In THIS ISSUE. Encyclicals. Feast of St. Basil. and the New Year. Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day. Epiphany

Transcript

1 JANUARY 2015 Vol. 80 No $1.00 In THIS ISSUE National Shrine pledge California church pledges percentage of festival proceeds toward St. Nicholas National Shrine. P. 9 L-100 Conference A highlight of the Leadership 100 Conference in February will be a concert by Peter Tiboris. CrossRoad program Details about this summer s activities. P. 5 P. 11 MLK legacy Four lessons from Martin Luther King legacy. P. 20 Day School Brooklyn school fosters spirit of Hellenism Epiphany P. 23 Dimitris Panagos photos Theodora Lialios of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, Fla., prepares to release the dove during the Blessing of the Waters service on Jan. 6 moments before Archbishop Demetrios tosses the cross into the water. More coverage on page 28. The Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the Jordan River Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the 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, On this blessed Feast of the Three Hierarchs, we give thanks to God for the beautiful and faithful witness of Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom. Venerated on this day as great Teachers and Theologians, we also recognize them as representatives of many great Saints of the Church who have conveyed truth, communicated divine wisdom, and offered an inspiring witness of the Gospel of love. For the depth of their teaching and their ardent defense of the faith our hymns call all people to a universal celebration on this day. For their lives of healing in the name of Christ u to page 3 Encyclicals Feast of St. Basil and the New Year Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14) 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, On this blessed Feast of Saint Basil and the beginning of the New Year, our honored tradition is to offer prayers and support for the sacred ministry of our beloved Saint Basil Academy. For seventy years this institution of our Holy Archdiocese has offered the love of Christ, the comfort of His presence, and the healing power of faith to children, youth, and families in need. Serving Orthodox children from throughout the United States, Saint Basil Academy continues to provide a caring and spiritual environment where they are able to grow, learn, and achieve. This vital mission of Saint Basil Academy, carried out by the directors, staff, trustees and benefactors, is in keeping with our Lord s command to let the children come to me. This is accomplished through this ministry by bringing the love of Christ to those in need. Everything that is offered for the children and youth at Saint Basil s is offered in the name and presence of Christ. In daily care, in counseling and teaching, in recreation, and in worship, the students encounter Christ and His abundant and comforting love. int Basil Academy is also a place where the lives of the children and youth are guided in Christ. On the beautiful campus, in a nurturing environment of prayer and grace, they are led in the path of truth and love. They are shown the blessings of the life in Christ, how to follow His will and to find strength and assurance in His promises. They see the hope, joy, and power in a life of faith and a lifelong relationship with Him. This sacred work was also the focus of the patron saint of the Academy, Saint Basil. For the sick, orphans, travelers, and many others in need, he offered an encounter with Christ by taking His love to them. For others he guided them in truth and love through teaching and preaching, as a faith- u to page 3

2 2 To contact National Ministries Archives Communications Greek Education Internet Ministries ARCHDIOCESE NEWS Dimitrios Panagos photos JANUARY 2015 Inter Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Ionian Village Marriage & Family O.O. photo New Academy Trustees New trustees of Saint Basil Academy installed by Archbishop Demetrios on January 15. Along with His Eminence and Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director of the Academy are (in random order, including some who were absent) Evelyn Tsiadis, board president; Lea Zervoulias, Elaine Cladis, Fr. Constantine Moralis, Christine Karavites, Steven Gounardes, Georgia Kaloidis, Spyridon Mitches, Maria Panayotou, Evangeline Mekras-Scurtis, Peter Kakoyiannis, Christos Karamanos, Agapios Kyritsis, Panicos Papanicolaou, Maria Logus, Joanne Stavrakas, Fr. John Theodosian, Kalliope Tsitsipas, Maria Stavropoulos and Georgia Vlitas. Parish Development Philanthropy Public Affairs Registry Religious Education Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism Youth and Young Adult Ministries NEXT DEADLINE Deadline for submitting information, articles and photos for consideration in the Feb. March 2015 issue: Friday, Feb. 6 Photos should be sent as a large format.jpg attachment (300 dpi min.). to: jim@goarch.org Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79 th St., New York, NY Dimitrios Panagos photo Children at Saint Basil s perform their annual Christmas play before a large audience. How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations Direct Archdiocesan District ; Metropolis of Chicago ; Metropolis of Boston ; Metropolis of Denver ; Metropolis of Atlanta ; Metropolis of Detroit ; Metropolis of Pittsburgh ; Metropolis of San Francisco ; Metropolis of New Jersey ; Archdiocesan Institutions Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity Tel ; Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology ; Saint Basil Academy ; St. Michael s Home ; St. Photios National Shrine ; Other key organizations and services National Philoptochos ; Internet Ministries: Orthodox Jobs: Orthodox Marketplace: Online Store for Parishes: freebookstore Orthodox Children s Bible Reader Online: cbr.goarch.org Young donor O.O. photo Among those attending the Saint Basil Academy Christmas Program was 10-year-old Lauren Maoury of Ashburn, Va., who traveled to Garrison with her mother, Julie (right) and grandmother, Angelike. Lauren raised $4,200 for the Academy over a two-month period through various fundraising activities with some friends. She and her family are members of the Greek Orthodox parish of Loudon County, in Dulles, Va. Change of Address To submit a change of address: Contact Soula Podaras at spodaras@goarch.org fax: Or regular mail to: Orthodox Observer, 8 E. 79 th St., New York, NY Be sure to include old address, new address and name of parish. USPS ISSN In 2015, published monthly except February March and July August by the Greek Ortho dox Archdiocese of America. Editorial and Business Offi ce: 8 East 79 th Street, New York, NY TEL.: (212) FAX (212) EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) GREEK SECTION EDITOR Eleftherios Pissalidis PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING Eleftherios Pissalidis GRAPHIC ARTIST Abel Montoya ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras BUSINESS MANAGER Marissa P. Costidis C O N T R I B U T I N G P H O T O G R A P H E R S : Dimitrios Panagos Nicholas Manginas Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced entirely in house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: e mail: observer@goarch.org Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeled. Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25. Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy. Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. Of this contribution, $5 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79 th Street, New York, NY Questions about submitting news and photos: Jim Golding (212) ; jim@goarch.org For advertising or the Greek section: Lefteris Pissalidis, (212) ; lefteris@goarch.org

3 JANUARY 2015 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS 3 Encyclical Feast of St. Basil and the New Year Bishop Apostolos Ordained NEW YORK The Very Rev. Apostolos Koufallakis, chancellor of the Metropolis of San Francisco, was ordained as a bishop Dec. 10 at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York with many clergy participating. A large contingent of faithful from the San Francisco metropolis, including Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas, attended the ordination and subsequent luncheon at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows. His Grace was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Nov. 28 as Bishop Apostolos of Medeia. After officiating the hierarchal Divine Liturgy Dec. 11 at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, where he served as dean from 2004 until November 2011 when he was appointed as the San Francisco metropolis chancellor. He has returned to the metropolis as auxiliary bishop and acting chancellor. The ordination service was conducted by Archbishop Demetrios, with the participation of the following clergy: Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Bishop Anthimos of Olympou, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, the Very Revs. Anthimos Palioglov and Maximos Panagiotou from a monastery in Rhodes, the bishop s native island; the Very Rev. Nathanael Symeonides, Frs. John Bakas, dean of St. Sophias Cathedral in Los Angeles; Stylianos Kyriakou, dean of Annunciation Cathedral San Francisco; Constantinos Pappademos, Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos president; John Vlahos, Holy Trinity Cathedral dean; Demetrios Cantos, St. Demetrios Church, Tucson, Ariz.; and Archdeacon Pandeleimon Papadopoulos, Dns. Eleftherios Constantine, Philotheos Tomczewski, and Constantine Ursache. The new bishop studied at the Ecclesiastical School of Patmos where he majored in Orthodox Byzantine music and Dimitrios Panagos photos hymnology. He received his theological and pastoral education at the University of Thessaloniki, earning a Masters of Divinity degree. He then was named dean of Annunciation Cathedral in Rhodes. He came to the United States in 2002 and entered Boston University School of Theology, receiving a Master of Sacred Theology degree. He served the Massachusetts parishes of Annunciation, Brockton; St. George, Southbridge; and Sts. Anargyroi in Marlboro before his assignment to Astoria. u from page 1 ful and caring pastor, to their Savior and Redeemer. This is also our calling today. In our support for Saint Basil Academy, we are led by our Ladies Philoptochos Society and our local Philoptochos chapters in collecting an offering and in the celebration of the cutting of the Vasilopeta. We are also led by Christ and by the example of Saint Basil to fulfill the command of our Lord and let the children come to me. In your ministry in the parish and in your daily life in Christ, you are called to offer Him and guide others to an encounter with the Lord that will lead to abundant and eternal life. On this day may we offer our prayers u from page 1 as living streams of the Spirit, we give them praise. For their constant intercessions for us before the Holy Trinity, we are immensely thankful these preachers of grace and guides to paradise. (Hymns of Vespers) Our commemoration of these great Champions of our Faith is connected to the recognition of another significant event, the celebration of Greek Letters Day. On this day we affirm as Greek Orthodox Christians our spiritual heritage in connection with a rich heritage of learning, thought, language, and some of the greatest expressions and discoveries in human existence. We do this on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs because these Holy Fathers of the Church are paragons in understanding and communicating the highest abilities and potential of our humanity in relation to our identity as persons created in the image and likeness of God. In their teaching, preaching, and ministries, Saints Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom offered the proper relationship of faith and reason, affirming that the pursuit of knowledge is inherent to our being. Following divine revelation with awareness of the great philosophical traditions, they recognized that inner reflection combined with our ability to think and believe provided the foundation for a proper manner of life in relationship with God, others, and all of the created order. For the Three Hierarchs, this represented a true philosophy, a living wisdom, and the life for which we have been created. In understanding the relationship of faith and reason, these men of great learning affirmed in the words of Saint Basil, the mind is good, and in it we have that which is according to the image of the Creator (Epistle 233). This honor accorded to each person as a rational being is a recognition of the ability to use the mind to acquire and generous support for Saint Basil Academy. May we strengthen this vital work to children and youth in fulfilling the request of our Lord and in honoring the legacy of all who have established and supported this ministry in the past seventy years. May you also receive the abundant and rich blessings of our Lord at the beginning of this new year as we offer Him glory and honor unto the ages of ages! With paternal love in Christ, Dimitrios Panagos photos DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Amer i ca Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day NEW YORK The 2015 Yearbook of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is now available online at archdiocese/yearbook. The Yearbook can also be downloaded from the website as a pdf and used as a digital book on tablets, smart phones and other digital reading devices. Hard copies of the 2015 Yearbook will be available by mail by end of January. Every parish of the Archdiocese will receive two complimentary copies. The Yearbook is designed as an easy-toread, accurate, reference handbook of the and use knowledge, especially in relation to faith. Chrysostom stated that the mind and our human abilities help us appreciate the wisdom of God and the honor He has bestowed upon us (Homily 11, On the Statutes). Saint Basil recognized that our ability to reason and gain knowledge leads us to embrace the idea of God, to perceive His wisdom, His goodness, thus a knowledge followed by faith, and this faith by worship (Letter 235). Our celebration on this day, centered on the theme of the relationship between faith and reason engenders gratitude to the Three Hierarchs because of their wisdom and faith. The very same celebration also shows the relationship between our Orthodox faith and our Hellenic heritage, emphasizing our unique witness and vital offering to the world. This theme also affirms in addition, the importance of related programs in our communities, programs that guide the acquaintance of our youth with the resources of our faith and our Hellenic legacy and identity, teaching that helps us examine and explore our abilities and potential for a life of virtue, wisdom, and grace. As we celebrate this blessed Feast and honor our heritage of Greek Letters, may we give thanks to God for His abundant gifts that lead us to Him and to the purpose of our creation. May we also praise Him in word and song chanting the hymn of the Three Hierarchs Vespers, You have given Your people these three great luminaries to enlighten us with the knowledge of You, making them radiant with the splendor of Your salvation and Your holy will. With paternal love in Christ, Dimitrios Panagos photos DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Amer i ca Archdiocesan Yearbook Now Available Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The 284 page, new edition includes updated directories of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archdiocesan departments and institutions, Metropolises, parishes, clergy, religious and secular media resources plus additional information. The significance of this resource is highlighted in the letter by Archbishop Demetrios in which he states: As we begin this new year of 2015 and are presented with the new edition of the Yearbook of u to page 4

4 4 Dimitrios Panagos photos Spelling Bee winner Panagiotis Persianis with Archbishop Demetrios, Maria Makedon, director of the Archdiocese Office of Education, Cathedral School Principal Ted Kusulas, teacher Juliane Fazzone and his mother Theano. (bottom) Spelling Bee participants with their parents and teachers along with the pronouncers Helen Zapantis, teacher, and John Atanas, English language teacher at the Greek American Institute in the Bronx. Archdiocesan Yearbook Now Online u from page 3 our Holy Archdiocese, we are strengthened for our sacred calling to offer compassionate and faithful ministry to families. In the pages that follow we see the growth of our witness and resources. We find new opportunities for offering through the Parishes, Metropolises, and Archdiocese. We are encouraged to know that we have a strong foundation, built over many generations in local communities, in efforts coordinated in every region of this country by Hierarchs, Clergy and Laity, and in our national and global witness as a vibrant Church in America. Limited prepaid copies may be obtained by calling (212) or by sending a check/money order or credit card information for $18 (plus $6.00 s&h for a total of $24) payable to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Attn: Yearbook 8 East 79 th Street, New York, NY ARCHDIOCESE NEWS The 42 nd annual Direct Archdiocesan District Spelling Bee Finals for students of the district s parochial day schools took place Jan. 8 at Archdiocese headquarters with seven students participating. Panagiotis Persianis, an 8 th -grade student of the Holy Trinity Cathedral School (319 East 74 Street, NYC) was the finalist, while Anastasia Michialis, a 6 th grader at the Greek American Institute (3573 Bruckner Blvd., Bronx) was the runner up. The winning word was patriarch. The other contestants, their grade level, and schools were: Hannah Erickson, 5th grade, St. Spyridon School, Manhattan; James Ballas, 7 th grade, D.G.K. School of Holy Cross, Brooklyn; Theodora Athanitis, 8 th grade, A. Fantis School, Brooklyn; Steve Koullias, 8 th grade, W. Spyropoulos School, Flushing, and Nicoletta Baltzis, 5 th grade, St. Demetrios School, Astoria. Following the competition, Archbishop Demetrios presented each student with a certificate of award and a silver cross. Nick Katsoris, president of The Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund (HTSF) that sponsors the Archdiocesan competition, and author the Loukoumi book series for young children, offered each school bee one copy of the latest Loukoumi publication and $100 and $500 to the finalist. In addition to Mr. Katsoris gifts, the students received American Express gift cards on behalf of the Direct Archdiocesan District as follows: $100 to each participant and $200 for the winner. Students also received gift cards from AMAZON on behalf of the District Office of Education as follows: $75 to each student and $100 for the winner. Archbishop Demetrios presented Liturgical Guidebook Now Available The 2015 Liturgical Guidebook of the National Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is now available for ordering. (2014 Guidebook listings are good till the end of February 2015.) The Guidebook is no longer shipped automatically. Distribution of the Guidebook is now being handled by the Orthodox Marketplace. The preferred and quickest way of ordering the 2015 Liturgical Guidebook is to order it online. Order Online at On the website, the Guidebook is shown at the top of the home page. Guidebooks will be sent out the same day orders are received by the Orthodox Marketplace. JANUARY 2015 Parochial School Students Compete in Annual Spelling Bee The cost of the Guidebook is still $30.00 a copy. Payment can be made with a credit card. Standard delivery is included. Faster delivery options are available for an additional cost at checkout. For anyone without Internet access, the attached MAIL-IN OR- DER FORM can be used though delivery may be slower. Follow the instructions, fill out the form, and mail it to Orthodox Marketplace with a check payment. Standard delivery is included. Anyone with questions or needing assistance in ordering may contact the Guidebook editor: Peter N. Vatsures, Editor, Liturgical Guidebook, vatspnv@hotmail. com, SAVE THE DATE The Archons of South Florida & St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, invite you to a Religious Freedom Conference Uplifting Christ, Witnessing for Our Faith in the Face of Radical Extremism on Saturday March 14, from 2 p.m. 6 p.m. at the Cultural Hall of St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church. Tel: , at 7100 Airport Pulling Road North, Naples FL Keynote Speakers: Anthony J. Limberakis M.D., National Commander of The Order of Saint Andrew of The Ecumenical Patriarchate, Rev. Fr. Fouad Saba, Dean of The St. George Antiochian Cathedral, Coral Gables. Please RSVP to office@stkatherine.net to register. To donate to the St. Nicholas National Shrine, make checks payable to: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Mailing Address: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8 East 79 th St., New York, NY them with his book of prayers and a silver cross. The Spelling Bee competitions are sponsored by The E.W. Scripps Company, in conjunction with over 260 newspapers around the world. The competitions aim at improving spelling, increase vocabulary, learn concepts, and develop correct English usage. They are open to boys and girls, in grades 5-8. In New York City, competitions are sponsored by the DAILY NEWS newspaper for the public and nonpublic schools. The Office of Education of the Direct Archdiocesan District coordinates the competitions among the New York City parochial Greek-American day schools. The winner and the runner-up Anastasia Michialis will move on to the New York City Finals that will take place sometime in March. Panagiotis Persianis with Nick Katsoris. Assembly of Bishops Delegation Participates in March for Life The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America sent a delegation to the annual March for Life, Thursday, Jan. 22 in Washington.. The date marks the 42 nd anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion. Metropolitan Methodios led the delegation. He was joined by Metropolitan Tikhon, Bishop Michael, and Bishop Demetrios Mokissos. Metropolitan Tikhon delivered the invocation at the annual Rose Dinner at the Renaissance hotel the evening of the 22 nd. Metropolitan Methodios also attended the National Prayer Vigil for Life at The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception on Jan. 21, the evening before the march. The rally began at noon on the National Mall at 12th Street. Orthodox Christian marchers gathered under the Orthodox Christians for Life banner and signs. The march began at 1 p.m. and proceeded along Constitution Avenue to the U.S. Supreme Court, where prayers for the victims of abortion were offered.

