November 1, 2007
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Sts. Cosmas and Damian
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

October 25, 2007
Special Encyclical for the California Wildfire Victims
Protocol 131/07
New York, October 25, 2007

To 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

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I write to you to convey the heartfelt prayers and support of our Holy Archdiocese for all those who are grieving in the aftermath of the devastating fires that have taken place in southern California. This tragedy has affected hundreds of thousands of people in the region who were under orders of evacuation in the face of danger and uncertainty. Many people lost their homes and must now begin the painful process of rebuilding what was destroyed by this unpredictable calamity, while others were injured by these fires, and some lost their lives as a result of this disaster. Among the victims of the fires are also members of our own Orthodox Church, of our beloved Holy Metropolis of San Francisco.

As Greek Orthodox Christians, we are called to pray fervently for all those who are feeling the effects of these fires, which are only now beginning to be finally extinguished. Remembering the words of the Apostle Paul, we must "put on heartfelt compassion" (Colossians 3:12) and offer our prayers and support for those who are grieving the loss of not only their homes but also their loved ones.

Our experience with the devastating effects of wildfires is painfully firsthand, as we have witnessed the difficulties faced by those who are in the process of recovery by the wildfires which occurred only weeks ago in Greece. As a result of this experience, we know that the road toward recovery is a long one, but we also know firsthand that those who must walk along this road do not engage in this journey alone but are accompanied by the love of God and the love of others. In the forthcoming weeks, I ask that we all continue to pray and to offer our support to the victims of the California wildfires, especially to our brothers and sisters of our Church, so that in this period of aftermath and healing they may know that they are supported by our love as they work to rebuild what they have lost.

May the infinite protection and shelter of our loving God be with all of us, and may He give us peace now and in the days ahead.

With paternal love in Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America