Greece, the Revolution of 1821and Us ENCYCLICAL FOR MARCH 25TH By Metropolitan Sotirios

Τhe Iliad and the Odyssey were written at least 1,000 years before Christ. Nothing has yet been written to outshine and surpass them.

My professor of Philosophy at the University of Alberta in 1963 always repeated the following in class: “Philosophy has not progressed even a step beyond Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.”

The ideal form of government that is respected by every civilized country today is democracy, which is also an invention of ancient Greece .

Carter Clark, an American General in the Korean War, says: “At West Point Academy, there is a class taught every year to the Cadets of the military tactics that were used in battle by Alexander the Great.”

The Olympic Games is the greatest sporting event in the world today and the most watched event on television around the globe. We owe these games to Ancient Greece as well.

No empire in the history of the world has survived for more than one thousand years, as the Byzantine Empire did. It is a matter of historical research, but it seems that the opulence and indulgence of the people living in the Byzantine Empire was one of the main cause of its demise in 1453. They became lazy. They lost their values. They lost their Empire to the Ottomans. Above all, they lost their freedom and they became slaves to the victor.

For 400 years, they lived as slaves in their own land. They were almost exterminated. The inhumane Ottoman Empire wrote them off.

They were also written off by most other nations as well. Only God did not write them off or forget them. The Greeks themselves never gave up on themselves. Just like a spark hidden in the ashes, hidden inside every Greek was the memory of past glories and grandeur. But as a slave, he was impoverished. Abandoned. Every door of those who were powerful was also closed. These barriers were not easily overcome. Eventually, “he came to himself.”

The Greek thought to himself and said: “It is better not to live at all, than to live as a slave.” “Either I live in freedom, and if I cannot, I would rather die.” He made the decision and cried out: “Freedom or death.” He defied every possible obstacle in his quest for freedom. He applied to his life the slogan “Freedom or death” and thereby created the miracle of the Revolution of 1821. He was rewarded with his own freedom and the acquisition of a free and independent homeland. He was able to proudly see the Greek flag waving from the top of the Acropolis, this miracle of Greek architecture. Wherever he may live today, every Greek around the world celebrates the miracle of the Revolution of 1821 and lives the gift of freedom that was given to him from the spoils of this victory.

God never abandoned the Greeks. This is because the Greeks did not abandon God. The crafty wiles and policies of the Ottoman Empire were unable to convert the majority of Greeks to Islam. This is because the Greeks fought their War of Independence in 1821 “for the holy Faith of Christ and for the freedom of the Motherland.”

On that day, they were celebrating the Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed and Ever-Virgin Mary. The Most Holy Mother always accompanied and protected the Greeks in their hour of need, and She always prayed to God for them:

       “Dear God, look down upon the Christians who suffer upon the earth,

       As they celebrate my Holy Feast today in Holy Worship.

       See how much they are oppressed as slaves and help them!”

This Prayer of the Immaculate Mother of Christ -- who is the true God, the true Messiah, and the only Saviour and Redeemer of the world -- was heard by God. He helped the Greeks so that they could regain their freedom and their homeland, and live and practice their Orthodox Christian faith in freedom.

In the newly liberated Greek state, freedom and democracy had its ups-and-downs. It passed through many crises, such as: the First World War; the Asia Minor catastrophe; the Second World War; the Civil war; dictatorships; and financial crises. The achievements of the Greek army in the Second World War showed the world how great the Greeks were through their victories on the battle-field. The glory of Greece was again at its greatest summit.

