READING, PA – The St. Xenia Philoptochos Society of Sts. Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA had a goal: to raise $100 per member – approximately $11,500 – for the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero. Chapter President Despina Denne happily announced to TNH that thanks to a Benefit Concert held on April 26, over $20,000 has been raised – and the fundraising effort will continue throughout the rest of the year.

The event, titled the St. Nicholas National Shrine Benefit Concert, took place at the Miller Center for the Arts of Reading Area Community College (RACC), organized by a committee of 20 led by co-chairs Denne, Ann Kraras, and Sharon Whitman. The concert featured internationally-acclaimed artists Maria Asteriadou (pianist) and her husband, Kurt Nikkanen (violinist), who both graduated from the prestigious Juilliard School.

The Greek-born Dr. Asteriadou teaches at both the Manhattan School of Music and Kutztown University, Denne told TNH. She has received numerous awards, including first prize at the Maria Callas International Piano Competition.

Nikkanen is the Concertmaster with the New York City Ballet Orchestra and maintains a private teaching studio in New York City, Denne added. He began playing violin at age 3 and made his Carnegie Hall debut at 12. The duo performed an extraordinary musical “journey through time,” which included compositions by Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Schubert, Yannis Constantinidis, and George Gershwin.  The event ended with a catered “Meet the Artists” reception.

The rebuilt church will be known as the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero, and will be visited by the millions every year who come to see the September 11 memorial.

Additional donations may be made payable to “Philoptochos Society” and sent to:

Sts. Constantine & Helen Church

Attn: St. Nicholas Shrine

1001 E. Wyomissing Blvd.

Reading, PA 19611

The post Benefit Concert in Reading, PA Raises Funds for St. Nick’s at Ground Zero appeared first on The National Herald.

PARK SLOPE – The sun was bright, but the smiles on the faces of the students were brighter still – like the future of the Hellenic Classical Charter School (HCCS) they attend – they were celebrating the ribbon cutting that marked the completion of the construction for the impressive educational complex in Park Slope on May 8.

HCCS was born of the efforts of many, but especially of parishioners of the Very Rev. Damaskinos Ganas at the Park Slope’s Kimisis tis Theotokos Church in response to the struggles of its now-closed parochial school. The parish rents the building to HCCS.

Fr. Ganas, justly proud of his community’s achievement – the school is also celebrating its 10th anniversary – told The National Herald the school was for him and the community the realization of a dream.

After the presentation of the colors, the pledge of allegiance, and the singing of the national anthems, Emcee Greg Pappas called New York State Senator Nicole Malliotakis to podium. She congratulated all who made the great day possible, HCCS principal Christina Tettonis not least among them, and who followed with her remarks.

The highlight of the morning was a theatrical presentation by the students – written by Petros Fourniotes and Georgia Kopani – depicting Greece’s contributions to civilization and the fulfillment of the community’s hopes for HCCS.

Among the proud and delighted speakers were HCCS School Board Chairman Charles Capetanakis, George Svokos, trustee of the Agnes Varis Charitable Trust which funded the fine stage that speaks into the impressive school gymnasium, Greek Consul General Manos Koubarakis, Kimisis Parish Council President Angelos Mallas, and Andrew Gounardes, who represented Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams.

Marty DiPasuale, VP of the HCCS student government, who had been waiting three years for the big day expressed the gratitude and excitement of his classmates.

The post One Vision Realized, New Dreams Engendered at HCCS in Brooklyn appeared first on The National Herald.

I first learned of Father Raphael Morgan in quite a roundabout manner. His fascinating personal journey and the legacy he has left to Eastern Orthodoxy across the planet is singular, to say the least. This is no simple tale. So, I will just begin with my discovery of this totally unique individual and then trace it all back to what has been reported on Morgan’s life and works.

It was while in graduate school that I kept hearing about the book, East African Rebels: A Study of Some Independent Churches, by Frederick Burkewood Welbourn (London: SCM Press, 1961) from my Africanist colleagues. Given my interest in all things Greek, I was told repeatedly about the “rebels” in question. These individuals were the leaders and members of three independent churches among the Buganda people of Uganda and a number of the Kikuyu in Kenya. Having broken from the Anglican Church, Reuben Spartas Mukasa (1899-1982), a Muganda and a number of his friends and followers introduced the African Orthodox Church (AOC) into Buganda in 1932.

Founded in the United States in 1921, the African Orthodox Church was and remains a primarily African-American denomination. Today, it is said to have approximately 15 parishes and 5,000 members, down significantly from its peak membership. The AOC was founded in the belief that black Episcopalians should have a denomination of their own. On September 28, 1921, in Chicago, IL Episcopal rector George Alexander McGuire (1866-1934) was consecrated a bishop of the AOC. At the time of McGuire’s death on November 10, 1934, the AOC claimed some 30,000 members served by about fifty clergy in thirty parishes in the United States, Africa, Cuba, Antigua, and Venezuela.

Published accounts report that Mukasa had been in correspondence with McGuire as early as 1919. This correspondence dealt with the questions on Orthodoxy with McGuire sending literature on the AOC. In due course Mukasa and his friends became convinced that Eastern Orthodoxy was the religious tradition they had been seeking. McGuire directed them to Bishop Daniel William Alexander who lived in South Africa. Musaka arranged the visit of Bishop Alexander to Uganda which proved to be the occasion when he and three others were ordained as Orthodox priests.

But as later events were to reveal Bishop Alexander was a Uniate and not a bishop of the Orthodox Church. Compounding this discovery was the fact that McGuire (and so the AOC) was not in communion with the Eastern Orthodox Church. Mukasa broke with the AOC and went to Alexandria where (in time) he was ordained by Patriarch Christophorus II the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria. One of the greatest chapters in the history of the contemporary Eastern Orthodox faith is the ongoing spiritual interaction between the faithful in Cyprus and the United States with these east African spiritual rebels since the 1930s.

By this time you must be asking yourself, “where does Father Raphael Morgan fit into this larger picture of modern Orthodoxy?” While the events that I am about to describe occurred in anything but a straight line Morgan holds the distinction of being the first African-American Orthodox priest in Western Hemisphere. Stated so plainly this man’s life and actions could be reckoned as nothing more than a side-note in the broader history of modern Orthodoxy—but it was not so understood as such at the time.

On August 2, 1907, the Holy Synod in Constantinople approved that Raphael Morgan be baptized the following Sunday in the Church of the Life-giving Source at the Patriarchal Monastery at Balıklı. The Metropolitan Joachim (Phoropoulos) of Pelagonia (1859 – 1909) officiated at the sacrament, and Morgan’s sponsor was Bishop Leontios (Liverios) of Theodoroupolis, Abbot of the Monastery at Balıklı.

On August 4, 1907, Robert Morgan was baptized Raphael before 3000 people and subsequently ordained a deacon on August 12, 1907 and then, finally ordained a priest on the feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos, August 15, 1907. The Holy Synod sent Father Morgan back to the United States with vestments, a cross, and 20 pounds sterling for his traveling expenses. The minutes of the Holy Synod from October 2, 1907, state that Father Morgan was to be under the jurisdiction of Rev. Demetrios Petrides of the Evangelismos Greek Orthodox Church in Philadelphia.

As we shall see his personal journey and his documented interaction with others such as McGuire, Marcus Garvey and a host of other notable African-American leaders, intellectuals and clergymen has left a unique legacy in the modern world.

Morgan’s tale is in fact so unique, a quote about the man that sees endless citation notes that: “the Morgan story is so utterly improbable that one tends to dismiss it as a hoax.” And for a man so unknown to the majority of the Orthodox faithful it is again surprising how much has been written about this “forgotten” figure.

Let us begin with this man’s beginning. Robert Josias Morgan was born in Chapelton, Clarendon Parish, Jamaica sometime between 1864 and 1871 to Robert Josias and Mary Ann (née Johnson) Morgan. Since Morgan was born six months after his father’s death he was named in his father’s honor. Morgan was raised in the Anglican tradition and received elementary schooling locally. Little is reported of this period in Morgan’s life.

It is only with the onset of his teenage years that Morgan begins what proves to be a lifetime of travel. First the young Morgan travelled to Colón, Panama, then to British Honduras, back to Jamaica, and then to the United States. At the moment no public records why or even how young Morgan could afford such travels. There is even some uncertainty as to the sequence of these movements and the locations he visited. It has been presumed Morgan traveled in this haphazard way to gain an education. Most sources report that at this point Morgan went to Germany where he worked as a Christian missionary.

