June 2012 - Issue 1276 Observer

JUNE 2012 • Vol. 77 • No. 1276

$1.00

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

Clergy-Laity Congress Preview Edition

A view of the Phoenix metropolitan area from one of the nearby mountains. (More preview coverage on pages 4–5.)

Metropolis of San Francisco Prepares for Clergy–Laity Congress

by Kristen Bruskas

PHOENIX.– The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco eagerly awaits the arrival of over 1,000 clergy and lay delegates at the 41st Biennial Clergy–Laity Congress from July 1–5.

It has been 10 years since the Congress has been held in the western United States, and the Metropolis of San Francisco is working in cooperation with the Archdiocese to ensure a productive and enjoyable gathering for our Church.

Under the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos, the Metropolis co-chairs for the Clergy–Laity Congress are Theofanis Economidis and Isidoros Garifalakis. Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas and board member Kathy Gabriel are serving as the local co–chairs for the National Philoptochos Convention.

“The Metropolis of San Francisco is honored to serve as the host of this year’s Clergy–Laity Congress being held in Phoenix. We have a dynamic team whose goal is to make this a successful gathering for our Archdiocese, promoting unity and creating a vision for the growth of our Church. I am grateful to all our parishes for their support of this endeavor, and we look forward to extending our warmest hospitality to the delegates from across our Archdiocese,” stated Metropolitan Gerasimos. “‘Chosen and appointed by God to go and bear fruit’ is the theme selected by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America for this year’s Congress, and I truly feel that these words from the Gospel of John exemplify our work as a Church. The

Clergy–Laity Congress provides a unique opportunity to actively participate in the governance of our Church, but more importantly, to address important issues like outreach, education, worship, youth ministry, marriage and family programs, and ultimately the salvation of our faithful,” said Metropolitan Gerasimos. “We must become messengers of God’s love through our actions, and bring people to Him and the full knowledge of the Gospel of Truth.”

Phoenix is the sixth largest city in the United States, and the second largest city in the Metropolis of San Francisco. The greater Phoenix area has four Greek Orthodox churches, including Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral where the Congress delegates will join in worship for the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 1.

Holy Trinity Cathedral was built in 1976 and seats over 850 people.

The Cathedral features over 4,000 square feet of faceted glass iconography, and the Holy Altar table is a 7½–ton solid piece of granite. Situated on an 11–acre parcel, the cathedral complex includes an educational building, administrative offices, as well as a community center and athletic fields.

During the Congress, delegates will be transported back in time to the Wild West with a traditional western barbeque at Pinnacle Peak Patio.

Established in 1957, Pinnacle Peak Patio is the world’s largest steakhouse, serving delicious food in a rustic atmosphere including live country-western music.

This year’s Grand Banquet for the Clergy–Laity Congress will coincide with the celebration of Independence Day. “It is my privilege to co–chair the Clergy–Laity Congress with Isidoros Garifalakis on behalf of the Metropolis of San Francisco. We have people from all corners of our Metropolis working to make this a positive experience for everyone, encouraging fellowship amongst Orthodox Christians from throughout the United States,” stated Theofanis Economidis.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to come together and share ideas so that our Archdiocese, Metropolises and parishes may be strengthened in their work and ‘bear fruit’ through worship, teaching and service.”

The National Philoptochos Convention will culminate in a celebration honoring “80 Years of Philanthropy” with a stellar event Faces of Philop-

tochos–Past, Present and Future and the Agape Awards presentations to be held on Tuesday, July 3 at The Musical Instrument Museum (MIM). Located near the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, The MIM is the world’s first global musical instrument museum, with nearly 200,000 square feet of displays from throughout the world.

Guests will mingle throughout the 350 exhibits, listening to examples of music from every corner of the globe and seeing one–of–a–kind instruments including the piano used by John Lennon to compose the Beatles’ hit “Imagine”, and the last guitar played in concert by Elvis Presley.

“The MIM is a spectacular facility and will provide an excellent setting to honor the outstanding legacy of Philoptochos for the past 80 years.

The chapters of the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos are honored to host this event and help chart the course for our next 80 years of philanthropy and beyond,” stated Mrs. Ranglas.

“In addition, our chapters are working in many ways to extend hospitality to all the visiting Hierarchs, clergy and lay delegates to the Congress. We are excited to showcase the strength of our Metropolis Philoptochos which currently has over 4,000 members.”

You won’t want to miss this year’s Clergy–Laity Congress, and the philoxenia offered by the Metropolis of San Francisco.

Let us come together to learn what our role is as leaders of church who have been “Chosen and appointed by God” and let us fulfill the call of the Lord to “go and bear fruit”. We look forward to seeing you in Phoenix!

2

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

JUNE 2012

GOTelecom Television Channel Coming to WhereverTV To contact the National Ministries Archives 212.570.3517 ncalles@goarch.org Communications 212.774.0244 communications@goarch.org Greek Education 212.774.0233 greekeducation@goarch.org Information Technologies 212.774.0240 theo@goarch.org Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations 212.570.3593 ecumenical@goarch.org

GOTelecom, the television ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, is scheduled to launch a worldwide television channel, GOTelecomTV, on June 15.

This new channel will be available through WhereverTV. The channel will feature past GOTelecom productions, including Greek Orthodox religious, cultural and educational programs, such as the Emmy Award winning “A Light Still Bright,” and the more recent “Christ is Risen!,” which aired on NBC nationwide in April. Sunday morning Liturgy aired live from the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York will also be part of the regularly scheduled programming.

In addition to a channel with scheduled programming, there will be an on-de-

mand channel where all available programs, including the Greek-language videos, can be watched at the touch of a button.

The Department of Communications will be also collecting materials and videos that have been recorded from various Archdiocese events around the country to add to its line-up. If your parish would be interested in contributing programming or live liturgical services to air on the channel, please contact the Department of Communications at 212-774-0244. More information regarding how to send us content and technical specifications will be forthcoming in the next few weeks. WhereverTV, a cable television service, uses the Internet instead of cable wires or satellite dishes to bring television programming to you. There are

two ways to watch – either by streaming content directly to your PC or iPad, or by using a ROKU2 box streaming device connected to your television. There is no installation needed as long as a wireless Internet connection already exists.

Currently, WhereverTV offers a premium GreekTV subscription featuring the following channels: Mega Cosmos, ERT World, Star International, and RIK Sat. Subscriptions range from $14.99 to $35.99 a month. Access to the GOTelecomTV Channel will be free with all paid GreekTV subscriptions. To learn more about WhereverTV’s GreekTV service, or for a free two–week subscription, visit: http://greek. wherever.tv or call the customer service 412–663–0094.

Saint Basil Students Raise Funds for Greece

Parish Development 847.825.1432 jminetos@goarch.org

GARRISON, N.Y. – Students of Saint Basil Academy held a bake sale at the academy’s main building May 5 to raise funds to help the people of Greece, announced Fr. Constantine Sitaras, executive director of the Academy.

“The children were beaming with pride as they sold their culinary masterpieces,” said Board of Trustees President Evellyn Tsiadis. “This is their way of contributing to the greater good and helping others

Philanthropy 212.774.0283 bishopandonios@goarch.org

St. Photios National Shrine to Celebrate Greek Landing Day

Marriage & Family 845.424.8175 familycare@goarch.org

Public Affairs 212.774.0400 fralex@goarch.org Registry 212.570.3558 frmichael@goarch.org Religious Education 617.850.1218 religioused@goarch.org Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism 646.519.6160 stewardship@goarch.org Youth and Young Adult Ministries 646.519.6180 youthoffice@goarch.org

NEXT DEADLINE

Deadline for submitting information, articles and photos for consideration in the July–Aug. 2012 issue: Wednesday, June 20.

Photos should be sent as a large format .jpg attachment (300 dpi min.).

E-mail to: jim@goarch.org Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Greek Landing Day, marking the June 26, 1768 arrival of some 1,400 indentured servants, including Greeks, to the New World, will be celebrated June 22–23, at the St. Photios National Shrine, 41 St George St. This historic event memorializes the journey across the Atlantic Ocean which began on April 17, 1768. The eight ships carried more than 400 Greeks, 800 Minorcans and other Mediterranean people from Asia Minor, Italy and Corsica.

Dr. Andrew Turnbull led the expedition destined for a plantation on granted to him south of St. Augustine by the British Crown. Their initial stay in the capital of the East Florida province was brief, but long enough to take on fresh supplies, before they sailed 75 miles south to establish a new colony, named New Smyrna in honor of the birthplace of Turnbull’s Greek wife, Maria Dura. Although the indentured colonists had been promised freedom after seven years of labor, their only passport from the New Smyrna colony was death. After 10 years of enduring harsh treatment and adverse living conditions, they revolted against the inhumane overseers.

The remaining 300 or so survivors of the ill–fated colony fled on foot to St. Augustine, where they found freedom and refuge courtesy of British Governor Patrick Tonyn.

Tonyn offered the surviving colonists the Avero House (now St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine) for fellowship and worship. Father Pedro Camps began conducting worship services at the Avero House on November 21, 1777. Since Camps conducted the divine services in Latin and EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis

USPS 412340

ISSN 0731–2547

In 2012, published monthly except February–March and July–August by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Editorial and Business Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 TEL.: (212) 570–3555 FAX (212) 774–0239

PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Eleftherios Pissalidis GRAPHIC ARTIST Abel Montoya ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras BUSINESS MANAGER Marissa P. Costidis CONTRIBUTING CORRESPONDENT & PHOTOGRAPHER:

Nicholas Manginas

in need. We are proud of their initiative.”

The students, who baked and prepared the goods, raised $350 toward the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Fund for the People of Greece.

They will present their donation to Archbishop Demetrios at the academy’s graduation ceremony to be held June 16.

In previous years, the students held bake sales in support of Lucky Girls Orphanage and relief to victims of Greece’s

preached in Spanish, the Greeks, who understood neither, would gather at different times to conduct Orthodox prayer services in Greek, making the Shrine the oldest existing edifice where Orthodox Christians gathered for prayer in the United States.

In the early 1960s, a few Greek Orthodox families in St. Augustine brought to the significance of the Avero House to Greek Orthodox to Archbishop Iakovos’ attention, and the Archdiocese purchased the building on April 19, 1966. Funds were raised to renovate it to look as it did as a colonial Spanish structure in 1749. It was renamed the St. Photios National Shrine by Archbishop Iakovos in honor of St. Photios, Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople (820–893), whose missionary vision led him to send the Greek missionaries, Sts. Cyril and Methodios to the Slavic people of Central Europe and Russia.

The Shrine celebrated its 30th anniversary on Feb. 5 with Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos and clergy from across the country, celebrating this milestone in conjunction with the feast day of the Shrine.

The 244th anniversary of Greek Landing Day will also be marked with many activities.

Solemn services will begin with a memorial service on June 23 followed by a mayoral proclamation of Greek Landing Day 2012.

On June 22, youth ages 5–18 are invited to “Swim for History” at the King and the Bear, 1175 Registry Boulevard, World Golf Village. Registration will begin at 9:30.

The cost, to be offset by lap pledges, is $5.

Entrants will receive a Greek Landing Day

Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: observer@goarch.org Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeled.

Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25.

Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy.

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

Of this contribution, $5 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075

wildfires in 2007.

Founded in 1944, Saint Basil Academy is the Archdiocese home for children in need. The academy provides a loving Christian environment where resident children are nurtured to adulthood.

It is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

For more information about Saint Basil Academy, or how to help, visit www.saintbasilacademy.org

2012 beach towel and lunch.

A glendi will take place 3–9 p.m. in the Shrine’s Constantine Sisters Courtyard.

Events include Wines of Greece: a Taste to Remember, Sweets for the Sweet pastry sale, dancing with an exhibition put on by local troupes, and savory foods with loukoumades (sweet fried dough) offered for sale by the Sts. Anargyroi Ladies Philoptochos of St. John the Divine, Jacksonville, who with their sister parishes of St. Demetrios in Daytona Beach and Holy Trinity in St. Augustine, provide Greek foods for sale.

Corrections The May issue of the Observer did not include the name of Bishop Andonios of Phasiane as the officiant at the funeral of Fr. John Kefalas, or that of Archbishop Demetrios at the service for Fr. John Argyros.

Change of Address To submit a change of address: Contact Soula Podaras at 212.774.0235 e-mail: spodaras@goarch.org fax: 212.774.0239.

Or regular mail to: Orthodox Observer, th 8 E. 79 St., New York, NY 10075-0192 Be sure to include old address, new address and name of parish.

To Contact Us For questions about submitting information/news to the Orthodox Observer: Jim Golding, 212.570.3557, jim@goarch.org.

Advertising & Greek section, Lefteris Pissalidis, 212.570.3555, lefteris@goarch.org.

JUNE 2012

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

Archdiocesan Council Discusses Current Church Life Issues

Mr. Stefanis noted that the Archdiocesan Council has no members in the young adult age group. He urged that young professionals be brought in to the council to engage them in the work of the Church.

by Jim Golding

PHILADELPHIA – At their spring meeting before the Clergy–Laity Congress in July, Archdiocesan Council members on May 11 discussed several issues to be presented at the upcoming biennial gathering, including a resolution to change the frequency of the congresses from a two-year cycle to every three years.

The resolution was approved and introduced by the local assemblies of the Boston, Denver and New Jersey metropolises.

However, the Atlanta Metropolis Council submitted a resolution that the ClergyLaity Congress continue as a biennial event.

Delegates to the congress would vote on the question of a biennial or triennial congress, as would all parish councils with their results to be submitted to the Archdiocese by Sept. 30. If approved, the resolution would take effect in 2017.

Administration Committee Chairman Anthony Stefanis and other council members cited increasing costs and lower attendance figures as factors in considering the change. An informal show of hands indicated that most council members still favored retaining the biennial cycle.

A questionnaire prepared by the Administration Committee was sent electronically to all parishes in May to identify factors affecting attendance at the congresses. The committee will summarize and present the input from the questionnaire to the delegates at the July 4 plenary session.

Archbishop Demetrios briefed the council members about the ongoing humanitarian efforts to aid the people of Greece. Later in the meeting, Metropolis of Chicago Chancellor Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, who accompanied Metropolitan Iakovos to the Archdiocesan Council meeting, presented a check for $50,000 from the Metropolis to Archbishop Demetrios for assistance to the people of Greece through the Greek Relief Fund of the Archdiocese.

Other committee reports presented included youth, communications, finance, stewardship, technology, outreach and evangelism, religious education and marriage and family.

Youth Committee A lengthy discussion took place on several issues relating to youth ministry.

Committee Chairman Theodore Germanakos reported that the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, in cooperation with the American Bible Society, is producing a pocket–size Bible to be sent to parishes for distribution to their young people. Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, an ABS board member, said the project was supported through a Leadership 100 grant aimed at youth. Mr. Germanakos also reported on the growth of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship Organization, which thus far has about 300 chapters at colleges and universities in the U.S. Fr. Evagoras

CLERGY UPDATE Assignments Fr. Angelo Artemas – Annunciation Church, Milwaukee 06/01/12 Fr. James Dokos – Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Glenview, Ill. 06/01/12 Fr. Anastasios Gounaris – Holy Trinity Cathedral, New York 06/01/12 Retired Priests Fr. Michael S. Petrides 06/01/12 Suspensions Fr. Christopher Harner 05/03/12

3

Dimitris Panagos photo

Archbishop Demetrios addresses the Archdiocesan Council meeting.

Constantinides, Ionian Village director, reported that three projects and programs are under way.

The Alumni Project, launched in November 2011, aims to establish connections with the more than 16,000 alumni who have attended the summer program over the past 42 years. A newsletter, “the golden bridge” is being published to inform alumni who register online about Ionian Village. More information is available at: www.ionianvillage.org/alumni. Regional reunions will also be held to bring together more alumni.

Fr. Constantinides noted several renovations to camp facilities are taking place and mentioned a “wish list” of items for donation, including a loukoumades machine, which costs $2,500. This brought an immediate response from Council member Stephen Cherpelis, who made the donation.

Renovations include a new biowaste system, replacement of the existing pool and building improvements.

The director also reported that registration for the upcoming summer camps is the highest since before 2001. The first session has a record number of 250 registrants.

Discussion followed about improving the outreach to young adults.

Metropolitan Methodios noted the existence of a gap in church attendance by the 25–40 age group. “We have to concentrate on that group,” he said.

Metropolitan Nicholas said parents have to set an example for living as Orthodox Christians. “They have to see it makes sense to be an adult Orthodox Christian and they have to see it in us,” he stated, “through actions, words and deeds” and that adults also are in need of religious education.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta said the problem is “not new in this society.” He cited a statement from St. Basil the Great who reminded his sister that “a child is like a cypress tree” and should have strong roots to withstand storms.

“If we do the job (of establishing roots in the faith) when they are six, seven and eight years old, then we shouldn’t worry,” the Metropolitan said. “It’s nice to have programs for young adults, but we need to educate young couples and train them to be good parents.”

Metropolitan Iakovos, speaking at length about the issue, stated that “Faith is not cultivated by different programs, task forces, athletics, and dancing. These activities are useful, but I think that faith should be first taught by the church and home.

The first teachers and the first priests are the parents. How many of you have gotten your children around the holy icons every day to pray? We must prepare children to go to church and to pray. The school is the church where people can participate in the faith fully.”

Metropolitan Iakovos continued, “The young ones don’t go to church. They don’t like to pray. They’re not familiar with church services. The community center does not lead us to the holy altar. The holy altar is

forgotten. The young people have not the best example from us.

“How much time and how many services do you attend,” he asked rhetorically. “Parish council members don’t go (to church) on Sundays and we complain about our youth. They go to the universities and hear modern philosophies then they come home to try to teach the parents the new theories they learn on the college campus.

“Introducing the English language to bring more young people to church has been a failure; it’s the same problem of attendance. The Orthodox faith should be something different. The answer is the church, the home, the prayers; we don’t emphasize services, the liturgies, vespers,” the Metropolitan said. “We celebrate feast days and no one attends liturgies on weekdays. The Holy Spirit has to lead us daily in our Christian life. Money doesn’t make Christians. There are activities in the community center and the altar is empty. Altar boys don’t go to church after leaving the altar. They don’t want to just stand with nothing to do. The home is the first church.”

Stewardship Fr. James Kordaris, director of Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism, Fr. James Dokos, Bill Marianes, George Matthews and Lou Kircos reported on the various initiatives and projects under way, including the parish management software initiative

by Nick Sialmas of New York to facilitate financial reporting, the National Stewardship Initiative with Mr. Marianes, Mr. Matthews and other subcommittee members who travel to parishes around the country to conduct stewardship training sessions and planned giving to provide estate planning and living wills from an Orthodox Christian perspective. A separate article on planned giving by Mr. Kircos appears on page 8.

Mr. Marianes noted that, while the average parish income from stewardship is about 52 percent, about “94 percent of parishes can’t operate without Greek festival money.” He cited statistics on average giving that indicate the annual per capita rate for Greek Orthodox is $218, the average for Christian giving in the U.S. is $880 and for Evangelical Christians the amount is $1,165.

He also noted that, “as a percentage of income, less money is given per year than in the 1920s or the Depression years” and that the average tray contribution is $1 -the offering given in 1960.

Communications Committee Chairman Cliff Argue reported on the new initiative of Wherever

u u to page 28

Future site Former site

Dimitris Panagos photo

From the 37th floor of the new Freedom Tower currently under construction, Archbishop Demetrios views the location where the new St. Nicholas Church will be built.

Church Leaders Receive Briefings on WTC Progress NEW YORK – The new World Trade Center (WTC) will not be whole and complete before the rebuilding and completion of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, said Patrick J. Foye, Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey during a briefing for Archbishop Demetrios and other representatives of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and the St. Nicholas parish. The meeting was held, June 6, at the offices of the Di-

rector for the WTC construction, Steven Plate and included a comprehensive presentation of the planning and construction underway in the World Trade Center.

The future site of St. Nicholas Church was a significant part of the presentation through architectural plans and virtual reality renderings.

Following the presentation at the of-

u u to page 22

4

JUNE 2012

41 Clergy-Laity Congress Preview st

Bearing Fruit through Our Witness of Christ

Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix will be the site for the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at the beginning of the Clergy-Laity Congress, on July 1. Buses will transport the faithful from the hotel to the church and back.

Church Musicians Forum to Convene for Annual Meeting The 36th annual meeting of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians will convene this year in conjunction with the Archdiocese’s Clergy–Laity Congress in Phoenix.

The Forum will engage in discussion and planning about contemporary church music topics, including choir improvement, involving youth in church music, chanter development, and assistance to parishes in developing church music as a ministry.

The 2012 recipients of the St. Romanos Medallion for Exemplary Archdiocesan Service will be honored at the traditional Sunday evening reception. On Tuesday afternoon, a workshop for Congress delegates will be offered illustrating best practices in parish church music programs. Throughout their meeting times, Forum members will hear from a variety of Archdiocesan leaders, department heads, Holy Cross faculty,

local priests and church musicians, and representatives from other Archdiocesan organizations – participants will leave with a richer and broader knowledge of church music ideas, activities and resources available through the Archdiocese.

The San Francisco Federation of Church Musicians will also be hosting its annual conference in Phoenix, just prior to the Congress and the National Forum meetings. A massed choir will be singing the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, using the music of Desby, Zes, and Cardiasmenos.

Forum registrants will be welcome to sing, provided they attend the mandatory Saturday rehearsals.

We hope you will want to participate!

All the information is on our website – a preliminary schedule, a registration form, and hotel information. Go to: www.churchmusic.goarch.org.

NSP Among the Groups Meeting at C-L Congress

by Alice Noplos

The National Sisterhood of Presvyteres is gearing up for another successful Clergy Laity Congress in Phoenix.

Celebrating the culmination of our 30th anniversary, there are several “surprises” in store for the presvyteres attending.

Nominations will be taking place for new officers on Monday during our first business meeting, and elections will take place on Wednesday. Our business meetings will be conducted Monday thru Wednesday, where we will be having some guest speakers as well. One of the Liturgies during the week will also be chanted by our own presvyteres. Childcare for clergy families is being provided by J.W. Marriott.

Their excellent program in conjunction with Presvytera Andrea Barakos’ efforts will provide a fun time for the children.

On Tuesday, the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, along with the Archdioc-

esan Presbyters Council and with the very generous support of Leadership 100, will sponsor various workshops for priests and presvyteres.

The workshops include: Clergy Taxes & Benefits; Outside the Parish Walls: Sanity for the Priest and Presvytera; Clergy Marriages; Putting Christ in the Center; and a workshop on Wellness. There will also be a workshop for “PK’s” (priests’ kids) ages 12 to young adult. Tuesday evening will find the clergy and their families at a dinner themed “A Star Spangled Evening” at Holy Trinity Cathedral, again with the generous support of Leadership 100.

We would like to thank Fr. James Paris and his community as well for allowing us to gather at this venue. We look forward to a week of fellowship and support amongst the presvyteres.

Presvytera Alice Noplos is president of the NSP.

Over the past four months we have been preparing for our 41st Clergy-Laity Congress by reflecting on the Congress theme and its implications for our mission, service, and planning. Our theme, “Chosen and Appointed by God to Go and Bear Fruit,” affirms so much about our relationship with God, our identity as Orthodox Christians, and our calling to offer a witness of Christ.

Our witness of Him is the means and manner by which we are able to bear fruit in the lives of others. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). He is the source of the grace and truth that makes our lives spiritually fruitful. When we are connected to our Lord, the True Vine, we are connected to God and to His immense power. As we abide in Him, His presence and guidance creates the conditions for true creativity leading to a rich spiritual harvest.

When we are connected to Christ, we know that we are chosen and appointed

by God to go and bear fruit in terms of promoting our Orthodox faith--a faith which affirms our dependence on God, our commitment to His will, our participation in the extraordinary sacramental life of the Church, and the spiritual nature of our lives and the reality of God’s kingdom and presence in our midst.

We also know that our appointment

by God to go and bear fruit consists in promoting the absolute truth of the Gospel. As we are seeking to bear fruit in the lives of others, we are not only sharing the necessity of faith, but simultaneously we are helping others to see and embrace God’s truth. The source of truth is Christ.

He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). Through the worship and witness of the Church, we celebrate the truth revealed by Christ or rather the truth which is Christ and which liberates us from the bondage of sin, evil and death (John 8:31-32). We sing, teach, and proclaim divine truth, exploring its implications for all aspects or our lives.

Ultimately, with the truth of God we are able to overcome the deceptions and spiritual blindness of our world and help others find the superb light and freedom related to Christ.

As branches connected to the True

Vine, we know that truth is shared in love.

Thus, our fruit-bearing as a witness of faith and truth is characterized by the love we know in Christ. In the Holy Scriptures, we see that His ministry, Passion, and Holy Resurrection are filled with God’s love for us. In love, we have been connected to the True Vine. Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love” (John 15:9). God’s love inspires and motivates us to go and bear fruit. It is the source and seal of our appointment

by Him. It is the content of the Gospel we share and the manner in which we offer it to others.

For our fruitful witness and work as Orthodox Christians, our relationship with Christ is essential and critical. It is essential, because the source, means, and message of our worship and ministry must be Christ. If we are to produce fruit in the lives of the many in need of compassion and salvation, we must abide in Him. This connection is also critical because we live in a world of great needs. Being appointed and chosen by God to meet these needs, we have the unique opportunity to bring abundant blessings into the lives of many people.

