Orthodox Observer - October 2012

OCTOBER 2012 • Vol. 77 • No. 1279

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

NY Gov. Lauds Perseverance on St. Nicholas

by Jim Golding

Dimitris Panagos photo

Archdiocesan Council and Philoptochos National Board members applaud Gov. Andrew Cuomo who informed them about the latest progress on the effort to rebuild St. Nicholas Church.

Archdiocesan Council Begins New Session with Good News NEW YORK – The Archdiocesan Council held the first meeting of its 201214 session on Oct. 19 with some good news, new procedures and new members.

Council members and National Philoptochos board members, who also held their first meeting of the new session, received positive news regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church at the World Trade Center when they were addressed by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a joint gathering (related story on page 1), and from Archbishop Demetrios and

council Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis.

The Archbishop told council and Philoptochos board members prior to the governor’s arrival about the signing of documents on Oct. 18 that opens the way for construction on the site by the Port Authority that “deals with the specific rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church in an effective and speedy way. The governor has been involved with expediting the process, which was not easy.”

Prior to its full day of business meetings, council members met in committees

on Thursday, Oct. 18. A restructuring of some committees resulted in combining the Communications and Technology committees into one group, and the Religious Education and Greek Education committees into a larger Education Ministries Committee. Added as a new committee is Clergy Outreach and Development, which relates to issues affecting the priests and their ministries. Among these issues are clergy training, leadership training,

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National Philoptochos Signs Contract for Permanent Home

by Christine Karavites

NEW YORK – The National Philoptochos has taken another step toward its goal of acquiring a permanent home for its headquarters with the signing on Sept.

13 of the contract to purchase a building in Manhattan to be known as the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

Present at the signing were spiritual advisor Bishop Sevastianos of Zela; national officers: President Aphrodite Skeadas, Treasurer Joanne Kakoyiannis, Legal Advisor Anita Kartalopoulos, Office Director Helen Lavorata, and attorney Mona L. Lao. (See related photo on page 7).

The property closing is expected to occur in November. Archbishop Demetrios shared his vision and gave his blessing in 2009 for Philoptochos to purchase a permanent residence in New York.

The entire Society, with the support of its 485 chapters and 27,500 members, has worked tirelessly since then to raise the funds through its “Open the Doors” campaign for the Philoptochos permanent home to ensure the continuation of its mission.

National Philoptochos launched its campaign with YouTube videos, online giving, and print materials and with the support of the Metropolises, the chapters, stewards and friends of Philoptochos and raised about $2 million.

The Philoptochos Chapter Giving Tree Campaign was unveiled at the 2012 National Philoptochos Convention in Phoenix, with an overwhelming response of more than $200,000 pledged in support of the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

National President Aphrodite Skeadas,

reflecting on the importance of this final fund-raising campaign to purchase the Center, stated: “We are honored to announce an immense demonstration of generosity to our beloved Philoptochos assisting us to “Open the Doors.” The Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will match every $1,000 Leaf with another $1,000 up to a total of $500,000. The Chapter Leaves and the Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will generate the $1 million needed to complete our purchase.”

The Chapter Giving Tree will greet all who enter the new Philoptochos home and will include a Leaf for each Philoptochos chapter nationwide that will be permanently displayed at the Center.

Philoptochos was established in 1931 and celebrated its 80th anniversary of service and philanthropy in 2011. Learn more at www.philoptochos.org.

NEW YORK – A year after the signing of documents that set into motion the eventual rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church that perished in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Oct. 19 addressed a joint gathering of the Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos board at their fall meetings to announce further progress and to eloquently praise the tenacious efforts of the Greek Orthodox community to rebuild the church.

On Oct. 14, 2011, after a decade of negotiations and some setbacks, officials of the Archdiocese including Archbishop Demetrios; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and Gov. Cuomo signed agreements and permits that cleared the way for the rebuilding of the church.

At the Oct. 19 joint luncheon, Gov. Cuomo stated he was “pleased to announce that we have a conceptual agreement and have made tremendous progress,” he said. Final documents were signed on Oct. 18 that give the Port Authority the go-ahead to “begin construction immediately on the site” for its underground security facility over which the church will be built.

He continued, “We look forward to being with you next year at this time when the Port Authority completes the site and turns the property over to the Church.

“I applaud you for what you did on the church of St. Nicholas,” the governor continued. “The fight you made is remarkable. You were told ‘no’ time after time, but you fought governors, heads of the Port Authority - You wouldn’t take ‘no’ for an answer; you didn’t give up. ‘It’s a beautiful story of the Greek community.’”

He also said that it was the “fundamental belief of the Greek community” that encouraged its perseverance; the belief “which is about community and faith and philanthropy. And you were not going to stop until you heard St. Nicholas was going to be rebuilt and you were profoundly right.”

Gov. Cuomo said the attack on the site was “an attack on America and everything America represents; it was an attack on capitalism, on democracy, and freedom of religion.

“St. Nicholas must be rebuilt as a concept of freedom of religion, that’s how important it is to this nation, that’s what St. Nicholas Church represents -- a national shrine that stands for Greek community and the state of New York and I’m glad I played a small part,” he concluded.

In his preliminary remarks before

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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 Marriage & Family 845.424.8175 familycare@goarch.org Parish Development 847.825.1432 jminetos@goarch.org Philanthropy 212.774.0283 bishopandonios@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

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Deadline for submitting information, articles and photos for consideration in the November 2012 issue: Friday, October 26.

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.

National Leadership 100 Sunday Celebrated

by George Schira

The fourth observance of National Leadership 100 Sunday took place Oct. 21 in Greek Orthodox parishes across the nation. Leadership 100 board member Ted Zampetis of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., served as national chairman of the observance, which had the theme “The Leadership 100 Legacy of Giving.”

“Ted did an outstanding job in organizing National Leadership 100 Sunday.

Leadership 100 is grateful for his organizational leadership,” said Charles H. Cotros, Leadership 100 chairman.

Archbishop Demetrios issued an encyclical on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod designating Oct. 21 as the fourth observance of National Leadership 100 Sunday.

It was the Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Iakovos, chosen as a tribute to Archbishop Iakovos, the visionary founder and namesake of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.

Parish priests in their respective jurisdictions read the encyclical and many parishes conducted a program, led by members of Leadership 100, after the Divine Liturgy.

Mr. Zampetis is president and chief

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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

executive officer of Shiloh Industries Inc. a leading full–service automotive supplier to the U.S., European and Asian automakers in North America. He has been a key player in the global automotive industry for some 40 years, focusing on sustainable improvement of operational strategies, team building and leadership development, process optimization and effective execution.

Membership in Leadership 100 today is inextricably tied with these critical National Ministries to which more than $33 million in grants have been distributed over 28 years, ranging from scholarship funds for Holy Cross School of Theology to prepare future Priests; Youth, Camping and Young Adult Ministries to support the spiritual growth of our youth; Interfaith Marriage and Family Ministries to support the faithful; Information Technologies, Internet Ministries and GOTelecom to communicate

Eight Choir Directors Receive Service Awards During National Church Music Sunday Parishes throughout the Archdiocese celebrated National Church Music Sunday on Oct. 7.

The day is designated as the annual commemoration of all church musicians on the first Sunday in October, following the Feast of St. Romanos the Melodist, the patron saint of church musicians.

It is also the day when church musicians who have served for more than 25 years as choir directors in a Greek Orthodox church receive personal recognition from Archbishop Demetrios.

This year, eight church musicians were honored in their home parishes with a Years

of Service medal.

Choir directors who received the 2012 Years of Service awards were: James Talas, Transfiguration of Christ, Mattituck, N.Y., 40 years; Maria Wilson, Annunciation, Nassau, Bahamas, 31 years; Dolly Gokas, St. Vasilios, Newport, N.H., 25 years; Nick Tarlson, Annunciation Cathedral, San Francisco, 25 years; Mary Kays, St. Sophia Cathedral, Miami, 25 years; Maritsa Madias–Kalasz, Sts. Constantine & Helen, Westland, Mich., 25 years; Constantine Gadjis, St. Catherine-St. George, Astoria, N.Y., 25 years; and Nina Rokas, St. Sophia, San Antonio, 25 years.

How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations Direct Archdiocesan District 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org Metropolis of Chicago 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org Metropolis of Boston 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org Metropolis of Denver 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org Metropolis of Atlanta 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org Metropolis of Detroit 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org Metropolis of Pittsburgh 412.621.5529; www.pitssburgh.goarch.org Metropolis of San Francisco 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org Metropolis of New Jersey 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org Archdiocesan Institutions Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis

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

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Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu Saint Basil Academy 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org St. Photios National Shrine 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com Other key organizations and services National Philoptochos 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxmaketplace.com • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/ freebookstore • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: cbr.goarch.org

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the faith; Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism (including Home Mission) to spread the word; Religious and Greek Education to educate the faithful; Parish Development to support parishes of all sizes and in every Metropolis; and Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations to express unity of purpose.

Annual Conference to Honor Film Director Payne The Leadership 100 organization also announced that its 22nd annual conference Feb. 7–10, speakers will include awardwinning film director, screenwriter and producer Alexander Payne.

The conference will take place at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Miguel, in Dana Point, Calif. A native of Omaha, Neb., Mr. Payne earned his MFA in Film at UCLA. He made his feature film debut with Citizen Ruth (1996) and followed up with Election (1999), which won Best Screenplay from the Writers’ Guild of America and the New York Film Critics Circle, as well as an Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay. About Schmidt (2002), premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival and opened the New York Film Festival. Both Sideways (2004) and his latest film, The Descendants (2011), won Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and were nominated for four others, including Best Picture and Best Director.

The 22nd annual Leadership 100 Conference will also feature an opening address on Feb. 7 by Michael S. Johnson of Denver, a member of Leadership 100 and an awardwinning petroleum geologist recognized for his contribution to the discovery of Parshall Field in North Dakota, one of the world’s major oil discoveries, and Mary J. Mitchell of Omaha, also a Leadership 100 member and author of “Drawn to Fashion,” who will speak at the Saturday program, Feb. 9, on her 30-year career as a fashion illustrator for top designers and major department stores.

Correction In the September issue’s Metropolis of Denver page, the location of Holy Trinity parish should have read Dallas, not Denver.

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.

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Statement of the Holy Eparchial Synod The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in its fall 2012 session expresses once again its deep concern over extremist language used in all spheres of public and private life. We exhort all the people with the admonition of the Holy Apostle Paul: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6). We deplore the use of any racist, xenophobic, fascistic, hateful speech, imagery and behavior.

Noting that the one of the great gifts of living in a democracy is the right to free speech, we nevertheless commend responsibility, civility, and indeed love in choosing our words and modes of expression.

The people of Greece said “NO” to fascism in World War II and consequently suffered tremendously under the Nazi occupation. We call upon all people to say “NO” to the hatefulness of all forms of totalitarianism and embrace the true philanthropy and philoxenia (love of the stranger) that is the message of the Gospel.

As a leader in Interfaith and Inter-Cultural Dialogue, the Greek Orthodox Church, by the grace of God, prays and works for peace, respect, and reconciliation among all people.

Ionian Village Announces Summer Program Dates

by Fr. Evagoras Constantinides

NEW YORK – The Office of Ionian Village announces the dates for its 2013 Summer Programs. Ionian Village is the camping ministry of the Archdiocese with campgrounds located in Peloponnese, Greece across from the island of Zakynthos. After 43 years, Ionian Village continues to offer the Orthodox Christian youth of America an unparalleled spiritual and cultural camping experience.

Ionian Village Summer 2013 Camping Programs The picturesque Ionian Village campgrounds sit along the shores of the pristine Ionian Sea and are equipped with a private beach, an Olympic-sized pool, air-conditioned cabins, and various athleticcourts

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Cuomo on St. Nicholas u u from page 1 introducing the governor, Archbishop Demetrios said the rebuilt church will be “an international place for people who come. It will be more than just a parish.”

He said that, when the church is completed, “then the former World Trade Center will be something magnificent, a place of prayer, comfort and reconciliation; a place for relatives of the victims to come and light a candle.”

His Eminence told the governor that “You have been instrumental in the effort to rebuild the church. You are forever connected with St. Nicholas.”

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HOLY SYNOD COMMUNIQUE New York, October 23, 2012 The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened in its regular meeting on Oct. 17 and 18, at the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York. The meeting was attended by the members of the Synod members attended with Archbishop Demetrios presiding.

On Oct. 16, the day before the official convening of the Synod, members reviewed and completed their work on the original Greek text of the Vespers and Orthros services along with liturgical rubrics, which will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for final approval.

During its meeting, the Holy Synod discussed a number of subjects, including: • Special aspects of the pastoral and administrative work of the Church relating to clergy and laity. The Synod approved a program for the pastoral care of patients (Chaplaincy Program) through which, besides the clergy, individuals who have theological education and have been trained in pastoral care can offer their services in various institutions i.e. hospitals, prisons, etc.

• Special cases for clergy related to disciplinary nature, as well as the need for clergy care for the clergy and their families.

• Religious and Greek education: The Synod discussed extensively the training of candidates to the priesthood and the Special Educational Program for Deacons. Also, the need for greater participation of the youth of our parishes

in the yearly and very successful St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival program.

The new text books were presented for teaching the Greek language in the Day and Afternoon Schools of the Archdiocese for the second level. The books are distributed free of charge by Faith Endowment of the Holy Archdiocese. The drafting of the text books for the third level has already begun.

• Administrative Issues: Administrative issues were discussed regarding parishes and monasteries of the Holy Archdiocese. The very joyful event of the signing of related documents for the rebuilding of the Church of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero was announced. The church, besides being a parish, will become a national shrine and a greater witness to the Orthodox Faith.

• Matters on Social Issues: The Synod discussed issues related to racism and fascism and issued a press release (printed on this page). Also the Synod discussed the contemporary subject of the physician–assisted suicide and will soon release a communiqué on this issue.

After the completion of the meetings of the Holy Eparchial Synod, its members participated in meetings of the Executive Council and Committees and the Archdiocesan Council (Oct. 18–19), and the yearly assembly and celebrations of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Oct. 20-21.

From the Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod

Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education Staff Development Seminar Slated Nov. 6 The annual Staff-Development Seminar of the Direct Archdiocesan District will be held Tuesday, Nov. 6, (Election Day), at St. Demetrios High School in Astoria, N.Y., from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Theme of this year’s seminar will be the New York State Common Core Standards.

In collaboration with Catapult Learning, LLC, teachers and principals serving in the New York City parochial day schools will gain an awareness and understanding of the Common Core State Standards and learn useful approaches for immediate classroom application. The Greek teachers will also have the opportunity to focus on the New

York State Standards in foreign language teaching as they are applied in the Modern Greek Language Curriculum (Checkpoint A), the new publication of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education that supplements the Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek. They will also learn to do “Curriculum Mapping”, a technique of lesson planning targeting specific goals to be attained within a specific time frame.

In addition, the Greek teachers will learn everything they need to know about the Archdiocese’s series of textbooks “TA

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CLERGY UPDATE Ordinations to the Priesthood Dn. Dimitrios Tobias – Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos – St. Nektarios Church, Palatine, Ill. 09/02/12 Assignments Fr. Jason Dickey – Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Cheyenne, Wyo. 09/15/12 Fr. James Paris – Holy Trinity Church, Clearwater, Fla. 09/03/12 Fr. Peter Andronache – St. John the Baptist, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 10/15/12 Appointments Fr. Michael Stearns – consultant, St. Iakovos Camp & Retreat Center, Town of Brighton, Wis. 09/17/12 V. Rev. Fr. Constantine Mersinas – chancellor of the Metropolis of New Jersey 07/15/12

Archdeacon Ryan Gzikowski – director, Office of the Metropolitan and registrar, Metropolis of Pittsburgh 07/16/12 Offikia Fr. Panagiotis Sotiras – Office of Confessor, bestowed by Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco 09/11/12 Fr. James Paris – Office of Protopresbyter, bestowed by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta 09/16/12 Fr. Anastasios Kousoulas – Office of Economos, bestowed by Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey 09/18/12 Retired Priests Fr. John Sardis 10/05/12 Suspension V. Rev. Nicholas Hughes 09/20/12

ENCYCLICAL The Holy Unmercenaries Sts. Cosmas and Damian To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian, commemorates the Apostolic ministry of these two champions of faith and love and calls each of us to follow the exhortation of Christ in our service to others. When our Lord sent out His disciples early in His ministry, He said to them, “As you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give (Matthew 10:7-8).

The disciples had received the grace of God. They had been given the power and ability to do miraculous deeds. With these divine blessings, our Lord directed them to go and give freely to anyone in need.

This foundation of true ministry in the name of Christ has been the mission of the Church and her faithful down through the centuries. In following the command of our Lord, Saints Cosmas and Damian cast out demons and healed the sick by the power given to them through the Holy Spirit.

They gave freely, regardless of the wealth or standing of the person in need. Their care extended to all of God’s Creation, even to animals, and through their offering souls and bodies were healed, and many found comfort through faith.

The witness of the Apostles and of these Saints guides our response to the Lord’s command, Freely you have received, freely give. As our Creator, He has freely given to us life and great potential. As our Redeemer, He freely offered Himself so that we might be victorious over sin and death.

As our Lord, He freely gives to us the power to offer a witness of His grace and to see the blessed fruit of faith produced in the lives of others. As Christ freely gives to us, we freely offer to others without hesitation, without conditions, but with a deep and genuine love for their life and well-being in relationship with God. This offering of service and the focus on bringing healing and comfort to others is the mission of the philanthropic ministries of our Ecumenical Patriarchate. In a very challenging environment the Ecumenical Patriarchate, our Mother Church, cares for the needs of the elderly, the sick, the poor and orphans through the Baloukli Hospital and elder center and through other ministries and programs. This vital work is supported by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society through a special appeal, and on Sunday, November 4 our local Philoptochos chapters will lead our parishes in collecting an offering for the philanthropic ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. This is a blessed opportunity to offer freely of the material blessings we have received from God, so that others may receive the spiritual

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OCTOBER 2012

Metropolis News

Chicago Art Institute to Display Byzantine Orthodox Exhibit

Fordham University Orthodox Lecture Series Event Slated Nov. 14

CHICAGO – The National Hellenic Museum will present a lecture on “Orthodoxy and the Triumph of Byzantium: Visual Theology and the Eloquence of Spirituality,” Nov. 13, by Professor Dimitri Kiakos of Northern Illinois University (NIU) in conjunction with the unveiling of a special exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago’s Jaharis Galleries on Late Roman and Early Byzantine Treasures.

The exhibition will be on loan from the British Museum from Nov. 11 to Aug. 25, 2013.

In his lecture, Professor Liakos of the university School of Art, will examine and interpret Byzantine achievements in the visual arts and will explore several questions regarding Byzantine art.

The exhibit features more than 50 incomparable works of late Roman and early Byzantine art and is comprised of luxurious yet portable items such as silver vessels, carved ivories, and gem-encrusted jewelry, these artworks reflect the splendor of wealthy households and important ecclesiastical sites between 350 and 650 A.D. Professor Liakos served as chairman of the NIU Department of Art History for 25 years. He is a charter member of the Classical Art Society of the Art Institute of Chicago and served twice as its president.

The National Hellenic Museum is located at 333 S. Halsted St. The event is free with Museum admission.

BRONX, N.Y. – Fordham University, as part of its Orthodoxy in America Lecture Series, will present the Very Rev. John McGuckin, the Ane Marie and Bent Emil Nielsen Professor in Late Antique and Byzantine Christian History at Union Theological Seminary, and professor of Byzantine Christian Studies at Columbia University in New York, who will speak on “The Way of a Pilgrim: How the Orthodox Philokalic Tradition Came to Modern America-and What America Made of It,” on Nov.14 at Fordham.

Archbishop Demetrios will attend and deliver the benediction.

The presentation is part of the Orthodoxy in America Lecture Series at Fordham.

The lecture, free to the public, begins at 6 p.m. at Tognino Hall-Duane Library on Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus.

California Church Awards 7 Scholarships REDONDO BEACH, Calif. -- The St. Katherine Foundation awarded seven merit scholarships on Youth Sunday following Divine Liturgy on Sept. 9. Fr. Michael Courey presented the scholarships to these outstanding students.

The Foundation was started to establish an endowment in support of the church’s long-term goals and missions that are beyond the normal scope of the St. Katherine community.

A top priority is supporting the youth ministry. These scholarships were funded by six privately endowed scholarships and also from the general endowment of the Foundation.

This year’s outstanding young men and women of the St. Katherine parish were: Elina Demis (Cal. State Long Beach); Alexander Farrow (Harvard), Evangelis Makrygiannis (Villanova Univ.), Christine Scolinos (Univ. of Arizona), Christopher Vezzuto (Univ. of So. Calif.), Michael Vezzuto (Cal. State Long Beach), Joseph Wolfe (Univ. of Alabama).

The six privately endowed scholarships are: Chris W. and Joan Caras; the Constantine Farmans; the George and Sue Giannioses family; the Dr. Demetreos and Cynthia Halikis family; Dr. Michael and Rosalind Halikis Family and the Angelo and Billie Revels family.

Angelo Revels is Foundation president and Rosalind Halikis is scholarship chairman.

Chicago PanHellenic Group Awards 40 Scholarships under Niarchos Grant

Metropolis of Denver Center with view of the Rockies in the background.

Metropolis of Denver to Honor Metropolitan Isaiah, Commemorate Center’s 1st Decade DENVER – A celebration of three milestone events will take place Nov. 9–11 weekend at the Metropolis of Denver.

The Metropolis Council Philoptochos and Anniversary Committee will honor Metropolitan Isaiah on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of his ordination and 20 years of leadership in the Metropolis, and will also mark the 10th anniversary of the Metropolis Center. Festivities will include: the 10 th anniversary gala of the $4.5 million Center on Nov. 9 at the Westin hotel in Denver with FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Michael Emanuel as master of ceremonies.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, a reception and unveiling of eight murals

by Pietro Angel Palldini will take place at the Metropolis Center, followed by a concert by pianist George Skaroulis at the Mizel Arts and Culture Center. Great vespers will be held at 5 p.m. at Assumption Cathedral. Events will conclude Sunday, Nov. 11 with a

Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at the cathedral.

Metropolitan Isaiah was ordained as a deacon in Feb. 1962 at St. Spyridon Church in San Diego and to the priesthood at St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles in March 1962. He was elected Bishop of the Denver Diocese on June 23, 1992.

He was elected as a bishop in April 1986 and consecrated on May 25.

From 1986 until his election he served as the chancellor of the Archdiocese.

The 17,000–square–foot Metropolis center, designed by architect Christ Kamages, consists of two floors. The 10,000–square– foot main level contains a large hall, chapel, meeting rooms, library and offices. The lower level has the hierarchical quarters and other meeting rooms and offices.

The center combines the Byzantine style of churches in northern Greece and Mount Athos, blending in with the Rocky Mountains setting.

The center was dedicated on Nov. 1, 2002.

CHICAGO - The PanHellenic Scholarship Foundation recently awarded scholarships to 40 young people from around the nation through its Hellenic Birthright cultural enrichment and education program.

The foundation received a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, premier founding sponsor. The Niarchos Foundation is the largest of a growing list of donors who have made contributions supporting Hellenic Birthright. “We are very grateful to the Niarchos Foundation for their generosity in helping to underwrite Hellenic Birthright,” stated Chris P. Tomaras, the organization’s founder and chairman.

Students receiving scholarships were: Antonio Anagnostopoulos, Melpomeni Arianas, Anna Baboulas, Zacharias Bouras, Teresa Bozikis, Theresa Chresand, Eleni. Christou, Agnes Dardas, Nicholas Demas, Neil Vranis, Stergios Gatzoflias, Vasiliki Giannakakos, Alexander Gruebele, Yvonne Hajaj, Demitrios Haldes, Cleopatra Haviaras, Andrew Kalina, Mary Kamos, Evangelos Kustubardis, Nicholas Lambert, Melissa Likiardopoulos, Alexandra Mullenax, Vassiliki Papagermanos, Enji Papazisi, Efthimia Peiralis, Elia Pepps, Demetra Perry, Anna Petrides, Petros Petrides, Katerina Rallis, Jenny Sampras, John Secaras, Theodora Skeadas, Andrew Sotiriou, George Sotos, Lydia Souroufis, Evan Tassis, and George Touloumes.

