International Herald Tribune reports on 'Minority Rites'

2/28/2013 - The International Herald Tribune recently reported on 'Minority Rites,' by Andrew Finkel, concerning the forcibly shut-down Halki Seminary on Heybeliada Island.

The International Herald Tribune, part of The New York Times, is an international newspaper printed at 38 sites throughout the world and for sale in more than 160 countries and territories.

Minority Rites
2/27/2013
By Andrew Finkel

Read this article on the International Herald Tribune website »

ISTANBUL -- The Princes' Islands are a chain of volcanic droplets off the coast of Istanbul, famous for their grand Palladian-style wooden summer homes and sweet-smelling pine woods. From one of the hilltops of the second-largest, Heybeliada, "the saddle-bagged" island, the view across the water is of a metropolis in motion, growing higher and wider, eating into more and more green space every year. But on Heybeliada itself, the only distractions are the squawk of seagulls and the clip-clop of horse-drawn carriages (no cars allowed). There, it is easy to imagine that time has stood still.

In a way, history has indeed been frozen on Heybeliada since 1971. This was the year when the Turkish government imposed a form of martial law and shut down educational institutions not under state control. The hilltop seminary, the Holy Theological School of Halki, which had since the mid-19th century trained generation after generation of Greek Orthodox priests, was closed. Later, some of its land was confiscated.

The rest of Turkey has changed a lot in the intervening years. In 1999, twin earthquakes on either side of the Aegean Sea produced a rapprochement between Turks and Greeks, and much longstanding bitterness -- the result of earlier conflicts in the Aegean and in Cyprus -- dissipated.

Turkey no longer argues that it should limit the rights of Turkish citizens who are Greek Orthodox, tit-for-tat, because the Greek government does the same. In any event, Athens has ceded far more rights to the Turkish Muslims of Thrace, lifting restrictions on the sale and repair of property.

But the Halki seminary remains closed.

Meanwhile, the die-hard, anti-Greek stance of Turkish officialdom has softened. Turkish courts have started returning land that had been seized -- illegally, they say -- from non-Muslim religious foundations, including land around the Halki seminary and the Greek Orthodox orphanage on the hilltop of the next island.

The Turkish government itself seems eager to improve relations with the 3,000 Greek Orthodox and other non-Muslims who live in Turkey and their powerful lobbyists abroad. The Turkish foreign minister and minister of education say that Halki should reopen; the United States and the European Commission regularly push for the same.

And yet the Halki seminary remains closed.

Why? I think the explanation has nothing to do with vestigial resentment between Turks and Greeks and everything to do with the government's care not to alienate mainstream Islam.

The problem with reopening the Halki seminary is that if Greek Orthodox priests are allowed to be trained there again, in an institution outside the state's control, the Turkish government could come under pressure to extend that right to Muslims.

The current government very much represents the Sunni mainstream. Last week Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan insisted that the halls where Alevis -- Turkey's Shiites and 15 percent of the population -- congregate are mere cultural centers, not places of worship.

The implication is that real Muslims pray in mosques and under the government's watchful eyes, like those of the powerful and well-funded Presidency of Religious Affairs, which licenses after-school Koranic courses, administers Turkey's quota for sending pilgrims on the hajj and pays the clerics who prepare the weekly sermon.

Turkey, formally a secular democracy, may want to become more liberal toward its religious minorities, but not at the risk of tolerating more diversity within the Muslim mainstream.

And so the Halki seminary remains closed.

Andrew Finkel has been a foreign correspondent in Istanbul for over 20 years, as well as a columnist for Turkish-language newspapers. He is the author of the book "Turkey: What Everyone Needs to Know."

