Dear Brothers in the Lord and Beloved Children.

This sacred Feast of Christmas, which the Lord has granted us to celebrate again this year, is comprised of both a commemoration and a special calling.

The commemoration is that, out of love, Christ came to the world to save humanity, to save each us, and to transform our perspective on life. He came to expunge the failures that lead us into bondage to sin, into evil, corruption and death, and to endow us with peace, joy, love and eternal life.

The Birth of Christ came about in the fullness of time. In other words, when man's failure and the alienation from God had reached a seemingly insurmountable im- passe, or as St. Gregory of Nyssa says, when sin had reached the lowest point of its decrepitude.

The effect of that brilliant Nativity was to change the course of human history forever. Man again found his way to back to that communion with God, which had once been destroyed.

Today, of course, alienation still exists, and in many griev- ous and cruel excesses, but really none are so powerful as that kind of alienation which existed before the in- carnation of the Son of God.

Whatever we see around us today that is oppressive and antagonistic, it is not enough to reverse the new mind- set and the new perspective that Christ brought to the world. This perspective becomes truly clear within the Church, which is renewed from generation to generation while renewing men and women within Herself.

And it is exactly here that we encounter the calling of Christmas. We are called to embrace the mind set, the very mind of Christ described by the great Apostle of the Nations, as a mind-set of "kenosis" — of self-emptying. As St. Paul writes in Phillipians (2:7). "He emptied Him- self, taking on the likeness of a slave," that we might be so enriched, so exalted unto spiritual heights of divine virtue, as to partake of the very experience of deification, of "theosis."

But for this to really take place, we need to fulfill that self-emptying, we need to deny ourselves; we need hu- mility and to be obedient to the will of God. You see, sal- vation happens when there is cooperation between Divine grace and the will of man. Salvation is our very partici- pation in Divine grace, because it is also our imitation of Christ. The vast number of the saints, both known and unknown, demonstrate this most clearly because they were revealed as pioneering witnesses of the truth.

Especially today, in the various situations we find our- selves, this message of "kenosis" — of self-emptying, (which is humility before God and obedience to His with), is one of our most essential and urgent needs. Our calling is to be bearers of peace and reconciliation.

So, let us overcome the dissension and discrimination that tears apart our relationships with our fellow man.

Let us love one another and work together for the good of all, that we may manifest the unity and the riches of Christ and His Church.

The world must see our good works, that it may see Christ born in our midst and Christ forming and growing in us through the power and operation of the Holy Spirit. It is we who must reveal the mystery of the Nativity of Christ through the renewal of the mystery of His Church among ourselves.

I pray that this Christmas may be a new beginning and new departure point for this journey, in all our lives and in the life of our Church which has been so strength- ened by Divine grace in this great country of ours. My beloved: Rejoice! Be of one mind and one heart! Love one another and all mankind! Work together with zeal and love in the Vineyard of the Lord! Christ is Born! Glorify Him!

With paternal love and fervent prayers of Christmas,

Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew logged several thou- sand miles in November as he made his longest pastor- al visit ever to Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong.

He made his first stop in Hong Kong on Nov. 4 where for several months efforts have been under way to es- tablish a metropolitanate here under the Patriarchate's ju- risdiction.

His All Holiness delivered an address on Nov. 5 at China University, then attended a luncheon in his honor hosted by the British governor of Hong Kong, Chris Pat- ten. In the afternoon, the Patriarch officiated at the sanc- tification service at the property where the new Metro- politanate's church will be built. That evening, members of the Greek Orthodox community hosted a dinner for the His All Holiness.

On Nov. 6, the Patriarch visited a school for children with special needs where the students presented a cul- tural program. Later in the day, he attended an ecumen- ical service at the Anglican Cathedral of St. John the E- vangelist.

Patriarch Bartholomew departed for Perth, Australia on Nov. 7. Upon arrival, he met with Maj. General Mi- chael Jeffrey, governor of Western Australia.

PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW enjoys a round of Greek dancing with some youngsters during his visit to St. George College in Adelaide.

The next day, Nov. 8, His All Holiness visited St. An- drew's Grammar School, the Villa Hellas Home for the Aged, and the Sts. Constantine and Helen and Annun- ciation Orthodox churches.

Lord Mayor of Perth Dr. Peter Nattras hosted a lunch- eon for the Patriarch. An afternoon meeting followed with Prime Minister Richard Court of Western Australia, who also held a reception for Bartholomew.

Adelaide, South Australia, was next on the Patriarch's schedule. On Nov. 9, he paid a ceremonial visit to Gov. Sir Eric Neil. He later visited the Aegean Village complex for the aged in Noarlunga, were he attended the dedi- cation of the Vasileias Home and Medical Clinic for the Aged of Southern Australia.

Patriarch Bartholomew visited St. George College on Nov. 11, and attended a ceremony in memory of the fall- en of World War I. He also received an honorary doctor- ate at Finders University of Southern Australia.

In the afternoon, the Patriarch's schedule included a reception hosted by the Lord Mayor of Adelaide, a visit to the Brotherhood of Imvrians and an evening formal din- ner given by the state president of South Australia.

After visiting the Archdiocese of Australia's Adelaide offices, he continued on to the nation's capital, Canberra, on Nov. 12. His activities include a wreath laying at a war memorial, which was attended by the governor general of Australia, Sir William Dean. An evening reception for the Patriarch followed.

HIS ALL HOLINESS celebrates a hierachal Divine Liturgy at- tended by several thousand Orthodox Christian faithful.

(Nicholas Manginas photos)

On the Feast Day of St. John Chrysostom, Nov. 13, Patriarch Bartholomew officiated at the Divine Liturgy at the Church of St. Demetrios in Queenbeyan, then at- tended a breakfast given by the Greece's ambassador. He lunched with Australia's governor general, then met with the Turkey's ambassador to Australia.

The Patriarch arrived in Melbourne on Nov. 14. The next morning, he visited the colleges of St. John, Pres- ton, Sts. Anargyroi, and Oakley, where he spoke briefly.

Lord Mayor Concillor of Melbourne Ian Deverson held a reception for His All Holiness, who delivered a speech A formal lunch followed at the Governor's Mansion with Sir Richard McGarvie.

In the evening, the Patriarch attended a reception and dinner at Victoria's state parliament, hosted by Premiere Jeff Kennett.

The Archdiocese of Australia sponsored a dinner for the Patriarch at the World Congress Center on Nov. 16.

Melbourne Park Centre was the site of the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on Nov. 17, attended by more than 17,000. In the afternoon, he visited the Vasileias Home for the Aged and various local churches, and attended a concert titled "Romiosyne: Roots and Duration in Oceania," at the Melbourne Concert Hall.

Next stop was Brisbane, Queensland, on Australia's East Coast where the Patriarch attended a luncheon on Nov. 18 given by the governor, Mrs. Leneen Ford, and a reception hosted by the mayor, Jim Soorley. That eve- ning, His All Holiness officiated at a doxology at City Hall.

The next day, the 19th, Queensland's premiere, Rob Borbidge and his Cabinet held a luncheon for Bartholo- mew. That evening, he visited St. Nicholas hospital and attended a dinner at the Greek community center.

Wednesday, Nov. 20, the patriarchal party arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, for a three-day visit. Highlights included vespers at St. Andrew Church and a meeting with the Turkish ambassador at the embassy.

His All Holiness officiated at an ecumenical service at Annunciation Church on Nov. 21. He then attended a Greek memorial service near the church, visited the mayor of Hutt City and held a press conference.

On the 22nd, the Patriarch met with the mayor of Wel- lington, then visited the Attaturk Memorial. Following a luncheon at Government House, he returned to Australia for a six-day visit to Sydney, New South Wales.

Clergy and laity welcomed the Patriarch to Sydney. In the evening, he officiated at a doxology at Annunciation Cathedral.

Saturday, Nov. 23, he visited two institutions: the Va- sileias Home and Medical Center for the Aged, and the "Estia Foundation" of the Archdiocese for children with special needs.

His All Holiness was joined by more than 200 Ortho- dox youth of Sydney on a three-hour cruise that after- noon. He later attended a celebration at City Hall on the end of lessons for local Sunday Schools.

SEVERAL GREEK Orthodox Christians from the United States joined the Patriarch during his visit to Hong Kong, Australia. and New Zealand.

The Patriarch officiated at an open air Divine Liturgy on Nov. 24 for more than 17,000 faithful. That evening, the Archdiocese of Australia held a formal dinner in the Patriarch's honor which was attended by the premiere of New Zealand, Queensland's premier and ministers, pri- mates of other churches and more than 1,700 Orthodox faithful.

Monday, the 25th, the Patriarch went to the College of St. Spyridon in Kingsford and the College of St. Euphe- mia in Bankstown. That evening, he attended a reception hosted by the Central Philoptochos philanthropies.

The Ecumenical Patriarch officiated at the Divine Litur- gy of the Feast Day of St. Stylianos, patron saint of Arch- bishop Stylianos, on Nov. 25. He also visited Archdiocese headquarters and met with other primates and members of the National Council of Churches of Australia.

Later that morning, he addressed students at the Sem- inary of St. Andrew and Sydney College of Divinity.

Sydney's mayor held an afternoon reception for the Patriarch at City Hall and Premiere Bob Wentworth held an evening reception for His All Holiness. A dinner for Archbishop Stylianos' name day followed.

During his three-week trip, Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by Metropolitans Constantine of Der- kon, Athanasios of Heliopolis, and Meliton of Philadelphia, Rev. Deacon Athenagoras, chief chamberlain Basil Kara- giorgis and Nicholas Maginas, photographer. The group departed for Istanbul on Nov. 27.

Archbishop Spyridon's official schedule included the Pan Icarian and Pan Rhodian Societies' dinners on Nov. 2, a meeting of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of New York, Nov. 5, vespers for St. Michael's Feast Day on Nov. 7 at Archangel Michael Church in Roslyn, N.Y., Nov. 8 feast day Liturgy at St. Michael's Home of the Aged.

He celebrated Divine Liturgy at St. Demetrios in Asto- ria on Nov. 10 and attended the Archdiocesan Cathedral Chrysanthemum Ball Nov. 15.

The Archbishop made a pastoral visit to St. George parish in Bethesda, Md., Nov. 16-17 weekend.

He attended meetings of the National Presbyters Council on Nov. 18 and the Archdiocese Holy Synod Nov. 19.

His Eminence took part in a groundbreaking ceremony at Holy Cross Church in Whitestone, Nov. 24 and went to St. Catherine's Church in Astoria that evening for Vespers.

NEW YORK — Archbishop Spyridon received his first official welcome to City Hall at an afternoon reception on Oct. 30 where he also offered the invocation for the City Council meeting.

Council Speaker Peter Vallone, who represents a dis- trict in Queens that includes Astoria, hosted the reception and presented His Eminence with a proclamation from the City of New York.

Following the reading of the proclamation, the Arch- bishop read a statement to the Council (text below) be- fore giving the invocation.

In response, a number of council members represent- ing various parts of the city offered their welcoming re- marks.

"We recognize the contributions of the Greek people to New York and your presence here means a lot to this city," said Mary Pinkett, an African American woman who represents a district in Brooklyn. Her sentiments were echoed by more than a dozen other council members.

The Archbishop's statement reads as follows:

"It is my great pleasure to greet you today on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As you know, the Archdiocese and the City of New York have had a long history of friendship. You honor this friendship by honoring me this afternoon with this proclamation.

A HOST of city officials, dignitaries, Greek Orthodox clergy and laypersons and other members of the public listen to Archbishop Spyridon speak at the City Council meeting after speaker Peter Vallone read a proclamation honoring His Eminence.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

"Our friendship began in the early days of Greek im- migration, when our forefathers and mothers first sailed into New York Harbor and fixed their eyes upon the Statue of Liberty. To this day, immigrants from all over the world still come to New York to pursue their dreams. For the Greeks who came these dreams have been realized in the important role Greek-Americans now play in the life of this great city, whether that role is in business, government, or charitable work. And now, even though I speak, not just for Greeks, but for Orthodox Christians of various ethnic backgrounds, I thank you for working so hard to preserve New York as a place where dreams are still made and fulfilled.

"Indeed—and this illustration, I must admit, is a temp- tation too great to pass up our latest dreams as New Yorkers were fulfilled in the Bronx. Last Saturday night, the Yankees, of course, won the World Series. But in do- ing so, they proved that, when people reach within and pull out their best, together we can achieve anything. Reflecting on this, I stand before you today to repeat one of the points I made at my enthronement as Archbishop, that I, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, stand ready to join together with you, the leaders of this city, and all people of goodwill, to do whatever we must to make sure that our society achieves all the greatness it can.

