MEDIA ADVISORY

March 11
12 Noon
ARCHDIOCESE
Archbishop Demetrios will welcome
Ambassador of Greece Alexandros Mallias

March 12
9:30 a.m.
ARCHDIOCESE
Archbishop Demetrios will welcome
Greek Minister of Culture Michalis Liapis

7:00 p.m.
Onassis Cultural Center   New York City
Inaugural of “From the Land of the Labyrinth Minoan Crete, 3000-1000 BC”, Exhibition. 

March 13
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
ARCHDIOCESE
Archdiocesan  Council Executive Committee Meeting

March 14
7:00 p.m.
Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity
First Salutation to the Theotokos

Contact:  Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel.:  212-570-3530
Email: communications@goarch.org

The Assembly began with celebration of the Divine Liturgy of Cheesefare Monday, followed by the Keynote address by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.  He opened his remarks by discussing the recent reports regarding the alarming increase of the number of unchurched in the United States and the willingness of this group to learn of the faith of others. He also noted the  high educational and financial level of Greek Orthodox Christians in America and the  positive and successful community activity throughout the country, mentioning specifically the recent Folk Dance Festival, Philoptochos Medical Fund Luncheon and Leadership 100 Conference which all took place in the Metropolis of San Francisco.  He also reported on the outpouring of financial assistance to the Greek Fire Relief Fund and the recent implementation of these funds in Greece.  In closing, His Eminence noted that we in the United States enjoy  unlimited freedom therefore we must increase our efforts, particularly to the unchurched and  those around the world who are suffering, in duress and lacking freedom.

The Plenary continued with a report by the Chancellor of the Archdiocese Bishop Savas of Troas who reported on new clergy assignments, ordinations and deaths  within the District since the last Assembly and his continuing responsibilities for administering the Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy and  scholarships offered by the Archdiocese. 

Reports were also presented by the Finance Committee Chairman Harry Raptakis, Director of St. Michael’s Home Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, Philoptochos President Maria Skiadas,  Youth Ministries Director Fr. Anastasios Pourakis, and President of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou.  Mrs. Walsh then reviewed the newly written Dispute Resolution Procedures describing them as a proactive approach to conflicts that may arise in the Church and parishes. Several workshops were held including: Digital Tools for Parish Ministry, Outreach and Evangelism, Protecting Against Sexual Misconduct and Raising Parish Funds.

 Committee reports continued when the Assembly reconvened Tuesday morning including:  Family and Youth Ministries, Greek Education, Outreach and Evangelism and Parish Development, Religious Education and Stewardship.  The recent activities of  Archdiocesan Ministries included  several recommendations for further progress.   

Executive Director of Administration Jerry Dimitriou reported on the positive financial results for 2007.  He stated that 2007 was a record year for both National Ministries Commitments from our Parishes as well as for Unrestricted Contributions to the Archdiocese.  Mr. Dimitriou reported that the Archdiocese has, for the first time in its history, exceeded $20 Million in revenue with a record revenue increase over the prior year of over $6 Million.  He also reported that the Archdiocese debt was reduced from $7.9 Million to approximately $2.9 Million in 2007.  He noted the success of the new allocation system in assisting the Archdiocese meet the goals and objectives set forth by the Clergy Laity Congress and reported on preparations for the upcoming Clergy Laity Congress in Washington, DC July 13-18, 2008. 

Archbishop Demetrios then offered his thoughts for the theme of the Congress, “emphasizing our need and responsibility to reach out and bring to the Church,’the Home of God’, “all the people who for various reasons are not connected."  He also thanked the community of Holy Trinity for their hospitality and tremendous organization, the members of the Council for their diligent attention and continued work and the staff of the Archdiocese for their tireless efforts. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, Chairman Walsh announced the newly elected  District Council:  Fathers Nicholas Anctil, Holy Trinity, New Rochelle, NY;  Frank Marangos, Holy Trinity Cathedral , New York, NY;  Luke Melackrinos, St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead, NY; James Moskovites, Annunciation , New York, NY;  Peter Orfanakos, St. Barbara, Orange, CT; Demetrios Recachinas, Holy Trinity; Bridgeport, CT;  Dennis Strouzas, Archangel Michael, Roslyn Heights, NY and Elias Villas, Church of our Saviour, Rye, NY.

Also,   Nicholas Andriotis, St. Demetrios Cathedral, Astoria, NY;  Anthony Brigis, Resurrection , Brookville, NY; Stella Capiris, Holy Trinity, Bridgeport, CT; Stephen Cherpelis, Holy Trinity Cathedral , NYC and St. Nicholas , Flushing, NY; Dr. Constantine Flokas, Prophet Elias,, Yonkers, NY;  William Kallinikos, St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead, NY;  George Kondos, Holy Trinity , Bridgeport, CT;  George Mourizakis, Holy Trinity , Bridgeport, CT and   Harry Raptakis, St. Paul Cathedral, Hempstead, NY. 

