ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND NOVEMBER 2003 Learn from Message at the the laundry Beginning of the Report on Diocesan Youth Rally Nativity Fast

here is much that can be learned about Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in people by looking at the laundry Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, hanging on the clothesline. Coming onto did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, T but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, the road of Boston Diocesan Camp on the morning of Monday, August 11, a flurry of being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and activity and excitement could be seen. Some became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. college age counselors were on top of high (Philippians 2:5-8, RSV) ladders using clothesline to string up the ten year old banner: Welcome to Diocese of New NATIVITY FAST 2003 England Youth Rally. Beyond that there were more counselors, putting clothesline between To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful the porch posts of the recreation hall. Here they of the Diocese of New England were hanging Rally T Shirts and asking questions as they did. Dearly beloved, Why was the first shirt a regular T shirt with a cross and 89? Because we brought our own In his letter to the Philippians, St. Paul refers to shirt and Matushka Ann Sherman silk screened the self-emptying humility of Christ. This pas- them there. Why do the shirts from 1990 and 91 sage, which is read numerous times during the just have a cross and not the Diocesan Logo? liturgical year, especially for the feasts of the Because the logo was not designed and in use Virgin Mary, is an important lesson for us as we until 1992. Then there was the radically enter the Nativity Fast. different 1994 shirt that proclaimed The Bicentennial of Orthodox Christianity in St. Paul tells us that Christ emptied Himself by America. The 1996 shirt had in big letters: “The taking on flesh and our humanity. He became Tenth Anniversary of Youth Rally 1986 – 1996”. what we are so that we might become what He is. So this is the 17th annual Rally. Why did It is by His own free will that He “did not count 1998 have a completely different logo with the equality with God a thing to be grasped.” He words Draw Near? Because that year the theme emptied Himself by leaving the Godhead to be- was decided early to be St. James’ Epistle with come a human being and lift us from the death the motto “Draw near to God and He will draw and sin of this world. near to you”. All the teaching, crafts, sermons and even the shirt reflected that. This year’s shirt The Virgin Mary is the perfect human example of could have printed on it God is Calling You, our this divine initiative. By her own free will, she theme for 2003. By the time the last shirt, a blank humbled herself by living a pure and holy life, with 2004 was hung, the Rally bus from Meriden preparing herself to become the container of the was pulling in with Fr. Dennis Rhodes as the “One who cannot be contained.” She humbly driver. accepted the call of the archangel because she freely had created the conditions and space for ost of the counselors had come the Him. night before for Orientation with Mquestions and comments about the For the forty days before our celebration of the past and enthusiasm for this 2003 Rally. Lord’s Nativity, the Church calls us to hear the Learning from the strengths and weaknesses of words of St. Paul and to imitate the Lord Jesus the past, being grounded firmly in the present Christ and His mother by humbly emptying our- and having hope and vision for the future was selves to make a place for Him.

