“Upon this rock I will rebuild my church.” Matthew 16:18 Genesis of a Resurrection

To Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, most honorable Exarch in the U.S.A, our beloved brother in the Holy Spirit and dear co-celebrant: grace be with you and peace from God.

With keen and paternal interest we have paid close attention to the journey of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, from the darkest moments of the horrific terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, to this present joy-filled moment. At that time, our heart was broken with nearly inconsolable grief, because so many beloved human beings were no more. Indeed, even now we recall with great emotion our visit some years ago to Ground Zero, where we joined our fervent prayers with those of the faithful whose own prayers were mingled with tears and great compassion for one another.

Now, thanks to the infinite mercy of God and the collective efforts of the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America, we have cause to rejoice that the shrine of the holy patron of this Church, Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker, will emerge for the ages at the historic location known as Ground Zero. For truly, Saint Nicholas, who hailed from the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s region of Myra in Watercolors & Sketchs by Santiago Calatrava Asia Minor, belongs to the world, and it is fitting and right that this Shrine to his name be rebuilt. Our Holy Mother Church com- memorates Saint Nicholas as “a model of living faith and an image of humble grace,” and we know that this presence will most surely The original St. And most importantly imbue all who visit the rebuilt Church at the memorial site of the Nicholas Greek Orthodox for Saint Nicholas, the World Trade Center. Church cast a reverent only house of worship and faithful shadow on destroyed on 9/11, the It is God our Heavenly Father Who transforms through active the World Trade Center. Archbishop inaugurated faith, enduring patience and limitless love our painful loss over Greeks purchased the a dialogue with then Gov- the victims and heroes of that fateful day. Now, with the building row house in 1892 as a ernor George Pataki to of this magnificent shrine, there will be a House of Prayer for these community home, and it rebuild the church. noble souls to be continuously and prayerfully remembered, and became the Saint Nicho- there will be a House of Consolation for those who survived and las Church in 1916. For In the years follow- are bereft of their loved ones. many Greeks immigrants, ing, as the rebuilding of it would have been their the World Trade Center Dearest brother, we wholeheartedly congratulate you and first stop after seeing the took shape, there were all those who contributed to the inspiration and creation of this Statue of Liberty and dis- challenges to keep the unique structure. The design is a tribute to the glorious beauty

embarking from Ellis Is- Photo by: Grisha Ressetar Church as a priority for of Orthodox Christianity, of Hagia Sophia and Chora, as well as land. The little church was the site (16 acres), since an acknowledgment of the present reality of a cosmopolis in the a spiritual jewel, open to it was virtually a sliver a twenty-first century. May countless pilgrims gather here in peace all. Generations of New Yorkers stopped land. Due to changes at the site, it was pro- and concord, to recall the past with reverence and envisage the in to light a candle, say a prayer, or just posed that the Church be relocated to 130 future with hope. sit quietly. Liberty Street, a short walk from its original location. Even when negotiations stalled, At the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 11th of October, 2013 Everything changed on 9/11. Saint governmental authorities always affirmed Your Eminence’s beloved brother in Christ, Nicholas was completely destroyed in the the right of the Church to be rebuilt. collapse of World Trade Center Tower Two during the September 11, 2001 When New York Governor Andrew terrorist attacks. During the weeks and Cuomo took office, a new opportu- months that followed, the Archbishop nity arose to meet the impasse. His office presided over numerous funerals and mediated settlement discussions that  BARTHOLOMEW memorials for the many Greek Orthodox confirmed the site at 130 Liberty Street. Archbishop of Constantinople–New Rome Christians who died that fateful day. He Following the signing of an agreement, and Ecumenical Patriarch participated in interfaith and ecumenical presided over by the Archbishop and the events, at city, state and national levels. Governor, the Archdiocese commenced NOVEMBER 2013 • Vol. 78 • No. 1290 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00

in this issue Archdiocese, St. Nicholas Church Help typhoon victims Archdiocese establishes fund to help Establish victims of the Philippines typhoon. . • P.3 National Shrine Rising from ashes at Ground Zero Everyone will soon have a spiritual home under a magnificent dome. NEW YORK – A major step for- • P. 3 ward relating to progress on St. Nicholas Church at Ground Zero took place Nov. 10 at a duly-called parish as- SF shows support sembly meeting when the community San Francisco Metropolis holds major unanimously approved a resolution to fund-raiser to support “The Crown 1 make the church a national shrine of Jewel of the Archdiocese.” The response the Archdiocese. is very generous. The action had the full support of • P. 4 the parish priest, Fr. John Romas and the parish council. This advance in the Metropolitan speaks out nature of the only house of worship Metropolitan Methodios speaks out destroyed by the terrorist attacks of about the crisis in contemporary society September 11, 2001 has momentous and what Orthodox Christians can do near and long-term significance for about it. the parish. The resolution provides • P. 6 for the parish to maintain its status as a parish and continue to function as such, while the Board of Trustees The National what? would have a national as well as a Discover what the National Ministries Moscow Patriarchate photo local presence. The resolution also are and what they do. includes the final agreement of the par- • P.8 ish to exchange its land at 155 Cedar St. (including air and ground rights) for 130 Liberty St. The new parcel, A tent event 2 although less than 50 yards from the Church overcoming recent fire as previous location, is more than three it holds successful feast day vespers times larger. under a tent. The Archdiocese and the parish • P.10 had always seen that such an evolution for this historic parish of Manhattan A warning to teens was the logical next step. Not only Stay away from this “Molly.” Also, some is the mission and presence of St. concerts shouldn’t have “rave” reviews. Nicholas at Ground Zero a national • P.11 undertaking, but also likewise are the costs and responsibilities. In his exhortation to the commu- Visiting Thessaloniki nity, Archbishop Demetrios stressed Ecumenical Patriarch and Archbishop the enormous visibility of the rebuilt Demetrios mark feast day Church, adding that more than 10 mil- • Greek section. lion visitors to the World Trade Center • P.13 site per year would see and perhaps enter the new Sanctuary. He noted 3 that as a National Shrine, St. Nicholas Dimitrios Panagos photos would welcome all and be a house of prayer for all people. (1) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew receives an honorary Doctorate from the University of His Eminence said, “This church Macedonia in Thessaloniki. (2) His All Holiness is greeted by two Greek army o cers during his will not be just a national shrine, but visit to Military Hospital 424 in the city. (3) At the Monastery of the Kimisis tis Theotokou outside of also an international shrine. It will the city where the patriarch performed an agiasmo, two nuns present Archbishop Demetrios with show the will of all people to rebuild some organically grown fruit. The monastery is known for its pioneering e orts in growing fruits and resurrect from the ashes of 9/11. and vegetables organically. This will be a church for all to light a candle for the beloved that were lost on September 11. This church will be Ecumenical Patriarch, Archbishop Visit Thessaloniki a Greek Orthodox National Shrine on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and other Hierarchs. The visit followed the Hallowed, Sacred Ground.” accompanied by Archbishop Demetrios, Ecumenical Patriarch’s trip to Mount Athos. Community members expressed visited the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki In addition to the Archbishop, the great satisfaction, relief and apprecia- Oct. 22–26. On the feast day of St. Deme- patriarchal delegation included Metropoli- tion that the Archbishop led the pro- trios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, His tans Gennadios of Italy and Germanos of cess of rebuilding from the beginning, Athena Syregelas and her classmates learn All Holiness presided at the Patriarchal Tranoupolis, as well as Grand Archdeacon and for shepherding the project. their ABC’s and more at this Arizona school. Divine Liturgy in the historic church of Maximos, Second Patriarchal Deacon An- Construction will begin early • P.23 St. Demetrios with Archbishop Demetrios next year. concelebrating the liturgy with the Patriarch uu to page 2 2 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS NOVEMBER 2013 To contact Encyclical National Ministries Archives Thanksgiving Day 212.570.3517 Have no anxiety about anything, with prayer and supplication. We turn to [email protected] but in everything God. We seek His will and His guidance. by prayer and supplication We overcome the fear of the unknown with Communications with thanksgiving prayer of the heart. We vanquish the anxiety 212.774.0244 let your requests be made known of uncertainty by calling on the name of [email protected] to God. the Lord. (Philippians 4:6) But our prayers are not supplications Dimitrios Panagos photos Greek Education marked by worry, impatience, or resigna- His All Holiness presides at the Feast Day Lit- 212.774.0233 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the tion. They are infused with the spirit and urgy in St. Demetrios Church, with Archbishop [email protected] Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks power of thankfulness. They are filled with Demetrios and Metropolitan Anthimos of and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of grateful praise and adoration of our God Thessaloniki (at right). Internet Ministries the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox who loves us and gives us salvation. 646.519.6690 Communities, the Distinguished Archons Our prayers echo the affirmation of the [email protected] of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Psalmist who sang, “The LORD is my rock, Hierarchs Visit Thessaloniki Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philop- and my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, tochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical uu from page 1 Organizations, and the entire Greek Ortho- and the horn of my salvation, my strong- and Interfaith Relations dox Family in America hold.” (Psalm 18:2) In a moment of life dreas, V. Rev. Grand Preacher Bessa- 212.570.3593 when anxiety and fear could consume us, rion, and Archdeacon Panteleimon [email protected] Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, our requests to God for His provision in our of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese As we commemorate Thanksgiving time of need, our prayers to Him should be of America. Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- Ionian Village Day, a special holiday in the history and life filled with thanksgiving. Our supplications tholomew traveled to the Metropolis 212.570.3538 of this nation, we do so with grateful hearts should reveal the depth of our faith in the of Neapolis and Stavroupolis for the [email protected] to the One who blesses us abundantly with almighty power of God. 40th anniversary since its founding; the grace and life. We praise our great and This is the tremendous witness of this Metropolis of Thessaloniki for the fes- Marriage & Family mighty God who knows and provides for day of Thanksgiving. Certainly, it is a time tive period of annual celebrations in 845.424.8175 our needs, who fills our lives with joy and of fellowship with family and friends. How- honor of its patron St. Demetios; the [email protected] hope, who brings us comfort in our times ever, it is also a day that commemorates the Metropolis of Nea Krini and Kalamaria; of struggle, and who assures us with the way we live our lives each day. It is a day and the Patriarchal and Stavropegic Parish Development promises of eternal life. that affirms the attitude we should have in Monastery of Vlatadon. He also visited 847.825.1432 When we commune with Him and all things. We give thanks in our worship. the Turkish consulate in Thessaloniki. offer our prayers of thanksgiving for all We give thanks to one another in the bonds During his visit, His All–Holiness [email protected] that He gives to us, we have no need for we share in Christ. received the Gold Medal of the City of anxiety or worry. From day to day and year We give thanks to those who offer Thessaloniki, symbolizing the Munici- Philanthropy to year the circumstances of our lives will compassionate and sacrificial service. We pal Council of Thessaloniki’s decision 212.774.0283 change. Challenges will come. Great joy are thankful when we receive tremendous to declare him an honorary citizen; [email protected] and happiness will be experienced. Dear blessings. May we also be thankful in each the Medal of Saint Demetrios, which is family members and friends will leave this moment, offering our prayers and grateful- the highest distinction awarded by the Public Affairs temporal life. New relationships will begin. ness to God, joining with the heavenly hosts Aristotelion University; and an honor- 212.774.0400 Through all of this, we are encouraged by offering blessing and glory and wisdom and ary doctorate from the University of [email protected] the Apostle Paul to have no anxiety about thanksgiving and honor and power and Macedonia’s Department of Balkan anything because our trust is in our Creator might to our God for ever and ever! Amen Slavic and Oriental Studies. Registry and Redeemer. (Revelation 7:12). From Oct. 15–19, His All–Holi- 212.570.3558 For the Orthodox Christian, the re- With paternal love in Christ, ness traveled to the historic monastic [email protected] sponse to both the joys and struggles of life peninsula of Mount Athos on the oc- is this: in everything by prayer and supplica- casion of the 100th anniversary of its Religious Education tion with thanksgiving let your requests be independence and incorporation into made known to God. In faith we respond the Greek state. 646.519.6300 to all of the circumstances and events of life † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Ameri ca The Ecumenical Patriarch vis- [email protected] ited the peninsula’s capital Karyes, the monasteries of St. Panteleimon and Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, Koutloumousiou, and the Athonite 646.519.6160 Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations Ecclesiastical Academy founded in [email protected] Direct Archdiocesan District Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology 1749 under the tenure of Ecumenical 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu Patriarch Cyril V. Youth and Young Adult Ministries Metropolis of Chicago Saint Basil Academy 646.519.6180 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org Metropolis of Boston [email protected] St. Michael’s Home 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org Fordham University Metropolis of Denver St. Photios National Shrine 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com Metropolis of Atlanta Creates Orthodox Chair NEXT DEADLINE 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org Other key organizations and services Deadline for submitting information, Metropolis of Detroit National Philoptochos BRONX, N.Y. – Fordham Univer- 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org articles and photos for consideration 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org sity has established the Archbishop Metropolis of Pittsburgh Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology in the December 2013 issue: 412.621.5529; www.pitssburgh.goarch.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org Wednesday, Nov 20. Metropolis of San Francisco • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com and Culture through a generous gift Photos should be sent as a large 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxma- from the Jaharis Family Foundation Metropolis of New Jersey ketplace.com Inc.In ceremonies on Nov. 18, Aristotle format .jpg attachment (300 dpi min.). 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/ Papanikolaou, Ph.D., was named as E-mail to: [email protected] Archdiocesan Institutions freebookstore Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: the inaugural holder of the chair. (Full Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, coverage in the December issue). 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075. Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org cbr.goarch.org

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at addi- Change of Address GREEK SECTION EDITOR tional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en- Eleftherios Pissalidis tirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: To submit a change of address: www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: [email protected] Contact Soula Podaras PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING USPS 412340 ISSN 0731–2547 Articles and advertising do not necessarily refl ect the views and at 212.774.0235 Eleftherios Pissalidis opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are e-mail: [email protected] In 2013, published monthly GRAPHIC ARTIST expressed in offi cial statements so labeled. except February–March and July–August Abel Montoya Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25. fax: 212.774.0239. by the Greek Ortho dox Archdiocese of America. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras Overseas Air Mail, $55 per year. $1.50 per copy. Or regular mail to: BUSINESS MANAGER Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church Editorial and Business Offi ce: Orthodox Observer, Marissa P. Costidis in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. th 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 Of this contribution, $5 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer. 8 E. 79 St., New York, NY 10075-0192 Be sure to include old address, TEL.: (212) 570–3555 CONTRIBUTING CORRESPONDENT & PHOTOGRAPHER: POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER, FAX (212) 774–0239 Nicholas Manginas 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075 new address and name of parish. NOVEMBER 2013 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS 3 When Will We Choose to Live More Simply?

A message by Ecumenical Patriarch consequences; the time will come when it Bartholomew to the 19th Session of the is simply too late. Conference of the Parties (COP, meeting At first glance, it may appear strange in Warsaw, Poland. for the leader of a religious institution con- Even as the world mourns the tragic cerned with “sacred” values to be so pro- The Dome of Heaven: loss of life in the unprecedented Typhoon foundly involved in “worldly” issues. After Haiyan in the Philippine Islands, political all, what does preserving the planet have leaders converged on Warsaw, Poland, the to do with saving the soul? It is commonly Greek, Christian, Orthodox, Ours! second week in November in yet another assumed that global climate change and the Over one thousand years before other configuration. Although never anticipated meeting on climate change. exploitation of our nature’s resources are the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ, intended to be imitated, its influence is Concerned citizens throughout the world matters that primarily concern politicians, the Mycenaean Greeks constructed ubiquitous, and its legacy is enduring. are hoping and praying for prompt and scientists and technocrats. At best, perhaps domed tombs (Gk. tholos) to bury their As history shows, the tide of Islam practical results. they are considered the preoccupation of royalty. The dome, begun as a shroud came later, and it eventually rolled over The conference follows on the heels interest groups, naturalists or activists. over the dead throughout the ancient Asia Minor, the Balkans and Greece. of an important report by the Intergovern- Nevertheless, there are no two ways of world, was transformed by the genius Unfortunately, as elsewhere through- mental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), looking at either the world or God. There is of Byzantines into an image of Heaven out the Middle East, venerable and which warns of the urgency of immediately no distinction between concern for human itself. And now, with the revelation of ancient Churches were forcibly used addressing the alarming escalation of cli- welfare and concern for ecological preserva- the new design for the National Shrine as mosques. mate change in order to avoid catastrophic tion. The way we relate to nature as creation of the rebuilt Saint Nicholas Greek Or- Nevertheless, the sheer immensity consequences. directly reflects the way we believe in God thodox Church at Ground Zero, both and magnificence of Hagia Sophia left Scientists talk of “tipping points” and as Creator of all things. The sensitivity with Heaven and Earth are joined together. an enduring impression that created “abrupt climate change.” Political leaders which we handle the natural environment Within a remarkably small space an imitative spirit that continues to this talk of the “challenges” that lie ahead. clearly mirrors the sacredness that we re- allotted to the church for rebuilding day, especially in Islam, which was not Scripture speaks of human crisis and God’s serve for the divine. (though much larger than the original even an idea when Justinian outshone forgiving grace. All three make it clear that church), the dome of the new Saint Solomon in the achievement we know the time will come when we must face uu to page 22 Nicholas will shelter worshippers, pil- as Hagia Sophia. grims, and visitors. Even as it will glori- What may be most shocking for ously reveal the canopy of Heaven, it the average American, so accustomed will remind every passerby of the dead to Christian spires and steeples, is Encyclical of 9/11 who were never buried, because that the dome itself is the preeminent their remains were never found. What Christian architectural form. Inherited does remain and will stand for genera- from the ancient Hellenes, perfected tions is a true cenotaph, second only by the Byzantines, and proclaiming the A Call for Prayers and Support to the Anastasis in Jerusalem, which Gospel and the Kingdom of Heaven encompasses both Awe-filled Golgotha to this day. of Philippines Typhoon Victims and the All-Holy Tomb. Within the dome the Pantokrator Like so many Greek Orthodox looks down, indeed bows down to Jesus Christ Churches throughout America and earth in His compassionate incarnation went about doing good and healing. the world, the dome – both mod- to be present among us all. Inside the (Acts 10:38) ern and traditional – belongs to our dome of Saint Nicholas, with its forty heritage as Hellenes, as Christians of ribs in tribute to Hagia Sophia, every To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the the Undivided Church, and as Greek pilgrim and visitor will behold the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks Orthodox Christians in the modern All-Merciful God looking down upon and Nuns, the Presidents and Members world. Let us never forget that the them. Outside the dome will proclaim of the Parish Councils of the Greek Or- most famous domed structure in the that the Greek Orthodox Church, thodox Communities, the Distinguished world, Hagia Sophia, was for over one obliterated on September 11th, has Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, thousand years the unique and only risen from the ashes, even as its Lord the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, Great Church of Christ, dwarfing every is risen from the dead. the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, APA/MPA photo the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America munity of faith, we will be able to support immediate and long-term relief efforts of Beloved Brothers the Orthodox Church and partner relief or- Orthodox, Catholic Theologians Call for Peace and Sisters in Christ, ganizations that are already on-the-ground. On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod To support these efforts, we are desig- in Middle East, Discuss Church Relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of nating the Sundays of November 17th and America, I greet you in the name of our Lord 24th as days of prayer and offering to help by Rev. Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald The Consultation engaged in discus- Jesus Christ, bringing to your attention the the people of the Philippines. We ask all sions pertinent to Orthodox–Catholic rela- dreadful devastation produced by Typhoon the parishes of our Archdiocese to allocate MISSISSAUGA, Ontario – The North tions around such matters as synodality, Haiyan in the Philippines on November 8th special collections for the ‘Philippines Relief American Orthodox Catholic Theological papal primacy, priestly celibacy and the and asking for your prayers and assistance at Fund’ and to forward the funds collected to Consultation issued a statement on the role of the laity. Susan Ashbrook Harvey, these difficult times for millions of people. the Archdiocese, as we will be coordinating plight of Christians in the Middle East at Ph.D., of Brown University and Sister of As one of the most powerful ever our disaster response at the national level. their meeting in Mississauga Oct. 24-26, Charity of Leavenworth Susan K. Wood of recorded, this tropical storm has left It is requested that the offerings be made calling for the release of a Greek Ortho- Marquette University provided a summary thousands of people dead and millions of out to the ‘Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’ dox Metropolitan and a Syriac Orthodox of papers already presented on the role others without shelter or access to basic and earmarked for the ‘Philippines Relief Archbishop, both from Aleppo, Syria, and of the laity in the two churches; Father necessities. After such great initial loss and Fund.’ Our website, www.goarch.org, will repudiating the kidnapping, torture and John Erickson, former dean and professor destruction, the devastation continues as also provide an online giving alternative and killing of not only Christians but all civil- of canon law and church history at Saint homelessness, hunger, thirst, and disease periodic updates on our relief response. ians. The full statement is available here. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary settle in the affected areas of the Philippines. We ask our Lord to bless our efforts The group meets every five years in in Crestwood, N.Y., presented his paper Without a substantial response from com- and the efforts of the many responders Canada. Hosted by the Canadian Confer- on “Conciliarity or Synodality? munities world-wide, many more people who work tirelessly to offer relief to those ence of Catholic Bishops, this year’s meet- Historical Notes on a Modern Issue”; could be affected and lose their lives. affected. We also pray that He who is the ing was at the Mary Queen of the Apostles Father John Galvin, professor of system- We fervently ask you, beloved people Creator of life gives rest to the souls of those Renewal Center. atic theology at The Catholic University of our Holy Archdiocese, to become part who perished and brings comfort and help In its statement on the Middle East, of America, presented a paper by Msgr. of the relief response and help the people to those who remain and are in great need. the group wrote, “We urge the leadership Thomas J. Green, “Lay Ministries in the of the Philippines and the devastated areas At this time when we are approaching of our churches to continue to intervene Church: Comparative Reflections on the through the efforts of our Church. Respond- the Holy Nativity Feast and are preparing vigorously in behalf of the Christians of the Eastern and Latin Codes”; and Father ing generously, and together as a com- to celebrate and rejoice as He, the Word, Middle East, who live in fear for their lives, Peter Galadza, Kule Professor of Liturgy comes to be born in this world, let us their communities, and the very future of at the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky remember, pray and offer our generous Christianity in the region.” Institute of Eastern Christian Studies in Retired Clergy Meet assistance to the people who are in urgent The meeting was co-chaired by His Ottawa, Ontario, summarized previously need of our help. Let us therefore imitate Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of the published papers on celibacy, marriage Members of the Retired Clergy Him who spent His earthly life “doing good Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, and the priesthood. Association held their 26th annual and healing” (Acts 10:38). and by Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin, Arch- A highlight of the meeting was a meeting Nov. 16–17 in Ft. Lauder- diocese of Indianapolis. Archbishop Tobin panel discussion and meeting between dale, Fla. Archbishop Demetrios With paternal love in Christ, was recently appointed the Consultation’s seminarians from St. Augustine’s Semi- celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Catholic co-chairman by Bishop Denis Mad- nary (Catholic) and The Greek Orthodox Demetrios Church as part of the den of the Archdiocese of Baltimore and Theological Academy of Toronto. To foster weekend events. (Full coverage in chairman of the Committee for Ecumeni- an ecumenical spirit with the seminarians the December issue). cal and Interreligious Affairs of the United † DEMETRIOS, Archbishop of Ameri ca States Conference of Catholic Bishops. uu to page 22 4 NOVEMBER 2013 OCMC Metropolis News ‘Monumental Missions Walk’ Held in Nation’s Capital

