orthodox observer - 05 february 1999

VOL. 64 � NO. 1155 F E B R U A R Y 5 , 1 9 9 9 http://www.goarch.org/goa/observerE-mail: [email protected]

NEW YORK - Archbishop Spyridon ismaking his first official visit to Greece Feb.8-15. Traditionally, the Archbishop ofAmerica receives an invitation for an officialvisit to Greece following his enthronement.

The visit includes meetings with Presi-dent Constantine Stephanopoulos, PrimeMinister Costas Simitis, cabinet ministersand other government officials. His Emi-nence will also address the parliament�sCommittee for Orthodoxy.

Archbishop Spyridon will meet withArchbishop Christodoulos of Athens and AllGreece, and will celebrate the Divine Lit-urgy at the Metropolis of Athens on Sun-day, Feb. 14.

This Divine Liturgy will be broadcast viatelevision throughout all of Greece.

The invitation to His Eminence was firstextended last year by the Greek government.However, the death of then-Archbishop ofAthens, Seraphim, caused the trip to be post-poned.

Accompanying His Eminence areBishop Philotheos of Meloa, Bishop Alexiosof Troas, Archdiocesan Council Vice Chair-man John Catsimatidis, World Council ofHellenes Abroad (SAE) President AndrewAthens and others.

Archbishop on FirstOfficial Visit to Greece

NEW YORK � Following the path of thehistoric meeting at the Ecumenical Patriarch-ate in mid-January, Archbishop Spyridon andthe Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdioceseheld their first meeting of the year Jan. 26 ina spirit of love and cooperation.

His Eminence characterized the meet-ing of the Holy Eparchial Synod at the Arch-diocese as �constructive and productive.�

The Synod, attended by all its members,considered two agenda items: forming a listof candidates to fill the vacant Sees of NewJersey, Atlanta and Detroit, and compiling alist of issues concerning the Archdiocese,among them the revision of the Charter.

At a press conference held at Holy Trin-ity Archdiocesan Cathedral after their meet-ing at Archdiocese headquarters, the Arch-bishop and Metropolitans discussed theirdesire to cooperate closely in dealing withChurch issues and answered a number ofquestions.

�Although it may be true that in the pastwe have had different interpretations andperceptions of events...the most importantmessage that we can convey to you is wehave a unified and mutually held commit-ment to the Sacred Center of our Faith, theEcumenical Patriarchate,� ArchbishopSpyridon said in his introductory statement.�We hold in common a filial love and thedeepest respect for the sacred person of HisAll Holiness Ecumenical PatriarchateBartholomew, and we share a genuine andChristian commitment to the process ofmutually discovering the means and themethodology, by which together we mayaddress all issues of concern that affect ourHoly Archdiocese.�

The Metropolitans were in agreementas they emphasized in their comments thatthey were committed to working in unity

Archbishop, Holy Synod Begin New Year in Spirit of Unity

on issues the Church faces.Metropolitan Anthony of Dardanellion,

presiding hierarch of the San Francisco Dio-cese, commenting on the meeting at theEcumenical Patriarchate with PatriarchBartholomew and other members of theHoly Synod, noted that �the Patriarch gaveus the opportunity to recommit ourselvesto working in a synodical system for thegood of our Church. That day was really ablessed Tuesday.�

He stressed that the Hierarchs need toreview the existing Archdiocese Charter �soit can best accommodate the Church in thiscountry.�

He also said that �the Mother Churchwisely decided the election of the archbishopand this is the archbishop we accept, sup-port and will support. This has always beenour position.�

Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis, presid-ing hierarch of the Chicago Diocese, said

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON (center) and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod, from left, Metropolitans Isaiah, Maximos, Iakovos, Anthonyand Methodios, and Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Synod secretary.

Luncheon HonorsHarvard Professor

NEW YORK � The annual Celebra-tion of Hellenic Letters and Arts Luncheon,held each January in honor of the ThreeHierarchs - Sts. Basil the Great, Gregorythe Theologian and John Chrysostom -honored Dr. John M. Duffy of HarvardUniversity with its Paideia Award.

About 700 persons representing par-ishes from throughout the greater NewYork area attended the event organized bythe Archdiocese Department of GreekEducation and the Luncheon Committee,which took place at Terrace on the Park inFlushing Meadows, overlooking the siteof the 1964 World�s Fair and the NationalTennis Center.

See HOLY SYNOD page 2

See LUNCHEON page 28

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON answers a question from a reporter at the press conferencethat followed their meeting, as Metropolitans Maximos, Iakovos, Anthony and BishopPhilotheos of Meloa listen.

D. Panagos

D. Panagos

DR. JOHN DUFFY receives astanding ovation followinghis address at the luncheon.

D. Panagos

ORTHODOX OBSERVER FEBRUARY 5, 1999PAGE 2

USPS 412340 ISSN 0731-2547

Published by the Greek Orthodox Archdioceseof America. Semi-monthly in March, April, May,June, October and November, and monthly inJanuary, February, July, August, Septemberand December.

Periodicals� postage paid at New York, NY 10001and at additional mailing offices. Editorial andBusiness Office: 8 East 79th Street, New York,NY 10021. Phone (212) 570-3555, 774-0235.FAX (212) 774-0239. The Orthodox Observer isproduced entirely in-house. Past issues can befound on the Internet, at http://www.goarch.org/goa/observer. E-mail: [email protected]

Articles do not necessarily reflect the viewsand opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdio-cese of America which are expressed in offi-cial statements so labeled.Subscription rates are $5.50 per year. Canada$25.00. Overseas $35.00 per year. Overseas AirMail, $75.00 per year. $1.00 per copy.Subscriptions for the membership of the GreekOrthodox Church in America are paid through theircontribution to the Archdiocese. Of thiscontribution, $3.00 is forwarded to the OrthodoxObserver.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street,New York, NY 10021

MANAGING EDITOR:Stavros H. PapagermanosEDITOR:Jim Golding (Chryssoulis)PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:Zoe GnesoulisADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:Irene Kyritsis

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas ManginasEleni Daniels

A R C H D I O C E S E N E W S

In accordance with the Patriarchal andSynodical encouragement of January 12,1999, which occurred with the HolyEparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese ofAmerica at its recent meeting at the Phanar,the Holy Eparchial Synod met today underthe presidency of His Eminence ArchbishopSpyridon of America.There were two items on the agenda:1) the formation of a list of candidates for theepiscopacy, as a first step in filling the vacantSees of New Jersey, Atlanta and Detroit, and2) the formation of a list of issues that haveconcerned the Archdiocese in recent months,and whose solution will contribute to greatercooperation among the Hierarchy and to are-vitalization of the ageless synodical insti-tutional structure of the Church.

A spirit of fraternal cooperation andChristian love prevailed over the meeting,as befits every ecclesiastical gathering.

It is the conviction of the Eparchial

Our Church at a New Biginning in Spirit of Unity

that in their discussions the hi-erarchs clarified certain issuesin which there had been a dis-agreement over interpreta-tions.

The Metropolitan empha-sized that while �there wasnever a division between theArchbishop and other brothersof the Synod, of course therecould be differences of opinionthat can be resolved within theSynod. The myth regarding adivision should be dispelled.�

Metropolitan Maximos ofPittsburgh added that the helpof the Mother Church was verybeneficial and �helped us lookat issues through a new per-spective and constructive dia-logue. We now feel that thingsare on the right track.�The Holy Eparchial Synod alsoissued the following com-muniqué after their meeting:

CommuniquéHoly Eparchial Synod of theGreek Orthodox Archdio-

cese of America

Inside

Speech is one of the basic modes ofcommunication, but there�s more to speechthan just the words we say. How we speakis a mark of our personality, our character,and our mood. Are you reticent or garru-lous? Is there a rodomont in your family?Did you ever stand on a soapbox to launcha harangue?

Greek Education Dept. Champions Top Spellers

by Eleni Daniels

These and many more words help usto think before we speak and they are typi-cal of the words used in most local spellingbees. But knowing how to spell a word is oflimited value if you can�t also write it in asentence, understand it in a book, or use itto articulate your thoughts.

Therein lies the core of all spelling bees� to encourage students to maximize theireducational potential.

Since the 1970s, the Department ofGreek Education has upheld its goal in sup-port of paideia by participating in an annualSpelling Bee contest sponsored by the DailyNews newspaper of New York City.

Beginning with a local level spelling bee,the winner then participates in the CitywideChampionship finals in March and that win-ner then moves on to the renowned ScrippsHoward National Spelling Bee in Washing-ton, in early June.

�This annual contest gives our studentsthe incentive to improve their literary learn-ing, develop their vocabulary and lend asense of competition amongst the students,�said Maria Makedon, assistant director ofthe Greek Education Department and coor-dinator of the local Spelling Bee.

This year, 11 top spellers, representingeach Greek American Day school in the NewYork area, took part in the preliminary locallevel Archdiocesan Spelling Bee contestwhich was held at the Archdiocesan head-quarters on Jan. 20.

The students were greeted by Fr.Anastasios Bourantas, director of the Youthand Young Adult Ministries department. �Iam proud that you have excelled to this level.Once you are educated, you becomesmarter and more aware of what goes on in

your society,� said Fr. Anastasios.The panel of judges included teachers

and principals from all the day schools whowere responsible that the spelling bee pro-cedures went accordingly.

The winner of the contest was PeterGregos, an 8th grade student at Three Hier-archs School in Brooklyn. The winning wordwas �precise.� Peter is the son of Joanne andSteven Gregos of Brooklyn.

When asked how he became such agood speller, Peter was quick to respond. �Ijust have a great teacher (Mr. John Ander-son),� said Peter. �Everybody in school wasasking me how to spell this and that. I didn�trealize it until then.� And there is no doubtabout Peter�s favorite subject: �It�s spelling,�he said.

The runner up in the spelling bee wasZena Post, an 8th grade student at KaloidisSchool of Holy Cross Church in Brooklyn.

The other students who participated inthe contest were: Frandaluz Cuevas, Schoolof Transfiguration, Corona; Stephen Kou-varis, S. Ellenas School, Brooklyn; KatherineLandry, W. Spyropoulos Day School, Flush-ing; Despina Manoloudas, St. DemetriosSchool, Astoria; Erica Mercudo, The GreekAmerican Institute, Bronx; Nick Papagapitos,the Cathedral School, NYC; Maria Tampakis,A. Fantis School, Brooklyn; Sean Weeks, St.Spyridon School, Manhattan, and KalliopiZiangos, St. Demetrios School, Jamaica.

All participants receive a Certificate ofAward and are encouraged to continue study-ing words and more words.

As for Peter, he is fervently preparingfor the Citywide Championship Finals inMarch and admits to some nervousness. �Itfeels awesome to represent the Archdiocese.I have learned every word in the (study) pam-phlet. I read them over and over,� he said.

The Scripps Howard National SpellingBee is an educational promotion sponsoredby the E.W. Scripps Company, in conjunc-tion with approximately 230 newspapersand other authorized sponsors. Its purposeis to help students improve their spelling,increase their vocabularies, learn concepts,and develop correct English usage that willhelp them all their lives.

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESEOF AMERICA

WELCOME TO THE

WORLD WIDE WEB HOME PAGEGreek Orthodox Archdiocese of America:

http://www.goarch.orgEcumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople:

http://www. patriarchate.orgOrthodox World News:

http://www. goarch.org/worldnewsOrthodox Ministry ACCESS:http://www.goarch.org/access

Orthodox Observer:http://www.goarch. org/goa/observer

from page 1

Synod that a speedy restoration of an atmo-sphere of confidence, reconciliation andpeace would be for everyone, clergy andlaity, most edifying to the Body of theChurch, and shall pursue the sacred objec-tives of the Holy Archdiocese, �pressing ontoward the mark for the prize of the highcalling� (Philippians 3:14) and �running withpatience the race that is set before us,� �look-ing unto Jesus the Beginning and Perfectionof our faith� (Hebrews 12:1-2).

January 26, 1999From the Office of the Holy Synod

HIS EMINENCE and Metropolitan Anthony at theCathedral Center following the press conference.

D. Panagos

SPELLING BEE participants (above) from each of the New York area Greek day andafternoon schools with Archbishop Spyridon and Maria Makedon and Dr. NicholasKladopoulos of the Department of Greek Education. Winner and runner up, Peter Gregosand Zena Post, with His Eminence (below). (Orthodox Observer)

Archdiocese News - 2-5Challenge � 25Diocese News � 12Ecumenical News � 19Ecum. Patriarchate � 6Greek section � 13-16HC/HC Report � 18Missions � 6Of Special Interest � 27Opinions � 8Orthodoxy Worldwide � 21Parish Profile � 17People � 17Religious Education � 9Retired Clergy � 10Seminarian Profile � 18Voice of Philoptochos � 11Women and Orthodoxy � 7Youth Activities � 26

FEBRUARY 5, 1999 PAGE 3ORTHODOX OBSERVER


LEADERSHIP 100Convenes under NewCorporate Structure

NEW YORK � The Board of Trustees andthe Executive Committee of the ArchbishopIakovos Leadership 100 Endowment FundIncorporated convened their first meetingunder the new corporate structure Jan. 29-30 in Phoenix.

Their primary objective was to discussthe search for a clergyman to serve as theEndowment Fund�s executive director andfinalize plans for its annual conference,which will take place April 21-25 in San Fran-cisco. Additionally, Leadership 100 recon-firmed the Board of Trustees for additionalone-, two- and three-year terms as requiredby the by-laws of the new corporation.

The Executive Committee and Board ofTrustees members are George Kokalis �Chairman, Arthur Anton � Vice Chairman,Bert Moyar � Treasurer, Constantine Caras� Secretary, Alexander Anagnos, AndrewAthens, Paul Athens, George Behrakis,Nicholas Bouras, George Cantonis, MichaelCantonis, John Catsimatidis, GeorgeChimples, Dr. John Collis, Eve Condakes,Thomas Demery, Peter Dion, John Georgas,Michael Jaharis, John Kavooras, Judge YorkaLinakis, Jerry Lorant, George Marcus, Dr.Peter Maris, John Marks, James Moshovitis,Louis Nicozisis, William Oldknow, JamesPamel, John Pappajohn, Peter Pappas, JamesPaulos, John Payiavlas, James Regas, GeorgeSafiol, Milton Sioles, Gus Stavropoulos,Mark Stavropoulos, Angelo Tsakopoulos,Peter Vlachos, and Basil Yanakakis.

In early January, the Archbishop IakovosLeadership 100 Endowment Fund Incorpo-rated completed the transfer of the Fund�sassets from the Archdiocese to the newlyformed corporation.

Originally established in 1984 under thedirection of Archbishop Iakovos as a re-stricted Endowment Fund of the Greek Or-thodox Archdiocese of North and SouthAmerica, Leadership 100 has realized thegoal of its founding members and formallyestablished itself as a separate New Yorknon-profit corporation. It is recognized bythe Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)3organization.

Members commit themselves to offer$100,000 to the Endowment Fund in orderto maintain and enhance the Church�s Na-tional Ministries and to advance Orthodoxyand the Hellenic heritage. The initial mem-bership goal of 100 was soon surpassed anda new goal of 500 was set in 1986.

The Fund�s assets are professionallymanaged and operated on a fully disclosedbasis as to its investments and uses of funds.The Endowment Fund�s principal remainsrestricted, irrevocable and inviolate and itsdistributable net income is used for NationalMinistries grants.

In its 15 years of operation, the Fundhas grown to almost $40 million and hasawarded more than $3.6 million in grants.

Although His Eminence ArchbishopSpyridon was unable to attend due to theGreek Letters celebrations in New York, hesent a formal message to the Board of Trust-ees that said:

�Now that the transition to the newArchbishop Iakovos Leadership One Hun-dred Endowment Fund Incorporated is com-plete, I look forward to the new and excit-ing initiatives that your vital ministry for theGreek Orthodox Archdiocese will propose,as we journey together to the new millen-nium. I commend you to the grace andmercy of God, as He enlightens your heartsand minds to do that which is pleasing inHis sight, and that which is edifying for theBody of the Church.

Your meeting fortuitously coincides

WESTFIELD, N.J. � At our parish of HolyTrinity, we devote the entire month of No-vember each year to promoting stewardship.Parishioners submit their pledges for thefollowing year and, in so doing, are askedto present their feelings about the programto the entire congregation.

One Parish�s Approachto Stewardship

by James Youlios

This past November, a young adult ofthe parish, James Gianakis, was asked to givehis definition of stewardship.

In his presentation, titled �We are morethan a Church...We are a family,� Mr.Gianakis noted that, �We know we are calledto give: we know that we have to give andwe know that giving allows our Church togrow and operate. But sometimes we losesight of or overlook what our giving reallyproduces.�

He said that community members par-ticipate in stewardship by giving of theirtime, ideas, money and skills. �Stewardshipis about people pledging to do and give whatthey want, when they want and in theamount or manner they feel comfortablegiving.�

The messages to the Holy Trinity pa-rishioners indicate that stewardship has cre-ated a very Christian-oriented parish and thatit has reached all age groups.

It is comforting to know that the legacyof our parents and grandparents to propa-gate Greek Orthodoxy will be undertakenby the next generation, a generation that iswell oriented to true stewardship.

James Youlios is Archdiocesan CouncilStewardship Committee chairman.

GARRISON, N.Y . �By the end of this month,St. Basil Academy will beable to tend to the needsof not only its children�sspiritual health, but also itsphysical and dental well-being on the premises.

A $65,000 gift fromDemetrios and GeorgiaKaloidis of New York hasmade it possible to estab-lish a medical/dental clinicat the Academy by March1. The facility will be openby appointment.

According to St.Basil�s Director Fr.Constantine Sitaras, thefacility, which will occupy

Orthodox ObserverSite of new medical and dental clinic on the Academy grounds.

Clinic to Open at St. Basil Academywith the Feast of the Three Hierarchs: SaintBasil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theolo-gian and Saint John Chrysostom. May theirlove of our Orthodox Christian Faith and ourHellenic heritage, which we share with allthe members of our society, be a constantwell-spring of inspiration and commitmentto the purposes of Leadership 100.

I believe that we are at a significant turn-ing point in the life of our Church. There-fore, I exhort all of you with the words of theHoly Apostle Paul in his Epistle to thePhilippians, so that by �forgetting those thingswhich are behind us, and reaching out tothose thing which are before us, together wemay press on toward the mark of our highcalling in Christ Jesus� (Phil. 3:13,14).�

In a letter to Leadership 100 membersannouncing the transfer, Chairman GeorgeKokalis commented: �Although we haverealized our goal of a separate corporation,our work is just beginning. We must nowfocus all of our efforts on the continuedgrowth of Leadership 100! Now is the timefor us to reach out to new faithful OrthodoxChristians and increase Leadership 100�sparticipation...It is only with your help thatwe will realize our dream and make Leader-ship 100 the driving force that it must be forthe next millennium.�

In a separate letter to Archbishop Spyridon,Mr. Kokalis personally thanked His Eminencefor his assistance and the ArchdiocesanCouncil�s Executive Committee�s support in theestablishment of the new corporation.

While in Phoenix the Leadership mem-bers also attended a dinner hosted by theHoly Trinity Cathedral honoring the chair-man of the Endowment Fund, George P.Kokalis. Kokalis, who will be 90 in July, washonored for his philanthropy and more than60 years of service to the Church. Over 400people attended the event from all over theUnited States with some traveling fromGreece to attend.

Seals relicsAFTER PLACING relics of Sts.Kyrikos, Panteleimon and HolyFathers martyred at Raitho, inthe altar table of Holy TrinityCathedral in Charlotte,ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON seals thetable during the ConsecrationService held Jan. 23.

D. Panagos

FUTURE CHURCHHis Eminence turns the firstshovel-full of dirt at ceremoniesheld Jan. 23 for the new St.Nektarios Church in Charlotte,N.C. Phenomenal growth in thenumbers of Orthodox Christiansin the area has created the needfor a second church.

Consecration and Groundbreaking

to comprehensive dental care which willeventually reduce the number of emergen-cies that occur and prolong each patient�sdental health.

Medical and dental school students willparticipate as assistants and technicians aspart of their training in becoming doctorsand dentists.

All records and x-rays will be stored onthe premises, allowing continuous, compre-hensive and cooperative treatment.

a former cottage on the grounds currentlybeing renovated, will provide medical anddental care by doctors and dentists on avolunteer basis, including Dr. Dean C.Vafiadis and Dr. Nicholas Pitouris, bothmembers of the Hellenic Dental Society ofNew York who have worked with the Acad-emy and its children for some time. Dr.Vafiadis serves as chairman of the GroundsUtilization Committee.

The facility will allow all children access

DO YOU LIKE THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER?

HAVE YOU SOMETHING TO SUGGEST?

SEND US A FEW LINES...!

Fax:(212) 774-0239

e-mail: [email protected]

8 East 79th Street

New York, NY 10021


P A P A L O I Z O S P U B L I C A T I O N S

We accept VISA, MASTERCARD, PERSONAL CHECKS & MONEY ORDERS.Card # ___________________________________________ Exp. date:___/ ____SEND TO: (Street number, please. We ship UPS) Check here for free catalogue ¾Name:______________________________________Phone:_________________Address: __________________________________________________________City:___________________________State:_____________Zip:_______________WRITE TO: PAPALOIZOS PUBLICATIONS Tel:(301) 593-065211720 Auth Lane, Silver Spring, MD.20902 Fax: (301) 681-3390Also available Textbooks for Elementary School, grades 1-7, and auxiliary books.

BOOKS (Adult level) Price Qty. AmountModern Greek, Part 1Workbook for Modern Greek, part 1Cassete tapes for part 1 (set of 8, in Album)Modern Greek, Part IIWorkbook for Modern Greek, Part IICassette tapes for Part II (set of 6)Grammar of Modern Greek, with workbook333 Greek Verbs, fully conjugated, 400 pp.Learning Greek through ConversationCassette tepes for Learning Greek (set of 8)3400 Greek Words flash cards (spiral bound)Basic Greek ConversationCassette tapes for Basic Greek (set of 6)

SUBTOTALPostage $4.25 first set, 0.25 each additional book

TOTAL

15.005.00

32.0013.005.00

26.0012.0018.0012.0030.0012.008.00

24.00

We have been teaching Americans Greek since 1957! � visit us at: www.papaloizos.com

L e a r n G r e e k T h e E a s y W a y


M A R K O S travelserviceDAILY DEPARTURES

with

V NON-STOP FLIGHTS ON JUMBO747V EASY CONNECTIONS from anywhere in the U.S.A.at UNBELIEVABLE LOW RATES!

289$

Call Markos Travel Now!NATIONWIDE TOLL FREE

800-243-7728CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS

800-842-8260

644 SILAS DEAN HWY.WETHERSFIELD, CT 06109

449$

*

*One Way áðü

Round trip

OTHER FLIGHTS

*A LimitedNumber of Seats

Owner:Markos

Hatzikonstantis

...BOOK NOWAND SAVE!

123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123123456789012345678901234567890121234567890123

THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER�S TELEPHONE AND FAX NUMBERS

TEL. (212) 570-3555

FAX: (212) 774-0239

NEW YORK � Holy Trinity ArchdiocesanCathedral has taken the initiative under aproposed plan by Archbishop Spyridon fornew model ministry programs in areas thatinclude hospital, prison, homebound andcampus ministries, among others.

The Archbishop charged the Cathedraldean, the Rev. Robert Stephanopoulos, withthe task of spearheading the proposed ini-tiatives. His Eminence met with Fr.Stephanopoulos on Jan. 21 to discuss theambitious proposals.

Specifically, the initiatives will encom-pass a coordinated hospital ministry for Man-hattan, a similar coordinated prison minis-try, a ministry to the homebound (elderly andphysically challenged), coordinated collegeand university ministry, a ministry of pre-marital counseling, an expanded ministry forsocial concerns, including the RonaldMcDonald House, mental health institutionsand, building on the Cathedral�s already es-tablished Soup Kitchen, aid to the needy.

The Cathedral, founded in 1892, is theSee of the Archbishop of America under HisEminence�s direct administration.

Existing programs and ministries at theCathedral include a vibrant Day School, aGreek education program, a soup kitchen

Cathedral Assumes LeadershipRole in New Ministry Initiatives

and a renowned choir, under Maestro DinoAnagnost.

Archbishop Spyridon has also broad-ened the responsibilities of the Archiepis-copal Vicar of the Cathedral, the Very Rev.Archimandrite Gabriel Karambis, to includedirect oversight of the administrative and li-turgical operation of the Cathedral on be-half of His Eminence.

Archimandrite Karambis was appointedArchiepiscopal Vicar on Jan. 1, 1998.

Previous Vicars have been BishopPhilotheos of Meloa and Metropolitan Isaiah,the Presiding Bishop of Denver, when heserved as the Bishop-Chancellor in New York.

Commenting on these developments,the Archbishop said:

�These dreams have been in the mindsof many for a long time. I was very gratifiedindeed to learn that Father Robert has servedfor many years in anticipation of such a de-velopment. Under the coordination of FatherRobert, I feel we will be more than equal tothe task of expanding the ministry of the Ca-thedral throughout our city, and provide aleadership model for others to follow. I alsolook forward to the clergy of the metropoli-tan area participating in this unique opportu-nity to bring these new initiatives to fruition.�

CLERGY UPDATE

Ordinations

To Priesthood:Rev. Presbyter Soterios D. Rousakis,

Bishop Alexios of Troas-Holy TrinityChurch, Clearwater, FL - 11/01/98

Rev. Presbyter James Iliou, BishopAlexios of Troas-St. Katherine Church,Melbourne, FL - 01/10/99

To Diaconate:Rev. Deacon James Iliou, Bishop

Alexios of Troas-Annunciation Cathedral,Atlanta, GA - 12/06/98

Rev. Deacon C. Paul Schroeder, Met-ropolitan Anthony-St. Gregory of NyssaChurch, El Cajon, CA - 12/27/98

AssignmentsRev. Protopresbyter Demetrios

Kyriakakis, Nativity of the Theotokos,Fredericksburg, VA-11/01/98

New Parish FormedAtlanta Diocese: St. Nektarios Church

- Charlotte, NC

Position: Director of the Ionian Vil-lage Program

Duties: Oversees the program atthe Archdiocese throughout the yearand on-site at the camp in Greeceduring the summer.

Years at Archdiocese: 10

Age: 38

Family: Single. Family lives inModesto, Calif.

Residence: Astoria, Queens

Education: Holy Cross School ofTheology (M.Div.); California StateUniv. at Stanislas (BA, businessadmin.)

What he likes best about job: �Ilike the opportunity to work with teen-agers and young adults throughoutthe United States. I consider it a privi-lege to be a part of this ministry.�

Meetthe

Staff

Editor�s note: �Meet the Staff� is anew regular feature of the Observer high-lighting members of the Archdiocese staffwhose behind-the-scenes efforts make fora better Archdiocese.

Toughest part of job: Living in NewYork (he�s a native Californian).

How do people benefit from whatyou do?: �Young people come backwith a greater appreciation for theirGreek culture and heritage and Ortho-dox faith, which has a huge impact onthe life of the Church.

Hobbies: hiking, reading history

Other interests: Cretan music anddancing

MICHAEL PAPPAS


Ionian Village

Name ______________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

City, State, Zip ______________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________

Mail this form to: Ionian Village, 8-10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.Or contact us at: Phone (212) 570-3534, E-mail [email protected] Village is a program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Ionian Village

Friendships and Memories that last a lifetime!At Ionian Village this year!

Please check the program you are interested in:____ Summer Travel Camp, Ages 12-15 � June 28 - July 17____ Byzantine Venture, Ages 16-18 � July 25 - August 12____ Byzantine Venture, Optional Trip to Constantinople � Departs July 20____ Spiritual Odyssey, Young Adults 19 and older � July 11-26

READ AND SPEAK LANGUAGE LESSONS ON CDROMGREEK LANGUAGE LESSONS IN ONE CDROM

by George Balanis PhD, MBAand Toula Balanis AA � AnoTek, Inc.

WRITE TO: AnoTek/G. Balanis 2349 Hill Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405Tel: (310)450-5027 � Fax: (310)450-0867 � Email: [email protected]

Also avai lable in books i l lustrated with ful l color pictures.

VISIT: http://www.anotek.com Þëéïò öüñåìá sun dress

If you want to learn Greek quickly and easily, our CDROM courses are for you.Our Read and Speak Greek CDROM will teach you the Greek language taught in Greek schools today. Thiscourse covers 6 years of school and teaches Reading, Vocabulary, Pronunciation and Phonetics, Grammarand Sentence Generation. You will learn the Structure of the Greek language and how it differs from the struc-ture of English. The new software version (Ver. 2.0) improves the previous version and adds female voice,more grammar and more dialogs.

� Read and Speak Greek CDROM Ver. 2.0 (6-year course Greek font included) $75.00

A GREATA GREATA GREATA GREATA GREAT

ANYTIMEANYTIMEANYTIMEANYTIMEANYTIMEGIFTGIFTGIFTGIFTGIFT

Üëïãï ðüëçhorse city

Our Read and Speak English CDROM teaches English to Greek speaking people. The course teaches Pro-nunciation, Vocabulary, Reading and the Basics of Grammar equivalent to about two years of school. All instruc-tions are in Greek.

We accept VISA, M/C, AMEX, DISCOVER, CHECKS & MONEY ORDER q Check Box for free catalog

� Read and Speak English CDROM-Step 1 (2-year course Greek font included) $50.00

Card #______________________________________________ Exp. Date: _______/ _____Product: ________________________________________ X ____ Total $:_______________Name: ______________________________________________ Phone: _______________Address:___________________________________________________________________City __________________________________________ State________ Zip ______________Your E-mail: ________________________________________________________________

ORDER FORM: (Please put street and number. We ship UPS)

1-800-377-88776 0 9 - 7 7 8 - 5 6 5 6

SAIL THE BEAUTIFULGREEK ISLANDSthen VISIT FAMILY & FRIENDSCHARTER YOUR OWN BOATOR JOIN OUR FLOTILLAS

pyccAlbatrossSail with

Sail & power boats

30 to 90 feet

With or without captain

www.albatrosscharters.com

Celebrating 30 Years

Global Cruises


See EDUCATION REPORT page 24

Since the last Clergy-Laity Congress, theDepartment of Religious Education has takenseveral major initiatives in developing newprograms and means of promoting religiouseducation throughout the Archdiocese.

Apart from the day-to-day administra-tive work associated with the development,sale and distribution of instructional re-sources, the Department of Religious Edu-cation, under the leadership of its director,the Rev. Fr. Frank Marangos, is pursuing thefollowing:

Holy Cross School of TheologyAt the invitation of the President and

Dean, Fr. Frank has been attending Schoolof Theology faculty meetings. He has beenassigned to the Distance Learning/Continu-ing Education Committee and is outliningan agenda of future initiatives.Internet School of Orthodox Studies

The Internet School of Orthodox Stud-ies (ISOS) for adults interested in learningmore about their Orthodox Faith was es-tablished in November 1998. The classmeets every Tuesday evening (7:30-9 p.m.)at Boston Diocese headquarters.