"Speaking of the Yankees, on a personal note I now es- pecially value one of the gifts I received after my arrival in New York to assume my new ministry—a New York Yankees baseball cap given to me by the mayor!

"Mr. Speaker, I was honored by your presence at my enthronement. Today, you and the entire City Council hon- or me with this proclamation. Nevertheless, these honors belong, not so much to me, but to the people I repre- sent, the Faithful of our Church in the five great boroughs of this City, and throughout the United States. For the honor you give to them. I am very thankful."

NEW YORK (ENI) — The new leader of the USA's 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians hopes to see greater unity among the various Orthodox jurisdictions of the U- nited States, now generally divided along ethnic lines.

By Tracy Early

But Archbishop Spyridon, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, interviewed by Ecumenical News International following his enthronement last month in New York, said that he did not think American Orthodoxy was yet mature enough for total independence, known as autocephaly.

"I still see that we are going through a diaspora phase," he said. "This is a young new church, and it still needs to be nourished by its bonds with the mother church.

"Autocephaly is usually given to churches formed by very large Orthodox populations in Orthodox lands," he said. "It is not given to diaspora churches."

Some American Orthodox have long been wanting to see an end to the multiple jurisdictions, and the forma- tion of one church with the same independence as the Orthodox Churches in Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, the Middle East and other areas.

Americans in this group have contended that Ortho- doxy could not fully develop and play its potential role in American life until it was able to set its own course with- out vetoes from Old World authorities which they feel do not adequately understand the U.S. situation.

The situation is particularly sensitive because the main Russian Orthodox body in the USA received autocephaly from the Moscow Patriarchate in 1970, becoming the Or- thodox Church in America.

However, that action has not yet been recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople whose head- quarters are in Phanar, Istanbul. The Greek Orthodox Arch- diocese of America is under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and numerically constitutes the Patriarchate's biggest diocese. Similarly, Bulgarian, Serbi- an and Romanian Orthodox in the United States are un- der the jurisdiction of patriarchs in their countries of or- igin.

The enthronement of Archbishop Spyridon, held at the Archdiocesan cathedral in New York on Sept. 21, stressed the closeness and permanence of ties between the Greek Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

A booklet produced for the service included a tribute paid by Patriarch Bartholomew to Archbishop Spyridon on his election on July 30. The patriarch told him he had been chosen primarily because of his "unlimited fidelity and devotion to this venerable Ecumenical Throne." The pa- triarch said a "hierarch" was "nothing" without "blind loyalty and lifelong gratitude."

In his interview with ENI, Archbishop Spyridon said he understood "blind loyalty" to mean full loyalty. "We are subject to our mother church and should respect what- ever canonical decisions are taken," he said "I would nev- er go against decisions of my synod." As for the unal- terable relationship, he said that no one knew God's plans, but a unity in daily life must first be constructed, and then the American Orthodox would be "free to develop further thoughts."

Although saying that American Orthodoxy lacked suf- ficient maturity for autocephaly, Archbishop Spyridon al- so said the Greek Archdiocese was capable of providing a special service to world Orthodoxy.

"Like His All Holiness, Patriarch Bartholomew, I be- lieve that the Archdiocese of America can play a pivotal role in the renewal of the Holy Orthodox Church," he said in his enthronement address.

In the interview, he said the American archdiocese could use its organizational skills to help world Orthodoxy coordinate efforts in such areas as charitable work, mis- sions and communications. The archdiocese had this ca- pacity in part because, he said, the laity were involved in its life to an extent unmatched anywhere else in the Orthodox world.

Commenting on relations with the National Council of Churches (NCC) whose liberal Protestant majority have sometimes acted in ways that made the Orthodox un- comfortable, Archbishop Spyridon said he thought the archdiocese should stay in the NCC, and he hoped to see the divisive issues resolved.

He added that churches should speak out on public is- sues, but that the NCC should not make statements un- less all members agreed. The ideal should be to operate by consensus rather than majority vote, he said. The Council should be "an expression of Christian fellowship" where "all actions reflect the positions of everyone," he said.

Spyridon indicated that although his archdiocese faced problems, it did not have some of those currently trou- bling Protestantism and Catholicism. He said there was no significant group of Orthodox trying to change the church's stance regarding the role of women in the church or on the issues of abortion and homosexuality.

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Archbishop Spyridon made his first visit Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology the weekend of Oct. 19-20.

HIS EMINENCE chats with faculty and administration officials in Dowd Hall of the Holy Cross Seminary administration build- ing.

(Dimitri Panagos photo)

In addition to seeing the campus, the Archbishop met with the administration, faculty, and students. His Emi- nence stayed in a guest apartment in the new Dendrinos Village housing complex.

The Archbishop was greeted on his arrival at Dowd Hall by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, president; Rev. Dr. George Dragas, dean of Holy Cross; Dr. Aristotle Michopoulos, Hellenic College dean, and trustees, faculty, staff and students.

Later in the evening, His Eminence presided over the Great Vespers, at which he spoke extensively on the mis- sion of the School and Church. He also conveyed the blessings of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I. The next morning the Archbishop officiated at the Divine Lit- urgy and preached the homily.

A luncheon with the entire school community fol- lowed. Greetings were extended by Bishop Methodios of Boston, Archdiocesan Council President Demitrios Mos- chos, Consul General of Greece John Economides; and James Argeros, board treasurer.

Children of the married students gave the Archbishop a small gift, and the Byzantine choir led by Photios Ketsetzis, instructor of Byzantine music, offered a pres- entation of traditional Greek folk songs.

Fr. Calivas also made a presentation on behalf of the entire community. The luncheon concluded with a mes- sage from His Eminence, who assured all present that Hellenic College and Holy Cross would be a top priority of the Archdiocese.

NEW YORK — Archbishop Spyridon has named Ms. Paul- ette Poulos as director of the Office of Stewardship Minis- tries.

Her responsibilities include an outreach program to ensure the support of all communities in fulfilling their Total Commitment obligations, overseeing the LOGOS program and helping parishes develop their local Steward-

ardship programs.

Ms. Poulos joined the Archdiocese in 1965 and served in the Department of Laity until 1970. She was associate director of Youth Ministry from 1970 to 1972, then be- came LOGOS program director. In 1984 she was ap- pointed administrative assistant to the Archbishop, serv- ing until recently.

† SPYRIDON
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America

Archbishop Spyridon returned to his native state in late October, making his first pastoral visit to Ohio for with the feast of St. Demetrios. He celebrated vespers and Liturgy at the saint's namesake church in Warren on the 25th and 26th.

DOZENS OF parish children of St. Demetrios in Warren stand with His Eminence, Bishop Maximos, Fr. Michelis and other clergy in front of the Iconostasion.

(Nicholas Manginas photo)

On Sunday, the 27th, His Eminence celebrated Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Church in Steubenville, where he spent his formative years through age 8.

He was assisted by Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh, Fr. Dean Dimon, pastor of Holy Trinity, Fr. Dennis Michelis, pastor of St. Demetrios in Warren, and 12 other area cler- gy.

"It was a very impressive visit," said Fr. Michelis of the Archbishop's pastoral visit. "It was a very memorable week- end. People were very impressed, very satisfied."

According to information from Fr. Michelis, a reception hosted by the Philoptochos followed the Vespers service, where parishioners related to His Eminence or who knew his parents in the early 1940s, met with him.

ALTAR BOYS of St. Demetrios with His Eminence

(Nicholas Manginas photo)

On Saturday, the 26th, during the Liturgy, in addition to Bishop Maximos and the pastor, other assisting clergy included Frs. Christ Hadjigeorge (retired), John Carabat- sos of St. Nicholas Church, Youngstown, and Kenneth Ba- chofski of St. Nicholas Carpatho-Russian Church in Warren.

After the service, His Eminence and the congregation proceeded to the community center where the Archbish- op blessed an 18-foot cross erected outside the center, a gift of parishioner Gust Polychronis.

Interviews followed with three Youngstown TV stations and three newspapers the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Youngs- town Vindicator and Warren Tribune Chronicle.

More than 600 persons from Warren, Cleveland, Youngs- town, and Sharon, Pa., attended an afternoon luncheon honoring His Eminence. Anthony J. Payiavlas served as master of ceremonies.

SAVAS PETRIDES, the Archbishop's Greek school teacher in Steubenville, reminisces about his former pupil.

Parish Council President Christ Zoumas welcomed Archbishop Spyridon and Fr. Michelis pres- ented him with an architec- tural rendering of his former cathedral in Venice.

Among those welcoming the Archbishop were Gov. George V. Voinovich of Ohio, Katherine Savakis, an afternoon Greek school student who recited a poem in Greek; GOYA co-pres- idents Jackie Larentzos and Nic- ole Kalogerou; Marina J. Pa- yiavlas, St. Demetrios Church school supervisor; Phi- loptochos chapter President Thalia Tsimpinos; and Mayor Henry J. Angelo of Warren who presented His Eminence with a proclamation.

The Warren Tribune Chronicle reported that Gov. Voi- novich wore a gold crucifix on a red ribbon around his neck given to him by the Patriarch of Jerusalem in 1982. Voinovich said Spyridon's impact on the spiritual and material well-being on Ohioans brought him to Warren Saturday. "It's appropriate for the Governor of Ohio to appear as a symbol of respect," he told the paper.

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON displays a plaque given to him by Dr. Charles Joyce, the superintendent of Steubenville schools at the luncheon at Holy Trinity Church.

In Steubenville, where the Archbishop spent several years as a child in the late 1940s and early '50s, he cele- brated Liturgy and tonsured 11 new altar boys.

A luncheon took place afterward where the children of the parish, directed by their Greek language teacher Pres- bytera Daisy Dimon, presented various poetry readings.

"Teach the youth about the beauty of the faith. Keep the youth close to the Church," His Eminence said. "Nev- er discourage even one child from becoming involved in ever aspect of the life of the Church."

Luncheon guests included the Archbishop's second grade teacher, Alyce Denning, Mayor Domenick Mucci, who presented him with a key to the city, Dr. Charles Joyce, Steubenville City Schools superintendent, and his Greek School teacher and family friend, Savas Petrides.

Petrides composed a poem that was read by his daugh- ter, Angie Mahfood.

Other presentations came from the Junior GOYA and the "Grecian Stars" dance troupe.

Fr. Dimon presented His Eminence with an engolpion from the community.

Several parish organizations became stewards of the Diocese and made their initial offering to Bishop Maximos of Pittsburgh.

Dr. Nicholas Terezis served as toastmaster.

NEW YORK — Secretary of State Warren Christopher has appointed Archbishop Spyridon to the newly formed Special Advisory Committee on Religious Freedom A- broad.

His Eminence is one of 20 members representing ma- jor American religious groups and religious groups from abroad and academicians named to the committee.

The panel is charged with calling attention to religious persecution around the world.

Chairing the committee will be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor John Shat- tuck.

President Clinton welcomed the formation of the panel, stating that "the Administration has embarked on this initiative because of its commitment to helping peo- ple of all faiths live free of the threat of persecution. As a nation founded by men and women who sought refuge from religious persecution, our country continues to serve as a model for the world of freedom of belief and harmo- nious relations among different faiths."

In announcing the establishment of the Advisory Com- mittee, Shattuck stated that -religious and ethnic conflict have often been at the forefront of human rights dilem- mas in recent years. the creation of an Advisory Com- mittee on Religious Freedom Abroad represents this Ad- ministration's commitment to address these issues with new and creative means."

The Committee will seek to achieve tangible results. Its primary goals include fostering greater dialogue be- tween religious communities and the U.S. government, increasing the flow of information to the government a- bout conditions of religious minorities facing persecution around the world, and informing interested groups and individuals about American efforts to address issues of religious persecution and religious freedom.

NEW YORK — Archbishop Spyridon has named Rev. Dr. George Dragas, dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Mass., as director of In- terchurch and Ecumenical Affairs. He will continue to serve as dean, dividing his time between the two positions.

His new responsibilities will include maintaining con- tacts with other Christian denominations and other faiths, and nurturing relations with other Orthodox jurisdictions in the United States.

Fr. Dragas was named dean of the theological school in December 1994 and assumed his duties at the be- ginning of the 1995-96 academic year.

Following the resignation of Bishop Methodios as the school's president in October 1995, he was named as interim president, serving until January of this year.

Born in 1944 in Athens, Greece, Dragas received his bachelor of di- vinity degree from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, his masters of theology from Princeton Theological School and his doctorate from the University of Durham, England.

