sign in sign up
<<
Home , Church of Greece

THE GREEK ORTHODOX IN NORTH AMERICA

By Rev. J. Constante/os

Thefollowing are excerpts from a new book by Rev. D.l. Constantelos titled "Understanding the Greek , its Faith, History and Prac­ tice", published by the Hellenic College Press, 50 Goddard A ve, Brookline, Ma,02146).

PART II yea:s in a hall or in a rented building about their future. unhl 1904, when the congregation was A turning point in the history of the One of the Church's major problems able to build its own structure at 153 East nnd Street. Church occurred in August of 1918, was that she was without any bishops to when the of , Mele­ coordinate the various communities The way the New Y or k cathedral was organized was more or less standard tios Metaxakis, arrived in New York to and to direct the destiny of the Church. study the problems of the Greek There was much individualism, dissen­ and it served as the prototype for th~ establishment of later churches. First, a Orthodox in America. He was accom­ sion, and lack of orientation. The 141 panied by Bishop Alexandratos, the tit­ group of dedicated laymen would get communities were like 141 ancient ular bishop of Rodostolou (who later Greek city-states in an American together to determine whether there were enough Greek Orthodox to sup­ became Archbishop Alexander of archipelago. Some churches were social America), by Chrysos­ port a church. As soon as they secured clubs rather than religious communi­ tom Papadopoulos (a renowned ecclesi­ the support of some fifty families, they ties. To be sure, each congregation usu­ astical historian who later became would apply to the state for a charter of ally had its own priest, but priests were archbishop of Athens), and by a few incorporation under titles such as Hel­ expected to administer the laymen. Meletios Metaxakis was deter­ lenic of --­ and conduct funerals rather than to lead mined to bring order out of the chaotic the congregation, which usually was - - or of - - - - . The second step was to apply conditions that prevailed in the Church. under the control of a lay board of trus­ In the past, several requests had been to the Ecumenical or to the tees. The priest, often ill-educated, has sent to the mother churches for a bishop come to America for the same purpose Church of , and sometimes to the Patriarchate of Alexandria, for a priest. and for more concern for the church of as his parishioners, and he was fre­ the diaspora, but with no definite quently at the mercy of the community, The choice of the church to which the application for a priest was sent was results. For example, the Greek consul especially the board of trustees, which general in New York City, Demetrios N. had appointed him. It has been rightly often determined either by the political affiliation of the applicants or the place Botasis, in a report to the Greek govern­ observed that in Greek parishes until ment dated July 15, 1904, made a strong 1922 "congregationalism reigned of their origin. from the main­ supreme in an episcopal church." land usually applied to the While undoubtelly many were con­ of Greece, while Greeks from Asia Minor, Thrace, and other regions usu­ cerned with the Church as the provider Three Star Rating••• in the N.Y. Times of spiritual and religious values, others ally directed their application to were only traditionally Orthodox Constantinople. attending the Liturgy on 0; As soon as a priest was available, the Easter Sunday, or religious services committee would seek to rent a hall or a ~Ateees conducted for some of their friends - a church building, usually from the Epis­ , wedding, funeral, or memorial copal Church. As a rule the congrega­ American & Continental Cuisine service. Church attendance was very tion would move to its own building Weddings-Christenings poor. Nevertheless, it was due to zeal of within a few years. Though the Church All Social Functions certain dedicated laymen that most of welcomed all Greek Orthodox, not all the churches were established. For were supporting members. As already BANQUET FACILITIES example, Holy Cathedral of stated, the concern of many was to save TO SERVE 15 TO 400 New York, established in 1891, was the enough to return to the motherland. work of lay members of the Athena Thus, though there were many Greek Orthodox, there were few churches and 1714 EASTON AVE Society. They applied to the Holy Synod SOMERSET, N.J . of Greece, which appointed Paisios Fer­ contributing members. This explains Route 527 Off 287 entinos the first priest of the New York why the were poorly paid and the Tel. (201) 469-2522 cathedral. Services were held for several churches in great debt and uncertain

