VOL. 63 NO. 1138 JANUARY 1998 http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer E-mail: [email protected] Archbishop Sets Spiritual Tone at Florida Epiphany TARPON SPRINGS, Fla.As it has ev- ery year for nearly a century, Tarpon Springs St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Ca- thedral once again hosted tens of thousands of people at the nations largest Holy Theophany celebration, replete with the ornate and aesthetic beauty of Orthodox traditions. However, this year the quaint seaside town experienced an epiphany of its own. By Patti Paxson At some point throughout the years, this important holy celebration grew and evolved, and it lost a little of its meaning along the way, but all the while putting Tarpon Springs on the map nationally as Americas Epiphany City, noted Speros Theofilos, chairman of Epiphany 98s plan- ning committee. When His Eminence Arch- bishop Spyridon presided at the celebra- tion last year, he saw the incredible growth of the event and felt its general public, more secular popularity had overshadowed its religious significance. His Eminence par- ticipated in the event as an altar boy when ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON flings the cross into Spring Bayou as more than 50 teens dive into the water in hopes of retrieving it. Looking he attended Tarpon Springs High School. on is Bishop Alexios of Troas, Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Atlanta Diocese. (D. Panagos photo) The epiphany that took place among committee. The lunch was hosted by the the events planners was evident through- Ladies Philoptochos Society of Clearwaters out the celebration this year, shining Holy Trinity Church. PATRIARCHAL PROCLAMATION ON THE NATIVITY OF CHRIST through in everything from the way the The pace picked up as the flurry of ÿ B A R T H O L O M E W the light of hope and expectation shines mainstream press repeatedly emphasized events began later that day, with AHEPA BY THE MERCY OF GOD ARCHBISHOP in the eyes of people of all ages. And the Christian significance of the event, to kicking off the celebration at their 62nd OF CONSTANTINOPLE, NEW ROME we have seen how much pain, suffer- the solemnity and reverence of the religious annual banquet at Spartan Manor in New AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH UNTO ing, and injustice exist in the world. We procession to the towns Spring Bayou, Port Richey. THE ENTIRE PLENITUDE OF THE have seen how our weakness and sin- where His Eminence presides at a service The morning of Epiphany arrived in a CHURCH GRACE, MERCY AND PEACE fulness can demean the beauty of life, that ends in the traditional dive for the cross. thick fog and gray clouds. But as Orthros FROM CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR BORN IN which by the love of God is capable of In fact, a young Greek Orthodox man proceeded beginning at 8 a.m. at St. Nicho- BETHLEHEM becoming paradise and all of us one lov- who was covering the event for a local tele- las Cathedral in Tarpon Springs, the sun ing family. vision station expressed to one of the event began to break through, streaming plenty For unto us a Child is born, But amidst all of mankinds trials organizers how moved he was by the rev- of warm Florida sunshine onto the tens of unto us a Son is given. and tribulations, there comes the birth erence and religious significance of the thousands of people staking out their spot of a child, a divine gift to every family. event. He said he had never seen an on the grassy hills surrounding the bayou, Beloved Brethren and Most Dear Such a child is the harbinger of great Epiphany celebration and didnt under- along the antique shop-lined streets where Children in Christ, joy and graces every family with the cer- stand the significance of the event. Now I the religious procession would take place, tainty, that through him the family do, the young man quietly noted, obviously or in one of the quickly filled seats inside We have returned to the Ecumeni- grows, is blessed and has hope. moved, adding, I want to come back next the Cathedral. cal Patriarchate, from our lengthy jour- In this spirit of empathy and true year just to be a part of it. More than 400 people filled the Ca- ney and visit to the flock of the Holy and understanding we should like to address His Eminence also encouraged the thedral long before the Hierarchal Divine Great Church of Christ throughout the to all of you sincere words of thankful- members of St. Nicholas Cathedral to enlist Liturgy began at 10 a.m. About 400 more Oikoumene. Over the past few years, as ness and consolation. Having been the support of members of Tampa