Let's Give our Children the Real Meaning of Christmas: Father Alex Karloutsos

We liked what we read in one of Gregory Pappas Status updates on Facebook earlier and thought we would share with you the rest of Father Alex Karloutsos' Christmas address. 

For all our good intentions we really do need to heed the warning bells and step on the brakes.In the mad rush to give our children the best of everything, we often forget what's important, really important. Let's all think about what we can offer our children to equip them for living and becoming the best possible citizens.

Thank you Father Alex. 

Merry Christmas!

2012 Christmas Letter of Father Alex

 On December 11, 2012

Dear Friends,

I greet you in the name of the Prince of Peace Whose name these days is so purposefully overlooked that the very celebration of His birth, the Christmas Advent, now begins on a Black Friday shrouded by empty salutations of happy holidays and season’s greetings. We are so caught up in our consume-or-be-consumed society of self-indulgence, as Dostoyevsky points out, that we actually “judge others and ourselves by the quantity and quality” of the Christmas gifts we give and are given. Rather than following the star to adore “the King of Angels” as did the wise men before us, we have foolishly become like Pontius Pilate, as we wash away any reference of Christ’s birth as Messiah, Lord and Savior. (Please read Mark 8:38)

Why is it, I ask, that we insist on giving our children everything our parents could not afford to give us and yet desist from giving them the priceless things of value that our parents did give us – - – our faith, culture and legacy? We buy them apps, but not aptitude for living; we give them toys, but neglect to give them life’s tools; and we give them the best of cars, but without giving them the best road to travel through life. Surprisingly and sadly, out of our abounding love we’ve given our children an entitlement mentality as opposed to a gratitude mindset!

Speaking the truth in love, and in light of tragedies like Sandy, I ask you to make the time to tell the people you love that you truly love them. Tell them that God’s blessing of health is the greatest wealth and that everything else is fool’s gold. Tell them the real story of Christ’s birth and the Season’s reason for Santa Claus, bright lights and wrapped presents under Christmas trees. Take them and yourself to Church for Christmas and at home read Luke 2:1-20 around your dinner table or fireplace.

Xanthi, Yiayia, our children and 8 ½ grandchildren join me in offering you this simple Christmas prayer: May the Bethlehem Child increase in you His grace; and multiply your days with many, many years; and bless you throughout those years with a joyous and happy life.

Christ is born — glorify Him,

Fr. Alex Karloutsos

Active and dynamic, Global Greek Father Alex Karloutsos, Protopresbyter at Kimisis tis Theotokou, Hamptons, New York, is former Executive Director of Leadership 100, an endowment fund established under the guidance of the late Archbishop Iakovos,  spiritual advisor of the Order of St. Andrew,  Public Affairs Officer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and acting Executive Advisor of Faith: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism - a national organization, whose sole purpose is to fund the National Ministries and Institutions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.



 At Global Greek World, We ♥ Greece...and it shows!

 © GlobalGreekWorld 2012 All Rights Reserved

YES, Global Greeks CAN! St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero to be Rebuilt!

“We are grateful to our esteemed Governor and precious friend Andrew Cuomo for bringing to reality the dream we have nourished for ten long years. St. Nicholas Church, rising again with the help of God at Ground Zero - where it stood spiritually important for 85 years, is an affirmation of the significance of religious freedom and experience for all New Yorkers and all Americans. The covenant stands firm. We will again light many candles in the new St. Nicholas Church and remember those who were lost to us, and those heroes who so nobly sacrificed their lives. Our pledge is to be a witness for all New Yorkers, that freedom of conscience and the fundamental human right of free religious expression will always shine forth in the resurrected St. Nicholas Church.” 

Archbishop Demetrios, on the long awaited agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on the rebuilding of the St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Photo by: Eric O'Connell
Photo Source: Rebuild St Nicholas at Ground Zero Facebook Page 

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church which was destroyed in the terrorist attack and subsequent collapse of the twin towers on September 11, 2001, will be rebuilt.

