Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy Pascha – May 5, 2013

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this glorious Feast of Feasts filled with the brilliant light and exhilarating joy we find in the presence of our Risen Lord, I proclaim with you, Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen! As we gather to worship and give thanks to God for His abundant grace and the manifestation of His power in conquering death and restoring us to life, we affirm in hymn and words the universal impact of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the Canon of this Holy Feast and the services of the Paschal period, we proclaim, “Now all things are filled with light;” “Christ the Savior of the world…has filled all things with fragrance;” and “All things have been enlightened by His Resurrection.”Protocol 44/13

May 5, 2013

Holy Pascha

The Feast of Feasts

 

Now all things are filled with light; Heaven and earth, and the nethermost regions of the earth.  Let all creation, therefore, celebrate the arising of Christ, whereby it is established.

(Hymn of the Canon of Pascha)

 

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,

On this glorious Feast of Feasts filled with the brilliant light and exhilarating joy we find in the presence of our Risen Lord, I proclaim with you,

Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

As we gather to worship and give thanks to God for His abundant grace and the manifestation of His power in conquering death and restoring us to life, we affirm in hymn and words the universal impact of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. From the Canon of this Holy Feast and the services of the Paschal period, we proclaim, “Now all things are filled with light;” “Christ the Savior of the world…has filled all things with fragrance;” and “All things have been enlightened by His Resurrection.”

Through the power of our Lord’s Resurrection and the revelation of Him as the Source of true and eternal life, all of creation has been filled with the presence of God’s grace.  The light of the Resurrection infuses all things, and no darkness remains.  Nothing remains hidden—the consequences of sin are exposed, and the victory of the Cross is revealed. (more…)

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of St. Basil and the New Year – January 1, 2013

Protocol Number 01/13

January 1, 2013
Feast of Saint Basil and New Year

Be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
and put on the new nature, created after the
likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
 (Ephesians 4:23-24)

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,

As we come to the beginning of a new calendar year, we are very familiar with the atmosphere of expectations and hopes for new beginnings that pervades our modern world.  With the changing of a number and the turning of a calendar page, many people seek to leave behind experiences and challenges of the past year and look forward to a new year and the possibility of new opportunities and better circumstances in life.  Others are thankful for the events and memories of the year that has passed, and greet the new year with anticipation of greater things to come.

While we are influenced by this element of our culture which is linked to how we mark the passage of time, we know as Orthodox Christians that there is a much more appropriate focus in reflection on the past and anticipation of future—the grace of God.  It is His grace that offers us forgiveness and hope.  It is by His great mercy that our hearts, minds and bodies are renewed.  Through His abundant love, we are filled with gratitude for all that He has offered, and we look forward to a new year of tremendous blessings.

This focus on the newness of life we find in God’s grace is essential each day of our lives; but it is also very appropriate on a day when we commemorate Saint Basil the Great.  This is an affirmation of the power of grace.  In venerating the life and witness of Saint Basil, we recognize that God’s grace was “poured out” upon him, so that he not only had the power to “reveal divine things” but also to be a “minister of the Gospel.”  In his writings, sermons, and letters, Saint Basil emphasized the vital role of God’s grace as it has been revealed both in creation and human life, and through the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.  He also illustrated the power of grace through a life dedicated to caring for the sick, the orphaned, and the elderly.

It is also on this day and throughout the month of January that we recognize the sacred work of Saint Basil Academy.  Each year we are led by our National Philoptochos Society and local chapters in collecting funds for this ministry of grace.  As you participate in the special offerings and the cutting of the Vasilopeta, I ask you to give generously.  The care, healing, and love offered by the board, directors, and staff at Saint Basil Academy is a faithful witness of the power of grace.  Each day, the children and youth at the Academy see and experience the love of God and are offered examples of the necessity of communion with Him.  In this atmosphere filled with grace, they are able to find the guidance, peace, and joy that they need in their young lives.

In addition to your gifts for Saint Basil Academy, I ask you to remember this ministry in your prayers.  May you also prayerfully consider the power of God’s grace in your life.  As you begin the new year, be ready for the great blessings that God will offer to you and through you to other people.  In your commemorations of this day, may you be assured that God’s love and mercy are with you always.  On this day of renewal, I pray that you and your families have a happy and blessed New Year.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Nativity of Christ 2012

The Greek language encyclical is available here.

Protocol Number 173/12
December 25, 2012
The Nativity of Christ

When the fullness of time had come,
God sent forth His Son, born of a woman….
(Galatians 4:4)

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,

Our celebration of the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is filled with joyful proclamations of the fulfillment of His promises for redemption and new life.  “Today the Virgin gives birth to Him who is above all being.”  “Today God has come upon the earth, and man gone up to heaven.”  “Today He who knows no beginning now begins to be, and the Word is made flesh.”  These words from the hymns of the feast affirm the magnitude of the events in Bethlehem on that day.  They also nurture within our hearts the joy, assurance and hope that are offered through the One who became incarnate.

The joy of the Feast of the Nativity is known and experienced through the revelation of God’s divine plan for the salvation of humankind.  This deep and fulfilling joy was expressed by the Virgin Mary when she praised God for being chosen to be the mother of Christ: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior (Luke 1:46).  When the angel appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus he proclaimed, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11).  We also have received this revelation through the message of the Gospel and through our experience of the presence of Christ in our midst.  On this glorious feast our hearts are filled with ineffable joy.

This great joy we share in celebrating the Nativity of our Lord also strengthens our faith in the promises of God.  The witness of the Incarnation is that God is faithful and true.  The fulfillment of His promises of redemption were affirmed by Zacharias, the father of Saint John the Baptist, when he proclaimed, “For God has visited and redeemed His people…as He spoke by the mouth of His holy Prophets (Luke 1:68, 70).  In his Gospel, Saint Matthew wrote, So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the Prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel (Matthew 1:22-23; Isaiah 7:14).  And in the hymns of this Nativity season we sing, “The revelation of Christ is now made manifest: the preachings of the Prophets have received their fulfillment.  The holy sayings of the Prophets have been fulfilled in the city of Bethlehem within a cave” (Vespers and Matins of the Forefeast).  On this day all that had been promised by God, all that had been foretold for our salvation, was fulfilled in the birth of Christ.