WASHINGTON – Christians from In addition to providing a unique op- 24 area Orthodox churches took part in portunity to explore America’s treasured the first Monumental Missions Walk Oct. landmarks, the Monumental Missions 19 that raised funds for the Orthodox Walk goal was to raise money for local and Chrstian Mission Center and other chari- international charities. ties. Of the proceeds raised, some will Sponsored by the Metropolitan D.C. go to Orthodox Christians Mission Orthodox Christian Mission and Outreach Center’s (OCMC) efforts to support Or- Committee, the Monumental Missions thodox mission-work around the globe, Walk was a three-mile long spiritual stroll with the remainder to local Washington with 184 walkers passing some of the na- charities. tion’s most important landmarks. At each designated monument along ADDITIONAL DETAILS the route, participants learned about Additional details at http://monumen- the historical significance of the site and talmissionswalk-efbevent.eventbrite.com, gained insight into Christianity’s role in or the Facebook event page: https://www. the nation’s history. facebook.com/events/446425282139878, or The Monumental Missions Walk gave contact: Fr. Konstantinos A. Pavlakos at St. participants the opportunity to pause and Katherine Church on 3149 Glen Carlyn admire these important places of reflec- Road, Falls Church, VA 22041, (703) 671- tion through the lens of Christian faith. 1515 or [email protected]. Kristen Bruskas photo (L-R) Helen A. Carlos, HCHC 75th Anniversary Jubilee Chair; Fr. James Katinas, HCHC director of Institutional Advancement; Metropolitan Gerasimos; Fr. Maximos of Simonopetra; Theofanis Economidis, Metropolis OCMC Helps Hundreds Council vice president; Jeannie Ranglas, Metropolis Philoptochos president. of Indigenous Mission Priests SF Metropolis Event Raises In 2013, OCMC’s Support a Mission the growing number of faithful. $75,000 for HCHC Anniversary Priest (SAMP) program has been helping OCMC has launched a social media 372 indigenous priests in 18 countries fundraising campaign designed to help by Kristen Bruskas parent of a Hellenic College student, and around the world to better serve the needs raise $2,400 for SAMP. More information: as an employee at the school. The com- of the Church. Just $50/month allows www.facebook.com/OrthodoxChristian- BELMONT, Calif. - In celebration mon threads of all these experiences were th these priests in Africa, Southeast Asia, and MissionCenter and on Twitter at https:// of the 75 anniversary of Hellenic Col- the excellence and quality of education, South America to devote more of their twitter.com/ocmc, or call 877.463.6784 lege Holy Cross School of Theology, the the family atmosphere, and the devotion time to the needs of the parish and meet (GO FORTH). Metropolis of San Francisco raised more and love for serving Jesus Christ. than $75,000 through a benefit dinner, In his remarks, Metropolitan Gera- “United by the Cross,” Oct. 19 honoring simos spoke about 75 years being a dia- both the school and Metropolitan Gerasi- mond anniversary stating that “Hellenic mos’ name day. College Holy Cross is the crown jewel of The event, held at Holy Cross Church our Archdiocese. But a diamond is the in Belmont, began with Great Vespers most beautiful stone when cut and pol- featuring guest homilist Fr. Maximos of ished. Over its 75-year history, Hellenic Simonopetra who spoke on “Greet All College Holy Cross, like all institutions the Saints in Christ Jesus.” More than 200 of higher learning, is continually adding guests attended the banquet, underwrit- new facets. ten by many stewards that included Ted Whether it is a new institute such as Giouzelis of Nob Hill Catering, the Kap- the Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art iniaris family of Stama Winery, and the and Culture or the new Certificate in Byz- Metropolis Philoptochos. antine Music, each facet adds to the radi- Nearly all proceeds benefited HCHC. ance and significance of Hellenic College Donations at the event from parishes and and Holy Cross. ach of them contributes a individuals totaled nearly $40,000. Previ- brilliant new light to the life of our Church ous donations from parishes to the school and Community. for the Jubilee totaled more than $35,000, But the most important facet in the bringing the Metropolis’s overall support diamond that is Hellenic College Holy Specialists in Travel to Greece, Croatia, Ireland, Portugal, Spain, to $75,000. Cross is the people who make the School The program featured a presentation the place that it has always been: a city Canary Islands, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Cyprus & Jordan th by Helen A. Carlos, the HCHC 75 An- on a hill, a shining light of our Church.” • Tailor made itineraries to any of our unique destinations. niversary Jubilee chairman, who traveled Special gratitude is extended to the to California to express her gratitude for • European Honeymoon & Wedding specialists. “United by the Cross” planning committee the Metropolis’s outstanding commitment • European Family Vacations. led by Metropolis Chancellor Archiman- to the school. drite Apostolos Koufallakis, assisted by Fr. • Customized European Group Travel. Guest speaker Fr. James Katinas, Peter Salmas (Holy Cross, Belmont), Fr. • Specialists in Greek Orthodox groups to the Holy Land, director of Institutional Advancement for Tom Zaferes (Ascension Cathedral, Oak- St. Catherine’s Monastery, Constantinople & Greece. Hellenic College Holy Cross, described his land), and Jeannie Ranglas (Metropolis Join us on our special Greek Orthodox Pilgrimage experience as a former HCHC student, the Philoptochos president). to Havana, Cuba celebrating the 10 year anniversary Orthodox Christianity Series on DVD Watch “Discovering Orthodox Chris- Old Testament -Rev. Dr. Harry Pappas of the Consecration of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church. tianity” at www.goarch.org/ourfaith/dis- 3) The Bible in the Orthodox Church – The covering. New Testament - Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuc This 26-part series, sponsored by the and Dr. Bruce Beck JaNuary 22-27, 2014 Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and 4) Worship in Life - Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Cali- produced by GOTelecom, educates view- vas and Rev. Dr. Philip Zymaris ers about the basic teachings if Orthodox 5) The Orthodox Liturgical Year - Rev. Dr. 31 09 Newtown Ave. Long Island City, NY 11102 Christianity.Following is a list of a few of the Philip Zymaris and Rev. Fr. John Vlahos Tel.: (718) 721-3808 Toll Free: 1-800-223-7880 upcoming program topics and presenters: 6) The House of God – Iconography - Dr. Fax: (718) 795-4356 E-mail: [email protected] 1) What is Orthodox Christianity? - Rev. Helen C. Evans and Dr. Anton C. Vrame Dr. Thomas Fitzgerald and Rev. Dr. John 7) The House of God – Architecture, Vest- www.cloudtours.com Chryssavgis ments the Religious Articles - Dr. Helen C. 2) The Bible in the Orthodox Church – The Evans and Dr. Anton C. Vrame NOVEMBER 2013 5 Metropolis of Chicago Holds Clergy Laity Conference, Philoptochos Assembly

by Fr. Dimitri Tobias and the thirst that is evident by the faith- ceived a surprise as she was presented Stayed.” Each spoke of their personal ful for this powerful ministry, a ministry the Metropolitan Iakovos Service Award journey and how the Church changed SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Metropolis of visited by every continent and funded on for her years of dedication not only to him and called him to action. Chicago clergy and laity representatives a fraction of the budget of most faith- her community of Sioux City, but for her For the lunch presentation of Friday, met here Oct. 2-6 for the biennial Clergy based comparable services. life of service to the entire Metropolis of Mrs. Jenny Henrick taught the attendees Laity Conference and Philoptochos As- For 17 years the OCN has provided Chicago. The evening continued with the healing power of laughter and how sembly at the Marina Inn & Conference Orthodox radio with chanting, Christian dancing and music by DJ Dino, lasting it can provide us with not only healthy Center, hosted by parishioners of Holy inspired youth music, and theological well into night as slowly the attendees benefits to our body, but free our minds Trinity Church. discourse. retired for rest. and allow us to work more diligently. Many attendees, while registering, Fr. Metropulos continued this The next morning three present- That evening, during the Paraklisis also stopped by the book store and pur- discussion in one of three breakout ers offered extremely moving orations. service, a terrible storm rocked this area chased, among other ecclesiastical items sessions. His session was titled, “Mis- The first, Fr. Mark Muñoz of the Holy of the country, but miraculously spared one would expect to find at a church sionary Media: Using Media to fulfill our Anargoroi Church in Rochester, Minn. the citizens of Sioux City. Despite 10 books store, homemade soap with fra- purpose.” The other sessions were “Pro- spoke in depth about his personal expe- tornadoes touching down, not a single grances such as baklava and Greek salad. tecting God’s Gift- The Environment,” rience of faith in relating the passionate casualty was reported. In addition to finishing normal by Dr. George Nassos and “Strategic story of his daughter Nina and her battle The conference closed with an Iowa business in their Clergy Syndesmos Planning for the Orthodox Parish,” by with cancer, but more to the point of pig roast attended by the youth of the meeting, the clergy adopted a statement George Matthews. the presentation, how he experienced parish and those able to stay. on the inappropriate use of mass media Following the breakout sessions, God, not in some ambiguous form in The theme of the conference was throughout the Archdiocese by individu- busses catered the attendees to Holy his private prayer, but in the interaction “Come to me, all who labor and are als hoping to harm either the Church or Trinity Church for Vespers. of other people who brought Christ to heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” individuals. Metropolitan Iakovos presided him and his family. His missionary call to –Matthew 11:28. This proclamation decried using while, assisted by Fr. Jim Greanias of St. action for us to be incarnations in other Through moving presentations, fel- media in this manner to harm anyone Iakovos Church, Valparaiso, Ind., Clergy people’s lives moved and inspired all lowship, genuine worship, miraculous and the proclamation itself can be found Syndesmos President Fr. John Ketchum the attendees. Following Fr. Mark, Frank events, and many other signs, our Lord on the Metropolis of Chicago website. of Kimissis Church, Racine, Wis.,Clergy Dancer and Fr. Dustin Lyons each shared and Savior Jesus Christ provided this Thursday morning, after a moving Syndesmos executive board; and the their personal story in a segment called, rest and reinvigorated those working in dedication by Metropolitan Iakovos of clergy of Iowa, Fr. Basil Hickman of St. “How I Came to Orthodoxy, and Why I His Vineyard. Chicago, saw the spiritual funny bones of George Church, Des Moines, Iowa; Pe- the attendees tickled by the very dynamic ter Andronache of St. John the Baptist Fr. James Mackoul. Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Fr. Joseph Through the use of imagery, wit- Mirowski of both Holy Transfiguration Three generations of Yiayia’s, ticisms, Holy Scripture, and patristic Church, Mason City and St. Demetrios references, Fr. James not only made the Church, Waterloo, Iowa; Fr. Dustin one recipe, capturing the essence of Greece audience laugh, but moved them to care Lyon of St. Elias the Prophet Church, about the message of the Cross and the Dubuque, Iowa; and Fr. Dimitri Tobias real medicine that the Church has to of- of Holy Trinity Church, Sioux City. An Assortment of Yummy Sweets fer for the maladies that ail us all. Following Vespers was the grand After the morning business meet- banquet. Among the entertainment were Delicious, Beautifully boxed & bowed! ings, the attendees joined together for the dancers of Holy Trinity Church and a luncheon presentation by Fr. Chris dancers from the Winnebago Tribe of Perfect for your holiday gift giving, Metropulos of the Orthodox Christian Native Americans in Nebraska. Along Network in which he spoke of the pow- with the elegant meal, the host parish or just to enjoy yourself! council President Maria Schultz, re- erful teaching potential of the internet Complimentary shipping Visit us at: www.sweetsbystella.com [email protected] 914-708-0096 SPECIAL DISCOUNTS Offered to Com mu ni ties, Or ga ni za tions, Church fes ti vals and all other func tions. Kontos Foods fa mous for its POCK ET-LESS PITA, is proud to present its orig i nal prod ucts once again.

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by Metropolitan Methodios of Boston championed as reputable and worthy of emulation. I am sad to note that a Our parishioners are fully inte- legislator here in New England (who grated into the religious and societal claims to be an Orthodox Christian and landscape of America and, as a result, who champions Greek political causes) they live their Orthodox faith quite not only voted to change the law in his differently than did our parents and state to redefine homosexual unions as grandparents. marriages – he asked for and received More and more brethren differen- special permission to preside at a tiate their religious and moral beliefs civil ceremony uniting a homosexual from the teachings of the Church. couple! This is the result of their interac- Christianity is under siege not only tions with people of different religious, here in America, but throughout the races, cultures and ethnicities. world. I fear the day is fast approaching It is the result of the constant when no Christian will be left in the bombardment of materialistic and he- Near East. It seems that every day we donistic philosophies promulgated and learn of the brutal killing of Orthodox advanced in the media. People today and non-Orthodox Christians in Iran, fashion their personal beliefs by inte- Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, Syria, Palestine grating Orthodox and non-Orthodox and India. elements. Coptic Orthodox brethren have Without realizing it, they become especially been affected. How sad and “cafeteria Christians.” Just as they do disappointing it is that the leaders of not partake of every food item on a our nation do not have the courage to cafeteria line (but only those foods publically protest this systematic geno- which they like), in the same way they cide of Christians… feel they can pick and choose from what You will surely agree that our mis- Orthodoxy teaches, that is, what teach- sion as an Archdiocese, a Metropolis ings they accept and which they choose and individual parishes is to lead our not to accept. brothers and sisters-both inside and As Orthodox Christians we run the outside the Church-to our Lord and risk of falling into – being totally con- Savior Jesus Christ. sumed – in the cultural melting pot of This is becoming more and more America, thus losing our identity. Core difficult because many hesitate to teachings of our faith are not subject to share their faith, fearing they will be popularity polls or political correctness. considered quaint and bothersome. The changes in the moral standards This is especially the case in America’s in our society are obvious. We live in a colleges and universities where atheism culture of cruelty and an age of entitle- and indifference on matters of faith and ment. We have become so accustomed religion reign supreme. to this slow deterioration of morality It is in this setting that we must hear in society, that we have adapted to the the commandment directed not only to moral decay around us and taken it for the 12 disciples, but to all of us today: granted. “Go, therefore and teach all nations…” We live in a world of moral and We must ask ourselves if we take ethical relativism, hedonism and self- that commandment seriously and re- ishness, a world in desperate need of spond with the same zeal as did the 12 spiritual renewal. disciples that did “go” into the world to For a long time now, Sunday has teach and make disciples. Do we go out ceased being the day that we worship into our parishes, our towns, our cities Almighty God and then sit as a family and neighborhoods to bring the mes- at our dinner table to enjoy fellowship. sage of salvation? Every community… Sunday has been relegated to a mere has large number of faithful that are weekday, a day to do the laundry , to for one reason or another not active in go to the mall, to read the newspaper, their parish. Do we “go” to them? Do to take our children to sporting events, we go to those that are not baptized to etc. share the evangellion of salvation? Prayers are no longer offered in our Do we “go” to our young adults, public schools. many of whom are professional men The Ten Commandments have long and women, to encourage them to been removed from our civil courts. I serve on our parish councils-to bring would dare to say that those of us who new ideas and enthusiasm to the work serve on parish councils and other lead- of the Church? ership roles in our communities rarely pray or read the Gospel on a daily basis. Excerpted from Metropolitan Meth- Lifestyles previously kept in the odios’ address to the recent Metropolis closet – where they belong – are now of Boston Clergy–Laity Conference. Archons Berlin Site of 2nd Religious Freedom Conference

The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, first Archon International Conference Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in on Religious Freedom at the European cooperation with the Patriarchal Liaison Parliament in Brussels in 2010, this event Office to the European Union and the will bring together politicians, diplomats, Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany, human rights lawyers and advocates, will hold its second Archon International scholars, religious leaders, journalists Conference on Religious Freedom Dec. and members of minority communities 4-5 at the Adlon hotel near the Branden- to discuss how religious intolerance, burg Gate, mistreatment and misunderstanding can The conference theme is “Tearing be overcome. Down Walls: Achieving Religious Equality For more information and to view a in Turkey.” complete list of confirmed speakers, visit Building on the foundation set at the http://conference.archons.org NOVEMBER 2013 7 The Voice of Philoptochos National Board Discusses Convention, Helps Children in Greece, Cyprus

The National Philoptochos held Clergy Widowed Presbyteres Benevolent its fall meeting in Pittsburgh Oct. 10, Fund; $21,000 to the Hurricane Sandy in conjunction with the 14th Children’s Relief Fund; $35,000 for the Orthodox Medical Fund Luncheon. Christian Mission Center (OCMC) for Metropolitan Savas welcomed relief efforts in Albania; $40,000 to the Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, the National Support-a-Mission Priest Fund; and Philoptochos spiritual advisor, and the $50,000 to International Orthodox National Board to the Metropolis of Christian Charities (IOCC). Pittsburgh. The funds have been contributed National Philoptochos President by chapters nationwide. Aphrodite Skeadas conducted the meet- The National Board also disbursed ing that featured reports on the National $20,000 to the Archdiocese of Athens for Ministries, committee presentations the Apostoli after School Care Program and preliminary discussions about the in Moshato and $20,000 to the Cyprus National Philoptochos Biennial Conven- Autism Association in Limasol. tion in Philadelphia July 6–10, 2014. National Philoptochos responded The National Board also held the to assist Greece and Cyprus during third in a series of interactive discussion the economic crisis with particular em- groups regarding the Center of Philan- phasis on children through its Aid to thropy’s services and programs. Greece and Cyprus Campaign. National The Board approved $166,000 for Philoptochos, through its chapters and the National Philoptochos Ministries: stewards, has donated $230,000 for Aid This included $20,000 to the Retired to Greece. Fund-raising continues. Chapters Encouraged to Support Veterans Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta with Metropolis Philoptochos Board members. Philoptochos chapters are encouraged This admirable act was truly heartening. to make a difference and support service Fisher House Foundation is best known Atlanta Supports Innovative Programs men and women and veterans during Vet- for providing a “home away from home” erans Day and throughout the year. for military families to be close to their by Dee Nicolaou Fellowship events, St. Stephen Summer Chapters may offer support through loved ones during their hospitalizations Camp, Winter Youth Rally, GOYA & YAL the following programs: (1) Homecoming at major military and VA medical centers. activities, as well as acolyte retreats. Heroes Grant Program through the Mod- For more information, please visit: www. The Metropolis of Atlanta Philopto- The annual Fanouropita will be held est Needs Organization – This program fisherhouse.org. chos hosted its Philoptochos Luncheon in honor of St. Fanourios whose icon was provides support to military veterans who (3) The United Services Organiza- as one of the major highlights of the 2013 lost for centuries and who became the have recently returned home from overseas tion (USO) – The USO’s mission is to Metropolis Clergy Laity and Philoptochos patron saint of things lost. deployment as they work to transition back provide morale, continued support and Conference in Boca Raton, Fla., in June. As a petition to the saint, the priest to civilian life. It is designed to prevent vet- recreation-type services to uniformed mili- The luncheon featured guest speaker prays over a Fanouropita in church that erans and their households from entering tary personnel. There are 160 USO locations Michelle Rubin, founder of Autism After is shared afterwards with all present. A the cycle of poverty by providing financial in 28 states and 14 countries. Thousands of 21 that provides young adults within the reception or luncheon is held after church assistance for short–term emergency ex- USO volunteers provide a home away from Autism Spectrum Disorders the life skills where Fanouropites may be sold or auc- penses, such as auto repair, a one–month home for our troops and keep them con- training to function independently. The tioned at each parish. rental payment, mortgage payment or a nected to the families they left behind. For program promotes physical and mental As mothers, aunts and grandmothers, large utility bill. For further information ways that you can help, visit: www.uso.org. well-being through therapy, employment, we realize the importance of keeping our visit: www.modestneeds.org/for-applicants/ (4) Chapters may also contact their education, housing and social opportuni- youth close to the church. grants-types-hh.asp. local VA hospital and request a wish list to ties. The Metropolis Philoptochos and its (2) Fisher House Foundation – The help provide the veterans with gifts they The Metropolis Philoptochos pre- chapters are committed to Atlanta Me- Fisher House Foundation was commended are unable to purchase on their own. These sented a $2,000 check to Ms. Rubin for tropolis seminarians attending Holy Cross for providing military death benefits to programs are provided by the New Philan- the Autism After 21 program from chapter School of Theology. the families of fallen service members thropic Initiatives Committee chaired by donations. Through the generosity of the chap- during the recent government shutdown. Katherine Siavelis and Peggy Vranas. At the 2009 Conference, the Me- ters’ Clergy Education Fund Commitment, tropolis Philoptochos initiated a project the Metropolis Philoptochos provides to build a Church in Cameroon, Africa scholarships and financial aid to all stu- The ‘Dress-A-Girl’ Ministry through chapters fundraising of $25,000, dents from the Metropolis at the school with a five-year annual chapter contribu- who aspire to become priests and of- The St. Basil Philoptochos Chapter tion of $100. fer their life in service to the Orthodox began the Dress-a-Girl Around the World The Metropolis Philoptochos seeks Church. Ministry in 2012 and recently invited the new, progressive and innovative projects In addition to scholarships, Clergy Metropolis of Chicago chapters to join them and programs to help the youth. At the Education Funds are donated to the Me- in their efforts. The members convert pil- 2013 convention, the Metropolis Philop- tropolis of Atlanta to provide clergy con- low cases or material into dresses that are tochos adopted Metropolitan Alexios’ tinuing education retreats and seminars to sent to less advantaged girls in devastated suggestion to establish a new program assist priests in serving the faithful. areas all around the world. To date dresses similar to the National Philoptochos Vasi- The Metropolis Board established have been sewn and sent to Haiti, Zambia, lopita event. the Female Scholastic Program to provide Philippines, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. This new initiative, Fanouropita, will scholastic gift for present and future fe- Dorothy Bezemes, ministry coordinator, be held every September to support Me- male students of HCHC. Funding for this stated that “Dress-a-Girl Around the World” tropolis youth scholarships that will help program is included in the yearly budget is an exciting and rewarding way for us who underwrite youth activities such as the of the Metropolis Philoptochos. have so much, to offer a little bit of joy to Hellenic Dance Festival Dancers annual these girls all over the world who have so festivals and occasional trips to Greece, Dee Nicholaou is Metropolis Philop- little. The hope is to continue this as an Oratorical festivals, Orthodox Christian tochos president. ongoing ministry. Through the participa- tion and assistance of our Metropolis sisters, 177 dresses along with a new pair of undies Orthodox Observer photo Contact Information for Center of Philanthropy for each young girl are being sent to India A major milestone and to Kenya. The Philoptochos Society has successfully relocated to its new home, the Center of Philanthropy, at 126 East 37th St., New York, NY 10019. Philoptochos extends sincere At the Nov. 1 open house for the new Center of Other chapters are encouraged to join Philanthropy in New York, Bishop Sevastianos of in this ministry in helping to make a dif- gratitude for the outpouring of love and support that made the dream of a permanent Zela and dozens of Philoptochos women present, ference in some young girl’s life. Contact home for Philoptochos a reality. Contact the Philoptochos Center of Philanthropy at congratulate honorary National Board member Dorothy Bezemes at [email protected]. or 212.977.7770 or www.philoptochos.org Sophia Altin on her 100th birthday. Helene Frankos at [email protected]. 8 NOVEMBER 2013 A Guide to the National Ministries

MINISTRY WHAT IT DOES HOW IT AFFECTS YOU RESOURCES

Archives Gathers and records materials Provides information Online, hardcopy data relating to the history of the and photographs on request and photographs. Greek people, their culture to scholars, researchers 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, Orthodox Observer) through electronic, social Informs the U.S. and Greek media ecclesiastical calendar, and print media. and general public about Orthodoxy. website, e–bulletin, listserver.

Greek Education Provides Provides textbooks and other Textbooks, for the instruction instructional materials for all Greek other educational of Greek and promotes 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.

Inter-Orthodox Promotes relations Through its efforts, Contacts between Ecumenical, Interfaith with other Orthodox Christian parishes benefit through the Archdiocese and other jurisdictions, other Christian churches more meaningful contacts Christian denominations and other faith groups in the U.S. with such groups at the local level. and other Faiths.

Marriage & Family Addresses issues relevant to Brings more aspects of Orthodox faith Provides printed , online, 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.

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

Parish Development Assists parishes Helps with strategic planning, Information for financial assistance with fund-raising capital improvements, grants, and planning, guidance endowments and expanding guides to each parish. and development. stewardship.

Philanthropy* Develops and coordinates Provides assistance for local Provides assistance *(includes Philoptochos Society, the philanthropic work, catastrophes such as for charitable causes retired clergy benevolence fund, the Archdiocese special funds Hurricane Katrina, fires in Greece, in each Metropolis and worldwide. other humanitarian assistance) and also works with the Philoptochos. aid to families of 9/11 victims.

Public Affairs Coordinates Archdiocese Works with local parishes Direct contact 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.

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

Religious Education Develops and provides religious Sunday schools use materials Resources, Sunday School texts 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 ministry, Provides materials and data and Evangelism Ministries Team and Outreach support for parish leadership to help parishes and Evangelism Advisory Board. and stewardship activities. in their stewardship efforts.

