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Greek
Orthodox Diocese of Atlanta
6 WEST DRUID HILLS, SUITE 620 ATLANTA,
GEORGIA 30329 Telephone (404) 634-9345 Fax (404) 634-2471
May
11, 1994
The "Junior" Sunday School Class
Mr. Philip Lawrence
St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
1316 Watts St.
P.O.Box 1149
Durham, NC 27702
Dear
Juniors and Mr. Lawrence,
Christos
Anesti!
I
want to thank you for the letter that your teacher Mr. Lawrence sent to
me on your behalf. Allow me to apologize for the delay of my response
but the responsibilities of administration for the Diocese of Atlanta
are such that I am out of the office pastorally visiting parishes and
can not respond immediately to my correspondence. Let me now answer your
questions.
Who
inspired you to become a Bishop?
In
answering this question I must explain that there was not an individual
that I was associated with that inspired me to become a Bishop, as you
termed it. I was called to the priesthood by our Lord. It is a "feeling,"
a "knowing" that makes the priesthood what it is, a vocation
and not a profession. I also want you to know that never did it enter
my mind that I would aspire to become a Bishop. I entered the priesthood
because I wanted to serve God in a very special manner, devoting all of
my energies and life to Him.
How
long did it take to become a Bishop?
I
was born in Kephalonia, Greece and received my Theological degree from
the University of Athens. I was tonsured a monk when I joined the Monastery
of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Penteli. On January 23, 1952 I was
ordained a deacon in Athens, Greece. In April of 1958 I arrived in the
United States and served as the Archdeacon for His Eminence Archbishop
Iakovos. On April 24, 1960 I was ordained into the priesthood and became
the priest of St. Gerasimos Church in New York City. I was elevated to
the rank of Archmandrite in December of 1960. I have served communities
throughout the United States and on August 1, 1982 I was consecrated Bishop
of Daphnousia. On April 2, 1992 our Lord found me worthy to be enthroned
as Bishop of Atlanta. As you can see, the road was designed by God and
I have always been a willing servant to do His will.
What
is your favorite service?
Each
service has its own beauty, but we must understand that the Divine Liturgy
is the pinnacle of all of our Holy Services. It is at the Divine Liturgy
that we are called forward to receive the Body and Blood of our Lord and
Savior Jesus Christ and become partakers of the Eternal Kingdom.
What
is your favorite Bible story?
This
is another very difficult question that you have presented me with. I
am extremely overjoyed to answer such well thought out questions, which
reflect the true faith that is being developed inside of each and every
one of you. I would venture to say that my favorite Bible story is that
of Job. The fact that the Book of Job presents us with so many of today's
dilemmas that we are plagued with, is most intriguing and beneficial for
our sanity in a mixed up and crazy world. I hope that Mr. Lawrence or
one of your religious educators in the past have taken the time to read
and explain the Book of Job with you. If not, I truly believe that everyone
should acquaint themselves with the story of Job. Job was a man of great
faith, one who's "leap of faith," seems so incomprehensible
to us today. But let me assure you that this is the faith that all of
us must have, and this is the love for God that we need to nurture in
order to attain eternal life. Job is the "hero" image that we
need to have before us today, along with the other Martyrs, Saints and
Fathers of the Church. The heroes of MTV and the society we live in are
all an illusion that will lead us down a path of destruction. Our archetype
is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, not anything born out of the temporality
of this world.
How
many different sets of vestments do you have?
The
typikon of our Church, or might I say the guidelines concerning Liturgics
specify specific colors for specific seasons during the ecclesiastical
year. I have made it my responsibility to make sure that my Liturgical
dress coincides with the requirements of our typikon.
Have
you performed services outside the U.S.?
Allow
me to rephrase your question. Have I "celebrated" services
outside the U.S.? The answer is yes, I have celebrated all forms of Orthodox
worship services in many different places throughout the world. God has
blessed me with the opportunity to celebrate with diverse groups of Orthodox
faithful all over the world. I pray that you will possibly entertain the
idea of devoting some period in your lives to doing missionary work for
the Orthodox Church.
What
question are you asked the most?
I
am continuously asked questions concerning our Orthodox faith. Who are
we? Are we Christians? Do we believe in Jesus? People, whenever having
witnessed any of our Holy Services are so moved and intrigued that they
ask all kinds of questions concerning our rituals and ceremonies. Orthodoxy
is not evangelistic in the Protestant sense of the word. Proselytizing
is something that we as Orthodox have never engaged in, and as Orthodox
will continue to attract those who want to embrace our faith through the
Light of the Truth only. The "fulfillment" "pleroma"
that belongs to Orthodoxy only is what brings those outside the fold,
inside the body of members of His Church.
It
has been an extreme pleasure taking the time to answer your questions.
I am never too busy to spend time with any of you. I want you to know
and understand that many times I am sure you have heard it said; "the
youth are the future of our Church. " I want you to know
that all of you are an integral part, active members of the Body of Christ,
TODAY! I hope that all of you will take the opportunity to attend
the St. Stephen Summer Camp in Aiken, South Carolina this summer.
God
bless you,
Bishop
Philip of Atlanta
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