WASHINGTON, DC – Archbishop Demetrios of America presented a special award to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton during a small ceremony yesterday at the State Department.

The ceremony took place in the Treaty Room shortly after Secretary Clinton received Archbishop Demetrios and a delegation of leaders of the National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) who were participating in the 25th Annual Cyprus and Hellenic Leadership Conference, taking place in Washington May 20-22.
The special award was presented “in light of unprecedented steps that have been taken in this very short period of time in the right direction on Hellenic and Orthodox issues” and symbolically contained two small vials of soil – one from Athens and one from Capitol Hill in Washington – and an inscription which partly read “from this hallowed earth have come the world’s greatest minds, ideas and actions.” 

Presenting the Award to Hillary Clinton Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the greeting of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and speaking of the cooperation on the issues of Justice and Religious Freedom said:  “We trust in your judgment and your disposition and your total dedication to these issues… and we offer this plaque as an indication of our recognition of what you have been doing and as a token of our continuous cooperation…”

In her response the Secretary thanked and welcomed His Eminence and the other leaders and said: “We are committed to the reopening of the Halki Seminary, to the unification of Cyprus as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, and we know these are difficult issues,” and she pledged that her Administration is committed in making progress on them.
Secretary Clinton also asked the Archbishop to convey to His All Holiness her personal wishes saying “… please extend my personal best wishes to the Patriarch. My opportunities to visit with him and talk with him have been true highlights of my life in public service, and I look forward to seeing him again. I understand he may be coming to the United States, I hope in the future, and it will be my great honor to receive him and to look forward to hosting him here at the State Department.”

The group of leaders who were present at the ceremony with the Archbishop included 10 members of CEH: Andrew A. Athens, Zenon Christodoulou, Philip Christopher, Michael Galanakis, Andy Manatos, Mike Manatos, Nikos Mouyiaris, Peter Papanicolaou, George J. Tsunis and Tasos D. Zambas, and Supreme Vice President of AHEPA Nick Karacostas.

NEW YORK – “The Other Holy Land” will be rebroadcast on the Hallmark Channel, Sunday, June 7, 2009 from 7 - 8 am EDT and PDT; and 6 am CDT. The hour long beautifully filmed program features four places in Asia Minor: Constantinople, Cappadocia, Ephesus and Smyrna – where it becomes strikingly clear that the history of Christianity in "The Other Holy Land" is also the history of the Greek Orthodox Church.

The documentary was filmed in Turkey and the United States and includes interviews with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Demetrios of America and other noted theologians and historians. The use of dramatized voices brings to life primary texts from the early Fathers and Church writers; early texts are juxtaposed with visuals of today’s religious services including a Divine Liturgy celebrated by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Cappadocia.

Participants, in addition to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Demetrios and include: Bishop Kallistos Ware, Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos; Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos; Rev. Dr. Forrest Church; Dr. Helen Evans; Dr. Robert Ousterhout; and narrator Robert Aubry Davis.

Produced by Frank Frost Productions in cooperation with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Office of News and Information and Greek Orthodox Telecommunications, the program was funded by the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, The Aegean Free Trade Zone and Faith & Values Media.

DVD copies of this program are available for purchase at $20 each, plus $6 shipping. Call GOTelecom at 1-800-888-6835. For more information and to find Hallmark stations in your area log on to: www.hallmarkchannel.com.

Thurs. May 21, 2009
Dedication and Ribbon Cutting Celebration of the new
“Archbishop Anastasios & Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building” of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) 
St. Augustine, Fla.