Education Seminar   from page 3 ELLINIKA MOY” published by the National Office of Greek Education for the teaching of the Greek language. And they will observe lesson presentations of selected thematic units that will acquaint them with the usage of the particular textbooks.

Maria Makedon, director of the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education, said that all teachers and principals will be attending the seminar. “The District’s afternoon school principals are urged to do the same and facilitate their teachers to attend as well,” she said. More information, call the Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education at (212) 570-3552, or 570-3553.

OCTOBER 2012

Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

5

Archons Present Athenagoras Award to Stavros Niarchos Foundation

(Above) Award presentation – Andreas Dracopoulos receives the Athenagoras Human Rights Award from Archbishop Demetrios, Congressman Gus Bilirakis of Florida, who served as master of ceremonies, and Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis.

(Below) Andreas Dracopoulos expresses his appreciation upon receiving the Athenagoras Award at the Archons banquet in New York.

The following is the list of new Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for 2012, listed along with their parish, metropolis and offikion.

Aristides P. Assimacopoulos, M.D., Holy Trinity, Sioux Falls, S.D. (Denver), aktouarios; Jon J. Couchell, St. Nicholas, Spartanburg, S.C. (Atlanta), diakaiophilax; George N. Donkar, St. Paul, Savannah, Ga. (Atlanta), orphanotrofos; George Frangiadakis, St. Nectarios, Roslindale (Boston), depoutatos; George G. Horiates, St. Thomas, Cherry Hill, N.J. (New Jersey), notarios); Stephen S. Kalivas, St. Vasilios, Peabody, Mass. (Boston), ostiarios; Tom Karas, Holy Trinity, San Francisco (San Francisco), hartoularios; Theodore Xenophon Koinis, Annunciation Cathedral, Houston (Denver), ekdikos; Michael Kusturis Jr., All Saints, Canonsburg, Pa. (Pittsburgh), hypomnematografos; Theodore A. Laliotis, St. Nicholas, San Jose, Calif. (San Francisco), hartophylax; Eleftherios Maggos, Holy Trinity, Fort Wayne, Ind. (Detroit), maestro; Anthony Palmieri, St. Luke, Broomall, Pa. (New Jersey), depoutatos; James Pantelidis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Direct Archdiocesan District), notarios; John M. Psaltos, Annunciation, Stamford, Conn. (Direct Archdiocesan District), hartophylax; Michael G. Rallis, M.D., St. Nicholas, Wilmington, N.C. (Atlanta), referendarios; Peter Vlitas, Sts. Constantine and Helen, Brooklyn, N.Y. (Direct Archdiocesan District), hartoularios; and Philip G. Yamalis, Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Aliquippa, Pa. (Pittsburgh), proto ekdiko

Dimitris Panagos photos

List of New Archons

NEW YORK - Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate-Order of St. Andrew the Apostle honored the Stavros Niarchos Foundation with their 2012 Athenagoras Human Rights Award at their annual banquet on Oct. 20.

The Order also inducted 18 new Archons during their weekend activities that culminated with formal ceremonies at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral after the hierarchical Divine Liturgy on Oct. 21.

Founded in 1996, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation is one of the world’s leading international philanthropic organizations, making grants in the areas of arts and culture, education, health and medicine and social welfare. The Foundation supports organizations and projects that exhibit strong leadership and sound management and are expected to achieve a broad, lasting and positive social impact. It actively supports projects that facilitate the formation of public-private partnerships as effective means for serving public welfare.

Accepting the award on behalf of the foundation was Andreas Dracopoulos, a native of Athens, Greece. He is a graduate of the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics.

He serves as the director and co-president of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, which was established by his great-uncle the late Stavros Niarchos.

Mr. Dracopoulos is also a trustee of The Rockefeller University in New York, and is a board member of the Dalton School, of the Peterson Institute for International Economics and of the International Council of the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.

At the banquet program, a video was shown on the accomplishments of the Niarchos Foundation, followed by comments by Archbishop Demetrios and Dr. Anthony Limberakis, national commander of the Archons.

The Archbishop praised the organization for its support of Hellenic and Orthodox theological studies programs at many universities, including Notre Dame. He also noted that the Niarchos Foundation does not engage in outside fund-raising to support its various philanthropic efforts.

Dr. Limberakis expressed his appreciation for the organization’s work, especially its giving of $130 million to aid the people of Greece.

Dr. Limberakis also expounded on the various Archon initiatives, including progress on the Religious Freedom Resolution.

New Archons with Archbishop Demetrios and National Board members of the Order of St. Andrew.

6

OCTOBER 2012

Ecumenical Patriarchate

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Roman Papademetriou presents a check for $3,000 to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Baloukli Hospital foundation.

NJ Goyan Learns Much at Baloukli This past summer, 16-year-old Roman (Romanos) Papademetriou spent several weeks as a volunteer at the Baloukli Hospital in Istanbul, along with experiencing life at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople.

Roman is the son of Tom Papademetriou, Ph.D., associate professor of historical studiesand executive director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Hellenic Studies at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, and grandson of retired priest Rev. Dr. George Papademetriou, former director of the Holy Cross Hellenic College library.

He is also president of his GOYA chapter at Holy Trinity Church, Egg Harbor Township, N.J. He spent a month with the people of the Baloukli Hospital and Home for the Elderly, in hopes of experiencing the medical profession firsthand. “I had the opportunity to accompany my father, a professor of Ottoman history, on his research trip to Istanbul,” he said. “It has always been my dream to work in medicine, and I saw this opportunity as a way to gain experience in the medical field, as well as to experience life as an Orthodox Christian at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. I was able to do both of these things with the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.”

In preparation for his trip, he raised $3,000 with help from his parish priest, Fr. George Liacopoulos and the Holy Trinity community, to present to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the Baloukli Syndesmo, the philanthropic foundation established in 1946 to assist in supporting the sick and elderly at the Baloukli Hospital.

The hospital has been operating since 1753, and was widely regarded as the best medical institution in Constantinople for two centuries. Its history began much earlier, when it was still a holy water shrine (agiasma) of the Zoodochos Peghe or Life Giving Spring.

Known locally as Baloukli—the church with the fish, the shrine and monastery had its origins in Byzantine times. It is reported that the Emperor Justinian, while hunting, encountered a crowd of women by the spring, proclaiming the healing powers of the water caused by the Virgin Mary.

He then built a church on that spot dedicated to the Zoodochos Peghe with

materials left over from the Haghia Sophia. Over many centuries, the church was rebuilt, but it always remained an important agiasma. Legend has it that, when the Ottoman Turks had taken Constantinople, a messenger reported the news to a monk who at the time was frying fish in a pan. Unwilling to believe the report, the monk exclaimed, “If this is true, let this fish jump into the spring.” To his surprise, the half-cooked fish leapt out of the pan, and into the spring. To this day, the monastery, the church, and the hospital take the name “Baloukli,” which in Turkish means “the place with fish.”

The monastery is under the care and administration of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and contains the tombs of many patriarchs, including Patriarchs Athenagoras and Dimitrios. Underneath the monastery, the Agiasma of the LifeGiving Spring still exists; fish continue to swim.

The monastery and hospital are about two kilometers apart, and are no longer administratively connected. The hospital is known as the Baloukli Greek Hospital (Baloukli Rum Hastanesi) and is governed by its own non-profit foundation made up of trustees from the Greek minority community of Istanbul.

The hospital is primarily supported by rental incomes from property owned by the Baloukli Vakfi throughout Istanbul.

The hospital complex is made up of numerous departments, consisting of an emergency room, radiology, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, geriatric, mental health, and several others. These departments serve both the Greek and Turkish residents of the area.

During his stay, Roman spent most of his time in the Home for the Elderly, the gerokomio that cares for Greek residents.

The gerokomio is a large, 19th century three–story building and is home to 110 Greek residents.

The residents of the gerokomio called themselves “Rhomaioi,” and are called by Turks Rum. The term Rhomaios/Rum hearkens back to Byzantium, the continuation of the Roman Empire, and Rum was the word used by Arabs and Turks to describe Greek Orthodox

  to page 13

OCTOBER 2012

The Voice of Philoptochos

7

National President Announces Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift

Happy event- Participants in the contract signing: (seated) President Aphrodite Skeadas; spiritual advisor Bishop Sevastianos of Zela; Legal Advisor Anita Kartalopoulos; (standing) Attorney Mona L. Lao; Treasurer Joanne Kakoyiannis and Office Director Helen Lavorata.

Chapter Giving Tree Campaign to ‘Open The Doors’ of Our Home

by Christine Karavites

The Philoptochos Chapter Giving Tree unveiled at the 2012 National Philoptochos Convention was immediately embraced by the delegates as over 120 chapters pledged $1,000 to reserve their Chapter Leaf to enshrine their chapter’s name at the Center. In a great showing of generosity some chapters and stewards sponsored a leaf for a small, sister chapter. The Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy shall be your home.

It will serve every chapter in America. Every chapter’s name will be permanently displayed at the Center; Every chapter will be proudly represented on the tree; Every chapter’s donation will be exactly the same, $1,000 per leaf. National Philoptochos President announced the immense demonstration of generosity to our beloved Philoptochos with the Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift assisting us to “Open the Doors.”

The Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will match every $1,000 leaf with another $1,000 up to a total of $500,000.

The Chapter Leaves and the munificent Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will generate the $1,000,000 needed to complete the purchase of the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

Philoptochos chapters are engaged in this campaign to reserve their Chapter Leaf and help ‘Open the Doors” by Oct. 25. The Chapter Leaf will include the chapter or parish Name and the chapter city and state.

Help Your Philoptochos Chapter Achieve This Important Milestone.

This is our biggest fundraising deadline. With 100 percent participation it will be our last for the purchase of our home.

Production of the Tree will begin on Nov. 1, the Feast of Cosmas and Damian, National Philoptochos’ patron saints.

Chapters can reserve their Chapter Leaf by completing the forms on line at www. philoptochos.org. For additional information contact National Philoptochos at philosny@aol.com or by calling 212.977.7770.

Beloved Philoptochos Chapter Presidents and Stewards, The 2012 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention in Phoenix, in the Holy Metropolis of San Francisco, was outstanding, enormously successful and continues to bear great fruit. We give thanks to the Lord for our many blessings.

The Chapter Giving Tree with 485 leaves, each leaf inscribed with the name of a Philoptochos chapter, was unveiled at the 2012 Phoenix Convention. The response was overwhelming and in a room imbued with your love and spirit for the future, over $200,000 was pledged in support of the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

On behalf of the entire Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, I extend sincere thanks to the chapters who pledged at the Convention. Your spontaneous act of kindness illustrates an abundance of love and a noble commitment for the Society and its vital lifealtering ministries.

We respectfully request that every chapter participate in the Chapter Giving Tree with a donation or pledge of $1,000.

I am pleased to announce that Philoptochos has been blessed with a matching challenge gift that has been offered in

conjunction with this initiative.

The Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will match every thousand dollar leaf with another $1,000 up to $500,000!

The Chapter Leaves and the matching Mary Jaharis Challenge Gift will generate the $1 million needed to complete the purchase of our Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy.

The Chapter Giving Tree will greet all who enter the future Philoptochos home.

If you have not already pledged your leaf, please place this request on your Philoptochos agenda when you conduct your next meeting. Please fill out the enclosed form with your desired inscription and enclose your donation information. You may also wish to assist a small sister chapter in your Metropolis with their pledge or donation.

This will be a Center founded in love and unity, supported by all the stewards of Philoptochos.

Thank you, dear sisters in Philoptochos, for your fine commitment and authentic dedication. As we stand united the sky is the limit. Chosen and appointed

by God, let us go out and bear fruit in Christ’s holy Name.

With love in Christ, Aphrodite Skeadas

Literacy Initiative Launched National Philoptochos launched the Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program in 2005 with the objective to promote literacy through a hands–on approach targeting both children and adults. National President Aphrodite Skeadas and the Literacy Co-Chairmen Pam Argyris and Irene Arsoniadis are pleased to announce a new literacy awareness initiative, “Make A Difference with Loukoumi & Philoptochos. This new project is a collaboration between National Philoptochos and Nick Katsoris, author of the award–winning Loukoumi books, following Nick’s inspiring presentation at the 2012 National Philoptochos Convention where he intro-

duced Loukoumi and his books and discussed Philoptochos Chapter Loukoumi fundraisers.

Philoptochos and Loukoumi are now teaming up to make a difference by participating in the National Make A Difference Day on Oct. 27. Philoptochos chapters will engage their entire community to participate in this important initiative which offers a beautiful opportunity to gather young people and adults to encourage literacy and discuss with the children good deeds they can perform on National Make A Difference Day. Visit www.philoptochos.org for details and forms.

Metropolis of Chicago Presents Grant to ‘Have Dreams Organization’ Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos President Irene Arsoniadis was joined by National and Metropolis Board members to present a check for $7,000 to Kris Johnson, executive director of Have Dreams Organization for its Johnny Bach Sports Education Program. The grant was awarded to the Metropolis at the 2012 National Philoptochos Convention in Phoenix.

Have Dreams–Helping Autistic Voices Emerge Organization services 200 children, ages 2-24, within the broad spectrum of autism disorders. The organization provides individual tutoring and therapy, family and group therapy, diagnostic assessment services as well as classes to develop the social and communication skills of the young people it serves at its

facilities in Park Ridge and Evanston, Ill. Have Dreams has provided best practice training to over 6,000 teachers and professionals throughout the state of Illinois.

Most recently it launched a transformative Autism Works vocational program in partnership with several employers.

The Metropolis of Chicago also received grants at the 2012 National Philoptochos Convention for the Greek American Rehabilitation Center in Wheeling, Ill. – $15,000 to purchase gym apparatus for the Wellness program; University of Illinois Hospital and Health Sciences System, Chicago, and $10,000 for the Pediatric Oncology Social Work Program that provides assistance for patients and families.

Chicago Metropolis board members (seated) Arlene Siavelis, Kris Johnson, Irene Arsoniadis, Katherine Siavelis. (standing) Joanne Stavrakas, Georgia Sarlas, Peggy Vranas, Bobi Goldman, Lena Angelos, Pam Argyris.

8

OCTOBER 2012

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Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, with Fr. Luke Uhl looking on, bestows two Greek medals on Trian “Tommy” Patsantaras for his heroism during World War II.

Colorado Psaltis and Sheep Herder Receives Belated WWII Medals One of the most successful sabotage operations of World War II occurred in late 1942 near the city of Lamia in Central Greece.

Known as Operation Harling, it was a commando mission conducted by British Special Operations Executive (SOE) soldiers and Greek resistance fighters to sabotage Nazi supply lines that led from Germany, through the Balkans, to the Greek port of Piraeus, and ultimately to the famed Afrika Korps in North Africa commanded by Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

The goal was to destroy the heavilyguarded Gorgopotamos railroad viaduct, about six miles southwest of Lamia, through which the Nazi supply trains had to pass on their way to the Mediterranean port. It would be one of the first major sabotage acts in Axis-occupied Europe.

Operation Harling was also the beginning of a lengthy British involvement with the Greek Resistance. It was complicated by the necessity of functioning cooperatively with the two main rival groups: EDES, the nationalist group, and ELAS, the communist partisans.

On Sept. 30, 1942, 12 members of the British SOE flew from Alexandria Egypt aboard three B-24 Liberator aircraft, and parachuted into central Greece where local citizens hid the commandos and helped them evade Italian troops.

After spending six weeks reconnoitering three proposed railroad bridges, Lieutenant Colonel E.C.W. Myers, leader of the British commandos, decided they would attack the Gorgopotamos span.

Their chosen target was guarded by a garrison of 80 Italian soldiers, but it provided good access, cover, and a line of retreat for the attacking force. The date of the attack was set for Nov. 25, 1942, the Feast of Saint Katherine the Great Martyr.

The Greek fighters would attack the Italian troops while the commandos would blow up the viaduct. The operation succeeded in cutting the rail link for four months, which helped the British Eighth Army to gain eventual victory in North Africa.

Among the Greek resistance fighters on this mission was a young man, Corporal Triantafilos (“Trian”) Patsantaras, He was born in 1916 in the village of Pavliani in the mountains west of Lamia.

The son of a tailor, Trian enlisted in the Greek army in 1938, prior to the war.

As hostilities began in the Balkans, Corporal Patsantaras fought on the Bulgarian and Albanian fronts, and was among the Greek patriots who fought the Italian invaders and pushed them out of Greece in 1940.

He continued the fight against the Nazis as a soldier until the surrender of Greece in April 1941, and then fought in the Greek resistance.

After the war, the fighting wasn’t over for Greece or for Patsantaras.

Shortly after Germany’s surrender, Greece entered into a civil war between two factions of the resistance, the National Republican Greek League and the communists, the Greek People’s Liberation Army.

Patsantaras, who served with the League, ultimately was wounded and captured by the partisans, but later released when the civil war ended.

He came to the United States in the early 1950s with the help of his uncle and other family members who were working as sheep herders in the western Colorado mountains. The family now owns ranches in the high country.

Coloradans on the Western Slope know him as “Tommy”.

He has been a member of St. Nicholas Church in Grand Junction since its founding in 1958, Metropolis of Denver Chancellor Fr. Luke Uhl told the Orthodox Observer.

Fr. Uhl also pastors the church part of each month.

Recently, Mr. Patsantaras received the recognition he deserved for his wartime service and his story was featured in the local newspaper, The Daily Sentinel.

After 70 years, a lot of record searching and many letters to the Greek government before the now 96-year-old’s involvement during the war would be acknowledged

  to page 28

9

OCTOBER 2012

Church History

Three generations of Yiayia’s,

The Early Church in North America

An Assortment of Yummy Sweets

Editor’s note: Beginning with this issue, the Orthodox Observer will include a new regular feature, “Church History,” consisting of articles by Dr. William Samonides on individuals and events that have helped shape the early Church in America. Dr. Samonides, and his wife, Regine, members of Holy Trinity Church of Canton, Ohio, have spent years researching the subject.

They hold doctorates and other degrees from Harvard and have taught at various universities and are regular contributors to Chicago Greek Circle magazine. William also serves as parish historian and president of Asia Minor Hellenic American Society and Regine is on the AMHAS board.

by William H. Samonides, Ph.D

This first article will examine the early history of the Greek Orthodox Church in North America, focusing on the lives of the early priests, the immigrant pioneers who established and served our oldest parishes.

The series is based on research that began in 2004 when my wife, Regine, and I were putting together a special exhibition on the Greek community in Canton, Ohio.

In examining the records of my home parish of Holy Trinity, I was struck by the fact that little was known about the early priests who founded and served the parish.

The earliest records had not been preserved, and those who had known these priests had passed away. I was determined to learn about their lives and service to the church.

Eight years ago I started with a list of 15 priests about whom I wanted to know more. Today this has grown into a database of 17,000 entries tracing the careers of about 350 priests. Some of the early priests are men whose familiar names are revered to this day, but for others it has been more difficult to fill in details.

In May, with the blessing of Metropolitan Savas, I gave a presentation at the Metropolis of Pittsburgh Clergy-Laity Assembly on the need for parishes to recover and communicate more of their history so that it can be woven into the shared history of our Church.

The research in progress is based on material gathered from sources throughout the Archdiocese. All our earliest parishes have been contacted, and many have generously responded with histories and lists of priests.

A number of parishes, from the large Annunciation Cathedral in Baltimore to the small St. Demetrios in Waterloo, Iowa, have produced first-rate histories with detailed accounts of their early priests.

My wife and I were also able to do additional research at the Archdiocese Archives, a remarkable collection preserved and maintained since its creation in 1964

by Director of Archives Nikie Calles.

The data from ecclesiastical sources has been augmented by information from contemporary newspaper accounts, immigration manifests, naturalization applications, and other historical documents.

The families of priests have also provided documents, stories, and photographs.

I hope that this series of articles will continue to expand the dialogue among scholars, parish historians, descendants of the early priests, and others interested in the early history of our church in North America.

The first Greek Orthodox church in North America was established in New Orleans in 1864. With the growing Greek Orthodox immigrant population, primarily

from Greece and Asia Minor, there was a need for more parishes and more priests.

Wars, economic fluctuations, and legislation all affected immigration.

With each surge in immigration, there would – after a time – be a need for more parishes and more priests. By 1900 there were five Greek Orthodox parishes in North America; by 1910, there were about 50; and by 1920 the number of parishes was approaching 150. In addition, there were short-lived parishes created by political fissures between the Royalists and Venezelists.

The early priests encountered many of the challenges facing today’s clergy, but there were also challenges specific to their time. Most arrived at Ellis Island as properly-credentialed priests with years of experience, but even for clergy, immigration was not always easy. Many were denied entrance into Canada, some were questioned on arrival in the United States, and a few were even deported.

There were some, however, who were interested in theology but came to this country in another capacity – as a chanter, iconographer, Greek teacher, school teacher, or student. Others were called after having worked for years in the United States as confectioners, greengrocers, carpenters, millworkers, barbers, waiters, or farmers. For those who chose to enter the priesthood after arriving in the United States, there were limited options for training. Before the establishment of the Archdiocese in 1922, some priests were ordained by hierarchs from other Orthodox jurisdictions. Some received or supplemented their training at Episcopal and Presbyterian theological schools in Pennsylvania, Virginia, and elsewhere. A few received special short-term intensive training sessions outside seminaries. Many found it necessary to return to Greece for their studies. In 1921-22, training was offered at the short-lived seminary of St. Athanasios in Brooklyn and Astoria, N.Y. It was not until 1937 that the Greek Orthodox Preparatory Theological Seminary was established in Pomfret, Conn.

With this chronic shortage, a priest could be called upon to travel extensively, sometimes traveling hundreds of miles each week to celebrate the Divine Liturgy at a different parish.

These pioneering priests were often lonely; many had left their families in Greece or Asia Minor. Even those whose families had accompanied them to the United States had to endure long periods of separation.

Priests who could not uproot their families might live for a time in a hotel or crowded rooming house.

Parish life today is less fractious and more civil than it was a century ago. Some priests served large, established parishes; most did not.

Many of the newer, smaller parishes were facing difficult times financially; the pay was low, and contracts were not always honored. Despite the many difficulties, priests – then as now – were dedicated and hardy. This series pays tribute to their lives of service.

William H. Samonides and his wife, Regine, produced the exhibition,” For Their Faith: Remembering the Greek Christians of Asia Minor on the 90th Anniversary of the Fall of Smyrna,” on display at St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Fla. He invites readers to contact him at htgochhistorian@aol.com.

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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.

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Metropolis News

OCTOBER 2012

Metropolitan Alexios Leads Archons Retreat at St. Photios Shrine ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The annual Metropolis of Atlanta Archons Religious Retreat, usually held at the Metropolis Diakonia Center in Salem, S.C., was held at the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine during the picture perfect weekend of Sept.14-16.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta began the memorable weekend with the celebration of the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. John the Divine Church, Jacksonville, commemorating the Elevation of the Cross.

In the afternoon, Polexeni Hillier, Shrine director, greeted the participants at the St. Augustine Beach Hilton Garden Inn, then proceeded to the St. Photios Shrine where Regional Commander Archon Dr. Manuel N. Tissura offered his welcoming remarks.

Metropolitan Alexios, retreat leader, opened the gathering with prayer and congratulated Archon Dr. Tissura for organizing the only Archon religious retreat in the Metropolis.

He commented that the Shrine, for over 30 years, has offered the faithful the opportunity to come together in an Orthodox setting and emphasized the value and importance of such meetings at the Shrine.

The first speaker at the Friday afternoon session was Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, who served the Shrine for 17 years as its first director when appointed by Archbishop Iakovos in 1982.

Metropolis of Atlanta Archons with Metropolitan Alexios and Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos.

He gave a history of the founding of the Shrine with special focus on its Feb. 1982 opening.

Archon Ted Pappas, Shrine architect, then described the 15-year struggle it took for the Shrine to evolve from its initial concept to the final structure.

After the meeting, Archon Dr. Steve

Poulos and his wife, Vasso, hosted a formal dinner for the participants.

The Archons were accompanied by their wives who were included in this year’s retreat activities.