The class is broadcast in real-timethrough the Archdiocese Web Server. Thefall/winter semester focused on the Nativityand Epiphany of Christ.

The ISOS web site address is:www.goarch.org/webcasts/religioused.html

The Holy Cross faculty has voted to givea continuing education certificate to studentswho participate in the classes. A winter se-mester is being offered on the topic of GreatLent.

Discussion ForumsVirtual religious education threaded dis-

cussion forums and classrooms have beenconstructed. During this time threaded dis-cussion forums on the Department of Reli-gious Education Web Page have been de-veloped and activated.

The forums provide asynchronous dis-cussion and the exchange of ideas concern-ing a variety of religious educational issues.

Christmas/Epiphany CatalogA Christmas Catalog was developed,

printed and mailed to over 7,000 homes.The catalog was distributed prior to the 1998Advent Liturgical Season and has contrib-uted to an increase in orders.

Multimedia DevelopmentAn interactive CD-ROM resource on the

theological, scriptural and liturgicalcatechesis of Great Lent for converts andadults is being developed.

The development of an interactive CD-ROM educational curriculum will include acompanion workbook for prospective con-verts and adult members of the Greek Or-thodox Church.

The focus of the CD-ROM is on theGreat Lenten Cycle of the Church which his-torically was a period of time when prospec-tive converts (Catechumens) studied themoral teachings and the theology of theOrthodox Church.

When completed, the Church inAmerica will have a resource for those who

Religious Education�s Progress on Many Frontsare interested in converting to our faithbased on both a historic and a current litur-gical model.

Diocesan WorkshopsReligious Education Teacher Work-

shops and Adult Leadership Training Semi-nars are being held throughout the Archdio-cese and are based on a five-year curricu-lum which includes an annual educationaltheme that is to be extrapolated and taughtto Orthodox Christians in every context ofparish, diocesan and Archdiocesan life.

Fr. Marangos, over the past fourmonths, has held many workshops acrossthe country, from New Jersey to California.

Upcoming WorkshopsThe following workshops have been

scheduled, thus far:1. Chicago Diocese: Feb. 5-7, Palatine, Ill.2. Detroit Diocese: March 5-7, Dayton, Ohio3. Detroit Diocese: March 12-15, 1999, atFlint, Mich.4. San Francisco Diocese: March 19-21,Oakland, Calif.5. Pittsburgh Diocese: April 30-May 2, Pitts-burgh

1999 Oratorical FestivalThe 1999 St. John Chrysostom Oratori-

cal Festival will take place June 12 inWatertown, Mass.

The Department of Religious Education(DRE) is working with each diocese to sched-ule and coordinate local festivals.

Meetings are being held with the Na-tional Oratorical Committee for the purposeof coordinating the festival throughout eachdiocese. A special issue of the UPDATE waspublished to communicate the status of thefestival.

Web PageThe interactive Religious Education

Web Site has been designed for those inter-ested in on-going religious instruction. Edu-cational articles, DOXA, diocesan news, andcurriculum updates are posted on a regularbasis.

The Religious Education Web Site is themost active site on the Archdiocesan AccessWeb Page.

Weekly PlannerFr. Marangos has developed a weekly

Homeschooling Planner for homeschoolingfamilies and religious educators. It appearson the Internet each week and discussesdaily celebration of saints and liturgicalfeastdays. A special section of patristicquotes is also provided.

DatabaseThe Religious Education Department has

been updating its database of names (7,000)and addresses of religious educators.

Re-PrintsTo keep up with steady demand, the

DRE has been evaluating and re-printing anumber of materials to maintain an adequatesupply of books and religious items.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER FEBRUARY 5, 1999PAGE 6 m i s s i o n sm i s s i o n sDAVOS, SWITZERLAND - (Based on

ANA reports) The ongoing World EconomicForum in Davos was offered some spiritualfood for thought on Feb. 2 by EcumenicalPatriarch Bartholomew, who called on par-ticipants to reconsider the role of moral val-ues in the pursuit of economic globalization.

In an address, the first-ranking leaderof the world�s 300 million

Orthodox Christians warned global eco-nomic leaders that �man shall not live bybread alone.�

He contrasted the globalization pro-moted by �multinational economic giants�with Orthodoxy�s concept of �spiritualecumenicity, a form of globalization that allhuman beings of every race and languageand of all cultures should be united by bondsof love, brotherhood and cooperation.�

In particular, Ecumenical PatriarchBartholomew emphasized the increasingchasm between haves and have-nots in arapidly shrinking global village. �Economicdevelopment in itself and the globalizationthat serves it lose their value when theycause privation among the many and anexcessive concentration of wealth in thehands of the few,� he said.

�Economic progress is morally justifi-

Patriarch Bartholomew Asks DavosSummit to Reconsider Moral Values

able and successful only when all membersof the global community participate in it,�he added.

Peppered with quotes from Euripides toAristotle, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartho-lomew�s speech presented a historical viewof the problems of economic inequality sinceantiquity. But he especially underlined thedanger of economic globalization erasing lo-cal cultural particularity in favor of a homo-geneous world culture. �Our desire is to safe-guard the possibility for the members of theOrthodox minority and of every other culturalminority to maintain their distinctiveness andthe particularity of their culture... Globaliza-tion as a means of making humanity homoge-neous, of influencing the masses and causinga single, unified and unique mode of thoughtto prevail, finds us opposed,� he said.

Having warned about the dangers of aclone-like, global �homo economicus,� Patri-arch Bartholomew also recognized the mate-rial advantages of economic globalization.

�The achievements of international co-operation in the sectors of economy, com-merce, telecommunications and trade ingeneral, to which the phenomenon of glo-balization is primarily attributed, are won-derful,� he concluded.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. � Make a differ-ence offering the witness of your Orthodoxfaith, providing physical labor, and being avisible expression of love, unity, and sup-port to Orthodox communities in Galilee,Guatemala, Haiti, India, and Kenya.

All persons seeking this opportunity tothe Holy Orthodox Faith in action and tofulfill the mandate of our Lord are urged toapply today.

GalileeIn 1995, the Orthodox Christian Mis-

sion Center sent its first Mission Team tothe Patriarchate of Jerusalem to work innorthern Galilee and assist the Orthodoxcommunity in the village of Kuffer-Yassif.Team members helped with the construc-tion of a church hall, restoration of churchproperties, and offered catechism and en-couragement.

The 1999 Galilee Mission Team willcontinue working with the Orthodox com-munity of Kuffer-Yassif, in northern Galilee,with its ongoing projects.

The 1999 Team has been invited to theHoly Land to teach, to participate in vaca-tion Bible schools, and to continue the ef-fort of encouraging the Orthodox faithful inthis region. These church school seminarsand adult catechisms will take place inKuffer-Yassif, Beena, and other Orthodoxcommunities in nearby villages.

This catechism team will help in therecruitment and training of catechists andyouth workers for the Church.

Location: Kuffer-Yassif, Israel,Dates: July 26-Aug. 20, 1999Team size: EightTeam cost: $2,400Travel: New York - Tel Aviv, Israel

GuatemalaIn response to a plea for assistance, the

OCMC sent its first teams to Guatemala in1998 with the blessing of Metropolitan An-tonio of Mexico and the Caribbean.

The 1999 Guatemala Mission Teamswill assist at the Hogar Rafael Ayau orphan-age in Guatemala City, and work with thenuns of the Monasterio Ortodoxo LavraMambre. They will participate in youth out-reach and interact with the 150 children atthe orphanage. Work will also including as-sisting with numerous repairs, renovations,and maintenance at the orphanage.

Spanish-speaking applicants are en-couraged to apply.

Location: Guatemala City, GuatemalaDates: Team-I: June 28-July 19; Team-

II: August 2-21, 1999Team size: 12Team cost: $1,125Travel: Florida - Guatemala City

HaitiMissionary efforts began in 1986 to help

develop the Orthodox Church in the Carib-bean. Since the start of the work, and withthe support of the OCMC, the Church inHaiti has been able to establish two Ortho-dox parishes, two parochial schools, severalmedical clinics, and a number of income-generating industries.

With the blessing of MetropolitanAthenagoras of Panama, Mexico, CentralAmerica and the Caribbean, the 1999 HaitiMission Team will assist at Orthodox com-munities in Petion-Ville and Metivier.

Work will include medical care, teach-ing, and restoration at St. George Churchand School in Petion-Ville, and at Holy Res-urrection Church and School in Metivier.

In addition to restoration work at theChurches and schools, the medical team isneeded to assist the medical clinics; and theteaching team will offer English and religiousinstruction.

Medical personnel are needed. Creole

Join the �99 Orthodox Christian Mission Teamsand French are the official languages. French-speaking applicants are encouraged to ap-ply.

Location: Petion-Ville, HaitiDates: June 28-July 19, 1999Team size: 10Team cost: $1,325Travel: Florida - Port-A-Prince, Haiti

IndiaSince the OCMC sent its first team to

India in 1995, efforts have continued eachyear to support the ongoing missionary out-reach and development of the OrthodoxChurch in Calcutta.

Working in Calcutta with missionarypriest, V. Rev. Ignatios Sennis, under theguidance of Metropolitan Nikitas of HongKong and Southeast Asia, teams helped or-ganize seminars, presented teachings on theFaith and health issues, and supported theongoing mission outreach to the needy of-fered by the Church each day.

The 1999 India Mission Team will con-tinue offering catechism, seminars, and as-sist with the ongoing mission outreach. Theteam will organize seminars for converts andpotential converts at the Church of the HolyTransfiguration in Calcutta, focusing on cat-echism on the Orthodox faith.

Topics will vary, and participants�knowledge of the Faith will range from el-ementary to intermediate levels, and willinclude medical and health issues. Also,there will be daily outreach to needy chil-dren and adults.

Because of the harsh environment (i.e.heat, pollution, and poverty), participantsneed to be mature and in good physicalhealth. Medical personnel are needed toassist at the clinic and for medical/healthinstruction.

Location: Calcutta, IndiaDates: Aug. 30-Sept. 23, 1999Team size: SixTeam cost: $2,800Travel: New York-Calcutta

KenyaThe Orthodox Mission Team efforts

began in the summer of 1987, with the firstproject being the construction of an Ortho-dox Church in Kenya. A stone church, theNativity of our Lord, was built in a remotearea of Kenya where there are fifteen com-munities of Orthodox faithful. It was the firstchurch building in the area.

The Mission Team will assist with thecompletion of the construction of the St.Nectarios Church in the village of Chep-gundi. The team will offer their labor as theywork with members of the local Orthodoxcommunities to construct this church.

Medical personnel are needed to assistat the Orthodox Medical Unit (clinic) atKisarech, which is within walking distanceof the Church construction site.Location: Chepgundi, KenyaDates: July 26-Aug. 27, 1999Team size: 15Team cost: $3,400Travel: New York - Nairobi, Kenya

To receive an application, contact theproject coordinator, Andy Lekos, at theOCMC and additional information on the1999 Teams:Orthodox Christian Mission CenterP.O. Box 4319St. Augustine, FL 32085-4319Tel: (904) 829-5132Fax: (904) 829-1635E-mail: [email protected]: http://www.ocmc.org

Note, costs are estimates and may besubject to increase or decrease according tochanges in airfare, currency valuations, lengthof stay, and other circumstances. Specificdates have not been confirmed.

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Archbishop Puts Renewed Focus on Halki

Over the years, the Theological School of Halki,closed in 1971 by the Turks, has become a symbol forthe struggle of Orthodoxy to rise above the tyranny ofoppressive regimes.

The school has also become the bulwark of Or-thodoxy, the cradle of deep theological thought andthe nurse of great personalities in the life of the Or-thodox Church.

They became patriarchs, archbishops, priests andprofessors, all grounded in the spiritual and theologi-cal tradition of the Great Church of Constantinople.Efforts to reopen the school have intensified over thepast two years, with Archbishop Spyridon, himself aHalki graduate, spearheading the effort. His most re-

FROM NEW YORK/BOSTON TO:ATHENS/THESSALONIKILARNACATO ATHENS/THESSALONIKI FROM:BALTIMORE/PHILA/PITTS/WASHATLANTA/CHARLOTTE/RALEIGHCHICAGO/CINCI/DETROIT/FT. LAUD/MIAMIMINNEAPOLIS/ORLANDO/ST. LOU/TAMPADALLAS/HOUSTONDENVER/SALT LAKE CITYLOS ANGELES/SAN FRANCISCO/SEATTLE

REX TRAVEL

AGENCY

NEW YORK

1999 EARLY SALE RATESTO GREECE AND LARNACA

311 West 54th Str.

New York, NY 10019

Tel. (212) 757-4255

Fax:(212) 757-6728

Minimum stay 7 days- maximum 4 months-plus applicable taxes $100 surchargewestbound August 15-September 15. Full payment by FEBRUARY 25, 1999Non-stop 747 from New York with add-on fares available within Greece

JUNE 11-AUGUST 31$768$868

$838$838$878$878$938$978$998

APRIL 1-JUNE 10$668$728

$738$758$768$768$838$878$928

ONE WAY SPECIALS FROM NEW YORK/BOSTONATHENS/THESSALONIKILARNACA

$375$455

$475$555

Toll Free:(800) 223-0460

Halki: �an island no more�

cent success on this front was the reinstatement of the Board of Trustees of the institutionafter they were dismissed in early November by the Turkish government.

In January, the Archbishop took the initiative to renew efforts to bring about the re-opening of Halki. He announced the formation of an independent foundation to advancethe cause of Halki�s re-opening. �Now is the time to engage the resources that lie withinour great American society to come to the forefront on behalf of the cause of Halki,� HisEminence said.

�We need to bring this righteous and just cause to the attention of the political, reli-gious and academic community in a new and invigorated way. We need to engage ourown Orthodox family, the ecumenical community, the interfaith community, the asso-ciations of fellow theological schools, and the general conscience of our society at large.�

He explained that the new foundation�s mission will be to focus the world�s academicand social consciousness on the cause of Halki.


TRINITYGUADALUPE

HOMES

WOMEN & ORTHODOXY

�...Blessed art thou among women, andblessed is the fruit of thy womb.� Luke 1:42

Many Orthodox Christian women arefortunate to have the love and support struc-ture in place to lead them to marriage, chil-dren, and a meaningful life. Others, how-ever, are not as fortunate. Due to many rea-sons, they find themselves in a crisis preg-nancy. They have made the wrong choicesand are in turmoil. The overwhelming con-cern is where and to whom do they turn to?

ZOE for Life!

by Eleni Daniels

A small percentage of women availthemselves to the various service and sup-port groups that exist. Many wrestle withabortion, some with adoption, some withsuicide.

It is disturbing that most Orthodoxwomen who are in trouble do not turn totheir church for guidance. Perhaps, there areso few places to turn to within the Ortho-dox community.

A Pan-Orthodox InitiativeIn May 1997, Philoptochos President

Paula Kappos of the Sts. Constantine andHelen Church in Cleveland, and agroup of women began meetingto explore ways of involvingthemselves in social issues. Acommunity survey was mailedto every woman 18 and overin the parish to help establishwhich issues parishionerswere mostly likely to support.Surprisingly, at the top of the listwere: creating an Orthodox adop-tion agency, providing aid to batteredwomen and children, and providing assis-tance to women in crisis pregnancies.

As a result of numerous meetings withprofessionals and specialists in the field ofHuman Resources and Crisis PregnancyCenters, ZOE for Life! was born.

As a pan-Orthodox outreach effort, itsmission is to help Orthodox Christianwomen who need emotional and spiritualsupport during crisis pregnancies; to pro-vide confidential access to existing profes-sional agencies, and to connect interestedwomen with potential adoptive OrthodoxChristian families.

ZOE for Life! serves as a conduit guid-ing women to a wider range of support or-ganizations and hopefully a more promis-ing outlook on their situation. It also pro-vides access to financial assistance, hous-ing, clothing, medical assistance, and pre-natal care.

�It is a two-fold effort,� said Mrs.Kappos, co-founder of ZOE for Life! �Weoffer women the opportunity to get the sup-port and care they need for crisis pregnan-cies and we want to assure women thatthere is an avenue to continue their preg-nancy. If a woman carries the baby throughher term, we want to help her network withother Orthodox women who want to adopt.�

Our hope is to make ZOE more well-known in the community at large.�

Guatemalan AdoptionsUpon hearing about Zoe for Life!,

Mother Ines, Abbess of the only OrthodoxChristian orphanage in Guatemala, hasasked them to expedite legal adoptions toOrthodox Christian homes for the 130 chil-dren in residence with her. The childrenrange in age from infants to 11 years. Tothat end, ZOE has developed an AdoptiveParents� Questionnaire for prospective fami-lies to complete if they were interested inhaving ZOE assist in coordinating their adop-tion efforts.

She urges all those who are interestedin adopting one of these children to contactZOE for Life!.

Decision in DebateJanuary 22 marked the 26th year of the

landmark decision Roe v. Wade. The U.S.Supreme Court ruling which gave women thelegal right to have an abortion. But the rulingdid not end there. Over the last quarter cen-tury, abortion rights have been on a rollercoaster. With state restrictions on the rise andthe Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act currentlymaking its way through Congress, the Roe v.Wade decision is continually in debate.

Whether people debate if abortionshould be addressed at the state or federallevel or, if whether it is a political or religionissue � one thing is for sure � thousands ofabortions occur each day. Regardless ofwhere one stands on the abortion issue,most would like to see the need for abor-tion reduced.

A study by the Alan Guttmacher Insti-tute* found that the U.S. has the highest rateof teen pregnancy inmost of the industrial-ized world. It also reports that 50 percent ofthe pregnancies among American women

are unintended � half of these are ter-minated by abortion. And that the

majority of women obtainingabortions are young: 56 per-cent are under age 25, includ-ing about 23 percent who areteenagers; only 22 percent areaged 30 and older.

We need to realize that theenvironment in which our chil-

dren are raised � the quality ofhousing, child care, education, under-

standing and acceptance � are all factorswhich affect how they feel about themselvesand their ability to cope with the pressuresof life. For many people today, sexual ex-pression is often the only way to feel loved.Becoming pregnant, or causing pregnancy,is an outcome of that quest for intimacy.

While researching her book, RealChoices: Listening to Women, Looking forAlternatives to Abortion, writer FredericaMathewes-Green came across a recurringtheme. �As I traveled the country holding�listening groups� with women who had hadabortions, I always asked, �What situationcaused you to make this decision?� I ex-pected to hear tales of financial woe, yetnearly 90 per cent of the women told methey had had their abortion because of arelationship � because someone they loved,a boyfriend or a parent, told them to. Whenasked what anyone could have done to helpthem complete the pregnancy, over and overthe answer was: Just stand by me. �If only Ihad one person to stand by me,� writes Mrs.Mathewes Green.

The bottom line: whether you consideryourself pro-choice or pro-life, it is essen-tial to acknowledge the feelings of womenin need and provide Orthodox Christiansupport and understanding for alternate so-lutions. ZOE for Life! provides this haven ofsupport. If you would like further informa-tion on ZOE for Life!, call (440) 893-9990.

*A not-for profit corporation for ReproductiveHealth Research, Policy Analysis and Public Educa-tion based in New York and Washington, D.C..

This column highlights women and theOrthodox faith and how their faith haschanged their lives and those around them.If you would like to share your story or rec-ommend a woman for a future highlight,please write to: Editor, Orthodox Observer,8 East 79th St., NYC 10021 or fax to: (212)774-0239.

A Crisis Pregnancy Outreach for Women

Áí õðÜñ÷åé ìßá ôñáðåæéêÞõðçñåóßá ðïõ äåí ôçíðñïóöÝñïõìå, ßóùò åßíáéêÜôé ðïõ äåí ôï ÷ñåéÜæåóèå.


EDITORIAL

O P I N I O N S

L E T T E R SL E T T E R S

Reflections on Greek Letters

Editor,I would like to publicly thank Father

Frank Marangos, Director of the Departmentof Religious Education for the Greek Ortho-dox Archdiocese for the lessons providedlast December through the Internet Schoolfor Orthodox Studies.

The lessons on the winter Pascha werea wonderful addition to my preparation forthe Christmas feast.

The Greek Odyssey in America

Editor,Since the beginning of this century and

before Greeks have been coming in largenumbers to these shores, to the land of thefree and brave. We have now entered thefinal decade of this century, and perhapssome comments on these immigrants arein order.

Every Greek American of the presentgeneration whose parents or grandparentswere immigrants to these shores should beproud of the saga our ancestors have blazedin America. The early Greek immigrantscame with nothing but their strong consti-tution and their religion to keep them in-tact. They asked for little from their adoptedland except work. As long as it was honestthey did not complain. They demanded afair wage for a fair day�s work.

In less than a century, they establishedpermanent roots in their adopted country,and using the Greek Orthodox religion astheir beacon brought forth communities ofGreek Americans in every village and city ofAmerica. They saw to it that their familiesretained the faith, customs, and language oftheir native Greece, whose citizens, some2,500 years ago, taught the world how tolive, and as recently as the 1940�s taughtthe world how to die with honor by defend-

ing their homeland against the fascists. Theyalso did more. They taught themselves andtheir families to love and respect the UnitedStates, and have proved their allegiance totheir adopted land in all respects.

The Greek immigrants who came toAmerica were a hardy lot, as are their off-spring. All of us should continue to remem-ber, honor, and pass on those solid valuesof hard work, love of family, deep devotionand respect for our church and its leaders,and above all remember that although weare proud to be native Americans, we stillhave roots in a culture many thousands ofyears old.

Let us never forget those first Greekimmigrants who did so much for the presentgenerations. They were true pioneers.

John A. MicklosBaltimore, Md.

Mr. Micklos is a retired history teacherand Chairman Emeritus of the War Memo-rial Commission for the State of Maryland.

Editor,I want to thank the Greek Orthodox

Archdiocese for providing a Bible Study class(School of Orthodox Studies) over theInternet.

Many of our churches, including St.Mark�s of Boca Raton, have excellent Biblestudy classes however, for one reason oranother, it is difficult for people to attendclasses at a prescribed time. The use of theInternet allows the faithful to maintain acurriculum while allowing us to fulfill otherfamily obligations.

In our situation, my mother-in-law wasdiagnosed with pancreatic cancer and wespend a great deal of time taking care of her.By using the Internet School of OrthodoxStudies, we are still in a position to learn

For those who are not aware, FatherFrank used the power of the Internet to al-low his teaching of our faith to reach peoplearound the country. I understand theInternet School of Orthodox studies will re-sume shortly.

I encourage others to listen and partici-pate, but realized that not everyone has ac-cess to a computer with an Internet con-nection. I plan to invite people to my hometo listen with me and hope that others withcomputers can do the same so that we cangive more people the opportunity to gain agreater understanding of Orthodoxy.

Please join me in praying for the suc-cess of Father Frank�s educational ministry,making the Word of our Lord and SaviorJesus Christ come alive in all of us.

Theo JenetopulosGuilford, Conn.

Internet Bible study

T hese words of Jesus in John17:11 speak to our Church atthe end of the 20th century.

For the past two-and-a-half years, cer-tain groups and individuals have soughtto disrupt its unity by being at odds withher leadership over the Church�s direction.

It is time to put aside these differencesand do all we can help our Church moveforward.

The recent meetings in January at thePhanar between Archbishop Spyridon andthe Holy Eparchial Synod with Ecumeni-cal Patriarch Bartholomew and the HolySynod of the Patriarchate - the blessedTuesday, as one hierarch termed it - andin New York of the Eparchial Synod at theend of the month, have clearly demon-strated the unity and solidarity of the Arch-diocese and its leadership.

Certainly, in the past, there have beendisagreements over various issues, and in-terpretations and understanding of canonsand procedures, and there may be othersin the future. But, just as there are disagree-ments in any family, the basic unity of theChurch family cannot be shaken and diffi-culties can and will be resolved under theleadership and loving direction of our spiri-tual father, Archbishop Spyridon.

Already His Eminence and the Met-ropolitans of each diocese have taken stepsto address important issues facing theChurch, such as beginning the process offilling the vacancies of the dioceses of De-troit, New Jersey and Atlanta.

And the Church has been moving for-ward on other fronts as well: including in-novations at St. Basil Academy, adminis-trative improvements at Holy Cross andHellenic College and the establishment ofseveral monasteries in the United States.

But those who continuously seek toundermine with the Archbishop over vari-ous issues and problems facing the Church

and who feel the solution is either to re-place him or seek autonomy, weaken theChurch in the long-run. And this is defi-nitely not characteristic of the Christianbehavior we must strive for.

As St. Paul advised in his second let-ter to Timothy(v. 16-17), we should �shunprofane and idle babblings, for they willincrease to more ungodliness. And theirmessage will spread like cancer.�

Another unseemly practice, the with-hold funds from the Archdiocese by a smallnumber of communities, will not hurt theChurch, but will damage the spiritualhealth of these parishes.

This is also not the kind of examplewe should be setting for our children, thefuture of the Church.

As Jesus said, �the gates of hell willnot prevail� against His Church. Neitherwill the loss of a few dollars.

Like the wicked servant who buried hiscoin in the ground, rather than investing itfor beneficial purposes for his Master, theydo so to their discredit. They cannot foolGod. He sees where their hearts are.

Regarding Archbishop Spyridon�s lead-ership and his view of certain issues, thesecular, political tone that some of the dis-cussion has taken, whether it be in the me-dia or elsewhere, has no place in the Church.

Unlike elected officials, leaders of theChurch are not and can not be subject towhims and opinions of the moment or ofan elite few. The Church is eternal and Herhead is Jesus Christ and we are called toobedience to His will and the teachings ofthe Church.

We should set forth in this new yearby rallying behind His Eminence and do allthat we can to move the Church forward ina spirit of unity, so that we may all be one.

But let us do so in a spirit of love,forgivness and reconciliation, for such is theessence of being an Orthodox Christian.

It Is Time to Become One�...Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that

they may be one as We are.�

Following is His Eminence�s exhortation to the au-dience at the Celebration of Greek Letters and Arts Lun-cheon held Jan. 31 in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

I want to thank Dr. Duffy for his excellent presenta-tion and for the dedicated scholarship that he has in-vested in his work. It is obvious, Professor Duffy, thatyour research is a labor of love, and all of us thank youfor sharing your work with us today.

Dr. Duffy has told us of many books that traveledfar and wide, books that enjoyed attention in countriesfar removed from their place of origin. Which of the au-thors of these wondrous works could have foreseen thattheir writings would have such a rich and extensive life?

Not one of them anticipated this result, I�m sure. And yet these books which wediscuss today prove once again the truth of the saying of St. Basil�that in human affairs,the real nature of things is revealed by their end, by their destiny and conclusion.

The true value of these books could not be determined at the time of their writing.The full impact of these authors could not be reckoned in their own day and age.

Indeed, even today we cannot say that we have fully comprehended the value ofthe literature that Dr. Duffy discussed.

This is the power of ideas! This is the power of the human imagination! There is aninherent restlessness in the intellectual and spiritual life of man, and the journeys ofthose medieval Greek books are an icon�if I may be so bold to say�an icon of thevitality of the human soul, formed in the image of God. Our humanity cannot find truesatisfaction in the accomplishments of the past, cannot find true rest on the laurels ofour ancestors.

So it is the works of the Three Hierarchs, whose accomplishments and writings westill celebrate today. These Fathers of the Church were not content to rest on the achieve-ments of their predecessors. They faithfully received the Tradition of the Apostles fromtheir own teachers. But then, using the intellectual tools and vocabulary of Greek phi-losophy and rhetoric, they proclaimed and defended the truth to their own generation.

They were not content simply to repeat the kerygma of the saints who had gonebefore them; they declared afresh the unchanging truth of God in new ways, with newwords and images and arguments. And today we still harvest the fruits of their spirituallabors, we are still blessed by their genius.

The words that they spoke and wrote were neither static sayings nor dead letters.They were, and are, and will continue to be . . . living, dynamic, powerful voices,whose �sound has gone out through all the earth, and their utterances to the end of theworld� (Psalm 19:4).

Their spiritual restlessness, their yearning to know the ultimate end and goal ofthings, their thirst to realize the divine destiny of Hellenic letters and learning�thesecharacteristics of the Three Hierarchs are the legacy of all Greek Orthodox Christians.

And yet we as Hellenes and Phil-hellenes of the 21st century cannot remain satis-fied simply to receive this legacy from the past. We cannot be content to rest on thelaurels of our forerunners in the faith.

On Jan. 29, I addressed some of our Greek School children at the Liturgy. In theirfaces, I saw the future of our Church and our society. Our children are our living books.

We need to fill them with the best of our Hellenic tradition.We need to instill in them the spiritual and intellectual restlessness of their ancestors.We need to send them abroad, so to speak, as ambassadors for the future of our

faith and our heritage.Just as their grandparents and great-grandparents crossed the sea and traveled far

and wide, bearing with them the seeds of their faith and culture, so we too should seekto enrich our children with the language and letters of their ancestry, that they too maycontinue to build on the timeless Hellenic heritage.

Let us not be content with the past. Let us not be content with what we have donealready for the cause of Greek education. Let us never be satisfied with the mileagethat our books, our ideas, our aspirations, have already achieved.

Imagine what our children will achieve!Imagine the scholars and theologians and philosophers that they will become!Imagine the influence of their achievements in historyAll because of the seed we plant in them today, all because of the legacy of Hel-

lenic letters and learning that we bestow on them today.For our children, for our heritage, and for our future, let us press ahead with the

task of disseminating Greek Letters, as God gives us time and opportunity.

See LETTERS page 24


RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

The word �catechesis� refers to muchmore than religious instruction, apologeticsor ecclesiastical initiation.

Catechesis is a way of life, the verypraxis of the Orthodox Christian parish andnot a special or limited activity of it.

Theological Implications of Religious Education

See RELIGIOUS EDUCATION page 24

by Fr. Frank Marangos

While catechesis includes the methodsof instruction, it should not be understoodas limited to their effective use.

Catechesis has the power to nurtureand develop every church member�s imageand likeness (theosis) and to shape the lo-cal community�s very fabric.

Early church practiceIn the early Church, the bishop, who

was considered the Apostolic heir of the�ministry of the word,� had responsibilityfor teaching the faith.

Due to their ever-expanding geographi-cal responsibilities, however, bishops en-trusted the catechetical ministry to the clergyas part of their respective liturgical preroga-tives.

This combination is significant, as itimplies that between catechesis and wor-ship there is an essential unity and that cat-echism cannot be understood apart from theChurch�s liturgical context.

