JANUARY 2017 • Vol. 82 • No. 1322 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00

What’s Inside ENCYCLICAL Feast of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and , the Monks and Nuns, the GOA/D. Panagos photo Presidents and Members of the Parish Coun- Epiphany Events cils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Archbishop Demetrios throws the cross at the , the Day, Afternoon, and annual Epiphany celebration in Tarpon Springs. Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the P. 6 Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America A look back Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Highlights of 2016 Our commemoration of the Feast of P. 2 the Three Hierarchs represents a strong Leadership 100 and holy tradition in the Orthodox Church Ionian Village receives grant of affirming that these three saints, Basil P. 4 the Great, of Nazianzus, and John NJ Philoptochos Chrysostom, are exalted examples of per- Sets the pace for St. support uu to page 3

Medical Fund Luncheon P. 5 Philoptochos sets biennial event for November

P. 7 Honoring anniversary Connecticut parish, Archons to honor Ecum. Patriarch’s 25 years P. 9 Reflections The Invisible Church P. 11 Family connections Care teams P. 19 OCMC A recap of 2016 P. 23 IOCC milestone A quarter century of assistance ABC News-Live Stream P. 27 Archbishop Demetrios (at right behind President Clinton) at the Inauguration of President . Scholarships Agris scholarships available P. 27 Archbishop Attends Inauguration; Honors Priebus, Bilirakis, Gigicos HDF by Stavros H. Papagermanos Washington’s Lafayette Square. Atlanta Metropolis dance festival President Donald J. Trump and Vice P. 28 WASHINGTON – Archbishop Deme- President , together with their trios attended the Inauguration of Presi- families and a select group of guests, were dent Donald J. Trump on Jan. 20, and in attendance. participated in other events surrounding Shortly after, Archbishop Demetrios, the occasion that included awarding the accompanied by Fr. Alexander Karloutsos Medal of St. Paul to key Greek Orthodox were seated at the prominent dignitaries’ members of the new president’s staff. platform at the Capitol for the Presidential The morning of the inauguration, Inauguration and swearing in of the 45th at the invitation of the Presidential In- president. auguration Committee, he attended On Saturday, Jan. 21, His Eminence GOA photo Orthodox Observer photo the traditional Inauguration Day Prayer President Trump greets Archbishop Demetrios at Service at St John’s Episcopal Church on uu to page 3 the National Cathedral Prayer Service. 2 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS JANUARY 2017 To contact and Paul at the Vatican on June 29. A 2016 Retrospective JULY – AUGUST – The 43rd -Laity Congress takes National Ministries Many significant events in the Church for the victims of the March 22 terrorist at- place in Nashville July 3–7. The National took place in 2016, foremost of which tack on the Brussels airport, which killed Philoptochos Convention takes place Archives was the Holy and Great Council of the more than 35 people. concurrently. National Philoptochos Pres- 212.570.3517 Orthodox Church, the first such council ident Maria Logus presents a $100,000 [email protected] to convene in more than 1,000 years. APRIL check to Archbishop Demetrios for the As chronicled in the issues of the – Total National Philoptochos dona- construction of St. Nicholas Church and Communications Orthodox Observer, the following high- tions top $1 million for St. Nicholas National Shrine. The national organiza- th 212.774.0244 lighted the Church’s year. Church and National Shrine. St. Nicho- tion also celebrated its 85 anniversary. [email protected] las Church in Appleton, Wis., donates – The National Forum of Greek Ortho- JANUARY $100,000 for the church and national dox Church Musicians, meeting concur- Greek Education – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew shrine. rently with the Clergy-Laity Congress, convenes a synaxis of the heads of all – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the marks its 40th anniversary. 212.774.0233 Autocephalous Orthodox Churches Jan. Archdiocese holds its spring meeting [email protected] 21-28 at Chambesy, Geneva, Switzerland, April 13-14. SEPTEMBER in preparation for the Great and Holy – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, – A sudden tornado inflicts extensive Internet Ministries Council planned for June. Pope Francis and Archbishop Ierony- damage to Ionian Village on Sept. 8, 646.519.6690 – Daily construction at the site of St. mos of Athens and All Greece, travel to downing more than 600 trees and damag- [email protected] Nicholas Church and National Shrine the island of Lesbos in mid–April to view ing several buildings. is fully under way as the mechanical work the Syrian refugee problem. – Archbishop Demetrios receives a visit Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical begins. from Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, the Re- and Interfaith Relations MAY publican vice presidential candidate on 212.570.3593 FEBRUARY – MARCH – Archbishop Demetrios visits St. Sava Sept. 15. [email protected] – Archbishop Demetrios sets theme for Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in New – Stavros Niarchos Foundation fulfills the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress, York on May 4 after the cathedral was de- $5 million pledge for the construction of Ionian Village “You are the Voice of Christ in a stroyed by a fire on May 1, Easter Sunday. St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and 212.570.3538 Changing World.” – St. George Church in Piscataway, N.J., National Shrine, Sept. 21. [email protected] – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox celebrates its centennial. – Prime Minister visits Bishops in the United States publishes – HCHC graduates 55 students at com- Archdiocese headquarters on Sept. 22. Center for Family Care the first-ever Atlas of American Orthodox mencement ceremonies May 21. Christian Monasteries. – Joint Committee of Orthodox and OCTOBER 845.424.8175 – San Francisco Folk Dance Festival Catholic Bishops convenes May 22-24 – National Missions and Evangelism [email protected] and Choral Festival marks 40th year. in Contoocook, N.H. Conference, hosted by the Metropolis – The Archbishop Iakovos Leadership – Archbishop Demetrios receives hon- of San Francisco, convenes Oct. 3-5 in Parish Development 100 Endowment Fund approves $3.67 orary doctorate May 28 from St. Tikhon’s Portland, Oregon. 847.825.1432 million in grants at its Feb. 17 meeting. Orthodox Theological Seminary in New – Hierarchs of the Assembly of Canoni- [email protected] – The Annunciation Cathedral Philop- Canaan, Pa. cal Orthodox Bishops of the United tochos in Atlanta donates more than States hold their seventh annual general Philanthropy $155,000 toward the construction of St. JUNE assembly in Detroit on Oct. 4. 212.774.0283 Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and – St. Nektarios parish in Charlotte, N.C., – The first official biography of Ecumeni- [email protected] National Shrine in New York at a Feb. 28 hosts the 33rd St. Na- cal Patriarch Bartholomew, written by fund-raiser. tional Oratorical Festival, June 10-11. Fr. John Chryssavgis, is released Oct. 11. Public Affairs – Architect Santiago Calatrava, meets – The Holy and Great Council of the – Two parishes celebrate their centennials 212.774.0400 with Archdiocese officials in New York Orthodox Church convenes at the in October. Dormition Church-Somer- [email protected] on March 1, including Archbishop Deme- Orthodox Academy in Crete June 19- ville, Mass. (Oct. 22-23), and St. Nicholas trios, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane and 26. Some 300 hierarchs representing Church-Bethlehem, Pa. (Oct. 22-23. Registry Jerry Dimitriou, executive director of 10 of the 14 Autocephalous Churches 212.570.3558 administration, to discuss progress on attended. NOVEMBER St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and – Metropolitan Methodios of Boston – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew [email protected] National Shrine. represents Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- marks the 25th anniversary of his en- – Archbishop Demetrios offers prayers tholomew at the Feast Day of Sts. Peter thronement on Nov. 2. The Orthodox Religious Education Observer published a commemorative 646.519.6300 issue in October. [email protected] How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, – Annunciation Church in Akron, Ohio, Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations marks its 100th anniversary Nov. 4-5. Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism Archbishop Demetrios presided at the 646.519.6160 Direct Archdiocesan District Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org Archierarchal . [email protected] 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology – Efstathios and Stamatiki Valiotis Metropolis of Chicago 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org Saint Basil Academy pledge $10 million on Nov. 13 toward the Youth and Young Adult Ministries Metropolis of Boston 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home expansion project. th 646.519.6780 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home – Archbishop Demetrios receives 9 [email protected] Metropolis of Denver 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org Century New Testament Codex from 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org St. Photios National Shrine Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago Metropolis of Atlanta 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com at a ceremony Nov. 15. 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org – Topping-Out Ceremony for St. Nicho- NEXT DEADLINE Metropolis of Detroit Other key organizations and services las Church and National Shrine takes 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org National Philoptochos place Nov. 28. A 7-foot cross is hoisted Deadline for submitting information, Metropolis of Pittsburgh 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org articles and photos for consideration in 412.621.5529; www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org to the top of the dome. the Feb.–March 2017 issue: Friday, Feb. 10 Metropolis of San Francisco • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com Photos should be sent as a large format 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxma- DECEMBER Metropolis of New Jersey th .jpg attachment (300 dpi min.). ketplace.com – Archbishop Demetrios returns 9 Cen- 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/ tury New Testament Codex 1424 to E-mail to: [email protected] freebookstore the Holy Metropolis of Drama, Greece, Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, Archdiocesan Institutions • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: th from where it was taken in the waning 8 E. 79 St., New York, NY 10075. Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy cbr.goarch.org days of World War I by Bulgarian forces, on Dec. 3 EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at addi- tional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en- Passings GREEK SECTION EDITOR, tirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: Fr. Demetrios Michaelides, a 1942 PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING: www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: [email protected] graduate of Holy Cross Seminary, then Eleftherios Pissalidis USPS 412340 ISSN 0731–2547 Articles and advertising do not necessarily refl ect the views and in Pomfret, Conn., died Jan. 1. GRAPHIC ARTIST: opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are Fr. John Romas, longtime pastor of St. In 2017, published monthly Abel Montoya expressed in offi cial statements so labeled. Nicholas Church, which was destroyed except February – March and July – August ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Soula Podaras Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25. in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. BUSINESS MANAGER: Marissa P. Costidis Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy. Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church on Jan. 24. Editorial and Business Offi ce: THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. – Kris Anne Konugres Vogelpohl, 90, Dn. Eleftherios Constantine 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Of this contribution, $5 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer. former National Philoptochos Board GOA Photographer: Dimitrios Panagos TEL.: (212) 570–3555 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, FAX (212) 774–0239 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicholas Manginas 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 uu to page 4 JANUARY 2017 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS 3 uu from page 1 ENCYCLICAL participated in the traditional National Archbishop Honors Priebus, Bilirakis, Gigicos Prayer Service for the new president at uu from page 1 Washington’s National Cathedral, and of- sons who were filled with the knowledge fered a prayer for service to others: “Give of God and great spiritual wisdom. In the to all the people of our land, O God, the major hymn for the feast we sing of them desire to serve you. Deliver us in our vari- as “the honey-flowing rivers of wisdom, ous occupations from the service of self who flooded all creation with streams of alone, that we may do the work you give divine knowledge,” acknowledging the wit- us to do in truth and beauty and for the ness that they offered through tremendous common good; for the sake of Him who service as compassionate pastors, skilled came among us as one who serves, your teachers, and masterful theologians. Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” Today, their examples and teaching guide us in living in a changing and chal- THE MEDAL OF ST. PAUL lenging world. They show us how faith At the Greek American inaugural and service, grounded in our knowledge reception Jan. 19, Archbishop Deme- of God and our trust in His divine wisdom, trios bestowed the Medal of Saint Paul, can help us navigate our lives and the the highest honor of the Archdiocese of complexity of the world around us while America, to White House Chief of Staff Re- keeping our focus on our relationship with ince Priebus, Congressman Gus Bilirakis God and His promises of abundant bless- (R-FL) and George Gigicos, the deputy ings and salvation. assistant to the president and director GOA/D. Panagos photo of advance. As great preachers and theologians the White House Chief of Sta receives the Medal of St. Paul from Archbishop Demetrios. Three Hierarchs gave significant attention All three are Archons of the Ecumeni- to questions about how we know God, cal Patriarchate-Order of St Andrew the nople, at the Patriarchate, and recognizes administration is a catalyst,” he said and especially through what we can observe in Apostle. the oppression and the struggle, that re- added: “The Greek Orthodox Church in the world around us. Saint Basil wrote in The inaugural reception, traditionally ally is not just a symbol for the Orthodox America is going to be with you in prayer, one of his letters, “But in our belief about organized on the eve of the Presidential Church, but it is a symbol for people of in love, in care and with the absolute God, first comes the idea that God is. This Inauguration, was sponsored by The Hel- faith around the world.” certainty, beyond optimism or pessimism, we gather from His works. For, as we per- lenic Initiative and held in the St. Regis Congressman Bilirakis received an but with hope for better things to come.” ceive His wisdom, His goodness, and all hotel, two blocks from the White House. enthusiastic applause when he said at the George Stamas, representing The His invisible things from the creation of the Both Priebus and Congressman Bili- onset of his remarks: “When I walk in to Hellenic Initiative, presented the pro- world, so we know Him. So, too, we accept rakis spoke about their deep connection the House Chamber, I do not leave my gram, while introductions were made by Him as our Lord.” (Letter 235) with their Orthodox faith and Hellenic Greek at the door.” Andrew Manatos for Congressman Bili- On the knowledge of God Sts. Gregory heritage. Reince Priebus spoke of “the Gigicos was not able to attend the rakis, by Michael Karloutsos for George and John Chrysostom agree. Gregory states integrity and the discipline of the Ortho- event, as he was involved in the prepara- Gigicos and by John Catsimatidis for in his Second Theological Oration, “Now dox Church” as “something that everyone tions for the inauguration. His parents, Reince Priebus. Many leaders and promi- our very eyes and the Law of Nature teach can learn from: attention to detail, check- Fr. Dean Gigicos and Presvytera Elaine, nent members of the Greek-American us that God exists and that He is the Effi- ing boxes, doing things properly, doing received the medal on his behalf. Fr. Dean community also attended. cient and Maintaining Cause of all things; things correctly, and added that “for is a retired priest of Holy Trinity Church Representing Greece were the Min- our eyes, because they fall on visible those of you that have been altar boys as in Maitland/Orlando, Fla. ister of Defense Panos Kammenos and objects, and see them in beautiful stabil- a young kid, you know what I’m talking Archbishop Demetrios, after bestow- the Minister of Digital Policy, Telecom- ity and progress, immovably moving and about.” He further spoke of his willing- ing the medals, said that the appointment munications and Media Nikos Pappas, revolving...because through these visible ness to support religious freedom and the of these Greek Orthodox faithful mem- who traveled to Washington for the things and their order, it reasons back to Ecumenical Patriarchate: “We want to put bers in the new administration could be inaugural ceremonies. Minister Kamme- their Author.” Chrysostom concurs: “Not the concept of religious freedom, our Pa- a catalyst for more involvement of the nos presented to Archbishop Demetrios only does the greatness and beauty of the triarch, , the recognition people in the community in the politi- a Greek flag that was flying in the small creation show forth the Divine Architect, of the struggle of the Orthodox Church cal field. “It is about time that we show Greek island of Ro near Kastelorizo and but the very manner likewise in which it front and center in this White House. I’d the dynamism of the Greek-Orthodox the coat of arms of his ministry to Prebus. is compacted together, and the method love to see the day that the President of soul and mind and these appointments See photos from the event: https:// of operation, transcending as it does, the the Untied States shows up in Constanti- of Greek Orthodox people in the new flic.kr/s/aHskPWgEAd ordinary course of nature.” (Homily X – Concerning the Statutes) For the Three Hierarchs the knowl- ENCYCLICAL edge of God is not only visible to all hu- manity, but it is an essential foundation for understanding our place and purpose in Feast of Saint Basil and New Year the created order, for recognizing whom To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the theological controversies and transitions share the voice of Christ through our and what is greater than the visible world, Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks related to and the Church. support of our beloved Saint Basil Acad- and for our response to this knowledge and Nuns, the Presidents and Members Many people had significant physical and emy. For over seventy years this has been by seeking communion with Him. On this of the Parish Councils of the Greek Or- spiritual needs. In this very challenging a place of peace, faith, and nurture for foundation, however, is the knowledge of thodox Communities, the Distinguished and changing period, Saint Basil offered children and youth, offering them love God and the spiritual wisdom revealed Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, wisdom, comfort, and guidance by the and care in the name and presence of through Christ. They affirm that knowledge the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, grace of God. Christ. May we offer our prayers for the of God through creation is important, but the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, In following the witness of Saint Basil directors, benefactors, and residents of it is incomplete without Christ. To know the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire and many other Fathers of the Church the Academy. As we participate in the truly God and His wisdom, we must know Greek Orthodox Family in America who have been the voice of Christ, we cutting of the Vasilopeta in our communi- Christ. The Three Hierarchs emphasized are sent by our Lord into the world and ties, may we respond generously to the the necessity of the knowledge of Christ Beloved Brothers into this new year to share the Gospel call of our Ladies Philoptochos Society to in order to know God. and Sisters in Christ, of faith and love, to bring comfort and support this vital ministry. As we commemorate the Three Hier- As we welcomed the new year on the healing with God’s grace, and to help May we also affirm our commitment archs and reflect on their insights on how Feast of Saint Basil, we are strengthened others know Christ and His blessings of to be the voice of Christ in all that we do. we know God and through Christ are given and inspired by the mighty acts of God in peace and life. Certainly, we will be His voice through the knowledge and wisdom to follow His 2016. One of our tremendous blessings He sends us as His voice into a world the witness of our worship; but let us will in a challenging world, we also see the was the gathering in Nashville for the that continues to change. At the begin- also be His voice through the growth value of their teachings in relation to our 43rd Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of ning of each calendar year we are re- and quality of our ministry to families, observance of Greek Letters Day. On this our Holy Archdiocese. Our theme for the minded of this rapid change as we survey children, youth, and senior adults. Let observance and the blessed Feast of the Congress was “You are the Voice of Christ the events of the last twelve months. We us be His voice through the quality of Three Hierarchs, my prayer for you is that in a Changing World,” and we continue are called as Orthodox Christians to meet our educational work and resources. Let beautiful greeting offered by the Apostle our focus on this theme as we plan our this change with grace and truth. We do us be His voice in our outreach to the Paul: I do not cease to give thanks for you, ministry and service in the year to come. this as we commit to the timeless mission unchurched. Let us be His voice in our remembering you in my prayers, that the The commemoration of Saint Basil of the people of God to live and proclaim homes, schools, and workplaces. Let us God of our Lord Jesus Christ, may give you the Great provides us with an example the Gospel. We also do this as seen in the be His voice in traditional, unique, and a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the of holiness, leadership, and service that breadth and substance of our ministries inspiring ways so that others will find life knowledge of Him. (Ephesians 1:16) embodies this theme. From his prayer- and through expanding and adapting our and peace in Him. With paternal love in Christ, ful manner of life and his deep faith and work to meet contemporary needs. We With paternal love in Christ, spiritual insight, we see a man who knew are sent by Christ with a message of hope Christ and lived in His presence. Through and life and with the wisdom to navigate his sermons, theological treatises, and a changing and challenging world while pastoral diakonia he was the voice of sharing His grace in effective ways. † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Ameri ca Christ. He lived during a time marked by On the Feast of Saint Basil we also † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Ameri ca 4 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS JANUARY 2017 L–100 Gives $250,000 for Ionian Village The Leadership 100 Executive and windows, suffered major damage, Committee, at a special meeting on Dec. according to Ionian Village Director Fr. 20, unanimously approved a $250,000 Evagoras Constantinides. gift toward the Ionian Village repair “Also, more than 600 trees were ei- efforts. The Greek Orthodox Archdi- ther ripped from the ground or broken ocesan Summer Camp in Greece was apart due to the heavy winds, eliminat- devastated by a tornado formed in the ing almost every tree on the campus,” Ionian Sea on Sept. 8. he added. Chairman George S. Tsandikos, Total estimated cost of repairs is stated that, “The Ionian Village has $1.5 million, which includes the chapel been the centerpiece of the Archdiocese exterior and cross on the dome, drive- youth program and has introduced gen- ways, walkways and fences, housing erations of Greek American Orthodox complex for animals, the lighting sys- youth to their faith and heritage in a tem, basketball court and amphitheater. hospitable environment.” A major fund-raising effort is un- While there was massive damage der way among individuals, parishes, inflicted on the camp, no one was Church organizations and other foun- injured. Most buildings remain intact, dations and entities. Counter–terrorism visitors Orthodox Observer photo but almost everything else, from air To donate or for more information conditioners and water heaters to doors visit www.ionianvillage.org/donate Three Greek government o cials attending an international conference in New York on counter- terrorism  nancing at the United Nations in mid-December also paid a visit to Archbishop Deme- trios to brief him of their e orts in the war on terror. Shown with His Eminence, from left, Katerina Fountoulaki, deputy chief of the Greek mission at the UN; George Pantelis, public prosecutor with the Supreme Court of Greece and head of Financial Investigations Unit-Greece; and Police Lt. Col. Onassis President to Deliver Keynote to L-100 Areti Liasi, Financial Sanctions Unit, Hellenic Republic Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Anthony S. Papadimitriou, president ticular of the Hellenes of the Diaspora. Financing and Source of Funds Investigation Authority. of Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit The Foundation honors Leadership 100 Foundation, will deliver the keynote ad- bearing in mind the very important role dress at the Hellenism Forum on Feb. 9, of this organization in promoting Hel- Youth Ministry, Camping Leaders at the 26th annual Leadership 100 Con- lenism and the Greek Orthodox faith ference, which will convene at the Eau in America. Addressing New Protection System Palm Beach Resort & Spa in Manalapan, “We consider it our duty and an Fla., Feb. 9-12. honour to participate in this organisa- AUSTIN, Texas – Twenty-two youth fully rolled-out across the Archdiocese in Papadimitriou, a prominent attorney tion. Based on the up to date achieve- and camp workers from across the Arch- 2018. “The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and economist who was born in Alexan- ments of Leadership 100, I express my diocese gathered Jan. 23 to begin three of America continues to demonstrate its dria, Egypt in 1955, was unanimously optimism for the future of the organiza- days of intensive youth protection and incredible commitment to the safety of all elected President and Treasurer of the tion and of Hellenism in general in the abuse prevention certification. youth and children. We are proud to keep Board of Directors of the Foundation in USA.” A graduate of the Athens University Y2AM (the Department of Youth and working with the Archdiocese as they take 2005. Under his Presidency, in 2009, the Law School in 1977, Papadimitriou holds Young Adult Ministries, and the Office of their youth protection policies and system Foundation joined Leadership 100. a postgraduate degree in law (DESS) Camping Ministries of the Archdiocese) to the next level,” said Christy Schiller, In an interview at that time, he said: from the University Aix-en- Provence, are in the process of finalizing new poli- vice president of Religious Services of Our mission is to promote through our France. cies for the Protection of Youth and Chil- Praesidium Inc. programmes Hellenic culture in Greece He obtained a Ph.D. in Political Sci- dren. These policies are scheduled to be These 22 youth workers gathered and abroad. ence at the National and Kapodistrian to begin the Praesidium GuardianTM Greece was always at the centre of University of Athens. training program, an intensive three-day Aristotle Onassis’s vision. His vision is also He also holds a B.Sc in Economics program offered by the Archdiocese’s the vision of all the Hellenes and in par- from the London School of Economics. Passings official youth protection vendor. Upon from page 2 completion, these youth workers will be uu certified leaders in youth protection and members, Feb. 6. abuse prevention, and be in a unique LITTLE ONES – Archdiocesan Council Vice President position to lead the rollout of the Arch- Michael Jaharis, 87. also an Archon, a diocese’s new policies. “But whoever causes one of these little ones founder of Leadership 100 and a driving Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew who believe in Me to stumble, force in the effort to rebuild St. Nicholas in his last Christmas encyclical, declared it would be better for him Church at the World Trade Center, Feb. 2017 as the Year of Protection of the if a millstone were hung around his neck, 17. Sanctity of Childhood, and this important and he were thrown into the sea.” – Fr. Theodore Chelpon, 83, founding youth protection initiative embodies the Matt. 17:20 pastor of St. Katherine’s Church in Falls Patriarchal call. Church, Va., Feb. 14. – Retired Fr. George Prassas, 86, May 19. – Retired Bishop Gennadios of Buenos Aires, May 22, in Greece. – Fr. Eusebius A. Stephanou, 91, gradu- ate of Halki Seminary in Pomfret, Conn., May 23. – Fr. Manousos Emmanuel Lionikis, 96, a 1944 graduate of Holy Cross Theo- logical School in Pomfret, June 24. Retired priest – Fr. John Kutulas, 83, who served Chicago-area churches, July 2. – Presvytera Mary Mourikis, widow of the founding priest of St. George Church on Cape Cod, Fr. Spyros Mourikis, Aug. 21. – Fr. Theodore Phillips, first pastor of Sts. Constantine and Helen Church in Cardiff, Calif., Aug. 23. – Retired Fr. Vasilios Thanos, 86, Sept. 2. – Fr. J. Matthew Gilbert, 58, pastor of Holy Trinity/Prophet Elias Church in Salt Lake City, Sept. 17. – George Coumantaros, 94, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarch, philanthropist and great benefactor, Oct. 23. – Fr. Dionisios Marketos, 93, ordained as a priest later in life, Nov. 20. GOA/D. Panagos – Fr. John A. Mangos, MD, 84, serving St. Sophia Church in San Antonio, Dec. 25. Byzantine Choir – Members of the Archdiocesan Byzantine Men’s & Women’s Choir perform at Holy Resurrection Church in Brookville. NY. JANUARY 2017 5

