The Catholicos has been on a month long tour of the United States, and was eager to see Archbishop Demetrios before departing for Armenia on November 2nd. This was their second meeting, and lasted for one and a half hours, during which a number of spiritual and ecumenical topics were covered. The Catholicos spoke of the “courage of His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch” and spoke strongly for the acknowledgement of the title “Ecumenical” as being a basic human and religious right. He also expressed concern for the re-opening of the Theological School of Halki as a continuing source for training of the clergy. For his part, the Archbishop expressed solidarity with the suffering of the Armenian people throughout history and especially at the beginning of the 20th century. The Archbishop also thanked the Catholicos for his visit to Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece while he was hospitalized in Miami, FL.

Their lengthy dialogue also consisted of sharing perspectives on youth ministry, the education and training of clergy, and the contemporary Ecumenical Movement. Of particular interest to the Catholicos was the condition of the Orthodox Church in the United States; its growth, progress and function. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Catholicos extended an invitation to the Archbishop to visit Armenia. The two Hierarchs then exchanged gifts and fraternal salutations.

The Catholicos was accompanied to the meeting by the Primate of Armenian Church in America (Eastern Diocese) Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Archbishop Vicken Aykazian (Washington, DC), as well as the Catholicos’ own brother, Bishop Yezras Nersissian, Primate of the Armenian Church in Russia.

The Archbishop was accompanied by Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Father Mark Arey, Director of Ecumenical Relations, and Alice Keurian, the Director of the Office of the Archbishop.

“We are greatly surprised but deeply grateful that Newman’s Own Foundation has chosen to donate these funds to this worthy relief effort of the Archdiocese,” stated His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.  “It is heartwarming that this renowned Foundation which supports so many worthy endeavors throughout the world opted to be a part of the Archdiocese’s efforts to alleviate the suffering of all those people adversely affected by the catastrophic fires in Greece.  Donations such as this will enable us to assist those individuals who day-to-day struggle to recover from the devastation left behind and put their lives back together,” concluded His Eminence.

With this latest donation, the Greek Fire Relief Fund has collected close to $3,500,000.

Contact:
Department of Communications
212-774-0244
communications@goarch.org

Protocol 132/07

November 1, 2007
The Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries
Sts. Cosmas and Damian

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,

On November 1, our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, two remarkable physicians and brothers of 4th century Asia Minor known on account of their generosity as the Holy Unmercenaries.   Today, Sts. Cosmas and Damian remain important examples not only as persons who were early providers of medical care, but as men whose love for God and neighbor knew no boundaries.  As Saints of our Church, their lives also serve as reminders that all of us are called to place the needs of others as our primary interests, so that we might be instruments of the grace of God, Who alone works wonders.

As we contemplate the preeminence of love as seen in the example of the lives of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, we are mindful of the words of Jesus Christ: "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). These words of Christ invite us to consider our own privileged position as Greek Orthodox Christians living in the United States, and our responsibility to share the fruits of our blessings with our brothers and sisters elsewhere in our world who are in need and who are lacking in necessary resources. 

To this end, each year on the Feast of Sts. Cosmas and Damian, our National Ladies Philoptochos Society leads us in gathering an annual collection for the National Philoptochos Ecumenical Patriarchate Fund.  This Fund supports the hospitals, nursing homes, and philanthropic agencies of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in turn the people who comprise the venerable Greek Orthodox community of Constantinople.  Therefore, you are kindly asked to pass a special tray on Sunday, November 4, in your parish to support this important Fund, a ministry which is a tangible expression of our love.  In supporting it, you will be helping the institutions of our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate and our faithful in Constantinople at a time of particular necessity.  Please give generously to this Fund, knowing that your contributions will alleviate the material and spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you, and may the example of Sts. Cosmas and Damian keep your minds and hearts focused upon giving to others through perpetual love and service.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America