Orthodox Observer - December 2008

DECEMBER 2008 bull Vol 73 bull No 1245 $100wwwobservergoarchorg bull e-mail observergoarchorg

Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year Ico

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2 DECEMBER 2008A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

Published monthly except combined issue in July-August

by the Greek Ortho dox Archdiocese of America

Editorial and Business Office 8 East 79th Street New York NY 10075

TEL (212) 570-3555FAX (212) 774-0239

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis)GREEK SECTION EDITOR

Eleftherios PissalidisPRODUCTION amp ADVERTISING

Eleftherios PissalidisGRAPHIC ARTIST

Abel MontoyaADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras

BUSINESS MANAGER Marissa Costidis

Periodicalsrsquo postage paid at New York NY 10001 and at addi-tional mailing offices The Orthodox Observer is produced en-tirely in-house Past issues can be found on the Internet at wwwobservergoarchorg bull E-mail observergoarchorgArticles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeledSubscription rates are $12 per year Canada $2500 Overseas Air Mail $5500 per year $150 per copySubscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese Of this contribution $500 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer

POSTMASTER Send address changes to ORTHODOX OBSERVER 8 East 79th Street New York NY 10075

CONTRIBUTING CORRESPONDENT amp PHOTOGRAPHER Nicholas Manginas

USPS 412340 ISSN 0731-2547

I always assumed that I knew all there was to know about being a Greek Orthodox Christian I have two Greek parents Irsquove grown up in a Greek Or-thodox community and I have Yiayias and a Papou that live nearby

My Yiayia even makes the prosforo for Sunday liturgy (quite an accomplish-ment in my book) What I failed to real-ize was how much more there is to my culture and faith I took traditions at face value never knowing their mean-ing or origin Through the generosity of my parents I was given the opportunity for a sort of ldquogreat awakeningrdquo I was allowed to go to Ionian Village the travel abroad summer camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America It was this camp that would open my eyes to the depth and richness of the Greek culture and of my Ortho-dox Christian faith

Ionian Village gives teens the chance to travel throughout Greece for three weeks Upon arriving in Bar-tolomio (the village in which the camp is located) around one hundred-thirty campers are welcomed to a gated beach community Behind these gates lies a ldquohoriordquo made of white stucco cottages and vine covered arbors

These cottages surround a large tra-pezaria or outdoor dining space and a miniature chapel Near the ldquotraprdquo as we affectionately call our outdoor dining area is an Olympic-size salt water pool hidden by patches of colorful flowers

My Journey to Ionian Village

by Anastacia ldquoAnnierdquo Economou

The Ionian Sea hugs Ionian Village pro-viding campers with their own piece of the clearest bluest water in the world While at the camp teens participate in various daily activities such as Or-thodox life arts and crafts music and Greek culture sports and beach time In the evenings the entire camp joins for a large group activity such as cabin

Olympics or a music festival When we werenrsquot enjoying our own ldquohoriordquo we were out traveling and experiencing the beauty of life in Greece Some of the spots I visited included Meteora Kalavrita Zakynthos Olympia Kefalo-nia and Patras While the camp grounds were breathtaking and camp days were fun-filled the tour days were those that impacted my life the most changing my view of the Greek Orthodox world

One of our travel days included a visit to Kalavrita a town of incredible history and meaning to Greeks The most memorable part of this town was visiting Megaspeileon a monastery near Kalavrita

This monastery holds one of the most ancient artifacts Irsquove ever seen an icon of the Panagia that is said to be painted by St Luke himself I was able to venerate a work done by one of the most significant disciples of our Holy Church

The experience was soul shaking I canrsquot even begin to explain the com-plexity of the many emotions I felt while venerating this icon I stood in front of an icon that the Virgin Mary herself had posed for

This icon is presented in reverse relief Legend has it that Saint Luke felt unworthy and did not wish to look at the Theotokos while he carved her portrait instead looking only at her shadow I stood in front of an icon that had performed miracles survived attacks and withstood fires In that very moment I saw the connection

Annie and friends pose in front of the Parthenon during their sojourn in Athens

One favorite stop on their tour of historic Greece was the site of ancient Olympia scene of the first Olympics in 776 BC

between the seemingly distant world of the Bible and the modern world that I live in today Two worlds that in my mind had no previous tie were instantly united The opportunity that Ionian Village had given me in seeing that holy work is one that I will be eternally grateful for

Not only did Ionian Village help me draw connections between the biblical world and todayrsquos world but also it helped me draw connections between my life as a Greek Orthodox teen in Eagan Minnesota to the lives of other Greek Orthodox teens all over the United States The core beliefs that the campers shared allowed us to form friendships deeper than those with our friends at school

The commonality of our faith provided a basis from which we could form long lasting spiritual relation-ships Although three weeks seems a short time I have no doubt that the friends I made at Ionian Village will be ones that I can count on for a lifetime Who knows perhaps some of my new friends will be nounas and nounos to my future children

I do know that the experiences we shared and the wonders we witnessed connect us regardless of how far away we live from each other

No matter how far away from Greece I am or how much time passes from my trip to Ionian Village there will always be a special place for Bar-tholomio Greece in my heart I will remember my summer at Ionian Village as one of spiritual growth learning and incredible fun

If it were not for the opportunity my parents had given me I am not sure that I would be so confident in my Greek Orthodox faith I am grateful that I was allowed the chance to strengthen my faith and learn about my culture

Annie is a member of St Maryrsquos Greek Orthodox Church in Minne-apolis She is senior in high school 17 years old and enjoys writing reading rollerblading traveling and enjoys visit-ing different tea shops

3DECEMBER 2008

WORLD ORTH DOX NEWS Ecumenical PatriarchLeads Delegationthat IncludesArchbishop Demetrios

NEW YORK ndash Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia who only three months ago participated in the Synaxis of the Heads of the Autocephalous Churches at the Ecumenical Patriarchate died Dec 5 at age 79 at his residence outside Moscow According to Asia News Ecumenical Patri-arch Bartholomew said the following that same evening after Great Vespers for the feast of St Nicholas in Ipsomatia

After chanting a Memorial for the late Patriarch His All Holiness said

ldquoThe Mother Church of Constanti-nople shares in the sorrow of our Russian brothers over the death of our brother Alexy Patriarch of Moscow

Sometimes there was tension be-tween us and we did not have the same opinion on various questions concerning the Orthodox Church Constantinople and Moscow have gone through difficult mo-ments over the question of the indepen-dence of the Estonian Orthodox Church which Moscow wanted to control on relations with Catholics on the Orthodox Churches of the Diaspora on the attitude toward the Ukrainian Churches

When I went [to Ukraine] to partici-pate in the celebration of the 1020 years of the Christianization of the Russian people after the celebration of the Lit-urgy and after the official lunch we had a long and productive meeting in which [Patriarch Alexy] told me that he felt his end was approaching and that we had to work to reestablish peace within the Church He told me that he might not be able to come to the pan-Orthodox meeting last October

In spite of his dour predictions and disobeying the orders of his own doc-tors Patriarch Alexy came to the meeting because he had a strong desire to add his signature to the important final document

of the pan-Orthodox meeting which con-stitutes the reply of the entire Orthodox Church to the challenges of the contem-porary world With this signature he left an indelible mark of his testimonyrdquo

Upon learning of his passing Arch-bishop Demetrios immediately sent condolences to the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church In his letter the Archbishop wrote

ldquoOn behalf of the Holy Eparchial Syn-od and the Clergy and Lay Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America I am offering our profound condolences on the falling asleep in the Lord of the most blessed Father of the Russian Orthodox Church the deeply beloved and respected

late Patriarch Alexy II The passing of the Patriarch is a deeply felt wound not only for the pious Russian People but for all Orthodox Christians who have admired his wise and pastoral stewardship of the Russian Orthodox Church during this most significant period of Her rebirth af-ter decades of very harsh times for Her

ldquoHaving learned that only yesterday the Patriarch served the Divine Liturgy for the Entrance of the Virgin Mary into the Temple we take a measure of comfort from the knowledge that he is now within the Holy of Holies not-made-by-hands and in the presence of the Theotokos and her Lord and Son

ldquoYour Eminences and dearly beloved and respected brothers in the Lord as you reflect on this incalculable loss prepare to bid farewell to the beloved Patriarch Alexy II and face the extraordinary task of elect-ing his successor please be assured of our prayers for you and all the pious Russian People As we remember you in this time of national grief and mourning we shall also offer our fervent supplications to God for him that he may find the reward of ldquothe faithful and wise stewardrdquo that he most surely was and that he may rest in the blessed hope of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ May his memory the memory of this exceptional leader of the Church be eternalrdquo

On Friday evening Dec 5 Archbishop Demetrios attended the official Memorial Service conducted by the Moscow Patri-archal Vicar in the USA Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk at the St Nicholas Cathedral of the Moscow Patriarchate in New York City As Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate the Archbishop represented not only the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese but also the Standing Conference of the Canonical Or-thodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) as Chairman Also present from SCOBA were Proto-Presbyters of the Antiochian

Archdiocese the Serbian Archdiocese the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia (ROCOR) and the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) The Papal Nuncio to the United Nations the Russian Ambassador to the United Nations the Russian Consul General and an official representative from the Armenian Orthodox Church joined the faithful who filled the Cathedral to capacity

After the memorial service at the in-vitation of Bishop Mercurius Archbishop Demetrios addressed the congregation In his remarks His Eminence spoke of his long acquaintance with the late Patriarch and of the extraordinary rebirth of the Rus-sian Orthodox Church under his 18-year reign on the Patriarchal Throne

After extending consolations to the assembled faithful on behalf of SCOBA the Archbishop greeted the dignitaries and congregants The service was filmed for Russian television (Channel 1) and was broadcast in part the next day Saturday Part of the broadcast included an interview with the Archbishop that was conducted after his remarks

On Sunday Dec 7 Archbishop Dem-etrios departed for Moscow accompanied by Archdeacon Pandeleimon in order to join the Official Delegation of the Ecu-menical Patriarchate to the funeral of the late Patriarch Alexy II In an important sig-nal of the fraternal and cooperative spirit between the Ecumenical and Moscow Patriarchates His All Holiness Bartho-lomew is leading the Delegation (which also includes Metropolitan Germanos of Tranoupolis the Grand Archdeacon Maximos the Grand Ecclesiarch Fr Ben-jamin and Nikolaos Manginas journalist and photographer) The funeral for the late Patriarch was set for Tuesday Dec 9 in the Christ the Savior Cathedral the largest Church in Russia with burial in the Epiphany Cathedral

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow falls asleep in the Lord

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Alexy at the Ukrainian Church Millennial celebration in Kiev last July N MANGINAS

Archbishop Demetrios greets Patriarach Alexy as he arrives at the Phanar for the Synaxis in October At right is Metropolitan Kirill of Smolensk elected on Dec 6th the Locum Tenens of the Patriarchal Throne of Russia

D PANAGOS

DECEMBER 20084

Funeral Service of Patriarch Alexy IIEcumenical Patriarch Bartholom-

ew and his delegation that included Archbishop Demetrios were among the thousands of faithful and Church and government leaders who attended the Dec 9 funeral of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia

The heads of all Orthodox Church-es worldwide or their representatives including Patriarch Daniel of Romania Archbishop Hieronymos of Athens and All Greece and Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania Metropolitan Christopher of the Czech Lands and Slo-vakia and Archbishop Szymon of Lodz and Poznan of the Church of Poland

World leaders included Russian President D Medvedev Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin the presidents of Belarus Serbia and Armenia and the US ambassador and other ambas-sadors

Patriarchal Locum Tenens Met-ropolitan Kirill of Smolensk and Ka-liningrad presided at the Office of the Dead for the All-Night Vigil on Dec 8 at the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and at the Divine Liturgy on the fol-lowing day

Accompanying Archbishop Dem-etrios were Fr Mark Arey director of the Archdiocese Department of Inter-Orthodox Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations and Archdeacon Panteleimon PapadopoulosTHOUSANDS fill the vast Cathedral of Christ the Saviour on Dec 9 for Patriarch Alexyrsquos funeral

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS at the casket of the Russian patriarch ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew with Metropolitan Kirill the patriarchal locum tenens

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Batholomew pays his respects at the casket

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH Bartholomew and other heads of Orthodox Churches

Patriarchate of Moscow photos

DECEMBER 2008 5

E C U M E N I C A L P A T R I A R C H A T E

ISTANBUL Turkey ndash The Holodomor is the name given to the famine that took place in Soviet Ukraine in the 1932-1933 agricultural season as part of a wider fam-ine which took place in other regions of the USSR The famine was caused by the food requisition actions carried by Soviet authorities

The Holodomor is considered one of the greatest national catastrophes to affect the Ukrainian nation in modern history where millions of inhabitants of Ukraine died of starvation in an unprecedented peacetime catastrophe

Estimates for the total number of casu-alties within Soviet Ukraine vary between 22 million (demographersrsquo estimate) and 3-35 million and up to 14 million (histo-riansrsquo estimate)

The address of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Holodomor in Ukraine to the Entire Pious Ukrainian Nation can be read below

Beloved children of the Church dear UkrainiansBy Godrsquos Providence we have an-

other occasion for a paternal address to you The Mother Church the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople hereby again addresses you to share with you not only joy but also the grief caused by the Holodomor

The few sons and daughters of the Ukrainian nation whom the Lord helped to survive at the time of the Ukrainian tragedy the Holodomor of 1932-1933 increasingly often are leaving forever their homes children grandchildren and great grandchildren Therefore our address is first of all to young people representing the future of the Ukrainian state

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Addresses Ukrainian Nation on 75th Anniversary of HolodomorTogether with you we seek to compre-

hend not only the number of Ukrainians killed by the famine but above all the causes which led to the tragedy

Let us leave the study of the political and social causes to secular scholars We will try to look at the Holodomor from the Churchrsquos viewpoint Why did Ukraine which from ancient times supplied bread to countries which lacked it begin at a peace-ful time to starve more severely than any European nation did in times of war

The power of the newly-established state on the territory of the collapsed empire replaced the star of Bethlehem with one of human blood and in place of Christrsquos purple which absorbed the holy blood of the Savior of the world and which has been its holy banner leading to eternal life and always followed by believ-ing people the red flag began flying which made the innocent blood of the best sons and daughters of your nation invisible

As soon as an oppressor comes to power he does not care about the good of the governed native nation or respect its spiritual cultural and material values He knows well that sooner or later the people will begin to see and get rid of the yoke Therefore to ensure a long rule it is necessary to terrorize the titular nation The preserved historic documents of the Soviet Union are rich in information about the nationality of the repressed

The overwhelming majority of the destroyed imprisoned or exiled people were Ukrainians who were nationally con-scious or good managers The inspirers organizers managers and chief executors of the extermination of the Ukrainians were people who can be described with the words of Jesus Christ ldquoYou belong to your father the devil He was a murderer

from the beginningrdquo (Jn 844)Three holodomors repressions and

war should have become for you the Ukrainian nation a stimulus to spiritual purification moral improvement return to your forefathers` Christian tradition with its own Church and internal Christian spirituality and not an imported external formal Christianity verging on the wor-ship of ritual And our visit to Kyiv for the celebration of the 1020th anniversary of the Baptism of Rus-Ukraine showed us the real sons and daughters of the Ukrainian Church who pray to God and not to man even if he holds a high post

We saw that even the terrors of the 20th century did not break the backbone of the nation did not make the Ukrainian a slave and obedient executer of other peoplersquos intentions

We call all to turn their faces to Kyiv to Ukrainian spiritual shrines religious and cultural to the Ukrainian nation all people born in Ukraine have one and the same mother Ukraine which should be served by everyone without exception both those vested with power and ldquosmallrdquo citizens

Remember the Saviorrsquos words ldquoEvery kingdom divided against itself will be ru-ined and every city or household divided against itself will not standrdquo (Matt 1225)

Dear Ukrainians Your past whether joyful and victorious or sad and tragic especially the Holodomor will always remain with you even when you try to forget diminish or distort it to please your neighbors

The following words of the Apostle Paul apply to you ldquoBrothers each man as responsible to God should remain in the situation God called him tordquo (1st Cor 724) Your calling is to be good Christians

within the ancient Ukrainian Church tradi-tion and citizens of Ukraine as well as to witness unanimously to the tragedies of the Ukrainian nation in the 20th century especially the Great Holodomor of 1932-1933 to the world

It is your duty to the memory of your great grandparents grandparents and parents for there was no tragedy in hu-man history when more representatives of a single nation were destroyed in one peaceful year than during the several years of a war And no matter what anyone says or if they try to belittle the evil this is the clear sign of genocide

Children of Christrsquos Church dear Ukrainians In the days of remembrance of the victims of the Great Holodomor of 1932-1933 especially on its 75th anniver-sary your Mother-Church the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople grieves together with you and expresses its deep and sincere sympathies to all of you and Ukrainersquos President Viktor Yushchenko who represents Ukraine before the world and through whose persistent efforts the world learns increasingly more information about the terrible tragedy of Ukrainians in the 20th century

We bring our prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ and ask the Most Gracious Savior to give rest in holy dwellings to the souls of all those killed by the Famine and admit them to the assembly of His Martyrs as those innocently killed May their memory live forever and may the heavenly blessing of the Most High be on you who are alive

At the Phanar 20 November 2008

Bartholomew Archbishop of Constantinople

and Ecumenical Patriarch

ISTANBUL Turkey - Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received warm fraternal greetings from Pope Benedict XVI on Nov 30 the Feast Day of the Ecumenical Throne of St Andrew the First-Called disciple

In his message the Pope observed that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has visited the Vatican three times dur-ing this calendar year most recently to deliver his ldquomost thoughtful addressrdquo to the XIIth Ordinary General Assembly of Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church this October held in the Sistine Chapel This historic occasion was the first time ever that an Ecumenical Patriarch has addressed this Synod of over 400 cardi-nals archbishops and bishops

The Pope also expressed his trust that the relationship between Catho-lics and Orthodox is becoming more substantive and that the day will come when both Churches will share the celebration of the Eucharist

The Popersquos message was delivered to the Ecumenical Patriarch by Cardinal Walter Kasper president of the Pon-tifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity during the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Cathedral of St George

The Vatican delegation also includ-ed Bishop Brian Farrell secretary of Council and Father Vladimiro Caroli a member of the council and Archbishop Antonio Lucibello the apostolic nuncio in Ankara

After the midday Angelus with crowds in St Peterrsquos Square Pope

Benedict spoke of the bonds of friend-ship with the Ecumenical Patriarchate Speaking of the relationship of Sts Peter and Andrew the Pope said

ldquoSt Andrew is the patron of the Patriarchate of Constantinople and so the Church of Rome feels linked to the Church of Constantinople by a special fraternal bond With all my heart I offer my greeting and my best wishes to him [His All Holiness] and to the faithful of the Patriarchate invoking the abundance of heavenly blessings upon allrdquo

The Popersquos message to His All Holi-ness can be read below

ldquoGrace to you and peace from God the Fatherrdquo (Gal 1 3)

It is with deep joy that I address these words of St Paul to Your Holi-ness the Holy Synod and all the Ortho-dox clergy and lay people assembled for the feast of St Andrew the brother of St Peter and like him a great apostle and martyr for Christ I am pleased to be represented on This festal occasion by a delegation led by my venerable brother Cardinal Walter Kasper President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Chris-tian Unity to whom I am entrusting this message of greetings

My own prayers join with yours as we plead with the Lord for the well-being and unity of the followers of

Christ throughout the worldI give thanks to God that he has

enabled us to deepen the bonds of mutual love between us supported by prayer and ever more regular fraternal contact In the course of the year that is now drawing to a close we have been blessed three times by the presence of Your Holiness in Rome on the occasion of your magisterial address at the Pontif-ical Oriental Institute which is honored to number you among its alumni at the opening of the Pauline Year on the feast of Romersquos patron saints Peter and Paul and at the 12th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church held in October on the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church when you delivered a most thoughtful address

As a sign of our growing commu-nion and spiritual closeness the Catho-lic Church for her part was represented at the celebrations of the Pauline Year overseen by Your Holiness includ-ing a symposium and a pilgrimage to the Pauline sites in Asia Minor These experiences of encounter and shared prayer contribute to an increase in our commitment to attain the goal of our ecumenical journey

In this same spirit Your Holiness has informed me of the positive out-come of the Synaxis of the Primates and Representatives of the Orthodox Churches which took place recently at the Phanar

The hopeful signs which emerged

for inter-Orthodox relations and ecu-menical engagement have been wel-comed with joy I believe and pray that these developments will have a constructive impact on the official theological dialogue between the Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church and will lead to a resolution of the difficulties experienced in the last two sessions

As Your Holiness remarked during your address to the Synod of Bishops of the Catholic Church the Joint Interna-tional Commission for Theological Dia-logue between Catholics and Orthodox is now addressing a crucial issue which once resolved would draw us closer to full communion

On this feast of St Andrew we reflect with joy and thanksgiving that the relations between us are entering progressively deeper levels as we renew our commitment to the path of prayer and dialogue We trust that our com-mon journey will hasten the arrival of that blessed day when we will praise God together in a shared celebration of the Eucharist The inner life of our Churches and the challenges of our modem world urgently demand this wit-ness of unity among Christrsquos disciples

