The Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
To all the Clergy and the Laity of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
We, the Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas, greet you on the Feast of the Sunday of Orthodoxy with words of the Holy Apostle Paul that were selected by the Primates of the worldwide Orthodox Church to close their Message proclaimed on October 12, 2008. Indeed, we glory in our God whose love for us exceeds every thought or imagining that could enter our minds or hearts. As the Apostle Paul says in another place: Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him (I Cor. 2:9).
Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico visited Haiti this past week bringing comfort to the clergy and Orthodox faithful of the earthquake stricken Island. His Eminence arrived from Greece where he was visiting for official Church business, aboard a Greek Government plane, with the Assistant Foreign Minister of Greece and the Executive Director of the NGO “Solidarity” of the Church of Greece. The plane was carrying 50 tons of food, medicine and other aid, a gift from the Greek Government and the Church of Greece, for the people of Haiti.
His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras immediately visited the homes and schools of our ministry in Haiti to assess the damage done by the earthquake. Deeply moved by what he saw, “this is a disaster of immense proportions” noted His Eminence. All of the buildings where our Church and schools are presently housed were seriously damaged and will need major repairs, or even worse will need to be demolished and rebuilt. His Eminence further visited the property owned by the Holy Metropolis where the Metropolis has plans to build a complete complex, comprised of a Church, a school, a clinic and housing for our clergy.
Since our property is presently vacant, families whose homes were destroyed and who had no place to live, are presently using our property for temporary living quarters. About 3000 people live on the Church property, 1000 of whom are children. Initially they lived out in the open until last week when the Metropolis received a donation of 500 tents, which were given to these families for more humane living conditions.
On Wednesday, along with our two Haitian clergy, Metropolitan Athenagoras performed Divine Liturgy in a small open area of the property. The Divine Liturgy was attended by many hundreds of our Haitian Orthodox Faithful and by all of the families living on our property. Upon the completion of the Divine Liturgy His Eminence brought the people the blessings and Patriarchal concern of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and offered words of comfort to our Haitian faithful and all those present, asking them to keep hope alive. “We will not abandon you, we are here and will remain with you, for as many years as it takes, until you can return to your homes or until new homes can be built. We will rebuild our Church, we will rebuild our schools and we will do everything possible to help you rebuild your lives and your future” noted Metropolitan Athenagoras.
Following Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Athenagoras and the clergy distributed rice, flour, raisins and other food aid, which was part of the aid given by the Greek Government and the Church of Greece, to the families present.
On his way to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to meet with His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and receive his advice and console and blessings for the best way to proceed in bringing spiritual comfort and aid to Haiti and our Haitian Orthodox Community, Metropolitan Athenagoras passed through New York and visited with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Archbishop Demetrios was deeply concerned to hear about Metropolitan Athenagoras’ recent visit to Haiti. Upon assessing the present situation, together they determined a plan of action which Metropolitan Athenagoras will present to Patriarch Bartholomew, so that, with the help of IOCC and the financial aid and assistance provided by the Church of America, positive measures can be pursued in helping the people of Haiti meet their immediate needs while working towards a long term and more permanent solution in rebuilding the lives and future of our Haitian Orthodox Community.
Metropolitan Athenagoras is to return to Haiti the first weekend of March when he is to meet with the President of Haiti Mr. Rene Preval to discuss with him various options available for a cooperative effort with the Haitian Government, for the benefit of the people of this devastated Island Nation.
Anyone wishing to assist our efforts in bringing comfort and aid to the people of Haiti and our Haitian Orthodox Community may offer a donation either by making an automatic Bank deposit, or by writing a check addressed to “Haiti Christian Orthodox Relief Fund” and sending it to the address indicated.
CHASE BANK
ROUTING NUMBER #071000013 / SWIFT CODE CHASUS33
For the Account of:
ORTHODOX MISSIONS MEXICO
HAITI CHRISTIAN ORTHODOX RELIEF FUND
708 Hanbury Dr.
Des Plaines, Ill. 60016
ACCOUNT # 867222986
By God's Mercy
Archbishop of Constantinople the New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church
Grace and Peace be to you from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
Together with our Prayer, Blessing, and Forgiveness
Beloved brothers and sisters, children in the Lord,
Tomorrow, we enter the period of Holy and Great Lent. In the Lenten vespers of Forgiveness chanted this evening, we shall hear the sacred hymnographer urging us to "begin the time of fasting with joy, submitting ourselves to spiritual struggle" in preparing to welcome the great Passion and joyful Resurrection of our divine-human Lord.
Therefore, what is demanded is a joyful disposition in order to embrace fervently the spiritual struggle of this period of contrition in purification and prayerfulness. Fasting, abstinence, frugality, restriction of personal desires, intense prayer, confession, and similar ascetic elements are essential to the period of Great Lent and should not be considered burdensome obligations or unbearable duties that result in despondency or dejection. When doctors recommend diet or exercise as necessary prerequisites for psychosomatic health and vigor, the first advice they offer by way of a mandatory condition of success is a pleasant mental disposition, which includes smiling and positive thinking. The same also applies to the spiritual period of fasting that opens before us. Great Lent should be regarded as an invaluable divine gift. It is a sacred time of divine grace, which seeks to detach us from things material, lowly and corrupt in order to attract us toward things superior, wholesome and spiritual. It is a unique opportunity to remove from the soul every passion, to rid the body of everything superfluous, harmful and mortal. Accordingly, then, it is a time of immense rejoicing and gladness. A genuine feast and exhilaration!