Youth, Coordinates the national youth and Provides opportunities Online and harcdopy materials to youth Young Adult Ministries* 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.. NOVEMBER 2013 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS 9 A Summary of Archdiocesan Council Committee Reports

NEW YORK. The fall Archdiocesan RELIGIOUS EDUCATION Council meeting in New York included Chairman Gerry Clonaris and depart- committee reports of the ongoing progress ment Director Dr. Anton Vrame reported of the ministries and departments of the that how religious education is done in Church. The following summary of reports the churches, increasing digital learning; presented by the committee chairmen or addressing the religious education needs department directors, presents highlights of older parishioners are among the issues of committee deliberations, including: being emphasized in the near future. The administration, finance, stewardship, out- department will also seek to increase its reach and evangelism, religious education, parish-level contacts. communications, Marriage & Family, Clergy Family, Greek Education, Youth and Young COMMUNICATIONS Adult Ministries and Technology. Chairman Clifford Argue noted that the role and structure of the committee will be ADMINISTRATION evaluated, with the possibility of including Orthodox Observer photos Chairman Anthony Stefanis noted his representatives from the metropolises to (Above) Hundreds of educators attend the Annual Sta Development Seminar in Astoria. (Below) Archbishop committee discussed a proposed amend- augment the committee. The committee Demetrios re ects on the presentation by presenter Al Martino as Director of Direct Archdiocesan District O ce of Education and Special Projects Maria Makedon looks on. (Below left) Maria Makedon addresses a group of ment to Archdiocese regulations on local continues to push for a full-time commu- participants. assemblies; that metropolises should not nications director at the Archdiocese and schedule local assemblies on the same dates to consider developing a parish crisis com- at the Archdiocesan Council meetings and munications management plan. A recent Clergy-Laity Congresses. Also discussed communications initiative is the recent were recommendations on improving the filming by GOTelecom of 26 half-hour talk Clergy-Laity Congress program, noting the shows on the Orthodox faith funded by a importance of reaching out to smaller par- Leadership 100 grant. ishes. “The need to see they’re involved in the National Church,” he said. MARRIAGE AND FAMILY Another recommendation concerned Chairman Dr. Nicholas Loutsion re- evaluating how the Archdiocesan Council ported on the ongoing programs of the operates and its committee structure. Center for Family Care, including the first Family Ministry Conference, held in Min- FINANCE neapolis in late September. This winter, Chairman George Vourvoulias and the Center will launch a monthly family committee member Effie Marie Smith re- ministry webinar. ported that the Software Initiative Program, Educators Learn of Common Core begun by Nicholas Sialmas, who recently CLERGY FAMILY passed away, continues with its installation, Chairman Dr. George Kaludis said thus far, in 100 parishes. The Insurance the committee is looking at the spiritual Curriculum at Sta Development Seminar subcommittee is looking into finding an health and stability of the clergy and clergy insurance carrier with lower costs. marriages, and will study differences in first- NEW YORK – More than 300 teachers portunity “to enhance school-home con- career and second-career clergy. and administrators of the Direct Archdioc- nection.” He added that “administrators STEWARDSHIP esan District school attended the annual and teachers must become knowledge- Chairman George Mathews reported GREEK EDUCATION DEPARTMENT Staff Development Seminar Nov. 5 at St. able and understand the workings of the that the Stewardship Team has continued Department Director Dr. Ioannis Efth- Demetrios Cathedral High School in Asto- Common Core Curriculum. Teachers its parish visits to provide leadership and imiopoulos reported that the latest series ria, which focused on the Common Core and principals have to be well-versed and stewardship training and endeavoring “to of Greek language instructional texts for Curriculum. comfortable with its philosophy.” change the culture” of community attitudes grades six and seven, and the pedagogical Keynote speaker was Dr. Ron Valenti, The day-long staff seminar, organized toward stewardship through the efforts of Kindergarten-level texts. They were printed superintendent of the Roman Catholic by Maria Makedon, director of the Direct the parishes’ leadership. in Greece and distributed to the Greek Archdiocese of Baltimore School System, Archdiocesan District Office of Education schools. who spoke on “Leadership for the Com- and Special Projects, included many after- OUTREACH AND EVANGELISM mon Core: Making the Home-School noon workshops in English and Greek, Fr James Kordaris, director of the YOUTH MINISTRY Connection.” most of them based on the Common Core Department of Stewardship, Outreach Fr Jason Roll, director of the Depart- The Common Core Curriculum is Curriculum. and Evangelism, reported that the home ment of Youth and Young Adult Ministry, a federal education mandated program Among the presenters was Al Martino, mission program has been revived and, reported that current initiatives include under the Obama administration that director of Foreign Languages and the ESL through grants from Leadership 100, will connecting with young people through describes itself as “internationally bench- Program at the State University of New provide support to mission parishes in- marked, aligned with college and work ex- York-Albany, who gave a lively discussion cluding supplementing the salary of the pectations,” and that it is evidence-based. on “Creating Fun-Speaking Activities,” local priest. uu to page 22 It has been adopted by 45 states and relating to methods of teaching a foreign the District of Columbia and has generated language. some controversy. It is a privately written Archbishop Demetrios, who also at- and copyrighted plan that has become tended much of the seminar, remarked public policy. at the end of the morning program that, “The Common Core Curriculum has “There is nothing more important than CLERGY UPDATE been highly politicized and has its detrac- to convey knowledge to a developing tors,” said Dr. Valenti. “For faith-based person. Education must help students to Ordinations to the Diaconate V. Rev. Fr. George Nikas – Kimisis schools it presents a challenge. You have face the way life appears today.” He also Curren, Timothy – Metropolitan Tis Theotokou Church, Holmdel, N.J. to take its essence and blend it with who told the participants, “We are appreciative Methodios of Boston – Assumption of 10/15/13 you are as Greek Orthodox. of what you are doing; and are aware of the Virgin Mary Church, Dracut, Mass. Fr. Michael Eaccarino – Sts. Constan- He said the program presents an op- what you are doing and that you are not 10/06/13 tine & Helen Church of Washington, compensated properly.” Ordinations to the Priesthood Silver Spring, Md. 11/01/13 Other presentations were made by Dn. Stamatios Sfikas – Bishop Deme- Appointments distinguished educators including Vivian trios of Mokissos – St. Andrew Church, V. Rev. Fr. Nathanael Symeonides Selenikas, principal of the Long Island Chicago 09/15/13 – director, Office of Inter-Orthodox, City High School in Queens, Dr. George Dn. Ninos Oshaana – Metropolitan Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations Papanastasiou, director of the Institute of Gerasimos of San Francisco – Ascension 09/16/13 Modern Greek Studies of the University of Cathedral, Oakland, Calif. 10/13/13 Dn. George Kolios – secretary, Office Thessaloniki, and his colleague, Professor of the Holy Eparchial Synod 09/24/13 Panagiotis Andreou. Assignments Fr. John Stavropoulos – Annunciation uu to page 12 Offikia The curriculum, which is currently Fr. Milton Magos – Office of Proto- being developed by Prof. Andreou in col- Cathedral, Columbus, Ohio 10/10/13 Dn. James Foreso – St. Catherine presbyter, bestowed by Metropolitan laboration with the Direct Archdiocesan Alexios of Atlanta 09/29/13 District Office of Education, has been Church, Greenwood Village, Colo. deemed essential for the awarding of cred- 10/15/13 Priests on Loan its to the students who pass the Modern Fr. John Kostas – Annunciation Fr. Stefanos Alexopoulos – from the Greek Comprehensive Examination. Church, Nassau, Bahamas 10/15/13 Church of Greece 10/25/13 10 NOVEMBER 2013 Metropolis news

Metropolitan Visits Phoenix (Photo courtesy of Holy Trinity Cathedral) On a visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix Oct. 27, Metropolitan Gerasimos met with children of the Sunday school following the Divine Liturgy. STERLING TRAVEL 20 LAUREN LANE, PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. 08865 Orthodox Observer photos www.hellastickets.com • [email protected] Cheap Tickets, Tent event 20 Lauren Lane, Phillipsburg, NJ 08865 Great Price Three months after a  re destroyed the narthex of St. Demetrios Church in Merrick, N.Y., services have taken place in a series of tents installed in the parking lot behind the church building which TICKETS 2 GREECE ON SALE faces many months of extensive repairs. The tent above is the third to be used and is heated. A smaller tent at right serves as the “narthex.” The larger tent at left is the “fellowship hall” for the ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – ΑΘΗΝΑ – ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ co ee (to go) hour after Liturgy. (Below) Bishop Sevastianos of Zela, along with several priests Με επιστροφή from nearby Long Island churches, celebrates the Vespers of St. Demetrios on Oct. 25. από $ 299 + FUEL FEES + TAXES EXTRA • Περιορισμένος αριθμός θέσεων • Restrictions Apply Χαμηλές τιμές για ΑΠΛΗ ΜΕΤΑΒΑΣΗ • ΕΙΔΙΚΕΣ ΠΡΟΣΦΟΡΕΣ ΚΙ ΑΠΟ ΑΛΛΕΣ ΠΟΛΕΙΣ SUMMER 2013 Non-stop fl ights with DELTA AIRLINES from: 17 MAY-27 OCT Τηλεφωνείστε δωρεάν (Call Toll Free): 1.800.GREECE-8 (1.800.473.3238) 1.908.213.1251 • 1.908. 213.6826 ΙΔΙΟΚΤΗΤΕΣ: ΒΑΣΙΛΗΣ & ΜΙΝΑ ΑΓΓΕΛΗ

Greek, Antiochian Parishes Merge in Tennessee The Assembly of Canonical Or- family moves away or leaves. You feel thodox Bishops of North and Central all those ripples and waves.” America announced in a press release For the last several years Holy Trin- that, in an unprecedented action, ity had not had a full-time priest. The two Orthodox Christian churches– parish was served by visiting priests one Greek and one Antiochian–have who would celebrate liturgy once every merged together to form a new parish two to three weeks. in northeastern Tennessee. The idea of merging the two par- Holy Resurrection (AOCA) in John- ishes was initiated several months ago, son City and Holy Trinity (GOA) in Bluff when Metropolitan Alexios visited Holy City joined together in their first liturgy Trinity and Bishop Antoun visited Holy on June 23, the Feast of Pentecost. The Resurrection within a few weeks of new parish, which has taken the name each other. The realities of each par- Christ the Savior, comes under the ish’s situation prompted the hierarchs jurisdiction of Metropolitan Alexios of to propose joining the two. Each parish the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. The had something to offer: Holy Trinity parish is served by Fr. Stephen Mathew- owned its land and a building, and es, an Antiochian priest who had been Holy Resurrection had a full-time priest assigned to Holy Resurrection. in Fr. Mathewes. The decision evolved Holy Trinity and Holy Resurrec- quickly: The new parish would worship tion were originally mission parishes, in Holy Trinity’s building and be led by founded in 1984 and 1997 respectively. Fr. Mathewes. Despite the dedication of their mem- At the instruction of Metropolitan bers, both parishes had struggled in re- Alexios, worshipping together was cent years. According to Fr. Mathewes, to be the first priority. The details of 20 to 30 parishioners attended Holy parish life are being addressed as they Resurrection for Divine Liturgy on a emerge. Fr. Mathewes says he’s grate- typical Sunday. “With a church that ful for that. “It has been great for us small, if one person comes or one goes, it’s a major change. It’s devastating if a uu to page 12 NOVEMBER 2013 11 The Dangers of ‘Mollys’ and Rave Concerts REEC by Rev. Dr. Dimitrios Moraitis I have talked to countless young peo- G E ple who have attended these concerts, and Your child tells you that he is going to a they all are aware of the drug use that takes For All Seasons concert with friends. It might be at Citifield, place at these concerts, and some have even FROM or Madison Square Garden in New York, or confessed to having tried Molly. Almost all any other large venue where concerts take have said to me that they would never do AIRFARES $ place. As someone who probably went to a it again, and that they were scared from the NEW YORK - ATHENS ROUNDTRIP concert or two, you have some trepidations, hallucinations they experienced. Moreover, 860 but you let him go, knowing that he will be many had friends who were brought to the with his friends if anything might happen. emergency rooms and some who died. FROM Then you get a phone call from the In response to this problem, concert emergency room; your son or daughter organizers sometimes have “cooling rooms” GRECIAN ESCAPE $ is suffering from hyperthermia and his where young people, whose organs are TOUR A - 7 DAYS temperature is 106 degrees. You run to the burning up, can cool off in an air-condi- Athens, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi & Meteora 1,092 hospital and find out that he took a “Molly” tioned environment. They may also buy and it caused him to bake from the inside bottled water at these cooling centers for out. He will survive, but might have psy- $10 a bottle. chological and physiological problems for Perhaps more spiritually damaging are GRECIAN the rest of his life, and he is the lucky one. the demonic overtones of the music and the ESCAPE Hundreds, and probably thousands of intense visual experience with demonic im- young people have died as a result of taking ages plastered on the screens surrounding TOUR B - 10 DAYS this drug just once at what are called “Rave the arena. The goal is to produce sensory Athens, Mycenae, Concerts.” overload, which enhances the drug experi- Olympia, Delphi “Molly,” the powder or crystal form of ence. & Constantinopole MDMA, the chemical used in ‘Ecstasy,’ has Raves, also called Electric Zoos, Electric FROM been a popular drug at music festivals, espe- Tomato Festivals, Clairvoyance Festivals, cially this year. Molly, short for molecule, is Return to Fantazia, and other aliases, have $ considered to be pure MDMA, a hallucino- been outlawed in some countries, including genic, but it is different than Ecstasy, which France and Canada. Recently, a three-day 1,320 generally is laced with other ingredients, concert on Randall’s Island in New York such as caffeine or methamphetamine. was cut short one day when no less than The Drug Enforcement Administration two young people died during the concert (DEA) considers MDMA to be a Schedule I as a result of their use of the drug Molly. Airfares are round trip and include all taxes, surcharges and fees. Tour prices are per person, controlled substance, which means it has a Some mothers in France, whose chil- double occupancy and include hotel accommodations, sightseeing and many meals. high potential for abuse, and no accepted dren were being devastated by these con- use in medical treatment. The DEA notes certs and the drug use, realized that since WE OFFER COMPETITIVE AIRFARES TO GREECE that MDMA can cause confusion, anxiety, recovery from addictions and demonic NUMBER ONE TO GREECE For a FREE brochure call your depression, paranoia, sleep problems, influences must be spiritual based, that the Travel Agent or Toll-Free: and drug craving. The drug also can cause best thing they could do was pray. They did 1-800-223-5570 muscle tension, tremors, involuntary teeth and successfully prevented another concert clenching, muscle cramps, nausea, faint- from taking place. They called their minis- 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022 • Tel.: 212-753-1100 ness, chills, sweating, and blurred vision. try, Operation Jericho, in remembrance of e-mail: [email protected] • www.HomericTours.com “High doses of MDMA can interfere with the the siege of Jericho in the Book of Joshua. ability to regulate body temperature, result- Today, mothers on Long Island, most of ing in a sharp increase in body temperature whom are Roman Catholic, have come (hyperthermia), leading to liver, kidney and together to continue this ministry, praying cardiovascular failure. the Akathyst to the Mother of God “The Severe dehydration can result from Inexhaustible Cup.” This miraculous icon, the combination of the drug’s effects and discovered in the late 1800’s, in Serpukov, the crowded and hot conditions in which Russia, has helped countless people over- the drug is often taken,” the DEA reports. come their addictions to alcohol and other The young people who use it claim that mind altering substances. it expands the mind and heightens the These prayer groups must be work- senses, enhancing the musical and sensory ing. Last month, concerts at several major experience. universities and at the Nassau County Coli- In the 1980’s and 1990’s, “Raves” were seum in New York were abruptly cancelled known as out of control house parties, and for fear of more casualties as a result of the those who sought those parties regularly, abuse of this most dangerous drug and its were known as “Ravers.” Before long, the devastating side-effects. taking of Ecstasy became commonplace at We are all concerned about our youth. these parties. We try to guide them and protect them until When combined with the techno –mu- they can manage for themselves. Drugs will sic that had been adapted to help put those always be one of the dangers youth must who were “tripping” in a trance state, the avoid, yet we know that young people enjoy movement took off. Today these parties are seeking the maximum thrill available. These not contained in a home, but have exploded Rave concerts are extremely dangerous, into a concert phenomenon. Young people both to the lives and souls of our youth. come to these concerts to enjoy the music Parents, please be aware of these concerts and have fellowship with others their own when they come to your area, and try to age. convince your children not to attend.

Attention all Yiayias, Papous, Theas, Theos, Nounas, Nounos, Sunday School Teachers, Moms & Dads! WithAgape.com is happy to announce that The NAMeDAY Book is now available for purchase through GoTelecom! The Nameday Book written by Despina Manatos & Illustrated by her Nouna Goldie DeLorenzo encourages all in the Orthodox faith to celebrate their given name every year and includes a comprehensive month by month list of the most prominent Saints and Feast Days in the Orthodox faith. This is a great gift for Easter, birthdays, christenings, Christmas, and of course, Namedays! To order your own copy or copies of THE NAMEDAY BOOK ($11.95 each + $5 S&H) please call 212-570-3588 or e-mail [email protected] 12 NOVEMBER 2013 Did You Hear the One About the Talking Dog?

by Fr. John S. Bakas eventually even lost in the fray. The passion of lying destroys our A man is driving around the back Christ-centered character, opening the woods of Montana and he sees a sign door to mistrust and suspicion in our deal- in front of a broken down shanty-style ings with friends, family and neighbors. house: “Talking Dog For Sale.” He rings Lying comes from an exaggerated sense the bell and the owner appears and tells of pride. It is false pride contrived to puff him the dog is in the backyard. The man ourselves up in the eyes of others. St. Sil- goes into the backyard and sees a nice ouan the Athonite states: “The Lord does looking Labrador retriever sitting there. not show Himself to a proud soul. The “You talk?” he asks. proud soul, no matter how many books “Yep,” the Lab replies. it reads, will never know God, since by its After the man recovers from the shock pride it does not give place for the grace of of hearing a dog talk, he says “So, what’s the Holy Spirit, while God is known only your story?” by the humble soul.” The Lab looks up and says, “Well, I We live with lies every day. Everyone discovered that I could talk when I was from the President of the Unites States to pretty young. I wanted to help the gov- the poorest beggar at the bottom of the ernment, so… I told the CIA. In no time highway ramps is engaged in white lies, at all they had me jetting from country to gray lies and old dirty fat lies strewn forth country, sitting in rooms with spies and everyday like water overflowing in a foun- world leaders; because no one figured a tain. Lies turn into gossip and cheapen our dog would be eavesdropping. character and lead us to even greater sins. I was one of their most valuable spies Character building does not consist in the for eight years running… But the jetting elimination of a vice but in the cultivation around really tired me out, and I knew I of virtue. Character is built by simplicity of wasn’t getting any younger so I decided purpose, and nothing so unifies our goal to settle down. I signed up for a job at the as a temptation that is overcome. airport to do some undercover security, St. James in his Epistle states: “a man wandering near suspicious characters and who is in two minds will find no rest wher- listening in. I uncovered some incredible ever he goes.” Peace of mind and spiritual dealings and was awarded a batch of med- freedom comes from truth seeking the als. I got married, had a mess of puppies, truth, practicing truth. The amazing tal- and now I’m just retired.” ent of the talking dog we began with was The man was amazed. He goes back entirely lost and wasted because of his self- in and asks the owner what he wants for absorbed self-aggrandizement. As long as the dog. we remain in our own little world which “Ten dollars,” The owner says. has to continually rebuild infrastructure “Ten dollars? This dog is amazing! around our own lies we will have no peace Why on earth are you selling him so within. Inner turmoil will be our fragile cheap?” way of existence. But as long as we hold “Because he’s a liar. He’s never even forth Jesus Christ as the measure of what been out of the yard!” we must live up to, and we continually This charming and humorous little and publically remind ourselves, “Lord, story illustrates how a lie can destroy Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on one’s credibility and destroy the validity me a sinner “(a person who does not yet of one’s real talent. The word for sin in measure up to Your way of love), then our Orthodox faith simply means missing we are on our way to living in the full- the mark of our full potential in using the ness of peace. The scripture reminds us gifts God has given us to fully participate that our Lord Jesus Christ is the Way, the in His way of love. Truth, and the Life…and the Truth will Sin is our own self-absorbed separa- set you free. tion from God. Just like with that dog, the separation that comes from self-ab- Fr. Bakas is dean of St. Sophia Cathe- sorption can escalate to encompass our- dral, Los Angeles and a faculty member selves so appallingly that our true talent of Loyola Marymount University, School and abilities can become cheapened and of Theology. Greek, Antiochian Parishes Merge in Tennessee

uu from page 10 sians, and Bulgarians—and converts are represented in equal number. How to come together in one building and will they blend their various musical worship together every Sunday and get and language traditions? The approach, to know one another.” says Fr. Mathewes, will be to determine Rather than elect a new parish what the parishioners want and need. council, they merged their two exist- He’s incorporating Greek to the best ing councils into one. One of the first of his ability and wants parishioners of orders of business was selecting a new other traditions to feel included too. name for the parish. Though some saw The Lord’s Prayer is recited in a name change as a loss of identity, Fr. Greek and English and parishioners Mathewes felt choosing a new name are welcome to say it aloud in their was essential. “ native tongues, which include Spanish This is not a case of either church and Korean. absorbing the other. This is a new Fr. Mathewes likens the union church.” After much discussion they to a marriage, and the analogy is apt settled on the name Christ the Savior, in more ways than one. They were which “bridges the gap, theologically” brought together to make them stron- of the two parishes’ names and makes ger—for themselves and as witnesses clear to passers-by that they are Chris- of the Faith to others. tians. Metropolitan Alexios blessed the Like a marriage the union will name change and the church’s new sign come with innumerable blessings and went up in August. its share of challenges. As for the composition of the new As might be expected, the merger parish, it’s truly pan-Orthodox. “Cra- has elicited a broad range of feelings dle” Orthodox—including Greeks, Rus- from parishioners. ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013 ΕΤΟΣ 78 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1290

Επίσημη Πατριαρχική Επίσκεψη Ενας Φάρος Ορθοδοξίας στη Θεσσαλονίκη

ôïõ στη Σκιά των Γιγάντων ΝΙΚΟΛΑΟΥ ΜΑΓΓΙΝΑ Το χρυσό μετάλλιο της Θεσσαλονί- κης, απονεμήθηκε στον Πατριάρχη Βαρθο- λομαίο, σε μία έκτακτη πανηγυρική συνε- δρίαση του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου Θεσ- σαλονίκης, κατά τη διάρκεια τηςεπίσημης επίσκεψής του στην συμπρωτεύουσα για τους εορτασμούς του Πολιούχου της πό- λης, καλεσμένος από τον Μητροπολίτη Θεσσαλονίκης Ανθιμο. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης ανακηρύχθηκε και Επίτιμος Δημότης του Δήμου Θεσσαλονίκης. Μαζί με τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη παρευρέθηκε στην Θεσσαλονίκη καθŽόλη τη διάρκεια της πατριαρχικής επισκέψεως και ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, ο οποίος συλλει- τούργησε την Ημέρα του Πολιούχου της Θεσσαλονίκης κατά τη διάρκεια της πατριαρχικής Θείας Λειτουργίας στον Ιερό Ναό του Αγίου Δημητρίου.

