitudes of entitlement. Applying These Attributes to Marriage In my own work with hundreds of conflicted couples, I’ve noticed that when couples are able to make the shift away from blaming their partner and marriage for their unhappiness, to a spirit of service, giving and self-sacrificial love, marital satisfaction slowly returns. Conversely, couples who can’t make this shift remain disconnected and stuck in a painfully conflicted, destructive marriage – one that often slip-slides toward marital meltdown and divorce. All of which means that if you’re not getting enough from your marriage, then you’re probably not serving your partner enough, you’re probably not giving enough, and you’re probably not relating to your partner in a self-sacrificial compassionate way. One way to remedy this deficit is to make a shift away from a self-centered perspective that compels us to focus on our own needs, to a Christ-centered attitude of giving, service and self-sacrificial compassion. Fr. Charles directs the Archdiocese’s outreach ministry to intermarried couples and their families. For more information, log onto the Interfaith Marriage Web site using the following address: www.interfaith.goarch.org

The Message of Christmas

God became Man so that we might become sons of God. Think of it! Jesus, the only begotten son whom God sent forth, will share us His privileges. This is where language of the brain and of the intellect breaks down. We are in the realm now not of logic but of love. We can no longer reason about these things, for they are matters not for the mind, but for the heart. We can only lift up our hearts to God in thanksgiving for His unspeakable Gift.

  page 11 act of self-limitation, assumed the heartache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to. And, lastly, we ask “Why?” Why did God thus send forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law? Again our text supplies the answer: “That we might receive the adoption of sons.” God became subject to the laws of our humanity in order that He might deliver us from those laws that He might set us free from the law of sin and death.

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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.

Challenge What’s Up “Real” Peace? YOUTH MINISTRY

e-mail: youthoffice@goarch.org

WITH

by Niko Bekris

Last month, a new movie premiered which I’m sure you’ve heard of called “Twilight,” based off a top-selling book of the same name. The book was released two years ago and was an immediate success with young people in America and in Europe. It didn’t take long for people in Hollywood, always eager to find the next “big thing,” to notice how much it resonated with readers all over the world, and to make a movie about it. If you’ve seen “Twilight” or read the book, you know it’s about a teenage girl named Bella who falls in love with a 17-year old boy who is more than he seems. The story revolves around them making their relationship work, and has themes of finding a place where you belong, being yourself, and what makes you happy. This has been the recipe for a lot of teen movies in Hollywood, whether they be “High School Musical,” “Mean Girls,” “Titanic,” “The Breakfast Club,” or even “Rebel Without a Cause” from the 1950s. Shakespeare even wrote about it in “Romeo and Juliet,” a story that “Twilight” has been compared to, and Shakespeare wasn’t even the first one to do so. If you look at this trend of successful stories that involve young people, you can see a pattern of storytelling that really appeals to us as an audience, regardless of what era we live in. Something about love, fitting in and finding where you belong are things that really connect with us, especially as we mature as people and slowly discover who we are. Something not mentioned in any of these movies but at the core of all of them, is peace. If you think about it, what are all the characters in these movies looking for? How many scenes in these movies have characters being made fun of because they’re different? How many of these movies have characters trying to change who they are so that they can avoid being teased? They might have characters that change who they are in order to impress someone else who they like. If any of this sounds familiar, that’s because all of us go through something like this at some point in our lives. Haven’t we ever felt like Sam in “Transformers,” who bought his first car to impress a girl he liked? Or maybe like Cady in “Mean Girls” who just wanted to be accepted? Or like

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

DECEMBER 2008

don’t have anyone near them that they can count on. Maybe there are times when we feel this way, too. But as we grow and discover who we are, if we allow God to enter our lives and give us His authentic, real peace, we will then find where we belong, how to be ourselves, and what makes each of us happy.