Herein lies the fundamental differencebetween Orthodox and other Christian tra-ditions. Catechesis must be understood asan expression of worship, as worship mustbe a ministry of catechesis.

It is not an intellectual enterprise butrather a sacramental transaction betweenGod and man.

While entrusting the catechetical min-istry to the clergy, however, the bishop�srole should not be understood as abdicat-ing its Apostolic responsibility. The bishopremains the expression of, and the one ulti-mately responsible for, the successful andproper operation of the Church�scatechetical ministry.

The Orthodox liturgical tradition mustreacquire this catechetical mood and expres-sion. This is an immediate concern for theDepartment of Religious Education as wellas the contemporary parish catechist.Catechetical initiatives must, of necessity,assist the faithful of all ages to develop theproper posture whereby the liturgical ex-pressions of the Church may once again�catechize� (transform) believers into theimage and likeness of the God towardswhich all liturgical acts incline.

Such a liturgical catechesis is a matterof active participation in the sacramental lifeof the Church and is a primary componentof religious instruction.

While it should not be understood orintended to diminish the importance andresponsibility of the teaching component,liturgical catechesis is the primary vehiclefor the Orthodox faithful�s maturation.

It would be erroneous to consider therole of the Sunday school or adult Bible pro-gram as the sole means of catechetical in-struction, and equally tragic to consider li-turgical participation as something that ex-hausts the Church�s pedagogical role.

Since the Eucharist is sacramentalizedin all areas of our existence, so, too, is thecatechetical aspect of the Church�s liturgi-cal life.

Catechesis and liturgyChrist united catechesis and liturgy.

Speaking to His disciples, Jesus commandedthem to go and make disciples of all nations.This evangelical initiative, however, was theresult of a �baptism� in Jesus� Name as wellas a �catechism� that exhorts the faithful toobserve all that Jesus commanded.

If Jesus Himself united liturgy withcatechesis, who are we to compartmental-ize and disjoint them? To do so would beerroneous, narrow-minded and a travestyof catechesis that involves an �orienting� ofthe total person . . . mind, heart as well asbody, towards God.

As we shall see in the final section ofthis study, one of the problems with thecurrent curriculum of the Greek OrthodoxChurch of America is its independence fromthe liturgical cycles of the Church. Careshould be taken to reintegrate all of our for-mal catechetical resources, programs, ma-terials, retreats, workshops, and lectures tocoincide with the liturgical rhythm of theChurch�s sacramental life. Catechesis can-not be truly sacramental if it is independentfrom the liturgical context of the Church. Todo so would be to overemphasize its ratio-nal qualities.

Care should be taken to reweave andto graft our catechetical initiatives into wor-ship services.

Catechesis implies life-long spiritualmaturation within the context of a faithfulEucharistic community. This is the mostimportant, yet most trivialized aspect of thecontemporary Church�s catechetical praxis.

Broad processCatechism should not be reduced to

narrow intellectual formulations or peda-gogical initiatives. Rather, catechesis shouldbe conceived as a broad process wherebythe faithful mature in their knowledge union,and vision of God.

Every aspect of ecclesiastical life is tem-pered and affected by a catechesis that isbased on Scripture (Holy Tradition), theo-logically informed, liturgically nurtured andexpressed in the day-to-day praxis of theApostolic Church.

When understood in such a dynamicfashion, catechesis is of great consequenceto the administrative health and spiritualwell-being of the local Orthodox parish.

The entire church community as wellas the individual must be catechized. Howcan we catechize one portion of the Body ofthe Church, the children, and neglect theothers?

Perhaps this may help explain the un-healthy conduct that often characterizesparish council meetings and communitygeneral assemblies.

Perhaps this is why our stewardshipcampaigns have not been as successful aswe would have wanted them to be, and whyso many parishioners neglect to frequent theEucharist Cup.

This may tell us why so many youngadults are leaving the Church. We have fo-cused our efforts on educating the youngaccording to un-Orthodox models and, forthe most part, have neglected the spiritualmaturation of adults, most especially ourparish leaders.

If we are to effectively deal with theseissues we must all insist that the future ofOrthodox Catechesis in America must ex-tend to all areas of Church life.

Responsible flight attendants stronglysuggest that in case of atmospheric decom-pression in an aircraft, parents should placeoxygen masks over their own faces beforeattempting to place them over theirchildren�s faces.

Likewise, adult Orthodox Christiansshould take heed to fully breathe-in the life-sustaining Word of God that our liturgicaland formal catechetical atmosphere pro-vides.

Orthodox liturgical life is the startingpoint, the life-line and focus, of such acatechetical in-breathing. It is both the con-

Return to: Office of Admissions, 50 Goddard Ave. Brookline MA 02146

Name: _________________________________________________

Address:_________________________________________________

City: ______________________ State: _________ Zip: __________

Phone: _____________________________________________________

Discover the Tradition

HOLY CROSSDiscover

GREEK ORTHODOXSCHOOL OF THEOLOGY

Sixty years ago the Greek OrthodoxArchdiocese founded a school in the UnitedStates to train qualified young men for thepriesthood. They wanted to guarantee that thetreasures of Orthodoxy and lofty ideals ofHellenism would be insured by well-trainedleaders.

Much has changed since 1937, but HolyCross Greek Orthodox School of Theologycontinues to serve the Church by educatingfuture clergy and lay ministers. Under theleadership of quality professors, students learnthe rich history of the Orthodox Church, theyexplore the depths of its theology, and theystruggle to make these things a living realityin an America on the threshold of a newmillennium.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is moving you toprepare for the priesthood. Or maybe your calling is to serve the Church in layministry. Whatever your personal aspirations might be, Holy Cross can help youreach your goals. Over one hundred women and men are currently studying tobring Greek Orthodoxy to a new generation. Join them and discover the tradition.

COMPASSPRAY BUT INSURE TOO


RETIRED CLERGY

By Fr Nicholas L. Vieron

We think the following �Decalogue� forthe �Science of Laziness� is a bit funny. Atleast I find it entertaining. I hope you do also.

Enjoying the Life of Retirementterm psychotherapy.

Myth: People could control their de-pression if they just had the right attitude.

Fact: The causes of depression are com-plex. However, a depression is not a condi-tion people can simply will or wish away or�pull themselves together� and get better.While some people can manage their de-

pression through self-help, others needprofessional assistance.

However, another inhibit-ing factor in effective treat-ment of depression is the be-lief by even some doctorsand family members that de-pression is the least of anolder person�s problem andnot worth treating. Yet, Dr.

George Alexopoulos, a psy-chiatrist at Cornell University,

reports that treating depression ina patient, even with Alzheimer�s, for ex-

ample, improves both depression and thesymptoms of dementia.

One of the causes - classic symptoms -of depression is lack of pleasure in peopleand activities they once enjoyed.

Here is where the Retired Clergy Asso-ciation and the Epistle come to the rescue!They are not a cure-all. They are, however,a potent dose of �depression therapy!�Whereas, before our retirement, we wereactive in the church office, we are now ac-tive in a fellowship created by the RCA andthe sharing of it through the Epistle.

There are activities we must pursue onour own. And when we say �we,� we don�tmean just the �young at heart� but all agegroups can benefit from certain activities.

For one thing, we should try to forgetourselves as the �center of the universe!� Butrather strive to place others in our thoughts -others who need our support and comfort,our encouragement and our guidance.

I imagine we just have to continue be-ing imitators of Him Who came �not to beserved but to serve!� In a way, it�s what wedid best all our lives. The same principalapplies for all people in whatever profession,and in whatever age. To strive to �serve andplease both God and man.�

That�s true �leadership!�Write to RCA Epistle editor, Fr Nicho-

las L. Vieron, Pastor Emeritus of The Annun-ciation Church, 573 N. Highbland - Mem-phis, TN 38122, or leave a message at (901)323-9530 [email protected]

1. Love thy bed as you love yourself.2. Rest during the day so that you may en-joy your sleep at night.3. When you see someone rest-ing, go near him and help him.4. Every work is an effortwhich should be avoided.5. Don�t do today anythingthat can be postponed fortomorrow.6. Make as less movementsas you can.7. Everything you must do,let someone else do it.8. No one has died from rest-ing too much.9. If you feel the urge to work, lie downand rest until it [the urge] passes.10. Remember: We live to rest and relax.

After the first commandment, �Love yourbed as you love yourself,� my other two fa-vorites are numbers 2 and 9 -�Rest duringthe day so that you can enjoy your sleep atnight� and �If you feel the urge to work, liedown and rest until it [the urge] passes.�

That is one �science� - laziness - forwhich most of our old timersnever qualified. The majority of us werethe exact opposite to anything that smackedof laziness. Thank God for that!

However, what is important is that weexcercise this energy during our retirementyears also, if for no other reason than to avoiddepression and to continue enjoying life.

Just because we are old (rather, older)does not mean that we are sole �heirs� ofcertain ailments. Here are certain myths andfacts about depression as reported by JaneBrody, personal health columnist for TheNew York Times.

Myth: Depression is a normal part ofaging.

Fact: Dr. Barry Leibowitz, an expert onthe emotional disorders of aging, said, �De-pression is not the outcome of natural pro-cesses of aging and should not be consid-ered normal.� Advancing age per se doesnot cause depression.

Myth: Older people cannot benefitfrom therapy.

Fact: Depression is treatable at any age.Older people also respond well to short-

Kronos New

Olympic Airways

220 V. Export Appliances & Shipping

MåôáöïñÝò

áðü ÁìåñéêÞóôçí ÅëëÜäá.ÏéêïóêåõÝò,áõôïêßíçôá,ïéêïäïìéêÜ õëéêÜ,çëåêôñéêÝòóõóêåõÝò,áåñïðïñéêÝòìåôáöïñÝò.

Kronos International Shippers, Inc.

22 N. Sangamon, Chicago, IL. 60607Tel. 312-432-0011 / 800-535-9635

Fax. 312-432-0507E-Mail: [email protected]

We carry the complete line of GENERALELECTRIC export appliances in 220V.50 Hz.Refrigerators-washers-dryers-split airconditioners-Ranges-dishwash-ers etc.Electronics from : Panasonic,Sony, Toshiba, Hitachi, Jvc, Sharp.

ÄÙÑÅÁÍ ÁÐÏÓÔÏËÇ ÊÁÔÁËÏÃÏÕ

MåôáöÝñïõìåôï ëÜäé óáò

áðü ôï ÷ùñéüç ðüëç óáò

óôçí ÅëëÜäáóôï óðßôé óáòóôçí ÁìåñéêÞ

MåôáöïñÝò áðü ÅëëÜäá óôçíÁìåñéêÞ. ÐñïóùðéêÜ áíôéêåßìåíá,áõôïêßíçôá, Ýðéðëá, åìðïñéêÜ öïñôßá.Måãáëýôåñç

Ýêèåóççëåêôñéêþíóõóêåõþíìå ñåýìá ÅëëÜ-äïò. Øõãåßá,ÐëõíôÞñéá,óôåãíùôÞñéá,êïõæßíåò,ôçëåïñÜóåéò,âßíôåï,êëéìáôéóôéêÜ,ìéêñïóõóêåõÝòêïõæßíáò.

KKKKKontos Fontos Fontos Fontos Fontos Foodsoodsoodsoodsoods famous for its POCKETPOCKETPOCKETPOCKETPOCKET-LESS-LESS-LESS-LESS-LESS PITPITPITPITPITAAAAA,is proud to present its original products once again.

BOX 628, PATERSON, NJ 07544 � Fax: (973) 278-7943

KONTOS FOODS, INC � EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President

F i l l oK a t a i f i

Delicious, traditional products made

offered to Communities, Or-ganizations, Church festi-vals and all other functions.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

Courteous Service � WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA

S p a n a k o p i t aT y r o p i t a

with the highest quality ingredients

(973) 278-2800


PhiloptochosThe Voice of

BOSTON PHILOPTOCHOS Benefit Luncheon dignitaries included First Vice President andco-chairman Christine Karavites, reservations chairman Francesca Calles, NationalPresident Eve Condakes, Boston Diocese President Bessie Papigiotes and luncheon co-chairman Margarita Gianakouas.

Boston Charities Benefit Luncheon a Grand SuccessRecord funds were raised for the many

charities of the Boston Diocese PhiloptochosBoard at the elegant Philptochos CharitiesBenefit Luncheon, Gift Basket Silent Auctionand Musicale on Dec. 3 in Waltham, Mass.

More than 340 members and guestsfrom all parts of New England joined in thelighthearted and festive party mood at thisbeautiful and well-planned event.

Invited guests seated at the head tablewith honorary chairman MetropolitanMethodios, were National PhiloptochosPresident Eve Condakes, Co-chairpersonsMargarita Gianakouras and ChristineKaravites, Diocese President Bessie Pa-pigiotis, and their spouses; Consul Generalof Greece and Mrs. George Chatzichalakis,and musicians Tom Topalis, vocalist fromChicago; Paul Sampsonis and Nick Zallas ofthe Odyssey Orchestra Ensemble, who laterprovided lively musical entertainment, en-couraging audience participation.

Most gratefully acknowledged is the$20,000 contribution of Mr. and Mrs.George Behrakis, matching the proceeds ofthe afternoon and given in memory of hislate sister Ourania Behrakis who served onboth the National and Boston DiocesePhiloptochos boards.

Also, many thanks toMr. George Danis for donat-ing the grand drawing gift,which along with many otherbeautiful gifts in the drawing were acquiredby Committee Chairpersons Janice Argyros,Christine Cokkinias and Maria Fraginis.

Donations ranging from $25 to $2,000were solicited from numerous sponsors byChairpersons Dr. Calliope Galatis, EffieLagardinos and Sophie Poulos.

Lakis Andriotis, Oscar Papanastasiouand Orestes Demetriades contributed com-plimentary radio announcements.

More than 35Philoptochos chapters of theBoston Diocese made mon-etary contributions and do-

nated the exquisite gift baskets, which werearranged in a gorgeous display by CommitteeChairpersons Elaine Zetes, MeropeKapetanakis and Katherine Mpelkas.

The Boston Diocese Philoptochosthanks all the above, and the Philoptochosmembers and friends of Philoptochos whoattended this benefit, making it a great so-

cial and financial success.Also acknowledged are the praiseworthy

efforts of the chairpersons and Co-chairper-sons of the event already mentioned, DiocesePresident Bessie Papigiotis in her assistancein all committees, and Chairpersons Dr. Cal-liope Galatis, Effie Lagardinos, Sophie Poulos;Chairpersons responsible for invitations, pro-gram book, publicity and decorations,Francesca Callas assisted by Lisa Belanus,Helen Sampsonis, Elaine Melahouris, JoanneHologgitas with the assistance of Helen Nayer,Olivia Sintros and Susan Pappas assisted byKallie Micalizzi and Stephanie Glezellis. Trea-surer; Protocol, Products and Printing, DimitraKalambokis, Olivia Sintros, PresbyteraAnastasia Georgiadis.

DETROIT � Diocese Philoptochos andDiocesan Council members recently spon-sored a welcoming reception for the VeryRev. Archimandrite John A. Heropoulos,former executive director of the Office ofthe Archbishop and newly assigned Diocesechancellor.

Although it was a classically cold andwintry Michigan day, 200 people from theDiocese attended the Jan. 10 event. Even abus with Fr. John Paul and 40 parishionersfrom St. Nicholas Church in Ann Arbor, morethan an hour away, had plowed through thedeep fresh snowfall of over two feet to wel-come the new chancellor.

Fr. Nick Harbatis, newly retired priestof St. Nicholas in Troy, Mich., and Fr. GeorgeMatsis from Holy Trinity Cathedral in To-ledo, Ohio, welcomed Fr. John on behalf ofthe Diocese Clergy Brotherhood.

National Board members Maria Stavro-poulos and Ann Feles, co-chairpersons ofthe reception, and Despina Nichols, DiocesePhiloptochos president, prepared the Dio-cese residence in all aspects.

The new Chancellor cut the Vasilopita andcalled for the singing of kalanta and the Dio-cese Philoptochos and Diocesan Council pre-sented Fr. John with a new laptop computer.

Helen Lavorata, National PhiloptochosOffice director, read a letter from NationalPhiloptochos President Eve Condakes ex-pressing heartfelt congratulations from theNational Philoptochos on Fr. John�s newassignment, acknowledging the wonderful

DIOCESE PRESIDENT Despina Nicholaswelcomes Fr. Heropoulos to Detroit.

Detroit Diocese Welcomes New Chancellor

help, guidance and inspiration he has giventhe Philoptochos. �We are grateful for all theways In which you have helped us and wewill miss having you nearby...Still, we knowthat we will always have a champion for thecause of the Philoptochos in Detroit.�

Fr. John said of this warm welcome tohis new Diocese residence, �the Ladies ofthe Diocese of Detroit Philoptochos trulyoutdid themselves once again in their prepa-ration for the �open house� which welcomedme to the beautiful Diocese of Detroit. Theirwarmth, sincerity, and love was felt by mepersonally and by all who entered the Dio-cese Home that Sunday afternoon.�I washumbled by the expressions of welcome andhospitality of the Ladies of the Philoptochos,the Diocesan Council, the Clergy Brother-hood and all the lay-people who were in at-tendance. In short, it is an honor to servethe people of the Diocese of Detroit.�

St. Basil Academy:Long-Term Plans

NEW YORK � At the Dec. 11 meetingof the Archdiocesan Council Executive Com-mittee, Archbishop Spyridon led extensivediscussion on possibilities and plans for thevaluable expansion of programs at St. BasilAcademy in Garrison, N.Y.

Among these are a national retreat cen-ter, a youth camp, a nursing facility for re-tired priests who are in need, and a GreekOrthodox Convention Center.

These plans are timely and expeditiousconsidering that retreats and conferences areregularly held at the Academy, and its facili-ties are used by parish priests, the Philo-ptochos, YAL, GOYA, the Scouts, AHEPAchapters, church groups and schools ofhigher learning.

The Executive Committee voiced unani-mous approval of the recent appointmentof Protopresbyter Constantine Sitaras as newdirector of the Academy.

The Archbishop expressed his wish thatthe increasing potential of the Academy,whose philanthropic goal is to provide or-phaned and needy children with educationand a safe, nurturing Christian environmentwill function within five years with a pro-jected number of 250 children.

The exemplary efforts of the Philo-ptochos in fund-raising for the Academy isone indication of the very special place thechildren of St. Basil Academy have in thehearts of the members of the Philoptochos.

The program is working toward goalsto implement this outreach, developing andenlarging its service greatly, such as recruit-ing and training counselors, creating newsreleases, newsletters and a website, obtain-ing a facility to house ZOE for Life! withmaternity and child care items and possiblyto house expectant mothers.

The Importance of Chapter CommitmentsThe fulfillment of commitments is of

leading importance in bringing to life thetime-proven philanthropies of the GreekOrthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.

A list of chapter commitments estab-lished by unified vote at Biennial NationalPhiloptochos Conventions has been insti-tuted and provided to every chapter of ourorganization.

Yearly commitments begin with all pro-ceeds from every chapter�s January Vasi-lopita celebration, this being the primaryfund-raiser for St. Basil Academy. Generat-ing about $300,000, the Vasilopita celebra-tions make possible the $25,000 monthlydonation to the school.

Also in January is a chapter commit-ment of $350.00 for the National Philop-tochos Social Services, which in 1998 as-sisted 282 clients, residents of the Metro-politan Diocese and other dioceses andGreek nationals temporarily in the UnitedStates for medical care.

Exciting New Philoptochos VideoThe talents at GOTelecom will go into

high gear sometime around Feb. 9 at St. BasilAcademy, shooting the beginning of �Voicesof Philoptochos,� an exciting and informa-tive view of the Greek Orthodox LadiesPhiloptochos Society from two perspectives� those of Philoptochos members and ofthe recipients of the organization�s chari-table work and philanthropies.

Through this presentation of the multi-faceted aspects of Philoptochos, youngwomen, those in interfaith marriages, in-dividuals new to the faith and non-mem-bers will have an opportunity to see and

The Social Services office offered assis-tance in the areas of finance, health/mentalhealth, housing/homelessness, aging, fam-ily services and domestic violence, and in-formation on adoptions, immigration, em-ployment, legal services, transportation andon-going assistance.

The inestimable value of the LadiesPhiloptochos Society�s works depends on thevitally important wholehearted support of eachchapter member. This arm of our Church com-prises the largest Christian women�s philan-thropic organization in America.

Every chapter is very strongly encour-aged to send delegates to the Biennial Na-tional Philoptochos convention for discus-sion, analysis and decision-making regard-ing the National Budget and commitmentsfor the ensuing two years.

Any chapter wanting to discuss thesecommitments or needing more informationshould contact the National Office or Dioc-esan president.

hear the positive results of the importantworks of the Philoptochos and of the ful-fillment members experience in helpingothers.

Most fitting and appropriate is thededication of this video to those who pre-ceded us - mothers, grandmothers, andgreat-grandmothers whose sensibility anddedication to family and to the Churchwere the foundation upon which Philo-ptochos was built and which continue toprovide strength. A filming schedule ofprograms by Dioceses will be publishedin an upcoming issue.

All local chapters are encouraged tosubmit their news of major events and ac-tivities directly to the National PhiloptochosOffice for inclusion on this page.

Stories byVicki James Yiannias

Send Your News

ORTHODOX OBSERVER FEBRUARY 5, 1999PAGE 12 newsDIOCESE

NEW YORK. -- Antenna Satellite/USAand the Greek Children�s Fund at MemorialSloan Kettering Cancer Center have joinedtogether for the �Telethon of Hope 1999.�

The 8-hour event will air live from NewYork on Feb. 21, 4 p.m.-midnight EST. Thetelethon will be broadcast simultaneouslyvia EchoStar Satellite systems throughout theUnited States and Canada; in Australiathrough Antenna/Pacific; and the Interna-tional Channel on US cable systems.

�Everyone from Antenna is very happyto be donating their services to such a wor-thy cause,� said Terrence Quick, executiveproducer and host of the telethon. �The GreekChildren�s Fund serves the children of ourcommunity and their families in difficult timesand deserves all the help it can get.�

�We hope that our community will re-spond to our efforts and that everyone willcontribute to �The Telethon of Hope� for theGreek Children�s Fund,� said Mary Politis,Director of Antenna Satellite and AssociateProducer of the telethon.

The telethon will consist of pre-re-corded interviews, musical performances,messages and donation presentations. Aspecial feature of the telethon will be the�Celebrity Auction� which will have variousautographed items from celebrities inGreece and the United States.

�The telethon will be full of surprisesfrom here and from Greece. There will besomething for everyone,� said Evans Kotsis,associate producer.

The Greek Children�s Fund at SloanKettering Cancer Center also assists withnon-medical needs for Greek nationals andGreek Americans of all ages.

Telethon to BenefitGreek Children�s Fund

COLTON, Calif. � Trinity Children andFamily Services (formerly known asGuadalupe Homes for Children) has ex-panded its services following its name changeJan. 1.

Increased requests from child advo-cates throughout the country has promptedthe nation�s largest non-profit childcare or-ganization to reach even more abandoned,abused and neglected children.

In 1966, Fr. Leon Pachis foundedGuadalupe Homes for Boys in Yucaipa, Ca-lif., with six boys.

Over the years, the need for their pro-grams grew. By 1984 Guadalupe Homes forBoys also cared for girls, infants and toddlers.

The organization�s name changed toGuadalupe Homes for Children. TodayGuadalupe Homes provides additional ser-vices from residential treatment to also in-clude Foster Family and Adoption, Day Treat-ment, Education, Early Intervention and more.

In 1998, under the leadership of CEOFr. Tom Avramis, Guadalupe Homes openeda residential treatment program and a fos-ter family agency in Houston.

Children�s AgencyExpands Facilities,Education Services

ANN ARBOR, MICH. - The Foundationfor Modern Greek Studies, a group of AnnArbor and Detroit area Greek communityleaders, recently presented the Universityof Michigan with a $170,000 grant.

Along with funds already raised, thegrant completes the first of three annual pay-ments of $250,000 to support the growthof the modern Greek studies program at theUniversity.

The Foundation�s contribution whencombined with funds the College of Litera-ture, Science, and the Arts (LSA) already hasavailable will establish a chair in modernGreek studies within the Department ofClassical Studies.

Patricia Gurin, interim dean of LSA, said

Modern Greek Program Given Grant

FREEPORT, N.Y. � The Eastern Or-thodox Committee on Scouting (EOCS)has bestowed its sixth annual NationalEOCS Scholarship upon Eagle ScoutMarios J. Monopolis of Baltimore.

He was selected from a large pool ofapplicants from throughout the UnitedStates.

The EOCS Scholarship program isopen to all Boy and Girl Scouts of the East-ern Orthodox Faith, who have earned theEagle Scout or Gold Award rank. The com-mittee evaluates the candidates on theirinvolvement in their church, school,Scouting, community, and scholasticachievements.

Marios is extremely active in his reli-gious community, St. Nicholas Greek Or-thodox Church, where he sang in thechurch choir for several years, served asan altar boy for four years of which hewas captain for two years. He served asaleader in the church youth programs andassisted with church festivals and variouschurch projects.

He held a number of positions in theBoy Scouts, such as: patrol leader, senior

Baltimore Youth Wins EOCS Scholarshippatrol leader, troop guide, Order of theArrow, waterfront director at summercamp, and assistant director at the GreekScout Camp, Corfu, Greece. He earned hisEagle Scout Award and the Orthodox Re-ligious Award, the Alpha Omega, in 1996.

During Marios� high school years hedistinguished himself scholastically by re-ceiving many awards and recognition.Such as: Maryland Distinguished ScholarFinalist, National Merit Finalist, Award forAcademic Excellence, and Maryland HighSchool Mock Trial All-star.

Even with his busy life he found timeto be an officer in student government,president for two terms, editor of theschool newspaper, and an officer in boththe Key Club and National Honor Society.He also made time to assist in many com-munity projects such as the Senior Citi-zens Prom and the Towson Art Festival.

For information and applications forthe Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scout-ing Scholarships, contact EOCS ScholarshipChairman, 862 Guy Lombardo Avenue,Freeport, NY 11520. The closing date forapplications is April 15.

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. � Ground-breaking for the first church building of Na-tivity of the Theotokos parish took place re-cently, nearly a century after the first Greekssettled here in George Washington�s home-town, according to information from parishcouncil member Eva Catafygiotu Topping.

The first liturgy of this congregation wascelebrated April 9, 1989 at St. George Epis-copal Church. Later that year, the parishrented a small building in which serviceshave since been held.

In 1991 the parish selected its name andreceived a charter. In 1992 it purchased sixacres a few miles west of Fredericksburg asthe site of the new church. Fr. PanayotisPapageorgiou, the first priest, was succeededin 1994 by Fr. L. Elias Mentis, who retiredsoon after the groundbreaking. Father JamesKyriakakis now shepherds this small parish.

Groundbreaking Heldfor Virginia Church

�The College is enormously grateful for thegift and pledge of support from the Foun-dation for Modern Greek Studies. By help-ing the University expand its program inmodern Greek, this gift will offer new op-portunities to our students and enhance ouralready stellar Department of Classical Stud-ies. We appreciate the generosity of theGreek community that is making a realityof our hope for a professorship in Greekstudies.�

According to Michael Fotiadis, visitingassistant professor of modern Greek, theFoundation�s funding will expand the pro-gram begun in 1990 to include a third yearof language study and courses in literatureand cultural studies.

Relics of Saints Stolenfrom Arizona Church

NEW YORK � Many young adults ofthe Greek American community recentlyattended the second annual Greek Nightfund-raiser to benefit the NeighborhoodCoalition for Shelter (NCS), a non-profitorganization located on Manhattan�s Up-per East Side.

Holy Trinity Cathedral�s young adultFellowship is among the groups that pro-

HELPING COALITION � From left, Ann Tischer, executive director of the NCS; NormaSamame, director of Volunteer Services; Tina Pappas, event organizer; and LillyGeorgopoulos, co-organizer.

Young Adults Raise Funds forOrganization That Helps Homeless

vide strong support to the NeighborhoodCoalition, who purpose is to help cure thecity�s homeless problem.

Tina Pappas of the Cathedral Fellow-ship, organized the event, along with co-organizers Lilly Georgopoulos and VirginiaAraouzos.

The event raised well over $1,000,surpassing last year�s total.

NEW YORK � St. John the BaptistChurch in Manhattan recently held a dedi-cation ceremony for the installation of aramp that has made the church wheelchairaccessible.

The ramp was a gift from parishionerPhaedra V. Damianakos and her family inmemory of her parents, Chris and MaryPaplakis.

The church is located at 143 E. 17th St.

Manhattan Church HasWheelchair Access

CHANDLER, Ariz. � Relics of saintsdating from the third and fourth centurieshave disappeared from St. Katherine Church.

�These are very highly venerated,�� saidthe Rev. Philip Armstrong, priest of St.Katherine Church. �The relics of saints are con-sidered to be sources for healings, for an-swered prayers and for the blessing of pre-mises. It is really a grave loss spiritually to us.��

The Saints� relics were gifts from mon-asteries and other Orthodox Church sources.

The oldest relic is of St. Gerasimos, wholived in the third century. Others were fromfourth century saints, including St. Demetrios,St. Paraskevi, St. Rafael and St. Haralambos.

WATERFORD, Conn. � Dedicationceremonies recently took place for a newresidence consisting of 48 apartments ofelderly housing in Groton, Conn., cospon-sored by the Order Of Ahepa -New Lon-don, Conn., Chapter 250.

According to information from Dimitri

NEW AHEPA residence dedication

AHEPA Chapter Opens New Senior ResidenceTasoulas of the Ahepa chapter, the funding,approximately $4.2 million, was providedby the U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Development and is the third hous-ing project completed this decade by theAHEPA chapters� �250 initiative.�

The Niantic, Waterford and Grotonhomes are managed by Ahepa Management,under the auspices of Ahepa National Hous-ing Corporation. The apartments are avail-able to qualified citizens of the United States.

ÅÔÏÓ 64 5 Ö Å Â Ñ Ï Õ Á Ñ É Ï Õ 1 9 9 9 ÁÑÉÈÌÏÓ 1155

Óôá âÞìáôá ôçò åõëïãçìÝíçò ÔñßôçòÔá÷åßá ðëÞñùóç ôùí êåíþí Åðéóêïðþí

Ì å ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Óåâ.Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê.Óðõñßäùíá êáé óå ðáíç-

ãõñéêü êëßìá ôï ôìÞìá ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáòôçò ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ðáñÝ-èåóå ôçí êáèéåñùìÝíç åôÞóéá óõíåóôßáóç,ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ 31 Éáíïõáñßïõ ìå ôçí åõêáéñßáôçò ãéïñôÞò ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí êáé ôçòçìÝñáò ôùí Åëëçíéêþí ÃñáììÜôùí êáéÔå÷íþí.