Η ΟΜΙΛΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΠΑΤΡΙΑΡΧΟΥ ΚΑΤΑ ΤΗΝ Θ. ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΣΤΟΝ ΑΓΙΟ ΔΗΜΗΤΡΙΟ Ἐξοχώτατε κύριε Πρόεδρε τῆς Ἑλληνικῆς Δημοκρατίας, Ἐξοχώτατοι κύριοι Ὑπουργοί, Ἱερώτατε Μητροπολῖτα Θεσσαλονί- κης κύριε Ἄνθιμε, Ἀρχαί, ἐξουσίαι καὶ πάντες οἱ εὐλο- γημένοι συνεορτασταί, ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ, «Ἐνδυναμοῦ ἐν τῇ χάριτι τῇ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ» (Β΄ Τιμ. β΄, 1-2), εὔχεται καὶ προτρέ- Αρχιτεκτονικό σχέδιο του Αγίου Νικολάου, από τον Ισπανό αρχιτέκτονα Σαντιάγκο Καλατράβα. πεται ἡ ἡμετέρα Μετριότης ὁλόκληρον τὸν εὐσεβῆ Ὀρθόδοξον Ἑλληνικὸν Λαόν, κατὰ ôïõ ημέρες εκείνες με κομμένη την ανάσα, αδύνατο Νικολάου Μανχάτταν, δεν υπήρχε πλέον. Το τὴν ἱερὰν ταύτην λειτουργικὴν στιγμήν, ΕΛΕΥΘΕΡΙΟΥ ΠΙΣΣΑΛΙΔΗ να πιστέψει αυτά που έβλεπε στις οθόνες των φυσικό σώμα του Ιερού Ναού είχε αφανιστεί, ἐρχομένη ἀπὸ τῆς κλεινῆς βασιλευούσης τηλεοράσεών του. όμως μέσα από τα συντρίμμια η καρδιά του δεν πόλεως τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου πρὸς ἐσᾶς καὶ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Ηταν μια πανέμορφη η Ηταν μια άνιση μάχη, δυο Γολιάθ ενά- έπαψε ποτέ να χτυπά στο ρυθμό της Ορθοδο- τὴν συμπρωτεύουσαν Θεσσαλονίκην. φθινοπωρινή μέρα η 11 του Σεπτέμβρη του ντια σε έναν τοσοδούλη Δαυίδ, δυο κτίρια ξίας και της πίστης. Ἐκφράζομεν, λοιπόν, τὴν βαθεῖαν καὶ 2001, ηλιόλουστη και λαμπερή, όταν ξαφνι- φτιαγμένα από χάλυβα, ατσάλι, τσιμέντο και Αυτή η καρδιά της μικρής μας εκκλησίας ὁλοκάρδιον χαράν μας διότι εὑρισκόμεθα κά, σταμάτησε ο χρόνος απότομα για τρεις γυαλί, ύψους 110 ορόφων ενάντια σε ένα μικρό με το χτύπο της σε ρυθμούς βυζαντινούς, εἰς τὸν ἱστορικὸν καὶ πάνσεπτον τοῦτον χιλιάδες ψυχές και τον Ελληνορθόδοξο Οίκο τετραώροφο κτίριο του 19ου αιώνα. Η φυσική οδήγησε τους διασώστες να ανακαλύψουν Ναὸν τοῦ Ἁγίου Δημητρίου, εἰς συνεορ- του Θεού, αφιερωμένο στον Αγιο Νικόλαο και η επιστήμη έτσι εξηγούν τα πράγματα, ο έκπληκτοι μέσα από καψαλισμένα και κατα- τασμὸν τῆς μνήμης αὐτοῦ μαζί σας καὶ των Υδάτων. Μέσα σε μιάμιση ώρα, έπειτα ισχυρότερος νικά, λένε. καμμένα τα συντρίμμια του μια μισοδιαλυμένη μετὰ τῶν ἐξοχωτάτων Ἀρχόντων τῆς από τη θρασύδειλη τρομοκρατική επίθεση που Ομως αυτό δε συνέβη στην περίπτωση καμπάνα, ένα κάλυμμα Ιερού Ευαγελλίου, Χώρας καὶ τῆς πόλεως ταύτης. δέχθηκε η περιοχή του κάτω Μανχάτταν ένα του Αγίου Νικολάου. Η μικρή Ελληνορθόδοξη μερικά μισολιωμένα κεριά, μια χάρτινη εικόνα Ἐν συγκινήσει ψυχῆς καὶ δοξολογίᾳ μεγάλο τραύμα άνοιξε στο σώμα του Εθνους ενορία σύντομα και πάλι θα γεμίσει με χαρού- του Αγίου Διονυσίου της Ζακύνθου και μια καὶ εὐχαριστίᾳ πολλῇ συνευφραινόμεθα μας, το οποίο συνεχίζει να επουλώνεται αργά, μενες φωνές πιστών κι επισκεπτών, που θα μισοκατεστραμμένη εικόνα της Ζωδόχου Πη- καὶ συμψάλλομεν μετὰ Γεωργίου τοῦ αλλά σταθερά 12 χρόνια μετά. Χιλιάδες άν- πλημμυρίσουν τους χώρους της στην περίοδο γής. Ομως το χρηματοκιβώτιο της εκκλησίας Σικελιώτου: «Εὐφραίνου ἐν Κυρίῳ πόλις θρωποι χάθηκαν μέσα σε μια πύρινη λαίλαπα, της νέας δόξας της. που περιείχε πολύτιμα έγγραφα, καθώς και το Θεσσαλονίκη˙ ἀγάλλου καὶ χόρευε, η οποία προκλήθηκε από αλυσιδωτές εκρήξεις Ο Αγιος Νικόλαος του κάτω Μανχάτταν, μικρό δοχείο από σμάλτο που περιείχε μέρη πίστει λαμπροφοροῦσα, Δημήτριον τὸν οι οποίες οδήγησαν στην κατάρρευση των υπήρξε ένας φάρος ελπίδας και πίστης για των ιερών οστών των Αγίων Νικολάου, Σάββα πανένδοξον ἀθλητὴν καὶ Μάρτυρα τῆς δυο κολοσσών του Παγκοσμίου Εμπορικού επισκέπτες και πιστούς, οι οποίοι έβρισκαν και Αικατερίνης δε βρέθηκαν ποτέ. ἀληθείας, ἐν κόλποις κατέχουσα ὡς θη- Κέντρου, αλλά και στην καταστροφή μιας από κάτω από την ταπεινή σκέπη του πνευματικό σαυρόν˙...» (Στιχηρὸν εἰς τὴν Λιτὴν τῆς τις πιο παλιές κι ιστορικές Ελληνορθόδοξες και φυσικό καταφύγιο για έναν περίπου αιώνα, ΣΥΝΤΟΜΗ ΑΝΑΔΡΟΜΗ μνήμης τοῦ Ἁγίου). εκκλησίες της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής, εκεί μέσα στο λιτό χώρο λατρείας, όπου είχε Η μικρή εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου, Ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας κατὰ τὴν ὁποίαν ὁ η οποία ιδρύθηκε στα 1916 από τους πρώτους διαποτισθεί από θυμίαμα και λιβάνι για εκατό ως τετραόροφο κτίριο, βρισκόταν στην Οδό νυμφαγωγὸς καὶ τῆς ἐνταῦθα παροικού- Ελληνες μετανάστες στο Νέο Κόσμο. περίπου χρόνια, συνδέοντας το παρελθόν με Σένταρ (Κέδρου) αριθμός 155 από το 1916. σης Ἐκκλησίας Παῦλος ὁ Ἀπόστολος τῶν Η Εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου, η το παρόν και ελπίζοντας στο μέλλον. Μια κοινότητα η οποία επέζησε δυο παγκο- Ἐθνῶν ἔσπειρε τὸν σπόρον τοῦ Εὐαγγελί- οποία είχε καταφέρει να επιβιώσει από δυο Ομως αυτό το μέλλον, δεν έμελλε να σμίους πολέμους, μια οικονομική κρίση (κραχ), ου τοῦ Χριστοῦ, ἡ εὐλογημένη αὕτη πόλις, παγκόσμιους πολέμους, πυρκαγιές, και άλλες προφτάσει το μικρό σε μέγεθος τετραόροφο πλημμύρες, πυρκαγιές και πολλές φυσικές ἡ Θεσσαλονίκη, ἡ νύμφη τοῦ Θερμαϊκοῦ, φυσικές καταστροφές που είχαν κτυπήσει τη κτίριο, αλλά το τεράστιο σε ουσία, πνευματι- καταστροφές, είχε στεγάσει κάτω από τη προσέφερεν ὡς θυσίαν πανεύοσμον στενή εκείνη λωρίδα γης, στην περιοχή της κότητα και προσφορά: μέσα σε μερικά λεπτά φιλόξενη σκέπη της πολλούς Νεουορκέζους, τῷ Νυμφίῳ ἑκατοντάδας γνωστῶν καὶ Γουόλ Στριτ και του Πάρκου Μπάτερι στο κάτω της ώρας, που για τον υπόλοιπο κόσμο φάνη- Ορθόδοξους πιστούς και οχι μόνο, επισκέπτες ἀγνώστων Ἁγίων. Πάντας ὅμως ὑπερέ- Μανχάτταν, δεν άντεξε το βάρος των εκα- καν αιώνες, έσβυσε στην κυριολεξία από το άλλων χωρών, οι οποίο έμεναν πραγματικά βαλεν ὁ μεγαλομάρτυς καὶ μυροβλύτης τομμυρίων τόννων ατσαλιού, χάλυβα, υγρών χάρτη, αφήνοντας πίσω του χιλιάδες ιστορίες έκπληκτοι στην μοναδική αντίθεση που Δημήτριος∙ ὁ φίλος καὶ μέγας φρουρὸς τῆς καυσίμων και γυαλιού που έπεσαν επάνω της χαράς, δακρύων, πόνου και ευγένειας ψυχής, αναδείκνυε την μικρή, στενή εκκλησία μας Θεσσαλονίκης∙ Δημήτριος ὁ περιβόητος και παραδόθηκε στην Ιστορία και στον χρόνο, αλλά και ελπίδας μέσω αμέτρητων γάμων, με τους δίδυμους γίγαντες από επάνω της, ως καὶ θαυματουργός∙ Δημήτριος τὸ κλέος αποτελώντας ορόσημο με την ιδιαιτερότητά της για τους κατοίκους της γύρω περιοχής, βαφτίσεων κι εκδηλώσεων αγάπης και στοργής φρουρούς και προστάτες, σαν υπενθύμιση για uΣελίδα 14 αλλά και ολόκληρου του κόσμου, ο οποίος προς το πλησίον. παρακολουθούσε το δράμα που ζούσαμε τις Ο Ελληνορθόδοξος Ναός του Αγίου uΣελίδα 15 14 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013 Επίσημη Πατριαρχική επίσκεψη στη Θεσσαλονίκη uΣελίδα 13 τοῦ Γένους νὰ παραμένῃ ἀδιασάλευτον, ὡς ὁ τῶν μαρτύρων καὶ ἡ δόξα τῆς Χριστιανικῆς Μα- κυριώτερος παράγων τῆς κοινωνικῆς καὶ προ- κεδονίας∙ Δημήτριος, ὁ ταχὺς ἀντιλήπτωρ καὶ σωπικῆς προκοπῆς καὶ προόδου. σύνδρομος τῶν μετὰ πίστεως ἐπικαλουμένων Ἕκαστος ἐξ ἡμῶν ἀτενίζων τὸν ἱερὸν τάφον τὴν πρὸς Θεὸν πρεσβείαν του∙ Δημήτριος, ὁ καὶ καὶ τὴν ἱλαρὰν μορφὴν τοῦ Ἁγίου μεγαλομάρ- ἡμᾶς συγκαλέσας εἰς τὴν χαρμόσυνον ταύτην τυρος καὶ φίλου Δημητρίου ἐν συγκινήσει τιμᾷ καὶ ἐτήσιον πανήγυριν. καὶ τιμῶμεν αὐτὸν εἰς ἐποχὴν κατὰ τὴν ὁποίαν Σήμερον τὰ πλήθη τῶν χριστωνύμων συνή- ἡ ἀνθρωπότης ὁλόκληρος διέρχεται κρίσιν, χθημεν ἵνα κατὰ καθῆκον ἀποδώσωμεν εἰς τὸν διότι πιστεύομεν ὅτι μὲ τὴν παρέμβασιν καὶ τὴν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον τὰς εὐχαριστίας μας διὰ τὰς δύναμίν του θὰ ἀντιμετωπίσωμεν ἐπιτυχῶς καὶ πολλὰς εὐεργεσίας του πρὸς τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην θὰ ὑπερνικήσωμεν τὰς κρίσεις, διότι ἡ ἀρετὴ Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ καὶ τὸν εὐλογημένον λαόν μας. τῆς εὐημερίας κατὰ Θεὸν ἔρχεται μὲ σθένος, Ἡ αἴγλη καὶ ἡ λαμπρότης τῆς Θεσσαλο- μὲ ἡρωϊσμόν, μὲ ἐργατικότητα, μὲ τὰ ὅπλα τῆς νίκης καὶ ἡ ἱστορία της καὶ ἡ σημερινὴ πολιτι- δικαιοσύνης.

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ Φιλιππίνες για σμικὴ εἰκών της ἐνθουσιάζουν καὶ προσφέρουν Διὰ σᾶς καὶ δι᾿ ἡμᾶς, ἀδελφοί, οἱ ὁποῖοι Επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια Διδασκάλων Αμέσου εἰς τοὺς κατοίκους της καὶ εἰς τὸν σύγχρονον ἐπιδιώκομεν τὴν ἄσκησιν τῆς θείας ἀρετῆς ἐπισκέπτην της πᾶν ὅ,τι μία μεγαλόπολις μὲ καὶ τὴν συνεργασίαν μετὰ πάντων ἀνθρώπων, παράδοσιν δύναται νὰ προσφέρῃ. ἁρμόζει τὸ παράδειγμα τοῦ μαθητοῦ Δημητρίου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας Νέας Υόρκης Ἐπὶ χιλιετηρίδας ἀναδεικνύει ἐξόχους προ- τοῦ Μεγάλου, τοῦ νεαροῦ, μικροσώμου καὶ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Το ετήσιο Εκπαιδευτικό Επίσης, η κ. Βίβιαν Σελενίκα, διευθύντρια σωπικότητας: Εἰς τὴν ἁγιότητα τοῦ χριστιανικοῦ τολμηροτάτου Νέστορος, ὁ ὁποῖος ὑπέβαλεν Επιμορφωτικό Σεμινάριο της Αμέσου Αρχιε- του Long Island City High School, έκανε εισήγηση μαρτυρικοῦ βίου τὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον∙ εἰς τὴν ἑαυτὸν εἰς φανερὸν κίνδυνον ἀποφασίσας νὰ πισκοπικής Περιφέρειας έλαβε χώρα υπό την σχετικά με τη μαθητοκεντρική διδασκαλία και ἁγιότητα τῆς πνευματικῆς καλλιεργείας καὶ μονομαχήσῃ μετὰ τοῦ γιγαντιαίου καὶ θρασέ- αιγίδα του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου ειδικότερα το ρόλο της στη διδασκαλία ξένων ἀσκητικῆς ζωῆς τὸν Ἅγιον Γρηγόριον τὸν Πα- ως ὑβρίζοντος τὸν Χριστόν, γνωστοῦ Λυαίου. Αμερικής κ. Δημητρίου, την Τρίτη 5 Νοεμβρίου γλωσσών. λαμᾶν∙ εἰς τὴν συγγραφικὴν περιγραφὴν τῆς ἐν Ἀσφαλῶς ὁ Μάρτυς τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐγνώριζε 2013 (8.00 π.μ. - 2.30 μ.μ.), στο Λύκειο του Κα- Είχαν επίσης προσκληθεί Έλληνες επι- Χριστῷ ζωῆς τὸν Ἅγιον Νικόλαον Καβάσιλαν∙ τὴν κρισιμότητα τῆς περιστάσεως καὶ τοῦ δια- θεδρικού Ναού Αγίου Δημητρίου στην Αστόρια. στήμονες από το Ινστιτούτο Νεοελληνικών εἰς τὴν μελέτην τῶν ἀρχαίων Ἑλλήνων καὶ ἰδιαι- βήματός του. Διὰ τοῦτο, γνωρίζων τὴν ἑαυτοῦ Το φετινό σεμινάριο στέφτηκε με μεγάλη Σπουδών του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου τέρως τοῦ Ὁμήρου τὸν Ἀρχιεπίσκοπον Εὐστά- ἀδυναμίαν προέβη εἰς μίαν κίνησιν δυνάμεως. επιτυχία, κάτι που δικαιολογείται από τη μεγάλη Θεσσαλονίκης, και συγκεκριμένα ο διευθυ- θιον∙ εἰς τὴν ὁσιακὴν ζωὴν τῶν Ὅσιον Δαυΐδ, εἰς Προσῆλθεν εἰς τὸν δεσμώτην διδάσκαλον καὶ συμμετοχή εκπαιδευτικών και διευθυντικών ντής του κ. Γεώργιος Παπαναστασίου και ο τὴν οἰκογενειακὴν ζωήν (καὶ ὁσιακὴν βεβαίως) πνευματικὸν καθηγητὴν του Δημήτριον, εἰς τὴν στελεχών των σχολείων, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν επιστημονικός συνεργάτης του Ινστιτούτου, κ. τὴν Ὁσίαν Θεοδώραν∙ εἰς τὴν ἱεραποστολὴν καὶ κάτωθεν τοῦ σεβασμίου τούτου Ναοῦ εἰρκτήν, στα ημερήσια και στα απογευματινά/Σαββατια- Παναγιώτης Ανδρέου, οι οποίοι παρουσίασαν τὸν ἐκπολιτισμὸν τῶν γειτονικῶν λαῶν τοὺς καὶ ἐζήτησε προσευχήν, εὐλογίαν καὶ εὐχήν, ὥστε νά σχολεία της περιοχής. Περιελάμβανε σειρά δείγματα του Προγράμματος Σπουδών για την αὐταδέλφους Κύριλλον καὶ Μεθόδιον∙ εἰς τὴν τὸ φαινομενικῶς ἀδύνατον τῆς ἐπιχειρήσεως νὰ διαλέξεων και ομιλιών καλύπτοντας τις ανάγκες Ελληνική Γλώσσα – Επίπεδο Β (Regents level). ἁγιογραφίαν τὸν Μανουὴλ Πανσέληνον∙ μεταξὺ ἐπιτευχθῇ διὰ τῆς βοηθείας τοῦ Θεοῦ. Λαβὼν δὲ και τις απαιτήσεις τόσο του αγγλικού όσο και Ας σημειωθεί ότι το Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών τῶν Πατριαρχῶν Φιλόθεον τὸν Κόκκινον∙ τοὺς τὴν διαβεβαίωσιν, ὅτι «καὶ τὸν Λυαῖον νικήσεις του ελληνικού προγράμματος. εκπονείται από τον κ. Ανδρέου στο πλαίσιο νομοδιδασκάλους καὶ κανονολόγους Κων- καὶ ὑπὲρ Χριστοῦ μαρτυρήσεις» ἔτρεξεν εἰς τὸ Η έναρξη του Σεμιναρίου έγινε με την συνεργασίας του Γραφείου Παιδείας Αμέσου σταντῖνον Ἀρμενόπουλον καὶ Ματθαῖον τὸν στάδιον καὶ διὰ τῆς ἱκετηρίου κραυγῆς «ὁ Θεὸς ομιλία του Δρ. Ron Valenti με θέμα: «Leadership: Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας με το Ινστιτούτο, Βλάσταριν. Καί, βεβαίως, πλὴν τούτων, εἰς ὅλους Δημητρίου βοήθει μοι» καὶ τὸν ἀνίκητον γίγα- Making the Home-School Connection» που θεωρείται δε ως απαραίτητο για την αναγνώριση απευθυνόταν σε όλους τους συμμετέχοντες. των ελληνικών σπουδών των μαθητών από τα Κατόπιν, οι εκπαιδευτικοί του Αγγλικού Προ- δημόσια σχολεία. Ο κ. Ανδρέου έκανε μάλιστα γράμματος παρακολούθησαν workshops, που ειδική παρουσίαση με θέμα «Η προφορά στο ετοίμασε η εταιρία Catapult Learning σε συ- γλωσσικό μάθημα: Ζητήματα διδασκαλίας και νεργασία με τους διευθυντές των ημερησίων εκμάθησης». σχολείων. Οι φετινές παρουσιάσεις έφτασαν τις Στο δεύτερο μέρος του σεμιναρίου πραγμα- δέκα σε αριθμό και ήταν πλούσιες σε θεματολο- τοποιήθηκε επίσης «ανοικτή συζήτηση» με θέμα γία βασιζόμενη στην διδασκαλία του Common «Η διδασκαλία της ελληνικής γλώσσας σήμερα Core και κάλυπταν όλα τα μαθησιακά επίπεδα. και προοπτικές για το μέλλον». Καταξιωμένοι Κάθε ένας από τους εκπαιδευτικούς είχε την εκπαιδευτικοί, οι οποίοι υπηρετούν για πολλά ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσει δυο workshops χρόνια στα κοινοτικά σχολεία, έδωσαν τη δική κατά την διάρκεια της ημέρας, σχετικές με την τους άποψη για το σημαντικό αυτό για την ειδίκευση τους. Επιπλέον, οι διευθυντές των ομογένεια θέμα, ενώ ακολούθησε συζήτηση με ημερησίων σχολείων, είχαν την ευκαιρία να το ακροατήριο. παρακολουθήσουν ειδική παρουσίαση απευ- Οι εκπαιδευτικοί που επιλέχτηκαν από το θυνόμενη αποκλειστικά σε εκείνους με τίτλο Γραφείο για να πάρουν μέρος ήσαν οι εξής: οι «Leadership for the Common Core». κ.κ. Τιμολέων Κόκκινος, διευθυντής του Απο- Παράλληλα, οι Έλληνες εκπαιδευτικοί πα- γευματινού Σχολείου Αγίου Δημητρίου Αστο- ρακολούθησαν ένα πλούσιο πρόγραμμα βασι- ρίας, Δημοσθένης Τριανταφύλλου, διευθυντής σμένο στη φιλοσοφία και στη μεθοδολογία της του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αναλήψεως στο διδασκαλίας της Ελληνικής ως ξένης/δεύτερης Fairview, NJ και του Σαββατιανού Σχολείου γλώσσας. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, για την επίτευξη του Σωτήρος Χριστού στο Rye, NY, Γεώργιος αυτού του στόχου, προσεκλήθησαν διακεκριμέ- Κανελλόπουλος, διευθυντής του Απογευματι- τοὺς τομεῖς ἀναριθμήτους κοινήν μας παράδοσιν ἐν νοι Αμερικανοί εκπαιδευτικοί, με ειδίκευση και νού Σχολείου Αγίου Νικολάου, Flushing, καθώς πρωτεργάτας τῆς ἐπιστή- τῷ σημείῳ τοῦ Σταυροῦ, πείρα στη διδασκαλία ξένων γλωσσών, όπως ο επίσης και οι κυρίες Ρίτα Συντήλα, καθηγήτρια μης, τῆς τέχνης καὶ ἐν τῇ ζωῇ τῆς Χάριτος καὶ τῇ κ. Al Martino, διευθυντής του Τμήματος Ξένων του Ημερησίου Σχολείου Αγίου Δημητρίου γένει πάσης ἀνθρωπίνης μαρτυρίᾳ τῆς Ἀξίας. Προ- Γλωσσών και ESL του Πανεπιστημίου SUNY, Αστορίας και Ευαγγελία Ρομούδη, διευθύντρια δραστηριότητος. βάλλονται ἐνώπιόν μας, Albany και καθηγητής Παιδαγωγικών στο του Απογευματινού Σχολείου Αγίας Τριάδος στο Εἶναι βαθεῖα καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως σήμερον, πολ- College of St. Rose. Η παρουσίαση του με θέμα New Rochelle, NY. ὅμαιμος ἡ συγγενικὴ σχέ- λαὶ ἀξίαι, αἱ περισσότεραι «SAY IT!!! Fun activities to get students speaking Τη διοργάνωση του όλου προγράμματος σις καὶ σύνδεσις ἡ συνά- κίβδηλοι καὶ ἐπιφανεια- the language» αποδείχτηκε ο θριαμβευτής της του Σεμιναρίου επιμελήθηκε το Γραφείο Παι- πτουσα τὸν χοῦν καὶ τὴν καί, μὲ ἀποτέλεσμα τὴν ημέρας, καθώς το κοινό συμμετείχε με μεγάλο δείας Αμέσου Αρχιεπισκοπικής Περιφέρειας ἱστορίαν τῆς Θεσσαλονί- σύγχυσιν. Ἡμεῖς ἀπὸ τῆς ενθουσιασμό σε όλες τις επιμορφωτικές δραστη- με συντονίστρια τη διευθύντρια του κ. Μαρία κης μὲ τὸν χαρακτῆρα καὶ Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως ριότητες που εισηγήθηκαν από τον κ. Martino. Μακεδών. τὴν ζωὴν τῆς Κωνσταντι- καὶ ἀπὸ τῆς ἐχούσης εἰς νουπόλεως, τῆς πόλεως τῆς καθιερώσεως τοῦ αὐτὴν τὴν κανονικὴν ἐκκλησιαστικὴν ἀναφορὰν Δόγματος καὶ τῆς Ἀληθείας καὶ τῆς Ἀσκήσεως Θεσσαλονίκης, μαρτυροῦμεν τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ διὰ τῆς μυριάδος τῶν Πατέρων καὶ Ἁγίων της. Κυρίου τῆς ἀείποτε καθημαγμένης καὶ πάντοτε Καὶ εἶναι ἡ σύνδεσις ἡ συνάπτουσα τὴν Συμβα- ζώσης, τῆς μεγαλυνομένης καὶ ἐνδοξαζομένης ἐν σιλεύουσαν μετὰ τῆς Βασιλευούσης οἱ κοινοὶ τοῖς Ἁγίοις αὐτῆς, Ὀρθοδόξου Πίστεως. ἡρωϊκοὶ ἀγῶνες διὰ τὴν ἀσυνθηκολόγητον Εὑρισκόμεθα σήμερον, ἡ Μήτηρ Ἐκκλησία ὑπεράσπισιν καὶ προάσπισιν τῆς ἀληθείας καὶ καὶ ἡ ἐν Θεσσαλονίκῃ ἐκκλησιαστικὴ κληρουχία τῆς ἐλευθερίας, ὡς προϋποθέσεων τῆς σωτηρίας αὐτῆς, εἰς τὸ σύμβολον τοῦτο τῆς πίστεως καὶ καὶ τῆς κατὰ Θεὸν καὶ κατ᾿ ἄνθρωπον προόδου. τοῦ θαύματος ἀνὰ τοὺς αἰῶνας, εἰς τὸν μέγιστον Αὐτοὶ οἱ ἀγῶνες ἀποτελοῦν τὴν συγγένειαν καὶ καὶ ἀριστοτεχνικῶς ὑπερέχοντα Ἱερὸν τοῦτον συμπορείαν βασιλίδος καὶ συμβασιλίδος καὶ Ναόν, καὶ διδασκόμεθα ἀπὸ τὸν ἑορτάζοντα συνιστοῦν σημεῖον καὶ μαρτυρίαν. καὶ τιμώμενον Ἅγιον Δημήτριον τὸ ἀτρόμητον, Καὶ ἰδοὺ σήμερον, Ἐξοχώτατε κύριε Πρό- τὸ γενναῖον καὶ τὸ μαρτυρικόν, τὴν ἀρετήν, διὸ εδρε τῆς Δημοκρατίας, Ἱερώτατε Ποιμενάρχα, καὶ τελοῦμεν κατὰ χρέος δ ο ξ ο λ ο γ ί α ν καὶ ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα, ἤλθομεν καὶ πάλιν πρὸς συγχρόνως προσευχητικὴν αἴτησιν, ὥστε ἄχρι σᾶς ὄχι ὑπεροχικῶς ἀλλ᾿ ἐκ τῆς διακονικῆς τέλους αἰώνων τὸ βασικὸν ἀγαθὸν τῆς ἀρετῆς ἐπάλξεως καὶ τοῦ μαρτυρικοῦ ἱκριώματος τοῦ Φαναρίου διὰ νὰ μαρτυρήσωμεν μαζὶ σας τὴν uΣελίδα 16 ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣORTHODOX ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ OBSERVER 15 Ενας Φάρος Ορθοδοξίας στη Σκιά των Γιγάντων