He was ordained to the priest- hood in 1979 by then-Archbishop Me- thodios of Great Britain and Thya- teira. Fr. Dragas served as chief sec- retary to the Archbishop and as a parish priest in several communities.

He also represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate on several committees of the World Council of Churches.

NEW YORK — Very Rev. Alexander G. Leondis, chan- cellor, has responded to incorrect statements in a recent nationally syndicated column by Ann Landers.

Referring to a Nov. 11 column on the origin of reli- gions. Fr. Leondis cited two items as "historically and theologically incorrect and offensive to Eastern Orthodox Christians."

Specifically, they were:

"If you are Roman Catholic, Jesus Christ began your re- ligion in the year 33," and "If you are Eastern Orthodox, your sect separated from Roman Catholicism around the year 1000."

In fact, continued the Chancellor, "Jesus Christ estab- lished Christianity and Orthodox Catholic Christianity re- mained essentially undivided until after the Seventh Ecumenical Council of 787 AD.

The basic unity of faith and ecclesiastical life between East and West began to disintegrate after the Seventh Council, due to a variety of theological, jurisdictional, cul- tural and political differences. This eventually led to the Great Schism between East and West in 1054 AD.

Unfortunately, the separation was further aggravated by the sacking of Constantinople in 1204 AD when the Crusaders pillaged the city, desecrated the Great Church of Haghia Sophia and installed a Latin Patriarch, in the place of the forcibly exiled Ecumenical Patriarch, until the year 1261 AD.

Also, with over 250 million adherents of the Faith e- stablished by the Apostles, Orthodox Christianity is hard- ly a sect separated from Roman Catholicism.

In closing, Fr. Leondis asked for a correction of the state- ments, on behalf of 6 million Orthodox Christians in the United States and the edification of the reading public.

ISTANBUL — Bernard Cardinal Law, the Roman Catho- lic archbishop of Boston, Bishop Methodios of Boston, and some 120 Catholic and Orthodox Christians from Mas- sachusetts had an audience with Ecumenical Patriarch Bar- tholomew at the Phanar Oct. 25-27 as part of a pilgrim- age that included stops in Rome, where they also met with Pope John Paul II, and Greece.

Their itinerary included vespers services at St. Deme- trios Xirokrinis Church on Oct. 25, Divine Liturgy on the feast day of St. Demetrios at St. Demetrios Tataoula Church, and Sunday Liturgy at St. Demetrios Xiloportis Church, which served as the patriarchal church in the last decade of the 16th century, immediately before the Pa- triarchate relocated to its present site of St. George Cathedral. His All Holiness officiated at the services, which were attended by about 600 faithful.

During the visit, Cardinal Law and Patriarch Bartholo- mew held several constructive private discussions. The Cardinal also invited His All Holiness to visit the Boston Archdiocese during his trip to the United States scheduled for fall 1997.

In remarks following the St. Demetrios feast day lit- urgy, Cardinal Law told the Patriarch that it was a bless- ing from God to be able to attend the services and "to pray with you, to pray for you and to beg your blessing." The Cardinal presented the Patriarch with a pectoral me- dallion, noting that he had presented Pope John Paul II with a matching cross on his recent visit to Rome, and that the gift brought with it, "our prayer for unity among us."

In his response to the Cardinal the Ecumenical Patri- arch expressed his great joy in receiving the hierarchs and pilgrims "from the New World to this Old World seat of Christendom, the ancient land of our Christian faith, where we continue today our Christian witness, glorifying Jesus Christ."

All Holiness emphasized that the Phanar, the ancient religious center of Orthodoxy, is yet a dynamic, living, con- temporary Church, active in all aspects of contemporary life, from its preservation and perpetuation of the Ortho- dox faith and traditions to its efforts to address the burn- ing contemporary issue of ecological preservation, to its coordination of inter-Orthodox affairs and organization of dialogue with other churches and confessions.

The Patriarch also recognized Cardinal Law's efforts in working toward the rapprochement between the two Churches, and his love and support of the Orthodox Church in the United States, particularly the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Boston.

Afterward, the group attend the 100th anniversary cel- ebration of the Kurtulus Athletic League, followed by a luncheon in their honor at the Ecumenical Patriarchate where His All Holiness presented a pectoral cross to Car- dinal Law.

Cardinal Law, Bishop Methodios and the pilgrims also visited the patriarchal tombs of Baloukli.

An ancient Christian writer described our plight and deep longing best, when he related them to the oppres- siveness of winter. He wrote, "In winter everything that is lovely withers away. The blossom perishes, the grass dies, the branches are stripped of their leaves, the song of the birds is silent, the nightingale flies away, the spar- row sleeps. Everything imitates the oppression of death." Winter is nature's image of humanity's light and confused longing: everything reveals the impossibility, the frantic and pathetic sadness of a world loved for itself.

By Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas

The Scriptures tell us that people once lived in the springtime, in the promise of life. They lived with the possibility to blossom into the full perfection of summer, i.e., into eternal life in God. But alas, Adam and Eve - the progenitors of the race - chose only the appearances of life. Seduced by the Tempter, they succumbed to the de- ceptive and illusional promise of self-realization. They chose to live in the world apart from God. They fell from the awareness that God is all in all. They betrayed their vocation and forsook their Maker, relegating the Author of life to the peripheral and inconsequential. They sowed disobedience and harvested corruption and death. When Adam fell he led the world into darkness. Humanity be- came earthbound. And the accumulation of this disregard of God is the primordial sin that blights the world. The most precious of God's creature became a harlot: un- faithful, depraved, empty, oppressed, corrupt, death-bear- ing. The son became a slave. The heir disowned himself.

In this scene of radical unfulfillment God acted decisi- vely. Into the darkness where men lay, he sent a Light. The Light he sent was his Son. The same Light that had been unextinguished in the world's darkness. The Light that was life but which the darkness did not comprehend, is now seen in full brightness. When the fullness of time was come, the Sun of Righteousness dawned upon them that walked in darkness and dwelled in the land of the shadow of death, to dispel the chill and dissolve the op- pressiveness of the cold Adamic winter; to bring peace and reconciliation and to inaugurate a new and endless springtime.

In God's wisdom and power, in his knowledge and con- trol, the time arrived when something happened to the world and its people; something decisive and all impor- tant. The world encountered God in the flesh. The hope and longing of the ancients became a reality. The prom- ise and the prophecy were fulfilled: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

This is the ineffable mystery of the Christmas feast: God indwelling in man, in Jesus Christ. It is the inrush of God into human history and into the texture of our life. St. John the Evangelist summed up the mystery with these words:" The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only be- gotten of the Father, full of grace and truth...and of his fullness we have all received, and grace for grace."

Conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit, the Child in Mary's womb does not stand in the fallen sequence of Adam. In this one instance the painful heritage of Adam is interrupted. He who is born is a New Child. Indeed, he is the New Adam, the progenitor of a new race, who has brought to Adam's seed the gift of wondrous rebirth. Hence, we can exclaim together with those who experienced Je- sus and witnessed his mighty acts and heard his won- drous words," God has visited and redeemed his people." He who brought all things out of nothing into being, descended to and assumed that which was fallen, in or- der to renew it and raise it up to the beauty it once pos- sessed on the day of creation. In Jesus Christ, the The- anthropos (God-man), human nature is restored, sanc- tified, and glorified.

In Christ Jesus, born for us in Bethlehem and laid in a manger, the ancient slavery of sin is ended, the power of death is broken, the error is driven out, the Paradise is unlocked. Thus, all those who belong to him and have been sealed by his Spirit - in spite of the lingering dis- ease of the old man in them - in him they pass from sin into righteousness, from malediction to praise, from weak- ness to strength, from death into life, from dishonor into glory, and from glory to glory, as St. Paul has affirmed.

However obscure and invisible it may seem to the world, the central event of the world's history has already occurred. It is the Christ-event, i.e., the incarnation, the suffering, and the victory of the Son of God. And it is precisely this event that tells us that at the ceaseless rush of all things into the abyss of death is not the only possibility. There is a deeper truth to life than the image of winter when everything that is lovely withers away. Life is not engulfed by nothing, by chaos and utter de- struction. Life is rooted in Someone who remains beyond corruption and destruction. Life is rooted in God„" in whom we live, and move, and have our being."

The joy of Christmas is rooted in these truths. It glad- dens our hearts as we share and proclaim the angelic message: "To you this day is born a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." May the joy, peace, and love of the incarnate Lord abide in your hearts this Christmas and always.

Fr. Alkiviadis C. Calivas

CONSTANTINOPLE — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholo- mew recently visited the Orthodox Church of Bulgaria at the invitation of Patriarch Maximos of Sofia and All Bul- garia, to mark the 1,050th anniversary of the death of St. John of Rila.

Upon arriving at the Sofia airport, His All Holiness was received by Patriarch Maximos and many Bulgarian Or- thodox Church hierarchs. He made an opening statement and answered journalists' questions.

Throughout his visit, the Ecumenical Patriarch was ac- companied by the representative of the Bulgarian bureau of religion.

On the evening of Oct. 17, the ambassador of Greece to Bulgaria hosted a dinner at the Greek embassy in So- fia in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The following day, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the Turkish ambassador to Bulgaria, with whom he held a one- hour cordial discussion.

The same day, His All Holiness along with the repre- sentatives of other Orthodox Churches, visited the Theo- logical Seminary of Sofia, where he attended the Divine Liturgy in the Seminary Church of St. John of Rila, who was known as a miracle-working saint. Following the ser- vices, the Patriarch addressed the seminarians.

Highlighting the visit was the concelebration of the Divine Liturgy by the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Pa- triarch of Bulgaria on Oct. 19 at the Monastery named for the saint. Participants included delegations from other Orthodox Churches.

That evening, Patriarch Maximos hosted an official din- ner in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch which was at- tended by Bulgaria's Prime Minister and president of the Parliament.

In several addresses, His All Holiness emphasized the seminal role of the miracle-working ascetic St. John of Rila in the life and spiritual consciousness of the pious Bulgarian people, the close ties of almost one millennium between the Ecumenical throne and its eldest daughter Church, and the overwhelming importance of pan-Or- thodox unity and spiritual exchange.

Emphasizing the close relationship between the Mo- ther Church and the Church of Bulgaria, the Patriarch re- ferred to eminent church figures whose activities high- light these relations, such as the brilliant and most learn- ed monk Neophytos of Rila.

He labored much to bring Hellenic learning to the Bul- garian people and was a professor at the Patriarchal Theo- logical School of Halki, teaching Slavonic literature for ma- ny years.

His All Holiness concluded that all of the above bears witness to the brotherly spiritual ties between the Bul- garian and Greek peoples.

The Ecumenical Patriarch returned to Istanbul on Oct. 20.

CONSTANTINOPLE — The fifth anniversary of the elec- tion of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I was marked on Oct. 22, by the entire hierarchy and court of the Ecu- menical Throne as well as a host of congratulatory mes- sages from around the world.

On Tuesday morning His All Holiness first received in his office the hierarchs of the Ecumenical Throne residing in Istanbul. Metropolitan Chrysostomos of the Senior See of Ephesus (the first in hierarchical order) addressed the Ecumenical Patriarch on behalf of all hierarchs of the Ec- umenical Throne, both in Istanbul and abroad.

Extolling the significance of the anniversary, Metropo- litan Chrysostomos referred to the many accomplish- ments that have been actualized over the past five years, despite the relatively brief length of time, due to the activity and works of the Patriarch on almost all aspects of the life and activity of the Church and wishes for the lengthy continuation of the Patriarch's ministry, blessed by God, toward the good of the Mother Church and of the faithful people of God and of Orthodoxy around the world.

In his response, His All Holiness glorified God for grant- ing him these five years of productive ministry and thanked the hierarchy for their close collaboration with him to- ward the fulfillment of the sacred goals of the church.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Patriarch received the re- maining clergy and lay personnel of the Patriarchate, on whose behalf the chancellor of the Patriarchate spoke. Addressing the Patriarch, the chancellor said that at the abiding loyalty of the court is the greatest gift they could offer and wishes the Patriarch that his ministry be full of good works and blessed by God. He concluded by wish- ing His All Holiness many years guided by the wondrous hand of the Almighty.

In his response, the Ecumenical Patriarch thanked them for their valuable service in the everyday work of the Pa- triarchate and underscored the fact that the Church has a mission and that the honor of the Ecumenical Throne being the first in the hierarchy of the Church also carries with it analogous responsibilities.

CONSTANTINOPLE — In addition to the pilgrimage by Cardinal Law and Bishop Methodios of Boston and 120 Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians they led, the Patriarchate has also received hundreds of other visitors in recent weeks.