Financial Support from Many Sources Ensures Progress on St. Nicholas

by Constantine S. Sirigos building of St. Nicholas. Many have already worked very hard for the ef- NEW YORK – People get excited fort however, Archbishop Demetrios about the St. Nicholas Greek Ortho- has stated that this must be a national dox Shrine at the World Trade Cen- and international effort as it will be ter when they see the construction the most visited Orthodox Church in progress through the live feed at the United States, if not the World. www.stnicholaswtc.org/en/webcam, Recent major donor contri- and those who are deeply involved butions include Philanthropists in the project are equally thrilled by George and Cathy Sakellaris who the support shown by people from just pledged $1 million to the proj- all walks of life. ect. The Niarchos Foundation has The Shrine is expected to be recently conveyed the $5 million they completed in the spring of 2018 and had pledged and other major donors is planned to open with the iconog- and foundations are fulfilling their raphy complete. pledges as well. John Mindala photo Many communities around the The National Philoptochos has Justice Kennedy tours site country have offered overwhelm- already contributed $1.3 million. The U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Kennedy recently visited the St. Nicholas Church and Shrine site in ing support for the rebuilding of St. Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 late December where he received brie ngs about the project from the Archdiocese Executive Director Nicholas. Endowment Fund has given $1 mil- of Administration Jerry Dimitriou (center), and Andrew Veniopoulos (right). Also in attendance were One example is the Cathedral of lion, the Archons of the Ecumenical Peter J. Pappas (in background), building committee member whose company installed the heating the Annunciation in Houston which Patriarchate have already exceeded and air-conditioning for the church. Justice Kennedy came with Archon and California philanthropist has come in with the biggest parish their $1 million commitment, and Angelo Tsakopoulos and his wife (not shown), at their invitation. pledge thus far. The Cathedral dean, The Order of AHEPA is well on its ration of the Church, and the endow- of scholars, psychologists and clergy Fr. Michael Lambrakis and lay lead- way towards fulfilling its pledge of ment fund to sustain St. Nicholas as and laity. The first meeting in Febru- ers led a drive that recently donated $1 million. living parish and not just a destina- ary will focus on the goals and later $150,000. The hope is that every Donations are funding the tion for visitors. The fundraising they will shape the programs and ad- community in the United States will Church’s numerous dimensions, target exceeds $50 million. dress questions related to operations participate significantly in the re- including the construction and deco- To date there has been $43,640,826 and staffing. in pledges, of which $31,490,175 has Construction has not slowed already been received. Those who down in the winter, it just shifted wish to donate directly can visit: www. gears and moved inside. Recent pho- stnicholaswtc.org/donate. tos show the progress of the dome New York Life recently gave and completion of the erection of NJ Parish Begins Fundraiser $100,000 to fund the planning pro- steel. cess for programs that will be imple- The openings in the structure by Anastasia Michals National Philoptochos held its 2016 mented for the international bereave- have been shielded from the cold so Biennial Convention in Nashville. The ment center, which is an integral part the interior work can progress. There WESTFIELD, N.J. – The Holy Trin- last installment came from the St. Irene of the project. will be a weatherproof wrap on the ity Church Philoptochos was the first Philoptochos of St. Thomas Church in The center’s planning will be dome. In the spring, they will resume chapter in the Metropolis of New Jersey Cherry Hill, N.J. overseen by a committee consisting work on the exterior. to kick off the fundraising effort for St. St. Irene reached and exceeded its Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and goal of $9,200 by adopting a program National Shrine, in October 2014. that involved two major luncheons, the They completed their commitment final one taking place on Feb. 28, 2016, Order your Ecclesiastical only a few months later. Other chapters with more than 180 guests attending. in the Metropolis of New Jersey were The event titled, Our Women in inspired by this early example of Holy Leadership, gave guests the opportu- Wall Calendar Trinity to reach its goal of $22,000 by nity to hear speakers Catherine Avgiris, AN ANNUAL RESOURCE BY THE DEPARTMENT adopting a simple program that entailed executive vice president and CFO of OF COMMUNICATIONS. personal appeals to all stewards. Other Comcast Cable, and Eleni Kousoulis, an plans quickly began to take root. assistant federal public defender and the he Calendar features full-color , The Metropolis of New Jersey sister of Danielle Kousoulis, who was Philoptochos fulfilled its commitment killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist at- the names of the Saints, a fasting guide, of more than $310,000 by the time the tacks that destroyed the Twin Towers of and daily Scripture readings and the World Trade Center. She had been Tcommemorations following the liturgical a vice president at the financial services FAITH firm of Cantor Fitzgerald. protocol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of During her presentation, Eleni Constantinople. In addition, thumbnail icons credited her mother and father’s im- “…if you have faith migrant journey to America as being a on major feast and saint days, fasting symbols, as a mustard seed, guiding example, at home and in the and more. you will say family business, laying a path to success to this mountain, in her career as a public defender in Call 212-774-0224 or send a check for $5 each Calendar to: ‘Move from here to there,’ Delaware. Eleni’s sister and best friend and it will move, Danielle, was the main focus of her Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and nothing presentation, as she cited her sister’s life Dept. of Communications will be impossible for you.” in the community of St. Thomas and in th her position. 8 East 79 Street Matt. 17:20 uu to page 8 New York, NY 10075 6 JANUARY 2017 Epiphany 2017

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Many parishes marked Jan. 6- 8 with outdoor Blessing of the Waters services and cross diving events, under both balmy and frigid conditions. Among those who sent in photos in time for the January issue are as follows: 1. Fr. Dimitri Tobias of Holy Trinity Church in Sioux City, Iowa, blesses the Missouri River. 2. St. Nicholas Cathedral youth, Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, Archbishop Demetrios and Fr. Sampson Kasapakis, following the cross diving at Spring Bayou. 3. Annunciation Church parishioners in Bu alo, N.Y., with 3 Fr. John Sakellariou (assistant priest in red ) and the Rev. Dr. Christos B. Christakis, Proistamenos (Gold vestments). The Niagara River and Ontario, Canada are 12 in background. 4. Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos and parishioners of St. Demetrios Church, Merrick, N.Y., at the Wantagh Marina on the south shore of Long Island where the temperature was 32 11 degrees. 5. Assumption Church in Galveston, Texas pastor Fr. Stelios N. Sitaras and diver Harold Peter Abdul-Ahad. 6. Georgia Mazza (l.) and Gabriella Pyros of St. Nicholas Church in Babylon, N.Y., prepare to release the doves near East Bay. 7. St. Nicholas Church Corpus Christi, Texas, held its annual Blessing of the Waters Service Jan. 8 at Corpus Christi Bay. Fr. John Haby with cross retriever Emmanuel Maragakis. 8. Standing on part of the Mississippi River in zero-degree weather, Fr. Richard Andrews of St George Church in St 4 Paul, Fr. George Dokos of St Mary’s Church in Minneapolis, and Fr. Mircea Vasiu of St. Mary in St. Paul, hold the  rst ever outdoor blessing of the water service in Minnesota. 9. On the other hand, at St. Demetrios Church in Daytona Beach, Fla., on a nice day for a swim, Steno Paspalakis retrieves the cross from the ocean. Evangelo Pavgouzas also dived. 10. Twice blessed. – Parishioners of the communities of Assumption Church of Town and Country, Mo., St Nicholas Church of St Louis and Sts. Constantine and Helen Church of Swansea, Ill., attend the blessing the Mississippi River in St Louis. 11. Young parishioners of St. Spyridon 9 Church in San Diego with Metropolis of San Francisco Chancellor Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and Fr. Andrew Scordalakis at San Diego Bay. 12. Saturday, January 7 – Metropolis of Chicago Chancellor Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Fr. Ciprian Sas of All Saints 5 Church and Fr. Aurel Sas of All Saints Church in Peoria, Fr. Andrew Kishler of St 10 George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Spring Valley, and Fr. Habib Ghantous of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church in Peoria, stand with parishioners on the historic “Spirit of Peoria” riverboat in Downtown Peoria to bless the Illinois River. 13. Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta blesses Nicolas Padillo of St. Andrew Church in Kendall, Fla.,who retrieved the cross, assisted by Fr. AndrewMaginas and Fr. Aristidis Arizi. The Met- ropolitan and Bishop Kyrillos Katerelos of Abydos presided at the Divine Liturgy in the Hellenic Cultural Center of St. Catherine Church in West Palm Beach. Fourteen South Florida Ortho- dox clergy also participated.

8 7 * Photos submitted by each 6 parish shown. JANUARY 2017 7 Archdiocesan Institutions - Philoptochos National Philoptochos Launches Campaign Chapters ‘Shine a Light’ οn Critical Issues Influencing Young People on Wishing Tree Initiative by Despina Denne by Barbara Pasalis Body Image and Self-Esteem. Body image refers to how people see themselves. This past Christmas season, Philop- At the opening meeting of the 2016-18 One’s body image is closely linked to self- tochos chapters from coast to coast national board term, National President esteem. When a person dislikes their body, demonstrated that it is truly better to give Maria Logus announced that Philoptochos they have lower self-worth and feel that than to receive through many variations will launch a campaign to educate our others will not value them. of the “Wishing Tree” project. This initia- community on critical issues that affect our Because adolescents grow and develop tive is a wonderful way for our parishes youth. Topics to be addressed include tech- at different rates, they are at greater risk. to remember the less fortunate among us nology addiction, bullying, body image and Inevitable comparisons result in anxiety and offer them a tangible gift of our love self-esteem, and human trafficking. and low self-esteem. Other influencing fac- during the holidays. Technology Addiction. Technology tors are the media, and even well meaning The St. Catherine Church chapter in addiction is defined as the inability to con- family members and school coaches, who Ithaca, N.Y., decorated a Christmas tree trol the use of various kinds of technology, encourage teens to gain or lose weight to with ornaments containing the wishes of in particular the Internet (video games “look better,” “make weight” or “become a deserving family identified by the Salva- and social media), smartphones (texting), stronger,” which also have negative effects tion Army. Parishioners purchased gifts tablets and social networking sites like on a young person’s body image and self- and Philoptochos donated enough food Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and now esteem. for a feast, all delivered to the family in Snapchat. Human Trafficking. Human traf- time for Christmas. ing home and hospital. Additionally, each The average 8- to 10-year-old spends ficking has been likened to modern-day In a similar project, the Sts. Con- year the Philoptochos adopts a domestic nearly eight hours per day plugged in, while slavery. Over 27 million people, including stantine & Helen chapter in Reading, Pa., violence center, and this year, the Sunday the number is over 11 hours for older chil- 5.5 million children, are in enforced slavery participated in the Salvation Army’s “Angel school children made prayer boxes for the dren. Half of children aged 12 to 17 send as a result of human trafficking. In the US, Tree” program to brighten the holidays for children of the center. The party attendees and receive 60 or more text messages a day. homelessness is a major cause of human 75 local children. In addition to the angel each donated a Walmart gift card to the Technology addiction is associated trafficking; therefore, it is critical to support ornaments, the tree was decorated with center, and the chapter made a generous with stress, sleep disorders, depression, organizations like Covenant House that colorful envelopes which parishioners monetary donation. and weak social, verbal and written com- provide safe housing for young women. could select to make monetary donations At the St. Catherine chapter of Green- munication skills. Children who suffer from The International Labor Organization to fulfill the wish list of a local homeless wood Village, Colo., it starts with six small technology addiction have an increased risk estimates that human drug trafficking gen- shelter. St. Nicholas Church chapter in Christmas trees and culminates in hun- of depression, problems at school, obesity erates $150.2 billion in illegal profits each Newburgh, N.Y., decorated an “angel giv- dreds of gifts for families in need. For more and carpal tunnel syndrome. year. Two-thirds of these profits are from ing tree” with tags for a needy family in the than 10 years, the chapter has sponsored Bullying. Bullying is repeated, aggres- sexual exploitation. The huge economic community determined by calling agen- “giving trees” to aid four families from two sive behavior, which intentionally causes an- incentive makes it that much more difficult cies the chapter supports throughout the local schools who are determined by social other person injury or discomfort. Bullying to combat. year. In addition, the chapter generously workers to be most in need. Gifts include includes making threats, spreading rumors, On Dec. 12, Philoptochos partnered responded to an appeal to aid several clothing, household items, toys, shoes attacking someone physically or verbally, with UNICEF to present a webinar on Hu- more families in a local school district who and gift cards for meals and groceries. The and excluding someone from a group. man Trafficking. Anyone suspecting that were in need of Christmas gifts. parish delivers hundreds of gifts, bringing It is especially harmful within the human trafficking is occurring in their In Danbury, Conn., the Assumption joy and hope to many children and adults school environment. Students who experi- community should call the Human Traf- Church Philoptochos adopted several lo- who need a lending hand. ence bullying are at increased risk for poor ficking Hotline at 888-373- 7888. It may cal families through Danbury Child Family On the West Coast, Assumption school adjustment, sleep difficulties, anxi- also be helpful to use Fair Trade Products, Services. The GOYA, JOY and HOPE youth Church chapter in Seattle has displayed a ety, depression and even suicide. which are produced without trafficking. groups along with the entire parish col- wishing tree for the last three years. This Nearly one in four students reports be- Among the products available are sugar, lected gloves, hats, scarves, socks and gift year’s tree supported the Jubilee Women’s ing bullied during the school year; however, cocoa, coffee, tea, wines and more. These cards for the families. Center, a long-term transitional hous- it is suspected that more than 64 percent of fair trade products are readily available at In addition, a parishioner and her ing program for homeless women. The bullied children do not report it, indicating grocery stores. daughters organized a toy drive for the Philoptochos Wishing Tree initiative is a that the percentage of bullied students must Just look for the FairTrade logo. Com- agency, and the youth groups collected great opportunity for our parishes, and be much higher. munities can sponsor a Fair Trade Event; nonperishable food for donation to the particularly our youth, to demonstrate that Peer intervention can be extremely event kits are available at www.UNICEF. local food banks. St. Nicholas Philopto- it is better to give than to receive. Every effective in stopping bullying. Therefore, org. Additional information and resources chos of Tarpon Springs, Fla. organized a chapter should choose an organization education of our youth is a critical compo- chapters and individuals can use to reduce “Day of Giving” party for which they made that is most relevant in their community nent of the solution. the effects of Human Trafficking are avail- Christmas bell ornaments to give to a nurs- to support. Technology addiction has given rise to able at: www.philoptochos.org. cyber bullying as a huge problem. Of the 25 Over the next few months, Philopto- percent of high school students who report chos will sponsor educational podcasts and CMF Luncheon Set Nov. 11 in NJ being bullied, nearly three-fourths of these webinars on these important issues. Visit report being bullied online. www.philoptochos.org. by Marissa Costidis goal of raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for area hospitals and health The 16th Children’s Medical Fund organizations, Mrs. Michals invites all to Luncheon, hosted by the Metropolis of be a part of the this wonderful day, stat- New Jersey, will be held on Saturday, Nov. ing, “It is our hope to reach a significant 11, 2017 at the Venetian in Garfield, N.J. level of giving from all over the country, The Children’s Medical Fund is National which will offer the opportunity to grant Philoptochos’ major fundraising event. substantial awards to children’s hospitals, Since its inception, the National research and special programs to benefit Philoptochos has raised about $3.3 mil- children throughout the Metropolis of lion for the Children’s Medical Fund, and New Jersey and the country. has awarded over $2.8 million in grants to The majority of the funds raised in hospitals and organizations. The balance conjunction with the Children’s Medical of the funds is held in reserve to benefit Fund Luncheon in 2017 will go towards individuals as the need arises. the benefit of hospitals and programs that The remaining funds have been help children with medical needs in New disbursed for children in need through Jersey, Delaware, Greater Philadelphia, grants handled by the Social Services Maryland and Virginia. department at the National Philoptochos Women from all over the country will office. Metropolis of New Jersey Philop- attend and participate in the Children’s tochos President and General Luncheon Medical Fund Luncheon. Mark your cal- Chair Anastasia Michals, has assembled a endars and join us!” dedicated and talented group of Philop- tochos members to begin the planning * Marissa Costidis is CMF Luncheon- process of this important event. With the Publicity Co-chair. 8 JANUARY 2017 Archdiocesan Institutions

Saint Basil Academy Receives Two Generous Christmas Gifts GOA/D. Panagos photos (Above left) Children of St. Basil Academy perform their Christmas program. (Above) Generous do- GARRISON, N.Y. – The first major raised funds for SBA. They presented His nations for the Academy presented to Archbishop Demetrios, Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director; and snowstorm of the winter which dumped Eminence with a check for $5,015.40. Evellyn Tsiadis, board president. more than six inches at Saint Basil Acad- The other check was for $10,000 from emy and the surrounding area on Dec. Andrew Gounardes, who ran the NYC 17, didn’t dissuade about 150 people Marathon as a fundraiser for SBA. from attending the annual Christmas Board member Spiro Mitsis, also NJ Parish Begins Fundraiser program there. According to board an academy alumnus, had some very of trustees member Dr. Steven Gou- unique and special gifts for every child uu from page 5 and most of us have not seen. nardes, though some dignitaries had through a fundraising project he un- For the Metropolis women, it was cancelled their plans to come, he was dertook. easy because we saw. But if you remem- “very humbled to see the Archbishop After the gift distribution at the So, when Metropolis Philoptochos ber the story of our own Danielle, who not only attend but arrived exactly at 11 Main, many other donations were chapters completed their St. Nicholas may not be known but should never be am as scheduled even with the inclem- made. His Eminence stayed at SBA and commitments, the task seemed rela- forgotten, the task will be uncomplicat- ent weather.” watched the children open their gifts tively uncomplicated since it was driven ed for you, too, because Danielle grew Also attending was the Supreme and then joined in singing Christmas by personal memories; stories such as up in St. Thomas, a New Jersey parish President, executive director and trea- Carols with everyone. Danielle’s and those told by others who much like your own. And as the Bible surer of AHEPA, along with other Ahe- Earlier the children put on a special knew people who lost their lives on that says, faith is believing without seeing. pans and Daughters of Penelope mem- Christmas program. The night before fateful day. Please support the local Philopto- bers, and the National Philoptochos. Vespers service was held, and a morn- The task of raising funds for St. chos chapter(s) in your area or your The highlight of the event was two ing Divine Liturgy was celebrated by the Nicholas Church and National Shrine Metropolis Philoptochos with your check presentation; one from students Very Rev. Dean Moralis, a board member may not be so easy for women in par- donations. For further information and at John Caroll High School in Maryland and dean of Annunciation Cathedral in ishes far away from downtown Manhat- resources, visit www.philoptochos.org/ who, as part of their senior project Baltimore. tan because many need to see to believe, news/saintnicholas. CLERGY UPDATE THE FATHERS INTERPRET Demetrios, 11/25/16 Apostoliki Diakonia, Ordinations to the Diaconate Fr. Christodoulos Margellos, Office of Panteloukas, Demetrios, by Metropoli- Archimandrite, bestowed by Metro- a significant and multi-faceted tan Methodios of Boston; St. George ministry of the Church politan Iakovos of Chicago, 12/06/16 Chapel, Contoocook, NH 09/17/16 Fr. Michael Prevas, Office of Econo- of Greece, published in 1996 Mueller, Nicholas, by Metropolitan mos, bestowed by Metropolitan Gera- the book OΙ ΠΑΤΕΡΕΣ Gerasimos of San Francisco, St. Ann simos of San Francisco 12/06/16 ΕΡΜΗΝΕΥΟΥΝ authored by Church, Roseville, Calif. 12/18/16 Fr. Soterios Baroody, Office of Econo- Archbishop Demetrios Ordinations to the Priesthood mos, bestowed by Archbishop Deme- of America. Dn. Demetrios Panteloukas, by Met- trios of America 12/11/16 ropolitan Methodios of Boston, Holy Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, Office of The book contained six Trinity Church, Norwich, Conn., Economos, bestowed by Archbishop original studies on patristic 09/18/16 Demetrios of America 12/11/16 biblical exegesis. Dn. Anton Vrame, by Metropolitan Fr. John Mamangakis, Office of Confes- sor, bestowed by Metropolitan Alexios Now, Apostoliki Diakonia Gerasimos of San Francisco, St. Nicho- las Church, Oak Lawn, Ill., 11/21/16 of Atlanta 12/11/16 has published these Dn. Christopher Retelas, by Metro- Fr. Dimitrios Tobias, Office of Confes- studies in English politan Gerasimos of San Francisco, sor, bestowed by Bishop Demetrios of in a new book titled St. Anthony Church, Pasadena, Calif., Mokissos 12/11/16 THE FATHERS 12/11/16 Clergy Deaths INTERPRET. Assignments Page 20 Fr. Demetrios Panteloukas, Holy Trin- To purchase your copy of The Fathers Interpret ity Church, Norwich, Conn. 09/18/16 Receptions ($15 per copy + $6 S&H) please call 212-774-0244, or email [email protected], Fr. Gregory Edwards, January 11, 2017 Fr. Mark Emroll, Holy Trinity-St. (from the ) or comple the order form below and mail it to: Department of Communications, Greek Nicholas Church, Cincinnati, 01/01/17 Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075. Fr. Joseph Gingrich, Annunciation Releases Church, Dayton, Ohio, 01/01/16 Yes, I want to order _____ copies Name: ______Fr. Costas C. Constantinou, Dec. 29 Fr. Spyridon Kehayes, St. George (to the Metropolis of Paphos, Church Enclosed is my check for: Church, Massillon, Ohio 01/15/17 of Cyprus) Address: ______Fr. Polykarp Steve, Annunciation $______or Church, Farrell, PA 01/15/17 Vicariate for Palestinian/Jordanian Exp. date: ______City: ______State: _____ Zip: ______Offikia Orthodox U.S. Communities Fr. Richard Scott, Office of Economos, Suspensions Card No.: ______Phone: ______bestowed by Metropolitan Nicholas of Rev. Fr. Moheen Hanna 01/20/17 Name on Card: ______Detroit 01/31/16 Fr. Anastasios Pourakis, Office of Returned to status of Layman Signature: ______Email: ______Economos, bestowed by Archbishop Haddad, Rev. Fr. Hanna 11/01/16 JANUARY 2017 9 Metropolis News ‘Light the Path’ Illumines Journey to Priesthood

by Kristen Bruskas The Metropolis Philoptochos re- cently hosted two luncheons to benefit the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Stu- dent Aid Endowment Fund. “Light the Path – A Christmas Lun- cheon” was held Nov. 19 at the Resur- rection Church is Castro Valley, Calif., and Dec. 10, at Assumption Church in Long Beach. More than $100,000 was raised to provide scholarships for seminarians and students from the Metropolis cur- rently enrolled at Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology. More than 600 guests combined at both events, at which Metropolitan Gerasimos remarked, “What we are doing today is much more than buying pretty Christmas trees and holiday deco- rations. We are making an investment in photos courtesy of Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos the future of the church. Do not let the Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas with other Philoptochos members at the Long Beach luncheon. giving stop today, because the needs are greater than what is in this room. Through your generosity, let us light the season with our seminarians and stu- the guests, along with photo opportuni- creative vision, Metropolitan Anthony, path for our seminarians and students dents truly is a gift,” stated Metropolis ties with Santa Claus enjoyed by young of blessed memory, remains a beacon at Hellenic College Holy Cross School Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas. and old alike. The angelic voices of the of hope and love for our seminarians of Theology as they prepare to serve “These young men and women are so San Francisco Girls Chorus shared fes- and students who can now graduate the Church.” inspiring and we look forward to cel- tive music for the season at the event with peace of mind, knowing that the At the luncheon in Castro Valley, ebrating their many achievements in in Castro Valley, while the No Square Philoptochos is committed to reducing Matthew Jouthas spoke about his experi- their future service to the church.” Singers from Laguna Beach performed their school debt. The Bishop Anthony ences at HCHC and how his journey has The festive events were adorned Christmas carols and led the guests in Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment been enriched through his interaction with themed Christmas trees donated holiday favorites at the luncheon in Fund was established over 25 years ago, with the clergy, his professors and fel- by chapters and individuals throughout Long Beach. and has since distributed over $1 million low students. the Metropolis. The proceeds from the The Metropolis Philoptochos is in scholarships to students from the Jouthas also spoke of the support Christmas trees and Christmas boutique committed to many ministries, but es- Metropolis studying for the holy priest- he receives from the Metropolis Philop- added to the success of this event. pecially to providing substantial support hood. In 2016, the Metropolis Philop- tochos and how it has eased his journey In addition, this year Secret Santa for our future priests and the perpetua- tochos awarded more than $140,000 to the priesthood, receiving both the created shopping excitement among tion of our Orthodox faith. Through his to 22 students. financial and emotional support as he devotes himself to his studies and future service to the Church. Jason Ivey, in his remarks in Long Conn. Parish to Hold Event Honoring Ecumencial Patriarch’s Anniversary Beach, spoke of the many opportuni- ties and challenges as a seminarian and by Gregory Stamos 7 p.m. at the social and educational the primary presenter, sharing His how meaningful the Adopt-a-Student building of St. Barbara’s, 480 Race- All-Holiness’s significant accomplish- program has been to him, knowing that ORANGE, Conn. – St. Barbara brook Road in Orange. ments during this quarter-century of the Metropolis Philoptochos sends a ray Church, AHEPA Chapter 98, The Hel- Presenters will include Professor Orthodox leadership. of light through their care packages, lenic Bar Association of Connecticut, George Demacopoulos of Fordham The recent autobiography cel- notes of encouragement and friendship. and Archons of the Ecumenical Pa- University and Nik Mathews, both ebrating this 25 year period, Twenty- Ivey also commented on the fam- triarchate, Order of St. Andrew the Archons. Dr. Demacopoulos also is Five Years of Guiding the Christians ily aspect of the school, how everyone Apostle, are sponsoring and support- the Archons historian and Mathews Bartholomew - Apostle and Visionary, looks out for one another, and that the ing an educational forum and lecture, is regional commander of District 1. by Father John Chryssavgis, will also relationship among the Metropolis stu- in essence, a celebration of the 25th He will touch upon the aspects be reviewed at this event. dents is especially strong. anniversary of Ecumenical Patriarch of the Denial of Religious Freedom This educational lecture will “The opportunity to come together Bartholomew’s enthronement. under which His All-Holiness labors, also include a question and answer to celebrate the beautiful Christmas The event will take place Feb. 15, and Professor Demacopoulos will be period.