RALLY TO 6 MESSAGE TO 8

ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND NEW ORTHODOX Diocese of New England • Orthodox Church in America Volume 13 • Number 10 • November 2003 -1- NOVEMBER 2003 ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND O.N.E. (ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND) Diocese of New England, Orthodox Church in America ON THE DOCKET Published monthly except for July-August His Beatitude, Metropolitan HERMAN, Administrator A listing of upcoming events in the Diocese. The Very Reverend John J. Dresko, Editor Please forward any dates you wish to be included to the Editor. Advertising: This publication will accept advertisements. However, we reserve the right to refuse any advertising that November 1-2, 2003 we find unacceptable for a publication of this type. Rate: 30th Annual Russian Tea Room & Bazaar $50.00 per quarter page, $100.00 per half page, $175.00 All Church, Hartford, CT per full page. Subscription: Distributed free of charge to diocesan November 1-2, 2003 members. $10.00 per year or any part thereof for others. International Festival Subscription outside of U.S.: $15.00 (U.S. Currency). Nativity of the Virgin Mary Church, Waterbury, CT Editorial Office: V. REV. JOHN DRESKO, Editor E-MAIL: [email protected] November 7, 2003 FAX: (860) 620-0739 Children’s Choir of Holy Trinity Mercy House, 7:15 P.M. US MAIL: 95 Butternut Lane, Southington, CT 06489 Saraktash, Orenburg region, Russia ONE Online: http://www.ocadne.org Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Springfield, MA ONE STEWARDS: PO Box 2995, New Haven, CT 06515-2995 Hardware: This issue was composed on an Apple Power November 8, 2003 Macintosh G5 with 1.5 gb RAM, a Umax Astra 3450 scanner, Vespers and Presentation, 5:00 P.M. and a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet 5MP laser printer. Software: Fr. Anastasios Akunda, South Africa (OCMC) Microsoft Word X & PageMaker 6.52. Reproduction done at GT Graphics, Forestville, CT. Feastday of St. Nectarios of The opinions expressed in articles are those of the Christ the Savior Church, Woodbury, CT authors. Dogmas of the Church, or Official Statements, will be so labeled. Materials in ONE (Orthodox New England) November 11, 2003 may be reproduced with acknowledgment of the source. Valaam Singers, 7:00 P.M. University of Connecticut, Konover Auditorium UConn Orthodox Christian Fellowship

O.N.E. Press Fund November 12, 2003 Valaam Monastery Singers, 7:00 P.M. YES, I enjoy the articles, correspondence and Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Springfield, MA editorials of O.N.E. (Orthodox New England) and would like to contribute towards the expenses of December 4, 2003 publishing this periodical. Find enclosed my check Connecticut Deanery Meeting, 7:00 P.M. made out to “Diocese of New England.” Holy Transfiguration Church, New Haven, CT

NAME Children’s Choir ADDRESS he Holy Trinity Orthodox Mercy House was founded in Saraktash, Orenburg region, Russia by Tthe Very Reverend Nikolai Stremsky and his wife. PARISH In the past thirteen years since his assignment to a dilapi- dated church there, Fr. Nikolai and his wife have adopted as their own fifty orphans, completely rebuilt the church, AMOUNT OF DONATION: founded a free school for his own and area children, started an old age home and a lay service group to help Please add a subscription to O.N.E. in my name them. His religious community also includes a bakery and with this. ($10.00 per year – free to diocesan sewing factory which provide this expansive family and members) extended community with clothing and food. NEW Having found among his adopted family a number of very talented singers, Fr. Nikolai organized a children’s RENEWAL chorus. Their repertoire includes a variety of Russian folk and spiritual music. Please mail donations and subscription A concert by this amazing family will be held at Ss. requests to: V. Rev. John Dresko, Peter and Paul Church, 118 Carew St., Springfield, MA 95 Butternut Lane, Southington, CT 06489. on November 7, beginning at 7:15 P.M. Donation is $10.00. -2- ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND NOVEMBER 2003 Around the Parishes

Hartford, Connecticut

