orthodox observer - june/july 2003

JUNE - JULY 2003 • Vol. 68 • No. 1201 www.observer.goarch.org • e-mail: [email protected]

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theol-ogy awarded six undergraduate and 33 master’s degrees, and honored National Council of Churches President Elenie K. Huszagh, J.S.D., with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree at 61st annual com-mencement ceremonies May 17.

Elenie Huszagh Honored at HC/HC

ATLANTA – The Metropolis of Atlanta officially celebrated its elevation from a diocese to a metropolis with ceremonies on May 31. In attendance was Archbishop Demetrios who officiated at the enthrone-ment of Metropolitan Alexios.

The celebration began with a concert on Friday, May 30 at the Metropolitan An-nunciation Cathedral.

Many neighboring churches partici-pated in the concert including choirs from St. Phillip’s A.M.E. Church and St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church.

The Elevation and Enthronement Processional took place the following morning as Greek Orthodox Christians from communities all over the Metropo-lis attended.

Parishioners held palm branches and flowers as a multitude of Orthodox clerics, monks, nuns and Archons proceeded from the Metropolis chapel to the cathedral for the enthronement.

In his address to the faithful at his en-thronement, Metropolitan Alexios said, in part: “The meaning of Saint Peter’s words cause my knees to tremble before God as I ascend the throne of the newly elevated Metropolis of Atlanta an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and member of our Holy Archdiocese of America.”

“I stand in awe much like the moment

Events Mark the Elevation of the Metropolis of Atlanta

Over the years, Ms. Huszagh has served the Council in numerous capacities includ-ing as vice-president from 1988 to 1990.

For many Greek Orthodox faithful, Ms. Huszagh is best identified as the woman who presided over several plenary sessions of the Archdiocese Clergy-Laity congresses.

In 1996, Ms. Huszagh was awarded the Medal of St. Paul, the highest honor the Archdiocese bestows upon a layperson.

Most recently, Ms. Huszagh’s deep com-mitment to her Orthodox Christian faith, her

experience in the life and administration of the Archdiocese, her Christian spirit, and her legal expertise, resulted in her appointment as a member of the Archdiocese Charter Review Committee which assisted in the production of the new charter.

In her address to the graduates, Ms. Huszagh spoke of her role at NCC presi-dent in terms of Archbishop Demetrios’ theme for last year’s Clergy-Laity Congress, “Offering our Orthodox Faith to Contem-

of my first enthronement, in comprehend-ing the lofty responsibility of shepherding a dynamic and outstanding God-loved Metropolis, I am most aware of the expec-tations behind this sacred endeavor. I have

been called to serve God and all the faithful of this newly elevated Holy Metropolis.”

“Therefore, it is important for me

33 Degrees Awardedat 61st Commencement

uu page 3

uu page 2

Ms. Huszagh, who was installed in No-vember 2001 as the NCC’s 21st president, is the first Orthodox layperson and the first Orthodox woman to become NCC presi-dent and one of only five laypersons to serve as president in the Council’s history.

For more than 20 years she has served in various capacities with the National Council of Churches, from recording sec-retary to participation in several interna-tional delegations visiting countries such as the former USSR and Cyprus.

Her many years of involvement with the Council culminated in 1999 when the General Assembly unanimously made her NCC-president elect.

She also provided distinguished ser-vice to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese for 30 years.

In 1974, Archbishop Iakovos chose Ms. Huszagh as one of five women to be the first women ever to serve on the Archdiocesan Council.uu page 22

MANCHESTER, N.H. – Two young men, one the son of a priest of the Archdiocese and the other a seminarian at Hellenic College, died June 6 while fishing along the New Hampshire coast.

Athan P. Chamberas, 29, son of the Rev. Peter and Georgia Cham-beras of Hebron, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Concord, and Mi-chael Vougias, 21, son of Photios and Joanne Vougias, also of Manchester, had first been reported missing from a lobster fishing boat June 6, according to published reports.

Chamberas, a part-time lobster-man and Vougias went out on a 36-foot lobster boat, the Black Beauty, owned by Chamberas, in late after-noon on June 6. According to news reports, the two may have boarded a small skiff later to go oyster fishing.

The reports said the Coast Guard had launched an immediate search with a rescue boat from Portsmouth harbor, along with two helicopters and a Falcon jet. Crews from the state’s Fish and Game Department, Marine Patrol and local police and fire departments from several coastal communities assisted.

After a five-day search, Vougias’ body was discovered June 11 in Great Bay, off the coast of Portsmouth.

Priest’s Son, SeminarianDie During Fishing Trip

Archbishop’s Encyclical ................u 11Archdiocese News .......................u2-3,6Challenge ......................................u 29Classifieds ....................................u 28Ecumenical Patriarchate ..............u 4-5Greek Section ...............................u15-19Holy Scripture Readings ...............u 6Inter-Church Pilgrimage ...............u 9IOCC News ...................................u 22Metropolises’ News ......................u30-31Missions ........................................u 21OCMC News ..................................u 20Opinions .......................................u 10Orthodoxy Worldwide ...................u 27Parish Profile ................................u 25Parish Renewal .............................u 14Scholarships .................................u 24Special Interest .............................u12,27Voice of Philoptochos ..................u 23

JUNIOR OLYMPICS IN CHICAGO, NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK u31, 32

A BIRTHDAY TRIBUTE TOARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS u 11

HIS EMINENCE ARCHIBISHOP DEMETRIOS presenting Honorary Doctor of Humanities Degreeto Elenie K. Huszagh, J.S.D. Also shown is Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, President of HC/HC.

George Peet

THE ARCHIBISHOP is handing the episcopal staff to Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta just before his formal enthronement, as Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana (center) and Bishop John of Amorion (left) look on.

WEBSITE WINS WEBBIE AWARD u 7

Published Monthlyby the Greek Ortho dox Archdiocese of America.

Editorial and Business Of ce: 8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021.

TEL.: (212) 570-3555, 774-0235.FAX (212) 774-0239.

DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR:Stavros H. Papagermanos

EDITOR:Jim Golding (Chryssoulis)

PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING MANAGER:

Costa EliopoulosCOLOR CORRECTION:

Abel MontoyaADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT:

Soula Podaras

Periodicals’ postage paid at New York, NY 10001 and at addi-tional mailing offices. The Orthodox Observer is produced en-tirely in-house. Past issues can be found on the Internet, at: www.observer.goarch.org • E-mail: [email protected] do not necessarily re ect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in of cial statements so labeled.Subscription rates are $12 per year. Canada $25.00. Overseas Air Mail, $55.00 per year. $1.50 per copy.Subscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese. Of this contribution, $5.00 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer.POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: ORTHODOX OBSERVER,

8 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021CONTRIBUTING EDITOR:

Nicholas Manginas

USPS 412340 ISSN 0731-2547

JUNE - JULY 20032 ARC HDIO C E S E NEWS

porary America,” and of the Orthodox role in promoting ecumenism beginning in the early years of the 20th century with the Ecumenical Patriarchate and continuing with Archbishop Iakovos and Archbishop Demetrios in keeping with Christ’s “Great Commission” in Matthew 28:18.

33 Degrees awarded at HC/HC Commencementuu page 1

She said, in part, “We…have an ob-ligation to heed the directive of our Log to “go therefore and make disciples of all nations …teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always to the close of the ages.”

“This cannot be accomplished if we don not share our faith and our vision with our fellow Christians in this area which we call the ‘Ecumenical Movement.’ If

Holy Cross ValedictorianDaniel Keith Miles

Hellenic College ValedictorianGiuseppe Mario Landino

George C. Chryssis, Vice Chair Board of Trustees.

The 2003 Holy Cross GraduatesGeorge Peet photos

In his commencement address, HC/HC President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou dis-cussed the theme of faith and its importance in this scientific and technological age.

He said, in part that “Faith, coupled with learning, is the dominant thread in our beautiful tapestry we know as Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and Hellenic College. Our dual heritages of Christian Orthodox faith and Hellenic culture enrich our lives, strengthen our spirits and inspire us to seek excellence in all of our endeavors.

“We praise God this day for the faith we witness in you, our graduating seniors of Hellenic College and Holy Cross.”

At Vespers the previous evening, Archbishop Demetrios presented the graduating Holy Cross seniors with their stavrophoria and also presided at the Di-vine Liturgy on Saturday morning.

In his exhortation to the graduates, His Eminence urged them to act toward the challenges facing the Church within the firm basis of Christ and His teachings for the witness of Christianity in the mod-ern world.

The graduatesThe following six Hellenic College stu-

dents earned bachelor of arts degrees:Demetrios Kounavis, Basil Ayete Labi,

Michael John Lambakis, Giuseppe Mario

Landino, Christ Gus Margellos and Palas Haralampos.

Six Holy Cross graduates received Master of Theology degrees: Khalil Ash-kan zad, Thomas Dallianis, the Very Rev. Anastasios Tasopoulos, Laney John Ross II, Spyridon Stoligkas and the Very Rev. Michael Ziebarth.

Eleven students earned Master of Theological Studies degrees: Stavros Eustratiou Anagnostopoulos, Nektarios S. Antoniou, Andrew Scott Catey, Iulian Damian, Justin Norman Dargavel, William Michael Datch, Richard Fillon, Eva Koki-nos, the Rev. Neophytos David Kongai, Mary Landino and Megan Nutzman.

Master of Divinity degrees were awarded to the following 17 graduates: the Rev. Alexander Chetsas, Panagiotis Demetrios Goritsan, the Rev. Demetrios Govostes, Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Larry W. Legakis, Gregory Manoli Lemelson, the Rev. Romanos Malouf, Deacon Luke Murphy Melackrinos, Daniel Keith Miles, Lukas Aristides Palumbis, Panagiotis Pan-telis, Costas Pieri, Konstantine Salmas, Jennifer Ann Servetas, Konstantine Salmas, Jennifer Ann Servetas, Konstantine Syme-onides, Jonathan Thomas Tartara, and Melanie Ann Tsikouris.

Holy Cross ValedictorianMelanie Ann Tsikouris

the Church is, as we believe, the Body of Christ, then it is essential that all of its members be joined together – at least in common endeavor as part of the journey towards the Unity of the Church.”

Ms. Huszagh also spoke of how Or-thodox Christians should relate to con-temporary society and the politicization that characterizes modern life.

“First, one must ask what is correct – not what would Jesus do” But, rather, what should I do as a believer in Christ,” she said. “While we cannot know the mind of Christ, we must be prepared to use our minds in a Christ-like manner in making our decisions. Second, we must not fear to act so that we may be participants in any potential solutions that may present themselves. Denial or avoidance is not an acceptable answer.”

JUNE - JULY 2003 3ARC HDIO C E S E NEWS

OKLAHOMA CITY – Archbishop Demetrios consecrated the new St. George Church on May 25.

The celebration began with the Consecration Great Vespers on Saturday, May 24, with a procession of the holy relics of St. George the Great Martyr, St. Panteleimon the Great Martyr and Healer and the Holy Fathers martyred in Sinai at Raitho.

Archbishop Demetrios, with Metro-politan Isaiah of Denver as co-celebrant, placed the relics in the altar.

Several past priests of the parish also attended the weekend events. Following the vespers, a dinner took place with the

parish leaders and visiting clergy.The Archbishop and Metropolitan

celebrated the Consecration Service on Sunday with members of the Oklahoma City parish (175 families) and faithful from area Orthodox churches of various jurisdictions in attendance.

After the service, a luncheon followed in the Church hall. The formal consecra-tion banquet took place that evening.

On Memorial Day, Archbishop Deme-trios, Metropolitan Isaiah, and St. George parishioners visited the Oklahoma City bombing site where the Archbishop of-fered a Trisagion service for those who lost their lives on that tragic day.

ARCHBISHOP Demetrios refl ects in front of the memorial site at the Oklahoma City bombing site.

Archbishop Consecrates Oklahoma’s St. George,Offers Memorial Day Service at Bombing Site

to express my deep gratitude to His All-Holiness, our Ecumenical Patriarch Bar-tholomew, and to the Hierarchs of the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarch-ate, as well as to all who served with me, clergy and laity throughout my tenure in the Episcopal office and especially here in the beautiful Metropolis of Atlanta.”

In addition to Archbishop Demetrios, Orthodox Hierarchy included Metropoli-tan Evangelos of New Jersey, Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana, and Bishop John of Amo-rion, priests representing the 66 Greek Orthodox communities in the Metropolis, monks and nuns from the monasteries in Lawsonville, N.C. and Ocala, Fla.

Visiting clergymen included Monsi-gnor R. Donald Kiernan, Catholic Archdio-cese of Atlanta, Right Rev. Neil Alexander, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta

Elevation of the Metropolis of Atlantauu page 1 and Leland C. Collins, executive director

of the Georgia Christian Council.After the enthronement, Atlanta May-

or Shirley Franklin addressed the crowd of over 500 at the luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Other notable community leaders speaking at the banquet included state Sen. Liane Levitan (D) and DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones.

The day’s events ended with a glendi at the Annunciation Cathedral Kartos Ball-room. The Divine Liturgy was celebrated Sunday morning at the Annunciation Ca-thedral followed by a farewell luncheon.

The Metropolis of Atlanta oversees the Greek Orthodox churches in Georgia and others in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mis-sissippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee; a total of 66 churches. There are more than 2,000 Greek Ortho-dox families in the Atlanta area.

THE ENTHRONEMENT ceremony for Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios has announced that the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philop-tochos Convention will convene next year in New York from July 25 to 29.

The Congress will be held at the New York Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Its theme will be “Building Communities of Faith and Love: Orthodox Parishes in Worship and Ministry.”

Following the 2002 Congress theme, “Offering our Orthodox Faith to Contem-porary America,” this theme will direct the preparations and work of the Congress in assisting and strengthening our Orthodox parishes, the primary places of worship, ministry, and offering.

Commenting on the theme and the importance of the Congress, Archbishop Demetrios stated, “This Congress will provide a unique opportunity to assist all of our parishes throughout America with the vital work that they do on a daily basis. All of our resources will be focused on equipping the faithful to build their parishes through worship and ministry, through ways that strengthen faith and offer service to anyone in need so that all may know the redeeming love of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The Archbishop will preside at the Congress, which is expected to attract several thousand participants, including delegates from the more than 500 parishes of the Archdiocese.

Special features of this congress will

2004 CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESSto Convene in New York

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios recently announced a pledge of $50,000 to NYDRI (New York Disaster Recovery Interfaith), a 9/11-related aid project ad-ministered by the Council of Churches of the City of New York (CCCNY).

As of December 2002, nearly all the funds collected by the September 11th Fund of the Archdiocese have been distributed.

Additional donations received since the beginning of 2003 have made it pos-sible for the Archdiocese to continue to offer assistance to those still impacted by the tragic events of September 11th.

“The Orthodox have been a part of the CCCNY for many years and this is a unique opportunity for our Church to step up to the table in a very substantial and tangible way to support one of the worthwhile projects of the CCCNY,” stated Father David Kossey, who as a member of IOCC is representing the Archdiocese at the project’s meetings.

“Our participation in this program is a very real expression of support not only for those affected by the disaster but also for the city of New York which is suffering a severe financial crunch, the result not only of the downturn in the country’s economy, but also as a direct result of the events of September 11th,” added Father Kossey.

According to Bishop Andonios, who has been overseeing the September 11th Fund, “It is truly remarkable that the Arch-

diocese continues to receive contributions to assist those affected by this disaster.

This continued outpouring of love and concern certainly testify to the mag-nanimity of our people and to their deep sense of philanthropy. Through the gen-erosity of our community we have not only been able to provide for our own communicants impacted by this disaster, but also to extend a helping hand to the greater community in which we live.”

NYDRI is an interfaith group involved in a variety of charitable works through-out the city and among its projects, is the “Unmet Needs Roundtable” -- which as its name suggests, provides assistance to people directly affected by September 11th whose needs are no longer being met by other charities.

At Roundtable meetings, social work-ers present cases of those still suffering from the September 11th attacks, and who are in need, but these needs are no longer being addressed by any other agencies.

Cases are verified and documented; the Archdiocese has already assisted sev-eral individuals and families who have not been able to get help anywhere else.

This commitment by the Archdiocese to the NYDRI is further confirmation of the vital role that the Archdiocese and the Orthodox Church are playing in assisting those in need, as well as participating in the post 9/11 work being done by this and other organizations in the city.

Archdiocese Commits September 11th Funds To NYDRI

include an educational program with more than 50 workshops specializing in parish and family ministry; a grant program that will waive the registration fees of the 150 small-est parishes of the Archdiocese; and a special exhibit section of unique parish ministries and Archdiocesan ministry programs.

Registration information, and sched-ules, articles, and exhibitor applications will be sent to the parishes soon and also made available on the Archdiocesan web site at http://www.goarch.org.

A view of the New York Marriott Marquis hotel

JUNE - JULY 20034 JUNE - JULY 2003 5

E C U M E N I C A L P A T R I A R C H A T EE C U M E N I C A L P A T R I A R C H A T EEcumenical Patriarch Hosts 5th Environmental Symposium on the Baltic

During the first week of June a group of marine scientists, politicians and policy makers joined theologians and religious leaders from many faiths on a ship in the Baltic Sea.

by Fr. John Chryssavgisand Margaret Baker

They were guests of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I for the fifth of his international and interdisciplinary Symposia: ‘Religion, Science and the Environment.’

Among the official guests was Arch-bishop Demetrios, accompanied by Rev. Panteleimon Papadopoulos.

Patriarch Bartholomew has made the waters of the world his special concern, and his earlier Symposia have been held on the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the Danube and the Adriatic.

Journalists and television crews from all over the world accompanied the Sym-posium on a ship, as it sailed from Gdynia, Poland to Kaliningrad, Russia, to Tallinn, Estonia, Helsinki, Finland and finally to Stockholm, Sweden.

Participants heard papers from re-gional specialists and scholars, saw films about the Baltic sea and states, and made land visits to sites of ecological significance such as nature reserves, a wastewater treatment plant, and a beach threatened by development for tourism.

Each day’s deliberations were based on a Scriptural theme: ‘Dominion over the earth’ (Genesis 1.28); ‘Eat freely of every plant in the garden except…’ (Genesis 2.16); ‘The Spirit of wisdom and under-standing (Isaiah 11.2); ‘Do justice, love kindness, tread gently’ (Micah 6.8); ‘Tell your children and let your children tell their children’ (Joel 1.3).

There were regular services, hosted by the various denominations in atten-dance, in a variety of churches: a modern Catholic church in Poland, a tiny wooden Orthodox church in Estonia, the great Or-thodox cathedral in Helsinki, St Jakob’s Lutheran church in Stockholm.

Concern for the environment is of ecumenical significance, rising above doctrinal differences and relating to the future of humanity on this planet.

The Symposium opened with an address by the Ecumenical Patriarch, followed by a greeting from the Pope who recalled the Common Declaration on Environmental Ethics that he and the Ecumenical Patriarch had signed at the end of the Fourth Symposium in Venice (June 2002).

The common understanding was that an inner change of heart was necessary, which would lead to the rejection of un-sustainable patterns of consumption and production.

The Ecumenical Patriarch himself reflected on the words “God saw every-thing that He had made and behold it was very good” (Genesis 1.31), and on humanity’s duty “to till it and keep it.” (Genesis 2.15)

The Patriarch further stated, “Human beings were not intended simply to enjoy the world, but also to keep it safe. There is a structure inherent in the creation, which has to be respected, and nature would only supply our needs if we showed self-restraint in using its resources. The creation is for all...” and the Ecumenical Patriarch drew attention to the sharp con-trast between Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Germany, among the twenty richest countries in the world, and the other Bal-tic states “whose national income was a small fraction of their neighbors.”

Metropolitan John of Pergamon, (bet-ter known to non-Orthodox and Orthodox alike as the theologian and author John Zizioulas), recalled the disastrous legacy of those European philosophers who taught that humans could be the masters and possessors of nature (e.g., Descartes), and the resulting capitalist views of work and the economy.

The Calvinist tradition, too, had played its part, and “without such religious ideas, the appearance of the ecological cri-sis would probably be difficult to explain historically.” Better than the traditional description of the human as “steward of the creation,” he suggested we might think of ourselves as “priests of creation,” with all the rich theology implicit in the

Orthodox view of priesthood.Humans bring God’s blessing to the

world, which has been offered to God. When humans make themselves the ul-timate point of reference, he said, they condemn the world to finitude, mortality, decay and death. They see themselves not as priests of creation but as God.

Metropolitan John was critical of the concept of “steward,” which he felt empha-sized a managerial attitude toward nature on the part of humanity. He expressed the conviction that the concept of “priest” could serve as a corrective and complemen-tary understanding of the role of human beings within the natural environment.

In this theological setting the sympo-sium addressed not only the immediate issue of pollution but also the wider ques-tions of the stewardship of knowledge. Who controls what we are allowed to know about political and economic reali-ties, about the development of research and its future applications? What are the consequences of multinational companies patenting and thus controlling the funda-mentals of life itself?

The Symposium asked whether the western model of development inher-ently led to inequality. It also discussed the ecological footprint - the biologically productive area needed to produce the recourses and absorb the waste of an individual’s lifestyle - which should be about 1.9 hectares.

The current world average is 2.3 hect-ares, of which the USA claims 9.7, Finland 8.3, but China only 1.5.

Government ministers and academic representatives presented the local situa-tion: the consequences of factory fishing and poor wastewater management to the whole marine ecosystem, the dangers of transporting hazardous substances in old

single hulled vessels, and the special eco-logical problems of the Baltic states soon joining the European Union.

The positive and hopeful conclusion of the symposium was that God has not abandoned the creation; human beings, therefore, made as they are in the image of God (Genesis 1.26) must not abandon it either.

The Symposium has an English language website (a useful resource for students, teachers, and clergy): www.rsesymposia.org, where symposium papers and other up-to date information can be found.

Ms. Barker is a member and Fr. Chryssavgis is theological advisor to the Religious and Scientific Committee.

PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW addresses the Symposium participants, Cardinal Walter Kasper is seated next to him representing Pope John Paul II who also sent a message.

N. MANGINAS

A VISIT to a wastewater treatment plant at Viikinmaki-Helsinki, where effluent is biologically treated before it is released into the Baltic Sea.

N. MANGINAS

ECUMENICAL Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Demetrios of America together with the President of Estonia Arnold Rüütel and other dignitaries.

N. MANGINAS


THESSALONIKI – The Fifth Academic Meeting between Judaism and Orthodox Christianity on “Faithfulness to Our Sources: Our Common Commitment to Peace and Justice,” took place May 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (Thessaloniki-Perea).

The meeting was organized by Metro-politan Emmanuel of France, who heads the Office of International and Intercul-tural Affairs to the Liaison Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the European Union, Brussels, in cooperation with the International Jewish Committee for In-terreligious Consultations, New York, co-chaired by Rabbi Israel Singer who is also chairman of the World Jewish Congress, and Rabbi Joel Meyers who is also the executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly.

The highlight of the consultation was the opening presentation by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who emphasized “Judaism and Christianity have been living in a state of dialogue for two thousand years,” and strongly endorsed continuing the dialogue and furthering partnership efforts.

In the course of his remarks the Ecu-menical Patriarch denounced religious fanaticism and rejected attempts by any faith to denigrate others.

Fifth Meeting Held Between Orthodox Christianity, Judaism

THESSALONIKI -- Expressing “endless grief” at the execution of tens of thousands of Thessaloniki’s Jewish population during World War II, Ecumenical Patriarch Bar-tholomew said the Holocaust Monument in Thessaloniki affirmed that we are to fight for the creation of a peaceful world where all people will co-exist in harmony.

“We should explain to our children and our fellow human beings,” the leader of the world’s 250 million Orthodox Chris-tians stressed, “that such crimes of the past must never be repeated, since they were a result of hatred and misjudgment.”

Minister of Culture of Greece Evange-los Venizelos and World Jewish Congress Chairman Rabbi Israel Singer also ad-dressed delegates of the Fifth Consultation Between Judaism and Orthodoxy, which had concluded a two-day meeting here.

Participants joined the Jewish Community of Thessaloniki for what was described as a rededication of the Holocaust Monument.

The group also visited the Jewish Museum of Thessaloniki and gathered for a ceremony at the Jewish community where the Patriarch and Andrew Athens, president of the World Council of Hel-

lenes, who had hosted the consultation, were made honorary citizens of the Jew-ish community. Rabbi Singer was similarly honored the day before.

In accepting the honor, the Ecumeni-cal Patriarch declared, “It is in our interest to have justice and equality for all minori-ties since whatever people offer and recog-nize in any country to minorities, the same will be enjoyed in their own country.”

In addressing the consultation last Tuesday, the Patriarch said, “Fanatics are not the elect of a specific faith but rather the weakest among its believers.”

The interfaith meeting, attended by more than 60 delegates of the two faiths from around the world, issued a final com-munique calling for an effort to “educate the faithful of both religions to promote healthy relationships based on mutual respect and understanding to confront bigotry and fanaticism.”

In addition, the communique called for an annual day devoted to Jewish-Christian relations, welcomed new developments that could bring peace between Israel and the Palestinians and urged the immediate recognition of Patriarch Irineos of Jerusa-lem by the government of Israel.

Bartholomew Rededicates Holocaust Monument

Greek government officials who ad-dressed the gathering included Ioannis Magriotis, vice minister of foreign affairs and Evangelos Venizelos, minister of culture.

Introductory remarks were delivered by Metropolitan Emmanuel of France, Rabbis Joel Meyers and Israel Singer and

u page 22

Andrew A. Athens president, World Coun-cil of Hellenes. Messages were delivered from the Patriarch of Alexandria and the Patriarch of Jerusalem.

Present at the meeting were more than 60 delegates from around the world. Among the observers present were repre-sentatives from the Vatican and the World Council of Churches.

The consultation’s theme was ana-lyzed by focusing on three subjects, each of which was addressed by a lecturer from the Orthodox and Jewish traditions; in each case, considerable discussion fol-lowed.

The first subject was “Athens and Jerusalem -- Memory and Recollection,” for which Rabbi Dr. Alan Brill (USA) and Professor Dr. Vlassios Phidas (Greece and

Geneva) presented lectures.On the subject of “Commitment to

Peace and Justice in the Jewish and Or-thodox Traditions” presentations were made by Rabbi Daniel Polish (USA) and Mr. Roman Silantiev (Russia).

The final plenary “Religions as an Ethical force in a World in Crisis” was addressed by Bishop Irinej (Serbia) and Rabbi David Rosen (Israel).

The participation by the Ecumenical Patriarch in the rededication of the Thes-saloniki Holocaust Memorial on May 29 was a poignant reminder of the near total destruction of the Thessaloniki Jewish community by the Nazis during the Sec-ond World War.

The current small but vibrant Jewish community, led by David Saltiel and Moses C. Constantinis, remains in the tradition of the past glory of the historic Thessaloniki community once known as the Jerusalem of the Balkans.

A permanent Holocaust memorial day is to be established on Jan. 27 simi-lar to that observed in other European countries.

During the course of the consulta-tion an Orthodox participant stated that anti-Semitism is anti-Christian and the consultation adopted this as an abiding principle. Jewish participants added their concerns cautioning against gratuitous, in-flammatory anti-Israel behavior as a cause of anti-Semitism, which was accepted by the assemblage.

The following principles were ad-opted by the conference:

Judaism and Christianity while hear-kening to common sources inviolably maintain their internal individuality and

At the consultation meetings (l to r) Dr. Michel Friedman, president of the European Jewish Congress, Andrew Athens, Rabbi Israel Singer, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, vice-minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Magriotis, Metropolitan Emmanuel of France and Rabbi Joel Meyers.

ECUMENICAL Patriarch Bartholomew lays a wreath at the Holocaust Monument in Thessaloniki.

N. MANGINAS

N. MANGINAS


For a free catalog write: PAPALOIZOS PUBLICATIONS 11720 Auth Lane, Silver Spring, Md., 20902

CHILDREN CAN LEARNTO SPEAK GREEK THE EASY WAY

SERVING GREEK EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES FOR 45 YEARS

If your child does not attend Greek school we have the right books for him to learn Greek at home. Along with your child you can also learn Greek or you can

brush on your Greek. We have a new series of conversational books.

Beginners’ Greek

Conversation

Elementary Conversational Greek, Book 1



All books are accompanied by Workbooks and cassette tapes or CDs.

For information or to order, call: 301-593-0652, Fax: 301-681-3390 email: [email protected] or look us up on our web site: www.greek123.com

Readers books $7.50 ea • Workbooks $5.00 eaCassette tapes for each book $19.00, CDs $23.00

��

��

ALL WELCOME!Book early for best cabins!

For Details,Call Global Cruises

1-800-882-6202

RATES START AT

$1099per person/ double occupancy /cruise only

Port Charges IncludedP R I N C E S S

LIVE GREEKMUSIC

Nightly! Greek CelebrationCruise 2004

Greek Landing Day Celebration Honors Bishop Dimitrios

HOLY SCRIPTURE READ INGSJULY . . . . . . . .1 T ......... I Cor. 12:27-13:7; Mt 10:1, 5-82 W ............. Heb. 9:1-7; Lk. 1:39-49, 563 Th .......... Rom. 8:22-37 ; Mt. 10:23-314 F .........Rom. 9:6-19; Mt 10:32-36,11:1

5 S Gal. 5:22-52; Mt 11:27-306 SUN........... Rom. 5:1-10; Mk. 6:22-337 M............... Gal. 3:23-4:5; Mk. 5:23-348 T ................ I Tim. 4:9-15; Mt 11:16-209 W ............Rom. 11:13-24; Mt 11:27-3010 Th ..........II Cor. 6:1-10; Luke 7:11-1611 F ...............Rom. 6:11-17; Mt 8:14-2312 S ................. Titus 3:8-15; Mt 5:14-1713 SUN........ Rom. 16:9-13; Mt. 12:9-1314 M..... I Cor. 13:11-14:5; Mt 12:14-16,

22-3015 T ............Rom. 11:7-16; Mt. 12:28-45

16 W ............ Gal. 3:23-4:5; Mk. 5:24-3417 Th ................ Rom. 8:1-13; Mt 13:3-918 F ............... Rom. 8:14-21; Mt. 9:9-1319 S .... James 5:10-20; Mt. 8:28-34, 9:120 SUN.... Rom. 16:17-24; Mt. 13:10-2321 M ............ I Cor. 9:2-12; Mt. 13:24-3022 Ty........... I Cor. 2:9-3:8; Mt. 13:31-3623 W .......... I Cor. 3:18-23; Mt. 13:36-4324 Th ............ Gal. 4:22-27; Lk. 6:16-21; 25 F ............. Gal. 3:28-4:5; Mk. 5:24-3426 S .................. II Tim. 2:1-10; Mt. 9:1-827 Sun..............Acts 6:1-7; Mt 13:54-5828 M ................. II Tim. 2:1-10; Mt. 9:1-829 T ....I Cor. 6:20-7:12 Mt. 114:1-1330 W ............I Cor. 7:12-24; Mt 14:35-1131 Th .......... I Cor. 7:24-35; Mt 15:12-21

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The St. Pho-tios National Shrine Greek Landing Day Celebration 2003 honored the 20th anni-versary of the ordination to the priesthood of Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos.

