e patriarchate the epistle
TRANSCRIPT
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of AmericaUnder the Auspices of His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios
EcumEnical PatriarchatE
THE EPISTLEGrEEk OrthOdOx
rEtirEd clErGy assOciatiOn
NOVEMBER, 2013
Page 2
RCA BoARd of TRusTees
PrEsidEnt: Father Joel McEachen
1345 Fairfield Woods RoadFairfield, CT 06825
[email protected] / (203) 372-1976
VicE-PrEsidEnt: Father Costa Eliades24-03 Murray Street
Whitestone, NY [email protected]
(718) 539-1124
sEcrEtary: Fr. Theoharis Theoharis
4652 Foxfire TrailPortage, MI [email protected]
(269) 743-7186
trEasurEr: Father John Maheras24 Shady Lane
Scituate MA, [email protected]
(781) 718-9330
BOaRd MEMBERSFather Eugene Pappas2732 East 19th StreetBrooklyn, NY 11235
Father Tom Paris4051 Rhoda AvenueOakland, CA 94602
[email protected](510) 531-9002
RCA Board Advisor:Father Nicholas Soteropoulos
162-41 Powells Cove Blvd.Beechhurst, NY 11357
[email protected](718) 309-7660
POmfrEt rEPrEsEntatiVE Father George Poulos1527 Bedford StreetStamford, CT 06905
[email protected] (203) 992-5675
All living past Presidents are EX-OFFICIO Board Members
EditOr: Father SamarasSend any comments or suggestions
to: [email protected] call (845) 731-9333
Worthy!
#Axio"!
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIMEYOU SAW AN ORDINATION
(SINcE yOuR OwN)?
It’s almost funny, isn’t it? How we priests sometimes need to look back, as well as preach forward? Clergy become so used to preaching about our common spiritual pilgrimage to God. It’s our mantra. We focus on theosis. We preach about the need for repentence and coming forward to the Lord. We strive to point the way to everyone’s death—which is the coming chastisement and the coming of Christ, when the world and all its people will pass over. We focus on the next parish council meeting, the next youth retreat, the next presentation, the next sermon to write and polish. Sometimes, though, it can also help us to look back, once in a while. We’re then able to see how we were, when we started out. If you get a chance, try attending (or participating in) a brand-new Deacon’s ordination. You’ll be able to witness in the Deacon the “newness,” the fear and trembling, the excitement, the cautious doubt, the brave uncertainty, the bright and shining hope. Things like that. Things we may not have felt for a very long time. If you get a chance, by looking at a new Deacon, you may be able to see yourself, once more, in his newness. You may even be able to rejuvenate within yourself your own sense of newness, even a sense of rededication, a sense of renewed, complete awe as you wear your vestments and stand before the Holy Altar. It’s a good feeling to feel young and new before the greatest of mysteries and the greatest of service. Even in your mind, your witnessing, make yourself Axios again.
Page 3
PRESIDENTIAL PAPERSFaTHER JOEL McEacHEN
It’s just a few weeks to our 25th anniversary jubilee in Fort Lauderdale and I hope all goes well. I have no promises on the weather, but it should be good. Our events at the church should be memorable, and I am sure Fr. Chris Metropulos, the pastor of St. Demetrios’ Church, will interview some of you for his project, “Orthodox Christian Network” with its 24 hour webcast of church music, interviews, and lectures. Give it a try on your computer at www.myocn.net and at the bottom of the first page you see will be explanations and the choice for 1) The Rudder, 2) The Ark, and 3) The Anchor. The rest of the first page is current news of Orthodox interest, but then choose one (or two or all three) of the broadcasts to see what they are. Our Jubilee, with the artoclasia and Memorial Service, will commemorate and remember all retired priests, but there will be a special presentation to those attending with over 50 years of service to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. All priests will receive a memento of the occasion. Sunday afternoon will be a chance for fellowship at the hotel, with a dinner being served. The December edition of the EPISTLE will have complete coverage of the anniversary events. Please return the Christmas card appeal. The card goes out to our entire mailing list of retired priests, widowed presbyteras, and associates who support the RCA. Please join in this endeavor to support our gift project and send Greetings of Christmas to the brothers and sisters.
