Month: November 2009

Orthodox Christian Laity Says Patriarch Bartholomew’s Remarks to SCOBA Boost Orthodox Unity Effort in America

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ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY
Press Release
November 3, 2009
For more information contact: George Matsoukas 877-585-0245

Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) described Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s remarks to the recently-held SCOBA (Standing Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas) meeting held in New York City on October 27, 2009 “as another important step on the road to Orthodox Unity in the United States.”

“By reaffirming his support for the unity process which commenced a year ago in Istanbul and subsequently refined this past June in Chambesy, Switzerland, His All Holiness delivered a clear message to America’s Orthodox leadership that he backs the unity effort,” said Bill Souvall, newly-elected President of OCL.

Mr. Souvall added that the Patriarch “demonstrated an acute understanding of our situation in the United States,” citing excerpts from his remarks which referred to the evolving status quo of the Church in America. “Patriarch Bartholomew’s recognition of the changing reality of Orthodoxy in America is most encouraging to those in OCL and others who support church unity,” Mr. Souvall continued.

George Matsoukas, OCL Executive Director, said: “What was especially notable about the Patriarch’s remarks was his openness to new ideas; and I quote him: ‘We welcome positive suggestions and, as is said in our modern world, “thinking outside the box,” so that we may construct models of ecclesiastical polity and governance sunk deep in the venerable tradition of our One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church and at the same time are relevant to the spiritual needs and societal conventions of the world within which our faithful live’.”

Mr. Souvall and Mr. Matsoukas agreed that the Patriarch’s remarks provide clear direction for the Orthodox prelates as they prepare for their first-ever Episcopal Assembly of all Bishops in North America which will take up unity issues scheduled for after Pentecost in May 2010.

OCL, an independent movement established in 1987, has been a leading and consistent advocate for Orthodox unity in North America and for the laity’s full participation in Church life; and in that spirit, anticipates that all members of the Church will fully engage in the process leading to a unified North American Church.

Visit OCL at www.ocl.org or www.orthodoxnews.com.

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Ligonier 1: THE VISION - Gathering of the Hierarchs, Antiochian Village November 30 - December 2, 1995

Ligonier 2. MOVING FORWARD - 15 years later: Gathering of Hierarchy, Clergy and Laity offering time, talent and resources to build up a unified, autocephalous Orthodox Church in North America. OCL 22nd Annual Meeting, Antiochian Village, October 29 -31, 2009.

Orthodox Christian Laity issued a call for broad community support and involvement in Orthodox Unity efforts which will formally begin when all Orthodox Bishops in North America meet after Pentecost in May, 2010.

The independent lay movement announced its action plan on October 31 at the end of its 22nd Annual Meeting held at the Antiochian Village in Ligonier, Pennsylvania.
“It appears that for the first time in the history of the Orthodox Church in America, we have a process which can lead to unity, a hope which OCL has kept alive these past two decades,” stated Bill Souvall, the group’s newly-elected president. He was referring specifically to the Episcopal meeting of all Orthodox bishops which will consider preparations and plans for bringing about Orthodox unity in America.

“We stand ready to assist our bishops in any appropriate way as they prepare for this meeting and urge all concerned clergy and laity to begin their own discussions and dialogue on the important issues which this historic gathering will discuss,” Mr. Souvall continued.

He indicated that OCL will launch a 2010 meeting countdown initiative as a means of building interest and discussion among Orthodox in America as the May meeting approaches. “This effort is consistent with OCL’s long-standing campaign for Orthodox unity in America and its commitment to involve all clergy, laity and bishops in that endeavor,” Mr. Souvall added.

To further the unity effort, OCL plans to hold regional and local meetings to discuss how unity might come about and the affect it might have on local communities. Mr. Souvall emphasized the necessity of engaging in a unity dialogue to ensure that accurate information is circulated and misunderstanding avoided.

“We chose to meet at the Antiochian Village to mark the 15th Anniversary of the Ligonier Unity Declaration, but little did we know that the Orthodox Church universal would join in that anniversary by announcing last October in Istanbul and this past June in Chambesy, Switzerland, her commitment to unity in America,” Mr. Souvall declared.