Bays five were directed next door to the community we have traveled through the countries graced by the joy of your love during other Greek Orthodox churches since the center where a closed circuit television and of Europe and Asia, to Australia and most our journey, we desire to give you some- celebration has become so large and actu- seating were available a first for the Ca- recently America, we have experienced thing back in return. ally encompasses three full days of events thedral. The Epiphany services were con- the unforgettable blessing and joy of And that which we want to offer beginning with His Eminences arrival on celebrated by Archbishop Spyridon, Cathe- meeting so many beloved people. We you, and which is not possible for us to Holy Theophany Eve and ending with the dral Dean Fr. Tryfon C. Theophilopoulos have seen faces shining with the light of do fully, comes as a gift from heaven Feast Day of St. John the Baptist on Jan. 7 at and 11 other Orthodox clergy. hope, but also faces darkened by clouds itself. St. John the Baptist Church in Tampa. But amidst the magnificence and opu- full of tears and despair. From one end of the world to the We had clergy and lay people from lence of the Holy Theophany Divine The countenances of young and old other, amidst the entire human family, several of the Bay area Greek Orthodox Liturgyand Agiasmo services were His alike remain deeply engraved in our that joyous message resounds: For unto parishes helping with the planning for all Eminences simple words of love. His mes- heart. We have seen many adults heavy us a Child is born, a Son is given . and the events. It was a great success enjoyed sage was clear in his homily: Love your laden with lifes responsibilities and we His name shall be called the Angel of by the areas entire Greek Orthodox com- neighbor and find Gods love in your heart. have seen young people full of high hopes Great Counsel, Wonderful Counsellor, munity, Theofilos said. People must change their ways, he of a good career. We have seen the sick the Mighty God . .. The celebration began Jan. 5 at Tampa said. We can start a new life only if we and infirm on their bed of suffering and He is the expectation of the Nations. International Airport with the joyous greet- can recognize what we have done wrong the aged at the twilight of their life. We He is the joy of all children. He is the ing of Archbishop Spyridon by his relatives, in the past, change our way of thinking and have heard the cries of young children, gladness of mothers. He is the sanctifi- children dressed in Greek costumes and really repent. Then perhaps we might em- who are the hope for the renewal of our cation of our human nature. carrying flowers for His Eminence, and bark on a new beginning. He further il- People. He is God born of a Virgin Mother. other Orthodox faithful. lustrated with his inspiring words to the We have tangibly experienced just What greater marvel has the world ever A relaxing luncheon in honor of His faithful how Epiphany marks the begin- how small our world really is and just how seen? Eminence followed, attended by area clergy ning of a new phase in the life of Jesus. fleeting life can be. We have seen how See PROCLAMATION on page 7 and presbyteres and the Epiphany planning See EPIPHANY on page 2 PAGE 2 ORTHODOX OBSERVER JANUARY 1998 ARCHDIOCESE NEWS Breaking through the surface of the Thousands Attend Epiphany in Tarpon Springs water while clutching the cross was a thrilled, tearful and breathless 18-year-old, from page 1 Theofilos Andreas Mamouzelos, a member Just as the sun was breaking through of Holy Trinity Church in Clearwater and the clouds, the solemn 15-minute proces- a Dunedin resident. His priest, Fr. James sion comprised of Archbishop Spyridon, Rousakis, the vicar for the Tampa Bay area Bishop Alexios of Troas (Archiepiscopal Greek Orthodox churches, stood by beam- Vicar of the Atlanta Diocese), priests, altar ing with fatherly pride and joy that one of boys, choir members, cantors, 56 16-18- his flock received this blessing. year-olds diving for the cross, last years I didnt believe it, Theo said raising cross retriever, Archons of the Ecumenical the cross and the trophy he received as his Patriarchate, the Tarpon Springs High fellow divers carried him on their shoul- School band, Greek school children, the ders through the streets to the Cathedral. dove bearer, Greek dance groups and a Somebody knocked it right into my hand, color guard proceeded from the Cathedral he said excitedly. This year for the first time, to Spring Bayou for the blessing of the wa- the divers were required to attend a reli- ters and the cross dive.