Volume 53 No. 1 January 2009 VOLUME 53 NO. 1 JANUARY 2009 contents COVER THEOPHANY: The Baptism of Christ

3 EDITORIAL by Rt. Rev. John Abdalah

4 CANON 28 OF THE 4TH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL by Metropolitan PHILIP

10 METROPOLITAN PHILIP HOSTS ANTIOCHIAN SEMINARIANS IN ANNUAL EVENT

14 FR. FRED PFEIL INTERVIEWS FR. DAVID ALEXANDER, The Most Reverend US NAVY CHAPLAIN Metropolitan PHILIP, D.H.L., D.D. Primate 17 DEPARTMENT OF YOUTH MINISTRIES The Right Reverend Bishop ANTOUN 21 ORATORICAL FESTIVAL The Right Reverend Bishop JOSEPH The Right Reverend 23 COMMUNITIES IN ACTION Bishop BASIL The Right Reverend 31 ORTHODOX WORLD Bishop THOMAS The Right Reverend 35 THE PEOPLE SPEAK … Bishop MARK The Right Reverend Bishop ALEXANDER Icons courtesy of Come and See Icons. Founded in Arabic as www.comeandseeicons.com Al Kalimat in 1905 by Saint Raphael (Hawaweeny) Founded in English as The WORD in 1957 by Metropolitan ANTONY (Bashir) Editor in Chief The Rt. Rev. John P. Abdalah, D.Min. Assistant Editor Christopher Humphrey, Ph.D. Editorial Board The Very Rev. Joseph J. Allen, Th.D. Anthony Bashir, Ph.D. The Very Rev. Antony Gabriel, Th.M. The Very Rev. Peter Gillquist Letters to the editor are welcome and should include the author’s full name and Ronald Nicola parish. Submissions for “Communities in Action” must be approved by the local Najib E. Saliba, Ph.D. pastor. Both may be edited for purposes of clarity and space. All submissions, in The Very Rev. Paul Schneirla, M.Div. hard copy, on disk or e-mailed, should be double-spaced for editing purposes. Design Director Donna Griffi n Albert Member ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION: The Associated Church Press U.S.A. and Canada, $20.00 Conciliar Press Foreign Countries, $26.00 Ecumenical News International Single Copies, $3.00 Orthodox Press Service The WORD (USPS626-260) is published monthly, except July and August, by Editorial Offi ce: the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America at 358 Mountain The WORD Road, PO Box 5238; periodicals postage paid at Englewood, New Jersey 07631- 635 Miranda Drive 5238 and at additional mailing offi ces. Pittsburgh, PA 15241 e-mail: [email protected] Postmaster send address changes to: The WORD, 358 Mountain Road, PO Box FAX: 1-412-831-5554 5238, Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 ISSN 0043-7964 www.antiochian.org. Subscription Offi ce: 358 Mountain Road Canada Post Publications Agreement No. 40691029 PO Box 5238 Return Canada address to: Englewood, NJ 07631-5238 AIM, 7289 Torbram Road, Mississauga, ON L4T 1G8, Canada. 2 The Word editor’s letter Youth and Education✻✻ January is Teen SOYO Education Month in the truths of Orthodoxy. Christians of other the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America. churches are so demoralized by watered-down When I fi rst assumed the position of editor of messages and secular trends that they are leav- The Word, I fl ippantly wrote in my fi rst edi- ing their churches in droves. Many are so dis- torial that I was in favor of youth and educa- illusioned that they are leaving the Christian tion. My humor may have been lost on most of faith altogether for spiritualisms or nothing at my readers. Perhaps everyone would say that all. We have the theological and moral teach- they are in favor of youth and education, and ings that many are searching so hard for. We we even would say that these are our fi rst pri- need to be ready and willing to witness to the orities. You need look no further than our Arch- faith of the apostles, once delivered and kept diocese budget or the pages of The Word to through the generations. Use your local church see quite conclusively that youth and education as your fi rst source to begin to prepare yourself Jare priorities of Metropolitan PHILIP and our to evangelize and witness when God calls you Church. Perhaps for this reason many young to. This calling will come at PTA meetings, at people have been inspired to dedicate their work, at school events, at bowling alleys and lives to Christ through the Church, as priests, at support groups. This call will come at block camp counselors, youth directors and Ortho- parties and graduations and at sporting events. dox role models in general. Perhaps for this People that you are in relationships with are reason doctors, lawyers, teachers and carpen- looking for Christ. You must not keep your faith ters are studying in the St. Stephen’s program a secret. to prepare themselves to share their faith and You are baptized into Christ’s own Royal their lives in Christ better. The Holy Spirit is Priesthood. You are called to share the Good certainly moving in the Orthodox Church in News of the empty tomb and to bring the world North America and I can hardly wait to see how to the altar of God. Use January as your time to the next two or three decades unfold in the his- begin or continue your journey as you prepare tory of Christianity on this continent. You too yourself to witness and share. should be part of this history. Never before has it been more important for us to take our faith seriously and share Fr. John Abdalah ❁The Word 3 Canon 28 of the 4th Ecumenical Council — Relevant Or Irrelevant Today?

Of all the canons dealing with Church author- ity and jurisdiction, there is probably none more controversial and debated in inter-Orthodox cir- cles today than Canon 28 of the Fourth Ecumeni- cal Council, held in the city of Chalcedon in the year 451. Those of us familiar with Church history know that the Ecumenical Council was called to put an end to the ongoing Christological debates of the time. While this was the main focus of the Council, like other councils before and after, it dealt with other pressing issues of the day. Canon 28 was no exception. It reads as follows: C4 The Word anon Following in every detail all the decrees of the holy Fa-

thers and knowing about the canon, just read, of the

one hundred and fi fty bishops dearly beloved of God,

gathered together under Theodosius the Great, em-

peror of pious memory in the imperial city of Constan-

tinople, New Rome, we ourselves have also decreed

and voted the same things about the prerogatives

of the very holy Church of this same Constantinople,

New Rome. The Fathers in fact have correctly attrib-

uted the prerogatives (which belong) to the see of the

most ancient Rome because it was the imperial city.

And thus moved by the same reasoning, the one hun-

dred and fi fty bishops beloved of God have accorded The issue of the proper interpretation of Can- Archimandrite equal prerogatives to the very holy see of New Rome, on 28 and its relationship to the so-called “disa- Kyril Jenner, Bishop ANTOUN, V Rev. pora” is crucial, not only to the Church in North justly considering that the city that is honored by the Chad Hatfi eld, America, but to the relationship of all Orthodox Metropolitan imperial power and the senate and enjoying (within the churches worldwide to each other, and to their wit- KALLISTOS (Ware), Metropolitan PHILIP, civil order) the prerogatives equal to those of Rome, ness to the world. As Patriarch ALEKSY of Russia has said: “The question of the Orthodox diaspora Bishop ILIA (Katre), the most ancient imperial city, ought to be as elevated is one of the most important problems in inter- V. Rev. John Behr, Rev. Stephen Platt as Old Rome in the affairs of the Church, being in the Orthodox relations. Given its complexity and the fact that it has not been suffi ciently regularized, second place after it. Consequently, the metropolitans it has introduced serious complications in[to] the and they alone of the dioceses of Pontus, Asia and relations between Churches and, without a doubt, has diminished the strength of Orthodox witness Metropolitan PHILIP Thrace, as well as the bishops among the barbarians with Bishop ILIA of the aforementioned dioceses, are to be ordained by

the previously mentioned very holy see of the very holy

Church of Constantinople; that is, each metropolitan of

the above-mentioned dioceses is to ordain the bishops

of the province along with the fellow bishops of that

province as has been provided for in the divine canons.

As for the metropolitans of the previously mentioned

dioceses, they are to be ordained, as has already been

said, by the archbishop of Constantinople, after har-

monious elections have taken place according to cus-

tom and after the archbishop has been notifi ed. 28 The Word 5 the whole idea today of “Rome,” “New Rome,” and “Third Rome” would be absurd. If we want to give prominence to any city in Christendom, we should give it to Jerusalem, where the history of salvation was accomplished. The second part of the Canon dealt with the Dioceses of Pontus, Asia and Thrace. Canon 28 gave Constantinople jurisdiction over the metropolitans of the barbarians and those three prov- inces or dioceses, which today are only Bulgaria, Northeastern Greece and Eu- ropean Turkey. We can also ask, Is this Canon deal- ing with a dogmatic issue or a pasto- ral administrative one? In my opinion it clearly deals with an administrative question. If Antioch or Alexandria had become the seat of imperial power, like- ly this Canon would have made either of them New Rome. If we were to follow the reasoning of Canon 28, in fact, then Russia could rightfully claim, as it did historically, to be the Third Rome, and the Church of Greece could have made the claim to be the Fourth Rome dur- ing the captivity of the Russian Church under Communism. throughout the contemporary world.” (For more Given the lack of a new Great Council, com- information on the historical background of Can- mon sense would dictate that, with the current The issue of the on 28, I recommend the book The Church of the proper interpretation Ancient Councils: The Disciplinary Work of captivity of the church in Constantinople (whose of Canon 28 and its indigenous fl ock totals just a few thousand), there the First Four Ecumenical Councils, by the late relationship to the is no reason for Canon 28 and it is no longer rel- so-called “disapora” Archbishop PETER L’Huillier, published in 1996 evant today. We do have a problem, however: we is crucial, not only to by St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.) have a responsibility to the past and the councils the Church in North It is my opinion that there are three types of of the past, but there is no Great Council to ad- America, but to the canons: 1) Dogmatic; 2) Contextual; and 3) “Dead” relationship of all dress this issue. We must therefore explore other canons. Canon 28 is by no means a “dead” canon, Orthodox churches solutions. worldwide to each since there is still great controversy over it today, While the Canon is not relevant to the ques- other, and to their and so many commentaries, both past and pres- tion of different “Romes,” it is profi table for us to witness to the world. ent, show how controversial it has been, to say look at its relevance today, especially to the subject the least. I believe that Canon 28, historically, is a of administrative organization in North America. contextual canon and not a dogmatic one; it gave We are well aware of the complex issues regard- the city of Constantinople certain rights as the ing the so-called “diaspora” and the desire of our New Rome for secular, political reasons because Orthodox people, especially in North America, to it was the seat of the emperor. At the same time, have an administratively united church. As you the Fourth Ecumenical Council considered (Old) must know, there are basically two interpretations Rome to be the fi rst among equals. What does of this Canon that extend back into history. Some this say to us today? Let us begin by stating that claim that this Canon implies that Constantinople

6 The Word has authority over all territories outside the geo- graphical limits of autocephalous churches. Those on the other side of the argument say that this interpretation is, in fact, misinterpreta- tion. Archbishop PETER in his book, The Church of the Ancient Councils, states that “such inter- pretation is completely fantastic.” For those hold- ing this view, any autocephalous church can do missionary work outside her boundaries and can grant autocephaly to such missions. Archbishop PAUL of Finland, in summarizing the position of the Orthodox churches, has stated in the reports submitted in 1990 to the Preparatory Commission for the Great and Holy Council that “the Patriarch- ates of Antioch, Moscow and Romania strongly oppose the authority of Constantinople over the diaspora and [maintain] that the theory remains an anachronism as far from the modern age as the year 451 of the Fourth Ecumenical Council is from the Twentieth Century.” Patriarch ALEKSY of Russia has stated that it was only in 1921 that Patriarach MELETIOS Met- thodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). I have sakis developed a theory of universal jurisdiction been a member of SCOBA since 1966. The misin- for Constantinople. “Historical facts indicate that terpretation of Canon 28 has not been helpful to until the 1920’s the Patriarch of Constantinople the work of SCOBA. In my opinion, SCOBA has did not in fact exercise authority over the whole four major defects. First, the representation of the of the Orthodox diaspora throughout the world, Orthodox Churches in SCOBA does not refl ect re- and made no claim to such authority.” The Rus- ality in North America. Neither the Moscow Patri- sian Orthodox Church responded in a letter to the archate nor the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Ecumenical Patriarchate regarding the case of of Russia (ROCOR) are represented in SCOBA, Bishop BASIL (Osborne) as follows: “With respect while the Ecumenical Patriarchate has four of the to Canon 28 of the Council of Chalcedon, it is vital nine seats. to recall that it concerns only certain provinces, Second, the insistence that the Exarch of the the boundaries of which represent the limits of the Patriarchate of Constantinople must be the Presi- authority of the Patriarch of Constantinople over dent of SCOBA is not what was agreed upon at the the bishops ‘of the barbarians.’” beginning. The constitution of SCOBA which has We see, then, that the notion that this Canon never been amended, provides that there shall be extends the authority of the throne of Constan- a rotating presidency. Subsequently, at the insis- tinople to all territories that are not part of one tence of the Antiochian Archdiocese, Archbishop or another local church is a novelty, and one not SPYRIDON and then Archbishop DEMETRIUS recognized by the Orthodox Church as a whole. were elected by the SCOBA members after the This misinterpretation of Canon 28 would extend retirement of the later Archbishop IAKOVOS of beyond territorial issues to such things as the thrice-blessed memory. claim that a representative of the Patriarchate of The third defect of SCOBA is that its decisions Constantinople should chair any Episcopal assem- are not internally binding. In the 1990 documents bly, anywhere in the world. This claim can extend before the Preparatory Commission for a Great down to local clergy groups, Pan-Orthodox asso- and Holy Council, in discussing the Western Eu- ciations and organizations, and so forth. ropean situation, some autocephalous churches In 1961, we in the United States and Canada suggested the formation of Episcopal Assemblies formed the Standing Conference of Canonical Or- whose decisions can be internally binding.

