VOL. 64 � NO. 1159 A P R I L 2 0 , 1 9 9 9 http://www.goarch.org/goa/observerE-mail: observer@goarch.org

NEW YORK � A few days beforePascha, Archbishop Spyridon appealed toPresident Clinton and leaders of NATO tosuspend the bombing in Yugoslavia andwork toward a peaceful settlement of thecrisis and for the release of three capturedAmerican servicemen.

His Eminence issued the following state-ment on the recent developments in the con-tinuing conflict in Yugoslavia:

�The humanitarian gesture of PresidentMilosevic and the Serbian people in declar-ing a unilateral cease fire and in the comingrelease of the American Servicemen to thegovernment of Cyprus compels the NATOalliance to honor a suspension of hostilitiesduring the Orthodox Christian celebration ofPascha. This opportunity for renewing a po-litical and diplomatic settlement to the verycomplex problems in Kosovo should not bemissed. There is now every reason for NATOto consider honoring the Serbian cease fire,and to put a halt to the continuing bloodshedand loss of life. Let there be an echo amongthe nations of NATO, that resounds with agesture of peace and good will.

�We commend President Kyprianou andthe government of Cyprus for their effortson behalf of the captured American service-men. I call upon President Clinton and theleaders of NATO to seize this moment as anopening for peace and negotiated settlement.

�The further escalation of this conflictcan only serve to exacerbate the human trag-edy of violence, displacement and the in-evitable hatreds that will be spawned by theforces of death and destruction. Especially

Archbishop Asks NATO toSuspend Yugoslavia Bombing

now, in the midst of the Orthodox ChristianHoly Week, God has given to the world away out of the madness that threatens toengulf us. May we perceive His mercy inthe midst of chaos and confusion, and findthe will to honor the Prince of Peace andbegin anew the work of peace.�

Other appeals for peace effortsMeanwhile, in Geneva, international

church bodies with headquarters here ap-pealed to the United Nations (UN) to ini-tiate immediate efforts to reach a just andlasting peace in the Kosovo conflict.

�The NATO-led intervention in the Fed-eral Republic of Yugoslavia manifests the fail-ure of the international community to achievea credible, negotiated solution,� says the textof a joint letter to UN Secretary General KofiAnnan, from the World Council of Churches(WCC), the Conference of European Chur-ches (CEC) and the Lutheran World Federa-tion (LWF), with the support of the WorldAlliance of Reformed Churches (WARC).

The letter goes on to say that each dayof bombing makes the solution more dis-tant and increases the risk of regionalizationof the conflict. It also heightens the dangerof a renewed divide in Europe.

WCC General Secretary Konrad Raiser,CEC General Secretary Keith Clements, LWFGeneral Secretary Ishmael Noko and WARCGeneral Secretary Milan Opocensky there-fore appealed for an immediate moratoriumon the military interventions, in order to al-low for a renewal of the political processunder the auspices of the UN.

The Glorious Light of the Resurrection

WASHINGTON � A key congressionalcommittee voted overwhelmingly on April15 to adopt bill language that commendsthe Cyprus government�s �extraordinarilyconciliatory and courageous� actions in theinterest of peace on Cyprus and calls on theU.S. to �do all that is possible to bring aboutcommensurate actions by Turkey.�

The House International Relations Com-mittee voted 23 to 11 to adopt an amend-ment relating to Cyprus during its consider-ation of the State Department AuthorizationBill for fiscal years 2000-2001.

�We would like to thank CongressmanBob Menendez (D-NJ) who offered thisamendment and led efforts for its adoptionin Committee. He continues to be a leaderin the U.S. Congress for Cyprus settlementefforts,� said Philip Christopher, presidentof PSEKA and the Pancyprian Association ofAmerica.

Andrew A. Athens, national chairmanof UHAC (and, in another capacity, world

Committee Calls on Turkey to Act on Cypruspresident of SAE) stressed that in thisadopted language the Congress recognizesthat in canceling the deployment on Cyprusof defensive anti-aircraft missiles, the Cyprusgovernment �refrained from exercising theircountry�s sovereign right to self-defense, aright fully recognized by the U.S. govern-ment and by Article 51 of The Charter of theUnited Nations.� It also notes that with thisaction Cyprus displayed its �full compliancewith the recently adopted United NationsSecurity Council Resolutions 1217 and

See CYPRUS, page 14

by Jim Golding

See RELIEF EFFORTS, page 27

Since the end of March, Penny Pana-giota Deligiannis, director of DiakoniaAgapes, the humanitarian relief agency ofthe Orthodox Church of Albania, has battledoverwhelming numbers and constant rainto aid the river of more than 175,000 refu-

Special SectionSee a special informativesection on the affairs andthe finances of the Arch-diocese on pages 9-13.

gees who have entered Albania from war-torn Kosovo.

Since March 30-31, said Ms. Deli-giannis, �they really started pouring in - linesof people, horses, vehicles. This is the lastcountry that needed or could afford such aninvasion. The Albanians are just as poor as

D. Panagos

N. ManginasReaching for the LightEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (top) and Archbishop Spyridon (below) distributethe light of the Resurrection to worshippers at Easter services in Constantinople andNew York. (Related story, photos on page 32).

REACHING FOR FOOD - Hundreds of refugees stretch out their hands for food and suppliesat one of the refugee camps near Kosovo.

Albanian Church at Forefront of Relief Efforts

Associated Press

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 2

USPS 412340 ISSN 0731-2547

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

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Articles do not necessarily reflect the viewsand opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdio-cese of America which are expressed in offi-cial statements so labeled.Subscription rates are $5.50 per year. Canada$25.00. Overseas Air Mail, $55.00 per year.$1.50 per copy.Subscriptions for the membership of the GreekOrthodox Church in America are paid throughtheir contribution to the Archdiocese. Of thiscontribution, $3.00 is forwarded to the OrthodoxObserver.POSTMASTER: Send address changes toORTHODOX OBSERVER, 8 East 79th Street,New York, NY 10021

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

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Nicholas ManginasEleni Daniels

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

T wo historic events in the life ofthe Archdiocese highlighted theApril 17-18 weekend � the en-

thronements of Bishops George and Nicho-las to the vacant Sees of the New Jersey andDetroit dioceses.

More than 700 persons from nearlyevery parish of the diocese attended BishopGeorge�s enthronement at St. John the Theo-logian Cathedral in Tenafly, N.J., April 17.

In addition to Archbishop Spyridon whoofficiated at the ceremony, seven other hier-archs participated, along with many clergy,including Metropolitan Silas of SarantaEkklesion, Metropolitan Maximos of Aenos,presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Pitts-burgh; Metropolitan Methodios of Aneon,presiding hierarch of the Diocese of Boston;Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, head ofthe American Carpatho-Russian OrthodoxDiocese; Metropolitan Paisios of Tyana,Bishop Philotheos of Meloa, Bishop Vikentiosof Apameia, and Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos.

Also in attendance were representativesof other churches, Tenafly Mayor Ann

Archbishop Enthrones New Jersey and Detroit BishopsVacancies Filled after Three Years

In dedication to his late wife, PresbyteraMaria, His Grace pledged to work with allthe clergy and presbyteres of the diocese.

He also announced plans to establishdiocese offices in New Jersey. A receptionand an enthronement banquet followed.

The Formal Election Announcement(Mega Minima) for Bishop George was readApril 14 at the Archdiocesan Chapel of St.Paul in Manhattan. The Holy and SacredSynod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate electedBishop George of Komanon as Bishop of theDiocese of New Jersey on March 13.

He served as auxiliary bishop to Arch-bishop Spyridon and in November had beenappointed Director of the Office of PublicAffairs of the Archdiocese headquartered inWashington.

Prior to his elevation to the episcopacyon June 13, 1998, Bishop George (Papaioan-nou), had served as pastor of the St. GeorgeChurch, Bethesda, Md., for 27 years. He isthe father of three married daughters andsix grandchildren.

A native of Prodromos, Thebes(Greece), Bishop George, 66, is a 1957graduate of the Patriarchal TheologicalSchool of Halki (Constantinople).

His pastoral assignments have also in-cluded the Church of the Virgin Mary inConstantinople; St. Demetrios Church,Hamilton, Ontario; and St. George Cathe-dral, Manchester, N.H.

He pursued graduate studies in Churchhistory at Boston University and receivedhis Th.D. degree in 1976.

The Diocese of NewJersey is comprised of the allthe parishes in the state and,by assignment from theArchdiocesan District, theparishes in greater Philadel-phia, Delaware, Marylandand Virginia.

Enthronement ofBishop NicholasThe following day Arch-

bishop Spyridon traveled toDetroit to officiate at the en-thronement of BishopNicholas at AnnunciationCathedral.

Bishop Nicholas wasenthroned by His Eminenceas the fifth bishop of the Dio-cese of Detroit before a hugeturnout of more than 1,700persons. The cathedral, anew Byzantine-style struc-

Inside

Moskowitz who proclaimed the 17th asBishop George Day, the consuls general ofGreece and Cyprus and several state andcounty officials.

A 70-member choir directed by TonyParaskevopoulos included representatives ofparish choirs from throughout the diocese.

Bishop George was greeted enthusias-tically by the people, parish officials noted.

ture, seats about 780.A 75-voice choir directed by George

Raptis and Evey Simon, 100 altar boys and75 flower girls, highlighted the elaborate cer-emony.

Among the other hierarchs presentwere Bishop Maximos, Archbishop Victorinand Bishop Nathaniel, both of the RomanianOrthodox Archdiocese in America andCanada, Bishop Dimitrios of the AntiochianOrthodox Church and Metropolitan Paisios.

About 75 priests from all jurisdictionsof SCOBA also attended.

On a poignant note, the diocese regis-trar, the Very Rev. Archimandrite EvstathiosMetallinos, who suffered a stroke a few daysbefore the event, was brought to the cer-emony in a wheel chair and sat next to thenew bishop.

Bishop Nicholas� Formal Election An-nouncement (Mega Minima) was read onApril 2 at the Archdiocesan Chapel of St.Paul.

The Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecu-menical Patriarchate of Constantinopleelected Archimandrite Nicholas Pissare asbishop of the Detroit Diocese on March 13.He was consecrated to the episcopacy onApril 3,1999 at the Holy Cross Church inBrooklyn, N.Y., where he had served as pas-tor since August,1997.

Bishop Nicholas was born in Glen Falls,NY to Emmanuel and Caliope Pissare. Hisfamily also includes brothers Michael and

HIS EMINENCE, followed by Bishop Nicholas of Detroit, proceeds through the AnnunciationCathedral in Detroit for the enthronment ceremony.

BISHOP GEORGE reads his enthronement message to hundreds of faithful at St. John theTheologian Cathedral in Tenafly.

BISHOP NICHOLAS beams with joy as hetakes his place at the bishop�s throne.

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON and Bishop George near the altarof the New Jersey Cathedral.

Dimitri Panagos photos

See ENTHRONEMENTS, page 28

Archdiocese News � 2-4Challenge � 29Diocese News � 30Ecumenical Patriarchate � 5Greek section � 15-18HC/HC Report � 20Interfaith Marriages � 21Issues & Answers � 9-31Missions � 23Opinions � 6-7Orthodoxy Worldwide � 25, 27Parish Profile � 14Religious Education � 8Retired Clergy � 22Seminarian Profile � 20Special Events � 31Voice of Philoptochos � 19

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 3ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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

When Archbishop Spyridon vis-ited Ronald McDonald Houseon Dec. 11 to preside at a Di-

vine Liturgy, he made a special friend � 8-year-old Anastasios Zervos.

In March of last year, his parents, Gera-simos and Vasiliki of Athens, Greece, broughtTaso, their only child, to New York for treat-ment of a brain tumor.

�Taso immediately took to the Archbishopand vice versa,� said Paulette Geanacopoulos,social worker at the National Philoptochos Of-fice. �The two of them really bonded.� She re-called that when the two were talking, His Emi-nence told the little boy in Greek that �maybewhen you grow up you will be a priest.� Towhich Taso responded, �makari� (I wish).

Archbishop Spyridon even sent his dea-con with a birthday present for the little boy.

On Palm Sunday, Taso lost his battle withcancer. He died at 10 a.m., after about a yearin the hospital. He received a final visit from

�Special Friend� of ArchbishopLoses Battle with Long Illness

BALTIMORE - Archbishop Spyridon andBaltimore�s Roman Catholic Archbishop,William Cardinal Keeler, announced at a re-cent press conference that the InternationalJoint Commission for Theological Dialoguebetween the Orthodox and Roman Catho-lic churches will meet for the first time inthe Western Hemisphere beginning June 7in Maryland.

The meetings will take place over a pe-riod of 10 days at Mount St. Mary�s Collegeand Seminary in Emmitsburg.

There will also be related religious func-tions in Washington and Baltimore. The In-ternational Joint Commission for Theologi-cal Dialogue is comprised of Orthodox del-egates from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the

Orthodox Catholic Dialogue to Be Held in U.S.

See CATHOLIC DIALOGUE, page 28

Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch, Jerusa-lem and Moscow, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria,Georgia, and the Churches of Cyprus,Greece, Poland, Albania, the Czechoslova-kia (Czech and Slovak Republics), Finland,and Estonia, and Roman Catholic delegatesfrom the Vatican and around the world.

The remarks of Archbishop Spyridonand Cardinal Keeler are below. CardinalKeeler spoke first.

His Eminence Cardinal Keeler:It is a joy to be able to announce today

details in connection with the forthcomingmeeting of the International Join Commis-sion for Theological Dialogue between theCatholic and the Orthodox Churches.

On June 6, 1999, the group will arrive atBWI (airport) and then gather at Mt. St.Mary�s College and Seminary for its firstmeeting ever in the Western Hemisphere. Iam most honored that His Eminence Arch-bishop Spyridon, the Archbishop of theUnited States for the Greek Orthodox Church,should come from new York to join me forthis press conference. For many years Arch-bishop Spyridon served as the Secretary ofthe Orthodox members of the Commission.I first met him when he was serving in that

PHOENIX � Nearly 1,000 young adultsfrom across the United States are expectedin Phoenix this July 4th weekend for the 17thannual Archdiocesan Young Adult LeagueConference.

The conference will be packed with fourfull days of energetic dances and events,intriguing workshops with original topicsand of course plenty of sparkling pools toenjoy that Arizona sunshine.

The conference theme is �Journey tothe Son� which will be carried through ev-ery aspect of the weekend. Workshops willfocus on the continuing journey youngadults face as we strive toward salvation andhow to overcome common obstaclesthrough Orthodoxy.

The night-time activities include aReggae dance on Thursday night, a grandbanquet and Greek glendi on Friday, a com-edy show on Saturday and a Fourth of JulyCountry-Western dance and cookout at anold, authentic western town on Sunday.

On Monday, participants will have theopportunity to go on one of several out-of-town excursions. St. Anthony�s Monasteryis one of the country�s few Orthodox mon-

National YAL Conference in PhoenixOffers a �Hot� July 4th Weekend

asteries and is located in Florence, Ariz. Thisbeautiful and holy place provides peace andserenity to those who visit it. For those whochoose to head for the great outdoors,Sedona and the Grand Canyon are bothbreathtaking adventures and easy trips fromPhoenix.

�All the Greater Phoenix area youngadults are excited to be hosting this year�snational conference and we have been work-ing hard to put together a fun and spirituallyfulfilling weekend,� said Sandy Meris, na-tional conference chairperson. �Our goalwas to put together some really moving andmotivating workshops while adding someexciting and unique activities that everybodywill enjoy.�

Host hotel will be the Arizona Biltmore,which has given conference attendees a spe-cial group room rate of $105 for a single/double occupancy and $115 for a triple/quadoccupancy. Registration fee is $225 per per-son for early registration by May 15.

For more information regarding theconference please call, (602) 607-4900 orvisit the conference web site at: http://www.goaldsf.org.

THEIR EMINENCES Archbishop Spyridon and William Cardinal Keeler at Baltimorepress conference.

D. Panagos

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

Archbishop Spyridon the previous day, ironically, the Saturday of Lazarus.During Taso�s hospital stay, he received support from the National Philoptochos and

Greek Children�s Cancer Fund. Fr. Angelo Gavalas and Dora Ziongas, social worker at Me-morial Sloan-Kettering Hospital who works with Greek families, both visited him frequently.The 8-year old did not allow his illness to pre-empt his concern for others.

�He looked out for the patients from Greece regardless of their age,� Ms.Geanacopoulos recalled. �He was a real sweetheart, a little �angelaki,� and a very uniquelittle boy.� She said that on a visit with a group of patients to St. Gerasimos Church, he litfive candles - four for other children and the last one for himself.

As his illness progressed, he became paralyzed on his left side and his head wasturned toward the left, Ms. Geanacopoulos told the Observer. When his father had askedhim what he was looking at one day, Taso responded with, �O Theoulis,� she said.

A memorial service took place at a funeral home in Astoria on April 5, officiated by theVery Rev. Gabriel Karambis. Taso�s body was taken to Greece for the funeral and burial.

by Jim Golding

NEW YORK � Greece�s Prime MinisterCostis Simitis received a warm welcomefrom Archbishop Spyridon at the Archdio-cese April 14 while on an official visit to theUnited States to attend the NATO summitin Washington.

Earlier this year, when His Eminencemade an official visit to Greece, he was re-ceived by the Prime Minister.

Upon Mr. Simitis� 11 a.m. arrival at theArchdiocese, a prayer service took place inthe Chapel of St. Paul, with the Ambassa-dor of Greece and Consul General in NewYork attending.

In his remarks to dignitaries, Greekpress representatives and Archdiocese staffmembers gathered in the chapel, the PrimeMinister stressed the close cooperation andbond held by the Greek people with theAmerican Greek Orthodox community.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the

His Eminence Welcomes Prime Minister Simitis

important role of the Archbishopand the Church, � . . . we must doall that we can to assist His Emi-nence and the Greek OrthodoxChurch, and indeed all the activi-ties of the Greek Orthodox peoplethat they engage in here in theUnited States.�

Following the service, thePrime Minister and the Archbishopheld a private meeting and ex-changed gifts.

At a press conference laterArchbishop Spyridon reflected ona number of the issues they dis-cussed, including Cyprus, Greek-Turkish relations, and the continu-ing crisis in Kosovo.

On the latter issue, His Emi-nence commented: �It is certainlya concern of this Archdiocese, thatthe solution to the crisis in Kosovowill not be found in a prolongation of the war, but in an immediate cessation of the bom-bardment and a safe return of the refugees to Kosovo.�

Former Archbishop Iakovos was re-cently treated for a minor infection atStamford Hospital in Connecticut andwas discharged on April 17. He had beenadmitted on April 5, Holy Tuesday.

Archbishop Spyridon visited himin the hospital on Good Friday, April 9.

Archbishop IakovosTreated at Hospital

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 4

a r c h D I O C E S E N E W S

The morning began with a shortOrthros service. These 15 minutes in theChapel of St. Basil Academy were a beauti-ful, prayerful prelude to a truly blessed day.

Young Adult Diakonia and Fellowship at St. Basil

by Clio Alexiades

The Young Adult Diakonia Weekend onMarch 20-21 started with a dozen heartysouls, but by days end, over 20 volunteershad committed their Saturday to service theAcademy.

Fr. Costas Sitaras, director of St. BasilAcademy, spoke some encouraging words,reminding the volunteers that Christiansshould focus on prayer, fasting and alms-giving, especially in this Lenten season. Hereminded the young adults that even thoughSt. Basil Academy appreciates and needstheir assistance, there are others that aremore needy and should be remembered atthis time of the year.

One volunteer commented that �it hasbecome so normal for us to focus on ourindividual spiritual journey by praying and

bad about skipping a day full of appoint-ments for his spa repair business, but aftersawing branches all day he said, �I am re-ally glad I was here to help. It was hard work,but working together with so many othermade it fun too. I couldn�t believe how muchwe actually accomplished!�

The Young Adults and the students weretogether again after dinner in the RecreationRoom and on Sunday for Divine Liturgy andBrunch. Sharing a Divine Liturgy with thechildren was a memorable experience sinceeveryone participated, either as an acolyteor as a choir member.

When receiving the blessing Eucharist,one really feels in holy communion withothers since the entire experience is com-munal, in prayer, song and spirit.

Although the Sunday afternoon volun-teers only numbered five, the students andGod�s invisible angels helped to continuethe work. The old chapel on old campus wascleaned out, walkways swept and garbagewas removed from the attic.

Chrisanne Eleftheriou of Connecticutand Ted Georgiousis of New Jersey must havegarnered a second wind from the patron saintof yardwork, as they continued to rake wetleaves and debris despite their many blistersand sore muscles from Saturday.

Anastasia Haidos, an architect fromManhattan was still full of energy despiteSaturday�s full day of work, and was able toblow the yolk out of over two dozen eggs soshe could paint and stencil them with thechildren. Unfortunately, the weekend quicklyended. The rain began at 5 p.m., about 15minutes after the group decided to quit forthe day. Everyone was certainly thankful forthe miracle of good weather all weekend.

The volunteers said their good-byes, butthe kids begged them to stay longer. How-ever, the weekend of work and fellowshipwith the kids had come to a close. The par-ticipants agreed that more Diakonia week-ends are needed.

Thanks to the volunteers, the Arch-diocesan District YAL, and the northern NewJersey YAL, over $800 in supplies, equipmentand donations were made to the Academyduring this Diakonia Weekend.

St. Basil Academy is a national not-for-profit philanthropic center of the Archdio-cese which provides love, shelter, food, edu-cation, protection and a �home away fromhome� to orphans, children of chronically illor destitute parents or children from bro-ken homes.

The Academy is located about 50 milesnorth of New York City in Garrison, N.Y.,on a bluff overlooking the Hudson River andWest Point Military Academy.

The property was acquired by thePhiloptochos Society in 1944 and currentlyencompasses more than 200 wooded acresand nearly 30 buildings.

This special place was named after St.Basil, who is considered one of the greatestphilanthropists of the Church. The Philo-ptochos Society still continues to provide asubstantial amount of the annual budget,along with allocations from the Archdioceseand donations from many Orthodox Chris-tian stewards and organizations.

Young Adults from New York, New Jer-sey and Connecticut visit the Academymonthly to spend time with the children.This Young Adult involvement began over10 years ago as a result of the national YAL�songoing commitment to support the minis-try work of St. Basil Academy.

To become involved with this YAL ef-fort, contact: Clio Alexiades atCLIOA@yahoo.com.

For more information about the Acad-emy, to arrange a visit, or to plan your ownDiakonia efforts, call the Academy at (914)424-3500.

NEW YORK � Three scholarships of$1,500 each will be awarded by the Arch-diocese through the generosity of MarianGioles of Ridgefield, Conn., who gave theChurch a $236,000 restricted gift.

Ms. Gioles� contribution for the schol-arship fund was made in honor of her par-ents, George and Naouma Gioles.

Scholarships will be given to under-graduate students studying any professionwith the following additional criteria.

Applicants must be Greek Orthodox(with preference to those of Greek descent),who are high school seniors who plan toattend college or university in the next aca-demic year, or full-time college studentspursuing an undergraduate degree at an ac-credited college or university.

Applicants must provide required evi-dence of scholastic standing, with a gradelevel of at least a B, or 85 percent, or 3.0average. They must have scored a minimum

Scholarships Available through Archdioceseof 1,000 (high school seniors) on the SAT,or provide another measure used by theacademic community if the SAT is not ad-ministered.

Applicants also must provide evidenceof financial need, with preference given toorphans and those undertaking studies inthe sciences, business and the arts. Onescholarship is reserved for a candidate whohas chosen to study journalism or othercourse of study approved by the Archbishop.

Scholarships will be granted for the aca-demic year. the first year�s total distributionwill be limited to $4,500.

Ms. Giles� parents, now deceased wereimmigrants from the northwestern part ofMacedonia. Her father emigrated to Americain 1915. He returned to Greece to marryher mother 10 years later.

Prospective applicants may fax theirrequest for an application to: (212) 774-0251, or call (212) 570-3514.

YOUNG ADULTS spruce up St. Basil Academy

Dear Mr. President,

We write to you today, sad and heavy of heart at the terrible destruction thathas been unleashed against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. We pray to AlmightyGod that the military actions of NATO forces will cease immediately, making wayfor a just, peaceful, negotiated solution to the conflict.

As Orthodox Christian Hierarchs, we are deeply concerned that the power andstrength of God-inspired reason and peaceful means of recourse have been aban-doned in favor of military intervention. We are mindful of the painful truth that Serbiannationals and ethnic Albanians have engaged in mutual acts of destruction. We con-demn these acts of evil barbarity on all sides of the complex issues that plague this sadregion of Europe. However, we are also mindful of the millions of Orthodox Christianswhose lives are now at risk from American and NATO weapons. As Americans, weare also deeply concerned for the lives of this nation�s noble sons and daughters,many of whom come from our parishes and communities, who are also now at greatrisk for their lives.

As members of the Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops inAmerica, we are opposed to the violence of war as a solution to political conflicts.We also note with sorrow, that the failure of diplomatic efforts has brought aboutthe impotence of death and destruction unleashed in the name of finding a solutionto death and destruction.

Our humanitarian relief agency the International Orthodox Christian Charities(IOCC) will continue to minister, as it has for several years now, to all who suffer theconsequences of this tragic conflict, regardless of their religious, national, or ethnicorigins.

We call upon your sense of justice and humanity to end this course of militaryaction immediately for the good of our beloved nation and for the salvation of allinnocent lives whose futures rest in the palm of your hand.

May the Lord enlighten and guide you and all who govern the United States ofAmerica.

Respectfully to you, and prayerfully before Almighty God,

(signed by the hierarchs)

Joint SCOBA Letter to President ClintonFollowing is a letter from the hierarchs of the

Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bish-ops in America calling on President Clinton to ceasethe bombing in Yugoslavia and work toward a peace-ful solution to the conflict.

ñ Archbishop SPYRIDON, Chairman, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Americañ Metropolitan PHILIP, Vice Chair, Antiochian Orthodox Chrisitan Archdiocese of Americañ Metropolitan JOSEPH, Secretary, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Churchñ Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos, Treasurer; American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Diocese in the USAñ Metropolitan THEODOSIUS

Orthodox Church in Americañ Archbishop VICTORIN

Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese in America and Canadañ Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER

Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canadañ Metropolitan CONSTANTINE

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USAñ Protopresbyter Ilia Katre, Vicar General Albanian Orthodox Diocese in America

fasting more during Lent, but many of usneglect the Christian call for almsgiving. Forme, being here this weekend is one way tohelp me concentrate on helping others.�

The volunteers worked together withthe students of St. Basil Academy on vari-ous campus projects. Fr. Costas told thegroup that �the children love to help.�

It did not take long to see his commentsbecome reality, since the kids had alreadystarted loading the pickup truck before mostof the volunteers had arrived!!

As the volunteers grew in number, therewas a group that spent an entire day clean-ing debris, weeds, leaves, branches andvines from the courtyard of the original boysdormitory on the �old campus.�

Another enthusiastic bunch tackled thecleanup and organization of the gym equip-ment and even demolished an unnecessarywall in the storage room. Finally, a thirdgroup burrowed themselves in the nooksand crannies of the attic in the main houseas they sorted, folded and organized hun-dred of clothing donations from years past.

The Academy provided a delicious lun-cheon to the students, volunteers and visi-tors from St. Gerasimos Church on the Up-per West Side of Manhattan.

Following lunch, the kids left campusto celebrate a sweet sixteen and the volun-teers returned to their work. the work con-tinued until dusk.

�Helping with the Academy�s springcleanup has made me realize there is somuch more we can do. To maintain theAcademy�s 200 acres, I think they need anarmy of volunteers every weekend!� saidone young adult. Another volunteer,Athanasios Arianas of Long Island, first felt

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 5ORTHODOX OBSERVER

In a recent wide-ranging interview withthe Greek newspaper Eleftherotypia, Ecu-menical Patriarch Bartholomew sounded astern warning against nationalism, which�was branded a heresy by Orthodoxy as farback as 1872� and was on the rise again.

On the eve of a visit to Greece sched-uled for May 20, Ecumenical PatriarchBartholomew stressed that �even when na-tionalism invokes Christianity as a meansto justify its ends, this does not make it anyless a heresy�.

The Ecumenical Patriarch cited his me-

Patriarch Warns: Nationalism �a Heresy�

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE

Czech Church Becomes AutonomousActing on a request from Archbishop

Doroteos of Prague and his Holy Synod, Ecu-menical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holyand Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate recentlygranted autonomous status to the OrthodoxChurch of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The Church in what was formerlyCzechoslovakia dates to 1923 when Ecu-

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Becomes ArchonLeonidas Rallis, Supreme President of the Order of AHEPA, was recently initiated byPatriarch Bartholomew as an Archon of the Great Church of Christ with the offikion ofArchon Ostiarios. He and his wife attended Pascha services at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

CONSTANTINOPLE � His All HolinessEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew willmake an official visit to the Church of Greecefrom May 20 to June 5.

During his stay in Athens he will meetwith Archbishop Christodoulos of Athensand All Greece, with members of the HolySynod, President Kostis Stephanopoulos,Prime Minister Costas Simitis, ParliamentPresident Costa Kaklamanis, other ministers,Mayor of Athens Dimitris Avramopoulos,and other government officials and digni-taries.

The Ecumenical Patriarch will attendmany celebrations to his honor, and will co-celebrate Divine Liturgy with ArchbishopChristodoulos.

His All Holiness will stay in Athens fromMay 20-27. Following that he will visit theMetropolis of the Ecumenical Patriarchatein Northern Greece from May 27- June 5.

His itinerary will include stops in Aktion,Preveza, Ioannina, Metsovo, Grevena,Tsotili, Kastoria, Katerine, Veroia, Naousa,Vergina, Thessaloniki, Kalamaria, Nea

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomewto Visit Greece in Late May

Mihaniona, Neapoli, Hortiati, Lagada,Arnaia, Drama, Kato Nevrokopi, Serres,Sidirokastro, Kilkis and Igoumenitsa.

N. Manginas

diation between Serbian Patriarch Pavlos,Roman Catholic Cardinal Kucharitz and theleader of the Muslim community during therecent war in Bosnia as an example of theOrthodox Church�s principled stand on theside of peace, adding that the EcumenicalPatriarchate�s concern for harmoniousGreek-Turkish relations stemmed from dedi-cation to the same principle.

�We have always advocated good-neighborly relations, friendship and coop-eration between the peoples of Greece andTurkey,� he stressed.

menical Patriarch Meletios IV established theOrthodox Archdiocese there.

The Archbishop of Prague will now for-mally be addressed as �His Beatitude� andthe bishops will become Metropolitans.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate also re-cently named Stephanos of Nazianzus asMetropolitan of Tallin and All Estonia.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 6

Pray for leader?

Editor,Being an American citizen I can sym-

pathize with the American people wantingto pray for �our boys�, but, in light of therecent aggression of the United States ofAmerica against the Serbians, the Petitionsin the Divine Services - �For the honorablegovernment of our country and all civil au-thorities and for our armed forces, let us prayto the Lord� and �....the military leaders, civicleaders, and Christ-loving armed forces� -disturbs my conscience greatly.

I am a Greek Orthodox Christian, andparish council secretary for St. Elias Greek

EDITORIAL

O P I N I O N S

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

Stop the BombingPastoral Reflections

Balkan crisis

Editor,The present crisis in the Balkans should

be a vital concern to every member of theGreek Orthodox faith. The pattern is thesame as that of the Russian octopus of com-munism in place in the years after WorldWar II.