The joy and assurance that we have in our communion with God on this holy feast engenders within our hearts an enduring hope. Our joy in the fulfillment of His divine plan for our salvation and our assurance through our faith in the truth of the Gospel, give us a firm hope in His promises of eternal life, for the complete restoration of our fellowship with Him, and for the fulfillment of all things.  This is a feast of hope because through it we see all that has been accomplished, and we are given a glimpse of what is to come.  This Feast of the Nativity of our Lord affirms for each one of us that we can have hope and joy in any of the circumstances and conditions of life—hope in the transformation of our lives through faith and hope in the power of God’s love.

On this blessed and holy feast, I offer to each of you my best wishes for a joyful season of worship and fellowship.  May your hearts be filled with assurance, joy and hope, and may the peace and mercy of our Lord be with you in the new year.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Ἀριθμός Πρωτοκόλλου: 173/12

25 Δεκεμβρίου 2012
Χριστούγεννα

Ὅτε δέ ἦλθεν τό πλήρωμα τοῦ χρόνου,
ἐξαπέστειλεν ὁ Θεός τόν Υἱόν Αὐτοῦ, γενόμενον
ἐκ γυναικός.
(πρός Γαλάτας 4:4)

Προσφιλεῖς Ἀδελφοί καί Ἀδελφές ἐν Χριστῷ,

Ὁ ἑορτασμός τῶν Χριστουγέννων εἶναι γεμᾶτος μέ χαρμόσυνες διακηρύξεις τῆς ἐκπληρώσεως τῶν ὑποσχέσεων τοῦ Σαρκωθέντος Κυρίου γιά λύτρωση καί καινή ζωή: «Σήμερον ἡ Παρθένος γεννᾶ τόν ὑπεράνω παντός ὄντος». «Σήμερον ὁ Θεός ἔρχεται ἐπί γῆς καί ὁ ἄνθρωπος ἀνέρχεται εἰς οὐρανόν». «Σήμερον ὁ ἄναρχος ἄρχεται καί ὁ Λόγος σαρκοῦται».Αὐτοί οἱ λόγοι τῶν ὕμνων τῆς ἑορτῆς τῶν Χριστουγέννων ἐπιβεβαιώνουν τό μέγεθος τῶν γεγονότων τά ὁποῖα ἐκτυλίχθηκαν στήν Βηθλεέμ τήν ἡμέρα αὐτή. Καλλιεργοῦν ἐπίσης μέσα στήν καρδιά μας τήν χαρά, τήν βεβαιότητα καί τήν ἐλπίδα πού προσφέρονται ἀπό τόν Ἕνα ὁ Ὁποῖος σαρκώθηκε.

Ἡ χαρά τῆς Ἑορτῆς τῆς Γεννήσεως εἶναι γνωστή καί βιώνεται μέσα ἀπό τήν ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ θείου σχεδίου τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά τήν σωτηρία τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος. Αὐτή ἡ βαθειά καί πλήρης χαρά ἐκφράσθηκε ἀπό τήν Παρθένο Μαρία ὅταν ἐδόξασε τόν Θεό γιά τήν ἐπιλογή της νά γίνῃ ἡ μητέρα τοῦ Χριστοῦ: Μεγαλύνει ἡ ψυχή μου τόν Κύριον, καί ἠγαλλίασεν τό πνεῦμά μου ἐπί τῷ Θεῷ τῷ Σωτῆρι μου (Λουκ. 1:16). Ὅταν ὁ ἄγγελος παρουσιάσθηκε στούς ποιμένες ἀνακοινώνοντας τήν γέννηση τοῦ Χριστοῦ, διεκήρυξε, Ἰδού γάρ εὐαγγελίζομαι ὑμῖν χαράν μεγάλην ἥτις ἔσται παντί τῷ λαῷ, ὅτι ἐτέχθη ὑμῖν σήμερον Σωτήρ ὅς ἐστιν Χριστός Κύριος ἐν πόλει Δαυίδ (Λουκ. 2:10-11). Ἔχουμε λάβει, ἐπίσης, αὐτή τήν ἀποκάλυψη μέσα ἀπό τό μήνυμα τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου, μέσα ἀπό τήν ἐμπειρία μας τῆς παρουσίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἀνάμεσά μας. Σ’αὐτή τήν ἔνδοξη ἑορτή οἱ καρδιές μας γεμίζουν μέ ἀνείπωτη χαρά.

Αὐτή ἡ μεγάλη χαρά πού μοιραζόμεθα στόν ἑορτασμό τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας δυναμώνει ἐπίσης τήν πίστη μας στίς ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ. Ἡ μαρτυρία τῆς Σαρκώσεως εἶναι ὅτι ὁ Θεός εἶναι πιστός καί ἀληθινός. Ἡ ἐκπλήρωση τῶν ὑποσχέσεών Του γιά λύτρωση ἐπιβεβαιώθηκαν ἀπό τόν Ζαχαρία, πατέρα τοῦ Ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ Βαπτιστοῦ, ὅταν εἶπε: ὁ Θεός ἐπεσκέψατο καί ἐποίησεν λύτρωσιν τῷ λαῷ Αὐτοῦ… καθώς ἐλάλησεν διά στόματος τῶν ἁγίων ἀπ’αἰῶνος προφητῶν Αὐτοῦ (Λουκ. 1:68, 70). Στό Εὐαγγέλιό του, ὁ Εὐαγγελιστής Ματθαῖος ἔγραψε, τοῦτο δέ ὅλον γέγονεν ἵνα πληρωθῇ τό ῥηθέν ὑπό τοῦ Κυρίου διά τοῦ προφήτου λέγοντος∙ ‘ Ἰδού ἡ Παρθένος ἐν γαστρί ἕξει καί τέξεται Υἱόν, καί καλέσουσιν τό ὄνομα Αὐτοῦ  Ἐμμανουήλ (Ματθ. 1:22-23, Ἠσαΐου 7:14).