The Word 7 I would like to quote here again from the letter condemned ecclesiological ethno-phyletism as a from the Russian Orthodox Church to the Prepara- heresy in 1872. During our Archdiocese Conven- tory Commission. “The relations between jurisdic- tion last July in Montreal, Canada, I shared with tions and dioceses to the Mother Churches would my clergy and laity what I said on the subject to remain the same, but in all purely internal mat- my brother bishops at the Archdiocesan Synod ters, which would include education, teaching, the Meeting on May 31, 2007, and I summarize my diakonia, Orthodox witness, ecumenical relations thoughts in what follows. on the local level, pastoral practice, the Bishops’ Since 1966, I have lived with two obsessions: Assembly would serve in joint effort as one whole 1) The unity of our Archdiocese; and 2) Ortho- unit and autonomous in its relationship to the dox unity in North America. Where are we now mother church.” This Bishops’ Assembly, for ex- in regard to this latter unity? Unfortunately, the ample, would address non-canonical situations in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church in North North America such as the infringement of the Pa- America is now divided into more than fi fteen ju- Ctriarchate of Jerusalem in Northano America with the risdictions based on ethnicity, contrary to the de-n blessings of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. cisions of the Ecumenical Councils. Our canons A fourth problem with SCOBA, I clearly state that we cannot have more than one believe, is the assumption that we are bishop over the same territory, and one metropoli- a “disapora.” On the contrary: the only tan over the same metropolis. I regret to tell you way to move the cause of Orthodox that we Orthodox are violating this important unity forward in North America is to ecclesiological principle in North America, insist that we are not a “disaspora.” We South America, Europe and Australia. In New have been here two hundred years. The York, for example, we have more than ten Ortho- late Protopresbytr, John Meyendorff, dox bishops over the same city and the same ter- of blessed memory, states in an es- ritory. I can say the same thing about other cities say in his book A Vision of Unity that and territories in North America. diaspora is a biblical term and has a We are not alone; the same thing has hap- perfectly adequate equivalent – “dis- pened in Paris, France. There are six co-existing persion.” He says later in the same article: “There Orthodox Bishops with overlapping ecclesiologi- is no promised land any more except the heavenly cal jurisdictions. In my opinion and in the opinion Jerusalem.” of Orthodox canonists, this is ecclesiological eth- Most of the people in my Archdiocese have no no-phyletism. This is heretical. How can we con- intention of returning to their place of origin. This demn ethno-phyletism as a heresy in 1872 and is true even of new immigrants, let alone those of still practice the same thing in the twenty-fi rst the third or fourth generation. Our people are here century here in North America? When I lived in to stay, and we are indeed an indigenous church in Damascus, Syria, and Beirut, Lebanon, in the early North America. I believe that the Church in North 1950s, there were large Greek Orthodox and Rus- America is mature enough to take care of herself sian Orthodox communities there, but they were without any interference from the outside. Those not under the Archbishop of Athens or the Patri- who support an ethnocentric reading of Canon 28 archate of Moscow, but under the omophorions of and insist that unity on a national basis cannot be the Antiochian local bishops. Due to wars and so- discussed, then, are naïve and bury their heads in cial upheaval, we now have a large Lebanese com- the sand. While they may delight in holding lec- munity in Athens, Greece, and they are under the tures and conferences on the environment, the omophorion of the Archbishop of Athens. They do witness and mission of the church is ignored. not have a separate jurisdiction just because they The Orthodox principle is not to organize are Lebanese Orthodox. the church based on ethnicity, but, in the modern Archimandrite Gregorios Papathomas, a pro- world, upon the nation-state. Ironically enough, fessor of Canon Law and Dean of St. Sergius Theo- when ethnic ecclesiology began to fl ourish and logical Institute in Paris, France, wrote, “The defi n- prosper in the nineteenth century, it was the Pan- ing criterion of an ecclesiastical body has been its Orthodox Synod of Constantinople itself that location. It has never been nationality, race, culture,

8 The Word ritual or confession.” In First Corinthians (1:2) St. very diffi cult at this time. It would probably cause a Paul writes, “To the Church of God which is at division, or numerous divisions in the Church, and Corinth . . . ,” and again in Second Corinthians he this would be counter-productive. After all, if an writes, “To the Church of God which is at Corinth issue such as changing the calendar causes splits . . . .” He writes to the Galatians, “To the Church and division, imagine what would happen if we of Galacia . . .” (1:2). We learn from the Apostles were to discuss more serious issues. Fortunately and the Fathers that the church is one church, one or unfortunately, we no longer have the Byzantine and the same church, the body of Christ, found in emperor to enforce decisions that such a council Antioch, Jerusalem, Alexandria, Constantinople, might make. Greece, Rome, Russia, and so forth. Based on all As an alternative, I propose the formation of this, it is simply wrong to call the church Rus- of an inter-Orthodox commission, located some sian or Greek or American, because the church, place like Geneva, Switzerland, on which each in essence, transcends nationalism, race and cul- autocephalous church and each self-ruled church n ture. Here in28 North America we distort Orthodox would have a permanent representative. To this ecclesiology by our ethnic jurisdictions. commission they would bring issues and problems The twenty-fi rst century has dawned upon us. to be discussed on behalf of the mother churches, What, then, is to be our response to the challenge and they would deal with specifi c Orthodox prob- of Orthodox unity in North America? SCOBA was lems throughout the world. The decisions of the established in 1961; some of its founders were the commission would be submitted to all mother late Archbishop IAKOVOS and the late Metropoli- churches for action. tan ANTONY Bashir. May their souls rest in peace. With all the obstacles we face, have we Under “Objectives” in Paragraph I, Section C, the reached a dead end? No, with the All-Holy Spirit original constitution of SCOBA, adopted January working in the Church, there are no dead ends. 24, 1961, states that “the purpose of the confer- I am sure that thousands of Orthodox clergy and ence is the consideration and resolution of com- hundreds of thousands of Orthodox laity in North mon ecclesiastical problems, the coordination of America are deeply committed to Orthodox unity. efforts in matters of common concern to Ortho- We Orthodox must put our house in order, if we doxy, and the strengthening of Orthodox unity.” want to have a serious Orthodox mission in North Last year, between October 3 and 6, SCOBA in- America. This unity will begin with our clergy and vited all canonical Orthodox Bishops to meet in laity, on the local level. My generation is slowly, but Chicago, Illinois, to discuss common Orthodox surely, fading away. It is up to you and our younger problems. The communiqué issued on October generation to carry the torch and to make the light 5, 2006, did not mention a word about Orthodox of a unifi ed Orthodoxy shine on this continent and unity in America. everywhere. Again in November, 2006, a meeting of Inter- Metropolitan PHILIP’s talk was part of the Conference of Orthodox priests met in Brookline, Massachusetts. the Fellowship of St. Alban and St. Sergius, held at A draft statement dated January 22, 2007, was St. Vladimir’s Seminary, June 4-8, 2008. circulated and not a word about Orthodox unity in North America was mentioned. I am convinced The Great Doxologies in the Eight Modes that serious attempts are being made, by some hierarchs in North America and abroad, to sweep We are pleased to announce the release of The Great Dox- the whole question of Orthodox unity, in this hemi- ologies in the Eight Modes on audio CD, chanted in English sphere, under the rug. After the Brookline encoun- by the world-renowned Mount Lebanon Choir. Beautifully chanted in the Byzantine style used on the Holy Mountain ter, one of my Antiochian clergy wrote to me the (Mt. Athos), it is suitable both for personal enjoyment and following: “Two of the Greek priests gave very for teaching. The chanters’ voices are of fi ne professional strong talks on unity. We did decide, however, that quality, and the chant itself is clear and crisply defi ned, for uplifting given the landscape, we would use the word ‘co- listening and for choral instruction. Length: 57’ 08” operation’ and not ‘unity’ in our printed records.” This statement, my friends, speaks for itself. For more information, visit www.kelfar.net/orthodoxiaradio or email I believe that an Ecumenical Council would be Subdeacon Karim El-Far [email protected]

The Word 9 Metropolitan PHILIP hosts Antiochian Seminarians for Dinner On Thursday, November 13, 2008, His Emi- New Jersey, has for 42 years helped seminarians nence, Metropolitan PHILIP, hosted the Antio- connect with their father in Christ and, at the chian Seminarians and their spouses for the an- same time, introduced them to the Archdiocesan nual Seminarian Dinner. This event, held each Fall Chancery and staff in Englewood. This year’s din- at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Englewood, ner will familiarize these future priests with the

The Word 10

10 The Word work and function of the Archdiocese that most requirements. In addition to His Eminence and will spend serving for the rest of their lives. the seminarians, His Grace, Bishop ANTOUN and This year we were blessed to have 32 semi- the various Archdiocesan clergy who work with narians (20 of whom are married) among the and teach our students at the three seminaries 60 people in attendance. They came from three and the Antiochian House of Studies also attend- Orthodox seminaries: St. Vladimir in Crestwood, ed the dinner. New York; St. Tikhon in South Canaan, Pennsyl- The evening began with the Vesper Service vania; and Holy Cross in Brookline, Massachu- for St. Philip the Apostle (the patron saint of His setts. Most of these seminarians are studying with Eminence). After Vespers, everyone proceeded to full scholarships from the Archdiocese, as have the large dining room for a delightful dinner and hundreds of their predecessors over the past 42 dessert. His Eminence addressed the seminarians years. Scholarships are granted to qualifi ed semi- and their spouses, especially on matters of pasto- narians who have met the archdiocesan eligibility ral care for the faithful. He emphasized the need

