AHEPA Sunday

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 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,

Christ is Risen!

It is in the joy of our celebration of the Resurrection of Christ that I commend to you the work of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA). For decades, the AHEPA has distinguished itself as a dedicated fraternity of service and civic responsibility through establishing programs that promote education and philanthropy, and through addressing issues that are critical to members of our Omogenia throughout the world. Through such programs and services, the AHEPA has consistently advanced the enduring and universal values of Hellenism, which are inclusive of the fundamental principles of freedom and love for all humanity.

The importance of these principles is particularly heightened during this festal Paschal season, which we celebrate as a Greek Orthodox family united in Christ. As we recall the wondrous and manifold blessings of God in our lives during this special season, we do so with a spirit of renewed thanksgiving and appreciation for our heritage and our faith. We also do so in view of the difficult times in which we live, during which the significance of the work of the AHEPA is even more clearly recognized.

Thus, in recognition of the remarkable work of the AHEPA, I am pleased to designate this Sunday, May 16, 2004, as AHEPA Sunday, and I ask that you offer your prayers and support for the local chapters, as well as the national organization, as we grow in our love for one another and in our mission for the promotion of Orthodoxy and Hellenism.

With paternal love in the Risen Christ,

+DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America