In a few weeks we will gather in Arizona for our Clergy–Laity Congress. We should continue our prayerful preparations for the presentations, evaluations and discussions of the work at all levels of our Church. I also ask each of you to consider the theme of our Congress and the various ways we have explored its meaning and application. In worship, fellowship, and spirit, we will affirm that we are chosen and appointed by God for a very special purpose and service in our communities, parishes, nation, and the world. To accomplish this purpose and to address the great needs before us, we need plans and resources. We need faithful who are committed to the work of God. May we pray that our Congress will be blessed with an atmosphere of potential and shared commitment, and most of all, by a willingness to dedicate all that we do to living in Christ, bearing fruit in the lives of others, and bringing honor and glory to God. † DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

A change of scenery The Arizona desert outside of Phoenix offers an interesting array of plant and animal life, including the Saguaro Cactus (ouch), for some after–hours sightseeing.

JUNE 2012

41 Clergy-Laity Congress Preview

5

st

Sheila Webster Internet photos

No, these aren’t the lodging accommodations for congress and Philoptochos delegates (the bunk house is in the back). Nor is that tall structure a primitive revolving restaurant like those that folks in Seattle and San Antonio are accustomed to. (the mule got dizzy from trotting in circles all day). It’s a sampling of the flavor of the Old West that awaits visitors to Phoenix. Attendees will be transported to the 1800s during an evening “cultural event” outside of town at Pinnacle Peak.

Summary Schedule SUNDAY JULY 1 • Orthros & Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral • Congress Registration • Exhibit Opening/ Hospitality Area • Presvyteres (NSP) Board Meeting • Philoptochos General Assembly, Philoptochos Budget & Finance • Church Musicians Reception • Archons Reception MONDAY JULY 2 • Official Opening • Hierarchal Discussions on the Theme • Ministry Workshops Sessions Outreach, Missions & Evangelism, Family & Marriage, Interfaith Marriage, Youth, Young Adults & Camping Ministry, Religious Educational, Greek Education, Stewardship Ministries, Parish Development & Capital Campaigns, Internet Ministries and Information Technology, Parish Communications & Media • Philoptochos General Assembly • Administration Committee • Church Musicians • Congress Social Event at Pinnacle Peak Patio TUESDAY JULY 3 • Finance Committee • Chancellors Meeting • Philoptochos General Assembly • Sisterhood of Presvyteres • Congress Exhibit Hall • Church Musicians • Ministry Workshops Sessions: Outreach, Missions & Evangelism, Family

& Marriage-Interfaith Marriage, Youth, Young Adults & Camping Ministry, Religious Education, Greek Education, Stewardship Ministries, Parish Development & Capital Campaigns, Internet Ministries and I.T. • Ministry Workshops Open Forum Outreach, Missions & Evangelism, Family & Marriage, Interfaith Marriage, Youth, Young Adults and Camping Ministry, Religious Education, Greek Education, Stewardship Ministries, Parish Development & Capital Campaigns, Internet Ministries and I.T., Parish Communications & Media • Clergy/Presvyteres Workshops PK Panel, Clergy Marriage Workshop, Keeping Christ in the Center Workshop, Outside the Parish Walls Workshop, Unto Caesar Workshop, Focus Group, Wellness Workshop • HCHC 75TH Anniversary Reception • Pomfret Reunion • National Philoptochos Musical Instrument Museum Program • Clergy Family Dinner at Cathedral • Delegates Free night

It’s what’s for dinner. Pinnacle Peak Patio Steakhouse is the central attraction in this Old West setting. It serves mesquite broiled steaks, chicken and ribs along with heaping portions of wild west fun such as live country western music nightly and dancing under the stars (not with the stars). The décor includes the world’s largest necktie collection (see photo below).

WEDNESDAY JULY 4 • Clergy Syndesmos Meetings • CONGRESS PLENARY SESSION • Philoptochos General Assembly • Grand Banquet THURSDAY JULY 5 • APC Board Meeting • Clergy Breakfast with His Eminence • Church Musicians Meeting • NSP Board Meeting

Necktie party!? Visitors to Pinnacle Peak are cautioned not to wear ties or you will fall victim to the local custom of the cutting off of your tie and having it permanently suspended from the ceiling. (If you must wear one, bring the that Father’s Day or Christmas neckwear you wouldn’t mind parting with).

6

JUNE 2012

METROPOLIS NEWS Metropolis of Atlanta Archons Hold Religious Freedom Weekend ATLANTA – Thirty–four Metropolis of Atlanta Archons of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle convened March 17–18 for a Religious Freedom Initiative conclave.

Metropolitan Alexios, Bishop John of Amorion, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Fr. George Tsahakis, chancellor, numerous local priests, Philoptochos members, Metropolis Council members, Diakonia Deca Board and the Orthodox faithful of the metropolis attended. Activities included an Archons meeting, a Religious Freedom Initiative dinner, and a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy in Atlanta’s Annunciation Cathedral on Sunday morning.

The Archons meeting featured a forum on the Patriarchate’s Religious Freedom Initiative in Turkey.

Dr. Jay A. Sekulow, chief counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice, and Dr. Andrew Ekonomou, senior council of the European Center for Law and Justice, both respond to the incisive questions from the Archons regarding the Religious Freedom Initiative for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Theological School of Halki. Dr. Manuel Tissura,Archon regional commander, moderated the forum.

Saturday evening featured the Religious Freedom Initiative Banquet held at an Atlanta restaurant with Archon Les George serving as master of ceremonies.

Metropolitan Alexios was honored for the 25th anniversary of his elevation to the Episcopacy and his name day.

Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura welcomed everyone and then called upon the Metropolitan to bless and cut the Lenten cake prepared for his celebration.

Guests sang their good wishes to Metropolitan Alexios and Dr. and Mrs. Tissura presented him with the gift of a rare and beautiful Greek Orthodox Christian Holy Land Pilgrimage Guidebook written by Fr. Nicholas Rafael, describing all of the Holy Religious sites of the Holy Land, complete with their history and scriptural references.

Additional remarks were delivered by Tom Nixon, chairman of Diakonia Deca for the

Metropolitan Alexios blesses the cake in celebrating his 25th anniversary as a bishop. Participating clergy (from left) Frs. Barnabas Powell, Paul Kaplanis, Chancellor George Tsahakis, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Bishop John of Amorion , Fr. Christos Mars and Archon Regional Commander Dr. Manuel Tissura.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Bishop John of Amorion, Fr. George Tsahakis, Chancellor, Metropolis of Atlanta Priests, Hon. Vasilios Goulousis, Consul of Greece, Dr. Jay Sekulow, Keynote Speaker, Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura, Chairman and Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Religious Freedom Initiative Banquet.

Metropolis. Dr. Andrew Ekonomou introduced Dr. Jay A. Sekulow, the evening’s guest speaker. Dr. Sekulow, well known for his advocacy for religious freedom, serves as the legal representative for the Ecumenical Patriarchate in its quest for religious freedom in Turkey.

Dr. Sekulow began his remarks with the poignant story of how his grandfather

escaped religious persecution in Russia, peddled fruit from a cart in Brooklyn to survive, and thus opened the road to freedom which made it possible for his grandson to realize his highest dreams in America.

Dr. Sekulow said that Turkey’s trend away from a secular state to one favoring fundamentalist Islam is making it more difficult to establish the Patriarchate as a

legal entity in Istanbul or for the school at Halki to open again and operate without government restrictions.Since Turkey is considered one of the world’s most serious offenders of religion freedom toward non–Muslim communities, he cautioned it may take a lifetime or longer to establish the Patriarchate as a legal entity. But with his belief in the doctrine of “sacred ground,” and with continued patience and persistence, Dr. Sekulow expressed his faith in ultimate success. His remarks, delivered with so much conviction, were greeted with a standing ovation.

Metropolitan Alexios concluded the program and praised Dr. Sekulow for his work on behalf of the Patriarchate and for all of persecuted Christianity.

He also thanked Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura for his diligence as regional commander and expressed gratitude to everyone who had helped him make the evening such a glowing success.

Sunday morning’s Hierarchical Divine Liturgy celebrated the Veneration of the Holy Cross with Metropolis Archons, Dr. Sekulow and Sunday school children joining in the procession led by the bishops and priests carrying the cross through the sanctuary.

Dr. Sekulow also addressed the congregation after the service. His remarks again centered on religious freedom and justice, particularly in the Middle East. He emphasized the constant struggle the Patriarchate faces to survive and obtain legal recognition in Turkey and to regain control of its theological school at Halki. He ended with a moving account of how persecuted Christians in the Middle East face certain death when refusing to renounce their faith.

Dr. Sekulow concluded with a powerful statement to the congregation that we must ask ourselves how many of us, faced with the same dire choice to renounce Christ or die, could answer with the words that the persecuted Christians answered, “I cannot.”

– Archon Dr. Manuel N. Tissura

Missouri Legislators Adopt Resolution Supporting Patriarchate ST. LOUIS – The Missouri House of Representatives and Senate have taken a strong stand for religious freedom by calling on the government of Turkey to guarantee full religious and human rights for the Ecumenical Patriarch and all religious minorities.

With the adoption on May 1 of House Resolution 1365, sponsored by Rep. Kurt Bahr, Missouri joined 40 other states in which the legislatures have expressed support for the Patriarch’s rights.

The Missouri effort was led by the clergy and several parishioners of St. Nicholas Church in St. Louis, under the guidance of Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago. They were supported in this work

by Stephen Georgeson of Atlanta, who is coordinating efforts by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to get similar resolutions passed in all 50 states.

Fr. Douglas Papulis, proistamenos of St. Nicholas, traveled to the state Capitol in March with Fr. Michael Arbanas and a group of parishioners to gather support among legislators for the resolution and its Senate companion, sponsored by

Sen. Eric Schmitt. “In an era when many people think that partisanship has made our government ineffective, it was very encouraging to see such strong bipartisan support for the religious freedom of the Patriarch and the Church,” Papulis said.

The Turkish government refuses to recognize the global character of Patriarch Bartholomew’s office and regards him as no more than the bishop of the 2,500 or so Orthodox Christians remaining in Turkey (down from 1.8 million in 1914).

It has insisted that new Patriarchs be elected from the rapidly dwindling population of Greek Orthodox citizens of Turkey.

The government has confiscated hundreds of churches and other properties historically belonging to the Orthodox Church, and in 1971 it closed the seminary at Halki, the major center for the education of future Church leaders.

In recent years, though, as Turkey has endeavored to join the European Union, the government has eased some of the pressure on the Church.

The Missouri resolution commends

this progress and urges the Turkish government to fully guarantee the religious rights of all its citizens.

The resolutions “urge the government of Turkey to uphold and safeguard the religious and human rights of all its citizens without compromise, to grant the Ecumenical Patriarch appropriate international recognition, ecclesiastical succession, the right to train clergy of all nationalities and to respect the property rights and human rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and all religious and faith traditions.”

“The effort to pass the resolution is in no way meant to be anti–Turkish,” Papulis said.

“We’re not calling for a boycott of Turkey or Turkish products,” he said. “We only want to encourage the Turkish to continue the progress it’s made in recent years toward the full religious freedom of the Church and all minority religions.”

In their meetings with legislators, the delegation from St. Nicholas emphasized the international respect the Turkish government could earn, in a time when it is working to exercise leadership in the

Middle East, if it guaranteed the rights of all its citizens.

“This could really be a point of pride for Turkey,” Papulis said. “Can you imagine how it would look to other nations if Turkey, a majority–Muslim country, could say that the spiritual leader of the second largest Christian community in the world continues to lead Orthodox Christians around the globe from their country with full rights and toleration?

It would say a lot.”

The resolution renewed a historic connection between Missouri and the Ecumenical Patriarch that dates to 1948, when Archbishop Athenagoras of America was elected Patriarch. There was a real fear that the Turkish government would not allow him to travel to Istanbul to assume his position, but Missouri–born President Harry S. Truman made sure that he was allowed to enter Turkey by sending him on the presidential plane, now known as Air Force One. The full text of the resolution is available at: http://www.house.mo.gov/billtracking/bills121/billpdf/intro/HR1365I. PDF

JUNE 2012

The Voice of Philoptochos

National Philoptochos BIENNIAL CONVENTION “Chosen and Appointed by God to Go and Bear Fruit” Offering Healing, Peace and Hope Philoptochos is at a historic juncture as we celebrate 80 Years of Philanthropy.

Each member and chapter is an integral part of this major, international, philanthropic organization and you must be present at this historic gathering to join your Philoptochos sisters from across the country to plan for the next 80 years.

Come to Phoenix July 1 to 4 to make a difference as we honor our past, reflect on the present and create a future strategy to continue the Philoptochos legacy.

Convention Chairmen Kathy Gabriel, Jeannie Ranglas and Diane Tseckares ensure you will be amazed, inspired and energized to go forth offering healing, peace and hope.

The preliminary agenda provides highlights of an inspiring, entertaining and exciting program: Sunday, July 1 • Divine Liturgy National Philoptochos Biennial Convention Opening Ceremony with blessings and greetings of Archbishop Demetrios of America.

• 2012 Chapter Challenge Presentations • Budget Preview • Bylaws and Resolutions Committee Meeting Monday, July 2 41st Biennial Clergy Laity Congress Official Opening with Keynote Address of Archbishop Demetrios of America 2012 National Philoptochos Convention General Assembly • Resolutions Committee • Testimonial Presentations • 2012 Chapter Challenge Presentations

• Straight Talk–Membership/Stewardship Presentation with Breakout sessions • Evening Cultural Event featuring Greek dancing at the Pinnacle Peak Old West Restaurant for all Clergy Laity and Philoptochos participants Tuesday, July 3 Philoptochos General Assembly • Treasurer’s Report and Adoption of 2013-2014 Budget • Social Services Panel Discussion “Violence Against Women”–Distinguished panel leading critical and informative discussion • “Are you a Martha or a Mary”– Presbytera Pat Tsagalakis leads engaging and spirited discussion concerning real life issues facing women today • Leadership and Team Building Forum • Evening at the Musical Instrument Museum–Celebrating 80 Years of Philanthropy–Faces of Philoptochos–Our Rich History–AGAPE Awards Wednesday, July 4 Philoptochos General Assembly • Philanthropic Endeavors that Transform Lives • 2012 Chapter Challenge Awards Presentation • 2012 Chapter Awards Presentation • Grand Banquet The Committee reports that the hotel offers myriad activities for children of all ages. Contact the JW Marriott at 480.293.5000 for information.

Visit www.philoptochos.org for Convention Registration Information or contact philosny@aol.com.

Atlanta Metropolis Philoptochos Hold ‘Open The Doors’ Luncheon The Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos held a very successful and inspiring “Open the Doors” Luncheon on March 17 raising $50,000 for the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

The Philoptochos also honored Metropolitan Alexios on the occasion of his name day, 25th anniversary of his elevation to the Episcopate, and as spiritual leader of the Metropolis for 15 years.

Mimi Skandalakis, past National Philoptochos president, served as honorary luncheon chairman, with Evangeline M. Scurtis as luncheon chairman and Valine Georgeson as host committee chairman.

The luncheon was held in conjunction with the Spring National Philoptochos Board Meeting. Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos President Laura Nixon welcomed the guests and thanked the Annunciation Cathedral community for its tremendous support and hospitality for all the events.

In recognition of the National Philoptochos campaign to secure the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy, the Atlanta Philoptochos honored its founding members and past metropolis Philoptochos presidents for their leadership. Those of blessed memory who were honored were: Zoe Cavalaris, Helen Leventis, Effie Lotto, Theodora Karnegis, Fannie Asselanis, Harriet Dodys and Ann Woodward. A plaque will be placed in their honor in the Metropolis

pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, raising awareness and reinforcing our commitment to this important ministry.

National Philoptochos responded to numerous disasters that raised over $700,000 for relief in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, the Asian earthquake and tsunami, the Florida hurricane as well as fires in Greece and Southern California.

The chapters provided additional support for projects assisting the victims of these disasters. Two major international outreach efforts included support for health clinics in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe.

National Philoptochos implemented new ministries including the 75th Founders Fund that distributed $10,000 to each Metropolis to meet the physical needs of the elderly; adoption of OCF – the Orthodox Christian Fellowship – as a National Ministry; establishment of the Autism Awareness Program; introduction of the Chapter Challenge program; Go Red Sunday, Wheelchair Project, and the Literacy Outreach Project. Major communication successes include the Philoptochos Voice Newsletter; launching the Philoptochos

Philoptochos office.

Those present who received a certificate of honor were Mary Campbell, Helen Peterson, Sarah Davis, Bett Kolivas, Georgia Kampakis, Helen Patronis, Theodora Campbell, Renee Gahagan, Dee Nicolaou and Evangeline Mekras Scurtis.

National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas offered remarks and made a special presentation to Metropolitan Alexios for the Diakonia Retreat Center from the National Philoptochos.

The Metropolis Philoptochos presented Metropolitan Alexios with a Certificate of Honor and donations to the Diakonia Retreat Center and the Syndesmos of Clergy.

Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, National Philoptochos spiritual advisor, emphasized the important effort to secure a permanent Philoptochos home in his remarks.

In keeping with the theme of “philanthropia,” guest speaker Alicia Philipp, president of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, shared innovative ideas and opportunities for Philoptochos to expand its services in the new Center of Philanthropy.

Ms. Philipp said the Foundation offers quality philanthropic services to a 23–county region.

Metropolitan Alexios offered reflections and gratitude for this special philanthropic luncheon.

Albany Chapter ‘Making A Difference’ ALBANY, N.Y. – St. Sophia Philoptochos members felt they truly had achieved their motto, ‘We Can Make a Difference,” when they visited St. Michael’s Home in Yonkers, in April. Led by President Jan Gallas, ‘The Knitters of St. Sophia’ presented each resident with bags of handmade lap robes and shawls. They also delivered sheet sets and boxes of delicious pastries as well

Honoring Our Leaders National Philoptochos celebrates ’80 Years of Philanthropy’ with a series of vignettes recognizing our Past National Philoptochos Presidents. We proudly honor the Tenth National Philoptochos President, Georgia Skeadas, and thank her for her service and the reflections on her tenure as National President from 2002 through 2008.

Georgia Skeadas served under the spiritual leadership of Archbishop Demetrios and notes that among the highlights of her tenure were the meetings with His Eminence. She traveled throughout the country to visit each Metropolis and many chapters and was honored to participate in the historic visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States and to New Orleans following the devastating Katrina Hurricane. Throughout her presidency she had the wonderful support of her husband, Chris, and their children.

Georgia’s tenure was marked with great enhancements organizationally, in public relations, national programs, outreach and response to major disasters. A major highlight was the organization’s first

7

GEORGIA SKEADAS

Website, and production of the 75th Anniversary Video. Highly successful Children’s Medical Fund Luncheons and Biennial Conventions were hosted throughout the country that increased distribution of funds; the National Board assumed a

presented checks to Bishop Andonios from Philoptochos, the Daughters of Penelope and AHEPA. The 11 Philoptochos women met with Bishop Andonios in the chapel to learn more about the work at St. Michael’s Home and then spent a wonderful visit with the residents who greeted them with applause. The members truly felt they made a difference.

broader geographic representation that included the metropolis presidents on the Executive Committee; the National Committees established vision and mission statements and the full board participated in Strategic Planning.

Mrs. Skeadas stated, “It is truly the highest honor and privilege to serve as National Philoptochos President and I thank His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for honoring me.” She was also honored to receive the Medal of St. Paul for her service.

She fully endorses a new home for our National Philoptochos Society, “as a place to fulfill our mission by establishing new programs and initiatives. We must affirm our commitment to our organization by understanding the needs for future growth that can be realized in our new Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.” “It is my wish when we celebrate our 100th anniversary that Philoptochos is a word that is known and recognized throughout the entire world.”

She applauds the selfless and untiring efforts of all the Philoptochos women for personally touching the countless number of people who have received the benefits of our noble mission.

8

JUNE 2012

Stewardship Planned Giving & Eternal Light Society An Interview with Fr Jim Kordaris by Lou Kircos for the Orthodox Observer.

Oriental carpet & area rugs

Ceramic tile & grout cleaning

Upholstery & fine fabrics

Headboards & bed frames

Drapery & shades

Fabric walls

Marble & stone cleaning

Leather furniture

Serving the Tri-State Area 212.777.4040 fabracleen.com fabracleenstoneandtilecare.com

OO: Fr Jim, what is Planned Giving and why is there this new emphasis on it?

Fr. J: The members of the Stewardship Committee of the Archdiocese recognized the need to help people and parishes with this important aspect of supporting our Church. Let’s say that someone is a committed steward of their parish throughout their lifetime, giving of their time and talent as well as their treasure. What can they do for their Church after they are gone?

They can continue their support through a planned gift.

OO: Is this a difficult thing to do?

Fr J: Well, we’ve just made it easier by providing all the necessary information. It’s very important and it needs to be done right. It’s not particularly difficult, but we always recommend that anyone contemplating a planned gift have their plans reviewed by a competent lawyer.

An estate plan might include wills, trusts or other documents that are best prepared and reviewed with a lawyer that has significant experience in the area. If the amount involved is $10,000 or less, we have papers that are probably safe to use, but even in that case, it’s best if the individual or couple consults with their lawyer or financial planner.

OO: What if someone doesn’t have a lawyer and wants to make a planned gift to the Church?

Fr. J: We are identifying volunteers in every Metropolis that stewards can consult regarding these matters. A parish in the Detroit Metropolis has a lawyer that will prepare a will at no cost for anyone that is leaving a portion of their estate to the local Church. Other parishes have professionals that will answer basic questions so that someone thinking about a gift to the Church can get answers on a confidential, no-cost, no-obligation basis.

OO: What can happen if people don’t put their wishes into a will? Can’t the family just do what the person wanted anyway?

Fr. J: This can be a big problem. How can the family or the executor of the estate know what an individual really wanted if they didn’t put it in writing? In fact, if it’s not in writing, the executor of the estate has very precise legal guidelines that must be followed.

Let me give you a sad example. In a Midwest parish, a very generous contributor of the parish recently passed away. She had no children, and through the years she and her husband had made many generous gifts to the parish. On many occasions, she told the priest and other parishioners that the Church was in her will. As time went on, she said that she had taken care of her extended family during her life and was leaving the bulk of her estate to the Church. She went into the hospital unexpectedly and never recovered. When her will was reviewed, it was found to be over 20 years old. Her lawyer said she had made many appointments to come and change her will, but for various reasons it just never got done.The will hadn’t been changed and there was nothing in the will leaving a bequest to her parish The heirs of her estate didn’t give anything to the local parish, the parish of which she had been a member for over 20 years.

The real tragedy in this is that the woman’s wishes weren’t carried out. She clearly wanted to provide in her estate

for the Church she so lovingly supported during her life. But that didn’t happen.

People need to make sure their papers reflect what they really want done. We want to communicate the importance of completing a will and we’re trying to make that easier for people.

OO: What about so–called Living Wills?

Fr. J: In Living Wills we give our loved ones and our doctors instructions on how we want to be treated in medically difficult situations. It is important that a Living Will take into consideration our Orthodox faith. There are many prayers that are given in situations of grave illness or just before our Lord’s calling. In many cases, the person must be aware of what is happening. The wish to have an Orthodox priest present should be clearly stated in a person’s living will. Without it, these final expressions of faith may be lost if the person is heavily sedated, or worse, is allowed to die before these final prayers, Holy Communion or Confession can be offered.

To make this easier for our Orthodox faithful, we worked with Aging With Dignity, a non-profit organization, to prepare an Orthodox Living Will. This document is easy to understand and is legally binding in 42 states.It incorporates Orthodox values and we have made it available to all our parishes.

OO: Have you seen other situations where a person’s wishes need to be clearly stated?

Fr J: Yes there are many, so let me give you another example.

A person dies and doesn’t leave clear instructions for their funeral. In haste and with a lack of information, the person is cremated. Then the family seeks to have an Orthodox Christian funeral or memorial service. One of the saddest things a priest has to do, is inform a family that a funeral or memorial service cannot be performed if the person has been cremated. At this most difficult time when comfort and understanding are needed, the priest is required to inform the family that a funeral and/or memorial service will not be permitted. But this wouldn’t happen if a person’s burial instructions in writing and specified that an Orthodox funeral must take place and that cremation cannot be considered.

OO: What do you say to those that might think the Church is just looking for money in this process?

Fr. J: All of our gifts are from God. He has given us all we have and more, free choice. Many of our faithful recognize this and give freely and lovingly to their Church all their life. We find that many want to continue that support through a gift from their estate. We don’t say that this is required. We are saying that if a person wants to continue to support their church, they have to reflect their wishes in their estate planning. What the committee has done, is to provide the tools for carrying out those wishes.

We have also stressed education and pastoral concerns. The Orthodox Living Will has nothing to do with money, but is so important for our people to have.

In addition, we have prepared “Making it easier to say good bye – Do you have a Plan?” This is an informational piece that discusses Orthodox end of life issues, and explains much of the meaning and importance of funerals and memorial services.

u u to page 24

9

JUNE 2012

Stewardship Y OUR T HREE – B UCKET L IST

by Bill Marianes

Maybe we can’t change the world. If you figured that out already, congratulations, you may be ahead of the game and me. I have a theory called the “Three Bucket List.” It’s not a list of the things to do before you pass from this earth.