The difference today is that Islam is thespecter behind all the turmoil threateningthe existence of Christianity. Make no mis-take about it; the Islamic movement is glo-bal in scope and its goal is the entire world.

It was Moslem zealots and dissidentswho fomented the civil and military strifeand upheaval in all those African countrieswhom the world community was trying torescue from Islamic onslaught. And eventoday, those Moslem dissidents in Serbia

calling themselves �ethnic Albanians� areMoslems trying to carve out an Islamic statefrom within the Serbian borders.

What possible valid business could theyhave in Serbia and why aren�t we helpingSerbians in their fight to preserve their Chris-tian heritage instead of helping the Moslemsobliterate the Serbs?

Islam already has engulfed the Mediter-ranean, most of Africa, and the Near East. Itstentacles reach as far as Burma and Tibet.Turkey is a Moslem state, as also is Pakistan,Kashmir, Islamabad and some parts of India.

The once Christian states of Albania,Yugoslavia, Bulgaria and Macedonia areoverrun by Moslems. Need we add that soare many of the former Russian satellitestates, in addition to the countries in theNear East? Not to mention Iraq, Iran, Af-ghanistan and the Arab countries which en-danger Israel.

While all these Moslem nations appearto tolerate Christianity, they would not hesi-tate to arise and move actively against anyenemy to establish the supremacy of Islamin all the world.

Steven P. AlexanderCameron Park, Calif.

Religion not a factor

Editor,As Orthodox Christians everywhere

prepare to celebrate Holy Easter, the worldwatches yet another catastrophe unfold inthe Balkans. The humanitarian disasterwhich has quickly developed is the result ofunbridled nationalism taken to a new ex-treme. When the Jews intoned �NeverAgain� I always understood them, not us.Now it is our turn to come forward and placeblame where it belongs, squarely on theshoulders of the Milosevic regime.

It no longer matters who lost what in1389. This is the 20th almost the 21st cen-tury. We are our brother�s keeper, not hisassassin. The disdain the Serb military hasshown for human life and the gratuitous vio-lence inflicted on innocent persons is with-out equal in post-WWII Europe.

The Easter cease-fire declaration by theYugoslav government is an insidious attemptto rally other Orthodox Christians to theirevil cause. Religion has nothing to do withthe ugly events in Kosovo. To invoke theSavior�s name in this cause is to make Himan accomplice in genocide.

The Greek Orthodox Church in Americashould clearly distance itself from theSerbian government and condemn the

My beloved spiritual children,Christ is Risen!With such a voice and expression of faith, we greet

one another during these festive days following the Glo-rious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, es-pecially through these days when we witness the rav-ages of war on our televisions and in the newspapers,we ought to strengthen our faith in the Risen One, foronly He can bring true and lasting peace to our world.

In the last month, we have seen the face of war inthe continuing conflict in Kosovo. We hear a multitudeof voices expressing every kind of opinion over how ourChurch should respond. As your Archbishop, I havetried to exert as much moral force and argument as I

possible can to encourage a peaceful settlement to the very real and complex prob-lems in that part of the world, so very close to ancient center of our Faith. We knowfrom our Lord Himself that �those who live by the sword, die by the sword,� and thatviolence alone cannot provide the solution to our problems. We have also seen theheartbreaking plight of the enormous refugee crisis becoming worse every day, withno apparent end in sight.

As Orthodox Christians, our duty must first and foremost be to pray for peace, foras our Lord said in another place: �Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall becalled the children of God.� And we must do more than pray, for the Lord blessedthose who �make peace.�

In calling for a cessation of the bombing of Yugoslavia during Holy Week, I hadhoped for a window of negotiation to open for all sides in the conflict. Unfortunately,our pleas and the pleas of many other Orthodox and world religious leaders wentunheeded.

We cannot condone this bombing, for in addition to destroying innocent life �what the press conferences call �collateral damage,� the bombing is hardening thepositions of all sides and exacerbating the refugee crisis. On the other hand, we can-not condone the violence that is being perpetrated on the civilian. Therefore, we standin the midst of a dilemma, which can only be overcome by our efforts to bring healing.

We must stand with our Serbian Orthodox brothers and sisters, and particularlywith His Beatitude Patriarch Pavle, for he has been a consistent moral force for peaceand justice in the region. The Serbian people are a long-suffering people, who haveendured much, particularly in World War II. The memory of the hundreds of thou-sands who died at the hands of the Nazis and fascists is a powerful memory in thissmall country. This memory must be honored, not exploited, and certainly not pun-ished for the sins of a few.

We also have the Christian, indeed human, obligation to offer our assistance toany and all innocents whose lives have been shattered by this conflict. I am proud ofthe work that IOCC has been doing and the generosity of the faithful of our HolyArchdiocese in the contributions that have come forward to support the relief effort.These efforts are a direct manifestation of our Christian love in a place where love andrespect for human life has been diminished by the forces of violence.

As the days and weeks continue, let us redouble our prayers and our acts ofmercy, as being the most significant contribution that we can make from afar. Let uspray that the bloodshed will cease and that a righteous and reasonable solution mayyet be found, so that the dignity and value of all the people of this troubled land may besafeguarded in truth and in justice. Let us pray for the peace of the world and inwhatever capacity God gives each one of us, work to make that peace a reality.

×ÑÉÓÔÏÓ ÁÍÅÓÔÇ!

atrocities committed in Kosovo. There is noother choice to be made. The Americanpeople, including Greek-Americans, are re-volted by Serb aggression. If Bosnia did notconvince us, Kosovo has.

If and when troops are sent to Kosovo,there will be a tide of anti-Serbian emotionin the US which will sweep everything fromits path. Do not let the Greek OrthodoxChurch in America suffer because of mis-guided support for criminals.

Alex SparkuhlLas Vegas

See opposite page

C ontrary to its stated aim ofonly striking at military tar-gets, NATO�s relentless

month-long bombing campaign againstYugoslavia has killed or injured many in-nocent citizens and marred the celebra-tion of Orthodox Christian Easter. The U.S.government has ignored pleas from manyOrthodox leaders for a cease-fire and areturn to peace talks.

No one condones the �ethnic cleans-ing� policy of Yugoslavian PresidentMilosevic. His actions have driven tens ofthousands of Kosovars from their homes.He has caused the deaths of thousands ofothers and indirectly the deaths of his ownpeople. However, there is a bitter ironyand questionable motives concerning theU.S./NATO�s selective intervention.

Consider that over the past few years:� 800,000 persons died in ethnic

fighting in Rwanda, but there was no in-tervention on the part of either the UnitedStates or United Nations.

� 1.5 million have died in the fight-ing in southern Sudan. No intervention.

� Thousands of Christians in Indo-nesia and India have undergone severepersecution, including many killed, as theresult of Moslem and Hindu attacks. Nointervention.

� Thousands of Haitians riskedtheir lives in small boats to flee the op-pressive regime in Haiti. Intervention con-sisted of sending a U.S. Navy destroyer toPort-au-Prince harbor which was firedupon and promptly withdrew.

Need we even mention the sad chap-ter of the Cyprus tragedy in 1974. Wherewas NATO or the United Nations whentens of thousands of Greek Cypriots were�ethnically cleansed� from their land? Howperceptions change.

Millions of Kurds being oppressed bythe Turks would like to gain their freedom.So far, the U.S. and UN have remainedsilent.

In the early 1990s no outcry washeard when more than 200,000 Serbs hadto flee their homes in the Krajina regionwhen Croatia became independent.

Foreign observers and Yugoslav citi-zens have in recent days, both in printmedia and on television, have commentedthat the continuous bombing has only suc-ceeded in rallying average Serbians around

their government. It has unwittingly madePresident Milosevic, whom many are oth-erwise loathe to support, a hero resistingsuperpower aggression.

Ten years of bombing North Vietnamproduced thousands of American casual-ties and an eventual defeat for the U.S.,not Hanoi�s surrender.

Lessons of war from the U.S. pasthave gone unheeded.

For example, countless bombs andcruise missiles have been fired at Iraq, (andthousands of troops committed to battle)but Saddam Hussein is still in power.

NATO has ignored pleas for a cease-fire from numerous religious leaders andbodies, including Archbishop Spyridon,Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Arch-bishop Christodoulos, and the WorldCouncil of Churches.

Bombs fell night after night duringOrthodox Holy Week, shattering the sa-credness of our most holy season anddemonstrating a kind of contempt for Or-thodox Christianity. Had the crisis involvedIraq or some other Islamic nation, restassured that no action would have oc-curred had the Moslem celebration ofRamadan intersected American militaryinterests.

The bombing has damaged monas-teries, schools, trains and killed numer-ous civilians.

Additionally, on at least two occa-sions, cruise missiles overshot their in-tended targets in Serbia and landed inBulgaria. One of these missiles landed onlya few kilometers from an aging nuclearpower plant.

If there is evidence of humanity�sbetter side, it is the extraordinary humani-tarian effort to help the refugees and othervictims by the Albanian OrthodoxChurch�s Diakonia Agapes Service, theInternational Orthodox Christian Charitiesand other worldwide relief organizationsthat have been providing food, clothingand shelter in an effort to alleviate the suf-fering. Sadly the sheer numbers of refu-gees have overwhelmed relief organizersand workers.

It may be politically difficult, butNATO�s civilian and military leaders can stilltake the moral high ground and lead the wayto a more constructive, God fearing ap-proach to peace and justice in the region.

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 7ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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It is in circumstances such as these thatour leaders especially need our prayers. Diffi-cult as this may be to accept, true Christiansare even to pray for their enemies.- Editor

Orthodox Church, in Santa Fe, N.M. I de-test the acts of the American armed forcesand officials of the American governmentwho are currently waging acts of terrorismagainst our Serbian Orthodox brothers andsisters. Is it necessary for such petitions tobe offered in our American parishes? Must Iparticipate in such hypocrisy? In view of thefact that many Orthodox Christians are be-ing butchered or are under the threat ofbeing butchered by the government of thiscountry... and countless Serbian churchesdestroyed, is it possible for such petitionsto be removed from our services? How canwe continue to offer such prayers to God?

It deeply grieves me to think of the deathand destruction condoned by and supportedby these prayers offered by the Church.Please... for the love of our Serbian Ortho-dox brothers and sisters, I pray this petitionbe removed from all our Divine Services!

Maria WeissSanta Fe

Editor,I wish to express my deepest and sin-

cere feelings of gratitude to all those whohelped us during our stay in New York whilemy daughter was undergoing treatment forcancer.

In particular, I want to thank the VeryRev. Achimandrite Evangelos Kourounis,Paulette Geanacopoulos of the NationalPhiloptochos, Aspasia Melis of the New Jer-sey Diocese Philoptochos, and HelenDafnidis of the Cathedral Philoptochos.

This life-threatening illness and beingso far from home has put my daughter un-der great stress for 15 months. They havebeen a foundation of strength to us and anoasis in the desert of our misfortune, bring-ing a touch of hope.

With utmost gratitude

L E T T E R SL E T T E R S . . . . . . . . .from previous page

Editor,I was shocked and disheartened when

I attended Palm Services at my Greek Or-thodox Church and heard the same weeklyprayer recited by our priest �For our coun-try, our President, and all those in civil au-thority and in the service of our country,let us pray to the Lord.�

Our President, William JeffersonClinton, has been bombing our SerbianOrthodox brethren. The same was done byAdolph Hitler in World War II but Hitlerwas not our president. Serbia stood withthe allies in World War II as opposed tothe Albanian and Bosnian Muslims whojoined forces with Hitler.

It would seem to me that it would beappropriate to our Orthodox believers thatthe Greek Orthodox Church would omitthis weekly prayer at this time. Maybe weshould pray that William Jefferson Clintoncome to his senses and cease this carnage.

The problems of Kosovo cannot beresolved by the brutal bombing inflicted onthe Serbian Orthodox people by WilliamJefferson Clinton.

Our President has not done his home-work and as Orthodox Christians we shouldremind the President that he has destroyed,in the minds of many, the positive imagehe should have projected as a leader of thefree world.

Stanley KakaliosWindham, N.Y.

Editor,I read, with great interest your article,

�From the Halls of St. John-Tenefly to theShoes of Bennett Field,� February 20. But Ifeel compelled to set the record straight ona few issues. You stated that Fr. (Lt.) Panosjoined the United States Marine Corps. Al-though I do not know Lt. Panos I feel confi-dent that he is in fact a commissioned of-ficer in the United States Navy.

The photograph that accompanied thearticle was that of Lt. Panos in a Navy uni-form and the Marine Corps does not have aChaplain Corps. The 6th CommunicationsBattalion is referred as 6th Comm Battalion.

When I was on active duty I served atCamp Lejeune from 1984-86, and it was inNorth Carolina. With all that out of the way,I would like to welcome Lt. Panos aboardand thank him for his service to God andcountry. Semper Fidelis.

George M. PapageorgiouMajor USMCR

Clearwater, Fla.

A petition against a petition

Their politeness, kindness and consid-eration of our problems helped us to gothrough that terrible ordeal with courage.You�ve been so helpful, very encouraging,gentle and tactful. You have not sought outrecognition, but God knows what you do,as do the souls of all children that receiveda sincere and hopeful smile during their fightfor life.

In this most difficult time of our life, itwas good luck for us that we could find con-solation and great comfort from thesepeople.

We really can�t find adequate words ofthanks. May God help you to continue thegood deeds you do, giving you courage,health and faith.

I wish that your efforts will always berecognized and embraced with love, fromall Greeks, for the good of our proud smallGreek society and especially for the childrenfighting bravely for their lives.

Thank God people like you exist.Vassilios Lainas

Brussels, Belgium

Editor,I am writing in reference to a letter

printed in your �Letters� column of the Feb-ruary 5, 1999 issue titled �The Greek Odys-sey in America.�

Mr. John A. Micklos of Baltimore, Mary-land should be congratulated by all for prais-ing the Greek immigrants of this great na-tion.

It was indeed a well deserved tributeto those brave souls who ventured from theirmother country of Greece and Asia Minorwith what little they had and founded theGreek Orthodox churches and Hellenic cul-tural centers in their newly adopted nation.

This letter was in fact used as the cen-tral theme for the Greek Independence cel-ebration hosted by the Daphne Chapter 296of the Order of AHEPA in Pensacola, Fla.

Mr. Micklos� �doxology� or commemo-ration of our fathers and mothers was readpublicly and was well received, �not leavinga dry eye in the house.�

We should all follow the example setby Mr. Micklos in his admiration and praiseof these valiant pioneers. Let us hear moreabout these great Greek Immigrants whosowed what we all reap today!

Nicholas M. GavallasPensacola, Fla.

He�s Navy

In praise of immigrants

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 8

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

�Behold, I will open your graves andraise you, O my people!� (Ezekiel 37:12)

The case captured national attention ashundreds of searchers combed the boy�sneighborhood in a rural area south of Bos-ton around the clock for more than threedays during a recent blizzard, hoping againstthe dwindling odds of finding him alive.

Have We Experienced the Resurrection?

See RELIGIOUS EDUCATION page 28

by Fr. Frank Marangos

The searchers used everything available� from dogs, horses, and canoes to a heli-copter with a heat-seeking infrared device� to search cranberry bogs, swamps and apartially frozen lake behind the boy�s home.They had gone over the area five times.

In the end police said they found thefourth-grader covered with snow, curled ina ball in dense underbrush. The stripes fromhis Boston Bruins jacket caught a searcher�seye. It appeared young Corey Anderson wastrying to stay out of the waters of the swampnext to the creek when he died.

When asked why the boy would havedied so close to his home a policeman saidsimply, in a low voice, �He got lost . . . hegot lost and died in his own back yard!�

Jesus came to seek and to save the lost!Contrary to popular opinion, Jesus did notcome to make bad people good by provid-ing yet another system of ethical procedures.

According to Holy Scripture, Jesus cameto make dead people alive! This is the cen-tral message of the Holy Resurrection ofChrist. This was the message of our HolyWeek celebration . . . a message that is tragi-cally often reduced to mere symbol, liturgi-cal rubric, ethnic custom and storybook myth.

The primary question that we shouldask ourselves once we have completed ourcelebration of Pascha is this: �To what de-gree have we experienced resurrection . ..the new life that the Tomb of Christ pro-vides? Have the �dried bones� unto whichEzekiel prophesied received new breath, sin-ews and flesh? Or has the Old Testamentlesson that was read on Holy Friday eveningbeen merely regulated to that of literary dis-course and theater?

Has the hymnology of Holy Week ledus back to the warmth and safety of our heav-enly Father�s embrace or are we, like CoryAnderson, at risk of freezing in the contem-porary storms raging in His backyard?�

One might say that the entire missionstatement of Jesus Christ is found in Hisexhortation that �He came to seek and tosave the lost� (Mat. 18:11; Luke 19:10).

Is not the entire Triodion season fo-cused on the grid of the parable of the Prodi-gal Son which concludes with a father�sdoxology that in fact underscores the pri-mary purpose of our Lord�s Incarnation?�For this my son was dead, and now he isalive, he was lost and now he is found!�(Luke 15:24).

This is the primary reason why Ortho-dox faithful throughout the globe gatheredaround the Tomb (Koubouklion) of Christon Holy Friday evening to chant lamenta-tions. We did so to honor our Lord�s burialas the women visited His Tomb early in themorning of the third day.

We followed in the persistent yet ever-gentle foot-steps of Mary, the myrrh-bear-ing woman whose faithfulness was re-warded with the presence of her Lord! OnHoly Friday we followed her example in thehope that we too would come into contactwith the Resurrected Lord!

This, then, is what the Tomb of Christaffords the contemporary Corey Andersonswho desire the safety of their Father�sHouse! How else can we explain why wecarry the Koubouklion (tomb) which con-tains the Epitaphio (burial icon cloth) in sol-

emn procession around our respectivechurches. How else can we understand therubric of re-entering the Holy Sanctuary bypassing through (not under) this extra-con-temporary Tomb of Christ!

This was not the rubric of liturgical the-ater. This was not narrative to be de-con-structed according to our personal whimsbut a corporate sacramental action . . . amystery which cannot be explained in merelanguage but only experienced in the mysti-cal life of the Church!

This is Pascha, a passage that signifiesour resurrection. It heralds our coming in outof the cold . . . our return to our Father�sHouse!

Speaking on the grace that flows fromthe Tomb of Christ to the faithful who ap-proach it with love, understanding and de-votion, St. Augustin recalls that Jesus per-formed three resurrections during Hisearthly ministry. Augustin suggests that thedeath and subsequent resurrection of eachof the three stories signifies the consequenceof a particular type of spiritual sin.

Three resurrectionsIf we are to receive the life-bestowing

grace of Resurrection Augustin encourageshis listeners to compare their lives along-side that of the three individuals.

This first resurrection performed byJesus came as a result of an invitation Hereceived from a ruler of the synagogue (Mark5:41) who pleaded with Jesus to visit hishome and to cure his ailing daughter. Whenthey finally arrived at his home the ruler wasinformed that his daughter had died. Jesus,nonetheless enters the house and resurrectsthe little girl from her bed.

According to St. Augustin, this miracu-lous resurrection of the little girl signifies the�sin of the heart.� This is the first stage andconsequence of sin.

Like the privacy of the home, the sin ofthe heart produces spiritual death that is un-known to all except for the individual andGod. Perhaps this is why Jesus requests thatall the by-standers leave the ruler�s houseprior to the little girl�s resurrection! Accord-ing to Augustin sins of the heart are our se-cret sins.

If left unconfessed and without the rem-edy of repentance the �sin of the heart� de-velops into a second stage, namely, the �sinof action.�

According to Augustin, the miraculousresurrection of the son of the widow of Nain(Luke 7:12) exemplifies this type of spiritualdecay. Unlike the little girl who had just diedin the privacy of her house, the story thatdetails the resurrection of the only son ofthe widow of Nain, took place outside thecity gates.

Augustin suggests that the �sin of ac-tion� is here symbolized by the burial pro-cession. No longer in the house yet not quitein the tomb, sins of action are the outwardmanifestations of our inner disposition.

If we are not careful our sinful actionswill carry us, like the dead son, to spiritualburial! Like the sins of the heart, however,Augustin insists that even the sins of ouractions can be overcome by the grace ofChrist�s love. As such, Jesus resurrects theyoung man as He did the little girl.

Like the mother who was ecstatic withthe resurrection of he son, Augustin suggeststhat the Church, our spiritual Mother, re-joices when Her children return like theProdigal Son from the funeral procession oftheir sinfulness!

Finally, the four-day burial of Lazarus(John 11) represents the final stage and con-sequence of sin. Augustin refers to this type

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 9SPECIAL SECTION � ISSUES AND ANSWERS

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

ISSUES & ANSWERSA Special Informative Section on the Affairs and the Finances of the Archdiocese

YourArchbishop Spyridon visited St. Sophia Parish on Sun-

day, March 21. I was informed of this visit on Friday,March 12. The short notice did not give us much time toprepare for his visit. In spite of this, the visit went verysmoothly. This is the first time since the Archbishop�s en-thronement that I have had the opportunity to see and ex-perience him up close. I truly did not know what to expectfrom him since I was one of the 105 priests that signed theletter of concern about the governance of the Archdiocese.I too have been disturbed about the dramatic changes thathave been taking place in our Archdiocese. I had devel-oped a very negative attitude toward his Eminence�s abil-ity to lead effectively our very complex Archdiocese.

I had no idea what would transpire during theArchbishop�s visit to St. Sophia in view of what I had readabout his visits to other parishes. His presence in ourmidst belied the very negative image that has been por-trayed of him on your web page and in the Greek-Ameri-can news media. I found him to be a very warm and car-ing human being. He is very approachable. In spite of hisextreme fatigue and a nagging cold, he projected an im-age of goodness, kindness and concern for the Church andour people. He took the extra time to meet with peoplewho needed to see him privately. He profusely compli-mented St. Sophia for its beautiful complex and its Ortho-dox Christian witness in Southeastern Connecticut.

I got the distinct impression that his Eminence is mak-ing a real effort at reconciliation with those of us who havedisapproved of his administration to date. As a priest, Itoo have suffered the wrath of the people in the past. Ithink that there is something in the American psyche thatmakes us turn on people who don�t meet our expectationswithout first giving them a fair chance. We expect instantresults from our leaders.

In view of this experience with his Eminence at St.Sophia, I would request those of us who have been on hisback during the last two and a half years should back offand give him a chance. If he is truly trying to improve hisimage, we all have a Christian duty to cease all the nega-tive reporting that is coming from too many people.

Fr. Tom Paris from Oakland, CA set the tone two weeksago when he too publicly said that we must back off forthe good and unity of our precious Church. The alterna-tive to backing off is uncertainty and chaos. We shouldnow move forward in unity so that the sovereignty of JesusChrist can prevail and not the arrogance of man.

I pray that all of our Orthodox Faithful in Americawill continue to have a spiritually fruitful lent and a glori-ous Pascha.

I remain yoursIn the LOVE of JesusÿFr. Constantine J. Simones

M uch has been written in theGreek-American Media andeven more has been widely dis-

tributed in parishes via the fax machine and theInternet, concerning the operation of the Arch-diocese at East 79th Street in New York City. Criti-cism has flown fast and furious, fueling often-wild speculation, skepticism, and even deeply dis-turbing discontent.

A public relations campaign against the person of the Arch-bishop and the Archdiocese (spending maybe as much as onemillion dollars � the figures have yet to be disclosed) hassought to either intimidate the Archbishop into resigning orintimidate the Ecumenical Patriarchate into reassigning him.Letter after letter has been circulated, filled with accusationsand personal opinion that targets individuals. Yes, the Arch-diocese brought a civil lawsuit in order to regain its property(the mailing list) that had been improperly and perhaps ille-gally misappropriated. For that, we were condemned as �un-Christian�. And in the end, the attempt to regain the propertydid not fully succeed. However, the Archbishop and the Arch-diocese have been the subject of frivolous lawsuits which, ratherthan being condemned, are passed out as some kind of proof ofwrongdoing at Archdiocese Headquarters. More public rela-tions attacks.

We have been relatively silent throughout all these attacks,chiefly out of a sense of Christian consideration, but also be-cause given the choice to do the ministry of Christ or answerfalse accusations; we prefer the ministry of Christ. Now talk isheard of withholding of funds, a revolt of the Archdiocese fromthe Mother Church of Constantinople (what some people callautocephaly), and more and noisier cries of financial misman-agement, tax evasion, fraud and a host of other crimes � noneof which is true.

For too long now, a group of disparate individuals hasvented its opinion. This group not only disagrees with the Arch-bishop, but they also disagree with the fact that he is the Arch-bishop. Indeed, they have even suggested to the Patriarchatewho the Archbishop should be! This is not their choice. In-stead, it seems that the past two years have given voice to ev-ery kind of discontent and dissatisfaction that ever existed inour Church � all this despite the greatest prosperity the mod-ern Church has ever known. Perhaps this notion of withhold-ing funds is the most insidious. Is this where we have finallyarrived? Is everything in the Church about money?

In the hopes that the vast majority of the faithful in theArchdiocese do not believe this to be so, that being a GreekOrthodox Christian means more than the size of your walletand that being an American means more than constantly insist-ing on your right to express yourself, we are including thisSpecial Section of ISSUES AND ANSWERS, to give clear,accurate and factual answers to the questions in our commu-nity about the functioning of the Archdiocese as an institution.

Now it is one thing to disagree with someone, with a deci-sion or a policy made by a person in authority. That is certainlylegitimate. However, to say that another person should not bewhat they are because you judge them not to be... that is adifferent story altogether. How many business people and en-trepreneurs would like their local priest to come into their busi-ness and tell them �not that they may have made a mistake�but that they have no right at all to own and operate their busi-ness!! Yet this is what has been happening in our Archdiocesefor nearly two years.

Please, do not include the Hierarchy and the priests of ourChurch with those who are attempting to usurp the Archbishop.For those of you who have read the report of the (then) fiveMembers of the Holy Synod to the Ecumenical Patriarchate,which has been distributed nearly everywhere by those tryingto usurp the Archbishop, you may understand that even in thestrongest disagreements that go so far as to recommend oneparty step down, time and a genuine Christian spirit have away of healing such wounds. Witness the joint Lenten Encyc-lical of the Holy Synod. It is also worth noting that many of the

priests who agreed to put their names on a letter that was criti-cal of Archbishop without directly naming him have reconsid-ered the use of their names. Witness this letter, from a priest:

Does that sound like someone who has been in-timidated or threatened? The truth is that thereare people in our Archdiocese who simply do not

like the Archbishop and do not think that he should be Arch-bishop. But being an Archbishop is not simply a matter of be-ing liked or disliked. To think that the election of an Arch-bishop could be undone on the basis of a popularity contestwould reduce our Church to a mere social club.

The issues go much deeper. One could fairly say that inthe more than half of the history of the Archdiocese that HisEminence Archbishop Iakovos ruled, there were also manyproblems and issues. There was not, however, the ease of com-munication and the media forces that are so prevalent today(although one of the Greek-language newspapers that is so criti-cal of Archbishop Spyridon � and thus considered a reliablesource of information by critics of the Archbishop � was also

very critical of Archbishop Iakovos).Unfortunately, the ease of communication, whether by fax

or the Internet, and the willingness of a relatively small groupof people to spend an enormous sum of money have givenbirth to the so-called �Crisis in the Church�. The real crisis isthat we are spending more time, money, energy, and resourceson fighting amongst ourselves than we are doing the ministryof Christ.

The self-appointed organizations that collect funds for thecampaign against the Archbishop and the Archdiocese woulddo better if they were funding scholarships for seminarians orsending worthy young people to Ionian Village, who mightnot otherwise be able to afford to go. In fact, there are lan-guage programs in our Communities, youth programs, Chris-tian education and music programs, programs that deal withinterfaith marriage couples and a whole host of real ministriesthat need even greater attention, especially on the local level.This is where we should be concentrating our energies and ourresources as a community of believing Greek Orthodox Chris-tians. Instead, we have seen movements that are caught up inan ambiguous �conversation� about Church �governance�.

While allowing for the good intentions of most if not allof the critics of the Archdiocese, it is important to rememberthat in our society, accusations do not constitute facts. Whatyou will read in this �Special Section� today are facts, andthey speak for themselves.

The truth is that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese America,spanning the length and breadth of our country, is actually anextremely small institutional foundation. The total number ofemployees on the payroll, including all the Dioceses and Hel-lenic College/Holy Cross is less than 200. Just to make a com-parison, the Communications Department of the EvangelicalLutheran Church in America is nearly 70 full time employees.

The Archdiocese has a broad and wide-ranging responsi-bility to do the ministry of Christ, and we are trying the bestwe know how to do so, even in the face of often-unrelentingcriticism and personal attacks. The full complement of youthministry, religious education, Greek language education, min-istry to interfaith marriages, Hellenic College and Holy Cross,St. Basil�s Academy, Internet Ministries, Communications, theOrthodox Observer, Correspondence (literally tens of thousandsletters received, processed, and responded to), Ecumenical andInterfaith Affairs, Publications, the Ministry of the Registry ofGreek Orthodox Baptisms, Marriages, Funerals, and the as-signment of parish priests � all these and more are the �dailybread� of the staff of the Archdiocese. It may be easy to criti-cize in full-page newspaper ads and targeted mailings to com-munities, but to do the ministry is a whole other story.

Throughout the past two years, everyone with an opinionhas found a means to voice it, as is their right and privilege.However, it is no one person�s right, and it is no group�s right�irrespective of how well-known its members may be� tolevel unfounded criticism.

That is why we have decided to put this �Special Section�of ISSUES AND ANSWERS in the hands of the membershipof the Archdiocese. You may have heard for some time now,the stream of criticisms that are often filled with misinforma-tion and partial information. In this �Special Section� we hopeto clarify some of the issues that have been whirling about ourcommunity for some time now. Please do not think that thisinformation is new or unheard. The responsible parties, theHoly Eparchial Synod and all the members of the ArchdiocesanCouncil and the Executive Committee of the same have accessto all this information �whether it is shared in open meetingsor simply for the asking.

There has been enough criticism and accusations of wrong-doing. Christian responsibility and love call for an end to theinfighting and to reforms forced down the throats of our faith-ful by a relatively small group of individuals. As for those whohave brought the level of dialogue in our Church to a pointwhere the persons and positions of His All Holiness Ecumeni-cal Patriarch Bartholomew and His Eminence ArchbishopSpyridon are made sport of, they shall not be answered in thispublication. Disrespect cannot be dignified, only forgiven.

� page 10

SPECIAL SECTION � ISSUES AND ANSWERS APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 10

The point of this �Special Section� is to get accurate,objective, substantiated information out to you, the parish-ioners of the Archdiocese, so that you can decide for your-selves if what you may be hearing is accurate, and then make ajudgment on your own.

Believe us, we would much rather spend our time doing

� page 9

YOUR GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE

The Chancellery has a number of diverse functions,each one instrumental to the proper operation of the Arch-diocese as a whole. The Chancellery oversees the every dayresponsibilities of the Archdiocese and manages unforeseenemergencies. This is not a job that can be accomplished in a40-hour workweek, but rather is a 24-hour a day on callresponsibility.

Getting down to the specifics, throughout 1998, justthe Chancellery logged an average of 122 calls per day fromboth clergy and laity around the United States. This numberdoes not include the Office of the Archbishop, the generalreceptionist or the calls of any other department. Eachof these calls was assigned to a Chancellery staffmember or directed to the proper department. Thesecalls dealt with administrative issues facing the Arch-diocese as a whole, the Archdiocesan District or withadministrative issues from dioceses that have beenoperating without a local bishop. With the consecra-tion of three new bishops by the Holy and SacredSynod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constan-tinople, this high volume of calls should decreaselater in 1999.

