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Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Begins Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the U.S.
October 21, 2009
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived today in New Orleans, as he begins a 15-day Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the United States. “We welcome you, Your All Holiness with deep reverence and respect, total dedication and plenty of love,” said Archbishop Demetrios of America, welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch at Louis Armstrong Airport along with Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, members of the local clergy, local officials, a small group of Orthodox faithful from this area and two-dozen children dressed in traditional costume.
NEW ORLEANS – His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrived today in New Orleans, as he begins a 15-day Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the United States. “We welcome you, Your All Holiness with deep reverence and respect, total dedication and plenty of love,” said Archbishop Demetrios of America, welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch at Louis Armstrong Airport along with Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, members of the local clergy, local officials, a small group of Orthodox faithful from this area and two-dozen children dressed in traditional costume.
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offered a few words of greeting and blessing to those who had gathered at the airport and said:
From the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Holy and Great Church of Christ, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we bring you greetings and blessings in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
We give thanks to Almighty God for granting us a safe arrival here in New Orleans, a place to which we return with much hope and expectation. We return after nearly four years, when we came in the Winter of 2006 to share in the loss and pain of the courageous citizens of New Orleans and to witness the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. We return to the place where the mighty Mississippi River nears its course into the Gulf of Mexico, and where the waves of the sea and the banks of the river overflowed. We return so that we might bear witness to the hope that is in you, the hope you have manifested through the rebuilding your lives and your community. We return in order to pray with you and to intercede with the Lord of creation, that the ‘flood of many waters shall not come nigh unto you again’, (cf. Psalm 31/32:6).
We return to this historic and famed city, and call on your fellow citizens around the country to return here for themselves; whether to live or enjoy the unique offerings of New Orleans.
Finally, we return to New Orleans with the same conviction and concern that has taken us around the globe, to oceans and seas and mighty rivers: from the Aegean to the Arctic, from the Black to the Baltic Seas, from the Danube to Amazon – and now, to the mighty Mississippi River. Throughout the previous seven Religion, Science and Environment Symposia, we have brought together academics and policy makers, scientists and theologians; so that we might pose questions and find solutions for the ecological perils of our time.
Here in New Orleans, for the next five days, we shall gather again, and we thank the RSE Committee for their extraordinary efforts in bringing this conference to fruition. Our prayer is that during these days, we shall heighten awareness, strengthen resolve, raise expectations and explore new hopes.
We stand in solidarity with the people of New Orleans and all people who seek a better life. And we are present with you to call for a renewed consciousness for environmental responsibility, and an awareness of what such a consciousness entails.
We pray that our days among you will be a blessing for you and a blessing for us, for we come with only words of peace, love and benediction upon our lips and in our hearts. May God bless the people here present, and bestow upon all his infinite mercy.
Tomorrow Oct. 21, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will convene and officially ope For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Officially Opens Eighth Environmental Symposium in New Orleans
October 21, 2009
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officially opened today the Eighth Religion, Science and the Environment (RSE) Symposium, entitled “Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River,” which takes place here for the next five days under his high patronage and includes a large and diverse group of theologians, scientists, policymakers, environmentalists, representatives of business and NGOs, and media.
NEW ORLEANS – His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew officially opened today the Eighth Religion, Science and the Environment (RSE) Symposium, entitled “Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River,” which takes place here for the next five days under his high patronage and includes a large and diverse group of theologians, scientists, policymakers, environmentalists, representatives of business and NGOs, and media.
Roman Catholic Archbishop Gregory Aymond of New Orleans welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch and read a cordial, prayerful and personal message from Pope Benedict XVI in which he conveyed his support and solidarity in the effort of caring and protecting the environment and “the safeguarding of God’s creation.”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in his very significant opening address said that “we have reached a defining moment in our history…the point where absolute limits to our survival are being reached,” and we “instead of living on income, or the available surplus of the earth, we are consuming environmental capital and destroying its resources as if there is no tomorrow.” (See full text below)
Following the Patriarchal Address, retired US Senator Paul Sarbanes, who is a participant in the symposium read a message from former Vice President Al Gore, in which he expressed his esteem and respect for the Ecumenical Patriarch’s perseverance demonstrated by this Eighth Environmental Symposium. Al Gore was the first to address Patriarch Bartholomew as the “Green Patriarch” in 1997 when welcoming him to Washington D.C.