Our Church School got off the ground with a Molieben and some special gifts. A low table for an icon was donated by the Andrzejewski so that children will be able to venerate one of the icons without being lifted by their parents; and an icon of children coming to Christ, painted by Viktor Kazanin, was donated to the Church by the Church School. Many years! While we are speaking of Church additions, there is something new in front of the 18 icons that have been added to the walls of All Saints—a vigil light in front of each. The lights, which add to our worship and the beauty of the Church are a donation by Joseph Sredzienski in memory of his beloved wife, Alexandra, sister of Mary Kudrowski and Helen Bugai, two parish members. Memory Eternal and Many Years! Annual parish picnic for Ss. Peter and Paul Church, Meriden Thousands of vareniki, holupsi and other ethnic (Photo: Jack Shemash) delights are being whipped up in workshops, as the parish prepares for its now 30th annual Russian Tea Room and enjoy the numerous desserts. Bazaar, which will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, On September 21st, we began our Christian Nov. 1, and noon to 3 p.m. Sunday Nov. 2. As an added Education Program for the fall semester. This year, Father Timothy and Sergius have redesigned our Church School program to involve the entire parish rather than just the younger people in our Parish. All members of the PEOPLE OUR Parish are invited to attend on Sunday morning and PLACES children, parents, and grandparents will all be studying EVENTS the same topic. Between now and the end of January, we DIOCESE will be studying the Gospel of St. Mark. We were excited to hear that Paul Leonowich was selected as the Connecticut Teacher of the Year for the attraction, this year’s door prize in a free drawing will be Connecticut Vocational Technical School System. A few a computer. Joan Holobinko and Val Olesnovich are months ago, Paul was selected as Teacher of the Year at co-chairs of this year’s events, aided by many volunteers. Vinal Regional Technical School. Paul then competed Building upon a successful history, the event is growing with 16 other teachers from around the state for this each year in popularity throughout the region. prestigious award. Paul is a science teacher who had over Volunteers were a key in turning trash to treasures in 25 years with real life experience working in the engineer- our recent Scarborough Fair Tag Sale, chaired by Michael ing field before becoming a teacher. He is a strong and Mary Beth Stenko. Nearly $1,200 was realized from believer in the use of technology in the classroom and his the sale, which also included a bake sale, with Altar message to other teachers is “Embrace Technology”. Sisterhood volunteers; and hot foods prepared by Chris Paul’s philosophy of teaching is based upon the principle Evans, executive chef at a local restaurant; Nick Medynski, that everyone is able to learn, but that each individual whose chili hit the spot; and other volunteers. Thank you learns differently. He is proud to be a member of the to all and Many Years! teaching profession and he says that his reward is knowing that each student is the “best” that he/she can be. Paul will – submitted by Fr. William DuBovik be honored at a celebration on November 18th that recognizes excellence in education. Meriden, Connecticut On October 12th, our Brotherhood hosted their annual Breakfast Award Brunch. This year, the Brother- We at Ss. Peter and Paul have been busy since the middle hood honored Edith Nichols and Michael DeLuccia for of summer. We held our Annual Parish Picnic on Sunday, their many years of service to our Parish. Congratulations September 7th at Smith Park in Middletown, CT. We were to these two hard working people! blessed with a beautiful late summer day. Tim Tassmer, with the help of the Parish Council and a few other volunteers, once again organized a very successful event. We had plenty of great food and even the bees seemed to PARISHES TO 4 -3- NOVEMBER 2003 ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND “Faith without works is dead” Address of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, at the annual FORCC Banquet

am pleased to address you, the itself in action — in feeding the hun- ments were inscribed, or the recent faithful members of the gry, in clothing the naked, in minis- attempts by the European Union to IFellowship of Orthodox Chris- tering to all whose paths cross ours, remove any reference to that tians of Connecticut, at this annual and in reaching out to an ever-chang- continent’s Christian roots, are but gathering. Your exemplary work for ing world with the changeless Gospel two reminders that not only Chris- the good of the Church, for the People — is indeed dead. The Orthodox Faith tianity, but I dare say Christ Himself, of God, is well known. By your is alive and active, not static or pas- are under attack. enthusiastic support of our youth sive. It has the power to transform through a variety of scholarship pro- our words “about God” into a very hile there are many who grams, by your witness to the unity of experience “of God” and a taste of his would contend that such the Orthodox Church, and by the divine glory and nature itself. Wthings are the product of a impact you have made in many