There have been a number of long-term projectsstarted over a year ago that have been designed tobring about a more efficient operation of the Arch-diocese. One that has now been completed is a com-prehensive filing system, which had not previouslyexisted. Nearly 1000 clergy files have been reviewed,sorted and re-filed, making the information in themreadily accessible. Additionally, every parish in thenation has been individually contacted to update andverify clergy and parish information, ensuring accu-rate information for the new Management Informa-tion System at the Archdiocese. This information in-cludes, verification of addresses, telephone numbers,fax numbers, e-mail addresses, emergency clergynumbers, cellular or beeper numbers, titles, and otherstatistical information.

The next long-term project will be to convertthe 600 parish files into the same accessible systememployed for clergy. It is critical that the Archdio-cese be able to open the file of any clergyman orparish and readily access information in a fast andefficient manner. This has been a very time consum-ing project requiring the reading and organizing oftens of thousands of pages of documents. These filesare now properly stored and secured as many of thedocuments contain confidential information on ourclergy and parishes. As this project continues, wewill be asking parishes for copies of their chartersand by-laws to ensure complete and accurate files.

Regular staff meetings have also been established as apart of normal operations. Monthly staff meetings with se-nior staff are helping to build a stronger office infrastruc-ture at the Archdiocese. Departments can thus avoid dupli-cation and increase efficiency. These meetings have alreadyproduced many new and productive ideas.

The Chancellor also serves the function of the Direc-tor of the Department of Personnel. As such, he is respon-sible for interviewing, hiring, promoting, and as required,for terminating employees.

PERSONNEL UPDATEIt is vital that the Archdiocese be able to accurately

track the time personnel report for work and to know whois in the building for security reasons. Just as important, themostly lay staff of the Archdiocese deserve their fair shareof vacation time, sick leave, or personal days each employeestill has available. A new program has been developed in-house specifically for the Archdiocese by Management In-formation Systems (MIS) in order to professionally accom-modate these needs. This computer software applicationdocuments the start time and ending time of every employee.

the direct ministry of Christ, but when our credibility is un-charitably and sarcastically attacked, we have an obligation togive responsible answers so that the members of our Churchcan at least have the whole picture.

In addition, we would like to make this an opportunity forsharing further information with you of a more positive nature.Included in this �Special Section� is an introduction to justsome of the positive changes that have come about since the

Enthronement of Archbishop Spyridon. They are offered togive a picture of the work that goes on every day by the de-voted staff (mostly of lay people) at the Archdiocese. In a se-ries of articles, we at the Archdiocese hope to bring you a de-partment-by-department glimpse of the growth and develop-ment of the Church in America since the enthronement of HisEminence Archbishop Spyridon. We begin with the Office ofthe Chancellor.

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

THE CHANCELLERY In addition, it keeps track of the pertinent information ofeach employee, such as sick leave, vacation leave and per-sonal days. With the touch of a button, it is now possible todetermine if someone is in the building, out sick, on vaca-tion, or working off-site. This information is also used inconjunction with job performance evaluations in determin-ing pay raises and encourages a merit pay scale, much likea normal business environment.

The Archdiocese has developed new job applicationsand employment contracts that clearly identify the rightsand responsibilities of employees, the terms of employment,and work expectations. Employment Contracts have becomethe official practice of the Archdiocese since December of1998, which ensure that all parties understand salary and

benefits. Another first at the Archdiocese is the use of jobdescriptions and job evaluations. These descriptions andevaluations are currently in the process of being preparedand will be used in the process of pay raises. No pay raiseshave been given to any employee for over 5 years. Theseraises, which will be implemented sometime in 1999, andwill be based on merit.

Another project, which was long overdue, is the updat-ing and reissuing of a new �Personnel Policy Manual,� whichhas not been updated since 1988. Besides the standard is-sues, this manual will include proper protocol for issues suchas who signs contracts, how departments formally commu-nicate one to the other, and other related issues.

For the very first time, Archdiocesan staff members arereceiving professional computer training in the software theyare expected to use. Be it Microsoft Word, or Excel, or an-other required application, staff members are being sched-uled for professional training in order to increase productiv-ity and enhance professionalism in their final work-product.

An Archdiocesan Headquarters newsletter is publishedby the Assistant Chancellor, Fr. Michael Kontogiogis, to

keep employees informed of personnel changes or big eventsin the lives of the Archdiocesan staff. This is bringing aboutbetter communication, developing a stronger sense of fam-ily, and building a stronger sense of cohesion within theArchdiocese.

COST SAVING MEASURES

Throughout the Archdiocese, under the direction of theArchbishop, there has been a constant program of cost sav-ing measures. In a search of ways to be better stewards of theresources of the Church, three bids are now required for alljobs or contracts costing over $500. This policy was appliedon our general liability and auto insurance package, and anannual saving of approximately $60,000 was realized.

Another example is the cost of the semi-annualtwo-day meeting of the Archdiocesan Council, to-gether with the National Philoptochos Board, man-dated by the Uniform Parish Regulations. The meet-ings have been moved from the traditional venue, theWaldorf-Astoria Hotel, to the Archdiocesan Cathe-dral Center in New York. Additionally, tablecloths andskirts, as well as other items were purchased, as itwas less expensive to purchase than to rent. The rentalcosts alone for the Archdiocesan Council droppedfrom nearly $7,000 to just below $600. Besides thephenomenal savings, the Archdiocese will have theseitems to use in the future for other functions as well.

The holidays are also not costing as much at theArchdiocese as they used to cost. Production costs ofthe Archbishop�s annual Christmas card went for $0.82per card to $0.41 per card. Furthermore, while main-taining the beauty and spirit of decorations for theannual open house and Christmas season,Archdiocesan costs for those decorations droppednearly $3,000.

In the past, every Archdiocesan department wasordering what they needed without determining theneeds of the entire Headquarters. As every business-person is aware, typical business principles dictate thatlower prices can be achieved by quantity ordering andby price comparison. One specific example is ouracquisition of letterhead. The practice had been forevery department to order their own stationery in smallbatches, which was not cost effective and which madeit difficult to keep track of inventory. Now, under theArchbishop�s policy, the mailroom is responsible forkeeping an inventory of the quantity of stationery,computer paper, and other supplies used at the head-quarters; and orders what is needed in bulk.

His Eminence established a new policy concern-ing purchases of supplies or office furniture this pastyear. Approval from the Office of the Chancellor isnecessary for any such order over the amount of $500.This process is used not only to monitor the amount

of expenditures, but is also used to document orders of fur-niture and computers providing the necessary documenta-tion required by our insurance carriers. It also acts as a cen-tral clearinghouse for used and recyclable equipment.

YOUR ARCHDIOCESAN HOME

The two buildings located at 8 and 10 East 79th Streetmay be masterpieces of architecture and design, but for along time they have been in need of repair and just plaintender loving care. These turn of the century buildings havesuffered two major floods in the course of just over twoyears. The Archdiocese cannot afford to have another suchincident. In the 1998 incident, a 1½-inch water main brokeon the fifth floor of building 10. Damage from this floodincluded the Office of the Archbishop, the front two roomsof the second floor, the room opposite the Chapel on thefirst floor; the Archives located in the basement, and dam-age to our heating system. The expected date of completionis the end of March. Because of some unusual constructionmaterials used in the late 19th century, the process of dry-

The Archdiocese Headquarters at 79th street in NYC

� page 11

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 11SPECIAL SECTION � ISSUES AND ANSWERS

ing the sub-flooring has taken many months.This work must be accomplished before therepair of the actual damage can begin. Allaspects of this repair are being done in co-operation with our insurance company and,once again, by obtaining at least three bidsfor each job for each phase. While this istime consuming, it is the right way and themost effective way to proceed.

There have been some startling discov-eries during this process of repairing theArchdiocese. We have found that manythings were repaired in such a way that wasonly cosmetic. The most upsetting thing wefound was that some rooms and pieces offurniture that originally had been coveredwith authentic gold leaf and were paintedover are now destroyed. We can not possi-bly afford to restore these moldings or piecesof furniture to their original beauty andvalue. In fact, many of the pieces, whichwere part of the original purchase of theNumber 10 building, are museum pieces.For example, one such museum qualitypiece is a Louis XVI, which has an estimatedvalue of $25,000. The Archdiocese has rarefireplaces made of solid brass, which areimpossible to replace and are worth wellover $10,000. Yet these beautiful fireplaceswere painted over with black paint. Thank-fully, we have been able to restore them.Other restoration work includes: an exquis-ite skylight where each piece of glass wasspecifically designed to create a special andunique look. These buildings and their con-tents are of priceless quality and value. Aninventory of the Archdiocese is a project thatmust be carried out in the future. Many ofthe treasures purchased with the Number 10building have disappeared through the years,with no records as to their use or disposal.

After the two floods, the Chancelleryis trying to determine the most efficient wayto prevent future incidents. Several plumb-ers and engineers have now investigated thestate of our present headquarters. They haveidentified at least three very weak locationsthat could rupture because of the age of thepipes. At the time of this writing, we areobtaining our final bids. Yet at this juncture,permanently removing the potential of$300,000 to $500,000 worth of damage,seems worth $44,000 of repairs to theplumbing and heating system.

At the end of last year, as winter waspreparing to descend upon New York, theducts of the heating system were cleaned forthe protection and health of the employees.While this did help to better warm the build-ings, it was also discovered that these ductshad not been cleaned for some 20 years.Cleaning the accumulated dirt and mold wasan extensive job. It was later discovered thatthe oil tank used to heat the building wasnot burning properly. The oil tank was leak-ing fumes into the ducts of the heating sys-tem. For the protection of our visitors andstaff alike, we are presently having properfilters made for the heating system. Finally,we are reconnecting the thermostats, whichwere found not to be working properly ineither building. It must be remembered thata good maintenance program saves moneyand creates a productive and healthy envi-ronment in the long run.

Financial Procedures and policiesat the Archdiocese are now thebest in its history. Going backto the 1994 and 1995 recom-

mendations made by Price Waterhouse -rec-ommendations that the prior administrationfailed to follow- the current Archdiocesan ad-ministration has not only followed those ear-lier recommendations, but has also put intoplace recommendations made for 1997 in1998. (The 1998 recemmendations will bemade this year.)

A lawsuit has been filed against the Arch-diocese by former Archdiocesan Council Le-gal Committee member Simos Dimos allegesfinancial mismanagement. The substance ofthe lawsuit has been widely circulated inGreek-American media and on the websiteof the organization known as GOAL. Addi-tionally, Dimas has secured virtually the sameaffidavits he had used against the Archdio-cese in a prior claim of libel which was dis-missed on the grounds of legal insufficiency.These affidavits were supplied by formerArchdiocesan Council member Helen Hadji-yannakis-Bender and by the former FinanceDirector of the Archdiocese, Jerry Dimitriou.

Leaving aside the motivation for theselawsuits, this article presents the facts of thefinancial procedures and policies in place atthe Archdiocese. These facts are based on�management letters� given to the Archdio-cese over the past four years, by the auditingfirms, Price Waterhouse and BDO SeidmanLLP. (Management letters point out weak-nesses in the financial management practiceswithin a given institution.)

The facts presented below begin with theFebruary, 1998 resignation of Jerry Dimitriouas Director of Finance. In February of 1998,Archbishop Spyridon appointed GeorgeChelpon as acting Finance Director. Mr.Chelpon had eight years� experience at theArchdiocese, including four as the Head ofAccounting, where he worked closely withMr. Dimitriou. Specifically, Mr. Chelpon wascharged with evaluating the financial policiesand procedures and identifying problems,challenges and opportunities. Additionally,Mr. Chelpon was asked to propose specificactions in order to enact the necessarychanges.

The Recent PastIn a review of the 1994 and 1995 man-

agement letters of Price Waterhouse, it wasfound that a number of critical issues raisedabout Archdiocesan financial procedures andpolicies then had yet to be addressed. The1994 and 1995 letters had specified:

� A monthly management recordingpackage

� A standardized financial statement� A comparison of actual to budgeted

figures� A comparison of cash flows� An explanation of variances� Segregation of duties, with regard

to vendors and Accounts Payable� Establishment of a formal audit

committeeNo management letter was produced by

BDO Seidman LLP. in 1996 because it wasthe first year a consolidated audit had beenrequired, and by the time that audit had beencompleted, it was decided to save the recom-mendations for the year ending December 31,1997. The 1997 management letter, devel-oped with the full cooperation and input ofthe Archdiocese, outlined a number of issues,including the reiteration of the issues raisedin 1994 and 1995. (This means that the is-sues raised in 1994 and 1995 were still issuesin early 1998.)

Recommendations andCorrective Actions Taken

Recommendation: Development of anInternal Audit Department

Top Financial Procedures Installed at ArchdiocesePurpose: to ensure that enacted policies

and procedures are followedCorrective Action:� Internal audit procedure implemented� Procedure performed by an individual

who does not report to accounting manager.� Procedure reviews all disbursements

over $25,000� Procedure reviews twenty disburse-

ments, selected at random� Procedure reviews five deposit, se-

lected at random

Recommendation: Documentation ofCustody and Restricted Funds

Purpose: to have a clear understandingof the terms of donations

Corrective Action:� Review files and original source docu-

mentation on all restricted funds� Assure that the terms of the gift and

terms of any distribution be obtained at thetime of the gift

Recommendation: Updated AccountingSystem

Purpose: to produce monthly financialreports in a timely fashion

Corrective Action: In October 1998, theMIPS Not-for-Profit accounting software sys-tem was installed.

The system:� Enhances ability of Finance Depart-

ment to better control cashflow managementand accounts payable

� Eliminates the �considerable amountof personnel time� lost by producing account-ing reports

� Produces monthly financial reports, in-cluding statements of revenues and disburse-ments and a balance sheet

Recommendation: Hiring of a Control-ler/Staff Accountant

Purpose: to supervise day-to-day opera-tions of accounting division

Corrective Action: The new account-ing manager joins the staff in May, 1999

Recommendation: No regular financialreporting package to management

Purpose: to simplify review and man-agement of current and future operations

Corrective Action:� Provision of monthly standardized bal-

ance sheet and income statement to the Ex-ecutive Committee which now meets once amonth as opposed to meeting only two orthree times a year in the past

� Report format to be modified accord-ing to information the Executive Committeefeels would enhance their analysis of thepresent and future financial performance ofthe Archdiocese

� Report format to include a comparisonof actual to budgeted figures; a comparisonof current period performance versus the sameperiod performance of the previous year; anexplanation of variances; and a statement ofcash flows.

Recommendation: Petty Cash andchecks payable to cash

Purpose: to limit the number of checkspayable to cash or petty cash

Corrective Action:� Large checks no longer issued to petty

cash or cash� No disbursements for compensation

from this account� Full documentation of funds received

is required� Assure accurate classifications of em-

ployees and non-employees� Update information on all vendors to

comply with reporting requirements

Recommendation: Employee PaymentPurpose: to ensure that all employees

are processed through the payroll system.Corrective Action:� All employees receive compensation-

related payments through ADP payroll sys-tem

� All non-clergy employees issued W-2forms at year�s end

� All non-clergy employees no longerhave compensations on 1099 forms relativeto common-law status employees

� All employee files updated with regardsto required documentation for payroll with-holding

Recommendation: Transfer of PensionLockbox Accounts

Purpose: To switch from a yearly trans-fer to a weekly one

Corrective Action:� Weekly transfers form each lockbox ac-

count to the investment account began in 1998� Allows for maximization of return for

Pension Fund

Recommendation: Employee Evalua-tion

Purpose: to outline position descrip-tions, including goals, responsibilities and ex-pectations

Corrective Action: Development of anew personnel manual to be approved andfinalized by summer of 1999, through evalu-ation and review of all employees, includingself-evaluations and job surveys

Recommendation: An AccountingManual

Purpose: to formalize all policies andprocedures with regard to finances at theArchdiocese

Corrective Action:Development of a detailed accounting

manual to be completed in 1999, throughevaluation and review of all employees, in-cluding self-evaluations and job surveys.

Recommendation: Segregation of du-ties for Accounts Payable and Cash Disburse-ments.

Purpose: to ensure that a system ofcheck and balances is in place regarding ac-counts payable.

Corrective Action:Tasks divided among staff so that no

single person is in charge of the accounts pay-able process in its entirety.

Other important recommendations car-ried out include the first time ever establish-ment in November of 1998 of an Audit Com-mittee; a stringent signature authorization fordisbursements, requiring now two signaturesregardless of the amount; and a new policyof public disclosure unprecedented in the his-tory of the Archdiocese. For example the 1996and 1997 BDO Seidman LLP audits wereprinted in their entirety in the Orthodox Ob-server, as will the 1998 audit when it is com-pleted. The Archdiocese also makes muchinformation available on its internet site.

Interestingly, the 1993-1997 FinancialPerformance Comparisons published in theJune 1, 1998 edition of the Orthodox Observerclearly show that since the enthronement ofHis Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon in Sep-tember, 1996, the financial performance ofthe Archdiocese has significantly approved.

It should by now be clear that any criti-cism that the Archdiocese was attempting tohide its management policies and proceduresis not borne out by the facts. It is hoped thatthe outline above provides individual parish-ioners a semblance of the accountability andresponsibility of the current administration ofthe Archdiocese. For anyone with serious andlegitimate questions, please know that theArchdiocese is open to dialogue and full andappropriate disclosure -disclosure that is inthe interest of furthering the ministry of Christand His Holy Church.

� page10

THE CHANCELLERY

Visit theGREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE

ON THE INTERNETwww.goarch.org

SPECIAL SECTION � ISSUES AND ANSWERS APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 12

I t is important in an age of due dili-gence, that the members of theChurch understand how the Church

survives in the world. To that end, we presenta graphic representation in the form of a �piechart� and this brief expository narrative indi-cating how a dollar is divided to cover theneeds of the Church. We have graphicallyshown the difference between administrativecosts and the allocations that flow toward min-istry, outreach and education.

Between the Administrative Office of theArchdiocese which is the infrastructure of dis-tribution and oversight for the apportionmentof resources, and the Operational Expenses,which are the cost of doing business - .36 centsof every dollar is spent to these ends. There isno doubt that it would be well if we could bringthis figure down. However, this amount in-cludes the logistical movements of people andresources required to accomplish the deliveryof services, that is to say, ministries directedby the Synod and the Clergy Laity Congress.

Administrative Office expenses are theonly expenses solely devoted to the Archdio-cese Headquarters. Of that figure, 11% is allo-cated to the Office of Archbishop Iakovos, hisstaff and living arrangements.

Operational Expenses include such itemsas benefits (including retirement for clergy),insurance, maintenance and legal fees. Legalfees account for 32% of this figure, the vastmajority of which are instigated in defense ofnuisance law suits brought by individuals whoclaim at times to be acting �for the good of theChurch.�

Education is self-explanatory; from itcomes support for youth ministries, culturaleducation, and programs for parishioners tolearn more about the faith.

Diocesan Ministries provide support foreach diocese directly, going to assure an infra-

Your Stewardship Doing the Work of Christstructure at the local level for the on-goingwork of the Church.

Communications are means and methodsby which we disseminate not only informa-tion, but also the images and content of the

butions to the Archdiocese will hasten the re-moval of an Archbishop, a Hierarch or priest.Indeed, the politicizing of stewardship cannotbe interpreted in any other way other than tobe a failure on the part of faithful Christians,

faith transmitted for the faithful and world toknow and understand.

Orthodoxy in the World helps to spreadthe faith across the entire world. It funds mis-sions and provides support to the Patriarchateas a beacon of stability and historical continu-ity for hundreds of millions of Orthodox Chris-tians as well as those who seek to draw closerto the light of Truth.

It is an interesting and shortsighted as-sumption that withholding the parish contri-

misled by worldly concerns.There is a tendency to assume that their

worldly contributions to the Church are like acontribution to a political candidate or party.

The assumption that there is some volun-tary, self-generating criteria of judgement re-garding the offering of the fruits of our laborsto God is an anthropocentric view of theChurch�s governance. All faithful Christians,clergy and lay alike, are servants of redemp-tion. If they impede the work of the Church

for any reason short of dogmatic heresy, theyare placing themselves in conflict with Christ�swork in the world.

In the midst of the constant struggle forthe Word of God, the living presence of JesusChrist to be made manifest in the lives of faith-ful Christians, we mere human agents of re-demption are at best, imperfect servants. Noone can �out do� the power of the Holy Spiritto transform the world, to enter the hearts andminds of creatures created in the image andlikeness of God and illuminate their souls tothe Truth of the Lord. However, Christ saidthat he would take men who hunted for fishand make them �fishers of men.� The Churchexists beyond time in the fullness of Heaven�strans-temporal reality but also in the material�here and now� of the world with all its pain-ful realities. That which we understand as ourfreedom to rebel against the worldly Churchwith whom we may not agree, dangerously pitsour egos against the truth of Christ�s call tosacrifice which no human failing can excuseus from answering.

It is time that we proclaim that the �goodof the Church� is the message of Christ�s sal-vation. If people with whom we have politicalor worldly differences agree in the salvificTruth of Christ�s miracles, passion, suffering,death and resurrection, then agreement inChrist outweighs disagreement in worldly is-sues. Those who would cripple Christ�s workin the world, for which and on behalf of whichthe Church is both agent and guarantor, havein fact challenged His love for all His childrenthat is ceaseless and ever present. Let us workto better what we have, what we have alreadyaccomplished, and magnify the possibilitiesour sacrifices have opened up to us in the nameof the Risen Lord. Let us cease to divide theTruth of Christ over the dollar that sanctifiesthose who give it much more than those whospend it on behalf of God�s will.

The Chapel of Holy Cross at HC/HC school in Brookline, Mass.

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 13SPECIAL SECTION � ISSUES AND ANSWERS

Many people have heard and wondered about thepurchase of a residence for the Archbishop. Thequestion and answer article below addresses the

events surrounding the proposed purchase of a residence atOne Plymouth Road in Harriman, New York. Simply, that pro-posed purchase (It never did occur.) became an issue becausemembers of the September 1996-September 1998 ExecutiveCommittee os the Archdiocesan Council -a committee in placeprior to the arrival of Archbishop Spyridon- were publicly sup-porting the GOAL corporation which had called for and con-tinues to call for the removal of our Archbishop.

� Does the Archdiocese own a house for an Archbishop... any Archbishop?

The Archdiocese owns and maintains a house -the Archi-episcopal residence- in Rye, New York. The retired Archbishop,Iakovos lives there and will continue to do so for the remain-der of this life. The agreement which was approved by theExecutive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council in 1996 in-cluded arrangements for Administrative expenses, medicalcoverage, housing allowance, grocery and food expense, of-fices, traveling and staffing, at an annual cost to the Archdio-cese of over $300,000 a year. It should be noted that theseliving arrangements were made before Archbishop Spyridonarrived. The Archdiocese proudly honors this agreement.

� Where has Archbishop Spyridon lived since his ar-rival in September, 1996?

Living arrangements for Archbishop Spyridon were madeand approved by the Executive Committee of the ArchdiocesanCouncil -without his knowledge before his arrival. The arrange-ments included the rental of a 1,500 square foot cottage in astate of disrepair at a cost to the Archdiocese of approximately$58,000 a year. The rental expired in September, 1998.

� Where does His Eminence now reside?Since the lease expired in September, 1998, he still re-

sides in rented housing in the greater New York area at a costto the Archdiocese of over $66,000 a year.

� Why is there a need for a second Archiepiscopal resi-dence?

a) The fact is that Archbishops do receive heads of state,high-ranking clergy of many denominations and other digni-taries. It would not be appropriate to have such people callingat a less-than-suitable residence.

b) As any homeowner knows, by continuing to rent ahouse, the Archdiocese loses the potential to build equity foritself.

A HOUSE IS NOT A HOME

An investigative report prepared by BDO Seidman, LLP,the independent outside auditor of the Archdiocese, stronglyrefutes the allegations raised in two affidavits filed in con-junction with the suit against the Archdiocese brought bySimos Dimas. The affidavits, filed by former Director of Fi-nance Jerry Dimitriou and former Treasurer of the ExecutiveCommittee Helen Bender, contend that His Eminence Arch-bishop Spyridon and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese, theVery Reverend George G. Passias, were paid �off the books�in an effort to subvert the tax laws of the United States.

BDO Seidman, LLP, prepared the report at the requestof George D. Chelpon, the Acting Finance Director with theenthusiastic support of the Archbishop and the Chancellor.The report was designed to review all bank statements andcanceled checks for all Archdiocese bank accounts, includ-ing the Archbishop Spyridon Charitable Account. Specifically,the report was to identify all checks payable to the Archbishop,

Fr. Passias, or to the Petty Cashier; to determine the classifi-cation of each check; and to trace checks to supporting docu-mentation. Finally, BDO was to determine that paymentsdrawn for the Archbishop and Fr. Passias were properly re-ported to the IRS.

The conclusion of the BDO Seidman report is that it canclearly demonstrated that there was no unreported incomepaid either to the Archbishop or to Father Passias and that allreporting requirements were met.

It has been claimed by some that the Archdiocese, andspecifically the Archbishop and the Chancellor, have tried tosubvert the financial management of the Archdiocese. Thistype of false characterization of the leadership of our Churchcan serve only to polarize and scandalize our community. Infact, under the leadership of Archbishop Spyridon, there hasbeen a concerted effort to improve the financial practices ofthe Archdiocese. There are those who would assert the oppo-

c) Since the Archdiocesan Council in 1996 agreed thatthe retired Archbishop should live �in a style appropriate to hisposition,� any Archdiocesan Council since then should havealso agreed that any current Archbishop live �in a style appro-priate to his position.� We are after all talking about the personwho represents the Greek Orthodox people in the United States.

� Has any Archdiocesan Council ever taken up the is-sue of appropriate housing accommodations for the Arch-bishop?

With the expiration of the lease on the cottage due in Sep-tember, 1998, a recommendation regarding the purchase of a homefor Archbishop Spyridon was made by the Finance Committee ofthe Archdiocesan Council at their March 7, 1998 meeting. Therecommendation was well-received, but not made into a motion.No report made at that meeting was received with a motion. Priorto this recommendation the Archdiocesan Council had never con-sidered the issue of housing for the new Archbishop.

� What problems arose in finding a home for the Arch-bishop?

Given the realities of the real estate market in New York,action has to be taken immediately when one finds a suitableproperty with regards to a contract for that property. Keepingthis in mind and believing they had the tacit approval of theArchdiocesan Council, the Chancellor, the Very Reverend Fa-ther George G. Passias signed a contract as a representative ofthe Archdiocese; and with the Finance Committee Chairper-son, Mr. John Mavroudis, issued a deposit of $139,000 for thepurchase. Copies of the signed contract and other pertinentdocument on the property were sent to the Executive Commit-tee of the Archdiocesan Council. In fact, a poll of the Execu-tive Committees taken by Mr. Mavroudis one day before thescheduled tele-conference meeting held on April 30, 1998 in-dicated that a majority were in favor of the purchase. Giventhe fact that the Executive Committee was comprised of indi-viduals scattered across the country and could not physicallyconvene at a moment�s notice, the actions taken by the Chan-cellor and the Finance Committee Chairperson were based onthe implied approval of the Executive Committee.

� Did the Executive Committee agree to the purchase?Why or why not?

The vote taken at the scheduled tele-conference meetingheld on April 30, 1998 was against the purchase. The Office ofthe Archbishop and the Office of the Chancellor acknowledgethat the Executive Committee should have been called on tovote on the contract prior to its being signed.

� What happened to the deposit?An anonymous donation was made which covered the lost

deposit.� What did the Executive Committee of the

Archdiocesan Council decide to do about purchasing a resi-dence?

The then President of the Archdiocesan Council, AlexSpanos, appointed an Ad Hoc Committee whose purpose was�...to review the finances of the Archdiocese, and in light ofthat review, to make a recommendation regarding the provi-sion of Housing for His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon.�

� Did the Ad Hoc Committee provide the review forwhich it had been appointed?

No. Their review focused on the functional inabilites ofthe Finance Department -such as its inability to report currentinformation on a monthly basis, as is they had been created bythose who had only recently assumed their roles. The fact isthat these inefficiencies had existed -in spite of recommenda-tions made by independent outside auditors as late as 1994- fora number of years. Their review also focused on the funds do-nated to replace the lost deposit for the property, despite thefact that the donor wished to remain anonymous. Finally, thereport never did address the financial capacity of the Archdio-cese to undertake the obligation of housing for His Eminence,Archbishop Spyridon.

� How was the review of the Ad Hoc Committee re-ceived by the Archdiocese?

First, with regard to the functional inefficiencies of theFinance Committee, significant changes have been made to itspolicies and procedures. Specifically, the reporting on a monthlybasis of the financial position of the Archdiocese has been putinto place under this administration as of October, 1998.

Second, the review of the Ad Hoc Committee is at bestinadequate, since it does not adhere to its purpose. Further-more, the review was posted on the GOAL corporation websitebefore the Executive Committee received it.

Third, the review of the Ad Hoc Committee is offensiveto the Chancellor who solicited the donation; but especially tothe donor who donated $140,500. This amount covers the lostdeposit, with interest. The legitimacy of this transaction hasbeen verified by BDO Siedman.

As of this writing, the Archdiocese continues to honor theagreement made with the retired Archbishop, Iakovos; and itcontinues its rental expenditure for Archbishop Spyridon.

THE ARCHDIOCESE RESPONDS TO CLAIMS CONCERNING SALARIES

The main building of St. Basil�s Academy in Garrison, N.Y.St. Michael�s home, a caring environment for retirees, in Yonkers, N.Y.

site in order to cause financial instability to the National Min-istries of the Church. Such a position must be rejected as un-acceptable, as it is both contrary to the facts and the intent ofthe Parish By-Laws.

What has taken place is a development of the financialmanagement of the Archdiocese to a new and better level ofaccountability and responsibility. No one currently at the Arch-diocese is going to criticize the past; all of us need to see thedevelopment of these procedures as an ongoing process ofprofessional growth. The fact that improvements can and havebeen made is sign of institutional health. Your Church, yourArchdiocese only seeks for fairness and equity. It is unfortu-nate that the climate of dialogue is such that voices of criti-cism seem to be trying to dominate the community life of ourChurch. We hope that these facts �and that�s what they are�facts, will clear up erroneous impressions that are being fos-tered by some within the Church.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 14

A Small Church in the Shenandoah Valley

ore than 50 years ago, the firstGreek immigrants found theirway to the Shenandoah ValleyM

PEOPLE

Name:Dormition of the Virgin MaryGreek Orthodox ChurchLocation:Winchester, Va.Size:About 20 familiesFounded:1964Diocese:New JerseyClergy: Presb. Michael YachnisNoteworthy:First known Greek Orthodox tosettle in the Shenandoah Valley

and became the first Greek Orthodox tosettle as citizens of Winchester.

These humble pioneers sought to es-tablish a new way of life in an environ-ment that offered them the opportunityto grow and to develop into fine citizens.

The first Greek immigrants wereequipped with innate intelligence, withtheir ever-present deep-rooted faith inGod, in the Greek Orthodox Church, andin the internal ideas and principles oftheir Hellenic Heritage.

With their bold and adventurousspirit, they became vital assets to eco-nomic, cultural, and spiritual life of theircommunity.

In the beginning their main concernwas to be successful in business and tocreate good wholesome families. Be-cause of their industry and courage theyovercame many obstacles and accom-plished their objectives.