Celebrating today the glory of the Revolution of 1821, all Greeks should be thinking about all these past events. They should think about Greece, and what it means to them personally. Who is she and what has she accomplished? What is her legacy to the world? What is the current situation she is now in? What is her future? What is your duty towards her at this moment in her history? These are the things that every Greek should be thinking about, and should work towards assisting Greece to attain her rightful place in the world today. And we Greeks in Canada can do no less. I invite all of you to celebrate the Anniversary of March 25th, 1821 with a Doxology of Thanksgiving and offering thanks to God. Celebrate with parades and other commemorative events and festivities. Let us take pride in knowing our past history and who we are, so that we can understand where we have to go. Let us apply to ourselves the rule that we must always become better each day. Let us always remember that if God had not signed and supported the Freedom of Greece, we would not be free today. The Greeks fought in 1821 “for the holy faith of Christ and for the freedom of the Motherland.” Therefore, let us celebrate the Anniversary of March 25th, 1821 by honouring the sacrifices of our ancestors. Let us always live in freedom. Let us strive to live and apply our Orthodox faith. Above all, let us strive to keep our soul and our heart Greek, Orthodox and pure.

With fatherly love and fervent prayers,

+ Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto (Canada)

ΕΤΗΣΙΟ ΓΕΥΜΑ ΚΑΘΟΛΙΚΩΝ – ΟΡΘΟΔΟΞΩΝ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΩΝ ΤΟΡΟΝΤΟ

From Left: Fr. Damian Macpherson, Bishop Vincent Nguyen, Bishop Wayne Kirkpatrick, Bishop John Boissonneau; His Eminence Thomas Cardinal Collins, o His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios; His Grace Bishop Georgije, His Grace Bishop Chrisophoros, His Grace Bishop Andriy and Fr. Peter Avgeropoulos.

His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios hosted a Luncheon on Thursday February 27^th 2014 at the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) for His Eminence, Thomas Cardinal Collins;  his three Auxilliary Bishops, the Most Reverend John Boissonneau;  the Most Reverend Wayne Kirkpatrick;  and the Most Reverend Vincent Nguyen.  Also invited were three Bishops of the Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops:  His Grace Bishop Georgije of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Canada;  His Grace  Bishop Christoforos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Canada;  and His Grace Bishop Andriy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada.  Present also was Fr. Damian Macpherson, the Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto, and Protopresbyter Fr. Peter Avgeropoulos, the Director of Interchurch Relations of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto.

Each year, His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios hosts a Luncheon for the Catholic Bishops, and His Eminence Cardinal Collins hosts the Orthodox Hierarchs at the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Toronto. 

The atmosphere was very friendly and cordial.  Many topics were discussed, among them being the grave situation in Ukraine.  Both Cardinal Collins and Metropolitan Sotirios stated that they would give directives to their Clergy for special prayers for the people of Ukraine so that the will of God may be done and that peace and tranquility may prevail.  

From the Office of the Holy Metropolis

February 27, 2014

 

Christmas Lunch for Clergy and Family at our Holy Metropolis in Toronto

In the photo are clergy with their families, the staff of our Holy Metropolis, some of the volunteers, the President of the Philoptochos in Canada, Mrs. E. Coutsougeras, Bishop Christoforos, Consul General Azemopoulos and Metropolitan Sotirios.

Each year, our Holy Metropolis organizes a Christmas – New Year’s luncheon for the clergy and family of the Greater Toronto Area, as well as for Metropolis staff and volunteers. Similar events are organized in Montreal and Vancouver for the clergy of those cities.

            The luncheon was held on Thursday, January 2, 2014; eighty-three individuals attended, with Christmas gifts distributed to each of the children. The Consul General of Greece in Toronto, Mr. D. Azemopoulos, spoke with the theme, “The value of the Orthodox Faith for the Diaspora.” In addition, the Hon. Madam Justice E. Ria Tzimas – Volonakis (Ontario Superior Court of Justice) also spoke. The remarks concluded with Metropolitan Sotirios who discussed the importance of duty and volunteerism; he also expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude towards all participants and, above all, to our Holy Triune God.

            Together, all individuals chanted Christmas hymns and carols, with everyone enjoying the beautiful companionship and nice meal but especially the children.

            The Montreal clergy and family Christmas – New Year’s luncheon feast will take place on Thursday, January 23, 2014.