In New York, The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announced the much awaited and long overdue agreement with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was destroyed in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo invited Archbishop Demetrios and the Hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, together with leadership of the St. Nicholas Parish and the Archdiocesan Council to his New York City office for the official signing of the agreement by Archdiocesan Council Vice-Chairman Michael Jaharis and Port Authority Executive Director Chris Ward. Archbishop Demetrios and Governor Cuomo signed as the formal witnesses to the agreement.

Archbishop Demetrios expressed particular praise for Governor Cuomo and also expressed deep appreciation to Michael Jaharis and Dennis Mehiel and the other members of the joint committee who had laboured so diligently to accomplish this historic agreement.

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo: “We lost St. Nicholas Church in the destruction of September 11 and for too long its future has been uncertain. Rebuilding St. Nicholas Church, with a nondenominational bereavement center, is not just good news for the Greek Orthodox community, but for all New Yorkers. With this agreement, we are continuing New York’s collective healing, restoration, and resurgence. Now we are finally returning this treasured place of reflection to where it belongs.”

According to the Port Authority Press Release:“The agreement … permits the rebuilding of the Church with a nondenominational bereavement center at the east end of Liberty Park, at 130 Liberty Street. The agreement follows a four-month independent engineering study commissioned by the Port Authority and the Archdiocese, which found that the Church could be built on the site with minor modifications to the original plan and with no impact on the World Trade Center construction schedule.”

In Washington, D.C., U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues, welcomed and applauded the agreement:

Rep. Bilirakis :“The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese has been ready, willing, and able to re-erect its beloved church for some time now and I am pleased that the Port Authority and New York City officials have reached this important and symbolic agreement to reconstruct St. Nicholas Church. As the only house of worship destroyed in the tragic attacks on 9/11, St. Nicholas not only serves as a house of prayer and worship for the Hellenic community, but is a reminder that the United States and its resounding faith cannot and will not be held down by those who wish to harm us. I look forward to the day that this church re-opens its doors and the first post-9/11 Divine Liturgy is celebrated,” said Rep. Bilirakis.

Rep. Maloney:“I congratulate Governor Cuomo, Archbishop Demetrios, and Chairman Ward for their hard work to reach this agreement.  Rebuilding St. Nicholas Church, along with the major progress underway at the World Trade Center site, will help complete our city’s recovery from the 9/11 attacks.  St. Nicholas Church has been an important part of the Hellenic community for generations, but has also served as a place of respite, calm, and prayer for countless others in the lower Manhattan community.  I am delighted that this iconic Church will soon rise again,” 

Greek Americans, Greek American Associations all over the USA, and all Greeks, in Greece and abroad, Global Greeks who have worked hard and unstintingly for this cause, welcomed this historic decision with a great sense of relief, joy and vindication. 

We at Global Greek World, congratulate all those involved... we know that when we Greeks work together, united and determined, nothing is impossible! 

Greece, the Church of Greece, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, organisations and individual people from all over the world have sent money in support of the rebuilding. 

For those that can afford to, let's send a donation to help finance this truly worthwhile project.

To see how you can help rebuild, go to the St Nicholas website

Related Articles:

 

Let's ALL Help Ensure that St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero is Rebuilt. ACT NOW! 

Remembering 9/11 - The Day that Changed the World...

Global Greek Issues: Let's ALL Help Ensure That Ground Zero's St Nicholas is Rebuilt! ACT NOW!

The WTC Twin Towers before September 11, 2001

(C) Global Greek World

In a few days, on 11 September, it will be exactly 9 years since the dreadful events that changed America and the world forever.

In a few days it will be 9 years since the world watched in horror as a tragedy unfolded,  thousands of people were trapped and killed in the simultaneous terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre's Twin Towers in New York City.

In a few days it will be 9 years since that awful day which set off the USA's deployment in Afghanistan and Iraq, 9 years since the USA and the world went to war with terrorism and marked the beginning of the most bloody period since Vietnam for the USA and it's allies.