Ó ôá âÞìáôá ôçò éóôïñéêÞòóõíÜíôçóçò ôçò Éåñáñ÷ßáò óôïÏéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï óôéò

áñ÷Ýò ôïõ ðåñáóìÝíïõ Éáíïõáñßïõ,óõíÞëèå êáé óõíåäñßáóå óôçí ÍÝá Õüñêçôçí Ôñßôç 26 Éáíïõáñßïõ ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞÓýíïäïò õðü ôçí ðñïåäñßá ôïõ Óåâ.Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÷áñáêôÞñéóå ôçíðñþôç áõôÞ ÓõíïäéêÞ Óõíåäñßáóç ôïõ÷ñüíïõ ùò <åðïéêïäïìçôéêÞ êáé ðáñáãù-ãéêÞ óýóêåøç>. Ç Óýíïäïò ìå ôçí óõììå-ôï÷Þ üëùí ôùí ìåëþí ôçò áó÷ïëÞèçêå ìåäýï êõñßùò èÝìáôá. Ðñþôïí, ôçí êáôÜñ-

ôéóç êáôáëüãïõ åêëïãßìùí ãéá Éåñáñ÷ßáãéá ôéò ÷çñåýïõóåò ÅðéóêïðÝò ÍÝáòÉåñóÝçò, ÁôëÜíôáò êáé Íôéôñüúô êáéäåýôåñïí, ôçí óõãêñüôçóç êáé êáôáãñáöÞôùí èåìÜôùí ðïõ áðáó÷ïëïýí Üìåóá ôçíÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ, êõñéüôåñï ôùí ïðïß-ùí åßíáé ç áíáèåþñçóç ôïõ Êáôáóôáôéêïý×Üñôç.

Ôçí ðïëýùñç óõíåäñßá ôçò Óõíüäïõáêïëïýèçóå ÓõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ ôïõÁñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáé ôùí Óõíïäéêþí Áñ÷éå-ñÝùí óôï êïéíïôéêü êÝíôñï ôïõ Êáèåäñé-êïý Íáïý ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäïò óôï Ìáí-÷Üôáí.

Ôçí ÓõíÝíôåõîç Ôýðïõ îåêßíçóå ïÁñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ìå åéóáãùãéêÞ ôïõ äÞëùóçôçí ïðïßá êáé ðáñáèÝôïõìå åî� ïëï-êëÞñïõ.

ÄÞëùóç ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõÁñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ Óðõñßäùíïò

×áßñåôå. Óáò åõ÷áñéóôþ ðïý Þñèáôå.Èá åßìáé óýíôïìïò, ãéáôß èá Þèåëá íáäþóù ôçí åõêáéñßá óôïõò áãáðçôïýòóõíïäéêïýò Áäåëöïýò íá ðñïâïýí êáéáõôïß óå ó÷üëéá.

Êáô� áñ÷Üò, åðéôñÝøôå ìïõ íá åêöñÜ-óù ôçí åõãíùìïóýíç êáé ôçí åêôßìçóÞ ìïõðñïò ôïõò ðñïóöéëÝóôáôïõò Áäåëöïýò -ìÝëç ôçò ÉåñÜò Åðáñ÷éáêÞò Óõíüäïõ ôçòÉåñÞò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ìáò. Åêðëçñþíïíôáòôï Ýñãï ðïõ ðáôñéêÜ ìáò áíÝèåóå çÁ.È.Ð. ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò ê.ê.Âáñèïëïìáßïò, óõíåäñéÜóáìå ùò Óýíïäïòêáé åß÷áìå ìéá åðïéêïäïìçôéêÞ êáé ðáñá-ãùãéêÞ óýóêåøç ãéá ôï êáëü ôçò Åêêëç-óßáò.

Áí êáé ìðïñåß íá áëçèåýåé, üôé óôïðáñåëèüí ïñéóìÝíá ãåãïíüôá åñìçíåý-èçêáí êáé êáôáíïÞèçêáí ìå äéáöïñå-ôéêïýò ôñüðïõò, áí êáé ìðïñåß íá õðÜñ-÷ïõí áêüìç äéáöïñåôéêÝò áíôéëÞøåéò ãéáóõãêåêñéìÝíá æçôÞìáôá, ôï ðéï óçìáíôéêüìÞíõìá ðïõ ìðïñïýìå íá óáò ìåôáöÝ-ñïõìå óÞìåñá åßíáé ôï åîÞò: ç åíéáßá êáéáðü êïéíïý åêäçëïýìåíç áöïóßùóç óôïéåñü ÊÝíôñï ôçò Ðßóôçò ìáò, ôï Ïéêïõ-ìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï^ ôñÝöïõìå üëïé ìáòáéóèÞìáôá õéúêÞò áãÜðçò êáé âáèýôáôïõóåâáóìïý ðñïò ôï éåñü ðñüóùðï ôïõÐáíáãéïôÜôïõ Ïéêïõìåíéêïý ÐáôñéÜñ÷çê.ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïõ êáé äéáêáôå÷üìáóèå

Ç ÅëëçíéêÞ Ðáéäåßá äéÜ ìÝóïõ ôùí áéþíùíÃéïñôÞ ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí êáé ÇìÝñá ôùí Åëëçíéêþí ÃñáììÜôùí êáé Ôå÷íþí

ôïõ Óôáýñïõ Ðáðáãåñìáíïý

Ïé åêäçëþóåéò Üñ÷éóáí ôçí Ðáñá-óêåõÞ 29 Éáíïõáñßïõ ìå Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá,óôïí Êáèåäñéêü Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Íáü ôçòÁãßáò ÔñéÜäïò, ðñïåîÜñ÷ïíôïò ôïõÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞòê. Óðõñßäùíïò êáé ìå ôç óõììåôï÷Þìáèçôþí êáé ìáèçôñéþí áð� üëá ôáêïéíïôéêÜ ó÷ïëåßá ôçò ÌçôñïðïëéôéêÞòðåñéï÷Þò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò.

Ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò ðñïÝôñåøå ôïõòíÝïõò íá áãêáëéÜóïõí ôçí ðïëéôéóôéêÞ ìáòêëçñïíïìéÜ êáé íá óõíå÷ßóïõí ôï áãþíáôïõò «ðñïò åðßôåõîç ôïõ Áéåßí Áñé-óôåýåéí». Óå ôåëåôÞ ðïõ áêïëïýèçóå, ïÓåâáóìéüôáôïò âñÜâåõóå ôïõò áñéóôïý-÷ïõò ìáèçôÝò êáé ìáèÞôñéåò. Ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞðïëéôåßá åêðñïóþðçóå ï Ãåíéêüò Ðñü-îåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç ê.×áñÜëáìðïò ÌÜíåóçò.

Áñãüôåñá ôçí ßäéá ìÝñá, óôç Ýäñá ôçò

ÉåñÜò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïòäåîéþèçêå ôïõò áêïýñáóôïõò åñãÜôåò ôçòÅëëçíéêÞò ðáéäåßáò, ôïõò äáóêÜëïõò êáéôéò äáóêÜëåò ôùí êïéíïôéêþí ìáò ó÷ï-ëåßùí, êüâïíôáò ôçí ðáñáäïóéáêÞ âáóéëü-ðéôá. Ôï âñÜäõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÷ïñï-

óôÜôçóå óôïí ìÝãá áñ÷éåñáôéêü åóðåñéíüóôïí Éåñü Íáü ôùí Ôñéþí Éåñáñ÷þí, óôïÌðñïýêëéí ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò.

Ôï ðñùß ôçò ÊõñéáêÞò, óôïí Êáèå-äñéêü Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêü Íáü ôçò ÁãßáòÔñéÜäïò óôï Ìáí÷Üôáí ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò

ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùí ÷ïñïóôÜôçóå óôçÈåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá, ðáñïõóßá ðïëéôåéáêþíêáé ðïëéôéêþí áñ÷þí áëëÜ êáé ðëÞèïõòêüóìïõ.

Ïé åêäçëþóåéò êïñõöþèçêáí ìå ôïåôÞóéï åðßóçìï ãåýìá ðïõ ïñãáíþíåé ãéá11ç óõíå÷Þ öïñÜ ìå åðéôõ÷ßá ôï ÔìÞìáÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò,ìå åðéêåöáëÞò ôïí Äñ. Íéêüëáï Êëáäü-ðïõëï (äéåõèõíôÞ ôïõ Ãñáöåßïõ Ðáéäåßáò)êáé ôçí ê. Ìáñßá Ìáêåäþí (õðïäéåõ-èýíôñéá). Óôç êáôÜìåóôç áßèïõóá óõíå-óôéÜóåùí, Terrace on the Park ðïõäåóðüæåé ôïõ ðÜñêïõ Flushing Meadows,ðñïóÞëèáí åêáôïíôÜäåò ïìïãåíåßò,äÜóêáëïé, éåñåßò, ãïíåßò êáé ìáèçôÝò áð�üëåò ôéò êïéíüôçôåò ôçò åõñýôåñçò ðåñéöÝ-ñåéáò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, õðïäçëþíïíôáòÝôóé ôï åíäéáöÝñïí ôïõò ãéá ôçí ðñï-áãùãÞ ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ðáéäåßáò óôï êïéíï-ôéêü åêðáéäåõôéêü ìáò óýóôçìá.

Óõíõðåýèõíïé ôçò åêäÞëùóçò Þôáí ïðñùôïðñåóâýôåñïò ôïõ ÏéêïõìåíéêïýÈñüíïõ ÄçìÞôñéïò Ñåêáôóßíáò, ï ¢ñ÷ùíÄçìÞôñéïò ÊáëïúäÞò, ï ê. ÔóÜñëò Ìáñá-ãêïõäÜêçò, ï ¢ñ÷ùí Ðáíßêïò Ðáðáíé-êïëÜïõ, ï ê. Íßêïò Ìïýãéáñçò êáé ï ê.Ãåþñãéïò Áëìõñïýäçò. ÐáñÝóôçóáí êáéáðçýèõíáí ÷áéñåôéóìïýò, ï ÃåíéêüòÐñüîåíïò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç ê.×áñÜëáìðïò ÌÜíåóçò êáé ï ÃåíéêüòÐñüîåíïò ôçò Êýðñïõ óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç ê.

Åðßóçìç åðßóêåøçôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ

óôçí ÅëëÜäá

Ì å ìåãÜëï åíäéáöÝñïí áíá-ìÝíåôáé ç ðñþôç åðßóçìçåðßóêåøç ôïõ Óåâ. Áñ÷éå-

ðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá óôçíÅëëÜäá ðïõ èá ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß áðü 9Ýùò 15 Öåâñïõáñßïõ 1999.

Ôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê.Óðõñßäùíá èá õðïäå÷èåß óôï áåñïäñüìéïôïõ Åëëçíéêïý, ï ÁíáðëçñùôÞò ÕðïõñãüòÅîùôåñéêþí ê. Ã. ÐáðáíäñÝïõ. Ï Óåâá-óìéüôáôïò áíôáðïêñéíüìåíïò óå åðßóçìçðñüóêëçóç ôùí Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí êáéðïëéôéêþí áñ÷þí ôçò ÅëëÜäïò èá Ý÷åéîå÷ùñéóôÝò óõíáíôÞóåéò ìå ôïí Ðñüåäñïôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Äçìïêñáôßáò ê. ÊùóôÞÓôåöáíüðïõëï, ôïí Ðñùèõðïõñãü ê.Êþóôá Óçìßôç, ôïí Ðñüåäñï ôçò ÂïõëÞòôùí ÅëëÞíùí ê. Áðüóôïëï ÊáêëáìÜíç,õðïõñãïýò êáé áñ÷çãïýò êïììÜôùí.

Ôçí çìÝñá Üöéîçò ôïõ óôçí ÅëëÜäá ïÁñ÷éåðßóêïðïò èá óõíáíôçèåß ìå ôïíÌáêáñéüôáôï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Áèçíþí êáéÐÜóçò ÅëëÜäáò ê. ×ñéóôüäïõëï êáé èáóõëëåéôïõñãÞóåé ìáæß ôïõ óôïí Ìçôñï-ðïëéôéêü Íáü ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ 14 Öåâñïõ-áñßïõ. Ç ðáíçãõñéêÞ Áñ÷éåñáôéêÞ ÈåßáËåéôïõñãßá èá ìåôáäïèåß ôçëåïðôéêÜ áðüôçí Ìçôñüðïëç Áèçíþí óå üëç ôçíÅëëÜäá.

Ôï ðñüãñáììá ðåñéëáìâÜíåé åðßóçòåðßóêåøç êáé ïìéëßá ôïõ ÓåâáóìéïôÜôïõóôç ÂïõëÞ, óýóêåøç ìå ôçí ÄéáêïììáôéêÞÅðéôñïðÞ Ïñèïäïîßáò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò

� óåë. 15

� óåë. 14 � óåë. 15

Ç ÉåñÜ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò ôçí þñá ôçò óõíåäñéÜóåùò.Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò êáé ï ôéìþìåíïò êáè. Ôæïí ÍôÜöé, ìå ôá ìÝëç ôçò äéïñãáíùôéêÞòåðéôñïðÞò ôçò öåôåéíÞò ãéïñôÞò ôùí Åëëçíéêþí ÃñáììÜôùí. (Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò)

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓÓÅËÉÄÁ 14 5 ÖÅÂÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÕ 1999

ôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ

Ï ê. Ãåþñãéïò Ó. ÌðåìðÞò åßíáé êáèçãçôÞòÐáôñïëïãßáò,óôçí ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞ ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý,ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò ÁìåñéêÞò.

Ï ÔÅÔÁÑÔÏÓ ÉÅÑÁÑ×ÇÓ«Ï ¢ãéïò Ãñçãüñéïò ï Íýóóçò. Ï ÐáôÞñ ÐáôÝñùí ðáñÜ ðÜíôùí ïíïìáæüìåíïò...»

Ô ï 787 ç 7ç ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò áíáêÞñõîåôïí Üãéï Ãñçãüñéï ôïí Íýóóçò, ùò ôïí êáô�åîï÷Þí «ÐáôÝñá ôùí ÐáôÝñùí» ôçò Åêêëç-

óßáò ìáò. ÐáñÜ ôáýôá «ï êñÜôéóôïò» áõôüò èåïëüãïò,ï ëáìðñüò «åêêëçóéáóôéêüò äéäÜóêáëïò» ôçò Åêêëçóßáòåßíáé Üãíùóôïò óôçí ðëÞèïõóá åêêëçóéáóôéêÞ êïéíüôçôá.Ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ôïí ôéìÜ êáé ôïí ãåñáßñåé óôéò 10Éáíïõáñßïõ êáé ç ÄõôéêÞ Åêêëçóßá óôéò 9 Ìáñôßïõ. ÕðÞñîåï áäåëöüò ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Âáóéëåßïõ, ößëïò ìå ôïí Ãñçãüñéïôïí Èåïëüãï êáé Üìåóïò óõíåñãÜôçò êáé óõëëåéôïõñãüòêáé óõíáãùíéóôÞò ôïõ óôçí Â´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäï óôçíÊùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç, ôï 381.

Åí ôïýôïéò ï ðëÝïí ðáñáãùãéêüò ÷ñéóôéáíüòóõããñáöÝáò ôïõ 4ïõ áéþíá áãíïåßôáé áðü ôïõòðéóôïýò ìáò êáé åí ðïëëïßò äåí ìåëåôïýíôáé ôáóõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ. Êáé üìùò, åßíáé ï «ÐëÜôùí» ôïõ×ñéóôéáíéóìïý, Ýíá áðü ôá ðéï ëáìðñÜ êáé öùôåéíÜðíåýìáôá ôçò ðáãêïóìßïõ éóôïñßáò. Ôï äåýôåñï ìéóüôïõ áéþíá, ôçí êñéôéêÞ Ýêäïóç ôùí ðåñßöçìùí Ýñãùíôïõ áíÝëáâå ï äéÜóçìïò Ãåñìáíü-áìåñéêáíüò êáèçãç-ôÞò ôïõ ×Üñâáñíô ï Äñ. ÏõÝñíåñ ÔæÜãêåñ ìáæß ìå ôïíäéêü ìáò Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíü êáèçãçôÞ Äñ. ÉùÜííçÊáâáñíü. Óôçí Ãáëëßá ï ðáóßãíùóôïò êáèçãçôÞòÍôáíéÝëïõ äçìïóßåõóå ôï åîáßñåôï Ýñãï ôïõ «Áðüäüîáí åéò äüîáí», ôï ïðïßï áðïôåëåß ìéá óõëëïãÞ ôùíêáëýôåñùí ðíåõìáôéêþí Ýñãùí ôïõ áãßïõ Ãñçãïñßïõôïõ Íýóóçò. (From Glory to Glory).

Ç ÁðïóôïëéêÞ Äéáêïíßá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçòÅëëÜäïò åîÝäùóå, Þäç, ôá óõããñÜììáôá ôïõáãßïõ Ãñçãïñßïõ ôïõ Íýóóçò ìå ìéá ëáìðñÞ

ÅéóáãùãÞ óôïí Âßï, ôá ÓõããñÜììáôá êáé ôçí Äéäá-óêáëßá ôïõ, áðü ôïí åîáßñåôï êáèçãçôÞ ôïõ Ðáíåðé-óôçìßïõ Áèçíþí Äñ. Çëßá Ìïõôóïýëá. Åßíáé äåðñÜãìáôé Üîéá ðáíôüò åðáßíïõ êáé èáõìáóìïý çÝêäïóç êáé ìåôÜöñáóç ôùí Ýñãùí ôïõ áãßïõ Ãñçãïñßïõôïõ Íýóóçò áðü ôïí Áñ÷éìáíäñßôç ÐáãêñáôßïÌðñïýóáëç. ÄÝïí íá óçìåéùèåß, üôé ï ìáèçôÞò ìáòôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý ð.ÄçìÞôñéïò Ãêáâñßëïò åíèïõóéÜóôçêå ôüóï áðü ôáäéäáóêüìåíá ãéá ôïí Üãéï Ãñçãüñéï ôïí Íýóóçò, êáéðëçñïöüñçóå ôïí ãñÜöïíôá üôé óôï El Cajon ôçòÊáëéöüñíéáò Ýäùóå óôï íÝï Íáü ôï üíïìá ôïõ áãßïõÃñçãïñßïõ ôïõ Íýóóçò. ÃñÜöïíôáé üëá áõôÜ ãéá íáêáôáäåé÷èåß, üôé ï Üãíùóôïò êáé ëçóìïíçìÝíïò ó÷åäüíÜãéïò Ãñçãüñéïò ï Íýóóçò áðáó÷ïëåß óÞìåñá óïöïýòìåëåôçôÝò óå üëï ôïí êüóìï.

ÁëëÜ ãéáôß Üñáãå, áõôÞ ç åðéöõëáêôéêÞ óôÜóçÝíáíôé åíüò ìåãÜëïõ ÐáôÝñá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò; Ðñþôïí,ßóùò ôïí åðåóêßáæå ç öÞìç ôïõ ìåãáëýôåñïõ áäåëöïýôïõ, ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ Âáóéëåßïõ. ¢ëëùóôå, ç ÔñßôçÏéêïõìåíéêÞ Óýíïäïò óôçí ̧ öåóï ôï 431 áðïêáëåß ôïíÜãéï Ãñçãüñéï ôïí Íýóóçò, «Üíäñá ìåôÜ ôïí áäåëöüí(äçëáäÞ ôïí ÌÝãá Âáóßëåéï) äåýôåñï åí ôå ëüãïéò êáéôñüðïéò». Äåýôåñï, äéüôé ï Üãéïò Ãñçãüñéïò ï Íýóóçòèåùñåßôáé åí ðïëëïßò, «öéëüóïöïò» ëüãù ôùí õøçëþíöéëïóïöéêþí êáé èåïëïãéêþí ôïõ áðüøåùí. Ôñßôïí,ßóùò åðåéäÞ åëÝ÷èç, üôé åß÷å íõìöåõèåß, ãåãïíüò ôïïðïßï áìöéóâçôïýí ðïëëïß íÝïé åðéóôÞìïíåò.ÔÝôáñôïí, äéüôé óå ïñéóìÝíá óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ,äéáâëÝðïíôáé, óáöþò ïé åðéäñÜóåéò ôùí êáêïäïîéþíôïõ ÙñéãÝíïõò êáé êõñßùò ç êáêïäïîßá ôçò áðïêá-ôáóôÜóåùò ôùí ðÜíôùí. ¼ëá áõôÜ üìùò äåí ìðïñïýííá ìåéþóïõí ôçí áîßá, ôïí ëáìðñü íïõ ôïõ, ôçí Ýíèåñìçðßóôç ôïõ êáé ôçí Ýíôïíç ðíåõìáôéêÞ ôïõ èåþñçóç.

Ï Üãéïò Ãñçãüñéïò ï Íýóóçò ãåííÞèçêå óôïíÐüíôï ìåôáîý 335 êáé 340 êáé Ýôõ÷å ôçò âáóéêÞòðáéäåßáò áðü ôçí áäåëöÞ ôïõ áãßá Ìáêñßíá êáé áðüôïí áäåëöü ôïõ ôïí ÌÝãá Âáóßëåéï, ôïí ïðïßïáðïêáëåß «ðáôÝñá êáé äéäÜóêáëïí». ÐñÝðåé íá ëå÷èåß,ðÜíôùò, üôé ç ðáéäåßá, ôçí ïðïßá Ýëáâå õðÞñîååîáßñåôç. ÁíÝðôõîå ðñùôïöáíÞ öéëïóïöéêÞ áíáëõ-ôéêüôçôá, Ýíèåç èåïëïãéêÞ äéïñáôéêüôçôá, áîéïèáý-ìáóôç ñçôïñéêÞ êáôÜñôéóç êáé äéäáêôéêÞ ìåôáäï-ôéêüôçôá, êáé õðåñäñáóôÞñéá óõããñáöéêüôçôá. ÁíðñïóèÝóïõìå êáé ôçí áðëüôçôÜ ôïõ, ôçí ôáðåéíï-öñïóýíç ôïõ, ôçí ðßóôç êáé ôçí åìðíåõóìÝíç áãÜðçôïõ ðñïò ôï Èåü êáé ôïí Üíèñùðï, Ý÷ïõìå ôçí åéêüíáôïõ ðëÝïí ÷áñéóìáôéêïý ÐáôÝñá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò.

Ç åßóïäïò ôïõ óôçí åêêëçóéáóôéêÞ æùÞ ÞôáíäéóôáêôéêÞ êáé ìå åðßìïíç ðßåóç ôïõÌåãÜëïõ Âáóéëåßïõ ÷åéñïôïíÞèçêå áðü ôïí

áäåëöü ôïõ óå Åðßóêïðï Íýóóçò ìéáò Üóçìçò ðüëçòóôçí Êáððáäïêßá. Äåí ðáñïõóßáóå ôéò äéïéêçôéêÝò êáéïñãáíùôéêÝò éêáíüôçôåò ôïõ ìåãÜëïõ áäåëöïý ôïõ,êáôçãïñÞèçêå, ìÜëéóôá áðü ôïõò áéñåôéêïýò å÷èñïýòôïõ, ãéá êáêÞ ìåôá÷åßñéóç ôùí åêêëçóéáóôéêþí÷ñçìÜôùí. Ôï ðïßìíéü ôïõ, ðáñÜ ôáýôá äåí ðßóôåøåóå áõôÝò ôéò êáôçãïñßåò êáé ï Üãéïò ÃñçãüñéïòåðÝóôñåøå óôçí ÅðéóêïðÞ ôïõ åí ìÝóù óõãêéíçôéêþíåêäçëþóåùí ëáôñåßáò êáé áãÜðçò. Óõììåôåß÷å, åíåñãÜóôéò äéåñãáóßåò ôçò Â´ ÏéêïõìåíéêÞò Óõíüäïõ óôçíÊùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ôï 381. Ðñïöáíþò, åîåöþíçóåôçí åíáñêôÞñéá ïìéëßá ôçò Óõíüäïõ, äéáôýðùóå ôçíôåëéêÞ ìïñöÞ ôïõ Óõìâüëïõ Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò êáéóôÜèçêå óôï ðëåõñü ôïõ ößëïõ ôïõ Ãñçãïñßïõ ôïõÈåïëüãïõ, áêïëïõèþíôáò, áìöüôåñïé, ôçí ãñáììÞ ôïõÌåãÜëïõ Âáóéëåßïõ. ×áßñùí Üêñáò ôéìÞò êáé óôïñãÞòêáé áãÜðçò áðü ôïí ëáü ôïõ Èåïý ðáñÝäùóå ôïðíåýìá ôïõ ôï 395.

Â åâáßùò, óôï ìéêñü áõôü óçìåßùìá åßíáéáäýíáôï íá ðåñéãñÜøåé êáíåßò, Þ Ýóôù êáéíá áñéèìÞóåé ôá óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ. Ï ÌÝãáò

Êáôç÷çôéêüò ôïõ Ëüãïò, ïé åñãáóßåò ôïõ åíáíôßïí ôùíìåãÜëùí áéñåôéêþí ôçò åðï÷Þò ôïõ êáé êõñßùò åíáíôßïíôïõ Åõíïìßïõ, Áðïëéíáñßïõ êáé ôùí ÐíåõìáôïìÜ÷ùíáðïôåëïýí äéáìÜíôéá ôçò ÐáôåñéêÞò äïãìáôéêÞòäéäáóêáëßáò. Ôá åîçãçôéêÜ ôïõ Ýñãá êáé êõñßùò óôïõòØáëìïýò êáé óôï ¢óìá ÁóìÜôùí èåùñïýíôáé ìïíáäéêÜóôï åßäïò ôïõò. Ôá áóêçôéêÜ ôïõ Ýñãá ðåñß Ðáñèåíßáò,óôïí Âßï ôïõ ÌùûóÝùò êáé óôïí Âßï ôçò ïóßáòÌáêñßíçò áðïôåëïýí ðçãÝò Ýìðíåõóçò êáé öùôéóìïý.¼ëá ôá óõããñÜììáôÜ ôïõ ðåñéêëåßïõí ÝíôïíçðíåõìáôéêÞ åóùôåñéêüôçôá, «èåßïí Ýñùôá» ðñïò ôïíÈåü, êáèçìåñéíÞ âßùóç ôçò ÃåííÞóåùò êáé ôçòÁíáóôÜóåùò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý.

Ôá ðÜíôá ï ×ñéóôüò. «Áõôüò åßíáé ï áãéáóìüò êáéç êáèáñüôçôá êé ç áöèáñóßá êáé ôï öùò êáé çáëÞèåéá...» Ãéá íá öôÜóåé ï ×ñéóôéáíüò óôçí Üãéá áõôÞêáôÜóôáóç, ðñÝðåé óõíå÷þò, ìá óõíå÷þò íá áíåâáßíåéôïí áíçöïñéêü äñüìï ôçò ôåëåéüôçôáò ãéá íá ãåõèåßêáé íá æÞóåé «ôçí íçöÜëéá ìÝèç» ôçò áãßáò ðáñïõóßáòôïõ Èåïý. Ãé� áõôü êáé ï õìíùäüò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ìáòáðïêáëåß óôá óôé÷çñÜ ôïõ Åóðåñéíïý ôïí ÜãéïÃñçãüñéï ôïí Íýóóçò, «ãëþóóá ôñáíïôÜôç ôçòåõóåâåßáò, ëý÷íïí ðïëýöùôïí ôçò èåßáò áõãÞò,êÞñõêá ôçò áëçèåßáò...».

áðü ãíÞóéá ÷ñéóôéáíéêÞ ðñïóÞëùóç óôç äéáäéêáóßá ôçòáðü êïéíïý áíáêÜëõøçò ôùí ìÝóùí êáé ôùí ìåèüäùí,ìå ôéò ïðïßåò èá ìðïñÝóïõìå íá áíôéìåôùðßóïõìå áðüêïéíïý üëá ôá æçôÞìáôá ðïõ áðáó÷ïëïýí ôçí ÉåñÞÁñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ìáò.

Íïìßæù, üôé åêöñÜæù ôç óêÝøç üëùí ìáò, üôáí ëÝãùüôé åëðßæù íá ìçí óáò áðïãïçôåýåé ç áëëçëåããýç ôùíìåëþí ôçò Óõíüäïõ êáé ç áäåëöéêÞ ìáò áãÜðç. Öáßíåôáéíá õðÜñ÷åé óôçí êïéíùíßá ìáò ìéÜ ôÜóç äéáñêïýòáíáæÞôçóçò ôïõ <óçìåßïõ äé÷áóìïý>, üðùò ïíïìÜæåôáé,íïìßæù, óôçí ðïëéôéêÞ. ÐñÜãìáôé, äüèçêáí äéÜöïñåòåñìçíåßåò óôá ßäéá êáé ôá áõôÜ ãåãïíüôá êáôÜ ôá äýïôåëåõôáßá ÷ñüíéá. ÏñéóìÝíåò áðü ôéò åñìçíåßåò áõôÝòåßíáé êáô� Üíèñùðï áóõìöéëßùôåò ç ìéÜ ìå ôçí Üëëç.Ùóôüóï, âñéóêüìáóôå åäþ ìðñïóôÜ óáò óÞìåñá, ìå ôçíðëçñüôçôá ôçò åýèñáõóôçò áíèñþðéíÞò ìáò öýóçò,áëëÜ óõã÷ñüíùò ìå áðüëõôç ðßóôç óôçí åðáããåëßá ôïõÈåïý ðïõ åßðå: <ÁõôÜ ðïõ åßíáé áäýíáôá ãéá ôïíÜíèñùðï åßíáé äõíáôÜ ãéá ôïí Èåü>. Ðéóôåýïõìå, üôé çåíüôçôá ôçò Åêêëçóßáò êáé ç åíüôçôá áõôÞò ôçòÁñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò, ôüóï åóùôåñéêÜ, ùò ëåéôïõñãïýóáåêêëçóéáóôéêÞ ïíôüôçôá, üóï -êáé áõôü åßíáé ôïóçìáíôéêüôåñï- áð� ôçí ðëåõñÜ ôçò åíüôçôÜ ôçò ìå ôçÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá, ôçí Áãßá ÌåãÜëç ôïõ ×ñéóôïýÅêêëçóßá, ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßï, åßíáé êáôÜ ðÜíôááíþôåñç áðü ïéáäÞðïôå äéáöïñÜ ðïõ ìðïñåß íá õðÜñ÷åéÞ êáé íá ìçí õðÜñ÷åé ìåôáîý ìáò.