uΣελίδα 13 ψαν την ιστορική συμφωνία με μάρτυρες τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο και τον το πόσο τρωτά είναι τα ανθρώπινα έργα, όσο Κυβερνήτη της Πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης. μεγαλειώδη κι αν φαίνονται ή φαντάζουν στα Κατά τη διάρκεια της υπογραφής της συμφω- έκπληκτα μάτια μας. νίας, ο Κυβερνήτης Κουόμο είπε «Χάσαμε την Ομως ο Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου Εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου στη διάρκεια Μανχάτταν ήταν ο μόνος Χριστιανικός που της καταστροφής της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου και καταστράφηκε από την τρομοκρατική επίθεση για πολύ καιρό το μέλλον της ήταν αβέβαιο. της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2001. Καμία άλλη θρη- Ανοικοδομώντας τον Αγιο Νικόλαο, με επι- σκευτική κοινότητα ή μειονότητα στην περι- πλέον αίθουσα περισυλλογής για όλους τους οχή εκείνη του μαρτυρίου, δεν έχασε κάποιο ανθρώπους κάθε πίστης, δεν είναι καλά νέα ιερό οίκημα ή εκκλησία κατά τη διάρκεια της μόνο για την Ελληνορθόδοξη κοινότητα, αλλά άνανδρης και αφανιστικής επίθεσης μίσους, για όλους τους κατοίκους της Νέας Υόρκης. Με παρά μόνον η Ιερά Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής. αυτήν τη συμφωνία, συνεχίζουμε την μαζική Και είναι πολύ σημαντικό αυτό για το επούλωση πληγών της τραυματισμένης Νέας μέλλον της νέας εκκλησίας και της κοινότητας Υόρκης, αλλά και την ανοικοδόμησή της και την αναζωογόνησή της. Τώρα επιστρέφουμε αυτής. Ο Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου, υπήρξε Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ ο συνδετικός κρίκος του παλαιού με το νέο, τελικώς αυτόν τον ευλογημένο τόπο περισυλ- του ονείρου της ελεύθερης ζωής και πίστης η καμπάνα της εκκλησιάς η οποία είχε χτυπήσει λογής εκεί όπου ανήκειƒ. στη Γη της Επαγγελίας όπως λογαριάζονταν ήδη για τελευταία φορά. Από την πλευρά του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος η Αμερική στις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα από τα Αμέσως μετά την καταστροφή, ο Αρχιεπί- Δημήτριος τόνισε πως «Η εκκλησία του εκατομμύρια των μεταναστών, με το θαύμα σκοπος Αμερικής Δημήτριος, οδήγησε μια ομά- Αγίου Νικολάου θα ανοικοδομηθεί και θα της ανάπτυξης της δεκαετίας του ƒ70. Ο κρίκος δα κληρικών και πιστών στο χώρο της φρίκης, εγερθεί με τη βοήθεια του Θεού στο Σημείο που ένωνε το πριν με το μετά, ο πιο δυναμικός ανάμεσα στα συντρίμμια που ακόμη άχνιζαν Μηδέν, εκεί όπου υπήρξε αρχικώς και με τη κρίκος μιας αλυσίδας ζωής και ιστορίας, συν- πυρωμένα, με σκοπό να προσφέρει μια πνευμα- μεγάλη πνευματική βαρύτητα που είχε για 85 δεδεμένος με τις τύχες και τις ζωές χιλιάδων τική ηρεμία στους τραυματισμένους, σωματικά ολόκληρα χρόνια, κάτι που αποδεικνύει την ανθρώπων, πολλών διαφορετικών γενεών και ψυχικά. Αναζήτησε τους ενορίτες του Αγίου από τα αρχικά σχέδια. τεράστια σημασία της θρησκευτικής ελευ- που πέρασαν το κατώφλι του, πιστών και μη, Νικολάου, αλλά και μέλη πολλών οικογενειών Στη συνέχεια, μεταξύ του 2002 και του θερίας που απολαμβάνουν τόσο οι κάτοικοι όμως όλων κοινωνών του ιδίου και απαράλ- που είχαν χάσει αγαπημένα πρόσωπα την απο- 2008 η Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και η Υπηρεσία της Νέας Υόρκης, όσο και όλοι οι Αμερικανοί. λαχτου ονείρου, της ίδιας ακριβώς επιθυμίας φράδα εκείνη ημέρα και συγκεντρώνοντάς τους Λιμένων εργάστηκαν από κοινού στην προε- Η διαθήκη αυτή είναι δυνατή. Θα ανάψουμε για σωτηρία και γαλήνη ψυχής. Ποιος μπορεί στο Σημείο Μηδέν προσπάθησε να απαλύνει τοιμασία των σχεδίων για το νέο οίκημα στη ξανά πολλά κεριά στο νέο Αγιο Νικόλαο και να πει άραγε με βεβαιότητα πόσοι άνθρωποι τον πόνο και τον χαμό που είχαν ενσκήψει διεύθυνση Οδός Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αριθμός θα θυμόμαστε πάντα αυτούς που χάσαμε και βρήκαν απανέμι εκεί μέσα, πόσοι άναψαν ένα στην τρομοκρατημένη ψυχή τους, όπως και σε 130. Κατά τη διάρκεια όλων αυτών των χρόνων, όλους τους ήρωες που θυσίασαν με τον πιο ταπεινό κεράκι στη μνήμη κάποιου δικού τους ολόκληρου του Εθνους. η Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής και η ενορία του Αγίου ευγενικό τρόπο τη ζωή τους για να σώσουν αγαπημένου, πόσοι συνομίλησαν με τον ίδιο Η εικόνα του Σεβασμιωτάτου Αρχιεπι- Νικολάου, επέτρεψαν στην Υπηρεσία Λιμένων τους συνανθρώπους τους. Ο σκοπός μας είναι, το Θεό προσευχόμενοι, ή απλά καθισμένοι στα σκόπου Αμερικής Δημητρίου, ταξίδεψε τότε να χρησιμοποιεί το χώρο της κατεστραμμένης να γίνει μάρτυρας για όλους τους κατοίκους στασίδια βρίσκοντας την πολυπόθητη ηρεμία σε ολόκληρον τον κόσμο. Υπήρξε ο πρώτος εκκλησίας ως χώρο αποθήκευσης, αποκατάστα- της Νέας Υόρκης πως η ελευθερία της σκέψεως της ψυχής, δυό μόλις βήματα μακριά από το Αρχιερέας ο οποίος αψήφησε κάθε πιθανότητα σης και ανοικοδόμησης της ευρύτερης περιοχής. και η βασική ανθρώπινη ελευθερία της θρη- ‘οικονομικό κέντρο του κόσμουƒ, την αδιάκο- επιπλοκής στην υγεία του λόγω των περιέργων Οι διαπραγματεύσεις μεταξύ της Εκκλη- σκευτικής εκφράσεως πάντα θα λάμπουν στο πη βουή της πόλης που ποτέ δεν κοιμάται, το χημικών και μη κραμμάτων στην περιοχή της σίας και της Υπηρεσίας Λιμένων για την ανοι- μέλλον, στην εκ νέου οικοδομημένη εκκλησία διαρκή θόρυβο και την μόνιμη ένταση. Εκεί καταστροφής, προσφέροντας ευλογία, δέηση κοδόμηση του Αγίου Νικολάου σταμάτησαν του Αγίου Νικολάου». μέσα, όμως, ξαφνικά, σταμάταγε θαρρείς ο και γαλήνη σε όποιον την είχε ανάγκη. Οι επό- σε αδιέξοδο το 2009 και τελικά εξελίχθηκαν σε Η διαδικασία αυτή, συνεχίστηκε για μή- χρόνος, όλα περνούσαν από ένα φίλτρο κα- μενοι μήνες που ακολούθησαν ήταν ιδιαίτερα νομικό θέμα προκειμένου να προστατευθούν νες μέχρις οσότου, τρια τελικά αρχιτεκτονικά θαρότητος και ψυχικής ανατάσεως. καταθλιπτικοί και για την Ελληνορθόδοξη τα δικαιώματα της ενορίας. Ομως, ξαφνικά, σχέδια κατατέθηκαν στο τραπέζι, για τη νέα Και η ενορία του Αγίου Νικολάου πάλεψε κοινότητα, καθώς ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτρι- όταν όλα φαινόντουσαν μαύρα και δυσοίωνα εκκλησία. Τελικά, υπερίσχυσαν το σχέδιο και πολύ να κρατηθεί στη ζωή. Πολλές ήταν οι ος τέλεσε και στις τρεις πολιτείες-της Νέας για το όνειρο του νέου Αγίου Νικολάου, ένα η εμπειρία του παγκοσμίως γνωστού Ισπανού προσπάθειες όλα τα προηγούμενα του 2001 Υόρκης, της Νέας Ιερσέης και του Κονέκτι- σημάδι ανάκαμψης φάνηκε την πιο κατάλληλη αρχιτέκτονα Σαντιάγκο Καλατράβα. χρόνια από διάφορα κέντρα να πουληθεί ο χώ- κατ-πολλά μνημόσυνα και κηδείες ομογενών στιγμή, στα μέσα του μηνός Ιουλίου το 2010, ρος προκειμένου να αξιοποηθεί εργολαβικά και που χάθηκαν την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου. Ελαβε δε κατά τη διάρκεια των εκσκαφών αποκατάστα- ΒΥΖΑΝΤΙΝΑ ΣΤΟΙΧΕΙΑ λίγο πριν την καταστροφή, η μικρή μας εκκλησία μέρος, σε δεκάδες διαθρησκειακές συνόδους, σης ανακαλύφθηκαν διατηρημένα μέρη ενός Οπως μπορεί να διακρίνει κανείς, η νέα είχε στην κυριολεξία περικυκλωθεί από ένα χώρο και οικουμενικές συνελεύσεις, σε κάθε επίπεδο, ιστιοφόρου του 18ου αιώνος στο ίδιο σημείο εκκλησία που προτείνει ο γνωστός Ισπανός σταθμεύσεως αυτοκινήτων. από το τοπικό μέχρι και το παναμερικανικό όπου είχε κτισθεί στις αρχές του 20ού αιώνα αρχιτέκτονας φέρει πολλά στοιχεία που παραπέ- Ολα όμως έμελλε να αλλάξουν. Και να στην Ουάσιγκτον, στο πλάι του εκάστοτε η εκκλησία του Αγίου Νικολάου. Ο Αγιος μπουν σε διάφορες πασίγνωστες βυζαντινές εκ- αλλάξουν δραστικά. Την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου 2001, Αμερικανού προέδρου και των υπολοίπων Νικόλαος ο Θαυματουργός είναι γνωστός σε κλησίες της Κωνσταντινούπολης, όπως η Μονή ο Αγιος Νικόλαος κατέρρευσε κάτω από το θρησκευτικών ηγετών της χώρας μας. ολόκληρο τον κόσμο ως ο προστάτης Αγιος της Χώρας και της ίδιας της Αγίας Σοφίας. Το αδυσώπητο και δυσβάσταχτο βάρος των δυο Επίσης, την ίδια περίοδο ο Σεβασμιώτα- των ναυτικών (και της ναυτιλίας) και πολλοί βασικό στοιχείο που υπερισχύει είναι ο τρούλος υπερμεγέθων κολοσσών οι οποίοι κατά την τος Δημήτριος εγκαινίασε διάλογο με τον τότε πιστοί εξέλαβαν την αρχαιολογική αυτή ανα- ο οποίος κάθεται σε τέσσερις πύργους/πεσσούς πτώση τους τον παρέσυραν σε μια δίνη φωτιάς, Κυβερνήτη της πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης, κάλυψη ως καλό σημάδι για την επικείμενη από πέτρα. Το κτίριο ακολουθεί το παραδοσιακό σκόνης κι εκατομμυρίων τόννων ατσαλιού, Τζορτζ Πατάκι, με σκοπό την εκ νέου ανέγερ- ανοικοδόμηση του ναού που θα έφερε και πάλι λειτουργικό σχήμα ενώ ταυτόχρονα δημιουργεί τσιμέντου, αμιάντου, γυαλιού, ανακατωμένα ση του Ιερού Ναού του Αγίου Νικολάου στην το όνομά του. ένα ανοιχτό διαφοροποιημένο αρχιτεκτονικό όλα σε μια πύρινη λαίλαπα τρόμου, φόβου, περιοχή. Ετσι, βασισμένοι στη συμφωνία με τον Οταν ανέλαβε τα καθήκοντα του Κυβερ- χώρο. Οι βυζαντινή επιρροή βρίσκεται παντού, αβεβαιότητας, αλλά και οργής. Ομως, κι εδώ, Κυβερνήτη Πατάκι, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος νήτη της Νέας Υόρκης ο Αντριου Κουόμο, μια όπως για παράδειγμα στα 40 παράθυρα που υπάρχουν μαρτυρίες δια στόματος του ιερατικώς και η αντιπροσωπεία της κοινότητας του Αγίου μοναδική ευκαιρία άρχισε να λαμβάνει σάρκα βρίσκονται τριγύρω, αναφορά στα 40 παράθυρα προισταμένου του Αγίου Νικολάου, π. Ιωάννου Νικολάου, αλλά και της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής και οστά. Αρχισαν εκ νέου οι διαπραγματεύ- του τρούλου της Αγίας Σοφίας Κωνσταντινου- Ρώμα, πως δυο άνθρωποι κατάφεραν να γλυ- Αμερικής, έθεσαν τις βάσεις της διαδικασίας των σεις, και οι συζητήσεις για διακανονισμό των πόλεως. τώσουν την τελευταία στιγμή από σίγουρο και διαπραγματεύσεων για την εκ νέου ανέγερση εκκρεμών νομικών θεμάτων ώστε να τερμα- Η νέα εκκλησία της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής φρικιστικό θάνατο την ώρα που κατέρρεαν οι του ναού. τιστούν όλα τα πιθανά προβλήματα μια για Αμερικής φιλοδοξεί να αγκαλιάσει όλους τους πύργοι καθώς έτρεξαν προς τον ήχο που έκανε Η Αρχιεπισκοπή και η ενορία του Αγίου Νι- πάντα. Ως αποτέλεσμα, η Υπηρεσία Λιμένων ανθρώπους που θα περάσουν από τη πόρτα κολάου εργάστηκαν στενά και σε καλό πνεύμα και η Αρχιεπισκοπή συμφώνησαν να πραγμα- της, αναζητώντας πνευματικότητα, ηρεμία, συνεργασίας, με την Υπηρεσία Λιμένων (Port τοποιηθεί μια ανεξάρτηση έρευνα αναφορικά επικοινωνία με το Θείο και κατανόηση από το Authority) και με την οικοδομική αναπτυξιακή στο που θα έπρεπε να ανεγερθεί ο νέος ναός ανθρώπινο. Μια εκκλησία που θα φέρει και πάλι εταιρία LMDC (Lower Manhattan Development στο χώρο που είχε προατθεί πάνω από το VSC. κοντά τους ανθρώπους της πόλης αυτής, που Corporation) ώστε να συμπεριλάβουν το νέο Το αποτέλεσμα αυτής της διαδικαστικής έρευ- προσπαθούν να επουλώσουν ακόμη τις πληγές ναό του Αγίου Νικολάου στα προτεινόμε- νας ήταν να ορισθεί ακριβώς το ίδιο σημείο που που άνοιξε στην ψυχοσύνθεσή τους η τρομοκρα- να σχέδια ανοικοδόμισης του Παγκοσμίου είχε προταθεί ως χώρος ανέγερσης χρόνια πριν, τική επίθεση της 11ης Σεπτεμβρίου 2001. Εμπορικού Κέντρου. Ολα τα ενδιαφερόμενα στην Οδό Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αριθμός 130. Μπορεί ο Ιερός Ναός του Αγίου Νικολάου μέρη συμφώνησαν τελικά σε μια εναλλακτική Η 11η Οκτωβρίου του 2011 υπήρξε μια να μην μπορεί να προσφέρει όλες τις λύσεις που τοποθεσία για την ανέγερση του νέου Ιερού ιστορική ημερομηνία για την πορεία των αναζητούν οι άνθρωποι για το μεγάλο ‘γιατίƒ της Ναού στην Οδό Ελευθερίας (Liberty) αρθμός εργασιών στην υπόθεση της ανέγερσης του καταστροφής, όμως σίγουρα θα ενδυναμώσει 130. Η περιοχή αυτή, η οποία απέχει λιγότερο Αγίου Νικολάου καθώς όλα μέλη της Ιερής την πίστη όλων πως ο πανδαμάτωρ χρόνος από 100 γιάρδες (300 πόδια ή 91 μέτρα) από Επαρχιακής Συνόδου, του Αρχιεπισκοπικού επουλώνει τις πληγές των ανθρώπων και πως την αρχική τοποθεσία του ναού, έδωσε τη δυνα- Συμβουλίου και το προσωπικό, και οι επίσημοι ο Θεός βρίσκεται πάντα κοντά τους και τους τότητα μιας μεγαλύτερης σε έκταση εκκλησία, αντιπρόσωποι της ενορίας του Αγίου Νικολά- αγκαλιάζει όλους, κάτι που θα νιώσουν όσοι έκταση η οποία δόθηκε ως αντάλαγμα για την ου, συναντήθηκαν μαζί με τον Σεβασμιώτατο επισκευθούν τον Αγιο Νικόλαο στο μέλλον. προσφορά της γης και του αέρα της αρχικής Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής Δημήτριο στο γραφείο Οπως η παλιά Ορθόδοξη εκκλησία κα- τοποθεσίας της στην Οδό Κέδρου (Cedar) 155, του Κυβερνήτη Κουόμο στην πόλη της Νέας τέστη στήριγμα πίστης και ελπίδας για τους την οποία θα χρησιμοποιήσει η υπηρεσία VSC Υόρκης. Εκεί οι αντιπρόσωποι των ενδιαφε- κατοίκους της περιοχής μέχρι το 2001, έτσι και η (Vehicle Security Center). Ετσι, κάτω από αυτό ρομένων μερών, ο Εκτελεστικός Διευθυντής νέα εκκλησία θα καταστεί καταφύγιο ψυχών, τό- το πρίσμα της ανταλλαγής τοποθεσίας, η νέα της Υπηρεσίας Λιμένων και ο Αντιπρόεδρος πος περισυλλογής κι επικοινωνίας πέρα από τα εκκλησία μας θα είναι τρεις φορές μεγαλύτερη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου, υπέγρα- ανθρώπινα για τους ανθρώπους του μέλλοντος. 16 ΟΡΘΟ∆ΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΝΟΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2013 Επίσημη Πατριαρχική Επίσκεψη στη Θεσσαλονίκη uΣελίδα 14 ντα ἐνίκησε μονομαχήσας καὶ τοῦ μαρτυρικοῦ στεφάνου ἠξιώθη ἀμέσως. Ταύτην τὴν τοῦ Ἁγίου Νέστορος ἐγκάρδιον καὶ ἀποτελεσματικὴν κραυγήν «ὁ Θεὸς Δημη- τρίου βοήθει μοι», ἂς ἀναφωνήσωμεν καὶ ἡμεῖς οἱ σύγχρονοι Θεσσαλονικεῖς καὶ οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι Ἕλληνες, πιστεύοντες ὅτι οἱ παντὸς εἴδους σύγ- χρονοι Λυαῖοι, φαινομενικῶς ἀνίκητοι γίγαντες, ἐξαφανίζονται ὡς νεφύδρια θερινὰ πρὸ τῆς προσευχῆς, πρὸ τοῦ σημείου τοῦ τιμίου Σταυροῦ, τὸ ὁποῖον εἶδεν ἐν οὐρανῷ καὶ διὰ τοῦ ὁποίου ἐνίκησε κραταιῶς πάντα ἀντιτιθέμενον πειρα- σμόν, ὁ Μέγας ἐν βασιλεῦσι Κωνσταντῖνος, καθιερώσας διὰ τοῦ γνωστοῦ Διατάγματος τῶν Μεδιολάνων, τοῦ ὁποίου τὴν 1700ὴν ἐπέτειον ἀποδεικνύουν τοῦ λόγου τὸ ἀληθές. κατὰ τὸ λῆγον ἔτος ἐπανηγύρισεν ἡ σύγχρονος Ἀδελφοί, Χαίροντες καὶ συγχαίροντες διὰ ἀνθρωπότης, τὴν ἐλευθερίαν τῆς πίστεως καὶ τὸν Ἅγιον μας, διὰ τὴν πίστιν μας καὶ διὰ τὴν τῶν δικαιωμάτων τοῦ ἀνθρώπου. ταυτότητά μας, συνεχίζομεν τὴν πορείαν μας Ἀδελφοὶ καὶ τέκνα ἐν Κυρίῳ, ἐν προσευχῇ, καὶ ὁ τελευταῖος προσευχητικὸς Εἰς τὴν ὅλην ἱστορικὴν διαδρομὴν καὶ Φωτογραφίες: ΔΗΜΗΤΡΗΣ ΠΑΝΑΓΟΣ λόγος μας ἐκ Κωνσταντινουπόλεως εἷναι ἡ πορείαν τῆς Κωνσταντίνου Πόλεως καὶ τῆς ἀκροτελεύτιος εὐχὴ τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τοῦ τῶν Θετταλῶν πόλεως ὑπάρχει μία λεπτομέ- ἐκ τῆς Μικρᾶς Ἀσίας, τοῦ Πόντου, τῆς Καπ- τῆς Θεσσαλονίκης μετὰ τὴν καταστροφικὴν Κωνσταντινουπόλεως Ἰωάννου τοῦ Χρυστο- ρεια: ἡ συνεχῶς ἀναπεμπομένη ἱκεσία πρὸς παδοκίας, τῆς Ἰωνικῆς καὶ Αἰολικῆς γῆς, ἐκ πυρκαϊὰν τοῦ δισέκτου ἔτους 1917 κατέστη στόμου, τοῦ ἀεὶ διδάσκοντος: «Σοὶ παρακατα- τὸν Ἅγιον Δημήτριον καὶ ἡ ἐπαναλαμβανομένη τοῦ χώρου δηλαδὴ τῆς καθ᾿ ἡμᾶς Ὀρθοδόξου δυνατὴ χάρις εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα, τὴν δυναμικότητα, τιθέμεθα τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν ἅπασαν καὶ τὴν ἐλπίδα, θερμὴ εὐχαριστία διὰ τὴν προστασίαν του, ἡ Ἀνατολῆς, τῆς ἐνδοχώρας τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ τὴν πίστιν καὶ τὴν ἀρετὴν τῶν πτωχῶν ἐκείνων Δέσποτα Φιλάνθρωπε»˙ καὶ τὴν πόλιν Σου ὁποία κατέστησε τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην ἰδιαιτέρως Πατριαρχείου, τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην τὴν ἐγνωρί- καὶ κατατρεγμένων ὑπὸ τῶν περιπετειῶν τῆς ταύτην˙ καὶ τὴν ὀρθοδοξοῦσαν Θεσσαλονίκην φιλοπρόοδον καὶ ἱκανὴν νὰ ἀντιμετωπίζῃ τὰς σαμεν καὶ τὴν γνωρίζομεν ὡς «πρώτη φτωχο- ἱστορίας προσφύγων. Ἡ ἀνοικοδόμησις αὐτὴ Δημητρίου τοῦ Μάρτυρος˙ καὶ τὴν Ἑλλάδα καὶ κρίσεις, τὰς ὁποίας ὑφίστατο κατὰ τὴν διάρκειαν μάνα καὶ προσφυγομάνα», μαζὶ μὲ τὸν γνωστὸν ἐπὶ νέου συγχρόνου καὶ ἐπιτυχεστέρου σχεδίου τὸ Γένος ἅπαν˙ καὶ τόν «κόσμον» Σου˙ «καὶ τῆς μακρᾶς ἱστορίας της. Κατὰ τὴν Βυζαντινὴν Βαμβακάρην. Ἡ πόλις σας αὐτή, ἡ Θεσσαλονίκη, συνετέλεσεν εἰς τὴν μεγάλην ἀνάπτυξίν της. Ἡ παρακαλοῦμεν καὶ δεόμεθα καὶ ἱκετεύομεν...»: περίοδον κατεῖχεν ἐξέχουσαν θέσιν ἐν τῇ Αὐτο- ὑπεδέχθη, «ἄνοιξε τὴν ἀγκαλιά της», ἐφιλοξένη- πρόοδος αὐτῆς ἐν συνεχείᾳ εἰς ὅλους τοὺς τομεῖς « ὑπὲρ τοῦ διαφυλαχθῆναι τὴν ἁγίαν Ἐκκλη- κρατορίᾳ καὶ ἀνέδειξε πλείστους Ἁγίους καὶ σε μὲ στοργὴν καὶ περιέθαλψε μὲ ἀγάπην μέγαν ἀνέδειξε τὴν δημιουργικότητα τοῦ φιλοχρίστου σίαν καὶ τὴν πόλιν ταύτην καὶ πᾶσαν πόλιν καὶ σοφούς, οἱ ὁποῖοι τὴν ἐλάμπρυναν. Ὠνομάσθη ἀριθμὸν πατέρων καὶ ἀδελφῶν μας, τῶν ἰδικῶν λαοῦ της. Σήμερον ἔχει ἀνακτήσει τὴν παλαιὰν χώραν ἀπὸ λοιμοῦ, λιμοῦ, σεισμοῦ, καταποντι- βασιλεύουσα καὶ ὑπῆρξε συμπρωτεύουσα τῆς σας πατέρων καὶ μητέρων καὶ παππούδων καὶ αἴγλην τῆς συμπρωτευούσης καὶ συμβασιλευ- σμοῦ, πυρός, μαχαίρας, ἐπιδρομῆς ἀλλοφύλων, Κωνσταντινουπόλεως. γιαγιάδων. Καὶ ἔγινε ἡ δευτέρα, ἐξ ἴσου πρὸς τὴν ούσης καὶ αἰσθάνεται τὴν ἰσχυρὰν προστασίαν ἐμφυλίου πολέμου...καὶ ὑπὲρ τοῦ ἵλεων, εὐμενῆ Τὴν Μικρὰν αὐτὴν Κωνσταντινούπολιν, πρώτην, φιλόστοργος πατρίς των. Καὶ ἐκεῖνοι, τοῦ πολιούχου αὐτῆς ἐξαιρετικῶς παροῦσαν καὶ καὶ εὐδιάλλακτον γενέσθαι τὸν ἀγαθὸν καὶ τὴν νέαν Ἱερουσαλήμ, τὴν ἠγαπημένην τῶν διὰ τῆς ἐργατικότητος καὶ δημιουργικότητός ἀποτελεσματικήν. Αὐτῶν τῶν δημιουργῶν τῆς φιλάνθρωπον Θεὸν ἡμῶν, τοῦ ἀποστρέψαι καὶ ἡσυχαστῶν, τὴν ἐκλεκτὴν τῶν καισάρων, τὴν των καὶ διὰ τοῦ πολιτισμοῦ καὶ τῶν γνώσεων Θεσσαλονίκης ἀλλὰ καὶ τῆς πατρῴας ἀρετῆς, διασκεδάσαι πᾶσαν ὀργὴν καὶ νόσον τὴν καθ᾿ Μητέρα Θεσσαλονίκην τοῦ Γαβριὴλ Πεντζίκη, τὰς ὁποίας ἐκόμισαν ἐξ Ἀνατολῶν ἀνέδειξαν ἀπόγονοι, ἐπίγονοι καὶ συνεχισταὶ εἶσθε σεῖς, οἱ ἡμῶν κινουμένην καὶ ρύσασθαι ἡμᾶς τῆς δικαίας ἡμεῖς οἱ δοκιμάσαντες τὸν πειρασμόν, τὴν ἀγω- τὴν Μακεδονίαν καὶ ἰδιαιτέρως τὴν πόλιν τῆς ὁποῖοι βαδίζετε «στ᾿ ἀχνάριά των». αὐτοῦ ἀπειλῆς καὶ ἐλεῆσαι ἡμᾶς». Ἀμήν. νίαν καὶ τὸν πόνον τῆς προσφυγιᾶς, ὅταν αἱ Θεσσαλονίκης μεγάλην, προοδεύουσαν εἰς Ἀδελφοί μου, Αἱ σημεριναὶ ἱστορικαὶ συ- ἱστορικαὶ συνθῆκαι ἐπέβαλον τὴν μετακίνησιν ὅλους τοὺς τομεῖς καὶ ἀπολαμβάνουσαν τοὺς ντεταγμέναι παγκοσμίως δὲν εἶναι, ἢ δὲν ἐμφα- ΕΠΙΤΙΜΟΣ ΔΗΜΟΤΗΣ πρὸς δυσμὰς μυριάδων Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν καρποὺς τῶν μόχθων της. Ἡ ἀνοικοδόμησις νίζονται τόσον εὐοίωνοι. Παρὰ ταῦτα, παρὰ τὰ Ο δήμαρχος Θεσσαλονίκης Γιάννης Μπου- ἀτελείωτα προβλήματα καὶ παρεμβαλλόμενα τάρης και τα μέλη του δημοτικού συμβουλίου ἐμπόδια, οἱ Ὀρθόδοξοι πιστοὶ διατηροῦμεν ανέμεναν τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη στην ὑψηλὸν καὶ ἀκατάβλητον τὸ φρόνημά μας, διότι είσοδο του δημαρχείου της Θεσσαλονίκης. Όταν ἔχομεν παράδοσιν, ἦθος, ἀξίας. Κατέχομεν ἐπὶ έφτασε ο Πατριάρχης ένα μικρό κορίτσι του πᾶσιν τὴν Ἀξίαν, δηλαδὴ τὴν Χάριν, ἤτοι τὸν πρόσφερε μια ανθοδέσμη με λευκά λουλούδια. Χριστόν, ὁ Ὁποῖος στηρίζει, ἐνισχύει, παρηγορεῖ, Ο Πατριάρχης πήρε το κοριτσάκι από το χέρι και διαφυλάττει, χαρίζει εἰρήνην ἐσωτερικήν, φωτί- μπήκε στο δημαρχείο. «Σας υποδεχόμαστε με ζει, ἀνοίγει διεξόδους εἰς τὰ ἀδιέξοδα, σταλάζει χαρά και συγκίνηση και πάνω από όλα με τιμή», γλυκασμὸν εἰς τὴν καρδίαν μας, «διασκεδάζει ανέφερε κατά την προσφώνηση του ο δήμαρχος βουλὰς ἐθνῶν», καὶ μᾶς προλέγει καὶ βεβαιώνει Θεσσαλονίκης σημειώνοντας ότι η ανταπόκριση καὶ λέγει : «ἰσχυκότες ἡττᾶσθε˙ ὅτι μεθ᾿ ἡμῶν της τοπικής εκκλησίας στην κοινωνική κρίση ὁ Θεός». στην Θεσσαλονίκη αναβιώνει το κοινοτικό Τὸ Οἰκουμενικὸν Πατριαρχεῖον, ὁ «ἀετὸς πνεύμα του Ελληνισμού και υπενθυμίζει ότι ὁ μέγας, ὁ μεγαλοπτέρυγος» (Ἰεζεκ. ιζ΄, 3) τοῦ τόσο η Εκκλησία όσο και η κοινωνία οφείλουν Ὀρθοδόξου Γένους μας, ἐπισκοπεῖ ἀπὸ τῆς να χειραφετηθούν από την κρατική εξουσία. ἑπταλόφου Πόλεως, εἰς Ἀνατολὴν καὶ Δύσιν καὶ Αναφερόμενος στην επέτειο της 28ης Οκτω- Βορρᾶν καὶ Νότον, μὲ αἴσθημα πολλῆς εὐθύνης βρίου, ο κ. Μπουτάρης σημείωσε ότι «συμπίπτει καὶ σκεπάζει μὲ τὰς πτέρυγας τῆς ἀγάπης καὶ τῆς με μια προσπάθεια της Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας προσευχῆς του τὰ ὅπου γῆς τέκνα τῆς Μητρὸς να αντιμετωπίσει μια νεοναζιστική οργάνωση Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας, καὶ που κατηγορείται ως εγκληματική. Αυτό είναι ἰδιαιτέρως σᾶς ὅλους, τὴν κληρουχίαν του, τὴν ένα σημείο που συνδέει σε κάποιο βαθμό το ἕλκουσαν, ἐπαναλαμβάνομεν, κατὰ μέγα μέρος, χθες με το σήμερα. Τον φασισμό του Μουσολίνι τὴν καταγωγὴν ἐκ τῶν χώρων τῆς εὐλογημένης με τον νεοναζισμό. Την άμυνα της Ελλάδας Μικρασιατικῆς γῆς, τῆς γῆς τῶν Ἁγίων, τῶν εκείνης της εποχής με την άμυνα της σημερινής Saints Raphael, Nicholas & Irene Μαρτύρων, τῶν Ὁσίων καὶ τῶν Ἡρώων. Σᾶς Ελληνικής Δημοκρατίας». Hellenic Orthodox Church, Palm Harbor, FL διαβεβαιούμεθα κατὰ τὴν ἱερὰν καὶ ἱστορικὴν Στους άρρηκτους δεσμούς και την κοινή ταύτην στιγμὴν ὅτι πάντοτε ἐνώπιον τῆς θαυμα- ιστορική πορεία της Θεσσαλονίκης και της Κων- τουργοῦ Εἰκόνος τῆς Παναγίας τῆς Φανερωμέ- σταντινούπολης αναφέρθηκε ο Οικουμενικός A Shrine for Healing νης τοῦ Πατριαρχικοῦ μας Ναοῦ, τῆς Παναγίας Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος κατά την ομιλία του. The Sacred and Venerable Relics τῶν προσφύγων τῆς Ἀνατολῆς, καίει ἀκοίμητος «Ευαίσθητο κήρυκα του διαλόγου και of our Patron Saints Raphael, Nicholas and Irene ἡ κανδήλα τῆς προσευχῆς μας ὑπὲρ ὑγείας, της συμφιλίωσης, πολέμιο της βίας και του are in permanent resident at our Church. μακροημερεύσεως, προόδου, εὐδοκιμήσεως φανατισμού και υπέρμαχο της προστασίας του καὶ σωτηρίας ὅλων σας καὶ τοῦ κόσμου παντός. περιβάλλοντος», χαρακτήρισε τον Οικουμενικό A paraklesis to our Patron Saints are chanted every Tuesday throughout the year Ὅλη ἡ στρατιὰ τῶν σοφῶν, τῶν Ἁγίων καὶ Πατριάρχη ο πρόεδρος του δημοτικού συμβου- The celebration of receiving the Holy Relics & Panagei is the weekend of February 1, 2014. τῶν περιφανῶν Θεσσαλονικέων, ἀπ᾿ ἀρχῆς καὶ λίου, Παναγιώτης Αβραμόπουλος. Κατά τη The Feast Day Celebration is Tuesday, April 22, 2014. μέχρι τῶν ἐσχάτων, ἀποτελεῖ πηγὴν ἐμπνεύσεως διάρκεια της ειδικής πανηγυρικής συνεδρίασης Names for your loved ones for healing may be submitted for prayers. διὰ σᾶς τοὺς σημερινοὺς Θεσσαλονικεῖς καὶ χαιρετισμό απηύθυναν και οι επικεφαλής των ἐρέθισμα ἀγωνιστικότητος καὶ ἀδιακόπου καὶ δημοτικών παρατάξεων. Στην εκδήλωση πα- Holy Water and Holy Oil from the Holy Monastery ἀκαταβλήτου προσπαθείας καὶ μιμήσεως, ὥστε ρέστησαν ο υπουργός Μακεδονίας–Θράκης of Saints Raphael in Thermi, Mytilini are also available upon request. σκέψεις ἀπαισιοδοξίας καὶ ἡττοπαθείας νὰ μὴ Θόδωρος Καράογλου, ο αναπληρωτής υπουρ- Donations may be made by clicking onto Paypal on our website: straphaelhoc.org δύνανται νὰ ἐπικρατήσουν εἰς τὰς καρδίας μας. γός Περιβάλλοντος Ενέργειας και Κλιματικής or by mail: 1010 Riviere Road, Palm Harbor, Florida 34683. Ἄλλωστε, οἱ καταφυγόντες πρὸ αἰῶνος περίπου Αλλαγής Σταύρος Καλαφάτης, ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος εἰς τὴν Θεσσαλονίκην πρόσφυγες, οἱ μηδὲν Αμερικής Δημήτριος, ο Μητροπολίτης Θεσσα- Tel: (727)-789-5905 • Fax: (727)-781-3851 κομίσαντες, παρὰ μόνον θρῆνον καὶ πόνον λονίκης Άνθιμος, ιεράρχες του Οικουμενικού καὶ ἀγωνίαν, κεκτημένοι ὅμως τὰ πάντα, Θρόνου και οι πρόξενοι ΗΠΑ, Τουρκίας, Ρωσίας Email: [email protected] τὴν πίστιν, τὸ φρόνημα καὶ τὴν ἀρετήν, και Γερμανίας. NOVEMBER 2013 17 18 NOVEMBER 2013 Church History The First Greek Orthodox Hierarch to Visit America