Nevertheless, my beloved children, the fasting expected of us by the Church, as well as the abstinence, frugality, restriction of personal desires and unnecessary pleasures or expenses, literally constitute a prescription for salvation. This is especially true this year, when our world has experienced a global economic crisis, filled with imminent danger of bankruptcy not only for individuals and companies, but also for entire nations throughout the planet, with destructive consequences in skyrocketing unemployment, the creation of entire hosts of people plagued by poverty, depression, social turmoil, increase in crime, and other such tragedies. Great Lent instructs us to journey daily with a little less, without the arrogance of extravagance, waste and display. It encourages us to surrender all forms of greed and ignore the challenges of commercial advertising, which constantly promotes new and false necessities. It incites us to limit ourselves to what is absolutely essential and necessary in an attitude of dignified, deliberate simplicity. We are not to be a consuming or compulsive herd of thoughtless and heartless individuals, but a society of sensitive and caring persons, sharing with and supporting our "neighbor" that is in poverty or recession. Finally, Great Lent informs us about patience and tolerance in moments of smaller or larger deprivation, while simultaneously emphasizing the need to seek God's assistance and mercy, placing our complete trust in His affectionate providence. That is how Christ envisions Great Lent. That is how the Saints lived Great Lent. That is how the Church Fathers undertook the struggle of Great Lent. That is how our faith has traditionally understood Great Lent. That is how the Church of Constantinople, in its wide experience and unceasing vigilance, has always projected and proclaimed Great Lent, and particularly in the current global circumstances.
In sharing these pastoral thoughts and words from the historical and holy Phanar, we extend to all of you our paternal prayer and spiritual blessing for a fruitful journey through the period of Great Lent.
These past two weeks the whole world has been watching the tragedy unfolding in Haiti. The most vulnerable Country in the Western Hemisphere and one of the poorest in the world, has suffered one of the greatest disasters in its history. The earthquake of a 7.0 magnitude which hit Haiti has killed over a hundred thousand Haitians, while millions were injured and are now homeless.
Immediately upon learning of the earthquake, His Alll Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a Patriarchal encyclical conveying his concern and prayers for the well being of our Haitian clergy and faithful, and for all the people of Haiti. In asking for the compassion and immediate response by the faithful, His All Holiness has "assigned His Eminence Metropolitian Athenagoras of Mexico, the responsibilty to coordinate all efforts in the collection of finanical and any and all other assistance for the Haitian disaster."
To read the rest of the release click here download.
1/29/2010, New York, NY - A delegation from the Order of St. Andrew, led by Archon and Ambassador George L. Argyros and National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, is currently participating in an 'Archon Religious Freedom Mission to the European Union' in pursuit of human and religious rights for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. National Commander Limberakis will be offering updates on important developments and status alerts via the social networking tool "Twitter". All Archons and interested persons who are connected to this network are encouraged to log onto
and click on the "Twitter" tab below the homepage image to read these updates.
The delegation will be traveling to Madrid, Spain--which currently holds the EU presidency, Brussels, Belgium, and Athens, Greece till February 7, 2010. They are being guided by His Eminence Metropolitan Emanuel of France. Together with Archons Argyros and Limberakis, the delegation also includes Archon Christopher Stratakis, Legal Counselor, Spiritual Advisor Fr. Alex Karloutsos, and Mr. Rob Lapsely, former Assistant Secretary of State for California. Coverage on the religious freedom mission will be available in the coming weeks on
The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle is comprised of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate who have been honored for their outstanding service to The Orthodox Church by having a Patriarchal title, or "offikion," bestowed upon them by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Those upon whom this title of the Mother Church has been conferred are known as "Archons of the Great Church of Christ," and the titles are personally conferred by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.
The Order of St. Andrew's fundamental goal and mission is to promote the religious freedom, wellbeing and advancement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey.
The Hierarchs of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas
To the Most Reverend Clergy, Venerable Monastics and Devout Faithful of the Holy Orthodox Churches in the Americas.
Dearly Beloved in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
In 1955, the hierarchs leading the various Orthodox Christian Churches in our land came together to recognize and endorse the work of the Boy Scouts of America. This encounter prefigured the promising possibilities for witnessing our unity in Jesus Christ in this land and culture when we live and work in unity. Then and now, we believe that the Scout affirmation and Law are significant aids to our parishes and families in raising young men and women who “do their duty to God.” The methods of the Boy Scouts of America, the Girl Scouts USA, and the Camp Fire Boys and Girls programs are tremendous tools and we continue to fully endorse the work of these valued institutions.
We encourage each of our parishes to actively support the celebration of “Scout Sunday” on Sunday, February 7, 2010. We recognize our Orthodox Scouts every February but this year’s celebration is a particular joy to us as the Boy Scouts of America celebrates 100 years of vital service to the youth of our nation. We are grateful for the efforts of the first SCOBA endorsed agency, the Eastern Orthodox Committee on Scouting [EOCS], that has prepared materials for our parishes to assist in their celebration, available at www.eocs.org. We also call on the reverend pastors and faithful of our parishes to support and recognize their youth engaged in neighborhood units. Integrating a young person’s Scouting experience in the fullness of Church life and the Church’s youth ministry programs is a powerful witness to our conviction that Christ is all and in all(Colossians 3:11).
We prayerfully look forward to commemorating Scout Sunday with you on
February 7. We ask you to work with the EOCS (www.eocs.org) or with your Church’s Scouting representative to make this day a success for our youth ministry.