OCN Programs for February 25 - March 1

THIS WEEK FROM THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN NETWORK
COME RECEIVE THE LIGHT - THE NATIONALLY SYNDICATED RADIO PROGRAM OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANITY
Have you ever wondered why Orthodox Christians ask the Saints for intercession? Or why we pray for the forgiveness and salvation of those who have already passed away? On this week's program, Dr. David C. Ford, a professor of church history at St. Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary, explains why these practices are Biblical and fully part of the ancient Christian faith. Also, Dr. Maria Khoury is an Orthodox Christian who has lived with her husband for almost 18 years in the Palestinian occupied territory and talks with us about their day-to-day struggles in that part of the Holy Land.
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THE SOUNDING SOUND OFF
One of our bloggers, Dr. Maria Khoury, is a guest on this week’s “Come Receive the Light” radio program. She’s also sharing her thoughts as she returns to the Holy Land, in “How is Your Spiritual GPS?” (http://www.soundingblog.com/index.php/missions/international/cloud-of-witnesses/how-is-your-spiritual-gps.html) Chrissi Hart shares her feelings about a book of letters her husband wrote to their son, in “Letters from Your Father” (http://www.soundingblog.com/index.php/home-and-family/parenting/letters-from-your-father.html). And Fr. Lawrence Farley takes on Mars Hill in “Schlock Sells: A review of Rob Bell’s best-seller ‘Love Wins’” (http://www.soundingblog.com/index.php/culture/book-reviews/schlock-sells-a-review-of-rob-bells-best-seller-love-wins.html). Visit us early and often at www.soundingblog.com or share your thoughts on The Sounding Orthodox Blog Facebook page. We’re here every day!
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OCN PODCASTS
On Theologically Thinking, Fr. Stanley Harakas points us toward Lent through a presentation on the Sundays approaching the Fast, starting with this Sunday, the Sunday of the Pharisee and the Publican. On Journeys to Orthodoxy, we hear the story of Ron Moore, who found the True Faith and has shared it with the World.
Join Roger Hunt for Daily Readings and Remembrances. Each day, we will read the Holy Scriptures and the lives of the Saints. This week featured Saints will include Timothy the Righteous, Leo, Bishop of Catania; Polycarp; and others.
On CRTL Greek, Dimitris Karavasilis discusses the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee. This Sunday is the beginning of the Triodion. Our Orthodox Church has placed this parable in the beginning of this period to help us realize that we can not approach Easter without first cultivating good motives, giving life to the forgotten virtues of our faith. Pride and Humility are the main concerns of this parable. The discussion in this week’s program will contribute to focusing on our own attitude towards God, people, and ourselves.
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TRAVEL WITH OCN
A JOURNEY OF FAITH - PILGRIMAGE TO TURKEY - OCN, Rev. Dr. Christopher Metropulos, and Rev. Dr. Steven Zorzos are hosting a pilgrimage to Turkey: Constantinople-Cappadocia-Smyrni from May 22-31, 2013! For 9 days and 7 nights, visit the 17th century Ecumenical Patriarchate, where you will bear witness to its solemn existence, spiritual strength, and religious devotion. Look for more details on www.myocn.net, and also watch for a travel blog during the pilgrimage. Call Cloud Tours for trip details – 718-721-3808. DEADLINE has been extended! Sign up TODAY!
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THE SHARE THE LIGHT PARTNER COUNT IS UP TO 48!!
Fr. Chris has increased the challenge! Won’t you join us to help attain this year’s goal of 200? With your help and God’s blessings, we are confident that this will be the year that we meet this goal and even surpass it! Our Share the Light Partners support the OCN ministry with donations in the range of $1,000 to $5,000. If you are interested in supporting our OCN outreach ministry at this level, please contact Kathy Chapekis, OCN Annual Giving Coordinator at 954-522-5567.
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DID YOU SHARE THE LIGHT?
Thank you to all the parishes who have participated in this year's OCN - Share the Light Sunday so far. It is not too late to Share the Light if your parish missed out on January 20th. Use the resources at http://www.myocn.net/index.php/Share-the-Light-Sunday.html or invite a staff member from OCN to come visit your parish.
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ST. DEMETRIOS ORATORICAL FESTIVAL
The oratorical Festival, an opportunity for our students to express their thoughts about their faith through oration, will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2013. The festival is held annually in the spring and topics vary from Church life to what it means to be an Orthodox Christian. Each participant offers a speech on his or her related topic at the local level. Finalists, based on results, may proceed to the National Festival.
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NEW OCN AMAZON STORE
We have opened a new OCN Amazon store. Visit http://astore.amazon.com/theocnwebstore08-20 to check out the new store, where you can find a wonderful collection of Orthodox books, music, worship supplies, and more!
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WEBINAR
Registration is now open for the upcoming OCN Webinar, “Enriching Our Church School Classrooms.” To see a list of speakers, a schedule for the day, and to register yourself or your parish, visit us at http://www.orthodoxconference.com. See you there!
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WEBCAST
“Prayer” is the topic of this month’s Adult Study Class airing on Sundays at 10:00AM EST starting February 24, 2013 on our website at www.myocn.net. Tune in every Sunday to see the class via video from St. Demetrios in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Each week, we will explore the depths of the Orthodox Faith as we tackle topics of interest to Orthodox Christians and inquirers alike. Visit the Orthodox Study Classes section under Orthodox Video on www.myocn.net to see upcoming class topics and view archived classes.
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FACEBOOK AND TWITTER- Thank you to all of the thousands of you who visit and follow us daily on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Orthodox-Christian-Network/84325040329) and Twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/myocn). Look soon to find out more information about new events being planned. It is also a great way to interact with our Executive Director, Fr. Christopher Metropulos, and ask your questions about life and our faith. Check out the “YouTube” buttons on the OCN Facebook Page and The Sounding Orthodox Blog Facebook Page. Watch the OCN YouTube Channel right from Facebook.
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ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Sponsor a program or feature your company on the high-traffic MyOCN.net website during the coming Lenten season. Call 954-522-5567 today.