Καί στούς ὕμνους τῆς Χριστουγεννιάτικης περιόδου ψάλλουμε, «Ἡ ἀποκάλυψη τοῦ Χριστοῦ ἐφανερώθη, τό κήρυγμα τῶν προφητῶν ἐξεπληρώθη ἐν πόλει Βηθλεέμ» (Ἑσπερινός καί Ὄρθρος πρό τῆς Ἑορτῆς). Αὐτή τήν ἡμέρα, ὅλες οἱ ὑποσχέσεις τοῦ Θεοῦ ὅλες οἱ προρήσεις τῶν προφητῶν περί τῆς σωτηρίας μας ἐξεπληρώθησαν στή Γέννηση τοῦ Χριστοῦ.

Ἡ χαρά καί ἡ βεβαιότητα πού βιώνουμε στήν κοινωνία μας μέ τόν Θεό σ’ αὐτή τήν ἁγία Ἑορτή προκαλεῖ μέσα στίς καρδιές μας διαρκῆ ἐλπίδα. Ἡ χαρά μας στήν ἐκπλήρωση τοῦ θελήματος τοῦ Θεοῦ γιά τήν λύτρωσή μας καί ἡ βεβαιότητά μας βασισμένη στήν πίστη μας στήν ἀλήθεια τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου, μᾶς δίδει σταθερή ἐλπίδα στίς ὑποσχέσεις Του γιά αἰώνια ζωή, γιά τήν πλήρη ἀποκατάσταση τῆς σχέσεώς μας μ’ Ἐκεῖνον, καί γιά τήν ὁλοκλήρωση ὅλων τῶν πραγμάτων. Αὐτή εἶναι ἑορτή ἐλπίδος διότι δι’ αὐτῆς βλέπουμε ὅλα αὐτά πού ἔχουν ἐπιτευχθεῖ, καί παίρνουμε μιά ἰδέα γιά αὐτό πού ἀκολουθεῖ. Αὐτή ἡ Ἑορτή τῆς Γεννήσεως τοῦ Κυρίου μας ἐπιβεβαιώνει στόν καθένα μας ὅτι μποροῦμε νά ἔχουμε ἐλπίδα καί χαρά σέ ὅλες τίς συνθῆκες καί καταστάσεις τῆς ζωῆς, ἐλπίδα στή μεταμόρφωση τῆς ζωῆς μας διά τῆς πίστεως, καί ἐλπίδα στήν δύναμη τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ Θεοῦ.

Σ’αὐτή τήν εὐλογημένη καί ἁγία Ἑορτή, εὔχομαι στόν καθένα σας τίς καλύτερες εὐχές μου γιά μιά χαρμόσυνη περίοδο λατρείας καί ἀδελφοσύνης. Εἴθε οἱ καρδιές σας νά εἶναι γεμάτες βεβαιότητα, χαρά καί ἐλπίδα, καί εἴθε ἡ εἰρήνη καί τό ἔλεος τοῦ Κυρίου μας νά σᾶς συντροφεύουν στό νέο ἔτος.

Μετά πατρικῆς ἐν Χριστῷ ἀγάπης,

† ὁ ἈρχιεπίσκοποςἈμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ARCHDIOCESE ESTABLISHES HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF FUND

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS VISITS STORM RAVAGED AREAS IN STATEN ISLAND, NY
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America establishes the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund and designates Sunday November 11, 2012 as a day of prayer and offering on behalf of the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Archbishop Demetrios of America, on behalf of the Holy Eparchial Synod, issued today an Encyclical (click here ) in which he calls upon all the faithful throughout the Church in America to pray fervently for comfort from above. We offer prayers of remembrance for those who perished and of solace for those who lost family members. We pray for the many who have lost their homes, and for those who are facing uncertainty regarding their jobs and livelihood.
The Archdiocesan Encyclical designates next Sunday a day of prayer for the victims and asks the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to conduct a special collection for the “Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund,” and the proceeds to be sent to the Archdiocese, which will coordinate the relief efforts with the National Philoptochos, the Metropolis of New Jersey and the Direct Archdiocesan District. Donations by check can also be send directly to the Archdiocese designated for the Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund or made online at: http://www.goarch.org/special/hurricanesandy

The Archbishop continuing the assessment of damages of Hurricane Sandy, visited yesterday Sunday Nov. 4, the Greek Orthodox Church of Holy Trinity / St. Nicholas in Staten Island, N.Y., which has been hard hit by the storm. He presided over the Divine Liturgy and offered a Trisagion prayer service for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives. He also led the congregation in prayer for strength and comfort from God for all the people who lost their homes, their businesses and property and are suffering in the aftermath. After the liturgy he met families who were affected by the hurricane and together with the community’s pastor, Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos and National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas surveyed an area of Staten Island that was ravaged by the storm and suffered tremendous damage and loss. The Archbishop was joined by Greek American NY Assemblywoman Nicole Maliotakis, who is coordinating relief efforts for her constituency and together they met with and spoke to many volunteers, including local AHEPA officials, who were distributing food and supplies or were helping in the cleanup.

Fr. Nicholas Petropoulakos said he appreciated the presence and support of the Archbishop in these difficult times. He said that many families in the parish had extensive water damage and suffered losses in their homes and business. The church, he added, has relatively minor exterior damage. Fr. Nicholas conveyed that the parish has received many calls and offers for help in kind and offers from volunteers from all over the country, and he explained that the church is serving as a collection and distribution center, funneling relief aid to people in need on Staten Island.

For a photo album from the Archbishop’s Staten Island visit the Archdiocese photo gallery: http://www.goarch.org/special/hurricanesandy

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day – October 28, 2012

The Greek language encyclical is available here.