Orthodox Observer 2016-17 Deadlines WORD Note: The following is the tentative deadline schedule for submitting articles and photos to the Orthodox Observer for consideration in 2016. In rare instances, it may be necessary to change a deadline. If that occurs, the new date will appear in red letters. “In the beginning Month Deadline Highlights You are the Voice was the Word, of Christ in 2017 a Changing World. and the ‘Word’ February–March Friday, Feb 10 Lenten issue April Friday, March. 24 Easter issue was with God, May Friday, April 21 HCHC commencement issue ‘As the Father has sent June Friday, May 26 Me; so I send you.’ and the Word July–August Friday, June 23 September Thursday, Aug. 31 New ecclesiastical year begins John 20:21 was God.” October Friday, Sept. 29 Archon weekend issue November Friday, Oct. 27 Thanksgiving issue John 1:1 December Thursday, Nov. 30 Christmas issue 10 JANUARY 2017 Book Review

Fr. Ted then elucidates the basic The Apostolic Gospel content of the Gospel which, he points Rev. Dr. Theodore Stylianopoulos out, was so well understood in the time 98 pages of the Apostles that St. Paul could safely Holy Cross Press assume his own listeners would know Available from Holy Cross Bookstore it. Contrast this with the actual situa- $14 tion today in our parishes: how many people in fact know the Gospel in all its particularity? Fr. Ted shows the inherent by Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas interconnection of two distinct triads What a privilege for the Orthodox that reverberate throughout the book: Specialists in Travel to Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, , Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Jordan Church in the United States to have the person and work of Christ (centered • Tailor made itineraries to any of our unique destinations. among its growing resources this lat- in the four Gospels), the outpouring • European Honeymoon & Wedding specialists. est book by Fr. Ted Stylianopopoulos of the Spirit (starting in Acts), and the • European Family Vacations. who has been a teacher and mentor to life of the Church (in Acts, the Epistles, • Customized European Group Travel. numerous clergy theologians and faith- and Revelation). This content itself is • Specialists in Greek Orthodox groups to the Holy Land, Constantinople & Greece. ful for decades. In the flurry of daily life distinct but related to its blessings (ex- JOIN US ON OUR GREEK ORTHODOX today and the astonishing richness of amples: forgiveness, joy) and demands PILGRIMAGES & CULTURAL TOURS: our Tradition, clergy and laity can be- (examples: purity and holiness) come consumed with so much activity In the chapter on blessings, Fr. Ted HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES: and external stimuli that we easily lose then explores the richly diverse New April 25 - May 03, 2017 • Led by Fr. Stephen sight of what is central to our faith: the Testaments terms such as salvation, jus- Karcher of St. Anthony Church in Reno, NV - person Jesus Christ and the Gospel as tification, redemption, reconciliation, October 10 - 17, 2017 Led by Fr. James Retelas the core of Orthodoxy. divinization, forgiveness, righteousness, • This short book explores, in a peace, and gift. In a culture that is so of Annunciation Church in Sacramento, CA responsible and fresh way, the varied work-oriented and an ecclesial tradi- PILGRIMAGE TO RUSSIA: dimensions of the message of salvation tion that can appear intimidating, this Moscow & St. Petersburg: July 10-20, 2017 that we are entrusted to proclaim and section powerfully demonstrates the Led by Fr. Teodor Petrutiu of SS. Constantine live: its specific content, the extraordi- astonishing goodness and sheer gift of • nary blessings that are poured out upon God’s eternal love for all creation that & Helen in Westland, MI all who accept Christ as Lord and Savior, has now been dramatically and liberally PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY: Italy & Sicily: Oct., 2017 the consequent demands for how we are poured through His Son. Visit us at: www.GreekOrthodoxPilgrimages.com to live, and its inherent power to trans- As Fr. Ted notes, such a priority of form us as persons and communities! blessings over demands accords with 31 09 Newtown Ave. Long Island City, NY 11102 With precision, Fr. Ted first lays out the overall Biblical story of God’s re- Tel.: (718) 721-3808 Toll Free: 1-800-223-7880 his own definition in dialogue with both lationship with us from the Garden of Eden, through Noah and the Ark, Moses Fax: (718) 795-4356 E-mail: [email protected] the ancient Church and some of the best scholarship today: and Mount Sinai, David and Jerusalem: www.cloudtours.com The core message of the good news everything is initiated by the Lord who is this: through the person of Jesus loves and keeps on giving even when and the main events of his life, God’s we do not return the favor. new and decisive era of salvation has Next comes a chapter on the de- powerfully broken into the fabric of mands inherent in the gospel that are history. Through the ministry of the centered on love of God and neighbor incarnate Son and the gift of the Spirit, through Christ who is the personal em- God had inaugurated a new order of bodiment of divine teaching (Torah or life, a transforming reality intended Law) that sets us in a right relationship to be announced as good news to the of communion with the Trinity. whole world. Fr. Ted notes both the diversity This message of salvation, with and unity of such ethical and spiritual special emphasis on the death and requirements throughout the New Tes- resurrection of Christ, is grounded in tament, starting with the challenging the unity of the apostolic testimony by teaching of Jesus himself, and then Peter, John, James, Paul, and other privi- how this is worked out in actual com- leged witnesses to the primary events of munity life by the Apostles, chiefly St. revelation. Paul but also including Sts. Peter, John Next, he explores the key Greek and James. words that express different aspects of Our true battle inwardly and out- the Gospel - evangelion, logos, kerygma, wardly involves spiritual striving (asce- and martyria – in ways that are easy to sis) and moral strictness that is ground- understand, even if a reader does not ed not in our own resources and efforts know the original language of the New but in the primacy of divine grace that Testament. And for those who do, there alone allows us to live up to our ex- is no small benefit from his precision and clarity. uu to page 24 Guidelines for Centennial News As the Archdiocese will mark the 100th to the start of festivities. If a celebratory activity year of its founding in 1922, a number of par- such as a banquet or other formal program, ishes founded in the decades the late 19th and is planned, an article and photos may be sent early 20th centuries have already celebrated immediately after it has taken place. Articles their centennials and more and more commu- and stories may be 500 to 700 words in length. nities will also mark this important milestone Pictures should be high resolution (300 dpi or in the coming years. greater). Photos posted online are not of high The Orthodox Observer welcomes enough resolution for use in a print publica- articles and photos from parishes on their tion. Further photo guidelines are available on celebrations and offers a few guidelines for the classified advertising page. submission of articles and information about More information, e-mail: [email protected] these events. Communities planning a series Parishes observing this event in 2017 are of events taking place over the course of asked to send a brief e-mail as to the date the year, may submit an article noting these of its primary celebration so a listing of all activities two or three months in advance for these communities may be included in the publication in an issue of the Observer prior December issue. JANUARY 2017 11 Reflections STERLING TRAVEL 20 LAUREN LANE, PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. 08865 The Invisible Church: www.hellastickets.com • [email protected] Cheap Tickets, A Doctrine That Has Come of Age 20 Lauren Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Great Price

by Fr. Stephen Powley asked why this was so. Many folks found this answer seemed to work well and Have you been around people who defuse any arguments: “I am spiritual, TICKETS 2 GREECE ON SALE proclaim a faith in Christ, yet totally not religious!” That phrase spread like reject the idea of Church? It seems to wildfire as no one seemed to have a be a growing belief among folks in our good response to it. It grew to the point country. It really has its beginnings with that many people could confidently say: a doctrine that came out of the Reforma- “I choose not to attend a church, but I tion: “The Invisible Body of Believers.” am a Christian and Jesus is my Lord! I ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ από The Reformation began with some worship Him when I am outdoors, in noble ideas to get the Roman Catholic fact, up on a mountain is best!” Because $ Church back on the right track with membership in the true church of Jesus, some beliefs the Reformers thought had that invisible church, requires only belief gone astray. What began as a desire to in the Lordship of Jesus, then all of these ΑΘΗΝΑ correct led to a full scale “protest” and a people must be “saved” too. breaking away from the Roman Catholic More and more people are seeing Church. the advantages of “being saved” without Alas, the Reformers couldn’t agree need of a church: extra sleep, golf, foot- ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ on what doctrines were correct and so ball on television, freedom to do as one the “protest” carried on against each pleases… The doctrine of the “Invisible Με επιστροφή other. As group after group began to Church” may be reaching the pinnacle separate themselves from other groups, of its evolution with an unbelievable 299 the divisions began to take on the look growing membership. + FUEL FEES + TAXES EXTRA • Περιορισμένος αριθμός θέσεων • Restrictions Apply of a shattered mirror. But here are some thoughts for As these groups (which became reflection: Χαμηλές τιμές για ΑΠΛΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ • ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΟΛΕΙΣ known as denominations) multiplied, • Why would the Bible talk about they also called themselves by the name: ordaining bishops, priests, and deacons “church”. The shattered mirror sadly for an invisible church? P.O. Box 800306, Miami, Fla., 33280 continued to grow as more and more • Why would the Bible mention that splinters took place. Each splinter group we should never forsake the assembling believed differently than the one they of ourselves together? Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Call Toll Free): 1.800.473.3238 • 1.908.213.1251 left behind. So it was that the number • Why would the “doctrine” of the of differing “churches” grew enormous invisible church never be mentioned ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ with people having friends and family for over 1,600 years after Jesus estab- in differing belief systems. lished His Church if He intended it to Each group proclaimed loudly that be invisible? they used only the Bible to prove their • Is there any authority except beliefs. But, in fact it was their interpre- “self” for proclaiming “I am spiritual, tation of the Bible that was really at the not religious?” Did Jesus desire a “do- To donate core of their differences. it- yourself” belief in Him? to the St. Nicholas National Shrine, make checks payable to: Each group believed they were the • For those who prefer to worship ones that held to the “Truth” and that the Lord up on a mountain, when was Greek Orthodox Archdiocese the other groups were in error. Some the last time this honestly took place in Mailing Address: of them simply condemned others and your life? This cannot mean simply being Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, said those who didn’t hold to their be- in awe of God’s creation, but real, true th liefs would wind up in hell. Whew…that worship of the Lord. 8 East 79 St., New York, NY 10075 was a pretty serious belief! This article is not merely an issue www.stnicholaswtc.org The majority, though differing in about how someone may spend their beliefs, sought to find a belief that would Sundays. What is at issue here is the unite the various groups. Thus was born matter of salvation and how people will the doctrine of the “Invisible Body of spend eternity. Believers.” Anyone who believed that Jesus did in fact establish a Church Jesus is Lord would be a member. Dif- on this earth. It was never meant to be ferences in doctrine were given second invisible, but it is meant to be a visible place to this wonderful belief. witness to the entire world. This Church People in differing groups could has been passed on to each and every now be close friends and joint services generation without fail. could be held where doctrinal proclama- Christ passed it on to His Apostles, tions would be limited to just “Jesus is they passed it on to their disciples, and Lord.” This became the most important each generation of disciples passed it belief that anyone could hold and it was on to the next. thought to be the doctrine that united It is a place where each and every all believers together. person is meant to be an important Thus was born the concept of the part of an overall Body, with each part “Invisible Body of Believers” where it playing a role. A thumb by itself, not was irrelevant which church one at- connected to one’s body, is simply dead tended. The Lordship of Jesus was the flesh. Jesus is the Head of a Body, not of key to belonging to the Invisible Church. individual parts scattered about by their Over time, most folks continued to at- own desire. “I did it my way” should tend their own church, but some began never be the theme song for how we to drop out. live our lives. As the “shattered mirror” continued The Church is the very place where to splinter, some people either became all the aspects of salvation are found. confused or discouraged. When there All of the of the Lord are are 30,000 to 60,000 groups (hard to pin found within the Church. It begins with down the number) proclaiming “Jesus Holy Baptism and . is Lord” but holding to much different Confession of our sins takes place doctrines (all supposedly proven by the within the Church. It is the place where Bible), confusion or discouragement are members receive the very Body and certainly possibilities. Blood of Christ, which then nourishes People who made the decision to not attend any Church were often uu to page 19 12 JANUARY 2017 Education Spelling Bee Competition Finals Held for Parochial Schools

by Maria Makedon

NEW YORK – Eleven students com- peted in the annual Spelling Bee Finals for the Direct Archdiocesan District’s Greek–American day schools Jan. 12 at Archdiocese headquarters. There were six finalists and five runners-up. Nicoletta Baltzis, a 7th grade student of St. Demetrios School of Astoria was the finalist. Anastasia Michialis, an 8th grade student of the Greek American Institute in the Bronx was the runner-up. The winning word was “hygiene.” John Atanas, assistant principal of the Greek American Institute in the Bronx, and Ms. Helen Zapantis gave the words to the students. GOA/D. Panagos photo Following are the names of all the Participants in Spelling Bee participants with Bishop Sevastianos, Direct Archdiocesan District O ce of Education Director Maria Makedon and teachers. contestants and their schools: • W. Spyropoulos Greek-American • A. Fantis Parochial School, Brook- Nick Katsoris, president of the Louk- pany and are open to boys and girls, in School, Flushing: Evangeline Cassidy. lyn: Lily Torre, Jessica Prendaj oumi Foundation, which sponsors the grades 5-8. • St. Demetrios Greek-American • D.G.K. Parochial School of Holy District Spelling Bee Competition, of- In New York City, competitions are School, Astoria: Nicoletta Baltzis Nicole- Cross, Brooklyn: Joanna Maniatis, Marta fered each student a $100 check, and all sponsored by the newspaper Daily News. Katerina Tiliakos. Balikcioglu. students received gift cards for Amazon The Office of Education of the Direct • Greek American Institute, Bronx: On behalf of Archbishop Demetrios, from the Direct Archdiocesan District Of- Archdiocesan District selects the words Anastasia Michialis, George Germanakos. Bishop Sevastianos of Zelon presented fice of Education. and coordinates the competitions among • Cathedral School, Manhattan: each student with a certificate of award The Spelling Bee competitions are the city parochial Greek-American day George Chudley, Demetra Chudley. and a silver cross. sponsored by The E.W. Scripps Com- schools. ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2017 ΕΤΟΣ 82 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1322 Εγκύκλιος Ο Πανηγυρικός Εορτασμός των Θεοφανείων Ἑορτή Ἁγίου Βασιλείου στο ‘Ελληνικό Τάρπον Σπρινγκς στη Φλόριντα εορτάζεται και τιμάται η Βάπτιση του Κυρίου καί Νέου Ἔτους Ημών Ιησού Χριστού στα νερά του ποταμού Ιορδάνη από τον Ιωάννη τον Βαπτιστή. Καθώς ἀπέσταλκέν Η τελετή του Αγιασμού των Υδάτων, αλλά και η Κατάδυση του Τιμίου Σταυρού με ὁ Πατήρ, αποτελούν μοναδική εμπειρία για όσους κἀγώ πέμπω ὑμᾶς έχουν την τύχη ναπαρευρεθούν και να λά- βουν μέρος. Ἰωάν. 20:21 Σύμφωνα με τις πρώτες εκτιμήσεις των αρχών της πόλης, ο καλός καιρός βοήθησε Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους εφέτος να συγκεντρωθεί πλήθος κόσμου κι Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακό- επισκεπτών οι οποίοι ξεπέρασαν τον αριθμό νους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέ- των 25.οοο χιλιάδων. δρους καί Μέλη τῶν Συμβουλίων τῶν Ἑλληνορθο- Παρόντες στην τελετή ήταν μεταξύ άλ- δόξων Κοινοτήτων, τῶν Διακεκριμένων Ἀρχόντων λων ο Υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών, αρμόδιος για τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, τά Ἡμερήσια θέματα Απόδημου Ελληνισμού, Τέρενς Κουίκ, καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους ο Πρέσβης της Κύπρου στην Ουάσιγκτον, Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Λεωνίδας Παντελίδης, η Γενική Πρόξενος της Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον Ελλάδος στην Τάμπα, Αδαμαντία Κλώτσα, ο πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. πρόεδρος της ΑΧΕΠΑ, Ανδρέας Ζαχαριάδης, οι δήμαρχοι Καλύμνου και Χάλκης και ο Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί δήμαρχος του Λίαργουώτερ. Τους υψηλούς καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, GOA-ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ επισκέπτες καθώς και τα παιδά καλωσόρισε Καθώς καλωσορίζουμε τό νέο ἔτος στην “Πόλη των Θεοφανείων” ο Ελληνοα- τήν ἡμέρα τῆς Ἑορτῆς τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλεί- ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Για 111ή χρονιά ο Ελ- της Κατάδυσης του Τιμίου Σταυρού (από τον μερικανός Δήμαρχος, Χρυσόστομος (Κρις) ου, ἀντλοῦμε δύναμη καί ἔμπνευση ἀπό ληνισμός του Τάρπον Σπρινγκς, αλλά και εκάστοτε Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής για 111 Αλαχούζος. ο οποίος εξελέγη πέρυσι. τίς ἐνέργειες τοῦ Θεοῦ κατά τό ἔτος 2016. η ευρύτερη ομογένεια στις ΗΠΑ εόρτασαν χρόνια) στο Σπρινγκ Μπαγιού στο Τάρπον Τον Τίμιο Σταυρό ανέσυρε ο 18χρονος Μία ἐκ τῶν πολλῶν εὐλογιῶν ἦτο καί ἡ την τελετή αγιασμού των υδάτων και την Σπρινγκς της Φλόριντα, προέστη της τελε- μαθητής Τζόζεφ Κούλει μέλος της τοπικής 43η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση τῆς Ἱερᾶς κατάδυση του Τιμίου Σταυρού. τής, παρόντων χιλιάδων ομογενών αλλά και Ελληνορθόδοξης κοινότητας του Αγίου Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς μας, ἡ ὁποία ἔλαβε χώρα Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Γέρων Αμερικής άλλων επισκεπτών οι οποίοι ήθελαν να βιώ- Νικολάου. στήν πόλη Nashville, Tennessee. Τό θέμα Δημήτριος συνεχίζοντας τη μακροχρόνια σουν από κοντά την ξεχωριστή αυτή τελετή Φέτος βούτηξαν συνολικά 48 νέοι ηλι- τῆς Συνελεύσεως ἦτο: «Εἶσθε ἡ Φωνή τοῦ παράδοση του Αγιασμού των Υδάτων και της Ορθοδόξου Εκκλησίας κατά την οποία κίας από 16, έως 18 ετών Χριστοῦ σ’ ἕναν Μεταβαλλόμενο Κόσμο», θέμα στό ὁποῖο συνεχίζουμε νά ἑστιάζουμε τήν προσοχή μας καθώς προγραμματίζουμε τή διακονία καί τίς ὑπηρεσίες μας γιά τό ἐπερχόμενο ἔτος 2017. Τά Ἅγια Θεοφάνεια ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις Ὁ ἑορτασμός τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου τοῦ Μεγάλου τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή μᾶς προσφέρει ἕνα παράδειγμα ἁγιότητος, ἡγεσίας καί του Νικολάου Μαγγίνα ὑπηρεσίας τό ὁποῖο συμπεριλαμβάνεται Μετά μεγαλοπρεπείας καί λαμπρότητος στό θέμα αὐτό. Ἀπό τόν τρόπο τῆς ζωῆς ἑωρτάσθησαν ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις τά Ἅγια του, ζωῆς προσευχῆς καί βαθιᾶς πίστεως καί Θεοφάνεια τοῦ Κυρίου καί Θεοῦ καί Σωτῆρος πνευματικῆς ἐπιγνώσεως, παρακολουθοῦμε ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, τήν Παρασκευήν, 6ην ἕναν ἄνθρωπο ὁ ὁποῖος γνώριζε τόν Χριστό Ἰανουαρίου. καί ζοῦσε μέ τήν παρουσία Του. Διά τῶν Ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης, ἐν κηρυγμάτων του, τῶν θεολογικῶν διατριβῶν τῷ τέλει τοῦ Ὄρθρου, ἐτέλεσε τόν Μέγαν του καί τῆς ποιμαντικῆς διακονίας του, Ἁγιασμόν, ἁγιάσας ἐν συνεχείᾳ τούς ἁγίους ὑπῆρξε φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ. Ἔζησε σέ ἐποχή Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Κληρικούς τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς ἡ ὁποία χαρακτηριζόταν ἀπό θεολογικές Αὐλῆς, τούς Ἄρχοντας Ὀφφικιαλίους καί τούς ἀντιπαραθέσεις καί μεταβατικά στάδια σχε- ἐπισήμους καί προέστη τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς τικά μέ τόν Χριστιανισμό καί τήν Ἐκκλησία. καί Συνοδικῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας ἐν τῷ Π. Πολλοί ἄνθρωποι ἀντιμετώπιζαν σημαντι- Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ, ἐν συλλειτουργίᾳ μετά κές φυσικές καί πνευματικές ἀνάγκες. Ἐν τῶν Σεβ. Μητροπολιτῶν Γέροντος Νικαίας μέσῳ αὐτῆς τῆς περιόδου προκλήσεων καί κ. Κωνσταντίνου, Προικοννήσου κ. Ἰωσήφ, ἀλλαγῶν, ὁ Μέγας Βασίλειος προσέφερε Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, Σεβαστείας κ. σοφία, παρηγορία καί καθοδήγηση μέ τή Δημητρίου, Μύρων κ. Χρυσοστόμου, Ἰκονίου χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ. κ. Θεολήπτου, Προύσης κ. Ἐλπιδοφόρου, Κυ- Ἀκολουθῶντας τή μαρτυρία τοῦ Ἁγίου δωνιῶν κ. Ἀθηναγόρου καί Ἀδριανουπόλεως Βασιλείου καί πολλῶν ἄλλων Πατέρων τῆς κ. Ἀμφιλοχίου. Φωτο: Νικόλαος Μαγγίνας Ἐκκλησίας οἱ ὁποῖοι ἐνσάρκωσαν τή φωνή Κατά τήν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν ἡ Α. Θ. τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἀποστελλόμεθα ἀπό τόν Κύ- Παναγιότης ἐχειροτόνησεν εἰς Πρεσβύτερον ριο στόν κόσμο καί μέσα στό νέο ἔτος γιά τόν Ἱερολ. Διάκονον κ. Βαρθολομαῖον, ἐκ τῶν ἐξεπροσώπησε τήν ἕντιμον Ἑλληνικήν Κυ- ἐκ τοῦ Π. Πατριαρχικοῦ Ναοῦ, τῶν κωδώνων νά διαδώσουμε τό Εὐαγγέλιο τῆς πίστεως ἀδελφῶν τῆς ἐν Ἀγγλίᾳ Ἱ. Πατριαρχικῆς καί βέρνησιν κατά τήν ἐπίσημον ταύτην ἡμέραν, αὐτοῦ κρουομένων χαρμοσύνως. Τόν Τίμιον καί ἀγάπης, νά φέρουμε παρηγορία καί Σταυροπηγιακῆς Μονῆς Τιμίου Προδρόμου οἱ Ἐξοχ. κ. Κυριακός Λουκάκης, Πρέσβυς τῆς Σταυρόν ἀνέσυρεν ἐκ τῶν ὑδάτων ὁ Ἐντιμ. κ. θεραπεία μέ τή χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ καί νά βοη- Ἔσσεξ. Ἑλλάδος ἐν Ἀγκύρᾳ, καί Πρέσβυς κ. Εὐάγγε- Νικόλαος Σολῆς, ἐξ Ἀγρινίου, εἰς τόν ὁποῖον θήσουμε ἄλλους νά γνωρίσουν τόν Χριστό Ἐκκλησιάσθησαν οἱ Σεβ. Μητροπολῖται λος Σέκερης, Γεν. Πρόξενος αὐτῆς ἐν τῇ Πόλει, ὁ Παναγιώτατος προσέφερεν εἰς εὐλογίαν καί τίς εὐλογίες Του, δηλαδή εἰρήνη καί ζωή. Πέργης κ. Εὐάγγελος καί Καλλιουπόλεως καί πιστοί ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ. χρυσοῦν Σταυρόν καθώς καί ἄλλους σταυρούς Ὁ Χριστός μᾶς ἀποστέλλει μέ σκοπό Μαδύτου κ. Στέφανος, Πρωτοσυγκελλεύων, ὁ Μετά τό πέρας τῆς Θείας Λειτουργί- εἰς τούς ὑπολοίπους κολυμβητάς. νά εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του σ’ἕναν κόσμο ὁ Ἐντιμολ. κ. Κωνσταντῖνος Δεληκωνσταντῆς, ας, ὁ Πατριάρχης προέστη τῆς τελετῆς τοῦ Τήν μεσημβρίαν, παρετέθη ἐπίσημον ὁποῖος συνεχίζει νά μεταβάλλεται. Στήν Ἄρχων Διδάσκαλος τοῦ Γένους, Γεν. Γραμμα- Ἁγιασμοῦ τῶν ὑδάτων καί τῆς Καταδύσεως ἄριστον εἰς τήν Πατριαρχικήν Τράπεζαν, εἰς ὅ ἀρχή ἑκάστου ἡμερολογιακοῦ ἔτους συ- τεύς τῆς ἐν Ἀθήναις Ἀδελφότητος Ὀφφικιαλί- τοῦ Τιμίου Σταυροῦ εἰς τήν θάλασσαν, ἐκ τῆς παρεκάθησαν καί οἱ ὡς ἄνω ἐπίσημοι. νειδητοποιοῦμε αὐτή τή ραγδαία ἀλλαγή ων «Παναγία ἡ Παμμακάριστος», ἐκπροσωπῶν ἀποβάθρας τοῦ Φαναρίου, συμπαραστατούμε- Ἡ πρώτη τοῦ ἔτους ἐν τοῖς Πατρι- u Σελίδα 15 αὐτήν, οἱ Ἐξοχ. κ. Ἰωάννης Ἀμανατίδης, νος ὑπό τῶν συλλειτουργῶν Αὐτοῦ Ἱεραρχῶν, Ὑφυπουργός Ἐξωτερικῶν τῆς Ἑλλάδος, ὅστις τοῦ λοιποῦ Κλήρου καί τοῦ λαοῦ ἐν πομπῇ uu Σελίδα 14 14 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2017 Η πνευματικότητα και τα ιδεώδη των Τριών Ιεραρχών