It is with these brotherly sentiments that I extend to Your Holiness my cor-dial greetings in the Lord who assures us of his grace and peace

From the Vatican 26 November 2008

Pope Greets Ecumenical Patriarch on Feast of St Andrew

DECEMBER 20086

May the joy and peace of the Infant Christ Child

dwell in your hearts now and evermore

Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund IncorporatedAdvancing Orthodoxy and Hellenism in America

A Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year

Stephen G Yeonas ChairmanConstantine G CarasVice Chairman

George E Safiol TreasurerMark D Stavropoulos Secretary

Paulette Poulos Executive Director (Interim)

DECEMBER 2008 7

PhiloptochosThe Voice ofPresidentrsquos MessageCHRISTMAS 2008

To the National Board Chapter Presi-dents and members of the Greek Or-thodox Ladies Philoptochos Society

ldquoGlory to God in the highestAnd on earth peace goodwill toward menrdquo Luke 214

For 2000 years the birth of this most remarkable Child has trans-formed the world through love On the eighth day after His most humble birth He was given the precious name of Jesus ldquoThe name that is above every namerdquo (Philippians 29) So we confess in every Divine Liturgy and from the depth of our hearts He is the Holy One our Christ our Lord and our Savior

He was born in a humble manger that miraculous night in Bethlehem so that the world would be saved Through His example we are offered the opportunity to achieve heavenly salvation by emulating the humility of Jesus through our relationship with Him with one another and with na-ture on our contemporary earth

The faithful women of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos So-ciety have a long and rich history demonstrating our love and com-passion through fulfillment of our philanthropic mission We know that need is forever as is our promise to heed the call To continue to meet that need let us be mindful that our purpose to serve is further demon-strated and the fulfillment of our mission is nearer with each addition to our corps

With the economic crisis head-lined in the news each day difficult times for many may be expected resulting in a heightened impor-tance for social assistance Through prayer and renewed commitment the women of our great Society will wholeheartedly resolve with deeper promise and renewed spirit to aid and to embrace those most in need There is an infinite possibility to con-tinually expand our Societyrsquos work through our collective resources

We must prioritize and return to basics and to our teachings We must look within unite with family and expand our reach throughout the Church and community Let us be cognizant and embrace the gift of life and its environment and let us mul-tiply our efforts to live by example the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

Especially at this glorious time of year let us ask Him in our prayers to guide us to make good and correct choices to live our lives responsibly to assume responsibility on behalf of those in need and as stewards of this Earth to preserve our world

May you and your families re-ceive the blessings of the Lord and His bountiful gifts that will come as we commemorate the birth of our Lord Jesus and may you continue to preserve Christmas as meaningful throughout your year and always

With love and admiration in the Newborn KingAphrodite Skeadas

Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

as National President

Archbishop Demetr ios an -nounced the appointment of Aphro-dite Skeadas of Greenwich Conn as the new National Philoptochos presi-dent at the inaugural meeting of the 2008 ndash 2010 National Philoptochos Board held in Chicago

The Archbishop praised Mrs Skeadas for her commitment and service to Philoptochos and the Church

Born in Apidia Lakonia Greece Aphrodite Skeadas immigrated to the United States with her family when she was five years old She spent her early years at Prophet Elias Church in Yonkers NY and is cur-rently a member with her husband Peter and children Constantina and Nicholas of the Church of Our Savior in Rye NY

Aphrodite Skeadas has uncondi-tional love for her family her Church and for the Philoptochos Society that has positively impacted her life for more than twenty-five years

She recognizes the power Philop-tochos has to transform and energize peoplersquos lives through the Churchrsquos teachings and family values just as it did her own life

Aphrodite has served as chapter president on the Direct Archdioce-san District Philoptochos Board She has been a member of the National Philoptochos Board for 16 years where she served with distinction as its treasurer

She and her husband support other philanthropic efforts and Aphrodite serves on the Greenwich Committee for the American Farm School in Thessaloniki Greece

Mrs Skeadas accepted the ap-pointment and the charge of Arch-bishop Demetrios and set clear goals for her twondashyear term to increase membership embrace the younger generation and enhance the use of technology

Other members elected to the executive board include Arlene Siavelis first vice president Maria Stavropoulos second vice president Kathy Gabriel third vice president Elaine Cladis secretary Joanne Kakoyiannis treasurer and Martha Stefanidakis assistant treasurer

SAVE THE DATE Mark your Calendarfor the 12th National

Philoptochos Childrenrsquos Medical Fund LuncheonHosted by the Metropolis of Atlanta Philoptochos

Nov 13-14 2009Boca Resort and Hotel

Boca Raton FlaMore information to follow

Metropolis of Boston Charities Benefit Luncheon participants L to R Luncheon Co-Chairman Maria Tamvakologos Consul General Constantinos Orphanides Metropolitan Methodios Na-tional Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President Diane Miminos and Luncheon Co-Chairman Georgia Lagadinos

Charities Benefit Luncheon Honors Volunteers ldquoPeople Who Make A Differencerdquo

Under the spiritual guidance of Met-ropolitan Methodios and the leadership of Diane Miminos Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President Luncheon Co-Chairs Georgia Lagadinos and Maria Tam-vakalogos and the Metropolis Philoptochos Board achieved great success with the Charities Benefit Luncheon that honored Volunteers ndash ldquoPeople Who Make a Dif-ferencerdquo More than 250 Philoptochos members and friends of the Metropolis participated in this beautiful afternoon filled with great fellowship on November 16 2008 at the Newton Marriott Hotel in Newton Mass The Luncheon honored four area volunteer organizations which have made significant contributions to the Metropolis ministries and their projects

Program greetings included remarks from the Consul General of Greece in Bos-ton Constantinos Orphanides President Miminos who recognized the organizations being honored as ldquoour sisters in Christ sharing a common bond of philanthropy and service to othersrdquo and the newly ap-pointed National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas who made her first official visit at the luncheon and in her inspirational remarks recognized the hon-orees stating that ldquovolunteers are not paid because they are pricelessrdquo

Keynote Speaker Demetra Ganias reporter for the WTEN News 10 in Albany offered a testimonial on the influence of the Church and Philoptochos on her career and volunteer activities Ms Ganias spent her early years at the St Spyridon Cathedral parish in Worcester MA Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Kacoyanis then delighted the au-dience with a beautiful musical interlude

The Luncheon highlight featured the recognition of the four volunteer organiza-tions and their members who represent all volunteers who give freely and unself-ishly of their time and their spirit to make a difference in the lives of others Each organization designated one individual to accept on behalf of the group The four honorees are the following The Hellenic Womenrsquos Benevolent Association - Rep-resents the women who met the growing need for a Hellenic Nursing Home where an aging immigrant population could re-ceive care and comfort in an environment of ethnic cultural and spiritual familiarity The Association continues to oversee and guide the administration of the facility and serves as the primary source of capital which supports expansion programs and enhancements Anastasia Caras a 35ndash

year volunteer represented the Hellenic Womenrsquos Benevolent Association

The Hellenic Womenrsquos Club (EOK) ndash An organization of dedicated women who offer their talents energies and spirit to the mission of charity For the past decade their successful fundraising resulted in over $750000 being donated to myriad charities including hospitals research foundations homeless shelters scholarship funds the Philoxenia House and other Metropolis ministries as well as Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross Recent donations include the renovation of a bedroom at the Philoxenia House a physical therapy room for the Hellenic Nursing Home and an iron lung to a sick child Pamela Lazares President represented the EOK

The North Shore Hellenic Womenrsquos Guild - Comprised of women with Greek heritage from the North Shore of Boston whose mission is to provide resources for worthy charitable causes The women support the Philoxenia House the Saint Methodios Faith and Heritage Center Hel-lenic Nursing Home Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross Saint Basil Academy American Heart Association North Shore Cancer Center North Shore Hospice Childrenrsquos Hospital and the American Red Cross Tsunami Relief Fund Mary Lou Sambatakos President represented the Guild

The Volunteer Women of Hellenic College-Holy Cross School of Theology ndash Women dedicated to helping the school to function and grow for over seventy years Their support of educational cultural and environmental programs has contributed to the success of the school They estab-lished the Campus Beautification Fund which has been instrumental in preserving the aesthetic quality of the campus The Volunteers welcome seminarians during their theological studies and have initiated outreach programs for the youth Elaine Zetes past president represented the Volunteer Women During the luncheon President Diane Miminos announced the generous donation of $100000 to the Me-tropolis Philoptochos by grand benefactor Catherine Pappas Mrs Pappas continues to demonstrate her magnanimous spirit and the Metropolis Philoptochos is very grateful to her for her loving and gener-ous support The donation was made in memory of Vera Biemann Mrs Pappasrsquo sister Metropolitan Methodios closed the program with his reflections and blessings and thanked everyone for their continued support of the Metropolis Ministries

DECEMBER 20088

of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the AmericasThe Standing Conference

A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

NEW YORK ndash Hierarchs of the Stand-ing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) and of the Standing Conference of Oriental Or-thodox Churches in America (SCOOCH) recently celebrated the 8th annual Prayer Service for the United Nations

Archbishop Khajag Barsamian primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church (Eastern) welcomed Archbishop Demetri-os SCOBA chairman and other hierarchs clergy ambassadors and dignitaries of the UN Diplomatic Corps and laity to St Vartan Armenian Cathedral the traditional site when the service is hosted by an Oriental Orthodox Church

Archbishop Barsamian presided over the Vespers service on Oct 30 which included liturgical chanting by Armenian Coptic and Ethiopian choirs

Orthodox Hierarchs Celebrate Annual Prayer Service for UN

The Vespers marked a significant milestone in the life of SCOBA as for the first time Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk (Representation of the Moscow Patriarch-ate) participated in the Vespers as a full Member of SCOBA

Additionally there were present Archbishop Mor Cyril Aphrem Karim of the Syrian Orthodox Church Archbishop Vicken Aykazian of the Armenian Church (who is also President of the NCC) and representation from the OCA

Ambassador Negash Kebret the Per-manent Representative of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia to the United Nations addressed the assembled faithful Follow-ing the conclusion of Vespers led by the Hierarchs and the Diplomatic Corps over 200 of the Clergy and Faithful attended a reception in the Kavookjian Hall

NEW YORK ndash The Standing Confer-ence of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America notes with great sorrow the falling asleep in the Lord of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Russia on Dec 5

In a letter to his fellow SCOBA mem-ber the Moscow Patriarchal Vicar in the United States Bishop Mercurius of Zaraisk Archbishop Demetrios said Please accept my deepest sympathies on the falling asleep in the Lord of the deeply beloved

and respected late Patriarch Alexy II I am sure that his passing is a profound loss to the Russian Church and People and a deep personal loss for you I know that you are returning this evening from [Moscow] only to return tomorrow for the funeral prepa-rations I will be joining you this evening at the St Nicholas Cathedral to pray with you for the repose of his blessed soul and to share both your grief and gratitude for the extraordinary arch-pastoral ministry of this blessed man of God and beloved son of the Russian People

SCOBA Mourns Passing of Patriarch Alexy II

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810

Commentaries and Opinions

Seeking the MysticalTALES FROM THE STOLEacute

by Fr John S Bakas

At a recent dinner get together with friends a couple approached me with a worried look on their faces Seeing my clerical collar they felt I was the one who could perhaps help

They told me that their 20-some-thing son was giving up his middle class Christian life style and was leaving for Amsterdam Holland to study Oriental mysticism

The way they phrased it sounded like he was going there to be treated for some rare disease I asked them why their son had come to this decision and they told me that he was bored with conventional Evangelical Christianity and according to them he was burned out on ldquohand clapping hand waving cutting edge musical WOW worship and pastors prancing around a stage waving a biblerdquo

He wanted to experience the sub-lime mystical element He wanted a deeper spiritual experience The mother glancing about the room lowered her voice as not to be heard by the others asked ldquoWhat is a mystic What is mysti-cism Wersquore worried for our sonrdquo

This isnrsquot the kind of question I get everyday and I told her that from the Eastern Orthodox Christian point of view ldquomysticismrdquo was not something weird or exotic but a genuine part of Orthodox Christianity going back to the beginning of the Faith The term un-fortunately has been hijacked by those enamored with the sondashcalled trendier parts of Eastern religions and New Age movements

The Eastern Orthodox faith teaches and that is exclusively from where I am speaking that a mystic is a spiritual per-son who has the Holy Spirit within and this is confirmed by the uninterrupted remembrance of God

The mystical life is a life in which the gifts of the Holy Spirit are pre-dominant over human effort This life is not just for the elect It is open to all who wish to

discipline themselves in prayer contem-plation and meditation on the divine It is to seek the transcendent God in the immanent person of Jesus Christ

Irsquom not sure I satisfied the ques-tion of my two new friends but at least I encouraged them to seek a deeper understanding of Christianity in the unending wealth of writings from the fathers and great saint theologians of the Eastern and Western Churches

I wish I could have spoken to that young man before he boarded the plane for Amsterdam to at least introduce him to the writings and thoughts of the great Christian mystics of our Holy Orthodox Tradition

I wish I could have told him about St Theophan the Recluse who taught that ldquoWe are to keep our mind in the heart at all times It is the secret dwell-ing place where God livesrdquo Or to have him spiritually meet St Macarius who would have told him that ldquoThe heart is but a vessel and yet dragons and lions are there and there are poisonous creatures and all the treasures of wick-edness rough uneven paths are there and gaping chasms There likewise is God there are the angels the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace all things are thererdquo

I would have told him that he didnrsquot have to journey to Amsterdam or for that matter any particular geographic area on the planet The greatest jour-ney for all of us is the ldquojourney withinrdquo where the ldquoheavenly cityrdquo exists In this heavenly city the heart one will find Christrsquos Palace There Christ the King comes to take His rest and give us rest There all mystical truths will be found

Even for the mystic the Kingdom of God is to experience the rule of God to acknowledge the authority of God to recognize Godrsquos right to be the forma-tive and final voice for the decisions we make in our faith and practice It is simply the power of the Holy Spirit leading us to the uninterrupted remem-brance of God

English

Phonetics

CDInside

Fun Songs for Learning Greek

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A Musical Treasury for Children

www s i n g a l o n gw i t h theaan n i e c om

Introduce your children or grandchildren to Greek language and culture in a way they love through music

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From the seashore to the village to the market young children will feel the beat as they roll koulourakia sing clap and count their way through Greece

All songs translated into English with English phonetics

NEWTo all the faithful our readers advertisers supporters and friends

MERRY CHRISTMASand a HEALTHY amp BLESSED NEW YEAR

A Christmas Message My Beloved ChristiansOnce again we celebrate the great Feast of Christmas the birth of the Lord

Jesus Christ Our Church invites us to a joyful celebration with the magnifi-cent hymn

ldquoChrist is born glorify Him Christ is coming from heaven receive Him Christ is on earth lift yourselves up Let all Earth sing to Godrdquo It is important to remember that as we glorify the Almighty God today

the God Who became man and dwelt among us we are glorifying the One who shared our pains our anxieties our exhaustion our ordeals and even our death

Our God by becoming human being has shared in our every ordeal This is of vital importance because we are living at a time when in our world we are experiencing heavy levels of anxiety due to many ordeals Some of these ordeals include the present state of our global economy the rising of unemployment the problems caused by the ways that we rely upon energy the health of our environment and the continuing presence of terrorism and civil unrest

In the face of such tremendous stress we take comfort that our loving and Almighty God Himself took on all kinds of ordeals

Indeed the newborn Christ took on all the evils sins and pains of the entire humanity and He transformed these ordeals into hope strength peace and resurrection

We are strengthened by remembering that God humbled Himself so that we could be exalted and abide in His love forever We are renewed with cour-age because He has shown to us that our final destination is not our limited earthly world but the immensity of heaven

And we share the joy of His birth because He has made it clear to us that our lives are always in a state of constant upward move-

ment from low to high from Earth to Heaven from death to life and from this world to God

My beloved ChristiansChrist is born Glorify Him and let all Earth

sing to God Let us sing to the newborn Christ a new song of hope love and gratefulness

Let us receive Him joyfully and pray that He be with us throughout this Holy Nativity season and indeed every day of the dawning New Year

I wish you all a joyful Christmas

and a blessed New Year

dagger Archbishop DEMETRIOS of America

DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight

The Message of Christmasby Fr William Gaines

ldquoWhen the fullness of time had comehelliprdquo (Gal 44-5)

This is one of the mighty texts of the Bible Here is sublime language that links earth with heaven words which gather all mankind into the range and sweep of Godrsquos eternal purpose that He purposed in Christ And there is no more majestic a text for Christmas Sunday morning in the whole of the New Testament than this one For it is full of Christmas of Godrsquos coming to earth as a little baby long ago of that divinity that shone forth resplen-dent in the warm life of our humanity

The text tells us what God has done The tremendous fact is declared in five simple words God sent forth His Son That is what Christmas means

That is why throughout the world today companies of men and women meet together to worship God This is why we keep a holiday which is also a holy day This is why our mouth is filled with laughter and our tongue with sing-ing This is why Christmas is the happiest time in all the year Because God sent forth His Son

Christmas began with God God act-ed God took the initiative God sent forth His Son All real religion begins with God We cannot go up to him He must come down to us And so God revealed Himself He has come down to earth in Christ His Son God was in Christ God sent forth His Son Our text also tells us while thus stating in categorical language what God has done now tells us also when He did it ldquoWhen the fullness of time had come

God sent forth His Sonrdquo These thrilling words bring to us a new conception of ancient history for they make it part of the purpose and plan of God The pre-Christian centuries were a preparation for the advent of Godrsquos Son

God had been preparing the world for His coming through Latin and Greek but it was through the Jewish nation most of all that He had been making ready for that one divine event to which the whole creation moved

For it was the Jews who kept a light in the world the lamp of pure and unde-filed religion Judaism had many grievous faults as the words of our Lord clearly indicated But let us never forget that in spite of its many abuses the religion of the Jews was the loftiest and noblest religion men knew before Christ

God sent forth His Son and He did so at that hour in the worldrsquos history when everything was ready for His com-ing But how did God do it Our text tells us ldquoGod sent forth His Son born of a woman born under the lawrdquo

In other words God chose a method simple yet sublime the way of our hu-manity

God sent forth His Son and there came to earth a little child God might have chosen other methods of course

He might have sent forth His Son trailing clouds of glory from the opened heavens and with a legion of angels for His bodyguard

But no A baby is born of a humble Jewish girl and love has set forth on its mighty redeeming work

The Word became flesh and in that

Arsinoi D Lainioti Law Offices

Our special thanks to the professionals at Zorganize for assisting our Greek-American clients

with their Hellenic National Land Registration paperwork in the United States and to Roussos amp Associates

for assisting our Greek-American clients with their land surveying land development and property evaluation needs in Greece

Merry ChristMas and

a BLessed and happy new year

ARSINOI D LIANIOTIAthens Bar Association (Greece) 1997

Massachusetts Bar Association (USA) 1990

wwwlianioti-lawofficescom

Kifissias Avenue 62 amp Premetis 1 Maroussi 15125 Greece247 Message Service +30-210-8101561 bull Fax +30-210-6141298

DECEMBER 200812

To His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch

Bartholomew His Eminence

Archbishop Demetrios

of America the Eparchial Synod

our Beloved Reverend Clergy amp all Orthodox Faithful

Our Warmest Wishes for a Joyous amp Blessed Christmas amp Prosperous New Year

Nicholas Maria Stefan amp Andrew Furris

IONIAN VILLAGE 2009Journey bull Grow bull Belong

Journey by boat plane bus

or on foot Travel with Ionian Village to Greecersquos

most important religious

and cultural sites

Visit the Saints climb the Acropolis pray in the churches and swim in the sea

Every other day you will travel to new and exciting destinations

with the opportunity to learn about Greek history archeology

culture architecture and iconography

GROW in faith education

and fellowship These pillars are at the heart of everything you will do at

Ionian Village allowing you to grow closer to God the Church and

your new friends

Belong to the tradition Since 1970 over 16000 young people have built ldquoFaith and Friendships that Last a Lifetimerdquo at Ionian Village

The combination of camp and travel will bring you and your new friends together into a unique tight knit community of campers staff and clergy

online registration now available atwwwionianvillageorg

Ionian VillageGreek OrthodoxArchdiocese of America83 St Basil Road bull Garrison NY 10524Ph 646-519-6190 bull Fax 646-519-6192wwwionianvillageorg




DECEMBER 2008 13

Christmas Greetings from

Metropolis of Pittsburgh ndash (from left) Fr Stelyios Muksuris Dennis Kusturiss Jr Phyllis Meshel Onest Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh Rhea Ballas Presbytera Eileen Sedor Alexandra Kemrer and Archdeacon Ryan Gzikowski chancellor

Metropolis of Boston ndash (from left) Sophia Nibi Julie Tziolas Dino Pappas Metropolitan Metho-dios of Boston and Fr Theodore Barbas chancellor

Metropolis of Atlanta ndash (from left) Michell Cassimus Karen Powers Cindy Stanton Fr George Tsa-hakis Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta Helen BurleighFr Grigorios Tatsi and Joanne Mertzanis