Remember, our by-laws govern our Association by the ecclesiastical year which begins each year on September 1st. Thus, the membership year 2013 ended August 31st, 2013, and RCA year 2014 began September 1st, 2013. We hope this clarifies our understanding of submitting fellowship dues. With this new year of 2014 having begun on September 1st, please be mindful to send in your 2014 membership/stewardship now. Better yet, add it to your Christmas card benevolence offering. Thank you.
MEDICARE 2014 OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIOD STARTED
OCTOBER 15, 2013
Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans (Medigap) and the accompanying Part D Drug assistance plans, are now available through DECEMBER 7, 2013. If Advantage plans are available in your area, they’re worth looking at. Medigap Plan F is the most popular among people over 65 who don’t choose an Advantage plan. Several insurance carriers offer these plans and it is extremely important to shop all leading companies to make sure you receive the best price! All Medicare Supplement plans with the same “letter” designation are identical, so be sure to shop for price. Medigap plans generally cover the deductibles and co-pays of basic Medicare, and do not have “added” benefits as Advantage plans may. Medigap/Supplement plans do not have co-pays for services, but they do require you to also sign up for a Part D prescription drug assistance plan (Advantage plans usually include a Part D type drug plan). I have gotten a spreadsheet listing all Connecticut ‘Medigap’ plans by searching (Google, Ask.com) for “Medigap plans Connecticut” and it came up under “Connecticut Insurance Department Medigap Fact Sheet.” AARP usually offers one of the lowest Plan “F” policies. Go down the “F” column and find the lowest cost (check if AARP gives a discount for automatic debiting of your checking account or if both husband and wife enroll). October 15th was the first day of the upcoming Open Enrollment Period, but any changes made will not take effect until January 1st, 2014. It is also important to note that many companies are eliminating
Page 4
their Medicare Advantage programs so, if you had an Advantage plan in 2013, you must make sure that the company will offer a similar plan for 2014. This means people who currently have plans with these insurance carriers should make sure you have received a “Notice of Plan Changes for 2014” or a letter telling you that the plan will not be renewed. Watch your mail and the newspapers for notices of local seminars on Medicare plans and attend them— as some research now, with some accurate assessments of your use of medical care, will enable you to save some money next year. Most seminars will be about Advantage plans; Medigap plans require you to find who offers them and how much they charge—choose on price. By law, all plans with the same letter designation (such as plan “F”) are the same. Advantage plans also change co-pays each year, I switched last year because my previous company increased their co-pays a lot, and another local plan kept the lower co-pays. Here are your choices (See “Medicare & You” for simple explanations of coverages): 1) Original Medicare: You should have Parts A & B and some form of drug coverage. These have up-front deductibles and normally a 20% co-pay on doctors and services. 2) Medicare Advantage plans: these can have monthly premiums from $0 up to as much as $140, with the zero premium plans still giving you good coverage, including paying the deductibles for you and with predictable co-pays. Most will include a drug assistance plan. 3) Medigap (“F” I prefer) and a Part D drug plan: there are no deductibles or co-pays for a doctor, X-rays, hospital, or services such as physical therapy. The monthly premium is all you pay (remember, the drug plan is separate and you must choose one). If you go to many doctors and get many X-rays and MRI’s, this limits your annual cost to Part B (about $105 in 2013) plus your “F” premium and your Part D premium and co-pays. Key terms are: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Plan F, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Part D drug plan. You should have received your 2014 Medicare guide book “Medicare & You” in the mail. Use it and the website <www.medicare.gov> to research Medicare plans in your area (they differ by state and even by county of residence.) Also, if your income is low, check off any box for “need help,” as each state is different in their need-based assistance—so check to see if your income qualifies you.