With paternal blessings and love in Christ,
†Archbishop DEMETRIOS
Chairman, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
†Metropolitan PHILIP
Vice Chairman, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese Of North America
†Metropolitan CHRISTOPHER
Secretary, Serbian Orthodox Church in North And South America
†Metropolitan NICHOLAS of Amissos
Treasurer, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA
†Archbishop NICOLAE
Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese In the Americas
†Metropolitan JOSEPH
Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church
†Metropolitan JONAH
Orthodox Church in America
†Metropolitan CONSTANTINE
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA
†Archpriest Alexander Abramov
Acting Representative of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA
†Bishop ILIA of Philomelion
Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America
STANDING CONFERENCE of the CANONICAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS in the AMERICAS
8-10 East 79th Street, New York, NY 10075
NEW YORK – With great sadness, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios received the tragic news of the devastating destruction and the loss of human lives in Haiti following the earthquake in that country yesterday, January 12, 2010.
“Our thoughts and prayers are now with the people of Haiti,” said Archbishop Demetrios who immediately issued an encyclical calling upon the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to pray for the safety, health and well being of all the people of Haiti and in particular the Greek Orthodox faithful there.
The SCOBA hierarchs have released an encyclical supporting Share the Light Sunday and the ongoing efforts of the Orthodox Christian Network to build an effective, Orthodox Media witness. The encyclical reads in part:
"It is also our responsibility to reach out to those who have left the embrace of the Church, as well as those who have never heard the saving message of Christ. It is precisely this commitment to mission and outreach that compels us, your spiritual shepherds, to support and endorse the outreach work in our communities of ministries like the Orthodox Christian Network (OCN)."
Orthodox Christian Network invites you to listen to our new programming for the Nativity on the Rudder: Orthodox Masterworks, featuring Richard Toensing's "Kontakion for the Nativity," Program Directors Choice, plus a wealth of Christmas hymns and Carols from around the Orthodox world. Click here to visit OCN's streaming Orthodox Chant station!
BARTHOLOMEW
By God’s Grace
Archbishop of Constantinople-New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch
To the Plenitude of the Church
Grace, peace and mercy from the Savior Christ Born in Bethlehem
Beloved concelebrants and blessed children in the Lord,
Heaven and earth have united
Through the birth of Christ.
Today, God has appeared on earth,
And man has ascended to heaven.
(Christmas Hymn)
The distance and separation between God and humanity resulting from sin has been abolished with the assumption of the entire human nature by the Only-Begotten Son and Pre-eternal Word of God. It was God’s good will – that is to say, His initiative and will – that the incarnation of His Son should abolish all such distance uniting heaven and earth, as well as creation with its Creator.
During the Feast of the Entrance of the Theotokos, the Church chanted: “Today is the beginning of God’s good will and the proclamation of human salvation.” During that feast, through the dedication of the blessed Mary to the temple and her preparation there to become the bearer of the boundless God, the road was paved for the incarnate dispensation of God, which foretold our salvation.
During the feast of the Annunciation, when the divine conception of the Inconceivable occurred through the Holy Spirit within the womb of the Theotokos and divine nature began to coexist with human nature in order that – as St. Athanasius the Great articulated it – “we might become deified,” the Church again chanted: “Today is the beginning of our salvation and the revelation of the pre-eternal mystery; the Son of God becomes the son of the Virgin.” Thus, the “divine good will” welcomed at the Entrance, as well as the salvation commenced and revealed at the Annunciation, are today rendered a tangible reality, as we celebrate the great and holy day of Christmas. Today, “the Word assumes flesh and dwells among us” (John 1.14), while the Angels celebrate the event, chanting: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will among humankind.” (Luke 2.14)
With the Incarnation of the Divine Word, the salvation of the human race has already potentially occurred. For those who believe in Jesus, live in accordance with this faith, fulfilling His commandments and practicing His teaching, are thereby elevated to become the friends and participants of God! They become “partakers of divine nature” (2 Peter 1.14), gods by grace! This takes place exclusively within the Church, where we are reborn in Christ and adopted by the Father through Holy Baptism and through the holy Sacraments, as well as by cultivation of virtue in order to be filled with divine grace and the Holy Spirit, growing “to maturity, to the measure o the full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4.13) until we reach the level of saying, like St. Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me.” (Gal. 2.20) Those who acquire such perfection are not regarded by Christ simply as His friends or brothers, but are recognized by Him as members of His Body. This is why, from the height of the Cross, he would say to His Most Holy Mother about the Evangelist John: “Woman, here is your son,” and to John: “Here is your mother.” (John 19.26-27) Christmas, therefore, opens wide the door of human “christification” and deification by grace; and for this reason, “the entire creation rejoices in celebration and the heavens delight with us” on this day of significance and salvation.” (Hymn of December 28)
With these joyful and hopeful realities before us, from the sacred See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Phanar, we extend to you our fervent festive congratulations and wholehearted Patriarch wishes on this central feast of the Christian calendar. We greet all of our beloved faithful throughout the world, the beloved children of the holy Mother Church – clergy of all levels, monastics and laity, pastors and parishioners, and especially those suffering, experiencing sorrow, need or trial. May the pre-eternal Son of God – who was born in a cave and lay in a manger – who for our sake became Son of Man, render all of us worthy of his self-emptying love and of His sacred, venerable incarnate dispensation.
American Bible Society commemorates U.S. visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew with exhibition at Museum of Biblical Art
• Museum to Feature Sacred Texts and Icons from the Ancient Orthodox Tradition
NEW YORK, Oct. 29, 2009-- To commemorate the upcoming U.S. visit of the spiritual leader of the Orthodox church, the American Bible Society will highlight an exhibition of sacred texts and icons celebrating the history of the Orthodox tradition that was organized by the Museum of Biblical Art (MOBIA) opening on Oct. 30 and continuing through Jan. 24, 2010.
