NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela as spiritual advisor of the National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.
Bishop Sevastianos, who is the chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod assumes the responsibility of spiritual advisor to the National Philoptochos following in the steps of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane who served the post faithfully for 10 years.
Archibishop Demetrios in a letter to Mrs. Aphrodite Skeadas, national president of the Philoptochos states: “His Grace Bishop Sevastianos, will continue along the same lines of extraordinary service established by his predecessor in the same position … (he) is a Hierarch of the Church whose pastoral sensitivity has guided both his ministry and education …(and) as your spiritual advisor, he will guide you in the precepts of the Orthodox tradition of Christian concern while working with you to achieve ever greater heights of service in philanthropy.”
If Christ’s Resurrection referred to Himself, then its significance for us would be negligible. The Church proclaims, however, that, the Lord did not arise alone. Together with Himself, He also resurrected all people. This is how our predecessor, St. John Chrysostom, proclaims this great truth in thunderous language: “Christ is risen, and none are left dead in the grave; for in being raised from the dead, he became the first-fruits of all who were asleep.” This means that Christ became the first-fruits of the resurrection of all who have fallen asleep and who will fall asleep in the future, as well as of their transition from death to life
† BARTHOLOMEW
By the Mercy of God
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome
and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church
Grace, Peace and Mercy from the Savior Christ, Risen in Glory
* * *
He became the first-born among the dead.
(Easter Apolytikion, 3rd tone)
Beloved children in the Lord,
If Christ’s Resurrection referred to Himself, then its significance for us would be negligible. The Church proclaims, however, that, the Lord did not arise alone. Together with Himself, He also resurrected all people. This is how our predecessor, St. John Chrysostom, proclaims this great truth in thunderous language: “Christ is risen, and none are left dead in the grave; for in being raised from the dead, he became the first-fruits of all who were asleep.” This means that Christ became the first-fruits of the resurrection of all who have fallen asleep and who will fall asleep in the future, as well as of their transition from death to life. The message is a joyful one for us all because, with His Resurrection Christ abolished the power of death. Those who believe in Him await the resurrection of the dead and are accordingly baptized in His death, rise with Him and live on in life eternal.
The world that is alienated from Christ endeavors to amass material goods because it bases its hopes for survival on them. It unwisely imagines that it will escape death through wealth. Deceived in this way to amass wealth, supposedly to extend their present life, human beings disperse death among others, too. They deny others the financial possibility of survival, often even violently depriving others of life, in the hope of preserving their own life.
How tragic! What a huge deception. For life is only acquired through faith in Christ and incorporation in His body.
The experience of the Orthodox Church assures us that those united with Christ live even after death, coexist with the living, are in dialogue with them, can hear them and are often even capable of miraculously fulfilling their requests.
This means that it is no longer necessary to search for the “fountain of immortality.” Immortality exists in Christ and is offered by Him to all.
There is no need for some nations to be destroyed in order for other nations to survive. Nor is there any need to destroy defenseless human lives so that other human beings may live in greater comfort. Christ offers life to all people, on earth as in heaven. He is risen, and all those who so desire life may follow Him on the way of Resurrection. By contrast, all those who bring about death, whether indirectly or directly, believing that in this way they are prolonging or enhancing their own life, condemn themselves to eternal death.
Our Risen Lord Jesus Christ came into the world in order that all people “may have life and life in abundance” (John 10:10). We deceive ourselves if we believe that prosperity in the world can come from destroying one another. Christ raises the dead and invalidates their killing. Christ has the power to transcend death. Moreover, the fact that he conquered death confirms His contempt of death. Christ leads to life; He re-bestows life, which happens to be interrupted, because He is “our life and our resurrection.” This is why we, the faithful, do not fear death. Our strength lies not in the invulnerability of our existence but in its possibility for resurrection.
Christ is Risen! We, too, shall arise!
Therefore, beloved brethren and children in the Lord, let us follow the Risen Christ in all His works. Let us come to t For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
The Sanctification of the Holy Myrrh at the Ecumenical Patriarchate
April 12, 2012
The Sanctification of the Holy Myrrh (the Chrism Oil used in the Orthodox Church for the Sacrament of Confirmation) took place this Holy Week at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Phanar, with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding and the participation of approximately 55 Orthodox Hierarchs from around the world, including representatives from the Senior Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Serbia, the Autocephalous Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania and the Czech Lands and Slovakia. It was an auspicious celebration that takes place approximately once every ten years, when the reserve of Holy Myrrh nears depletion. This was the third time Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has presided over the sanctification celebrations. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America traveled to Constantinople and participated in the events.
CONSTANTINOPLE – The Sanctification of the Holy Myrrh (the Chrism Oil used in the Orthodox Church for the Sacrament of Confirmation) took place this Holy Week at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Phanar, with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presiding and the participation of approximately 55 Orthodox Hierarchs from around the world, including representatives from the Senior Patriarchates of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, the Patriarchate of Serbia, the Autocephalous Churches of Cyprus, Greece, Poland, Albania and the Czech Lands and Slovakia.
It was an auspicious celebration that takes place approximately once every ten years, when the reserve of Holy Myrrh nears depletion. This was the third time Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has presided over the sanctification celebrations. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America traveled to Constantinople and participated in the events.