On Saturday participants gathered for a silent morning prayer walk. The walk, consisting of a nine-stop exercise

in morning prayers and daily readings, led to the shoreline.

The combination of spiritual tone and gorgeous weather made for such an exhilarating experience that Archon Dr. Andrew Kampiziones stated: “The Regional Commander should have commanded me to join in on this walk, it is simply that beautiful!.”

The retreat theme was Theology through the Writings of the Holy Icons, and Session I, led by Metropolitan Alexios, started with an informative description of the feast day celebrating the Exaltation of the Holy Cross.

He detailed the history of the founding of Constantinople on the Roman capital of Byzantium, the strength of faith shown by Helen, mother of Constantine, the first and second elevations of the cross, and underscored the relevance of Old and New Testament.

The Crucifixion is yesterday and tomorrow - as shown in scripture, writing and the hymns of the day.

Metropolitan Alexios shared the prayers of the Cross through the hymnography. This was followed by a question-and-answer period before breaking for lunch and a tour of historic St. Augustine.

Session II was led by Rev. Dr. Nicholas Louh who discussed the icon of the Annunciation of the Theotokos,

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11

OCTOBER 2012

PA N- ORT HODOX N E WS

HCHC News

International Orthodox Assembly to Convene

by Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Clapsis

BROOKLINE, Mass.– The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) is organizing a colloquium titled “Civil society and Orthodoxy” on Nov. 16-17 at Holy Cross Theological School.

Politicians of all levels: senators, MPs, local and regional authorities will attend and speak on the major hotbutton themes of Orthodox witness in the world.

Also attending will be representatives of the Orthodox and Ancient Near Eastern churches, theological schools, and other intellectuals.

The Interparliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) is based at the Greek parliament in Athens.

Its members include Greek members of parliament, and teams of Orthodox MPs and ancient Eastern Churches from 26 parliaments around the world. (www.eiao.org).

Among those at the conference will be IAO General Assembly President Russian MP Sergei Popov, Greek Secretary General, MP Anastasios Nerantzis, and members of the International Secretariat of the IAO from Cyprus, Serbia, Sudan, Ukraine, Belarus and Armenia.

The Interparliamentary Commission aspires to meet and forge closer ties with the representatives of the Orthodox and Ancient Eastern Churches, as well as the parliament members of the United States, and inform them about its activities.

The IAO particularly addresses Orthodox members of government and invites them to take an active part in its activities.

After the conference, Assembly members will travel to Washington for meetings with members and committees of the House and Senate to inform them of the IAO’s activities that nurture international cooperation and peace.

In this context, and in collaboration with the Pan-African Parliament, the IAO founded the Foundation for Democracy, Parliamentarism, and Religious Tolerance in Africa, based in Athens and Maputo, Mozambique.

In Washington, in the political/ parliamentary-based discussions, the members of the IAO will discuss these issues of inter-parliamentary cooperation and how they can show forth possibilities in mutual understanding.

These discussions will give special attention to the problem of the presence and protection of Christians in the Middle East and the surrounding regions.

For more information on the IAO and participation in the workshop, contact Maria Bakali at eiao@parliament. gr and Katerina Chaffee at kchaffee@ hchc.edu

by Fr. Luke A. Veronis

HCHC Board of Trustees hold their Fall Meeting on Oct. 12 at the Archbishop Iakovos library, with Archbishop Demetrios presiding. (Photo by Peggy Giovane)

Hellenic College Holy Cross Trustees Hold 2-Day Retreat BROOKLINE, Mass. -A two-day retreat of the Hellenic College Holy Cross Board of Trustees took place at the school’s scenic campus on Friday, Oct. 12, and Saturday, Oct. 13.

Led by Archbishop Demetrios, chairman of the HCHC Board of Trustees, Dr. Thomas Lelon, vice chairman and Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, president of HCHC, the full Board of Trustees gathered for the first time in the 2012-2013 academic year.

After a business meeting that lasted from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday morning, the group engaged in a working retreat

until 9 p.m. Friday night, breaking only for Vespers and dinner. The group met again on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The trustees collaborated with HCHC administrators to begin the process of crafting an updated strategic plan for the development of Hellenic College Holy Cross.

Special guest participants in the retreat included Mr. E.B. Wilson of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges and Dr. Anthony Bashir, a higher education accreditation consultant.

Participants in the retreat said that it was focused, robust and productive. They

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also expressed optimism regarding the future of Hellenic College Holy Cross.

The Hellenic College Holy Cross Board of Trustees is a 48-member board that is comprised of, in addition to Archbishop Demetrios, all Metropolitans of the Archdiocese and 39 other trustees from throughout the United States.

Founded in 1937 as the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Hellenic College Holy Cross is now the oldest and largest Orthodox Christian school of higher learning in North America. It is the intellectual, educational and spiritual center of the Greek Orthodox Church in America stimulating, developing and sustaining ordained and lay vocations for service to Church and society based on faith.

Inter-Seminary Senior Retreat Hosted in Sept.

Holy Cross hosted an Inter-Seminary Senior Retreat September 28-29, 2012.

The senior class of Holy Cross, St Vladimir’s, St Tikhon’s and Holy Trinity Seminary joined for fellowship, prayer and to hear the address of Fr. Irenaeus Steenberg.

Father Irenaeus is an Archimandrite in the Russian Orthodox Church Abroad currently living in San Francisco. He is the principal of St John of San Francisco Orthodox Academy, the Dean and Founder of the Sts Cyril & Athanasius Institute for Orthodox Studies and a Visiting Professor at Santa Clara University. Fr Irenaeus received his Masters and Doctorate from the University of Oxford and has published dozens of books, book contributions and articles in Church History and Patristics.

12

OCTOBER 2012

‘Sheep Smarts,’ Not Street Smarts

by Fr. Mark Sietsema

Book smarts or street smarts: which is better? Years ago my dictionary company was approached by an Oprah-style TV show: would one of the editors appear as a guest to help settle this question? The P.R. department was thrilled about free publicity. The editors were not so eager: they knew a set-up for nerd humiliation when they saw one!

Forget book vs. street smarts. What about “sheep smarts”? Aren’t these the best of all? Typically we don’t think about sheep as intelligent animals. But when it comes to the flock of Christ, sheep smarts is one of the goals of the Christian life.

When you were baptized, the priest prayed that you would be made a “provaton loyikon” of the holy flock of Christ.

How do we translate this expression?

Literally, it means “a logical sheep.” It’s an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms intended to grab our attention. Some translators soften the metaphor’s force by rendering it as “rational” or “reasonendowed” sheep. Either way, it is clear that through Holy Baptism we are meant to become something that sheep by nature are not.

Sheep are gentle, quiet beasts, easily led … and easily led astray. A sheep with powers of reason, though, would be a wonderful creature: mild and friendly, but also thoughtful and wise, able to see past appearances and spot the wolves in woolly clothing that show up to prey on the flock.

A logical sheep would both save his own skin and warn other sheep of danger.

Surely the Lord Jesus Christ had this combination of sweetness and savvy in mind when He told His disciples (Matthew 10:16), “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

Come, Let Us Reason Together The goal of a competent spiritual father, like any earthly father, is to teach his children knowledge and discernment so that over time they learn to make wise choices for themselves, so that the logical sheep become less dependent on the shepherd for decision-making.

What will we do to give ourselves and our children sheep smarts? Do we emphasize scholarship and mastery of the Scriptures? Do we study methods of critical thinking? Or ... do we teach that intellect is an enemy of Orthodoxy? Do we pit faith against philosophy, religion against reason?

I have read the Fathers of the Church, and I see how they made their case for Orthodoxy. They used closely reasoned arguments based on facts and logic. When St. Basil sought to persuade people about the divinity of the Holy Spirit, he did not appeal to angelic visitations or mystic visions.

He quoted Scripture, analyzed grammar, and offered an in-depth study of prepositions! His writings on every subject are works of scholarship, not pronounce-

Upcoming major Saints feast days Friday, Oct. 26 – St. Demetrios the Myrrhbearer Thurs., Nov. 1 – Sts. Cosmas & Damianos Thurs., Nov. 8 – Synaxis of the Archangels Fri., Nov. 9 – Nektarios the Wonderworker Tues., Nov. 13 – St. John Chrysostom Fri., Nov. 16 – Matthew the Evangelist Wed., Nov. 21 – Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple Sun., Nov. 25 – Katherine the Great Martyr Fri., Nov. 30 – Andrew the First-Called Apostle

ments based on clairvoyance.

He was a well-read man who expected his readers to follow logical arguments: St. Basil used book smarts to increase sheep smarts, as did the other great teachers of the Church.

Don’t Fear the Reader Even so, a specter is haunting America: the specter of anti-intellectualism.

It manifests itself in subtle ways, only occasionally rearing its head high enough to show what it really is: a knee-jerk fear: of change, of modern life, of a complex world, and consequently of the scholarly achievements that shape today’s world.

Anti-intellectualism wishes all things to be black or white, so that there is no place for judgment calls, no need to exercise personal discernment. Anti-intellectualism thrives on the Us-Versus–Them mentality.

It thrives on unquestioning devotion to all-knowing gurus.

(Logical sheep, check your brains at the door: the master does all the thinking for you!)

Anti-intellectualism also jettisons our Orthodox scholarly heritage under the pretense of preserving tradition. Here are some genuine examples of anti-intellectual rhetoric that I have encountered in the Church: • “No saint ever had a Ph.D.!”

• “The devil speaks to your mind, but Christ speaks to your heart!”

• “A saint of the Church once warned: Beware the diavasmenous!” (literally, “the well-read,” i.e. the scholars).

Alas, this is a betrayal of the Orthodox phronema, which tells us to be like a bee when it comes to worldly education: find the sweet nectar and leave behind any bitter dregs. St. Gregory the Theologian wrote: “I take it as admitted by men of sense that the first of our advantages is education ... even that external culture which many Christians ill-judgingly abhor as treacherous and dangerous and keeping us far from God. We must not then dishonor education, because some men are pleased to do so, but rather suppose such men to be boorish and uneducated, desiring all men to be as they themselves are, in order to hide themselves and escape detection for their lack of culture.”

It bears mentioning that the Lord Jesus Christ, in battling the superstition of the Pharisees and Sadducees, used logic and learning to shut them down (see Matthew 22:23-32, 41-46).

The Lord Jesus Christ knew His Scriptures and handled them skillfully.

He was clearly a diavasmenos, as was St. Paul, as were so many Church Fathers and champions of the ascetic life. We who bear the name of Christ are duty-bound to nourish our minds as well as our souls: “Like newborn babes, yearn for the pure logical milk, that by it you may grow up unto salvation” (1 Peter 2:2).

O, logical sheep of the reasoning flock of Christ: Don’t fear the reader! Become one yourself!

The scholar can be the scribe with a storehouse of intellectual treasures (see Matthew 13:52) that raises us up from our sheep-like gullibility, ignorance, paranoia, and superstition.

He spares us the pretension of gurus and the tyranny of fear mongers. When you hear the woolly faced wolves howling against the evils of science and education, put on your thinking cap. Ask questions, search the Scriptures, test the spirits, and use the baptized brains God gave you.

In our day and age, book smarts are street smarts that make sheep smarts for the “loyiki poimne,” the logical flock of Christ.

OCTOBER 2012

A RCHDIOCESE N E WS

St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics Announced

BROOKLINE, Mass—The Department of Religious Education is preparing for another season of the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.

Introduced in 1983, the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival provides Greek Orthodox teenagers the opportunity to write and talk about their faith.

The Oratorical Festival Program begins at the parish level and is divided into three divisions: • Elementary Division (local festival only) for students in grades 4–6 • Junior Division for students in grades 7–9 • Senior Division for student in grades 10–12 The top speakers in the Junior and Senior Divisions advance to the district level. Two finalists in each district division represent the district at the Metropolislevel festival. The top speaker in each metropolis division is then selected to participate in the Archdiocese finals hosted by a different metropolis each year.

All eighteen finalists at the Archdiocese finals participate in a weekend of activities, the highlight of which is the delivery of their speeches on Saturday morning. The Oratorical Festival Scholarship Fund provides college scholarships to the top speakers.

In 2012, the top three speakers of each division received college scholarships of $2,000, $1,500 and $1,000. This year, each honorable mention speaker was awarded an iPad2.

Fr. John and Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos serve as the Archdiocese Festival co-chairs.

National Festival On June 8–10 the National Oratorical Festival was hosted by the Metropolis of New Jersey at St. George Church in Bethesda, Md. The 2013 Festival will be hosted by the Metropolis of Detroit in June at a location to be announced.

Hellenic College offers The Chrysostom Scholarship to each parish’s top senior division speaker. The scholarship provides 100 percent of tuition for the recipient’s first year of study, and, based on a GPA scale, up to 80 percent of tuition for three additional years.

2013 St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival Topics Junior Division (Grades 7–9) 1. Considering the Lord’s words to His disciples, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35), discuss the relationship between service and leadership.

2. Discuss the importance of participating in the life of the Church in light of Jesus’ teaching in John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches.”

3. In the Resurrection Service, the priest proclaims, “Come receive the light.”

Discuss the place of light in the Orthodox Tradition.

4. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). Discuss how we can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, produce this fruit in our lives.

5. In Psalm 103/104, God’s care for the natural world is praised. Select elements from the psalm and discuss how they may help us “grow” in our Faith.

Senior Division (Grades 10–12) 1. The Prophet Micah says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8). Discuss how this passage has inspired many Christians to acts of service.

2. In 313 AD, St. Constantine the Great proclaimed the Edict of Milan, which allowed Christians to practice their faith freely. What did religious freedom mean then, and what does it mean for people of faith today in countries where violent religious persecution occurs?

3. Discuss the Lenten Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian in light of today’s culture. The Prayer of St. Ephraim: Lord and Master of my life, cast away from me the spirit of laziness, idle curiosity, love of power and vain talk. But grant me, Your servant, the spirit of moderation, humility, patience and love. Yes, Lord and King, grant me to see my own faults and not to judge my brothers and sisters. For You are blessed forever. Amen.

4. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

Social websites, apps, and so on are constantly present in our lives, making it easy for us to share bits and pieces of our lives with many people.

How do you “let your light so shine” using these widely available social and other media?

5. “Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.”

(Psalm 118/119, verse 73). Discuss how this passage can guide us in a time when we constantly seek to alter the way we look, act, and live.

Ecumenical Patriarchate NJ Goyan Learns Much at Baloukli   from page 6 Christians from Byzantine/Roman lands.

The residents came from all over the Old City (within the Byzantine walls), the Princes’ Islands, and the small towns up the Bosporus. Most attended Greek schools in the city, like the Great School of the Nation, the Zappeion girls school, or the Zographion boys school.

These people came from all walks of life, and were assimilated into the Turkish culture, speaking both Greek and Turkish just as Greek-Americans speak Greek and English. The gerokomio residents stayed in Istanbul either because they chose not

to leave to move to Greece or America, or they could not leave because of financial constraints. This reality was often difficult for the residents to cope with, as they had watched their Greek friends and neighbors vanish over the last few decades.

Working tirelessly to support their families, the residents of the gerokomio spent their lives as a minority in an overwhelmingly Muslim Turkish majority.

Even with these challenges, however, they still love their homeland, the places where they were born, and could not imagine living anywhere else.

This article is based on a lengthy report prepared by Roman Papademetriou.

OCMC

13

OCMC Team Members Thomaida Hudanish and Leila Younes in Ulaan Baatar, Mongolia.

Taxi Man Jack: The OCMC in Mongolia

by Thomaida Hudanish

Taxis play an important role in the business of getting around in Mongolia’s capital, Ulaan Baatar. Similar to other cities, the way to catch a taxi is to stand on the curb and hold out your arm out at a slight angle. It’s a relatively subtle act--you don’t necessarily have to look towards the street or the direction of oncoming traffic to be successful.

The effect, at least to me, was that you look as if you’re too cool to care if a taxi really stops. Even if you were looking towards the traffic, you have no way of knowing how many of the oncoming cars are taxis.

There are a lot of freelance drivers, maybe even people who feel they can spare a few minutes to get you where you’re going on the way to their own destination. A nice way to subsidize their own gas expenses, right?

Being part of an Orthodox Christian Mission Center team of seven, plus two interpreters, meant that we could usually get where we needed to go in two taxis. I loved this method of transportation and when regrouping with our fellow teammates we discussed the aggression of our respective drivers and other interactions--a flirtatious driver, a driver who was willing to teach us a little Mongolian, a driver who laughed when I let out a little gasp when we nearly ended up trying to occupy the same space as another car and said, “Trust me.”

More often the drivers observed us quietly. I was curious what they thought of us. Had they driven many Americans before or were we the first? How did we compare to the Americans they’d seen in movies and on TV? One night as we were coming home from an excursion, we split into three cabs.

The first cab was hailed for our team leader, Fr. Brendan. The driver had a child’s car seat in the back, so only two passengers would fit in this taxi. I volunteered to accompany Fr. Brendan and got in next to the driver. Fr. Aleksei gave the driver instructions to get us back t o the church. As we pulled away from the curb, I suddenly realized it was my first time in a car without a local accompanying us and while I had their phone numbers, I didn’t have a phone. While I was assessing the situation and making a plan for what to do if something went wrong, the cab driver started speaking to me in English.

“Many languages, many nations there,” the driver said.

I realized he meant back at the restaurant “Yes, Russians, Americans, Mon-

golians,” I said, surprised by his desire to interact. He introduced himself as Jack and told us he had studied English and had been to London. I shared with him all the Mongolian words I knew and when I told him in Mongolian, “I don’t speak Mongolian,” he taught me another phrase: “I speak a little Mongolian.” We learned that Jack had two sons--an eight-year-old and a three-year-old, hence the car seat.

At that point, I didn’t know how to say Orthodox Church yet, but earlier that day we learned how Mongolians say “Jesus Christ,” so I was able to tell Jack that we were Christians. He understood and with a big smile and a laugh he said, “Me, I don’t have a religion—I follow myself,” pointing to his chest. I said, “How’s that working for you? Is it okay?” “Yes, yes, it’s good. Easy.”

He told us that his wife is interested in Christianity. “She wants to visit a Christian church and every time she asks I say, ‘I’m busy,’” he told us, laughing. I laughed too because Jack’s openness and honesty was charming. I suggested that his wife should visit the Russian Church. “It is very beautiful,” I said. I tried to explain what Orthodox means--right belief, true worship. He said, “Protestant Jesus Christ, Catholic Jesus Christ, Orthodox—why so many Jesus Christs?”

I said, “There is only one Jesus Christ.

It is just that each of these churches understand Him differently. Our church tries to keep the teachings that he gave when he was alive. Our Church started when he died.

It is very old.” He understood and said, “Do you have a phone number?” We didn’t have a card with us, but he was willing to wait a few minutes until the second cab arrived and another team member had an icon card with the address and phone number of the church. As I handed Jack the card, he said, “I’ll give it to my wife,” he paused and then said, “But I am not coming!” I laughed with him again, “That’s okay, that’s okay.” I think we were both encouraged by our exchange.

I shared this exchange with Fr. Aleksei.

After listening he said that to bring people to the Church, there must be ten such exchanges and then maybe out of these ten, one person or family will come. Fr. Aleksei was encouraged by our presence and by our ability, in a short time, to have positive interactions with local people and parishioner s alike.

His point is well taken, however, the vineyard is ripe for the harvest, but the laborers are few.

14

OCTOBER 2012

Commentaries and Reflections An Orthdoox Christian Perspective on the ‘Jesus’ Wife’ Controversy

by Rev. Dr. Theodore Stylianopoulos

Below is a statement prepared by the Rev. Dr. Theodore Stylianopoulos at the request of Metropolitan Methodios of Boston. It also appears on the Archdiocese web site, www.goarch.org An announcement about an ancient text in which Jesus is reported to have spoken about “my wife” has received extensive attention in the media. The text comes from a small papyrus fragment about 1x3 inches in size, judged to be of the fourth century AD, which apparently had broken off from a larger page of a document presumed lost. The text is still in the process of linguistic and chemical analysis to determine if it is actually a fragment from a fourth-century manuscript. When the papyrus fragment was discovered, and under what circumstances it has passed from hand to hand until the public announcement, are presently unknown.

Written in ancient Sahidic Coptic script, the text is perhaps a translation of an earlier Greek document. Because the lines on all four sides of the fragment are broken and incomplete, transcription of meaningful sentences is impossible. But the names of Jesus and also Mary, presumably Mary Magdalene, are reported to occur, and also certain phrases including Jesus using the expression “my wife.”

Mary Magdalene has been portrayed as an intimate disciple of Jesus, but not a wife, in other ancient writings already known to the Fathers of the Church and designated as apocrypha and fraudulent.

These works were composed by small circles of heretical teachers concerned to disseminate their own and often bizarre teachings.

For example, a few years ago the discovery of “The Gospel of Judas” caused a stir in the media. This document was known to St. Irenaeus in the late second century AD. Among its strange teachings is that Judas was the only disciple who truly understood Jesus and that his treachery was a good thing in itself because it helped Jesus to be crucified; except that by that time the real Christ had (weirdly) departed from Jesus and that only Jesus the man was crucified!

Professor Karen King of Harvard Divinity School who made the announcement about the new text cautioned that its reference to Jesus’ wife is no historical proof that Jesus was actually married but only an indication that Christians in the fourth century debated the issues of marriage and celibacy. The Gospels and most of the other books of the New Testament are extensive documents of the first century AD and provide no hint that Jesus was ever married. There would be no reason to hide such a fact because marriage was viewed as a

Encyclical   from page 3 and physical healing they need. I ask you kindly to give generously in response to this appeal. Through your offering of love and assistance, the Apostolic witness of our Ecu-

sacred covenant in Judaism and Christianity. It should be noted that St. Peter the Apostle, as well as other apostles were married (Mark 1:30; 1 Cor 9:5).

The Bible and the Orthodox theology confirm that marriage is instituted by God; it is honorable and holy, one of the sacraments of the Church. Just as the Church honors a celibate life dedicated to God, so also it celebrates marriage as a workshop of God’s kingdom-a journey to God. A note to religious educators from Anton Vrame, Ph.D., director of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education.

Recently, the media has focused on news about a fragment of a Coptic document that reports Jesus speaking about “my wife.” I would imagine that many Sunday Church school students would want some guidance about the story about “Jesus’ wife” or as one reporter called it, “Mrs. Jesus”!

There are two issues that you might want to include in your discussion.

First, the nature of the document, the fragment, itself.

As has been said, the document is one tiny fragment of a document. Ancient documents are always being found and help scholars learn more about our past. For example, the Dead Sea Scrolls (and there are about 1,000 of them), found in 1947, revolutionized what we know about the Bible, especially the Old Testament. Scholars will spend a great deal of time to authenticate this Coptic document. It might be a modern forgery or creation - tests will be done to determine this. If it’s authentic, scholars will spend a great deal of time trying to determine if this fragment is part of other known Coptic documents or is part of some document that is completely new to us.

Second, was Jesus married and what are the implications of the answer?

Throughout history, Christians have debated questions of marriage, sexuality, and celibacy. In the early Church, Christians and Church leaders debated many questions about the person of Christ. There were many different ideas about Him (there still are) and there were many documents asserting different things and many documents refuting the assertions. For example, St. Irenaeus of Lyons in the 2nd century cataloged and critiqued and refuted Gnostic teachings in a five–volume book Against Heresies.

The Councils of the Church, Ecumenical and local, were called to address those that reached crisis proportions and these councils sorted through the various teachings and through study, debate, and prayer, defined the content of the Christian Faith. Simply, the Orthodox Church has never taught that Jesus was married. menical Patriarchate will be strengthened and the level of care will be expanded and enhanced. May your answer to this specific call always reveal your willingness to give freely just as Christ has given everything to all of us.

With paternal love in Him, †DEMETRIOS Archbishop of America

Encyclical October 28: OXI Day Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (Ephesians 6:10) To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Our annual commemoration of OXI Day and the stand of the people of Greece against the forces of fascism in October of 1940, is a cherished recognition of the power of our faith and heritage when faced with adversity and tremendous challenges. On October 28, 1940, this power was evident in the resounding “OXI”, the “NO” given in reply to the ultimatum of the Axis leaders who wanted to occupy Greece without resistance.