While the community wassmall it was not nec-essary to organizeit with the in-tent to cre-ate physi-cal facili-ties to carry on the cultural, economicand spiritual aims of the community.

As the first and second generationAmericans of Hellenic descent becameparticipants in the life and Church, aphysical structure became a necessarymeans of preserving their faith and tra-ditions on the American scene.

In 1962, at a community meeting itwas decided to build a church on the lotpurchased for $10,000. Now the com-munity of Winchester was at the cross-roads of success.

The Church of Winchester was

founded in 1964 with foundations: �loveyour God...and love your neighbor as your-self.� The main purpose for building theChurch was purely spiritual. A place to wor-ship the one and only God with all the meanswhich He has given to the Greek Orthodoxpeople of the Winchester community.

Between 1964 and 1974, the Churchwas served by visiting priests from theWashington metropolitan area and else-where. Rev. Maximos Aghiourgoussis (nowMetropolitan Maximos of Aenos), Rev. Tho-mas Daniel, Rev. James Kalaris, Rev.Dimitrios Dogias, Rev. Efstration Spyro-poulos, Rev. Gerasimos Raspias and Rev.Paul Economidis served the communityduring this period.

In 1974 Rev. Michael Yachnis, a volun-teer priest, started to perform Divine Litur-gies every Sunday and other Divine Sacra-ments.

The Winchester churchwas designated at first as a

chapel of the Sts. Con-stantine and Helen

Greek Ortho-dox Churchof Washing-ton.On Feb. 18,

1983, Metropoli-tan Silas elevatedthe chapel into an

independent church under the auspices ofthe Diocese of New Jersey.

The spiritual life of the community wasstrengthened by the volunteer work whicheach one has given to the Church.

Our volunteer priest and his presbytera,in spite of their advanced age and with theblessing of our Panayia travel 150 miles fromtheir home in Washington, to Winchesterin order to serve the community. The Di-vine Services have been greatly enhancedby the choir under the leadership of Mrs.Georgia Yeatras who has diligently and un-

selfishly dedicated herself to the benefitof this community.

Also the former cantor, Mr. Em-manuel Skarvounis and the present can-tor Mr. George Kakouras have greatlyhelped, as volunteers to chant the beau-tiful Greek Orthodox hymns.

Hundreds of Orthodox come to theannual festival (Paniyiri) held in Augustto worship Panayia.

Faithful people suffering from vari-ous illnesses pray to Panayia of Winches-ter for the restoration of their health. Spe-cific cases have been reported in whichrestoration of health was complete. Thenews about the spiritual and cultural lifeof this small community have spread toother communities. People have comefrom all over the United States andCanada, as well as Greece and Hawaii.

From 1974 to present the small butspiritually dynamic community extendedthe church and the altar and beautifiedthem with Byzantine iconography andstain glass windows, large chandelier,Epitaphio, and Bishop�s throne.

They installed an air conditioningsystem and a sound system and a belltower with two bells. Lately the hall ofthe Church and the kitchen facilities wereexpanded.

The few dedicated Greek Orthodoxfamilies in Winchester have accom-plished a monumental task. No wonderthe visitors to our Church are puzzled.The answer is simple. The hard workingpeople of Winchester, with diversifiedbackgrounds and interests work as a uni-fied team of volunteers for their God.

One said �The Dormition of the Vir-gin Mary Church in Winchester is theonly Christian Church known where ev-erybody, from the priest down to theyoungest member, work as real volun-teers for the salvation of their souls andthe Glory of God.�

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

DORMITION OF THE VIRGIN MARY CHURCH

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Achilles Sakis, a USAF officer stationedat Ramstein Air Base, Germany, recentlywas promoted to the rank of captain. Heis the son of Mr and Mrs. George and SotiriaTsakeredes, parishioners of St DemetriosChurch in Jamaica, N.Y.

Classical guitaristThe Cultural Committee of Holy Trin-

ity Archdiocesan Cathedral in Manhattanwill present Christina Travlopoulou, a clas-sical guitarist currently enrolled at theJulliard School on a Fulbright FoundationScholarship, in concert at 7:30 p.m., May5 at the Cathedral Center.

Ms. Travlopoulou has studied at theNakas Conservatoire in Athens and at theRoyal Academy of Music in London. Shemade her concerto debut with the LondonSoloists� Chamber Orchestra and has per-formed in the United States and major cit-ies in Greece. She is the recipient of sev-eral musical awards, including the JulianBream Prize, and the Onassis Foundationand Philippos Nakas awards.

Officer Promoted

AHEPA Chapter 152 in Los Angelesrecently elected Chris G. Daly as presidentfor the 1999-2000 term.

Re-elected were George A. Leon, vicepresident; Peter C. Latsis, secretary; andGeorge V. Gialketsis, treasurer.

Daly succeeds Peter Koustas, whoserved as president since 1995. He willcontinue as an advisor.

All five members are parishioners ofSt. Sophia Cathedral.

Officers elected

1218,� its �support for President BillClinton�s December 22, 1998 commitmentto ̀take all necessary steps to support a sus-tained effort to implement UNSCR 1218;��and �continued its efforts of the last 25 yearsto take substantive steps to reduce tensionsand move toward a Cyprus settlement.�

Andrew E. Manatos, president of theCoordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) high-lighted the fact that the adopted languagealso notes that �Cyprus has no navy, air force

or army and faces one of the world�s largestand most sophisticated military forces, justminutes away in Turkey, as well as an areadescribed by the UN Secretary General asone of the most densely militarized areas in

the world� in the Turkish-occupied area ofnorthern Cyprus.�

In conclusion, the adopted languagestates that it is the sense of the U.S. Con-gress that, �the time has come for the U.S.to expect from Turkey actions on the Cyprusissue in the interest of peace, including stepsin conformity with U.S. proposals concern-ing Cyprus and in compliance with provi-sions contained in UN Security CouncilResolutions 1217 and 1218,� and that �suchan effort would be in the best interests ofthe people of Turkey.�

Committee Calls on Turkey to Act on Cyprus�the time has come for the

U.S. to expect from Turkey ac-tions on the Cyprus issue inthe interest of peace...�

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WINCHESTER

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Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çòÂáñèïëïìáßïò óôçí ÅëëÜäá

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ.�Ôçí ÉåñÜ Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ êáé ôïí Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïÁìåñéêÞò ê. Óðõñßäùíá, åðéóêÝöèçêå ï Ðñùèõðïõñãüò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ê.Êþóôáò Óçìßôçò óÞìåñá 20 Áðñéëßïõ.

ÌåôÜ ôç äïîïëïãßá óôï ðáñåêêëÞóé ôïõ Áðïóôüëïõ Ðáýëïõ êáé ôçíéäéáßôåñç óõíÜíôçóç ç ôùí äýï áíäñþí, ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞòêáé ï ê. Óçìßôçò ðáñá÷þñçóáí êïéíÞ óõíÝíôåõîç ôýðïõ.

Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò äÞëùóå ðùò ç óõíÜíôçóÞ ôïõò åðéêåíôñþèçêå óôéòó÷Ýóåéò êáé ôç óõíåñãáóßá ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò êáé ôçò ÏìïãÝíåéáò ìå ôçíÌçôÝñá Ðáôñßäá êáé óôç êñßóç ðïõ óõãêëïíßæåé ôá ÂáëêÜíéá.

<ÓõæçôÞóáìå äõíáôïýò ôñüðïõò áíÜðôõîçò êáé óõíåñãáóßáò óå üóïôï äõíáôü ðåñéóóüôåñïõò ôïìåßò, óôïí ôïìÝá ôïí Åêðáéäåõôéêü, óôïí ôïìÝáôçò áíôáëëáãÞò íÝùí óôï ðëáßóéï ôùí êáôáóêçíùôéêþí áñ÷éåðéóêïðéêþíðñïãñáììÜôùí óôçí ÅëëÜäá êáé óôïí ôïìÝá ôçò ðñïþèçóçò ôùí åèíéêþíìáò èåìÜôùí> åßðå ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò.

ÅîÜëëïõ ìéëþíôáò ãéá ôçí êñßóç ðïõ óõãêëïíßæåé ôá ÂáëêÜíéá êáé ôïõòâïìâáñäéóìïýò ôçò Ãéïõãêïóëáâßáò ï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò åðáíÝëáâå ôçí ðÜãéáèÝóç ôçò Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞò üôé <ç ëýóç ãéá ôçí êñßóç óôï ÊïóóõöïðÝäéï äåíåßíáé ç åðÝêôáóç êáé äéåýñõíóç ôïõ ðïëÝìïõ, áëëÜ ç Üìåóç êáôÜðáõóçôùí âïìâáñäéóìþí êáé ç áóöáëÞò åðéóôñïöÞ ôùí ðñïóöýãùí>. ÓôçóõíÝ÷åéá åîÝöñáóå ôçí åëðßäá êáé ôçí åìðéóôïóýíç üôé ç ÅëëçíéêÞêõâÝñíçóç <ìå åðéêåöáëÞò ôïí ê. Óçìßôç èá êÜíåé ü,ôé äõíáôü ãéá íááíáëçöèåß ìéá íÝá ðñùôïâïõëßá ðïõ èá áðïâëÝðåé óå åéñçíéêÞ åðßëõóçôïõ üëïõ ðñïâëÞìáôïò>. ÊáôáëÞãïíôáò ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò åõ÷áñßóôçóåôïí Ðñùèõðïõñãü ãéá ôçí åðßóêåøÞ ôïõ óôçí Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ êáé ôïíäéáâåâáßùóå üôé èá õðÜñîåé êÜèå äõíáôÞ óõíåñãáóßá áð� áõôÞí ôçíðëåõñÜ ôïõ Ùêåáíïý ìå ôçí ÌçôÝñá Ðáôñßäá.

Ï Ðñùèõðïõñãüò<Ðéóôåýïõìå üôé èá ðñÝðåé íá âïçèÞóïõìå üóï ìðïñïýìå ôïí

Óåâáóìéüôáôï êáé ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Ïñèüäïîç Åêêëçóßá, áëëÜ âÝâáéá êáé ôçíÏìïãÝíåéá óôéò äñáóôçñéüôçôÝò ôïõò åäþ óôéò ÇÐÁ> ôüíéóå ï ê. Óçìßôçòóôçí áíôéöþíçóç ôïõ. Áíáöåñüìåíïò óôá åèíéêÜ èÝìáôá åßðå ìåôáîýÜëëùí: <Ç Åêêëçóßá åßíáé ðÜíôá áñùãüò, åßíáé óõíåñãÜôçò, åßíáéðñùôáãùíéóôÞò ãéá ôçí áíôéìåôþðéóÞ ôïõò. Åßíáé ôï èÝìá ôïõ Êõðñéáêïý,ôï èÝìá ôùí Åëëçíïôïõñêéêþí ó÷Ýóåùí, áëëÜ êáé ôþñá ôï èÝìá ôùíÂáëêáíßùí, ôçò ðïñåßáò ôçò ÂáëêáíéêÞò, ôïõ ñüëïõ ðïõ èá ðáßîåé ç ÅëëÜäá

Ï Ðñùèõðïõñãüò ôçò ÅëëÜäïò óôçí É. Áñ÷éåðéóêïðÞ

ÍÅÁ ÕÏÑÊÇ.�Ìå ôç óêÝøç óôñáì-ìÝíç óôç Óåñâßá êáé Üóâåóôç ôçí åëðßäáãéá åéñÞíç óôçí ôáñáãìÝíç áõôÞ ãùíéÜôçò Åõñþðçò, ïé Åëëçíïáìåñéêáíïß ôçòÌçôñïðïëéôéêÞò ðåñéöÝñåéáò ôçò ÍÝáòÕüñêçò áëëÜ êé üëçò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò,ãéüñôáóáí ìÝóá óå êëßìá êáôáíõêôéêü ôéò

ÇìÝñá áãÜðçò êáé åëðßäáò ç çìÝñá ôïõ ÐÜó÷á

öÝñíåé ç ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ ×ñéóôïý. Åõ÷á-ñéóôþ ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï Óðõñßäùíá, ôïíðíåõìáôéêü çãÝôç ôçò ÅëëçíïñèüäïîçòÅêêëçóßáò óôçí ÁìåñéêÞ, ðïõ �áãêáëéÜæåé�ùò ðíåõìáôéêüò çãÝôçò üëïõò ôïõòêáôïßêïõò ôçò ðüëçò ìáò», ôüíéóå áðåõèõ-íüìåíïò óôïõò ÷éëéÜäåò ðéóôïýò ï ê.ÔæïõëéÜíé.

ÁðïêáèÞëùóç - ÅðéôÜöéïò ÈñÞíïò¿ñåò ðñéí, ÷éëéÜäåò ïìïãåíåßò êáôÝê-

ëõóáí ôïõò íáïýò êáé ìå åõëÜâåéá êáéêáôÜíõîç ðáñáêïëïýèçóáí ôçí Áêïëïõ-èßá ôçò ÁðïêáèÞëùóçò êáé ôçí ðåñéöïñÜ

ôïõ Åðéôáößïõ, ó� ïëüêëçñç ôçí ÁìåñéêÞ.Ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò Óðõñßäùí ôÝëåóå

ôï áðüãåõìá ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐáñáóêåõÞòôçí áêïëïõèßá ôçò ÁðïêáèÞëùóçò óôïíÉåñü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò óôï ÍéïýÑïóÝë, åíþ ôï âñÜäõ ôÝëåóå ôçí ÐåñéöïñÜôïõ Åðéôáößïõ óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõ ÁãßïõÍéêïëÜïõ óôï ÖëÜóéíãê ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò.

Ëßãï ðñéí ôçí ðåñéöïñÜ ôïõ Åðéôá-ößïõ ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò áðçýèõíåìÞíõìá áãÜðçò ðñïò üëïõò ôïõò Ïñèü-äïîïõò ×ñéóôéáíïýò, æçôþíôáò ôïõò íá

êáé ôïõò ôñüðïõò ìå ôïõò ïðïßïõò ìðïñïýìå íáåðéôý÷ïõìå ôçí åéñÞíç. Ãéáôß ãéá ìáò óôçí ÅëëÜäá, åßíáééäéáßôåñá óçìáíôéêü íá õðÜñ÷åé åéñÞíç óôçí ðåñéï÷Þ.Åßíáé ç ðñïûðüèåóç êáé ãéá ôçí áíÜðôõîÞ ìáò, áëëÜêáé ç ðñïûðüèåóç íá ðïñåõôåß ï ÷þñïò áõôüò, ÝíáíÜëëï äñüìï, ôï äñüìï ôçò áíÜðôõîçò êáé ôçòåõçìåñßáò. Ãé� áõôü ôï óôü÷ï åñãáæüìáóôå>.

ôçò ÑåâÝêêáò Ðáðáäïðïýëïõ

¢ãéåò ÇìÝñåò ôïõ ÐÜó÷á êáé äÝ÷èçêáí ôçíý÷ôá ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ ÓáââÜôïõ áðü ôá÷Ýñéá ôïõ ðíåõìáôéêïý ôïõò çãÝôç, ôïõÁñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò Óðõñßäùíá, ôïÁíáóôÜóéìï Öùò.

ÁíÜóôáóç×éëéÜäåò ðéóôïß áðü íùñßò êáôÝ-

êëõóáí ôïõò ÷þñïõò Ýîù áëëÜ êáé ìÝóáóôïí Êáèåäñéêü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìç-ôñßïõ óôçí Áóôüñéá, ðåñéìÝíïíôáò ôï÷áñìüóõíï ìÞíõìá ôçò ÁíáóôÜóåùò.

ÇìÝñá áãÜðçò êáé åëðßäáò ç çìÝñáôïõ ÐÜó÷á êáé ãëõêéÜ ç ðñïóìïíÞ ôçòÁíÜóôáóçò ôïõ Êõñßïõ.

ÌÞíõìá áãÜðçò êáé åíüôçôáò Ýóôåé-ëå óôïõò ðéóôïýò ï ðñïêáèÞìåíïò ôçòÅëëçíïñèüäïîçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò,åõ÷üìåíüò ôïõò <×ñéóôüò ÁíÝóôç> êáéæçôþíôáò ôïõò íá «êñáôÞóïõí øçëÜ ôïÖùò ôçò Ðßóôçò ôïõò:

«ÁõôÞ ôç íý÷ôá ç öëüãá ôùí ðáó÷á-ëéíþí óáò ëáìðÜäùí ãåìßæåé ôçí ÅêêëçóéÜìå éåñü Öùò. AëëÜ áëëïý áõôÞ ôç íý÷ôá,óå Üëëá ìÝñç ôçò Õöçëßïõ Ý÷ïõí áíÜøåéïé öëüãåò ôïõ ìßóïõò. Öïõíôþíïõí ïéöùôéÝò ôçò åèíéêéóôéêÞò êáé öõëåôéêÞòâßáò, ñß÷íïíôáò ôçí áíßåñç óêéÜ ôïõòðÜíù óôïí õðüëïéðï ðëáíÞôç. Ðþò èáóôáìáôÞóïõìå åìåßò ôéò öùôéÝò ôïõìßóïõò êáé ôçò êáôáðßåóçò; Ðþò èáóâÞóïõìå åìåßò ôéò öëüãåò ôçò áäéêßáò êáéôïõ öõëåôéóìïý;

»Áí ðïôÝ õðÞñîå öùôéÜ ðïõ ìðü-ñåóå íá êáôáðáëÝøåé ôç öùôéÜ, áõôÞÞôáí ôï Éåñü Öùò ôçò ðáó÷áëéíÞò ìáòöëüãáò. Åêôåßíåôáé ôï ÷Ýñé ìïõ óôï ÷Ýñéóáò áõôÞ ôç Íý÷ôá ãéá íá ìïéñáóôïýìåôçí ÁíÜóôáóç. ÊñáôÞóôå øçëÜ ôï Öùòôçò Ðßóôçò óáò. ÁöÞóôå ôï Öùò óáò íáëÜìøåé ìðñïóôÜ áðü ôïí ïéêôñÜ äåéíï-ðáèïýíôá ëáü ôïõ Êïóóõöïðåäßïõ êáéôçò õðüëïéðçò Ãéïõãêïóëáâßáò. ÁöÞóôåôï íá ëÜìøåé ìÝóá áðü ôá Ýñãá ãåííáéï-äùñßáò êáé åëÝïõò. ÁöÞóôå ôï íá ëÜìøåéìÝóá áðü ôéò ðñïóåõ÷Ýò êáé ôéò äåÞóåéòóáò. ÁöÞóôå ôï íá ëÜìøåé ìÝóá áðü ôéòäçìüóéåò åêêëÞóåéò ãéá äéêáéïóýíç êáéåéñÞíç. ÁöÞóôå ôï ðáó÷áëéíü öùò ôçòðßóôçò óáò óôïí ÁíáóôÜíôá Êýñéï íáëÜìøåé ãéá íá éäïýí ïé Üíäñåò êáé ïéãõíáßêåò êáé ôá ðáéäéÜ ôïõ Êïóóõöï-ðåäßïõ ôá êáëÜ óáò Ýñãá êáé íá äïîÜæïõíôïí ÐáôÝñá óáò ôïí åí ôïéò ïõñáíïßò».

ÌÞíõìá åíüôçôáò êáé áãÜðçò Ýóôåé-ëå óôïõò ðéóôïýò êáé ï ÄÞìáñ÷ïò ôçòðüëçò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò, Ñïýíôïëö Ôæïõ-ëéÜíé, ï ïðïßïò êáé öÝôïò ôç íý÷ôá ôçòÁíÜóôáóçò âñÝèçêå ìáæß ìå ôïõò Åëëçíï-áìåñéêáíïýò óõìðïëßôåò ôïõ, äå÷üìåíïòêáé áõôüò ôï áíáóôÜóéìï Öùò áðü ôá÷Ýñéá ôïõ Áñ÷éåðéóêüðïõ ÁìåñéêÞò.

«Åõ÷áñéóôþ ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞ Êïéíüôçôáôçò Áóôüñéáò, ôïõò ¸ëëçíåò ôçò ÍÝáòÕüñêçò ðïõ ìïéñÜæïíôáé ìáæß ìáò, ìå ôçíÍÝá Õüñêç êáé ïëüêëçñï ôïí êüóìï, ôïìÞíõìá ôçò åëðßäáò êáé ôçò åíüôçôáò ðïõ

Äçì

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áíÜ

ãïò

Äçì. ÐáíÜãïòÌáæß ìå ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ôï âñÜäõ ôçò ÁíÜóôáóçò ï äÞìáñ÷ïò ôçò ÍÝáò Õüñêçò ÑïýíôéÔæïõëéÜíé (äåîéÜ) êáé ïé ðñüîåíïé ôçò ÅëëÜäïò êáé ôçò Êýðñïõ, ×áñ. ÌÜíåóçò êáé Ðáíô. ÇëéÜäçò

� óåë. 16

ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓÓÅËÉÄÁ 16 20 ÁÐÑÉËÉÏÕ 1999

ôïõ êáè. Ãåùñãßïõ ÌðåìðÞ

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

ÏÉ ÌÕÑÏÖÏÑÅÓ ÃÕÍÁÉÊÅÓÏé ðñþôåò åõáããåëßóôñéåò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò

Ì å åîáßñåôç áðëüôçôá êáé ïé ôÝóóåñåéòÅõáããåëéóôÝò ðåñéãñÜöïõí ôçí ðñÜãìáôéáëçóìüíçôç êáé óõãêéíçôéêÞ åðßóêåøç ôùí

Ìõñïöüñùí ãõíáéêþí óôïí ÔÜöï ôïõ Êõñßïõ Éçóïý.Ôá ãåãïíüôá ðïõ ðåñéÝâáëáí ôçí áîéïèáýìáóôç áõôÞåðßóêåøç Þôáí óõãêëïíéóôéêÜ. Ï <çãáðçìÝíïòÄéäÜóêáëïò> óôïí ïðïßïí åß÷áí åíáðïèÝóåé ôüóåòåëðßäåò ïé ðéóôïß èáõìáóôÝò ôïõ, åß÷å ïéêôñü èÜíáôï.ÊáôáðñïäïìÝíïò, åãêáôáëåëåéììÝíïò, êáôáðåñéöñï-

íçìÝíïò åß÷å õðïóôåß ôïí ïäõíçñü èÜíáôï åðß ôïõáôéìùôéêïý îýëïõ ôïõ óôáõñïý, åí ìÝóù äýï êïéíþíêáêïýñãùí ëçóôþí êáé ìå ôçí ÷ëåýç êáé ôïí åìðáéãìüôùí óõìðáôñéùôþí ôïõ êáé ôçò ÑùìáúêÞò åîïõóßáò.Ïé ìáèçôÝò ôïõ Éçóïý åß÷áí äéáóêïñðéóèåß êáéåîáöáíéóèåß êáé ï ðáãåñüò Üíåìïò ôçò áäéáöïñßáò áëëÜêáé ôïõ öüâïõ åß÷áí ðëçììõñßóåé êáé ôéò ðéï ãåííáßåòøõ÷Ýò ôùí ðéóôþí áêïëïýèùí ôïõ Éçóïý. Ôá üíåéñáãéá ôçí ðáñïõóßá ôïõ Ìåóóßá åß÷áí óâÞóåé. Ôï üñáìáìéáò íÝáò èåüäïôçò Âáóéëåßáò åß÷å äéáëõèåß. ÅðéðëÝïíÞôáí ïëïöÜíåñç ç óêëçñÞ, êáôáðéåóôéêÞ ðáñïõóßá ôçòÁõôïêñáôïñéêÞò Ñþìçò, áëëÜ êáé ç óêëçñïêáñäßá êáéôï ìßóïò ôï Üóâçóôï, ôïõ èñçóêåõôéêïý êáôáðéåóìÝíïõôçò ÉåñïõóáëÞì. ÌÝóá óôçí ôñïìáêôéêÞ áõôÞáôìüóöáéñá ôïõ öüâïõ, ôçò áìöéâïëßáò êáé ôçò ãåíéêÞòêáé ïëïêëçñùôéêÞò Ý÷èñáò ðáñïõóéÜæïíôáé ïé çñùéêÝòãõíáßêåò, ðïõ áøçöþíôáò êÜèå åìðüäéï, ìç ëïãáñéÜ-æïíôáò êáìßá äõóêïëßá, áðïöáóßæïõí íá åêôåëÝóïõíôï ýøéóôï èñçóêåõôéêü êáèÞêïí, áëëÜ êáé êáèÞêïíðéóôüôçôáò êáé áöïóßùóçò óôïí óôáõñùèÝíôá êáéèáíüíôá ÄéäÜóêáëï.

ÌåñéêÜ áðü ôá ïíüìáôá ôùí Ìõñïöüñùí áõôþíáãßùí ãõíáéêþí äéáóþæïíôáé áðü ôïõò éåñïýòÅõáããåëéóôÝò. Ï ÅõáããåëéóôÞò Ìáôèáßïò áíáöÝñåé ôáïíüìáôá ôçò Ìáñßáò ôçò ÌáãäáëçíÞò, êáé ôçò <ÜëëçòÌáñßáò>. Ï ÅõáããåëéóôÞò ÌÜñêïò áíáöÝñåé ôçí Ìáñßáôçí ÌáãäáëçíÞ, ôçí Ìáñßá ôïõ Éáêþâïõ êáé ôçíÓáëþìç. Ï ÅõáããåëéóôÞò ËïõêÜò ðñïóèÝôåé ôï üíïìáôçò ÉùÜííáò êáé ï ÅõáããåëéóôÞò ÉùÜííçò ìíçìïíåýåéìüíï ôï üíïìá ôçò Ìáñßáò ôçò ÌáãäáëçíÞò, áöÞíåéüìùò íá åííïçèåß üôé óõíïäåõüôáí êáé áðü Üëëåòãõíáßêåò. Ï éåñüò ÓõíáîáñéóôÞò ïìéëåß ãéá åðôÜÌõñïöüñåò êáé ðñïóèÝôåé ôçí áñ÷áßá ðëçñïöïñßá, üôéç <Üëëç Ìáñßá> äåí Þôáí Üëëç ðáñÜ ç Èåïôüêïò, çÌçôÝñá ôïõ Êõñßïõ.

Á íáíôßëåêôá, ðïëëïß åñìçíåõôÝò ôùíÅõáããåëéêþí êåéìÝíùí ëÝíå üôé õðÞñîáíðïëëÝò Ìõñïöüñåò Ãõíáßêåò, ïé ïðïßåò, ßóùò

åðéóêÝöôçêáí ôïí ôÜöï ôïõ Êõñßïõ êáôÜ êýìáôá.ÐÜíôùò, ãíùóôÝò êáé Üãíùóôåò Ìõñïöüñåò ÃõíáßêåòÝ÷ïõí ãñÜøåé ôá ïíüìáôÜ ôïõò óôï ìÝãá âéâëßï ôçòæùÞò, ôï Éåñü ÅõáããÝëéï, ìÝóá óôçí ðÜìöùôç êáé÷áñìüóõíç Âáóéëåßá ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò ×ñéóôïý.

Êáé ç Éóôïñßá, ç ðáíáíèñþðéíç Éóôïñßá Ýãñáøåóôéò ÷ñõóÝò óåëßäåò ôçò ôçí áíåßðùôç áíäñåßá êáé ôçíáêáôÜâëçôç áðïöáóéóôéêüôçôá ôùí áãßùí åêåßíùíãõíáéêþí, ïé ïðïßåò äåí äåßëéáóáí óôï áìõäñü óêïôÜäéôïõ ðñùéíïý ÷áñÜãìáôïò êáé äåí êáôáèëßâçóáí, äåí

ðáíéêïâëÞèçêáí óôçí óêÝøç ôïõ ïãêþäïõò ëßèïõ ðïõêÜëõðôå ôçí èýñá ôïõ ìíçìåßïõ. Êáé ï ÁíáóôÜò ÊýñéïòáíôÜìåéøå ðëïýóéá êáé ôçí ðßóôç ôïõò êáé ôçíðéóôüôçôÜ ôïõò, ôçí ôüëìç ôçò êáñäéÜò ôïõò, ôçíãåííáßá êáñôåñéêüôçôá ôçò øõ÷Þò ôïõò. ¹ôáí ïéðñþôåò, ðïõ áíôßêñéóáí ôïí ×ñéóôü ÁíáóôÜíôá, ïéðñþôåò ðïõ Ýëáâáí ôçí áíåêôßìçôç åíôïëÞ íááíáããåßëïõí ôï ðáíåõöñüóõíï ãåãïíüò ôçò ÁíáóôÜ-óåùò ôïõ Êõñßïõ. Ãé� áõôü Ýíáò áðü ôïõò ðéï áîéü-ëïãïõò åñìçíåõôÝò ôçò Áãßáò ÃñáöÞò, ï ÅõèýìéïòÆéãáâçíüò (12ïò áéþíáò) áðïêáëåß ôéò Ìõñïöüñåò,<Áðïóôüëïõò ôùí Áðïóôüëùí> êáé óõìðëçñþíåé üôé,üðùò ç ðñþôç ãõíáßêá, ç Åýá Ýãéíå <äéÜêïíïò ëýðçò>óôï áíèñþðéíï ãÝíïò, ôþñá ïé Ìõñïöüñåò Ãõíáßêåòêáèßóôáíôáé <äéÜêïíïé ÷áñÜò> ãéá üëïõò ôïõòáíèñþðïõò. (Åñìçíåßá åéò ôïí Ìáôèáßï).

Ô ïí êáô� åîï÷Þí éåñïðñåðÞ ôßôëï ôçò<Ìõñïöüñïõ> ÷ñçóéìïðïéåß ðñþôá ï ÜãéïòÁèáíÜóéïò ôïí 4ï áéþíá (Ðñïò Áíôéï÷åßò),

Ýðåéôá ï Éåñïóïëõìßôçò ðñåóâýôåñïò Çóý÷éïò ôïíðÝìðôï áéþíá (Åãêþìéï åéò ôïí Üãéï ÈùìÜ), ï ïðïßïòãñÜöåé üôé ôá áãáèÜ ôá ïðïßá áðþëåóáí ìÝóù ôçòÅýáò ïé Üíèñùðïé ôá âñÞêáí ïé Ìõñïöüñåò Ãõíáßêåò.Ï Åðßóêïðïò Áíôéï÷åßáò Ãñçãüñéïò ôïí Ýêôï áéþíááöéÝñùóå ïëüêëçñï êÞñõãìá ãéá ôéò ÌõñïöüñåòÃõíáßêåò êáé ôÝëïò ï Üãéïò Óùöñüíéïò ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çòÉåñïóïëýìùí ôïí Ýâäïìï áéþíá óôçí åñìçíåßá ôçòËåéôïõñãéêÞò æùÞò ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ðáñïìïéÜæåé ôïíÜìâùíá ôùí íáþí ìáò ìå ôïí áðïêõëéóèÝíôá ëßèï ôïõìíçìåßïõ ôïõ ÁíáóôÜíôïò ×ñéóôïý.

