wfn.org | Greek Orthodox - July 4, 2010 Independence Day

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

> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
> Web: http://www.goarch.org  - Email: communications@goarch.org

> Protocol 68/10

> July 4, 2010 Independence Day

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 Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, 
Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the 
Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

> Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this annual observance of Independence Day, we give thanks to God for the 
spiritual freedom we have in Christ and for the freedom we have in this nation 
in which we live.  As people of faith we are recipients of the grace of God, 
which frees us from the bondage of sin and death and enables our ascent to 
restoration and eternal communion with Him.  As citizens and residents in the 
United States of America, we are beneficiaries of a form of government that 
recognizes both the political and social freedoms inherent to each of us as 
human beings.

One of these freedoms is religious liberty.  Over two centuries ago, many of 
the framers of our political system realized that this was a necessity for the 
stability and function of the new government and that it was a right belonging 
to all in relation to freedom of conscience and the pursuit of truth.  In the 
process of establishing the new nation, it was apparent to the framers that the 
country had many different religious groups.  They were well aware of the 
dangers of adjoining one religious tradition with the power of the state.  
These modes of governance that were based on coercion often resulting in 
oppression and exclusion, had led many to leave their homelands and come to 
America.  The framers also believed that freedom of conscience expressed in 
religious belief, speech, and association was not a threat but a right of each 
and every person and should be protected from the power of government.  None of 
this was an attempt to inhibit the vitality of religion, as in fact many of the 
framers recognized the moral and communal role of religious faith in 
contributing to a strong citizenry.  The primary motivation was religious 
liberty?the freedom of each and every person to choose,, to believe, to 
practice, and to offer and share with others without fear of the interference 
or oppression of government.

As Orthodox Christians living in this nation, we have and continue to share in 
this freedom.  We gather as communities, worship and minister freely, build 
churches and schools, and share our faith with others.  In addition to our 
faithfulness to God and our determination to cherish and share what He has 
given us, religious liberty has contributed to the vitality of Orthodox 
Christianity in America.  May we give thanks for this, and may we use our 
freedom as an opportunity to participate fully in our faith and to share the 
Gospel with  all.

May we also be mindful of those who labor for faith and ministry within 
societies that have a problem with religious liberty either as a right or as an 
essential element of a free society.  This is the political context that 
continues to challenge and heavily press our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate 
and especially His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.  
Governments, commissions, and world leaders have addressed these issues and 
continue to champion the necessity of religious freedom for the Ecumenical 
Patriarchate.  However, more must be done.

As Orthodox Christians in America and as beneficiaries of religious liberty, 
many of you have offered warm prayers and precious services to our Ecumenical 
Patriarchate recognizing its needs as well as the importance of religious 
freedom.  I give thanks to God for your precious contribution and pray for His 
continued guidance and strength in these efforts.  Let all of our faithful 
throughout the United States, all of us who live in a free society and cherish 
religious liberty, pray and continue to increase our assistance.  Now is a 
critical time to voice our support, to encourage leaders in government, and to 
guide awareness into action.  May we do this in gratitude for the freedom we 
have, for the sake of the Church and the Gospel which we are called to share, 
and for the glory of God.

> With paternal love in Christ,

> ?DEMETRIOS<
> Archbishop of America