Guru of management and non-profit entities, Peter Drucker, taught the rule of twos and threes. It has different applications, including we should never make more than two or three points if we want to communicate effectively. Following this advice, I believe all opportunities, issues and problems that we all face fit into one of three “buckets:” • Bucket 1: The things we control; • Bucket 2: The things we influence; and • Bucket 3: The things we really can’t do anything about.

Most of us spend an inordinate amount of time and energy fretting about that third bucket of things we really can’t do anything about. It is frustrating, unproductive, unhealthy, and does little to improve the world or advance our journey toward theosis and salvation. But boy do we know how to rant and rave about those third bucket issues.

Don’t get me wrong, into which bucket any particular issue belongs depends on who you are. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did not have any third bucket issues. If you are the President of the U.S., world peace may be in bucket 2 for you; but for most of us, it is a goal beyond our wingspan. Even the Apostles sometimes struggled with into which bucket a particular person, problem or issue should go. So it’s OK if we don’t always get it right at first.

My previous stewardship articles focused almost exclusively on the 1st bucket, namely, your ability to control living a life of a true Greek Orthodox steward and making a difference in what you do. That is a paramount part of each of our own, unique stewardship callings.

We must make a difference where we can since stewardship is what we do with the gifts God gave us.

That is uniquely personal because your gifts were given uniquely to you by your Father. And what you do with those gifts is your gift back to Him and the others whom your gifts benefit. It doesn’t get more personal that that. So no excuses for first bucket issues.

As the old Nike ad said: “Just Do It.” Welcome to my “no whining” zone. If it’s a first bucket issue, the only thing preventing you from dealing with it is you. Give thanks every day. Give back every day. Pay it forward everyday. Do the right thing every day. Fix what you can fix every day.

Enjoy your life, and live your own unique stewardship calling every day.

As to bucket 3, give it a rest. Isometrics may improve your body strength, but worrying and fussing about the things you can’t do anything about will only weaken you. How many parish council, committee or general assembly meetings have been derailed by obsessing about things we can’t solve or the mistakes others made?

I believe you can’t change how you got to where you are, but you can change where you’re going and how you will get there.

I have wasted countless hours, energies and lack of productivity ranting and raving about things (and some people) I really can’t do anything about. No more. I’m not getting any younger, and it isn’t helping my soul.

For one moment, please imagine how your parish would change if we all stopped complaining about 3rd bucket issues we can’t do anything about and learned to be more positive, productive and encouraging to those around us. By the way, learning to stop fretting about third bucket issues is a first bucket opportunity because you can do that for yourself immediately. It really does make you feel better and brings you more peace. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pray about those important, but seemingly impossible, issues. Just stop obsessing and worrying about them.

We should spend more time on the second cause of the unique gifts God has given you, you are inalienably able to influence an amazing number of people and things in your parish/metropolis/Archdiocese. And starting with this stewardship message, we will focus on those things you can influence within your parish/metropolis/Archdiocese.

We need to create a culture of stewardship over our gifts in our communities and uplift everyone with whom we interact. In Luke 10:1, a holy charge was given to make 70 disciples. That is your second bucket charge also. As a part of your unique stewardship calling, who will you recruit to the cause and what will you do to make your parish/metropolis/Archdiocese better? Into which Parish/Metropolis/Archdiocese ministry will you pour your enormous talents and energy? It doesn’t matter where you are in life. You have gifts that can be used for God’s greater glory and your salvation.

Holy Cross graduate Paul Lundberg recently reminded me that Holy Tuesday focuses us on the parable of the talents, one of my favorite stewardship messages.

In one of the hymns of Holy Tuesday we are admonished: “Come, O believers, let us labor with zeal for the Master. Since He distributes the wealth to His servants, let each of us correspondingly increase the talent of grace that we received. Let one acquire wisdom by means of good deeds…. and let another disperse his wealth to the poor. And so let us increase that which was lent to us, so that as faithful stewards of grace we may be counted worthy of the Master’s joy.”

That hymn says it all. It’s about taking the gifts that God has given us and focusing our energies on the things we can control or influence for God’s greater glory and for the achievement of our unique stewardship calling and our salvation.

You are called to fix first bucket issues which you control, and work diligently on the things you can influence in the 2nd bucket.

Instead of wasting any energy griping about third bucket issues you can’t do anything about, save your breath for prayer and cooling soup. Do something today in gratitude for Christ’s redeeming love and to help prepare your soul for salvation! God bless you as you pursue your own unique stewardship calling. SOTPAETJ (Stay on The Path, and enjoy the journey) Bill Marianes is the managing partner of the Atlanta office of the McGuire Woods law firm. He serves on the Archdiocese Council, National Stewardship Ministries and as the Atlanta Metropolis General Counsel. To learn about the Igniting the Flame of True Orthodox Stewardship 101/201 program that helps parishes implement true Orthodox stewardship, contact Bill at 404-443-5700 or sotpaetj@gmail. com or bmarianes@mcguirewoods.com.

From the Design Studio of Stefana Eternal comes the faith inspired collection

‘Crosses Byzantine’ Exclusively designed and crafted by hand, these family heirlooms are to be cherished for generations to come. Truly a gift worth giving by parents, grandparents or koumbari.

10822 W. National Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53227 Ph.: 414-321-5764 www.paraskeviforpaulsjewelers.com

Paraskevi cross

Three generations of Yiayia’s, one recipe, capturing the essence of Greece

Koulourakia, Baklava and Paksimadia Delicious, Beautifully boxed & bowed!

Perfect for your Father’s day gift giving, for birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, etc. or just to enjoy yourself!

Complimentary shipping

Visit us at:

www.sweetsbystella.com info@sweetsbystella.com 914-708-0096

MYKONOS ESCAPE

Mykonos, one of the most popular Greek islands, is famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere, exciting nightlife, picturesque architecture with its whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches and for its magnificent sandy beaches. Experience it for yourself!

8 Days / 7 Nights

$

From Includes:

989

*

• 2 nights in Athens at First class hotel.

• 5 nights in Mykonos at the deluxe San Marco Hotel in Mykonos Mykonos our trip! (free upgrade to a deluxe sea view room).

Add on to y flights • Buffet Breakfast daily in Athens and Mykonos • International • Transfer from Athens hotel to Athens port ece tours re G Classical • • Roundtrip highspeed ferry transportation from d cruises • Greek Islan Athens to Mykonos are endless!

The options • Roundtrip port to hotel transfers in Mykonos • Hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling * For deluxe hotel in Athens prices start at $1059. Prices are per person, double occupancy.

Please inquire for single & triple occupancy prices.

NUMBER ONE TO GREECE

MAIN OFFICE: 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022 Tel.: 212-753-1100 OTHER OFFICES: •ASTORIA •HICKSVILLE, LONG ISLAND •STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT •ATHENS, GREECE

NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE 1-800-223-5570 info@HomericTours.com • www.HomericTours.com

10

JUNE 2012

METROPOLIS NEWS

Metropolis of New Jersey Holds Clergy Laity Assembly

by Dn Panagiotis Hanley

WESTFIELD, N.J. – Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey presided over the 2012 Metropolis Clergy–Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention held May 13–15 in Garfield, N.J, with 138 delegates from 45 parishes attending.

The Metropolis includes all Greek Orthodox parishes and ecclesiastical communities in New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan area.

Metropolitan Evangelos opened the assembly and offered the invocation. He appointed Archon James Fountas, vice-chairman of the Metropolis Council, to serve as the presiding officer of the Assembly.

Honoring the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey through their presence were Archbishop Demetrios, who congratulated Metropolitan Evangelos stating “that the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey continues to flourish under his spiritual leadership and guidance,” and Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, the official representative of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Metropolitan Emmanuel offered the paternal blessings of His All Holiness upon the clergy and devout Orthodox faithful of the Metropolis, and also, offered an inspired and educational presentation, on the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the sacred ministries under the jurisdiction of our Mother Church.

During his archpastoral exhortation on Monday morning, Metropolitan Evangelos shared his vision and goals for the Metropolis, which encompassed this year’s Clergy-Laity Assembly Theme: “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(1 Thessalonians 1:3) This year’s theme was chosen to bring focus and attention to the continuous labors and dedication that have been accomplished, by the clergy and laity, in the realization of the dream of establishing a spiritual home and headquarters for the Metropolis.

The devout faithful who have realized one dream must now embrace the endurance St. Paul speaks about to the Thessalonians, inspired by the Risen Lord, to continue faithfully laboring towards the Salvation offered by our Risen Lord.

The Metropolitan, has continually expressed to the clergy and laity, “We must not settle for one dream or a finite vision within our Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, we must strive to accomplish the message of the Gospel. ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.’ (Matthew 28: 19-20) and in fulfilling Christ’s commandment we will accomplish many works great and small for the Glory of the Lord. Most especially, we must strive to make this Great Nation, even Greater by making it an Orthodox Nation.”

This divine work has been entrusted to us by Christ Himself, and is most necessary to ensure that future generations in the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey will inherit a thriving and vibrant spiritual home.

On behalf of Philoptochos, Anne Michals, the Metropolis Philoptochos board president, announced that the Metropolis

DIMITRIS PANAGOS photos

Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey with parish council honorees at the Clergy-Laity Assembly Banquet.

Metropolitan Evangelos with parish Greek school honorees at the banquet.

The opening ceremony at the Assembly with a 138 delegates representing 45 Metropolis parishes.

Philoptochos had unanimously decided to adopt St. Mary Magdalene as the matron saint of the Metropolis Philoptochos, in honor and memory of Metropolitan Evangelos’ departed mother, Magdalene Kourounis, and on behalf of all the Metropolis Philoptochos, Mrs. Michals presented the Metropolitan with an icon of St. Mary Magdalene.

Further presentations and reports offered included parish administration, religious education, liturgical music, stewardship, youth ministries, Metropolis Sisterhood of Presbyteres, from the National Order of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, St. Andrew: youth ministry activities, religious education, Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry and Greek education for the edification of the faithful; both clergy and laity. In addition to the presentations this year’s Clergy– Laity also witnessed the election of new members of the Metropolitan Council, for the calendar term of 2012-14.

The highlight of this year’s Clergy Laity was undoubtedly the annual Awards Grand Banquet.

Awards were bestowed upon honorees from the Holy Metropolis of New

Jersey and community honorees from the Northern New Jersey Region.

It was a most memorable evening as those present united their voices of gratitude praising those who labor with much love and devotion, nobly serving and enduring faithfully in Christ’s Church within the Metropolis of New Jersey.

In attendance at this year’s awards banquet were 800 clergy and faithful Greek Orthodox Christians.

On Tuesday, the Assembly reconvened for additional presentations on parish administration, finance, St. Andrew’s Eastern Orthodox Law Enforcement Federation, stewardship and total commitment.

Amongst other deliberations, resolutions which were introduced and passed were: • To express our love and devotion to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I, as well as, our commitment and support on the various issues which as of yet have not been resolved.

They are: Rights of all people, religious freedom and the opening of Halki the supreme Orthodox School of Theology, by the Turkish government.

• As a result of an unorthodox statement made by a few and which has saddened us, We, the Reverend Clergy and Orthodox Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey resolve that Cyprus is a Hellenic Orthodox Christian Island/Country which has struggled for many decades to attain its liberation from Turkish continuous oppression and domination by the barbaric Turkish Regime, and To maintain and proclaim their Hellenic identity, civilization, culture, morals, values, language and most significantly, their Christian Orthodox Faith.

• To recommend to the Most Reverend Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the Members of the Archdiocesan Council and the reverend and esteemed delegates of the 2012 Clergy Laity Congress to be held this forthcoming July in Phoenix, Arizona, that a change be made to the Uniform Parish Regulations of the Archdiocese, as to the frequency of the national congresses.

The Metropolis recommendation is that the Clergy Laity Congress be held every three years to minimize the financial burdens to the individual Communities vs. two (2) as it has been since its inception.

JUNE 2012

METROPOLIS NEWS

Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago with Fr. Nicholas Jonas (Junior Olympics spiritual advisor) and Fr. James Greanias (Clergy Syndesmos president) with Achilles Bezanis (at the microphone) welcome the participants.

Chicago Olympics Draws 2,000 PALOS HILLS, Ill. – Nearly 2,000 youngsters ages 7-18 representing 33 parishes participated in the 31st annual Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics.

Sts. Constantine and Helen Church hosted the Memorial Day Weekend event, May 25 –27.

With the assistance of more than 150 volunteers, the 31st annual Junior Olympics was another success.

Parishes from Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota were represented during this Christian athletic fellowship event.

Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago officially began the Olympics with prayer and his blessings. The ceremonies featured many of the traditions of the ancient Olympic Games and concluded with the lighting of the torch.

Participants competed in several different sports on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, including basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer, tennis, softball, track and field, 10K run, chess, checkers, backgammon, bowling, wrestling, table tennis and more.

Approximately 800 medals were awarded.

At the end of the Divine Liturgy celebrated on Sunday the announcing of the winners of the Olympic scholarships took place.

Four young people: Evangelia Pagones of St. John’s Church, Des Plaines, Ill., James Loomos of St. Haralambos Church, Niles, Ill., Alexander Stavropoulos of St. Demetrios Church, Chicago, and Jonathan Way of St. Nectarios Church, Palatine, Ill., each received $500 scholarships.

Planning for the 32nd annual Junior Olympics will begin towards the early portion of 2013.

For more information regarding the Metropolis of Chicago Junior Olympics, contact Chris Avramopoulos, director of registration at 312–337–4130 or Fr. Tom De Medeiros, director of publicity and volunteers, Jim Stavrou, director of operations or Fr. Nicholas Jonas, spiritual advisor, at 708–974 –3400.

Also visit the web site at www.stconstantinehelen.org/jrolympics.html for picture galleries and more information.

Young athletes from St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, Ill., march in the opening parade.

11

12

JUNE 2012

The Order of AHEPA celebrates 90 years of service to the community.

With more than 400 active chapters worldwide, AHEPA, as a fraternal organization in the spirit of brotherhood, is dedicated to fulfilling our mission to promote the ideals of: Hellenism, education, PHilantHroPy, civic resPonsibility, and Family & individual excellence AHEPA was established in 1922 by eight visionary Greek Americans to confront prejudice, bigotry, and discrimination found at the hands of the KKK and to help new immigrants from Greece assimilate into American society. Today, AHEPA has grown to become the largest membership-based grassroots association for Greek Americans and Philhellenes in the world.

We invite every Hellene across America to attend our 90th Annual AHEPA Family Supreme Convention in Las Vegas, July 22-27, 2012 at the Monte Carlo Resort Hotel. Information for reservations can be found at www.ahepa.org Don’t be left out. Join AHEPA Today. It is fast and easy. Simply click on the “Join Now” button found at www.ahepa.org. This is not your papou’s AHEPA.

We welcome you to join the thousands of proud AHEPA members in support of our worthy mission and programs.

AHEPA Headquarters 1909 Q Street, NW., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 (202) 232-6300

TALES FROM L.A.

LA’s ‘Bling’ Image

by Fr. John S. Bakas

Yossi is a friend of mine. He owns a very upscale jewelry and fine art establishment in the heart of Beverly Hills.

He invited me for a visit and a cup of espresso at his elegant store. Passing by security cameras and several twoway mirrors Yossi escorted me to his office where an assistant brought me the double espresso. Sitting behind his desk we chatted about life in general.

His desk was covered with an assortment of diamond rings, bracelets and watches. He treated them like a child playing with multicolored crayons. As the conversation progressed he handed me a watch and said: “put it on Father, try it out. It’s a Patek Philippe.”

I put the rather plain looking watch on my wrist and didn’t think twice about it.

“I’ll let you have it for seven hundred and forty.” I thanked him for the offer and I told him I didn’t need a new watch and $740 was not a bad price. “No, no” he said with a smile.

“It’s $740,000.”

At that point after the blood drained from my face to my feet and half–way choked on my espresso, I gently took off the watch and carefully returned it to him. “Yossi my Seiko tells the same time exactly as the Patek Philippe. Who would buy such a watch to tell time.

“Ah my friend, the people who buy these watches don’t buy them to tell time but to make a fashion statement.”

It’s all about image in their circles of influence.

My heart was racing. I didn’t know if it was the price of the watch or the double espresso. I couldn’t believe anyone would spend $ 740,000 for the sake of image being everything. In the LA area a number of cottage industries have arisen out of the culture’s obsession with image, self–promotion and the desire for that illusive fame. Image is everything, but only if you are willing to pay for it.

You may not be able to own Hollywood’s runway at the Oscars, but you can borrow a designers dress by a company called Rent the Run for about $75. The owners of Rent the Run, say their business has tripled in a year.

Need some bling to go with that dress?

Jewelry company Adorn will rent you a $24,000 diamond necklace for $260 and a pair of $8,250 earrings like Princess Kate wore at her wedding for just $160 (yes, there’s a security deposit).

And Avelle, another company, will rent you a Louis Vuitton handbag (retail price $1,680) for just $60 a week.

Of course, none of that will matter if no one’s looking. Image, after all, is a visual medium.

Why not head out on the town in style in a Bentley, Maserati or RollsRoyce rented from Gotham Dream Cars? A Rolls Royce Phantom convertible will cost you $950 a day, which is chump change compared to its retail price of $427,000. And since the whole “image is everything” mantra was started in L.A., what does a fake celebrity need more than a pack of fake paparazzi?

Turns out you can rent them, too.

Celeb 4 A Day was founded in 2007; $499 will buy you four personal paparazzi to follow your every move and shout questions at you for 30 minutes.

You can upgrade to the “MegaStar” package, however, and get a two-hour experience that includes six personal paparazzi, one bodyguard, a publicist and a limousine. So never mind the cost.

Remember image is everything.

After all, how else can you explain Paris Hilton, the Kardashians and the vapid cast of Jersey Shore and their reality TV ilk – attractive people who are only famous for being famous?

Whereas celebrity used to involve a measure of talent, now it’s only about the bling…the false image.

The wise Old Testament King Solomon who tried all things and experienced all thing and pleasures life had too often ended up saying: “all is vanity and a chasing after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.” His father, the great King David, wrote in his Psalm 103…“As for a man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. For the wind passes over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.”

What matters to God is not the image we create, but His own image in us.

God cuts through all the appearances and masks we love to wear for each other, and looks deep into the real self that’s often hidden under all those layers of makeup, material things and make-believe roles we play. The image of God is everything. We were created in God’s image for a purpose. Each of us is chosen for a purpose that has nothing to do with fame, fortune or face time on TV. Our purpose is to reflect the image of God in us and no other, and to live as people who authentically love and are loved. God defines our true identity as His created and loved image, and then calls us to live out that identity in community for the whole world. Appearances can be deceiving. God looks at the heart.

The only image that matters is God’s image in us. Few, if any of us will ever be famous to the rest of the world, but we are all famous to God. It’s God’s picture of us that is the most clearly focused and long-lasting. May we be people who skip the bling and instead, strive to be the picture he created us to be.

Fr. Bakas is dean of Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles and a faculty member of Loyola Marymount University, School of Theology.

JUNE 2012

13

HC/HC NEWS

70th HCHC Commencement Celebrates 75th Anniversary

by Stavros H. Papagermanos

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Fifty nine young men and women graduated from Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology this year at the 70th Commencement ceremony held Saturday, May 19, at the Pappas Auditorium in the School’s hilltop campus. This year, Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology celebrates its 75th anniversary of its founding in 1937.

Hellenic College Holy Cross bestowed an honorary Doctorate of Humanities to George D. Behrakis, the philanthropist, successful entrepreneur and long time supporter of the School and the Church, in recognition of his outstanding professional achievements, his many humanitarian and philanthropic acts and his lifelong and extraordinary commitment and service to his Hellenic Orthodox Christian heritage.

Archbishop Demetrios, chairman of HCHC’s Board of Trustees, presided at the Archieratical Divine Liturgy in the chapel of Holy Cross. As it is the tradition of the School, the processional began in front of the administration building with the banners and flags of the School leading the graduates, the faculty, the trustees and the hierarchs to the auditorium. The ceremony began with the invocation and the singing of the national anthems by the HCHC Chorale conducted by Constantine Limberakis.

George D. Behrakis delivered the commencement address and told the graduates of Hellenic College to “be positive and always look to the future.”

Turning to the Holy Cross graduates he told them “we need you now more than ever. The parishes and our communities need your spiritual leadership especially those who will follow their calling for the priesthood. Mr. Behrakis also told them that their calling and obligations “will not fit neatly into a 9 to 5 job,” because being a parish priest is much more than that. He also spoke of the important role of the presbytera within the community setting and in assisting her husband in his ministry. “It is very important to get to know your parishioners and their families very well,” he said and spoke of the many challenges facing the family and our Church. Finally, he admonished them to be trustworthy and said that “faith, trust and respect” are the pillars of a successful ministry. “Dream big, the higher the better, do your homework and lead by example,” he concluded.

Archbishop Demetrios in his pastoral and paternal exhortation urged the graduates to be the people of “iron will and good deeds” as is the honoree Mr. Behrakis, but also to always think of God’s presence as they plan and consider what they are going to do next, as they set goals and aspire to do good. He told them to say to themselves “I will do A, B and C,” but always add the phrase “God willing, and with the blessing, the synergy, the assistance and the grace of God.” The Archbishop also told them to follow St. Paul’s exhortation in his letter to the Philippians to think and do “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do; and the God of peace will be with you.” In his conclusion, the Archbish-

Holy Cross graduates with Archbishop Demetrios, other hierarchs and school officials.

op conveyed the greetings and blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

The valedictory addresses were delivered by valedictorians Emily Couchell of Hellenic College and Rebecca Raney of Holy Cross.

Of the 59 graduates in total who received their degrees, 21 graduated from Hellenic College, 37 from the School of Theology and one received a BTI certificate. From the 37 graduates of the Theological School, 28 received the degree of Master of Divinity, intended for those who wish to be ordained.

Another six graduates received the degree of Master of Theological Studies and three the degree of Master of Theology. Of all the graduates, nine are already ordained clergymen.

HCHC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, offered a salutation and welcome at the beginning of the program and reflected on the productive and successful year and the 75th Anniversary of Holy Cross and the School’s vital role in the life of our Church.

Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Thomas Lelon, in his welcome to the hundreds in attendance took everyone back to the first days of the institution and the first commencement 70 years ago, on May 31, 1942. He said that HCHC is indispensable to the life of the Church and asked the audience to “rejoice with the achievements of the graduates.”

In her greetings, National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas said that Holy Cross is an institution that educates and uplifts. “You have the prayers of all twenty-seven thousand, mothers, sisters, wives and daughters, all women of the Philoptochos,” she said. Mrs. Skeadas presented a gift totaling $86,700 for the Philoptochos scholarship commitment to the School.

Greetings were also offered by Consul General of Greece in Boston Ilias Fotopoulos who offered a gift in support of the School’s scholarships and the continuing support of Greece to the senior trip program, despite the country’s financial difficulties. Greetings and words of wisdom and counsel were also offered by Hellenic College Dean Dr. Demetrios Katos and Holy Cross Dean Rev. Dr. Thomas FitzGerald.

Present in the commencement cer-

emony in addition to the persons named above were Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Bishop

Dimitris Panagos photos

John of Worcester of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, school trustees and professors and many friends and family of the graduates.

George Behrakis with Chairman Thomas Lelon(left), Archbishop Demetrios and President Fr. Triantaf-

HCHC Begins Observance with Boston Pops Concert BROOKLINE, Mass. - Hellenic College Holy Cross officially began its year-long 75th anniversary celebration with a concert by the Boston Pops Orchestra on May 12.

Among those attending “75th at the Pops.” were Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Methodios and more than 500 guests supporting the event.

“HCHC’s ignited a joyous spirit of thanksgiving in the hearts of all in attendance,” said HCHC President Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou. “The Symphony Orchestra’s presentation of Gershwin’s uplifting melodies helped us celebrate the wonderful journey of prayer, study, service and fellowship HCHC’s family has enjoyed for 75 years.

The Pops program was a most appropriate venue for our celebration.”

The celebration also featured Maestro Keith Lockhart conducting a George Gershwin program. He synchronized the music to the movie “An American in Paris,” which played in the background. The Boston Pops

specializes in playing light classical and popular music.

As HCHC’s anniversary events take place throughout the country acknowledging this significant milestone, this highprofile event was a great success.

“For the past seven decades, Hellenic College Holy Cross has been the ‘keeper’ of our Orthodox Christian faith and our Hellenic heritage in this country through the priests and hierarchs who have been educated, graduated, and ordained on the grounds of Pomfret, Conn., and Brookline,” said Alexis Lelon, co-chair of 75th at the Pops.

She added, “Everyone in attendance at 75th at the Pops has been an important part of the school’s history and its development.

This event wouldn’t have been celebrated with such splendor if it wasn’t for all the committee members who brought forth their knowledge, expertise and love while

u u to page 24

14

JUNE 2012

Commentaries and Reflections A Tale of Two Eggs: ‘The High Way’ A Lesson in ‘Philoxenia’

by Fr. Michael Sitaras

The highway is one of humanity’s most beautiful art forms. I can only speculate why I love it so. We took so many road trips as a kid with my family.

Could boredom be one of the attractions? Was it because I used to work as a grade checker for heavy machinery just out of high school? Roads are built collaboratively. Engineers design them, workers shape them, and the public rides on them.

The Road is a long canvas made of asphalt, cement, and paint to mark instructions. Every road has its own nuance. The road frames the landscape as the landscape frames the road. It is continuous and yet marked by boundaries. Roads are the veins of a country, of a continent, and of a people. Roads are black, gray, smooth, bumpy, new, patched, dirt and yet all of them are perfect – the lifeline of civilization.

