Health and Human Rights in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS: A Modern-Day Civil Rights Struggle
Preface to "For the Life of the World" - Social Ethos Document
The task of producing a single statement of the social doctrine of the Orthodox Church is of its nature a complicated, not to say contentious, undertaking. The Orthodox Church operates within a vast variety of cultural and historical contexts, each with its own social and political concerns and traditions. The Church regards its social teaching as nothing other than a faithful transcription of the moral teachings of the gospel into the language of public ethics and policy, and insists that every Orthodox Christian is called to live in the world as a faithful disciple of Christ, called to fellowship with the whole communion of saints. More »
Armenian Commemoration
Methodios of Boston hosted “An Ecumenical Commemoration of the Holy Saints and Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Remembrance, Witness and Resurrection” at Annunciation Cathedral of New England on April, 22. More »
Archdiocese Takes Active Role in International Women’s Commission
NEW YORK – According to the Rev. Dr. Nathanael Symeonides, Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations director, the Archdiocese was greatly involved in the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in March, continuing its decades-long work in promoting women’s rights. More »
Metropolis of Chicago Co–Produces Documentary on Syrian Genocide
CHICAGO – The Metropolis of Chicago, working with the Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, has created a documentary on the ongoing genocide of the Christian minority population of the Middle East, focusing on the Alkhoury family of Chicago. More »
Communiqué: Forum on Modern Slavery Held at the Phanar
ISTANBUL – Under the auspices of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a Forum on Modern Slavery, co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of England, took place in Istanbul from Feb. 6–7. More »
Orthodoxy Helps Overcome Life’s Challenges
If we seem accepting of the events around us in this American culture, Orthodox Christians must address the false gods that beg our attention and our action, our works. More »
Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Commemoration of the Asia Minor Catastrophe (09/18/2016)
In recognition of this and many related tragic events of that era, I ask the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to have special observances and memorial services on Sunday, September 18. Together, let us remember our forbearers who perished and commemorate the valor shown by those who survived. Let us honor the memory and sacrifice of those who suffered. As we are confronted by the crises in our contemporary world, let us find strength and guidance in our Orthodox faith, just as many did in those dark days, placing their hope for deliverance and salvation in Almighty God. More »
Archons to Honor N.Y. Gov. Cuomo
NEW YORK - The Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will present this year’s Athenagoras Human Rights Award to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the organization’s annual banquet Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Marriott Marquis hotel. More »
Convention Will Include a Presentation on Human Trafficking Victims
In January 2011, the National Philoptochos Society, upon the direction of the Executive Board, began a new philanthropic initiative focusing on raising awareness and helping to prevent human trafficking in the U.S. Given this information, the New Philanthropic Initiative Committee suggested that chapters across the country work to inform their communities about the worldwide crisis of Human Trafficking. More »
Archdiocese Sponsors UN Event on ISIL and Human Trafficking
NEW YORK – During the 60th UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Archdiocese, together with the World Coun- cil of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation, on March 21 co-sponsored an event titled, “Forced Migration, Human Trafficking, and Child Soldiers: How ISIL is Exploiting the Conflict in the Middle East.” More »
Metropolitan of Boston Reflects on the Refugee Issue
Daily, those of us who have access to Greek television broadcasts are horrified by the unspeakable human tragedy occurring in Greece. It is reported that over 100,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim countries – ravaged by war and internal strife - have been forced to leave their homelands in search for a better life in Europe. More »
Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians Affirm Sanctity of Life
WASHINGTON – Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians joined in prayer and public gathering on the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, to express their long-standing belief that all life is sacred. More »
Niarchos Foundation Honors Archbishop Iakovos’ Civil Rights Efforts
NEW YORK – The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has contributed a grant of $2 million and Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos has given a $1 million donation to the National African American History and Culture Museum in Washington in honor of the civil and human rights work of Archbishop Iakovos, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America from 1959-1996. More »
Proposals sought for Human Trafficking Project
St. Catherine’s Vision (SCV), an international, pan-Orthodox Christian, non-profit organization, is circulating an open “Call for Proposals” requesting help from qualified persons who wish to participate in a public service ministry or “diakonima” in “Divine Compassion and Human Trafficking.” More »
Stavros Niarchos Foundation Honors Late Archbishop Iakovos’ Pioneering Contribution to Civil Rights
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces with appreciation and joy the creation of a special Reflection Area, named after our late Archbishop Iakovos, in the newly built National African-American History and Culture Museum in Washington, DC. This is made possible by the significant contribution of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for two million dollars and the personal contribution of Andreas Dracopoulos the SNF’s Co-President, for one million. These grants were made in honor of Archbishop Iakovos’ leadership and legacy in the area of civil and human rights. More »
Antiochian Church Lay Leader Describes Syria Crisis Reality
NEW YORK – Ridding the Middle East of Christians is the ultimate aim of Islamic terrorist and fundamentalist groups like ISIS and others. Such is the assessment of Samar Laham, a representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, based in Damascus, Syria, who spoke on “Syria in Crisis” Sept. 29 at the Museum of the City of New York. More »
25 Years after ADA Passage, Progress Still Needed in Access for Disabled
July 26 marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Present George Herbert Bush. The ADA was a national mandate to break down discrimination barriers preventing the disabled from being employed when qualified, from accessing buildings and programs in their communities, from receiving information in formats they can understand, from using public transportation and, most importantly, from engaging fully in community life. More »
Archbishop Demetrios to Attend Funeral of South Carolina Slain Pastor
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, will travel to Charleston, S.C. tomorrow Friday Jun. 26, 2015, to attend the funeral of State Sen. Rev. Clementa Pinckney who was among the nine victims killed by a gunman last Wednesday inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. More »
Archbishop Condemns S.C. Church Shooting, Attends Pastor’s Funeral
CHARLESTON, S.C. – In the aftermath of the killing of nine persons by a gunman at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) on June 17, Archbishop Demetrios traveled to Charleston on Jun. 25 to attend the funeral of state Sen. Rev. Clementa Pinckney who was among the victims. More »
Houston Orthodox Clergy Issue Statement about City’s Gay Ordinance
We, the Orthodox clergy of Houston and Southeast Texas, are compelled by our responsibilities before God to speak out plainly against the rebellion against God’s created order that we see being waged on both the local and national level. More »
Letter to the Editor: Memorable Coverage
Editor, The page on Church History in the February-March issue of the Orthodox Observer with the riveting picture of MLK and our beloved Archbishop Iakovos brought me many memories. More »
Remembering Selma 50 Years Later: Archbishop Iakovos and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King
Fifty years ago, on March 15, 1965, Archbishop Iakovos, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church of North and South America, went to Selma, Alabama and marched beside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. A moment of that day was captured on film and became the cover photograph of the March 26, 1965 issue of Life magazine. More »
When Right Isn't Easy (Selma Marches 50th Anniversary)
Being a Christian and living the Gospel isn't always easy; in fact, it's usually challenging. Dr Martin Luther King, Jr experienced that as he fought for justice. So did Archbishop Iakovos when, despite opposition, he chose to stand with Reverend King in Selma. Fifty years after the Selma marches, let's look ahead to how we can live with the same spirit of courage and love. More »
Reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the March on Selma
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offers reflections on the 50th Anniversary of the March on Selma, Alabama with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More »
Archbishop Iakovos Reflects on Joining Dr. King to March on Selma
Reflections on the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Selma by the late Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America. More »
Mayor of Chios Ioannis Malafis, Stylianos Zervoudis, and Dimitris Gonias Welcomed to the Archdiocese