The event took place Sunday, June 29, at the Casa Monica Hotel.

Bishop Dimitrios was the first ex-ecutive director of the St. Photios Shrine. His Grace was appointed by Archbishop Iakovos in 1981, and over the years was responsible with overseeing the comple-

tion, opening and operation of the Na-tional Shrine.

“There is not a blade of grass (at the Shrine) that does not reflect his (Bishop Dimitrios’) nurturing over the years,” said the Very Rev. Nicholas Graff, the current ex-ecutive director of the St. Photios Shrine.

Bishop Dimitrios is the ecumenical of-ficer of the Archdiocese. He also serves as the Archdiocese coordinator to the Shrine, as liaison to International Orthodox Chris-tian Charities (IOCC) and to the Orthodox

Christian Mission Center (OCMC).On June 26, 1983, he was ordained

to the priesthood in St. Augustine. He was ordained Bishop of Xanthos at St. George Cathedral, Philadelphia, on Sunday, May 31, 1998.

St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner welcomed His Grace and offered greet-ings. Emeritus trustee and godparent of the Shrine Dr. George Croffead reflected on how he treasured the many years of working together with his Grace.

St. Photios Foundation Vice President Harry Thomas Cavalaris thanked the bish-op for the “sweetness of his love.”

Bishop Dimitrios’ brother, Jon Couchell stated, “What is sad in my mind is that he (His Grace) was not made a bishop sooner.”

OCMC Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi, commented, “It was the faith and vision of one dynamic man that pulled together the Mission Center and the Shrine.”

On behalf of the St. Photios Founda-tion, Fr. Graff presented Bishop Dimitrios with the proclamation stating that, “the National Shrine is honored to celebrate the 20th anniversary to the priesthood of His Grace Bishop Dimitrios, the St. Pho-

tios Greek Orthodox National Shrine’s first executive director, and in recognition and heartfelt appreciation as our first director, our perpetual spiritual leader, and out-standing service offered to the St. Photios Shrine throughout the years. God Grant You Many Years!”

Reflecting on the comments and greetings to the 170 guests in attendance, including more than 60 family members that gathered for the Couchell-Trakas fami-ly reunion, Bishop Dimitrios simply stated, “I was doing my job the best I can.”

The bishop also thanked Archbishop Iakovos for giving him the opportunity to open the Shrine and to have it “represent St. Photios, as a missionary, proclaiming Christianity to the world.”

Bishop Dimitrios thanked the Found-ers of the Shrine, the local communities and all those who have helped make the Shrine what it is today. He added, “I am very blessed to have family support.”

He closed the afternoon urging all Orthodox Christians to spread the Faith. “It is not work for just the clergy who are present. We need your help to go out to this country and to all the world to teach Orthodox Christianity,” he said.

Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos with members of the Nisiotes Dance Troupe of the Holy Trinity Church in St. Augustine, FL, at the Greek Landing Day Celebration 2003.

Mayor of St. Augustine George Gardner, (l to r) Shrine executive director V. Rev. Nicholas Graff, His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Shrine chaplain Rev. Nikitas Theodosion, godparents of the Shrine, Mrs. Georgia and Dr. George Croffead, and Foundation Vice-President Harry Thomas Cavalaris participate in the Greek Landing Day Celebration 2003 opening ceremony.


Kontos Foods famous for its POCKET-LESS PITA,is proud to present its original products once again.

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

KONTOS FOODS, INC • EVRIPIDES KONTOS, President

Offered to Communities,Organizations, Church festivals

and all other functions.

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS

Courteous Service • WE SHIP EVERYWHERE in the US & CANADA

with the highest quality ingredients

(973) 278-2800

Delicious, traditional products made

FilloKataifi

SpanakopitaTyropita

NEW YORK— Archbishop Demetrios has announced that the Archdiocese’s web site (www.goarch.org) has received the prestigious Webby People’s Voice Award as best “Spiritual-ity” web site on the Internet at the 7th Annual Webby Awards.

“By receiving this award we gain a new understanding, a new consciousness of our respon-sibility as the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to dem-onstrate, across time and space, the power of the Gospel and our fundamental mission to bear witness to the reality of Christ, Who saves and is present in our midst through His Church,” His Eminence said.

“The website is an essential tool for the accomplishment of the work set before us by the Lord in His Great Commission to go forth into the world to preach the Gospel.

May we use this vital me-dium to assert ourselves in an appropriate, authentic and Or-thodox way, offering on many different levels the transmis-

sion of the life of communion that exists in God.”

“Receiving this award is a tremendous honor and testament to the vision, hard work, and people who have worked on the Archdiocesan web site and supported this department,” said Theo Nicolakis, director of the Archdiocese’s Information Technol-ogy and Internet Ministry departments.

“Moreover, we are deeply thankful to the countless thousands who voted, and it is our prayer that this web site and the department’s efforts will continue to glo-rify God and spread the Good News about the Orthodox Christian faith.”

The Archdiocesan web site offers a vast selection of inspirational, educational, multimedia, and interactive content on the Orthodox Christian faith and life.

Special features of the site include Online Chapel, which offers the daily scripture readings, lives of the saints, prayers, and weekly reflections; Icono-grams electronic greeting cards; dozens of full-length, Emmy Award-winning GOTele-com videos; extensive information about Orthodox Christianity; a searchable online

Archdiocese Website Wins Award for Best Spiritual Site

Archbishop Demetrios visited the par-ish of Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas in Staten Island, N.Y. on April 13. It was the third time he celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the parish.

The local newspaper, the Staten Is-land Advance, covered the Archbishop’s officiating of the service.

Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos, pastor, told the newspaper he received a call from Archbishop Demetrios the previous Thursday announcing his desire to visit his parish. “He said he wanted to have a nice liturgy someplace and he thought of us,”

Fr. Petropoulakos told the Advance.In his sermon, The Archbishop “urged

parishioners to reconsider their relation-ship to Jesus Christ and to understand that He came in perfect love to serve all humanity,” the Advance reported.

Following the Liturgy, the Sunday School children presented His Eminence with a picture of a cross fashioned from their handprints.

“I take this as a very precious gift today,” he told the students. “It shows we are together, serving, offering our hands.”

His Eminence Visits Staten Island Community

parish directory; virtual reality tours of Or-thodox Churches; live and pre-recorded audio broadcasts of services; and distance learning classes.

The Webby Awards are the leading international honor for web sites. Hailed as the “the online Oscars” by Time and presented by The International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, the awards recognize the best web sites on the Inter-net in 30 categories.

The Webby People’s Voice Award is the fifth award the Department of Internet Ministries has won over the past year for its work on the new Archdiocesan web site, which was launched in June of 2002.

Since its inception in 1994, the De-partment of Internet Ministries has been pioneering the use of the Internet, multi-media, and technology for the Orthodox Church. The department is charged with the development and expansion of the Archdiocese’s presence on the Internet, the creation of multimedia programs, as well as the development and integration of new technologies for Orthodox Christian ministry.

To assist the Metropolises, parishes, organizations, and institutions of the Archdiocese further their outreach, Inter-net Ministries offers a plethora of services and programs such as free web site, email, and list server hosting as well as practical tools such as online calendars and mes-sage boards.


The Great and Holy Week constitutes, for all Christians, a period of intense re-ligious awareness and an opportunity for personal recollection.

Through this week we call “Great and Holy”, the Passions of our Lord Jesus Christ are remembered; the faithful participate in the services and, through the intensity of the entire liturgical and ceremonial activ-ity, participate in the Passion.

For the Greek Orthodox Church, it is a period of intense emotions. From the triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, to the moments filled with anticipation prior to Christ’s arrest, from the painful time of His torture and crucifixion, to the solem-nity of the grave and finally to the joy and celebration of His Resurrection, the Ortho-dox Church follows the Savior’s steps, day by day, minute by minute, participating in His Passion, feeling the pain and the joy, praising the day that Christ gives the gift of eternal life to all humankind.

Greek Orthodox Telecommunica-tions (GOTelecom), the Emmy-Award- winning television ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, was offered the unique opportunity to videotape Arch-bishop Demetrios’ first Holy Week as

Archbishop of America.In April 2000, GOTelecom traveled

with His Eminence as he celebrated Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament of Holy Unc-tion at St. Paul Cathedral in Hempstead, Holy Thursday at St. Demetrios of Jamaica, NY, and Great and Holy Friday the Lamen-tations, and the Resurrection Service at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in NYC.

The services aired live on National Greek T.V. and Antenna Satellite Network. Taped delayed broadcasts were on the national Odyssey Channel, Telecare, the Prayer Channel and on Cablevision of Pea-body-Lynnfield. The edited programs also contain translations and explanations that take us through the significance and impor-tance of Orthodox Christian Holy Week.

These programs are now being of-fered to parishes and families for their home viewing.

The programs are offered as follows: Holy Wednesday & Holy Thursday – 2 hours $29.95; Great Friday & the Resur-rection – 2 hours $29.95; BOTH Tapes $50.00. (Please add $6 per order for ship-ping and handling). If you are interested in the tapes for your home or parish call GOTelecom at 212-570-3588 to order.

GOTelecom Offers Videotapes of Holy Week Services Celebrated by Archbishop Demetrios

BROOKLINE – In thanksgiv-ing to God for all remembrances of her beloved husband, Andrew, and for allowing her more than 15 cancer-free years, Eula (Kyriakoula) Caras Carlos of Atlanta has become the first major steward of the new League of Faithful Orthodox Stew-ards (LOFOS) annual giving cam-paign of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology.

Her gift of $1 million to LO-FOS, payable over the course of five years, guarantees the success of this new stewardship movement for HC/HC.

Asked why such a large gift for Hellenic College and Holy Cross, Mrs. Carlos responded, “…Have you ever thought where we would be as a people and as a Church without Hellenic College and with-out our seminary? Where would we get our priests and our Church leaders? What I love about the LOFOS program is that it makes it possible for everyone, rich or poor to support our school. We only have one School. We all owe it to our forefathers, who sacrificed so much to establish it, to do our best to support it.”

LOFOS, conceived by Fr. Petros Kopsahilis, author of the instrument and vision, is God’s loving call to all faith-ful Orthodox Christian Stewards in this hemisphere to enter a life devoted to the support and success of this unique institution’s mission.

Mrs. Carlos, in keeping the torch of a long family legacy of stewardship and devotion to the Church challenges indi-viduals to do something about becoming committed to the school’s mission.

Andrew and Eula Carlos have for decades reached out in strong leader-ship and stewardship to their church and community and to numerous phil-anthropic, educational and medical research causes.

They did all this while they were build-ing a most respectable company and raising their three sons and one daughter.

“God bless and keep Eula Caras Carlos! She turned LOFOS into a moun-tain by this most meaningful generous

Eula Caras Carlos Offers $1 Million for HC-HC’s LOFOS Campaign

act,” Archbishop Demetrios said of Mrs. Carlos’ gift.

Fr. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, HC/HC president, who worked with both Andrew and Eula in various capacities, echoed His Eminence’s sentiments. “Soon, we here at Hellenic College and Holy Cross will be climbing a holy mountain, not a holy hill. And we will have Andrew and Eula Carlos to thank for it.”

The LOFOS Annual Giving Campaign will be officially unveiled during the Feast of the Holy Cross, Sept. 14, but a LOFOS mailing to the faithful asking for support of the school will go out before that date.

LOFOS will every Orthodox Christian in this country to do one easy thing:

Take the number 21 in thanksgiving to God for 21 centuries of His love, grace, and forgiveness, put next to it as many ze-ros as God has blessed you with financial ability and mail the amount to:

LOFOS Annual Giving Campaign; Hellenic College-Holy Cross; 50 Goddard Avenue Brookline, MA 02445

For more information on how to be-come a LOFOS member, call Fr. Kopsahilis at (401) 821-8344 or (617) 549-3601.

Mr. and Mrs. Carlos


MARKOS travelserviceDAILY DEPARTURES

with

• NON-STOP FLIGHTS ON JUMBO JET• 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

458$

*

*One Way áðü

Round trip

OTHER FLIGHTS

*A LimitedNumber of Seats

Owner:Markos

Hatzikonstantis...BOOK NOW

AND SAVE!

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

SAN FRANCISCO – Metro-politan Anthony and the hier-archs of two other Churches, Roman Catholic Archbishop William Levada and Episcopal Bishop William Swing re-cently decided to expand the dialogues they have held for several years to another level.

More than a year ago, Met-ropolitan Anthony posed the idea of undertaking pilgrimag-es to the historic centers of the three Churches – Canterbury, Rome and Constantinople.

The idea became a reality, as the three Church leaders departed on April 1. Their first destination was London, where common prayers were offered in the Cathedral of St. Paul.

In a particularly moving moment, their host, Bishop of London Richard Chartres, asked the three religious lead-ers to offer a common blessing to the large crowd of churchgoers.

Afterward, the delegation continued their pilgrimage to the world center of An-glicanism, Canterbury. Other highlights in England included the palace of Lambeth,

Metropolitan Anthony LeadsInter-Church Pilgrimage

the tour of Parliament and the Westmin-ster Abbey.

Their next destination was Assisi, Italy where they visited the Basilica of St. Paul. Archbishop Levada provided dinner that evening.

The second stop was a vivid journey by bus to the Monastery of St. Francis of Assisi, where the monastery abbot, Fr. Vincent, hosted a luncheon. The itinerary included the Church of Our Lady of the Angels and the tomb of St. Clare.

The next day, Pope John Paul II received the delegation in a special audi-ence, where he presented them with com-memorative medallions as a blessing.

Other stops in Rome included the Church of St. Susanna, the Lateran Mu-seum, and the necropolis under the Vati-can where the tomb of the Apostle Peter is located.

Common prayers were offered in one of the local chapels for unity and peace, and Mass was conducted by Archbishop Levada in St. Peter’s Basilica. A tour of the basilica followed. Before departing, the group also visited the catacombs of St. Sebastian.

On April 9, the group arrived in Con-stantinople. A patriarchal delegation led by Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, the patriarchal chancellor, met them at the airport shortly after midnight.

The following day, they visited the center of world Orthodoxy, the Fanar, where the clergy offered common prayers at the patriarchal chapel in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

His All-Holiness then received them for a special audience.

All the participants, and especially the non-Orthodox, were particularly im-pressed with the Patriarch’s affability and the long discussion they had with him concerning a variety of issues.

His All Holiness presented the del-

egation with commemorative crosses and medallions.

A tour of the Patriarchal Church of St. George followed. The group also visited Halki, location of the Holy Trinity Theo-logical School and Monastery.

Metropolitan Apostolos of Moschoni-sia, the abbot, greeted them and Profes-sor Vasilios Stavrides briefly recounted the history and significance of the theological school.

Returning to Istanbul, Metropolitan Anthony hosted a dinner that the Patriarch also attended.

During their stay, the group toured St. Sophia Church, the Blue Mosque, the Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, and Monastery of the Life-Giving Spring in Baloukli, where they viewed the tombs of the patriarchs.

The pilgrimage concluded with the Akathist Hymn service, which the Ecu-menical Patriarch officiated together with the Holy Synod.

One of the Greek Orthodox partici-pants, George Marcus, furnished a dinner that evening for the group and which the Patriarch also attended.

Mr. Marcus had hosted a dinner in Rome for the group, and made two dona-tions of $50,000 each, to Pope John Paul and to Patriarch Bartholomew, for the phil-anthropic needs of their communities.

Metropolitan Anthony greets Pope John Paul II

The Inter-Church delegation is received by Pope John Paul II.


Archpastoral Re flec tions

REST AS AN ACT OF REVERENCE FOR CREATORThis month of June, we joyously cross the threshold of

the long-awaited summer season. For many of us, the sum-mer months provide an opportunity to take a respite from

our labors, a welcome invitation to pause from our work or studies, and to consider the vital role of rest in our lives.

Our cherished time away from work grants us the benefit of revitalizing ourselves once again, allowing us to return to our labors with renewed minds and spirits.

We human beings are cyclic creatures, repeating pat-terns of labor and rest on an annual basis, in harmony with the seasons, so that our lives may be filled with order, rhythm, and structure.

The healthy interrelationship between labor and rest is widely affirmed within our contemporary society; our resting from the burdens of work, anxiety, and stress contributes to productive work environments as well as healthy relationships.

Understood as a theological concept, rest is of far more than mere practical or functional significance, however. There is a sacred dimension to rest, a model offered to us by God, Himself, Who according to the Bible rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done (Genesis 2:2). This supreme model suggests that rest is far more than a mere cessation of worldly activity; rather, rest is a spiritually imitative act of profound reverence for our Creator.

To rest is to recognize with humility our privileged place in the grand scheme of God’s Creation, to participate in His divine creative act through our human acts of worship, praise, and love.

Thus, our resting from our labors during the summer period can never translate into a “vacation” or departure from our worship and praise of God. Quite the contrary, our resting from our labors grants us especially refreshing opportunities for spiritual renewal, occasions to retreat away from the demands of the workplace so that we may revitalize our souls through prayer and the quiet contemplation of God.

We are given the perfect example of spiritual retreat in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who relieved His intense labors of ministry with the spiritual benefits of rest as an opportunity of being alone with God the Father.

On so many occasions, we find Christ retreating from society in order to find rest and strength through prayer and the contemplation of the will of His Heavenly Father. His regular act of rest was, in and of itself, a spiritually invigo-rating act, rooted in faithful religious observance, steadfast obedience to God, and undying love for all humanity.

As we enter the summer season, I pray that we may especially remember the sacred dimension of rest, and the tremendous opportunities for spiritual renewal that our periods of vacation present to us.

May God, the Creator of all humankind, keep you forever in His loving protection, and may He transform your time of vacation into a time of spiritual and bodily renewal.

by His Em i nence Arch bish op Demetrios of Amer i ca

More than at any other time of year, over the past few weeks we have directed our attention beyond the everyday con-cerns of our own busy lives to focus on the accomplishments of our children.

Since mid-May our little (and not so little) ones have completed Kinder-garten, graduated from Greek school, high school, or college.

The energies they have devoted to their studies, along with the prayers and guidance of their parents, have re-sulted in their progression up another notch of the education ladder.

Others have harnessed their ener-gies to participate in Archdiocese and Metropolis-sponsored activities that help in their own way to build a foun-dation for the future involvement of the young people in the Church -- the annual Memorial Day youth Olympics that have become a well-established tradition in the Archdiocese.

For many years, several thousand children in the Chicago and New Jer-sey Metropolises and the Archdiocesan District, encouraged and supported by their parishes and youth ministries of each jurisdiction under the umbrella of the National Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, have come together in Christian fellowship and fun to vie for gold, silver or bronze medals.

In the process, they form long-last-ing bonds of friendships beneficial to their Orthodox Christian life.

Thanks to months of prepara-tions by the volunteers who organize the events and work feverishly to find sponsors necessary for the financial support of the program, these JOY and GOYA athletes experience well-organized events that develop a spirit of camaraderie.

Most importantly, the spiritual ele-

ment of the Church is never far from the athletes’ consciousness as they compete in a spirit of Christian fellow-ship, and guided with prayers through their triumphs and disappointments by the parish priests and youth directors present at the events.

On another level, hundreds of teen-agers from every Metropolis pre-pare four- or five-minute speeches each spring for the St. John Chrysostom Ora-torical Festival, a major program of the Archdiocese Department of Religious Education. They diligently research and spend hours polishing and rehearsing their presentations on a variety of top-ics relating to the faith.

By June, the field of participants has narrowed to one junior level and one senior level representative from each Metropolis that competes at the national finals.

The successful speakers reap immediate rewards in the form of scholarships and savings bonds, and through the benefits they receive in having learned and imparted their knowledge about a particular facet of Orthodox Christianity and how it affects them personally.

The faithful of the Archdiocese also reap the rewards of these youth programs, in the form of increased participation and interest by our youth in the Church, and the satisfaction of doing our part in supporting these youth programs.

So, when the subject of support of our youth programs arises at a conference or congress, consider the far-reaching effects these programs can have on our young people and the future of the Church. It is in all of our best interests to support them and those who work to bring them about.

Putting the Focus on Our YouthEDITORIAL

What about all “those con-verts?” What about all those people coming into our Greek Orthodox Church who are not Greek? Or those

who are not even from a “traditional” Or-thodox background?

The ‘Problem’ of Converts

by Fr. Luke Veronis

Recently, I heard different negative comments about the so-called “convert problem” in our Church.

I have heard about some who feel threatened by the entrance of too many converts into “our” Church, implying that they may endanger our holy tradition and jeopardize the fullness of Orthodoxy in America. Some even think that too many converts entering our seminary may water down the Orthodox ethos of our theologi-cal school.

When I hear such comments, how-ever, I must admit that I am perplexed. Ultimately, what is the purpose and vision of the Church? What does it mean to be “one, holy, catholic and apostolic?”

St. John Chrysostom stated many years ago, “There are two types of bishops. One who says, “My parish is my universe,” and the other who says, “The universe is my parish.”

Since Chrysostom clearly believed the latter, what can we say about an ecclesiol-

ogy that sees the entrance of the “other” into our Church as a corruption of the traditional, authentic character and iden-tity of Orthodoxy.

This heresy of parochialism, unfor-tunately, is a common attitude that has plagued the people of God throughout her history.

The ancient Israelites too often viewed the “nations” as the enemy; Jew-ish Christians in the early Church were scandalized to see Gentiles and Greeks entering into their community without first becoming Jews; and even today, some Greeks express their dismay when too many non-Greeks become Orthodox.

Instead of a worldview where God the Creator of all is at the center, slowly the ego – whether the individual ego: I, me, my, mine; or the communal ego: my people, my parish, my language, my culture – gradually takes over and this self-centered mentality distorts a proper Orthodox worldview.

The other day in our Church’s lection-ary, I came across St. Peter’s encounter with Cornelius, the Roman Centurian (Acts 10-11).

As I meditated on this passage, I thought to myself, “Isn’t this an appro-priate and clear message for our Church today?” Peter’s heavenly vision destroyed

his attitude of parochialism, opening his eyes to something unimaginable to the Jewish Christian of his day.

Enlightened by this vision, he broke Jewish tradition by entering the home of an “unclean” Roman and baptizing an entire household of Gentiles. Following this experience, Peter understood the character of the Church in a new way: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts people from every nation who fear him and do what is right” (Acts 10:34).

When the rest of the Church in Jeru-salem criticized him for his actions, fearing that his precedent would corrupt the tra-ditional, authentic character and identity of the people of God, Peter explained that the Holy Spirit had come upon these “unclean” Romans the same way it came upon the Apostles.

And he went on to explain, “If God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God!”

From the beginning, Jesus Christ made abundantly clear that the purpose of the Church is to reach out to all people and bring them into her saving embrace. This is why Christ commanded his dis-ciples, “Go and make disciples of all nations” (Mt 28:19). This is why St. Paul

explains, “There is no longer Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female; for you are all one in Christ” (Gal 3:28). He wrote elsewhere that God “desires all people be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim 2:4).

This past semester, I have been offering a class on the “Challenges of Modern Mis-sions” at both Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and St. Vladimir’s Semi-nary. As we discussed the theme of missions and evangelism, it occurred to me how ri-diculous such statements about “too many converts in the Church” actually are.

Ultimately, shouldn’t that be the goal of our Church? Don’t we constantly want to have more and more converts, and in-vite more and more of America to become part of the Orthodox Church?

As hard as this concept may be for some people to understand and accept, it will only become more difficult in the fu-ture as the cultural makeup of our Church inevitably changes, as more and more of the “other” enter in.

In the end, we must ask ourselves, “Are we the one, holy, catholic and ap-ostolic Church, or are we no more than an ethnic cultural club or a social country club?”

Holy Scripture clearly reveals how Christ’s love embraces all people of the

u page 26


Archiepiscopal Encyclical

July 4, 2003

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America.

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On July 4th, we gather as families and communities to celebrate the independence of our nation. We affirm on this important day the values of freedom and liberty that have characterized our national spirit for over two centuries. As we celebrate this na-tional holiday, we are granted the occasion to consider that freedom and liberty are not only treasured values, but are essential and universal conditions for cultivating loving relationships with God and with others.

Our cultural and religious legacy as Greek Orthodox Christians reminds us of our sacred responsibility to ensure that all people have access to the same fruits and blessings that we enjoy as citizens and residents of a free nation. In our communities and parishes, we meet this responsibility through upholding our commitments to phi-lanthropy, through cultivating openness in our hearts toward strangers in our midst, through our unconditional love for our neighbors, and through our true worship of God, Who created all human beings in His perfect image and likeness.

Seen in this light, our July 4th celebrations are opportunities to consider freedom and liberty not only as inalienable rights of all men and women, but as treasured gifts which God has lovingly given to all persons. Our festivities are also opportunities to grasp the meaning of freedom in its ultimate sense, a sentiment expressed by St. Paul that where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17). More than attributes of a political independence, freedom and liberty are conditions of the human soul, fruits that blossom as our hearts struggle to be liberated from the passions of this world and as we grow in our recognition of the presence of God within one another. This is the essence of our Orthodox Christian heritage and witness, an indispensable element of the fabric of our American nation.

On this Day of Independence, I pray that God may deepen our understanding of freedom and liberty in all their dimensions, that our love for Him and for one another may be also intensified. May His peace and abundant blessings abide in your hearts forever.

With paternal love in Christ,

†Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

Independence Day

One July 29, the Greek Orthodox Christian Church in America remembers the meaning of commitment. Our memo-ry defines the ultimate tribute to one who celebrates his 92nd birthday.

A Birthday Tributeto Archbishop Iakovos

by Rev. C.N. Dombalis

ents defended democracy as conceived by their ancient ancestors against those who would deny the fundamental rights and dignity of man.

May our thoughts on this day remind all who pass that we must keep the Or-thodox Christian faith, for it is our best assurance of possessing a meaningful life and the concept of freedom spawned by the ancients of Hellas.

Fr. Dombalis is retired dean of Sts. Constantine and Helen Cathedral in Richmond, Va.

Archbishop Iakovos, has earned ev-erlasting thanksgiving. Neither will our land of the free, nor the communicants of Orthodox Christianity ever forget, in an era torn by racial bigotry, Archbishop Iakovos embraced diversity as an expres-sion of heavenly creativity.

If someone was different from himself in language, heritage, and race, His Emi-nence rejoiced in this. Men and women of all religious beliefs were challenged by this prelate’s courage to a great task, to address some of the major themes and to tie those themes to universal ideals and values and beliefs.

On this day, Archbishop Iakovos, speaks to us of the past, of the Greek Orthodox settlers who went before us to Florida in the 1700s and the meaning to them of the Christian life in critical times derived from a mutually espoused Orthodox Christian faith. The record they wrote has become history and their pres-ence shouldered a significant contribution that has help make this land of the free, great.

The relentless determination of Arch-bishop Iakovos, our grandparents and par-

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

��

� ��

� ��

��


938 Villa Dr., Villa Hills, KY 41017 USA

Nationwide Toll Free:

1-888-677-8681Fax: 1-859-344-9883Visit us on the Web:[email protected]

938 Villa Dr., Villa Hills, KY 41017 USAGlobal Touch Trav el

R/T + tax

Start ing at

$578$578Fall

R/T + tax

Start ing at

$833$833Summer

Daily Sched uled Flights from 90

US Cities to Europe

AdditionThe parish of St. Nicholas Church in Newark, N.J., was inadvertently

not included in the listing in May’s Observer of the communities having achieved 100 percent of their stewardship obligations for 2002.

Made Possible by Priest’s Heroic Act

Young Man’s Life Saved Through Philoptochos Ministry

The following is a true–life story and only one example about the scope and depth of the national Philoptochos social services de-partment and the goodness of the

Greek Orthodox people.

and Maria Dermos, the boy’s parents, and was informed that Michael had had health problems since he was two and their hopes for him living a normal life were fading quickly after both of his kidney’s failed.

Upon gathering the pertinent informa-tion, one important fact being that Michael was of type “O” blood, the Philoptochos social work office prepared a letter which was sent to every Philoptochos metropo-lis president for distribution to their local chapters requesting that they pass along information regarding Michael’s case to their members and fellow parishioners.

To emphasize the importance of find-ing a matching donor quickly, a letter from Bishop Andonios of Phasiane was faxed to all the parish priests of the direct Archdioc-esan District and the New Jersey metropo-lis for inclusion in their church bulletin. The letter stated the important facts and that the Philoptochos office should be contacted for further information.

Fr. John, knowing he was an “O”- blood type, immediately contacted the Philoptochos to inquire about the testing process to see if he could be a compatible organ donor.

Fr. John was asked to call the Hack-ensack University Hospital in New Jersey. He underwent a series of medical tests for four months prior to surgery to see if he was an appropriate match and to make sure that his vital organs could stand up to the surgery.

Just prior to Pascha, Fr. John received the good news that all the tests proved positive, and that he in fact could donate a kidney to Michael.

Upon receiving this information a date for surgery was scheduled at Hack-ensack University Hospital for May 12, so Fr. John could fulfill his responsibilities for Holy Week and Pascha first. He informed the doctors that he wished to remain com-pletely anonymous until it was clear that the operation was successful.

At six that morning Fr. John’s surgery began. Michael’s was scheduled to begin a half hour later. The surgery for both parties lasted much longer than expected, as there were unforeseen difficulties. But God’s miracle took place – the transplant was suc-cessful and the kidney began to function.

Three days later, before Fr. John left the hospital he was taken into Michael’s room to meet him and his family for the first time.