Metropolis of Detroit ndash (from left)Eva Kokinos Anna Diamantaras Fr Chris Dalamangas Fr Dean Hountalas Metropolian Nicholas of Detroit Fr Teodor Petrutiu and Harriet Stoukas

The Metropolis of Chicago will host the 26th annual St John Chrysostom National Oratorical Festival of the Archdio-cese in the MinneapolisndashSt Paul Minn the weekend of June 12-14

Frs Paul Paris and R Demetrios An-drews the co-chairmen and members of the host committee recently met with Presbytera Margaret Orfanakos Archdio-cese co-chairman to discuss plans for the weekend

The 2009 Topics and Topic Tips are posted on the Web-site of the Department of Religious Education at wwwgoarchorgarchdiocesedepartmentsreligiousedsjcof

There is a different list of topics for the Junior and Senior Divisions Students from grades seven to nine must select a topic from the Junior Division and stu-dents in grades 10 through 12 from the Senior Division

As students need time to select a topic and write about it parishes should already be promoting the Festival among the youth and have already started planning their parish Oratorical Festival

Minneapolis-St Paul to Host 2009 Oratorical Festival

When all metropolises have sched-uled the dates of their respective district and metropolis oratorical festivals the information will be posted on the webndashsite of the Department of Religious Edu-cation

The benefits of participating in the Oratorical Festival are many Aside from the college scholarships of $2000 $1500 and $1000 awarded to the top three speakers of each division and $500 US Saving Bonds awarded to all other national finalists each and every participant at the local parish level is given the opportunity to learn about their Orthodox Faith to develop their writing skills and to increase their poise and self-confidence when speaking

Also Hellenic College has recently created the Chrysostom Scholarship which will offer free tuition to any quali-fying senior division first place speaker at the parish level Information is also lo-cated on the Departmentrsquos web page (see address above) It is hoped that even more parishes will encourage their youth to par-ticipate in the 2009 Oratorical Festival

The Archdiocese Department of In-ternet Ministries in cooperation with the American Bible Society helped launch the Spanish Bible Reader in Argentina

According to IT Department Director Theo Nikolakis who serves as the liaison with the ABS the Spanish Bible also will be released in the United States and other Spanish-speaking countries

The Archdiocese coordinated and did all the layout and desktop publishing for the edition which was produced by Peter Petropoulakos who donated his time for the project

Already 100 Spanish Childrenrsquos Bibles have been donated and are being sent to the Hogar Rafael Ayau Orphanage in Guatemala to be given to the orphans there This Bible will likewise be made

Archdiocese Helps Launch Spanish Childrenrsquos Bible

available to other Christian churches so that they can be exposed to the rich icono-graphic tradition of the Orthodox Church and Scripture

This publication is just the latest in a series of successful projects between the Archdiocese and the American Bible Society that have included The Childrenrsquos Bible Reader The Orthodox Market-place online store (official store of the Archdiocese) the web sites for churches project and in the near future the first pocket New Testament and Psalms that is made specifically for our service men and women

The Spanish language edition marks the third language the Childrenrsquos Bible has been translated into (Greek and English are the other two)

CLERGY UPDATEOrdination to the DiaconateStephen Potter by Metropolitan

Alexios of Atlanta at St Nektarios Church Charlotte SC 110208

Aristidis Arizi ndash Metropolitan Alex-ios ndash Holy Cross School of Theology Chapel Brookline Mass 111508

Thomas Guerry ndash Metropolitan Alexios ndash Holy Trinity Church Colum-bia SC 111608

Constantine Yavis ndash Bishop An-donios of Phasiane ndash St Sophia Church Albany NY 112308

Ordination to the PriesthoodDeacon Sotirios Malamis ndash Metro-

politan Iakovos of Chicago ndash Holy Trin-

ity Church Chicago 111608Assignments

Fr Dionisios Marketos ndash Evange-lismos Tis Theotokou Church Jersey City NJ 060108

Fr Constantine Mersinas ndash St Kath-erine Church Naples Fla 111608

Fr George A Dokos ndash Sts Peter and Paul Church Boulder Colo 120108

Fr Evangelos Mago ndash Assumption Church Flint Mich 121508

AppointmentsRev Deacon Panagiotis Hanley as

chief secretary of the Metropolis of New Jersey 061508

observergoarchorg

advertiseadvertiseGET RESULTS

Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814

LOS ANGELES ndash Loyola Marymount University the pre-eminent Catholic Uni-versity of Los Angeles bestowed upon Archbishop Demetrios of America the Degree of Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa during a formal conferral ceremony held in the universityrsquos Sacred Heart Chapel Nov 13

The degree was awarded to the Archbishop in recognition of his role in the growing rapprochement between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox Churches recognizing him as an international hu-manitarian leader who has reached out to Christian Jewish and Muslim leaders said a University official

LMU Recognizes Archbishop as Humanitarian and Ecumenical Leader

ldquoSubstantive ecumenical rela-tions take additional importance today in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace reconciliation and dialogue among religions and culturesrdquo

by Stavros H Papagermanos

ldquoWe applaud the work His Eminence has done to contribute to the interfaith dialogue among all religions and it is our honor to bestow this degree on himrdquo said LMU President Rev Robert B Lawton SJ ldquoLMU prides itself on educating our students to appreciate and learn from traditions other than their ownrdquo

ldquoLoyola Marymount University be-stows honorary degrees on persons who symbolize in an outstanding manner those values it cherishes as an academic communityrdquo said in his welcome remarks David W Burchman the executive vice-president and provost

ldquoI feel highly honored for receiving today this honorary doctoral degree from the renowned Loyola Marymount Univer-sity This occasion was a great opportunity for me to offer to a select audience of the University a lecture about Saint Paul to whom both the Orthodox Church and the RomanndashCatholic Church have dedicated 2008 as the Year of St Paulrdquo said Arch-bishop Demetrios He particularly noted that ldquoboth the conferral of the degree and the lecture on Saint Paul are related to the ongoing effort to promote substantive ecumenical relations among the Churches These relations especially today in view of the conditions in the world and the urgent need for peace reconciliation and dialogue among religions and cultures take additional importance

Therefore I warmly congratulate

University officials other ecumenical dignitaries and Metropolitan Gerasimos honor Archbishop Demetrios after the conferral of the degree (Alexandra Zarkas photo)

The Clergy of the Metropolis of San Francisco gathered for the Metropolis Fall Institute in the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Gerasimos are in the center (Alexandra Zarkas photo)

LMU President Rev Robert B Lawton SJ presents the honorary title to Archbishop Demetrios (Glenn Cratty-LMU photo)

Loyola Marymount University for its con-tribution to the cultivation of the spirit of reconciliation and dialogue as part of its various academic activities like the pres-ent onerdquo At another occasion Archbishop Demetrios said the honor bestowed upon him really belongs to all the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Church in general as represented in the person of the Archbishop

Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco as the host Orthodox hierarch offered the invocation at the ceremony at-tended by many university officials faculty members and students as well as many members of the Orthodox clergy and la-ity of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco

Other Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches of the greater Los Angeles area were also very well repre-sented by members of their hierarchy and clergy

They included Bishop Joseph of the Antiochian Diocese of Los Angeles and Archbishop Hovnan Derderian of the Western Armenian Diocese

Archbishop Demetrios offered an in depth portrait of St Paul in his address en-titled ldquoSt John Chrysostomrsquos Paulrdquo which was received with great interest and atten-tion Fr Alexy Smith the Director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Roman-Catholic Archdiocese

of Los Angeles conveyed a writ-ten a message of His Eminence Roger Cardinal Mahony the Archbishop of Los Angeles who was traveling and could not attend Fr John Bakas dean of St Sophia Cathedral and Lec-turer at the University offered a greeting on behalf of the LMU faculty The Combined South-ern California Greek Orthodox Choirs under the direction of Constance Callinicos sang the Great Doxology and other hymns The University in honor of its guest and honoree offered a luncheon that preceded the ceremony and a reception at the nearby Sculpture Garden which followed

Loyola Marymount Uni-versity places special emphasis on theological scholarship ethics and spirituality and a commitment to fostering greater ecumenical dialogue Within this context and at the impetus of significant gifts from philanthropist film producer and former US Congressman Michael Huffington and his Archangel Michael Founda-tion LMU launched last year the Huffington Ecumenical

Institute The institutersquos goal is to promote the unity of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches The University believes that its location in the religiously and culturally diverse Los Angeles area provides many opportunities to reach Catholic and Ortho-dox communities both local and international and to foster first-hand ecumenical and intercultural experiences

LMU founded in 1911 is the largest Catholic institution on the West Coast with nearly 10000 students four colleges two schools the Loyola Law School and 80 majors and programs

LONG BEACH Calif ndash The Metropolis of San Francisco under the leadership of Metropolitan Gerasimos welcomed to the Los Angeles area Archbishop Demetrios

Archbishop Demetrios Speaks to the Metropolis of SF Fall Clergy Instituteof America who made a two-day visit Nov 13-14

As part of this visit the Archbishop Demetrios received an honorary doctoral

degree from Loyola Marymount University in the afternoon of Nov 13 (story above) Later that evening the community of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Greek Orthodox Church of Long Beach welcomed the Archbishop and the local hierarch Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco Fr John Roll along with parish president George Demos Philoptochos chapter president Kathy Bastas and chil-dren of the community greeted the two hierarchs as they arrived The Assumption community hosted a dinner for the hier-archs and all the Metropolis clergy who came from as far as Alaska and Hawaii to attend the Fall Clergy Institute gathering At the conclusion Metropolitan Gerasimos spoke of the importance and the success of the Clergy Institute gathering and ex-pressed everyonersquos joy and gratitude for the Archbishoprsquos presence

Archbishop Demetrios conveyed his pastoral love for the people of the Me-tropolis of San Francisco and noted with joy the high participation of the clergy to the gathering that reached almost 95 per

page 29

ΕΤΟΣ 73 bull ΑΡΙΘΜΟΣ 1245ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2008

ΕΥΛΟΓΗΜΕΝΑ ΧΡΙΣΤΟΥΓΕΝΝΑ

καιΕΥΤΥΧΙΣΜΕΝΟΣ

Ο Κ ΑΙΝΟΥΡΓΙΟΣ ΧΡΟΝΟΣ

Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

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το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 200816 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

πρός τήν Σύναξιν τῶν Προκαθημένων τῶν Ὀρθοδόξων Ἐκκλησιῶν

Ἡ Ἁγία τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μ Ἐκκλησία μετά τῆς ἐπιβαλλομένης λαμπρότητος καί ἱεροπρεπείας ἐτίμησε καί ἐφέτος τήν ἱεράν Μνήμην τοῦ ἱδρυτοῦ καί προστάτου αὐτῆς Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου ἑορτάσασα τήν Θρο-νικήν αὐτῆς ἑορτήν

Ἡ Α Θ Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης ἐχοροστάτησεν ἐν τῷ Π Πατριαρχικῷ Ναῷ κατά τόν Ἑσπερινόν τῆς Ἑορτῆς τό Σάββατον 29ην Νοεμβρίου καθrsquo ὅν παρίσταντο συμπροσευχόμενοι Ἀρχιε-ρεῖς ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ ὡς καί πολυπληθεῖς ὅμιλοι προσκυνητῶν ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ πρός οὕς ὁ Πατριάρ-χης ὡμίλησε καί προέστη τῆς Πατριαρ-χικῆς καί Συνοδικῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας τῆς ἑπομένης Κυριακῆς 30ῆς λ μ Νο-εμβρίου συλλειτουργούντων Αὐτῷ τῶν Σεβ Μητροπολιτῶν Γέροντος Χαλκηδό-νος κ Ἀθανασίου Ζακύνθου κ Χρυσο-στόμουἼμβρου καί Τενέδου κ Κυρίλλου Περγάμου κ Ἰωάννου Πριγκηποννήσων κ Ἰακώβου Μυτιλήνης κ Ἰακώβου Φιλαδελφείας κ Μελίτωνος Ἱεραπύτνης καί Σητείας κ Εὐγενίου Ἐλασσῶνος κ Βασιλείου Κωνσταντίας-Ἀμμοχώστου κ Βασιλείου καί Ἀρκαλοχωρίου Κα-στελλίου καί Βιάννου κ Ἀνδρέου ἐπί παρουσίᾳ τῆς ἐπί τούτῳ ἐλθούσης ἐπισήμου Ἀντιπροσωπείας τῆς Ἐκκλησίας Ρώμης

Τόν Θεῖον Λόγον ἐκήρυξεν ὁ Σεβ Μητροπολίτης Σεβαστείας κ Δημήτριος Κατά τήν Θείαν Λειτουργίαν παρίσταντο συμπροσευχόμενοι οἱ Σεβ Μητρο-πολῖται Γέρων Δέρκων κ Κωνσταντῖνος Πέργης κ Εὐάγγελος Θεοδωρουπόλεως κ Γερμανός Βελγίου κ Παντελεήμων Ντένβερ κ Ἠσαΐας Μυριοφύτου καί Περιστάσεως κ Εἰρηναῖος Μύρων κ Χρυσόστομος Μοσχονησίων κ Ἀπό-στολος Δαρδανελλίων κ Νικήτας Σα-σίμων κ Γεννάδιος Ἰκονίου κ Θεόλη-πτος καί Λέρου Καλύμνου καί Ἀστυπα-λαίας κ Παΐσιος οἱ Θεοφιλ Ἐπίσκοποι Τρῳάδος κ Σάββας Φαναρίου κ Ἀγαθάγ-γελος Κνωσοῦ κ Εὐγένιος καί Ἀβύδου κ Κύριλλος ὁ Θεοφιλ Ἐπίσκοπος τῶν ἐνταῦθα ΡΚαθολικῶν κ Louis Pelatre ὁ Πανοσιολ Ἀρχιμανδρίτης κ Νεκτάριος Σελαλματζίδης Ἐπίτροπος τοῦ Πα-ναγίου Τάφου ἐνταῦθα οἱ Αἰδεσιμ ἐκπρόσωποι τοῦ Σεβ Μητροπολίτου τῶν ἐνταῦθα Συροϊακωβιτῶν κ Yusuf Cetin Κληρικοί Μοναχοί καί Μοναχαί ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ Ἄρχοντες Ὀφφι-κίαλοι τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίας οἱ Ἐξοχ κ κ Θεόδωρος Κασσίμης Ὑφυπουργός ἐπί τῶν Ἐξωτε-ρικῶν τῆς Ἑλλάδος μετά συνεργατῶν αὐτοῦ ἐκ μέρους τῆς ἐντίμου Κυ -βερνήσεως αὐτῆς Φώτιος Ξύδας Πρέ-σβυς αὐτῆς ἐν Ἀγκύρᾳ καί Νικόλαος Σηφουνάκης πρῴην Ὑπουργός καί Βου-λευτής τοῦ Κόμματος ΠΑΣΟΚ τοῦ Νομοῦ Λέσβου ὁ Ἐντιμ κ Βασίλειος Μπορνόβας Γενικός Πρόξενος τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἐνταῦθα ἡ Εὐγεν κ Χαρά Σκολαρίκου Γεν Πρόξενος αὐτῆς ἐν Σμύρνῃ οἱ Ἐντιμ κ κ Νικόλαος Σιγά-λας καί Νικόλαος Σαπουντζῆς Πρόξενοι ἐν τῇ Πόλει ἄλλοι ἐπίσημοι καί πλῆθος πιστῶν ἐντεῦθεν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερι-κοῦ

Ἐν τῷ τέλει τῆς Θείας Λειτουργίας ὁ Πατριάρχης προσεφώνησε διrsquo ἐπισή-μου ὁμιλίας τήν ἐκ τοῦ Βατικανοῦ Ἀντι-προσωπείαν καί ἀπήντησεν ὁ Σεβ Καρδινάλιος κ Walter Kasper ὅστις ἐκόμισε τῷ Πατριάρχῃ ἑόρτιον συγχα-ρητήριον Μήνυμα τῆς Αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Πάπα

Τήν μεσημβρίαν παρετέθη γεῦμα ἐν τῷ ἑστιατορίῳ Halat τό δέ ἑσπέρας

Ἡ Θρονική Ἑορτή τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μεγάλης Ἐκκλησίαςἐδόθη ἐν τοῖς Πατριαρχείοις ἡ καθιερω-μένη δεξίωσις ἐπί τῇ Θρονικῇ Ἑορτῇ τῆς Μητρός Ἐκκλησίας εἰς ἥν παρέστη-σαν πλεῖστοι ὅσοι προσκεκλημένοι τῆς Α Θ Παναγιότητος καί τῆς Ἁγίας καί Ἱερᾶς Συνόδου ἐκ τοῦ θρησκευτικοῦ διπλωματικοῦ δημοσιογραφικοῦ καλ-λιτεχνικοῦ καί ἐπιχειρηματικοῦ κόσμου τῆς πόλεως ἡμῶν καί ἐκ τοῦ ἐξωτερικοῦ καθ᾿ ἥν ὡμίλησεν ἡ Α Θ Παναγιότης ὁ Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης

Η ΑΝΤΙΠΡΟΣΩΠΕΙΑ ΕΚ ΡΩΜΗΣ

Τό ἀπόγευμα τοῦ Σαββάτου 29ης Νοεμβρίου ἀφίχθη ἐκ Ρώμης ἡ ἐπίση-μος Ἀντιπροσωπεία τῆς Α Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Πάπα Βενεδίκτου τοῦ ΙΣΤ´ καί τῆς κατ᾿ Αὐτόν Ἐκκλησίας τῆς Ρώμης ἀπο-τελουμένη ἐκ τῶν Σεβ Καρδιναλίου κ Walter Kasper Προέδρου τοῦ Ποντιφη-κοῦ Συμβουλίου διά τήν προώθησιν τῆς ἑνότητος τῶν Χριστιανῶν Ἀρχιεπισκό-που κ Antonio Lucibello Νουντσίου τοῦ Βατικανοῦ ἐν Ἀγκύρᾳ Θεοφιλ Ἐπισκόπου κ Brian Farrell Γραμματέως τοῦ ὡς ἄνω Συμβουλίου καί Ὁσιολ κ Vladimiro Caroli στελέχους αὐτοῦ ἵνα παραστῇ κατά τό ἐπικρατῆσαν ἔθος κατά τήν Θρονικήν Ἑορτήν τῆς Ἁγίας τοῦ Χριστοῦ Μ Ἐκκλησίας

Τήν Ἀντιπροσωπείαν ὑπεδέχθησαν ἐκ μέρους τῆς Α Θ Παναγιότητος τοῦ Πατριάρχου ἐν τῇ αἰθούσῃ τῶν ἐπισήμων τοῦ Ἀεροδρομίου ὁ Σεβ Μητροπολίτης Μύρων κ Χρυσόστομος καί ὁ Ἱερολ Πατριαρχικός Διάκονος κ Γρηγόριος Φραγκάκης οἵτινες συνώδευσαν αὐτήν εἰς τό ὡς κατάλυμα αὐτῆς ὁρισθέν Ξενο-δοχεῖον laquoHyattraquo

Ἀκολούθως ἡ ὡς ἄνω Ἀντιπροσω-πεία ὡδηγήθη εἰς τά Πατριαρχεῖα ἔνθα ἐγένετο ἐπισήμως δεκτή ὑπό τῆς Α Θ Παναγιότητος τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πα-τριάρχου κ κ Βαρθολομαίου ἐν συνε-χείᾳ δέ αὕτη συνειργάσθη μετά τῆς ὑπό τήν προεδρείαν τοῦ Σεβ Μητροπολίτου Περγάμου κ Ἰωάννου Συνοδικῆς Ἐπι-τροπῆς ἐπί τοῦ Διαλόγου μετά τῆς ΡΚα-θολικῆς Ἐκκλησίας

Αὐθημερόν τό ἑσπέρας ἡ Α Θ Παναγιότης ὁ Πατριάρχης μετά τῆς συνοδείας Αὐτοῦ μετέβη εἰς τό Σισμανό-γλειον Μέγαρον τοῦ ἐνταῦθα Γενικοῦ Προξενείου τῆς Ἑλλάδος καί παρέστη εἰς τήν προβολήν τῆς ταινίας τοῦ Ἐντιμ κ Γεωργίου Μουτεβελῆ διά τό Ὀρφανο-τροφεῖον Πριγκήπου μέ θέμα laquoΤό κα-μάρι τοῦ Γένουςraquo ὁμιλήσας καταλλήλως τό δέ ἑσπέρας παρεκάθησεν εἰς τό ὑπό τοῦ Σεβ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου κ Antonio Lucibello Νουντσίου παρατεθέν πρός τιμήν Αὐτοῦ δεῖπνον

Ὁμιλίατῆς Α Θ Παναγιότητος

τοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριάρχουκ κ Βαρθολομαίου

κατὰ τὴν Θρονικὴν Ἑορτὴντοῦ Οἰκουμενικοῦ Πατριαρχείου

(30 Νοεμβρίου 2008)

Σεβασμιώτατε Καρδινάλιε κύριε Walter Kasper ἐκπρόσωπε τῆς Α Ἁγι-ότητος τοῦ Πάπα καὶ Ἐπισκόπου Ρώμης κυρίου Βενεδίκτου τοῦ 16ου μετὰ τῆς τιμίας ὑμῶν συνοδείας