For more than seven years, the American Bible Society has worked alongside the Orthodox Church, publishing Bible literature consistent with its faith and doctrine, including: The Orthodox Children's Bible Reader, a collection of Bible stories for children with Byzantine
illustrations, which has been published in Greek, English and many other languages. Also, the first ever Military New Testament has been developed for the more than 25,000 active Orthodox personnel serving in the United States armed forces around the world. This New Testament includes: prayers and meditations, icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary, daily devotionals and prayers, and an Orthodox Bible reading guide.
STANDING CONFERENCE OF THE CANONICAL ORTHODOX BISHOPS IN THE AMERICAS 10 EAST 79th STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10075
NEW YORK — A Special Session of the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) met on September 25, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., hosted by the Chairman of SCOBA, Archbishop Demetrios of America, at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in Manhattan. The session was attended by the following Members of SCOBA: Archbishop Demetrios, Chairman (Greek Orthodox Archdiocese), Metropolitan Philip, Vice-Chairman (Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese), Metropolitan Christopher, Secretary (Serbian Orthodox Church), Archbishop Nicolae (Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese), Metropolitan Joseph (Bulgarian Orthodox Church), Metropolitan Jonah (Orthodox Church in America) Archbishop Antony (proxy, Ukrainian Orthodox Church) and Archpriest Alexander Abramov (Representation of the Moscow Patriarchate in the USA). Also present were the General Secretary and members of the SCOBA Study and Planning Commission representing the SCOBA member Churches.
The entire discussion was focused on the documents related to the “Organization of Episcopal Assemblies” in the regions of the world that are outside the borders of the Autocephalous Churches. These Episcopal Assemblies have been authorized by the Fourth Pre-Conciliar Pan-Orthodox Conference which met at the Orthodox Center of Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Switzerland from 6 – 13, June 2009*. It was decided unanimously by the Hierarchs that the first such Episcopal Assembly shall be convened during Post-Pentecost Week of 2010, which will fall in the last week of May. The likely days of the Assembly will be May 26-27, 2010. There was also discussion as to the location of the Assembly, with a specific venue to be decided after investigation of locales and resources.
The Hierarchs also outlined an initial staging process,combining Hierarchs of SCOBA with sub-committees, which will formulate the outline of the form and agenda of the Assembly.
First Program on Chambesy- The Quest for Orthodox Unity
Fr. Chris begins coverage of Chambesy by speaking to the General Secretary of SCOBA, Rev. Mark Arey. This article also contains the complete interview with Rev. Mark Arey, the press release on Chambesy from the Greek Archdiocese, and the translations of the formal documents prepared at the conference.
Father Luke Mihaily of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese
OCN continues discussing issue of unity of the Orthodox in North America with Fr. Luke Mihaily of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese who is also a member of the Study and Planning commission of SCOBA.
Father Nick Apostola and the Chambesy ProcessCoverage Continues
Father Nick Apostola and Father Chris continue OCN coverage of the Chambesy process.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 6, 2009– Kansas City, MO
FOCUS North America is excited to announce the extension of its domestic outreach to the poor by receiving the highly acclaimed “Orthodox Youth Outreach” (OYO) program from the Antiochian Archdiocese Department of Youth Ministry and Teen SOYO. Added to FOCUS North America’s diverse ongoing operations and partner ministries, the addition of the OYO program strengthens its domestic ministry to the homeless and hopeless by involving youth in urban service learning opportunities and social action leadership training.
The Art of Speaking Workshop to be held Monday, September 28th – Thursday, October 1, 2009 at Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Basic to the calling of the priesthood is the ability to communicate the Gospel with clarity and conviction and at the same time be leaders who truly serve.
CAPPELLA ROMANA Vocal Ensemble Opens its 2009-10 Series in August with Arvo Pärt: Odes of Repentance In Portland, Seattle, and in British Columbia Culminating with a Performance at MusicFest Vancouver
"When East meets West ... a captivating recital" --Gramophone Magazine (April 2009)
6 July 2009 -- PORTLAND, Ore. -- Celebrated vocal ensemble Cappella Romana performs a program of music by world famous Estonian composer Arvo Pärt this August in Portland, Seattle, and Salt Spring Island and Vancouver, BC. MusicFest Vancouver (formerly Festival Vancouver) presents Cappella Romana for the second time in their vocal series, which this year also features ensembles from Germany, Taiwan, and Finland. Led by Alexander Lingas, Cappella Romana was one of North America's first proponents of the music of Pärt - it gave the North American premiere of Pärt's Passio in 1994, which was then broadcast on NPR that year.
Renowned for spiritually profound musical settings of sacred Latin texts, Arvo Pärt has also set many Eastern Orthodox hymns. In this concert, patterned on an Orthodox service of supplication (Paraklesis or Moleben), Cappella Romana offers a selection of Pärt's English and Slavonic works including Triodion and excerpts of his monumental Kanon Pokajanen, the Kanon of Repentance.
PORTLAND: Fri, Aug 7, 2009, 8pm St. Philip Neri Church, SE 18th & Division 503.205.0715
Free pre-concert talks with Dr. Lingas at 7pm. Tickets start at $22, discounts for seniors and students http://www.cappellaromana.org
CANADIAN TOUR
SALT SPRING ISLAND, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Sun, Aug 9, 2009, 8pm Salt Spring Island Arts Centre. http://artspring.ca Information at 250-537-2125.
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Mon, Aug 10, 2009, 5:30pm, Christ Church Cathedral, Downtown Vancouver, BC. Presented by MusicFest Vancouver, one of Canada's largest international summer classical music festivals. For tickets and information, visit http://musicfestvancouver.ca or Ticketmaster 604-280-3311.