¸ôóé ëïéðüí ç Åêêëçóßá ìáò ôéìÜ ôéò áðëÝò êáéçñùéêÝò ìõñïöüñåò ðïõ ðñþôåò Ýæçóáí ôçí ëáìðñï-öüñá ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ Êõñßïõ, êáèéåñþíïíôáò ôçí ôñßôçÊõñéáêÞ ìåôÜ ôï ÐÜó÷á, ùò ÊõñéáêÞ ôùí Ìõñïöüñùí,ìáæß ìå ôçí áãßá ìíÞìç ôïõ áãßïõ ÍéêïäÞìïõ ôïõåêëåêôïý íõêôåñéíïý ìáèçôïý ôïõ Êõñßïõ êáé ôïõÉùóÞö áðü ôçí Áñéìáèáßá. Ôï Üãéï ÐåíôçêïóôÜñéïí(ôï âéâëßï ôçò Åêêëçóßáò ðïõ ðåñéÝ÷åé ôïõò ýìíïõòôçò ÁíáóôÜóåùò ìÝ÷ñé êáé ôçò ÐåíôçêïóôÞò) áðïêáëåßôéò Ìõñïöüñåò ãõíáßêåò åõóåâåßò, èåïìáêÜñéóôåò,óåðôÝò, ðÜíóåìíåò, èåßåò ÌáèÞôñéåò ôïõ ×ñéóôïý,èåüöñïíåò êáé èåïðñåðåßò. Ï éåñüò õìíùäüò äå,ðñïóèÝôåé üôé ïé Ìõñïöüñåò Ãõíáßêåò åßíáé åõáããåëß-óôñéåò, ðïõ åõáããåëßæïíôáé ôçí ðáíåõöñüóõíç êáéðáíÝíäïîç ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ Êõñßïõ.

¸êèáìâïò ï Üãéïò ÉùÜííçò ï ×ñõóüóôïìïò óôçí88ç ïìéëßá ôïõ óôïí ÅõáããåëéóôÞ Ìáôèáßï áíáöùíåß.<Åßäåò ôçí áíäñåßá ôùí ãõíáéêþí; Åßäåò ôçí áãÜðçí;Åßäåò ôçí ìåãáëïöõ÷ßáí ôçí Ýìðñáêôïí, ç ïðïßáöèÜíåé ìÝ÷ñé èáíÜôïõ; Áò ìéìçèïýìå ôáò ãõíáßêáò åìåßòïé Üíäñåò. Áò ìç åãêáôáëåßøùìå ôïí Éçóïýí åéò ôáòäïêéìáóßáò Ôïõ...> Áò ãéïñôÜóïõìå, ëïéðüí ôçíëáìðñïöüñï ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ Êõñßïõ. Êáé ìáæß ìå ôéòðÜíóåìíåò Ìõñïöüñåò áò äå÷èïýìå âáèéÜ ìÝóá óôéòêáñäéÝò ìáò ôï íéêçôÞñéï êáé ÷áñïýìåíï êáé æùçöüñïìÞíõìá ôùí áããÝëùí <ÇãÝñèç ï Êýñéïò>. ÁëÞèåéáÁíÝóôç ï Êýñéïò. Ôé ãëõêåéÜ, ôé áíåßðùôç ÷áñÜ...

ðñïóåõ÷çèïýí ãéá ôïõò ïñèüäïîïõò áäåëöïýò óôçÓåñâßá.

«Ç æùÞ, ëïéðüí, êáôÝâçêå óôïí ÔÜöï ãéá íá ìáòäþóåé åìÜò ìéá íÝá æùÞ, ãéá íá ÷áñßóåé ìéá íÝá äéÜóôáóçóôç æùÞ ìáò. Êáé üôáí ëÝìå ìéá íÝá æùÞ, åííïïýìå ìéáæùÞ ÷ùñßò áìáñôßá, ìéá æùÞ ìå ðïëëÞ áãÜðç», åðéóÞìáíåï Óåâáóìéüôáôïò.

«Ç õðüèåóç ôïõ ÔÜöïõ ôïõ Éçóïý äåí ôåëåéþíåé åäþ.Åßíáé ìéá äéçíåêÞò õðüèåóç êáé èá åßíáé äéçíåêÞò åöüóïíóôïí êüóìï ìáò èá õðÜñ÷ïõí åõôõ÷åßò êáé äõóôõ÷åßò êáéåöüóïí èá ðÝöôïõìå óôçí ðáãßäá ôùí äéáêñßóåùí ôùíöôù÷þí êáé ôùí ðëïõóßùí. Êáé åöüóïí èá õðÜñ÷ïõíäõíÜóôåò êáé åëåýèåñïé, ï ÔÜöïò áõôüò èá åßíáé ðÜíôáåêåß, ãéá íá ìáò èõìßæåé üôé äåí áíôáðïêñéèÞêáìå óôçíôüóç áãÜðç ôïõ Èåïý ãéá ìáò. Åêåßíïò ìáò Ýäùóå áãÜðç,åìåßò äå ìðïñÝóáìå íá ôçí êáëëéåñãÞóïõìå ïýôå óôéòêáñäéÝò ìáò, ïýôå óôéò óõíáíáóôñïöÝò ìáò, ïýôå óôçíêïéíùíßá ìáò, ïýôå óôéò êáèçìåñéíÝò ìáò óõíïìéëßåò».

Éäéáßôåñá óõãêéíçìÝíï ôï åêêëçóßáóìá Üêïõóå ôïíðíåõìáôéêü ôïõ çãÝôç íá ìéëÜ ãéá ôï äñÜìá ôùíÏñèïäüîùí ÓÝñâùí êáé íá ôïõò æçôÜ íá óôñÝøïõí ôçóêÝøç ôïõò åêåß.

<Åêåß ï ÔÜöïò èá ðáñáìåßíåé ìå ôï Óþìá ôïõ Éçóïý,ãéá íá ìáò èõìßæåé üôé ï êüóìïò ÷ñåéÜæåôáé áêüìç ðïëëÞáãÜðç, üôé ï êüóìïò êïõñÜóôçêå êáé áðü ôïí ðüíï êáéáðü ôç èëßøç êáé áðü ôá äÜêñõá. Ãéá íá ìáò èõìßæåé üôéåêåß óôá ÷þìáôá ôçò Óåñâßáò õðÜñ÷ïõí ÜíèñùðïéÏñèüäïîïé ôï ãÝíïò, Üíèñùðïé ðïõ Ýëáâáí ôçí Ïñèïäïîßááðü ôçí ÌåãÜëç Ôïõ ×ñéóôïý Åêêëçóßá óôçí Êùíóôáíôé-íïýðïëç. ¢íèñùðïé ãíÞóéá Ïñèüäïîïé, ïé ïðïßïé óÞìåñáäåí ãéïñôÜæïõí, üðùò åìåßò, ïé ïðïßïé áýñéï äå èáìðïñÝóïõí íá öùíÜîïõí ôï ×ñéóôüò ÁíÝóôç, ãéáôß ôáìÜôéá ôïõò èá åßíáé ãåìÜôá áðü äÜêñõá êáé ç êáñäéÜ ôïõòáðü ðüíï, äéüôé Ý÷ïõí ÷Üóåé ôá ðáéäéÜ ôïõò, ãéáôß ÷Üóáíåôá áäÝñöéá ôïõò, ãéáôß ÷Üóáíå ôïí ðáôÝñá ôïõò.

»Ðñïò ôá åêåß íá óôñÝøåôå ôçí óêÝøç óáò êáéâëÝðïíôáò ôïí ÔÜöï ôïõ ×ñéóôïý íá óêÝöôåóôå üôé áíìðïñåßôå íá ÷áñßóåôå ôçí áãÜðç Ýóôù êáé óå ÝíáíÜíèñùðï, èá êÜíåôå Ýñãï ìåãÜëï. ×áñßóôå ôïõ áãÜðç,áãÜðç ãíÞóéá êáé áõèåíôéêÞ êáé èá Ý÷åôå äùñßóåé óôïíêüóìï Ýíá áêüìç ÷áìüãåëï, áêüìç ìéá åõôõ÷ßá».

Ç ÌåãÜëç ÅâäïìÜäáÔï âñÜäõ ôçò ÊõñéáêÞò ôùí ÂáÀùí ï ÐñïêáèÞìåíïò

ôçò Åëëçíïñèüäïîçò Åêêëçóßáò ôçò ÁìåñéêÞò ÷ïñïóôÜ-ôçóå óôçí Áêïëïõèßá ôïõ Íõìößïõ óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõÅõáããåëéóìïý ôçò Èåïôüêïõ óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç, ôç ÌåãÜëçÄåõôÝñá óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Êùíóôáíôßíïõ êáéÅëÝíçò óôï Ìðñïýêëéí êáé ôç ÌåãÜëç Ôñßôç óôçí ÁãßáÔñéÜäá óôï ×ßêóâéë.

Ôï âñÜäõ ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÔåôÜñôçò ôÝëåóå ôï ¢ãéïÅõ÷Ýëáéï óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõ Áãßïõ Äçìçôñßïõ óôçíÔæáìÝéêá.

Ôï ðñùß ôçò ÌåãÜëçò ÐÝìðôçò, ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïòÁìåñéêÞò ôÝëåóå ôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôïõ ÌõóôéêïýÄåßðíïõ óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôçò Êïßìçóçò ôçò Èåïôüêïõ óôïÌðñïýêëéí êáé ôï âñÜäõ ôçí Áêïëïõèßá ôùí Ðáèþí óôïíÊáèåäñéêü Íáü ôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò óôï Ìáí÷Üôáí.

Ôï ðñùß ôïõ ÌåãÜëïõ ÓáââÜôïõ ï ÓåâáóìéüôáôïòâñÝèçêå óôï ÑÜé, üðïõ êáé ôÝëåóå ôç Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßáôçò ÌéêñÞò ÁíÜóôáóçò óôïí Éåñü Íáü ôïõ ÓùôÞñïò.

Ôçí ÊõñéáêÞ ôïõ ÐÜó÷á ï Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞòôÝëåóå ôçí Èåßá Ëåéôïõñãßá ôçò ÁãÜðçò óôïí Éåñü Íáüôçò Áãßáò ÔñéÜäáò óôï Bridgeport ôïõ ÊïííÝêôéêáô.

Óôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïÌå éåñïðñÝðåéá êáé ëáìðñüôçôá ãéïñôÜóôçêå óôï

óåðôü êÝíôñï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ôï Ïéêïõìåíéêü Ðáôñéáñ-÷åßï Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò ç ëáìðñïöüñá ÁíÜóôáóç ôïõ×ñéóôïý. Óôçí ÁíáóôÜóéìç ëåéôïõñãßá ðáñáâñÝèçêáí ïðñÝóâçò ôùí ÇÐÁ ÌÜñê ÐÜñéò, ï Ãåíéêüò Ðñüîåíïò ôçòÅëëÜäïò Öþôéïò Îýäáò, ðñÝóâåéò êáé ðñüîåíïé ôçòÃåùñãßáò, ôçò Ïõêñáíßáò, ôçò Ãéïõãêïóëáâßáò êáé ôïõÂåëãßïõ, ï ðñüåäñïò ôçò Á×ÅÐÁ Ëåùíßäáò ÑÜëëçò,óýóóùìç ç ÏìïãÝíåéá ôçò Ðüëçò êáé ðëÞèïò ðéóôþí áðüôï åîùôåñéêü.

Ôç ÄåõôÝñá ôçò Äéáêáéíçóßìïõ, 12 Áðñéëßïõ ïéäÜóêáëïé, ïé ãïíåßò êáé ïé ìáèçôÝò ôùí ó÷ïëåßùí ôçòÐüëçò åðéóêÝöôçêáí ôï ÖáíÜñé. ÌåôÜ ôï ôÝëïò ôçòÈåßáò Ëåéôïõñãßáò, ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çòðáñá÷þñçóå ãéïñôáóôéêÞ äåîßùóç êáé ìïßñáóå ðáó÷á-ëéíÜ áâãÜ óå üëïõò.

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ÅËËÇÍÉÊÇÓ ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÇÓ ÁÑ×ÉÅÐÉÓÊÏÐÇÓ ÁÌÅÑÉÊÇÓÄéåýèõíóç-Ðáñïõóßáóç:

Èåïö. Åðßóêïðïò Áðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïò

Ö Ýôïò ôï ÌåãÜëï ÓÜââáôïóõíÝðåóå ìå ôçí 10ç Áðñé-ëßïõ, ôçí çìåñïìçíßá ðïõ ïé

Ïèùìáíïß êñÝìáóáí ôïí ÏéêïõìåíéêüÐáôñéÜñ÷ç Ãñçãüñéï ôïí Å´ óôçí ìåóáßáðýëç ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, ôï 1821, ìå ôçíêáôçãïñßá üôé õðïêéíïýóå ó� åîÝãåñóç ôïõðüäïõëï ÃÝíïò êáé ôïí êñÜôçóáí 3çìÝñåò óôçí áã÷üíç ìðñïóôÜ óôçí Ðýëç,ç ïðïßá Ýêôïôå ðáñáìÝíåé êëåéóôÞ.

Ìå ôïí ôñüðï áõôü ôéìÜôáé ç ìíÞìçôïõ, áëëÜ êáé óáí êåíïôÜöéï, äåäïìÝíïõüôé ç óïñüò ôïõ óýñèçêå óôïõò äñüìïõòôïõ Öáíáñßïõ, ðåôÜ÷ôçêå äåìÝíç ìåðÝôñá, óôïí ÊåñÜôéï Êüëðï ãéá íáåìöáíéóôåß óôá íåñÜ ôïõ Âïóðüñïõ êáéíá ðåñéóõëëåãåß áðü ôïí ÓêëÜâï, ôïíÊåöáëëïíßôç êáðåôÜíéï ôïõ åëëçíéêïýðëïßïõ ðïõ ïäÞãçóå ôï óêÞíùìá óôçíÏäçóóü üðïõ ôï åëëçíéêü óôïé÷åßïìåãáëïõñãïýóå.

¸ëëçíåò êáé Ñþóïé Ïñèüäïîïé ôÝëå-óáí ìåãáëïðñåðÞ êçäåßá. ¾óôåñá áðü

ðïëëÝò äåêáåôßåò ìåôáöÝñèçêå ôïíðåñáóìÝíï áéþíá óôçí ÁèÞíá, üðïõ êáéÝêôïôå áíáðáýåôáé óôïí ÌçôñïðïëéôéêüÍáü ôùí Áèçíþí.

¼ðùò êÜèå ÷ñüíï Ýôóé êáé öÝôïòóôéò 10 Áðñéëßïõ ï ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèï-ëïìáßïò äåÞèçêå êáé Üíáøå êåñÜêé óôçíÐýëç ôïõ Ãñçãïñßïõ Å´, ðïõ âñßóêåôáéóôï ðåñéâüëé ôïõ Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ, Íáïý êáéÏßêïõ êáé åíáðÝèåóå ëïõëïýäéá.

Ç êëåéóôÞ Ðýëç ëåéôïõñãåß ùò æùí-ôáíÞ ìíÞìç êáé åîéóôüñçóç ôùí ðáèþíôïõ Ãñçãïñßïõ ôïõ Å´ åßíáé ãéá íá èõìü-ìáóôå üôé ôá ðÜèç ôïõ ÃÝíïõò åßíáéóõíõöáóìÝíá ìå ôï Èåßï ÄñÜìá êáéðñïóäïêÜ ÁíÜóôáóç... Áêñéâþò üðùò ïéóôïñçìÝíïò ×ñéóôüò åðß ôïõ ÔéìßïõÓôáõñïý óôïí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêü Íáü ôïõÁãßïõ Ãåùñãßïõ ðáñáìÝíåé óôáõñùìÝíïòìåôÜ ôçí ÁðïêáèÞëùóç, ìáñôõñþíôáòÝôóé üôé ðáñáìÝíåé óôáõñùìÝíç êáé çÅêêëçóßá ôçò Êùíóôáíôéíïõðüëåùò.

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Ç ÐïëéôéóôéêÞ ÅðéôñïðÞ ôïõ Áñ÷é-åðéóêïðéêïý Êáèåäñéêïý Íáïý ôçòÁãßáò ÔñéÜäáò ðáñïõóéÜæåé ñåóéôÜëêëáóéêÞò êéèÜñáò ìå ôçí ×ñéóôßíáÔñáõëïðïýëïõ, óôéò 5 ÌáÀïõ.

Ôï ðñüãñáììá èá ðåñéëáìâÜíåéìïõóéêÝò åðéëïãÝò áðü ôïí Ìðá÷, ôïíÌðñÜïõåñ, ôïí Áëìðåíßæ, ôïí ×áôæé-äÜêé, êáé Üëëïõò.

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ÏÑÈÏÄÏÎÏÓ ÐÁÑÁÔÇÑÇÔÇÓÓÅËÉÄÁ 18 20 ÁÐÑÉËÉÏÕ 1999

Ç ÅËËÁÄÁ ÌÅÓÁÓÔÏ ÓÐÉÔÉ ÓÁÓ

ÌÝóù äïñõöüñïõ, óôçí Âüñåéá ÁìåñéêÞ, ìðïñåßôå ôþñá íáðáñáêïëïõèÞóåôå ôïí ìåãáëýôåñï ôçëåïðôéêü óôáèìü ôçò ÅëëÜäáò.Ôïí ÁÍÔÅÍÍÁ.

Ìå ìéá ìéêñÞ ìçíéáßáóõíäñïìÞ Ý÷åôå üëá áõôÜ,êáé åðéðëÝïí Ý÷åôå ôçíåðéëïãÞ áðü ôá ðéïðåôõ÷çìÝíá êáëùäéáêÜêáíÜëéá.

Ðåßôå êáé åóåßòÊÁËÇÌÅÑÁ ÅËËÁÄÁìå ôá ðëïýóéáðñïãñÜììáôá ôïõÁÍÔÅÍÍÁ -Ôáéíßåò,ÅëëçíéêÝò óåéñÝò, êáéÁèëçôéêÝò åéäÞóåéò.

Áðïëáýóôå êáé åóåßò ôïíÐÑÙÉÍÏ ÊÁÖÅ ìå�õðÝñï÷ç� ãåýóç áðüÅëëÜäá. ÊÜíôå ôçí ÙÑÁÔÇÓ ÁËÇÈÅÉÁÓ, þñáäéêÞ óáò, êáé æÞóôå áðüêïíôÜ ôá êáõôÜ èÝìáôáðïõ áðáó÷ïëïýí ôçíÅëëÜäá óÞìåñá.

ÐáñáêïëïõèÞóôå ëåðôüðñïò ëåðôü üëåò ôéòåîåëßîåéò ìÝóá áðü ôïìåãÜëï ÄÅËÔÉÏÅÉÄÇÓÅÙÍ.

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Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò ÁìåñéêÞò ê.Óðõñßäùí áíáíÝùóå ãéá Ýíá áêüìç÷ñüíï ôç èçôåßá ôùí ìåëþí ôçò Åöï-ñåõôéêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò ôïõ ÅëëçíéêïýÐïëéôéóôéêïý ÊÝíôñïõ ôçò Áñ÷éåðé-óêïðÞò, êáôÜ ôç äéÜñêåéá óõíåäñßáóÞòôçò ôïí ðåñáóìÝíï ìÞíá.

Ç æùíôÜíéá ôùí óõæçôÞóåùí, çåõñçìáôéêüôçôá ôùí ðñïôÜóåùí êáéãåíéêÜ ç èåñìüôçôá êáé èÝëçóç ôùíìåëþí ôçò åðéôñïðÞò Þôáí ôá óôïé÷åßáðïõ óõãêßíçóáí ôïí Áñ÷éåðßóêïðï ïïðïßïò êáé áíÝèåóå óôï Åëëçíéêü Ðïëéôé-óôéêü ÊÝíôñï ôüóï ôç äéïñãÜíùóçåíçìåñùôéêþí åêäçëþóåùí ãéá ôçíåðáíáëåéôïõñãßá ôçò ÈåïëïãéêÞò Ó÷ï-ëÞò ôçò ×Üëêçò, üóï êáé ôçí åêóôñáôåßáãéá ôçí åðéóôñïöÞ ôùí ÅëãéíåßùíÌáñìÜñùí ôïõ Ðáñèåíþíá.

Ï Óåâ. Áñ÷éåðßóêïðïò êáôÜ ôçíïìéëßá ôïõ ôüíéóå ôïí óðïõäáßï ñüëïðïõ ðñÝðåé íá äéáäñáìáôßæïõí ôá ìÝëçôçò ÅöïñåõôéêÞò ÅðéôñïðÞò, óôï Ðïëéôé-óôéêü ÊÝíôñï, ìéáò êáé ôïýôï áðïôåëåß

Óôá ðëáßóéá ôçò åðßóêåøçò ôïõÐñùèõðïõñãïý ôçò ÅëëÜäïò ê. ÊþóôáÓçìßôç óôéò ÇÐÁ ðáñïõóéÜæåôáé áðü 19-23 Áðñéëßïõ, CD-ROM ðïõ äçìéïýñãçóåôï Ìïõóåßï ÌðåíÜêç ìå áöïñìÞ ôéòåñãáóßåò óõíôÞñçóçò ôùí åéêüíùí ôçòÓõëëïãÞò ÂåëéìÝæç.

Ïé ðáñïõóéÜóåéò, óôç ÍÝá Õüñêç,óôçí ÏõÜóéãêôïí êáé óôï ÐáíåðéóôÞìéï×Üñâáñíô Ýãéíáí ðáñïõóßá ôçò Õðïõñ-ãïý Ðïëéôéóìïý ê. ÅëéóÜâåô Ðáðáæþç.

Ôï CD-ROM ìå ôßôëï �The Conser-vation of Icons in the Velimezis Col-lection�, áíáöÝñåôáé óôéò óõóôçìáôéêÝòåñãáóßåò ðïõ Ýãéíáí óôá åñãáóôÞñéá ôïõÌïõóåßïõ ÌðåíÜêç ãéá ôç óõíôÞñçóçêáé áðïêáôÜóôáóç ôùí ìåôáâõæáíôéíþíÅéêüíùí ôçò ÓõëëïãÞò ÂåëéìÝæç êáé,ôáõôü÷ñïíá, ðáñïõóéÜæåé éóôïñéêÜ êáéåãêõêëïðáéäéêÜ óôïé÷åßá ãéá ôéò ðíåõ-ìáôéêÝò êáé êáëëéôå÷íéêÝò äçìéïõñãßåòóôçí ðåñßïäï 1450-1800, ôüóï óôçíõóôåñïâõæáíôéíÞ åðéêñÜôåéá, üóï êáéóôïí õðüëïéðï êüóìï.

Ç áíáëõôéêÞ ðáñïõóßáóç êÜèå Åéêü-íáò, ðåñéëáìâÜíåé áöÞãçóç, êåßìåíï ìåðëçñïöïñßåò ãéá ôïí áãéïãñÜöï, öùôï-ãñáöéêü õëéêü êáé videos áðü ôéò åñ-ãáóßåò ôçò Ýñåõíáò êáé ôçò óõíôÞñçóçòìå áêôéíïãñáößåò, õðÝñõèñåò-õðåñéþ-äåéò öùôïãñáößåò êáé ôïìÝò, êáèþò êáéóõìðëçñùìáôéêÝò ðëçñïöïñßåò éóôïñé-êïý ðåñéå÷ïìÝíïõ êáé êáëëéôå÷íéêÞòäéåßóäõóçò ìÝóá áðü ôéò áñìïíéêÝò÷áñÜîåéò.

Óôéò öùôïãñáößåò êáé äéáöÜíåéåòÝ÷åé åðéôåõ÷èåß õøçëÞ áíÜëõóç ÷ñùìÜ-ôùí, þóôå, åßôå óôá slide-shows, åßôå óôávideos, ôá Ýñãá ôçò ÓõëëïãÞò íá ðáñïõ-óéÜæïíôáé ìå ôç ìåãáëýôåñç äõíáôÞ ÷ñù-ìáôéêÞ ïìïéüôçôá ðñïò ôá ðñùôüôõðá.

Ãéá ìïõóéêÞ åðÝíäõóç ôïõ CD-ROM÷ñçóéìïðïéïýíôáé ïé ìåëùäßåò ôçò Âõæá-íôéíÞò ÷ïñùäßáò ôïõ Ëõêïýñãïõ Áããåëü-ðïõëïõ êáé ôç äéäáêôéêÞ ôïõ ÷ñÞóçåìðåäþíïõí åõñåôÞñéá êáé ëåîéëüãéá,ðïõ ëåéôïõñãïýí ìå ìåèüäïõò ôá÷åßáòäéáóôáýñùóçò.

Êùíóôáíôéíïýðïëç (MÐÅ) - Ç äéåèíÞòóõãêõñßá êáé ôá ôåëåõôáßá óçìÜäéá óôïíïñßæïíôá ðñïáéùíßæïõí Ýíá êáëýôåñïìÝëëïí óôéò äéìåñåßò ó÷Ýóåéò ÅëëÜäáò -Ôïõñêßáò. ÁõôÜ ôüíéóå ï ÏéêïõìåíéêüòÐáôñéÜñ÷çò Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáöåñüìåíïòóôç óçìåñéíÞ óõíÜíôçóÞ ôïõ ìå ôïíðñÝóâç ôçò ÅëëÜäáò óôçí Ôïõñêßá ÄçìÞ-ôñç ÊïñáíôÞ.

Ï Ïéêïõìåíéêüò ÐáôñéÜñ÷çò êáôÜ ôçäéÜñêåéá ôçò ôåëåôÞò Ýíáñîçò ôïõ äåý-ôåñïõ êýêëïõ ôïõ ðñïãñÜììáôïò <Ïéêïõ-ìåíéêüò Åëëçíéóìüò> óôçí Ðáôñéáñ÷éêÞÁßèïõóá Èñüíïõ, åõ÷Þèçêå íá åßíáéåõëïãçìÝíç ç èçôåßá ôïõ ê. ÊïñáíôÞ, þóôå<ôá ðñïâëÞìáôá, ôá íÝöç êáé ïé äõó÷Ý-ñåéåò ìåôáîý ÅëëÜäáò êáé Ôïõñêßáò íáåðéëõèïýí, íá áñèïýí êáé íá åðáíÝëèïõíïé äýï ãåßôïíåò êáé óýììá÷ïé ëáïß óôçíðåñßïäï åêåßíç ôçò óôåíÞò êáé äçìéïõñ-ãéêÞò óõíåñãáóßáò ôïõò ãéá ôï êïéíü áãáèüêáé ôùí äýï ðëåõñþí êáé öõóéêÜ ãéá ôïêáëü ôçò ìåéïíüôçôáò, ôçò ïìïãÝíåéáò êáéôïõ éåñïý êÝíôñïõ ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò, ôïõÏéêïõìåíéêïý Ðáôñéáñ÷åßïõ>.

Óôç äéÜñêåéá ôçò ôåëåôÞò äüèçêå óôïíÐñïêáèÞìåíï ôçò Ïñèïäïîßáò ï Á´ ôüìïò<ÉåñÜ ÐñïóêõíÞìáôá-Ðñïðýñãéá ôçò Ïñ-èïäïîßáò> ðïõ åêäüèçêå áðü ôçí ÅëëçíéêÞÅèíéêÞ ÃñáììÞ óôï ðëáßóéï ôïõ ðñïãñÜì-ìáôïò <Ïéêïõìåíéêüò Åëëçíéóìüò>.

Ï ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò ðáßñíïíôáò ôïíôüìï åðåóÞìáíå üôé ç Ýêäïóç áðïôõðþíåéôçí êáôÜóôáóç ôùí Éåñþí Ðñïóêõ-íçìÜôùí óå ìéá óôéãìÞ ðïõ óôçí öèïñï-ðïéü åðßäñáóç ôïõ ÷ñüíïõ ðñïóôßèåíôáéïé áíèñùðïãåíåßò êáôáóôñïöÝò ðïõïöåßëïíôáé óå öáíáôéêÝò, ìéóáëëüäïîåòåíÝñãåéåò Þ óå ðïëåìéêÝò åðé÷åéñÞóåéò.

ÐáñÜëëçëá õðïãñÜììéóå üôé óÞìåñáç ðñïóðÜèåéá ãéá ôç äéáôÞñçóç ôùíìíçìåßùí áðïôõã÷Üíåé. Ôá ÉåñÜ Ðñïóêõ-íÞìáôá êáé åí ãÝíåé ôá èñçóêåõôéêÜ êáéôá ðïëéôéóôéêÜ ìíçìåßá äåí Ý÷ïõí åíäéáöÝ-ñïí ìüíï ãéá ìéá èñçóêåßá ãéá Ýíá ëáü.Åßíáé ðíåõìáôéêü êôÞìá ïëïêëÞñïõ ôçòáíèñùðüôçôáò êáé ðñÝðåé íá ôõã÷ÜíïõíãåíéêÞò êáé ïìïèýìïõ ðñïóôáóßáò. ÁëëÜáôõ÷þò êáé êáèçìåñéíþò ìåôÜ èëßøåùòãéíüìáóôå ìÜñôõñåò áíåðéôñÝðôùí êáôá-óôñïöþí åéò üëáò ôáò ÷þñáò ôïõ êüóìïõ,ðñüóèåóå.

Ï ê. Âáñèïëïìáßïò áíáöÝñèçêåáêüìç óôçí åðéêåßìåíç åðßóçìç åðßóêåøÞôïõ óôçí ÅëëÜäá óôéò 20 ÌáÀïõ óôçäéÜñêåéá ôçò ïðïßáò èá áíáãïñåõèåßåðßôéìïò äéäÜêôùñ ôïõ ÏéêïíïìéêïýÐáíåðéóôçìßïõ Áèçíþí êáé èá åðéóêåöèåß15 ìçôñïðüëåéò ôçò Âüñåéáò ÅëëÜäáò.

ôïí êáèñÝöôç ôïõ ðïëéôéóìïý ôçòÅëëçíïñèïäüîïõ ðßóôçò ìáò, ìåôáëá-ìðáäåýïíôáò ôéò ðïëéôéóìéêÝò áîßåò ôïõðáíÜñ÷áéïõ åëëçíéêïý ðíåýìáôïò êáéôá êïóìïóùôÞñéá êáé øõ÷ïóùóôéêÜçèéêÜ äéäÜãìáôá ôïõ Ïñèüäïîïõ ×ñé-óôéáíéóìïý.

Ôçí ÅöïñåõôéêÞ ÅðéôñïðÞ ôïõ Áñ÷é-åðéóêïðéêïý Ðïëéôéóôéêïý ÊÝíôñïõ,åêôüò ôïõ äéåõèõíôÞ, Èåïö. ÅðéóêüðïõÁðáìåßáò ê. ÂéêÝíôéïõ êáé ôïõ áíáðë.ÄéåõèõíôÞ ðáíïóéïë. Áñ÷éìáíäñßôç ð.Ðáýëïõ Ðáðáëåîßïõ, áðáñôßæïõí ïéáêüëïõèïé:

ÊõñéÜêïò ÌáñáãêïõäÜêçò (ðñü-åäñïò), Öþôéïò Ãåñáóüðïõëïò (áíôé-ðñüåäñïò), Áíáóôáóßá ÂåíåôïêëÞ(ÃñáììáôÝáò), ÉùÜííçò Óôõëéáíïý(Ôáìßáò) êáé Óðõñßäùí ÃáñõöÜëëçò,Ãåþñãéïò Áëìõñïýäçò, Ãåþñãéïò ÁããåëÜ-êçò, Èåüäùñïò Ìïó÷ïêÜñöçò, ÄçìÞ-ôñéïò ÊáëïåéäÞò, Âáóßëåéïò Ëéâáíüò,Ãåþñãéïò ÖéëéððÜêçò, ÓôÝëëá Êïêüëç,Ìáßñç Ìáñáãêïý, ìÝëç.