 

From the Office of Greek Orthodox Metropolis Toronto (Canada)

January 2, 2014

GREEK ORTHODOX EDUCATION: The Life Preserver of our Communities and the Omogenia By Metropolitan Sotirios

Although under  bitter and difficult slavery for over four hundred years, the oppressor could not make the Greek nation disappear. The Ottoman Empire used the most abominable methods and means to convert Greeks to Islam. Burdensome taxes were levied. Ethnic cleansing and religious persecutions were government policy, but the most lethal was the satanic plan of the induction of children into the Janissary corps. The Ottomans would enter a town and steal children from the protective and loving embrace of their mothers in order to take them away forever, raising them as fanatic Muslims, trained to oppress their own people. They would teach them to hate their former Christian Orthodox Faith.  They were taught that their own parents and siblings were faithless heretics, and therefore liable to death and destruction. Even with these evil means, the mighty Ottoman Empire could not manage to make the Greek people and nation to disappear. 

The life preserver of Hellenism against this dark and difficult four-hundred-year period of slavery was the Greek Orthodox faith. The Church. The Clergyman who taught and educated his down-trodden people. The "underground school" run by Churches and Monasteries. It is this same life preserver that must be used today so that our Communities and the Omogenia can be saved.  

Life in Canada is obviously not on par with the slavery endured under the Ottoman Empire. Canada is one of the most enlightened  democracies and the most civilized country in the world.  It does not ask minorities to be put in a melting pot to be "Canadianized". The domestic policy of multiculturalism and religious tolerance helps our Communities and the Omogenia to be maintained. Furthermore, financial aid is also given in some provinces to preserve and support our Greek Schools. 

   With this support and Canadian domestic policy being as it is, why is Greek Orthodox education the life preserver of our Communities and the Omogenia?

   Yes, it is true that there is no slavery or compulsion in Canada, nor any type of pressure. There are, however, other problems. There are other "songs of the sirens" that bring people to a state of lethargy and indifference.  The way of life in Canada can sometimes brain-wash some of our people to forget their roots. They forget who they are and what are the more important objectives in their lives. These "sirens" are the absolute freedom we are privileged to enjoy, as well as the opulent life-style that almost everyone seeks to enjoy. We should never forget that everyone loves opulence; however, the greatest empires breathed their last breath while lying on the bed of opulence.

    We must be careful. We said the life preserver is Greek Orthodox education here in Canada.. We did not say "Greek Education" nor the simple teaching of "the Greek language". In Canada, Greek Education on its own and the teaching of the Greek language without any reference to the Greek Orthodox faith cannot progress very far. The Orthodox faith, in connection with education, can be the means to save our Communities and the Omogenia here in Canada. Greek Orthodox education is the root that supports the tree of the Omogenia. It gives it nourishment and life so that it may flourish and grow. 

    Many mistakes have happened in the past. In some of the Greek schools, there were certain teachers who were atheists, or who espoused the teachings of the "twelve gods of Olympus", thereby disparaging and ridiculing the Orthodox Christian faith. This should not  come as a surprise to anyone.   A Greek school teacher once gave his students an assignment, asking them to write sentences in Greek using the word "good". One child wrote:  "The good Priest".  The teacher mocked and laughed at the child, saying that "there are no good Priests".  Admire this "educator", indeed!

   Education in Canada is under provincial jurisdiction, not under the federal government. In the four Atlantic provinces of Canada, there is not enough of a Greek population to have Greek Orthodox Day Schools. In the other six provinces, though, there is enough of a Greek population to have Greek Orthodox Day Schools. With the exception of the Province of Ontario, Greek Education is subsidized by the Provincial Governments as much as 50% to 60%. 

   We have Greek Orthodox Day Schools in the Provinces of Quebec and Ontario. We do not have any in the provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Everywhere and always, I urge all our Communities to organize Greek Orthodox Day Schools, for they are the life preserver of our Communities and the Omogenia.

