Encyclicals of His Beatitude Theodosius

Bombing at the Ecumenical Patriarchate

+ Metropolitan Theodosius

Primate of the Orthodox Church in America

Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America

P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA

Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954

info@oca.org -- http://www.oca.org

October 1, 1996

His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW I

Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch

Istanbul, Turkey

Your All Holiness, dear Brother and Concelebrant,

Only extreme outrage and profound dismay characterized our feelings today when we learned of the violent and unlawful attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate on September 30, 1996. The unprecedented bombing of St George Cathedral, where I was blessed and honored to visit with Your All Holiness, and collateral damage to monastic quarters in the Patriarchal complex by religious fanatics, must be condemned by the international community.

We can only be thankful today as we celebrate the Feast of the Protection of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, that She has extended her heavenly veil upon the Phanar and has protected Your All Holiness and members of your staff from injury as a result of this sinful and inane act of violence.

Religious fundamentalism is inherently a sin against God and humanity. It is this same religious fundamentalism that ostensibly leads the Turkish Prime Minister in his drive to turn Hagia Sophia into an operating Mosque. This latest attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate should signal an alarm throughout the world that enough suffering, harassment and terror have been levied against the Orthodox Christians in Constantinople.

Our office was assured today by the State Department that official condemnation of the attack has been issued by the Government of the United States, and that swift action by authorities in Turkey will lead to the arrest of these violators. Furthermore, some form of protection will be guaranteed for the faithful inhabitants and workers of the Patriarchate against such attacks in the future.

On behalf of the hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, please accept from my unworthiness, our expression of solidarity and love during this difficult time.

Your brother in Christ,

+ THEODOSIUS

Archbishop of Washington,

Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Greetings to Archbishop Spyridon From

Metropolitan Theodosius and Bishop Innocent

September 20, 1996

+ Metropolitan Theodosius

Primate of the Orthodox Church in America

Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America

P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA

Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954

info@oca.org — http://www.oca.org

His Eminence, Archbishop SPYRIDON

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States

10 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021

Sitka, Alaska

Your Eminence, Archbishop SPYRIDON, dear brother in the Lord,

On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Alaska, Orthodox Church in America, as we meet in assembly in the historic city of Sitka, on this 20th day of September 1996 in the great state of Alaska, where the roots of our Orthodox faith were first planted on North American soil, we do hereby extend to you our sincere congratulations and heartfelt prayers as you are officially installed as Archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese of the United States.

We pray that our blessed Father Herman of Alaska will guide you in patience and humility as you minister to the faithful entrusted to your care. May Saint Yakov Netsvetov, Evangelizer of the people of Alaska, be an example to you in your archpastoral work and service to the Lord at His holy altar. And may Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle to America, intercede on your behalf that you may be strengthened as you take on the mantle of episcopal leadership of the Greek Archdiocese.

Our archpastoral responsibilities at this diocesan assembly do not permit us to physically be with you on this joyous day, but know that we join with the saints, and all the Orthodox hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful in rejoicing in your installation as you enter the brotherhood of the venerable hierarchs bearing witness to the rich tradition of our Orthodox faith in this land of America.

As we pray and deliberate the joys and sorrows, triumphs and tribulations, and strengths and weaknesses of the Diocese of Alaska, be assured of the continued prayers of the hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful of our diocese for a fruitful ministry. May we always work together in brotherly love, peace, and harmony as we seek to fulfill God’s holy will.