The road is born of a need and thus the beauty of the road is its function.

One cannot get any purer. It makes no pretension about what it is. If fact, an art form is not how one would usually describe a road.

However, if it is human–made then it is a human creation and creating, of course, is the act of making art. It is a collaborative work describing and defining us. The wonder of art is that it transforms our understanding of life. Art mimics life and life mimics art.

The road is a way. It is a path. Animals or insects also have paths that they follow. Birds, bees, airplanes establish flight patterns. Wildlife life such as deer, bears, and foxes follow a preexisting course. Even cattle, in an open field, stick to a known path. A road is a way that has been traveled time and time again and is often taken for granted. It is a pattern of life to which Jesus referred to when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

Jesus said this because He knew that we were lost without a travel pattern. Truth is impossible to discern without a path having been set before us by others who have journeyed. In order to find the truth we must follow the right path. The Son forever establishes the way to the Father through the Holy Spirit.

In Acts of the Apostles we discover that early Christians referred to themselves as “The Way.” It was a code word they used for themselves in the face of persecution. For them, following Christ was the way just as it should be for all of

by Fr. Mark Sietsema

us. The road is not merely a block of cement and asphalt but rather a carefully planned piece of creative endeavor. In the same way the Lord established a way for us to follow.

He equipped with road maps and tour guides. He gave us “AAA” (Agape, Apostleship, and Absolution). He gave us the Bible (Holy Scriptures) as a road map. He sent the saints and the Fathers to help us discern the map (Holy Tradition). The two authorities of the Church, Bible and Tradition, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit leads us to understand the way of truth.

The way of the Lord is also aesthetically pleasing because truth is revealed.

The fog of lies and deception is lifted.

The beauty of life is revealed to us through our ability to see the truth.

Through Jesus our road is paved with beauty. Our life is full because our path is straight. “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).

Those who have labored to lay the foundations for our way to Christ are those who have prefigured Him, “They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all of these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise. God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us” (Hebrews 11:37–40).

Our fathers and forefathers laid the foundation, just as we must lay the foundations for our children. The only concrete foundation we can leave them is a life in Christ.

Form follows function. The beauty of our lives will only be determined by how well we follow the Way of the Lord.

I will never forget a story that my Classical Greek professor once told about his friend from England, an archaeologist who traveled to Greece after World War II to study some ruins.

Alas for the Englishman! The Greek Civil War was just getting into full swing.

One day while at work in the field, he was surrounded by a band of communist insurgents. They took him captive and led him bound to a nearby farmhouse. He was locked in a back room while the rebels in the front room gathered to debate his fate. Half of them said they should hold the foreigner for ransom; the other half argued simply to kill the intruder and be done with it. For hours on end the disagreement raged back and forth: murder or money? blood or profit? (The insurgents assumed the Englishman could not understand them, but in fact his grasp of ancient Greek allowed him to follow quite well their discussion of his dim prospects!)

At long last the fierce wrangling was interrupted: another rebel was reporting back to base. His daylong search for food had turned up only two eggs. Now a new question was put to the group: who should get the eggs? In this matter, however, agreement was immediate and unanimous. The eggs must of course be served to the guest!

This story gives a marvelous insight into the Mediterranean ideal of philoxenia, “hospitality.” One of the highest ideals of the ancient world, and still one of the great virtues of Mediterranean culture, is the code of courtesy for guests, whether invited or uninvited. Whatever else might be happening in one’s life, the claims of hospitality take precedence over everything else whenever a guest shows up at the door.

Homer in The Iliad takes great pains to describe in poetic detail the treatment, good or ill, that Odysseus received from different hosts … and how the gods and goddesses rewarded those hosts for said treatment.

For the ancient Greeks, hospitality to the stranger was more than a civil pleasantry: it was a sacred duty enforced by the powers on Mount Olympus.

In fact, the Greek gods didn’t mind exercising a little “quality control” over hospitality among humans.

There are many stories from classical literature of the gods taking human form and showing up on someone’s doorstep to test his reception of a stranger.

Perhaps the most beautiful example is the tale of Baucis and Philemon, a wife and husband who entertained Zeus and Hermes. These aging spouses were the only ones in their whole village to show friendship to the disguised outsiders.

The gods thereafter granted the couple’s wish to remain together forever in life and in death, transforming them into two trees whose branches intertwined in an eternal embrace.

Does this tale sound vaguely familiar?

It should! One of the great icons of Orthodox Christianity is a depiction of a similar story from the Scriptures. It is called E Philoxenia tou Avraam, “The Hospitality of Abraham.”

It illustrates the story told in Genesis 18, when by the oaks of Mamre the LORD came to Abraham and Sarah in the form of three angelic visitors, who were received

graciously by the aging couple. (The Orthodox Church uses this icon to express its belief in the Holy Trinity: one Godhead in three persons.) The hospitality of Abraham is contrasted with the attitude of the Sodomites. Two of the angels went to Sodom to see Lot, the nephew of Abraham, and Lot received them kindly. The other men of the city, however, clamored at the door for a chance to abuse the strangers shamefully. The quality of hospitality was rewarded in each case: Lot and his daughters were led to safety, while the Sodomites received fire and brimstone from the sky.

Our modern mindset often dismisses the story of Sodom and Gomorrah as a moralistic fairy tale. The Bible, however, has a more sober take. “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby have some entertained angels unawares,” says the writer to the Hebrews (13:1-2). Jesus Christ Himself takes this idea one step further.

Not only do some strangers come as God in disguise; every stranger that comes into our life is potentially Christ Himself.

And Christ will be the one to reward us in a way that matches our treatment of him (Matthew 25: 35, 43).

I have many occasions to think about that English archaeologist and his two eggs.

(As it turns out, the rebels just let him go, after which he lived to tell his tale for years afterwards.)

Spiritual seekers are regularly calling, e–mailing, and dropping by almost weekly to check out the Orthodox Church. They come to visit our services. They come to observe our fellowship.

They come seeking a deeper experience of God. How do we receive them? In the Church where The Hospitality of Abraham is one of the most treasured icons, how do we receive our guests?

Same question, but different wording: how do YOU receive these strangers?

• Do YOU seek them out and welcome them?

• Do YOU take them by the arm to coffee hour and sit with them?

• Do YOU invite them to come back next Sunday?

• Do YOU follow up with them later in the week?

• Do YOU rejoice in the sight of new faces?

• Do YOU support the use of languages in worship that accommodate the needs of our guests and not ourselves?

It’s not someone else’s job, it’s not just the priest’s job … it’s YOUR job.

And you will be rewarded by Christ according to the measure of hospitality that you show. There was a time in the life of our Greek Orthodox parishes in America when, in the name of keeping things Greek, a non-Greek visitors would be received coldly.

One parishioner – of Greek descent!

– once told me that as a college student she attended services at a parish for a year before anyone ever spoke to her.

Unbelievable, and yet all too believable … for it is all too human to want to keep things to oneself, just the way they, familiar and comfortable.

Fr. Sietsema is pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Lansing, Mich., and a former editor for Merriam–Webster Dictionary.

His e-mail is: frmarksiet@sbcglobal.net

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2012

ΕΤΟΣ 77 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1276

Αποστολή Αγάπης Το Εργο του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και της Επερχόμενης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ç. Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Στο Φοίνιξ της Αριζόνα η 41η Κληρικολαϊκή από 1 έως 5 Ιουλίου ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ - Στο Φοίνιξ της πολιτείας της Αριζόνα και υπό την αιγίδα τ ης Μητροπόλεως Αγίου Φραγκίσκου θα πραγματοποιηθεί φέτος η 41η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση της Ελληνορθοδόξου Ιεράς Αρχιεπισ κοπ ής Αμερικής, από 1–5 Ιουλίου στο ξενοδοχείο J. W. Marriot Phoenix Desert Ridge. Το θέμα της φετεινής Συνελεύσεως θα είναι: «Ο Θεός μας διάλεξε και μας όρισε να πορευθούμε και να φέρουμε καρπούς», θέμα βασισμένο στούς λόγους τοῦ Κυρίου μας στούς μαθητές Του στό κατά Ἰωάννην Εὐαγγέλιο ( Ἰωάν. 15:16), ὅταν τούς δίδαξε περί τῆς σημασίας τῶν σχέσεων μεταξύ των καί τούς διαβεβαίωνε περί τοῦ μεγάλου ἔργου τό ὁποῖο θά πραγματοποιοῦσε ὁ Θεός μέσῳ τῆς πιστῆς διακονίας των. Ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπε: «οὐχ ὑμεῖς με ἐξελέσασθε ἀλλ’ ἐγώ ἐξελεξάμην ὑμᾶς καί ἔθηκα ὑμᾶς ἵνα ὑμεῖς ὑπάγητε καί καρπόν φέρητε». Παράλληλα με την Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση, η Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Φιλόπτωχος Αδελφότης θα συγκαλέσει την ανά διετία Εθνική Συνέλευσή της στον ίδιο χώρο. «Ο Θεός μας διάλεξε και μας όρισε να πορευθούμε και να φέρουμε καρπούς» είναι το θέμα της φετεινής 41ης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως, όπως ορίστηκε από τον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσ κοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο, ο οποίος, στο εισαγωγικό του μήνυμα για την επιλογή του συγκεκριμένου θέματος αναφέρει: «Έχουμε επιλεγεί και διορισθεί από τον Θεό για να προσφέρουμε μια μαρτυρία Πίστεως γι ‘Αυτόν μέσω της λατρείας και των υπηρεσιών μας, μέσα από τη ζωή μας και ενώπιον όλων των ανθρώπων, έτσι ώστε το όνομα του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού να μπορεί να δοξάζεται μέσα μας, και εμείς σ’ Αυτόν, όπως ανέφερε ο Αγιος Παύλος (Α’ Θεσσαλονικείς 1:11-12). Επιπλέον, όπως ο Θεός μάς επέλεξε και όρισε, Προσφέρει σε όλους μας ότι χρειαζόμαστε για να επιτελέσουμε το μεγάλο αυτό

uΣελίδα 19

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Συνήλθε για την εαρινή του συνεδρία το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συµβούλιο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής µεταξύ 10 και 11 Μαΐου 2012 στη Φιλαδέλφεια, υπό την προεδρία του Σεβασµιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αµερικής κ. ∆ηµητρίου. Παρευρέθηκαν έξι Μητροπολίτες της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, ο Σικάγου Ιάκωβος, ο Βοστώνης Μεθόδιος, ο Άτλαντας Αλέξιος, ο Ντιτρόϊτ Νικόλαος, ο Πίτσµουργκ Σάββας και ο Νέας Ιερσέης Ευάγγελος και συµµετείχαν πάνω από 80 µέλη. Την πρώτη ηµέρα των εργασιών, Πέµπτη 10 Μαΐου, συνεδρίασαν οι επί µέρους επιτροπές εργασίας του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου, εκτίµησαν την πρόοδο στους επί µέρους τοµείς των διακονιών και προγραµµάτων της Εκκλησίας, εξέτασαν νέες προτάσεις και ετοίµασαν τις εκθέσεις τους προς την Ολο-

µέλεια αλλά και εν όψει της 41ης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής που θα πραγµατοποιηθεί στην πόλη Phoenix της Αριζόνα µεταξύ 1-5 Ιουλίου 2012. Την εποµένη, Παρασκευή 11 Μαΐου, συνήλθε η Ολοµέλεια του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου. Ο Σεβασµιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής κ. ∆ηµήτριος, µετά την εναρκτήρια προσευχή, προσφώνησε το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συµβούλιο και ευχαρίστησε τα µέλη για την αφοσίωση τους, την προσφορά τους και την επισταµένη εργασία τους κατά την τελευταία διετία. Παράλληλα ευχαρίστησε τον επιχώριο Μητροπολίτη Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελο για την φιλοξενία αλλά και όλους τους Μητροπολίτες µέλη της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αναφέρθηκε επιγραµµατικά στην συµµετοχή του στην

uΣελίδα 16

Επίσκεψη Μαλόνι στο Πατριαρχείο Φωτορεπορτάζ: ΝΙΚΟΣ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑΣ

Θέµατα θρησκευτικής ελευθερίας και ανθρωπίνων δικαιωµάτων συζητήθηκαν κατά τη συνάντηση του Οικουµενικού Πατριάρχου Βαρθολοµαίου µε την Αµερικανίδα Βουλευτή Carolyn Maloney, η οποία επισκέφθηκε το Ιερό Κέντρο της Ορθοδοξίας το απόγευµα της Πέµπτης 24 Μαϊου. Η συνάντηση διεξήχθη σε εγκάρδιο κλίµα ενώ η Βουλευτής έδειξε, όπως το πράττει πάντοτε, ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον για τα ζητήµατα που απασχολούν τη ζωή του Οικουµενικού Πατριαρχείου και της Οµογένειας της Πόλης. Θέλησε να ενηµερωθεί για την πορεία της επαναλειτουργίας της Θεολογικής Σχολής της Χάλκης για την οποία εξέφρασε την επιθυµία της να την επισκεφθεί σε επόµενη επίσκεψή της. ∆ιαβεβαίωσε τον Πατριάρχη Βαρθολοµαίο ότι θα συνεχίσει, ως µέλος του Κογκρέσσου της Αµερικής, να παρακολουθεί τα προβλήµατα του Οικουµενικού Πατριαρχείου και να συµβάλλει στην επίλυσή τους. Ο ΟικουµενικόςΠατριάρχης δεν παρέλειψε να αναφέρει ότι έχουν γίνει ήδη ορισµένα θετικά βήµατα από την Κυβέρνηση Erdogan και αναµένονται ακόµη περισσότερα να υλοποιηθούν, ενώ ευχαρίστησε την Αµερικανίδα πολιτικό και στο πρόσωπό της τις πολιτικές Αρχές των Η.Π.Α. για το αµέριστο ενδιαφέρον τους. Την Βουλευτή Maloney συνόδευαν υπηρεσιακοί παράγοντες του Γ. Προξενείου Η.Π.Α. στην Πόλη, ενώ στη συνάντηση παρέστη και ο π. Ιωάννης Χρυσαυγής, Αρχιδιάκονος του Οικουµενικού Θρόνου. Η κ. Maloney προσκύνησε στον Πατριαρχικό Ναό του Αγ. Γεωργίου και ξεναγήθηκε από τον Πατριαρχικό ∆ιάκονο Νήφωνα.

Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ

Κυριακή της ΑΧΕΠΑ Πρός τούς Σεβασµιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί ∆ιακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συµβουλίων, τά Ἡµερήσια καί Ἀπογευµατινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυµον πλήρωµα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀµερικῆς. Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Καθώς ἡ Πασχαλινή περίοδος ὁδεύει στή λήξη της καί ἀναµένουµε τόν ἑορτασµό τῆς Θείας Ἀναλήψεως τοῦ Κυρίου µας, σκεπτόµεθα τήν δύναµη τῆς Ἀναστάσεώς Του καί τῆς ἀληθείας τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου στό ἱερό ἔργο πού καλούµεθα νά ἐπιτελέσουµε. Πρίν ὁ Χριστός ἀναληφθεῖ στούς οὐρανούς, εἶπε στούς µαθητές Του: Ἔσεσθέ µου µάρτυρες ἔν τε Ἰερουσαλήµ καί ἐν πάσῃ τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ καί Σαµαρείᾳ καί ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς (Πράξεις 1:8). Ἐπίσης εἶπε πορευθέντες οὖν µαθητεύσατε πάντα τά ἔθνη (Ματθ.

28:19). Εἶναι φανερό ὅτι ἔχουµε ἐπιλεγεῖ καί διορισθεῖ ἀπό τόν Θεό νά προσφέρουµε µαρτυρία πίστεως καί ὑπηρεσίας ἀγάπης σ’ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσµο. Στήν Κυριακή τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ ἀναγνωρίζουµε καί τιµοῦµε τά µέλη τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Ὀρθοδόξου κοινότητός µας στίς Ἡνωµένες Πολιτεῖες πού συνεχίζουν νά προσφέρουν αὐτή τή µαρτυρία καί τήν ὑπηρεσία µέσα ἀπό τή στήριξη τοῦ ἔργου τῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί πολυάριθµων φιλανθρωπικῶν, ἐκπαιδευτικῶν καί ἀστικῶν προγραµµάτων. Ἐπί ἐνενήντα ἔτη, τά µέλη τοῦ Ἑλληνοαµερικανικοῦ Ἐκπαιδευτικοῦ Προοδευτικοῦ Συλλόγου καί οἱ ὀργανισµοί τῆς οἰκογενείας τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ δηµιούργησαν µία κληρονοµιά προσφορᾶς στίς τοπικές ἐνορίες των, στίς διακονίες καί ὀργανισµούς τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς µας, καί γιά λογαριασµό παγκοσµίων θεµάτων πού ἔχουν ἐπίπτωση στή µαρτυρία καί τό ἔργο τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας. Ἡ ἡγεσία τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ ἐξακολουθεῖ ἐπίσης νά ἑστιάζῃ τήν προσοχή της στίς προκλήσεις πού ἀντιµετωπίζει τό Οἰκουµενικό Πατριαρχεῖο µας. Οἱ προσπάθειές της, µαζί µέ ἄλλα προγράµµατα πού ἐξυπηρετοῦν τίς ἀνάγκες τῶν ἀνθρώπων στίς Ἡνωµένες Πολιτεῖες, στήν Ἑλλάδα, Κύπρο, Τουρκία καί σ’ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσµο προσφέρουν µαρτυρία τῆς δυνάµεως τῆς πίστεως καί τῆς ἀγάπης ὅπως ἀποκαλύπτεται στό Εὐαγγέλιο καί στά ὑψηλά ἰδανικά τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς κληρονοµιᾶς µας. Ἐκφράζουµε τήν ἐκτίµησή µας στά µέλη τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ γιά τήν πιστή ὑπηρεσία των, καί µέ τή σειρά µας προσφέρουµε τή στήριξη καί τίς προσευχές µας. Ἑορτάζουµε τήν Κυριακή τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ ἀναγνωρίζοντας τήν ἱστορία καί συµβολή αὐτοῦ τοῦ ζωτικοῦ ὀργανισµοῦ. Εἴθε ὁ Θεός νά εὐλογῇ καί νά ὁδηγῇ τά µέλη τῆς ΑΧΕΠΑ στή συνέχιση τῆς εὐγενοῦς κληρονοµιᾶς τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας καί τοῦ Ἑλληνισµοῦ. Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη, † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀµερικῆς ∆ηµήτριος

16

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2012

Αποστολή Αγάπης είναι το έργο του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και της επόμενης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως uΣελίδα 15 τελετή του Καθαγιασµού του Αγίου Μύρου κατά την Μεγάλη Εβδοµάδα στην Κωνσταντινούπολη και διαβίβασε την «αγάπη, την ευλογία και τις Πατριαρχικές ευχές», του Παναγιώτατου Οικουµενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαθολοµαίου τονίζοντας ότι ο Πατριάρχης έχει πάντοτε το ποίµνιο της Αµερικής στις σκέψεις του και στις προσευχές του. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ∆ηµήτριος παρουσίασε επίσης στο Συµβούλιο τα γεγονότα της επίσκεψεώς του στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αθηνών και της συναντήσεως του µε τον Μακαριώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αθηνών και πάσης Ελλάδος κ. Ιερώνυµο, στον οποίο όπως είπε, επέδωσε µια επιταγή 500 χιλιάδων δολαρίων, προϊόν του «Ταµείου Αρωγής για τον Ελληνικό Λαό» της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος σηµείωσε ότι το ποσό αυτό θα χρησιµοποιηθεί µε µεθοδικό τρόπο στα προγράµµατα της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αθηνών, τα οποία προσφέρουν τροφή και ανακούφιση σε ανθρώπους που έχουν ανάγκη.

Προπαρασκευαστική της Κληρικολαϊκής η εαρινή σύγκλιση του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου στη Φιλαδέλφεια

αγάπης», είπε ο Σεβασµιώτατος και τόνισε ότι είναι έργο το οποίο εκφράζεται άριστα από το θέµα της 41ης Κληρικολαϊκής «Ο Θεός µας διάλεξε και µας όρισε να πορευθούµε και να φέρουµε καρπούς» βασισµένο στην ευαγγελική προτροπή οὐx ὑµεῖς µε ἐξελέξασθε ἀλλ� ἐγώ ἐξελεξάµην ὑµᾶς και ἔθηκα ὑµᾶς ἵνα ὑµεῖς ὑπάγητε και καρπόν φέρητε (Ἰων. 15-16) Ο αντιπρόεδρος του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου κ. Εµµανουήλ Τζαχάρης, στην οµιλία του προς την ολοµέλεια σηµείωσε την «εκπληκτική πρόοδο» σε πολλούς τοµείς της ζωής και του έργου της Εκκλησίας κατά τα τελευταία δώδεκα χρόνια. Αναφέρθηκε στις οργανωτικές ανάγκες και προκλήσεις µε σκοπό να

Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Πρόσθεσε δε ότι το Ταµείο Αρωγής είχε επιπλέον έσοδα 300 χιλιάδων δολαρίων µετά το ταξίδι του Αρχιεπισκόπου στην Αθήνα και ότι η προσπάθεια συνεχίζεται. Συγκεκριµένα, είπε ότι έχει την προσωπική διαβεβαίωση του Αρχιεπισκόπου Ιερωνύµου για πλήρη διαφάνεια, υπευθυνότητα και λογοδοσία στην διαχείριση των πόρων αυτών για την ανακούφιση της φτώχιας. Στη συνέχεια της εισαγωγικής οµιλίας του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος αναφέρθηκε ειδικά στα θέµατα Νεολαίας στην Εκκλησία µας. Μίλησε για τα προγράµµατα νεολαίας που έχουν ανθίσει τα τελευταία χρόνια, προγράµµατα τα οποία χαρακτηρίζει η ζωντάνια, ο ενθουσιασµός και η υψηλή συµµετοχή. «Το έργο του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου και το έργο της επόµενης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως είναι αποστολή

διατηρηθεί ο ηγετικός ρόλος της Αρχιεπισκοπής. Ο κ. Τζαχάρης µίλησε µε πολύ ενδιαφέρον για την φροντίδα προς το Οικουµενικό Πατριαρχείο, το οποίο όπως είπε αντιµετωπίζει πολλές δυσκολίες που επηρεάζονται ιδιαίτερα από την δυσχερή οικονοµική κατάσταση της Ελλάδος. Τόνισε επίσης ότι το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συµβούλιο θα πρέπει να παρουσιάσει στην Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση ένα πρόγραµµα ανάπτυξης στο οποίο ο σχεδιασµός για τη νεολαία πρέπει να είναι ένα σηµαντικό κοµµάτι. Παρουσιάσθηκαν, συζητήθηκαν και εγκρίθηκαν δέκα συνολικά εκθέσεις για την λειτουργία των διακονιών της Αρχιεπισκοπής σε παναµερικανικό επίπεδο.

Οι εκθέσεις προέρχονταν από τις ακόλουθες επιτροπές: Επικοινωνιών, Νεολαίας (συµπεριλαµβανοµένων των κατασκηνωτικών προγραµµάτων και του Ιονικού Χωριού), Λογίας, ∆ιοίκησης, Τεχνολογίας, Οικονοµικών, Οικογένειας και Γάµου, Κατηχητικής Παιδείας, Ιεραποστολικού έργου και του Συνδέσµου Κληρικών. Ιδιαίτερο ενδιαφέρον είχε η συζήτηση επί θεµάτων νεολαίας στην οποία τονίστηκε η ανάγκη στήριξης, καλλιέργειας και διατήρησης των δεσµών µε την Εκκλησία των νέων ανθρώπων κατά τα φοιτητικά και µετά-φοιτητικά χρόνια τους, δηλαδή στις ηλικίες από 20 έως 40 ετών. Στην παρουσίαση της εκθέσεως της επιτροπής διοικητικών θεµάτων συζητήθηκε η πρόταση εκ µέρους τριών Μητροπολιτικών Συµβουλίων για την σύγκλιση της Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως να τριετία σε αντιδιαστολή µε την ανά διετία σύγκλισή της όπως ισχύει σήµερα. Η πρόταση θα παρουσιασθεί στην 41η Κληρικολαϊκή, τον επόµενο Ιούλιο σύµφωνα µε την διαδικασία. Πολλά µέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου αναφέρθηκαν µε έµφαση στην ανάγκη συµµετοχής όλων ανεξαιρέτως των ενοριών και κοινοτήτων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής στην Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση, τονίζοντας ότι αποφάσεις της Κληρικολαϊκής αφορούν και επηρεάζουν όλες τις ενορίες µας και εποµένως η µέγιστη δυνατή συµµετοχή είναι απαραίτητη. Ο Θεοφ. Επίσκοπος Μωκησσού κ. ∆ηµήτριος, εκ µέρους του Μητροπολίτου Σικάγου κ. Ιακώβου και της Μητροπόλεως Σικάγου παρουσίασε επιταγή 50 χιλιάδων δολαρίων, ως προσφορά προς το «Ταµείο Αρωγής για τον Ελληνικό Λαό» της Αρχιεπισκοπής, ποσό επιπροσθέτως των ιδιαιτέρων προσφορών των ενοριών της Μητροπόλεως. Κλείνοντας τις εργασίες του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ∆ηµήτριος παρότρυνε τα µέλη να εντείνουν τις προσπάθειες για τη συµµετοχή όλων των κοινοτήτων στην Κληρικολαϊκή, τόνισε την ανάγκη που έχει για συνεχή στήριξη το Ελληνικό Κολέγιο και η Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιµίου Σταυρού που εφέτος γιορτάζει 75 χρόνια, εξήρε το έργο της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητος που επίσης γιορτάζει 80 χρόνια ζωής και προσφοράς. Όλοι οι οργανισµοί και τα ιδρύµατα της Αρχιεπισκοπής µας επιτελούν πολύ σηµαντικό έργο, είπε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος.