   Once again this year, we will celebrate the feast day of the Three Hierarchs and the Week of "Greek Education".   This will be done with celebrations. With poems. With recitations.  With dances. However, the best way to celebrate "Greek Education" would be to organize even one more Greek Orthodox Day School in 2014. While I fully support the Greek Orthodox afternoon and Saturday schools, the ideal solution are the establishment of Greek Orthodox Day Schools across Canada. In these schools, students will be taught the basic curriculum of any other school, while they are also taught the essentials of our Greek Orthodox Faith, the Greek language and our Greek culture and civilization.

    I thank our Communities who support our Greek Orthodox schools, be they Day Schools, Afternoon or Saturday Schools. I thank all the dedicated and mindful teachers. I thank all the parents and the volunteers who help our Greek Orthodox Schools. I thank God that I am not the only one who cries out in support for Greek Orthodox education. I hope that everyone comes to understand that Greek Orthodox education is the life preserver of our Communities and the Omogenia, and that they help this cause with all their hearts. For this cause, I urge each and every one of us to assist this important cause with every means at our diasposa, pouring our hearts and souls into it as the saying goes, "Because I put my heart and soul into this cause, this is why it has succeeded."

With fatherly love and fervent prayers for all,

Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto

Approaching 2014 NEW YEAR’S ENCYCLICAL by Metropolitan Sotirios

As we approach 2014, both you and I should sit back and contemplate what we will face and confront. If it pleases you, we should ask the question a bit more clear. What do we want to face and what do we not want to confront in 2014?

Neither you nor I are clairvoyant or prophets. Moreover, we can see and determine certain things we will confront.

The events of 2014 depend on God, on the world and on every one of us. Without God, we cannot go too far. "If the Lord does not set the foundation, the labourers labor in vain."

People can act in a positive or negative way, causing us to be benefited from their actions, or to harm us. We are not, however, responsible for the actions of others.

The most responsible for the events of 2014 and the effect they will have on the world is each and every one of us. No matter how small and insignificant that we might seem, our role is basic and essential.

Of utmost importance is how we prepare and face every problem. The Prophet-King David says, "I am prepared and I am not afraid". Every single one of us should prepare for the events of 2014 which are dependent on us and those events which we have no control over.

As we approach the new year, we should clean up the garbage of the past - that is, clean up our souls and our sins. We should plan out 2014 with a pure heart and sober thoughts. If you plan correctly and stick to your plan fervently, you will find yourself closer to God. Nothing greater can happen. It will bring one's conscious at ease. It will calm the spirit. One can face events and the world around them in general without becoming agitated. You cannot dictate what will happen in the future when it comes to those around you. You can, however, dictate what will happen in your future and - with confidence in yourself - help in what happens to others. This can be done on a personal level.

The same needs to be done by every family. Every organization. Every nation. If every person, family, organization and nation acts correctly, the future will be bright, progressing with great results for every person.

A bit more specific: For us, the Greek Orthodox Church of Canada, what must we do and what must we confront?

We must be honourable, helping every person who is in a position of authority and power to succeed - and not to preach war against them so they may fail. The success of every leader is the success of the whole.

We must live as a true family. We must see those around us as true children or brothers and sisters. Every type of offering to the community must be generous. Open-hearted. Unstingy. Filled with joy.

In this way, we will progress in 2014 and surely we will know and rejoice in our advancement. Progress as individuals, as families, as communities.

We should not keep to ourselves. We should look a bit further. To the people who are suffering, both in Canada and all over the world. We should especially pay attention to those who suffer in our nation of Greece and our beloved Cyprus. To the Christians of the Middle East who undergo such hardships. To the sick and the elderly. To every single brother and sister who suffers. Everyone - without any exception - is a child of God. Living icons of the God-Man Christ.

From the depths of my heart, I hope and pray to wish you and yours that the Incarnate God reign in your hearts and souls. To bring them peace. Serenity. Joy. I hope that all of us, with the Grace of Christ, become vehicles of love, peace and reconciliation. I pray the New Year be blessed by God. May all of humanity become acquainted and meet the True God. May He live in the hearts and souls of all, guiding the world from success to success, glory to glory.

With fatherly love and warm wishes,
Metropolitan Archbishop Sotirios of Toronto (Canada)