Next the wandering Morgan went to England, and while the exact sequence of these events is not documented, he joined the Church of England becoming not long after a minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME). Some sources allege that Morgan was sent by the AME to Sierra Leone to the Church Missionary Society Grammar School at Freetown.

Morgan was always poor how he even managed to survive is an ongoing mystery. Yet Morgan supported himself in Freetown as second master of a public school. There was a drive and intent in Morgan’s action that none of the articles or accounts I have read so far can explain. Wherever Morgan traveled it was always remarked that he was an avid one could almost say obsessed student. It is often noted that Morgan while in Liberia “studied Greek, Latin, and other higher-level subjects.”

It is known that while in Liberia Morgan took a course in the Church Missionary Society College at Fourah Bay in Freetown. The presumption is that at this point Morgan met one of the many remarkable religious figures that were to enter his life. Based upon his success in his course work Morgan was appointed a missionary teacher and lay-reader by none other than the Episcopal Bishop of Liberia, the Right Reverend Samuel David Ferguson (1842-1916). Ferguson was the first African-American elected a bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America. Of this period Morgan would later recall that he had served five years in West Africa, of which he spent three years in missionary work.

After this Morgan again visited England for private study, and then traveled to the United States to work amongst the African-American community continuing as a lay-reader. He was accepted as a Postulant and as candidate for the Episcopal deaconate. It is reported that during the canonical period of waiting period before ordination, Morgan returned to England to study at Saint Aidan’s Theological College in Birkenhead, and finally prosecuted his studies at King’s College of the University of London. Nonetheless, these colleges do not contain records of his attendance.

Morgan returned to the United States, and on June 20, 1895 was ordained as deacon by the Rt. Rev. Leighton Coleman (1837-1907), Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Delaware, and a well-known opponent of racism. Morgan was soon appointed honorary curator in St Matthews’ Church in Wilmington, serving there from 1896 to 1897. Apparently, money problems still plagued Morgan since he also found it necessary to procure a job as a teacher for various public schools.

Morgan’s personal history, after his return to the United States from Liberia, will become more significant as we review his contacts with Father George Alexander McGuire, Marcus Garvey and other notable African-Americans. For the moment it is enough to report that by the turn of the 20th century, Morgan seriously began to question his faith, and began intensive systematic study of Anglicanism, Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodoxy to discover what he felt was the true religion. As we shall see Morgan’s conclusions still resound through the Eastern Orthodox faithful across the planet.

The post Strong in Faith: Life and Acts of Father Raphael Morgan appeared first on The National Herald.

MILWAUKEE– Rev. Angelo Artemas is leaving the Annunciation parish in Milwaukee, WI after three years of service there. He succeeded Rev. James Dokos, who has been charged for theft from the trust of a former parishioner. Fr. Artemas refused to cover up the problem as was the wish of his superiors, and he sent his correspondence with the Metropolis Chancellor Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos to the Attorney General’s Office.

In a TNH interview, Fr. Artemas verified the Herald’s information about his transfer and he clarified that he requested the transfer.

“I am leaving,” he said. “I have been here three years, a difficult three years. I used to be in New York in the 1990s and I was very close at the time to Chroepiskopos Alexios and we had an occasion to speak about a month ago. He offered me to come to his Metropolis in Atlanta. I requested that from my Metropolis of Chicago and they granted the release on May 1^st, for July 1^st. I don’t have a specific assignment form His eminence Metropolitan Alexios, but I am gratefully at his service. He will let me know within the next couple of weeks.”

What made this such a difficult three years? “The background is well known, from your coverage,” he said, “but let us leave it at this: the parish has financial difficulties and has conflict with the Metropolis of Chicago.”

He said “the parish is upset. They were hoping that I would stay longer.” They are wrongly interpreting that he was transferred against his will, Artemas said, and so they are upset with the Chicago Metropolis, but in general they are upset to see him go.

Regarding Fr. Dokos, Artemas said “there is going to be a trial in early October, I believe on October 5^th, and I am sure when October comes the parish will be paying more attention to that. But right now, we are at working out our financial difficulties including on negotiating with the bank about our mortgage.”

But isn’t this a vibrant, thriving parish? “That was the perception,” Artemas explained, “but it was a wrong perception. The reasons are numerous and they are not for me to enumerate.”

Are the financial problems due to Dokos? “It certainly did make an impact, parish, but it is not the whole story,” Artemas said. “The rest of the story is that parish councils and priests should work together and keep each other accountable. Parish councils should keep an eye on the finances and keep themselves and the priest accountable also.”

As for the Chicago Metropolis’ reaction to Artemas’ transfer request, he said they have been fair and compliant, and he would not speculate as to whether they are relieved.

PATRIARCHAL COUNCILS

Where does Artemas see the Greek Orthodox Church in America heading? “I know that pre-Councils and Councils are coming,” he said. “Patriarchal Councils and Symposia and other things coming up. I have my own opinion but I am curious to see what comes out of these meetings and symposia and Councils.

“At the end of the day, I place a high value what is done at the local level and I think local laymen and priests need to be locally supported not just by the parishes but also by their hierarchy so they can do the real local work that hopefully builds the whole Church.”

MARRIED BISHOPS

What about restoring the Church’s ancient tradition of married bishops? Artemas says

“it is a fascinating tradition and historically, there was a time that the presbyter and the bishop had very similar if not parallel roles. I think it may be time to consider older married priests, whose children are older, and who have proven themselves in parish ministry, to become bishops.”

GAY CLERGY

Where does Artemas stand on ordaining priests, bishops, and metropolitans who are known to be homosexuals? “That is a loaded question,” he responded. “I will borrow a phrase from Pope Francis and first and foremost I would say: ‘who am I to judge?’ Whatever orientation, those who take the vows of marriage should honor the vows of marriage and those who take the vows of celibacy should honor the vows of celibacy.”

As for, say, a bishop who is a “practicing homosexual,” then, Artemas says: “I would hope that his superiors will take up that issue because again it indicates a lack of respect for celibacy and the monastic tonsure, whether it is with a man or a woman.”

MONASTICISM

Regarding monasticism, and especially with the Ephraimite movement in the Church and parishes, Artemas said that “just last week, probably one of the most respected monastics of the last one hundred years, Fr. Roman Braga of the Romanian Archdiocese, passed on to the eternal life. I had met him numerous times. I had been in his lectures and retreats. It is clear that monasticism is valuable, honorable and beneficial to the Orthodox Faith. I think there is a danger when monasticism becomes condemning, judgmental, extreme, and fundamentalist. If that what is coming out of the Ephraimite monastery, then it is not a benefit to the Church.”

The post Rev. Angelo Artemas is Leaving the Annunciation Church in Milwaukee appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON – Archbishop Demetrios of America in an interview with TNH said that he doesn’t see anything wrong that the newly-appointed president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross (HCHC) Rev. Christopher Metropoulos is a koumbaro of Tomas Lelon, who was Chairman of the Presidential Search Committee. Lelon has baptized Fr. Metropoulos’ daughter, and is also is the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Metropoulos was chosen among 41 candidates, which included other priests, businessmen and experts in administration.

Archbishop Demetrios defended the process which was followed and called it “exceptional,” and emphasized that there is nothing to be concerned about. Demetrios is Chairman of HCHC’s Board of Trustees.

The interview with Archbishop Demetrios follows:

TNH: Your Eminence, how do you feel about the selection of the new president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross, Rev. Christopher Metropoulos?

AD: An exceptional process was followed. The fact that we had 41 candidates is not accidental. Consequently, I say clearly that we are very grateful and proud about the process.

TNH: Tomas Lelon is the koumbaro of the newly-selected president. Do you see anything wrong here?

AD: Nothing whatsoever. Mr. Lelon had nothing to do with Fr. Metropoulos’ selection.

TNH: Your Eminence, I remind you that Mr. Lelon was Chairman of the Search Committee tasked to find the School a new president.

AD: Mr. Lelon was President of the Search Committee, but he was not the kind of president who would direct the process towards a certain direction, and I am saying this responsibly. Do not write this mistakenly…

TNH: I will write exactly what you are telling me.

AD: When they mentioned it to Mr. Lelon, he said “If you think that I shouldn’t be [on the Committee]…” I told him “Are you kidding?
TNH: Therefore there is no problem as far as you are concerned?

AD: Yes, there is no problem.

TNH: What are your impressions regarding HCHC’s graduation ceremony?

AD: It was a very nice graduation ceremony. The participation was bigger this year due to the departure of Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou from the School’s presidency. We had a very good graduating class, about 30 students from the Theological School,. We had fewer from Hellenic College.