In case the government website (www.medicare.gov) is unreliable or out of service, due to the shutdown, be sure and find Medicare information services at your local senior center, a hospital, or many pharmacies might schedule seminars. For people in good health, a Medicare Advantage plan is a big help. If you expect to see many doctors, look for Medigap “F” and a Part D drug plan that matches your current drug use (the Medicare web site allows you to enter all your drugs [strength and frequency of taking them], and lists your available drug plans by estimated annual cost). Remember my scheme to limit your out of pocket cost—Medigap “F” high deductible; lower monthly premium, but you pay the Original Medicare deductibles, and co-pays up to $2,110 (might go up a little for 2014.) You pay for the drug plan. If you don’t use a lot of medical services, you save money. Call me if this interests you. My maximum “out of pocket” cost with my current Advantage plan is $6,400; with a Plan “F”—regular or high deductible—it would be about $3,200 including average drugs.
—Father Joel McEachen
Page 5
CHILDREN OF CLERGY
SuBMITTEd By LOukIa LOPRESTI
Demetra Gregory Peters and Maria Gregory are daughters of the late Reverend George and Presvytera Cleopatra (Economos) Gregory. Father Gregory was of the last class to attend Pomfret and graduated from Holy Cross. After graduation, he was appointed personal secretary to Bishop Athenagoras, who later became the Patriarch. Deme was 3 and Maria 8 when their family moved to Broomall, Pennsylvania from Canton, Ohio (Holy Trinity). Maria remembers Weirton, West Virginia (All Saints) before that. “We remember Saint Luke’s community coming together to do all the construction and preparation in building the church. Parishioners were doing carpentry, electrical design, plumbing, and laying tiles by hand. The ladies were busy cleaning and preparing for Saint Luke’s opening day. Our mother and grandmother were assisting our father in the Altar, sewing and ironing vestments and altar cloths, cleaning and polishing the sacramental vessels. The level of energy generated by these diligent individuals made a lasting impression on both of us.” Since they lived in the parish house on the church property, Deme and Maria would help the church secretary stuff and seal envelopes, unlock the church door and put the lights and heat on before group meetings, and even return at night to turn lights off. “On many occasions, Archbishop Iakovos would come to our home. Our Mother and Yiayia would start the preparations a month in advance. The house would fill with parishioners and clergy and we would be expected to serve and help clean up.” Deme remembers, “On one occasion, His Eminence and I went out to our garden and picked tomatoes. This was an experience I will never forget. He was very down to earth and loved this activity. We packed the tomatoes up for him to take home.” Deme and Maria remember people in need calling or showing up at their homes, even during the night. Their father would never turn anyone away, often at the expense of his own family. Father Gregory was away for an entire week comforting, translating for, and praying with injured
or dead Greek sailors when an oil tanker exploded at Marcus Hook, PA near the Sun Oil Refinery. “He spent countless hours on the telephone, informing families in Greece about their family members. We both recall a photo of our Dad, in the local newspaper, ‘The Philadelphia Inquirer,’ conducting a funeral service for the sailors who had perished in the explosion. He was pictured standing on a barge, prayer book opened, and gazing into the waters where many young sailors had perished.” “Dad was a very learned man, a wonderful teacher and a great story teller. His religious and historical writings were exceptional and his dedication to his church, and belief in God were never ending.” Influenced by her father’s ability to serve people in need, Maria became a psychotherapist, serving
children with difficulties. Deme became a teacher and is the youth leader at Saint Luke’s Church. Deme and her family reside in Media, PA and are active in the Saint Luke community. Her husband, Jim, is the Altar Boy Parent Advisor. Her son, Nicholas, is captain of the Altar boys and GOYA President. Her son, Alexi, serves in the altar, is on the basketball team, in GOYA, and the Greek dance group. Both are excellent students. “Nicholas shares his grandfather’s love
of history, religion and higher education. Alexi has a sense of humor and kindness towards others, which Dad would admire.” Maria attends Annunciation Church in Elkins Park, PA. “Being a priest’s child in a Greek Orthodox community is very difficult. One’s family is constantly being assessed by many parishioners who are merciless in their scrutiny of the family’s personal affairs. Often at family events, your Father would be called away for an emergency, or could not attend at all due to community obligations. Our Mother was required to stand alone, take the role of both parents with patience, strength and determination. In short, your father was father to each and every parishioner, as well as to his two daughters and often times parishioners would come first.” “We were fortunate enough to have parents with education, culture and high standards. These values propelled us to move to higher ground, and to take our place in the world so that we accomplished our achievements with utmost success. For their care, concern and integrity, we will be forever grateful.”
