APRIL 2014 • Vol. 79 • No. 1294 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00 in this issue Orthodox Leaders Oratorical Festival to Convene The 31st St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival in Cleveland in June. Great Synod • P.2 C-L Congress Theme The Ecumenical Patriarchate issued Archbishop Demetrios introduces the the following communique upon the theme for the 42nd CLC. conclusion of the Synaxis of the Primates • P. 3 of the Orthodox Autocephalous Churches Holy Synod Communique on the Sunday of Orthodoxy, March 9, Decisions of the Holy Eparchial synod and released the official message of the meeting. hierarchs, which appears on page 4. Synaxis at Fanar • P. 3 Synaxis of Hierarchs addresses many key issues confronting the Church, COMMUNIQUE including the Middle East situation. (March 9, 2014) By the grace of God, the proceedings • P. 4 of the Synaxis of the Primates of the Ortho- St. Nicholas Shrine Church THE MYRRH-BEARING WOMEN dox Autocephalous Churches concluded One of the inspirations influencing the “He is not here, but is risen!” today, on the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The church’s architect. • P. 5 Synaxis took place at the Phanar from National Philoptochos THE RESURRECTION 6-9 March, 2014, at the invitation and “Christ is Risen!” under the presidency of His All-Holiness The National Philoptochos Center for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and Philanthropy holds its thyranoixia. was attended by all the most venerable • P.7 Primates in person, with the exception of Metropolitan Philip (1931-2014) His Beatitude Patriarch John of Antioch, Metropolitan Philip Saliba, head of the who, due to illness, was represented by Antiochian Orthdoox Christian Arch- hierarchs of his Church. diocese of North America, passed away The proceedings of the Synaxis were March 19. carried out in a very fraternal spirit; the • P.10 Hierarchs discussed maters concerning Florida church consecration the life of the Orthodox Church in the Metropolitan Alexios consecrates contemporary world, and particularly in church in Florida. regions where Orthodoxy and Christian- • P.12 ity in general face serious problems and Faith Matters difficulties; the Hierarchs also expressed A connection with poet Robert Frost. their support and profound interest of the • P. 20 Orthodox Church in its entirety concern- ing their fellow human beings suffering Sights & Sounds in those regions. Above all, the Synaxis “Sights and Sounds” emanating from considered the prevailing situation in the New Jersey. • P.28 Middle East and recent developments in Ukraine, as well as the ongoing uncer- California school tainty about the fate of the bishops, Met- California school helps many successful THE ROAD TO EMMAUS THE APOSTLE THOMAS …but their eyes were restrained... “My Lord and my God!” ropolitan John of Aleppo, and Yuhanna people get their start. Ibrahim of the Syriac Church, who were • P. 29 kidnapped by unknown persons a very Movie Review long time ago. ‘Son of God’ – hits and misses Encyclical In the framework of their Synaxis, the • P. 34 Primates also deliberated on the matter of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church and decided that, upon expedit- Holy Pascha – The Feast of Feasts ing the process of preparation, it will be convened and presided by the Ecumenical To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the presence of the Risen Christ. He is in our Patriarch in Constantinople in 2016. Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks midst now and forever, in all His holiness With regard to this matter, the Pri- and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of and glory, having offered Himself as a pure mates also determined issues related to the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox sacrifice for our sins. He is before us and representation and participation of the Communities, the Distinguished Archons within us as the Victor over corruption Orthodox Autocephalous Churches in this of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, and death, offering true and abundant life Synod, as well as the manner of decision- Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philop- through His grace. Our Lord embraces us making at the Synod. tochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic on this day of exaltation and praise as our On Sunday morning, March 9, the Organizations, and the entire Greek Ortho- Redeemer, guiding us in the way of salva- feast of Orthodoxy, the Primates concel- dox Family in America tion and sanctifying us for eternal life. ebrated in the Patriarchal Church of St. ORTHODOX OBSERVER photo Through faith we affirm that Christ is George at the Phanar, where their Message It’s parade season Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Risen and is among us, and we bear witness to the Orthodox faithful throughout the of His Resurrection and presence through world, their Christian brothers and sisters March and April bring thousands of partici- Χριστός Ἀνέστη! our participation in the Holy Eucharist. pants to Greek Independence Day parades everywhere, and all people of