Oct 24, 2012

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Thanksgiving Day – November 24, 2011

Protocol Number 219/11

November 24, 2011
Thanksgiving Day

I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify Him with thanksgiving. (Psalm 69:30)

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,

On this blessed day of Thanksgiving, we are encouraged in the tradition of this great national holiday to be thankful to God for His presence in our lives and His abundant gifts to us. As Orthodox Christians this gratefulness to God is something we share with all who celebrate this day. It is also an attitude and manner of life that is presented in our worship and in our relationships with others.

Our first calling as Christians is to respond to the grace of God through worship and communion with Him. We sing hymns of praise and thanksgiving, offering honor and glory to our Creator and Sustainer. We celebrate and receive the Holy Eucharist, a divine mystery of worship and faith that unites us with Christ and fills our hearts with joy. We also show our thankfulness to God by responding to His call to service. We give our time, abilities, and resources for the sacred work of His kingdom and for the needs of others.

This spiritual fruit of thanksgiving which is produced from grateful hearts can have a tremendous impact. Words of gratitude can bring joy and fulfillment into the life of another person. Kindness and respect through acts of thankfulness can affirm human value and dignity and instill hope that care and compassion remain essential qualities of life. An attitude of thanksgiving even in the midst of challenging circumstances can be the strength for another and a witness of the power and grace of God.

This is a vital connection of faith to life. Does the thanksgiving you offer to God become attitudes of gratefulness and joy in all areas of your life? Are you thankful to Him through your kindness and gratitude toward others? Is your life a witness of thanksgiving, bringing blessings and strength to others? These are questions to consider on this holiday as we affirm the spiritual character of this day and the priority of thanksgiving in our Christian lives.

May you and your families have a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving Day, filled with joy and fellowship in the presence of God. As you gather in homes, as you share in meals, and as you offer time in serving others, may you praise His name with songs and magnify Him with thanksgiving!

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical for the Feast of Indiction 2011

Aug 25, 2011

Protocol 150/11

September 1, 2011

Beginning of the Ecclesiastical New Year
Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment

In wisdom You have wrought all things and
have established proper times and seasons for our lives.
(Hymn of the Orthros Service)

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,

On this day, September 1, we begin this new ecclesiastical year in the blessed anticipation of the saving and wondrous works that will be accomplished by God in the days and months before us. Each new annual cycle of worship and ministry in our Orthodox Faith offers opportunities for our spiritual growth, for transformation in the lives of those who find faith and hope, for fellowship with one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, and for compassionate service offered to those in need.

This day marks the passing of the times and seasons of our lives in relation to our commemorations and observances in the Holy Church of Christ. It is a reminder to us that the days and years are not meaningless units of time through which we wander without purpose or hope. It is a day that affirms the interrelationship of chronological and sacred time, of the physical world and the spiritual realm, of the temporal and the eternal, of the earthly and the heavenly. On this day we proclaim the great wisdom of God for bringing all things into existence.

In His wisdom God has also established the times and seasons of our lives, and this day, marking the beginning of a new ecclesiastical year, guides us in understanding the significance of this. In the natural cycle of the seasons of the year, we see the great wisdom of God as Provider and Sustainer of creation. In the annual commemorations of our Orthodox Faith, we are connected to events and revelations in time and history that offer truth and meaning to our lives. Each day we have the opportunity to reflect on our past, contemplate the present, and move forward into the future in faith and hope toward the restoration of all of the created order and the fulfillment of life in eternal communion with God.

As we begin a new ecclesiastical year, we also observe September 1 as the Day for the Protection of our Natural Environment. As guided by our Ecumenical Patriarchate, this observance helps us to be witnesses of God’s wisdom through our love and care for the created order and through our intense activities related to basic elements of our physical world: earth, water, air, plants and animals.

On this day and each and every day may we consider and know that our lives are created and sustained in the wisdom of God and will be fulfilled through His love for us. May we also be faithful to share this with others so that they find the meaning of the times and seasons of their lives in communion with God. He offers to all of us an abundant life today, tomorrow, and for eternity.

With paternal love in Christ,

† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Ionian Village Youth Events

Two new programs have been established at Ionian Village for the spring and summer:

“Journey to Pascha”: April 16-25, 2011: Participants in this program celebrate Holy Week and Pascha among the saints while worshiping in a variety of churches and villages across Greece. This new program is open to adults, families and young adults age 19 and older. Children under the age of 19 must be traveling with an adult.

“Spiritual Odyssey”: May 30-June 9, 2011: This program has been on hiatus for the past 5 years but is now back by popular demand. Young adults ages 19-28 are invited to embark on a series of excursions to historic and religious sites of Greece. The Highlight of the pilgrimage will be a visit to Thessaloniki, a city rich in Byzantine History. Rev. Dr. Christopher Flesoras of St. Anna Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville, CA will be accompanying me on this pilgrimage. Fr. Christopher is received his M.Div from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, his MS in Development and Counseling in Higher Education from Northeastern University and his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in the Foundations of Education and Christian Pedagogy in the Byzantine East. He will be a great asset on this pilgrimage.

In addition to these two new programs, the regular summer camp sessions are offered:
Summer Travel Camp: June 29-July 18, 2011
Byzantine Venture: July 25-August 13, 2011
Both of the above sessions are open to youth ages 13-18 or completed 7th through 12th grade.

See the flyers below!

Head over to the Ionian Village website for information and to register!

 

 

Young Adult Pilgrimage

The National Department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is pleased to announce the sixth annual National Young Adult Pilgrimage. This year’s Pilgrimage to Constantinople, Ephesus, Smyrna, and Cappadocia will take place from May 27-June 5, 2011, over Memorial Day weekend. Once again, His Grace Bishop Savas of Troas, the Director of Church, Society and Culture for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will lead young adults through sites of great historical and spiritual significance for all Orthodox Christians.