In a few days it will be 9 years since the falling rubble of one of  New York's landmark towers caused the total destruction of a beautiful little Greek Orthodox Church at it's base, the church of St.Nicholas, built in 1916 on Cedar Street, across the street from where the World Trade Center eventually stood, by Greek immigrants who worked the shipyards at New York Harbor. For those that don't know, the Greek Orthodox religion is the oldest Christian religion in the world. 

St Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Ground Zero before September 11, 2001

St. Nicholas, points out  Rev. Mark Arey, Greek Orthodox of America Archdiocese spokesman, in an interview to Newsweek, is the patron saint of sailors in the Eastern tradition, and  the Greeks have been sailing the wine-dark seas since the days of Homer.

The intense debate over the Park51 Islamic Centre which has received approval to build at Ground Zero and the impasse over the rebuilding of the only place of worship actually at Ground Zero on 9/11 highlights the discrimination and adds fuel to the fire of the Orthodox faithful.

Why this discrimination? 

"St. Nicholas has nothing to do with this mosque controversy. We believe in religious freedom, and whether the mosque should or shouldn't be there, that's a whole different dialogue," Rev Arey told the Huffington Post,   "But it's a rising tide that lifts all boats. People say the mosque has been greenlighted, but why not this church?"

Former New York Governor, George Pataki, who as governor promised that St. Nicholas would be rebuilt after the 2001 attacks, said that the Port Authority needed to reach out to church officials.

"It's just wrong that the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church, which was there, which was part of the master plan ... has basically been ignored, " he said.

Prominent Greek Americans and leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church have added their support to the  voice of the 300 member congregation and it's supporters in an effort to have the issue resolved.

"Rather than focus his attention on the mosque, Governor  Paterson should step in right away to ensure that the state of New York and the Port Authority uphold the agreement with the Greek Orthodox church so this project can go forward without further delay," said State Senator Dean Skelos, while George Demos, a Long Island Republican congressional candidate seeking to unseat  Republican Tim Bishop, said he wrote President Barack Obama a letter lobbying for the church and saying, among other things  that  

"All of our political leadership seems intent on assisting the mosque, at the same time they have taken no steps to make sure St. Nicholas is rebuilt,"

 

"What about us? Why have they forgotten or abandoned their commitment to us?" asked Father Alex Karloutsos, assistant to Archbishop Demetrios, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in a 24 th August 2010 Associated Press Article Supporters: Church  Ignored in NYC Mosque Furor.

"When I see them raising issues about the mosque and not thinking about the church that was destroyed, it does bother us."

Port Authority officials said the church wanted final approval on the design of the parking lot and the potential for an additional $20 million in public money. The agency said it made a final offer in 2009 that was rejected.

" St. Nicholas Church continues to retain the right to build on its original location," the agency said in a statement Monday. It said work could begin in 2013 if the church helped finance it.

Father Karloutsos denied that any offer had been rejected, instead saying that Port Authority pulled the deal and has since ignored the church's attempts at dialogue. 

"This is about the Port Authority reneging on a promise," he said.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has recently reiterated that promise and Newsweek, in it's September 2nd article titled, The Other Religion at Ground Zero, mentions that last week, The Wall Street Journal reported that negotiations had resumed, but Father Arey says no one has reached out to him. “We are very concerned. We’re not going to be pushed out. We are very determined to rebuild the church at Ground Zero.”

We at Global Greek World agree. We think that this is an issue of concern to all Greeks and Greek Orthodox around the world, irrespective of the controversy over the building of the Mosque.

We believe it is up to the Global Greek Community, and especially the Greek American Community to stand up and be counted. 

There's nothing like a bit of pressure and there's a great deal or power in numbers, so ACT NOW!

Mobilise all of our Greek American representatives such as Olympia Snowe, John Sarbanes, Niki Tsongas, Zack Space, Dina Titus, Gus Bilirakis, Charlie Christ,  and contenders such as Alexis Gianoulias, in support of this cause!