ÅðïìÝíùò, êáëþíôáò ôïõò áãáðçôïýò ÁäåëöïýòÁñ÷éåñåßò íá óáò åìðéóôåõèïýí ïñéóìÝíåò óêÝøåéò ôïõò,åðéôñÝøôå ìïõ íá ïëïêëçñþóù õðåíèõìßæïíôáò óå üëïõòüôé ç ÉåñÞ Åðáñ÷éáêÞ Óýíïäïò åßíáé åíùìÝíç üóïí áöïñÜôçí ðéï óçìáíôéêÞ ðôõ÷Þ ôçò ÉåñÞò Ïñèüäïîçò Ðßóôçòìáò: ôçí áãÜðç. Ôçí áãÜðç ãéá ôïí Êýñéï êáé Èåü ìáò,ôçí áãÜðç ãéá ôç ÌçôÝñá Åêêëçóßá ìáò, ôçí áãÜðçãéá ôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ ìáò êáé ôçí áãÜðç ðïõ, ìå ôç÷Üñç êáé ôï Ýëåïò ôïõ Èåïý, Ý÷ïõìå ï Ýíáò ãéá ôïíÜëëï.

ÊïéíÞ Þôáí ç Ýêöñáóç ôùí Áñ÷éåñÝùí ãéá ôïåõåñãåôéêü áðïôÝëåóìá ôçò óõíÜíôçóçò óôï Ðáôñéáñ-÷åßï. <ÅõëïãçìÝíç Ôñßôç> ÷áñáêôÞñéóå ôç ìÝñá åêåßíç ïÌçôñïðïëßôçò Äáñäáíåëßùí Áíôþíéïò, áðáíôþíôáò óååñþôçóç äçìïóéïãñÜöïõ êáé ðñüóèåóå üôé <...áðÝäåéîåôï åíäéáöÝñïí ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò ãéá ôçí Åêêëçóßáìáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ... Þôáí ðñáãìáôéêÜ ìéá åõëïãçìÝíçÔñßôç>. Áíáöåñüìåíïò óôçí óõíåäñßáóç åêåßíç óôçíÊùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Áßíïõ ÌÜîéìïò åßðåðùò óõìöùíåß ìå ôïí ¢ãéï Äáñäáíåëßùí êáé ðñüóèåóå<ç áðÜíôçóç ôçò Ìçôñüò Åêêëçóßáò Þôáí ðïëýåõåñãåôéêÞ. Ìáò âïÞèçóå íá áðïêáôáóôÞóïõìå ÝíáíäéÜëïãï... ôá ðñÜãìáôá ôþñá âñßóêïíôáé óôï óùóôüäñüìï>.

Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Äáñäáíåëßùí Áíôþíéïò áíôáðïêñé-íüìåíïò óå Üëëç åñþôçóç ôüíéóå ôçí áíÜãêç åíáñìüíéóçòôïõ ÓõíôÜãìáôïò óôá äåäïìÝíá ôïõ åêêëçóéáóôéêïý âßïõóôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, ëáìâÜíïíôáò õð� üøéí üðùò åßðå, ôéòåéäéêÝò óõíèÞêåò êáèþò êáé ôïí óïâáñü ñüëï ôùí ëáúêþíêáé óõíÝ÷éóå: <ç ÌÞôçñ Åêêëçóßá óïöþò áðïöÜóéóå ôçíåêëïãÞ ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ. Áõôüí åîÝëåîå ç ÌÞôçñÅêêëçóßá, áõôüí äå÷üìåèá, áõôüí óôçñßîáìå êé áõôüí èáóôçñßîïõìå. Êáé áõôÞ Þôáí ðÜíôïôå ç èÝóç ìáò ðáñÜôéò öçìïëïãßåò ðïõ êõêëïöüñçóáí êáé óôïí Ôýðï>.

ÅîÜëëïõ ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÊñÞíçò ÉÜêùâïò áíôéêñïý-ïíôáò öçìïëïãßåò ðïõ êõêëïöüñçóáí ôåëåõôáßá, åßðå:<äåí õðÞñîå ðïôÝ äéÜóôáóéò ìåôáîý Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ êáéáäåëöþí óõíåðéóêüðùí. Çêïýóèçóáí êáé åãñÜöçóáíáíåýèõíá äçìïóéåýìáôá... ßóùò áðü Üãíïéá ãéá íá ìçíðù áðü êáêüôçôá... åðïìÝíùò áõôüò ï ìýèïò ðåñßäéá÷ùñéóìïý ðñÝðåé íá åêëåßøåé>, ôüíéóå.

Óõíåäñßáóå ç É.Óýíïäïò

Åêäßäåôáé óôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé èá ïëïêëçñùèåß ç<Patrologia Greca> ôïõ J. P. Migne áðü ôï ÊÝíôñïÐáôåñéêþí Åêäüóåùí, ðïõ ßäñõóå êáé äéåõèýíåé ïðñùôïðñåóâýôåñïò ÉùÜííçò Ê. Äéþôçò, åöçìÝñéïò ôïõÉ. Íáïý Áãßïõ ÐáíôåëåÞìïíá Á÷áñíþí, óôçí ÁèÞíá.

Óôçí êïëïóóéáßá áõôÞ åêäïôéêÞ óåéñÜ åßíáé ôáîéíïìç-ìÝíá, êáôÜ áéþíåò êáé óõããñáöåßò, ôá Ýñãá ôùí áãßùíÐáôÝñùí êáé ôá Üëëá êåßìåíá ôùí Åêêëçóéáóôéêþí êáéÂõæáíôéíþí óõããñáöÝùí. Ôá êåßìåíá áõôÜ äåí åßíáé ìüíïáñéóôïõñãÞìáôá ëüãïõ ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, áëëÜ êáé ôïõÅëëçíéêïý ̧ èíïõò êáé ï áñéèìüò ôïõò õðåñâáßíåé ôéò äÝêá÷éëéÜäåò.

Ç <ÅëëçíéêÞ Ðáôñïëïãßá> ôïõ J. P. Migne ÷ñçóéìï-ðïéåßôáé ùò ðçãÞ óå üëï ôïí êüóìï ãéá èåïëïãéêÝò,âõæáíôéíïëïãéêÝò, éóôïñéêÝò, öéëïóïöéêÝò, öéëïëïãéêÝò,

øõ÷ïëïãéêÝò, íïìéêÝò, íïìïêáíïíéêÝò, çèéêïëïãéêÝò,êïéíùíéïëïãéêÝò, ðáéäáãùãéêÝò, ïéêïëïãéêÝò êáé ÜëëåòìåëÝôåò êáèþò êáé ãéá åðïéêïäïìçôéêÝò ðáôåñéêÝòåêäüóåéò, ìåëÝôç øõ÷éêÞò ùöÝëåéáò êáé ðíåõìáôéêÞòêáëëéÝñãåéáò.

Ôï ðñùôüôõðï åëëçíéêü êåßìåíï óõíïäåýåôáé êáéáðü ëáôéíéêÞ ìåôÜöñáóç, ç ïðïßá åßíáé ðïëý ÷ñÞóéìçãéá ôéò äéåèíåßò êëáóéêÝò óðïõäÝò êáé ðáôåñéêÝò ìåëÝôåò,äéüôé äéåõêïëýíåé ôï ìåôáöñáóôéêü Ýñãï ôùí ÐáôåñéêþíêåéìÝíùí. ÕðÜñ÷ïõí äå, óôá ëáôéíéêÜ, óôçí Ðáôñïëïãßáôïõ Migne êáé áîéüëïãåò åéóáãùãÝò êáé êñéôéêÝòóçìåéþóåéò. Ç ëáôéíéêÞ ãëþóóá, ìåôÜ ôçí åëëçíéêÞ, åßíáéç ðñþôç óå áîßá ãéá ôïí ðáãêüóìéï ðíåõìáôéêüðïëéôéóìü.

Ç åëëçíéêÞ Ýêäïóç ãßíåôáé ìå åðéóôçìïíéêÜ óõìðëç-

Patrologia Greca: Êïñõöá ßï Åêäïô éêü Ãåãïíüòñþìáôá. ÅéóáãùãéêÜ óçìåéþìáôá, âéâëéïãñáößá êáéðßíáêåò ÷ùñßùí ôçò Áãßáò ÃñáöÞò óå êÜèå ôüìï. Ìå ôïõòðßíáêåò áõôïýò, ïé ïðïßïé ÷áñáêôçñßóôçêáí ùò äéåèíÞðñùôïôõðßá, èá åßíáé äõíáôüí íá ãíùñßæïõìå ðùòåñìÞíåõóáí, áíÜ ôïõò áéþíåò, ïé ¢ãéïé ÐáôÝñåò êáé ïéÜëëïé åêêëçóéáóôéêïß óõããñáöåßò êÜèå ÷ùñßï ôçò ÁãßáòÃñáöÞò.

Åêäüèçêáí Þäç 50 ôüìïé êáé óõíå÷ßæåôáé ç Ýêäïóç ìåÝíá ôüìï áíÜ 20 çìÝñåò.

Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò: ÊÅ.Ð.Å. Ðáôçóßùí5, Á´ üñïöïò, 104 31 ÁèÞíá, HELLAS, ôçë. (011 301) 5243400

� óåë. 13

12345678901234567890123456789011234567890123456789012345678901123456789012345678901234567890112345678901234567890123456789011234567890123456789012345678901123456789012345678901234567890112345678901234567890123456789011234567890123456789012345678901

ÃÉÁ ÄÉÁÖÇÌÉÓÅÉÓ ÓÔÏÍÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇ(212) 570-3555

5 ÖÅÂÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÕ 1999 ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓ ÓÅËÉÄÁ 15

224 pages OF GREEK MUSIC & VIDEO

TEL: (718) 932-8400(800) GREEK 22

GREEK VIDEORECORDS & TAPES25-50 31st STREET � ASTORIANY 11102 � FAX: (718) 932-4911

When in New York, visit ourGreek Music & Video Super-store, with over 6000 sq ft ofdisplays, with every CD, Cas-sette or video in the marketand the lowest prices.

Included in the catalog:Ü Teleftees Epitihies - All the latest releases of

major Greek singers.Ü All time favorites - An expanded, 50 page

section with all the songs we love to listenÜ Children�s Books, and VideosÜ Alphabetical listings of all Greek

Music & VideoÜ New Video Releases - Dance VideosNEW RELEASES - Demotika - Nisiotika - Horeftika- Kritika - Rebetika - Zeibekika - Hasapika -Tsiftetelia - Instrumental - Pontiaka - Pedika -Sholika - Palia tragoudia - Classical music -Soundtracks - Archaea and Byzantine

ALL OF GREEK MUSIC& VIDEO IN ONE CATALOG

FREE UPONREQUEST

1999 GENERAL CATALOG

We supply Greek CD�s, cassettesand videos in consignment toChurches for their annual festivals,at very low, special prices. Plealsecall us for more details.

AT UNBELIEVABLY LOW - LOWFANTASTIC PRICES

ÐáíôåëÞò ÇëéÜäçò. Èåñìü åðßóçò ÷áéñå-ôéóìü áðçýèõíå êáé ï íåïêëåãÞò ãåñïõ-óéáóôÞò ôçò ÁìåñéêáíéêÞò Ãåñïõóßáò ê.ÔóÜñëò Óïýìåñ, ï ïðïßïò ôüíéóå ôçíóçìáíôéêÞ óõìâïëÞ ôïõ åëëçíéêïý óôïé-÷åßïõ óôï ÷þñï ôçò ðáéäåßáò, ôùí åðé÷åé-ñÞóåùí êáé ãåíéêÜ óôçí ðñüïäï ü÷é ìüíïôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò êïéíüôçôáò, áëëÜ êáé ôçòÁìåñéêáíéêÞò êïéíùíßáò óôçí ïëüôçôÜ ôçò.

Ôá Ýóïäá ôçò óõíåóôßáóçò èá äéáôå-èïýí ãéá ôçí åíßó÷õóç ôïõ ôáìåßïõõðïôñïöéþí ðïõ ßäñõóå ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðß-óêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùí, þóôå íáäïèåß ç äõíáôüôçôá óå ðåñéóóüôåñïõò

ÇìÝñá ôùí Åëëçíéêþí ÃñáììÜôùí êáé Ôå÷íþíÏ Äñ. Duffy áíÝðôõîå ôï èÝìá ôçòóõìâïëÞò ôùí Ìåóáéùíéêþí Åëëçíéêþíêáé Âõæáíôéíþí âéâëßùí óôç äéÜäïóç ôçòÝííïéáò «Ðáéäåßá» áíÜ ôïí êüóìï êáé ôçóõìâïëÞ ôïõò óôï óýã÷ñïíï ðïëéôéóìü.ÅîÞñå åðßóçò ôç óõìâïëÞ ôùí ÔñéþíÌåãÜëùí ÐáôÝñùí êáé Éåñáñ÷þí óôçìåôáëáìðÜäåõóç ôùí áñ÷áßùí åëëçíéêþíéäåùäþí óôï ×ñéóôéáíéêü Âõæáíôéíü êüóìïêáé åðáêüëïõèá óå üëï ôïí êüóìï.

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê.Óðõñßäùí óå âáñõóÞìáíôç ïìéëßá ôïõ ãéáôï ðáñüí êáé ôï ìÝëëïí ôçò åëëçíéêÞòðáéäåßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, Ýèåóå ôï êáõôü

íÝïõò íá öïéôÞóïõí óôç ÈåïëïãéêÞ Ó÷ïëÞôïõ Ôéìßïõ Óôáõñïý, ôïõ Ìðñïýêëáúí ôçòÌáóóá÷ïõóÝôçò.

Ôï ôéìþìåíï ðñüóùðï ôçò öåôéíÞò÷ñïíéÜò Þôáí ï öéëÝëëçíáò Äñ. John M.Duffy, êáèçãçôÞò ÂõæáíôéíÞò Öéëïëïãßáòêáé Ëïãïôå÷íßáò ôïõ ôìÞìáôïò ÊëáóéêþíÓðïõäþí ôïõ Ðáíåðéóôçìßïõ ×Üñâáñíô.

åñþôçìá: «Ôé ìüñöùóç äßíïõìå óôáðáéäéÜ ìáò êáé ðùò ôá ðñïåôïéìÜæïõìåãéá ôç æùÞ;» êáé ìßëçóå ãéá ôçí âáèýôåñçÝííïéá ôçò ãéïñôÞò ôïíßæïíôáò: «Ï õðáñ-êôüò êáé êáèçìåñéíÜ âéïýìåíïò ðïëéôéóìüòôïõ Åëëçíéóìïý åßíáé ôï óþìá ôçò åêêëç-óéáóôéêÞò ìáò Ïñèïäïîßáò. Ç áñ÷áéï-åëëçíéêÞ ìáò êëçñïíïìéÜ èá ðáñÝìåíåïõôïðéêü éäåïëüãçìá Þ óôçí êáëýôåñçôùí ðåñéðôþóåùí èåùñßá ôùí óðïõäá-óôçñßùí Ýîù áðü ôçí éóôïñéêÞ ôçò ìåôå-îÝëéîç óôçí åêêëçóéáóôéêÞ äñáìáôïõñãßáôçò Èåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò, ôçí ðïßçóç/õìíï-ëïãßá, æùãñáöéêÞ, ìïõóéêÞ êáé öéëüìïõóçêáé öéëüóïöç ðáôåñéêÞ óêÝøç. Áõôü ôïèñçóêåõôéêü-ðïëéôéóìéêü ìáò áãáèü åßíáéðëïýóéï, óõíÜìá äå áíèåêôéêü êáé åõåñãå-ôéêü éäéáßôåñá óå åðï÷Ýò óýã÷õóçò êáéçèéêïý ÷Üïõò».

ÅêèÝôïíôáò ìå áñéèìïýò ôç óçìåñéíÞðñáãìáôéêüôçôá ôçò ðáéäåßáò áíÜ ôïíêüóìï áëëÜ êáé éäéáßôåñá óôïí ÷þñï ôçòÅëëçíéêÞò ÏìïãÝíåéáò êáé ôïõ åêðáé-äåõôéêïý óõóôÞìáôïò ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðé-óêïðÞò, äÞëùóå üôé ðáñÜ ôá ùò ôþñáåðéôåýãìáôá äåí ìðïñïýìå íá åðáíáðáõ-èïýìå êáé «ï áñéèìüò ôùí Ó÷ïëåßùí êáéôùí ìáèçôþí ðïõ ðáñáêïëïõèåß ôáÅëëçíéêÜ ÃñÜììáôá äåí ìðïñåß íá ìáòéêáíïðïéåß». Êáé óõíÝ÷éóå: «...áíôß íáêëåßíïõìå Ó÷ïëåßá, èá Ýðñåðå íá ðñïâëç-ìáôéæüìáóôå ðþò í� áíïßîïõìå êé Üëëáþóôå óå êÜèå êïéíüôçôÜ ìáò íá ëåéôïõñãåßêé Ýíá áðïãåõìáôéíü åëëçíéêü ó÷ïëåßï».

� óåë. 13

ÂïõëÞò, åðßóêåøç óôçí Áêñüðïëç, êáôÜ-èåóç óôåöÜíùí óôï ìíçìåßï ôïõ Áãíþ-óôïõ Óôñáôéþôç, óõíåíôåýîåéò ìå ôïíÔýðï êáé äéÜöïñá ôçëåïðôéêÜ ðñïãñÜì-ìáôá êáé óõíáíôÞóåéò ìå ðáñÜãïíôåò ôçòÅëëçíïáìåñéêáíéêÞò êïéíüôçôáò óôçíÁèÞíá. ×áñáêôçñéóôéêÞ åßíáé ç åðßóêåøçôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ óôï óðßôé öéëïîåíßáò<Ôï ×áìüãåëï ôïõ Ðáéäéïý> óôç Íßêáéáðïõ öéëïîåíåß êáé ðåñéèÜëðåé åãêáôáëå-ëåéììÝíá, ïñöáíÜ, Üññùóôá êáé ÜóôåãáðáéäéÜ êáèþò êáé ç áäåëöïðïßçóç ôïõ ìåôçí Áêáäçìßá ôïõ Áãßïõ Âáóéëåßïõ.

Ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï èá äå÷èåß êáé èáäåîéùèåß óôçí ÁìåñéêÜíéêç Ðñåóâåßá ïÁìåñéêáíüò ÐñÝóâçò ê. Íßêïëáò ÌðÝñíò.

Ôïí Óåâáóìéüôáôï èá óõíïäåýïõí ïÈåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Ìåëüçò ê. Öéëüèåïò êáéï Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò ÔñùÜäïò ê. ÁëÝîéïò,ï ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêïý Óõìâïõ-ëßïõ ê. Ôæïí Êáôóéìáôßäçò, ï ðñüåäñïò ôïõÓÁÅ ê. ¢íôñéïõ ¢èåíò, êáé ðïëëïß Üëëïé.

Ï Áñ÷/ðïò óôçí ÅëëÜäá� óåë. 13

ÓÅ ÏËÇ ÔÇÍ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇ: ANTENNA Satellite Radio � ÐÝìðôç 5-6ì.ì.FLORIDA: GREEK VOICE, WXYB-1520 AM êáé WPSO-1500 AM � ÓÜââáôï 6-7ì.ì., ÊõñéáêÞ 9-10ð.ì.

CHICAGO: Hellenic Communications- WHCI-FM 107.5 � ÓÜââáôï 1-2ì.ì.INTERNET: http://www.goarch.org/webcasts/hellenic.html � ÊáèçìåñéíÜ 10ð.ì.-10ì.ì.

HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER27-09 Crescent Street, Astoria, NY 11102Tel: (718) 626-5111-Fax: (718) 626-1398

Ç ÖùíÞ ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò Ïñèüäïîçò Åêêëçóßáò<Ôçí äéáêïíßáí óïõ ðëçñïöüñçóïí>

Åâäïìáäéáßï ñáäéïöùíéêü ðñüãñáììá ôçò

ÅËËÇÍÉÊÇÓ ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÇÓ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÇÓ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇÓÄéåýèõíóç-Ðáñïõóßáóç:

Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïò

ÓÕÍÔÏÍÉÓÔÅÉÔÅ ÌÁÆÉ ÌÁÓ

Åíôõðùóßáóáí ìå ôç ðáñïõóßá ôïõò êáéôéò Üøïãåò åêôåëÝóåéò ðáñáäïóéáêþí÷ïñþí ïé ÷ïñåõôÝò ôçò ÷ïñåõôéêÞòïìÜäáò Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey

öùô. Äçì. ÐáíÜãïò

Ç õðïõñãüò ÁíÜðôõîçò ê. ÂÜóù ÐáðáíäñÝïõ åðéóêÝöèçêå, óôçí Ýäñá ôçò É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞòôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá, óôá ðëáßóéá ôçò åðßóêåøçò ôçò óôéò ÇÐÁ.

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùí äåîéþèçêå ôïõò äáóêÜëïõò êáé äáóêÜëåòôùí êïéíïôéêþí ìáò ó÷ïëåßùí, óôéò 29 Éáíïõáñßïõ, óôçí Ýäñá ôçò é. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáéóå ìéá æåóôÞ êáé öéëéêÞ áôìüóöáéñá Ýêïøå ôçí âáóéëüðéôÜ ôïõò ãéá ôçí íÝá ÷ñïíéÜ.



ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓÓÅËÉÄÁ 16 5 ÖÅÂÑÏÕÁÑÉÏÕ 1999

ÄÙÑÅÁÍ ØÇÖÉÁÊÏ ÄÏÑÕÖÏÑÉÊÏ ÓÕÓÔÇÌÁ ÊÁÔÏÐÉÍ REBATE¼ôáí äéáëÝîåôå ôï ðáêÝôï One-Rate plan ãéá Ýíá ÷ñüíï.Ôï ðáêÝôï áõôü óõìðåñéëáìâÜíåé ôï ðñüãñáììá ôïõ AntennaSatellite, ôï ðáêÝôï ðñïãñáììáôéóìïý America�s Top 100 CDêáé 1 ðáêÝôï premium movie ôçò åðéëïãÞò óáò.

1-800-898-2681

ÐÁÊÅÔÏ DISH NETWORK ONE-RATE PLAN*

ÓõìðåñéëáìâÜíåé1 ðáêÝôï

premium movieôçò åðéëïãÞò óáò

ÁÐÏËÁÕÓÔÅ ÔÏÊÁÈÇÌÅÑÉÍÏ ÐÑÏÃÑÁÌÌÁ

ÔÏÕ ANTENNA SATELITEMONO ME $14.99

ÔÏÍ ÌÇÍÁ*ÓõìðåñéëáìâÜíåé ôï ðñüãñáììá ôïõAntenna Satellite, ôï ðáêÝôïðñïãñáììáôéóìïý America�s Top 100 CDêáé 1 ðáêÝôï premium movie ôçò åðéëïãÞò óáò.

ÓõìðåñéëáìâÜíåé ÄÙÑÅÁÍ äåýôåñç äïñõöïñéêÞêåñáßá ãéá üóïõò èÝëïõí íá ðáñáêïëïõèïýíôï Åëëçíéêü ðñùôÜèëçìá Ðïäïóöáßñïõ Á´ÅèíéêÞò Êáôçãïñßáò

ÅðáããåëìáôéêÞÅãêáôÜóôáóç Ìüíï $99

More Channels...More Choices.SM

www.antena.grwww.kbs-tv.com

ÔÇËÅÖÙÍÇÓÔÅ ÓÇÌÅÑÁ

Óå çëéêßá 87 ÷ñïíþí, åêïéìÞèç åéòÊýñéïí ï ìçôñïðïëßôçò ÊáëÞò Åëðßäïò,Íüôéáò ÁöñéêÞò, Ðáýëïò.

Ï Ìçôñïðïëßôçò Ðáýëïò, êáôÜêüóìï ÉùÜííçò ÂáñíÜâáò, ãåííÞèçêå ôï1912 óôï ÷ùñéü Ðáíáêõâßäåò ôçò åðáñ-÷ßáò Ëåìåóïý ôçò Êýðñïõ. XåéñïôïíÞèçêåäéÜêïíïò ôï 1929, êáé ôï 1931 ðñåóâý-ôåñïò. Áðïöïßôçóå áðü ôç ÈåïëïãéêÞÓ÷ïëÞ Áèçíþí, ôï 1942. Ôï 1956 åíôÜ÷-èçêå óôçí äýíáìç ôïõ ÁëåîáíäñéíïýÈñüíïõ, êáé äéïñßóôçêå åöçìÝñéïò óôïíÉåñü Íáü ôïõ Åõáããåëéóìïý ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞòÊïéíüôçôáò Ðñåôïñßáò. Ôï 1968 åêëÝ÷èçêåáðü ôçí ÉåñÜ Óýíïäï ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõÁëåîáíäñåßáò ðñþôïò Ìçôñïðïëßôçò ôçòíåïóõóôáèåßóçò ÉåñÜò ÌçôñïðüëåùòÊáëÞò Åëðßäïò êáé ðÜóçò ÍáôÜëçò. OÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Áëåîáíäñåßáò ÐÝôñïò ï Æ�ìåôÝâç óôï ÊÝçð ÔÜïõí ãéá íá ðáñáóôåßóôç íåêñþóéìç áêïëïõèßá.

Ç æùãñáöéêÞ ôùí âõæáíôéíþí åêêëçóéþí ôçòÊùíóôáíôéíïýðïëçò èá áðïôåëÝóåé ôï èÝìá ôçòÝêèåóçò ôïõ êáèçãçôÞ ôçò ÊñáôéêÞò Ó÷ïëÞò ÊáëþíÔå÷íþí ôïõ Bourges, Christian Babou, ðïõ ðñïã-ñáììáôßæåé ãéá ôï äéÜóôçìá áðü ôéò 24 Ìáñôßïõùò ôéò 23 Áðñéëßïõ ôï Ãáëëéêü Éíóôéôïýôï Èåó-óáëïíßêçò.

Ï êáèçãçôÞò Babou ôïí Áðñßëéï êáé ôïí ÌÜéïôïõ 1997 äéÝìåéíå óôçí Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç óå Ýíáíóðßôé óôçí êáñäéÜ ôçò ðåñéï÷Þò ÓïõëôÜí Á÷ìÝô. Åêåßôïõ äüèçêå ç åõêáéñßá íá áó÷ïëçèåß ìå 15âõæáíôéíÝò åêêëçóßåò, êÜðïéåò áðü ôéò ïðïßáò åßíáéðëÝïí ôæáìéÜ. ̧ ôóé ðåñéÝëáâå óôç äïõëåéÜ ôïõ ôçíðåñßöçìç Áãßá Óïößá áëëÜ êáé ôéò åêêëçóßåò ôçòÐáíáãßáò ôùí Ìïããüëùí, ôïõ ×ñéóôïý Ðáíôåðü-ðôç êáé ôçò Èåïôüêïõ ôçò Ðáíá÷ñÜíôïõ.

ÐÝñá áðü ôçí áñ÷éôåêôïíéêÞ áðïôýðùóç, ðïõáðïôåëåß ðñïúüí ìéáò ó÷ïëáóôéêÞò ó÷åäéáóôéêÞòêáé öùôïãñáöéêÞò êáôáãñáöÞò ãéá êÜèå êôßñéï,ôá æùãñáöéêÜ áõôÜ Ýñãá ìáñôõñïýí ìéá åíôáôéêÞäïõëåéÜ ðÜíù óôï ÷ñþìá, áðüëõôá åããåãñáììÝíçóôçí åéêáóôéêÞ Ýñåõíá ðïõ äéåîÜãåé ï ChristianBabou åäþ êáé ôñéÜíôá ÷ñüíéá.

Ï Ðáíáãéüôáôïò Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò èáìåôáâåß ôïí åñ÷üìåíï Éïýíéï óôç ÂéÝííç, êáôÜ ôçí ðåñéïäåßá ôïõ óåðáñáäïõíÜâéåò ÷þñåò óôï ðëáßóéï åíüò ðïëõÞìåñïõ åðéóôçìïíéêïýÓõìðïóßïõ.

Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáé ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÅõñùðáúêÞòÅðéôñïðÞò Æáê ÓáíôÝñ èá ðñïåäñåýóïõí ôïõ åðéóôçìïíéêïýóõìðïóßïõ, ôï ïðïßï èá åßíáé áöéåñùìÝíï óôç óùôçñßá ôïõïéêïëïãéêïý óõóôÞìáôïò ôïõ ìåãáëýôåñïõ ðïôáìïý ôçò Åõñþðçò -ôïõ Äïýíáâç - êáé ôï ïðïßï èá ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß <åí ðëù> óå åéäéêüðïôáìüðëïéï, ðïõ èá îåêéíÞóåé óôéò 26 Éïõíßïõ áðü ôï ÐáóÜïõ ôçòÃåñìáíßáò êáé èá êáôáëÞîåé óôï ñïõìáíéêü ëéìÜíé Óïõëßíá ôçò ÌáýñçòÈÜëáóóáò.

Ôï ðëïßï ìå ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç èá áãêõñïâïëÞóåé óôéò30 Éïõíßïõ ãéá äýï çìÝñåò óôï ëéìÜíé ôïõ Äïýíáâç óôç ÂéÝííç, ãéá íáóõíå÷ßóåé ìå åðüìåíïõò óôáèìïýò ôçí ÌðñáôéóëÜâá, ôç ÂïõäáðÝóôçêáé ôï ÂåëéãñÜäé. Óôï <ðëùôü> åðéóôçìïíéêü Óõìðüóéï èá óõììåôÝ÷ïõíêáé Üëëïé áñ÷çãïß åêêëçóéþí, ìå óôü÷ï ôçí áíáæÞôçóç ëýóåùí ãéá ôáïéêïëïãéêÜ ðñïâëÞìáôá ôïõ ìåãÜëïõ ðïôáìïý êáé ôùí ðåñéï÷þí ðïõäéáó÷ßæåé êáé ôïýôï ôüóï óôï ðëáßóéï <ïéêïõìåíéêÞò óõíåñãáóßáò ôùíåêêëçóéþí> üóï êáé óå óõíåñãáóßá åêêëçóßáò êáé åðéóôÞìçò.

¸íá ðñþôï ðáñüìïéï <ðëùôü> ðåñéâáëëïíôéêü Óõìðüóéï, ìåðñïåäñåýïíôåò ôïí Ïéêïõìåíéêü ÐáôñéÜñ÷ç êáé ôïí ðñüåäñï ôçòÅõñùðáúêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò, åß÷å ðñáãìáôïðïéçèåß ôï ÓåðôÝìâñéï ôïõ1997 óôç Ìáýñç ÈÜëáóóá óôï åëëçíéêü ðëïßï <ÂåíéæÝëïò>.