Cappella Romana's name (lit. "Roman Chapel") refers to the Medieval Greek concept of the Roman oikoumene (inhabited world), which embraced Rome and Western Europe, as well as the Byzantine Empire of Constantinople ("New Rome") and its Slavic commonwealth. Each program in some way reflects the musical, cultural and spiritual heritage of this ecumenical vision. A variety of photos, sound samples, and video clips available upon request.
ABOUT CAPPELLA ROMANA
Its performances "like jeweled light flooding the space" (Los Angeles Times), Cappella Romana is a vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to combining passion with scholarship in its exploration of the musical traditions of the Christian East and West, with emphasis on early and contemporary music. Its name is derived from the medieval Greek concept of the Roman oikoumene (inhabited world), which included not only "Old Rome" and Western Europe but also "New Rome" (Constantinople) and its commonwealth of Slavic countries.
Flexible in size according to the demands of the repertory, Cappella Romana is one of the Pacific Northwest's few professional chamber vocal ensembles. It has a special commitment to mastering the Slavic and Byzantine repertories in their original languages, thereby making accessible to the general public two great musical traditions that are little known in the West. Leading scholars have supplied the group with their latest discoveries, while its music director has prepared a number of the ensemble's performing editions from original sources. In the field of contemporary music, Cappella Romana has taken a leading role performing the works of such European composers as Michael Adamis, Ivan Moody, Arvo Pärt, and John Tavener, as well as the work of North Americans.
The ensemble presents annual concert series in Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Critics have consistently praised these for their unusual and innovative programming, including numerous world and American premieres. The group has also frequently collaborated with such artists as conductor Paul Hillier, chant specialist Ioannis Arvanitis, and composer Ivan Moody.
Cappella Romana tours regularly and made its European début in March 2004 at the Byzantine Festival in London with concerts at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, St. Paul's Cathedral, and the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia, followed by 2005 appearances at the Byzantine Studies Symposium of Queen's University, Belfast (N. Ireland) and the University of Limerick (Rep. of Ireland). The Metropolitan Museum of Art presented the ensemble in its New York début for the exhibit "Byzantium: Faith and Power 1261-1557" in April 2004, which included the release of a CD by Cappella Romana, Music of Byzantium, to accompany the exhibit. The ensemble has also appeared in Festival Vancouver (B.C.) the Bloomington Early Music Festival, the Indiana Early Music Festival (Indianapolis) and at the J. Paul Getty Museum (Los Angeles), and the Early Music Society of the Islands (Victoria, BC). Future engagements include the J. Paul Getty Museum again in December 2006, the Smithsonian Institution, and regional touring in the Pacific Northwest.
Cappella Romana has released eleven compact disc recordings to date: Tikey Zes Choral Works and When Augustus Reigned (Gagliano), The Akáthistos Hymn by Ivan Moody and Epiphany: Medieval Byzantine Chant (Gothic), Music of Byzantium (Metropolitan Museum of Art), and Lay Aside All Earthly Cares: Orthodox Choral Music in English, The Fall of Constantinople, Byzantium in Rome: Medieval Byzantine Chant from Grottaferrata, The Divine Liturgy in English in Byzantine Chant, Richard Toensing: The Kontakion on the Nativity of Christ (CR Records), and the compilation CD Byzantium: 330-1453 published by the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Forthcoming recordings include a disc of the Divine Liturgy set by Peter Michaelides, Mt. Sinai: Frontier of Byzantium, and music from Cyprus.
ALEXANDER LINGAS
Alexander Lingas is Cappella Romana's founder and artistic director. Under his leadership Cappella Romana's programming continues to expand, including music from the very oldest musical manuscripts to contemporary works by some of the world's most notable composers. He has directed Cappella Romana on National Public Radio and BBC Radio 3, at the Eclectic Orange Festival in California, Festival Vancouver (BC), and recently at the Byzantine Festival in London, which featured a gala concert in St. Paul's Cathedral, performed before HRH The Duke of Kent and an audience of over 2,000.
His musical pursuits have won him many awards, including Fulbright and Onassis grants for musical studies in Greece, a fellowship in Byzantine Studies at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C., two fellowships at the University of Oxford, and speaking engagements on the BBC Radio 3, at Yale University, the Liszt Academy in Budapest, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. From 1998 until 2001 he was British Academy Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Oxford University's St. Peter's College. He has also served as a lecturer and advisor for the Institute of Orthodox Christian Studies at the University of Cambridge. Dr. Lingas is currently a Senior Lecturer in Music at City University (London, UK) and a Fellow of the University of Oxford's European Humanities Research Centre. He was formerly an Assistant Professor of Music at Arizona State University.
In addition to publishing scholarly articles in journals, encyclopedias and books, Dr. Lingas has composed music for the Orthodox Church, while also having served as a cantor in Portland, San Francisco, Vancouver, B.C., Phoenix, and Oxford. In May 2001 he collaborated with Ioannis Arvanitis, Lycourgos Angelopoulos and the Greek Byzantine Choir on the first celebration in 500 years of Vespers according to the ancient Rite of Hagia Sophia, which was held in the chapel of St. Peter's College. His upcoming projects include books for Overseas Publishing Associates on Sunday Matins in the Rite of Hagia Sophia and Byzantine experiments in polyphony, as well as a general introduction to Byzantine Chant for the Yale University Press. During the academic year 2003-2004 Dr. Lingas was in Princeton, New Jersey as the recipient of two prestigious awards: a membership in the School of Historical Studies of the Institute for Advanced Study and an NEH Area Studies Fellowship from the American Council of Learned Societies.
