Protocol 01/06

January 1, 2006
Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year

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 Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

My Beloved Christians,

The commencement of the New Year is always an opportune time to consider the abiding presence of Christ and His love in our midst.  As we look forward to the hopes and challenges of the New Year, this time is certainly an opportunity to renew our minds with a spirit of Christian hope and positive thinking, to take care of our bodily health through sound exercise and nutrition, to become more conscious of our duties to protect our natural environment, and to grow in our Orthodox Christian faith through our acts of love, worship, and service to others.  This time accords us the opportunity to work toward the achievement of our full potential as human beings created in the image and likeness of God, and being stewards of the earth.

January 1 is also significant because on this day we commemorate the life and legacy of Saint Basil the Great, a foremost distinguished ecumenical Hierarch and Teacher of our Church.  In his lifetime during the fourth century, Saint Basil was revered not only for his theological acumen, but also for his acts of kindness and goodwill to the sick, the downtrodden, and the marginalized.  Saint Basil was equally renowned for his vigorous pursuits and tangible successes in establishing charitable institutions, orphanages, and hospitals outside the ancient city of Caesarea in Cappadocia, where he faithfully and dutifully served as bishop.  Appropriately, the complex of these institutions bore his name, “the Basileias.”

Today, the legacy of Saint Basil lives on through the good work of philanthropic agencies and charitable institutions that strive to advance human health on all levels: mind, body, and soul.  One of these institutions that actually bears his name is our own Saint Basil Academy in Garrison, New York. For over fifty years, Saint Basil Academy has worked to provide a home of healing, care and peace to children and young people from across America who are in special need of a place of serenity, a place where they can know the love of the Lord.  This work has been made possible by the grace of God, by the diligent and noble work of the directors and the staff of the Academy, and by the contributions of faithful who support its noble aims and endeavors.

Each year on this day, as a fitting way to begin the New Year, we are led by our National Ladies Philoptochos Society and the many local Philoptochos chapters in parishes throughout our nation in collecting funds for this vital ministry of love.  This effort continues to be a tremendous source of support for the Academy.  Thus, as we begin the New Year, and as we distribute pieces of the traditional Vasilopeta in honor of Saint Basil to the members of our communities and homes, I ask that you kindly consider making a special contribution to the Saint Basil Academy.  Through your prayers and your contributions, you will truly be supporting the aims of this important ministry, and will be bringing the peace of Christ into the hearts of many who are in need of His tender care and mercy.

It is my heartfelt prayer that the New Year 2006 may be a year of peace and prosperity for you all, and that the infinite love and healing of Christ may permeate your minds, bodies, and souls.  May the abundant blessings of God be with you all.

With paternal love in Christ,
                                
+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

According to Archbishop Demetrios of America, His All Holiness will visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and specifically the Metropolis of Atlanta, headed by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, from January 4-8, 2006. This will be the first time that an Ecumenical Patriarch visits the Tarpon Springs area for the multitude of festivities associated with the celebration of Epiphany.

Schedule of Events

His All Holiness will arrive at Clearwater/St. Petersburg International Airport on January 4th where he will be welcomed by Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Alexios and clergy and laity from the surrounding communities. A Doxology will follow immediately thereafter at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Tarpon Springs.

On Thursday, January 5th at 11:00, hundreds of young people from throughout the Metropolis of Atlanta will gather for a Patriarchal Celebration of Youth. Immediately following will be a Patriarchal Epiphany Centennial Clergy/Laity Luncheon.

The Epiphany Glendi (Festival) will begin following the Diving for the Cross on January 6 and continue until midnight Saturday, January 7. Held at the Tarpon Springs Sponge Exchange, the Glendi transports all who attend into an authentic and exhilarating Greek street party, with everything Greek, from the food to live dancing.

In addition to the traditional events surrounding the Epiphany, renowned singer Mario Frangoulis will be performing at the Sun Dome in Tampa on Saturday, January 7 at 7:00 p.m. in honor of His All Holiness. The concert. will also include the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra with the Archdiocesan Metropolitan Children’s Choir.

Sunday, January 8th His All Holiness will celebrate a Patriarchal Liturgy commemorating the Centennial of St. Nicholas Cathedral, followed by a Centennial Luncheon. He is scheduled to depart later that evening.

Celebration of Epiphany January 6

Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. Of all the observances of Epiphany (Theophany- manifestation of God) throughout the world, this is known to be exceedingly rich in religious tradition and significance and astonishingly festive within the Greek Orthodox Church. Nowhere does the observance take place on the scale witnessed in Tarpon Springs, which introduced the Greek Epiphany and its traditions to the American public 100 years ago. Hundreds of pennants float in the breeze, Greek and American flags fly everywhere, and lighted crosses decorate the lampposts lining the streets. On January 6, thousands of people, of every faith and denomination, from throughout the United States and Canada, will gather at the Tarpon Springs Bayou to witness the Blessing of the Water and the dive for the recovery of the cross by young men of the community.

St. Nicholas Cathedral Liturgy

Earlier, hundreds are expected to pack St. Nicholas Cathedral, for the Patriarchal Liturgy and Blessing of the Waters to be celebrated by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, assisted by Archbishop Demetrios of America, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, hierarchs and area clergy. Following the Blessing of the Waters, His All Holiness, hierarchs and clergy and the entire congregation will proceed out of the Church and through the streets of Tarpon Springs to the Spring Bayou where thousands will have gathered for the diving of the cross. His All Holiness will mount a platform where he will see some 50 Greek American young men males, ages 16-18, waiting in boats until the moment when the Patriarch will throw the Cross and they will dive into the Bayou waters as they vie to be the first to capture the coveted cross and the promise of happiness and success in the coming year. He will also receive a special blessing from His All Holiness and a prestigious trophy.

Pastoral Visit to New Orleans

On January 7th, His All Holiness will make a pastoral visit to Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans, the first Greek Orthodox community in the United States, now recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

For more information and a complete schedule of events of the 2006 Patriarchal Centennial Celebration, please visit http://patriarchalcentennialvisit.com

Media - To register and for a complete schedule of the 2006 Patriarchal Centennial Celebration, visit www.epiphany100.com/scheduleofevents