The journey will begin in Constantinople, where participants will visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the great Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the Church of Christ at Chora, the Monastery of the Zoodogos Pigi (the Life-Giving Spring), the site of the celebrated shrine of the Panaghia at Blachernae, Topkapi Palace, as well as the great covered Bazaar. In Cappadocia, we will be visiting some of the 3,500 rock churches identified in the area, along with amazing rock formations and an underground city, Kaymakli. We will also be traveling to the ancient city of Ephesus, where St. Paul founded the Church in 53-56 AD, and where he wrote letters to the Galatians, Philippians and to the Corinthians.

“We have been offering these Pilgrimages over the past few years to give young adults the opportunity to not only grow in their Faith, but have a first-hand experience with our historic Church,” stated Fr. Mark Leondis, the Archdiocesan Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries.

Full details and registration information are available here. The itinerary is here. Space is limited to 30 young adults and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for Assistance and Prayers to Haiti

Protocol 04/10
January 13, 2010

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,

It was with great sadness and compassion that we received the tragic news of the devastating earthquake that struck yesterday the country of Haiti, causing widespread destruction and loss of countless lives. Thousands are presumed dead, many more have lost family members, homes, and jobs, and the infrastructure and institutions of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, are in ruins.

In response to this tragedy, I ask first and foremost of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Church in America to offer their fervent prayers for the people of Haiti. May we help them through our prayers to find heavenly solace in this hour of grief and pain, and may they find strength and hope in Him through faith and through the ministry of love and healing offered from around the world. In addition, may we also offer our prayers for the Greek Orthodox faithful and the two parishes of Haiti who are under the archpastoral leadership of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico. We pray for their safety and well-being, and for their witness and service during this difficult time.

I also ask that the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese conduct a special collection on Sunday, January 17 as a response of compassion to the needs of the people of Haiti. This country and its people have experienced numerous tragedies and struggles, and this natural disaster has deepened the challenges with the destruction of hospitals, schools, churches, and relief centers. It is requested that the offerings be sent to the Archdiocese made out to the “Greek Orthodox Archdiocese” earmarked for the Haiti Relief Fund.

Through prayers, gifts, and service may we respond to this tremendous crisis, knowing that our Lord will be faithful to bring comfort and healing through our witness of His love.

With paternal love in Christ,

† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of Three Hierarchs and the Celebration of Greek Letters

Protocol 08/10

January 30, 2010
Feast of the Three Hierarchs
and Greek Letters Day

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel;
it is the power of God for salvation
to every one who has faith…. (Romans 1:16)

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,

In this first month of the new year we are blessed to have in the calendar of our Holy Orthodox Church the commemoration of the Three Great Hierarchs and Ecumenical Teachers, St. Basil the Great, St. Gregory the Theologian, and St. John Chrysostom. On this day of their feast, we honor the lives and witness of these holy and brilliant men, who brought glory to God through their amazing service to the people in the name of Christ. Their lives offer to us a genuine image of the power of the Gospel, the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ, as they each believed in Him to the depths of their hearts, souls, and minds and as they were transformed by His presence into godly men imbued with divine power and wisdom. Further, the Three Hierarchs present a witness of the Gospel through their ministry of teaching, their defense of the faith, and their love of learning, together with service to others characterized by compassion, humility, and sacrifice.

The lives of Saints Basil, Gregory, and John Chrysostom are beautiful testimonies of their acceptance of and total commitment to the Gospel. Each was influenced by holy family members and teachers who had received the message of Christ and believed. Each overcame struggles of mind and soul, challenges that were ultimately resolved in complete acceptance of divine grace. Through their life-long commitment to God, they conveyed the priority and purpose of our human existence in receiving the Gospel and being restored to communion with God.

The belief of the Three Hierarchs in the Gospel was the foundation for their lives of service to God and to others. What they believed and preached, they lived. The Gospel was for them not only a message of truth leading to true life and salvation, it was and is a ministry. For Saints Basil, Gregory, and John Chrysostom the purpose of the message of God’s love extended beyond their own spiritual destiny to the needs of others. Thus, they served in compassion and humility, denying their own selves and sacrificing any personal gain for the sake of their fellow human beings. They lived the Gospel because they took upon themselves the example and ministry of Christ, oblivious to what they suffered, and generously offering all so that souls might be saved.

The Three Hierarchs were fully aware of the transforming power of the Gospel. It is the power of the Gospel that changes our understanding of all facets of our human existence. This was reflected in the love of learning and language expressed by the Three Hierarchs as they affirmed the great potential of our God-given human abilities and the role of the mind and word in communicating the truths of life and faith. This is why today is also a celebration of Greek Letters. We recognize the role that Greek thought, language, and culture has had in furthering knowledge and understanding of our world. Methods of thought encouraged intellectual clarity and contributed to great scientific discoveries and advances; the Greek language became a foundation for many areas of modern language, offering conciseness and structure; and Greek culture as an expression of thought, art and language, set standards in literature, rhetoric, art and architecture. Saints Basil, Gregory, and John Chrysostom recognized the relevance of this in communicating the Gospel of Christ. In addition to acknowledging the benefits of learning in the development of the mind, they also tapped the resources of Greek language and thought in order to illuminate great theological truths and to explore the implications of the divine revelation for our minds, souls and all of the created order. They also saw the relevance of adapting various cultural elements, which were expressions of the creativity and ingenuity of humanity, as means of communicating the Gospel.

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, on this feast day of the Three Hierarchs and the celebration of Greek Letters, let us look to the example of these great Saints of our Church and emulate their love of God and their faith in the Gospel of salvation. May we build a life of service and witness on the foundation of our belief in what Christ has done for us. May we also be grateful for the great inheritance we have received, one that nurtures a love of learning and language in the service of God and the ministry of the Gospel so that all humanity may hear, believe, and receive a Gospel leading to eternal life.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of Saint Photios and Saint Photios National Shrine Day

Protocol 06/10

February 6, 2010
Feast of Saint Photios
Saint Photios National Shrine Day

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,

On this feast day of Saint Photios the Confessor, we have the blessed opportunity to honor the life and work of an amazing Patriarch and Theologian of our Holy Orthodox Church. We also commend the witness of our beloved Saint Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida. This relationship of the name of a great Father of the Church and the Shrine was initiated in 1969 by Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America. Together with leaders and donors of our Greek Orthodox Church in America, he recognized the historical significance of the Shrine, which was a place of worship for a small group of Greek immigrants in the late eighteenth century. He also realized the role the Shrine would serve as a witness of our faith. Just as Saint Photios was a beacon of truth in a very challenging time, so too the Shrine would offer a witness of the beauty, power, and holiness of Orthodox Christianity.

