Orthodixie

I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt appreciation to former Governor George Pataki for his initiative this afternoon to address the concerns of not only our own community but also citizens across our nation and the world regarding the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Church. Very soon after 9/11, the Governor expressed his commitment that this church would be rebuilt and this gathering manifests yet again that he is an honorable person who stands by his word. We are encouraged and deeply touched by this.

As it is well known, on September 11, 2001 our city and nation suffered a terrorist attack of unparalleled proportions. In addition to the tragic and horrific loss of almost 3,000 innocent victims, a number of whom were members of our own community, the world witnessed the unimaginable collapse of the Twin Towers. When the second Tower fell, it landed on and erased all traces of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nicholas, the only house of worship destroyed that day. Opened in 1916 by a group of Greek immigrants, the church not only served the spiritual needs of its parishioners but was also a sacred space in which people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds working in the surrounding area would often stop, light a candle and spend a few moments in prayer and reflection.

The Archdiocese and parish leadership of St. Nicholas remain firmly committed to the rebuilding of the church at 130 Liberty Street, honoring the long-standing agreement with the LMDC and the Port Authority. We believe and affirm that the new Church of St. Nicholas will have a far greater scope and outreach than a parish house of worship and envision the site as an appropriate memorial to the 3,000 innocent people of all Faiths who lost their lives that day. Trusting in Almighty God, we are hopeful that we will be successful in this sacred endeavor especially with the assistance and support of people such as our dear friend, Governor Pataki.

I convey my warmest paternal greetings and best wishes and invoke upon all of you the abundant blessings of the Almighty.

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More — HERE.

Contrary to other voices opposed to building the “house of worship” at Ground Zero — I say, by all means, build it!

Go here for video.

The story.

This week’s episode of the Orthodixie Podcast is taken from the forthcoming audio version of the book We Came, We Saw, We Converted …

Here at the Orthodixie Headquarters we are blessed, from time to time, to receive letters and email from Ancient Faith Radio listeners.

Just for fun, here’s a few:

Dear Fr Joseph,

I am new to Orthodoxy, having converted last Pascha, and since that time I’ve heard the phrase “back in the Old Country” many, many times.

Just what does this mean – the old country – and, I feel stupid asking … just where is it?

Lost in Indiana

Dear Fr Joseph,

My sister goes to a church – not an Orthodox church – that is very contemporary & politically correct; they even say the Lord’s prayer beginning with the words “Our Mother, who art in heaven.” And, of course, they have a woman priest. Do you see such innovations coming to Orthodoxy?

Sally in San Antonio

Greetings Abouna,

I need some clarification. Like many good people, I receive a plethora of forwarded emails on a daily basis, many of which,during a recent political season, involved politics and the candidates running for election. For instance, some said that George Bush is the devil. Others warned that Barack Obama is the devil. Still others claimed that Sarah Palin is Ol’ Scratch.

What say ye?

Tim in Tennessee

Dear Fr Joseph,

A while back, Oxford University released their list of top ten irritating phrases, things like:

At the end of the day

I personally

At this moment in time

With all due respect

And — 24/7

Are there any words or phrases, within Orthodox parlance, that you find irritating?

Sincerely,

Sean in Cheyenne

For answers to these questions, tune in to —

The Orthodixie Podcast on Ancient Faith Radio.

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Metropolitan Christopher was from Galveston, Texas, and was an alumnus of Nashotah House Seminary (see below).

UPDATE: FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE NEWLY REPOSED METROPOLITAN +CHRISTOPHER OF BLESSED MEMORY:

AUGUST 23, 2010

– Hierarchical Divine Liturgy, 10:00 AM, Monday, August 23, 2010, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631.

– Funeral Matins, 7:00 PM, Monday, August 23, 2010, at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631.

AUGUST 24, 2010

– Hierarchical Divine Liturgy and Requiem Service, 9:00 AM, Tuesday, August 24, 2010, at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Monastery 32377 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville, IL 60048, followed by burial at the grave site on the south side of the church.

A memorial lunch will be served at Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 5701 N. Redwood Drive, Chicago, IL 60631, following interment.

The following note is taken from Fr Milovan Katanic’s site, Again and Again:

His Eminence Metropolitan Christopher of Libertyville-Chicago passed away in the Lord [August 18th]. He was a married priest, ordained in 1951. His wife Milka passed away in 1970, leaving four children. During his parochial ministry he served Serbian parishes in Johnstown, Pittsburgh and Chicago. He was elected bishop of the Eastern American diocese in 1978 which he served until 1991 when the Holy Assembly of Bishops in Belgrade raised the status of the Midwest Diocese, upon its 70th anniversary, to that of a metropolitanate. Bishop Christopher was elevated to metropolitan making him the first metropolitan of the newly formed Metropolitanate of Midwestern America in 1991. It was in 2009, during the restructuring of the dioceses in the US and Canada, that the Metroplitanate of Midwestern America became the Metropolitanate of Libertyville-Chicago.

May the memory of Metropolitan Christopher be eternal!

Вечнаја памјат!

Born in Galveston, Texas, and baptized Velimir Kovacevich, the future Metropolitan Christopher was the ninth of twelve children of Serbian immigrant parents. After graduation from high school, he attended Nashotah House and graduated from St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Seminary in Libertyville, Illinois. After marriage, he was ordained to the Diaconate and Priesthood. Continuing his education, he earned a B.A. at the University of Pittsburgh, the Master of Divinity from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and completed courses and examinations for the doctorate at the Chicago Theological Seminary.

Father Velimir ministered to parishes in Pennsylvania and in Chicago, also serving as chaplain to four universities. He assisted his parishes to become bilingual in their worship and education programs, and at the same time he was active in the defense of unity and canonical order in his church during a period of schism. As a priest, he served as spiritual father, counselor, youth worker, administrator, educator, and, above all, in priestly ministry at the Holy Altar. Widowed in 1970, he is the father of four, as well as the grandfather of nine.

Elevated to the episcopate in 1978 by the Assembly of Bishops in Belgrade and tonsured with the monastic name of Christopher, he became the first American-born bishop to serve a diocese of his church in North America. As Bishop of Eastern America and Canada, he soon developed a diocesan-wide program in religious education. Active also in ecumenism, he has served on the joint commission of Orthodox and Roman Catholic bishops and on the Orthodox-Lutheran dialogue, and has represented his church at high levels in both the National and World Councils of Churches. In 1991, he was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan of the Midwestern Diocese of his church, thereby becoming also its Primate.

Doctor of Divinity

In recognition of his exemplary ministries as parish priest and diocesan bishop, his courageous support of education, ecumenism, and the monastic life, his championing of church unity, and his outstanding leadership of the Serbian Orthodox Church in this country, Nashotah House is proud to number Metropolitan Christopher among its former students. Continuing the tradition of this House in Anglican friendship with the Orthodox churches, of which the exemplar and patron is our honorary alumnus, St. Tikhon of Moscow and New York, it is with great joy that we confer upon his Eminence, Metropolitan Christopher, the degree Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa.

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I had lunch at a restaurant near the church today and they had little brightly colored signs advertising:

August 17th, 2010 – Halfway to MARDI GRAS!

The additional brightly colored chalk-written Mardi Gras drink specials revealed their aim. Drink up! Lent’s only 6 months away!

Y’all?

It just seemed loopy.

(BTW, I checked, they were wrong. Fat Tuesday was six months ago.)

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