Appeal

Published by The National Herald, March 20, 2005

Celebrations for Orthodox Sunday; Papoulias' Appeal

ATHENS, Greece Mar 20 (ERT, NET)- With a ceremony in the Cathedral, which was attended by the new President of the Hellenic Republic, Karolos Papoulias, Orthodox Sunday was celebrated on Sunday in Athens. Officiating in the Mass was the Archbishop of Athens and all of Greece Christodoulos, and it was also attended by members of the government, MPs and representatives of social bodies. Karolos Papoulias then hosted a lunch in honour of the Archbishop and the members of the Holy Synod. Also, a festive Mass for Orthodox Sunday was celebrated in the Cathedral Church of St George in Fanari by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The government was represented by the Minister for Macedonia and Thrace, Nikolaos Tsiartsionis, while MP Petros Efthimiou attended for PASOK.

During the Mass at the Cathedral, the President of the Hellenic Republic read the Creed and the Our Father. In statements as he left the Cathedral, the Archbishop referred to the significance of today’s feast, noting that "the martyrs of the Orthodox faith are examples for us."

Speaking to Archbishop Christodoulos and the members of the Holy Synod at the official lunch held in their honour, to celebrate the feast of Orthodox Sunday, the President of the Hellenic Republic referred to the confusion of roles and authorities between Church and State. In addition, Karolos Papoulias personally expressed his wishes to the Archbishop that he may respond to society’s demand for purging and a return to the values of Christianity, such as humility and solidarity. Archbishop Christodoulos assured the President of the Hellenic Republic that the Church of Greece knows the roles as defined by the Constitution and the Church’s Charter, and always wishes to remain within the established boundaries.

The President of the Republic noted that unilateral violations of the established boundaries between Church and State can have unpleasant and dangerous consequences. Archbishop Christodoulos also assured Mr Papoulias that the Church will always be at his side, saying; "I pray that God may light your work."

Metropolitan Bishop Dorotheos of Samos underlined the significance of the events commemorated today, identifying them with the crisis in the Church, while Metropolitan Bishop Simeon of Nea Smyrni stated that today is a collective day.

The Speaker of Parliament Anna Psarouda Benaki attended the Mass in the Cathedral, while the government was represented by the Minister for Education and Religious Affairs Marietta Giannakou and the Minister of Development Dimitris Sioufas. On behalf of PASOK, MP Christos Papoutsis attended, as did MEP and President of LAOS Giorgos Karatzaferis.

An atmosphere of support for Metropolitan Bishop Kallinikos of Piraeus was strong at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. Residents of Vartholomios, which is where the Hierarch is from, traveled to support Bishop Kallinikos, who they said had been subjected to immoral attacks. The Metropolitan Bishop of Piraeus described the attack against him as unfair and called on all those who doubt him to find out about his work in Piraeus.



Volume 7 Number 12 - Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005	A Publication of the ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN LAITY