Christ Is Risen! ENCYCLICAL Clergy-Laity Congress Archbishop Reflects on the Theme P

MARCH - APRIL 2018 • Vol. 83 • No. 1330 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00 What’s Inside Christ is Risen! ENCYCLICAL Clergy-Laity Congress Archbishop reflects on the theme P. 2 Holy Pascha White House visit President Trump welcomes Greek The Feast of Americans for observance P. 3, 16 Feasts Getting a head start Parishes that have pre-paid their an- To the Most Reverend Hier- nual church assessments archs, the Reverend Priests and P. 3 Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Par- Metropolitan enthroned ish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago Communities, the Distinguished is ordained, enthroned Archons of the Ecumenical Patri- P. 5, 18, 22 archate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Philoptochos grants Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic National Board provides $1.73 mil- Organizations, and the entire Greek lion to worthy causes Orthodox Family in America P. 7 Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Macedonia rally Christ, Thousands demonstrate in front of Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is UN headquarters Risen! P. 8, 18 Today as we proclaim, “It is the Day of Resurrection,” we glorify God, and we shout with resounding Mark 16:1-7, 9-10 joy because it is the Day of life. Our He Is Risen! Risen Lord is victorious over death. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, By His glorious Resurrection, Christ Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought has shown the unlimited power of spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very God as the Source and Giver of life; early in the morning, on the first day of the week, and because of His love for us, He they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll has brought us from death unto life, away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” and from earth unto Heaven. Life is But when they looked up, they saw that the stone restored by our Creator to all that it had been rolled away—for it was very large. And was meant to be! Life abundant and entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed eternal is ours! in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and The Risen Lord stands before they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not us on this holiest of days saying, I be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was am the resurrection and the life; he crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place who believes in me, though he die, where they laid Him …Now when He rose early yet shall he live; and whoever lives on the first day of the week, He appeared first to and believes in me shall never die. Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven (John 11:25-26) Life beyond the demons. She went and told those who had been grave has been revealed. The fear with Him, as they mourned and wept. of death has been dispelled in the light and power of the Resurrection. In this glorious light we ask with St. Paul, O death where is your victory? death where is your sting? (1 Corin- thians 15:55) We proclaim our joy, because this perishable nature can put on imperishability, and this mor- tal nature can put on immortality. (1 Corinthians 15:53) Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of God has come, and we shall live forever. In the blessings of this Feast of feasts, from the promises of our own resurrection and eternal life, we see that our earthly life is transformed. We are offered abundant, fulfilling, and purposeful life. We are called by the Risen Lord to embrace this life. Through our faith in Him and the power of the Resurrection, we are a new creation. Our lives are transformed, as the old passes away and all things are made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Today, we are called to put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true  to page 2 2 MARCH - APRIL 2018 To contact Clergy - Laity Congress Theme National Ministries All Things Are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ. Archives 212.570.3517 Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the lives of the Apostles and the Saints even greater works than the Son of God. [email protected] Christ, and Martyrs who were committed to All things are possible! Amazing and As we experience the special spiri- the way of the Lord and to sharing the marvelous things that transform lives Communications tual gifts of Holy and Great Lent in an- Gospel. This was true not only in the and save souls! 212.774.0244 ticipation of our celebration of Pascha, inspirational and miraculous that came All things are possible to the one [email protected] we continue in our preparations for our through their ministry, but also through who believes in Christ, and with the as- 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress all they endured. surance of this promise we hear Him Greek Education and the national meeting of the Greek The Apostle Paul acknowledged say, If you ask anything in my name, I 212.774.0233 Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society this when he wrote of the many trials he will do it. (John 14:14). Through faith, [email protected] which will convene July 1-5 in Boston, faced during his journeys: Three times through the power of His grace and Massachusetts. I have been shipwrecked; a night and presence, we have His word, I will do Internet Ministries Our theme for our Congress and a day I have been adrift at sea; on fre- it. Consider the limitless potential of 646.519.6690 meetings is All Things are Possible quent journeys, in danger from rivers, what we can do. Reflect on the bound- [email protected] to the One Who Believes in Christ. danger from robbers…in toil and hard- less possibilities of our lives and min- This theme and our understanding of its ship, through many a sleepless night, in istry. Contemplate the tremendous and Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical implications are critical to the work of hunger and thirst, often without food, immeasurable opportunities before us in and Interfaith Relations our Parishes, our Metropolises and our in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians the work of our parishes and through- Holy Archdiocese. From the truth of the 11:25-27). Through faith and the assur- out our Holy Archdiocese. Through our 212.570.3593 Gospel and the words of our Lord who ance of the promises of God he endured faith in Christ all things are possible! [email protected] said, all things are possible to him who all of this and much more, knowing that In our journey through Holy and believes (Mark 9:23), we affirm that our all things are possible to the one who Great Lent, I ask that you prayerfully Ionian Village faith in Christ makes the impossible believes. In his letter to the Philippians reflect on our theme and its meaning 212.570.3538 possible, the unreachable reachable, and he affirmed this: In any and all circum- for your life and for the ministry and [email protected] the unachievable achievable. Our be- stances I have learned the secret of fac- witness of our Church in America. In lief in Him defeats the power of sin and ing plenty and hunger, abundance and future articles we will explore the im- Center for Family Care death, transforms our lives, and leads us want. I can do all things in Him who plications of the promises of our Lord 845.424.8175 to salvation. We know that our unwav- strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13) in these areas, so that we can come to- [email protected] ering faith in Christ will help us over- This acclamation by the Apostle gether in Boston to consider the great come any challenges, will extend our Paul that all things are possible through and marvelous works that will come Public Affairs witness in new and dynamic ways, and faith in Christ affirms the fulfillment of through our faith and through the power 212.774.0400 will lead others to Christ and the blessed the promise of our Lord to His follow- and presence of Christ. May His abun- [email protected] life in Him. ers and to us. He said, He who believes dant blessings be with you, and may Throughout the Holy Scriptures in me will also do the works that I do, you be assured and inspired by knowing Registry we see the power and potential of faith. and greater works than these will he do. all things are possible with God. (Mark 212.570.3558 Faith is shown in the marvelous works (John 14:12) Christ is telling us that 10:27) [email protected] of God among His people and the amaz- through faith, the impossible is now pos- With paternal love in Christ, ing miracles of Christ. Through His life sible. He is saying that the power that Religious Education and ministry and His glorious Resurrec- works miracles, that heals, that brings 646.519.6300 tion, we see that through faith we can hope in the midst of hopelessness, that [email protected] have life and have it abundantly. (John offers life abundant and eternal, is the 10:10) We also see the power of faith in power given to those who believe to do † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism 646.519.6160 [email protected] Pascha Encyclical 2 Timothy 3:16 Youth and Young Adult Ministries righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians parishes and homes, and may the true 646.519.6780 4:24) and abundant life you have found in the [email protected] Our response to this gift of life is Resurrection be visible to all the world! worship and praise. We have beheld Christ is risen! He truly is risen! All Scripture is given Office of Development the Resurrection. We have witnessed by inspiration of God, 212.774.0277 the impossible. We have seen the pow- With paternal love in the Risen Lord, er of God. We have come to worship and is profitable for Him who trampled death and gives us doctrine, for reproof, life. May this Feast of Holy Pascha be filled with joy and light. May your for correction, fellowship in Christ be blessed in your † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America for instruction in righteousness. NEXT DEADLINE Deadline for submitting information, Subscribe online articles and photos for consideration in Recognizing that many people now receive their information online, and in our the May-June 2018 issue: continuing efforts to make news more easily accesible, you may opt-in to re- Change of Address Friday, May 18 ceive the Orthodox Observer online edition. When subscribing you will receive Photos should be sent as a large format.jpg To submit a change of address: attachment (300 dpi min.). your newspaper by email only. To opt-in send an email to: observeronline@ Contact Soula Podaras E-mail to: [email protected] goarch.org. Include your name, as it appears, along with the five or six digit at 212.774.0235 Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, e-mail: [email protected] th number below the word DIGIT on your label. Allow 3-4 months for the change. 8 E. 79 St., New York, NY 10075. fax: 212.774.0239. Or regular mail to: EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at addi- Orthodox Observer, tional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en- 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075-0192 PRODUCTION & GRAPHIC DESIGNER: tirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: Be sure to include old address, Thanasis Armagos www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: [email protected] new address and name of parish. USPS 412340 ISSN 0731–2547 ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: Soula Podaras Articles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are BUSINESS MANAGER & ADVERTISING: In 2017, published monthly expressed in official statements so labeled. Marissa P. Costidis except February – March and July – August Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25. Questions about submitting news by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy. Dn. Eleftherios Constantine Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church and photos: Editorial and Business Office: in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 GOA Photographer: Dimitrios Panagos Of this contribution, $5 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer. Jim Golding (212) 570.3557; 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 [email protected] MARCH - APRIL 2018 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS 3 ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD NEW YORK - The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Arch- diocese of America convened its regular meeting at the Synodal chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York on March 15 and 16, presided by Archbish- op Demetrios. The Synod reviewed all the topics of its agenda: liturgical, canonical, administrative, pastoral, inter-Orthodox and educational. Following extensive deliberations the Synod took appropriate decisions. The Holy Synod had the opportunity to meet once again with the director of the Youth Department of the Holy Archdiocese, Mr. Steven Christoforou, and review for the final time the Regu- lations for the Protection of Children, which subsequently were approved by the Synod. This program will be im- plemented by the parishes of the Holy Archdiocese within the next two years. The meeting with Steven Christofo- rou included also extensive discussion about Young Adults (ages 18-35) and ways to reach out to them. Noteworthy President Trump welcomes Archbishop Demetrios to the podium for his presentation on Greek Independence. GOA/D.Panagos photo is that recently there is an increase of efforts and formation of new groups of young adults in each Metropolis of the White House Hosts Annual Reception for Greek Independence Archdiocese. It was also noted that the parishes must intensify the spiritual as- By Stavros Papagermanos and justice and democracy today and for name of the state of FYROM.” (see full pect in the youth programs besides the all time.” text below) athletic, dance and cultural programs. WASHINGTON – President Don- Archbishop Demetrios spoke of Immediately after the President For the financial situation, it was ald J. Trump signed a Presidential Proc- the self-evident truths and God-given signed the Presidential Proclamation for said that the financial audit continues lamation for Greek Independence Day rights of liberty, freedom and self-de- Greek Independence Day. and it is foreseen that due to the reduc- during the annual White House Recep- termination as described in our Ameri- The program, which began at 5 tion of the personnel of the Archdiocese tion for Greek Independence, Thursday, can Declaration of Independence and p.m. and concluded a little after 7 p.m., and the efforts for better management, March 22, now a 32-year-tradition, and asked the President to “continue to af- included performances of traditional the Archdiocese will have a surplus honored Archbishop Demetrios and the firm them, all the more in this troubled folk dances by youth dance groups from for the current year of two million dol- Greek American community. world.” His Eminence also asked “for parishes of the Archdiocese. lars, which will be applied toward the The President, joined at the podium special care and attention to the continu- See photos: https://flic.kr/s/aHs- payable obligations. In addition, His by Archbishop Demetrios, welcomed ous injustices suffered by our Ecumeni- m8NUW7S Eminence shared with members of the the hundreds of enthusiastic guests. He cal Patriarchate of Constantinople in Synod details regarding efforts of the spoke of the common ideals and values matters of full religious freedom.,” and Statement of the President Archdiocese in obtaining a loan to fulfill of Greece and the United States and “the requested that the President speak “on President Donald J. Trump her financial obligations. profound influence of Greek culture, art, behalf of all of us for a fair and equitable The White House March 22, 2018 The members of the Synod had and philosophy.” He argued that the two solution to the prolonged and tragic di- (as transcribed from sound recording) the opportunity to discuss issues re- countries and peoples continue on this vision of Cyprus, and to the issue of an Hello, everybody. What a group… lated to the organization and programs path as “We stand together for freedom appropriate and historically justifiable What a group… Great to have you of the upcoming Clergy-Laity Con- Archbishop. Is that right? It is really gress in Boston, July 2-5, 2018 with the fantastic. theme, Everything is possible to the one Parishes Prepaying Their Assessments Good afternoon. I’m thrilled to be who believes in Christ, (see Mark 9:23). here with so many wonderful friends It was also decided that all presentations and supporters to celebrate this very Following is a list of parishes that Basil – Stockton, Calif., Resurrection special occasion, Greek Independence at the Clergy-Laity Congress will be have prepaid their assessment for 2018, – Castro Valley, Calif. done in full transparency. Furthermore, Day. Important day, right? as of Feb. 28. Atlanta, Holy Trinity – Colum- We are delighted to be joined by a panel discussion will take place led by Direct Archdiocesan District bia, S.C., Holy Cross – Huntsville, expert panelists on the subject of Youth members of the Cabinet as well as rep- St. George-St. Demetrios - New Ala., Holy Trinity – Biloxi, Miss., Holy resentatives Carolyn Maloney, Gus Bili- and Family. York City, St. Nicholas – West Baby- Transfiguration – Columbus. Ga. Following the conclusion of the rakis… Thank you, Gus… doing a great lon, N.Y., Church of Our Saviour, Rye, Pittsburgh, Annunciation – Akron, job, and Virginia Foxx. Virginia…the meeting of the Synod, the members of N.Y., Sts. Constantine and Helen – West Ohio, Zoodohos Peghe – Martins Ferry, the Synod participated in the meeting of great Howard Lorber, who is not Greek, Nyack, N.Y., Assumption – Windham, Ohio, Holy Trinity - Altoona, Pa., St. by the way. the Executive Committee of the Archdi- N.Y. Mary – Johnstown, Pa., Holy Trinity ocesan Council. On behalf of my entire administra- Metropolises of: – Camp Hill, Pa., Annunciation – Lan- tion, I want to extend a very warm wel- From the Office of the Holy Epar- New Jersey, Holy Trinity – West- caster, Pa., St. Constantine and Helen chial Synod come to the hundreds of proud members field, N.J., St. Nicholas – Wyckoff, N.J., – Reading, Pa., St. John – Charleston, of the Greek-American community. St. Anna – Flemington, N.J., St. Nicho- W.Va, St. George – Huntington, W.Va. And we have a whole group of people las – Virginia Beach, Va., St. Peter - Detroit, Holy Trinity – Carmel, outside who are with us today. I espe- Acts 20:35 Danville, Va., St. Elpis – Hopewell, Va. Ind., Sts. Constantine and Helen – West- cially want to extend our deep gratitude I have shown you in Chicago, St. Demetrios – Elm- land, Mich., Annunciation – Kalama- to His Eminence, Archbishop Demetri- hurst, Ill., St. George – DeKalb, Ill., zoo, Mich., Assumption – Marquette, os, highly respected and a great gentle- every way, by laboring Assumption – Hegewisch, Ill., St. Elias Mich., St. George - Southgate, Mich., man, for joining us in this really beauti- like this, that you must the Prophet – Dubuque, Iowa, St. Mary St. Demetrios - Saginaw, Mich., St. ful celebration. I hope you are having a – Minneapolis, Holy Trinity – Fond Du George, Southgate – Sault Ste. Marie, good time. support the weak. And Lac, Wis., St. Spyridon, Sheboygan, Mich., Holy Trinity – Cincinnati, St. We have been honoring Greek inde- remember the words of Wis. Vasilios – Watertown, N.Y., Holy Trin- pendence here at the White House since Boston, Transfiguration – Low- ity – Nashville, Tenn., Holy Apostles – 1987, a tradition we know will continue the Lord Jesus, ell, Mass., St. George, Pittsfield, Mass, Indianapolis for many, many years. I will only be that He said, Dormition of the Virgin Mary – Somer- Denver, Annunciation – Lincoln, with you for another seven. “It is more Blessed to sworth, N.H. Neb., St. Nicholas - Waco, Texas, Holy Today, we commemorate the Greek San Francisco, St. George - Ba- Trinity – Casper, Wyo., Holy Trinity – struggle for independence that began give thanto receive.” kersfield, Calif., St. John – Carmel, Ca- Rock Spring, Wyo., Transfiguration – lif., Holy Trinity – San Francisco, St. Ogden, Utah  to page 28 4 MARCH - APRIL 2018 MARCH - APRIL 2018 5 Archdiocese News

GREECE & THE GREEK ISLANDS One Beautiful Country, Many Unforgettable Experiences

GOA/D.Panagos photo Archbishop Demetrios presents the mitre to Metropolitan Nathanael at the end of his ordination service, as Metropolitan Methodios of Boston looks on. CHOOSE FROM OVER 25 ALLURING PACKAGES Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago Ordained, Enthroned

By Stavros Papagermanos ple to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (1 NEW YORK – Metropolitan-elect Timothy 4:12) Nathanael of Chicago was ordained to Axios! (He is Worthy!) exclaimed from $968 from $1350 the Episcopacy at the Archdiocesan Ca- the Archbishop, the hierarchs and clergy thedral of the Holy Trinity, Saturday, and all the faithful in the congregation GRECIAN ESCAPE A GRECIAN DELIGHT March 17, according to the apostolic at several points during the service. The 6 Day Tour 7 Day Tour tradition. His Enthronement took place Ordination service and Hierarchical Di- Athens & 3-Day Classical Tour Athens & 4-Day Cruise the following Saturday at Annunciation vine Liturgy was attended by hundreds Cathedral in Chicago. of faithful, friends and relatives of the Archbishop Demetrios presided at new Metropolitan, some who had trav- the services. The Metropolitans, mem- elled from Greece, and representatives bers of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the of the diplomatic corps of Greece and bishops of the Greek Orthodox Archdi- Cyprus. ocese and hierarchs from other jurisdic- The hierarchs concelebrating in the ordination services were: Archbishop tions, members of the Assembly of Ca- from from nonical Orthodox Bishops in the United Demetrios, Metropolitans Methodios $2293 $2080 States, as well as visiting hierarchs from of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta, Savas GRECIAN SPIRIT AEGEAN ESCAPE abroad, concelebrated in the Divine Lit- of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Fran- urgy at the ordination. In total, 16 Hier- cisco, Evangelos of New Jersey; and 13 Day Tour 13 Day Tour archs took part in the services assisted Archbishops Nicolae of the Romanian Athens, Mykonos, Athens, Mykonos, Santorini by 14 priests and four deacons. Orthodox Metropolis of the Americas, 3-Day Classical Tour & & 4-Day Cruise The new Metropolitan, in his or- Peter (ROCOR) of Chicago and Mid- 4-Day Cruise dination address, spoke about the steps America and Michael of New York and that led him to the priesthood. He ex- New Jersey; Bishops Irinej of the East- pressed his gratitude to Ecumenical ern American Diocese of the Serbian Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Orthodox Church in North and South Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patri- America, Maxim of the Western Ameri- archate, the Hierarchs of the Holy Epar- can Diocese of the Serbian Orthodox chial Synod of the Archdiocese and all Church in North and South America, people who helped and supported him also concelebrating were Bishops An- from from along the way. donios of Phasiane, Sevastianos of $1849 $2260 In addressing Archbishop Demetri- Zela, Apostolos of Medeia, Makarios of HOMERIC ISLANDER B MEDITERRANEAN RHAPSODY os, Metropolitan Nathanael said: “Your Christopolis and Ierotheos of Efkarpia. Eminence, venerable Elder Archbishop Serving Presbyters were: the Very 10 Day Tour 13 Day Tour of America, with profound respect and Rev. Archimandrites Sylvester Berber- Athens, Crete & Santorini Athens, Rome, Florence infinite gratitude I thank you for provid- is, Anastasios Tasopoulos, Dionysios & 4-Day Greek Island Cruise ing me numerous opportunities to serve Anagnostopoulos, Nektarios Papazafi- the Church through important posts, ropoulos and Chrysostom Panos. The which offered me ecclesiastical experi- Rev. Protopresbyters Christopher Me- Prices for cruise inclusive itineraries include ence and the opportunity to demonstrate tropulos, Panagiotis Salmas, Josiah Tr- shore excursions and drink package my devotion to the Church. I am espe- enham, Elias Villis, John Vlahos. The FOR UP-TO-DATE PRICING AND DEPARTURES cially grateful that you ordained me a Rev. Economos John Ketchum, George ON ALL OF OUR SPECTACULAR TOURS deacon and a presbyter, and today will Anastasiou, Evangelos Evangelides and PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE receive from your honorable hands the Mark Rashkov. The serving deacons grace of the archpriesthood.” were: Archdeacons John Chryssavgis Archbishop Demetrios, in his pa- and Panteleimon Papadopoulos and ternal exhortation to the newly ordained Deacons Vasilios Smith and Christos hierarch, drew upon the wise admoni- Avramopoulos. tions in the letters of the Great Apostle Metropolitan Nathanael installed TOLL-FREE: 800-223-5570 Saint Paul to Timothy and Titus and At his installation, presided over by Email: [email protected] asked Metropolitan-elect Nathanael to Archbishop Demetrios, with participa- be a model and an example in attitude, tion of many Chicago Metropolis clergy in faith, in love and patience; “Let no www.HomericTours.com one despise your youth, but be an exam-  to page 22 6 MARCH - APRIL 2018 MARCH - APRIL 2018 7 Philoptochos

Educational Initiatives Launched to Inform AIAL PHILPCH Parish Communities H HR PRRAM

Bullying, Women’s Health, Tech- Cyberbullying is an especially dan- nology Addiction, Opioid Addiction. gerous form of bullying, which is harder M M C Responding to a challenge from Na- to identify among our youth. We believe tional President Maria Logus, National that it is critical for adults to recognize Board members are working diligently bullying when it occurs and to know to develop educational programs on how to respond and intervene. Like- topics that are relevant in our society to- wise, our young people must know how day and which critically affect our com- to react when they are the targets of bul- munities. “If we can save even one life lying or when they witness bullying. or make one young person’s life better “Therefore, whatever you wish that 1000000 through these programs, it will be well others would do to you, do also to them, worth it.” for this is the Law and the Prophets.” The programs are being designed (Matthew 7:12) as educational curricula and are target- Philoptochos has produced these 2014-201 Goal - Provide 250,000 meals ed for entire parish communities. The programs as a service to our members information is presented as a combina- and parishes, and we hope that they will e provided 754,285 meals tion of videos, powerpoint presentations be effective in ensuring that our church- 201-2018 Goal – Provide 1,000,000 meals and activities and are uploaded to the es are always safe, inclusive, supportive Philoptochos website with instructions and loving communities. e will provide for use by our parish communities. The National Philoptochos Anti- It is our hope that these educational Bullying Program can be accessed at the programs will be sponsored by local following url: eep those and coming Philoptochos chapters in coordination http://philoptochos.org/outreach/ with their entire parish families. The projects/stopbullyinginyourcommunity first of these programs to launch is Stop For additional information, please R – This is a challenge Bullying in Your Community: An Anti- email: communications@philoptochos. Bullying Curriculum. org. Yes, we need the donations to make this outreach successful, but we can only count the number of meals we provide. Send your numbers and photos (no faces of guests, please) to your National Board metropolis liaison listed below to Disburses $1.73 million both. The National Board of the Greek the soup kitchen program, $10,000 Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Soci- Lyreio Paidiko Idryma, an orphanage ety Inc. announces that, as a result of of Sts. Anargyroi of the Holy Trinity International Orthodox Chris- Social Services: $57,997 the hard work of every Philoptochos in Mati, Attiki) tian Charities - $55,000 ($20,000 for ($47,997 for assistance to individu- chapter across the nation and with Cyprus, ($10,000 Holy Metropo- the Podoconiosis Project in Ethiopia, als, $10,000 to Homefull of Dayton, the support and cooperation of their lis of Morphou, $10,000 to the Holy $20,000 for agricultural development Ohio for job placement and training of entire parish families, funds totaling Metropolis of Konstantia Amohos- in Kosovo, $15,000 for Hurricane homeless adults $1,737,511 were disbursed from Jan. tou, $10,000 to the Holy Metropo- Harvey Relief to victims National Philoptochos Emer- 1 to Dec. 31, 2017. These donations lis of Kyrenia, $10,000 to FCAO for Orthodox Christian Missions gency: $35,000 ($20,000 to the Holy are in addition to other philanthropic donation to the Church in occupied -$45,000 ($15,000 for the Guatemala Metropolis of Mytilene for assistance assistance provided by the Metropo- Yialousa, Cyprus, $20,000 to Ermes Health Care Team for medical sup- to earthquake victims, $15,000 to the lises and over 400 individual chap- Department Store in Nicosia, Cyprus plies, $10,000 towards the match- IOCC for Hurricane Harvey Relief). ters across the country. Following is for children’s clothing in occupied ing grant for missionary training and Louisiana Flood Relief 2016: a listing of the National Philoptochos Cyprus) equipment for the new missionaries $28, 875 to the Metropolis of Atlan- Ministry Commitments/Programs and $10,000 to the Ecumenical Feder- in Guatemala, $5,000 for mission- ta Philoptochos for assistance to the Special Collections along with the ation of Constantinopolitans for their ary work in Tanzania c/o St. Bar- flood victims) programs and organizations that ben- humanitarian assistance to expatriated bara Church in Santa Barbara, Calif., Hurricane Harvey Relief 2017: efited: Greeks of Constantinople $7,000 for St. Nicholas Children’s $ 42,000 for assistance to 35 individu- St. Nicholas Shrine Building Archdiocesan Presbyters Council/ Fund in Uganda in support of 10 girls’ als Fund: $200,000 National Sisterhood of Presvyteres education and health for one year, 2017 Hurricane Relief Fund : St. Basil Academy: Benevolent Fund (APC/NSP): $8,000 to the Orthodox Christian Net- $34,075 ($18,000 assistance to 15 Vasilopita, $300,000 for opera- $35,000, for assistance to clergy and work for eight episodes of “This Week individuals, $10,000 to IOCC for the tional expenses their families in need in Orthodoxy”) Puerto Rico Hurricane Irma Relief Sisterhood Fund, $10,765 ($7,492 for Autism Assistance Fund: Orthodox Christian Fellowship: Fund, $6,075 to IOCC for Hurricane graduation ceremonies. $3,273 for $44,812 ($15,000 Syndesmos Agia - $33,700 for the OCF Student Lead- Maria Relief Fund in Puerto Rico. Christmas and graduation gifts for the Atoma Me Aftismo, Limassol, Cyprus ership Board The National Philoptochos takes children) - $29,812 for assistance to individuals) Retired Clergy and Widowed its fiduciary responsibility to its faith- Hellenic College/Holy Cross Cancer Fund: $38,147, for assis- Presvyteres Benevolent Fund: ful stewards very seriously and en- Scholarship Fund : $68,700 ($60,700 tance to individuals $70,000 general donation sures them that moneys collected for for fall and spring scholarships; $8,000 Children’s Medical Fund 2017: St. Photios Shrine: $26,500 each of these restricted funds are dis- to students for special merit awards) $253,700 (Visit www.philoptochos.org ($25,000 general donation, $500 for bursed only for the purposes intended. Lenten Appeal Fundraiser - for details on grant recipients), $4,509 Greek Landing Day, $1,000 for Pil- We express our heartfelt gratitude to $86,500, for refurbishment of Pole- for assistance to individuals) grimage Sponsorship) Philoptochos chapters and parishes manakos Dormitory, purchase of ath- Children’s Medical Fund 2015: Support-a-Mission-Priest across the nation for their support of letic equipment and IT upgrades -$5,000 to St. Mary’s Children’s Hos- (SAMP): $36,000 for a general dona- these philanthropic programs in 2017. Aid to Greece and Cyprus: pital, Bayside, N.Y., to benefit chil- tion to benefit 60 mission priests at Without the cooperation of the entire $600 each for a full year. Greek Orthodox community, our work $110,000, Greece ($10,000 to dren with complex medical conditions th Apostoli Demetreion Center, Moscha- Ecumenical Patriarchate: 75 Anniversary Founders would not be possible. For more infor- to, Athens for the care of underprivi- $100,000 for patriarchal ministries Fund: $ 3,531 to the Shepherd Center mation on National Philoptochos min- leged children, $20,000 to Apostoli of General Medical Fund - $12,700 of Kansas City for emergency Meals istries and commitments, visit: www. the Holy Archdiocese of Athens for for assistance to individuals on Wheels Project. philoptochos.org/outreach/commitments. 8 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Archdiocese News Thousands Rally at UN over Macedonia Name

by Stavros Papagermanos tion consisting of national-level hellenic federations. His Eminence Archbishop Demetri- NEW YORK – Thousands of Greek- os of America, who was the main speaker Americans took part in a rally at the at the rally, had invited the parishes and United Nations headquarters, March 18, organizations of the Omogeneia to gather against the unacceptable use of the name in front of the U.N. and “to proclaim to of Macedonia by FYROM, the neighbor- the leadership and people of the United ing country to the north of Greece. Mace- States as well as to all nation members donia is a province in northern Greece, of the UN that Macedonia is Greek. Let which has been historically Hellenic for us express in a peaceful yet decisive way thousands of years. our opposition to the unacceptable use According to some estimates, the of the name of Macedonia by FYROM, number of demonstrators was as high as the usurpation of Macedonia’s history, 5-6 thousand people. culture and symbols, and the expressions The rally was organized by the of irredentism,” said the Archbishop in Pan-Macedonian Association of U.S.A., his letter. together with the Federation of Hellenic Other speakers included U.S. mem- Societies of Greater New York and the bers of Congress, representatives of recently founded Hellenic Congress of state and local governments, community GOA/D.Panagos photos America, which is a tertiary organiza- organizers and leaders.

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BOSTON - The 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress will convene July 1-5 at the Copley Marriot hotel. Concurrently with the Clergy-Laity Congress, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society will convene its Biennial National Convention in the same venue. The Congress theme, “All things are possible to him who believes,” is based on the directive of the Lord from the Gospel of Mark, “If you can?” Je- sus said to him. “All things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) Archbishop Demetrios, reflecting on the theme, writes: “With joy in our hearts, I join with the beloved and respected Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the members of the Archdi- ocesan Council in announcing that our 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and the national meeting of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society will convene July 1-5 in Boston, Mas- sachusetts. As Orthodox Christians we affirm our faith in Christ, a faith that makes the impossible possible, the unreachable reachable, the non-achievable achievable. We know that our faith in Him leads us in our worship and min- The Copley Marriott complex in Boston (middle of photo) as seen from the Prudential Center tower. Orthodox Observer photos istry. We are also led by the example of our Lord in seeing the limitless pos- possibilities and the tremendous power per day for non-valet (prices subject to made available later and will be pub- sibilities of our faith. His life and min- of our faith in Christ. change). There are other nearby park- lished in the Orthodox Observer and istry show us that belief in Him leads In addition to the 2018 National ing facilities within walking distance, on the Archdiocese website www.go- to healing, renewal and hope. Belief Ladies Philoptochos Convention, other including Back Bay Garage, Back Bay arch.org. Attendees may register for the in Christ defeats the power of sin and organizations will also hold meetings Station, Clarendon Garage and other congress and book hotel reservations by death, transfigures our lives, and leads during the Congress including: the public parking locations. visiting and at www.clergylaity.org and us on the path of salvation.” Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the A more detailed schedule will be www.clergylaity.org/hotel. The congress will take place under National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, the spiritual leadership of Metropolitan the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of Methodios and is co-chaired by Peter J. America, the Order of St. Andrew-Ar- Bassett and Michael S. Sophocles of St. chons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Kαλή Aνάσταση! Demetrios Church in Weston, Mass. It and the National Forum of Greek Or- will be the first congress held in Boston thodox Church Musicians. since 1988. A congress highlight will be Hel- The congress will begin with the lenic College Holy Cross Day, which Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, Sunday July will allow delegates and families, and 1, at Annunciation Cathedral in Boston Philoptochos Convention attendees, to and the official opening will take place take part in campus tours, seminars, the next morning, Monday July 2, with workshops and presentations. the keynote address by Archbishop HCHC, the Greek Orthodox higher Demetrios. education institution in the Americas, Clergy-Laity congresses convene educates men preparing for the holy biennially and are concerned with mat- priesthood of the Archdiocese and other ters other than doctrinal or canonical, Orthodox Christian jurisdictions, as which affect the life, growth and unity well as men and women, for leadership of the Church, the church institutions, roles in Church, chosen professions, Specialists in Travel to Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Jordan finances, administration, educational and society. The Boston Copley Marriott is con- • Tailor made itineraries to any of our unique destinations. and philanthropic concerns and her • European Honeymoon & Wedding specialists growing role in the religious life of the veniently located in the heart of Bos- • European Family Vacations. nation. ton’s Back Bay and easily accessible by • Customized European Group Travel. The faithful of the Holy Archdio- public transportation (MBTA subway • Specialists in Greek Orthodox groups to the Holy Land, Constantinople & Greece. cese gather in faith, fellowship, and and Commuter Rail) and Amtrak ser- JOIN US ON OUR GREEK ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGES & CULTURAL TOURS: love with a focus on evaluating and vice via Back Bay Station. Parking is planning the Church’s work of ministry also available at Marriott Copley Place Pilgrimage to Italy- Rome, Pompeii, Assisi, Florence, and commitment to share the unlimited for $51 per day for valet parking, or $42 Ravenna & Venice: May 28-June 7th, 2018 Led by Fr. Panayiotis Papageorgiou of Holy Trans guration Church in Marietta, GA HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES: June 11-20, 2018 led by Fr. Nicholas Louh of St. John the Divine in Jacksonville, FL July 8-17, 2018 led by Fr. John Lardas of Archangel Michael Church in Pt. Washington, NY Oct 11-26, 2018 led by Fr. Seraphim Mujmudar of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Tacoma, WA Nov 29-Dec 8, 2018 led by Fr. James Berends of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, MI January 19-27, 2019 led by Fr. Elias Villis of Church of our Saviour in Rye, NY Visit us at: www.GreekOrthodoxPilgrimages.com 31 09 N A L I N 11102 T 718 721-3808 T 1-800-223-7880 718 795-4356 E- Annunciation Cathedral, less than a mile from the hotel, where the opening Divine Liturgy will take place on July 1. 10 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Metropolis News Financial Crisis Explained at D.A.D. Clergy-Laity Assembly The How and Why of What Happened

By Jim Golding

PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y. – Delegates attending the Direct Archdi- ocesan District Clergy-Laity Assembly on March 3 heard a lengthy, detailed presentation on the Archdiocese’s financial situation in answer to the question on everyone’s mind – “What exactly happened?” Archdiocese and D.A.D. chancellor Bishop Andonios of Phasiane announced at the outset that, in lieu of holding workshops as originally planned, most of the meeting would be conducted in a “town hall meeting format for people to ask critical questions about their concerns,” the bishop told the 165 assembly delegates, and nearly 100 district Philoptochos members who met jointly at Archangel Michael Church before conducting their separate meetings. His Grace also announced that, be- GOA/D.Panagos photos cause of his additional position at Arch- Direct Archdiocesan District Parish Council and Philoptochos members attend the March 3 assembly at Archangel Michael Church, Port Washington, Long Island. diocese headquarters as director of administration, he would be relinquishing ter his comments. in our power not to repeat the same er- a group has been formed consisting of his duties as the district chancellor to Fr. After presentations by the chan- rors by establishing good financial prac- Bishop Andonios, George Tsandikos, Chrysostom Panos, who has been serv- cellor, Archdiocesan Vice Chairman tices with checks and balances.” Michael Psaros, attorney and Archdioc- ing as assistant chancellor and also pas- George Tsandikos, Michael Psaros, the He ended on a final note, “Let us esan Council Secretary Kathy Walsh of toring St. Demetrios-St. George Church Archdiocesan Council treasurer, and not remain stuck on what transpired in Hartford, Conn., Elaine Allen and Lou in upper Manhattan. “With my new Elaine Allen, head of the independent the past, but work together and go for- Kircos, new chairman of the Archdioc- duties, it is impossible to continue (as audit committee, they opened the floor ward to promote the work of the arch- esan Council Finance Committee. district chancellor) and I have no choice to questions from the audience. diocese.” “The Team has had very positive but to take a few steps back,” the bishop In his remarks, Bishop Andonios Bishop Andonios also pointed to developments,” Tsandikos said. “All of said. He received a standing ovation af- noted that “mistakes were made and the several positive developments that have us are dedicated to accountability and Archbishop is pained” by the situation. taken place in the district, including the openness. We will regain your trust.” He acknowledged that many people are continuation of its many programs, the New procedures and personnel angry as to how the Archdiocese be- participation of 313 participants in the In his detailed presentation, Mi- came embroiled in a financial crisis. parish council seminars held the past chael Psaros said “an ambitious restruc- The crisis resulted from spending year, 209 couples attending the district’s turing process” has been completed that beyond the budget and “borrowing” marriage seminars. On a national level, “has advanced the financial stability of from legacy and custodial accounts to he reported that 100 percent of the par- the Archdiocese greatly.” cover the difference. ishes have fulfilled their financial ob- He said the Archdiocese is project- He stated, “We still have a tremen- ligations for 2017 and that 60 parishes ed to achieve a balanced budget with no dous amount of work to do. Policies are have already met their 2018 obligation. financial burden to the parishes, whose being put into place to establish proce- In addressing the assembly, Archdi- contributions “remain fixed at 2017 lev- dures, checks and balances for Archdio- ocesan Council Vice President George els, resulting in a savings to the commu- cese finances and spending. Tsandikos said the meeting serves “an nities of about $1.6 million.” “More importantly, we need to re- opportunity for communications and Psaros explained that a transforma- establish trust and accountability.” open dialogue.” He stated that, “The tion in the operation of the Archdiocese He continued, “I know there is frus- past few months have been difficult. On has taken place over a six-month period tration out there, but we should keep the other hand, God has always been with with new procedures in place and new discussion in a tone appropriate for a us.” individuals placed in management posi- Christian community. We are commit- Since the serious financial dis- tions to ensure the “financial extreme” ted to correct the situation and to do all crepancies came to light last summer, that was experienced “never happens again.” (Counterclockwise from left) Archbishop Demetrios, George Tsandikos, Michael Psaros and Elaine Allen How will this come about? The participate in the two-hour discussion on the Archdiocese’s financial situation. Archdiocesan Council treasurer discussed at length the steps taken. He said that now there is complete separation between administration and finance, where before the two functions were controlled by one person. To head the administration of the Archdiocese, “His Eminence put a bishop in charge and we’ve had a complete transformation,” Psaros said. “Bishop Andonios’ courage and decisiveness have received praise.” There also was no chief financial officer before spring 2017 when Fr. So- terios Baroody was named to the position and had discovered the financial discrepancies. Others involved in the restructur- ing include Elaine Allen, a member of MARCH - APRIL 2018 11 Metropolis News

Church of Our Savior who has years of explained. “For many years there was experience in working with non-profit a deficiency. His Eminence would be organizations. She serves on the Arch- informed there is a deficit and would diocesan Council Standing Independent receive donations from ‘giants of the Audit Committee. community’ who would make dona- The committee also includes legal tions to keep the Archdiocese at even professionals. level. Many of these giants “fell asleep “The Audit Committee has taken in the Lord.” responsibility for assessing financial “From 2015 to 2017, expenditures stability, and outside auditors are moni- exceeded revenues by $4 or $5 million. toring compliance with applicable laws” The Archdiocese did not have controls Psaros continued. or procedures over spending. Policies Over the past six months, internal and procedures were not present as they controls governing spending were put in are now. place along with a significant reduction “So how did the Archdiocese cover of expenses. these deficits last two years?” Psaros Psaros explained that policies were continued. “The Archdiocese custodial enhanced and further established gov- accounts were used to absorb losses. erning travel, expense accounts, vendor About $7 to $8 million in custodial ac- management, cell phones and credit counts were ‘borrowed’ for operating GOA/D.Panagos photos cards. expenses.” Department credit cards and cell As a result, the director of adminis- phones were cancelled and 32 staff po- tration, who also made decisions relat- sitions were eliminated. ing to finance, resigned and the director “Cutting people and payroll, reduc- of finance, was terminated. ing loyal employees was very difficult,” “No one was more disappointed he said. “These actions affected many or shocked than the Archbishop or His families.” Also reduced was the number Grace,” said Psaros. of non-employee professionals on pay- Bishop Andonios rose to add “Time roll. after time were presented with a rosy Several million in cuts picture of the Archdiocese. We had no In August, $6.5 million in spending idea that these individuals were doing was cut in one day, Psaros explained. that. When Fr. Baroody was allowed to About $8 million, a reduction close start looking at the books, then it was to 37 or 38 percent, has been eliminated discovered.” from the operating budget Also speaking to the problem, A reduced 2018 budget balance Elaine Allen noted there was “a lack of took effect in January and should gener- internal controls and a lack of segrega- ate “at least a $2 million surplus” this tion of duties, incompatible duties han- year to reduce debts, he said. dled by one or two people. The Archdio- Parish delegates and Philoptochos members listen intently at the presentations. An independent review by the firm cese had finance and an audit committee Grant-Thornton analyzing and docu- with overlapping individuals, not an in- About $2.5 million was used from es network headquartered in London, menting Archdiocese financing is being dependent committee. It was very prob- various endowment accounts, custo- United Kingdom. It is the largest prepared and a 64-page report will be lematic.” dial accounts and restricted grants from professional services firm in the world, issued. “It will take time,” Psaros said. Bishop Andonios noted there had Leadership 100, the Lilly Foundation and is one of the Big Four auditors) How it happened been “no separation of duties. Now the grants and Taylor Scholarship Fund. About $50 million has been pledged There is an “800-pound gorilla in financial office and administrative du- Psaros also indicated there was for the shrine project, with $36 million the room” that needed to be addressed, ties have been separated.” He added, “abuse of an American Express account received. stated one of the numerous delegates “On some of these committees people by one party.” He continued, “The civil Other business from the floor during the discussion. were not taking their responsibilities se- authorities have been notified about the A detailed presentation was giv- “What exactly happened? By looking riously.” case.” en on plans for the new St. Michael’s forward we must understand in an un- George Tsandikos commented, Another $3 million was used from Home by board President Haeda Mi- varnished way, what happened? Using “The shortfall of revenue is due to the St. Nicholas Shrine custodial ac- haltses, Manny Kratsios and Nick Tjar- moneys from custodial accounts was a deaths of giants. The day you hide it, count and the future of the project was jalis, and Camp St. Paul by Fr. Panagioti conscious decision to use money to cov- it becomes a cancer. I congratulate you addressed. Papazafiropoulos of the District Youth er something up. How much remains for what you’re doing,” he said to the Psaros, said, according to the Arch- Office. unpaid from custodial accounts? What bishop and Psaros. diocese income statement for January, St. Michael’s Home happened?” Explaining how the funds will be some of the funds from the custodial St. Michael’s is currently a state- Psaros addressed the questions, giv- restored, Elaine Allen explained that, accounts have already been refunded certified adult care facility, not a nursing ing an account of the financial problems “according to New York state law, it is and a loan of up to $10 million may be home. “We can’t provide complete ser- that had been festering over the past few not considered a misappropriation of needed to replace other amounts, which vices at the present site,” said Mihaltses. years. funds if the amounts borrowed from the would be repaid over the next few years. The home is now located in Yon- ‘For many years expenditures of the restricted accounts can be replaced, with He said the St. Nicholas Shrine kers and houses 60 residents. Archdiocese exceeded its revenues,” he interest.” “will be completed. We must do this for The new site, located on 11 acres our children and our grandchildren.” in Uniondale, Long Island, consists of He further noted that an indepen- three buildings that formerly housed a dent committee has been named to over- Roman Catholic seminary. see the project and outside audit firms It will accommodate up to 140 resi- have been hired. The management of dents and provide five levels of living the construction will be done “in a very arrangements: independent, assisted liv- professional manner,” Psaros said. ing, nursing care, Alzheimer’s patients “Mistakes were made. I’m sorry and terminal care. and ask you to forgive and look forward The project is expected to be com- to the future. Looking backwards is not pleted in 2020 and about $27 million constructive; it’s not about throwing in pledges have been made. Total cost stones.” is expected to be between $35- and $40 The firm PricewaterhouseCoopers million. will issue a report in about two months Camp St. Paul on the construction management of the Fr. Papazafiropoulos said the camp project and will look into who approved functioned for 14 years at a leased loca- the change orders that enabled the trans- tion in Connecticut. A search for a new fer of funds. campsite began in 2015 and Archdio- (PricewaterhouseCoopers is a  to page 14 A lengthy question-and-answer period brought many representatives to the microphone. multinational professional servic- 12 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Metropolis News ‘Peace’ Prevails at San Francisco Clergy-Laity Assembly

By Kristen Bruskas DUNLAP, Calif. – More than 150 Metropolis of San Francisco clergy and lay leaders gathered at St. Nicho- las Ranch and Retreat Center in Squaw Valley, Calif., from Jan. 29–30 for the 2018 Metropolis Clergy-Laity Assem- bly. This annual event is always filled with opportunities for spiritual development, important dialogue and the sharing of resources. In his keynote address highlight- ing the Assembly theme of “Peace,” Metropolitan Gerasimos commented, “When I reflect on the work of you, the people of our Metropolis, I can hon- estly say that our Metropolis is doing well. There is always more that can be done or done better. And that’s why we gather here for this Assembly, to dis- photos by Kristen Bruskas cuss where we have been, where we are today, and to set our course for the Metropolis of San Francisco Clergy 2018. future. Together, we can think creatively and the reduction of general adminis- about the life of this Metropolis and trative expenses. An announcement is- take the steps so that each of can dedi- sued just a few days prior to the con- cate our talents and energy to sharing vening of the Assembly indicated that the Good News of Jesus Christ and the financial stability has been achieved at peace that He offers the world.” the Archdiocese and that the leadership The theme of the Assembly was team will continue to work with audi- further demonstrated in his remarks by tors and respond accordingly to their stating, “The Lord gives us peace, not recommendations for the betterment of the peace of the world, but His peace, our Archdiocese. ‘the peace from above,’ as we say in Archon Theofanis Economidis, the Divine Liturgy. We pray for peace vice-president of the Metropolis Coun- many times in the Liturgy; every action cil, presided over the two days of meet- of the Liturgy begins with a blessing ings, and shared the ongoing commit- for peace, from the opening petition, ment of the Metropolis to support the to our departure from the Liturgy itself. growth and development of our min- Why do we do this? Because ours is a istries. This includes a provision in the God of peace. In our theological tradi- Metropolis budget for dedicated minis- tion, we look to God, the Holy Trinity try staff and funding for the good works (L-R) Metropolis Council Vice President Fanis Economidis; Bay Area Vicar Rev. Fr Peter Salmas; Rev. Dr. Stavros as our model of peace.” of these ministries. Detailed financial Kofinas; Metropolitan Gerasimos; Metropolis Council Secretary Isidoros Garifalakis. Featured Speaker reports were presented to the Assem- The Rev. Dr. Stavros Kofinas, bly by Treasurer Michael Syrengelas San Francisco on the Archdiocesan the full implementation of this plan coordinator of the Network of the where he shared that the finances of the Council: Fr. Aris Metrakos (Holy Trin- will include anyone who interacts with Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Metropolis are in good condition, and ity, San Francisco), Isidoros Garifala- you at the parish level – Sunday School Health Care, was the featured guest are reviewed on a monthly basis by the kis, and Rocky Sisson. teachers, sports coaches, Greek dance speaker at the Assembly who gave an Finance Committee. The 2018 Metrop- Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, Metropo- directors, youth advisors, youth choir inspiring presentation on “Leading the olis budget totaling $1.8 million was lis Family Wellness Ministry director, directors, altar boy advisors, parent Church in a Chaotic World.” presented and unanimously approved. shared information on the resources chaperones and more. During his message he remarked Election to Councils offered in the areas of parenting, mar- Metropolis Philoptochos President that “Chaos in our post-modern world, Elections for the Metropolis riage enrichment, addition, and build- Jeannie Ranglas reported on the work which has lost its sense of hope and and Archdiocesan Council members ing Christ-centered relationships within of this exceptional ministry which has optimism, is more evident than ever were held with the following results: the family. He and the Family Wellness 58 chapters and over 4,000 members in before. We have lost a sense of direc- Elected Clergy – Fr. Andrew Bara- team have also visited the various re- the seven-state Metropolis. Signature tion and belonging, and it appears that kos (Assumption, Scottsdale, Ariz.); gions in the Metropolis to help parishes programs include the Bishop Anthony we have surrendered ourselves to an V. Rev. John Constantine (St. George, establish family wellness programs in Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment unknown fate, as if we have been tak- Downey, Calif.), Fr. Dean Kouldukis their own communities. Fund which has been supporting semi- en up in a whirlwind of unpredictable (Assumption, Seattle), Fr. Constantine Thomaida Hudanish, Metropolis narians and students from the Metropo- change.” Pappademos (St. Katherine, Elk Grove, Missions and Evangelism Ministry lis of San Francisco for over 25 years. In continuing his presentation, he Calif.), Fr. Peter Salmas (Holy Cross, director, is working with parishes on At the end of the 2017 academic year, later shared that, “. . . in order for us Belmont, Calif.), Fr. Andrew Scordala- creating and cultivating outreach pro- over $170,000 in financial assistance to grow, it is necessary to continually kis (St. Spyridon, San Diego), Fr. Peter grams focused on Growing Orthodoxy was given to the 22 students from the evaluate our leadership from the stand- Stratos (St. Anthony, Pasadena, Calif.), in America, as well as promoting the Metropolis. point of our Churches’ apostolic tradi- and Fr. Tom Zaferes (Ascension Cathe- Missions Possible Campaign to sup- The Assembly also included sev- tion. Orthodoxy has always stressed the dral, Oakland, Calif.). port the overall work of this ministry eral opportunities for worship at the ad- importance of tradition and the need to Elected Lay members – Spiro and our small but thriving mission par- jacent Monastery of the Theotokos the maintain it as an expression of Truth.” Beckas, John Buzas, Steven Coune- ishes. Life-Giving Spring. Following the Di- Teleconference lis, George Demos, Vasilis Marutsos, Youth Presentations vine Liturgy on the Feast of the Three Through the use of Zoom telecon- George Psefteas, Michael Syrengelas, An in-depth video from Steven Hierarchs, a 14-year memorial service ferencing, Archdiocesan Council Trea- and Dr. Eve Tibbs. The appointments of Christoforou, Archdiocese director of was prayed for the repose of Metropoli- surer Michael Psaros spoke to the As- eight additional members as provided Youth and Young Adult Ministries, tan Anthony, of blessed memory. sembly about the financial situation at in the Uniform Metropolis Regulations provided an important overview of the At the conclusion of the Clergy- the Archdiocese. He conveyed that dif- will be confirmed by Metropolitan Policies for the Protection of Youth and Laity Assembly, the Metropolis Clergy ficult decisions had to be made which Gerasimos prior to the commencement Children. participated in a retreat led by Rev. Dr. included the formation of a new leader- of the new council in July. This was expanded during the pre- Stavros Kofinas focusing on the Com- ship team and organizational infrastruc- The Assembly also elected the fol- sentation of Metropolis Youth Director plexities of Pastoral Care in Life Situa- ture, policies to monitor expenditures, lowing to represent the Metropolis of Johanna Duterte who emphasized that tions and the Sacrament of Confession. MARCH - APRIL 2018 13 Leadership 100 L-100 Distributes $2.7 Million

By George Schira National Archdiocesan Finance Committee - $144,300 for the continua- The Leadership 100 Executive th tion of the Orthodox Software Initiative, Committee, meeting Jan. 31 at the 27 to continue creating and distributing a annual Leadership 100 Conference in parish-based software management sys- Key Biscayne, Fla., unanimously ac- tem facilitating more consistent and accepted the recommendations of the curate reporting, financial tracking, and Leadership 100 Grant Committee, with one addition, and approved $2,668,663 communication at the Archdiocese and in grants, according to then Chairman Metropolis levels. George S. Tsandikos. Department of Inter-Orthodox, The Grant Committee, chaired by Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations John Sitilides, along with members - $96,200 as follows: $30,000 for the Maria Allwin, Michael Bapis, Justin Orthodox-Catholic Dialogue Series; Bozonelis and Patsy Kouvas formally $36,500 for the Evangelical Lutheran reviewed 25 new and prior-approved Education Series: $20,000 to attend and grant requests. participate in the Selma March 50th An- The new grants for 2018 totaled niversary events at the African-Ameri- $1,283,263 and included: can Museum in Washington DC; and Department of Youth and Young $9,700 to participate in the “Religious Adult Ministries - $429,400 as follows: Pluralism in the Middle East” program. $270,000 for the Metropolis Camp- Center for Family Care - $67,000 ing Ministries program; $94,400 for as follows: $50,000 for a Clergy Couple the first-year salary for a new Youth Retreats program to promote healthy Safety Coordinator, to help coordinate marital functioning for clergy and their minimum youth protection training and spouses, including prevention and con- screening for all youth workers across tainment of marital crises, and various the Archdiocese; $45,000 to support the marital enrichment opportunities and “Alive in Christ: Living Orthodoxy” $17,000 over two years for the Family conference for young adults across all Ministry Webinars series. canonical Orthodox jurisdictions and Department of Stewardship, Out- $20,000 to fund a season of the “Be the reach and Evangelism- $55,800 for the Bee” retreats which offer youth retreats Home Mission Parish Program, to pro- and programs for parents, youth work- vide monthly supplemental support for ers, and young adults in at least eight the compensation of full-time clergy cities across the United States. assigned to eight (8) mission parishes Orthodox Christian Studies Cen- nationwide, until each parish becomes ter at Fordham University - $250,000 self-sufficient. for a five-year grant for international Orthodox Christian Fellowship research initiative to publish analyses (OCF)- $47,300 to expand and strength- of Orthodox Christianity’s engagement en the Summer Leadership Institute of of human rights issues, and to develop the Campus Ministry program, to fur- constructive proposals affirming an ther develop the next generation of Or- Orthodox Christian theology of human thodox leaders in America through lead- rights. ership training, as well as continuing to Ionian Village -$193,263 as fol- expand the number of OCF chapters at lows: $101,402 for the “Next” pro- colleges and universities nationwide. gram, to have 45 young adults, beyond Prior Grant Commitments: summer camp or GOYA age, continue $1,385,400 and included Hellenic to interactively experience Orthodoxy College/Holy Cross Scholarship Pro- and Hellenism by traveling to Ionian gram Village and visiting the campgrounds; $1,000,000 annually (through $75,000 for a five-year “On-the-Go” 2018), Digital Typikon Liturgical and program to organize ten retreats that Library Project seek to replicate the Ionian Village ex- $270,000, Small Parish Program perience in parishes within the United $110,000 for the third year of the States; and $16,861 for an Alumni Staff program, and, Lenten Getaway, hosted at the St. Iako- Retired Clergy in Need, $5,400 an- vos Retreat Center outside of Chicago. nually L-100 Members Create ‘Hellenic Hearts’

Hellenic Hearts, a non-profit orga- ship 100 Board member, Dimitri Hala- nization, was created and co-founded by kos and James Karalis. Leadership 100 members John Aivazo- The late Peter J. Pappas, a long- glou and Nick Karalis, along with Kos- time Executive Committee and Board tas Mikropoulos and Tim Vlassopoulos, member, also served on the Hellenic to support Hellenes from the Greater Hearts Board. Philadelphia area in extreme financial One of the primary purposes of the distress. organization is to respond to catastroph- Its inception was Feb. 17, 2016, ic emergencies including but not limited at John’s 50th birthday party when, in to death, medical necessities, and finan- lieu of gifts, donations totaling $20,000 cial shortcomings within 48 hours. The were collected. The momentum contin- organization has already provided fi- ued into the next event, the annual Golf nancial assistance in many emergencies, Invitational and Dinner, which raised such as support of a struggling family more than $85,000. after a fire destroyed their home and all Other Leadership 100 trustees cur- their possessions but one. Miraculously, rently serving on the board of directors include Michael Bapis, also a Leader-  to page 22 14 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Metropolis News The How and Why of What Happened  from page 11 sentiment of anger over the crisis by many individuals. cese officials are considering a 143- “Do we think the people of the acre site in Litchfield, Conn. Church are infallible, immaculate, Camp St. Paul had 790 registra- flawless? tions for a five-week period last sum- One of the 12 apostles committed mer. It serves children ages 8-to-18 the worst crime in history, and it was and young adults ages 18-35. over money.” Closing comments The Archbishop urged that, “It’s In his closing comments, Arch- time we address this serious issue of bishop Demetrios responded to the stewardship,” he said.

Jeremiah 8:8 The lying pen becomes vanity for the scribes.

CLERGY UPDATE

Ordinations to the Diaconate: Mitchell, Chrysostom (Curtis), by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, S.C. 12/30/17 Katsiklis, Theofanis, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, St. John the Baptist Church, Tampa, Fla. 01/07/18 Saylor, Jacob, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Assumption Church, Scottsdale, Ariz. 02/24/18 Ordinations to the Priesthood: Dn. Constantine Carros, Metropolitan Alexios, Holy Monastery of Gerokoumiou, Patras, Greece 07/27/17 Dn. Chrysostom Mitchell, Metropolitan Alexios, Holy Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, S.C. 12/31/17 Dn. Alexandru Radulescu, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, St. Nicholas Church, Ann Arbor, Mich. 01/20/18 Dn. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos – Archbishop Demetrios, St. Catherine-St. George Church, Astoria N.Y., 01/28/18 Dn. Theofanis Katsiklis, Metropolitan Alexios, Holy Trinity Church, St. Augustine, Fla., 02/04/18 Dn. Jacob Saylor, Metropolitan Gerasimos, Assumption Church, Scottsdale, Ariz., 02/25/18 Ordination to the Episcopacy: V. Rev. Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides. Holy Trinity Cathedral New York 03/17/18 Assignments: Fr. Chrysostom Mitchell – Holy Trinity Cathedral, Columbia, S.C. 12/31/17 Dn. Alexandru Radulescu, St. Nicholas Church, Ann Arbor, Mich. 01/15/18 Fr. Mark Curtright, St. Dionysios Church, Overland Park, Kansas 02/15/18 Fr. Jacob Saylor – Assumption Church Scottsdale, Ariz. 03/10/18 Fr. Mario Giannopoulos – Holy Trinity Cathedral, Salt Lake City, Utah 03/15/18 Offikia: Fr. John Haby – Office of Economos bestowed by Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver 12/06/15 Fr. Anastasios Bourantas, Office of Protopresbyter bestowed by Metropoli- tan Evangelos of New Jersey 01/14/18 Fr. Constantin Ursache – Office of Economos bestowed by Archbishop Demetrios 03/04/18 Suspensions: V. Rev. Fr. Gerasimos Makris 01/18/18

To donate Matthew 10:26 to the St. Nicholas National Shrine, make checks payable to: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese “Therefore, do not fear them. Mailing Address: For there is nothing Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, covered that will not be revealed, and hidden th 8 East 79 St., New York, NY 10075 that will not be known.” www.stnicholaswtc.org ΜΑΡΤΙΟΣ - ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ 2018 ΕΤΟΣ 83 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1330

† Β Α Ρ Θ Ο Λ Ο Μ Α Ι Ο Σ ΕΛΕΩι ΘΕΟΥ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΟΣ Ἅγιον Πάσχα ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΕΩΣ - Ἑορτή ἑορτῶν ΝΕΑΣ ΡΩΜΗΣ ΚΑΙ ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΣ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΗΣ ΠΑΝΤΙ Τῼ ΠΛΗΡΩΜΑΤΙ Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους ΤΗΣ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ ΧΑΡΙΝ, καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΚΑΙ EΛΕΟΣ Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΝΔΟΞΩΣ καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά ΑΝΑΣΤΑΝΤΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἀδελφοί καί τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο Ἡ ἐμπειρία τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Χριστοῦ, τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς τῆς πανσωστικῆς νίκης τῆς Ζωῆς ἐπί τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Θανάτου, εἶναι ὁ πυρήν τῆς πίστεως, τῆς Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν θείας λατρείας, τοῦ ἤθους καί τοῦ πολιτισμοῦ Χριστῷ, τοῦ χριστεπωνύμου ὀρθοδόξου λαοῦ τοῦ Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Θεοῦ. Ἡ ζωή τῶν Ὀρθοδόξων πιστῶν, εἰς Καθώς σήμερα ψάλλουμε «Ἀναστάσεως ὅλας τάς ἐκφάνσεις καί τάς διαστάσεις αὐτῆς, Ἡμέρα καί λαμπρυνθῶμεν τῇ πανηγύρει», διαποτίζεται καί τρέφεται ἀπό τήν πίστιν εἰς δοξάζουμε τόν Θεό διότι αὐτή εἶναι Ἡμέρα τήν Ἀνάστασιν, ἀποτελεῖ καθημερινόν Πάσχα. ζωῆς καί χαρᾶς. Ὁ Ἀναστάς Κύριός μας Τό πασχάλιον αὐτό βίωμα δέν εἶναι ἁπλῶς θριάμβευσε ἐπί τοῦ θανάτου. Μέ τήν ἔνδοξη ἀνάμνησις τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου, ἀλλά Ἀνάστασή Του, ὁ Χριστός ἀπέδειξε τήν βίωσις καί τῆς ἰδικῆς μας ἀνακαινίσεως καί ἀπεριόριστη δύναμη τοῦ Θεοῦ ὡς Πηγῆς ἀκλόνητος βεβαιότης περί τῆς ἐσχατολογικῆς τῆς ζωῆς. Λόγῳ τῆς ἀγάπης Του γιά μᾶς, μᾶς τελειώσεως τῶν πάντων. μετέφερε ἀπό τόν θάνατο στή ζωή καί ἀπό Κατ᾿ ἐξοχήν εἰς τήν εὐχαριστιακήν τήν γῆ στόν Οὐρανό. Ἡ ζωή ἀποκαθίσταται Λειτουργίαν, ἡ ὁποία συνδέεται ἀρρήκτως μέ πλήρως ἀπό τόν Δημιουργό μας σέ ὅλα γιά τά τήν «κλητήν καί ἁγίαν ἡμέραν» τῆς Κυριακῆς, ὁποῖα εἶχε ἐξ’ ἀρχῆς προορισθῇ! Ἡ ἄφθονη καί ἡ Ὀρθόδοξος Ἐκκλησία ἑορτάζει αὐτήν αἰώνια ζωή εἶναι δική μας. τήν ὑπαρξιακήν μετοχήν εἰς τήν Ἀνάστασιν Ὁ Ἀναστάς Κύριος στέκεται ἐνώπιόν τοῦ Χριστοῦ καί τήν ἐμπειρικήν πρόγευσιν μας αὐτή τήν ἱερωτάτη ἡμέρα λέγοντας Ἐγώ τῶν εὐλογιῶν τῆς Βασιλείας τοῦ Θεοῦ. εἰμι ἡ ἀνάστασις καί ἡ ζωή· ὁ πιστεύων εἰς ἐμέ Ἐντυπωσιάζει ὁ ἀναστάσιμος καί εὐφρόσυνος κἄν ἀποθάνῃ ζήσεται (Ἰωάν. 11:25-26). Ἐδῶ χαρακτήρ τῆς Θείας Εὐχαριστίας, ἡ ὁποία ἀποκαλύφθηκε ἡ ζωή πέραν τοῦ τάφου. Ὁ τελεῖται πάντοτε ἐν ἀτμοσφαίρᾳ χαρᾶς φόβος τοῦ θανάτου νικήθηκε ἀπό τό φῶς καί καί ἀγαλλιάσεως καί εἰκονίζει τήν τελικήν τή δύναμη τῆς Ἀναστάσεως. Μέσα στό ἔνδοξο καινοποίησιν τῶν ὄντων, τήν πεπληρωμένην αὐτό φῶς, διερωτώμεθα μαζί μέ τόν Ἅγιο χαράν, τήν πληρότητα τῆς ζωῆς, τήν μέλλουσαν Παῦλο: ποῦ σου, θάνατε, τό νῖκος; ποῦ σου, ὑπέρχυσιν τῆς ἀγάπης καί τῆς γνώσεως. θάνατε, τό κέντρον; (Α’Κορ., 15:55). Διακηρύσ- Πρόκειται περί τῆς λυτρωτικῆς θεάσεως -σουμε τή χαρά μας διότι πρέπει τό φθαρτόν τοῦ παρόντος ὑπό τό φῶς τῶν Ἐσχάτων καί τῆς τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀφθαρσίαν καί τό θνητόν δυναμικῆς πορείας πρός τήν Βασιλείαν, περί τοῦτο ἐνδύσασθαι ἀθανασίαν (Α΄Κορ., 15:53). τῆς ἀκαταλύτου σχέσεως καί συνυφάνσεως τῆς Τώρα ἡ σωτηρία, ἡ δύναμη καί ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ παρουσίας καί τοῦ ἐσχατολογικοῦ χαρακτῆρος Θεοῦ ἦλθε· γι’αὐτό καί θά ζήσουμε αἰώνια. τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ σωτηρίας τοῦ ἀνθρώπου καί τοῦ Μέ τίς εὐλογίες τοῦ Πάσχα, τῆς κόσμου, ἡ ὁποία δίδει εἰς τήν ἐκκλησιαστικήν Ἑορτῆς ἑορτῶν, μέ τίς ὑποσχέσεις γιά τή δική ζωήν μοναδικόν δυναμισμόν καί λειτουργεῖ διά μας ἀνάσταση καί αἰώνια ζωή, βλέπουμε νά τούς πιστούς ὡς ἔναυσμα καλῆς μαρτυρίας ἐν μεταμορφώνεται καί ἡ γήϊνη ζωή μας. Μᾶς τῷ κόσμῳ. Ὁ Ὀρθόδοξος πιστός ἔχει ἰδιαίτερον προσφέρεται μιά ζωή ἄφθονη, πλήρης καί λόγον καί ἰσχυρόν κίνητρον διά νά ἀγωνίζεται γεμάτη νόημα. Καλούμεθα ἀπό τόν Ἀναστάντα κατά τοῦ κοινωνικοῦ κακοῦ, διότι ζῇ ἐντόνως Κύριο νά ἀγκαλιάσουμε αὐτή τή ζωή. Μέσα τήν ἀντίθεσιν μεταξύ τῶν Ἐσχάτων καί τῶν ἀπό τήν πίστη μας σέ Ἐκεῖνον καί τή δύναμη ἑκάστοτε ἱστορικῶν δεδομένων. Ἐξ ἐπόψεως τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, εἴμεθα καινούργια κτίση. Ὀρθοδόξου, ἡ φιλάνθρωπος διακονία, ἡ Οἱ ζωές μας μεταμορφώνονται , καθώς τά βοήθεια πρός τόν ἐμπερίστατον ἀδελφόν, Ἑορτή Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου παλαιά παρέρχονται καί τά πάντα γίνονται κατά τό Κυριακόν «ἐφ᾿ ὅσον ἐποιήσατε ἑνί νέα (Β΄Κορ., 5:17). Σήμερα καλούμεθα νά τούτων τῶν ἀδελφῶν μου τῶν ἐλαχίστων, ἐμοί Ἡμέρα Ἑλληνικῆς Ἀνεξαρτησίας τή λύτρωσή μας ἀπό τήν ἁμαρτία καί γιά τήν ἐνδυθοῦμε τόν νέο, τόν καινόν ἄνθρωπον ἐποιήσατε» (Ματθ. κε’, 40), καί ἡ ἔμπρακτος Πρός τούς Σεβασμιωτάτους καί σωτηρία μας ἀπό τόν θάνατο. Θαυμάζουμε τόν κατά Θεόν κτισθέντα ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καί ἀγάπη τοῦ Καλοῦ Σαμαρείτου (βλ. Λουκ. Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς τήν πίστη της σέ Ἐκεῖνον καί τήν ὑπακοή της ὁσιότητι (Ἐφεσ. 4:24). 30-37), συμφώνως καί πρός τό Πατερικόν Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς στή θεϊκή βούληση. Ἡ ἀπάντησή μας σ’ αὐτό τό δῶρο «Ἐκεῖνον μάλιστα ἡγοῦ εἶναι πλησίον, τόν Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους Στήν Ἑορτή αὐτή, ἐκφράζουμε τόν θαυ- τῆς ζωῆς εἶναι λατρεία καί δοξολογία. Εἴδαμε δεόμενον, καί αὐτεπάγγελτος ἐπί τήν βοήθειαν καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συμβουλίων, τά μασμό μας καθώς διακηρύσσουμε ὅτι μέσῳ τήν Ἀνάσταση. Ζήσαμε τήν πραγματοποίηση τοῦ ἀδύνατου. Ἔχουμε ἐμπειρία τῆς δυνάμεως βάδιζε» (Ἰσίδωρος ὁ Πηλουσιώτης), ἀποτελοῦν Ἡμερήσια καί Ἀπογευματινά Σχολεῖα, τίς τῆς πίστεως στό Θεό ὅλα εἶναι δυνατά. Μέ τοῦ Θεοῦ, προσκυνοῦμε μέ χαρά Ἐκεῖνον ὁ προέκτασιν καί ἔκφρασιν τοῦ εὐχαριστιακοῦ Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς τήν ἀποκάλυψη τῆς δυνάμεως καί τῆς χάριτος Ὁποῖος πάτησε τόν θάνατο καί μᾶς χαρίζει ζωή. ἤθους τῆς Ἐκκλησίας, ἀποκάλυψιν ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τοῦ Παντοδυνάμου Θεοῦ, διερωτώμεθα ὅπως εἶναι ἡ βιωματική πεμπτουσία τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Εἴθε αὐτή ἡ Ἑορτή τοῦ Ἁγίου Πάσχα νά εἶναι τό Χριστεπώνυμον πλήρωμα τῆς Ἱερᾶς καί ἡ Παρθένος Μαρία, πῶς ἔσται τοῦτο; ζωῆς, ἔν τε τῷ παρόντι καί ἐν τῇ Βασιλείᾳ τῶν πλήρης χαρᾶς καί φωτός. Εἴθε ἡ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. (Λουκᾶ 1:34) Πῶς ὁ Ἔχων θρόνον οὐρανόν Ἐσχάτων. ἀδελφοσύνη μας νά λάμψῃ στίς ἐνορίες καί Ἐν τῇ συναφείᾳ ταύτῃ κατανοεῖται Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν καί ὑποπόδιον τήν γῆν ἐν μήτρᾳ χωρεῖται στά σπίτια σας καί εἴθε ἡ ἀληθινή καί ἄφθονη καί τό γεγονός ὅτι ἡ λειτουργική ζωή εἰς Χριστῷ, γυναικός! (Ὑμνος Ἑσπερινοῦ). Ὁ Ἀρχάγγελος ζωή πού μᾶς χαρίζεται μέ τήν Ἀνάσταση νά τήν Ὀρθόδοξον Ἐκκλησίαν δονεῖται ἀπό Στήν εὐλογημένη καί λαμπροφόρο Ἑορ- ἀπαντᾶ, πνεῦμα ἅγιον ἐπελεύσεται ἐπί σέ εἶναι ὁρατή σέ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο! τήν βίωσιν τῆς «κοινῆς σωτηρίας», τῆς τή τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, ἑορτάζουμε ἕνα πραγ- καί δύναμις Ὑψίστου ἐπισκιάσει σοι· διό καί δωρεᾶς τῆς «κοινῆς ἐλευθερίας» καί τῆς ματικό θαῦμα τό ὁποῖο ἐπιβεβαιώνει ὅτι οὐκ τό γεννώμενον ἅγιον κληθήσεται υἱός Θεοῦ Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ Ἀναστάντι ἀγάπη, «κοινῆς βασιλείας», καί ἀπό τήν προσδοκίαν ἀδυνατήσει παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα (Λουκ. (Λουκᾶ 1:35, 37). τῆς «κοινῆς ἀναστάσεως». Κυριαρχοῦν τό 1:37). Συγκεντρωνόμεθα λατρευτικά καθώς Ὅπως φάνηκε καί στήν περίπτωση τῆς «ἡμεῖς», ἡ κοινότης τῆς ζωῆς, ἡ συμ-μετοχή τιμοῦμε τήν ἐμφάνιση τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου Γα- Παρθένου Μαρίας, τά πάντα εἶναι δυνατά καί τό σύν-εἶναι, ἡ ἁγιαστική ταύτισις τῆς βριήλ στήν Παρθένο Μαρία γιά νά ἀναγγείλῃ γιά ἐκείνους οἱ ὁποῖοι πιστεύουν στήν ἀπο- ἐν Χριστῷ ἐλευθερίας μέ τήν θυσιαστικήν τήν Σάρκωση τοῦ Κυρίου μας. Μέ ἀγαλλίαση κάλυψη καί τίς ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ. Πρό ἀκοῦμε τήν διακήρυξη τῆς Θεοτόκου, καθώς τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, ζοῦσε μέ πίστη, βέβαιη ὁ Θεός ἀποκαλύπτει τό θεϊκό σχέδιό Του γιά Σελίδα 17 Σελίδα 17 † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος 16 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΜΑΡΤΙΟΣ - ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ 2018

Η Αγία και Ιερά Σύνοδος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου συνεδρίασε στο Φανάρι, 6-8 Μαρτίου τ.έ., υπό την προεδρία του Παναγιωτάτου Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ.κ. Βαρθολομαίου. Τα μέλη της Αγίας και Ιεράς Συνόδου για την εξάμηνη περίοδο 1 Μαρτίου 2018 -31 Αυγούστου είναι οι εξής: Μητροπολίτης Γέρων Χαλκηδόνος κ. Αθανάσιος, Μητροπολίτης Γέρων Δέρκων κ. Απόστολος, Αρχιεπίσκοπος Γέρων Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος, Μητροπολίτης Βρυούλων κ. Παντελεήμων, Ιταλίας και Μελίτης κ. Γεννάδιος, Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελος, Ρόδου κ. Κύριλλος, Κισάμου και Σελίνου κ. Αμφιλόχιος, Κορέας κ. Αμβρόσιος, Προύσσης κ. Ελπιδοφόρος, Αυστρίας κ. Αρσένιος και Σμύρνης κ. Βαρθολομαίος.

44η Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση Ἡ Βοστώνη θά Φιλοξενήσει τήν Πρώτη Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση μετά ἀπό 30 Χρόνια

ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗ – Ἡ 44η Διετής οἰκονομικά, τή διοίκηση, τίς ἐκπαιδευτικές Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση θά συνεδριάσῃ καί φιλανθρωπικές δραστηριότητες καί τόν GOA-Δημητρης Παναγος στίς 1-5 Ἰουλίου τ.ἔ. στό ξενοδοχεῖο Copley αὐξανόμενο ρόλο τους στή θρησκευτική ζωή Marriott. Ταυτόχρονα, στόν ἴδιο χῶρο μέ τήν τοῦ ἔθνους. Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση, θά συγκληθῇ καί Οἱ πιστοί τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς τό Διετές Ἐθνικό Συνέδριο τῆς Φιλοπτώχου συγκεντρώνονται μέ πίστη, ἀδελφοσύνη Πανηγυρικός εορτασμός της Κυριῶν τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς. καί ἀγάπη μέ σκοπό τήν ἀξιολόγηση καί τόν Τό θέμα τῆς Κληρικολαϊκῆς, Πάντα προγραμματισμό τοῦ ἔργου διακονίας καί 25ης Μαρτίου 1821 στο Λευκό Οίκο δυνατά τῷ πιστεύοντι, βασίζεται στήν δεσμεύσεως τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τό ὁποῖο εἶναι ἀπάντηση πού ἔδωσε ὁ Κύριος, ἡ ὁποία ἡ διάδοση τῶν ἀπεριορίστων δυνατοτήτων του Σταύρου Η. Παπαγερμανού δεσμούς της ιστορίας και του πολιτισμού που περιέχεται στό κατά Μᾶρκον Εὐαγγέλιο, καί τῆς τεράστιας δυνάμεως τῆς πίστεώς μας ενώνουν τις χώρες μας και διαμορφώνουν το δηλ. «εἰ δύνασαι πιστεῦσαι, πάντα δυνατά τῷ ἐν Χριστῷ. ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Πραγματοποιήθηκε για πεπρωμένο μας», και καταλήγοντας πρόσθεσε: πιστεύοντι» (Μᾶρκ. 9:23) Ἐκτός ἀπό τή Συνέλευση τῆς Ἐθνικῆς 32η χρονιά με πανηγυρικό τρόπο, ο εορτασμός «Είμαστε ενωμένοι (όταν πρόκειται) για τις Γράφει ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος Φιλοπτώχου Κυριῶν, θά διεξαχθοῦν της ημέρας της Ελληνικής Παλιγγενεσίας της αξίες της ελευθερίας, της δικαιοσύνης και της ἐπί τοῦ θέματος, «Μέ χαρά στήν καρδιά συνελεύσεις καί ἄλλων ὀργανισμῶν 25ης Μαρτίου 1821 στο Λευκό Οίκο. δημοκρατίας, και σήμερα και πάντα». μας, τόσον ἐγώ ὅσο καί οἱ προσφιλεῖς καί στή διάρκεια τῆς Κληρικολαϊκῆς, Ο Πρόεδρος των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος σεβάσμιοι Ἀρχιερεῖς τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἐπαρχιακῆς συμπεριλαμβανομένου τοῦ Συμβουλίου Ντόναλντ Τράμπ υπέγραψε την καθιερωμένη στην ομιλία του προς τους παρευρισκόμενους Συνόδου καί τά μέλη τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκοπικοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκοπικῶν Πρεσβυτερῶν, τῆς προεδρική διακήρυξη για την Ημέρα της αλλά και προς τον Πρόεδρο Τραμπ, μίλησε για Συμβουλίου, σᾶς ἀνακοινώνουμε ὅτι ἡ Ἐθνικῆς Ἀδελφότητας Πρεσβυτέρων, τῶν Ελληνικής Ανεξαρτησίας και την παρέδωσε τις αυταπόδεικτες αλήθειες και τα θεόδοτα Συνταξιούχων Ἑλληνορθοδόξων Κληρικῶν 44η Διετής Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση στον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο δικαιώματα της ελευθερίας και αυτοδιαθέσεως καί τό ἐθνικό συνέδριο τῆς Κυριῶν τῆς Ἀμερικῆς, τοῦ Τάγματος τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἀνδρέου- Γέροντα Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο, ο οποίος όπως αναφέρονται και οριοθετούνται στην Φιλοπτώχου τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Ὀρθοδόξου -Ἀρχόντων τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου θεσμικά και παραδοσιακά εκπροσωπεί την Διακήρυξη της Αμερικανικής Ανεξαρτησίας Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς θά συγκληθοῦν στίς 1-5 καί τοῦ Ἐθνικοῦ Φορέως Ἑλληνορθοδόξων Ελληνοαμερικανική Ομογένεια. και ζήτησε από τον Πρόεδρο να συνεχίσει να Ἰουλίου στή Βοστώνη, Μασσαχουσέττη. Ἐκκλησιαστικῶν Μουσικῶν. Ο Πρόεδρος Τράμπ καλωσόρισε στο Λευκό υπερασπίζει τις αναλλοίωτες αυτές αξίες στον Βεβαιώνουμε τήν πίστη μας στόν Χριστό Σημαντική ἐμπειρία θά ἀποτελέσῃ ἡ Οίκο τριακόσιους περίπου προσκεκλημένους ὡς Ὀρθόδοξοι Χριστιανοί, μιά πίστη ἡ Ἡμέρα τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ Κολλεγίου τοῦ Τιμίου από την Ελληνοαμερικανική κοινότητα και σημερινό ταραγμένο κόσμο. ὁποία καθιστᾶ δυνατό τό ἀδύνατο, προσιτό Σταυροῦ κατά τήν ὁποία ἀντιπρόσωποι στην ομιλία του αναφέρθηκε στα κοινά ιδανικά Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος έκανε τό ἀπρόσιτο, κατορθωτό το ἀκατόρθωτο. καί οἰκογένειες καθώς καί μέλη τοῦ και αξίες τις οποίες μοιράζονται οι Η.Π.Α και ιδιαίτερη μνεία στα θέματα αμέσου Γνωρίζουμε ὅτι ἡ πίστη μας σ’ Ἐκεῖνον μᾶς Συνεδρίου τῆς Φιλοπτώχου θά ἔχουν τήν η Ελλάδα και στη σημαντική και προφανή ενδιαφέροντος της Ομογένειας, αιτούμενος καθοδηγεῖ στή λατρεία καί διακονία μας. εὐκαιρία νά συμμετέχουν σέ ξεναγήσεις επιρροή του ελληνικού πολιτισμού, της τέχνης «ιδιαίτερη φροντίδα και προσοχή στο θέμα Ὁδηγούμεθα, ἐπίσης, ἀπό τό παράδειγμα τοῦ τοῦ πανεπιστημιακοῦ χώρου, σεμινάρια, και της αρχιτεκτονικής στην ιστορία και στη των συνεχιζόμενων αδικιών στις οποίες Κυρίου μας ἀναγνωρίζοντας τίς ἀπεριόριστες ἐργαστήρια καί παρουσιάσεις. ζωή των Η.Π.Α. υπόκειται το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο δυνατότητες τῆς πίστεώς μας. Ἡ ζωή καί ἡ Τό Ἑλληνικό Κολλέγιο τοῦ Τιμίου «Εορτάζουμε την Ελληνική ανεξαρτησία, Κωνσταντινουπόλεως σε θέματα πλήρους διακονία Του μᾶς ἀποκαλύπτουν ὅτι ἡ πίστη Σταυροῦ εἶναι τό μοναδικό ἀνώτατο τιμούμε αυτήν την επιρροή και θυμόμαστε θρησκευτικής ελευθερίας» και πρόσθεσε: σ’ Ἐκεῖνον ὁδηγεῖ στή θεραπεία, ἀνακαίνιση Ἑλληνορθόδοξο ἐκπαιδευτικό ἵδρυμα στήν την κοινή μας κληρονομιά», είπε ο Πρόεδρος «Σας ζητούμε με σεμνότητα να μιλήσετε εκ καί ἐλπίδα. Ἡ πίστη στόν Χριστό ἀκυρώνει Ἀμερική τό ὁποῖο ἐπιμορφώνει ἄνδρες πού και συνέχισε: «Έχουμε την πεποίθηση πως μέρους όλων μας για μια δίκαιη και τίμια λύση τή δύναμη τῆς ἁμαρτίας καί τοῦ θανάτου, προετοιμάζονται γιά τήν εἰσαγωγή τους όποιες προκλήσεις κι αν αντιμετωπίσουμε στην παρατεταμένη και τραγική διαίρεση μεταμορφώνει τή ζωή μας καί μᾶς ὁδηγεῖ στόν Κλῆρο τῆς Ἀρχιεισκοπῆς καί ἄλλων οποιαδήποτε στιγμή στο μέλλον, θα τις της Κύπρου και στο θέμα της ονομασίας στήν ὁδό τῆς σωτηρίας». Ἡ Συνέλευση θά Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανικῶν δικαιοδοσιῶν, αντιμετωπίσουμε μαζί, ως μέλη μιας μεγάλης της FYROM, ώστε να λάβει μια κατάλληλη λάβει χώρα ὑπό τήν πνευματική ἡγεσία τοῦ καθώς καί ἄνδρες καί γυναῖκες, γιά κοινότητας εθνών. Κι όπως οι πρόγονοί μας και ιστορικά δικαιολογημένη και έγκυρη Μητροπολίτου Μεθοδίου καί τῆς ὁποίας θά ἡγετικούς ρόλους στήν Ἐκκλησία, ἐπίλεκτα θα αντλήσουμε κι εμείς δύναμη από τους ονομασία». συμπροεδρεύσουν ὁ κ. Peter J. Bassett καί ὁ ἐπαγγέλματα καί τήν κοινωνία. κ. Michael S. Sophocles, μέλη τῆς Κοινότητος Τό ξενοδοχεῖο Copley Marriott βρίσκεται Ἁγίου Δημητρίου, Weston, Mass. Θά εἶναι στήν καρδιά τοῦ Boston Back Bay καί εἶναι ἡ πρώτη Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση πού εὔκολα προσιτό μέ τή δημόσια συγκοινωνία ΑΓΙΑ ΚΑΙ ΙΕΡΑ ΣΥΝΟΔΟΣ διοργανώνεται στή Βοστώνη ἀπό τό 1988. (μετρό καί προαστιακό σιδηρόδρομο) και Ἡ συνέλευση θά ξεκινήσει μέ Ἀρχιερατική τα δρομολόγια της Amtrak. Το ξενοδοχείο Συνῆλθεν, ὑπό τήν προεδρείαν τῆς Α. Κατά τάς συνεδρίας ταύτας Θεία Λειτουργία τήν Κυριακή, 1 Ἰουλίου, στόν προσφέρει χώρο στάθμευσης αλλά υπάρχουν Θ. Παναγιότητος, ἡ Ἁγία καί Ἱερά Σύνοδος ἐθεωρήθησαν ἅπαντα τά ἐν τῇ ἡμερησίᾳ Καθεδρικό Ναό τοῦ Εὐαγγελισμοῦ, στή καί ἄλλοι χῶροι στάθμευσης σέ κοντινή εἰς τάς τακτικάς αὐτῆς συνεδρίας ἀπό τῆς διατάξει ἀναγεγραμμένα θέματα, ἐφ᾿ ὧν Βοστώνη, καί ἡ ἐπίσημη ἔναρξη θά λάβει ἀπόσταση. Τρίτης, 6ης, μέχρι καί τῆς Πέμπτης, 8ης τ. καί ἐλήφθησαν αἱ προσήκουσαι ἀποφάσεις, χώρα τό ἑπόμενο πρωΐ, Δευτέρα, 2 Ἰουλίου, Λεπτομερές πρόγραμμα θά κοινοποιηθῇ μ. Μαρτίου 2018. ἐν τέλει δέ, ἐν ὄψει τῶν Ἁγίων ἡμερῶν τῶν μέ τήν κεντρική ὁμιλία τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου ἀργότερα καί θά δημοσιευθῇ στόν Ὀρθόδοξο Κατ᾿ ἀρχήν ἀντηλλάγησαν μεταξύ Παθῶν καί τῆς Ἀναστάσεως τοῦ Κυρίου, Δημητρίου. Παρατηρητή καθώς καί τήν ἰστοσελίδα τῆς τοῦ Παναγιωτάτου Πατριάρχου καί τοῦ α’ ἀντηλλάγησαν αἱ κατάλληλοι τῇ περιστάσει Οἱ Κληρικολαϊκές Συνελεύσεις Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς www.gorach.org. τῇ τάξει ἐκ τῶν νέων συνοδικῶν ἀρχιερέων εὐχαί μεταξύ τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος συγκαλοῦνται ἀνά διετία καί ἀσχολοῦνται Ἄν θέλετε νά συμμετέχετε, μπορεῖτε Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Βρυούλων κυρίου καί τοῦ Σεβ. Μητροπολίτου Γέροντος μέ ὅλα τά θέματα πλήν δογματικῶν καί νά ἐγγραφῆτε καί νά κλείσετε δωμάτιο σέ Παντελεήμονος αἱ εἰθισμέναι προσφωνήσεις Χαλκηδόνος κ. Ἀθανασίου ἐκ μέρους τῶν κανονικῶν, τά ὁποῖα ἐπηρεάζουν τή ξενοδοχεῖο ἐπισκεπτόμενοι τίς ἀντίστοιχες καί ἀντιφωνήσεις, ἐπί τῇ ἐνάρξει τῆς νέας μελῶν τοῦ ἱεροῦ Σώματος. ζωή, τήν ἀνάπτυξη καί τήν ἑνότητα τῆς ἰστοσελίδες, δηλ. www.clergylaity.org καί συνοδικῆς περιόδου. Ἐκ τοῦ Γραφείου. Ἐκκλησίας, τά ἐκκλησιαστικά ἱδρύματα, τά www.clergylaity.org/hotel. ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ - ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2018 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣORTHODOX ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ OBSERVER 17 Ενθρόνιση του Μητροπολίτη Σικάγου κ.Ναθαναήλ Ἑορτή στο Ι. Καθεδρικό Ναό του Ευαγγελισμού στο Σικάγο Εὐαγγελισμοῦ τῆς Θεοτόκου