The leaders and people of Greece stood firm in the face of overwhelming military might, unwilling to compromise their freedom and their human dignity and rights, gifts granted to them by the Almighty God. This stand of our forbearers and their acceptance of the sacrifice which followed, revealed the power of their faith and heritage because they relied on the spiritual might of God to endure.

While many acts of bravery were offered in defense of Greece and her people, her armies were no match for the war machine of the totalitarian regimes.

Most people had only their voices, their wills, their identity, and their faith.

This faith and a heritage of the highest ideals of life and community were the source of their victory against the fascist army and of the resilience that led the people of Greece through the remainder of the war and its aftermath.

As generations before had endured centuries of occupation, they found hope in their faith in God, and experienced His blessings.

The witness of OXI Day and of the valiant stand of the people of Greece reminds us that we share in this heritage and faith, and that this relationship offers us guidance in the midst of great struggles.

While the threats are not always the spread of fascism or of occupation, we often face tremendous adversities that threaten us or the well-being, freedom, and security of others. It is in this time that we must be resilient through the power of our faith.

As those who endured the hardships that followed October 28, 1940, we can find peace in great turmoil by trusting in the One who calmed the storms.

Following the example of our Lord, we can show compassion for those who are hurting while having the strength to bear our own burdens. By His wisdom we can affirm our boldness for what is just and good, and we can enhance our unity in Him by giving to our brothers and sisters in need.

In our commemorations of OXI Day, may we be challenged by the witness of those who found the strength to endure, and may we honor this legacy by doing the same. May we make every effort to assist our brothers and sisters in Greece, affirming that the power of God and of faith in Him is much greater than the temporal conditions of this world. To all in need of hope and care, let us offer the words of the Apostle Paul followed by our acts of love, May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might for all endurance and patience with joy (Colossians 1:11).

With paternal love in Christ,

† Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

Letters to the Editor LA Tales I find the “Tales from LA” columns both entertaining and informative. Since I invariably share your views on matters pertaining to the Orthodox faith in our modern culture, I receive the additional satisfaction of seeing my own views expressed so beautifully and far more eloquently than I ever could.

I want to thank you for writing these columns and encourage you to continue

Interchurch couples The majority of marriages in our Greek Orthodox Church are interchurch marriages.We must make sure these families are attracted and remain in our Church. The non-Orthodox spouse has many books from which to study the faith.

writing them for many years to come.

I noticed that the Orthodox Observer has archived it’s past issues. Would you mind telling me when you started writing the “Tales from LA” column for them. I’m thinking of going online to read older columns that I may have missed.

(I started reading the Orthodox Observer regularly about two years ago.)

Thanks again for your wonderful columns.

Michael Skarpelos, San Jose, Calif.

It is a must for children to attend Sunday School and the Divine Liturgy.

Interchurch couples can be considered as little missionaries for Orthodoxy.

The immigration rate from Greece is low and will continue to decline.

William Andrews, Chicago

ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2012

ΕΤΟΣ 77 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1279

Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ

Ἡμέρα τοῦ ΟΧΙ Ἐνδυναμοῦσθε ἐν Κυρίῳ καί ἐν τῷ κράτει τῆς ἰσχύος Αὐτοῦ. Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Ἀγαπητοί Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Ὁ ἐτήσιος ἑορτασμός τῆς Ἡμέρας τοῦ ΟΧΙ καί ἡ στάση τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἔναντι τῶν δυνάμεων τοῦ φασισμοῦ τόν Ὀκτώβριο τοῦ 1940, ἀποτελεῖ ἰδιαιτέρα ἀναγνώριση τῆς δυνάμεως τῆς πίστεώς μας καί τῆς κληρονομιᾶς μας στήν ἀντιμετώπιση ἀντιξοοτήτων καί τεραστίων προκλήσεων. Στίς 28 Ὀκτωβρίου 1940, ἡ δύναμη αὐτή φάνηκε στό ἠχηρό «ΟΧΙ» πού ἀντετάχθη στό τελεσίγραφο τῶν ἡγετῶν τοῦ Ἄξονος οἱ ὁποῖοι ἤθελαν νά καταλάβουν τήν Ἑλλάδα χωρίς ἀντίσταση. Οἱ ἡγέτες καί ὁ λαός τῆς Ἑλλάδος στάθηκαν ἀκλόνητοι στή θέα τῆς πανίσχυρης στρατιωτικῆς ἰσχύος, ἀπρόθυμοι νά θυσιάσουν τήν ἐλευθερία, τήν ἀνθρώπινη ἀξιοπρέπεια καί τά δικαιώματά τους, δῶρα τά ὁποῖα τοῦ δόθηκαν ἀπό τόν Παντοδύναμο Θεό. Αὐτή ἡ στάση τῶν προγόνων μας καί ἡ ἀποδοχή τῆς θυσίας πού ἀκολούθησε, ἀπεκάλυψε τήν δύναμη τῆς πίστεως καί τῆς κληρονομιᾶς των διότι στηρίχθηκαν στήν πνευματική δύναμη τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά νά ἀντέξουν στή δοκιμασία. Ἐνῶ πολλές ἡρωϊκές πράξεις πραγματοποιήθηκαν γιά τήν ὑπεράσπιση τῆς Ἑλλάδος καί τοῦ λαοῦ της, ὁ στρατός της ἦτο πολύ μικρός ἔναντι τῆς τεράστιας πολεμικῆς μηχανῆς τῶν ἐπιτιθεμένων ὁλοκληρωτικῶν καθεστώτων. Οἱ περισσότεροι ἄνθρωποι διέθεταν μόνο τή φωνή τους, τή βούλησή τους, τήν ταυτότητα καί τήν πίστη τους. Αὐτή ἡ πίστη καί ἡ κληρονομιά ὑψηλοτάτων ἰδανικῶν ζωῆς καί κοινωνίας ἀπετέλεσαν τήν πηγή τοῦ θριάμβου τῶν Ἑλλήνων ἐναντίον τοῦ φασιστικοῦ στρατοῦ καί τῆς ἀνθεκτικότητάς τους πού ἐμψύχωσε τούς Ἕλληνες στήν διάρκεια τοῦ πολέμου καί τίς συνέπειές του. Ὅπως γενεές πρίν εἶχαν ἀντέξει αἰῶνες κατοχῆς, ἔτσι οἱ πρόγονοί μας τό 1940 βρῆκαν ἐλπίδα στήν πίστη τους στόν Θεό καί βίωσαν τίς εὐλογίες Του. Ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς Ἡμέρας τοῦ ΟΧΙ καί τῆς γενναίας στάσεως τοῦ λαοῦ τῆς Ἑλλάδος μᾶς θυμίζει πώς ἀποτελοῦμε τμῆμα αὐτῆς τῆς κληρονομιᾶς καί τῆς πίστεως, καί πώς αὐτή ἡ σχέση μᾶς καθοδηγεῖ ἐν μέσῳ μεγάλων δυσκολιῶν. Ἐνῶ οἱ ἀπειλές δέν εἶναι πάντοτε ἡ ἐξάπλωση τοῦ φασισμοῦ ἤ τῆς κατοχῆς, συχνά ἀντιμετωπίζουμε τεράστιες δυσκολίες πού ἀπειλοῦν ἐμᾶς ἤ τήν εὐημερία, τήν ἐλευθερία καί τήν ἀσφάλεια τῶν ἄλλων. Εἶναι τότε πού πρέπει νά ἐπιδείξουμε ἀνθεκτικότητα διά τῆς δυνάμεως τῆς πίστεως. Ὅπως ἐκεῖνοι πού ἄντεξαν τίς δυσκολίες πού ἀκολούθησαν τήν 28η Ὀκτωβρίου 1940,

uΣελίδα 18

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

(Από αριστερά) Τζορτζ Τσούνης, Αφροδίτη Σκιαδάς, Σκοτ Ρέχλερ, οι Μητροπολίτες Σάββας, Αλέξιος και Ιάκωβος, Ντένις Μίελ, Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, Κυβερνήτης ΝΥ Άντριου Κουόμο, οι Μητροπολίτες Μεθόδιος, Νικόλαος και Ευάγγελος, Πήτερ Κίκης, Ιωάννης Γροσσομανίδης, Ιερώνυμος Δημητρίου, Δρ. Αντώνιος Λυμπεράκης και Επίσκοπος Φασιανής Αντώνιος.

Αντριου Κουόμο: υπογραφή τελικής συμφωνίας για την ανοικοδόμηση του Ναού Αγίου Νικολάου του Σταύρου Η. Παπαγερμανού

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Κυβερνήτης της Πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης κ. Άντριου Κουόµο, ανακοίνωσε πρόσφατα στο Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συµβούλιο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής, την υπογραφή της τελικής συµφωνίας για την ανοικοδόµηση του Αγίου Νικολάου που πραγµατοποιήθηκε στις 18 Οκτωβρίου 2012 και σηµείωσε ότι η Λιµενική Αρχή της Νέας Υόρκης και Νέας Ιερσέης θα ξεκινήσει άµεσα τις εργασίες για την κατασκευή των υποδοµών και τη διαµόρφωση του θεµέλιου χώρου όπου πρόκειται να ανεγερθεί ο νέος ναός του Αγίου Νικόλαου ευελπιστώντας ότι η φάση αυτή θα ολοκληρωθεί σε ένα χρόνο και ο χώρος θα παραδοθεί στην Αρχιεπισκοπή. Ο Κυβερνήτης Κουόµο έκανε την ανακοίνωση κατά την διάρκεια γεύµατος που παρετέθη στα πλαίσια της φθινοπωρινής σύγκλισης του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συµβουλίου και του συµβουλίου της Εθνικής Φιλόπτωχου, της πρώτης για την νέα διετή θητεία τους 2012-2014 στο ξενοδοχείο Χίλτον της Νέας Υόρκης. Ο Σεβασµιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής κ. ∆ηµήτριος καλωσόρισε τον κ. Κουόµο και τον ευχαρίστησε για την «καθοριστική συµβολή» του στη διαδικασία της επιτεύξεως της συµφωνίας για την ανοικοδόµηση του Αγίου Νικολάου και για την εν γένει βοήθεια του ώστε «να αναστηθεί ο Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου», όπως χαρακτηριστικά είπε ο Σεβασµιώτατος. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ∆ηµήτριος είπε ότι όπως λέει ο στίχος του ποιητή ∆ιονυσίου Σολωµού το χάσµα που άνοιξε ο σεισµός ευθύς εγέµισε άνθη, έτσι και στο ∆ιεθνές Εµπορικό Κέντρο µετά την επίθεση της 11ης Σεπτεµβρίου 2001, όλα αναµορφώνονται και µεταβάλλονται και

«όταν ο Άγιος Νικόλαος ολοκληρωθεί θα είναι κάτι πολύ ιδιαίτερο, ένας χώρο προσευχής, ένας χώρος παρηγορίας, ειλικρίνειας και συµφιλίωσης, ένας χώρος τον οποίο οι συγγενείς των θυµάτων της 11ης Σεπτεµβρίου θα µπορούν να επισκέπτονται και ν’ ανάβουν ένα κερί. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος προσέφερε στον Κυβερνήτη κ. Κουόµο, ως συµβολικό δώρο, ένα επιτραπέζιο ασηµένιο χειροποίητο σταυρό, που όπως είπε «είναι σύµβο-

Κουόµο: Θα ξεκινήσουν άµεσα τις εργασίες για την κατασκευή των υποδοµών και τη διαµόρφωση του θεµέλιου χώρου όπου πρόκειται να ανεγερθεί ο νέος Ναός του Αγίου Νικόλαου λο θυσίας και αγάπης, απωλείας αλλά και ωφελείας, θανάτου αλλά και αναστάσεως». Ο κ. Κουόµο αποδεχόµενος το δώρο στο όνοµα του λαού της Πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης και µετά της ανακοίνωση της υπογραφής της συµφωνίας στάθηκε ιδιαίτερα στην επιµονή και αποφασιστικότητα της Ελληνορθόδοξου Εκκλησίας και κοινότητος και µεταξύ άλλων τόνισε: «Σας συγχαίρω για ότι κάνατε. Από την πλευρά µου έκανα ότι έπρεπε να κάνω, έπραξα απλά το καθήκον µου, έπραξα αυτό για το οποίο εξελέγην. Αλλά ο αγώνας που εσείς διεξήγατε για τον Άγιο Νικόλαο για πάνω από µια δεκαετία είναι εξαιρετικός και αξιέπαινος. Αντιµετωπίσατε κάθε πιθανό εµπόδιο και ακούσατε

το «όχι» πολλές φορές. Αντιπαλέψατε µε την γραφειοκρατία, µε διαφορετικούς κυβερνήτες, µε διαφορετικούς προϊσταµένους της Λιµενικής Αρχής και δεν δεχθήκατε το «όχι», αλλά συνεχίσατε µε επιµονή και αποφασιστικότητα και αυτό αποτελεί µια πολύ χαρακτηριστική και ωραία πτυχή της Ελληνοαµερικανικής κοινότητος. Οργανωθήκατε, κινητοποιηθήκατε, αρνούµενοι να τα παρατήσετε, αρνούµενοι να χάσετε. Και αυτό ήταν υπέροχο διότι δεν ήταν για σας, δεν ήταν για κάποιο ίδιο συµφέρον, ούτε για προσωπική προβολή οποιουδήποτε, αλλά διότι ήταν θεµελιώδης πεποίθηση της Ελληνικής κοινότητος, η οποία είναι µια κοινότητα πίστεως και φιλανθρωπίας».

Ιερά Σύνοδος Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Γενοµένης τῆς τακτικῆς ἀνασυγκροτήσεως τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου, αὕτη ἀπετελέσθη διά τό ἑξάµηνον 01.09.2012 – 28.02.2013, ὑπό τήν προεδρίαν τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, ἐκ τῶν Σεβ. Ἱεραρχῶν: Γέροντος Χαλκηδόνος κ. Ἀθανασίου Γέροντος ∆έρκων κ. Ἀποστόλου Πέργης κ. Εὐαγγέλου Ἰταλίας καί Μελίτης κ. Γενναδίου Θεοδωρουπόλεως κ. Γερµανοῦ Σύµης κ. Χρυσοστόµου Μιλήτου κ. Ἀποστόλου Μυριοφύτου καί Περιστάσεως κ. Εἰρηναίου Μύρων κ. Χρυσοστόµου Πιττσβούργου κ. Σάββα Κισάµου καί Σελίνου κ. Ἀµφιλοχίου Χόνγκ-Κόνγκ κ. Νεκταρίου Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραµµατείας τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου

16

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2012

Ἡ ἐπίσκεψις τοῦ Πατριάρχου εἰς τό Βατικανόν Ἀνταποκρινόµενος εἰς ἀδελφικήν πρόσκλησιν τῆς Αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Πάπα Βενεδίκτου ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Οἰκουµενικός Πατριάρχης µετέβη τήν 10ην Ὀκτωβρίου 2012 εἰς Ρώµην προκειµένου νά συµµετάσχῃ εἰς τόν ἑορτασµόν τῆς συµπληρώσεως 50 ἐτῶν ἀπό τῆς ἐνάρξεως τῶν ἐργασιῶν τῆς Β΄ Βατικανῆς Συνόδου (11 Ὀκτωβρίου 1962) ἐπί τοῦ µακαριστοῦ Πάπα Ἰωάννου ΚΓ΄. Συνοδοί τοῦ Πατριάρχου κατά τήν ἐπίσκεψιν ταύτην ἦσαν οἱ Σεβ. Μητροπολῖται Ἰταλίας καί Μελίτης κ. Γεννάδιος καί Γαλλίας κ. Ἐµµανουήλ µετά τοῦ Ἀρχικλητῆρος Ἐντιµ. κ. Συµεών Φραντζελᾶ. Τόν Πατριάρχην ὑπεδέχθη ἐν τῷ ἀεροδροµίῳ Fiumicino Παπική Ἀντιπροσωπεία ἥτις καί συνώδευσεν Αὐτόν εἰς τό κατάλυµά Του ἐν τῷ ἐν τῷ Βατικανῷ «Οἴκῳ τῆς Ἁγίας Μάρθας». Τό ἑσπέρας ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης καί οἱ συνοδοί Αὐτῆς παρεκάθησαν εἰς δεῖπνον παρατεθέν ὑπό τοῦ ἐν Ἰταλίᾳ Πρέσβεως τῆς Ἑλλάδος Ἐξοχ. κ. Μιχαήλ Καµπάνη. Τήν ἑποµένην, Πέµπτην, ὁ Πατριάρχης καί οἱ σύν Αὐτῷ παρέστησαν εἰς τήν λειτουργίαν τήν ὁποίαν ἐτέλεσεν ἐπί τῆς Πλατείας τοῦ Ἁγίου Πέτρου ἡ Α. Ἁγιότης, ἥτις ἐν ἀρχῇ τῆς ὁµιλίας αὐτῆς ἀπηύθυνεν ἰδιαίτερον

χαιρετισµόν καί εὐχαριστίας εἰς τόν Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριάρχην καί εἰς τόν Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Καντουαρίας διά τήν τιµητικήν παρουσίαν αὐτῶν εἰς τό ἑορταστικόν αὐτό γεγονός τῆς ΡΚαθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Εἰς τό τέλος τῆς λειτουργίας κατά τό πρόγραµµα ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐξεφώνησεν ἰταλιστί τήν ὁµιλίαν Αὐτοῦ ἀναφερθείς εἰς τήν Β΄ Βατικανήν Σύνοδον καί τάς µεταρρυθµίσεις αὐτῆς, ἰδιαιτέρως εἰς τόν χῶρον τῆς οἰκουµενικῆς κινήσεως. Σηµειωτέον, ὅτι εἰς τήν θείαν λειτουργίαν ταύτην µετέσχον ὡς συλλειτουργοί τοῦ Πάπα ἤ παρέστησαν ἐν συµπροσευχῇ τά µέλη τῆς Συνόδου τῶν ἐπισκόπων τῆς ΡΚαθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ἡ ὁποία συνεδριάζει τάς ἡµέρας αὐτάς (ἐπί τρεῖς ἑβδοµάδας) ἐν Ρώµῃ καί εἰς τήν ὁποίαν τό Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον ἐκπροσωπεῖ ὁ Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Καρελίας καί πάσης Φιλλανδίας κ. Λέων. Τήν µεσηµβρίαν ὁ Παναγιώτατος καί οἱ συνοδοί Του προσκληθέντες παρεκάθησαν εἰς γεῦµα, τό ὁποῖον παρέθεσε πρός τιµήν των ὁ παρά τῷ Βατικανῷ Πρέσβυς τῆς Τουρκίας Ἐξοχ. κ. Kenan Gursoy. Καί ἐνταῦθα, ὡς καί ἐν τῇ Πρεσβείᾳ τῆς Ἑλλάδος, ἀντηλλάγησαν θερµαί προπόσεις µεταξύ τῶν ἀµφιτρυόνων καί τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος. Τό ἑσπέρας ὁ Σεβ. Καρδινάλιος κ. Kurt

Koch, Πρόεδρος τοῦ Ποντιφικοῦ Συµβουλίου ἐπί τῆς προωθήσεως τῆς Ἑνότητος τῶν Χριστιανῶν, παρέθεσεν ἔν τινι Ἑστιατορίῳ τῆς Ρώµης ἐπίσηµον δεῖπνον πρός τιµήν τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος καί τῆς Α. Χάριτος τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Καντουαρίας ∆ρος Rowan Williams καί τῶν συνοδῶν αὐτῶν. Τήν Παρασκευήν, 12ην ἰδίου, ὁ Οἰκουµενικός Πατριάρχης καί ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Καντουαρίας εἶχον ἰδιαιτέραν συνάντησιν καί συνεργασίαν κατά τήν διάρκειαν τοῦ προγεύµατός των ἐν τῷ Οἴκῳ τῆς Ἁγίας Μάρθας, ἐνῷ ἀργότερον καί ὥραν 12.00 µεσηµβρινήν ἐπραγµατοποιήθη ἰδιαιτέρα συνάντησις καί συνοµιλία Πάπα-Πατριάρχου ἐν τῇ Βιβλιοθήκῃ τοῦ πρώτου, µεθ᾿ ἥν ἐκλήθησαν καί τά µέλη τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς συνοδείας, ἀντηλλάγησαν δῶρα καί ἐλήφθησαν ἀναµνηστικαί φωτογραφίαι, τῆς ὅλης συναντήσεως µαγνητοσκοπηθείσης. Ἀκολούθως ὁ Πάπας καί ὁ Πατριάρχης παρεκάθησαν εἰς γεῦµα ὁµοῦ µετά τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Καντουαρίας καί τῶν περίπου 300 µελῶν τῆς Συνόδου τῶν Ἐπισκόπων, ἐκπροσωπούντων ὅλας τάς ἐν τῷ κόσµῳ Ἐπισκοπικάς Συνελεύσεις τῆς ΡΚαθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας. Τό ἀπόγευµα ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ

Πατριάρχης ἐπέστρεψεν εἰς τήν Πόλιν δι᾿ ἀεροσκάφους τῶν Τουρκικῶν Ἀερογραµµῶν, ὡς καί κατά τήν µετάβασιν εἰς Ρώµην, προπεµφθείς τιµητικῶς καί ὑπαντηθείς κατά τήν ἄφιξιν ὑπό τοῦ Ἐπιτρόπου Αὐτοῦ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Γέροντος ∆έρκων κ. Ἀποστόλου.