Upon donation of his kidney, Fr. John

MICHAEL DERMOS

FR. JOHN HEROPOULOS

by Helen Lavorata

Many are aware of the generosity of the ladies Philoptochos Society as the heart of the Archdiocese, but there are times when one is called to be more than just a philanthropist by words or dona-tions, but through actions.

One person, a 16-year-old boy, Mi-chael Dermos experienced God’s perfect love for his children through the efforts of the Social Service department of the Na-tional Philoptochos Society and through the philanthropic actions of a priest of the Archdiocese, Fr. John Heropoulos of St. Paraskevi Church in Greenlawn, N.Y.

Michael’s plight first came to the at-tention of the National Philoptochos social worker, Diamond Prassakos last October with an e-mail forwarded from Archbishop Demetrios’ Office.

In the e-mail, Michael’s father said his son was suffering from a failure of both kidneys and was receiving dialy-sis three times a week; he was hoping Philoptochos could assist in the search for a kidney donation as Michael was on a one-to-five-year waiting list.

Ms. Prassakos spoke with Demetrios

reflected, “I truly feel blessed that God gave me an opportunity to help another person in a very practical way. Fourteen years earlier, I was ordained on the day before the surgery was scheduled. I never have believed in coincidences and knew that it was a sign that the operation was to take place the day after the anniversary of my ordination. Also, 14 years ago, it was Mother’s Day and the Sunday of they Myrrh-bearing Women, as it was this year. All these things were signs to me that it was the right thing to do and that by giv-ing Michael my kidney, I was also thank-ing God for all the gifts I’ve been given in my life. I consider that God gave me the greatest of gifts in allowing my organ to match Michael’s, and in so doing, in a small way, make the life of this young man a little better.”

Michael expressed his thoughts and feelings in a letter of gratefulness received at the National Philoptochos Office.

In it he says, “I don’t think there is a word in the dictionary to express my thanks and gratitude to the beloved Rev. Fr. John Heropoulos for saving my life. My ordeal started when both of my kidneys failed and I had to have dialysis three times per week.

“I was unable to go to school or to play with my friends. I thought that I would be spending my life on the dialysis machine, which caused me much pain. My parents were not found to be appropriate donors and all hope was gone. Because of my lack of hope, I was very depressed.

“My parents approached the Archdio-cese for help and through the unceasing efforts of the National Philoptochos So-ciety and Bishop Andonios, a letter was sent in hope of finding a kidney donor. This is the letter that Fr. John read, which motivated him to become a lifesaver. If it wasn’t for this letter, nobody would have known about my case and I would still be going through dialysis.”

Michael had been experiencing a lot of pain and other complications during the four months that Fr. John was being tested anonymously as a potential donor. His parents, as well as his siblings, Vasilios and Anna Maria were suffering along with him. Michael concludes, “I thought that nobody was out there for me. However, I was wrong. You don’t know what you

have done for me. You saved my life and I started a new life beginning May 12, 2003. I can’t wait to meet each one of you and to thank you from my heart – the ladies of the National Philoptochos, Bishop Andonios and the social worker, Diamond Prassakos that worked so hard on my case. All of you - please accept my sincere thank you!”

“It was heartwarming and gratifying to see the selfless humanitarian response by the Greek community to Michael’s need”, remarked Ms. Prassakos. “No indi-vidual or family is immune to hardships or difficult moments in their lives, and for this reason Philoptochos is always there – providing support, compassion and understanding.

The Social Service department of Philoptochos, strives to bring awareness of the services, programs and other re-sources, which can be tapped to provide a better state of living for people in various states of need.”

National Philoptochos President Georgia Skeadas stated that, “we, the ladies of Philoptochos, show a deep and abiding love for humankind. Our love manifests itself in our promotion of the well being of all people through our con-tinuous actions as an organization, on all levels, to provide aid, assistance, support, encouragement and benevolence to a myriad of recipients. It is through our acts of charity, our dedication to philanthropy and commitment in this regard that we begin to approach the objective of loving God, and one another.

The ultimate example of this love, for all of us, was shown by Fr. John’s most humble and most humanitarian gift of a kidney to save a stranger’s life. He made real the fact that our acts of philanthropy are a true imitation of god’s example and therefore need to be placed at the highest priority in our lives.”

The mission of Philoptochos is to help people in very practical and human ways and to help make people’s lives better in every aspect. It is a hands on, life-saving organization that is not only concerned with fund-raising but in fact is a vital ministry that strives to embody in a physical sense the love of God for his fellow human beings.

It has been written that, when Christ comes to judge us, the criterion of his judgment will be love – not a mere hu-manitarian concern for abstract justice and the anonymous and faceless poor, but concrete and personal love for the human person, any human person that God helps us to encounter in our lives.

By the Grace of God, the prognosis is that Michael has been given the opportu-nity to live life as any other 16-year-old boy should. In this miracle of life for Michael, we see the miracles that can happen when all of the ministries of the church work together for the greater good.

The Archdiocese, the National Philop-tochos, the parishes and parish priests and the Greek Orthodox community, truly can make a difference when we all strive to offer our best to make the world a better place.

Please know that your love, concern, action and generosity can truly make a difference when you support the numer-ous programs of the church. You could be saving someone’s life.


BERKELEY, Calif. – Patriarch Athe-nagoras Orthodox Institute has launched InterOrthodox Press, a new publishing house, to promote PAOI, its lectures and other programs and to publish works by significant scholars and thinkers on topics concerning the Orthodox Church.

The name Inter-Orthodox Press was selected to reflect the pan-Orthodox or inter-Orthodox nature of the Institute.

The first title published by the new imprint is Christos Yannaras’ The Church in Post-Communist Europe, which is now available.

According to Institute Director Dr. Anton Vrame, “InterOrthodox Press hopes to provide another avenue for academic publications. We feel that there is room for another scholarly imprint for Orthodox scholars and authors on Orthodox topics. The growth in the number of scholars on Orthodoxy is substantial and they need more outlets for publication. We hope that they will consider working with us.”

“We plan on starting small and pub-lish just three works in the coming ear. They are works generated by the Institute, in particular the Distinguished Lecture se-ries,” according to Vrame. “We are fortu-nate to have texts by some of the leading thinkers in the Orthodox world: Yannaras,

Kyriaki FitzGerald and Archbishop Anasta-sios of Albania.”

The first title of the Institute, now available, is the lectures delivered by Christos Yannaras in 1998, The Church in Post-Communist Europe. In this book, Yannaras presents the reigning consumer-ism of our day as a cause not only of the fall of communism, but also the dysfunction of the Orthodox Church.

He suggests that we have lost our sense of relationship or communion, preferring a consumerist approach to faith. Religiosity has become just one more entertainment for consumption, rather than deepening our relationships to God and to one another.

Christos Yannaras is the leading phi-losopher in Greece today. He is professor of philosophy at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. Most of his writings are still in Greek, wait-ing for translation.

To English audiences, he is best known for his books, The Freedom of Morality and Elements of Faith: An Intro-duction to Orthodoxy.

To obtain a copy of The Church in Post-Communist Europe ($6.95, plus shipping), contact the Institute at 510-649-3450.

Patriarch Athenagoras OrthodoxInstitute Launches InterOrthodox Press

NEW YORK -- As part of the on-go-ing effort by the Archdiocese to provide timely resources for ministry, record-ings of the educational workshops of the 2002 Clergy-Laity Congress are now available on the Archdiocesan web site: http://www.goarch.org/en/resources/clergylaity/2002/.

Twenty-six of the workshops were recorded at the Congress, and the pre-sentations are now available in both Real Audio and Quicktime formats. Some resource materials are also provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format as they have been made available by the presenters.

Following the theme of the Congress, Offering Our Orthodox Faith to Contempo-rary America, the sessions address topics of Missions, Ecumenical Relations, Religious Education, Parish Administration, Steward-

ship, Marriage and Family, Greek Educa-tion, Philanthropy, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and Communications.

This on-line resource will be benefi-cial to clergy, teachers, youth workers, and parish leaders as the quality presentations address critical subjects in the life and min-istry of parishes.

In addition, the format provides ease of use, both at home and in the parish, so that clergy and ministry leaders can integrate this tool into their training programs.

The 2002 Clergy-Laity Congress was held June 30-July 5, 2002 in Los Angeles. Over 50 educational workshops were held and were attended by more than 1,800 par-ticipants. Plans are already under way to en-hance this program for the 2004 Congress, with both audio and video resources to be made available through the web site.

Educational Workshopsfrom C-L Congress Now On-Line

BROOKLINE, Mass. – The annual Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures at Holy Cross School of Theology were given this year by distinguished University of Thessaloniki scholar Professor Grego-rios Ziakas.

His topic was “Orthodoxy Christianity and the Religions: Images of the Religious Other” and “Islam and Orthodox Christi-anity: Confrontation or Dialogue.”

Professor Ziakas emphasized the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the entire Orthodox Church constantly offers fervent prayers and exerts every effort to secure harmony and peace among all people. He spoke of dialogue and friendship that bring mutual understanding between peoples and religious traditions.

He stated that, “Dialogue minimizes distances and creates the presuppositions for mutual understanding, respect and peaceful coexistence of the peoples.” And especially, “The dialogue with the Islamic world has a distinct and vital importance for the Orthodox Christian Church.

Islam is our direct and immediate neighbor in the East and is not foreign to us. For fourteen centuries now the Orthodox Christian Faith and Islam have

existed and lived together in close connec-tion with each other.”

He also spoke of the responsibility of religious leaders to work together for peace. He said that, “This responsibility in the dialogue with the great world’s religions and in the preservation of the universal spiritual and moral values the extols the dignity of the human being.”

Attending the lectures was Hellenic College/Holy Cross President Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, several Boston area and Bos-ton Theological Institute professors. Dr. Rodney Petersen, executive of the Boston Theological Institute, Dr. Dianne Kessler, executive of the Massachusetts Council of Churches and others.

Fr. George C. Papademetriou, lecture-ship chairman presided at the lectures.

George and Crystal Condakes spon-sor the Patriarch Athenagoras Memorial Lectures in memory of their father Peter J. Condakes, Patriarchal Archon.

HC/HC faculty members hosted the lectures, including the dean, Fr. Em-manuel Clapsis. The committee included the Rev. Dr. George C. Papademetriou, chairman; the Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos and Dr. James Skedros.

Professor Delivers AnnualPatriarch Athenagoras Lectures

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ - ÁÈÇÍÁ ÊÁÔ’ ÅÕÈÅÉÁÍ ÐÔÇÓÅÉÓ ×ÙÑÉÓ ÓÔÁÈÌÏ ÌÅ ÊÁÍÏÍÉÊÁ ÄÑÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁ

$834$770$850

$898

$930$818

Atlanta/CharlotteBostonChicago/DetroitMiami/Ft. LauderdaleCleveland/DallasNew OrleansDenverPittsburgh/Washington

ÁÍÏÉÎÇ

1 Áðñéëßïõ - 12 Éïõíßïõ

$719$+Tax +Tax

13 Éïõíßïõ - 04 Óåðôåìâñßïõ

ÁÍÏÉÎÇ ÊÁËÏÊÁÉÑÉ

989Atlanta/CharlotteBostonChicago/DetroitMiami/Ft. LauderdaleCleveland/DallasNew OrleansDenverPittsburgh/Washington

$1085$1005$1105

$1165

$1205$1065

$30 ÅðéðëÝïí åðéâÜñõíóç ãéá üóïõò ôáîéäåýïõí ÐáñáóêåõÞ, ÓÜââáôï, êáé ÊõñéáêÞÐáéäéÜ 2-11 åôþí ðëçñþíïõí 25% ëéãüôåñï

ÅÉÄÉÊÅÓ ÔÉÌÅÓ ÊÁÉ ÁÐÏ ÁËËÅÓ ÐÏËÅÉÓ

03

ÊÁËÏÊÁÉÑÉ

JUNE - JULY 200314

O ANTENNA SATELLITE στο πλαίσιο του ενδιαφέροντός του για την ομογένεια και την προώθηση της Ελληνικής παιδείας και Ελληνικής Ορθοδοξίας στις ΗΠΑ μεταδίδει κάθε Κυριακή 10 με 12 το πρωί την Θεία Λειτουργία απευθείας από τον Καθεδρικό Ναό της Αγίας Τριάδος στη Νέα Υόρκη.

Εκτός από την Κυριακάτικη λειτουργία οι τηλεθεατές του ΑΝΤΕΝΝΑ θα έχουν την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθούν έκτακτες μεταδόσεις από τον Καθεδρικό Ναό κατά τη διάρκεια των μεγάλων εορτών της Ορθοδοξίας μας.

Η ΘΕΙΑ ΛΕΙΤΟΥΡΓΙΑ ΤΟΥ ΚΑΘΕΔΡΙΚΟΥ ΝΑΟΥΑΓΙΑΣ ΤΡΙΑΔΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΝΕΑΣ ΥΟΡΚΗΣ

ΣΤΟΝ ΑΝΤΕΝΝΑ SATELLITE

The president was preparing to exit Air Force One on an official visit. Before exiting the plane he took what seemed like a very long time checking his appear-ance in the mirror – first his hair, then his tie, and then his suit. When an aid teased him about his vanity, the president replied, “When I go out that door, I’m not just a man – I am the United States of America.”

In much the same way, parish council members represent their parish and the Orthodox Christian faith. As leaders of the community, parish council members are on the front lines and are able to have a long-term effect on their parish. To serve on the parish council is a ministry and those who serve are called to represent Christ to all whom they meet in all aspects of life.

Mission of the Parish CouncilThe mission of the parish as defined in

the Uniform Parish Regulations – and there-fore the mission of the Parish Council – is “…to keep, practice and proclaim the Ortho-dox Christian Faith pure and undefiled.”

In the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, the Rich Man walked by poor Lazarus every day. The Rich Man didn’t hate Lazarus – he just ignored him, com-mitting the sin of indifference. The op-posite of love is not hate. The opposite of love is indifference.

We have been blessed with great treasures of the faith and Lazarus lies at our gate. Lazarus is the visitor that walks through the doors of our church on Sunday morning. Lazarus is the non-Orthodox spouse. Lazarus is the lapsed Orthodox Christian visiting the parish after a long absence. Like the Rich Man in the parable, we often walk right by without

by Fr. James W. Kordaris

PARISH RENEWAL - OUTREACHandEVANGELISM

The Parish Council on the Front Linesnoticing, and they eat from the crumbs that fall from our table.

If we believe that in Orthodoxy we have the fullness of the Truth, then we have the great responsibility – the Great Commission – to share it with everyone. As Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of ALL nations – ÅÉÓ ÐÁÍÔÁ ÔÁ ÅÈÍÇ.

Ambassadors of FaithFor non-Orthodox as well as for in-

active Orthodox Christians, entering an Orthodox church can be a very uncomfort-able, intimidating experience. Research has shown that non-believers attend church at least once each year, and when they attend, they are profoundly affected by their first impressions.

It is also important to note that the percentage of Greek Orthodox Christians marrying non-Orthodox Christians is in the range of 70-90%. Some priests will tell you that it is closer to 100%. If we don’t make Orthodoxy real and accessible to the non-Orthodox spouse, then eventually we will lose the couple and their children.

Often the first person our visitors see is a member of the parish council. Reaching out to those who enter our doors with a handshake, a greeting and a welcoming smile could be the most im-portant missionary work we do. Simply put -- friendliness has eternal implications.

Unless people see in us the light and the love of Christ, they will not believe.

Choosing Suitable Candidatesfor the Parish Council

Parishioners are often nominated as candidates for the Parish Council because of their education, business experience or legal background. The best parish council members are not necessarily those who are business-oriented, but rather, those who are Church-oriented and Christ-centered. To be a good council member, one must be active in the worship and sacramental life of the Church. The best candidates are easy to find – they are in church.

We are ConciliarThe priest is head of the parish, and is

charged with the guidance of the total par-ish program. The parish council consists of the priest, and the elected lay members, and is referred to as a board only when so required by local statute. In internal matters of the church, we always use the designation of parish council. This is be-cause one of the identifying traits of the Orthodox Church is that we are conciliar – decisions are made in council.

To refer to the Parish Council as “The Board” is a symptom of our inclination to apply the corporate paradigm to the operation of the Church. Although some tools used in corporate life may also be

useful in the operation of the church, the corporate paradigm falls short and reduces the local church to something less than she was meant to be.

Setting An Example for the ParishThe duties of a parish council mem-

ber (UPR Ch 2, Article XII) include regular attendance at divine services and participa-tion in the sacramental life of the Church, “…thereby setting an example for the par-ish.” To set an example for the parish will require that we overcome the stereotype of the parish council member who is rarely seen in church. It is easy to be like Martha -- Jesus, the Son of God, came to dinner and Martha spent the entire time in the kitchen “anxious and troubled about many things.”

A Commitment to ServeIn the Oath of Office, the parish

council members affirm that they “…will fulfill faithfully and sincerely the duties and obligations required of a member of the Parish Council….” No contract is signed, but a promise is made which rests on the shared commitment of all council members to serve the Church, which is the Body of Christ on earth. We are His hands, feet, eyes and more. To serve on the council is a ministry and a mission. We are called to use the gifts with which we have been blessed to carry out the work of the Church.

Fr. Jim Kordaris is the director of the Archdiocesan Department of Parish Renewal, Outreach & Evangelism. Prior to becoming a priest, Fr. Jim served for six years on the parish council of the St. Mary’s/Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church in Minneapolis, including two years as presi-dent. Inquiries and comments may be sent by e-mail to [email protected]. Website: www.renewal.goarch.org.

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ 2003 ΕΤΟΣ 68 • ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1201

Μετά από 6 αιώνες εψάλη η Θεία Λειτουργία στην ΠέργαμοΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ. – «Ζω-

ντανή κι’ αναστημένη να σε νοιώσω μητέρα μου Πέργαμο», έλεγε σε ποίημά του ο Περγαμηνός ποιητής Βάσος Κα-πάνταης, λίγα χρόνια πριν φύγει από τη ζωή το 1987, μακριά από την αγαπημένη του πατρίδα.

Κομοτηνή, την Κοζάνη, την Κύπρο κ.ά.Έμοιαζε ως μια «ειρηνική παλιν-

νόστησις των Μικρασιατών στις προ-γονικές τους εστίες» όπως είχε πει ο Βάσος Καπάνταης σε ομιλία του προ-βλέποντας για το τι πρόκειται να συμβεί αν η Τουρκία ενταχθεί στην μεγάλη Ευρωπαϊκή οικογένεια. Μάλιστα ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος στην ομιλία του στο τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας αναφερόμενος στον γλύπτη και ποιητή Β. Καπάνταη και τα όσα είχε πει προφη-τικώς πρόσθεσε ότι τελούνται Θείες Λειτουργίες «ήδη από τώρα, πριν η Τουρκία εισέλθει εις την Ε.Ε. και αυτό χάριν εις την καλήν διάθεσιν των εφ’ ημάς εντεταγμένων Αρχών, εις την καλήν διάθεσιν της Κυβερνήσεως και χάρις εις τας προσπαθείας πολ λών ανθρώπων οι οποίοι υπό την έμπνευσιν και την καθοδήγησιν και της Μητρός Εκκλησίας της οποίας το κήρυγμα είναι πάντοτε φιλειρηνικόν και είναι πάντοτε μήνυμα αγάπης, αυτοί οι άνθρωποι εδη-μιούργησαν αυτήν την ατμόσφαιραν η οποία καθιστά δυνατήν την σημερινήν Λειτουργία μας εις αυτόν τον ιερόν αρχαίον χώρον».

Της Θείας Λειτουργίας προεξήρχε ο Μητροπολίτης Περγάμου Ιωάννης συμπαραστατούμενος από τους Μητρο-πολίτες Μυτιλήνης Ιάκωβο και Μοσχο-νησίων Απόστολο. Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος παρέστη συμπροσευχόμενος μαζί με τον Μητρο-πολίτη Θηβών Ιερώνυμο.

Μεταξύ των διακοσίων περίπου προσκυνητών παρέστη και ο Πρόξενος της Ελλάδος στη Σμύρνη κ. Σέκερης με την σύζυγό του ενώ παρευρέθηκαν και οι τοπικές αρχές της Περγάμου.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος ανεκοίνωσε τις ημερομηνίες της 37ης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνέλευσης της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής και του Συνε-δρίου της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφό-τητος που θα πραγματοποιηθούν στην Νέα Υόρκη από 25 έως 29 Ιουλίου 2004.

Η Κληρικολαϊκή που θα λάβει χώρα στο ξενοδοχείο Marriott Marquis της Νέας Υόρκης, στο κέντρο του Μανχάτ ταν θα έχει ως θέμα: «Δημιουργία κοινοτή-των πίστεως και αγάπης: Η λατρεία και η διακονία στις ορθόδοξες κοινότητές μας» και το οποίο αποτελεί συνέχεια του θέματος της προηγούμε νης Κληρικο-λαϊκής του Λος Άντζελες (2002) το οποίο ήταν «Προσφορά της Ορθοδόξου Πί-στεώς μας στη σύγχρονη Αμερική».

Το κύριο θέμα των εργασιών της προσεχούς Κληρικολαϊκής θα είναι η στήριξη και ενίσχυση της Ορθοδόξου ενορίας που αποτελεί το σημείο ανα-φοράς της λατρείας, της διακονίας και της προσφοράς.

Αναφερόμενος στο θέμα ο Σεβα-

σμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος τόνισε: «Η Κληρικολαϊκή αυτή θα προσφέρει μια μοναδική ευκαιρία στήριξης του ζωτι-κού έργου που οι κοινότητές μας επιτε-λούν σε καθημερινή βάση. Οι προσπά-θειές μας θα συγκεντρωθούν στην προσφορά δυνατοτήτων στους πιστούς ώστε να εφοδιασθούν με υλικό που θα οικοδομήσει τις κοινότητες με βάση την λατρεία και την διακονία και θα δυνα-μώσει την πίστη και την προσφορά βοη-θείας σε όσους έχουν ανάγκη, ώστε να γίνουν όλοι κοινωνοί της σωτήριας αγά-πης του Κυρίου ημών Ιησού Χριστού».

Η προσεχής Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέ-λευση θά περιλαμβάνει εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα και πολλά εξειδικευμένα σεμινάρια σχετικά με την ενορία και την οικογένεια. Προβλέπεται επίσης η κάλυψη των εξόδων συμμετοχής στην Κληρικολαϊκή Συνέλευση των 150 μι κρο-τέρων και κατά συνέπεια οικονομικά ασθενέστερων ενοριών της Αρχιεπι-σκοπής από διάφορες χορηγίες. Σχετι-κές πληροφορίες θά παρέχο νται στην ιστοσελίδα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπι σκοπής www.goarch.org.

Η 37η ΚΛΗΡΙΚΟΛΑΪΚΗ ΣΤΗΝ ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ

ôïõ ÍéêïëÜïõ Ìáããßíá

ΒΟΣΤΩΝΗ – Την Ελένη Χιούτζακ τίμησε με διδακτορικό δίπλωμα Ανθρω-πιστικών σπουδών το Ελληνικό Κολέγιο και η Θεολογική Σχολή του Τιμίου Σταυρού στο Μπρούκλάϊν της Μασ-σαχουσέτης, κατά την διάρκεια της 61ης τελετής αποφοίτησης.

Η κ. Χιούτζακ είναι η πρώτη ορθό-δοξη από τις τάξεις των λαϊκών και μάλιστα γυναίκα που υπηρετεί ως η 21η Πρόεδρος του Παναμερικανικού Εθνι-κού Συμβουλίου των Εκκλησιών (NCC), έχοντας συμπληρώσει 20ετία ευδοκί-

6 1η Τ Ε Λ Ε Τ Η ΑΠΟ Φ ΟΙ Τ Η Σ Η ΣΤην Ελένη Χιούτζακ τίμησε η Θεολογική Σχολή

μου υπηρεσίας στον οργανισμό αυτό σε διάφορες θέσεις μέχρι την εκλογή της στη θέση της προέδρου το 1999.

Ιδιαίτερη είναι η προσφορά της τα τελευταία 30 χρόνια στην Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής. Το 1974 επελέγη από τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Ιάκωβο ως μία από τις πέντε πρώτες γυναίκες που συμμετείχαν στο Αρχιεπι-σκοπικό Συμβούλιο στο οποίο υπηρέ-τησε από διάφορες θέσεις και μάλιστα

Μαζί μ’ αυτόν εκατοντάδες άλλοι συμπατριώτες του, οι οποίοι επέζησαν από την σφαγή των τσέτιδων που μπή-καν στην Πέργαμο στις 16 Σεπτεμβρίου 1922, αναπολούσαν τις όμορφες στιγμές που έζησαν στην Μικρασιατική αυτή ιστορική πόλη. Ο τόπος αυτός είναι βαθιά συνδεδεμένος με τον χριστια-νισμό αφού η Εκκλησία της Περγάμου είναι μία από τις επτά Εκκλησίες της Αποκαλύψεως.

Δύο δεκαετίες σχεδόν μετά την νοσταλγική ευχή του Βάσου Καπάνταη, ένας αναστάσιμος αέρας φύσηξε πάνω απ’ την Πέργαμο. Την Πέμπτη 8 Μαΐου 2003 ανήμερα της μνήμης του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου, η Ορθόδοξη Θεία Λειτουργία ακούστηκε ξανά, ο

αέρας μύρισε λιβάνι και οι διακόσιοι περίπου προσκυνητές που παρέστησαν εκφράσανε την ευχή η Ανάσταση στην

Πέργαμο να συνεχισθεί.Ο ναός του Αγίου Ιωάννου του

Θεολόγου που σήμερα δεν έχει στέγη, λειτουργήθηκε μετά από 6 αιώνες, από τότε που η Πέργαμος καταλήφθηκε τον 14ον αιώνα από τους Σελτσούκους.

Πρώτος μεταξύ των προσκυνητών ο Προκαθήμενος της Ορθοδοξίας ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης Βαρθολο-μαίος, εμπνευστής του προσκυνήματος στην Πέργαμο. Μαζί του ο οικείος Μητρο-πολίτης Περγάμου Ιωάννης, ο οποίος για πρώτη φορά προσκύνησε και λειτούρ-γησε στον αγιασμένο τόπο της Περγάμου. Την χαρά και την συγκίνησή τους μοι-ράστηκαν Ιεράρχες, κληρικοί και πιστοί από την Κωνσταντινούπολη, την Μυτι-λήνη, την Αθήνα, την Κατερίνη, την u óåë. 18

u óåë. 17

Οι απόφοιτοι του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου (όρθιοι) με τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο (κέντρο) και τον Μητροπολίτη Βοστώνης κ. Μεθόδιο τους οποίους περιβάλλουν (από αριστερά) ο Επίσκοπος Φασιανής κ. Αντώνιος, ο πρόεδρος της Σχολής π. Νικόλαος Τριανταφύλλου, η πρύτανις του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου κ. Λίλυ Μακράκη, ο Επίσκοπος Ξάνθου κ. Δημήτριος και ο Επίσκοπος Κρατείας κ. Γεράσιμος.

Θεία Λειτουργία στον ερειπωμένο ναό του Αγίου Ιωάννου του Θεολόγου στην Πέργαμο της Μ. Ασίας. Προΐσταται ο Μητροπολίτης Περγάμου Ιωάννης.

ÍÉÊ. ÌÁÃÃÉÍÁÓ

ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ 200316 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ ΙΟΥΝΙΟΣ - ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ 2003 ORTHODOX OBSERVER 17ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

4 Ἰουλίου 2003

Πρός τούς Σεβασµιωτάτους καί Θεοφιλεστάτους Ἀρχιερεῖς, τούς Εὐλαβεστάτους Ἱερεῖς καί Διακόνους, τούς Μοναχούς καί Μοναχές, τούς Προέδρους καί Μέλη τῶν Κοινοτικῶν Συµβουλίων, τά Ἡµερήσια καί Ἀπογευµατινά Σχολεῖα, τίς Φιλοπτώχους Ἀδελφότητες, τήν Νεολαία, τίς Ἑλληνορθόδοξες Ὀργανώσεις καί ὁλόκληρο τό Χριστεπώνυµον πλήρωµα τῆς Ἱερᾶς Ἀρχιεπισκοπῆς Ἀµερικῆς.

Ἀδελφοί καί ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ,

Τήν 4η Ἰουλίου συγκεντρωνόµεθα στά σπίτια καί τίς κοινότητές µας γιά νά ἑορτάσουµε τήν ἀνεξαρτησία τοῦ ἔθνους µας. Αὐτή τήν σηµαντική ἡµέρα ἐπιβεβαιώνουµε τίς ἀξίες τῆς ἐλευθερίας καί τῆς ἀνεξαρτησίας οἱ ὁποῖες χαρακτηρίζουν τό πνεῦµα τοῦ ἔθνους µας γιά περισσότερο ἀπό δύο αἰῶνες. Καθώς ἑορτάζουµε αὐτή τήν ἐθνική ἑορτή, ἔχουµε τήν εὐκαιρία ν’ ἀναλογισθοῦµε ὅτι ἡ ἐλευθερία καί ἡ ἀνεξαρτησία δέν εἶναι µόνο ἀξίες πολύτιµες, ἀλλά οὐσιαστικές καί παγκόσµιες συνθῆκες γιά τήν καλλιέργεια σχέσεων ἀγάπης µέ τόν Θεό καί µέ τούς ἀνθρώπους.

Ἡ πολιτιστική καί θρησκευτική κληρονοµιά µας ὡς Ἑλλήνων Ὀρθοδόξων Χριστιανῶν µᾶς ὑπενθυµίζει τήν ἱερά εὐθύνη µας νά διασφαλίσουµε τήν πρόσβαση ὅλων τῶν ἀνθρώπων στούς καρπούς καί τίς εὐλογίες πού ἀπολαµβάνουµε ὡς πολίτες καί κάτοικοι ἑνός ἐλευθέρου ἔθνους. Στίς κοινότητες καί ἐνορίες µας ἐκπληρώνουµε αὐτή τήν εὐθύνη µέ τήν ὑποστήριξη τοῦ ἔργου τῆς φιλανθρωπίας, µέ τήν καλλιέργεια τῆς θέρµης στήν καρδιά µας γιά ὅλους τούς ξένους πού ὑπάρχουν ἀνάµεσά µας, µέ τήν ἀνυστερόβουλη ἀγάπη µας γιά τούς γείτονές µας καί µέ τήν ἀληθινή λατρεία

µας πρός τόν Θεό, ὁ Ὁποῖος δηµιούργησε ὅλα τά ἀνθρώπινα πλάσµατα κατ΄ εἰκόνα καί καθ’ ὁµοίωσή Του.