All programs are available on Internet Radio, Podcast, and On Demand at www.myocn.net.

The Orthodox Christian Network is an official agency of the Assembly of Bishops, and originally commissioned by SCOBA, to create a national, sustainable, and effective media witness for Orthodox Christianity throughout North America. In a constantly changing media landscape, OCN delivers positive, relevant Orthodox content via multiple delivery platforms, reaching today’s internet users via broadcast, podcast, video, blogging, and webinar content. “Come Receive the Light,” OCN’s flagship program hosted by Fr. Christopher Metropulos, is the only nationally syndicated Orthodox Christian radio broadcast. OCN works in direct collaboration with Sister Assembly agencies (e.g., IOCC, OCMC, OCF, OCPM), as well as with various Orthodox Christian jurisdictions and pan-Orthodox, para-church organizations. Our goal is to engage the broader culture of North America with Orthodox Christianity’s rich theological, spiritual, and moral heritage, and to thereby strengthen the Orthodox Church’s witness and contribution to the culture in which we live.

Today's Zaman reports on 'Patriarch Bartholomew found out about commission on Halki through media'

Today's Zaman newspaper recently reported on 'Patriarch Bartholomew found out about commission on Halki through media'. Today's Zaman is one of two English-language dailies based in Turkey and reports on domestic and international coverage. The published article can be read in its entirety below or on the Today's Zaman website.

Patriarch Bartholomew found out about commission on Halki through media

2/17/2013 - Ecumenical Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew I in Istanbul has said he learned that a special commission was set up to decide the fate of the Halki Seminary, which has been closed for more than four decades, from newspapers.

The patriarch, referred to as the Fener Rum patriarch in the Turkish press because authorities find the word "ecumenical" politically threatening, spoke to the Milliyet daily in an interview published on Sunday. Bartholomew commented on developments regarding the Halki Seminary, which was established in 1844 on the island of Heybeliada. The seminary was closed in 1971 under a law that put religious and military training under state control.

It was the only school where Turkey's Greek minority educated clergy. The theological school once trained generations of Greek Orthodox leaders, including Patriarch Bartholomew, who is one of its 900 graduates.

Civil society groups have long been arguing that it was closed unlawfully and that its reopening will require political will to bypass obstacles from anti-EU groups in Turkey, but steps in that direction have so far been slow.

Bartholomew said: "We are very sorry about this. It is not easy to understand how a house of knowledge can remain shut for 42 years in a modern Turkey." He said the Patriarchate had been given false hopes many times about a possible re-opening of the school. "Recently, we read in the Hurriyet daily that a new commission was established, but we are learning about this from the media. There is no representative of the Patriarchate on this commission. It is as if we are not a party relevant to this issue."

He said of the Halki Seminary: "[Mustafa Kemal] Ataturk didn't shut it down, nor did [Ismet] Inonu or [Adnan] Menderes. It was shut down in 1971 [the year of the March 12 military coup] when there was a politically extraordinary situation in Ankara. And we have been given false hopes so many times since that day. We have been waiting for our school to reopen for 42 years. Where is our school? Where is our freedom of religion? Where is our freedom of education? Where are human rights? Where is [the Treaty of] Lausanne?" The patriarch said that the Lausanne Treaty clearly states that non-Muslim minorities in Turkey can open schools providing religious education using their own funds. He also noted, "We don't want a new school, we just want our school to start operating again."