“Truly, the Holy Spirit has been working this past fifteen years. Now it is our task to make sure that our journey to unity includes the whole Church.”

Ecumenical Patriarch on Charlie Rose

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Unfortunately we cannot post either the transcript or video here since both are copyrighted.

View video here.

View transcript here.

Comments welcome.

More reflections on the OCL conference

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Fr. Peter-Michael Preble offers more thoughts on the recent OCL conference. Fr. Peter writes:

Fr. Peter-Michael Preble

The first point, and I said this in my sermon yesterday, is that I believe the American Orthodox Church is on the cusp of greatness. I think we are standing in the door way of a new something (I can’t seem to find the right word) — generation maybe, era perhaps, explosion…not really sure. I say this because we have some great young leaders emerging in the church. People like Metropolitan Jonah, Fr. Justin Matthews of FOCUS North America and others are injecting new excitement and energy into the American Church.

We are at the threshold of becoming a truly American Church and not just a small immigrant community. I am reminded of the history of the Roman Catholic Church in Boston. The signs used to read “Irish Need Not Apply” Then the church came into her own. The Roman Church under the leadership of visionaries like Richard Cushing of Boston. Cardinal Cushing had a vision for the American Church and built many of the School and Hospitals that the Church in Boston still uses to this day. Cushing was 44 years old when created bishop and was 49 when he became the 3rd Archbishop of Boston. He served the church in that roll for 26 years until his death in 1970. He had a vision to move the church for it’s immigrant roots to a major religious force in America.

Read the entire post on Fr. Peter’s blog.

A Decade of Challenges & Achievements for Archbishop Demetrios

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The headline is a misnomer. What will strike the careful reader are several important points, including:

Total payments in the GOA since 2000 for sexual abuse related cases total $16 million;
The GOA pays out $150,000 a month in sexual abuse settlements from one case alone;
An implied relationship exists between the toleration of homosexuality and child abuse;
The Greek Government is being asked to fund Hellenic College and Holy Cross Seminary;
The Ecumenical Patriarch has final administrative authority over the GOA;
Hellenism (as distinct from and parallel to Orthodox Christianity) remains the conceptual framework through which the evangelistic work of the GOA in America is filtered.

The article, framed in laudatory tones, in fact uncovers very serious problems. It was published in The National Herald (Octobery 24, 2009); interviewer is Theodore Kalmoukos. H/T: Pokrov.org.

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The remarkable life of His Eminence includes distinguished work as a scholar of Christian origins, beloved teacher and servant of the Orthodox Church.

His Eminence Discusses His Ten Years of Service in an Exclusive Interview with TNH

His Emminence Abp. Demetrios blessing a congregation

BOSTON – It has been ten years since the election and enthronement of Achbishop Demetrios to the Archiepiscopal throne of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

In an exclusive interview with The National Herald, His Eminence touched upon a variety of ecclesiastical issues, and answered the tough questions that must be asked about the challenges, problems and prospects of the ecclesial life of the Archdiocese and the Greek American community.

His Eminence spoke about the telephone call he received from Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew offering him the position of Archbishop, the changes in the Archdiocesan charter, the formation of uniform parish regulations, the finances of the Church and the $16 million paid to the victims of the pedophile priests, the School of Theology and much more.

TNH: Your Eminence, 10 years have gone by and it seems like it was yesterday. What were your thoughts then and what are your thoughts today?

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS: The time went by so fast that it really seems like lightning. On Thursday, August 19 in 1999 I was at my desk at home in New Psychiko in Athens and I was writing something when the phone rang. It was His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch who called and told me that “We are in a Synodal session and I am calling to announce to you that we have taken the decision for you to go to America as Archbishop and I would like to ask you not to postpone or decline.” I told the Patriarch, “I am speechless. It is a calling from God, and although I am mindful of the tremendous difficulties that exist, I have no right to decline at this moment.” Continue reading →

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