Α ΡΧ Ι Ε Π Ι ΣΚΟΠ Ι Κ Η Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ

Ἑορτή Ἁγίων Ἀναργύρων Ἁγίων Κοσμᾶ καί Δαμιανοῦ Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Ἀγαπητοί Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Ἡ Ἑορτή τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀναργύρων, Ἁγίων Κοσμᾶ καί Δαμιανοῦ, τιμᾶ τήν ἀποστολική διακονία αὐτῶν τῶν δύο πρωταθλητῶν πίστεως καί ἀγάπης καί καλεῖ ὅλους μας νά ἀκούσουμε τήν προτροπή τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀναφορικά μέ τή διακονία μας πρός τούς ἄλλους. Ὅταν ὁ Κύριός μας ἀπέστειλε τούς μαθητές Του στήν ἀρχή τῆς διακονίας Του, τούς εἶπε: πορευόμενοι δέ κηρύσσετε λέγοντες ὅτι ἤγγικεν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. Ἀσθενοῦντας θεραπεύετε, νεκρούς ἐγείρετε, λεπρούς καθαρίζετε, δαιμόνια ἐκβάλλετε. Δωρεάν ἐλάβετε, δωρεάν δότε (Ματθ. 10: 7-8). Οἱ μαθηταί εἶχαν λάβει τήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ. Τούς εἶχε δοθεῖ ἡ δύναμη καί ἡ δυνατότητα νά κάνουν θαύματα. Μέ αὐτές τίς θεϊκές εὐλογίες, ὁ Κύριός μας τούς ὁδήγησε στό νά πορεύονται καί νά προσφέρουν δωρεάν σέ ὅποιον ἀντιμετώπιζε καταστάσεις ἀνάγκης. Τό θεμέλιο αὐτό τῆς ἀληθινῆς διακονίας στό ὄνομα τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἔχει καταστεῖ ἀποστολή τῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί τῶν πιστῶν διαμέσου τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀκολουθώντας τίς ἐντολές τοῦ Κυρίου μας, οἱ Ἅγιοι Κοσμᾶς καί Δαμιανός ἐξέβαλαν δαίμονες καί θεράπευαν ἀρρώστους μέ τήν δύναμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος. Προσέφεραν τίς ὑπηρεσίες των χωρίς ἀνταμοιβή, ἀσχέτως τῆς οἰκονομικῆς καταστάσεως τῶν ἐν χρείᾳ τελούντων. Ἡ φροντίδα τους εἶχε ὡς ἀποδέκτες ὅλα τά πλάσματα τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἀκόμη καί ζῶα, καί μέσα ἀπό τήν προσφορά των θεραπεύθηκαν ψυχές καί σώματα, καί πολλοί βρῆκαν ἀνακούφιση διά τῆς πίστεως. Ἡ μαρτυρία τῶν Ἀποστόλων καί τῶν Ἁγίων Ἀναργύρων ὑπαγορεύει τήν ἀνταπόκρισή μας στήν ἐντολή τοῦ Κυρίου, Δωρεάν ἐλάβετε, δωρεάν δότε. Ὡς Δημιουργός μας, μᾶς χάρισε ζωή καί μεγάλο δυναμικό. Ὡς Σωτήρας μας, προσέφερε τόν Ἑαυτόν Του οὕτως ὥστε νά ὑπερνικήσουμε τήν ἁμαρτία καί τόν θάνατο. Ὡς Κύριός μας, μᾶς δίδει δύναμη νά προσφέρουμε μαρτυρία τῆς χάριτός Του καί νά

δοῦμε νά παράγεται ὁ εὐλογημένος καρπός τῆς πίστεως στίς ζωές τῶν ἄλλων. Ὅπως ὁ Χριστός μᾶς προσφέρει ἁπλόχερα, ἔτσι προσφέρουμε καί ἐμεῖς ἁπλόχερα στούς ἄλλους χωρίς δισταγμό, ἄνευ ὅρων, ἀλλά μέ βαθειά καί γνήσια ἀγάπη γιά τήν ζωή καί τήν εὐημερία των σέ σχέση μέ τόν Θεό. Αὐτή ἡ προσφορά ἔργου καί ἡ ἔμφαση στήν δωρεά ἱάσεως καί ἀνακουφίσεως πρός τούς ἄλλους ἀποτελεῖ τήν ἀποστολή τῶν φιλανθρωπικῶν διακονιῶν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου μας. Σ’ ἕνα περιβᾶλλον γεμᾶτο προκλήσεις, τό Οἰκουμενικό Πατριαρχεῖο, ἡ Μητέρα Ἐκκλησία μας, φροντίζει γιά τίς ἀνάγκες τῶν ὑπερηλίκων, τῶν ἀσθενούντων, τῶν πτωχῶν καί τῶν ὀρφανῶν μέσα ἀπό τό Νοσοκομεῖο καί κέντρο ὑπερηλίκων Βαλουκλῆ καί μέσα ἀπό ἄλλες διακονίες καί προγράμματα. Αὐτό τό ζωτικό ἔργο ὑποστηρίζεται ἀπό τήν Ἐθνική Ἀδελφότητα Κυριῶν Φιλοπτώχου μέσῳ εἰδικῆς ἐκκλήσεως, καί τήν Κυριακή, 4 Νοεμβρίου, τά τοπικά παραρτήματα τῆς Φιλοπτώχου θά ἡγηθοῦν προσπαθείας τῶν ἐνοριῶν μας συγκεντρώσεως εἰσφορῶν γιά τίς φιλανθρωπικές διακονίες τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου. Πρόκειται περί εὐλογημένης εὐκαιρίας νά προσφέρουμε ἁπλόχερα ἀπό τά ὑλικά ἀγαθά τά ὁποῖα ἐλάβαμε ἀπό τόν Θεό, ἔτσι ὥστε συνάνθρωποί μας νά λάβουν τήν πνευματική καί σωματική θεραπεία τήν ὁποία χρειάζονται. Κάνω ἔκκληση στά εὐγενικά σας αἰσθήματα νά συνεισφέρετε γενναιόδωρα σ’ αὐτή τήν προσπάθεια. Μέσα ἀπό τήν προσφορά ἀγάπης καί βοηθείας σας, ἡ ἀποστολική μαρτυρία τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου μας θά ἐνισχυθῆ καί τό ἐπίπεδο φροντίδος θά διευρυνθῆ καί δυναμωθῆ. Εἴθε ἡ ἀνταπόκρισή σας σ’ αὐτή τήν ἰδιαίτερη ἔκκληση νά ἐκφράζῃ πάντοτε τήν προθυμία σας νά προσφέρετε ἁπλόχερα ὅπως ὁ Χριστός ἔχει δώσει τά πάντα σέ ὅλους ἐμᾶς.

Μετά πατρικής ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2012

17

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ΤΑ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΜΟΥ

Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ

Επίσκεψη Μητροπολίτου Κυρηνείας Χρυσοστόμου στην Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Σεβασµιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής κ. ∆ηµήτριος υποδέχθηκε στις 16 Οκτωβρίου στην έδρα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής τον Πανιερώτατο Μητροπολίτη Κυρηνείας κ. Χρυσόστοµο, ο οποίος πραγµατοποιεί επίσκεψη στο Μεξικό, στις Ηνωµένες Πολιτείες Αµερικής και στον Καναδά. Τον Μητροπολίτη κ. Χρυσόστοµο συνόδευαν η Γενική Πρόξενος της Κύπρου στην Νέα Υόρκη κ. Κούλα Σοφιανού, ο πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής

Οµοσπονδίας Αµερικής κ. Πανίκος Παπανικολάου και ο συνεργάτης του Μητροπολίτου κ. Μάριος Λάππας. Κατά την παραµονή του στην ευρύτερη περιοχή της Νέας Υόρκης ο κ. Χρυσόστοµος θα έχει την ευκαιρία να συναντηθεί µε εκπροσώπους της Οµογενείας, να επισκεφθεί ορισµένες ενορίες και σχολεία της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αµερικής και τις πολυάριθµες Κυπριακές οργανώσεις και συλλόγους της Νέας Υόρκης και της Νέας Ιερσέης.

Πρώτο επίπεδο • Τεύχος 1Α

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ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΘΕΝ ΙΕΡΑΣ ΕΠΑΡΧΙΑΚΗΣ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΥ Νέα Ὑόρκη, 18η Ὀκτωβρίου 2012 Ἡ Ἱερά Ἐπαρχιακή Σύνοδος τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς συνῆλθεν εἰς τήν τακτικήν συνεδρίαν αὐτῆς εἰς τήν αἴθουσαν τῆς Συνόδου τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς ἐν Νέᾳ Ὑόρκῃ τήν 17ην καί 18ην Ὀκτωβρίου 2012 ὑπό τήν προεδρίαν τοῦ Σεβασμιωτάτου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἀμερικῆς κ. Δημητρίου καί τήν συμμετοχήν τῶν Μελῶν αὐτῆς. Τήν προτεραίαν τῆς ἐνάρξεως τῶν ἐργασιῶν τῆς Συνόδου, ἤτοι τήν 16ην τρέχοντος μηνός, τά Μέλη αὐτῆς εἶχον τήν εὐκαιρίαν νά ἐπεξεργασθοῦν καί ὁλοκληρώσουν τό πρωτότυπον ἑλληνικόν κείμενον μετά λειτουργικῶν ὁδηγιῶν τῶν ἀκολουθιῶν τοῦ Ἑσπερινοῦ καί Ὄρθρου, τό ὁποῖον καί θά ὑποβληθῇ εἰς τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον πρός ἔγκρισιν. Ἡ Ἱερά Σύνοδος κατά τήν συνεδρίαν αὐτῆς ἠσχολήθη μέ σειράν θεμάτων μεταξύ τῶν ὁποίων εἶναι καί τά ἑξῆς: 1. Θέματα εἰδικῶν πλευρῶν τοῦ ποιμαντικοῦ καί διοικητικοῦ ἔργου τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἀναφερομένων εἰς κληρικούς καί λαϊκούς. Εἰδικώτερον, ἡ Σύνοδος ἐνέκρινεν πρόγραμμα ποιμαντικῆς φροντίδος εἰς ἀσθενεῖς (Chaplaincy Program) διά τοῦ ὁποίου ἐκτός τῶν κληρικῶν θά δύνανται ἄτομα τά ὁποῖα ἔχουν θεολογικήν μόρφωσιν καί εἰδικεύθησαν εἰς τήν ποιμαντικήν νά προσφέρουν τάς ὑπηρεσίας των εἰς διάφορα ἱδρύματα ὅπως π.χ. Νοσοκομεῖα, φυλακάς, κλπ.

2. Θέματα εἰδικῶν περιπτώσεων πειθαρχικῆς φύσεως σχετιζομένων μέ κληρικούς, καθώς ἐπίσης καί θέματα τῆς ἀναγκαίας ποιμαντικῆς φροντίδος διά τούς κληρικούς καί τάς οἰκογενείας των.

3. Θέματα Θρησκευτικῆς καί Ἑλληνικῆς Παιδείας: Ἡ Σύνοδος συνεζήτησε ἐκτενῶς τήν κατάρτισιν ὑποψηφίων Ἱερέων καί τό Εἰδικόν Μορφωτικόν Πρόγραμμα Διακόνων. Συνεζητήθη ἐπίσης ἡ

ἀνάγκη εὐρείας συμμετοχῆς τῶν ἐνοριῶν εἰς τό λίαν ἐπιτυχές διά τήν νεολαίαν Φεστιβάλ ὁμιλητικῆς (St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival). Ἐπίσης ἔγινε παρουσίασις τῶν νέων Ἐγχειριδίων Δευτέρου Ἐπιπέδου διά τήν διδασκαλίαν τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Γλώσσης εἰς τά ἡμερήσια καί ἀπογευματινά σχολεῖα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς. Ὡς γνωστόν, τά ἐν λόγῳ βιβλία χορηγοῦνται δωρεάν ὑπό τοῦ Κληροδοτήματος Πίστης, τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς. Ἤδη δέ ἤρχισεν ἡ προετοιμασία διά τά βιβλία τοῦ τρίτου ἐπιπέδου.

4. Θέματα διοικητικῆς φύσεως: Ἐγένετο συζήτησις διοικητικῶν θεμάτων ἀναφερομένων εἰς ἐνορίας καί Μονάς τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς. Ἀνεκοινώθη τό λίαν εὐχάριστον γεγονός τῆς ὑπογραφῆς τῶν σχετικῶν ἐγγράφων διά τήν ἀνέγερσιν τῆς ἐκκλησίας τοῦ Ἁγίου Νικολάου εἰς Ground Zero, ἡ ὁποία θά ἀποτελέση ὄχι μόνον ἐνοριακήν ἐκκλησίαν ἀλλά καί Ἐθνικόν προσκύνημα καί γενικώτερον μαρτυρίαν τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως.

5. Θέματα κοινωνικῆς φύσεως: Ἡ Σύνοδος συνεζήτησε τό θέμα τοῦ ρατσισμοῦ καί φασισμοῦ καί προέβη εἰς τό ἐπισυναπτόμενον ἀνακοινωθέν. Ἐπίσης, ἡ Σύνοδος συνεζήτησε τό ἐπίκαιρον θέμα τῆς «ἰατρικῶς βοηθουμένης αὐτοκτονίας» (medically assisted suicide) καί συντόμως θά προβῇ εἰς σχετικήν ἀνακοίνωσιν. Μετά τήν λῆξιν τῶν ἐργασιῶν τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἐπαρχιακῆς Συνόδου, τά μέλη αὐτῆς εἶχον τήν εὐκαιρίαν νά συμμετάσχουν εἰς τάς ἐργασίας τῆς Ἐκτελεστικῆς Ἐπιτροπῆς, τῶν ἐπί μέρους ἐπιτροπῶν καί τῆς ὁλομελείας τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκοπικοῦ Συμβουλίου ( 18-19 Ὀκτ. ἐ. ἔ.), ὡς ἐπίσης καί εἰς τήν ἐτησίαν συνέλευσιν καί τάς ἑορταστικάς ἐκδηλώσεις τῶν Ἀρχόντων τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ ἡμῶν Πατριαρχείου τήν 20 καί 21 Ὀκτ. ἐ.ἔ.

Πρώτο επίπεδο • Τεύχος 1Β

Πρώτο επίπεδο • Τεύχος 2

Δεύτερο επίπεδο • Τεύχος 1

Δήλωσις τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἐπαρχιακῆς Συνόδου τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς Μέ τήν εὐκαιρία τῆς Φθινοπωρινῆς συνεδρίας της, τόν Ὀκτώβριο 2012, ἡ Ἱερά Ἐπαρχιακή Σύνοδος τῆς Ἱ. Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς, ἐκφράζει γιά μία ἀκόμη φορά τήν βαθειά ἀνησυχία της ἀναφορικά πρός τήν ἀκραία φανατική γλῶσσα ἡ ὁποία χρησιμοποιεῖται σέ ὅλα τά πεδία τῆς δημοσίας καί ἰδιωτικῆς ζωῆς. Παροτρύνουμε ὅλους νά ἀκολουθήσουν τήν συμβουλή τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Παύλου: Ὁ λόγος ὑμῶν πάντοτε ἐν χάριτι, ἅλατι ἠρτυμένος, εἰδέναι πῶς δεῖ ὑμᾶς ἑνί ἑκάστῳ ἀποκρίνεσθαι (Κολ. 4:6). Ἀποδοκιμάζουμε τήν χρήση οἱουδήποτε ρατσιστικοῦ, ξενοφοβικοῦ, φασιστικοῦ καί ἐχθρικοῦ λόγου, συμβόλων καί συμπεριφορᾶς. Ἐν γνώσει ὅτι ἕνα ἀπό τά μεγαλύτερα δῶρα τοῦ δημοκρατικοῦ πολιτεύματος εἶναι ἡ ἐλευθερία τοῦ λόγου, παρά ταῦτα συνιστοῦμε ὑπευθυνότητα, εὐγένεια καί ἀγάπη στήν ἐπιλογή λέξεων καί τρόπων ἐκφράσεως. Οἱ Ἕλληνες εἶπαν «ΟΧΙ» στόν φασισμό στόν Β’ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο καί ἀκολούθως ὑπέφεραν μεγάλα δεινά κατά τήν διάρκεια τῆς Ναζιστικῆς κατοχῆς. Καλοῦμε ὅλους νά ἀντιτάξουν τό «ΟΧΙ» ἔναντι τῆς ἐχθρότητος παντός εἴδους ὁλοκληρωτισμοῦ καί νά ἐναγκαλισθοῦν τήν γνήσια φιλανθρωπία καί φιλοξενία, πού ἀποτελοῦν ἄλλωστε καί τό μήνυμα τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου. Ὡς πρωτοπόρος στόν Διαθρησκειακό καί Διαπολιτισμικό Διάλογο, ἡ Ἑλληνική Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία μέ τήν χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ προσεύχεται καί ἐργάζεται γιά τήν εἰρήνη, τόν σεβασμό καί τήν συνδιαλλαγή μεταξύ ὅλων τῶν ἀνθρώπων.

Με την ευλογία και καθοδήγηση του Σεβασµιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αµερικής Δηµητρίου, τη χορηγία του κληροδοτήµατος FAITH και την επιµέλεια του Γραφείου Παιδείας της Αρχιεπισκοπής, εκδόθηκαν τα βιβλία της σειράς «Τα Ελληνικά µου», τα οποία διδάσκονται στα ελληνικά κοινοτικά σχολεία, όπως και σε σχολεία άλλων φορέων. Τα βιβλία 1Α & 1Β επανεκδόθηκαν τον Ιούλιο του 2011 σε βελτιωµένη έκδοση και χρησιµοποιούνται για την 1η και 2α τάξη για τη διδασκαλία των Ελληνικών ως δεύτερης/ξένης γλώσσας. Τα δύο αυτά βιβλία αντικατέστησαν το Τεύχος 1 του πρώτου επιπέδου που είχε χρησιµοποιηθεί τις χρονιές 2009-11. Το τεύχος 2 του πρώτου επιπέδου που εκδόθηκε τον Ιούλιο του 2010 αποτελεί τη συνέχεια των δύο προηγούµενων βιβλίων και διδάσκεται µετά την ολοκλήρωσή τους, δηλαδή καλύπτει µέρος της Δευτέρας τάξης και συνεχίζεται στην Τρίτη. Το τεύχος 1 του δευτέρου επιπέδου της σειράς «Τα Ελληνικά µου», εκδόθηκε τον Ιούλιο του 2011 και διδάχθηκεγια πρώτη φορά την περσινή σχολική χρονιά. Καλύπτει τις ανάγκες της Τρίτης και Τετάρτης τάξης. Το τεύχος 2 του δευτέρου επιπέδου της σειράς «Τα Ελληνικά µου», εκδόθηκε τον Ιούλιο του 2012 και διδάσκεται για πρώτη φορά τη φετινή σχολική χρονιά. Καλύπτει τις ανάγκες της Πέµπτης τάξης.

Δεύτερο επίπεδο • Τεύχος 2

Tα βιβλία διατίθενται δωρεάν από τα Γραφεία Παιδείας όλων των Μητροπόλεων της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής.

• Ειδικότερα, για την Άμεση Αρχιεπισκοπική Περιφέρεια Νέας Υόρκης τα βιβλία διατίθενται από την Κοινότητα του Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστορίας. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Ευαγγελία Ζήνω-νος, τηλέφωνο 718-728-1718.

• Για την Μητρόπολη της Νέας Ιερσέης τα βιβλία διατίθενται από την Κοινότητα του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου στο Τεναφλάι. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Άννα Μέγαρη, τηλέφωνο 201-567-5072.

• Για την Μητρόπολη Ατλάντας από την Κοινότητα Αγίας Τριάδος στο Σάρλοτ, Βόρειας Καρολίνας. Υπεύθυνος επικοινωνίας είναι ο π. Μιχαήλ Βαρβαρέλης, τηλέφωνο 704-334-4771.

• Για τη Μητρόπολη Ντιτρόιτ από τα γραφεία της Μητρόπολης. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Χάριετ Στούκας, τηλέφωνο 248-823-2400.

• Για τη Μητρόπολη Ντένβερ από τον Καθεδρικό Ναό του Ευαγγελισμού. Υπεύθυνος επικοινωνίας είναι ο κ. Νικόλαος Ιωαννίδης, τηλέφωνο 303-9091-694.

• Για τη Μητρόπολη του Αγίου Φραγκίσκου από την Κοινότητα του Τιμίου Σταυρού στο Μπέλμοντ. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Θεοδώρα Κουναλάκη, τηλέφωνο 650-200-6930.

• Για τη Μητρόπολη Βοστώνης από την Κοινότητα του Αγίου Νεκταρίου στο Ροσλιντέιλ. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Θεοδώρα Χρονοπούλου, τηλέφωνο 617-327-1983.

• Για τη Μητρόπολη Πιτσβούργου από την Κοινότητα του Αγίου Νικολάου, Πιτσβούργου. Υπεύθυνη επικοινωνίας είναι η κ. Μαρία Σταμούλη, τηλέφωνο 412-874-4422.

Η ολοκλήρωση του παιδαγωγικού έργου της σειράς «Τα Ελληνικά μου» αναμένεται να πραγματοποιηθεί με τη συγγραφή και έκδοση των δύο τευχών του τρίτου επιπέδου μέχρι το 2013-2014, καλύπτοντας έτσι όλα τα επίπεδα του ελληνικού σχολείου για τη διδασκαλία και εκμάθηση της Ελληνικής ως δεύτερης / ξένης γλώσσας. Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες απευθυνθείτε στο Γραφείο Παιδείας της Αρχιεπισκοπής 8 Ε 79 Street, New York, NY 10075, μέσω ηλεκτρονικού ταχυδρομείου: ioannise@goarch. org, mteleiopoulou@goarch.org, daisytsitouridou@goarch.org ή στα τηλέφωνα 212.774.0233 και 212.774.0417.

18

ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Ε Γ Κ Υ Κ Λ ΙΟΣ uΣελίδα 15 ἔτσι κι’ ἐμεῖς μποροῦμε νά ἀνακαλύψουμε τήν εἰρήνη μέσα στή μεγάλη ἀναταραχή ἐμπιστευόμενοι Ἐκεῖνον ὁ Ὁποῖος γαλήνευσε τίς τρικυμίες. Ἀκολουθῶντας τό παράδειγμα τοῦ Κυρίου μας, μποροῦμε νά δείξουμε συμπόνοια σ’ αὐτούς πού πονοῦν ἔχοντας ταυτόχρονα τήν δύναμη νά σηκώνουμε τά δικά μας βάρη. Διά τῆς σοφίας Του, μποροῦμε νά ἐπιβεβαιώσουμε τήν τόλμη μας γιά τό δίκαιο καί τό καλό, καί μποροῦμε νά ἐνισχύσουμε τήν ἑνότητά μας μέ τόν Θεό δίδοντας βοήθεια στούς ἀδελφούς καί ἀδελφές μας πού ἀντιμετωπίζουν καταστάσεις ἀνάγκης. Στούς ἑορτασμούς μας γιά τήν Ἡμέρα τοῦ ΟΧΙ, ἄς προβληματισθοῦμε ἀπό τήν μαρτυρία ἐκείνων πού βρῆκαν τήν δύναμη ν’ ἀντέξουν, καί εἴθε νά τιμήσουμε αὐτή τήν κληρονομιά κάνοντας τό ἴδιο. Ἄς κάνουμε ὅλες τίς προσπάθειες νά βοηθήσουμε τούς ἀδελφούς καί ἀδελφές μας στήν Ἑλλάδα, ἐπιβεβαιώνοντας πώς ἡ δύναμη τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τῆς πίστεως σ’ Αὐτόν εἶναι πολύ μεγαλύτερη ἀπό τίς χρονικές συγκυρίες αὐτοῦ τοῦ κόσμου. Σ’ ὅλους αὐτούς πού χρειάζονται ἐλπίδα καί φροντίδα, ἄς προσφέρουμε τούς λόγους τοῦ Ἀποστόλου Παύλου συνοδεύοντάς τους μέ πράξεις τῆς ἀγάπης μας, ἐν πάσῃ δυνάμει δυναμούμενοι κατά τό κράτος τῆς δόξης αὐτοῦ εἰς πᾶσαν ὑπομονήν καί μακροθυμίαν, μετά χαρᾶς (Κολοσσαεῖς 1:11). Μετά πατρικής ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης,

† ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ΟΚΤΩΒΡΙΟΣ 2012

Ἀνακοινωθέν διά τόν σεβασμόν τῆς θρησκευτικῆς διαφορετικότητος καί τήν κατάπαυσιν τῆς βίας Τό Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον ἐκφράζει τήν βαθεῖαν λύπην του καθώς ἡ ἀνθρωπότης εἰσέρχεται εἰς περίοδον συγχύσεων καί ρευστότητος, χαρακτηριζοµένην διά τάς θρησκευτικάς ἐξάρσεις, ἀποτέλεσµα τῶν ὁποίων εἶναι ἡ ἐκδήλωσις βίας, καί διακρινοµένην διά τήν ἔλλειψιν σεβασµοῦ πρός τήν θρησκευτικήν διαφορετικότητα. Ὅταν ἐνεργῶµεν κατά τρόπον ἀναιδῆ καί βίαιον ἐν ὀνόµατι τῶν θρησκευτικῶν προκαταλήψεων ἤ τῶν θρησκευτικῶν µας πεποιθήσεων, τότε ὑποτιµῶµεν αὐτήν ταύτην τήν ζωήν καί τήν πίστιν µας, ἐνῷ ταὐτοχρόνως δηµιουργοῦµεν κλίµα θυµοῦ, µίσους καί δυσπιστίας τό ὁποῖον φθείρει τούς ἀπό τῆς συστάσεως τοῦ κόσµου συνεκτικούς δεσµούς τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος. Τό Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον ἐξέδωκε τόν Αὔγουστον Ἀνακοινωθέν ‘’Περί τῆς ἀναζωπυρώσεως τῆς βίας καί τῆς ἐξαπλώσεώς της ἀνά τήν ὑφήλιον’’ καί ἐκάλεσεν ὅλους τούς ἀνθρώπους τούς ἐµπλεκοµένους εἰς καταστάσεις βίας νά καταθέσουν τά ὅπλα των. Λαµβανοµένων ὑπ’ ὄψιν τῶν ὅσων συνέβησαν κατά τάς τελευταίας ἑβδοµάδας, ἡ ὡς ἄνω ἔκκλησις διά τήν ἀνάληψιν δεσµεύσεων πρός ἐπικράτησιν τῆς εἰρήνης καί τοῦ ἀµοιβαίου σεβασµοῦ δι’ ὁλόκληρον τήν ἀνθρωπότητα, καθίσταται περισσότερον κρίσιµος παρά ποτέ. Ἡ Ἁγία Γραφή εἰς τό Βιβλίον τῶν Παροιµιῶν (10.12) µ ᾶς διδάσκει ὅτι «µῖσος ἐγείρει νεῖκος, πάντας δέ τούς µή φιλονεικοῦντας καλύπτει φιλία». Συνεπῶς, ἄς ἀγαπήσωµεν ἀλλήλους ἐπειδή γνωρίζοµεν ὅτι ἡ ἀληθινή ἀγάπη προέρ-