5 JANUARY NEW YORK - The Archdiocese Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) officially launched its new Orthodoxy in Motion video contest on Jan. 12. Participants in the GOYA Division (13-17 years old) and the REAL Division (18-35 years old) were invited to submit short videos through the lens of the St. Nicholas National Shrine. Prizes of $2,000; $1,500; and $1,000 will be awarded in each division. The contest was made possible by the ARCHDIOCESE NEWS John Mindala photo Peter Nikitas (2 nd from left) with Elena Kyrkostas, and George and Kathy Boulukos, stand with the model of St. Nicholas National Shrine. Youth, Young Adult Ministry Announces Video Contest generosity of James W. Nikitas, a lifelong advocate of using technology to teach the faith. He bequeathed funds to St. George Church of St. Paul, Minn., which offered the funds to Y2AM for the video contest. Peter Nikitas presented the Archdiocese with the funds in a ceremony on Oct. 27 and spoke eloquently about his father s legacy. He was accompanied by his cousin, Elena Kyrkostas, and his aunt and uncle, George and Kathy Boulukos. Leadership 100 Conference Program Includes Tiboris Concert by George Schira As part of the 24 th annual Leadership 100 Conference, Feb in Orlando, Fla., renowned conductor and Leadership 100 member Peter Tiboris will conduct the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra in Symphony at Sunset, featuring his wife, dramatic soprano Eilana Lappalainen on Feb. 12. Lappalainen, a Finnish-Canadian performer and one of the most respected interpreters of Strauss Salome, which she has performed at opera houses throughout the world, has also been acclaimed for performances in leading other operas. Besides performances on international stages, she has taken on extensive responsibilities as general director of the Greek Opera Studio and Berlin Opera Studio, artistic director for the Opera Division of the Young Artists Festival Bayreuth, associate artistic director of the International Festival of the Aegean and artistic administrator for MidAmerica Productions. Tiboris, who founded MidAmerica Productions 31 years ago at Carnegie Hall, has performed 1,200 concerts worldwide. The Festival of the Aegean, which he founded in 2005 on the Greek island of Syros, marks its 10 th anniversary this year. In 2013, Tiboris founded MidAm International Inc., a company created to facilitate MidAmerica s growing presence in Europe. In addition to the 9 th Festival of the Aegean, MidAm International presented two concerts in Vienna during Easter Week. Encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response to the Vienna concerts, MidAm International presented its first performances in June 2014 at the historic L Eglise de la Madeleine in Paris. Tiboris has a special connection to Leadership 100 and Archbishop Iakovos. While serving as associate professor of music at the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette in 1983, Tiboris was asked to organize a concert in New York to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of Archbishop Iakovos as head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. The concert, held Jan. 7, 1984, in New York at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, brought together soloists, choruses from Louisiana and New York, and the American Symphony Orchestra for a Greek-themed program, marking the New York conducting debut of Peter Tiboris and the founding of MidAmerica Productions. Since then, he has fashioned two distinct and highly successful careers, as a conductor of classical music and as a classical music entrepreneur. He has conducted much of the choral repertoire and numerous symphonic works, operas, and ballets. Among his proudest achievements was conducting the U.S. premiere of Mikis Theodorakis Elektra in Carnegie Hall in He has gone on to conduct major orchestras in 20 countries. Orthodox Observer Supporters Special Patrons Dr. Basil Eleftheriou, Bar Harbor, Maine; Mr. and Mrs. Stavros Malesta, Palmetto, Fla.; Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Argue, Mercer Island, Wash.; Euryoice Petrou, Athens, Greece; Joanne Stefanatos, D.V.M., Las Vegas, Nevada; Maria Keritsis, N. Chesterfield, Va.; George T. Galanopoulos, Park Ridge, Ill. Patrons Steve P. Theodore, Los Angeles Pontian dancers Ordinations to the Diaconate Avramopoulos, Christopher Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, Ill. 11/22/14 Sakellariou, John Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church, Cincinnati, 11/16/14 Lundberg, Paul Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta 12/27/14 Ordinations to the Priesthood Dn. John Sakellariou Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY 11/23/14 Dn. Constantin Ursache Archbishop Demetrios of America Cathedral of St. Paul, Hempstead, NY 01/25/15 Assignments Fr. John Sakellariou Annunciation Church, Buffalo, NY 11/15/14 Dn. Christopher Xanthos Annunciation Cathedral, Houston 12/01/14 CLERGY UPDATE V. Rev. Fr. Ambrosios Bitziadis St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia 01/01/15 Fr. Constantine Christofis The Holy Metropolis of New Jersey 01/01/15 Fr. Stamatios Sfikas Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago 01/01/15 Fr. Matthew Baker Holy Trinity Church, Norwich, Conn. 01/15/15 Fr. Jason Houck St. Mary Church, Minneapolis 01/15/15 Fr. Athanasios Nenes Taxiarchae Church, Watertown, Mass. 01/15/15 Dn. Constantin Ursache Cathedral of St. Paul, Hempstead, NY 01/15/15 Offikia Fr. Michael Diavatis Office of Confessor, bestowed by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta 10/05/14 Retired Clergy Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pathenos 12/28/14 Fr. Nicholas I. Nikokavouras 01/01/15 O.O. photo Making their annual visit to Archdiocese headquarters were these Pontian dancers from New York and Connecticut on Dec. 22. They performed a series of dances and also sang Christmas carols. Donors Nikolaos Bairamis, Homer, Alaska; Antonia Megas, Nederland, Texas; Mr. and Mrs. Milton Siolis, Victoria, Texas; Ms. Evelyn Brosch-Goodwin, Fort Wayne, Ind; Daniel Hardesty, Colorado Springs, Colo; Lillian Pantos, Houston; Jacob Antoninis, Bethpage, N.Y.; John Homsy, Austin, Texas; Ioan Negulescu, Baton Rouge, La; Peter Dinyovszky, Oxford, Conn; Chalres Demos, South Bend, Ind. National Shrine Essay Contest Winners Announced by Polly Hillier ST AUGUSTINE, Fla. On behalf of the St Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine Essay Contest program, Katherine Bacalis, chairman, has announced the 10 th annual essay contest winners. Fifteen submissions were received and vetted; seven essays were judged. High school students compared the immigrant story of a family member with the immigrant story of the Greeks who arrived in America with the Turnbull expedition in Eleni Ouzts, parishioner of St Nektarios Church in Charlotte, N.C., placed first; Thomas Kouttron of St Paraskevi Church in Greenlawn, N.Y., placed second; and Emmanuel Stamatogiannakis of St John Church in Jacksonville, Fla., placed third. The St Photios Foundation Board of Trustees joins the Essay Committee members in offering congratulations to the students, their parents and their parishes. First Vice President Archon Dr. Manuel N. Tissura added We are blessed to witness the dedication to family and faith expressed by these students. Congratulations to the students, their families, and their home parishes - our hope is that more students take advantage to witness their heritage in this manner. Mrs. Bacalis noted that Kathie Dakis Danna provided the prizes for the contest participants in memory of her husband, Carmen Danna. Eleni Ouzts summed up the purpose of this exercise, I would have loved to have known my great-grandfather; thankfully I have family members to pass his story along. This essay has helped me to develop an appreciation for the opportunities I was born with. Many people in America do not realize how fortunate we are, and take this precious freedom for granted. I have also learned the story of the first Greeks in America and its similarities to my own family story. The immigrants of both times endured I am blessed to be a Greek descendant in America

6 6 Support your Yes, I want to Support our ORTHODOX OBSERVER Enclosed is my Ecclesiastical Year donation. $25 00 Donor $50 00 Patron $ Special Patron Special Patrons will receive a complimentary DVD of the award winning: Pascha: The Resurrection of Christ Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Phone: SUBSCRIBER S NUMBER (located above your name on the mailing label): I authorize the ORTHODOX OBSERVER to charge my: The ORTHODOX OBSERVER has been offering Greek Orthodox faithful in America and around the world news from our Archdiocese, our Metropolises and our parishes for almost 40 years. Originally begun primarily as a theological magazine by Archbishop Athenagoras in 1934, the ORTHODOX OBSERVER was transformed into its present format and role by Archbishop Iakovos in Each member of the national Church continues to receive a complimentary copy of the ORTHODOX OBSERVER as part of their stewardship to their local parish. Over the years, mailing and printing costs have continued to rise and have outpaced increases in theorthodox OBSERVER S income resources. Advertising revenue and donations contribute to our revenue, but an increasing shortfall exists because of these rising costs. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER, which will print 10 issues in 2014, has initiated a campaign to raise additional funds for these rising costs. We invite you to participate as a Donor, Patron or Special Patron. Voluntary donations are welcome in one of the following categories: DONOR $25 PATRON $50 SPECIAL PATRON $100 Special Patrons will receive a complimentary DVD of the award winning: Pascha: The Resurrection of Christ Those contributing to the campaign will receive a special mention in each issue of the ORTHODOX OBSERVER. *The ORTHODOX OBSERVER welcomes gifts of any size, including sponsorship of a full issue. For more information contact Marissa Costidis at phone: Card No.: Expiration Date: Name on Card: Signature: Thank you for your generosity. Mail this form and/or make your check payable to: Orthodox Observer 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY JANUARY 2015 Archdiocese National Calendar Editor s note: Below is the annual Archdiocese-wide calendar of significant events in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Archdiocese and Metropolis levels and for the Archdiocesan institutions and organizations published each January. Parish-level events are not included. It is not all-inclusive as some organizations and metropolises may not have finalized their schedules for the entire year. Events listed are those received by the Observer in time for the January press date. Dates and locations should be reconfirmed with the particular organization for those planning to attend as the event approaches. Local activities and events, such as pastoral visits, anniversaries, feast day events, etc., also are not included. If the date and location of an event is not yet determined, it is indicated as TBA (to be announced). Youth camp information will be listed in the Feb-March issue. January 4 Metropolis of New Jersey Vasilopita Cutting for clergy and families, metropolis Council and Philoptochos 10 Metropolis of New Jersey Epiphany Celebration, St. George Church, Ocean City, Md. 10 Metropolis of Atlanta Church Music Insititue Southwesst Region, Assumption Church, Scottsdale, Ariz. 11 Metropolis of Chicago Vasilopita Celebration, St. Demetrios, Elmhurst, Ill. 16 Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult Winter Retreat, Galilee Camp and Conference Center, Lake Tahoe, Nev Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos St. Antonio s Great Vespers and Feast Day, Metropolis House Metropolis of Pittsburgh GOYA Basketball Tournament (first weekend), Sts. Constantine and Helen, Cleveland Heights; Holy Saints in Steubenville, Weirton, Ambridge and Wheeling Metropolis of New Jersey Folk Dance Festival, Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Annapolis, N.J Metropolis of Atlanta Hellenic Dance Festival, Charlotte, N.C Metropolis of Pittsburgh Camp and Youth Council Worker Conference, Antiochian Village, Bolivar, Pa Metropolis of San Francisco Presbyteres Retreat, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center, Dunlap, Calif., 24 Metropolis of San Francisco Church Music Institute Bay Area Region, Holy Trinity Church, San Francisco. 24 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Metropolis Council meeting, St. Spyridon, Monessen, Pa. 25 Metropolis of New Jersey Northern Three Hierarchs-Greek Letters Celebration, St. George Church, Piscataway, N.J GOYA Metropolis of Pittsburgh Basketball Tournament (second weekend), Annunciation, Akron, Ohio, St. Haralambos, Canton, Ohio. Metropolis of New Jersey Delaware Valley Three Hierarchs-Greek Letters event, St. Thomas Church, Cherry Hill, N.J. February 2-4 Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy Retreat, Maryland Eastern Shore 5 Metropolis of Pittsburgh St. Photios the Great Vespers, St. Photios Chapel, Metropolis headquarters. 6 Metropolis of Pittsburgh St. Photios the Great Liturgy, Dormition, Oakmont, Pa. 7 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Priests, Presidents and Treasurers meeting, Dormition, Oakmont. 7 Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Chapter Presidents meeting, Annunciation Cathedral, Chicago 8-10 Metropolis of Atlanta Strategic Planning meetings, Atlanta Metropolis of Atlanta St. Stephens Counselors Reunion, Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, S.C Metropolis of Atlanta Clergy Retreat, Diakonia Center, Salem Metropolis of Pittsburgh GOYA Basketball Tournament (third weekend), Annunciation, Columbus Metropolis of Pittsburgh GOYA Basketball Tournament (third weekend), Holy Cross, Pittsburgh March 3-5 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Clergy Family Retreat, Antiochian Village, Bolivar, Pa. 7 Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Lenten Retreat, St. George, Schererville, Ind. 6-8 Metropolis of Pittsburgh GOYA Spring Retreat 6-8 Metropolis of Atlanta GOYA Lenten Retreat Metropolis of Atlanta Council meetings 13 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Philoptochos Meeting, Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, W.Va. 14 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Daffodil Luncheon, Oglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Board meeting, Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, S.C Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos Spiritual Retreat, Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem. 22 Metropolis of New Jersey Greek Independence Day Parade, Philadelphia Metropolis of Atlanta OCF WorkDaze, Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem, S.C. April 17 Zoodochos Peghe, Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos St. Iakovos Center, Brighton, Wis. 18 Metropolitan Awards Banquet, Wyndham Grant Hotel, Pittsburgh 18 Metropolis of Atlanta Pasch Picnic, Diakonia Retreat Center, Salem 25 Metropolis of Pittsburgh, Oratorical Festival, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh Metropolis of Atlanta Oratorical Festival, Birmingham, Ala. May 9 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Metropolis Council meeting, Kimisis tis Theotokou, Aliquippa, Pa Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy- Laity Assembly and Philoptochos meeting, Garfield, N.J. 16 Metropolis of Detroit St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, location TBA 16 HCHC Graduation, Brookline, Mass Metropolis of New Jersey GOYA Outdoor Olympics, Monmouth University in West Long Branch, N.J Metropolis of Atlanta Special Needs Camp 28-June 3 Metropolis of San Francisco Camp Agape, Dunlap, Calif. 30 Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Presidents meeting, St. Iakovos Center, Brighton, Wis. June 4 Metropolis of Pittsburgh Central Region Clergy meeting, All Saints, Canonsburg, Pa. 5-7 Archdiocese National Oratorical Festival, St. Anthony Church, Pasadena, Calif. 6 Third annual Greek Language Competition, St. Nicholas Cathedral, Pittsburgh 14 Metropolis of Boston Annual Ministry Awards Dinner, Randolph, Mass Summer Camp Joy Session I, Camp Nazareth, Mercer, Pa. u to page 22

