JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2009 • Vol. 74 • No. 1246 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected] $1.00 ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL The Feast of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Or- thodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Feast of the Three Holy Fathers, Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teach- ers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theolo- gian, and John Chrysostom is an annual commemoration of our Holy Orthodox Church on which we honor the unwaver- ing faith and spiritual brilliance of three White House photo by Pete Souza Saints who offered the entirety of their At National Cathedral Archbishop Demetrios with President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Jill Biden and Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009, at page 2 the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Archbishop Participates in National Prayer Service WASHINGTON – Archbishop Dem- George Washington, and this year had At the service, the Archbishop read a etrios participated in the National Prayer a strong interfaith character embodying New Testament passage from the Gospel Service held at the Washington National the themes of tolerance, unity and under- of Matthew. (Matthew 22:36-40) Cathedral on Jan. 21, attended by President standing. At the inauguration of President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama Prior to the ceremony the Archbishop Obama on Jan. 20, the Archbishop was a and Vice President Joseph Biden and his met the President and conveyed to him guest of honor and was seated on the Presi- wife, Jill. the congratulations and best wishes of dential platform during the ceremony. The National Prayer Service is a tradi- Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and tion dating back to the Inauguration of the Orthodox faithful of America. (More coverage on page 4) Atlanta HDF • Pages 22-23 Ecumenical Patriarch, Archbishop Congratulate New Moscow Patriarch NEW YORK – Following the election on together in harmony for the glory of God Russia. Not only do I convey these warm- Jan. 27 of the Moscow Patriarchate Locum and for the shared witness of Orthodoxy in est wishes on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Tenens, Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and our contemporary troubled world. In the Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Kaliningrad as the 16 th Patriarch of Moscow coming months, we await receiving you in of America, but I do so with a deeply held and All Russia, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartho- the courts of the Mother Church, so that we personal conviction that the election of lomew sent a congratulatory telegram, that may renew our common journey into the Your Holiness marks an important step reads, in part: future through a sacred concelebration of forward in the cause of Orthodox unity On the occasion of your well-deserved the Divine Liturgy. Most Blessed and Most worldwide, and especially in the Diaspora. election today as the new Head of the most Honored Brother, we greet you with a holy … I look forward to continuing our cooper- holy sister and chosen daughter Russian kiss and echo the voice of our brother Hier- ative efforts with the Representation of the Church, we convey to you our heartfelt archs in Christ who surround us: Axios! Moscow Patriarchate in the USA. With God’s brotherly salutation, both of the Ecumeni- Archbishop Demetrios also extended help and by His grace, we shall enjoy new cal Patriarchate of Constantinople and of congratulations. In his letter, he wrote: I opportunities to expand the message of the our Modesty. … We are certain that in the have the great honor and profound joy in Gospel and affirm our unity in Christ. course of Your Patriarchy, which we pray the Lord to congratulate you upon your Patriarch Kirill’s enthronement took Epiphany season in America • Pages 18 – 19 will be long and glorious, we shall work election to be Patriarch of Moscow and All place Feb.1. 2 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS JANUARY– FEBRUARY 2009 St. Basil Academy The Feast of the Three Hierarchs and Greek Letters Day page 1 the grace of God, and through teaching and pastoral guidance, the soul could lives and abilities in the service of God be cured of the sickness of sin, healed and humankind. As selfless archbishops of the effects of unholy passions and and pastors they led the faithful in wor- desires, and restored to the image and ship and ministry. As loving teachers they likeness of God. Further, these holy offered guidance in the path of holiness. fathers taught that this spiritual healing As divinely inspired theologians they and transformation was made possible in used their intellectual skills to confront the Church through Jesus Christ. Just as error and defend truth. As holy men they Christ has joined the divine and human D. PANAGOS lived in a manner that exemplified to all through His Incarnation; so also does Christmas at St. Basil Academy – Archbishop Demetrios joined children of St. Basil Academy the grace and blessings of communion the Church, the Body of Christ, now join for their annual Christmas program on Dec. 13. Following the presentation of the first-ever with God. humankind to the healing power and staging of “A Christmas Carol,” the Archbishop and Fr. Constantine Sitaras, Academy director The life and work of the Three Hier- presence of God. (left) gathered with the young people in the administration building for the distribution of archs accentuated the essential relation- Third, these great teachers and Christmas gifts. ship of each and every person to God theologians directed the faithful to the through faith in Christ. They affirmed Church as the means of preparation for that this relationship was nurtured unto completion and perfection in the King- salvation and eternal life within the com- dom of God. Through life and growth in munity of believers, the Church. The the earthly Church the faithful receive a Church was first and foremost a spiritual foretaste of the Kingdom of God to come. home where the needs and yearnings There, the will of God is completely and of the soul could be met. It was also a perfectly fulfilled. Here, the earthly place of renewal, where the people of Church directs our hearts and minds to God received a new covenant through the “image of Jerusalem above” in prepa- the offering and victory of Christ. In ad- ration for that day when all things will be dition, the Three Hierarchs each taught made new. that life experienced in the Church was a Finally, we recognize the theological means of completion, leading the faithful dimensions and reasons for associat- toward the perfection of their faith, and ing this Feast as a Celebration of Greek the fulfillment of all things in the heav- Letters. This long association of Greek enly kingdom of God. Letters with the Three Hierarchs accen- First, the Three Hierarchs acknowl- tuates the emphasis these holy fathers edge the spiritual nature of the Church, gave to learning, intellectual ability and often calling her the “Church of God” or discipline, and to their use of the Greek the “Church of Christ” and seeing the language and thought for the message Church as a spiritual society consisting and mission of the Church and the Gos- of spiritual beings. (Gregory Nanzianzen, pel of Christ. Combining their love of ORTHODOX OBSERVER Hard-working cast – The cast members of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” put Basil the Great). The origin of the Church language and knowledge with faithful on a moving performance that lasted more than an hour. is divine and heavenly, reflecting the and sacrificial service to others and the wisdom and design of God. Further, the Church, they provided an example of Church is united to God through Christ, the beautiful ministry the Church must who became incarnate to renew, sanctify, offer at all times in all places. Spiritual and perfect the people of God within a renewal and formation are accomplished fallen world. It is also within the Church through the cultivation of both the mind that the heavenly and earthly are united. and the soul. It is also enhanced through The gathering of the faithful in worship the knowledge of language, the arts, sci- and for the work of ministry is joined in ence and any elements of culture and a spiritual manner with the “myriads of our world that are beneficial to our life angels and thousands of martyrs, and the and our relationship with God. Within legions of apostles and the assemblies the Greek Orthodox Church we have of the just and the various groups of all this unique opportunity to follow the those who have pleased God.” (John example of the Three Hierarchs, synthe- Chrysostom). Together we offer worship, sizing and sharing language, thought, intercession, and ministry; and together faith, and the calling to lead others to we await the coming of the New Jerusa- God and to greater levels of understand- lem when this unity will be complete. ing and being. Second, the Three Hierarchs taught In our commemoration of the Three that the Church is a place of healing and Holy Fathers, Hierarchs, and Ecumenical renewal. “For the Church is a spiritual Teachers of our Church, Saints Basil the bath, which wipes away not filth of body, Great, Gregory the Theologian and John ORTHODOX OBSERVER but stains of soul by its many methods Chrysostom, I pray that we may affirm Largest attendance – This year’s program had the largest attendance of any prior Christmas of repentance,” preached Saint Chrysos- their divine wisdom through a deeper event at the Academy.