Holy Myrrh is sanctified to be used in the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Chrism (Confirmation), one of the Seven Sacraments. It is a visible means of the bestowing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon those who are baptized. The Ecumenical Patriarchate distributes the Holy Myrrh to the Orthodox Churches throughout the world.
The process that led to the sanctification of the Holy Myrrh began well in advance of Holy Week when the Ecumenical Patriarch informed the Primates of Orthodox Churches throughout the world and extended to them, and other Hierarchs, an invitation to attend and participate. A request was also made to many of them asking for a specific offering of a precious oil or element, which is found in their Eparchy and is mandated for inclusion in the preparation of the Holy Myrrh.
On Palm Sunday, upon the completion of the Doxology, the Ecumenical Patriarch blessed the Archon Perfumer George Savits (Archon Myrepsos) and his Deans (Myrepsoi) charging them with the responsibility for the chafing of the Holy Myrrh, They put on full length white coats and the Patriarch then placed upon the Archon Perfumer a silk apron. And a cross on all of them.
On Holy Monday, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy of the Pre-sanctified Gifts, the Patriarch approached the adorned “Kouvouklion” (ceremonial canopy) which is adjacent to the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. This is where the cauldrons for the chafing of the Holy Myrrh were placed. His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the beginning of the series of sacred services for the sanctification of Holy Myrrh by holding the service of Aghiasmos (the ritual for Holy Water.) He then sprinkled the materials which had been prepared, the utensils to be used, and the cauldrons, with the Holy Water. Holding the triple archieratical lit candles, he ignited pieces of old holy icons mixed with kindling which had been placed under each cauldron. Continuing, the Patriarch read certain chapters from the Holy Gospels. The reading of these passages from the New Testament continued by other Hierarchs present, the Clergy of the Patriarchal Court, and other clergy. This order of readings continued all day throughout Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday.
On Holy Tuesday, at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the Patriarch entered the holy Kouvouklion again as the Lesser Supplication to the Theotokos was chanted, He commemorated all who either with materials, with monetary gifts, or with their labor have contributed for the preparation of Holy Myrrh.
On Holy Wednesday, at the conclusion of the Presanctified Divine Liturgy, For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Archbishop Demetrios Presents a check for $500,000 as an Expression of Love and Support to the People of Greece
April 11, 2012
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday, Holy Tuesday, April 10, 2012, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and presented to him a check of $500,000, as a tangible expression of support and solidarity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Omogeneia to the suffering people in Greece. This amount comes from the Relief Fund for the People of Greece, which the Archdiocese established Feb. 15, 2012.
ATHENS – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America visited yesterday, Holy Tuesday, April 10, 2012, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and presented to him a check of $500,000, as a tangible expression of support and solidarity of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Omogeneia to the suffering people in Greece. This amount comes from the Relief Fund for the People of Greece, which the Archdiocese established Feb. 15, 2012.
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece (R) with Archbishop Demetrios of America (L) in the Archdiocesan office in Athens. (photo © D.Panagos/GOA)
Archbishop Demetrios in a letter accompanying the check writes that it is the first offering to the special programs of the Archdiocese of Athens and the Church of Greece, programs created for the relief of those of our brethren suffering due to the severe economic crisis. He says that these programs address the areas of need for food, clothing, shelter, medical and pharmaceutical supplies. “This amount is the product of care and love of our parishes and of individuals who responded to our call for solidarity and support of the Greek people during this difficult period,” he adds.
Following the 45-minute meeting at the Archdiocese of Athens, His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos in a statement to the Press, expressed his gratitude and said: “It is a very touching day, during Holy Week, during this crisis for our country, for the Archdiocese of Athens and for a large segment of the Greek people. And during this crisis of poverty, unemployment and insecurity we are grateful to have the personification of love from our Sister Church, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with the presence of Archbishop Demetrios. I want to say a great ‘thank you’ to the Archbishop, to his co-workers and to the whole Omogeneia, who are so moved to help in this special way. We received a substantial and respectable amount for this ministry of alleviating poverty and we will use it in the best possible way, so as many people as possible can benefit from this expression of love.”
Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece (center) with Archbishop Demetrios of America (R) and the director of "Apostoli" Constantine Dimtsas. (photo © D.Panagos/GOA)
“We are here today in a visit of love and respect for a people who suffer a great ordeal. I am very moved to convey the love and at the same time the economic support of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,” said His Eminence and also conveyed the heartfelt greetings and blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. “Our faithful of the Omogeneia, fully understand that we are supporting people who have a sense of dignity and nobility despite the tough times, and they retain their dignity in all levels,” said the Archbishop.
Following the visit at the Archdiocese, Archbishop Demetrios visited the offices of the NGO of the Archdiocese of Athens Apostoli where he met with the director Constantine Dimstas and his staff. Mr. Dimtsas made a presentation with reports, photos and video on the programs of Apostoli and answered His Eminence’s questions. Mr. Dimtsas said that Apostoli is operating in a transparent and accountable manner and is open to any kind of audit.
The evening of Holy Tuesday, the Archbishop officiated at the services of the Bridegroom at the church of St. Dionysius, the Aeropagite in Athens, with more than 500 people in attendance. Just before the chanting of the Hymn of St. Kassiane, the Archbishop in his sermon spoke about the relevance of Holy Week and the passion of Christ in our world today and For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
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