Bella in “Twilight,” who encountered someone who was different and accepted her, and immediately fell head over heels? These are all feelings that we all feel at some point, and each one of them is centered on being accepted, being loved, and being at peace. In my life, there have been times when I’ve stood in a holy place or near a holy person, when I’ve prayed deeply, or even when I first met my wife, and I’ve felt the same thing each time: peace. I’ve asked people if they’ve ever felt like they’ve been in God’s presence. If they tell me yes, then I ask them what it felt like. Everyone I’ve asked this question to might mention more than one emotion, but despite that I still hear the same word every time: “peace.” I truly believe that this is because God’s presence is peace. In the Gospel of John, the first three times Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection, He said “Peace be to you.”(20:19) When the priest during Divine Liturgy or any other Orthodox service blesses the congregation and says “Peace be to all,” the priest is blessing on behalf of Christ. This is because God is love, and

God’s presence is peace. This month, we celebrate God’s coming into the world as a human being, coming to us to fulfill His promise- to be saved if we believe in Him. Jesus invited us to know Him and showed us how to have a relationship with God. He did not come to earth to tell us that we should be anyone other than who He created us to be. When we find ourselves in a position where we feel we have to be someone we’re not, we don’t have to be there. If we like someone and feel we have to do something that makes us feel uncomfortable in order to impress them, we don’t have to be there. God has made us all unique, special people who are called to know Him, and learn how to walk in life with Him guiding us by our side. In this holiday season of love and giving, let’s not forget that God is also a God of peace. We don’t have to be anxious or unhappy with ourselves when we go through tough times. Just remember that God is there with you. Bella in “Twilight,” Troy in “High School Musical” and many other characters in these teen movies feel like they

Niko Bekris is the youth director of the Metropolis of San Francisco. He is originally from Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington in 2004 with a degree in history. He is a 2008 graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology and plans to serve the Church as a priest.

For Parents and Youth Workers

– NEW!! YOUTH WORKER BLOG: Visit www.youth.goarch.org and click on the link to our new Youth Worker Blog, The Ladder. It is a discussion forum for all youth workers and parents! Go there TODAY! – CHALLENGE SURVEY: Please encourage all teens to take this survey so we can improve the Challenge. Visit www.youth.goarch.org and take this short survey for a chance to win a FREE i–Pod! – IONIAN VILLAGE: Staff Applications for the 2009 Season are now being accepted. Please visit www.ionianvillage. org for details.

“Twilight”: A Movie Review by Elisabeth Lourie

As you may or may not know, the movie “Twilight” is the biggest thing to hit teenagers since the Harry Potter series. Twilight started out as a book series (there are four altogether) written by Stephanie Meyers, who is a Mormon, and is now being brought to teen-agers in movie form. These books have been targeted specifically to teen-age girls with great success. The movie brought in $70 million opening weekend, debuting as the No.1 movie in America, and the agreement to film a sequel has just been reached by the movie bigwigs. Twilight –mania has swept the nation. So what’s the deal? Is this something we as Orthodox Christians should be reading/watching? The premise of the story is this: a brooding teen–age girl (Bella Swan) who’s new to her small town high school falls in love with a quiet, pale, and handsome social outcast (Edward Cullen). We quickly find out that there’s something different about him (he’s super fast, super strong, and doesn’t like to come out in the sunlight), and Bella eventually figures out he’s a blood-thirsty vampire. Here’s the catch: he’s a good vampire. He and his other “family” members hunt only animals, refusing to kill humans. The conflict arises when their love threatens Edward’s family, Bella’s parents, and the life of Bella herself. Here’s the bad news: there’s the obvious fact that as Orthodox Christians we don’t believe that vampires exist. Historically they have been seen as demons on earth- the undead. In this story they are romanticized and seen as almost heroic.

Also, Bella decides that she, too, wants to give up her immortal soul and become a vampire- something that Edward does not agree with. This can be problematic since, as Christians we are called to devote our immortal soul to God, to desire to spend eternity with him- not our new vampire boyfriend. Matthew 16:26: “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?” Here’s the good news: you won’t find a single curse word or any sex (although there are some sexual undertones throughout). What you will find, is an interesting take on abstinence and controlling our passions. For the sake of the greater good, these vampires have denied their “passions”- every part of their being is telling them to kill and drink blood- but they refuse to give in and be murderous monsters. The story seems to parallel the struggles teenagers face in preserving their purity. The author even placed an apple on the front cover of the book, reminding us of the temptation faced in the Garden of Eden.

