DECEMBER 2016 • Vol. 81 • No. 1321 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00 What’s Inside Orthodox Observer photo Between Heaven and Earth Topping–out ceremony took place at St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine P. 4–5 Codex returned Archbishop Demetrios presents the 9th century manuscript of the New Testament to the Metropolis of Drama, Greece P. 2 Warm coats National Philoptochos President proposes “One Warm Coat” campaign P. 7 Greek education seminar “My Greek” textbook series, discussed at Long Island GReek teachers seminar P. 20 Missions successes Orthodox Christian Mission Center reports on a successful year P. 21 Church history The Church History articles by Dr. William Samo- nides resume after a 6-month hiatus P. 22 Family connections Bishop Sevastianos of Zela leads Men’s Retreat at St. Basil Academy P. 23 Movie review (1658) iconographer Ilias Moskos Fr. Angelo Artemas reviews “Arrival” P. 24 CHRISTMAS ENCYC LICAL Youth–young adults Steven Christoforou on loving our enemies The Nativity of Christ Scriptures and the beautiful hymns of our P. 27 To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the As the Father has sent me, services that sacred story of how Christ Presidents and Members of the Parish Coun- so I send you. was born of the Virgin Mary and as an (John 20:21) Metropolis of Boston cils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, infant was wrapped in swaddling clothes An interview with Metropolitan Methodios on the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical and laid in a manager. We contemplate current ministries of the Metropolis Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Beloved Brothers the miraculous and joyous appearance of P. 28 Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the and Sisters in Christ, the angels proclaiming to the shepherds Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the On this glorious Feast of the Nativ- entire Greek Orthodox Family in America ity of our Lord, we hear from the Holy uu to page 3 2 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS DECEMBER 2016 To contact Archbishop Demetrios Completes 9th Century National Ministries New Testament Codex Return to Greece Archives by Stavros H. Papagermanos 212.570.3517 DRAMA, Greece – Archbishop Deme- [email protected] trios on Dec. 3 returned a rare 9th century Greek manuscript of the complete New Communications Testament, known as Codex 1424, he 212.774.0244 received from the Lutheran School of [email protected] Theology at Chicago to its rightful own- ers, the Holy Metropolis of Drama and its Greek Education Hierarch, Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama; 212.774.0233 and the Monastery of Panagia Eikosifoin- [email protected] issa, from which the manuscript had been stolen by the Bulgarians in 1917. Internet Ministries The manuscript found its way to 646.519.6690 a European book dealer and was pur- [email protected] chased in 1920 by Levi Franklin Gruber, who later became president of Chicago’s Inter–Orthodox, Ecumenical Lutheran Theological Seminary, one of and Interfaith Relations six seminaries that eventually evolved into the Lutheran School of Theology at 212.570.3593 Chicago (LSTC). Gruber had bequeathed [email protected] the codex to his widow, and the School subsequently received his entire rare GOA/D. Panagos photo Ionian Village book collection from her. Earlier this year, 212.570.3538 Metropolitan Pavlos of Drama receives the codex from Archbishop Demetrios and the Rev. Dr. James the Ecumenical Patriarchate directly and Nieman, president of LSTC on Dec. 3. [email protected] through its representation in the United States, requested the return of the manu- accompanied the icons of the historic Bartholomew for the occasion. Center for Family Care script, to which LSTC voluntarily and Panagia Eikosifoinissa and of St. Barbara. The Archbishop in his remarks out- 845.424.8175 readily agreed. Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis lined three important factors that led to [email protected] In an official ceremony on Nov. 15 and Stavroupolis, joining the people of the return of the manuscript. First, he at the school, LSTC President Dr. James Drama in celebration, walked the route said, this would not have happened if it Parish Development Nieman, presented the manuscript to to the cathedral along with those coming were not for the initiative, the prestige 847.825.1432 Archbishop Demetrios who took it back from the United States for the events sur- and authority of the Ecumenical Patriarch. [email protected] to Greece. rounding the manuscript’s return. They Secondly, he spoke of the impor- On the eve of the feast of St. Barbara, included Rev. Dr. James Nieman, the tance of the resolve and determination Philanthropy the great martyr, –who is the patron saint Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago of Metropolitan Pavlos in seeking and 212.774.0283 of this city– a great procession began president, his