True to his name, Saint Photios labored to see hearts and minds illumined with the light of truth. He did this in the face of great adversity, not by the power of ecclesiastical office or the use of political force, but through love and humility. His witness of truth brought him scorn, imprisonment, and exile; but when he was restored to his office, he did not seek retribution. Knowing and experiencing the transformative power of the divine grace imparted by the presence of the Holy Spirit, Saint Photios worked for peace and reconciliation within the Church. In all circumstances he was a luminary of the love of God and the presence of Christ.

This has been the nature of the ministry of the Saint Photios National Shrine since its dedication in 1982. In addition to preserving the memory of the first Greek immigrants to North America and presenting important facets of the Greek American experience, the Shrine enlightens visitors on the vitality, holiness, and truth of our Orthodox faith. The solemn beauty of the chapel, the engaging presence of the iconography, the opportunity to pray, and the offering of resources for encouraging faith invite persons to open their hearts and minds to the presence of God and the witness of the Holy Spirit.

The witness of the Saint Photios National Shrine would not be possible without the generosity of its founders and of the many throughout our Holy Archdiocese who continue to support this ministry. This year the Shrine will be conducting its annual pilgrimage on February 5-7. I encourage you to attend these events for the blessing you will receive and to show your support. Further, on Sunday, February 7 we will be led by the members of our National Philoptochos Society in collecting a special offering for the work of the Shrine. On this day and as an ongoing commitment, I encourage the faithful and parishes of our Archdiocese to be a part of the preservation of our past and a witness of our faith through the ministry of the National Shrine. May the example of humility and love of Saint Photios and of all the Saints illuminate the way of our lives, leading us to generous offerings and to expressions of our gratitude to God.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

SCOBA Encyclical for Sunday of Cheesefare and Mission Sunday

February 14, 2010
Sunday of Cheesefare and Mission Sunday

“The harvest is truly plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest
to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38)

To the Most Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics and
The Devout Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,
We greet you in the love and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! The Lenten fast that precedes the Great and Holy Feast of Pascha is upon us. Like the dawn of a new day, the beginning of this 40-day journey provides opportunities for us to recommit ourselves and our whole lives to Christ our God. The Sunday before Great Lent, February 14th, 2010, is Mission Sunday as designated by the hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA). Over the past two millennia, the work of making disciples has been a focal ministry of saints, and billions of people have accepted life in Christ. Today, sixty-six percent of the world’s population is still non-Christian; thus missionary service remains a core ministry of the Church and a collective movement of the faithful.

Over the past 15 years, the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC), as the official missions agency of SCOBA, has provided the faithful of North America with opportunities to answer their call to make disciples of all nations. Over 70 people who serve as OCMC Ambassadors are taking this call to parishes across the country, and the mission ministries of our Orthodox Churches that are outside of America are growing as a result.

Today, through the prayers and support of the faithful, there are 20 men and women who are serving, or preparing to serve, as long-term missionaries in places like Albania, Romania, and Tanzania. Likewise, young, growing seminaries around the world are receiving support to provide theological training to over 250 local priests, catechists, and ministry leaders in places where the Church is newly emerging. With assistance from OCMC’s Support a Mission Priest (SAMP) Program, there are 400 priests in 19 countries who are bringing the Faith to those who may never have heard the Gospel’s message of salvation. And, in 2010, OCMC plans to train and send over 100 Orthodox Christians from across North America to serve on 14 short-term Mission Teams, bringing a living witness to the Orthodox Faith in Africa, Asia, Europe, Central America, and Alaskan North America.

It is our responsibility to ensure that these efforts continue. There is no greater way to invest our abundant blessings than in the salvation and eternal life of others. Let us pray, give, and serve to welcome our brothers and sisters around the world into the open arms of Christ.

In urgent expectation of Christ’s awesome Resurrection, let us work boldly to make disciples of all nations. Truly, the harvest is plentiful, but we need the prayers and active support of all the faithful for OCMC, so that laborers will answer the call of the Lord and enter into His abundant and glorious harvest.

With paternal blessings and love in Christ,

†Archbishop DEMETRIOS
Chairman
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

† Metropolitan PHILIP
Vice Chairman
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese
Of North America

† Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER
Secretary
Serbian Orthodox Church in North
And South America

† Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos
Treasurer
American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox
Diocese in the USA

† Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese
In the Americas

† Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church

† Metropolitan JONAH
Orthodox Church in America

† Metropolitan CONSTANTINE
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA

† Archpriest Alexander Abramov
Acting Representative of the Moscow
Patriarchate in the USA

† Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for Holy and Great Lent 2010

Protocol 13/10

February 15, 2010
Great and Holy Lent

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,

We begin this holy season of the year in anticipation of the great spiritual blessings that we will receive through a deeper commitment to God and through our repentance and humility as we live each day in His divine presence. Great and Holy Lent is a very treasured period, filled with moments in which we can focus our hearts and minds on the grace of God. Through daily prayer, fasting, worship, and offering for the needs of others, and by the grace of God our lives will continue to be transformed by Him and our souls will be drawn closer to our Lord Jesus Christ.

This is the primary goal of the Lenten season and of all the disciplines of our Orthodox faith – to lead us to Christ. In Holy Scripture we read that prayer, fasting, and service to people were a part of our Lord’s sacred ministry. Through His example we are presented with a manner of living that focuses on communion with God and on the Gospel message of truth and life. This is also the focus of Great Lent.

