Human Rights and the Orthodox Church in a Global World
Assembly of Bishops Statement on the Tragic Explosions in Beirut
We express our deep sorrow at the devastation created by the explosions in Beirut. We mourn for the people of Lebanon, who now face an additional challenge in this time of great crisis. International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC), the official humanitarian Agency of the Assembly of Bishops, is helping alleviate the heartbreaking impact of this tragedy. After conducting rapid needs assessments, IOCC released $150,000 in emergency funding. More »
Saint Photios Shrine Commemorates Fall of Constantinople
On Friday, May 29, 2020, the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine will present its inaugural Commemoration of the Fall of Constantinople online. More »
Modern Elders
A documentary series dedicated to Elders Hieronymus Simonopetritis, Joseph the Hesychast and the blessed elder Ephraim of Philotheou and Arizona. More »
Madonnas of the Aegean Sea
The series "Madonnas of the Aegean Sea" gives fascinating new perspectives on temples and churches dedicated to Christianity's most beloved figure: Virgin Mary. Each episode explores the beliefs and rituals by traveling to twelve Greek islands. Breathtaking photography and drone aerials showcase the stunning sacred sites of the Aegean Sea. More »
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 »
Living in a Post Christian Era...NOT!
Over the past few years the media has been asserting as “fact” that we are living in a post-Christian era. Christianity has had its day and it is over. What is so very disturbing is that some Christian clergy and laity have been saying the same thing. If something is said often enough, does it really become fact? More »
Fr. Aristides Palaynes and the Golden Rule Community
Fr. Aristides H. Palaynes was among the most accomplished Greek Orthodox priests of his generation. He served parishes in Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, and Ohio. At a time when few priests were fluent in English and Greek, he communicated effectively with the younger generation of Orthodox faithful and with the non-Orthodox. More »
Metropolitan Gennadios’ 1926 Mission
In 1926, Metropolitan Gennadios of Thessaloniki (1868-1951) visited America. During the 1920’s, the political rivalry between Eleftherios Venizelos and the Greek royalists created tensions within and among parishes across America. More »
Human Rights and the Orthodox Church in a Global World
The Orthodox churches living in a global culture have in principle embraced democracy and human rights. They are struggling, however, to cope with the implications of living in a democratic and free society. Nationalism, totalitarian regimes, and Orthodox traditionalism had in some instances suppressed the inherent plurality of their societies where the Orthodox Church was the predominant faith community. 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 »
The Greater Environment of St. Nicholas Church and National Shrine
To fully appreciate the significance of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, it is important to also consider its setting in Lower Manhattan. At the blessing service and ceremony for the site in 2014, architect Santiago Calatrava referred to St. Nicholas Shrine as “the Parthenon of Orthodoxy;” an apt description, considering the church building will sit atop a man-made “acropolis” that will be the above-ground portion of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Vehicle Security Center. More »
The Dignity of Labor
There is a tendency among us to accord greater value to the work of the intellectual than the one of the common laborer. Somehow the work done by people of intellect is valued more than that by the common laborer. More »
Harry Agganis Connected with His Faith – and the Ball
Sixty years ago, on June 27, 1955, Harry Agganis died. “The Golden Greek,” as he was widely known, was the most celebrated Greek-American athlete of his era. From his meteoric rise to fame to his untimely death at the age of 26, he captured the attention of the American public. Handsome, humble, and talented, he was a public relations dream, but what made him special was his devotion to his family, his church, and his community. More »
Book Reviews: Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms: Journeys into the Disappearing Religions of the Middle East by Gerald Russell
The news about religious minorities in the Middle East and Africa has introduced many of us to communities that we had probably very little previous awareness of. The news has not been good—many horrible stories of persecution and martyrdom. That part of the world is filled with many small religious communities living under threat of extinction in their homelands, if not at the hands of religious persecution, then through the forces of societal pressure, aging populations, and migration for better lives in other parts of the world. More »
The End is Just the Beginning
What the St. Nicholas Ground Blessing can teach us about God's triumph over death. More »
Who's Afraid of Halloween?
Christians don't need to be afraid of Halloween. We can celebrate it as a day for fun, friends, and family, and use it as a chance to grow closer to God and each other. More »
The Story of Oxi Day
This YouTube video provides information about the origins and meaning of "Oxi Day." More »
The Extraordinary Historical Significance of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew's Presence at Pope Francis' Installation as Bishop of Rome
Amid the crush of news reports in the past month that followed Pope Benedict's unprecedented resignation from the papacy, one of the most intriguing was the decision by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, to attend Pope Francis' installation as Bishop of Rome. The occasion is being presented in the media as something that has not happened since the ecclesiastical schism that separated Christian East and Christian West in the eleventh century. But that characterization is almost certainly wrong--this is quite likely the first time in history that a Bishop of Constantinople will attend the installation of a Bishop of Rome. And this is a profoundly bold step in ecumenical relations between the Orthodox and the Roman Catholics, one that could have lasting significance. More »
Archbishop Demetrios Calls for Prayers for the Victims of the Massacre in Newtown, Conn.
Upon hearing the horrible news of the monstrous mass shooting in the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, which caused the tragic death of 26 people, most of which are reportedly children, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America immediately contacted Fr. Peter Karloutsos, the priest of the nearby Greek Orthodox Church of the Assumption in Danbury, Connecticut. More »
St. Nicholas Feast Day Prayer Service at WTC
The memory and the feast of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was honored and celebrated by Orthodox Christians yesterday Dec. 6, in churches across the country and the world. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, as he has done for the last 11 years, led the annual prayer and memorial service in the area of the World Trade Center near the site where the small historic church of St. Nicholas stood for more than 80 years before it was completely destroyed on September 11, 2001. More »
Art of the Hellenistic Age: The Coming of Rome
Learn about Greek Art of the Hellenistic Age: The Coming of Rome through the inspiring Illuminations series. More »
Art of the Hellenistic Age: The Age of Alexander
Learn about Greek Art of the Hellenistic Age: The Age of Alexander through the inspiring Illuminations series. More »
Completion of a Dream
The Ecumenical Patriarchate celebrates the reopening of the Patriarchal Church of St. George, whose renovations started in 1992. The completion of the renovation of the building complex is the fulfillment of a dream. More »
The American Religious Landscape and the Orthodox Churches
How has the North American context and experience influenced the lives, faith commitments and practices of the Orthodox churches? What is the mixture and balance of beliefs and practices in being Orthodox in this country? Reflecting on these questions could lead us to a new appreciation of the identity(ies) of the Orthodox church as evolves in this country. The radicality of the changes that the identity(ies) of the Orthodox churches has undergone can only be comprehended as we reflect their history and their growth in this country. More »
The Mission of the Greek Orthodox Parish in America
Thanks to Alex Haley we have come to appreciate the importance of "roots." We, too, must take a look at our roots in order to comprehend, grasp and accept the mission of the parish here in America. However, before we address the current mission of the parish, we first need to turn to the lessons of the past and look at how church history in America affected the mission of the parish. More »