In November, a group of 500 pilgrims from France ar- rived in Istanbul by ship.

The group was headed by Paul Cardinal Poupard, pres- ident of the Pontifical Council of Culture. They pilgrims attended Vespers services at the Patriarchal Church of St. George where Metropolitan Philip of Tyana, chancellor of the Patriarchate, officiated.

Following the services, the pilgrims joined in singing the celebratory hymn, "Un Seul Seigneur" (only one Lord) in French.

Metropolitan Philip welcomed Cardinal Poupard and the

pilgrims on behalf of Patriarch Bartholomew.

The visit was organized by the Rev. Henri Caro of the Church of Notre Dame de Sal ut in Paris.

Another group, comprised of 45 Roman Catholic busi- nessmen from Germany, met with Patriarch Bartholomew in late October.

They had completed a pilgrimage of Asia Minor where they traced the journeys of St. Paul.

The Patriarch discussed the religious life of Christians in a predominantly Muslim environment. He noted that the two religions have long co-existed in the same city and that the Church spares no effort in carrying on its history and Christian witness here.

On another occasion in recent weeks, a group of 30 businessmen from Athens also came to visit the Patri- arch.

Americans have become too accustomed to bad news. Tragic events have become commonplace.

Consider the following: to date, there are no arrests or new suspects in the brutal murders of Nicole Brown and Ronald Goldman, there are no convictions in the O- klahoma City bombing that killed 169 people including 19 children, there are no explanations or suspects in the explosion of TWA flight 800 that resulted-in 230 deaths, and there are no suspects or arrests for the bombing that took place during the Atlanta Olympics under the largest peace-time security force ever.

By Fr. Angelo Artemas

Why is there no public outrage over the lack of an- swers to these tragedies?

Furthermore, freaks like Joey Buttafucco, Tanya Hard- ing, Lorena and John Bobitt, O.J. Simpson, Divine Brown, Hugh Grant and Dick Morris have become media heroes; signing book deals and capitalizing greatly over their no- toriety. Why are Americans giving these less-than-re- spectable human beings the time of day, let alone millions of dollars? Isn't it ironic that while the sexual exploits of adult celebrities (Dick Morris, Magic Johnson, Wilt Chamberlain) are touted, 6-year-old kindergarteners are suspended from school for kissing?

Has anyone noticed that from postgame football inter- views to grade-school classrooms foul language and ex- pletives have become routine? Many individuals acknowl- edge that certain expletives don't faze them anymore be- cause they have become so common.

The problem with routine use of vulgarities is that with- out the concept of profanity, there is no concept of sanc- tity. In order to profane something, one must believe in its sanctity. America needs verbal taboos and forbidden language in order to define and measure values and mo- rals. Declining language may well represent declining re- spect for the sacred.

Concerned persons wonder what has happened to this nation's soul.

Sinful yet God-fearing men and women founded this country, and Christian values have long been the back- bone of American society.

Over the last three decades God has become more and more removed from public schools and public con- sciousness.

At the same time, New Age religions (which focus on the divinity of the individual) and self-help books and programs have proliferated. If new-agers and self-helpers have guaranteed success why is society worse off than before?

According to a U.S. News & World Report study, fre- quent church-goers are about 50 percent less likely to report psychological problems and 71 percent less likely to be alcoholics (except of course some Greek church-go- ers who learn to binge drink at festivals and basketball tournaments).

Amazingly, so-called social behavior experts have re- cently "discovered" that main-line churches and faith in God affect everything from recovery from illness to di- vorce and family life.

Studies show that regular church-goers are 16 per- cent less likely to divorce, and that the number-one fac- tor in keeping young people off drugs is regular church attendance with their families.

These studies haven't uncovered anything new. As hard as society may try to suppress faith in God, that faith will increase when least expected. America's heart and soul has always been. nourished by faith in God, and that faith must be encouraged to grow, rather than sup- pressed.

Happy Blessed Thanksgiving!

Editor,

It is with joyful, hopeful tears I write, having just read Archbishop Spyridon's heartfelt enthronement message. It is filled with the vision of possibilities for our Holy Or- thodox Church. At this season of Thanksgiving I am es- pecially mindful of how blessed we are in His Eminence's leadership for America.

Becky Voulgares
Mendota Heights, Minn.

Re: Partial-birth abortions

Dear Editor,

I was reading the November edition of the Observer and the commentary on partial-birth abortions by Father Angelo Artemas. After reading the article I didn't find the answer to Father Artemas' question in the first para- graph, "What is the Orthodox Church's position on par- tial-birth abortions?" The article was clear regarding the procedure and defining the ethical and legal concerns, but there was no mention that the Church abhors infan- ticide and strongly urges all Orthodox Christians to take a stand against the procedure.

Unless a strong message is sent by the Church from the pulpit that respect for human life must exist at every level of life then there are no standards for Orthodox Chris- tians to live by. According to Father Artemas,"...Christ has been separated from the governing process and rele- gated to irrelevancy in vital issues affecting the public debate." This is even more reason for the Church to take a strong stand on this issue. The people, Orthodox Chris- tians included, have not been separated from the gov- erning process and are included in public debate. Let them carry to elected officials in government Christ's mes- sage that partial-birth abortions, infanticide, is wrong and unchristian.

Realizing that this is a politically sensitive issue and a- voiding a confrontation does not make the problem go away. There are few avenues that the people of the world can turn to for positive righteous guidelines for daily liv- ing. These guidelines help them to raise their families and to face each day no matter what the adversity. The Church plays a vital role in guiding individuals and fam- ilies. Helping them to realize what is right and what is wrong when government is saying that this is the way you are to live. If government is wrong and it is contrary to Church doctrine then say so.

How many Orthodox Christians have had partial-birth abortions and not known the Church's position? Knowing the Church's position would they have turned to other options? We will never know. All we can do now is pray for all the children that have died.

Donna Bakelaar
Stockton, N.J.

Born Again

Editor,

"Born Again" and "Instant Salvation" is useful reading from the Church Fathers, for me personally, and contin- ues filling spiritual voids and answering questions of Christian living. How we live is what we do and where we "are" and "what" we are.

Let us come to St. Paul. Consi- der a namesake. We travel to or move to St. Paul, Minn., for example. When our plane touches down on the air- port runway or our train pulls to a stop at the Amtrak terminal, we have at that moment arrived. This is like unto salvation — instant.

When we arrive or even that we arrive is not as important as what we do when we get there, i.e., how we live from then on. But nevertheless it is necessary, promised by us from God through Jesus Christ.

We are right claiming that staying with Christ as the way to salvation way requires our effort, even as God through Christ saved us.

But also we and all Orthodox and everyone must instead greet that common man's "arriving train" or "arriving plane" (so-to-speak) at that instant point of entry which for many begins a walk along God's pathway.

Gregory Thorson

Chicago 

Power of prayer

Editor,

I enjoyed the letter from Dr. Roman Hitchev (Tell Me Father, Nov. 96). God works in many ways in our lives and it was good to see His love reaching out to Dr. Hitchev and his family. God reaches out to all of us if, we are only receptive.

I have had many instances in my own and my family's life where I have seen the power of God. Several weeks ago, I had gone to see my urologist for my annual exam. The exam went well, except for the blood test which came back with a high reading.

The doctor wanted to do more tests and quite hon- estly, felt that my chances for prostate cancer were high. The initial tests were done on a Wednesday and I had to wait until the following Monday for several more tests.

My life came to a standstill as I anxiously waited. I called my parish priest immediately and asked for prayers. I am a member of our parish council so, our regularly sched- uled meeting was the next day so, I asked several council members to pray for me too. I also asked several parish- ioners on that next Sunday for prayers and my family was also praying too.

I prayed and fasted on the day of the tests and I prayed for healing. I also prayed that God's will be done and for His Glory whatever the outcome.

God has gotten my family and I through some tough times in the past however, this was one of the toughest. Finally, the doctor called with results and everything was all right.

I used to pray daily before this incident but now, God's grace has a new meaning in my life.

Dennis Mantas

Denver 

Recently, Congress passed legislation which the President signed into law declaring the only legal marriage is one between a male and a female. The sponsors of the bill intended with this legislation to prevent marriages between homosex- ual men or homosexual women. The legislation was called an act in "Defense of Marriage." Can you explain what is the position of the Church concerning homosexual mar- riages? What is your view? Do you believe that prevent- ing marriage between homosexuals will prevent the de- terioration of traditional marriage in our society? What is, in your view, the real threat to marriage and family val- ues? Your response will be of interest to me and to many other people.

T.S.

Philadelphia

Dear T.S,

I have followed with interest the recent de- bate on the so-called "Defense of Marriage" bill and I must confess I was not impressed by what I heard.

Before I elaborate on that, however, I feel it neces- sary to make the position of the Church clear; Orthodoxy forbids the practice of homosexuality and considers it a sin. Sanctioning marriages between homosexuals, gay men or lesbian women, is unthinkable.

By Fr. George Papaioannou

But homosexuality is not the only lifestyle that the Church considers sinful and detrimental to society's and to the individual's well-being. The First Epistle to the Corinthians lists several lifestyles that are offensive to the Christian Faith and human dignity; the gay lifestyle is only one of them.

In today's society the gay lifestyle has attracted more interest than the other lifestyles condemned by the Bible because it openly defies not only traditional social norms but also the teaching of the Bible on homosexuality.

If all the promiscuous singles and married people "came out of the closet" they would be under the same scrutiny and Biblical judgment. That is why I do not have high regard for the so-called "Defense of Marriage" bill passed by Congress and signed into law by the President. It will have no impact on marriage and family values. It was introduced and passed out of political expedience. In fact, I find it hypocritical.There was no balance in the de- bate; no mention was made of other lifestyles that are even more detrimental to marriage and family. The truth of the matter is that for a long time the real threat to marriage has been not so much homosexual but rather undignified and uncontrolled heterosexual behavior. For the sake of sexual gratification spouses are deserting each other, leaving behind children to be raised fatherless and motherless.

The real threat to marriage comes from the fact that society has made it so easy for men and women to walk away from marriage. One in two marriages ends in di- vorce and the vast majority of divorces are caused by sexual improprieties. Divorce is the cause: like a dreadful form of cancer it is devouring the sacred institution of marriage. This will not change until men and women learn to control their sexual appetites and accept that the sacred yoke of marriage is for life. I could not help but a- gree with the challenge of Margaret Carlson to Congress- man Bob Barr who led the fight for the passage of the "Defense of Marriage" bill.

Writing in Time magazine, "The Marrying Kind," she asked this question, "Which of his own marriages is the Congressman (Bob Barr) trying to protect, the first, the second, or the third?"

How is society, and more specifically, the Christian Church, to protect the sanctity of marriage in these troublesome times? St. Paul faced the same question and challenge in the first century in Rome and Corinth, two cosmopolitan cities in which the degree of sexual laxity resembled that of contemporary American society.

He introduced a rather stiff code of ethics. It was an impossible task but he was determined to change the people's behavior in order that their behavior might con- form with the will of God.

Paul, who is regarded as the founder of the Judeo-Chris- tian ethical code, returned to the basic guidelines set by God in the creation of humanity, "male and female He created them. And God blessed them and God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply.'"

Procreation was then and continues to be today the fun- damental goal and principle in marriage. Companionship, physical pleasure, trust and unconditional love are the other characteristics of marriage. This bond is never to be broken by either spouse.

There is only one defense of marriage; to strengthen it by stressing the ethical code given to men by God.

Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth, Vol. 3, Anthony M. Coniaris, Light & Life Publishing Co., Minneapolis.

In this, the third volume, Fr. Anthony provides us with yet another guide for daily devotions. Drawing upon a wealth of knowledge and insight from years of experi- ence and reading, he masterfully uses stories from the lives of saints, contemporary writers, and other sources to touch our hearts with the message of the Gospel.

Each of the 365 days is divided into four sections: the epistle and gospel readings for the day; the name (s) of the major saint (s) of the day or the feast day being celebrated and a brief description of each; a lesson for the day; and, a saying from a church father and/or a mes- sage to ponder. A one-like passage from the Bible or a short prayer is also included on occasion.

Daily Vitamins for Spiritual Growth, Vol. 3 is a val- uable resource for anyone seeking to grow daily with Christ. It provides small doses of profound teachings on the Christian life, and as always, Fr. Anthony's pres- entation of these teachings is clear, concise, and to the point. This book is the perfect accompaniment to the Bible and a prayer book for any Orthodox Christian who desires to deepen his or her love for Christ and the Church. It is also a valuable tool for catechumens be- cause it presents the Orthodox Christian life in small, readable, and easily understood doses.