God in Culture

In my opinion, this movie can be a great chance to have some good discussions. Most likely many teenagers have already either seen the movie or read the books, or both. Or if they haven’t, all their friends have. A few questions for discussion: • Why does Edward refuse to let Bella become a vampire? Why do you think Bella is willing to give up her soul to be with Edward forever? Would it be worth it? • Why is Edward willing to abstain from human blood? Why do you think the Church calls for us to control our passions? What would happen if Edward just did whatever felt good? • It seems like it’s really hard for Bella to be away from Edward. Why do you think that is? Why does she kiss him, even though she knows it will be really hard for him? Read Romans 7:14-24 together. • Do you think Bella and Edward made the right choice by deciding to be together? They risk the safety of the people close to them and put Bella’s life in danger. Was it worth it? • Edward and his family are sort of outcasts at their high school. As an Orthodox Christian do you ever feel like you are an outcast or that no one at school understands you? Edward is very close to his family and they help support each other. Do you have anyone in your life that helps you in your faith and your struggles? Originally from Alaska, Elisabeth now lives in New York and serves in the Dept. of Youth and Young Adult Ministries as coordinator of Resources and Camping Ministries.

DECEMBER 2008

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DECEMBER 2008

Christmas Folk Traditions in Greece

he Christmas season is one of the most important periods of everyday life in Greece. Preparations start on Nov. 15 and, yes, there is another 40 days period of fasting, but now only few people keep it. Christmas decorations adorn in the streets, shops, and houses, everywhere! Christmas trees with flashing lights, Christmas cookies, Christmas cards, all these things bring joy to everyone. And these festive times will last until Jan. 6, the Feast of Epiphany. Christmas in Greece is traditionally a solemn, religious holiday. Let’s look at some well–known traditions of this period: December 24th • Christmas Eve Christmas Eve opens the customary 12-day period when children sing carols, starting with the narration of the Birth of Christ, continuing with praises for the house and its residents and ending with lines for a rich tip and cookies. These beautiful carols, called “kalanda” have been handed down from Byzantine times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration. Children use metal triangles, hitting them with metal rods while singing. Gifts and cards are exchanged during all the Christmas season, but especially on Christmas Eve when Santa Claus brings children presents! And, like every year, it’s time for Christmas cookies: “kourabiedes” and “melomacarona.” The Christmas tree is decorated, although some island people decorate small boats since they are seafarers. “Kalikatzari” One of the most magical feasts during the twelve days of Christmas is the appearance of the goblins. These are demonic (dark) earth spirits who appear during the holidays to make the lives of people difficult. The derivation of their Greek name - kalikantzaroi - is subject to debate. What is certain is that the “kali” (good) prefix is meant to appease and curry favor with the spirits. Another name for elves, “pagana,” is derived from the word “pagono,” or idolater. The goblins live all year beneath the earth and gnaw at the tree that holds it up. When the Christmas holidays bring feasting merriment, preparations and nice smells, they emerge out of curiosity or an interest in participating and get in the way of the affairs of humans. During Theophany, when the priests bless the waters, and the birth of light is fact, they return to the earth. The tree they were gnawing has, in the meantime, grown and they have to return to their task anew. The truth is that goblins are more annoying than dangerous. They hide in cool ashes in the hearth, and that is why the fire must not be put out during the entire twelve days. They steal freshly baked bread or fried sausages. They soil freshly cleaned clothes and freshly ground flour and confuse women when they are darning clothes. This is why one should not labor or wander out alone during this period! If a goblin should find you alone in the street he might get you to dance until your legs cannot keep you up anymore. It is not known if goblins ever really frightened people but the shape they were given and the things they did were more amusing than dangerous. “The feeding of the tap”