Capitol Hill before September 11, 2001

(C) Global Greek World

Write to your local congressman/woman or senator,  to President Obama and to Secretary of State, Clinton, asking that they support the Greek American Community in it's endeavours to have St Nicholas rebuilt as soon as possible.  

The White House before September 11, 2001

(C) Global Greek World

For those that can afford to, let's send a donation to help finance the project.People have sent money from all over the world in support of this cause. Let's keep the momentum going!

Let's ALL ACT NOW to ensure the continuing presence of St Nicholas, a little Greek Orthodox Church that was sacrificed on that black day, almost 9 years ago, when terrorism came to the USA and changed the course of history forever! 

To read more, click on the relevant links highlighted in the body of the post.
To see how you can help rebuild, go to the St Nicholas website

GOT GREEK SURVEY - Whether You are 1/16th or 100% Greek, This Survey is About YOU

Got Greek? Online Study Wants to Know

Over the past year, we’ve been listening to students from one end of the country to the other. Among other things, we’ve heard students speak about themselves, their families and their heritage from a wonderful variety of viewpoints. From these conversations, we’ve discovered that there is a fascinating spectrum of young people, from all parts of the country and all kinds of backgrounds — who all identify with their Greek heritage in one way or another. From Greek-Greek to Greek-American, Greek Irish, Greek-Iranian and even Greek-Chinese— they all say they’ve “got Greek.”  

Your Voice Matters!  

If you feel that you’ve “got Greek” then your voice belongs in this conversation. That’s why we’re inviting you to take the Got Greek? survey. The online questionnaire we’ve developed is easy to take, and is right at your fingertips. This is a chance for you to speak out about how you feel about your own Greek heritage — and what role it has played in your life at home, and how it affects your social life, your relationships and your college experience. Sign up here to take the online survey — and become part of the conversation. We look forward to hearing what you have to say.

 Stephanie Marudas, National Research Study Director

About the Survey

A landmark online national study is under way to learn how American college and university students with Greek ancestry feel about their heritage.

The Got Greek? National Student Survey is asking undergraduate and graduate students— currently enrolled in colleges and universities throughout the United States— about their views and opinions on their background and how it relates to everything from food and music, to family, friends and dating.

The survey is open to any student with Greek heritage— including second-, third-, and fourth-generation Greek American students— as well as students born in Greece or Cyprus currently studying in the U.S.

To participate in the survey, students can go online and register today.

This academically-supervised survey is part of the Next Generation National Research Study, which also includes oral history interviews with students throughout the United States. The interviews are archived online and available to read.

Sponsored by the Next Generation Initiative, an independent non-profit educational foundation, the study was launched with major funding from the Zapis Charitable Foundation and others. Joining the campaign to promote the study are Hellenic student groups on more than 50 campuses across the country and a wide range of organizations including the American Hellenic Education Progressive Association (AHEPA), the Modern Greek  Studies Association, the National Hellenic Museum and the Youth and Young Adult Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

ABC’s Good Morning America anchor and chief political correspondent, Greek American  George Stephanopoulos recently kicked off the campaign by calling on students around the country to participate in the groundbreaking study. In an email message to students, Stephanopoulos wrote:

“To get the most complete and representative results, we need to make sure that every eligible student has a chance to be included in the study. As we are learning from this study, there are many more young people your age who say they’ve “got Greek” than we knew or imagined.”

Stephanopoulos also launched the study’s presence on Facebook, where the public can sign up to follow progress of the study at: http://www.facebook.com/ivegotgreek .

Results of this study promise to be important and useful to scholars, Greek American researchers, and the community for years to come.  

We at Global Greek World applaud this initiative and look forward to seeing it extended to other countries where there is a Greek presence.

This is your chance to speak up and be included! 

Take part now!

HOLY WEEK - MEGALI EVDOMADA - FOR THE ORTHODOX WHEREVER IN THE GLOBAL GREEK WORLD WE MAY BE

Greek Orthodox Holy Week effectively started last Saturday with the Resurrection of Lazarus, followed by the Palm Sunday services.