χεται ἀπό τόν Θεόν, ὁ Ὁποῖος ἐδηµιούργησε πάντα ἄνθρωπον καί ἀγαπᾷ ἕκαστον πρόσωπον ἐν τῇ Θείᾳ Αὑτοῦ Προνοίᾳ. Ἡµεῖς, οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐπαγγελλόµεθα ὅτι γνωρίζοµεν τόν Θεόν, πρέπει νά ἀναγνωρίσωµεν τό θεόσδοτον δῶρον τῆς ζωῆς εἰς ἕνα ἕκαστον τῶν ἀνθρώπων καί νά σεβασθῶµεν τὸ Θεῖον τοῦτο δηµιούργηµα. Ἡµεῖς, οἱ ὁποῖοι ὀνοµάζοµεν τόν Θεόν Κύριον ἡµῶν, πρέπει νά περιφρουρήσωµεν τήν ἀνθρωπίνην ζωήν καί νά προσεγγίσωµεν µετά τιµῆς ἀκόµη καί τό πρόσωπον µέ τό ὁποῖον διαφωνοῦµεν. Τό Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον φρονεῖ ὅτι εἶναι ὑποχρέωσίς µας νά συνδιαλεγώµεθα µέ ὅσους εἶναι διαφορετικοί ἀπό ἡµᾶς, µέ σκοπόν τήν ἐξοικείωσίν µας πρός τά σύµβολα, τάς προτεραιότητας καί τόν τρόπον σκέψεως τῶν ‘’ἄλλων’’. Τά σύµβολα ἀποτελοῦν ἐξωτερικάς χαρακτηριστικάς ἀπεικονίσεις, πρός τάς ὁποίας ὅλοι οἱ ἄνθρωποι συνδέουν τάς ἐσωτερικάς των ἐννοίας καί ἀξίας. ∆ιά τῆς ἀναπτύξεως τῆς κατανοήσεως τῶν συµβόλων, δυνάµεθα νά κατανοήσωµεν τό ἀνθρώπινον πρόσωπον. Ἡ καταστροφή τῶν συµβόλων ἀντιστοιχεῖ πρός τήν πρόκλησιν πόνου εἰς τούς ἀνθρώπους οἱ ὁποῖοι τιµοῦν τά σύµβολα ταῦτα καί τάς παραδόσεις πού φέρουν ἐντός τῶν καρδιῶν των. Ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Οἰκουµενικός Πατριάρχης κ.κ. Βαρθολοµαῖος ἐπανειληµµένως ἔχει καλέσει ὁλόκληρον τήν ἀνθρωπότητα νά υἱοθετήσῃ ‘’µίαν ριζικήν ἀλλαγήν στάσεως, συνηθειῶν καί πρακτικῶν’’ καί νά φθάσῃ εἰς τοιοῦτον ἐπίπεδον δεσµεύσεως ὥστε νά ‘’εἴµεθα

ἕτοιµοι νά µοιρασθῶµεν ὅλα τά ἀγαθά µέ ὅλους τούς συνανθρώπους µας‘’. Ὁ Οἰκουµενικός Πατριάρχης ὑπενθυµίζει τό ρηθέν ὑπό τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ Χρυσοστόµου εἰπόντος ὅτι ‘’τό µυστήριον τοῦ πλησίον µας δέν δύναται νά ἀποµονωθῇ ἀπό τό µυστήριον τῆς Θείας Εὐχαριστίας’’. ∆ιά τήν ἐκπλήρωσιν τῶν ἀνωτέρω ἀληθειῶν καί διά τήν διακριτικήν ἀναγνώρισιν τῆς εἰκόνος τοῦ Θεοῦ εἰς ἕκαστον τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης Βαρθολοµ αῖος καί τό Οἰκουµενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον ἀποκηρύσσουν τήν ἀντιµετώπισιν τῶν συνανθρώπων µας µέ ἔλλειψιν σεβασµοῦ, περιφρόνησιν καί καταστροφικόν µῖσος. Ἐν κατακλεῖδι, οὐδένα ὠφελοῦν οἱ λόγοι, οἱ πλήρεις µισαλλοδοξίας, αἱ ἀβάσιµοι κατηγορίαι, ἡ ἀδυναµία κατανοήσεως τῶν πολιτιστικῶν διαφορῶν καί ἡ κατάκρισις τοῦ ἄλλου ἡ ὁποία ἀποσκοπεῖ εἰς τήν ἀποφυγήν τῶν εὐθυνῶν. Ἀνεξαρτήτως τῆς ὁδοῦ τήν ὁποίαν ὁ καθείς ἀπό ἡµᾶς ἐνσυνειδήτως ἐπέλεξε νά ἀκολουθήσῃ, οἱ πάντες εἴµεθα ἀρρήκτως συνδεδεµένοι πρός ἀλλήλους, ὡς τά νήµατα τοῦ ἰδίου τάπητος, δηµιουργήµατος τοῦ Θεοῦ, καί πρέπει νά ἀναγνωρίσωµεν τό κάλλος καί τήν ἐσωτέραν ἀξίαν ἑκάστου καί νά παύσωµεν τήν καταστροφήν ὁποιουδήποτε τµήµατος τοῦ συλλογικοῦ ἡµῶν κάλλους. Ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις, τῇ 29ῃ Σεπτεµβρίου 2012 Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραµµατείας τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου

19

OCTOBER 2012

Archdiocesan Council Begins New Session with Good News about St. Nicholas

  from page 1 developing “solid candidates” for the seminary and the role of the permanent diaconate.

The new council The makeup of the current 132-member Archdiocesan Council includes 25 first-time members, among them 25 priests and four chancellors.

Officers and executive committee members, who represent each metropolis of the Archdiocese, are: Mr. Jaharis, vice chairman; Catherine Bouffides-Walsh, Glastonbury, Conn., secretary; and George Matthews of Atlanta, treasurer.

Executive Committee members (and their metropolis in parenthesis) are: George Behrakis (Boston), Fanis Economides (San Francisco), Anthony Stefanis (Atlanta), Dr. Louis Roussalis (Denver), James Fountas (New Jersey) and George Vourvoulias (Chicago).

Emeritus members of the committee are Nicholas Bouras and Peter Kikis.

Vice Chairman Michael Jaharis, in his address to the council, reflected on the progress being made in the Archdiocese over the past 13 years, during which time the Church moved forward from indebtedness and a large deficit to the present status of a balanced budget where the huge debt has been eliminated and total commitment accounts for 65 percent of the current $25 million budget.

Mr. Jaharis said the success is owed to “the increased participation of the communities, the active participation of the Archdiocesan Council and the efforts of the National Philoptochos Society.”

Commenting on the new developments relating to the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church, he stated that “we officially have the most important spot we could have asked for.”

Mr. Jaharis estimated that, as far as the financial commitment that will be necessary to complete the project, “We’ll need $30-$40 million before we can make this happen.” He also noted that estimates of 218,000 visitors per day would pass by the church complex.

The reconstituted World Trade Center location will also be a major transportation hub, with daily commuters from throughout the city and New Jersey converging on the area in front of the church, along with thousands of tourists throughout the year.

Mr. Jaharis also addressed a concern relating to support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

“It’s problematic for the Church of Greece to continue its support of the Patriarchate,” he said, and that he reached this conclusion after discussions he has held with senior government officials in Greece. “The severity of the repercussions in Greece will bear on the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” he continued. “More losses will undermine the patriarchate.

It’s important for this country to have the Ecumenical Patriarchate to continue to exist.”

Mr. Jaharis added that other pressing issues face the Church, including financial support for Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology. “A strong school is a significant contribution to a strong church,” he said.

He called for a “strong development department to establish a strong endowment” and for a major fund-raising campaign in each metropolis “to assist in financial viability of the school.”

Archbishop’s reflections Archbishop Demetrios, in his address to the council, reflected on the similari-

ties between contemporary society of the one that existed a century before and two centuries after Christ, which was spoken of as “an age of anxiety.”

“There was religiosity in many, many forms. The proliferation of religion caused confusion and anxiety,” the Archbishop said. He cited socio-economic factors that contributed to this anxiety, such as the creation of large cities. “People had no identity or sense of community, no feeling of where you belong socially, culturally and economically.” There also was an increase in demonology and evil, he explained.

“There is a parallel to contemporary conditions in this age of anxiety,” he continued. “There is the phenomenon of terrorism causing bloodshed every day.

We have the phenomenon of a number

of people disconnecting from their religious community, “who just drift to various religions or are not part of any designated religious group. Estimates are that the number could be about 60 million.”

The Archbishop explained that the reason why the gospel succeeded in spreading through various societies and cultures was that it offered people the feeling that they have an identity, along with presenting “truthful teachings.”

He said these were “two main factors in the success of Christianity: a true community and truth for the soul.”

“We are chosen to go and bear fruit,” the Archbishop continued. “This is our mission, especially in an age of anxiety.

Our work today should be a testimony to this kind of attitude, to go as appointed

by God to bear fruit,” he told the council.

In his closing remarks, Archbishop Demetrios commented on the need for developing ways of raising funds for the rebuilding of St. Nicholas. He recalled the experience in Greece during his youth when fund-raising was needed to rebuild the basilica of St. Demetrios in Thessaloniki, which burned in 1918.

He recalled that, after World War II, an exact replica of the basilica was built, financed within two years through proceeds from a commemorative postage stamp issued for that purpose.

The Archbishop also commented about the large participation by youth in the various summer camps of the metropolises and at Ionian Village.

“It shows there’s a concerted effort to motivate people,” he said.

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20

IOCC

OCTOBER 2012

Metropolis News

$1.3 Million in Medical Aid Sent to Greece BALTIMORE--Greece’s near bankrupt public health care system has left state-run hospitals with a rapidly dwindling stock of medical supplies and medicine, and healthcare workers struggling to care for critically ill patients. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) has responded to the country’s escalating healthcare crisis with a shipment of more than $1.3 million in medical supplies destined for Greek hospitals in Athens and the island of Crete.

Through the generous support of Pancretan Association of America, IOCC and Greek relief partners will help replenish the storerooms of all hospitals in Crete with a container of more than $675,000 in medical equipment, surgical supplies, and walking aids such as crutches and walkers.

A second container, supported by Pancretan Association and AHEPA, is filled with medical and surgical supplies worth more than $650,000 and headed to the capital city for distribution in three Athensarea public children’s hospitals including Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, the largest children’s hospital in Greece with 700 beds, the General Children’s Hospital Aglaia Kyriakou with 160 beds and the Pentelis General Children’s Hospital with 380 beds.

IOCC continues to respond to the rising humanitarian needs in Greece and is working in support of local organizations to provide direct assistance. In the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki, IOCC recently provided immunizations for uninsured schoolchildren to make them eligible to enroll in school. IOCC also provided more than $250,000 in medical supplies to free clinics operated throughout Greece so that thousands of vulnerable children, families and elderly without an income or access to Greece’s national health system can continue to seek basic care.

IOCC Helps to Ease Syrian Families’ Trauma BALTIMORE — Sabah, a mother of eight, was home alone with her youngest child when a fiery skirmish struck near her doorstep in Damascus. The two fled to a nearby school to seek shelter. As the fighting spread, Sabah and her young son moved onto a second and then third shelter, seeking safer living arrangements. While Sabah hopes that her seven older children are with their father, she has had no contact with any of them, nor received any news of their whereabouts. She says the heavy emotional burden of not knowing where her children are keeps her awake at night and unable to focus on anything else. More than 1.2 million Syrians like Sabah and her young son have been displaced from their homes in Syria over the past 18 months.

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is providing psychosocial support to help these distressed families cope with their uncertain situations. Working in partnership with the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA), IOCC has visited three school shelters in Damascus with psychosocial experts to provide counseling sessions to more than 1,100 displaced Syrians like Sabah and her young son. The sessions with the adults and with the children are revealing various problems related to mental health, especially fear, worry and grief. Many say that they feel intense fear all or most of the time and use prayer and socializing with other people as ways to cope.

Participants in the EOCS Mid-Atlantic Region Retreat at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Annapolis.

NJ Metropolis Creates Scouting Commission, Holds 1st Regional Scouting Retreat WESTFIELD, N.J. – The Metropolis of New Jersey has established a Scouting Commission that will work to strengthen the relationship of the youth in the Metropolis, who are participating in the various scouting organizations, with their Orthodox Faith.

Metropolitan Evangelos named Demetrios Haralambatos to serve as the commission’s first chairman. He has devoted much time and effort over the years to the scouting programs.

The Scouting Commission held its first Mid-Atlantic Orthodox Scouting Retreat on Sept. 29, at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Annapolis, Md., which was organized and led by Fr. Kosmas Karavellas and Mr. Haralambatos.

It brought together 25 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Heritage Girls from Maryland and Northern Virginia.

Also helping to lead the retreat sessions were Fr. Joel McEachen who, throughout his active ministry, devoted much time to the scouts and advancing their programs; Fr. Peter Thornberg, proistamenos of St. Sophia, Sts. Faith, Hope and Agape Church in Jeffersonville, Pa., and George Tomczewski, Metropolis youth director.

The retreat began with the Divine Liturgy, celebrated by Fr. Thornberg, who in his youth reached the highest scouting rank, Eagle Scout. After the Divine Liturgy, Ioannis Flanders, a scout from St. George Church in Bethesda, Md. received the Alpha Omega Award from Fr. McEachen for completing the program requirements.

Retreat activities After breakfast the scouts separated into groups according to age. Younger scouts spent the day learning about the Holy Sacrament of Confession, with many of them participating in the Sacrament for the first time.

They also received a tour of the church, with a detailed explanation of its various parts and objects found within.

Older scouts spent the day working with Fr. Thornberg and Fr. McEachen on the requirements they need to fulfill to receive

the Alpha Omega Award, an award given to Orthodox scouts who have completed both spiritual and practical achievements.

The retreat concluded with Vespers and the traditional scouting campfire, which was organized and run by some of the older Boy Scouts. It consisted of songs, skits, and the burning of American flags that were no longer in serviceable use.

For more information on the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Scouting Commission contact the Metropolis headquarters at 908-301-0500.

Award presentation – Scout Ioannis Flanders of Bethesda received the Alpha-Omega Award at the religious retreat. Also shown are Frs. Joel McEachon and Dimitrios Antokas, and Bruce Flanders.

(Fr. K. Karavellas photo)

OCTOBER 2012

Metropolis News

21

Metropolis of New Jersey Marks 65th Year of Holy Cross Celebration

by Deacon Panagiotis Hanley

ASBURY PARK, N.J. – More than 2,000 Orthodox faithful of the Metropolis of New Jersey gathered here on Sept. 16 to observe the 65th anniversary of the Holy Cross celebration.

The event was instituted after World War II by Archbishop Athenagoras with the hope and prayer of bring the peoples of the world together by blessing the waters that lay between us.

The day began with the record number of faithful arriving at the Paramount Theater to attend the Orthros and Divine Liturgy. The services were sung and chanted by members of the Eastern Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians and.

Nicolas Chingas, who led a group of chanters in beautiful Byzantine music.

Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, who conducted the services, thanked the following special guests who attended: Consul General of Greece in New York George Iliopoulos and a small group of seminarians from the Metropolis who attend Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology.

The Metropolitan also thanked the Greek Orthodox Christians who traveled from across the state and Philadelphia area in record numbers.

Upon leaving the theater the Metropolitan celebrated a Trisagion for Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, at a monument erected by the City of Asbury Park in honor of his contributions as a community and religious leader while serving as Archbishop of North and South America in the 1930s and ‘40s.

Following the Agiasmos (Blessing of the waters) service at the beachfront Metropolitan Evangelos approached the waves and threw the cross into the ocean four times; each time being retrieved by GOYA members from various parishes.

This year’s divers who retrieved the cross were: junior girl: Maria Pandazis of St. George Church in Clifton, N.J.; junior boy: Brendan Houdak of St. Barbara Church in Toms River, N.J., senior girl: Kalliroi Ibrahim of St. Andrew Church in Randolph, N.J.; senior boy: Nikolas Plakoudas of Kimisis Tis Theotokou Church in Holmdel, N.J. The day’s festivities concluded with a family barbecue, underwritten and hosted by Dr. Spyridon Spireas, owner of SIGMA Pharmaceutical and anArchon of

Divers are pictured with Metropolitan Evangelos after the 65th annual Holy Cross Celebration and Blessing of the Waters in Asbury Park. Greek Orthodox faithful from across the Metropolis flock to Asbury Park gathered as one family to celebrate the beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year, the Elevation of the Holy Cross and the Blessing of the Waters.

(Photo: Margo Costidis)

(Above) Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey and the more than 20 priests who participated in the 65th annual Holy Cross celebration. (Right) Brendan Houdak retrieves the cross in the Junior Boy category. (Photos by Stellios Lambrou)

the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Dr. Spireas, a member of St. George Church in Trenton, N.J., also serves on the Metropolitan Council for the Metropolis.

Speaking about the event, Metropoli-

tan Evangelos said, “In this turbulent and chaotic world the Power of the Cross is needed more than ever before. As Greek Orthodox Christians it is our responsibility to offer to the community-at-large the

blessings and peace which the Cross of Christ offers to all. It is my sincerest and most heartfelt prayer that as a Church this is the legacy which we as Greek Orthodox leave to all peoples.”

Metropolitan Alexios Leads Archons Retreat at St. Photios Shrine   from page 10 pointing out the meaning of each icon detail and reminding all that the Virgin Mary had accepted, without hesitation, her godly call.

He then cited the Gospel of John 15, the only chapter in the Bible comprised totally of Christ’s words, reminding us to heed all that is written by the Evangelist.

We are fruit of the vine and that Christ himself commands us to go forth and bear fruit.

After concluding a discussion and a short break, Director Polly Hillier, at the request of Dr. Tissura, gave an indepth interpretation of the two narthex frescoes of St. Photios.

Great Vespers was celebrated that evening at the St. Photios Shrine with Fr. George Ioannou, proistamenos of Holy Trinity in St. Augustine and Shrine chaplain, assisted by Demetrios Leussis.

A Trisagion was chanted for the late Georgia Croffead, godmother of the Shrine, who passed away Sept..3.

Everyone remembered, with great love and gratitude, the Croffeads of Charleston, S.C., and their devotion, generosity, and enduring service to the Church on all levels from local to national.

The day concluded with dinner at the historic Columbia Restaurant.

Sunday morning began with the Orthros and Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity in St. Augustine.

Officiating were Fr. George Ioan-

nou assisted by Fr. Martin Ritsi, director of the nearby Orthodox Christian Mission Center, followed by a luncheon hosted by the local Philoptochos in honor of the Archons and their wives.

Parish Stewardship Chairman Ernie Koutouzakis, was happy to be unexpectedly reunited at the luncheon with old friends Archon George Parandes of Jacksonville and with Mrs. Elaine Tissura of Atlanta.

Lunch was followed by a visit to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, (OCMC) escorted by Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Fr. Martin Ritsi, Presbytera Ritsi and Kenny Kidd.

The administrative and training offices of OCMC are under the auspices of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America.

Archons who have been very instrumental in assisting OCMC are Archon Louis and Helen Nicozisis who ensured the new training center would be built, Archon Nicholas Bouras who removed the mortgage debt, and Archon Michael Jaharis, a major benefactor to OCMC and vice president of the Archdiocesan Council.

The weekend ended with a recap of events at the home of Allan and Polly Hillier.

Regional Commander Archon Dr. Manuel Tissura said that he had set high expectations for the 2012 retreat, what with the change in venue and the inclusion of the Archon wives, and that he was happy to see from everyone’s reaction that this high standard had been met.

22

OCTOBER 2012

Tales from L.A. ‘It Really Hurts’

by Fr. John S. Bakas

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From time to time, I get an email or letter that breaks my heart. I’m sure every one of our priests has had their hearts broken in similar fashion. It really hurts.

A few weeks ago, I received an email which read as follows: “My name is Dorothea. I was wondering if you may be able to give me some advice regarding my upcoming wedding ceremony. My finance Paul and I are getting married early next year. He was baptized Russian Orthodox and I, Greek Orthodox. However, we are having a secular ceremony as we consider ourselves agnostic, while relating to and living by Yogic and Buddhist philosophy. However, I have a deep desire to incorporate some of my Greek heritage into our wedding ceremony. My wish is to honor this part of my Greek culture and bring some of the tradition and ritual to the ceremony. Of course, I understand this is a very tricky thing to do, as the beautiful Greek rituals signify a sacrament that doesn’t quite fit our personal feelings and beliefs.”

I thought a great deal about this email and re-read it several times to get its full impact. I told Dorothea that it would be improper to make up your own spirituality as you please. It is syncretism at its worst. My words didn’t really matter to her.

She was polite but very unbending.

We rightly send Orthodox missionaries around the world, attempting to evangelize non-Christians in Africa, Southeast Asia, building churches and bringing the Orthodox Faith to them, yet right here in our own back yard we are losing so many of our own. Just look around in any of our parishes and you will find the lost, the prodigals, the disconnected who have gone off as scripture says “to a far off land” far from Christ and His Church.

I’m afraid so many of us are conflicted about the role and purpose of our Orthodox Faith when it comes down to the parish level. Ask any three people what the role of the church is and you will probably get three different answers. I wonder if Dorothea and fiance Paul in their spiritually formative years were truly exposed to our real faith, the faith of the Bible, the Fathers and the deep Christ centered worship services of our Holy Tradition. I wonder if their spiritual quest was drowned out by cultural and ethnic pressures and priorities. I wonder if they saw their priest as a true spiritual father, leading them on the road of salvation or a religious “country club” director dressed in black and wearing a cross directing traffic in the diverse expectations and demands of parishioners. Was their sacramental and prayer life more important than the social, athletic and cultural activities that often overwhelm the attention of our focus to our Triune God? Have we lost the balance? Do we offer programs just to keep our people involved to show numbers or do we encourage activities as “ministries” of the church leading people to Christ through social, athletic and cultural programs.

I suspect that the overwhelming majority of our people have never read the Archdiocesan Uniform Parish

Regulations. In the mission statement for each parish in the Archdiocese the following is made abundantly clear.

“The diakonia (ministry) of the Parish will include proclaiming and teaching the Gospel in accordance with the Orthodox Faith; sanctifying the faithful through God’s grace in worship, the Divine Liturgy and the other sacraments; enhancing its parishioners’ spiritual life; and adding to the numbers of the faithful by receiving persons into the Church through instruction, baptism and/or chrismation. In addition, the parish shall establish educational and philanthropic activities to foster the aims and mission of the parish and to edify its parishioners in the Faith and ethos of the Church.”

Many well-meaning parishioners and even some parish councils do not fully understand the role of the priest.

Their cliched role is not just “hatch” (baptism) “match” (weddings) “patch” (counsel) and “dispatch” (funerals).

The UPRs clearly state the fundamental role of the priest at the parish level.

“The priest by virtue of his canonical ordination and assignment heads and administers the parish and exercise on its behalf the priestly duties, which consist in shepherding the Parish entrusted to his care, directing its orderly life, preserving its unity and keeping it faithful to its divine purpose. He shall sanctify his parishioners through the administration of the sacraments and the performance of all other prescribed services of worship. He shall also proclaim the Gospel and impart knowledge of the doctrines, traditions, canons and disciplines of the Church. Further, he shall guide the growth and progress of the Parish in the Christian life through the performance of his pastoral duties.”

It seems so many have different expectations of the Church and her clergy. What are yours? Are they in accordance with scripture and our Holy Tradition as taught unadulterated since Pentecost? Do we understand the Apostolic succession of the priesthood going back all the way to the High Priest, our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ who established the priesthood?

Our Lord’s final command to His priests, His Apostles, was the Great Commission. “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you and lo I am with you always even to the end of the age.” (Mt.28:16-20) I wish someone would have shared the Gospel (Good News) with Dorothea and Paul in their formative years.

