January 2, 2005
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios - An Appeal for Help in the Wake of the Asian Catastrophes
Protocol 104/04
12/30/2004

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)


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

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

During this joyous holiday season when we have been blessed with so much cheer and an abundance of gifts, who of us has not been truly shaken and deeply moved by the enormous catastrophes and the nightmarish loss of lives in Asia. In the blink of an eye, a natural disaster of unimaginable proportions has left devastation and unbearable pain in its wake for countless people. Well over 130,000 individuals have lost the most precious of all gifts, their lives. In it all, we are reminded of the fragility of life, and we acknowledge that every day is indeed a gift from God.

As an Orthodox Christian community, our first and foremost response must be a call to prayer for the eternal rest of those who lost their lives and for comfort and strength from God upon those left behind. As it is well known, the overwhelming majority of those adversely affected by this catastrophe are amongst the poorest of the poor of this globe, who have lost all of their meager belongings.

Comfort from God must be accompanied by a tangible expression of comfort, which we can offer to the survivors whose lives now depend on whatever assistance the rest of the world is able to offer them. For communities in the region, the Orthodox Metropolis of Hong Kong and Southeast Asia has commenced appropriate relief efforts.

The IOCC (International Orthodox Christian Charities), an organization of SCOBA (Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas), is also offering special assistance to the disaster areas affected by the earthquake and tsunamis. It is equally important, however, that all of us extend our support, through prayer and through financial assistance, to those who have been affected by this tragedy. I would therefore kindly and fervently ask on behalf of our Eparchial Synod that the Greek Orthodox faithful of America respond most generously to this appeal for a special collection to be made on Sunday, January 9, in all our parishes throughout the Holy Archdiocese. Your benevolent contributions should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and designated exclusively for our “Asian Disaster Relief Fund”.

Knowing of your boundless generosity and your abiding love one for another, we are confident that you will do whatever you can to offer as much comfort as possible to the least of our brethren, who are the brethren of Christ, (Math. 25:40) and to offer in this most darkest hour a ray of hope. Let those who have survived a foreboding wave of death and destruction now be encompassed by a comforting wave of love and concern.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

January 19, 2005
Archpastoral Reflections: January 2005
This month of January we embark upon our Year of the Family, a period of intensified ministry to families across America. As we begin this very special New Year, it is worthwhile to reflect upon the connection of our own families to the Church, and to consider the extraordinary manner in which the Church influences the growth and development of our families. This reflection constitutes in itself a valuable spiritual exercise for us as Orthodox Christians living in a challenging and complex society.

Our theme for the Year of the Family follows the biblical phrase used by the Apostle Paul, kat`oikon ecclesia, "the church in the home" (Romans 16:5, Colossians 4:15). This phrase hearkens to the early Christian communities who met in homes for worship, teaching, and fellowship. Here, we see a unique connection between the Church and family life. Like the early Christians, we too are called to cultivate nurturing environments within our own homes that promote a closer, more direct relationship between our family and the Church. This is what is meant by the phrase
"connect your family to the Church", which is an important sub-theme for this Year of the Family.

How may we take steps to promote environments within our homes that bring our families closer to the Church? A very practical way to do this is to schedule regular periods of time as families to come together for prayer,
even if only for a few moments each morning or evening. A helpful way to promote family prayer is to set an aside an area of space within the home exclusively for this purpose. Already, our Archdiocesan Center for Family Care is developing resources to guide families in establishing an iconostasion in the home for this purpose.

An equally important and practical component for connecting your family to the Church is the establishment of a weekly family night. During such a time, families can come together to read the Scriptures and to reflect upon important events happening in the world around us. Be extension, parishes should also promote healthy families by conducting a monthly parish family night, a designated period of time where families within the community can come together for prayer, fellowship, and also social outreach activities.

Each of these components are but initial steps in promoting the spiritual health of families and their connection to the Church. They are also components that underscore the tremendous importance of families as essential building blocks of society and the Church. By devoting time this month to reflecting upon the conditions of our own families and their relationship to the Church, we take important steps toward strengthening our connection to the Church and our growth in Christ, the Redeemer of our souls. Moreover, we embark together upon an important and ultimately endless journey of faith as one united Greek Orthodox family in Christ.

As we consider the extraordinary ability of the Church to transform lives and communities, I pray that we continue to reflect upon the tremendous influence of the Church upon our families each and every day. May the love of God strengthen and nurture your families each and every day of
this very promising and very special New Year.

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America