Finally, Archbishop Demetrios, as the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, offered an official welcome to the Ecumenical Patriarch both to the United States and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is an eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. “We are in this wounded city, New Orleans, and in an equally wounded River, the mighty Mississippi. And we are here to contribute, as much as it is possible, to the healing of both,” said Archbishop Demetrios and added that His All Holiness is “the Healer Patriarch who laboriously, incessantly, and deliberately serves in an extraordinary way the ecological healing process and tends to the wounds inflicted upon nature by human beings.”
Information on the Ecumenical Patriarch and his visit to the U.S. can also be found online at: www.goarch.org or www.usvisit2009.org and on the Mississippi symposium at: www.rsesymposia.org
Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.: (212) 570-3530 or (718) 415-5850
Email: pressoffice@goarch.org
Opening Address of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Symposium The Great Mississippi River: Restoring Balance’ (New Orleans, 21 October 2009)
It is with great pleasure that we welcome you all to the official opening of Symposium VIII, entitled “The Great Mississippi River”.
This Symposium is in many ways both historical and unique. This river comprises a microcosm of our planet. In its waters, we observe many of the world’s ecological issues. We are humbled in its presence. We have come to listen to its story, to learn from its history.
Let us consider our own presence on this great river.
As the Mississippi links the prairies to the sea, we ourselves form the link between the past and the future. Science has developed a theory to explain the beginning of the Universe almost 14 billion years ago, the beginning of simple life forms some 4 billion years ago and the birth of human beings a mere 160,000 yea For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Archbishop Demetrios Appoints Bishop Andonios of Phasiane New Chancellor of the Archdiocese
October 7, 2009
Archbishop Demetrios of America, in consultation with the Holy Eparchial Synod, has appointed His Grace, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane to be the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, effective October 1, 2009.
NEW YORK - Archbishop Demetrios of America, in consultation with the Holy Eparchial Synod, has appointed His Grace, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane to be the Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, effective October 1, 2009.
On the occasion of this appointment, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the following remarks: "We are very glad to have His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane as the new Chancellor of the Archdiocese. In all the positions that he has held within the Archdiocese, as a lay theologian, a deacon, a presbyter and a Bishop, His Grace has served with remarkable zeal and diligence. We are confident that with the help of God and the blessings of our Holy Eparchial Synod Bishop Andonios will execute his new and responsible duties as Chancellor with exemplary dedication, care and effectiveness."
Bishop Andonios was elected on December 11, 2001 by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople as an Auxiliary Bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He was given the title of Bishop of Phasiane, an ancient Diocese in Pontos, the birthplace of his grandparents. His episcopal ordination took place at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York on Saturday, February 23, 2002.
Born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey, the middle child of Steven and Despina Poulos (Paropoulos), he grew up in the local St. Demetrios parish. In 1976, he entered Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., graduating in 1979 receiving a M. Div with Distinction and as President of the graduating class. After serving at various Archdiocesan institutions for five years in a lay capacity, he was ordained a Deacon on August 18, 1985 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity by the late Archbishop Iakovos. He served for almost 4½ years as Deacon to the Archbishop until December 3, 1989, when he was ordained to the Holy Priesthood.
Following his ordination, he continued to serve in both the Office of the Archbishop and the Office of the Chancellery and was Assistant Chancellor and Personnel Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. On February 24, 1991, he was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite. After a sabbatical in Greece from 1991-1992, he returned to the Archdiocese and was subsequently assigned to the parish of Zoodohos Peghe in the Bronx until 1995. At that time, he returned to the Archdiocese to assist with the retirement of Archbishop Iakovos and also assumed the position of Coordinator for the 1996 Clergy-Laity Congress, which was held in New York. In July of that year, he was appointed Director of St. Michael's Home in Yonkers, NY, where he continues to serve as Director, and in June 2000, Archbishop Demetrios appointed him to the new position of Director of the Archdiocesan Department of Philanthropy. In addition, he serves as the advisor to the National Board of the Ladies Philoptochos Society and to the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos Board. Since 2007 he has been responsible for the Benevolence Fund of the Archdiocese for Retired Clergy and Widowed Presvyteres and in the Spring of 2008, organized and heads the Committee which oversees the Direct Archdiocesan District's Camp St. Paul .