The Word 11 to remain true to Orthodox Tradition while being ropolitan explained to them the reasoning behind mindful of the culture that we live in. He empha- the new policy of having to spend a minimum of sized also that our faith must touch the lives of fi ve years in a parish before one can apply for people in a positive way, and that the wives of seminary. our priests also have an important ministry in this Along with imparting words of wisdom for regard. With that in mind, he spoke to specifi c their future ministries, the Metropolitan also in- issues of concern for these young men as they formed them about the recent visit to America of prepare for their ministry in the Church. These His Beatitude, IGNATIUS IV, Patriarch of Antioch included such things as proper dress for clergy and all the East, and the Patriarch’s great achieve- in our Archdiocese, conducting themselves prop- ment in founding the University of Balamand in erly both inside and outside the parish, the im- North Lebanon. Afterwards a cake was served portance of proper Antiochian liturgical practice and attendees heard Fr. Elias Bitar’s chanting of and uniformity with the Archdiocese, and obeying the Polychonion (Many years) to Sayidna PHILIP the directives and edicts of the Metropolitan. He in honor of his name’s day. Then the seminar- then told the seminarians that a new and updated ians were allowed to address their questions and Priest’s Guide to be published next year will ad- concerns to the Metropolitan and engaged in a dress all of these issues in detail. He emphasized wonderful dialogue with him. At the end of the that this one priest guide will be for all the clergy evening, His Eminence met privately with the se- of the Archdiocese. Since many of these pastoral niors so that they could discuss their future in the and practical ideals are internalized in the local Archdiocese after graduation next spring. parish even before one gets to seminary, the Met-

12 The Word S tart the new year with an old idea.

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The Word 13 Fr. David Alexander, U.S. Navy Chaplain

I fi rst met Fr. David Alexander during a clergy Our families are both from the Northeast Phila- symposium this past summer. Someone point- delphia area. My parents were college professors, ed him out to me as a Navy chaplain across the and my wife’s family was in full-time ministry in Antiochian Village dining hall. As I was a retired the Episcopal Church, where her father was a Naval Offi cer, I made it a point to seek him out. priest. I also grew up in a fairly religious family, We spent several hours together, beginning a new and when I was in high school I was very active friendship. At the time Fr. David was a newly or- in both my youth group and in Junior ROTC. Be- dained deacon. I learned during the course of our cause of the love that this developed in me for conversations that he had a story of conversion to both the Church and the military, I thought when the Orthodox faith with many similarities to my coming out of high school that being a military own. By the end of the symposium I had invited chaplain would be the best job imaginable. then Deacon David to serve with me at the Divine To pursue this dream, I enlisted in the military Liturgy at St. Michael Orthodox Church, Mones- immediately after high school. I was soon placed sen, Pennsylvania (which he did) and Fr. David in the Reserves to work on my college degree, and had invited me to attend his priestly ordination when I graduated I was commissioned as an offi cer the following weekend with Bishop THOMAS at and accepted into the “Chaplain Candidate Pro- the Village (which I did). I thought, and our editor gram.” This program allows young offi cers to at- Archimandrite John Abdalah agreed, that it would tend seminary and enroll in internships at military be good to introduce the faithful to an Antiochian base chapels across the country in preparation for Orthodox military chaplain. Perhaps many of you becoming chaplains. While in this program I com- weren’t aware that there is such a person! I will let pleted a Master of Arts degree in World Religions Fr. David tell his story in his own words. and a Master of Divinity degree. I also completed Fr. Fred Pfeil, Pastor of St. Michael, Mones- a year-long pastoral care and counseling (CPE) san, Pennsylvania residency at a hospital with a large, urban emer- gency department as well as a psychiatric My name is Fr. David Alexander, and I am center. I ended my time in the Chap- a chaplain in the United States Navy. I am a lain Candidate Program in 2004, was priest of the Antiochian Orthodox Church ordained as an Episcopal priest at the and a Board Certifi ed Chaplain (Association end of that year, and went directly into of Professional Chaplains). My wife’s name the Chaplain Corps. is Maria; she is a nurse by profession and is I was given orders to report about fi ve months pregnant with our to Kodiak, on Kodiak island fi rst child. I am serving as an as- in Alaska, as the staff chap- sistant to Fr. Joseph Allen at St. lain to the Integrated Sup- Anthony’s Orthodox Church in port Command there. For Bergenfi eld, New Jersey, and the next three and a half I am also a full-time stu- years I served on the is- dent, pursuing a Mas- land and across Alaska. ter of Theology As well as conducting (MTh) degree services on Sundays and at St. Vladi- presiding over religious mir’s Semi- and military ceremonies, I nary. traveled to 12 isolated units during the year, deployed aboard our three ships and three different types of aircraft to provide spiritual support and assist in emergencies, and kept weekly offi ce hours for counseling and crisis intervention. I also taught suicide prevention and intervened in sexual assault and domestic/work- place violence cases, served as the moral and ethi- cal advisor to the commanders of our units, and taught moral leadership development to rising petty offi cers. My time in Kodiak marked my road to Ortho- doxy, from beginning to end. Prior to our meet- ing, my wife had attended an Orthodox Church for four years during college in Wheaton, Illinois, and she suggested that I investigate the Orthodox Church with an open mind while in Alaska. While in Alaska I found myself more and more at odds with the Episcopal Church, and was drawn into a relationship with Fr. Chad Hatfi eld, a convert to Orthodoxy from the Episcopal Church. At the time Fr. Chad was Dean of St. Herman’s Seminary in Kodiak. After experiencing some of the cycle of services at the chapel there, and auditing a class, Fr. Chad told me about the Doctor of Min- istry (D.Min.) program at Pittsburgh Seminary that was largely taught by Orthodox faculty at the Antiochian Village in Pennsylvania. As the Navy Chief of Chaplains had been encouraging us to continue our education, I entered this program in the summer of 2006. It was there that I met Fr. Joseph Allen, the di- study for a year at seminary. He also suggested rector of the program, who has since become my that I write a letter to His Eminence, Metropolitan spiritual father and my greatest teacher in the Or- PHILIP, asking whether it might be possible for thodox faith. As I went through the reading and me to convert in that time and return to active coursework of the D.Min. program, and contin- duty as a chaplain. ued to attend services in Kodiak and elsewhere in In short, this is exactly what I did, and after a fa- Alaska, I continued to be drawn into Orthodoxy. I vorable reply from His Eminence this became my discovered some of the fullness of Orthodox tradi- plan. I left active duty in May, 2008, and moved to tion and teaching, discovered the beauty that is Yonkers to prepare for my studies and to become experienced through all the senses in worship, active at St. Anthony’s under Fr. Joseph. I was and found great joy among so many of the faithful ordained to the Holy Diaconate on July 6th, and Orthodox Christians who were our neighbors. to the Holy Priesthood on August 29th. I received But how was I to make a transition to Orthodoxy my new endorsement for military chaplaincy from as an active-duty chaplain? While attending a ses- Sayidna PHILIP on September 16th. sion at Antiochian Village, Fr. Joseph took me to We hope to return to active duty this May, one speak with His Grace, Bishop THOMAS to ask for year after leaving. direction. (It was Bishop THOMAS who was later Fr. David is now serving as assistant to Fr. Joseph Allen to ordain me to the holy priesthood right there at St. Anthony Orthodox Church, Bergenfi eld, New Jersey, at Sts. Peter and Paul Chapel.) After hearing my while he fi nishes his studies at St. Vladimir Seminary. He expects to return to active duty in the Navy as an Ortho- full situation, Sayidna THOMAS suggested that I dox chaplain this summer and is waiting to hear from the apply for a sabbatical from the Navy, in order to Navy where he will be assigned.

The Word 15 Archdiocesan Offi ce

ORDAINED NERRAU, Sub-deacon Christopher, to the diaconate by Bishop ANTOUN at St. George Cathedral, Worcester, Massachusetts, on 56th Annual Diocese of Ottawa, Eastern Canada, November 22, and to the holy priesthood on November 23, 2008. and Upstate New York He is assigned to the pastorate of the Church of St. Stephen in Springfi eld, Massachusetts. Parish Life Conference DeVOIE, Sub-deacon Kenneth, to the diaconate by Bishop AN- June 25–28, 2009 TOUN at St. George Cathedral, Worcester, Massachusetts, on November 21, and the holy priesthood on November 22, 2008. Hosted by He is assigned to the pastorate of Emmanuel Church in Warren, St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church Massachusetts. 1073 Saunders Settlement Rd, Niagara Falls, NY MACKOUL, Sub-deacon James, to the diaconate on November 14305 23rd by Bishop ANTOUN at St. George Cathedral, Worcester, Mas- Phone and Fax (716) 297-2668 sachusetts. He is attached to the Church of St. John of Damascus, e-mail: [email protected] Dedham, Massachusetts, while he completes his seminary stud- www.st-george.squarespace.com ies. ALKHAS, Sub-deacon Ephraim, to the diaconate by Bishop ALEX- Crowne Plaza Hotel, Niagara Falls ANDER at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Brooklyn, New York, on Decem- 300 Third Street, Niagara Falls, NY 14303 ber 7, 2008. He is attached to the Church of St. John the Baptist, Hotel Front Desk: 1-716-285-3361 Levittown, New York, while he completes his seminary studies. Reservations can be made by logging onto www. BALLARD, Sub-deacon John, to the diaconate by Metropolitan crownplaza.com/niagarafalls or 1-800-2CROWN PHILIP at St. Nicholas Church, Bridgeport, Connecticut, on De- Guests will need to refer to “St. George Antiochian cember 7, 2008. He is attached to St. Nicholas, Bridgeport, while Orthodox Church” or use the three letter reference code he completes his seminary studies. “STG”. OLSON, Deacon Paul, to the priesthood by Bishop JOSEPH at Room rate is $139.00 (U.S.) St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, California, on December 7, 2008. St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church will host the 56th NAJIM, Subdeacon Maxime, to the diaconate by Bishop JOSEPH Annual Parish Life Conference. Please join us in this event in at St. Nicholas Cathedral, Los Angeles, California, on December 7, the presence of his Grace, Bishop Alexander. The registration 2008. He is assigned to that parish. form and the souvenir journal form are available on our Web RECEIVED site. The souvenir journal, to be published and distributed, will The parishes of St. Stephen Orthodox Church (Western Rite) in contain a schedule of events and include greetings from the Springfi eld, Massachusetts, and Emmanuel Orthodox Church Archdiocese, the Diocese of Ottawa, Parish members, donors (Western Rite) in Warren, Massachusetts, as of November 23, and sponsors. We thank you for your generosity. Kindly return 2008. the forms before April 6, 2009. Donations to The WORD St. Peter Orthodox Church invites you to September Kathy Wooster $20 The 2009 Diocese of Miami and the David C. Saliba $150 Southeast Parish Life Conference October Anonymous $200 June 10-14, 2009 • Jackson, Mississippi Laila J. Abud $50 In memory of Kh. Joanne Abdalah Be mindful, O Lord, of George N. Jabbour $100 those who bear fruit and Sami S. Azar $100 do good works in thy Samir N. Shamiyeh $80 holy Churches, and who November remember the poor. Timothy E. Swaty $100 Anaphora of Sts John Chrysostom and Basil the Great Rev. Fr. Alister Anderson $50 Mr. and Mrs. Elie Khoury $25 Host Hotel is Hilton Jackson Mr. Philip Haddad $250 1001 East County Line Road St. George Church, New Kensington, Pennsylvania $200 In Honor of the Elevation of Fr. John Abdalah For more information, please visit our website at Dr. Raymond Rishwain $500 http://www.stpeterorthodox.org/ or contact us at [email protected] Department of Youth Ministries Where Do You Stand?