17

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2012

ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΝ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ

Στη Μιστί της Καππαδοκίας χτυπούν οι καμπάνες 90 χρόνια μετά ôïõ Íéêüëáïõ Ìáããßíá

Εκατοντάδες πιστοί συμμετείχαν στην Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία που τελέστηκε την Κυριακή των Αγίων 318 Πατέρων της Α’ Οικουμενικής Συνόδου της Νικαίας στον Ιερό Ναό των Αγίων Βασιλείου και Βλασίου στο ιστορικό Μιστί, στα αγιασμένα χώματα της Καππαδοκίας. Για πρώτη φορά μετά το 1922, οπότε και ο δεκάτρουλος Ναός «σιώπησε» - όπως και οι άλλοι περικαλλείς πέτρινοι Ναοί της Καππαδοκικής γης – τελέστηκε το ιερό μυστήριο της Θείας Ευχαριστίας, από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, ο οποίος συλλειτούργησε μαζί με τους Μητροπολίτες του Θρόνου, Μπουένος Άϊρες Ταράσιο και Κισάμου και Σελίνου Αμφιλόχιο. «Εδώ σήμερον συνηντήθημεν ζώντες και κεκοιμημένοι εις το ιερόν δισκάριον της Προσκομιδής», τόνισε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης στην ομιλία του. Παρέστησαν συμπροσευχόμενοι οι Μητροπολίτες Δράμας Παύλος και Νεαπόλεως και Σταυρουπόλεως Βαρνάβας καθώς και Άρχοντες του Θρόνου, προσκυνητές από την Πόλη αλλά και από την Ελλάδα και τις ΗΠΑ και άλλες χώρες. Από το ιστορικό Μιστί καταγόταν ο τοπικός Άγιος Δημήτριος ο εκ Νίγδης, ενώ η ποτισμένη με τα δάκρυα και το αίμα μαρτύρων της Εκκλησίας Αγιοτόκος Καππαδοκία ευλογήθηκε από την παρουσία και τις δοκιμασίες του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Ρώσου, τη μνήμη του οποίου τιμά σήμερα η Εκκλησία. Την παραμονή της εορτής ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης χοροστάτησε στον πανηγυρικό εσπερινό που τελέστηκε στον ανακαινισμένο Ιερό Ναό της Μονής του Αγίου Νικολάου Σινασσού. «…Αι δύσκολοι εξωτερικαί συνθήκαι ποτέ δεν είναι δι’ ημάς τους πιστεύοντας εις τον Χριστόν εμπόδιον εις την πρόοδόν μας, αλλά αντιθέτως αποτελούν εφαλτήριον δια μεγαλύτερα πνευματικά κατορθώματα. Και τούτο το απεδείξαμεν ως Γένος πολλάκις και το βλέπομεν εις όλας τας εκφάνσεις του πολιτισμού μας. Έχομεν την εντύπωσιν ότι όσον περισσότεροι ήσαν οι κίνδυνοι δι’ ημάς, τόσον ο βίος και ο πολιτισμός μας εβυθίζοντο εις το φως της Αναστάσεως, το ίδιον φως το οποίον διαχρονικώς νυν και εις τους αιώνας φωτίζει την Βασιλεύουσαν Πόλιν και τα όρη και τους δρυμούς και τας νάπας της Καππαδοκίας», τόνισε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης στην ομιλία του. ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΤΗΣ Α.Θ.ΠΑΝΑΓΙΟΤΗΤΟΣ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΒΑΡΘΟΛΟΜΑΙΟΥ «Δοξάζομεν τὸν Κύριον διότι μᾶς ἠξίωσε νὰ τελέσωμεν διὰ πρώτην φορὰν τὴν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν εἰς τὸν Ἱερὸν τοῦτον Ναὸν τῶν Ἁγίων Βασιλείου καὶ Βλασίου, εἰς τὸ ἱστορικὸν Μιστί, εἰς τὰ ἡγιασμένα χώματα τῆς Καππαδοκίας. Ἡ χαρά μας εἶναι μεγάλη διότι καὶ ἐφέτος μᾶς ἐδόθη ἡ εὐλογία νὰ πραγματοποιήσωμεν τὸ τελούμενον κατ’ ἔτος προσκύνημα εἰς τὴν ἁγιοτόκον αὐτὴν περιοχὴν τῆς Καππαδοκίας, τὴν κατ’ ἐξοχὴν βρίθουσαν πολυπληθῶν σεβασμάτων καὶ ἁγιασμάτων, ὅπου κάθε πέτρα μαρτυρεῖ τὴν εὐλάβειαν τῶν κατοίκων της, τῶν εὐλογημένων Καππαδοκῶν, οἱ ὁποῖοι τόσα πολλὰ προσέφεραν εἰς τὴν Ἐκκλησίαν τοῦ Χριστοῦ, καὶ τόσους πολλοὺς ἀνέδειξαν Ἁγίους. Εἰς τὴν χαράν μας αὐτὴν μετέχει σήμερον καὶ ἡ κτίσις ὅλη, θάλλουσα καὶ ἀνθοφοροῦσα. Βλέπομεν τὴν γῆν καταπράσινον, τὰ φυτὰ βλαστάνοντα, τὰ ζῷα περιχορεύοντα, τὰ πάντα πανηγυρίζοντα καὶ ἑορτάζοντα. Ἡ

Φωτορεπορτάζ: ΝΙΚΟΣ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑΣ

χαρὰ αὐτὴ τῆς φύσεως μᾶς ἀνάγει εἰς τὸν Δημιουργόν. Διότι ἐὰν τὰ ἄψυχα καὶ ἄλογα κτίσματα μὲ τόσην ὡραιότητα καλλωπίζωνται καὶ φαιδρύνωνται, πόσον περισσότερον ὀφείλομεν ἡμεῖς οἱ πιστοί, ὡς λογικαὶ ψυχαὶ καὶ εἰκόνες Θεοῦ, νὰ στολίζωμεν καὶ νὰ λαμπρύνωμεν τοὺς ἑαυτούς μας μὲ τὴν θεάρεστον ζωήν μας. Εἰς τὴν χαράν μας σήμερον συμμετέχουν οἱ ἑορταζόμενοι τριακόσιοι δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ Πατέρες τῆς Α΄ Οἰκουμενικῆς Συνόδου, ἡ ὁποία ἐπραγματοποιήθη εἰς τὴν Νίκαιαν τῆς Βιθυνίας. Αὐτοὶ οἱ Πατέρες μετέφεραν ἀπὸ τὴν πηγὴν τῆς Νικαίας εἰς τὰ πέρατα τῆς οἰκουμένης τὸ Σύμβολον τῆς Πίστεως, τὸ Πιστεύω, εἰς τὸ ὁποῖον στηρίζονται ἀνὰ τοὺς αἰῶνας τὰ δόγματα τῆς Ἐκκλησίας μας. Αὐτοὶ σήμερον συνεκάλεσαν ἡμᾶς ἐδῶ, εἰς τὴν γῆν τῆς Καππαδοκίας, ἐκ τῆς ὁποίας ἀρκετοὶ εἷλκον τὴν καταγωγήν των, διὰ νὰ τιμήσωμεν τὴν ἀΐδιον μνήμην των καὶ νὰ ζητήσωμεν τὰς μεσιτείας των ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ διὰ τὴν Μητέρα Ἐκκλησίαν καὶ τὸ Γένος μας. Τιμῶμεν αὐτοὺς οἱ ὁποῖοι διετήρησαν ζωντανὴν τὴν ἐλπίδα τῆς σωτηρίας μας. Ἡ πνευματικὴ παράδοσις ἡ ὁποία ἐδημιουργήθη ἐδῶ εἰς τὴν Καππαδοκίαν κατὰ τὸν τρίτον καὶ τέταρτον αἰῶνα κατέστησεν αὐτὴν προπύργιον τῆς ὀρθῆς πίστεως καὶ τοὺς πατέρας αὐτῆς, τοὺς ὀρθοτομοῦντας τὸν λόγον τῆς ἀληθείας, κανόνας ὀρθοδόξου ζωῆς καὶ διδασκαλίας. Ἔτσι ἡ Καππαδοκία, διὰ τῶν θεοπνεύστων ἀνδρῶν της, συνεκράτησε καὶ ὑπεστήριξε πολλάκις τὴν Ὀρθοδοξίαν, προτάξασα τοὺς λόγους των ὡς ρομφαίαν δίστομον ἐναντίον τῶν αἱρέσεων καὶ τῶν ζιζανίων. Ἐπὶ πλέον, εἶναι μεγάλη ἡ εὐλογία τοῦ Θεοῦ νὰ τελοῦμε τὴν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν διὰ πρώτην φορὰν εἰς τὸν ναὸν τοῦτον τὸν ὁποῖον πρὸ ἑκατὸν πεντήκοντα καὶ πλέον ἐτῶν ἀνήγειρον περικαλλῆ, ἀρχιτεκτονικῶς περίλαμπρον, δεκάτρουλλον οἱ φιλοπρόοδοι καὶ φιλευσεβεῖς Μισθιῶται. Αὐτὸς ὁ ναὸς ἦτο τὸ κέντρον τῆς ζωῆς των. Εἰς αὐτὸν ἐβάπτιζον τὰ τέκνα των. Εἰς αὐτὸν ἐστεφανοῦντο τὰ νέα ζεύγη. Εἰς αὐτὸν ἐκήδευον καὶ προέπεμπον τοὺς ἠγαπημένους συγγενεῖς των. Εἰς αὐτὸν ἀπέπλυνον τὰς ἀνομίας των διὰ τῶν ἱερῶν μυστηρίων. Ἐδῶ μετεῖχον εἰς τὴν κατὰ Χριστὸν ζωήν. Ἐδῶ ἐλάμβανον τὸν ἁγιασμόν, ἄνευ τοῦ ὁποίου οὐδεὶς ὄψεται τὸν Κύριον. Ἐδῶ σήμερον ἐτελέσαμεν τὴν μυστικὴν θυσίαν τῆς Θείας Εὐχαριστίας. Ἐδῶ σήμερον συνηντήθημεν ζῶντες καὶ κεκοιμημένοι εἰς τὸ ἱερὸν δισκάριον τῆς Προσκομιδῆς. Κάθε τροῦλλος αὐτοῦ

τοῦ ναοῦ ὁμιλεῖ διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην τῶν Μισθιωτῶν πρὸς τὸν Θεὸν καὶ ἀναβιβάζει καὶ ἡμᾶς εἰς Αὐτόν. Μᾶς παρακινεῖ εἰς ἕνωσιν οὐρανοῦ καὶ γῆς, εἰς κοινωνίαν μετὰ τῶν Ἁγίων, καὶ μάλιστα τῶν Καππαδοκῶν, εἰς σύναξιν ἀνθρώπων καὶ ἀγγέλων. Ἐδῶ συνεχίζεται, διὰ τῆς τελεσθείσης ἀναιμάκτου θυσίας, σήμερον ἡ ζωὴ τοῦ Κυρίου, μυστικῶς καὶ μυστηριακῶς. Καὶ πιστεύομεν ὅτι θὰ συνεχισθῇ, διότι «πῦλαι ᾅδου οὐ κατισχύσουσι τῆς Ἐκκλησίας». Καίτοι πολλοὺς κινδύνους διῆλθον καὶ πολλοὺς κατακτητὰς ἐγνώρισαν οἱ μακαριστοὶ Καππαδόκαι Μισθιῶται, ζῶντες ἐπὶ αἰῶνας ὑπὸ τὴν ἐπιφάνειαν τῆς γῆς εἰς ὑπογείας ἐσκαμμένας εἰς τοὺς βράχους στοάς, τά «κελέρια», παρέμειναν ὅμως πλούσιοι εἰς εὐσέβειαν καὶ εὐλάβειαν καὶ κατεστόλισαν τὰ ὄρη καὶ τοὺς λόφους καὶ τὰς πεδιάδας καὶ τὰ σπήλαια τῆς ἱερᾶς αὐτῆς γῆς μὲ ναοὺς καὶ ἱερὰς μονάς, ποὺ παντοιοτρόπως ἐκόσμουν, διὰ ἀναθημάτων, ἱερῶν εἰκόνων, ἀπαραμίλλων τοιχογραφιῶν. Δὲν ἠρκοῦντο εἰς τὰς ὑπαρχούσας ἐκκλησίας, ἀλλὰ καθημερινῶς προσέθετον καὶ νέας, συναμιλλώμενοι πρὸς τὰς προηγουμένας γενεάς.Ἔτσι, ὅπως εἶναι γνωστόν, τὸ ὑπόγειον χωρίον των ἦτο κατάσπαρτον ἀπὸ ἐκκλησίας καὶ μὲ τὸν τρόπον αὐτὸν ἔλεγον καὶ ἐμαρτύρουν ἐμπράκτως, τρόπον τινά, ὅτι βασικὴ προτεραιότης τῆς ζωῆς μας καὶ τελικὸς σκοπός της εἶναι ἡ κληρονομία τοῦ Παραδείσου, ἀφοῦ ἐπίγειος Παράδεισος εἶναι κάθε ἱερὸς ναός. Εἴμεθα δὲ βέβαιοι ὅτι μὲ αὐτὰς τὰς ἐξ αἰσθητῶν λίθων ἐκκλησίας, εἴτε σῴζονται σήμερον εἴτε ὄχι, κατεσκεύασαν κατοικητήρια ἐκ λίθων τιμίων καὶ ἀφθάρτων διὰ τὰς ψυχάς των ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς. Αὐτὴν τὴν εὐλάβειαν ἂς μιμηθοῦμε καὶ ἡμεῖς, ἀγαπητοὶ ἀδελφοί, ὅπου καὶ ἐὰν εὑρισκώμεθα, ὅποια καὶ ἐὰν εἶναι ἡ καταγωγή μας. Καὶ ἂς μὴ λυπούμεθα καὶ ἂς μὴ ἀποροῦμε σήμερα διὰ τὴν μετεγκατάστασιν τοῦ λαοῦ αὐτῆς τῆς πόλεως ἀπὸ τὰς πατρογονικάς του ἑστίας εἰς τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ τὴν φαινομενικὴν διακοπὴν τῆς χριστιανικῆς παραδόσεως. «Οὐκ ἔχομεν ὧδε μένουσαν πόλιν, ἀλλὰ τὴν μέλλουσαν ἐπιζητοῦμεν». Καὶ δὲν ὑπάρχει ἐπὶ γῆς τόπος ἐστερημένος τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Θεοῦ. Διότι ἐὰν ὑπῆρχε τοιοῦτος τόπος, ὁ Θεὸς δὲν θὰ ἦτο Θεός. Καὶ τὰ ἐρείπια καὶ οἱ ναοὶ οἱ ὁποῖοι ὑπῆρξαν καὶ σήμερον ἐξηφανίσθησαν καὶ κατεπόθησαν ὑπὸ τῆς φθορᾶς ἢ ὑπὸ τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης παρεμβάσεως, ζοῦν ἐντὸς τῆς φιλοστόργου ἀγκάλης τοῦ Θεοῦ ὡς δῶρα πολύτιμα καὶ προσφοραὶ εὐπρόσδεκτοι, θυμίαμα εἰς ὀσμὴν εὐωδίας πνευμα-

τικῆς, ὅπως ἄλλωστε ζοῦν καὶ οἱ κεκοιμημένοι ὁμογενεῖς μας, ὡς τέκνα Του γνήσια, τιμῶντα τὸν Πατέρα των. Πρέπει δὲ νὰ ἔχουμε πάντοτε εἰς τὸν νοῦν μας ὅτι εἰς τὸ τέλος ἐπὶ τῷ ὀνόματι Ἰησοῦ πᾶν γόνυ κάμψει καὶ πᾶσα γλῶσσα ἐξομολογήσεται ὅτι Κύριος Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς εἰς δόξαν Θεοῦ Πατρὸς» (Φιλιπ. β΄, 10-11) καὶ τοιουτοτρόπως, ἐν τῇ μελλούσῃ δόξῃ, τὰ πάντα θὰ ἀποκατασταθοῦν δεδοξασμένα καὶ κατηγλαϊσμένα μὲ ἄπλετον φῶς, ὅταν θὰ συναχθοῦν ἐκ βορρᾶ καὶ δυσμῶν καὶ ἑῴας τὰ τέκνα τὰ ἠγαπημένα τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἀπευθυνόμενοι δὲ καὶ εἰδικῶς εἰς τοὺς ἐξ Ἑλλάδος ἀδελφούς μας, τοὺς ἐλθόντας διὰ νὰ τιμήσουν τὴν μνήμην τοῦ ἐν Καππαδοκίᾳ ἀσκητικῶς βιώσαντος Ὁσίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ Ὁμολογητοῦ τοῦ Ρώσσου, θέλομεν νὰ τονίσωμεν ὅτι ὁ σημερινὸς ἅγιος, διὰ τοῦ βίου του ἀποτελεῖ ὑπόδειγμα καὶ βεβαίωσιν ὅτι οὐδεμία βία καὶ οὐδεμία ἐξωτερικὴ ἰσχὺς καὶ ἀντινομία, οὐδεμία ἔλλειψις καὶ στέρησις, οὐδεμία οἰκονομικὴ ἔνδεια, δὲν ἠμπορεῖ νὰ καταβάλῃ τὸν ἄνθρωπον ὁ ὁποῖος πιστεύει εἰς τὸν Χριστόν, ἀλλὰ αὐτὸς καὶ εἰς τὰς πλέον δυσχερεῖς περιστάσεις ἐξέρχεται πάντοτε νικητής. Αὕτη ἐστὶν ἡ νίκη ἡ νικήσασα τὸν κόσμον, ἡ πίστις ἡμῶν.

Kατακλείοντες τὸν λόγον, στρέφομεν τὰ ὄμματα τῆς καρδίας μας πρὸς τὸν τοπικὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον, ἀπὸ ἐδῶ ἀπὸ τὸ Μιστὶ καταγόμενον, τὸν καταλιπόντα τὰ τῆς γῆς καὶ βίον ἰσάγγελον διαγαγόντα, τὸν ὁσιακῶς ἀθλήσαντα, καὶ καταθέτομεν εἰς τὴν ἁγίαν αὐτοῦ μνήμην τὰ ἄνθη τῆς εὐλαβείας τῆς ψυχῆς μας. Τὰ χαριτόβρυτα λείψανά του ἀνευρέθησαν, θαυματουργικῷ τῷ τρόπῳ, περὶ τὰ ἔτη 1860 καὶ 1870, ὅτε ἡ Ἐλευθερία Ἐλεκίδου, γυναίκα ἀγράμματος καὶ θεοσεβής, ὡς ἄλλωστε ἦσαν σχεδὸν ὅλοι οἱ Καππαδόκες, θεοσεβεῖς, κάτοικος τοῦ χωρίου τούτου ὅπου σήμερον εὑρισκόμεθα, χρηματισθεῖσα κατ’ ὄναρ, ὡδήγησε τὸν σύζυγόν της καὶ πάντας τοὺς κατοίκους τοῦ Μιστίου εἰς κατακόμβην, κειμένην μεταξὺ τοῦ χωρίου τούτου καὶ τῆς ὁμόρου Λίμνας, ὅπου εὗρον αὐτὰ ἀποτεθειμένα ἀναβλύζοντα μυρίπνοον εὐωδίαν, παρέχοντα ἔκτοτε πλουσίαν τὴν εὐλογίαν καὶ πολλαπλᾶς τὰς ἰάσεις εἰς τοὺς καταφεύγοντας εἰς τὴν χάριν τοῦ Ἁγίου. Αἱ δὲ σεβόμεναι τὸν Θεὸν καππαδοκικαὶ χεῖρες μετέφεραν κατὰ τὴν ἀνταλλαγὴν τῶν πληθυσμῶν τὰ λείψανα ταῦτα εἰς τὸ χωρίον Ἰάνα τῆς Ἀλεξανδρουπόλεως,ὅπου τιμᾶται ἡ μνήμη αὐτοῦ ὁμοῦ μετὰ τοῦ Ἁγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Δημητρίου τοῦ Θεσσαλονικέως. Διὰ τῶν σκέψεων τούτων, εὐχόμεθα εἰς πάντας οἱ ἅγιοι Ἰωάννης ὁ Ρῶσσος καὶ Δημήτριος ὁ ἐκ Νίγδης καὶ ὅλοι οἱ Ἅγιοι τῆς Καππαδοκίας, ὅπως ὁ ἅγιος Γεώργιος, ὁ ἅγιος Σάββας, ὁ ἅγιος Θεοδόσιος ὁ Κοινοβιάρχης, ὁ ἅγιος Ἱλαρίων, ὁ ἅγιος Ἀρσένιος καὶ τόσοι ἄλλοι, νὰ εἶναι στήριγμα, ἀντίληψις καὶ παραμυθία, οἱ ἅγιοι τριακόσιοι δέκα καὶ ὀκτὼ πατέρες τῆς Α΄ Οἰκουμενικῆς Συνόδου νὰ μᾶς φωτίζουν καὶ νὰ μᾶς ὁδηγοῦν καὶ ὁ πανάγαθος Θεός, ταῖς πρεσβείαις αὐτῶν, νὰ μᾶς ἀξιώσῃ καὶ πολλὰς ἀκόμη φορὰς νὰ συναχθοῦμε ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ εἰς τὴν ἡγιασμένην Καππαδοκίαν διὰ νὰ Τὸν δοξάσουμε καὶ νὰ ἐνθυμηθοῦμε τοὺς προγόνους μας, οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐμεγαλούργησαν ἐδῶ εἰς τὰ βάθη τῆς Ἀνατολῆς μὲ τὴν βαθεῖαν πίστιν των, τὴν εὐλάβειάν των καὶ τὴν ἀγάπην των πρὸς κάθε ὑψηλὸν καὶ ὡραῖον καὶ ἅγιον. Καλὴν Ἁγίαν Πεντηκοστὴν καὶ καλὴν ἐπιστροφὴν εἰς τὰ ἴδια», ανέφερε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος.