SEPTEMBER, 1991 37 case to the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs requesting its intervention with the Synod of the Church of Greece for the appointment of a bishop, But no bishop was sent. The lack of initiative on the part of both the Church of Constantinople and the Church of Greece reveals what happens when a church is not a free A real deal institution or when it is tied to the state. Both churches were subject to the inter­ nal problems of their respective states, and both were prevented from acting by nonreligious considerations. The on wheels! Church of Greece was divided between the loyalists and liberals, especially in the period of 1914 to 1918, and the good bishops had no time to devote to the Atlantic Bank's 10.50% APR New Car Loan problems of the immigrants. The Ecu­ menical Patriarchate was continuously under the threat of the sword of the Turks. When the Young Turks came to Get your w heels w ith one of the best auto loan dea ls around. power in 1908, they were determined to expel all Christian minorities, including Between now and November 15 the rate on a 36-m onth the historic Ecumenical Patriarchate. It new car loan is just 10.50% APR; for loans up to 48 months was primarily because of the uncertain­ it's 10.75% APR ; and up to 60 months the low rate is 10 .95% APR* ties caused by neo-Turkish nationalism We'll lend up to 80% of the car's value, so you can say that the Patriarchate could not concern "no thanks" to manufacturers' shart term financing deals itself with the pro blems of the American Church and issued, in March of 1908, and apply any rebate to your down payment. the tome that placed the Greek Take up to 90 days to find the car you want. For full Orthodox in America under the juris­ information, and to apply by phone, call1-800-535-ABNY diction of the autocephalous Church of Or visit any of our conveniently located branches. Greece. Also ask about our low-cost new car leases. However one of the reasons why both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the *36 monthly payments of $32. 50 each; 48 month ly payments of $25.72 Church of Greece were reluctant to each; or 60 monthly paymen ts of $21.72 each, per $1,000 borrowed. appoint a bishop for the Greek Orthodox faithful in America may have been canonical. law forbids the appointment of a bishop in a province or district when a canonical bishop already exists, and there were in the New World Orthodox bishops of the ATLANTIC Moscow Patriarchate. It was not the first time that Greeks had been under BANK the spiritual guidance of Russian O f NEW YORK Orthodox. To be sure, some or even many Greeks may not have been happy under the Moscow Patriarchate. But it is rather unjust to blame "Greek nation­ Full Servi ce Commercial Bonking since 1926. M ember FDIC. alism" for the reluctance of the Greek faithful to accept Russian leadership, It may have been inefficiency, lack of Manhattan: 960 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10001 1212) 695 ·5400 uriity, and turmoil within the Russian · 15 M aiden Lone, New York , N Y 10038 1212) 608'6430 Queens: 29·10 Ditmars church that persuaded the Greeks to Blvd , Astori a, N Y 11 105 1718)721-2800 . 33 -12 30th Avenue, Astoria , NY 11103 seek their own leadership. 1718)932-2300 · 36-10 Broadway, Astoria, NY 1110617 18)204-2600 • 28 -07 Steinwoy St. , Astoria, NY 11103 1718)626 -1800 . 196-21 N orthern Blvd , Flushing , NY 11358 Whatever the reasons, the first Greek 1718) 357 - 7150 Brooklyn: 8010 5th Avenue, Brooklyn , New York 11209 Orthodox bishop arrived in the United 1718) 74 8 -6400 • 7709 13th Avenue , Brooklyn, New York 11228 (718) 236 -1818 Staten Island: 3938 Richmond Avenue, Staten Island, N Y 10312 1718) 966 - 7200 States in 1918, and it was in that year Long Island: 740 Veterons M emorial Highway, Houppouge, N Y 117881516)979-0700 that the hierarchy of the Church began to organize the Greek Orthodox com­ munities in the States.

38 GREEK AMERICAN REVIEW