For three years the teens of the Antiochian Chastity and purity of heart are about an entire vi- Archdiocese have formally given their prayers, sion and understanding of life, in which we strive time, talent and voices to stand up for Orthodox to become more and more like God in everything. Church teaching on the sacred gift of life. Previ- Today, and for about the last 40 years, society has ously, many of our Orthodox Christian teens wit- fl aunted immorality and even promotes sexually nessed as individuals to these truths in their living immoral living as the acceptable way of life in of the Gospel. They have been and are still com- the media. In fi lm, TV and music, ridicule is of- mitted to conveying to others the understanding ten heaped on young people who subscribe to a that life begins at conception and continues into chaste and pure life. eternity. The members of Teen SOYO have dedi- As the Church, and especially as the adults cated themselves specifi cally to witness before of the Church, we ought to encourage our young the world to the value of life by observing the Sa- men and women (and our older ones as well) to cred Gift of Life Sunday in January, the Sunday set their lives apart for God. These are our goals: closest to the anniversary of the disastrous Su- to wait for things that God would desire us to wait preme Court decision of Roe v. Wade that legal- for, until they are done with the blessing from ized abortion. But for our faithful young men and God through the sacrament of marriage; and to women this isn’t enough. show patience with all things in life and see our Last summer, at the meetings of the North reward in God’s own time, as the righteous be- American Council of Teen SOYO, our teens de- lievers have always done. As adults, we ought to cided to go a step further. They recognize that model the Christian life as did the saints before the issue we face with unwanted pregnancy is us. We ought to be pure and chaste in our own symptomatic of a greater problem – the lack of lives and to pray for our young men and women purity, chastity and holiness in our society. In who are constantly bombarded by assaults of the fact, a recent study by researchers at the Rand devil through a variety of cultural infl uences. Corporation concluded that teenagers who watch Young men and women in the Church, espe- television shows that contain sexual content are cially within the leadership of Teen SOYO, have a twice as likely to be involved in teenage pregnan- good sense of what is right. They know what is cies. Did we really need a study to confi rm what pleasing to God. They need some assurance from most of us already knew? Even our teens had this us – the ones who have already traveled that road concept well within their grasp, before any study – that a moral and upright life will be pleasing to results, when they took the initiative this summer them as well, and be acknowledged and reward- to focus on educating others about the godliness ed in due time by God Himself. Let us stand up of living a virginal life until marriage. alongside the teens of our parishes and proclaim St. Ephraim the Syrian writes, “Every man the truth about chastity and who loves purity and chastity becomes the temple purity. Let us witness to the of God.” It is the prayer, wish and dream of our Gospel of Jesus Christ to young people that all of us would strive to become our communities and the temples of the living God. It should be understood world. Let us protect all life that traits such as purity and chastity are quality – the young, the old and es- attributes and ought to be held in high regard. pecially the unborn.

Fr Anthony Yazge, Spiritual Advisor, North American Council The Word 17 Department of Youth Ministries

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Please go to www.antiochian.org/Festivals for additional information on the Oratorical Festival.

18 The Word Department of Youth Ministries

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Complete topics, rules, and recommended reading list is available online at: http://www.antiochian.org/festivals

The Festivals are hosted by the Fellowship of St. John the Divine. Printed by the Department of Youth Ministry. The Word 19 Department of Youth Ministries

Contributions to the Metropolitan PHILIP Scholarship Fund at the University of Balamand

PARISHES NJ SOSOUTHUTH PLAINFIELD - SSTT SSTEPHENSTEPHENS 500.00 AK EAGLE RIVER - ST. JOHN 1 1,000.00,000.00 NY BROOKLYNBROOKLYN - SST.T. MARY 375.00 AL CALGARY - CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATON 500.0 500.000 NY BROOKLYN - ST. NICHOLAS 1,500.00 AR SPRINGDALE - ST. NICHOLAS 50 50.00.00 NY GENEVAGENEVA - SST.T. MIMICHAELCHAEL 500.00 AZ PHOENIX - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 NS HALIFAX - ST. ANTONIOS 1,000.00 BC NEW WESTMINSTER - ST. JOSEPH 500.00 OH AKRON - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 CA BEN LOMAND - STS PETER & PAUL 359.00 OH NORTH ROYALTON - ST. MATTHEW 500.00 CA GARDEN GROVE - ST. LUKE 1,000.00 OH SYLVANIA - ST. ELIAS 1,000.00 CA GOLETA - ST. ATHANASIUS 500.00 OH TOLEDO - ST. GEORGE 800.00 CA IRVINE - ST. MARK 1,000.00 OK STILLWATER - ST. JAMES 100.00 CA LOS ALTOS - CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER 1,000.00 ON OTTAWA - ST. ELIAS 1,500.00 CA LOS ANGELES - ST NICHOLAS 1,500.00 ON ST. CATHERINES - ST. IGNATIUS 200.00 CA RIVERSIDE - ST. ANDREW 500.00 OR PORTLAND - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 CA SUISUN CITY - ST. TIMOTHY 500.00 QC MONTREAL - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 CA TORRANCE - ST. MATTHEW 100.00 QC MONTREAL - ST NICHOLAS 1,000.00 CA VAN NUYS - ST. MICHAEL 1,000.00 PA BRIDGEVILLE - ST. GEORGE 300.00 CT DANBURY - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 PA BROWNSVILLE - ST. ELLIEN 100.00 CO DENVER - ST. MARK 500.00 PA CHAMBERSBURG - ST. MARY 300.00 CO LAFAYETTE - ST. LUKE 500.00 PA FRAZER - HOLY ASCENSION 200.00 CO LOUISVILLE - ST. JOHN 100.00 PA GREENSBURG - ST. MICHAEL 1,000.00 FL DAVIES - ST. PHILIP 1,000.00 PA MONESSEN - ST. MICHAEL 100.00 FL EUSTIS - ST. ANDREW 500.00 PA NEW KENSINGTON - ST. GEORGE 500.00 FL JACKSONVILLE - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 PA PITTSBURGH - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 FL NAPLES - ST. PAUL 1,000.00 PA SOUDERTON - ST. PHILIP 1,000.00 FL MIAMI - SHRINE OF REGLA 50.00 PA WILKES-BARRE - ST. MARY 500.00 FL PINELLAS PARK - ST. NICHOLAS 500.00 PA YORK - ST. JOHN 500.00 GA HIRAM - ST. STEPHENS 500.00 RI PAWTUCKET - ST. MARY 500.00 IA CEDAR RAPIDS - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 TN MEMPHIS - ST. JOHN 1,000.00 ID POST FALLS - ST. JOHN 100.00 TX DALLAS - STS CONSTANTINE & HELEN 500.00 IL ALSIP - VIRGIN MARY 250.00 TX EL PASO - ST. GEORGE 500.00 IL CHICAGO - ALL SAINTS 200.00 TX HOUSTON - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 IL CICERO - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 TX HOUSTON - ST. JOSEPH 1000 IL SPRING VALLEY - ST. GEORGE 250.00 500.00 IN BLOOMINGTON - ALL SAINTS 120.00 TX SPRING - ST. ANTHONY 500.00 IN INDIANAPOLIS - ST. GEORGE 1,250.00 UT SALT LAKE CITY - SS PETER & PAUL 750.00 IN FORT WAYNE - ST. JOHN 500.00 WA ARLINGTON - ST. ANDREW 1,000.00 KS WICHITA - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 WA YAKIMA - HOLY CROSS 40.00 LA METAIRIE - ST BASIL 500.00 WI MONANA - ST. IGNATIUS 750.00 MA BOSTON - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 WV CHARLESTON - ST. GEORGE 1,500.00 MA DEDHAM - ST. JOHN 1,500.00 62,455.00 MA LOWELL - ST. GEORGE 500.00 MA WORCESTER - ST. GEORGE 2,500.00 INDIVIDUALS MD HUNT VALLEY - ST. MARY 250.00 MARIAN DEEB 1,000.00 MI KENTWOOD - ST. NICHOLAS 311.00 FR. PAUL TARAZI 1,000.00 MI LIVONIA - ST. MARY 500.00 FR. GEORGE SHALHOUB 500.00 MI WILLIAMSTON - ST. JAMES 50.00 MICHAEL K ATALLAH 200.00 MN WEST SAINT PAUL - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 CAROLYN SAAD 200.00 MS MADISON - ST.PETER 500.00 2,900.00 NJ BERGENFIELD - ST. ANTHONY 1,000.00 NEW ENGLAND DEANERY CLERGY 500.00 NJ LITTLE FALLS - ST. GEORGE 1,000.00 TOTAL RECEIVED 65,855.00

20 The Word Oratorical Festival Annie Bashara Diocese of Toledo and the Midwest

What is the importance of marriage? I, being a roles don’t matter, but despite our roles, we all have the teenager, have to admit that I have limited knowledge same goal as Christians: being one with Christ! As said on this topic. However, in my research I came across in St. Paul’s letter to the church at Ephasis, these gifts an analogy that helped clear up my confusion. This were given to us for the building up of Christ’s body on example of marriage was two conjoined bubbles. When earth. An example of this is that our Orthodox theology two bubbles are conjoined they don’t destroy each teaches us that when two people are united through other; instead they change their form to accommodate marriage, they not only become one with each other, the other. Overall, the joining face between the two they become one with Christ. bubbles is one that is equally respectful and supportive Refl ecting on marriage, St. Tertullian explained of the other so that the two are in harmony. Yet, in our that when married Christian couples are two in one society, we are taught that we are more separate than fl esh, they are one beautiful spirit. They pray to- we are united. For example, disputes about the roles of gether, they worship together, and they fast together, men and women. The truth is that these roles, as deter- they instruct one another, encourage one another, and mined by society, completely contradict what our faith strengthen one another. tells us as Orthodox Christians. Through the bond of marriage, the goal of a uni- As I take a glance around our world in 2008, there fi ed Christian couple is to work together to achieve the are a few things that stand out to me. Setting global Kingdom of Heaven. It is true that men and women warming and gas prices aside, I notice that our me- still are physically different, but in God’s eyes, they dia has the same message wrapped around everything are equal. In marriage, man and woman complete each presented to us. This message is personal satisfaction. other to reveal Christ, because, as is said in Matthew, As a Christian, I fi nd this message hard to swallow. We the two become one. During the exchange of rings at are called to a much higher standard. A standard that the Wedding service, the couple remembers that the insists on living our lives not only for our salvation, but weaknesses of one partner are compensated by the for the salvation of others. As Joshua Harris explained strengths of the other and that together they are made in his book, I Kissed Dating Goodbye, “God came to perfect. free us from the hopelessness of living for ourselves.” Growing up, my mother ensured that my sister It is for this reason that God gave us the wonderful and I were raised in the Church. Although my mother sacrament of marriage. St. Basil the Great said, “If I has taught the two of us many valuable things, having live alone, whose feet shall I wash?” As Christians, it is the Orthodox faith in my life has proven by far to be the impossible for us to fi nd salvation on our own. most important to me. Through our faith, we are given Traditionally, men have always been portrayed so many beautiful opportunities. We are able to love as strong, the bread winner, and the top career achiev- each other, to become one with those around us, and to ers, while the emphasis with women is on their looks, become one with Christ. and their ability to care for their homes. Even in the Through listening to my mother’s important les- Church, we see role-specifi c duties for men and wom- sons, I have learned that marriage is not only the prep- en, where men serve at the altar while women primarily aration, but the realization of the kingdom of heaven teach Sunday school. Today, there have been several on earth. St. Clement of Alexandria said, “Marriage is arguments claiming that these roles are sexist, and more than human. It is a little church in a miniature scream for changes to be made. As individuals, we kingdom, which is the little house of the Lord.” Through have all been given gifts from God despite our gender. the bond of marriage we realize that this same idea is When we envy the roles of others, we miss out on our constantly occurring, that many things become one. own gifts that we have to share. It is not that gender In marriage, there are two bodies becoming one body,

