Sunday of the Publican and Pharisee: Triodion Begins Today
The Pharisees were an ancient and outstanding sect among the Jews known for their diligent observance of the outward matters of the Law. Although, according to the word of our Lord, they "did all their works to be seen of men" (Matt. 23:5), and were hypocrites (ibid. 23: 13, 14, 15, etc.), because of the apparent holiness of their lives they were thought by all to be righteous, and separate from others, which is what the name Pharisee means. On the other hand, Publicans, collectors of the royal taxes, committed many injustices and extortions for filthy lucre's sake, and all held them to be sinners and unjust. It was therefore according to common opinion that the Lord Jesus in His parable signified a virtuous person by a Pharisee, and a sinner by a Publican, to teach His disciples the harm of pride and the profit of humble-mindedness.
Since the chief weapon for virtue is humility, and the greatest hindrance to it is pride, the divine Fathers have set these three weeks before the Forty-day Fast as a preparation for the spiritual struggles of virtue. This present week they have called Harbinger, since it declares that the Fast is approaching; and they set humility as the foundation for all our spiritual labors by appointing that the parable of the Publican and the Pharisee be read today, even before the Fast begins, to teach, through the vaunting of the Pharisee, that the foul smoke of self-esteem and the stench of boasting drives away the grace of the Spirit, strips man of all his virtue, and casts him into the pits of Hades; and, through the repentance and contrite prayer of the Publican, that humility confers upon the sinner forgiveness of all his wicked deeds and raises him up to the greatest heights.
All foods are allowed the week that follows this Sunday.
Yearbook 2019
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is announcing a new ten-episode video series introducing the faithful to the new Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth. These new resources also include step-by-step checklists designed to help parishioners and communities follow the new guidelines.
The implementation and enforcement of the Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth take another step forward towards the goal of ensuring that every ministry and event is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe and healthy for the children of all Greek Orthodox Churches in America.
WASHINGTON – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended tonight a State Department reception in honor of the Prime Minister of Greece, His Excellency Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The 8th annual celebration of Hellenic Heritage & Dance, PARATHOSI 2020, of the Direct Archdiocesan District of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, will take place on Saturday January 11th, 2020 at the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, NY.
NEW YORK – Earlier today, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo officially welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to New York and announced plans to resume the rebuilding of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center. This was the Governor's first meeting with His Eminence since the Archbishop was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Archbishop of America to succeed Archbishop Demetrios in May. The project will be driven by a new non-profit organization with an independent, 13-member board - the Friends of St. Nicholas. The new entity has been formed to ensure that the sacred space is completed as expeditiously as possible and can begin welcoming visitors from around the world. The Friends of St. Nicholas will aim to resume construction with a two-year target to complete the church
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presided for the first time since he became Archbishop last year, at the annual 114th celebration of Theophany (Epiphany), the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, the Great Blessing Service of the Waters and the Dive for the Cross in Spring Bayou, while many thousands of pilgrims and visitors attended the festivities.
NEW YORK – In commemoration of the Holy Three Hierarchs (Saint Basil the Great, Saint Gregory the Theologian, and Saint John Chrysostom), on January 30th, the Office of Education of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America organizes the following events to celebrate Greek Letters and Arts:
On January 30, 2020, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America officiated over the Divine Liturgy of the feast of the Three Hierarchs at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America together with Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta and the Greek Orthodox Community of Charlotte welcomed last night, Tue., Jan. 28, 2020, His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos II of Cyprus, who is visiting the United States for medical reasons.
Ἐπί τῇ ἀφίξει τῆς Α. Μακαριότητος, τοῦ Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κύπρου κ.κ. Χρυσοστόμου Β’ εἰς Ἀμερικήν πρός περαιτέρω περίθαλψιν τῆς κλονισθείσης ὑγείας Αὐτοῦ, ἡ Α. Θ. Παναγιότης, ὁ Οἰκουμενικός Πατριάρχης κ.κ. Βαρθολομαῖος, τό ἀπόγευμα τῆς Τετάρτης,
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day attended last night, Jan. 27, 2020, a commemoration event at the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto, CA.
Clergy, counselors, pastoral care workers and lay persons from across the United States gathered here Jan. 22-25, to share insights, tools and resources for strengthening marriages and ministering to married couples in times of challenge and crisis. Keynote speakers set the tone for daily workshops, which focused on a variety of marital challenges set in the context of Kairos and Chronos time. Keynote speakers included Dn. Michael and Gail Hyatt, Dn. Stephen Muse, PhD, and Carrie Frederick Frost, PhD.
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America today announced that attorney George A. Tsougarakis has joined the Archdiocese as General Counsel. As the Archdiocese’s chief legal officer reporting directly to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Mr. Tsougarakis will work closely with the Holy Eparchial Synod and Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.
NEW YORK – The 24th Phidippides Award was bestowed last night to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for his passionate advocacy of Hellenism and Orthodoxy during the 33rd Anniversary Gala Dinner of the Hellenic Public Radio COSMOS FM 91.5. The event was held at Terrace on the Park in Flushing Meadows, NY.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces the decision of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, after much consideration and in collaboration with His Eminences’ advisors, to create the following Archdiocesan Regions.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
As we celebrate Saint Photios the Great, Patriarch of Constantinople, throughout our Archdiocese, we also remember our first National Shrine, named in his honor. The Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, founded by Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory, commemorates the first known Greeks who came to America in the 18th century, long before their distant cousins would begin arriving nearly one hundred years later.