TNH: Do you have a strategy in place to increase the number of students in Hellenic College and the Theological School?

AD: Yes. And not only there is a strategy, because many times strategies are abstract things, but at this moment the strategy has advanced and with what we know thus far, we anticipate to have a significant increase in the number of students coming in September.

TNH: Do you have such an assurance?

Archbishop Demetrios: Certainly.

TNH: How are HCHC’s finances?

AD: The finances are something that we try to improve and I will tell you, very bluntly, that if you write good things, it will help.

TNH: I will also ask you very bluntly, are all these employees needed? Isn’t $12 million per year to operate the school a lot of money?

AD: Look, now with the coming of the new president there is a capability…The trustees the recent years have functioned much better. In other words, there is a significant [improvement] and I am saying this to you as an academician, not as the archbishop.

(Translated from the original Greek)

The post Abp. Demetrios Speaks to TNH of Holy Cross Theological School appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The Spring Luncheon of the Archdiocesan Cathedral Philoptochos Society is one of events the community in New York looks forward to. The attendees on May 14 were mainly women, but the men who attend always enjoy the gathering that promises both fellowship and cultural enrichment.

Guests are also pleased to support a good cause: the Philoptochos scholarship fund that benefits Cathedral School students.

Eleni N. Gage, who just published her third book – a novel titled The Ladies of Managua – was the latest distinguished author to fill the dining room of the Loeb Boathouse for the Society, but the venue itself, nestled next to a pond in Central Park at its most lush season was also a magnet.

And there is also the food. One guest referred to partaking of “the filet mignon” of the year for Greek events.

Catherine Moutousis invited Fr. John Vlahos, the Dean of the Cathedral, to offer the invocation and then acknowledged the presence of Amb. Vasilios Philippou, the Consul General of Cyprus and his wife Anthea, Anthousa Iliopoulos, the wife of the Consul General of Greece, Jenifer Constantin. the Philoptochos President for the Direct Archdiocesan District, Dean Poll, president of the Board of Trustees of Holy Trinity Cathedral, and Maria Sereti of the Onassis Foundation (USA).

Moutousis announced that the event raises funds for the $10,000 the chapter provides for the scholarship and said “we greatly appreciate your continuing support and generosity that makes it possible.”

She also thanked the luncheon chairpersons, Bia George and Antonia Rigopoulos and the Board members “for making the event a great success,” and they in turn thanked their committee members.

Mary and Peter Kalikow, who underwrote the purchase of Gage’s book that the guests received as gifts and the Soupouta/Zervoulioas Foundation, who paid for the flowers, were thanked, as were other sponsors.

Bea George introduced Gage, “the author of three fascinating and heartwarming books.”

Gage, a proud member of the Cathedral community, thanked Philoptochos for the invitation and gave a shout out to Dr. Theodore Kousoulas, the Head of the Cathedral School, which her daughter attends.

Before sharing the story of her book, which the program noted “follows three generations of women, each hiding her own secret,” she declared that all 270 women in attendance “have incredible stories to tell.”

Anticipating questions about how a Greek-American girl could write a book about Nicaragua, she blamed the fanouropita that brought her Nicaraguan husband Emilio – and father of her two children – into her life.

Her first novel, Other Waters, was about a woman with roots in the Indian subcontinent, so a less humble person could have answered – with justice in her case – “it’s a gift.”

Emilio was the source not only background but content.

Isabella, the matriarch among The Ladies of Managua, beloved mother and grandmother Isabela, was modelled on the life of his own grandmother.

After overcoming her annoyance over her husband’s delay in telling her the fascinating story, she got to work, much of it during seven months she lived in Nicaragua.

Gage’s tale. which is not only a fascinating exploration of what people on the most intimate terms do and do not know about each other, also sheds light on the dramatic changes countries can undergo in short periods of time.

Growing up, people invest much time energy figuring out the rules of society, she said, but what happens when – as in Nicaragua in the 1980s, after Anastasio Somoza was overthrown – a revolution changes all the rules?

Among Gage’s gifts is creating characters the reader comes to care deeply about, so that by the time the final, moving, sentence is read the reader will feel that she – or he, the book, which , illuminates many Venus mysteries would be a bestseller on Mars too – has become part of the family.

The extended reception prior to the luncheon was an opportunity for old friendships to recover from distance and time and for new ones to be established. The guests also were pleased with the booths proffering fashion items and flowers and raffles, proceeds from which, along with raffle earning, contributed to the cause.

Among the vendors was a noted florist named Carolina.

Apropos of Gage’s opening comments that every woman there had a fascinating story to tell, Carolina told TNH she was once a stock analyst.

“I can’t tell you how much happier I am doing flowers…Flowers bring beauty and happiness to my life and into everybody else’s life,” said the woman who has degrees both in finance and art history.

There is a connection. Politicians need to be both analytical and creative, and her father had risen to the top ranks of…Nicaragua. Can you remember his name?

While Carolina could illuminate much of the reality Gage talked about, what she emphasized to TNH was that “The people are beautiful.”

Helen Nicozisis, who was the first woman president of the parish council of the Annunciation Church in Lancaster, PA and now lives in Florida, traveled far “because I believe in the Philoptochos cause and all they do with the funds that they raise as part of our wonderful Greek Orthodox heritage.”

The post Eleni Gage Delights Philoptochos Gathering With Story of New Book appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON– The 73^rd commencement ceremony of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC) was dedicated to its retiring President, Rev. Nicholas Triantafilou. The ceremonies began on the morning of May 16 with Matins followed by the Divine Liturgy at Holy Cross Chapel officiated by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.

The commencement took place in the Pappas Auditorium with the invocation offered by the archbishop. Greetings were offered by Tomas Lelon Vice Chairman of the HCHC’s Board of Trustees, Greek Consul General of Boston Iphigenia Kanara, National Philoptochos President Maria Logus, who gave a donation of $100,000 for scholarships to theological students, and Leadership 100 Chairman George Tsandikos, which gives $1 million per year for scholarships.

Fr. Triantafilou was honored with an honorary degree of Doctor of Theology and he was thanked for his 15 years of service as HCHC President. Appealing to the graduating class, Triantafilou said “you are part of Christ. You have received the spirit of Christ in order to transmit it to the parishes” and he urged the graduates “to continue to study”.

Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the blessing and the wishes of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the graduating classes. He also conveyed the complacence of the Holy Eparchial Synod to the outgoing Triantafilou and read a long letter enumerating his achievements at the School. At the end, the members of the Holy Synod who were present at the commencement ceremony signed the letter of complacence.

Other clergy at the ceremony included Metropolitans Methodios of Boston, Alexios of Atlanta, Evangelos of New Jersey, Savas of Pittsburgh, and Gerasimos of San Francisco. Bishops Antonios of Phasiane, Chancellor of the Archdiocese, Sebastian of Zela Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Demetrios of Moskissos Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago, retired Bishop Demetrios of Xanthos, Bishop Kyrillos of Abydos, visiting professor of Canon Law from the University of Athens, and Bishop John of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.

Rachel Contos was the valedictorian for Hellenic College and Peter Hasiakos for the School of Theology. There were 34 graduates from the Theological School: 26 received the Master of Divinity, 5 Master of Theological Studies, and 3 Master of Theology, and a20 graduated from Hellenic College.

The choirs of Hellenic College and  Holy Cross also participated.

On May 15, a farewell dinner was held in Triantafilou’s honor at the Marriott Hotel in Newton.

The post HCHC’s 73rd Commencement Dedicated to Triantafilou appeared first on The National Herald.

[I met Rev. Spyridon Papademetriou a few years ago at the Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA. When I told him my name, he explained that he read my columns in The National Herald regularly. Ever since then, we spoke often after church services. He was always very friendly and sociable and had a great sense of humor. Fr. Spyridon was an avid reader of the Herald, as is his daughter, Ourania “Rainy” Papademetriou, about whom we featured an article just a few weeks ago (“Rainy Papademetriou is Running for Judge in Philadelphia: May 19,” Apr. 18). She told me that her father was “thrilled” to read that article. Three days before his death, she won the primary election for a judicial seat on the Philadelphia Court of common pleas. Her father’s biography, which she provided to TNH, follows.  Constantinos E. Scaros ] 

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Rev. Spyridon C. Papademetriou of Wyomissing, PA, age 89, passed away on May 22, at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia.  He served as a parish priest with great distinction for over 60 years and is a member of a family of Greek Orthodox priests and presveteras who for decades have been at the forefront of service to the people and the families of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

He was the former pastor of St. Matthew’s Greek Orthodox Church in Reading, PA  from 1974-1998 and during his retirement he served as an assistant pastor at the Saints Constantine and Helen Church also in Reading.  He previously served as pastor of the Annunciation Church in Newburyport, MA for 8 years and of the St. Spyridon’s Church in Newport, Rhode Island for 15 years before moving to Reading.

