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Submitted October 13, 2004

In Response to “St. George of Lynn”

I admire the generosity of the parishioners of St. George in Lynn. This is a good example of "cheerful giving." However, there are too grave statements by Mr. Triantafilou and Mr. Demakes.

It was reported in the article by Theodore Kalmoukos published by the National Herald and posted on Orthodox News website October 12 that (Triantafilou feels strongly about teaching the Greek language: “Most certainly we want the language, because without the Greek language, the second and third generation and the converts will not learn Orthodox Theology.") There have been so many who learned Orthodox theology without having to learn the Greek language. Mr. Triantafilou's statement is somehow arrogant and looks down on all non-Greek speaking Orthodox Christians. His statement helps to cloud the relationships of love among the Orthodox and is in a way helping a wall of ice to become higher between Greek and non-Greek Orthodox. Orthodox Christians in general look at the Greek culture with admiration and respect and at Greek people and especially clergy as loyal brothers in the true faith. I encourage Mr. Triantifalou to retract his statement and think seriously of preserving the bond of mutual respect that is held by many.

Mr. Demakes' statement is also out of order. It was reported in the news article that (Tomas Demakes, a prominent Greek-American businessman: “Young people today that are getting married and having children are desperately looking for something better for their children than the pubic schools offer. The young fathers and mothers will kiss our hands if we can provide a safe, secure, quality education. They want to be able to drop the kids off at 7 o’clock in the morning and pick them up at 5, and provide them with an education in religion, culture, dancing. We are going to be a thriving entity if we do this job and do it right.”) He is, in the young generation culture, insulting the young fathers and mothers by prophesying that they will kiss his hands and others' hands whom he is speaking on their behalf. Mr. Demakes would be stunned if he ever visits other Greek speaking churches in Canada and the US for the absence of young fathers and mothers not to say Sunday school children. I have tried myself to discover the reasons for this and concluded that habit of kissing hands is one of the reasons why younger people are absent. It is very nice of Mr. Demakes to contribute richly to his parish provided he keeps in mind that as soon as the donated money leaves his pocket and enters the Church's coffers the Church does not owe him anything and statements on behalf of the Church coming from him and not the bishop are prohibited. And by the way, not all young fathers and mothers dislike public schools and not all of them like to drop the kids off at 7 o’clock in the morning and pick them up at 5. I always had the feeling that the percentage of Orthodox young mothers staying home to raise their children is higher than that in other denominations.



Volume 6 Number 42 - Tuesday, October 19th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY

Issa Zoghbi