THE UNRAVELING OF SYKES-PICOT
By PaTRIck J. BucHaNaN
SuBMITTEd By FaTHER JOEL McEacHEN
The thrice-promised land it has been called. It is that land north of Mecca and Medina and south of Anatolia, between the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
In 1915—that year of Gallipoli, which forced the resignation of First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill -- Britain, to win Arab support for its war against the Ottoman Turks, committed, in the McMahon Agreement, to the independence of these lands under Arab rule. It was for this that Lawrence of Arabia and the Arabs fought. In November 1917, however, one month before Gen. Allenby led his army into Jerusalem, Lord Balfour, in a letter to Baron Rothschild, declared that His Majesty’s government now looked with favor upon the creation on these same lands of a national homeland for the Jewish people. Between these clashing commitments there had been struck in 1916 a secret deal between Britain’s Mark Sykes and France’s Francois Georges-Picot. With the silent approval of czarist Russia, which had been
promised Istanbul, these lands were subdivided and placed under British and French rule. France got Syria and Lebanon. Britain took Transjordan, Palestine and Iraq, and carved out Kuwait. Vladimir Lenin discovered the Sykes-Picot treaty in the czar’s archives and published it, so the world might see what the Great War was truly all about. Sykes-Picot proved impossible to reconcile with Woodrow Wilson’s declaration that he and the allies—the British, French, Italian, Russian and Japanese empires—were all fighting “to make the world safe for democracy.” Imperial hypocrisy stood naked and exposed. Wilson’s idealistic Fourteen Points, announced early in 1918, were crafted to recapture the moral high ground. Yet it was out of the implementation of Sykes-Picot that so much Arab hostility and hatred would come -- and from which today’s Middle East emerged. Nine decades on, the Sykes-Picot map of the Middle East seems about to undergo revision, and a new map, its borders drawn in blood, emerge, along the lines of what H.G. Wells called the “natural borders” of mankind. “There is a natural and necessary political map of the world,” Wells wrote, “which transcends” these artificial states, and this natural map of mankind would see nations established on the basis of language, culture, creed, race and tribe. The natural map of the Middle East has begun to assert itself. Syria is disintegrating, with Alawite Shia fighting Sunni; Christians siding with Damascus; Druze divided; and Kurds looking to break free and unite with their kinfolk in Turkey, Iraq and Iran. Their dream: a Kurdistani nation rooted in a common ethnic identity. Shia Hezbollah controls the south of Lebanon, and with Shia Iran is supporting the Shia-led army and regime of Bashar Assad. Together, they are carving out a sub-nation from Damascus to Homs to the Mediterranean. The east and north of Syria could be lost to the Sunni rebels and the Al-Nusra Front, an ally of al-Qaida. Sectarian war is now spilling over into Lebanon. Iraq, too, seems to be disintegrating. The Kurdish enclave in the north is acting like an independent nation, cutting oil deals with Ankara. Sunni Anbar in the west is supporting Sunni rebels across the border in Syria. And the Shia regime in Baghdad is being scourged by Sunni terror that could reignite the civil-sectarian war of 2006-2007, this time
Page 6
Page 7
