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Photo: Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I embrace.
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July 4, 2010
Independence Day
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this annual observance of Independence Day, we give thanks to God for the spiritual freedom we have in Christ and for the freedom we have in this nation in which we live. As people of faith we are recipients of the grace of God, which frees us from the bondage of sin and death and enables our ascent to restoration and eternal communion with Him. As citizens and residents in the United States of America, we are beneficiaries of a form of government that recognizes both the political and social freedoms inherent to each of us as human beings.
One of these freedoms is religious liberty. Over two centuries ago, many of the framers of our political system realized that this was a necessity for the stability and function of the new government and that it was a right belonging to all in relation to freedom of conscience and the pursuit of truth. In the process of establishing the new nation, it was apparent to the framers that the country had many different religious groups. They were well aware of the dangers of adjoining one religious tradition with the power of the state. These modes of governance that were based on coercion often resulting in oppression and exclusion, had led many to leave their homelands and come to America. The framers also believed that freedom of conscience expressed in religious belief, speech, and association was not a threat but a right of each and every person and should be protected from the power of government. None of this was an attempt to inhibit the vitality of religion, as in fact many of the framers recognized the moral and communal role of religious faith in contributing to a strong citizenry. The primary motivation was religious liberty—the freedom of each and every person to choose, to believe, to practice, and to offer and share with others without fear of the interference or oppression of government.
As Orthodox Christians living in this nation, we have and continue to share in this freedom. We gather as communities, worship and minister freely, build churches and schools, and share our faith with others. In addition to our faithfulness to God and our determination to cherish and share what He has given us, religious liberty has contributed to the vitality of Orthodox Christianity in America. May we give thanks for this, and may we use our freedom as an opportunity to participate fully in our faith and to share the Gospel with all.
May we also be mindful of those who labor for faith and ministry within societies that have a problem with religious liberty either as a right or as an essential element of a free society. This is the political context that continues to challenge and heavily press our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate and especially His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Governments, commissions, and world leaders have addressed these issues and continue to champion the necessity of religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. However, more must be done.
As Orthodox Christians in America and as beneficiaries of religious liberty, many of you have offered warm prayers and precious services to our Ecumenical Patriarchate recognizing its needs as well as the importance of religious freedom. I give thanks to God for your precious contribution and pray for His continued guidance and strength in these efforts. Let all of our faithful throughout the United States, all of us who live in a free society and cherish religious liberty, pray and continue to increase our assistance. Now is a critical time to voice our support, to encourage leaders in government, and to guide awareness into action. May we do this in gratitude for the freedom we have, for the sake of the Church and the Gospel which we are called to share, and for the glory of God.
With paternal love in Christ,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
Web: http://www.goarch.org - Email:
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CWNews.com - Pope Benedict XVI said that he would encourage the Christians living in the Middle East “to keep the faith and, despite numerous sacrifices, stay in the land were they were born.” He urged the Christians who had emigrated from the region “not to forget their origins, especially their religious origions.”
The Holy Father made these remarks in a June 25 talk to representatives of the Aid Agencies for the Oriental Churches (ROACO). He thanked the group for helping to maintain the Christian presence in the region, as well as for help in preparing for the October meeting of the Synod for the Middle East.
The Pope drew attention in his remarks to the “Christians who suffer violence because of the Gospel,” especially in the Middle East. He said that world leaders have a duty to promote the rights of religious minorities and the security of all believers.
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The Rev. Eugene Yackanich has been chosen as the administrator to run the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh until Pope Benedict XVI names its next archbishop.
"I was surprised and honored," said Father Yackanich, who had gone into the meeting of the archeparchy's College of Consultors with someone else in mind. The meeting was held after Friday's funeral for Metropolitan Basil Schott, who died June 10. Archeparchy is the Eastern Catholic term for archdiocese.
Eastern Catholic churches are self-governing in union with the pope, but with liturgy and customs resembling those of Eastern Orthodoxy. Their process for selecting a new bishop differs from that of Latin Catholic dioceses. The Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh is the only self-governing Eastern Catholic Church headquartered in the United States.
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The visit began on Sunday June 13, when Archbishop Demetrios concelebrated the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. Seraphim of Sarov and Sts. Cyril and Methodios in the city of Bardejov, with His Beatitude Archbishop Christopher of Prague and all Czechia and Slovakia, His Eminence Metropolitan John of Presov, His Grace Bishop Savas of Troas and His Grace Bishop Paisios of Goritze (Poland).
Following the Liturgy, a blessing ceremony for the new church bell tower was held. Later the Mayor of Bardejov Dr. Boris Hanuscak had a very warm welcome and an informative discussion with His Eminence in City Hall. In the afternoon, Archbishop Demetrios accompanied by Archbishop Christopher and Metropolitan John, visited the “Wooden Home,” an important local museum and the small chapel there dedicated to the Three Hierarchs, where a local choir performed religious songs and hymns.