18

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2012

ΓΕΓΟΝΟΤΑ & ΝΕΑ ΑΠΟ ΤΟΝ ΚΟΣΜΟ Πογκρόμ διώξεων Ορθοδόξων στα Σκόπια

Πογκρόμ διώξεων ορθοδόξων χριστια- επιχειρήσεις οι αστυνομικοί κατάσχεσαν νών βρίσκεται σε εξέλιξη στα Σκόπια, ύστερα όλους τους ηλεκτρονικούς υπολογιστές αλλά από την φυλάκιση του κανονικού Αρχιεπι- και υλικά αγαθά που βρήκαν, λέγοντας ότι σκόπου Αχρίδος Ιωάννη. Νωρίς το πρωί της προβαίνουν σε αυτές τις ενέργειες, όπως και 21ης Μαΐου 2012, γύρω στις 7 π.μ., ισχυρές στις συλλήψεις, με την κατηγορία της «φοαστυνομικές δυνάμεις, στο πλαίσιο οργανω- ροδιαφυγής». Η σκοπιανή Αστυνομία ωστόμένης επιχείρησης σε όλη την πΓΔΜ, επιτέ- σο δεν σταμάτησε εκεί. Συνέλαβε και τους θηκαν και εισέβαλαν βίαια στα μοναστήρια στενότερους συγγενείς των Επισκόπων, που και σε σπίτια των μελών της Ορθόδοξης διαμένουν σε διάφορες πόλεις, τους ιερείς και Αρχιεπισκοπής Αχρίδος, όπως ανέφεραν άλλους πιστούς της Ορθόδοξης Αρχιεπισκοπηγές της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αχρίδος. πής Αχρίδος. Υπενθυμίζεται ότι οι δικαστικές Συγκεκριμένα, στην πόλη Στίπ, έδρα της αρχές της πΓΔΜ στηρίζοντας την σχισματική Επισκοπής Μπρεγκαλνίτσας, η αστυνομία εκκλησία της χώρας που απολαμβάνει την εισέβαλε αναζητώντας τον Επίσκοπο Μάρκο, πλήρη κρατική στήριξη, δεν αναγνωρίζουν ο οποίος απουσίαζε στο Βελιγράδι για τις την Κανονική Ορθόδοξη Αρχιεπισκοπή εργασίες της Ιεράς Συνόδου της Ιεραρχίας Αχρίδος, που υπάγεται στο Πατριαρχείο του Πατριαρχείου Σερβίας. Οι αστυνομικές Σερβίας και στηρίζεται από τις πενιχρές δυνάμεις συνέλαβαν τελικά την ηλικιωμένη προσφορές του δοκιμαζόμενου και διωκόμεμοναχή Πελαγία, η οποία πρόσφατα υπεβλή- νου ποιμνίου της. θη σε σοβαρή ορθοπεδική επέμβαση. Έτσι καθίσταται προφανές ότι η κατηΣτην πόλη των Σκοπίων, μεγάλη αστυ- γορία της «φοροδιαφυγής», αποτέλεσε απλά νομική δύναμη, εισέβαλε στη Ι.Μ.Κοιμήσεως προσχηματικό λόγο ώστε να στηθεί η αστυτης Θεοτόκου, αναζητώντας τον Επίσκοπο νομική επιχείρηση σε βάρος των μελών της Στοβίου και τοποτηρητή της Μητρόπολης κανονικής Ορθόδοξης Αρχιεπισκοπής ΑχρίΣτρώμνιτσας Δαυίδ. Ωστόσο δεν τον βρήκαν, δος. Πρόκειται στην κυριολεξία για πογκρόμ αφού και εκείνος βρίσκεται στο Βελιγράδι, σε βάρος των λειτουργών και των πιστών και συνέλαβαν την Ηγουμένη της Μονής, μιας χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας, ένα από τα μοναχή Κυράννα. Οι άνδρες της αστυνομίας μεγαλύτερα ίσως που έχει συμβεί τα τελευερεύνησαν όλους τους χώρους της Μονής και ταία χρόνια στα Βαλκάνια και σε όλη την τους οποίους κατέγραψαν λεπτομερώς με Ευρώπη. Αποτελεί καταπάτηση των ανθρωβιντεοκάμερα. Επίσης η αστυνομία εισέβαλε πίνων δικαιωμάτων και των θρησκευτικών και στο Μοναστήρι του Αγ.Ιωάννου του ελευθεριών που ακολούθησε την απαράδεΧρυσοστόμου, στη Νιζόπολη της περιοχής κτη και μεθοδευμένη καταδίκη και φυλάκιση Βιτωλίων, ψάχνοντας να συλλάβουν την του Αρχιεπισκόπου Αχρίδος Ιωάννη. Ηγουμένη, μοναχή Ολυμπιάδα. Ωστόσο η Είναι προφανές ότι όλες οι Ορθόδοξες ηγουμένη δεν βρισκόταν εκεί αφού απουσί- Εκκλησίες οφείλουν να συμπαρασταθούν αζε για λόγους υγείας. Σύμφωνα με μαρτυρί- στο Πατριαρχείο Σερβίας, στη δικαιοδοσία ες οι άνδρες της Αστυνομίας συμπεριφέρθη- του οποίου βρίσκεται η περιοχή της πΓΔΜ, καν με αγένεια και παρενόχλησαν τις υπόλοι- και από κοινού να εκφράσουν την αγανάκτηπες μοναχές. Οι αστυνομικοί επιτέθηκαν σή τους για τις διώξεις που βιώνουν ορθόδοεπίσης στο ανδρικό Μοναστήρι Κοιμήσεως ξοι πιστοί στα Σκόπια. της Θεοτόκου, στον Περλεπέ, όπου συνέλαβαν τον ιερομόναχο π.Μωϋσή. Απ’ όλα τα ΕΙΡΗΝΙΚΗ ΔΙΑΜΑΡΤΥΡΙΑ ΣΤΙΣ ΗΠΑ Μοναστήρια που έγιναν οι αστυνομικές Στις 31 Μαϊου, στην Ουάσιγκτον, μπρο-

Μετάλλιο Ελευθερίας της Πίστεως Φωτορεπορτάζ: ΝΙΚΟΣ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑΣ

Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος, τιμήθηκε με το βραβείο «Ελευθερίας της Πίστης», («Freedom of Worship Award») για «την προώθηση της ελευθερίας της πίστης και των ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων, τις πρωτοβουλίες του για την προώθηση της θρησκευτικής ανεκτικότητας καθώς και για τις προσπάθειές του για διεθνή ειρήνη». Το ίδρυμα Franklin D. Roosevelt, στην Ολλανδία ετίμησε τον Πατριάρχη στην ετήσια τελετή της Απονομής των Τεσσάρων Βραβείων Ελευθερίας (Four Freedoms Awards), η οποία πραγματοποιήθηκε το Σάββατο 12 Μαϊου. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης τιμήθηκε και για τις δραστηριότητές του για την προστασία του περιβάλλοντος για την οποίες έχει καθιερωθεί τα τελευταία 20 χρόνια ως ο «Πράσινος Πατριάρχης». Στην τελετή στην πόλη Middelburg όπου παρέστησαν η Βασίλισσα της Ολλανδίας και ο Πρωθυπουργός Μαρκ Ρούτε τιμήθηκαν επίσης ο δημοσιογραφικός οργανισμός Al Jazeera με το Βραβείο Ελευθερίας Λόγου και Έκφρασης (Freedom of Speech and Expression Award), για τη σταθερή προσήλωσή του στην ελευθερία του Τύπου, ο πρώην πρόεδρος τη Βραζιλίας Λουίζ Ινάσιο Λούλα ντα Σίλβα, για την προσφορά του στο λαό της Βραζιλίας, η Εκα Ραμες Μπατ με το βραβείο Ελευθερίας από Ανάγκες ((Freedom from Want Awards ), για τις προσπάθειες της υπέρ των φτωχών και καταπιεσμένων γυναικών στην Ινδία, και τέλος Αντιπρόεδρος της Ιρακινής Κυβέρνησης, Χουσέιναλ-Σαχριστάνι, με το βραβείο Ελευθερίας από το Φόβο (Freedom from Want Awards ), για τη προσήλωσή του στις δημοκρατικές αξίες, και τις προσπάθειές του για τη μετεξέλιξη του Ιράκ σε μια ελεύθερη, ευημερούσα και αναπτυγμένη Δημοκρατία. Στην επίσημη εκδήλωση παρέστη και ο Επίσκοπος Σινώπης Αθηναγόρας, βοηθός του Μητροπολίτου Βελγίου Παντελεήμονος, στην δικαιοδοσία του οποίου υπάγεται και η Ολλανδία. στά στην Πρεσβεία της FYROM, Αμερικανοί πολίτες πραγματοποίησαν ειρηνική διαμαρτυρία, ζητώντας την άμεση απελευθέρωση από την φυλακή του Αρχιεπισκόπου Αχρίδος και Μητροπολίτη Σκοπίων κ.κ.Ιωάννη και την παύση των διώξεων, για θρησκευτικούς λόγους και των λοιπών Επισκόπων, ιερομονάχων, μοναχών, μοναζουσών και πιστών της Ορθόδοξης Αρχιεπισκοπής Αχρίδος. Η διαμαρτυρία, δεόντως οργανωμένη, πραγματοποιήθηκε με την έγκριση της Αστυνομίας της Ουάσιγκτον. Οι πολίτες που συμμετείχαν πορεύτηκαν με αναμμένα κεριά και εικόνες και έκαναν Παράκληση στην Παναγία, μπροστά στο κτίριο, όπου στεγάζεται η Πρεσβεία της π.Γ.Δ.Μ. Από τους συμμετέχοντες διανεμήθηκαν

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Τελετή Αποφοίτησης του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου

φυλλάδια, όπου εξηγούν εν συντομία την τρομοκρατία,τα βασανιστήρια, τις ταπεινώσεις και τις διώξεις που υφίστανται, εδώ και μιά δεκαετία, τα μέλη της κανονικής Ορθόδοξης Αρχιεπισκοπής Αχρίδος, από τις κρατικές αρχές της πΓΔΜ και την σχισματική εκκλησιαστική οργάνωση των Σκοπίων, που αυτοαποκαλείται «Μακεδονική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία». Οι διοργανωτές της παραπάνω ειρηνικής διαδήλωσης, ανακοίνωσαν ότι θα την επαναλάβουν και θα πραγατοποιήσουν πορεία προς το Αμερικανικό Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών των ΗΠΑ. Τα μέλη της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αχρίδος, ρασοφόροι και λαϊκοί, λυπούνται που οι αστυνομικές και εσαγγελικές παραβιάσεις των βασικών ανθρωπίνων δικαιωμάτων τους, καθώς και των θρησκευτικών ελευθεριών τους, γίνονται αιτία και αφορμή να δημιουργείται στην Διεθνή κοινή γνώμη, άσχημη εικόνα για την πατρίδα τους. Πενήντα εννέα νεαροί άντρες και γυναίκες αποφοίτησαν φέτος από το Ελληνικό Κολέγιο και τη Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού κατά τη διάρκεια της 70ής τελετής που πραγματοποιήθηκε το Σάββατο, 19 Μαΐου, στο Αμφιθέατρο «Παππά» της πανεπιστημιούπολης, που βρίσκεται στην κορυφή του λόφου της Σχολής. Φέτος, η Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Θεολογική Σχολή Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού γιορτάζει την 75η επέτειό από την ίδρυσή της το 1937. Το Ελληνικό Κολλέγιο Τιμίου Σταυρού απένειμε τιμητικό Διδακτορικό Δίπλωμα Ανθρωπιστικών Σπουδών στον ομογενή φιλάνθρωπο, επιτυχημένο επιχειρηματία και πολύχρονο υποστηρικτή της Σχολής και της Εκκλησίας Γιώργο Δ. Μπεχράκη, ο οποίος στην ομιλία του προς τους αποφοίτους του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου τους παρότρυνε «να είναι θετικοί και πάντα να κοιτούν προς το μέλλον.» Στο στιγμιότυπο οι 21 απόφοιτοι του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο, Ιεράρχες του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου, τον τιμώμενο Γιώργο Μπεχράκη, τον διευθυντή της Σχολής, π. Νικόλαο Τριανταφύλλου, τον Πρύτανη του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου Δημήτριο Κάτο και τον πρόεδρο της Εφορίας της Σχολής Τόμας Λίλον.

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2012 JUNE 2012

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

41η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση uΣελίδα 15 έργο. Μας εφοδιάζει με τη χάρη, τη δύναμη, την ικανότητα, τη σοφία, και τους πόρους για την ανάπτυξη αποτελεσματικών μέσων για την προσέλκυση άλλων με το Ευαγγέλιο της θεραπευτικής αλήθειας και την ειρήνη». Η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση συνέρχεται ανά διετία και ασχολείται με όλα τα θέματα, -εκτός από δογματικά ή κανονικάπου επηρεάζουν τη ζωή, την ανάπτυξη και την ενότητα της Εκκλησίας, των θεσμών και οργανισμών της, τα οικονομικά της, τη διοίκησή της, εκπαιδευτικές και φιλανθρωπικές ανησυχίες κι αναζητήσεις και τον διαρκώς αυξανόμενο ρόλο της στη θρησκευτική ζωή του έθνους. Η 41η Συνέλευση πραγματοποιείται φέτος στη Μητρόπολη του Αγίου Φραγκίσκου με επικεφαλείς το Μητροπολίτη Γεράσιμο, συμπροεδρεύοντος του Θεοφάνη Οικονομίδη από το Λος Αλτος της Καλι-

φόρνια, ο οποίος είναι αντιπρόεδρος του Συμβουλίου της Μητροπόλεως του Αγίου Φραγκίσκου και τον Ισίδωρο Γαρυφαλάκη, Γραμματέα του Συμβουλίου της Μητροπόλεως, από το Βανκούβερ της Ουάσιγκτον. Παράλληλα με την Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση θα συνέλθει και η Συνέλευση της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφότητας, συνελεύσεις άλλων οργανώσεων συμπεριλαμβανομένων του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου Πρεσβύτερων, της Εθνικής Αδελφότητας των Πρεσβυτέρων, των συνταξιούχων Ορθόδοξων κληρικών Αμερικής, το Τάγμα του Αγίου Ανδρέα των Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, και την Παναμερικανική Συνέλευση των Ελληνορθοδόξων Εκκλησιαστικών Μουσικών. Συνοπτικό χρονοδιάγραμμα σημαντικών γεγονότων και πιο αναλυτικές πληροφορίες είναι διαθέσιμες στην ηλεκτρονική διεύθυνση www.clergylaity.org ή στο (212) 570-3549.

19

20

JUNE 2012

Spiritual Role of Grandparents

by Presbytera Fotini Stylianopoulos

DO YOU LIKE THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER? HAVE YOU SOMETHING TO SUGGEST? SEND US A FEW LINES...

8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075

Fax:(212) 774-0239 E-mail: observer@goarch.org

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

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

Fillo Kataifi Delicious, traditional products made

Spanakopita Tyropita with the highest quality ingredients

Courteous Service • WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA

Exclusive Distributor for USA & CANADA of TRIKOMITES HALOUMI KONTOS FOODS, INC • EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President

BOX 628, PATERSON, NJ 07544 (973) 278-2800 • Fax: (973) 278-7943

Five and a half years ago, after retiring from full-time work outside the home, I was privileged to land the best job I’ve ever had. I am a part-time yiayia-nanny and I love every minute of it. I am constantly thanking God that our five small grandchildren live within a two-mile radius of our home, so that Father Ted and I can see them very often and that I am able to care for them two or three times a week.

And like grandmothers and grandfathers all over the world we take them to the park, the library, and a nearby pond.

Like grandmothers and grandfathers everywhere we read many books and play lots of games with them, we make cookies and do gardening together.

But what is the spiritual role of grandparents? There are two quotes that help me in this area.

“If your heart overflows with love for God, you will find a thousand ways to communicate and pass on these feelings to your children.”

These are the words of St. Irenaeus, one of the most important theologians of the second century. He was from Asia Minor, probably Smyrna. He studied in Rome and became Bishop of Lyon in present day France, and he understood that what counts is not so much what we do with our children and our grandchildren as who we are in Christ. “Faith,” as the saying goes, “is caught rather than taught.”

When we stay connected to Christ by receiving the Sacraments and attending as many worship services as we can, when we stay connected to Him through regular prayer and through prayerful reading of Holy Scripture, little by little our heart does indeed begin to overflow with love for God. If we seek God in our lives, if we abide in Christ, if we turn often to the Holy Spirit for guidance, if we opt for a godly book or magazine rather than a silly sitcom, we are bound to feel God’s warmth in our hearts—and our grandchildren will feel it too. This isn’t something we can necessarily always show our grandchildren, but they will see our faith.

There are some days, of course, when we are legitimately busy enough that we miss the regular quiet time of prayer and reading. But there are also the days when we purposefully putter and aimlessly fritter away our scheduled time with God. And what happens then? Well, not much, and therein lies the problem. When I say, “Well, I’ll just go downstairs first,” or “I’ll just have coffee first,” or “I’ll just have breakfast first,” or “This might be a good time to do a Sudoku or a crossword puzzle—I don’t want to get Alzheimer’s after all,” before you know it a lot of time has passed . And these are the days when things don’t go as smoothly, don’t fall into place as nicely. Speaking from my own experience, I firmly believe there is a connection. God can’t bless us when we’re not abiding in Him. And the spiritual training has to be as regular as possible, or we run around following our own whims rather than allowing Christ to dwell in us and guide us.

Those are the times when the fruit we bear isn’t the good stuff, the fruit of the Holy Spirit, but rather it is a fruit of trivia or of nothing at all. Our grandchildren will notice this, too, for just as we can communicate faith in unspoken ways, if we aren’t careful we can also convey the opposite.

Talk to God “Talk more to God about your children, and less to your children about God.” This quote (by an unknown author) reminds me of what I have read about, and seen with my own eyes, in the now

grown and still faithful grandchildren of those who lived under communism in Albania, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia.

How could their grandparents share their faith? I was told by a grandmother l met in Albania, for instance, of parents who could not even tell their daughters-in-law they were Christian for fear of being turned in to the authorities and facing a six-year prison sentence.

When grandchildren came along, what was the spiritual role of these brave men and women?

Thank God that in our society we can take our grandchildren to church, we can pray with them, read to them from the Bible and the lives of the saints we can teach them church hymns and scripture verses without fear of being punished. Yet although we don’t live under communism, we do live in a society that doesn’t support our Christian faith and in fact is actively hostile to it at times. Some of us might experience this hostility right in our own families from our own grown children, and at those times we learn to treasure our faith in our hearts rather than speaking of it openly. Perhaps in such a situation our spiritual role as grandparents is to pray over the sleeping child we have just had the privilege of tucking into bed. And we must never underestimate the power of our humble and heartfelt prayers for our grandchildren when we live far away from them.

Take a grandchild to church It is pure joy for me to take a toddler or older grandchild to church for a service their parents aren’t able to attend. As we walk up the steps I might put a dollar in their hand, then once inside help them put it in the tray and take a candle that we light together.

I show them the icons, explaining as much as I think they will understand, and when they are restless we walk to the back of the church, looking at the icons along the way. And before or after services Father Ted takes the young ones in his arms or by the hand to point out the many things in God’s house that can strengthen them in their faith.

On the days their moms have gone into labor with a sibling, we’ve gone to church to light a candle, then to kneel or sit quietly to pray for a good delivery.

And of course it is fun to mark our grandchildren’s feast days with little gifts and treats and to teach them about the life of their patron saint, as well as the troparion of the feast.

So let’s have fun with our grandchildren and share our faith with them in many ways. But most importantly, our spiritual role as grandparents is to become more spiritual ourselves, to allow Christ to live in us, to follow His commandments and to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

If we seek God in our lives, if we abide in Christ, if we turn to the Holy Spirit, we are bound to feel closer to the living God, to act and speak to our grandchildren with God-confidence, with authority, and in a way that will benefit them spiritually.

Presbytera Fotini (Faye) grew up in Seattle and is married to Fr. Theodore Stylianopoulos, professor of New Testament at Holy Cross School of Theology for many years. They live in Boston and are the parents of four adult children. They are also the proud grandparents of two granddaughters and three grandsons, all under the age of six. Presbytera Faye holds degrees in French Language and Literature and in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has facilitated women’s Bible studies and written articles for Handmaiden magazine.

21

JUNE 2012

IOCC News

STERLING TRAVEL 20 LAUREN LANE, PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. 08865 www.hellastickets.com

Photo: Eddie Arrossi/IOCC

Archbishop Demetrios thanks benefactors Nicholas and Jeanne Tsakalos for their endowment in support of programs dedicated to combating hunger through agriculture development and food security, at the IOCC’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Endowment Created, Leaders Honored WASHINGTON.– At the 20–year anniversary gala for International Orthodox Christian Charities held May 8, Archbishop Demetrios announced the establishment of the Harry and Liberty Tsakalos Endowment for Agriculture Development and Food Security by Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Tsakalos of Phoenix, Md., before 350 Orthodox community leaders and guests in attendance.

The event also honored five Orthodox community leaders with the Compassion at Work Award.

The generous gift of $100,000 to the newly established fund will advance programs targeting emergency food assistance such as food distribution to people affected by natural disasters and emergencies, agricultural support and training for farmers, and other initiatives that provide effective and lasting solutions to hunger and lifesaving nourishment to vulnerable families around the world.

Tsakalos family spokesman, Michael Tsakalos, says his grandparents Harry and Liberty chose IOCC for its ongoing commitment to aid those in need, without discrimination, through the Orthodox Church.

“Our business has blessed us and our faith has motivated us to give back and share ‘our daily bread’ with those who pray for food in a more literal sense,” says Tsakalos.

“Just as our families came from Greece to make a new life this endowment to IOCC will ensure a new and better life for families seeking lives free from hunger.”

The IOCC bestowed its Compassion

at Work Award upon the following five Orthodox Christian community leaders: Charles R. Ajalat, Andrew A. Athens, Dr. George J. Farha, George M. Marcus, and John G. Rangos, Sr. The five visionary men were selected to receive the inaugural award for their extraordinary philanthropic contributions to the organization’s mission and its continued success over the past 20 years.

In announcing the recipients, IOCC Board Chairman Michael S. “Mickey” Homsey said, “As International Orthodox Christian Charities celebrates 20 years of delivering humanitarian service to those in need around the world, it owes a debt of gratitude to these men whose faith and philanthropic spirit served as the catalyst in developing IOCC as the humanitarian arm of the Orthodox Church in North America and as a unified ministry for the Orthodox community to express its faith in compassionate and tangible ways.”

Three of the five award recipients, John G. Rangos, Sr., Andrew A. Athens and Charles R. Ajalat, founded the organization in 1992 and all five, including George M. Marcus and Dr. George J. Farha, have served on the IOCC Board of Directors and are honorary IOCC board members.

The event featured Mike Emanuel, chief congressional correspondent for FOX News Channel, as emcee, and a performance by Chris Hillman, Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer and founding member of the Byrds.

Κρατήσεις αεροπορικών εισιτηρίων, δωματίων ξενοδοχείων και ενοικιάσεις αυτοκινήτων

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – ΑΘΗΝΑ

From

425

$

ONE WAY

From

$

715

ROUND TRIP

Total price • all taxes and feed included

Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Toll Free): 1.800.GREECE-8 (1.800.473.3238) 1.908.213.1251 • 1.908. 213.6826

ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ

ORTHODOX OBSERVER SEEKS PART-TIME ADVERTISING SALES CONSULTANT

Honored community leaders (from left): former administrator of USAID (U.S. Agency of International Development) and honorary gala co-Chairman Andrew Natsios, IOCC Executive Director and CEO Constantine M. Triantafilou, George M. Marcus, Andrew A. Athens, Charles R. Ajalat, Archbishop Demetrios; former U.S. Senator of Maryland and honorary gala co-chairman Paul Sarbanes, Mike Emanuel, and Michael S. “Mickey” Homsey, IOCC board chairman.

The Orthodox Observer, the nation’s largest Greek Orthodox national monthly publication with a circulation of 165,000, is seeking a motivated advertising sales consultant to start immediately. The position is part-time and home-based with visits to national headquarters as necessary.

Responsibilities include developing and cultivating new advertisers and agencies, working with current clients, maintaining effective and revenue-generating relationships, assisting in implementation of sales packages and ensuring high levels of service to clients. The candidate must also meet quarterly and annual revenue goals and assist in developing local and national marketing initiatives.

Requirements: Bachelors degree, advertising sales experience, strong written and oral interpersonal skills. Print media experience is also required. Excellent negotiation and customer service skills a must in order to close new business and grow existing accounts. Strong knowledge of national and international Greek American market. Must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.

If you are motivated to think outside the box, are success orientated and self motivated, want to work hard in order to ensure personal and organizational success and have a love for the Greek Orthodox Church, we want to hear from you!

Salary – Commission based No personal visits or calls please.

Please email your cover letter and resume to: gotel@goarch.org

22

JUNE 2012

OCF News

by Jennifer Nahas

As the week was coming to an end and all sat in the dining hall eating the typical meal of beans and tortillas, University of Illinois freshman, Anthony Jonas, notices Brayan with a sad face and not touching his food. Jesus Brayan is one of the 31 young boys living at the St. Innocent Orphanage in Rosarito, Mexico.

Anthony says to him, “¿Qué paso Brayan?” (What’s wrong Brayan?)

Brayan replies, “Me duele el corazón.”

(My heart hurts.) “¿Porqué?” (Why?) “Saldran en pocos dias.” (You all will leave in a few days.)

Anthony related to the team that night,

OCF Real Break Offers Worldwide Outreach during the debriefing session, that his heart broke after his conversation with Brayan.

Tears began to form in his eyes as he came to realize the importance of personal interaction and how much the very people he had come to serve had impacted him.

The encounter Anthony had in Mexico is not the typical spring break experience for most college students. Anthony, along with 54 other students from 36 different universities across North America, chose to spend their spring break loving and serving the needs of others on one of Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s six Real Break trips

offered this year. Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF), the collegiate campus ministry organization of the Orthodox Church in North America, has provided such trips through its Real Break program for 12 years.

Since its beginning, over a thousand college students have served numerous people all over the globe. From roofi ng in Mexico, building a home in Houston, and feeding the homeless in Toronto, to refurbishing a half-way home in Puerto Rico, caring for orphans in Guatemala, and restoring tombs in Constantinople, the Real Break program offers college students the opportunity to do

something “real” during their spring break; to encounter Christ in a deep and profound way through serving the needs of others.

To provide such an encounter with Christ is crucial, especially in our day and age, where young adults often seek to answer the question, “Who am I and how do I fit in this world?” without reference to Jesus Christ and his Church. Real Break provides students an opportunity to explore who they are as Orthodox Christians by encountering Christ in the poor, the marginalized, the orphaned, and the forgotten. By clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and visiting the sick, college students who participate in Real Break have a chance to live out the faith described for us in Scripture (Matthew 25) and cultivate a deeper personal relationship with Christ by integrating their experience into their own spiritual lives.

The OCF Real Break experience begins as soon as a student registers for the trip. Real Break trips are not the cheap Spring Break get-aways, catered to the average college student budget. With trip costs ranging from $700 to $2,000, students write letters, make announcements in their parishes, approach family members and friends, hold fundraisers on their campuses, and pursue other creative means to fund their trips, giving them a taste of the life of a missionary and providing the whole Church with an opportunity to come together to support the incredible work our students do in service to Christ. This takes some time and effort, but the response has proven to be overwhelmingly positive.

Each Real Break trip is led by a priest who has experience in campus ministry. He, along with a lay advisor who is also experienced in campus ministry, prepares the team for their service prior to the trip and leads them in orientation and debriefing sessions throughout the trip. This allows students a chance to process the experiences of each day, maintain a united community serving together in Christ, and come to a deeper understanding of how their service draws them closer to Christ, be it putting on a new roof for an orphanage or restoring abandoned tombs in a cemetery. Having a clergy trip leader also allows students to ask questions about their faith and seek guidance concerning some of the daily struggles they face on campus.