ÓõíôÞñçóç Åéêüíùí óå CD-ROM Ðïëýðëåõñï Ýñãï óôï Ðïëéôéóôéêü ÊÝíôñï

Ôá ÉåñÜ ÐñïóêõíÞìáôáåßíáé êôÞìá ïëïêëÞñïõôçò áíèñùðüôçôáò

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 19ORTHODOX OBSERVER

PhiloptochosThe Voice ofLAS VEGAS � St. John�s Church Philo-

ptochos historian Chloe Nicholson, com-menting on the significant local philanthro-pies of Panagia chapter, writes: �As a resultof various Philoptochos fund-raisers and dueto various benefactors, we were truly ableto make a significant impact on the lives ofthose who are homeless, aged and needy.�

The chapter makes important contribu-tions toward the aid of severely underprivi-leged children, senior citizens in need, andthe homeless. Helping severely underprivi-leged children was the benefit of a $10,000dollar purchase of Payless Shoe Vouchersfor severely underprivileged children withinthe Las Vegas school district.

Members donated 265 pairs of socksat their Christmas Dinner. The socks weretied to each voucher, making a colorful vi-sual presentation for the children.

Having impact on the Howard SeniorCenter was a $3,000 dollar value in foodcertificates to the Smith Food and DrugStores to aid senior citizens when their fundsare depleted.

Some 2,000 bus tokens were pur-chased for the senior citizens as well, toensure that they can make trips to their doc-tors and for other necessary travel.

Both the food certificates and the bustokens were purchased at discounts.

Las Vegas Helps Children, the Aged, and HomelessRestitutionFunds Received

NEW YORK � Archbishop Spyridon pre-sided over the election of new officers for theNew York Metropolitan Diocese Philoptochos,March 29 at Archdiocese headquarters.

Nominations and voting took place af-ter National Philoptochos Director HelenLavorata read the election bylaws.

The following were elected: StellaCapiris, president; Georgia Vlitas first vicepresident; Sophie George, second vice presi-dent; Marina Katsoulis, corresponding sec-retary; Demi Brountsas, recording secretary;Helen Misthos, treasurer; and Kalli Tsitsipas,assistant treasurer.

His Eminence congratulated the officersand board, wishing them a successful term.

Metropolitan DioceseOfficers Announced

BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. � GloriaDemetry Coffin initiated and chaired an in-terfaith coffee recently sponsored by the St.George Church Philoptochos chapter.

About 220 people attended the Feb. 14event and were apprised of the importanceof Archdiocesan goals regarding the embrac-ing of interfaith couples into the Church.

Information on interfaith research, sta-tistics and the Archdiocesan interfaithwebsite also was presented.

Mrs. Coffin�s dedication and commit-ment to the interfaith cause is shared by herchildren, and was inspired by her own inter-faith marriage. Announcing this event throughbulk mailings and Sunday bulletins, she dem-onstrated her support for ArchbishopSpyridon�s emphasis on embracing interfaithspouses and converts into the Church.

Information Presentedat Interfaith Coffee

FRESNO, Calif.�Athena PhiloptochosSociety of St. George Church will hold its 15th

annual fund-raiser for the Kids�n�Cancer out-reach program on May 2. One of the mostheartwarming direct impact on the quality oflife of children stricken with cancer.

The Kids�n�Cancer program enablesthese children and their families to enjoy afew carefree summer days away from thesterile, impersonal environment of the hos-pitals and doctor�s offices where they mustspend so much of their lives.

The Philoptochos involvement with theKids�n�Cancer program began in 1984, dur-ing a conversation between Fr. John S. Bakasof St. George parish of Fresno (now of St.Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles) and BishopAnthony of San Francisco.

Fr. Bakas, who at that time was alsopresident and executive director of the Val-ley Children�s Hospital Foundation, told theBishop about two programs at this Fresnohospital - Kids�n�Cancer and Candlelighters,a support group for parents of children withcancer. Bishop Anthony, deeply touched byFr. John�s eloquent descriptions, suggestedthat a summer camp be established for thechildren and their families at the St. Nicho-las Ranch and Retreat Center located in thehills near Dunlap, some 40 miles fromFresno. Bishop Anthony immediately under-stood that this vision could only becomereality through the love and dedication ofthe women of the Philoptochos.

Thus it was that in June 1985, the St.Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center hostedthe first Kids�n�Cancer Camp sponsored bythe Diocese of San Francisco Philoptochos.

Although the camp was recently namedCamp Agape, it was originally nicknamed�The Camp of Sunshine and Dreams� by thechildren themselves. The camp�s activitiesinclude arts and crafts, nature exploration,music and skits, swimming, hiking, and tra-ditional campfire sing-alongs. At the end ofeach day, the children gather to hear inspi-rational and uplifting messages and stories.

Through the untiring efforts of the staff,these children and their families are able torelax in a supportive friendly environmentwhich sustains and comforts them both in

Fresno�s Kids�n�Cancer Campbody and spirit.

Since the first year at the St. NicholasRanch and Retreat Center, Kids�n�Cancercamps have been established near Portlandand Seattle. Wherever they may be, thesecamps are called Camp Agape. Of course,ongoing financial support is needed in or-der to continue this important philanthropicwork.

The Fresno chapter of the Philoptochostraditionally holds its annual Kids�n�Cancerfundraising luncheon in the spring, imme-diately following the Divine Liturgy on a des-ignated Sunday. Children with cancer andtheir families are invited as honored guests.

ST. LOUIS � Jenny Pappas, the St.Nicholas Philoptochos chapter second vicepresident, reports that a $2,400 was raisedfrom this year�s Vasilopita event, chaired byAnn Zotos, for the benefit of St. Basil�s Acad-emy. Another successful January fund-raiserfor The Future of St.

Nicholas Church project was the fifthannual Apokreatiko Glendi, organized byPhiloptochos President Bess Milonas, offic-ers Connie Kallaos, Jenny Pappas, NickyAntoniou, Barbara Corrigan, Helen Carey andNational Board member Chrysoula Tomaras.

Mrs. Tomaras, past president of the St.Nicholas chapter is currently the NationalVasilopita chairperson.

Successful Fund-raising Events Held

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. � �Paris in theSpring Tea Dance� will pick up everyone�sspirits at this time of year. This WestchesterCounty Philoptochos event for the benefitof St. Michael�s Home for the Aged, one ofthe principal philanthropic commitments ofthe Metropolitan Diocese Philoptochos, willheld at Holy Trinity Church, Saturday, May16, 3-7 p.m.

There will be dancing to the big bandsound of the Village Music Makers. Dona-tions are $50. For information, contact HolyTrinity Church, New Rochelle, N.Y. Tele-phone: (914) 235-6100.

Paris Comes toWestchester County

NEW YORK � Metropolitan DiocesePhiloptochos President Efthalia (Lily) Katosrecently was honored at the70th anniver-sary dinner-dance of St. Demetrios Cathe-dral/St. Catherine chapter in Astoria.

�Surrounded by friends and family,I was reluctant but extremely proud tobe recognized for more than 20 years ofservice to the chapter as member, of-ficer and president, and for my service

Honors to Diocese President

The third group benefiting from thisorganized and well-directed fund-raising isthe new program, �Friends of the Desert�,based at St. Timothy�s Episcopal Church inHenderson, Nev.

Panagia Philoptochos Chapter set up anaccount at Shetakis Foods for the purchaseof provisions to the St. Timothy�s meals fa-cility. This move greatly benefits those re-ceiving meals. Previous to this, the needy

hoped for donations to purchase their bal-ance of food at the Food Bank.

�The director of the program at St.Timothy�s believes that this new food ac-count is a miracle for the program and thehomeless people they feed.� reports Mrs.Nicholson.

Father Elias Katre is pastor of St. John�sand Janelle Salon is chapter president.

to the National and Diocesan Boards...Itwas an evening I will remember and holddear,� said Mrs. Katos.

She was presented with an icon anda bouquet of red roses by KassandraRomas, who represented NationalPhiloptochos President Eve Condakes.

Mrs. Sonia Kasapis is St. DemetriosCathedral/ St. Catherine Philoptochoschapter president.

At the 34th Biennial Clergy-Laity Con-gress, the Archdiocesan Council and the La-dies Philoptochos Society had committedmuch time, talent and effort to approve a reso-lution of the matters pertaining to a restitu-tion of monies which had victimized us all.

His Eminence Archbishop Spyridonproceeded in this endeavor along with theNational Philoptochos Executive Board withlove, care and compassion according to theOrthodox tradition. We are happy to an-nounce that as provided in our joint resolu-tion, the Archdiocese has returned $125,000as a just and equitable sharing of the court-ordered restitution. The Philoptochos Soci-ety is grateful to His Eminence ArchbishopSpyridon for his understanding, guidanceand support to bring about an amiable con-clusion to this complicated matter.

Benefit Planned

RestitutionFunds Received

PHILOPTOCHOS MEMBERS Helen Andrews, Roula Stronski, Anna Tatsas and TinaZoumboulis with Fr. Elias Katre.

EFTHALIA KATOS with Bishop Philotheos of Meloa and other clergy and MetropolitanDiocese Philoptochos members.

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 20

H C / H C R E P O R T

PROFILE:SeminarianPROFILE:

NAME: BRANT PELPHREY

Family: wife, Sharon, both of German-American background.

Hometown and Parish: Austin, Texas;Transfiguration parish.

Age: 51

Graduating Class: 1999, currently work-ing on Master of Theology degree.

Previous education: Ph.D. in theology

Work experience:Currently teach in the Religious Studiesprogram at Hellenic College, and serveas special assistant to HC/HC president.Before becoming Orthodox, for nearly 20years I was a Lutheran pastor, campusminister, and theology professor. I alsotaught philosophy at universities andworked in hospital and inner-city minis-tries, including drug counseling. for 10years we were missionaries in HongKong, where our three children grew up.In Hong Kong, where we spoke Can-tonese, I taught seminary students frommany different denominations and coun-tries, and Sharon taught Vietnamese refu-gees. Eventually we worked in missionto Buddhists and followers of other reli-gions, including cults, and published aninternational journal on Christian apolo-getics. This work led to dialogue with well-known non-Christian leaders, includingthe Dalai Lama. We hope, by God�s grace,to offer such experiences in service toChrist as Orthodox Christians.

� What prompted you to becomeOrthodox?

We were first introduced to Orthodoxyat the University of Edinburgh, Scotland,more than 25 years ago. My teacher wasJohn Zizioulas, whom everyone knows nowas Metropolitan John of Pergamon.

� Who influenced you the most toaspire to the priesthood? When we be-came Orthodox at Holy Transfiguration,our priest, Fr. Nick Triantafilou, urged meto attend Holy Cross.

� What are your favorite courses?Learning about the Desert Fathers re-

directed our lives. As a result, I still enjoyreading the great Orthodox ascetics mostof all. I have appreciated all my studies atHoly Cross, although most interesting forme were a course in Canon Law; and thehistory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Ibelieve we should know more about ourgreat traditions and history

� Who is your favorite saint? Why?My favorite saint is Seraphim of

Sarov, whose example of asceticism, hu-mility and prayer I always try to remem-ber. Other special spiritual teachers areAmma Syncletica, St. Macarios the Great,and the Prophet Daniel, who perseveredin serving God in a foreign country andunder the most difficult circumstances.

� How can the Church best reachthe youth and unchurched?

Today we are living in the most excit-ing period of Orthodox mission since thetime of the Apostles. In this time of instantworldwide communication, Orthodoxy isattracting attention as the �original� Chris-tianity. This is especially important becausein America all nations and world religionshave come together in one place. This givesus an opportunity which the world hasnever known before. I believe that ouryoung people need to be involved in Or-thodox outreach to the poor, the sick, andthe spiritually hungry people of the world.For this to happen, Orthodox monasticinstitutions will need to play an integralpart. Above all, we must focus our atten-tion not on ourselves, but on Christ andhis calling on us to live holy and peacefullives, in obedience to Him.

by Fr. George Dion Dragas

Professor Stavridis Discusses Two Patriarchs at Annual Memorial Lecture

BROOKLINE, Mass.� For a number of years,Holy Cross School of The-ology has participated in aconsortium known as the

Russian BTI Student SpeaksGlowingly of Theology School

by Jim Golding

BROOKLINE, Mass. � Professor BasilStavrides of the Theological School of Halkidelivered the 1999 Patriarch AthenagorasMemorial Lecture on March 21 in the pres-ence of Archbishop Spyridon, school Presi-dent Fr. Damaskinos Ganas, and a selectaudience of professors and students fromHoly Cross and other schools of the BostonTheological Institute. His subject was �TwoEcumenical Patriarchs from America:Meletios IV Metaxakis (1921-1923) andAthenagoras Spyrou (1948-1972).�

Professor Stavridis� lecture was dividedinto three parts, which dealt respectively,with the biographies of each one of the twoPatriarchs and with a comparison of theirecclesiastical careers. Patriarch Meletios� bi-ography moved from Crete, where he wasborn (1871), to Jerusalem, where he did hisfirst studies (1889), to Antioch, where he

was ordained deacon (1892), back to Jerusa-lem (1899), where he was ordained priest,to Constantinople (1908), to Cyprus, wherehe became Metropolitan of Kition (1910),to Greece, where he became Metropolitanof Athens (1918), to the United States(1918), back to Greece (1919), back to theU.S. (1921), to Constantinople where hebecame Patriarch (1921) and, finally, to Al-exandria where he became Patriarch (1926)and died there (1935). As Ecumenical Patri-arch, he established the Greek OrthodoxArchdiocese of America and appointed itsfirst Archbishop.

Patriarch Athenagoras moved fromEpirus where he was born (1886), to Halki(1903) where he studied theology and wasordained deacon (1910), to the Metropolisof Pelagonia (today�s FYROM) as archdea-con (1918), to Mount Athos and Athens(1919), to Corfu as metropolitan (1922), toAmerica as archbishop (1931), to Con-stantinople as ecumenical patriarch (1948),where he died (1972).

Both Patriarchs belong to the 20th cen-tury, a period of dramatic events, two worldwars, historic political changes and socialupheaval. Their careers indicate both simi-larities and differences. Patriarch Meletiosascended to the ecumenical throne for a verybrief time, whereas Patriarch Athenagorasserved for many years, yet both of themwere responsible for decisive actions whichleft indelible marks in the life of the GreatChurch of Christ and of Orthodoxy in gen-eral during the century which is drawing toa close.

Professor Stavridis was born in Con-stantinople (Istanbul). He was educated inthe Greek schools in the city and studiedtheology at Halki.

He pursued master of theology studiesat Andover-Newton Theological Seminary inMassachusetts (1948-9) and received a doc-torate from Boston University (1951), writ-ing a thesis on the theology of the Ale-xandrian School.

In 1951 he was appointed professor of

Church history at Halki, a position he hasheld with great distinction to this day.

He also has taught at various theologi-cal schools as visiting professor, includingBalamand (Lebanon), Thessaloniki (Greece),Sydney (Australia). He represented the Ecu-menical Patriarchate at various ecumenicalevents and has been a prolific writer in hisfield.

In 1980 he was awarded first prize fromthe Academy of Athens on his two bookson the Ecumenical Patriarchate, �The His-tory of the Ecumenical Patriarchate from theFall of Constantinople to the present,� and�The Synodical Institution in the Ecumeni-cal Patriarchate.�

Professor Stavridis� lecture at HolyCross was greeted as a special blessing fromthe Mother Church of Constantinople. It willbe published in the 1999 volume of theGreek Orthodox Theological Review. Maysuch visits from the Sacred Center of ourChurch multiply for the benefit of our stu-dents and the Church in America.

Theology, Saint John�s Seminary, Weston Je-suit School of Theology, and Andover New-ton Theological School.

Students from these schools may takecourses for credit at any of the member in-stitutions offering subjects not available atthe school where they are enrolled.

One Boston University student com-pleting her masters in sociology of religionand planning to continue in the Ph.D. pro-gram is Inna Naletova, a 30-year-old nativeof Novosibirsk, Russia. She has been study-ing at BU for 3 1/2 years.

This is her first year as a BTI student atHoly Cross. Ms. Naletova has enrolled intwo courses that she says have helped toexpand her knowledge of the Orthodoxfaith. She has taken courses in patristicsunder Fr. George Dragas, and Church his-tory with Dr. James Skedros, dean of HolyCross/Hellenic College.

Ms. Naletova speaks glowingly aboutthe courses she has been taking at HolyCross and of the school�s environment ingeneral.

�It�s really wonderful,� said Ms.Naletova. �I cannot say that I knew verymuch when I came, but the courses havebeen very helpful. That�s why I�m still here.�

She continued, �I really have a verypositive picture of Holy Cross. At BU, theyare mostly Protestant and Catholic and thereis no one who is Orthodox to supervise methere.�

She especially likes the fact that she canstudy Orthodox tradition in depth and re-ceive a �broad intellectual picture of the tra-

dition within the world.�The Observer found Ms. Naletova

seated at one of the study tables in the newlibrary typing on her laptop computer. Shespends as much time as possible here nearlyevery day. She is hopeful that more materi-als on the Russian church will be made avail-able in the original Russian.

The mother of a 9-year-old daughterwho lives with her in Brookline, Ms.Naletova does not own a car and commutesto the school either by bicycle or on footfrom her apartment located more than amile away. Occasionally students sheknows may give her a ride. She describesher commute as �difficult physically,� butappreciates being in the Holy Cross envi-ronment.

She would like to live on campus if theopportunity ever became available. �I wantto live here,� she said. �I would be very com-fortable with other Orthodox peoplearound.�

It would also enable her to attendchapel, something she is unable to do nowand provide an enriching environment forher daughter.

Ms. Naletova needs at least three moreyears to complete her Ph.D. As to her plansafter that, she is uncertain if she will returnto Russia and to her native city in Siberia,but expressed interest in working inacademia, either teaching history or the so-ciology of religion.

However, in the short term, she plansto continue her studies at Holy Crossthrough BTI next year.

INNA NALETOVA studies hard in the new library.Orthodox Observer

Boston Theological Insti-tute, or BTI, comprised ofthe theology schools ofseveral area universities.These include Harvard Di-vinity School, Boston Uni-versity School of Theology,Episcopal Divinity School,Gordon-Conwell Theo-logical Seminary, BostonCollege Department of

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 21ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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Editor�s note: For the past year, theRev. Charles J. Joanides, Ph.D., has been ex-amining interfaith marriages around theArchdiocese to develop a permanent inter-faith ministry, as well as policies, programsand seminars to more effectively serve thissegment of Greek Orthodox faithful.

Results of Fr. Joanides� research will ap-pear in a series of articles in the Observer.Interfaith couples, clergy, parents, and oth-ers interested in participating in this projectmay provide feedback through the interfaithmarriage web site on the Archdiocese homepage. Forms for submitting information areincluded.

An Orthodox PerspectiveUnderstanding Interfaith Marriagesand Their Challenges

By Fr. Charles Joanides

Because of the diversity that existsamong interfaith marriages across our Arch-diocese, developing a basic understandingof the challenges these individuals andcouples who attend our churches face is noeasy task.

Specifically, interfaith marriages consistof varying combinations. Each spouse mayhave equally strong religious and ethnic con-nections, or perhaps strong religious com-mitments and diverse ethnic ties, or evenshare a similar ethnic background but havedifferent religious affiliations.

For example, couples may consist ofGreek Orthodox and Irish Catholic spouses,or an Asian or Hispanic-Catholic spouse. Stillothers may come from Greek Orthodox andWhite Anglo-Saxon Protestant backgrounds.

The combinations are numerous andvaried when considering religious, ethnic,and dominant cultural variables.

Because of this group�s complexity, oneof the first important tasks is to develop waysto manage the many disparate pieces of in-formation that exist in examining interfaithmarriages.

As the results of this research becameapparent, a theory has emerged to explainthe many differences and challenges thesecouples face. The theory is grounded in Or-thodox theology, human science, and in theirown experiences.

Some important points emerging fromthe study�s 13 focus groups from in six dio-ceses show that because of these couples�religious and ethnic differences, they muststruggle with numerous unique challenges.

These challenges do not simply resultfrom individual spouses� and couples� de-mands, but also derive from their social en-vironment.

Elements of this environment that af-fect an interfaith marriage include the indi-vidual, couple, family, extended family, thefaith community and American culture ingeneral. They each have certain needs, pri-orities and expectations that can sometimesconflict.

Because of their importance, these ele-ments should receive the most attention inattempting to understand these challenges.

Interfaith spouses and couples con-stantly seek to maintain a balance betweenthese factors. If they succeed, their effortswill positively affect their well being. Theconverse is also true.

Anyone wishing to minister to thisgroup will benefit from discerning how thecouple�s religious and cultural differencesrelate to their social environment to createunique challenges.

An illustration from the marital lifecycle� first stage

Couples in the interfaith research

project report that when they first begandating, relations between them were rea-sonably simple and innocent. But thisquickly changed once they became moreserious about one another and eachperson�s needs, priorities and expectationssurfaced.

For example, some respondents saidthey became increasingly concerned abouttheir religious and cultural differences andwondered how these factors might affecttheir marriage.

Many respondents said they questionedhow they could meet their own religious andcultural needs while also respecting thoseof their partner.

Several also noted that, when the mar-riage issue surfaced, they felt pressure fromtheir parents because of certain extendedfamily needs, priorities and expectations.

As one respondent said, �I wanted toplease them (my parents), and meet myneeds, and my spouses needs,... but theykept making me feel guilty because I wasmarrying a non-Greek.�

They also said their respective faiths�conflicting rules presented them with a di-lemma in deciding which Church to holdthe wedding.

For instance, numerous Greek Ortho-dox-Catholic couples pondered the difficul-ties encountered in reconciling conflictingChurch rules with their children�s religiousdevelopment.

To complicate matters further, in dis-cussing dating several participants said thatAmerican cultural norms such as tolerance,acceptance, and respect for differenceserved to confuse them.

One Greek Orthodox respondent�s ob-servations were typical of what many said:�We live in a society that is tolerant of dif-ference, but sometimes I feel caught be-tween what my Church says, and what so-ciety is saying... Society preaches tolerance,acceptance... while my church seems to of-ten be intolerant of outsiders.�

Some resolutions and solutionsIn the face of these and other issues

that surfaced during dating, participants re-ported making a balanced effort to addressthem.

To the extent that they succeeded inaddressing these needs, events prior to andthe day of their wedding were pleasant,memorable and blessed. If their efforts wereunsuccessful, they experienced disappoint-ment and controversy.

Furthermore, if these conflicting issueslingered, they served as irritants that nega-tively affected the well-being of all con-cerned.

A life-long endeavorThe challenges discussed here consider

what interfaith couples encounter during thedating. These challenges do not, however,end when couples finally marry, but merelychange over time.

Furthermore, how well these spousesbalance their needs early in their relation-ship will negatively or positively affect themas couples, as a family and in their religiouspractice.Conclusion

Because this theory and ongoing re-search will be based on Orthodox theologyand the interfaith spouses� and couples� ex-periences, we anticipate that the findings willenable the Church to better understand thechallenges these individuals face, and alsohelp the Church strengthen its ties with thisgrowing segment of its membership.

Interfaith Marriage

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 22

One Sunday morning a priest apolo-gized to his congregation for the bandageon his face. �I was thinking about my ser-mon while shaving and cut my face,� heexplained. Afterwards, the priest found anote in the narthex:

Plan For Tomorrow, But...Enjoy Life Today!

By Fr Nicholas L. Vieron

�Next time, Father, why not think aboutyour face and cut the sermon?�

One reason most churches serve cof-fee after the sermon is to wake people upso they can drive home safely.

With things like that in mind, hereis a brief and to the point�sermonnette.� After all, whatdo you expect from a 73-year-old priest?

In one of the Psalms weread, �Afti i imera in epoiseno Kurios, agalliasometha kaieufranthomen en afti.� - �Thisis the day which the Lord hathmade, let us rejoice and be gladin it.�

The pioneer motivator, DaleCarnegie, observed �One of the most tragicthings I know about human nature is that allof us tend to put off living. We are all dream-ing of some magical rose garden over the ho-rizon instead of enjoying the roses that areblooming outside our windows today.�

I think the Psalmist had a similar ideain mind.

Someone else wrote: �Today is the dayI have been looking for. All my life has beenspent in preparation for it. Yesterday andtomorrow are faraway nothings - the one afaint memory, the other a vague promise.But this is my day. It offers all that God hasto give, and I am a laggard or a coward if Ifail to make the most of it.�

We cannot afford to spend all our timeregretting the past or day dreaming aboutthe future. If we do, we will miss out on thepresent. Life is too brief and time too pre-cious for us to make that mistake.

Of course, I will make plans for the to-morrows of my life. However, I will enjoythe moment of planning. It may be all I have.

Therefore... today, I will smell the roses.Today, I will take time for others. Today, Iwill thank God. I will remind myself that lifeis worth living... today!

I will �listen� to words given to me bysome old timers. He is some of the things Ihave learned from what I call: �Wisdomfrom the Ages.�

�I�ve learned that if you stay focusedon yourself, you are guaranteed to be mis-erable.�- From one who is 71 year old.

�...envy is the enemy of happiness.� -Age 71

�I�ve learned that right is right even ifnobody is doing it and wrong is wrong evenif everybody is doing it.� - Age 74

�...nothing very bad or very good lastsvery long.� - Age 69

�I�ve learned that as long as I havehealth, older is better than younger.� - Age76.

�I�ve learned that people are in such ahurry to get to the �good life� that they oftenrush right past it.� - Age 72

�I�ve learned that the secret of growingolder gracefully is never to lose your en-

thusiasm for meeting new people andseeing new places.� - Age 75

�I�ve learned that it�s justas important to forget a wrongas it is to remember a kind-ness.� - Age 72

�I�ve learned that I stillhave a lot to learn.� - Age 92.

Of course, these words ofwisdom are applicable to all age

groups.Sometimes, I wish I were young

again to be able to adhere to them. How-ever, I am more grateful for where I am nowbecause... �old age is something you do ifyou�re lucky!� I am more than lucky...I amblessed. - Age 73.

Write to Fr. Nicholas L. Vieron, RCAEpistle editor, Pastor Emeritus of Annuncia-tion Church, 573 N. Highland, Memphis, TN38122 (901) 323-9530

R ETIRED CLERGY

H O L Y S C R I P T U R E R E A D I N G SMAY .......................................................

1 S .............Acts 9:19-31; Jn 15:17-16:22 SUN ..............Acts 9:32-42; Jn 5:1-153 M .................Acts 10:1-16; Jn 6:56-694 T ..................Acts 10:21-33; Jn 7:1-135 W .............Acts 26:1, 12-20; Jn 10:1-96 Th ..............Acts 10:34-43; Jn 8:12-207 F ...........Acts 10:44-11:10; Jn 8:21-308 S ..................Acts 12:1-11; Jn 8:31-429 SUN Acts 11:19-26, 29-30; Jn 4:5-4210 M .............Acts 12:12-17; Jn 8:42-5111 T .........Acts 12:25-13:12; Jn 8:51-5912 W ...............Acts 13:13-24; Jn 6:5-1413 Th ........ Acts 14:20-27; Jn 9:39-10-914 F ..............Acts 15:5-34; Jn 10:17-2815 S ............Acts 15:35-41; Jn 10:27-38

16 SUN ......... Acts 16:16-34; Jn 9:1-3817 M ............ Acts 17:1-15; Jn 11:47-5718 T ........... Acts 17:19-28; Jn 12:19-3619 W .......... Acts 18:22-28; Jn 12:36-4720 Th ............ Acts 1:1-12; Lk. 24:36-5321 F ................. Acts 19:1-8; Jn 14:1-1122 S ............. Acts 20:7-12; Jn 14:10-2123 SUN ............... Acts 20:16-18, 28-3624 M ......... Acts 21:8-14; Jn 14:27-15:725 T ............. Acts 21:26-32; Jn 16:2-1326 W ............ Acts 23:1-11; Jn 16:15-2327 Th ......... Acts 25:13-19; Jn 16:23-3328 F ............. Acts 27-1-44; Jn 17:18-2629 S ............. Acts 28-1-31; Jn 21:15-2530 SUN .. Acts 2:1-11; Jn 7:37-52, 8:1231 M ..............Eph. 5:9-19; Mt 18:10-20

Ordinations

To Priesthood:Deacon Demetrios E. Tonias,

Bishop Philotheos of Meloa- Annuncia-tion, New York, NY - 3/25/99

Assignments:Rev. Economos Prokopios Nikas,

Evangelismos, Philadelphia, PA - 4/1/99V. Rev. Archimandrite Nektarios

Kotrotsos, St. Nicholas, Atlantic City, NJ- 4/1/99

Rev. Economos Nicholas Pastrikos,Kimisis Tis Theotokou, Poughkeepsie,NY - 3/14/99

Rev. Protopresbyter Theoharis G.Theoharis, Annunciation, Fort Myers, FL- 3/15/99

V. Rev. Archimandrite AlexanderKile, St. Demetrios, Union, NJ - 3/15/99

CLERGY UPDATE

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 23ORTHODOX OBSERVER

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THE ORTHODOX OBSERVER�S

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FAX: (212) 774-0239

m i s s i o n sm i s s i o n sThe country of Zimbabwe is situated in

central southern Africa. It is a landlockedcountry with Zambia to the north, Mo-zambique in the east, South Africa in thesouth and Botswana in the west.

Orthodoxy In Zimbabwe

by Raphael Ganda

Before independence in 1980, the coun-try used to be known as Rhodesia. It is amultiracial community of about 12 millionpeople, with the Shona and the Nelebelebeing the two major ethnic groups. It is aChristian country with predominance by theRoman Catholic and the Anglican churches.

The spiritual jurisdiction of the HolyOrthodox Archbishopric of Zimbabwe in-cludes the faithful of Malawi, Mozambique,Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Head-quarters is in Harare, and the Metropolitanis His Eminence Makarios.

The realities of the Orthodox Churchin Zimbabwe are typical ofthe situation in the wholeof Southern Africa. Ortho-doxy was brought primarilyby the Greeks and Cypriotsof the diaspora. There is a verystrong Greek community andthose who are here now are thirdgeneration. Thus, it was inevitable thatthe early clergy who came here wereto serve the liturgical and the spiritual needsof the Greek community, a very well orga-nized, strongly spiritual and active commu-nity.

The Church has catechetical classes, Sun-day School classes, Syndesmos of the Ortho-dox youth, associations for young couples andthe elderly, group meetings for the youth,works of charity, libraries for Orthodox booksor videos, to name but just a few.

As for mission work among the indig-enous peoples, allow me to quote thePauline Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 10verses 12-15: �But how are men to call uponHim in Whom they have not believed? Andhow are they to believe in Him of Whomthey have not heard? And how can menpreach unless they are sent?�

Since the responsibility of our Church isto give evidence of the Kingdom of God, andto continue Christ�s ministry, the former Arch-bishop made great efforts to bring the light ofOrthodoxy to our African brothers and sisters.

He searched for and sought to bring inclergy and monks with the zeal of mission,so as to teach our people the true Faith.

Because the heart of the matter is that Afri-cans in this country are thirsting for Ortho-doxy and, while we linger, other movementsare coming in and leading them astray.

Even though the steps are small so far,the Archbishopric does not cease in planningthe organization and development of mission.

In Harare, the number of African faith-ful is less than 200. This is so partly becausewe are of the belief that more time and muchemphasis should be accorded to catechismso that the nucleus around which the restof the African faithful will gather should bestanding on a firm Orthodox foundation.This small flock is increasing.

In late 1994 and early 1995 we wereblessed with the presence of Sister Nectariafrom Corinth. This tireless missionary did alot of catechism. One group was baptizedduring that period and another one the fol-lowing year when the late Patriarch Par-

thenios graced the countrywith his visit.