without Gen. Petraeus’ U.S. troops to negotiate a truce or tamp it down. Sunni Turkey is home to 15 million Kurds and 15 million Shia. And its prime minister’s role as middle man between Qatari and Saudi arms shipments and Syria’s Sunni rebels is unappreciated by his own people. Seeing the Shia crescent—Hezbollah in Lebanon, Assad’s Syria, Nuri al-Maliki’s Iraq, the Ayatollah’s Iran -- imperiled by the potential loss of its Syrian linchpin, Tehran and Hezbollah seem willing to risk far more in this Syrian war than does the Sunni coalition of Saudis, Qataris and Turks. Who dares, wins. Though the Turks have a 400,000-man, NATO-equipped army, a population three times that of Syria and an economy 12 times as large, and they are, with the Israelis, the strongest nations in the region, they appear to want the Americans to deal with their problem. President Obama is to be commended for resisting neocon and liberal interventionist clamors to get us into yet another open-ended war. For we have no vital interest in Assad’s overthrow. We have lived with him and his father for 40 years. And what did our intervention in Libya to oust Moammar Gadhafi produce but a failed state, the Benghazi atrocity, and the spread of al-Qaida into Mali and Niger? Why should Americans die for a Sunni triumph in Syria? At best, we might bring about a new Muslim Brotherhood regime in Damascus, as happened in Cairo. At worst, we could get a privileged sanctuary for that al-Qaida affiliate, the Al-Nusra Front. As the Sykes-Picot borders disappear and the nations created by the mapmakers of Paris in 1919-1920 disintegrate, a Muslim Thirty Years’ War may be breaking out in the thrice-promised land. It is not, and it should not become, America’s war.
Submitter’s Note: I have always known that modern Middle Eastern countries’ boundaries were drawn by the French and the British, circa 1920, but this historical article caught my eye with its analysis. Just after I sent it to the EPISTLE editor, I read a headline, “Turkey lifts generations-old ban on Islamic head scarf,” dated
October 8th, 2013. The country that claims to be the “bridge” between Asia and Europe is demonstrably following the way of the Middle East. I am not raising any political issues, just disseminating a commentary on what is happening around us. Add to that the growing production of oil and gas in the continental United States and tomorrow is anyone’s guess. Here’s another headline I just read, “Secession Fever Sweeps Texas, Maryland, Colorado, and California.” We live in interesting times. I should stop reading, but I can’t.
SaINT JOHN cHRySOSTOM, dIScuSSINg “HOw TO BEcOME aN agENT OF PEacE.”
What are you saying? “Shall I forgive him?” Christ is saying, “Yes!” This sacrifice was instituted for the sake of peace with your brother. Accordingly, if the sacrifice was instituted for the sake of peace with your brother, but you do not establish peace, you partake of the sacrifice in vain, the work has become of no profit to you. First, then, do that for the sake of which the sacrifice is offered, and then you will properly enjoy its benefits. The Son of God came down for this purpose, to reconcile our human nature to the Lord. But He did not come down for that purpose alone, but also for the purpose of making us, if we do likewise, sharers of His title. For He says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Mt. 5:9). You, according to human capacity, must do what the Only begotten Son of God has done, be an agent of peace, for yourself and for others. For this reason, at the very time of sacrifice He recalls to us no other commandment that that of reconciliation with one’s brother, showing that it is the greatest of all.
—from Father Nicholas Capilas
RETIRED CLERGY ASSOCIATIONc/o Fr. Joel McEachen1345 FAIRFIELD WOODS RDFAIRFIELD CT 06825-3214
Non-Profit Org.U.S. POSTAGE
P A I DFairfield, CT
Permit No. 239
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
POSTMASTERDATED MATERIAL
NOVEMBER 1st, 2013
Question:
How many Orthodox does it take to change a light bulb?
Answer:What’s change?
THINGS WE NEVER HEARD IN CHURCH
Hey, It’s MY turn to sit in the front pew!I was so inspired by the sermon, I never noticed it went over twenty-five minutes!Personally, I like coming to Church, rather than golfing!I decided to give our Church more each month until I reach 10%!I volunteer to be the permanent teacher in any class of Sunday School!Forget the Archdiocese remuneration scale and give our priest more so he and his family can live like we do!I like coming to the Divine Liturgy before it begins!Father, we would like you to take a vacation, on us, to the Bahamas!