Jennifer Nahas is the executive director of Orthodox Christian Fellowship.

Church Leaders Learn of WTC Progress u u from page 3 fice, Steven Plate, the director of the WTC Construction and his associates led His Eminence and the other representatives to a tour through the construction site.

They stopped in front of the site where St. Nicholas is to be built at the corner of Liberty and Greenwich streets and viewed the vast understructures for the Vehicle Security Center now under construction, which will be situated beneath the Church.

Following a walk around the Memorial Plaza and the footprints of the fallen towers which are facing the church site, the group took a construction elevator first to the 37th and then to the 90th floor of the One World Trade Center Tower (previously known as Freedom Tower) which is still under construction and will reach 104 floors. From that vantage point Archbishop Demetrios and his entourage were able to view the entire area of the World Trade Center, and the extraordinary work performed there, part of which will be our St. Nicholas by the grace of God. Stavros Papagermanos

23

JUNE 2012

Arizona Community Blooms in the Southwestern Desert P A R I S H

profile

Name: St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church Location: Chandler, Ariz.

Metropolis of San Francisco Size: about 340 families Founded: 1982

Clergy: Fr. Philip Armstrong (Holy Cross ‘93; Arizona State University, undergraduate business degree)

E–mail: church@st–Katherine.org; skcpriest@yahoo.com

Web: www.st–Katherine.org Noteworthy: Charter school is major source of parish revenue.

ST. KATHERINE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH CHANDLER, Ariz. – Among the indigenous fellow Greek Orthodox that Clergy– Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention delegates will encounter include those of St. Katherine Church, a relatively new parish and one of four in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

Founded in 1982 by former members of the Phoenix cathedral living in the southeastern suburbs, the church began in an elementary school in nearby Tempe.

1982 proved to be a busy year, as the new parish quickly organized its Greek festival to help raise funds and purchased its first property in November, a one–acre parcel that eventually becane five acres and that serves as the present site of the complex. The church also received its name that year.

Chandler, a city of about 240,000, got its start in the 1890s. It was named for the Arizona Territory’s first veterinary surgeon, Dr. Alexander Chandler, who developed his 18,000–acre ranch

into a town site.

The modern community is home to several technology companies that employ several parishioners, including computer chip manufacturer Intel, Orbital Sciences Corporation, Microchip, Motorola and Honeywell. Other major employers include Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Verizon Wireless, Fr. Armstrong noted.

The parish is a mix of various ethnic groups, many of them intermarriages, “as is the case in the West,” the priest commented.

He also describes his community as “a perfect mix” of retirees, middle aged adults with children, and many young families. “It’s a real healthy balance,” he said.

Fr. Armstrong is only the third priest the community has had in its three decades of existence. Fr. Sam Poulos was the first priest, serving from 1982-85. He was succeeded by Fr. John Angelis, who ministered to the parish until 1993 when Fr.

Scholarships PanHellenic Scholarships Support Deserving College Students CHICAGO.– “This award comes at a time of severe financial crisis and it will go a long way to alleviate the financial burden on my family.”

These words, written by Paraskevas Xenophontos, demonstrate the life–changing impact the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation is having today on Greek–American undergraduates. Paras, a 2008 PanHellenic scholarship recipient, will graduate from the University of New York at Stony Brook, with a double major in biochemistry and Japanese studies.

With his father living with a rare medical condition, The PanHellenic Scholarship made a difference in Paras being able to continue his educational goal of becoming an endocrinologist.

“I believe in the value of education in achieving one’s dreams,” says Chris P. Tomaras, founder and chairman. “Through our scholarship and educational programs we provide deserving students the opportunity to become significant achievers and contribute meaningfully to society.”

Alexis Keramanis, a 2010 scholarship recipient knows what it means to fulfill a dream. “Ever since I was a small child, I dreamed of attending art school. Since receiving my scholarship, my dream is finally becoming reality,” writes Alexis in her thank you letter.

“Investing in the education of a student who has potential to be a life–long achiever is a rewarding experience,” says Tomaras. “I have seen how our scholarships have made a significant difference in their young lives.

‘It encourages them to continue their pursuit of significant accomplishments.

America and our Greek community needs future leaders like our scholarship recipients.” continued Mr. Tomaras.

Paras and Alexis are two of the more than 200 recipients across the United States who have received scholarships from the PanHellenic Scholarship Foun-

u u to page 24

Armstrong, a native of Castle Valley Calif., arrived. He previously served the churches of Transfiguration in Anchorage, Alaska, and St. Basil in Stockton, Calif.

The church complex occupies about five acres and includes the new church that seats about 500 It was built between 2006–08 with the help of a $1.8 million anonymous donation. Other facilities include a community center, an older hall, a building for the Sunday school and a newer school building, Solon Junior Academy Charter School, which has an enrollment of more than 100 students, and is in the

process of opening after the community’s former charter school closed.

Lease income from the state-supported charter school has provided the parish’s main revenue source, followed by stewardship and the Greek festival.

Actually, there are two three–day Greek festivals, one in the spring sometime before or after Easter, and the other in September.

The Sunday school has about 130 students and there is a Greek school with an enrollment of about 30.

The parish participates in the San Francisco Faith Dance Fellowship Festival each year and enters three or four dance groups.

Fr. Armstrong offers ongoing inquirers’ classes twice a year for potential converts that meet in 10–week sessions. He noted that the church has many converts.

On Sundays, he is assisted in the Divine Liturgy by a Romanian priest with a lay profession.

Perhaps the biggest problem the community has faced in recent years has been the effects of the 2008 recession, which impacted many parishioners, the priest observed. “It was a financial struggle to maintain the needs of the growing parish,” he said.

Among its major costs is air conditioning for the five buildings in the complex.

Fr. Armstrong noted that, from late spring through the entire summer, when average daytime temperatures climb to the 100s beginning in April, the monthly electric bills average about $4,000.

And speaking of the heat, he advises congress attendees not to bother with suit jackets. “Wear cotton, it’ll be hot.”

– Compiled by Jim Golding

IS youR PARISh...

Ready to expand parish participation?

Seeking funds for a building project?

Wishing to promote Planned Giving?

Assistance is Available!

The office of Parish Development offers guidance to parishes through:

Strategic Planning Workshops: For greater involvement in your parish Capital Campaign Planning Studies: Assessing your project’s fundraising potential Capital Campaign Management: Planning and coaching from beginning to end

Stewardship Assistance: Inspiring greater giving in your parish Parish Planned Giving Programs: Guidance in cultivating planned gifts Grant Proposal Research & Writing: Help throughout the grant proposal process

Want More Information?

Contact us to discuss your Goals & Needs and allow us to explain how we might be of help.

Greek orthodox Archdiocese of America office of Parish Development 3 South Prospect Avenue, Ste. II Park Ridge, IL 60068 Phone: (847) 825-1432 Email: jminetos@goarch.org

24

Planned Giving u u from page 8 OO: Where can people get more information about Planned Giving or living wills?

Fr. J: First they should talk with their local priest. A legal or financial professional in the parish may already be identified to help on a confidential, no–cost, no-obligation basis. Also, parishes have been encouraged to start an Eternal Light Society. This society consists of people that have committed to remember the Church in their wills and have communicated that to their parish. In addition, legal and financial professionals are being identified at the Metropolis and Archdiocese level that can help.

OO: What is the Eternal Light Society Sunday?

Fr. J: We are encouraging each parish to hold an Eternal Light Society Sunday.

On this day, the Eternal Light Society is explained to the community. A memorial

JUNE 2012

service is held for past members of the society. In addition, an artoclasia service is held for the living members. In this way we remember those that have supported the church through planned giving and also express our appreciation to those that have committed to support the Church in their own wills and estate planning.

OO: What has been the initial response to the Planned Giving Initiative?

Fr. J: The program has been longawaited and well–received. People already want to remember the Church in their planned giving. We are only providing the tools for the parishes to facilitate these gifts in a thoughtful and sensitive way.

Lou (Lazaros) Kircos serves as the Stewardship Subcommittee on Planned Giving chairman and is a member of the Archdiocesan Council, the Detroit Metropolis Council and two local parish councils. He is also an Archon and a member of Leadership 100.

HCHC at Boston Pops u u from page 13 planning this event.”

Faithful supporters and alumni contributed to the celebration. Guests sponsored tickets for seminarians and students.

More than 50 students were present as all generations of HCHC came together – past and present – to enjoy the event.

Grand Philanthropists George and Cathy Sakellaris showed their passion for HCHC by underwriting 75th at the Pops, ensuring the event would take place. At a reception, Archbishop Demetrios, Met-

Ways of the Lord

The_latest_book_by_His_Eminence_ Archbishop_Demetrios_of_America__ from includes_his_Keynote_Addresses_from_ his_first_Clergy-Laity_Congress_in_ his Philadelphia_in_July_2000_through_his_ address_in_Washington,_DC_in_July_ 2008._Also_included_are_addresses_ given_in_Athens,_Greece,_Cyprus,_ Fordham_University_and_Brookline,_ MA_plus_others.

In_compiling_this_book_Archbishop_ Demetrios_writes_in_the_Prologue_ of_Ways_of_the_Lord,_“_Sharing_the_ know Gospel_with_those_who_do_not_know_ it_can_be_at_times_an_uncomplicated_ task_as_we_know_from_the_long_ history_of_Christianity._Frequently,_ however,_and_especially_in_our_days,_ the_very_same_task_seems_to_require_ more_elaborate,_methodical_and_ sophisticated_approaches.

dation. The Foundation annually awards $250,000 in scholarships to Greek American college-students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance with the greatest financial need.

“We ask you to make an investment in tomorrow’s leaders of Hellenism by becoming a sponsor of the 2012 annual gala on Saturday, June 16,” requests Mr. Tomaras. Sponsorships begin at $25,000 with a Premier Benefactor, which includes a scholarship naming opportunity, two complimentary tables of ten in a premier location, private reception for up to 20

I_authorize_GOTelecom_to_charge_my: Exp._date:______

299

$

ONE WAY

Name:__________________________________________ Address:________________________________________ City:__________________State:______ _Zip:_ _________

Card_No.:_______________________________________ Phone:__________________________________________ Name_on_Card:_________________________________

guests with Paradigm Award winner Alexander Payne and the opportunity to present your scholarship to the award winner.

Additional levels of support include the Grand Benefactor at $10,000 and the Benefactor with a $5,000 contribution.

Both levels of sponsorship include tickets to the event and invitation to the private reception with Academy Award winning filmmaker, Alexander Payne, this year’s Paradigm Award recipient.

For more information about how to can make a difference in the life a deserving Greek American college student call the PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation at 312–357–6432 or send us an e–mail at info@panhellenicscholarships.org.

Fares Begin at...

ALL_PrOCEEDS_TO_BENEFIT_“ArCHBISHOP_DEMETrIOS_BENEvOLENT_FUND.” Enclosed_is_my_check_for:_$_________________or

PanHellenic Scholarships Support Deserving College Students u u from page 23

To_purchase_your_copy_of_“Ways_of_the_ Lord”_($24.95_per_+_$6_S&H)_please_ call_212-774-0244,_or_email__ gotel@goarch.org,_or_comple_the_order_form_below_and_mail_it_to: GOTelecom,_8_East_79th_Street,_New_York,_NY_10075.

Yes,_I_want_to_order_______copies

ropolitan Methodios and Fr. Triantafilou presented the Sakellaris family with a crystal etched vase.

Other grand philanthropists included the John and Sonia Lingos Family Foundation members. Dr. John Lingos was a trustee of Hellenic College Holy Cross and an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew. His daughter, Dr. Tania Lingos Webb, is an HCHC trustee.

“This was the most spectacular event that we have ever had in more than forty years,” said Dr. Lewis Patsavos, emeritus professor of canon Law at the school.

Email:__________________________________________

480

$

plus tax

plus tax

rOuNd trip

£∂§∂∆∂ or thessaloniki º£∏¡∞ to athens from new York ∂π™π∆∏ƒπ∞ RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY • SPACE IS LIMITED • CALL TODAY Lowest HoteL & Car Fares avaiLabLe

∂¶π∫√π¡ø¡∏™∆∂ ª∞∑π ª∞™ ™∆√ π¡∆∂ƒ¡∂∆

Contact: Eleni & Ari Poulos WEB: www.eleni.com • E-mail: elenistours@yahoo.com

LOWES priCES t tHE MAr iN KEt

∂­�›Û˘­·Ó·�·Ì‚¿ÓÔ˘Ì­ ¢È·‚·Ù‹ÚÈ·­Î·È­™˘Ì‚Ô�·ÈÔÁÚ·ÊÈο­ (¶�ËÚÂÍÔ‡ÛÈ·,­ªÂÙ·ÊÚ¿ÛÂȘ,­ ¶ÈÛÙÔ�ÔÈËÙÈο,­Î.�.�.)

NoN stop flight us air from

1-800-989-4733

5 Bayberry Drive, Broomall, PA 19008

Call Now and Begin Saving Money with Eleni Tours, Inc.

phila to atheNs

aNd coNtiNue to thessaloNiKi

610-355-7730 • Fax: 610-355-0823

JUNE 2012

25

METROPOLIS NEWS

Metropolis of New Jersey Holds 43rd Annual GOYA Olympics

by George Tomczewski

WESTFIELD, N.J.– On Memorial Day weekend, the Metropolis of New Jersey, under the auspices of Metropolitan Evangelos, held its 43rd annual GOYA Olympics.

Nearly 500 Goyans representing 17 parishes of the metropolis gathered together for a weekend of fun, fellowship and friendly athletic competition.

The GOYA Olympics began on the campus of Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J. After checking into the dorms all of the athletes, coaches, advisors and parents gathered on Kessler Field for the traditional opening ceremonies, which included the Parade of Churches, the Olympic Torch Run, the singing of the American and Greek national anthems and the greetings from Mr. and Miss GOYA. In his greetings to those in attendance, Metropolitan Evangelos congratulated the Goyans for the tremendous work they had put in to preparing for the Olympics and reiterated to them that no matter who wins the events, all of them are number one because they have chosen to follow our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His Eminence went on to thank Andy Hios, Olympics chairman, George Tomczewski, Metropolis youth director, and all the members of the Olympics Committee (Elaine Hios, George Ververidis, George Moutis, George Savva, Nicholas Kizoulis and Ann Haviaris) for their work over the past year in order to make this year’s Olympics possible.

Following the opening ceremonies the 7th annual Metropolitan Evangelos JOY Run took place with more than 60 young athletes ages 10 and 11 running a 100–meter dash run, with the Metropolitan serving as the starter for each run. This event gives the JOY–aged children a taste of the excitement that awaits them upon entering GOYA and participating fully in the Olympics and other GOYA events.

Each of the JOY children received a blessing from Metropolitan Evangelos, wishing them the best as they grow in their faith and friendship with their peers, encouraging them to be athletes for Christ.

Throughout the day on Saturday the Goyans competed in various track and field events, including, swimming races, and a co-ed volleyball tournament.

After the events had ended for the day the athletes gathered together for a dinner dance, where the Goyans from the 17 parishes participated in an exciting night of fellowship with one another.

On Sunday, May 27, young people, coaches and advisors, and some parishioners from St. George in Asbury Park, attended the Divine Liturgy held in Pollack Theater on the Monmouth University campus. After the Divine Liturgy, the Olympiad then moved back to Kessler Field, where the day continued with the long jump competition, the finals of all the track events, and the annual Chris Gacos 5K race.

The 2012 GOMNJ GOYA Olympics concluded with the Father Dean Martin Memorial Award Ceremony in which gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded to individuals as well as teams. The athletes departed from the field with fond memories of the event and friendships that will continue on throughout the years to come.

George Tomczewski is Metropolis of New Jersey director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

(above) GOYA Olympics participants with Metropolitan Evangelos, clergy, committee members and parents. (below) The Metropolitan with JOY athletes taking part in the Olympics.

Photos: Kostas Lymperopoulos

(left) Metropolitan Evangelos cheers on the athletes. (above) Goyans of St. George community lead the parade during the opening ceremonies. The Asbury Park athletes “ran away” with the most medals –nearly 40. (below) Runners begin the grueling mile–run event.

Participating Parishes (all from New Jersey) St. George-Asbury Park; St. ThomasCherry Hill; St. George–Clifton; Ascension-Fairview; St. Anna-Flemington; Kimisis tis Theotokou-Holmdel; St. Athanasios-Paramus; St. DemetriosPerth Amboy; St. George-Piscataway; St. Andrew-Randolph; Sts. Nicholas, Constantine and Helen-Roseland; St. John the Theologian CathedralTenafly; St. Barbara-Toms River; St. George-Trenton; St. DemetriosUnion; Holy Trinity-Westfield; and St. Nicholas-Wyckoff.

26

JUNE 2012

Obituary

Metropolitan Constantine, Head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America noted with great sadness the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis, primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in the USA, on May 21 at age 76. Archbishop Demetrios, in his letter of condolence to Archbishop Antony of Ierapolis, Bishop Daniel of Pamphilon and to the clergy and faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, wrote: “As the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and 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 First Hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, the deeply beloved and respected late Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis. The passing of the Metropolitan is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Ukrainian People, but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his saintly and wise pastoral stewardship of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. His lifetime of exceptional leadership will live on in the hearts and minds of all Orthodox who were privileged to know his ministry.

“As we, and all the members of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, remember you in this time of grief and mourning, we shall also offer our fervent supplications to God for His great servant Metropolitan Constantine of Irinoupolis, that he may find the reward of ‘the faithful and wise steward’ that he most surely was, having fought the good fight for the forty years of his archpastoral ministry, and that he may rest in the blessed hope of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

May the memory of Metropolitan Constantine, this exceptional leader of the Church, be eternal.”

According to a press release from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, Metropolitan Constantine was stricken recently with a serious illness and released only three days before his death from a local Pittsburgh hospital, to participate in the celebration of his 40th anniversary of Archpastoral ministry among the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

It took place at the Dormition of the Mother of God Ukrainian Orthodox Church in McKees Rocks, Pa., with Ukrainian Orthodox hierarchs, visiting bishops of other Orthodox jurisdictions, family members, and other clergy and faithful of the UOC of the USA, South America and Europe in attendance.

The Metropolitan led the Church since 1993, having succeeded the late Metropolitan Mstyslav (Skrypnyk). He was a life–long resident of Pittsburgh, except for a number of years serving on parish or hierarchal assignments in Chicago and Troy, N.Y.Constantine was the Metropolitan’s monastic name. He was born Theodore Buggan to parents Stanley and Catherine Buggan on July 29, 1936.

Following his high school graduation, he enrolled in 1955 at St. Andrew College, the seminary of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada, the only Ukrainian Orthodox Seminary in the free world at the time.

After completing studies in 1959, Theodore chose to continue his education by enrolling at St. Vladimir Seminary in New York.

He continued his graduate education at Duquesne University, just across the river from downtown Pittsburgh, earning his bachelor’s degree in 1965.

He was eventually ordained as a subdeacon by Metropolitan John (Theodorovich) the first Metropolitan of the UOC, who also ordained him to the Holy Priesthood in July 1967.

He was tonsured as a monastic in 1971 and given the name Constantine by his tonsuring bishop, Archbishop Mstyslav.

On May 7,1972, he was consecrated in St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, Philadelphia, as the first American-born bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Bishop Constantine became bishop of Chicago and set out to build the Chicago See and unite all Ukrainian Orthodox Christians.

He also conducted retreats for youth and young adults throughout the USA and was instrumental in the establishment of St. Sophia Seminary, which opened its doors in 1975.

He was elevated to the rank of Archbishop in 1987 and to Metropolitan in 1992.

In 1994, Metropolitan Constantine was invited to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to discuss the renewal of the more than 1,000– year-old relationship of Ukraine with the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ukraine received and was baptized into Orthodox Christianity in 988.

These discussions resulted in the reception of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA as a jurisdiction under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarch, thus returning Ukrainian Orthodoxy to its rightful place in world Orthodoxy.

In 1996, he presided over the final and long–awaited unification of the two Ukrainian Orthodox jurisdictions in the USA – the UOC in America and the UOC of USA into the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. He represented the UOC on SCOBA – the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of America – from 1995 through 2010, when SCOBA evolved into the new Assembly of Bishops, which includes all Orthodox hierarchs, rather than just the heads of Churches.

In addition to his responsibilities as prime hierarch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Constantine served for 25 years as rector and board chairman of St. Sophia Seminary. Funeral services took place at St. Vladimir Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Pittsburgh, led by Archbishop Demetrios.

27

JUNE 2012

Commemorating Holy Pentecost in Our Everyday Lives

by Eva Kokkinos

“Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, everywhere present and filling all things, Treasury of blessings and Giver of life: come and abide in us, cleanse us from every impurity and save our souls, O Good One.” –Prayer of the Holy Spirit.

On the 50th day after Pascha, the Orthodox Church celebrated the Feast of Holy Pentecost. This Feast commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. This day is considered the day when the Church was established, through the preaching of the Apostles and the baptism of many who believed in the Gospel message of salvation through Jesus Christ.

So is the Feast of Holy Pentecost even relevant to us today? The Church is established in our cities and in countries throughout the world. Priests are still preaching the Gospel… people are still being baptized who have learned about Jesus Christ and believe in salvation through Him. The Feast of Holy Pentecost is most definitely relevant to us, even today, because we must continuously be establishing Christ’s Church in our hearts!

How do we accomplish this task?

Truly LEARN from the Gospel: Whether we hear the Gospel in our churches, we listen to our priest’s sermon, or we study the Scripture, we can begin to build the Church of Christ in our hearts by truly learning His teachings! It is hard to sort out all of the messages that society gives us about how to live a full and joyful life.

To be honest, it can be pretty burdensome to have so many questions and no real answers. But Jesus Christ offers us His support, guidance, and assurance: “Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:29). Christ Himself will give us the spiritual teachings and tools to establish the foundations of His Church in our hearts.

Truly PREACH the Gospel: Obviously, many of us will not get in front of a church

community and offer a sermon. But never forget what 1 Peter 2:9 tells us. “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” Whether you are young, youngat-heart, male, female, ordained to the Holy Priesthood, or serve as a layperson, it is important to stand up for what is right and call out what is wrong. You do not have to literally quote the Holy Scriptures. But the lessons and teachings we learn can be used to help us discern right versus wrong. If we all stand up for what is right, we can stand unified as soldiers for Christ to conquer evil and wrongdoing.

Truly LIVE the Gospel: In St. Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians, he explains how the Christ and the Church exist in his heart and his life. He says, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the in the Son of God; who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). One could argue that the best way to preach the Gospel is to LIVE the Gospel. In other words, the way you treat others and the way you live becomes a real live expres-

sion of the teachings and lessons in the Holy Scriptures. Think of people who you would call a “role model.” Those people give you examples of how to be a certain way! So if we truly live a life in Christ, we are become a role model of faith!

If we are giving of our time and resources to help the less fortunate, we are living according to Christ’s teaching to take care of the “least of these” our brethren. If we show forgiveness and mercy to those who wrong us, then we are living according to Christ’s teaching to “forgive our brother seventy times seven.” If we choose to be kind to others rather than speak hate or malice, then we are living according to Christ’s own sacrifice for us.

He gave Himself willingly out of love, even though there were some who mocked and denied him, so that we might inherit eternal life. If we truly live the Gospel in our hearts, Christ’s Church will not only live on but also grow and flourish!

Eva Kokinos received a Masters of Theological Studies from Holy Cross School of Theology in 2003. She currently serves as the director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit.

Taking Him to the Streets Simple Ways to Share Your Faith with Others

What would the Church be like today if the Apostles, the Holy Martyrs, and the Church Fathers did not take the message out to the people? Christians not only have a responsibility to worship and to live a life in Christ, but to share the good news of this Gospel so that it continues to spread for generations to come! Here are a few simple ways to share your faith with others… taking Jesus Christ into our schools, our jobs, and into the streets: Inviting a friend to Church is one way to share your faith. Sometimes it is hard for people to understand who you are as an Orthodox Christian. It is possible that they have quite a few misconceptions about how we worship God. So take some time to explain a little about what they will see

when they come to church with you. It important to make them feel at ease since it will probably be different than what they are used to. Afterward, introduce your friend to your priest as well as your other Orthodox Christian friends.

Another way to share your faith is to keep icons and crosses in places where others can see. Sometimes people are very comfortable to let the world know who their favorite band is.

Yet why do Christians sometimes hide the things they say are most important to them? You don’t have to put an icon on your tee shirt. But having an icon or a cross so that other people can see shows that it is an important part of your life.

These things might also peak the

curiosity of those around you.

Sharing your time, talents, and treasure through service is a tangible way that you can share your faith with others.

Sacrificial giving is an essential aspect of the Christian life. Help feed the homeless at a local soup kitchen. Take some of your gently-used clothing to the local homeless shelter. Set aside time in your day and share it with those who are elderly or shutins. Instead of buying that $4.00 expensive coffee every day, make a coffee at home and give that money to your church, a mission, or a local charity! Doing these things might get you a “thank you.” But what’s most important is that you are sharing Christ’s love with others. Hopefully they will pass that love along!

5 WAYS TO CELEBRATE FATHER’S DAY Have you run out of good ideas for celebrating Father’s Day? Are you tired of giving ties or clothing? Consider these ideas for celebrating this day that honors all of the father figures in our lives.