wife JoAnn; Fr. Alexander recovering stolen items from around the from the location known as the springs [email protected] Karloutsos and Presbytera Xanthi; and world. of St. Barbara and led to the great and Archon George Tsougarakis. As a lawyer, Lastly the Archbishop thanked whole- ornate Cathedral of Drama, dedicated he assists efforts of the Ecumenical Patri- heartedly LSTC President Dr. Nieman and Public Affairs to the Entrance of Theotokos into the archate to locate and obtain lost or stolen his community who voluntarily returned 212.774.0400 Temple. The city’s philharmonic bands manuscripts. the historic manuscript in a Christian [email protected] led the procession, and a multitude of Archbishop Demetrios and Metropol- manner, in peace and in love. groups followed: school children, town, itan Pavlos waited at the Cathedral for the The Archbishop said the return of Registry professional and cultural organizations procession’s arrival and the repatriation this ancient handwritten copy of the New 212.570.3558 with their flags and banners. ceremony began. The Archbishop read Testament is the first of the signs from [email protected] Altar boys, priests and monastics a message sent by Ecumenical Patriarch God; “it is a sign and a miracle, the first in a series of signs to come, as we await Religious Education more like it from universities, museums 646.519.6300 How to Contact Archdiocesan Institutions, and other institutions to follow the great [email protected] Metropolises and Related Agencies and Organizations and beautiful example of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.” Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism Direct Archdiocesan District Tel. 212.288.3215; www.thecathedralnyc.org Dr. Nieman delivered his address 212.570.3500; www.goarch.org Hellenic College Holy Cross School of Theology 646.519.6160 in English, as Archdeacon Panteleimon Metropolis of Chicago 617.731.3500; www.hchc.edu [email protected] Papadopoulos translated into Greek for 312.337.4130; www.chicago.goarch.org Saint Basil Academy all those in attendance. Metropolis of Boston 845.424.3500; www.stbasil.goarch.org Dr. Nieman, based his remarks upon Youth and Young Adult Ministries 617.277.4742; www.boston.goarch.org St. Michael’s Home the greeting from St Paul’s letter to the 646.519.6780 Metropolis of Denver 914.476.3374; www.stmichaelshome.org Philippians and to all Christians: χάρις 303.333.7794; www.denver.goarch.org [email protected] St. Photios National Shrine υµίν και ειρήνη – grace upon you and Metropolis of Atlanta 904.829.8205; www.stphotios.com 404.634.9345; www.atlmetropolis.org peace. “The desire to live in a reality of Metropolis of Detroit Other key organizations and services grace and peace, he said, drove us to re- NEXT DEADLINE 248.823.2400; www.detroit.goarch.org National Philoptochos turn this ancient book…we did not have Metropolis of Pittsburgh to return this book we wanted to, so we Deadline for submitting information, 212.977.7770; www.philoptochos.org 412.621.5529; www.pittsburgh.goarch.org Internet Ministries: www.internet.goarch.org could right a wrong we never caused,” he articles and photos for consideration in Metropolis of San Francisco • Orthodox Jobs: www.orthodoxjobs.com said and added: “Alongside our delight in the January 2017 issue: Friday, Jan. 13 415.753.3075; www.sanfran.goarch.org • Orthodox Marketplace: www.orthodoxma- returning it to you is a lingering sorrow. Photos should be sent as a large format Metropolis of New Jersey ketplace.com We have lost something dear, a treasure .jpg attachment (300 dpi min.). 908.301.0500; www.nj.goarch.org • Online Store for Parishes: www.goarch.org/ beyond reckoning that nothing can repay. E-mail to: [email protected] freebookstore That’s what makes this a true gift. We have Regular mail: Editor, Orthodox Observer, Archdiocesan Institutions • Orthodox Children’s Bible Reader Online: returned it to you with sadness, yes, but 8 E. 79th St., New York, NY 10075. Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity cbr.goarch.org also in freedom, knowing the joy it brings our friends in Christ. Consider this little book, he added, as a sign of grace – a EDITOR IN CHIEF: Jim Golding (Chryssoulis) Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at addi- token of the yet more profound gift of tional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en- GREEK SECTION EDITOR, mercy and healing only God can bring.” tirely in–house. Past issues can be found on the Internet at: Immediately following, the manu- PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING: www.observer.goarch.org • e–mail: [email protected] Eleftherios Pissalidis script Codex 1424, placed in a clear USPS 412340 ISSN 0731–2547 Articles and advertising do not necessarily refl ect the views and GRAPHIC ARTIST: opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are plexiglass display, was brought out to the In 2016, published monthly Abel Montoya expressed in offi cial statements so labeled.