LOS ANGELES – Archbishop Demetrios of America was awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters by Loyola Marymount University during a solemn conferral ceremony held in the university’s Sacred Heart Chapel, yesterday afternoon.
According to an LMU statement, the degree was awarded to the Archbishop in recognition of his role in the growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches, recognizing him as an international humanitarian leader who has reached out to Christian, Jewish and Muslim leaders.
“We applaud the work His Eminence has done to contribute to the interfaith dialogue among all religions and it is our honor to bestow this degree on him,” said LMU President Rev. Robert B. Lawton, S.J. “LMU prides itself on educating our students to appreciate and learn from traditions other than their own.”
“I feel highly honored for receiving today this honorary doctoral degree from the renowned Loyola Marymount University. This occasion was a great opportunity for me to offer to a select audience of the University a lecture about Saint Paul, to whom both the Orthodox Church and the Roman-Catholic Church have dedicated 2008 as the Year of St. Paul;” said Archbishop Demetrios. He particularly noted that, “both the conferral of the degree and the lecture on Saint Paul are related to the ongoing effort to promote substantive ecumenical relations among the Churches. These relations, especially today, in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace, reconciliation and dialogue among religions and cultures, take additional importance. Therefore, I warmly congratulate Loyola Marymount University for its contribution to the cultivation of the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue as part of its various academic activities, like the present one.” At another occasion, Archbishop Demetrios said the honor bestowed upon him really belongs to all the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Church in general as represented in the person of the Archbishop.
Many university officials, faculty members and students as well as many members of the orthodox clergy and laity of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco attended the conferral ceremony, headed by Metropolitan Gerasimos who offered the invocation. The other Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches of the greater Los Angeles area were also very well represented by numerous members of their clergy.
Archbishop Demetrios offered an in depth portrait of St. Paul in his address entitled “St. John Chrysostom’s Paul” which was received with great interest and attention. Fr. Alexei Smith the Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Roman-Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles conveyed a written a message of His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahony, the Archbishop of Los Angeles who was traveling and could not attend. Fr. John Bakas, dean of St. Sophia Cathedral and Lecturer at the University offered a greeting on behalf of the LMU faculty. The Combined Southern California Greek Orthodox Choirs, under the direction of Constance Callinicos, sang the Great Doxology and other hymns.
Loyola Marymount University places special emphasis on theological scholarship, ethics and spirituality and a commitment to fostering greater ecumenical dialogue. Within this context and along with philanthropist, film producer and former U.S. Congressman Michael Huffington it launched last year the Huffington Ecumenical Institute. The institute’s goal is to promote the unity of the Orth For the rest of this News Release, visit the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America websiteNew Archdiocesan Council and Philoptochos Board, Meet in ChicagoNovember 10, 2008
The new Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America held the first meeting of its 2008-2010 term Nov. 6-7 in Chicago with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presiding.
CHICAGO – The new Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America held the first meeting of its 2008-2010 term Nov. 6-7 in Chicago with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presiding. The members of the new Council serve for a two-year term expiring at the next Clergy-Laity Congress in 2010. The Council consists of 128 members of elected and appointed clergy and laity from across the United States.
The work of the full Archdiocesan Council began in the morning of Nov. 7. As customary, the opening session convened jointly with the members of the newly appointed National Philoptochos Board. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios offered a prayer service and he then proceeded with his introductory address to this joint body.
In his address, Archbishop Demetrios acknowledged the unique and special conditions in the country and the world, conditions of war and conflict, strain and anguish created by the world-wide financial crisis and the many ways they affect the faithful and our Church. The Archbishop also acknowledged the historic election of the new president, only days before, and the fact that the Archdiocesan Council was coincidentally convening in Chicago in the same hotel the new president-elect was holding his first press conference and meetings across the hall.
Archbishop Demetrios apprised the body of the recent very important meeting in Constantinople, the Synaxis of the Primates of the Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, which was convened last month by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He noted in particular “the clear leadership offered by His All Holiness …and the respect and recognition afforded to the Patriarch by all the other Primates.” His Eminence further talked about the various dialogues between the Orthodox and people of other faiths as a means to gain perspective and understanding of where we stand in the world.