Go to a local sporting event: There are many times in the year that sporting venues offer discounted tickets. So check out the schedule for the sporting events in your area. Remember… our fathers are some of our best examples of athletes for Christ! They have put in the time, dedication, courage, and discipline to be honored members of our families.

Give him an icon: Whether it is an icon of Christ, the Theotokos, or the Saints, an icon is a special gift that reminds us about love, dedication, honor, and sacrifice. Yes, they might already have a few icons. But take the time to write a special prayer or message on the back of the icon. This way, they will always remember the special occasion on which they received their beautiful icon.

Organize a family gathering/cookout: With work, school, and hectic schedules, families are barely sitting down for a family meal together. Sometimes the best way to truly show fathers how much they mean to the family is to actually gather everyone together as a family!

Plan a family gathering, a cookout, or even a huge picnic. If you don’t want to do anything big, plan to cook a special meal for him. Surprise him with a special menu or let him choose his favorites.

The most important part of this gift is to be together as a family!

Let your father pick what he wants to do: Sometimes fathers are busy taking care of everyone else’s needs and wants.

But do fathers really get to do what they want to do? This year, ask him what he would like to do for Father’s Day. Maybe he wants to just hang out with you, or he wants to go and have dinner, or maybe he wants to play a good game of chess.

It’s his day! Let him pick!

Go to Church with your father: Attending Divine Liturgy with your father also means being with God, the heavenly Father. It is very important to share worship as a families. The Holy Sacraments unite you with your loved ones in a real, tangible way as a family in Christ. What better way to strengthen and deepen your connection to your father than to receive the Holy Eucharist together!

For Parents and Youth Workers • Want a listing of the youth summer camps in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese? Visit http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/youth/camping • Do you love to follow blogs? Looking for an Orthodox Christian blog about variety of topics? Check out “The Ladder” at http:// orthodoxyouthministry.blogspot.com/ • Are you on FACEBOOK? If you are a member of Facebook, you can visit us on our GOYA and Young Adult Ministries fan pages! These fan pages have information about GOYA and Young Adult Ministries events from throughout the Archdiocese.

Also, fans are connecting and talking about different issues regarding faith and life! Just search for GOYA – Greek Orthodox Youth of America or Greek Orthodox National Young Adult Ministries and become a fan today!

28

JUNE 2012

METROPOLIS NEWS

Parishioners of Holy Trinity Church with Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.

South Carolina Church Marks 75th Year

Christ is Risen!

COLUMBIA, S.C. –Holy Trinity Church observed its 75th anniversary May 5–6 with Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Alexios joining the celebration.

Also in attendance were Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, state Sen. Phil Leventis, former Gov. Jim Hodges, and parishioner and University of South Carolina President Dr. Harris Pastides, State Supreme Court Justice Costas Pleicones who served as master of ceremonies, parish council President John Zourzoukis, Philoptochos President Kiki Rothman and event co-chairpersons Mary Rickman, Nikoletta Stewart, Tracy Cardone, and Georgia Trifos.

The mayor gave Archbishop Demetrios the key to the city of Columbia and a City Council proclamation honoring Holy Trinity’s 75th anniversary to Metropolitan Alexios.

Orthros and Divine Liturgy were held Sunday morning; followed by a luncheon where Archbishop Demetrios awarded the Medal of St. Paul to the Evrytanian Society, represented by Evrytanian Society President John Peslis and members of the Evrytanian Society., and to Mrs. Angelo (Violette) Tsiantis of Columbia.

The parish was established in 1936 and a wood–frame house served as the first church, though the first Greeks arrived in South Carolina’s capital in the 1920s and set up businesses.

The community’s newest church, a 9,500–square–foot building with a seating capacity for 500 worshipers, was recently completed at a cost of $6 million.

The current parish priest, Fr. Michael Platanis, arrived in the community in June 2008.

The Resurrection Service & Divine Liturgy of Pascha

Witness the moving service of the Resurrection of Christ in what is known as the largest Greek Orthodox parish in America, St. Nicholas Shrine Church, Flushing, NY. Thousands gather inside and outside the church to hear Archbishop Demetrios of America read the Gospel and proclaim, “Christos Anesti - Christ is Risen!” The faithful raise their lighted candles, joyfully singing together.

Christ is risen from the dead; by death, He has trampled death, and to those in the tombs He has granted life. (Paschal Troparion).

This video presentation, “Christ is Risen! The Resurrection Service & Divine Liturgy of Pascha,” was broadcast LIVE around the world in 2011.

The narration was added and editing occurred in order for the program to air nationally on NBC during the Paschal season in 2012.

To purchase your DVD copy of this program ($20 per DVD + $6 S&H) please call 212-774-0244, or email gotel@goarch.org, or comple the order form below and mail it to: GOTelecom, 8E. 79th Street, New York, NY 10075.

Brookville Consecration Dimitris Panagos photo

Archbishop Demetrios followed by Fr. John Vlahos consecrates Holy Resurrection Church in Brookville, New York, in early May. Also shown are Fr. Milton Stamatas and several parishioners.

Archdiocesan Council

Yes, I want to order _____ DVD copies

Name: _________________________________________

Enclosed is my check for: $________________ or

Address: _______________________________________

I authorize GOTelecom to charge my: Exp. date: _____ Card No.: _____________________________________ Name on Card: ________________________________

City: _________________State:_____ Zip: _________ Phone: ________________________________________ Email: _________________________________________

Produced by

The program has been made possible with a grant by Christos Spyropoulos and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

u u from page 3 TV, involving Greek Orthodox Telecommunications (GOTelecom) in the development of a 24-hour television channel available with a Roku2 box that will air Archdiocese, metropolis, parish and other programming deemed appropriate.(Story on previous page.)

An online news network that will serve as a site for latest news and events about the Orthodox world also is being developed.

This will include a video news segment and photo gallery.

Religious Education Department of Religious Education Director Tony Vrame reported on efforts to increase the number of parishes using product materials from the DRE from the current average of 25 percent. Other department efforts include promoting the issue of full-time paid Religious Education directors in each metropolis, review of the Teacher’s Certification Program for distribution at the Clergy–Laity Congress and its introduction by the fall, and organizing an Ambassadors of Religious Education Program with the DRE Committee promoting religious education programs in the communities.

29

JUNE 2012

Fatherhood and Faith: A Divine Partnership

by Fr. Athanasios Haros

Summer comes along and the thought of spending time outdoors with our families and friends brings a warm feeling to our hearts. It’s no surprise that in June, then, the beginning of the “official summer season” we take time to honor our fathers since grilling and outdoor activities have come to symbolize men in general but fathers more specifically. For weeks leading up to Father’s Day, advertising seems to center around dad, mom and kids around the grill enjoying quality family time. My memories of spending time with my father enjoying the outdoors still bring a smile to my face.

But is that all there is to honoring fathers on Father’s Day? Sadly, for many families, it is.

We cannot speak about fathers without also speaking of our Heavenly Father, Who loves us so much that “He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then established His Church as “His Body” (Ephesians 1:23) to be the Ark of our salvation. We were baptized into His Body becoming one with the Lord who gave us “the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) Our real, albeit mystical, union with God is what leads us to understand, or at least appreciate, the connection between family, church and heaven. When one is united to our Heavenly Father, one cannot help but discuss every aspect of life from the perspective of union with Him, whether fathers and their families are grilling in the back yard or receiving the Eucharist in Church on Sunday.

Family Activity: Forgive Me Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

–Matthew 5:24–25 A good habit to develop is asking forgiveness from family members at the end of evening prayers or before going to bed, and especially before attending Divine Liturgy. Teach your children to respond to someone that asks for forgiveness by saying “May God forgive us both” as you exchange the kiss of peace. You can build on this practice by extending out from your family. A few days before the Liturgy ask your children if there is anyone who they need to forgive or seek forgiveness from.

In doing this on a regular basis, you are teaching your children how to reconcile their differences before they embed themselves in their hearts.

Forgiveness is still a fairly abstract concept for younger children one that should be taught with love, patience, and good example. Children should never be forced to forgive or seek forgiveness if they aren’t yet ready.

Let us, for a moment, examine the following words by St. Paul referring to the character of our spiritual fathers, the clergy: “A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence.” (1 Tim.3:2-5) When St. Paul outlined the requirements for a bishop (or priest), he was expressing this truth; that leading the Church was not a separate function of men, but a function of fathers and husbands leading their families to God. (Although today our bishops are ordained from within the celibate clergy, this was not always the case.)

How then is it that our fathers, physical and spiritual, lead us to God? Let us begin with the first statement of St. Paul, by replacing the word “bishop” with “father.”A father then must be blameless – St. John Chrysostom said, “Every virtue is implied in this word. [The father’s] life should be unspotted so that all should look up to him and make his life the model of their own.” Rather than asking whether or not our fathers are unspotted, since nobody is without sin, maybe we should ask, “Are they striving to be blameless?” The true role model for families is a life of repentance and confession when we don’t always live up to the standards God has for us. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17) In Christ our fathers are constantly becoming blameless.

A father then must be the husband of one wife – In an era of “no fault divorce” and “common-law marriage” this requirement may seem antiquated or out of touch.

It goes without saying that divorce has become too prevalent in our society and Church, but “From the beginning it was not so.” (Matt.19:8) Divorce, while being unavoidable at times, and then only for certain reasons, cannot and should not become the norm in our Churches. We must strive for marital chastity and a father must be dedicated to healing and building a marriage and family whenever possible.

In fact it reveals greater character to repair a marriage than to flee from it, which serves a greater model to our children and families.

A father then must be temperate, soberminded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach – How our fathers relate to others reveals the condition of their hearts. “Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.” (Matt.7:17) Our actions reveal our nature. In fact the fruit of our behavior indeed teaches our children and others. We are all able to teach. The real issue is what we are teaching in our actions.

If we desire our children to be temperate, sober-minded and of good behavior, fathers must model this in their own lives and their children will follow.

These are the character traits that fathers must possess. St. Paul then includes what fathers “must not” possess in their character. A father must not be given to

Family Quotes Brethren, let each one of you love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

– Ephesians 5:33; 6:1-4

wine, not violent, not greedy for money, not quarrelsome, not covetous – I have never met anyone who desires a drunk, violent, greedy, feisty, selfish father. And yet, I have met many people who are all or some of these. What happens between what we desire and what we receive? As St. Paul reminds us that, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) We each are engaged in a battle to subdue our passions. Some are more successful than others, but all fall short. If all continue to fall short, is there any hope for fathers and families? A father must rule his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence – What makes a father great isn’t whether or not he has always succeeded in keeping St. Paul’s commandments. What makes a father great is his willingness to lead his family (and therefore the Church) toward God with all reverence.

The only true model of a father is The Father, Who even though His children and His Bride (the Church) disobeyed Him and continue to disobey Him, has never faltered in His dedication to leading us toward Heaven. Since that first moment in the Garden, God has been working to restore us to Himself. Our Father in Heaven is blameless, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence…of course God is perfect…

If we, as fathers, strive to live these traits in our lives, then we shall be perfect, just as our Father in Heaven is perfect. (Matt.5:48) And that is something worth honoring this Fathers’ Day. Fr C. Haros is pastor of Transfiguration of Our Savior Greek Orthodox Church in Florence, S.C., where he also maintains a blog and podcast entitled, “Be Transfigured.” Fr Athanasios graduated from Holy Cross School of Theology in 2008 and is married to Presbytera Vassi (Makris) also a graduate of Holy Cross (1995).

To follow Christ means to imitate Him in all our works and acts. Just as Jesus lived and acted on earth, so we should also live and act. For example, Jesus lived in constant gratitude and praise to God His Father, so too in all circumstances in our lives we should thank God, love Him, and praise Him. Jesus loved everyone, and did every kind of good to all. So we too should love our neighbors and most especially our enemies, and do good to them in deed, word and thought.

Christ gave Himself up for the salvation of humankind. So too, in order to do good to people, we should not spare any labor or help for others. Our Lord willingly surrendered Himself to suffering and death, so we too ought to accept and bear the sufferings and sorrows of life with humility and surrender to God. Jesus forgave His enemies all that they did to Him, and even did them every good and prayed for their salvation. Jesus Christ, being meek and humble in heart, never sought or desired praise from others. So too we should never boast or pride ourselves on anything at all, or seek praise from others.

– St. Innocent of Alaska

30

JUNE 2012

OBSERVER’S CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL SERVICES

Handling all your legal affairs in Greece Managing your property, wills and estates, transfers, sales and purchases, and any other legal issues

The Law Offices of

Nikitiades & Associates 5 Lycabettus Street, Athens, Greece 10672 Tel: +30 210 364-2909 • Fax: +30 210 362-5331 E-mail: gnikit@ath.forthnet.gr

WORK OFFERS

YOUTH DIRECTOR OPPORTUNITY

ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL DENVER, COLORADO ASSUMPTION CATHEDRAL, DENVER METROPOLIS HAS AN EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY FOR A YOUNG, ENERGETIC, AND ENTHUSIATIC PERSON TO BE THEIR YOUTH DIRECTOR! RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE EXPANDING AND IMPROVING CURRENT YOUTH PROGRAMS. SUPERIOR COMPENSATION PACKAGE WITH FULL BENEFITS IN A WONDERFUL CITY WITH A BEAUTIFUL 4-SEASON CLIMATE. PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING AN OUTSTANDING PARISH TO LEAD OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS!

Please contact Dr. Gregory Papadeas at: my3kouklas@frii.com

NAPLES, FLORIDA Be an informed Buyer • Seller !!!

(888) 438-4133

REAL ESTATE

www.jimsellsnaplesflorida.com

LAND for SALE

For SALE in YORK, MAINE Ocean View lot 65’ X 135’ leveled, filled, ready to build.

Deadend Street, underground utilities, town water, sewer, new 32’ X 44’ foundation. Permit/ plans. Phone 207.363.0595

BUSINESS FOR SALE • FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY Family style RESTAURANT in suburban Buffalo, New York.

Strong sales, Greek & American cuisine. Owner retiring. For further information call (716) 908 0413 and leave a contact information.

MAIZONETA FOR SALE IN KISSAMOS CHANIA CRETE Fully furnished, unobstructed full view of Kastelli & the Bay, living room kitchen, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, LG Elec. appliances, washer, dryer, central heating, air conditioner in every room, alarm system solar panel, paved tiled yard, & much more. (Pictures Available) (G R: 01130•694•088•0688) (US : Lnovakis@verizon. net and 610•299•9777)

Your Ad Here

ADVERTISE

Archbishop Demetrios of AmericA the first DecADe 1999-2009

IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

observer@goarch.org

Tel: (212)570-3555

REAL ESTATE BROKERS

NAPLES FLORIDA REAL ESTATE Vicky Lewis Broker-Associate Experience the difference... the difference is experience

239.777.4904

T

his beautifully produced book presents a full spectrum of the activities in the life of the Greek Orthodox Church in America from the years 1999-2009, the first ten years of Archiepiscopal Ministry of Archbishop Demetrios of America. The 368-page hard cover book contains 537 photographs, all taken by the Official Photographer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Dimitrios Panagos, and masterfully compiled & edited by Revekka Papadopoulou.

Chapters include: Biography, Enthronement, Archpastoral Ministry, Education & Youth, Ecumenical Patriarchate, Official trips, Welcoming Visitors, At the Nation’s Capital, Omogeneia & Cultural Events, Sep. 11-2001, Ecumenical Relations & SCOBA, 40th Anniversary of Episcopacy, and Honors & Degrees.

“A must for every Greek Orthodox parish & home in America.”

To order your copy of this book ($75 per copy + $10 S&H) please call 212-774-0244, or email gotel@goarch.org, or complete this order form and mail it to: GOTelecom, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075.

All proceeds to benefit “Archbishop demetrios benevolent fund.”

Yes,_I_want_to_order_______copies Enclosed_is_my_check_for:_$_________________or_I_authorize_GOTelecom_to_charge_my: Exp._date:_______________________ Card_No.:____________________________________________________________________________ Name_on_Card:_______________________________________________________________________ Name:__________________________________________________________________________________ Address:_________________________________________________________________________________ City:___ ___________________________________State:_____________________ _ Zip:_ _________________ Phone:____________________________________ Email:_ ___________________________________________

RENT A CAR SERVICES

TRANSLATION SERVICES

Certified Translations: GREEK-ENGLISH-GREEK Book & Autobiography Writing in Both Languages Legal Translations • Fast service • Reasonable prices

Tel.: 646.460.0470 • Fax: 917.210.3487 • e-mail: leotaurina@yahoo.com PHOTO SERVICES-VARIOUS

Dimitrios

Photography & Video

Vicky@TheNaplesExperience.com www.TheNaplesExperience.com Μ ΙΛ Ω Ε Λ Λ Η Ν Ι Κ Α

To Purchase Photos from all events visit www.panagos.com

D O W N I N G - F RY E R E A LT Y, I N C .

CALL NOW ( 516) 931-2333

MOUNT ATHOS PILGRIMAGE September 2 6 to October 10 , 2012 For information please contact Theofilos Russos at (714) 535-0975 • www.mtathospilgrimage.com Exclusively for Men TRAVEL SERVICES

Advertisement Disclaimer

ORTHODOX OBSERVER does not endorse, support, sanction, or verify the information or material printed as advertisement unless otherwise specifically indicated. ORTHODOX OBSERVER has no affiliation with any of the organizations/companies/advertisers, listed in, described on or printed, and it makes no representations or warranties whatsoever with regard to those organizations or any other organization, entity or person. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER reserves the right to edit, categorize, revise, or refuse any display or classified advertisement. In addition, the ORTHODOX OBSERVER has the right to terminate any ad at any time for any reason. Parties posting ads are responsible for the accuracy and content of their ads. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER will not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or omissions. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER will not be held liable for any damages of any kind relating to any ad.

You can find us on Facebook

IF YOU ARE MOVING Mail this coupon to the Orthodox Observer 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 AND Ask your parish to forward your name and new address to the Observer in order for you to continue receiving the newspaper IF you move but your new home is located in the district of the same parish, then list your new address below: NAME ___________________________________________ ADDRESS ______________________________________ CITY___________________ STATE ______ ZIP________

PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR OLD LABEL

31

JUNE 2012

Direct Archdiocesan District Olympics (left) Scholarship winners: Eleni Toubanos, Peter Mountanos and Nicholas Mihaltses with (from left) Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, director of the Direct Archdiocesan Office of Youth Ministry; Bishop Andonios, Dimitrios Pamboukes, scholarship committee chairman, and Alex Constantinou, GOADO Committee chairman and one of the founders of the youth

Orthodox Observer Photos

Runners pour on the speed in the GOYA boys 50–meter run.

Girls from Assumption in Port Jefferson won gold after defeating the Blue Point girls in volleyball.

BRENTWOOD, N.Y. – The 34th annual Greek Orthodox Archdiocese District Olympics (GOADO) drew a record 1,300 JOY and GOYA participants from 27 parishes of the Direct Archdiocese District over Memorial Day weekend.

Opening ceremonies took place May 27 at Suffolk County Community College with Bishop Andonios of Phasiane representing the Archdiocese.

He attended in place of Archbishop Demetrios who officiated at the funeral of Metropolitan Constantine of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. The GOADO Committee awarded three $1,000 scholarships to the following student athletes: Peter Mountanos, St. Demetrios, Merrick; Eleni Toubanos, St. Paraskevi, Greenlawn and Nicholas Constantine Mihaltses, Holy Resurrection, Brookville.

While this page contains only a very small sample of the participating athletes and weekend events, to view more photos, visit the GOADO web site www.goado.com, or the Archdiocese web site at http://ny.goarch.org The following parishes were represented: Albany-St. Sophia; Astoria-St. Demetrios; Blue Point-St. Johns; Bronx-Zoodohos Peghe; Brooklyn-Holy Cross; Brooklyn-Kimisis; Brooklyn-NAK; Brookville-Resurrection; CoronaTransfiguration; Flushing-St. Nicholas; Greenlawn-St. Paraskevi; HempsteadSt. Paul’s; Hicksville-Holy Trinity; Jamaica-St. Demetrios; Merrick-St. Demetrios; New Rochelle-Holy Trinity; Port Jefferson-Kimisis; Port WashingtonArchangel Michael; Rye-Church of Our Saviour; Southampton-Kimisis Tis Theotokou; Stamford-Annunciation; Stamford-Church of the Archangels; Staten Island-Holy Trinity; Wantagh-St. Markella; West Babylon-St. Nicholas; West Nyack-Sts. Constantine and Helen; and Whitestone-Holy Cross.

(above left) Final two–Alexa Papavasilakis of Zoodochos Peghe in the Bronx and Adam Chrysostomou of Sts. Constantine and Helen in Brooklyn match wits in the backgammon final. Adam won the gold.

(above) Eleni Efstathiadis of Archangel Michael in Port Washington won the gold in the high jump for the second consecutive year. The 5-foot 11-inch tall high school senior cleared the bar at 4-feet, 6-inches.

Eleni Markopoulos of St. Markella in Wantagh won the gold in girls tennis on her first try.

A batter from St. Nicholas Church in Flushing keeps her eye on the ball. (above) Heave-ho – an athlete from St. John’s in Blue Point, N.Y. in the shot put event.

(left) Blue Point’s boys volleyball team won first place.

Their opponents from St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, last year’s gold medalists, placed second.

Gold medalists: St. Demetrios of Astoria Cathedral softball team.

32

JUNE 2012

The Metropolis of Detroit at a Glance

Editor’s note: The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, consists of more than 500 parishes in the United States and the Bahamas, apportioned within eight metropolises and the Direct Archdiocesan District.

General Information Number of communities: 50

(Source: Archdiocese Yearbook, Metropolis website and Metropolis officials) The Metropolis of Detroit, led by Metropolitan Nicholas, stretches over a southeast-northeasterly direction for a distance of about 1,360 miles from the Arkansas-Texas-Oklahoma border to the New York-Ontario, Canada, border. It is not contiguous and includes all or part of seven states. When visiting the Western and Upstate New York parishes, Metropolitan Nicholas will many times drive across Ontario. In December 2003, the Metropolis Center relocated to Troy (indicated by the blue star) north of Detroit, and includes St. Spyridon Chapel.

Geographic entities: Western New York, all of Michigan, western Ohio, Indiana, except for the western portion near Chicago and the Illinois border, all of Kentucky, about three–fourths of Tennessee and all of Arkansas.

Approximate area: about 262,600 square miles.

Largest parish: Holy Trinity – St. Nicholas, Cincinnati.

Mission Parishes: St. John Chrysostom Mission, Nashville, Tenn.

Monastic Communities: Holy Trinity Monastery, Smith’s Creek, Mich.

Chancellor: Fr. William Bartz

Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit

Major Ministries Youth (includes Metropolis of Detroit Summer Camp, Rose City, Mich.; St. Nicholas Summer Camp, Pleasantville, Tenn.; and St. Timothy’s Summer Camp, Croghan, N.Y.) Philoptochos, Religious Education, Hellenic Heritage and Church Music Federation.

Contact Information Address: 2560 Crooks Road, Troy, MI 48084 Tel.: (248) 823-2400 e-mail: office@detroit.goarch.org • web: www.detroit.goarch.org

List of Communities Source: Archdiocese yearbook and Metropolis of Detroit Note: Numbers indicate the cities and towns with Greek Orthodox communities. The following cities have either more than one parish or an additional chapel: Detroit; Rochester. Nashville.

New York 1. Watertown (St. Vasilios), 2.Syracuse (St. Sophia), 3. Gloversville (Sts. Theodori), 4. Binghamton (Holy Trinity), 5. Vestal (Annunciation), 6.

Ithaca (St. Catherine), 7. Elmira (St. Athanasios), 8. Rochester (Annunciation, Holy Spirit), 9. Buffalo (Annunciation), 10. Jamestown (St. Nicholas).

Michigan 11. Marquette (Assumption), 12. Sault Ste. Marie (St. George), 13.Traverse City (Archangel Gabriel), 14. Plymouth Township (Nativity of the Virgin Mary), 15. Saginaw (St. Demetrios), 16.

Lexington (St. Panteleimon Chapel), 17. Grand Blanc (Assumption), 18. St. Clair Shores (Assumption), 19. Sterling Heights (St. John), 20. Detroit (St. Spyridon Chapel, Annunciation Cathedral), 21. Bloomfield Hills (St. George), 22.Farmington Hills (Holy Cross), 23. Southgate (St. George), 24.

Westland (Sts. Constantine and Helen), 25. Ann Arbor (St. Nicholas), 26. Lansing (Holy Trinity), 27.

Battle Creek (Sts. Constantine and Helen Chapel), 28. Kalamazoo (Annunciation), 29. New Buffalo (Annunciation-Agia Paraskevi), 30. Grand Rapids (Holy Trinity), 31. Muskegon (Annunciation).

Ohio 32. Toledo (Holy Trinity Cathedral), 33. Springfield (Assumption), 34. Dayton (Annunciation), 35. Middletown (Sts. Constantine and Helen), 36. Cincinnati (Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas).

Indiana 37. Fort Wayne (Holy Trinity), 38. Carmel (Holy Trinity), 39. Indianapolis (Holy Apostles).

Kentucky 40. Louisville (Assumption), 41. Lexington (Panagia Pantovasilissa).

Tennessee 42. Chattanooga (Annunciation), 43. Nashville (Holy Trinity, St. John Chrysostom Mission), 44. Memphis (Annunciation).

Arkansas 45. Little Rock (Annunciation), 46. Hot Springs (Zoodochos Peghe).