Rev. Papademetriou was born on September 25, 1925 in the Petralona region of Evritanias Karpenision Greece to Rev. Constantine and Presvetera Ourania Papademetriou.  In 1945, after graduating from the ‘gymnasion’ (high school), he was invited by Archbishop (later Patriarch) Athenagoras to study at the Holy Cross School of Theology in Pomfret, Connecticut.

His transatlantic trip to the United States began on January 9, 1947 from Piraeus, Greece. The Archdiocese in New York arranged for Fr. Spyridon and 10 other candidates for the seminary to travel to America aboard a war cargo ship, the Middlebury Victory.  At midnight on January 26th, while crossing the stormy and turbulent Mediterranean Sea, the ship went aground off the coast of Marseilles, France. The French navy rescued the passengers and crew and brought them safely to shore. The trip to America resumed one week later and the Atlantic crossing concluded on March 3rd when the ship finally reached Baltimore harbor. The “almost drowned” students were welcomed with much love and concern by the Greek-American community and Father Philotheos Ahladas of Baltimore. All in all, the journey from beginning to end lasted 54 days.

Archbishop (later Patriarch) Athenagoras welcomed the eleven students at the Archdiocese in New York. After lunch, a student from Pomfret, the late Father Homer Demopoulos of Reading, packed everyone into a station wagon and transported them to the seminary in Connecticut. The eleven new students finally reached their destination and were joyfully welcomed by Bishop Athenagoras Kavadas, the legendary co-founder and first dean of the school, and the student body who had been misinformed that there were no survivors from the shipwreck. In fact, the faculty and students at the school had already chanted a Memorial Trisagion for the eleven seminary candidates!  Of the eleven students that travelled together on this trip to study at the seminary in Pomfret, there are now only two survivors remaining:  Reverend Constantine Bebis and Reverend Demetrios Constantelos.

In 1951, Father Spyridon was ordained into the Holy Priesthood by Archbishop Ezekiel Tsoukalas and was assigned to serve the Church of Annunciation in Newburyport. He eventually was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Theology in 1953 and a Bachelor of Divinity in 1956. He also took courses at the Harvard School of Divinity and studied church history and patristics under the internationally known Russian theologian Georges Florovsky.

In 1959 Father Spyridon was reassigned to serve Saint Spyridon’s Greek Orthodox Church in Newport, RI. Following a fifteen year pastorage there, he was transferred to Saint Matthew’s in 1974 where he served as pastor for twenty-three years. During Father Spyridon’s pastorage at Saint Matthew’s, the mortgage was paid in full, the 25th Anniversary of the parish was successfully observed in 1993, and $65,000 was raised to restore the church’s steeple in 1996.

Father Spyridon comes from a family of priests. His late father, Rev. Constantine Papademetriou, was a young teacher and priest in Greece when in 1938 Ecumenical Patriarch Benjamin sent him to help minister to the young and growing Greek Orthodox Church in North America.  He served parishes in Burlington VT, Massillon, OH, Moline IL, and Clairton, PA.  His brother, the Reverend Dr. George C. Papademetriou, served as a devoted pastor to the needs of his parishioners at various parishes of the Archdiocese and is the former Director of the Library and a Professor Emeritus at Hellenic College and School of Theology in Brookline, MA and a leading author of many books and articles regarding the Eastern Orthodox faith.

In 1959 Father Spyridon was awarded the honorary title of “Sakelarios,” the initial title awarded to a married parish priest. In 1965, Archbishop Iakovos honored Father Spyridon with the title of “Economos,” the second-highest title for a non-celibate priest entitling him to wear a Pectoral Cross. In 1971, upon completion of twenty years as a parish priest, Patriarch Athenagoras of Constantinople named Father Papademetriou “Protoprebyter of the Ecumenical Throne,” the highest honor bestowed upon a married Orthodox priest. In 1986 he was designated Priest of the Year by Bishop (later Metropolitan) Maximos and the clergy of the Pittsburg Diocese. In 1991 he was honored by the local Chapter of the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA) on the fortieth anniversary of his Ordination and in 1992 he received the Alumni Citation form his alma mater, the Holy Cross School of Theology, for his distinguished ministry to the Lord and His Church.

Father Spyridon has been active in both ecumenical and civic affairs throughout his ministry. In Newburyport, early in his pastoral career, he served as Director of the Newburyport Public Library. Later in Newport, he served as Auxiliary Chaplain for the Eastern Orthodox Priests Association as well as the Aquidneck Island Ministirium.  He represented St. Spyridon’s Church at a special Te Deum Service on the lifting of the Anathemas by the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches at the Cathedral in Providence. He offered the invocation at the Inauguration of Governor of Rhode Island John H. Chaffee (later a United States Senator). In Reading, Father Spyridon served as Director of the Greater Reading Council of Churches, President of the Greater Reading Ministirium, a member of the Community General Hospital Pastoral Care Department, a director and member of the Board of the American Lung Association of Berks County, a member of the Ecclesiastical Family Court of the Diocese of Pittsburg for Southeastern Pennsylvania, and President of the Orthodox Council of Churches of Eastern Pennsylvania which embraces all ethnic Orthodox churches of the area.

Father Spyridon opened the Pennsylvania State Senate with a prayer, upon invitation from the late Senator Michael O’Pake and on many occasions has offered the invocation at the opening of Reading’s City Council meetings. Additionally, upon invitations from Congressman Gus Yatron and Senator Arlen Spector, he has offered a prayer to open both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, respectively. He is also listed in the “Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans” and the “International Who’s Who in Community Service.”

Father Papademetriou’s wife of 59 years was Metaxia (Zerveas), who was born in Detroit, MI and raised in Platza, a region of Sparta, in Southern Greece. She returned to the United States in 1948. She and Father Papademetriou met in Mount Vernon, NY and were married in July 1949. As the wife of a Greek Orthodox priest she bears the title “Presvetera”. Aside from serving in the Ladies Philoptochos Society, which tends to the many charitable and hospitable activities of the parish, she served as the “mother of the parish”, embracing church members young and old. She worked tirelessly alongside her husband to enhance the spiritual and community life of each parish they have served

Father Spyridon was predeceased by Presvetera Metaxia and also by his son, Constantine and brother John.  He is survived by his daughter, Ourania, and her husband Jon Belisonzi and his son, Stylianos-John, and his wife Diane (Innis) and also by his beloved grandchildren Eleni and her husband William, Spyridon Alex and his wife Jacqueline, Lisa, Metaxia, and Cassandra, and by his adored great-granddaughter Lola.  He is also survived by his adored sister Olga Marudas and his brothers Rev. George and his wife Presvetera Athanasia, Evangelos and his wife Lucia, and Alkiviades.  In addition, he leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews and cousins both here in the United States and in Greece.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Rev. Spyridon and Presvytera Metaxia Memorial Scholarship at Hellenic College Holy Cross, 50 Goddard Avenue, Brookline MA 02445.

The post Rev. Spyridon C. Papademetriou (1925-2015) Served 54 Years as a Priest appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – On May 27, one day prior to World Hunger Day, members of the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society will mark the occasion at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, by assembling 12,000 meals in partnership with the Feeding Children Everywhere, an organization that provides materials to package individual nutritious meals.  Hoping to engage families and communities in their philanthropic work, husbands, children and friends of Philoptochos members will join the women in this hands-on activity.

The event is one of many organized by the Philoptochos Society to meet the recent challenge set by National Philoptochos President, Maria Logus, to serve 250,000 meals by next summer in a new Feeding the Hungry initiative. According to President Logus, “Feeding the homeless and the hungry will not only provide nourishment to those we serve; the physical act of giving will feed our souls and our spirits as well.”

The effort builds on established outreach programs already offered by Philoptochos chapters throughout the country. New and ongoing programs include serving those in need at church halls and soup kitchens, and on city streets, such as:

• One night per month, the Philoptochos chapter of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA delivers brown bag meals to about 50 youths living on the streets of Hollywood.
• In Charlotte, NC, the St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church Philoptochos recently met in their church to assemble hundreds of sandwiches to feed those served by a local soup kitchen.
• Philoptochos women from the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Christian Church are among those from Orthodox parishes in the Kansas City, MO area who alternate providing meals every Friday for a community meal in the inner city. Those who come to eat are served hot meals, in a restaurant-like setting.

