Protocol 212/16

Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels

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 Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, 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,

On this blessed Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels we honor and support each year the legacy of compassionate service and quality care through the sacred ministry of Saint Michael’s Home, one of the National Ministries of the Holy Archdiocese of America.   As the Holy Angels have and continue to offer a witness of the grace of God, the staff, administration and benefactors of Saint Michael’s continue to offer grace and love to the residents and their families in an environment that sustains the body with dignity and nurtures the soul in our Orthodox faith.

As the only Greek Orthodox elder care facility in the United States under the aegis of the Archdiocese, this holy work in caring for our elderly for over 58 years has been sustained and advanced by many in our community, and we give thanks to God for all that has been accomplished.   He has blessed the generosity and commitment of our faithful, and from this foundation we are now able to expand the ministry of Saint Michael’s to offer care to more people and in more ways.

In the Fall of 2014, Saint Michael’s purchased an 11-acre site in Uniondale on Long Island, which includes a 90,000 square foot building.  Once renovated, this facility will provide a home for 160 residents compared to 60 at the current location.  In addition, the new facility will expand the care of the elderly from one level to five.  These include a nursing home section, a wing for residents who are burdened with dementia or Alzheimer’s, studio bedrooms for independent and assisted living, and independent living one-bedroom apartments.  In an enjoyable and beautiful environment the facility will also have additional areas that enhance the quality of daily life, including a magnificent chapel, numerous outdoors gardens, a library, beauty salon, physical and occupational therapy rooms, computer lounge and many other ancillary spaces needed to assure the well-being and happiness of its residents.

To make this long awaited and much needed Greek Orthodox Continuum-Care Facility a reality and provide a home for more of our beloved seniors, your support is critically needed.  I ask the faithful of our Holy Archdiocese to continue our tradition of supporting this national ministry through a special collection on Sunday, November 6.   The gifts should be sent to the Archdiocese in care of Saint Michael’s and will be forwarded to the Home.  Your generosity is needed at this time to fulfill the vision of making this ministry a premier, multi-leveled senior care home.  Our faithful are invited to visit the website of the facility to see how you can be a part of this exciting endeavor with various naming opportunities.  I also ask you to consider prayerfully the additional support you can offer in the months and years ahead to this expansion of a sacred ministry of compassion and care.

As we sing in the hymns of the Feast of the Holy Archangels, calling upon them for protection and deliverance from “oppression, sorrow, and sickness” into the glorious liberty, joy, and abundant life in Christ, may we offer this as our prayer for our elderly in need.  May we also labor to support and expand our witness of the Gospel and the ministry of grace through Saint Michael’s Home, which has and will continue to be a home-away-from-home for countless elderly from the New York Metropolitan area and many parts of our Archdiocese.

With paternal love in Christ,

†Demetrios

Archbishop of America