NEW YORK - Speaking to God is a collection of over seventy prayers written by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. The book was originally written in Greek in the 1960s. In its third edition in Greek (2010), the book has been recently translated into English and was released by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on October 15. An ebook edition will follow later this year.
In addressing the focus of the book in the Introduction, Archbishop Demetrios states, “We should speak to God. We should present our problems to Jesus. We should set in front of Him our hard times and our disappointments. We should place our plans, our worries, and desires in His hands. This is the meaning and message that this book wishes to bring to the world.”
Speaking to God has five sections or cycles, which include prayers on general themes and specific topics: (1) asking God to teach us how to pray; (2) talking to God about ourselves and our problems; (3) singing the praises of His glory and majesty; (4) entreating Him on behalf of our brothers and sisters; and (5) addressing the need for a real understanding of the Gospel.
Speaking to God is a helpful resource for daily prayer. It offers strength and inspiration through prayers that guide conversation with God and find in Him the love, wisdom, and peace needed in all of life’s experiences.
This new resource is available in both print and digital editions through the Orthodox Marketplace at www.orthodoxmarketplace.com. Discounts and bulk ordering information for parish and religious bookstores are available through the Department of Communications at 212-774-0244. The Greek edition is also available through Orthodox Marketplace. The proceeds, as with all the other publications authored by Archbishop Demetrios, will fund the Archbishop Demetrios Benevolent Fund.
ISBN: 978-1-58438-024-5 Price: $12.95 (print).
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in its Fall 2012 session expresses once again its deep concern over extremist language used in all spheres of public and private life.
New York, October 23, 2012
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened in its regular fall meeting on October 17 and 18, 2012, at the Synodal Chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York. The meeting was attended by the members of the Synod and presided by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.
The day before the official convening of the Synod, on October 16, the members of the Synod had the opportunity to review and complete their work on the original Greek text of the Services of Vespers and Orthros along with liturgical rubrics, which will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for final approval.
During its meeting, the Holy Synod discussed a number of subjects, among them the following:
1. Special aspects of the pastoral and administrative work of the Church in regard to clergy and laity. More specifically, the Synod approved a program for the pastoral care of patients (Chaplaincy Program) through which, besides the clergy, individuals who have theological education and have been trained in pastoral care can offer their services in various institutions i.e. hospitals, prisons, etc.
2. Matters of special cases for clergy related to disciplinary nature, as well as the need for clergy care for the clergy and their families.
3. Matters of Religious and Greek education: The Synod discussed extensively the training of candidates to the priesthood and the Special Educational Program for Deacons. Also, the need for greater participation of the youth of our parishes in the yearly and very successful program of St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. The new text books for the teaching of the Greek language in the Day and Afternoon Schools of the Archdiocese for the second level were presented. As it is well known, the books are distributed free of charge by Faith Endowment of the Holy Archdiocese. The drafting of the text books for the third level has already begun.
4. Administrative Matters: Administrative matters regarding parishes and monasteries of the Holy Archdiocese were discussed. The very joyful event of the signing of related documents for the rebuilding of the Church of St. Nicholas at Ground Zero was announced. The church besides being a parish will become a National Shrine and a greater witness of the Orthodox Faith.
5. Matters on Social Issues: The Synod discussed issues related to racism and fascism and proceeded with the attached press release. Also the Synod discussed the contemporary subject of the physician assisted suicide and will soon release a communiqué on this subject.
After the completion of the meetings of the Holy Eparchial Synod, its members had the opportunity to participate in the Executive Council, the Committees and the plenary session of the Archdiocesan Council (October 18-19), as well as in the yearly assembly and celebrations of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, October 20-21,2012.
From the office of the Holy Eparchial Synod
Statement of the Holy Eparchial Synodof the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in its Fall 2012 session expresses once again its deep concern over extremist language used in all spheres of public and private life. We exhort all the people with the admonition of the Holy Apostle Paul: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one (Colossians 4:6). We deplore the use of any racist, xenophobic, fascistic, hateful For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Athenagoras Human Rights Award" Presented to Stavros Niarchos Foundation and Andreas Dracopoulos
October 22, 2012
Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Western Hemisphere together with Archons’ National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis presented the Athenagoras Human Rights Award to Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president and director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation.
NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America, Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Western Hemisphere together with Archons’ National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis presented the Athenagoras Human Rights Award to Andreas Dracopoulos, co-president and director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, the honoree of this year’s award. The award was presented during the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Award Banquet, held at the New York Hilton, Oct. 20, 2012.
Archons National Commander Dr. Anthony Limberakis, paid tribute to the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, one of the world’s leading international philanthropic organizations, for their extraordinary and positive impact on the public welfare. Dr. Limberakis enumerated the various activities of philanthropic giving of the Niarchos Foundation saying that the foundation in its 16 year history has provided 1,900 grants to nonprofit organizations in 90 nations around the world, with on billion dollars in humanitarian grnts. He particularly pointed out the Foundation’s $130 million grant to the suffering citizens of Greece which he said “it exemplifies the ethos of philanthropy.” Concluding his address Dr. Limberakis said that “the Foundation and its director are worthy of emulation and most worthy to receive the Athenagoras Human Rights Award,” and exclaimed the words “Axios, Axios, Axios!”
In accepting the award Mr. Andreas Dracopoulos expressed his gratitude for the honor, both personally and on behalf of the Niarchos Foundation. He spoke of the Foundation’s ideals in support of basic freedoms, such are the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion and worship, and the freedoms from bond and from fear. He also outlined an ideal of a society of social welfare, which provides for its citizens the basic needs for life, decency, dignity, civility, the opportunity to dream and the hope for a better tomorrow and expressed the need to collaborate towards this end. Mr. Dracopoulos, said that philanthropy can be expressed in many ways and financial support is an effective one while volunteerism is another important such expression. He said that the Niarchos Foundation through their philanthropic giving wants to sustain the basic pillars of society and democracy. He finally quoted a Greek philosopher who said that true love can only be achieved by being able to constantly seek your ideals and urged all present “to seek your ideals, do your best to help the needy and in doing so stay in love.”
Archbishop Demetrios, who spoke at the end of the evening, congratulated Mr. Dracopoulos and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for their work worldwide, he said “their work is a very differentiated and diversified giving activity,” and outlined with many examples in the 16 years of life of the Foundation. His Eminence pointed out that unlike other foundations and organizations the Niarchos Foundation only gives, it does not collect and it does fundraise. The Archbishop outlined the many qualities of courage, compassion and reconciliation of Patriarch Athenagoras and pointed out that the recipients of this award are indeed worthy of the honor. His Eminence said that Mr. Dracopoulos in leading the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, has demonstrated an ethos of compassion which through philanthropy helps overcome human suffering , promotes community vitality, the enrichment of quality of life, the sustainable advancement of our Hellenic cultural heritage and the continued achievement of Hellenes and people around the world.
Those who offered additional remarks earlier in the program were Archon John Halecky For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
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