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Contact:
Stavros Papagermanos
PRESS OFFICE
pressoffice@goarch.org
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's Visit to the United StatesOctober 2, 2009
His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will arrive in New Orleans, on Oct. 20 to begin his Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the United States.
NEW YORK - His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will arrive in New Orleans, on Oct. 20 to begin his Apostolic and Patriarchal Visit to the United States. The purpose of this, his sixth visit to our nation, is twofold: to convene and preside over the Eighth Religion, Science and the Environment (RSE) Symposium, and to celebrate the 10 th anniversary of the enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios of America as the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
His All Holiness, under whose high patronage the Religion, Science and the Environment Symposia take place, will lead a large and diverse group of theologians, scientists, policy makers, environmentalists, representatives of business and NGOs, and media for a five day Environmental Symposium entitled; " Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River ."
Since 1995, RSE has convened seven symposia to study the fate of the world's waters, which cover seven-tenths of our planet's surface. These assemblies of scientists, environmentalists, policy-makers and representatives of the world's main religious faiths have established a vibrant environmental ethics movement. Underlying RSE's strategies is a core belief that the analytical tools of science and the spiritual messages of religion must work in harmony if the earth's environment is to be safeguarded. The symposia take place afloat, bringing participants - international and regional religious leaders, scientists, environmentalists, policy makers, media representatives and other prominent figures in politics and business - directly to endangered bodies of water. Previous symposia have been attended by heads of state, environmental ministers, ministers of economic affairs and prominent intellectual figures. (More information on the Mississippi symposium:
www.rsesymposia.org
)
Following the Symposium, His All Holiness will travel to New York City for a week-long celebration of the 10 th Anniversary of the Enthronement of Archbishop Demetrios. It will commence on Oct. 25, with the Feast day Great Vespers of St. Demetrios the Myrrh-streamer at the Parish dedicated to the Great-Martyr in Merrick, NY. The next day, the His All Holiness will preside at the Feast day Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios Cathedral in Astoria, NY. On the evening of the 26th, His All Holiness will preside at the 9th Annual Prayer service for the United Nations at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The service is sponsored jointly by the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and the Standing Conference of Oriental Orthodox Bishops in America (SCOOCH). On Tuesday, October 27th, His All Holiness will meet with the Primates of SCOBA.
Later in the evening of the 27th, Fordham University will bestow an honorary doctorate in law to His All Holiness. In recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarch's leadership in the fields of environmental responsibility, and interfaith and inter-cultural dialogue, Fordham is also presenting the initial volume of a three-part series of the major speeches of His All Holiness. Among all the festivities organized by Fordham, there will be a special opportunity for the students of the local Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) to meet with and receive the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
On For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for National Leadership 100 Sunday - October 18, 2009
October 2, 2009
In this new ecclesiastical year, I greet you with paternal love on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod in order to announce that in recognition of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund.
October 18, 2009
National Leadership 100 Sunday
Let us not grow weary in doing what is good,
for in due season we shall reap . (Galatians 6:9)
To the Most Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In this new ecclesiastical year, I greet you with paternal love on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod in order to announce that in recognition of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, our supporting charitable organization, the Holy Synod has designated Sunday, October 18, 2009 as National Leadership 100 Sunday . This is the Sunday prior to the Feast of St. Iakovos and has been purposely selected as a tribute to Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, the visionary Founder of Leadership 100.