First, Great and Holy Lent leads us to Christ through prayer. This season is an excellent opportunity for prayer. It is a period when we are called to renew our commitment to daily prayer and to devote more time to it. We make more time each day for personal and family prayer. All of this directs our hearts and minds to the presence and power of Christ. Our Lord is in our midst, ready to guide those who seek Him, assure those who are struggling, and lead us all through the power of God’s grace to real life.

Second, the Lenten season leads us to Christ through worship. Over the coming weeks the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese will have frequent services, opportunities to gather together in praise of God and to renew our strength through prayer and participation in the Holy Eucharist. The services of Lent are beautiful and solemn, leading us to examine our hearts within the sacred space of our sanctuaries and in communion with God and our brothers and sisters in the faith. In the holy atmosphere of worship, through the hymns, petitions, readings, and Holy Sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Repentance and Confession of sins, we are presented above all with the One who offers liberation from sin and guilt and brings salvation. Through worship we affirm the truth of what Christ has accomplished, we acknowledge His presence, and we respond in repentance and faith to His call to come and see all the blessings that God has for us.

Third, Great Lent leads us to Christ through fasting. This is a very special discipline of our faith that helps diminish our attachment to the material things of this world and deepens our dependence on God. It directs our hearts and minds toward the spiritual needs of our lives through a reorientation of our will. Through abstinence from various types of foods and limitations on the time we spend procuring and preparing food, we can devote more time to prayer, and we can discipline our entire being to be more attentive to the presence and will of God. As children of a heavenly kingdom, the purpose and goal of our lives is not tied to the treasures of this earth, but to the condition of our souls and to our faith in God. Fasting contributes to an awareness of this.

Finally, Lent leads us to Christ through offering for the needs of others. Our Lord is our example of offering, even through sacrifice. Through giving of our time and resources to others, we imitate Christ, or rather we offer Christ. We experience the joys and blessings of securing the well-being of others, and we also realize that the true meaning of life is found and fulfilled not only in what we receive from God, but in what we can give back to Him by giving to others.

At the beginning of this blessed time, may we have hearts and minds that are seeking Christ. The way to Him through Great Lent is the true way of life; it is the journey of this season toward Holy Week and the celebration of the Feast of Feasts, Holy Pascha. May we, by the grace of Christ, and through genuine repentance make this Lent a time of transformation of our existence and a renewal of our souls and minds.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of the Annunciation and the Day of Greek Independence

Protocol 15/10

March 25, 2010
Feast of the Annunciation
Day of Greek Independence

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,

We celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation of our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary chanting these words, “Today is the crowning of our salvation and the revelation of the mystery that is from all ages.” In the Announcement of the Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos, God offered His divine plan for our salvation. In the same event the nature and purpose of the message of the Gospel was made known. God’s grace and the means of salvation were revealed, the good news was proclaimed by His messenger, and the hearer and receiver of the Word of God responded in faith.

The event of the Annunciation was foundational for the Gospel, a message of God’s love that would be carried to the ends of the earth. The means for our salvation through the Incarnation of the Son of God had been established before all ages. The time of the revelation had come, and God chose the recipient of this divine blessing and sent the heavenly messenger to her so that all humanity would know of His grace. This act of God towards us and for our salvation defines the Gospel. The Gospel is the Evangelismos, the annunciation of the “good news” of God’s love and the path of restoration to life and eternal communion with Him.

The will of God was joyfully announced by the Archangel Gabriel. The role of the messenger presents us with a second aspect of the Gospel that is celebrated in this Feast of Evangelismos. The Gospel is and must be proclaimed. It is shared by those who are sent to offer to all the saving message of God. Jesus proclaimed that He was the fulfillment of the message of salvation (Luke 4:19). The Apostles were commissioned to go to all the nations and to preach the Gospel and teach what Christ had taught them (Matthew 28:18-20). All who receive the Holy Spirit are called to be witnesses of Christ throughout the entire world (Acts 1:8). For the Gospel to be received it must be heard. For it to be heard it must be proclaimed. For it to be proclaimed, we must be willing to share the Gospel through both word and deed.

The Feast of the Annunciation is a significant day in our spiritual heritage. This is also a day upon which we observe an important commemoration of our cultural heritage, the Day of Greek Independence. As both our spiritual and cultural heritage are joined together in our Hellenic identity, so this sacred feast of the Church and this day of remembrance and celebration of freedom are linked in a very unique way. The Gospel of salvation revealed in the Annunciation to the Theotokos is the message of our spiritual freedom in Christ. This ultimate freedom from sin and death is essential to any understanding of the freedom and self-determination that is enshrined in the establishment of modern democracies. We were created by God to be free to live in fellowship with Him and free from all that injures and destroys life. We were also created to live in relationship with one another, using our freedom to establish societies that are free from oppression, exploitation, and tyranny. These were the aims of our fathers and mothers who offered their lives and property so that the people of Greece might be free, and this is a freedom that we still have and cherish.

On this day may we remember and be grateful for the freedom we have inherited, both in Greece and in America. May we use this freedom, not to satisfy personal desires, but for the wellbeing of all. May we use it to proclaim a Gospel of salvation and freedom that will not only bless and guide us through our sojourn in this world, but will also lead us into eternal life in the kingdom of God.

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Feast of Holy Pascha 2010

Protocol 20/10

April 4, 2010
Holy Pascha
The Feast of Feasts

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness,
who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge
of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6)

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,

Christ is Risen! Χριστός Ἀνέστη!

In the joy and light of the glorious Resurrection of our Lord we gather on this Holy and Great Feast of Pascha to celebrate the life-giving presence and power of Christ. On this day, we give the highest praise to God for His love. On this feast, our thankfulness is unceasing, as we contemplate our restoration from death to life. Today, we offer the brightest witness throughout the world as we proclaim our faith in our Savior. On this day, our hearts are enlivened with the victory of the ages. Christ is risen. Death has been defeated, and we will live forever in blessed communion with God.