The Word 21 two minds becoming one mind, and two wills becoming to each other, but it is now one face being intimately one will. When I pondered this concept, I realized that shared. The bubbles are in fact two in one fl esh, be- there is much more going on beneath the surface. God cause they still are two separate bubbles, but they func- shares the same bond of being one as we do, because tion as one. To society, men and women are two com- he is also one as the Trinity. This leads me to recognize pletely different beings. We as Christians know better. God’s endless compassion for us because he wants us Whether we are male or whether we are female does to be one with him. When we as Christians engage in not change our goal in life: being one with Christ! marriage, we are entering this unbelievable union with God. St. John Chrysostom explained, “When husband Annie Bashara, 16, is a member of and wife are united in marriage, they no longer seem St. Mary Basilica, Livonia, MI. like something earthly but rather like the image of God himself.” We must remember that God did not create us by demand as he did the trees and the animals. He cre- ated us for a greater purpose; we were made in his own image and likeness by special design. The crowns at DAILY devotions JANUARY 2009 the wedding service are a symbol of martyrdom. As we hymn in the service, “Ye Holy Martyrs who have fought V. REV. GEORGE ALBERTS the good fi ght and have received crowns of glory.” In JANUARY 2009 the community of marriage, the way we choose to live 1. COLOSSIANS 2:8-12; LUKE 2:20-21, 40-52 in his image is to die to our own satisfaction and live 2. HEBREWS 7:18-25; MARK 12:1-12 for the satisfaction of the other. God gave us the won- 3. 1 TIMOTHY 3:14-5:5; MATTHEW 3:1-11 derful gift of marriage so we can be one with him and 4. 2 TIMOTHY 4:5-8; MARK 1:1-8 5. 1 CORINTHIANS 9:19-27; LUKE 3:1-18 (FAST) learn from his perfect love regardless if we are male 6. TITUS 2:11-14, 3:4-7; MATTHEW 3:13-17 or female. 7. ACTS 19:1-8; JOHN 1:29-34 (FAST) When my mother unexpectedly passed away in 8. HEBREWS 10:35-11:7; LUKE 21:28-33 February of cancer, I thought my life would forever be 9. HEBREWS 11:8, 11-16; LUKE 21:37-22:8 incomplete. What I didn’t realize is that I was worry- (FAST) 10. EPHESIANS 6:10-17; MATTHEW 4:1-11 ing too much about my own personal satisfaction – my 11. EPHESIANS 4:7-13; MATTHEW 4:12-17 mother always being with me – to notice that every- 12. HEBREWS 11:17-23, 27-321; MARK 8:11-21 thing I need in life, my mother had already given me. 13. HEBREWS 12:25-26; 13:22-25; By using the faith that my mother has instilled in me, MARK 8:22-26 I have learned that there are so many more opportuni- 14. HEBREWS 7:26-8:2; JOHN 10:9-16 (FAST) ties for me, to lay aside my own personal satisfaction 15. JAMES 1:19-27; MARK 9:10-16 16. JAMES 2:1-13; MARK 9:33-41 (FAST) with the help of God and work towards building up the 17. HEBREWS 13:17-21; LUKE 6:17-23 satisfaction of others. Fr. Peter Jon Gilquist was one 18. HEBREWS 13:7-16; LUKE 17:12-19 of my mother’s all time favorite musicians. In one of 19. JAMES 2:14-26; MARK 9:42-10:1 his songs, titled Always Standing By, in which he talks 20. HEBREWS 13:17-21; LUKE 6:17-23 about his marriage with his wife and with Christ, he 21. JAMES 3:11-4:6; MARK 10:11-16 (FAST) 22. JAMES 4:7-5:9; MARK 10:17-27 says, “It’s a mystery to me how the two become one 23. 1 PETER 1:1-2, 10-12, 2:6-10; and the one became three, it’s a mystery to me how MARK 10:23-32 (FAST) love can last for eternity.” To me, this quote perfectly 24. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14-23; LUKE 16:10-15 depicts our goals as male and female in the image of 25. HEBREWS 7:26-8:2; LUKE 19:1-10 Christ to ultimately, through our relationships with 26. JAMES 2:14-26; MARK 10:46-52 others, be united eternally with God in heaven. 27. JAMES 3:1-10; MARK 11:11-23 28. JAMES 3:11-4:6; MARK 11:23-26 (FAST) As Christians living in the world today, it is critical 29. JAMES 4:7-5:9; MARK 11:27-33 that we lay aside our own need for personal satisfaction 30. HEBREWS 13:7-16; MATTHEW 5:14-19 (FAST) and give our attention to those around us. It is through 31. 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14-23; LUKE 17:3-10 our relationships – marriage for example – that we ultimately fi nd Christ. As the two bubbles stuck on each other share a conjoining side, it isn’t just two faces next

22 The Word Communities in action St. Paul Antiochian ship … from the Orthodox Church, ❖ St. Ignatius Meeting at the Hil- World Trade Naples, Florida, ton Hotel Center. I was ❖ Saturday evening: Cocktails, so grateful to 12th Annual Founders’ Dinner and Program at Wyn- the Lord that Weekend, demere Country Club he was home February 20–22, 2009 ❖ Sunday: Hierarchical Divine that Tuesday Liturgy at St. Paul with his fam- Everyone loves to come south ❖ Brunch to follow Liturgy at ily in Mount during the month of February Wyndemere Country Club Pocono, Penn- — and especially to Naples! If A special request to all who sylvania. you haven’t already made a res- are thinking of coming but have Nonethe- ervation for the St. Paul Found- not reserved: please send us a less, tragedy ers’ Weekend, and would like message so that you will receive did hit home to join us, please reserve soon. an invitation with reply cards – literally: we Hotel rates as well as the airline and meal choices. There is also lost a friend, tickets go up each week during a Souvenir Journal being pre- the son of a high season. pared. Messages of congratula- dear parishio- This is a special weekend for tions are welcome. A form will ner of my fa- St. Paul as we are celebrating be sent upon request. Please ther’s church several important happenings contact me and I will be happy in Orlando, Florida. I remem- — both Metropolitan PHILIP to answer any questions. ber throughout the day that my father (Fr. John Hamatie) had and Bishop ANTOUN will be E. David Thomas, D.O. spoken to me over the phone with us; we celebrate the 50th [email protected] anniversary of the ordination of at least a few times, asking me our pastor, the Very Rev. Joseph to say a special prayer for our Praying with Strangers at Shaheen, to the holy priest- good and dear friends, Bob & hood; we burn the mortgage on Ground Zero Claudia Horohoe. They had our beautiful new Church; we grown very afraid that their son rejoice in the 12th anniversary To many people in our great Robert was in one of the towers of our founding here in Naples; nation, September 11th is a date that had been struck. Sadly, we and the Governing Council of that will always be in our hearts learned that evening that he was the Order of St. Ignatius will and in our minds. This past Sep- missing. Later we heard that he meet here. What more could tember 11th was the fi rst time was called to be with the Lord. one ask? that I actually was able to be in As appreciative as I was that my The schedule for the weekend New York during the annual me- Uncle Ken wasn’t in New York is as follows: morial. I, like many, will never that morning, I was very sad- ❖ Friday evening there will be ever forget where I was and what dened that our friend Robert an informal soiree and casual thoughts ran through my mind had been killed. dinner with a little dancing at during that horrifi c morning. This year on September 11th I Wyndemere Country Club — I remember the very fi rst per- had wakened very early to try to for everyone! No formality son I called was my Uncle Ken attend the memorial events or at — just fun, food and fellow- Khouri, who worked just blocks least watch them. I arrived ear-

The Word 23 lier then most to the memorial invited to the Governor’s lun- ther had founded St. George site and was surprised by the cheon, and then I was asked if I Church in Wilkes-Barre, Penn- warm welcome that I was given. wanted to meet Senators McCa- sylvania. (Father George secured A very nice lady invited me from in and Obama. I was honored to the Charleston church, now a the crowd of onlookers to sit in meet them both, and to briefl y Cathedral, its fi rst building.) the “families only” section. The speak with them. I mentioned Bishop (now Saint) Raphael emotions of those reading the that I felt it was important (I Hawaweeny visited Charleston names of the dead was a little said this to both Senators at from January 30 to February 6, overwhelming; I began to feel practically the same time) that 1914, and on Sunday, February the pain deeply for all those both, as Christians, should not 2, he baptized baby Angeline.1 who lost loved ones. Without forget the minority of Christians Since then she has been blessed realizing it, I literally walked up in the Middle East, particularly in many other ways. to random people and took their those who suffer greatly in Iraq. In 1917 the family moved to hands and prayed, when out of The highlight of the afternoon Akron, Ohio, where her father nowhere a tall man with glasses came when the Senators were founded St. George Church. approached me and it turned having pictures taken, and I Angeline was blessed to attend out to be Mayor Rudolph Guil- walked away to go and speak the 90th Anniversary celebration iani. to a young seven-year-old boy there in 2007 as the only surviv- He asked who I was, why I named Vincent, who had lost ing member of Protosyngellos was there and who did I lose? his father. Vincent never knew Kattouf’s immediate family and I responded that I was a guest, his father, because he was born the only person present who and that all of these people’s after his father died. His father was a parishioner of the Church pain was dear to me. At that, was a fi refi ghter. in 1917. he seemed touched by my com- Meeting all of those people In 1924 her family moved to passion and asked me if I’d like was an amazing experience, Altoona, Pennsylvania, where to meet Mayor Bloomburg and but praying with strangers, with Father George became the fi rst Senator Clinton. Mayor Bloom- whom I found a common bond, resident priest for St. George, a burg was very friendly as was was perhaps the most reward- parish that had come together Senator Clinton, but what was ing experience that I have had in the years 1917–1918. Re- most important to me wasn’t to since moving to New York City. cently she participated in the meet them, but to go back and We must always remember that 90th Anniversary celebration of pray with these random strang- stopping and praying with com- St. George, Altoona; she was ers. See, in an instant it was as mon strangers is doing our work the only member of Father Kat- though we were all one family, for the Lord, as we live our daily touf’s immediate family and the united in our love for God, and lives. only parishioner present who our sympathy for those lost. had been a part of St. George Douglas G. Hamatie I shared with Mayor Bloom- Church when it formally be- burg that the only religion out came a parish in 1924. She was of all religions to lose a house Baptized by a Saint blessed to be a member of St. of worship was the Orthodox – Mary’s Ladies Society in Altoo- little old St. Nicholas Orthodox Angeline Marion (Kattouf) na when it was given its charter Church was on that site years Ioup was born October 26, in 1926 and to serve the Ladies before the World Trade Center 1913, in Charleston, West Vir- Society as Recording Secretary was ever built. He was delighted ginia, to Father George (later from 1950 until she retired that I even knew of that church, the fi rst Protosyngellos of the from the position in 2000. God let alone that I had worshiped Archdiocese) and Khouriya Za- has blessed her with the ability there once as a child with my kiya (Kuzma) Kattouf. Before and opportunity to sing in the Uncle Ken Khouri. After our coming to St. George Church, St. George choir since 1967. chance, brief encounter, I was Charleston, where he was the She has been blessed to work second resident priest, her fa-