του Δρα Ιωάννη Ευθυμιόπουλου Είναι το ιδεώδες όπως το κατανόησαν, το οραματίσθηκαν, το μορφοποίησαν και το πραγμάτωσαν στην εποχή τους με τη ζωή και Οι Τρεις μεγάλες εκκλησιαστικές το έργο τους οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες. προσωπικότητες που τιμώνται σήμερα από την Το όραμα των Τριών Ιεραρχών προβάλλεται Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία και την Ελληνική Παιδεία, ως ένα τριπλό ιδεώδες: Θρησκευτικό, Κοινωνικό είναι οι πρώτοι που διέγνωσαν τη σημασία και Πολιτιστικό. της συναδέλφωσης και της συνεργασίας Δεν θα επιχειρήσω να αναλύσω τα της Ελληνικής κλασικής παιδείας με τον παραπάνω. Όμως θα προσπαθήσω να πω με λίγα Χριστιανισμό. λόγια τι εκφράζει το καθένα. Το πρώτο ιδεώδες Ο βίος τους ήταν χριστιανικός. εκφράζει την ενότητα της ανθρωπότητας κάτω Μεγάλωσαν και βαπτίστηκαν με τα νάματα και και μέσα από μία πίστη, τη χριστιανική πίστη, τις διδασκαλίες του Ευαγγελίου. Συνένωσαν το στην οποία τηρείται ο νόμος της αγάπης. αθάνατο Ελληνικό με το χριστιανικό πνεύμα και Το δεύτερο ιδεώδες, το κοινωνικό, είναι υπήρξαν οι πρώτοι θεμελιωτές του χριστιανικού εκείνο στο οποίο εμπεριέχονται η δικαιοσύνη, πολιτισμού. Πιστεύεται ότι αυτός είναι και ο η ισότητα, η ελευθερία και η πνευματική λόγος για τον οποίον Εκκλησία και Ελληνική ωριμότητα, η ηθική ακεραιότητα του ανθρώπου, παιδεία καθιέρωσαν τη σημερινή εορτή ως και τα οποία κατακτώνται με άσκηση και εορτή των Τριών Ιεραρχών και των Ελληνικών παιδεία. Γραμμάτων. Γιατί, στη συνείδηση του Ελληνικού Τέλος, το ιδεώδες της σύνθεσης αξιών λαού υπάρχει η αντίληψη ότι η πίστη και ο και των πολιτιστικών αγαθών απαιτεί, για να χαρακτήρας της Εθνικής μας παιδείας είναι γίνει άρτια η παιδεία, την ακριβή γνώση των Ελληνικός και συγχρόνως χριστιανικός . πολιτισμικών παραδόσεων. Κατά την εορτή αυτή ο σκοπός μας Θα πρέπει να προστεθεί ακόμη το δεν είναι μόνο να εκθειάσουμε τις έξοχες οικουμενικό ιδεώδες των Τριών Ιεραρχών ως πνευματικές και ηθικές αρετές των Τριών ενότητα του κόσμου, με τη χριστιανική πίστη, Ιεραρχών. Θα θέλαμε κυρίως να εξετάσουμε τον έμπρακτο λόγο και την παιδεία. και να προσεγγίσουμε τις πράξεις τους και τη Ο Άγιος Βασίλειος προτρέπει τους νέους σχέση τους με τη σύγχρονη εποχή μας. Με να διαβάζουν την αρχαία Ελληνική γλώσσα, άλλα λόγια, λόγω της διαχρονικότητας των γιατί φωτίζει και οξύνει τον νουν, ώστε να Τριών Ιεραρχών να ερευνήσουμε, τι οφείλει η μπορούν να εκφράζονται με καλλιέπεια του σημερινή εποχή στους Τρεις Ιεράρχες και πόσο λόγου. Ο Γρηγόριος εγκωμιάζει τη θύραθεν κοντά βρίσκεται στα έργα τους. Ακόμη, αν η παιδεία, (κλασσική παιδεία), σε αντιδιαστολή κοινωνία έχει προσανατολιστεί στις ηθικές αξίες με την εκκλησιαστική, λέγοντας ότι η «θύραθεν και τα ιδεώδη που επεδίωξαν και πραγμάτωσαν παιδεία» είναι το μέγιστον των αγαθών του οι ίδιοι οι Πατέρες. ανθρώπου. Αξίζει να αναφερθεί ότι οι μεγάλοι αυτοί Μόνο οι σκαιοί και οι απαίδευτοι – λέγει – της Εκκλησίας διδάσκαλοι, δεν προσκολήθηκαν μισούν την παιδεία. Γιατί απαίδευτοι και αυτοί, σε ορισμένα φιλοσοφικά συστήματα και θέλουν και οι άλλοι να είναι το ίδιο, ώστε να ρεύματα της εποχής, αφού κανένα από αυτά μη μπορούν να ελέγχουν την απαιδευσία τους. δεν ικανοποιούσε τις ψυχικές ανάγκες του Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες αντιπροσωπεύουν και ανθρώπου. Γι’ αυτό ήταν εκλεκτικοί στις θεωρίες Μεταξύ των άλλων, ο Μ. Βασίλειος δίδαξαν πολλά σοφά και εγκωμιάζουν την συνθέτουν το χριστιανικό ιδεώδες. Θέλουν των ιδεών και των διδασκαλιών που μπορούσαν προτρέπει τους χριστιανούς νέους να μελετούν Αρετή, και ιδιαίτερα του Σωκράτη. να βοηθήσουν και με διδασκαλίες Ελλήνων να προσαρμόσουν, και να συνταιριάσουν την τους αρχαίους Έλληνες σοφούς, τον Πλάτωνα, Αυτό άλλωστε είναι και το ιδεώδες της σοφών να εξυψώσουν τον άνθρωπο πνευματικά τελειότητα του ανθρώπου με το χριστιανικό τον Ευριπίδη, το Σωκράτη. Οι αρχαίοι, έλεγε, χριστιανικής παιδείας. ιδεώδες. u Σελίδα 16 Τά Ἅγια Θεοφάνεια ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις uΣελίδα 13 Παναγιότης συνεδείπνησε, κατά τό αρχείοις. Ἐν ἑορταστικῇ ἀτμοσφαίρᾳ ἔθος, μετά τῶν κληρικῶν τῆς Πατριαρ- ἑωρτάσθη ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις ἡ ἑορτή χικῆς Αὐλῆς καί τινων φιλοξενουμένων τῆς Περιτομῆς τοῦ Κυρίου, ἡ μνήμη τοῦ λαϊκῶν. Μεγάλου Βασιλείου καί ἡ 1η τοῦ ἀνατεί- Τήν ἑπομένην, Κυριακήν, 1ην λαντος ἔτους 2017. Ἰανουαρίου, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Κατά τόν Μ. Ἑσπερινόν τῆς παρα- Πατριάρχης, ἐχοροστάτησεν ἐν τῷ μονῆς, Σαββάτου, 31ης Δεκεμβρίου, Π. Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ κατά τήν Θείαν ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης ὁ Οἰκουμενικός Λειτουργίαν τοῦ Μ. Βασιλείου, ἐν Πατριάρχης κ. κ. Βαρθολομαῖος, ἐχορο- συγχοροστασίᾳ μετά τῶν Σεβ. Μητρο- στάτησεν ἐν τῷ Π. Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ, ἐν πολιτῶν Γέροντος Νικαίας κ. Κωνστα- συγχοροστασίᾳ μετά τῶν Σεβ. Μητρο- ντίνου, Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, πολιτῶν Γέροντος Νικαίας κ. Κωνστα- Σεβαστείας κ. Δημητρίου, Μύρων κ. ντίνου, Γέροντος Χαλκηδόνος κ. Ἀθα- Χρυσοστόμου, Συνάδων κ. Διονυσίου, νασίου, Γέροντος Δέρκων κ. Ἀποστόλου, Ἰκονίου κ. Θεολήπτου, Καλλιουπόλεως Πέργης κ. Εὐαγγέλου, Τρανουπόλεως καί Μαδύτου κ. Στεφάνου, Κυδωνιῶν κ. κ. Γερμανοῦ, Πριγκηποννήσων κ. Ἰα- Φωτο: Νικόλαος Μαγγίνας Ἀθηναγόρου καί τοῦ Πανιερ. Ἀρχιεπι- κώβου, Φιλαδελφείας κ. Μελίτωνος, σκόπου Τελμησσοῦ κ. Ἰώβ. Σεβαστείας κ. Δημητρίου, Μυριοφύτου Ἑλλάδος. τῇ Μητρί Ἐκκλησίᾳ. Ἐν συνεχείᾳ ὑπέβαλον Ἐκκλησιάσθησαν ὁ Ἐξοχ. Πρέσβυς καί Περιστάσεως κ. Εἰρηναίου, Μύρων Ἐν συνεχείᾳ, ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐδέχθη σέβη καί ἔλαβον τήν Πατριαρχικήν εὐλογίαν κ. Εὐάγγελος Σέκερης, Γεν. Πρόξε- κ. Χρυσοστόμου, Συνάδων κ. Διονυσίου, τούς ὡς ἄνω ἁγίους Ἀρχιερεῖς ἐν τῷ ἐπι- τό προσωπικόν τῶν Πατριαρχείων, ὑπό τήν νος τῆς Ἑλλάδος, πανοικί, ὁ Ἐντιμ. Σασίμων κ. Γενναδίου, Ἰκονίου κ. Θεο- σήμῳ Αὐτοῦ Γραφείῳ, μετά τῶν ὁποίων ἡγεσίαν τοῦ Ἐντιμ. κ. Συμεών Φραντζελᾶ, κ. Ἠλίας Κοντοζαμάνης, Διευθυντής λήπτου, Καλλιουπόλεως καί Μαδύτου ἀντήλλαξε τόν ἐπί τῷ νέῳ ἔτει ἑόρτιον Ἀρχικλητῆρος. τῆς ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ Ἐθνικῆς Σχολῆς κ. Στεφάνου, Προύσης κ. Ἐλπιδοφόρου, ἀσπασμόν, καί εὐλογήσας διένειμεν αὐτοῖς Εἶτα, ἐν τῇ Αἰθούσῃ τοῦ Θρόνου Δικαστῶν, καί πιστοί ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ Κυδωνιῶν κ. Ἀθηναγόρου, Σηλυβρίας κ. τήν Ἁγιοβασιλόπιτταν, τοῦ χρυσοῦ νο- ἐγένετο ἡ τελετή τῆς κοπῆς τῆς Ἁγιοβα- τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ. Μαξίμου καί Σμύρνης κ. Βαρθολομαίου. μίσματος λαχόντος εἰς τό τεμάχιον τοῦ σιλόπιττας τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς Αὐλῆς ὑπό Κατά τήν καθιερωμένην ἐν τῇ Παρέστησαν συμπροσευχόμενοι Πανιερ. Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Τελμησσοῦ κ. Ἰώβ. τοῦ Παναγιωτάτου, εἰς ἥν παρέστησαν καί Αἰθούσῃ τοῦ Θρόνου δεξίωσιν, προσε- ὁ Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀνθηδῶνος κ. Ἐπηκολούθησεν ἡ εἰθισμένη ἀκρόασις ὁ Ἐξοχ. κ. Γεν. Πρόξενος καί πλεῖστοι ἐκ φώνησαν τόν Πατριάρχην, ἐκ μέρους Νεκτάριος, Ἐπίτροπος τοῦ Παναγίου τῆς Πατριαρχικῆς Αὐλῆς καί τῶν λαϊκῶν τῶν ἐκκλησιασθέντων εἰς τόν Ἑσπερινόν μέν τῆς σεβασμίας Ἱεραρχίας τοῦ Θρό- Τάφου ἐνταῦθα, ὁ Πανιερ. Ἀρχιεπί- Γραμματέων καθ᾿ ἥν προσεφώνησε τόν προσκυνητῶν. Τό χρυσοῦν νόμισμα ἔλαχεν νου ὁ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Γέρων Νι- σκοπος Τελμησσοῦ κ. Ἰώβ, ὁ Θεοφιλ. Πατριάρχην ὁ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Καλ- εἰς τόν Ὁσιολ. Ἱερομόναχον κ. Καισάριον καίας κ. Κωνσταντῖνος, ἐξ ὀνόματος δέ Ἐπίσκοπος Ἁλικαρνασσοῦ κ. Ἀδριανός, λιουπόλεως καί Μαδύτου κ. Στέφανος, Χρόνην, Ἱερατικῶς Προϊστάμενον τῆς Κοι- τῶν Ἀρχόντων Ὀφφικιαλίων τῆς Ἁγίας Ἄρχοντες Ὀφφικιάλιοι ἐντεῦθεν, ὁ Ἐξοχ. Πρωτοσυγκελλεύων, καί ἀντεφώνησεν ὁ νότητος Γενεσίου τῆς Θεοτόκου Παλαιοῦ τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μ. Ἐκκλησίας ὁ Ἐντιμολ. Πρέσβυς κ. Εὐάγγελος Σέκερης, Γεν. Πατριάρχης ἐπιδαψιλεύσας τάς εὐλογίας Μπάνιου-Διπλοκιονίου. κ. Κωνσταντῖνος Σανταλτζίδης, Ἄρχων Πρόξενος τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἐνταῦθα, καί Του αὐτοῖς καί εὐχηθείς τήν ἄνωθεν ἐνίσχυ- Τό ἑσπέρας, παρετέθη εἰς τήν Πατρι- Ἔξαρχος, τοῦ Πατριάρχου ἀντιφωνή- πιστοί ἐντεῦθεν ὡς καί προσκυνηταί ἐξ σιν πρός ἐπιτέλεσιν τῆς διακονίας των ἐν αρχικήν Τράπεζαν δεῖπνον, καθ᾿ ὅ ἡ Α. Θ. σαντος καταλλήλως ἐπί τῷ Νέῳ Ἔτει. Φωτογραφία: – e White House ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2017 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣORTHODOX ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ OBSERVER 15 Εγκύκλιος Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος στην ορκωμοσία Τράμπ Ἡμέρα τῶν Τριῶν Ἱεραρχῶν του Σταύρου Η. Παπαγερμανού