ADDRESS By His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew During the Formal Reception Of His Beatitude Patriarch Kirill of Moscow In the Hall of the Throne
(July 4, 2009)
Your Beatitude and All-Holy Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All-Russia, dearly beloved Brother and Concelebrant in the Holy Spirit, welcome to Constantinople, New Rome, whence came the light of the Gospel to Your great homeland! We welcome – both you and your honorable Patriarchal entourage – to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
This visit, Your Beatitude, being your first journey as Patriarch to the court of the Mother Church, which you have of course visited repeatedly in the past, in another capacity, comprises for us as well as for the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Throne cause for great joy and profound sentiment. After your joyful and hopeful, while at the same time entirely deserved, election and enthronement only a few months ago for the holy Patriarchal Throne of Moscow and All-Russia, succeeding your much blessed and deeply mourned predecessor, our beloved Brother Alexy II, behold today we have you with us in person as a dear brother, filled with grace, bearing peace, conveying love and piety from the most holy Church of Russia, its venerable Hierarchy and faithful Russian people. “How wonderful are your steps,” holy and beloved Brother, “as they walk in the gospel of love, announcing the good news!” May your arrival and sojourn here be blessed. “Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord!”
Our acquaintance, Your Beatitude, is old. We encountered you, still in your youth as a hopeful Archimandrite, representing the Russian Church at the World Council of Churches as well as at other inter-church bodies and conferences; and later as Bishop, even as Archbishop, of Vyborg but especially as Metropolitan of Smolensk, responsible for the Office of External Ecclesiastical Relations of your Patriarchate, in which capacity we were pleased to cooperate with you closely on repeated occasions. In your person we discerned the much-talented ecclesiastical man, the skilled manager of sensitive matters of the Church, the distinguished theologian and honorable laborer of the Gospel. In this way, when the electoral body looked upon you to assume the responsibility and honor as the successor of the Patriarchal and most holy Church of Russia, we were not surprised. For we observed the natural progression of matters, sincerely rejoicing and glorifying the all-holy name of God, who deemed worthy to place you as the bright lamp over the great and holy Church of Russia.
Thus, we welcome you, Your Beatitude – precisely 420 years after the elevation of your blessed predecessor Metropolitan Job to Patriarch of Moscow and All-Russia by our blessed predecessor Ecumenical Patriarch Jeremiah II the Great – with a profound sense of fervent love and wholehearted honor. For we welcome the successor of that Job, of the martyr Philip, the theologian Philaret, the wise Plato, the great and equal to the Apostles Innocent, the holy and patient Tichon, as well as numerous Patriarchs who glorified your Throne with their virtue, wisdom, holiness, martyrdom and confession of Christ. We are certain that their souls rejoice at your promotion and their holy prayers are with us all at this hour.
Your Beatitude, you have been called to the helm of the Patriarchate of Moscow and All-Russia not of course under the harsh conditions of your venerable predecessors, from St. Tichon to your immediate predecessor Alexy II, but also not in bright or cloudless days for our world. A spiritual crisis, a moral crisis, a financial crisis and indeed a crisis with many names characterizes our world from one end to another. It is true that militant atheism has retreated almost everywhere; yet the practical atheism of self-sufficiency, insensitivity and material pleasure are alive and strong. Supposedly in the name of God, the sounds of war are still heard, the blood of people is still shed, and numerous populations are uprooted and rendered refugees. Religious and nationalistic fanaticism is increasing, nations exchange hands, human beings are humiliated and ridiculed in dark “trafficking,” women and children are abused, drugs are pushed. At the same time, Christians – instead of remaining unified and working together in one spirit and one heart so that the hope that is within us may prove a convincing word – are troubled by divisions, disagreements and trivialities both on a pan-Christian level as well as (which is worse) on the inter-Orthodox level. Yet, this renders us greatly responsible before the Arch-Shepherd Christ, who demands us to have love, peace and unity among us in order that our light may shine before the world and that all people may be directed to the Father of Lights by means of our good deeds and example.
Nevertheless, Your Beatitude and dear Brother, we have before us the common decisions of the blessed Synaxis of the Primates of the most holy Orthodox Churches held last October at the Phanar, with the participation and unanimous agreement also of your predecessor, the late Patriarch Alexy. These decisions were taken in light of the Holy and Great Synod of Orthodoxy, giving us a fitting witness as one family, so to speak, before the Christian world as well as to those outside of Christianity, who are in great uncertainty, confusion and anxiety. The common Pre-Conciliar Conference held only a few days ago in Geneva, together with the prevailing spirit of unity and love as well as its pious and unanimous decisions, not only grant us much hope but at the same time also comprise a model for the future.
Your Beatitude! You were born into a priestly family, you were nurtured by the piety of your priestly father, so that the Pauline words also hold true for you: “You have known the sacred letters from childhood, and these are able to enlighten you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” (2 Tim. 3.15) When you were born, there was still “deep night”; and while you were a child, you experienced the horrible persecution that broke out exactly fifty years ago against the Church. You matured in difficult days, being molded as iron in the fire. All this was divine dispensation in order that you may be well prepared and qualified in ecclesiastical matters, gaining training and invaluable experience for the struggle that you have assumed upon your shoulders with the great burden of Patriarchal responsibility for the difficult and critical times that lie ahead. Your qualifications, together with your broad education, your spiritual cultivation, the open horizons of your thought, your manifold virtue, your numerous acquaintances throughout the world, as well as the confidence and love of your Hierarchy, clergy and laity, bode brightly for a fruitful Patriarchal tenure. We assure you that we are beside you. We extend to you a hand of sincere love and unfeigned cooperation. We are ready to work with you, in the context of canonical order and the ages-old and sacred ecclesiastical traditions, in directness of heart before God, for the benefit not only of our two Churches, but of the entire Orthodox and Christian world.
Welcome, then, Your Beatitude and beloved Brother. We pray that your visit here will be the first in a series of many blessed such occasions. Our fraternal embrace will always be open to you and your honorable coworkers in the Lord. May your years be many and healthy!
NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America announces the visit of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States this coming October for a three-stage visit, which will include an Environmental Symposium on the Mississippi River and visits to New York, Atlanta and Washington D.C.
The Ecumenical Patriarch will arrive in Memphis, Tenn. Oct. 17 and between Oct.18-25 will lead the 8th Environmental Symposium titled “The Great Mississippi River: Restoring Balance.” His All Holiness is the patron of this series of environmental symposia on various water bodies around the world and he is internationally known for his many efforts for environmental awareness and the well-deserved title “Green Patriarch.”
“This trip of His All Holiness to America will be a unique opportunity for all the American people to hear the Ecumenical Patriarch’s message of reconciliation among all religions and people of the world, a message of respect for human rights and religious freedom for all, and a message of respect and reverence for God’s creation, our natural environment. Finally, for the Orthodox Christians in America this trip will truly be a blessing,” said Archbishop Demetrios about the Patriarchal trip.
The Environmental Symposia are organized by “Religion, Science and the Environment,” a movement originally conceived in 1988 on the Aegean Isle of Patmos, at a meeting of environmental and religious leaders, out of concern for the water environment of the planet. RSE has convened seven symposia to study the fate of the world’s main bodies of water, which cover seven-tenths of the earth’s surface. These were held in the Aegean Sea, the Black Sea, the Danube River, the Adriatic Sea, the Baltic Sea, the Amazon River and the Arctic Sea.
On the second leg of his trip, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will come to New York on Oct. 25. His All Holiness’ program in New York will include two Patriarchal Divine Liturgies, meetings with the clergy, ecumenical leaders, members of the Archdiocesan Council and the Archons and the bestowing of an honorary doctorate degree from Fordham University. The Ecumenical Patriarch will make a short visit to Atlanta Oct. 29 and will be back in New York Oct. 30. Finally, the following week, Nov. 2-5 the Ecumenical Patriarch will visit Washington, D.C.
Details of the schedule of His All Holiness’ visit will be forthcoming as they become available.
His All Holiness, Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch is the 270th successor to the Apostle Andrew and spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.
From June 11-13, 2009, twenty-two professors of Orthodox dogmatic theology from eight countries (Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Russia, Lebanon, France, Germany, and the USA) took part in a meeting organized by the International Association of Orthodox Dogmatic Theologians (IAODT). The meeting took place at the Faculty of Theology at the University of Arad, Romania, with the blessing and in the presence of the local bishop, His Grace Tomotei (Seviciu), himself a theologian with international and ecumenical experience.
This was the second meeting of the IAODT; the first had taken place two years prior. The Association was founded in June, 2007 as a way of gathering scholars of Orthodox dogmatic theology from around the world to discuss research and methodologies, and address contemporary theological needs. The Association elected a Board in 2007 that was re-affirmed in 2009: the president (Fr. Ioan Tulcan, Theology Faculty of Arad, Romania), and two vice-presidents (Dr. Peter Bouteneff, St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, NY, and Dr. Michel Stavrou, St. Sergius Theological Institute in Paris).
The theme of this meeting was Tradition and Dogma: What kind of dogmatic theology do we propose for today? The papers tended to revolve around a constellation of relevant topics, such as the interrelation between theology and worship, theology and culture, as well as theology and exegesis in the contemporary world. The discussion sessions, lively and constructive, sometimes revealed differences in perception of Orthodox identity vis-à-vis the Christian West, and often concerned the relationship between reason and mysticism. As a result, the next meeting, which is slated to take place in June 2011, will address the theme, The function and the limits of reason in dogmatic theology.
The final document of the 2009 meeting, listing its participants and their papers, as well as some descriptive paragraphs, is available for download here.
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ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP “Keeping our College Students Connected to the Church”
OCF Hosts First Annual Pilgrimage for Justice
Fishers, IN – June 10, 2009
On Pentecost weekend (June 5 – 8, 2009), Orthodox Christian Fellowship (OCF) hosted the first annual Pilgrimage for Justice at its North American headquarters in Fishers, IN. The event was attended by a small group of students who spent the weekend reflecting about poverty and injustice throughout the world and what our response should be as Orthodox Christians.
Unconventional by design, the Pilgrimage incorporated simulated activities, reflective exercises, and prayer into the weekend that was described by several student participants as “life-changing”.
Students arrived on Friday, June 5 not knowing what to expect from the weekend. The promotional video launched at the OCF College Conference had instructed the students not to attend unless they were ready to be taken out of their comfort zones. Students did not receive a schedule for the weekend, and so were kept on their toes throughout the weekend as they waited for what would come next.
As they arrived on Friday, the Pilgrimage seemed conventional enough as the students were treated to pizza and a concert by the Small Town Heroes, an Orthodox band from Indiana.
However, on Saturday, the students were continually taken out of their comfort zones as they found themselves in one poverty simulation after another. This began at 7am on Saturday as the students were abruptly awakened in their tents to a simulated refugee camp. They then had to cook their breakfast over a fire and take cold showers outdoors. As they did so, they were told to “keep in mind the many people made in God’s image who spent last night in tents like these, but who are not at a retreat or a pilgrimage.”
They later found themselves placed in a similar simulation dealing with American homelessness. Following lunch, they returned to their campsite to found their tents gone and all their belongings in a pile on the sidewalk. They were instructed to find materials on the property such as cardboard and plywood to construct a “shanty town” in which to sleep that night.
As they constructed their shelter, they were reminded, “Millions of Americans sleep night after night in such shelters on American streets. As you gather the materials, think about those men, women, and children. Think about how Christ calls each of us who are not in that condition to respond to them.”