Θεωρούµενες ὑπ΄ ἀπ’ αὐτό τό πρῖσµα, οἱ ἑορταστικές ἐκδηλώσεις µας γιά τήν 4η Ἰουλίου ἀποτελοῦν εὐκαιρία γιά νά ἀντιληφθοῦµε τήν ἐλευθερία καί τήν ἀνεξαρτησία ὄχι µόνο ὡς ἀναφαίρετα δικαιώµατα ὅλων τῶν ἀνθρώπων, ἀλλά ὡς πολυτιµότατα δῶρα τά ὁποῖα χάρισε ἡ ἀγάπη τοῦ Θεοῦ σέ ὅλους τούς ἀνθρώπους. Οἱ ἑορτασµοί µας εἶναι ἐπίσης εὐκαιρία γιά νά κατανοήσουµε τό µήνυµα τῆς ἐλευθερίας στήν ἀπόλυτη ἔννοιά του, µιά ἀλήθεια πού ἐξέφρασε ὁ Ἀπόστολος Παῦλος λέγοντας ὅτι ὅπου εἶναι τό Πνεῦµα τοῦ Κυρίου, ἐκεῖ εἶναι ἡ ἐλευθερία (2 Κορ. 3:17). Ἡ ἐλευθερία καί ἡ ἀνεξαρτησία, περισσότερο ἀπό χαρακτηριστικά µιᾶς πολιτικῆς ἐλευθερίας, εἶναι καταστάσεις τῆς ἀνθρωπίνης ψυχῆς, εἶναι καρποί πού ἀνθίζουν καθώς οἱ καρδιές µας προσπαθοῦν ν’ ἀπελευθερωθοῦν ἀπό τά πάθη αὐτοῦ τοῦ κόσµου καί καθώς ὡριµάζουµε στήν ἀναγνώριση τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Θεοῦ ἀνάµεσά µας. Αὐτή εἶναι ἡ οὐσία τῆς Ὀρθοδόξου Χριστιανικῆς κληρονοµίας καί µαρτυρίας, ἕνα ἀναπόσπαστο στοιχεῖο τῆς δοµῆς τοῦ Ἀµερικανικοῦ ἔθνους µας.

Αὐτή τήν Ἡµέρα τῆς Ἀνεξαρτησίας, προσεύχοµαι ὁ Θεός νά διευρύνῃ τήν δυνατότητά µας νά κατανοήσουµε τήν ἀνεξαρτησία καί τήν ἐλευθερία σέ ὅλες των τίς διαστάσεις καί ἡ ἀγάπη µας γιά Ἐκεῖνον καί γιά τούς συνανθρώπους µας νά ἐνταθῇ. Εἴθε ἡ εἰρήνη καί οἱ πλούσιες εὐλογίες Του νά ἐνοικοῦν µόνιµα στίς καρδιές σας.

Ἡμέρα Ἀνεξαρτησίας

Μέ πατρική ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπη,

ÿ ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αµερικής Δηµήτριος

ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΗ ΕΓΚΥΚΛΙΟΣ

ΑΤΛΑΝΤΑ – Με πανηγυρικό τρόπο ο πιστός λαός της Μητροπόλεως Ατλάντα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής Αμερικής γιόρτασε την ανύψωση της Επισκοπής σε Μητρόπολη και την ενθρόνιση του Μητροπολίτου Ατλάντας κ. Αλεξίου.

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος προέστη της τελετής της ενθρονίσεως ενώ παρέ-στησαν ο Μητροπολίτης Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελος, ο Μητροπολίτης Τυάνων κ. Παΐσιος, ο Επίσκοπος Αμορίου κ. Ιωάν-νης και δεκάδες ιερείς από τις 66 ενορίες της Μητροπόλεως.

Ο Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Ατλάντας κ. Αλέξιος στον ενθρονιστήριο λόγο του τόνισε την σημασία της καθοριστικής σχέσης με την «μητέρα Εκκλησία, το σεπτόν κέντρο της Ορθοδοξίας, το Οικου-μενικόν μας Πατριαρχείο...» αλλά και

ΠΑΝΗΓΥΡΙΚΟΙ ΕΟΡΤΑΣΜΟΙστην Μητρόπολη Ατλάντας

της σχέσεως ως μέρος της Ιεράς Αρχιεπι-σκοπής, θεωρώντας απαραίτητη «....την σύμπλευσι της Ιεράς Μητροπόλεώς μας με το κέντρον της Εκκλησίας μας εις την Αμερική, δηλαδή την Ιεράν μας Αρχιεπι-σκοπή, της οποίας μόνον τμήμα και μέρος της είμεθα ...», σημείωσε. Ευχαρί-στησε δε τον Οικουμενικό Πατριάρχη κ. Βαρθολομαίο και την περί αυτόν Αγία και Ιερά Σύνοδο του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρ-χείου καθώς και τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο.

Μετά την ενθρόνιση παρετέθη γεύ-μα στο ξενοδοχείο Hyatt όπου η δήμαρ-χος της πόλης προσεφώνησε τους 500 και πλέον προσκεκλημένους. Οι εορτα-σμοί της ημέρας κατέληξαν με παρα-δοσιακή γιορτή στην μεγάλη κοινοτική αίθουσα του Ιερού Ναού του Ευαγγελι-σμού της Θεοτόκου.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ . – Την οικογένεια του, την πολιτιστική ταυτότητα και κληρο-νομιά του και την ελληνορθόδοξη θρη-σκεία του κατονόμασε ως τα πιο πολύτι-μα όπλα και εφόδια του ο Διευθυντής της Κεντρικής Υπηρεσίας Πληροφοριών CIA, ελληνοαμερικανός Τζoρτζ Τένετ καθώς αποδεχόταν το «Βραβείο Ελευ-θερίας» με το οποίο τιμήθηκε από τον Παγκύπριο Σύνδεσμο Αμερικής σε ειδική εκδήλωση που πραγματοποιήθηκε στο ξενοδοχείο Χίλτον.

Ήταν μια όμορφη βραδιά, γεμάτη μηνύματα για τον ρόλο και τις προοπτικές της Ομογένειας αλλά και την συμβολή της στην προβολή των εθνικών θεμάτων, στην

Οικογένεια, Κληρονομιά και Θρησκεία τα πιο πολύτιμα εφόδια για τον Τζορτζ Τένετ

οποία παρευρέθηκαν περισσότεροι από 800 ομογενείς και κάτω από δρακόντεια μέτρα ασφαλείας είδαν έναν από τους πιο ισχυρούς άνδρες των Ηνωμένων Πολι-τειών, να χορεύει ζεϊμπέκικο παρέα με τον αδερφό του, αλλά και τον άκουσαν να επαινεί την Ομογένεια για τον ρόλο της στα εθνικά θέματα.

Η εκδήλωση ήταν μια από τις σπά-νιες ευκαιρίες που έχει η Ελληνοαμε-ρικανική κοινότητα να αναγνωρίσει την συμβολή των ανθρώπων που ξεπήδησαν από αυτή και σήμερα κατέχουν αξιοζή-λευτες θέσεις στην κοινωνία.

Το βραβείο απένειμε στον κ. Τένετ ο εκτελεστικός αντιπρόεδρος του Παγ-κυπρίου κ. Νίκος Μούγιαρης, ενώ τον παρουσίασε ο δίδυμος αδερφός του ιατρός Βασίλειος Τένετ.

Ο πρόεδρος του Παγκυπρίου κ. Φίλιπ Κρίστοφερ επεσήμανε ότι σημα-ντικό μερίδιο της επιτυχίας του Τζορτζ Τένετ ανήκει στην μητέρα του Ευαγγε-λία, 85 χρονών που με δάκρυα στα μάτια είδε τον γιο της να δέχεται τα θερμά χειροκροτήματα και την αναγνώριση του κοινού.

Απλός, ζεστός και φιλικός με όλους, ο διευθυντής της CIA αποδεχόμενος το Βραβείο και αναφερόμενος στο Κυπρια-κό επεσήμανε ότι 30 χρόνια είναι πολλά και ότι είναι λογική η επιθυμία να βρεθεί λύση πολύ σύντομα, σημειώνοντας ότι το Κυπριακό είναι εξ’ ίσου σημαντικό με το Μεσανατολικό από πλευράς ασφά-λειας, δικαιοσύνης και ελευθερίας. «...δεν ζητάμε πολλά, το ξαναλέω, είπε, έχουν περάσει πάρα πολλά χρόνια».

Περήφανος...«Είμαι περήφανος», ανέφερε, «που

δέχομαι το βραβείο αυτό. Όλοι, με ρωτούν πως είναι να είσαι διευθυντής της CIA; Είναι μια σκληρή δουλειά… Οι τελευταίοι 22 μήνες ήταν ιδιαίτερα σκληροί. Είχαμε την 11η Σεπτεμβρίου, τον πόλεμο κατά της τρομοκρατίας, τον πόλεμο στο Ιράκ. Αλλά, όταν με ρωτούν πως τα καταφέρνω έχω μια πολύ απλή απάντηση: Έχω μια σπουδαία οικογέ-νεια, μια σπουδαία κληρονομιά, μια σπουδαία πολιτιστική ταυτότητα και μια σπουδαία θρησκεία», δήλωσε με περη-φάνια.

Ο κ. Τένετ ανακάλεσε πρόσφατη ομιλία του προς τους απόφοιτους του

Ο Νίκος Μούγιαρης παρουσιάζει το Βραβείο Ελευθερίας στον Τζορτζ Τένετ (κέντρο) και τους περιβάλλουν (από αριστερά) Άντριου Μανάτος, Βασίλειος Τένετ, η μητέρα του Ευαγγελία Τένετ, ο πρώην Κύπριος υπουργός εξωτερικών Αλέκος Μιχαηλίδης, η πρέσβυς της Κύπρου στις ΗΠΑ Ερατώ Κοζάκου-Μαρκουλή, ο πρέσβυς της Ελλάδος στον ΟΗΕ Αδαμάντιος Βασιλάκης και ο πρόεδρος της Κυπριακής Ομοσπονδίας Αμερικής Πανίκος Παπανικολάου.

ETA PRESS

u óåë. 19


© OR

THOD

OX O

B SER

V ER

1-800-223-1226

ÏËÕÌÐ ÉÁÊÇ ÁÅÑÏÐÏÑ ÉÁ • Ç ÄÉÊÇ ÓÏÕ ÅÔÁÉÑÉÁ

www.olympic-airways.gr

ÐÅÔÁÎÔÅ ÓÔÇÍ ÁÈÇÍÁ

Ãéá ðåñéóóüôåñåò ðëçñïöïñßåò áðïôáèåßôå óôïí ôáîéäéùôéêü óáò ðñÜêôïñá Þ óôçí ÏëõìðéáêÞ Áåñïðïñßá

Q ÐåôÜìå ìå ôá êáéíïýñãéá ôåôñáêéíç ôÞñéá AIRBUS 340 ÷ùñßò óôáèìü.

Q Åêðôþóåéò ãéá ðáéäéÜ Ýùò 12 åôþí.

Q ÐåôÜôå óå ïðïéïäÞðïôå óçìåßï ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ÄÙÑÅÁÍ*.

Q Áíá÷ùñÞóåéò êáé åðéóôñïöÝò áðü ôï Üíåôï êáé ðïëõôåëÝò ôÝñìéíáë ONE 1 ôïõ áåñïäñïìßïõ ÊÝíåíôé**.

(*) Ìéá ðôÞóç ãéá O/W Þ äýï ðôÞóåéò ãéá R/T.(**) Öüñïé êáé ôÝëç áåñïäñïìßïõ åðéðëÝïí.

BUSINESS CLASSêáé óáò ðñïóöÝñïõìå

ïðïéïíäÞðïôå ðñïïñéóìüåíôüò ÅëëÜäïò ÄÙÑÅÁÍ*

SEP 1 - OCT 31, 2003

ÄéáêåêñéìÝíç ÈÝóçRT $2,135 - $1,390 OW

JUNE 15 - AUG 31, 2003


NOV 1, 2003 - MAR 31, 2004


APR 1 - JUN 14, 2003

Μια παράδοση πολλών χρόνων συνέχισε και φέτος το Απογευματινό Σχολείο του Αγίου Νικολάου του Flushing της Νέας Υόρκης με την παρουσίαση του πάντα επίκαιρου έργου «Λυσιστράτη» του Αριστοφάνη. Η διδασκαλία του έργου έγινε από την δασκάλα κ. Πέγκυ Σιμάκου ενώ την επιμέλεια είχε ο πρώην πρόεδρος του Συλλόγου Γονέων και διδασκάλων κ. Ευγένιος Μπουζαλάκος. Εικονίζονται (από αριστερά) Δημήτριος Λουριδάς (Ανδροκλής και Στρατιώτης Α΄), Χαρά-Μαίρη Παπαθεοδώρου (Λυσιστράτη), Αγγελική Μπουζαλάκου (Μυρρίνη), Κατερίνα Δήμου (Κορυφαία), Σταυρούλα Οικονόμου (Σπαρτιάτισσα), Χρυσούλα Σπυράκη (Άρτεμη), Βασιλική Παπαγερμανού (Ασπασία) και Αγγελική Πετροπουλέα (Κλεονίκη).Στην παράσταση έλαβαν μέρος και οι Βασίλειος Ντεμίρης (Γέρος Α΄), Δημήτριος Ανδριανόπουλος (Γέρος Β΄), Γιάννης Μπρακατσέλος (Γέρος Γ΄), Χρήστος Λουριδάς (Γέρος Δ΄) Παναγιώτης Στρατουδάκης (Αστυνόμος), Αναστάσιος Συκόπουλος (Στρατηγός), Σταύρος Λουριδάς (Στρατιώτης Β΄), Νικόλαος Καλοειδάς (Κινησίας) και Γιάννης Οικονόμου (γιος του Κινησία).

Η Λυσιστράτη του Αριστοφάνη

ETA PRESS

ως αντιπρόεδρος το 1988-1990. Προή-δρευσε πολλών συνελεύσεων της Ολο-μέλειας πολλών Κληρικολαϊκών Συνε-δρίων και το 1996 τιμήθηκε με το Με-τάλλιο του Αποστόλου Παύλου, την ανώτατη τιμή της Εκκλησίας μας για λαϊκό. Πιο πρόσφατα πρόσφερε τις υπηρεσίες της, την πολύπλευρη πείρα της και τις νομικές της γνώσεις στην Αρχιεπισκοπική επιτροπή αναθεώρη σης του Συντάγματος της Αρχιεπι σκοπής.

Στην ομιλία της προς τους αποφοί-

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ειδική εορταστική εκδήλωση για τα ονομαστήρια του Οικου-μενικού Πατριάρχου Βαρ-θο λομαίου πραγματοποιή-θηκε ανήμερα της εορτής του 11 Ιουνίου, στο κατά-μεστο από κόσμο αμφι-θέατρο του Πολιτιστι κού Κέντρου της Ι. Αρχιεπι-σκοπής στην Αστόρια.

Στο πλούσιο και επι-μελημένο καλ λιτεχνικό πρό-γραμμα συμμετείχαν το Εργαστήρι της Ελληνικής Μουσικής, το Ίδρυμα Ελληνικής Μου-σικής, η Χορω δία του ιερού ναού των Αγίων Γεωργίου και Αικατερίνης καθώς η πολλά υποσ χόμενη Μαθητική Χορω-δία της Αρχι επισκοπής.

Κύριος ομιλητής στην εκδήλωση ήταν ο Σεβ. Μητροπολίτης Νέας Ιερσέης κ. Ευάγγελος που με θέμα «Ο Πατριάρ-χης του Γένους» παρουσίασε το έργο και την ζωή του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου κ. Βαρθολομαίου.

Στο πρώτο μέρος της εκδήλωσης που είχε τον τίτλο «Με το λύχνο του Άστρου» και το επιμελήθηκε ο Δημή-τρης Ματσούκας η παιδική χορωδία της Αρχιεπισκοπής παρουσίασε γνωστά μελοποιημένα ποιήματα των Οδυσσέα Ελύτη, Γιάννη Ρίτσου, Νίκου Γκάτσου και Νίκου Καβαδία καθώς και των Ευαγόρα Παλληκαρίδη, Δημήτρη Λυμ-πέρτη και Μανώλη Αναγνωστάκη.

Πήραν μέρος οι: Ιωάννα Κουρκου-μέλη, Αρης Κουρκουμέλης, Διονύσης Αναστάσης, Ελλη Αναστάση, Μητρο-φάνης Ανθόπουλος, Ελένη Τουμαρά, Αλεξία Αστρινίδη, Αννα Αστρινίδη, Ελεάνα Αγκοπιάνη, Χριστίνα Μαυρίκη, Παναγιώτης Κούζιλος, Ελένη Γιάνουλα, Κατερίνα Διαμαντή, Θεοδώρα Χιώτη, Νικολέτα Βασιλείου, Δημήτρης Του-

Γιορτάστηκαν τα ονομαστήρια του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου

μαράς καθώς και οι Γιώργος και Βασί λης Χολέβας.

Τα σκηνικά και τα κοσ-τούμια επιμε λήθηκε η Έλλη Χριστοφή Ματσούκα ενώ στην ορχήστρα έπαιξαν οι μουσι κοί Κώστας Ψαρός – μπουζούκι, Γιάν νης Μου-τσάκης – κρουστά, Βάσος Βασιλείου – Πιάνο, Zafer Towil – βιολί και Δημήτρης Ματσούκας – κιθάρα.

Ο διευθυντής του Πολι-τιστικού Κέντρου Επίσκο-πος Απαμείας κ. Βικέ ντιος

απήγγειλε ποίημα του με τίτλο «Ο Πατριάρχης Γιορτάζει».

Στο δεύτερο μέρος ο τενόρος Κωνσ-ταντίνος Γκατζής και η σοπράνο Κάτια Ζάλλα–Ροζάτη τραγούδησαν με την συνοδεία χορωδίας τραγούδια από την πολιτιστική μας κληρονομιά.

Χαιρετισμό απηύθυναν εκ μέρους του Γενικού Προξένου της Ελλάδας η πρόξενος κ. Ειρήνη Πεντζαροπούλου, και ο πρόεδρος της Εφορείας του Αρχι-επισκοπικού Πολιτιστικού Κέντρου κ. Νίκος Ανδριώτης.

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος συνεχάρη τους συντελεστές της εκδήλωσης και εξέ-φρασε την χαρά του για την συμμετοχή των παιδιών και των καλλιτεχνών.

Αναφέρθηκε επίσης στο πρόσφατο Οικολογικό Συνέδριο που διοργάνωσε το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο στην Βα-λτική στο οποίο συμμετείχε και ο ίδιος μετά από πρόσκληση του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη.

Στον επίλογο της πολύ όμορφης αυτής εκδήλωσης ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος και οι ιερείς που παρακολούθησαν την εκδήλωση έψαλλαν το πολυχρόνιο του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχου μας κ. Βαρ-θολομαίου.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.– Με το βραβείο καλύ-τερης παρουσίας από πλευράς πνευματι-κότητος βραβεύτηκε η ιστοσελίδα της Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπής στο διαδίκτυο (www. goarch.org), κατά την διάρκεια του 7ου ετήσιου διαγωνισμού διαδικτυακών βραβείων.

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριος εκφράζοντας την ικανοποίησή του για την βράβευση τόνισε: «Η αναγνώριση αυτή αποτελεί μια υπενθύμιση του μεγέθους της ευθύ-νης που φέρουμε στη χώρα αυτή, αλλά και της αποστολής που έχουμε για την διάδοση του Ευαγγελίου».

Οι ιστοσελίδες της Ι. Αρχιεπι σκοπής στο διαδίκτυο είναι πλούσιες σε πνευ-ματικό και εκπαιδευτικό περιεχό μενο καθώς και πληροφοριακό υλικό επί της Ορθοδόξου πίστεως και ζωής. Συμπερι-λαμβάνουν καθημερινά ευαγγελικά ανα-γνώσματα, τους βίους των Αγίων, ορθό-δοξες ηλεκτρονικές ευχετήριες κάρτες με

εικόνες αγίων, κατάλογο όλων των ορθο-δόξων ενοριών στην Αμερική, οπτικο-ακουστικά βοηθήματα και παρου σιάσεις, ζωντανές και μαγνητοσκο πημένες μετα-δόσεις τη Θείας Λειτουρ γίας καθώς και σεμινάρια μέσω διαδικτύου.

Τα διαδικτυακά βραβεία (Webby Awards) αποτελούν την κατ’ εξοχή διάκριση και αναγνώριση διεθνώς για ιστοσελίδες και διαδικτυακούς κόμβους και παρουσιάζονται από την Διεθνή Ακαδημία Ψηφιακών Τεχνών και Επι-στημών που επιβραβεύει τις καλύτερες ιστοσελίδες σε 30 κατηγορίες.

Το Τμήμα της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής που έχει επιφορτισθεί με την δημιουργία και επίβλεψη των ιστοσελίδων στο διαδίκτυο έχει προγραμματίσει την περαιτέρω ανάπτυξη των δραστηριο-τήτων του και κυρίως την προσφορά υπηρεσιών προς τις Μητροπόλεις, τις κοινότητες, τους οργανισμούς και τα ιδρύματα της Ι. Αρχιεπισκοπής.

Βραβεύτηκε η παρουσία της Αρχιεπισκοπής στο Διαδίκτυο

τους η κ. Χιούτζακ αναφέρθηκε στο μεγά-λο θέμα της προσφοράς της Ορθο δόξου πίστεώς μας στην αμερι κανική κοινωνία ακολουθώντας την προσταγή του Χρι-στού για την κήρυξη του Ευαγγελίου στα πέρατα της γης.

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος ο οποί ος ετέλεσε την τελετή της Σταυροφο ρίας και προ εξήρχε της Θ. Λει τουργίας, συνεχάρη την κ. Χιούτζακ, απένειμε τα πτυχία σε 6 αποφοίτους του Ελληνικού Κολεγίου και 33 μεταπτυχια κά διπλώματα στους απο-φοίτους της Θεολογικής Σχολής.

6 1η Τ Ε Λ Ε Τ Η ΑΠΟ Φ ΟΙ Τ Η Σ Η Σu óåë. 15


Στο τέλος της Θείας Λειτουργίας ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος τέλεσε τρι-σάγιο υπέρ αναπαύσεως «των ειρηνι-κώς κοιμηθέντων και μαρτυρικώς τε-λειωθέντων» κατοίκων της Περγάμου.

Στην ομιλία του ο Μητροπολίτης Περγάμου κ. Ιωάννης μεταξύ άλλων τόνισε: «... ο Ιωάννης ο οποίος εκήρυξε ακριβώς σ’ αυτή την περιοχή του κόσμου και έζησε εδώ σε βαθύτατη ηλικία γήρα-τος, δεν μπορούσε, κατά την παράδοση πλέον ούτε να κάνει τίποτε άλλο, παρά να περιφέρεται και να λέγει μόνο τρεις λέξεις στους ανθρώπους: «αδελφοί αγα-πάτε αλλήλους», σαν να συνοψίζει μέσα σ’ αυτές τις τρεις λέξεις όλα όσα είχε να πει με το Ευαγγέλιον, τις Επιστολές του με την Αποκάλυψή του –με όλη του τη ζωή.

Και δεν είναι τυχαίο αυτό αδελφοί μου. Την στιγμή αυτή που εδώ αξιούμεθα

ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ. – Με θέμα «Πι-στότης εις τας πηγάς: κοινή δέσμευσις διά την ειρήνην και την δικαιοσύνην» πραγματοποιήθηκε από 27 μέχρι 29 Μαΐου η Ε΄ Ακαδημαϊκή Συνάντηση μεταξύ του Ιουδαϊσμού και της Ορθο-δόξου Εκκλησίας στο ξενοδοχείο Hyatt Regency της Θεσσαλονίκης.

Την οργανωτική ευθύνη της συνα-ντήσεως είχε ο Σεβασμιώτατος Μητρο-πολίτης Γαλλίας κ. Εμμανουήλ, επί κεφαλής του Γραφείου Διεθνών και Διαπολιτισμικών Υποθέσεων του Οικου-μενικού Πατριαρχείου για την Ευρω-παϊκή Ένωση στις Βρυξέλλες, εν συνερ-γασία με τη Διεθνή Ιουδαϊκή Επιτροπή και με την συμπροεδρία του Ραβίνου Israel Singer, προέδρου του Παγκοσμίου Ιουδαϊκού Συμβουλίου, και του Ραβίνου Joel Meyers, εκτελεστικού αντιπροέδ-ρου της Ραβινικής Συνελεύσεως.

Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρ-θολομαίος, ο οποίος άνοιξε τις εργασίες της Συναντήσεως, στην εναρκτήρια ομι-λία του υπογράμμισε ότι ο «Ιουδαϊσμός και ο Χριστιανισμός ευρίσκονται εις μιαν κατάστασιν διαλόγου επί δύο χιλιάδες έτη», και προέτρεψε την συνέχιση του διαλόγου και την διεύρυνση των προ-σπαθειών συνεργασίας και αποκήρυξε τον θρησκευτικό φανατισμό.

Συγκεκριμένα ανέφερε ότι είναι συμφέρον όλων μας να επικρατεί δικαι-οσύνη και ισότητα δυνατοτήτων και ευκαιριών για όλες τις μειονότητες σε όλο τον κόσμο και τόνισε ότι «...οι φανατικοί δεν είναι οι εκλεκτοί μιας συγκεκριμένης θρησκείας αλλά οι πιο αδύναμοι».

Ο Υπουργός Πολιτισμού κ. Ευάγ-γελος Βενιζέλος και ο Υφυπουργός Εξω-τερικών Ιωάννης Μαγκριώτης απηύ-θυναν χαιρετισμό εκ μέρους της Ελλη-νικής Κυβερνήσεως ενώ ο Μητροπολίτης Γαλλίας Εμμανουήλ παρουσίασε εισα-γωγική ομιλία καθώς και οι Ραβίνοι Joel Meyers και Israel Singer και ο πρόεδρος του Συμβουλίου Αποδήμου Ελληνισμού Άντριου Άθενς. Μηνύματα έστειλαν και οι Πατριάρχες Αλεξανδρείας και Ιερο-σολύμων.

Στην Συνάντηση έλαβαν μέρος 60 περίπου εκπρόσωποι από πολλές χώρες του κόσμου, παρέστησαν δε ως παρα-τηρητές εκπρόσωποι του Βατικανού και

Κοινή δέσμευση για την ειρήνη και την δικαιοσύνη

του Παγκοσμίου Συμβουλίου Εκκλη-σιών.

Το κύριο θέμα της συνδιασκέψεως ανελύθη σε τρία ειδικότερα θέματα και για το κάθε ένα από αυτά παρουσιά-σθηκε εισήγηση και ακολούθησε συζή-τηση. Το πρώτο ειδικό θέμα ήταν «Αθή-ναι και Ιερουσαλήμ: Μνήμη και Περι-συλ λογή», το οποίο εισηγήθηκαν ο ραβίνος Δρ. Alan Brill από τις ΗΠΑ και ο καθηγητής Δρ. Βλάσιος Φειδάς.

Το δεύτερο ειδικό θέμα «Δέσμευσις διά την ειρήνην και την δικαιοσύνην εις την ιουδαϊκήν και την ορθόδοξον παρά-δοσιν» εισηγήθηκαν ο ραβίνος Danie Polish (Η.Π.Α.) και ο κ. Roman Silantiev από την Ρωσσία. Το τελικό θέμα «Αι Θρησκείαι ως ηθική δύναμις εις ένα κόσμον εν κρίσει» εισηγήθηκαν ο Θεοφι-λέστατος Επίσκοπος Ειρηναίος από την Σερβία και ο ραβίνος David Rosen από το Ισραήλ.

Αρχές – Συμπεράσματα

Κατά τις εργασίες της συνδιασκέ-ψεως υιοθετήθηκαν οι παρακάτω αρχές:

1. Ιουδαϊσμός και Χριστιανισμός, καίτοι εμμένουν αυστηρώς στις κοινές

Ï É Ê Ï Õ Ì Å Í É Ê Ï Í Ð Á Ô Ñ É Á Ñ × Å É Ï ÍÏ É Ê Ï Õ Ì Å Í É Ê Ï Í Ð Á Ô Ñ É Á Ñ × Å É Ï Í


δικαιώματα, οι οποίες αναφέρονται ειδικότερα στις ανάγκες των θρησκευ-τικών μειονοτήτων.

Συμφωνήθηκε η ίδρυση μονίμου Συντονιστικής Επιτροπής και η ανάπτυ-ξη συνεχών σχέσεων. Η Επιτροπή αυτή θα προωθεί τις διακηρυχθείσες στην Συνάντηση αρχές και θα ενισχύει περαι-τέρω τον διάλογο και την ανάπτυξη κατανοήσεως μεταξύ των δύο θρησκευ-τικών κοινοτήτων. Προτάθηκε επίσης η καθιέρωση κατ’ έτος μιας ημέρας, αφιε-ρωμένης στις ιουδαιο-χριστιανικές σχέσεις και η κοινή οργάνωσή της από τις αντίστοιχες θρησκευτικές κοινό-τητες.

Η συνδιάσκεψη ενθάρρυνε επίσης την ανάπτυξη προγραμμάτων, τα οποία θα μπορούσαν να φέρουν την ειρήνη μεταξύ του Ισραήλ και των Παλαιστινίων και αξίωσε την άμεση αναγνώριση του Πατριάρχου Ιεροσολύμων Ειρηναίου από την κυβέρνηση του Ισραήλ.

