wfn.org | GOAA Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for New Year

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10021
Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
Web: http://www.goarch.org
Email: communications@goarch.org

December 22, 2003

This Encyclical of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios is being released in
advance to assist parishes and media with publication and distribution.

Protocol 1/04

January 1, 2004
Feast of Saint Basil and the New Year

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks
and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek
Orthodox Communities, the Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos
Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek
Orthodox Family in America

My Beloved Christians,

At the beginning of the New Year we celebrate the Feast of Saint Basil the
Great, a revered hierarch and great theologian of our Church whose life was
an exemplary offering of love, wisdom, and worship.  Today, the legacy of
Saint Basil continues to inspire us in our offerings of ministry and care
to others within our communities.

As we remember Saint Basil on this day, we pause to reflect upon the
offering of a particular labor of love, a vital ministry that for decades
has provided a home to children and young people who are in need of the
peace, love, and fellowship of Jesus Christ.  This home is appropriately
named Saint Basil Academy, a sacred institution of our Archdiocese located
in Garrison, New York.

The children who reside at Saint Basil Academy are Orthodox Christians who
come from all parts of our country.  Many of these children come from
difficult home and family situations, and are in need of special care and
attention.  Some of them are children of deceased parents.  All of them,
however, are children of God who have been entrusted to the care of our
Church.  For many of them, living at the Academy presents a significant
encounter with a genuinely loving, healing, and supportive Christian
community.  It is for this reason why the ministry of Saint Basil Academy
is a sacred undertaking, a blessed labor of philanthropy worthy of its
namesake.

Here, we must praise the diligent staff and clergy at Saint Basil Academy,
who work tirelessly to promote the physical, psychological, emotional,
educational and spiritual well-being of the children.  Often, this
necessitates providing for the most basic essentials, such as food,
clothing, and medical coverage.  In many situations, without the donations
of the faithful, the children would have difficulty accessing necessary
health care facilities.

Today, Saint Basil Academy continues to rely upon your financial support to
meet the needs of its children.  On this special day, we are invited to
respond to their needs.  Each year, our Ladies Philoptochos Society leads
us in this effort through the annual Vasilopeta fundraiser for Saint Basil
Academy, now celebrating its sixty-year anniversary.  I ask that you kindly
contribute to this sacred ministry generously, cheerfully, and according to
your ability.  By so doing, you will be enriching the lives of the
children, and you will be honoring the rich, philanthropic legacy of Saint
Basil on his feast.  This is truly the best way to honor Saint Basil.

May the love and fellowship of the Holy Spirit bring joy and peace to you
and your families always; and may you, through the intercessions of Saint
Basil, partake always in the abundant blessings of our merciful God.

With paternal love in Christ,

+ DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America