7 JANUARY The Voice of Philoptochos The Year in Review March 1 Eighty-three years after Archbishop Athenagoras established Philoptochos as the philanthropic ministry of the Church, Philoptochos joined Archbishop Demetrios of America and Bishop Sevastianos of Zela for the Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City followed by the blessing and ribbon cutting of the new Philoptochos home, the Center of Philanthropy. Guests entering the building admired the magnificent Chapter Giving Tree of handcarved cherry wood adorned with a brass leaf engraved for each chapter nationwide. The 2014 National Biennial Convention Philoptochos enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Metropolis of New Jersey in Philadelphia, where the highest level of delegate participation was recorded. Programs and speakers inspired and enlightened the delegates among which was the memorable and emotional Tribute to Veterans that reminded us of the importance to remember those who serve and have served for peace and freedom. A special highlight was the breakfast where Archbishop Demetrios along with each Metropolitan and all the Philoptochos delegates joined together to recognize outgoing National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas for her six years of service and leadership. In Memoriam National Philoptochos was greatly saddened with the passing of three past national presidents in Evanthea Condakes of the Metropolis of Boston served as the ninth national Philoptochos president from She helped establish the Voice of Philoptochos page in the Orthodox Observer and offered dedicated service to Saint Basil Academy and the mission of IOCC. She brought her business acumen to the presidency and significantly increased the membership of the Society. Dina Skouras Oldknow of the Metropolis of San Francisco served as the seventh national president from Her tenure was marked as a period rich in community service and outreach, the initiation of the Children s Medical Fund and the adoption of IOCC as a Philoptochos ministry. Beatrice Marks of the Metropolis of Chicago, the fifth national president served from and introduced modern institutional practices. She expanded National Philoptochos support for the Archdiocesan institutions and established higher education scholarships for Saint Basil Academy students. New National Philoptochos President Archbishop Demetrios announced the appointment of Maria Logus of New York as National Philoptochos president at the inaugural meeting of the National Board on Oct. 17. Ms. Logus has served Philoptochos in numerous leadership capacities as well as serving on other national boards. Ms. Logus is an attorney for the New York State Unified Court System with three decades of legal experience. She stated in her acceptance that she looks forward to working with the dynamic national board members to advance the values and the mission of the Philoptochos Society embracing new members as we continue to give honor to our founders. St. Nicholas Shrine Philoptochos was honored to participate in the ground blessing of the St. Nicholas National Shrine and has initiated a broad campaign in support of this important edifice for our faith. Looking Forward 2015 National Philoptochos acknowledges the nationwide support that promotes its philanthropic mission and encourages Philoptochos to expand its reach and to participate together to build sustainable leadership for the future. Christine Karavites, chairman National Philoptochos History and Archives January Long Beach Metropolitan Gerasimos and Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas (left) with members of the Metropolis Philoptochos Board, host committee, and clergy from throughout Southern California at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church in Long Beach, CA. A Pilgrimage That Was a Homecoming Leaving behind the comfort and safety of our homesteads and the security and love of our families, the Greek Orthodox pilgrims trekked to Constantinople on Thanksgiving Day, giving thanks to the Lord as did the New England pilgrims in 1621 seeking to establish a new country free of all persecutions. Under the spiritual leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Philoptochos Society and Ahepa pilgrims proceeded on the first leg of this extraordinary journey to the Balikli Monastery which is the location of the gravesite of Patriarch Athenagoras, who founded the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society in 1931 as Archbishop of North and South America. Fr. Steven Vlachos of New Jersey led us in the Trisagion prayer. The Philoptochos presence demonstrated unity in mighty defense of our faith under the capable and sterling leadership of Archon Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis. It was a blessing and privilege to worship at the Patriarchal Church of St. George at the Phanar and witness the historic meeting of His Holiness Pope Francis and our beloved worldwide spiritual father His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The pilgrims participated in the Doxology Service on the eve of the Feast of St. Andrew and the following day at the Divine Liturgy. The visible exchange of mutual respect and agape by the two renowned Church leaders displayed an expression of understanding and communication that was spiriting, embodying healing and hope. On the Feast Day of St. Andrew the PASADENA,Calif. St. Anthony Philoptochos delegates returned from the 2014 Philoptochos Convention in Philadelphia inspired by the Convention s Veterans Tribute and by the words of Metropolitan Isaiah who encouraged each chapter to recognize its veterans. With the full endorsement of the members, the chapter planned a luncheon Allen Altchech Photography Light the Path Benefits S.F. Metropolis Seminarians The Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos hosted the Light the Path luncheons at Assumption Church in Long Beach and St. Basil in Stockton, Calif., with over 500 in attendance, raising over $100,000 to provide scholarships for the Metropolis seminarians and students enrolled at Hellenic College Holy Cross. Metropolitan Gerasimos remarked, By investing in our students, we are investing in our Metropolis, because the future of our Metropolis will be in their hands. They will be the ones passing on our faith to future generations. Fr. Michael State of St. Nicholas Church in Northridge, Calif., his shared path to Holy Cross School of Theology and his desire to serve the Lord through the holy priesthood and seminarian Nicholas Mueller, from St. Anna Church in Roseville, Calif., offered his personal experience and how his studies at Holy Cross have further inspired him and enlightened his path toward service in the Church. His family was present and the support and love of his family and fellow parishioners was evident through their enthusiastic presence at the event. Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas spoke about their commitment to many ministries, but especially to providing substantial support for our future priests and the perpetuation of our Orthodox faith. This fund was created by PEABODY, Mass. St. Vasilios Philoptochos continued its annual tradition of visiting with parish members in nursing homes, or those who are homebound to bring joy during the Christmas season. They delivered beautiful poinsettia plants and delicious koulourakia that were greatly appreciated by the recipients. The visitations are greatly enjoyed by Metropolitan Anthony of blessed memory over 25 years ago and has distributed over $1million in scholarships to students from the Metropolis studying for the priesthood. The fund was established to leave the seminarians and students with as little tuition debt as possible upon graduation. The Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos awarded more than $150,000 to 22 students in Both luncheons offered festive memories. Musical performances included the Citrus College Singers from Glendora, Calif., and baritone Constantine Pappas and the GOYA from Saint Basil Church in Stockton directed by Presbytera Angie Sotiras. Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir offered a spiritual musical feast in the fourth century St. Irini Church where the Nicene Creed was drafted at the Second Ecumenical Council in 381 AD. That evening, the massive, always empty space was alive and filled with angelic voices chanting sacred Orthodox hymns. The pilgrimage took us to the land of our Hellenic ancestry and the city of Patras where we prayed in the glorious Cathedral of St. Andrew venerating the relics of the martyred Saint in the presence of Metropolitan Chrysostomos. In Athens our group reveled in a private and enlightening tour of the Acropolis Museum and its unequalled artifacts including the elegantly and classically attired five Caryatids. The pilgrims had opportunity to visit the Hellenic Parliament in Athens and attend a private meeting with the Prime Minister of Greece, Antonis Samaras. The days in Constantinople, Athens and Patras left us inspired and enriched with stunning memories and in immense appreciation of our cultural and religious heritage. Our intense Hellenism is admirable and unrivaled, our illustrious faith blessed. Aphrodite Skeadas Mass., Calif., Parishes Honor Veterans both the recipients and the Philoptochos volunteers who visit with them. Maria Collins is the coordinator of this heartwarming outreach program. Participants included Carol Glyptis, Christine Morfis, Basil, Bunny Yankopoulos, Ruth Morfis, Debbie Pantazelos, Nancy Pelletier, Maria Collins, Sophia Metropolis, Kristi Fadel, and Anna Zaimes. for Veterans Day, Nov. 9. Presbytera Maria Mylonas who chaired this beautiful event reached out to the parish requesting information and stories about the parish s Veterans from the families. A detailed program booklet included the stories and information for 70 veterans provided by the families. In addition a video was created with a beautiful tribute.

8 8 JANUARY 2015 Atlanta Metropolis Hellenic Dance Festival Charlotte Hosts Highly Successful Hellenic Dance Festival Top Award Gerry Clonaris, HDF executive director since its founding 17 years ago, presents the Brotherly Love Award to Fr. Michael Varvarelis, dean of Holy Cathedral in Charlotte. The award, created by Metropolitan Alexios, is given to the participating community that expresses the true concept of Orthodoxy and love. by Jim Golding CHARLOTTE, N.C. It wasn t the Land of A Thousand Dances, the Motown hit from the 1970s, sung by Wilson Pickett but, over the Jan weekend, Charlotte became the Land of 256 Greek Dances, when over a thousand young people and adults from 16 parishes of the Metropolis of Atlanta, the Metropolis of Chicago and Virginia gathered for the annual Hellenic Dance Festival. Hosted by Holy Trinity Cathedral, teh event featured 33 different groups performing dances from regions and islands and obscure villages throughout Greece, including Evia, Anatoliki Romilia, Boyaliki, Florina, Kalymnos, Naxos, Karpathos, Ikaria, Kos and many more. Many groups had live musical accompaniment or had recorded music. Several of the dancers sang the folk songs that went along with the dance they performed. Participating communities included the host parish of Holy Trinity, Charlotte; St. George, Hollywood, Fla.; Holy Trinity, Orlando; Sts. Constantine and Helen, Hampton Roads, Va.; St. Nicholas, Wilmington, N.C.; Holy Trinity, Charleston, S.C.; Holy Trinity, Raleigh, N.C.; Holy Trinity, Columbia, S.C.; Annunciation, Atlanta; St. George, Greenville, S.C.; St. Paul, Savannah, Ga.; dancers from several communities in the Metropolis of Chicago dancing in two groups; Holy Transfiguration, Marietta, Ga.; St. George, Knoxville, Tenn.; Holy Trinity, Columbia, S.C.; and Annunciation in Winston-Salem, N.C. They danced in two major divisions based on age, with Division One consisting of Primary, Junior and Advanced Junior levels, and Division Two having Senior, Advanced Senior and Adult classifications. Their year-long efforts culminated in the awards ceremony that recognized their achievements in the following categories: Costume, Folk Interpretation, Expression, Song, Meritorious Performance, Excellent Performance, Superior Performance, Platinim and Diamond. The Diamond Award u to next page Opening ceremony. Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta presides at the aghiasmo service on Jan. 16, assisted by (l. to r.) Fr. Christodoulos Papadeas, Fr. Demetrios Kangelaris of St. Annunciation Church in Winston Salem, NC, and Fr. Michael Varvarelis of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Charlotte. Young adults from St. Nicholas Church of Spartanburg, S.C. Some advanced senior boys from St. Nicholas Church in Wilmington, N.C. Orthodox Observer Photos Colorful dancers from Charlotte move effortlessly across the stage. Junior level dancers from Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Hampton Roads, Va. A typical cafenio scene. This adult group that traveled from the Metropolis of Chicago begin their performance in a typical cafenio, sitting around socializing, then suddenly launch into their series of dances (much to the delight of the waiting panel of judges). No where is heard the cry ARE YOU READY FOR SOME TAVILI? Girls from Holy Trinity Church in Charleston, S.C., perform the Syngathistos dance, not the Charleston.

9 JANUARY Metropolis News Southern California Church Pledges Donation to St. Nicholas National Shrine CARDIFF BY THE SEA, Calif. Sts. Constantine and Helen Church of North County San Diego will support building the St. Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center through a pledged donation. The local parish, which hosts the annual Cardiff Greek Festival, will donate 10 percent of festival profits and stewardship donations from parishioners in The national shrine is being erected at ground zero, replacing the small Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas that was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001 when the South Tower fell. While the new church is also Greek Orthodox, it will welcome people of all faiths to visit while touring the 9/11 memorial and the Memorial Museum at the World Trade Center. Through an inspired faith and vigilant prayer, our parishioners chose to honor those who have lost their lives and those who protect our freedom by helping to provide a place of worship and peaceful reflection for all at the site of the horrific tragedy that forever changed us all, said Fr. Michael Sitaras, pastor at Sts. Constantine and Helen. Designed by world-renowned architect Santiago Calatrava, the Shrine will blend the traditions of Byzantine architecture with the aesthetic of the steel and glass structures in the surrounding area. The upper level of the church will include a non-denominational bereavement space, also open to all. Likewise, Sts. Constantine and Helen welcomes the San Diego community to its many faith, fellowship and educational programs. The parish also hosts the annual Cardiff Greek Festival the weekend after Labor Day, inviting the San Diego community to experience Hellenic cuisine, entertainment and hospitality. Additional information on the St. Nicholas National Shrine is available at Editor s note: Parishes, organizations or individuals holding any fundraisers or offering donations in support of St. Nicholas National Shrine Church are invited to send a brief article, and picture if available, to the Orthodox Observer as part of the ongoing rebuilding effort coverage. Metropolis of Atlanta HDF u from page 8 is presented to the community having the highest combined total number of points for all groups and dances. In both divisions, the winner was the host community, Charlotte. A highlight of the weekend was the Saturday night glendi at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, a short distance from the Sheraton hotel, location of the event. After a long day of competing in the many Greek dancing events, participants could enjoy a buffet featuring a large selection of foods, view classic stock cars from years gone by as well as some contemporary models, or drive a stock car simulator at speeds above 100 mph and complete the evening doing what they do best Greek dancing. The 2016 HDF will take place in Orlando over the Martin Luther King weekend. To view more photos of all participating communities, visit the Metropolis of Atlanta website:youth@atlmetropolis.org Students who received Certificates of Ellinomatheia from the Detroit Metropolis. (Metropolis photo) 22 Modern Greek Studies Students in Michigan Receive Certificates TROY, Mich. The Foundation for Modern Greek Studies of Michigan is very proud of its on-going collaboration with the C.P. Cavafy Chair and the Modern Greek Program at the University of Michigan (one of the best 16 universities in the world according to the London Times). Every year this close collaboration bears fruit in many important areas - teaching of new courses, scholarships for students, open and free cultural events, an outreach program, an ever-expanding web site, and the certification of Greek language proficiency. In 1999, the University of Michigan received accreditation from the Ministry of Education, European Union and the Center for the Greek Language as an examination center for administering the exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek. The exams, established in 1994, are conducted in Greek by the Greek Language Center of the University of Thessaloniki. They are sanctioned by the Greek Ministry of Education for Certification of Proficiency in Greek. Participants are examined in all four skills: writing, reading, speaking and listening. Successful candidates receive a Certificate of Attainment in Greek or Ellinomatheia Certificate. Students who obtain certification are recognized worldwide for their language qualifications, enabling them to study in universities in Greece and in Europe or for professional reasons. The Greek Language and Culture Committee of the Metropolis of Detroit, established in 1999 by Metropolitan Nicholas, developed a curriculum (K-8) that unifies the course of instruction taught in the Metropolis afternoon Greek schools. Students successfully completing the six years of study and are age 12 or older are prepared by their teachers to take the A1 level exam. We are proud of our Greek Teachers for the quality of education they are delivering and with many of our third generation students that prefer to learn Greek instead of another second language said George Regains, chair for Greek Language and Culture Committee of the Metropolis. This year, Certificates of Ellinomatheia were awarded to 22 students who passed the exams for the Certificate of Attainment in Greek Language at the University of Michigan last May. Presentations were made at St. Nicholas Church Greek Cultural Center in Troy by Metropolitan Nicholas, Professors Vassilios Lambropoulos and Artemis Leontis of the University of Michigan and Metropolis Greek school teachers. Following the presentation an outreach talk was given by Dr. Leontis on Greek in America Now, an illustrated lecture on the presence of Greek words, ideas, myths, styles, and things in American culture today. Dr. Leontis took us on a journey that captivated our enthusiasm and showed us why knowing Greek is an advantage in today s world. The 22 successful participants in this years examination were: Matteo Stavros Papadopoulos, Lea Angelica Tsalis, Marina Gkovatsosm, Donald Mc Leod Isenhath, Evangelos Kostoulakis, Georgios Aristidis Thanasas, Maria Thanasas, Katerina Maria Bastounis, Mary Vasilia Costa, Alexander Georgios Demetriou, Alyssa Elaine Erickson, Simone Glavas, Elpida Alexandria Katakis, Gregory Kostakis, Christos Clement Levy, Theodora Zoe Liasi, John Nicholaos Petousis, Demitra Polyxeni Loucopoulos, Ria Garifalia Nickollau, Christina Theodoropoulos, Fotini Demetriou and Michael Demetriou. Young adults from Annunciation Cathedral in Atlanta perform to live music by these musicians. These dancers are one of four groups sent by Holy Trinity Church in Orlando, Fla., consisting of some 70 dancers from Primary to Adult categories. Orlando will be the host city for next year s HDF.

10 10 Specialists in Travel to Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Jordan Tailor made itineraries to any of our unique destinations. European Honeymoon & Wedding specialists. European Family Vacations. Customized European Group Travel. Specialists in Greek Orthodox groups to the Holy Land, St. Catherine s Monastery, Constantinople & Greece. JOIN US ON OUR SPECIAL GREEK ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGES: GREECE: In the Footsteps of St. Paul including Mt. Athos & Corfu April 20 - May 5 ITALY: Southern Italy & Sicily May GREECE: In the Footsteps of St. Paul with Greek Island Cruise Extension June 5-15 Visit us at: Newtown Ave. Long Island City, NY Tel.: (718) Toll Free: Fax: (718) info@cloudtours.com BALTIMORE, MD (IOCC) Freezing temperatures, heavy snow and chilling winds sweeping across Syria are putting thousands of young lives in jeopardy as displaced mothers struggle helplessly to keep their small children warm and sheltered from the harsh winter conditions. Many live in shelled out buildings with no doors or windows to keep frigid weather out, or in temporary shelters with no heat. The need for warm clothing is great. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is responding with the distribution of handmade sweater sets for 600 children crafted last summer by 34 displaced Syrian women taught to knit through a cash-for-work program. IOCC and its church partner in Syria, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East (GOPA), offered the onemonth training as a way to help Syria s most vulnerable families achieve some financial independence. The new skills help provide vital income for the women and their families while displaced Syrian children benefit by receiving warm clothes to protect them against bitter cold. Along with the training, IOCC/GOPA also provides the wool and needles used to craft hand-knit sweaters and leggings for displaced infants and toddlers. Many of the knitters, unemployed and displaced widows with no means of financial support, are especially grateful for the new skills that allow them to work where they live and remain with their own children. Thanks to this program, people who are able to work and have some experience can earn a living without asking for help from anyone, said Shahira, an elderly widow who has spent the past three years living in a Damascus shelter with her three children. With the money we make IOCC JANUARY 2015 Responding to the Needs of Syrians Suffering in Winter we can provide for our personal needs, from clothing to medicine. The cash-for-work program established in 2013 by IOCC/GOPA in cooperation with local community leaders has provided an essential source of income to more than 1,500 jobless Syrians who have struggled to provide for their families through four years of conflict. The program teaches displaced Syria women and men new skills like knitting clothing or sewing school uniforms, and harnesses skilled manpower for community projects like cleaning up and restoring public spaces. Beyond the immediate benefits of providing income and bringing comfort to Syria s most vulnerable, the program also helps empower displaced people by providing productive activities. For families like Shahira s whose lives have been devastated by the civil strife in Syria, the psychological benefits of the work may be as beneficial as the economic impacts the program has. This program has helped a lot of women earn the money they needed, said Shahira. It also helps needy children and displaced families like mine by providing them with winter clothes they could not buy themselves. Knowing that we can help others makes us work even harder. Since 2012, IOCC, an ACT Alliance member, has been addressing the wellbeing of Syria s most vulnerable people by providing urgently needed humanitarian relief and self-help programs to 2.4 million people inside Syria affected by the crisis, In addition to its work inside Syria, IOCC staff is working regionally to address the growing needs of refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Armenia as well as people in need in those host countries.