other It is only by putting our faith into thoroughly secular, post-Christian areas of ministry, you have embraced action that we are able to face the culture, such is clearly not the case, at the call to Christian stewardship. Your challenges of our time and in a world least in our land. Nearly ninety per- willingness to sacrifice your time, to that is often referred to as “post-Chris- cent of Americans claim belief in share your talents, and to offer of tian.” While we clearly reject the very God, yet the numbers of individuals your treasures for the building up of notion of a “post-Christian world” — who see themselves as members of a the Body of Christ provides an ex- Our Lord Himself promises that the faith community continues to decline. ample to all who labor in the vine- gates of hell themselves are incapable The vast majority of Americans claim yard of Our Lord. of prevailing on the Church — we are to maintain a spiritual life, but the Above all, your desire to put your increasingly aware of the fact that “spirit” around which their lives re- faith into action reveals the very heart much of the world indeed rejects volves is not necessarily the Holy of Orthodox Christian life. In Scrip- Christianity. The recent incident in- Spirit. While most Americans claim ture we read that “faith without works volving the removal of the monu- is dead.” Faith that does not reveal ment on which the Ten Command- ADDRESS TO 5

PARISHES FROM 3 parish just five weeks before the Our deepest sympathy is discovery of his illness. He and his extended to Father John Behr and his Our sympathy goes out to the wife Edie were just getting settled in sister, Matushka Macrina Hopko and family of Olga Panaswich who passed a new house when he fell ill. Our Father John Pawelchak on the loss of away in September. May her Memory parish extends our deepest their beloved fathers. Memory be Eternal! sympathies to his wife, Edie, his son, Eternal! We have several events planned Robbie, and his mother and broth- We welcomed Father Michael over the next few months, so give us ers. May his memory be eternal! Anderson, OCA Director of Youth a call if you would like to join us. Ministries. Father Anderson gave a New Haven, Connecticut special presentation to the Sunday – submitted by John S. Nighyew school children and then met with During Daily Vespers on September the parishioners at coffee hour to New Britain, Connecticut 10, Father Michael included prayers answer questions about developing for the 9/11 victims and their fami- youth programs for the large (and Congratulations and Many Years to lies. ever growing) number of children in Richard and Jennifer Wykes on the We have a new web site – check our parish. Father Anderson passed birth of their son and first child, it out – www.holytransfigurationnh.org. out packets of information about all Gavin. He was received into the Special thanks to our new web mas- of the web sites, events and activities church by Baptism and Chrismation ter, Nathan Cooper for designing and available to our children and young in late August. Jennifer is known to maintaining the site. adults through the OCA web site most of our diocesan youth through We were delighted to see so many (yya.oca.org). her work in previous years with Youth returnees to the SVS lecture series Sunday, September 21, Joseph Rally. She was a little preoccupied and the many newcomers. Thanks to Gallo, infant son of Rick & Tara Gallo, this year! Susan Lickwar and Susan great-grandson of Gladys Kruchok, Our parish was deeply saddened Papademetris for coordinating the was baptized. May God grant all of by the death of Robert Balkun after a hospitality table, and to all who do- you good health and many years. very brief illness. Bob had been nated the scrumptious goodies for remarried (he was a widower) in our the “coffee and”. – submitted by Barbara Ann Dixon -4- ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND NOVEMBER 2003

ADDRESS FROM 4 The responded, “There will created after our image, rather than be another generation of old ladies to that of the One Who is Existence that they pray regularly, a significant take their place.” Seven decades later, Itself. percentage decry public expressions we can attest to the wisdom of his The spirituality of our time seeks of faith, especially Christian faith. words, as today’s “babushki” were its fulfillment in what “I” want, what Someone recently told me that our infants, or had yet to be born, when “I” like, what will make “me” happy, era is the “worst of times” as count- these simple, yet prophetic, words what helps “me to “get in tune” with less people wander through a spiri- were uttered. “who I am.” It is a spirituality that is tual dessert, not unlike the Hebrew While the “babushki” were hardly found everywhere, from the advice people in the wilderness, hoping to educated in the finer points of offered by Oprah and Doctor Phil to find the promised land. theology, it was their fearless love for the proclamations of the seemingly the Church and their willingness to endless parade of New Age gurus. ut even a quick review of the minister to others regardless of the Curiously, this quest for spirituality Church’s 2000-year history consequences that enabled the centers not on seeking the fullness of reveals that the “worst of Church to survive. Communism truth, but on determining whether B failed, just as the any given spiritual path matches “my” times” can indeed be the “best of times.” The first three centuries of had failed some two centuries earlier, personal beliefs or fulfills “my” wants the Christian era could not have been yet the Church survived and, even in and needs. Even the recent “Left worse for the infant Church, as the our time, continues to grow. Behind” series of books and films, faithful lived under the constant threat while allegedly based on Scripture, of persecution — and yet the Church oday, however, we face betray a spirituality that is man- grew in ways that are nothing short of challenges that often are not centered — “Where will ‘I’ be when startling. Some four hundred years of Tobvious. The early Christians the Second Coming occurs?” — rather marginalization and persecution at clearly knew their enemy: the than God-centered. the hands of the Ottoman Turks not Roman state. But in our time, the only failed to destroy the Church, but enemy is often elusive. Indeed, as esus Christ did not take on our produced some of the most glorious Our Lord warned, there is much human nature to teach us how to saints and faithful witnesses. In our darkness that presents itself as light. Jbe human. He did so to reveal own time, nearly eight decades of Wolves indeed lurk in sheep’s that there is more to life than my brutal persecution at the hands of the clothing. happiness, my needs, my personal godless communists failed to destroy The challenges we face in our beliefs. He delivers a spirituality the Church’s witness to the Gospel land and in our time can be so subtle rooted in the Holy Spirit, that leads while producing countless witnesses that we easily can become confused, us through His death and resurrec- who gave their lives for the sake of or even deceived. To acknowledge a tion to our heavenly Father. He the Gospel. As Orthodox Christians “post-Christian” era — one in which challenges us to see with the eyes of in America, these periods in the life the very commandments are seen as faith while engaging in spiritual of the Church indeed can seem irrelevant or outdated or passé — is warfare against those things which remote and infinitely distant, yet they synonymous with acknowledging that blind us from recognizing His image serve as constant reminders that God, Christianity may have had some and presence in “the least of the as we sing at Great Compline, truly is meaning in times past, but that 21st brethren.” He commissions us to be with us! century humanity has evolved to coworkers and fellow ministers with If the Church survived these some unspecified “next stage” in its the apostles and saints in bringing the “worst of times,” it is because the spiritual development. Good News of life beyond this fallen People of God, despite challenges to The result of such thinking — and world, to put our faith into action as the contrary, simply and humbly I assure you that there are many witnesses not of who “we” are but, continued to do what they have Americans who are convinced that rather, Who “He” is. While on always been called to do: to remain such is the case — has given rise to occasion we may be tempted to flee united, to use God’s gifts for the everything from a fixation on the times in which we live, to do so — building up, and even preservation, political correctness to a complete to bury the great gift which has been of the Church, and to minister to redefining of the fundamental unit of entrusted to us — is ultimately to others in love, even in the face of society, the family. betray our faith, to reduce Orthodox death — in short, to put their faith into Many assert, as I mentioned ear- Christianity to mere pious platitudes action in objective and tangible ways. lier, that this is the result of secular- incapable of producing action, much There is a legendary story ization, of life without spiritual val- less of making an impact on a world relating how, early on in the ues; I would contend, however, that which scurries about in search of communist era, the Patriarch of this is the result of a spiritual quest spirituality apart from the Holy Spirit. Moscow had been asked, “What will that finds its beginning and end in a happen to the Church after the last spirit that is alien to God — or, put in different terms, in a spirit that is ‘babushka,’ the last ‘old lady,’ dies.” ADDRESS TO 7 -5- NOVEMBER 2003 ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND

RALLY FROM 1 the education sessions using the OCA parishes and follow up phone calls to curriculum God Is Calling You. They all priests. Along with this I recom- somehow all hanging with clothes- all came prepared and offered a first mend that early in the year an at- pins on this line for the week. class presentation. We had two groups tempt is made through priests and By that evening there were forty- for these. Junior High in the Youth Directors’ of parishes to get eight rally youth, 8 college age Cafeteria and Senior High in the emails of as many potential eligible counselors 7 adult counselors and 5 brand new air conditioned Chapel. rally participants. An attempt could priests committed to live together Fr. Peter, Fr. John and Steve were be made by Rally Staff to contact until the end of Rally on Friday, also Cabin Counselors for the week. each of them personally. August 15. For seven of these people, Heroes are still alive and well. I think these concerns along with this was the first Rally they had ever The women Cabin Counselors: a review of cost of Rally and fees attended. Fr. Mark Sherman, who Matushka Suzanne Aleandro, Pattie need to be all considered during this has been a part of Rally from its Kopcha, Chezelle Serev are also on fall so that Rally 2004 will have a T beginning, had responsibility for the the list of heroes for their ability to shirt and good memory not for 48 College age Counselors. He also did bring structure and a caring kids but for every young person in his famous warm up and introduc- atmosphere to the girls cabins. The Diocese of New England. tions the first night. Matushka Karen Carmichael was our Boston Diocesan Camp is re- faithful nurse for the week, as she has served for Diocese of New England uring this week our guests been for many years. Youth Rally for August 9 –14, 2004. were His Grace, Bishop I am most grateful to Fr. John This gives one needed extra day and DNikon, who delighted Hopko and Chezelle Serev, who night. There are several options on everyone when he put on his Rally T worked hard on forms, graphs and the use of the camp that could be Shirt upon receiving it. In the organization during the months of discussed this fall. afternoon of Tuesday, August 12, preparation. during a downpour he came to – Fr. Vladimir Aleandro Conobie Lake Amusement park and he eight college age counse- rode on the Roller Coaster with his lors brought diversity in young flock. He left a lasting image Ttalents, camp experience, that gave depth of meaning to the Rally background and philosophy. Want an instant words: brave, self sacrificing and This is one of the areas that I see both pastor. great strength and weakness in Rally Fr. Steven Belonick came from 2003. These Junior Counselors could copy of ONE? St. Vladimir’s Seminary to talk on relate to the kids and bring a level of Wednesday on our theme of freshness and enthusiasm that we Did you know that you can receive Vocations. Fr. Michael Westerberg adults don’t always have. They gave an electronic copy of Orthodox New came Wednesday and was in time for up a most precious last week of sum- England each month? A growing num- Capture the Flag and water games mer to be there for the kids and I am ber of people receive ONE this con- that was now part of the supervised grateful to each of them. Their role at venient way. If you would like to daytime activities. Peter Jon Gillquist Rally needs to be more clearly receive a copy of ONE in .pdf format gave an exciting and inspiring defined for them before they make each month, send an e-mail to the concert on Thursday night after the the commitment to come. They have editor, Fr. John Dresko, at: Vigil for the feast of The Dormition. needs that should be addressed That evening the time for outside of Rally time and during Rally [email protected] confessions and bon fire carried an their staff responsibilities need to be atmosphere of preparation and defined. In the e-mail, please include your full anticipation. Rally 2003 was organized late, name, address and parish. This en- The crown and fulfillment of the yet with the help of so many it was ables us to remove the correct ad- week was the Divine Liturgy truly a wonderful and God bearing dress from the mailing list and add concelebrated by the five Rally priests week. I hope and pray that with ample your e-mail address to the electronic and Deacon Andre Beshta. He and time to plan program and have staff distribution