The patriarch also commented on preparations to open a new Greek School on Gokceada (Imbros), an island in the Aegean Sea off the coast of Canakkale province. The Ministry of Education last month gave permission to the Greek community of the island to open a primary school on Gokceada. He also said it was good news that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered Turkish citizenship to a number of archbishops in 2009, allowing all these individuals to participate in patriarchal elections.

"We are grateful to our prime minister. But the other issues that I have talked about are wearing us out, saddening us. This is also creating an impression that we are second-class citizens. For example, ambassadors, foreign prime ministers and presidents come to visit [the Patriarchate] and they enquire about our situation. When we explain to them the facts, they find it hard to understand. I don't want to put Turkey down, I tell them the facts just like I am telling them now."

He also said there was a time when the Foreign Ministry tried to block visits from foreign delegations to the Patriarchate.

Pope Benedict XVI exits on his own terms

WASHINGTON BUREAU: Terry Mattingly's religion column for 2/13/13.

In the spring of 2009, Pope Benedict XVI stopped in Aquila, Italy, to pray at the shrine of St. Celestine V.

The pope left his pallium -- a wool garment that resembles a yoke, symbolizing bonds between a shepherd and his flock -- on this medieval pope's tomb. Then, 15 months later, he visited a cathedral outside Rome to pray before the relics, once again, of St. Celestine V.

Few noticed Benedict's actions. So who was this saint? He was the elderly priest who, "somewhat against his will," was elected pope in 1294, noted theologian Scott Hahn of Franciscan University of Steubenville. Before long, Pope Celestine V issued a decree allowing occupants of St. Peter's throne to step down -- a step he then proceeded to take.

Looking back, it appears Benedict's visit to shrines honoring this particular pope were "probably more than pious acts," noted Hahn, on his Facebook page. "More likely, they were profound and symbolic gestures of a very personal nature, which conveyed a message that a pope can hardly deliver any other way."

This was a message consistent with the 86-year-old pope's stunning announcement this week -- days before the start of Lent -- that he would end his eight-year papacy on Feb. 28. Although it has been seven centuries since the voluntary resignation of a pope, this option remains in canon law and was affirmed by Pope Paul VI in 1975 and the Blessed John Paul II in 1996.

Benedict said he was thinking about the future of the papacy, not the past: "In today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith, in order to govern the bark of Saint Peter and proclaim the Gospel, both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me."

The Vatican Press Office noted these words were consistent with his thoughts in the 2010 book, "Light of the World." While it would be wrong to flee in times of trouble, Benedict said: "When a Pope realizes clearly that he is no longer physically, mentally, and spiritually capable of carrying out his role, then there is legally the possibility, and also the obligation, to resign."

Vatican leaders are planning for the election of a pope by Easter, thus creating a whirlwind of activity. Reactions, so far, have included:
* Comedy Central's Stephen Colbert -- an active Catholic -- quipped that "popes don't quit. God has a way of telling popes when it's time to retire. It's called death." Father James Martin, a Jesuit known as The Colbert Report chaplain, later tweeted that he should have told the comedian, "Pope Benedict XVI is raising the bar when it comes to giving things up for Lent."
* On the far doctrinal left, Catholics United noted: "The Catholic church hierarchy has been seen as an institution overly focused on issues of human sexuality, such as opposition to access to birth control and marriage equality. ... The next pope has a unique opportunity to radically shift the agenda of the church."
* Among journalists, "The Fix" blogger Chris Cillizza at The Washington Post tweeted: "Pope Benedict, following Sarah Palin's lead, resigns."
* This pope's departure drew several tributes from Protestant conservatives. Benedict reminded the world that humans are not mere machines, "collections of nerve endings, that spark with sensation when rubbed together," noted theologian Russell Moore of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The pope defended Down syndrome babies and Alzheimer's patients, as well as those "society wants to dehumanize with language: 'embryo,' 'fetus,' 'anchor baby,' 'illegal alien,' 'collateral damage,' and so on."
* Strategically, the key is that Benedict's "out of the blue" decision will do much to prevent the months or even years of political maneuvering that precede papal elections, wrote Jimmy Akin of Catholic Answer. It also helps that Benedict did not act in response to calls for his retirement, such as the campaign aimed at John Paul II.