Perhaps, there would now be an Orthodox priest performing their upcoming wedding. Even though it really hurts, it’s still not too late. The prodigal son came to his senses and returned to his Father’s house. I pray for the return one day of Dorothea and Paul and so many countless other prodigals to their Heavenly Father’s house, our Orthodox Church.

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

23

OCTOBER 2012

Church Offers Vital Outreach to Dallas Homeless and Needy P A R I S H

profile

Name: HolyTrinity Greek Orthodox Church Location: Dallas, Texas Metropolis of Denver Size: about 1,000 families Founded: 1915 Clergy: Fr. Christopher Constantinides, proistamenos (Holy Cross ’79), Fr. Haralambos (Robert) Spaliatsos, assistant (Holy Cross ‘2011), Deacon Mark Pakes (deacon with lay profession) Deacon Athanasios Sharpley (St. Stephen’s permanent deacon program of the Antiochian Archdiocese); Fr. John Essa (retired Antiochian priest who assists at Sunday services) E-mail: htgoc@ticnet.com Web: www.holytrinity.info Noteworthy: church very entrenched in community; strong outreach to homeless.

DALLAS – From feeding 400 people every month in one of the country’s biggest homeless shelters, to helping find jobs for unemployed, Holy Trinity parish has immersed itself in a strong outreach program.

“A lot of work is geared toward outreach,” said Fr. Christopher Constantinides, the proistamenos.

Through its support of the Austin Street Shelter parishioners take their turn feeding the hungry on the first Tuesday of each month, Fr. Constantinides explained.

Volunteers prepare a meal of chicken, rice, beans, bread and cake to serve at the shelter.

Once a year, the church also offers its facilities for the Austin Street Shelter fund-raiser to which the community provides $50,000.

At the North Dallas Shared Ministries, volunteers donate their time to help those with no jobs to find employment.

Holy Trinity’s St. Barbara’s Philoptochos chapter, as far back as 1981, initiated a food bank to feed the hungry and, most recently, raised $10,000 at one luncheon alone for the Greek Relief Fund, the most of any chapter, Fr. Constantinides noted.

In addition, church volunteers serve dinner to the homeless and needy on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

An active Orthodox Christian Fellowship ministry by Fr. Spaliatsos serves Southern Methodist University and the University of Texas-Dallas.

The parish also offers vital ministries for its own faithful, ranging from the young to senior citizens. These include adult Bible studies and adult religious education every Thursday, adult Sunday school, and the children’s Sunday school that has about 200 students enrolled and faith enrichment classes (catechism) on Wednesdays.

The Agape visitation program volunteers make frequent visits to shut-ins and hospital patients, the Caregiver Support Group for those seeking spiritual solace and guidance, as well as the youth groups that include GOYA and JOY, along with Vacation Bible School held for two weeks in June and the youth choir, led by Presbytera Poulos, widow of Fr. John Poulos, who had been a priest in New York and other locations.

Visitors to Holy Trinity can expect a friendly welcome as they enter the church from the Welcome Committee volunteers and can participate in monthly adult and senior fellowship activities.

The church’s physical needs are taken care of by the Altar Guild, a group of men and women who take care of the cleaning and care of the ecclesiastical items in the

HOLY TRINITY GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH building.

Also contributing to parish life is the AHEPA Family and other organizations, including the Nafpaktian Brotherhood, which is among the most active. There also is a Hellenic Cultural Society that promotes cultural, social and educational programs in the community.

The parish also has a Greek school with about 60 students and, in 2000, opened Holy Trinity Academy, a Monday through Friday nursery school for children ages 2 to Kindergarten.

Early Days Like many communities in the U.S. that got their start in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the first Greek settlers in the Dallas area were single men who came to work for a few years. Others came with their families.

In 1914, they formed an organization, The Society of Hermes, which established the church in a south Dallas neighborhood in 1916, where most of the Greeks lived and established small businesses.

The first pastor, Fr. Michael Mantilas, was brought from Corfu. Many other priests served the parish in the ensuing decades.

With the visit of Archbishop Athenagoras in the 1930s, the community adopted the dues system.

Following Word War II, the community began to grow and the church was relocated to the city’s near north side in 1952, on Swiss Avenue. It remained there until the early 1990s.

After the church opened, a new priest, Fr. Peter Bithas, arrived from Chicago.

He served the community for more than 27 years.

During this period the Dallas church came into national prominence. It hosted the national conference of GOYA in August 1960. Among one of the organization’s national chairmen was Chris Victor Semos who, years later, when on to become a representative from Dallas in the Texas State Legislature. Years later, in the1980s, Holy Trinity hosted the first and third Young Adult League conferences and the Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress in 1986.

The parish also established its food festival in the 1960s and completed its iconography project in the 1970s.

Fr. Bithas died in June 1978 and, after a brief interim by Bishop Kallistos of Zenon, Fr. Nicholas Katinas was assigned to the community in September. He served until 2003.

Several future priests A number of assistant priests served the parish over the past three-plus de-

cades.

Fr. Constantinides was ordained here and served as assistant from 1979-83 before leaving to pastor communities in Illinois and Maryland before returning to Dallas in 2006.

Other assistants who went on to become parish priests included Frs. Tom Chininis, Robert Began, George Nayfa and Constantine Pavlakos.

Over the years, several young men and women from Holy Trinity attended Holy Cross School of Theology and several became priests; among them Fr. Nayfa, George Pyle, Mark Elliott, Jim Katinas, Mark Pakes, Peter Leneweaver, Christ Politz, Sophia Manitzas, Maria Chronas

and Mersine Patts.

Parish growth continued and the need arose for a new church by the early 1990s.

The parish migrated north again to its present location to a 17-acre site on the city’s far north side.

The new church was built in 1992-93 and seats 650. The complex includes a large community center/hall that includes a center which can accommodate large groups and rooms with movable walls whose dimensions can be adjusted.

In 1997, the parish received a visit from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who received an honorary doctorate from Southern Methodist University and participated in an ecumenical service in Thanksgiving Square in downtown Dallas.

Fr. Constantinides returned in 2006 to serve the church where he was ordained and pastors a highly active contemporary community. “It’s a very active ministry,” he said. “Between the various ministries and hospital calls, there’s a lot going on all the time.”

For him, the priesthood is a family tradition as he is the son of (now retired) Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, who served parishes in the Chicago area, and Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Merrilville, Ind. Fr. Christopher’s son, also Fr. Evagoras, grew up in the Dallas community and currently serves as director of Ionian Village and heads the Direct Archdiocesan District’s Office of Youth Ministry.

Holy Trinity Church has as its main revenue sources the stewardship program and the four-day Greek festival, which has become a major event in Dallas.

— Compiled by Jim Golding

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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

OCTOBER 2012

Obituaries Ethiopian Orthodox Patriarch Abune Paulos NEW YORK (ENInews) – The Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, His Holiness Abune Paulos died on Aug. 16 at the age of 76, according to his private secretary.

The secretary told the Ethiopian News Agency that Paulos died following medical treatment. According to news reports, Paulos had been admitted to the hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia after suffering a heart attack on Aug. 15.

He was the fifth patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and served in that role since 1992.

National Council of Churches President Kathryn Lohre said Paulos “has left behind a legacy of faithful Christian witness on the most pressing issues of his time, and demonstrated a firm commitment to ecumenism throughout his life and ministry.

We extend our condolences to all Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in this time of mourning, especially those who are our brothers and sisters here in the United States.”

Paulos was also president of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and was admired for his work on HIV/AIDS, interfaith dialogue and the protection of refugees, according to a WCC statement.

Paulos led the 40 million members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and served on the WCC Central Committee and the Commission on Faith and Order.

While he was instrumental in interfaith dialogue initiatives, Paulos was vocal in several international platforms, including the World Economic Forum and the World Summit of Religious and Spiritual Leaders at the United Nations.

In recognition of his outstanding work for the welfare of refugees, in 2000 he was awarded the Nansen Medal for Africa by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. This year, he was also honored by the Vision for Generations for his 20 years of leadership in the campaign to address HIV and AIDS in Ethiopia.

Fr. William Gaines METAIRIE, La. – Fr. William George Gaines, a retired priest of the Archdiocese who served as pastor of Holy Trinity Church in New Orleans for 27 years and was a former president of the Retired Clergy Association, died Sept. 14. He was 87.

A native of Louisville, Ky., he was born Dec. 14, 1924 to George and Panagiota Gianacakes.

After completing high school in Louisville, he entered Holy Cross Seminary, then in Pomfret, Conn., and graduated in 1948.

Fr. Gaines also studied at Loyola University, earning a master’s in guidance and counseling, at Notre Dame Seminary, receiving a master’s in theology, and also held a certificate of clinical psychology.

He was married to Alyce (Aliki) Costas in August 1948 and became parents of three children. She preceded him in death in October 2008.

He was ordained a deacon in Louisville and as a priest in Cincinnati in October 1948, both times by Bishop Germanos Polizoides.

His first assignment was St. George Church in Oklahoma City, from 1948-1951, followed by Annunciation in Montgomery, Ala., until 1955 when he went to New Orleans. He was the parish’s longest-serving priest.

He was director of campus ministry for the 8th Diocese (Charlotte) from 1972-74, then briefly served Annunciation Church in

North Miami, Fla., and St. John’s in Panama City, Fla., before leaving active parish work due to an illness.

The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported in its news story that Fr. Gaines devoted his time and knowledge to missionary ministries. He assisted with the establishment of the mission churches in Baton Rouge, La., Biloxi, Miss. and Panama City, where he resided for over 35 years.

Fr. Gaines served as chaplain faculty to Loyola and Tulane universities and as chaplain for the New Orleans City Council.

He was elected president of the Greater New Orleans Federation of Churches and served as curator of the 8th Diocese in the absence of a bishop. He delivered an opening prayer at the U.S. House of Representatives, served as Navy Chaplain for the 8th Naval District of New Orleans and received the National Council of Christians and Jews Award for outstanding service towards the unity of faith.

He organized the “Papouli” Scholarship fund for the Philoptochos Society that grants scholarships to students wishing to attend Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology.

He produced, wrote and hosted a program on religion for the New Orleans public television station and set into motion the National Greek Orthodox Campus Ministry and St. Nicholas Seafaring Ministry in New Orleans.

During this time, Fr. Gaines produced a monthly newsletter for Orthodox Christian College students and erected the St. Nicholas Seaman’s Center for Wayfarers in the City of New Orleans. For 10 years he also served as president of the Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy Association.

He wrote more than 1,000 sermons and authored a variety of books concerning the church and matters dealing with everyday life.

They include: Early History of the Holy Trinity Church in New Orleans, A.B.C. of Orthodoxy for College Students, Bread in My Basket, Meditation, The Theotokos – Mother of God, He Touched Me – Faith Within.

He was also described in the article as “a proud member of the Kiwanis Club, AHEPA and a life–long Saints fan.”

In addition to his presbytera, he was preceded in death his parents, and a brother, Gus. Survivors include sons Dr. George Gaines and Jeff Gaines; daughter Lisa Jeremiah and grandchildren.

A Trisagion service was held Sept.18 and the funeral took place Sept. 19 at Holy Trinity Cathedral, with Metropolitan Alexios officiating, assisted by numerous priests.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Greek Orthodox Retired Clergy Association., 162-41 Powell’s Cove Blvd., Beechhurst, N.Y. 11357.

Fr. Constantine Mitsopoulos BOCA RATON, Fla. – Fr. Constantine Mitsopoulos, 88, a retired priest and former pastor of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church in Cincinnati, died July 4.

Born in Elatou, Nafpaktos, Greece on March 21, 1924, he completed his elementary and high school education in Nafpaktos and enrolled at the University of Athens Law School for two years before entering the United States in March 1947.

He enrolled at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., and earned a BA in Theology in 1951. He later earned an M.ST degree from Wittenberg University

  to page 28

25

OCTOBER 2012

Education

Greek American Institute Celebrates I00 Years (Above left) A typical classroom setting at the school. (Above right) Principal Ann Prokop takes time out to help a couple of students with their project. (ORTHODOX OBSERVER PHOTOS)

by Jim Golding

BRONX, N.Y. – The year 1912 was a memorable one in history. The First Balkan War that enabled Greece to eventually gain Macedonia from the Ottoman Empire, the admission of New Mexico and Arizona to the Union as the 47th and 48th states, the sinking of the Titanic, the independence of Albania and Tibet, the setting of the first minimum wage for women in the U.S. at 25 cents an hour and the creation of peppermint Life Savers candy are just a few of the notable events that occurred.

It was also the year when Greek families in the Bronx borough of New York founded the Greek American Institute, the second oldest Greek Orthodox parochial school in the nation.

Unlike the typical scenario where an existing parish establishes a daily parochial or Greek afternoon school, the school was founded several years before the Bronx parish of Zoodohos Peghe, with which it is now associated.

The Greek families living in the southern part of the Bronx at that time were mostly small business owners – florists,tcoffee shop owners and others.

Thousands of students studied in its classrooms over the past century. Prominent alumni include the Rev. Dr. Milton Efthimiou, now retired, who for many years was director of the Archdiocese Department of Church and Society and executive director of the Order of St. Andrew-Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate; and John Catsimatides, a member of the Archdiocesan Council, Archon, CEO of the Red Apple Group, and publisher of the Hellenic Times who established the Hellenic Times

The Greek American Institute on Bruckner Boulevard in the Bronx. (ORTHODOX OBSERVER PHOTO)

Scholarship Fund.

They were among the nearly 700 other graduates, supporters of the school and members of the community gathered at a centennial banquet in New Rochelle on Oct. 6. The school also held other events during the year in conjunction with the observance, including a liturgy honoring the graduates on Oct. 7, a fall fair, family fun night and movie night.

At the school’s annual commencement on June 8, guest speakers included graduates from most decades of GAI; as it’s commonly known.

Recently, the Orthodox Observer interviewed Principal Anne Prokop, who spoke

about the school’s contemporary situation.

Ms. Prokop, who has led GAI for nearly a decade and also teaches 8th grade English, noted that the school meets all state education standards for the state of New York, but has some unique characteristics.

“People have a bond to this place,” she said. “It’s like a family.”

About 60 percent of the student body is Greek Orthodox, while the remaining 40 percent consists of children from other Orthodox backgrounds, along with some Roman Catholic, Muslim and Jewish students.

The school has 22 faculty members, some of whom are part-time.

Ms. Prokop noted that some teachers

have double master’s degrees and prefer teaching at GAI rather than in public schools.

“People work here because they like the environment,” she said.

Enrollment is just above 200 students, which includes a universal pre-Kindergarten funded by the state.

While space is limited, optimum class size is about 25 students. Older grades have a slightly smaller total. “The younger grades have been growing tremendously,” Ms. Prokop said.

“We have a very rich curriculum,” she continued, including art, music, honors English in addition to the core curriculum.

Students also go on field trips to museums, the New York Historical Society, and out-of-town venues such as Boston.

After school, students can take part in volleyball, the chorus or go to the math lab at no cost to parents. One teacher, Kallil Anctil, teaches ballroom dancing.

The principal noted that many GAI graduates go on to prestigious high schools in New York that include Bronx High School of Science, Townsend-Harris in Queens, the La Guardia School of Performing Arts and Brooklyn Tech, or to prep schools of Fordham University and Iona College.

GAI is mostly funded through tuition, and some state grants and other fundraising activities.

Over the years the school has changed its location, along with the church of Zoodohos Peghe. It now occupies the former Hebrew nursing home that the parish acquired and that it used for services before building a new church next to the old building.

(Left) Archbishop Demetrios addresse the nearly 700 attendees at the Greek American Institute banquet. (Right) Alumnus John Catsimatidis (seated) holds up a “souvenir” from his student days. (DIMITRIOS PANAGOS PHOTO)

26

OCTOBER 2012

Ionian Village Announces Summer 2013 Program Dates   from page 3 and fields.

Campers actively explore their Orthodox faith and heritage, both through the daily camp program and through excursions to culturally and religiously significant sites throughout Greece.

Excursions vary slightly between the two sessions and will include Ancient Olympia, Patra, Zakynthos, Kefallonia, Kerkyra, Aegina, Epidavros, Mystras, and Athens.

Each 20-day session is open to young people who have completed grades 8 through 12.

Summer Travel Camp (STC): June 23 – July 12, 2013 Byzantine Venture (BV): July 20 – August 8, 2013 Ionian Village Spiritual Odyssey Pilgrimage The Spiritual Odyssey program offers young adults the opportunity to

intimately encounter our culture and faith through focused pilgrimages.

Spiritual Odyssey is open to young adults between the ages of 19-28.

Spiritual Odyssey: Cyprus and Crete: May 30 – June 9, 2013 While in Cyprus, participants will experience our faith and culture first-hand, visiting sites where the Apostles once preached, also learning about the Cypriot struggle and ongoing division of the island. Participants will also explore the beautiful beaches, food, and culture of the island of Cyprus.

Participants will then travel to Crete where they will marvel at the ancient ruins in Knossos and experience the island’s rich religious heritage.

Applications to be a part of our summer staff will be posted on the website on Nov. 5.

For more information regarding any of our 2013 Summer programs, to apply to be a staff, medical, or clergy member, or to register for the ever–expanding Alumni Project visit the Ionian Village website at www.ionianvillage.org.

Prison Ministry ‘Unbind Him’

by Fr. Stephen Powley

John was coming home after being away for the past five years. You might think the family would be planning a great party and feast to celebrate the return of their son. Instead the family was in turmoil about how to handle his return. You see John had been branded with a capital “F” on his forehead for he had become a Felon.

This wasn’t a literal “F” but the family knew that everyone would see it.

These past five years of his life had been spent in the deep darkness of prison.

Some of the family wished he were moving to another town so they wouldn’t be embarrassed by him.

Other family members wanted him home, but didn’t know exactly how to handle the situation.

John had made some bad choices while he was away at college and ended up going to prison.

He was always a good boy that had served in the altar until he was 16. Now at 25 he was coming back to his home and his church.

When they heard that John was returning, a few well-meaning people came to John’s family wanting to know if John was going to be a danger to the people in the church.

One man asked them to make sure John didn’t get near any of the girls in their “Singles Group” as he didn’t want them getting involved with his type.

Of course, all of this was said in love.

People were simply afraid because John had become a felon.

The truth was that John had paid his debt to society and just wanted to start his life over with the people he loved.

He had realized the mistakes he had made and didn’t ever want to go down that path again. His faith had deepened tremendously and he was ready to be a part of his church and the community again.

He wanted to get a good job and prove to everyone that he was truly a changed man. What helped get him through those very long five years were the memories of family, friends, and Church.

When he thought about what kind of life he wanted to live after prison, it was to be back in that community of wonderful people.

He just wanted a normal life again.

When John arrived home, his selfimage was about as low as one could get. When he looked in the mirror, he saw that “F” emblazoned on his forehead and didn’t know how to erase it.

He felt so very ashamed and had a difficult time looking anyone in the eyes.

On his first Sunday back in Church the icy stares of others caused him to look down most of the time.

No one came up to greet or welcome him during coffee hour. He left feeling that “F” shining even brighter.

He made an appointment with his priest.

His priest told him that he would pray for him, but that he wasn’t sure the church was ready for “a man like him.” He was sure that John would understand.

John tried to find a good job but every interview ended at the same point when he told them that he had just got-

ten out of prison.

He so desperately needed someone to vouch for him, but no one would step forward. He finally found a job washing dishes. He was determined to be a success, but didn’t know how to even begin. Without any support from his friends or church, John’s future was looking mighty dim.

This scenario is being played out over and over again across this country of ours. Orthodox men and women are coming out of the darkness of prison, wanting to succeed in life, only to find rejection from the very people they knew and sadly from their Church community.

Most people on the outside of prison only know what television or the movies have portrayed it to be.

When someone comes to their church or community, the immediate reaction is one of fear. Instead of finding the help and support they so desperately need, they find rejection.

In chapter 11 of the Gospel of St. John, we find the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.

There were many people standing there, watching what was taking place.

Jesus “cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out.’”

The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with bandages, and his face wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Unbind him, and let him go.”

Jesus had raised a man four days dead in the darkness of a tomb back to life, but He didn’t unbind him. Instead, He called upon the people to unbind this man.

Many of the men and women coming out of the darkness of prison are very much like Lazarus.

They have committed their whole lives to Christ, having rediscovered (or embraced for the first time) the Orthodox Faith. While in prison they found the True Faith, but they are coming forth with so very many things binding them up.

They don’t know how to start this new way of life…or to truly belong in a church…or how to find employment… or how to locate housing…or how to re-establish relationships with family and friends…and the list goes on. All of these can be fearful things that take great determination and support to accomplish.

As these men and women are returned to life in our society, Christ continues to call the people nearby to unbind them and help them become all they can be in this life.

This story of Lazarus was the inspiration behind the vision of the executive director of Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), Chaplain Patrick Tutella, when he established the Lazarus Project.

This program seeks to help reintegrate people into society by promoting family and community reconciliation.

It is a one year holistic team-mentoring program that addresses the specific spiritual, emotional, mental and physical needs of people who have been in conflict with the law.

Teams of three volunteer mentors are matched with one participant after they are released.

You can learn more about this program at: http://theocpm.org/stlazarus-project

27

OCTOBER 2012

Keeping Hope Alive in Our Hearts

by Eva Kokinos

What do we hope for in our everyday lives? We might find ourselves hoping for riches. Sometimes, we hope to find a great parking spot in front of the mall or that there is no wait at our favorite restaurant.

Hope does exist in our vocabulary. But, in today’s society, it is a word that we do not speak of much anymore.

Unfortunately, many things challenge our belief in hope… our faith… our strength. We are living in times where marriages are failing at an astounding rate and the hope of true love fades away. We live in times where people are struggling to keep their jobs and the hope of prosperity fades away and where young people commit suicide because of the bullying and pressure of the world.

So, the hope of the future begins to fade away.

To most, hope is like a game of chance; rolling the dice, wishing on a shooting star, or leaving it up to fate.

As Orthodox Christians, hope is much more than a feeling and much more than a desire for an unsure outcome.

It is a deeply-rooted belief and trust in the grace of God and His ability to lift us up above adversity and challenges to that which is good. More specifically, Orthodox Christians have hope in Christ’s glorious Resurrection and what comes with it… freedom from the bondage of sin and death.

We are blessed with many messages of hope from the Holy Gospels. For example, in Luke 7:11-16, we read that Jesus travels to a city and encounters the burial of a young man.

Seeing the widowed mother of the young man and her sadness, He eased her pain. Jesus Christ touches the young man’s funeral bier or coffin, bringing the young man back from death. It is a profound example of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ conquering death by His awesome power.

This story is one of three resurrections that our Lord performed, foreshadowing His own Resurrection and offering us proof of the hope that is to come.

In fact, the Holy Scriptures are filled with examples of how we should keep hope alive in our hearts and in our minds. For without hope and faith, would the Prodigal Son have truly gone back to ask for his father’s forgiveness after all that he had done?

Without hope, would the woman who was ill for many years have even bothered to fight the crowds and reach out to touch the hem of Christ’s robe if she didn’t believe He was the Son of God? Ultimately, we must always preach that Christ is that hope. If we truly believe that Jesus Christ came to save sinners, we must proclaim this from our lips. Because Christ is our hope, He reaches each one of us He did for Adam and Eve in the Resurrection icon and lifts us out of the depths of darkness and sin.

It is that hope in Christ that compelled the saints of our history… healers, martyrs, teachers. That same hope will compel the saints of our future to go beyond what is thought to be possible and attain holiness… even at the cost of their lives.

It is that hope in Christ that we must offer to all people so that they might see the light beyond the bullying or other struggles.

They can take comfort in the love and

support from us rather than feel alone with no alternative but to end their life.

And it is that hope in Christ that ties each of us together in the sacramental life of the Church. We stand in hope proclaiming the Creed of our faith, we are kneel in hope and prayer during the Consecration, and we receive His most precious body and blood… which is proof itself of Christ’s own hope and faith in God’s will.

There is a beautiful and simple prayer to the Holy Trinity that we should put everywhere we look. It offers us a reminder to keep that hope in our hearts, regardless of the challenges and struggles thrown our way. The Father is my hope; the Son is my refuge; the Holy Spirit is my protector. O All-holy Trinity, glory to you.