Μετὰ πολλῆς ἐν Κυρίῳ χαρᾶς καὶ ἀγαλλιάσεως χαιρετίζομεν τὴν παρουσί-αν καὶ συμμετοχὴν ὑμῶν καὶ εἰς τὸν ἐφετεινὸν ἑορτασμὸν τῆς ἱερᾶς μνήμης τοῦ Ἁγίου ἐνδόξου Ἀποστόλου Ἀνδρέου τοῦ Πρωτοκλήτου ἱδρυτοῦ τῆς καθrsquo ἡμᾶς ἁγιωτάτης Ἐκκλησίας Κωνσταντι-νουπόλεως Εὐχαριστοῦμεν ἀπὸ καρδίας

τὸν λίαν ἀγαπητὸν ἡμῖν ἀδελφὸν Προ-καθήμενον τῆς ἐν Ρώμῃ ἁγιωτάτης Ἐκκλησίας κύριον Βενέδικτον διότι ἠγαθύνθη νὰ ἀποστείλῃ ὑμᾶς ἐνταῦθα κομιστὰς τοῦ ἀδελφικοῦ αὐτοῦ μηνύμα-τος αἰσθημάτων ἀγάπης καὶ τιμῆς ἅτινα καὶ ἀνταποδίδομεν ἀπὸ μέσης καρδίας εὐχόμενοι αὐτῷ καὶ τῇ ἁγιωτάτῃ ἀδελφῇ Ἐκκλησίᾳ Ρώμης πᾶσαν ἀπὸ Θεοῦ εὐλο-γίαν καὶ χάριν

Κατέστη ἤδη ἀπὸ δεκαετιῶν ἔθος ἱερὸν ἡ ἀνταλλαγὴ ἐπισκέψεων ἀντιπρο-σωπειῶν τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν κατὰ τὰς θρονικὰς ἑορτὰς ἀλλήλων Οἱ ἀοίδιμοι Προκαθήμενοι τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν Πατριάρχης Ἀθηναγόρας καὶ Παῦλος ὁ Στrsquo καθιέρωσαν τὸ πρῶτον τὸ ἔθος τοῦτο ἐμφορούμενοι ὑπὸ τῆς ζωηρᾶς ἐπιθυμί-ας ὅπως αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι ἡμῶν ἐπὶ χιλιε-τίαν ὅλην ἐν διαστάσει καὶ ἐνίοτε ἐν ὀξείᾳ ἀντιθέσει ὡς μὴ ὤφελε διατε-λοῦσαι εἰσέλθωσιν εἰς περίοδον διαλό-γου ἀγάπης καὶ ἀληθείας ἐπὶ τῷ τέλει τῆς ἀποκαταστάσεως τῆς ἐν τῇ πρώτῃ μ Χ χιλιετίᾳ πλήρους αὐτῶν ἑνότητος Ὑπὸ τῆς αὐτῆς ζωηρᾶς ἐπιθυμίας διακα-τεχόμενοι καὶ οἱ σήμερον ἐμπεπιστευ-μένοι ὑπὸ τοῦ ἐλέους τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν ἡγεσίαν τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν συνεχί-ζομεν τὸν διττὸν τοῦτον διάλογον τῆς ἀγάπης δηλονότι καὶ τῆς ἀληθείας ἐνα-ποθέτοντες τὴν ἔκβασιν αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ Πανάγιον Πνεῦμα τὸ ὁδηγοῦν laquoεἰς πᾶσαν τὴν ἀλήθειανraquo (Ἰω 16 13) καὶ εἰς τὸν μόνον αὐξάνοντα τὸν σπόρον ἡμῶν Θεόν (Αrsquo Κορ 3 6-7)

Τὴν πορείαν τοῦ διττοῦ τούτου Δι-αλόγου ἀνυστάκτως καὶ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἱεροῦ τούτου Κέντρου παρακολουθοῦντες χαίρομεν καὶ συγχαίρομεν ἐπὶ τῇ αἰσίᾳ συνεχίσει καὶ προόδῳ αὐτοῦ τοῦ μὲν διαλόγου τῆς ἀγάπης ἀποκαθαίροντος τὰς σχέσεις ἡμῶν ἐκ πάσης προσηλυτι-στικῆς ἢ ἄλλης ἐνεργείας ἀντικειμένης εἰς τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀμοιβαίου σεβασμοῦ καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης τοῦ δὲ διαλόγου τῆς ἀληθείας συνεχίζοντος διὰ τῆς ἐπὶ τοῦτο συσταθείσης Μικτῆς Διεθνοῦς Ἐπι-τροπῆς τὸ δυσχερὲς καὶ ἐπίπονον ἔργον αὐτοῦ ὑπὸ τὴν συμπροεδρείαν καὶ τῆς ὑμετέρας ἀγαπητῆς Σεβασμιότητος τὴν ὁποίαν καὶ ἐπὶ τούτῳ συγχαίρομεν καὶ εὐχαριστοῦμεν

Κατὰ τὴν ἀνάγνωσιν τῆς ἐκ τοῦ ἱε-ροῦ Εὐαγγελίου τοῦ Ἰωάννου περικοπῆς ndash κατὰ τὴν τελεσθεῖσαν σήμερον Θείαν Λειτουργίαν ndash ἠκούσαμεν πόσον ἰσχυρὸς ὑπῆρξεν ὁ μετὰ τοῦ Κυρίου δεσμὸς τῶν αὐταδέλφων Μαθητῶν Ἀνδρέου καὶ Πέτρου Ἀφοῦ διῆλθε μετrsquo ἄλλου τινὸς μαθητοῦ πιθανῶς τοῦ Ἰωάννου μίαν ὁλόκληρον ἡμέραν συνομιλῶν καὶ ἀνα-στρεφόμενος μετὰ τοῦ Κυρίου εἰς τὸ κατάλυμα Αὐτοῦ ndash ὁποῖον ἀληθῶς καὶ ὄντως μέγα προνόμιον ndash ὁ Ἀνδρέας σπεύδει νὰ ἀναγγείλῃ εἰς τὸν Πέτρον μετὰ χαρᾶς ὅτι laquoεὑρήκαμεν τὸν Μεσσί-ανraquo καὶ νὰ παρουσιάσῃ αὐτὸν εἰς τὸν Κύριον

Ἡ σκηνὴ εἶναι ὄντως συγκλονι-στικὴ καὶ ἀποφασιστικῆς σημασίας διrsquo ὅσα θὰ ἠκολούθουν εἰς τὸ μέλλον Πέ-τρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας ἀδελφοὶ κατὰ σάρκα κατέστησαν τὴν στιγμὴν ἐκείνην καὶ ἀδελφοὶ ἐν Χριστῷ ἑνωθέντες τόσον μετrsquo Αὐτοῦ ὅσον καὶ μετrsquo ἀλλήλων διὰ δεσμῶν ἀκαταλύτων

Ὅτε δὲ μετὰ τὴν εἰς οὐρανοὺς Ἀνά-ληψιν τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ τὴν ἐπιφοίτησιν τοῦ Ἁγίου Πνεύματος τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς ἐξῆλθον εὐαγγελιζόμενοι τοὺς λαοὺς καθιστάμενοι μάρτυρες τοῦ Ἀναστάντος Χριστοῦ ὁ μὲν Πέτρος ἔφθασε μέχρι Ρώμης καθαγιάσας διὰ τοῦ αἵματος αὐτοῦ τὴν ἐκεῖ Ἐκκλησίαν ὁ δὲ

Ἀνδρέας διῆλθε κατὰ τὴν ἀρχαίαν παρά-δοσιν ἐκ Βυζαντίου ἱδρύσας τὴν Ἐκκλη-σίαν ἐν τῷ τόπῳ ὅστις ἐπρόκειτο ἀργό-τερον θείᾳ προνοίᾳ νὰ καταστῇ ἡ Νέα Ρώμη ἡ Πόλις τοῦ Κωνσταντίνου Οὕτως οἱ δύο ἀδελφοί Πέτρος καὶ Ἀνδρέας καίτοι ἠκολούθησαν διάφορον γεωγραφικῶς πορείαν ἐν τῇ μαρτυρίᾳ τοῦ Εὐαγγελίου παρέμειναν ἡνωμένοι ἐν τῇ ἱστορίᾳ διὰ τοῦ δεσμοῦ τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν Ρώμης καὶ Κωνσταντινουπόλε-ως

Τὸν σύνδεσμον τοῦτον μεταξὺ τῶν δύο Ἀποστόλων ὅστις ἐκκινεῖ ὡς βιο-λογικὸς δεσμός διὰ νὰ καταστῇ δεσμὸς πνευματικὸς ἐν τῷ αὐτῷ Κυρίῳ καὶ κα-ταλήξῃ ὡς δεσμὸς Ἐκκλησιῶν καλού-μεθα νὰ ἔχωμεν ἀδιαλείπτως κατὰ νοῦν καθὼς πορευόμεθα πρὸς τὴν ἀποκατά-στασιν τῆς πλήρους ἑνότητος τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν Τιμῶντες σήμερον τὸν Ἀπόστολον Ἀνδρέαν τιμῶμεν συγ-χρόνως καὶ τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ Πέτρον Καὶ ὡς δὲν εἶναι δυνατὸν ὁ Πέτρος καὶ ὁ Ἀνδρέας νὰ νοηθοῦν κεχωρισμένοι ἀπrsquo ἀλλήλων οὕτω δὲν εἶναι ἐπιτρεπτὸν αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι Ρώμης καὶ Κωνσταντινουπό-λεως νὰ συνεχίσουν πορευόμεναι ἐν διαιρέσει

Ὀφείλομεν ὅθεν νὰ ἄρωμεν ἐκ τοῦ μέσου ἡμῶν τὰς συσωρευθείσας ἐπὶ μίαν χιλιετίαν ἀκάνθας εἰς τὰς σχέσεις τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν τόσον εἰς ζητήματα πίστεως ὅσον καὶ εἰς θέματα ἁπτόμενα τῆς δομῆς καὶ διοικήσεως τῆς Ἐκκλη-σίας

Εἰς τοῦτο ἔχομεν πολύτιμον ὁδηγὸν τὴν κοινὴν ἡμῶν παράδοσιν τῶν ἑπτὰ Οἰκουμενικῶν Συνόδων καὶ τῆς πρώτης μ Χ χιλιετίας ἐκ τῆς ὁποίας θὰ ἀντλή-σωμεν τὰς βασικὰς ἀρχὰς καὶ τὰ κριτήρια διὰ τῶν ὁποίων θὰ ἀποκαθάρωμεν ὅσα ἡ χιλιετία τῆς ἀπrsquo ἀλλήλων ἀποξενώσε-ως ἡμῶν συνεσώρευσεν ἐπιτείνουσα τὴν μεταξὺ ἡμῶν ἀπόστασιν

Εἰς τοῦτο καλούμεθα ὄχι μόνον ὡς προείπομεν ἐκ σεβασμοῦ πρὸς τὴν ἱερὰν μνήμην τῶν δύο Πρωτοκλήτων Ἀποστό-λων ἐκ τῶν ὁποίων ἀντλοῦν τὴν ὑπό-στασιν αὐτῶν αἱ Ἐκκλησίαι ἡμῶν ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐκ τοῦ χρέους ἡμῶν ἔναντι τοῦ συγ-χρόνου κόσμου ὁ ὁποῖος σπαρασσόμε-νος ὑπὸ ποικίλων συγκρούσεων ἔχει κατεπείγουσαν ἀνάγκην τοῦ μηνύματος τῆς καταλλαγῆς τὸ ὁποῖον ἔφερεν ὁ Ἱδρυτὴς τῆς Ἐκκλησίας διὰ τοῦ Σταυροῦ καὶ τῆς Ἀναστάσεώς Του Εἶναι προφανὲς ὅτι ἐὰν τὸ μήνυμα τοῦτο δὲν γίνῃ σε-βαστὸν ὑφrsquo ἡμῶν τῶν ἰδίων τῶν χρι-στιανῶν ἡ ἐπίδρασις αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸν σύγχρονον ἄνθρωπον θὰ παραμένῃ δυ-σχερής

Ἡ Ἐκκλησία ὀφείλει νὰ εἶναι πά-ντοτε εἰς θέσιν νὰ ἐπαναλαμβάνῃ πρὸς πάντας τοὺς λόγους τοῦ Φιλίππου πρὸς τὸν Ναθαναήλ τοὺς ὁποίους ἠκούσαμεν σήμερον εἰς τὴν εὐαγγελικὴν περικοπήν laquoἔρχου καὶ ἴδεraquo (Ἰω 1 47)

Τότε μόνον ὁ λόγος της θὰ εἶναι πειστικός ὅταν δύναται νὰ δώσῃ πρώτη ἐκείνη τὸ παράδειγμα τῆς καταλλαγῆς καὶ τῆς ἀγάπης

Ἐν τῷ πνεύματι τούτῳ καὶ μετὰ τοιούτων σκέψεων καὶ αἰσθημάτων χαιρετίζομεν καὶ πάλιν τὴν ἐν τῷ μέσῳ ἡμῶν παρουσίαν τῆς τιμίας ἀντιπροσω-πείας τῆς Ἐκκλησίας τῆς πρεσβυτέρας Ρώμης καὶ τῆς Αὐτοῦ Ἁγιότητος τοῦ Προκαθημένου αὐτῆς προσφιλοῦς ἡμῖν ἀδελφοῦ Πάπα Βενεδίκτου δεόμενοι τοῦ Κυρίου ὅπως εὐλογήσῃ καὶ κατευ-θύνῃ τὴν πορείαν τῶν Ἐκκλησιῶν ἡμῶν εἰς τὴν ἐκπλήρωσιν τοῦ ἁγίου Αὐτοῦ θελήματος

Ἀμήν

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 2008 ORTHODOX OBSERVER 17ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Προσφιλεῖς μου ΧριστιανοίἈκόμη μία φορά γιορτάζουμε τήν

μεγάλη Ἑορτή τῶν Χριστουγέννων τή γέννηση τοῦ Κυρίου Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ Ἡ Ἐκκλησία μας μᾶς καλεῖ σrsquo ἕναν χαρμό-συνο πανηγυρισμό μέ τόν ἐξαίσιο ὕμνο

laquoΧριστός γεννᾶταιbull δοξάσατε Χριστός ἐξ οὐρανῶνbull ἀπαντήσατεΧριστός ἐπί γῆςbull ὑψώθητεἌσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆraquoΕἶναι σημαντικό νά ἐνθυμούμεθα ὅτι

καθώς δοξάζουμε σήμερα τόν Παντοδύ-ναμο Θεό ὁ Ὁποῖος ἔγινε ἄνθρωπος καί ἔζησε ἀνάμεσά μας δοξάζουμε Ἐκεῖνον ὁ Ὁποῖος μοιράσθηκε τούς πόνους μας τίς ἀγωνίες μας τήν ἐξάντλησή μας τίς δοκιμασίες μας καί ἀκόμη τόν θάνατό μας

Ὁ Θεός μας γενόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἔχει μοιρασθεῖ μαζί μας ὅλες τίς δοκιμα-σίες μας Αὐτό ἔχει ζωτική σημασία διό-τι ζοῦμε σέ μιά χρονική συγκυρία κατά τήν ὁποία βιώνουμε ἔντονες ἀγωνίες λόγῳ τοῦ μεγάλου ἀριθμοῦ τῶν δοκιμα-σιῶν πού ἀντιμετωπίζουμε Ἀνάμεσα σrsquo αὐτές συγκαταλέγεται ἡ παροῦσα κατά-σταση τῆς παγκόσμιας οἰκονομίας ὁ αὐξανόμενος βαθμός ἀνεργίας τά ἐνεργει-ακά προβλήματα τά θέματα ὑγείας καί περιβάλλοντος ἡ συνεχιζομένη παρου-σία τοῦ φαινομένου τῆς τρομοκρατίας καθώς καί ἡ κοινωνική ἀναταραχή

Στήν ἀντιμετώπιση αὐτοῦ τοῦ τερα-στίου βάρους τῶν προβλημάτων μᾶς ἀνακουφίζει ἡ σκέψη ὅτι ὁ Ἴδιος ὁ φι-λάνθρωπος καί Παντοδύναμος Θεός γε-

νόμενος ἄνθρωπος ἀντιμετώπισε ὅλων τῶν εἰδῶν τίς δοκιμασίες Πράγματι ὁ Θεάνθρωπος Χριστός ἀντιμετώπισε τό κακό τήν ἁμαρτία καί τούς πόνους ὁλό-κληρης τῆς ἀνθρωπότητος καί μεταμόρ-φωσε ὅλα αὐτά σέ ἐλπίδα εἰρήνη δύναμη καί ἀνάσταση

Ἀποκτοῦμε δύναμη ὅταν ἀναλογιζό-μεθα ὅτι ὁ Θεός ἐταπείνωσε Ἑαυτόν γιά νά μᾶς ἀνυψώσῃ καί νά μᾶς χαρίσῃ τή ζωή μέσα στήν ἀγάπη Του γιά πάντα Τό θάρρος μας ἀνανεώνεται διότι Ἐκεῖνος μᾶς ἔδειξε ὅτι ὁ τελικός προορισμός μας δέν εἶναι ὁ περιορισμένος γήινος κόσμος ἀλλά ἡ ἀπεραντοσύνη τοῦ οὐρανοῦ Συμ-μετέχουμε στή χαρά τῆς Γεννήσεώς Του διότι μᾶς ἀπεκάλυψε ὁλοκάθαρα ὅτι ἡ ζωή μας βρίσκεται συνεχῶς σέ ἀδιάκοπη ἀνοδική πορεία ἀπό τά χαμηλά στά ψηλά ἀπό τή γῆ στόν οὐρανό ἀπό τόν κόσμο στόν Θεό

Προσφιλεῖς μου Χριστιανοί Χριστός γεννᾶταιbull δοξάσατε καί

ἄσατε τῷ Κυρίῳ πᾶσα ἡ γῆ Ἄς ψάλουμε στόν νεογέννητο Χριστό ἕνα νέο ἅσμα ἀγάπης καί εὐγνωμοσύνης Ἄς τόν δε-χθοῦμε μέ χαρά καί ἄς τόν παρακαλέσου-με νά εἶναι μαζί μας σέ ὅλη αὐτή τήν χαρμόσυνη περίοδο τῶν Χριστουγέννων καί σέ κάθε ἡμέρα τοῦ ἀνατέλλοντος Νέου Ἔτους

Εὔχομαι σέ ὅλους καλά Χριστούγεννα καί εὐλογημένο τό Νέον Ἔτος

Μήνυμα Χριστουγέννων 2008

yuml ὁ Ἀρχιεπίσκοπος Ἀμερικῆς Δημήτριος

ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ ndash Το νέο Αρχιεπισκο-πικό Συμβούλιο της Ιεράς Αρχιεπισκο-πής Αμερικής για την περίοδο 2008-2010 πραγματοποίησε την πρώτη του συνεδρία στις 6 και 7 Νοεμβρίου στο Σικάγο υπό την προεδρία του Σεβα-σμιωτάτου Αρχιεπισκόπου Αμερικής κ Δημητρίου

Το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο αποτελούν 128 μέλη κληρικοί και λα-ϊκοί τα οποία εκλέγονται και διορίζο-νται από όλη την επικράτεια της Αρχι-επισκοπής Αμερικής και υπηρετούν διετή θητεία η οποία στην προκειμένη περίπτωση λήγει με το πέρας της επό-μενης Κληρικολαϊκής Συνελεύσεως το 2010

Οι εργασίες της ολομέλειας του νέου Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου ξεκίνησαν το πρωί της 7ης Νοεμβρίου με την καθιερωμένη κοινή συνεδρία του Σώματος με το Συμβούλιο της Εθνι-κής Φιλοπτώχου Μετά την εναρκτήρια προσευχή ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπί-σκοπος καλωσόρισε τα νέα μέλη του Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου και του Συμβουλίου της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου και μετέφερε τις θερμές ευχές και ευ-λογίες του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχη κ Βαρθολομαίου

Στην ομιλία του ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος Δημήτριος αναφέρθηκε στις ειδικές και ιδιάζουσες συνθήκες που επικρατούν στη χώρα και στον κόσμο γενικότερα οι οποίες είναι συνθήκες πολέμων και συγκρούσεων αναφέρθηκε και στις εντάσεις και στην αγωνία που δημιουρ-γεί η παγκόσμια οικονομική κρίση η οποία επηρεάζει αρνητικά τη ζωή των πιστών και της Εκκλησίας

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος μίλησε και για την ιστορική εκλογή του νέου Αμερικα-νού Προέδρου και σημείωσε ότι συμπω-ματικά εκείνη τη στιγμή στην ακριβώς απέναντι αίθουσα του ξενοδοχείου ο νεοεκλεγείς Πρόεδρος συνεδρίαζε με τους οικονομικούς του συμβούλους και λίγο αργότερα θα παραχωρούσε την πρώτη του συνέντευξη Τύπου