Στο μνημείο του Ολοκαυτώματος

Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης, κ. Βαρθολομαίος κατά την διάρκεια ειδικής τελετής και κατάθεσης στεφάνων στο Μνημείο του Ολοκαυτώματος της Θεσ-σαλονίκης, εξέφρασε την απέραντη θλίψη του για την εκτέλεση χιλιάδων Εβραίων της Θεσσαλονίκης στον Β΄ Παγκόσμιο Πόλεμο και ανέφερε ότι το μνημείο αυτό θα πρέπει να μας θυμίζει τον αγώνα και την προσπάθεια που όλοι πρέπει να κάνουμε για τη διατήρηση της παγκόσμιας ειρήνης και της αρμονικής συνύπαρξης των λαών. Και κατέληξε λέγοντας: «Θα πρέπει να εξηγήσουμε στα παιδιά και τους συνανθρώπους μας ότι τέτοια εγκλήματα του παρελθόντος δεν θα πρέπει σε καμία περίπτωση να επαναληφθούν μια που ήταν αποτέλε-σμα μίσους και εσφαλμένων αποφά-σεων».

Οι συμμετέχοντες επισκέφτηκαν επίσης το Εβραϊκό Μουσείο της Θεσ-σαλονίκης.

Σήμερα, η σύγχρονη, μικρή αλλά δραστήρια ιουδαϊκή κοινότητα, υπό την ηγεσία των κ. Δαυίδ Σαλτιέλ και Μωϋ-σέως Κ. Κωνσταντίνη, παραμένει πιστή στην παράδοση της παλιάς δόξας της ιστορικής κοινότητας που ανθούσε στην πόλη.

πηγές, εν τούτοις διατηρούν την εσωτε-ρική τους αυτοτέλεια και ιδιαιτερότητα.

2. Ο σκοπός του συγκεκριμένου διαλόγου είναι η άρση των προλήψεων και η ανάπτυξη πνεύματος αμοιβαίας κατανοήσεως και εποικοδομητικής συν-εργασίας για την αντιμετώπιση κοινών προβλημάτων.

3. Ειδικές προτάσεις πρέπει να εκπονηθούν για την εκπαίδευση των πιστών των δύο Θρησκειών και την ανάπτυξη υγιών σχέσεων που θα βασί-ζονται στον αμοιβαίο σεβασμό και την κατανόηση για την αντιμετώπιση της μισαλλοδοξίας και του φανατισμού.

4. Εν πλήρει συνειδήσει της κρίσεως των ηθικών και πνευματικών αξιών στον σύγχρονο κόσμο, θα προσπαθήσουμε να επισημάνουμε τα ιστορικά πρότυπα ειρηνικής συνυπάρξεως, που μπορούν να εφαρμοσθούν στις μειονοτικές ιου-δαϊκές και ορθοδόξους κοινότητες της Διασποράς.

5. Θα αξιοποιήσουμε τις πνευματι-κές μας πηγές για την οργάνωση προ-γραμμάτων προς ανάπτυξη και ενίσχυση των κοινών μας αξιών, όπως η ειρήνη, η κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη και τα ανθρώπινα

Μετά από 6 αιώνες εψάλη η Θεία Λειτουργία στην Πέργαμοu óåë. 15 από την χάρη του Κυρίου να τελούμε τη

Θεία Λειτουργία, αισθανόμεθα τον Άγιο Ιωάννη να περιφέρεται εδώ, ανάμεσά μας και να μας λέγει τα ίδια λόγια. Να απευ-θύνει αυτά τα λόγια πρώτα σ’ εμάς τους πιστούς, τους Χριστιανούς και ιδιαίτερα στους Ορθοδόξους. Να καταλάβουμε ότι χωρίς την αγάπη δεν μπορούμε να είμεθα πιστοί εις το κήρυγμα και μήνυμά του. Αλλά την αγάπη αυτή την απευθύνει ο Άγιος Ιωάννης προς τους εγγύς και τους μακράν προς τον κόσμο ολόκληρο, μάλι-στα δε προς τους λαούς της οικουμένης, τους λαούς τους οποίους τους καλεί σε αγάπη. Διότι τίποτε δεν είναι πιο σημα-ντικό από την αγάπη μεταξύ των λαών, όταν μάλιστα οι λαοί αυτοί συμβαίνει να γειτνιάζουν μεταξύ τους».

Την παραμονή της ημέρας της Θείας Λειτουργίας ο Πατριάρχης Βαρθολομαίος μαζί με τον Μητροπολίτη Περγάμου περιηγήθηκαν την αρχαία και νέα Πέργαμο.


Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος ατενίζει τα ερείπια του Ναού.

ΟΙ σύνεδροι και άλλοι επίσημοι στην τελετή στο μνημείο του Ολικαυτώματος.

ΑΚΑΔΗΜΑΪΚΗ ΣΥΝΑΝΤΗΣΗ ΙΟΥΔΑΪΣΜΟΥ ΚΑΙ ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΥ ΕΚΚΛΗΣΙΑΣ


Το Ελληνικό και Λατινικό πολιτισμικό υπόβαθρο

ΗΧριστιανική θρησκεία εγεννήθηκε στα σπλά-χνα του εξελληνισμένου Ιουδαϊσμού αλλά εγαλουχήθηκε και αναπτύχθηκε στην αγκαλιά του Ελληνισμού. Χωριστά από τον υπερφυσικό

παράγοντα, με βάση μόνο τα ιστορικά δεδομένα, οφείλουμε να ομολογήσουμε ότι η επιτυχία του Χριστιανισμού πρέπει να αναζητηθεί στον ελληνικό παράγοντα –στη γλώσσα, την γεωγραφία, την πολιτισμική παράδοση, τον τρόπο του σκέπτεσθαι, την αντίληψη περί θρησκείας και των αδέκασ-των και συνεχών αναζητήσεων του ελληνικού πνεύματος.

Οι πρώτοι Χριστιανοί ήσαν Ιουδαίοι αλλά και εξελλη-νισμένοι Ιουδαίοι, διάφοροι ελληνόφωνοι, μη ελληνικής φυλετικής καταγωγής, αλλά και γνήσιοι Έλληνες, όπως

βεβαιώνει το Ευαγ-γέλιο του Ιωάννη, οι

Πράξεις των Αποστόλων αλλά και άλλες πρωτοχριστιανικές πηγές. Λόγου χάριν, στον βίο του Αγίου Βαρνάβα γίνεται λό-γος για την ιεραποστολή του Παύλου και Βαρνάβα, οι οποίοι «ευηγγελίσαντο τον λόγον του Κυρίου, και πολλούς των Ιουδαίων και Ελλήνων εφώτισαν».

Οι πρώτες πόλεις που εδέχθησαν τον Ιησού Χριστό ως τον αναμενόμενο Μεσσία του αρχαίου Ισραήλ και ως τον Άγνωστο Θεό, τον προαιώνιο Λόγο των Ελλήνων, ήσαν Ελληνικές. Η Ελληνική γλώσσα δεν ήτο μόνο ένα μέσον επικοινωνίας, αλλά και ένας φορέας της διανόησης, του τρόπου του σκέπτεσθαι και φιλοσοφείν των Ελλήνων. Ο τρόπος οργανώσεως των πρώτων εκκλησιών σε ελληνικές πόλεις ήτο Ελληνικός. Οι πρώτες εκκλησίες ήσαν όπως οι ανεξάρτητες πόλεις κρατίδια του αρχαίου Ελληνισμού. Το σύστημα συνόδων, τοπικών και οικουμενικών, ήτο ελληνικό, δημοκρατικό. Διά τους πρώτους τέσσερους αιώνες, αν όχι περισσότερο, ο Χριστιανισμός ήτο μία Ελληνική θρησκευτική και πολιτισμική επανάσταση. Και τούτο επετεύχθη επειδή από τα πρώτα χρόνια της διαδόσεως του Χριστιανισμού έγινε η συμφιλίωση της Χριστιανικής πίστεως με τα ελληνικά γράμματα και την ελληνική σκέψη.

Χωρίς να υποτιμούμε την σημασία της πολιτικής ενό-τητος που έγινε διά των κατακτήσεων της Ρώμης η οποία διευκόλυνε την από πόλη σε πόλη ιεραποστολή, ήτο η Ελληνική πολιτισμική ενότητα του αρχαίου κόσμου, που ξεκί-νησε από τον τέταρτο προ Χριστού αιώνα και συνεχίστηκε χωρίς διακοπές διά οκτώ τουλάχιστον ακόμη αιώνες, μέχρις ότου η Αγία Γραφή μεταφράστηκε στην Λατινική και άρχισε αξιόλογη Λατινική εκκλησιαστική και θεολογική γραμματεία. Η λατινική θεολογία αρχίζει από τον ιερόν Αυγουστίνο. Οι αντιθέσεις που παρατηρούνται στις σχέσεις μεταξύ Ελληνι-κής Χριστιανικής Ανατολής και Λατινικής Χριστιανικής Δύσεως ύστερα από τον πέμπτον αιώνα, όχι μόνο στη θεολογία αλλά και στον τρόπο διοικήσεως, οφείλονται στις πολιτισμικές διαφορές μεταξύ της Ελληνικής και Ρωμαϊκής ιστορικής εμπειρίας και νοοτροπίας.

Υπήρχαν διαφορές στην προσέγγιση του προβλήματος που αφορούσε τις σχέσεις κλασσικής παιδείας και Χριστια-νικής πίστεως. Από την εποχή του φιλοσόφου και μάρτυρος Ιουστίνου και των άλλων απολογητών, κατόπιν των μεγάλων Αλεξανδρινών Κλήμεντος και Ωριγένους, των μεγάλων Πατέρων Βασιλείου, Γρηγορίου του Θεολόγου και Γρηγορίου Νύσσης και μεταγενεστέρων μεγάλων πατέρων, η αρχαία ελληνική παιδεία έγινε και παιδεία των Χριστιανών και ένας από τους δύο αρμούς στην εκπαίδευση του Χριστιανικού Ελληνισμού κατά την βυζαντινή χιλιετία. «Η Αναγωγή της πίστεως εις γνώσιν» έγινε σύνθημα και αρχή διά τον Χριστιανικόν Ελληνισμόν εν αντιθέσει προς την θέση της Χριστιανικής Λατινικής Δύσεως, η οποία είδε την αρχαία ελληνική γραμματεία έργον του Σατανά, όπως βεβαιούται από την στάση του Τερτυλλιανού, του πάπα Γρηγορίου του Μεγάλου και άλλων τινων. Οι γέφυρες που προσπάθησαν να θεμελιώσουν τις σχέσεις μεταξύ ελληνικής φιλοσοφίας και Χριστιανικής πίστεως στη Δύση, Λατίνοι πατέρες και διανοούμενοι, όπως οι Ιερώνυμος, Βοήθιος και Κασσιόδωρος, δεν άντεξαν στις επιθέσεις από το στενό νομικιστικό συντηρητικό λατινικό πνεύμα. Η Δύση χρειάσθηκε να περάσουν αιώνες διά να ανακαλύψει τη σημασία της κλασ-σικής κληρονομιάς.

Η Ελληνική θρησκευτική σκέψη υπεγράμμισε τη ση-μασία της φιλανθρωπίας – αγάπης του ενανθρωπήσαντος Θεού, του σταυρωθέντος και αναστάντος από αγάπη διά την σωτηρία του ανθρώπου, ενώ η Λατινική Δύση, αυστηρή ακόλουθος της ρωμαϊκής αντιλήψεως περί νόμου ομιλεί διά την εξιλαστήριο σταυρική θυσία ως ανάγκη διά την αποκατάσταση της δικαιοσύνης του Θεού. Τούτο, όπως και άλλες διδασκαλίες, περί προπατορικού αμαρτήματος, περί γάμου και αγαμίας, εξηγεί εν μέρει γιατί στην Ορθοδοξία δεν αναπτύχθηκε ο σχολαστικισμός αλλά επεκράτησε το πνεύμα της πνευματικής ελευθερίας εντός του ευρυτάτου κλίματος

της εκκλησιαστικής ζωής. Χάρις ή νόμος; το πνεύμα ή το γράμμα του νόμου; αγάπη ή δικαιοσύνη; Ερωτήματα στα οποία έχουμε διαφορετικές απαντήσεις από Έλληνες και Λατίνους πατέρες.

Οι διαφορές μεταξύ του Ελληνικού και του Λατινικού τρόπου αντιμετωπίσεως προβλημάτων επισήμου κράτους, ή επικρατούσης θρησκείας στο κράτος, και θρησκευτικών μειονοτήτων εμφανίζονται νωρίς στην ιστορία της Χριστια-νοσύνης. Εκτός μερικών εξαιρέσεων, στην Ελληνική Ανατολή δεν δημιουργήθηκε Ιερά Εξέταση και δεν συντάχθηκε κατάλογος απαγορευμένων βιβλίων. Στην ιστορία του Χριστιανικού Ελληνισμού παρατηρούμε περισσότερες τιμωρίες δι’ εξορίας και σπανίως τιμωρία διά πυρός και μαχαίρας, περισσότερο διάλογο, θέσεις, αντιθέσεις και συνθέσεις και ολιγώτερον αυταρχισμό στην διαδικασία αιρέσεων και αντιφρονούντων. Οι εξαιρέσεις δεν αναιρούν τον κανόνα.

Ο θεσμός των Συνόδων, τοπικών και οικουμενικών, αλλά και η αυτονομία και το αυτοκέφαλον της σημερινής ανά τον κόσμο Ορθοδόξου Καθολικής Εκκλησίας, είναι θεσμός Ελληνικός και μας υπενθυμίζει το θεσμό των αμφικτυονίων, που απέβλεπαν στον θρησκευτικό και πολιτικό σύνδεσμο πολλών ανεξαρτήτων και αυτοκεφάλων πόλεων, κρατιδίων του αρχαίου Ελληνισμού. Ο Ρωμαιοκαθολικός παπικός μοναρχισμός είναι κληρονομιά από τον Ρωμαϊκό αυτοκρα-τορικό συγκεντρωτισμό. Οι Ρωμαιοκαθολικές αξιώσεις περί εξουσίας και πρωτείου πάπα, ως διαδόχου του Αποστόλου Πέτρου δεν ευσταθούν ιστορικώς αλλά και αγιογραφικώς. Ο παπικός συγκεντρωτισμός εξελίχθηκε σαν μια ανάγκη της εποχής κατά την οποία η Δυτική Ρωμαϊκή Αυτοκρατορία ευρίσκετο στο έλεος των βαρβαρικών επιδρομών και της ρωμαϊκής πολιτικής παρακμής.

Περί τα τέλη του πέμπτου αιώνα, η Εκκλησία της Ρώμης, κατ’ απομίμηση του Ρωμαϊκού αυτοκρατορικού θεσμού, είχε αξιώσεις να επιβληθεί εφ’ όλης της Χριστιανικής Εκκλησίας. Οι επίσκοποι της Ρώμης απαιτούσαν απόλυτη υποταγή και εδίδασκαν ότι ο πάπας λογοδοτεί μόνο στο Θεό. Με την πα-ρακμή και πτώση της αυτοκρατορικής ή πολιτικής εξουσίας, ο πάπας παρέλαβε τα σκήπτρα της εξουσίας και ζηλοτύπως ζητούσε τα προνόμια της πρωτοκαθεδρίας εφ’ όλης της πρώην Ρωμαϊκής Αυτοκρατορίας, αξιώσεις αντίθετες από την πρω-τοχριστιανική πράξη και το Ελληνικό πνεύμα της συναλληλίας και συνοδικότητος που επικρατούσε στην νέα διαμορφωθείσα Ελληνορωμαϊκή Χριστιανική Αυτοκρατορία.

Ένα παράδειγμα. Στις αρχές του έκτου αιώνα, ο πάπας της Ρώμης Σύμμαχος (498-514), αδιάλλακτος στις απαιτήσεις του, με αξιώσεις ότι ίστατο υπεράνω πατριαρχών και αυτοκρατόρων, έγραψε στον «συνετό, πεπαιδευμένον, επιεική τε και μεγαλόδωρον» (Ιωάννης Λυδός) και περισ-σότερον Ελληνόφρονα, τον εκ Δυρραχίου αυτοκράτορα Αναστάσιο (491-518) και απαιτούσε όπως ο Αναστάσιος επιβάλλει διά βίας τις αποφάσεις της τετάρτης οικουμενικής συνόδου και τιμωρήσει όσους δεν συμφωνούσαν με τις θεολογικές του απόψεις. Ο Αναστάσιος, που τον διέκρινε η μετριοπάθεια και ανθρωπιστική ανεκτικότητα, απήντησε ως εξής: «Η αιδεσιμότητά σου είναι δυνατόν να συμβάλλει στην πτώση μου, μπορεί να με υβρίσει, αλλά δεν μπορεί να με διατάξει. Δεν μπορώ να επιβάλλω την πίστη μιας μερίδος του λαού μου επί των άλλων που διαφωνούν διότι κάτι τέτοιο θα γέμιζε τους δρόμους της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως με αίμα.» Ο Αναστάσιος ακολούθησε το ελληνικό και όχι το ρωμαϊκό ήθος. Και η Εκκλησία της Κωνσταντινουπόλεως συνεφώνησε μαζί του, αν και μερικοί τον εκατηγόρησαν ως Μονοφυσίτη.

Σε διαφορές που προκύπτουν μεταξύ Εκκλησίας και Κρατικής Εξουσίας, εμείς οι Ελληνορθόδοξοι έχουμε κληρονομήσει μια παράδοση που απαιτεί διάλογο, συμβιβα-σμούς, ανεκτικότητα, αρμονία – αρχές που κληρονομήσαμε από τον αρχαίο, μη Χριστιανικό, αλλά και τον Χριστιανικό Ελληνισμό της βυζαντινής χιλιετίας. Το γεγονός ότι και στο Βυζάντιο υπήρξαν αυτοκράτορες που εξήσκησαν καισαρο-παπισμό και πατριάρχες που προσπάθησαν να μιμηθούν τους συναδέλφους των της παλαιάς Ρώμης και να επιβάλλουν παποκαισαρισμό δεν αναιρεί τον κανόνα, κατά τον οποίο η δυαρχία και η αρμονία μεταξύ τους δύο ήτο η επικρατέστερη πολιτική.

Η Ρωμαιοκαθολική Εκκλησία μέχρι σήμερα πολιτεύεται με νόμους και θεσμούς που κληρονόμησε από την αυτο-κρατορική και συγκεντρωτική Ρωμαϊκή Αυτοκρατορία, ενώ η Ελληνική Ορθόδοξος Εκκλησία, παραμένει συνεχιστής αρχαίων Ελληνικών θεσμών, και θεματοφύλακας του ελληνοχριστιανικού πνεύματος των μεγάλων πατέρων και οικουμενικών διδασκάλων.

Ο Πρωτοπρεσβύτερος π. Δημήτριος Ιω. Κωνσταντέλος είναι Ομότιμος Καθηγητής Πανεπιστημίου.

ôïõ ð. Äçìçôñßïõ Éù. ÊùíóôáíôÝëïõ

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Μια σημαντική πρεμιέρα που εντυπωσίασε τους φίλους της Όπερας είχαν την ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσουν όσοι βρέθηκαν στις 3 Ιουνίου στο Κάρνεγκι Χολ. Πρόκειται για την όπερα του Ροσίνι «Ερ-μιόνη» εμπνευ-σμένη από την Ελ ληνική Μυ-θολογία, με την Ελ ληνίδα Σο-πράνο Ειρήνη Τσιρακίδη στον ομώνυμο ρόλο. Τη Φιλαρμονική του Μανχάτταν διηύθυνε ο ομο-γενής Μαέστρος Πίτερ Τιμπόρης, γενικός διευθυ-ντής της Mid-America Pro-ductions που επιμελήθηκε και την παραγωγή και είναι μέλος της «Ηγεσίας των 100». Πρωταγωνιστικό ρόλο είχε και ο Ελληνοκύ-πριος βαρύτονος Κωνσταντίνος Γαννούδης. Η Ειρήνη Τσιρακίδη είχε παρουσιάσει την «Ερμιόνη» με την Όπερα του Ντάλας, τον περασμένο Φεβρουάριο. Για την συμμετοχή της εκείνη οι κριτικοί διέκριναν το πλούσιο ταλέντο της και επεσήμαναν ότι πρόκειται για μια πολύ σημαντική παρουσία, με ιδιαί-τερο πάθος στην φωνή της.

Τους υπόλοιπους ρόλους της όπερας μοιράστηκαν η μέτζο-σοπράνο Βικτώρια Λιβενγκουντ, η σοπράνο Τζοάνα Γουάιζμεν, η σοπράνο Κρίστεν Λέσλι και οι τενόροι Μπρούς Φορντ, Μπάρι Μπάνκς και Ντέιβιντ Ανταμς. Συμμετείχαν επίσης οι χορωδίες «Αρκάδιαν Κοράλ» και «Ρίτσμοντ Κοράλ.

Μιλώντας σχετικά με το έργο που διάλεξε ο Πίτερ Τιμπόρης επεσήμανε ότι αγάπησε το έργο του Ροσίνι με την πρώτη φορά που το άκουσε και τόνισε ότι αποτελεί ένα έργο έντονης και δραματικής μουσικής αξίας. Στο πρόγραμμα της παραστάσεως, οι παραγωγοί εκφράζουν ευχαριστίες και στον Αρχιεπίσκο-πο Αμερικής κ. Δημήτριο.

Ομογενής Μαέστρος διευθύνει «ΕΡΜΙΟΝΗ» στο Carnegie Hall

Πανεπιστημίου «Τζορτζ Τάουν», από το οποίο τιμήθηκε με διδακτορικό δίπλωμα λέγοντας: «είπα στους αποφοίτους ότι ένα από τα μυστικά της ζωής είναι να γνωρίζεις σαν άνθρωπος από που έρχεσαι και που πηγαίνεις. Τους είπα ότι έχω συναντήσει, προέδρους, πρωθυπουργούς, βασιλιάδες, βασίλισσες, γερουσιαστές, βουλευτές και πρεσβευτές, αλλά τα δύο πιο σημαντικά πρόσωπα που συνάντησα στην ζωή μου είναι η μητέρα και ο πατέρας μου». Και σε άλλο σημείο της ομιλίας του κατέληξε: «Σκέφτομαι λοιπόν, ότι έρχομαι από μια οικογένεια, από μια κοινό-τητα, την Ελληνοαμερικανική, που μου έδωσε το σθένος και την δύναμη...»

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇ(212) 570-3555

ÃÉÁ ÄÉÁÖÇÌÉÓÅÉÓ ÓÔÏÍ

ôçëåöùíåßóôå óôï:

u óåë. 16

Οικογένεια, Κληρονομιάκαι Θρησκεία


OCMC Board Members Complete Pilgrimage to Alaska SitesKODIAK, Alaska – As they venerated

the relics of St. Herman of Alaska in the Holy Resurrection Cathedral here one last time before departing for their homes in the “Lower 48,” members of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) board understood much more about Orthodoxy in this place where it first came to North America over 200 years ago.

by Clifford T. Argue

OCMC BOARD members (from left) Andrew Yiannakos, Cina Daskalakis, Fr. Chad Hatfield, Teresa Polychronis, Thalia Karakitsios, Fr. Martin Ritsi, Bishop Nikolai, Helen Nicozisis, Betty Slanta, Cliff Argue, and Deacon Euthym Kontaxis.

Ten Board members and the son of one had completed a whirlwind four-day pilgrim-age to various Orthodox sites in the Anchor-age and Kodiak areas following the Board’s spring meeting in Portland, Oregon.

The OCMC and its predecessor mission boards and committees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese have been long-time and consistent supporters of Orthodoxy in Alaska. Donations have been made to individual clergy, parishes, and St. Herman Theological Seminary in Kodiak, with special emphasis on funding of training the seminarians in drug and alcohol counseling.

More recently, OCMC short-term mis-sion teams have traveled to the 49th state to assist with religious instruction in remote villages. This summer four OCMC teaching teams will travel throughout the state visit-ing small communities that in some cases only see a priest a few times a year.

While there are more than 90 parishes in Alaska, only 30 priests are available to serve them.

The board members saw and experi-enced a wide variety of the Orthodox pres-ence in Alaska from the traditional and by far largest body, the Russian Orthodox Dio-cese of Sitka and Alaska of the Orthodox Church in America, founded by Russian monks in Kodiak in 1794, to much more recent parishes of the Greek and Antiochian Archdioceses and a school and coffeehouse

operated by the Bulgarian Diocese.The pilgrims also went to Spruce Is-

land near Kodiak where St. Herman lived for many years ministering to the local native population.

OCMC participants on the pilgrimage were Fr. Martin Ritsi, executive director, St. Augustine, Fla; Helen Nicozisis, board president, Lancaster, Pa; Fr. Chad Hatfield, vice president, K o d i a k , Alaska; Betty Slanta, secre-tary, Alexandria, Va.; Deacon Dr. Euthym Kontaxis and his son Michael, 10, Rancho Mirage, Calif.; Teresa Polychronis, New York; Cina Daskalakis, Boca Rotan, Fla.; Thalia Karakitsios, New York; Andrew Yiannakos, Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Clifford Argue, Mercer Island, Wash.

Bishop Nikolai of the OCA Diocese, a former OCMC board member, hosted

the OCMC group. He welcomed them at a dinner at his chancery in Anchorage and provided warm hospitality throughout the visit in Kodiak.

His Grace expressed appreciation for the strong relationship between OCMC and Alaska and challenged the board to plan to build a church in the state, much as OCMC

has done in Africa and elsewhere through do-nations and construction teams.

While in Anchorage, the group visited St. John’s Antiochian Orthodox Cathedral and its surrounding complex including a K-8 community school, young singles resi-dence program facility, and chapel in Eagle River, hosted by Fr. Marc Dunaway, pastor; nearby Eklutna Historic Park incorporat-ing St. Nicholas Orthodox Church (OCA) and a cemetery with graves covered by

unique “spirit houses” for native Athabas-can Indians, most of whom are Orthodox, hosted by Fr. Hieromonk Yakov; and St. Innocent Orthodox Cathedral (OCA), cen-ter of church life for many Orthodox in the Anchorage area and the constant stream of visitors from outlying village throughout the state, hosted by Fr. Michael Oleksa, dean and well-known author and lecturer on Orthodoxy in Alaska.

A number of Greek immigrants arrived in Anchorage when it was founded just under a century ago. They came to work on the railroad, seek their fortunes in the mines, be fishermen, and eventually some opened restaurants. Holy Transfiguration Church started in the early 1960’s in a small cinder-block building near mid-town and today has a former mansion on a five-acre site south of the city. Fr. Leo Schefe and Presbytera Candace, recently arrived from New Zealand and the congregation welcomed the OCMC group for morning Orthros service and breakfast. The parish hopes to someday build a Byzantine-style church on its property.

The group also toured the Anchorage Museum of History and Art for a quick les-son in Alaskan history from pre-historic times through the Russian period of own-ership to the present oil-based economy. They heard from curators Mina Jacobs and Barbara Smith about the work of a new organization, ROSSIA, which is dedi-cated to preserving the historic and often environmentally threatened Orthodox Churches in Alaska.

Here in Kodiak, the OCMC pilgrims visited St. Herman Seminary which trains native Alaskans for service in the church, made the trip to Spruce Island, and par-ticipated in evening Vigil and Sunday morning Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at Holy Resurrection Cathedral.

u page 21


ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- With the ex-pansion of its existing missionary quarters under way, the Hogar Rafael Ayau Ortho-dox Orphanage in Guatemala City has put out a call for long-term missionaries.

“We would like to accept up to four long-term missionaries at the Hogar. They could have some background in elemen-tary education, early child development, physical therapy or speech therapy, child care and other related fields,” wrote OCMC missionary Fr. Timothy Ferguson after con-sulting with Mother Inés, the director of the orphanage. “We need people who can interact with the children on a daily basis – especially the toddlers and infants.”

The Hogar Rafael Ayau is run by Orthodox nuns and many of the staff are women. “We would like a balance between male and female volunteers since the children have had few positive male figures in their life,” continued Fr. Timothy Ferguson.

In the past, most OCMC long-term missionaries have been women and they are especially looking for male role models for the children.

Missionaries live on the orphanage

compound - fully surrounded by a brick wall in the middle of Guatemala City - that is a haven for the battered, neglected and or-phaned children that are brought there.

Since the children have already ex-perienced a great lack of stability in their short lives, long-term missionaries have the potential to promote a feeling of se-curity by their presence.

Well-grounded, mature individuals are needed to nurture the children and to help them along in the healing process.

Applicants ideally would already speak or have some knowledge of Span-ish, but language training prior to service can be arranged if necessary.

Terms for missionaries are typically two years or more, but shorter time peri-ods may be considered.

Check out www.ocmc.org/missionaries to find out more about OCMC missionaries.

For more information on how to become a long-term missionary, please contact the Orthodox Christian Mission Center’s Missionary Director, Maria Gal-los, at [email protected] or at (904) 829-5132.

Missionaries Needed in Guatemala

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. -- Through its Agape Canister humanitarian aid program the Orthodox Christian Mission Center has been helping to feed thousands in the slums of Calcutta, India since 1996.

The Philanthropic Society of the Orthodox Church in India, which is an OCMC Agape Canister program grant recipient, runs two feeding programs.

These programs have improved the quality of life and life expectancy for thousands.

Homeless children are fed daily and nonperishable food is distributed to impoverished families, the elderly and many disabled people weekly. This ministry helps widows, lepers, the blind and the lame.

Both of these feeding programs are seeing increased numbers of people in need. Today, nearly 250 children gather daily in the churchyard to receive milk and biscuits. Boys and girls, ranging in age from six months to 16 years, partake of the food.

Most of the children who depend on this program are homeless or come from very poor homes and the biscuits they re-ceive are likely their only meal of the day.

There has also been a tremendous rise in the number of people who

come seeking help from the weekly outreach.

In 2002, 6,000 people, including 1,700 families and 900 individuals, came to the church to receive nonperishable food items. Lentils, rice and other staples of the Indian diet are distributed to help prevent starvation and disease.

The recent increases of people in need seeking help have made it difficult for the Philanthropic Society to provide all essentials.

To accommodate the increasing num-bers of people the Society has cut back on the number of items they give out each week. They used to give out flour, oil and soap, but have eliminated these in order to help feed more people.

While these programs are helping thousands, there is still so much more that could be done.

Fr. Ignatios Sennis, a missionary from Greece and the founder of the Phil-anthropic Society said recently, “It is our hope to be able to provide all the essential items in the near future for the weekly program and to provide vitamins for the children at least twice a week. The Society needs all the support it can get, especially as more and more needy people require our assistance.”

OCMC Helps to Feed Thousands In India

MIS SIONS

WASHINGTON-The American Hel-lenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) is promoting the United Service Organizations’ (USO) “Operation USO Care Package.”