list. Matushka Mary Lou are Rally development future Rallies will take workers since its beginning. Matushka the best of 2003 and be even better. You can also access past issues and Evelynn Kreta came as choir director During this time I would recommend an archives of various articles previ- for the week. We were all very that the role of Director, Assistant ously published in ONE at the dioc- grateful for her dedication in leading Director with responsibility for staff esan website: us in worship. and Program Director be developed The priests Fr. Peter Carmichael, early. www.ocadne.org Fr. Mark, Fr. Dennis, Fr. John Hopko Mailings were sent to all Rally along with Reader Steve Hosking led participants of the past year, to all -6- ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND NOVEMBER 2003 organizations have done an exem- “liberal” as opposed to a “traditional- ADDRESS FROM 5 plary job in witnessing to the faith ist” expression of the fullness of truth! t is not uncommon for us to hear and the fullness of truth. If the vast majority of Americans the call to “bring America to But until the Church itself, and know little or nothing of us, me must IOrthodoxy” or to “bring not just the organizations and honestly admit that it is because we Orthodoxy to America.” In response agencies which support the Church, have failed to make ourselves known to Our Lord’s own command to speaks with a single voice and mind, to put our faith into action. “teach all nations,” this is quite a certain degree of confusion will natural. continue to reign, and Orthodox here are many other obstacles, But before we can effect the “best Christianity will continue to be internal and external, that we of times” in these “worst of times,” misunderstood, misinterpreted, and Tmust overcome if we are to we must struggle to overcome those far removed from what is referred put our faith into action and obstacles that have prevented us from to as “the American religious transform these “worst of times” into pursuing this most fundamental of mainstream.” the “best of times.” But, in conclu- evangelistic principles. And there are sion, it seems to me that only if we several obstacles, often of our own nother obstacle that can would focus our spiritual eyes on one doing, that must be overcome if we prevent us from putting our simple maxim, we would find that are to turn our attention to Afaith into action is the our actions, borne of faith, would quenching the spiritual thirst of our tendency to withdraw into ourselves, bring about a truly bountiful harvest. world, our society, our friends and to become so frustrated with the world The maxim to which I refer is family and neighbors. that we turn to fundamentalism, to a this: At every moment of your life, romanticism for bygone days, or to ask yourself, “What does God want s is well known, many have the comfort that indeed is found in me to do right here, and right now.” converted to Orthodox associating only with “our people.” It is precisely in this maxim’s AChristianity during the past I recently read an article by a simplicity that its tremendous two or three decades. But, as one well known Protestant author titled wisdom is to be found. We have been historian recently noted, Orthodox “Why I Would Never Become Or- placed here by God. He has, as Christianity has yet to make a dent in thodox.” While I certainly could not Paul writes, equipped us for the build- American society. agree with most of what the author ing up of His Body, the Church. He Our lack of unity gives those on stated, his words did force me to has blessed us as His chosen people, “the outside” the impression that the think about how we present ourselves as a holy nation, and as a royal priest- Orthodox Church is simply a to others, and how and what others hood to proclaim the wonderful things fragmented collection of “branches” perceive about the Church could He has done for us, as Saint Paul or “denominations,” not unlike indeed lead them to agree with the reminds the Corinthians. American Protestantism with its over author’s premise. And indeed, He has done great 400 — and growing — “varieties.” On the one hand, we are called to things for us — things that strengthen The unique and somewhat feed the world with the written — and us in our weakness, unite us in our unprecedented circumstances which living — Word of God, yet we are disunity, and inject into our faith a brought about the fragmentation of often known only for our ethnic foods, zeal that prompts us to act in the time the Church into different, and often and nothing more. We are called to and place in which God has placed competing, ethnic jurisdictions are, proclaim the Good News to any and us. Can you imagine the impact we by and large, no longer a