(second of three parts)

With regard to spirituality, Christianity became more specific, teaching that man is capable of becoming par- taker of divine nature by imitating Jesus Christ, who set the example, prepared the way, and became the proto- type.

Thus the Fathers of the Church taught that "God be- came human that the human might become god," and that "God became what we are in order to make us what God is."

By Fr. Demetrios J. Constantelos

But how do you achieve such a state of being when in every day we see bitterness, hatred, crime, wars, guns, hunger, sickness, lust, moral failure, and frustration? The human being is torn between divine aspirations and earth- ly desires.

Nevertheless, the Christian way of life is one of con- stant growth, a perpetual ascension, and a continuous ef- fort leading to moral improvement and spiritual growth.

To "become partakers of the divine nature" as stated, to achieve theosis which implies a perpetual existence in God's uncreated glory, are not aspirations in the realm of utopia—unrealistic. Guided by the ideal, Orthodox Chris- tianity admonishes its believers to strive for what Christ taught: "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48).

And the Apostles taught that Christians "should be holy and blameless" (Eph.1:4) and that "as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct, since it is written you shall be holy, for I am holy:(1 Peter 1:4).

To be sure, the emphasis on spirituality and renewal has been a characteristic of monasticism and the ques- tion persists how does one become "perfect" and "holy" living in a secular society, in an imperfect and sinful world? There is little doubt that Christians are called out to set an example, to serve as prototypes of people who be- lieve, hope, love, and serve.

To be a baptized Christian is not a guarantee of instant spirituality or of a sinless life. The Church has never been nor has it claimed to be a museum of sinless people, or "saints."

Instead, the Church is a hospital for sinners who seek therein their spiritual health and growth. Not only the spir- itual health of the greater sinner is sought to be re- stored, but the improvement of those healthier is con- stantly encouraged and pursued.

Orthodox spirituality, views the believer's life as a cease- less gignesthai, an unremitting becoming, never static or in a state in which perfection has been reached and sal- vation has been secured.

Unlike physical growth, spiritual growth, like intellec- tual growth, has a beginning but it knows no end. Thus a concerned Orthodox Christian will never rest. The ladder of spiritual ascent is endless and formidable. An Ortho- dox Christian will never say "I am saved" but always "through the grace and the help of God I hope to be saved, for I am in the realm and process of salvation."

One is reminded of the biblical admonition: "If you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall". (1 Co. 10:12) It is God who determines who is and who will be saved.

Living in a secular society means daily confronting the sins and the imperfections of earthly life, which may in- fluence and lead the believer away from God and His realm.

The best guard against allowing evil to become a permanent state of life, and also the most effective way of restoring relations between man and God is "meta- noia," repentance. The Greek word metanoia means change of mind, thought and attitude.

Jesus the Christ began his ministry with a call to me- tanoia, and John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ's ministry with a call to repentance (Matt. 3:2, 4:17) Both called upon ancient Israel to repent and return to the principles of the covenant that had been established between God and Israel.

In a Christian context, metanoia means an inner cri- sis, a change of mind and intellect, whether individually or collectively, accompanied with contrition and regret for sins committed whether by deed, word of mouth, or thought.

But it also means determination to spiritually improve. Do you have any doubt that modern society needs to change? To adopt new values? To rediscover what makes the human really human?

Self-criticism, self-knowledge, metanoia is the first and fundamental way of knowledge of God, unmasking ourselves before God. The criminal repents for his act of homicide or robbery; the angry person for his words of wrath and insult; and the devout and pious for an evil or improper thought. All are acts of repentance though they differ in degree.

As St. lsaak the Syrian put it: "Repentance is fitting at all times and for all persons. To sinners as well as to the righteous who look for salvation. There are no bounds to perfection, for even the perfection of the most perfect is thought but imperfection. Hence, until the moment of death neither the time nor the words of repentance can ever be complete."

The understanding of renewal and spiritual growth recognizes the principle that "the more perfect one be- comes, the more one is aware of one's own imperfec- tions."

Independently of how grave one's sins may be, the Church, as God's instrument, forgives and reassures, calls back and receives the penitent, as the father of the par- able received back his prodigal son when "he came to himself" and decided to return back home. A sinner should never despair — no matter how great the sin.

The Church's attitude rests on "God's unfathomable philanthropia—love." As St. John Chrysostom put it: "Do you sin everyday? Do repent every day." For in the act of repentance God's philanthropia is outpoured, and there is no measure to count or estimate God's philanthropia and no word can explain God's immeasurable goodness."

The Church, however, expects not only an inner crisis leading to contrition and determination to change and improve, but also a verbal expression and acknowledg- ment of the inner crisis, and a confession, an explo-

Fr. Constantelos is Charles Townsend Professor of History at Richard Stockton State College in Po- mona, N.J.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. - Ο Πρόεδρος των Ηνωμένων Πολιτειών Μπιλ Κλίντον χαιρέτισε με ανακοίνωσή του τη δημιουργία Ειδικής Επιτροπής για τις Θρησκευτικές Ελευθερίες στο Ε- ξωτερικό, η οποία θα ασκεί συμβουλευτικό ρόλο προς το υπουργείο Εξωτερικών. Στη συμβουλευτική αυτή επιτρο-πή, που ίδρυσε ο υπουργός Εξωτερικών Γουόρεν Κρίστο- φερ, πρόεδρος ανέλαβε ο βοηθός υπουργός Εξωτερικών για θέματα Δημοκρατίας, Ανθρώπινων Δικαιωμάτων και Εργασίας, Τζον Σάτουκ και αρμοδιότητά της θα είναι τα α- νά τον κόσμο προβλήματα θρησκευτικής καταδίωξης.

Ο Σεβασμιότατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Σπυρί- δων, πνευματικός ηγέτης των Ελληνορθοδόξων στις Ηνω- μένες Πολιτείες και Εξαρχος του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρ- χείου στο Δυτικό Ημισφαίριο, συμμετέχει στην 20μελή αυτή επιτροπή, που αποτελείται από εκπροσώπους των μεγαλυτέρων θρησκευτικών ομάδων της Αμερικής, μαζί με εξέχοντες ακαδημαϊκούς και άτομα των οποίων οι θρησκευτικές πεποιθήσεις αποτελούν στόχο καταδιώξεων στο εξωτερικό.

«Κατά τα τελευταία χρόνια, οι θρησκευτικές και εθνι- κές διαμάχες βρίσκονται συχνά στο μεταίχμιο των διενέ- ξεων για τα ανθρώπινα δικαιώματα» τόνισε ο κ. Σάτουκ, ανακοινώνοντας τη σύσταση της επιτροπής. «Η δημιουρ- γία της Συμβουλευτικής Επιτροπής για τις Θρησκευτικές Ελευθερίες στο Εξωτερικό» πρόσθεσε, «αντιπροσωπεύει την σαφή κυβερνητική βούληση για διευθέτηση των θε- μάτων αυτών με νέους και δημιουργικούς τρόπους».

Στους πρωταρχικούς στόχους της επιτροπής, τα μέλη της οποίας θα επιδιώξουν να παράγουν ουσιαστικό έργο, εντάσονται: Η διεύρυνση του διαλόγου των διαφόρων θρη- σκευτικών ομάδων με την αμερικανική κυβέρνηση, η επ- αύξηση της πληροφόρησης της κυβέρνησης σχετικά με τις συνθήκες των θρησκευτικών μειονοτήτων που αντιμετω- πίζουν διώξεις ανά τον κόσμο, και η ενημέρωση του κοι- νού ως προς τις κυβερνητικές προσπάθειες διευθέτησης θεμάτων θρησκευτικών διώξεων και θρησκευτικής ελευ- θερίας.

«Η κυβέρνηση είναι αποφασισμένη να βοηθήσει τους λαούς κάθε θρησκεύματος να ζήσουν ελεύθεροι, απαλ- λαγμένοι από τον φόβο της καταδίωξης, γι' αυτό υιοθε- τούμε αυτή την πρωτοβουλία» υπογράμμισε ο Πρόεδρος Κλίντον, προσθέτοντας: «Ως έθνος που ιδρύθηκε από αν- θρώπους που ζητούσαν καταφύγιο από θρησκευτικές διώ- ξεις, η χώρα μας συνεχίζει να αποτελεί παγκόσμιο πρότυ- πο ελεύθερων πεποιθήσεων και αρμονικής συμβίωσης διαφόρων δοξασιών».

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Τη βομβιστική επίθεση σε βάρος του Οι- κουμενικού Πατριαρχείου και τις προσπάθειες παρεμπόδι- σης της ελευθέρας λειτουργίας του καταδίκασε με επιστο- λή του προς τον Αρχιεπίσκοπο Σπυρίδωνα, ο Αμερικανός πρόεδρος Μπιλ Κλίντον.

Η επιστολή, με ημερομηνία 6 Νοεμβρίου, η οποία απο- τελεί συνέχεια τηλεφωνικής επικοινωνίας των δύο ανδρών, αναφέρει τα εξής:

«Σεβασμιότατε,

»Χάρηκα που είχα την ευκαιρία να σάς μιλήσω πρόσ- φατα στο τηλέφωνο και ήθελα με την ευκαιρία αυτή να εκφράσω την υποστήριξή μου προς το Οικουμενικό Πα- τριαρχείο.

»Πριν λίγους μήνες η Χίλαρι και η Τσέλσι είχαν μιά υπέροχη συνάντηση με την Α.Θ. Παναγιότητα τον Οικου- μενικό Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο στο Πατριαρχείο. Συγκινή-

θηκαν πολύ με την επίσκεψη και ξενάγησή τους στο Πατριαρχικό Καθεδρικό Ναό του Αγίου Γεωργίου. Είμαι βέβαιος ότι συμφωνείτε και σεις με την άποψή τους, ότι το Πατριαρχείο αποτελεί ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα Θρη- σκευτικά Ιδρύματα του κόσμου. Επιθυμώ να γνωρίζει ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης, ότι καταδικάζω απερίφραστα την πρόσφατη βομβιστική επίθεση. Η Κυβέρνησή μου θα συνεχίσει να υποστηρίζει έντονα το δικαίωμα του Πανα- γιότατου να ασκεί ελεύθερα τα καθήκοντά του ως Οικου- μενικός Πατριάρχης.

»Σεβασμιότατε, σας παρακαλώ να διαβιβάσετε τους προ- σωπικούς μου χαιρετισμούς στον Πατριάρχη Βαρθολο- μαίο. Προσβλέπω στο να παραμείνουμε σε επικοινωνία.

Ειλικρινά,

Μπιλ Κλίντον».

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Προκήρυξη στην οποία τονίζεται το βα- ρυσήμαντο έργο που έχει αναλάβει ο Σεβ. Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Σπυρίδων επέδωσε στον Σεβασμιότατο ο πρό- εδρος του Δημοτικού Συμβουλίου Νέας Υόρκης, Πίτερ Βα- λόν, εκ μέρους του συμβουλίου. Στην εκδήλωση, παρευ- ρέθη σύσσωμο το δημοτικό συμβούλιο καθώς και μεγάλος αριθμός προσκεκλημένων.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. - Την κοινότητα του Αγ. Δημητρίου Αστόριας, ΝΥ επισκέφθηκε ο Σεβ. Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής τον περασμένο μήνα, για να γιορτάσει μαζί τους τα 69 χρόνια της. Στο στιγ- μιότυπο, ο Σεβασμιότατος αποδεχόμενος από τον πρόεδρο του δημοτικού Συμβουλίου της πόλης Peter Valone, σχετική δια- κήρυξη, που κρατά ο πρόεδρος της κοινότητας Δημ. Κωστίδης. Διακρίνεται επίσης ο ιερατικώς προϊστάμενος Αρχιμ. π. Παύλος Παπαλεξίου.

Ο κ. Βαλόν, υποσχέθηκε στον Αρχιεπίσκοπο ότι θα εί- ναι στο πλευρό του στο δύσκολο έργο που έχει αναλάβει. «Η ελληνική κοινότητα πιστεύω ότι είναι από τις πιο ζωτικές της Νέας Υόρκης, τόσο στον επιχειρησιακό, όσο και στον και κοινωνικό τομέα», είπε.

Στην τελετή που έγινε στην μεγάλη αίθουσα συνεδριά- σεων του σώματος παραβρέθηκαν, μεταξύ των άλλων, ο ελεγκτής του Δήμου κ. Αλαν Γκριν, ο μόνιμος αντιπρόσω- πος της Ελλάδας στα Ηνωμένα Εθνη πρέσβης Χρήστος Ζαχαράκης, οι γενικοί πρόξενοι της Ελλάδας και της Κύ- πρου Χαράλαμπος Ροκανάς και Χαράλαμπος Καιρός, οι θεοφ. Επίσκοποι Μελόης και Τρωάδος κ.κ. Φιλόθεος και Αλέξιος, μέλη του κλήρου κ.α.