As the celebration of Easter in Greece and the lead-up to it is the most significant and symbolic of all the religious feasts you may like to read a little more on what Holy Week is all about and the meanings of the services.

We found that the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has put together a very useful and informative Brochure on Holy Week and we highly recommend it. If you want to read it here, scroll down - we have reproduced a lot of it below - we hope they don't mind but it is for a good cause!

SATURDAY OF LAZARUS-SAVVATO TOU LAZAROU

An interlude between Great Lent and Holy Week, the Church names this day the “Saturday of Lazarus” in remembrance of the resurrection of Lazarus told in the Gospel of John (11:1-45) and its promise of universal resurrection for all men. The Church connects this celebration, by anticipation, with the Entrance of Christ into Jerusalem.

PALM SUNDAY-TON VAION

Palm Sunday celebrates the glorious and brilliant feast of the Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem (John 12:1-18). Zechariah had prophesied the entrance of the Messiah into Jerusalem, saying: “Rejoice greatly ... O daughter of Jerusalem; behold, the King comes unto Thee; he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”, Zech. 9:9. The contemporary Jews associated this prophecy with the expected Messiah. This action of Christ testifies to His nature as Messiah, but with the definite declaration that His Kingdom was not of this world. The main road leading to Jerusalem was covered with palm trees.

The multitudes, with palm branches in their hands, spread their cloaks on the road as a show of respect, crying out “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord.” A custom of distributing branches of palms to the people in the Church prevails to this day.

During the remainder of Holy Week, the Church advances its liturgical life by about twelve hours, celebrating morning services the night before, and evening services in the morning.

On Palm Sunday evening, the Church celebrates the Orthros (Matins) of Holy Monday, in the first of four “Bridegroom Services.” Christ is called the “Bridegroom” because in His Passion, He gives His life for His Bride, the people of God, the Church, just as a husband will sacrifice everything for his wife and family. From Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday, some parishes will celebrate the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts in the morning. 

Ιδού, ο νυμφίος έρχεται
εν τω μέσω της νυκτός
και μακάριος ο δούλος
ο ευρήσει γρηγορούνται,
ανάξιος δε πάλιν,
ον ευρήσει ραθυμούντα
βλέπε ούν, ψυχή μου,
μη τω ύπνω κατενεχθής
ίνα μη τω θανάτω παραδοθής,
και της βασιλείας έξω κλεισθής
αλλά ανάνηψον κράζουσα
άγιος, άγιος, άγιος ει ο θεός ημών,
διά της θεοτόκου ελέησον ημάς.

This very ancient Divine Liturgy is a Vespers Service, with the Holy Communion given from the sanctified gifts from the Liturgy on the previous Sunday. This Liturgy is very solemn, and reflects the grandeur and simplicity of the early Church.

In the Orthros of Holy Monday, the Church remembers the blessed and noble Joseph and the fig tree which was cursed and withered by the Lord.

In the Orthros of Holy Tuesday, celebrated Holy Monday evening, the Church remembers the parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), who were waiting for the arrival of the Bridegroom at a wedding feast.

In the Orthros of Holy Wednesday, the Church remembers the anointing of Christ with myrrh by the woman in the house of Simon, the leper, in Bethany. This woman demonstrated her repentance and her warm faith toward our Lord. On this evening we hear the beautiful “Hymn of Kassiane, which is a hymnological reflection on the repentance of this woman.






HOLY WEDNESDAY-MEGALI TETARTI-TO EFHELAIO

The Sacrament of Holy Unction takes place on Holy Wednesday. The Sacrament is for the healing of body and soul. In Orthodox thought, healing is connected to repentance, confession, and the remission of sins by the Lord. Holy Unction is the for cleansing sins and renewing the body and the spirit of the faithful. Holy Unction is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church, and it has its origin in the practice of the early Church as recorded in the Epistle of James (5:14-15). At the end of the service, the priest anoints the people with Holy Oil.
In the Orthros of Holy Thursday, the Church remembers the washing of the disciples’ feet, the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the Prayer of Christ at the Last Supper as recorded in the Gospel of John, and the betrayal.” Some parishes will not celebrate this service, and replace it with the Sacrament of Holy Unction.