11 JANUARY HCHC DR. ANN BEZZIRIDES BROOKLINE, Mass. CrossRoad, the 10-day program sponsored by the Office of Vocation and Ministry (OVM) at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology, offers theological and vocational reflection and worship for high school juniors and seniors. The program is preparing for another summer of activity as it enters its 12 th year. The program accepts applications from students throughout the United States. The Office of Vocation and Ministry director is Dr. Ann Bezzirides. Michael A. Tishel is CrossRoad director and assistant director of the OVM. Below is information to some commonly asked questions about the program provided by the OVM staff. What do the students do in a typical day? What do they learn in the classroom? Everyday is different at CrossRoad, but there is a basic daily routine that stays the same throughout the program. The students participate in daily chapel services on campus. They both attend and play an active role in the service reading the epistle, chanting at the readers stand, and serving in the altar. The program follows three stages which address the foundational questions: who am I, who is God, and who is my neighbor. Throughout this experience they attend classes by seminary-level professors on theology and scripture, participate in a staff-led session on a variety of engaging topics (e.g. Pop Culture, Technology, etc.), and do community outreach projects. Afternoons bring continued unique curriculum or fun excursions in Boston. The evenings always conclude with a Vespers service, either on campus or at a local Orthodox parish. The program concludes with two service activities: in the first, they meet people without homes face-to-face and get to know them personally. In the second, they spend an afternoon visiting with residents at local nursing homes. What about accommodations, meals, etc. Participants stay on the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross. Each student stays in his/her room in the campus residence hall. Meals are served both on and off campus, either by the Chartwells, the school s professional dining service, or by local restaurants. How can students apply and when do they learn if they are accepted? Students may apply for CrossRoad online by visiting the program s website at Application forms are also available for download at the website, and can be printed, filled out by hand, and mailed to our office directly. The priority deadline for all applications is March 2. Applicants will be notified of an admission decision by mid-april. The program is offered in two sessions; Session 1: June 20 30; Session 2: July There is a partial tuition fee for the 2015 CrossRoad Summer Institute of $500 for MICHAEL A. TISHEL About the CrossRoad Program the 10 day session. The fee represents less than 25 percent of the $2,300 actual cost to support each participant. In addition, travel arrangements to and from Hellenic College are also the responsibility of the participant. That stated, it is CrossRoad policy that no accepted participant requesting financial aid will be turned away. For this reason, limited funds are available to assist participants who are unable to pay the full tuition fee. Applicants must wait for the admissions decision before sending the tuition fee. Admission is not automatically granted by applying to the program. Parishes of accepted CrossRoad applicants provide full or partial financial aid. Consider approaching your parish to see if they would be willing to help provide support. If you would like help drafting a request for support from your parish, please contact us.for accepted applicants, the tuition is due by June 1. Are extracurricular activities offered? In addition to the staff-led sessions and theology courses, students participate in a variety of other activities: a ropes course at Project Adventure in rural Beverly, Mass., to facilitate group bonding; visits to local Orthodox parishes from a variety of ethnic jurisdictions in order to encounter the universality of the Church; two trips into Boston to explore historic Fanueil Hall and have a picnic on the Boston Common for parea. At the end of the session, everyone boards a bus for a day at the beach on the North Shore of Massachusetts. How many students are accepted? We have two sessions of 30 students each, for a total of 60 participants each summer. We have found that students thrive spiritually, intellectually and communally in a more intimate environment, and the 5 1 staff to participant ratio also allows for an unparalleled level of safety and security. What church services will they attend? Are they all at the chapel, or at other churches as well? Participants attend daily Orthros and Vespers services as well as Divine Liturgy if the session coincides with a Sunday or Feast Day. Orthros/Liturgy is celebrated at Hellenic College Holy Cross. Vespers is often celebrated at local parishes of various jurisdictions. What transportation arrangements are involved? Can students bring cars? If they re flying in from another part of the country, what s the best way for them to get to the campus? Many participants travel from as far away as California or Texas and, therefore, come by plane into Boston s Logan Airport, where they are met by CrossRoad staff. Others are driven by family/friends, and picked up at the end of the program. If participants drive their own vehicles to campus, students are able to park on campus but must turn in their keys to CrossRoad staff for the duration of the program. GREECE CULTURE RELAXATION EXCITEMENT FROM $ 865 CLASSICAL & BYZANTINE AEGEAN DELIGHT 7 DAYS - Athens & Greek Island cruise FROM $ 1,199 GREECE - 7 DAYS Athens, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora CONSTANTINOPLE, ATHENS & GREEK ISLAND CRUISE FROM * Shown prices are per person, double occupancy. Port tax & ship gratuities are additional $141. WE OFFER COMPETITIVE AIRFARES TO GREECE FROM MOST USA CITIES NUMBER ONE TO GREECE $ 1,320 BOOK BY FEB 28 TH & SAVE BIG! $ 200 OFF per couple on 14 SELECTED Greece packages. per couple on GREECE & ITALY package. $ 300 OFF per couple on GREECE & ITALY package. per couple on ROMANCING THE ISLANDS package. $ 400 OFF per couple on ROMANCING THE ISLANDS package. Savings applied to new bookings only. 55 East 59 th Street, New York, NY Tel.: info@homerictours.com For a FREE brochure call your Travel Agent or Toll-Free:

12 12 JANUARY 2015

13 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2015 ΕΤΟΣ 80 ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1302 ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ Ἡμέρα τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν καί τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Στήν εὐλογημένη αὐτή Ἑορτή τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν, εὐχαριστοῦμε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ὡραία μαρτυρία πίστεως τῶν Ἁγίων Βασιλείου τοῦ Μεγάλου, Γρηγορίου Θεολόγου και Ίωάννου Χρυσοστόμου. Τιμῶντας τους τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή ὡς μεγίστους Διδασκάλους καί Θεολόγους, τούς ἀναγνωρίζουμε ἐπίσης ὡς ἀντιπροσωπευτικές μορφές πολλῶν Ἁγίων τῆς Ἐκκλησίας οἱ ὁποῖοι μετέδωσαν ἀλήθεια, μετελαμπάδευσαν θεία σοφία καί προσέφεραν ἐμπνέουσαν μαρτυρία τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου. Λόγῳ τοῦ πλούτου τῆς διδασκαλίας των καί τῆς φλογερῆς ὑποστηρίξεως τῆς πίστεως ἐκ μέρους των, οἱ ὕμνοι μας καλοῦν ὅλους τούς ἀνθρώπους σέ παγκόσμιο ἑορτασμό τῆς ἡμέρας αὐτῆς. Τούς τιμοῦμε διότι ἡ ζωή των ὑπῆρξε ἱαματική στό ὄνομα τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Εἴμεθα βαθύτατα εὐγνώμονες σέ αὐτούς τούς «ζῶντες ποταμούς Πνεύματος» γιά τίς ἀδιάκοπες πρεσβεῖες των ὑπέρ ἡμῶν στήν Ἁγία Τριάδα ὡς «κήρυκας χάριτος καί ὁδηγούς πρός τά ἄνω τοῦ παραδείσου». (Ὕμνοι Ἑσπερινοῦ τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν) Ἡ μνημόνευση ἐκ μέρους μας αὐτῶν τῶν μεγίστων Πρωταθλητῶν τῆς Πίστεώς μας συνδέεται μέ τήν ἀναγνώριση ἑνός ἄλλου σημαντικοῦ γεγονότος, δηλαδή μέ τόν ἑορτασμό τῆς Σελίδα 14 Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ Eορτασμός Θεοφανείων σε Τάρπον Σπρινγκς και Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο ΤΑΡΠΟΝ ΣΠΡΙΝΓΚΣ, Φλόριδα Το Τάρπον Σπρινγκς, η πόλη των Θεοφανείων, όπως έχει γίνει γνωστή σε ολόκληρη την Αμερική, γιόρτασε για μια ακόμη χρονιά με λαμπρότητα, κατά την αρμόζουσα παράδοση και τάξη τη μεγάλη γιορτή της Ορθοδοξίας. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος, ως είθισται, προεξήρχε των εορταστικών εκδηλώσεων. Νωρίτερα, στον ιστορικό Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου Τάρπον Σπρίνγκς, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος συλλειτούργησε με τους Μητροπολίτες Ατλάντας Αλέξιο και Δαρδανελλίων Νικήτα και τον προϊστάμενο του Καθεδρικού, π. Αναστάσιο Γούναρη. Η πομπή που σχηματίστηκε έξω από τον Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου οδήγησε στο μικρό κολπίσκο Σπρινγκ Μπαγιού, όπου παρουσία χιλιάδων κόσμου που συρρέουν κάθε χρόνο από κάθε γωνιά της Αμερικής αλλά και του υπόλοιπου πλανήτη, πραγματοποιήθηκε η τελετή της κατάδυσης του Τιμίου Σταυρού. Ανάμεσα στους 50 βουτηχτές, τυχερός της φετινής χρονιάς αναδείχθηκε ο 18χρονος Κωνσταντίνος Σεφτελής, από το Τάρπον Σπρινγκς. Πριν την τελετή, κρατήθηκε ενός λεπτού σιγή στη μνήμη του 45χρονου αστυνομικού, Charles Kondek που δολοφονήθηκε εν ώρα υπηρεσίας στο Τάρπον Σπρινγκς στις 21 Δεκεμβρίου του περασμένου έτους. ΣΤΟ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟ Στο Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο γιορτάστηκαν και φέτος τα Θεοφάνεια με Πατριαρχική Θεία Λειτουργία, η οποία καθιερώθηκε από τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, σε συνδυασμό με την Κατάδυση του Τιμίου Σταυρού στα νερά του Κεράτιου Κόλπου, μετά από άδεια των Τουρκικών Αρχών τα τελευταία χρόνια. Με τον Πατριάρχη συλλειτούργησαν το πρωί στον Πατριαρχικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου στο Φανάρι οι Μητροπολίτες: Γέρων Νίκαιας Κωνσταντίνος, Προικοννήσου Ιωσήφ, Φιλαδελφείας Μελίτων, Σεβαστείας Δημήτριος, Κυδωνιών Αθηναγόρας, Σηλυβρίας Μάξιμος και Αδριανουπόλεως Αμφιλόχιος. Εκκλησιάστηκαν πλήθη προσκυνητών και επισκεπτών, μεταξύ των οποίων ο πρόεδρος της Αφρικανικής Δημοκρατίας του Τόγκο Φορ Νανσιμπέ (Faure Gnassingbé) και η συνοδεία του, ο Γενικός Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στην Πόλη Νικόλαος Ματθιουδάκης, εκπρόσωποι ξένων κυβερνήσεων και άρχοντες του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου. Στο τέλος της Θ. Λειτουργία σχηματίστηκε Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ λιτανευτική πομπή με επικεφαλής τον Πατριάρχη και κατεύθυνση την αποβάθρα του Φαναρίου στον Κεράτιο κόλπο, όπου έγινε η καθιερωμένη πλέον τελετή του καθαγιασμού των υδάτων. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί πως στην αποβάθρα του Φαναρίου περίμεναν από νωρίς πλήθη επισκεπτών και προσκυνητών, πολλοί από τους οποίους είχαν επιβιβασθεί σε πλωτά μέσα για να παρακολουθήσουν καλύτερα την τελετή. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης έριξε τον Σταυρό στα νερά του Κεράτιου και παρά το διαπεραστικό κρύο περισσότεροι από 20 κολυμβητές, άνδρες και γυναίκες, όχι μόνον Ορθόδοξοι, ορμώμενοι από τέσσερις βάρκες, βούτηξαν για να πιάσουν τον Σταυρό. Τελικά τον Σταυρό ανέσυρε ο Savas Ozbey, δημοσιογράφος, στον οποίο ο Πατριάρχης προσέφερε αναμνηστικό μετάλλιο, ενώ διένειμε σταυρό και στους υπόλοιπους κολυμβητές, μεταξύ των οποίων ήταν και πολλοί νέοι Τούρκοι. Την τελετή αναμετέδωσε δορυφορικά από τις συχνότητες της η ΝΕΡΙΤ και την αναπαρήγαγε το διεθνές πρακτορείο Associated Press. Ακολουθεί το σχετικό δελτίο του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου. ΤΑ ΑΓΙΑ ΘΕΟΦΑΝΕΙΑ ΕΝ ΤΟΙΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΙΣ Ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης, παρέστη συμπροσευχόμενος ἀπό τοῦ Ἱ. Βήματος τοῦ Π. Πατριαρχικοῦ Ναοῦ, κατά τόν Ἑσπερινόν μετά τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τοῦ Μ. Βασιλείου τήν παραμονήν τῶν Θεοφανείων, Δευτέραν, 5 ην Ἰανουαρίου, ἐνῶ τήν ἑπομένην, Τρίτην, 6 ην ἰδίου, προέστη τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τῆς Ἑορτῆς, ἐν συλλειτουργίᾳ μετά τῶν Σεβ. Μητροπολιτῶν Γέροντος Νικαίας κ. Κωνσταντίνου, Προικοννήσου κ. Ἰωσήφ, Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, Σεβαστείας κ. Δημητρίου, Κυδωνιῶν κ. Ἀθηναγόρου, Σηλυβρίας κ. Μαξίμου καί Ἀδριανουπόλεως κ. Ἀμφιλοχίου. Ἐν τῷ τέλει τῆς Δοξολογίας, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης, ἐτέλεσε τόν Μέγαν Ἁγιασμόν, ἁγιάσας ἐν συνεχείᾳ τούς συλλειτουργούς Αὐτοῦ ἁγίους Ἀρχιερεῖς, Σελίδα 16 Φωτογραφία: Νικόλαος Μαγγίνας