At the same time, he noted, "advancing medical technology means increasingly long life spans with a longer period of frail health. ... Unless we get really wizard regenerative medical technology really soon, we're likely to have more popes in that kind of situation, and thus there are likely to be more resignations in the future."

Terry Mattingly (www.tmatt.net) directs the Washington Journalism Center at the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Issues Statement at the Announcement of the Retirement of Pope Benedict XVI

NEW YORK – Upon being informed on the way to his native island of Imvros of the imminent retirement of Pope Benedict from the Petrine Throne of Rome, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew issued a formal declaration and personal statement to the media, responding with sadness to the news. His All-Holiness closely cooperated with the Pope during the tenure of Pope Benedict, issuing joint statements on contemporary problems facing humanity and realizing official exchange visits, but above all resuming in 2007 the conversations of the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches (established in 1980 and interrupted in 2000). His Holiness Pope Benedict accepted a formal invitation from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to visit the Phanar in November, 2006, on the occasion of the Patronal Feast of the Church of Constantinople. He also invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to deliver the only address by an ecumenical leader during the official celebrations in St. Peter’s Square for the 50th Anniversary since the opening of the 2nd Vatican Council in October, 2012. Below is the text of the formal statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Statement by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew At the Announcement of the Retirement of Benedict XVI, Pope of Rome
(February 11, 2013)

It is with regret that we have learned of the decision by His Holiness Pope Benedict to retire from his Throne, because with his wisdom and experience he could have provided much more to the Church and the world.

Pope Benedict leaves an indelible mark on the life and history of the Roman Catholic Church, sealed not only by his brief papacy, but also by his broad and longstanding contribution as a theologian and hierarch of his Church, as well as his universally acknowledged prestige.

His writings will long speak of his deep theological understanding, through his knowledge of the Fathers of the undivided Church, his familiarity with contemporary reality, and his keen interest in the problems of humankind.

We Orthodox will always honor him as a friend of our Church and a faithful servant of the sacred proposition for the union of all. Moreover, we shall rejoice upon learning of his sound health and the productivity of his theological work.

Personally, we remember with emotion his visit to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over six years ago, together with the numerous encounters and excellent cooperation, which we enjoyed throughout the duration of his primatial ministry.

From the Phanar, we pray that the Lord will manifest his worthy successor as the head of the sister Church of Rome, and that we may also continue with this successor on our common journey toward the unity of all unto the glory of God.

Archbishop Demetrios offered benediction at Presidential Inaugural Luncheon

 WASHINGTON – The 57th Inaugural Ceremonies for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden was also a special occasion of honor and recognition for His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and the Greek Orthodox Church in America.
Archbishop Demetrios attended the swearing-in ceremony and the President’s Inaugural Address today, Jan. 21, from the presidential platform, just a few feet away from the podium. Immediately following the official ceremonies, His Eminence attended the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon and offered the benediction following the President’s toast. The event was carried nationally and internationally by many broadcasts and networks.
The text of the Archbishop’s prayer is as follows:
Let us pray as we prepare to go forth in peace, confident in America’s bright future.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
O God of all, we give thanks to You and praise You on this day, as did our first President on the day of his inauguration, for we too “resort once more to the benign Parent of the Human Race in humble supplication.” We bless and praise Your Holy Name for Your gracious favor and divine blessing upon these United States of America, our President Barack Obama, and Vice-President Joseph Biden, as they commence the second term of their sacred responsibilities in the highest Office of our Country. Bless, preserve, and keep them and their families safe and healthy, together with all who serve our Nation, especially the Congress, the Judiciary, and the Armed Forces here and everywhere who heroically and sacrificially defend our pursuits of life, liberty and happiness. Heavenly, Father, may we ever abide in this land of opportunity and freedom in “perfect tranquility,” faithful to our foundations, and ever building a more prosperous, just, equitable, and decent society for all our citizens. And may we always share our faith and hope for the future with the whole world, through Your Divine and gracious love. Amen.
To watch video from the luncheon visit http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/310527-1# and go forward 23 minutes to 23:00/34:52.

