December 31, 2003
ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS APPEALS FOR HELP FOR VICTIMS OF CALIFORNIA MUDSLIDES
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the spirit of St. Paul’s moving exhortation, weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15) and put on heartfelt compassion (Colossians 3:12), I write this letter in the wake of the mudslides that have claimed the lives of 14 people in San Bernardino, California. The victims of this terrible catastrophe were the caretaker of our St. Sophia Camp in San Bernardino, his entire family, and a number of his relatives and friends who were with him on Christmas Day within the area of the camp. As we have learned, the mudslides appeared suddenly, without warning, in an area that had been severely damaged by recent devastating fires.

The intense pain caused by this unexpected tragedy continues for the family members and friends of the deceased victims, whose place of origin is Central America and who live in San Bernardino, in a community which today grieves over a considerable loss, and is in need of assistance, comfort, and healing. Our Metropolis of San Francisco, specifically through the work of the parish of St. Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles, to which the destroyed camp belongs, has already commenced the appropriate efforts.

However, as Greek Orthodox Christians, it is important that all of us extend our support to the mudslide victims of San Bernardino through prayer and through financial assistance. To this end, I am kindly asking all our parishes across America to pass a special tray this Sunday, January 4, 2004. I appeal to your hearts to give generously to this special collection. Your contributions to this tray should be forwarded to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, and designated exclusively to benefit the “Mudslide Victims of San Bernardino, California.” I also invite you to join me in praying that this New Year 2004 may be a year of peace, comfort, and healing for the entire San Bernardino community, and especially for the people directly affected by the tragedy. May the love and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always, and even more throughout the New Year.

With paternal love in Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

January 1, 2004
Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

My Beloved Christians,

At the beginning of the New Year we celebrate the Feast of Saint Basil the Great, a revered hierarch and great theologian of our Church whose life was an exemplary offering of love, wisdom, and worship. Today, the legacy of Saint Basil continues to inspire us in our offerings of ministry and care to others within our communities.

As we remember Saint Basil on this day, we pause to reflect upon the offering of a particular labor of love, a vital ministry that for decades has provided a home to children and young people who are in need of the peace, love, and fellowship of Jesus Christ. This home is appropriately named Saint Basil Academy, a sacred institution of our Archdiocese located in Garrison, New York.

The children who reside at Saint Basil Academy are Orthodox Christians who come from all parts of our country. Many of these children come from difficult home and family situations, and are in need of special care and attention. Some of them are children of deceased parents. All of them, however, are children of God who have been entrusted to the care of our Church. For many of them, living at the Academy presents a significant encounter with a genuinely loving, healing, and supportive Christian community. It is for this reason why the ministry of Saint Basil Academy is a sacred undertaking, a blessed labor of philanthropy worthy of its namesake.

Here, we must praise the diligent staff and clergy at Saint Basil Academy, who work tirelessly to promote the physical, psychological, emotional, educational and spiritual well-being of the children. Often, this necessitates providing for the most basic essentials, such as food, clothing, and medical coverage. In many situations, without the donations of the faithful, the children would have difficulty accessing necessary health care facilities.

Today, Saint Basil Academy continues to rely upon your financial support to meet the needs of its children. On this special day, we are invited to respond to their needs. Each year, our Ladies Philoptochos Society leads us in this effort through the annual Vasilopeta fundraiser for Saint Basil Academy, now celebrating its sixty-year anniversary. I ask that you kindly contribute to this sacred ministry generously, cheerfully, and according to your ability. By so doing, you will be enriching the lives of the children, and you will be honoring the rich, philanthropic legacy of Saint Basil on his feast. This is truly the best way to honor Saint Basil.

May the love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit bring joy and peace to you and your families always; and may you, through the intercessions of Saint Basil, partake always in the abundant blessings of our merciful God.

With paternal love in Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America