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος ενημέρωσε τα μέλη των συμβουλίων για την πρόσφα-τη Σύναξη των Προκαθημένων των Ορθοδόξων Εκκλησιών στην Κωνστα-ντινούπολη την οποία συγκάλεσε ο Οικουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ Βαρθολο-μαίος και την χαρακτήρισε laquoιδιαιτέρως σημαντικήraquo τονίζοντας τον laquoηγετικό ρόλο του Παναγιωτάτου αλλά και τον σεβασμό και την αναγνώριση των άλ-λων Πατριαρχών και Προκαθημένων προς το πρόσωπό του Οικουμενικού Πατριάρχηraquo

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος μίλησε ακόμη για την σημασία και την έννοια των διαλόγων και των επαφών που πραγ-ματοποιούνται σε διάφορα επίπεδα μεταξύ Ορθοδόξων και άλλων δογμά-των ή θρησκειών με σκοπό την επίτευ-ξη μιας προοπτικής και κατανόησης όχι μόνο των άλλων αλλά και της δικής μας θέσεως στον κόσμο

Ιδιαίτερη βαρύτητα επέδωσε ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος στην προώθηση των θεμάτων που απορρέουν από το μήνυ-μα της τελευταίας Κληρικολαϊκής Συ-νελεύσεως laquoΣυναγάγετε τον λαό μου στον οίκο μουraquo προτρέποντας όλους να εντείνουν τις προσπάθειές τους στους τομείς της προσέγγισης της νε-

ΝΕΟ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΙΚΟ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΚΑΙ ΣΥΜΒΟΥΛΙΟ ΤΗΣ ΕΘΝΙΚΗΣ ΦΙΛΟΠΤΩΧΟΥ

ολαίας και όσων για τον ένα ή τον άλλο λόγο βρίσκονται μακριά από την Εκ-κλησία

Ο Σεβασμιώτατος αναγνώρισε ότι ορισμένοι πρόσφατοι παράγοντες οι-κονομικής πίεσης δρουν ανασταλτικά στο έργο αυτό αλλά συγχρόνως τόνισε ότι δεν θα πρέπει κάτι τέτοιο και με κανένα τρόπο να σταθεί εμπόδιο στο έργο του Ευαγγελίου

Ο Αρχιεπίσκοπος σημείωσε ακόμη ότι στις ημέρες μας που κυκλοφορεί ευρύτατα ως κυρίαρχη έννοια η λέξη laquoδύναμηraquo (δηλ εξουσία - power) και καθορίζει τις εξελίξεις και τη ζωή των ανθρώπων εμείς ως Ορθόδοξοι Χρι-στιανοί μπορούμε να βασιζόμαστε και να υπολογίζουμε στη δύναμη και την ισχύ του Θεού η οποία laquoείναι δύναμις υψηλής τάσεως και πρέπει να τη χρη-σιμοποιούμε κατάλληλαraquo

Ακολούθησε η ορκωμοσία του νέου Αρχιεπισκοπικού Συμβουλίου η υπο-βολή υποψηφιοτήτων και η εκλογή της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής

Ως μέλη της Εκτελεστικής Επιτρο-πής της οποίας προεδρεύει ο Αρχιεπί-σκοπος Δημήτριος εξελέγησαν οι ακό-λουθοι Εμμανουήλ Τζαχάρης ndash αντι-πρόεδρος Νικόλαος Μπούρας ndash ταμί-ας Αικατερίνη Μπουφίδη-Walsh ndash γραμματέας και μέλη οι Γεώργιος Μπεχράκης Παναγιώτης Κίκης Αντώ-νιος Στεφάνης Ελένη Χιούζακ Γεώρ-γιος Μάθιους και Γεώργιος Βουρβού-λιας

Οι εργασίες του Συμβουλίου συνε-χίστηκαν με την παρουσίαση και διε-ξοδική συζήτηση θεμάτων που αφο-ρούν στη ζωή και στην διακονία της Εκκλησίας θέματα τα οποία είχαν ήδη μελετήσει και παρουσίασαν οι ειδικές κατά τομέα επιτροπές του Αρχιεπισκο-πικού Συμβουλίου οι οποίες είχαν συ-ναντηθεί την προηγουμένη ημέρα 6 Νοεμβρίου

Οι επιτροπές αυτές είναι οι εξής Διοικητικών θεμάτων Επικοινωνιών Ελληνικής Παιδείας Οικονομικών και Λογίας Κατηχητικής Παιδείας και Ελληνικού Κολεγίου θεμάτων Γάμου και Οικογένειας Ιεραποστολικού έρ-γου Νεολαίας Φιλανθρωπίας και Τε-χνολογίας

Παράλληλα με το Αρχιεπισκοπικό Συμβούλιο συνεδρίασε και το Συμβού-λιο της Εθνικής Φιλοπτώχου Αδελφό-τητος της Αρχιεπισκοπής η οποία αριθμεί 30 χιλιάδες περίπου μέλη Κατά την αρχή των εργασιών ο Σεβα-σμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ Δημήτριος ανακοίνωσε τον διορισμό της κυρίας Αφροδίτης Σκιαδά από το Greenwich του Κονέκτικατ ως νέας προέδρου της Φιλοπτώχου για την δι-ετία 2008-2010 Η κ Σκιαδά αποδεχό-μενη τον διορισμό δήλωσε ότι θα εργα-στεί ώστε η Φιλόπτωχος να προσεγγί-σει περισσότερο τη νέα γενιά και να αυξηθεί ο αριθμός των μελών της σε όλη την Αμερική Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος διόρισε και τα λοιπά μέλη της Εκτελεστικής Επιτροπής ως εξής Αρλίν Σιαβέλη ndash αντιπρόεδρος Μαρία Σταυροπούλου ndash 2η αντιπρόε-δρος Κάθυ Γαβριήλ ndash 3η αντιπρόε-δρος Ελένη Κ λάδη ndash γραμματέας Ιωάννα Κακογιάννη ndash ταμίας και Μάρ-θα Στεφανιδάκη ndash βοηθός ταμίας

ΔΕΚΕΜΒΡΙΟΣ 200818 ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΟΣ ΠΑΡΑΤΗΡΗΤΗΣ

Στον Παναγιώτατο Οικουμενικό μας Πατριάρχη κ ΒαρθολομαίοΣτον Σεβασμιώτατο Αρχιεπίσκοπο Αμερικής κ Δημήτριο

Στους Ιεράρχες της Ιεράς Επαρχιακής ΣυνόδουΣτον Ιερό Κλήρο

Στο Τάγμα των Αρχόντων του Οικουμενικού ΠατριαρχείουΣτην Ηγεσία των 100

Στους εκπαιδευτικούς και τη μαθητιώσα νεολαίαΣε όλη την Ομογένεια της Αμερικής και στον απανταχού Ελληνισμό

Είθε η ταπεινή φάτνη του Χριστού μας να χαρίζει γαλήνη στη ψυχή μας

και ειρήνη σrsquo όλο τον κόσμο

ΟικογενειακώςΣτέφανος Τσερπέλης

DECEMBER 2008 19

ST NICHOLAS GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Name St Nicholas Greek Orthodox ChurchLocation Northridge Calif Metropolis San FranciscoSize about 650 membersFounded 1948 Clergy Fr Anthony Savas (M Div Holy Cross 1997 Fr Haralambos Fox M Div 2005)Web wwwst-nicholasinfoE-mail stnicholasst-nicholasinfoNoteworthy First parish established in the San Fernando Valley area of Los Angeles

PEOPLENew Congresswoman

Joins Foundation

A gunnerrsquos story

Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners

The Valley is a lsquoTotally Awesomersquo Site for a Vibrant Parish

Former Nevada state Sen Dina Titus was elected to the US House of Representatives in the November election A native of Tipton Ga Congresswoman-elect Titus attends St John the Baptist Church in Las Vegas She previously ran unsuccessfully for governor of Nevada in 2006

The MakendashAndashWish Foundationreg of the Mid-Atlantic Inc a nonprofit or-ganization based in Bethesda Md that fulfills the wishes of local children fight-ing life-threatening medical conditions recently welcomed Mike Manatos of Manatos amp Manatos in Washington to membership on its board

One of the latest additions to the vast body of writings about World War II has just been published by John Katsaros past president of Holy Apostles ndashSts Peter and Paul Church in Haverhill Mass Mr Katsaros relates in ldquoCode BurgundyndashThe Long Escaperdquo his experiences as a gunner on B-17 bomber missions over Germany He was shot down on a mission over France by the Luftwaffe and was captured af-ter suffering broken ribs and escaped twice from the Gestapo with the help of French Resistance His oath of secrecy was recently lifted by the US govern-ment which enabled him to write of his experiences The book is published by Oakford Media of Norwalk Conn and is edited by USAF Col G Steve Chirigo-tis (retired) For more information e-mail Mr Katsaros at wwwjkatsaros3comcastnet

The state convention of the Ameri-can Legion in Louisiana recently pre-sented its Eagle Scout of the Year Award to Luke John Loukas son of John and Vicki Loukas of Sulphur La Luke is a member of Troop 86 in Westlake La sponsored by Legion Post 370 He is a senior at Sulphur High School and a member of St John Church in Lake Charles where he is an acolyte He is the grandson of Luke and Sophie Lou-kas of Port Arthur Texas

The George P Nestor Memorial Scholarship Fund of Absecon NJ has awarded two $1000 scholarships to Michael Mercado son of Luis and Demetria Mercado of Cape May Court House NJ who plans to attend Hel-lenic College-Holy Cross School of The-ology and to Zachary Zachariades a member of Holy Trinity Church in Bargaintown NJ He is the son of Peter and Donna Zachariades of Egg Harbor Township and was active in GOYA serving as vice president

The Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting has awarded its 2008 an-nual Scout Scholarships to Anastasia C Markiw of Pittsburgh and runner-up Samuel C Ely of Merrillville Ind who received $1000 and $500 respec-tively

P A R I S H pro f i l e

The San Fernando Valley located north of Beverly Hills in the northern reaches of the vast sprawl that is the city of Los Angeles is home to the first parish established in LA after St Sophia Cathedral the mother church of the region

Spanish missionaries founded mis-sions there in the 1700s and land grant ranches soon followed

Until the 1920s the entire Valley was a farming and ranching community then several movie studios moved there from Hollywood because it was largely open land

The onset World War II brought development military bases large air-craft factories and the first substantial development to the eastern and south-ern edges of the Valley

The fledgling aerospace industry continued to expand after the end of the war Housing developments free-ways and the baby boom came to the San Fernando Valley Millions of Ameri-cans migrated to Los Angeles seeking opportunity

During this period the first Greek and Greek-American families began to move into the Valley from the central part of the city impressed by the ldquototally awesomerdquo location to use the arearsquos contemporary ldquoValley girlsrdquo lingo A few were immigrants from Greece and the Middle East according to a parish history

Others came from the East Coast and Midwest finding work in the de-fense factories entertainment industry restaurants and various other busi-nesses and professions

Part of the regionrsquos draw was its re-semblance to Greece with its olive and orange groves mild climate and prox-imity to the ocean and mountains

By 1948 before the creation of the vast network of freeways going to church involved traveling 20 miles and crossing the Santa Monica Mountains to attend services at St Sophia on the West Side of downtown Los Angeles

The Valley Hellenic Society was formed in 1948 to bring together the Greek people of the San Fernando Valley It provided the means to share and preserve Greek fellowship life and faith

The establishment of this organiza-tion on Dec 19 1948 marks the birth of the community that would become the parish of St Nicholas

The Society held Greek picnics in local parks dances and an annual Christmas Party in local social halls

They started a Greek school and held Greek Independence Day celebrations

The Valley Hellenic Society contacted the Archdiocese to arrange for the services of a priest and the first Divine Liturgy in the San Fernando Valley was held on Jan 17 1951 Bishop Athenagoras Kokkina-kis and Fr Anthony Kostouras officiated at the Moose Hall in Burbank For the next several years the community held services in rented halls whenever a priest was available

Parish organizedThe Archdiocese recognized the

need to form a parish from the growing number of Greek Orthodox faithful and assigned Fr Photios Pentikis as the first full-time priest Shortly after the first board of trustees meeting and creation of the Ladies Guild in 1954 they held an auction party on Dec 19 of that year The highest bid came from a group of the original board members who all shared the name Nicholas

The church is one of the few that have actual relics of St Nicholas and has a shrine set up for veneration by the faithful throughout the year

The parishioners then proceeded to build a church on recently acquired property in Northridge that contained a farmhouse garage and some fruit trees

A 1200-square-foot building was erected as a temporary church which later served as the parish hall

The farmhouse and garage became the Sunday school Greek school office kitchen and residence for Fr Pentikis

A larger church was completed in 1958

The year 1960 was a watershed for the community It marked the arrival of Fr Spencer T Kezios who was to become the longest-serving priest of the communityndashmore than 40 yearsndashand had the greatest impact He previously had served churches in Keene NH Gary Ind and started the parish in Pocatello Idaho

Since retiring as Pastor Emeritus in 2004 Fr Kezios continues to maintain an office at the church and operates Narthex Press which publishes liturgical books He has also translated the entire cycle of Orthros services of the Church into English

A former assistant pastor under Fr Kezios Fr Vasilios Thanos who served from 1966 to 1995 also is retired and continues to assist with parish ministries He received his theological education in Kalamata Greece and came to the parish as a sexton and Greek school teacher During the recent St Nicholas Feast Day

celebration Metropolitan Gerasimos bestowed the title of protopresbyter upon Fr Thanos

In the early lsquo60s the parish had outgrown its facilities and a four-acre site was purchased at what is the churchrsquos present location at 9501 Bal-boa Blvd

The new church was built the white building with a gold dome that sits on a hilltop

It opened its doors on Feb 26 1967 to serve the 250 families who were parishioners

Under Fr Kezios the community built a lowndashcost senior residence in the 1970s which serves the parish to this day

A second senior citizens apartment complex was built in the 1980s on an adjacent parcel of land next to the re-cently completed community center

Construction on the Community Center building began in 1979 It in-cludes a grand ballroom and cater-ing facilities to seat dinner parties of up to 500 a full size gymnasium 14 meeting and classrooms parking and playground space

In addition to its stewardship pro-gram a major source of revenue for St Nicholas parish is the Greek Festival held during Memorial Day weekend The festival got its start in 1974

In 1976 the Ladies Guild became a formal member of the Ladies Philop-tochos Society

A year later the parish established the St Nicholas Parochial School to provide a high-quality education in an Orthodox environment

Today the school which includes pre-school through eighth grade has an enrollment of more than 240

Its curriculum includes instruction in the Greek language There is no separate Greek school

Over the years four members of the church went on to study at Holy Cross School of Theology and became priests Fr Peter Salmas current pas-tor of Holy Cross Church in Belmont Calif Fr Michael Pallad at St Haralam-bos Church in Peoria Ariz Fr Cosmas Halekakis at St Demetrios Church in Waukegan Ill and Fr Michael Monos Transfiguration Church in Charlottes-ville Va

A major factor in spurring young parishioners to serve the church has been the altar boy program

Fr Savas a Salt Lake City native

page 21

DECEMBER 200820

Looking to BUY or SELL a Home in Florida

21737 State Road 7Boca Raton Florida 33428

Office 1 888 350-2345 Ext 318Office 1 561 488-1669 Direct

ΟΜΙΛΟΥΜΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ

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ldquoAs for me I am already being poured out as a libation and the time of my de-parture has come I have fought the good fight I have finished the race helliprdquo

(2 Tim 46-7)

Like a sharp arrow the heart of the Orthodox Church worldwide was pierced in recent days by the announcement of the unexpected repose of the vener-able Primate of our sister Autocephalous Church in Russia our beloved brother and concelebrant Alexy Therefore we open our occasional farewell address with the timely words of the heavenly Apostle Paul to Timothy inasmuch as we are absolutely convinced of the unbroken continuity in the martyric confession per-petual expression and dynamic faith that are manifest from time to time in virtuous individuals who follow St Paulrsquos example in their life Of course there is never an absolute identification between St Paul and these individuals Nevertheless we are able to draw this intimation because in all places indomitable fighters boldly bear the cross of the same ldquogood fightrdquo continuing in this way the same ministry and mission through the centuries

And as a fighter our late brother is a deserving recipient of these words as well as of the crown that awaits him For he journeyed with dignity and humility along the difficult path of his supreme yoke and highly responsible ministry as Primate Yet we in full recognition of his pioneering contribution to the revival and establish-ment of his flock replete with wounds ndash a flock among which the providential care of our Lord as Shepherd of shepherds appointed to be its inspired leader ndash are able to attribute to him the words of the Apostle Paul as an expression of gratitude to God for offering in the person of this worthy Hierarch an imitable example for His struggling people

The late Patriarch Alexy skillfully administered his Church and was able to lead the Orthodox Church of Russia out of the limited boundaries of its in-ternal turns As a simple Hierarch prior to being elevated to the leading bastion of the Patriarchal See he encountered the stubborn and fanatical opposition of inimical authority This consolidated in his heart the conviction with regard to the endless and unyielding struggle as well as expectation of the evidence of resurrection that derives from the power of the cross Indeed the blessed hope of this martyric expectation and anticipation was achieved in the days of his inspired tenure as Patriarch when that deplorable spectacle experienced over numerous years by his martyric predecessors at last disappeared so that ndash in order to quote our own great predecessor St Gregory the Theologian ndash ldquoJerusalem was erased and the honorable and golden sons of Sion were led in captivity while thou-sands fell and the earth was covered with their blood and corpsesrdquo

Today as we gather around the venerable body of the Patriarch in the midst of a mourning Church we profess and proclaim ldquoHow awesome are the works of the Lordrdquo In the abundance of

MESSAGE by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Funeral of

Patriarch Alexy II of Moscowhis strength His enemies were revealed to be liars we have seen His works and we know that He is far more powerful that the sons of men for His eyes have looked upon this blood-stained flock and those who embittered the Lordrsquos people were unable to realize their complete destruction instead the Lord of all power granted life to their souls and led them to a place of refreshment the ineffably lov-ing Lord protected them from the wiles of the evil ones God showed mercy upon His people and gave them a Patriarch who was great in achievements and bold in crises so that through the unquenchable strength of the Patriarchrsquos boundless love and longsuffering tolerance God might preserve the integrity of this bruised vineyard and grant support to its shaken conscience of the Church

He was truly distinguished as a re-viver and brilliant illuminator of the faith in word and deed working toward excel-lent cooperation with the sister Orthodox Churches throughout the world

He looked toward the First among the Thrones the Church of Constantinople as a womb of regeneration of the superb people that he selflessly shepherded Whenever clouds arise in the harmonious relations of the two churches those rela-tions are restored by the heavenly breath of love and the hierarchical order based on the sacred canons

He was extremely appreciative of the missionary witness ascribed at times by the Mother Church of Constantinople to this sacred and glorious land of Russia recognizing it as a principal cause and fundamental contributor to the revival achieved here

It is in the same spirit that the Mother Church too always communicated with him We often followed and studied the life that this greatly numerous Church took shape during his inspired tenure Our impressions were filled with surprise after surprise the organization of the Church was perfect disciplined and fruit-ful there were extraordinarily beautiful Churches and splendid Monasteries with thousands of monks and nuns there were Theological Academies Holy Seminaries and in general everything for which any well cultivated Orthodox Church must take pride we have seen them all and duly admired them The existing spiritual bond between us and this deeply fertile Church ever increased adding the refreshing heavenly taste of authentic experience to the vibrant global community in our time

This sacred bond was also enhanced by the ardent and active late Patriarch with whom we had the inexpressible joy recently of celebrating in common both in Kiev of the Ukraine and in the Queen of Cities Nothing alarming was forewarn-ing us of his sudden repose which was painful for the entire Church However the ways of the Lord are different the tire-less Patriarch Alexy reached the end of his human life as the Lord sets this for us all He concluded his brilliant ecclesiastical journey ldquohaving fought the good fightrdquo

page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21

ldquoThe people all tried to touch him because power was coming from him and healing them allrdquo (Luke 619)

America has finally voted and chosen its 44th commander in chief

After what has been described as the longest and most expensive presidential campaign in US history the voice of the electorate has spoken in favor of Barack Obama as its new president However while the season of ldquospinrdquo is over the weeks lead-ing up to the Inauguration will no doubt be marked with a continued echo of politically charged words and language

Regardless of onersquos respective political affiliation most commentators agree that the most frequently used term of the entire 2008 presidential campaign was the word ldquopowerrdquo

While phrases such as the ldquopursuitrdquo and ldquoquestrdquo for political power were used prior to Election Day the ldquotransferrdquo of power best describes the period leading up to the launch of Obamarsquos new administra-tion While politicians and their dedicated constituents look with anticipation towards the official transfer of presidential authority and prestige that will occur on Inauguration Day Orthodox faithful should likewise focus their attention on the opportunities associ-ated with the transmission of another type of influence the transfer and benefit of the spiritual power associated with our Lordrsquos Holy Incarnation

In the eighth chapter of his gospel St Luke the Evangelist describes the miracu-lous transfer of power between Jesus and a woman who had been suffering from a constant flow of blood for 12 years (Luke 840-48)