Today's Zaman reports on '190 hectares of forest given back to Halki Seminary'

1/11/2013 - Today's Zaman newspaper recently reported on '190 hectares of forest given back to Halki Seminary.' This is the biggest property return to a minority group in the history of Turkey.
Today's Zaman is one of two English-language dailies based in Turkey and reports on domestic and international coverage. The published article can be read in its entirety below.

190 hectares of forest given back to Halki Seminary
1/10/2013

Read this article on the website of Today's Zaman.
Following a meeting held on Friday, the Council of Foundations -- part of Turkey's Directorate General for Foundations (VGM) -- returned 190 hectares of forest to the Greek Orthodox Halki (Heybeliada) Seminary in İstanbul.
According to the decision, 190 hectares of woodlands near the Halki Seminary will be given to the seminary's owner, the Aya Triada Monastery Foundation. This is the biggest property return to a minority group in the history of Turkey.

Established in 1844 on the island of Heybeliada, Halki Seminary was closed in 1971 under a law that placed religious and military training under state control. It was the only school where Turkey's Greek minority educated its clergy. The theological school once trained generations of Greek Orthodox leaders, including the current Patriarch Bartholomew, who is one of its 900 graduates.

Minority foundations, seeking the return of property seized by the Turkish state in the first decade of the Turkish Republic, are finding that taking back what belongs to them is not going to be easy, despite a 2011 law passed to ensure confiscated property be returned to its rightful owners.

In August of last year, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government adopted legislation to return all confiscated immovable property belonging to minority foundations in Turkey, a long-overdue step towards expanding the rights of minorities in the country. The decree allows foundations to reclaim real property declared back in 1936. All real property, cemeteries and fountains are to be returned to their rightful holders as per the decree. Immoveable property currently belonging to third persons will be paid for. The process has been ongoing for some time, as foundations were given 12 months to apply to authorities.

Archbishop Demetrios to deliver Benediction at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America has been invited to offer the benediction at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon following the Inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013. The invitation was extended by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), which also hosts the luncheon to honor President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.

“It's my honor to select Archbishop Demetrios to offer this important task at the Inaugural Luncheon,” Schumer said. “The Archbishop is a tremendous and respected leader to millions in the Greek Orthodox community in every corner of the United States . I am blessed to call the Archbishop a friend, and I look forward to his benediction to conclude the 2013 Inaugural events at the Capitol.”

Upon hearing of the invitation by Senator Schumer, the Archbishop said:

“I feel exceedingly honored by such a gracious invitation to offer the benediction at the Presidential Inaugural Luncheon. To participate with a special prayer in such a historic event constitutes a tremendous honor indeed. I express my deep gratitude to my distinguished friend, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, whom I hold in high esteem, love and respect for what he is and for what he has been dong consistently, tirelessly and effectively for the good of the people not only of the State of New York but of the entire Nation, as well.”

Attendees at the 57th Presidential Inaugural Luncheon will include the newly-sworn in President and Vice President, Congressional leaders, members of the cabinet and former Presidents and Vice Presidents who are in attendance at the Inaugural ceremonies.

January 21, 2013 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It will be the second time that this federal holiday has coincided with a Presidential Inauguration. The first was President Bill Clinton’s second Inauguration in 1997.

Christmas Message from the Commander

Christmas 2012: A time for personal and spiritual renewal in America

12/24/12  - At a time when our own nation's psyche is shaken to its foundation with the unthinkable evil that befell a community in Connecticut; when Christians are persecuted in 131 of the 193 countries of the world (2011 Pew Forum study); when our suffering Hellenic brothers and sisters have already fallen off their fiscal cliff and are demonstrating Winston Churchill's "Heroes fight like Greeks" strength of character in their recovery, I believe we must redouble our efforts to bring our Lord and Savior closer to our lives every day and to live our Orthodox Faith with the zeal, fervor and steadfastness of our spiritual fathers led by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew... and there is no better time to do this than Christmas.