At midnight on Christmas Eve, in the villages of Central Greece, an old tradition takes place; the “feeding of the tap.” Girls of the village, a few hours before Christmas, go to the water taps with butter and honey, and wish as the water runs that prosperity also will run in the house in the new year and, as sweet as honey is, so also may their life be sweet. With this movement they take from the tap “speechless” water. In order to have a good harvest they bring to the tap butter, cheese, or cooked wheat or legumes. They try to arrive as soon as possible, because, as it’s said, whoever arrives at the tap first has good luck for the entire year. Returning in the house, the women carry the new water, after emptying the old water from their barrels. This process of passage and return from the tap happens silently – thus the name “speechless water.” With this “speechless” water women wet their houses for robustness and good luck. “Branches in the fireplace” In Thessaly, young girls and boys, returning to the house from church, place small branches of cedar on the fireplace that represent their personal wishes. The first branch to be burned represents a good omen for its holder. “Christoksilo” Precursor to the Christmas tree is Christoksilo or Dodekameritis, a fat timber from a pear-tree or cedar. The Christoksilo is put in the fireplace of the house on Christmas Eve. The ash from the wood protects the house and the fields from each villain. When the Christoksilo burns, Christ is warm in His crib. In the villages of northern Greece, on the eves of feast, the homeowner searches in the fields and chooses the most beautiful, most robust, the fattest piece of pine or olive wood and takes it to his house. This was named the Christoksilo

and it is the wood that it will burn for all the Dodekaimero (12 days) of feasts (from Christmas until Theofania) in the fireplace. Before she brings the Christoksilo, the housewife cleans the house, with particular attention to the fireplace so there is no remaining trace of old ash. They clean even the chimney, so the goblins do not find steps to go down. Thus on Christmas Eve, when all the family is gathered round the fireplace, the master of the house ignites the new fire and burns the Christoksilo. “Christopsomo • Christ’s Bread” Christ Bread was once the centerpiece of traditional Greek Christmas tables, as were large quantities of dried figs, nuts and honey. The plentiful use of grains and nuts as symbols of fertility and good harvest is reminiscent of the ancient Kronia festivals (similar to Roman Saturnalia) held in Attica in honor of Cronus, the god of the harvest. The Christmas bread is made by the women with particular care and patience. Making it is a ritual. They use expensive ingredients, flour, rosewater, honey, sesame, cinnamon and carnations, saying: “The Christ is given birth, the light goes up, the bread rises too.” On the bread’s surface they create designs with a knife or fork of flowers, leaves, fruits and birds. This decoration stresses the aim of the Christopsomo and expresses expectation for a good harvest and production of animals. For the Christmas table, the Christopsomo is blessed bread and cut on Christmas Day. The custom of Christopsomo is maintained in many parts of Greece, but mainly in Crete. It constitutes a deep– rooted custom. Locally, it has various names such as: “the bread of Christ,” “Crosses,” “vlahes” and others. “Christmas Tree and Christmas Boats” Christoksilo was replaced by the Christmas tree custom that began in Germany and expanded to other European countries