by William H. Samonides, Ph.D. he had long dreamed of visiting America. Educated at the Theological School of The July 23, 1893, edition of the the University of Athens, he had studied New York Tribune reported that “Denis in the Holy Land, France, Germany, and Latas, Greek Archbishop of Zante, one of England, and spoke several languages. the Ionian Islands, famed for its currants In Greece, he was well-known for his Ways of the Lord and earthquakes, came as the envoy of oratorical skill and fine sermons. The_latest_book_by_His_Eminence_Archbishop_Demetrios_of_America_ the King of Greece, to the Religious Con- He was held in high esteem by includes_his_Keynote_Addresses_from_his_first_Clergy-Laity_Congress_in_ gress at Chicago.... He is of exceedingly American Jewish leaders for protecting Philadelphia_in_July_2000_through_his_address_in_Washington,_DC__ venerable and patriarchal appearance, Jews from persecution in Russia and and wears a long, white beard.” other areas where the Orthodox Church in_July_2008._Also_included_are_addresses_given_in_Athens,_Greece,_ Archbishop Dionysios Latas (1836- held sway. Cyprus,_Fordham_University_and_Brookline,_MA_plus_others. 94) was the first Greek Orthodox hier- In 1870, he was in Rome to observe The_texts_presented_in_this_book_constitute_an_humble_effort_to_ arch to come to America. The 57-year-old the First Vatican Council. This experi- Archbishop was attending the World’s ence would prove useful in America, contribute_to_such_a_task,_which_is_the_sacred_but_also_demanding_work_ Parliament of Religions, a two-week where he was frequently asked about of_sharing_the_Gospel_with_the_people_of_today;__hence,_the_subtitle__ conference of representatives from the the possibility of a union between the of_the_book_‘Perspectives_on_Sharing_the_Gospel_of_Christ.’” world’s major religions held at the Co- Orthodox and Catholic churches. lumbia Exposition in Chicago. The Archbishop was a man of great To_purchase_your_copy_of_“Ways_of_the_Lord”_($24.95_per_+_$6_S&H)*_ Archbishop Latas came to America as intellectual curiosity. Among his many please_call_212-774-0244,[email protected],_or_comple_the_ a representative of the Church of Greece. adventures in America was a late-night order_form_below_and_mail_it_to_GOTelecom,_8_East_79th_Street,_New_York,_NY_10075. In 1893, there was a much smaller visit to the offices of The New York Greek Orthodox presence in North Herald where, together with his deacon ALL_PrOCEEDS_TO_BENEFIT_“ArCHBISHOP_DEMETrIOS_BENEvOLENT_FUND.” America, with only three parishes. Holy and the Greek Consul, he watched the Trinity in New Orleans was established presses print the morning newspaper. Yes,_I_want_to_order______copies Name:______in 1864. Holy Trinity in New York and He explained that he had never seen “so Enclosed_is_my_check_for:_$______or Annunciation in Chicago were both es- complete and multiform an establish- Address:______tablished in 1892. ment.... I am glad to have witnessed so I_authorize_GOTelecom_to_charge_my: There were four Greek Orthodox marvelous an achievement of the human City:______State:______Zip:______priests: Michael Karides in New Orleans, mind.” Exp._date:______Paisios Ferentinos at Holy Trinity in New The Herald was his favorite Ameri- Phone:______York, Panagiotis Fiambolis at Annuncia- can newspaper: it had raised funds for Card_No.:______tion in Chicago, and Kallinikos Kanellas, victims of the earthquake that devastated an itinerant priest who served primarily Zante in April 1893. Name_on_Card:______Email:______in the larger cities of the East where In addition to attending the confer- there were not yet enough Greeks to ence, during the six months he spent sustain parishes. in America, the Archbishop celebrated Greece was also quite different from Liturgy at the Annunciation in Chicago what it would become. and at Holy Trinity in New York. It was about half its present size and He referred to Holy Trinity as “the did not yet include Crete, Epirus, Mace- little Greek church in this city,” remind- donia, Western Thrace, or many of the ing him of “the little churches I preached Aegean islands; these territories would in years ago [in Greece] when I was an be gained in Greek military victories in Archimandriti.” the coming decades. In 1897, however, He saw the major sites of New York during a short disastrous war with Tur- City and Washington, as well as the tour- key, the Greek military was exposed as ist attractions of Saratoga Springs and poorly trained and equipped. Niagara Falls. The economy was also in shambles. He met with high officials of the In 1893, there was a precipitous drop in American Episcopal church and attended the price of currants, the primary Greek the 110th annual convention of the Prot- export, and the country defaulted on estant Episcopal Church of the Diocese repayment of foreign loans. of New York. Up to that time, Greek immigration At the end of his American travels, to North America had been negligible: he baptized a child in the Russian Ortho- from 1881 to 1890, there were only dox church in San Francisco. 2,308 immigrants. A quarter century would pass be- In the next decade, however, there fore the next Greek Orthodox hierarchs would be a sharp increase. The Greek would come to America. economy was depressed, and many Metropolitan of Athens, Meletios needed jobs, while cutthroat competi- Metaxakis, along with Bishop (later tion among steamship companies low- Archbishop) Alexander Rodostolou, ered the cost of transatlantic passage. arrived in August 1918. Metropolitan At the time, Americans were unfa- Meletios came as the head of the Holy miliar with Orthodoxy, and the presence Synod of Greece, which had jurisdiction of the Archbishop was an important in- over the Church in America. The Church AHEPA troductory step. He became a celebrity, had grown enormously since 1893. With attracting attention as a participant in increased immigration from Greece and the Parliament but also because of his Asia Minor, more than 100 parishes had Over 91 years of service to our communities “exotic” garb. been established throughout North His activities and utterances were America. across the United States, Canada, Australia, widely reported in the national press, For Archbishop Latas, however, visit- Greece, Cyprus, Central America & Europe and he made a favorable impression ing America was only the first leg of his wherever he went. journey. Just 10 years after the publica- Even though his English was not tion of Jules Verne’s novel, Around the fluent, Archbishop Latas began a dia- World in Eighty Days, traveling around Join today and be a part of our history logue with Americans, both clerical and the world in relative comfort on reli- secular. able transportation was a novelty that He had been named after St. Diony- captured the Archbishop’s imagination. www.ahepa.org sios, patron saint of the island of Zante, After touring America, this forward- or Zakynthos. A cleric of considerable looking hierarch would set off to see the international experience and education, rest of the world. NOVEMBER 2013 19 Parish Profile Smooth-Running Community Could Be on Cruise Control

so that by 1991, a second priest, Fr. PARISH profile John E. Constantine, came to the par- Name: St. George ish. He served as assistant priest until Greek Orthodox Church 1995 when he left to serve as a Navy chaplain. Location: Piscataway, N.J. Fr. John Theodosion became the next assistant priest. Following Fr. Metropolis of New Jersey Pappas’s 50th anniversary in the parish, and subsequent retirement in 2002, Fr. Size: about 1,000 families Theodosion became the proistamenos. After two years, he was succeeded in Founded: 1917 2004 by the Very Rev. Alexander Kile, who died at a young age in early 2011. Clergy: Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos (University of Thes- Fr. Pastrikos, who had been the priest in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., then be- saloniki, 1976; Theology degree) came the next parish priest. Fr. Nicho- las was born on the island of Kalymnos, E-mail: [email protected] Greece, but came to the U.S. with his family at a very young age and grew up Web: www.stgeorgepiscataway.org in Ambridge, Pa. ST. GEORGE GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Parishioners have a great inter- est in the church as the priest notes. PISCATAWAY, N.J. – One of the Jersey city of New Brunswick, according a larger church became evident. “The church fills up every Sunday, for largest parishes of the Archdiocese, to a parish history. The long process began of raising which I am grateful,” said Fr. Nicholas. St. George Church has a program or The first liturgies took place on the funds, buying land and building a new “There’s not one empty seat.” ministry for every group and age. “We second floor of the Fraternal Order of church. The parish is on stewardship, but try to accommodate as many people as Eagles hall. But after a year, the trustees During this period, a parish consti- the Greek festival is another revenue possible,” said Fr. Nicholas Pastrikos, of the church disbanded and services tution was adopted and the St. Barbara source. the parish priest since March 2011. stopped. Philoptcchos chapter The priest also notes that many vol- “It’s a very eventful ministry, very A second group, spearheaded by In January 1959, Fr. Anthony N. unteers provide the vigor and energy busy, but very, very rewarding at the Fr. Vasilios Daskalakis and several lay- Pappas arrived in the community. He needed to keep all the parish ministries same time,” he said. men, restarted the church in 1918 and was to become St. George’s longest flowing smoothly. Fr. Pastrikos is the only priest in established a building fund. serving priest. “Mostly I fulfill my religious obli- the community. Meanwhile a Greek school was Construction on the church (cur- gations, but it’s almost as if the parish A glance at the parish’s bi-monthly founded and services took place at an rently in use) began in 1961 and the was on cruise control,” he said. “That’s newsletter, The Voice of Saint George, Episcopal church. first liturgy in the new building took how good and organized the parish is,” shows how active the community must The parish, under the leadership place on Dec. 23, 1962. Consecration thank God.” be. of Fr. George Spyridakis, land was took place May 25, 1969. There are nine church organiza- purchased for $1,300. Membership continued to increase — Compiled by Jim Golding tions and 20 committees He was transferred for a brief Outreach to the poor and hungry is period to Newark and construction among the most active ministries. The began on the church building, which Philoptochos chapter prepares meals cost $12,770 to build. The building was for a local soup kitchen and every two completed in 1919. IS youR PARISh... months, the Goyans have an obligatory But Fr. Daskalakis returned and be- Ready to expand parish participation? Charity Night were they also cook food came the first priest of the new church. for distribution to the poor. He personally paid for the outfitting of Seeking funds for a building project? The Philoptochos members also the Holy Altar. engage in other projects, including the As happened with so many com- Wishing to promote Planned Giving? sewing of blankets and the visitation munities in existence in the 1920s, of shut-ins, as well as more traditional a rift developed as a consequence of activities such as bake sales. the Royalist–Venizelist political crisis Assistance is Available! The parish has a large number of in Greece. young people with very active GOYA There were two Greek schools and The office of Parish Development offers and JOY/HOPE groups.The Sunday two different congregations in the com- guidance to parishes through: School has about 200 children; Greek munity that held services. school has 165 students. By 1928, the divisions in the par- Strategic Planning Stewardship Assistance: St. George is also among the older ish healed. Over the next 30 years, 12 Workshops: For greater Inspiring greater giving parishes of the Archdiocese. Founded priests served the parish. in 1917, the parish was established in Following World War II, the com- involvement in your parish in your parish the centrally located northeastern New munity began to grow and the need for Capital Campaign Parish Planned Giving Planning Studies: Assessing Programs: Guidance in your project’s fundraising potential cultivating planned gifts People Capital Campaign Grant Proposal Research Management: Planning and & Writing: Help throughout Win-Win-Win Situations coaching from beginning to end the grant proposal process Wins re–election Colorado” title in the Oct. 27 statewide Want More Information? NASSAU COUNTY, N.Y. – George Mara- pageant. She is a graduate of the University Contact us to discuss your Goals & Needs and allow us gos, who attends Resurrection Church in of Wyoming and has worked for an energy Brookville and Archangel Michael Church corporation and in a law office. to explain how we might be of help. in Port Washington, won re–election as the county comptroller with 52% of the vote. Wins titles Greek orthodox Archdiocese of America He easily defeated his challenger, the EDISON – High schools seniors Nikos office of Parish Development previous incumbent, who he ousted four Plakoudas and Margo Costidis recently 3 South Prospect Avenue, Ste. II years ago. won the Mr. and Miss New Jersey GOYA Park Ridge, IL 60068 title at a statewide event. Nikos is a mem- Phone: (847) 825-1432 Wins pageant ber of Kimisis Tis Theotokou in Holmdel Email: [email protected] DENVER – Eleanna Livaditis, a member and Margo is a member of St. George of Assumption Cathedral, won the “Miss Asbury Park/Ocean. 20 NOVEMBER 2013 Marriage & Family Relationship Discontentment Dear Father Charles, their spouse and their marriage. When in My husband and I have been married essence, a great deal of their discontent- for nearly 16 years. During this time, we’ve ment is internally based and very much experienced many high points and like all the result of living in a secular society couples, our share of low points. The past that is quick to designate our spouses and few years have been different – not many marriages as the source of our problems. highs or lows, just a lot of what I would Here are some questions you might call “blandness.” When I’ve tried to talk ask yourself to help you discern if the about this with my husband, he’s gotten issues are couple based and/or personal angry and accused me of making “a big in nature. deal out of nothing.” Sometimes I have • Am I asking too much of my marriage at agreed with him, and thought I might be this stage in the life cycle? overreacting. At other times, I think some- • Am I a victim of the messages in today’s thing is wrong – terribly wrong. To make popular media that are all about what I’m matters worse, over the last few months I not getting? have begun to feel some sadness and dis- • Considering what I know about my contentment. Am I being silly, or should spouse’s limitations, are my expectations I be concerned? Any thoughts would be overly inflated? greatly appreciated. • How do I live with my spouse’s short- E-mail Respondent comings? • How do I live with my own reactions to Response: You are not being “silly,” my spouse’s shortcomings? and you have asked a good question that • Are my expectations making me miser- I believe applies to many marriages today. able? Here are a few thoughts and suggestions • How often have I counted my blessings that may help you and your husband move and thanked God for what’s good about beyond the “blandness.” Write me back if my spouse? you have follow-up questions. • If our problems aren’t that bad, how do I accept the things I can’t change right now? From Blandness • How do I change the things I can to Discontentment and More change? Many couples who slip into a place • What can I do differently to improve of “blandness” fail to act. In some cases circumstances between us? circumstances change between them and the blandness lifts, but in far too many Cultivate a Relationship with God cases, the blandness lingers and they drift Along with the last two suggestions, further and further apart. Many of these I would like you to take a long, prayerful couples often report that circumstances look at your relationship with God. Here between them eventually morph into a is why: state of discontentment. Further, if the dis- To the extent that we choose to culti- contentment is left unchecked, emotional vate a relationship with God, our faith tra- distance, isolation, sadness and tension fill dition repeatedly teaches that this choice their relationship, seriously undermining can have a positive impact on us person- friendship, trust, understanding and the ally, and by extension, our relationships love they once shared. with those around us, especially signifi- Am I suggesting you and your hus- cant relationships such as our marriage. band are on this path? No. I am not fa- That is because a relationship with God miliar enough with the dynamics of your is by nature transformative and healing: marriage to answer this question, but why at once ameliorating internal emptiness wait to find out that, in fact, you are on this and discontentment while also positively path. The reality is, the “let’s wait, there’s affecting our efforts to connect with oth- nothing wrong” strategy that you have ers in a healthy, holy way, our marriages adopted does not seem to be working. being no exception. Quoting from a lady So, rather than taking a let’s see attitude, who has been married for 20 years, her why not take a more proactive approach thoughts nicely illustrate these last few and consider making some blessed adjust- points. “About ten years ago, I finally de- ments and changes. cided to take my faith in God seriously. When I did, I soon began to notice that I Internal Discontentment had a more understanding, more patient Together with these suggestions, I am and loving attitude toward those around a great advocate of what our Lord taught: me….I can honestly say that I’m not the “…first take the log out of your own eye, same wife, mother, daughter, sister and and then you will see clearly to take the friend that I was before I permitted God speck out of your brother’s eye” (Mt. 7:5). to come into my life.” In other words, I would also like to ask you to take a closer, introspective look at Quick Fixes and Easy Solutions yourself. These few thoughts may prove Will change and healing occur over- helpful. night? No. Change and healing takes time Contemporary spouses expect more and considerable effort – time and effort from their marriage than those from past that that we are not always willing to in- generations. This is not always bad. Higher vest. Often, we are looking for quick fixes expectations force spouses to be more ac- and easy relational solutions. For example, countable and responsible to one another consider some of the recommendations in and their marriage. However, there is a popular media that discuss cures for the downside. blandness and discontentment that you All too often, I have met persons have described. Here are a few examples. who have demanded too much from “Ten Easy Ways to Get What You Need their relationship, and not enough from from Your Partner” and “Bring Back the themselves. Excitement in Two Weeks.” These persons have expected their The reality is, while there may be relationship and their spouse to amelio- some helpful hints within these articles, rate some internal discontentment that there are no quick fixes and easy solu- their spouse and marriage cannot remedy. tions when it comes to either protecting Those who fall into this trap begin to believe that their challenges are interre- lated with what they are not getting from uu to page 22 NOVEMBER 2013 21 IOCC HCHC Typhoon Victims to Receive Help The Healing Power of Music BALTIMORE – Just four days after the Supported relief activities include shelter by Josh Cole The recording would go on. most powerful tropical storm ever to make repair and cleaning up of debris through When the manhunt locked down the BROOKLINE, Mass. -- The CD record- landfall blasted across the Philippines with cash for work programs in the country, as metro Boston area, it was uncertain if the ing was all planned out. We had two days wind speeds up to 195 miles per hour, the well as the distribution of relief items such equipment could be taken to the Holy to record the Holy Cross Romanos the country is faced with the devastating loss as clothing and hygiene kits. Cross chapel. Melodist Byzantine Choir. It was an am- of thousands of lives and millions of sur- The need for emergency hygiene kits Because we were using state-of-the- bitious schedule for an ambitious project vivors across 41 provinces in a desperate is especially great. Instructions on organiz- art sound equipment and students were - capturing a selection of the music from search for food, water and shelter. ing a kit assembly drive can be found on about to take finals (with many then gradu- the Orthros of Great and Holy Friday, the International Orthodox Christian the IOCC website at www.iocc.org/kits ating) the recording had to take place. service of the Crucifixion and the Twelve Charities (IOCC) emergency response More than 71,000 families have The bomber was captured and the Gospels. personnel are assessing the urgent hu- sought refuge at one of the country’s 1,223 streets opened in time to begin the first Professor Grammenos Karanos had manitarian needs for victims of Super evacuation centers, but thousands of other recording session with the men’s choir been rehearsing the selections with the Typhoon Haiyan, which has left a trail families are still homeless. that Sunday (the women’s Byzantine choir choir for months. The majority of the of destruction affecting an estimated 9.8 Residents of Tacloban City, the hard- recorded on Saturday). musical settings were being recorded for million people in the Philippines. IOCC, est hit area, are without food or water or As the choir gathered, there was a the first time ever. an ACT Alliance member, is in commu- electricity. deep solemnity and sense of purpose The Greek compositions were by nication with the Orthodox Christian Communications networks have been that permeated the chapel. Hour after Petros the Peloponnesian (d. 1778), Churches and ecumenical partners of the badly damaged by the typhoon and debris hour, these men poured their anguish widely acknowledged as the greatest ACT Alliance member agencies on the blocking major roads from the airport to into music written expressly to transform post-Byzantine Greek ecclesiastical com- ground to identify the most effective and the city is making it difficult to reach vul- anguish into joy, suffering into healing, poser. There was also a rarely performed appropriate responses to the catastrophe. nerable families in need of help. death into life. arrangement of a hymn by Konstantinos On Monday, there was to be a city- Vyzantios (d. 1862). wide moment of silence followed by the The English settings were composed ringing of bells at 2:51 p.m., exactly one Greek Hospitals Get $4 million by John Michael Boyer, a Holy Cross MDiv. week after the bombings and the ninth candidate and Metropolis of San Francisco hour in the ancient reckoning of our Faith, ATHENS - Archbishop Ieronymos Archdiocese of Athens, will distribute the protopsaltis, under Dr. Karanos’ supervi- the same hour that Jesus died on the cross of Athens and All Greece recently met provisions to hospitals across the country sion. Despite the 250-year gap between and “all creation saw and trembled.” with Greek Minister of Health Adonis over the next 12 months. Petros’ and Boyer’s work, there is a me- Choir members went outside, somber Georgiadis to announce support for In 2012, IOCC, the official humanitari- ticulous unity of musical content. in their cassocks, and gathered around the Greek hospitals with the shipment of five an aid agency of the Assembly of Canonical The CD was to be recorded in celebra- bell that always calls students to prayer. containers of medical supplies valued at Orthodox Bishops of North and Central tion of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross for We opened all the doors of the chapel. nearly $4 million from the International America, began responding to emerging the 75th anniversary of Holy Cross. The recording equipment was running. Orthodox Christian Charities. The Arch- hunger and welfare needs faced by a grow- The Monday before the recording And the bell tolled. bishop was joined by Apostoli General ing number of Greeks as a result of the session was to take place, the Boston The solemn tolls of the bell outside Director Constantinos Dimtsas and IOCC country’s faltering economy and massive Marathon bombing occurred. More than a the chapel open the CD, titled “All Cre- Program Coordinator in Greece Despina unemployment. With the support of The dozen HCHC students were at the scene, ation Trembled: Orthodox Hymns of the Katsivelaki, to discuss the most effective National Philoptochos Society, AHEPA, the including some witnesses. Passion Service,” available at the Holy way to distribute the aid to benefit public Pancretan Association of America and pri- We realized more than ever that the Cross Bookstore and coming soon to hospitals facing shortages of essential vate donors, IOCC has provided medical Orthodox understanding of the co-suf- iTunes and other digital retailers. medical supplies. supplies valued at more than $4.5 million fering love of Christ and healing through Through the support of The Jaharis over the past two years. the power of the Cross was what our city Josh Cole is HCHC manager of Mar- Family Foundation, Inc. and its “Give for In addition to medical aid, IOCC is needed. keting and Communications. Greece” Challenge Gift to International providing vulnerable families in Greece Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the with essential food assistance. five containers of medical supplies will Through the support of the Jaharis include disposable medical equipment, Family Foundation, Inc., more than 1.7 syringes, gloves, gauze, bandages and million people in Greece are slated to re- OCN Produces Anniversary Video hundreds of other items. IOCC, working ceive more than $8 million in food, medi- in cooperation with the Ministry of Health cal supplies and heating fuel assistance BROOKLINE, Mass. – Fr. Chris Me- Transforming Lives, Now and Forever.” and Apostoli, the charitable arm of the over the next year. tropulos, host of Orthodox Christian The video includes not only interviews, Network, visited the Hellenic College but also selected video clips from speak- Holy Cross for its recent 75th Anniversary ers at the Jubilee banquet. Among them Jubilee Celebration. He sat down with are Archbishop Demetrios and Leadership Syria Crisis Seriously A ects Children’s Learning members of the faculty, staff, alumni, 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos. BALTIMORE – A generation of school chines at a Damascus school-turned-shelter and students to produce an 11–minute The video is available for viewing at children is at risk as the education of Syrian mixes with the excited chatter of displaced video titled “Hellenic College Holy Cross: www.hchc.edu/ocnvideo. youth threatens to become another casualty Syrian children living there. It is the be- of the prolonged conflict. Over the past ginning of the new school year and they year, two million youngsters inside Syria watch as new uniforms materialize before “A Notable New Picture Book About Bullying” - Publishers Weekly were forced to drop out of school according them with the hope they can resume their “Another Sweet Loukoumi Book!” - The Examiner to UNICEF. Many schools inside Syria now education. Working in Syria with the Greek serve as emergency shelters for displaced Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All Includes Narration By: families and the one million child refugees the East (GOPA), displaced Syrians are be- NIA VARDALOS who fled Syria empty-handed lack the ing employed by IOCC to sew new school uniforms and supplies required to attend uniforms for more than 1,000 school-aged At: AMAZON.COM class in host country schools. International children currently living in public shelters BARNES & NOBLE Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), an around the capital city. Many of the 34 tai- ACT Alliance member, is helping to bridge lors and seamstresses making the uniforms Introducing Our: the learning gap for Syria’s school children are displaced mothers and fathers residing BABY LOU PLUSH across the region. The hum of sewing ma- at a school shelter. Clean Water Vital for Cameroon’s Youth BALTIMORE - A drink of fresh, clean contaminated sources and exposes them water is a luxury for many people in Cam- to life-threatening diseases such as chol- eroon. While some areas of the country can era, diarrhea and dysentery. Children are receive as much as 75 inches of rainfall each especially vulnerable, with waterborne and year, 40 percent of the people, a majority water vectored diseases the leading cause of who live in remote rural areas, don’t of childhood deaths in Cameroon. have access to clean water. Women and The lack of clean water has created a children tasked with the job of collecting national health crisis among the children water for the family often walk several miles and youth who make up more than half of to fill large plastic jugs and carry them back. To Order: 212-397-2804 Even worse, the water often comes from uu to page 24 www.LOUKOUMI.com 22 NOVEMBER 2013 When Will We Choose to Live More Simply?