Archbishop Demetrios stated that it was of vital importance to deal seriously and act on the theme of the last Clergy-Laity Congress “Gather My People to My Home” and intensify efforts to minister to the un-churched and the youth. His Eminence acknowledged there are some things blocking these efforts related to financial set-backs and pressures but insisted they should not hinder the work of the Gospel. He added that in recent days the word “power” dominates the political and financial realms and seems to be defining the lives of people, but we as Orthodox Christians have God’s power to turn to and he urged all to “use this high voltage power properly.”
The affirmation of office for the members of the Archdiocesan Council followed with the nominations and election of the executive board and officers of the Council. The elected members and officers are: Michael Jaharis, vice-chairman; Nicholas Bouras, treasurer; Catherine Bouffides-Walsh, secretary; and as members George Behrakis, Peter Kikis, Anthony Stefanis, Elenie Huszagh, George Matthews and George Vourvoulias.
The work of the Council continued with the presentation and discussion of issues concerning the life and the ministry of the Church as presented by the various Archdiocesan Council committees, which had met on Thursday, Nov. 6. These committees were Administration, Communications, Greek Education, Finance and Stewardship, Religious Education and Hellenic College, Marriage and Family, Outreach and Evangelism, Youth, Philanthropy and Technology.
Convening simultaneously with the Archdiocesan Council was the National Philoptochos Board. At the beginning of the National Philoptochos Board meeting, Archbishop Deme For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels
November 8, 2008
I communicate to you with joy on the festive occasion of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, which our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates on November 8 of each year.
Protocol 106/08
Feast of the Synaxis of
The Holy Archangels
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,
I communicate to you with joy on the festive occasion of the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, which our Holy Orthodox Church celebrates on November 8 of each year. This day is one for all of us to be conscious of the very real and active presence that God’s holy angels have in our lives. The Epistle to the Hebrews describes the holy angels as ministering spirits sent forth to serve for the sake of those who are to obtain salvation (1:14). Our Holy Tradition, following this understanding of Scripture, teaches that each of us is assigned a guardian angel at the moment of our baptism to protect and watch over us throughout our life on earth.
In keeping with this understanding of the protection that the holy angels provide to all of us throughout life, our Holy Archdiocese has made it a priority to provide for the physical, psychological, and spiritual care of our senior Greek Orthodox faithful who are in need. This is made possible through the important ministry that is offered by Saint Michael's Home, our senior adult home in New York, which is appropriately named after the Archangel Michael, whom we commemorate on this day. This year, as we celebrate this Feast, we are doubly blessed to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of Saint Michael’s Home. This auspicious occasion allows us to reflect upon the tremendous accomplishments that Saint Michael’s has achieved since its founding, and the great opportunities that lie ahead for the Home as it works to expand its capacity and its level of care for its residents.
Over the past 50 years, people have come to reside at Saint Michael’s Home from places far and wide. Though most of its residents traditionally hail from the New York Tri-State region (NY, NJ, and CT), Saint Michael’s Home has provided a place of comfort to Greek Orthodox Christians from faraway states and even from other countries. Presently, the Home is staffed with capabilities to provide for assisted living to its nearly 60 residents. In its expansion plans, the Home hopes to be able to offer care to those who have greater medical needs. Perhaps what is most extraordinary about Saint Michael’s Home is that throughout its half-century existence, its operating expenses have been largely covered by the generous donations from you, the faithful of our Archdiocese.
In view of its 50th year anniversary and expansion plans, and with my warm expressions of thanks for your past and consistent generosity, I invite you all to consider giving to the Home generously this year so that Saint Michael’s Home can continue to function as a very special and sacred institution of our Archdiocese. Your contributions may be made payable to Saint Michael’s Home and sent to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. In contributing to the Home, you will be significantly aiding our Church in providing care to the elders of our community whom we love deeply, and who are continuously being protected by the myriad of angelic beings of God.
On this Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, I ask th For the rest of this News Release, visit the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America website
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