“We are excited to be an official part-ner with the USO on such a meaningful philanthropic and patriotic endeavor as ‘Operation USO Care Package,’” said AHEPA Supreme President Dr. James Dimitriou. “If we can, in some small way, offer a sense of comfort and home to our heroes, then we’ve provided a great ser-vice of which we are proud.”

According to the supreme president, AHEPA will initiate a four-month fund raising campaign, directing its chapters and members to support our troops by making a generous contribution to this program. The goal is to donate a mini-mum of $10,000.

“This is a great opportunity for AHEPA, like it has so many times in its history, to mobilize its vast grassroots network in a

demonstration of patriotism,” said AHEPA Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis. “Also, we hope to have some of our chapters pro-vide logistical assistance in the preparation and handing out of care packages to our troops when they deploy.”

AHEPA will promote the USO initia-tive on its Web site, www.ahepa.org http://www.ahepa.org, in its official publication, The AHEPAN, and through an aggressive grassroots campaign to its chapters and members across the world.

“USO appreciates AHEPA’s offer to promote this initiative among its mem-bers throughout the world to show our fighting men and women that they are remembered by Americans of Greek descent back home,” said Elaine Rogers, USO-Metro president. “This program is possible because of the support from cor-porations, individuals, and associations like AHEPA that donate funds to spon-sor the packages or items requested by military personnel.”

AHEPA Promotes “Operation USO Care Package”

Fr. John Heropoulos presented Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts representing 20 different troops from St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Greenlawn, New York with their Orthodox Scouting awards – the St. George Medal, Chi Rho Medal and Alpha Omega awards. Award recipients were – For the St. George Medal: Samantha Courbanou, Alexis Dimitriou, Christina Dimitriou, Alaina Dimitriou, Kristen Dorsey, Demi Kaitery, Stephanie Kostopoulos, Georgina Kostopoulos, Stephanie Larkin, Martine LaSorsa, Cynthia Plackis, Eleni Toubanos. For the Chi Rho Medal: Alexis Dimitriou, George Dimitriou, Julianna Ioannou, Athena Kaitery, Demi Kaitery, Spiridoula Kokkosis, Angela Kokkosis, Stephanie Kostopoulos, Georgina Kostopoulos, Alexandra Kranidis, Jamie Ramerini, Leah Smilios. The Alpha Omega award recipient was Soultania Makrides.

Orthodox Scouting Awards

Seminary Academic Dean Fr. Chad Hatfield and Administrative Dean Archi-mandrite Benjamin hosted the group at various times.

They also toured St. Innocent Acad-emy, a school for “at risk” Orthodox youth from around the country, operated under the Bulgarian Diocese by Fr. Paisius De Lucia, and Monk’s Rock Bookstore and Coffeehouse. Fr. Martin Ritsi, OCMC executive director, gave the graduation address at the Seminary.

The four days in Alaska offered a deeply rewarding spiritual experience for the OCMC Board members who par-ticipated. It also served as a reconfirma-tion of the need for continued support of Alaska by OCMC. There were many op-

Katherine R. Boulukos of St. Paul Ca-thedral in Hempstead, N.Y. and Anastasia Nicholas, from Annunciation Church in Manhattan met recently with Archbishop Demetrios to discuss the work they are doing towards the creation of The Greek Museum, the Center for Greek American Heritage in the New York area.

Mrs. Boulukos said there is a great need to establish such a museum, which is dedi-cated to preserving and recording the his-tory and culture of the Greek immigrants.

Since similar museums exist in Chicago and Salt Lake City and His Eminence agreed that the time was long overdue for New York to have its own, Mrs. Boulukos said.

The museum would include an oral history department that would tell the story of the immigrants from individual video interviews. There would be displays about the early life of the immigrants, and the contributions of the various fraternal and regional organizations.

In addition, it would showcase the es-tablishment of the Greek Orthodox Church in New York City, trace the various early

trades, and include a time line that would document the earliest arrivals. It would also include a Library and a music collection.

The Archbishop congratulated the two women for obtaining charter status from the state of New York and the tax-exempt status from the federal and state governments. He agreed that this would be a valuable educational tool. The plan includes for a professional curator to in-clude a hands on display for children.

His Eminence encouraged the women to fulfill this challenging task that they have been working on for seven years, Mrs. Bou-lukos reported. The women expressed their difficulty in convincing fellow Greeks that it is possible to establish such a museum in the New York area despite the financial crisis the city is facing today.

The museum is accepting artifacts, photocopies of documents, and other rel-evant items. They can be reached by email at: the [email protected]. Their web site address is: http://www.greek-museum.org, mailing address: PO Box 1863, Grand Central Station, NY 10163.

Greek Museum Founders Meet with Archbishop

PILGRIMAGE TO ALASKA SITESu page 20

portunities for worship, fellowship and interaction with local Orthodox, learn-ing, and something Orthodox do very well – eating. Being the Paschal season, a common thread wherever the group went was the joyous singing of “Christ is Risen” not only in traditional languages like English, Greek, Slavonic, and Arabic, but also in Alaskan native tongues such as Yupik, an Eskimo dialect from the Yukon-Kuskokwim area.

While for most on the pilgrimage it was the first time to be in Alaska, all agreed it likely would not be the last time they visit this “Great Land,” where Orthodoxy was planted in North America and today needs support to maintain a strong presence.

For more information on the Diocese of Alaska, go to http://alaskanchurch.org/


CHICAGO – Calling International Or-thodox Christian Charities an “organiza-tion of action,” Bishop Dimitrios was hon-ored Sunday as a man of action by IOCC’s Chicago Metropolitan Committee.

Bishop Dimitrios, ecumenical officer of the Archdiocese, was the honoree at the committee’s ninth annual Pan-Orthodox Grand Banquet.

“When we stand before Christ, he will not ask us if we are a lawyer or a mil-lionaire or even a cleric; he will ask us if we fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned,” Bishop Dimitrios told the crowd of 300 at The Carlisle in Lombard, Ill.

“I am a man of few words. I much prefer action. That is why I am so sup-portive of IOCC. It is an organization of action,” he said.

Bishop Dimitrios was recognized for his longstanding support of IOCC, the of-ficial humanitarian aid agency of Orthodox Christians.

In addition to his work for the Greek Archdiocese, Bishop Dimitrios is general secretary of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Ameri-cas (SCOBA), the parent organization of IOCC. In both capacities, His Grace has been active in promoting the work of IOCC.

“Your commitment to the Orthodox Church, to people around the world, your

humble spirit, your quiet approach and your quick wit are inspiring and conta-gious,” said IOCC Executive Director Con-stantine M. Triantafilou. “On behalf of the board of directors of IOCC, the staff and all our beneficiaries, I thank you.”

Among those attending the banquet were Orthodox faithful from the Greek, Serbian, Antiochian, OCA and Romanian churches in Chicago.

“The banquet exemplified the pan-Or-thodox spirit,” said Dr. George Dalianis, chairman of the Chicago committee. “The warmth and congeniality that permeated the evening is what made it so special.”

The Chicago committee is one of 27 such groups across the country that ad-vance the humanitarian mission of IOCC through fund-raising and volunteer work.

In addition to Bishop Dimitrios, the other attending hierarchs were Metro-politan Iakovos of Chicago, Bishop Job of the Diocese of Chicago and the Mid-west (OCA), and Archbishop Nicolae of the Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canada.

Keynote speaker was Alexis Trou-betzkoy, international church liaison for IOCC. Master of ceremonies was longtime Chicago newsman Bud Photopulos, and banquet chairwoman was Margo Anos.

Since its founding in 1992, IOCC has delivered more than $160 million in hu-manitarian assistance in 23 countries.

IOCC Chicago Committee Honors Bishop Dimitrios

BISHOP DIMITRIOS with IOCC staff, board members and volunteers at the ninth annual Pan-Or-thodox Grand Banquet in Chicago. With him are (from left) IOCC Development Officer Dan Chris-topulos, banquet Chairwoman Margo Anos, IOCC board member Donna Haddad Conopeotis, board member James Thomas, Chicago Metropolitan Committee Chairman Dr. George Dalianis and IOCC Church Liaison Alexis Troubetzkoy.

BALTIMORE – The Romanian Ortho-dox Church recently bestowed upon Nich-olas Chakos, former program coordinator for IOCC-Romania, its Patriarch Miron Cross, the highest lay honor it grants. The award is given for outstanding social service on behalf of the Orthodox Church.

Attending the April 18 awards cere-mony in Bucharest were Patriarch Teoctist, Bishop Ciprian, IOCC-Romania Program Coordinator Will Clowney, and Chakos. Patriarch Teoctist commended Chakos for his work with IOCC in service to the Romanian people, especially during the floods of 2000.

“It was an awesome honor,” Mr. Chakos said. “It’’ a strong validation of the great things that we’ve been able to accomplish there as IOCC. And it shows not only the great needs that exist in Ro-mania but also how effective we can be as partners with the Church.”

Chakos was granted the honor by a unanimous vote of the Holy Synod. The award is named after Patriarch Miron, the first patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox

Church, who served from 1925-1939.“This award exemplifies IOCC’s

commitment to maintaining strong re-lationships with the Orthodox Church wherever it works,” said IOCC Executive Director Constantine M. Triantafilou. “It demonstrates that IOCC has been true to its mission as an agency of the Orthodox Church.”

Chakos served at IOCC’s Bucharest office for three years. In that time, IOCC provided emergency relief to victims of flooding, helped open a multi-purpose youth center in Bistrita, and began a project to prevent child abandonment and reintegrate orphans with their families.

Chakos, who now is program officer for European development at the IOCC Athens office, said he received the award on his last day in Bucharest. “I was called in to say my final farewell to the patriarch and to introduce Will (Clowney),” he said. “All of a sudden, the patriarch stood up and they told me to stand up, that they would like to present me with this award. I didn’t even know this was coming.”

IOCC Staff Member GetsRomanian Orthodox Church Honor

Priest’s Son, Seminarian Die During Fishing Tripu page 1

RECEIVE NEWS FROM THE ARCHDIOCESE AS IT HAPPENS!Subscribe to receive News by e-mail at:www.goarch.org/listserv

Athan Chamberas

Chamberas’ body was found June 15 nearby.

Hundreds of people gathered at St. George Cathedral in Manchester the night of June 11 for a memorial service for Vougias, and to continue prayers for Chamberas’ safe return. Fr. Chamberas had served as dean of the Manchester cathedral for several years in the 1990s.

Upon learning of the tragedy, Arch-bishop Demetrios flew to New Hampshire to comfort the families and for Vougias’ wake.

On June 15, Metropolitan Methodios of Boston officiated at the funeral. He was assisted by Fr. Atha-nasios Demos, the Boston Metropolis chancellor; Fr. Stylianos Mouksouris, dean of St. George Cathedral; Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, presi-dent of Holy Cross-Hellenic College; Fr. Alkiviadis Cali-vas, professor emeritus at Holy Cross; Fr. Elias Velo-nis, also from Holy Cross; Fr. John Maheras of Nativ-ity-Assumption parish of Cohasset, Mass., Fr. Angelo Pappas, pastor of St. Nicho-las, Portsmouth, N.H.; and Fr. Alexander Combassor, of the Russian Orthodox parish in Manchester.

Archbishop Demetrios officiated at the funeral for Chamberas on June 18 at St. George Cathedral with more than 600 persons attending. Also participating were Met-ropolitan Methodios, Bishop Elias of Philomelion of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America; and 45 priests from New England, New York, New Jersey and North Carolina.

Fr. Mark Leondis, director of the Arch-diocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Chamberas’ brother-in-law, delivered the eulogy.

Vougias was a student at Hellenic Col-lege and had just completed his first year. He planned to become a priest. He was an altar boy at St. George Cathedral and was very involved with church functions.

Chamberas was born in Boston and moved to New Hampshire in 1991. He graduated from Manchester Central High School and earned a degree from Plym-

outh State College.The Manchester Union-Leader report-

ed that he had a lifelong love of fishing and swimming. He became certified in scuba diving in college, volunteered with the

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department and spent a summer building a fish ladder for the National Park Service in Tongas Na-tional Park, Alaska.

After graduating from college he worked for the state’s fish hatchery in Bris-tol and at Toombs Door Co. while he worked on design-ing and building aerated and naturally temperature-controlled holding tanks for hatching and raising salmon and trout.

In addition to working part-time on a commercial lobster boat, he bought and refurbished a classic wood-hulled Nova Scotia boat, the

Black Beauty.He also designed a lobster trap that

was approved by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department. He aspired to be a professional lobsterman.

In addition to his parents; he is sur-vived by two sisters, Alexia Chamberas of New York and Anastasia Leondis of Thiells, N.Y., wife of Fr. Mark Leondis, director of the Archdiocesan Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministry; a niece and nephew; a grandmother; and aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Trisagion service was held Tuesday evening, June 17 with more than 1,000 attending.

In lieu of flowers, memorial dona-tions may be made to Hogar Raphael Ayau Orthodox Orphanage c/o The Rev. and Mrs. Peter Chamberas, 439 N. Shore Road, Hebron, NH 03241.

CHRISTIANITY, JUDAISMu page 5

particularity.The purpose of our dialogue is to

remove prejudice and to promote a spirit of mutual understanding and constructive cooperation in order to confront common problems.

Specific proposals will be developed to educate the faithful of both religions to promote healthy relationships based on mutual respect and understanding to confront bigotry and fanaticism.

Being conscious of the crises of ethical and spiritual values in the contemporary world, we will endeavor to identify histori-cal models of peaceful coexistence, which can be applied to minority Jewish and Or-thodox communities in the Diaspora.

We will draw from our spiritual sources to develop programs to promote and enhance our common values such as

peace, social justice and human rights, specifically addressing the concerns of religious minorities.

It was agreed to establish a permanent coordinating committee to maintain and foster continuing relationships.

The Committee would jointly moni-tor principles enunciated at the meeting and would further enhance the dialogue and foster understanding between the respective religious communities. Also a proposal was made to establish an annual day devoted to Jewish-Christian relations to be organized together by respective religious communities.

In addition, the consultation also welcomed new developments that could bring peace between Israel and the Pales-tinians and urged the immediate recogni-tion of the Patriarch Irineos of Jerusalem by the government of Israel.

http://www.plymouth.edu

http://www.plymouth.edu


PhiloptochosThe Voice of

Archdiocesan Philoptochos “Panaghia Perivleptos”

by Terry Kokas

Part 4Archbishop Michael was elected pri-

mate of the Greek Orthodox Church in the Americas in 1949. Under his spiritual guidance, the Philoptochos continued its mission of humanitarian services.

You are:The helping hand of the travelerThe healing of the sickly The golden hop of the suffering The silver of the needy!You are working always so tirelesslyTo bring to them your charity!You are:The ceiling of the homeless And the concern of all the poorAs constantly you are fighting Strongly to provide them allWith a livelihood!You are:The food of every hungryThe moon and the Sunray of allThe refuge of the orphan And every unlucky soul!To you every body is looking upWith some kind of hope, to warmHis body from life’s unfriendly cold!And you without hesitation You are always providing helpWith such maternal affection!You are:The intercession of The Theotokos!And the pride of Jesus Christ!They named you BeautifulCompassionate “PHILOPTOCHOS”With the Golden heart,Because you are workingAll the time so very hard!And all the shining stars aroundYou who are decorating youAre all your golden preciousLadies who are representing you!

Dimitrios Trigonis

Dimitrios Trigonis is choir member of Holy Trinity Church in Bridgeport Conn.

Ode to Philoptochos

Author’s Book Signing Luncheon Held

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Enosis Philoptochos Society of St. Sophia Church joined hands with Dione Chapter 143 Daughters of Penelope to host an author’s book signing luncheon, March 22 at the parish Hellenic Center.

by Penny Maistros

The event, co-chaired by Penny Mais-tros and Emily Mitchell, featured three respected Greek American authors who talked about their works. Proceeds from this very successful affair will benefit their scholarship funds.

Appearing was Thea Halo, author of Not Even My Name, a memoir of the Pontic Greek genocide of the early 20th century. Her mother, Sano Halo, survived it as child, and recounted her experience to her daughter during a trip to Turkey. The book won the AHEAD 2002 Freedom Award and has inspired state proclama-tions honoring the survivors. Sano Halo received the New York Governor’s Award for Excellence and was honored in the Congressional Record.

Also at the luncheon was Dr. Peter Kalellis, a family and marriage therapist, lecturer, and writer, who wrote One More Spring, a novel about the Nazi occupation of the Greek island of Lesbos. He not only recounts the pain and horror of that time but also young and courageous hope. Dr. Kalellis has written more than 25 books including Pick Up Your Couch and Walk, Restoring Yourself, and books on the Or-thodox faith.

The third author on the program, Alexia Lewnes, is a journalist whose special interest is children’s issues. Her book, Mis-placed, is her study of five homeless young people living on the streets of New York, whom she chronicled for more than four years. She is the winner of a Prudential Fellowship for Children and the News.

The program attracted more than 180 people from St. Sophia parish and many from the community at large, New York, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts.

The Archdiocesan Philoptochos “Pan-aghia Perivleptos” was established in 1979 following the changes in the Archdiocesan Charter of 1977.

by Terry Kokas

The Archdiocesan Philoptochos is un-der the spiritual leadership of Archbishop Demetrios.

The president of the Archdiocesan Philoptochos is Stella Capiris of West-port, Conn.

The Executive Board includes: Geor-gia Vlitas, Staten Island, N.Y.- first vice president. Sophia George, Fort Lee, N.J. - second vice president. Demi Brountzas, Astoria, N.Y. - recording secretary. Marina Katsoulis, Manhasset, N.Y., -correspond-ing secretary. Helen Misthos, Whitestone, NY -treasurer. Kalli Tsitsipas, Huntington, CT -assistant treasurer. Lily Katos, Doug-laston, NY - advisor.

The Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Ca-thedral chapter in New York was the first Philoptochos Society chapter established in the United States, in 1902.

The first president of the Cathedral Philoptochos was Erifili Vrachnou. The current president is Mary Christy. Their numerous philanthropic contributions are spectacular, from the weekly “Feeding of the Homeless,” to the financial support for the Greek and Greek American children who suffer from life threatening illnesses, to the families of the firefighters who were vic-tims of the September 11th tragedy, are only very few of their many philanthropies.

The Cathedral Philoptochos is one of the many chapters of the Archdiocesan Philoptochos “Panaghia Perivleptos.”

The Philoptochos chapters include Manhattan, The Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, Long Island, Westchester, Upstate New York, Lower Connecticut, and Washington.

All Archdiocesan Philoptochos chap-ters support the National Philoptochos programs and commitments, especially St. Basil Academy, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, the St. Michael’s Home, Social Services, Cardiac Fund, Children’s Medical Fund, and the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, NY.

The five Brooklyn and Staten Island chapters have sponsored a combined lun-cheon for the past 30 years contributing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the institutions of the Archdiocese.

During the past few years the Com-bined Luncheon’s proceeds of $100,000 have been given to the St. Michael’s Home for a nursing home in Yonkers, N.Y.

In addition, the Nassau, Suffolk, Queens Philoptochos chapters recently contributed $42,000 for the St. Michael’s Nursing Home, a facility being planned for the near future.

Mrs. Capiris has traveled extensively visiting the chapters, attending meetings and special events, such as the 70th an-niversary of the St. Sophia Cathedral Philoptochos in Washington and the 40th anniversary of the Holy Cross chapter in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The Archdiocesan Philoptochos, for the first time this past year held a religious retreat at Holy Trinity Church in New Ro-chelle, N.Y., with Archbishop Demetrios the special speaker which was truly an in-spirational experience. Dr. Anton Vrame made a presentation of “Panaghia Icons” that was well received.

For the first time an Archdiocesan Philoptochos board meeting was held at the Hellenic Cultural Center in Astoria, N.Y., which is one of their commitments.

The Center presents interesting lec-tures and exhibits focusing on Hellenic tra-ditions. At the conclusion of the meeting a check was presented to the Center for $1,500 to be used towards the purchase of a TV station.

Mrs. Capiris, in her report to the National Board meeting in Washington, commended several chapters that have undertaken the financial support of the education of one child at St. Basil’s Acad-emy at a cost of $7,095 annually.

The chapters are Holy Trinity, Bridge-port, Conn.; Archangel Michael, Roslyn, N.Y.; Cathedral Philoptochos, New York; St. George, Norwalk, Conn. and Sts. Con-stantine and Helen of Washington.

Stella Capiris and her husband, George, have two sons and one grandchild. Mrs. Capiris has served in many capacities

in her parish, Holy Trinity in Bridgeport, Conn. including parish council president.

The Archdiocesan Philoptochos Board members include: Kathy Boulukos, Mary Constantinidi, Despina Fassuliotis, Stella Fiorentino, Roula Georgiou, Venetia Hatzikiriakos, Maria Kouttron, Effie Verven Panagiotopoulos, Irene Panagos, Barbara Pappas, Paula Strouzos, Alexandra Tsiatis, Cathy Zoumboulis.

They assisted the Archbishop in es-tablishing the Greek Orthodox Youth of America, and participated in an arduous campaign, launched by the Archbishop, to have the U.S. Government place the initials, G.O. on dog tags to accurately identify Greek Orthodox members of the Armed Forces. This was a remarkable accomplishment by the Greek Orthodox community.

Archbishop Michael, in 1951, placed the administration, budget and super-vision of St. Basil Academy under the Archdiocese. Since its establishment, the Philoptochos had been totally responsible for its operation. The Society continues to this day its dedicated support of the institution.

A devastating earthquake shook the Ionian Islands in 1953 and once again the Philoptochos chapters rallies its forces to

offer considerable assistance, sending food, clothing, medicine and financial support to the beleaguered people of the Ionian Islands.

A new plateau was reached in 1956, when the Philoptochos National Confer-ence, for the first time, was convened simultaneously with the Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress in Washington, D.C. At this conference the Philoptochos was urged to participate in local chapters of the

United Council of Church Women.At the initiative and leadership of

Archbishop Michael, an old age home was founded in Yonkers, N.Y. in 1958. Among its founders were prominent Ladies of the Philoptochos, including Sophie Hadjiya-nis and Katherine Zoullas.

The Society organized many special fund-raising events donating the pro-ceeds to furnish the rooms of the home. Substantial support from the Ladies

Philoptochos Society has continued to the present.

During the Clergy-Laity Congress and Philoptochos Conference in Salt Lake City, Archbishop Michael became ill and returned to New York. He died shortly thereafter. Several months later the old age home was named, “St. Mi-chael’s Home for the Aged” dedicated to the memory of its founder, the beloved Archbishop Michael.

DELEGATES TO THE 1st Convention of the Greek Ladies Philanthropic Societies of North America. Boston, Mass. October 7, 1935.

Years of Christian PhilanthropyMore Than 70 Years of Christian Philanthropy


SCHOLARSHIPSThe Archdiocese has awarded three

$1,500 George and Naouma Gioles Schol-arships for the 2003-04 academic year.

The Gioles Scholarship Fund was es-tablished in 1997 with a generous gift in memory of George and Naouma Gioles. At least three scholarships are awarded annually to Greek Orthodox high school seniors or college students committed to serious study in a degree-earning un-dergraduate program at an accredited college or university.

The Gioles Scholarship Committee selected the following recipients from nu-merous applications submitted by young men and women from throughout the

nation: Stephanie Kalamaras, Joliet, Ill; Justin Leh, Knoxville, Tenn.; and Theo-dora Tarnoff, Philadelphia.

Applicants are asked to provide transcripts of previous academic work, letters of recommendation, and evidence of financial need.

Applications and guidelines for the 2004-05 academic year are available upon request from the Office of the Chancellor, Scholarship Office, 10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021, with an application dead-line of April 15, 2004. Applications are also available on-line at: http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/giolesscholarship.pdf.

2003-04 Gioles Scholarship Awards Announced

NEW YORK -- The Archdiocese re-cently announced the recipients of schol-arship awards for the 2003-04 academic year from the Katina John Malta Scholar-ship Program.

The scholarship Fund is a new pro-gram the Archdiocese has established through a generous gift from the Katina John Malta estate.

This year, $11,000 in awards were presented to the following recipients: Ju-lian Shirland of Bellevue, Wash; Dean Moll of North Royalton, Ohio; Dean Arnaouta-kis of Dunedin, Fla.; George Arnaoutakis of Dunedin, Fla., Niki Stamos of Campbell, Ohio; Emmanuel Vozos of Union, N.J.; and Amanda Georgantas of Shorewood, Ill.

These students were selected by the Scholarship Committee from the numerous applications the Archdiocese

received. Each scholarship ranging from $1,000 to $2,000.

The donation and the formation of the scholarship program has been done in recognition of the love Katina had for the Church and in honor of the desire she had to help others, especially children and youth.

The program will award at least two scholarships for $2,000 each academic year. The program is open to all Orthodox students from SCOBA jurisdictions.

Application forms are available from the Office of the Chancellor, Scholarship Office, 10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021. Application deadline for 2004 will be April 15, 2004.

Applications are also available on-line at: http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/chancellor/maltascholarship.pdf.

First Katina John Malta Scholarships Awarded

BROOKLINE, Mass. – Holy Cross School of Theology, the Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicals will sponsor a Tri-Level Institute of Theological Education on Aug. 7-10 on the campus of Hellenic College-Holy Cross.

The Institute theme will be “Offering Orthodoxy to Contemporary America.”

Summer 2003 Scheduleof Speakers & Topics

Elenie Huszagh, J.S.D., president of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, will deliver the keynote address.

Other Adult Education Program speakers and topics are as follows:

Dr. Bruce Beck, “Orthodoxy and the Bible Belt;” the Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, “September 1: A Day of Prayer for the Environment;”

Dr. Nicholas Constas, “Orthodox Identity and the Contemporary World: Problems and Possibilities; ” Rev. Dr. Demetrios Demopulos, “Science, Technology and the Fathers;” the Rev. Dr. George Dragas, “The Church and the Ethics of War; ” Rev. Dr. Nicholas Krommydas, “The Parish as Healer and Reconciler of God’s People;” Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos, “Preaching to a Post-modern Audience;” Dr. Aristotle Papan-ikolaou, “The Challenge of Faith in the 21st Century.”

The Clergy Program will include a key-note address from Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, who will speak on “The Pastoral

Epistles: Building a Foundation.”Other speakers and topics will include:Dr. Emmanuel Chris, “Clergy Self

and Family Care;” the Rev. Dr. Charles Joanides, “Interfaith Ministry;” Michael Kallas, “Confronting Drug & Alcohol Problems in the Parish;” Dr. George Stavros, “Crisis Intervention & Respond-ing to Needs;” the Rev. Dr. George Papa-demetriou, “Orthodoxy and Islam;” Dr. Lewis Patsavos, “Canons and Church Governance;” Dr. James Skedros, “Saints of the Future” and the Rev. Dr. Theodore Stylianopoulos, “Scripture in Worship.”

The Church Music Program will in-clude a keynote address by Archimandrite Ephrem Lash on “The Challenges of Eng-lish and Orthodox Hymnology.”

Speakers and their topics will include: Dr. Vicki Pappas, “The Use of English in Greek Orthodox Church Music: Where are We and Where are We Going?;” Presby-tera Anna Gallos, “Composing Orthodox Music for English Texts;” Dr. Alexander Lingas, “What Maintains Tradition – and What Doesn’t?;” Dr. Jessica Suchy-Pila-lis, “Chanting with English Texts;”and Dr. Tikey Zes, “Singing in English: Exploring Current Repertoire.”

The Rev. Nicholas Kastanas and Rick Vanderhoef will offer Byzantine chant training classes and there will be other plenary sessions and practicum workshops for composers, directors, singers, and chanters. Invitations are being extended to other national church music leaders and clergy to serve as faculty.

Institute of Theological Education Set in August at HC/HC

OAK LAWN, Ill. – The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council convened its regular spring meeting June 2-4 at St. Nicholas Church in Oak Lawn, hosted by Frs. Timothy Bakakos and John Kaloumas, the Chicago Metropolis representatives to the APC.

APC members selected Stone Moun-tain, Ga., as the site of the National Clergy Retreat on Nov. 5-7. Bishop Gerasimos of Krateia and Fr. Costa Sitaras will be the facilitators for the retreat, which will focus on clergy wellness.

Other actions at the spring meeting in-cluded the adoption of an on-going educa-tion program for the clergy to be presented for approval to Archbishop Demetrios.

A new committee on vocations was developed with the charge for all priests to seek out dedicated men from various walks of life to minister as clergy within the church.

A statement was also drafted applaud-ing and supporting Fr. Nicholas Triantaf-ilou, president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, and his staff for their outstanding work. Issues concern-

ing the charter were also discussed.Along with APC members, Bishop

Savas of Troas and Fr. Michael Kon-togiorgis, Archdiocese chancellor and assistant chancellor respectively, par-ticipated. Fr. Costa Sitaras and Fr. James Gordon also attended.

For the first time, the APC, and the executive boards of the Retired Clergy Association and National Sisterhood of Presvyteres all attended and expressed their common concerns facing clergy families. The joys and concerns, the suc-cesses and shortcomings, and opportuni-ties for ministry and service to the Church were discussed.

The APC is an advisory body to the Archbishop comprised of clergy represen-tatives from throughout the country.

Each metropolitan Clergy Syndesmos selects two members to this Council who discuss issues relating to ministry within the parish and the Church at large. Of-ficers are: Fr. James C. Moulketis, presi-dent; Fr. Timothy Bakakos, vice-presi-dent; Fr. Tom Chininis, treasurer; and Fr. Paul Kaplanis, secretary.

Archdiocesan Presbyters Council Meets in Illinois

NEW YORK – Antenna Satellite North America began live broadcasting of the Divine Liturgy every Sunday from Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral on Palm Sunday, April 20.

Antenna Satellite is available through-out North America. For information in your area contact Antenna Satellite TV at (212) 688-5475.

Antenna joins Time Warner Digital, Channel 509 (National Greek Television--NGTV), which began broadcasts of the Cathedral Liturgy in February 2002, and broadcasts between 10 a.m. and noon in Metropolitan New York and northern New Jersey.

The Divine Liturgy also is broadcast live every Sunday on the Internet from 9

a.m. to noon on the Cathedral website: http://www.thecathedral.goarch.org and the website of the Greek Orthodox Arch-diocese of America: http://live.goarch.org. Special services of Lent, Holy Week and major Feast Days are also broadcast throughout the year on the Internet.

