NEW YORK – Yesterday, May 5, 2009, Archbishop Demetrios of America, responding to a formal invitation, made an official visit to the Headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR), the first such visit of a Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in more than 40 years. The visit was reciprocal in nature, as Archbishop Demetrios had received the new First Hierarch of ROCOR, His Eminence Metropolitan Hilarion, at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in June of 2008, after the enthronement of the latter.

The Archbishop was received by Metropoltian Hilarion and members of the ROCOR Synod in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign. After cordial fraternal exchanges between the Hierarchs and the clergy, there was the chanting of “Christ is Risen” in Slavonic, Greek and English, and Metropolitan Hilarion escorted Archbishop Demetrios to venerate the historic Miracle Working Kursk Root Icon of the Mother of God. Metropolitan Hilarion addressed Archbishop Demetrios to the Cathedral and ROCOR Headquarters saying, “We welcome the Chief Orthodox Archpastor of America and the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.” An exchange of greetings and gifts followed.

After the veneration of several relics and icons in the Cathedral, Metropolitan Hilarion and Archbishop Demetrios gathered in the Metropolitan’s private quarters for informal discussions. The Archbishop was accompanied in the meeting by His Grace Bishop Savas of Troas; the Very Rev. Archimandrite Sebastian Skordallos, Chief Secretary of the Eparchial Synod; the Rev. Mark Arey, Director for Inter-Orthodox Relations, and Archdeacon Pandeleimon Papadopoulos. Metropolitan Hilarion was accompanied by His Eminence Archbishop Kyrill of San Francisco, His Grace Bishop George of Mayfield, His Grace Bishop Jerome of Manhattan, the Very Rev. Archpriest Alexander Lebedeff, and the Very Rev. Archpriest Seraphim Gan.

At the conclusion of the hour-long meeting, the entire company was joined by other ROCOR Hierarchs who were present for Synod Meetings during these days, and a festive Paschal meal was offered in honor of Archbishop Demetrios. The ROCOR Hierarchs who joined the meal were Archbishop Mark of Berlin, Bishop Gabriel of Montreal, Bishop Peter of Cleveland, and Bishop John of Caracas.

New York, May 1, 2009
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened for its regular Spring Session in the Synodal Room of the Holy Archdiocese in New York on April 29 and 30 under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. 
    The Holy Eparchial Synod deliberated on a series of issues pertaining to the life of the Church. Among them, the following were discussed:
1. Liturgical Issues – The Holy Eparchial Synod worked for the preparation of a Service Text for the induction of the heterodox into the Orthodox Church through the administration of the Sacrament of Chrismation.
A new special pocket edition of the New Testament for the benefit of Orthodox military personnel was presented. It was published by the American Bible Society in cooperation with the Holy Archdiocese of America. Parishes of the Holy Archdiocese will be called by their local Metropolitan to honor their members serving in the military and offer them this special edition of the New Testament.
2. Canonical Issues – The Holy Eparchial Synod a) discussed cases of canonical issues pertaining to inter-Orthodox relations in the USA, b) made decisions with regard to pending issues of disciplinary nature, c) approved the draft of the Regulations for the operation the Holy Eparchial Synod, which will be forwarded to the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for final approval, and d) worked on a text of the regulations for the operation of Spiritual Courts.    
3. Educational Issues
a) Holy Cross School of Theology / Hellenic College – A lengthy discussion took place regarding the Holy Cross School of Theology and Hellenic College, and more specifically the financial ramifications of the world financial crisis. Furthermore, gratitude was expressed to the members of “Leadership 100”, for it was their personal donations that covered the necessary amount for the continuation of the scholarship program offered to students of the Holy Cross School of Theology. It was also emphasized that the clergy of the Holy Archdiocese should increase their efforts to cultivate young people for the Priesthood, especially among altar boys.
b) Specialized Educational Program for Deacons – There was discussion on the practical aspects of this program that is already underway at the Holy Cross School of Theology and operates under the supervision of the Holy Eparchial Synod. A supplementary educational program at the Metropolis level was suggested.
After the conclusion of the session of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the hierarchs participated in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.
                       
From the Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod

    Since our 39th Clergy-Laity Congress last summer, we have been consistently and methodically devoting a series of reflections to analyzing various elements of its theme: “Gather My People to My Home.”  In past reflections, we have explored whom we precisely mean when we speak of “God’s People.”  We have reflected upon different and equally valid ways of understanding what it is that we reference when we speak of the Church as “God’s Home.”  In building upon this foundation, we are now ready to devote our next few reflection pieces to the word “Gathering,” which is a central concept of our Congress’ theme, and perhaps, its most complex and demanding action.

   As this reflection is the first of many that will explore the concept of “Gathering,” its purpose is to identify the many issues associated with this term by assessing the tremendously diverse religious landscape of America, of which we as the Greek Orthodox Church in America are a vital part.  In this way, we will have a greater understanding of how we might appreciate what it truly means to “Gather” God’s people to His Home. 

    Let us begin with an important observation by noting that the term “Gather” is the only verb that is used in our theme.  We should also note that this verb is used in the imperative mood.  It is not simply a statement or a wish; rather, it is a call to action.  Indeed it is properly understood as a command from the Lord that He issues to us on a continual basis as part of what it means for us to be faithful Orthodox Christians.  In view of such a degree of importance, we must acknowledge that the issues that pertain to our work of gathering God’s people to His home are numerous and complex.  We must also underscore the importance of our active and direct engagement with these issues and the people they concern, no matter how complicated the needs and circumstances of people may be.

    Among these issues associated with our task of “Gathering” the people of God, is the self-evident reality that in our contemporary society, different people stand in differing relationships to the Church.  Here, it is helpful to illustrate a few examples.  One such example is presented to us when we encounter our brother and sister Orthodox Christians who, for various reasons over the passing of time, may have lost what had once been for them a close connection to the Church.  Another is presented when we encounter the so-called “unchurched,” by which we mean people who have never really identified themselves as affiliated with a Christian church or perhaps even with any religion at all. 

    There are further, more dramatic examples of how different people stand in differing relationships to the Church.  One such example presents itself to us when we encounter people who are honestly struggling with religious questions and with their quest for God.   Another example is presented to us when we engage in conversations with others who, having arrived at their own conclusions, profess openly that they do not believe in God.  Finally, we have examples of those who simply do not care about matters of faith, or, in some cases, who are even hostile to religion.
 

   These examples are by no means foreign to us.  Indeed, most of us can readily call to mind many people whom we genuinely love as friends or even as family members as we reflect upon each of these above-mentioned examples.  In reflections to follow, we will explore together more specific ways of how we might “Gather” the many people of God’s flock to His Home.  In all cases, as we reflect upon the social realities which differe For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website