One major problem inHarare was that the ser-vices were being held inGreek only, but, fortu-nately, the Divine Liturgyand other services of ourchurch have now beentranslated into the local lan-

guage.And, by the Grace of God,

it might not be long before local people areprepared for service as clergy.

Bulawayo, in Matebeleland, is about450 kilometers from Harare. There, also,much catechetical work is being done. Thereis a community of 400 people who, for years,have been calling themselves Orthodox.They have expressed their desire to be em-braced into the One, Holy, Catholic andApostolic Church.

When they have been adequately pre-pared, this group will form the nucleus ofour mission work there.

The places of worship which exist areas follows: In Harare, the Holy Trinity Ca-thedral; in Bulawayo, the Chapel of St. Johnthe Forerunner; in Gwery-Shurugwi, theChurch of the Annunciation; and in Mutare,the Church of the Dormition of the Theo-tokos. The number of priests serving theChurch of Zimbabwe at the moment is three.

I conclude by requesting your prayersand your support, so that the tiny seed ofmission which has been planted here willgerminate and grow into a strong tree.

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APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 25ORTHODOX OBSERVER

TIRANA, Albania � With encourage-ment of Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana,Durres and All Albania, Diaconia Agapes(�Service of Love�), the Albanian OrthodoxArchdiocese�s social, development andemergency relief office, has successfullyimplemented a $304,344 emergency pro-gram to assist and support refugees arriv-ing from Kosovo.

by Penny Panayiota Deligiannis

Albanian ChurchAssists Refugees

ALEXANDRIA � After two years of re-search and hard work, the renovation of thepatriarchal buildings in Alexandria and Cairohas begun. Petros VII, Pope and Patriarch ofAlexandria and All Africa, spiritual leader ofAll Orthodox Christians of the Dark Conti-nent, leads and oversees all the works.

The building in Alexandria, built ap-proximately in 1840, hosts the famous his-torical Patriarchal Library and Museum, of-fices and rooms of the clergy who live withinthe Patriarchate.

Special teams also have begun work atthe ancient monasteries of St. Savvas in Al-exandria, and St. George in Old Cairo.

The works are proceeding very rapidly,but much needs to be done. The aim is notonly to maintain the buildings, but, to ex-tend and use contemporary equipment.

Specifically, the Patriarchal Museumwill expand to double the space which wasused to this day, so that the treasures thathave been protected for so many centuriescan be shown to the public.

The Patriarchal Library, which has existedfor more than 1,000 years, will cover a largespace of the new building. The ancient andinvaluable manuscripts, codices and rarebook collections will have their proper placeand will be available to scholars.

At a later stage, the restoration andmaintenance of these treasures will follow,in order that the Library of the Patriarchateof Alexandria can be an essential source forreligious and academic research.

Finally, the ground floor will be recon-structed to create the Patriarchal offices, suchas the secretariat, archives, and others.

Buildings in EgyptUnder Renovation

ATHENS (ANA) � Archbishop of Ath-ens and All Greece Christodoulos sharplycriticized the U.S. government April 5 asexercising an autocratic rule in terms ofinternational relations, stressing thatWashington �thinks it has the right to in-tervene and create a new order of things.�

Speaking to an audience at Athens�Evangelismos Hospital, Christodoulos said�freedom without justice is a monstrosityof justice, while justice without truth isalso a monstrosity of justice.�

He also appealed to Yugoslav leaderSlobodan Milosevic to be merciful to thethree U.S. soldiers captured by Belgrade.

In a letter sent to Milosevic on April2, the primate of the Greek Church saidthe three U.S. soldiers were simply �obey-ing the orders of their superiors� andcalled for mercy ahead of the OrthodoxEaster celebrations.

Belgrade had said it was gathering evi-dence with a view to launching criminalproceedings against the three soldiers,who were captured on March 31.

Christodoulos called on Milosevic to�demonstrate the magnanimity of the Or-thodox� to all the �innocent victims of war,regardless of race or religion.�

�Everybody hopes that peace will pre-vail and that the Serbs, ethnic Albanians,Europeans and Americans will all returnto their homes and families,� Christ-odoulos said.

Greece, which has traditional ties withfellow Orthodox Christian Serbia, hascalled for an end to the NATO bombingcampaign against Yugoslavia.

Christodoulos againstIntervention, AsksMercy for U.S. Soldiers BALTIMORE (IOCC) � More than

65,000 refugees in Kosovo aided by In-ternational Orthodox Christian Charities(IOCC) were cut off from vital humanitar-ian assistance due to the military strikesby NATO forces in late March.

�We are deeply concerned for thepeople of Kosovo and the Federal Repub-lic of Yugoslavia,� expressed a worriedConstantine M. Triantafilou, executive di-rector of IOCC. �We continue to do allthat we can to address the needs of inno-cent civilians who have been impacted bythe conflict.�

IOCC staff completed some last-minute distributions of essential food andclothing on April 5-6. The growing con-cern for safety has since forced IOCC towithdraw most of its staff to outlying ar-eas surrounding the Federal Republic ofYugoslavia. IOCC is monitoring the situa-tion very closely and will respond to hu-manitarian needs as they unfold.

�The numbers of people in need of

IOCC Concerned over GrowingNumbers of Refugees in Kosovo

Supported by and working in close co-operation with the ACT (Action by ChurchesTogether) Network of the World Council ofChurches and International Orthodox Chris-tian Charities (IOCC) of North America,Diaconia Agapes realized the implementa-tion of this challenging program.

It established and trained a six-personemergency staff to operate an emergencyprogram from Oct. 1 to March 31.

About 20,500 Kosovo refugees arrivedin Albania and, as winter unfolded, DiaconiaAgapes distributed new winter clothing andboots to 6,270 Kosovo refugee children ona daily basis during the program�s firstphase. (Oct. 1 - Dec 31).

This outreach assisted all Kosovo refu-gee children, ranging between the ages of4-15 years old, who currently live in Alba-nia. Each child received a parcel consistingof a warm winter jacket, a pair of winterboots, socks, trousers, shirt and underwear.

Diaconia Agapes purchased all cloth-ing items and boots from six Albanian sup-pliers and one international supplier.

Working under difficult conditions dueto the lack of security on the roads, theDiaconia Agapes team traveled thousandsof kilometers throughout Albania to reachthe Kosovo refugee children located in suchplaces as Lezha, Shengjin, Lac, Mamurras,Elbasan, Fier, Kavaja, Shkodra, Bajram Curri,Durres, Kukes, Kruma, Tirana, Qerret,Golem, Xhafzotaj, Katund Ri, Rashbull,Shkallnur and Shkozet.

From Jan. 1 - March 31, DiaconiaAgapes distributed new winter clothing andboots purchased from three Albanian sup-pliers to 1,305 Kosovo refugee women inTirana � more than half of all refugeewomen in the city.

In extreme hardship cases, DiaconiaAgapes provided food, beds, blankets, hy-giene products and stoves to Kosovo refu-gee families.

In addition, the Diaconia Agapes teampackaged and distributed 7.5 metric tons ofsecond-hand clothing items provided byChristian Aid of England.

In accordance with the OrthodoxChurch�s policy for social, development andemergency work, all aid was given to peopleregardless of their race or religion.

Penny Panayiota Deligiannis is directorof Diaconia Agapes

our assistance will grow in the days andweeks to come,� said Triantafilou. Initialreports from staff in the region indicatethat the numbers of civilians who are flee-ing the region are increasing by the hour.

IOCC has provided essential aid tovulnerable refugees in the Federal Repub-lic of Yugoslavia, including Kosovo andMontenegro since 1993. The multi-eth-nic staff of IOCC operates from distribu-tion centers in Podgorica, Montenegroand Decani, Kosovo.

To date more than $15 million inemergency aid and development assis-tance programs throughout the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia has been adminis-tered by IOCC in the region.

Tax-deductible contributions in sup-port of IOCC�s humanitarian efforts maybe sent to: IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Bal-timore, MD 21263-0225. Credit card gifts(Visa & MasterCard) may also be madeby calling toll-free at 877-803-IOCC(4622).

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TIRANA, Albania (April 13) � It�s pour-ing down rain, and has been damp and coldthe last few days. I just keep thinking aboutthe refugees and how they endure such con-ditions. Or a more poignant question is howdo the children and infants survive? Obvi-ously, some don�t.

And the Rain Continues...

by Fr. Luke Veronis

MOSCOW (Itar-Tass) - Patriarch AlexyII of Moscow and All Russia, called as anoutrage upon the sacred feelings of Serbianpeople actions by British pilots who writeinscriptions �Happy Easter� on bombs hit-ting Yugoslavia.

He commented as follows on reportsreceived from London on April 3.

�The NATO countries which call them-selves Christians, are far from Christian ide-als. This is a sacrilege,� said Patriarch Alexy.

Patriarch Alexy Outragedat British Pilots� Mockery

Albania Journal

recently gave birth. (The hospitals now callup Faith every time a Kosovar woman givesbirth, and our Church provides clothing andsupplies to the babies and women. They�venow delivered 32 loving care packages.) We,together with our friends and co-missionar-ies Lynette and Nathan Hoppe, have devel-oped a nice relationship with this family.

Anyway, when we took them to theirrefugee camp, which is on the outskirts ofTirana, we discovered that they were housedin an old army barrack together with 117other people. All in one big room. Fifty orso bunk beds lined up side by side. Onehundred and seventeen people in one room- with many children and numerous infants.

The mattresses were old Albanian armymattresses. Just imagine the sanitary condi-tions. They even had the added concern offinding two snakes in the barracks the firstnight. Although the Hoppes offered to keepVioltsa and her family in their home, theypreferred to keep the entire extended fam-ily together. Too many Kosovar families areseparated and then have difficulty findingone another.

And the rain continues...Tonight I visited Violtsa in the hospital

once again. She just returned last night be-cause her 10-day-old Mihal has caught a se-rious cold from the dampness of the camp.She told me that the roof was leaking theselast days, and everything has become sofilthy inside the barracks. Imagine 117people in one room.

Aren�t children always the ones to sufferthe most in any tragedy or war. They are themost helpless. And yet the most innocent.

And the rain continues...

Fr. Veronis heads the Orthodox Chris-tian Mission Center�s efforts in Albania.

Yesterday (April 12), we visited one ofthe main refugee camps in Tirana with Arch-bishop Anastasios. The Orthodox Churchwas delivering several tons of bread andchildren�s milk to the camp. This was onlya small part of the more than 200 metrictons which have been delivered so far byour church to various camps and cities.

What a joy to see aid being delivered,but I must admit that overall the visit de-pressed me. The camp is a city of mud. Justto walk between the 200 tents, one risksslipping upon the slick mud. And the tentshave no floors.

Imagine, sleeping in army tents with 8-15 people inside, and only pieces of card-board boxes as a make-shift floor. As soonas one walks outside, mud covers their shoes.

In addition to such conditions, this refu-gee camp houses approximately 2,000people, and they have only four showers forwomen and four showers for men. Thecamp administration is in the process ofbuilding other showers, but many of thesepeople have already passed two weeks with-out a shower. TWO WEEKS under filthy con-ditions without showers. Mud everywhere;8 to 15 people in a tent.

And the rain continues...I�m not sure if this is the worst situa-

tion. We�ve developed a friendship with oneKosovar family. The parents are Zef andVioltsa, and their sons are Emanuel andMihal. Mihal was two days old when theyfled Kosova. They walked four hours by footacross the border, then caught a bus downto Tirana. Violtsa didn�t eat for two days,and thus didn�t have milk to give Mihal.When they finally arrived in Tirana, theywent straight to the hospital. Mihal was fourdays old by then.

There, my wife Faith met her while de-livering clothing to the Kosovar women who

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 26

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APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 27ORTHODOX OBSERVER

the refugees coming in.� Albania has a popu-lation of about 2 million and an average percapita monthly income of nearly $200.

The organization she directs, and whichis staffed by expatriate and local Albanians,was selected by ACT (Action by ChurchesTogether, the emergency arm of the WorldCouncil of Churches), to channel all aid andspearhead the food distribution program.

Churches throughout the world haveresponded to the WCC�s appeal, sendinghundreds of tons of food, clothing and medi-cal supplies.

Since April 2, nearly 800 Russian-builtIlyushin aircraft carrying 40 tons of food andsupplies each, about a dozen Hercules trans-port planes with 8 tons of cargo flown in bythe Royal Danish Air Force, have deliveredhundreds of metric tons of prepared food,high protein biscuits, milk, woolen blanketsand tents.

�Through the ACT network, we are re-ceiving incredible support, not just fromOrthodox who are helping, but the wholeecumenical family,� said Ms. Deligiannis.She also noted that, the day after Easter, aboat arrived from Bari, Italy, bringing 12,000loaves of bread which Archbishop Ana-stasios helped deliver personally to refugees.

Relief teams transport these items todistribution points in Tirana, Durres, Korca,Pogradec, and Kukes in northern Albania.

�While we are doing this massive fooddistribution,� she said., �we�re making long-term plans to benefit the refugees from

Albanian Orthodox Agency HeadDescribes Latest Relief Efforts

Kosovo and the Albanian host families whohave taken people into their homes. Wehave a lot of work before us, but it�s com-ing together.�

Long-term plans include providingmonthly food parcels of 20 kilos (about 50pounds) to each family.

However, recent attacks along thenorthern border by the Yugoslav army, haveadded an element of danger to relief efforts.�The security situation in the country is de-teriorating,� Ms. Deligiannis told the Ob-server on April 14. �A rocket came into Al-bania from the other side today.�

Along with the ever-present dangerfrom the war, refugees also face peril froma lack of proper shelter and clean water. Ms.Deligiannis said there already have beenoutbreaks of dysentery and cholera, and thatthe situation will worsen in the summer asthe water shortage becomes greater.

But along with keeping everyone fed,Diakonia Agape has set up small refugeesites staffed by Albanian and Kosovar doc-tors, opened small schools, and providessocial services, water sanitation, and tech-nical support.

�We can�t help everyone, but we clearlycan meet the needs of many people,� shesaid. �We definitely feel the prayers of many,many people. It�s clear that we have to havea combination of action and prayers.�

She noted her particular gratificationwhen many of the refugees ask where theassistance is coming from and learn that itis through the efforts of the Orthodox andother Christians.

Monastery Appeals against NATO Aggression

I am writing this appeal while the NATObombers and cruise missiles are spreadingdeath and destruction all around my country.

by Fr. Sava

The following was received from Fr. Savaof the Decani monastery in Kosovo, who hasbeen part of the anti-Milosevic peace missionheaded by Bishop Artemije that has repeatedlygone to Washington in an effort to defuse thecrisis in Kosovo in a manner that protects therights of both Albanians and Serbs.

It is my moral obligation to say that thestatements by the NATO officials that onlymilitary targets are attacked in Yugoslavia arenot true and they are intended to deceivemany peace loving people in the West thattheir air force is in a �humanitarian� action.

From our credible sources we learnedthat several dozens of civilian facilities (in-frastructure, education, telecommunication,environment and traffic facilities) were at-tacked and destroyed by NATO.

Besides, there are more and more ci-vilians who are killed or crippled by NATObombs, including refugees from Bosnia andCroatia.

A refugee camp was hit near Kursumlijaand 10 women and children were killed orwounded at the spot. Several schools havebeen destroyed and many of them damagedso that children cannot go to schools anymore because there is a danger that theymight be killed.

Areas with important cultural and reli-gious monuments are also targeted. Re-cently, the Gracanica monastery area wasattacked.Thank God there was only a slightdamage on the monastery roof but, on theother hand, several family homes wereburned to ashes.

Last night a cruise missile hit the old

town in Djakovica, mostly inhabited by Al-banians, and caused a great fire in whichseveral Albanian houses were destroyed andseveral civilians seriously wounded.

In short, NATO attacks are nothing butbarbarous aggression which affects mostlythe innocent civilian population, both Serband Albanian. Their continuation will notonly break the will of the people of Yugosla-via to live in freedom but will strengthentheir determination to resist �tomahawkdemocracy� which is trying to bring �peace�by crimes against humanity.

Such actions are a shame for Westerndemocracies and the whole world.

Serbian Orthodox Church remains fullyfaithful to the principle that good can neverbe achieved by evil and that the Kosovo cri-sis must be resolved by peaceful and diplo-matic means so that all peoples living herewill be granted full protection of their hu-man rights and freedom.

NATO�s attacks will only make thingsworse. They will definitely destroy the pros-pects of peaceful coexistence and will fur-ther radicalize extremists on both sides. Andfinally, the greatest victims of this criminalpolicy will be innocent civilians.

We have the full moral right to protestagainst these crimes because our Churchhas strongly condemned acts against civil-ians committed both by Serb and Albanianextremists in this conflict and has made greatefforts to achieve a peaceful settlement ofthe crisis. As much as we have committedcriminal acts against innocent civilians andtheir property in the course of the last year,by extremists on both sides, we are equallycondemning these NATO attacks which donot differ at all from what we have seen in

Kosovo so far. In fact there is a danger thatNATO bombing produces far greater hu-manitarian crisis than the one we alreadyhave.

These inconsiderate actions will desta-bilize the Balkans and possibly create a Eu-ropean Vietnam which will obstruct the po-litical and economical progress of Europefor years.

Unfortunately, many people in the Weststill live under the illusion that their super-powerful and precise air force is fightingagainst the FRY military.

The truth is that there are more andmore civilian victims and damage to exclu-sively non-military facilities. Therefore theWestern governments bear great responsi-bility for these criminal acts in front of Godand history.

The ironic statements that the goal ofthis operation is to prevent suffering of ci-vilians are absolutely hypocritical and tragic.

President Clinton speaks sweet wordsto the Serbian people while his bombersmercilessly destroy schools, kinder-gardensand fill the hearts of children with hatredagainst the peoples which they believedwere their friends and supporters of truepeace and democracy.

It is not true that our country is againstthe peaceful solution of the Kosovo conflict.The paper proposed by the Yugoslav del-egation in Paris granted full autonomy toKosovo Albanians and all other nationalcommunities.

Serb proposal:The delegation also said that they were

ready to accept a certain kind of internationalsupervision. What our delegation did notaccept and what no one in this country can

accept is secession of Kosovo and Metohijafrom Serbia and Yugoslavia and occupationby NATO forces. There is not a single coun-try in the world which would accept suchterms.

Therefore the claim by Mr. Clinton andothers that our country is against negotia-tions and peace are not true. The truth isthat we cannot accept disintegration of ourcountry, not even under the threats of NATOmissiles and bombers.

I am always ready to ask for my fellowAlbanian neighbors the same rights whichSerbs and all others in this country have,but neither I nor anyone in our Church canaccept that Kosovo is given into the handsof Albanian extremists who have alreadycleansed 50 percent of Kosovo from Serbsand other non-Albanian ethnic groups, whokill our children in cafes and our farmersworking in fields.

Unfortunately, by openly supporting theAlbanian separatists, NATO is not support-ing suffering civilians on all sides, as it hasso proudly said, but exclusively those ele-ments among both Albanians and Serbs whowant more war and blood.

It is true that Kosovo has many refu-gees and many times we have urged respon-sible on both sides to stop their violenceand let the people go back to their homes.But the West forgets that in Serbia there are600.000 refugees who are now directly en-dangered by NATO bombs.

In the name of God and my fellow Al-banian and Serb neighbors I make a strongappeal to all people of good will to stop thesebarbarous attacks immediately. Peace is notbuilt by deaths of innocent children andpride of the mighty ones.Decani MonasteryDecani, Serbiatel +381 390 61543 38322fax +381 390 61567

from page 1 Editor�s note: Fr. Harakas wrote theoriginally wrote the following as a responseto an editorial in the Hernando Today news-paper in Hernando, Fla.

The Editorial on Thursday, April 1 inHernando Today titled �We can�t allowgenocide in the Balkans� expressed the civi-lized world�s abhorrence for the �ethniccleansing� taking place in Kosovo today.

Responsible citizens can disagree

triarch Pavle, expressed in writing severecondemnation of the national governmentin Belgrade. In that letter the Serbian reli-gious leaders highlighted many humanrights violations by the government andcountered with appeals for peaceful solu-tions to resolve ethnic differences. TheSynod of the Serbian Orthodox Churchcondemned President Milosevic�s war poli-cies and human rights crimes againstSerbians, Croatians and Moslems. TheBosnian war was no longer considered arighteous expression of legitimate nationalgoals but a pogrom. It called for SerbianPresident Slobodan Milosevic�s resignation.In the light of that position Patriarch Pavledid something without precedent: On June14,1992, he led a public demonstration inBelgrade for peace in opposition to theMilosevic government.

In January 1994 Patriarch Pavle issueda statement calling for the end of violencein the former Yugoslavia decrying the suf-fering caused by ethnic violence, �of what-ever kind and by whomever it is used, re-gardless of religion or nation.�

The point is this. Long before the eth-nic cleansing of the Albanian population ofKosovo, the Orthodox Church was officiallyopposed to the Milosevic government�santi-democratic and increasingly extremistnationalist policies.

When Milosevic instigated the ethniccleansing of the Albanian population inKosovo by recalling their autonomous sta-tus, his extremist nationalist policies res-

Conflict in Balkans Not Religious War

by Fr. Stanley S. Harakas

whether ground troops should be sent intothe Yugoslav province, but at least one thingneeds correction in this editorial: the ideathat the tragedy of Kosovo is a religiouswar.

The editorial said �Muslims justify kill-ing in the name of Allah and call it a holywar or jihad. Orthodox white Christians inYugoslavia may not have such a doctrinebut make no mistake about it. They believethey are helping God by ridding the nationsof Muslim Kosovars.�

That is simply incorrect both for theAlbanian Muslim Kosovars and for theOrthodox Christians in Kosovo and morebroadly, for the Serbian Orthodox Church.

The truth is that during the Bosnianwar, religious leaders of all persuasionssupported the struggles of their people togain religious and territorial integrity. Or-thodox clergy, Roman Catholic bishops andMuslim imams were equally involved.

But as long ago as 1992, in mid-May,the Holy Synod of the Serbian OrthodoxChurch, under its octogenerian leader, Pa-

○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ ○

See NOT RELIGIOUS WAR, page 28

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 28

of spiritual decay as the �sin of habit.� Evenhere, however, Christ is Lord over death!Even when our life has been in the processof spiritual decay for a long period of time,even when we, like Lazarus, �stinketh,� wecan nonetheless experience resurrection.

Augustin warns, however, that such aresurrection differs slightly from the previ-ous two incidences in that while Jesus res-urrects Lazarus, the towns-people are ex-horted to �unbind� him!� In other words, inthe case of severe spiritual death that re-sults from the sins of habit, the communityof the church must provide their lovinghands to unbinding those whose sinfulnesshas wrapped their life in the burial cloths ofspiritual decay.

Triodion cycleThis, then, is what the entire 70-day

cycle of the Holy Triodion was attemptingto convey to us. Pre-lent, Great Lent andHoly Week must be understood and expe-rienced as an opportunity for spiritual as-sessment.

This is why the Saturday of Lazarus isplaced in such a special liturgical location.Having determined the degree of our deathand lostness we may then experience theTomb of Pascha as passage from death tolife. The liturgical celebration of our Lord�sPassion must be allowed to lead us in sucha fashion.

We must come in from the cold andwarm ourselves at the spiritual heath of theChurch which is ablaze with Light, Love andLife! If, like the parable of the Ten Virgins, weremain out of this bridal chamber of Christthe cycle of the Pentecostarion, the liturgical

season in which we now find ourselves willonly be experienced as a cold let-down.

Although the season of the Holy Triodionhas concluded let us not think that the resur-rection power of Christ can not reach us. Al-though our Holy Week books have beenplaced on their book shelves and theKoubouklion has been returned to its custom-ary location in our respective church sanctu-aries the epitaphio itself remains on the HolyTable until the Feast of the Ascension.

St. Gregory of Palamas insists that �thechurch is a second Tomb!� As such, Palamasencourages us to �run to this Tomb with zealand devotion.� �He who runs to this Tomb,�insists Palamas, �he who clings to it withlove and recollection will, like the myrrh-bearing women, come to experience theResurrected Lord . . . not only with the eyesof the mind, but with the eyes of the body!�

Unfortunately, like Corey Anderson,many Orthodox Christians are spirituallyfreezing to death in the storms of life. Thetragedy is compounded in that like youngCory, many children of God are freezing inthe Church�s own backyard. Preoccupiedwith rubric rather than Grace, myth ratherthan Gospel, custom rather than Christ, thecontemporary Orthodox Christian runs therisk of attending Holy Week and yet remain-ing lost . . . remaining a victim of the cold.

Let us, then, utilize this 40-day seasonas an opportunity to revisit the warmth ofChrist�s Resurrection for in fact every timewe enter an Orthodox Church we are en-tering the life-bestowing Tomb of Christ!

Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos is director ofthe Archdiocese Department of ReligiousEducation, frfrank@omaccess.com

RELIGIOUS EDUCATIONfrom page 8

CATHOLIC DIALOGUEfrom page 3capacity at our dialogue meeting near Bari,Italy, in 1986. Subsequently at meetings inNew Valamo, Finland and Freising, nearMunich, Germany, we took part in the fullcommission meetings together.

We are able to today to say that the com-mission will, in addition to its private workingsessions, participate in several public events:

� a colorful ecumenical service at the Ba-silica of the Nation Shrine of St. ElizabethAnn Seton, Emmitsburg, on Wednesday,June 9, at 7:30 p.m.

� an Orthodox Doxology at the GreekOrthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation,Baltimore, on Saturday, June 12, at 4:30 p.m.

� a Catholic Eucharistic Celebration here atthe Basilica of the national Shrine of the As-sumption, on Saturday, June 12, at 5:30 p.m.This will be the major Roman Catholic eventof the meeting, and it takes on special im-portance from its gathering in the most his-toric Catholic Church in the nation, theMother Cathedral of our faith family.

� the Divine Liturgy at St. Sophia GreekOrthodox Cathedral, Washington, DC, withArchbishop Spyridon leading the celebrationof the Orthodox Eucharist on Sunday, June13, at 10:00 a.m. In addition to his rolewith the Greek Orthodox Church, he is alsothe chair of the Standing Committee of Or-thodox Bishops of America [sic] (SCOBA) andtherefore the leader in the United States ofthe churches which correspond to the Or-thodox Churches in other nations, such asRussia, Romania, Greece, etc.

We are much encouraged by the state-ment of Pope John Paul II in his ApostolicExhortation following the Synod for America:�... The synod fathers wished to express theirspecial desire �to cooperate in the dialoguealready under way with the OrthodoxChurch, with which e share many elementsof faith, sacramental life and piety.��

In addition, we note, as I said in my ad-dress to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomewof Constantinople on November 30 of lastyear: �...Dialogue between our Churches hasfound in the Joint Commission an appropri-ate instrument to address the disagreementsthat still exist. However, actual relations areproving more extensive and diversified. Theyprovide for reciprocal participation in particu-lar events in the life of our Churches, such ascertain celebrations, liturgies, ecclesial assem-blies and discussions. Nor are they limitedto official relations alone. Real, ongoing con-tact has been established between the cul-tural institutions of our Churches. Historicaland theological research, academic meetings,common pastoral concerns... put the profes-sors and pastors of our Churches into evermore frequent contact.�

I invite all of our people and our friendsof other Christian Churches and faith fami-lies to pray that in our meeting we find waysto demonstrate growing mutual understand-ing and ways to witness in common to ourfaith in Jesus Christ and to work in commonto combat the forces of evil in our world,that truth and justice and peace, God�s giftsall, might prevail.His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon:

I am very pleased to be here today withmy good friend William Cardinal Keeler whohas been at the forefront of Roman Catholicefforts to intensify the dialogue betweenRome and Constantinople. His hospitalityis always gracious, reflecting the call of theGospel to show brotherly love to those whoprofess faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Heheeds a difficult call in this difficult time,which the Apostle Paul makes for us to �rea-son together.� My brother in the Lord ex-ceeds mere human reason in prayer andpraise of our common points of understand-ing and agreement.

The Cardinal and I have shared the com-plex process of dialogue and discussion innumerous times and places. He and I have,I believe, gained an understanding of theprocess through our personal exchange. Itis an exchange that I cherish and in which I

believe we shall discover more positive ex-pressions of our love for the Lord.

On June 7th, the members of the Inter-national Joint Commission for TheologicalDialogue will engage one another for thefirst time in the Western Hemisphere. Thisis itself a major step in broadening the scopeof our dialogue. The United States has beenat the forefront of the Ecumenical movementas the world�s preeminent multicultural so-ciety. The strides that we, as Americans,have made toward respect and understand-ing between different faith groups and cul-tures, as well as the friction that we haveuncovered, form the basis for a lasting dis-course within our complex and evolvingculture. It is fitting then, that we should an-nounce the dialogue between OrthodoxChristianity and Roman Catholicism at thisglorious Basilica of the Assumption. Thishistoric structure stands as a beacon ofmemory for all those who came to theseshores in search of religious freedoms.

With the International Joint Commis-sion for Theological Dialogue coming to St.Mary�s College and Seminary, the dialogueof East and West comes for the first time, tothe shores of our beloved nation, whoseprinciples are founded upon the ideals offreedom and liberty.

In the light of our hard won individualand religious freedoms, as well as thestruggle for racial and ethnic equality, wemust not forget the sad fact that religiousand ethnic conflicts continue to fuel the firesof death and destruction in the world. Weannounce our dialogue in the shadow of vio-lence and death in Kosovo and Yugoslavia.We cannot allow the images of violence bothnow, nor those that preceded this terribleaction, to diminish the examples of faith andcommitment that our previous dialogueshave provided and continue to provide forus and for others.

Sadly, Kosovo is the latest example ofescalating violence that the lack of a con-structive dialogue occasions in the presenceof diverse cultures and complex histories.At the close of a complex and violent cen-tury, we have much of which to be proud,but also, so very much for which we mustseek understanding and forgiveness fromone another. It is my fervent prayer that thedestruction in Kosovo and the region sur-rounding it will end. I hope that peacefuldiscourse and understanding may lead torespect and open dialogue.

The history of Constantinople andRome is filled with examples of what not todo between two great traditions in conflict.In the contemporary era, we seek to movebeyond these bitter memories toward a newunderstanding and respect. We haveachieved very much in this regard. I am con-fident that we shall achieve very much more.His All Holiness, Ecumenical PatriarchBartholomew and His Holiness Pope JohnPaul II have committed themselves to a dia-logue of openness and honesty. They haveacknowledged the disagreements we stillface as well as the deep font of our com-mon heritage of faith and doctrine. ComeJune, let us continue in what His All Holi-ness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew hascalled the �communion of love.�

I want to thank my brother HierarchWilliam Cardinal Keeler for his witness ofChrist in love that he has shown through hishospitality today, as he has so many timesbefore. And I too join in his invitation to ourfaithful as well to other Christian Churchesto pray for us and for our common witnessto a unity of faith in our Lord and Savior JesusChrist. Let us allow ourselves to glimpse thepossibility in the fullness of time and whenthe Lord deigns to reveal to us the moment,when we might be graced again, East andWest, in sharing the common cup of His pre-cious Body and Blood. Until that day, we seekTruth by God revealed, justice by the Lordordained, and the love of God enfleshed inJesus Christ. May the glory of the Holy Spiritin which all creation shares guide us in thedeliberations to come.

Pantelis and sister Niki. A graduate of GlenFalls High School, he attended Colgate Uni-versity, where he was awarded the presti-gious Colgate War Memorial Scholarshipand graduated cum laude with a BA in 1975,majoring in French Literature and ClassicalStudies.

He enrolled at Holy Cross Greek Or-thodox School of Theology, Brookline,Mass., and graduated as class valedictorianin 1978.