uu from page 3 understand how important it is to leave as light a footprint as possible on this planet Moreover, scientists estimate that those for the sake of future generations? most hurt by global warming in the years After all, we are all in this together. Our to come, are those who can least afford it. planet unites us in a unique way. While we According to the Gospel of St. Matthew, may differ in our conception of the origins the questions that will be asked of us all at or purpose of our world, and while we the final moment of accountability will not may disagree on social or political ideology, be about our religious observance but on surely we can all agree on our responsibil- whether we fed the hungry, gave drink to ity and obligation to protect its natural the thirsty, clothed the naked, comforted resources – which are neither limitless nor the sick, and cared for captives. negotiable – for future generations. Our reckless consumption of the It is not too late to respond – as a earth’s resources – energy, water, and for- people and as a planet. We could steer the ests – threatens us with irreversible climate earth toward our children’s future. Yet we change. Burning more fuel than we need in can no longer afford to wait; we can no an overpopulated city, we may contribute to longer afford to be idle. droughts or floods thousands of miles away. The world has clearly expressed its To restore the planet we need a spiri- opinion; our political leaders must ac- tual worldview, which brings frugality and cordingly act with urgency. Deadlines can simplicity, humility and respect. We must no longer be postponed; indecision and constantly be aware of the impact of our inaction are not options. We have a choice actions on all of creation. to make. We must direct our focus away from The time to choose is now. We remain what we want to what the planet needs. We optimistic about the results at Warsaw; quite must choose to care for creation; otherwise, simply because we are optimistic about we do not really care about anything at all. humanity’s potential. Let us work together; In our efforts, to contain global warm- let us offer the earth an opportunity to heal ing, we are ultimately admitting just how and continue to nurture us. prepared we are to sacrifice some of our See more at: www.patriarchate.org/ selfish and greedy lifestyles. When will documents/patriarchal-message-cop- we learn to say: “Enough!”? When will we 19#sthash.rvaSWUTP.dpuf Committee Reports Summary uu from page 9 TECHNOLOGY Director Theo Nikolakis reported that the IT Department recently consolidated social networking. The camping ministry several web sites it previously maintained continues to experience progress and to achieve a yearly savings of about growth in all metropolises. A promotional $100,000. At the same time, the capacity video series through YouTube, Be the Bee, of the Archdiocese web site has increased captures the enthusiasm of the camping about “45 fold.” experience New programs include REAL The department also has developed (Representing Emerging Adult Leaders) a new version of “Bulletin Builder,” the with held a recent weekend gathering in program that simplifies creation and pro- Philadelphia. Others include Orthodoxy duction of parish bulletins. on Tap, which began in the Metropolis of It is multi-lingual, available in Greek, Boston and seeks to connect with young English and Arabic. adults where they gather; and the Ambas- The new program was made possible sador Program, which selects seminarians by a Leadership 100 grant. to conduct retreats and other programs at A new database has been developed parishes. Youth ministry also has devel- for the Archdiocese, in which several sys- oped a new logo: Y2Am (Youth and Young tems have been consolidated into a single Adult Ministry).Ionian Village Director Fr. database. Evagoras Constantinides reported record The director also noted that the attendance for the Summer 2013 pro- Archdiocese is partnering with the Roman grams, about 400, and he has developed Catholic Church under FaithandSafety.org an alumni magazine. to educate families on technology safety.

Orthodox, Roman Catholic Theologians’ Dialogue Marriage uu from page 3 & Family and to share and discuss the gifts which have resulted from the North American Orthodox Catholic Theological Consulta- uu from page 20 tion, the students shared their reflections on the Consultation’s 2010 agreed state- or reclaiming marital satisfaction. The ment, “Steps Towards a Reunited Church: process is ongoing and requires that we A Sketch of an Orthodox-Catholic Vision intentionally invest the time and expend for the Future.” They also touched on the the effort to make on our spouse and mar- pastoral challenges resulting from the divi- riage a high priority. sions of the two churches. Metropolitan Sotirios, of the Greek A Few Final Thoughts Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto and Ex- So this is what I suggest. Stop ignor- arch of All Canada, hosted the group for ing the lingering blandness and take ac- lunch before the discussion at the Greek tion. In your action plan you should (1) Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto. Cardi- recruit your husband’s help, (2) consider nal Thomas Collins of the Archdiocese of the internal discontentment and address Toronto also encouraged the seminarians it with help if necessary, and (3) turn to and members of the Consultation in their God and permit important work. The next meeting of the Him to help. Embracing this approach North American Orthodox Theological should make a difference. Consultation group is scheduled to take place June 2–4, 2014. – By Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D.,LMFT NOVEMBER 2013 23 Day Schools At Holy Trinity Academy Holistic Education Is Priceless

by Juli Pritsos the director of this thriving and successful PHOENIX - Twelve years ago, when pre-school and Kindergarten. Making a Holy Trinity Academy was coming together, difference in the lives of these children and the founder, Peter Bilitsis, asked my hus- their families is the most rewarding thing I band and I if we would be interested in an have ever done. Orthodox education for our then 1-year- The difference at HTA is obvious – it’s old. Of course, we jumped at the chance our faith. Our Orthodox faith affects our and when Costa was old enough, he started whole life every day, not just on Sundays. preschool at Holy Trinity Academy, the only In past Orthodox generations, so Greek Orthodox day school in the south- much of a person’s life was governed by western United States. At the time, I never his faith. Meals and celebrations were thought sending Costa to HTA would result built around the church calendar and each in me becoming first a teacher and then aspect was connected through one’s faith. There was not a gap in how one lived his life, his culture, and his language. All were interwoven in a fine tapestry that was naturally and holistically Orthodox. What the faithful thought, sang, ate, and how they acted, were influenced by the faith of their country. Today, there are so many choices and (Above) Director Juli Pritsos with students of HTA. (Below) Fr. Apostolos Hill and teacher Stephanie influences that surround us that we must Danos with pre-schoolers. make every effort to maintain our faith and culture. That is not the case with the families who send their children to HTA. They know Photos by that their children are immersed in both Juli Pritsos the Greek language and Greek culture on a daily basis, prayer and hymns of the church

Orthodoxy taught on a daily basis In addition to our faith, our children study the great artists through the 21st century, music, world cultures and history, along with other subjects that embody a tra- ditional holistic education. These subjects Sophie Papanduros puts the  nishing touches are not available to most children in other on a volcano. educational institutions, yet they are con- sidered part of the basic curriculum at HTA. Over the years, our students have excelled above grade-level in the areas of mathematics, science and reading. We create opportunities in the 3-year-old pre- school class to learn about people that have shaped the world around us, not only from this century, but throughout history. The opportunity to introduce, learn, discuss, and write about these things make independently speaks volumes for the abili- education. As the director of HTA, I know up the basis of HTA, which is virtually un- ties of their educators. that through these good works, we will be heard of at other non-Orthodox schools. The HTA staff is focused, well trained, able to continue to see the fruits of our This is only possible in a school that values and ready to encourage a love for learning labor, and will continue to reach other smaller classroom size, and believes in for every child at any level. This genuine Orthodox families who will want to take developing a love of learning that inspires passion for a holistic education is priceless. advantage of this fine and growing educa- children from a young age to embrace their Our family is blessed to have found HTA.” tional institution. creativity and learn new things at their own This is just one family’s experience at Holy Trinity Academy is located on the pace. our school, and there are many more just campus of Holy Trinity Cathedral. All while being surrounded by a nurtur- like them. We have many parents who, For more information on Holy Trinity ing and loving staff who recognize that not like Mary, have helped sow the seeds of Academy, call or e–mail 602-248-3881, or “I de nitely need to get another carrier. All I can all children learn the same way and who enrollment at HTA. They are dedicated to [email protected]. hear is the ocean.” truly believe in what they are teaching. the success of this ministry and are always Holy Trinity Academy is continually looking for new ways to help other families Juli Pritsos is director of Holy Trinity striving to find new and creative ways to take advantage of this wonderful Orthodox Academy. build our student population while, at the same time, striving to give our current students an outstanding education in an Orthodox environment. HTA is led by our proistamenos and principal, Fr. Apostolos Hill, and a board that consists of the director and parents who have a vested interested in HTA’s continued growth and success. Our staff loves what they do and we have a foundation of parents who believe wholeheartedly in HTA’s teaching philoso- phy and what their children are learning. Mary McCormick, mother of two preschool- ers, and an older daughter who attended HTA said, “My husband and I had no idea how much the decision for early childhood education would impact our children’s lives. HTA has greatly contributed to our children’s social, spiritual and academic Emily, Sophie and Aanya enjoy recess. development. The success of our children Teachers Stephanie Danos (l) and Senait Woldegebriel (r). with the pre-school class. 24 NOVEMBER 2013 “Around the USA” is a subcategory of church and recently built a handicapped Metropolis News that will present brief ramp. Not long ago, Metropolitan Savas news and information items from a broad of Pittsburgh and Chancellor Fr. George representation of communities, a print Around the usa Callos paid an official visit. equivalent of a 15–second sound bite, with special focus on smaller parishes selected Saints be praised (and studied) at random. Items may be submitted to the 7. MOBILE–Here along Alabama’s Observer (60 to 100–word limit) and will Gulf Coast “Riviera,” Annunciation’s 5th be considered on a space–available basis. and 6th graders spend much of the year No pictures. No Greek festivals. (Send studying their favorite saint in preparation to: [email protected]) News of greater for the annual All Saint’s Fair. “It’s a very significance, and pictures, will continue nice event,” notes Fr. Elias Stevens, who to be included in Metropolis News. Each said the children “present the life of a saint issue will feature different communities. they have an affinity for” at the fair held in the parish’s Hellenic Center. April 6 is this New church rising school year’s date. 1. ANCHORAGE–Over the past three years, Holy Transfiguration parish has Serving the poor been striving to build a new church, Fr. 8. RALEIGH–For the past seven years, Vasili Hillhouse reports. For more than Holy Trinity parish has served the poor 20 years, parishioners have worshipped and needy in North Carolina through its on the ground floor of a converted house. St. John the Merciful Outreach Ministry. Construction is nearing completion on the Deacon Gavrilo Milkovich reports that the building, which will be adorned with tradi- ministry provides much needed house- tional Byzantine mosaics and iconography. hold items, clothing and food for the men, Opening will be sometime after Pascha women, and children of Wake County. A 2014. Blame the hard Alaskan winters (and new van was purchased in June that has occasional funds shortages) for the delay. logged dozens of trips and at least 2,000 To view photos or to donate to the project, miles. “We are currently engaged with visit http://transfiguration.ak.goarch.org over 25 agencies in helping to support or partner in some way,” he said. Existing in the desert 2. ELY-MCGILL–Two small chapels 12 An activity–filled year miles apart in the eastern Nevada desert 9.WILMINGTON–Holy Trinity were the first and second oldest parishes in Coast is clear Apostles Church at the western end of Church, Delaware’s only Greek Ortho- the state about 100 years ago when several 3.CORPUS CHRISTI–The South Texas Lake Superior in Minnesota has a grow- dox parish, with 550-600 families, is off copper mines operated in the area. (Febru- community of St. Nicholas Church with ing congregation of about 60 families to a very busy year, reports Fr. Nicholas ary 2008 Parish Profile). The mines closed about 120 families had an uneventful hur- and many active ministries, reports Fr. Rafael. The church has 19 ministries to in the 1970s and now the St. Alexios and ricane season, Fr. John Haby reports. Timothy Sas. “I am most happy with the serve everyone’s needs: P.A.R.E.A. (21-55 St. Barbara chapels serve only a few elderly An upcoming celebration the commu- ministries to the community at large,” he yrs.), GOYA and Junior GOYA, HOPE/JOY, Greek Orthodox faithful twice a year when nity looks forward to is Epiphany in January said. “We have a great, charitable outreach Sunday School, Greek School, Philopto- Fr. John Hondros of St. John the Baptist in when the annual cross-diving event takes involving clothing, food, a soup kitchen chos, Young at Heart, AHEPA, Altar Guild, Las Vegas drives four hours north through place. Also, the church recently completed and we provide support to Alcoholics Orthodoxy 101, Bereavement Group, high desert and mountains to celebrate a successful festival. and Narcotics Anonymous groups who Terpsichorean Dance Troupe, Choir, Vaca- feast days in March and December, and use our fellowship hall.” The parish has tion Bible School, Altar Boys, Daughters for funerals. “They’re very limited at this ‘Superior’ ministries many adult converts, including four of of Penelope, Hellenic University Club point,” Fr. John said. 4. DULUTH–Founded in 1918; Holy five chanters with no Greek background, and Holy Trinity Food Pantry/Emmanuel who are learning Byzantine chant. Weekly Dining Room, which deals with the poor attendance averages 90 to 100 faithful. and the hungry.

Sharing organic food Ninety percent recovered 5. TRAVERSE CITY–Fr. Ciprian Streza 10- ISLAND PARK–This Long Island reports that his small mission parish of community of Kimisis tis Theotokou was Archangel Gabriel near the top of Michi- especially ravaged by Super Storm Sandy gan’s lower peninsula has embarked on a a year ago. Fr. John Paizis notes that his “Harvest Festival” project as a local com- heavily damaged church has completed munity outreach. The parish will offer about 90 percent of its repairs. The pow- locally grown organic produce from its An- erful storm washed a boat of unknown gels Community Garden, which it already ownership over the fence onto the Oriental carpet & area rugs Ceramic tile & grout cleaning gives away to food banks and donates to church property. Nassau County officials Upholstery & fine fabrics Headboards & bed frames local restaurants. The church also has be- ordered the boat’s removal or the parish gun planning a building project. Services would face a $500 fine. Fr. Paizis said he Drapery & shades Fabric walls take place in a rented office building. responded, “Do I look like someone who Marble & stone cleaning Leather furniture owns a boat.” Mission IS possible 6. BELPRE–For a tiny mission parish, New director, new windows St. James Church on Ohio’s “southeast 11. BANGOR–Up in the “great white coast” (okay, the west bank of the Ohio north” of Maine at St. George Church, River) has a larger community’s spirit Fr. Adam Metropoulos reports “pretty and drive. Parish Council President Pete good attendance” at Sunday Divine Lit- Couladis reports that services take place urgy services. Some parishioners among EVERY Saturday, with Huntington, W.Va., the 60 families drive up to three hours. priest Fr. Mark Elliott driving the nearly They’ve got a new Sunday School direc- 100-mile-distance. At times substitute tor, Hillary Nason, of Orthodox Observer priests from Morgantown and Charleston, summer intern fame. And, not too long W.Va., and Columbus, Ohio, hold services. ago, the church installed new stained glass The 30-family mission parish worships in windows with crosses as part of a 75th an- its own building, a former Roman Catholic niversary present to itself. Clean Water Vital for Cameroon’s Youth uu from page 21 Light of Africa, the humanitarian arm of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria its nearly 20 million people. A generation and All Africa, IOCC is improving health of children is growing up in poor health, and hygiene conditions with access to clean unable to attend school and destined to face water for more than 9,000 schoolchildren a life of poverty and hardship. International and teachers living in north west Camer- Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is oon. Rainwater harvesting systems installed working to break that cycle of poverty and on two large secondary schools will use replace it with healthy and hopeful futures rooftop gutters, water filters and collection for young people. tanks to capture and store rainwater runoff, Through the generous support of and provide an estimated 380,000 gallons Serving the Tri-State Area the Katherine Valone “St. Photini” Water of potable water each year. Plans for a third 212.777.4040 fabracleen.com fabracleenstoneandtilecare.com Program and in cooperation with the Holy system installation at a local primary school Orthodox Metropolis of Cameroon and are underway. NOVEMBER 2013 25