With love in Christ,

+ THEODOSIUS

Archbishop of Washington,

Metropolitan of All America and Canada,

Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska

+INNOCENT

Bishop of Anchorage

Ecclesiastical New Year / Situation in Albania

+ Metropolitan Theodosius

Primate of the Orthodox Church in America

Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America

P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA

Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954

info@oca.org — http://www.oca.org

August 29, 1996

To His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarchate

Your All Holiness,

I write in great humility to greet you on the occasion of the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year. At this time we are brought to the realization that Almighty God, in His love for humanity and for all creation, grants us new beginnings and new mercies for our ministry in preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I also take this opportunity to thank you for the brotherly expressions of your care and concern for the Church of which I am primate, and for the future of Orthodoxy in America. Several weeks ago, I received your emissary who shared with me informally some of your thoughts, concerns and questions. We will, of course, reflect on these matters. More recently, you had the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod send me documents concerning the election of His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon as the new archbishop for the Greek Archdiocese in the United States. These were received with all due respect, and I look forward to welcoming the new archbishop, and to working closely with him in our common efforts to be witnesses for Orthodoxy on this continent.

Your All Holiness, I take this opportunity in all humility and sincerity to also share with you a perspective on developments regarding the Church of Albania. Since the election of His Beatitude, Anastasios (Yanoulatos) as the primate of the Church of Albania by the Holy Church of Constantinople, I have endeavored to support him in his primatial ministry by bearing witness to his integrity, his missionary zeal, his dedication to the upbuilding of the Church in Albania. I gave this support to Archbishop Anastasios openly and gladly — and in the face of considerable anxiety and tension regarding his appointment among many Albanian Orthodox clergy and laity within the Albanian Archdiocese which is a part of the Orthodox Church in America. I believe that my efforts were little by little rewarded with a measure of success. However, with the consecration of three new bishops for Albania — none of whom are of Albanian nationality — the tensions and anxieties among Orthodox Albanians here and in Albania are stimulated once again. This is a reality which I feel you would certainly want to know in assessing the situation in Albania.

Once again, Most Beloved in the Lord, I send you greetings in the same of the Lord Jesus Christ at the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year. I embrace you in the love of Christ, and I ask for your patriarchal prayers for my unworthiness, and for the whole flock which is in my care.