Georgia Vlitas, head of the Feeding the Hungry initiative, said, “The challenge invigorates our mission to help those in need.  Developing programs to provide a one quarter of a million meals will have a lasting impact.”

Follow the progress of Feeding the Hungry on social media through #250thousandmeals.

To observe or photograph the May 27 Philoptochos Society Feeding the Hungry event to mark World Hunger Day (May 28) or for more information, contact:  Rania Richardso,Communications Manager, Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society. Email: rrichardson@philoptochos.org    Phone: (212) 977-7770 x203.

PRESS RELEASE

The post NY Cathedral Philoptochos World Hunger Day Feeding Project on May 27 appeared first on The National Herald.

[The speech delivered by Andreas C. Dracopoulos, co-President of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation and one of the National Herald’s guests of honor at its 100^th anniversary celebration on May 22 at the New York Public Library. The Herald selected Dracopoulos to deliver the address on behalf of all of the honorees.]

Your Eminence, Senator, official guests, dear co-celebrators,

Today, we have gathered all together in this temple of education and knowledge, the central library of New York, to celebrate a great anniversary for Hellenism!

First of all, we have to congratulate my good friend, Anthony Diamataris, owner and publisher of the Greek National Herald, a real herald and messenger, which this year celebrates 100 years of life, 100 years of hard struggle, to maintain Greek language, Greek education and culture, and the Greek soul. 100 years of keeping company to each one of us that luck brought us to the opposite side of the Atlantic Ocean, thousands of miles away from the motherland. A herald, who during these 100 years has stood by us tirelessly and reliably, with dignity and respect. A herald, who continues to build a strong foundation in order to continue its mission and its purpose for another 100 years and hundred years more, and 100 more on top of that.

Thousands of years ago, Cicero, the Roman philosopher, had said “The language of the Gods is the Greek language.” The German poet Goethe followed by saying “what the mind and the heart is for a human being, Greece is for humanity,” and the German poet and philosopher Schiller added “Damned Greek, you found everything; philosophy, geometry, physics, astronomy… you left nothing for us.” The American poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant said “We are the pupils of Greece’s great men, in all the principles of science, morals and of government.” Victor Hugo said “it is great to descend from Greece, the land that gave the light to the world.” Voltaire, “Defend Greece because to them we owe our lights, our sciences, and all of our virtues.” The Russian writer Tolstoy “without Greek studies there is no education.” Robert Kennedy, “let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago … to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life in this world.”

How is it possible not to be proud of this heritage? And yet it seems that we still have not realized that together with the pride that we rightly carry with us, we must also understand that we have a huge responsibility to our ancestors, our children and the whole world. The responsibility not to rest on the laurels of our ancestors, the responsibility to work hard and in a moral way, in order to pass a healthy baton to our children. On this, let us not forget that the Diaspora is a branch of the motherland. In these difficult times, the burden of responsibility for Hellenism everywhere is even heavier, and I am sure that all of us are fully aware of our responsibilities. Do not let the lyrics of the Greek singer Sotiria Bellou “I leave bitter, leaving you behind, a lost piece of wood in the midst of the sea. I can’t keep shedding my blood for a country gravely ill” do not allow these lyrics to give us any excuse. All of us must, without any exceptions, continue to offer our best, for a better tomorrow for everyone.

I also would also like, in turn, to warmly congratulate the other co-honorees: Nick Andriotis, Evangelos Gizis, Stella Kokolis, Dr. George Kofinas, Philip Christopher, Protopresbyter Demetrios Constantelos, Dr. Spiro Spireas, Nikos Tsakanikas, and the late Theodore Spyropoulos. You make us proud!
I also would like to appeal to all co-travelers: do not forget how valuable our language is. If it is forgotten, it will be lost. If it is lost, a huge part of our Hellenism will be lost as well.

Again, many congratulations and a happy centennial to Anthony Diamataris, his family, and his colleagues in the National Herald, together with a big thank you for the great work it does every day.

In closing, and firmly believing in the effectiveness of the right partnerships, I would like to say that we are watching closely the developments in relation to the Parthenon Marbles. We will in turn contribute to the degree possible, so that the marbles return home. We will do everything in our power. Thank you!

The post Dracopoulos Speaks of NH Achievements and the Future of the Diaspora appeared first on The National Herald.

Bishop Anthimos, born Anthimos Drakonakis on the island of Crete, has fallen asleep in the Lord.

A bishop of the  Archdiocese of America, Anthimos “has been the subject of controversy and is now assigned in retirement to the Diocese of Olympus of the Ecumenical Patriarchate,” according to Orthodox Wiki.

Anthimos of Olympos had served as Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York before he was elected bishop on April 16, 1977.

From 1977 to 1979 he was the bishop of Pittsburgh and in 1979 he was enthroned as Bishop of the Diocese of Boston. In 1983 he was transferred to, and enthroned as the first bishop the Diocese of Denver, and in 1987, he was left the Denver without further assignment.

“On July 13, 1992, Bp. Anthimos was returned to active service by the Holy Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,” Orthodox Wiki reported.

The National Herald will publish viewing and funeral information when it becomes available.

The post Bishop Anthimos Passes Away appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON, MA – Retired Bishop Anthimos of Olympos died at age 81 at his home in West Yarmouth, MA on May 29, probably from heart failure.

Born as Georges Draconakis in Castelli, Crete on November 19, 1934 to Nicholas and Kalliope, he was drawn to the church from a young age and followed the calling of the Lord. He was a graduate of the Patriarchal Theological School of Halki where he received his Theological degree.

He was ordained to the Diaconate in 1954 and to the Holy Priesthood in 1956. He was elevated to the rank of Archimandrite in 1959. He served parishes in Belgium, where he studied at the Catholic University of Louvain. From 1960 to 1969 he was assigned to the Archdiocese of Germany in several capacities and served parishes in Berlin and Nuremberg before being appointed as the Archdiocese Vicar.

In July, 1969 he arrived in the United States as was appointed as the parish priest of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Clinton, MA. During that time, he continued his education at the Harvard Divinity School. In July, 1971 he was appointed Dean of the Archdiocesan Cathedral in New York City, where he served until his election as Bishop in 1977. From then through 1979 he served as Bishop of the Pittsburgh Diocese. Anthimos was enthroned as Bishop of the Diocese of Boston in April 1979 and served there until 1982. Due to accusations and articles in the mainstream media for inappropriate sexual behavior involving the young daughter of his chancellor, the late Rev. George Gallas, he was transferred to the Diocese of Denver in 1983 where he remained until his retirement from active ministry in 1987.

The Ecumenical Patriarchate granted him the title of the Diocese of Olympos.

Bishop Anthimos was a close friend of His Eminence Metropolitan Anthony of San Francisco, of blessed memory, both having been born and raised in Crete. Anthimos was a frequent visitor to the Metropolis of San Francisco. He loved attending the annual Folk Dance and Choral Festival and was a great supporter of Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center and the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life Giving Spring in Dunlap, CA.

He is survived by his brother, Rev. Konstantinos Draconakis, who had served as a priest in Germany for many years, and is now retired and resides in Crete.

Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, who was ordained to the Diaconate by the late Bishop Anthimos in a written statement stated that “upon learning of the passing of His Grace Bishop Anthimos, I could not help but reflect on our many years of friendship and collaboration, and especially on the day of my ordination to the Holy Diaconate at which His Grace Bishop Anthimos was the presiding Hierarch. He was a man of deep faith who was dedicated to our Hellenic culture, and loved his homeland of Crete. He was a devoted servant of the Lord for 61 years, and always remained focused on bringing the word of the Lord to everyone he served. It is my fervent prayer that His Grace Bishop Anthimos is now resting eternally in the loving embrace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Nondas Lagonakis from Salem, who was Anthimos’ closest friend for many years told TNH that “I spoke with Fr. Peter Giannakopoulos from the St. George church in Cape Cod, who told me that they had a luncheon arrangement for Friday afternoon (May 29), but the bishop didn’t show up and he didn’t call, which was not typical of him because he was always on time in his meetings. Fr. Peter called him but there was no answer and thus he went to his residence he knocked on the door and there was no answer. He contacted the authorities and when they opened the house they found the Bishop lying there dead.”

Lagonakis also said “we were very good friends for many years. I met him when he came to the United States as a priest. He was a very dynamic man, hard worker, and very learned. I spoke to him on Wednesday night, May 27^th, and told him that I would be waiting him to have dinner together on Sunday, May 31^st. He sounded well, he told me that he was going to go to Crete for the summer and that he was getting ready to send a container, which had some extra space in case I wanted to send something to Crete as well.”