This condition tragically classified her as ldquouncleanrdquo by the legalistically tenacious Jew-ish religious authorities of the time Anyone who came into contact with such a woman would have also been considered temporar-ily unclean As a result the woman in the bib-lical narrative was unfortunately stigmatized as a religious outcast unable to approach the synagogue her people or God

St Luke an evangelist and medical doc-tor readily admits that his profession was unable to cure the unfortunate womanrsquos gy-necological ailment In fact St Luke informs his readers that the woman had depleted her financial resources desperately search-ing for a successful medical remedy for her tragic malady It is no wonder therefore that having heard of His prior miracles the woman secretly seeks to touch the fringe of Jesusrsquo garments Her act however does not go unnoticed ldquoWho touched merdquo Jesus inquires ldquoI am certain that someone touched me ndash for I perceive that power has been transferredrdquo

A transfer of power had taken place It is here significant that Jesus publicly acknowl-edges being touched by the stigmatized woman In so associating with her boldness Jesus ran the risk of being himself labeled as ldquouncleanrdquo

While other religious authorities would most assuredly have punished or at the very least rebuked the woman Jesus classifies her gesture as ldquogreat faithrdquo Rather than scorn her He applauds her act and sends her on her way with a blessing This simple act provides an important clue to the purpose of Jesusrsquo Incarnation He came to associate with humanityrsquos distorted condition He came to transfer power to transfer His healing Grace to us He does so while simultaneously participating in our respective bleeding our spiritual psychological and physical secret wounds The healing ministry of Jesus is

INCARNATION OR INAUGURATIONThe True Transfer of Power

Timely Discussions

by Rev Dr Frank Marangos the most important transfer of power in all of human history This in fact is one of the most important gifts of the Holy Nativity itself While Americarsquos political power and authority is transferred at the conclusion of political campaigns the Grace of Christ is available to all who humbly reach for the ever-present hem of his eternal garment

St Luke was most wise in providing the details of this important incident in his gospel As a spiritual as well as physical physician he rightly understood the fact that we are all ldquosecret bleedersrdquo in need of some-thing or Someone who promises to stop the shame of our unending sinfulness

A few days after the presidential elec-tion an interesting ceremony took place in Georgetown Del called the ldquoReturn Day Paraderdquo Held since 1791 the semiannual event includes the presence of the Demo-cratic and Republican opponents of the pre-vious election The victorious and defeated candidates ride together in a horse-drawn carriage through the downtown Georgetown streets leading their respective constituents to a special location where a significant gesture occurs

As a symbol of mutual contrition for the campaign words and actions that may have injured the other both candidates join in burying a commemorative hatchet and pledge to cooperate for the benefit of society

The Return Day Parade is a wonderful icon of humanity itself marching through history - an endless procession of brothers and sisters - fellow bleeders in search of kings presidents and yes even religious leaders who promise to heal their suffering and pain

Like the woman in Lukersquos Gospel story however we have all exhausted our resources in search of such temporal healing In the end we must learn to reach beyond the pledged assurances of politics science and economics for the hem of Godrsquos garment where the constant flow of our respective bleeding may be abated

Consequently it is only through the Life-giving Chalice the manger of the Church that we experience the POWER that heals and reunites us with God and with each other

The post-election period provides a wonderful backdrop for the transfer of such spiritual power to occur This time frame coincidently corresponds to the pre-Nativity cycle of fasting and self-reflection during which Orthodox Christians prepare themselves and their families to celebrate anew the Incarnation of Jesus Christ their Eternal Leader While the inauguration of a new political leader always elicits confidence in the possibility of discovering the solution to lifersquos problems history has demonstrated the tragic fact that political administrations never really match the hype of their cam-paignrsquos rhetoric

Let us therefore seek Incarnation rather than mere Inauguration Let us hunger for the gentle power and grace that comes from above As both political parties and their constituents come together to wel-come Americarsquos 44th president let us also focus on rededicating ourselves to the King of kings Let us reach for the person of Jesus and seek to experience a lasting transfer of power - the only power that can truly heal humanityrsquos social economic political and religious bleeding

Rev Dr Frank Marangos is the dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trin-ity in New York City He is also an adjunct assistant professor at St Johnrsquos University in New York

who has served the parish for three years said the altar boy development program ldquogives the boys ldquoa great deal of responsi-bility and helps them develop leadership skillsrdquo

He said there now are more than 30 boys who serve in altar beginning with the fifth grade Two head altar boy positions are filled by high school seniors who are paid because of their additional duties They assist with some of the sacraments and have other responsibilities associated with the role of a ldquoneokorordquo

Fr Anthony works closely with the altar boys holding frequent meetings to teach them their duties

In addition there are active JOY and GOYA programs for all the youth of the community

The Sunday school has an enrollment of about 110

ldquoOne of the wonderful things of serv-ing in Southern California is the growing trend of the churches in getting together and for the youth to meet often togetherrdquo Fr Anthony said

He noted that many of his classmates from Holy Cross now serve parishes from Santa Barbara to San Diego and they have stayed in touch ldquoWe have a strong rela-tionship and Irsquom blessed with the support of the many churches around usrdquo

mdash Compiled by Jim Golding

lsquoThe Valley is a lsquoTotally Awesomersquo Site for a Vibrant Parish

page 19

page 20

as a soldier of Christ in the position he was appointed

As those of us who are left behind consider the results of his fellowship with us as well as his inspired leadership of this eminent Church of Russia let us ask ourselves if it is proper for sorrow to prevail overwhelmingly in the present gathering When the Church sees off one of its distinguished members ndash indeed one who is also an exceptionally fruitful

Primate who admittedly retained spiritual vigilance over his people to his last breath ndash then pain is transformed into joyful mourning and sadness over loss becomes joyful sorrow filled with peace

The Lordrsquos word on which the late Patriarch based his whole life and mani-fold ministry offers an entirely different dimension to todayrsquos event ldquoThose who believe in me even though they die will live And everyone who lives and believes in me will never dierdquo (John 1125-26) Amen


Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow

DECEMBER 200822by Melissa K Tsogranis

O Christ what shall we offer You for Your coming on earth as a Man for our sake Every creature that has its being from You give thanks to You the angels offer hymns of praise the heavens give a star wise men present their gifts and the shepherds their wonder the earth provides a cave and the desert a manger As for us we offer You a Mother a Virgin Mother O God who are from all eternity have mercy on us

ndashfrom the service of Great Vespers

The presents have been opened the food has been eaten and the Christmas tree is really starting to shedmdashyes your house is showing the effects of Christmas Day Now you begin to focus on putting your house and life back together from the hectic pace you have likely kept since Thanksgiving But while the ldquoholiday seasonrdquo may be winding downmdashfor Christians the Christmas season is just getting started Yoursquove heard of the 12 days of Christmas right This is when they begin

The 12 days of Christmas refer to the period between Christmas and the Eve of TheophanyEpiphany (January 5) This is a time of celebrationmdashrejoicing in the birth of our Lord and Savior As the angels proclaimed to the shepherds ldquoDo not be afraid for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lordrdquo (Luke 210-11)

The 40 day fasting period before Christmas is meant to be a preparation for the coming of Jesus The messages on tele-vision and in magazines tell us generally to ldquorejoicerdquo and ldquobe merryrdquo (which they usually equate with material gifts) but as Orthodox Christians we must remember the reason for the rejoicing and the mer-riment comes from the birth of God the WordmdashJesus Once the Christ child enters this world then we have something to celebrate

So how do we celebrate the 12 days of Christmas in our homes We strive each and every day to remember the joyous gift we received on Christmas As we read in John 316 ldquoFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting liferdquo In recognition of the Feast the Church has designated no fasting during these days except for January 5th the eve of Theophany which is a strict fast day Here are a few things you can do with your family to keep the celebration going for the full 12 days of Christmas

Nativity GreetingsAt Pascha we all know that we greet

one another by saying ldquoChrist is risenrdquo and responding ldquoTruly He is risenrdquo for 40 days Did you know that there is a similar greeting for Christmas We should greet everyone after the Divine Liturgy on the

Nativity by proclaiming ldquoChrist is bornrdquo The response is ldquoGlorify Himrdquo Continue using this greeting the entire 12 days of Christmas Add the beautiful Katavasia of the Nativity which this greeting comes from to your family prayer during this period

Christ is born Glorify HimChrist comes from heaven meet HimChrist is on earth exalt Him O you earth sing to the LordO your nations praise Him in joy for He has been glorified

Giving ThanksTake time to give thanks for all of your

blessings in life Each night when you say prayers as a family have each member share one thing they are thankful for that happened during the day Discuss ways that you can show gratitude to God for all of His blessings Consider making thanksgiving ornaments using left-over wrapping paper ribbon and markers Write the different things you are thankful for in life on the wrapping paper cut them out in different shapes and use the ribbon to hang them on your tree Also this would be a good time to write those Christmas thank you notes to relatives and friends who have honored you with giftsmdashboth material and otherwise throughout this past year

Be MindfulRemember the reason for the season

by keeping your mind focused on Christ and His Church One way of doing this is to keep aware of the different saints cel-ebrated each day and as well as the daily scripture readings You can find much of this information at wwwonlinechapelgoarchorg The lessons you and your children learn from the lives of the saints and Scripture will be precious gifts from God Here are a few of dates to look out for during the 12 days of Christmas

December 27th (St Stephen Archdea-con and First Martyr) ndash You can read about St Stephen in the Epistle reading for the day Acts 68-75 47-60 (perhaps shorten the reading and adapt it for young chil-dren) Notice his extreme faith as he was being martyred Discuss how we can look to him as an example of faith and love

January 1st (St Basil the Great) ndash St Basil is a wonderful saint from which learn about wisdom and charity We can honor him by attending the Divine Liturgy on his feast day reading about him participating in the tradition of the Vasilopita and giv-ing to those in need

Get the entire family involved in mak-ing the Vasilopita Begin with a prayer and read about the tradition and the life of St Basil If you have never made this sweet bread consider asking an older family

member or member of your community to come and teach you how to make it Dis-cuss ways you as a family can be charitable like St Basil To learn more about Saint Basil and the tradition of the Vasilopita visit the website of St Basil Academy at wwwstbasilgoarchorg

January 4th (The Synaxis of the 70 Holy Apostles) ndash Did you know that the Lord did not just appoint 12 disciples As we read in the Gospel ldquohellipthe Lord ap-pointed seventy others also and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go Then He said to them ldquoThe harvest truly is great but the laborers are few therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvestrdquo (Luke 101-2) Discuss how we can add to the ldquolaborersrdquo by living as apostles spreading the Gospel of Christ

Capture the MemoriesCreate a Faith Capsule during the 12

days of Christmas Use some sort of con-tainer and place an item in each day that will remind you of this yearrsquos celebration of the birth of our Lord (ie a clipping from your tree a piece of wrapping pa-per a paper icon pictures quotes etc) Have each person in the family create a thank-you note or drawing to God for giv-ing us the gift of His Son After you share with one another place these in the time capsule and store it where it will not be disturbed until next year Decide which day you will open it next year and write it on your calendar

Wrap it up with a SplashMake a point to attend Vespers of

Theophany as a family If work and school permits attend the Divine Liturgy with the Great Blessing of the Water the next day as well For more information on celebrating Theophany read Diving in Living Theo-phany in the Orthodox Christian Home by Nichola Krause which can be found at wwwfamilygoarchorgart-feastdaysasp Donrsquot forget to schedule a time for your priest to come and bless your home

These are just a few suggestions on ways you can celebrate the 12 days of Christmas Be creative and come up with your own family traditions for this period as well Remember that this celebration shouldnrsquot run you ragged Keep it simple and enjoy the time together as a family But more importantly enjoy the time you spend glorifying our Lord and rejoicing in His birth Christ is Born Glorify Him

Melissa Tsongranis is the associate director for the Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (wwwfamilygoarchorg)She can be reached at mtsongranisgoarchorg

Three wise men led by a star went to worship the Baby of Beth-lehem and gave Him gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh They say there was another wise man called Artaban He was to meet the three Wise Men in Babylon and then start the journey to find and worship the newborn Baby Artaban sold all his possessions bought three jewelsmdasha sapphire a ruby and a pearlmdashto pres-ent to the Baby and set out to join the other three Wise Men

On his way Artaban saw an un-known injured man and stopped to help him To do this he had to sell his sapphire and was delayed in his jour-ney By the time he reached Babylon he found that the other three Men had already departed He set out alone again but when he arrived in Bethle-hem he found that Joseph of Nazareth and his family had fled to Egypt

ldquoI will leave immediately for Egypt to worship the new Kingrdquo exclaimed Artaban But during his journey he met a soldier on his way to slay a womanrsquos child on orders from Herod Artaban gave the soldier his ruby and the in-fantrsquos life was saved He then hurried to Egypt where he wandered in vain searching for the King Old and weary after 33 years Artaban finds himself in Jerusalem learning that a so-called King of Israel was to be crucified that very day Thereupon he determines to ransom Him with his pearl

On his way to Golgotha Artaban was stopped by a young girl who was being dragged off by two brutal soldiers He then gave his last jewel the pearl to the soldiers to save her A little while later when Jesus was dying on the Cross Artaban realized that he could neither ransom Him nor pay tribute to Him as he did not have any jewels left Artaban collapsed from sorrow but when he was lying face down he heard a soft voice saying ldquoI was hungry and thirsty and you gave me food and drink I was naked and sick and you clothed me and visited merdquo

ldquoNot so my Kingrdquo protested Arta-ban ldquoThirty-three years I have looked for You but I have never seen Your Face nor served You my Lordrdquo But the voice replied ldquoWhatever you have done unto one of the least of these my brothers you have done it to merdquo

mdashTaken from Lovely Little Stories for People of All Ages by Metropolitan Polizoides

New Resource for Family Ministry

The Center for Family Care of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese announces the publication of the Parish Family Night program Thanks to a generous donation from Leadership 100 this resource has been sent to each parish in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese This resource includes 12 detailed sessions and infor-mation on how to plan a family night at your parish Each session includes family activities age specific break-out sessions and take home handouts to continue the learning at home For further information on this program contact familycaregoarchorg

A Story for Families The Fourth Wise man

L E T rsquo S C E L E B R A T E

The12 Days of Christmas

DECEMBER 2008 23

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If you have questions regardingThe Archdiocesan Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy

or want to report a complaint of clergy misconduct call the toll-free hotline (877) 544-3382

All complaints will be taken seriously and allegations will be investigated fully and impartially Callers may speak with a male or female volunteer in either Greek or English

Recently I conducted an initial consul-tation with a couple that was having serious marital problems After a few pleasantries were shared both partners wasted little time describing how their marriage and spouse were failing to meet their needs

I listened respectfully while keeping tight control over the conversation to pre-vent it from escalating out of control After about 20 minutes of complaints I felt I had some understanding of what had prompted this couple to seek couple therapy At that point I moved the conversation into a dif-ferent direction

ldquoCorrect me if Irsquom wrongrdquo I stated ldquoBut herersquos what Irsquove heard so far Yoursquore both here because neither of you believe yoursquore getting enough of your needs met by your partner which means that your partnerrsquos needs are also being ignored Correctrdquo

Both appeared to reluctantly agree I guessed their hesitancy was related to the second part of my statement but I didnrsquot pursue this hunch Instead I continued undeterred ldquoOkay then if this is correct I have the solutionrdquo At this point both perked up a little and seemed more en-gaged and interested

ldquoHerersquos what I think If yoursquore not getting enough from your marriage then maybe itrsquos because yoursquore not giving enough to both your marriage and your partnerrdquo I then began to explain this state-ment by indicating that spouses who report high levels of marital satisfaction arenrsquot only focused on what their getting from their marriage and partner theyrsquore also equally focused on what theyrsquore giving to their marriage and partner

rdquoOkay so herersquos the bottom linerdquo I stated ldquoI donrsquot expect you to completely buy into these statements today But if yoursquore interested in meeting with me again you should know that a large part of the work wersquoll be doing together will be devot-ed to helping you develop a much deeper understanding of these statementsrdquo

Irsquom happy to report that by the end of this session both decided to commit to six months of therapy Irsquom equally pleased to report that as they were both able to shift away from a self-centered perspective that focused on what their werenrsquot getting from each other to a perspective thatrsquos characterized by a spirit of service giving and compassion for their partner marital satisfaction slowly began returning

An Emphasis on Personal NeedsWersquore a society that places a great pre-

mium on self-fulfillment self-determina-tion self-sufficiency and self-improvement By the way did you notice the emphasis on self I believe thatrsquos one reason why many unhappy spouses have bought into the notion that they deserve to be happy and if they arenrsquot happy theyrsquore quick to blame their spouse and marriage for their unhappiness In fact a substantial amount of advice found in self-help books is based on these assertions

As pervasive as these attitudes are I also believe theyrsquore fatally flawed More-over some of the newest research - and by extension couplersquos therapy ndash emerging from the human sciences suggests that no

by Fr Charles Joanides PhD LMFT

Marriage and Family

If Yoursquore Not Getting Enough from Your Marriage Yoursquore Probably Not Giving Enough to Your Marriage

one can make us happy and that we are in charge of our happiness

This work which has an empirical foundation based on new findings from neuroscience also maintains that happiness essentially emerges when we give of our-selves to others rather than when we focus on our needs and take from others

By the way does any of this sound familiar It should Thatrsquos because Christian relationships are based on service giv-ing and compassion So as innovative as these findings might be theyrsquore not news to couples who live a Christ-centered life-style Here are a few additional insights to reinforce this last statement

Service Giving and Self-Sacrificial CompassionIn St Markrsquos Gospel Jesus is quoted

as offering the following counsel to his disciples who are in the midst of a heated argument ldquoYou know that those who are supposed to rule over the Gentiles lord it over them and their great men exercise authority over them But it shall not be so among you but whoever would be great among you must be your servant and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for manyrdquo (Mk 10 42-45)

In effect this counsel was alluding to two key attributes that characterize Christ-centered relationships Based on Christrsquos own example the first is that a spirit of ser-vice giving and self-sacrificial love would be part and parcel of Christiansrsquo transactions and interactions with one another

The second would be that these attri-butes would distinguish Christian relation-ships from other types of relationships that are based on power politics manipulation and selfish attitudes of entitlement

Applying These Attributes to Marriage

In my own work with hundreds of conflicted couples Irsquove noticed that when couples are able to make the shift away from blaming their partner and marriage for their unhappiness to a spirit of service giving and self-sacrificial love marital satis-faction slowly returns

Conversely couples who canrsquot make this shift remain disconnected and stuck in a painfully conflicted destructive marriage ndash one that often slip-slides toward marital meltdown and divorce

All of which means that if yoursquore not getting enough from your marriage then yoursquore probably not serving your part-ner enough yoursquore probably not giving enough and yoursquore probably not relating to your partner in a self-sacrificial compas-sionate way

One way to remedy this deficit is to make a shift away from a self-centered perspective that compels us to focus on our own needs to a Christ-centered at-titude of giving service and self-sacrificial compassion

Fr Charles directs the Archdiocesersquos outreach ministry to intermarried couples and their families For more information log onto the Interfaith Marriage Web site using the following address wwwinter-faithgoarchorg

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MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

act of self-limitation assumed the heart-ache and the thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to

And lastly we ask ldquoWhyrdquo Why did God thus send forth His Son born of a woman born under the law Again our text supplies the answer ldquoThat we might receive the adoption of sonsrdquo

God became subject to the laws of our humanity in order that He might deliver us from those laws that He might set us free from the law of sin and death

God became Man so that we might be-come sons of God

Think of it Jesus the only begotten son whom God sent forth will share us His privileges

This is where language of the brain and of the intellect breaks down

We are in the realm now not of logic but of love We can no longer reason about these things for they are matters not for the mind but for the heart

We can only lift up our hearts to God in thanksgiving for His unspeak-able Gift

The Message of Christmas page 11

DECEMBER 200824

YOUTH MINISTRY Challenge

e-mail youthofficegoarchorg

Challenge is the Youth amp YoungAdult Ministries supplement to

the Orthodox ObserverArticles reflect the opinion of the writers

Write to Youth amp Young Adult Ministries Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

83 St Basil Rd Garrison New York 10524or email youthofficegoarchorg

Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie

For Parents and Youth Workers

ldquoRealrdquo PeaceLast month a new movie premiered

which Irsquom sure yoursquove heard of called ldquoTwilightrdquo based off a top-selling book of the same name The book was released two years ago and was an immediate suc-cess with young people in America and in Europe

It didnrsquot take long for people in Hol-lywood always eager to find the next ldquobig thingrdquo to notice how much it resonated with readers all over the world and to make a movie about it

If yoursquove seen ldquoTwilightrdquo or read the book you know itrsquos about a teenage girl named Bella who falls in love with a 17-year old boy who is more than he seems The story revolves around them making their relationship work and has themes of finding a place where you belong being yourself and what makes you happy

This has been the recipe for a lot of teen movies in Hollywood whether they be ldquoHigh School Musicalrdquo ldquoMean Girlsrdquo ldquoTitanicrdquo ldquoThe Breakfast Clubrdquo or even ldquoRebel Without a Causerdquo from the 1950s

Shakespeare even wrote about it in ldquoRomeo and Julietrdquo a story that ldquoTwilightrdquo has been compared to and Shakespeare wasnrsquot even the first one to do so