As of April 2003, the Liturgy (tape delayed) is broadcast on Cablevision Public Access in Long Island on Channel 20, Tuesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m.; in Connecticut (Greenwich and Westport) and New Jersey on Chan-nel 77, Sunday mornings, 10 - 11 a.m., and in Westchester County, Channel 18 (Harrison/Port Chester) and Channel 76 (New Rochelle/Pelham) Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Antenna Satellite Begins Live Broadcasts from Cathedral

NEW YORK -- Andrew Natsios, admin-istrator of the U. S. Agency for Interna-tional Development (USAID) addressed the annual National Conference of the Greek Orthodox Young Adult League (YAL) at a luncheon, Saturday, July 5 in Baltimore.

The annual YAL National Conference took place July 3-7.

Mr. Natsios’ presentation offered a hands-on view on translating faith into works, and will discuss the concept of ser-vice and its applications to philanthropy.

Mr. Natsios, an Orthodox Christian, heads USAID, the lead federal agency in providing economic and humanitarian as-sistance to developing countries.

USAID also has a lead role in rebuild-

ing post-war Iraq.Mr. Natsios has also served as vice-

president of World Vision, a leading non-profit international humanitarian organization.

Archbishop Demetrios attended some conference events and presided at the Hi-erarchical Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 6, at the Annunciation Cathedral. He also addressed conference participants at the grand banquet Sunday evening.

Keynote speaker for the conference was Fr. George Liacopulos, pastor of Holy Trinity Church in Egg Harbor Township, N.J.

Workshops and discussions were also held on contemporary and traditional spiritual challenges and opportunities.

USAID Administrator Addresses YAL Conference

In the CalendarJUNE28-29..................Greek Landing Day

Celebration – St. Photios Shrine

29................... Saints Peter and Paul

JULY3-7.........YAL Conference –Baltimore,

Maryland

4.........................Independence Day

10-13.........National Forum of Church Musicians Annual Meeting

20............................... Prophet Elias

27........................ Saint Panteleimon

AUGUST

6.............. Transfiguration of our Lord

7-10...Tri-Level Institute of Theological Education (HCHC – Brookline, MA)

15........... Dormition of the Theotokos

29...Commemoration of Beheading of John the Baptist


ANNUNCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH COMPLEX

F or nearly 40 years, Annuncia-tion Church has demonstrated that it is possible to give strong

support to the Church’s national and worldwide ministries while ministering to the needs of parishioners.

More than any other community, Annunciation has been at the forefront of supporting the missionary programs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese and of SCOBA, financially and through active participation.

The existence of the formal missions effort of the Archdiocese began through the efforts of one person – the parish priest Fr. Veronis.

His interest in missions began in the days when he was a student at Boston University and the University of Athens.

“I met a lot of international students at both schools,” Fr. Veronis said. In Ath-ens, I saw Orthodox students from Africa and the Middle East and the first thing I did when I came back in 1961 was to begin an avid correspondence with the African students.”

As a result he started raising money in his parish to help the fledgling churches in those nations in Africa having Ortho-dox Christian populations and established scholarships for foreign students to attend Holy Cross School of Theology.

The program developed into a “Lenten Self-Denial Club” at the parish, and Fr. Veronis was invited to other area communities to present the idea.

He gave a formal presentation on mis-sions at the 1964 Clergy-Laity Congress in Montreal and introduced the idea of starting an office of missions in the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Iakovos approved the concept and he created the Standing Committee of Orthodox Missions as a per-manent committee. Bishop Silas served as chairman, Fr. Veronis was appointed vice chairman and about 25 volunteer members of clergy and laypersons were named to the committee.

By 1984, the program had expanded considerably and the committee asked the Clergy-Laity Congress to create an official Department of Missions. The new depart-ment was based in St. Augustine, Fla., with Fr. Dimitrios Couchell as its director. It came under SCOBA in 1994 and became pan Orthodox in scope.

Fr. Veronis was elected president of the Board of Missions in 1984. For his long service and support of the program’s St. Augustine headquarters was named The Fr. Alexander Veronis Mission Center in 1988.

Among the board members are two Annunciation parishioners, successful busi-nessman Lou Nicozisis and his wife, Helen. Mrs. Nicozisis is currently the Missions Board president and also president of the Endowment Fund for Orthodox Missions. (In 1980, Mrs. Nicozisis was elected the par-ish council’s first woman president).

In 1989, the endowment fund achieved its goal of raising $1 million for missions. It is also working to endow at chair at Holy Cross.

Over the years, the parish has spon-sored numerous missionaries and mission programs, and also ministered locally to refugees and the downtrodden.

Annunciation has sponsored national mission tours for a priest from Uganda in 1965 and for Fr. Paul de Bellester of Mexico in 1966; adopted a black family of 10 in 1968 and helped them purchase their first home, sponsored a Vietnamese boat family in 1975 and a second Vietnamese family in 1979, has sponsored 30 Cypriot orphans since 1974, and has sent hundreds of boxes of books, Bibles and clothing to missions in Kenya and Alaska.

Each year the parish generates as much as $90,000 for missions, beyond

Parish’s Great Mission Is Its Great Support for Missionsthe revenue needed for its regular operating budget.

Members of the community also have undertaken missionary roles in numerous countries. Fr. Veronis him-self led a summer mission to Kenya to build a medical clinic. Other parish-ioners who have been active in mis-sions abroad included his son, Luke, a graduate of Holy Cross and currently the director of Resurrection Orthodox Seminary in Durres, Albania.

Fr. Luke has become a powerful ad-vocate of missions in his own right, hav-ing served as a missionary throughout the world and speaking to parishes through-out the United States and at the seminary on the importance of this ministry.

One of the frequent retreat speakers has been Archbishop Demetrios when, as Bishop Demetrios Trakatellis of Vresthena, he was a Holy Cross faculty member. In 1969, he presided at the groundbreak-ing for the educational building. The facility includes 15 classrooms and a gymnasium.

Local actionAnnunciation Church has a local focus

in its humanitarian efforts as well. Over the past 30 years, parishioners have raised about $3.2 million in the Crop Walk for the hungry program, with 25 percent of that amount benefiting Lancaster County food banks.

Fr. Veronis also participates in programs sponsored by local religious organizations.

was celebrated on the Feast of the Annunciation.

Within a few years the various auxiliary organizations of the parish were established, including the Greek school (current enrollment of the afternoon school is 45 students), an AHEPA chapter, Ladies Society, Maids of Athena, Daughters of Penelope and the Sunday School.

By the early 1950s, continued growth of the parish brought the need for a new facility and a building program was begun.

In 1956, Fr. Stanley Harakas, a Pennsylvania native, became the com-munity’s first American-born pastor. It was under his leadership that the par-

ish built its new facility in the western part of the city. The three-acre site includes the church and an education building and multi-purpose hall. The new church was completed in 1960 at a cost of $240,000. Archbishop Iakovos consecrated the facility in 1967.

Fr. Veronis, a native of Easton, Pa., succeeded Fr. Harakas in 1961 and has since become the community’s longest-serving priest.

Almost immediately he established the Lenten Self-Denial Club to support the missions effort that was his goal.

Another “mission” of Annuncia-tion Church is to support Holy Cross School of Theology. The community provides annual scholarships to anyone in the parish who wants to study at the school. “I always encourage young men to think about the priesthood,” said Fr. Veronis. Typically there are two to four students from Lancaster attending Holy Cross.

Since 1943, 10 priests of the Arch-diocese have come from Annunciation. The parish also was one of first to bring in lay assistants, Fr. Veronis explained. “We have brought in several that we eventually ordained and got second priest.” There have been 10 lay assis-tants since 1976.

Additionally, five young women from the community have become presbyteres.

DemographicsFr. Veronis estimates about 60 per-

cent of the parish is Greek American or immigrants from Greece that he de-scribes as “a very pious stock of people who are really church-oriented.”

There is a large number of converts and Orthodox Christians representing

Name: Annunciation Greek Orthodox ChurchLocation: Lancaster, Pa.Metropolis: PittsburghSize: about 1,400 baptized (nearly 500 families)Founded: 1921Clergy: Fr. Alexander Veronis (Lafayette College – B.A. in English and his-tory, ’54; Holy Cross, ’58; Boston University – STM pastoral psychology, ’60; University of Athens School of Theology – licentiate in Orthodox theology, ’61; Lebanon Valley Col-lege - honorary doctorate in Divinity, ’94); Fr. Joseph Toroney(Weekend assistant priest, Russian Ortho-dox background)

e-mail: [email protected]: enthusiasm and sup-port for missions, Bible study and other ministries of the Church can best be described in superlatives.

P A R I S H pro f i l e

LANCASTER

u page 26

Humble beginningsAn unusual manufacturing business

attracted the first Greeks to this city in the heart of the Pennsylvania Dutch country, about 70 miles west of Philadelphia and a few miles east of the Susquehanna River. (The Pennsylvania Dutch are Anabaptists who came from Germany around 1709. They are a familiar site in the region, trav-eling from place to place by horse and buggy, as they consider motor vehicles

and mechanical de-vices as being of the devil). Lancaster

also is the birth-place of Presi-

dent James Bu-chanan, Lincoln’s

predecessor, (1857-61).

B e t w e e n 1898 and 1902,

about 200 Greek immigrants from the islands of Kos and Chios came to work at a factory that made animal traps.

Lancaster had been a manufacturing center since the 1700s. The Conestoga wagon and Pennsylvania rifle (also called the Kentucky rifle) were produced here.

By 1909, liturgies took place at vari-ous halls around the city. Between 1918 and 1921, St. John’s Evangelical Church was used for services.

Annunciation was and still is the only Orthodox Christian church in all of Lan-caster County, which has 700 churches (one church for every 600 persons).

In 1921, the fledgling community purchased a Methodist church building near downtown for $14,500 that became its home for the next 40 years.

The parish received its charter in September of that year and the first Di-vine Liturgy in the transformed church

Scriptural progress seven-foldAlong with support of missions, the

spiritual growth of the parish is a top priority at Annunciation Church. Since 1977, seven Bible study classes are held on a regular basis and tailored to various segments of the community.

Fr. Veronis offers a weekly Bible class in Greek, another geared to children in the JOY (Junior Orthodox Youth) group; another to G O Y A , one for young adults; another for women and taught by Presbytera Pearl; a class for couples, and an Orthodox study group for converts. There also are Ortho-dox instructional classes for non-Orthodox wanting to learn about the faith.

“The result of learning about the Bible and the faith is they acquire a church “fronima” (discipline) and an attitude (toward the faith) that is very positive,” said Fr. Veronis.

Annunciation also has its regular Sunday School program, with 275 children enrolled, 40 teachers and two superintendents.

Throughout the year there are guest speakers, including many profes-sors from Holy Cross and Metropolitan Maximos who, as bishop of the Pitts-burgh Diocese in 1979, made his first pastoral visit and remarked that Annun-ciation Church “is what a Christian par-ish should be, an example to others.”

Two retreats – one in the fall, an-other in the spring, take place each year. The parish rents a nearby Roman Catho-lic monastery for overnight retreats.


22 nationalities, including Russian, Serbi-an, Albanian, Bulgarian, Carpatho-Russian, Polish, Egyptian, Ethiopian and Syrian.

“We have an open door policy,” said Fr. Veronis. “We invite anybody in if they are interested in Orthodoxy. We have a wonderful cross section of people.”

The “engine” that enables Annuncia-tion Church to pursue its wide range of programs and ministries is stewardship – not merely in terms of money, but also in time and talent of individuals.

“We have a really positive response to

church from the community. There’s a lot of stewardship in terms of time and talent and resources,” Fr. Veronis said.

Fr. Veronis also credits the church’s “re-ally great staff of five people” that assists him in the community’s wide array of activities.

Financially, out of a total annual bud-get of $650,000, about $370,000 comes from stewardship. Other revenue comes from the parish’s “Greek bazaar,” now in its 46th year. It attracts about 10,000 visi-tors over a two-day period.

–– compiled by Jim Golding

PARISH PROFILEu page 25

NEW YORK -- The North American Or-thodox-Catholic Theological Consultation held its 64th meeting from May 27 to 29, 2003, at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary in Crestwood, New York.

It was hosted by the Standing Con-ference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA), and was co-chaired by Archbishop Daniel Pilarczyk of Cincinnati and Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh.

The main focus of the meeting was a continuation of the Consultation’s four-year study of the filioque question.

The original version of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed that dates from the 4th century and is still used by the Orthodox states that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father.”

The word filioque (“and from the Son”) was later added to the Latin version of this Creed used in the West, so that the phrase would read that the Holy Spirit “pro-ceeds from the Father and the Son.”

This modification appeared in some areas of Western Europe as early as the 5th century but was accepted in Rome only in the 11th century.

This change in the wording of the Creed and the underlying variations in understanding the origin and procession of the Holy Spirit within the Trinity have long been considered a church-dividing issue between our two communions.

Two papers were delivered in the first theological session. The Rev. John P. Galvin spoke on “The Economic and the Immanent Trinity: A Survey of Recent Catholic Discussion.”

The Rev. Robert Stephanopoulos then presented an article by Metropoli-tan John (Zizioulas) of Pergamon, “One Single Source: An Orthodox Response to the Clarification on the Filioque,” the 1995 Vatican document that set forth the position of the Catholic Church on this difficult issue.

The subsequent theological sessions were devoted entirely to considering the text of a draft agreed statement on the Or-thodox and Catholic traditions concerning the origin of the Holy Spirit.

It was carefully examined, and the members had an opportunity to offer obser-vations and comments on each paragraph.

A revised version of the text will be produced over the summer and sent to the members who will be invited to sub-mit further reflections in view of drafting a third version for consideration at the Consultation’s next meeting.

Two evening sessions were devoted to an examination of current events in the lives of our churches.

These information sessions considered the appointment of Brian Farrell as Secre-tary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting

Unity and of Angelo Amato as secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the presence of a Vatican delega-tion at the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the Feast of St. Andrew in November 2002, the approval of a new charter for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the new titles given to its metropolitans, devel-opments in SCOBA, relations between the Vatican and the Moscow Patriarchate, the move of the headquarters of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church to Kiev and the pos-sible establishment of a Ukrainian Greek Catholic patriarchate, the effort to create a united Russian Orthodox jurisdiction in Western Europe, the visit of a Vatican del-egation to the Church of Greece and the visit of a Serbian Orthodox delegation to the Vatican in February 2003, the election of Archimandrite Evangelos Kourounis as Metropolitan of New Jersey, developments in the international Orthodox-Catholic dia-logue, the “Christian Churches Together in the USA” initiative, the new papal encyclical “Ecclesia de Eucharistia,” the response of our churches to the war in Iraq, a sympo-sium on the “Petrine ministry” in Rome with the participation of Orthodox theologians, the Princeton Statement on Christian Unity, and developments regarding the ordina-tion of married men to the priesthood in Eastern Catholic jurisdictions outside their homelands.

Consultation members attended a Divine Liturgy celebrated by Metropoli-tan Maximos in the seminary chapel on the morning of May 28.

The 65th meeting of the Consultation is scheduled to take place from Oct. 23-25, 2003, at St. Paul’s College in Washington, and the 66th meeting will be held from June 1-3, 2004, at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass.

In addition to the two co-chairmen, the Orthodox members of the Consulta-tion include Fr. Thomas FitzGerald (sec-retary), Archbishop Peter of New York (OCA), Fr. Nicholas Apostola, Professor Susan Ashbrook Harvey, Fr. Alkiviadis Calivas, Fr. James Dutko, Professor John Erickson, Father Alexander Golitzin, Fa-ther Emmanuel Gratsias, Dr. Robert Had-dad, Fr. Paul Schnierla, and Fr. Robert Stephanopoulos.

Orthodox staff members are Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, general secretary of SCOBA and Fr. Gregory Havrilak, associate general secretary of SCOBA.

Additional Catholic members are Fr. Brian Daley, SJ (secretary), Msgr. Freder-ick McManus, Prof. Thomas Bird, Father Peter Galadza, Msgr. John D. Faris, Father John Galvin, Sister Jean Goulet, CSC, Fr. Sidney Griffith, ST, Father John Long, SJ, Father David Petras, Professor Robin Darling Young, and Fr. Ronald Roberson, CSP (staff).

Orthodox-Catholic Theological Consultation Holds 64th Meeting

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Patriarch Athe-nagoras Orthodox Institute has launched InterOrthodox Press, a new publishing house, to promote PAOI, its lectures and other programs and to publish works by significant scholars and thinkers on topics concerning the Orthodox Church.

The name Inter-Orthodox Press was selected to reflect the pan-Orthodox or inter-Orthodox nature of the Institute.

The first title published by the new imprint is Christos Yannaras’ The Church in Post-Communist Europe, which is now available.

According to Institute Director Dr. Anton Vrame, “InterOrthodox Press hopes to provide another avenue for academic publications. We feel that there is room for another scholarly imprint for Orthodox scholars and authors on Orthodox topics. The growth in the number of scholars on Orthodoxy is substantial and they need more outlets for publication. We hope that they will consider working with us.”

“We plan on starting small and pub-lish just three works in the coming ear. They are works generated by the Institute, in particular the Distinguished Lecture se-ries,” according to Vrame. “We are fortu-nate to have texts by some of the leading thinkers in the Orthodox world: Yannaras,

Kyriaki FitzGerald and Archbishop Anasta-sios of Albania.”

The first title of the Institute, now available, is the lectures delivered by Christos Yannaras in 1998, The Church in Post-Communist Europe. In this book, Yannaras presents the reigning consumer-ism of our day as a cause not only of the fall of communism, but also the dysfunction of the Orthodox Church.

He suggests that we have lost our sense of relationship or communion, preferring a consumerist approach to faith. Religiosity has become just one more entertainment for consumption, rather than deepening our relationships to God and to one another.

Christos Yannaras is the leading phi-losopher in Greece today. He is professor of philosophy at the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences in Athens. Most of his writings are still in Greek, wait-ing for translation.

To English audiences, he is best known for his books, The Freedom of Morality and Elements of Faith: An Intro-duction to Orthodoxy.

To obtain a copy of The Church in Post-Communist Europe ($6.95, plus shipping), contact the Institute at 510-649-3450.

Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute Launches InterOrthodox Press

world. We are even given a vision of this unlimited love, when we see how on judgment day there will be saints clothed in white robes “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev 7:9).

Those who fear the many converts entering into the Church may embrace the motto: “The parish is my universe; my own people are my universe; my own language and culture are my universe.” This, however, was never the vision of our Church Fathers.

The Philokalia teaches “Blessed is the one who rejoices in his salvation, but even more blessed is the one who rejoices in the salvation of the other.” Chrysostom af-firms, “I do not believe in the salvation of anyone who does not try to save others.”

CONVERTS

u page 10This is why he boldly proclaimed “The universe is my parish!”

When a former Protestant once ap-proached Archbishop Anastasios of Alba-nia, and said to him, “Your Beatitude, I’m a convert.” The Archbishop responded, “Re-ally? So am I.” The person looked astonish-ingly at the Archbishop, as he continued, “Yes. Every day I convert myself again and again to Christ our God.”

Isn’t that so true! In the end, aren’t we all converts? So why should the converts be “a problem?”

Fr. Luke Veronis and his family have been serving as a missionary in Albania for nine years. Recently, he was on sabbati-cal, teaching a missions class at Holy Cross School of Theology and St. Vladimir’s Seminary.

World Council of Churches General Secretary the Rev. Dr. Konrad Raiser em-phasized the importance of the Orthodox contribution to the WCC during a public lecture at a recent symposium.

The extensive summary began with “the fundamental decision on the part of the Orthodox Churches to assume a lead-ing role in giving shape to the modern ecumenical movement,” translated in the encyclical of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople that proposed the estab-lishment of a “league (fellowship) between the Churches” for the first time in 1920.

According to Raiser, perhaps the most important Orthodox contribution to the WCC was the “consistent expression of the Orthodox commitment to the ecumenical fellowship of Churches, which has been re-affirmed in response to questions and sometimes harsh criticism from within.”

And the “second major Orthodox contribution to unfolding the self-under-standing of the WCC” was to establish the christocentric affirmation of its Basis (the confession of “the Lord Jesus Christ as God and Savior” in a Trinitarian setting (“to the glory of the one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”)

Raiser also referred to several other Orthodox contributions, such as the awareness of conciliarity – “the fact that the Church in all times needs assemblies to represent it and has in fact felt this need” – as “a fundamental dimension in the understanding of the Church;” the decisive influence of Orthodox thinking

in the convergence documents on Bap-tism, Eucharist and Ministry, “particularly in terms of emphasis on the role of the Holy Spirit;” and the “understanding of the missionary vocation of the church as well as of its diaconal service.”

“There is no doubt for me that the ac-tive presence of the Orthodox churches in the WCC has been essential in shaping the understanding of our common ecumeni-cal calling,” stated Raiser towards the end of his presentation. And now, “the Special Commission and its recommendations have moved us to the point where the Or-thodox contribution to the life and work of the WCC can be developed in fresh and constructive ways,” he concluded.

Besides professors and members of the WCC Steering Committee, the sym-posium and discussions were attended by representatives of other churches and academic institutions, a number of Ortho-dox priests and students, and several WCC staff members.

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by General Secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangeli-cal Church in Germany.

WCC Head Praises Orthodox Role


KASIKIZI, Tanzania – With the help of all saints, the Church of All Saints, Kasikizi, is completed.

It is shining, reflecting Orthodoxy and Orthopraxy. In Kasikizi community and in the neighboring communities, whispering is going on about the church shinning, imitating the saints who have glorified God by their holy lives and, thus, set their life as an example of virtue.

Fr. George Livanos, parish priest of All Saints Church in Canonsburg, Pa., mobilized the faithful of his parish to build a sister church in Tanzania. In addi-tion to this he led the American team that accomplished much here. Through his concerted efforts the new church build-

ing was realized.The American team did it through the

efforts of Fr. Martin Ritsi, executive direc-tor of Orthodox Christian Mission Center, and with the blessings of all the hierarchs of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas.

The team consisted of faithful from the U.S. and Canada.

The driving force behind all the participants was the common faith – the Orthodox faith.

Kasikizi became a center to show this common faith through works. Through the prayers of all saints, at Kasikizi, the faithful showed their faith in works – the All Saints Church.

All Saints Orthodox Church In Tanzania Diocese Completed

My dear graduates:What I will impart to you are “words

of wisdom.” They are not my words but from some of the men and women whom we all respect and admire and whose words have withstood the test of time.

To All Graduates – Congratulations and Some Sound Advice

by Fr. Nicholas L. VieronRCA Epistle editor

Of course I shall share with you some of my own thoughts, too – you can’t be around almost 80 years and not have some personal observations.

Let me begin with a personal observa-tion: Our spiritual lives are, I suspect, the most important aspect of our existence. They mold all the other attributes we are blessed with.

Therefore, I want to declare to you what is the most important source of faith, religion, Church, in the world. I’ll come straight to the point - it is YOUR Faith! Your tradition.

For me, it’s Greek Orthodox. I worship in the shadow of the cross in that ancient Church known as Eastern Orthodoxy.

Hopefully, your spiritual life and mine lead us to be humbly proud of our spiritual roots - but it also teaches us to reach out and embrace the person who is seemingly different from us.

The real world is composed of so many different sources of spiritual life, all of them pointing out to peace and love, hope and brotherhood/sisterhood, under our one source of Power, Light and Knowledge.

Take for example the seven astronauts who tragically disintegrated into space that Saturday morning over Texas skies.

For 16 days they traveled around our world - in love and harmony - in coop-eration and love. They were black, white brown, some were married, some were single, some worshipped in the shadow of the cross, one near the Star of David. That beautiful girl from India was Hindu. Yet they lived and worked in harmony. If only we on this good earth could emulate them.

Importance of spiritual lifeOur spiritual life is important. Having

established that truth, let us point to our physical aspect of living. Our bodies are important. We are “temples of God.” We house the Holy Spirit. We are a reflection of Divinity. When Jesus made His claims, “I am the bread of life, I am the Good Shepherd, I am the Door, the Way, the Alpha and the Omega” - when he came to the claim, “I am the Light of the World,” he pointed to us and said, “And YOU are the light of the world – “let your light so shine before the people....” It is almost as if He said, to you girls for instance, “You are a goddess!” Not in the same sense that young man who was trying to impress you said it.

First of all, you should not have be-lieved it! But in a manner that lifts you and me up to an even higher plateau of responsibility.

With that truth in mind, I, therefore, must try not to contaminate my physical life. I am going to say something you’ve heard a thousand times before.

Hear it again from this old priest. If you smoke, try to stop. If I had not stopped smoking 26 years ago when my first grand-child was born, I would not be blessed to be here with you this today.

If you enjoy a drink now and then, do so in moderation, unless, of course, your tradition directs you to total abstinence, in which case you will be better off.

And, as far as foreign substance is concerned, you know exactly what I am referring to, don’t even experiment with it. Nothing but disaster, heartache and pain can come of it. If a friend offers you a joint, know that he is not your friend.

Don’t ever say, “Well, no one re-ally said that to me. They kind of hinted around, but....” No! Here I am telling you.

Listen to this old priest. There is someone like me who loves you very much, here on this earth or embraced by God in His Heavenly Kingdom, he or she wants and craves the best for you.

Here is one of the many beautiful aspects of our spiritual lives. If we should stumble and fall, we, with the help from Above and with support from our fellow man, can rise again!

Life is, unfortunately, filled with small failures, hopefully small, but however downward the spiral may be, we can al-ways rise again. Take an example from the world of sports. In basketball, the team, with the most rebounds, usually wins.

In baseball, a .300 hitter is consid-ered great. That means he failed 7 out of ten times. Some of the first Christians tried to make the Church perfect and admit into it only those considered per-fect. They were called the Donatists. The Church declared that wrong. The Church is a hospital for the ill, for the fallen with all his/her shortcomings, to hopefully return to a higher level of living. Your Faith makes similar provisions.

ExhortationsAnd now for some far more important

exhortations. Why? Because I’ll be quoting others. But first, I want to share a thought or two with your parents and your teach-ers - directed to us ministers, also. St. John Chrysostom was one of the greatest Christian preachers, if not the greatest, who ever lived.

Yet, he is quoted as saying, “After good example comes the instrument of preaching.” We ministers, parents and teachers should adhere to the words of St. John Chrysostom. This is what our stu-dents, our children “hear” loud and clear, not our preaching but our example, so that we can raise “An athlete in Christ.”

These are our beloved athletes we have groomed, and as for you graduates not to blame your parents for your short-comings, but to accept responsibility for our thoughts and for our actions.

A popular writer, Dr. Kurt Vonnegut, at an MIT commencement address said to the young graduates: “Don’t be reckless with other people’s hearts. Don’t put up with people who are reckless with yours.” – “Don’t waste your time on jealously.” – “Remember the compliments you re-ceive. Forget the insults. Maybe you’ll marry, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll have children, maybe you won’t. Maybe you’ll divorce at 35, maybe you’ll dance at your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don’t congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either.”

Remember my dear people, and this goes for all of us, “No one can ruin your day without YOUR permission.” Remem-ber that the biggest lie on the planet is, “When I get what I want, I’ll be happy.”

No! Let’s be happy with what bless-ings we have - with the cards dealt to us. Bear in mind that “life’s precious moments don’t have value unless they are shared, or, as John Lennon wrote just before he was gunned down, “Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans.”

Also, let’s always remember, “Life is a journey.....not a destination. Let’s enjoy the trip.”

But, if God forbid, we are dealt a bad hand, let’s recall the words to live by Tuesdays with Morrie Schwartz, “Don’t stay preoccupied with your body or your illness. Recognize that your body is not your total self, only part of it.”

Signs of maturityYour maturity begins to manifest itself

when you graduates begin saying some-thing like this to your parents: “Please dad, don’t buy that for me – it’s much too expensive!” – “That’s okay, mom, none of my friends are allowed to do it either”

– “I promise not to get a tattoo....where is shows!” This is my favorite, when you an-nounced to your parents: “I am not going out this weekend - I must study for that exam!” Or, better still, when you declare, “I enjoy going to church with you, dad.”

My granddaughter, LeeAnn, who graduated from high school last month, asked me, “Papou, what do you expect of me in the future?”

That was easy. My answer was prob-ably the same as that of someone who loves you very much: “May your spiritual values, my dearest LeeAnn, continue to blossom so that you may achieve great-ness before God and Man – serving and pleasing both.”

Finally, when you receive your di-

ploma you will walk away with only one thing that no one else has.

There will be hundreds - rather, thou-sands of high school graduates throughout the world, with some going to Harvard, some immediately getting a job. But you will be the only person alive who will have sole custody of your life.

Your particular life. Your entire life. You will be making decisions that will ef-fect your life. In a way, you’ve been doing this all along.

Fr Nicholas L. Vieron is editor of the Epistle, the newsletter of the Retired Clergy Association, and pastor emeritus of Annunciation Church, Memphis, Tenn. (901) 323-9530 - [email protected]

http://by1fd.bay1.hotmail.msn.com/cgi-bin/compose?curmbox=F000000001&a=039d39772a6c9ded40e383f2b4af9825&mailto=1&[email protected]&msg=MSG1054730663.135&start=1018751&len=12761&src=&type=x

JUNE - JULY 200328

Dr. Kimon A. LegakisAthens University Law School•Master of Law, Harvard Law School

Doctor of Law, Greece•Certi cate 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 S209 Garth Road

Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583

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

7 Koniaris StreetAthens 114 71, Greece

Tel: (011-30210) 646-1016Tel: (011-302299) 02-7111Fax: (011-302299) 02-7382

With emphasis on: Settlement of In her it ance, Tax es, Dis put ed Prop er ties, Civil, International Family and Business Law in Greece

FOR SALE

AUTO SALES

CALL NOW (516) 931-2333

DimitriosPhotography & Video

Call our studio to talk about the wide varietyof wedding packages for nearly every budget.