Also elected as the representatives from the Direct Archdiocesan District to the Archdiocesan Council were  Fr. Peter Orfanakos, Dr. Antoine Harovas and William Kallinikos.  The newly-elected members for both groups will begin their two-year terms following the Clergy-Laity Congress in July.

Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel.:  212-570-3530
communications@goarch.org

Protocol Number 293

CATECHETICAL ADDRESS
ON THE COMMENCEMENT OF
HOLY AND GREAT LENT

+ B A R T H O L O M E W

BY THE MERCY OF GOD
ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE
NEW ROME AND ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH
TO THE PLENITUDE OF THE CHURCH
GRACE AND PEACE FROM OUR SAVIOR AND
LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AND FROM US BENEDICTION
BLESSING AND FORGIVENESS

During this period of Holy and Great Lent, our Church calls us to repentance. Doubtless, as contemporary man hears this invitation to repentance, he does not feel comfortable, because he has accustomed himself to a certain way of life, and does not wish to question his own rectitude. Calling one’s own rectitude into question produces feelings of insecurity, because the ideological structure within which you have sure and certain refuge is clearly risked.

However, a deeper examination of the issue compels us to accept that people’s convictions do not conform to objective reality, on the basis of reasonable judgment. Rather, they create a justification that is pleasing to self, namely: "excuses in sins" (Psalm 140:4). When a person justifies his or her actions and self-vindicates on the basis of erroneous values, significant harm happens, because inevitably, the moment comes when the truth emerges, and we find ourselves without excuse. Moreover, there may be no more time to adjust our convictions: that is, to repent of our sinful deeds and erroneous beliefs, through which we have tried to justify our behavior.

Now as Christians, we are used to both hearing about and practicing repentance, and we do not feel a conflict with our Church’s call to repentance. However, there is a need for us to make a deliberate and conscious effort to realize that a complete repentance has two objectives.

The first objective is threefold: a renunciation of our sins, a decision to cease and desist from sinful deeds and habits, and a decision to make amends for the consequences of our sins. For example, the publican Zaccheus, who sincerely repented during his encounter with Christ, demonstrated his repentance in a practical way by repaying fourfold the very people from whom he had unjustly seized wealth.

The second objective of repentance is that we should change our mentality. We should replace our understandings with other higher and loftier ones; or in the words of the Psalmist: to "ascend in our hearts" (Psalm 83:6). This second objective needs to be pursued especially by those who are unconvinced by their consciousness about specific sins. For example, our understanding of love surely falls short of perfection; likewise our understanding of humility. For when we compare our own spiritual state to the perfection of God, a perfection we are called to imitate, surely we will see our shortcomings and realize the endless road we must traverse in order to find ourselves in the path of those who are like unto God. 

As we examine the quality of our inner peace, we ascertain that we fall short of the peace of Christ "which surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7). Pondering the level to which we trust our lives to God’s Providence, we sadly realize that we are often seized by anxiety and uncertainty about the future, as if we were either of little faith or even without faith. In general, upon examination of the purity of our conscience, we realize that we fall short of understanding correctly the many feelings we harbor within ourselves that are detrimental to our purity, often mistaking them as healthy. Thus, a new and more complete enlightenment of our conscience is needed through the teachings of the Fathers and of the Gospel, so that we will be in a better position to think critically about ourselves and our shortcomings, in line with the judgment of God. Since no one can claim to judge himself perfectly, by the same token no one can claim that he has no need of a renewed mind, a more enlightened mind, a transformation of mind, a correction of mind and mentality, i.e. a need of repentance.

The call of our Orthodox Church to repentance is not merely a call to self-reproach. Self-reproach can be useful, as are deep contrition and tears of repentance; but they are not of themselves sufficient. We need to experience the joy emanating from the forgiveness granted to us by God, the sense of deliverance from the burdens of the bondage of sin, and the sense of God’s love for us. Our repentance does not deprive us from the joy of life, making us indignant when we hear a sermon calling us to repentance. Repentance means cleansing and enlightenment of our minds, more ardent love for Christ and His creation, freedom and joy through the newness of life into which we continually enter through our constant repentance.

The one who constantly repents, ever progresses, ever rejoices through new ascents, finds constant satisfaction in deeper understandings of all things. Through the transformation of mentality and understanding, the one who repents better understands the whole world, becomes wiser, more judicious, more discreet, nobler and a true friend of Christ. Therefore, the preaching of repentance should be favorably received by wise persons who are able to appreciate any improvement that comes from the renewal of the human person through repentance.

Therefore, brothers and sisters and beloved children in the Lord, let us accept the invitation of our Church to repentance as we have set forth above. Let us who have fallen short through sin cleanse ourselves from sin through confession. Let us constantly examine our own presuppositions, so our judgments and thoughts may be godly and pure, just and true.

Finally, we paternally pray that all of you may enjoy the every assistance and help of the Lord on your road to repentance and throughout your renewed life in Christ.

Holy and Great Lent 2008
BARTHOLOMEW of Constantinople
The fervent intercessor for you all before God

--------------------------
To be read in the Churches on the Sunday of Cheesefare, March 9, immediately after the Holy Gospel.