Faced with difficult economic times and challenges to our faith and culture, our Greek Orthodox men and women leaders are continually asked to support many causes. While they have been the pillars of support of their communities and of educational, health-related and cultural institutions across our great nation, they have been imbued with the philanthropic spirit that has been passed down to them by past generations to put first and foremost their commitment to the National Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in order to perpetuate Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America. They have become an example to us all of the words of St. Paul: God loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Leadership 100 is celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year. While it has grown to 822 members in 167 of our parishes, in every Metropolis and in the Direct Archdiocesan District, its impact has been far wider and greater through $28.5 million in grants that have provided scholarships for seminarians studying for the priesthood, relieved active clergy of their student loan debts, assisted retired clergy and presvyteras, supported virtually every National Ministry, from youth and family ministries, Religious and Greek education, and Internet Ministry and Home Missions. Furthermore, Leadership 100 assisted the International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) and has given relief and comfort in national and international tragedies such as September 11, Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake and fires in Greece.
We ask all of you to be mindful of this important ministry on National Leadership 100 Sunday , and to provide to the Leadership 100 members who are amongst you an opportunity to share their experiences with all the faithful in their parishes. We encourage support for the work of this national ministry for the good of the people and the glory of God.
With great thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ and to all those who share in this ministry, we pray that Leadership 100 and its members listen to the advice of St. Paul, in his Epistle to Titus that those who have believed in God should be leaders in performing good deeds (Titus 3:8).
With paternal love in Christ,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
Archpastoral Reflections for September 2009September 28, 2009
The challenging task of gathering those who are struggling with deep and serious questions about life and God.
We continue our reflections on the theme “Gather My People to My Home” by focusing on the challenging task of gathering those who are struggling with deep and serious questions about life and God. In previous reflections we have addressed our calling to gather both “disconnected” Orthodox Christians and the unchurched. This month we turn to the needs of persons whose spiritual well-being may be challenged by an unfulfilling quest for meaning or whose intellect or life experiences have raised tremendous questions or doubts regarding the purpose and direction of life.
Human beings have pondered questions about the meaning of life and the existence of God for millennia. In our own Hellenic tradition, we can examine the works of ancient philosophers, which reveal great efforts in the pursuit of knowledge, an inner desire for truth, and countless theories on origins, the nature and function of the universe, and the purpose of life. Others have arrived at the same questions and with the hope for answers through great tragedy and suffering. The eventuality of physical death, the upheaval created by war, the pain of disease and poverty, and the demoralizing injustices in human communities and relationships have led many to seek something “greater” that offers or leads to a blessed life, peace, comfort, and truth.
People continue to ask questions and struggle in pursuit of the answers. Did the world just happen, and are we a product of chance? What is my purpose in life? How can I be happy and have peace about who I am? Does God exist, and if so, does he really care about me and my inner conflicts? Why is there so much suffering in the world? Will all of this just end in death and destruction, or is there something better? These and many more questions reflect both the breadth of our intellect and our quest to know, understand, and to find answers not just for the sake of knowledge, but for our well-being and ultimate destiny.
As Orthodox Christians we have found many of the answers to life’s questions in our relationship with God and in our involvement in the Church. This is what makes the Church our home. Our lives in the kingdom of God and our participation in the community of believers connects us directly with the One who, with meaning and purpose, brought all things into existence, created us in His image and likeness and is guiding us toward fulfillment in life and being. Further, it is through God’s loving presence in our lives and through the Holy Sacraments, the Holy Scriptures, the teachings, and traditions of the Church that we know, understand, and experience the truth about life and relationships, the effects of sin and evil, and the necessity of faith, hope, and love as genuine and true expressions of our humanity. It is also in our relationship with God that we find meaning and purpose in our transformation from death to life. Certainly, He guides us in understanding our great potential for creativity, thought, virtue, and knowledge; but all of this is part of becoming what He created us to be: holy people living in loving and full communion with Him and each other.
Our challenge as Orthodox Christians is communicating the blessedness of this life and faith to those with serious questions about life and meaning or to those who are struggling spiritually with deep doubts about God and His role in their lives. How can we meet this challenge and overcome the barriers that are keeping souls from finding their home in the Church? How do we prepare to answer the serious questions that challenge the very be For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
COMMUNIQUÉ OF THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD
September 24, 2009
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened for its regular Fall Session in the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York on September 22-23, 2009.
