Banquet

Published by The National Herald, December 10, 2004

Philoptochos Hosts Banquet in Honor of Methodios' 20-Year Ministry

By Theodore Kalmoukos
Special to The National Herald

BOSTON, Mass. – A gala luncheon organized by the Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos marked the 20th Anniversary Metropolitan Methodios’ Archpastoral ministry in the Diocese (now Metropolis) of Boston. More than 600 faithful, clergy and laity, gathered from throughout New England at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel in Boston on Saturday, November 27 and expressed their thanks.

Speaking to the gathering, Metropolitan Methodios said he it was more appropriate to thank the Philoptochos Society than it was to thank him:

"The ladies of Philoptochos caught me by surprise when they informed me of their decision to dedicate this luncheon in honor of the 20th anniversary of my Episcopal service here in Boston. I felt a little uncomfortable about it, so I suggested that the theme of the luncheon should rather be ‘A Celebration of Philanthropic Ministry.’ I thought it was more appropriate to thank our Philoptochos membership in New England, rather than my own person for what has been achieved during the last 20 years," the Metropolitan said, receiving a standing ovation.

Turning the honor over to Philoptochos and the faithful of the Metropolis, he added, "Today, we pause to celebrate the philanthropic ministries of our Metropolis and its Parishes; to offer a word of thanks to our Philoptochos ladies, who witness their faith by loving their fellow human beings – the poor and the handicapped; the senior citizens; those in hospitals and hospices; the lonely and forgotten; the hungry, the homeless and the hopeless."

Speaking about his 20 years of ministry in New England, Metropolitan Methodios said that "throughout the past 20 years, I have seen my ministry as an imperative to bring Christ into the lives of those I shepherd, and to encourage our people to actively participate in the life of the Church by applying their talents in its service. I have tried to encourage everyone to see God’s wisdom and hear His challenging call for us to be His co-workers – to understand our nature, our inner capacity to become, by God’s grace, Christ’s Presence upon the Earth."

Metropolitan Methodios referred to the role of the Church in human life and said "I owe everything to the Church. I believe it is the greatest treasure of the Greek American Community. It is the Church that has kept us focused as a people in America. Think of it. Were would we be without our Church? Our Faith and our priceless Hellenic Cultural Heritage would have been lost generations ago. It is our Church that has kept us united and strong. It is our Church that has enabled us to maintain our identity in America, this beautiful mosaic of cultures and peoples. The legacy of our faith and tradition is treasured and perpetuated not by any particular organization or by any particular individuals, but by the Church and its people; by priests and laity in the local communities who treasure that legacy as the parakatathiki (cultural inheritance) as the covenant of our ancestors. It is the Church I am privileged to serve that passes on this treasure of faith and cultural heritage from one generation to the next."

Methodios thanked all who organized and attended the luncheon and said "I thank you for honoring me today, but I say in all honesty, I have done nothing more than what was expected of me."

George Behrakis, philanthropist, great benefactor of the Boston Metropolis, and Chairman of the Boston Metropolis Camp & Retreat Center in Contoocook, New Hampshire, told the gathering that, "without the vision and leadership of Metropolitan Methodios, the Camp would not exist."

Metropolis Philoptochos President Merope Kapetanakis said, "Today we celebrate what we, together with Metropolitan Methodios, have accomplished during the past 20 years. And there is plenty to celebrate. Twenty years ago, we had no Metropolis Center from which so many programs emanate. Twenty years ago, we had no Philoxenia House. Twenty years ago, we did not have the beautiful Camp and Retreat Center in New Hampshire. Twenty years ago, couples that got married in our Metropolis did not have the direct guidance and preparation to assist in their married life."

Metropolis Chancellor Rev. Athanasios (Al) Demos spoke fondly of Metropolitan Methodios years as a student at Holy Cross Seminary, and Greek Consul General in Boston Constantine Bikas praised the Metropolitan’s personality and many achievements in New England.

Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler, Executive Director of Massachusetts Council of Churches, spoke about the conciliatory spirit which Metropolitan Methodios has brought to Boston among Christian Churches, and Photios Ketsetzis, Professor of Byzantine Music at Holy Cross, chanted hymns and sang songs in the Metropolitan’s honor.

A video was also shown during the event, projecting all the ministries and activities of the Boston Metropolis under Methodios’ supervision.



Volume 6 Number 50 - Tuesday, December 14th, 2004	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY