Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros Set June 22

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MAY- JUNE 2019 • Vol. 84 • No. 1337 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00 Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros Set June 22 NEW YORK – Archbishop El- Archbishop’s Biography pidophoros, elected unanimously May 11 by the Holy and Sacred Patriarchal His Eminence Elpidophoros (Lam- Synod, will be enthroned as the seventh briniadis), formerly Metropolitan of head of the Greek Orthodox Church of Bursa and Exarch of Bithynia, was born America June 22 at Holy Trinity Arch- in 1967 in Bakirköy, Istanbul. diocesan Cathedral. He studied at the Department of Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Pastoral Theology, Theological School the Archiepiscopal Vicar, announced of the Aristotle University of Thessalon- that the ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. iki, from which he graduated in 1991. at the cathedral, 337 East 74th St. It In 1993, he finished his postgradu- will be followed by the Enthronement ate studies at the Philosophical School Luncheon at 1:30 p.m. at the New York of the University of Bonn, Germany, Hilton Midtown (1335 Avenue of the submitting a dissertation titled: “The Americas). Brothers Nicholas and John Mesarites.” The new Archbishop will arrive in He was ordained a deacon in 1994 the United States at Kennedy Airport on at the Patriarchal Cathedral and was Wednesday, June 19. appointed as the codecographer of the In advance of his enthronement, he Holy and Sacred Synod. will hold a series of meetings and en- In 1995, he was appointed deputy counters with hierarchs including Arch- secretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod. bishop Demetrios, clergy, Archdiocese From 1996-1997 he studied at the Theo- staff, Orthodox hierarchs, and ecumeni- logical School of St. John the Dama- cal and interfaith leaders. scene in Balamand, Lebanon, where he th improved his knowledge of the Arabic On Thursday, the 20 , the Arch- language. bishop will be welcomed by the staff In 2001, he presented a doctoral of the Archdiocese and afterward will dissertation at the Theological School of meet with the Holy Eparchial Synod the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and auxiliary bishops. In the evening under the title: “Severus of Antioch and he will attend a dinner with priests and the Council of Chalcedon,” proclaiming presvyteres of the Direct Archdiocesan him a Doctor of Theology. District and patriarchal representatives In 2004, he was invited to Holy and hierarchs of the Archdiocese. Cross School of Theology in Brookline Friday, June 21, he will attend a Mass., where he taught as a visiting pro- welcome luncheon hosted by Rabbi Ar- Official Photo fessor for one semester. thur Schneier and other New York City In March 2005, at the proposal of religious leaders. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, he Sunday, June 23, he will preside at was promoted by the Holy and Sacred the Archiepiscopal and Synodal Divine The Patriarchal Announcement Synod to the position of chief secretary Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral, fol- and was ordained to the priesthood by lowed by a reception and luncheon at of the Archbishop’s Election the Ecumenical Patriarch in the Patriar- Rockefeller Plaza. chal Cathedral. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew On May 11, 2019, under the presi- Holiness, the holy synodical members In 2009, he submitted two disserta- has appointed Metropolitan Augousti- dency of His All-Holiness Ecumeni- upon invocation of the Holy Spirit, duly tions to the Theological School of Thes- nos of Germany as his personal repre- cal Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy casted their votes and unanimously saloniki and was unanimously elected sentative for the enthronement. and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical elected as Archbishop of America His assistant professor of Symbolics, Inter- He holds a doctorate of theology Patriarchate deliberated and elected Eminence Metropolitan Elpidophoros Orthodox Relations and the Ecumenical degree; his studies of theology and phi- Metropolitan Elpidophoros (Lambrin- of Bursa, Abbot of the Holy Monastery Movement. losophy commenced at the Holy Theo- iadis) of Bursa and Exarch of Bithyn- of the Holy Trinity in Halki and Profes- The dissertations are titled: “The logical School of Halki. ias the new Archbishop of America. sor of the Theological School of the Ar- Synaxis’ of the Hierarchy of the Ecu- The liturgical service of the Mega istoteleian University of Thessaloniki. menical Throne (1951-2004)” and “Lu- Minima(Acceptance) and expressions From the Secretariat of the Holy ther’s Ninety-five Thesis. Historical and of thanksgiving by the new Archbishop and Sacred Synod Theological aspects. Text - Translation took place shortly after his - Commentary.” election. In March 2011, he was elected Met- The official Communi- ropolitan of Bursa and, in August of que of the Chief Secretariat the same year, was appointed abbot of of the Ecumenical Patriarch- the Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial ate follows: Monastery of the Holy Trinity on the Ecumenical Patriarchate island of Chalki. He has served as the Announcement of May Orthodox secretary of the Joint Interna- 11, 2019 tional Commission for the Theological Saturday May 11 2019, Dialogue between the Orthodox Church the Holy and Sacred Synod, and the Lutheran World Federation and continuing its work, proceed- as a member of the patriarchal delega- ed to fill the vacated seat of tions to the General Assemblies of the the Archdiocese of America Conference of European Churches and following the voluntary res- the World Council of Churches. ignation of its shepherd, His He was the secretary of the Pan- Eminence Archbishop Deme- Orthodox Synods in Sofia (1998), Is- trios Geron of America. tanbul (2005), Geneva (2006), and Is- Therefore, following tanbul (2008). He has been a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the the suggestion, permission World Council of Churches since 1996. and exhortation of His All- 2 MAY - JUNE 2019 To contact Archdiocese News National Ministries Letter on behalf of Archives Archbishop Elpidophoros’ 212.570.3517 the Holy Eparchial [email protected] Synod Hierarchs Archpastoral Message to the Communications Faithful of the Archdiocese 212.774.0244 to the Faithful [email protected] May 14, 2019 My Beloved Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America: Greek Education To the Reverend Clergy, Parish Χριστὀς Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen! He is truly risen! Councils, Philoptochos Societies, Youth 212.774.0233 Organizations, and Faithful of the Greek [email protected] Even though I am, as the Apostle Paul once said, “absent in the body” Orthodox Archdiocese of America: from you, I am very much with you in heart, in mind, and in spirit (cf. I Cor. 5:3). I wanted to take this moment to communicate with you through this mar- Internet Ministries Christ is Risen! Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! velous tool of social media, to express how much I desire to embrace all of 646.519.6690 you as spiritual children, and to manifest to you the love with which God has On behalf of the Most Reverend [email protected] graced my heart for the precious flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America. Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial In the coming days and weeks, we will all be learning about one another. I Synod of our beloved Archdiocese, it Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical have already received and continue to receive warm greetings and messages of is with profound joy that we warmly congratulations from across America, and I am heartened by them all. You will and Interfaith Relations welcome our new Archbishop, His be learning about me, but what I want all of you to know most importantly, 212.570.3593 Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros is that that I am coming to America not only to be your Archbishop, but I am [email protected] of America, an exceptional hierarch of coming to be your spiritual friend and brother, your servant in the Lord, your the Ecumenical Patriarchate with an co-worker in Christ, and your fellow steward of all the gifts of God that have extraordinary record of service to our Ionian Village been bestowed upon the Greek Orthodox Faithful of America. Together we Holy Mother Church. will bring the Holy Archdiocese of America to the greater understanding that 212.570.3538 We express our gratitude to His we are the Body of Christ, and each of us a precious member. [email protected] All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- To you and to all our Orthodox Christian Brethren across America, I bring tholomew and to the Members of the the blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. I am Center for Family Care Holy and Sacred Synod of the Great coming to you as your brother in Christ. And, on June 22nd at my Enthrone- Church of Christ for electing Archbish- ment, I look forward to embracing our ecumenical and interfaith friends as 845.424.8175 op Elpidophoros. We pray that his elec- [email protected] well, and the whole pluralistic American society that values freedom of con- tion signals a new era of visionary faith science and religious liberty with such intensity. and progress for our beloved Archdio- Let this be a time of hope and positive expectation for us all. We have Public Affairs cese of America. much to accomplish together, and by God’s grace and with His strength, we 212.774.0400 We call upon the Faithful – clergy must surely be victorious. and lay alike – to receive Archbishop [email protected] ΧριστὀςἈνέστη! Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη! Elpidophoros with respect and love. Conveying to you the blessings of In the Risen Lord, Registry His Eminence Archbishop Elpidopho- 212.570.3558 ros and of the members of the Holy Ep- [email protected] archial Synod I remain, With Archpastoral love in the Risen Lord, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Religious Education Metropolitan Methodios of Boston 646.519.6300 Archiepiscopal Vicar [email protected]

Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, Upcoming Feast Days 646.519.6160 Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations June 11 – Sts. Bartholomew and Barn- [email protected] abas (name day of Ecumenical Patri- Direct Archdiocesan District Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology arch Bartholomew) Youth and Young Adult Ministries Metropolis of Chicago 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu June 15 – Saturday of the Souls 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org Saint Basil Academy 646.519.6780 Metropolis of Boston 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org June 16 – Pentecost/Father’s Day [email protected] 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home June 17 – Day of the Holy Spirit Metropolis of Denver 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org June 23 – All Saints 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org St. Photios National Shrine Metropolis of Atlanta 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com June 24 – Nativity of John the Baptist/ 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org Beginning of Apostles Fast NEXT DEADLINE Metropolis of Detroit Other key organizations and services June 29 – Apostles Peter and Paul Deadline for submitting information, 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org National Philoptochos articles and photos for consideration in Metropolis of Pittsburgh 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org June 30 – Synaxis of the 12 Apostles the July - Aug. 2019 issue: 412.621.5529; www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org July 7 – St. Kyriaki the Great Martyr Metropolis of San Francisco • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com Friday, June 14 July 20 – St. Elias the Prophet Photos should be sent as a large format.jpg 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxmaketplace. Metropolis of New Jersey com July 22 – St.Mary Magdalene/St. attachment (300 dpi min.). 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/free- E-mail to: [email protected] bookstore Markella of Chios Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, Archdiocesan Institutions th • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: cbr. July 26 – St. Paraskevi 8 E. 79 St., New York, NY 10075. Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity goarch.org July 27 – St. Panteleimon

EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at additional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en- PRODUCTION & GRAPHIC DESIGNER: tirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: Thanasis Armagos www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: [email protected] Correction 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: expressed in official statements so labeled. In 2017, published monthly In the March-April edition photo of Marissa P. Costidis except February – March and July – August Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25. the White House visit by Archdiocese by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. THEOLOGICAL CONSULTANT: Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy. representatives on page 3, Alexis Lim- Dn. Eleftherios Constantine Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church berakis’ positions as a National Philop- 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. tochos Board member and co-President TEL.: (212) 570–3555 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, of the Metropolis of New Jersey Philop- FAX (212) 774–0239 CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER: Nicholas Manginas 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 tochos were not included. MAY - JUNE 2019 3 Archdiocese News Archbishop Addresses 400 Hierarchs, Clergy in Teleconference

Archbishop Elpidophoros an- ministries. swered numerous questions and ad- “I look forward to getting to know dressed concerns May 16 in an hour- all of you, as the Militia of Christ that long teleconference call with about 400 you already are, and as individuals as active and retired hierarchs and clergy well. Your pains will be my pain. Your of the Archdiocese. challenges are my challenges. Your Metropolitan Methodios of Boston needs will be my priority, as together we organized the call in his capacity as Ar- seek to strengthen the foundations upon chiepiscopal Vicar, with the cooperation which your ministry edifies the Body of of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council. Christ. During the conference call, Arch- “I am very concerned about the is- bishop Elpidophoros addressed the sues of clergy financial security, espe- clergy directly and took questions on cially in regard to your health and the Nicholas Manginas photos aspects of the ministry of the Church. healthcare for you and your families. Among his opening remarks, Arch- Your physical and spiritual health, and Archbishop Elpidophoros reads the Lesser and Greater Minimas during the ceremony. bishop Elpidophoros said, “I was espe- the health of your families, are the sine cially eager to address you, the beloved qua non of the health of our Archdio- and most respected clergy of our Holy cese. You need to know that you are The Lesser and Greater Minima Archdiocese, for you are the very heart cared for, so that you can care for the of this vital Eparchy of the Ecumeni- Flock of Christ. (Announcement) cal Throne. I wanted to let you know, I want you all to know that you and personally, that my heart and mind are your families are my priority, and we of the new Archbishop of America deeply focused on your welfare, the will work together to ensure that you welfare of your families, and your God- have the very best health care that we saved ministries on behalf of the People can find.” The Lesser and Greater Minima the Holy Synod and the expectations of of God. During the hour-long teleconfer- (Announcement) of the new Archbishop your Patriarch, who embraces you with “Although my service to the ence, a number of priests posed ques- of America. paternal affection and respects your val- Church of America is only now com- tions to the Archbishop, in a range of In the presence of the Ecumenical ues and devotion, which he was able to mencing, our service to Christ and His various pastoral issues that included Patriarch and the Members of the Holy see in you during your lengthy ministry Holy Church has always been united advice for helping the faithful remain and Sacred Synod. in this Holy Patriarchal Court under our – by prayer, by our celebrations of the close to the Eucharist and the Body of command.” Divine Liturgy, and by our commitment Christ?, what he sees as the greatest In the presence of the Ecumenical Subsequently, His All Holiness to the Priesthood of our Great High strength of the Archdiocese and where Patriarch and the Members of the Holy emphasized that the new Archbishop Priest Jesus Christ. I do feel that I am he feels improvement is needed, the and Sacred Synod, the new Archbishop knows the issues of America and even already with you – in your trials and in clergy pension plan and his vision for of America, Elpidophoros, appeared of Europe, and added: your triumphs. As a deacon, I learned to Orthodoxy’s future in America. May 11th at noon, to accept his election “You are an academician, a teach- serve, as you all have done. As a priest, Many clergy commented on their by way of the Lesser Minima. er with zeal and knowledge, and you I enjoyed the foretaste of His Glory as joy and satisfaction that Archbishop The Ecumenical Patriarch Ad- will be able to rebuild the Theological you also enjoy, standing before the Holy Elpidophoros had initiated the telecon- dresses the New Archbishop of Amer- School of Holy Cross, which is going Altar. And as a hierarch, I embrace the ference, and that this experience of dia- ica: through difficult times, and also col- service of the Good Shepherd, as I know logue and solidarity was going to be the “All of us know that the Great laborate with American universities for all of you try to do in your every-day first of many. Church of Christ, as a true Mother, em- the promotion of our historical learning braces with affection and care all her and our cultural inheritance. spiritual children throughout the world, “We expect from you to strengthen Archbishop Elpidophoros Discusses where they live, work, and excel. Thus, the holy bonds of your Archdiocese with in regard to the great Eparchy of the the Center of our ecclesiastical founda- Goals with Archons’ National Council Throne in America, we, and the Hier- tion, to organize pilgrimages here from archs of the Holy Synod, have been time to time, as your predecessor Ia- Archbishop Elpidophoros ad- ica, particularly the Archons whose concerned and have numerous times kovos of blessed memory used to do, dressed the National Council of the efforts on behalf of the Mother discussed at length its problems during to come back here often to keep us in- Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Church are especially noteworthy. the last sessions of the Synod, seeking formed, be re-baptized in our springs Ecumenical Patriarchate May 17 at its Following his remarks, every National ways to improve the situation and re- of spirituality, and collaborate with the regularly scheduled meeting via video- Council member present at the meet- store the Holy Archdiocese of America competent Synodical Committee for conference from the Phanar. ing had the opportunity to speak in- to its former glory. And now, since its problems you may encounter there from America’s new Archbishop spoke dividually with the Archbishop, one primate, Archbishop Demetrios, has time to time. for 30 minutes with the Archon lead- by one around the table, to provide submitted his resignation, due to the “You will cultivate good brotherly ers regarding his imminent service words of welcome and to express their urgency of the situation, we sought to relationships with our heterodox broth- that will commence formally upon his views of the pressing issues facing the find a worthy successor who would be ers – for you have been involved in the enthronement June 22 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Amer- able to bring back good order to the life ecumenical movement for a long time – Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York. ica. The Archbishop listened attentively and function of the Archdiocese, inspire but also with other faiths, with Muslims The Archbishop noted among his prima- and impressed each of Archons with confidence in the flock of the Archdio- and Jews, with whom the Ecumenical ry goals will be to complete St. Nicholas his warmth, humor and intelligence. cese to the Church, strengthen the bonds Patriarchate has been in academic dia- Greek Orthodox Church and National Those participating in the teleconference of the flock with our Holy Patriarchate, logue for many years. Your experience Shrine, to revitalize Holy Cross Semi- included, which was organized by Fr. and make the Patriarchate proud again and knowledge of Islamic societies and nary and to restore financial stability to Alex Karloutsos, the Archons’ spiritual of its greatest Eparchy, which today is their culture will be especially useful. the Archdiocese, particularly with re- advisor who also participated, included: in need and is suffering. “Brother Archbishop of America, spect to the clergy pension and benefits Archbishop Arsenios of Austria, Archon “To this end, Most Reverend Arch- you have many, too many things to plan. Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, bishop of America, we are looking to do and offer. And you can! We trust His Eminence acknowledged National Secretary B. Theodore Bozon- your love as a young and dynamic Hier- you and send you off with good hopes that the tasks would be difficult but elis, National Treasurer Peter Skeadas, arch. For you are, well educated, a man and expectations. You must glorify the said he is, as his name implies, hope- Sergeant-at-Arms Alexander Prtisos, of languages, active and efficient, dedi- Throne of your Eparchy, but also this ful because of the incredible spirit George Tsougarakis, George Safiol, cated to Mother Church, in whose bo- Holiest and Martyred Throne, which of the Orthodox faithful in America Michael Psaros, Peter Kakoyiannis, Ste- som you grew up and where you were raised you, nurtured you, and honors with which everything is possible. phen Cherpelis, Andrew Veniopoulos, schooled in the things of the Church, and you today in an exceptional way. With what has already become his John Mindala, John Kassimatis, Chris- initiated into the mystery of the Church. May you excel as an Archbishop of trademark humility, His Eminence topher Stratakis, Andrew Manatos and We look to entrust upon you this great love, of peace, of humility and of unity. recognized that for his tenure to be John Zavitsanos. and difficult task, with the certainty that Axios!” successful he will need the help of More information contact Fr. Alex- you will succeed, that you will honor the all the Orthodox Christians in Amer- ander Karloutsos ([email protected]). vote and confidence of the Hierarchs of  to page 6 4 MAY - JUNE 2019 HCHC

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Hellenic College graduates with school officials, faculty and trustees of HCHC, including interim President Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, visiting Metropolitan Andreas of Arkalohorion, Metro- politan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and acting deans Dr. Bruce Beck Th.D., and Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos. Metropolitan Methodios’ Archpastoral Exhortation

Editor’s note: Metropolitan Metho- priesthood after having answered their leges and universities becoming leaders One’s surest enemy is the ungrateful dios of Boston, currently the interim country’s call to service, including one in the greater American community. beneficiary. president of HCHC, delivered the fol- of our seminarians graduating today. As For you who are graduating today, Remember also the words attrib- lowing remarks at the May 18 com- many of you know, His Eminence Met- especially those who will be ordained uted to our Savior in a hymn we chanted mencement program. ropolitan Isaiah came to Holy Cross af- to the Holy Priesthood --- the evange- on Holy Thursday night, “O, What have Every year, the third Saturday in ter serving with the U.S. Marine Corps lization of the world, its missionary I done for you and how have you rec- May is set aside in America to com- in Korea. Let us remember today and al- outreach, has never been more difficult, ompensed me? Instead of manna, vin- memorate Armed Forces Day. We gath- ways how much we owe to our service never more necessary. egar instead of loving me, you nail me er to honor the members of our nation’s members. We live in an age of darkness, of to a cross.” Military Forces who dedicate their lives Indeed, how providential that grad- apathy and entitlement, in a culture of My Archpastoral exhortation to you in defense of human freedom and dig- uation ceremonies here at Hellenic Col- cruelty and banality, in a society that as you go out into the world is none oth- nity throughout the world. lege Holy Cross are always scheduled takes pride in having liberated itself er than that addressed by St. Paul to the This day had been designated as an on Armed Forces Day.For the Church from Christian virtues it cannot tolerate. Romans. Etch his words in your hearts: opportunity for Americans to recognize is an army comprised of clergy and la- You begin your ministry in a Church “Let love be genuine; hate what is and give thanks for the men and women ity alike --- especially the graduates of under attack, under persecution just as evil, hold fast to what is good; love one serving in all branches of our Armed Hellenic College Holy Cross --- who are it has been since its founding. This be- another with mutual affection; outdo Forces. When the United States entered called to be soldiers in Christ’s army….. cause its radical message of sacrificial one another in showing honor. Do not World War II not long after our school’s To hold high the precious life-giving love contradicts today’s belief that there lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the founding, some of our seminarians sus- cross as a symbol of sacrificial love in is no need for salvation --- that men and Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suf- pended their studies to join the fight. the world….. To witness Christ --- Cru- women have no need of a Savior, hav- fering, persevere in prayer. Contribute Others have answered the call to the cified, Resurrected and Ascended into ing replaced Jesus Christ with all sorts to the needs of the saints; extend hospi- Heaven. Our graduates are commis- of self-described modern-day ‘saviors.’ tality to strangers. sioned to fan the flame of the Resurrec- Those of you who will be assigned Bless those who persecute you; List of Graduates tion that it may ignite the souls of those to parishes in the Archdiocese will serve bless and do not curse them. Rejoice Bachelor of Arts who, as the Prophet Isaiah wrote, “sit in the spiritual needs of individuals who with those who rejoice, weep with those Nicholas Adamapoulos, Colin darkness and live in the land of death.” love God, who are in communion with who weep. Live in harmony with one Isaak Barberg, Jack Andrew Bushell, (Isaiah 58:14) one another, men and women who by another; do not be haughty, but associ- Nicole K. Chetsas, Antonios Constan- Many years ago the then Metropol- God’s Grace live a faithful life. You will ate with the lowly; do not claim to be tine, Stavronikitas Damianakis, Chris- itan of Philadelphia, now Ecumenical be embraced and welcomed into their wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone tina Rose Devlopoulos, Alexandros Patriarch Bartholomew, while preach- families and respected as their spiritual evil for evil, but take thought for what is Theodore Douvres, Magdelini George ing in the chapel said that this school shepherds. noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, Drivas, Nickolas George Eliadis, Dimi- was the spinal column which holds up- But you will also encounter indi- so far as it depends on you, live peace- tri Athanasios Evangelatos, Bailey Fair, right the body of the Church in Ameri- viduals in the world who will put your ably with all. Beloved, never avenge Vasileios Grigoriadis. Markela Evange- ca. How right he was! Since 1937 as a faith and moral character to the test as yourselves, but leave room for the wrath lia Hatzakis, Bailie Renee Henry, Ka- School of Theology and since 1968 as you encounter their hypocrisy, their of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mal Nabil Hourani, Kristen Karavantos- a College, this school has educated and shallowness, their insatiable egos, their mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, Love, Diana Khalil, Nikolas George mentored over 2,500 students, many immoral personal agendas. “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he Koulouris, Nicholas Michael Likiardo- of whom graduated and later were or- You will find that the greatest en- is thirsty, give him something to drink; poulos, Sarah Moriah Moody, Fr. Pan- dained to the Holy Priesthood. In ad- emies of the Church, and yes of this for by doing this you will heap burning teleimon Nashi, Elias N. Pappas, Sophia dition to serving in our Archdiocese, school, are those who were and are coals on his head.” Do not be overcome Christina Petrou, Anastasis Spiros Phy- a large number of our graduates have the beneficiaries of its beneficence, of by evil, but overcome evil with good.” rillas and Anthony C. Wilson. served the Orthodox church throughout its benevolence and generosity. Those (Roman 12:9-22) Certificate of Byzantine Music the world as missionaries, priests, and ungrateful and unthankful individuals. I pray that the radiant light of our Fr. Demetrios J. Mott and Pavlos bishops. Many graduates of our College Those character assassins that seed divi- Lord’s Resurrection radiate in your Sotirelis have distinguished themselves as they sion and hatred. hearts and shine upon the path of your  to page 30 continued their education in other col- Remember the old Greek adage: lives. MAY - JUNE 2019 5 HCHC

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Graduates of Holy Cross School of Theology with the dignitaries ArchbishopElpidophoros’ Paternal Message to Graduates For the 77th Commencement affectionately served by His Eminence of Hellenic College And Holy Cross Archbishop Demetrios – as a beloved Greek Orthodox School of Theology professor for many years and as your (May 19, 2019) spiritual father over the last twenty My beloved Hellenic College and years. Holy Cross community, I am now humbled and honored Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! Christ is risen! to receive and bear this bright torch as As you assemble for your 77th your new archbishop and spiritual fa- Commencement exercises and fes- ther. And so I ask that you imagine our tivities, I would like to assure you that journey and pilgrimage as reflecting my prayers and thoughts are with you. the venerable procession that under- Moreover, I would like to convey to went today from the Divine Liturgy in you the patriarchal blessing of His the chapel to this graduation ceremony All-Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch in the school, concluding with your fes- Bartholomew. tive luncheon on the grounds. Over the last eight years, I have This is precisely the direction that I lived and served at the historic Theo- foresee for our School and Archdiocese logical School of Halki, which is fre- in the exciting and formative, albeit quently called the “hill of hope.” Hav- challenging and definitive years that lie ing spent some time on your campus, before us. It should reflect a movement I recognize that graduates and students from the sacred altar of the liturgy as refer to Hellenic College and Holy well as from the sacred see of our Ecu- Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Executive Director Paulette Poulos presents Metropolitan Cross as “the sacred hill.” Therefore, menical Patriarchate. It should resonate Methodios with a check for $500,000 for HCHC, on top of a pledge by Leadership 100 that she my message to you this morning comes the truth, theology and tradition of our announced at the Commencement for $10 million over the next 10 years from “the hill of hope” to your own ancient church in the educational plat- “sacred hill” with my sincere love and forms and pedagogical programs of the admiration for the splendid history over modern world. And, finally, it should the years, as well as for the splendid culminate in a festive celebration of accomplishments of all those who are the light and life of Orthodoxy in the graduating today. beautiful country of America, where it There is no doubt in my mind has been planted and established by the that the Hellenic College–Holy Cross Lord’s right hand. School of Theology constitutes the In this ongoing journey and pil- heart and jewel of the Greek Orthodox grimage, all of us have a special and Archdiocese of America. And there is specific role to play. From the faculty, also no doubt in my mind that there is staff and students at this wonderful in- profound link between our two hills. stitution, to the hierarchs, clergy and la- Holy Cross is the vision realized by ity throughout our marvelous commu- the great Patriarch Athenagoras, who nities. Today, we are welcoming a new graduated Halki in 1910, while Hel- class of graduates, who are prepared lenic College is the dream fulfilled by and equipped to travel along this road the renowned Archbishop Iakovos, with us. We congratulate them and we who graduated Halki in 1934. This is bestow on them our paternal blessing. the distinguished legacy that was faith- And we wish all of you a joyful cer- fully and devotedly, academically and emony and celebration. 6 MAY - JUNE 2019 Ecumenical Patriarchate Letter of Appreciation Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Archbishop Demetrios Hosts Environmental Summit Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America, beloved brother ISTANBUL –Ecumenical Patriarch environmental sensitivity in the core in the Holy Spirit, concelebrant of our Modesty, grace be with Your Eminence and Bartholomew hosted the third Halki curricula of theological institutions by peace from God. Summit from May 31 to June 4 that continuing the spirit of dialogue and ex- Christ is Risen! drew distinguished representatives of change expressed during the two previ- Upon submitting your letter of voluntary resignation from the position of the Orthodox theological schools and semi- ous summits, as well as the Ecumenical Poimenarch of the Holy Archdiocese of America dated May 1st, 2019, and follow- naries from all over the world, and focus Patriarchate’s longstanding concern and ing our acceptance of it by the decision of the Holy and Sacred Synod, as well, on the theme of “Theological Formation ongoing initiatives over three decades we proceed with these Patriarchal brotherly Letters to express to Your Eminence and Ecological Awareness.” for the protection of the natural environ- Some 50 delegates from over 40 in- ment. our many thanks and the gratification of the Mother Church and of our Modesty stitutions attended. The first two summits convened personally. Halki Summit III was organized as activists and scientists, journalists and For twenty years you ministered dutifully, prudently and effectively the re- an inter-Orthodox working conference. business leaders, theologians and aca- nowned Archdiocese of America which was entrusted to you by God who gives Summit participants heard addresses demics, in order to engage and collabo- all gifts. You fought with God-given zeal for the life and progress to Christ and in by prominent environmental theolo- rate across intellectual disciplines and Christ, and for the total spiritual prosperity of the pious people of God there and gians (Orthodox, Roman Catholic and boundaries. Halki Summit I was held for its unity. Having a deep knowledge of the existential needs of the contemporary Protestant), and discussed ways that in June 2012, and focused on the theme human beings and of the positive aspects and perspectives of their culture, you ecological awareness can be fostered of “Global Responsibility and Environ- courageously dedicated yourself to the “ proclamation of the Gospel” under the and advanced in Orthodox institutions mental Sustainability.” Halki Summit II new conditions of the era of secularization, globalization and “technocracy”, and of higher learning throughout the world took place in June 2015, and assembled to the promotion of the transformational for both the people and the history of the by means of courses and other programs pioneers and experts from around the power of faith in Christ, always following the apostolic confession that there is related to creation care. world in a conversation on environ- salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men The ultimate purpose is to promote ment, literature and the arts. by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12). We praise your offering to theology, as you are a deep thinking author and professor, as well as your spiritual sensitivity and your sharp sense of recognition of the one thing which is needed (Luke 10: 42) . We also exalt the continuous interest of Archbishop’s Announcement your beloved to us Eminence, for the uninterrupted functioning of the ecclesiastical  from page 3 it is connected. If the olive tree is rich life of the Holy Archdiocese, for your contribution to the Inter-Orthodox and Inter- with fruit, it acquires this value because Christian relations and the promotion of the common witness of the Christians in Archbishop Elpidophoros’ Response it is planted around the Holy Altar of the the world, as well as for your most positive presence and contribution to the prepa- In his response, the new Archbishop Phanar. When the sunflower blossoms ration of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church and to its deliberations of America expressed to the Ecumeni- and yields fruit, it is on account of the as a member of the Representation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in it. cal Patriarch and to the Members of the light of the Sun of Orthodoxy, the Ecu- For all these, we praise the all-wise and all-merciful Lord and Savior of the Holy and Sacred Synod his wholeheart- menical Throne. world, Who offered to His Holy Church your important to us Eminence, we broth- ed gratitude for his election. With these humble thoughts, in in- erly embrace you, asking from God to grant you the best, unshakable health and “Your All-Holiness and Master, I finite gratitude I accept the position on long life, continuation of your God-loving and compassionate witness for the hope feel the great responsibility which Moth- today’s date on which we celebrate the that is in us ( 1 Peter 3:15) , we remain with special and deep love in Christ Jesus er Church places upon my shoulders, inauguration of Constantinople. I thank Risen from the dead, Whose abundant grace and infinite mercy may be with you. beyond the great honor and confidence God, the Giver of all creation, the Most by which Your Holiest Person embraced Holy Theotokos Who guards this Holy May 14, 2019 City of the Lord and I thank Your Divine Beloved Brother in Christ, me even today in the Synod. As Your +BARTHOLOMEW spiritual child, as a newly-planted olive All-Holiness, my Sovereign and Master, tree in the Patriarchal Court, as the least because from my youth you shaped me, vine of the spreading grapevine of the who was the least, with much patience, eBook Available: Ecumenical Throne, and even as a sim- love, and skill, and benefitted me as no ple sunflower, I shall ever have my eyes one else. The Ecumenical Patriarchate turned toward You, the August First of I thank the Reverend Holy Hier- Orthodoxy, for only in this way shall I archs, the Members of the Holy and and Ukraine Autocephaly be able to bear fruit, for I know that only Sacred Synod, who honored me pro- around Your Altar shall I yield a harvest, fusely with their honorable vote and Today the Order of Saint Andrew The Autocephaly of the Orthodox and cut off from this life-giving Vine of confidence in my humble person.” the Apostle presents a one of a kind of- Church in Ukraine and the Canonical the Great Church, I shall risk being cut Afterwards, in the Patriarchal fering for all Orthodox Christians and Prerogatives of the Ecumenical Patri- off and thrown into a fire of ingratitude Church of Saint George, in the presence indeed for all people of goodwill who archate by Archbishop Job of Telmessos and destruction. of the Synodical Hierarchs, the Patri- are particularly interested in learning The Bulgarian Orthodox Church “I promise, Your All-Holiness, at archal Court, and also other clergymen more about the Orthodox Church. and Ukrainian Autocephaly by Dr. Dan- this holy and solemn moment, as also and lay pilgrims, the new Archbishop of The Ecumenical Patriarchate and iela Kalkandjieva do the rest of the Archpastors of the America celebrated the Service of the Ukraine Autocephaly: Historical, Ca- The Role of the Ecumenical Patri- Ecumenical Throne, that this great Ep- Greater Minima, during which his elec- nonical, and Pastoral Perspectives is archate in Granting Autocephaly to the archy of the Throne, the Holy Archdio- tion was announced in church, and he presented in portable eBook format. Orthodox Church in Ukraine: A Canoni- cese of America and her Metropolises, responded with the text of Thanksgiv- The eBook includes the following cal Perspective by Dr. Lewis Patsavos shall be girt with the robe of ministry to ing for the election of his person by the articles written by a diverse and note- Reflections on Autocephaly by a Mother Church, the Omogeneia here, Church, accepting the position in a state worthy assembly of Orthodox commen- Member of the Ukrainian Orthodox the apostolic work of the Eparchies of of emotion and gratitude. tators. Church of the USA by Dr. Gayle Wo- the Throne, and every other need of the After the completion of the Greater Foreword by National Commander loschak Holy Center of Orthodoxy. Because we Minima, Archbishop Elpidophoros ac- Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis The goal of this eBook is to present all know that if the vine brings fruit, it cepted the congratulatory wishes of all Introduction: The Ecumenical Pa- information regarding the Ecumenical is on account of the vineyard, to which present. triarchate and Ukraine Autocephaly by Patriarchate and Ukraine Autocephaly Evagelos Sotiropoulos (Editor) that edifies and imparts grace to its read- The Voice of Silence: A Monastic ers (cf. Ephesians 4:29). In the words Voice on the Ukrainian Question by of Editor Evagelos Sotiropoulos, “The Illinois Lawmakers Recognize Ecumenical Patriarch’s Mother Abbess Theoxeni articles in this essay will hopefully add Pastoral Perspectives of the Ukrai- a measured quantity of love and hope – Upcoming 50th Anniversary of Priesthood nian Autocephaly: A Personal Face to a and fact – on the issue of the Ecumenical Political Issue by Fr. John Chryssavgis Patriarchate and Ukraine Autocephaly.” SPRINGFIELD, Ill: - On Seminary, forcible closed by the Turk- Penalty or Abuse of Power? Ca- We close with a short passage from Thursday, May 30, the Illinois State ish government in 1971. Founded 175 nonical Sanctions and Ukrainian Auto- the eBook’s Foreword written by Na- House of Representatives unanimously years ago in October of 1844, it was the cephaly by Fr. Nicholas Denysenko tional Commander Dr. Anthony J. Lim- passed HR0348 which recognizes the main school of theology of the Eastern What has Korea to do with Ukraine? berakis: With the goal of making sure Oct. 19th 50th Anniversary of the priest- Orthodox Church. Previously the Illi- Russia’s Tragic Assault on Korean Uni- these materials reach the broadest possi- hood of Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- nois House passed HR666 in 2007 and ty by Fr. Perry Hamalis ble audience, I have one request of you. tholomew of Constantinople, spiritual the Illinois Senate passed SR0070 in Ukrainian Autocephaly: Reflec- Please share these materials with others. leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians 2013, both of which called on the Turk- tions from the Diaspora by Fr. Bohdan Indeed, I would like to ask each of throughout the world.The resolution ish Government to reopen Halki along Hladio you to email this collection to five other also includes a reconfirmation of their with other provisions to ease restrictions Pastoral Care for the Ukrainian Or- people and ask them to share this collec- previous calls for the Turkish Gov- on the worldwide leader of the Eastern thodox by Fr. Cyril Hovorun tion with five more. ernment to reopen the historic Halki Orthodox Church. MAY - JUNE 2019 7 Philoptochos Philoptochos Welcomes Archbishop Elpidophoros The faithful, dedicated and agoras, of blessed memory, then will be lifted up by the Arch- loving stewards of the Greek Archbishop of North and South bishop’s successes; we will Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos America. share the weight of his burdens; Society, numbering more than Philoptochos was inspired and we will stand with His Emi- 25,000 women across the Arch- then by the dreams of a vision- nence, always, firmly committed diocese of America, offer their ary spiritual leader. And today, to our beloved and Holy Church most heartfelt congratulations we turn our hearts and our eyes and its people. to Archbishop Elpidophoros on to our newly elected spiritual fa- We offer our prayers that his election as Archbishop of ther, Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Lord will bless His Emi- America, and join in the jubilant to lead us to even greater ser- nence with abundant health and chorus of praise: Axios! Axios! vice to our Holy Church and the length of years in his ministry in Axios! needy throughout the world. the Archdiocese. May The Lord Nearly 90 years ago, the Phi- The women of Philoptochos bless Archbishop Elpidophoros loptochos Society was founded wish Archbishop Elpidophoros and keep him in his service to by Ecumenical Patriarch Athen- great strength and wisdom. We our beloved Church. Stewards Across U.S. Aid Greece, Cyprus; Donations Exceed $1 Million Following the financial crisis that • Reaching out to our Philoptochos only through the Aid to Greece and stantinopolitans for humanitarian assis- swept the globe in 2008, few countries chapters across the nation to demon- Cyprus program, but also through the tance to expatriated Greeks of Constan- were more adversely impacted than strate their commitment by offering fel- Autism Assistance Fund, as well as tinople Greece and Cyprus. By 2013, the un- lowship fundraising for the cause. monies raised through special appeals • Archdiocese of Athens humanitar- employment rate of our Greek brethren • Sponsoring a “Heart to Heart Pop- to provide humanitarian relief following ian relief for the 2018 wildfires in At- reached a devastating 28%---worse than Up Kafé,” where small groups of people the devastating fires in Athens and the tica, Athens the United States suffered during the gather for a simple coffee social and are earthquake in Mytiline. • Holy Metropolis of Mytiline to Great Depression of the 1930’s. asked for a small donation. All funds have been distributed to provide assistance to villages destroyed More than a decade later, the eco- • Personal appeals to individual charities that are carefully reviewed, in the earthquake nomic crisis continues to paralyze a stewards wishing to contribute to this evaluated and vetted by the Nation- There is reason to hope for a bright- great number of people, who live in im- important initiative. al President and Executive Board of er future in Greece, as reports indicate poverished conditions and are often de- • These small events are easy to Philoptochos and its Spiritual Advisor. signs of a reviving economy. prived of basic necessities such as food, host, require little time and effort and Following are just a few of the or- However, there is a long way to go, housing, and medical care. Sadly, many are designed to be sessions of camara- ganizations and individuals who have and a great many people will continue have experienced a profound loss of derie, purpose and awareness. received distributions through one or to suffer for the indefinite future. dignity and feel little hope for a brighter Through the generosity of our chap- more of these funds: The Aid to Greece and Cyprus pro- future. ters and individual stewards across the • Metropolis of Patras soup kitchen gram will continue to bring awareness Since 2012, Philoptochos stewards U.S., Philoptochos has disbursed in ex- • Metropolis of Ilias feeding pro- to this ongoing economic hardship and have sought to provide a measure of cess of $1 millionsince 2012 to provide grams will hopefully raise funds in support of relief for the suffering of our brethren shelter, meals, electricity, medicine, • Autism program in Cyprus our brethren as they struggle to recover. through the Aid to Greece and Cyprus emergency supplies and other necessi- • Apostoli Demetreion Center in To learn more about the Aid to initiative, whose mission is to assist, ties of life, as well as to support after Moschato, Athens for the care of under- Greece and Cyprus initiative and to support, and enhance the quality of life school programs, to provide educational privileged children make a donation, go to: for the struggling citizens of Greece and and social counseling for children and • Ermes department store in Nico- www.philoptochos.org/outreach/ Cyprus. Our philanthropic efforts have to aid elderly seniors. sia, Cyprus for children’s clothing fundraising-initiatives/aid-to-greece- consisted of three paths: These funds were distributed not • Ecumenical Federation of Con- and-cyprus CMF Luncheon set for Nov. 16 We Are the Faces of Philoptochos With this powerful mission embed- sisters, promise an afternoon of inspira- We are the women of Philoptochos: We raise approximately $2 million ded in its logo, the National Philopto- tion, dedication and warm camaraderie. over 25,000 members strong, in over year after year for our various philan- chos Children’s Medical Fund serves the Partnering With Our Youth. As a 400 chapters, eight Metropolises and thropic commitments, ministries and needs of critically ill children through- special endeavor called “Kids Helping the Direct Archdiocesan District. Any projects. out the United States and in other parts Kids,” the Metropolis of Chicago is en- attempt to stereotype us would be out- We have developed and are devel- of the world. The principal fundrais- gaging the children in its parish com- dated, other than to say that we are all oping educational initiatives to serve ing event of the National Philoptochos munities to raise funds through lemon- phenomenal volunteers who keep the and help our communities: Stop Bully- Society, the Children’s Medical Fund ade-hot chocolate-apple cider stands at needs of the poor, the sick, the hungry, Luncheon is held every two years and is church during the fellowship hour. All the homeless and our Orthodox faith in ing, Technology Safety, Inclusion Min- hosted on a rotating basis in the Direct proceeds from this effort will be donated the forefront of our lives. istries, Women’s Health, Alzheimer’s Archdiocesan District and the eight Me- to the CMF Luncheon, thereby teaching We are regular, everyday women. Disease, Opioid Addiction, Vaping. tropolises of the Archdiocese. our children about philanthropy. We all face challenges in our busy lives We are adopting underserved Save the Date! Later this year we Let us rejoice and embrace the chil- -- some with aches and pains, others schools in our local communities to pro- will gather once again with renewed dren with open and generous hearts! with diapers and cooing infants, agen- vide school supplies, personal hygiene purpose to fulfill the needs of our ill and Children’s Medical Fund History das and conference calls, courtrooms items and weekend meals to students fragile children. Hosted by the ladies Since its establishment in 1989, the and boardrooms, carpools and extracur- who otherwise would go without pen- of the Metropolis of Chicago Philop- Children’s Medical Fund has sought to ricular activities. These women, whom cils and notebooks, toothbrushes and tochos, the National Philoptochos So- provide medical assistance to critically we call ‘Sisters in Christ,’ are not just shampoo, and nourishment. ciety invites one and all to attend the ill children whose families are unable to mothers, sisters, daughters, wives, con- We sponsor a Speaker’s Program 17th Biennial Children’s Medical Fund afford appropriate and necessary medi- fidantes, cousins, nieces, granddaugh- on a variety of relevant topics to inform Luncheon. The event will take place cal treatment. ters and goddaughters; we have been and inspire our members, which takes on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at The Fund also provides grants for fashioned by God and instilled with tal- the Chicago Marriott in Downtown innovative research programs to pedi- ent, inspiration and zeal for life, learn- place at the Center of Philanthropy and Chicago’s “Magnificent Mile.” Mark- atric hospitals throughout the United ing, teaching, loving and a commitment is live streamed across the United States. ing the 30th anniversary of the found- States and to organizations with special to a better tomorrow for our communi- This is the spirit of a new Philopto- ing of this signature fundraising event, programs that care for children with ties and our world at large. chos. While continuing to remain true to our hosts, led by Metropolis President critical and life threatening illnesses, We have the dedication, agape, and our core values, we are inspired by an Pam Argyris and a committee of highly along with assistance to individuals and power to feed over one million people expanded vision and goals that are rel- motivated and dedicated Philoptochos their families. across the US annually. evant in the 21st century. 8 MAY - JUNE 2019 Assembly of Bishops Thoughts From L.A.-1 Our Smiling, Joyful Archbishop

By Fr. John Bakas that we are the Body of Christ, and each of us all a precious member!!” “A cheerful look brings joy to These words are not empty prom- the heart; good news makes for good ises. They are an oath, a commitment health, Proverbs 15:30.” Solomon the to all the faithful. I personally know great King of Israel and the wise sage the Archbishop and have been friends of wisdom could indeed be speaking for nearly 10 years now. We have com- of our Archbishop Elpidophoros. His municated on a regular basis during that Eminence brings us the good news of time. Let me state categorically that His the Gospel with a joyful smile and a Eminence has been sent to America by Assembly of Bishops photo new vitality which our Greek Orthodox the Will and Grace of God. It is Divine Church of America needs more than Providence. His Eminence will bring ever. trust and transparency to the administra- Orthodox - R.C. Bishops There are people in our midst that tive and financial responsibility of the th can afford to buy silver and gold but Archdiocese. I know that he will re- Consultation Holds 96 Session there is something money cannot buy view the national budget and make the that is missing in their lives, they have appropriate and needed adjustments. I no joy, no happiness and no peace. mentioned to him that the Archdiocese CONTOOCOOK, NH – The North and synodality. Additionally, the Con- They are waiting for an uplifting not cannot just be in New York. We are a American Orthodox-Catholic Theologi- sultation examined the issue of mixed th only from the lips but from the heart. national church. cal Consultation’s 96 session was held Orthodox-Catholic marriages and made I believe one of the greatest com- I’m sure His Eminence will be at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage final revisions to a statement entitled missions of a Christian is to share the traveling and ministering in every Me- Center in Contookook, N.H., from May “Vocation and Mission of the People of good news of our Risen Lord not only tropolis. In the Divine Liturgy, the priest 28-31. Metropolitan Methodios and God.” in words and actions but through a joy- intones “Above all remember Lord our Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin chaired the On Thursday, May 30, the Con- ful loving smile. When we share the Archbishop Elpidophoros”, grant him meeting. sultation joined the Joint Committee Good News with a smile it brings life, good health and many years teaching The membership, 18 theological of Orthodox and Catholic Bishops, it brings joy and hope, a name His Emi- aright the word of your truth! scholars of varying disciplines, contrib- co-chaired by Metropolitan Methodios nence bears, Elpidophoros (bearer of Archbishop Elpidophoros is also a uted to discussions on pastoral, theolog- and Cardinal Sean O’Malley. The two hope). His Eminence is kind, generous teacher, teaching simply the inimitable ical, and practical matters. bodies met to discuss mixed marriage, and a superb listener. No heavy dicta- theology of our Orthodox Church. I can During their meetings, the Consul- reflect on synodality in the Church, and torial hand in this man. He has stated see him surrounded by our people learn- tation discussed an unofficial interna- consider interchurch relations between that in the coming days and weeks “we ing from him the joys and holy virtues tional Orthodox-Catholic dialogue, the and within the respective Churches. will all be learning about one another. of our faith simply preach. Welcome to St. Irenaeus Joint Orthodox-Catholic This year’s meeting was gracious- I am coming to America not only to be America your Eminence – AXIOS Working Group, and considered one of ly sponsored by the Patterson Family your Archbishop, but to be your spiri- In our Risen Christ, this dialogue’s statements on primacy Foundation. tual friend and brother, your servant in Rev. Fr. John Bakas the Lord, your co-worker in Christ and Dean Saint Sophia Cathedral, Los fellow steward of all the gifts of God Angeles, CA that have been bestowed upon the Greek Adjunct Professor, Orthodox The- Orthodox faithful of America. Together ology we will bring the Holy Archdiocese of Loyola Marymount School of The- America to the greater understanding ology

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For over 30 years, the Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos has been providing financial assistance to its seminarians and students through the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. In the early years of this endowment, students were given gifts of just $25 or $50, but they were received with heartfelt gratitude by the students. Over the years, the Metropolis Philoptochos has made it a priority to increase the support by awarding nearly $160,000 in financial assistance to the 11 seminarians and students from the Metropolis of San Francisco attending Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Metropolis Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas, who also serves as first vice-president of the National Philoptochos Board, spoke at both the Alumni Dinner and at the 77th Com- mencement Ceremony. In her remarks, Jeannie said to the students, “As you now embark into the world, hold fast to the memories of your time here on The Holy Hill and always remember the cross which shines brightly on the Metropolis of San Francisco students and their families gathered with Metropolitan Gerasimos for a celebratory dinner during graduation weekend. Also present dome of the Chapel, for the cross will were His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, HCHC Acting Vice Chair George Cantonis, and Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos. always be your strength, to sustain you in all your work and to guide you on Francisco, Jeannie stated, “These are difference in our Archdiocese.” tochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. your journey.” not just monetary gifts, these are gifts Each year, the Metropolis of San This year’s events will be held Satur- When speaking about the finan- of love, and an investment in each of Francisco holds two “Light the Path” day, Nov. 23 at St. Paul Church in Ir- cial support offered by both National you, because we believe in your poten- Christmas Luncheon events to raise vine, Calif.; and Saturday, Dec. 7 at An- Philoptochos and the Metropolis of San tial and that you can and will make a funds for the Bishop Anthony Philop- nunciation Cathedral in San Francisco.

Metropolis of SF Philoptochos photos

Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos President Jeannie Ranglas presents a check to Michael Kirchmaier from the Bishop Anthony Philoptochos Student Aid Endowment Fund. (Pictured L-R: Mary Lofton – Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos Board Member, Jeannie Ranglas, Michael Kirchmaier – HCHC Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, Kyle Gilbert – HCHC Accounting Manager, and Kristen Bruskas, Metropolis of San Francisco director of Development and Communications). Calif. Pan-Orthodox Event Raises Over $100,000 for Orphans, Students in India

By Kristen Bruskas America, Metropolitan Gerasimos, and teaching and nurturing these hundreds ing human rights and ending human guest homilist Metropolitan Nikitas of of children on a daily basis. trafficking. Jackson is also an accom- Led by Metropolitan Gerasimos the Dardanelles. A Pan-Orthodox Choir Metropolitan Nikitas spoke of his plished musician and performed a short of San Francisco, Metropolis faithful of 50 voices under the direction of Dr. affiliation with Sister Nectaria, who es- musical program featuring some of his helped raise more than $100,000 as part Eve Tibbs, music director at St. Paul tablished the facilities 25 years ago dur- own compositions. He also donated a of a Pan Orthodox fundraising event for Greek Orthodox Church in Irvine, sang ing his tenure as Metropolitan of Hong guitar for the Live Auction which was an orphanage in India. the hymns. Kong and Southeast Asia. Currently, he autographed by many of the cast mem- A Pan-Orthodox Vespers and re- The Theotokos Girls and Boys Or- serves as coordinator of the Patriarchal bers from the hit TV show Nashville in ception took place March 16 at As- phanage and St. Ignatius School has Committee on Human Trafficking and which he starred for six seasons, follow- sumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary been serving, protecting and educating Modern-day Slavery; ing his extraordinary tenure as Lucky Church in Long Beach, Calif., that children in India for 25 years. A short Special guest actor and musician Spencer on General Hospital. collected the proceeds for the Theoto- film (www.ekotafilm.com) featured Jonathan Jackson, a devoted Orthodox Through the generosity of several kos Girls and Boys Orphanage and St. Sister Nectaria and her efforts to combat Christian and five-time Daytime Emmy donors the money raised will support the Ignatius School in Bakeswar, India. human trafficking one child at a time, winner, was the featured speaker at the construction of the St. Ignatius School. Pan-Orthodox clergy and faithful were demonstrated the great need, but also event, led in prayer by Bishop Maxim of the was inspirational to see faith in action He shared his journey to the Ortho- Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Western with the good works of those who are dox faith, and his passion for promot-  to page 11 10 MAY - JUNE 2019 For the Record Arch. Council Topics Included Archbishop Demetrios’ May 4 Resignation at Phanar, Finances By Jim Golding cluding the presentation of a balanced budget for the upcoming year, an abso- ATLANTA – Archdiocesan Coun- lute requirement of the Massachusetts cil members, at their spring meeting Board of Education. May 9-10 at Annunciation Cathedral, Over the past four years, the school heard Archbishop (now former) Deme- had been losing more than $2.4 mil- trios officially announce that he submit- lion a year, while enrollment has been ted his resignation to Ecumenical Patri- decreasing. From a high of about 260 arch Bartholomew on May 4. a few years ago, about 140 students are Orthodox Observer photos Council members earlier gave His registered for the fall semester. Eminence a standing ovation as he en- Following the resignation of the what to do with a six-acre property ad- Once the project starts up, com- tered the meeting and later passed a former president, Fr. Chris Metropolis, jacent to the campus purchased several pletion will take between 18 and 24 resolution honoring him for his service a search committee has been formed to years ago for about $10 million. months. to the Church. select a new leader. There have been The Council, near the end of their “We’re building on a very challeng- Highlights of the two-day meeting major cuts to adjunct faculty, but no meeting, passed a resolution approving ing site,” said Bishop Andonios. “We included an upbeat financial report giv- full-time faculty positions have been $1.5 million for HCHC for 2020. have to adhere to strict codes for pre- en by Council Treasurer Elaine Allen, eliminated. ST. NICHOLAS PROJECT venting terrorist attacks, which means issues relating to Hellenic College-Holy As of May 18, the end of the Bishop Andonios reemphasized additional security costs. Cross School of Theology presented by 2018-19 school year, there are 12 full- from past statements the Archdiocese “We don’t want any governmental interim President Metropolitan Metho- time faculty and a research scholar has issued over the past two years that agency to move in to take away what dios, an update on the St. Nicholas in the seminary, and 11 full-time fac- “no money had been stolen” and that has been given to us by God.” Greek Orthodox Church and National ulty in the college. Cuts in admin- most funds that had been taken from the He noted that the recent restoration Shrine from Archdiocese Chancellor istrtive costs also have been msde. project’s restricted fund to pay operat- of St Patrick’s Cathedral cost $170mil- Bishop Andonios and a brief discussion The Metropolitan continued that “the ing expenses of the Archdiocese have lion. on the clergy pension plan by Fr. James School has suffered from lack of trans- been returned. Any pledges already made to the Paris. parency” and the Board of Trustees Of the $3 million owed, the Arch- Archdiocese for the project will be “There is much positive news,” members will change, and could also diocese has returned $2.8 million transferred to the Friends organization. Elaine Allen said about the financial include the addition of Archdiocesan Last year, after meetings with Port Archbishop Demetrios rose to situation. “We have accomplished the Council and Leadership 100 members. Authority of New York and New Jersey comment that “We almost lost site by unbelievable in a short time, including He also said the school bylaws are and Gov. Andrew Cuomo, to discuss eminent domain,” which resulted in placing tight financial controls.” “completely out of date and need to be the project’s future, an endowment, years of litigation as the Archdiocese Ms. Allen added, “We unfortunate- addressed”, while a strategic planning Friends of St. Nicholas, was established was forced to sue the Port Authority ly suffer from fake news” as much mis- committee will review the school’s mis- to sustain the national shrine, the Bish- from doing “something they were not information has been circulating about sion, instruction and governance. The op explained. Construction had stopped permitted to do. Archdiocese finances. relationship between the college and the in 2017. A major bank, Deutche Bank, had She noted that, in 2018, excess rev- seminary will be reviewed. The governor had recommended proposed building a new building ad- enue over expenses totaled $3.6 million He noted that the college makes “a the establishment of an autonomous jacent to the St. Nicholas site and tak- and an additional $4.1 million recieved significant financial contribution to the committee comprised of seven mem- ing the air rights above the church. “It over the past year helped to effectively seminary,” which would be “signifi- bers that would direct the project. Den- would be a blasphemy,” he said. reduce the deficit. cantly more expensive to operate if it nis Mehiel was named chairman. Other When Gov. Cuomo was elected he Detailed budget and financial re- weren’t for the college.” members include Michael Psaros and took action to assist the project. ports can be found online at the Arch- The most pressing issue is elimina- John Catsimatides. Council members also passed a diocese website. tion of old debt, Metropolitan Metho- The committee would have over- resolution honering Bishop Andonios Additional funding from parishes, dios explained. Major fund-raising will sight by the Archdiocese, but without for his service to the Church. the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund be necessary. interference or control. PENSION PLAN and the Bouras Foundation greatly con- “We have to show to our faithful The meetings continue to hammer Fr James Paris gave a brief report tributed to the Archdiocese financial that we are stewards of the money we out details for a general agreement on the Clergy Pension Benefits Fund situation, Ms. Allen also noted. are given. We have to improve the stew- The Bishop further explained that that revealed the pension plan is “un- HCHC ardship that we exercise,” he stated, Skanska, the major construction firm derfunded by 50 percent.” Metropolitan Methodios called adding, “We will press forward with our that had been working at the site, and While the Archdiocese had paid its HCHC “the heart of the Archdiocese, plan for openness and transparency.” other contractors, had expressed inter- share into the fund, as had been report- the spinal column that holds the Church Among the vital revenue sources of est to continue the project. ed earlier by Ms. Allen. in America aright.” He reported that the school is the $1 million annual grant An estimated $40-$45 million is The issue is underfunding. Its suc- the school “came very close to losing from Leadership 100 and the $1.5 mil- needed to complete the project and con- cess is driven by contributions and its accreditation,” but actions are being lion from the Archdiocese. struction cannot resume until the mon- parish contributions “are a drop in the taken to prevent that from occurring, in- School trustees also are looking at ey is raised. bucket,” Fr. Paris noted.

tion of a new clergyman. of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Holy Eparchial Synod Communiqué 4) Inter-Orthodox matters: Refer- Church and National Shrine at Ground ence was made and discussion took Zero. place on the course of Inter-Orthodox As was the case with past sessions The Archdiocese Holy Eparchial cational institutions. and Ecumenical operations of the Holy of the Holy Eparchial Synod, during the Synod convened for its regular sched- 2) Youth matters: The Members of Archdiocese of America. break of the morning session and fol- uled meeting at Archdiocesan headquar- the Holy Eparchial Synod exchanged 5) Liturgical matters: The Holy Ep- lowing an invitation, Archon George archial Synod received the texts of the Anderson updated the Members on ters April 9-10, under the presidency of views on matters concerning the Youth English translations of the Holy Servic- general and specific matters on safe- (now former) Archbishop Demetrios and in particular in reference to the ap- es of Orthros and Vespers which it will ty issues regarding the buildings and with the Synod members participating plication of protective measures for the study and process. The Synod also dealt people of the Holy Metropolises of the and deliberating on the following: Youth; and also the formation and orga- with an existing electronic publication Holy Archdiocese of America. In the 1) Educational matters: The Synod nization of new camp programs. of liturgical texts. evening of the same day and at around dealt with the course and direction of 3) Administrative and Canonical 6) Financial matters: The Mem- 6:00 pm, the Holy Eparchial Synod Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek matters: The Synod discussed matters bers of the Holy Eparchial Synod were completed its session with a prayer and Orthodox School of Theology in Brook- pertaining to the salary and pension informed about the progress made at their Eminences exchanged wishes for line, Massachusetts, made serious deci- of the holy clergy, and decided to take the Holy Archdiocese. They were also the remaining of the Lenten period and sions and took important measures for measures following proposals of rele- informed on the developments and the Pascha, and departed for their respective the recovery and progress of these edu- vant bodies; it also approved the ordina- actions taken related to the rebuilding holy Metropolises. MAY - JUNE 2019 11 Metropolis News

A Pan-Orthodox Youth Rally was held immediately prior to Great Vespers. Participants came from throughout southern California.

Saint Ignatius High School in Bakeswar, India celebrated their opening on May 4, 2019. Pan-Orthodox Event Supports Orphans, Students in India  from page 9 sentatives from Fili Inc., traveled to In- dia for the dedication of the new school. This wonderful celebration marked Dr. Anna Yallourakis served as a momentous occasion for Sister Nec- fund-raising chairman, assisted by taria and the students whose bright fu- women from the surrounding parishes, ture awaits them through the benevo- Philoptochos chapters and Fili Inc., a lence of so many people who opened non-profit organization that supports their hearts to this important cause. Sister Nectaria and helps spread her For more information visit: message of love and need. www.ekotafilm.com or www.fili-inc. In early May, Anna and other repre- com. (L-R) Elisa Jackson, Jonathan Jackson, and Metropolitan Gerasimos. (Photo by: Allen Altchech Photography)

Specialists in Travel to Greece, Croatia, Portugal, Spain, Canary Islands, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Jordan • Tailor made itineraries to any of our unique destinations. • European Honeymoon & Wedding specialists • European Family Vacations. • Customized European Group Travel. Sights and Sounds Committee members with Peter Delvizis (Holy Ttinity Church photo) • Specialists in Greek Orthodox groups to the Holy Land, Constantinople & Greece. JOIN US ON OUR GREEK ORTHODOX PILGRIMAGES & CULTURAL TOURS: th NJ Parish Hosts 48 Sights and Sounds Event CULTURAL TRIP TO CROATIA WESTFIELD, N.J. - The 48th Sights val from the youth to the advisors and SPLIT- HVAR- KORCULA- DUBROVNIK and Sounds Invitational Festival held all those connected with this event. SEPTEMBER 23 - OCTOBER 6 led by Cloud Tours recently at Holy Trinity Church attract- Sights and Sounds requires many ed nearly 800 youth members, advisors, months of preparation. As in a sympho- HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGES: chaperones, judges, priests, presvyteres, ny orchestra, independent parts work Sept. 29- Oct 8 and volunteers. collaboratively to deliver a beautiful led by Fr. Simon Thomas This year’s festival included the concert. Such is the case when orches- of Annunciation Church in Memphis, TN attendance of the founder and source trating the various components needed Oct 18-27 of inspiration of Sights & Sounds, An- to conduct this beautiful event. led by Fr. James Honeycutt geliki Anderson who now resides in The Sights portion of the competi- of St. George Church in Bloom eld Hills MI South Carolina. Kiki shared the history tion consists of 40 categories of art, fine Nov 7-17 and recounted many memories of this art, handiwork, woodwork, photogra- Fr. Christopher Foustoukis event with the audience. She delighted phy and literature. All the magnificent of St. Vasilios Church in Peabody , MA all with her spirit and excitement of her artwork is displayed throughout the fa- PILGRIMAGE TO JORDAN AND THE HOLY LAND: presence. cility for all to enjoy on the event day. In conjunction with this day, the The judging for the “Sights” takes place July 3-15 current chairs, Pamela and Eugene Gen- prior to the day of the “Sounds” perfor- led by Fr. Paul Palesty tile, were recognized for their 11 years mances. of St. Nicholas Church in Flushing, NY of dedicated service. They continued The day of the event, March 2, mu- Visit us at: www.GreekOrthodoxPilgrimages.com the legacy of the talented and dedicated sic and theater fill the building. Sound 31 09 N A L I N 11102 teams before them. categories included instrumental so- The Holy Trinity family is grateful los, singing solos, English and Greek T 718 721-3808 T 1-800-223-7880 for their leadership and efforts which monologues, Choral Speaking, singing 718 795-4356 E- they delivered with love and care to the groups, play presentations, Greek Folk many individuals working at the Festi- Dancing and instrumental groups. 12 MAY - JUNE 2019 St Basil Academy Contemporary Life Sound Advice for High School Graduates By Fr Angelo Artemas need to be both figuratively and liter- ally. He who is sober will rise above Now that you have come to this the 6 million who are not. You are in point in your life, be reminded that over the driver’s seat for the rest of your life. 6 million young people will graduate It’s okay to drive aggressively as long as from high school this year alone in the you are sober, safe and wise. United States. How can this be such a Gratitude - As you move forward special accomplishment if so many are in your life, don’t give yourself any graduating? That is entirely up to you, credit for success, but thank your par- and how you will approach the next ents, family and friends, and thank God stage of your life. above all else. Being thankful and hav- You can continue to be extraordi- ing an attitude of gratitude can turn base nary and different from 6 million other human beings into cherubs. Orthodox graduates by considering the following: faithful are Eucharistic beings (people Humility - You did not reach this who give thanks). Let the 6 million oth- stage of your life without the prayers, ers feel like entitled millennials; you be Orthodox Observer photo help and support of your parents, family grateful. Graduates with Philoptochos National Advisor Bishop Apostolos, Executive Director Fr. Constantine and good friends, and without the Grace Service/Diakonia - Perhaps what Sitaras, Fr. Anthony Falsarella, chaplain (far right); trustees including Dr. Steven Gounardes, presi- of God. Let everyone else feel special will ultimately separate you from your dent; the Very Rev. Constantine Moralis (far left), vice president; Trustee Elaine Cladis, Trustee Evellyn and proud; you remain humble before peers and 6 million others is your ser- Tsiadis, National Philoptochos Board member Georgia Vlitas, Trustee Lea Zervoulias and Marine God and people. vice to others. Whatever field of study Staff Sgt. Thomas R. Angle Jr. Sobriety - Teenagers and young you enter, and whatever vocation you th adults throughout the known world feel pursue, practice the sacred tradition of Saint Basil’s 75 Commencement that they have the freedom to get drunk serving others. The next generation does and to get stoned; it shall not be so with not need more devices and technology; you. While all things may be lawful, not it needs more servants. Begin with your GARRISON, N.Y. – Saint Basil uates were Ava James, Alia James and all things are beneficial (1Corinthians th family and continue to those who will Academy held its 75 annual com- Zoey Martinez. 6); and though you are more free than be around you - a good word, a smile, mencement ceremony June 1, which The two high school graduates both ever before to do whatever you want, do a kind gesture, and other generous acts. included a message from Archbishop gave brief heartfelt messages. not use your freedom as an opportunity Nothing in your life will give you more Elpidophoros read by Bishop Apostolos Vladimir, who has been in the Unit- for the flesh (Galatians 5). Never lose integrity and satisfaction than serving of Medeia, secretary of the Holy Synod ed States only three years, spoke with a control of your faculties, and always be others. and spiritual advisor to the National nearly flawless American accent. the one who is able to make the right The future of our 5 billion year old Philoptochos Society. His father is Ukrainian and the decisions. You will thus undoubtedly planet and our 100,000 year old species Graduating from Haldane High family immigrated legally to the Unit- prevent yourself and those around you is firmly in your hands. Remain humble School in nearby Cold Spring were ed States to flee political persecution. from doing major harm to themselves and sober, be grateful for your many Odalis Criollo, originally from Ecuador, Vladimir was accepted by eight univer- and others. Always be prepared to drive blessings, and serve God and His won- and Vladimir Sirlia, who was born in St. sities and has decided to attend the State yourself and others safely to where they drous creation. Petersburg, Russia.  to page 30 Pre-school and Kindergarten grad- FATHERHOOD By Fr. Angelo Artemas when fathers are first good husbands. It CLERGY UPDATE is no coincidence that before St. Paul ad- Ordinations to the Diaconate: Dn. Nicholas Paros - by Arch- The importance of a mother is obvi- dresses fathers in Ephesians 6:4, he first Lanzourakis, Nicholas, by Met- bishop Demetrios, St. Catherine- ous. Mother’s Day is a big celebration, addresses husbands in Ephesians 5:25 ropolitan Methodios of Boston, at St. George Church, Astoria, NY and restaurants and florists thank moth- by writing Husbands love your wives as Annunciation Cathedral, Boston 03/24/19 ers for their busiest time of year. Fa- Christ loved the church and died for her. 11/11/18 Dn. Jonathan Mettasophia - Met- ther’s Day, on the other hand, is a much A worthy father is first a Christ-like hus- Yacalis, Vasilios - Metropolitan quieter and more subdued celebration, band. More important to children than ropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Holy and the importance of a father is less ob- Nicholas of Detroit, Annunciation Trinity Cathedral, Charlotte, NC the knowledge that they are loved by vious and quite understated. their parents is the knowledge that their Church, Vestal, NY 11/18/18 04/07/19 The Centers for Disease Control Leathers, Ryan Andrew - Metropol- Assignments: parents love each other, and especially and Prevention reports that the number that the father loves the mother. itan Nicholas, Assumption Church, Fr. Jonathan Mettasophia – Holy one thing that depressed teenagers, In Ephesians 6:4 St. Paul writes Fa- Louisville, KY 03/03/19 Trinity Cathedral, Charlotte, NC Anorexics, Bulimics, drug addicts, and thers do not provoke your children to Dogias, Peter - Metropolitan Gera- 03/10/19 those who are morbidly obese have anger, but bring them up in the disci- simos of San Francisco, Annuncia- Fr. Ioannis Michaelidis – St. in common is having an abusive or pline and instruction of the Lord. In as tion Church, Sacramento, Calif. Vasilios Church, Peabody, Mass. absent father or father figure. While this much as mothers nurture their children 03/09/19 03/15/19 commonality is correlation more than physically and emotionally, fathers must Mettasophia (Resmini) Jonathan Appointments: causation, it stresses the value of fathers participate in this nurture, and further - Metropolitan Methodios, St. Bishop Apostolos of Medeia – in the lives of their children. nurture their children spiritually. There Vasilios Church, Peabody, Mass. Chief Secretary of Holy Eparchial Perhaps the most damaging is no earthly life without physical nur- 03/10/19 Synod 11/15/18 historical development to fatherhood ture, and there is no eternal life without Rossiter, Benjamin - Metropolitan Bishop Sevastianos of Zela – Aux- was the Industrial Revolution. For the spiritual nurture. Nicholas, Annunciation Church, iliary Bishop of Metropolis of first time fathers were pulled out of Adolescent studies have shown that Buffalo, NY 03/10/19 Atlanta 12/01/18 the house and off of their property, and fathers are the most influential persons Hallas, Anastasios - Bishop Offikia: they became distant breadwinners. For in children developing healthy esteem, Apostolos of Medeia, Holy Trin- Fr. Peter Day – Office of Econo- many today, fathers, whether married, gender awareness, self-satisfaction, ity Church, Bridgeport, Conn. mos, bestowed by Metropolitan never married or divorced, represent a patience, self-control, and emotional 03/17/19 Methodios 02/17/19 paycheck. All children whose fathers and intellectual maturity. A significant Todd, Eugene - Metropolitan Isaiah Fr. Constantine Sinos – Office of are absent, regardless of race or income Anglican church study showed that the of Denver, St. Spyridon Church, Economos, bestowed by Metropoli- levels, are at a greater risk of emotional biggest factor in children growing up Loveland, Colo. 04/07/19 tan Isaiah of Denver 03/10/19 and physical difficulties. While to be regular church worshippers was Ordinations to the Priesthood: Fr. George Anastasiou – Office of paychecks are necessary, the presence whether their father worshipped regu- Dn. Nicholas Lanzourakis - Met- Protopresbyter, bestowed by Arch- of a father in the lives of his children larly (worshipping regularly with only ropolitan Methodios, Annunciation bishop Demetrios 05/05/19 is considerably more important than mom showed the weakest results, wor- Church, Cranston, RI 11/18/18 Retired Clergy: money. shipping regularly with mom and dad Dn. Peter Dogias - Metropolitan Correction: Fr. Thomas Pappalas In America today, 37 percent of showed stronger results, and worship- Gerasimos, Annunciation Church, – was listed in error as Retired in children are being born to single moth- Sacramento, Calif. 03/10/19 previous issue. ers. While it may seem obvious to some, children and families are far better off  to page 24 MAY - JUNE 2019 13 Archons Subscribe Online Recognizing that many people now receive their information online, and in our continuing efforts to make news more easily accesible, you may opt-in to receive the Orthodox Observer online edition. 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Ukraine Autocephaly Subject of Atlanta Archons Event By Dr. Manuel Tissura to seek autocephaly today. The Ukrainian Parliament in 2016 ATLANTA - The 20th Metropo- voted to become independent of the lis of Atlanta Archon banquet, which Russian Church, and a petition to Con- followed the annual spring meeting of stantinople by President Petro Porosh- the Metropolis Archons, that featured encko, in 2018, repeated the desire. His an address by retired priest Fr. Paul All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew re- Costopoulos on the autocephaly of the voked the decree of 1686 and created a Ukraine Orthodox Church, was held in local ecclesiastical structure in Kiev that Atlanta on March 30. would be directly accountable to the Toastmaster for the evening was Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constanti- Archon Bill Marianes, Metropolis Le- nople. In December, 2018, at a Unifi- gal Advisor. cation Council in Kiev, a new Primate, After the invocation by Metropoli- Metropolitan Epiphanius, was selected. tan Alexios, Dr. Manuel Tissura, Ar- This brought immediate protest chon regional commander, welcomed from Pres. Putin and Russian Patriarch the guests who heard Fr. Paul speak on Kiril who broke off communion with “The Critical Issue of the Autocephaly the Patriarchate of Constantinople and of the Church of Ukraine. its supporters. Solidarity with the Rus- Fr. Paul served for over 41 years as sian Patriarch included the Orthodox a priest of the Archdiocese in parishes Church of the Czech lands and Slo- including Huntsville, Ala., Jacksonville, vakia, the Church of Poland, and the Fla., Denver, and Birmingham, Ala., Serbian Orthodox Church. A segment where he was named Dean of Holy of the divided Orthodox church in the Trinity-Holy Cross Cathedral in 1996. Ukraine has also remained faithful to He has also served as a member of the Moscow. Fr. Paul pointed out that these Archdiocesan Council and the Metrop- divided loyalties are not just a political olis Councils of Denver and Atlanta at and hierarchical matter but have bear- intervals through the years. ing on local churches in America and Fr. Paul’s timely address was titled elsewhere. For instance, Pan-Orthodox “The Critical Issue of the Autocephaly Vespers on the eve of the Sunday of Or- of the Church of Ukraine.” His remarks thodoxy in many communities may find focused on the difficulty of achiev- it difficult to continue to remain in coming autocephaly (independence) by the munion with each other with loyalties in Ukrainian Church because of events, question. And what would justify a cel- past and present, which have brought ebration of the Sunday of Orthodoxy if the Patriarchates of Constantinople and Orthodoxy is divided? Moscow into new conflict for primacy The Russian position is that auto- over the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. cephaly should be decided by Orthodox Historically, Christianity was Christianity’s independent churches at brought to the Slavs by Constantinople a Great Council – not unilaterally by which is not only the mother of Russian Patriarch Bartholomew. But the Pa- Orthodoxy, but also gave to the people triarch of Moscow did not attend the an alphabet with which to read, write, Great Council which was convened in and translate scriptures into their lan- Crete by Patriarch Bartholomew two guage.Change occurred In1686 when a years ago. Moscow also believes that Synodal Letter was issued by the then the Patriarchate of Moscow should have Ecumenical Patriarch granting the right primacy because it has more adherents, through oikonomia to the Patriarch of money, seminaries, monasteries and Moscow to ordain the Metropolitan of theological schools than does Constan- Kiev, the head of the Ukrainian Ortho- tinople or the other Patriarchates of Al- dox Church. Within the decree, how- exandria, Antioch and Jerusalem. ever, was the understanding that the Fr. Paul concluded his remarks Ukrainian Church liturgically would with an urgent call to all Archons to commemorate the Ecumenical Patri- defend the integrity and freedom of the archate of Constantinople. Patriarchate of Constantinople, so that Since that time, the Ukraine has the issue of Autocephaly of the Ukrai- suffered a series of geo-political events nian Orthodox Church will not result in which came to a head in the 20th and a permanent schism of our Holy Ortho- 21st centuries. Major among these dox Church. He urged prayers for his events was the extermination of millions All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, of Ukrainians by the Stalin regime, the successor to St. Andrew, who works Nazi occupation of the Ukraine during tirelessly to uphold the Faith of Christ WWII, followed by the fight between and to maintain the unity of our Holy Russians and Germans to integrate the Orthodox Church. 3200 NE 36th St Ap1222 Ukraine into their Empires, and cur- After a brief question and answer rently the annexation of the Crimea by period, the benediction by Bishop Se- FT Lauderdale, FL 33308-6766 Russia in 2014. These multiple suffer- bastian of the Atlanta Metropolis, assist- to page 24 ings and indignations precipitated an ef- ed by Fr. Costopoulos., ended this very fort by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church important evening. 14 MAY - JUNE 2019 Metropolis News

Clergy and committee members gather on May 11 at the Wantagh Bowling Lanes on Long Island with a representative group of the more than 300 active bowlers prior to the start of the bowl-a-thon. GOA/D. Panagos photo (Right) Fr. Aristidis helps his son Konstantinos roll the first ball at the event.Orthodox Observer photo Annual Bowl-a-Thon Sets Records, Helps Priest’s Son WANTAGH, N.Y. – More than 500 cipients of the Foundation’s assistance participants, including 300-plus bowlers who is soon to be married. ages 4 to adult representing eight par- Among the participants Bishop ishes on Long Island and Queens, N.Y., Sevastianos of Zela, a close friend of helped set a record in donations to help the Pavlou family that is originally from children with childhood leukemia at the Cyprus, as is the bishop. 17th Pins for Pauly Bowl-a-Thon. The hundreds of bowlers represent- One of this year’s primary recipi- ed the following parishes: St. Deme- ents was Konstantinos Garinis, age 6, trios in Astoria; St. Markella, Wantagh; son of Fr. Aristidis Garinis, assistant St. Paul’s, Hempstead; St. Nicholas, priest at St. Nicholas Church in Flush- Flushing; St. Nicholas, West Babylon; ing. Over the years more than 400 chil- St. Demetrios, Merrick; Holy Trinity, dren have received assistance, not only Hicksville; and St. Paraskevi, Green- throughout the United States, but in sev- lawn eral countries including Greece, Cyprus The not-for-profit organization, and as far away as India, Georgia Pavlou staffed only by unpaid volunteers, do- noted. She and her husband, Andreas, nates all proceeds to childhood leuke- members of St. Demetrios Church in mia patients and receives many requests Merrick, established the Pins for Pauly for aid. Donations are accepted through- Foundation with other close friends as a out the year. Anyone wanting to donate memorial to their son, Paul, who passed may contact: Pins for Pauly Foundation away at age 10 of leukemia in 1991. Inc., 24 Kenney Ave., Merrick, N.Y. Over $56,000 has been raised this 11566; website pinsforpauly.org, or call year. More and more children have been 516.379.8885. surviving the disease, as attested to by Alexia Chrisomallis, one of the first re- -by Jim Golding ΜΑΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2019 ΕΤΟΣ 84 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1337 Ο Προύσης Ελπιδοφόρος εξελέγη παμψηφεί Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής ΣΥΝΤΟΜΟ Ενθρόνιση ΒΙΟΓΡΑΦΙΚΟ ΣΗΜΕΙΩΜΑ στις 22 Ιουνίου Ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικής κ. Ἐλπι- δοφόρος (Λαμπρυνιάδης) ἐγεννήθη τὸ ἔτος ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Η Αγία και Ιερά 1967 ἐν Μακροχωρίῳ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. Σύνοδος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου, Ἐφοίτησεν εἰς τὸ Τμῆμα Ποιμαντικῆς τῆς υπό την προεδρία της Αυτού Θειοτάτης Θεολογικῆς Σχολῆς τοῦ Ἀριστοτελείου Παναγιότητος του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, ἐξ οὗ κ. κ. Βαρθολομαίου, κατά την συνεδρία της ἀπεφοίτησεν ἀριστεύσας τὸ ἔτος 1991. Τὸ 11ης Μαΐου 2019, εξέλεγξε παμψηφεί τον μέχρι ἔτος 1993 ὡλοκλήρωσε τὰς μεταπτυχιακὰς τούδε Σεβασμιώτατο Μητροπολίτη Προύσης αὐτοῦ σπουδὰς εἰς τὴν Φιλοσοφικὴν Σχολὴν κ. Ελπιδοφόρο ως νέο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής. τοῦ Πανεπιστημίου Βόννης ὑποβαλὼν ἐπὶ (βλ. επίσημο ανακοινωθέν) τούτῳ διατριβὴν ὑπὸ τὸν τίτλον «Οἱ ἀδελφοὶ Η ενθρόνιση του Σεβασμιωτάτου Νικόλαος καὶ Ἰωάννης Μεσαρίτης». Εἰς Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρου θα διάκονον ἐχειροτονήθη τὸ ἔτος 1994 ἐν λάβει χώρα το Σάββατο 22 Ιουνίου 2019, στις 11 π.μ. στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό Καθεδρικό Ναό τῷ Π. Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ, διορισθείς, ἐν της Αγίας Τριάδος στο Μανχάταν. συνεχείᾳ, Κωδικογράφος τῆς Ἁγίας καὶ Ἱερᾶς Αμέσως μετά την εκλογή του, ο Συνόδου. Τὸ ἑπόμενον ἔτος 1995 διωρίσθη Νίκος Μαγγίνας Photo Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ελπιδοφόρος όρισε τον Ὑπογραμματεὺς τῆς Ἁγίας καὶ Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου. Σεβασμιώτατο Μητροπολίτη Βοστώνης κ. Ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρος κατά την τελετή του Μεγάλου Μηνύματος στον Μεταξὺ τῶν ἐτῶν 1996-1997 ἐφοίτησεν εἰς Μεθόδιο ως Αρχιεπισκοπικό Επίτροπο έως Πατριαρχικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου στο Φανάρι. τὴν Θεολογικὴν Σχολὴν τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἰωάννου την άφιξη του ιδίου στην Αμερική. Εξ’ άλλου, τοῦ Δαμασκηνοῦ ἐν Μπαλαμὰντ Λιβάνου, ο Παναγιώτατος Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΟ ΜΗΝΥΜΑ ἔνθα ἐβελτίωσε τὴν γνῶσιν τῆς ἀραβικῆς κ. Βαρθολομαίο όρισε τον Σεβασμιώτατο γλώσσης. Τὸ ἔτος 2001 ὑπέβαλε διδακτορικὴν Μητροπολίτη Γερμανίας κ. Αυγουστίνο ως του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρου διατριβὴν εἰς τὴν Θεολογικὴν Σχολὴν τοῦ Πατριαρχικό εκπρόσωπο για την ενθρόνιση. προς το πλήρωμα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής Α. Π. Θεσσαλονίκης ὑπὸ τὸν τίτλον: «Ἡ Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ελπιδοφόρος πρόκειται ἔναντι τῆς Συνόδου τῆς Χαλκηδόνος στάσις να αφιχθεί στο Διεθνές Αεροδρόμιο Κένεντυ 15 Μαΐου 2019 στήν ὑπέροχη συνειδητοποίηση ὅτι εἴμεθα τοῦ Σεβήρου Ἀντιοχείας» καὶ ἀνηγορεύθη την Τετάρτη 19 Ιουνίου. Το πρωί της Πέμπτης Προσφιλεῖς μου Πιστοί τῆς Ἑλλην- Σῶμα Χριστοῦ καί καθένας ἀπό μᾶς πολύτιμο διδάκτωρ τῆς Θεολογίας μὲ τὸν βαθμόν 20 Ιουνίου 2019, θα φτάσει στο Αρχιεπισκοπικό ορθοδόξου Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς: μέλος. «ἄριστα». Τὸ ἔτος 2004 προσεκλήθη ὡς Μέγαρο, θα συναντήσει το προσωπικό της Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη! Σέ σᾶς καί σέ ὅλους τούς Ὀρθοδόξους ἐπισκέπτης καθηγητὴς εἰς τὴν Θεολογικὴν Αρχιεπισκοπής και θα τελέσει Δοξολογία Μπορεῖ νά εἶμαι «ἀπών τῷ σώματι», ὅπως Χριστιανούς Ἀδελφούς καί Ἀδελφές ἀνά Σχολὴν τοῦ Τιμίου Σταυροῦ Βοστώνης, ἔνθα στο παρεκκλήσιο του Αποστόλου Παύλου. εἶπε κάποτε ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος, εἶμαι ὅμως τήν Ἀμερική, κομίζω τήν εὐλογία τοῦ ἐδίδαξεν ἐπὶ ἓν ἑξάμηνον. Τὸν Μάρτιον τοῦ ἰδιαιτέρως παρών τῇ καρδίᾳ, τῇ διανοίᾳ καί Παναγιωτάτου Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχου Αμέσως μετά, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος θα συναντηθεί ἔτους 2005, προτάσει τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, τῷ πνεύματι (Κορ. Α΄, 5:3). Ἤθελα νά ἀδράξω κ.κ. Βαρθολομαίου. Ἔρχομαι κοντά σας με τα μέλη της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής Συνόδου προήχθη ὑπὸ τῆς Ἁγίας καὶ Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου και τους βοηθούς επισκόπους της Ιεράς αὐτή τήν εὐκαιρία γιά νά ἐπικοινωνήσω ὡς ἀδελφός σας ἐν Χριστῷ. Καί στίς 22 μαζί σας μέσα ἀπό τό ὑπέροχο ἐργαλεῖο τῆς Ἰουνίου, στήν Ἐνθρόνισή μου, προσδοκῶ εἰς Ἀρχιγραμματέα αὐτῆς, χειροτονηθεὶς εἰς Αρχιεπισκοπής. Το εσπέρας της ιδίας ημέρας ο Πρεσβύτερον ὑπὸ τοῦ Πατριάρχου ἐν τῷ Π. Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ελπιδοφόρος θα παραστεί και κοινωνικῆς δικτυώσεως καί νά σᾶς μεταφέρω νά ἀγκαλιάσω καί τούς οἰκουμενικούς καί τήν μεγάλη ἐπιθυμία μου νά σᾶς ἀγκαλιάσω διαθρησκειακούς φίλους μας καθώς καί Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ. Τὸ ἔτος 2009 ἡ Θεολογικὴ θα ευλογήσει δείπνο με τη συμμετοχή ιερέων Σχολὴ Θεσσαλονίκης ἐξέλεξεν αὐτὸν και πρεσβυτερών της Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής ὅλους ὡς πνευματικά τέκνα καί νά σᾶς ὁλόκληρη τήν πλουραλιστική Ἀμερικανική ὁμοφώνως ὡς Ἀναπληρωτὴν Καθηγητὴν Περιφερείας, Ιεραρχών της Αρχιεπισκοπής ἐκδηλώσω τήν ἀγάπη μέ τήν ὁποίαν ὁ Θεός κοινωνία ἡ ὁποία ὑπηρετεῖ τήν ἐλευθερία τῆς πλήρωσε τήν καρδιά μου γιά τό πολύτιμο συνειδήσεως καί τήν θρησκευτική ἐλευθερία τῆς Συμβολικῆς καὶ τῶν Διορθοδόξων καὶ Αμερικής καθώς και Ιεραρχών εκτός Αμερικής ποίμνιο τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. μέ πάθος. που θα βρίσκονται εδώ για την ενθρόνιση. Διαχριστιανικῶν Σχέσεων, ὑποβαλόντα, Μέσα στίς ἑπόμενες ἡμέρες καί ἑβδομάδες Ἄς εἶναι ἡ περίοδος αὐτή περίοδος μεταξὺ ἄλλων, δύο ὑφηγεσίας ὑπὸ τοὺς Την Παρασκευή 21 Ιουνίου, ο Αρχι- θά γνωριστοῦμε μεταξύ μας καλύτερα. Ἔχω ἤδη ἐλπίδος καί θετικῆς προσμονῆς γιά ὅλους μας. επίσκοπος θα παρακαθίσει σε γεύμα υποδοχής τίτλους: «Ὁ θεσμὸς τῆς Συνάξεως Ἱεραρχῶν λάβει καί συνεχίζω νά λαμβάνῳ θερμές εὐχές Ἔχουμε πολλά νά ἐπιτύχουμε μαζί, καί μέ τήν τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Θρόνου (1951-2004)» καὶ θρησκευτικών ηγετών της Νέας Υόρκης το καί συγχαρητηρίους λόγους ἀπ’ ὁλόκληρη χάρη τοῦ Θεοῦ καί τή δύναμή Του, θά εἴμεθα οποίο θα παραθέσει ο Ραββίνος Άρθουρ «Οἱ ἐνενήντα πέντε Θέσεις τοῦ Λουθήρου. τήν ἐπικράτεια τῆς Ἀμερικῆς οἱ ὁποῖοι μέ βέβαιοι νικητές. Ἱστορικοθεολογικὴ θεώρηση - Κείμενο - Σνέεϊρ. ἐνθαρρύνουν. Θά γνωρίσετε πράγματα γιά Χριστός Ἄνέστη! Ἀληθῶς Ἀνέστη! Μετάφραση – Σχόλια». Τὸν Μάρτιον τοῦ Στην τελετή της ενθρονίσεως του μένα, ἀλλά ἐκεῖνο πού πρωτίστως ἐπιθυμῶ ἔτους 2011 ἐξελέγη ἐν ἐνεργείᾳ Μητροπολίτης Αρχιεπισκόπου Ελπιδοφόρου, η οποία θα νά γνωρίζετε εἶναι ὅτι ἔρχομαι στήν Ἀμερική Mετά πολλῆς ἀγάπης ἐν Χριστῷ Ἀναστάντι, μεταδοθεί τηλεοπτικά σε ζωντανή μετάδοση, ὄχι μόνον γιά νά εἶμαι ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπός σας, Προύσης, ἐνῷ τὸν Αὔγουστον τοῦ αὐτοῦ πρόκειται να παραστούν εκπρόσωποι του ἀλλά ὁ πνευματικός φίλος καί ἀδελφός σας, ἔτους διωρίσθη Ἡγούμενος τῆς ἐν Χάλκῃ θρησκευτικού, πολιτικού, ακαδημαϊκού, ὁ ὑπηρέτης σας ἐν Κυρίῳ, ὁ συνεργάτης σας Ἱερᾶς Πατριαρχικῆς καὶ Σταυροπηγιακῆς διπλωματικού και επιχειρηματικού κόσμου της ἐν Κυρίῳ καί ὁ συν-οἰκονόμος σας ὅλων Μονῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδος. Διετέλεσεν ὀρθόδοξος Αμερικής, πολλοί επισκέπτες από το εξωτερικό τῶν δωρεῶν τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐπί τῶν Πιστῶν τῆς γενικὸς γραμματεὺς τῆς Διεθνοῦς Μικτῆς και το πλήρωμα της Εκκλησίας στην Αμερική, Ἑλληνικῆς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς. Μαζί † ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Ἐπιτροπῆς ἐπὶ τοῦ Θεολογικοῦ Διαλόγου τῆς κλήρος και λαός που θα έρθουν να γνωρίσουν, θά φέρουμε τήν Ἱερά Ἀρχιεπισκοπή Ἀμερικῆς ΕΛΠΙΔΟΦΟΡΟΣ Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας μετὰ τῆς Παγκοσμίου να καλωσορίσουν και να λάβουν την ευχή και Λουθηρανικῆς Ὁμοσπονδίας καὶ μέλος ευλογία του νέου τους Αρχιεπισκόπου και Πατριαρχικῶν Ἀντιπροσωπειῶν κατὰ πνευματικού τους πατέρα, του Αρχιεπισκόπου τὰς Γενικὰς Συνελεύσεις τοῦ Συμβουλίου Ελπιδοφόρου. Ἀνακοινωθέν 11ης Μαΐου 2019 Εὐρωπαϊκῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν καὶ τοῦ Παγκοσμίου Μετά την ενθρόνιση, θα παρατεθεί Συμβουλίου Ἐκκλησιῶν, γραμματεὺς τῆς ἐν επίσημο γεύμα επί τη ενθρονίσει, στο Σήμερον, Σάββατον, 11ην Μαΐου 2019, ἡ Ἁγία καί Ἱερά Σύνοδος, συνεχίζουσα τάς ἐργασίας αὐτῆς, προέβη εἰς πλήρωσιν τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Σόφιᾳ συνελθούσης Μείζονος καὶ Ὑπερτελοῦς Ξενοδοχείο Χίλτον της Νέας Υόρκης (New Ἀμερικῆς, χηρευσάσης μετά τήν οἰκειοθελῆ παραίτησιν τοῦ μέχρι τοῦδε Συνόδου τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας τοῦ York Hilton Hotel, 1335 Avenue of the ποιμενάρχου αὐτῆς Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Γέροντος Ἀμερικῆς κ. Δημητρίου. ἔτους 1998, τῆς ἐν Κων/πόλει συνελθούσης Americas). Οὕτω, εἰσηγήσει, ἀδείᾳ καί προτροπῇ τῆς Α. Θ. Παναγιότητος, οἱ ἅγιοι συνοδικοί Μείζονος καὶ Ὑπερτελοῦς Συνόδου τοῦ ἔτους Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ελπιδοφόρος θα πάρεδροι κατελθόντες εἰς τόν Πάνσεπτον Πατριαρχικόν Ναόν, μετά τήν ἐπίκλησιν 2005, τῆς ἐν Γενεύῃ συνελθούσης Διηυρυμένης προστεί της πρώτης ως Αρχιεπίσκοπος τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος, ψήφους κανονικάς προβαλόμενοι ἐξελέξαντο παμφψηφεί Συνόδου τὸ ἔτος 2006 καὶ τῆς ἐν Κων/πόλει Αμερικής, πολυαρχιερατικής Θείας Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Ἀμερικῆς τόν Σεβ. Μητροπολίτην Προύσης κ. Ἐλπιδοφόρον, συνελθούσης Συνάξεως τῶν Προκαθημένων Λειτουργίας, την επομένη ημέρα Κυριακή 23 Ἡγούμενον τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μονῆς Ἁγίας Τριάδο ς Χάλκης καί Καθηγητήν τῆς Θεολογικῆς Ιουνίου 2019, στον Αρχιεπισκοπικό Καθεδρικό τῶν Ὀρθοδόξων Ἐκκλησιῶν τοῦ ἔτους 2008. Σχολῆς τοῦ Ἀριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Εἶναι μέλος τῆς Ἐπιτροπῆς Πίστεως καὶ Τάξεως Ναό της Αγίας Τριάδος στο Μανχάταν. (337 Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου East 74th Street, NYC) τοῦ Παγκοσμίου Συμβουλίου Ἐκκλησιῶν.  Σελίδα 15

16 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΜΑΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2019 Τελετή αποφοιτήσεως του Ελληνικού Κολλεγίου και ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΝ Π ΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού Πατριαρχική Εγκύκλιος προς το πλήρωμα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Ἀριθμ.Πρωτ. 365 καί ἱκανότητι συγκεκροτημένος, καί πεῖραν οὐ μικράν ἔχων τῶν Εὐλαβέστατοι ἱερεῖς, ἐκκλησιαστικῶν πραγμάτων Ὁσιώτατοι Ἱερομόναχοι καί καί ὑποθέσεων ἐκ τῆς ἄχρι ἁπαξάπαντες οἱ κληρικοί, τοῦδε μακρᾶς, δοκίμου τιμιώτατοι Ἐπίτροποι, καί τετιμημένης ἐν τῇ πρόκριτοι καί εὐλογημένοι Ἐκκλησίᾳ διακονίας χριστιανοί τῆς Ἁγιωτάτης αὐτοῦ, ὅς καί ἀνεδείχθη Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς, γνήσιος καί κανονικός τέκνα τῆς ἡμῶν Μετριότητος Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος τῆς ἐν Κυρίῳ ἀγαπητά, χάρις εἴη ὑμῖν Ἁγιωτάτης Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς καί εἰρήνη παρά Θεοῦ, παρ᾿ ἡμῶν δέ Ἀμερικῆς. εὐχή, εὐλογία καί συγχώρησις. Ὅθεν, καί διά τοῦ παρόντος Ἔστω γνωστόν πᾶσιν ὑμῖν, ὅτι τῆς Πατριαρχικοῦ ἡμῶν καί Συνοδικοῦ Ἱερᾶς ὑμῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς ἀπροστατεύτου Γράμματος κοινοποιοῦντες τοῦτο πᾶσιν ὑμῖν διαμεινάσης, ἅτε τοῦ ἐν αὐτῇ τοῖς ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ Ἀμερικῆς ἀγαπητοῖς ἡμῖν ἀρχιερατεύοντος Ἀρχιεπισκόπου κυρίου καί εὐλογημένοις χριστιανοῖς, εὐχόμεθα καί Δημητρίου οἰκειοθελῶς παραιτηθέντος, εὐλογοῦμεν πατρικῶς καί ἐντελλόμεθα καί GOA-Δημήτρης Πανάγος ἡ Μήτηρ Ἁγία τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλη παραγγέλλομεν ἐκκλησιαστικῶς, ὅπως τόν Ἐκκλησία, ἐκ πολλῆς πρός ὑμᾶς ἀγάπης καί διαληφθέντα Ἱερώτατον Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Ο Θεοφιλέστατος Επίσκοπος Μηδείας κ. Απόστολος διαβάζει τον χαιρετισμό του Αρχιεπισκόπου κατ᾿ ὀφειλήν ἀξιόχρεων, ἔλαβε μέριμναν Ἀμερικῆς, λίαν δέ ἡμῖν ἀγαπητόν ἐν Ελπιδοφόρου κατά τη διάρκεια της τελετής αποφοιτήσεως. περί τούτου, ἡ δέ ἡμετέρα Μετριότης μετά Χριστῷ ἀδελφόν καί συλλειτουργόν, τῆς περί ἡμᾶς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου κύριον Ἐλπιδοφόρον, γινώσκητε ἀπό προήλθομεν εἰς ἐκλογήν καί ἀποκατάστασιν τοῦδε γνήσιον, νόμιμον καί κανονικόν Χαιρετισμός του Αρχιεπισκόπου ἐν τῇ ἐπαρχίᾳ ταύτῃ Ἀρχιερέως ἱκανοῦ, Ἀρχιερέα ὑμῶν καί κυριάρχην τῆς Ἐπαρχίας δυναμένου αἰσίως καί λυσιτελῶς διεξάγειν καί εὐαγγελικόν ποιμένα τοῦ ἐν αὐτῇ Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρου τό ἔργον τῆς ἐκκλησιαστικῆς διοικήσεως λογικοῦ ποιμνίου καί πατέρα πνευματικόν καί κατά Χριστόν διαποιμάνσεως ὑμῶν. ἁπάντων ὑμῶν, καί μνημονεύητε οἱ ἀπό Ἐλλόγιμοι καθηγητές, Ψήφων τοίνυν κανονικῶν γενομένων τοῦ ἱεροῦ καταλόγου τοῦ κανονικοῦ Ἀγαπημένοι μου φοιτητές καὶ φοιτήτριες τοῦ Ἑλληνικοῦ Κολλεγίου καὶ τῆς ἐν τῷ καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς Πανσέπτῳ Πατριαρχικῷ αὐτοῦ ὀνόματος, ὡς νενόμισται, ἐν πάσαις Θεολογικῆς μας Σχολῆς, σᾶς χαιρετίζω μὲ τὸν πασχάλιο χαιρετισμὸ «Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη». Ναῷ τοῦ Ἁγίου Μεγαλομάρτυρος Γεωργίου ταῖς ἱεραῖς τελεταῖς καί ἀκολουθίαις, Σᾶς γράφω σήμερα ἀπὸ τὸν Λόφο τῆς Ἐλπίδας, τὴν Θεολογικὴ Σχολὴ τῆς Χάλκης, τοῦ Τροπαιοφόρου, ἡμετέρᾳ Πατριαρχικῇ πειθόμενοι οἱ πάντες καί ὑποτασσόμενοι τὴν ὁποία ὑπηρετῶ ἐδῶ καὶ ὀκτὼ χρόνια, ἀπὸ ἐδῶ, ἀπὸ ὅπου ἡ Μητέρα μας Ἐκκλησία, προτροπῇ καί ἀδείᾳ, ὑπό τῆς περί ἡμᾶς ταῖς ἀρχιερατικαῖς αὐτοῦ ὑποθήκαις καί τὸ Οἰκουμενικό μας Πατριαρχεῖο, μὲ στέλνει κοντά σας, γιὰ νὰ σᾶς διακονήσω μὲ ἀγάπη Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου, τῇ ἐπικλήσει τοῦ συμβουλαῖς, ὡς ἀφορώσαις εἰς τήν ψυχικήν καὶ μὲ ἀφοσίωση. Παναγίου καί Τελεταρχικοῦ Πνεύματος, ὑμῶν ὠφέλειαν καί τήν φυλακήν τῶν Σὲ ὅλους καὶ ὅλες ποὺ ἀποφοιτοῦν σήμερα εὔχομαι ἀπὸ τὴν καρδιά μου καλὴ εἰς ἐκλογήν καί ἀνάδειξιν τοῦ ἀξίου ἐκ τῶν πατρῴων δογμάτων καί παραδόσεων. σταδιοδρομία στὴ ζωή τους καὶ εἶμαι σίγουρος ὅτι θὰ εἶστε πολύτιμοι ἐργάτες τῆς τεθέντων τριῶν ὑποψηφίων προσώπου πρός Ἐπί δέ τούτοις, ἀπονέμοντες πᾶσιν Ἐκκλησίας, τίμιοι διάκονοι τοῦ λαοῦ τοῦ Θεοῦ, καύχημα τῆς Ὀρθοδοξίας μας. ἀνάληψιν τῆς ἀρχιερατικῆς προστασίας ὑμῖν ὁλόθυμον τήν Πατριαρχικήν καί Ἀνυπομονῶ νὰ ἔρθω κοντά σας καὶ νὰ σᾶς γνωρίσω προσωπικά. Ὁ Θεὸς μαζί σας! καί ποιμαντικῆς ράβδου τῆς Ἐπαρχίας πατρικήν ἡμῶν εὐλογίαν, εὐχόμεθα ὑμῖν ὑμῶν, προεκρίθη τῶν ἄλλων καί ἐξελέγη καί τοῖς οἴκοις ὑμῶν πλούσια πάντοτε τά ὁ Ἱερώτατος Μητροπολίτης Προύσης δωρήματα τοῦ Δοτῆρος παντός ἀγαθοῦ κύριος Ἐλπιδοφόρος, Ἡγούμενος τῆς Ἱερᾶς Κυρίου καί Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν, Οὗ ἡ χάρις καί Πατριαρχικῆς καί Σταυροπηγιακῆς Μονῆς τό ἄπειρον ἔλεος εἴησαν μετά πάντων ὑμῶν. Ἁγίας Τριάδος Χάλκης, ἀνήρ κόσμιος τοῖς ἤθεσι καί ἱεροπρεπής, τά θεῖα καλῶς Ἐν ἔτει σωτηρίῳ ‚βιθ´, ἐξησκημένος, παιδείᾳ κεκοσμημένος κατά μῆνα Μάϊον (ια´ ) ἐκκλησιαστικῇ τε καί τῇ θύραθεν, φρονήσει Ἐπινεμήσεως ΙΒ´

GOA-Δημήτρης Πανάγος

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Μητροπολίτης Βοστώνης κ. Μεθόδιος, Αρχιεπισκοπικός Επίτροπος και προδρεύων της Θελογικής Σχολής, προσφωνεί τους αποφοίτους.

Νίκος Μαγγίνας Photo Ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αυστραλίας κ. Μακάριος και ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρος Νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αυστραλίας Η Αγία και Ιερά Σύνοδος του Σχολῆς Ἀθηνῶν καί τῆς Θεολογικῆς Σχολῆς τοῦ Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου κατά τη συνεδρία Ἐθνικοῦ καί Καποδιστριακοῦ Πανεπιστημίου. αυτής της 9ης Μάϊου 2019 εξέλεξε παμψηφεί Μετεξεπαιδεύθη εἰς τήν Χριστιανικήν Ἠθικήν τον Θεοφ. Επίσκοπο Χριστουπόλεως κ. ἐν τῷ Πανεπιστημίῳ τῆς Βοστώνης, (Master Μακάριο νέο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αυστραλίας. of Sacred Theology), εἰς τήν Ἱστορίαν τῆς Ὁ Θεοφιλ. Ἐπίσκοπος Χριστουπόλεως Ἐπιστήμης ἐν τῷ Πανεπιστημίῳ τοῦ Harvard, κ. Μακάριος (Γρινιεζάκης) ἐγεννήθη εἰς τό (Master of Arts), καί εἰς τήν Βιοηθικήν ἐν Ἡράκλειον τῆς Κρήτης τῷ 1973. Τυγχάνει τῷ Πανεπιστημίῳ τοῦ Monash, (Master of GOA-Δημήτρης Πανάγος πτυχιοῦχος τῆς Ἀνωτέρας Ἐκκλησιαστικῆς Bioethics). ΙΑΝΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ ΦΕΒΡΟΥΑΡΙΟΣ 2019 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣORTHODOX ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ OBSERVER 17 ΜΙΚΡΟ ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΛΟ ΜΗΝΥΜΑ του νέου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρου

Ενώπιον του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη επεσήμανε ότι ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Βαρθολομαίου και των μελών της Αγίας ενώπιον του Οικουμενικού γνωρίζει τα ζητήματα της Αμερικής αλλά και Ιεράς Συνόδου προσήλθε το μεσημέρι, και της Ευρώπης, και πρόσθεσε: της 11ης Μαϊου, ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Πατριάρχου και των μελών της Αγίας «Είσαι ακαδημαϊκός διδάσκαλος Αμερικής Ελπιδοφόρος ώστε να αποδεχθεί με ζήλον και γνώσιν και θα δυνηθής με το μικρό Μήνυμα την εκλογή του. να ανασυγκροτήσης την Θεολογικήν «Γνωστόν τυγχάνει πάσιν ημίν και Ιεράς Συνόδου Σχολήν του Τιμίου Σταυρού, η οποία ότι η Μεγάλη του Χριστού Εκκλησία διέρχεται δυσκόλους στιγμάς, αλλά και να ως πραγματική Μήτηρ εναγκαλίζεται συνεργασθής με αμερικανικά Πανεπιστήμια μετά στοργής και ενδιαφέροντος τα προς προβολήν της πατρώας παιδείας και πνευματικά τέκνα αυτής εις όλα τα μήκη της πολιτισμικής μας κληρονομίας. και πλάτη της γης όπου ταύτα ευρίσκονται Αναμένομεν παρά σου να ενισχύσης εγκατεστημένα, δραστηριοποιούμενα και τους ιερούς δεσμούς της Αρχιεπισκοπής διαπρέποντα», ανέφερε στην προσφώνησή σου μετά του ενταύθα Κέντρου της του, προς τον νέο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής, εκκλησιαστικής ημών υποστάσεως, να ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης, και συνέχισε: οργανώνης κατά καιρούς προσκυνήματα «Ούτω και προκειμένου περί της μεγάλης προς αυτό, ως έπραττεν ο προκάτοχός σου Επαρχίας του Θρόνου εν Αμερική, ημείς μακαριστός Ιάκωβος, να έρχεσαι συχνά διά να το ενημερώνης, να αναβαπτίζεσαι εις τα νάματά του, να συνεργάζεσαι μετά της Να διακριθής αρμοδίας συνοδικής Επιτροπής διά τα εκεί ως Αρχιεπίσκοπος εκάστοτε ανακύπτοντα προβλήματα. Να καλλιεργήσης αγαθάς αδελφικάς της αγάπης, της ειρήνης, σχέσεις μετά των ετεροδόξων αδελφών της ταπεινοφροσύνης, μας—άλλωστε από πολλών ετών είσαι μέσα εις την οικουμενικήν κίνησιν—, αλλά και της ενότητος. και μετά των ετεροθρήσκων, των μουσουλ- Άξιος!». μάνων και των Εβραίων, μετά των οποίων το Οικουμενικόν Πατριαρχείον ευρίσκεται τε και οι άγιοι συνοδικοί πάρεδροι από ετών εν ακαδημαικώ διαλόγω. επροβληματίσθημεν και συνεζητήσαμεν Νίκος Μαγγίνας Photo Ιδιαιτέρως αξιοποιήσιμος θα είναι εκεί εκτενώς τα προβλήματα αυτής πλειστάκις η εμπειρία σου και η γνώσις σου διά τας κατά τας τελευταίας συνεδριάσεις αυτής, Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριαρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος με τον νέο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρο ισλαμικάς κοινωνίας και την κουλτούραν αναζητούντες τρόπους βελτιώσεως της (αριστερά) και τον νέο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αυστραλίας κ. Μακάριο. αυτών. καταστάσεως και επαναφοράς της Ιεράς αυτό και πάλιν υπερήφανον διά την λέγομεν, εις σε διά να σοι εμπιστευθώμεν Αδελφέ άγιε Αμερικής, έχεις πολλά, πάμπολλα να επιτελέσης και να προσφέ- Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής εις το αρχαίον μεγαλυτέραν Επαρχίαν του, την σήμερον το μέγα και δυσχερές τούτο έργον, εν τη κάλλος, νυν δε ότε ο ποιμενάρχης αυτής ρης. Και δύνασαι! Σε εμπιστευόμεθα και Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος υπέβαλε την εμπερίστατον και ταλαιπωρουμένην. βεβαιότητι ότι θα επιτύχης, θα τιμήσης σε προπέμπομεν με χρηστάς ελπίδας και παραίτησιν αυτού, λόγω του επείγοντος Προς τούτο, Ιερώτατε άγιε Αμερικής, την ψήφον και την εμπιστοσύνην των προσδοκίας. του πράγματος, ανεζητήσαμεν τον άξιον απεβλέψαμεν εις την αγάπην σου ως αγίων συνοδικών αρχιερέων και τας Οφείλεις να δοξάσης τον θρόνον της διάδοχον αυτού, όστις θα ηδύνατο να φέρη ένα Ιεράρχην νέον και δυναμικόν, προσδοκίας του Πατριάρχου σου, ο οποίος Επαρχίας σου, αλλά και τον πάνσεπτον και και πάλιν την ευρυθμίαν εις την ζωήν και μεμορφωμένον και γλωσσομαθή, σε περιβάλλει με πατρικήν στοργήν και μαρτυρικόν τούτον θρόνον, ο οποίος σε την λειτουργίαν της Αρχιεπισκοπής, να δραστήριον και αποτελεσματικόν, εκτιμά τας αρετάς σου και την αφοσίωσίν ανέδειξε, σε εγαλούχησε και σήμερον σε εμπνεύση εμπιστοσύνην εις το πλήρωμα αφωσιωμένον τη Μητρί Εκκλησία, μέσα σου, τας οποίας εγνώρισε κατά την πολυετή τιμά ιδιαζόντως. αυτής προς την Εκκλησίαν, να ενισχύση εις τους κόλπους της οποίας ηνδρώθης και διακονίαν σου εν ταίς ιεραίς ταύταις αυλαίς Να διακριθής ως Αρχιεπίσκοπος της τους δεσμούς αυτού μετά του ενταύθα εξεπαιδεύθης εκκλησιαστικώς, μυηθείς υπό τας εντολάς αυτού». αγάπης, της ειρήνης, της ταπεινοφροσύνης, Ιερού ημών Κέντρου και να καταστήση εις το μυστήριον αυτής, απεβλέψαμεν, Στη συνέχεια ο Παναγιώτατος της ενότητος. Άξιος!». Αντιφώνηση του νέου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρου

«Αισθάνομαι βαρείαν την ευθύνην, της Ορθοδοξίας Κέντρου.Διότι οι πάντες Παναγιώτατε Δέσποτα, την οποίαν γνωρίζομεν ότι εάν το κλήμα φέρει καρπόν, εναποθέτει εις τους ώμους μου η Μήτηρ το οφείλει εις την άμπελον, εις την οποίαν Εκκλησία, πέραν της μεγάλης τιμής μένει συνδεδεμένη. Εάν η ελαία είναι και της εμπιστοσύνης, διά των οποίων κατάκαρπος, αποκτά αξίαν επειδή είναι με περιβάλλει και σήμερον το σεπτόν πεφυτευμένη κύκλω της Τραπέζης της πρόσωπόν Σας εν Συνόδω. Ως τέκνον Αγίας του Φαναρίου. Εάν το ηλιοτρόπιον Σας πνευματικόν, ως νεόφυτον ελαίας εκ ανθίζει και φέρει καρπόν, τούτο οφείλει της Πατριαρχικής Αυλής, ως ελάχιστον εις το φως του Ηλίου της Ορθοδοξίας, του κλήμα της ευκληματούσης αμπέλου του Οικουμενικού Θρόνου. Οικουμενικού Θρόνου, αλλά και ως απλούν Με τας ταπεινάς ταύτα σκέψεις, εν ηλιοτρόπιον, θα έχω πάντοτε εστραμμένον ευγνωμοσύνη απείρω δέχομαι το επίταγμα, το βλέμμα μου προς Υμάς, Σεπτέ Πρώτε της σήμερον, εορτήν των εγκαινίων της Ορθοδοξίας, διότι μόνον ούτω θα δυνηθώ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως, ευχαριστώ τον Θεόν να καρποφορήσω, διότι γνωρίζω ότι μόνον και δοτήρα πάσης κτίσεως, την Υπεραγίαν κύκλω της Τραπέζης Σας θα δυνηθώ Θεοτόκον την περιφρουρούσαν την Αγίαν να φέρω καρπόν, εκκοπτώμενος δε της ταύτην Πόλιν Κυρίου, και ευχαριστώ την ζωηφόρου ταύτης Αμπέλου της Μεγάλης Υμετέραν Θειοτάτην Παναγιότητα, τον Εκκλησίας θα κινδυνεύσω να εκκοπώ και Αυθέντην και Δεσπότην μου, διότι εκ να βληθώ εις το πυρ της αγνωμοσύνης και πρώτης νεότητος με πολλήν υπομονήν, της απωλείας. αγάπην και δεξιότητα εσμίλευσε την Νίκος Μαγγίνας Photo Υπόσχομαι, Παναγιώτατε, την ιεράν ελαχιστότητά μου και ευηργέτησεν όσον ταύτην και επίσημον στιγμήν, ότι η μεγάλη ουδείς άλλος. αύτη επαρχία του Θρόνου, ως πράττουν και Ευχαριστώ τους σεβασμίους αγίους Συνοδικών Αρχιερέων, της Πατριαρχι- για την γενομένη πρόκριση της Εκκλησίας οι λοιποί ποιμενάρχαι του Οικουμενικού αρχιερείς, τα μέλη της Αγίας και Ιεράς κής Αυλής αλλά και άλλων κληρικών και προς το πρόσωπό του, αποδεχόμενος το Θρόνου, η Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής Συνόδου, οι οποίοι με ετίμησαν δαψιλώς λαϊκών προσκυνητών, ο νέος Αρχιεπίσκο- γεγονός με συγκίνηση και ευγνωμοσύνη. μετά των Μητροπόλεων αυτής, ζωννύεται διά της τιμίας ψήφου των και απέβλεψαν τω λεντίω της διακονίας της Μητρός με εμπιστοσύνην εις το ταπεινόν μου πος Αμερικής τέλεσε την Ακολουθία του Μετά το πέρας του Μεγάλου Μηνύμα- Εκκλησίας, της ενταύθα Ομογενείας, της πρόσωπον». Μεγάλου Μηνύματος, κατά την οποία του τος ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Ελπιδοφόρος δέχθηκε ιεραποστολής των Επαρχιών του Θρόνου Στη συνέχεια, στον Πατριαρχικό ανακοινώθηκε εν εκκλησία η εκλογή του, τα συγχαρητήρια και τις ευχές όλων των και πάσης άλλης ανάγκης του Σεπτού Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου παρουσία των και απάντησε με το κείμενο της Ευχαριστίας παρισταμένων. 18 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΜΑΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ 2019 ΟΙΚΟΥΜΕΝΙΚΟΝ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΕΙΟΝ

Γράμμα ευαρεσκείας ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΘΕΝ του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ.κ. Βαρθολομαίου περί τῆς συναντήσεως τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχου μέ τόν Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Γέροντα προς τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο πρώην Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριον Ἀμερικῆς κ. Δημήτριον Ἀριθμ. Πρωτ. 296 τόν οὐρανόν τό δεδομένον ἐν ἀνθρώποις ἐν ᾧ δεῖ σωθῆναι Διά τοῦ παρόντος ἀνακοινοῦται ὅτι σήμερον, Σάββατον, ἡμᾶς» (Πράξ. δ΄, 12). 4ην Μαΐου 2019, ἡ Α.Θ.Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐδέχθη Ἱερώτατε Ἀρχιεπίσκοπε πρώην Ἀμερικῆς, ἐν Ἁγίῳ Ἐπαινοῦμεν τήν προσφοράν ὑμῶν εἰς τήν θεολογίαν, εἰς ἀκρόασιν τόν Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Γέροντα Ἀμερικῆς Πνεύματι ἀγαπητέ ἀδελφέ καί συλλειτουργέ τῆς ἡμῶν ὡς βαθυστοχάστου συγγραφέως καί καθηγητοῦ, καθώς κ. Δημήτριον, ὁ ὁποῖος ἐνημέρωσεν Αὐτόν ἐπί διαφόρων Μετριότητος κύριε Δημήτριε, χάρις εἴη τῇ ὑμετέρᾳ Ἱερότητι καί τήν πνευματικήν εὐαισθησίαν καί τό ὀξύ αἰσθητήριον θεμάτων τῆς κατ΄αὐτόν θεοσώστου Ἐπαρχίας. καί εἰρήνη παρά Θεοῦ. ὑμῶν διά τό ἕν «οὗ ἐστι χρεία». Ἐν συνεχείᾳ ἡ Α.Σεβασμιότης ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος ὑπέβαλε Ἐξαίρομεν, ἐπίσης, τό συνεχές ἐνδιαφέρον τῆς γραπτῶς τήν παραίτησίν του ἐκ τοῦ θρόνου τῆς ἥν ἐπί Χριστός Ἀνέστη! ὑμετέρας προσφιλεστάτης ἡμῖν Ἱερότητος διά τήν εἰκοσαετίαν θεοφιλῶς ἐποίμανεν Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς ἀπρόσκοπτον λειτουργίαν τῶν ἐκκλησιαστικῶν πραγμάτων Ἀμερικῆς, τήν ὁποίαν ὁ Πατριάρχης θά φέρῃ ἐνώπιον τῆς Ἐπί τῇ ὑποβολῇ, διά τοῦ ἀπό τῆς α΄ Μαΐου ἐ.ἔ. ἐν τῇ καθ’ ὑμᾶς Ἱερᾷ Ἀρχιεπισκοπῇ, τήν συμβολήν ὑμῶν Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου κατά τήν συνεδρίαν αὐτῆς τῆς γράμματος ὑμῶν, οἰκειοθελοῦς παραιτήσεως ἐκ τῆς θέσεως εἰς τάς διορθοδόξους καί διαχριστιανικάς σχέσεις καί εἰς προσεχοῦς Πέμπτης, 9ης Μαΐου. τοῦ Ποιμενάρχου τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀμερικῆς, τήν προώθησιν τῆς κοινῆς μαρτυρίας τῶν Χριστιανῶν ἀποδεχόμενοι αὐτήν ἐξ ἀποφάσεως καί τῆς περί ἡμᾶς Ἁγίας ἐν τῷ κόσμῳ, ὡς καί τήν θετικωτάτην παρουσίαν καί ΑΝΑΚΟΙΝΩΘΕΝ καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου, προαγόμεθα ἵνα, διά τῶν μετά χεῖρας συνεισφοράν ὑμῶν εἰς τήν προετοιμασίαν τῆς Ἁγίας καί της 9ης Μαΐου 2019 Πατριαρχικῶν ἡμῶν ἀδελφικῶν Γραμμάτων, ἐκφράσωμεν Μεγάλης Συνόδου τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Ἐκκλησίας καί εἰς πρός τήν ὑμετέραν Ἱερότητα τάς πολλάς εὐχαριστίας καί τάς ἐργασίας αὐτῆς ὡς μέλους τῆς Ἀντιπροσωπείας τοῦ Ἀνακοινοῦται ὅτι ἡ Ἁγία καί Ἱερά Σύνοδος κατά τήν τήν εὐαρέσκειαν τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας καί τῆς ἡμῶν Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου. συνεδρίαν αὐτῆς τῆς σήμερον, 9ης Μαΐου 2019, ἐπελήφθη Μετριότητος προσωπικῶς. Ἐπί δέ πᾶσι τοῦτοις, δοξολογοῦντες τόν πάνσοφον τῶν θεμάτων τῶν Ἀρχιεπισκοπῶν Ἀμερικῆς καί Αὐστραλίας Διηκονήσατε εὐόρκως, συνετῶς καί ἀποτελεσματικῶς, καί πανοικτίρμονα Κύριον καί Σωτῆρα τοῦ κόσμου, τόν καί διά μέν τήν πρώτην ἀπεδέχθη τήν ὑποβληθεῖσαν ἐπί εἰκοσαετίαν, τήν ἐμπιστευθεῖσαν ὑμῖν ὑπό τοῦ χαρισάμενον τῇ Ἁγίᾳ Αὐτοῦ Ἐκκλησίᾳ τήν ὑμετέραν παραίτησιν τοῦ Σεβ. Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Γέροντος Ἀμερικῆς κ. πανδώρου Θεοῦ περιώνυμον Ἀρχιεπισκοπήν Ἀμερικῆς, περισπούδαστον ἡμῖν Ἱερότητα, περιπτυσσόμεθα ὑμᾶς Δημητρίου, μέλλουσαν νά ἰσχύσῃ ἀπό τοῦ Σαββάτου, 11ης τ. ἀγωνισθέντες μετ’ ἐνθέου ζήλου διά τήν ἐν Χριστῷ καί ἀδελφοποθήτως, αἰτούμενοι ὑμῖν τά βέλτιστα παρά τοῦ μ., ἐκφράσασα τήν εὐαρέσκειαν καί τόν ἔπαινον τῆς Μητρός κατά Χριστόν ἀναστροφήν καί πρόοδον, καί διά τήν καθ’ ἀγαθοδότου Θεοῦ, ἀκλόνητον ὑγείαν κατ’ ἄμφω καί Ἐκκλησίας διά τήν πολυετῆ καί εὔορκον διακονίαν αὐτοῦ, ὅλου πνευματικήν εὐδοκίμησιν τοῦ ἐκεῖσε εὐσεβοῦς λαοῦ μακροημέρευσιν, συνέχισιν τῆς φιλοθέου καί φιλανθρώπου διά δέ τήν περίπτωσιν τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Αὐστραλίας, τοῦ Θεοῦ καί διά τήν ἑνότητα αὐτοῦ. Βαθύς γνώστης τῶν ὑμῶν μαρτυρίας «περί τῆς ἐν ἡμῖν ἐλπίδος», διατελοῦντες εἰς πρῶτον στάδιον, μετά τάς σχετικάς προκαταρκτικάς ἐπί ὑπαρξιακῶν ἀναγκῶν τοῦ συγχρόνου ἀνθρώπου καί τῶν μετά τιμῆς ἐξιδιασμένης καί βαθείας ἀγάπης ἐν Χριστῷ Συνόδου συνομιλίας, ἐδέχθη εἰς ἐνημερωτικήν συνεργασίαν θετικῶν πτυχῶν καί τῶν προοπτικῶν τοῦ πολιτισμοῦ του, Ἰησοῦ, τῷ ἀναστάντι ἐκ νεκρῶν, Οὗ ἡ ἄφθονος χάρις καί τόν παρεπιδημοῦντα Βοηθόν ἐκεῖσε Ἐπίσκοπον Θεοφ. ἀφιερώθητε εὐθαρσῶς εἰς τήν «ἐξαγγελίαν τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου» τό ἄπειρον ἔλεος εἴησαν μεθ’ ὑμῶν. Δορυλαίου κ. Νίκανδρον καί Ἀντιπροσωπείαν ἐπιφανῶν ὑπό τάς νέας συνθήκας τῆς ἐποχῆς τῆς ἐκκοσμικεύσεως, λαϊκῶν παραγόντων, ἐπιφυλασσομένη νά συνεχίσῃ τάς τῆς παγκοσμιοποήσεως καί τοῦ «τεχνοπωλίου», καί εἰς τήν ,βιθ΄ Μαΐου ιδ΄ διαβουλεύσεις καί προβῇ εἰς τάς τελικάς αὐτῆς ἀποφάσεις. ἀνάδειξιν τῆς μεταμορφωτικῆς διά τόν ἄνθρωπον καί τήν ἀγαπητός ἐν Χριστῷ ἀδελφός ἱστορίαν δυνάμεως τῆς πίστεως εἰς Χριστόν, στοιχοῦντες Ἐκ τῆς Ἀρχιγραμματείας ὅλως εἰς τήν ἀποστολικήν ὁμολογίαν ὅτι «οὐκ ἔστιν ἐν τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου ἄλλῳ οὐδενί ἡ σωτηρία· οὐδέ γάρ ὄνομά ἐστιν ἕτερον ὑπό MAY - JUNE 2019 19 Pastoral Reflections

Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis is the three books: “Let all Creation Rejoice: Re- Feast of All Saints - The End Goal for Everyone proistamenos of St. John the Baptist Greek flections on Advent and the Nativity;” “The Orthodox Church in Tampa, Fla. He writes Road Back to Christ: “Reflections on Lent, By Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis Christ’s, an Ascension into heaven, and a daily series called “The Prayer Team” Holy Week and the Resurrection;” and an enthronement at the right hand of the that is published on the Orthodoxy Christian “Blessed is the Kingdom, NOW and For- Jesus said: “Everyone who ac- Father. In 1 Peter 1:13-16, we read: Network (OCN), and which has resulted in ever: Reflections on the Divine Liturgy.” knowledges Me before men, I also will Therefore gird up your minds, be acknowledge before My Father who is sober, set your hope fully upon the grace in heaven; but whoever denies Me be- that is coming to you at the revelation fore men, I also will deny before My Fa- of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, ther who is in heaven. . .He who loves do not be conformed to the passions of father or mother more than Me is not your former ignorance, but as He who worthy of Me; and he who loves son called you is holy, be holy yourselves or daughter more than Me is not wor- in all your conduct; since it is written, thy of Me; and he who does not take his “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” cross and follow Me is not worthy of The end goal of life, the purpose of Me. . .Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we our life, is to “graduate” to eternal life. have left everything and followed You. The Paschal journey is a yearly “course” What then shall we have?” Jesus said designed to keep us focused on that goal. to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new It is the same cycle we experience every world, when the Son of Man shall sit on year. As every year goes by we become His glorious throne, you who have fol- both older in life experience and closer lowed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, to our judgment before God, which will judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And determine if we inherit eternal life. As every one who has left houses or broth- we leave this journey, let us do so with ers or sisters or father or mother or focus on the overall goal—eternal life. children or lands, for My Name’s sake, How do we reach that goal? The an- † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of America will receive a hundredfold, and inherit swer is in the verses above—Be Holy, eternal life. But many that are first will as He is Holy. And how do we do that? be last, and the last first.” Set God as the source and center of your Matthew 10:32-33, 37-38, 19:27-30 life. Start each day off with prayer and (Gospel read at the Liturgy on All with gratitude. Live each day with pur- Saints Day) pose. Strive to help someone each day. The Feast of All Saints (this year Learn how to have empathy. Strive to June 23) ends the Paschal cycle that be- forgive. Work to improve. Trust that gan 18 weeks before. We had the period God has a plan. Have faith even when of the Triodion (which began back on you don’t understand. And choose joy. February 17), the time when we evalu- The goal of the Church is to help ated the changes needing to be made in people find their way to Paradise. The our spiritual lives. Great Lent gave us goal of the people in the Church is to an opportunity to make modifications help one another in realizing this goal. and start new habits. Holy Week was a The purpose of this Lenten and Paschal time to remember and relive the Passion journey has been reminding, relearning and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The and renewing our commitment to this STERLING TRAVEL Paschal season has been a time of cele- goal. The ending of the Paschal season www.hellastickets.com • [email protected] bration and renewal. And now with the this year is not the end of the journey. Paschal season coming to an end, it’s It is the end of this year’s chapter. It time to stay focused on doing the things is time to practice what we’ve learned. we’ve learned on this journey. And next year, in early spring, we’ll Cheap Tickets, Great Price The last feast of the Paschal cycle get another refresher and reminder, and is the feast of All Saints. While other make the journey again, a year older, a Christian denominations celebrate this year wiser, and a year closer to the des- TICKETS 2 GREECE ON SALE day on November 1, the Orthodox tination. Christian Church places it after Pente- Many of the prayers in the ser- cost, as the end to the Paschal cycle, to vices of the church end with the phrase remind us that this is the end goal of all “through the intercessions of the Holy ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ Christians, to achieve the blessedness of Theotokos and ever-Virgin Mary and all the saints in the Kingdom of Heaven. the saints who have pleased You (God) ΑΘΗΝΑ - ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ Jesus tells us in the Gospel lesson throughout the ages.” Many of us are those who have lived for God and not concerned with our legacy. What will for the world will be rewarded in the people remember of us when we are no Kingdom of Heaven. They “will re- longer here? I have a long way to go in ceive a hundredfold and inherit eternal my journey to salvation, but one thing από life.” Those who were first with ev- I know I’ve learned already, it doesn’t erything, but didn’t live a Christian life matter how people remember me when will be counted as last for eternal life. I’m no longer here. It matters what the $ And those who have lived a Christian Lord thinks of me when I’m no longer life, those who have put Christ first (and here. Our number one goal, as far as anyone who does that is going to suf- legacy goes, is to be numbered among fer in some way, some will even suffer the saints, to be living eternally with greatly), those who were accounted as those who have pleased God. The word “last” in this life, will be accounted as “Saint” in Greek is “Agios,” which 299Με επιστροφή “first” by being accepted into the King- means “set apart.” If God is going to set dom of Heaven. us apart and honor us with eternal life, + FUEL FEES + TAXES EXTRA • Περιορισμένος αριθμός θέσεων • Restrictions Apply As Christians, we are called to holi- then the goal of this life is a journey to Χαμηλές τιμές για ΑΠΛΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ • ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΟΛΕΙΣ ness. We are called to be like Christ in holiness that starts by striving to set our- every way—we are to be obedient to the selves apart every day. We don’t have to commandments. We are to help others. wait for Lent or Pascha to do this. We P.O. Box 800306, Miami, Fla., 33280 We are to preach, to teach, and to help don’t even have to wait until tomorrow. Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Call Toll Free): heal our fellow man. We are to help car- Holiness is something we can pursue at ry one another’s burdens. We are to stay any moment. So pursue it today, tomor- faithful even to death. But a death like row, and every day, until we attain the 1.800.473.3238 • 1.908.213.1251 Christ’s, one that is experienced with glory of God, in His everlasting King- faith in God, with forgiveness towards dom! ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ others, will lead to a Resurrection like Be holy, as He is holy! 20 MAY - JUNE 2019 OCMC Thoughts From L.A.-2 Breaking the Chains of Loneliness By Fr. John Bakas The Bible says: “In the last days perilous time shall According to Dr, Leonard Zunin, come. For men a Los Angeles psychiatrist, mankind’s Shall be lovers of their own selves, biggest problem is loneliness. Psycho- covetous… analyst Erich Fromm said, “The deepest Without natural affections, truce- need of man is the need to overcome his breakers…traitors.. separateness, to leave the prison of his Lovers of pleasures more than lov- aloneness.” The Bible says, “It is not ers of God; Having good that man should be alone” (Gen- a form of godliness, but denying the th esis 2:18). The great English poet John power thereof: Headquarters Observes 10 Year Milton reminded us that loneliness is the from such turn away” (II Timothy first thing which God said was not good. 3:1-5). By Niko Birbilis become Archbishop Anastasios of Al- And there is no place lonelier than That passage of Scripture was given bania, and Deacon Demetrios would a big city like Los Angeles. Herbert as a prophecy of our lonely time – and it ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - On May Prochnow said, “A city is a large com- explains why so many people are lonely. go on to become Archbishop Demetrios munity where people are lonesome to- 21, the Orthodox Christian Mission Geron of America. “Lovers of their own selves.” You gether.” Mother Teresa of Calcutta In- cannot be close to others if you have a Center celebrated the 10-year’s anni- Inspired by the missionary fervor dia said, “Loneliness is the most terrible versary of the opening of Archbishop supreme love only for yourself. Again and vision of these brilliant young men, type of poverty.” If that is true, Ameri- the Bible says, “A man that has friends Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios the Mission Center began as a commit- cans are among the most impoverished must show himself friendly” (Proverbs Missionary Training Center. Over the tee of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese people on earth! Millions of people 18:24). If you are not friendly, you will last 10-years, hundreds of Faithful from (GOA) of America. As it continued to In Los Angeles are lonely. How about have no real friends. That is the sad across the country have visited the Mis- grow and develop, however, the GOA’s you? Do you ever feel that no one real- plight of many lonely people today. sion Center to receive training before mission center soon moved to its own ly cares – that no one really understands, Then, the passage says people will going into the world to share the Gospel. location in St. Augustine and Fr. Dimi- or sympathizes with you? be “covetous.” If money is your main Ten years later, OCMC celebrated trios Couchell (now Bishop Dimitrios With all of our advances in science goal in life, you will end up like old the completion of its headquarters-anni- of Xanthos, retired) was appointed as its and technology, we are much lonelier Scrooge, in Dickens’ A Christmas Car- versary of the dedication of the current first executive director. today than people were in past genera- ol, without a real friend in the world. missionary training and administration In 1987, the mission center sent the tions. On his sixty-fifth birthday the sci- That’s why you need to arrange your building. first short-term mission team to Kenya, ence fiction author H.G. Wells said, “I hours of work so you don’t have to work The roots of OCMC go back to and these teams would continue into the am lonely, and have never found peace.” during church. Athens, Greece in the 1950s, and to the present day as some of the most fruitful Technology is behind much of our You need the friends you will influence of two young theologians: ministries of the mission center. loneliness. Take television, for instance. make at church more than any amount Deacon Anastasios Yannoulatos and Thank you for making the dream of Columnist Ann Landers has said, “Tele- of money you might make working on Deacon Demetrios Trakatellis. Deacon this facility a reality and supporting the vision has proved that people will look Sundays. Nothing can cure your loneli- Anastasios would eventually go on to ministries it makes possible. at anything rather than each other.” ness but Christ and the local Orthodox People put on the television hour Church! You must come to Christ and be after hour. We no longer sit down and cleansed from your sins by His Blood! have a meal together as friends or as a Then you must come into the church family. We have almost forgotten how and make lasting friends here! Why be to have a conversation. We are too busy lonely? Come home – to church! watching TV to talk to each other – on a The Scriptures tells us this about the THE DIVINE meaningful level! early Christians: People plug a wire into their ears “And they, continuing daily with and pump music into their brains. They one accord in the Temple, and breaking LITURGY seal themselves into a car; one person bread from house to house, did Eat their per car. They “log on” to their computer meat (their food) with gladness and alone. Singleness of heart, Praising God, and Ofﬁcial text of the Greek TV, computers, car boom boxes, having favor with all the people. And $ DVD’s – all of this technology has not the Lord added to the Church daily 25 Orthodox Archdiocese of made us happier. It has made us more such as should be saved” (Acts 2:46- lonely. Albert Einstein said, “It has be- 47). America. come appallingly obvious that our tech- That’s why going to church kept nology has exceeded our humanity.” them full of “gladness of heart” – and The Bible says, “Woe to him that kept them from being lonely. They $ $ is alone when he falleth: for he hath not were in church every time the door was 25 16 another to help him up” (Ecclesiastes open. Follow their example! 4:10). And I believe that this is one Come back to church next Sunday! of the main reasons that many young Come all the way in to the full fellow- people turn to drugs. They are lonely. ship of our church! It will cure your Others turn to a gang especially in LA loneliness! where they try to find companionship Break the chains of loneliness! that they didn’t feel in a dysfunctional Come to church! Bring a friend. Be- family. Others go out and party on Fri- lieve, belong and be loved. day and Saturday night seeking to over- High Quality come their loneliness. But somehow it Fr. John Bakas is dean St. Sophia doesn’t work. The gang doesn’t stay Cathedral, Los Angeles and adjunct Professionally together. The party ends – and you go professor, Orthodox Theology at Loyola Typeset home – alone again. Marymount School of Theology. 2019 YEARBOOK Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America VOLUME Includes general information, Metropolis & Parish DISCOUNTS 60+ copies 120+ copies 200+ copies listings, Archdiocese Departmental and Institutions AVAILABLE 15% OFF 20% OFF 25% OFF information and other valuable resources. $ $ 2O19 Only S&H OK 18 + 6 AVAILABILITY:Available JANUARY Now 2019 YEARBO 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 To place orders: Holy Cross Orthodox Bookstore holycrossbookstore.com (800) 245-0599 ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ Dept. of Communications, 8 East 79 Street, NY, NY 10075 MAY - JUNE 2019 21 Metropolis News Pa. Church Marks 75th year MEDIA, Pa. - The celebrations started with a Welcome Party on Fri- day evening, May 3. The church hall was transformed into a giant photo al- bum with over 1,000 photos and arti- facts, some from as early as the 1930s, displayed on over 50 collages which adorned the walls while a video loop played on the big screen. On Saturday morning almost 100 parishioners traveled to the city of Ches- ter to visit the church edifice built by the founding families.Tears flowed as they were welcomed into their old home by the members of the Temple Baptist Church. Fr. Anastasios Bourantas led the congregants in a short service of thanksgiving with everyone singing “Christ Is Risen” which was followed by the two communities sharing a lovely breakfast in Christian fellowship. By Saturday evening everyone was ready to party. It was an evening filled with joy, love, celebration and dancing at the Concordville Inn. The celebratory weekend culminat- ed with the Divine Liturgy at St. George and Artoclasia in thanksgiving for the St. George parish photo community. The final activity was a family picnic. Parishioners of St. George Greek Orthodox Church, Media, Pa St. Katherine Foundation Awards 20 Scholarships

By Kristen Bruskas ate students. An independent panel from Loyola Marymount University reviews REDONDO BEACH, Calif. - The the applications and transcripts, basing St. Katherine Church has been visionary their decisions solely on merit. In ad- Philip Rausch photo in providing scholarships to deserving dition to utilizing the interest from the students through a Foundation that was Endowment Fund for the awarding of Recipients of the Saint Katherine Foundation Scholarships in Redondo Beach, CA established in 2007. In those early years, scholarships, the Foundation has a fun- there were only three recipients of small draiser every fall to generate additional scholarships to assist deserving students revenue to help grow this program. in furthering their education. Through Foundation Board Vice-President the dedication and perseverance of the and Scholarship Chairman, Rosalind Saint Katherine Foundation Board, this Farmans Halikis stated, “We have to program has grown exponentially and invest in our youth and show them that on Sunday, May 19, 2019, they awarded we care. The Church should encourage 20 scholarships, bringing the Founda- them in their academic pursuits, and re- tion’s total giving to over $250,000 over main a part of their lives, regardless of the past 12 years. where they go to school. It is important This year’s scholarships were they remain connected to our faith, and awarded to five high school seniors, 13 become future leaders not only in soci- undergraduate students, and two gradu- ety but in our parishes.”

Orthodox Observer photo FARES BEGIN AT... “Train”-ing for a good cause $ Fr. George George Kolios, pastor of St. Markella Church in Wantagh, N.Y., watches the movement of trains in 299 plus one of the exhibit at a recent Model Train Show his parish hosted as a fund-raiser to aid St. Jude’s Children’s ONE WAY tax Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., and the church. Ten Model Railroad Clubs in Long Island that comprise the Trainville Hobby Depot produce these train shows for various groups and organizations each year. The $ plus exhibits featured several model railroads including N, HO, O and Z scales. 480 tax £∂§∂∆∂ ROUND TRIP To Athens or Thessaloniki º£∏¡∞ from New York ∂π™π∆∏ƒπ∞ RESTRICTIONS DO APPLY • SPACE IS LIMITED • CALL TODAY LOWEST HOTEL & CAR FARES AVAILABLE LOWEST PRICES IN ∂¶π∫√π¡ø¡∏™∆∂ ª∞∑π ª∞™ ™∆√ π¡∆∂ƒ¡∂∆ THE MARKET Contact: Eleni & Ari Poulos WEB: www.eleni.com • E-mail: [email protected] Επίσης αναλαμβάνουμε Διαβατήρια και Συμβολαιογραφικά NON STOP FLIGHT US AIR FROM (Πληρεξούσια, Μεταφράσεις, PHILA TO ATHENS Πιστοποιητικά, κ.λ.π.) AND CONTINUE TO THESSALONIKI 1-800-989-4733 5 Bayberry Drive, Broomall, PA 19008 Call Now and Begin Saving Money with Eleni Tours, Inc. 610-355-7730 • Fax: 610-355-0823 22 MAY - JUNE 2019 Church History Commentary Addressing the ‘Problem’ of Converts Eleftherios Venizelos By Fr. Luke Veronis way it came upon the Apostles. And he went on to explain, “If God gave them in Jacksonville What about all “those converts?” the same gift as he gave us, who be- What about all those people coming into lieved in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was By William H. Samonides, Ph.D. honor every invitation. He did, howev- our Greek Orthodox Church who are not I to think that I could oppose God!” er, visit several other cities in the South, Greek? Or those who are not even from From the beginning, Jesus Christ The dominant political figure of a traditional Orthodox background? made abundantly clear that the purpose including Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Recently, I heard different negative 20th century Greece, Eleftherios K. and Tarpon Springs. of the Church is to reach out to all peo- comments about the so-called “con- ple and bring them into her saving em- Venizelos (1864-1936) served as Prime After wintering in California, the vert problem” in our Church. I have Minister seven times between 1910 and Venizelos party boarded a steamer in brace. This is why Christ commanded heard about some who feel threatened his disciples, “Go and make disciples of 1933. While head of state, the territory San Francisco, sailed through the Pan- by the entrance of too many converts of Greece almost doubled. He brought all nations” (Mt 28:19). This is why St. ama Canal to Havana, and took a train into “our” Church, implying that they Paul explains, “There is no longer Jew Greece into World War I on the side of from Key West up the Florida Atlantic may endanger our holy tradition and the Allies over the opposition of King nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor fe- coast, stopping first in Jacksonville. jeopardize the fullness of Orthodoxy male; for you are all one in Christ” (Gal Constantine, who advocated neutral- This proved to be a highlight of his in America. Some even think that too 3:28). He wrote elsewhere that God ity. President Woodrow Wilson, who American journey. many converts entering our seminary “desires all people be saved and come witnessed Venizelos’ adroit diplomatic When Venizelos arrived in Jack- may water down the Orthodox ethos of to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4). maneuvering at the 1919 Paris Peace sonville on Saturday, January 28, he our theological school. This past semester, I have been of- Conference, hailed him as the greatest was met by Greeks from all over the When I hear such comments, how- fering a class on the “Challenges of statesman in Europe. South who had turned out to welcome ever, I must admit that I am perplexed. Modern Missions” at both Holy Cross Because of his frequent, rancor- him. Every Greek business in the city Ultimately, what is the purpose and vi- Greek Orthodox School of Theology ous tangles with the Greek royal house, displayed the blue and white colors of sion of the Church? What does it mean and St. Vladimir’s Seminary. As we dis- Venizelos was also a polarizing figure. Greece. He was visibly touched. He did, to be “one, holy, catholic and apostol- cussed the theme of missions and evan- Political feuds spilled over into the however, urge the enthusiastic crowds ic?” gelism, it occurred to me how ridiculous Church, precipitating his excommuni- not to spend money to entertain him but St. John Chrysostom stated many such statements about “too many con- cation in 1916. He contributed to politi- instead to send money to aid Greece. years ago, “There are two types of bish- verts in the Church” actually are. Ulti- cal and ecclesiastical shock waves that The next day he attended Liturgy ops. One who says, “My parish is my mately, shouldn’t that be the goal of our were felt in Greek communities around at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox universe,” and the other who says, “The Church? Don’t we constantly want to the world. Church and was formally welcomed to universe is my parish.” have more and more converts, and in- Despite his international triumph the city by parish priest Fr. Constantine Since Chrysostom clearly believed vite more and more of America to be- in Paris, Venizelos suffered a stunning Vouvounas and lay leaders of the Greek the latter, what can we say about an ec- come part of the Orthodox Church? electoral defeat in November 1920. A community. Following the service, hun- clesiology that sees the entrance of the As hard as this concept may be for plebiscite in December brought King dreds attended a reception at his hotel. “other” into our Church as a corruption some people to understand and accept, Constantine back to power, and the On January 30, before leaving for Tar- of the traditional, authentic character it will only become more difficult in 55-year-old Venizelos went into self- pon Springs, Venizelos issued an infor- and identity of Orthodoxy. the future as the cultural makeup of our imposed exile in France. mal statement to the Greeks of Florida This heresy of parochialism, unfor- Church inevitably changes, as more and The election also impacted the and the United States: Sons of Greece, tunately, is a common attitude that has more of the “other” enter in. In the end, Church in America. Archbishop Me- who have transplanted themselves to plagued the people of God throughout we must ask ourselves, “Are we the one, letios Metaxakis, a Venizelos supporter, America, have shown a truly Greek her history. The ancient Israelites too of- holy, catholic and apostolic Church, or was ousted as head of the Church of spirit of adoption and have rapidly and ten viewed the “nations” as the enemy; are we no more than an ethnic cultural Greece. He was replaced by a Royalist, readily entered into the spirit of the new Jewish Christians in the early Church club or a social country club?” who recalled Meletios’ protege, Bishop world. It is thoroughly gratifying to were scandalized to see Gentiles and Holy Scripture clearly reveals how Alexander of Rodostolou, and appoint- one of Greece to find Greeks entering Greeks entering into their community Christ’s love embraces all people of the ed Bishop Germanos Troianos as the so actively into the life of the country without first becoming Jews; and even world. We are even given a vision of Synodical Exarch in America. Bishop of their adoption, and as one Greek to today, some Greeks express their dis- this unlimited love, when we see how Alexander, who had overseen the par- another, it is my pride to express to them may when too many non-Greeks be- on judgment day there will be saints ishes in America since 1918, did not the satisfaction of their native land that come Orthodox. Instead of a worldview clothed in white robes “from every na- relinquish his position. In March 1921 they have so quickly taken up the life where God the Creator of all is at the tion, tribe, people and language” (Rev Meletios, who no longer had a position of their choosing. America, the land of center, slowly the ego – whether the in- 7:9). in Greece, arrived in America. In July their adoption, is a marvelous country, dividual ego: I, me, my, mine; or the Those who fear the many converts 1921 Bishop Germanos came and estab- a country in which new ideas and ideals communal ego: my people, my parish, entering into the Church may embrace lished a rival jurisdiction. By September come into fruition. It is the veritable land my language, my culture – gradually the motto: “The parish is my universe; Meletios convened the first Clergy- of promise, and thousands of sons of takes over and this self-centered men- my own people are my universe; my Laity Congress in America, at which Greece have come to this land and have, tality distorts a proper Orthodox world- own language and culture are my uni- a constitution was drawn up, and the I am glad to know, become Americans. view. verse.” This, however, was never the vi- Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North It is with pride that I have learned from The other day in our church’s lec- sion of our Church Fathers. and South America was incorporated in officials of Jacksonville that the Greeks tionary, I came across St. Peter’s en- The Philokalia teaches “Blessed is the State of New York. of the city have become recognized as counter with Cornelius, the Roman cen- the one who rejoices in his salvation, In London that September, Veni- citizens of substantial interests for they turion (Acts 10-11). As I meditated on but even more blessed is the one who zelos married 48-year-old Helena Sch- this passage, I thought to myself, “Isn’t rejoices in the salvation of the other.” reflect in the eyes of the world the true this an appropriate and clear message ilizzi (1873-1959), the daughter of a condition of the people of the country Chrysostom affirms, “I do not believe wealthy Greek businessman. On Octo- for our Church today?” Peter’s heavenly in the salvation of anyone who does of their nativity, Greece, and the Greeks vision destroyed his attitude of parochi- ber 21, the newlyweds, along with his who recognize the cause of liberty and not try to save others.” This is why he personal secretary, arrived in New York alism, opening his eyes to something boldly proclaimed “The universe is my independence, owe a tremendous debt unimaginable to the Jewish Christian of parish!” for a six-month honeymoon tour of the to America…. It is with pleasure that I his day. Enlightened by this vision, he Western Hemisphere. Venizelos repeat- When a former Protestant once ap- find such a large and wholesome Greek broke Jewish tradition by entering the proached Archbishop Anastasios of Al- edly insisted to the press that his trip was community in this city. home of an “unclean” Roman and bap- bania, and said to him, “Your Beatitude, unofficial. Often traveling incognito, he Venizelos left America on May 2, tizing an entire household of Gentiles. I’m a convert.” The Archbishop re- quietly went about his business, trying but his visit would remain a bright spot Following this experience, Peter under- sponded, “Really? So am I.” The person to avoid even a hint of controversy. in the memories of his supporters for stood the character of the Church in a looked astonishingly at the Archbishop, Yet controversy still found him. years to come. He eventually returned new way: “I now realize how true it is as he continued, “Yes. Every day I con- Venizelos was adored by his supporters to Greece, where he served four more that God does not show favoritism but vert myself again and again to Christ and reviled by his opponents. When the times as Prime Minister. He passed accepts people from every nation who our God.” mayor of Savannah invited him to visit away on March 18, 1936. fear him and do what is right” (Acts Isn’t that so true! In the end, aren’t in January 1922, many local Greeks This is one of many stories includ- 10:34). we all converts?!? So why should the signed a petition warning of a “riotous ed in the special exhibition, A Profound When the rest of the Church in Je- converts be “a problem?” demonstration” if Venizelos stepped and Abiding Presence: The Greek Or- rusalem criticized him for his actions, Fr. Luke Veronis and his family foot in the city. Most of the Greek com- thodox Church in the South, on display fearing that his precedent would cor- have been serving as a missionary in munity favored his visit, and the invita- this year at the Saint Photios Greek rupt the traditional, authentic character Albania for nine years. Recently, he was tion was not rescinded, but Venizelos Orthodox National Shrine in Saint Au- and identity of the people of God, Peter on sabbatical, teaching a missions class did not visit Savannah, claiming that gustine, Florida (904-829-8205; www. explained that the Holy Spirit had come at Holy Cross School of Theology and his tight schedule did not allow him to stphotios.org). upon these “unclean” Romans the same St. Vladimir’s Seminary. MAY - JUNE 2019 23 Family Connections Ephebiphobia: Fear of Our Teens and Youth

By Fr. Sampson Kasapakis sion or anxiety that result in suicide. Another harsh reality is the major- I will break the ice. Hi! My name ity of parents do not know because 51 is Fr. Sampson Kasapakis. I am a new percent of teens are afraid of talking to parent, and I am terrified about raising their parents about personal problems. my children in the world today. Further compounding the problem I am even MORE terrified of the here is that 42 percent of parents have future world my three-year-old and difficulty discussing moral topics with two-year-old will have to experience their teens (Psychology Today). as teenagers. Well, that escalated Working within this age group, I quickly, huh? But let’s be honest, you have found that teens hesitate to speak are relieved you are not the only one. to their parents because of the fol- All parents experience fear for their lowing reasons: they do not want to kids. They worry about their children overwhelm you, they do not want you getting sick, doing well in school, to fix it, they do not want you to get whether or not they’ll be able to get mad, and some believe that you will a job and succeed in life. Being afraid not understand. So how do we bridge for your kids is very normal, but being this gap? afraid of your kids is a phenomenon Parents, it is time to make our re- that has developed over the past sever- lationship with God a priority in our Family Matters al decades, and something that parents lives. I know that seems like exactly Family Matters is a podcast produced by Fr. Alex Goussetis, Director of the need to look at closely. what a priest should say, and I am sure Center for Family Care, and features interviews, reflections, book reviews, and nar- And by the way, sometimes these you have heard it before, but seriously, ratives to encourage dialogue and strengthen families. two fears are tied together. Fears about actually do it. It is time to make the Recent episodes are now available at www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/fami- their child being able to make it in life Church and our participation in her lymatters: actually will cause some parents to worship and ministry a nonnegotiable “Managing Our Tech Habits Before They Manage Us”—Clinical psychologist, think they have to give in more; they item within our families. Dr. Randa Anderson, discusses how we are entranced, even addicted, by various become a cushion for their kids. But It is time to pray for the strength to forms of technology and how we can change our tech habits. let me be clear: that’s exactly what overcome our fears, to pray together “Dynamic Marriage”—Fr. Aaron Warwick speaks about a marriage enrich- you don’t want to do. They don’t need as a family, and if we don’t know how ment program titled Dynamic Marriage which is a course that helps to inform and a friend. They have those. They need to pray, that is okay, but it is time to strengthen the marriage relationship. a parent, a guide, and a person who learn. It is time to be patient and listen “Mentoring our Youth and Young Adults”—Dr. Ann Bezzerides, who serves challenges them, who empowers them to our youth and use the wisdom with- as director of the Office of Vocation & Ministry at Hellenic College Holy Cross, when they fail and celebrates with in us to find the words to guide them speaks about faith development of our youth and young adults. them when they succeed. through the difficulties of their lives. This new phenomenon of be- It is time to drop our pride and ing afraid of our kids has a name: ask for help and guidance from our ephebiphobia. The word ephebipho- friends, ministry workers, and clergy. Cultivating Lives of Service bia is formed from the Greek “ephi- It is time to talk to our teens about the ibos” (meaning youth or adolescent) How do we plant seeds of selfless love and sacrificial service in our children’s hard topics. It is time to have the con- lives? In this webinar, we discuss how to stand alongside our children and seek, and“phobos”(fear or phobia). versations on relationships, sex, drugs, together, to serve others in all aspects of our lives. Katrina Bitar, the director of the Ephebiphobia is primarily studied alcohol, body image, bullying, and so YES Program of FOCUS North America, paints a beautiful picture of what true by sociologists and youth advocate or- on. service is and offers practical ways to instill it in our children. Here is a brief excerpt ganizations. Their research has found Talk to your teen with love and from the webinar: that the media, marketers, govern- respect. With an open heart and mind, “When I look at who the Lord is, he really is the quintessential servant. He ment, schools, businesses, and prod- LISTEN TO THEM. My ministry ex- welcomed all, invited all, He went out and sought the sick, the suffering, and the ucts overselling safety to parents have perience has taught me that teens do estranged. He died so that all people might live… Service really is a way of life. all created this phobia. They have also not want to be spoken down to but Often we think of it in the sense of a project—something we do as part of our found that this phobia manifests itself want to be heard. Teens need some- life, part what we plan, or just something that we design and put it in a box and call in different ways. one to simply be there—not to fix, or it service. But to live a life of service is to embrace that service is who we are—be- For example, you can fear teens do anything in particular—just to let ing aware and open to opportunities we encounter around us as well as seeking out because you cannot trust them, or the them know they are cared for and sup- opportunities to serve. phobia might exist because a parent ported. Service is really is an offering without expectation—without looking for certain feels inadequate to parent in today’s “Easier said than done” is an un- results or expecting anything in return—even expecting to feel good afterwards. world, or it might exist because as a derstatement when it comes to talk- Real service breaks our heart and wounds us. If we are with the wounded, we are parent/adult you will have to have ing with teens; however, we must going to be wounded as well and we experience that when we we are bearing one conversations about difficult topics stop making excuses. For the sake of another’s burdens. True servants will suffer and to enter into that as a means to joy.” such as relationships, sex, drugs, alco- our youth, and for this generation of hol, body image, bullying, and so on. teens, it is time to overcome our fears With any phobia our natural re- and begin opening the communication Family Connections sponse is either to fight it or to avoid it lines to our teens. Because if you do is a ministry of the Center for Family Care of the by running away. Why overcome our not, where do you think they will get Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. fear when we could just keep avoid- their information? As I said earlier in ing it? This mentality is a large part of this article, with any phobia, our natu- For more information about the Center’s why parents today do not talk to their ral response is to fight it or run away Ministries please contact: Phone (646) 519-6695 kids about the real issues that they will from it. No more avoiding. No more experience. It is easier to say, “My excuses. E-mail: [email protected] child isn’t involved with that stuff” or Fr. Sampson Kasapakis serves www.family.goarch.org “That will never happen to my kid.” Website: St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Facebook: www.facebook.com/center for Family Care With this mentality we dismiss reality. Springs, Fla. He graduated from the The reality is that Orthodox youth University of Central Florida (Or- The Center for Family Care was established with a major grant from the throughout America are doing drugs. lando, Fla.) with a B.S. in psychology Our youth are drinking alcohol. Our and with minors in chemistry, biol- Archbishop Iakovos youth are being bullied or are bully- ogy andleadership achievement. He Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Inc. ing. Our youth are having issues with graduated from HCHC in 2014 with body image. Our youth are dealing a Master of Divinity. He is married to We are grateful for its support with mental health issues like depres- Presvytera Mallory. 24 MAY - JUNE 2019 Parish Profile Long Island Community Features a Sprawling Church Complex AT A GLANCE Name: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Location: Hicksville, NY Founded: 1972 Clergy: Fr. Theofanis Papanto- nis (NYU economics, Hellenic Studies, 2001; Holy Cross, M.Div. 2004; Fr. George Stavropoulos (retired) Size: About 450 families Web: www.holytrinityhicks- ville.ny.goarch.org

E-mail: holytrinitygoach@ Orthodox Observer photo verizon.net Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church HICKSVLLE, N.Y. - Like several defense contractor Grumman Corpora- for several years in a chapel magnani- There are still many Greek immi- parishes on Long Island, Holy Trin- tion in nearby Bethpage, were among mously offered by the local Holy Trin- grant families as attested to by its large ity is a “spinoff” of St. Paul Cathedral the major employers where some of the ity Episcopal Church but soon desired Greek afternoon school with an enroll- in Hempstead/Garden City about 10 members worked. to build their own church. ment of about 200. miles to the west. The location of a main line of the Though the members consider Holy Trinity’s very active youth Fr. Theofanis noted a number of Long Island Rail Road into Manhattan 1972 as their founding year, from the program consists of a GOYA with families who established the commu- and proximity of the Long Island Ex- perspective of ther Archdiocese, Holy about 70 members and JOY with 85. nity had roots in Sparta, Chios and Cy- pressway attracted furriers who could Trinity Greek Orthodox Church began Sunday School has about 100 en- prus. commute to the city in about 40 min- when it was accepted Dec. 26, 1973. It rolled. The strong local economy that fea- utes. was granted a charter on Oct. 21, 1977. Goyans take part each year in the tures several manufacturers of plastics Initially, the Greek Orthodox com- According to a parish history, on volleyball league comprised of many and chemicals and, until the 1990s, the munity in northeast Nassau County met Sept. 10, 1978, ground was broken at Long Island parishes with highly com- the future site of the present church that petitive boys and girls teams. has become a large complex on a four- The parish has several other minis- acre site. tries, a Bible study, very active Philop- On Palm Sunday 1980 the first Di- tochos and senior citizens breakfast ev- vine Liturgy took place. The same year ery Thursday. THIS ISN’T JUST A CRUISE SHIP. IT’S AN ADVENTURE. saw the arrival of Fr. George Stavro- Currently Holy Trinity is still on a poulos, the longest serving priest – 32 membership system, but Fr. Theofanis years – until his retirement in 2012. hopes the community will switch to OPA! GREEK CRUISE FEBRUARY 9-16, 2020 Though he continues to assist at Sun- stewardship in the future. Enjoy Fabulous Ship Entertainment, Great Greek Entertainment, Parties & Events! day liturgies and other feast days. Other revenue sources include That year, Astoria native Fr. Theo- the Greek festival that takes place the THE COMEDIAN Departing from fani arrived in the parish in 2012 from weekend after Labor Day and from Miami, Florida St.Nicholas Flushing where he was an houses the parish owns next to its prop- assistant priest. erty. Labadee Fr. Stavropoulos’.presvytera, An- Though some parishioners live Jamaica geliki, professionally taught in the within the boundaries of 7-square mile Cozumel Music by Greek school, catechetical school and hamlet of Hicksville, Fr. Theofanis many other educational and cultural notes that most commute to church ALEX & ELENA programs. from neighboring communities of Nas- 2020 KOUROS In April 1990 the community add- sau and Suffolk counties. WESTERN ed an educational center. ARIBBEAN You must C reserve with TRAVELGROUP for entry to our All This And FATHERHOOD Private Greek Our Own Private Functions Greek Events And Entertainment THE AEGEAN DUO  from page 12 So fathers, be worthy role-models Rates start at only Nick Mouganis & Steve Tavelaris in the way you live and in the way you See the Tony Award® winning $824 per person, ping regularly with only dad showed the love others, beginning with your wives. Broadway Musical double occupancy. Gov’t taxes of $127.62 strongest results). Fathers have the ca- Teach faith, morals and virtuous be- are additional. Deposit pacity for being much more than bread- havior as if your children depended on CATS of $250 per person is GREEK EVENTS fully refundable until winners; they have a unique capacity to them, for they do. October 2019. Rates and information subject spiritually influence their children. Always remember that your chil- to change at anytime Today’s families require fathers to dren will only comprehend the Heav- without notice. be good to their wives, sons and daugh- enly Father in and through their rela- Sponsored by St. Mark Greek Orthodox Church ters. And in an environment of male- tionship with you. While Father’s Day of Ocala, Florida. bashing, it certainly would help if wives may not be a big deal, FATHERHOOD www.opacruise.com were good to their husbands as well. A certainly is. husband and father is only as involved Fr. Artemas is pastor of St. John in his family in proportion to the good- the Theologian Cathedral in Tenafly, For Reservations Contact: Local 561-447-0750 • Toll Free 1-866-447-0750 Ext 102 or 108 ness and respect he is shown. For most N.J, and a former director of the Arch- [email protected] • www.travelgroupint.com/opa-greek-cruise 125 SE Mizner Blvd., Suite 14, Boca Raton, FL 33432 men, simple respect cements them to diocese Dept. of Youth and Young Adult their relationships. Ministry MAY - JUNE 2019 25 In The Now National Ministries - Dept. of Youth and Young Adults How Church Camp Saved a Life As we prepare for another season of summer camp, it’s important to remember why this ministry is so important in the lives of young people. Campers and counsellors don’t spend time away from home merely to be entertained: their time together can be deeply formative as they take their first steps into a ma- ture relationship with our Lord and Sav- ior Jesus Christ. How formative? A transformative ministry experience for youth and adults. Practical tools to live Orthodoxy and I’ll turn things over to my friend, be the bee. Nick, to tell a powerful story. His daughter, who is now a young adult, continues to be shaped by her experience at summer camp. And it’s all the glory to God. -Steven Christoforou

By Nick Lekas There’s something really special about a week away from parents when you’re a pre-teen or teen, especially when it’s a week at church camp. Campers return home glowing thanks to the many priceless worship experiences they have. They also come back with Christ- centered friendships that last a lifetime. My daughter, Katie Lekas, offers the ultimate example of this. Katie and her friend Angie Yannaris met a decade Why Darkness ago at the Metropolis of Pittsburgh Summer Camp in Mercer, PA (Camp Naz, as it’s affectionately known). Kate Can Never Win is now a self-employed graphics designer and lives in San Diego, having grown designer. By Steven Christoforou up in the Annunciation community of This might be the most powerful Akron, OH. Angie grew up in Reading, Christ is Risen! miracle story that’s touched our family Has your life ever taken an unex- PA as part of the St. Constantine & Hel- thanks to Camp Naz, but it isn’t the only en community, and she now lives and pected turn? one. Kate has both a sister and a cousin Have you ever found yourself in works as an attorney in Philadelphia. that married fellow campers: both met a really dark place? The friendship that first blossomed kids from completely different cities Because that’s exactly what hap- at Camp Naz continued to be a blessing with similar hearts for their faith and pened to the man we meet the Book into adulthood, especially during a par- family. of Acts. ticularly tough period in their lives. These are all camp miracles. And You see, Paul and Silas were A few years ago, Kate was go- this is the power of church camp, glory preaching the Gospel. And along the ing through a difficult time in her life. to God! way they met a slave girl who had “a As soon as she shared this news with I hope you’ll consider sending your spirit of divinization.” her friend, Angie dropped everything child to summer camp. (In other words, she was pos- to travel across the country and spend So why is Orthodox camp so awe- sessed by demons.) a few days with Kate in California. some? Some people think it’s the jet skis Paul, as you might expect, healed While they were together, Kate asked or the games or the activities, and those her. He cast out the demons. Angie how she was doing. Though are wonderful. But they’re not what He freed this poor girl from her Angie made the trip to comfort Katie, darkness. make Orthodox summer camp such a And what did he get in return? it became clearly that she was bearing life-changing experience. The real an- her own burden as well. Angie began to He was thrown in prison! swer is a lot more simple. You see, the But Paul and Silas didn’t let this tear up as she described her father’s fail- beauty of summer camp starts in the darkness overtake them. They spent ing health: he suffered renal failure and chapel. Campers and counselors wake their time in prison “praying and was connected to a dialysis machine all up in the morning and our first steps singing hymns to God.” night, every night (though with mixed take us to the chapel for matins. Every The other prisoners heard them. results). evening we gather again in the chapel And so did God… Angie was afraid of losing her dad. for vespers, and those aren’t the only Suddenly, there was a great Kate quickly offered to be tested as opportunities for prayer. We pray before earthquake. But this earthquake didn’t a kidney donor, yet Angie didn’t take and after every meal. We pray before simply shake the ground: it unlocked the offer seriously. After all, Kate had and after our sessions, we pray before all the chains and doors. never met her dad, Pete. bed. Prayer fills our day while still leav- The prison guard saw this and The experience Katie and Angie ing plenty of time for sessions and ac- instantly fell into despair. shared at Camp Naz was a gift from tivities. It sets the tone for the day and He knew he would be blamed God. Their friendship was a gift from reminds us that no matter what we do (and severely punished) for this God. Yet the Lord also had something and we should do it with love and joy, prison break. else in store for them: after a year of So he drew his sword. with Christ at the center. With Christ He wanted to kill himself. multiple blood/tissue tests on both sides at the center, every aspect of our day is of the country, they discovered that Kate But, just then, a voice cried out in blessed, lifted up and transformed into the darkness... was a perfect match to be a donor! an opportunity to draw closer to God Paul cried out to the man. The surgery took place Thanksgiv- and neighbor. And he offered the prison guard a ing week last year. Thank God, both do- -Nick Lekas is a proud father and way out of the darkness. nor and recipient are doing great. Pete grandfather. He is a parishioner at An- What did Paul offer? day’s Gospel reading. is back to his work as a restaurateur and nunciation Greek Orthodox Church in The very same Light that Jesus A Light which no darkness can Kate continues to develop as a graphic Akron, Ohio. offered to the blind man in this Sun- ever defeat... 26 MAY - JUNE 2019 Obituaries

and represented the Church in the Ecu- Fr. Arthur Baron of the Church: Chant or Harmony?” menical Movement. In 1968, he was a Dr. Bogdanos served as guest clinician visiting lecturer in ecumenism on the HILLIARD, Ohio – Fr. Arthur at Church Music Institutes sponsored faculty of Notre Dame College for Nuns Baron, a priest of the Archdiocese more by the National Forum and its affili- in St. Louis. He had also enrolled Con- than 30 years who in recent years served ate Church Music Federations. He also cordia Lutheran College and received a as an institutional chaplain for the Ohio served as guest director of the massed Master’s in Sacred Theology degree in Department of Corrections, died April choirs of many Federation conferences. 1969. 29 at age 58 after suffering a brain an- He was a choir director and has After 14 years in St. Louis he was eurysm. written choral music for the Divine Lit- assigned to St. Demetrios Church in He also had served as a parish priest urgy and various other Greek Orthodox Upper Darby, Pa., where he served until in several communities of the Archdio- Church special services. September 1979. As senior priest in the cese and for many years was associated ““Dr. Bogdanos was a wealth of Philadelphia area, he was appointed by with Annunciation Cathedral in Colum- knowledge and an inspiration in his Archbishop Iakovosas his personal rep- work as a professor of English and Eu- rd bus. resentative to the 23 Clergy-Laity Con- He was born Jan. 10, 1961 in Brook- ropean Literature. He was also His vol- gress in Philadelphia and was Church line, Mass., to Michael and Helen (Zaf- umes of music can be heard throughout Events Committee chairman. feres) Baron (Varzakakos). He attended the west coast, and across our Archdio- After leaving Upper Darby, Fr. An- public schools in Brookline, Catholic cese. The gift of music he gave to the drews served as chancellor of the De- Memorial High School in West Rox- Greek Orthodox Church will be a last- Fr. Constantine Andrews troit Diocese for a year, then returned ing legacy of his God-given talents and Last of the 1stPomfret Class bury and the University of Massachu- to Pennsylvania to pastor a new parish, setts-Boston where he received a BA how he used them with such passion and which became Sts. Sophia, Faith and love for his faith and heritage,” stated SNOHOMISH, Wash. – Fr. Con- in religion in 1983. He enrolled at Holy Agape Church in Norristown (now in Cross and graduated in 1988 and was Metropolitan Gerasimos. “Ted was an stantine Andrews, last surviving mem- Jeffersonville) and the surrounding area. elder statesman of the Church, and his ber of the first graduating class of Holy ordained as a deacon June 12 at Annun- He organized the Sunday school, ciation Cathedral in Boston and a priest legacy will live on through his beauti- Cross Theological School in Pomfret, choir and the Ladies Society into the ful music and his family who I know are Conn., died April 1 at age 101. Dec. 15, 1988, at Holy Cross Chapel, Faith, Hope and Agape Philoptochos both times by Bishop Methodios. He deeply mourning his passing.” Born in Denver on Dec. 8, 1917, Society. The parish received its Arch- Dr. Bogdanos is survived by his to John C. Andrews (Andreou), of Pa- also had married Evangeline Pappas, a diocese Charter in 1980. native of Greece, on July 5, 1986. loving wife, Herta Helene, his son, leohorion, Kynouria, Greece, and Cath- Fr. Andrews officially retired in Hans Bogdanos, and wife, Valerie of erine (nee Hronakou) of Vrontamas, La- Fr. Baron was assigned to St. Vasi- June 1983, but continued to serve the lios parish in Watertown, N.Y., where he San Leandro, Calif.; daughter, Elisabeth conia, Greece. parish until October 1984. After his Charles and husband, Curt, of Kent- He attended a Roman Catholic served until October 1990, then to Dor- retirement, Metropolitan Silas of New mition parish in Burlington, Vt., until field, Calif.; three grandchildren, broth- grade school and graduated from Den- Jersey appointed him “Father Confes- er, John, and wife, Despina, and many ver High School in 1936. He studied March 1992. He then moved to South sor” of the eight parishes in the Dela- Carolina to study for the prison ministry other relatives. He was predeceased by for a year at the University of Colorado ware Valley. his daughter, Toula, in 2002. School of Engineering in Boulder, then and became a full-time prison chaplain. In 1991 he received the Citation for He moved to Columbus in 1994 Services took place May 9-10 at enrolled in the first class of the newly the Seminary Class of 1942 at the 50th Ascension Cathedral in Oakland. opened Holy Cross Theological School and worked for the Ohio Department of commencement exercises of Holy Cross Corrections for 25 years. to study for the priesthood. He gradu- School of Theology. Over the years, he ated in 1942 with a degree in theology. He was preceded in death by his Archon Gerasimos Costacos published the following works: The parents. Survivors include Presvytera In his senior year he worked as Theory and Practice of the Holy Sacra- SEATTLE - Gerasimos (Jerry) full-time secretary to the dean, Bishop Evangeline; sons Michael and Alexan- ment of Penance (A Practical Handbook der, a sister, Susan Schmidt of Connecti- Costacos died May 8 with his family by Athenagoras Cavadas, until May 1943. for Confession for Greek Orthodox his side. Upon graduation with a BA in theol- cut; and other relatives. Christians);An Eastern Orthodox Saint Funeral services took place May 3 He was a man of deep faith who ogy, he married Joy (Zoe) Seferlis of Who Became a Western Legend or, The was deeply committed to his family, Springvale, Maine, July 18. The had at Annunciation Cathedral with Metro- Truth About St. Nicholas, “Come and politan Savas of Pittsburgh officiating, parish and country having served in the four children: Kathryn, John, Nicholas See” in The Eastern Orthodox Federa- Navy during World War II. and Demetra. assisted by Fr. Demetrios Gardikes. tion of Greater St. Louis, A Brief Sur- Memorials may be made to: Epiph- His support of the Church and his He was ordained a deacon Aug. vey of Orthodoxy and Examination of accomplishments are many including; 14, 1943, at Sts. Constantine and Helen any Ministry of Ohio, PO Box 1, Belle- Conscience in Preparation for Confes- fontaine, Ohio 43311; or Annunciation being an Archon of the Ecumenical Pa- Church in Ipswich, Mass., by Bishop sion. He also edited and translated from triarchate, a member of Leadership 100 Cavadas (who was also Bishop of Bos- Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Colum- Greek into English an extensive list of bus. and recipient of the Medal of St. Paul. ton) and to the priesthood in September books, articles and lectures relating to At Assumption Church he served by Archbishop Athenagoras. theology. Fr. Andrews was predeceased Dr. Theodore Bogdanos on the parish council, on various fun- From that year until his retirement by Presvytera Joy in 2008 and six sis- draising committees, was a founding in 1983, he served churches in Massa- ters. Survivors include his children and member of All Saints Camp, supported chusetts, Ontario, Michigan and Penn- OAKLAND, Calif. – Dr. Theodore two grandchildren. Bogdanos, a respected composer and ar- GOYA and the Dance Ministries of our sylvania, laying the groundwork for Funeral services took place April 11 community. He was also a member of many of their parish ministries. ranger of Byzantine music, gifted chant- at St. Demetrios Church in Saco, Maine, er and long-tme member of the National the Assumption Guild and also planned From 1943 to June 1952, he served with Metropolis of Boston Chancellor and supported many outings for our Se- Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul Church in Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Mu- Fr. Ted Barbas (Metropolitan Methodi- sicians, died May 6 at age 86. nior Citizens at the All Saints Church Haverhill, Mass., where he also taught os was attending the Holy Synod meet- Campsite. the Afternoon Greek school and was Bogdanos was born in Canton, Ohio ings in New York), Fr. Basil Arabatzis, on Oct. 13, 1932, but grew up in Greece His last request was to see the com- secretary of the Greek Orthodox Min- pastor, and other priests. pletion of the renovation of the Church. isterial Association, led by the dean of and returned to America after World War II. He received his Ph.D., from the Jerry is survived by his wife, Eva, Boston’s Annunciation Cathedral, Fr. st Students of 1 Graduating Class University of California, Berkeley and of 61 years, two sons, Constantine Demetrios Coucouzes (later Archbishop In addition to Fr. Andrews, the first and daughter in law, Terry; and John; Iakovos). taught at San Jose State University for graduating class of Holy Cross Theolog- 26 years as professor of English and Eu- daughter, Marianne, and grandchildren; His next parish was St. George in ical School in Pomfret, Conn., included Alexi and Christiana. Toronto until October 1959, where he ropean Literature of the Middle Ages. the following 12 students: (hometown He was devoted to God, the church and Funeral service took place May 15 organized the first Boy and Girl Scout or country in parenthesis): at St. Demetrios Church. troops, and served as first Scoutmaster his family. He loved literature, clas- Evstathios Aglachiotis (Clin- sic and Byzantine music, international for the Boy Scouts. He also pastored ton, Mass.), Emmanuel Bouyioukas other communities throughout Ontario travel and was constantly deepening his Very Rev. Fr. Vasilios Flionis (Weirton, W.Va.), John Zannetos (Cy- understanding of the meaning of life. He until they were formally organized as prus), George Kalpaxis (Thompson- YONKERS, N.Y. – Very Rev. Fr. parishes. While in Toronto, Fr. Andrews also was known for his great sense of ville, Conn.), Demetrios Michaelides humor and storytelling ability. Archimandrite. Vasilios D. Flionis, 71, Knox College of the University of To- (Megalonisson, Cyprus), John Pallas a retired priest, died April 20. He had ronto where he earned a Bachelor of Di- He was active with the National (New York), George Papadeas (Al- Forum from its early years and was been living at St. Michael’s Home the vinity degree. toona, Pa.), Constantine Papatheodorou past few years. Fr. Andrews’ next assignment was involved in its discussions and plan- (Boston), Theotokis Pappas (Buffalo, ning. He also served as a reviewer of He was born May 29, 1947 to St. Nicholas Church in St. Louis until N.Y.), Evangelos Tribellas (Altoona, Demetrios and Helen (Patsiades) Flionis September 1973, where he also served the Forum’s musical publications, and Pa.), John Hondros (Lancaster, Pa.), and contributed an article for its MUSICA in Cambridge, Mass., where he attended as Chicago Diocese GOYA advisor for George Giannoukos. public school. He served as an altar boy Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois, publication titled “The Sacred Music MAY - JUNE 2019 27 Obituaries at Taxiarchae Church in in Watertown, Panagopoulos of Westport, Conn., and until 2018. Church, 3149 Glen Carlyn Rd., Falls Mass. Costa Salamis of Quebec, Canada. Fr. Gerostergios also served as Church, Va. 22041, or Annunciation After studying at Hellenic College Survivors include his presvytera, Anas- president of the Institute for Byzantine Greek Orthodox Church, 12001 Wor- for a year, he went to the University of tasia (Toulopoulos) of Rumford; three and Modern Greek Studies, which was nall Rd., Kansas City, MO 64145. Thessaloniki where he received a de- children, Chris E. of Bradford, Mass., founded in 1956 by Professor Constan- gree in theology in 1973. He was or- George E. of rumford; and Anna Maria tine Cavarnos, Ph.D. He was the author dained a deacon in March 1980 and a Bunch and husband, John, of Coventry, of religious works on St. Photios the Presv. Georgia Metropulos priest in July that year on the island of R.I., three grandchildren, Evan C. Geor- Great and Justinian the Great and trans- Cos by Metropolitan Ezekiel. giadis of Nashua, N.H, Joseph E. Bunch lated many religious and literary writ- BOCA RATON, Fla. – Presvytera His first assignment in the United and Stacia J. Bunch, both of Coventry; ings. Georgia (Mitsos) Metropulos, 63, of States was St. George Church in Ban- and two cousines, Marika Panagopou- Survivors include his son, a sister, Boca Raton and Jamaica Plain, Mass., gor, Maine, from March 1983 to Sep- los and Costa Salamis. Anna Gikas; and several nieces and passed away May 7, with her family by tember 1984. From September 1984 to Funeral services took place May nephews. her side. She was the wife of Fr. Chris- February 1989 he served Assumption 16 at Assumption of the Virgin Mary Funeral services took place April 17 topher T. Metropulos, recent president Church in Pawtucket, R.I., then went Church in Pawtucket, R.I. at Sts. Constantine and Helen Church of HCHC who had resigned to care for to St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, Memorial donations may be made with Metropolitan Methodios officiat- his ailing presvytera. N.Y. He served St. Nectarios Church in to: the Ronald McDonald House, 45 ing, assisted by Fr. Vassillios Bebis and She was born to Fr. Constantine Boston from Sept. 1, 1991 to July 14, Gay St. Providence, RI 02905 or to other clergy. Mitsos (who predeceased her) and Ev- 2000, Dormtion Church in Somerville, Assumption of the Virgin Mary Greek elyn (Liarakos) Mitsos, June 27, 1955, July 15, 2000 to June 30, 2007, Sts. An- Orthodox Church Scholarship Fund, 97 Deacon Michael Jeweler in Huntington, W.Va. Georgia gradu- argyroi in Marlboro, Mass., from July 1, Walcott St. Pawtucket, RI 02860. ated from Western Hills High School in 2007 to Feb. 28, 2010, and Ascension SPRINGFIELD, Va. – Deacon 1973 and received a BS in nursing from Church in Clearwater, Fla. He retired on Michael James Jeweler, who attended the University of Cincinnati in 1977. May 30, 2012. Holy Cross School of Theology and be- She married Fr. Christopher in For the past six years, he assisted came ordained later in life, died May 5, 1977. Georgia is survived by her hus- in services at the Patriarchal Monastery 2019 at age 82. band as well as six children and their of St. Irene Chrysovalantou in Astoria, He was born June 5, 1936, in Kan- families: Eleni (Metropulos) Alexiou, N.Y. sas City, Mo., to a Greek American her husband, Tony and their children Survivors include a sister and broth- mother and an industrialist from Asia Nicola and Christina, of Bethesda, Md.; er in law, Andrea and Saki Karambelas Minor and was raised in Thessaloniki. Constance (Metropulos) Palesty and of Burlington, Mass.; nieces Pamela and He graduated from public and pri- husband, Chris, of Boca Raton; Con- Elena Karambelas, also of Burlington; vate schools in Greece and graduated stantine Metropulos, his wife, Megan, and other relatives in Massachusetts and from Anatolia College and their son Thomas, of Melbourne, New York. He then attended the University of Fla; Lucas Metropulos and his wife, Funeral services took place May Missouri at Kansas City and earned a Ashley, of Gaithersburg, Md; Evalana 2 at Taxiarchae Church in Watertown. BBA degree in marketing. Subsequent- Metropulos and Nicholas Metropulos, Burial was in Cambridge. Memorial do- ly he earned a JD degree and admitted to both of Boston. nations may be made to the Sacred Pa- the Kansas Bar, the U.S. Military Court Georgia is survived by her mother, triarchal Monastery of St. Irene Chrys- Evelyn (Liarakos) Mitsos of Boca Ra- rd of Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court. ovalantou, 36-07 23 Ave., Astoria, NY He entered active duty with the ton, and by her brother, Nicholas Mit- 11105. U.S. Army and served in Civil Affairs sos, his wife, Dorothy, and their son and Military Intelligence unis. Constantine, of Johannesburg, South Fr. Evangelos Georgiadis Subsequently, he became a senior Africa. partner in the Kansas City law firm of Georgia was a generous and lov- RUMFORD, R.I. – Fr. Evangelos Fr. Asterios Gerostergios Cashin, Jeweler and Blake. ing person who always went out of her C. Georgiadis, 88, who served as pastor In 1962, he received an FBI ap- way to care for others. She spent most of six parishes over the span of 57 years, CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - The Rev. pointment as a special agent and was of her life raising her six children after died May 12 Dr. Asterios Gerostergios, pastor of Sts. initially assigned in Tampa, Fla. Other practicing as a nurse in Massachusetts. He was born Sept. 9, 1930, son of Constantine and Helen Church more assignments included Washington, One of her favorite quotes by Winston the late Christodoulos and Anezina (Sa- than 40 years, died April 9 at age 82. D.C., and Kansas City. He spoke Greek, Churchill was “We make a living by lamis) Georgiadis of Samos, Greece, Fr. Asterios was born Dec. 8, Italian and French and attended the De- what we get, but we make a life by what he graduated from high school in Leka, 1936 to the late Nicholas and Panagio- fense Language Institute in Monterrey, we give.” This quote and the actions in Samos, the Preparatory Ecclesiastical Gerostergios in Kallipefki on the slopes Calif., before being assigned to FBI her life truly show her deep love of com- School of Patmos, Greece and Holy Cross of Mount Olympus north of Larissa. headquarters as an Intelligence Division munity and commitment to leaving this School of Theology in Brookline, Mass. After completing elementary school in supervisor. world a better place. Georgia was im- He was ordained a deacon in August Kallipefki he went on to high school in He was designated legal attaché mensely proud of her family, and leaves 1961 at Transfiguration Church in Co- Larissa. to the U.S. Embassy in Rome in 1977 behind nothing but beautiful memories. rona, N.Y., by Archbishop Iakovos an- He later enrolled at the University and had subsequent assignments in the Funeral services took place May das a priest at St. Sophia Church in New of Athens and received his Licentiate Middle East and Washington. 14 at St. Demetrios Church, in Fort London, Conn by Bishop Meletios of in Theology in 1965. From 1965-68, After retiring from the Bureau, he Lauderdale, Memorial donations may Christianopolis. he attended Albert Ludwig University joined an internationally known man- be made to: “The Georgia Metropulos He served the last 24 years at in Germany and earned a Certificate agement security firm and rose to direc- Memorial Education Fund” through the St. Demetrios Church, Fall River, of Studies. He then enrolled at Boston tor of foreign operations and vice presi- Lend a Hand Bahamas nonprofit or- Mass. Through the years, he received University and received a doctorate in dent of international affairs. ganization. Gifts can be made directly several pastoral honors from Arch- theology in 1972 and also attended Har- After retiring from the business online at: https://tinyurl.com/y63qvnf9, bishop Iakovos, including the Hon- vard University. or by reaching out to the organization at th world, he entered the special diaconate orary Cross commemorating the 50 He had married Katherine Konto- program at HCHC and was ordained [email protected]. anniversary of his graduation from giorgis in 1971 and they had one child, a deacon in 2012 by Metropolitan Isa- Holy Cross School of Theology. Nicholas. The couple later divorced. iah of Denver at Annunciation Church Fr. Georgiadis also received sev- He was ordained a deacon June 18, in Kansas City. He served faithfully at Hieromonk Ambrose Omayas eral awards in recognition of his 1972 at St. George Church in Lowell, the church, then relocated to Northern tireless efforts to support organiza- Mass., by Bishop Demetrios of Olym- Virginia in 2014 where he continued his DENVER – The Rev. Hieromonk tions in the communities in which he pos, who also ordained him to the service at St. Katherine parish in Falls Ambrose Omayas, 72, died April 6 after served, including helping 54 fami- priesthood a week later at Annunciation Church. a brief illness. lies at the Ronald McDonald House. Cathedral in Boston. He was also active in many civic, He was born CecilioRanezOmayas He is also survived by his three chil- Fr. Asterios was assigned as as- professional and cultural organizations. on March 5, 1947 in Honolulu to Ceci- dren; Chris E. Georgiadis of Bradford, sistant priest to St. George Church in Survivors include his wife, Peggy; lio and Emily Omayas, the youngest of Mass., George E. Georgiadis of Rum- Southbridge from July 1972 to Septem- two sons, James of Alexandria and John 13 children. ford, RI and Anna Maria Bunch and ber 1976, then he served for a year at St. of Faifax, Va., their wives and four Fr. Ambrose was a Roman Catholic her husband John of Coventry, RI; Nicholas Church in Portsmouth, N.H. grandchildren. Franciscan monk for 30 years in Ha- three grandchildren, Evan C. Georgia- His tenure at Sts. Constantine and Services took place May 10 at An- waii and Virginia. In the 1980s he was dis of Nashua, N.H., Joseph E. Bunch Helen began March 20, 1977. Although nunciation Chapel in Kansas City. and Stacia J. Bunch, both of Cov- he is listed as having retired December Memorial donations may be made entry, R.I.; and two cousins, Marika 2001, he continued to serve the parish to St. Katherine Greek Orthodox  to page 28 28 MAY - JUNE 2019 Obituaries NYC Greek Parade

 from page 27 Athenagoras Mr Peponis’s work in the Church employed by the U.S. Department includes serving as a parish council of Housing and Urban Development member continuously since the age of in San Francisco, Chicago, New York 19, leading Annunciation Cathedral of and Denver, where he moved in 1986. Chicago and St. Demetrios Church of He studied Orthodox theology through Chicago as its parish council president, the St. Stephen’s Course of Study and teaching Sunday School and singing became an Orthodox priest after being with the church choir, he was a member ordained by Bishop Antoun of the An- and officer of the Hellenic Choral So- tiochian Orthodox Christian Archdio- ciety. cese of North America. He also served on the Metropolis of From 1990-93 he served as an as- Chicago Council, and the Archdiocesan sistant priest at St. Augustine Western Council. He was an active Board mem- Rite parish of the Antiochian Archdio- ber of the St. Iakovos Retreat Center cese in Denver, then was on loan to the and his residential Condo Board, having Metropolis of Denver and served sev- served as its president. eral area parishes. He participated in the Pilgrimage of He moved to Rhodes, Greece in Love to Constantinople and Rome led 1997 and received monastic tonsure at by Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago te Monastery of Archangel Michael in and Cardinal George of the Catholic Tharri from Geronta Amphilochios (lat- Archdiocese of Chicago. er Metropolitan of New Zealand). As the Metropolis of Chicago repre- In 2005, Fr. Ambrose began work sentative to Ecumenism Metro Chicago, as an administrative assistant at the Me- he worked to bring Christians together tropolis of Denver and was released to in prayer and understanding. the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese from He was Board chairman of the Or- the Antiochian Archdiocese. thodox Christian Coalition for Healthy He helped to establish two parishes, Youth. Along with his wife, Aphrodite, Holy Apostles in Cheyenne, Wyo., and he co-authored the book, Annunciation St. Anna in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Chicago, Until his recent death, he was serving Its History and Iconography. St. Nicholas parish in El Paso, Texas. .Archon Harold’s investiture into Survivors include five brothers and the Order of St. Andrew was on March five sisters, and many nieces and neph- 7, 1993 by Archbishop Iakovos, and re- ews. His parents, a brother and sister ceived the title of Archon Depoutatos. preceded him in death. He served as the Archons’ Metrop- Funeral services took place at the olis of Chicago Regional Commander Assumption Cathedral of the Metropo- until January 2015 at which time he was lis on April 11 and 12 with Metropolitan bestowed the title of Regional Com- Isaiah of Denver officiating, assisted by mander Emeritus. As an Archon, he had 20 priests from the Greek Orthodox me- many accomplishments to his name in tropolises and other jurisdictions. support of religious freedom. In 1998, he was awarded the Medal of St. Paul of the Greek Orthodox Arch- diocese. Survivors include his wife Aphro- dite “Faye” nee, Karras; son Arthur H. Peponis II, and stepchildren Kathryn, George (Despina) and Troy (Evangella) Stavros; grandchildren Keith, Alyssa (Brandt), Julianna, Maria, Alexandria, Kyri, Remington and Georgia Faye; dear brother of the late James A. (Cathe- rine) Peponis; brother-in-law of Nathan (Kate) and George (Becky) Karras; fond uncle of many nieces, nephews and their families. He was predeceased by his first wife, the late Toula (Preketes) Peponis, and a brother, James A. Peponis. He also was a cousin of the late V. Rev. J. Gabriel Karambis. Funeral service took place May 17 at Annunciation Cathedral with Metro- politan Nathanael of Chicago officiat- Archon Harold Peponis ing. Memorial donations may be made CHICAGO – Harold A. Peponis, an to Annunciation Greek Orthodox Ca- Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate thedral or St. Iakovos Retreat Center and long-time member of the Archdioc- at gosirc.org. esan Council, died May 12. He was 90. The son of the late Arthur H. and Change of Address Ethel (Karambis) Peponis, he was born Dec. 12, 1928, in Chicago. After public To submit a change of address: school, he entered Loyola University Contact Soula Podaras and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in at 212.570.3555 business administration and a Master of e-mail: [email protected] Arts in religious education. fax: 212.774.0239. He had a long career as an Illinois Or regular mail to: insurance broker. Orthodox Observer, Peponis served the Church at the 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075-0192 parish, metropolis and archdiocesan Be sure to include old address, levels. As a youth, he granted the hon- or of Reader by Ecumenical Patriarch new address and name of parish. Orthodox Observer photos MAY - JUNE 2019 29 Greek Orthodox Archdiocese District Olympics

Opening ceremony Bishop Apostolos of Medeia reads Archbishop Elpidophoros’ official message to the athletes and parents taking part in the annual Greek Orthodox Archdiocese District Olympics held every Memorial Day weekend on Long Island. The three-day event attracts hundreds of participants from parishes in New York and Connecticut. (Orthodox Observer photo) Below His Grace bestows a medal upon one of the your JOY athletes; one of many he presented. (D.Panagos/ GOA photo)

Orthodox Observer photos

Orthodox Observer photos 30 MAY - JUNE 2019

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List of Graduates Thomas Bartz, Taylor Alexander Col- th well, , Dn. William Aristotle Damas- St Basil 75 Commencement  from page 4 kos, Fr. Peter Dogias, Alexander Peter  from page 12 Corps because she wanted to be “part of Master of Theological Studies Eliades, Dean Carsten Franck, Justin something greater.” Jessica Alexandrides, Jade Eliza- George Giavanovits, Iren Haji-Georgi, University of New York in Oswego. His Her recruiter, Marine SSgt. Thom- beth Austin, Allison Jeannine Baker, Dr. Robert James Hargrave, Dn. Alex- sister is also at the Academy. Odalia as Angle Jr., was among the audience Christopher John Coombs, Mark Wadee ander Soteros Kamilaris, Dan Kazanas came to Saint Basil’s two years ago to members in attendance. Fr. Sitaras, who Mikhaeal and Makoto A. Nagasawa III, Alexandra Nicole King, John James flee an abusive situation at home. Her has been serving as executive director Master of Theology Kokenis, Julian Roman Kollias, Bren- high school guidance counselor referred for 25 years ‘Br. Ryan Thomas Carlesen, Dn. nan Kroger, Fabio Lins Leite, Theo- her for acceptance to Saint Basil upon The two high school graduates are Emmanouill Georgantakis, Georgios dore George Lyketsos, Nicholas John learning of her plight. She said that the examples of the nurturing and prepara- Kousaftakis, Zisis Lappas, Anberin Pa- Manuel, Nicholas Stefanos Mataragas, Academy offered her the safe haven tion for adulthood that Saint Basil Acad- sha and YounJia (Jason) Yuan Zachariah Swanson, Presvytera Kellie that she very much needed. She also an- emy represents. Master of Divinity Amber Tandilyan and John Demetrios nounced she enlisted in the U.S. Marine --Jim Golding Constantine Alexandrides, Dn. Tsikalas. MAY - JUNE 2019 31 Christianity Under Attack

John 15:18 a wave of attacks that has lasted nearly “But another English player – Billy Defenders of such public displays two months.” Saint-Alain Cathedral in Vunipola – has been disciplined for ex- argue the First Amendment protects the Lavaur, south-central France, had its al- pressing Christian views,” the institute free exercise of religion in the public “If the world tar cloth set ablaze and statues smashed. said. square. The Constitution’s prohibition hates you, The American media coverage of The dispute erupted when Vunipola regarding religion forbids the govern- church vandalism in France is under- “liked” an Instragram post of Australian ment from creating a state religion, such you know that whelming, according to Get Religion. rugby player Israel Folau that featured a as the Church of England, stating “Con- And perhaps the most disturbing poster inviting repentance and declaring gress shall make no law respecting an it hated Me coverage, this Newsweek headline: “Only Jesus Saves.” establishment of religion.” before it hated you.” “Catholic Churches are Being Des- When Vunipola “liked” Folau’s In- ecrated Across France—and Officials stagram post he included the Christian City Offers Bounty on Don’t Know Why.” view that sex should be reserved for Christian Leaders With the desecration of the Cath- opposite-sex marriage and was disci- Attacks on French olic churches in France in just one plined. Persecution of Christians may have week, investigators did not rule out the Writing to the head of discipline at started some 2,000 years ago, but it Churches Constitute possibility of arson. the RFU, institute Director Colin Hart doesn’t seem to be letting up here in the Talk-radio host Dennis Prager said: “Vunipola believes himself to 21st century. a Warning wrote in a column: “I don’t know if have fallen short of God’s standards. He A major city in China has initiated Save the Persecuted Christians: Un- a worker accident or a radical Muslim holds to mainstream Christian teaching a new tactic to curb Christian faith in less We Stand Up for Persecuted Chris- set fire to Notre Dame Cathedral (as that ‘all have sinned and fall short of the the communist nation, offering citizens tians, What Is Happening There Will they have scores of other churches glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). $1,500 for information leading to the ar- Come Here around Europe). In terms of what the “He holds to the Easter message of rest of foreign clerics. WASHINGTON—The faithful fire represented, it doesn’t much matter. hope that sins can be forgiven through The South China Morning Post in around the world watched in shock and What matters is the omen: Europe is trusting in Christ’s death on the cross Hong Kong reported Guangzhou offi- horror as flames from the Notre Dame burning, just as Notre Dame was.” and his resurrection from the dead,” the cials have proposed a variety of rewards Cathedral lit up the Paris sky, marking Prager said the “symbolism of the letter said. for information that helps the govern- at least the partial destruction of a reli- burning of Notre Dame Cathedral, the ment control Christianity. gious, cultural and historic global land- most renowned building in Western civ- Google Engineer Goes Churches already must register mark. ilization, the iconic symbol of Western with the government to operate. Inde- Save the Persecuted Christians Christendom, is hard to miss.” Public, Spills Beans on pendent groups, sometimes known as (STPC), which advocates on behalf “It is as if God Himself wanted to ‘Hunt’ for Christians house churches even though they may of hundreds of millions of Christians warn us in the most unmistakable way include thousands of people, regularly facing heavy persecution worldwide, face restrictions and their pastors arrest. that Western Christianity is burning – In an open letter distributed May says the tragedy is the latest in a string and with it, Western civilization”. Some of their buildings have been of church fires in France—a trend that 21, a Google software engineer de- demolished. should alarm believers worldwide. Bible verse ignites scribed a company culture of left-wing Now, Guangzhou has become the Frank J. Gaffney, president and “outrage mobs” who use the tech giant’s first major city in China to offer rewards CEO of Save the Persecuted Christians, ferocious battle anonymous bias-reporting channels to for turning in people engaged in “illegal issued the following statement in the at high school shut down conservative social and po- religious activities.” wake of the destruction. litical thought. “The fire that catastrophically co A dispute over donated T-shirts Mike Wacker, writing on Medium, Couple Prohibited from nsumed Christendom’s most beautiful sporting a Bible verse that basketball warned that if “left unchecked, these Conducting Bible Study cathedral in the heart of one of its most players wore during warm-ups at a New outrage mobs will hunt down any con- important capitals is a tragedy not Mexico high school has come to an end servative, any Christian, and any inde- A retired pastor and his wife -- both only for Christians, but for the world,” with the head coach resigning. pendent thinker at Google who does not in their 80s –simply want to live out the Gaffney said. “While the cause of this That’s according to a letter from bow down to their agenda.” remainder of their lives in peace, while particularly devastating loss remains Supt. Loren Cushman of Animas Public He claimed that in March, the com- continuing to serve God and their fel- to be determined, it comes against the Schools to the Freedom from Religion pany offered him a severance package low believers. Having to “fight the good backdrop of numerous attacks that Foundation, which raised the issue af- to leave, with an implied threat that it fight” should be years behind them, have desecrated or destroyed Christian ter a “concerned” community member would find a pretext to fire him if he re- but it’s not. Hostile residents and hos- houses of worship across France. complained. fused. tile property managers have made their “Americans are on notice: Unless Todd Starnes reported the coach lives hell, and they’ve been served with we counter the forces perpetrating such allowed his players to wear the donated ACLU Targets Sheriff notice of eviction. The “good fight” has crimes against humanity in furtherance shirts inscribed with “I can do all things begun ... of the global triumph of Sharia, we through Christ who strengthens me,” for Easter Greeting The owners of a retirement center in will be subjected to similar predations which is taken from Philippians 4:13 Fredericksburg, Va., who were accused here, too. Indeed, a leading indicator of in the New Testament. An Easter greeting on the Facebook of banning a retired pastor from holding the state of submission in this country The coach, who was not identified, page of an Iowa sheriff’s office has a Bible study in his own residence – and is the self-censorship that seems to be also was accused of holding Bible stud- drawn condemnation from the Ameri- were put under investigation by the fed- precluding widespread reporting about ies with players. can Civil Liberties Union, which claims eral government – now are being sued. the wave of attacks on churches in Starnes reported FFRF, which he it violates the First Amendment. The complaint alleges religious discrim- Europe, and anti-Christian persecution described as “a Wisconsin-based group “Happy Easter from all of us at the ination in housing by the management more generally. of perpetually offended atheists, agnos- Winneshiek County Sheriff’s Office,” of the senior living community. It was “This phenomenon amounts to tics and so-called free-thinkers,” boast- reads the greeting, accompanied by an filed on behalf of residents Ken and Liv compliance with Sharia-blasphemy re- ed about the coach’s resignation. image of a cross with the words “He is Hauge. “The management company’s strictions,” Gaffney concluded, “and risen.” hostility to religious residents violates only incentivizes its adherents to de- Rugby Association “We simply offered a holiday greet- federal law and taints Virginia’s long mand further concessions. We must Reprimands Christian, Ignores ing on a weekend that is recognized by history of religious freedom,” said Lea stand up for Christians and Christianity Player Who Attacked Bible Winneshiek County, and unfortunately Patterson, associate counsel for the legal in the face of those who would destroy, some people appeared to be offended firm First Liberty. not just their houses of worship, but the England’s Rugby Football Union by it,” Winneshiek County Sheriff Dan faith itself, as well as its practitioners.” Marx said, according to The Couri- 105 Christian Churches a has been caught pursuing a discrimina- er newspaper of Waterloo, Iowa In April, a fire blazed at Saint-Sul- tory agenda – punishing a Christian for . Month Targets of ‘Hate’ pice, according to Reuters. Four people his biblical view of marriage but ignor- The ACLU of Iowa told the paper were inside but no one was hurt. The ing a subsequent attack on the Bible by it was made aware of the Easter post- ‘Sometimes they happen right in fire was later determined to have been another player. ing by someone who commented on the the middle of a worship service’ deliberately set. In response, the U.K.’s Chris- Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. Several churches in Sri Lanka were “This social media post by the Win- attacked on Easter Sunday by what The UK Sun reported that France’s tian Institute has written to the RFU, Christian heritage is under attack from questioning “its impartiality.” neshiek County Sheriff’s official Face- authorities believe to be Muslim ex- “militant secularism.” It was player James Haskell who book page is grossly inappropriate un- tremists. The suicide bombers killed Breitbart reports: Twelve French declared in a social media post that tak- der our traditions of religious freedom about 300 and injured hundreds more. Churches attacked, vandalized in one ing an orthodox view of the Bible is a enshrined in the Iowa and U.S. Consti- Statistics from the Christian ministry week. “road map to killing people.” tutions,” said Mark Stringer, ACLU of Open Doors counts an average of 105 CruxNow reports: “Vandals and ar- The RFU so far has taken no action. Iowa executive director and former Uni- attacks a month on churches. sonists have targeted French churches in versalist Unitarian minister. -compiled by Jim Golding 32 MAY - JUNE 2019 A Guide to the National Ministries

MINISTRY WHAT IT DOES HOW IT AFFECTS YOU RESOURCES

Gathers and records materials Provides information Archives relating to the history of the and photographs on request Online, hardcopy data Greek people, their culture to scholars, researchers and photographs. and religion in the United States. and authors.

Communications* Provides Connects parishioners Videos of religious *(includes GOTelecom, information to the National Church through television productions, Orthodox Press Office, Internet Ministries, about the Church print , social and electronic media. Observer, annual yearbook, through electronic, social Informs the U.S. and Greek media ecclesiastical calendar, Orthodox Observer) and print media. and general public about Orthodoxy. website, e–bulletin, listserver. Provides Provides textbooks and other Textbooks, for the instruction instructional materials for all Greek Greek Education of Greek and promotes other educational afternoon and parochial schools; materials for Greek schools. Hellenic culture. teacher training.

Information Responsible for overall Provides direct support and Online access the Archdiocese Technologies technology vision and direction training to metropolises and and to various of the Archdiocese of America. parishes for their technology needs. Orthodox websites. Promotes relations Through its efforts, Contacts between Inter-Orthodox with other Orthodox Christian parishes benefit through the Archdiocese and other jurisdictions, other Christian Ecumenical, Interfaith more meaningful contacts Christian denominations churches and other faith groups in with such groups at the local level. and other Faiths. the U.S.

Addresses issues relevant to Brings more aspects of Orthodox faith Provides printed, online, Marriage & Family marriage and family life through into the home and more families to social media resources. the Center for Family Care and church. Helps couples, families and Conducts conferences, Office of Interfaith Marriage. parishes with marriage and family life. training and retreats.

Serves as the vital link between each Coordinates the services parish and the National Ministries Administers national ministries Metropolis Ministries of the National Ministries program, and provides additional and provides direct assistance at the Metropolis level. ministries at the local level. to parishes.

Coordinates Archdiocese Works with local parishes Direct contact Public Relations involvement in public and political in events such with government officials at the local, issues affecting the Church. as Patriarchal visits. state and national levels.

Maintains records Issues marriage licenses, divorce Provides important documents Registry relating to the life of the faithful of decrees, baptismal and chrismation for vital statistics the Church. certificates, replaces lost transcripts. and maintains records.

Develops and provides religious Sunday schools use materials Resources, Sunday School texts Religious Education education materials to advance and run programs including the and other materials, the metropolis and parish programs. St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. oratorical festival information.

Stewardship, Outreach Works with National Stewardship Provides resources for parish minis- Provides materials and data and Evangelism Ministries Team and Outreach try, support for parish leadership to help parishes and Evangelism Advisory Board. and stewardship activities. in their stewardship efforts.

Youth, Coordinates the national youth and Young Adult Ministries* Provides opportunities Online and harcdopy materials to youth young adult programs with metropolis for parish youth directors, workers; administers youth *(includes camping ministries youth directors. Administers campus to participate camps, including Ionian Village; and Ionian Village) and camping ministries. more fully in the Church. maintains listserver and blogs..