24 The Word countless hours in the kitchen of St. George along with other women of the church. She has received two Archdiocese Meri- torious Service awards. God blessed her with her marriage to Elias George (Alec) Ioup in 1938 and with 55 years together before his passing. From their union God has given her a daughter and two sons, a daughter-in-law, and fi ve grand- children. Two of her children 4th Annual Diocesan the Elder Sophrony of Essex. and her daughter-in-law have Clergy Retreat Archimandrite Sophrony, the their doctorates and are Uni- Diocese of Ottawa, East- spiritual elder of the Monastery versity professors. Her younger of St. John the Baptist at Tolles- ern Canada, and Upstate son is the president of a suc- hunt Knights, England, was also cessful company. New York (DOECUNY) the spiritual father of Dr. Venia- She is blessed to be the sister min. This connection brought of the late Habeeb Kattouf, who His Grace, Bishop Alexander, the clergy a living witness to the served as Chanter for more than invited the clergy of his diocese to Athonite wisdom of St. Silouan 60 years. She is also blessed gather at the Manoir D’Youville, in the person of Dr. Veniamin. with an extended family that in- a retreat and conference center Dr. Veniamin spent much of cludes his widow and her four located south of Montreal on his adolescent years visiting and children. One is a subdeacon; the Ile Saint-Bernard, for a time praying with the brothers at St. another has been Ambassador of spiritual renewal, theological John’s, Essex, seeking the true to two countries in the Middle education, and companionship theology of praxis during his East and is presently president during the week of September school holidays and summer va- of AMidEast. She has many 16–19, 2008. The special guest cations. He has continued this close nieces and nephews on lecturer was Dr. Christopher Ve- practice of taking periods of her late husband’s side of the niamin, Professor of Patristics retreat into the solitude of the family. One nephew is a leader and Liturgical Theology at St. monastic life to pursue the wis- in Archdiocesan music and has Tikhon’s Orthodox Theologi- dom of our ascetic fathers. As a organized Archdiocesan Choir cal Seminary. His presentation professor of Orthodox theology, Institutes for over 20 years. was based on readings from the he contends that “true” theology Angeline is presently a mem- collection of letters and spiri- is not found in books or in dis- ber of St. George, Altoona, and tual counsel of St. Silouan the course, but in the silence of as- St. Basil Church in Greater New Athonite, which was compiled cetical struggle – especially as it Orleans, where two of her three by St. Silouan’s spiritual son, children live. She is still blessed to be singing and praising God every Sunday. She must now do this from memory as she has diffi culty reading, but that has not diminished her faith or her worship, which are at the center of her life. has found expression in the he- own spiritual father, who had spiritual son, the Archimandrite sychastic tradition of our Ortho- learned the wisdom of St. Sil- Sophrony. We clergy were like- dox fathers. Since the subject of ouan on the Holy Mountain. The wise grateful for the gentle tu- all theological study is God, the sessions throughout the week telage of Dr. Veniamin, who un- attempt to fi nd God in mere ac- often moved from conversa- selfi shly shared his time and his ademic inquiry is futile and en- tion about specifi c advice given hard-earned wisdom with us. We ervating. The practice of many by St. Silouan on the inner-life left the Manoir D’Youville with a theologians, particularly in the into wide ranging discussions of renewed sense of the value of western traditions, of engag- the views of the Church Fathers our own spiritual labors, and ing in an intellectual pursuit of on these matters, including St. were given insights into ways of God is actually an artifact of our Isaac the Syrian, St. Symeon the encouraging this pursuit of God fallen human nature. It is a sub- New Theologian, and St. Greg- in the lives of our parishioners. stitute for true theology, which ory Palamas. By the end of the We are looking forward to next is found in approaching the week, the clergy felt that they year’s retreat with keen antici- Source of All by the shedding of had gained a glimmer of under- pation. In the meantime, by the all deceits of the intellect and by standing of the meaning of St. Grace of God, we shall endeavor engaging in the spiritual pursuit Silouan’s enigmatic assertion: to keep our minds in hell – and of humility and self-denial. It is “Keep thy mind in Hell and de- despair not! only in this path (the praxis of spair not.” We were encouraged the Cross) that a man or woman to engage in “true theology” – Clergy Retreat – The may fi nd the way open to a sub- even amid the hustle and bustle Brotherhood of St. lime and mystical apprehension of our daily lives – and to ap- of God. preciate that while the average Joseph of Damascus In our retreat, Dr. Veniamin person may not be able to scale used the technique of read- the heights of Mount Tabor, nev- September 24–26, 2008 ing passages from the book ertheless, there is great benefi t “St. Silouan the Athonite” to in even our weak and faltering Over twenty strong male voic- the gathered clergy as a way steps along the ascetical path- es fi lled Sts. Peter and Paul Cha- of encouraging discussion of way toward God. pel with a heavenly sound as the the profound spiritual mean- clergy of the Diocese of New ings which underlie the seem- This retreat left the clergy with York and Washington, D.C., and ingly simple words of the text. a sense of sincere gratitude for the Diocese of Charleston, Oak- Dr. Veniamin’s unique insight the spiritual labors of the great land and the Mid-Atlantic gath- into the living witness of St. Si- monastic saints of God’s King- ered with Bishop THOMAS in louan was bequeathed to him dom, especially of St. Silouan of late September for their fourth by the valuable guidance of his the Holy Mountain, and of his annual clergy retreat at the An- tiochian Village.

26 The Word The retreat’s theme was the riences. We discussed how to St. Joseph of Damascus spiritual development of our create a more welcoming and youth, and more specifi cally, accepting culture within our St. Joseph of Damascus, born in 1793, was one of the most ministering to our parishioners parishes for those with special important fi gures in the life of the nineteenth-century Patri- with special needs. The retreat needs, and how we should talk archate of Antioch, whose works contributed greatly to the re- was led by the Village’s own and minister to those with a dis- naissance of the Antiochian Church. He lived during a time of pastor, the Very Rev. Anthony ability. And above all, we were deep division within the Patriarchate, internally riven by deep Yazge. During our fi rst session, reminded through the strong schism with the Melkites, and externally by the arrival of active Father Anthony reminded us pastoral examples of our Dioce- of St. Clement of Alexandria’s san clergy of St. Paul’s admoni- and aggressive Protestants. And it was a time when many of words, that the Church must tion on the worth of our broth- our hierarchs were from foreign lands and did not understand implant within each child’s soul ers and sisters with disabilities, the struggle of the Antiochian people. In the midst of these an ability to know God from the “No, much rather, those mem- challenges and dangers we fi nd St. Joseph. His life was full earliest age possible. This activ- bers of the body which seem to of fervor and godliness. He lived a life of poverty, dedicating ity must animate the children’s be weaker are necessary” (I Cor. all that he had to the ministry of his fl ock. He was a brilliant ministries within all our parish- 12:22). man, one of the most renowned scholars of his time. Due to his es. Fr. Anthony also discussed The retreat also included qui- extraordinary preaching, St. Joseph was also known by many the differences in the way chil- et time for refl ection, as well as as the second John Chrysostom. His ministry to all his fl ock dren within various age groups an open dialogue with Bishop served to create a missionary atmosphere within the church, understand the Church, God THOMAS. Sayidna encouraged motivating the spirits and moving the hearts of his brethren. and prayer, and what these dif- the clergy to continue their good His ministry touched a generation of souls, leading to greater ferences mean from a pastoral work in ministering to all whom fervor and revival within the Patriarchate. perspective. The session ended God has entrusted to them. He with the clergy discussing the also challenged the Brotherhood But St. Joseph is best known for his martyr’s death. On July challenges they face and the to emulate the example of the 9, 1860, a great massacre of Christians began in Damascus, rewards they enjoy in establish- Brotherhood’s patron saint – St. with many Christians taking refuge in the Patriarchal Cathedral ing an environment within their Joseph of Damascus – noting St. (Al-Mariamieh). Following the tradition of the time, St. Joseph parishes that nurtures the spiri- Joseph’s “insistent dedication to had kept his Communion kit at home. During the massacre, tual growth of their children. both the Orthodox faithful, as hiding the communion kit under his sleeves, St. Joseph went The retreat’s other two ses- well as to the sacramental life of from roof to roof toward the Cathedral, where he spent the sions addressed the pastoral the Church.” The retreat’s fi nal night strengthening and encouraging his fl ock, preparing them care of parishioners with dis- gift of spiritual nourishment, for martyrdom and the crowns of glory which awaited them. At abilities and the challenges of the one that most equipped us daybreak, a mob attacked the Cathedral, robbing, killing and ministering to those with special to return to our home parishes burning everything in sight. St. Joseph escaped from the Ca- needs. Fr. Anthony shared his renewed, was most appropri- thedral, but was recognized on the street by one who shouted, own personal experiences and ately the Brotherhood sharing “This is the leader of Christians. If we kill him, we will kill all the that of his son, Mark, who has in the Eucharistic feast with Down Syndrome. We learned Bishop THOMAS during a Hier- Christians!” Upon hearing these words, St. Joseph consumed that disabilities do not discrimi- archical Divine Liturgy. the remaining Body and Blood of Christ from his communion nate, and that disabilities affect kit. He was killed by those who wielded their hatchets, mutilat- people of both sexes, of all races ing his body. Binding his legs, his persecutors dragged him and ages, and of varying socio- over the streets until he was torn into pieces. Although dying economic status. In fact, people as a martyr, St. Joseph’s life and sufferings were a witness of his with disabilities comprise the holiness to those who remained. And for all of us today. largest minority group in the Through the prayers of Hieromartyr John the Damascene United States, with nearly 20% and his companions, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy of all Americans (and youth) ex- on us and save us. Amen. periencing some type of physi- cal or mental impairment. Many (Adapted from The Word, January, 1994, pp. of the clergy shared their expe- 21–26, by V. Rev. Fr. Michel Najim. )

The Word 27 Centennial Celebration reminded him of his youth at THOMAS preached about the St. George, Pittsburgh, PA Balamand. Vespers were fol- gift of the Church as the way lowed by a variety show that was of our salvation. Following the organized by Chris Trbovich. liturgy, Fr. John was elevated to Metropolitan PHILIP and We offered a tribute to those the rank of Archimandrite and Bishop THOMAS led the Cathe- chanters and choir members nine members were inducted or dral community of St. George who have served faithfully for upgraded in the Order of St. Ig- in Pittsburgh to celebrate their 50 to 75 years. Our Cathedral natius. Following the dismissal, centennial, the 30th ordination has been blessed with great a photograph was taken of the anniversary and elevation of church musicians and leaders, whole community with our Met- their dean to the rank of Archi- including Fr. James Meena, ropolitan and Bishop in front of mandrite, the tenth ordination Jimmy Meena, Al Hazeem, Laila the Cathedral. anniversary of their Deacon Corey, Nancy Hanna Long and On Sunday evening our Cen- Ned, and those dedicated church Hanna Baker. tennial Banquet took place at singers who have already served Attending the weekend were the Airport Marriot. The eve- the Church between 50 and 75 many parishioners who trav- ning began with a reception years. This community is thank- eled home from across America. displaying artifacts of our his- ful to God for all that He has The community was especially tory. Program books and DVDs done in this community this last blessed to have former clergy showing our history and vision century. wives Pat Romly, Laila Corey for the future were distributed. The weekend began with Met- and Janet David. Ruth Meena The head-table processed into ropolitan PHILIP’s fi ve-hour had planned to come but health the banquet room while our bell journey from Englewood. Travel problems prevented her from choir played ispol-eti-thespota these days is rarely without de- coming at the last minute. She with their hand bells. Council lays and diffi culties. Neverthe- sent a beautiful message. Chair Rachel Thomas welcomed less, the Metropolitan arrived The Sunday Hierarchical Lit- the assembly and thanked our and offered the Cathedral leader- urgy was nothing less than heav- hard-working committees. Rich- ship inspiration and encourage- enly. Following Orthros with our ard Esper and Bill Salem shared ment. The Cathedral leadership Byzantine choir, Metropolitan insights about the history of our shared their dreams and hopes PHILIP and Bishop THOMAS, community. Bishop THOMAS for a parish center to house assisted by six priests, four spoke about our cathedral, our the Church school and develop deacons and two subdeacons, priest and our Metropolitan. opportunities for learning and served the liturgy with our Sayidna PHILIP refl ected on his spiritual growth. Sayidna spoke beautiful cathedral choir. The interactions with our community of his life’s journey and God’s choir was spectacular. Bishop over the last half-century and his successes in our Archdiocese through prayer, faithfulness and fortitude. Sayidna recognized the faithfulness of our commu- nity and our rich history as a leading community in the Arch- diocese. He remembered many of our faithful clergy and laity and highlighted their contribu- tions. The community shared some of the exciting programs and activities that we have initi- ated. Vespers were served and the Byzantine choir did a fi ne job. Deacon Hans remarked that it