The decoration of the Christmas tree is the essence of Christmas. This custom has foreign origins. The embellished tree was first introduced in Greece in the palaces of Othon (King Otto) in 1833 and afterwards in Athens. Since the Second World War, the tree with the colorful balls has become a fixture in all Greek houses. According to one account, decorating the tree was started by Martin Luther who, walking at night in a forest and seeing the stars shining, conceived of the idea of placing a luminous tree in his house that would portray the star-filled sky on the night when Christ came into the world. In certain parts of Greece, such as Lesvos, the Christmas tree is not from fir but from an olive tree branch, which is embellished with golden oranges, walnuts and various toys. On the islands, instead of decorating a tree, they decorate miniature boats with colorful lights. SPECIAL TRADITIONS “The Momogeri” In the village Platania of Drama the custom of “Momogeri,” emanates from the Pontus refugees. The name of the custom comes from the word mimic or momos and is connected with mimic movements of protagonists. These, wearing skins of animals -- wolves, goats or other animals - or dressed with uniforms of persons armed, have the form of old persons. The Momogeri are presented for the entire duration of the 12 days’ feasts, and expecting the New Year, they travel in companies in the streets of villages and sing kalanda. When two companies meet each other, they pretend to have war between them, until a team overcomes the other and it declares subjugation. “Kolinta mpampo” In Pella, the custom of “Kolinta mpampo” relates to the slaughter of Herod. Residents of the region ignite fires on the evening of Dec. 23 shouting “Kolinta mpampo” that is to say “slaughter, grandmother.” According to the residents, this evening King Herod ordered the slaughter of all male infants under the age of 2 years. The fire assures the residents they are protected not only from the king, but also from the villains. “Diet traditions” Different parts of Greece have different customs. In Zagori, Epirus for example, on Christmas Day they make “spargana.” These are pancakes and they symbolize the covers of Christ in the crib. The housewife makes the Christmas cake (a type of bread), which usually is round, and is a symbol of the big feast. At Christmas roasted stuffed turkey or roasted pork meat is eaten. Though nowadays turkey takes pride of place as the main meat dish of the Christmas feast, it was tradition - ask any elderly Greek to tell you how the village homes once smelled of smoke and pig fat - to slaughter a pig for the Christmas feast. Again this custom is reminiscent of the ancient Greek and Roman practice of sacrificing a pig in honor of Cronus around the time of the winter solstice. – Folk Christmas Traditions of Greece; revised article taken from various sources, books and the Internet.

DECEMBER 2008

Chicago YAL Welcomes All “Heroes” to 26th Annual Conference by Christopher Chiakulas

CHICAGO – Orthodox young adults from all over the country will convene Feb. 13-15 for the 26th Metropolis of Chicago Young Adult League (YAL) Conference. The theme of this year’s conference is “Heroes: Defending the Faith in the 21st Century.” The conference, held each year during President’s Day weekend, boasts the most well-rounded young adult conference in the country. The weekend includes social events, a keynote address, spiritual, educational and interactive workshops, outreach, liturgical services, and a Grand Banquet. YAL is a ministry for young adults ages 18-35. It was founded in the 1980s, after Archbishop Iakovos identified the need for a ministry for young adults after GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America). The mission of YAL is to “create a setting where young adults grow spiritually through experiencing the four characteristics which symbolize the YAL movement.” These characteristics are Worship (Liturgia), Witness (Martyria), Service (Diakonia) and Fellowship (Koinonia). Today, the Metropolis of Chicago YAL is under the guidance of Metropolitan Iakovos, along with Chris Avramopoulos, the director of Youth and Young Adults for the Metropolis. While the annual conference is the

highlight of the year, the Metropolis cocoordinators Diana Dokos and Alexandria Laris, along with the Metropolis Board, have set out as their goal an active yearround ministry. “We have tried hard to make Chicago YAL more than just a conference. We formed a board of members that are equally excited about YAL and we meet on a regular basis in order to come up with activities that cater to our demographic,” said Laris, who was also a conference chairperson in 2004. “I feel that often times our 20s can be the ‘lost years’ where people our age are far away from the church. I feel that doesn’t have to be the case, and we are working hard to try to reach out to young adults so that they can meet one another, form a strong Orthodox network and friendships, and remain close to Christ and the Church throughout their 20s and 30s and into the rest of their lives.” The conference will be held at the Marriott O’Hare hotel. Registration and the full weekend schedule will be available online at www. yalchicago.org The planning committee is always looking for interested young adults to volunteer their time. For more information on the conference, the YAL ministry, or to become more actively involved in YAL, young adults can visit www.yalchicago.org or send an e-mail to yalchicago@hotmail.com