Begin every day by studying the Holy Scriptures and Lives of our Saints.  It's easy; just download the iPhone or Android app from the GOA, prepare your coffee and cast aside the exigencies of the mundane and relive the Life of Christ. You will be inspired by the ineffable love of our Heavenly Father in the daily Gospel when He brought back to life the dead; created food and drink when there weren't any; brought sight to the blind and offered up His own Life, so that we have the opportunity to make ours eternal. You will be encouraged by the extraordinary acts of courage of the martyrs and holy fathers of the Church, who made the ultimate sacrifice or lived lives of such goodness and piety that they inspired those around them, contemporaneously and in the subsequent centuries.

By studying the Holy Scriptures and Lives of our Saints, you will be comforted that those, whose innocent lives had been snuffed out by evil, will be everlasting in a Place where there is no suffering or pain. You will be inspired to be good stewards living your Orthodox Christian Faith offering your Time, Talent and Treasure so that the Word of God, the Salvific Message may be spread throughout the world by His All-Holiness without the religious freedom constraints of any government. Ultimately, by studying the Holy Scriptures and Lives of our Saints, I believe you will become better Archons, fighting for religious freedom as we enter 2013, the 1700th Anniversary of the Edict of Milan, when St. Constantine the Great issued the first "religious freedom resolution" bestowing beneficence and freedom to all Christians in the oikoumene in 363 AD.

Maria and my entire family join me in wishing all Archons and their beloved families a joyous Christmas, a time in the year to redouble our efforts to bring our Lord and Savior into our daily lives and a time to express our profound gratitude to our spiritual fathers,
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America,
the venerable Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod and to
Fr. Alex Karloutsos and our Brother Archons for their devotion to the Mother Church of Constantinople.

Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
Archon Aktouarios, 
National Commander
Christmas 2012

The WCA Christmas Message

Christmas Message by the President of the WCA

SHLOMO, Greetings or Peace!

Shlomo is one the most fitting Aramaic words to describe one of the major wishes of the Aramean people. For many centuries, the Aramean Christians have not experienced any rest whatsoever in their traditional homelands. One day it’s Turkey and Lebanon, the next day it’s Iraq and Syria.

Throughout the centuries, our people have time and again looked the angel of death fearlessly in the eye. We have survived genocides and all sorts of persecutions and countless human rights abuses. That is why the vast majority were ultimately forced to escape the ancient land of their ancestors.
Many experts have rightly called it a miracle that a small group of the Aramean people survived until today and have preserved their Christian faith and Aramaic cultural heritage. This was mainly thanks to the Church as an institution. But today our people are enriched with local associations and national federations who come together in the World Council of Arameans [Syriacs] (“WCA”).

As a United Nations NGO and a global umbrella organization of the Aramean people, the WCA has organized in 2012 again numerous events and activities across Europe, the Middle East, the USA and Australia. On our website www.wca-ngo.org and Facebook Page “World Council of Arameans [Syriac]” you can find many videos, photos, stories, letters, press releases, reports and more.

One of the biggest challenges the WCA is currently working on is Syria. Not only we hope and pray and fast that peace will reach this war-torn country soon. We also continue to work tirelessly to provide all kinds of humanitarian and legal aid as well as other forms of assistance to our suffering people from Syria.
Thanks to the WCA’s invaluable publications on the refugees from Syria, the BBC recently did a documentary about the Aramean refugees from Syria in Greece. Last week, the WCA leadership was interviewed by the BBC at their headquarters in London. Together with the Chairmen of our Federations in Sweden, Germany and Switzerland, the WCA did a successful live fundraising program on Suryoyo Sat about Syria where we raised more than 60,000 euro. Our Federation in The Netherlands held a successful fundraising event which got a lot of media attention, mainly thanks to the participation and support of three Aramean professional footballer players and famous hairdressers.

Our people are still donating and we continue to receive calls concerning new problems. That is why we call upon all those who have not donated yet to the WCA or its Federations in their country, kindly to do so in order to express their solidarity with the neglected and stateless Aramean Christians in need during this Christmas period.

We will continue to do our best to pay back the trust and support our people have shown to us and we will work even harder and with the new resources more effectively in 2013 towards a more peaceful Syria. Of course we will not forget our people in Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon either. Our major wish for this year is that peace may reach our ancient homeland in Syria, Iraq, Turkey and Lebanon.

Yours faithfully,

Johny Messo
, President 
World Council of Arameans [Syriacs]

WCA wishes you a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

The World Council of Arameans [Syriacs] and its Member Federations 
wish all their members, supporters and relations
a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year!