Óõìðüóéï ãéá ôç óùôçñßá ôïõ Äïýíáâç

ÓåìéíÜñéï ìå ôïí ôßôëï <Ôá ÃëõðôÜôïõ Ðáñèåíþíá, ç éóôïñßá ôïõò êáé çðñïïðôéêÞ ôïõò> äéïñãáíþíåôáé óôá ìÝóáÖåâñïõáñßïõ, áðü ôïí óýíäåóìï äéáôçñÞ-óåùò ôçò ÅëëçíéêÞò ÊëçñïíïìéÜò êáé ôçÃêáëåñß <Corcoran Gallery of Art>.

Ç éóôïñßá, êáé ï ôåëéêüò ðñïïñéóìüòôùí Åëãéíåßùí ÌáñìÜñùí èá åîåôáóèåßáðü äéáêåêñéìÝíïõò óõììåôÝ÷ïíôåò üðùòï Oõßëëéáì ÓÝéíô Êëáßñ (åéäéêüò óôï èÝìáêáé óõããñáöÝáò ôïõ âéâëßïõ <Ëüñäïò Åëãéíêáé ôá ìÜñìáñá>), ï Ôæïí Ç. ÌÝññéìáí(êáèçãçôÞò íïìéêÞò êáé âïçèüò êáèçãçôïýôÝ÷íçò, óôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï ÓôÜíöïñíô), ïÓôÞâåí Ã. Ìßëëåñ (êáèçãçôÞò áñ÷áéï-ëïãßáò óôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï Êáëéöïñíßáòóôï ÂÝñêëåú êáé ìÝëïò ôçò ÓõìâïõëåõôéêÞòÅðéôñïðÞò ôïõ Åëëçíéêïý ÕðïõñãåßïõOéêïíïìéêþí), ï ÍôÝéâéíô Á. OõÜëíôåí(ðñüåäñïò ôçò ÄéáêõâåñíçôéêÞò Åðéôñï-ðÞò ôçò OõíÝóêï, áñìïäßáò ãéá ôçíåðéóôñïöÞ ðïëéôéóôéêþí áíôéêåéìÝíùí), ïÆõë ÍôáóóÝí (ðñüåäñïò ôïõ éäñýìáôïòÌåëßíá Ìåñêïýñç) êáé ï ÓùôÞñçò Ìïõ-óïýñçò (ðñüåäñïò ôïõ Ïñãáíéóìïý ãéáôçí êáôáóêåõÞ ôïõ íÝïõ Ìïõóåßïõ ôçòÁêñïðüëåùò).

Ôï óåìéíÜñéï èá äéåõèýíåé ï ÊÜñë Å.ÌÝéåñ, óõíôÜêôçò ôùí Íéïõ Ãéïñê ÔÜéìò.

Ïé áãéïãñáößåò ôçò Ðüëçò

Ôñåéò áêüìç íáïýò ôçò ìåóïâõ-æáíôéíÞò ðåñéüäïõ Ýöåñáí óôï öùò ïéáíáóêáöÝò ôçò 9çò Åöïñåßáò ÂõæáíôéíþíÁñ÷áéïôÞôùí óå ïéêüðåäá ôçò ïäïýÓïöïêëÝïõò óôç Èåóóáëïíßêç.

Óôç ðåñéï÷Þ ôçò ìïíÞò ôïõ ÐñïöÞôçÇëßá, âñÝèçêáí ôá <ïéêïäïìéêÜ ëåßøáíá>åíüò ðáñåêêëçóéïý, áðü ôï ïðïßï óþæå-ôáé ôï õðüãåéï, ôï ìáñìÜñéíï äÜðåäï êáéç êüã÷ç. Ôï ðáñåêêëÞóé, üðùò ðñïêýðôåéáðü ôçí óùæüìåíç êÜôïøç, Ý÷åé äéáóôÜ-óåéò 4x9 ìÝôñá, êáé êáôÜ ðÜóá ðéèáíü-ôçôá åßíáé ôçò åðï÷Þò ôùí Ðáëáéïëüãùí.

Äßðëá óôï ðáñåêêëÞóé âñÝèçêå çêüã÷ç åíüò ìåãÜëïõ íáïý ðïõ èá ðñÝðåéíá áíÞêå óôï êáèïëéêü ôçò ìïíÞò ðïõâñéóêüôáí óôïí ßäéï ÷þñï. Óôï ßäéïïéêüðåäï âñÝèçêáí áêüìç ëáîåõôïß ôÜöïéêáèþò åðßóçò êáé ôñåéò ÷Üëêéíåò êáíäÞëåò,åíþ Ýíáò áêüìç ôñßêï÷ïò íáüò, ôïõ ïðïßïõóþæåôáé ôï äéáêïíéêü ôìÞìá, áðïêáëý-öôçêå óå ãåéôïíéêü ïéêüðåäï.

Ç ðåñéï÷Þ, óôçí ïðïßá âñÝèçêáí ïéíáïß, êáôÜ ôá âõæáíôéíÜ ÷ñüíéá ÞôáíãåìÜôç ìå ìïíáóôÞñéá, åíþ ðïëëïß áðüôïõò íáïýò, üðùò ðñïêýðôåé áðü ôáðñáêôéêÜ ôçò ÁèùíéêÞò Ðïëéôåßáò, Þôáíìåôü÷éá ôùí ìïíþí ôïõ Áãßïõ ¼ñïõò.

Ç ÂõæáíôéíÞ Èåóóáëïíßêç

Ãéá ôá ìÜñìáñáôïõ Ðáñèåíþíá

ÅêïéìÞèç ï ÌçôñïðïëßôçòÍüôéáò ÁöñéêÞò, Ðáýëïò


T

PEOPLEP A R I S H p r o f i l e

See PARISH PROFILE on page 24

AHEPA manOcean County Chapter 467 of AHEPA re-

cently honored the Rev. Dr. Milton Efthimiou,pastor of St. Barbara Church in Toms River,N.J., with its �Man of the Year� award.

CongratulationsFr. George and Presbytera Christina

Poulos of Stamford, Conn., recently cel-ebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Fr.George is pastor of Archangels Church andthe author of the �Orthodox Saints� series.

Receives scholarshipDr. Rosalie Elenitsas, staff member of

the University of Pennsylvania MedicalSchool Department of Dermatology, and amember of Annunciation Church in ElkinsPark, Pa., recently was chosen by the Medi-cal School committee to receive the SandraLazarus Scholarship Award for her academicexpertise, commitment to compassionatepatient care and to her teaching and selflessdevotion. The daughter of Mrs. MaryElenitsas and the late Nicholas G. Elenitsasof Monessen, Pa., Dr. Elenitsas is a Phi BetaKappa and Summa Cum Laude graduate ofWashington and Jefferson College and theUniversity of Pittsburgh Medical School.

Holds successful workshopEvangeline Gouletas, co-founder and

co-chairman of American Invsco Corp., ofChicago, held her 10th annual workshoptitled �Being the Best You Can Be and Openthe World to You� at Baruch College in NewYork, which drew the largest enrollment everwith more than 1,000 students.

Earns awardChristiana Moore,

a member of Sts. Peterand Paul Church inFrederick, Md., re-cently earned the high-est achievement in GirlScouting, the Girl Scout

he arrival of Greek Orthodox Chris-tians to southern Nevada predatesthe founding of St. John the Baptist

A Byzantine Jewel in the Nevada Desert

Name:St. John the BaptistGreek Orthodox ChurchLocation:Las Vegas, NevadaSize: About 400 familiesFounded: 1959Diocese: San FranciscoClergy:Rev. Ilia Katre (Holy Cross �61)Noteworthy:Parishioners notedfor their spirit of cooperation.

parish by several decades.Greek immigrants originally came to

this desert community as railroad work-ers and to help build Hoover Dam on thenearby Colorado River in the 1930s. Oth-ers worked in ranching. For the most part,they were single men with ties to Greeceor other parts of this country.

The AHEPA and Philoptochos chap-ters even predate the establishment of thechurch, an unusual situation among theparishes of the Archdiocese. But theyhelped serve as catalysts for its founding

By late 1958, several families hadsettled in Las Vegas, with a number of themworking in the gaming industry of the city�sfamed casinos and hotels, orin food service and relatedbusinesses.

According to a parishhistory by Dr. AlexanderSparkuhl, by late October ofthat year, the Philoptochos,under the leadership of VeneaPoulos, held organized churchservices at a local hotel conductedby a visiting priest from San Bernar-dino, Calif., Fr. Arcadios Arcadiou.

Dr. Ernest Searles, a newly appointedfaculty member of Southern Nevada Uni-versity (later renamed University of Nevada-Las Vegas), passing some slot machines onhis way to Liturgy, expressed the need for aGreek Orthodox church in the city.

Church establishedA community meeting with 27 per-

sons took place later that day and theseeds for the new parish were planted.

Nearly six months later, April 9,1959, the Eastern Greek Orthodox Com-munity of Las Vegas received its charter.

Initially, services took place at ChristEpiscopal Church, following the Anglicanservices earlier on Sunday.

A retired Russian Orthodox priest,the Rt. Rev. Sugman Sergie Irtel, cel-ebrated liturgy in the Russian language,with Professor Searles chanting in Greek.

In June of that year, Fr. Arcadiou re-

turned to the parish as its first Greek priest,and served on a �temporary� assignmentthat was to last until 1962.

Community members decided in 1961to purchase a former synagogue for $60,000.It was rededicated as a Greek Orthodoxchurch.

The Building Committee chairman,John Pappas, considered to be the first Greekto have settled in Las Vegas, named thechurch St. John the Baptist in honor of hisson�s patron saint.

A community hall, the Panos HellenicCommunity Center, was built in 1963.

By then, the parish had a new priest,Fr. James Adams, who served until 1970.

Greek festival establishedPhiloptochos established the annual

Greek Food Festival on March 25,1972. It took place at the StardustHotel. Along with the stewardshipprogram, it is the parish�s most im-portant revenue source. Accordingto Fr. Katre the festival has grownto become a leading cultural eventin the city.

Membership began to increasein the 1970s under Fr. Steve Prodro-mides and his successor, Fr. Aposto-los Andrews.

By the end of the decade, anew, larger church was needed.

Two parcels of land consisting of10 acres in the southwest part of the citywere purchased for a new church complex.

Fr. Andrews retired due to illness in1982. A year later Fr. Jim Karagas arrivedand served until 1987. During this period,the parish developed plans for a new churchwhich were completed by the end of thedecade. Fr. Karagas left in 1987 and wasreplaced by a temporary priest, Fr. Nicho-las Soriach, a Serbian Orthodox.

In 1988, Fr. Katre assumed the pas-torship of St. John the Baptist. A native ofSault Ste. Marie, Mich. (pronounced SooSaint Maree), on the Upper Peninsula acrossthe river from Canada, he had been servingas pastor of Holy Trinity Albanian OrthodoxChurch in South Boston for more than 20years, and as Dean of Students at HolyCross/Hellenic College. Fr. Ilia Katre is a

member of SCOBA, as Vicar General forthe Albanian Orthodox Diocese ofAmerica.

New churchThe parish selected architect Christ

Kamages of San Francisco in 1989 to de-sign the new church complex, a 33,000-square-foot facility that included thechurch proper, a fellowship hall, educa-tional and administrative rooms, recre-ational area and housing complex.

The inspiration for the edifice withits distinctive hexagonal design was theChurch of St. Ephemia of the Hippo-drome, built in 6th century Constan-tinople a few years before St. Sophia. Thesix sides reflect the six days of the weekof creation. The dome represents theseventh, or Lord�s Day.

The church�s exterior is white stucco,with marble imported from Greece andlight clay roof tiles. The white gold domerises 65 feet over the main floor.

Groundbreaking took place in Sep-tember 1990 and phase I, the churchbuilding, was completed two years later.The remaining project has continuedthrough the decade and is nearingcompletion.

Diversity of membership Unlike St. John�s sister community

in the East Coast resort of Atlantic City,the Las Vegas parish is not comprisedpredominantly of Greek immigrants anddescendants, but includes a variety ofbackgrounds in addition to Greek: Ro-manian, Serbian, Russian, Bulgarian, Al-banian, Ethiopian, and others. In recentyears, there has been an influx of newarrivals from Eastern Europe.

There are two Greek societies, thePan Cretans and Pan Arcadians, reflect-ing the ancestral roots of those parishio-ners of Greek heritage.

St. John may be the only Greek Or-thodox church that also serves as thespiritual home for another group, theArmenian Apostolic Church, part of theOriental Orthodox community, holds itsservices on days other than Sunday.

Gold Award, for her project in establishinga nursery for children ages three and underat her parish. The project involved solicitingdonations of carpet, supplies and toys fromthe community, and painting a wall muralof Noah�s Ark. Christiana is a history andsecondary education major at Salisbury StateUniversity and the daughter of Tim anddonna Moore of Ijamsville, Md.

National Philoptochos board memberSophia Altin, recently was presented withthe �National Philoptochos Merit Award.�Mrs. Altin has been a Philoptochos mem-ber 48 years, a National Advisory Councilmember of the U.S. Committee for UNICEFand was chapter and diocese Philoptochospresident. Her home chapter is St. John theTheologian in Tenafly, N.J. She was alsohonored with a �Sophia Altin Day� pro-claimed by National Philoptochos PresidentEvanthea Condakes at her chapter�s recentChristmas dinner.

Receives award

LAS VEGAS

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

AT H O SICONS

FOR BROCHURE & PRICES: 1-800-952 8467 OR FAX TO 1-860-423 1330OR WRITE TO ATHOS ICONS P.O. BOX 554 MANSFIELD, CT 06250

100% PURE SILVEROR 24KT GOLD ON SILVER

SAINTS & EVENTS � SMALL & LARGEBLESSED ICONS UPON REQUEST

WE NOW ACCEPT ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDSOR PERSONAL CKS.

NEW HAND CARVED FRAMESNEW SUBJECTS-NEW SIZES

HA

ND

CA

RVE

D

AXI

ON

EST

I


H C / H C R E P O R TPROFILE:SeminarianPROFILE:

NAME: DAMON MICHAEL SMITH

Hometown and Parish: Lincoln, Neb.;Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church.

Age: 30

Previous Education: Lincoln School ofCommerce Associates - degree in busi-ness administration-1996 graduate.

Graduating Class: 2001

Previous work experience: Store-keeper in U.S. Navy, self-employedtruck unloader and business entrepre-neur.

� What is your family back-ground?

One brother who is an announcerfor a heavy metal radio station. Mymother works for a nursing home.

� In what ways were you involvedin your home parish?

Served four years as head acolyteand two years as a Sunday schoolteacher.

� What are some of your mostmemorable moments growing up?

As a child I loved entertaining oth-ers with my singing and dancing per-formances.

� What prompted you to go to theseminary?

I became chrismated as an Ortho-dox Christian on April 12, 1993. Iwanted to learn more about the GreekOrthodox faith and traditions. I grewto love the Church and the parishionersso dearly that I wanted to devote myentire life to the Church.

� Who influenced you most to as-pire to the priesthood?

The person who inspired me to-ward the priesthood is my grand-mother. She has always been support-ive in my interests. She has expressedhow proud of me she is in everythingI�ve done.

� How has attending HellenicCollege affected you?

Being in Hellenic College has chal-lenged me to become more spiritual. Iam learning how to be more disciplinedand how to submit to what God willsfor me.

� What are your favorite courses?Greek and Byzantine chant classes.

� What are your campus activi-ties?

I have been involved in the school�sannual talent show.

� What is your favorite recre-ational activity?

A good game of chess. I also enjoykarate sparring.

� What has been the toughestpart of being a seminarian?

The toughest part is constantly pri-oritizing my time. Sometimes I have tosacrifice one thing for another. Timemanagement is the most difficult tohandle.

� What gifts do you hope to bringto your service to the Church?

The gift I would most want to giveis giving heart to the words spoken inthe services (in English as well asGreek). I really want the parishionersto feel and understand what�s beingsaid in the services.

� What are your major strengthsand weaknesses?

My strengths are that I�m amiableand kind to people and my weaknessesare that I spend much of my time think-ing about what I must do instead ofjust doing them.

� Who is your favorite saint andwhy?

St. Polycarp. I like him becausewhen he was arrested by the Romanshe requested an hour to pray silently.They respected his wishes and he si-lently prayed and worshipped Godwhich gave him the confidence to facedeath without fear.

� What is your most noteworthymemory as a seminarian?

The most memorable experiencehas been getting to know my diocesanbishop, His Eminence Isaiah, who wasthe acting president of the school in1997-98. I feel comforted that heknows what kind of person I am, so(God willing) when I become ordainedhe will know where I best belong.

� How can the Church reach outto the unchurched?

The best way to reach the un-churched is by living God�s Word. In-stead of saying �we are Orthodox� letus show it by our actions of love, hu-mility, and compassion toward others.This way people, will want to learn ofour faith because we are living ex-amples of it.

� Suggest one way of keepingyoung people in Church?

To keep the young people in thechurch is to invite them with open armslike the prodigal son. To reassure ouryoung people that despite anything theydo, that the church will help them andlove them as Christ loves us all. I alsobelieve they should be shown that theirpresents are needed and that they areimportant to the Church community.

� How do you view the increas-ing use of computers in the Church?

The computer is too convenient.Society has put too much emphasis onthe uses of computers. Computers havealienated us from true communion witheach other. The Church should avoidcomplete reliance on the many (goodintended) things a computer can do.God said �let there be no other god be-fore me.� Let us rely on one another,person to person, not modem to mo-dem. Even though computers are agreat medium for the missions of theChurch, however, I think it�s best to beliving examples of the Word in our dayto day lives.

BROOKLINE, Mass. � Dr. George S. Bebis, pro-fessor of Patristics at Holy Cross School of Theology,was elected into the 1988 edition of �Who�s WhoAmong America�s Teachers.� Every year, this presti-gious volume features �the best teachers in America,selected by the best students.�

Dr. Bebis is the senior Professor of Patristics (thestudy of the Fathers of the Church) at Holy Cross.

In addition, he is also currently the chairman ofthe Master of Theology (Th.M.) Committee at HolyCross. He is a graduate of Holy Cross (Dipl. Theol.,B.A., B.D.), and is also a graduate of Harvard DivinitySchool (S.T.M.).

He holds a License of Theology and doctor�sdegree from the University of Athens. His doctoral

Dr. Bebis Elected to �Who�s Who�for Outstanding Teachers

BROOKLINE, Mass. � Professor TedPeters, professor of systematic theology atPacific Lutheran Theological Seminary inBerkeley, Calif., will speak on �Genetic De-terminism and Human Freedom: A Theo-logical Inquiry� at Maliotis Cultural Center,

Professor to Speak on Genetic Determinism7 p.m., Feb. 11.

A response will be given by the Rev. Dr.Demetrios Demopoulos of the HC/HC faculty.

In addition to Holy Cross, sponsors arethe Templeton Foundation and AmericanScientific Affiliation.

BROOKLINE, Mass. � ArchbishopSpyridon traveled to Holy Cross-HellenicCollege to celebrate the Feast of the Pre-sentation of Our Lord and for a regular meet-ing with trustees.

His Eminence arrived late in the eveningFeb. 1 and participated in a 10 p.m. Orthrosservice.

He stayed on campus overnight andpresided at the Feast Day Liturgy that beganat 7 a.m.

Afterward, he had breakfast with the en-tire HC/HC student body and visited twoclasses in the School of Theology.

The Archbishop next met with the Semi-nary students at their Tuesday Synaxis, at

Archbishop Interacts with HC/HC Studentswhich they listen to inspirational and infor-mational talks in the chapel.

His Eminence spoke for 25 minutes onthe importance of the students� calling atthe school and answered questions.

After having lunch with all the students,Archbishop Spyridon chaired a meeting ofthe accreditation committee, which includesrepresentatives from the board of trustees,administration, faculty, and student body.The two-hour meeting focused on accredi-tation issues facing the school.

Following Vespers at 5 p.m., the Arch-bishop then held a productive meeting withthe trustees� executive committee that lasted3 ½ hours.

thesis on Nestorius has been published already in Greek. He also studied ecumenics un-der the famous, late Professor Nicos Nissiotis at the Ecumenical Institute of Bossey, Geneva,Switzerland. In 1989, he received the Archbishop Iakovos Faculty Award for his distin-guished services as a professor and scholar respectively.

Professor Bebis is a member of the American Association of University Professors,the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, the MedicalAcademy of America, the North American Patristics Society, the International Associa-tion of Patristic Studies, and the Orthodox Theological Society of America.

Dr. Bebis was a major contributor in the book St. Nicodemos of the Holy Mountain,published by the Paulist Press in 1989. He wrote the scholarly introduction on St. Nicodemos.

His most recent book is �The Mind of the Fathers: Essays in Patristic Studies,� pub-lished in 1994, by Holy Cross Orthodox Press. Articles and book reviews of ProfessorBebis have been published in collective volumes and periodicals, in Greece and this coun-try. Most recently Professor Bebis has been a major contributor to the �Orthodox Ob-server,� writing articles on the Fathers of the Church and related material.

HIS EMINENCE talks to students of Holy Cross School of Theology at Brookline, Mass.

D.Panagos


E C U M E N I C A L N E W S

In the beginning of November anothermeeting of Orthodox and Lutheran theolo-gians took place at the Lutheran Retreat Cen-ter �Spirit in the Desert� in Carefree, Ariz.,which ended with the acceptance of a �Com-mon Statement of Faith in the Holy Trinity.�

Orthodox-Lutheran Dialogue in the USA

by Rev. Dr. George Dion Dragas

This statement was the result of a se-ries of theological conversations that tookplace in the 1990s. The purpose of thepresent article is to supply general informa-tion on this dialogue and to present in pub-lished form the original English text of thisnew �Common Statement.�

The theological dialogue between Or-thodox and Lutherans in the USA has so fargone through three main stages. The firstofficial contacts between the two sides wereundertaken in the 1960s, following the ini-tiative of the Lutherans. As a matter of fact,the invitation to dialogue came from theAmerican Lutheran National Committee ofthe World Lutheran Federation (WLF) andwas addressed to the Committee of theStanding Conference of Orthodox Bishopsin the Americas (SCOBA).

As a result of this initiative joint meet-ings were held in 1965, 1967 and 1969. Thetopics of this dialogue were introductory andgeneral, and had to do with the peculiaritiesof the two Churches and with the ways theyunderstood the relation of Holy Scripture toHoly Tradition. This dialogue was continuedinto the 1970s, but became trilateral, be-cause Reformed theologians were added toit. On this occasion discussions concen-trated on the relation of the Gospel to Soci-ety. During this first stage of the dialogue,however, no texts of common agreementwere issued but only general press releasesand particular communications.

A second stage in the dialogue of Or-thodox and Lutherans began in 1983 andwas concluded in 1989 with the publicationof a �Common Statement on Salvation,�which was published in 1992. Meetingswere held in 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988 andfinally in 1989, when the above mentionedCommon Statement was accepted.

The third stage of the dialogue includedthe meetings of the 1990s (i.e., of 1994,1996, 1997 and 1998) and is concluded withthe �Common Statement in the Holy Trin-ity� which is given below.The Common Statement of Faith in the

Holy Trinity1. Our theological dialogue as Ortho-

dox and Lutherans has made clear to us thateach of our Churches believes in the Father,the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God. Werecognize one another�s churches aschurches believing in the Holy Trinity. Wealso recognize that our churches do not sim-ply believe in, but worship the Holy Trinity.In our worship we do not only confess ourfaith in the Trinity, but also we encountereach of the persons of the Holy Trinity intheir distinction from one another and theirunity with each other as the one God.

2. In our worship, Orthodox andLutherans both explicitly confess faith in theHoly Trinity in the words of the NiceneCreed. Our Churches are both committedto the Nicene Creed as ecumenically bind-ing dogma, that is, as a statement of theapostolic faith in the Holy Trinity which ispermanently normative for all Christians. Wemay, therefore, briefly summarize ourshared faith in the Trinity by reference tothe Nicene Creed.

3. As Orthodox and Lutherans we bothconfess faith in �one God, the Father al-mighty, maker of heaven and earth.� Con-

fessing faith in God the Father, we togetherbelieve in the monarchy of the Father. TheFather is the supreme principle, origin,source, and cause of all that exists and haslife. He alone is unoriginate, and all that is,uncreated and created, originates from him.The Son and the Spirit are from his very be-ing, whereas everything else is made by himfrom nothing, through his Son and by hisSpirit.

4. As Orthodox and Lutherans we con-fess together faith in �one Lord Jesus Christ,the only-begotten Son of God.� This eternalSon of God is �begotten, not made.� Unlikeany creature, he does not come to be out ofnothing by an act of God�s will. He is eter-nally generated or begotten by the Father,receiving from the Father the Father�s owndivine nature or essence (ousia) which isundivided. He is, therefore, �one in essence(honoousios) with the Father.� Although heis other than the Father, a hypostasis or per-son distinct from the Father, the Son is fullyGod, just as the Father is. Therefore, as Or-thodox and Lutherans we reject any form ofArianism, according to which the Son of Godis less than fully God, and entitled to lessthan fully divine honor and worship.

5. As Orthodox and Lutherans we con-fess together that this same eternal Son ofGod, �for us and for our salvation camedown from heaven, was incarnate by theHoly Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and wasmade man.� Fully God from all eternity, theFather�s only-begotten Son became fullyhuman in time, accepting the whole realityof human life and death. We, therefore, con-fess together that in Christ two natures, di-vine and human are inseparably united inone person, so that there is one Lord JesusChrist, true God and true human being. Theeternal Son of God himself was truly born,suffered, was crucified and died in the flesh;this same Son was buried in the flesh, rosefrom the dead the third day, and ascendedto the Father�s right hand in heaven. Theonly-begotten and incarnate Son reveals theFather to us, and sends the Holy Spirit intothe world.

6. As Orthodox and Lutherans we con-fess together faith in �the Holy Spirit, theLord, the giver of life.� Like the Son, the HolySpirit receives his existence from the Father,though the Spirit �proceeds from the Father,�while the Son is �begotten of the Father.�Like the Son, he receives from the Fatherthe Father�s own divine nature, and so he isone in essence with the Father and the Son.He is other than the Father and the Son, ahypostasis or person distinct from both, yetfully the one God, just as the Father and theSon are. The Creed attests this not only call-ing him �the Lord, the giver of life,� attribut-ing to him divine names and actions, whichbelong to God alone, but also by saying that�with the Father and the Son is worshippedand glorified.� Because He is true God, toHim belongs that honor and worship whichare due to God alone.

7. Our dialogue has discussed exten-sively the historical and theological issuessurrounding the one point in the Creed onwhich Lutherans and Orthodox have tradi-tionally disagreed with regard to faith in theHoly Trinity: the procession of the HolySpirit. Together with other churches rootedin the Latin-speaking Christianity, Lutheranshave traditionally confessed the creedal faithin the Holy Trinity by saying that the HolySpirit �proceeds from the Father and the Son[Filioque],� and Lutheran theologians havetraditionally defended both the addition ofthe phrase �and the Son� and the truth ofthe teaching embodied in that addition. Or-thodox have traditionally opposed both theaddition of the Filioque clause to the Creed

A Recent �Common Statement on Faith in the Holy Trinity�and the teaching that the Spirit proceedsfrom the Son. Our dialogue has progressedto the point that we can make the followingstatements regarding this historic dispute.

8. Lutherans, together with many otherWestern Christians, now widely recognizethat the addition of the Filioque to the NiceneCreed, which took place locally by a unilat-eral action of the Latin Church and withoutthe action of an Ecumenical Council, wasillegitimate and contributed to disunityamong Christians. Moreover, many Lu-therans are now convinced that the originalCreed without the Filioque addition couldand should be restored in their worship. Thisneed not contradict the Lutheran Confes-sions, which commit Lutherans to the �de-cree of the Council of Nicaea� (CA I). It isespecially important to note that this articlecommits Lutherans not simply to the teach-ing of �the synod of Nicaea,� but to the de-cree�that is, the text�of Nicaea, and tothe specific doctrinal decisions embodied inthat text. But the text �of the Synod ofNicaea�, that is the text of AD 325, ampli-fied by the First Council of Constantinopleof AD 381, as reported in the Acts of theCouncil of Chalcedon (AD 451), does notinclude the Filioque. It simply says that theHoly Spirit is �the one proceeding from theFather� in line with the Gospel of St. John(John 15:26). On this basis, Lutherans cannow acknowledge that the Filioque is notecumenical dogma, but has the status of alocal tradition, which is not binding, on theuniversal church.

9. For this reason the Lutheran mem-bers of this dialogue are prepared to rec-ommend to their church that it publicly rec-ognize that the permanently normative anduniversally binding form of the Nicene Creedis the Greek text of AD 381, and that it un-dertake steps to reflect this recognition inits worship and teaching. This would be away of enacting in the Evangelical LutheranChurch in America the Lutheran World Fed-eration resolution of 1990, which found it�appropriate� that member churches �whichalready use the Nicene Creed in their litur-gies may use the version of 381, for examplein ecumenical services,� and further foundit appropriate that Lutherans preparing com-mon vernacular texts of the Nicene Creedtogether with Orthodox churches �mayagree to a version without the �western�Filioque.�

10. At the same time Lutherans are notprepared to regard the teaching that the HolySpirit proceeds from the Father and the Sonas a heresy�a teaching against faith in the

Holy Trinity. It is part of their confessionaldocuments, and many of their chief teach-ers of the Lutheran tradition, including Lutherhimself, taught it vigorously. Lutheran rec-ognition that the Filioque is not part of theNicene Creed in its original and ecumeni-cally binding form is not, therefore, to beequated with Lutheran rejection of all theo-logical teaching which ascribes to the Son arole in the procession of the Holy Spirit, stillless with an acknowledgment that all suchteaching is heretical. Nevertheless, Lu-therans are open to further exploration ofthe relation of the Spirit to the Son in con-versation with Orthodox and in careful dia-logue with Orthodox concerns.

11. Orthodox very warmly agree withthe Lutherans that the Filioque does notbelong to the normative Creed as recognizedby the Council of Constantinople of AD 879/880,1 which was accepted unanimously byboth East and West. At the same time, Or-thodox do not regard the teaching that theHoly Spirit proceeds from the Son as wellas from the Father to be one which they canaccept. This teaching is opposed to themonarchy of the Father and to the equalityof the Spirit to the Father and the Son as ahypostasis or person distinct from both, asexpressed by the original Creed. On theother hand, Orthodox may accept the teach-ing of the �double procession� of the Spiritfrom the Father and the Son in the patristicsense that the Spirit is sent from the Fatherthrough/and the Son in the mystery of oursalvation in Christ. The relation of the Sonto the Spirit in the context of salvation(oikonomia) is not the same with their rela-tion in the eternal Trinity (theologia). Thusfor Orthodox, the dispute over the Filioquecan be narrowed down to accepting or re-jecting the distinction between how the Trin-ity is eternally in themselves and how theyappear in Christ. That the Holy Spirit eter-nally comes forth from the Son, so as todepend for his being and his possession ofthe one divine nature on the Son as well ason the Father, is the teaching which Ortho-dox uniformly oppose.