καί τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων ΟΥΑΣΙΓΚΤΟΝ – Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, Δημήτριος παρέστη στη τελετή ορκωμοσίας τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς του νέου προέδρου των Η.Π.Α. Ντόναλντ καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Συμβουλίων Τράμπ και συμμετείχε σε συναφείς εκδηλώσεις τῶν Ἑλληνορθοδόξων Κοινοτήτων, τῶν Διακεκριμένων συμπεριλαμβανομένης και της απονομής Ἀρχόντων τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου, τά Ἡμερήσια του Παρασήμου του Αποστόλου Παύλου σε καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, ελληνορθοδόξους, μέλη της νέας κυβερνήσεως. τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκλη- ης ρο τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Το πρωί της 20 Ιανουαρίου, ημέρα Ἀμερικῆς. της ορκομωσίας, και κατόπιν προσκλήσεως της οργανωτικής επιτροπής της προεδρικής Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί ορκωμοσίας, ο Σεβασμιώτατος παρακολούθησε καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ, την δέηση που ετελέσθη στον Επισκοπελιανό Ὁ ἑορτασμός μας τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῶν Τριῶν ναό του Αγίου Ιωάννου παρουσία του Προέδρου Ἱεραρχῶν ἀποτελεῖ δυναμική καί ἱερά παράδοση Ντόναλντ Τράμπ, του Αντιπροέδρου Μάϊκ Πενς στήν Ὀρθόδοξη Ἐκκλησία ἡ ὁποία ἐπιβεβαιώνει και των οικογενειών τους. Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος, ὅτι οἱ τρεῖς ἅγιοι, Μέγας Βασίλειος, Γρηγόριος συνοδευόμενος από τον πρωτοπρεσβύτερο π. Ναζιανζηνός καί Ἰωάννης Χρυσόστομος, εἶναι Αλέξανδρο Καρλούτσο, παρακολούθησαν εκ Φωτο: ABC News-Live Stream ἐξαίσια παραδείγματα ἀνθρώπων οἱ ὁποῖοι του σύνεγγυς την προεδρική ορκομωσία, από Ηρακλή Ράϊνς Πρίμπους. ἦταν πεπληρωμένοι μέ τήν γνώση τοῦ Θεοῦ καί περίοπτη θέση στην εξέδρα των επισήμων. Μπιλιράκη και στον Γεώργιο Τζιτζίκο, ο οποίος Τέλος παρέστησαν από την Ελλάδα, ο κατεῖχαν πνευματική σοφία. Στόν κύριο ὕμνο Την επομένη της ορκωμοσίας, Σάββατο διορίστηκε ως βοηθός του Προέδρου. Και οι Υπουργός Εθνικής Αμύνης Πάνος Καμμένος τῆς Ἑορτῆς, τούς ἀποκαλοῦμε μελιρρύτους 21 Ιανουαρίου, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος τρεις Ελληνοαμερικανοί είναι Άρχοντες του και ο Υπουργός Ψηφιακής Πολιτικής, ποταμούς τῆς σοφίας, τούς τήν κτίσιν πᾶσαν έλαβε μέρος στην καθιερωμένη δέηση που Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου. Τηλεπικοινωνιών και Ενημέρωσης Νίκος θεογνωσίας νάμασι καταρδεύσαντας, ἀναγνω- λαμβάνει χώρα στον Εθνικό Καθεδρικό ναό της Ο κ. Πρίμπους και ο κ. Μπιλιράκης Παππάς. Ο κ Καμμένος προεσέφερε ως ρίζοντας τή μαρτυρία τήν ὁποία προσέφεραν διά Ουάσιγκτον, λαμβάνοντας κατά το πρωτόκολλο μίλησαν με θερμά λόγια για την Ελληνική τους συμβολικό δώρο στον μεν Αρχιεπίσκοπο τῆς ἐξαιρετικῆς προσφορᾶς των ὡς εὐσπλαγχνι- ξεχωριστή θέση τιμής, όπως αρμόζει στην καταγωγή και την ορθόδοξη πίστη τους. Ο κ. Δημήτριο μία ελληνική σημαία που ανέμιζε στο κοί ποιμένες, ἄριστοι διδάσκαλοι καί βαθύτατοι Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία. Τζιτζίκος δεν μπόρεσε να παρευρεθεί, λόγω των μικρό νησί Ρο, κοντά στο Καστελλόριζο και στον θεολόγοι. Ο Σεβασμιώτατος διάβασε σύντομη καθηκόντων του σχετικά με την προετοιμασία κ. Πρίμπους το θυρεό του Υπουργείου. Σήμερα, τό παράδειγμα καί ἡ διδασκαλία δέηση στην οποία μεταξύ άλλων ανέφερε: της ορκωμοσίας και αντ’αυτώ το παράσημο των μᾶς καθοδηγεῖ στήν καθημερινότητά μας ἡ «Προστάτευσέ μας Κύριε, στις διάφορες παρέλαβαν οι γονείς του π. Κωνσταντίνος Φωτογραφίες: https://flic.kr/s/aHskPWgEAd ὁποία χαρακτηρίζεται ἀπό ἀλλαγές καί προκλή- ενασχολήσεις μας από τον εγωισμό μας, ώστε Τζιτζίκος και πρεσβυτέρα Ελένη. σεις. Μᾶς δείχνουν πῶς ἡ πίστη καί διακονία μας, να μπορούμε να εκτελούμε το έργο που μας Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος μετά ἡ ὁποία ἔχει ὡς βάση τήν ἐπίγνωση τοῦ Θεοῦ αναθέτεις εν αλήθεια, με ωραιότητα και για το την απονομή των μεταλλίων σημείωσε ότι οι καί τήν ἐμπιστοσύνη μας στό θεῖο θέλημά Του, κοινό καλό». διορισμοί ελληνορθόδοξων στη νέα κυβέρνηση Εγκύκλιος μπορεῖ νά μᾶς βοηθήσῃ νά διαχειριστοῦμε τίς Το βράδυ της παραμονής της ορκωμοσίας, θα μπορούσε να λειτουργήσει ως καταλύτης, ζωές μας καί τήν πολυπλοκότητα τοῦ κόσμου 19 Ιανουαρίου, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ώστε περισσότεροι άνθρωποι τη κοινότητός μας u Σελίδα 13 γύρω μας ἐνῶ, ταυτοχρόνως, ἑστιάζουμε τήν παρέστη σε δεξίωση Ελληνοαμερικανών να συμμετέχουν στη πολιτική. καθώς ἀναλογιζόμεθα τά γεγονότα τῶν τελευ- προσοχή μας στή σχέση μας μέ τόν Θεό καί τίς παραγόντων της Ουάσιγκτον στο ξενοδοχείο Ο Γεώργιος Στάμας, εκ μέρους της ταίων δώδεκα μηνῶν. Καλούμεθα ὡς Ὀρθόδοξοι ὑποσχέσεις γιά ἄφθονες εὐλογίες καί σωτηρία. St. Regis και κατά τη διάρκεια της δεξιώσεως Ελληνικής Πρωτοβουλίας, παρουσίασε το Χριστιανοί, μέλη τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς, νά Σάν ἐξαίρετοι κήρυκες καί θεολόγοι, οἱ απένειμε το παράσημο του Αποστόλου Παύλου, πρόγραμμα της βραδιάς. ἀντιμετωπίσουμε αὐτή τήν ἀλλαγή μέ χάρη καί Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες ἔδωσαν ἰδιαίτερη προσοχή σέ την ανώτατη τιμή της Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, Ο Άντριου Μανάτος παρουσίασε τον ἀλήθεια. Καί αὐτό πράττουμε προσηλωμένοι στή ἐρωτήματα σχετικά μέ τό πῶς γνωρίζουμε τόν στο νέο προσωπάρχη του Λευκού Οίκου βουλευτή Γκάς Μπιλιράκη, ο Μιχάλης διαχρονική ἀποστολή τῶν ἀνθρώπων τοῦ Θεοῦ Θεό, εἰδικότερα μέσα ἀπ’αυτά τά ὁποῖα γίνο- Ηρακλή Ράϊνς Πρίμπους, στον Ελληνομερικανό Καρλούτσος παρουσίασε τον Γιώργο Τζιτζίκο νά βιώνουν καί νά κηρύττουν τό Εὐαγγέλιο. νται ἀντικείμενα παρατηρήσεως στόν κόσμο βουλευτή από τη Φλόριδα Κωνσταντίνο (Γκάς) και ο Τζον Κατσιματίδης παρουσίασε τον Αὐτό ἐπίσης πράττουμε ὅπως γίνεται φανερό γύρω μας. Ὁ Μέγας Βασίλειος ἔγραψε σέ μιά στό εὖρος καί στήν οὐσία τῶν διακονιῶν μας, καί ἐπιστολή του, ἐν δέ τῇ περί Θεοῦ πίστει ἡγεῖται Συνάντηση Αρχιεπισκόπου Δημητρίου με στήν ἐπέκταση καί προσαρμογή τοῦ ἔργου μας μέν ἡ ἔννοια ἡ περί τοῦ ὅτι ἕστι Θεός· ταύτην δέ πρός κάλυψη τῶν συγχρόνων ἀναγκῶν. Ὁ Χρι- ἐκ τῶν δημιουργημάτων συνάγομεν. Σοφόν, γάρ, τον υφ. Εξωτερικών Τ. Κουίκ στις ΗΠΑ στός μᾶς ἀποστέλλει μέ μήνυμα ἐλπίδος καί ζωῆς καί δυνατόν, καί ἀγαθόν,, καί πάντα Αὐτοῦ τά καί μέ τήν σοφία νά διαπλέουμε τήν θάλασσα ἀόρατα ἀπό τῆς τοῦ κόσμου κτίσεως νοοῦντες Με τις συναντήσεις του με μέλη της Ωνάση Αμαλία Κοσμετάτου, με τον πρόεδρο ἑνός μεταβαλλομένου καί προκλητικοῦ κόσμου, ἐπιγιγνώσκομεν. Οὕτω δή καί Δεσπότην ἑαυτῶν Βουλής των Αντιπροσώπων και με στελέχη του Ιδρύματος Νιάρχου Ανδρέα Δρακόπουλο, ἐνῶ ταυτοχρόνως μετέχουμε τῆς χάριτος τοῦ αὐτόν καταδεχόμεθα. (Ἐπιστολή 235) ομογενειακών οργανώσεων στην Ουάσιγκτον, με τον εκτελεστικό διευθυντή της Αμερικα- Θεοῦ μέ ἀποτελεσματικό τρόπο. Οἱ Ἅγιοι Γρηγόριος Ναζιανζηνός καί Ἰωάν- ολοκληρώθηκε η πενθήμερη επίσκεψη του νοεβραϊκης Επιτροπής (AJC) Ντέιβιντ Χάρις, Τήν ἡμέρα τῆς Ἑορτῆς τοῦ Ἁγίου Βασιλείου νης Χρυσόστομος συμφωνοῦν ἐπί τοῦ θέματος υφυπουργού Εξωτερικών Τέρενς Κουίκ στις και αργά το απόγευμα με την πλειοψηφία των μεταδίδουμε ἐπίσης τή φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ διά τῆς τῆς ἐπιγνώσεως τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὁ Γρηγόριος λέγει ελληνικές κοινότητες της ανατολικής ακτής των ομογενειακών επαγγελματικών οργανώσεων ὑποστηρίξεως τῆς ἀγαπημένης μας Ἀκαδημίας στόν Δεύτερο Θεολογικό Λόγο του, τοῦ μέν γάρ ΗΠΑ. Στις 9 Ιανουαρίου ο κ. Κουίκ συναντή- και λοιπών φορέων. Ἁγίου Βασιλείου. Ἐπί ἑβδομήκοντα καί πλέον ἔτη εἶναι Θεόν, καί τήν πάντων ποιητικήν καί συνε- θηκε στη Νέα Υόρκη με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμε- «Η συνάντησή μου με τους εκπροσώπους ἡ Ἀκαδημία ἔχει ὑπάρξει τόπος εἰρήνης, πίστεως κτικήν αἰτίαν, καί ὄψις διδάσκαλος, καί ὁ φυσικός ρικής Δημήτριο, με τον οποίο συζήτησε, όπως των ομογενειακών οργανώσεων και φορέων καί φροντῖδος παιδιῶν καί νέων, προσφέροντάς νόμος· ἡ μέν τοῖς ὁρωμένοις προσβάλλουσα, καί αναφέρει σχετική ανακοίνωση του ΥΦΥΠΕΞ, ήταν πολύ ενδιαφέρουσα και χάρηκα ιδιαίτερα τους ἀγάπη καί θαλπωρή ἐν ὀνόματι τοῦ Χριστοῦ παπηγόσι καλῶς, καί ὁδεύουσι, καί ἀκινήτως, θέματα των σχολείων, της ελληνικής γλώσσας που μιλήσαμε ανοιχτά για όλα τα ζητήματα», καί μέ τήν παρουσία Του. Ἄς προσφέρουμε τίς ἵνα οὕτως εἴπω, κινουμένοις καί φερομένοις· ὁ δέ, και του Συμβουλίου Απόδημου Ελληνισμού δήλωσε ο κ. Κουίκ και ζήτησε, σύμφωνα με προσευχές μας γιά τούς διευθυντές καί τροφί- διά τῶν ὁρωμένων καί τεταγμένων, τόν ἀρχηγόν (ΣΑΕ) για το οποίο ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος εξέφρασε ανακοίνωσή του, «να γίνει ολοκληρωτική επα- μους τῆς Ἀκαδημίας. Καθώς κόβουμε τήν Βασι- τούτων συλλογιζόμενος. Ὁ Χρυσόστομος συμ- πολύ ενδιαφέρουσες απόψεις. νεκκίνηση από μηδενική βάση στην οργάνωση λόπιττα στίς κοινότητές μας, ἄς ἀνταποκριθοῦμε φωνεῖ: ἀλλ© ὅπερ καί ἔμπροσθεν ἔλεγον, ὅτι οὐ Πριν τη συνάντηση με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο, της ομογένειας, αφού προηγουμένως φύγουν μέ γενναιοδωρία στό κάλεσμα τῶν Κυριῶν τῆς τό μέγεθος καί τό κάλλος τῆς κτίσεως δείκνυσι ο Υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών Τέρενς Κουίκ μαζί από τη μέση, σε μια αναγκαία αυτοκάθαρση, Ἐθνικῆς Φιλοπτώχου γιά τή στήριξη αὐτῆς τῆς τόν Δημιουργόν μόνον, ἀλλά καί ὁ τρόπος αὐτός με τον Γενικό Πρόξενο της Ελλάδας στην Νέα τα σωματεία - σφραγίδες». Σε αυτό το πλαίσιο, ζωτικῆς διακονίας. τῆς συμπήξεως καί τό ὑπέρ φύσεως ἀκολουθίαν Υόρκη κ Κωνσταντίνο Κούτρα και τον διπλωμα- δήλωσε ότι είναι ανοιχτός σε κάθε συνεργασία Ἄς ἐπιβεβαιώσουμε ἐπίσης τήν ἀφοσίωσή εἶναι τῆς δημιουργίας τόν τρόπον. (10η Ὁμιλία – τικό του Σύμβουλο Βίκτωρα Μαλιγκούδη, επι- και τόνισε πως θα ενθαρρύνει κάθε σημαντική μας στό νά εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή τοῦ Χριστοῦ σέ ὅλα Περί Νόμων) σκέφθηκαν την εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου πρωτοβουλία που θα ξαναφέρει την ομογένεια ὅσα πράττουμε. Βεβαίως, θά γίνουμε ἡ φωνή τοῦ Γιά τούς Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες ἡ γνώση τοῦ που αναγείρεται στο «σημείο Μηδέν». στα επίπεδα που ήταν πριν 20 και πλέον χρόνια, Χριστοῦ διά τῆς λατρείας μας, ἀλλά ἄς εἴμεθα Θεοῦ δέν εἶναι μόνον ὁρατή σέ ὁλόκληρη τήν «Είναι ένα αρχιτεκτονικό αριστούργημα με μοναδικό στόχο την προβολή και υποστήριξη ἐπίσης ἡ φωνή Του διά τῆς αὐξήσεως και ποι- ἀνθρωπότητα, ἀλλά ἀποτελεῖ καί οὐσιαστικό του γνωστού μας Καλατράβα. Μία εκκλησία των εθνικών συμφερόντων. «Θα επιμείνω για το ότητος της διακονίας μας πρός τίς οἰκογένειες, θεμέλιο γιά τήν κατανόηση τῆς θέσεως καί τοῦ που θα έχει τη μορφή καντηλιού, και που είμαι restart και θα είμαι σε επαφή με τις οργανώσεις, τά παιδιά, τούς νέους καί τούς ἡλικιωμένους. προορισμοῦ μας στή δημιουργηθεῖσα τάξη, γιά πεπεισμένος ότι θα αποτελεί το παγκόσμιο ση- ασφαλώς και με τη βοήθεια των κατά τόπους Ἄς εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του διά τῆς ποιότητος τῶν τήν ἀναγνώριση τοῦ ποιός καί τί εἶναι σημαντι- μείο αναφοράς της Ορθοδοξίας με βάση τη Νέα διπλωματικών αρχών», κατέστησε σαφές. Στο ἐκπαιδευτικῶν μας ἔργων καί τῶν ἐκπαιδευτικῶν κότερο τοῦ ὁρατοῦ κόσμου καί γιά τήν ἀπόκρισή Υόρκη, στο σημείο όπου πριν 16 χρόνια είχαμε πλαίσιο της πενθήμερης παραμονής του στις μας πηγῶν. Ἄς εἴμεθα ἡ φωνή Του στήν προ- μας στή γνώση αὐτή διά τῆς ἀναζητήσεως ἐπι- την τραγωδία των Δίδυμων Πύργων. Υπολογίζε- ΗΠΑ, αρχικά ο κ. Κουίκ ανήμερα των Θεο- σπάθειά μας νά πλησιάσουμε αὐτούς πού ἔχουν κοινωνίας μαζί Του. Σέ αὐτό τό θεμέλιο, ὅμως, ται ότι η ανέγερση θα ολοκληρωθεί την Άνοιξη φανείων, εκπροσωπώντας τον πρωθυπουργό, ἀπομακρυνθεῖ ἀπό τήν Ἐκκλησία. Ἄς εἴμεθα ἡ βρίσκεται ἡ ἐπίγνωση τοῦ Θεοῦ καί ἡ πνευματική του 2018 και φαντάζομαι ότι τα θυρανοίξια θα παρέστη στη Θεία Λειτουργία και στην τελετή φωνή Του συνδυάζοντας παραδοσιακούς, μο- σοφία ἡ ὁποία ἀποκαλύπτεται διά τοῦ Χριστοῦ. αποτελέσουν ένα παγκόσμιο γεγονός με τη συμ- κατάδυσης του Τίμιου Σταυρού στο Τάρπον ναδικούς καί ἐμπνευσμένους τρόπους ἔτσι ὥστε Ἐπιβεβαιώνουν πώς ἡ γνώση τοῦ Θεοῦ διά τῆς μετοχή και των δύο Προέδρων, των Ηνωμένων Σπρινγκς. Επίσης, συναντήθηκε με τους ελληνι- οἱ ἄνθρωποι γύρω μας νά βροῦν τήν ἐν Χριστῷ δημιουργίας εἶναι σημαντική, ἀλλά ἐλλιπής Πολιτειών και της Ελλάδας. Σήμερα που είναι κής καταγωγής δημάρχους του Τάρπον Σπρινγκς ζωή καί εἰρήνη. χωρίς τόν Χριστό. Πρέπει νά γνωρίζουμε τόν ακόμα γιαπί, υπολογίζεται ότι επισκέπτονται Κρις Αλαχούζο -ο οποίος τού απένειμε το χρυσό Χριστό γιά νά γνωρίζουμε πραγματικά τόν Θεό περιμετρικά το χώρο πάνω από 23.000 άτομα. κλειδί της πόλης- και του Κλιαργουότερ Γιώργο Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη, καί τή σοφία Του. Οἱ Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες ἔδωσαν Αντιλαμβάνεται κανείς τη κοσμοσυρροή όταν Κρητικό, επισκέφτηκε ελληνικά σχολεία, καθώς ἔμφαση στήν ἀναγκαιότητα τῆς γνώσεως τοῦ αρχίσει η λειτουργία του Ναού». και το Κέντρο Ελληνικών Σπουδών στο Πανε- Χριστοῦ για τήν οὐσιαστική ἐπίγνωση τοῦ Θεοῦ. Κατά τη μονοήμερη παραμονή του στη πιστήμιο της Φλόριντα και παρέστη στο δείπνο Νέα Υόρκη ο κ. Κουίκ συναντήθηκε ακόμα με που του παρέθεσε η ηγεσία των AHEPA. u Σελίδα 16 την εκτελεστική διευθύντρια του Ιδρύματος (Πηγές: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ-Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών) † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος 16 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2017 την καταρράκωση των αξιών, τις κοινωνικές αδικίες, τα εγκλήματα που διαπράττονται, τους Η πνευματικότητα και τα ιδεώδη των Τριών Ιεραρχών πολέμους που συνταράσσουν την ανθρωπότητα, και τα πολιτικά λάθη που επαναλαμβάνονται, ο uΣελίδα 14 και της Ελληνικής αρετής. και την επίδραση του Ελληνικού πολιτισμού. βίος και οι πράξεις των Τριών Ιεραρχών θα Κάποιοι θέλουν να λέγουν ότι οι Τρεις Έτσι λοιπόν με την παράλληλη επίδραση πρέπει να είναι το φωτεινό παράδειγμα για να φτάσει σε ένα υψηλό μορφωτικό και ηθικό Ιεράρχες, και γενικότερα ο Χριστιανισμός, Ελληνισμού και Χριστιανισμού έχουμε και τη όλους. Η σύζευξη του Ελληνισμού και του επίπεδο, μέσα σε μια νεότερη υγιαίνουσα από τον 4ο αιώνα περιορίσθηκαν μόνον σε σύγχρονη διάδοση της Ελληνικής γλώσσας και Ορθόδοξου Χριστιανισμού παραμένει στη Ελληνική κοινωνία. δογματικές συζητήσεις και σε θεωρητικές του Ελληνικού πολιτισμού. μνήμη μας ως το ιστορικό μας παρελθόν, το Σε μια κοινωνία χωρίς κοινωνικές έρευνες και ότι εξέλειπε από την Εκκλησία η Σήμερα, η Εκκλησία μας, όπως και τότε, οποίο μας κληροδότησαν οι Άγιοι Πατέρες της αναταραχές. Να μην υπάρχουν ο κλονισμός εσωτερική ζωή της. προσπαθεί με όσα μέσα διαθέτει, να έχει ευρεία Χριστιανοσύνης. ηθικών αξιών, η καταπίεση των ισχυρών και η Αυτό είναι εντελώς άδικο. Δεν μπορεί κοινωνική δραστηριότητα. Ιδιαίτερα στα παιδιά μας, την σπουδάζουσα κοινωνική αδικία, οι πόλεμοι, οι τρομοκρατικές να αιωρούνται παρόμοια νεφελώματα. Γιατί Οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες είναι άξιοι θαυμασμού νεολαία, που είναι η ελπίδα του Έθνους και της εντάσεις και η πολιτική αστάθεια. οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες δεν έμειναν στις θεωρίες. και τιμής. Γιατί πέραν των όσων έπραξαν, Εκκλησίας, οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες ας είναι ο φάρος Σε αυτή τη παραζάλη της κοινωνίας που Αφιέρωσαν τη ζωή τους στον πρακτικό και διεκήρυτταν με παρρησία και θάρρος όσα και το παράδειγμα φιλομάθειας, εργατικότητας, επιτείνεται με την αβεβαιότητα του αύριο, οι κοινωνικό τομέα. Τα διάφορα φιλανθρωπικά πίστευαν. αρετής, ήθους και φιλαλληλίας. Παράδειγμα λαοί στρέφονται σε νέους προσανατολισμούς ιδρύματα, η Βασιλειάδα, τα Πτωχοκομεία, Πολέμησαν τους αιρετικούς και διέσωσαν αφοσιώσεως στο καθήκον, στο Θεό και την και ο άνθρωπος επιζητά την πνευματικότητά τα Ορφανοτροφεία, τα Γηροκομεία και τα την Ορθοδοξία αδιαφορώντας για τους πατρίδα. του. Νοσοκομεία δεν έλειπαν από καμιά πόλη. κινδύνους που διέτρεχαν. Ο Μ. Βασίλειος Γίνεται δικαστής της εποχής του, γιατί ο Σήμερα ζούμε σχεδόν παρόμοιες καταστάσεις, αντιμετώπισε τις απειλές του Μόδεστου με * Ο Δρ. Ιωάννης Ευθυμιόπουλος είναι ίδιος είναι πολύ πέρα, πέρα και πάνω απ’ αυτήν. όπως εκείνες της εποχής των Μεγάλων αυτών χαρακτηριστική ευπρέπεια και θάρρος. Ο διευθυντής του γραφείου Παιδείας της Ιεράς Ο πνευματικός άνθρωπος στη βία δεν μπορεί Πατέρων. Διανύουμε μια εποχή κατά την οποία Χρυσόστομος την έχθρα της αυτοκρατορικής Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής. να αντιτάξει βία, αλλά αντιτάσσει την ψυχή του, είναι σε έξαρση πολλά κοινωνικά προβλήματα, αυλής και τις εξορίες, ύστερα από την κριτική το πνεύμα του, την εσωτερική ηθική ελευθερία τα οποία απασχολούν άτομα, οργανώσεις, που ασκείτο στην αυτοκράτειρα Ευδοξία. του και τη θρησκευτικότητά του. Πάθος του Εκκλησία και λαούς. Για τους παραπάνω λόγους, εύλογο Εγκύκλιος είναι η αγάπη και η πίστη για την ανθρώπινη Βέβαια, τα σημερινά κοινωνικά είναι να θεωρούνται και να προβάλλονται αξία, τα βήματα του πνεύματος, της ιστορίας προβλήματα παρουσιάζονται με άλλη μορφή, ως λαμπρά υποδείγματα ηθικής και σπάνιας u Σελίδα 15 του Ελληνισμού και τα διδάγματα και οι πράξεις με διαφορετικό χαρακτήρα και σε άλλη έκταση. σοφίας. Αδαμάντινου χαρακτήρα, ρητορικής Καθώς τιμοῦμε τούς Τρεῖς Ἱεράρχες καί των Αγίων Πατέρων της Εκκλησίας. Αν μελετούσαμε και εφαρμόζαμε εν τη δεινότητας και ιδιαίτερα κοινωνικής και ἐμβαθύνουμε στούς στοχασμούς των σχετικά Η ελληνική φυλή επιδιώκει ως ηθικό πράξει, τα όσα μας δίδαξαν και επραγμάτωσαν οι ανθρωπιστικής δραστηριότητας που μέ τόν τρόπο πού γνωρίζουμε τόν Θεό καί έρεισμα το ελληνοχριστιανικό ιδεώδες, όπως Τρεις Ιεράρχες, θα είχαμε πολλά να ωφεληθούμε, ελάμπρυναν το πνευματικό στερέωμα της καθώς μέσῳ τοῦ Χριστοῦ μᾶς δίδεται ἡ γνώση το επέτυχαν και σε εκείνη την πολυτάραχη ώστε να δώσουμε λύσεις προκειμένου να τα Εκκλησίας και συγχρόνως κόσμησαν και καί ἡ σοφία νά ἀκολουθήσουμε τό θέλημά Του εποχή τους οι Τρεις Ιεράρχες, που αγωνίσθηκαν αντιμετωπίσουμε. Το οικουμενικό ιδεώδες π.χ. τίμησαν το Ελληνικό όνομα. μέσα σ’ἕναν κόσμο γεμάτο προκλήσεις, ἀνα- βάζοντας σε στέρεα βάση τις πνευματικές για την χριστιανική πίστη είναι να γίνει η πίστη Γι’ αυτό ο Ελληνισμός και ολόκληρο το γνωρίζουμε ἐπίσης τήν ἀξία τῶν διδασκαλιῶν και ηθικές αξίες ενός νέου πολιτισμού, του αυτή οικουμενική, παγκόσμια, ως έκφραση ζωής Ελληνικό Έθνος οφείλει να συνεορτάζει αυτή τους ἐν σχέσει μέ τόν ἑορτασμό τῆς Ἡμέρας λεγόμενου Βυζαντινού πολιτισμού. και πολιτισμού να γίνει οικουμένη η Εκκλησία την εορτή της Εκκλησίας και των Ελληνικών τῶν Ἑλληνικῶν Γραμμάτων. Ἐπί τῷ ἑορτασμῷ Αυτό το ιδεώδες που βίωσαν οι Άγιοι και η Εκκλησία οικουμένη. Γραμμάτων. Να αναζητήσει στο βίο και το ἀμφοτέρων τῶν ἑορτῶν, ἡ προσευχή μου γιά σᾶς Πατέρες οφείλουμε να το διατηρήσουμε και Ο Χριστιανισμός του Δ’ και Ε’ αιώνα έργο των Τριών Ιεραρχών τη σοφία, την εἶναι ὁ ὑπέροχος χαιρετισμός τοῦ Ἀποστόλου να το προάγουμε, ώστε να φρονιματιστεί ο αντιμετώπισε όλα σχεδόν τα φλέγοντα ευσέβεια, την αρετή και την ενσάρκωση των Παύλου, οὐ παύομαι εὐχαριστῶν ὑπέρ ὑμῶν Ελληνισμός. κοινωνικά προβλήματα χωρίς βία και με υψηλοτέρων ιδανικών, αφού υπήρξαν όχι μόνο μνείαν ποιούμενος ἐπί τῶν προσευχῶν μου, ἵνα ὁ Η ιστορική μοίρα του Ελληνισμού είναι το πνεύμα της ευαγγελικής αγάπης και μεγάλοι του Έθνους διδάσκαλοι, αλλά και του Θεός τοῦ Κυρίου ἡμῶν Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ, ὁ πατήρ να ζει, να ακμάζει, και να αγωνίζεται ως αλληλοβοηθείας. Παρά τις κοσμοπολιτικές χριστιανικού κόσμου γενικότερα. τῆς δόξης, δώῃ ὑμῖν πνεῦμα σοφίας καί ἀποκα- δύναμη ηθική και πνευματική. Η υπεροχή του του τάσεις, ο Χριστιανισμός είχε ήδη ζυμωθεί Ο Χριστιανισμός με το Ελληνικό πνεύμα λύψεως ἐν ἐπιγνώσει Αὐτοῦ (Ἐφ. 1:16). μέσα στην ιστορία ήταν πάντοτε ποιοτική. Ο με το ελληνικό και ελληνιστικό πνεύμα και δεν περιορίστηκε στα στενά όρια μιας φυλής Ελληνισμός δεν επέζησε ποτέ ως ύλη, αλλά άρχισε να διαδίδεται διά μέσου της Ελληνικής ή ενός έθνους. Αντίθετα, ως θρησκεία και Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη, πάντοτε ως πνεύμα και το σύμβολο του γλώσσας και της Ελληνικής φιλοσοφίας. Και με απολυτρωτική αγάπη απευθύνθηκε και Ελληνισμού υπήρξε πάντοτε ο πνευματικός ήταν τόσο ταχεία και μεγάλη η επίδρασή του, συμπεριέλαβε όλο τον κόσμο και όλη την άνθρωπος. Ο Έλληνας έζησε μέσα στην ώστε το ανατολικό ρωμαϊκό κράτος γίνεται ανθρωπότητα. ιστορία, ως ο κατ’ εξοχήν θεμελιωτής του κατ’ ουσίαν ελληνικό και οι βάρβαροι και Σήμερα περισσότερο παρά ποτέ, σε μια Ελληνικού κάλλους, του Ελληνικού πνεύματος υποανάπτυκτοι λαοί δέχθηκαν το χριστιανισμό πολυτάραχη εποχή, μέσα σε ένα ηθικό χάος με † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