HOLY THURSDAY-MEGALI PEMPTI-TA DODEKA EVAGGELIA

In the morning, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great is celebrated. At this Divine Liturgy, the Church commemorates the institution of the Holy Eucharist by the Lord at His Last Supper with His disciples.

Here, Christ presented bread and wine as His body and blood, which form the core of the new covenant between God and His people, the Church.

In the evening, in the Orthros of Holy Friday, the Church recalls the Passion of the Lord, from His betrayal by Judas Iscariot, His agony and arrest at Gethmane, His trial by Jewish religious leaders and Roman authorities, His beatings and mocking, and crucifixion and death on the Cross. This service is long, with twelve readings from the Gospels recounting the events, but its content is dramatic and moving.

After the reading of the fifth Gospel comes the procession with the icon of the Crucified Christ around the church.


GOOD FRIDAY

In the morning, the four “Royal Hours” are read. These services consist of hymns, psalms, and readings from the Old and New Testaments, all related prophetically and ethically to the Person of Christ.

GOOD FRIDAY - I APOKATHILOSI

Usually in mid-afternoon, Great Vespers is chanted. During this service, we hear the story of the Crucifixion, but with attention paid to the death of Christ, the work of Joseph of Arimathea to secure the body of Christ from Pilate, His removal from the cross, and His burial.

At one point in the reading, the Body of Christ is removed the cross, wrapped in a white cloth and is brought into the sanctuary. Following the reading, the priest carries the icon of the Epitaphios through the church and places it in the Sephulchre (the kouvouklion), which has been decorated with flowers.

GOOD FRIDAY EVENING - THE LAMENTATIONS-TA EGKOMIA

On Holy Friday evening, we sing the Orthros of Holy Saturday, consisting of psalms, hymns and readings, dealing with the death of Christ. During the Orthros, the congregation will join in chanting the Lamentations, hymns of praise to the Lord and relating His ultimate triumph over death. During this service the Epitaphios icon is carried in procession around the church.
In some parishes the entire flower-bedecked Sepulcher, symbolising the Tomb, is carried in the procession.

GREAT HOLY SATURDAY MORNING - MEGALO SAVVATO

On Holy Saturday morning, the Vesperal Divine Liturgy is celebrated. In this Liturgy, the Resurrection of Christ is celebrated and the triumph over death is proclaimed in the hymns and the readings from the Old and New Testament. There is a strong theme of baptism in this liturgy, because in the ancient Church, the catechumens would be baptized in this evening vigil of Pascha.

HOLY SATURDAY - RESURRECTION SERVICE - I ANASTASI

At midnight Saturday, the life-giving Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is celebrated. Before midnight, the Odes of Lamentation of the previous day are repeated. The Orthros of the Resurrection begins in complete darkness. The priest takes light from the vigil light and gives it to the faithful, who are holding candles. The priest sings, “Come, receive light from the unwaning light, and glorify Christ, who arose from the dead.” Just a short while later, the priest reads the resurrection story from the Gospel of Mark (16:1-8) and leads the congregation in singing the Resurrection Hymn, Christ is risen from the dead, trampling death by death, and to those in the tombs bestowing life.” Following, the Orthros service continues and leads into the celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

THE AGAPE VESPERS

At some point on Sunday afternoon the faithful gather once more for Great Vespers, With lighted candles they sing, “Christ is risen. ” The people greet one another with the salutation, “Christ is Risen”, which is answered, “Truly He is Risen”. In the Great Vespers, the Gospel according to John (20:19-25) is read in various languages, proclaiming the Good News of Resurrection all over the universe without discrimination. The fruit of faith in the Resurrection of the Lord is love in His Name; therefore, this day is called “Sunday of Agape.”

For the next forty days, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Resurrection of Christ.