14 14 ΟΡΘΟ ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2015 ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ Ἑορτή Ἁγίου Βασιλείου καί Νέον Ἔτος Ἄφετε τά παιδία καί μή κωλύετε αὐτά ἐλθεῖν πρός μέ τῶν γάρ τοιούτων ἐστίν ἡ βασιλεία τῶν οὐρανῶν. (Ματθ. 19:14) Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, Στήν εὐλογημένη αὐτή Ἑορτή τοῦ Ἀγίου Βασιλείου καί τῆς ἐνάρξεως τοῦ Νέου Ἔτους, ἀκολουθοῦμε τήν τιμημένη παράδοσή μας νά προσφέρουμε τήν προσευχή καί ὑποστήριξή μας στήν ἱερή διακονία τῆς προσφιλοῦς μας Ἀκαδημίας τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Ἐπί ἑβδομήντα ἔτη τῆς ζωῆς του, αὐτό τό ἵδρυμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας ἔχει προσφέρει τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ, τήν παρηγοριά τῆς παρουσίας Του καί τήν θεραπευτκή δύναμη τῆς πίστεως σέ παιδιά, νέους καί οἰκογένειες πού ἔχουν ἀνάγκη βοηθείας. Ὑπηρετῶντας Ὀρθόδοξα παιδιά ἀπό ὁλόκληρη τήν ἐπικράτεια τῶν Ἡνωμένων Πολιτειῶν, ἡ Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου συνεχίζει νά τούς προσφέρῃ ἕνα προστατευτικό καί πνευματικό περιβάλλον ὅπου ἔχουν τή δυνατότητα νά μεγαλώνουν, νά μαθαίνουν καί νά προοδεύουν. Τό σημαντικό αὐτό ἔργο τῆς Ἀκαδημίας Ἁγίου Βασιλείου, τό ὁποῖο ἐπιτελοῦν οἱ διευθύνοντες, τό προσωπικό, οἱ ἐπίτροποι καί δωρητές, ἀκολουθεῖ τήν ἐντολή τοῦ Κυρίου ἄφετε τά παιδία καί μή κωλύετε αὐτά ἐλθεῖν πρός μέ (Ματθ. 19:14). Αὐτό ἐπιτυγχάνεται δι αὐτῆς τῆς διακονίας ἡ ὁποία κομίζει τήν ἀγάπη τοῦ Χριστοῦ σ αὐτούς πού ἔχουν ἀνάγκη. Ὁ,τιδήποτε προσφέρεται γιά τά παιδιά καί τούς νέους στόν Ἅγιο Βασίλειο προσφέρεται στό ὄνομα καί ἐν τῇ παρουσίᾳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Στήν καθημερινή φροντίδα, στήν παροχή συμβουλῶν καί διδασκαλίας, στήν ψυχαγωγία καί λατρεία, οἱ μαθητές συναντοῦν τόν Χριστό καί τήν ἄφθονη καί παρηγορητική ἀγάπη Του. Ἡ Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου εἶναι ἐπίσης ἕνας χῶρος ὅπου οἱ ζωές τῶν παιδιῶν καί τῶν νέων καθοδηγοῦνται ἀπό τόν Χριστό. Σ αὐτόν τόν ὑπέροχο χῶρο, σέ ἕνα στοργικό περιβάλλον προσευχῆς καί χάριτος, ὁδηγοῦνται στήν ὁδό τῆς ἀληθείας καί τῆς ἀγάπης. Μαθαίνουν τίς εὐλογίες τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ζωῆς καί διδάσκονται πῶς νά ἀκολουθοῦν τό Σελίδα 13 ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ θέλημά Του καί νά ἀνακαλύπτουν τήν δύναμη καί τήν βεβαιότητα τῶν ὑποσχέσεών Του. Βιώνουν ἐλπίδα, χαρά καί δύναμη στή ζωή πίστεως καί στήν διά βίου σχέση μαζί Του. Αὐτό τό ἱερό ἔργο ἦταν έπίσης καί τό κέντρο προσοχῆς τοῦ προστάτη ἁγίου τῆς Ἀκαδημίας, τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Γιά τούς ἀσθενεῖς, τά ὀρφανά, τούς ταξιδιῶτες καί πολλούς ἄλλους πού εἶχαν ἀνάγκη, προσέφερε τή σύνδεση μέ τόν Χριστό φέρνοντας τήν ἀγάπη Του σ αὐτούς. Ἄλλους τούς ὁδήγησε μέ ἀλήθεια καί ἀγάπη διά τῆς διδασκαλίας καί τοῦ κηρύγματός Του, ὡς πιστός καί εὐσπλαγχνικός ἱερέας, στόν Σωτήρα και Λυτρωτή τους. Αὐτή εἶναι καί ἡ κλήση μας σήμερα. Στήν ὑποστήριξή μας γιά τήν Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου, ὁδηγούμεθα ἀπό τήν Φιλόπτωχο Ἀδελφότητα Κυριῶν καί τά τοπικά παραρτήματά της συγκεντρώνοντας προσφορές καί συμμετέχοντας στόν ἑορτασμό τῆς κοπῆς τῆς Βασιλόπιττας. Ὁδηγούμεθα ἐπίσης ἀπό τόν Χριστό καί τό παράδειγμα τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου νά ἐκπληρώνουμε τήν ἐντολή τοῦ Κυρίου μας καί νά φέρουμε τά παιδιά κοντά Του. Στή διακονία σας στήν ἐνορία καί στήν καθημερινή ἐν Χριστῷ ζωή σας, καλεῖσθε νά προσφέρετε Ἐκεῖνον καί νά ὁδηγήσετε ἄλλους σέ συνάντηση μέ τόν Κύριο πού θά ὁδηγήσῃ σέ περίσσεια καί αἰώνια ζωή. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή, εἴθε νά προσευχηθοῦμε καί νά προσφέρουμε τή γενναιόδωρη στήριξή μας γιά τήν Ἀκαδημία τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Εἴθε νά ἐνισχύσουμε αὐτό τό σημαντικό ἔργο γιά τά παιδιά καί τούς νέους ἐκπληρώνοντας τό αἴτημα τοῦ Κυρίου μας καί τιμῶντας τήν κληρονομιά ὅλων ἐκείνων οἱ ὁποῖοι ἵδρυσαν καί στήριξαν αὐτή τήν διακονία ἐπί ἑβδομήντα ἔτη. Εἴθε, ἐπίσης, νά λάβετε τίς ἄφθονες καί πλούσιες εὐλογίες τοῦ Κυρίου μας στόν καινούργιο χρόνο πού ἀρχίζει καθώς Τοῦ προσφέρουμε δόξα καί τιμή στούς αἰῶνες τῶν αἰώνων! Μετά πατρικῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης, ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος Ἡμέρα τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν καί τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων Ἡμέρας τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή, ἐπιβεβαιώνουμε τήν πνευματική κληρονομιά μας ὡς Ἑλληνορθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν μαζί μέ μία πλούσια κληρονομιά μορφώσεως, σκέψεως, γλώσσης καί ὁρισμένες ἐκ τῶν μεγαλυτέρων ἐκφράσεων καί ἀνακαλύψεων τῆς ἀνθρώπινης ὑπάρξεως. Ἐπιλέγουμε τήν ἡμέρα τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν γιά νά τό κάνουμε αὐτό, διότι οἱ Ἅγιοι αὐτοί Πατέρες τῆς Ἐκκλησίας ἀποτελοῦν ὑποδείγματα κατανοήσεως καί ἐπικοινωνίας τῶν ὑψηλοτέρων δεξιοτήτων καί τοῦ δυναμικοῦ τοῦ ἀνθρωπισμοῦ μας σέ σχέση μέ τήν ταυτότητά μας ὡς προσώπων πλασμένων κατ εἰκόνα καί καθ ὁμοίωσιν Θεοῦ. Στήν διδασκαλία, στά κηρύγματα καί στή διακονία των, ὁ Μέγας Βασίλειος, ὁ Γρηγόριος Θεολόγος καί ὁ Ἰωάννης Χρυσόστομος δίδαξαν τήν ὀρθή σχέση πίστεως καί λογικῆς, ἐπιβεβαιώνοντας ὅτι ἡ ἀναζήτηση γνώσεως εἶναι συνυφασμένη μέ τήν ὕπαρξή μας. Συνδυάζοντας τήν θεία ἀποκάλυψη μέ τήν γνώση τῶν μεγάλων φιλοσοφικῶν παραδόσεων, ἀνεγνώρισαν ὅτι ὁ ἐσωτερικός στοχασμός σέ συνδυασμό μέ τήν ἱκανότητά μας νά σκεπτόμεθα καί νά πιστεύουμε, δημιούργησαν τήν βάση γιά ἕναν σωστό τρόπο ζωῆς σέ σχέση μέ τόν Θεό, τούς συνανθρώπους μας καί ὁλόκληρη τήν δημιουργία. Γιά τούς Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες, αὐτό ἀποτελοῦσε ἀληθινή φιλοσοφία, ζῶσα σοφία καί ζωή γιά τήν ὁποία πλασθήκαμε. Κατανοῶντας τήν σχέση πίστεως καί λογικῆς, αὐτοί οἱ σοφοί Διδάσκαλοι ἐπιβεβαίωσαν διά τῶν λόγων τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου ὅτι: «καλόν μέν ὁ νοῦς καί ἐν τούτῳ ἔχομεν τό κατ εἰκόνα τοῦ Κτίσαντος» (Ἐπιστολή 233). Ἡ τιμή πού ἀποδίδεται σέ κάθε πρόσωπο ὡς λογικό ὄν ἀποτελεῖ ἀναγνώριση τῆς ἱκανότητος χρήσεως τοῦ νοῦ γιά τήν ἀπόκτηση καί χρήση τῆς γνώσεως, ἰδιαιτέρως σέ σχέση μέ τήν πίστη. Ὁ ἱερός Χρυσόστομος εἶπε ὅτι ὁ νοῦς καί οἱ ἀνθρώπινες ἱκανότητές μας μᾶς βοηθοῦν νά ἐκτιμήσουμε «τήν σοφίαν τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τήν τιμήν τήν δοθεῖσαν ἡμῖν» (Ὁμιλία 11, Περί Ἀδριάντων). Ὁ Ἅγιος Βασίλειος ἀνεγνώρισε ὅτι ἡ ἱκανότητά μας νά διαλογιζόμεθα καί νά ἀποκτοῦμε γνώση μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ νά προσεγγίσουμε τήν ἰδέα τοῦ Θεοῦ, νά ἀντιληφθοῦμε ὅτι εἶναι σοφός, δυνατός καί ἀγαθός καί του Σταύρου Παπαγερμανού ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ Ο Μακαριώτατος Πατριάρχης Αντιoχείας κ. Ιωάννης ο Ι, πραγματοποίησε ποιμαντορική επίσκεψη στην Αμερική στα πλαίσια της οποίας επισκέφθηκε στις 9 Δεκεμβρίου 2014 και την Ελληνική Ορθόδοξο Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και συναντήθηκε με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο. Ο Μακαριώτατος μετά την άφιξή του στην έδρα της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής προέστη Δοξολογίας στο παρεκκλήσι του Αποστόλου Παύλου. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, στην επίσημη προσφώνησή του καλωσόρισε τον Πατριάρχη και την ακολουθία του τονίζοντας ιδιαιτέρως «την μακρά και στενή σχέση ανά τους αιώνες μεταξύ του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου Κωνσταντινουπόλεως και του Πατριαρχείου Αντιόχειας» και κατ επέκταση «την στενή σχέση μεταξύ της Ελληνικής Ορθοδόξου Αρχιεπισκοπής και της Αντιοχειανής Αρχιεπισκοπής εν Αμερική», η οποία όπως είπε υπήρξε καρποφόρος και βοήθησε στην προαγωγή του πνεύματος συνεργασίας, αγάπης και ενότητος μεταξύ των Ορθοδόξων παρουσιών στην Αμερική. Καταλήγοντας ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος είπε: «Είμεθα βέβαιοι ότι η παρουσία Σας εδώ θα αυξήσει έτι πλέον το δεσμό αγάπης μεταξύ όλων των εν Αμερική Ορθοδόξων ώστε το μήνυμα της Ορθοδοξίας το οποίο προσφέρομε να ακουσθεί με εντονώτερο και ωραιότερο τρόπο στο Δυτικό ημισφαίριο». ΑΝΤΙΦΩΝΙΣΗ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΙΩΑΝΝΗ Ο Πατριάρχης Αντιόχειας Ιωάννης Φωτογραφία: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ Επίσκεψη του Πατριάρχου Αντιoχείας Ιωάννου Ι στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής ἑπομένως «τῇ γνώσει ἡ πίστις ἀκολουθεῖ καί τῇ τοιαύτῃ πίστει ἡ προσκύνησις». (Ἐπιστολή 235) Ὁ ἑορτασμός μας αὐτή τήν ἡμέρα ὁ ὁποῖος ἐπικεντρώνεται στό θέμα τῆς σχέσεως μεταξύ πίστεως καί λογικῆς γεννᾶ εὐγνωμοσύνη γιά τούς Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες λόγῳ τῆς σοφίας καί πίστεώς των. Αὐτός καθ ἑαυτός ὁ ἑορτασμός δείχνει, ἐπίσης, τήν σχέση μεταξύ τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου πίστεως καί τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς κληρονομιᾶς μας, δίδοντας ἔμφαση στή μοναδική μαρτυρία μας καί σημαντική προσφορά μας στόν κόσμο. Τό θέμα αὐτό ἐπιβεβαιώνει ἐπιπροσθέτως τήν σημασία συγγενῶν προγραμμάτων στίς κοινότητές μας, προγραμμάτων τά ὁποῖα ὁδηγοῦν τή νεολαία μας νά γνωρίσῃ τίς πηγές τῆς πίστεώς μας καί τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς κληρονομιᾶς καί ταυτότητός μας, καί προσφέρουν διδασκαλία ἡ ὁποία μᾶς βοηθᾶ νά ἐξετάσουμε καί νά ἐξερευνήσουμε τίς ἱκανότητες καί τό δυναμικό μας γιά μιά στην αντιφώνησή του στα Ελληνικά μίλησε για την Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία ως τη Μία, Αγία, Καθολική και Αποστολική Εκκλησία και τόνισε ότι «το Πατριαρχείο Αντιοχείας πάντοτε θα έχει το ζωντανό ρόλο μέσα στην Ορθόδοξο Εκκλησία κοντά στον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη για όλα τα πανορθόδοξα και διορθόδοξα θέματα και για το καλό της Εκκλησίας». «Ερχόμαστε εμείς από τη Μέση Ανατολή από μία χώρα βασανισμένη αυτές τις ημέρες και γνωρίζουμε ότι δεν μας ξεχνάτε στις ευχές και στις προσευχές σας και όπως είχαμε λάβει και από τον Πατριάρχη πολλές φορές και γράμματα και τηλέφωνα για να μας ενισχύσει και να μας δείξει την αγάπη του. Σας ευχαριστούμε πάρα πολύ για την αγάπη για την υποστήριξη για την υποδοχή που μας επιφυλάξατε. Το ότι βρισκόμαστε τώρα αυτή την ώρα μαζί σας στην Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή σας αυτό γίνεται μόνο και μόνο για να δείξουμε από την καρδιά μας ότι είμαστε μια Εκκλησία, μια οικογένεια και γι αυτό να εύχεστε πάντα και για μας και για την Εκκλησία της Αντιοχείας και για την περιοχή μας και το λαό μας που βασανίζεται. Σεβασμιώτατε ο Θεός να σας δίνει πάντα υγεία και δύναμη για το καλό της Ορθοδοξίας. Ευχαριστούμε πάρα πολύ». Τον Μακαριώτατο συνόδευαν ο Μητροπολίτης της Αντιοχειανής Αρχιεπισκοπής εν Αμερική κ. Ιωσήφ, καθώς και Ιεράρχες και κληρικοί της Αντιοχειανής Αρχιεπισκοπής. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος είχε ιδιαίτερη συνάντηση με τον Πατριάρχη Ιωάννη και τον Μητροπολίτη Ιωσήφ και στη συνέχεια παρέθεσε γεύμα προς τιμήν του Πατριάρχου παρουσία πολλών ιεραρχών και κληρικών. ζωή ἀρετῆς, σοφίας καί χάριτος. Καθώς ἑορτάζουμε αὐτή τήν εὐλογημένη Ἑορτή καί τιμοῦμε τήν κληρονομιά μας τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων, καλούμεθα νά εὐχαριστήσουμε τόν Θεό γιά τά ἄφθονα δῶρα Του τά ὁποῖα μᾶς ὁδηγοῦν σ Ἐκεῖνον καί στόν σκοπό τῆς δημιουργίας μας. Καλούμεθα νά τόν δοξάσουμε ἐν λόγοις καί ὕμνοις ψάλλοντας τόν ὕμνο τοῦ Ἑσπερινοῦ τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν, «Τριάς Ἁγία καί προσκυνητή, ἐχαρίσω τοῖς ἀνθρώποις τούς Τρεῖς μεγάλους Φωστῆρας τῷ φωτί λαμπαδοχοῦντας τῆς σῆς ἐπιγνώσεως». Μετά πατρικῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης, ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