Bishop Anthimos’s wake will take place at the Holy Cross Seminary Tuesday June 2, 2015 from 4 to 8PM and at 7PM Archbishop Demetrios will officiate the Trisagion.

The late bishop will be laid to rest in his village in Crete.

The post Bishop Anthimos Dies at 81 appeared first on The National Herald.

[The following is the English text of the letter sent by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to Antonis Diamataris, Publisher-Editor of the National Herald, on the occasion of the newspaper’s 100th anniversary. The letter, including another in Greek, was read by Archbishop Demetrios of America on the gala celebration on May 22.”]

The esteemed Antonis Diamataris, Publisher-Editor of the National Herald, published in New York, our beloved son in the Lord: grace and peace from God be with you.

It is with paternal joy that we received your dear letter dated February 12, 2015, submitting to the Mother Church and us the information regarding the completion this year of an entire century since the first publication and uninterrupted circulation in America of the respected newspaper, the National Herald, currently managed by you.

In your letter to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, you observe that this “historical event is dedicated to the Greek community and those who made this miracle possible,” namely the publication for one hundred years of a community newspaper for the wider distribution of news about the activity and growth of our Greek Orthodox people there.

It is true that, since the migration for over a century of thousands to the “New Continent,” numerous offspring of our pious Nation have become prosperous and distinguished through hard work and despite difficulties, attaining their livelihood as well as their success in their professional but also their broader social and academic life, preserving their identity always under the inspired guidance of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America of our Ecumenical Patriarchate, while also recording their historical journey through the columns of the National Herald, which is now celebrating its hundredth anniversary.

The National Herald has undoubtedly played a pioneering and significant role in the field of informing our community in America for a century by becoming a bond between the Greek community and metropolitan Greece, as well as a herald of the immortal values of Orthodoxy and our devout Nation, which are represented by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

As is known, in order for a publication of our community to be established and validated within the inexorable rules of the market, especially in America, it was obliged to cover many needs of the early migrants, beyond merely providing political and general information as well as conveying news from the lands of origin of its readers. The National Herald managed to become the voice of the Greek community, the permanent reminder of language, the timely disseminator of information, the voice of Orthodoxy and especially of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the promoter and supporter of community and Greek positions generally.

The presence of your newspaper in the American political and social life, as well as its effort to advance and advocate rightful community requests over the decades of the wars, but also the recognized support of young people in the domains of culture, commerce, politics, business, education and the like – all of these are of course admirable.

In the commendable course of its first century of existence, through the manifold care and concern as well as the tireless efforts of its inspiration and founder – but also its various directors, occasional editors and many journalists the National Herald reached its current enviable position, also thanks to the many years of service and solid managerial talent of its present leader, esteemed and beloved Mr. Diamataris, inasmuch as, with stable and determined steps, you make use of every technological progress, every new form of electronic and printed information as well as with a wide network of journalists and correspondents, who provide praiseworthy success and broad circulation.

Our Patriarchal blessing and the prayers of the Mother Church, as we follow the steady – both upward and forward – growth of the National Herald, also turn to the memory of those no longer living, yet who contributed to what you, Mr. Diamataris, called “a miracle,” as well as to your continued success in the new century that now opens up and which we hope will be equally worthy of its earlier heritage and tradition.

We bestow on your esteemed direction and the collaboration of your colleagues, as well as all readers of the National Herald our paternal and Patriarchal blessing, and invoke upon you the grace and boundless mercy of God.

The post Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Lauds Ethnikos Kyrix “Miracle” appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – An in-depth and extensively-cited study of religious affiliation of Americans published on May 12 by the well-regarded Pew Research Center found that the number of Americans who identify themselves as Christian is on the decline, while the number of American adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing.

The findings from interviews with more than 35,000 Americans concludes that the percentage of adults who describe themselves as Christian has dropped by nearly eight points – from 78.4% to 70.6% since Pew’s last survey just seven years ago. The fastest-growing religious affiliation are the “nones” as Pew’s findings call them – those who do not affiliate or self-identify with any organized church or religion. Not surprisingly, more and more young adults – millennials – identify themselves in this “none” category.

The study’s results provided some interesting insight on the state of Orthodox Christianity in the U.S., as compared to other Christian and non-Christian faiths, including:

• Orthodox Christians have the most wealth, on a per capita basis, compared to other Christian denominations. Approximately 29% of Orthodox Christians have a household income of more than $100,000 per year, as compared to 19% of Catholic households and 14% of Evangelicals. When including non-Christian groups, 44% of Jewish households have an income of more than $100,000 and 36% in Hindu families.
• Marriage rates were down 6% overall, but Orthodox Christians marriage rates are down more significantly than other religious groups. In 2007, 58% of Orthodox Christians identified themselves as married, compared to 48% in 2014. In comparison, marriage rates for Catholics were down 6%, for Protestants down 4% and Jews down 1%. Marriage rates for those who identified themselves as Atheist were down 3%.
• The Orthodox Church seems to be more impacted by interfaith marriage than other religions. Hindus are more likely than any other religious group to have a spouse or partner with the same religion (91%), 82% of Mormons, 79% of and Muslims, and 75% of Catholics and Evangelical Protestants are married or living with a partner have a mate who shares their religion. For Orthodox Christians, that number is only about half at just 53%.
• Orthodox Christians have the highest concentration of first-generation born Americans at 40%, significantly more than other Christian groups, compared to 27% of Catholics and 8% of Protestants. Muslims have the highest concentration of first-generation Americans at 61%, and 26% of Buddhists are first-generation immigrants.
• Orthodox Christians have one of the lowest rates of retention across Christian and non-Christian denominations. Only 53% of adults who were raised in the Orthodox Church still identify themselves as Orthodox Christians. Compare that to Hindus (80%), Jewish (75%), Mormon (64%) and Catholic (59%).

The post Orthodoxy On the Rocks in America? appeared first on The National Herald.

BOSTON – Rev. Christopher Metropoulos, the newly-appointed president of Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology (HCHC), granted his first exclusive interview to TNH in which he addressed  many and serious issues confronted the Schools.

He also spoke about his vision concerning the Theological School. Fr. Christopher discussed the issues of homosexuality and pederasty in the clergy with reference to the recent scandal caused by Rev. Adam Metropoulos, a priest of the Metropolis of Boston who was pastoring for the last thirteen years at the St. George parish in Bangor, ME.

Metropoulos, who will assume his presidential duties on July 1^st also discussed the search committee’s selection process and he verified TNH’S information that he is a “koumparo” to Committee Chairman Tomas Lelon, appointed to that position by Archbishop Demetrios. Christopher was chosen among 41 other candidates.

The interview follows:

TNH: How do you feel about your selection to the HCHC presidency?

CM: I am very humble. I was there for the interviews at least for the last segment when it became public who the two candidates were, and that day I began meeting with the faculties and students and staff. I went to Chapel with the students, I prayed during the Orthros, I went before the icon of Christ in the Chapel, which is the same icon I stood in front of 35 years ago, so there was a feeling then of unworthiness of becoming a priest and then now going back as I have been selected to lead the School is a very humble experience.

TNH: When did you learn that you had been selected for the presidency?

CM: I received a phone call the day that the Executive Committee, the Presidential Search Committee, and the full Board of Trustees met to have the official election. Archbishop Demetrios, the Chairman of the Board, called me that afternoon.

TNH: What did say?

CM: He said: “I want to inform you that you have elected unanimously by the Board of Trustees to assume the position of president; you are president-elect until Fr. Nicholas Triantafillou steps down, and then you become the president.

TNH: Do you know who the other 40 candidates were?

CM: I do not, because it was a confidential process. I must tell you that I was very impressed with the process itself, it was kept completely confidential.

TNH: Speaking about the process, were you interviewed by Demetra Manis over the phone?

CM: Yes she was one of the individuals I spoke with during the process.

TNH: Isn’t that  bit strange? Manis, a layperson, interviewing  an accomplished  clergyman for the position of the President of the Theological School? After all the Theological School is no just a Department store or a perfume company.

CM: You have red all the communiqués that have come out of the School with the number of candidates that applied and then the Search Committee went through its process. The Committee was appointed by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios. The Presidential Committee responds to the Executive Committee and the Executive Committee did the report.

TNH: I understand that, but I am asking you specifically about the interview over the phone by Mrs. Manis.