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020

GEORGE KENT•GREEK•AMERICAN•INTERNATIONALORCHESTRA & ENTERTAINMENT

EXPOSÉ REQUESTED! “BOOK EARLY FOR 10% RE BATE!”

or 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 FES SION AL MUSICIANS ENTERTAINERS, AT AF FORD ABLE PRIC ES, WHO’S ONLY BUSINESS IS MUSIC. PER FORM ING AU THEN TIC GREEK MUSIC OF ALL RE GIONS, COLONIES OF GREECE. FEA TUR ING THE “PRIME VOICE OF GREECE...” THE CLARINO & BOUZOUKI PLUS VO- CALS. BE WARE! OF GREEK BANDS PROMISING AMER I CAN MUSIC, THEN PLAY ING TAPES! ALL OUR MUSIC IS PER FORMED “LIVE”...OUR AMER I CAN SOUNDS PURE AMER I CAN, WITH NO ACCENT!

36 West 44th Street – Suite 1300,New York, NY 10036

U.S. IMMIGRATION • TAX A TIONBUSINESS LAW

INTERNATIONAL TRANS AC TIONSWILLS & ES TATES

Dr. ARES D. AXIOTISATTORNEY AND COUNSELOR AT LAW

Tel.: (212) 840-3422 or (203) 255-3312

MEMBER OF NY AND CT BARS

ÄÉÄÁÊÔÙÑ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ OXFORD, ENGLANDÔ. ËÅÊÔÙÑ ÍÏÌÏËÏÃÉÁÓ ÐÁÍ/ÌÉÏÕ CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND

WEDDINGS

Wedding and Chris ten ing items, Fa vors,

Martirika, Vaptistika, Ec cle si as ti cal items.We ship anywhere!(718) 721-9190

KENTRIKON-NOUFARO23-35 31 St.

Astoria, NY 11105

www.kentrikon-noufaro.com

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

Great American &

Greek Music

Tel.:201.768.9100

LEGAL SERVICES M U S I C I A N S

THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2

TROJANSTHE ULTIMATE IN GREEK

AND AMER I CAN MU SICEMAIL:[email protected]

ΠΩΛΕΙΤΑΙ ΣΤΗΝ ΠΕΡΙΟΧΗ

ΠΟΛΥΤΕΛΕΣΤΑΤΗ ΜΟΝOΚΑΤΟΙΚΙA ME ΩΡΑΙΑ

ΔΙΑΡΡΥΘΜΙΣΗ (3 ΥΠΝΟΔ.), 11/2ΜΠΑΝΙΟ, ΑΠΟΘΗΚΗ, ΓΚΑΡΑΖ

ΚΑΙ ΕΝΑ ΣΤΡΕΜΜΑ ΚΗΠΟΣ ΜΕ ΔΕΝΤΡΑ. ΠΛΗΡΟΦΟΡΙΕΣ:CHRIS (415) 334-2533

“ΚΑΣΤΡΟ ΚΥΛΛΗΝΗΣ”

Custom built Villa, 14yrs old, 3 large bedrooms, 3 baths

on 4,000m2 of land. Contains many trees & other extras on the property. Call: (718) 229-5016 (USA) or

01130-22820-71013 (Greece)

ANDROS Gavrion

T H E O N E A N D O N L Y

“TRIO BEL CAN TO”- NEXT GENERATION -

Available for all occasions!For any information contact:

EVANGELOS METAXAS: lead singer, original member201-224-7208 OR

KYRIAKOS METAXAS: 201-224-8472For CDs Log on to: www.triobelcanto.com

The most sought after Greek Band

DEMO TAPEAVAILABLE

ATLANTIS MUSICNEW YORK’S FINEST ALL STAR BAND

FOR AN ELEGANT AND SUCCESSFUL EVENTCALL TOLL FREE:1-800-549-2134

Home De liv ery of the

[email protected]

Orthodox Observer

to sub scribe e-mail us at

NEW WAY REALTYCLEARWATER-TARPON SPRINGSCall George or Marianna Steriadis

FLORIDA

Call for brochure. Seasonal Rental New Condo. Ïìéëïýìå ÅëëçíéêÜ.

ÅëÜôå óôïí ÐáñÜäåéóï! New Toll Free (888)333-6564PIN#4123 • (727)804-8289

New Homes from 90k & Resales

Rare large hiltop parcel, 11 plus stremata, overlooking sea and valley. Close to Temple of Poseidon, in area of year round and vacation villas. Sale price $475,000(US). Firm, or increase due to Olympics. Serious inqui-ries only! Call: (207) 282-1197

CAPE SOUNION AREA

Near Corinth & Loutraki Beaches.Sellers re lo cat ing back to U.S. year round or sea son al es tate. 3 bedrms, l.r., fam i ly room, wrap around terrace and pri va cy fenced. Spectacular water and moun tain views. Beautiful landscape. Many oth er

fea tures. $115,000 USD.Mar ia (727) 733-9422

BEAUTIFUL AGIOI THEODOROI

One house in MAROUSI and one Multi-unit mixed use building

in KOKKINIA.

Tel: (410) 808-3441

PROPERTY FOR SALE

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 “Type page width” is 59 picas

(9.75”), depth is 14 inches Display ads: Four columns to

a page. Single column width is 14 picas (2.25”). For each ad-ditional column add 15 picas (2.5”). Classified ads: Six col-umns to a page. Single column width is 9 picas (1.5”), double column width is 19 picas (3.25”)

Camera ready ads preferred. DEADLINES: Reser vations: 25 days before publi cation. PAYMENT TERMS: All ads are payable in advance, unless contract agreement is in effect and account current.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

EMPLOYMENT

MISCELLANEOUS

Πωλείται μαγαζί 24τμ,€70,000 (ευρώ). Πρόσοψηπρός Εγνατία, Ολύμπου 45.

ΘΕΣΣΑΛΟΝΙΚΗ

(718) 429-6877 (US)Τηλεφωνήστε στο Γιώργο,

(011-30) 23740-52991 (Χανιώτη)

MISCELLANEOUS

GREEK CHILDREN’S BOOKS

www.ALLTHATSGREEK.com (630) 860-2545

• Books, Videos & CD-ROMs• Boubounieres And More

DJs

The Greek Orthodox Church of St. Luke, 35 North Malin Road, Broomall, PA 19008, ph. 610-353-1592; web site www.st-luke.org. Choir Director and Organist positions for 650 member suburban church established 1962, with beautiful and acoustically sound sanctuary, 10 miles west of Philadelphia. 15 to 20-voice mixed choir and Allen MDS-35 organ. Responsibilities include Sunday Liturgy and weekly rehearsal from mid-Sept. to mid-June; additional services during Lent and Holy Week; Christmas Pageant; weddings and rehearsals for organist compensated separately. Applicants should be trained and experienced, energetic and highly motivated, and know the Greek Orthodox Liturgy. Both positions are available September 2003. Send letter of interest, resume, and references to Peter J. Missiras at the church address or email to [email protected].

CHOIR DIRECTOR AND ORGANIST POSITIONS

Mercedes Benz Sales Representative

Mercedes-Benz of Princeton2910 U.S. Route 1Lawrenceville, NJ 08648Telephone: (609) 771-8040Cell: (267) 496-7379Fax: (609) [email protected]

JAMES MALLISMercedes-Benz Sales Representative

Mercedes-Benz of Princeton2910 U.S. Route 1Lawrenceville, NJ 08648Telephone: (609) 771-8040Cell: (267) 496-7379Fax: (609) [email protected]

SAY YOU SAW THIS AD IN THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER!

KOYFETA - Super FineFive Pounds - $19.95

www.moundcity.com/jordanalmonds.html

JUNE - JULY 2003 29

YOUTH MINISTRY e-mail: youthof [email protected] e-mail: youthof [email protected] Chal lenge

What’s Up? “Therefore, since we are surrounded

by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with per-severance the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1

Are you ready? There is a great race ahead of you. The prize is better than any-thing you can imagine. You don’t need any special skills to run this race but you need to be ready to train for it. So, what type of athletes are needed? Athletes for Christ!

Sometimes we underestimate the importance of our spiritual training. We put our spiritual training guide in a box that we take out on Sunday morning and then tuck nicely away after church that same day. We think that going to church on Sunday and just being a good person is enough to be an Athlete for Christ.

Let’s think about it like this: what would happen if a track runner only trained one day of the week? The day of the big race comes and he is off. He starts off strong neck and neck with the other runners, but quickly, that changes. He begins to fall behind. He feels short of breath and still has a way to go to finish. He can see the other runners passing him as he quickly falls behind. He tries to speed up to catch them but instead his legs give out and he falls to the ground. There he sits in pain watching all of the other runners cross the finish line. And so it is with our spiritual life. If we are just training one day a week, it is very difficult for us to have the endurance to finish the race.

So where do we start? As any athlete would tell you, training begins with a good coach. A coach helps you progress through your training safely and wisely. When we start training for something, we are often over excited and try to do too much. We don’t yet have the endurance to continue so we stop. Our coach knows the shape we are in and can help start our training with the proper focus. Where can an Athlete for Christ get a coach? Check with your priest! He will make an excellent guide for you as you train.

Athletes have examples of people who have completed the race before them. A basketball player may look towards Kobe Bryant or baseball player to Derek Jeeter as examples. These people set the stan-dard for what is considered excellence in their sport. As spiritual athletes, we have that in Jesus Christ, the Theotokos and all of the Saints. If we take time to learn more about them and their training, our path can become clearer. Also, take a look around, we have examples around us of people trying to live a Christ centered live. Surround yourself with people who, like you, are trying to run the race.

To be an athlete takes discipline. You must constantly be working toward your goal. It involves patience. You can’t expect to run a marathon a week after you begin

running. It involves denying yourself cer-tain things you may want because they are not good for your training.

Being a Christian isn’t easy as some people would like to lead you to believe. There are constant hurdles that you will come across. They may seem insignificant at the time like missing church one Sun-day, not taking time for reading the bible, or not fasting on Wednesday and Friday. But when you add them up they are all designed to keep you from training… to keep you from progressing in your spiritual life.

Here is some food for thought before you go to meet with your coach:

• Prayer - “Prayer refreshes and enlivens the soul, as outer air refreshes the body. When we pray we feel stronger and fresher, as we feel physically and spiritually

stronger and fresher when we walk in the fresh air.” St. John Kronstadt

How much do I pray personally during each day? How do I pray?

• Confession - “Enter into the Church and wash away your sins. For here there is a hospital and not a court of law. Do not be ashamed again to enter the Church; be ashamed when you sin, but not when you repent.” St. John Chrysos-tom

Do I regularly go to confession (at least three times a year)? How do I pre-pare for confession?

• Almsgiving - “It is the poor man who holds out his hand but it is God Him-self who receives whatever you give to the poor.” St. John Chrysostom

Do I give of my time to help the ministry of the church and others? Do I give of my talent to help the ministry of the church and others? Do I give of my treasure to help the ministry of the church and others?

• Worship - “We are commanded to worship, not on special days, but con-tinuously - all our life through, and in all possible ways.” St. Clement of Alexandria.

What services do I attend at church? Do I actively participate in the service by keep-ing my mind focused? Do I understand the importance of the different services?

• Fasting - “Fasting in respect of food is of no benefit to those who fail to fast with all their senses; for whosoever is suc-cessfully waging his battle must be temper-ate in all things.” St. Isidore of Pelusium.

When do I fast? How do I fast? • Spiritual Reading - “Under-

stand the word of Holy Scripture by putting them into practice, and do not fill yourself with conceit by expiating on theoretical ideas.” St. Mark the Ascetic.

How often do I read the bible? Do I read other spiritual books? When I read something I don’t understand, how do I find answers?

Are you ready to be an Athlete for Christ? There is a race before us all. The prize is not for one but for all who finish. Are you ready to run the race? If you are: On your mark, get set, GO!

runningthe race

WITH

by Melissa Bazos

Media Review:

SMALLVILLESince the hit show Smallville began

airing, my brothers and I have been watching it every Tuesday. We set our television to automatically switch to the channel so that our show will come on at the expected time.

Whoever is in the television room instinctively knows that the majority of the older boys’ dorm at St. Basil Academy can hardly wait to see what will happen next.

Smallville is just like the multitude of other hit programs the W.B. airs weekly, but has some significance because it descends from an American super-icon, Superman.

Smallville gives my dorm and I a chance to come together and share a similar taste for once, but there is more to this show that just the positive social benefits it brings to us.

Clark Kent, the most central charac-ter, has superman abilities. He has the abil-ity to see through walls, breathe freezing air, shoot fire out of his eyes and has the strength of innumerable men.

He slowly gains his superman abili-ties as he goes through his teen-age years. Where can we Christians gain our power? Christ’s supernatural, men-tal and psychological abilities, which are revealed to us through his Gospels, de-scend from God the Father, who allows his followers (the faithful) to be given different powers that are greater than superman’s and actually exist!

Because we were created in the likeness and image of God, as we are taught in Genesis, we have the potential to build extraordinary gifts within our-selves. We can become like God (who is Christ) by listening to what the Teacher told his disciples.

By prayer and fasting we can become greater than the false images given off by icons like Clark Kent, because once we be-gin to become like our “superman” (who was human and God), we will begin to radiate love and will lose the will to be a part of the competitiveness of society

(either through our looks or through our schooling).

We would slowly stop trying to be more than we are, impressing our teach-ers, employers and friends.

Anyone who watches Smallville knows that Superman’s powers do not really exist. Superman is portrayed with the image of someone who has great glory because he can shoot fire out of his eyes and dodge bullets. Christ has greater glory because His powers not only exist, but also play a role in our everyday lives. Out of all the multitude of powers (gifts) Christ has, he has given us the most powerful. This power is called Agape or in English, Love.

Teens like you and I have the po-tential to become Christ-like because the gift of love is inside us all. Unfortunately, because we are very sensitive, different situations test our tolerance. Our ability to love is jeopardized when our feelings are hurt. We loose sight of God’s image and likeness within ourselves.

The spiritual side of our image feels injured and our sin shows forth when we are being tested. For example, people do drugs because many say they need an es-cape. What they are doing is escaping from the torment their hurt image “their soul” is feeling. The only problem is that no escape will ever fulfill their unquenched thirst for something more. That something more is the spiritual (invisible) power of Christ that can slowly, humbly and gently quench our need for love and free us from dependence on sinful things. We can be-gin our search for Christ by receiving His Body and Blood. We should try to receive as often as possible preparing ourselves with prayer, fasting and forgiving those who hurt us.

Throughout this article I hope you re-alized the power of Christ’s love and that it will strengthen you. I enjoy watching Smallville because it entertains me every Tuesday and brings the dorm together, but I just wanted to bring attention to the one who really exists is powerful and has instructed us.

Joseph is a sophomore in high school. He lives at St. Basil’s Academy in Garrison, N.Y.

by Joseph Al-Shanniek

Parent and Youth Worker’s Corner

For a session on Running the Race and/or a Family Activity go to our website at:

http://www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/youth/youthworkers/sessions/

If you’re not already, sign up for our youth worker list server! We send weekly resources, ideas and activities for parents and youth workers. To sign up, send an e-mail to [email protected]. Leave the subject blank and in the body of the e-mail type in “subscribe youth” (without the quotation mark). You’ll get confirmation of your subscription shortly after.

“Jacob dreamed that there was a lad-der set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God were ascending and descending on it! And behold, the Lord stood above it…” Genesis 28:12-13. This icon shows a ladder from earth to heaven. As we climb this ladder, we have the angels and Christ there to guide us but we also have demons trying to knock us off. It is important that we hold fast and work to climb the ladder.

Did You Know…the ladder

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

ad ver tiseadvertiseGET RE SULTS

[email protected]


CHICAGO -- This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of St. Demetrios Church at 2727 W. Winona St.

Various events and celebrations are scheduled over the next few months.

On Saturday, Sept. 27, the annual dinner dance will take place for, not only those now active as stewards of the worshiping body, but also for many others whose lives have touched the community through these many years.

Many thousands who have received the Sacraments of Baptism and Matrimony at St. Demetrios are invited to be present. Many more thousands have passed through the education programs, both Solon Greek School and St. Demetrios religious education. Countless have participated in the social, cultural, recreational, and athletic programs and events.

The Sept. 27 gala event will take place at the Marriott hotel, 8535 W. Higgins in Chicago. This celebration, as well as the other year’s events, will highlight the growth of the community since its founding in 1928.

The community has consistently had about 800 stewards and serves well over one thousand families who live on the north side of the city as well as in the north suburbs. St. Demetrios Church has been a stabilizing factor in the Lincoln Square community.

Thousands of children have been educated in its Solon Greek School that is also observing its 75th anniversary as well as in its Religious Educa-tion Program. The church supports a full time nursery and Kindergarten program and afternoon and Saturday Greek language classes.

The church’s parishioners and friends have stepped forth to present a gift in anticipation of this 75th commemoration. The focal point of any community – the altar, is being renovated with a new iconostasion, its new Byzantine iconography, a bishop’s throne, pulpit, and chanters’ stands.

A new carpet in the main Church and stained glass windows in the Chapel will soon add to the renewal of the edifice.

All of this activity – renovation and celebration – are a sign of life and vitality. John Vlahos, Parish Council president, invites all to share in the community’s events.

On Aug. 15-17, there will be a huge outdoor festival, featuring food, loukoumades, pastries; games, rides, and activities for children; and an agora and cafenion for adults.

On Oct. 25-26, the church will extend its hospitality to all who come to observe its feast day.

Proistamenos is Fr. Apostolos N. Georgiafentis, and Fr. Christos Webb is the associate priest. The anniversary theme is, “Growing in Faith Through Service and Witness.”

Chicago’s St. Demetrios Observing 75th Year

CHICAGO – The Very Rev. Archimandrite Demetri Kantzavelos, chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, was elected president of the Illinois Coalition Against the Death Penalty at the group’s annual meeting June 18.

“I’m deeply grateful for this honor, which I assume with a single regret: that our organization is not yet obso-lete,” Fr. Kantzavelos said. “I hope to be president of the Coalition when the death penalty is abolished in Il-linois – meaning I hope this occurs during the coming year that constitutes my term.”

A longtime social-justice activist and death penalty opponent, Fr. Kantzavelos was spiritual advisor to Andrew Kokoraleis, whose 1999 execution was the last in the state before then-Gov. George Ryan imposed a moratorium on executions.

Fr. Kantzavelos also has led opposition to the death penalty in the Council of Religious Leaders of Metropolitan Chicago, of which he is an active member and treasurer. This group, consisting of leaders from the Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Anglican, Protestant and Jewish communities and institutions, has called for the statewide suspen-sion of the death penalty.

In 1992, he created the Greek Orthodox Bishop’s Task Force on AIDS, the nation’s only Greek Orthodox social service agency for Greek Orthodox faithful living with HIV/AIDS.

The chancellor is a native of Chicago’s West Side.

Chicago Chancellor Named President of Death Penalty Opponents

Archimandrite Demetri Kantzavelos.

Metropolis of Boston Ministry Awards DinnerBOSTON – The 17th annual Metropolis of

Boston Ministry Awards Dinner took place on Sunday, June 8 with more than 750 persons at-tending from throughout New England.

by Sophia Nibi

Metropolitan Methodios instituted the awards dinner in 1986 “to express our gratitude to the faithful who do so much for their local parishes and for our Metropolis.”

Every year on the second Sunday in June, the New England Greek Orthodox family gath-ers to celebrate stewardship of time and talents, to renew friendships and to make new acquain-tances.

They come to receive the blessings and the appreciation of their spiritual leader, Metropolitan Methodios, who looks forward to the opportunity to “thank God for blessing our communities in New England with priests and laity who, (quot-ing from St. Ignatios’ letter to St. Polycarp), ‘toil together, struggle together, run together, suffer together, lie down together, rise up together as God’s stewards and assessors and ministers.’”

As he does every year, Metropolitan Metho-dios presented the Ministry Award to individuals from each parish in the Metropolis. He also pre-sented the Ministry Award to individuals whose stewardship goes beyond the local parish to benefit all the ministries of the Metropolis and the Church at large. Among them:

• Chrysanthe Dikos, a steward at St. Philip Church in Nashua, N.H. A behind-the-scenes doer, Mrs. Dikos’ stewardship goes beyond her parish and touches the lives of the guests of the Me-tropolis Philoxenia House whom she visits regularly with family and friends.

She is personally generous and inspires others to be generous towards this ministry that has expanded greatly during the past 17 years, enabling the Metropolis to reach out and touch more lives in their hours of great need.

• Paraskeve Kantges, truly a woman of action. She believes that we should do all we can to ensure that we should do what we can so that the youth of our Church learn about our precious

faith and become active Orthodox Christians.She devotes her God-given talents and bless-

ings to assist the ministries of the Metropolis of Boston. A steward at Sts. Constantine and Helen parish in Cambridge, Mass., and a supporter of programs at various other communities, Para-skeve is a great benefactor of the Camp & Re-treat Center in Contoocook, N.H., which she visits frequently.

• George Markakos has worked tirelessly for the projection of the priceless Hel-lenic culture.

A steward of St. Catherine parish in Quincy, George is president of the Federation of the Hellenic American Societies in New England and dedicates much energy, time and talent to the annual Greek Independence Day Parade and other related activities.

He and his wife, Zanetta, frequently host

guests from the Philoxenia House for holiday meals at their home, and greatly support this ministry of the Metropolis.

• Christopher Pappas is a member of the younger generation whose upbringing has provided him with the priceless heritage of faith, and pride in his Hellenic heritage.

A steward of the St. Demetrios parish in Weston, Christopher em-bodies the hope for the future of Orthodoxy.

Quiet and humble, Chris does what he can for the good of his parish, the ministries of the Metropolis of Boston and the Archdiocese.

He has assisted Metropolitan Methodios in the production of a touching video on the Me-tropolis Philoxenia House and one on the Camp & Retreat Center in New Hampshire.

• Nicholas Philopoulos is a sensitive man, a man who likes to quietly help people in need. An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr. Philopoulos is a suc-cessful businessman whose generosity to programs and minis-tries of the Church, such us Hellenic College and our Camp & Retreat Center aim to ensure the perpetuation of the Greek Orthodox Faith and Hellenic traditions.

Last year, Nick Philopoulos honored his late mother, Helen, in a manner which aptly de-scribes his philosophy of life. In her memory, he dedicated a bedroom in the Philoxenia House, ensuring that those who need assistance while in Boston for medical treatment will have a beautiful place to stay.

• George Toumpouras is a man of un-conditional love and respect for the Greek Orthodox Faith which he hopes future gen-erations will also love and respect. Towards this end, he wholeheartedly supports projects which he feels will

en sure Orthodoxy’s future. An Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Mr. Toumpouras played a major role in the construction of the beautiful Cathedral Center and picturesque cha-pel in Brookline and, on the same grounds, the functional center of the Metropolis of Boston from which its ministries emanate.

As Metropolitan Methodios often says, “If it hadn’t been for George Toumpouras we wouldn’t have built our Center.”

• Arthur Triantafel, a steward of St. George parish in Lynn, is a tireless church-man, a man of genuine humility and love for the Greek Orthodox Faith and Hellenic tradition.

He has dedicated his life unselfishly to the mission of the Church. His enthusiasm and efforts – whether on the parish council, building commit-tee, or working for the many projects of AHEPA – are well known.


With a pride that shines like the sun itself across the centuries, more than 2,200 Greek Orthodox Junior Olympians from the 59 parishes in the six-state Metropolis of Chicago joined the 22nd annual Junior Olympics on May 24-25, in several

south suburban locations.After a formal lighting of the Olympic torch presided over by

Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago, youngsters ages 7 to 18 com-peted at events ranging from a 10K run and tennis matches to checkers, chess and table tennis.

An especially spirited wheelchair basketball match delighted all who watched, and college scholarships totaling $2,000 were awarded to athletes whose spiritual life, academic record, com-munity involvement and writing skills complemented their ath-letic achievements.

Metropolitan Iakovos was joined by Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires at several of the medal presentation ceremonies.

Chicago OlympicsEvent Draws More Than

2,000 Young AthletesELIZABETH, N.J. – About 400 young

people from 17 parishes took part in the 34th annual Junior Olympics of the Metropolis of New Jersey on Memorial Day weekend.

This year’s program included the first-time participation by St. Thomas Church of Cherry Hill.

Also attending for the first time was recently enthroned Metropolitan Evange-los of New Jersey. He provided the par-ticipants with great inspiration and spoke about the importance of such programs for bringing Greek Orthodox youth closer to the Church.

“In the eyes of God, you are all win-ners!” he told them.

Metropolis of New Jersey Holds 34th Junior Olympics

1 – DASHING OFF from the starting line was Dimitra Georgoussis of the All Saints Parish in Joliet, IL, who competed in the 400 Meter Run, ages 13-15 and earned a silver medal.

2 – ANNA MARIA Siavelis of the Holy Trinity parish in Chicago earned a bronze medal in the softball throw competition.

3 – A PROUD MOMENT for the winners of the Long Jump competi-tion, ages 16-18 who prevailed over the other athletes. Michael Menus of St. Demetrios in Elmhurst, IL won the gold, Billy Schmidt of All Saints in Joliet, IL won the silver and Tasso Angelopoulos of SS. Constantine and Helen in Palos Hills, IL won the bronze medal. Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and Metropolitan Tarasios of Buenos Aires awarded the medals.

4 – ANOTHER POPULAR event was the Girls 400 Meter Run, ages 16-18: Gold medallist Christina Loukas of SS Peter and Paul in Glen-view, IL; silver medal winner Paula Tsiftilis of St. Sophia in Elgin, IL; and bronze medallist Amanda Georgantas of the All Saints parish in Joliet, IL. Metropolitan Iakovos applauds the winners.

ELGIN, Ill. – St. Sophia Church will celebrate a quarter century of Orthodox witness in the Fox Valley community with a “25th Anniversary Gala” on Sunday, September 28, 2003, at the Meridian Banquets in Rolling Meadows, Ill. Tickets are $100.00 per person. For more information call 847-888-2822.

Illinois Church Celebrates 25th Year

Competition on Saturday, May 24, took place in the Dunn’s Sports Center in Elizabeth.

Preliminary events included the fol-lowing in both the junior and senior girls’ and boys’ categories: 400M Run; 100 M Run; 800 M Run; 4x400M M Relay; 4x400M Relay; and Mixed Team 4x200 M Relay.

Indoor swimming events included: girls’ and boy’s 50 yard breaststroke; girls’ and boys’ 50 yard freestyle; girls’ and boys’ 50 yard backstroke; and mixed 200 freestyle relay.

Saturday’s program concluded with a volleyball tournament in which Piscataway won the gold medal. A dinner-dance took place in the evening.

Sunday’s events took place at the Elizabeth High School outdoor athletic facilities.

They began with the 2003 Junior Olympic Parade led by the Olympic flag; Mr. and Miss Junior GOYA Angela Plakou-das of Holmdel and Emmanuel Vossos of Union; and young people from St. Deme-trios Church of Perth Amboy, where the first Junior Olympic program was held 34 years ago.

The parade procession included par-ticipants from the remaining 16 churches.

Sunday’s events included finals for the running held on Saturday in addition to boy’s and girl’s shot put; boy’s and girl’s long jump; and girl’s softball throw.

The annual Chris Gacos Memorial Marathon, which has become the high-light of Junior Olympics, was cancelled because of rain.

There were either gold, silver or bronze medal winners from all 17 partici-pating churches.

St. Barbara Church of Ocean County received the greatest number of gold med-als (12) and the greatest total number of medals (23).

Organizers of the Olympics included Fr. Bill Gikas, the Metropolis’ youth direc-tor; and Andrew Hios, the Junior Olympic Committee chairman.

2

1

3

4

JUNE - JULY 200332

The threat of rain hanging over the 25th annual Archdiocesan District Youth Olympics failed to put a damper on the turnout and the participation in the many athletic events scheduled Memo-rial Day weekend.

Nearly 1,100 GOYA and JOY members, a record number, from 23 communities of the district competed in track and field, soccer, tennis, volleyball, swimming and other sports held at the State University of New York-Stony Brook campus.

Opening ceremonies began with a level of pomp and ceremony unequaled in previous years. An opening procession in the Indoor Sports Complex included the carrying of the Olympic torch, a Scottish bagpipers of the Northport Pipe and Drum Band, a U.S. Marine Honor Guard from the 6th Communication Battalion in Amityville, Long Island, and a procession of athletes from each community, which ranged from Kimisis Church in Southampton to St. So-phia Church in Albany, N.Y., and Annuncia-tion Church in Stamford, Conn.

Archdiocese District Olympics Draws Record Numbers Despite Weather

For one of the founders of the Arch-diocese District Olympics, Executive Committee Chairman Alex Constanti-nou, it was an especially memorable 25th anniversary. His grandson, Stephen, of St. Paraskevi in Greenlawn, Long Island, competed in his first Olympics.

On Sunday, the second full day of events, Fr. Mark Leondis, director of the Archdiocese Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, officiated at the Divine Liturgy attended by several hundred ath-letes and parents. He was assisted by Dn. Constantine Lazarakis, assistant director.

Goyans participated in 61 events. “Joyans” were in 44.

Gold, silver and bronze medals were awarded athletes from a wide representa-tion of parishes.

Among the winners in the GOYA ma-jor team events, the St. Nicholas-Flushing girls won the gold in soccer. The boys’ gold was won by Holy Trinity-Hicksville.

Resurrection Church-Glen Cove won the gold in co-ed softball for the second consecutive year.

The volleyball boys gold medal was won by Assumption-Port Jefferson, while the girls from Annunciation-Stamford, Conn. took the gold.

JOY soccer boys gold medal winners were Resurrection-Glen Cove (ages 7-9 category; St. Demetrios-Astoria (ages 10-12 category).

Girls gold medal winners in soccer were Archangel Michael-Roslyn (ages 7-9) and St. Paraskevi-Greenlawn (ages 10-12).

1. Boys and girls volleyball teamsfrom West Nyack.

2. Hicksville boys soccer gold medallists. 3. The Olympic flame signals the start

of the festivities. 4. A JOY relay team member from West Babylon.

5. Two GOYA Boys soccer teams battle it out. 6. Marking the 25th anniversary of the

Archdiocesan District Olympics. 7. A high jumper from Rye.

8. A GOYA Girls high jumper. 9. GOYA Girls relay event. 10. Tennis Girls 11. JOY Chess tourna-

ment participants. 12. Two girls volleyball teams. 13. The thrill of victory.

1

2

3

4

56

78911

10

12 13

D. PANAGOS PHOTOS

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

orthodox observer - june/july 2003

Documents