15 ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2015 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ORTHODOX ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ OBSERVER 15 Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος: Απολογισμός της χρονιάς που πέρασε του Αριστείδη Βικέτου Η Ιερά Σύνοδος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, που συνήλθε στις 13 Ιανουαρίου τρέχοντος έτους στο Φανάρι υπό την προεδρία του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίου, αποδέχθηκε ομόφωνα εισήγηση της Κανονικής Επιτροπής και ανέγραψε στο Αγιολόγιο της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας τον μοναχό Παΐσιο Αγιορείτη. Σύμφωνα με πληροφορίες η μνήμη του Αγίου Παϊσίου θα τιμάται στις 12 Ιουλίου, ημέρα της κοιμήσεως του. Ο Μητροπολίτης Φιλαδελφείας Μελίτων, μέλος της Κανονικής Επιτροπής του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, δήλωσε στον «Φ» ότι ο Γέροντας Παΐσιος είχε από χρόνια καθιερωθεί ως Άγιος στην συνείδηση του πληρώματος της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας. «Ό,τι και να πεί η μετριότητα μου είναι πολύ λίγο για ένα Άγιο άνθρωπο, ο οποίος τίμησε τον Ορθόδοξο μοναχισμό και την Εκκλησία του Χριστού. Υπήρξε ένας από τους πιο σημαντικούς αγίους ασκητές του 20 ου αιώνα», επεσήμανε ο Μητροπολίτης Μελίτων. Επίσης, μας ανέφερε συνοπτικά την δική του εμπειρία για τον Άγιο: «Τον είχα γνωρίσει προσωπικά το 1992 στο Άγιο Όρος. Με συμβούλευσε και ξεπέρασα ένα προσωπικό πρόβλημα. Μάλιστα, μου έδωσε τότε για να με βοηθήσει και ένα έγγραφο, το οποίο φύλαξα. Πριν περίπου τρία χρόνια πήγα στην Μονή Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου έκανα τρισάγιο και προσευχήθηκα στον τάφο του. Το έγγραφο, που μου είχε δώσει, το παρέδωσα στην Μονή. Εύχομαι ο Άγιος Πορφύριος και ο Άγιος Παΐσιος, οι οποίοι συμπορεύτηκαν στον μοναστικό βίο, να Ἱερώτατοι ἅγιοι ἀδελφοί, Ἐντιμότατε κύριε Πρόξενε τῆς Ἑλλάδος, Ἐντιμολογιώτατοι Ἄρχοντες τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας, Τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, Εἰσελθόντες ἤδη εἰς τόν νέον ἐνιαυτόν τῆς χρηστότητος Κυρίου, ἐν πρώτοις εὐχαριστοῦμεν θερμῶς διά τάς ὑποβληθείσας ἡμῖν εὐχάς καί ἑορτίους προσρήσεις ὑπό τῶν προλαλησάντων Ἱερωτάτου Μητροπολίτου Νικαίας κυρίου Κωνσταντίνου καί Ἐντιμολογιωτάτου ὀφφικιαλίου τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας κυρίου Ἰωάννου Δεμιρτζόγλου. Ἐν συνεχείᾳ, αἰσθανόμεθα τήν ἀνάγκην νά ἀπευθύνωμεν ὑμῖν πᾶσιν οὐχί μόνον τάς συνήθεις εὐχάς δι ὑγείαν καί εὐημερίαν καί ἐκπλήρωσιν πάντων τῶν πρός σωτηρίαν αἰτημάτων ἀλλά κυρίως τόν λόγον καί τήν μαρτυρίαν τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἐκφρασθέντα καί τελειωθέντα καί κατά τό παριππεῦσαν ἔτος ὑπό τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας διά τῆς ἡμῶν Μετριότητος, καί συγχρόνως νά ἀναλυθῶμεν εἰς μελλοντικάς προσδοκίας διά τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον καί διά τόν λαόν τοῦ Θεοῦ, γνωστάς μόνον τῷ Κυρίῳ «ὡς μήπω πεπραγμένας», τῷ καί τελειοῦντι ἤ ματαιοῦντι διά τῶν παρουσιαζομένων ὑπ Αὐτοῦ ὁδῶν ἤ προσκομμάτων τούς ἡμετέρους ἀνθρωπίνους σχεδιασμούς καί προγραμματισμούς. Ἄλλωστε, διά τήν Ὀρθόδοξον Ἐκκλησίαν καί διά τούς πιστούς της, ἐν τῇ πραγματικότητι δέν ὑπάρχει χρόνος ἀλλά αἰωνιότης. Παρά ταῦτα ὁ χρόνος εἶναι ἕν δῶρον τοῦ Θεοῦ εἶναι ἀκτῖνες αἱ ὁποῖαι ἐκχέονται παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ καί διασκορπίζονται εἰς τούς ἀνθρώπους. Εἶναι ἐργαλεῖον τό ὁποῖον παραδίδει ὁ Θεός εἰς τάς ἀνθρωπίνας χεῖρας, διά νά ἐκδηλῶμεν τά συναισθήματα ἡμῶν ἀλλά καί διά νά καλλιεργῶμεν καί νά οἰκοδομῶμεν τόν τρόπον τῆς ζωῆς καί τήν πνευματικότητά μας. Ἐν τελικῇ ἀναλύσει, ὁ ρέων ἄστατος χρόνος καί ὁ τρόπος μέ τόν ὁποῖον τόν διαχειριζόμεθα θά κρίνῃ καί τό μέλλον, καί τήν πορείαν καί τῶν προσώπων τά ὁποῖα βιοῦν τόν χρόνον καί τῶν θεσμῶν, οἱ ὁποῖοι διακονοῦνται ἐν χρόνῳ ὑπό προσώπων, ὑπό ἐχόντων τό αὐτεξούσιον ἀνθρώπων. Ἐκ τῆς χρήσεως, λοιπόν, τοῦ χρόνου καί μόνον, ἀλλά καί ἐκ τῶν ἔργων, κρίνεται ἄν οἱ βιοῦντες τόν χρόνον ἄνθρωποι καθίστανται αἰώνιοι καί καταλείπουν ἴχνη εἰς τούς διακονουμένους θεσμούς. Ἡ Μήτηρ Ἐκκλησία καί ἡμεῖς προσωπικῶς οὐδέποτε λησμονοῦμεν ὅτι: «ἐάν τε ζῶμεν, τῷ Κυρίῳ ζῶμεν ἐάν τε ἀποθνήσκωμεν, τῷ Κυρίῳ ἀποθνήσκομεν... εἰς τοῦτο γάρ Χριστός καί ἀπέθανε καί ἀνέστη καί ἔζησεν ἵνα καί νεκρῶν καί ζώντων κυριεύσῃ» (Ρωμ. ιδ, 8-10). Ἔχοντες, λοιπόν, ὑπ ὄψει, τό Παυλικόν «οὐδείς γάρ ἡμῶν ἑαυτῷ ζῇ καί οὐδείς ἑαυτῷ ἀποθνήσκει» (ὅ.π. ιδ 7-8), καλούμεθα ὡς Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον ὅπως τόν ἀρξάμενον ἐνιαυτόν καταστήσωμεν ἀκτῖνα τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ μέσα εἰς τόν κόσμον, ἔτος ἀγάπης πρός τόν Θεόν καί πρός τόν ἄνθρωπον, ἔτος εὐεργεσίας καί φιλανθρωπίας πρός ὅλους. Καί εἰδικῶς διά τούς Ὀρθοδόξους πιστούς εἶναι ἀπαραίτητον ἡ Ἐκκλησία νά δύναται νά βλέπῃ πρός τόν οὐρανόν πρωτίστως καί εἶτα πρός τόν κόσμον, οὕτως ὥστε νά δίδῃ κατ αὐτόν τόν τρόπον φῶς καί ἐλπίδα εἰς κάθε ψυχήν, ἡ ὁποία προσέρχεται πρός ἡμᾶς τούς κληρικούς. Ἰδού τό χρέος καί ἡ εὐθύνη τῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί ἡμῶν τῶν κληρικῶν: νά πλησιάσωμεν διά νά σώσωμεν τόν ἄνθρωπον, τόν ἐγγύς καί τόν μακράν καί νά τόν ὁδηγήσωμεν εἰς ἐκκλησιασμόν καί ὄχι εἰς κοσμικισμόν (Ἅγιος Γρηγόριος ὁ Παλαμᾶς). Ἐπισκοποῦντες δέ τά γεγονότα τοῦ μόλις λήξαντος ἔτους, δοξάζομεν τόν Θεόν δι ὅσα ἐχαρίσατο εἰς τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον καί εἰς ἡμᾶς καί δι ὅλας τάς εὐλογίας τάς ὁποίας ἐπιδαψιλεύει ἡμῖν εἰς τήν ἀδιάκοπον νυχθήμερον προσπάθειαν διά τήν ἐκπλήρωσιν τῆς ἀποστολῆς αὐτοῦ, ἥτις συγκεφαλαιοῦται εἰς τήν διά τῆς ἀγάπης σωτηρίαν «τῶν μικρῶν τούτων τῶν ἐλαχίστων». Ἐπιτραπήτω ἡμῖν σήμερον νά σημειώσωμεν ἐπιγραμματικῶς ἔνια ἐκ τῶν πολλῶν γεγονότων τῆς ἱστορικῆς πορείας τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας κατά τό παρελθόν ἔτος, τά ὁποῖα ἀπό κοινοῦ, ἀδελφοί, ἐβιώσαμεν, καί φρονοῦμεν ὅτι καταξιώνουν καί τόν διελθόντα χρόνον ἀλλά καί τά διαδραματίσαντα ρόλον κατ αὐτόν πρόσωπα: Πρωτίστως, κατά τόν μῆνα Μάρτιον τοῦ 2014, ἐπραγματοποιήθη ἐπιτυχῶς, πεποίθαμεν, ἡ Σύναξις τῶν Προκαθημένων τῶν Ὀρθοδόξων Ἐκκλησιῶν καί ἐδρομολογήθη ἡ ἀπό μακροῦ Σελίδα 16 ΑΓΙΟΚΑΤΑΤΑΞΗ ΤΟΥ ΓΕΡΟΝΤΟΣ ΠΑΪΣΙΟΥ ΑΠΟ ΤΗΝ ΣΥΝΟΔΟ ΤΟΥ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΥ πρεσβεύουν στον Θεό για όλους μας στους δύσκολους καιρούς που ζούμε», κατέληξε ο κ. Μελίτων. Ο Άγιος Παΐσιος εκτιμούσε ιδιαίτερα τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, για τον οποίο είχε πει ότι είναι ευτύχημα για την Ορθοδοξία, που έχει τέτοιο Πατριάρχη. Ο Γέρων Παΐσιος ήταν ένας πολύ απλός άνθρωπος, ο οποίος πίστευε στο λόγο του Ευαγγελίου, κάνοντας τρόπο ζωής τον μοναστικό βίο και τις διδαχές της Ορθόδοξης ασκητικής παράδοσης. Οι εγκύκλιες γνώσεις του περιορίζονταν στο επίπεδο του δημοτικού. Παρ όλα αυτά ξεχώριζε για την «χαριτωμένη» απλότητά του και την έντονη αγωνία που τον διακατείχε για την βοήθεια των συνανθρώπων του, που αναζητούσαν ένα πνευματικό καθοδηγητή. Ο ΛΟΓΟΣ ΤΟΥ «Να σκεπτόμαστε θετικά για τον συνάνθρωπο και όχι αρνητικά, γιατί αλλιώς εισέρχεται η πονηριά στον άνθρωπο και η ισχυρογνωμοσύνη», έλεγε. Υποδείκνυε πως «ό,τι προσφέρουμε ή κάνουμε πρέπει να γίνεται φιλότιμα και όχι αναγκαστικά και συμφεροντολογικά». Δυστυχώς, πολλοί καπηλεύτηκαν τις διδαχές του Αγίου Παϊσίου, αποδίδοντας σε αυτόν απόψεις και λόγια είτε για δικό τους όφελος, είτε για εθνικά ζητήματα, που ο ίδιος ποτέ δεν ανέφερε, κάτι που τον λυπούσε, ενώ ήταν ήδη στη ζωή. Μετά την κοίμηση του το φαινόμενο αυτό εντάθηκε. Συνέγραψε τέσσερα βιβλία, τα οποία έχουν εκδοθεί από το Ιερόν Ησυχαστήριον «Ευαγγελιστής Ιωάννης ο Θεολόγος» (Σουρωτή Θεσσαλονίκης). Τα βιβλία αυτά είναι: Ο Άγιος Αρσένιος ο Καππαδόκης (1991), Ο Γέρων Χατζη-Γεώργης ο Αθωνίτης, (1986), Αγιορείται Πατέρες και Αγιορείτικα (1993), Επιστολές (1994). ἀναμενομένη σύγκλησις τῆς Ἁγίας καί Μεγάλης Συνόδου τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας, χάρις εἰς τάς πρωτοβουλίας τῆς ἡμετέρας Μετριότητος ἐν τῇ ὀφειλετικῇ μερίμνῃ ἡμῶν διά τήν διαφύλαξιν καί διασφάλισιν τῆς ἑνότητος τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ἡ ὁποία ἐπιτυγχάνεται ὄχι μέ προγραμματισμούς μόνον ἀλλ «ἐν Πνεύματι Ἁγίῳ». Ἡ μετάβασις ἡμῶν ἐν μέσῃ Καθαρᾷ Ἑβδομάδι εἰς Οὑγγαρίαν καί ἡ ὑπογραφή συμφωνίας μεταξύ τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου καί τῆς Κυβερνήσεως τῆς Χώρας ταύτης, διά τῆς ὁποίας περιγράφεται σαφῶς ὁ ρόλος τῆς ἐκεῖ ἡμετέρας Πατριαρχικῆς Ἐξαρχίας ἔναντι τοῦ Κράτους καί τῶν λοιπῶν Ὀρθοδόξων παρουσιῶν, ὑπῆρξεν ὄχι μόνον ἁπλοῦς σταθμός διά τήν ὀρθόδοξον παρουσίαν καί διά τήν ἐνίσχυσιν αὐτῆς εἰς τήν χώραν ταύτην, ἀλλά γεγονός μέ εὐρυτέρας προεκτάσεις καί ἐπιπτώσεις καί ἐν τοῖς καθ ἡμᾶς ἐνταῦθα, ἐκκλησιαστικοῖς πράγμασιν. Ἡ γενομένη τιμητική ὑποδοχή τῆς ἡμετέρας Μετριότητος ὑπό τῶν ἀρχῶν τῆς χώρας καί ἡ εὐγενής αὕτη πρωτοβουλία των διά τήν ἀναγνώρισιν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου ὡς θεσμοῦ διεθνοῦς δικαίου καταταδεικνύει τήν θετικήν στάσιν τοῦ Κράτους τῆς Οὑγγαρίας ἔναντι τοῦ ἱστορικῶς ἀνεγνωρισμένου θετικοῦ ρόλου τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας καί τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου καί εἰς τήν περιοχήν ταύτην τῆς Εὐρώπης. Ἀνάλογοι ἦσαν καί αἱ ἐντυπώσεις τάς ὁποίας ἐκομίσαμεν ἐκ τῶν συναντήσεων ἡμῶν μετά τῶν ἀρχῶν τῆς Γερμανίας καί τῆς Αὐστρίας, εἰς τό πλαίσιον τῶν ἐκεῖσε Πατριαρχικῶν καί ἀποστολικῶν ἐπισκέψεων ἡμῶν, ἐπί τῇ συμπληρώσει ἡμίσεος αἰῶνος ἀπό τῆς ἱδρύσεως τῶν ἐν ταῖς χώραις ταύταις Ἱερῶν Μητροπόλεών μας, ἀποδειξασῶν τήν ἐκτίμησιν τήν ὁποίαν τρέφουν διά τό Οἰκουμενικόν Πατριαρχεῖον καί τήν παράδοσιν, τήν ὁποίαν τοῦτο ἐκπροσωπεῖ, παράδοσιν τήν ὁποίαν καί οἱ λαοί αὐτῶν ἐπί Βυζαντίου εἶχον προσλάβει, διά τῆς παρουσίας τῆς ἐκ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Ἁγίας Βασιλίσσης Θεοφανοῦς, καί διά τοῦτο αἰσθάνονται, τρόπον τινά, ὅτι εἰς τό πρόσωπον τῆς ἡμετέρας Μετριότητος, τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχου, ἀναγνωρίζουν, τιμοῦν καί ἐνισχύουν τήν παράδοσιν ταύτην. Μετ αἰσθημάτων συγκινήσεως ἐνθυμούμεθα τάς στιγμάς τάς ὁποίας ἐβιώσαμεν πλησίον τοῦ πολυαρίθμου ποιμνίου τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μητροπόλεως Γερμανίας καί δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν εἰς τόν ἐν Τριάδι Θεόν δι ὅσα θαυμαστά καί ἐξαίσια ἐκεῖ χάριτι Αὐτοῦ ἐπετελέσθησαν, διό καί ἐπί τῇ εὐκαιρίᾳ ταύτῃ ἀποστέλλομεν θερμόν ἑόρτιον καί συγχαρητήριον χαιρετισμόν εἰς τόν ἀδελφόν Ἱερώτατον Μητροπολίτην Γερμανίας κύριον Αὐγουστῖνον. Ἐκ παραλλήλου, αἱ τρεῖς αὗται ἐπισκέψεις κατέδειξαν καί τάς θετικάς ἐπιπτώσεις, τάς ὁποίας ἔχει διά τάς ἐκεῖσε Ἱεράς Μητροπόλεις καί Ἐξαρχίαν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Θρόνου ἡ συνεργασία μετά τῶν ἑτεροδόξων σημειοῦμεν ἰδιαιτέρως τάς παραχωρήσεις Ναῶν καί ἐκτάσεων διά τάς λατρευτικάς ἀνάγκας τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας καί ὄχι μόνον. Καί εἰς μέν τήν Ἱεράν Μητρόπολιν Γερμανίας τό ἔργον εἶναι ἐπιμεμαρτυρημένον καί ἄξιον θαυμασμοῦ -μεγάλου-, διά δέ τήν Ἱεράν Μητρόπολιν Αὐστρίας ὀφείλομεν καί πάλιν νά ἐξάρωμεν τάς προσπαθείας τοῦ Ἱερωτάτου ἀδελφοῦ κυρίου Ἀρσενίου, ὅστις δυναμικῶς ἐργάζεται διά τήν ὀργάνωσιν τῆς κατ αὐτόν Ἐπαρχίας, ἔχων ὡς παράδειγμα τά ὅσα εἶδε καί ἐβίωσε κατά τήν διακονίαν αὐτοῦ εἰς τάς Ἱεράς Μητροπόλεις Γερμανίας καί Γαλλίας. Τήν καλήν αὐτήν συνεργασίαν μετά τῶν ἑτεροδόξων καί δή τῶν ΡΚαθολικῶν ἐνίσχυσε καί ἡ ἀδελφική συνάντησις μετά τοῦ Πάπα Ρώμης Φραγκίσκου εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα, ἐξ ἀφορμῆς τῆς συμπληρώσεως πεντηκονταετίας ἀπό τῆς προηγουμένης συναντήσεως εἰς τήν Ἁγίαν Γῆν τοῦ ἀοιδίμου προκατόχου ἡμῶν Πατριάρχου Ἀθηναγόρου μετά τοῦ Πάπα Παύλου τοῦ Στ, τήν ὁποίαν ἠκολούθησε, κατόπιν ἐπί τούτῳ εἰδικῆς τιμητικῆς προσκλήσεως τῆς αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος πρός ἡμᾶς, ἡ μετάβασις ἡμῶν εἰς Ρώμην πρός ἐνίσχυσιν τῶν προσπαθειῶν ὑπέρ τῆς εἰρηνεύσεως τῆς Μέσης Ἀνατολῆς, ὁμοῦ μέ τόν προκαθήμενον τῆς Ρωμαιοκαθολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί τούς Προέδρους τοῦ Ἰσραήλ καί τῆς Παλαιστινιακῆς Ἀρχῆς. Ἐν τῷ σημείῳ τούτῳ ἐπιθυμοῦμεν νά ἐπισημάνωμεν τήν κεντρικήν σημασίαν, τήν ὁποίαν ἔσχε διά τόν θεσμόν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Η ΖΩΗ ΤΟΥ Ο Άγιος Παΐσιος γεννήθηκε στα Φάρασα της Καππαδοκίας, στη Μικρά Ασία, στις 25 Ιουλίου του Στις 7 Αυγούστου του 1924, μια εβδομάδα πριν οι Φαρασιώτες φύγουν για την Ελλάδα, βαφτίστηκε από τον Άγιο Αρσένιο τον Καππαδόκη, ο οποίος του έδωσε το δικό του όνομα. Λίγο μετά τη βάπτιση του μικρού τότε Αρσένιου, η οικογένεια του έφτασε στον Πειραιά και από εκεί πήγε στην Κέρκυρα, όπου και έμεινε ενάμιση χρόνο. Στη συνέχεια κατέληξε στην Κόνιτσα. Εισήλθε στο Άγιο Όρος για να μονάσει το 1949, αμέσως μετά την απόλυσή του από το στρατό. Το 1956, χειροθετήθηκε μοναχός και ονομάστηκε «Παΐσιος». Το 1958 πήγε στο Στόμιο Κονίτσης, όπου επιτέλεσε σημαντικό έργο και μετά στο Όρος Σινά στο κελί των Αγίων Γαλακτίωνος και Επιστήμης. Εργαζόταν ως ξυλουργός και ό,τι κέρδιζε το έδινε σε φιλανθρωπίες στους Βεδουίνους. Το 1964 επέστρεψε στο Άγιο Όρος. Το 1966, ασθένησε σοβαρά και εισήχθη στο Νοσοκομείο Παπανικολάου. Υποβλήθηκε σε εγχείρηση, με αποτέλεσμα μερική αφαίρεση των πνευμόνων. Στο διάστημα μέχρι να αναρρώσει και να επιστρέψει στο Άγιο Όρος φιλοξενήθηκε στην Μονή Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου, στη Σουρωτή. Επέστρεψε στο Άγιο Όρος μετά την ανάρρωσή του και το 1967 και άρχισε να δέχεται πολλές επισκέψεις. Ήδη το όνομά του έχει αρχίσει να γίνεται αρκετά γνωστό μακριά από το Όρος και πολλοί άνθρωποι κατέφευγαν κοντά του για να τους στηρίξει. Λίγα χρόνια μετά εγκαταστάθηκε στην Παναγούδα, μια σκήτη εγκαταλελειμμένη και εργάστηκε σκληρά για να δημιουργήσει ένα κελί. Μετά το 1993 άρχισε να παρουσιάζει αιμορραγίες, για τις οποίες αρνούνταν να νοσηλευτεί λέγοντας χαρακτηριστικά ότι «όλα θα βολευτούν με το χώμα». Τον Νοέμβριο του ίδιου έτους ο Παΐσιος βγαίνει για τελευταία φορά από το Όρος και πηγαίνει στη Σουρωτή, στο Γυναικείο Ησυχαστήριο του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου για τη γιορτή του Αγίου Αρσενίου (10 Νοεμβρίου). Εκεί έμεινε λίγες μέρες και ενώ ετοιμαζόταν να φύγει ασθένησε και εισήχθη στο νοσοκομείο, όπου διαγνώστηκε όγκος στο παχύ έντερο. Στις 4 Φεβρουαρίου του 1994 χειρουργήθηκε και στο τέλος Ιουνίου οι γιατροί του ανακοινώνουν ότι τα περιθώρια ζωής του ήταν δύο με τρεις εβδομάδες το πολύ. Τη Δευτέρα 11 Ιουλίου κοινώνησε για τελευταία φορά γονατιστός μπροστά στο κρεβάτι του. Τις τελευταίες μέρες της ζωής του αποφάσισε να μην παίρνει φάρμακα ή παυσίπονα, παρά τους φρικτούς πόνους της ασθένειάς του. Κοιμήθηκε στις 12 Ιουλίου. Ενταφιάστηκε στο Ιερό Ησυχαστήριο του Αγίου Ιωάννη του Θεολόγου στη Σουρωτή Θεσσαλονίκης. Στο Καθολικό του Ησυχαστηρίου βρίσκονται τα λείψανα του Αγίου Αρσενίου του Καππαδόκη.

