Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, very beloved brother in Christ,
Holy brother Hierarchs,
Honorable Archons,
Distinguished guests,

At this gathering, during which we experience an atmosphere reminiscent of the first Christian gatherings, the Agapes, our Humility and the Holy Mother Church of Christ embrace you wholeheartedly.

We are deeply touched by our meeting with you, which is a ring in the chain of former and future visits of ours to this great and new Country, as well as of visits of leading members of the Holy Archdiocese of America to our historic and honorary Seat at the Phanar. We feel that our spiritual communion with one another functions as a transfusion of experience and tradition on the one hand, and of youthful impetus and dynamism on the other.

Both these intellectual powers are useful and necessary. A harmonious combination of the two would be ideal, since neither the youthful energy should ignore the tradition and experience of the elders, nor should the efficacy of the elders hinder the undertaking of well-planned initiatives by the daring youth.

During these last years the faithful flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America experienced a period of intense introversion in its effort to gain self-identity. Different views found support and different powers were put to action bearing the full force of the youthful momentum, which is characteristic of the relatively new (considering the length of historical time) American Nation. Due to the gentle and conciliatory personality of our beloved brother, His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, unity and peace have already been restored, but the faithful in America seek new goals and spiritual battles, so that they can channel their dynamism.

The celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the establishment of the Holy Archdiocese of America and sixty-fifth anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross School of Theology constitute an opportunity for the reexamination of the various visions and for the drawing up of sets of goals and achievements for the realization of which we should all work.

We cannot plan, if we lack visions and goals; and if we don't plan, we waste valuable time and our zeal diminishes. It is therefore imperative that we concern ourselves with the future of our Holy Archdiocese and the Seminary-- and not only, for the next few years, for which predictions could be easily made. We should plan for the following decades into which our sharp and penetrating mind is able to see and predict the future course of history, based on the present situations. To be perfectly honest, we do not possess a prophetic charisma, but rather an enlightened foresight based on our knowledge of the historic, natural and intellectual laws.

We are not going to belabor the point at a time in which we nourish our corporeal body with the food that was kindly offered to us. The physical element of the human being, which is “very good”, as per the infallible judgment of God, in cooperation with the spiritual element, can demonstrate the grandeur of the double-natured human being, which God crowned with “glory and honor”, as per the Psalmist.

Our Holy Church aims at distinguishing the human being as
a power in the image of God. We think that this goal is the most
superb pursuit for us all.

Thus, raising our glass we drink to the health and prosperity of
our beloved guests and pray that the Divine Grace will enlighten us,
so that we continue to work for the achievement of this ultimate goal,
setting on the way intermediate ones.

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