12. Despite our differences in theologi-cal perspective, Orthodox and Lutheransagree on certain basic theological commit-ments, which constitute criteria of accept-able Trinitarian teaching. In particular theyagree that any acceptable Trinitarian teach-ing: a) must affirm the monarchy of the Fa-ther� b) must affirm that the divine essenceexists only in the three distinct, equal and

Please send me ______ copies of �Popular Greek Recipes� at $10.95 plus $1.75postage and handling for each copy. (Total $12.70 each)Enclosed you will find $ ________ for this orderName ________________________________________________________Address_______________________________________________________City__________________________ State _________ Zip Code __________

�

GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY30 Race Street, Charleston, South Carolina 29403

FEBRUARYIS HEART MONTH

Olive oil is a healthy choice. Olive oil is a cholesteroland sodium free food. That�s reason enough for or-dering POPULAR GREEK RECIPES. Learn to cookwith olive oil, which varies in flavor, bouquet, and color.

See DIALOGUE page 24


ABC CreditFull page Ad


Following is an address to the WorldCouncil of Churches Assembly held in Zim-babwe in December by a representative ofthe Ecumenical Patriarchate from the UnitedStates,Despina D. Prassas, who was namedto the WCC�s Central Committee.

I greet you in the name of the Father,Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Good morning. I would like to expressthanks to our Lord God for the opportunityto be here during this Advent season and tocelebrate together the closing of the WorldCouncil of Churches� Ecumenical Decadeof Churches in Solidarity with Women. Weare thankful for the many ways in which wehave been able to celebrate our talents andgifts; gifts which have been offered to theChurch. The courageous effort and commit-ment of the women who have taken part inthe Decade have benefited many. Our lovefor one another and the work of the HolySpirit are the hope which keeps the churchesalive and carrying out the mission of JesusChrist.

Women from around the world joinedin worship to celebrate the beginning of theDecade: throughout Africa, national and re-gional gatherings took place in more than adozen countries; Decade launchings in Asiaincluding Easter morning sunrise services inPakistan and the Philippines; in the UnitedKingdom, many people gathered for a ser-vice at Westminster Abbey and, in Method-ist churches, women preached at the Easterservices; in Costa Rica, an ecumenical groupof over 150 women gathered to launch theDecade; Orthodox women from around theworld met on Crete to celebrate; andthroughout the United States, officials ofprograms and councils organized to coordi-nate Decade materials while other churchesadopted specific resolutions to encourageDecade participation.

Midway through the Decade, ecumeni-cal teams visited almost all the memberchurches to acknowledge and affirm whathad taken place during the first half of theDecade, and to encourage the churches tomove ahead in their commitments to theirmembers. The 1997 report of the ecumeni-cal teams, entitled Living Letters, documentsthe determination and endurance of womento overcome the difficulties of oppressionwhich include violence, lack of participationin the life of the church, racism and eco-nomic injustice. These difficulties plaguemany of our churches, in many regions, andare addressed in a variety of ways. Somedifficulties are being addressed by womenhelping each other, and others have beenapproached as church organizations worktogether with secular groups to achieve theirgoals. The teams encountered the cultural,ecclesiastical and local realities of thechurches and responded by asking for con-crete signs of the churches� solidarity withwomen.

Difficulties still exist from all sides.However, one of the greatest signs of hopewas the realization on the part of many thatmost gender and community issues are notsimply women�s issues but belong to theentire church. Both difficulties and hopeshave been documented in the letter whichemerged from the Ecumenical Decade Fes-tival: Visions Beyond 1998, held here lastweek.

Many participants of the Festival, com-ing from different cultures and ecclesiasti-cal communities, arrived with the hope ofgrowing in deeper fellowship with one an-other. There were varying opinions and ex-periences expressed throughout the pro-ceedings. We heard many voices, both of

The Memory: The Ecumenical Decade

Representatives of the Russian and Ro-manian Orthodox Churches, meeting inChisinau on Jan. 15-16, failed to reach an un-derstanding over the status of the Bucharest-subordinated Bessarabian MetropolitanChurch, Mediafax reported. This was the fourthmeeting held to discuss the conflict, but thefirst one to be held in Moldova itself. Earliertalks took place in Switzerland and Austria.

Romanian, Russian Churches Failto Agree on Bessarabian Church

Sources close to the BessarabianChurch cited by Mediafax on Jan. 17 saidthe Russian delegation, headed by Smolenskand Kaliningrad Metropolitan Kiril, has pro-posed that the Bessarabian Church be sub-ordinated to Moscow, like the MoldovanOrthodox Church. The Romanian delega-tion, led by Metropolitan Daniel, rejectedthat proposal.

Kantara is situated between Port Saidand Ismailia, near to the Suez Canal. On theSinai side of the canal, stands the Church ofSt. Spyridon, Bishop of Trimithousa, theMiraculous.

The church was a place of worship forOrthodox Christians, of Greek and othernationalities, until the 1967 war in the Suez.

During the Egyptian-Israeli war, thechurch was bombed by Israeli forces anddestroyed, as can been seen from the pho-tographs at http://www.greece.org/gopatalex/kantara.html

Plight of St. Spyridon Church in Egypt

(RNS) � The World Council ofChurches says news reports that the Rus-sian Orthodox Church � the largest de-nomination in the 338-member internationalbody � has �suspended or withdrawn� itsmembership in the WCC are untrue.

�The Russian Orthodox Church hasnot suspended or withdrawn its member-ship in the World Council of Churches,�the Geneva-based WCC said in a brief,four paragraph statement issued Thursday(Jan. 14).

It said the Russian Orthodox repre-sentatives in Geneva confirmed that thechurch had not quit the council.

The reports were based on actions takenby the Holy Synod of the Russian church inlate December in response to a report on theEighth Assembly of the WCC held in Harare,Zimbabwe earlier in December.

WCC: �Russian Orthodox Church� Has Not QuitAt the synod, the Orthodox Church

said its members on the WCC�s execu-tive and central committees would not ac-tively participate in general discussions orvote on issues but would continue to at-tend meetings.

The Russian church has long been un-happy with what it perceives to be a lib-eral and Protestant bias in the WorldCouncil and it sent a scaled-back delega-tion to the Harare assembly.

At the Harare meeting, the WCCagreed to set up a special commission, in-cluding Orthodox leaders and theologians,to examine Orthodox concerns and theHoly Synod of the Russian church agreedit would fully participate in the work ofthat panel even while maintaining itsscaled-back presence in other WCC ac-tivities.

pain and of joy. While the letter in many,but not all, ways represents the diversity ofopinions, the proceedings did not producefor all participants the hoped-for sense ofgrowing unity. Some women saw the diver-sity of opinion as an opportunity to expandupon their discussions, and other womenfelt the dialogue, as it is now structured,should be discontinued. Through all this,though, we are still here to Turn to God andRejoice in Hope.

I have also been asked to speak for amoment on the symbol of the Decade Fes-tival, which is water. Water has been car-ried from around the world to the Festivaland is being presented here today. Churchwomen from each geographical region haveoffered their water as a sign of solidarity withand commitment to one another and to thepreservation of life.

Water has given rise to great civiliza-tions and, sometimes, has been responsiblefor their destruction. Over hundreds of mil-lions of years, it has been one of the mostpowerful instruments in shaping and reshap-ing the face of the earth, as frozen glaciers,flowing rivers and oceans. Water regulatesthe climate, forms the soil in which cropsand forests take root and, as steam or hy-droelectric power, drives the mechanismsof modern technology. It is an indispens-able ingredient in nearly all manufacturingprocesses, from the baking of bread to theproduction of microchips for computers.

Water plays a vital role in the affairs ofthe world, being essential for economicgrowth and development. In many coun-tries, it is women who are responsible forthe collecting and managing of water. Nothaving access to clean drinking water, theymust travel long distances, taking manyhours out of their day, in search of water tosustain the health and well-being of theirfamilies.

Yet water is a paradox. It is scarce insome regions and overly abundant in oth-ers. It is a commodity which divides peopleand areas of the world, yet as a valuable andscarce resource has brought countries to-gether for the development and manage-ment of transboundary water sources. It isknown for its destructive capabilities, whichhave shown themselves clearly in the on-slaughts of El Nino and, most recently, Hur-ricane Mitch, which have taken the lives ofthousands. Yet, at the same time, these natu-ral disasters revitalize the ecosystem, help-ing to detoxify inland and coastal waters.

However, there is one type of water forwhich no paradox exists: the living wateroffered by Jesus to St. Fotini, the woman atthe well (Jn 4). Our Lord and Savior, lookinginto the heart of St. Fotini, realizes that sheis in need of healing and offers the genuinehealing, the truly vivifying experience, heoffers her life everlasting. Through the wa-ter of baptism, Jesus, �washes us with hisown water from the filth of sin, which hasdisfigured the beauty of the image.� (St.Gregory of Nyssa, Sermon on the Beati-tudes, 1, pg 44. 1195.)

Water, therefore, is not only a symbolof our solidarity with one another, but, mostimportantly, a symbol of the renewal of ourlove for and faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ.�For the Lamb who is in the midst of thethrone will shepherd them and lead themto living fountains of waters. And God willwipe away every tear from their eyes.� (Rev.7:17, RSV).

Despina Prassis of Cranford, N.J., a1994 graduate of Holy Cross and the daugh-ter of Fr. George Prassas, pastor of HolyTrinity Church in Binghamton, N.Y.

CAPE TOWN, South Africa �Metro-politan Paul of Cape Town died Jan. 18 atage 87.

Paul was born Ioannis Varnavas in 1912in the village of Panakyvides, near Lemesos,Cyprus.

In 1929, at the age of 17, he was or-dained deacon, and in 1931 became Pres-byter. He graduated from the TheologicalSchool of Athens in 1942.

In 1956 he joined the clergy of theThrone of Alexandria and was appointed

Metropolitan of Cape Town Passes Away

The Hellenic Community of Kantaradispersed. The Greek school and all thechurch buildings were abandoned and fellinto disrepair. These days, animals and va-grants live within the holy buildings, and thechurch itself is used as a rubbish dump!

The renovation of the Church of SaintSpyridon, is just one of the many projectswhich Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch of Al-exandria and all Africa, is developing. Thebuildings, including the Church of St.Spyridon itself, are in danger of collapsing,and being lost to us forever.

rector of the Annunciation Church in theHellenic Community of Pretoria, South Af-rica, where he served until 1968.

In the same year, he was elected by thePatriarchate of Alexandria�s Holy Synod asthe first Metropolitan of the newly estab-lished Holy Diocese of Cape Town and allNatal, a post which he held faithfully untilhis death.

Pope and Patriarch Petros VII of Alex-andria and all Africa officiated at the funeralheld in St. George Church, Cape Town.

BOCHUM, Germany � The newlyfounded Orthodox Youth Union -Germanyhas addressed its first circular letter to thepublic and invites all Orthodox youngpeople to participate in the work of the newmovement.

The Youth Union was founded in No-vember by the Commission of the Ortho-dox Church in Germany (COCiG), the fo-rum of co-operation for all canonical Or-thodox dioceses in the country.

The circular letter is signed by thepresent speaker of the Youth Movement,the University student Elisabeth Danou; itstresses, that not only one single nationalchurch takes part, but the whole Ortho-

German Youth Union Publishes First Circular Letterdoxy in Germany.

The letter states that, �Eventually we,the youth, have a voice in the Church. ...Now, we are able to create a space, wherewe can realize and develop ourselves. Itwill be a space of our own in this God-cre-ated world. As an eminent task for the fu-ture the circular letter mentions in firstplace the ecology: We all know, that wehave a negative influence on the ecologi-cal system. So it is our duty as Christiansto strengthen the right balance in thisworld: If we honor the world, we honorthe creation of God!�

The full text can be found at http://www.orthodoxe-kirche.notrix.de


C L A S S I F I E D A D SLEGAL SERVICES REAL ESTATE/BUS. MUSICIANS

COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL INVESTMENTS32 Units $1,350,000 Ft. Lauderdale

CALL YOUR SOUTH FLORIDA CONNECTIONG R E E K S P O K E N F L U E N T L Y

THOMAS DELIS Realtor Associate954/568-0082 days 954/781-0140 evenings

HUBERT & WEST, INC. Realtors2000 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Suite 203, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33306

Wedding and Christen-ing items, Favors, Marti-rika, Vaptistika, Ecclesi-astical items.We ship anywhere!(718) 721-9190(718) 721-9190(718) 721-9190(718) 721-9190(718) 721-9190

KENTRIKON-NOUFARO23-33 31 St.

Astoria, NY 11105

RESULTSIS WHAT YOU GETBY ADVERTISING

IN THEORTHODOXOBSERVER

CALL:Tel: (212) 774-0235

www.omogenia.com/kentriko-noufaro

MARCO ISLANDFLORIDA

Real Estate investment.Homes, Condos,

Waterfront PropertiesPeter Vratsolis

Marco Beach Realty(800) 237-8817

GEORGE KENT�GREEK�AMERICAN�INTERNATIONALORCHESTRA & ENTERTAINMENT

EXPOSÉ REQUESTED! �BOOK EARL�BOOK EARL�BOOK EARL�BOOK EARL�BOOK EARLY FOR 10% REBY FOR 10% REBY FOR 10% REBY FOR 10% REBY FOR 10% REBAAAAATE!�TE!�TE!�TE!�TE!�

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020or write: 118 Bolmer Ave., N.Yonkers, NY 10703-1637Send for stereo cassette albums �Zorba� or �Athena� $11.00 for one, $20 for both to address above.

ONLY TRUST YOUR SOCIAL TO A PROVEN NAME GROUP OF FULL TIME PRO-FESSIONAL MUSICIANS ENTERTAINERS, AT AFFORDABLE PRICES, WHO�SONLY BUSINESS IS MUSIC. PERFORMING AUTHENTIC GREEK MUSIC OF ALLREGIONS, COLONIES OF GREECE. FEATURING THE �PRIME VOICE OFGREECE...� THE CLARINO & BOUZOUKI PLUS VOCALS. BEWARE! OF GREEKBANDS PROMISING AMERICAN MUSIC, THEN PLAYING TAPES! ALL OURMUSIC IS PERFORMED �LIVE�...OUR AMERICAN SOUNDS PURE AMERICAN,WITH NO ACCENT!

Dr. Kimon A. LegakisAthens University Law SchoolUMaster of Law, Hervard Law School

Doctor of Law, GreeceUCertificate of International Law, Hague Academy of Int�l Law

Le g a l C o n s u l t a n t

O F F I C E S

209 Garth Road

Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583

& (914) 725-4717(914) 725-4717(914) 725-4717(914) 725-4717(914) 725-4717Fax: (914) 725-4936

14 Nikitaras StreetAthens 106 78, Greece

& (011-301) 383-3340& (011-302) 992-7111

Fax: (011-301)382-0838

With emphasis on: Settlement of Inheritance, Taxes, DisputedProperties, Civil, International Family and Business Law in Greece

FOR 30 YEARS THEULTIMATE IN GREEK& AMERICAN MUSIC

of NEW YORK


KOSTAS TASLISKOSTAS TASLISKOSTAS TASLISKOSTAS TASLISKOSTAS TASLIS& His Orchestra& His Orchestra& His Orchestra& His Orchestra& His Orchestra

Greek and American MusicKlarino - Bouzoukee etc.

Featuring Katerina - Vocalist

PMT TO: Omikron Record Co. P.O.Box 91347 Bacon Str., Winchester, MA 01890

___ #CDs @15.00 ___ #CASSETTES @ $10.00TOTAL DUE: $ _____ ( )Check ( ) M.O.

ORDERORDERORDERORDERORDEROUR NEWESTOUR NEWESTOUR NEWESTOUR NEWESTOUR NEWEST

RELEASERELEASERELEASERELEASERELEASE

Call Kostas(781)729-2643

Add$3.00 ea.

s & h

SE THEMAMESE THEMAMESE THEMAMESE THEMAMESE THEMAME& GREEK MAKARENA& GREEK MAKARENA& GREEK MAKARENA& GREEK MAKARENA& GREEK MAKARENA

TEL: 1-800-421-0639 or 713/626-0808FAX: 713/626-3019

E-mail: 73344,334 @compuserve.com

U.S IMMIGRATIONVISAS AND CITIZENSHIP

James D. Prappas*

Attorney and Councelor at Law3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 1450

Houston, Texas 77027

*Board certified Immigration and Nationality LawTexas Board of Legal Specialization

WEDDINGS

IMMEDIATE RESULTSIS WHAT YOU GET BY ADVERTISING IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel: (212) 570-3555 � Fax: (212) 774-0239

MOVING? NOT RECEIVING?

If you are moving, please attachyour old label here ò

A N DAsk your parish to forward your name and new

address to the Observer in order for you to continuereceiving the newspaper

I Fyou move but your new home is located in the districtof the same parish, then list your new address below:

Mail this coupon to the �Orthodox Observer�8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021

NAME___________________________________________ADDRESS______________________________________CITY___________________STATE ________ZIP_______

VERY IMPORTANT

INTERNET: http://www.vali.com � Email:[email protected]

Featuring

Gus Vali

Tel.:201.768.9100

ÅËËÇÍÉÊÏ ÔÕÐÏÃÑÁÖÅÉÏ

40-12 Ditmars Blvd., Astoria, NY 11105Tel.: (718) 545-2323Fax: (718) 545-2366

ÕÐÅÕÈÕÍÏÔÇÔÁ

& ÓÙÓÔÅÓ ÔÉÌÅÓ

Ëåõêþìáôá ãéáóõëëüãïõò êáé

êïéíüôçôåò

LETTERHEADS ¦ LOGOS ¦ ENVELOPES ¦ BUSINESS CARDSJOURNALS ¦ MAGAZINES ¦ BOOKS ¦ BOOKLETS ¦ WEDDINGINVITATIONS ¦ SIGNS ¦ BANNERS ¦ COMPUTER GRAPHICS¦ PAPER SIGNS ¦ COLOR BROCHURES ¦ MENUS ¦ ADS

DISPLAY ADVERTISINGper column inch:...................................................................$55.00quarter pg: .......................................................................... $750.00half page: ........................................................................ $1,500.00full page: ......................................................................... $3,000.00

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISINGsingle column inch ...........................................$ 50.00dbl. column inch .................................................................$100.00

ADVERTISING RATES

MECHANICAL REQUIREMENTS

y �Type page width� is 59 picas (9.75�), depth is 14 inchesy Display ads: Four columns to a page. Single column widthis 14 picas (2.25�). For each additional column add 15 picas(2.5�). y Classified ads: Six columns to a page. Singlecolumn width is 9 picas (1.5�), double column width is 9picas (1.5�), double column width is 19 picas (3.25�)y Camera ready ads preferred.COLOR: additional charges apply. DEADLINES: ® Reser-vations: 25 days before publication. PAYMENT TERMS:®Allads are payable in advance, unless contract agreementis in effect and account current.

D I M I T R I O S P A N A G O SPHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

Web page:http://www.panagos.com

Å WEDDINGS Å BAPTISMS Å PORTRAITS Å NEWS Å PASSPORTS

111 Broadway (Rt. 107), Hicksville, N.Y. 11801

(516) 931-2333

PROF. SERVICES

Tarpon SpringsClearwater-Florida

www.realtorsbest.com/athanasiadis

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Leading CharLeading CharLeading CharLeading CharLeading Charterterterterterand Tand Tand Tand Tand Tour Operour Operour Operour Operour Operaaaaatortortortortor

NOBODY CAN BEAT OUR PRICESMAIN OFFICE: 55E. 59th Street, New York, NY 10022Tel.: (212) 753-1100 Toll Free: (800) 223-5570

VACATIONS-TRAVEL

RANGAVES PETERSMALL DANCE BANDSLARGE ORCHESTRAS

American � Italian � FrenchGreek � German � Latin

3342 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95407Call Peter 707-526-1138

Classified AdsRATE IS $50.00 PER COLUMN INCH.

ALL ADS ARE PRE-PAID

THE OMEGA PROJECTTAMPA FLORIDA

AMERICAS FINEST GREEK/AMERICAN BAND!CONVENTIONS, DANCES, FESTIVALS & WEDDINGS

Call: (813) 949-3409 E-mail: [email protected]

ÅÍÏÉÊÉÁÆÅÔÁÉ ÏÉÊÉÁÓÔÁ ÊÁËÁÂÑÕÔÁ

Á×ÁÚÁÓ

Ðëçñïöïñßåò:(773) 646-0057

The �Orthodox Observer� reaches more than 138,000 homes

and Greek-American communities in every corner of the United

States of America. Advertising in the �Orthodox Observer� is

the best way to reach this focused audience.

DEMO TAPEAVAILABLE

ATLANTIS MUSICNEW YORK�S FINEST ALL STAR BAND

FOR AN ELEGANT AND SUCCESSFUL EVENT

CALL TOLL FREE:1-800-549-2134


WE ACCEPT VISA/MASTERCARD/AMEXSEE US ON THE INTERNET

24�

optional$30.00


text as well as the content of the Church�slife-transforming activity.

Not just any methodsNo matter how effective they may ap-

pear, we should guard against the indiscrimi-nate introduction of teaching methods andtheories that neglect liturgical participation.

All instructional models should first beexamined, then carefully integrated to main-tain the ecclesiastical character of the Or-thodox liturgical calendar.

The Church Fathers used two terms indeveloping their liturgical catechetical ethic:to guide, and to form. Both words wereunderstood as complementary: one as causeand the other as consequence.

It is clear that such a paradigm of theeducational effort of the Church cannot berestricted to children alone but to all peopleuntil the end of their existence.

Understood in this fashion the goal ofcatechesis is the continual process of theedifying and improving of our being. It is aholy harmony, a liturgical movement of allour faculties towards God.

Catechesis is the theoretical as well asthe practical initiation into the Will of Godas revealed in Jesus and lived out in the com-munity of Faith.

It is both intellectual as well as mystical.It corresponds to our longing to understand

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONfrom page 9 the world and ourselves and to discover the

way to do justice to our essential being.Consequently, catechesis is both in-

struction and sacrament, rational as well asmystical, act and prayer. It includes the mindas well as the heart and body.

The early Church developed the adultcatechumenate as a means of providing theopportunity to share the catechetical jour-ney, an experience of knowledge, union andvision of God, with others.

The archetypes for its creation were thejourney to Emmaus and the Ethiopian en-counter of Philip. While liturgical catechesisemphasizes the work of the mystical Cat-echist (Jesus), the didactic process under-scores the local catechist whose ministryfinds its root in the bishop.

Religious education should not be re-duced to solving enigmatic, moral or socialissues through memorization of theologicalpropositions or phrases.

Education, which is catechesis, is amost sacred task. It is to inspire the faithful,to unveil every prophetic truth, every mys-tical and divine word, to help understand inthe true sense, to believe and consequentlyto worship God. In the end it should be un-derstood that the real goal of catechesis isproper doxology.

The Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is directorof the Department of Religious Education.

LUTHERAN DIALOGUEfrom page 19

EDUCATION REPORTfrom page 5

undivided persons of the Trinity, withoutconfusion of their personal properties; andc) must affirm the consistent Christian teach-ing of the intimate relation of the Son andthe Spirit in the economy of salvation.

13. In our dialogue, we have prayedand worked for fuller and more widely ac-knowledged unity between the churches inthe Trinitarian faith. In many areas of faithin the Holy Trinity, our dialogue has reachedsubstantial agreement. We look forward toa time when our churches will affirm theNicene faith through common liturgical us-age of the unaltered creed of AD 381. Wetrust that such common affirmation of faithwill lead to the resolution of those theologi-cal differences, which are still before us.

EpilogueThe co-chairmen of the Dialogue, His

Eminence Maximos Metropolitan of Ainosand President of Pittsburgh and the RightRev. Bishop Donald McCoid signed thisCommon Statement at the Spirit in theDesert Lutheran Retreat Center in CarefreeAriz., on Nov. 4, 1998. It is obvious thatthis text does not conclude the theologicaldialogue between the two Churches on theTrinitarian dogma, since it leaves open theissue of the �Filioque.� Yet, it has laid soundfoundations for further progress, inasmuch

as it recognizes beyond dispute, a) the faithin the Holy Trinity, b) the monarchy of theFather in the Trinity, c) that the �Filioque�has no place in the Ecumenical Symbol ofthe Faith and d) that the relation of the Sonto the Spirit and vice versa needs to be fur-ther explored. This last point has alsoemerged in other bilateral dialogues of theOrthodox Church with Western Churchesand highlights, on the one hand the diffi-culty of the Western Christians to accept theview that the procession of the Spirit fromthe Son (�Filioque�) is a heresy and, on theother hand the need of further and morethorough investigation of the presupposi-tions of Eastern and Western theology thatrender difficult the delivery of common de-cisions on the subject of the relation ofChristology to Pneumatology. In spite of this,however, the realization that there is gooddisposition and determination from bothLutherans and Orthodox for the continua-tion of the dialogue constitutes a guaranteeof future progress and agreement.

This Synod is called ecumenical in itsown minutes and is enumerated as 8th bymany Orthodox, since it constitutes the ba-sis for the recognition of the ecumenicity ofthe 7th Synod which took place at Nicaeaand was connected with the restoration ofthe sacred Icons (i.e. of Orthodoxy) in theworship of the Church. This Synod annulledthe condemnation of St. Photius, the Greatecumenical Patriarch of the 9th century, whohad been condemned at another earlierSynod at Constantinople in 860/870�known as the Ignatian Synod. It is thisIgnatian Synod that Roman Catholics nameas 8th Ecumenical, in spite of the fact that itwas overturned by the Synod of 879/880,which was accepted by the Popes of Romeuntil the 11th century. The significance of thisso-called �Photian� Synod is connected withits common (ecumenical) acceptance in Eastand West of the unaltered Ecumenical Sym-bol of the Faith�the Nicene-Constan-tinopolitan Creed�and its vigorous con-demnation of any attempt at altering thisFaith, made at a time when the Western(Frankish) political powers openly andsynodically adopted the �Filioque� whichhad been exposed in the East as a dubious,and even heretical doctrine.

Uniform DRE IconographyThe DRE is developing a uniform icon

series for its religious education programs,projects and publications.

An iconographer (Tom Clark) has beenselected to serve as the official iconographerfor the DRE. Mr. Clark has graciously con-sented to allow the DRE to use his icons atno charge.

UPDATE: Monthly PeriodicalA monthly religious education newslet-

ter (UPDATE) has been developed. Thenewsletter will serve as the temporary pub-lication of the DRE until the monthly maga-zine (authorized by the Clergy Laity Con-gress) begins.

The proposed magazine (Praxis) willinclude material on total parish religiouseducation and resource materials for allGreek Orthodox Christians (Archons, Lead-ership 100 members, Philoptochos chap-ters, Sunday School teachers, parish coun-cil members, interfaith couples, senior citi-zens, young adults, Goyans, YAL members,parents, etc.). A generous financial gift($10,000) has been received for the purposeof developing and mailing the religious edu-cation magazine.

Diocesan Religious Education ClimateSurveys

Religious Education climate instrumentsare being developed to survey the religiouseducation environment of each diocese ev-ery two years.

Data from the questionnaires will becompiled and provided to each Metropoli-tan or Bishop, Diocesan Council and at ev-ery Clergy Laity Congress.

An outside professional research com-pany will be employed to tabulate the data.By compiling such bi-annual benchmarks,religious education programs, initiatives andmaterial can be assessed and evaluated inan ongoing professional fashion.

Request for ARC from PatriarchateAt the request of His All Holiness Patri-

arch Bartholomew, the DRE has mailed sev-eral copies of the Annual Resource Com-panion (ARC) and the Oratorical FestivalVideo with speeches to the Patriarchate.

Clergy Laity Education VideosThe Clergy Laity Congress education

workshops were professionally videotaped.The DRE is editing and developing

workbooks for each workshop held at theClergy-Laity Congress which were recordedon videotape. The tapes will be made avail-able to parishes for adult education program-ming.

Annual ConferencePlans are under way for the 1999 Reli-

gious Education Conference, planned for lateJuly on the Holy Cross campus.

Conference theme will coincide withthe second year focus of the 5-YearCatechetical Plan (Holy Tradition).

Web Page Hyperlinks - Question/Answer

Two professional web page designershave offered their assistance to the DRE atno charge. The web page for the DRE is be-ing evaluated for future re-development.

A hyperlink site (http://www.frfrank.addr.com) has been estab-lished with a number of multimedia educa-tional resources.

National Religious Education

Commission MeetingA meeting of the NREC (diocesan di-

rectors of religious education) took place inJanuary and included a discussion of theClergy-Laity directives and the creation of abetter infrastructure to advance Arch-diocesan educational initiatives on the dis-trict and local levels.Adult/Teen Curriculum Development

A meeting representatives from Stan-dard Publishing Company in Denver tookplace recently for the adoption and editingof existing curricula for Orthodox Christians.(More info will follow after National Reli-gious Education Commission Meeting)

Religious education receives great em-phasis and the Sunday school has about 100students in grades 1 to 12.

There is Greek school for adolescentsand adults with an enrollment of 25.

Young people are also ministered tothrough GOYA and two award-winningGreek dance troupes � Argonaftes andMegas Alexandros - that participate eachFebruary in the San Francisco Diocese FolkDance Festival.

Outreach and missionFr. Katre takes part in local interfaith

activities, including the Clark County Min-isterial Association and occasionly time de-livers religious messages on a local Greekradio program.

PARISH PROFILEfrom page 17

He also serves as the Vicar General ofthe Ecumenical Patriarchate for the AlbanianOrthodox parishes in the United States un-der its jurisdiction.

But perhaps his greatest outreach takesthe form of traveling 250 miles north once amonth to two tiny parishes in a remote partof eastern Nevada about 50 miles from Utah.

The communities of McGill (St. BarbaraChapel) and Ely (St. Alexios Chapel) wereonce active parishes deep in the remoteNevada mining country.

Founded in 1906, St. Barbara is one ofthe oldest communities in the UnitedStates.Fr. Katre conducts liturgy one Satur-day a month, alternating between the two.They have about 30 families, with all buttwo of retirement age.

our faith without sacrificing our parental re-sponsibilities.

The three sessions which have beenbroadcast by Fr. Frank Marangos have beenoutstanding. The reception is clear but I wouldlike to recommend a few enhancementswhich are available in the marketplace today.

Firstly, the use of a live minicam wouldbe a magnificent improvement. Secondly,the use of the live minicam will allow us toreference the appropriate materials referredto by Fr. Frank. The weekly handout materi-als can also be made available, over theInternet, prior to a broadcast. Also, provid-ing additional microphones for the partici-pants at the lecture would help.