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened for its regular Fall Session in the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York on September 22-23, 2009.
All the Members of the Holy Synod were present and participated in the meeting under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.
The Holy Eparchial Synod discussed many issues among them the following:
1. Liturgical Issues: The Holy Eparchial Synod continued the work on the text for the Service of Reception into the Orthodox Church through Chrismation of Christians from other Denominations. The Synod also discussed the participation of children in the Divine Liturgy, which is of vital importance and recommended to have special Divine Liturgies for children, whenever it is possible.
2. Canonical Issues: The Synod continued its work on the texts: a) Regulations for the Holy Eparchial Synod, b) Regulations for Spiritual Courts, and c) Reasons for Ecclesiastical divorce. The Synod also discussed the important issue of interfaith marriages and the need for pastoral care and guidance for these families.
3. Educational Issues: The Synod congratulated the Department of Greek Education of the Holy Archdiocese for the publication of textbooks for the first level in learning the Greek language. It also thanked the "Faith Endowment" (FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism) for fully financing this project. Further, the Synod discussed the Special Program for the Deaconate, which was approved in its entirety. In this program 33 individuals have participated.
Additionally the Synod worked on and approved the revised booklet "Welcome to the Parish Council," which will be distributed to all the Parish Councils of the Holy Archdiocese.
Other issues discussed by the Synod included:
a) The visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch: The Holy Eparchial Synod was fully informed about the upcoming visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in the U.S.A., and discussed the participation of its Members in the various program events of the Patriarchal visit.
b) The decisions of the Pre-Synodal, Pan-orthodox Conference: Finally there was extensive discussion on the Fourth Pre-Synodal Pan-orthodox Conference in Chambesy, Switzerland last June, which dealt with the subject of the pan-orthodox unity in the Orthodox Diaspora.
After the conclusion of the Sessions of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the Members had the opportunity to participate in the subsequent session of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.
From the Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod
Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for Sept. 16 - 29, 2009September 16, 2009
Wed. Sept. 16, 2009
5:00 p.m.
Affirmation Ceremony for the new Board of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos
Archdiocesan Chapel of St. Paul, NYC
6:30 p.m.
Religious Freedom in Turkey: The Case of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
A conference co-sponsored by Fordham University's Institute on Religion, Law & Lawyer's Work and the Orthodox Christian Studies Program.
Fordham University School of Law. Room 430 B/C, NYC
Schedule of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios for Sept. 16 - 29, 2009
Sep 16, 2009
Wed. Sept. 16, 2009
5:00 p.m.
Affirmation Ceremony for the new Board of the Direct Archdiocesan District Philoptochos
Archdiocesan Chapel of St. Paul, NYC
6:30 p.m.
Religious Freedom in Turkey: The Case of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
A conference co-sponsored by Fordham University's Institute on Religion, Law & Lawyer's Work and the Orthodox Christian Studies Program.
Fordham University School of Law. Room 430 B/C, NYC
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS' 10th ENTHRONEMENT ANNIVERSARY
Fri. Sept. 18, 2009
12:00 noon - Doxology Service
1:00 p.m. - A luncheon at the Cathedral Center for the Clergy
of the Direct Archdiocesan District and their Presvyteres.
Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 319 East 74th Street, NYC.
Sun. Sept. 20, 2009
Archieratical Divine Liturgy concelebrated with the Metropolitans members of the Holy Eparchial Synod and auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese.
8:30 a.m. Orthros - 10:00 a.m. Divine Liturgy - Reception will follow.
Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, 319 East 74th Street, NYC.
* * *
Sept. 21-23, 2009
Meeting of the Holy Eparchial Synod
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
Tue. Sept. 22, 2009
7:00 p.m.