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Holy Apostles Church photo Fr. George Alexson, Metropolitan Evangelos, Presvytera Joanna Alexson and Fr. Michael Kontogiorgis, director of the Archdiocese Department of Registry, who visited his home parish. Virginia Parish Planning Church Orthodox Observer photo LOUDON COUNTY, Va. – After com- They hope to raise the vast majority pleting a “phase one study” relating to of the investment through pledges to the strategic planning of this fairly new be fulfilled over a period of 1 to 3 years, parish of 135 members, Holy Apostles with only a limited amount that may need Greek Orthodox Church has completed to be carried as long-term debt for the a “Phase One Study” that culminated with community. a “Kickoff Weekend.” Fundraising efforts have exceeded The parish has embarked on a pro- $535,000 (including pledges). Recently, cess of vetting land available for purchase Metropolitan Evangelos visited the par- or existing church properties for sale. ish where he bestowed the new name of Parishioners are considering a 6.3- “Holy Apostles” from what had been the acre parcel of land valued at $1.8 million Greek Orthodox Community of Loudon to accommodate the scope of their Vision. County. New Book Features Chicago Greeks in News Photos CHICAGO – At a recent Metropo- be purchased at http://store.pappaspost. lis of Chicago Christmas Open House com/?product=extra-extra-chicagos-greeks- hosted by Metropolitan Iakovos, a new in-news-photographs-1930-1990 or through book was unveiled featuring Greeks of the Metropolis of Chicago Office. Gregory the city appearing in news photographs. Pappas compiled and edited the book GOA/D. Panagos photos Proceeds from the book, “EXTRA! EXTRA! and Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos wrote Chicago’s Greeks in News Photographs the forward. The book was published from 1930-1990” will benefit the St. Ia- through a grant by Chicago businessman kovos Retreat Center. Online copies can and Archon Harold Anagnos. Denver Metropolis Archons Host Council Symposium DENVER – Order of St. Andrew is professor of theology and co-director Archon and historian George E. Dema- of the Orthodox Christian Studies Center copoulos, Ph.D, presented a symposium Fordham University, Bronx, New York. on the historical, canonical and ecclesi- The symposium was co-organized astical significance of the Holy and Great by Archons Regional Commander Dr. Council at Assumption of the Gregory G. Papadeas together with Ar- Cathedral on Jan. 28. Dr. Demacopoulos chons of the 10th and 19th Districts Manhattan Church Receives Sacred Sites Challenge Grant; Celebrates 125th Anniversary NEW YORK – The New York Land- signed by the Tiffany Studios, Benjamin marks Conservancy, a private non-profit Sellars, and Rafael Guastavino. organization, has announced that An- An and other liturgical nunciation Church on Manhattan’s Up- furnishings were added to the interior in per West Side was awarded a $25,000 1953 when the building was acquired by Sacred Sites Challenge Grant to help fund Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. Confirmation oaths church door, stained glass, and masonry The Metropolitan Greek Chorale LOVE restoration. is based at the church, and the Rach- NEW YORK – Archbishop Deme- Sacred Sites Grants totaling $260,000 maninoff Choir, an Eastern Orthodox trios administered the oath of office have been awarded to historic religious Choral group based in Maine, holds an- to the new boards of trustees for “And you shall love properties throughout New York state. nual concerts at the church. three institutions of the Archdio- the Lord your God Altogether, the church plans to spend The parish house provides space cese: (from top) St. Michael’s Home with all your hear, nearly $300,000 on exterior restoration for several secular programs, including with director Bishop Andonios of work. the Young People’s Choir of New York, Phasiane; Holy Trinity Archdiocesan with all your soul, Constructed as the Fourth Presbyte- the New Amsterdam Fencing Academy, Cathedral with Dean Fr. John Vla- with all your mind, rian Church, this Upper West Side church a Greek dance troupe, SPOP, special hos; and Saint Basil Academy with complex, with a prominent corner loca- programs for older people, a Russian director Fr. Constantine Sitaras. and with tion, was designed by the architectural language preschool, and rehearsal space The Archbishop conducted a brief all your strength.” firm of Heins & LaFarge, and built in for New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players. prayer service, which was followed 1893-1894. The church contains out- Combined, these activities reach over by the traditional vasilopita cutting Mark 12:30 standing opalescent glass windows de- 1,000 people a year. for each group. 18 JANUARY 2017 JANUARY 2017 19 Family Connections ARETI KETIME The American Tour 2017 Care Teams Help Families With Problems TRADITIONAL GREEK FOLK MUSIC with a Tribute to the “American” Rebetiko. The teenager that

by Patrick Tutella Demetri (pseudonym) was a cradle stole our hearts Orthodox Christian who grew up in a “Please help me,” plead the 32-year loving home. He married a wonderful at the opening old Christian woman, frantic after finding Greek woman named Eleni (pseud- ceremonies of her 50 year old mother suffering a brain onym), fathered two beautiful daughters hemorrhage due to an aneurism. Secretly, and became a successful businessman. the 2004 Athens her mother has been addicted to opi- What most people didn’t know was that ates; legal prescription pain medication he harbored a secret gambling addiction Olympic Games prescribed by her physician, and illegal that spiraled out of control, causing his narcotics including heroin. This secret life to become unmanageable, filling him embarks on her probably would have remained under with anxiety. In an effort to remedy the second American wraps much longer if her bleeding brain situation, he began to bend the rules in didn’t send off a distress signal indicating his business dealings, ultimately commit- performance tour that something was terribly wrong. ting serious financial misappropriations. This woman is one of the lucky ones The day he was arrested, his family in February, March, who didn’t die from her secret addiction. was devastated. His wife felt ashamed April and May 2017. According to data from the Centers for and humiliated. She didn’t even want Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to be seen in public. She stopped going A SYN-PHONIA ENTERTAINMENT production, (a company that strives for the 4,102 people died as an unintended to church and quite often didn’t even preservation of Greek culture, heritage and traditions through music), this consequence of heroin overdoses in answer her telephone. LIVE presentation will re-affirm Ketime’s vast scope of musical talent and 2011 (the most recent year for which data Their two children, ages five and are available). Think about that statistic. seven, were too young to comprehend uncompromised charm and dignity in performance. Approximately one person died from a what was happening, but they felt the ten- This performance is available to any Greek Organization/ Parish in the U.S. heroin overdose every two hours! sion in the house. They often thought that and Canada. A wonderful fund raising tool, it can either be in concert form or According to the National Institute they did something wrong. The day that “Glendi” style as part of another event (Apokriatiko). on Drug Abuse (NIDA), in that same year, daddy went away was especially confus- Organized Dance Groups may also participate in the performance. 14, 091 Americans died from accidental ing. He said that he was going to work at a overdoses of prescription opioids. (Dru- faraway place and they couldn’t go along. (Instructive seminars by Ms. Ketime on the subjects of Byzantine Music, Greek gabuse.gov) If parishioners know church He promised that he would think about Folk Music and Dance, their styles and origins are also available.) as a safe place to come for help when they them every day until he returned home. For information on presenting this performance in your city: are in distress, where they will be loved He tried to smile when he left but he and cared for not only by the clergy but cried instead. Their mommy also cried a also by their fellow parishioners, they lot. Their house became a very sad place. SynPhonia Entertainment 646 623-0270 or [email protected] may be more likely to share their secret Overnight, Eleni’s world was turned struggles without the fear of being stig- upside down. Prior to her husband’s con- matized or ostracized? flict with the law, she was a stay-at- home Trained Care Teams can offer the mom and her husband was the main additional emotional support and en- breadwinner of the family. Now, he was couragement that is necessary for parish locked up in a federal prison in another members to face personal and family state, their bank accounts were depleted challenges in life. and she was only able to find part time A team of three caring women is now employment. Raising the children as a being recruited for training to meet with single parent, she frequently had to shift this recovering woman on a weekly basis them from one caregiver to another. Had as a supportive Care Team. Their purpose her husband actually died, the family is not to “fix” her but simply to be pres- would have received an outpouring of ent with her and love her. Their presence support. In essence, she was as a widow will encourage her in her recovery efforts, and her children as orphans, silently reminding her that she is not alone. It is suffering shame and humiliation in the amazing how much a caring team can do to encourage healing and restoration. uu to page 23 Reflections The Invisible Church: A Doctrine That Has Come of Age uu from page 11 Apostle of Christ: The Liturgy of Saint James the Apostle. This service and all every cell within a person. of the services after him reflect the cor- Prayers for healing and being porate sense of worship and not some anointed with Holy Unction come from individualistic endeavor. The Church in the Church. Marriages are blessed by the Book of Acts also reflects this same God within the Church; it is something corporate sense of worship. God does, not we through our vows. The Church is here today for each Ordinations of clergy are done and every person. Salvation is truly within the Church. And at the end of found within the Church. This we affirm our earthly life, prayers are said at our and proclaim to the world today. funeral which takes place in the Church. And with God’s help we will pass Our whole life is meant to be lived as this Faith on to the next generation. a member of the Church, not as a self- ruled, individualistic journey. Fr. Stephen Powley is the executive The Church is the place where director of Orthodox Christian Prison people come to offer corporate worship. Ministry and the priest of St. John the The earliest documented service of Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in the Church comes from the hand of an Pueblo, Colo. 20 JANUARY 2017 Obituaries

his M.D. in pediatrics tin 1956. Hawaii to be named an Archon. Rev. Dr. Demetrios He married Rae Mathewson of Mil- He was born in Honolulu, Terri- waukee (now deceased) in December tory of Hawaii in 1932 to Demetrios J. Constantelos 1964. and Julia Anastasopulos, immigrants LINWOOD, N.J. – Fr. Demetrios After relocating to the United States, from Vassara, Sparta, Greece. John Constantelos, renowned Orthodox they settled in the Chicago area. He was Because there was no Greek scholar, college professor, prolific author ordained to the diaconate at Sts. Constan- Orthodox Church in Hawaii in the and parish priest, died Jan. 10. He was 89 tine and Helen in Chicago in May 1973, 1930’s, Julia had made a vow that and was retired. and to the priesthood at Assumption she would baptize her son at a small Fr. Constantelos was one of the most Church in Madison, Wis., in July 1973 by monastery in Greece near their sum- respected Orthodox theologians and Bishop Timotheos of Rodostolon. mer village. The events of WWII and scholars of Greek culture, as witnessed He served as part-time priest at As- the subsequent Greek Civil War made by his innumerable scholarly publications sumption Church in Madison until June travel to Greece impossible for many receiving critical acclaim by internation- 1975, and at the Greek Orthodox Com- years. The vow was fulfilled in 1952. ally recognized experts. munity in Gainesville, Fla., until August Ted took the name of the monastery, He earned his Ph.D. at Rutgers Uni- 1982 when he was then assigned to San Sts. Anargyroi. The A. for Anargyros versity and his D.D. from Holy Cross Hel- Antonio. was added to his name after he was lenic College. He was the Charles Cooper Survivors include daughters, June baptized. Townsend Sr. Distinguished Professor Maria Matthews and husband, Patrick; Ted and his sister, Helen, attended Emeritus of History and Religious Stud- Marianna Gardea and husband, Anthony; local schools. While at Stevenson In- ies at Richard Stockton College in New Elena Umbel and husband, David; and termediate, they both worked in the Jersey and also a Distinguished Scholar Yanna Goodwin and husband Christo- pineapple fields. in Residence there, with specialties in the pher, and 12 grandchildren. Because of the war, laborers were Byzantine or Medieval Greek world, an- FR. DEMETRIOS CONSTANTELOS In addition to his presvytera, he was limited. When it was their turn to cient Greece, Rome and the Roman Em- predeceased by a grandson. work, trucks would pick up the stu- pire, early Christianity, New Testament tory, the American Academy of Religion, Funeral services took place Dec. 28 dents from school. Studies, and the history of P philanthropy. the Modern Greek Studies Association, at St. Sophia Church. They would either hoe or pick Additionally, he served as chairman the Orthodox Theological Society of Memorials may be made to Chil- pineapples by hand and put the pine- of the Hellenic Studies program at Rich- America, the Anglican-Orthodox, Eastern dren’s Hospital in San Antonio. apples in a burlap bag they would ard Stockton. Orthodox-Roman Catholic, and Eastern carry on their backs. A local newspaper Orthodox and Evangelical Lutheran had a full-page picture of them with hoes on their shoulders and a caption Early life Theological Consultations, and other Fr. Dionisios Marketos organizations in the United States, Spain, reading, “Helping the war effort.” He was born July 27, 1927 in Spilia, After graduating from Roosevelt Messinia, Greece, the fifth child of Chris- England, France, Denmark, Germany, Fr. Dionisios Marketos, a retired Austria, Italy, Russia, Uzbekistan, Tur- priest of the Archdiocese, died Nov. 20 High School, Ted went on to Menlo tine and Ioannis Constantelos. Junior College in Menlo Park, Calif., He attended elementary school in key, Israel, South Korea, Australia and after a brief illness. He was 93. Greece. Between 1955 and 1996, Rev. Fr. Marketos was born April 20, 1943 later transferring to the University of Messinia and high school in Kyparissia California at Berkeley and majored in and, following his graduation, he was Constantelos served either as regular or in Cephalonia, Greece, to Angelos and visiting pastor at several communities in Anna Marketos. After completing high American History, then decided to go offered a scholarship to study at Holy to San Francisco Hotel and Restaurant Cross School of Theology in Brookline, New England, New Jersey, and Maryland. school, he completed the Public Trade He was a visiting lecturer in many School in Athens, studying accounting, School. Mass., and arrived in the United States in Upon his return to Hawaii, he March 1947. communities of Maine, New Hampshire, and also attended seminars in Byzantine Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, music and teleturgics at Rizario Theologi- worked as a night clerk at the Moana Upon graduating from the school Surfrider Hotel. From there he went in 1951 he attended the University of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, cal School. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Vir- After serving in the Greek army, he to the Halekulani Hotel and was Michigan. promoted to assistant manager. He In 1954 he married Stella Croussou- ginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, worked as an accountant in Athens. Michigan, California, Kansas, Tennessee, He emigrated to the United States in worked there for five years and be- loudis of New York and Chios. came manager of the Waiohai Hotel She predeceased him in March 2010. Kentucky, Illinois, Florida, South Caro- 1967 and married Anastasia Aravadinou lina, Wisconsin, Indiana. at St. Phanourios Church in Elizabeth, at Poipu, Kauai. He returned to Greece where he Changing careers Ted received enrolled and attended courses at the Fr. Constantelos was an associate edi- N.J., in 1968. tor of the Journal of Ecumenical Studies In the years prior to his ordination, a master’s degree in education from School of Theology, University of Athens State College Boston in 1968. He (1954-1955). at Temple University, and a member of he worked in the fur industry until be- the New Revised Standard Version Bible coming a priest later in life. taught for many years at Honolulu’s Upon his return to the United States Central Intermediate School and in May of 1955, he was ordained in July, Committee of the National Council of He was ordained to the diacon- Churches of Christ in the USA. He also ate by Bishop Philotheos of Meloa on ended up at his alma mater, Roosevelt. 1955 and assigned to St. Demetrios Ted, along with his parents and Church in Perth Amboy, N.J. During his received several academic, community March 24, 1996, and, on Aug. 27, 1997, and book awards from 1959 to 2002. he was ordained to the priesthood at St. sister, became one of the founders of diakonia at St. Demetrios (1955-1964) what became the Sts. Constantine and he pursued post-graduate studies at Fr. Constantelos published more Phanourios Church by Bishop Alexios than a dozen books and hundreds of of Troas. He was appointed as pastor of Helen Cathedral of the Pacific in 1965. Princeton Theological Seminary, Princ- He served in various leadership eton, NJ, (1957-59), receiving a Th. M. articles on Hellenism, philosophy, history Transfiguration Church in Mattituck by and theology. Archbishop Demetrios. positions over the years including in New Testament studies, and Rutgers parish council president. Ted also was University (1959-64), receiving an M.A. He was predeceased by Presvytera In 2008, at the direction of Metro- Stella in March 2010. Survivors include politan Evangelos of New Jersey, he was the parish historian keeping books of in 1963 and Ph.D. in 1965 in the history photos, newspaper articles, and other of Byzantine Civilization. He has received four children, Christine, John, Helen and appointed as the priest of Evangelismos Maria, and six grandchildren. Church in Jersey City, where he served materials. several scholarships, fellowships and “I was always uplifted by his posi- honors including the Lane Cooper Fel- Funeral services took place Jan. 16 until his retirement on March 1, 2016. at Holy Trinity Church in Egg Harbor, Survivors include his presvytera, tive and generous spirit, and by the lowship and University Fellowship at way he gave of himself unselfishly to Rutgers University, a Junior Fellowship at NJ with Archbishop Demetrios officiat- Anastasia; children Anna and Stephanos; ing, and Metropolitan Evangelos of and other relatives. help others,” Metropolitan Gerasimos Dumbarton Oaks of Harvard University, of San Francisco said in a letter read several grants, an honorary doctorate in New Jersey assisting, and many priests Funeral service took place Nov. 23, at participating. St. Demetrios Church, Astoria, N.Y. at Ted’s funeral. “Ted was a man of theology by Hellenic College/Holy Cross impeccable character who loved the and several distinctions from academic, Burial was at St. Nektarios Monastery in Roscoe, N.Y. Lord and exemplified his faith in all professional and social organizations. his actions.” Fr. John A. Mangos, MD Ted was predeceased by his par- Accomplishments Theodore (Anargyros) ents, his sister, and her daughter. He is Beginning in 1962, he taught at SAN ANTONIO – Fr. John A. Mangos, survived by his grandnephew, Demetri Rutgers University, Hellenic College, 84, a priest with a lay profession, died Anastasopulos Marmash, who lovingly cared for him Boston College, New York University Dec. 25. in recent years. and lectured at several universities and In addition to serving as assistant HONOLULU - Theodore A. Anasta- Funeral services were held on Dec. colleges in the United States and before priest at St. Sophia Church in San Anto- sopulos, 84, one of the founders of Sts. 28 at the cathedral, officiated by the many professional, religious, academic nio, he was chairman of pediatrics at the Constantine and Helen Cathedral, the current priest, Fr. Alexander Leong and civic organizations. University of Texas Health Science Center first Greek Orthodox church in Hawaii, and former pastor Fr. Peter Salmas. He presented papers at international in San Antonio. died Dec. 10 at his home in Kailua. He Contributions in Ted’s memory may congresses of Byzantine Studies, Confer- Born Sept. 19, 1932 in Thessaloniki, also was an Archon of the Ecumenical be made to the Cathedral, 730 Lunalilo ence on Medieval Studies, the Catholic he attended public school there and stud- Patriarchate and a member of one of St., Honolulu, HI 96822. Historical Association, American Histori- ied at the medical school of the Aristote- the pioneer Greek families in Hawaii. cal Association, Society for Church His- lian University of Thessaloniki, receiving He was the first and only person in Contributed by Clifford T. Argue JANUARY 2017 21 Parish Profile A Community in the Picturesque Hudson Valley

daughter, Polyxeni Maouris Hillier PARISH profile eventually went to Holy Cross School of Theology and now serves as direc- tor of the St. Photios Greek Orthodox Name: St. George National Shrine. In 1960, Chris J. Larios, chairman Greek Orthodox Church of the original committee, was elected Board of Trustees president. Location: Kingston, N.Y. He wrote to Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras to explain the need for Archdiocesan District a Greek Orthodox community in Kingston. He soon received a letter Founded: 1960 from the Patriarch giving his blessing. The original census revealed more than 140 adults and 73 children. Clergy: Fr. Michael Kourametis (HCHC The parish began services at a local Episcopal church, with Fr. Atha- 1980) nasios Chamberas from Poughkeepsie holding services. The Archdiocese Size: About 100 families also sent clergy to celebrate Holy St. George church photo Week and Easter Services. Web: www.saintgeorge.ny.goarch.org The first full-time parish priest ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH to be assigned was Fr. Nicholas Kat- soulis. KINGSTON, N.Y. – The picturesque GOYA go Christmas caroling to a local Greek Orthodox settlers of this area Property was purchased and the Hudson Valley between Albany and New senior citizens home. for many years. Before 1960, Greek groundbreaking for a church was held York City, settled by the Dutch in the 17th A Hellenic women’s club performs Orthodox people made the long trip on Palm Sunday, 1964. century, is home to a several parishes of philanthropic work in the city and do- to either Poughkeepsie or Newburgh Bishop Silas consecrated the more recent vintage, and to Saint Basil nates to Archdiocese causes that include to attend services. Church on April 24, 1966. Academy. fund raisers for Saint Basil Academy Some of the original settlers of The parish had several hundred Among them is St. George, a small and St. Nicholas Church and National Kingston helped form the parishes members, but the closing of the IBM church in the small city of Kingston (lo- Shrine. of Kimisis in Poughkeepsie and St. plant caused the parish to lose num- cally referred to as K-Town) that had a In 2015, for the first time, members Nicholas in Newburgh. bers. larger membership in more prosperous of St. George participated in the annual Among them was George Maouris times. Greek Independence Day Parade on who became the church psalti. His — Compiled by Jim Golding With a population of nearly 25,000, Fifth Avenue in Manhattan. the sleepy little city near the Catskills The parish is on the Stewardship about halfway between New York and Program and major fund raisers include Albany had as its main claim to fame its the annual bazaar the weekend before status as the capital of New York in 1777, Thanksgiving, and a large dinner dance INTERNATIONAL at the height of the Revolutionary War, after Pascha to celebrate the Feast Day until the British army burned it. Now it of St. George. K-12 SCHOOL is home to such cultural attractions as In the greater Kingston community IN ATHENS the Hudson River Maritime Museum, Fr. Michael meets regularly with area the Trolley Museum of New York and clergy, mostly Roman Catholic and RECRUITING the Catskill Mountain Railroad. Dutch Reformed, reflecting the large The contemporary parish, located influence of the Dutch from the 17th TEACHERS AND near the downtown area, is a very ac- century the Hudson Valley was part of tive one. the New Netherland colony. ADMINISTRATORS “The parish is like a family, very Converts – three families just came closely knit”, said Fr. Kourametis, who to faith. ACS Athens (American Community Schools of Athens) is has served the community nearly three “We are a small but very active years. parish of kind, kind people,” said Fr. seeking to attract and employ enthusiastic and qualified An active choir, consisting of 10 Michael. American faculty and administrators – including a high members, is one of the key ministries, The parish has a few immigrants, school principal - of Greek descent, for all disciplines drawing praise from Archbishop Deme- but mostly first to fourth-generation. and levels (Elementary, Middle, High School). This is trios who visited the parish. Several own restaurants; others are Active ministries include Sunday doctors, lawyers and in other vocations. a unique opportunity for Greek-American teachers to school and Greek school, each with return to their roots and teach where teaching began! nearly 25 students. Historic background The youth of the community hold According to a parish history, ACS Athens is a student-centered English-language an annual Greek dance, and the Junior St. George was a dream of the early international school embracing American educational philosophy, principles and values. It is a private, non- PEACE profit, pre-K-12 institution located in Athens and has Change of Address served the children of the American, international and “Glory to God To submit a change of address: local communities in Athens since 1945, with a current in the highest, enrollment of 898 students. And on earth Contact Soula Podaras at 212.774.0235 Visit our website at acs.gr. For detailed employment peace, goodwill listings, job descriptions and applying, see toward men!” e-mail: [email protected] www.acs.gr/employment. Luke 2:14 fax: 212.774.0239. Candidates must email CV (list all certifications) and Questions about submitting Or regular mail to: cover letter to Anna Velivasaki, [email protected]. news and photos: Orthodox Observer, Feel free to contact Peggy Pelonis, Dean of student Jim Golding (212) 570.3557; 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075-0192 affairs at 011 30 697 9800 139 and [email protected], [email protected] or Email Steven Medeiros, Dean, Academic Affairs For advertising or the Greek section: Be sure to include old address, Lefteris Pissalidis, (212) 570. 3555; [email protected]. [email protected] new address and name of parish. 22 JANUARY 2017 Church History On the Road with Archbishop Athenagoras, October 1934