On Monday June 14, the University of Presov bestowed upon Archbishop Demetrios an Honorary Doctorate of Theology during a touching ceremony attended by many members of the academic community of Slovakia, the dean of the School of Theology Rev. Dr. John Zozulak, other officials, faculty members and many students and guests. That evening Archbishop Demetrios paid an official visit to Metropolitan John of Presov and Slovakia at the diocesan headquarters. The two church leaders discussed the challenges the Orthodox Churches face in America and in Slovakia.
On Tuesday June 15, the Archbishop delivered an address as part of the Biblical conference organized by the School of Theology at the University of Presov entitled “The Social Work of the Church.” In the evening the Archbishop at the invitation of Metropolitan John of Presov visited the Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky during the vespers service and offered a short address to the congregation.
On Wednesday June 16, His Eminence with Bishop Savas and Archdeacon Panteleimon escorted by Dean John Zozulak and church officials visited three parishes in the towns of Svidnik, Stropkov and Medzilaborce, situated in an area of fierce battles during Word War II. In the town of Medzilaborce the Archbishop visited the Orthodox orphanage of St. Nicholas, which offers a very impressive service to the approximately 80 children enrolled.
Upon his return from this trip Archbishop Demetrios expressed his deep appreciation and high esteem for the people of the Orthodox Church in Slovakia who offer a strong witness of the healing and constructive power of the faith, especially in view of the extremely hard times and persecutions they went through for decades.
GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
www.goarch.org - Email:
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June 19, 2010 - The following are excerpts (with links) of news accounts in the media:
Archbishop Schott Laid to Rest
By Tony LaRussa
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Metropolitan Basil Schott, the head of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, who devoted his life to bringing people of faith closer to God -- and each other -- was laid to rest Friday.
Hundreds of people packed the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall for the divine liturgy to honor a man who exuded warmth and caring.
"Archbishop Schott will be truly missed in Pittsburgh," said Pittsburgh Roman Catholic Bishop David Zubik in a statement after Schott's death. "A Franciscan, he reflected the deep faith and true Christian charity of St. Francis.
"We will all miss his kindness and support. But at the same time we cannot help but recall and celebrate a life of goodness, gentleness and faithful dedication."
Schott, the head of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh since 2002, died of cancer on June 10. He was 70.
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Byzantine archbishop preached unity
Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Myron Schott
By Tony LaRussa
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, June 11, 2010
Many of the people who knew Metropolitan Basil Schott say the trappings that come with heading the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh never diminished his desire to live the simple life of spirituality that drew him to ministry as a young man.
"He was a very humble, unpretentious man who overflowed with warmth and caring for people," said the Rev. Donald Green, executive director of Christian Associates of Southwestern Pennsylvania. "Even when there were disagreements between us about how various churches viewed things, he always was quick to remind us that we are all brothers and sisters."
Metropolitan Archbishop Basil Myron Schott died Thursday, June 10, 2010. He was 70. The archbishop was diagnosed with cancer last year, according to the Rev. Dennis Bogda, rector of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Munhall.
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16 June 2010
In the Context of the Year for Priests
Pursuant to the decision of the Holy Synod regarding the Year for Priests, the animation committee organised a Day for Priests held in the Patriarchal Headquarters and Seminary at Rabweh on Wednesday, June 16 in the presence of His Beatitude, Patriarch Gregorios III and bishops.
Some two hundred priests, both those in religious orders and married priests with their wives attended this day, notable for its brotherly and familial atmosphere.After arriving and registering, everyone attended in the church a service at which hymns of Pentecost were sung. This was followed by a study of the lives and examples of the model priests, Saint Jean-Marie Vianney, the Curé d'Ars and Blessed Father Beshara Abu Mrad, B.S.[1] His Beatitude Patriarch Gregorios III then gave a talk on the priestly life to the assembled clergy. After a break, a special programme called The joy of encounter, in which a number of speakers gave witness about their vocation and encounter with Christ, occupied the clergy for the rest of the morning.
The morning's meeting was rounded off by a communal lunch.
This event was part of a number of events in Syria and Lebanon connected with the Year for Priests.
- For example, on 20 March, His Beatitude met with Melkite and Maronite bishops, priests and people of the parishes of Tyre and Sidon.
- On 15 April, also in Rabweh, some thirty-six clergy, members of the Melkite religious orders of Lebanon met in the presence of His Beatitude to study the theme of the forthcoming Synod for the Middle East: Communion and Witness.
- On 28 April, some seventy sisters, members of Melkite religious orders met in the presence of His Beatitude and Bishop Salim Ghazal to discuss their work in the context of the Year for Priests and the forthcoming Synod for the Middle East.
- Then on 29 May under the auspices of the Assembly for Catholic Patriarchs and Bishops in Lebanon (APECL) there was a gathering of four hundred and fifty clergy (including the Catholic Patriarchs and some fifty bishops) at St. Paul's basilica, Harissa, Lebanon, at which His Beatitude spoke on Pauline themes connected with priestly life.
- From 7-9 June, His Beatitude, with Archbishop Joseph Absi, led a retreat for the clergy of the Eparchy of Damascus in the Monastery of St. Thomas, Seidnaya.
[1] For information on these two saintly priests, see H.B. Patriarch Gregorios III's Christmas Letter 2009, iv, v http://www.pgc-lb.org/english/News3_Christmas_letter_2009.html