Αξίζει να αναφέρουμε, ότι μέλη του Δημοτικού Συμ- βουλίου από τα πέντε διαμερίσματα της πόλης της Νέας Υόρκης, εκφώνησαν σύντομους χαιρετισμούς και εξήραν το ρόλο της κοινότητάς μας στην πρόοδο ολόκληρης της πολιτείας.

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος

Στην ομιλία του, ο Σεβ. Αρχιεπίσκοπος κ. Σπυρίδων υ- πογράμμισε την ανάγκη να εργασθούν όλοι μαζί για την ευημερία και την πρόοδο όλων των θρησκευτικών ομά- δων και εθνοτήτων που απαρτίζουν την πολυεθνική ευρύ- τερη κοινότητα της Νέας Υόρκης.

Η Ελληνική Ορθόδοξη Αρχιεπισκοπή Αμερικής, είπε, έ- χει διατηρήσει μια μακρά φιλική σχέση με την Πολιτεία της Νέας Υόρκης. «Η φιλία αυτή θεσμοθετήθηκε από τις πρώτες κιόλας μέρες που έφτασαν οι πρώτοι Ελληνες μετανάστες στο λιμάνι της Νέας Υόρκης και όλα αυτά τα χρόνια έχει δυναμώσει με την συνεργασία και των δύο κοινοτήτων», είπε χαρακτηριστικά.

Η Νέα Υόρκη, συνέχισε, αποτέλεσε για πολλούς μετα- νάστες τον τόπο των μεγάλων ευκαιριών και η πρόοδος της Ελληνοαμερικανικής κοινότητας, τόσο στον οικονο- μικό, όσο και στον κοινωνικό και φιλανθρωπικό τομέα, αποτελεί παράδειγμα για όλες τις εθνότητες.

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ολοκλήρωσε ευχαριστώντας τον κ. Βαλόν που παρευρέθηκε στην τελετή της ενθρόνισής του καθώς και για την τιμή προς ολόκληρη την ελληνορθό- δοξη κοινότητα με την διοργάνωση αυτής της εκδήλωσης.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ.- Κάπου ογδόντα χρόνια αφού οι μπολσε- βίκοι σκότωσαν αυτόν και την οικογένειά του, ο τελευταί- ος τσάρος «πασών των Ρωσιών» Νικόλαος ο Β' πιθανώς να συμπεριληφθεί στους δέκα χιλιάδες περίπου αγίους, που αναγνωρίζει η Ρωσική Ορθόδοξη Εκκλησία.

Την πρόταση για αγιοποίηση του τελευταίου της δυνα- στείας των Ρωμανώφ έκανε τον περασμένο μήνα η ιερά σύνοδος των επισκόπων του Πατριαρχείου Μόσχας και η τελική απόφαση αναμένεται να ληφθεί από την 130μελή ολομέλεια της ρωσικής ιεραρχίας τον Φεβρουάριο. Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι Ρώσοι ορθόδοξοι εδώ στις ΗΠΑ ανακή- ρυξαν αντικανονικά τον τσάρο Νικόλαο ως άγιο, από το 1981, όταν στη Μόσχα η Εκκλησία ήταν πειθήνιο όργανο των σο- βιετικών.

Σαν δείκτης της κοινής γνώμης στη σημερινή μετασο- βιετική Ρωσία, η απόφαση χαρακτηρίστηκε «ενδεικτική». Η Ρωσική Ορθοδοξία επιβίωσε τους τελευταίους αιώνες, συμπλέοντας με την απολυταρχική εξουσία των τσάρων και στη συνέχεια επιζώντας σε κατάσταση «χειμέριας νάρ- κης» στις αθεϊστικές δεκαετίες της δικτατορίας του προλε- ταριάτου. Τώρα, πασχίζοντας να προσαρμοστεί στη νέα κα- τάσταση, φαίνεται να επιστρατεύει μια λαϊκή, εθνικιστική νοσταλγία, για την παραδοσιακή «εύνομη τάξη» της αυ- τοκρατορικής εποχής.

Ο Νικόλαος, η τσαρίνα Αλεξάνδρα, ο αιμοφιλικός και φιλάσθενος διάδοχος Αλέξιος και οι τέσσερις πριγκιπο- πούλες, Ολγα, Τατιάνα, Αναστασία και Μαρία, δέχτηκαν τις σφαίρες και τις λόγχες των εκτελεστών τους στις 16 Ιουλίου 1918, μαζί με τον γιατρό τους και μερικούς υπη- ρέτες, σ' ένα υπόγειο αγροικίας στο Εκατερίνεμπουργκ, κοντά στα Ουράλια. Τα κορμιά τους ρίχτηκαν αρχικά σ' έ- να βαθύ πηγάδι ορυχείου, απ' όπου αργότερα ανασύρ- θηκαν, κάηκαν με θειικό οξύ και θάφτηκαν στο δάσος.

Παρά την επίσημη άποψη των σοβιετικών, ότι ο Τσά- ρος Νικόλαος δεν ήταν παρά ένας αιμοσταγής τύραννος, σημαντικό ποσοστό των σημερινών Ρώσων θεωρεί πως θυσιάστηκε σαν «αμνός επί σφαγή» για τη μάνα Ρωσία. Η επιτροπή που ασχολήθηκε με το θέμα προτάσσει ότι από αλληλογραφία της περιόδου προκύπτει ότι ο Νικόλαος και η οικογένειά του διάβασαν τους τελευταίους μήνες κυρίως θρησκευτικά συγγράμματα, είχαν συγχωρήσει τους δε- σμώτες τους και απέτρεπαν τους υποστηρικτές τους από κάθε σκέψη εκδίκησης.

Το θέμα όμως έχει προκαλέσει μεγάλες αντιδράσεις από κάθε πλευρά. Επίδοξοι γαλαζοαίματοι μιλάνε για «πρά- ξη που θα ενώσει τους ανά τον κόσμο Ρώσους και θα ε- ξασφαλίσει την ιστορική συνέχεια» ενώ άλλοι λένε για «ξάσπρισμα χάριν πολιτικής σκοπιμότητας» μιας εποχής που πέρασε οριστικά και ενός ηγέτη με πολλά ελαττώμα- τα, ο οποίος και φέρει μεγάλη ευθύνη για την κατάσταση που κυοφόρησε το κομμουνιστικό καθεστώς. Εκπρόσωπος του Πατριάρχη Μόσχας χαρακτήρισε την οικογένεια του τε- λευταίου τσάρου «παράδειγμα αγνότητας» και υποστήριξε ότι οι εκτελεστές τους σκότωσαν στο πρόσωπό τους «την ρωσική χριστιανοσύνη».

ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΙΝΟΥΠΟΛΗ.- Ο ρωμαιοκαθολικός Καρδινά- λιος της Βοστώνης Μπέρναντ Λόου και ο Επίσκοπος Βο- στώνης Μεθόδιος επισκέφτηκαν στα τέλη Οκτωβρίου το Οικουμενικό Πατριαρχείο, επικεφαλής ομάδας 80 καθο- λικών και 40 ορθοδόξων πιστών. Ενωρίτερα, είχαν επι- σκεφθεί τόν Πάπα Ιωάννη Παύλο στο Βατικανό.

Παρακολούθησαν εσπερινό στην εκκλησία του Αγίου Δη- μητρίου Ξηροκρήνης, στον οποίο πρωτοστάτησε ο Οικου- μενικός Πατριάρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος, και ανήμερα του Α- γίου Δημητρίου παρακολούθησαν την Θεία Λειτουργία στον Αγιο Δημήτριο στα Ταταύλα.

Μετά την Θεία Λειτουργία, απευθυνόμενος στον Οι- κουμενικό Πατριάρχη, ο Καρδινάλιος Λόου του ανέφερε ότι ήταν ευλογία από το Θεό το ότι του δόθηκε η ευκαιρία να παρακολουθήσει μαζί του την λειτουργία. Ο ρωμαιο- καθολικός καρδινάλιος επέδωσε στον Παναγιότατο ειδικό μετάλλιο, παρόμοιο με αυτό που είχε δώσει πριν λίγες μέρες και στον Πάπα.

Απαντώντας στον χαιρετισμό, ο Οικουμενικός Πατρι-

άρχης κ. Βαρθολομαίος εξέφρασε την μεγάλη του χαρά και ευτυχία που του δόθηκε η ευκαιρία να δεχθεί τον Καρδινάλιο Λόου, τον Επίσκοπο Μεθόδιο και την συνοδεία τους, οι οποίοι επισκέφτηκαν από τον νέο κόσμο, την έδρα της Χριστιανοσύνης στον παλαιό κόσμο. Επισήμανε ότι το Φανάρι, παλαιό θρησκευτικό κέντρο της Ορθο- δοξίας, παραμένει μιά δυναμική, ζωντανή και σύγχρονη εκκλησία, η οποία δραστηριοποιείται πάνω σε όλες τις πτυχές της σύγχρονης ζωής, αλλά και στην διατήρηση και προώθηση της ορθόδοξης πίστης και των παραδόσεων.

Ο Παναγιότατος έπλεξε το εγκώμιο του Καρδιναλίου Λόου, για τις προσπάθειες που καταβάλει μέ στόχο την επαναπροσέγγιση μεταξύ των δύο εκκλησιών, αλλά και για την αγάπη που δείχνει προς τους ελληνορθόδοξους πιστούς των ΗΠΑ.

Ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης και ο Καρδινάλιος Λόου είχαν επίσης την ευκαιρία να συζητήσουν και διάφορα θέματα που άπτονται της επίσκεψης του προκαθήμενου της Ορθοδοξίας στις ΗΠΑ, το 1997.

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ. - Με απόφαση του Σεβ. Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ. Σπυρίδωνος, ο κοσμήτορας της Θεολογικής Σχολής Τιμίου Σταυρού, Αιδεσιμολογιότατος Πρωτοπρε- σβύτερος Γεώργιος Δράγας, αναλαμβάνει τη Διεύθυνση Οικουμενικών και Διεκκλησιαστικών Σχέσεων της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκοπής.

Τα νέα καθήκοντα του Πρωτοπρεσβύτερου Δράγα πε- ριλαμβάνουν την επικοινωνία με εκπροσώπους των άλ- λων χριστιανικών δογμάτων και άλλων θρησκευμάτων, καθώς και την καλλιέργεια των σχέσεων με τις άλλες Ορ- θόδοξες δικαιοδοσίες στις Ηνωμένες Πολιτείες. Σημειώ- νεται ότι θα συνεχίσει να ασκεί και τα καθήκοντα του κο- σμήτορα της Θεολογικής Σχολής, μοιράζοντας το χρόνο του με τις νέες αρμοδιότητές του.

Ο π. Δράγας εξελέγη κοσμήτορας της Θεολογικής Σχολής του Τιμίου Σταυρού στο Μπρουκλάιν Μασαχου- σέτης τον Δεκέμβριο του 1994 και ανέλαβε υπηρεσία τον Σεπτέμβριο του 1995, διδάσκοντας Εκκλησιαστική Ιστορία και Πατερικές σπουδές. Στο διάστημα Οκτωβρίου '95 μέ- χρι Ιανουαρίου '96 εκτελούσε και χρέη προσωρινού προ- έδρου της Σχολής, μετά την παραίτηση από τα καθήκοντα αυτά του Θεοφ. Επισκόπου Βοστώνης κ. Μεθοδίου.

Ο π. Δράγας γεννήθηκε στην Αθήνα και αφού υπηρέ- τησε στο Ελληνικό Ναυτικό σπούδασε στο εξωτερικό. Ε- λαβε πτυχίο Μπάτσελορ από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Εδιμ- βούργου, πτυχίο Μάστερ Θεολογίας από τη Θεολογική Σχολή του Πανεπιστημίου Πρίνστον και το διδακτορικό του από το Πανεπιστήμιο Ντάραμ της Αγγλίας, όπου επί σειρά ετών κατείχε την έδρα Πατερικών Σπουδών και Δογματικής Θεολογίας.

Το 1979, με τις ευλογίες του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη Δημητρίου, χειροτονήθηκε ιερέας από τον τότε Αρχι- επίσκοπο Θυατείρων και Μεγάλης Βρετανίας κ. Μεθόδιο. Υπηρέτησε την Εκκλησία στη Μεγάλη Βρετανία ως αρχι- γραμματέας του Αρχιεπισκόπου, αλλά και ως εφημέριος σε εκεί κοινότητες. Αντιπροσώπευσε επίσης το Οικου- μενικό Πατριαρχείο στο Παγκόσμιο Συμβούλιο των Εκ- κλησιών, σε διάφορες διεκκλησιαστικές επιτροπές.

