Archiepiscopal Encyclical on AHEPA Sunday 2023
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America celebrates the achievements and
goals of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.
Therefore, we enjoin this annual observance of AHEPA Sunday, a true
cultural partner to the Church for over one hundred years. As is well
known, both the Archdiocese and AHEPA were founded in 1922, and have grown
up together in the American milieu working for many common purposes.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on Great and Holy Pascha
We have finally arrived at the mystery of mysteries, and we approach the
Tomb with the holy Myrrh-bearing Women. With them we ask: “Who will roll
away the stone for us?”
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Celebration of Greek Independence Day
This Day of Greek Independence — when throughout Greece, Cyprus and the
Hellenic Diaspora, the people of God celebrate freedom and remember the
cost thereof — let us train our minds on the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin
Mary, who is the model for what that freedom truly means.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Saint Photios, Patriarch of Constantinople, February 6, 2023
As an “Angel among men,” Saint Photios the Great, Patriarch of
Constantinople, was truly a messenger of God. His defense of the Orthodox
Faith against encroachments from all sides, together with his missionary
zeal, which was grounded in his extensive learning, made him both famous in
his day and the target of attacks. He was a man of his times, and yet, he
was a man for all seasons. The hymns that celebrate his memory do not lack
in either exuberance or praise, and justly so.
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical on the 2023 Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of the Three Hierarchs and the Day of Greek Letters
Beloved Brethren in Christ, The Feast of the Three Holy Hierarchs: Basil
the Great, John Chrysostom and Gregory the Theologian, is also an
anniversary to celebrate the learning, culture and language of Greece —
what we call “Greek Letters.” The inscription cited above is adapted from
the Panegyricus of the renowned rhetorician, Isocrates (436-338 BCE).
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the New Year - 2023
Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ, On this first day of the 2023 New
Year, let us invoke for inspiration in the coming year the memory of the
Saint of God who reposed this day so many centuries ago: the shining
Hierarch of Cappadocia and Teacher of the oikoumene, Basil the Great. We
have many traditions around Saint Basil the Great — the giving of gifts on
his Feastday, the Vasilopita, our St. Basil Academy in Garrison, New York,
which is a National Institution that proudly bears his name. But beyond
even these beloved traditions, we also have the legacy of this saintly
hierarch, which offers us a profound understanding of what it means to be a
human being.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Christmas - 2022
Truly, God is with us! This is the great truth of Christmas for the entire
human family — namely, that God has entered our history, so as to share it
with us and redeem it in order to reveal His purposes in us.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical for Thanksgiving - 2022
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The wonderful American National Day
of Thanksgiving is a moment when our entire society pauses, to give thanks
to God for the blessings we have found in the New World. To acknowledge
this connection to the Divine, President John F. Kennedy issued
Proclamation 3560 on November 5, 1963, which said: “Over three centuries
ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a
lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day,
they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their
children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them
together, and for the faith which united them with their God.”
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical for National Philoptochos Sunday
We celebrate National Philoptochos Sunday on the day that we remember the
parable of the “Good Samaritan,” when mercy and unconditional compassion
are manifest as the highest Christian virtues. A stranger was robbed and
wounded, left for dead. And another stranger, a Samaritan, changes the
course of the man’s life. He refuses to pass by, as did the so-called
religious figures in the parable.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the Feast of the Archangels
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Every year, on the 8th of November,
as we celebrate the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, Michael and Gabriel,
together with all the ranks of the Bodiless Powers of Heaven, we remember
our precious Archdiocesan Institution, Saint Michael’s Home. Although most
of us will never see an Angel face to face before we pass from this life,
we do often feel their presence.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian
The Holy Saints Cosmas and Damian are the best example to all of us, as we
consider the work of our National Philoptochos on behalf of the benevolent
and philanthropic ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. By definition,
an ἀνάργυρος — which literally means, “one who refuses silver” — is the
exact opposite of a φιλάργυρος, a “lover of silver,” the appellation given
to the Betrayer of the Lord who took the thirty pieces.
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical for the Commemoration of OXI Day
We live today – both in Greece and in America – as free peoples, because of
the sacrifice of others. They sowed the harvest of our liberty, as the
Psalmist says, “with tears, and they wept as they cast their seeds” (Psalm
125:6-7, LXX). They sowed in cold and rain. They sowed in hunger and
thirst. They sowed and fought and labored, experiencing horrific
deprivations. Many died without seeing the final triumph over the Axis
powers. But they knew in their hearts and in their very bones the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ!
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical for National Leadership 100 Sunday
Archepiscopal Encyclical for National Leadership 100 Sunday
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical for the Commemoration of the Asia Minor Holocaust
This month of September is replete with commemorations that define us as a
People, even as they are hard to bear because of the loss and devastation.
We just passed the twenty-first memorial of September Eleventh, and we are
now upon the one hundredth anniversary of the Asia Minor Holocaust that
cost so many lives and changed the face of the Greeks across the Hellespont
in Pontos and the coasts of Asia Minor.
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of the Universal Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross
The Sacred Feastday, which reminds every parishioner from coast to coast of
our beloved Hellenic College and Holy Cross School of Theology, speaks to
the love of God for every human being. But it also speaks of our service to
the Holy Cross by being Σταυροφόροι – those who bear the Cross. And how do
we do carry His Cross? First, by picking up our own and carrying it with
all the love and compassion we can muster for ourselves and for those
around us.
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Day of Mourning for Hagia Sophia-- July 24, 2022
Unto the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Hierarchs, Pious Priests and
Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, Presidents and Members of Parish Councils,
Honorable Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership
100, the Day and Afternoon Schools, Philoptochos Societies, the Youth,
Greek Orthodox Organizations, and the entirety of the Christ-named
Plenitude of the Holy Archdiocese of America:
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Fourth of July - 2022
This Fourth of July — which we celebrate tomorrow — is a most extraordinary
day for the Greek Orthodox Church of America. We are saluting the Land of
the Free and the Home of the Brave, as well as the extraordinary milestones
in the history of our National Church. We shall celebrate the consecration
of the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the
World Trade Center, even as we mark the centennial of the establishment of
our Sacred Archdiocese — the first and preeminent Eparchy of the Ecumenical
Patriarchate in the Diaspora.
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical for Father’s Day
This Father’s Day, I ask for our entire Archdiocese to remember the
“fathers” of our communities across the nation — that is, our very own
clergy, who serve everyone so selflessly. This is our second year of
recognizing the parish clergy of the Church on this special occasion. And
the fact that it coincides with the feast of All Saints gives it even
greater force, as we ourselves are all “called to be saints” as well
(Romans 1:7).
Read More »
Read More »
Archepiscopal Encyclical on the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres Sunday
My Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ, These all continued with one
accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of
Jesus, and with His brothers and sisters. (Acts 1:14)
Read More »
Read More »
Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Great and Holy Pascha April 24, 2022
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Christ descended alone to the
Gates of Hades, He returned taking many spoils of His victory.
Read More »
Read More »
—
20 Items per Page