2009 Awards Dinner Appeal of Conscience Foundation
honoring the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Gordon Brown
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, NYC
Wed. Sept. 23, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Meeting of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
Thurs. Sept. 24, 2009
11:00 a.m.
Visit of renowned composer Mimis Plessas
accompanied by the artists Efi Siamanta and Christos Rafaelidis
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
4:00 p.m.
Visit of His Excellency Dimitris Christofias, President of the Republic of Cyprus
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
Fri. Sept. 25, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Meeting of the Members of the Standing Conference
of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA)
Archdiocese Headquarters, NYC
Sat. Sept. 26, 2009
8:30 a.m. Orthros and Divine Liturgy - 11:00 a.m. Opening Ceremony
Official Opening of the Retreat House
at the Faith and Heritage Center of the Metropolis of Boston
Contoocook, N.H. - Tel.: (617) 277-4742
7:30 p.m.
Cyprus Federation of America Annual Banquet
Terrace on the Park, Flushing, NY
Sun. Sept. 27, 2009
8:15 a.m. Orthros - 9:30 a.m. Divine Liturgy
Past For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
September 14, 2009
The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
The Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross
Sep 11, 2009
Protocol 87/09
September 14, 2009
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in C
hrist,
I greet you in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-Giving Cross, a major Feast of our Holy Orthodox Church which we commemorate each year on September 14. In Her wisdom, our Holy Orthodox Church designates a specific passage from the Holy Gospel to be read during the Divine Liturgy celebrated on this day. The reading, according to the Gospel of John (19:6-30), is a dramatic narrative of Christ's judgment before Pontius Pilate, and His crucifixion, suffering and death on the Cross. The Church also prescribes this day as a strict fast.
The combining of this Gospel passage with the religious discipline of fasting is an intentional one by the Church, for it has the effect of inviting the worshipper to revisit central themes from the liturgical period of Great and Holy Lent. On this Feast, the Church reinforces these themes, focusing on the role of repentance and prayer in the Christian life and on the Cross as a constant reminder of the source of our strength, power, salvation, and life.
It is in this context that we may appreciate our liturgical act today of raising the symbol of the Cross with our hands and with our hearts. In doing this, we remember that the Cross is much more than a symbol of our faith. Indeed, it is a sign that proclaims the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ over death the establishing of His redemptive work and perfect love which He demonstrated fully and completely on the Cross.
This Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and the themes which it reinforces through the liturgical actions we express, the Gospel reading to which we listen, and the strict fast to which we adhere, direct our lives in the Way of the Cross. This is the way of sacrifice, as we take up our cross daily and deny selfish interests (Luke 9:23). It is the path of service to others in humility, not of earthly glory and treasure (Mark 10:21). It is the journey from death to eternal life, as we emulate the One who turned an instrument of shame into an emblem of victory.
For us, as Orthodox Christians, the Way of the Cross should be our calling and our life-long commitment. For some among the people of God, this path of sacrifice and service has also become a sacred vocation in the Holy Priesthood. Our seminary in Brookline, Massachusetts, is most appropriately named Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and thus celebrates its Feast on this most blessed day. This Feast s For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Archbishop Demetrios to Celebrate 10th Enthronement Anniversary
September 11, 2009
NEW YORK - This year September 18 marks the 10th Anniversary of Archbishop Demetrios' enthronement as Archbishop of America.
Archbishop Demetrios to Celebrate 10th Enthronement Anniversary
Sep 11, 2009
NEW YORK - This year September 18 marks the 10th Anniversary of Archbishop Demetrios' enthronement as Archbishop of America.
To mark this anniversary Archbishop Demetrios will concelebrate the Divine Liturgy with the Metropolitans members of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the other Hierarchs at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City on Sunday September 20. Orthros will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the Archieratical Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m.
Additionally, Archbishop Demetrios will preside at a Doxology service at the Cathedral on Friday Sept. 18 at 12:00 noon to be followed by a luncheon at the Cathedral Center for the Clergy of the Direct Archdiocesan District and their Presvyteres.
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is located on 319 East 74th Street, NYC.
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Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.: 212-570-3530
Email: pressoffice@goarch.org
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