Giving Thanks to God by the Way We Live by Chris Avramopoulos values, and His character. Not only that, but they also became apostles by teach- How often do you find yourselves be- ing the faith to others, helping others to ing asked by your parents to say, “thank know Jesus.They were true followers, true you?” Whenever you are offered a treat disciples of Jesus. We as Orthodox Chris- from a friend or an adult helps you out, tians in the 21st Century are also disciples you hear a voice from over your shoulder, by living as He taught us. In the Gospel of “Now, what do you say?” Of course your John, Jesus says, “If you abide in my word parents want you to be respectful and use you are my disciples indeed (John 8:31).” good manners, and this is why they teach Jesus was saying that if you are trying to you to say, “Thank you,” but I wonder if we live your life the way I have taught you, truly know what it means to be thankful. then you are my follower. You can truly Thankfulness is a state of being and be called a Christian. a way of life for all Orthodox Christians, If you love the way He has told you to for you and me. A thankful spirit is a key love — by SACRIFICE — then you are part characteristic of a Christian. It sets us apart of Him and the proof of your thankfulness from the world. It makes us different. is clear. If you try to walk in Faith, do His Thankfulness is more than a compari- Works, and are obedient to His will, the son of our own circumstances to someone proof of your thankfulness is clear. else’s. It is more than having enough A tree branch stays alive and bears food to eat, a nice home, good health, or fruit only because it is attached to and financial security, because any of these draws nourishment from the tree. We are can be lost in an instant. Thankfulness is the branches and Jesus is the tree. We being grateful to God for who we are His draw nourishment through Him. sacrifice for us, and the hope and joy of if you have faith in Christ, and your life is do? Do you continue to participate in a Being thankful to God is not just an everlasting life. locked into that faith, then your faith will league that causes a conflict between you idea. Often we say things but there is no But how do we show our thankful- naturally lead you to do good works. The and your faith that holds Sunday morning substance behind it. We’ve talked about ness to God? proof of your faith is in good works. Can as a time dedicated to the sacred worship; real ways of showing our thanks to God Faith in Good Works: the proof be found in your life? Again St. a faith that offers the Body and Blood of -- not just in words but in the way we offer First, the Orthodox Christian life is a James says, “But prove yourselves doers of Jesus Christ in Holy Communion for all our lives to God: life of faith — faith in a Lord who laid His the word and not just hearers who delude the faithful to receive Him and become Faith leads us to do works of charity, life down for our salvation. No one would themselves” (James 1:22). Too often we one with Him? help those in need, offering our time and deny the fact that the Christian life is one join the people who hear but fail to pro- Which will you choose? If you sacrifice talents; full of faith. But St. James tells us that if we duce the works that would make us doers. your participation in this league that plays Love encourages us to sacrifice our have true Christian faith, it will be shown By doing the good works that Jesus taught on Sunday mornings, it is a real way of lives and be obedient to the will of God, in our good works. us to do, we show by our actions that our showing that you put God first. so that our will is the same as the will of He writes, “What use is it, my breth- faith is real. The proof of thanksgiving in It shows that Christ is so important God; and, ren, if someone says he has faith but he has the Christian Life is Faith that produces in your life that you want to show it by Living a Christ-centered life and no works? Can that faith save him? Even so good works. offering thanksgiving and worship to Him walking in His ways, as His disciples and faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by Love Equals Sacrifice: at Sunday Divine Liturgy. apostles did, bring us to the very center itself (James 2:14, 17).” He is telling us that But it doesn’t just stop here. The We have already said that Works are of our Faith. Christian Life is a life of Love. Love not the proof of Faith, and Sacrifice shows in just words but in action, and love in our Love. But there is one more aspect of Chris Avramopoulos has served as di- action is Sacrifice. Love is sacrifice. St. our thankfulness to Christ that we need rector of Youth and Young Adult Ministries #LiveOrthodoxy John tells us “We know love by this that to think about. Discipleship/Apostles for for the Metropolis of Chicago since 2003. He laid down His life for us .” (1 John: Christ: He is a ‘92 graduate of the University of This Thanksgiving 3).We must sacrifice our will for the will What does it mean to be a disciple? Wisconsin, Madison and a ‘98 graduate of Christ, just as He sacrificed His will for We know the original 12 Disciples fol- of Holy Cross School of Theology. He 1) Attend Church: During these holi- the will of the Father. lowed Jesus, and traveled with Him during served as the National YAL Coordinator day/vacation weekends, we tend to “slack Many of you might be involved in His ministry. from 2002 -04 and has worked in youth off” when it comes to our attendance in sports and many of your games might take They lived with Him and ate with and young adult ministry for more than Church services. However, the Divine Lit- place on a Sunday morning. What do you Him, took on His ways, His teachings, His 15 years. urgy and other services are the best way to give glory and thanksgiving to God. Make it a point to attend Divine Liturgy FOR YOUTH as a family. WORKERS AND PARENTS 2) Make a “Thank You” Prayer List: Bible–in–a–Year Video Blog Make a list of people or things for which • Launched in November 2013, Discover- you are thankful. You will quickly see how The Holy Scriptures are You can follow the video ing Orthodox Christianity is a series of many blessings you actually have. Whether very important to our Orthodox blog on your own, follow it as talks, shows, and presentations designed you have three or thirty things on your list, Christian faith. The Holy Scrip- a family, or consider getting a to introduce and explain the basic teaching say a special prayer on Thanksgiving and tures offer us instruction on how group of friends together to of Orthodox Christianity. Sponsored by every day for those blessings. to live a Christian life, a history follow along. It is never too late the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund the 3) Volunteer at a homeless shelter: of our faith, and guidance on to start learning and growing series covers a wide range of topics, includ- With the incredible feasts during the how to handle the many temp- in your faith! Join today!! For ing Orthodoxy and our Youth featuring Fr. Thanksgiving holiday, it is easy to forget tations and challenges of this more information about the Jason Roll (Archdiocese Director of Youth those who will go without one simple, life. Many of us “say” we want to “Bible in a Year” Video Blog, and Young Adult Ministries! Check out this hot meal. Many homeless shelters serve study the Scriptures a little more visit the following links: video and others by visiting www.goarch. Thanksgiving meals to those who come. carefully. However, it is very easy GOA Young Adults org/ourfaith/discovering Take the time to volunteer at a shelter that to get intimidated and leave our Facebook Page • Show us how you #LiveOrthodoxy! Order is serving meals this year. goal by the wayside. www.facebook.com/ one of our #LiveOrthodoxy t-shirts and take 4) Simply remember to say “Thank Why not join others on a dai- GOAyoungadults pictures at your youth/young adult events, You”: We find ourselves forgetting to say ly journey to explore the Bible List of “Bible in a Year” retreats, outings, or simply your everyday “thank you” on a daily basis. So say “thank in a year? Join National Young Daily Readings activities. Snap with us on Instagram at @ you” to your youth group advisors, teach- Adult Ministries Coordinator www.goarch.org/arch- GOA_Youth and @GOA_YoungAdults. ers, parents, and to anyone who does Nick Lionas, for the “Bible-in-a- diocese/departments/youth/ • Don’t forget to sign up for the YOUTH something kind for you. Year” YouTube video blog. Using youngadultministry/osb-in- WORKER PULSE! This is the weekly listserv 5) Plan a Food Drive: Nearly 17.2 the daily readings provided by one-year.pdf of the Department of Youth and Young million households in the United States the Greek Orthodox Archdio- Y2AM YouTube Channel Adult Ministries. Subscribers will receive are considered “food insecure.” So even if cese, you can learn about the www.youtube.com valuable tips, tools, and resources for creat- you’ve already held a food drive, sponsor Orthodox Christian faith one Channel: ing a successful and transformative youth another one! Contact your local food bank day at a time. “Y2AM – REAL Orthodoxy” ministry experience. Sign up today at www. to see how you can help. youth.goarch.org. 26 NOVEMBER 2013 OBSERVER’S CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE BROKERS REAL ESTATE TRAVEL SERVICES MOUNT ATHOS PILGRIMAGE NAPLES FLORIDA REAL ESTATE Net Pro t 250K MOVEminimum TOper year. 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Well qualified ORTHODOX OBSERVER has no a liation with any of the organizations/com- individuals with experience Angelo’s story: in management and sales. panies/advertisers, listed in, described on or printed, and it makes no representa- A gift for all seasons “A story that touches deeply.” Entrepreneurial spirit with ability tions or warranties whatsoever with regard to those organizations or any other * Nicholas Gage, Eleni, Dean of Greek American Literature to build a team. All information Out of Arcadia:  e American Odyssey of Angelo Vlahos, is kept strictly confidential. organization, entity or person.  e ORTHODOX OBSERVER reserves the right to the sequel to award-winning Arcadia, My Arcadia (coveted Honorary Prize, Academy of Athens), is a heart-warming, stirring story that is at once a testament of faith and hope, the [email protected] • 800-655-1488 edit, categorize, revise, or refuse any display or classi ed advertisement. In addition, author’s personal hymn to our traditional values, and a mes- sage of inspiration for young and old no matter where they the ORTHODOX OBSERVER has the right to terminate any ad at any live. ( ough each book can be read separately, PHOTO SERVICES-VARIOUS the story is more fully appreciated if read as a set.) time for any reason. Parties posting ads are responsible for the Each book is $25 plus $5 s/h (both as set only $40), payable to Nicholas D. Kokonis, P.O. Box 1155, Deerfield, IL 60015. Photography & Video Dimitrios accuracy and content of their ads.  e ORTHODOX OBSERV- A Greek edition of the first book (also $25) is available. To Purchase Photos from all events visit (Fulfilling the author’s pledge, ER will not be liable for any damages arising out of errors or it can be sent to students www.panagos.com graduating with honors omissions.  e ORTHODOX OBSERVER will not be held liable from Modern Greek Study You can find us on Facebook programs for only $5.) for any damages of any kind relating to any ad. For more information, visit CALL NOW ( 516) 931-2333 www.MyArcadiaBook.com NOVEMBER 2013 27 Family Connections The Church In the House by Fr. Alexander Veronis and indifferent to charitable requests. Later on as young adults, they resent “Father, my teenager is losing interest the Church for asking for a stewardship in Sunday School and in the Church,” a contribution. Yet they will think nothing parent comments with obvious frustra- of spending $50,000 for their wedding. tion. “What can I do?” Recently, a lovely mother of five chil- Her concern is prompted following a dren died unexpectedly of a heart attack sermon on John 3:16: “For God so loved at the relatively young age of 47. She and the world that He gave His only begotten her husband were active in their parish. Son, that whoever believes in Him should Over 1,000 people came to her funeral. not perish but have everlasting life.” She and her family had touched so many Sunday school, the Divine Liturgy, people through their strong faith and youth ministries, summer camps, Bible example as Orthodox Christians. In the studies, pilgrimages, monasteries, and mis- eulogy her priest said: sion trips - all represent ways the Church “Elisabeth and her husband John and attempts to make John 3:16 a reality in their five beloved children have made their peoples’ Christian experience. From birth home a ‘church in the home.’ One feels to death, we use these avenues to bring the presence of Christ as much in their others to love and follow Jesus Christ, es- home as in the Church.” pecially during the formative years of their What a tribute it will be for each of us, youth. We want everyone to experience when we appear before the Lord one day, God’s love and to know that He “desires to present a record of living the faith and all people to be saved and to come to the or inspired the parish. Children can learn Walks, building homes through Habitat for walking the walk as this devout woman did. knowledge of the truth” (I Timothy 2:3-4). to be positive and optimistic about Church Humanity, serving in a local Soup Kitchen, Remember the ‘church in the home.’ Where can young people experi- or they can turn negative and critical de- becoming Big Brothers or Big Sisters, or Help make it alive and vibrant in Christ. ence this better than in a Christ-centered pending upon what they hear. It is often tutoring those who need guidance. The children raised in such homes will home? We need the home environment written of the saints that they grew up • It is a home where children learn to reflect a Christian life. that includes parents, grandparents, and in a pious home with parents who loved be givers. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to relatives to manifest this love of God. St. the faith and taught their children to also give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35) When Fr. Alexander Veronis, pastor emeri- Paul speaks of the “church in the home.” respect and honor it. parents teach their children at an early tus, has served Annunciation Church in The Church depends on the ‘church in the • It is a home that is hospitable. The age to fill their Sunday school offering Lancaster, Pennsylvania for 50 years. He home’ to fortify its teaching of the gospel. Bible says, “Be hospitable to one another” envelopes, to give a generous portion of and Presbytera Pearl have five children What does a Church in the Home look (I Peter 4:9). A family enriches its members their money to charity, and to offer some and 15 grandchildren. Their son, Fr. Luke, like? Here are some ingredients: by inviting people into their home and of their time in service for others, those served as a long-term missionary in Kenya • It is a home where there are plenty offering them Christian hospitality. Over children will grow up as givers. On the and Albania for 12 years and now teaches of icons. At least one icon of Christ should the years, we’ve received many blessings other hand, it is sad when parents fail to courses related to missions at Hellenic be displayed in a prominent place in our by having in our home neighborhood teach their children to give to charity and College-Holy Cross School of Theology homes. This immediately tells every guest children, schoolmates of our children, the work of the Church. Those children and heads the Missions Institute based that Jesus Christ is Lord of this home and foreign students, college students, monks, are more likely to grow up self-centered there. family. Icons of the Theotokos and patron nuns, missionaries, retreat speakers, saints of our family members should also priests, bishops, Sunday School teachers, be present. choir members, parish council members, By displaying icons, we let others visitors, and friends! They left a positive Resources for Families know that our home is a sacred and holy influence on our family. More importantly, Raising Saints (www.ancientfaith.com) place - a place of faith, love, rest, and re- our children realized that their home Raising Saints with Elissa Bjeletich offers tools to bring the Orthodox Chris- newal - just like the Church. was open to everyone. There is no limit tian faith to life for our children. Providing specific ways to express complex ideas • It is a home where the family prays. to showing Christian love to others. Our to children so that they can understand and make them their own, and offering Some families create a prayer corner Lord said, “Inasmuch as you do it for the concrete and practical suggestions to reinforce those ideas, this podcast hopes to or area where everyone can gather to least of my brethren, you do it for me.” equip adults to share the faith with children, shaping the way in which our youth pray. An easy-to-read Bible in a modern (Matthew 25:40). understand their lives. translation, a children’s Bible, a book of • It is a home where the family relates Orthodox saints, and an Orthodox prayer their faith to the surrounding world. “The The Sounding Orthodox Blog (www.soundingblog.com) book make it possible for children to poor you shall always have with you,” Je- At the Sounding Orthodox Blog, you’ll find practical and thoughtful posts share in the readings during family de- sus says (John 12:8). Our cities and neigh- on a number of topics—including marriage and family—presented from a variety votions. Children will remember for the borhoods have needy adults and children of perspectives, all of them rooted in the tradition of the ancient Christian faith. rest of their lives that they once prayed who beg to be loved and accepted. They together in their home with their parents bless us when we reach out to them in Upcoming Orthodox Lectures, Retreats & Events and siblings. the name of Christ. A parishioner once This is an e-mail that goes out about once a month and provides a compre- • It is a home where the family speaks shared this story: hensive list of all the upcoming nationwide Orthodox lectures, retreats and events. positively of the Church. They discuss the I was passing by a street person, an To subscribe to this list, e-mail Mary Photini at good things that take place in Church, in elderly man clinging to his knapsack. Sud- [email protected] the atmosphere of grace. This includes denly I had the urge to pull out a $20 bill HomeWord Center for Youth and Family (www.homeword.com) talking about the Liturgy and Holy Com- and gave it to him. “Thank you! Thank you! HomeWord seeks to advance the work of God in the world by educating, munion or a particular sermon that taught Thank you!” he repeated over and over. equipping, and encouraging parents and churches to build God-honoring families “I’ll pray for you! Do you believe in prayer? from generation to generation. Prayer really helps! We all need prayer! Do you believe in prayer?” he asked. “Yes, yes, Vibrant Faith Ministries (www.vibrantfaith.org) I certainly do!” I said. Vibrant Faith Ministries supports families who are intentional about their faith As the parishioner told this story in and religious practice as they raise the next generation of committed Christians. a Bible study group, she related it with tears in her eyes because of the blessings Doing Good Together (www.doinggoodtogether.org) she had received from the street person. The idea behind Doing Good Together (DGT) is to inspire, encourage and “I think it was Christ himself blessing me equip families to volunteer together, to spend time with loved ones while also with such enthusiasm at that moment!” helping the larger world. In the process, we raise children who are compassion- she said. And it probably was. “Blessed ate, aware of social issues, and are instilled with the lifelong habit of giving. DGT is the one who considers the poor,” the provides hands-on tools specifically for parents, and also teaches organizations Psalmist writes (41:1) how to more effectively engage families in service. St. John Chrysostom says, “A rich man is not one who has much, but one who Family-to-Family (www.family-to-family.org) gives much. For what he gives remains his Family-to-Family, through its family sponsorship program, is dedicated to forever.” There are so many ways to serve connecting, one-to-one, families with enough to share, to impoverished American the poor, the refugees, the hungry, the families with profoundly less. In addition to the family sponsorship program, we’ve homeless, and the foreigner—especially created a constellation of other giving opportunities, all designed to provide kids, in times of high unemployment. Some families and adults with meaningful, hands-on giving experiences. parishes do it through CROP/CWS Hunger 28 NOVEMBER 2013 The Metropolis of Denver Revisited by Fr. Luke Uhl Affirming the vitality of the Church today, he gives thanks to God that a sec- ond parish was recently established in By the grace of God, our Church Cheyenne, the capital city of Wyoming. remains a tower of strength, an anchor He notes that the parish was founded of faith, and a rock of hope for all people specifically to reach out to all who are who seek refuge, comfort, and peace. It seeking the original Christian faith, and is the catholic Church, which means that that the members accordingly chose to it exists at all times, in every place of the name their church “Holy Apostles.” world, and for every person. In the middle of the chapel at the This is the Church faithfully planted Metropolis Center, Metropolitan Isaiah and cultivated by saints, by the clergy, and stands before the newly-completed ico- by the pious faithful in the western plains, nography written by Leonidas Diaman- mountain, and great southwestern states of topoulos. the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Denver. Contemplating the large icon of the The Metropolis of Denver is the larg- Ascension of the Lord on the south wall, est metropolis in geographic area, encom- Metropolitan Isaiah softly repeats the passing 1.3 million square miles, within words of Psalm 47 spoken by the celebrant the Archdiocese; the San Francisco Me- when he takes up the Holy Gifts for the tropolis is second largest with 1.2 million Great Entrance of the Divine Liturgy, “... square miles. It has parishes in 14 states. God ascended with a shout...” The Metropolis of Denver is the small- Then, turning toward the icon of the est in total parishioners, having about Second Coming of Christ on the north 29,000 faithful in 50 parishes. wall, he completes the Psalm verse, “... The Orthodox faith “spreads” where The Lord with the sound of the trumpet” it is planted, typically around a hierar- (Psalms 47:6). chical see. This seems apparent in the Metropolis of Denver Headquarters building. The Metropolitan explains that in the great Orthodox population centers: New present age we stand between these two York, Chicago, New Jersey-Philadelphia- Reflecting on the first the four murals Archdiocese of America in 1931, he visited great soteriological events. Baltimore, Boston, and San Francisco. On on the east side, he thoughtfully consid- and established many of the parishes that The Ascension is the culmination of the other hand, it does not usually appear ers the difficulties of immigrants who still stand today as enduring beacons of the incarnation of our Lord: His concep- that the faith grows as robustly where it is fled from wars and hunger, who arrived the Light of Christ, devotedly maintaining tion, birth, life, suffering, death, resurrec- “planted” in rural parishes. in this remote region, and who labored the Orthodox faith for new generations. tion and ascension. This phenomenon seems to hold true under harsh conditions in mines and on Below these two eminent hierarchs The Second Coming is the fulfillment in the Metropolis of Denver as well, where railroads. Metropolitan Isaiah regards the crowd of the economy of our salvation, and our a large and growing concentration of Far away from lands where the depicted in the panel: people of all col- entry into the eternal joy of God’s coming Orthodox parishes of all jurisdictions are Orthodox faith is maintained by family ors, races, cultures, and ethnicities. He Kingdom. spread along the interstate highway cor- traditions, they struggled with tears, and explains that these are the people who The Orthodox Church stands unwav- ridor (I-25), from northern New Mexico often died in grief, hoping one day to see received healing and assistance from eringly, bearing constant witness to the to southern Wyoming. a priest and to receive the Holy Mysteries members of the national Philoptochos truth of this reality. Perhaps no other Metropolis has as once again. Society which Archbishop Athenagoras The parishes of the Metropolis stand many remote parishes as there are in the Reflecting on the other four panels established. as beacons of hope, enlightening all who Metropolis of Denver. on the south side, however, the Metro- The logo of the Philoptochos Society come to them seeking that truth. There are only two parishes in all of politan’s face lights up as he describes is depicted near Patriarch Athenagoras. Montana, the fourth-largest state in the Fr. Uhl is the Denver Metropolis U.S., one in Missoula and the other in chancellor. Great Falls. The parishes are over 210 miles apart. One has only recently received a full-time priest, and the other is served occasionally. Metropolis of Denver There are likewise only two Greek Orthodox parishes in Idaho, the 14th Metropolitan largest state, one in Boise and the other Isaiah of Denver in Pocatello. These parishes are over 230 Greek Orthodox miles apart. One has a full-time priest, Metropolis of Denver and the other is served twice a month by 44550 East Alameda Ave. a supply priest. how missionary In South Dakota, the 17th largest state, priests brought Denver, CO 80246-1208 there is only one parish with a full-time the Sacraments, www.denver.goarch.org priest. There is no parish in North Dakota, assisted in estab- the 19th largest state in the nation. lishing church- Chancellor: Metropolitan Isaiah is often quoted es, and helped Fr. Luke Uhl as saying, “Slow grow is sure growth.” change the lives Administrative Assistant: He notes that the arid geography of the of the faithful Fr. Ambrose Omayas western states in the Metropolis provides through God’s Office Coordinator: a parable bearing witness to the truth of grace. Small businesses Evangeline (Lynn) Dallas this statement. Desert plants develop very and restaurants were estab- Secretary/Registry: slowly, waiting for scarce rainfall to briefly lished, Orthodox family life Presbytera Ruth Uhl blossom and continue their gradual yet flourished, and the growth Clergy Syndesmos: tenacious growth. of parishes in this vast geo- Fr. Christopher Constantinides Our faithful are like these plants, graphic area began. isolated not only geographically but also Beneath the last mural, the Metro- Director of Youth Ministries: within the social desert of contemporary politan pauses thoughtfully. He contem- Fr. Paul Zaharas culture. They come to the Divine Services, plates Archbishop Tikhon who, as the Metropolis Council Vice Chair: hoping to receive God’s grace like the Metropolitan of Orthodox Christians in Dr. Lou Roussalis desert plants awaiting rain from heaven. America from all traditions, personally Metropolis Advocates 1000: When they receive this grace, the faithful, established our Saint John the Baptist par- Elaine Cladis together with families and their parishes, ish in Pueblo, Colorado. The missionary Regional Archon Commander: blossom brightly and continue in their struggles of this archpastor were crowned Dr. Gregory Papadeas resolute effort to faithfully maintain the with martyrdom when, after returning to To access the map key for the communities in the graphic visit Metropolis Philoptochos: Orthodox tradition. Russia in 1907, he was elected Patriarch Marian Catechis Metropolitan Isaiah often explains of Moscow in 1917 and was killed by the the Archdiocese website www.go- the growth of the Orthodox faith in his Soviets in 1925. arch.org. Then go to News, click on Religious Education: metropolis when referring to the eight, In the same mural, the Metropolitan Observer and go to the September Irene Cassis striking, historical murals installed in the ponders on the labors of Archbishop Athe- 2012 archived edition, page 36 Choir Federation: stoa of the Denver Metropolis Center in nagoras. Sent by the Ecumenical Patriarch- Dr. Jim N. Maniatis 2012. ate to unite our parishes and establish the Genesis of a Resurrection

November 15, 2013

I greet the entire pleroma of the Holy Archdiocese of America with love and faith and with joyous good news. The Saint Nicholas Church, destroyed in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001, is being resurrected at Ground Zero. Our journey of twelve long years has arrived at a singular moment, the moment when the Archdiocese and the Parish have approved an outstanding design from the world-renowned architect, Santiago Calatrava.

In addition, the parish of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero is becoming a National Shrine of the Holy Archdiocese of America, so that its mission and presence will have even an international significance.

In these few pages, you will behold a first glimpse of the historic vision for the new Saint Nicholas. From the ashes of Ground Zero, the new church structure will rise like a glorious phoenix, with hope in its wings. As the Prophet Isaiah predicted so many centuries ago, “I will give them glory for ashes” (Isaiah 61:3).

Just over twelve years ago, our nation and world were shattered by the senseless and hateful terrorist attacks of September 11th. But as a Church, and as a Nation, we would not bow to hatred. In the rubble of the catastrophe, many Rendering by Santiago Calatrava of us felt helpless and numb. But through the years and tireless labors, we have reached this watershed moment of rebuilding the only House of Worship that was destroyed on 9/11.

a rigorous search for a its relationship to its en- The resurrection of Saint Nicholas at Ground Zero is truly a resurrection of design architect. A special vironment. It is clear that the spirit of our Nation. The foundations laid are as much of faith and hope as committee was formed, the Church will be a lamp they are of steel and stone. The dome and cross above are as much a testimony to including academic ex- on a lampstand, and a city God’s love and protection for all people as they are a shelter to the worshipping perts in Church Archi- set on a hill (cf. Matthew faithful. And the walls – inside and out – bear witness that our Greek Orthodox tecture, to interview a 5:14,15) Faith is an eternal testimony to the everlasting reign of God! select group of firms with The tradition international reputations of hospitality that Saint I am inviting every member of our Holy Archdiocese to join in the vision for excellence. Nicholas exemplified for this resurrected Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero, throughout the twen- a National Shrine of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Indeed, the new Saint Archbishop Deme- tieth century will con- Nicholas Church at Ground Zero will be much more than a rebuilt parish of trios set the tone for this tinue at the new location. our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. It will be an inspirational shrine and place process, “The design for There will be a Medita- of pilgrimage for our Nation. And in accordance with the word of the Lord, it church must respect the tion/Bereavement space will be a House of Prayer for all people (Mark 11:17).

traditions and liturgy Photo Courtesy: Eric O’Connell and a Community room, of the Greek Orthodox housed in the upper lev- I ask for your prayerful support. And I call you to join in our partnership Church, but at the same els above the Narthex, to of excellence for the resurrection of the Saint Nicholas Church, in honor of the human and unto the never-ending glory of God. time must reflect the fact that we are living welcome visitors and faithful. in the 21st century.” With paternal agape in Christ, The parish will continue to func- In the end there was an overwhelming tion as a parish of the Archdiocese, but it consensus advising His Eminence Arch- will also be a National Shrine on hallowed bishop Demetrios in favor of the design ground. The scope of its mission will span † DEMETRIOS and expertise of Santiago Calatrava. Ca- the globe, as literally millions of visitors to Archbishop of America latrava developed his plan from a wealth the Ground Zero memorials and museum of Byzantine precedents, including the pass by it every year. Its doors will be open famous Church in Chora and Hagia Sophia to all to light a candle, say a prayer, or itself. At the top of this page, you can see just sit quietly. It will shine as a spiritual how Calatrava’s artistic inspiration for beacon of hope and rebirth to cherish the design emerged from the mosaics of the memory of those who were lost that Hagia Sophia. The renderings presented fateful day, and to build a better future for here not only show its appearance, but generations yet to be born. “Glory for ashes” Isaiah 61:3