goodwill, Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! In this Great Mystery, the pure Body and was read officially from the pulpit. in Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore, New York, precious Blood of the Risen Lord is of- Tarpon Springs, Boston and elsewhere. Two are highlighted in this issue. More will appear On this beautiful and glorious Feast fered for us and to us. Through faith and At the Phanar, March 9, 2014 of Feasts, our hearts and minds are filled in the May issue. • P.24,40 From the Chief Secretariat of the with brilliant light and abundant joy in the uu to page 2 Holy and Sacred Synod 2 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS APRIL 2014 To contact Easter Encyclical National Ministries uu from page 1 Archives 212.570.3517 our reception of the sacrament, we are [email protected] joined with the One who lives! This is the essential relationship of the Feast Communications of Pascha and the Holy Eucharist, a 212.774.0244 relationship that is the foundation of [email protected] our celebration of the Divine Liturgy throughout the year. Cleveland Organizing Committee members with Fr. Dean Dimon. We sing in the hymns of this holy Greek Education day, “Christ…of His own good will did 212.774.0233 sacrifice Himself for all, a Pascha of [email protected] st purification.” This is a Pascha of purifi- Cleveland Church to Host 31 cation because the One who was with- Internet Ministries out sin gave Himself for us. We give 646.519.6690 Oratorical Festival Weekend thanks, we celebrate a Holy Eucharist [email protected] for His pure sacrifice, and through His CLEVELAND – Annunciation Church A hierarchical Divine Liturgy will be pure Body and precious Blood we are Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical will host the 31st annual Oratorical Festival celebrated on Sunday morning, followed purified. Our souls and our bodies are and Interfaith Relations weekend, June 13–15, under the co-chair- by a farewell reception. cleansed by receiving the Risen Lord 212.570.3593 manship of the Fr. Dean Dimon, Ellie Skou- Hundreds of teenagers throughout the in the holiest of mysteries. [email protected] tas and Evie Boulas, and host committee Archdiocese are working on their speeches, This day is also proclaimed as members, with Archbishop Demetrios and with the hope of advancing from their par- a Pascha of incorruption. “God...is Ionian Village Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh attending. ish, to the district and metropolis Oratorical become man, and suffers as a mortal; and through suffering clothes mortal- 212.570.3538 Arriving finalists and their families will Festivals to the National Oratorical Festival. ity with the grace of incorruption.” The [email protected] stay at the Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Nine juniors and nine seniors can ad- Key Center. Friday evening events include vance to the finals. This does not minimize fetters of death and corruption could not hold the power of grace and true Marriage & Family Vespers at the church and a get-acquainted the caliber of the other speeches. dinner and social. To recognize the accomplishment of life. Through our Lord’s Crucifixion 845.424.8175 The oratorical festival will take place each participant, Hellenic College is of- and Resurrection we are transfigured [email protected] Saturday morning, June 14, followed by the fering The Chrysostom Oratorical Festival by Him and through Him from death awards luncheon where the judges’ results Scholarship to every first place senior divi- to life. Through our communion Parish Development will be announced. sion speaker at a parish oratorical festival. with Him and of Him, our body that 847.825.1432 First, second and third place winners To attract even more teenagers to par- was sown in corruption, dishonor, [email protected] will receive college scholarships. All partici- ticipate, the Oratorical Festival has included and weakness, is raised in incorrup- pants will receive certificates, plaques and essay and poetry categories. Information is tion, glory and power (I Corinthians Philanthropy other awards. available on the website of the Department 15:42-43). 212.774.0283 After the luncheon, finalists and their of Religious Education. With jubilation we also celebrate [email protected] families will take a bus tour of the cultural With the ever increasing costs of a this day as a Pascha of redemption highlights of Cleveland, which includes college education, the Department of Reli- and salvation. It is “an all-venerable Pascha, a Pascha that is Christ the Public Affairs photo stops (weather permitting) outside gious Education would like to increase the the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a walk amount of the scholarships awarded each Redeemer, a Pascha of the faithful, a 212.774.0400 Pascha that has opened unto us the [email protected] through the Cleveland Cultural Gardens, a year. An appeal to support the Oratorical stop at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where Festival Scholarship Fund will be made in gates of Paradise….” It is the day of the a rare Byzantine icon is on display.