The Father is my hope… creating me in His image that I may grow closer to Him and join him in eternal life. The Son is my refuge… a refuge that I turn to when the world scatters me away and I have nowhere to go.

The Holy Spirit is my protector… because when the enemy is at my heels wanting my life and my soul, the Holy Spirit fills me and gives me strength to travel on.

May Christ our true God continue to touch our souls as He touched the coffin of the young man to revive our hope and faith in Him… bringing us out of death to sin and lifting us up into life eternal.

Treating ALL People with Love and Respect

tive experience. But stories like this do not always end on a positive note.

In fact, this is just one of many stories out there that illustrates how cruel we can be to one another in school, at work, at home, etc. That’s all we seem to see on television, in the movies, or on the news. Cruelty seems to have become the “norm.” We are used to seeing violence, crime, movies about “mean girls,” feuding “Housewives,” or kids picking on their own school bus driver.

As Orthodox Christians, how can we make a change in the status quo? How can we begin to turn things around so that

• Don’t forget to sign up for the YOUTH WORKER PULSE! This is the weekly listserv of the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries. Subscribers will receive valuable tips, tools, and resources for creating a successful and transformative youth ministry experience. Sign up today at www.youth. goarch.org.

• Looking for a place to find helpful articles, sessions, and links to other youth ministry resources? Look no further than THE WELLSPRING! For more information, visit us today at www. youthworker.goarch.org!

• Are you on FACEBOOK? If you are a member of Facebook, you can visit us on our GOYA and Young Adult Ministries fan pages! Just search for GOYA – Greek Orthodox Youth of America or Greek Orthodox National Young Adult Ministries and BECOME A FAN TODAY!

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

“LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER…” “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.’” - Matthew 22:37-40 Last month, a young woman in West Branch, Mich., was the victim of a cruel prank in preparation for her high school’s homecoming. Whitney Kropp, 16-yearold sophomore at Ogemaw Heights High School, thought it was odd that she had been chosen to run for homecoming queen.

She was surprised by the nomination since she admits that she was not really part of the cool crowd that gets selected for these types of things.

But soon she noticed that students would pass her in the halls of her high school and laugh. In fact, the teasing and bullying even extended to Facebook. She discovered that it is all a cruel joke to humiliate her. In an article on www.nbcnews.com, this left her feeling like she “wasn’t worthy.”

Thankfully, people in her community and beyond stood up to speak out against this horrible prank and to turn it into a posi-

FOR PARENTS AND YOUTH WORKERS

love and respect are the “norm” instead of cruelty and violence? Here are three simple ways you can help inspire this change: Simply think before you speak and act: It is difficult to not react, especially when you are angry. But take a moment to think about the consequences of your words and actions. How would you honestly feel if you were on the receiving end of cruel words or a mean-spirited prank?

Stand up and speak out against mean words or actions: Don’t just pass by and ignore this type of behavior. Stand up for what’s right. If you know someone is planning a prank like in the story, report it to someone in charge. Take a moment to think if the tables were turned. Wouldn’t you want someone to speak up if they knew you were being bullied or pranked?

Just be kind! – Sounds pretty basic, right? But even smile or a “hello” can have a great impact on someone’s day. If everyone took a moment to do at least one kind thing a day, those who do cruel or mean things would be the “odd” ones!

Take a moment to consider the alternative. Doesn’t it make you feel good when someone helps you out or says something nice to you?

SAVE THE DATE 2013 Orthodox Christian Camp, Youth Worker, and OCF Chaplain Conference January 24–26, 2013 “Arise, shine: For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.” Isaiah 60:1 Mark your calendars for this annual event!! The 11th annual Orthodox Christian Camp & Youth Worker Conference provides an arena for Orthodox youth workers from different jurisdictions to share and provide resources. This year’s conference theme is “Shine Forth: Helping our Orthodox follow and represent Christ.”

This conference is being hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and will be held Jan. 24–26, 2013 at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Austin, Texas.

The conference will include keynote and guest speakers, educational presentations, breakout sessions and fellowship. All Orthodox parish and Metropolis youth workers, camp directors and staff, and OCF chaplains are invited to attend.

Details regarding fees, accommodations, and the schedule of events will be coming soon. For the most up-todate information, visit the Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries website (www.youth.goarch.org) or the Orthodox Christian Camp Association website (www.orthodoxcamps.org)

28

OCTOBER 2012

Colorado Psaltis and Sheep Herder Receives Belated WWII Medals   from page 8 officially by the Greek government.

Mr. Patsantaras received two medals of National Resistance honoring two different phases of his service, first against the Italians in 1940-41, and then the Germans from 1941-45.

Fr. Uhl helped in the effort to get Patsantaras the honor he deserved, but it took some time to work through the Greek bureaucracy.

“Many records had burned up or were destroyed, but they found enough to be able to award him these two medals,” Fr.

Uhl told the Grand Junction newspaper.

On Aug. 11, Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver awarded the two Greek medals to Patsantaras in a special ceremony at the church.

At St. Nicholas, he serves as a psalti and reader during the services.

“He has worked hard all his life as a shepherd in the high country,” Fr. Uhl told the Observer. “And he makes the best barbed wire fence in Colorado.”

(Also compiled from information from the Metropolis, the Internet, and from Charles Ashby and Gretel Daugherty of the Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction).

Obituaries   from page 24 in Ohio.

He married Evelyn L. Liarakos of Wilmington, Del., in September 1952. They had two children, Nicholas Constantine and Georgia.

He was ordained a deacon in November 1952 in New York at the Archdiocese chapel and a priest at St. Barbara Church in Santa Barbara, Calif, in December 1952, where he served until March 1955.

His next parish was St. George Church in Huntington, W.Va., where he also studied sociology at Marshall University.

In September 1959 he was assigned to the church in Cincinnati where he served until retiring to Boca Raton on Oct. 1, 1990.

Funeral service took place July 7 at St. Demetrios Church in Fort Lauderdale with his son-in-law, Fr. Chris Metropulos, officiating.

Frank Cockinos CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Frank Constantine Cockinos, 89, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, former parish council member at Holy Trinity Cathedral and a founding member of St. Nektarios Church in Charlotte, died Aug. 6 at his home.

He was retired owner of Frank C. Cockinos & Associates Inc., consulting engineers, which he founded in 1968.

At the Charlotte cathedral, he served on the parish council for 11 years, as treasurer for three, and taught Sunday School for 25 years.

He served on the St. Nektarios parish council for four years (two as chairman) and held other positions.

He also served on the Metropolis Council and the Diakonia Center camp.

Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta awarded him the Archangel Michael Honors in 2004 and 2005.

He was born in Charleston, S.C. on July 8, 1923 to Irene and Constantine M. Cockinos. He was an avid Boy Scout and achieved the Eagle Scout award at age 16.

After graduating from high school in 1942, he attended Davidson College and joined the Army in March 1943 during World War II. He was assigned to the 44th Division, 7th Army Infantry. He was discharged as a staff sergeant and received the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star for achievement in Germany and the European Theater Operations ribbon with three campaign stars.

After the war, he enrolled at North Carolina State College and graduated in 1949 with a BS degree in civil engineering and, in 1955, with a PE degree in sanitary engineering. He worked as an engineer in both North and South Carolina.

In the local community he served in many leadership positions including the Easter Seal Society for the Charlotte Metrolina Dogwood Chapter for 10 years (one as its president). He also served for 11 years as the engineering representative of the N.C. State Commission for Health Services, on the Mecklenburg County Health Commission for six years, and was the Habitat for Humanity local chairman for five years.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Despina Kleamenakis Cockinos of New Orleans; daughter, Maria Malliadis and husband, Nikos Malliadis; son Dean Cockinos and wife, Timira Christenbury Cockinos; grandsons, Christian and Joshua Cockinos; sister, Mary Catsimatides, Happy Cockinos, Petsa Schwartz and brother Michael Cockinos, and his wife’s sister, Angela Pembo and brothers Nike and Argie Kleamenakis and Andrew Kleamenakis, and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Aug. 8, at St. Nektarios Church.

Memorials may be sent to St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, 5108 Kuykendall Rd. Charlotte, NC 28270 or Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 600 East Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Mary Louzis Plumides CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mary Louzis Plumides, age 73, a former National Philoptochos board member, and widow of the late John Plumides, a former Archdiocesan Council member and AHEPA Supreme President, died Sept. 25 at Presbyterian Hospital. She was born Aug. 17, 1939, in Birmingham, Ala., to the late George and Christine Louzis.

She attended the University of Alabama and, after graduating with honors, taught elementary school, then married her husband of 42 years and moved to Charlotte.

She became deeply involved with Holy Trinity Cathedral and served as local Philoptochos Society president and as chapter president and district governor of the Daughters of Penelope.

In 1982, she was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos as a national board member of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John George Plumides and her brother, Emanuel G. Louzis.

Survivors include sons, George John Plumides, John George Plumides II of Charlotte; and Gregory John Plumides, several grandchildren; her sister, Georgia Dikis and many relatives in Birmingham.

29

OCTOBER 2012

Center for Family Care - Family Connections

Preparing Your Children for Success in College not only making their way from college to parishes, but are also contributing in tangible ways.

by Jennifer Nahas

As the director of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) and a mom of two emerging college students, I am often asked this question by parents and guardians: What can I do to prepare my children for success in college?

Sending a child to college, especially one far away from home, is traumatic; it marks the moment that our little ones are called to stand strong as adults. As parents, this transition may require an enormous leap of faith – the idea of letting our children go into the fast-paced, overstimulating world of college, is downright scary. Yet, as college approaches, I have heard parents say that they are proud of who their children are. They put their trust in God, pray (daily!) that they are ready to face what lies ahead, and look forward to seeing them shine as they become economically responsible, socially independent, and spiritually mature.

So, what will our children face as they pass through the gates of higher education? They, along with their parents, will experience the financial pressures of college as more students are working to cover the escalating costs of room, board, books, and tuition. They will feel the intense pressure to perform academically, to work hard, manage their time, keep up, and produce strong analytical work. And, of course, they will be faced with huge social decisions – from choosing a peer group and getting involved on campus to going to parties where binge drinking is the norm and learning to respond to sexual advances. These decisions can make or break their college experience.

This is a lot for any college student to manage and balance. Fortunately, what we see here at OCF is that engaged Orthodox Christians excel as college students, athletes, scholars, and leaders in their school communities. They stand out because they set social limits. They go to parties, but do not overindulge; they date without putting themselves in risky situations and they achieve academically by managing all the demands of college. They continue their spiritual journey by getting to Church and developing an Orthodox peer group. They leave college having integrated their faith into their lives – clear about who they are at their core.

Unfortunately, this is not everyone’s story. Some of our students will go to extremes. They will exit the social scene and dwell in small, socially isolated groups to avoid temptation and overstimulation.

There are those who will put their identities in a lock box, jump into the social

OCF Real Break

OCF Real Break is a popular alternative to the traditional spring break. Each spring, over 100 students attend various trips in the United States and countries around the world. Past destinations include: Constantinople, Greece, Dominican Republic, Jerusalem, Romania, Mexico and Alaska.

OCF College Conference

scene with abandonment, take unhealthy risks, and hope at the end of the four years that they will return to their true selves. But often, these students will have drifted, and at worse, have dropped out.

OCF’s goal is to aid and assist parents and Churches to continue their good work of preparing their children to face the challenges and reap the benefits of college without compromising who they are. But to do so, we must ensure that all of our young people leave home and go to college with a strong sense of self, so they can remain the beacons of light they are meant to be.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6) We at OCF believe that the Orthodox Church, in its traditions and foundation in Christ, is raising strong college students.

It seems that there is a positive relationship between raising children in small, tight, and culturally identified churches and the development of a strong sense of self that ultimately impacts achievement and school behavior. Through supportive and like-minded small communities where the practices are different from the mainstream, young people develop a clear vision of who they are, where they are going, what they will do and what they will not do.

It is not just our small communities that build strong college students; it is our Orthodox liturgical practices that fortify them. For example, by practicing the faith through fasting and prayer, young people learn to control their passions, exercise mindfulness, and delay gratification, all the while bringing them closer to God. Look at fasting: it restores and preserves our bodies as temples of God. It also helps young people to control impulsivity. It is not a surprise that if a young person can say no to eating meat for 40 days, that they are more likely to say no to drugs and alcohol.

Also, prayer: we as Orthodox Christians take time to ask for God’s forgiveness, to give thanks for our blessings, and to direct our thoughts towards His Glory.

Prayer also settles our minds and tunes out overstimulation. It allows young people a time to calm their thoughts and reflect on past and upcoming decisions. Prayer teaches young people to slow down, remember who they are in the midst of all the social pressures, think how their actions might impact themselves and others, and come to the best decision. Prayer helps college students to think clearly

and hear God. These skills are essential to navigating college culture and staying safe during four years of unprecedented freedom. This tells me that if we, as parents and guardians, are teaching our children to participate in the Church, we are preparing them for success in college.

But we do not expect our college students to manage all of this on their own.

From the research on college retention, we know that half of the students that start college will not finish, but we also know that students who stay connected to their communities of family and faith are more likely to graduate. This is where the work of OCF becomes critical.

The Work of OCF

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) is the official collegiate campus ministry program under The North American Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. Our mission is to support fellowships on college campuses, whose members experience and witness to the Orthodox Christian Church through community life, prayer, service to others and study of the Faith.

OCF becomes a “home away from home” so our young people do not have to leave themselves behind when they go off to college.

The headquarters, in Brookline, Mass., supports more than 300 local university chapters across North America.

Chapters are student-run, but facilitated by local Orthodox clergy and lay people. Every chapter provides a multitude of opportunities for students to get involved in the Church from weekly Liturgy as a group to service projects in the community, from Bible study and fellowship to weekend retreats with other chapters. In addition, we provide a variety of thoughtful and innovative programming, including regional training, annual conferences, and domestic and international service learning programs.

After graduation, OCF’ers return to parishes as active stewards of the faith.

In a study of OCF graduates, alumni who participated in the survey (39 percent of the respondents) told us that they are very active in their parishes. Astonishingly, 94 percent of these OCF respondents who had graduated described themselves as very active and somewhat involved in their parishes.

Additionally, close to 100 percent of the graduates attend Liturgy regularly and over 70 percent receive confession, make regular financial contributions, and volunteer in church ministries. OCF’ers are

Each year during Christmas Break OCF College Conferences host hundreds of college students from across North America for 4 days of fellowship, prayer, and some of the best Orthodox speakers around. Conferences are currently held at the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania and St. Nicholas Ranch in California.

Visit www.ocf.net to learn about the many chapters across the United States and Canada – including how to start a new chapter – our North American programs – Real Break and College Conference – and how to get involved.

Jennifer Nahas is the executive director of Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF).

She has dedicated her career to improving the future prospects of youth, particularly in the field of college transition and retention.

She is also the co-founder of Brigham Nahas Research Associates (BNRA), a firm specializing in providing evaluation, strategic planning and technical assistance to schools and organizations designed to help young people succeed in education. Mrs. Nahas has a master’s in Management in Human Services. She attends St. Mary Antiochian Church in Cambridge, Mass.

30

OCTOBER 2012

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Advertisement Disclaimer ORTHODOX OBSERVER does not endorse, support, sanction, or verify the information or material printed as advertisement unles otherwise specifical y 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 war anties whatsoever with regard to those organizations or any other organization, entity or person. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER reserves the right o edit, categorize, revise, or refuse any display or clas ified 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 wil not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or omissions. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER wil not be held liable for any damages of any kind relating to any ad.

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31

OCTOBER 2012

A Guide to the National Ministries MINISTRY

WHAT IT DOES

HOW IT AFFECTS YOU

RESOURCES

Archives

Gathers and records materials relating to the history of the Greek people, their culture and religion in the United States.

Provides information and photographs on request to scholars, researchers and authors.

Online, hardcopy data and photographs.

Communications*

Provides information about the Church through electronic, social and print media.

Connects parishioners to the National Church through print , social and electronic media.

Informs the U.S. and Greek media and general public about Orthodoxy.

Videos of religious television productions, Orthodox Observer, annual yearbook, ecclesiastical calendar, website, e–bulletin, listserver.

Greek Education

Provides for the instruction of Greek and promotes Hellenic culture.

Provides textbooks and other instructional materials for all Greek afternoon and parochial schools; teacher training.

Textbooks, other educational materials for Greek schools.

Information Technologies

Responsible for overall technology vision and direction of the Archdiocese of America.

Provides direct support and training to metropolises and parishes for their technology needs.

Online access the Archdiocese and to various Orthodox websites.

Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical, Interfaith

Promotes relations with other Orthodox Christian jurisdictions, other Christian churches and other faith groups in the U.S.

Through its efforts, parishes benefit through more meaningful contacts with such groups at the local level.

Contacts between the Archdiocese and other Christian denominations and other Faiths.

Marriage & Family

Addresses issues relevant to marriage and family life through the Center for Family Care and Office of Interfaith Marriage.

Provides assistance to families and individuals coping with problems affecting relationships and daily life.

Online and personal connections with Archdiocese clergy, publishes books and other resources.

Metropolis Ministries

Coordinates the services of the National Ministries at the Metropolis level.

Serves as the vital link between each parish and the National Ministries program, and provides additional ministries at the local level.

Administers national ministries and provides direct assistance to parishes.

Parish Development

Assists parishes with fund-raising guidance and development.

Helps with strategic planning, capital improvements, grants, endowments and expanding stewardship.

Information for financial assistance and planning, guides to each parish.

Philanthropy*

Develops and coordinates the philanthropic work, the Archdiocese special funds and also works with the Philoptochos.

Provides assistance for local catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina, fires in Greece, aid to families of 9/11 victims.

Provides assistance for charitable causes in each Metropolis and worldwide.

Public Affairs

Coordinates Archdiocese involvement in public and political issues affecting the Church.

Works with local parishes in events such as Patriarchal visits.

Direct contact with government officials at the local, state and national levels.

Registry

Maintains records relating to the life of the faithful of the Church.

Issues marriage licenses, divorce decrees, baptismal and chrismation certificates, replaces lost transcripts.

Provides important documents for vital statistics and maintains records.

Religious Education

Develops and provides religious education materials to advance the metropolis and parish programs.

Sunday schools use materials and run programs including the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival.

Resources, Sunday School texts and other materials, oratorical festival information.

Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism

Works with National Stewardship Ministries Team and Outreach and Evangelism Advisory Board.

Provides resources for parish ministry, support for parish leadership and stewardship activities.

Provides materials and data to help parishes in their stewardship efforts.

Youth, Young Adult Ministries*

Coordinates the national youth and young adult programs with metropolis youth directors. Administers campus and camping ministries.

Provides opportunities for parish youth to participate more fully in the Church.

Online and harcdopy materials to youth directors, workers; administers youth camps, including Ionian Village; maintains listserver and blogs..

*(includes GOTelecom, Press Office, Internet Ministries, Orthodox Observer)

*(includes Philoptochos Society, retired clergy benevolence fund, other humanitarian assistance)

*(includes camping ministries and Ionian Village)

32

OCTOBER 2012

The Metropolis of San Francisco 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. The At-a-Glance series of Metropolis features concludes with the Metropolis of San Francisco, but the Observer will begin a new coverage phase of Metropolis features in the next issue.

General Information Number of communities: 67 churches, two chapels and three monastic communities (Source: Archdiocese Yearbook, Metropolis website and Metropolis officials)

Geographic description: The Metropolis of San Francisco, led by Metropolitan Gerasimos, is the second largest in area, and the most dispersed. It includes the Far West states of Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona, and Alaska and Hawaii.

Total area is 1,118,733 square miles. Alaska accounts for about 570,000 square miles of that amount.

Largest Parishes: Ascension Cathedral, Oakland, Calif., St. Sophia Cathedral, Los Angeles.

Monastic communities: St. Anthony, Florence, Ariz.; Holy Theotokos/The Life-Giving Spring, Dunlap, Calif., and St. John the Forerunner, Goldendale, Wash.

Chancellor: Very Rev. Apostolos Koufallakis

Major Ministries

Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Franscisco

Contact information

Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund, Byzantine Music School, Christian Formation and Religious Education, Clergy Syndesmos, Church Music Federation, Commission for Orthodox Mission and Evangelism, Elliniko Horio– Greek Village Immersion Camp, Faith Forward Stewards, Family Wellness Ministry, Folk Dance and Choral Festival, Greek Education and Culture, Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, Online Lenten Book Club, Philanthropia AIDS Ministry, Philoptochos, Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Spiritual Renewal Ministries, Presvyteres Sisterhood, Sports Leagues, Strategic Planning Committee, Summer Camp, Youth and Young Adults Ministries.

List of Communities

245 Valencia St., San Francisco, CA 94103 Tel. (415) 753-3075 E-mail metropolis@sanfran.goarch.org Web www.sanfran.goarch.org

(Note: Numbers indicate cities and towns with Greek Orthodox communities. The following cities have either more than one parish or an additional chapel: San Francisco, San Jose, Calif., and Seattle. San Francisco includes Annunciation Cathedral and Holy Trinity Church.

Alaska

1.Anchorage (Holy Transfiguration) Not to scale: Alaska, if superimposed on a map of the continental U.S., would stretch from Jacksonville, Fla., north to Duluth, Minn., and (including the Aleutian Islands), west to Fresno, Calif. Anchorage lies about 2,010 miles northwest of San Francisco (about the distance from S.F. to Columbus, Ohio).

Not to scale: Hawaii is about 2,390 miles southwest of San Francisco (50 miles closer than Washington, D.C.)

Washington

2.Bellingham (St. Sophia), 3. Shoreline (Holy Apostles), 4. Seattle (Assumption, St. Demetrios), 5. Tacoma (St. Nicholas), 6. Pasco (St. Nectarios Mission), 7.

Spokane (Holy Trinity)

Oregon

8. Portland (Holy Trinity Cathedral), 9. Beaverton (St. John the Baptist), 10.

Salem (Mission Church of Salem), 11. Eugene (St. George)

California

12. Redding (St. George), 13. Roseville (St. Anna), 14. Sacramento (Annunciation), 15. Elk Grove (St. Katherine), 16. Novato (Nativity of Christ), 17. Vallejo (Sts. Constantine & Helen), 18. Oakland (Ascension Cathedral), 19. Concord (St. Demetrios), 20. Castro Valley (Church of the Resurrection), 21. Belmont (Holy Cross), 22. Santa Cruz (Prophet Elias), 23. San Jose (St. Basil, St. Nicholas), 24.

Stockton (St. Basil), 25. Modesto (Annunciation) 26. Salinas (St. John the Baptist), 27. Fresno (St. George), 28. San Luis Obispo (St. Andrew), 29. Bakersfield (St. George), 30. Santa Barbara (St. Barbara), 31. Lancaster (Sts. Constantine & Helen), 32. Camarillo (St. Demetrios), 33. Northridge (St. Nicholas), 34. Pasadena (St. Anthony), 35. Los Angeles (St. Sophia Cathedral), 36. Redondo Beach (St. Katherine), 37. Downey (St. George), 38. Long Beach (Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary), 39. Covina (St. Nectarios), 40.

Upland (St. Spyridon), 41. San Bernardino (Prophet Elias), 42. Anaheim (St. John the Baptist), 43. Irvine (St. Paul), 44.

San Juan Capistrano (Mission of South Orange County), 45. Temecula (St. Nicholas), 46. Palm Desert (St. George), 47. Cardiff–By–the–Sea (Sts. Constantine & Helen), 48. San Diego (St. Spyridon), 49. El Cajon (St. Gregory of Nyssa)

Nevada

50. Reno (St. Anthony), 51. McGill (St. Barbara Chapel), 52. Ely (St. Alexios Chapel), 53. Las Vegas (St. John the Baptist)

Arizona

54. Flagstaff (Holy Cross), 55. Prescott (St. George), 56. Peoria (St. Haralambos), 57. Scottsdale (Assumption), 58. Phoenix (Holy Trinity Cathedral), 59.

Chandler (St. Katherine), 60. Tucson (St. Demetrios), 61. Sierra Vista (Sierra Vista Mission)

Hawaii

62. Honolulu (Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral), 63.Wailuki (Mission of Maui)