On this Feast of Feasts we recognize that the Resurrection of Christ and our salvation is absolutely the work of God. In His great love for us, He fulfilled His divine promise of redemption. This love brought us into existence. His love endured even through our disobedience. In this great love, He established a means by which we would be reconciled to Him, the bondage of sin and death would be broken, and we could have and experience life as He intended it to be. This we could not accomplish on our own. It is God, and God alone who commands the light to shine out of the darkness, who in the midst of death, brings life.

The beautiful and unwaning light of Pascha shines in our hearts, illuminating our souls with the power of the Resurrection and giving us a glimpse of our eternal salvation. God in His great wisdom directs this light into our hearts, our souls, our very being, permeating our entire person with truth and grace. This light resonates with who we are and what we were created to be. In the light of Pascha we know that we were not made for sin and death. We have been created for a blessed and unending life. We have been formed in His image for genuine and loving relationships with God and one another. This is not knowledge that comes from great intellectual quests or that can be acquired with wealth or status. It is a divine knowledge offered to all, and on this day we are all called to come and receive this light so that we might forever be illumined in truth and transformed in love.

This transformation and the joy that comes through the light of the knowledge of the glory of God (2 Corinthians 4:6) is very real and powerful to us because Christ is in our midst. All of this has and continues to be accomplished through Him. Through His Incarnation He shared in our humanity, and through His power as the Son of God He overcame sin and death. It is His glory that shines in our hearts revealing the purpose and potential of our lives. In His face we see what we are called to be. We see the deep and enduring love of God. We see the willing sacrifice for our redemption. We see a tender invitation to return to communion with God. In our painful experience of the wounded world in which we live, of conditions of blinding darkness and utter confusion that surrounds our contemporary humanity, we see our Risen Lord in triumphant honor and glory, calling all to come to Him and receive the light of life. On this day we celebrate that wonderful knowledge of His glory: Christ is in our midst, and He always shall be.

May this light of divine truth that shines in our hearts be ever brighter on this great and glorious Feast of Pascha. May our joy be so immense and the love that we share so complete that each and every person and all of creation will hear our hymn and know that Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

With paternal love in Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the 5th year memorial for Archbishop Iakovos

Prot. No. 37/10

To the Reverend Clergy
of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Christ is risen from the dead, by
death trampling down death, and
to those in the tombs bestowing life

Bright Wednesday
April 7, 2010

Dearly Beloved,

CHRIST IS RISEN!

Saturday, April 10th marks the close of a blessed chapter in the history of the Holy Archdiocese of America for it is the 5th Anniversary of the falling asleep of our revered and beloved predecessor, the late Archbishop Iakovos. From the moment he arrived on the shores of this nation in the Spring of 1939, His Eminence labored long and hard, leading our community from its immigrant roots into the mainstream of American society. A champion of civil and religious rights throughout the years, he faithfully served with distinction and exemplary dedication as Primate of North and South America for over 37 years and truly, in the words of St. Paul he fought the good fight, he finished the race, he kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).

In recognition of this Anniversary, I would kindly ask that all of the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese of America offer a 5 year Memorial Service at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, April 18th beseeching the Almighty to grant eternal rest to the soul of this tireless worker in the Vineyard of our Lord. Let this be not only an opportunity to pray for his eternal repose but also an occasion to thank God for blessing our Church with such a distinguished clergyman who touched the lives of countless individuals. May his memory be eternal!

With love and esteem in
the Risen Lord,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America

Communique of the Holy Eparchial Synod

Apr 23, 2010

New York – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened in its regular Spring Session in the Synodal Chamber of the HolyArchdiocese in New York, on April 21st and 22nd, 2010, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.

The Holy Eparchial Synod deliberated on the following issues:

Liturgical Issues: It was announced that the Ecumenical Patriarchate approved the submitted text of the Holy Prothesis and the Divine Liturgy, with liturgical rubrics by the Synod, so that it may be translated into the English language. Additionally, the Synod assigned to the Synodal Committee in charge of liturgical issues the responsibility to prepare similar texts for Sacred Services, Orthros and Vespers. Furthermore, the Synod completed its work on the text of the Service of Receiving non-Orthodox Christians into the Orthodox Church through Chrismation.

Canonical Issues: The final approval of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the submitted Regulations of the Holy Eparchial Synod was communicated. The work on the Regulations of Spiritual Courts was continued with the assistance of specialists in Law and Canon Law and with the formation of a list of reasons for issuing Ecclesiastical Divorces. Furthermore, the Synod approved a new Certificate for Baptism and Chrismation for use in parishes of the Holy Archdiocese. Finally, the Holy Synod discussed canonical issues pertaining to the clergy, and made relevant decisions in regard to issues of pastoral and disciplinary nature.

Educational and Youth Issues: There was extensive discussion on Religious Education and the youth. The observation was made that the number of camping facilities has increased, as well as the youth participating in them. It has been realized that camping is a very successful tool in formulating a religious character in the youth. It was also noted that there is a need to educate parents and attempts are made for the participation of youth and parents in family programs at the camps. Priests should use all pastoral opportunities of athletic, dancing, and other youth programs for the cultivation of Orthodox character in the youth.

Inter-Orthodox Issues: There was extensive discussion on the upcoming pan-Orthodox Assembly of Bishops which will take place on May 26-28 in New York City. The formation of such an Assembly was decided by the Pre-Synodal Pan-Orthodox meeting in Chambesy, Switzerland, in June 2009.

Clergy-Laity Congress: In reference to the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress in Atlanta, GA in July 2010, the importance of the theme Gather My People to My Home – Come and See was underscored, as well as a need for a wider participation of parishes. A more direct involvement of the Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod in the analysis and application on the theme of the Clergy-Laity Congress was planned by means of a special meeting to be convened at its commencement.

Finally, the Holy Eparchial Synod designated September 19 of this year as a day of commemoration of the Asia Minor Holocaust, by organizing lectures and special programs for this purpose. The members of the Holy Eparchial Synod had the opportunity to participate in the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council in the afternoon of April 19.

From the Office of the Holy Eparchial Synod