If you look at this trend of successful stories that involve young people you can see a pattern of storytelling that really appeals to us as an audience regardless of what era we live in Something about love fitting in and finding where you belong are things that really connect with us especially as we mature as people and slowly discover who we are

Something not mentioned in any of these movies but at the core of all of them is peace

If you think about it what are all the characters in these movies looking for How many scenes in these movies have characters being made fun of because theyrsquore different

How many of these movies have characters trying to change who they are so that they can avoid being teased They might have characters that change who they are in order to impress someone else who they like

If any of this sounds familiar thatrsquos because all of us go through something like this at some point in our lives Havenrsquot we ever felt like Sam in ldquoTrans-formersrdquo who bought his first car to impress a girl he liked

Or maybe like Cady in ldquoMean Girlsrdquo who just wanted to be accepted Or like

Bella in ldquoTwilightrdquo who encountered someone who was different and accepted her and immediately fell head over heels These are all feelings that we all feel at some point and each one of them is centered on being accepted being loved and being at peace

In my life there have been times when Irsquove stood in a holy place or near a holy person when Irsquove prayed deeply or even when I first met my wife and Irsquove felt the same thing each time peace Irsquove asked people if theyrsquove ever felt like theyrsquove been in Godrsquos presence If they tell me yes then I ask them what it felt like

Everyone Irsquove asked this question to might mention more than one emotion but despite that I still hear the same word every time ldquopeacerdquo I truly believe that this is because Godrsquos presence is peace

In the Gospel of John the first three times Jesus appeared to His disciples after His Resurrection He said ldquoPeace be to yourdquo(2019)

When the priest during Divine Litur-gy or any other Orthodox service blesses the congregation and says ldquoPeace be to allrdquo the priest is blessing on behalf of Christ This is because God is love and

GodinCulture

Godrsquos presence is peaceThis month we celebrate Godrsquos

coming into the world as a human being coming to us to fulfill His promise- to be saved if we believe in Him Jesus invited us to know Him and showed us how to have a relationship with God

He did not come to earth to tell us that we should be anyone other than who He created us to be When we find ourselves in a position where we feel we have to be someone wersquore not we donrsquot have to be there

If we like someone and feel we have to do something that makes us feel un-comfortable in order to impress them we donrsquot have to be there

God has made us all unique special people who are called to know Him and learn how to walk in life with Him guiding us by our side

In this holiday season of love and giving letrsquos not forget that God is also a God of peace We donrsquot have to be anx-ious or unhappy with ourselves when we go through tough times Just remember that God is there with you

Bella in ldquoTwilightrdquo Troy in ldquoHigh School Musicalrdquo and many other charac-ters in these teen movies feel like they

donrsquot have anyone near them that they can count on

Maybe there are times when we feel this way too But as we grow and discover who we are if we allow God to enter our lives and give us His authentic real peace we will then find where we belong how to be ourselves and what makes each of us happy

Niko Bekris is the youth director of the Metropolis of San Francisco He is originally from Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington in 2004 with a degree in history He is a 2008 graduate of Holy Cross School of Theology and plans to serve the Church as a priest

As you may or may not know the movie ldquoTwilightrdquo is the biggest thing to hit teenagers since the Harry Potter series Twilight started out as a book series (there are four altogether) written by Stephanie Meyers who is a Mormon and is now being brought to teen-agers in movie form These books have been targeted specifically to teen-age girls with great success The movie brought in $70 million opening weekend debuting as the No1 movie in America and the agreement to film a sequel has just been reached by the movie bigwigs Twilight ndashmania has swept the nation

So whatrsquos the deal Is this something we as Orthodox Christians should be read-ingwatching The premise of the story is this a brooding teenndashage girl (Bella Swan) whorsquos new to her small town high school falls in love with a quiet pale and hand-some social outcast (Edward Cullen)

We quickly find out that therersquos some-thing different about him (hersquos super fast super strong and doesnrsquot like to come out in the sunlight) and Bella eventually figures out hersquos a blood-thirsty vampire

Herersquos the catch hersquos a good vampire He and his other ldquofamilyrdquo members hunt only animals refusing to kill humans The conflict arises when their love threatens Edwardrsquos family Bellarsquos parents and the life of Bella herself

Herersquos the bad news therersquos the obvi-ous fact that as Orthodox Christians we donrsquot believe that vampires exist Histori-cally they have been seen as demons on earth- the undead In this story they are romanticized and seen as almost heroic

Also Bella decides that she too wants to give up her immortal soul and become a vampire- something that Edward does not agree with

This can be problematic since as Christians we are called to devote our immortal soul to God to desire to spend eternity with him- not our new vampire boyfriend

Matthew 1626 ldquoAnd what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul Is anything worth more than your soulrdquo

Herersquos the good news you wonrsquot find a single curse word or any sex (although there are some sexual undertones through-out) What you will find is an interesting take on abstinence and controlling our passions For the sake of the greater good these vampires have denied their ldquopas-sionsrdquo- every part of their being is telling them to kill and drink blood- but they re-fuse to give in and be murderous monsters The story seems to parallel the struggles teenagers face in preserving their purity The author even placed an apple on the front cover of the book reminding us of the temptation faced in the Garden of Eden

In my opinion this movie can be a great chance to have some good discus-sions Most likely many teenagers have already either seen the movie or read the books or both Or if they havenrsquot all their friends have

A few questions for discussionbull Why does Edward refuse to let Bella

become a vampire Why do you think Bella is willing to give up her soul to be with Ed-ward forever Would it be worth it

bull Why is Edward willing to abstain from human blood Why do you think the Church calls for us to control our passions What would happen if Edward just did whatever felt good

bull It seems like itrsquos really hard for Bella to be away from Edward Why do you think that is Why does she kiss him even though she knows it will be really hard for him Read Romans 714-24 together

bull Do you think Bella and Edward made the right choice by deciding to be together They risk the safety of the people close to them and put Bellarsquos life in danger Was it worth it

bull Edward and his family are sort of outcasts at their high school As an Ortho-dox Christian do you ever feel like you are an outcast or that no one at school understands you Edward is very close to his family and they help support each other Do you have anyone in your life that helps you in your faith and your struggles

Originally from Alaska Elisabeth now lives in New York and serves in the Dept of Youth and Young Adult Ministries as coordinator of Resources and Camping Ministries

ldquoTwilightrdquo A Movie Review

ndash NEW YOUTH WORKER BLOG Visit wwwyouthgoarchorg and click on the link to our new Youth Worker Blog The Ladder It is a discussion fo-rum for all youth workers and parents Go there TODAY

ndash CHALLENGE SURVEY Please en-courage all teens to take this survey so we can improve the Challenge Visit wwwyouthgoarchorg and take this short survey for a chance to win a FREE indashPod

ndash IONIAN VILLAGE Staff Applications for the 2009 Season are now being ac-cepted Please visit wwwionianvillageorg for details

DECEMBER 2008 25

(+ Shipping amp handling + taxes only in VA USA)Credit Cards accepted (VISA MASTER DISCOVER AMERICAN EXPRESS)

24 Hours English Greek speaking Customer ServiceToll Free Number for USA Canada

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Καλά ΧριστούγενναMerry Christmas

from Odyssey magaz ine

Please tick one box below Yes I want to also subscriberenew and save $10-off

my subscription for only $38 Yes I want to send gift subscriptions below

to the following people No I dont want to subscribe or give a gift subscription

but please do send free trial issues to me andor thefollowing people

Odysseyndashthe finest quality publication covering globalHellenism Celebrates its 16th with a special Christmas

gift offerThis year consider giving those you care aboutthe gift of Hellenismndasha gift subscription to Odyssey the World of Greece magazine

For every subscription to Odyssey we willmake a donation to the Greek Orthodox

Archdiocese Odyssey is the gift that lastsall year long and a lifetime

Simply fill-in the information below

and send back to us to ODYSSEY

Magazine PO BOX 3000 DENVILLE

NJ 07834-9347 or subscribe online

at wwwodysseygr or call us on

1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)

Use the Special Discount Code GO8

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x-mas OBSERVER half pagee$SLayout 1 111208 620 PM Page 1C H R I S T M A S A DV E R T I S I N G S P E C I A L

DECEMBER 200826

T he Christmas season is one of the most important periods of everyday life in Greece Prepa-rations start on Nov 15 and

yes there is another 40 days period of fasting but now only few people keep it

Christmas decorations adorn in the streets shops and houses everywhere Christmas trees with flashing lights Christmas cookies Christmas cards all these things bring joy to everyone And these festive times will last until Jan 6 the Feast of Epiphany

Christmas in Greece is traditionally a solemn religious holiday

Letrsquos look at some wellndashknown traditions of this period

December 24th bull Christmas EveChristmas Eve opens the custom-

ary 12-day period when children sing carols starting with the narration of the Birth of Christ continuing with praises for the house and its residents and ending with lines for a rich tip and cookies

These beautiful carols called ldquoka-landardquo have been handed down from Byzantine times and add to the reverent quality of the celebration Children use metal triangles hitting them with metal rods while singing

Gifts and cards are exchanged during all the Christmas season but especially on Christmas Eve when Santa Claus brings children presents And like every year itrsquos time for Christmas cookies ldquokourabiedesrdquo and ldquomelomaca-ronardquo

The Christmas tree is decorated although some island people decorate small boats since they are seafarers

ldquoKalikatzarirdquoOne of the most magical feasts dur-

ing the twelve days of Christmas is the appearance of the goblins These are demonic (dark) earth spirits who ap-pear during the holidays to make the lives of people difficult The derivation of their Greek name - kalikantzaroi - is subject to debate What is certain is that the ldquokalirdquo (good) prefix is meant to ap-pease and curry favor with the spirits Another name for elves ldquopaganardquo is derived from the word ldquopagonordquo or idolater

The goblins live all year beneath the earth and gnaw at the tree that holds it up When the Christmas holidays bring feasting merriment preparations and nice smells they emerge out of curiosity or an interest in participating and get in the way of the affairs of humans

During Theophany when the priests bless the waters and the birth of light is fact they return to the earth The tree they were gnawing has in the meantime grown and they have to re-turn to their task anew

The truth is that goblins are more annoying than dangerous They hide in cool ashes in the hearth and that is why the fire must not be put out during the entire twelve days They steal freshly baked bread or fried sausages They soil freshly cleaned clothes and freshly ground flour and confuse women when they are darning clothes This is why one should not labor or wander out alone during this period If a goblin should find you alone in the street he might get you to dance until your legs cannot keep you up anymore

It is not known if goblins ever really frightened people but the shape they were given and the things they did were more amusing than dangerous

ldquoThe feeding of the taprdquo

At midnight on Christmas Eve in the villages of Central Greece an old tradition takes place the ldquofeeding of the taprdquo

Girls of the village a few hours before Christmas go to the water taps with butter and honey and wish as the water runs that prosperity also will run in the house in the new year and as sweet as honey is so also may their life be sweet

With this movement they take from the tap ldquospeechlessrdquo water

In order to have a good harvest they bring to the tap butter cheese or cooked wheat or legumes

They try to arrive as soon as pos-sible because as itrsquos said whoever arrives at the tap first has good luck for the entire year

Returning in the house the women carry the new water after emptying the old water from their barrels

This process of passage and return from the tap happens silently ndash thus the name ldquospeechless waterrdquo With this ldquospeechlessrdquo water women wet their houses for robustness and good luck

ldquoBranches in the fireplacerdquoIn Thessaly young girls and boys

returning to the house from church place small branches of cedar on the fireplace that represent their per-sonal wishes The first branch to be burned represents a good omen for its holder

ldquoChristoksilordquoPrecursor to the Christmas tree is

Christoksilo or Dodekameritis a fat timber from a pear-tree or cedar

The Christoksilo is put in the fire-place of the house on Christmas Eve The ash from the wood protects the house and the fields from each villain When the Christoksilo burns Christ is warm in His crib

In the villages of northern Greece on the eves of feast the homeowner searches in the fields and chooses the most beautiful most robust the fattest piece of pine or olive wood and takes it to his house

This was named the Christoksilo

and it is the wood that it will burn for all the Dodekaimero (12 days) of feasts (from Christmas until Theofania) in the fireplace

Before she brings the Christoksilo the housewife cleans the house with particular attention to the fireplace so there is no remaining trace of old ash They clean even the chimney so the goblins do not find steps to go down

Thus on Christmas Eve when all the family is gathered round the fireplace the master of the house ignites the new fire and burns the Christoksilo

ldquoChristopsomo bull Christrsquos BreadrdquoChrist Bread was once the center-

piece of traditional Greek Christmas tables as were large quantities of dried figs nuts and honey

The plentiful use of grains and nuts as symbols of fertility and good harvest is reminiscent of the ancient Kronia festivals (similar to Roman Saturnalia) held in Attica in honor of Cronus the god of the harvest

The Christmas bread is made by the women with particular care and patience Making it is a ritual They use expensive ingredients flour rosewater honey sesame cinnamon and carna-tions saying ldquoThe Christ is given birth the light goes up the bread rises toordquo

On the breadrsquos surface they create designs with a knife or fork of flowers leaves fruits and birds This decoration stresses the aim of the Christopsomo and expresses expectation for a good harvest and production of animals

For the Christmas table the Chris-topsomo is blessed bread and cut on Christmas Day

The custom of Christopsomo is maintained in many parts of Greece but mainly in Crete It constitutes a deepndash rooted custom Locally it has various names such as ldquothe bread of Christrdquo ldquoCrossesrdquo ldquovlahesrdquo and others

ldquoChristmas Tree and Christmas Boatsrdquo

Christoksilo was replaced by the Christmas tree custom that began in Germany and expanded to other Euro-pean countries

The decoration of the Christmas tree is the essence of Christmas This custom has foreign origins The em-bellished tree was first introduced in Greece in the palaces of Othon (King Otto) in 1833 and afterwards in Ath-ens

Since the Second World War the tree with the colorful balls has become a fixture in all Greek houses According to one account decorating the tree was started by Martin Luther who walking at night in a forest and seeing the stars shining conceived of the idea of placing a luminous tree in his house that would portray the star-filled sky on the night when Christ came into the world

In certain parts of Greece such as Lesvos the Christmas tree is not from fir but from an olive tree branch which is embellished with golden oranges walnuts and various toys

On the islands instead of deco-rating a tree they decorate miniature boats with colorful lights

SPECIAL TRADITIONSldquoThe Momogerirdquo

In the village Platania of Drama the custom of ldquoMomogerirdquo emanates from the Pontus refugees The name of the custom comes from the word mimic or momos and is connected with mimic movements of protagonists These wearing skins of animals -- wolves goats or other animals - or dressed with uni-forms of persons armed have the form of old persons

The Momogeri are presented for the entire duration of the 12 daysrsquo feasts and expecting the New Year they travel in companies in the streets of villages and sing kalanda When two companies meet each other they pretend to have war between them until a team overcomes the other and it declares subjugation

ldquoKolinta mpampordquoIn Pella the custom of ldquoKolinta

mpampordquo relates to the slaughter of Herod Residents of the region ignite fires on the evening of Dec 23 shout-ing ldquoKolinta mpampordquo that is to say ldquoslaughter grandmotherrdquo

According to the residents this eve-ning King Herod ordered the slaughter of all male infants under the age of 2 years

The fire assures the residents they are protected not only from the king but also from the villains

ldquoDiet traditionsrdquoDifferent parts of Greece have dif-

ferent customs In Zagori Epirus for example on Christmas Day they make ldquosparganardquo

These are pancakes and they sym-bolize the covers of Christ in the crib

The housewife makes the Christmas cake (a type of bread) which usually is round and is a symbol of the big feast

At Christmas roasted stuffed turkey or roasted pork meat is eaten

Though nowadays turkey takes pride of place as the main meat dish of the Christmas feast it was tradition - ask any elderly Greek to tell you how the village homes once smelled of smoke and pig fat - to slaughter a pig for the Christmas feast

Again this custom is reminiscent of the ancient Greek and Roman practice of sacrificing a pig in honor of Cronus around the time of the winter solstice

ndash Folk Christmas Traditions of Greece revised article taken from vari-ous sources books and the Internet

Christmas Folk Traditions in Greece

DECEMBER 2008 27

St Barbararsquos parish in Toms River NJ recently invited students of St Basil Academy in Gar-rison NY for the annual Thanksgiving dinner This year the parish donated two laser print-ers for the academy library along with ink car-tridges and cables Proceeds from the dinner totaled about $2000 and were presented to

Welcoming St Basil kidsSt Basilrsquos Academy Shown with students of St Basilrsquos are Fr Paul Pappas proistamenos Anastasia Raissis dinner chairman Parish Council President Sotiris Sergiou and Goldie Marousis the Philoptochos chapter president The dinner was donated by the Mageros Fam-ily owners of The Regent Diner

STAMFORD Conn ndash Consecration ceremonies for the new Annunciation Church of the oldest Greek Orthodox parish in Connecticut took place on Nov 1-2 weekend

Archbishop Demetrios presided at the lengthy consecration service which included the preparation of the holy relics for the Altar the procession of the relics and their placement in the Altar table the washing of the altar the anointing of the holy altar with chrism the vesting of the altar anointing of the church and lighting of the vigil light

The holy relics are of the great martyrs St George St Panteleimon and St Kyrikos

The Archbishop was assisted by Bishop Andonios of Phasiane Fr Con-stantine Mathews pastor of Annuncia-tion the Very Rev Sebastian Skordellos the chief secretary of the Holy Epar-chial Synod Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos and Deacon Nathaniel Symeonides

Several priests from neighboring communities in Connecticut and New York also were in attendance

Following the Divine Liturgy and consecration young people of the par-ish planted a tree outside the church

The previous evening Bishop An-donios brought the holy relics to the

Children of the parish plant a tree following the end of the service

Annunciation Church parishioners and clergy with Archbishop Demetrios after the consecration on Nov 2

Archbishop Consecrates Church for Oldest Connecticut Parish

church where a Consecration Great Ves-pers service took place The Byzantine Choir of Holy Cross School of Theology directed by Professor Fotios Ketsetzis chanted the hymns

Special guests attending the week-end events included Frs Demetrios Recachinas and Presbytera Eleftheria of Holy Trinity in Bridgeport and Steven Natisis and Presbytera from Holy Trin-ity in Waterbury Samuel Roumeles the oldest former parish council president US Rep Christopher Shays state Sen Andrew McDonald Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy and parish leaders in-cluding Philoptochos President Barbara Pappas and Parish Council President Nicholas Skroubelos

For Annunciation parish the Con-secration marks the second major event in the life of the community since the completion of the new church building in 1991 It is the parishrsquos second house of worship since its founding

In 2005 the parish celebrated the 100th anniversary of its founding The community built its first church in 1917 and it served the parish until the com-pletion of the present facility in 1991 Construction began in 1986

At the centennial celebration Archbishop Demetrios officiated at the Divine Liturgy on Nov 5 2005

CHICAGO ndash Orthodox young adults from all over the country will convene Feb 13-15 for the 26th Metropolis of Chicago Young Adult League (YAL) Conference

The theme of this yearrsquos conference is ldquoHeroes Defending the Faith in the 21st Centuryrdquo

The conference held each year during Presidentrsquos Day weekend boasts the most well-rounded young adult conference in the country

The weekend includes social events a keynote address spiritual educational and interactive workshops outreach liturgical services and a Grand Banquet

YAL is a ministry for young adults ages 18-35

It was founded in the 1980s after Archbishop Iakovos identified the need for a ministry for young adults after GOYA (Greek Orthodox Youth of America)

The mission of YAL is to ldquocreate a set-ting where young adults grow spiritually through experiencing the four characteris-tics which symbolize the YAL movementrdquo These characteristics are Worship (Liturg-ia) Witness (Martyria) Service (Diakonia) and Fellowship (Koinonia)

Today the Metropolis of Chicago YAL is under the guidance of Metropolitan Iakovos along with Chris Avramopoulos the director of Youth and Young Adults for the Metropolis

While the annual conference is the

Chicago YAL Welcomes All ldquoHeroesrdquo to 26th Annual Conference

by Christopher Chiakulas highlight of the year the Metropolis co-coordinators Diana Dokos and Alexandria Laris along with the Metropolis Board have set out as their goal an active year-round ministry

ldquoWe have tried hard to make Chi-cago YAL more than just a conference We formed a board of members that are equally excited about YAL and we meet on a regular basis in order to come up with activities that cater to our demographicrdquo said Laris who was also a conference chairperson in 2004

ldquoI feel that often times our 20s can be the lsquolost yearsrsquo where people our age are far away from the church

I feel that doesnrsquot have to be the case and we are working hard to try to reach out to young adults so that they can meet one another form a strong Orthodox network and friendships and remain close to Christ and the Church throughout their 20s and 30s and into the rest of their livesrdquo

The conference will be held at the Marriott OrsquoHare hotel

Registration and the full weekend schedule will be available online at wwwyalchicagoorg

The planning committee is always looking for interested young adults to volunteer their time

For more information on the confer-ence the YAL ministry or to become more actively involved in YAL young adults can visit wwwyalchicagoorg or send an e-mail to yalchicagohotmailcom