Περιπόθητοι εν Κυρίω αδελφοί και τέκνα προσφιλή,

Η ιερή Δεσποτική Εορτή των Χριστουγέννων που μας αξιώνει ο Κύριος να εορτάσουμε και εφέτος, αποτελεί συγχρόνως και υπενθύμιση και κλήση.

Υπενθυμίζει, ότι από αγάπη ήλθε ο Χριστός στον κό- σμο για να σώσει τον άνθρωπο και να του δώσει μια δια- φορετική προοπτική στη ζωή. Να διαγράψει τις αστοχίες του που τον οδήγησαν στην αιχμαλωσία του στο κακό, στη φθορά και στον θάνατο, και να τον ντύσει με ειρήνη, Χαρά, αγάπη, αιώνια ζωή.

Η γέννηση του Χριστού έγινε όταν ήλθε το πλήρωμα του χρόνου, όταν, δηλαδή, είχε φθάσει η αστοχία και α- ποξένωση του ανθρώπου από το Θεό στο απροχώρητο, ή, όπως λέγει ο άγιος Γρηγόριος ο Νύσσης, όταν έφθασε η αμαρτία στο ακρότατο σημείο εξέλιξης. Και το αποτέλεσμά της ήταν ν' αλλάξει η ροή της ανθρώπινης ιστορίας και να ξαναβρεί ο άνθρωπος την οδό προς την απολεσθείσα κοι- νωνία με τον Θεό.

Φυσικά και σήμερα υπάρχει αποξένωση και ακρότητες, πολλές και οδυνηρές, δεν είναι όμως τόσο δυνατή η απο- ξένωση, όσο ήταν πριν την ενανθρώπηση του Υιού του Θεού. Τα όσα αντίξοα βλέπουμε σήμερα στον κόσμο γύρω μας δεν είναι ικανά να αλλοιώσουν το νέο φρόνημα και την νέα προοπτική που έφερε ο Χριστός στον κόσμο. Η προοπτική αυτή φανερώνεται στην Εκκλησία, η οποία ανανεώνεται από γενεά σέ γενεά καθώς ανανεώνονται οι άνθρωποι μέσα της.

Εδώ ακριβώς συναντάμε και την κλήση των Χριστου- γέννων. Καλούμαστε να ενστερνισθούμε το φρόνημα του Χριστού που περιγράφεται από τον μέγα Απόστολο των Ε- θνών ως φρόνημα κενώσεως. «Εαυτόν εκένωσε λαβών δούλου μορφήν», ούτως ώστε να πλουτίσουν οι άνθρω- ποι, να υψωθούν στα πνευματικά ύψη των θείων αρετών, να λάβουν πείρα θεώσεως.

Γιά να γίνει όμως αυτό πραγματικότητα χρειάζεται κέ- νωση και από μέρους μας, χρειάζεται αυταπάρνηση, τα- πείνωση και υποταγή στο θέλημα του Θεού. Η σωτηρία ε- πιτυγχάνεται με συνέργεια θείας χάριτος και ανθρωπίνης θελήσεως. Είναι μετοχή θείας χάριτος, επειδή είναι και μί- μηση Χριστού. Αυτό καταδεικνύουν οι πάμπολλοι άγιοι της Εκκλησίας, οι γνωστοί και οι άγνωστοι, οι οποίοι ανα- δείχτηκαν πρωτοπόροι μάρτυρες της αλήθειας.

Ιδιαίτερα σήμερα, στην κατάσταση στην οποία βρισκό- μαστε, το μήνυμα της κένωσης, δηλ. της ταπείνωσης μπρο- στά στον Θεό και της υποταγής στο θέλημά του, είναι α- πό τις πιο επείγουσες και επιτακτικές ανάγκες μας. Κα- λούμαστε να γίνουμε φορείς ειρήνης και συμφιλίωσης. Να υπερβούμε κάθε διάσταση ή διάκριση που υπάρχει ανά- μεσά μας, στις σχέσεις με τους συνανθρώπους μας. Να α- γαπήσουμε αλλήλους, να συνεργαστούμε για το κοινό κα- λό, να φανερώσουμε την ενότητα και τον πλούτο του Χρι- στού και της Εκκλησίας. Πρέπει να ιδεί κόσμος τα καλά μας έργα, να ιδεί τον Χριστό να γεννάται μέσα μας και να μορφώνεται δυναμικά με την ενέργεια του Αγίου Πνεύμα- τος. Πρέπει να φανερώσουμε το μυστήριο της γέννησης του Χριστού μέσω της ανανέωσης του μυστηρίου της Εκ- κλησίας ανάμεσά μας.

Εύχομαι τούτα τα Χριστούγεννα να γίνουν σταθμός και αφετηρία στην ζωή όλων μας και της Εκκλησίας την οποία στερέωσε η θεία χάρις στη μεγάλη τούτη χώρα. Χαίρετε. Ομονοείτε. Φιλανθρωπεύετε. Συνεργάζεσθε με ζήλο και αγάπη στον αμπελώνα του Κυρίου.

Χριστός γεννάται, δοξάσατε!

Μέ πατρική αγάπη
και διάπυρες χριστουγεννιάτικες ευχές,

†  Ο ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ ΣΠΥΡΙΔΩΝ

PALOS HILLS, Ill. — Sts. Constantine and Helen parish recently honored its choir members, chanters and music educators on National Church Music Sunday and also held its annual Bike-Walk-Run-athon.

Among the musicians recognized were choir director Eleni Fefles, choir president Kay Cosmas, other choir mem- bers and Apostolos Stathakis, chanter. Those honored for more than 50 years service included Bertha Caroompas, Kay Chakonas, Fran Goritz, Helen Fotopoulos and Helen Stavrakas.

The Bike-A-Thon was part of the community's "Ortho- dox Charities Weekend."

In the 12-year history of the weekend, more than $35,000 has been raised to support Cooley's Anemia (tha- lassemia) research and the International Orthodox Chris- tian Charities.

The parish is under the spiritual direction of Frs. By- ron Papanikolaou, protopresbyter, and Nicholas Jonas, pres- byter.

ROANOKE, Va. — Holy Trinity Church recently joined five other area churches to build a Habitat for Humanity house. Holy Trinity donated part of its profit from its "Ho- liday in Athens" event last year and supplied some volun-

teer labor.

"It was our way of helping put back something into the community that supports our Holiday in Athens," said Fr. George Chioros, Holy Trinity's pastor.

BERKELEY, Calif. — Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute has recently acquired a private icon collection from the Alexander M. and June L. Maisin Trust with an appraised value of more than $250,000.

The collection consists of 41 rare 18th and 19th cen- tury icons, most of which are of Russian origin. It con- stitutes one of the finest private icon collections on the West Coast, according to Paul G. Manolis, adjunct pro- fessor and the Institute's president and director. Included are a number of Faberge silver and gold rizza icons,

The collection will eventually be on permanent display and available for study by art history students.

The Institute is affiliated with the Graduate Theolo- gical Union of the University of California-Berkeley, and has been designated as a "Patriarchal Institute" by the Ecu- menical Patriarchate.

It offers graduate courses in Orthodox history and thought through the Alexander G. Spanos Chair of Or- thodox Studies, has a 10,000 volume library, and also offers lectureships, scholarships and campus ministry. Through the Chapel of St. Demetrios, the University com- munity can attend worship services and receive spiritual guidance.

The PAOI is located at 2311 Hearst Ave. in Berkeley and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

Vesperal liturgy is celebrated each Tuesday at 6 p.m., followed by supper and fellowship.

Visitors are welcome.

Archdiocese District YAL has set its New Year's Eve party for the Museum Club at Bridgewater's, 11 Fulton Street at the South Street Seaport in Manhattan, 10pm-3am.

The evening includes dinner buffet, fireworks and dancing.

Cost is $100 a person.

More information: Contact Archdiocese District YAL, 8 East 79th St., New York, NY 10021, or call (212) 570-3547.

Checks are payable to NY GOYAL, c/o Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the above address.

Patriarch Welcomes N.H. Benefactors

CONSTANTINOPLE — Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholo- mew recently welcomed Chris and Mary Papoutsy, great benefactors of the Boston Diocese from Portsmouth, N.H., during their recent visit to the Patriarchate. His All Holiness discussed a broad range of topics with the Papoutsys and accompanied them on a tour of the Patriarchate, the Phanar and the theological seminary at Halki.

Daughters Elect Grand President

NEWPORT, R.I. — Joanne V. Hologgitas, a 42-year mem- ber of Daughters of Penelope Chapter 49 recently won e- lection as Grand President of the national organization at the 74th Supreme Convention in Houston.

She is retired director of radioimmunoassay, section of clinical chemistry, in the Rhode Island Hospital's Depart- ment of Pathology.

A graduate of Brown University's Pembroke College, she holds a masters degree from Boston University and a Ph.D. from the University of Rhode Island.

She is married to Constantine Gus Hologgitas, a 52-year member of AHEPA.

Hellenes Council President Honored

CHICAGO — Andrew A. Athens, president of the Coun-

cil of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) and former Archdiocesan Council president, recently was declared an honorary citizen of the village of Kakovaton, his father's birthplace. The village lies in the province of Olympia, prefecture of Elia in the Peloponnesus. The village council and the populace honored Athens on a recent visit there "for his contribution to Hellenism and his love of Greece," according to information from the SAE.

Church Musician Honored

BALTIMORE — Annunciation Cathedral honored Georgia Tangires in October for her 50th anniversary as a church musician at the cathedral. Her contributions to church music have been felt at the local, diocesan and national level. Tributes came from Sen. Paul Sarbanes, the Baltimore City Council, Gov. Glendening and the mayor who declared Oct. 6 as "Georgia Tangires Day."

Margeotes Re-elected as Hospital President

CLIFTON, N.J. — Spero Margeotes, a past president of the St. Nicholas Church parish council in Newark, N.J., and past director of St. Basil's Academy in Garrison, N.Y., recently won re-election as president of the Deborah Hospital Heart and Lung Center, Deborah Hospital Foundation and Deborah Research Institute in Browns Mills, N.J. He was first elected to its executive board in 1983.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Subjects ranging from medical ethics to sexuality, heart disease, counseling, euthanasia and child abuse comprised a full agenda at the 10th an- nual Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psycho- logy and Religion Conference under the theme "Sickness or Sin? Diagnosis or Discernment."

The four-day conclave took place at Hellenic College Nov. 7-10 and drew many theologians, physicians and other health care professionals, and scholars.

Speakers included Rev. Dr. George Dragas, dean of Holy Cross School of Theology, who presented the Kam- bouras Memorial Lecture on "Healing in Theological Perspective."

The Very Rev. Philotheos Faros author, theologian and therapist presented the keynote address.

Other speakers included Dimitrios Oreopoulos, MD, Ph.D., of Toronto Western Hospital and the University of Toronto Medical School. He spoke on "euthanasia: The e- thical challenges" in which he stated it is society's respon- sibility to establish a clear policy on euthanasia after ex- tensive public debate. He asserted that physicians should not lead society in this matter but should contribute to this debate by making available their expertise and expe- rience.

Psychologist Jan Perkins spoke on "the Descent to God" dealing with evil as the "fragmenting power of anti-whole- ness" from a psychological point of view, while whole sal- vation is "the integration of our creaturehood in union with God."

Registered nurse Maria Lyrist discussed the Orthodox Church's mission in Calcutta, India.

Clinical nurse Cynthia Belonick and Ronald Nardi spoke on "Forgiveness: A cognitive-behavioral approach to deal- ing with anger and resentment."

Rev. George Morelli, adjunct professor in psychology at St. Vladimir's Seminary and at Rutgers University, speak- ing on "Cognitive Treatment: Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers," explained that clinicians are instructed to consider "belief, or experience that is particular to the individual's culture" in diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. George W. Christy, a cardiologist at the Texas Heart Institute in Houston, presented the example of an elderly man diagnosed with coronary heart disease and conges- tive heart failure and the process leading to the diagnosis and options presented for treatment.

John T. Chirban, Ph.D., Th.D., professor and psycho- logist at Hellenic College and Harvard Medical School, ad- dressed heart disease from a psychological and spiritual perspectives, and discussed the role of "Type A" behav- ior, anger and hostility in relation to the development of heart disease and their spiritual counterparts.

A workshop on "Counseling, Confession and Spiritual Growth: A Model for Clergy Continuing Education" includ- ed a presentation by J. Stephen Muse, Ph.D., a senior pastoral psychologist at the Pastoral Institute in Colum- bus, Ga. Other participants included Rev. Dr. John Chrys- savgis, professor of theology at Hellenic College, Fr. Dra- gas, Rev. Nicholas Krommydas, Boston Diocese chancel- lor; Rev. George Passias, pastor of St. Nicholas Church, Flushing, N.Y.; and Rev. Constantine Sitaras, pastor of Church of Our Savior, Rye, N.Y.

A highlight of the seminar was the initiation of mem- bers into OCAMPR through the "Service of Healers," offi- ciated by Rev. Dr. Alkiviadis Calivas, president of Hellenic

College/Holy Cross.

The service followed the "Blessing of the Five Loaves" at the Harvard Divinity School Chapel.

Professor Attends Seminar

Dr. Nicholas Constas, assistant professor of religious studies, recently participated in a seminar on "the Adam and Eve Narrative in Christian and Jewish Perspective" held at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

A grant from the National Endowment of the Human- ities enabled him to participate in the seminar sponsored by Harvard and Hebrew Universities.

The gathering attracted 12 scholars in specialized ar- eas of study who addressed aspects of Genesis 2-4.

Topics included the creation of humankind in the im- age of God, the creation of humankind as male and fe- male and the relationship between the sexes, both be- fore the fall and afterward, images of Eden, the loss of innocence, and the role of the serpent and the origins of evil.

Dr. Constas' contribution centered on the relationship of Eve and Mary (the "new Eve") and images of Adam and Eve in Byzantine art and literature.

Constas, who also specializes in ancient manuscripts, traveled to Egypt where he visited St. Catherine's Mon- astery on Mount Sinai which houses the second-largest collection of Greek manuscripts in the world.

Hellenism and Orthodoxy Conference

Hellenic College held a two-day seminar on the histo- ry, religion, philosophy and education aspects of Hellenism and Orthodoxy.

Rev. Dr. Demetrios Constantelos, the Charles Cooper Townsend Professor of History at Stockton State College in New Jersey, was keynote speaker.

His topic was "The Forerunners to the Interrelation- ship between Orthodoxy and Hellenism."

Professor Publishes Two Books

Dr. John Chirban, professor of psychology at Holy Cross, has authored two recently published works: "Interview- ing in-depth: The Interactive-Relational Approach to In- terviewing" (Sage Publications), and "Personhood: Ortho- dox Christianity and the Connection Between Body, Mind and Soul" (Bergin and Garvey Press).

In Interviewing, Chirban discards more traditional in- terview techniques in favor of fuller participation of the interviewer in the interview process. This approach al- lows the interviewer to acquire a clearer and deeper por- trait of the person interviewed.

The author uses transcripts and case studies from jour- nalistic and clinical interviews he conducted over the years with his patients as well as with notable persons in di- verse fields, including B.F. Skinner, Lucille Ball, and Su- preme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Personhood presents papers from the eighth annual conference of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medi- cine, Psychology and Religion.

It includes articles by Bishop Kallistos (Ware) of Dio- kleia, psychoanalyst Ana-Marie Rizzuto, philosopher Chri- stos Yiannaras, Rev. Drs. Stanley Harakas and Theodore Stylianopoulos, Drs. Valerie Karras, Eva Konstantellou, Maria Khoury and Chirban, and Anton Vrame.

Perhaps the most memorable wedding of our time was the joining of Prince Charles and Lady Diana. Since their nuptials their relationship has been the epitome of un- resolved conflicts.

Marriage research indicates that the number one indi- cator of marital difficulty is the way in which couples handle conflict. The factors that brought a couple together are not nearly as strong as the power of conflict to tear them apart.

Conflicts occur even in the most successful relation- ships, Males and females are inherently different, and the following general differences result in conflicts:

1. Men tend to be rational. Women tend to be more emotional.

2. Men find their primary satisfaction in their work. Women find their primary satisfaction in their relation- ships.

3. Men tend to limit discussion to a minimum and of- fer quick solutions. Women tend to keep discussion going until they feel they have been heard and understood.

4. Women tend to think they can change men. Men don't like to be changed.

5. Men come home from work and want peace and quiet. Women want to talk and connect.

6. Women enjoy watching one TV program with all of its commercials. Men channel surf as fast as they chew their food.

7. Women enjoy sex most when they feel emotionally intimate. Men enjoy sex most, well, whenever.

Although they're generalizations, these differences can cause long-lasting conflicts. According to marital thera- pist Dr. Scott Stanley, there are four ways in which con- flicts can be dealt with negatively:

WITHDRAWAL — when one or both spouses refuse to talk about the conflict, when one or both cut off com- munication or when they leave. Men tend to withdraw more often than women.

ESCALATION — when one or both spouses aggravates the conflict by becoming increasingly angry, verbally a- busive, or even physically violent. Sometimes men with- draw precisely because they don't want things to esca- late, but this still doesn't resolve conflict.

INVALIDATION — when one spouse responds to con- flict by belittling the feelings of the other, or by calling them sensitive, moody, or stupid.

NEGATIVE INTERPRETATION — when one spouse as- sumes that everything the other says is meant to question their character or hurt them.

Even one of these methods of dealing with conflict is enough to shatter a relationship. Couples are often con- fused when they find themselves in the midst of conflicts, and they sometimes assume that they have "fallen out of love" or simply made the wrong choice.

Although doubts and negative reactions result during con- flicts, they are temptations that need to be defeated. Char- acteristically a dogma of soap operas, in reality there is no such thing as falling in and out of love.

Love is not a feeling; it is an action. Love is something you do; not something you feel. Loving one's spouse is more important during family conflicts and crisis. Anyone can love when everything is all right.

The true test of character is being able to love when it feels impossible. God joins a man and a woman together so that they can love eternally; not as long as they feel like it.

What are spouses to do during conflicts? First and fore- most, take a time-out! Times of peak frustration are not times to resolve conflict.

Also, while many wise counselors recommend not go- ing to bed angry, 10 p.m. or later is not the best time of day to resolve conflicts. Call a cease-fire for the evening, quell anger, and agree to talk about it tomorrow.

Secondly, practice a technique called "listen-para-phrase- listen." One spouse talks exclusively. When he or she has finished, the other attempts to paraphrase what was said, and then lets the other correct the paraphrasing. Switch roles and do it again.

Third, schedule structured talk-time. Agree to a time of day or week when you and your spouse will specifi- cally address conflicts and attempt to resolve them.

Fourth, establish game rules for arguing. Kids love to learn roles for games and competition, and love to cor- rect other players when they are breaking the rules. Spouses should do the same. Rules should include no name-calling, no comparing one's spouse to his or her mom or dad, no arguing during Monday Night Football, NO BRINGING UP PAST CONFLICTS OR MISTAKES and no participating in negative conflict behaviors.

How can friends help? If you were ever a best man, maid of honor, koumbaro or sponsor, bridesmaid, grooms- man, or even a guest at someone's wedding, you were not only there to enjoy the festivities; you have a respon- sibility.

As a witness of their vows and as a witness of the Holy Spirit, you are obliged to remind married couples that they made a promise, and that no one is to separate what God has joined together. Except in cases of vio- lence, drug abuse or other severe circumstances, mar- ried couples must make every effort to resolve their con- flicts, and the witnesses of their wedding should hold them accountable. Wedding days are adorned with wit- nesses and friends; but marriages should also be a- dorned with friends and their support.

Jesus said that we are to forgive others unto seventy times seven. Like it or not, this forgiveness needs to take place in marriages first. There will be plenty of opportu- nities for forgiveness in every marriage.

When spouses take advantage of these opportunities, they will be exercising and strengthening their love, not dismissing it.

FAMILY LIFE
is a new regular feature of the Observer
initiated by Rev. Angelo Artemas.

GARRISON, N.Y. — For 52 years, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has operated a unique ministry in the majes- tic Hudson Valley some 50 miles north of Manhattan that has served as a safe haven and home away from home for many child.

In 1944, four Philoptochos members acting on instruc- tions from Archbishop Athenagoras to find a suitable site for a home for orphans and needy children arranged for the purchase of the 250-acre estate of a New York busi- nessman and former owner of the Yankees located across the Hudson River from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

The Archbishop also established a teachers academy at the facility to meet the needs of the Archdiocese for Greek teachers It relocated to Hellenic College in the ear- ly 1970s.

Over the past half century, the facility has helped hun- dreds of children develop into mature, productive adults that have found success in many professions.

The setting is idyllic, in a quiet, sylvan setting on a hill in the Taconic range overlooking the Hudson River, with a panoramic view of West Point and part of the Catskill Mountains beyond.

STUDENTS COME from diverse backgrounds, but become like family in the peaceful setting of St. Basil Academy.

Under the direction of Fr. George Neofotistos, who first served as director in the early 1980s and returned to the post in 1995 after a 10-year absence while serving as a parish priest, the Academy serves more than 50 Or- thodox and non-Orthodox students in grades K-8 who come from several states ranging from New York to Cali- fornia, and Russia, Romania, Greece, Canada and India.

PRINCIPAL HELLAS Repanti tutors a student in reading at her office. Guid- ing the school for nearly 20 years, Ms. Repanti, herself a graduate, wears many hats. She also teaches Greek music and dance in addition to her administrative duties.

They come from many walks of life. Some are from trou- bled families, others seek to enhance their education and are attracted by the low student-to-teacher ratio.

There are 13 New York State certified teachers and a professional psychologist.

"We're very happy with our staff." said Fr. Neofotistos.

Some of the students come to the school with low self-esteem, but that soon changes as the child finds that his spiritual, physical, emotional and social needs are addressed in the classroom, the Chapel and in rec- reational settings.

All students, even those who are not of Orthodox or Christian background, are spiritually nourished in the chapel services and through religious instruction by Fr. George.

The curriculum is comparable to any public or private school, except the students also receive thorough train- ing in the Greek language.

A number of cultural and recreational activities are offered. Students produce plays, concerts and other pro- grams throughout the year. On Dec. 15, the students will stage their annual Christmas program in the afternoon.

In addition to its educational role, St. Basil serves the

greater Greek Orthodox community of the Archdiocese.

In 1975, Archbishop Iakovos and the trustees estab- lished the Patriarch Athenagoras Retreat and Conference Center on the St. Basil campus.

SCIENCE CLASS can be fun. These students study the behavior of some ham- sters in the science lab as part of their animal studies curriculum. Science is taught by Jean DeGoia, a former research biologist. In the background are Ms. Repanti, St. Basil Board Vice President Dr. James Costaras, and Fr. George Neofotistos.

Meetings and retreats by various Church groups take place throughout the year. The center offers lodging, food and lecturers on request.

Among the major users of the facility are the Boy Scouts who hold a campout on Columbus Day weekend and at other times during the year.

For children ages 8 to 12, and for teens ages 13 to 18, a series of one-week summer sessions known as Camp Good Shepherd take place. Staffing each session are theology students from Holy Cross, and young adults from the Archdiocese District, New Jersey Diocese, and elsewhere. The program includes religious workshops, discussions of religious and social issues, and many rec- reational activities.

St. Basil Academy provides all these services with a budget of about $1.2 million and with the help of many friends, including the AHEPA and Daughters of Penelope.

Over the years, the AHEPA has not only built the school building, but the three boys dormitories as well.

One AHEPA chapter, Miami, Fla., upon receiving an SOS telegram from Fr. George for 35 mattresses for the children's beds, voted at a special meeting to give $1,200 for their purchase.

THE ACADEMY helps its students become computer-literate with 10 state-of -the-art Power Macintosh 5200 model computers. a full-time computer specialist teaches computer skills to the children beginning in kindergarten.

Among the projects fi- nanced by the Daughters of Penelope has been the in- door swimming pool. And, most recently, the organi- zation gave $70,000 to- ward the completion of bath- room and locker facilities adjacent to the pool.

Through the National Phi- loptochos, each local par- ish provides support through their annual Vasilopita proj- ects.

Each year, the Academy makes direct appeals through its Easter and Christmas ap- peals, and many individ- uals have given of their time and resources to the school. Two such examples are New Jersey architect William Chirgotis who designed and built the chapel of St. Basil, and Mrs. Bess Efstathiou who has donated microscopes for the science lab and other items to the school.

Annunciation parish of Norfolk, Va., recently donated 50 bicycles and crash helmets.

"We have received a lot of support from many indi- viduals," said Fr. George. "People have been fantastically generous. Whenever you reach out to them, they re- spond immediately."

Orthodox Observer Story

and Photos by Jim Golding