28 The Word ing very diffi cult times. Due to the frequency of warfare in the area, the occupation of much of its territory by a neighbor- ing nation, and the resultant unemployment and poverty, most of its people are economic refugees, having relocated to Damascus or departed for the Americas, Australia, Europe or the Gulf States. The Archdiocese of Bosra- Hauran encompasses an area well-known to Christians. In the biblical account of the Feast of dreams and hopes of administra- The Hauran Connection Pentecost (Acts 2), we read of tive unity for the Orthodox in the people from a multitude of na- future. The evening was fi nished tions who heard for the very with a tribute to the Centennial fi rst time and “everyone in of a trumpet choir and the serv- his own language” (2:6) the ing of baked Alaska. proclamation of the Good News The Cathedral community by the Holy Apostles. Among thanks God for all of the bless- those people were “Arabians” ings we have enjoyed during our (2:11), which meant people fi rst century and pledges to be from Rome’s frontier province open to God’s direction as we of Arabia Petraea (the area of serve Him and His people over modern Syria south of Damas- the next century. In a gesture of Christian love cus, the Nabataean kingdom in and support for Metropolitan modern Jordan, the Sinai penin- SABA and his fl ock, the Diocese sula and the northwestern tip of of Wichita and Mid-America modern Saudi Arabia). Much of (DOWAMA) has committed it- the Decapolis (Matthew 4:25), self to a “Sister Diocese” rela- an area visited by Christ and tionship with the Archdiocese His disciples, is situated in this of Bosra, Hauran, Jabal al-Arab Arabia, as is Caesarea Philippi and the Golan in Syria. The pro- (modern Banyas in Syria) where gram is known as “The Hauran the Holy Apostle Peter con- Connection.” One of the most fessed Jesus to be “the Christ, venerable Archdioceses of our the Son of the living God” Patriarchate, the Archdiocese (Matthew 16:13–20). It was to of Bosra now fi nds itself fac- this Arabia that, following his

The Word 29 baptism in Damascus by St. sen by the Twelve (Acts 6:5), dergarten sponsored by Ananias (9:17, 18) and his es- was sent to preach and where the Archdiocese. A total of cape over the city’s wall (9:25), later he served as fi rst bishop 125 children currently are the Holy Apostle Paul fl ed and of the province’s capital city of served by the Archdiocese, spent three years (Galatians Nova Trajana Bostra (modern with many more unable to 1:15–18). And it was to this Ara- Bosra in Syria). The Orthodox attend because of costs. bia that St. Timon, one of the who today live in much of the • Medical Clinic: Support Seventy Apostles appointed by territory once known as Arabia for two physicians to pro- the Lord Christ (Luke 10:1) and Petraea – descendants of those vide medical care. Funds one of the Seven Deacons cho- converted to faith in Christ Je- also are needed for medi- sus by St. Timon – comprise cal equipment, supplies and the faithful of the Archdiocese medication. JANU- of Bosra, Hauran,DAILY Jabal al-Ar- devotionsDOWAMA collected $14,000 DAILY devotions ARY 2009 FEBRUARY 2009 ab and the Golan. The present for The Hauran Connection “angel of Bosra and successor at the Parish Life Conference to St. Timon” is Metropolitan in Dallas this past summer. Fr. V. REV. GEORGE ALBERTS SABA (Esper). George Al-Dehneh, pastor of St. The Hauran Connection is George parish in El Paso, Texas, 1. ROMANS 8:28-39; MATTHEW 15:21-28 2. HEBREWS 7:7-17; LUKE 2:22-40 intended to establish wide- who has his roots in the Hauran (PRESENTATION OF CHRIST) reaching relationships between area, hand-delivered the funds 3. 1 PETER 3:10-22; MARK 12:18-27 the two dioceses. Currently, the to Metropolitan SABA. Since 4. 1 PETER 4:1-11; MARK 12:28-37 (FAST) Diocese of Wichita and Mid- that time, another $14,000 has 5. 1 PETER 4:12-5:5; MARK 12:38-44 America partially supports fi ve been collected from the parish- 6. 2 PETER 1:1-10; MARK 13:1-8 (FAST) 7. 2 TIMOTHY 2:11-19; LUKE 18:2-8 programs within the Archdio- ioners of the diocese. 8. 2 TIMOTHY 3:10-15; LUKE 18:10-14 cese of Bosra. The programs in- Even with the generosity of 9. 2 PETER 1:20-2:9; MARK 13:9-13 clude the DOWAMA faithful, the needs 10. 2 TIMOTHY 2:1-10; JOHN 15:17-16:2 • parish-to-parish operational in the Archdiocese of Bosra are 11. 2 PETER 3:1-18; MARK 13:24-31 support for pastoral care. great. Sisters are sisters forever, (NO FAST) The Archdiocese of Bosra and we intend to remain sister 12. 1 JOHN 1:8-2:6; MARK 13:31-14:2 13. 1 JOHN 2:7-17; MARK 14:3-9 (NO FAST) has 16 parishes operating dioceses forever. More informa- 14. 2 TIMOTHY 3:1-9; LUKE 20:46-21:4 and in need of renovation, tion about The Hauran Connec- 15. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:12-20; LUKE 15:11-32 fi ve parishes under con- tion and its programs to support 16. 1 JOHN 2:18-3:10; MARK 11:1-11 struction, and three ad- the people of the Archdiocese 17. 1 JOHN 3:11-20; MARK 14:10-42 ditional communities that of Bosra may be obtained from: 18. 1 JOHN 3:21-4:6; MARK 14:43-15:1 (FAST) 19. 1 JOHN 4:20-5:21; MARK 15:1-15 need parishes. All parishes DOWAMA-Fellowship of St. 20. 2 JOHN 1:1-13; MARK 15:22-25, 33-41 need ecclesiastical items. John the Divine, c/o K. James (FAST) • clergy support: Salary and Kallail, 502 Creekside Ct, Derby 21. 1 CORINTHIANS 10;23-28; housing support for 12 KS 67037 (or email kkallail@ LUKE 21:8-9, 25-27, 3-36 priests and 2 novices. cox.net). 22. 1 CORINTHIANS 8:8-9:2; • Food Box Program: Food MATTHEW 25:31-46 23. 3 JOHN 1:1-15; LUKE 19:29-40, 22:7-39 for the poorest of the poor. (FAST) Priority support is for fami- 24. JUDE 1:1-10; LUKE 22:39-42, 45-23:1 lies that have children, the (FAST) elderly, and widows. A total 25. JOEL 2:12-26; JOEL 3:122-21 (FAST) of 235 families currently are 26. JUDE 1:11-26; JOEL 3:12-21 (FAST) 27. ZECHARIAH 8:7-17; ZECHARIAH 8:19-23 served by the Archdiocese, (FAST) with many more in need. 28. ROMANS 14:19-23; 16:25-27; • Kindergarten Program: MATTHEW 6:1-13 (FAST) Scholarships for tuition to send children to the kin-

30 The Word Orthodox World Challenges Face thus promote the mission of evan- strong and powerful foundation Middle East Broadcaster gelization in the face of growing for growth and evangelism in our Spreading the Gospel challenges to Christian existence Church in America. Many charac- in the Middle East. teristics of chant, whether Byzan- The board re-elected the pres- tine, Znamenny, Carpatho-Russian, Télé Lumière International, ent offi cers for another three-year Romanian, Kievan or Bulgarian, USA, Annual Board term: Msgr. Sharbel Maroun, Pres- are similar and can be identifi ed Meeting ident; Archimandrite Robert Rab- by those who listen to them and bat, Vice President; Marlene Saad, sing them: they are iconic; they The Board of Télé Lumière In- Secretary; and Fr. Elie Mikhael, have an other-worldly beauty and ternational, USA, a Christian satel- Treasurer. Dr. Bassam Risk took simplicity; the chant illumines the lite broadcaster active in the Mid- up the position of Chairman of text, it penetrates deep into the dle East, met in Somerset, New Friends of Telelumiere from Mrs. heart; it is austere; and, fi nally, it Jersey, July 6–7, 2008. The four- Vera Maalouf, who is leaving for is a form of music that is set aside teen members of the board, rep- an overseas assignment. only for usage in the Church (i.e., resenting all the Eastern Catholic Every Christian who cares sacrosanct or holy.) and Orthodox Churches, received about the future of Christianity in What if we were to put all of an update on the situation of Télé the Middle East is urged to give these traditions of chant into one Lumière/Noursat in Lebanon fol- his or her spiritual and fi nancial easily accessible location, all with- lowing the Israeli invasion in support to this broadcaster, and in reach of those who had usage 2006. Of particular concern was keep the light of this mission shin- of the Internet? What if they had the destruction of transmission ing. The Lord is depending upon audio and midi fi les that facilitated towers and the challenge of mak- each Christian to make his Gospel the learning process and the trans- ing Télé Lumière available again known to all. mission of the Orthodox liturgical to people in parts of Lebanon and Please make checks payable to tradition? And, fi nally, what if this the Middle East generally who lost Télé Lumière, 2055 Coral Way, Mi- service was totally free? It sounds access to the broadcasts. ami, Florida 33145, or donate on- almost too good to be true, but so Mr. Jacques El-Kallasi, Director line by visiting www.noursat.tv. is God’s unfathomable mercy to of Télé Lumière in Lebanon, pre- us. sented the strategy of establishing Msgr. Sharbel Maroun is the Board A new Web site, Orthodox- two other stations that will operate President of Télé Lumière International, twopartmusic.org, contains an under Noursat, one to serve youth USA. anthology of ancient chant which and the other to serve all the East- has been compiled by the direc- ern Churches. Ancient Chant Comes On-line tor and teacher of music at St. Télé Lumière is the only Middle Tikhon’s Seminary and Monas- tery, Fr. Sergius. Laboring night Eastern Christian television sta- It is extremely important for us and day, the monk Fr. Sergius has tion that broadcasts the message to know where we have been in the adapted and compiled an anthol- of salvation in Christ: a message of Church in order to know where we ogy of various Orthodox chants peace, love, and hope to millions can and need to go as the Body of in two part settings in an attempt of people. It is the only television Christ in North America. Know- to fi nd a meeting point between network that unites Christians of ing and understanding the various all the Orthodox chant traditions, all traditions in the Middle East. chant traditions of the Orthodox with the goal of furthering unity The board considered how the Church provides us with a rich in the Church in America, a unity many churches in the U.S. could background in the life and culture that is “grass roots” and trans- continue to support Noursat and of the Church, as well as with a

The Word 31 jurisdictional. The new Web site Summer Camps for one can identify and prioritize a arose out of the Monastery and Lebanese Youth Strengthen community’s needs better with the Seminary life and experience at Sense of Belonging participation of that community. St. Tikhon’s (which has many “Those are skills that we’ll use in Maral Joulouyan, IOCC students from different jurisdic- our life and not only for summer tions) trying to fi nd what was easy Lebanon camp,” says Wala. She adds that to sing, learn, and, really, what the most interesting aspects of works. (Beirut, Lebanon) -- IOCC host- summer camp were the time spent Most often, we need someone ed 14 summer camps this year being introduced to the region, to ‘model’ or sing melodies for us: throughout Lebanon, promoting making direct contact with villag- hence, the audio fi les. Oftentimes tolerance between youth and en- ers and listening to their problems we don’t have a lot of money to couraging them to take an active and stories. spend in our Churches and at times role in improving their communi- IOCC’s 2008 summer camps are need to make a massive amount of ties. part of the $4.7 million Lebanon copies: hence, free sheet music Hussein, an 18-year-old who Education Assistance for Develop- without copy-right restrictions1. participated in a Baalbek sum- ment (LEAD) program of the Unit- The site is also designed to be mer camp, is already anxious to ed States Agency for International as user-friendly as possible and start a development organization Development (USAID). The pro- has been compiled with the aim where people from all religions gram aims to improve the learning of serving mission parishes (that can work together to help Leba- environment and academic perfor- don’t have a lot of money or re- non’s rural areas. “The fi rst day, mance of students in 213 public sources), smaller or older choirs, we were strangers meeting for the schools, raising the standards of as well as anyone who would like fi rst time,” says Hussein, “but I public education in Lebanon. The to have more traditional Orthodox was soon relieved to fi nd out that, summer camps were implemented music without a lot of work re-set- although we came from various in partnership with the University ting or fi nding complete services backgrounds, there was nothing of Balamand and the Lebanese in English with stylistic continuity. standing in the way of our unity as Ministry of Education. Hopefully, any one from any ju- youth ready to become the leaders risdiction with internet access will of the next generation.” Antiochian Orthodoxy be able to fi nd helpful tools on the Such youth camps serve an im- Growing in portant role in Lebanon, a country new Web site: http//orthodoxtwo- the Philippines partmusic.org. The feedback so with a long history of sectarian far has been extremely positive. confl ict and whose parliament rec- “And the disciples were fi rst We ask for your prayers and sup- ognizes 18 different religious and called Christians in Antioch” port in making this new Web site ethnic sects. (Acts 11:26) a success for the Church in North More than 400 teenagers par- America. God willing, our common ticipated in 14 four-day camps Towards the end of 2007, his liturgical and musical foundation that featured community service Eminence PAUL, Primate of the in the Orthodox Church will bring projects and lectures on strate- Antiochian Archdiocese of Aus- us closer together so that with gic planning and citizenship. Par- tralia and New Zealand, received one heart and one mouth we may ticipants interviewed residents to two e-mails. One was from a priest praise the Father, the Son, and the learn about their communities’ named Fr. Pascualito Monsanto Holy Spirit, now and in eternity, needs and then went to work of St. Francis, of “The Catho- one Orthodox Church with a unit- cleaning streets, planting trees, lic Church of the East,” and the ed witness for North America. and painting school playgrounds. other was from Fr. Jeptah Anic- Amen. They also learned how to write a proposal, monitor their projects eto of “The Evangelical Church of the Philippines.” Fr. Pascualito 1 This includes all music on the site, with the and write an evaluation of what exception of those few pieces that are someone was accomplished. expressed a desire for his twenty else’s and specifi cally say, “Copyright …” Wala, 19 years old, learned that missions to join our Antiochian