I also think it would be great to have re-plays of the Tuesday evening SOS classes. Thetechnology is available to rebroadcast theseexcellent lectures. The Internet is here to stayand we need to understand and utilize the tre-mendous opportunities that are available tous through our church, home and office com-puters. We should make every effort to assistthe faithful, especially in cold weather citiesduring the winter, to be able to participate withthe School of Orthodox Studies.

The church, as a whole, has the oppor-tunity to have the children, and grandchil-dren, of their yiayias and pappous partici-pate in Bible study classes as a family, on aregular basis.

Paul J. PanagosMiami Lakes, Fla.

LETTERSfrom page 8

The priest noted that the Philoptochos�has a lot of outreach to the community,�providing support to not only the church�sprograms, but to many local charitable ef-forts and also to an orphanage on the Aegeanisland of Lesbos.

Fr. Katre takes great satisfaction in hisministry and has great praise for his parish.�It�s refreshing to see people come togetherand work together in a celebration of ourfaith and heritage.�

As for being in the environment of LasVegas and all that it offers, he replied with achuckle, �When I�m asked about Las Ve-gas, I simply say �I�m enjoying it.��

� compiled by Jim Golding


challengeYouth Ministry

Email: [email protected]

What Do You Think? Challenging

1. The �purification� was according tothe law of whom?

� � � � �12 9

2. What was the offering from the Vir-gin Mary?

Two � � � � � � � � � � � 6 10 13or Two � � � � � � � 1 8

3. In what city did this related eventtake place?

� � � � � � � � � � 2 7 11

4. Who was the prophetess that waspresent at the temple?

� � � � 5

Let Us Give to Our Youth

by Fr. Anastasios Bourantas

Young people remember the times andefforts of caring and committed adults whohave shared and opened their lives withthem. They remember the adults who,through their actions and attitudes, told themthat they mattered and that they were spe-cial. Personal relationships are the key tocultivating and fostering a Christian lifestylein young people that will carry through totheir adult years.

What can adults offer to a youth pro-gram? Primarily they instill the knowledge tomake better choices. Young people who areinvolved in a guided relationship with a posi-tive adult role model are far more likely tomake positive life choices. Programs such asthe Big Brothers-Big Sisters of America showthat with a positive role-model, young peoplewill be more likely to stay in school, to at-tend classes, to go to college, and be morehopeful about their future.

In today�s society we are slowly beingisolated from that inherent need of one-to-one human contact. We have e-mail, voicemail, faxes, and many other ingenious waysthat we avoid association with mere mor-tals. We can now interact with people with-out actually seeing or even talking to them.Especially for teenagers this lack of personalcontact is significantly dangerous. Duringtheir growing years, young people are indesperate need of adults to encourage themas they develop emotionally, physically, andspiritually.

Adults role-models teach accountabil-ity and responsibility as young people inter-act with their peers and with adults. Adultsprovide the example that will generate last-ing impressions that will be of importanceas they make critical and fundamental deci-sions throughout their lives.

In the parable of the Samaritan woman,Jesus went out of His way to speak to thesinful woman at the well. He made the ex-tra effort to go �out of the way�, and to �even�speak to a woman. He crossed the bound-aries so that He could show her the road tosalvation. We, as adults and youth workers,must also cross the boundary and reach outto our young people, by entering their livesand showing them, through our positiveexample, that there is a right and wrong,good and evil, truth and falsehood. Jesus didnot push the Samaritan woman away be-cause of her sinfulness, but He showed herthe way of righteousness. So too, we asadults should follow in Jesus� example.

Let us not estrange our youth from ourcommunities and our youth program, but letus stimulate and enlighten them with theteachings of our Orthodox Church, that willbe their springboard in becoming faithfulOrthodox Christian throughout their lifetime.

The Orthodox Church begins its prepa-ration for the Great Lent of Pascha with heTriodion period, which begins Jan. 31. TheTriodion in itself is the liturgical book andhymnal that prescribes the liturgical cycleof the three-week period that precedes Lent,the 40 days of Great Lent and Holy Week.The following are the themes of the threepre-Lenten Sundays:Sunday, January 31 - The Publican and thePharisee (Luke 18:10-14)

This Gospel reading (Luke 18:10-14)teaches us the importance of humility. Welearn of a man who is always pleased withhimself and who thinks that he follows allthe requirements of his religion. However,he forgets to be humble and thankful for allthat he has.Sunday, February 7 - The Prodigal Son(Luke 15: 11-32)

The lesson of this Gospel passage dem-onstrates to us God�s unconditional love andultimate forgiveness that He holds for eachof us.Sunday, February 14 - The Last Judgment-Meat-Fare Sunday(Matthew 25: 31-46)

The message of this Gospel instructsus on the end times and the return ofChrist�s second coming. When Christ re-turns, we will be judged on how much wehave loved one another. Loving not onlythose who love us, but also those who havewronged us and have unfortunately becomeour enemies.

T h e T r i o d i o n

C to kidflix.com, an Internetvideo store, who sponsors theStarlight Children�s Founda-

tion. The Foundation helps seriously ill chil-dren by enhancing their ability to cope withthe stress of illness through programs of-fered both in the hospital and on an outpa-tient basis, including entertainment and rec-reational activities. Starlight enriches thelives of some 57,000 children each monthby helping parents and children perseverethrough their hospitalization and make themost out of the child�s day in the hospital.

C to �The Orthodox SpringBreak�, an option for collegestudents. The purpose is to

provide opportunities for spiritual growththrough meaningful service. Along with as-sisting Habitat for Humanity, students willhelp build or renovate suburban housing inthe Miami, San Francisco and Houston ar-eas. All dates are in March. Call401-334-2465 for further information.

St. Simeon was a simple, righ-teous and devout old man who wasprivileged to cradle the infant Jesusin his arms when He was presentedat the Temple in Jerusalem.

According to tradition, Simeonwas one of the famous 70 scholarswho translated the Old Testamentfrom Hebrew to Greek. Thus hewas familiar from his interpretationof the Old Testament that the Mes-siah was to be born. Simeon hadbeen preparing himself his wholelife to see the Messiah.

�And it has been revealed to himby the Holy Spirit that he would notsee death before he had seen theLord�s Christ.� (Luke 2:26) The Vir-gin Mary brought the baby Jesus tothe Temple in Jerusalem to be con-

SAINTS AND FEASTS

secrated and to purify herself as was required by the law.(Leviticus 12:2-7) Guided by theHoly Spirit, Simeon, who was a very old man by this time, recognized the baby Jesus as theChrist child and took Him up in his arms and recited the following prayer:

�Lord, now let Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyeshave seen Your salvation which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a lightfor revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.� (Luke 2:29-32)

This prayer recited by St. Simeon is read daily in the vespers services.St. Simeon died shortly after his encounter with the Lord at the Temple. He is usually

called Theotochos, which means �the one who received God.�

�When the spirit dwells in a person,from the moment in which that person hasbecome prayer, he never leaves him. Forthe Spirit Himself never ceases to pray inhim. Whether the person is asleep or awake,prayer never from then on departs from hissoul. Whether he is eating or drinking orsleeping or whatever else he is doing, evenin deepest sleep, the fragrance of prayer riseswithout effort in his heart. Prayer never againdeserts him. At every moment of his life,even when it appears to stop, it is secretlyat work in him continuously.�

St. Isaac of Ninevah

to Us!From the Church Fathers

St. Simeonthe Elder

(All answers can be found in the Gospel of Luke 2:22-40,or somewhere in this issue of The Challenge.)

5. At what liturgical service is theprayer of St. Simeon recited?

� � � � � � � 3 4

�Which feast is celebratedon February 2?

Fill in blanks with corresponding numbers tofind the answer.

� � � � � � � � � � � � 1 2 3 4 3 5 6 7 6 8 9 5

� F � � � 9 9 10 2

� � � � � � � H �11 9 2 13 6 9 6 3

� � � � � �6 3 12 1 11 3

� To subscribe to the Youth OfficeListserver, send an e-mail to:m a j o r d o m o @ l i s t . g o a r c h . o r g� In the BODY of the e-mail, type in:subscribe youth

ChallengeChallengeChallengeChallengeChallenge is the youth supplementto the Orthodox Observer a service of

the Department of Youth & YoungAdult Ministries.

Contributors for this issueFather Mark LeondisNatalie Kulukundis

Fr. Anastasios Bourantas

Articles reflect the opinion of the writers.Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries,Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America;8 East 79th Street,New York, N.Y. 10021 20Ways to Teach Your Kids by Example

1. Talk about relationships2. Go to church together3. Talk about credit cards

4. Visit a music store together5. Go to a movie together

6. Go for a hike7. Exercise together8. Visit a sick friend

9. Share funny storiesabout your childhood

10. Talk about things that

you�ve learned when you failed.11. Talk about balancing a checkbook

12. Talk about dying13. Visit a monastery

14. Spend a day at a homeless shelter15. Visit a museum

16. Talk about career options17. Go to a ball game18. Visit a bookstore

19. Change the oil in your car20. Pray together


YOUTH ACTIVITIES

Some 155 members of New York areaJunior Orthodox Youth basketball teamscompeted in a major tournament on Jan. 22.

The games began promptly at 9 a.m. atthe St. Demetrios-Astoria gym and end by 6p.m.

With well over 200 spectators (parents,relatives and friends), St. Demetrios officialsnoted that this was one of the largest, if notthe largest, crowds to witness a sports eventat St. Demetrios.

The games were well played and boththe youth athletes and spectators behavedvery well. At the beginning of the game aprayer was recited by players and Archdio-cese Youth Director George Hazlaris. At theend of the games teams congratulated eachother at mid-court.

The Division I boys and girls completedtheir games by 1:30 p.m. An awards cer-emony was conducted on the court and eachteam member received a trophy commemo-rating the tournament.

Division II games began with both HolyCross-Whitestone and St. Nicholas-Flushingreceiving a �bye� for the first round.

After winning their first round gamesArchangel Michael-Roslyn, faced off againstfavored St. Demetrios-Astoria.

In a very physical and well-played game,Archangel Michael defeated Astoria 33-30.

After Holy Cross-Whitestone easily de-feated Resurrection-Glen Cove the champi-onship round was set.

Holy Cross came out scoring and builta 10-4 lead. Archangel Michael closed thegap by the half. The lead changed hands inthe third and mid fourth quarters.

Finally, with 20 seconds left in thegame, sharp shooter Tommy Papain drilleda long shot to put Archangel Michael in thelead 20-19.

With 12 seconds left, Coach TomKatakalidis of Holy Cross called a time outand urged his team on. Holy Cross cameon the court confident and scored a quickbasket on a fast break causing fans to eruptin apparent victory. However, it wasn�t HolyCross� day.

Archangel Michael�s Coach PeterChristofer called his last time out. ChrisMarangoudakis, his tallest player hadn�tscored all game and in fact left the gameearlier with an ankle injury.

Coach Christofer called for the last play

JOY Teams Compete in Tournamentof the game to go inside to Chris and pleadedwith Chris not to bounce the ball but justturn around and shoot.

The ball was thrown to half court andimmediately gunned to Chris under the bas-ket. Chris whirled around and sank the win-ning basket with 4 seconds left in the game.

The Roslyn fans jumped for joy. Bothteams were exhausted and congratulatedeach other for a valiant effort.

Trophies were given to all the DivisionII players.

Special thanks to St. Demetrios and itsrepresentatives Gary Sideris and JimmyHartofilis for providing the site, preparingthe gym, providing first aid kits for the in-jured players and cleaning the gym.

Participating communities and theirrepresentatives included:

Archangel Michael-Roslyn, three teams,Peter Christofer; Holy Cross-Whitestone,one team, George Katsijiannis and TomKatakalidis;

Resurrection-Glen Cove, one team,Vivian Cassel and Nick Allen; St. Nicholas-Flushing, three teams, John Gavras and ChrisPantazis;

St. Demetrios-Astoria, three teams,Gary Sideris and James N. Hartofilis;

St. Paul�s-Hempstead, three teams,George Papazicos.

Tournament organizer was NicholasKokinakis.

January 22 JOY Basketball Tournament Di-vision Standings

Division I- Boys ages 7-9.St. Paul-Hempstead 2-0St. Demetrios-Astoria 1-1Archangel Michael-Roslyn 1-1St. Nicholas-Flushing 0-2

Division II Girls ages 10-12St. Paul-Hempstead 2-0St. Demetrios-Astoria 1-1Archangel Michael-Roslyn 1-1St. Nicholas-Flushing 0-2

Division II Boys ages 10-12Archangel Michael-Roslyn 3-0Holy Cross-Whitestone 1-1 (bye)St. Paul-Hempstead 2-1St. Demetrios-Astoria 1-1Resurrection-Glen Cove 0-2St. Nicholas-Flushing 0-2 (bye)

OPTIMAL AUTOMATICS2717 W. LAWRENCE AVE. � CHICAGO, IL 60625Tel. (773) 878-9666 � Fax (773) 878-0355

TOLL FREE: 1(888) 878-9611

Season under way (Orthodox Observer photo)For Goyans of Long Island�s parish volleyball teams, a new season has begun with boysand girls from Astoria to Port Jefferson and Blue Point fielding teams. Here, the boys ofArchangel Michael parish in Roslyn and St. Demetrios of Merrick play at the St. Paraskevicommunity center in Greenlawn.

DO YOU LIKE THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER?

HAVE YOU SOMETHING TO SUGGEST?

SEND US A FEW LINES...!

Fax:(212) 774-0239


8 East 79th Street

New York, NY 10021


In the 17th century, the Ottoman em-pire expanded over a considerable amountof European territory. The two RomanianPrincipalities, Wallachia and Moldavia (situ-ated at the crossroads between the threegreat empires: Ottoman, Russian andAustro-Hungarian) had enjoyed special sta-tus as buffer states.

The Romanian Principalities preservedpolitical neutrality while they were under theOttoman sphere of influence. The Ottomansrecognized and appointed local rulers ofRomanian origin.

Vacaresti Monastery:

by Marian Simion

curred in 1724 and was dedicated to theHoly Trinity.

Cultural apexThis monastery represented the apex

of the Phanariot culture in Wallachia, beingone of the most exquisite examples of Byz-antine art of the 18th. Artistically, it belongedto the Romanian Brancoveanu Style. Thiswas the last, and perhaps, the largestprincely establishment in the Balkans interms of proportions, originality, architec-ture, etc. ( A western traveler coming to thismonastery in 1740, said that this monas-tery �gave the air of a fortress,� and that thechurch was the most beautiful he had everseen in his travels).

On the porch, there were two octago-nal towers with square bases. The frescospresented images of the Last Judgment fromthe Book of Revelation, as well as an im-pressive painting representing the Decapi-tation of St. John the Baptist.

Apart from the religious images, theypainted inside the church the portraits ofthose who established the monastery. Onevotive image represented the ruler Nicho-las Mavrocordat holding the church in hisleft hand, while another one represented theLady Smaranda (the ruler�s third spouse) andall his children from his three marriages.

Vacaresti Monastery had a famous li-brary that was quite known in Western Eu-rope, especially in France. This library heldan impressive number of rare books and oldmanuscripts collected by theMavrocordates. It also contained the per-sonal library of the High StewardConstantine Cantacuzino from Margineni(Romania), as well as the great collection ofdocuments of Nicholas Mavrocordat. Thesedocuments were extremely important forthe history of the Ecumenical Patriarchateunder Turkocratia; for the history of thePhanariotes; for the birth of the nation states;and also for the history of Romania.

Inside the Vacaresti Monastery, someof the greatest scholars and politicians ofthe early 19th century, held meetings thatbecame crucial for the future of the EasternEurope.

Tragic historyNevertheless, Vacaresti Monastery en-

countered a tragic destiny. From the high-est cultural stage that it enjoyed, it was di-minished to the status of a prison, and in1987, it was completely destroyed. The un-fortunate history of this monastery goes asit follows:

In the early 19th century, during theRusso-Turkish wars, the monastery succes-sively came under the domination of Otto-mans and Russians.

Following the earthquakes in 1802 and1838, both the church and the princelyhouse were badly damaged.

The tragedy started immediately afterthe Revolution in 1848, when the monas-tery lost its spiritual aim and started beingused for different purposes.

Thus, the representative of the Russianarmy, General Luders decided to turn it intoa prison for the leaders of the Romanianrevolution like Heliade Radulescu, theGolescus, the Bratianus, C.A. Rosetti, JonGhica, Popa Sapca, Col. Magheru, CristianTell, and Nicholae Balcescu.

Until 1850, the monastery had suffereda systematic degradation. Many treasuresof the church disappeared forever. System-atic modifications distorted the sacred gen-eral aspect of the monastery. Due to somedamage caused by a storm, it was not reno-vated properly and the original expression

of this fine masterpiece was mutilated.In 1867, the basement of the princely

house had been turned into a state ware-house for tobacco.

Converted to prisonIn 1868, the monastery became the

property of the Department of National Po-lice and converted to a permanent prison.The image became more distorted becauseof new adjustments to the prison.

In 1871, the chapel of the monasterywas son severely damaged that it neededpillars to support the roof from collapsing.

In 1940 after a strong earthquake, thetower at the top of the nave collapsed.

From 1954 until 1965, the NationalComity for Architecture and Developmenthad unsuccessful dialogues with the Na-tional Department of Internal Affairs in aneffort to preserve this fine monument fromtotal destruction.

It was in 1973 that Vacaresti Monas-tery was spared from the shame of being aprison, because the Romanian governmentbegan a project of restoration -a very un-usual action for a communist regime. More-over, the government intended to establisha museum of traditional art and architectureand laboratories for artistic restoration andconversation, as well as workshops for arti-fact reproductions. Thus, the chapel alongwith eastern porch were restored, but it wasan expensive project.

Beginning of the endAnother disastrous earthquake on

March 4, 1977, had affected the church andthe surrounding buildings. In the same yearthe communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescudecided to dissolve the Romanian Depart-ment of Historic Monuments because thisinstitution had always opposed Ceausescu�sagenda of demolishing churches.

Soon, the Museum of Romanian Artbecame the owner of this monastery. Thisinstitution intended to turn the monasteryinto a Museum of feudal art, and from 1981until 1984, the Museum of Romanian artargued with the government over this issue.

Some scholars pledged to turn the com-plex either into a Museum of Church Art; a�Brancoveanu Cultural Complex;� or to es-tablish an Ecumenical Center, if not to turnit back into a monastery.

In 1984, the people started protestingagainst the action of demolishing churches.

On Dec. 14, 1984, three Romanianscholars sent a letter of protest to one ofthe largest Romanian newspapers,�Scanteia� (The Spark) and to the Depart-ment of Propaganda of the Romanian Com-

munist Party, but they received no response.A second letter that referred to Vacaresti

Monastery was sent to the Department ofPropaganda of the Romanian CommunistPart, yet without results. This time, fourmore scholars added their names.

These scholars were all members of theNational Committee for the National Cul-tural Patrimony It seems, however, thatCeausescu did not acknowledge those pro-tests.

Ceausescu decided to demolish themonastic complex of Vacaresti in Novem-ber 1985. Some scholars, at the risk of theirlives, sent another protest letter to the Cen-tral Committee of the Romanian Commu-nist Party, taking action against Ceausescu�sdecision.

Unfortunately, by January 1987, noth-ing from Vacaresti monastery remained onthe surface of the earth, leaving behind noth-ing more than years of nostalgic glory andtears.

Ceausescu had in mind an idea stem-ming from his visit to China and North Ko-rea in the 1980�s when he saw how far com-munism had advanced there (advancementby way of abolishing all forms of religionand worship).

Thus, he felt he could be the �great ar-chitect� of Romania, and soon thereafter,decided to send specialists to China to learnabout the �great achievements� of the Chi-nese people.

Mega-projectUpon their return, they started build-

ing a giant house called �The House of thePeople� (today the Parliament House), overthe ruins of a demolished church.

However, this is a magnificent build-ing. The building is considered the largestin Europe, and second only to the Penta-gon. Its cost soon sent a country of 23 mil-lion people into starvation.

In 1989 on the site of Vacaresti Monas-tery, the �great architect� started building aCongress House, called The Center of theNational Council of Workers Democracy.This building was supposed to have a giantconference hall with a capacity of 50,000seats and four large restaurants with 15,000seats each.

In conclusion, it is not only the VacarestiMonastery that died. With the upheaval ofthe Romanian people against the commu-nism (on Dec. 22, 1989), Ceausescu him-self disappeared along with his mad projects.

Marian Simion is a seminarian at HolyCross School of Theology and a native of Ro-mania, where his father is an Orthodox priest.

a Phanariot Heritage and Its Tragedy

PAGES IN HISTORY

When the Russian empire declared waragainst the Ottoman empire in January 1711,Prince of Moldavia Dimitrie Cantemir tookthe side of the Russians and betrayed theOttomans who had appointed him.

Consequently, the Ottomans no longertrusted the Moldavian local rulers and ap-pointed new ones from the Phanar inConstantinople.

Enter the PhanariotsThe Phanariot Princes (most of whom

were Greek) then dominated the stage ofthe Romanian history for over a century(since 1711 in Moldavia; 1715 in Wallachia;until 1821). Among the Phanariots, theMavrocordat Dynasty (Nicholas and his sonConstantine) was the most famous one. TheMavrocordates improved the legislative sys-tem of Moldavia and Wallachia and helpedthe indigenous Romanian culture toprogress. They also gave more prestige tothe principalities and even built churches.

On Dec. 25, 1715, NicholasMavrocordat (Mavrokordatos) became theruler of Wallachia after succeeding to thethrone of Moldavia. He was more a scholarthan politician, however.

Restrained by Ottoman political maneu-vers, Nicholas Mavrocordat was appointedruler over Wallachia twice between 1715and 1730. Nicholas� son and successor,Constantine was appointed in 1730 andruled over Wallachia six times between 1730and 1763.

Enlightened rulerConstantine Mavrocordat was an even

greater scholar than his father. He studiedin famous schools, being fluent in Italian,French, Turkish, Persian and Romanian, aswell as modern and classical Greek. He wasone of the most remarkable figures of thePhanariot epoch and was well known inWestern Europe.

He corresponded with the Archbishopof Canterbury, as well as with the Patriarchsof Jerusalem, Alexandria, Antioch andConstantinople.

In the early 18th century, NicholasMavrocordat established a monastery nearBucharest, at Vacaresti.

In 1716 he started building a smallchurch; the abbot�s residence; the princelyhouse; and a part of the outer wall that sur-rounds the monastic complex.

In 1723 the ruler established a Greekschool where many Greeks came to study.In the same complex, he also established aprinting house.

In 1721 when the big church was ready,the founder dedicated it to the Church ofthe Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. On thisoccasion, Constantine Mavrocordat made aspecial request to the Patriarch of Jerusa-lem to send an abbot from Jerusalem toVacaresti, �but someone who is raised tothe rank of bishop.�

The consecration of the monastery oc-

LOW CHOLESTEROLGREEK HERITAGE

COOKBOOK

Name__________________________________________________

Address________________________________________________

City _________________________State___________ Zip ________

A HAPPY HEART

Including:Delicious recipes from other nationalities

QUANTINTY DISCOUNT FOR RESALESEND YOUR ORDER TO

Low Cholesterol Greek Heritage Cook BookP.O. Box 39627, Charleston, SC 29407

An Exquisite Gift!Health Hints for Dining OutAll recipes nutritionally analyzedincluding Gyros, and 0 cholesterol Baklava.Delicious, Healthy daily recipes.Send $14.95 + $2.05 handling


Greek Letters Luncheon Honors Harvard Professor

NEW YORK � As part of the Greek Let-ters Week celebration, Archbishop Spy-ridon recognized students of parochial andafternoon Greek schools who receivedscores of 100 on the New York State Re-gents Exams held last June. A Divine Lit-urgy and awards ceremony took place Jan.29 at Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral.

The honored students and their par-ishes are:

Irene Dovas, St. Nicholas AfternoonSchool, Flushing; Panagiotis Peikidis, HolyTrinity School, Hicksville; Chrisavgi

Top Regents Exam Students Honored

Sourgoutsis, St. Demetrios School,Merrick; Michael Prodromou, St. John�sSchool, Blue Point; Vasiliki Georga-kopoulos, A. Fantis School, Brooklyn; andVasiliki Sideris, Metamorphosis School,Corona.

Also scoring 100 but unable to attendthe cathedral ceremony were: VasilikiHarisis, Annunciation School, Rochester;Peter Christodoulou, Cathedral AfternoonSchool, New York; and Chara Proto-pappas, Annunciation School, Stamford,Conn.

Classics scholarDr. Duffy, Dumbarton Oaks Professor

of Byzantine Philology and Literature in theDepartment of Classics, is one of Harvard�smost eminent Hellenists, having taught awide array of classical subjects.

A native of Ireland, he holds a master�sdegree in classics from the National Univer-sity of Ireland, and a Ph.D. in classics fromthe State University of New York in Buffalo.

Dr. Duffy spoke on the theme of �Medi-eval Greek Books and Their Foreign Travels�in which he reflected on the significance ofHellenic letters abroad. He credited the workof Byzantine scholars and writers for preserv-ing the heritage of ancient Hellenism whichhas been passed down through the centu-ries, calling it �an eloquent testimony to theachievements of Hellenism of all ages.�

The Harvard professor cited numerousexamples of books and manuscripts availableto scholars and on public display at severalprominent museums and libraries in the

their thirst to realize the divine destiny ofHellenic letters and learning � these char-acteristics of the Three Hierarchs are thelegacy of all Greek Orthodox Christians.�

Special guestsThe program also included special

guests Charalambos Manessis, consul gen-eral of Greece; Pantelis Eliades, consul gen-eral of Cyprus; and Queens Borough Presi-dent Claire Shulman.

Other dignitaries attending includedHellenic College-Holy Cross President, theVery Rev. Archimandrite Damaskinos V.Ganas. Proceeds from the luncheon will goto support the Archbishop Spyridon Schol-arship Fund at HC/HC.

Making an unannounced surprise visitwas newly elected U.S. Sen. Charles�Chuck� Schumer, who came to thank theGreek community for its support in his elec-tion, to express his continuing support forfreedom for Cyprus, and to honor Arch-bishop Spyridon.

Honorary chairman of the luncheonwas Archbishop Spyridon. Honorary co-

from page 1

United States, saying they serve as �a reminderof the gift of Paideia to the modern world.� Headded that �had it not been for the Byzantinescribes, copies of ancient manuscripts wouldnot be in existence today.�

Dr. Duffy also noted the contributionsof the Three Hierarchs and said they �meritthe title of cultural heroes� for their intro-duction of Christian Paideia, upon whichthey grafted concepts from Hellenic culture.

His Eminence�s remarksAfter Archbishop Spyridon presented

the medal to Dr. Duffy, His Eminence gaveexhortations in Greek and English.

He called Professor Duffy�s research �alabor of love� and expressed gratitude forthe presentation.

Commenting further on Greek Paideia,His Eminence said that �we should not becontent to rest on the laurels of the past,nor be satisfied with the achievements ofour forbears, but we should always look tothe future for satisfaction...�

He said that the value and full impactof the ancient books is revealed by their�destiny and conclusion,� and could not bedetermined at the time of their writing.

Referring to the works of the Three Hi-erarchs whose writings have had profoundimpact on Orthodox Christianity, Arch-bishop Spyridon noted that �these Fathersof the Church were not content to rest onthe achievements of their predecessors.They faithfully received the Tradition of theApostles from their own teachers. But then,using the intellectual tools and vocabularyof Greek philosophy and rhetoric, they for-mulated, proclaimed and defended the truthto their own generation.�

He further stated that the Three Hier-archs� �spiritual restlessness, their yearningto know the ultimate end and goal of things,

chairmen were Fr. Demetrios A. Recachinas,president of the clergy syndesmos of St. Johnthe Chrysostom; Archdiocesan Councilmember Dimitrios Kaloidis; Cultural Cen-ter Executive Board Chairman CharlesMaragoudakis; Archon Panikos Papani-kolaou; Mana Productions Chairman NikosMouyiaris; and Cultural Center ExecutiveBoard member George Almyroudis.

Master of ceremonies was the Very Rev.Archimandrite J. Gabriel Karambis.

From the Department of Greek Educa-tion and Culture were Dr. Nicholas Klado-poulos, director; Maria Makedon-Fountas,assistant director; and Dimitra Colovos.

Luncheon Committee members in-cluded: the Very Rev. Archimandrite PavlosPapalexiou, spiritual advisor; the Very Rev.Archimandrite Cleopas M. Strongylis, AlikiDourakis, Andreas Floratos, James N.Hartofilis, Markella Kavvadas, Stella Kokolis,Mema Kourtis, Maria Makrinos, Dr. GeorgeMelikokis, Tina Molfetas, Maria Parikas,Kyriaki Parikas, Joanne Sarris, Betsy Sideris,Stamatia Valiotis and James Yeannakopoulos.

Luncheon sponsors included: (patrons)National Philoptochos, Maria and KyriakiParikas, and Uncle George�s Greek Tavern;(friends) Ladies Philoptochos of Holy Cross,Brooklyn; and a friend of His Eminence;(contributors) the Tenedios family, DespinaDelegianis, Panagiota Trigonis, Mr. and Mrs.Stephen G. Angelides, Alex Demoleas, VallasRealty Co., Inc.; Dr. Michael Gabriel, Sts.Constantine and Helen Philoptochos, Brook-lyn; Chiaki Adelphotis, Agia Markella,Markos and Mary Hatgipetros, Holy CrossSchool PTO, Brooklyn; Seven Stars Bakery;Angela Roufakis, Spiros and Evgenia Drosos,Nicholas and Maria Skarvelis, John Rodias,and Dimitri and Maria Nickolaris.

Donations were provided by Anny�sFlorals, Pavilion Florals and Fantis Foods Inc.

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON with U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and, from left, Dr. Duffy, CyprusConsul General Eliades, John Catsimatidis and Greek Consul General Manessis. D. Panagos

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON with the 1998 Greek Regents Exams award recipients followingchurch services on Jan. 29 at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Assisting were Frs. RobertStephanopoulos and Michael Kontogiorgis. Also attending were Dr. NicholasKladopoulos and Maria Makedon-Fountas of the Department of Greek Education.

D. P

anag

os

HIS EMINENCEaddressesthe luncheon guestsat Terrace-on-the-Park.

Lively performanceMembers of the Hellenic Dancers of NewJersey perform one of a series of dances

at the Greek Letters luncheon.

orthodox observer - 05 february 1999

Documents

archbishop ofamerica

members of theholy synod

withchurch issues

issues of concern

firstofficial visit

new year

archdiocese headquarters

theecumenical patriarchate