Unique ‘Ministry’ Combines Faith and Exercise BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – A group of young adults at Holy Trinity parish recently started a ministry that functions mostly on two wheels. According to information from parishioner Michael Albano, the Holy Trinity Cycling Club evolved from an understanding of the needs of the church to reach out to the community. “The idea emerged by synthesizing the church’s needs with the needs of individuals to stay fit and maintain their health, both physically and spiritually,” Mr. Albano said. Holy Trinity’s pastor, Fr. Demetrios Recachinas, noted that the group of young

adults tries to incorporate faith and prayer in their bicycling activity and recently helped with a luncheon for the homeless in Bridgeport. Efforts to organize the club began in early May and a number of rides have been held on Saturday mornings since then. Duration of the rides can be as long as 20 miles and usually end with breakfast at an area Greek diner.The current membership of about 30 includes Greek Orthodox Christians and friends from all faiths in Fairfield County, Conn. The cycling club will resume in the spring. For more information, call 203.727.7914.

Annunciation Church parishioners and clergy with Archbishop Demetrios after the consecration on Nov. 2.

Archbishop Consecrates Church for Oldest Connecticut Parish STAMFORD, Conn. – Consecration ceremonies for the new Annunciation Church of the oldest Greek Orthodox parish in Connecticut, took place on Nov. 1-2 weekend. Archbishop Demetrios presided at the lengthy consecration service, which included the preparation of the holy relics for the Altar, the procession of the relics and their placement in the Altar table, the washing of the altar, the anointing of the holy altar with chrism, the vesting of the altar, anointing of the church and lighting of the vigil light. The holy relics are of the great martyrs St. George, St. Panteleimon and St. Kyrikos. The Archbishop was assisted by Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Fr. Constantine Mathews, pastor of Annunciation; the Very Rev. Sebastian Skordellos, the chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod; Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos and Deacon Nathaniel Symeonides. Several priests from neighboring communities in Connecticut and New York also were in attendance. Following the Divine Liturgy and consecration, young people of the parish planted a tree outside the church. The previous evening, Bishop Andonios brought the holy relics to the

church where a Consecration Great Vespers service took place. The Byzantine Choir of Holy Cross School of Theology, directed by Professor Fotios Ketsetzis, chanted the hymns. Special guests attending the weekend events included Frs. Demetrios Recachinas and Presbytera Eleftheria of Holy Trinity in Bridgeport; and Steven Natisis and Presbytera from Holy Trinity in Waterbury; Samuel Roumeles, the oldest former parish council president; U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays; state Sen. Andrew McDonald; Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy; and parish leaders including Philoptochos President Barbara Pappas and Parish Council President Nicholas Skroubelos. For Annunciation parish, the Consecration marks the second major event in the life of the community since the completion of the new church building in 1991. It is the parish’s second house of worship since its founding. In 2005, the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding. The community built its first church in 1917 and it served the parish until the completion of the present facility in 1991. Construction began in 1986. At the centennial celebration, Archbishop Demetrios officiated at the Divine Liturgy on Nov. 5, 2005.

Welcoming St. Basil kids St. Barbara’s parish in Toms River, N.J., recently invited students of St. Basil Academy in Garrison, N.Y. for the annual Thanksgiving dinner. This year, the parish donated two laser printers for the academy library, along with ink cartridges and cables. Proceeds from the dinner totaled about $2,000 and were. presented to

St. Basil’s Academy. Shown with students of St. Basil’s are: Fr. Paul Pappas, proistamenos; Anastasia Raissis dinner chairman, Parish Council President Sotiris Sergiou and Goldie Marousis, the Philoptochos chapter president. The dinner was donated by the Mageros Family, owners of The Regent Diner.

Children of the parish plant a tree following the end of the service.