 Σελίδα 15 πώς οἱ ὑποσχέσεις Του θά ἐκπληρώνονταν. Μέ τήν ἀποκάλυψη τῆς Σαρκώσεως, ἡ πίστη της ἑδραιώθηκε καί δυνάμωσε καθώς ἄκουσε τήν ἀναγγελία τοῦ Ἀρχαγγέλου, ὅτι ἰδού συλλήψῃ ἐν γαστρί καί τέξῃ υἱόν καί καλέσεις τό ὄνομα αὐτοῦ Ἰησοῦν. Οὕτος ἔσται μέγας καί Υἱός Ὑψίστου κληθήσεται καί δώσει αὐτῷ Κύριος ὁ Θεός τόν θρόνον Δαυίδ τοῦ Πατρός Αὐτοῦ ... καί τῆς βασιλείας Αὐτοῦ οὐκ ἔσται τέλος (Λουκᾶ 1:31-33). Σήμερα, ὅπως ἑορτάζουμε τήν ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά τήν σωτηρία μας, χαιρόμεθα γνωρίζοντας ὅτι τά πάντα εἶναι δυνατά διά τῆς πίστεώς μας στόν Θεό. Ἀπεκάλυψε καί συνεχίζει νά ἀποκαλύπτῃ τόν Ἑαυτόν Του σέ μᾶς μέ μεγάλους καί θαυμαστούς τρόπους. Ἔτσι ὅπως ἐξεπλήρωσε τήν ὑπόσχεσή Του γιά σωτηρία, συνεχίζει νά ἐκπληρώνῃ τίς ὑποσχέσεις Του στούς ἀνθρώ- πους Του. Διά τῆς πίιστεώς μας σ’ Ἐκεῖνον, εἴμεθα σέ θέση νά ἐπιτύχουμε αὐτό πού φαίνεται ἀκατόρθωτο. Διά τῆς δεσμεύσεώς μας στό θέλημα τοῦ Θεοῦ, συμμετέχουμε στό θαῦμα, καί κινούμεθα πέραν τῶν ὁρίων τῶν ἀνθρωπίνων δυνατοτήτων εἰσερχόμενοι στό ἀπεριόριστο δυναμικό τῆς πίστεως καί τῆς δυνάμεως τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ὅπως ζοῦμε σέ κοινωνία μαζί Του, ὅπως προσφέρουμε μαρτυρία χάριτος στούς ἄλλους, καί ὅπως λατρεύουμε καί διακονοῦμε ἐν τῷ Ὀνόματί Του, ἀκοῦμε καί ἐκστομίζουμε τούς λόγους τοῦ Χριστοῦ, πάντα δυνατά τῷ πιστεύοντι (Μᾶρκ. 9:23). Στόν ἑορτασμό μας αὐτῆς τῆς Ἑορτῆς, τιμοῦμε ἐπίσης τόν νικητήριο ἀγώνα γιά ἀνεξαρτησία τόν ὁποῖον ἐνέπνευσε ἡ πί- στη καί ἰσχυροποίησε ἡ ρήση οὐκ ἀδυνατήσει παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ πᾶν ῥῆμα. Σήμερα, ἡ Ἡμέρα Ἑλληνικῆς Ἀνεξαρτησίας τιμᾶ τή γενναιότη- τα τῶν προγόνων μας οἱ ὁποῖοι διψοῦσαν γιά ἐλευθερία καί πολέμησαν γιά ἀνεξαρτησία. Τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή ἑορτάζουμε τήν ὑπέροχη κληρονομιά καί τά ἰδανικά μας τά ὁποῖα ὁδήγησαν τόν λαό τῆς Ἑλλάδος νά πιστέψῃ ὅτι μποροῦσε νά ἐπιτύχῃ τό ἀδύνατο – νά ἀποτινάξῃ τήν καταπίεση αἰώνων καί νά ἐλευθερωθῇ. Μέσα ἀπό τήν πίστη στόν Θεό καί τήν ἐλπίδα γιά ἕνα καλύτερο μέλλον, τό ἀδύνατο ἔγινε δυνατό. Μέσα ἀπό ἀγῶνες καί θυσίες, οἱ Ἕλληνες κέρδισαν τήν ἐλευθερία καί τίς ἀπεριόριστες δυνατότητες τῆς ἀνε- GOA-Δημητρης Παναγος ξαρτησίας καί αὐτο-διαθέσεως. Σήμερα, καθώς τιμοῦμε τή μνήμη των, καθώς ἀπολαμβάνουμε τήν ἐλευθερία ὡς ΕΙΡΗΝΗΝ ΚΑΙ EΛΕΟΣ ΠΑΡΑ ΤΟΥ ΕΝΔΟΞΩΣ ΑΝΑΣΤΑΝΤΟΣ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥ στοιχεῖο τῆς κληρονομιᾶς τῆς Ἑλλάδος καί  Σελίδα 15 Ἐκκλησίαν, ὁ Σταυρός εὑρίσκεται εἰς τό προσκεκολλημένου εἰς τά γεώδη καί πρόσκαιρα τῆς Ἀμερικῆς, καί καθώς ἐμπνεόμεθα ἀπό τήν κέντρον τῆς εὐσεβείας, δέν εἶναι ὅμως ἡ ἀνθρώπου, τοῦ ἀνθρώπου χωρίς πόθον τῆς πίστη τῶν προγόνων μας, ἄς δοξάσουμε καί καί δοξολογικήν ἀγάπην. Αὐτό εἶναι καί τό ἐσχάτη πραγματικότης, αὐτός πού ὁρίζει καί αἰωνιότητος, ὅσον καί μέ τήν ἀπώθησιν εὐχαριστήσουμε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἀποκάλυψή συγκλονιστικόν μήνυμα τῆς ὁλολάμπρου τό τελικόν σημεῖον προσανατολισμοῦ τῆς συνόλου τῆς Ἐνσάρκου Θείας Οἰκονομίας καί Του γιά τή σωτηρία μας καί γιά τήν ὁμολογία εἰκόνος τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, τῆς Καθόδου τοῦ ἐκκλησιαστικῆς ζωῆς. Τό οὐσιῶδες νόημα τοῦ «σκανδάλου» τοῦ Σταυροῦ, ἐν ὀνόματι τῆς τῆς πίστεως τῆς Θεοτόκου. Στήν ἐλευθερία Χριστοῦ εἰς τόν Ἅδην. Ὁ Κύριος τῆς δόξης, τοῦ Σταυροῦ εἶναι ὅτι ἀποτελεῖ ὁδόν πρός ἀπολύτου ὑπερβατικότητος τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τοῦ πού ἔχουμε διά τοῦ Χριστοῦ καί διά τῆς πί- κατελθών ἐν τοῖς κατωτάτοις τῆς γῆς καί τήν Ἀνάστασιν, πρός τό πλήρωμα τῆς πίστεως ἀγεφυρώτου χάσματος οὐρανοῦ καί γῆς. στεώς μας καί μέ τή δύναμη τῆς χάριτος τοῦ συντρίψας τάς πύλας τοῦ Ἅδου, ἀναδύεται ἡμῶν. Ἐπί τῆς βάσεως αὐτῆς, οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι Ἐπί πᾶσι τούτοις, ἡμεῖς οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι Θεοῦ, οἱ δυνατότητες εἶναι ἀπεριόριστες. Διά νικηφόρος καί ὁλόφωτος ἐκ τοῦ τάφου, ὄχι ἀναφωνοῦμεν: «Ἰδού γάρ ἦλθε διά τοῦ πιστοί, τιμιώτατοι ἀδελφοί καί πεφιλημένα τῆς δεσμεύσεώς μας στό θέλημά Του, ζωές μόνος καί φέρων τό λάβαρον τῆς νίκης, ἀλλά Σταυροῦ χαρά ἐν ὅλῳ τῷ κόσμῳ». τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ, ἔμπλεοι τῆς πείρας τῆς μεταμορφώνονται καί σώζονται, πολλοί θά ὁμοῦ μετά τοῦ Ἀδάμ καί τῆς Εὔας, συνανιστῶν, Εἶναι χαρακτηριστικόν, ὅτι εἰς τήν λαμπροφόρου Ἀναστάσεως, λαβόντες βροῦν ἵαση καί ἐλπίδα καί οἱ θαυματουργές συγκρατῶν καί κρατύνων αὐτούς καί, ἐν τῷ Ὀρθοδοξίαν, ἡ Ἀκολουθία τῶν Παθῶν δέν φῶς ἐκ τοῦ ἀνεσπέρου φωτός, ἐν παντί καί ἄφθονες εὐλογίες τοῦ Θεοῦ θά ἀποκαλυ- προσώπῳ αὐτῶν, ἅπαν τό ἀνθρώπινον γένος εἶναι καταθλιπτική, ἀλλά σταυροαναστάσιμος, εὐχαριστοῦντες, τά ἄνω φρονοῦντες, ἔχοντες φθοῦν σέ ὁλόκληρο τόν κόσμο. καί ὁλόκληρον τήν κτίσιν. ἀφοῦ τό Πάθος προσεγγίζεται καί βιοῦται διά δέ ἐντεῦθεν ἤδη τόν ἀρραβῶνα καί τά ἐνέχυρα Τό εὐαγγέλιον τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, μέσου τῆς Ἀναστάσεως, ἡ ὁποία εἶναι «λύτρον τῆς ἐσχατολογικῆς πληρώσεως τῆς Θείας Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη, τῆς «κοινῆς τῶν ὅλων πανηγύρεως», τῆς λύπης». Διά τό Ὀρθόδοξον αἰσθητήριον, ἡ Οἰκονομίας, ἀναβοῶμεν, ἐν Ἐκκλησίᾳ, τό καταργησάσης τό κράτος τοῦ θανάτου ἀμετάθετος σύνδεσις Σταυροῦ καί Ἀναστάσεως «Χριστός Ἀνέστη!», δεόμενοι ὅπως ὁ παθών, πανσθενοῦς Ἀγάπης, ἠχεῖ σήμερον εἰς ἕνα εἶναι ἀσυβίβαστος μέ κάθε μορφῆς ἐσωτερικήν ταφείς καί ἀναστάς Κύριος καταυγάζῃ τάς κόσμον σοβούσης κοινωνικῆς ἀδικίας, φυγήν εἰς μυστικισμούς ἤ εἰς ἕνα αὐτάρεσκον διανοίας, τάς καρδίας καί πᾶσαν τήν ζωήν φαλκιδεύσεως τοῦ ἀνθρωπίνου προσώπου, εὐσεβισμόν, οἱ ὁποῖοι συνήθως εἶναι ἀδιάφοροι ἡμῶν, κατευθύνῃ δέ τά διαβήματα ἡμῶν πρός ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος εἰς μίαν οἰκουμένην - Γολγοθᾶν προσφύγων διά τά παθήματα καί τάς περιπετείας τοῦ πᾶν ἔργον ἀγαθόν καί ἐνισχύῃ τόν λαόν Αὐτοῦ † καί μυριάδων ἀθώων παιδίων. Ἀναγγέλλει ἀνθρώπου ἐν τῇ ἱστορίᾳ. πρός μαρτυρίαν τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου τῆς Ἀγάπης ἐκ βαθέων ὅτι, ἐνώπιον τοῦ Θεοῦ, ἡ ζωή τῶν Τό κήρυγμα τοῦ Σταυροῦ καί τῆς «ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς» (Πράξ. α’, 8), εἰς δόξαν ἀνθρώπων ἔχει ἀπόλυτον ἀξίαν. Ἀναστάσεως εὑρίσκεται, εἰς τήν ἐποχήν τοῦ «ὑπέρ πᾶν ὄνομα» ὀνόματος Αὐτοῦ. Γαλάτας Ε’:24 Διακηρύττει ὅτι τά παθήματα καί τά μας, ἐπίσης ἀντιμέτωπον τόσον μέ τήν οἱ δέ τοῦ Χριστοῦ τήν σάρκα δεινά, ὁ σταυρός καί ὁ Γολγοθᾶς, δέν ἔχουν ἀλαζονικήν αὐτοαποθέωσιν τοῦ συγχρόνου Φανάριον, Ἅγιον Πάσχα ,βιη´ τόν τελευταῖον λόγον. Δέν εἶναι δυνατόν ἐκκοσμικευμένου, λογοκρατουμένου, † Ὁ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ἐσταύρωσαν σύν τοῖς νά θριαμβεύσουν οἱ σταυρωταί ἐπί τῶν πεπεισμένου διά τήν παντοδυναμίαν διάπυρος πρός Χριστόν Ἀναστάντα παθήμασι καί ταῖς ἐπιθυμίαις τραγικῶν θυμάτων των. Εἰς τήν Ὀρθόδοξον τῆς ἐπιστήμης, ἑαυτοκεντρικοῦ καί εὐχέτης πάντων ὑμῶν. 18 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΜΑΡΤΙΟΣ - ΑΠΡΙΛΙΟΣ 2018 Η Ομογένεια διαδήλωσε την ελληνικότητα της Μακεδονίας

του Σταύρου Η. Παπαγερμανού Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος, ο οποίος ήταν και ο κύριος ομιλητής του συλλαλητηρίου είχε ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Παρά το τσουχτερό δι’ επιστολής του καλέσει το Χριστεπώνυμο κρύο, χιλιάδες Ελληνοαμερικανών από πλήρωμα της Αρχιεπισκοπής, τις κοινότητες πολλές περιοχές της Αμερικής συμμετείχαν και τις οργανώσεις να συμμετάσχουν και στο συλλαλητήριο, στις 18 Μαρτίου, να διαδηλώσουν «προς την ηγεσία και την μπροστά στην έδρα των Ηνωμένων Εθνών, κοινωνία των Η.Π.Α., αλλά και προς τα διαδηλώνοντας την ελληνικότητα της κράτη μέλη του Ο.Η.Ε., την ελληνικότητα Μακεδονίας και κατά της απαράδεκτης της Μακεδονίας μας. «Να εκφράσουμε με χρήσεως του ονόματος της Μακεδονίας από τρόπο ειρηνικό αλλά και αποφασιστικό την FYROM. την αντίθεσή μας στην απαράδεκτη χρήση Σύμφωνα με ορισμένες εκτιμήσεις η του ονόματος της Μακεδονίας από την συμμετοχή στο συλλαλητήριο έφτασε τις 5-6 FYROM, τον σφετερισμό της ιστορίας της, χιλιάδες. Το συλλαλητήριο διοργάνωσαν από του πολιτισμού και των συμβόλων της, και κοινού η Παμμακεδονική Ένωση Αμερικής, η των εκφράσεων αλυτρωτισμού», σημείωνε ο Ομοσπονδία Ελληνικών Σωματείων Μείζονος Σεβασμιώτατος στην επιστολή του. Νέας Υόρκης και το προσφάτως ιδρυθέν Στο συλλαλητήριο συμμετείχαν και Ελληνοαμερικανικό Κογκρέσο ΗΠΑ, που μίλησαν βουλευτές, μέλη του Κογκρέσου των είναι τριτοβάθμια οργάνωση εθνικοτοπικών Η.Π.Α., εκπρόσωποι πολιτειακών και τοπικών ομοσπονδιών. κυβερνήσεων και ηγέτες ομογενειακών Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Γέρων οργανώσεων.

GOA-Δημητρης Πάναγος  from page 1

MARCH - APRIL 2018 19 Church History Fr. Nicholas Lazaris’ Enduring Legacy in Lowell, Mass.

By William H. Samonides, Ph.D. Although not the first church erected by a Greek community in Fr. Nicholas Lazaris, an important America, Lowell’s Holy Trinity would early priest in America, is primarily be the most elaborate and costly. Ini- known for his work at the Annuncia- tially the church was projected to cost tion parish in New York City, where $33,000, but by June 1907, it was re- he served from 1908 until his death in ported that costs had risen to nearly 1932. $100,000. The gilded dome, the set Less well known are his first two of chimes, the chandelier of Venetian years in America (1906-1908) when cut glass, and other items had proven he was the presiding priest at Holy to be expensive. Ultimately, a finely- Trinity in Lowell, Mass. There he was appointed church was built. involved in the construction of a new Upon completion, it was described church, one of the first Greek Ortho- by The Boston Herald as “one of the dox churches built in America. most picturesque temples of worship Born on the Ionian island of in the state if not in the country . . . Lefkada in 1874, Nicholas Lazaris Its great dome rises in the midst of spent the years from 1899 to 1903 as [the Greek colony,] one of the poor- a teacher and administrator at a school est tenement districts of the city. From system in Sparta. He began training all parts of the city, this new edifice is for the priesthood in January 1904, visible, and because of the new gold † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America when he entered the School of Theol- dome and the two brilliant turrets, it ogy at the University of Athens, the is attracting a great deal of attention.” most prestigious theological school On the Sunday of Orthodoxy, in Greece. Shortly after graduating in March 15, 1908, Fr. Lazaris opened June 1906, he married Sophia Mino- the church before a throng of more poulou. A week later he was ordained than 12,000 from all over eastern Mas- to the deaconate, then to the priest- sachusetts. The project had been com- hood. The wedding and ordinations pleted to acclaim, but some parishio- were presided over by his wife’s un- ners would have preferred to erect a cle, Theoklitos, Metropolitan of Ath- modest church, like those being built ens, head of the Church in Greece. elsewhere in America. The remaining Fr. Lazaris’ first pastoral assign- funds could have been used for a hos- ment was at Holy Trinity in Lowell. pital and cemetery to serve the Greek This was a significant first assignment community. for a priest. Lowell, a center of tex- There was dissension in the par- tile manufacture, was one of the first ish, and the church leaders were held industrial cities in America. Textile to account. By Holy Week the parish mills were built to use the Merrimack had replaced Fr. Lazaris with his as- River as a power source. These mills sistant priest, Fr. Zesses Photiades. proved to be a magnet for Greek im- At the same time, jurisdiction migrants seeking jobs. Holy Trinity, incorporated in for the American parishes was trans- 1900, was one of the oldest and largest ferred from the Ecumenical Patriarch- parishes in America, rivaling in size ate in Constantinople to the Church parishes in the much larger cities of of Greece in Athens. Metropolitan Boston, Chicago, and New York. Ac- Theoklitus insisted that his niece’s cording to the parish history written husband be reinstated, and the Greek by Fr. Philip Gialopsis, the origin of ambassador visited the parish to sup- the parish can be traced back to 1894, port him. While the parish board when the Washington Acropolis Soci- acknowledged the authority of the ety was formed for the perpetuation of Metropolitan, they were firm in their “Greek religion and Greek traditions.” decision. By May, Fr. Lazaris request- By October 1905, the Holy Trinity ed a transfer and was assigned to An- parish had sufficient cash on hand to nunciation in New York City. purchase property on which to build a In early June a special election church, and the work of planning be- was held to replace the members of gan. On July 1, 1906, Fr. Lazaris and the Holy Trinity parish board. his wife departed for America, disem- At Annunciation, Fr. Lazaris and barking in New York on July 21. Two Presvytera would find a home, settling days later Fr. Lazaris began his service in and raising three children. During at Holy Trinity. his 24 years there, Fr. Lazaris would On Oct. 28, 1906, a ceremony was provide stable leadership to the grow- held to bless the ground and lay the ing West Side Manhattan parish. He cornerstone. A band led a procession was decorated for his service by the to the site, where about 4,000 people Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1915 and gathered to witness the ceremony. A by the Church of Greece in 1918. In copper box containing documents and 1921, Theoklitos Metropolitan of Ath- plans for the church, mementos, and ens, appointed him synodical repre- specimens of Greek and American sentative of the Church in America. money was inserted into the corner- Although Fr. Lazaris spent less stone. According to the parish his- than two years in Lowell, the impres- tory, Fr. Lazaris “circulated among sive church built during his time, there the crowd with the Holy Cloth from is an enduring part of his legacy. It is the altar collecting donations. Some the oldest Byzantine-style church still of the faithful contributed their entire in use today. In 1977 it was named weekly salary in the envelope as they to the National Register of Historic had received it…” Over $1,000 was Places, one of the first buildings in the collected for the new church. Archdiocese to be so honored. 20 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Thoughts From L.A. Connected to the Community

By Fr. John Bakas “My Aunt Mary passed away two days ago. How do I arrange a funeral As you read this article, Pascha for her and what does it cost?” 2018 is becoming a pleasant and com- The question often is not only what forting memory. You’ve probably kept does it cost but can I get a break on the the palm cross you received in church price because Aunt Mary was a member on Palm Sunday and put it near your of Philoptochos in the 80’s. From 40- home icons. In your home icon corner day children’s blessings to home bless- you may have saved some holy oil from ings, many people who are disconnect- Holy Wednesday service and a flower ed from the total life of the church see it from the Epitaphio. It’s possible that as a religious retail store where we buy buried in your refrigerator are one or a religious commodity. This is a sad but two red Easter eggs, left over memories real commentary. Even Holy Week and of the first moments you wished a friend Pascha itself is treated by some as a visit or relative Christos Anesti. These sim- to a charming religious Disneyland that ple yet tangible connections to the most is visited once a year. I got phone calls holy of days on our Orthodox Calendar during Holy Week such as: have meaning, not only in themselves, “What day is the Holy “lubrica- but because they were received by you tion” service this year?” and your family in the context of our “How long is the “Curcifi-cation” Orthodox Christian community. service this year?” Community – our connections to “How long does it take to take God and to one another – is another the “Wooden flower box” around the way to define our ancient faith. It is in church on Friday night?” the context of community, the family of “What time “exactly” is commu- God, that we worship, pray and partici- nion at Easter Liturgy?” pate in the sacraments. Together on an The people calling with their ques- ongoing participating basis we can ex- tions are not trying to be funny or FARES BEGIN AT... perience the sense of church. Another strange. They just don’t know. They word for Heaven is the word “connect- are disconnected from the daily life of $ 299 plus ed”. Another word for Hell is the word the Orthodox family of God. They are ONE WAY tax “disconnected”. The church connects on the outside, occasionally looking in. us to God. St. Ignatius the Martyr says, If Easter tells us anything, it is to call us $ plus 480 tax “Where Christ is, there is His Church.” to life in Christ, to life and involvement £∂§∂∆∂ ROUND TRIP Sometimes our own apathy and igno- in His Church. When we say Christo To Athens or Thessaloniki rance disconnects us from God and iso- Anesti and respond with Alithos Anesti, º£∏¡∞ from New York ∂π™π∆∏ƒπ∞ lates us from our fellowship in God’s it is a witness to on-going faith in our RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY • SPACE IS LIMITED • CALL TODAY family…The Church. truly risen Christ. Pascha calls us to LOWEST HOTEL & CAR FARES AVAILABLE LOWEST PRICES IN So many disconnected Greek Or- community and communion with the ∂¶π∫√π¡ø¡∏™∆∂ ª∞∑π ª∞™ ™∆√ π¡∆∂ƒ¡∂∆ THE MARKET thodox people unfortunately treat the death-defeating, life-giving God. He Contact: Eleni & Ari Poulos church the way they treat the Depart- calls us to a new consciousness and WEB: www.eleni.com • E-mail: [email protected] ment of Motor Vehicles. Their focus is awareness. As you visit and meet with Επίσης αναλαμβάνουμε “how do I get what I need, pay for it and disconnected Greek Orthodox Chris- Διαβατήρια και Συμβολαιογραφικά NON STOP FLIGHT US AIR FROM (Πληρεξούσια, Μεταφράσεις, move on”. In other words, what does tians and exchange the greeting of Πιστοποιητικά, κ.λ.π.) PHILA TO ATHENS it cost to register my car, renew my Christos Anesti, invite them to be a part AND CONTINUE TO THESSALONIKI driver’s license or transfer my car title. of the community of saints. Tell them 1-800-989-4733 5 Bayberry Drive, Broomall, PA 19008 Once the transaction is completed we what St. Cyprian says, “Do not think Call Now and Begin Saving Money with Eleni Tours, Inc. 610-355-7730 • Fax: 610-355-0823 don’t think about the D.M.V. until the that you maintain the true Gospel of next time we need them. Christ, if you separate yourself from the In like manner, the church becomes flock of Christ.” for many a “hatch, match, patch and dis- Encourage their on-going participa- patch operation” in our life. tion in the church which was purchased “How do I baptize my child and for them by the blood of our Lord, God what does it cost?” and Savior Jesus Christ. Christos Anes- “What’s the process of getting ti! my daughter married and what does it Fr. Bakas is dean of St. Sophia Ca- cost?” thedral, Los Angeles and a faculty mem- “My marriage is falling apart – Fa- ber of Loyola Marymount University, ther help!” or School of Theology. Metropolis News Archbishop Damaskinos’ Letter of Protest Honored

By John Ackerman War II. As a result of his letter of protest, Archbishop Damaskinos was called be- PEORIA, Ill: On March 18, the Jew- fore an SS firing squad. Also as a result ish Federation of Peoria and the Greek of his letter and actions, over 10,000 Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago hosted Greek Jews found safety and survived an educational presentation at the Peoria the Holocaust. Riverfront Museum recognizing the 75th During World War II, Archbishop Anniversary of Greek Orthodox Arch- Damaskinos stood alone in protesting the bishop Damaskinos’ Letter of Protest Holocaust. Today, the lessons within this Against the Holocaust. historic document we can still learn from. While living in Nazi occupied Polyxeni Petropoulou, the Consul Greece, Archbishop Damaskinos stands General of Greece in Chicago, made her out as the only worldwide leader to for- first ever visit to Peoria and downstate mally protest the Holocaust during World Illinois to participate at this event. MARCH - APRIL 2018 21 Reflections

Stewardship Thoughts During a Blizzard Holy Week Requires By Fr. Nikiforos Fakinos pared what Greek Orthodox communities receive here from their stewards and Our Full Participation On March 2, we were faced with re- what other denominations (Catholic, ally adverse weather, and this was also Protestant etc.) or religions receive here the case on Wednesday, March 7. When in New York. I even asked our neigh- By Jackie Morfesis is our resurrected Lord, our Sav- I was going to church to start the service bors what they offer to the local syna- ior, and our Salvation. As Orthodox of the Salutations that Friday, I was im- gogue. The beauty of Orthodoxy is that Christians, we too carry the cross – pressed by something I noticed. One of my Jewish neighbors gives it truly engages all of our senses. A but not because it is the cross that I knew there would be few persons a minimum $3,500 to $5,000 every visitor to an Orthodox Church, re- persecutes us or causes us to suffer, in Church, because the weather condi- year; he stated that it is tax deductible gardless of their faith, is in awe at rather as we witness to our Lord, we tions were terrible. However, I observed and he sees an immediate return in his the iconography, architecture, and give Him our life and are prepared people walking in the frigid weather, life to preserve his heritage and keeps majesty found within. And if they are to give our lives for Him, we too with extremely high wind, with trees his synagogue vibrant and dynamic for able to attend a service, the sights, are subject to persecution from the and branches falling over and sleet and his children and his family. I wonder if sounds, the scent of incense as the world. For we too, are of this world ice on the sidewalks. the Greek mentality of a government- hymns are elevated to the heavens is but not of this world. Do not be alarmed, they were not funded Church has anything to do breathtaking. God does not want the luke- Greek… They were walking in these with this New York phenomenon. Yes, However, as we are in the season warm. “So then because you are extremely adverse conditions to go to in Greece the Church is funded by the of Lent and approaching the celebra- lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, the nearby synagogue in observance of government, which is funded by taxa- tion of Holy Week, this is not as has I will spew thee out of my mouth.” their religious worship for Friday eve- tion, which is funded by the people (and been termed a “Passion Play.” This is Revelation 3:16. We must open our ning. The same has happened all year taking enormous loans from other coun- no production, no theatrical display, long, and all of us who live in the vi- hearts. Pray every single day. Not tries, but that is a different story). no event, nor entertainment. We do only every single day, but every cinity have observed the same cultural But, here, I do not believe that there not sit in the pews as guests to the and religious phenomenon. Families, hour we should have Christ on our is a single person who does not know services of Holy Week. As Greek mind and in our heart. He is not to children, babies in strollers, elderly per- that this is not the case. We keep, main- Orthodox Christians, we are in full sons, hundreds of people every Friday be abandoned because He does not tain and run our own Churches, Greek participation, both bodily and spiritu- abandon us. When a friend said “I evening and every Saturday morning schools, Sunday schools, youth and ally. We are in full participation in the walking to the synagogue, no matter wish I could tell Jesus how much adult programs with zero help from unfolding of Christ’s passion. I loved Him.” I said, “We tell Him what the conditions are. anyone else. We are with Him at every liturgy I do not mean to compare people every time we pray.” We should never pressure ourselves beginning with the resurrection of We are not Christians in theory of different religions; we as Orthodox beyond our means, however, we can all Lazarus. We are with Him on Palm have sacrificed for our faith tremen- and posture alone. We are Christians see what we can do personally and col- Sunday as He enters Jerusalem. Each in tangible and actual reality. Christ dously and the myriads of martyrs can lectively for our faith. word of the hymns of the Cassiane attest to the fact that we love our faith is with us and we are with Him. First and foremost, observe the and the Hymns of the Bridegroom And that is nature of true relation- with all our hearts. I just wonder, what penetrates our souls. We receive Holy would happen if our car broke down and faith. Participating in the services is an ship. Again, God does not want the indication that we have a living and Unction as a sacrament of healing for we had to walk to church. What would this walk with our Lord. We are with lukewarm. He wants all of us. Body happen if the weather was bad and we sacramental relationship with God. It is and soul. We must give full access good to become a CEO in a large cor- Him in the Garden of Gethsemene. had to face adverse conditions to get to We are with Him at His trial. We to our heart – for only then can our church? How many of us would still poration, but if Fr. Nikiforos calls you a heart open to the point of breaking CEO, be warned, it is not a compliment kneel in reverence at the procession make it to the service? I wonder if the of the cross. And we stand before and becoming malleable and trans- fact that we have everything at our dis- (CEO: Christmas–Easter–Only). We formed by the Holy Spirit. need to rejuvenate our internal urgency Him at His crucifixion. And when posal (cars, heated and air-conditioned He is taken down from the cross and Only then, can God fashion churches, comfortable pews, warm cof- to live our faith to the fullest, especially us to be what we are meant to be during this sacred time of Great Lent. placed in the tomb, were are with fee and delicious delicacies after the ser- Him in the Lamentations. And be- to serve and glorify and testify for vice, a nice parking space etc.) dilutes Charity, philanthropy and sacrifice Him. And because of this, our hearts are an outcome of the love for Christ. cause of this, we are with Him at His our sense of urgency or even our com- glorious resurrection. are prepared to be filled with His mitment to sacrifice for the faith. I won- I am convinced that when my grand- light and love as we rejoice at His mother was giving her best flour to be- We are not observers to the the- der if there is a correlation in this age atric. We are in every step along the resurrection. Christos Anesti! He is of voice command Google searches and come the prosforon for Sunday (even risen and tramples death with death. during the famine of World War II) and way, active participants in our Lord’s remote controlled everything between a journey through Holy Week. He is Not just on Pascha but every single lack of urgency to volunteer (for many her best olive oil for the church candles, day and every single moment of our she did not need a sermon on steward- with us all year through. He is with of people, thankfully not all) and the fact us in our suffering and we are with lives, both here and in eternity. that it gets harder to leave the comfort of ship. Jackie Morfessis is an educa- We all have more than what we Him in His suffering. And as is prom- our living rooms and come to pray. ised, our mourning and sorrow turns tor and active in prison ministry for So, on March 3, I attended with need. I threw away half my household belongings during Super Storm Sandy to joy at the Anastasi. Every Sunday many years. our good parish council president and is a celebration of the Anastasi. He [email protected] Philoptochos president the Clergy Laity and I do not miss anything from what Assembly of the Direct Archdiocesan I disposed (well, maybe some of my District, with representatives from all favorite books, and also some classic the parishes in the area. We listened to Greek movies I loved, but that’s it). the comparative statistics for steward- Lent is an exceptional opportunity ship commitment per family in New each year to conserve and focus on what Greek-American NJ family York and in Denver. The average contri- is really important, to pray fervently and with a 9-month-old baby, bution per family in New York is $500 to sacrifice for those we love. Let’s start and in Denver it is more than double, by giving our time to come to the ser- who are deeply rooted and well established over $1,000. Then I asked, are they vices, snow, rain, or shine! in the local community, much richer there, or do we have such a Fr. Fakinos is pastor of St. Deme- higher cost of living here? So, we com- trios Church in Merrick, Long Island. are seeking to adopt a baby of Greek descent up to 1 year old. Romans 16:17

Now I urge you brethren, note those who cause Please contact either divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine Dimitri or Georgia you learned, and avoid them. Tel. 702-271-8077or [email protected] 22 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Archons Archdiocese News Hanegraaff Leads Annual Archon Lenten Retreat

By John Mindala so familiar with truth that when coun- terfeits loom on the horizon, they recog- SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. - The Or- nize them instantaneously. Through his der of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ec- live call-in radio broadcast, he equips umenical Patriarchate in America, invit- Christians to mine the Bible for all its ed Hank Hanegraaff, popularly known wealth, answers questions on the basis as “The Bible Answer Man,” as its re- of careful research and sound reasoning, treat speaker for the 15th annual Archon and interviews today’s most significant Lenten Retreat, March 15-18. leaders, apologists, and thinkers. The retreat was held at the Dormi- He is the author of more than 20 tion of the Virgin Mary Church of the books, with more than a million cop- Hamptons, hosted by Fr. Alexander ies in print. The Complete Bible Answer Karloutsos, Archon spiritual adviser and Book--Collector’s Edition, Revised and Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, pastor. Updated, is a compendium of the most Hundreds attent the ordination at Holy Trinity Cathedral Nearly 100 Archons, spouses and common, and the most difficult, ques- participants attended the retreat which tions regarding Christianity, culture, and allowed everyone to grow in their spiri- cults that he has received over the past Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago tuality, join together in fellowship and three decades. Answers to such ques- prayer, and allowed Archons to reen- tions as “How can Christians legitimize Ordained, Enthroned ergize their commitment in the pursuit a God who orders the genocide of en- of religious freedom for the Mother tire nations?”; “Does the Bible promote Church of Constantinople. from page 5 that together we can serve as God’s left slavery?” and “What happens to a per-  and right hands, thus sharing His hope The two-day retreat focused on son who dies without ever hearing of the topic, “Experiencing the Authentic and love with the world. As I have in Jesus?” and hierarchs of the Archdiocese and my prior ministries, I intend to contin- Christian Life” broken out into three Christianity in Crisis and Resur- sessions: An Orthodox Moment, The R- other jurisdictions, the Metropolitan ue actively working in the community rection each won the Gold Medallion said in his address to the faithful, in to help those in greatest need, and I will U-L-E of Life, and Truth Matters, Life for Excellence in Christian Literature Matters More. Participants had the op- part: “Today marks a new day for the expect the same of our clergy. We must awarded by the Evangelical Christian Holy Metropolis of Chicago, a new day extend the love of God beyond the portunity to engage with Mr. Hanegraaff Publisher’s Association. Counterfeit and also worship during an evening focused on unity in service of our Lord walls of our churches and into society, Revival and The FACE That Demon- and Savior Jesus Christ. And to culti- particularly to those in greatest need of Salutations service along with a celebra- strates the Farce of Evolution each won tion of the Divine Liturgy the following vate greater unity and trust among us, that love. the association’s Silver Medallion--the we will emphasize fundamental Chris- “As your Metropolitan and father, morning, led by Fr. Ignatios Achlioptas, Fatal of Transfiguration of Christ Church in latter published in the condensed tian principles of governance and ad- I wholeheartedly accept the awesome Mattituck, Long Island. Flaws: What Evolutionists Don’t Want ministration, including accountability responsibility and obligation to lead The event was coordinated by Ar- You to Know. and transparency. you closer to Christ. It is not adequate chons Peter J. Skeadas and Michael G. Other noteworthy volumes include “I will do all that I can to open when we only focus on finances, ad- Psaros -- co-chairmen of the Spirituality The Prayer of Jesus, which rose to num- those doors that were once shut and ministration and on social ties. We Committee. ber one on the Christian Marketplace be inclusive of everyone in the work must simultaneously pay attention to About the Retreat Speaker Bestseller list October 2002, while the of the Church—especially those who our spirituality. I do not forget that the Mr. Hanegraaff, a recently Chris- DVD curriculum won a nationally rec- were once ignored or marginalized. I primary task of every hierarch is the mated Orthodox Christian, and featured ognized Angel Award for content and beseech each of you to get involved so salvation of souls.” speaker at the Third Archon Internation- creativity. Through his ground-breaking al Conference on Religious Freedom in The Apocalypse Code: What the Bible Washington, D.C., serves as president Really Teaches about the End Times and chairman of the board of the North and Why It Matters Today, as well as Carolina based Christian Research Insti- the thriller Fuse of Armageddon and tute. He is also host of the nationally syn- historical fiction The Last Disciple Se- dicated Bible Answer Man radio broad- ries, Hanegraaff exposes the dangers cast, which is heard daily across the of both Christian and secular Zionism. United States and Canada and around In Has God Spoken? Hank provides the world via the Internet at equip.org. memorable proofs of the Bible’s divine Widely regarded as one of the inspiration. world’s leading Christian authors and Hanegraaff and his wife, Kathy, live apologists, Mr. Hanegraaff is deeply in Charlotte, N.C., and are parents to 12 committed to equipping Christians to be children. L-100 Members Create ‘Hellenic Hearts’  from page 13 munity service events scheduled by the advisors. During the spring the organi- (top) Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh leads Metropolitan-elect Nathanael around the altar. (below) only a single icon of Jesus Christ sur- zation will begin accepting applications Archbishop Demetrios presents the new metropolitan with his vestments. vived that devastating fire. It also aided a for 15, $1,000 need-based scholarships. woman fighting breast cancer pay for an Naming opportunities are available for expensive experimental treatment after endowed scholarships. her insurance company refused to pay. The main fundraising event, Hel- She is doing well. lenic Hearts Golf Invitational, which in- Hellenic Hearts also created the cluded the annual dinner, will take place Educational Guidance Program, directed June 4 at Rolling Green Country Club in by Louie Karapanagiotides. Along with Springfield, Pa. The club recently hosted his numerous volunteer advisors, Karap- the U.S. Women’s Amateur Golf Tour- anagiotides manages college preparation nament (2016). symposiums and community service Since its founding, Hellenic Hearts events for deserving Greek American has envisioned spreading to every major students. city in the nation, to serve as a safety net Twelve students were chosen as the for Hellenes in need. The organization Class of 2017 and were provided free will assist anyone who wishes to estab- SAT tutoring through Princeton Review. lish a Hellenic Hearts Chapter in their As a result of the prep course, the stu- area. dents increased their scores 110-185 For more information, visit Helleni- MargaretAntzoulatos@Hel- points. The program participation also cHearts.org or GOA/D.Panagos photos requires the students to engage in com- lenicHearts.org. MARCH - APRIL 2018 23 OCMC Philoptochos Ministries Supports Mission Priests Across the Globe

By Markella Balasis port two OCMC short-term medical Mission Teams to Guatemala and Indo- Philoptochos shares in the daily nesia. Dr. Cheryl Johnson was part of ministry to our brothers and sisters in the Indonesia Mission Team that volun- Africa and Southeast Asia through the teered at the RSU Theotokos Orthodox Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s Hospital in Medan. She notes, “There Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) pro- is a lot of diabetes and hypertension in gram. In 2017, Philoptochos donated Indonesia, probably from their carbohy- $36,000, enough to sponsor 60 SAMP drate and sweet-laden diet. We talked priests for a full year. The SAMP pro- a lot about the importance of diet and gram not only assists priests and dea- medicine.” cons, but now also includes two bishops. She experienced what it means Bishop Neofitos (Kongai) and Bishop to spread the gospel by offering her Athanasios (Akunda), both graduated skills as a medical professional. Cher- OCMC Board President, John Colis (left), OCMC Executive Director, Fr. Martin Ritsi (right), OCMC Board from Holy Cross School of Theology. yl affirms, “The important part of the Member and Event Chair, Athena Economou (center right) with Lou and Helen Nicozisis at the first inaugural As priests, they were sponsored by the short-term mission is to bring together OCMC Celebration Gala in Boca Raton, Fla., where the Nicozisis family was recognized for their tremendous SAMP program for many years, and Orthodox Christians both in the U.S. support of Orthodox missions. Photo courtesy of Diane Parsons Photography. SAMP continues to support them in and across the world.” Nicholas Man- their ministry as bishops in Kenya. uel volunteered with a Mission Team Bishop Neofitos writes, “You can- in northern Guatemala at the Fr. Andrés OCMC Honors Longtime Trustees not imagine how many souls you are Giron Clinic on a health care outreach. saving through your effort to support The team treated 228 villagers over Helen and Louis Nicozisis needy priests. For us in the Diocese of five-days. Nicholas took each patient’s Nyeri and Mount Kenya, the last two vitals: “I was able to hold every pa- ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Or- Emeritus Fr. Alexander Veronis, current years have been an abundance of bless- tient’s hand. Each encounter helped me thodox Christian Mission Center hon- OCMC Board President John Colis, ings! We have seen the true light and see and understand the person in front ored trustees Helen and Louis Nicozisis and OCMC founder, Bishop Dimitrios have received blessings through our of me. I believe it is through each hand for their lifetime dedication to Orthodox (Couchell) of Xanthos. brothers and sisters. Truly with God that I encountered Christ within the oth- Missions and the OCMC at a Feb. 10 Louis Nicozisis was recognized for all things are possible!” Also in 2017, er person.” celebration in Boca Raton, Fla. his lifelong service to Orthodox Mis- Philoptochos provided $25,000 in Ms. Balassis is Agape/SAMP Coor- Helen Nicozisis was recognized for sionaries and the Church. Louis was grants for Orthodox Missions to sup- dinator her role as the first layperson president awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Hon- of the OCMC Board, elected in 2001. or in 2002, after serving for 17 years She has served on the OCMC Board for on the Archdiocesan Council. He was three decades, in addition to being Capi- council chairman and, in his service, tal Campaign Committee chairman, underwrote and initiated its Department which led to the May 2009 dedication of Outreach and Evangelism. of the OCMC’s Archbishop Anastasios In addition to his many years of and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary dedication, Louis also served on the Training and Administration Building. Leadership 100 Board from 1996 to Some of Helen’s other achieve- 2010. He became an Archon of the Ecu- ments include board president of the menical Patriarchate of the Order of St. Endowment Fund for Orthodox Mis- Andrew in 1992. sions (EFOM) in 1981, and as Mission Archbishop Demetrios and Con- Institute Board president of EFOM. gressman Gus Bilirakis offered congrat- St. Demetrios Church photo OCMC trustee Athena Economou ulatory messages. chaired the gala. It included presenta- Mike Emanuel of FOX News The faithful at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Seattle, WA show their support of Orthodox mis- tions from OCMC Executive Director served as the evening’s master of cer- sions by welcoming special guest speaker Dr. Olympia Tachopoulou to talk about her medical mission Fr. Martin Ritsi, OCMC’s President emonies. team experience and by holding a Lenten Deli Sale! Guatemala Missionary Visits Seattle Church Metropolis News By Caitlyn Sargent and the growth of the Church. During Liturgy, a special tray dedi- SEATTLE - St. Demetrios Church cated to OCMC was passed. Afterwards, participated in the Orthodox Christian OCMC parish ambassadors Chris and Mission Center’s annual Mission Sun- Paula Macris held the traditional annual day on Feb. 18, a day designated to pray Lenten Deli Sale, offering a variety of for and to support Orthodox Missions. mostly fast-worthy food items. All pro- The church hosted special guest ceeds each year go to OCMC. speaker Dr. Olympia Tachopoulou, who The Deli Sale was begun by Chris’s spoke on her experience serving as an mother Eugenia, of blessed memory, be- OCMC short-term Medical Mission gan the sale. She served for many years Team member in Aguacate, Guatemala as a very active OCMC Ambassador in November. for the parish. The Macris family was a Dr. Tachopoulou, a specialist in in- benefactor of the Mission Center build- fectious diseases in Tacoma, Wash., was ing in St. Augustine, Fla.. named in the Best Doctors 2017 issue of Also showcased at St. Demetrios Seattle Magazine and is a board member was a display table with various OCMC of South Sound Women in Medicine. literature, coin boxes, and donation en- Dr. Tachopoulou and other medical pro- velopes, as well as a slide show of pho- viders volunteered at the Fr. Andres Gi- tos showing the Guatemala Medical ron Clinic in Aguacate. Team at work, which helped further the She made an inspiring and heartfelt Mission Sunday success. presentation as she described how she St. Demetrios raised a total of al- and other team members treated hun- most $1,800 for Orthodox Missions. dreds of the Mayan people who needed There are many opportunities to it most. She also spoke highly of OC- serve in the missions program. For more MC’s long-term missionaries in Guate- information, visit www.ocmc.org, e- District Philoptochos mala and concluded by emphasizing the mail us at [email protected], or call Members of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos hold their annual meeting at Church of the need for worldwide Orthodox Missions us at 1-877-463-6784 to learn more. Resurrection in Port Washington, N.Y., March 3. GOA/D.Panagos photo 24 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Encyclical Feast of the Annunciation Day of Greek Independence