Another simulated activity followed on Sunday afternoon dealing with human trafficking. Throughout the activity, the harsh realities of sweatshops, child soldiers, and the sex trade were brought home to the students.
The poverty simulations were interspersed with reflective readings, group discussions, and a series of talks by OCF Executive Director Fr. Kevin Scherer.
The weekend culminated on Sunday afternoon as the students celebrated Pentecost Vespers. Afterwards, they were presented with information about several different non-profits with which they could become involved to address poverty and injustice, while at the same time being reminded that social justice begins with simply loving the neighbor they come across each day of their lives.
“As a new program,” says OCF Service Learning Director Jordan Henderson, “we were very pleased with the first Pilgrimage for Justice. We look forward to developing and growing the program next year.”
Augustine, FL - "In many cultures, rain is one of God’s ultimate blessings," offered Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) Executive Director Fr. Martin Ritsi during his remarks at the May 20 and 21 dedication of the new Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building. Indeed, as over 30 inches of rain fell on North Florida during the two-day dedication, the new building and the hundreds of faithful from around the world who gathered for the festivities were blessed abundantly.
The Dedication Committee, chaired by Mrs. Helen Nicozisis, OCMC staff, and Board Members were honored to receive 10 hierarchs and numerous clergy from all the Orthodox Jurisdictions represented in the Standing Conference of the Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA) as well as over 300 guests from around the world. Several past and current OCMC Missionaries were also on hand to celebrate the new era in North American Orthodox missions that the Archbishop Anastasios and Archbishop Demetrios Missionary Training and Administration Building represents.
On the night of May 20, a reception was held at the Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village; OCMC Board President, Mr. Clifford Argue opened the evening by welcoming many of these distinguished guests after an Invocation from Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, of the American Carpatho Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA, assisted by Fr. Mark Arey, General Secretary of SCOBA.
Following Mr. Argue’s remarks, OCMC Missionary to Albania Mr. Nathan Hoppe offered his reflections on the past, present and future of the OCMC. Mr. Hoppe remarked that, “With this new center we are equipped in a new way to reach out and to powerfully proclaim that Christ is truly risen and that He’s transformed all of reality.” Both Fr. Martin and Mr. Argue concurred with Mr. Hoppe’s assessment of the new building’s significance and also noted that the new mission center is the culmination of years of hard work and sacrificial giving from each of the SCOBA jurisdictions, many Orthodox philanthropic organizations, and individual supporters.
Two men, however, were recognized for their pivotal roles in the growth of the Orthodox Missions movement – His Beatitude Anastasios, Archbishop of Tirana, Durres and All Albania, and Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Chairman of SCOBA, who were the honorees during the dedication. Addressing the two prelates, Board member Fr. Matthew Tate shared, “Your missionary efforts throughout the Church truly are legendary, and it is most appropriate that the Mission Center building be dedicated in each of your names.”
The new building will prove to be a vital resource in the continuation of this work. Broader understanding and support of missions, however, is still needed, reminded Wednesday’s keynote speaker, OCMC Board Vice President and Chancellor of St. Vladimir’s Seminary Fr. Chad Hatfield. “Many of us know little about our American missiological heritage,” he said. But he noted that it is this missiological foundation exemplified by saints who served in this country, including prayer, understanding, vision, planning, and funding, that we must draw upon in order to spread the Gospel around the world.
OCMC’s major benefactors, the SCOBA hierarchs, Missionaries, and others who made the dream of the new OCMC building a reality were recognized at the Wednesday evening banquet. Prior to the benediction offered by Bishop Antoun of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, who was assisted by OCMC Board Member Fr. Luke Veronis, each of these ardent supporters and dedicated mission workers received a framed rendering of the new building that they worked so hard to see completed.
At the banquet, OCMC was honored to receive a $25,000 donation from the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, presented by National President Aphrodite Skeadas.
The morning of the Thursday, May 21, began with a Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Fr. Nikitas Theodosian graciously welcomed as the Liturgy’s celebrant Metropolitan Alexios of the Atlanta Metropolis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the many faithful who gathered for the early morning worship. The Metropolitan was assisted by Fr. Ritsi and Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos.
Dedication proceedings were held immediately following the Liturgy at the new building, which included a blessing service celebrated by Archbishop Demetrios. Following the service, a hand painted icon of the Mission Center’s patron saints, Cyril and Methodius, was presented by Archbishop Demetrios from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Metropolitan Athenagoras of Mexico visited Haiti this past week bringing comfort to the clergy and Orthodox faithful of the earthquake stricken Island. His Eminence arrived from Greece where he was visiting for official Church business, aboard a Greek Government plane, with the Assistant Foreign Minister of Greece and the Executive Director of the NGO “Solidarity” of the Church of Greece. The plane was carrying 50 tons of food, medicine and other aid, a gift from the Greek Government and the Church of Greece, for the people of Haiti.
On his way to the Ecumenical Patriarchate to meet with His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew and receive his advice and console and blessings for the best way to proceed in bringing spiritual comfort and aid to Haiti and our Haitian Orthodox Community, Metropolitan Athenagoras passed through New York and visited with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America. Archbishop Demetrios was deeply concerned to hear about Metropolitan Athenagoras’ recent visit to Haiti. Upon assessing the present situation, together they determined a plan of action which Metropolitan Athenagoras will present to Patriarch Bartholomew, so that, with the help of IOCC and the financial aid and assistance provided by the Church of America, positive measures can be pursued in helping the people of Haiti meet their immediate needs while working towards a long term and more permanent solution in rebuilding the lives and future of our Haitian Orthodox Community. 
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First Program on Chambesy - The Quest for Orthodox Unity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - August 6, 2009– Kansas City, MO