NOVEMBER 2008

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Peter Agris Scholarship Fund Helps Aspiring Greek American Journalists BOSTON – More than a quarter of a million dollars in critical financial aid has been provided over the last 17 years by the Peter Agris Memorial Scholarship Fund to scores of young Greek Americans from across the country seeking to present their Hellenic heritage and their Orthodox faith to our nation through careers in journalism and communications. Former recipients now fill the positions of news anchors, correspondents for major news publications, feature writers and others in publishing. The efforts of The Alpha Omega Council of New England, which sponsors the scholarship fund together with the Agris family, has resulted in $300,000 in grants having been made to more than 60 aspiring journalists of Hellenic roots. Comprised of leading businesspersons of Hellenic ancestry, The Alpha Omega Council continues to honor its late founder, Peter Agris, also the founder and publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, for 50 years the major Greek American national English–language weekly newspaper in this country. Agris, who died in 1989, was also an Archon of the Church, a trustee of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and an Ahepan.

The $5,000 non-renewable scholarships are presented each spring at the Alpha Omega Council’s Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner, during which time a noted individual or organization from within the Greek American community is recognized for contributions to our Hellenic and Orthodox ideals. Criteria for candidates includes: Greek American heritage; current full-time enrollment as a journalism or communications major at the graduate or undergraduate level in an accredited college or university in the United States; active participation in school, community, church organizations; a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and demonstrated financial need. Candidates may download an application on the Alpha Omega Council’s website at www.alphaomegacouncil.com or may write to: The Peter Agris Memorial Scholarships Committee, c/o Nancy Agris Savage, 9 Nonesuch Drive, Natick, MA 01760. Questions may be directed to nancyasavage@ cs.com. Applications, transcripts and the required essay must be returned by mail to the above address, by fax to 508-655-1402 or by email to:nancyasavage@cs.com no later than March 1, 2009.

Archbishop Addresses SF Clergy Institute   page 14 cent. The Archbishop praised the work of Metropolitan Gerasimos and his care for the faithful and clergy of his Metropolis. Recalling his days at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., when many of the priests present were his students, the Archbishop encouraged the clergy in their sacred ministry and said the Metropolis of San Francisco was “a fertile field for missionary work.” The next morning the presentation and reception of the Holy and Sacred Relics of St. Seraphim of Sarov took place. The relics of St. Seraphim were sent directly from Moscow to Archbishop Demetrios by the express wish of Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia, following a request by St. Anthony’s Monastery in Florence, Ariz. St. Seraphim of Sarov is one of the best-known

Russian Orthodox Saints of the 19th century and a revered saint in Greece. The Archbishop led a procession to the Church of the Assumption holding the holy icon of St. Seraphim with his relics, entered the Church and presided at the service that followed. At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Demetrios read the letter of Patriarch Alexy and according to the canonical order of the Church, presented the holy relics to Metropolitan Gerasimos who in turn presented them to Fr. Paisios, the abbot of the monastery. Later, more than 75 priests participated in a three-hour session held in the Church of the Assumption. Archbishop Demetrios offered an edifying lecture entitled “St. John Chrysostom, Priesthood and the 21st Century,” followed by an engaging discussion on pastoral issues and concerns.

EOCS Provides Scholarships to Outstanding Scouts FREEPORT, N.Y. – The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting, a SCOBA agency, is accepting applications for 2009. Eligibility requirements for these awards are: registered active member of a Boy or Girl Scout unit • Earned the Eagle Scout Award for Boys or God Award for girls • Active member of an Eastern Orthodox Church • Earned the Alpha Omega Religious Scout Award • High school senior.

EOCS Chairman George Boulukos said the candidates are evaluated on their participation in their church, school, community and Scouting unit. Emphasis is on scholastic achievement, not on financial need. For more information and applications for 2009, write: EOCS Scholarship Chairman, 862 Guy Lombardo Ave., Freeport, NY 11520. CORRECTION In the November issue, the photos of the Galveston church hurricane damage were taken by parish council Vice President Anthony Speakman.

Deadlines

Deadline for submitting items for consideration for the January 2009 issue is Friday, January 9. Send ads to (e-mail) epissalidis@goarch.org, or observer@goarch.org. To submit news items, photos, feature items or letters to the editor by e-mail (preferred) send to: jim@goarch.org , or by regular mail, to: Editor, Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075.

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IL 2008

• Vol.

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