CM: No, I didn’t find anything strange about it. If Archbishop Demetrios had confidence in her abilities, he had checked her background – she is quite an individual – personally I didn’t have any problem. She was very good; she was very encouraged, very concerned about the future of the Church and I found her to be professional and a person of integrity.

TNH: Fr. Christopher, we are talking here about the Holy Cross School of Theology, and not about a commercial corporation, like a department store.

CM: I understand what you are saying, but again, I was perfectly fine in process.

TNH: What are some of your immediate priorities upon assuming the presidency?

CM: There are two things I think that will very much outline the first months on campus. There two central points to my presidency. The first is the faithfulness to the sacred calling of the School and that is the increased focus on the School’s core, an identity, a place of worship, a spiritual formation, and preparation for Christian leadership – both lay and clergy.

TNH: Does the School have a clear mission today?

CM: I believe it does. I don’t think it has been shared enough and it might be because of Fr. Nick’s [Triantafillou] inability because of his illness to fully be involved, but the School and the Church has stated very clearly what its mission is through the process of the strategic plan.

TNH: What is the purpose of the existence of the School for you?

CM: Number one, faithfulness to the sacred calling. The second is a bold adaptation for the future. Being faithful sometimes means we don’t need to change to serve the Church and the world and the students in the 21^st century. Some changes will be necessary, a bold vision that takes advantage of what I feel are tremendous opportunities out there represented by technology and partnerships. Possibly new degree programs, and working with the faculty and the administration.

TNH: Has the departing president apprised you of the School’s condition, financially and administratively?

CM: I asked for many items. They shared the bylaws, the strategic plan. They have begun under the direction of the archbishop and Dr. Lelon to prepare transition books from each of the offices so that I am completely brought up to date on the budgetary issues as well as the enrolment. As you know, those two are keys to HCHC’s success.

TNH: Do you think that a $12 million annual budget for HCHC, which has only 170 in the two schools combined, is a lot of money?

CM: I don’t know enough yet to tell you that for sure, but I do know that enrollment needs to go up.

TNH: How are you going to increase enrollment? Why do you think Fr. Triantafillou was not able to achieve that despite all the proclamations he was making all these years?

CM: Fr. Triantafillou is a legend within the Archdiocese and he has sacrificed his entire life for the Church. I have the outmost respect for Fr. Nicholas. We know the last two years of his ministry at the School have been very, very difficult.

TNH: Do you think the School has neglected the Greek-American community?

CM: No. If anything, the Greek-American community needs to know more about the School.

TNH: With all due respect to Fr. Triantafillou, he spent most of his time traveling to find money and students, He was rarely present on campus. Why wasn’t he successful in getting more students all these years, excluding the last two years he was ill?

CM: Fr. Nick did his best and I am not here to criticize Fr. Nicholas.

TNH: I did not hear anything from you all this time about the Hellenic Heritage, the Greek language; it is not included in this faithfulness to the calling you have mentioned?

CM: When we say faithfulness to the call I use the terms Hellenic College and Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, Greek is a given, it is not something that it is excluded intentionally or unintentionally. The Greek language is a part of it. Every priest coming out of the School who will serve the Greek Orthodox Church must know the Greek language. Frankly, it behooves everyone to learn the Greek language so they can study Scripture and be able to converse in the Greek language.

TNH: Would you bring in some students from Greece?

CM: I have no problem bringing students from Greece. The problem is how to fund students?

TNH: The same way we fund students from the United States. The Leadership 100 is acting actually as HCHC’s fundraiser.

CM: It is one of the fundraisers.

TNH: What do you think the relationship should be between the School and the Eparchial Synod?

CM: I do not know where you are heading with that question, but I do know that every member of the Eparchial Synod is a member of the Board of Trustees.  They are an integral part of the School.

TNH: Where do you stand on the issue of homosexuality and pederasty?

CM: I don’t think feel that it has any place in this conversation; we are talking about the presidency of the School.

TNH: The School had problems and a recent one was Fr. Adamantios Metropoulos from Bangor, ME.

CM: The Church is very clear in the relationship of a man and a woman and their correct sexuality.

TNH: Let me ask you this way, would you accept students at the School of Theology who are known homosexuals or pedophiles.

CM: I would be hard pressed to do that, I do not know legally if I can stop that, but I say to you that the choice of that lifestyle has no place either at the Seminary or in the College.

TNH: Are you related in any way to Dr. Lelon?

CM: Dr. Lelon and his wonderful wife, Alexis, are the Godparents of my oldest daughter, Eleni.

The post HCHC’s New President, Rev. Christopher Metropoulos, Speaks to TNH appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The Orthodox Christian Studies Center Benefit Cocktail Party at Thalassa restaurant in Lower Manhattan was a celebration of what has been achieved in a short period of time after OCCS was officially founded by Dr. Aristotle Papanikolaou and Dr. George E. Demacopoulos in 2012.

According to its website “The Center serves as a locus of curricular, research, and outreach activities related to the interdisciplinary study of Orthodox Christian traditions,” and its first milestone was the establishment of the Archbishop Demetrios Chair in Orthodox Theology and Culture, a position held by Papanicolaou.

Valerie K. Longwood, OCSC’s Director of Development thrilled guests at Thalassa when she announced the second.

After welcoming the guests she said, “I invite you back on Monday October 5th when Dr. George Demacopoulos will be awarded Father John Meyendorff and Patterson Family Chair of Orthodox Christian Studies.”

That brings “Two, fully-funded, permanently endowed chairs of Orthodox Christian studies. As long as Fordham exists, we will have two senior scholars whose teaching and writing is dedicated to Orthodox Christian studies,” Longwood said to loud applause.

The gift came from Solon and Marianna Patterson, longtime supporters of Demacopoulos’ work, who like Papanicolaou, has an infectious zeal for the Center’s mission. Longwood spoke of “the vision they share, that if they created a robust, well-funded center for Orthodox Christian studies, people will want to support us – and here you are!”

She thanked everyone for their presence that evening and at other events, including lecture, conferences and panel discussion on topics such as Russian president Vladimir Putin and Orthodoxy in Russia and special events like the visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Papanicolaou expressed his gratitude for the support of the guests, who were enjoying fine food and fellowship. “It is a fine and fun night, being together to celebrate a wonderful initiative and vision.”

Rather than make his usual presentation about the origins and plans for the future the Center, which were known to most present, he chose to acknowledge some key people in his life.

“Thirty years ago Father Alex,” Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, “said to me ‘go to Fordham.’” Today his response sounds ironic: “I never heard of Fordham.”

A visit was arranged, and he was very impressed to have had a private visit with the president of Fordham, “but I was more impressed with the person who arranged that for me, a remarkable, remarkable woman name Stella Moundas,” he said.

She was technically the president’s secretary, but Papanicolaou said that after serving so many for decades “she was really the president” of the University.

He said she not only took care of the Greek Orthodox students who came to her – he called out a few who were present – “she reached out to the Greek students.”

“She was also a smart, strong woman and she brought the Fordham Jesuit community together with the Greek Orthodox community with Archbihsop Iakovos, Metropolitan Silas and Father Alex.”

Papanicolaou acknowledged her family and said “it is a privilege for us to honor her memory, and to honor it forever and ever, we created the Stella Moundas Award for Orthodox Christian Service.”

The first recipient was Michael Palamara who will continue his studies at Holy Cross in Brookline, MA. Papanicolaou said “He was committed heart, soul and body to everything that he did,” as a leader of the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, which at Fordham “he took to a completely new level.”

Demacopoulos invited Stephen Freedman, Fordham University’s Provost to offer remarks, who said “It is a pleasure and privilege to be at these events because there is no center at the university that is has the same impact as the OCSC.”

Demacopoulos spotlighted this year’s initiatives, including the new journal they will launch.

He emphasized the honor and the challenge constituted by the Center’s winning the prestigious National Endowment for the Humanities matching grant. “We have to raise $1.5 million and we are at $1.2 million – we are almost there.” That night, they got even closer.

After ticking off a list of more initiatives, Demacopoulos said “we have the absolute commitment of Fordham University, but they more resources because. “We need your continued support,” he said. Like a good steward, after thanking all the donors…he asked for more.

He concluded by saying “Everyone go and thank Jerry Makris,” the owner of Thalassa, for his hospitality.

Gregory Stamos, the Supreme Counsellor for AHEPA, and an Archon, was there to support the Center, with which he became enamored while his daughter was a Fordham student. He said “Spirituality is the linchpin of what we do, but scholarship is what enables us to grow and move forward.”

Ted Klingos, an Archon whose wife Linda is also an alumna, told TNH “I was honored that George and Telly [Papanicolaou] asked me to be a member of the advisory council. It’s a wonderful thing is to see the work the Center does.”

