13/4/2005 To the Hellenic Gerontological and Geriatric Association Honorable Ladies and Gentlemen, It was with great joy that I accepted the invitation to participate in the blessed endeavors of the HGGA, by sharing my thoughts with you. The HGGA strives for the alleviation of our elderly and particularly for those who suffer from depression, an illness that characterizes the impenetrable person of our time. Throughout the centuries, the elderly, for our Orthodox theology, have been and are sacred and venerable individuals. Repeatedly in the Holy Scriptures we see the divinely inspired writers address the elderly with such honor, and they exhort the youth to respect them, to care for them, and to love them. And of course, it would not have been possible to happen differently, because in the perfect ethical system, which by the Infinite Love of God was given to us, everything happens "according to order" and honor is given to those who deserves it. Unfortunately, That which the law of God commands, we ascertain that it is no longer acceptable in the modern world. And this is owed to many reasons. One out of the most key reasons I will expound on further. I would say without hesitation, that according to the statistics of the last decade, the meaning of an exemplary figurehead of authority has been abolished. And unfortunately, we, the older generation, hold the primary responsibility, for the mentality that we have imparted upon our children. Figures of authority, in the past, were parents, clergymen, teachers, and of course the elderly. It is not moreover, accidental that the elderly are called "the wise ones," which means venerable individuals. But we did not stop here with just this abolition. We attempted to coerce and convince our children to believe that everything is equal and the same; by classifying everything within an alienated and catastrophic pseudo-artsy philosophy and uniform mentality, which our alleged progression dictates. We demolished the very foundational structure of our traditional values and we created a chasm between the generations that is difficult to correct. For example, when a child, from a young age, addresses his father by his first name and disputes with him under equal terms; how is it possible for the child to learn to honor his father in manner that he should? And how can that child learn how to honor the elderly, the "wise ones", the Venerable. All of this perhaps sounds quite anomalous, but I believe that as the Leader of the Greek Orthodox Church, I must refer to this important cause in my speech. Because a large part of the current problem, is owed to the existing chasm between the youth and the elderly. Which will become deeper if we do not reverse the tide and if we do not realize that when the ethical and spiritual order that the Creator ordained in order to strengthen the relationships between us is violated, it will have its fatal revenge upon us, quite similar to the laws of nature. We have wandered off down our path of catastrophic progression leveling everything, resulting in a demolition of the healthy nucleus of society, which is the Family. Now we stare with desperation while our children try to find a way out from their dead-ends by turning to alcohol, drugs, anarchic annihilation, and cults; meanwhile our elderly waste away alone and distressed, far from the warmth and comfort of a family and with the bitter complaint of abandonment on their lips. Immediately the question is raised: Does HOPE exist? It certainly does exist and I hold myself responsible to declare in a stentorian voice, first before God, and then before my fellow Greek brothers and sisters. Our Only, but Assured Hope is Christ. Only He knows how to unite the dispersion. Only He knows how to revive new creations in human hearts. He is the all-powerful Father and Comforter. I implore all of you, both young and old, to come near Him. There you will find with absolute certainty the All-Holy Hand that will dry your bitter tears, the Great Friend that will uphold the perfect companionship during the hours of loneliness, the Affectionate Father who with his own Divine Balsam will wash away your pain. With these hopeful thoughts I greet the campaign of HGGE and I pray that God will grant success for the endeavors of its members, to alleviate the problems concerning our elderly brothers and sisters. + C H R I S T O D O U L O S ARCHBISHOP OF ATHENS AND ALL GREECE