by William H. Samonides, Ph.D. Constantine and Helen Church. The priest was another old friend, Fr. Demetrios In February 1931 Archbishop Athena- Sgouros. A native of Corfu, Fr. Sgouros had goras arrived in America. The task before served as Archdeacon there for Athenago- him was daunting. He was expected to ras until his ordination to the priesthood establish unity and order in the Church, in 1927. Here, as in Brockton, the services which had been wracked by political dis- attracted hundreds of the faithful. sension since 1915 and was in need of After four intense days of travel and effective hierarchal administration. For church services, Archbishop Athenagoras the 44-year- old Athenagoras, whose previ- held services at the St. Elpis parish in ous domain had been the small island of Hopewell, Va., and visited other smaller Corfu, the scale of this new undertaking groups in the area. One stop was in was enormous. He was responsible for the Greensboro, N.C., where priests from entire Western Hemisphere. Winston-Salem conducted monthly ser- Until the installation of Bishop Athe- vices. The Dormition of the Theotokos nagoras Cavadas in June 1938, there were parish was not established until 1948, only two hierarchs overseeing this vast ju- but other organizations were already in risdiction, which in the continental United place. At Manuel’s Cafe, a local Greek- States alone included over 250 Greek owned restaurant, the Archbishop met Orthodox parishes spread over nearly 3 with local leaders, including the heads million square miles. of Philoptochos, AHEPA and the Greek During his 18 years in America, school. Here and a few days later when Athenagoras was constantly on the move, he visited the faithful in Harrisonburg and crisscrossing the continent to visit the Winchester in the Shenandoah Valley, Greek Orthodox everywhere. His travels he met with the faithful wherever they are often credited with uniting the Church gathered. When he visited communities and imbuing the faithful with a sense of the without parishes or church buildings, he FARES BEGIN AT... greater community of believers. stopped by their restaurants or confec- President Hoover tionaries. Archbishop Athenagoras had $ plus 299 tax The Archbishop began traveling from the common touch, the ability to make ONE WAY the moment he arrived. Within four days a personal connection with the people. $ plus he visited President Herbert Hoover at On Friday, Oct. 19, the Archbishop 480 tax the White House. Early on, he made short visited the Holy Trinity parish in Roanoke ROUND TRIP £∂§∂∆∂ single-destination trips, but he gradually and later attended the dedication of a To Athens or Thessaloniki º£∏¡∞ from New York extended his itineraries. By 1934, he had new Veterans Administration hospital settled into a traveling mode that would by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The ∂π™π∆∏ƒπ∞ RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY • SPACE IS LIMITED • CALL TODAY serve him well for the rest of his time in construction and operation of this hospi- LOWEST HOTEL & CAR FARES AVAILABLE LOWEST PRICES IN America. A trip that began in Brockton, tal, which is still in operation, provided ∂¶π∫√π¡ø¡∏™∆∂ ª∞∑π ª∞™ ™∆√ π¡∆∂ƒ¡∂∆ THE MARKET Mass., during the Columbus Day weekend much-needed jobs during the Great De- Contact: Eleni & Ari Poulos pression. WEB: www.eleni.com • E-mail: [email protected] in 1934 is an example of how he maxi- mized the opportunities to reach out to Athenagoras placed a priority on Επίσης αναλαμβάνουμε the faithful. connecting with political leaders. He Διαβατήρια και Συμβολαιογραφικά NON STOP FLIGHT US AIR FROM From Thursday, Oct. 11 to Sunday, paid annual visits to the three presidents (Πληρεξούσια, Μεταφράσεις, in office during his years in America. He Πιστοποιητικά, κ.λ.π.) PHILA TO ATHENS Oct. 21, 1934, he attended four major AND CONTINUE TO THESSALONIKI events and visited nearly a dozen com- had known Roosevelt since April 1932, 1-800-989-4733 5 Bayberry Drive, Broomall, PA 19008 munities in three states. He combined having visited him in Albany when he was Call Now and Begin Saving Money with Eleni Tours, Inc. 610-355-7730 • Fax: 610-355-0823 ecclesiastical duties with attendance at serving as governor of New York. During secular events. He visited Greek commu- the frequent courtesy calls to political nities whether or not they had established leaders, the Archbishop often asked them parishes. He took the time to renew old to look after the interests of his people. acquaintances, make new friends, and This was particularly important since extend his personal network. the status of many of his flock, especially Visits Brockton, Mass. the unnaturalized Greek immigrants, was In Brockton, he consecrated the not secure. newly-built Annunciation Greek Orthodox The Archbishop’s final stop on this Church. The Archbishop had presided at trip was in Fredericksburg, Va., where the laying of the cornerstone the previous he celebrated the first anniversary of the year. For the consecration he was assisted local AHEPA chapter. The Archbishop by Fr. Basil Efthimiou, who was serving as rarely missed any gathering of AHEPA dean of Annunciation Cathedral in Boston. or GAPA (Greek American Progressive Fr. Efthimiou had been the Arch- Association). The Fredericksburg celebra- bishop’s roommate and classmate at the tion was also attended by the governor of Halki Theological Seminary in Constan- Virginia, the national president of AHEPA, tinople. He was the first cleric to come to and high-ranking members of the Greek this country after the Archbishop’s arrival legation in Washington. in 1931 and among the first ordained to During his travels Archbishop Athe- the priesthood by Athenagoras. Also as- nagoras demonstrated that he was com- sisting the Archbishop in Brockton was fortable and effective among groups of all another old friend, Fr. Parthenios Comni- sizes, at large-scale formal events and in nos, priest of the St. Demetrios parish in intimate, one-on- one visits to homes and Fall River, Mass. Fr. Comninos had served businesses. He had a remarkable memory as Archdeacon and traveling companion for names and faces. His energy and abil- to Archbishop Athenagoras during his first ity to relate to people in all walks of life year in America. contributed greatly to the success of his After completing his duties in Brock- mission of uniting and strengthening the ton and while the parish celebrated at a Church in America. banquet and dance, the Archbishop slept on the night train to Richmond, Va. The author thanks Fr. Milton Efthi- Virginia itinerary miou of New York, Joanna Stellakis and There on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. James Theos of Brockton, and Bernadette 13-14, he consecrated the renovated Sts. Cornelius of Richmond. JANUARY 2017 23 Youth Camps OCMC

* The following Metropolis Youth Open to: Youth from ages 8-18, from Camp schedules were received for the any Orthodox Christian communities, as 2016 Mission Teams Recap January issue. well as the friends and relatives of those campers by Sara Staff Following the mission trips, at least METROPOLIS OF BOSTON Capacity: 180 campers 14 team members felt a calling on their Metropolis of Boston Camp Online Registration Open: Jan. 15 - June 2016 has been another awesome heart for long-term mission service, and Location: St. Methodios Faith & Heritage 15, 2017 year for OCMC short-term mission 4 have already started the process to be- Center Contocook, N.H. All Saints Camp – Washington teams! Many of you have traveled across come long-term missionaries. Not only Dates:Summer Family Camp June 29 - Location: Gig Harbor, Wash. the globe to answer the call of making that, but teams have helped raise aware- July 2; Dates: disciples of all nations, and the impact of ness of missions in the lives of 1,060 sup- Session 1: July 3-9 Counselor Orientation July 7-9, 2017 that has been profound. porters, including over 510 new donors! Session 2: July 10-16 Elementary Camp (Grade 3-5) July 9-15, The Orthodox Christian Mission Cen- OCMC is very thankful for another Session 3: July 17-23 2017 ter was able to send off 20 teams totaling impactful year for mission teams. To be Session 4: July 24-30 Advanced Camp (Grades 6-9) July 16-22, 122 team members to spread the message part of Christ’s ministry on earth is an Session 5: July 31-August 6 2017 of Christ’s love through the Orthodox incredible blessing. Every individual who Cost per camper: TBA High School Camp (Grades 10-12) July Church. Team members represented participates on a team is answering the Director or contact person and phone 9-15, 2017 10 different jurisdictions, 33 states, and call to make disciples of all nations and number: Ioannis Michaelidis , 617-833- Cost per camper: 2 from the United Kingdom and India. impacting lives with Christ’s love. We 2059. $330 for high school campers There were a variety of ages represented pray that the Orthodox Church around e-mail: [email protected] $300 for all others from 7 to 78 years old. the world continues to grow through the website: metropolisofbostoncamp.org $30 discount for each additional child Teams traveled to 7 countries on 4 efforts of missionaries and mission teams. Open to: (ages 8-18, and families) Director or contact person and phone different continents totaling over 641,600 For all of you who served on or Registration: Summer Camp Registration number: Lefteris Sitaras, Youth Director, miles flown! They ministered to 1,200 financed mission trips, thank you. Your Begins March 1 St. Demetrios, Seattle, (206) 631-2504 adults, 2,400 youth and young adults, love for Christ and the Orthodox Faith has E-mail: [email protected] cared for 1,500 patients, and numer- brought many people encouragement METROPOLIS Website: www.allsaintssummercamp.info ous other unrecorded individuals were and hope. OF SAN FRANCISCO Open to: Any youth ages 8 to 18. This reached. It’s already time to consider joining SUMMER CAMPS camp is co-owned by the communities of Over $18,000 in grant money was a 2017 short-term mission team. To see Metropolis of San Francisco St. Demetrios and Assumption but all Or- received to be used for medicines, or- what teams are available for 2017, check Summer Camp at St. Nicholas Ranch thodox Christians are welcome to attend. phanages, conferences, retreats, camps, out ocmc.org or call OCMC at 1-877- 463- Location: St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Registration Opens: Jan. 28, 2017. and projects for the mission teams. 6787 (ext. 142). Center, Dunlap Calif. Register by March 1, 2017 and receive a Dates: $50 discount. Staff Orientation July 3-8, 2017 Registration closes June 1, 2017. Session 1 July 9-15, 2017 Care Teams Help Families With Problems Session 2 July 16-22, 2017 Camp Angelos Session 3 July 23-29, 2017 Location: Corbett, Oregon, in the Sandy uu from page 19 Church as a hospital for sinners, and the Cost per camper: River valley property of Camp Angelos sacramental life of the Church as therapy. Early Registration December 1- $500 Dates: July 9-14, 2017 shadows during the husband/father’s St. Basil’s New City was founded as a Regular Registration February 1- $525 Cost per camper: $280 incarceration. safe place where the poor, the diseased, Late Registration - April 1- $550 Director/contact person This is not an isolated incident. On orphans and the aged could have their $25 Discount for each additional child Christine Whitton, Holy Trinity Cathedral, any given day, over two million adult needs addressed by laity working to- Camp Director: Johanna Duterte, Direc- youth director. Americans are confined to our nation’s gether with monks and nuns. tor of Youth and Young Adult Ministries E-mail: [email protected] prisons. Prior to their incarceration, Through the establishment of par- E-mail: [email protected] Website: goholytrinity.org many of these people were struggling ish support Care Teams, the Orthodox Website: www.gosfyouth.org Open to: Youth from ages 9-16, from with harmful addictions (drugs, alcohol, faithful are presented with opportunities Open to: Mainly Greek Orthodox but any Orthodox Christian communities, as gambling, and even shopping) that made to grow spiritually through service to the Pan-Orthodox Christians from age 8 well as the friends and relatives of those their lives unmanageable. parish that is personal, meaningful, and years (or entering the third grade in Sep- campers. Eleni was visited often by her parish effective. One peer Care Team was re- tember 2017) to 18 years old (or a high Registration: TBA priest who encouraged her to attend cruited to assist a Greek Orthodox wom- school graduate in spring 2017), as well Ascension Summer Camp Liturgy and keep the kids plugged in to an face the daily challenges associated as friends and relatives of those campers. Location: YMCA Camp Ravencliff, Redway the life of the Church. She was grateful with her husband’s diagnosis of stage four Online Registration Open: December 1, Calif. for his paternal love, yet the stigma of COPD. Another Care Team is supporting 2016 - June 30, 2017 Dates: June 17-25 her husband’s arrest caused her to feel a man who is working through grief over Greek Village “Elliniko Horio” Cost per camper: ashamed and alone. Eleni would have the death of his spouse. Location: St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat $550 for 1 camper -pledged member benefitted from the additional support Operating under the direction and Center, Dunlap Calif. $675 for 1 camper -non- pledged member of a trained Care Team of women from guidance of the parish priest, these Care Dates: June 17-24, 2017 (sibling discounts available) her parish community. Teams support his ministry by helping Cost per camper: Director or contact person and phone A team that understands the chal- to manage challenging situations and Early Registration $475 number: Yanni Limnios lenges that families face when a loved thereby preventing them from becoming Regular Registration $500 E-mail: [email protected] one is arrested and incarcerated. They emergencies or tragedies. Late Registration $550 Website: www.groca.org/youthministry/ would embrace the woman in her pain, Finally, parish Care Teams are valu- $25 Discount for each additional child summer-camp/ pray with and for her and protect the able for outreach and evangelism. In Program Coordinator: Katerina Icono- Open to: Youth from ages 8-17, from confidential nature of the relationship. the Gospel of St. John 13:35, Jesus said, mou any Orthodox Christian communities, as Eleni would find rest, knowing that she “By this all men will know that you are E-mail: [email protected] well as the friends and relatives of those is not alone. my disciples, if you have love for one Website: www.ourgreekvillage.org campers. The peer Care Team approach for another.” As the world continues to ad- Open to: Mainly Greek Orthodox chil- Registration: TBA supportive care in the parish is in har- vance technologically, vast numbers of dren ages 8-15 interested in learning mony with the scriptures. people express feelings of isolation and more about and culture St. Sophia Camp In the Gospel of St. John 13:34, our loneliness. Many times the search for God in a summer camp environment. Location: Camp Seeley 250 N. Highway Lord commands us to love one another. begins with the search for friends. Parish Online Registration Open: February 1 - 138 Crestline, CA 92325 St. Paul, writing to the Galatians said, Care Teams can provide opportunities for June 15 Dates: “Bear one another’s burdens, and so ful- neighbors to find each other in a Christ All Saints Orthodox Summer Camp - Session 1 July 23-29, 2017 fill the law of Christ” (6:2). A few verses honoring way that leads to salvation. Arizona Session 2 July 29 - Aug 5, 2017 later he continues, “…let us do good to For more ideas to help your parish Location: Pine Summit, 800 E. Wolf Creek Cost per camper: TBA all men, and especially to those of the develop this ministry contact the Center Rd., Prescott, 86303 Director or contact person and phone household of faith” (6:10). In similar for Family Care [email protected]. Dates: June 21-26, 2017 number: Perry Skaggs Camp Director fashion, he instructs the Thessalonians Cost per camper: 323-397- 5436 to, “…admonish the idlers, encourage the Patrick Tutella is director of the New Early Registration: $375 E-mail: [email protected] fainthearted, help the weak, be patient Hope Project. He is the former national Regular Registration: $400 Website: www.saintsophiacamp.org/ with them all.” (1 Thess 5:14) director of Orthodox Christian Prison Late Registration: $425 home.shtml The Care Team approach is also Ministry under the Assembly of Canonical Director or contact person and phone Open to: Youth from ages 8-18, from congruent with the teachings of the Orthodox Bishops of the United States of number: Evan Tsagaris, camp administra- any Orthodox Christian communities, as early , including St. John America. He and his wife Cheryl reside tion director well as the friends and relatives of those Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great. In his in Berks County, Pa. They attend Trans- Email: [email protected] campers. homily, “Against Publishing the Errors of figuration Greek Orthodox Church in Website: www.allsaintscamparizona.org/ Registration: TBA the Brethren,” Chrysostom presents the Lititz, Pa. 24 JANUARY 2017 Calendar of Events Book Review

* The following national and metropo- Los Angeles. August 17–August 20–Metropolis Philop- uu from page 10 lis–level events were received in time March 19–Archdiocese Greek School tochos Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, St. for the January issue. Teachers Seminar. Holy Cross Church, Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. alted calling in Christ. Finally, Fr. Ted Belmont, Calif. August 22–25–Metropolis of San Fran- explores the transforming power that ARCHDIOCESE March 20–Metropolis of San Francisco cisco Youth Worker Meeting, Metropolis is inherent in the Gospel whenever it February 9–12–26th annual Leadership Adult Christian Education Online We- Office. is authentically proclaimed from the 100 Conference, Eau Palm Beach Resort binar. August 24–27–Metropolis Philoptochos pulpit, through Orthodox worship, and and Spa, Manalapan, Fla. March 25–Metropolis Greek Indepen- Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, Ramona, evidenced in a Christian lifestyle. May 4–5–Archdiocese Council Meeting, dence Day Celebration, Location TBD. Calif. This results in a new creation of Location TBD. March 27–Metropolis of San Francisco September 8–9–Metropolis Family Well- ourselves personally, our communi- May 20–HCHC Commencement. Church School Directors Online Meeting. ness Ministry Conference, Holy Apostles ties of faith, society and indeed the June 17–Saint Basil Academy Graduation March 31April 2–Young Adult Lenten Church, Shoreline, Wash. environment since Christ’s person and Oct. 12–13–Archdiocesan Council Meet- Retreat, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat September 16–Metropolis of San Fran- work embrace and impact everything ing, New York. Center, Dunlap, Calif. cisco Church School Directors Online that exists. But he cautions that there Oct. 14–15–Archons of the Ecumenical April 24–Metropolis of San Francisco Meeting. is nothing automatic or magical about Patriarchate meetings, New York. Church School Directors Online Meeting. September 18–22–Metropolis Adult how this works. The Gospel’s power is April 25–26–Metropolis Council Meeting, Resort Camp, St. Nicholas Ranch and released through the integrity of our METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center– Retreat Center. life, work and witness in submission to January 13–16–Metropolis Winter Family Dunlap, Calif. Sept. (TBD)–Metropolis Philoptochos Christ, and enlightenment by the Spirit Camp, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat April 26–April 27–Metropolis Clergy–Laity Fall Spiritual Conference, St. Nicholas within the community of the Church. Center, Dunlap, Calif. Assembly, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Ranch and Retreat Center. The last chapter, “Fostering an January 13–16–Metropolis Young Adult Center. October 6–9–National Presvyteres Re- Evangelical Ethos,” serves as a fitting Winter Retreat, Galilee Camp and Confer- April 27– 28–Metropolis Clergy Retreat, treat, Marriott Hotel, Newport Beach, conclusion to reclaim the profound ence Center, Lake Tahoe, Nevada St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center. Calif. Gospel-centered nature of the Orthodox January 19–20–Metropolis Philoptochos May 7–Metropolis Philoptochos Kids November 17–18–Metropolis Family Church. By this Fr. Ted means a set of Board Meeting, Metropolis Office–San ‘n’ Cancer Agape Reception, Newport Wellness Ministry Conference, Holy Trin- specific religious convictions and spiri- Francisco. Beach, Calif. ity Cathedral, Phoenix. tual attributes that derive from Christ January 20–22–Metropolis Sisterhood of May 13–Metropolis St. John Chrysostom November (date TBD)–Light the Path– and the Apostles themselves. In this Presvyteres Retreat, St. Nicholas Ranch Oratorical Festival, St. Nicholas Ranch Metropolis Philoptochos Christmas Lun- regard he is clear: and Retreat Center–Dunlap, Calif. and Retreat Center. cheon Southern California. The gospel is not so much about January 23–Metropolis of San Francisco May 19–20–Metropolis Family Wellness December (date TBD)–Light the Path, theological concepts, or moral values, Church School Directors Online Meeting Ministry Conference, St. Paul Church, Metropolis Philoptochos Christmas Lun- or religious duties, or the celebration January 28–Metropolis Church Music Irvine, Calif. cheon, Northern California. of tradition, although it embraces and Federation Winter Business Meeting, May 26–May 29–Metropolis Spring Fam- December 15–Young Adult Christmas illuminates these. It is about God’s great Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary ily Camp, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Party, Metropolis House, San Francisco. saving acts in Christ, the Spirit, and the Greek Orthodox Church, Long Beach, Center. December 16–Metropolis Christmas Church, which ushers in the new cre- Calif. June 8–11–Metropolis Philoptochos Kids Open House, Metropolis House, San ation as “a treasure in earthen vessels.” January 29–Metropolis Greek Letters ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, Mayer, Ariz. Francisco. Then he reminds us that, since the Day Celebration, Annunciation Church, June 17–24–Greek Village Immersion Gospel belongs to God, we who preach, Sacramento, Calif. Camp, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY teach, and minister need above all to February 3–4–Metropolis Family Well- Center. January 6–Vasilopita Cutting for Metropo- continually embrace it, meditate upon ness Ministry Conference, Holy Trinity June 22–June 25–Metropolis Church Mu- lis Clergy and Families, Metropolitan it, proclaim and live it. Whatever quali- Church–San Francisco. sic Federation Conference, Location TBD Council, GOMNJ Philoptochos, Parish ties and expertise we have is secondary. February 16–19–Folk Dance and Choral July 9–15–Metropolis Summer Camp,– Council Presidents and Parish Philopto- Above all, the gifts and blessings of the Festival, Town and Country Resort and Session I, St. Nicholas Ranch and Retreat chos Presidents, Metropolis of New Jersey, Gospel are primary; the demands and Convention Center, San Diego. Center. Westfield, NJ. expectations follow. February 27–Metropolis of San Francisco July 16–July 22–Metropolis Summer January 7–Annual Epiphany Celebration, This is critical since the life in Christ Church School Directors Online Meeting. Camp–Session II, St. Nicholas Ranch and St. George Church in Ocean City, Md. all too easily is reduced to moral obliga- February 27–June 4–Mochas for Missions Retreat Center. January 13–15–Metropolis of New Jersey. tions and religious duties. Only on this Campaign, Metropolis Commission for July 23–29–Metropolis Summer Camp, Hellenic Folk Dance Festival, Sts. Constan- basis – free acceptance again and again Orthodox Missions and Evangelism. Session III, St. Nicholas Ranch and Re- tine and Helen Church. Annapolis, Md. of Christ as Lord, God and Savior, and March 5–Pan–Orthodox Celebration of treat Center. January 22–Maryland and Northern ever-renewed awareness of the positive the Sunday of Orthodoxy, Location (to July 24–July 29–Metropolis Philoptochos Virginia Regions Three Hierarchs/Greek benefits of the Gospel – are we in the be determined). Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, All Saints Letters Celebration, St. Nicholas Church, right position to become doers of the March 18–Adult Christian Education We- Camp, Gig Harbor, Wash. Baltimore. Word and not merely hearers only (or binar. Metropolis Online Meeting. July 30–August 4–Metropolis Philopto- January 28–Northern New Jersey Three simply those who carry a warm senti- March 18–Archdiocese Greek School chos Kids ‘n’ Cancer Camp Agape, Camp Hierarchs/Greek Letters Celebration, St. ment in our hearts). Every genuine Teachers Seminar, St. Sophia Cathedral– Angelos, Portland, Oregon. John the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, response is life-changing that issues in NJ. active participation in a local community January 29–Delaware Valley Three Hier- of faith and a desire to share this good archs/Greek Letters Celebration, St. Deme- news with others. trios Church, Upper Darby, PA. Simply put: The Apostolic Gospel Jan. 30–Feb. 1–Metropolis of New Jersey clarifies the core of Orthodoxy that can Metropolis News Clergy Retreat, Eastern Shore, Maryland illumine, shape, direct and empower April 2–Greek Independence Day Parade, our lives today. Philadelphia. May 8–9, 2017–Metropolis Clergy Laity Fr. Pappas is pastor of Archangels Chicago Metropolis Archons Assembly and Philoptochos Convention, Church in Stamford, Conn., and a The Venetian in Garfield, NJ. professor at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Press for Resolution Passage May 27–28–Metropolis GOYA Outdoor Seminary. Olympics, Monmouth University in West CHICAGO – Archons of the Me- Minnesota to pass the resolution. Long Branch, NJ. tropolis of Chicago continue to actively In Indiana, as part of a joint initia- September 17–Holy Cross Celebration, pursue passage in several state legisla- tive by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago Asbury Park, NJ. CONFESS tures of a resolution in support of the and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, November (TBD)–Metropolitan Evangelos Ecumenical Patriarchate. and in conjunction with the Archon’s of of New Jersey Ambassador Awards Ban- “Therefore Most recently efforts have focused both Metropolises, Bishop Demetrios quet, The Merion in Cinnamonson, NJ whoever confesses on Minnesota and Indiana. of Mokissos visited Sts. Constantine November 12–13–Feastday Celebration In Minnesota, three clergy, Frs. and Helen Cathedral in Merrillville, of St. John Chrysostom, Patron Saint of Me before men, Rick Andrews of St George parish in St Ind., and made a presentation for pas- the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New him I will Paul, Tim Sas of Twelve Holy Apostles sage in Indiana of the Archon Resolu- Jersey. GOMNJ Headquarters in Westfield. also confess in Duluth and George Dokos of St tion. November 15–Regional Holy Unction Mary’s in Minneapolis, along with Ar- In attendance were Indiana State Services Marking the Beginning of the before My Father chon Bill Spell and Metropolis Media Sens. Lonnie Randolph and Rick Christmas Lent. who is in heaven.” Relations Director John Ackerman met Niemeyer, State Reps. Mara Cande- December (TBD)–Annual Christmas Tree with Minnesota Republican Chairman laria Reardon and Hal Slager, and Lake Lighting and Open House, GOMNJ Head- Matt. 10:32 Keith Downey to discuss the need for County Auditor John Petalas. quarters in Westfield. JANUARY 2017 25 Metropolis News