He then pursued post graduate studiesat the University of Athens. Upon his return,he worked in public health for 10 years in Den-ver, and was active in the life of AssumptionCathedral before becoming assistant to the lateBishop Philip of Daphnousia in 1983 who wasserving as locum tenens of the Diocese.

In 1990 he was named as administrativeassistant to Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh. Hewas ordained to the diaconate on July 6,1991at Annunciation Church, in McKeesport, Pa.,

and to the priesthood on July 13, 1991 at As-sumption Cathedral, Denver, at which timehe was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite.He served as Pittsburgh Diocese chancellorfrom 1991-95 and Detroit Diocese chancellorfrom 1996-97, before being assigned to HolyCross Church, Brooklyn.

Bishop Nicholas also has served theChurch in several capacities as: a memberof the Archdiocesan Council; the Board ofSt. Michael�s Home for the Aged; the Arch-diocese Stewardship Commission; spiritualadvisor to the Metropolitan Philoptochosand the Archdiocesan Spiritual Court.

During his ministry at Holy CrossChurch he initiated several programs includ-ing the Fair Share Stewardship, inquiry classfor parishioners and engaged couples and achildren�s Liturgical Choir of the Dimitriosand Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School.

The Diocese of Detroit includes 47 par-ishes in Michigan, Arkansas, Indiana, Ken-tucky, New York, Ohio and Tennessee.

ENTHRONEMENTSfrom page 1

urrected the until then negligible extremistAlbanian nationalist sentiments. The influ-ence of the Kosovo Liberation Army wasfueled by Milosevic�s policies and the sud-den availability of large amounts of weap-ons following the looting of military sup-plies in Albania. Armed insurrection fol-lowed and the worst of nationalist extrem-ism appeared on the scene.

Where was the Orthodox Church inthis? With only 10 percent of the Kosovopopulation Orthodox, the monasteries inKosovo were and continue to be islands ofgood sense for both Orthodox Serb andMuslims in Kosovo. (Full information isavailable on the Decani Monastery site:http://www.decani.yunet.com; http://www.egroups.com/list/decani/).

In January 1998 Pavle protested a gov-ernment crackdown on Albanian studentsin Kosovo, One independent news agency

reported that Patriarch Pavle �said the po-lice not only �broke the rules [regulatingpeaceful protest] but besmirched the honorof the country where we live.� He calledfor an Albanian-Serbian dialogue and forcompromise. Pavle said the Albanians, fortheir part, should recognize that Serbia istheir country and not equate Serbia withthe current regime.�

These are only illustrations of theChurch�s anti-government and pro-democ-racy stance against the extremist Milosevicpolicies. These are the sources of theKosovo tragedy. Neither have the Muslimleaders proclaimed the Albanian insurgencya jihad, nor has the Orthodox Church backedMilosevic. The war in Kosovo is not a reli-gious war. It is the fruit of extreme national-ism on both sides, largely provoked byMilosevic�s communist/socialist anti-demo-cratic extreme nationalist policies.

Rev. Dr. Harakas is emeritus professor of Ortho-dox Christian ethics at Holy Cross School of Theology.

NOT RELIGIOUS WARfrom page 27

APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 29ORTHODOX OBSERVER

challengeYouth Ministry

Email: youthoffice@goarch.org

SAINTS AND FEASTSSt. George � April 23

St. George was a Christian warriorfrom Syria who captured the imaginationof many. Many myths and folklore sur-round the life of St. George. Legend uponlegend grossly exaggerate the stories ofhis life and it is sometimes difficult todistinguish between what is fact or fic-tion.

St. George lived during the reign ofthe Roman Emperor Diocletian in the latethird and earth fourth centuries. He wasa soldier in the imperial army, making areputation for himself as a fearless of-ficer and highly respected leader of men.When the Emperor Diocletian began aterrible persecution of Christians, St.George came before him and boldly con-fessed that he was a Christian. He re-signed his commission in the army ashe refused to participate in any of thepagan rituals.

The emperor had St. George arrestedand sent to prison where he was beaten andtortured. In the face of these tortures, St.George remained steadfast in his faith andprayed to God unceasingly who healed himand protected. Because he appeared to havebeen kept safe from such terrible torture,he attracted many people to faith in Christ.

Even the Empress Alexandra came tobelieve and confessed her faith in Christ infront of her husband, Diocletian. Finally,in 303 AD, the emperor commanded thatSt. George be beheaded.

By his example, St. George persuadedmany Christians to hold fast in the faith.The fortitude of this warrior saint inspiredthose who came after him as he came tosymbolize the struggle against paganism.His courage has become an example to allas he has come to be known as the �Victo-rious Great Martyr.�

OCF is the Orthodox Church commu-nity on college and university campuses. Theorganization provides a caring environment forthe life and growth of Orthodox Christians stu-dents and also maintains an effective witnessto Christ and the Church on campus.

OCF is not a substitute for Church, buta place to go between times of Church at-tendance. It is also a group to help makeChurch more meaningful.

OCF is simply a manifestation of theChurch on campus. To learn more aboutOCF, contact your local priest, your Dio-cese Youth Director, or call the NationalYouth Office at 212-570-3560.

Also, to place your name on the Na-tional OCF Mailing List, send name, addressand e-mail to youthoffice@goarch.org.Monthly and weekly information for eventsand ideas will be sent to you, so that youstay connected.

Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF)For College Students

Clearwater Conference: Basketball/Volley-ball Tournament May 27-31, 1999 -Clearwater Beach, FLDetails: James Lampathakis at (727) 736-2000 17th Annual Greek Archdiocesan YoungAdult Conference July 1 - 5, 1999Five Star Arizona Biltmore resort and Spa,Phoenix, AZ Details: Website: www.goaldsf.orgor for a registration packet, send your nameand address to:Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox CathedralAttn: 1999 YAL Conference1973 East Maryland AvenuePhoenix, AZ 85016

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FROM THE CHURCHFATHERS TO US

�An important part of a child�s educa-tion is story-telling, since good stories ex-cite the imagination and strengthen the bondbetween parent and child. Stories from theBible are preferred, and the child shouldrepeat them often, to underscore full com-prehension.� - St. John Chrysostom

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DIOCESE OF CHICAGOCAMP FANARI - Williamsbay, WI June 20-266th-11th Grades Fr. William Chiganos at (708)562- 2744ST. MARY�S CAMP - McGregor, MN June 13-19 3rd-12th Grades Doria Saros at (612) 825-9595

DIOCESE OF DENVERCAMP EMMANUEL: ORTHODOX CHRISTIANYOUTH CAMP - Estes Park, CO July 18-24 11-18 Father Mark Leondis at (303) 333-7794 oremail at Fr. Marko@aol.comEASTERN ORTHODOX YOUTH CAMP - Kan-sas City, MO July 25-31 12-18 Stacie Sampsonat (816) 942-9100

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DIOCESE OF PITTSBURGHCAMP NAZARETH - Mercer, PA June 20-26June 27 - July 3 July 4-10 July 11-17 8-12 8-1212-18 12-18 Diocese Youth Office at (412)621-8543 or Presvytera Lia Christulides at(412) 561-7264

DIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCOALL SAINTS CENTER - Raft Island, WA July 11-24 2nd-9th Grade Emily John at (206) 542-2718ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL CAMP MikeCounelis at (415) 864-8815ASCENSION CATHEDRAL CAMP - Ravencliff,CAJune 19-27 8-15 Dave Holland or TomBanis at (510) 531-3400CAMP ANGELOS YOUTH CAMP - Portland,OR August 15-20 9 -15 George Psihogios at(503) 234-0468ST. NICHOLAS RANCH AND RETREAT CEN-TER - Dunlap, CA July 10-31 7-17 Bill Tragusat (559) 338-1152SAINT SOPHIA CAMP - San Bernadino Na-tional Forest July 17 - August 14 7-17 Fr. JohnS. Bakas at (323) 737-2424

1999 Summer CampsThroughout the Archdiocese

ChallengeChallengeChallengeChallengeChallenge is the youth supplement to theOrthodox Observer a service of

the Department of Youth & Young AdultMinistries.

Contributors for this issueFr. Anastasios Bourantas,

Natalie Kulukundis

Articles reflect the opinion of the writers.Write to: Youth & Young Adult Ministries,Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; 8East 79th Street,New York, N.Y. 10021

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Challenging Crossword Puzzle

DOWN1. Jesus laid here in the rock 2.Roman

Governor who granted Jesus� body to #8across 3. Hebrew name for the pool bythe Sheep Gate 4. & 5. Two of the womenwho came to anoint Jesus� with spices 6.The pool where the blind man washed hiseyes 7. & 9. �God is spirit, and those whoworship Him must worship in an .�8. The place where Jesus met a womanseeking the water of everlasting life 10.Jesus� greeting to the disciples after HisResurrection 11. They questioned Jesus�healing of the blind man 12. Blind, lameand people waited by the pool for thehealing powers of the stirring waters.13.�While I was with them in the world, Ikept them in Your name. Those whom yougave me I have kept; and none of them islost except the son of , that the scrip-ture might be fulfilled.� 14. Cloth thatJesus� body was wrapped in.

ACROSS1. Disciple called the Twin 2. The day

that Jesus healed the blind man�s sight 3.The woman Jesus met at #8 down wasfrom this city 4. �Who will roll away the(pl) from the door of the tomb for us?� 5.& 6. �If you the sins of any, they areforgiven; if you the sins of any, theyare retained.� 7. The day before the Sab-bath 8. After the crucifixion, he buries Jesus9. Jesus anointed the eyes of the blindman with this 10. Jesus said to him, � ,take up your bed and walk� 11. �But thewater that I shall give him will become inhim a of water spring up into everlast-ing life.� 12. & 13. Declaration of St. Tho-mas -�My and my .�

Answers were taken from the Orthodox Study Bible,New King James Version. Answers can be found inthe Gospel readings from the six Sundays after Easterwhich are as follows: John 20:19-31 Mark 15:43-16:8John 5:1-15 John 4:5-42 John 9:1-38 John 17:1-13

ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 30 newsDIOCESE

NAPLES, Fla. �Seven years since re-ceiving its charter, St. Katherine parish brokeground for a new church on March 20.

Bishop Alexios of Atlanta officiated atthe ground breaking ceremony.

The new building is designed in a 6th

century-inspired Byzantine tradition.Fr. William Keyes, pastor and veteran

church builder (Bridgeport and Orange,Conn.) noted: �we have been blessed witha wonderful parish and individuals of vision,led by Parish Council president and fund-raising chairman Harry Demas and Build-ing Committee Chairman Andy Eliopoulos.Together with our architects, Christ J.Kamages, AIA and Dean Dovolis, AIA ofEKONA �DJR Architecture + Planning of SanFrancisco and Minneapolis, we have accom-plished remarkable results in record time.�Mr. Demas reflects, �we have a dedicated,experienced priest who has set the pace,combined with parishioners who have pro-vided leadership through their wisdom, gen-erosity and actions: Ted Demetrio provid-ing invaluable guidance in fundraising; AndyEliopoulos, a professional engineer and aseasoned building committee chairman onour current and previous projects and agreat, giving Parish Council and BuildingCommittee, working with our talented Ar-chitectural and Building Team to provide anextraordinary Orthodox Landmark.�

The design received approval and praisefrom Archbishop Spyridon last August.

Florida ParishBreaks Groundfor New Church

SEATTLE � Cappella Romana, directedby Greek-American Dr. Alexander Lingas, ispart of the music ministry of the Diocese ofSan Francisco.

Founded in 1991, Cappella Romana is avocal chamber ensemble dedicated to com-bining passion with scholarship in its con-tinuing exploration of the musical traditionsof the Christian West and East, with empha-sis on early and contemporary music.

Its name is derived from the medievalconcept of the Roman oikoumene (inhab-ited world), which included not only �Old�Rome and Western Europe but also �NewRome� (Constantinople) and its common-wealth of Slavic and Syriac countries.

Flexible in size according to the de-mands of the repertory, Cappella Romanaconsists of some of the finest professionalsingers in the Pacific Northwest.

The ensemble has a special commit-ment to mastering the difficult Slavic andByzantine repertories in their original lan-guages, thereby making accessible to thegeneral public two great musical traditionsthat are little-known in the West.

Leading scholars have supplied thegroup with their latest discoveries, while itsmusic director has prepared a number ofthe ensemble�s performing editions fromoriginal sources. In the field of contempo-rary music, Cappella Romana has taken aleading role in presenting West Coast audi-ences with the works of such European com-posers as Ivan Moody, Michael Adamis,Arvo Port, and John Tavener, as well as pro-moting the works of North Americans.

The ensemble has also been honoredby a 90-minute broadcast distributed nation-wide by Public Radio International.

Dr. Lingas is presently British AcademyPostdoctoral Research Fellow at OxfordUniversity�s St. Peter�s College and a Visit-ing Fellow at its European Humanities Re-search Centre.

He has spoken on BBC Radio 3 and lec-tured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art inNew York, while scholarly articles by himhave been published in London, Rome, andSt. Petersburg, Russia.

His upcoming academic projects in-clude books on Sunday Matins in the Rite ofHagia Sophia and Byzantine experiments inpolyphony for Harwood Academic Publish-ers, as well as further study with LycourgosAngelopoulos during the summer of 1999on a grant from the Onassis Foundation.

For further information, call (206) 523-6100 in Seattle; (503) 236-8202 in Portland.

Email: alexander.lingas@music.ox.ac.uk;mpowell@scn.org Internet: www.scn.org/~mpowell/cr

Cappella Romana�s next concerts cel-ebrate the feast of Pascha with joyous mu-sic from Baroque Russia and Ukraine.

The Cappella�s new recording of mu-sic by Greek-American liturgical composerDr Tikey Zes, professor emeritus of San JoseState University in composition, will be re-leased at this series of concerts as well.

Cappella RomanaExplores ChurchMusic Traditions

TIBURON, Calif. � The American Inter-national Youth Exchange Program seeksAmerican host families for 25 students fromhigh schools in from France, Germany, Bel-gium, Spain, Denmark and other foreigncountries for the coming school year.

Students will arrive in the United Statesin late August, attend the local school andreturn home in late June next year. The stu-dents, all fluent in English, have beenscreened by their school counselors in theirhome country and will receive medical in-surance and spending money.

The AIYSEP is a non-profit high schoolforeign exchange program in the UnitedStates, Europe, and other parts of the world.AIYSEP believes a greater international un-derstanding is accomplished among peopleand countries through cultural and home stayprograms. It offers qualified students a chanceto spend a summer, semester or school yearwith a host family in America or abroad.

American families with small childrenare welcome to participate in the program.All families hosting a student for the year candeduct $50 a month for income tax purposes.

AIYSEP is also seeking American highschool students, ages 15-19, who wouldlike to spend a high school semester or yearwith a European family or to participate ina four- or six-week family stay abroad inthe summer.

Interested students and families areasked to contact the AIYSEP InternationalHeadquarters: Office of the Director, 200Round Hill Road, Tiburon, CA 94920; 1-800-347-7575.

International Headquarters: Office ofthe Director, 200 Round Hill Road, Tiburon,CA 94920; 1-800-347-7575.

Students, HostFamilies Soughtfor Program

BOCA RATON, Fla.�St. Mark Churchwelcomed Archbishop Iakovos on March 14for the dedication of the �Tower of Faith�bell tower in his honor, after years of plan-ning and months of construction.

The Sunday morning event began withthe Divine Liturgy. The dedication servicefollowed a procession to the base of thenewly constructed tower. An agiasmo ser-vice was conducted by Archbishop Iakovos,assisted by Frs. James Gavrilos, GregoryChampion, George Mamangakis, DeanTimothy Andrews (founding priest of St.Mark) and Constantine Theodore, accom-panied by the St. Mark Choir.

As the dedication concluded, the firstringing of the carillon filled the air. A com-memorative Lenten luncheon followed theceremony, with proceeds to benefit the Or-thodox Christian Mission Center for thebenefit of Mission seminarian scholarshipsat Holy Cross Seminary.

The 94-foot Tower of Faith is the finalelement of the original plans for the St. Marksanctuary, created and approved in 1990 un-der the guidance of then pastor Fr. FrankMarangos.

In 1990, Mr. and Mrs. Louis and HelenNicozisis offered to donate the Tower ofFaith in recognition of Archbishop Iakovosfor his many decades of service and dedica-

�Tower of Faith� Dedicated at St. Mark Churchtion to the Greek Orthodox Church in Northand South America.

The foundation and base of the BellTower were built as part of the initial phaseof the sanctuary building project at St. Markin 1995. Construction began on the exten-sion of the Bell Tower in October 1998.

Fr. James Gavrilos, pastor of St. Mark,commented on what the Tower of Faithmeans to the community: �The dedicationof the Tower of Faith brings the exteriorphase of construction to a magnificent con-clusion. The bells add a distinctive elementto our worship just as the Tower of Faithadds a distinctive touch to the skyline ofBoca Raton. This wonderful community of650 families plays a unique role in the reli-gious life of South Palm Beach County, andits presence is now felt architecturally as wellas spiritually and culturally. It is entirely ap-propriate that this Bell Tower is named af-ter His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos. TheTower will dominate the St. Mark campus,just as Archbishop Iakovos towered over theChristian world during his 37-year tenureas leader of America�s 1.5 million GreekOrthodox Christians.�

Fr. Gavrilos and the parish council or-ganized the dedication weekend. For moreinformation, please call St. Mark Greek Or-thodox Church at (561) 994-4822.

PALOS HILLS, Ill.�Sts. Constantineand Helen Church, second oldest GreekOrthodox parish in the Chicago area andone of the largest in the country, celebratesits 90th anniversary May 20-23.

The occasion will be marked by a se-ries of religious and social events plannedaround the feast day of the church�s pa-tron saints.

From its humble beginnings in a rentedhall, through four church buildings in threelocations, the faith and unity of this vibrantcommunity have been strengthened by thehurdles it rallied to overcome. Destructionof the first church by fire, bankruptcy ofthe second church, relocation, rebuilding,fundraising, and years of borrowed churchand school facilities have influenced thechurch�s evolution into a community hubwith religious, educational, cultural, ath-letic, social and service programs that bringtogether parishioners of all ages.

Originally a branch of Holy TrinityChurch, which lacked the capacity to servethe volume of the South Side�s very rap-idly growing Greek Community in the early1900s, the makeshift-church members es-tablished an independent parish in 1909.Members dedicated it to St. Constantine,the Roman emperor who gave Christians

Illinois Church to Celebrate 90th

the right to practice their religion openlyand whose first Ecumenical Council drewup the Nicene Creed that is still the basicdoctrine of most Christian churches, andto St. Helen, Constantine�s mother, who ishonored for finding relics of the true Crossof the Crucifixion in Jerusalem.

Fr. Byron Stylianos Papanikolaou,Protopresbyter, has served the communityfor the past 39 years. He is assisted by Fr.Nicholas Jonas.

To commemorate the 90th Anniversary,three special religious services are planned.On Thursday, May 20, a Vespers servicefor the Feast Day of Sts. Constantine andHelen will be celebrated, followed by a re-ception for approximately 1,000 peopleincluding priests from Chicago area Ortho-dox churches.

A Divine Liturgy for the feast day willbe held on Friday morning, May 21, fol-lowed by a luncheon.

Highlighting the social festivities willbe the gala dinner celebration on May 22at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley Park.Tickets are $90 each. Advance prepaid res-ervations are required by April 30. Call(708) 974-3400 for information.

Sunday Divine Liturgy will culminatethe anniversary activities.

ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS and Fr. Gavrilos proceed from the Divine Liturgy to the bell towerdedication service.

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APRIL 20, 1999 PAGE 31ORTHODOX OBSERVER

ORTHODOX POLICE FETEHis Eminence and other dignitaries recently attended the annual St. Paul�s SocietyCommunion Breakfast held at the Crystal Palace in Astoria, NY. Members of theorganization are New York City police officers of Orthodox Christian background. Withthe Archbishop are Detective John Grizopoulos, president; John Catsimatidis, who wasnamed the Society�s �Man of the Year;� the Very Rev. Evangelos Kourounis, spiritualadvisor; and local television meteorologist Nick Gregory.

D. Panagos

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. � Holy TrinityChurch�s choir recently hosted the Arch-diocesan District Choir Federation annualconference was hosted at the parish.

The Federation is comprised of choirswithin the Archdiocese District that includesNew York City, Long Island,Upstate, West-ern Connecticut and Washington, D.C.

George Manos, Federation presidentwho directs the host church choir, directedthe liturgy.

Leah Pappas-Caviris of New York di-rected Heretismi Services.

According to information from Fr.Demetrios Recachinas, pastor, activities in-cluded rehearsals with the combined Choir,Federation meeting, election of officers anda banquet.

Rose Gaches, a life-long member ofHoly Trinity Choir, was voted as the choirmember of the year. She was presentedmedal.

Fr. Recachinas read the following mes-sage from Archbishop Spyridon to all choirmembers at the liturgy.

�As I have said many times before, inthe Orthodox Tradition, worship is the coreof our Christian life. This is why, as Arch-bishop, of primary concern to me is the li-turgical life of our parish communities. Sinceevery aspect of our Church life should re-volve around the Eucharist, the goal of mak-ing the liturgical experience as beautiful aspossible is worth every effort.

�I am deeply grateful for the tirelesscommitment of each and every choir mem-ber across this great nation. Your dedica-tion is without boundaries and your love forthe church is evident to those who hear you.I am thankful to the Almighty that I havesuch faithful servants of the Lord in this Arch-diocese.�

Choir Federation ConferenceHeld in Connecticut

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla.�The odysseanjourney across the Atlantic came to an endon June 26, 1768, when Scottish doctorAndrew Turnbull�s eight ships carrying 300Greeks, 900 Minorcans and a few dozenCorsicans and Italians, landed in St. Augus-tine for food supplies and other provisionsfor the ill-fated New Smyrna Colony inFlorida.

The Greeks were from Smyrna (AsiaMinor), Mani (Peloponessos), and the is-lands of Santorini and Crete.

The 231st anniversary of this historiclanding will be commemorated June 26-27weekend at the St. Photios Greek OrthodoxNational Shrine, located on the nation�s old-est street, 41 St. George St., and oldest city.

The Archdiocese purchased the St.Photios National Shrine (originally the AveroHouse built in 1749) in 1966. Upon beingfully restored, the Shrine was dedicated Feb.27, 1982.

With the demise of the New SmyrnaColony in fall 1777, the remaining 300Minorcans and 95 Greeks received theirfreedom from the British governor, PatrickTonyn, who gave the surviving colonists theAvero House at 41 St. George St. for fellow-ship and worship.

The Greek Landing Day anniversary willbegin with the official opening ceremony atnoon in the Shrine�s Constantine SistersCourtyard.

A memorial service will be conductedand Mayor Len Weeks of St. Augustine willoffer greetings and read a Proclamation.

Following the service, various Greekfolk dance groups wearing authentic cos-tumes will perform. Greek food and past-ries will be available at the Shrine Court-yard on Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. andSunday, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.. Greek folk danc-ers will also be featured on Sunday after-noon, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m..

Mike Gaetanos, president of St.Augustine�s Holy Trinity Church parishcouncil, serves as Greek Landing Day Festi-val general chairman. Vasso Poulos, HolyTrinity Church Philoptochos president, isGreek food and pastries chairwoman, andJames Stremanos, Shrine and NationalShrine church supplies manager is coordi-nator. Bishop John of Amorion, out-goingSt. Photios Shrine president, will oversee theGreek Landing Day commemorative album.

Vespers will be conducted at the St.Photios Shrine Chapel at 5 p.m. ., June 26.Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the St.Photios Shrine Chapel on June 27, 10:30a.m. Contact the Shrine Office (904) 829-8205 or Fax (904) 829-8707, for more in-formation.

Greek LandingDay AnniversaryObservance Planned

BETHESDA, Md. � New Jersey Dio-cese clergy, meeting recently with newlyelected Bishop George, adopted the follow-ing resolution, relative to the tragic happen-ings in Kosovo and Serbia.

�We the Clergy of the Diocese of NewJersey deplored the bombing and the vio-lence against innocent civilians in Kosovoand Serbia. We urge the United States Gov-ernment to voice its opposition to NATO tothe bombing and killing of innocent peopleand to return to the negotiating table so thatan amicable and just solution can be foundwhich would satisfy the legitimate aspira-tions of Serbians throughout the world fortheir sacred places in Kosovo Province ofSerbia, as well as for the protection of therights of people of Albanian background. Weurge the President of the United States totake immediate action on this matter.�

New Jersey ClergyDeplore Violenceand Bombing

eventsSPECIALScenes from Pascha

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON tosses handfuls of bay leaves among the congregation at thefirst Anastasis service on Holy Saturday morning. (below) Hundreds of candle-holdingworshippers rejoice at the midnight Resurrection service - a scene repeated thousandsof times around the world. (D. Panagos photos)

SAN MARINO, Calif. � Women of thePatriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Instituteof Berkeley organized a fund-raiser thatgenerated $10,000 for the institute library.

The event, �Come to the Cabaret,� washosted by Dr. Jan and Stephanie Duncanof San Marino and chaired by HelenStathatos.

PAOI President Paul Manolis and morethan 120 guests attended the March 31activity.

PAOI Women RaiseFunds for Library GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE

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ORTHODOX OBSERVER APRIL 20, 1999PAGE 32

NEW YORK �Millions of OrthodoxChristians in this country and around theworld celebrated the Church�s greatest andjoyous feast - Pascha - while thoughts of theirbrethren under attack in Yugoslavia duringall of Holy Week were not far from theirminds.

This year, Archbishop Spyridon visited14 churches in three states as part of hisHoly Week visitation program. Many thou-sands of faithful turned out for the servicesand to greet and hear His Eminence, whoreminded them of the plight of their fellowOrthodox during this most holy period.

On April 3, the Saturday of Lazarus, theArchbishop presided at the Divine Liturgyat Holy Cross Church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Palm Sunday, he traveled to Annuncia-tion Church in Woburn, Mass., for Liturgy,then returned to New York for that evening�sfirst Bridegroom service of the week at An-nunciation Church in Manhattan.

On Holy Monday, His Eminence pre-sided at the Service of the Bridegroom at Sts.Constantine and Helen Church in Brooklyn.

Archbishop Spyridon went to Holy Trin-ity Church in Hicksville on Long Island April6 for the Holy Tuesday Service of the Bride-groom.

On Holy Wednesday, His Eminencepresided at Holy Unction service at St.Demetrios, Jamaica, N.Y.

He celebrated Divine Liturgy on HolyThursday morning at Kimisis Tis Theotokou,in Brooklyn. In the evening, he presided atthe service of the Holy Passion at Holy Trin-ity Cathedral in Manhattan.

On Holy Friday, Archbishop Spyridonattended the Royal Hours at Sts. Anargyroiin Manhattan, the Apokathelosis at HolyTrinity Church , New Rochelle, and theEpitaphios Thrinos at St. Nicholas in Flush-ing.

Vespers-Divine Liturgy on Holy Satur-day morning took place at Church of OurSavior in Rye, with His Eminence presiding.

The Archbishop celebrated the Resur-rection service and Divine Liturgy at St.Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria.

Archbishop Spyridon traveled to Bridge-port, Conn., on Holy Easter Sunday AgapeVespers at Holy Trinity Church.

Greece�s leaders wish for peaceAs is customary every year, Greece�s

political and military leadership celebratedEaster Day with the nation�s enlisted youngpeople and exchanged best wishes.

The events centered at Dekelia Air Base,the Tank Training Center at Avlona and theSalamina Naval Base. They were visited byPresident of the Republic Kostis Stepha-nopoulos, National Defense Minister AkisTsohatzopoulos, Parliament PresidentApostolos Kaklamanis and many other po-

Orthodox Celebrate Holy Week, Pascha Amid Thoughts of War

litical leaders.Prime Minister Costas Simitis visited a

village on the Greek-Albanian border onEaster Sunday, while main opposition NewDemocracy party leader Costas Karamanlisspent the day in the Peloponnese.

President Stephanopoulos said it wasinadmissible for bombings to occur in Eu-rope.

�I wish the best for the country and forpeace in the region. Because it is inadmis-sible for bombings to occur in Europe,� Mr.Stephanopoulos said.

He was replying to reporters� questionsduring a tour of the children�s wing of a hos-pital in the western town of Rio, where manyof the young patients are from Albania and

other countries.The president also distributed Easter

eggs and gifts.Prime Minister Simitis visited the vil-

lage of Molyvdoskepasto, Ioannina on theGreek-Albanian border, stressing the needfor a peaceful political solution to be foundto the crisis in Yugoslavia.

The village�s president gave Mr. Simitisa white dove and an olive tree branch aspeace tokens.

During his visit to a border outpost onthe borders with Albania, the local com-mander briefed Mr. Simitis on the repercus-sions of war on the influx of illegal immi-grants into the country, which he estimatedas having been considerably reduced.

Main opposition New Democracy partyleader Costas Karamanlis visited Leonidion,Arcadia to celebrate Easter. On Sunday, Hevisited the two military camps in Tripolissaying the �paranoia of war and bombingsmust stop.�

Albanian Orthodox aid RefugeesThe Orthodox Autocephalous Church

of Albania celebrated its Holy Week andEaster services in a unique way this year. Asthe Church liturgically participated in thesuffering passion and radiant joy of ourLord�s final days, she also witnessed Christ�ssuffering and resurrection in the faces of ahurting humanity all around her.

On April 10, Archbishop Anastasiosmissed the traditional Holy Saturday morn-ing Service for the first time in his life as hetraveled by helicopter to the northern townof Kukes to assess the desperate refugeesituation. Earlier in the week the OrthodoxChurch had delivered emergency food aidto this region, as well as sent shipments tovarious other cities overwhelmed by refu-gees.

By mid-day, the Archbishop visited apossible sight for a refugee camp nearDurres which the Church is establishing.And at midnight, Archbishop Anastasios wasin Tirana once again sharing his Easter mes-sage of hope to the thousands of believersgathered around the Church.

Offering hope in the midst of despair isthe main message the Orthodox Church hastried to extend during these difficult dayssurrounding Easter.

In addition to the emergency reliefwork, the Church also continued her nor-mal philanthropic ministries. The women�sgroup of Tirana prepared and delivered morethan 565 Easter food packages for poor fami-lies throughout the capital city. They alsodelivered packages for 230 families of or-phans in Tirana and Elbasan, as well as tookspecial medicines to 36 burn victims in thehospitals.

Various Church groups continued theirweekly visits to homebound sick people,hospitals, a school for the blind, as well asthe central men�s and women�s prison inTirana. The week after Easter they delivered150 food parcels to all the prisoners.

In Korça, Metropolitan John organizeda special Easter lamb dinner for 100 of thepoorest people of the city. This meal was inaddition to the normal Church Soup Kitchenwhich feeds between 50-60 people fourtimes a week.

Easter activities also included the tradi-tional Sunday reception at the TiranaArchdiocesan House, where ArchbishopAnastasios received visits from President ofthe Republic Rexhep Meidani, Prime Minis-ter Pandeli Majko, and other officials.

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON offers the traditional Easter red egg to this hopeful youngster.

HIS EMINENCE carries the crucifixion icon at the Service of the Holy Passion.

A BOY at another Serbian Orthodox church holds this sign during the Anastasis serviceHoly Saturday night to protest an earlier attack on a nearby bridge.

YOUNG GIRL lights a candle in a Belgrade church prior to the Resurrection Service onHoly Saturday night. Elsewhere, NATO jets light up the night sky with bombs.

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D. Panagos

D. Panagos