16 16 ΟΡΘΟ ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2015 Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος: Απολογισμός της χρονιάς που πέρασε Σελίδα 15 Πατριαρχείου ἡ ἐπίσημος ἐπίσκεψις πρός αὐτό, κατά τήν παρελθοῦσαν Θρονικήν μας Ἑορτήν, τοῦ Ἁγιωτάτου Πάπα Ρώμης καί αἱ ὀργανωθεῖσαι ἐν τῷ Ἱερῷ ἡμῶν Κέντρῳ ἐπί τῇ εὐκαιρίᾳ ἐκδηλώσεις. Σύντρεις αἱ κατά τό λῆξαν ἔτος συναντήσεις αὗται τῆς ἡμετέρας Μετριότητος μετά τῆς Αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος στόχον καί σκοπόν ἔσχον τήν Χρυσοστομικήν ρῆσιν: «τοῦτο μάλιστά ἐστι χάρις, τό μή διαιρεῖσθαι, ἀλλ ἐφ ἑνί κεῖσθαι θεμελίῳ» (Εἰς Α Κορινθίους, P.G. 61,72), καθότι «εἰς τήν ἑνότητα ἐκάλεσε τῆς πίστεως, φησίν. Τοὐτέστιν, ἕως ἄν δειχθῶμεν πάντες μίαν πίστιν ἔχοντες. Τοῦτο γάρ ἐστιν ἑνότης πίστεως, ὅταν πάντες ἕν ὦμεν, ὅταν πάντες ὁμοίως τόν σύνδεσμον ἐπιγινώσκωμεν. Μέχρι τότε ἐργάζεσθαι χρή (ἡ ὑπογράμμισις ἡμετέρα)... Ὅταν δέ πάντες ὁμοίως πιστεύωμεν, τότε ἑνότης ἐστίν» (πρβλ. Ἱεροῦ Χρυσοστόμου, Εἰς Ἐφεσίους ΙΑ, P.G. 62,83). Ἰδιαιτέραν πνευματικήν χαράν καί συγκίνησιν, πρός τούτοις, προσέφερον αἱ ἐπισκέψεις ἡμῶν τόσον εἰς τήν γενέτειραν ἡμῶν νῆσον Ἴμβρον, ὅσον καί εἰς τάς τέσσαρας Ἱ. Μητροπόλεις τῆς Θράκης, κληρουχίας καί ταύτης τιμίας τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, κατά τήν ὁποίαν ἐπίσκεψίν μας διεπιστώσαμεν ἰδίοις ὄμμασι τήν ἀγάπην καί τόν σεβασμόν μέ τά ὁποῖα ὁ πιστός λαός αὐτῆς περιβάλλει τήν Μητέρα Ἐκκλησίαν, πρός τήν ὁποίαν ἔχει πάντοτε ἐστραμμένα τά ὄμματα ὡς πρός τήν πηγήν τῆς ἐκκλησιαστικῆς καί πνευματικῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ, τῆς ὁποίας τό διαυγές πνευματικόν καί ζῶν ὕδωρ ἐξέρχεται ἀπό τά βάθη τῶν αἰώνων καί ρέει ποταμηδόν καί σήμερον. Ὁμοίως, λίαν καρποφόροι ἦσαν καί αἱ Πατριαρχικαί ἡμῶν ἐπισκέψεις εἰς τήν ἱστορικήν νῆσον Κέρκυραν προσφάτως, ἐπί τῇ ἑορτῇ τοῦ μεγάλου καί θαυματουργοῦ πολιούχου αὐτῆς Ἁγίου Σπυρίδωνος, κατά Ἰούνιον δέ εἰς Ὕδραν καί εἰς Ἀθήνας, διά τό ἐκεῖ ὀργανωθέν Οἰκολογικόν Συμπόσιον. Ἰδιαιτέρως ὑπογραμμίζομεν τήν ἐπίσκεψιν τῆς ἡμετέρας Μετριότητος καί τήν ὁμοῦ μετ ἄλλων ἀδελφῶν Προκαθημένων τέλεσιν τῶν ἐγκαινίων τοῦ μεγαλοπρεποῦς Ἱεροῦ Καθεδρικοῦ Ναοῦ τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου ἐν Τιράνοις. Ὑπογραμμίζομεν τό γεγονός διά νά σημειώσωμεν ἐμφαντικῶς ὅτι τήν Ἁγιωτάτην Ὀρθόδοξον Ἐκκλησίαν τῆς Ἀλβανίας -ὅπως καί τήν Αὐτόνομον Ὀρθόδοξον Ἐκκλησίαν τῆς Ἐσθονίας- ἀνέστησε κυριολεκτικῶς καί ἄνευ τινός ὑπερβολῆς ἐκ τῆς τέφρας αὐτῶν ὁ Ἁγιώτατος Ἀποστολικός καί Πατριαρχικός Οἰκουμενικός Θρόνος, διά τῆς ἐπιλογῆς καί ἀποστολῆς ἐκεῖσε τῶν πλέον καταλλήλων Ἱεραρχῶν, συγκεκριμένως δέ τῶν ἀδελφῶν Μακαριωτάτου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Τιράνων καί πάσης Ἀλβανίας κυρίου Ἀναστασίου καί Ἱερωτάτου Μητροπολίτου Ταλλίνης καί πάσης Ἐσθονίας κυρίου Στεφάνου. Δέν ἐπαύσαμεν καθ ὅλον τό παριππεῦσαν ἔτος -καί ἀσφαλῶς δέν θά παύσωμεν-, νά διαδηλῶμεν εἰς πᾶσαν κατεύθυνσιν τήν θλῖψιν ἡμῶν διά τάς συνεχιζομένας ἀδίκους διώξεις τῶν χριστιανῶν, ἰδιαιτέρως εἰς τήν Μέσην Ἀνατολήν, ἀλλά καί εἰς ἄλλας περιοχάς τοῦ πλανήτου, αἱ ὁποῖαι ἔχουν ὡς ἀποτέλεσμα τήν δραματικήν συρρίκνωσιν αὐτῶν εἰς τούς τόπους ἔνθα ἱδρύθη ἡ Ἐκκλησία τοῦ Κυρίου καί ἐβάδισαν οἱ Ἀπόστολοι καί οἱ Ἅγιοι καί οἱ ἀσκηταί τῆς Χριστιανικῆς ἡμῶν πίστεως. Τό μήνυμα τοῦτο, ἄλλωστε, ἀπηυθύναμεν καί διά τῆς ἐπί τοῖς Χριστουγέννοις Πατριαρχικῆς Ἀποδείξεως ἡμῶν, καλέσαντες τούς πάντας εἰς κατάπαυσιν τῆς βίας καί τῆς τρομοκρατίας καί εἰς διάλογον εἰρήνης. Ἐλπίζομεν καί εὐχόμεθα κατά τό νέον ἔτος νά ἀνατείλῃ ὁ ἥλιος τῆς εἰρήνης καί τῆς δικαιοσύνης καί εἰς τάς περιοχάς ταύτας, νά παύσουν οἱ πόλεμοι καί οἱ διωγμοί, νά ἐπιστρέψουν οἱ πρόσφυγες εἰς τάς πατρίδας των καί αἱ διαφοραί νά λυθοῦν μέ διάλογον καί εἰρηνικά μέσα. Πάντως, διαπιστοῦμεν καί σήμερον, ὅτι τό δένδρον τῆς πίστεως συνεχίζει νά ποτίζεται διά τοῦ αἵματος τῶν πιστῶν χριστιανῶν, ἀναδεικνύονται δέ καθ ἡμέραν νέοι μάρτυρες τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Κυρίου. Καί διά τό ἀνατέλλον ἔτος προγραμματίζομεν πολλά μέ κεντρικόν στόχον τήν προετοιμασίαν διά τήν σύγκλησιν κατά τό προσεχές ἔτος τῆς Ἁγίας καί Μεγάλης Συνόδου τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας ἐν τῷ Ναῷ τῆς τοῦ Θεοῦ Εἰρήνης, ἐν τῷ ὁποίῳ συνῆλθε καί ἡ Β Οἰκουμενική Σύνοδος ὑπό τήν προεδρείαν τοῦ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Ἁγίου Γρηγορίου τοῦ Θεολόγου. Σκεπτόμεθα καί ἑτέρας πολλάς ἐκκλησιαστικάς καί πνευματικάς ἐξορμήσεις πρός τήν οἰκουμένην. Ἐπιθυμοῦμεν καί δι αὐτῶν τήν δόξαν καί μόνον τῆς Ἐκκλησίας καί δι αὐτήν ἐργαζόμεθα καί κοπιῶμεν μετά τῶν τιμίων συνεργατῶν ἡμῶν «μή διδόντες τοῖς κροτάφοις ἡμῶν ἀνάπαυσιν καί τοῖς βλεφάροις ἡμῶν νυσταγμόν». Ὁ δέ δεσπόζων τῆς Οἰκουμένης Κύριος πεποίθαμεν ὅτι θέλει ἐνεργήσει καί κατά τήν ἡμετέραν καλήν ταύτην πρόθεσιν, κυρίως ὅμως κατά τό πολύ Ελεος καί τήν Χάριν Αὐτοῦ ἐπί τήν Κωνσταντινουπολίτιδα Ἐκκλησίαν. Ὅθεν, Αὐτῷ καί μόνῳ ἡ Δόξα καί τό Κράτος καί ἡ Τιμή καί ἡ Προσκύνησις καί ἡ Εὐχαριστία σήμερον καί πάντοτε καί εἰς τόν αἰῶνα τοῦ αἰῶνος. Ἀμήν. Εορτασμός Θεοφανείων 2015 Σελίδα 13 τούς Κληρικούς τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς Αὐλῆς καί τόν κ. Γενικόν Πρόξενον τῆς Ἑλλάδος. Παρέστησαν συμπροσευχόμενοι οἱ Σεβ. Μητροπολῖται Πέργης κ. Εὐάγγελος, Θεοδωρουπόλεως κ. Γερμανός καί Καλλιουπόλεως καί Μαδύτου κ. Στέφανος, Πρωτοσυγκελλεύων, ὁ Ἐντιμολ. κ. Κωνσταντῖνος Δεληκωνσταντῆς, Ἄρχων Διδάσκαλος τοῦ Γένους, ἐκπροσωπῶν τήν ἐν Ἀθήναις Ἀδελφότητα τῶν Ὀφφικιαλίων «Παναγία ἡ Παμμακάριστος», ὁ Ἐξοχ. κ. Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, Πρόεδρος τοῦ Τογκό, συνοδευόμενος ὑπό πολυμελοῦς συνοδείας Ὑπουργῶν καί συνεργατῶν αὐτοῦ, ὁ Ἐξοχ. Πρέσβυς κ. Νικόλαος Ματθιουδάκης, Γεν. Πρόξενος τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἐνταῦθα, πιστοί ἐκ τῆς Πόλεως καί ὅμιλοι προσκυνητῶν ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ. Μετά τό πέρας τῆς Θ. Λειτουργίας, ὁ Πατριάρχης προέστη τῆς τελετῆς τῆς Καταδύσεως τοῦ Τιμίου Σταυροῦ εἰς τήν θάλασσαν, ἐκ τῆς ἀποβάθρας τοῦ Φαναρίου, μεταβάς εἰς αὐτήν μετά τῶν συλλειτουργῶν Αὐτοῦ Ἱεραρχῶν, τοῦ λοιποῦ Κλήρου καί τοῦ λαοῦ ἐν πομπῇ ἐκ τοῦ Π. Πατριαρχικοῦ Ναοῦ, τῶν κωδώνων αὐτοῦ κρουομένων χαρμοσύνως. Τόν Τίμιον Σταυρόν ἀνέσυρεν ἐκ τῆς θαλάσσης ὁ Ἐντιμ. κ. Savaş Özbey, Δημοσιογράφος, εἰς ὅν ὁ Παναγιώτατος προσέφερεν ἀναμνηστικόν μετάλλιον καί εἰς τούς ὑπολοίπους κολυμβητάς σταυρόν. Τήν μεσημβρίαν παρετέθη ἐπίσημον ἄριστον εἰς τήν Πατριαρχικήν Τράπεζαν, εἰς ὅ παρεκάθησεν ὁ Ἐξοχ. κ. Πρόεδρος τοῦ Τογκό μετά τῆς συνοδείας αὐτοῦ.