Yianni photography Hellenic Folk Dance Festival Metropolis of New Jersey

by Fr. George Nikas the Metropolitan expressed his gratitude Annapolis. St. George Church, Asbury Church, Annapolis, MD to the founder, and Hellenic Dance Fes- Park/Ocean, N.J; Annunciation Cathedral, “Jr. Rythmos” Assumption Greek Or- ANNAPOLIS, Md. – The Metropolis tival chairman, the Rev. Protopresbyter Baltimore; St. Demetrios Church, Balti- thodox Church, Port Jefferson, NY of New Jersey held its 25th annual Hel- Kosmas Karavellas and his dynamic co- more; St. Nicholas Church, Baltimore; St. lenic Folk Dance Festival (FDF) at Sts.. chair, Felicia Karavellas Nolan, as well as Luke Church, Broomall, Pa; Nativity of the JUNIOR Constantine and Helen Church January the parish of Sts. Constantine and Helen Theotokos, Fredericksburg, Va; Kimisis 1st Place 14-15. Nearly 300 enthusiastic dancers Church, for serving as the site host. Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, N.J; “Jr. Mythos” St. George Greek Or- from parishes throughout the Metropolis Sunday morning, Metropolitan Annunciation Cathedral, Norfolk, Va; St. thodox Church, Asbury Park/Ocean, NJ attended the much anticipated weekend Evangelos presided over the Hierarchi- George Church, Piscataway, N.J; Assump- 2nd Place event. cal Divine Liturgy, assisted by the V. Rev. tion Church, Port Jefferson, N.Y; St. John “Demetrakia 3” St. Demetrios Greek Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jer- Archimandrite George Nikas, Metropolis the Theologian Cathedral, Tenafly, N.J; Orthodox Church, Baltimore, MD sey blessed the participants at opening chancellor, and the Fr. Karavellas, vicar St. Barbara Church, Toms River, N.J; and 3rd Place ceremonies Saturday exhorting the young general of the Metropolis and Proista- St. Demetrios Church, Upper Darby, Pa. “Jr. Athenians” Nativity of the The- people present to “never forget your Hel- menos of Sts. Constantine and Helen In his closing comments, Metropoli- otokos Greek Orthodox Church, Fred- lenic roots and Orthodox Christian ideals. Church. tan Evangelos thanked the clergy and 14 ericksburg, VA Remain steadfast in your faith and Another afternoon ensued of sen- parishes who encouraged the participa- Best Costume: “Jr. Mythos” St. remember that you are all winners, be- sational Greek Dances being performed tion of their youth and sent 21 groups to George Greek Orthodox Church, Asbury cause you are here showcasing your love from all parts of Greece, Cyprus and Asia this annual dance festival: Park/Ocean, NJ of Hellenic culture as expressed through Minor. The Official Results are as follows your passion of Greek Dance.” Especially enjoyable to watch were (Complete FDF results may be found on INTERMEDIATE Furthermore, Metropolitan Evange- the youngest dancers that comprised the the G.O. Metropolis of New Jersey web 1st Place los thanked the clergy, parents, dance Primary Division, ensuring all present that page www.nj.goarch.org and e-mail: me- “The Cathedral Choreftiki Omada of Instructors, and grandparents for their Greek dance will continue to flourish in [email protected] ): St. John” St. John the Theologian Cathe- support and participation. the hearts and souls of our young people dral, Tenafly, NJ Addressing the youth directly, the for many, many years to come. PRIMARY 2nd Place Metropolitan expressed his joy that the Finally, the much anticipated Awards 1st Place “Demetrakia 2” St. Demetrios Hellenic Folk Dance Festival has brought Ceremony took place in which the best “Hara” SS. Constantine and Helen Church, Baltimore the young people together in a spirit of performing Dance Troupes and those Greek Orthodox Church, Annapolis, MD 3rd Place fellowship and cultural pride for a quar- with the best costumes had an opportu- 2nd Place “Sr. Rythmos” Assumption Church, ter of a century, and prayed that future nity to be congratulated by all. “Jr. Rythmos” Assumption Greek Or- Port Jefferson, NY generations would benefit from this most Metropolitan Evangelos thanked es- thodox Church, Port Jefferson, NY Best Costume: “Demetrakia 2” St. worthwhile pecially the Clergy and 14 Parishes who 3rd Place Demetrios Church, Baltimore, MD encouraged the participation of their “Demetrakia 4” St. Demetrios Greek Metropolis Youth Program parish youth and sent 21 dance groups Orthodox Church, Baltimore, MD SENIOR Saturday’s dance performances cul- to this annual Hellenic Dance Festival: Best Costume (TIE): “Hara” Sts. 1st Place minated with a dinner dance at which Sts. Constantine and Helen Church, Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox “Evangelakia” Annunciation Cathe- dral, Baltimore nd Yianni photography 2 Place “The Aegeans” SS. Constantine and Helen Church, Annapolis 3rd Place “St. George GOYA Dance Group” St. George Church, Piscataway, NJ Best Costume: “Evangelakia” Annun- ciation Cathedral, Baltimore

YOUNG ADULT LEAGUE 1st Place “Pontian Society Akritai of St. Deme- trios” St. Demetrios Church, Upper Darby, Pa 2nd Place “Hellenic Golden Coins” St. Nicholas Church, Baltimore 3rd Place “Kimisis Greek Dance Troupe” Kim- isis Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, NJ Best Costume: “Pontian Society Akritai of St. Demetrios” St. Demetrios Church, Upper Darby, Pa 26 JANUARY 2017 OBSERVER’S CLASSIFIEDS BOOKS REAL ESTATE A Greek woman makes her way in the second half of the twentieth century while her husband becomes one of the richest men in the world. • ADVENTURE • LOVE • FAMILY • FRIENDSHIPS • STRUGGLES • SUCCESSES • DESTINY Athena a Modern Greek Life by Aliki Alexxa A novel in 3 volumes Amazon.com, also Kindle Edition PROPERTY FOR SALE PROPERTY FOR SALE ο Η εταιρία ALEXIOU BROTHERS η οποία βρίσκεται στο 17 χιλιόµετρο της KARDAMYLA, CHIOS Εθνικής Οδού Τρικάλων-Λαρίσης από το 1978 ασχολείται αποκλειστικά ΘΕΣΗ ΣΚΑΡΔΑΝΑΣ µε την κατασκευή ξυλογλυπτικών έργων βυζαντινής τέχνης και 2 1/2 STREMMATA - HARBOR VIEW τεχνοτροπίας. Είναι δε από τις λίγες που έχουν εναποµείνει στον ΣΕ ΟΙΚΙΣΜΟ - ΑΡΤΙΟ ΟΙΚΟΔΟΜΗΣΙΜΟ WELL – WATER • 160,000 EURO ελλαδικό χώρο, απασχολούν µόνο παραδοσιακούς τεχνίτες-µάστορες Please call DR. EMMANUEL KRATSIOS και δραστηριοποιούνται σε ολόκληρο τον κόσµο. Αναλαµβάνουµε 317.270.8381 την ανάληψη κατασκευής µοναδικών ξυλόγλυπτων έργων σε παραδοσιακούς, ορθόδοξους βυζαντινούς ρυθµούς σε Ιερούς Ναούς, GREEK ART GIFTS & FESTIVAL NEEDS Παρεκκλήσια και Μονές σε οποιαδήποτε πολιτεία των ΗΠΑ. Βασικές αρχές της επιχείρησής µας είναι η ποιότητα των υλικών που χρησιµοποιούµε, η συνέπεια στο χρόνο παράδοσης των έργων και η διαχρονικότητά τους. GREEK SOLDIER IN THE 2ND WORLD WAR ecently, amazon.com published and distributed New Retail website Rthe English version of a www.iakaf.com • 718.229.4100 book titled LIFE AS A GREEK SOLDIER 1941-1945, written by JOHN NIKOLOPOULOS, a Greek veteran of the Battles of El Alamein, Italy and GREEK ART & PERSONALIZED GIFTS December 1944 Events in Athens. 220 photographs and 7 maps, of that period, PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO are included in the 592 pages book. Photography & Video The sale price is US $15.00, Dimitrios considered low for this book, because the author does not To Purchase Photos from all events visit expect a particular financial www.panagos.com profit. He hopes that Greeks living abroad, particularly in English speaking nations, and You can find us on Facebook especially younger generations, who speak but it is difficult to read Greek, would be interested in. CALL NOW ( 516) 931-2333 The content of this book is by one third (1/3) about the battles in Advertisement Disclaimer which the writer participated in and by two thirds (2/3) about the ORTHODOX OBSERVER does not endorse, support, sanction, or verify history of the sociopolitical events in occupied Greece, the Middle the information or material printed as advertisement unless otherwise specifically indicated. ORTHODOX OBSERVER has no affiliation with East as well as those following the Varkiza Agreement up to 1950. any of the organizations/companies/advertisers, listed in, described on or printed, and it makes no representations or warranties whatsoever with regard to those organizations or any other organization, entity or person. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER reserves the right to edit, categorize, PILGRIMAGE TOURS revise, or refuse any display or classified advertisement. In addition, the ORTHODOX OBSERVER has the right to terminate any ad at any time for any reason. Parties posting ads are responsible for the accuracy and content of their ads. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER will not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or omissions. The ORTHODOX OBSERVER will not be held liable for any damages of any kind relating to any ad.

GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS 1) Conventional photographs We accept Color or Black & White photos, printed on photographic paper. Photographs should be sharp PERSONALIZED GREEK GIFTS Discover MOUNT ATHOS and clear. Pictures printed on color printers, either Inkjet or Laser and photocopies or clippings of previ- We organize tours that will open up ously published photos are NOT accepted. the world of monastic life to you. 2) Digital photographs We accept digital pictures if they conform to the Observe and share in the monks’ daily journey following specifications: • Minimum resolution 1600 pixels wide x 1200 as well a peruse the architectural wonders pixels high (approx. 2 mega pixels, digital cameras should be set to high resolution, high quality. If you of the Athonite monasteries. scan a standard photograph -usually 4x6”- use a mini- mum of 300 dpi. We discourage scanning your own Group as well as individual tours are available. photos, send the actual photo.) • File format JPEG or TIFF (JPEGs are smaller files We o er Athos hiking and climbing as well. and easier to e-mail, TIFFs are better quality) • Color mode RGB, color depth minimum 8-bit. Speak  uent Greek and English. • Image files placed within any word-processing file or any other application are not accepted. • Digital pictures can be submitted by e-mail, CD- www.mountathostour.com ROM, Zip, Floppy Disk (Disks can not be returned) • E-mail to: [email protected]. In the subject line write only the word “photos” [email protected] VERY IMPORTANT: Attach the image files and do not include them in the body of the e-mail or they will not be usable. Contact : ( 011 30) 2310 554548 3) Please include information about the photo(s); place, time and event as well as the names of all per- Mobile: (011 30) 6949311953 sons shown, left to right. JANUARY 2017 27 IOCC 25 Years of O ering Assistance, Dignity and Hope

by Constantine S. Sirigos and appreciated. Even if there is peace tomorrow, it’s a long, long recovery. Looking at our Bosnia experience, it took BALTIMORE – While there was a five to 10 years to bring back normalcy clear vision for International Orthodox after the war – and there is more devasta- Christian Charities (IOCC) when it was tion in Syria,” Triantafilou said. established 25 years ago as “a viable Long term development programs emergency response entity the Ortho- are just as important. For example, Jeru- dox Church could call its own” accord- salem is one of the places where IOCC ing Constantine Triantafilou, executive focuses on women’s empowerment, director since 1997, it was impossible including agricultural enterprises. IOCC to foresee all that has happened in the has education programs in a number of world since the fall of the USSR that was countries, where they also help maintain among the catalysts for its formation. school buildings, and providing commu- The professionalism and faith of its nities with fresh water is a priority. staff have enabled IOCC, headquartered IOCC works to strengthen the ca- in Baltimore and having operated in 50 pacity of all current programs and to countries, to continuously adapt to a expand into new areas, including Africa changing and dangerous world and be- IOCC photo and Central and South America. come one of the world’s most respected It has provided clean water access, international relief organizations. As an IOCC Beginnings educational services and medical as- agency of the Assembly of Canonical sistance to Cameroon and Uganda and, Then Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh in 1992, with two of IOCC’s founders, Andrew Athens and in the Western Hemisphere, has served Orthodox Bishops, IOCC represents John G. Rangos, Sr., and IOCC founding executive director, Alex Rondos (far right), blesses supplies Orthodox Christians in North America. bound for Russia from Pittsburgh. Haitian communities since the 2010 Beginnings earthquake. IOCC’s emergence was rooted in Once mutual respect is established war-torn region of Bosnia-Herzegovina’ IOCC also supports literacy, educa- conversations held in 1991. “There were between IOCC and local churches, the and I said ‘two weeks.’” tion, disaster preparedness and response several initiatives happening at once and philanthropic and capacity building By the end of March 1993 he took in the U.S. Archbishop Iakovos called a meeting to work takes off. “It’s because of the tradi- a plane to Budapest, followed by a Efforts in Greece bring everyone together,” Triantafilou tional role and position the Church had 20-hour bus ride to Belgrade, navigat- Greece was once a logistics support said. in Bosnia and Georgia and Russia that ing military checkpoints and sanctions office for IOCC in the Balkans. Trianta- Businessmen-philanthropists IOCC could have a country-wide network mechanisms. He worked there for more filou says, “For me personally it’s been Charles Ajalat, John Rangos, and Andrew of dioceses and priests and access and than three years under harsh and danger- somewhat of a challenge to see that Athens were the key people who served trust…particularly in a place like Syria, ous conditions, buoyed by his faith and swing from one extreme to the other... as its first chairmen. because we were a trusted institution and his colleagues. but to see the outpouring of support “Charles is Antiochian Orthodox and we were creating schools, wells, and do- The Middle East from people all over the world for our he was already active in Eastern Europe. ing psychosocial work” in communities After the fighting ceased, “We helped Greece program has been rewarding.” He had a vision to create an organization recovering from trauma. people return to their homes and resume Their main partner is the Apostoli and the Archbishop asked him to join the IOCC’s reputation also enables it to their lives,” he said with pride, adding mission, the philanthropic arm of the efforts Rangos, Athens, and Fr. Alexander help the churches build their own phil- how pleased they are “to have been able Archdiocese of Athens whose director Karloutsos had been talking about.” One anthropic capacity. to establish a presence in the Holy Land, general is Constantine Dimtsas. Together of the keys was the hiring of its first execu- He agreed that it takes special people including Jerusalem, to have worked they run humanitarian aid and develop- tive director, Alex Rondos, who gained to do that kind of work, expats and locals. with the Patriarch of Ethiopia as he was ment programs. his experience in the field in Ethiopia “We have been blessed to identify people fighting the spread of HIV-Aids in his The emphases are preserving dignity working for Catholic Relief Services. on the ground who come from the country, and now the response to the during the crisis and offering hope for The vision was to respond to emer- Church and want to see their churches Syrian crisis.” the future. gencies in the name of Orthodoxy, but to succeed” and many have served for more In Jordan and Lebanon the focus Triantafilou acknowledged that “the also be there after the emergency,” Tri- than or nearly 20 years. is on both the refugee population and Jaharis family has played a critical role in antafilou said, adding “From that vision Triantafilou is an example of the the host communities. The work in Greece from the funding and the cred- it’s matured significantly.” In 25 years talented people IOOC attracted. After Syria began more than 10 years ago with ibility perspective…the funding they gave $580 million in aid has been distributed establishing programs in Russia in 1992, small development projects and after the us helped us attract other funders. I can’t and devoted. IOCC was ready for an exploratory mis- second Iraqi war and the Syrian civil war say enough about the Jaharis family.” IOCC’s staff have a knack for creating sion to the former Yugoslavia in response created refugee crises, U.S. State Depart- He adds that “The Hellenic Initiative win-win situations with their partners to the Bosnia conflict. Triantafilou’s par- ment funding enabled IOCC help the is right there with us, side by side... as is and leveraging the aid it receives from ents introduced him to Rondos. “Alex Church’s refugee efforts AHEPA – [executive director] Basil Mos- various sources including governments, called me and asked ‘how soon can you Iocc.org has a Syria page with infor- saides has been super-supportive. AHEPA ecumenical partners, private donors, and be prepared to move to Belgrade to mation and a way to make donations. has been a big catalyst for all the gifts in volunteers. work for humanitarian response to the “Any support we get will be very helpful kind, especially medical supplies.”

Prerequisites for the scholarship in- clude: Greek American heritage; U.S. cit- Applications for Agris izenship; current full-time enrollment as Scholarships a journalism or communications major at the graduate or undergraduate level Memorial Scholarships in an accredited college or university in tions of more than 100 Greek Americans time in wanting to keep Greek Ameri- the United States; active participation pursuing careers in this increasingly cans connected to their heritage and in school, community, church organi- Available; Deadline Mar. 1 important profession of journalism over faith. My family is indebted to the Alpha zations; a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and the last 25 years,” said Scholarship Omega Council for its commitment to demonstrated financial need. BOSTON - The Alpha Omega Coun- Committee Co-chair Nicholas Kourtis. this endowed scholarship, which is the Interested candidates should visit cil of New England recently announced More than $500,000 has been awarded marriage of two of his greatest passions: www.alphaomegacouncil.org or write the 2017 Peter Agris Memorial Journal- thus far. education and journalism. He would to: The Peter Agris Memorial Schol- ism Scholarships, presented annually in Agris, also the founder and pub- have been deeply honored and incred- arships Committee, c/o Nancy Agris memory of the organization’s founder. lisher of The Hellenic Chronicle, for ibly proud of the young Hellenes to Savage, 9 Nonesuch Drive, Natick, MA This venture, begun in cooperation fifty years the premier Greek American whom we have provided support in his 01760. Questions may be directed to with the Agris family, has already pro- national English-language weekly news- name,” said Nancy Agris Savage, execu- [email protected]. vided more than a half a million dollars paper in this country, was an Archon, tive director of the scholarship fund. Applications, transcripts, required in critical funding to aspiring Greek a trustee of HCHC, Anatolia College, Applications are currently being essay and any published work that American journalism/communications The American College of Greece and accepted from graduate and under- might enhance the application must be specialists from across this nation. an Ahepan. graduate journalism and communica- returned by email to nancyasavage@ “It has been an honor for the Alpha “I like to think of my father as the tions students for up to six $5,000 non- gmail.com, or by mail to the above ad- Omega Council to support the educa- ‘Nouno of Networking,’ ahead of his renewable scholarships. dress, no later than March 1, 2017. 28 JANUARY 2017 Atlanta HDF

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – More than 900 kids and young adults from parishes of the Metropolis of Atlanta and the metropolises of New Jersey, Chicago and Denver gathered on Martin Luther King Weekend, Jan. 13-15, for the 15th annual Hellenic Dance Festival. The event features groups ranging from primary age to advance senior doing 68 performances. Dancers competed in two divisions. Division I included primary, junior and advanced junior categories. Divi- sion II consisted of intermediate There was also a spiritual dimension to the weekend that consisted of 20 “Spread the Word” workshops on the following themes: The Social Media Gospel, led by Fr. Sampson Kasapakis; Communicating with God, by Fr. Constantine Shep- 9 herd; Byzantine Chant, by Jimmy Smith; Spreading the Word: The Women of Our Faith, by Alyssa Kyritsis and How to Build a Dance Program, by Jordan Elrod. Metropolitan Alexios was present throughout the three-day event and he officiated at the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem. One highlight of the event took place at the Sunday evening awards banquet, when Metropolitan Alexios presented an to Gerry Clonaris, who founded the HDF, in appreciation for his 14 years as director. The sixteen parishes represented were as follows: Sts. Constantine and Helen, Newport News, Va.; Holy Trinity, Orlando, Fla.; Annunciation Cathedral, Atlanta; Annunciation Church, Winston-Salem, N.C; St. Nicholas, Wilmington, N.C; St. George, Greenville, 2 N.C; Holy Trinity, Charlotte, N.C; St. George, Holly- 8 wood, Fla.; St. Demetrios, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Holy Trinity, Raleigh, N.C; Holy Trinity, Charleston, S.C.; 3 St. Paul, Savannah, Ga; St. John the Divine, Jackson- ville, Fla; St. George, Knoxville, Tenn; Metropolis of Chicago, Assumption Cathedral, Denver; Holy Trinity, Columbia, S.C. HDF scenes shown here are as follows: 1. Metropolitan Alexios addresses the faithful at the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy Jan. 15, where he told the participants they weren’t there to dance, but to 7 strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ. 2. HDF founder and former director Gerry Clonaris was bestowed this icon of Panayia Glycofilissa by Met- ropolitan Alexios, joined by current director Fr. Mark Leondis and Metropolis Youth Director Julie Moricz. 3. Advanced senior dancers from Holy Trinity Church-Raleigh. 4. Fr. Constantine Shepherd conducts a workshop on “Communicating with God.” 5. Two of the Raleigh dance group members. 6. Senior dance group from Annunciation-Atlanta perform a Pontian war dance. 7. Dancers from the Metropolis of Chica- 4 6 go, which consisted of young people from sev- eral parishes. 8. A junior group from St. George-Hollywood, Fla. 9. Intermediate level dancers from St. Deme- trios Church-Fort Lau- derdale. 11. These senior danc- ers from Assumption in Denver traveled the far- thest to make their first appearance at the HDF.

Orthodox Observer 5 photos