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, sible through our faith in God. He has the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the and continues to reveal Himself to us Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and in great and marvelous ways. Just as Members of the Parish Councils of the He fulfilled His promise of salvation, Greek Orthodox Communities, the Dis- He continues to fulfill His promises to tinguished Archons of the Ecumenical His people. Through our faith in Him, Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and we are able to accomplish what seems Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sis- impossible. Through our commitment terhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Orga- to God’s will, we are participants in the nizations, and the entire Greek Ortho- miraculous, and we move beyond the dox Family in America limits of human ability to the unlimited Beloved Brothers and Sisters in potential of faith and the power of God. Christ, As we live in communion with Him, as On this blessed and glorious Feast we offer a witness of grace to others, and of the Annunciation, we celebrate a mi- as we worship and serve in His name, raculous event that affirms with God we hear and say the words of Christ, All nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:37) things are possible to him who believes! We gather to worship, as we commemo- (Mark 9:23) rate the appearance of the Archangel In our celebration of this Feast, Gabriel to the Virgin Mary announcing we also commemorate a victorious the Incarnation of our Lord. We rejoice struggle for independence that was in- in the proclamation to the Theotokos, spired by faith and strengthened by the as God reveals His divine plan for our acclamation, with God nothing is im- redemption from sin and our salvation possible. Today, Greek Independence from death. We marvel at her faith in Day, honors the valor of our forbearers Him and obedience to His will. who longed for liberty and fought for On this Feast we express our freedom. It is a day that celebrates our amazement just as we proclaim that cherished heritage and ideals that led the through faith all things are possible with people of Greece to believe they could God. With the revelation of the power accomplish the impossible--throw off and grace of Almighty God, we wonder centuries of oppression and be free. as did the Virgin Mary, How shall this Through faith in God and hope for a bet- be? (Luke 1:34) ter future, the impossible became pos- “How shall He whose throne is sible. Through struggle and sacrifice, heaven and whose footstool is the earth the people of Greece achieved freedom be held in the womb of a woman?” and the unlimited possibilities of liberty Καλό Πάσχα (Hymn of Vespers) The Archangel an- and self-determination. swers, The Holy Spirit will come upon Today, as we honor their memory, you, and the power of the Most High as we cherish liberty in the heritage of will overshadow you; therefore the child Greece and America, and as we are in- to be born will be called holy, the Son spired by the faith of our forbearers, may of God. For with God nothing will be we also give glory and thanksgiving to impossible. (Luke 1:35, 37) God for His revelation for our salvation As it was shown through the faith of and for the witness of faith offered by the Virgin Mary, all things are possible the Theotokos. for those who believe in the revelation In the liberty we have through and promises of God. Before the An- Christ and through our faith and the nunciation, she lived in faith, trusting power of God’s grace, the possibilities that His promises would be fulfilled. are unlimited. Through our commitment Upon the revelation of the Incarnation, to His will, lives will be transformed her faith was affirmed and strengthened and saved, many will find healing and Over $600,000 in food donated to Greece & Cyprus as she heard the announcement of the hope, and the miraculous and abundant Archangel, You will conceive in your blessings of God will be shown through In partnership with the IOCC AHEPA to date has sent over womb and bear a son, and you shall call all the world. his name Jesus. He will be great…and $12 Million in medical supplies to Hospitals in Greece. the Lord God will give to him the throne With paternal love in Christ, of his father David…and of his kingdom Awards $1.8 Million annually in Educational Scholarships there will be no end. (Luke 1:32-33) across North America. Today, as we celebrate God’s revelation for our salvation, we also find † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America The AHEPA Supreme President, Lodge and all joy in knowing that all things are pos- National officers wish everyone a Happy Easter 2018 YEARBOOK Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Includes general information, Metropolis & Parish 96 Years of Service to the Community listings, Archdiocese Departmental and Institutions information and other valuable resources. $ $ 2O18 Only 18 + 6 S&H YEARBOOK AHEPA Headquarters 1909 Q St., NW • Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 Call 212.774.0244 to purchase your copy with a credit card or send a check to Greek Orthodox Archdiocese greek orthodox archdiocese of america ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ Phone 202.232.6300 • Fax 202.232.2140 • To join AHEPA, visit ahepa.org ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ Dept. of Communications, 8 East 79 Street, NY, NY 10075 MARCH - APRIL 2018 25 Family Connections Anxiety and the Life in Christ By Marcus Geromes M.Div., LMFT esting parallels between clinical tech- niques and the ascetic experience of Anxiety and anxiety related disor- the Church. ders account for nearly a third of what The preferred therapeutic model Americans spend on mental health an- for anxiety reduction is “Cognitive nually, or $42 billion per year. Accord- Behavioral Therapy,” a method which ing to the National Institute of Mental began to develop in the 1950s and fo- Health, roughly 40 million Americans cuses on the link between our thoughts or 18 percent of the population suffer and how we feel and ultimately behave. from anxiety and anxiety related disor- The wisdom of the Church, as reflected ders and, of those people, nearly half in both our Scriptural and Patristic Tra- experience depression in conjunction dition, has a remarkably similar pre- with anxiety. scription for the reduction of chronic With these statistics in mind, it’s worry. fair to assume that Orthodox Christians In Philippians 4:6-8, St. Paul are also grappling with the effects of writes, “Be anxious for nothing, but anxiety in their lives and are wrestling in everything prayer and supplication, with how to work through the discom- with thanksgiving, let your requests be fort of this emotion. made known to God; and the peace of Genetics, environment, and trau- God, which surpasses all understand- ma can all contribute to anxiety, so ing, will guard your hearts and minds it’s a complex experience that takes a through Jesus Christ. Finally, breth- multi-faceted approach when working ren, whatever things are true, whatever to reduce symptoms. Anxiety is what things are noble, whatever things are psychologist Chip Dodd refers to as an just, whatever things are pure, what- “impaired emotion,” stemming from ever things are lovely, whatever things fear, which has a future-oriented com- are of good report, if there is any virtue ponent to it. Often with anxiety we try and if there is anything praiseworthy, to control or establish an illusion of meditate on these things.” Soak Up the SON: Starting May 20 control around issues that may cause us Not only is St. Paul advocating that distress, even though we may have very we rely on God rather than retreating to SUMMER IS COMING! We Christ our God.” To participate, check little control in reality. This worry can our own illusions of control, but he ex- bask in this wonderful time for fam- out our website and Facebook page become problematic to the individual horts us to focus on those things which ily, friends, relaxing, and fun. It’s time each week for a new theme. From or family when it becomes a baseline are truly beautiful. By training our for vacations from work and school. there, you can modify the program to state of being or what psychologists re- minds to focus on content that brings But there is one vacation we shouldn’t us joy, we begin to indirectly influence your liking. fer to as “homeostasis.” consider this summer—and that is Anxiety comes in two predominant the emotions that cause us distress. The most important part of forms. Though it gets a lot of bad press, Additionally, modern psychol- from Church. Church should be the #soakuptheSON is to share it—with the first type is vitally important for our ogy has established a link between center of our lives throughout the year, your family at home, your family at and summer is no exception. Join us survival. gratitude and the reduction of depres- church, and your family of friends. “Acute anxiety” is one of the sion and anxiety. A daily practice of this summer as we #soakuptheSON. body’s best survival tools and helps gratitude, which is a focus on our gifts What Is #soakuptheSON? Share it with us, your family at the us to respond quickly when we are in rather than a comparison of what oth- #soakuptheSON is a summer pro- Center for Family Care, by using the imminent danger. Our body’s sympa- ers do or don’t have, is also something gram for individuals, couples, and hashtag #soakuptheSON. We look for- thetic nervous system sends informa- that St. Paul prescribes in the passage families to assist them in deepening ward to connecting with you! tion to the parts of the brain that make quoted above. Recall that he advises their relationship with Christ and His Don’t miss out! This sum- us react to protect ourselves, to quickly us to approach God in everything with mer relax, have fun, and use lots of get out of harm’s way, or to be still. thanksgiving. Church. The weekly content is offered This is known the “fight, flight, or faint Elder Thaddeus’s famous work, as a reminder “to commit ourselves sunscreen—but most importantly, response.” This present-focused form “Our Thoughts Determine our Lives,” and one another and our whole lives to #soakuptheSON! of anxiety resolves itself quickly as the also identifies cultivating positive threat passes, and can be understood thoughts like gratitude, rather than as the body’s way of energizing you to negative thoughts, as a way through keep yourself safe. which we enter into greater levels of Prayer for Anxiety Conversely, “generalized anxiety” hesychia. He writes, “Our life depends or “chronic anxiety” is the type of anxi- on the kind of thoughts we nurture. If O Lord of hosts, calm my anxious heart. In Your love and concern for the ety that stays with us even in the ab- our thoughts are peaceful, calm, meek, salvation of my soul, bring to mind Your loving kindness and grant me Your sence of an immediate threat. This sec- and kind, then that is what our life is ond type of anxiety can cause intrusive like. If our attention is turned to the cir- strength to block out every thought or feeling that does not bring glory to You. and ruminating thoughts, restlessness, cumstances in which we live, we are Teach me to keep my mind in the present that I may meditate upon Your good- insomnia, and headaches, among oth- drawn into a whirlpool of thoughts and ness whenever I am assaulted by anxious thoughts. If I may not be freed from ers symptoms. There are many reasons can have neither peace nor tranquil- the anxiety plaguing me, let me continue to work out my salvation, and allow for this type of anxiety, both genetic ity.” Modern research indicates that our me to know Your peace and trust You for each step heavenward. Amen. and environmental, but it is this chronic brains simply do a poor job of multi- – From the Ascetic Lives of Mothers by Annalisa Boyd type that causes disruptions in the qual- tasking. So, as we train our minds to ity of our life and causes us to lose our practice gratitude, we simultaneously overall sense of peace and stillness or lose focus of those things which bring “hesychia.” us anxiety. brains, thereby opening ourselves to a modern medicine and therapy have to “Generalized anxiety” is predomi- Additionally, recent clinical stud- more peaceful experience of daily life. offer, that we find rest from the worry nantly treated with medication, therapy, ies have shown that, in as little as eight Christ and His Church offer salva- of this world. And, as we find peace, exercise, or some combination of all weeks, we can change brain structures tion, eternal life, and the hope of the those around us will encounter Christ’s three. As Orthodox Christians we have through the practice of a regular prayer Resurrection. The church is not a type saving rest as well. additional tools at our disposal. Our rule. The amygdala is a primitive struc- of psychiatric medication or a fabrica- Marcus is a graduate of Holy liturgical experience, the regular par- ture in the brain integral to the fight, tion meant to calm our existential cri- Cross School of Theology and lives ticipation in the Sacramental life of the flight, or faint response; it causes us to ses. It is the place where we experience with his wife in Nashville, where they Church, and a community of believers be reactive rather than responsive. As the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven attend Holy Trinity Church. Marcus is with whom we can draw strength each we engage in our prayer rule and en- and God’s love for mankind through a licensed marriage and family thera- provides us with resource for moving ter into the beautiful and mystical re- the ultimate expression of gratitude in pist in private practice, and works with toward stillness of mind and body. In ality of our Orthodox services, we are the Eucharist. It is in this experience, individuals and couples on emotional fact, in some cases, we can see inter- literally changing the structure of our in conjunction with the best of what and relational health. 26 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Metropolis News Religious Education Heroic Seattle Priest Receives National Meeting the Needs of Adult Learners

Boy Scout Honor Medal for Saving Life By Rev. Dr. Anton Vrame what we’ve written so far about adult education. To summarize, the earlier posts By Clifford T. Argue ant and the victim. The assailant twice We can identify three different ways discussed that there are different ways threatened him with the knife, telling to develop an adult education program in of organizing content in adult religious SEATTLE – Fr. Michael Johnson, him to get out of the way, but he held a parish. They were Learning the Tradi- education, from basic to more advanced. his ground. The standoff continued for tion, Deepening Knowledge of the Tra- Second, I presented that adult education assistant priest at Assumption Church, dition, and Applying the Tradition. Es- must meet the developmental – intellec- received the National Boy Scouts of several minutes until the police, called sentially each of these creates levels of tual, emotional, spiritual, religious, and America Honor Medal March 8 for “un- by neighbors who also moved the child engagement with the adult learner, from physical needs – of adulthood across the usual heroism in saving…life at consid- to safety, arrived and the assailant was basics to something more advanced. adult lifespan. erable risk to self.” apprehended and arrested. The mother We should think about the nature of What does this mean in practice? To Mike Quirk, Scout executive of the was taken to the hospital, and fortunate- adulthood itself. If you ever took a hu- offer a concrete example, I want to share BSA’s Chief Seattle Council, presented ly, all her wounds eventually healed. man development course, you may recall some ideas about working with one age the award during the council’s annual “I’m so grateful the Lord put you that as we develop across our lifespan group of adults. It’s one you may not be meeting at the Museum of Flight. As there,” the victim said to Fr. Michael we go through different states of devel- familiar with: emerging adults. far as is known, Fr. Michael is the first during a joint television interview sev- opment. In a nutshell, there are physical In the last 20 years, psychologists eral days later. stages, cognitive and emotional stages, have been discussing a new develop- Orthodox priest ever to receive the BSA and social stages. Theorists over the last mental category of adulthood: emerging Honor Medal. Attending the ceremony In a letter read by Fr. Kouldukis at century have studied them and named adult. An emerging adult is no longer were Fr. Michael’s daughters Maria the award ceremony, Metropolitan Ger- them. These understandings have had a a teenager but is not yet a young adult. Johnson and Alexia Cortes-Johnson, asimos of San Francisco echoed those huge influence on education as well as Emerging adults tend be between eigh- and Fr. Dean Kouldukis, proistamenos same thoughts in praising Fr. Michael’s other areas of life. teen and thirty years old. Because of of Assumption Church. heroism. Adulthood is also a stage of devel- lengthy educations, delaying marriage, Last October on a sunny autumn “You were exactly where God opment, with biological, cognitive and job insecurities, there is an unsettled day a young mother was pushing a wanted you to be, as a faithful man and emotional, and social stages. The reli- quality in this developmental phase. stroller with her five-month old son servant, coming to the aid of innocent gious questions of adults also develop When researches asked men and wom- through a residential neighborhood in victims.” The Metropolitan noted, add- over time. Adult development should be en in this age group the about these and ing “You remained calm in the face of considered when creating an adult educa- other issues, the most common answers West Seattle. Suddenly, without warn- tion program. When our adult education were “yes and no.” Yes, I want to be mar- ing, she was attacked from behind with danger, placing yourself in harm’s way, work meets the needs of the people, the ried, but no I am not married, nor have I a large knife. As it turned out, the attack- so as to defuse a serious and volatile more successful we are likely to be. found the person yet. Yes, I want to find er was a homeless woman, completely situation.” All adults are not in the same place my career, but no I keep changing jobs. unknown to the victim. The knife cut A 54-year veteran of the Boy Scout developmentally. In short, in adult educa- A young adult, in this understanding has into the victim’s face and the top of her program, Fr. Michael earned the rank of tion, “one size does not fit all.” answered the questions but is merely head, and she went down on her knees. Eagle Scout in his youth. As an adult, My grandmother had a saying, relatively at the beginning stages, for When she put up her arms to protect he has organized, led and promoted Or- “Where you are, I was. Where I am, you example, newly married, in a job for a herself, the knife cut deeply into the top thodox Scout troops. He received the are headed.” Think about it. If you are relatively longer period of time. As with of her left hand, damaging some of the Silver Beaver award from the Chief Se- sixty years old and reading this today, other elements of adult development, this attle Council in 2004, and in the same how are you different physically, emo- stage of growth is more about changing tendons. tionally, intellectually, socially, and reli- social roles rather than changing physical At that moment, Fr. Michael, 79, year, the Prophet Elias award from the giously from when you were thirty-five or cognitive qualities. came walking by, heard the screams and Orthodox Church. For many years, he years old. Looking at people older than Knowing this and more about saw what was happening. He realized has also served as the Pacific Northwest yourself, how are they different from emerging adults (I highly recommend some immediate action was needed to Outreach Coordinator for the Eastern where you are now? reading about various stages of keep the assailant from attacking again. Orthodox Committee on Scouting. Each stage of adult life has different adulthood), a parish or diocesan ministry “I’m not a brave person, but there Clifford T. Argue is vice chairman questions and concerns that could be- can begin to develop programs or events was nobody else. I just had to do it,” Fr. of the Archdiocesan Council Commu- come the basis for adult education work that meet the particular needs of this Michael told a reporter later at the scene. nications Committee, an Archon and in the parish. Parenting, vocation and period of life. Stepping into the street, Fr. Mi- an Orthodox Christian Mission Center career, marriage, making sense of life’s Given the unsettled pattern in emerg- trustee. journey as we age, prayer, just to name ing adulthood, with all the “yes and no” chael took a position between the assail- a few. We also have to keep in mind that answers to questions, a program could adulthood brings with it many physical be created to work on issues of discern- and cognitive changes as well, ranging ment and decision about life choices. from hearing and vision to comfort in a Most emerging adults (and even many of Corrections chair, recall and memory issues, and oth- us older adults) were told they “could be ers. In general, all these areas decline as anything” in life. Certainly an empow- In the January-February Orthodox Observer, a picture in the San Francisco we age. We still learn and are very ca- ering message, but within the message Folk Dance Festival page was misidentified. It should have indicated the group pable of learning, but it can take us a bit is potentially the problem of avoid “set- The Minoans II dance group from Nativity of Christ Church in Novato Cali- longer, the environment has to be “right” tling” or “choosing” the path or direc- fornia (Marin County) which won the Division II Dance Sweepstakes award. for the learning to occur. tion. With supposed unlimited possibili- What can we do? ties, choosing can be painful. “What if I Target the program to a specific make the wrong choice?” is the nagging In the picture of the Nashville church centennial on page 23 in the last is- group. In a marriage program, for ex- interior question. If so, avoid choosing; sue, the name of the parish priest, Fr. Parthenios Turner, was not included. ample, while couples certainly learn “keep the options open.” An adult edu- from the experiences of couples across cation program, a retreat, could look at the span of a marriage, you might want to the choices that we make, how we make target some programs for newly married, them, finding the positive dimension of or couples that have been married for a the choice. An adult education program Guidelines for Centennial News few decades. Younger adults are typically could use texts from the Bible, lives of more concerned about discerning their saints, and spiritual writings as sources As the Archdiocese will mark the 100th year of its founding in 1922, a future place in the world. Older adults are to study, find inspiration, and stimulate th th typically more concerned about reflect- conversation. This same approach could number of parishes founded in the decades the late 19 and early 20 centuries ing on their lives and making sense of be done with emerging adults to discuss have already celebrated their centennials and more and more communities will their life’s journey. issues of marriage, vocation, and their also mark this important milestone in the coming years. Consider the environment. Espe- engagement with the world around them: The Orthodox Observer welcomes articles and photos from parishes on cially for older learners, the space should Church, community, and beyond. their celebrations and offers a few guidelines for submission of articles and in- be bright enough, the acoustics should Naturally, while older adults certain- formation about these events. Communities planning a series of events taking be appropriate, the chairs easy to get in ly face decisions in life, once they have place over the course of the year, may submit an article noting these activities and out of. Don’t expect a group of senior answered the emerging adult questions, two or three months in advance for publication in an issue of the Observer prior citizens to look forward to sitting on the resolving issues of career, marriage, etc. to the start of festivities. floor! the questions and issues change. So, If a celebratory activity such as a banquet or other formal program, is Taking all of this into account, par- emerging adults, young adults, middle ishes can develop programs that meet aged adults, and senior adults each have planned, an article and photos may be sent immediately after it has taken place. the religious, social, cognitive and emo- their distinct questions and concerns. Articles and stories may be 500 to 700 words in length. tional, physical, questions and needs of Those responsible for ministering to Pictures should be high resolution (300 dpi or greater). Photos posted on- adults. Combining these ideas with the adults in a parish, organizing adult edu- line are not of high enough resolution for use in a print publication. Further “levels” of education mentioned in the cation programs and events, should be photo guidelines are available on the classified advertising page. More infor- earlier post, creates many rich possibili- spending time getting to know the needs mation, e-mail: [email protected] ties. of these stages in order to develop pro- Let’s consider a concrete example of grams that meet particular needs. MARCH - APRIL 2018 27 Parish Profile Popular Tourist Destination Also Features the ‘Daytona (Beach) 250’

Syrian background, came to the parish af- AT A GLANCE ter serving St. Stefanos in St.Petersburg, Fla. Name: Demetrios Greek Even though new families and con- verts are added every year to the parish Orthodox Church of St. Demetrios, the community still has Location: Daytona Beach, Fla. parishioners who at the time of the estab- Founded: 1952 lishment of the church were children, or are the descendants of the first families Clergy: Rev. Dr. Joseph and those who have come thereafter. Sev- Samaan (Ph.D. in Theology, eral generations, including immigrants, comprise the community, along with University of Athens, 2000) non-Greek background members. Size: about 250 families St. Demetrios photo About 8 million tourists a year visit Daytona Beach, including during “Race Web: www.stdemetriosday- St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church Week”, a highlight of the tourist season tona.org gatherings. The choir, under Presbytera Polyzoides of the Charlotte Diocese visit- when the Daytona 500 takes place. In E-mail: office@stdemetrios- Linda’s guidance, is composed from ed Daytona Beach; but determined that a the past many parishioners owned tour- youngsters as little as six years old. Greek Orthodox church in the city would ist industry-related businesses such as daytona.org The Greek dance program under the not be viable. However, the determined restaurants and gift stores. Though the Like us on Facebook: https://m. guidance of a large volunteer team led by Greek immigrant families who had set- number has decreased, some still work in Ashleigh Augustine, represent their par- tled from various Greek islands and the tourism. facebook.com/fathersamaan ish at the annual Greek Festival and at mainland established a church commu- Fr. Joseph remarked that, in regard Follow our blog: http://thev- the Metropolis of Atlanta Hellenic Dance nity and held services, first in rented fa- to St. Demetrios’ future, the past 66 Festival, and respond to invitations from cilities, then in a former Seventh Day Ad- years and the gloriously rich history of oiceofthegoodshepherd.word- local cultural and charitable groups to ventist church building they purchased. Christian service and philanthropy by St. perform Greek dances. By the late 60s, the community had press.com The Greek School program, led by Demetrios in Daytona Beach “haven’t grown and needed larger facilities. Prop- even scratched the surface in comparison Sini Vlahopoulos Parrish, is another chil- erty was purchased and a new church dren’s oriented program. to the potential future of philanthropic, DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Site was completed in 1974. It is staffed with volunteers and gath- After a few years of being served spiritual, social services and ministries of the most prestigious NASCAR auto ers for classes on Monday afternoons. that are waiting for St. Demetrios parish- race, the Daytona 500, held each year in by part-time clergy, the parish has had With the newly formed homeschool only four priests over the last 50 years: ioners to accomplish through the grace of February, year-round this city of about program led by Charity Sauskojus, both God, for the glory of Jesus Christ name, 62,000 is home to about 250 families that programs try amidst the loaded children’s Fr. Nick Manousakis (20 years), Fr. John comprise St. Demetrios Church. Athas (13 years), Fr. George Papadeas and for the service and salvation of all school schedule and activities to keep the mankind.” St. Demetrios is one of the area language, culture, and the Orthodox Hel- (8 years) and Fr. Joseph Samaan (cur- Greek Orthodox communities that pro- lenic spirit alive in the hearts and minds rent,-10 years). Fr. Samaan, who is of Compiled by Jim Golding vide strong support for the St. Photios of all parishioners through its educational Greek Orthodox National Shrine and the and cultural activities. Orthodox Christian Mission Center, lo- GOYA, under the guidance of An- cated in nearby St. Augustine. drew Anthony, organize their annual re- Parishioners support OCMC in vari- gional Beach Reach Retreat, and partici- STERLING TRAVEL ous ways. Gus Pogas leads monthly ef- pate in other parishes GOYA events. forts of distributing and collecting can- St. Demetrios youngsters hold an- isters at the stores of the parishioners in nual outdoor events that bring the Greek www.hellastickets.com • [email protected] support of some OCMC programs. Pa- community to the public’s. Cheap Tickets, rishioners support OCMC either through The Epiphany outdoor service and Great Price direct donations or through the Sun- retrieving of the cross on the first Satur- day school drives in support of OCMC. day each year in De Leon Springs State According to a parish history, the in- Park in Deland, and the “Torch Run” of volvement of St. Demetrios parishioners several miles from City Hall to the church TICKETS 2 GREECE ON SALE was also instrumental in supporting the on the first day of the Greek Festival are establishment of the St. Photios National some of the events that draw attention Greek Orthodox Shrine in St. Augustine, from the public and news organizations. the oldest city in America. Philoptochos activities Today the Avero house on St. George Besides all the recommended Na- Street hosts a chapel of St. Photios that tional and Metropolis Philanthropic από was the refuge of the first Greek immi- causes, St. Demetrios is guided by St. ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ grants after their emancipation after they Barbara’s local Philoptochos chapter led had landed in America in the year 1768 by Raven Kastis; a good number of local $ as indentured servants of Dr. Andrew charities benefit from the philanthropic Turnbull who established the New Smyr- spirit of all the parishioners. na Colony in Florida. Single mothers, girls in special pro- ΑΘΗΝΑ St. Demetrios parishioners were also grams, kids under institutional care, instrumental in supporting the erection of school students, and children of home- the AHEPA monument in remembrance less families, food pantries, in addition of about 1,500 pioneer indentured ser- to Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas vants in New Smyrna city where regular dinners hosted at the church community ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ celebrations and festivities are held in co- center are some examples of the year Με επιστροφή operation with the local AHEPA chapter round charitable offerings in support of for educational and religious reasons. the local Daytona Beach community. + FUEL FEES + TAXES EXTRA • Περιορισμένος 299αριθμός θέσεων • Restrictions Apply Active youth group The seniors of St. Demetrios group According to parish information, the VIP led by Tas Coroneos have their share Χαμηλές τιμές για ΑΠΛΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ • ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΟΛΕΙΣ Greek school has about 15 students and as well of a busy and purposeful calendar the Sunday school has close to 50. Sun- and activities that keep them involved be- day school, under the guidance of Voula yond helping with the Greek festival or Koulouris, keeps the children active in a the other various small groups such as the variety of religious, educational, and cul- “Crochet Ladies” or “Prayer Group.” P.O. Box 800306, Miami, Fla., 33280 ture events. Baking Prosforo, learning to The Greek festival, held the second make Koliva, arts, and music are some weekend in November, accounts for less Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Call Toll Free): 1.800.473.3238 • 1.908.213.1251 examples of the curricula and activities than 25 percent of the parish budget, with Altogether, about 90 children of all the rest funded by stewardship, individu- ages are an integral part of parish life, al donations and grants by parishioners. ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ and are constantly present during church Around 1950, Bishop Germanos 28 MARCH - APRIL 2018 Archdiocese News Obituaries