The post Fellowship and Praise at The Orthodox Christian Studies Center Reception appeared first on The National Herald.

BROOKLYN – The parish council of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Brooklyn dismissed Michalis Kakias from his position of the Director of the Afternoon Greek School, after seven years of service.

The Council provided no specific reason to him for the dismissal, other than that “a change was needed.” Kakias also teaches Greek in the parish’s Greek Day School and, as of this writing, continues in that capacity.

TNH asked Kakias about why he was dismissed. He replied: “Fr. Gerasimos Makris called and announced it to me. I don’t know the reason; nobody has said anything to me. You have to ask the parish.”

Makris, Holy Cross’ presiding priest, told TNH “it is a matter of the Parish Council. After examination the decision was made that it was time for a change at the school.”

Fr. Makris added that there was “no compelling reason. There is no a scandal or anything like that, just that change is taking place.” He added that Kakias will continue teaching in the Day School for the remainder of the year, and that contracts are renewed every year and, of course, the School Committee oversees that.”

The post Holy Cross in Brooklyn Dismisses Greek School Director appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – The historic 65^th graduation of The Cathedral School (THS), the day school of Holy Trinity Cathedral in Manhattan, was marked with a moving ceremony on June 8.

As the students and their friends and families waited in the Church lit with candles and the light of the setting sun, Archbishop Demetrios of American entered, walking down the center aisle escorted by Fr. John Vlahos, Cathedral Dean, and Theodore P. Kusulas, Head of the School.

During the reception in the undercroft that followed, the Archbishop said “we did not have Pomp and Circumstance,” the traditional processional music by Sir Edward Elgar, “we had joy and success,” a reference to both the achievements and prospects of the graduates and the future of the school following the first year of Kusulas’ tenure.

After the invocation two students, Nikiforos Papadopoulos and Manolis Lambrakis joined Head Chanter Athanasios Minetos in singing the hymn of Pentecost.

Of the graduates, Fr. Vlahos declared “we are exceedingly proud of them,” and told the guests “We thank each of you for your love and support of our school, where we hope we have offered the best education in the most pleasant and encouraging environment for them to grow as wonderful and dignified human beings. Hopefully many lasting friendships and connections that will lead into high school, college, and beyond.”

Pride overflowed the nave for a very gifted and promising graduating class that included Amanda Burch, who won the Presidential Award for Academic Achievement (PAAA), Nicholas Klederas (PAAA), Dwayne Lewis (PAAA), Kit Mattikow, Leander Moe, Presidential Award of Academic Excellence (PAAE), Comptroller’s Award of Service (CAS), Eleftheria Papadopoulos, (CAS), (PAAE), Panagiotis Persianis, Valedictorian (PAAE), and Kristen Saintilus (PAAA).

When he invited Panagiotis Persianis to make the valedictory address, Kusulas anticipated the humor that spiced the student’s address by quipping that while the former was accepted by the prestigious public Stuyvesant High School, he has chosen to spend his parents’ money,” at the renowned Horace Mann private school. The principal’s smile also reflected pride in a student he called “a truly gifted individual.”

With humor and passion, Persianis spoke of his experience at TCS – he spent the last two years there – beginning with an enumeration of “its extraordinary assets. The first is its community spirit.”

He remembered the warm welcome he received on first day of class from his news classmates and teachers “I never received such a warm welcome before.”

He praised the school’s first class teachers, all of whom he named, and told them “thank you very much for your incredible support.”

The valedictorian said he most appreciated the way he was challenged intellectually and was urged to care for others and the rest of society, and for the dedication of the Greek department, who made sure “we all speak and feel Greek.”

Persianis also highlighted the talents of his classmates, and noted that he also learned much from them, a sentiment echoed by Kusulas and validated by the Archbishop.

He praised his mother, called his father “the best dad in the world,” and said his sister was his biggest cheerleader.

The Direct Archdiocesan District Office of Education presents the Three Hierarchs Award of Excellence in Greek Language and Culture at area schools and teacher Elisavet Tsakou awarded it to Persianis, who was also given the Philoptochos Valedictorian Award, a cash prize, by Catherine Moutousis, Cathedral Philoptochos President, and Dr. Miranda Koufinas.

Each spring the Philoptochos luncheon raises $10,000 for TCS scholarships.

Kusulas introduced the salutatorian, Eleftheria Papadopoulos, who was one of two graduates who attended TCS since nursery school, and explained that her function is to greet and salute the graduating class.

Papadopoulos began her speech with a number: 14,000. That is her estimate of the number of hours – excluding extracurricular activities – she passed at TCS since nursery school, which she called her second home.

She knows every student in every class by name, so that the place where she was imbued with the love of the Greek language and Hellenic culture also became a second family.

The guests were touched when she cited her classmates individually and highlighted their talents, budding artists, scientists, musicians, mathematicians, athletes, and dancers, to name just some of their fields of endeavor where they can be expected to shine given the top high schools which will be lucky to have them as students.

She herself was presented the Parents’ Association Salutatorian Award by Bill Mihas and Live Diakolios, outgoing and newly elected presidents respectively.

Kusulas explained that as the new Head of School, he was inspired to create an award by that name, but he chose to call it the TCS Spirit Award for “the student that exemplifies the creative force and spirit that we have created here.”

The first winner was Kristenn Saintilus, “a young lady whose pride and perseverance” and love of learning were sparks that enabled her to meet her potential.

Archbishop Demetrios was very impressed with the ceremony and the students’ presentations. “These were not middle school quality speeches, nor even high school caliber, these were college level speeches,” he said, adding Persianos’ blending of serious themes and humor marked him as a fine speaker.

The Archbishop noted that “a good school replaces ignorance with knowledge,” and that TCS has helped the students build “a tremendous foundation with Hellenic traditions that go back at least 5000 years.”

He urged them to flee from the “ignorance is bliss” philosophy modern life tempts people with. “There is no such happiness,” he said, and challenged them to add to the world’s stock of knowledge.

“Getting knowledge and wisdom might be painful. It necessities work and long hours, and the omission of the easy pleasures of life, but there is no reward equal to the reward of the knowledge and wisdom imparted by God to the people who look for it.”

The post The Cathedral School in Manhattan Celebrates 65th Graduation appeared first on The National Herald.

TARPON SPRINGS – Father Anastasios Gounaris, the pastor of the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Tarpons Springs Florida, has abandoned his parish and the active priesthood and has fled to an unknown destination. The National Herald has received information indicating that he has gone to Greece.

Fr. Gounaris announced his decision through e-mails to Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and the members of the community. According to the latest information, his date of departure was Thursday, June 11.

The community of   St. Nicholas Cathedral is distraught, and there apparently was a superhuman effort to keep the news from leaking out.

Last Sunday the Liturgy was celebrated by Fr. James Rousakis. During communications with Fr. Rousakis, he refused to comment and referred TNH to the Metropolis of Atlanta.

Fr. Gounaris had served the community of St. Nicholas for a year. He was transferred there from the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York after outrageous developments that Fr. Gounaris reportedly provoked.

More information to come.

The post Fr. Gounaris Abandons Tarpon Springs Parish; He Has Gone to Greece appeared first on The National Herald.

NEW YORK – Father Andreas Vithulkas has been appointed as pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Brookville, NY. Bishop Andonios of Phasiane recently made the announcement at a clergy Syndesmos meeting in the presence of Archbishop Demetrios.

Fr. Vithulkas will celebrate his first liturgy in Brookville on July 1 on the feast day of the Agioi Anaryroi, the anniversary of the his ordination by Metropolitan Savas Pittsburgh when the late Father Emmanuel Gratsias, the parish’s founding pastor, co-celebrated.

The first Sunday liturgy for the new pastor, who replaces Fr. John Vlahos  – he served from May 2008 through June, 2014 and is now the Dean of Holy Trinity Cathedral – will be on July 5.

Fr. Vihulkas will celebrate his last liturgy at the Church of the Holy Trinity of Bridgeport, CT June 28. He had he replaced Fr. Demetrios Recachinas, who was removed due to a sexual scandal. Fr. Vihulkas is credited with helping to heal the parish and put it back on a good path.

The Church of the Resurrection consists of 375 families and was established in 1976. Until 1981 the parish held services in the facilities of the Methodist Church of Glen Cove. In 1981 the community moved to a new sanctuary in Glen Cove. It 2005 its current home opened in Brookville.

The post Fr. Andreas Vithulkas Appointed Brookville Pastor appeared first on The National Herald.