Fri. May 22, 2009
9:30 a.m.
Meeting and Award presentation to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios with leaders of The National Coordinated Effort of Hellenes (CEH) in conjunction with the 25th Annual Cyprus and Hellenic Leadership Conference.
The State Department, Washington, DC

Sat. May 23, 2009
9:00 a.m.
Archdiocese Junior Olympics
Suffolk County Community College, Western Campus, Brentwood, NY

Tue. May 26
11:00 a.m.
Visit of the Mayors of three cities in Cyprus;
of Amohostos Alexis Galanos, of Lefkonikos Mihalis Pilikos
and of Akanthou Savvas Savidis.
Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, NYC

Wed. May 27, 2009
1:00 p.m.
Farewell Luncheon for Ambassador of Greece
to the USA Alexandros Mallias
Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, NYC

Thurs. May 28, 2009
7:30 p.m.
35th Annual Certificate of Achievement Awards Dinner and
the Constantinos D. Paparrigopoulos Lecture given by US Congressman John P. Sarbanes
Center for Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies, Queens College, NY

Fri. May 29, 2009
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Leadership 100 Executive Committee & Board of Trustees Meting
Harvard Club, 35 West 44th Street, NYC

May 30 & 31, 2009     Indianapolis, Ind.
Pastoral Visit and Thyranoixia Ceremony
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church – Indianapolis Ind.

Sat. May 30, 2009
4:00 p.m.  Youth Reception
5:00 p.m. Thyranoixia Service (Official Church Opening) and Great Vespers
       
Sun. May 31, 2009
9:30 a.m.
Archieratical Divine Liturgy
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church – Indianapolis/Carmel Ind. – Tel. 317-733-3033

Protocol 45/09
May 17, 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 Christ,

    It is with these joyful words of the Resurrection of Christ which we proclaim during this Paschal season, that I write to you about the significance of the work of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).  Since its establishment in 1922, the AHEPA has promoted the ideals of civic responsibility, education, and philanthropy.  This fraternity of service, with its national headquarters in Washington, DC, has also proven to be an effective voice of advocacy for issues of concern on behalf of our Omogenia both here in the United States and abroad.
 
    By placing the precepts of civic duty, education, and community service as its steering principles, the AHEPA reflects the universal and ageless values of our Orthodox Christian faith and of our Hellenic cultural traditions.  Accordingly, its many members, from those who belong to its local chapters throughout the United States to the staff of its national headquarters, are to be recognized for their work and commitment to strengthening important values of our society.
   
    Therefore, in recognition of the good work of the AHEPA in promoting Orthodoxy and Hellenism, and in serving the diverse needs of our Omogenia, I am pleased to designate this Sunday, May 17, 2009, as AHEPA Sunday.  On this day, may we offer our prayers for the increasing progress of the AHEPA as it continues to advance the ideals that are urgently needed in today’s society.

NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced today that the lawsuit brought by Jacksonville, Florida plaintiffs in September 2007 has been settled.

There has been no finding of fault or liability against the Archdiocese.

The September 2007 lawsuit was based upon allegations of inappropriate behavior by Fr. Nicholas Graff while he served as priest of St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church in Jacksonville, Florida. The June 13, 2007 suspension placed on Fr. Graff continues and prohibits him from acting in any liturgical, pastoral, administrative or other official capacity within the Orthodox Church.

May 8
Guest: Ginny Nieuwsma
Topic: Being a Busy Mom

On this week’s CRTL, Ginny Nieuwsma will have a special Mother’s Day podcast on the joys and the struggles of being a Mom today with a busy schedule. In a short segment, Chuck Powell and Fr. Chris, will talk about mothers.

May 15
Guest: Fr. Steven Bigham
Topic: Name Day of St. Epiphanius
In this week’s CRTL podcast, Fr. Steven Bigham holds a discussion on a great saint of our church, St. Epiphanius. You will be amazed to learn of the work of this dedicated servant of Christ.  Have you ever heard of his first book Anacoratus (The well anchored man) or the Panarion (The Medicine Chest)? 

May 22
Guest: Fr. David Alexander
Topic: Memorial Day
In honor of the Memorial Day holiday, in this CRTL podcast, Fr. David Alexander will be speak. Fr. David is a priest in the Antiochian Archodiocese and is also a chaplain in the United States Navy.

May 29
Guest: TBA
Topic: The Ascension
On this week’s CRTL, there will a guest speaker discussing the Ascension of Jesus Christ.
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