ECCLESIA

THE HOLY SYNOD

The Synodical Committee for Ecclesiastic Art Music and Christian Monuments organizes, after Decision of the Holy Synod, a One-Day-Conference on the 4^th October 2001, in the Synodical Premises, on: “The Holy vestments and the external garb of the Orthodox Clergy”.

In the Conference there have been invited representatives of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens and of the Holy Dioceses, as well as of the Monasteries which have workshops for the making of the holy vestments.

The Programme of the Conference is as follows:

Thursday 4 October 2001

(Great Meeting Hall of the Hierarchy)

7.30-8.30 Holy Liturgy in the Church (Katholiko) of Petraki Monastery.

8.30-9.00 Breakfast.

9.00 Opening Speech by His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece CHRISTODOULOS – Greetings.

9.15 1^st Introduction by His Excellency the Metropolitan of Acheloos Euthymios on “ Theological consideration of the holy vestments.”

9.35-10.00 Discussion.

10.00-10.30 2nd Introduction by Mr. Aristides Panotis on: “Historical Introduction of the holy vestments.”

10.30-11.30 Discussion.

11.30-12.0 Refreshments (Break).

12.15-12.30 3rd Introduction by the Professor Ioannis Fountoulis on “Tradition and Development of the liturgical vestments.”

12.30-13.00 Discussion.

13.00-15.00 Lunch.

15.00-15.30 4^th Introduction by the Rev. Protopresbyter Athanasios Gikas, Professor of the Aristotle University on: “The external garb of the Orthodox Clergy: history, present and future.”

15.30-16.00 5^th Introduction by the Rev. Protopresbyter Vasilios Thermos, Medical Psychologist on: “Pastoral and Psychological Dimensions of the priests’ garb.”

16.30-17.30 Discussions.

16.30-17.30 Conclusions. – End of works.

The Secretary of the Committee

Archim. Dorotheos Polikandriotis

OΝΕ-DΑΥ CONFERENCE on:

“The Holy vestments and the external garb of the Orthodox Clergy”.

On Thursday the 4^th of October 2001, under the guidance of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and the bless of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, took place with success a one-day Conference on: “The Holy vestments and the external garb of the Orthodox Clergy”.

The beginning of the works was declared by His Beatitude at the Aula of the Synodical Premises with the presence of the Very Reverend Metropolitans of, Nea Krini and Kalamaria Prokopios, Karpenisi Nikolaos, Thira Panteleimon, Kesariani Daniel, Archim. Theologos Apostolidis – Chief-secretary of the Holy Synod, Protopresbyter Thomas Synodinos, Professors, Clerics and Monks, representatives of the Archdiocese of Athens and all the Sacred Dioceses of the Church of Greece, journalists and tailors.

After the comprehensive introductive speech of His Beatitude and the address of the Very Reverend Metropolitan of Nea Krini, President of the Synodical Committee, the spokesmen: the Metropolitan of Acheloos Euthymios, Mr. Aristides Panotis, Professor Ioannis Fountoulis, the Rev. Protopresbyter Athanasios Gikas - Professor of the Aristotle University, the Rev. Protopresbyter Vasilios Thermos - Medical Psychologist, contributed with theological and historical accuracy their speeches and the members of the conference participated to the discussion that followed.

The responsibility of the organization of the conference belonged to the synodical committee for ecclesiastic art and music.

The members of the conference authorized the Committee to prepare a memorandum, about the discussions of the conference, and present it to the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece.

The Secretary of the Committee

Archim. Dorotheos Polikandriotis

At the island of Milos, on the 22^nd and 23^rd of September 2001, under the guidance of His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos, took place with success a two–days Conference about the Catacombs.

On Saturday, the 22^nd of September, the members of the conference, i.e. Deputies, representatives of the Ministry of Commercial Navigation, of the Port Corps, of the Ministry of Culture, of the Prefecture of Cyclades, of the Associations of Milos, editors of newspapers and journalists, departed from Piraeus with the F/B “Express Milos”, which was nobly free granted by the navigation company “Hellas Flying Dolphins”.

In the evening, at the very modern Congress Center of Milos “Georgios Iliopoulos”, took place the Congress on: “The Catacombs of Milos, An Old-Christian monument with unique religious and cultural value”. The owner of the Congress Center Mrs. Ekaterini Kiriakopoulou, offered to His Beatitude a precious bless cross – copy of a ecclesiastic heirloom from Agion Oros. His Beatitude and the other spokesmen: Mrs. Eugenia Gerousi - Archaeologist – Byzantinologist, Mr. Nikos Minos - Director of the Preservation Antiquities Authority, Mr. Haralampos Pennas - Archaeologist, Archim. Dorotheos Polikandriotis – Preacher of the Holy Metropolis of Syros, Mrs. Athina Christofidou – Supervisor of the Direction for the erection of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine monuments and Mr. Nikolaos Zias – Professor at the University of Athens, underlined the big religious, historical and cultural value of the Holy Catacombs, developed the work of the Ministry of Culture about them and decided to strain their efforts in order to continue the works for the preservation and restoration of the Catacombs, due to the logical liturgical use of this holy monument again.

The next day, Sunday, at the place just before the Catacombs, under His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos and the Very Rev. Metropolitans of Paronaksia Amvrosios and Thira Panteleimon, a Holy Liturgy was celebrated, which was attended by 1.500 people of the island of Milos.

Afterwards, His Beatitude and the Clergy visited the Catacombs, held a commemoration office and got informed about them by the accountable of the Ministry of Culture.

Then, His Beatitude and his accompaniment went to the City Hall where hundreds of people welcomed him and the Major of Milos Mr. Dimitrios Psathas proclaimed him as a honorary citizen of the Municipality of Milos. His Beatitude expressed his deeply gladness for his presence in Milos and declared his unlimited assistance to the preservation and promotion of the Catacombs.

The responsibility of the organization of the two-days conference belonged to Big Administrative Collective Committee for the Catacombs of Milos and was supported by many providers, people who love the Church.

At the island of Milos, His Beatitude and the members of the Congress were extended hospitality by the Holy Metropolis of Syros, the Parishes of the island of Milos, the Major of Milos Mr. Dimitrios Psathas and the Prefect of Milos Mrs. Panagiota Kalogeraki.

Archim. Dorotheos Polikandriotis