Your brother and concelebrant,

+ THEODOSIUS

Archbishop of Washington,

Metropolitan of All America and Canada

Encyclicals of His Beatitude Metropolitan Theodosius - 1996

Bombing at the Ecumenical Patriarchate + Metropolitan Theodosius Primate of the Orthodox Church in America Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954 info@oca.org -- http://www.oca.org October 1, 1996 His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW I Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch Istanbul, Turkey Your All Holiness, dear Brother and Concelebrant, Only extreme outrage and profound dismay characterized our feelings today when we learned of the violent and unlawful attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate on September 30, 1996. The unprecedented bombing of St George Cathedral, where I was blessed and honored to visit with Your All Holiness, and collateral damage to monastic quarters in the Patriarchal complex by religious fanatics, must be condemned by the international community. We can only be thankful today as we celebrate the Feast of the Protection of our Most Holy Lady, Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, that She has extended her heavenly veil upon the Phanar and has protected Your All Holiness and members of your staff from injury as a result of this sinful and inane act of violence. Religious fundamentalism is inherently a sin against God and humanity. It is this same religious fundamentalism that ostensibly leads the Turkish Prime Minister in his drive to turn Hagia Sophia into an operating Mosque. This latest attack against the Ecumenical Patriarchate should signal an alarm throughout the world that enough suffering, harassment and terror have been levied against the Orthodox Christians in Constantinople. Our office was assured today by the State Department that official condemnation of the attack has been issued by the Government of the United States, and that swift action by authorities in Turkey will lead to the arrest of these violators. Furthermore, some form of protection will be guaranteed for the faithful inhabitants and workers of the Patriarchate against such attacks in the future. On behalf of the hierarchs, clergy and faithful of the Orthodox Church in America, please accept from my unworthiness, our expression of solidarity and love during this difficult time. Your brother in Christ, + THEODOSIUS Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada Greetings to Archbishop Spyridon From Metropolitan Theodosius and Bishop Innocent September 20, 1996 + Metropolitan Theodosius Primate of the Orthodox Church in America Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954 info@oca.org — http://www.oca.org His Eminence, Archbishop SPYRIDON Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of the United States 10 East 79th Street New York, NY 10021 Sitka, Alaska Your Eminence, Archbishop SPYRIDON, dear brother in the Lord, On behalf of the clergy and faithful of the Diocese of Alaska, Orthodox Church in America, as we meet in assembly in the historic city of Sitka, on this 20th day of September 1996 in the great state of Alaska, where the roots of our Orthodox faith were first planted on North American soil, we do hereby extend to you our sincere congratulations and heartfelt prayers as you are officially installed as Archbishop of the Greek Archdiocese of the United States. We pray that our blessed Father Herman of Alaska will guide you in patience and humility as you minister to the faithful entrusted to your care. May Saint Yakov Netsvetov, Evangelizer of the people of Alaska, be an example to you in your archpastoral work and service to the Lord at His holy altar. And may Saint Innocent of Alaska, Apostle to America, intercede on your behalf that you may be strengthened as you take on the mantle of episcopal leadership of the Greek Archdiocese. Our archpastoral responsibilities at this diocesan assembly do not permit us to physically be with you on this joyous day, but know that we join with the saints, and all the Orthodox hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful in rejoicing in your installation as you enter the brotherhood of the venerable hierarchs bearing witness to the rich tradition of our Orthodox faith in this land of America. As we pray and deliberate the joys and sorrows, triumphs and tribulations, and strengths and weaknesses of the Diocese of Alaska, be assured of the continued prayers of the hierarchs, clergy, monastics and faithful of our diocese for a fruitful ministry. May we always work together in brotherly love, peace, and harmony as we seek to fulfill God’s holy will. With love in Christ, + THEODOSIUS Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada, Administrator of the Diocese of Alaska +INNOCENT Bishop of Anchorage Ecclesiastical New Year / Situation in Albania + Metropolitan Theodosius Primate of the Orthodox Church in America Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America P.O. Box 675, Syosset, NY 11791 / USA Tel: 1-516-922-0550 / Fax: 1-516-922-0954 info@oca.org — http://www.oca.org August 29, 1996 To His All Holiness, BARTHOLOMEW I, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarchate Your All Holiness, I write in great humility to greet you on the occasion of the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year. At this time we are brought to the realization that Almighty God, in His love for humanity and for all creation, grants us new beginnings and new mercies for our ministry in preaching the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I also take this opportunity to thank you for the brotherly expressions of your care and concern for the Church of which I am primate, and for the future of Orthodoxy in America. Several weeks ago, I received your emissary who shared with me informally some of your thoughts, concerns and questions. We will, of course, reflect on these matters. More recently, you had the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod send me documents concerning the election of His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon as the new archbishop for the Greek Archdiocese in the United States. These were received with all due respect, and I look forward to welcoming the new archbishop, and to working closely with him in our common efforts to be witnesses for Orthodoxy on this continent. Your All Holiness, I take this opportunity in all humility and sincerity to also share with you a perspective on developments regarding the Church of Albania. Since the election of His Beatitude, Anastasios (Yanoulatos) as the primate of the Church of Albania by the Holy Church of Constantinople, I have endeavored to support him in his primatial ministry by bearing witness to his integrity, his missionary zeal, his dedication to the upbuilding of the Church in Albania. I gave this support to Archbishop Anastasios openly and gladly — and in the face of considerable anxiety and tension regarding his appointment among many Albanian Orthodox clergy and laity within the Albanian Archdiocese which is a part of the Orthodox Church in America. I believe that my efforts were little by little rewarded with a measure of success. However, with the consecration of three new bishops for Albania — none of whom are of Albanian nationality — the tensions and anxieties among Orthodox Albanians here and in Albania are stimulated once again. This is a reality which I feel you would certainly want to know in assessing the situation in Albania. Once again, Most Beloved in the Lord, I send you greetings in the same of the Lord Jesus Christ at the beginning of the ecclesiastical New Year. I embrace you in the love of Christ, and I ask for your patriarchal prayers for my unworthiness, and for the whole flock which is in my care. Your brother and concelebrant, + THEODOSIUS Archbishop of Washington, Metropolitan of All America and Canada

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