BRIDGEPORT Conn ndash A group of young adults at Holy Trinity parish recently started a ministry that functions mostly on two wheels According to information from parishioner Michael Albano the Holy Trinity Cycling Club evolved from an un-derstanding of the needs of the church to reach out to the community

ldquoThe idea emerged by synthesizing the churchrsquos needs with the needs of indi-viduals to stay fit and maintain their health both physically and spirituallyrdquo Mr Albano said Holy Trinityrsquos pastor Fr Demetrios Recachinas noted that the group of young

Unique lsquoMinistryrsquo Combines Faith and Exerciseadults tries to incorporate faith and prayer in their bicycling activity and recently helped with a luncheon for the homeless in Bridgeport Efforts to organize the club began in early May and a number of rides have been held on Saturday mornings since then Duration of the rides can be as long as 20 miles and usually end with break-fast at an area Greek dinerThe current membership of about 30 includes Greek Orthodox Christians and friends from all faiths in Fairfield County Conn The cycling club will resume in the spring For more information call 2037277914

NOVEMBER 200828

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Η Ελληνοαμερικανική οικογενειακή επιχείρηση του Νικολάου Γεωργίου Ρουσάκη από το 1990 με ιδιαίτερη ευαισθησία στους ομογενείς αναλαμβάνει όλες τις αγοραπωλησίες

ακινήτων ενοικιάσεις αντιπαροχές οικοπέδων στεγαστικά δάνεια νομική κάλυψη ασφάλειες τεχνική υποστήριξη

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Ccedilntildethornugraveiacute ETHiumleumlotildeocircaringdivideiacutearingszligiumlotilde 8 Aacuteatildeszligaacute ETHaacutentildeaacuteoacuteecircaringotildeTHORNE-mail rousakisholgr

website globe-real-estatecom

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Globe Real Estate Agency is a Greek-American family business of Nicholas George Rousakis established 1990 Our company has a special sensitivity for Greek-Americans and promises to treat you with the utmost care and respect We handle all real estate related transactions sales rentals building contracts mortgages and financing legal insurance and technical support

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Classified ads Six col umns to a page Single column width is 9 picas (15rdquo) double column width is 19 picas (325rdquo) Camera ready ads preferred DEADLINES Reser vations 25 days before publi cation PAYMENT TERMS All ads are payable in advance unless contract agreement is in effect and account current

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Rare large hilltop parcel 11 plus stremata overlooking sea and val-ley Close to Temple of Poseidon in area of year round and vacation villas Firm price $750000 Last chance before property listed with

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You are invited to participate in a special comprehensive and educational Orthodox

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Byzantine Greece (May18-31 2009)Ancient and Holy in Italy (June 15-28 2009)

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For more details to request pilgrimage-related services and with any other questions

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or wwworthodoxtourscom

DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14

Deadline for submitting items for consideration for the

January 2009 issue is Friday January 9

Send ads to (e-mail) epissalidisgoarchorg or observergoarchorg

To submit news items photos feature items or letters to the editor

by e-mail (preferred) send to jimgoarchorg

or by regular mail to Editor Orthodox Observer

8 E 79th St New York NY 10075

Deadlines

KINISIS Travel amp Tourswwwkinisisusacom bull e-mail infokinisiscom

29-13 23rd Avenue 2nd Floor Astoria NYTel (718) 267-6880 Fax (718) 267-6885

Το έμπειρο προσωπικό μας είναι πάντα έτοιμο να σας βοηθήσει να κάνετε τα όνειρα σαςταξίδια Υπηρεσίες για Κύπρο Ελλάδα Εξωτερικό

Discounted Flight tickets to Cyprus GreeceHuge savings on hotels cruise deals and vacations

Οικονομικά Αεροπορικά εισιτήρια bull Επαγγελματικά Ταξίδια bull Κρουαζιέρες Άμεση εξυπηρέτηση bull Ποιότητα υπηρεσιών bull Ανταγωνιστικές τιμές

General Sales Agent of

DO YOU LIKE THE ORTHODOX OBSERVERHAVE YOU SOMETHING TO SUGGEST

SEND US A FEW LINES

8 East 79th Street New York NY 10075 Fax(212) 774-0239 E-mail observergoarchorg

APRIL 2008 bull Vol 73 bull No 1238

$100

wwwobservergoarchorg bull e-mail observergoarchorg

page 20

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs th

e

Reverend Priests and Deacons the Monks

and Nuns the Presidents and Members of

the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox

Communities the Distin

guished Archons

of the Ecumenical Patriarchate the Day

Afternoon and Church Schools the

Philoptochos Sisterhoods th

e Youth the

Hellenic Organizations and the entire

Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ

Χριστός Ἀνέστη Christ is Risen

It is with love jo

y and gratitude to

God that we greet one another in these

days With the tri

umphant hymn ldquoChrist

is Risen from the dead trampling death by

death and to those in the tombs besto

wing

liferdquo (Troparion of the Feast of Pascha) we

declare the definitive victory over sin

and

death As Orthodox Christians we

celebrate th

e Feast of Pascha each year with

the belief and the knowledge that the

Resurrection of Jesus Christ

remains the

most important event that has ever taken

place in human history A

ppropriately

our Orthodox Church refers to this event

as the ldquoFeast of Feastsrdquo

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

presents us with an awesome and wondrous

demonstration of the great power and

eternal love of God for humankind It is

simultaneously an historic e

vent that

unfolded once in a specific tim

e and

location yet its ramifica

tions exceed the

boundaries of tim

e and continue to hold

far-reaching indeed cosmic levels of

significance B

y His death on the Cross for

our salvation His descent into Hades a

nd

His resurrection Jesu

s Christ has fre

ed all

of humanity from the bonds of sin and

death providing us all with a foretaste o

f

eternal life in Him

In his First Epistle

to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin

ce death came through

a human being

The resurrection of the dead

has also come through

a human being

For as all die in Adam

so all will b

e made alive

in Christ

(I Corinthians 1521-22)The Feast of Feasts

Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS

BOSTON ndash More than a quarter of a million dollars in critical financial aid has been provided over the last 17 years by the Peter Agris Memorial Scholarship Fund to scores of young Greek Americans from across the country seeking to present their Hellenic heritage and their Orthodox faith to our nation through careers in journalism and communications Former recipients now fill the positions of news anchors cor-respondents for major news publications feature writers and others in publishing The efforts of The Alpha Omega Coun-cil of New England which sponsors the scholarship fund together with the Agris family has resulted in $300000 in grants having been made to more than 60 aspiring journalists of Hellenic roots

Comprised of leading businessper-sons of Hellenic ancestry The Alpha Omega Council continues to honor its late founder Peter Agris also the founder and publisher of The Hellenic Chronicle for 50 years the major Greek American national Englishndashlanguage weekly newspaper in this country Agris who died in 1989 was also an Archon of the Church a trustee of Hellenic CollegeHoly Cross School of Theology and an Ahepan

The $5000 non-renewable scholar-ships are presented each spring at the Alpha Omega Councilrsquos Annual Lifetime Achievement Award Dinner during which time a noted individual or organization from within the Greek American commu-nity is recognized for contributions to our Hellenic and Orthodox ideals

Criteria for candidates includes Greek American heritage current full-time enroll-ment as a journalism or communications major at the graduate or undergraduate level in an accredited college or university in the United States active participation in school community church organizations a minimum of a 30 GPA and demonstrated financial need

Candidates may download an applica-tion on the Alpha Omega Councilrsquos website at wwwalphaomegacouncilcom or may write to The Peter Agris Memorial Scholar-ships Committee co Nancy Agris Savage 9 Nonesuch Drive Natick MA 01760 Ques-tions may be directed to nancyasavagecscom Applications transcripts and the required essay must be returned by mail to the above address by fax to 508-655-1402 or by email tonancyasavagecscom no later than March 1 2009

FREEPORT NY ndash The Eastern Or-thodox Committee on Scouting a SCOBA agency is accepting applications for 2009 Eligibility requirements for these awards are registered active member of a Boy or Girl Scout unit bull Earned the Eagle Scout Award for Boys or God Award for girls bull Active member of an Eastern Orthodox Church bull Earned the Alpha Omega Reli-gious Scout Award bull High school senior

EOCS Chairman George Boulukos said the candidates are evaluated on their participation in their church school com-munity and Scouting unit

Emphasis is on scholastic achievement not on financial need

For more information and applications for 2009 write EOCS Scholarship Chair-man 862 Guy Lombardo Ave Freeport NY 11520

Peter Agris Scholarship Fund Helps Aspiring Greek American Journalists

EOCS Provides Scholarships to Outstanding Scouts

In the November issue the photos of the Galveston church hurricane damage were taken by parish council Vice President Anthony Speakman

CORRECTION

cent The Archbishop praised the work of Metropolitan Gerasimos and his care for the faithful and clergy of his Metropolis Recalling his days at Holy Cross School of Theology in Brookline Mass when many of the priests present were his students the Archbishop encouraged the clergy in their sacred ministry and said the Metropolis of San Francisco was ldquoa fertile field for mis-sionary workrdquo

The next morning the presentation and reception of the Holy and Sacred Relics of St Seraphim of Sarov took place The rel-ics of St Seraphim were sent directly from Moscow to Archbishop Demetrios by the express wish of Patriarch Alexy of Moscow and All Russia following a request by St Anthonyrsquos Monastery in Florence Ariz St Seraphim of Sarov is one of the best-known

Archbishop Addresses SF Clergy InstituteRussian Orthodox Saints of the 19th cen-tury and a revered saint in Greece

The Archbishop led a procession to the Church of the Assumption holding the holy icon of St Seraphim with his relics entered the Church and presided at the service that followed

At the conclusion of the service Arch-bishop Demetrios read the letter of Patri-arch Alexy and according to the canonical order of the Church presented the holy relics to Metropolitan Gerasimos who in turn presented them to Fr Paisios the ab-bot of the monastery

Later more than 75 priests participated in a three-hour session held in the Church of the Assumption Archbishop Demetrios offered an edifying lecture entitled ldquoSt John Chrysostom Priesthood and the 21st Cen-turyrdquo followed by an engaging discussion on pastoral issues and concerns

DECEMBER 200830C H R I S T M A S A DV E R T I S I N G S P E C I A L

For reservations amp info contact TravelGroup International 1-866-447-0750 or 561-447-0750 ext 102 or 108 or opacruisetravelgroupintcom Fax 561-447-0510 Office 125 SE Mizner Blvd 14 Boca Raton FL 33432

Experience an Authentic Greek Festival at SeaThis is not your typical cruiseIn addition to the traditional cruise activitiescasinosshows and foodyoursquoll enjoy Greek DancesGreek SingersComedians

Movies Greek FoodA Greek Festival At SeaLectures and More Enjoy themusic of Nick Trivelasas well as the ldquoNight in Athens Triordquofeaturing George

Antonopoulos amp JoannaJoin us in songdance and an occasional ldquoOpardquoas you sail the Eastern Caribbean and celebrate Greece

Only passengers booked through TravelGroup Internationalwill be eligible to attend any and all Private OPA events

PleaseNote

OPA Let the fun begin

Travel insurance is highly recommended Information is subject to change without notice

Sponsored by the Greek Orthodox Mission of OcalaFather George PapadeasPastor

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February 8 -15 2009

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1 FT LAUDERDALE FL 430 PM

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4 ST THOMAS USVI 800 AM 500 PM

5 CASA DE CAMPO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 800 AM 500 PM

6 GRAND TURKS (TURKS amp CAICOS ISLANDS) 1200 PM 600 PM

7 CRUISING 900 AM 600 PM

8 FT LAUDERDALE FL 800 AM

$757RATES STARTAT ONLY

PER PERSON DOUBLE OCCUPANCY

INCLUDES TAXES FUEL

SURCHARGES amp ENTRANCE TOPRIVATE OPA EVENTS

Angelo Tsarouchas

FeaturingTV Comedian amp Actor

wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

2 DECEMBER 2008A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

Published monthly except combined issue in July-August

by the Greek Ortho dox Archdiocese of America

Editorial and Business Office 8 East 79th Street New York NY 10075

TEL (212) 570-3555FAX (212) 774-0239

EDITOR IN CHIEF Jim Golding (Chryssoulis)GREEK SECTION EDITOR

Eleftherios PissalidisPRODUCTION amp ADVERTISING

Eleftherios PissalidisGRAPHIC ARTIST

Abel MontoyaADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Soula Podaras

BUSINESS MANAGER Marissa Costidis

Periodicalsrsquo postage paid at New York NY 10001 and at addi-tional mailing offices The Orthodox Observer is produced en-tirely in-house Past issues can be found on the Internet at wwwobservergoarchorg bull E-mail observergoarchorgArticles and advertising do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America which are expressed in official statements so labeledSubscription rates are $12 per year Canada $2500 Overseas Air Mail $5500 per year $150 per copySubscriptions for the membership of the Greek Orthodox Church in America are paid through their contribution to the Archdiocese Of this contribution $500 is forwarded to the Orthodox Observer

POSTMASTER Send address changes to ORTHODOX OBSERVER 8 East 79th Street New York NY 10075

CONTRIBUTING CORRESPONDENT amp PHOTOGRAPHER Nicholas Manginas

USPS 412340 ISSN 0731-2547

I always assumed that I knew all there was to know about being a Greek Orthodox Christian I have two Greek parents Irsquove grown up in a Greek Or-thodox community and I have Yiayias and a Papou that live nearby

My Yiayia even makes the prosforo for Sunday liturgy (quite an accomplish-ment in my book) What I failed to real-ize was how much more there is to my culture and faith I took traditions at face value never knowing their mean-ing or origin Through the generosity of my parents I was given the opportunity for a sort of ldquogreat awakeningrdquo I was allowed to go to Ionian Village the travel abroad summer camp program of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America It was this camp that would open my eyes to the depth and richness of the Greek culture and of my Ortho-dox Christian faith

Ionian Village gives teens the chance to travel throughout Greece for three weeks Upon arriving in Bar-tolomio (the village in which the camp is located) around one hundred-thirty campers are welcomed to a gated beach community Behind these gates lies a ldquohoriordquo made of white stucco cottages and vine covered arbors

These cottages surround a large tra-pezaria or outdoor dining space and a miniature chapel Near the ldquotraprdquo as we affectionately call our outdoor dining area is an Olympic-size salt water pool hidden by patches of colorful flowers

My Journey to Ionian Village

by Anastacia ldquoAnnierdquo Economou

The Ionian Sea hugs Ionian Village pro-viding campers with their own piece of the clearest bluest water in the world While at the camp teens participate in various daily activities such as Or-thodox life arts and crafts music and Greek culture sports and beach time In the evenings the entire camp joins for a large group activity such as cabin

Olympics or a music festival When we werenrsquot enjoying our own ldquohoriordquo we were out traveling and experiencing the beauty of life in Greece Some of the spots I visited included Meteora Kalavrita Zakynthos Olympia Kefalo-nia and Patras While the camp grounds were breathtaking and camp days were fun-filled the tour days were those that impacted my life the most changing my view of the Greek Orthodox world

One of our travel days included a visit to Kalavrita a town of incredible history and meaning to Greeks The most memorable part of this town was visiting Megaspeileon a monastery near Kalavrita

This monastery holds one of the most ancient artifacts Irsquove ever seen an icon of the Panagia that is said to be painted by St Luke himself I was able to venerate a work done by one of the most significant disciples of our Holy Church

The experience was soul shaking I canrsquot even begin to explain the com-plexity of the many emotions I felt while venerating this icon I stood in front of an icon that the Virgin Mary herself had posed for

This icon is presented in reverse relief Legend has it that Saint Luke felt unworthy and did not wish to look at the Theotokos while he carved her portrait instead looking only at her shadow I stood in front of an icon that had performed miracles survived attacks and withstood fires In that very moment I saw the connection

Annie and friends pose in front of the Parthenon during their sojourn in Athens

One favorite stop on their tour of historic Greece was the site of ancient Olympia scene of the first Olympics in 776 BC

between the seemingly distant world of the Bible and the modern world that I live in today Two worlds that in my mind had no previous tie were instantly united The opportunity that Ionian Village had given me in seeing that holy work is one that I will be eternally grateful for

Not only did Ionian Village help me draw connections between the biblical world and todayrsquos world but also it helped me draw connections between my life as a Greek Orthodox teen in Eagan Minnesota to the lives of other Greek Orthodox teens all over the United States The core beliefs that the campers shared allowed us to form friendships deeper than those with our friends at school

The commonality of our faith provided a basis from which we could form long lasting spiritual relation-ships Although three weeks seems a short time I have no doubt that the friends I made at Ionian Village will be ones that I can count on for a lifetime Who knows perhaps some of my new friends will be nounas and nounos to my future children

I do know that the experiences we shared and the wonders we witnessed connect us regardless of how far away we live from each other

No matter how far away from Greece I am or how much time passes from my trip to Ionian Village there will always be a special place for Bar-tholomio Greece in my heart I will remember my summer at Ionian Village as one of spiritual growth learning and incredible fun

If it were not for the opportunity my parents had given me I am not sure that I would be so confident in my Greek Orthodox faith I am grateful that I was allowed the chance to strengthen my faith and learn about my culture

Annie is a member of St Maryrsquos Greek Orthodox Church in Minne-apolis She is senior in high school 17 years old and enjoys writing reading rollerblading traveling and enjoys visit-ing different tea shops

3DECEMBER 2008






















D PANAGOS

DECEMBER 20084











DECEMBER 2008 5




















































DECEMBER 20086








DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

3DECEMBER 2008






















D PANAGOS

DECEMBER 20084











DECEMBER 2008 5




















































DECEMBER 20086








DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 20084











DECEMBER 2008 5




















































DECEMBER 20086








DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 5




















































DECEMBER 20086








DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 20086








DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 7












Archbishop Appoints

Aphrodite Skeadas

























DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 20088


A RCHDIOCESE NEWS












MERRY CHRISTMAS AND


DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 9

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200810



by Fr John S Bakas














English

Phonetics

CDInside


Sing Alongwith

Thea Annie



























DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 11

page 23

Bible Insight




















Merry ChristMas and






DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200812












and cultural sites








your new friends








DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 13





































observergoarchorg


Tel (212) 570-3555 bull Fax (212) 774-0239



A RCHDIOCESE NEWS

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200814




























page 29





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG





Εικό

να

της

Γεν

νήσ

εως

Μο

να

στή

ρι Α

γία

ς Α

ικα

τερ

ίνης

το

υ Σι

νά

13

ος

αιώ

να

ς


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG


































Ἀμήν








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG








































DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG









DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 19




Joins Foundation


Eagle Scout

Scholarship winners

EOCS winners
















































page 21

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200820





(973) 278-2800BOX 628 PATERSON NJ 07544

bull Fax (973) 278-7943

FilloKataifi





SPECIAL DISCOUNTS



SpanakopitaTyropita


$328 From$228

ONE WAY - FALL 2008

From






From $338




(2 Tim 46-7)












page 21

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 21












Timely Discussions




















page 19

page 20












































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG






































DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 23


with


289$



800-842-8260


395$

One Way απόfrom


otHeR FliGHts


OwnerMarkos

Hatzikonstantis

BOOK NOWAND SAVE


860-296-1722















Marriage and Family





























DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200824







Whatrsquos Up WITH

by Niko Bekris

by Elisabeth Lourie



















GodinCulture
































DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 25



1 800 505 84500030 210 270 0350




LIMITED EDITION











5 CD 1 DVD









LIMITED EDITION












NOW AT

Payments via

US $14900US $14900

US $24900 US $24900
















1-800-9-HELLAS (800-943-5527)


Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

Your Name

Address City

State-Zip Country

Telephone E-mail

FROM OF PAYMENT


Card Number

Expiration Date

Signature

GO8

GO8




DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 200826
































































DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 27







































NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

NOVEMBER 200828


RENT A CAR SERVICES

REAL ESTATE GREECE


UNIQUE PRODUCTS

MUSICIANS

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT





THE BOUZOUKI NIGHTS

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

ADVERTISE IN THE

ORTHODOX OBSERVER

Tel (212)570-3555

observergoarchorg

CALL KENT 1-914-476-3020











(727) 796-8347








THE

(718) 204-0400

of NEW YORK

REV1

1150

2










Astoria NY 11105













Call 011-30-210-600-2809Fax 011-30-210-601-7850








toulatoulabiz











ATTENTION



CAPE SOUNION AREA



Now $4250












DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 29

page 14








Deadlines








SEND US A FEW LINES



$100


page 20


e





guished Archons




e Youth the



Beloved Brothers

and Sisters in

Christ


It is with love jo

y and gratitude to


days With the tri




wing



and


celebrate th




remains the



ppropriately








vent that


e and


tions exceed the

boundaries of tim



significance B



nd


s Christ has fre

ed all



f

eternal life in Him


to the Corinthians

Holy Pascha For sin


a human being



a human being


so all will b

e made alive

in Christ


Tel (212) 570-3555Fax (212) 774-0239


observergoarchorg

SCHOLARSHIPS













CORRECTION













PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG







PleaseNote






February 8 -15 2009











INCLUDES TAXES FUEL


Angelo Tsarouchas


wwwfunnygreekcom

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

DECEMBER 2008 31

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

32 DECEMBER 2008

WWWARCHONSORG

Documents

Orthodox Observer - December 2008