17 JANUARY 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* *(includes GOTelecom, Press Office, Internet Ministries, Orthodox Observer) 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. Brings more aspects of Orthodox faith into the home and more families to church. Helps couples, families and parishes with marriage and family life. Provides printed, online, social media resources. Conducts conferences, training and retreats. 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* *(includes Philoptochos Society, retired clergy benevolence fund, other humanitarian assistance) 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* *(includes camping ministries and Ionian Village) 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..

18 18 Church History JANUARY : A Notable Year for Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral by William H. Samonides, Ph.D was a momentous year. Internationally, the beginning of the Russo- Japanese War in the Pacific hastened the collapse of the Russian empire, imperiling the lives of tens of millions of Orthodox Christians. Nationally, the World s Fair and the third modern Olympic games in St. Louis preceded the election of President Theodore Roosevelt. In New York, the modern city was taking shape: construction began on Grand Central Station, and the first underground stretch of the subway went into operation. There were also major developments at Holy Trinity, the first Greek Orthodox parish established in New York. In April 1904, the Holy Trinity parishioners purchased their first building, and later that year a new priest, 40 year-old Fr. Methodios Kourkoulis ( ), arrived from Greece. Both developments brought stability to a community sorely in need of it. The fledgling parish, established in 1892, was not the majestic Archdiocesan Cathedral of today. During the first dozen years of its existence, Holy Trinity rented three spaces and was served by 10 priests. At the time, establishing a Greek Orthodox parish in America was not easy, but maintaining one proved an even greater challenge, even in the city with the largest Greek immigrant population in the Western Hemisphere. According to the parish history written by Peter T. Kourides ( ), longtime general counsel to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, Holy Trinity was in total disarray. Michael Contopoulos in The Greek Community of New York City claimed there were few active parishioners. The Church of the Holy Trinity had only 45 enrolled members out of a possible 6,000 Greeks in New York. The primary reason for the membership dilemma was said to have been dissatisfaction with the priest. Because of the prohibitive cost of Manhattan real estate, no parish could afford to build its own church immediately. Holy Trinity first held services on West 53 rd Street in the basement of a Swedenborgian church, which it rented for $50 a month. From there, it moved briefly downtown to Greenwich St. and then to a Midtown site. For $83.33 a month, the parish rented premises at 138 East 27 th St., previously occupied by the First Swedish Baptist Church. Services were held there until Palm Sunday in At that time the parish finally acquired its own building, a one-story stone church, of Gothic architecture on East 72 nd St. between Lexington and Third avenues. Purchased for $65,000, it was much larger than the previous sites and in a desirable location. Originally the St. James Episcopal Church, the East 72 nd St. church was designed by James Renwick, Jr. ( ) who was also responsible for St. Patrick s Cathedral, which was under construction on Fifth Avenue at the time. The first services were held at the new Holy Trinity on Holy Monday, April 3, The priest was Fr. Zissimos Typaldos, who had arrived in America to take charge of the parish the previous April. He was described by The New York Evening Post as having been a secular teacher and theologian in a college in Athens long before he entered the priesthood. The article added that although he is about 65 years old, this is his first pastoral charge. It is said that he speaks English well. In December he was replaced by Mytilene-native Fr. Methodios Kourkoulis. Before leaving for America, Fr. Kourkoulis had been appointed by the Ecumenical Patriarch as priest of the St. Nicholas parish in Pittsburgh. When he arrived in New York, the board of trustees of Holy Trinity convinced him, with the consent of the Pittsburgh church, to remain instead in New York. Pittsburgh s loss would be Holy Trinity s gain. On Dec. 14, 1904, Fr. Kourkoulis celebrated his first Liturgy at Holy Trinity. According to Peter Kourides, who knew him well, Fr. Kourkoulis had an impressive presence. He had a beautiful resonant voice, and he officiated with ceremonial and imposing dignity. He was most articulate. His sermons were well prepared and delivered with stentorian eloquence. To many Greek immigrants of 1904, he quickly became the heroic and majestic figure that they were painfully seeking in their new world. Immediately, Rev. Kourkoulis took total and complete control of the new edifice on East 72 nd Street. He quickly raised the money that was required to properly and adequately decorate the interior of the new church. It was by far the handsomest Greek Orthodox church in the Americas in As beautiful as the church was said to have been in 1905, Fr. Kourkoulis had the interior decorations magnificently redone 15 years later. In the early 1920 s, shortly after the establishment of the Archdiocese, Archbishop Alexander designated the church a cathedral. It would be the home of the Holy Trinity parish until January 1927, when it was destroyed in a spectacular fire. In 1938, the 72 year old Fr. Kourkoulis was invested with the title of Grand Archimandrite of Constantinople, which gave him privileges at any Greek Orthodox monastery in the world. The honor was conferred by Ecumenical Patriarch Benjamin I, through Archbishop Athenagoras, head of the church in North and South America. At the time of Fr. Kourkoulis death in April 1941, he had served Holy Trinity for 37 years, uniting parishioners and contributing significantly to the growth of the parish. The author thanks Fr. Anastasios Gounaris for his assistance. The story of Fr. Kourkoulis is one of many featured in Pioneering Priests: Establishing the Greek Orthodox Faith in America, an exhibition funded by Leadership 100 and now on display at the St. Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine in St. Augustine, Fla.

19 JANUARY Parish Profile Church Serves an International Congregation PARISH profile Name: Holy Cross Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church Location: Huntsville, Ala. Metropolis of Atlanta Founded: 1964 Clergy: Fr. Kevin Milsaps (Holy Cross 06, M. Div. East Tennessee State University 2002, master s in history) Size: more than 200 members E mail: holycross@gmail.com Web: Noteworthy: Members represent nations of five continents. Deacon Michael Koloniotis JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Deacon Michael I. Koloniotis, beloved husband of 37 years to Diakonissa Karen Koloniotis, died earlier this month. He was born in Halkida, Greece where he served in the Greek navy for two and a half years. In 1976, he moved to Jacksonville in order to give his family a better life in Greece. In 1977, he and his wife were married. Dn. Michael held several jobs over the years. He studied at Holy Cross School of Theology from After completing his studies, Deacon Michael was ordained to the diaconate on Feb. 2, 2013 at Holy Trinity Church in SAVE THE DATE National Philoptochos Children s Medical Fund Luncheon Hosted by the Metropolis of Boston October 24, 2015 Obituary Holy Cross - Sts. Constantine and Helen church photo HOLY CROSS - STS. CONSTANTINE AND HELEN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH AND COMMUNITY CENTER HUNTSVILLE, Ala. Unlike the typical Greek Orthodox parish in the United States that was founded by immigrants, Holy Cross-Sts. Constantine and Helen Church got its start through the efforts of Orthodox Christians associated with the military and nation s space program. This city of Huntsville (population about 200,000), the fourth largest city in Alabama, is home to the U.S. Army s Redstone Arsenal and NASA s Marshall Space Flight Center. The impetus for establishing a parish came in the early 1960s, mostly from military officers and civilian employees of these institutions and engineering firms associated with them, Fr. Millsaps noted. A few families had been members of Holy Trinity-Holy Cross parish in Birmingham. According to a parish history, by 1962 there were enough of the Orthodox faith to warrant monthly services by the priest from the Nashville parish. In September 1964 the Huntsville communicants were organized as an Orthodox Mission and a permanent priest was assigned. Two and a half years later, in early 1967, the community received parish status under the name of Greek Orthodox Church of Huntsville. Ground was broken for the church building on July 11, The Byzantine-style edifice was officially opened by Bishop John of Charlotte on Sunday, Feb. 25, 1973, and was named Holy Cross-Sts Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church of Huntsville, Alabama. The church complex includes the parish center, a multi-purpose educational and community facility adjacent to the church, that was dedicated in A new parking lot recently was added and a major renovation project has been under way. The congregation today is represented by Orthodox Christians from the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, though Greek Americans comprise nearly 50 percent and members include many Romanians, Arabs and Georgians. We are a very multi-ethnic parish, said Fr. Kevin, who celebrates the Divine Liturgy mostly in English, though the Lord s Prayer is recited in St. Augustine by Metropolitan Alexios. He continued to serve at his home parish of St. John the Divine in Jacksonville. Prior to his ordination, he was the protopsaltis at St. John for 15 years, taught Sunday School, and served on the parish council. The funeral service was held Jan. 20. He is also survived by his mother, Ioulia Koloniotis, Halkida, Greece, his brother, Costas (Marina), his niece, Ioulia, and his nephew, Yianni. The family requests donations to the Building Fund of St. John the Divine Church. Sign the Guestbook@Jacksonville.com See more at: Name correction The correct name of the priest of St. Nicholas Church in Jamestown, N.Y. in the information under the picture on page 12 is Fr. George Zervas. 14 languages. Fr. Kevin and his presbytera, Tina, are converts from a Protestant background and are natives of eastern Tennessee. It s been a real blessing, Fr. Kevin said of his transition to Orthodoxy and serving as a parish priest. It has challenges like anything, but overall it s been a good experience. We try to keep motivated and push forward. The priest came to Orthodoxy as a result of studying for his Master s in history at East Tennessee State University, after taking a course in Byzantine religious history. Prior to coming to Huntsville, he IS your PARISh... Ready to expand parish participation? Seeking funds for a building project? Wishing to promote Planned Giving? Assistance is Available! The office of Parish Development offers guidance to parishes through: Strategic Planning Workshops: For greater involvement in your parish Capital Campaign Planning Studies: Assessing your project s fundraising potential Capital Campaign Management: Planning and coaching from beginning to end served as assistant priest at St. Nektarios Church in Charlotte, N.C. He oversees many parish ministries, including the weekly Bible study and catechumen classes, a prison ministry and youth programs such as the Sunday School, the very active Philoptochos chapter, choir and chanters. There is no Greek school. Fr. Millsaps averages eight to 10 liturgies per month, including weekday liturgies for major feast days. A Sunday afternoon liturgy for the Ethiopian Orthodox in the area also takes place each week. One youth activity includes a regular project in which the young people of the parish help residents in the city, especially senior citizens, with yardwork and other chores. Many parish youth attended the Atlanta Metropolis St. Stephen s Camp. The church raises funds through stewardship. There is no Greek festival, the parish takes part in the International Festival at the University of Alabama-Huntsville campus. With the presence of the Redstone Arsenal, which serves as the headquarters for the Army s Aviation and Materiel commands, there are about 32,000 people associated the the facility, including Fr. Kevin, who serves as a chaplain in the Army Reserves and holds the rank of captain. The Marshall Space Center, where many parishioners also are employed, controls the probes into deep space and the International Space Station. Compiled by Jim Golding Stewardship Assistance: Inspiring greater giving in your parish Parish Planned Giving Programs: Guidance in cultivating planned gifts Grant Proposal Research & Writing: Help throughout the grant proposal process Want More Information? Contact us to discuss your Goals & Needs and allow us to explain how we might be of help. Greek orthodox Archdiocese of America office of Parish Development 3 South Prospect Avenue, Ste. II Park Ridge, IL Phone: (847) jminetos@goarch.org

20 20 JANUARY 2015 Four Orthodox Christian Lessons from Martin Luther King Jr. by Andrew Estocin Every January, Americans pause to honor the memory of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who led a civil rights movement that called this nation to see every person as created in the image and likeness of God and worthy of equal treatment under the law. One of the most beautiful moments in American Orthodox history was when Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America chose to march against racial segregation laws with Rev. King in Selma, Ala. This event, made famous on the cover of Life Magazine, serves as a constant reminder that the Orthodox faith is not a museum of history but a way of living in the world that must be carefully cultivated and acted upon. What we believe as Orthodox Christians is not merely one private opinion among many but an eternal truth that has serious implications for every choice we make. The fact that the most distinguished bishop in American Orthodoxy chose to march with Rev. King reminds every Orthodox Christian that we can learn much from the witness of America s leading civil rights leader. Four Lessons Here are four Orthodox Christian lessons that can be learned from Martin Luther King Jr: Civil Disobedience Can Serve God s Purposes: Since the earliest of biblical times, God s people have often been called upon to say NO and REPENT to those in power. Rev. King illustrates this very clearly: (Civil disobedience) was evidenced sublimely in the refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to obey the laws of Nebuchadnezzar, on the ground that a higher moral law was at stake. It was practiced superbly by the early Christians, who were willing to face hungry lions and the excruciating pain of chopping blocks rather than submit to certain unjust laws of the Roman Empire. Archbishop Iakovos words in Selma echo this view: We have fought oppressive and repressive political regimes, based on Christian principles, for centuries.... A Christian must cry out in indignation against all persecution. Patriarch John X of Antioch could not choose better words when he reminds us: To be a messenger of peace does not mean that one is a messenger of submission. Being Legal Does Not Mean Being Right: Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal. This warning from Letter from Birmingham Jail points to the tradition of natural law. Natural Law is an integral part of Orthodox Christianity STERLING TRAVEL 20 LAUREN LANE, PHILLIPSBURG, N.J sterlingtravel@hotmail.com 20 Lauren Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ TICKETS 2 GREECE ON SALE ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ ΑΘΗΝΑ ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ Με επιστροφή από $ 299 Selma to Montgomery March: Archbishop Iakovos (left) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, March 15, (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America archival photo) Cheap Tickets, Great Price and the thought of Martin Luther King. What is natural law? It is the teaching that just laws participate in and reflect the law of God. Man has a natural knowledge of right and wrong given to him by God. St. John Chrysostom makes this clear. When God formed man, he implanted within him from the beginning a natural law....and what then was this natural law? He gave utterance to conscience within us; and made the knowledge of good things. Rev. King in responding to his critics from jail reminds them of the following: A just law is a manmade code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law....an unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust. Orthodox Christians have a responsibility to recognize laws in our society that agree with the moral laws of God and call into question and resist those laws that clearly do not. Consider the many Orthodox Christians who every year participate in the March for Life against the Supreme Court s unjust Roe v Wade decision. Be An Extremist For Love and Truth: Often times Orthodox Christians are criticized for being extremists if they take a public stand in support of what the Church teaches. For example, those who actively support pro-life or pro-family causes are often called extremists by their own brothers and sisters in the faith and even Orthodox clergy. What is amazing is that Martin Luther King was treated in exactly the same manner by his brother clergy, who shunned him and labeled his actions extreme. Archbishop Iakovos also faced considerable resistance to his marching with Rev. King from elements within his own flock. Rev. King turned the tables on his critics with the following words: But though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love: Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Faith Is a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer: In the same way that a thermostat sets the temperature in a given room, Orthodox Christianity changes our society and is not a mere indicator (or thermometer) of popular culture. Letter from Birmingham Jail is not just a call for social action, it is also a critique of Christianity and that includes our own Orthodox Christian witness today. Rev. King has some harsh words for Christians who place more value on social order and acceptance than on being icons of truth. Yes, I see the Church as the body of Christ. But, oh! How we have blemished and scarred that body through social neglect and through fear of being nonconformists. There was a time when the Church was very powerful in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being disturbers of the peace and outside agitators. But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were a colony of heaven, called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. When the faith is lived to its fullest, Orthodoxy has the ability to transform the world in which we live. It also brings justice to those who suffer and gives a voice to those who have none. The early Apostles were able to alter the course of the Roman Empire, armed only with their faith. Likewise, Rev. King forever changed the United States, armed only with the same Gospel. The words of Rev. King and the image of Archbishop Iakovos marching with him in Selma, Alabama are not mere nostalgia from a time gone by. Their witness is not confined to history books. They represent an urgent question for every Orthodox Christian in America. What type of Church will we be? Orthodox Christians can choose to turn inward, selfishly focus on themselves alone, and slowly self-destruct, or we can turn outward and embrace the gift of the Holy Spirit that led Archbishop Iakovos to Selma in 1965 and repeat his words time and again: The church will not be pessimistic, nor sit quietly in its handsome houses of worship while war rages outside its churches for the bodies, minds and souls of its parishioners. Martin Luther King Jr. and Archbishop Iakovos both knew that the human person as the image and likeness of God was a truth worth breaking the law, fighting and (in Rev. King s case) ultimately dying for. Orthodoxy in America needs this type of courage today more than ever.andrew Estocin is a graduate of St. Vladimir s Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, N.Y., and a parishioner of St. George Church in Albuquerque, N.M. + FUEL FEES + TAXES EXTRA Περιορισμένος αριθμός θέσεων Restrictions Apply Χαμηλές τιμές για ΑΠΛΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΟΛΕΙΣ Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Call Toll Free): GREECE-8 ( ) ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