Presv. Emilia Metallinos of Olympos and as a priest Oct. 11 by White House Hosts G.I.D. Reception ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Emilia Archbishop Michael in Harrisburg, Pa. Metallinos (Linos), 83, beloved wife of He served the parishes of Prophet  from page 3 Finally, we see Greece’s enduring Rev. Peter Metallinos, beloved mother Elias in Dubuque, Iowa, and St. Deme- influence through so many Americans of Jack (Megan) and Dr. Elizabeth Linos, trios in Waterloo, Iowa, (part-time) from Presidence Remarks Continue of Greek descent, who contributed so and beloved grandmother of Emilia and 1953-59. Fr. Arseniu’s next assignment on March 25, 1821, after almost four much to this nation that we love. Claire Linos died Feb. 27. She is also was St. George Church in Albuquerque, centuries of foreign rule, brave Greek In celebrating Greek Indepen- survived by nieces, Jennifer Constantin N.M., where he served until Aug. 31, patriots fought to reclaim their freedom, and Aundrea Sofronas; nephews Jack 1968. While in New Mexico, he was dence, we honor this influence and we instrumental in having the state Legis- their sovereignty, and their right of self- remember our common heritage. We Metallinos and Arthur Plathe. Emilia determination. took pride and joy in devoting her ef- lature acknowledge Eastern Orthodoxy take renewed confidence that whatever forts to assist in her husband’s ministry, as a major faith. The Greek fight for independence challenges we might face, anytime in He then served Holy Trinity in Ra- enjoyed an outpouring of support which she did for over five decades. Her the future, we will face them together last words to her daughter, Elizabeth, leigh, N.C., and St. George in Lynch- throughout the Western world. The —we’ll all be together— as members of were, “I’ve had a good life, I’m happy.” burg, Va., where he also was employed citizens of France, Great Britain, the a great community of nations. Presvytera and Fr. Peter were mar- as an inmate grievance investigator and United States, and many other nations as a chaplain with the State of North And like our ancestors, we too will ried more than five decades and to- were moved to action by a cultural and gether they served the Cleveland-area Carolina Department of Correction, Di- historical kinship tracing back thou- draw strength from the bonds of history parishes of Annunciation, St Demetrios, vision of Prisons. sands of years to Ancient Greece, the and culture that unite our countries and and Sts. Constantine and Helen, being a He retired in July 1989. birthplace of —and you know what this shape our destinies. part of the Greek Orthodox community Survivors include Presvytera Caro- is- democracy. Right? The birthplace of Today, we celebrate Greek Indepen- as it underwent tremendous growth, and lyn; two children, Joanne of Durham, democracy and of, really, Western Civi- dence. Such an important day, and a day shepherding the new west side parish N.C., Billy and his wife and children, from its infancy through maturity. all of Raleigh; a brother, Christ Arseniu lization. that so many people called; they wanted of Altoona; and a nephew and niece of All around us, here in the United to be here. And many of them were not Funeral service took place Friday, March 2 at St. Demetrios Church in Pennsylvania. He was predeceased by States, we see the profound influence of Greek. So you’ll have to explain that to two sisters, Eva and Kaye. Greek culture, art, and philosophy. Rocky River with Metropolitan Savas me… (laughter.) But they wanted to be presiding and area clergy participating. Funeral services were held March In the Federalist papers, our found- here… and we renew our commitment Memorial Contributions: St. Priscilla 16 at Holy Trinity Church in Raleigh. ing fathers consulted the wisdom of the to the values and principles that make Scholarship Fund (a fund to assist fe- Memorial donations may be made Ancient Greek city-states when writing us who we are. male students entering Holy Cross to the Fisher House, an organization for wounded veterans and their families. our own Constitution. They learned a We stand together for freedom and Theological School); St. Demetrios lot. They knew what they were doing. justice and democracy today and for all “Raise The Roof Fund.” Our nation’s generals, scientists, Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas lawyers, and educators continue to find time. Fr. Vasilios Stamas Thank you for joining us for this inspiration in the works of the Ancient GRETNA, La. – Fr. Vasilios NEW YORK – Judge Nicholas Greeks; and throughout this capital city, incredible celebration. May God bless Stamas, 92, a retired priest of the Arch- Tsoucalas, 90, a prominent member of from the Supreme Court to the Lin- you. May God bless Greece. And may diocese, died March 21. Before retir- the Greek Orthodox Church, long-time coln Memorial to the beautiful, beauti- God bless the United States of America. ing in January 1993, he had served the Archdiocesan Council member, Archon ful White House... - you like the White And now, I’d like to introduce His Michigan parishes of Annunciation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and not- House? what a house? …we see the Eminence to say a few words. Thank Church in Kalamazoo, Sts. Constantine ed American jurist, died March 22. magnificence of Greek architecture. and Helen in Battle Creek, and St. Para- you very very much. Thank you all. skevi from 1975 until his retirement. He was one of five children of He was born Oct. 25, 1925, in Ziria- George M. and Maria (Monogenis) Archbishop Demetrios Remarks at the Reception Kamares-Patras, Greece and attended Tsoucalas, born on Aug. 24, 1926 in public school in Patras, the English Pri- New York City and educated in its pub- Mr. President, distinguished dividuals and as a nation. vate School in Athens, Greece, and later lic elementary and secondary schools. friends: Mr. President, we are grateful that studied at Hellenic College and Holy While growing up, he worked in the As a Greek American community you share these vital American and Cross School of Theology in Brookline restaurant his father owned and oper- for three years. ated for 40 years at Broadway and West celebrating our annual Greek Indepen- universal principles. We kindly ask th dence Day, we are deeply grateful to that you continue to affirm them, all He married Angela Bazourou of 145 St. in Manhattan, Le Petit Paris. Tripolis, Greece, on March 7, 1959 and In 1944, Nicholas joined the U.S. you Mr. President, for inviting us to the more in this troubled world. We they emigrated to Canada in October Navy and served as a radio operator on the White House to honor again this further ask for your special care and 1959. He was ordained a deacon in To- vessels in the European theater of World special day. By inviting us you honor attention to the continuous injustices ronto on Oct. 7, 1967 by Bishop Timo- War II, and the Caribbean and North not only us Greek-Americans, but also suffered by our Ecumenical Patriarch- theos Rodostolou of Toronto, who also Atlantic. Upon returning home, he en- all members of the Orthodox Christian ate of Constantinople in matters of ordained him as a priest on Oct. 8 rolled in Kent State University, Ohio, Faith. Even more, you honor the spirit full religious freedom. We humbly He served St. George Tropaioforos earning a Bachelor of Science degree of freedom and human dignity that request that you speak on behalf of all Church in Toronto and St. Paul Church in Business Administration in 1949. He dwells in the hearts of all humanity. of us for a fair and equitable solution in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada from entered New York Law School, receiv- Our American Declaration of In- to the prolonged and tragic division of 1968 until May 1975, before coming to the U.S. ing his LL.B. in 1951. That same year, dependence speaks of truths that are Cyprus, and to the issue of an appro- Nicholas was recalled into the Navy, self-evident: the equality of all people priate and historically justifiable name Survivors include Presvytera Ange- la, a son, Lawrence and other relatives. serving during the Korean Conflict and their God-given rights, among of the state of FYROM. aboard an aircraft carrier, the USS Wasp. them the right of liberty, freedom and When we celebrate Greek Inde- Funeral services took place March 24 at Holy Trinity Church in New Or- Following that service, in April self-determination. These truths are pendence Day, we celebrate a begin- leans. 1953, Nicholas was admitted to the New ideals that all the great faiths and phi- ning but not a completion. The fight York Bar and began practicing law, spe- losophies have maintained as very im- for freedom and human dignity glob- Fr. George Arseniu cializing in immigration and admiralty portant values. ally is ongoing and unfinished. For RALEIGH, N.C. – Fr. George Wil- matters. He also attended New York It is a paradox then that such “self- standing with us, Mr. President, for liam Arseniu, 93, a retired priest of the University School of Law for graduate evident” truths are often the ones that fighting for us, and for speaking uni- Archdiocese, died March 8. He had courses in Immigration Law and Fed- we must advocate most passionately versal and eternal truths of life and served parishes in Iowa, New Mexico, eral Practice and Procedure. From 1955 and defend most strenuously time and liberty, we thank you, Mr. President. North Carolina and Virginia. to 1959, Nicholas was an Assistant U.S. time again, frequently with enormous We pray for divine favor upon you, He was born June 9, 1924 in Al- Attorney for the Southern District of sacrifices. The Greek War of Indepen- the First Lady whose presence hon- toona, Pa., and attended public schools New York. He was also appointed to su- dence that started on March 25, 1821 ors us today at the White House, and in Altoona. pervise the 1960 Census for New York’s is a prime example of this. On that your entire family. And we close with During World War II, he served 17th and 18th Congressional Districts and day, the people of the Greek nation a beautiful biblical blessing, from the with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific The- as Board of Commissioners of Apprais- ater and earned three Battle Stars. al chairman. had to rise up against their oppressors book of Numbers (6:24-26) May God He attended Penn State Univer- and fight a long and bitter fight neces- bless you and keep you. May the Lord sity for two years and the University In April 1968, Nicholas was ap- sitating huge sacrifices in order to gain shine His face upon you and be merci- of Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh where pointed a Criminal Court judge of The truths that are self-evident, namely ful to you. May He lift His counte- he earned his B.A. degree, Holy Cross City of New York. From 1975-1982, their freedom and independence as in- nance upon you and give you peace. School of Theology for five years and he was Acting Supreme Court Justice the University of Iowa, where he re- for Kings and Queens counties, then received a master’s. sumed service as Criminal Court judge. Proverbs 14:34 He married Carolyn Xenos of Ohio President Reagan nominated Judge Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin in September 1953 and was ordained Tsoucalas to the Court of International is a reproach to any people. a deacon Oct. 4, 1953 at Holy Trinity Church in Altoona by Bishop Demetrios  to page 29 MARCH - APRIL 2018 29 Youth Camping Ministies Mich. Parish Hosts 1st Annual Camping Leadership Conference

Fr. Evagoras Constantinides SOUTHGATE, Mich. – More than 30 camp directors and leaders of the various regional Camping Ministry Programs of the Archdiocese met Feb 26-28 at St. George Church for the first annual Greek Orthodox Camping Min- istries Leadership Conference. Hosted by the Archdiocesan Office of Camping Ministries, with the Me- tropolis of Detroit, this marks the first time that camp representatives from throughout the Archdiocese gathered to discuss the development and growth of the Church’s camp ministries. The conference began with opening remarks from Fr. Evagoras Constan- tinides, director of Ionian Village and of the Archdiocesan Office of Camping Ministries. Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit then offered the first keynote address. He spoke to the attendees about leadership and emphasized that camps need to Camping Ministries photos focus on the “why” when building and promoting their camps. Participants in the Camping Leadership Conference. The second keynote presentation was offered by Christy Buck, executive Conversations among the partici- director of the Mental Health Founda- pants were lively and wide-ranging, tion of West Michigan, who spoke which gave camp directors and leaders about the mental wellness of campers from across the Archdiocese the oppor- and staff, and how to address mental ill- tunity to learn more about each other’s nesses at camp with an approach that is programs and ministries. both pastoral and respectful of appropri- In addition, each break out pro- ate boundaries. duced content and direction for the Of- Through a series of participant- fice of Camping Ministries to further driven reflections and discussions, the develop its mission and the resources it conferees focused on three main aspects provides. of Camping Ministries: the Camper, the The conference fostered a collab- Staff Member, and the Organization. orative environment that encouraged Lefteri Sitaras (director of All Saints discussions and participation from the Camp, San Francisco Metropolis) spoke attendees. Participants continued con- about the camper, versations about topics through meals Fr. Elias Villis (the Direct Arch- and other appointed breaks. Christy Buck speaks about mental wellness at the conference. diocesan District’s Camp St. Paul di- Other topics discussed included the rector) spoke about the staff member, new Policies for the Safety of Youth and set an important precedent for the lead- Throughout the conference, camp and Eva Konstantakos (Metropolis of Children created by the National Youth ership of the Greek Orthodox camping directors reaffirmed their commitment Detroit youth director and St. Nicholas Office and how its implementation will community to remain engaged with to work with each other and the Archdi- Summer Camp director) spoke about affect the Camping Ministries programs each other and to continue to meet annu- ocesan Office of Camping Ministries to the Organization. of the Archdiocese, and marketing and ally to discuss policies, methodologies, collectively strengthen all the camping For each topic, the presenters shared fundraising practices. and content so that the quality and safe- programs of the Archdiocese that pro- a short reflection which stimulated fur- This groundbreaking opportunity ty of all Camping Ministries across the vide such a unique and important min- ther discussions and break out groups. for the camp directors to come together Archdiocese will improve substantially. istry to our young people.

 from page 28 York, they began attending the Evange- GUIDELINES lismos Church. Judge Tsoucalas served as Parish Council president 1955-59 and FOR SUBMITTING PHOTOGRAPHS Trade in 1986. In addition to his judicial then served on an Advisory Committee duties with this Court, Judge Tsoucalas has served as a visiting judge in U.S. until 1964. During his involvement with 1) Conventional photographs • File format JPEG or TIFF (JPEGs district courts throughout the country Evangelismos, the Church was expect- We accept Color or Black & White are smaller files and easier to e-mail, and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for ing a new iconostasis from Greece. The photos, printed on photographic TIFFs are better quality) the Second circuit. He became a senior U.S. government was seeking an import paper. Photographs should be sharp • Color mode RGB, color depth judge on Sept. 30, 1996. tax on the iconostasis. Judge Tsoucalas and clear. Pictures printed on color minimum 8-bit. Judge Tsoucalas served in numer- represented the Church in the U.S. Cus- printers, either Inkjet or Laser and • Image files placed within any ous other positions, including the Com- toms Court and won. His church mem- photocopies or clippings of previ- word-processing file or any other mittee on Juvenile Delinquency chair- berships also have included Transfigu- ration Church in Corona, Queens, and ously published photos are NOT application are not accepted. man for the Federal Bar Association, accepted. • Digital pictures can be submitted Subcommittee chairman on Public Or- St. Nicholas, Flushing. Judge Tsoucalas was named an Ar- 2) Digital photographs by e-mail, CD-ROM, Zip, Floppy der and Responsibility of the American We accept digital pictures if they Disk (Disks can not be returned) Citizenship Committee of the New York chon with the offikion Hartoularios in March 1987. He is a member of the Na- conform to the following specifica- • E-mail to: [email protected]. County Lawyers’ Association, Greek- tions: In the subject line write only the American Lawyers’ Association presi- tional Council and was appointed as a chairman of the Nominating Committee • Minimum resolution 1600 pixels word “photos” dent, Board president of Evangelismos VERY IMPORTANT: Church, St. John’s Theologos Soci- in 1998 and continues to serve this post wide x 1200 pixels high (approx. Attach the ety president, and Parthenon Founda- proudly. Survivors include his wife, 2 mega pixels, digital cameras image files and do not include them tion president. He was also an Ahepan Catherine, two daughters, Stephanie should be set to high resolution, in the body of the e-mail or they will and Parthenon Lodge, F.A.M. member. Turriago and Georgia Argyrople, and high quality. If you scan a standard not be usable. He grew up attending St. Spyridon five grandchildren. photograph -usually 4x6”- use a 3) Please include information about Church in Washington Heights, N.Y. Funeral service took place March minimum of 300 dpi. We discour- the photo(s); place, time and event After marrying his wife, Catherine 27 at St.Nicholas Church, Flushing, age scanning your own photos, as well as the names of all persons (Aravantinos) Tsoucalas in 1954 at Holy with Archbishop Demetrios presiding, send the actual photo.) shown, left to right. to page 29 Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral in New and other clergy assisting. 30 MARCH - APRIL 2018 OBSERVER’S CLASSIFIEDS NEW BOOK Greek American Cooking Order by check with the order form and send it to: St. George Philoptochos Societ Recently amazon.com published 1033 West Park Ave. and distributes the 2nd edition of Ocean, N 07712 English version of a book titled LIFE or call Errie at 732.241.0091 or Email: [email protected] AS A GREEK SOLDIER 1941-1945, written by JOHN NIKOLOPOULOS, Compiled and published Greek & American a Greek veteran of battles of El by St. George Philoptochos specialties from Alamein, Rimini-Italy and the 1944 of Asbury Park/ Ocean, NJ. members and friends. December Events in Athens. PRICE PER BOOK IS $25 PLUS $5 SHIPPING Reference to the political situa- PURCHASE YOUR COPY OF OUR COOKBOOK AND SUPPORT THE WORK OF PHILOPTOCHOS. tion after the Varkiza Agreement up Yes, I want to order _____ copies Name: ______to 1950 events included, (ISBN:978- Price per book is $25 plus $5 shipping 1545152782), as well as the 2nd edition of Greek ver- Address: ______sion titled Eλληνας στρατιώτης 1941-1945, του I authorize St. George Philoptochos Society to charge my: City: ______State: ______Zip: ______Ιωάννη Νικολόπουλου, (ISBN 9781541302297). 220 Exp. date: ______photographs and 7 maps, of that period, are included in Phone: ______Card # ______CSC: ______the 592 pages of English version and in the 605 pages of Name on Card: ______Email: ______Greek one. The sale price is US $ 15.00, considered low for this book, because the author does not expect a particular financial profit. 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By Sam Williams ing needs during Lent, am I sensitive to God’s. The more I learn to say no to what might be going on in their lives? meat, the more I can say no to my pas- Whether or not we were ready for it, Am I open to my friend’s helping me sions. The more I can say yes to reading Pascha is upon us! The Church gives us when they see that I need help? My Scripture, the more I can say yes to let- three weeks to prepare; like many of the friends are the hands and feet of Christ; ting Jesus guide my life. What I always great figures in Scripture, we are given they are reminders that God is just as have to remind myself of though is that forty days to guide us closer to God. The present with me as they are. Lent isn’t about being perfect. We do not forty days from Clean Monday through 2. Increased tolerance in spiritual fast so that we can prove to ourselves, to Lazarus Saturday are meant to be a pe- things God, or to anyone else that we’re good riod of change and transformation. What The more we accustom ourselves to at self-mastery. we learn about ourselves, the growth spiritual practices, the more they become We fast so that we can remember that we make during this period, and a part of our lives. What we did last year that God is the Lord and Master of our the passions that we gain victory over during Lent might not be sufficient for lives; we fast to remember that we are during Lent shouldn’t stop at Pascha. In the spiritual growth that has taken place not God. other words, we shouldn’t be the same in our lives over the last year. And once St. John Cassian, when writing on people after Pascha as we were before I’m used to fasting during Lent, it will the passion of lust, speaks about the as- Lent began. feel more natural to keep the fast on cetic work one takes and the importance But how can we hold on to the Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the of relying on God instead of on one’s growth we make during Lent? How do year. own power. He writes, we hold on to that spiritual high that This is the principle of tolerance, We should not trust in our own comes at Pascha? Great Lent is a train- usually spoken about in the context strength and ascetic practice, but in the ing period for the whole year as it guides of addiction. The more a person does help of our Master, God. No one ceases us to support each other, to have an in- something, it takes more of the habit or to be attacked by this demon until he St. John Cassian creased tolerance for spiritual practices, substance to get the same effect that it truly believes that he will be healed and and to rely on God’s strength. once took. In a spiritual context, we can reach the heights of purity not through throughout the year. As we increase our 1. Supporting each other see how Lent can guide us to have an his own effort and labour, but through spiritual efforts during Lent, we should Great Lent teaches us to rely on increased tolerance for fasting, prayer, the aid and protection of God. For such raise the bar for ourselves afterwards each other and to support one another in worship, and service. a victory is beyond man’s natural pow- too. And as we rely on God during Lent our common effort. This was one of the If before Lent, I only prayed once a ers. (“On the Eight Vices,” The Philoka- to strengthen us in our fast, we should things that most appealed to me when I day but prayed twice a day during Lent, lia, Vol. 1, p. 75) remember to always rely on God. was first becoming Orthodox as a teen; I will be inclined to desire more prayer No spiritual task we undertake How can you let Lent guide you our spiritual effort is a team effort. The after Pascha has come and gone. during Lent – fasting, prayer, reading even after Pascha has come? How have entire Orthodox Church fasts together. But it doesn’t always happen that Scripture, serving the poor – is done of you made spiritual progress since last We pray the same services throughout way, does it? During Lent, it can feel our own strength nor should it be for our Lent? Lent and we have the same Holy Week natural to go to church, to pray more, to own glory. Sam is the pastoral assistant at St. services all over the world. We have one fast. And then Pascha comes and so does During the year, we can easily fall fasting rule, though each person’s per- the temptation to let prayer slip a bit until back into the habit of relying on our tried Nicholas Church in Virginia Beach, Va. sonal fasting rule can be adjusted with we’re right back where we were before and true friend “me, myself, and I”. We the help of their Spiritual Father. We Lent. What we need is to be more aware can forget that our labor doesn’t put food share in the one Lord through our one of ourselves. on our table; God puts food on our table. faith and share in one chalice at Holy Lent helps us to be more watchful Anxiety and stress cannot solve a prob- Communion. of our thoughts so that we can follow lem; God is the solution to every prob- We have a shared fasting discipline; the Lord’s command to stay alert (Mark lem. During Lent, I find it easier to re- each person doesn’t give up something 13:37). St. John Cassian writes, “We are member God because I’m keeping Him different during Lent. If I were giving told to fast not only to mortify our body, in mind each time I choose my meal and up coffee, whereas you were giving up but also to keep our intellect watchful, each time I go to church throughout the social media, and our mutual friend was so that it will not be obscured because week. So once I hit the spiritual highs of giving up chocolate, it’d be hard for us of the amount of food we have eaten Holy Week and Pascha, I have to hold to support each other in our unshared and thus be unable to guard its thoughts” on to the good practices I learned dur- disciplines. So when I get together (“On the Eight Vices,” The Philokalia, ing Lent. At the start of each day, I can with my Orthodox friends during Lent, Vol. 1, p. 75). The more I’m attentive choose to keep God at the forefront of there’s already a mutual understanding to my thoughts, the more I spend time my mind, and throughout the day, I can of what sort of places we might go to reading Scripture and less time on social remember that I can do nothing apart or what food we’ll have at each other’s media during Lent, the more this will be- from Christ (John 15:5). homes. We don’t have to explain our- gin to feel normal. But in order for this to Then, Lent stops being just a period selves or worry if we’ll have anything to happen, I have to of days every spring and becomes a way eat. When we fast together, we can bet- be watchful during Lent so that I of life. Lent is a guide to rely on God ter support each other. can see when I start to slip back to the instead of relying on ourselves. This principle of supporting our way things once were. Lent is not meant to be a practice brothers and sisters in a common effort When we’re watchful, the spiritual disconnected from the rest of our spiri- ought to inform the rest of our year. We progress we make during Great Lent can tual lives during the year. It is meant to all have days where we can barely stand guide us to a new normal for life after inform our daily practice by teaching us spiritually, and though we know we Pascha. to be ever more attentive to our thoughts need to rely on God’s strength, it helps 3. Relying on God’s strength and actions. to know we have church friends to help One of the paradoxes of Great Lent As we fast together and support one us, too. is that by learning self-control, we learn another during Lent, we learn to con- If I’m sensitive to my friend’s fast- to rely not on our own strength but on tinue to support each other spiritually

Proverbs 22:6

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. 32 MARCH - APRIL 2018

(C.F.)