reality. Yet all who would listen, yet we still find would have on this land if each one of in many circles, the lack of Orthodox Orthodox Christians who consider us discerned what God wants us to unity in America is not only seen as evangelization to be an “innovation do, right here and right now — and “the norm,” but serves as a means for borrowed from the Protestants.” We then went out and actually did it?! preserving ethnic identity or cultural proclaim the fullness of truth, yet Can you sense the presence of the purity — as if these things have any- squabble over “traditionalism” and Holy Spirit Himself, Who leads us to thing to do with the Church. “liberalism,” as if there can be a discern our heavenly Father’s will for If we seriously wish to bring us, in such witness and action? America to Orthodoxy — and I surely Can you see with the eyes of faith do not question those who see this as PUBLICATION the bountiful harvest that could be an opportunity to put our faith into DEADLINES reaped if only our faith was trans- action — we must make Orthodoxy formed into action in our personal visible in America. The Standing January Issue lives, in our families and communi- Conference of Canonical Orthodox ties, in our parishes, and beyond the st Bishops (SCOBA), International December 1 walls of our parish churches into the Orthodox Christian Charities, the very midst of our neighbors, our Orthodox Christian Mission Center, February Issue st and numerous other agencies and January 1 ADDRESS TO 8 -7- NOVEMBER 2003 ORTHODOX NEW ENGLAND ADDRESS FROM 7 Medicinal Supplies go to Iraq friends, and even our enemies? e extend our sincere Nescott at their home. Father t is my prayer that you — rather, gratitude to the following Nicholas offered prayers for Lew’s it is my prayer that all of us — will Wparishes: Three Saints safe journey and blessed Lew, all the Iseek to discern the Lord’s will for Church in Ansonia, St. Nicholas medicine and related equipment. us, His People, His Church, that be- Antiochian Church in Bridgeport, Lew will be working with the ing renewed in faith, we might bring Holy Transfiguration Church in New International Orthodox Christian about a renewal of the world through Haven, Nativity of the Holy Virgin Charities (IOCC) personnel in action, through love, and through Mary Church in Waterbury, Christ Amman and Baghdad. Designated our works of mercy. the Savior Church in Woodbury, and hospitals or clinics that serve all the And it is my prayer that God will the Yale Community for their people of Iraq will be the recipients enable us to respond to the challenge generous donations to the medical of these supplies. which Saint Paul places before each supply mission for Iraq hospitals. He will be entrusting the and every one of us as Orthodox Lew Nescott, of Three Saints monetary donations to Father Christians: To be all things to all men Church, departed on September 27th Younan Alfred, an established Or- that by all means, we might save with approximately 600 pounds of thodox cleric in Baghdad. Father some. medicines and related equipment Alfred will disburse the funds among Never forget, as Our Lord including cash contributions. Prior those parishioners deemed most in teaches, that the harvest is plentiful, to departure, Father Nicholas need. but the workers are few. We have Timpko, pastor of Three Saints been called to action; I pray that, Church, visited Lew and Mary – submitted by Barbara Ann Dixon from this moment on, we will act in the name of the Father, Son and Holy MESSAGE FROM 1 strengthen each of you as you begin Spirit, seeking not our own glory but, this journey, and may we arrive to- rather to glorify God. If all of us unite It is through our prayer and fasting gether at the joyous celebration of in this conviction and action, if all of that the “self” is put aside. Our ability the Lord’s Nativity emptied of all us use every means God makes to prepare a space for the coming of cares and temptations. available to us, then by all means, Christ is directly proportional to our some might be saved, and we will ability to turn away from the “things” With love in Christ, have transformed the worst of times of this world. into the very best! The world’s celebration of Christmas (His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman, very rarely includes Christ. The temp- †HERMAN th delivered this Main Address at the 10 tation to be overwhelmed by party- of Washington Annual Fellowship of Orthodox ing, shopping, cooking, traveling, and Metropolitan of Christians in Connecticut Banquet on any number of other distractions is All America and Canada October 5, 2003.) great indeed. May our Lord Locum tenens of the Diocese of New England

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