32 The Word Othodox Church, whilst Fr. Anic- but also to organise and ordain eto expressed a similar desire for more than 40 candidates to the his twelve churches. diaconate and to the priesthood. Regular correspondence with On Sunday the 28th of the two churches went on, and on September, an altar was built in March 18, 2008, the two leaders a school playground and over six were invited to Sydney to discuss hundred seats were set up. During with the Archbishop their accep- the Divine Liturgy his Eminence tance into the Antiochian Othodox ordained eleven deacons, and Church. They spent two weeks prayed over four sub-deacons. his Eminence ordained all of the discussing their teachings, gover- The liturgy was concluded by the candidates and also chrismated nance, dogmas, sacraments and Chrismation of over four hundred over seventy faithful and baptized so forth. At the end of the second persons. Long meetings with ten members. week they agreed to accept and over one hundred and fi fty youth The problem the Antiochian adopt the Orthodox teachings followed both of these services. Church faces in the Philippines is fully and faithfully. His Eminence On Tuesday, September 30th, poverty. Many of the clergy do not accepted them, in principal. The in an ecumenical chapel, his have the means to travel to visit two leaders returned back to their Eminence ordained eleven people regularly. The majority of communities with big boxes of re- priests. the faithful themselves are very ligious educational materials. On Thursday, October 2nd, his poor. Many of their children do On May 18th, Metropolitan Paul Eminence travelled to Davao where not even have the means to attend visited the Philippines to learn and he was welcomed at the airport school. The Archdiocese has observe the spiritual life of the by Rev. Fr. Jeptah and a number committed to providing fi nancial people there. He met with most of of candidates to the priesthood help to the clergy and their families, the candidates to the diaconate and and diaconate. His Eminence held as well as to help educate the the priesthood. He was impressed morning and afternoon meetings people. We have sponsored three with the level of religious with the candidates and with many teachers who will provide classes education and the commitment to parishioners. He visited the site to seventy mothers for one year. the new Antiochian Church. Many where the people are intending We are also funding two full-time discussions about the Orthodox to build a church. His Eminence clergymen who will be responsible faith were held, and training was also chrismated over fi fty of the for training, organisation and given in the Orthodox ways. While faithful. teaching. good progress was made, it was On Sunday, October 5th, his We would like to thank clear that we were at the beginning Eminence presided over the Divine Archbishop Philip SALIBA, the of a long journey. Liturgy, where he ordained four Primate of the North America The groups registered their name priests and three deacons. There Archdiocese, for his love and offi cially with the government were another seven candidates fi nancial support. May God grant as “The Antiochian Orthodox who were preparing for the him long life! Church in the Philippines” under priesthood, but his Eminence The work is plentiful and the the Archepiscopate of Antioch thought that they were not yet workers are few; let us pray to in Sydney, Australia. They also adequately prepared. the Lord of the harvest to send adopted the Archdiocese’s On Tuesday, October 7th, an workers to his fi eld. constitution and by-laws, and altar was erected in the new Amen. committed to working closely headquarters in Manila, where From the offi ce of the Antiochian with the Archbishop to learn as a large number of faithful, four Archdiocese of Australia, New Zealand much as possible about Antioch candidates to the priesthood and the Philippines and Antiochian Orthodoxy. On and seven candidates to the September 27th, his Eminence diaconate were anxiously waiting returned to the Philippines, this the important moment of their time to continue the teachings, lives. During the Divine Liturgy

The Word 33 Metropolitan PHILIP writes to the U.S. Representative of the Russian Orthodox Church in the U.S.:

Beloved Brother in Christ:

I greet you in the name of our Lord, God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is the Resurrection and the Life of all who repose in him.

It is with great sadness that I awoke this morning to the shocking news of the passing into eternal life of His Holiness ALEXY II, Patri- arch of Moscow and All Russia. The loss of this great man is a loss not only for the Church of Russia, but for the entire Orthodox world. I recall with great fondness the two occasions I had to be in his presence, the fi rst on his visit to the United States in the early 1990s when we hosted him at our Archdiocese Chancery, and the second when I ac- cepted his kind invitation to visit Russia in 1997. It was during this trip in 1997 that I came to realize the greatness of his leadership and vision for the Church of Russia and for the Orthodox world at large. Having met with him at the Danielov Monastery and having served with him in the historic Dormition Cathedral in the Kremlin, and again at the dedication of the awe-inspiring Christ the Savior Cathedral in Moscow (that he was instrumental in rebuilding as a symbol of the resurrection of the Russian Orthodox Church after more than 70 years of oppression), I felt assured that the Church would continue to thrive under his leadership. Patriarch ALEXY lived in two ages, one under the Soviet oppression of the Church and the other in which he led the Church from glory to glory after the fall of Soviet rule. I have no doubt that this latter will be his legacy. He showed great courage by leading the nation through a diffi cult time that could have led to civil war, particularly when he addressed the country in the middle of the night, in the midst of darkness at 1:42 a.m. on August 21st, 1991. This will stand out as one of the greatest addresses of the 20th Century. Out of this darkness, his address to the nation became a new light of hope for a new nation. Like the captain of a great ship, he guided the Russian Orthodox Church through troubled waters, reject- ing the counsel of those who would take the Church backwards to pre-revolutionary monarchist times, and at the same time rejecting the views of those who would liberalize the Church and make it something other than it had always been. At the same time, he capably oversaw the rebuilding and restoration of thousands of churches and monasteries, the reeducation of the faithful and the clergy and the re-establishment of the Church as a great force in the Russian Federation. His untiring work led to the reunifi cation of ROCOR and the Russian Orthodox Church – yet another example of his bold leadership. Personally, I had the greatest respect for him in the area of international Orthodox relations. He adhered to and respected the canonical norms for territorial boundaries of sister churches and dealt pastorally with the uncanonical situation that we have here in North America and other places. While he often faced re- sistance, he led with integrity and love. As the leader of more than 100 million Orthodox believers, in my eyes, he was the true leader of the Orthodox world.

On behalf of our Local Synod and all the clergy and faithful of the Self-Ruled Antiochian Orthodox Chris- tian Archdiocese of North America, please accept our sincere condolences. We ask that you extend our prayers and sympathies to His Eminence, Metropolitan KIRILL, and the Department of External Church Relations and the entire Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church, praying that in the midst of this sad time, another great leader will arise from the depths of your sorrow and lead this great and venerable church to new heights.

Your brother in Christ,

34 The Word an eye! To say that Islam is respon- The People Speak...... sible for those massacres is like saying Christianity was responsible Editor in chief, of prophets recognized by all three for the Crusades and the holocaust. The Word faiths.” Additionally, Arab Chris- Armenians and Greeks lived in the tians and Muslims use the same Ottoman Empire peacefully and I read with interest Dr. Nick word, Allah, for God. Allah in Is- served the Ottoman Empire faith- Stergiou’s response to my article, lam is one, eternal, omnipotent, all fully in many capacities for over “Christians and Jews under Islam,” knowing, merciful, compassionate, four centuries. Why weren’t they published in the October issue of arbiter of good and evil, and the fi - massacred before the nineteenth The Word. In response to his re- nal judge of all men. How are these and twentieth centuries if not for sponse, I would like to make the attributes different from the attri- nationalism? following brief points in the spirit butes of God in Christianity? 6. Yes, I agree. The Word is an of Orthodoxy and free and open ex- 3. Islam’s tolerance of Chris- Orthodox magazine and a good one! change of ideas. I think the readers tians and Jews is not my invention. But, unfortunately, the world is not The Word of will be well served. It is a matter of fact and history. populated by Orthodox Christians 1. My article was the result of If Islam spread by the sword, as only. Actually, the Orthodox are a a symposium at the Antiochian Vil- Dr. Stergiou fi rmly believes, then minority. Orthodox Christians, for lage on “Islam and Christianity.” he has to explain how millions of centuries, have interacted with non- Three papers were delivered. I was Christians and Jews in the Arab and Orthodox people on a daily basis. asked to speak on “Christians and Muslim world escaped the “sword” They still do. Aren’t these interac- Jews under Islam,” which I did. of Islam. If Islam spread by the tions, past and present, a subject of “Christians” to me meant Orthodox sword, shouldn’t Greece and East- interest to The Word magazine? I and Roman Catholics. Both came ern Europe today be Muslim after believe they are. If not, The Word under Islam. My presentation was more than four hundred years of would have not seen fi t to pub- based on multiple sources, all writ- Ottoman rule? Would Jews have lish my article and the symposium ten by recognized and established taken refuge in the Ottoman Em- might not have occurred. authorities in the fi eld. If Dr. Ster- pire following their expulsion from 7. I would like to assure Dr. giou considers my sources unreli- Spain (1492) if Muslims forced Stergiou that I am an Orthodox able, well and good. Let him pro- their religion on others? Christian and believe in the Trinity. duce his own sources and re-write 4. Dr. Stergiou claims that I My Orthodoxy, however, is open- the history of the Middle East. And ignored the levy in Christian boys minded, tolerant, patient, and re- Islam. He will render a great ser- collected by Ottoman authorities jects fanaticism. I do not condemn vice to scholarship. It takes more periodically from Balkan Chris- those who disagree with me but than sweeping statements and gen- tians. Well, I did not. Had he read try to engage them in a free, open, eralizations based on hearsay to re- my article carefully, he would have respectful and reasoned dialogue, but my thesis. found it on page 9, in the left hand leaving the ultimate judgment to 2. Whether Jews, Christians column, under devshirme. I men- God. I think this is a more produc- and Muslims worship the same tioned it along with many com- tive method than being confronta- God or not, this is a theological plaints that Christians had against tional. argument. I am a historian, not a Ottoman and Arab Muslim rule. Respectfully submitted theologian. Historians consider the 5. I did not deal with the Greek Dr. Najib E. Saliba three monotheistic religions to be and Armenian massacres of the rooted in Abraham, whom Muslims nineteenth and early twentieth cen- consider the fi rst monotheist. Mus- Roy R. Andersen (et al), Politics and turies for good reason. They were change in the Middle East, 8th ed., (Pearson lims, however, do believe that Allah, not the product of Islam’s “intoler- Prentice Hall, 2007) p. 339. Jehovah (Yahweh), and the Chris- ance.” They were the product of tian God are one and the same. All the rise of nationalism among the three faiths “are Abrahamic reli- minorities of the Ottoman Empire. gions, recognizing a common point When the Greeks rose against the of origin for all three faiths. The Ottomans in 1821, they massacred faiths are all insistently monotheis- Turks in Greece. In turn, the Otto- tic, a belief sanctioned by a series mans massacred Greeks. An eye for

The Word 35 THE WORD 358 Mountain Road Periodical postage paid at PO Box 5238 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Englewood, NJ 07631-5238