Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day (2018)

ARCHIEPISCOPAL ENCYCLICAL

Protocol Number 167/18

October 28, 2018

Feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos

OXI Day

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our commemoration of OXI Day each year leads us to reflect on a very challenging time in our world and for the people of Greece. As war was spreading throughout Europe, the Axis forces demanded the surrender of Greece on October 28, 1940. Bravely and honorably, the Greek people replied, “NO.” Today, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of our fathers and mothers who stood valiantly against the armies of the fascist powers. They proclaimed a resolute “NO” to occupation. The people of Greece affirmed their love of liberty and their right of self-determination. They saw the evil and unchecked power of fascist regimes, and in their response they committed their lives to protecting their country. In faith they knew that no matter the outcome they were willing to stand courageously in the face of this threat knowing that ultimately nothing could separate them from the nobility of their heritage and the love of God.

Today, we are inspired by our forbearers as we celebrate their courage and honor their memory. They said “NO” to those who advanced power and control at any cost. They stood firm against an ideology and its forces that would only separate them from their freedom, their rights, and their way of life. We find courage in their example and hope and strength in the promise that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:38-39).

The experience of God’s love and the promise that His love is always with us helped the people of Greece in hope and faith to endure all things (I Corinthians 13:7). They knew that the power of God’s love was greater than the power of fascist regimes. They knew that the love of God was essential to their freedom, and to their love for their families and communities, and for their country.

With the assurance and truth of God’s love, we are able to stand firm against any evil use of power or false ideology. As the people of Greece in 1940 and as many witnesses of our faith have done, we can boldly proclaim “NO” in the face of those who seek to destroy life and liberty, those who use power to abuse and manipulate others, and those who try to separate us from our faith and the love of God.

As we commemorate the valiant people of Greece on OXI Day, and we laud their courage before the world, may we give thanks to God for the witness offered to us and to generations to come. May we also pray for the eternal memory and blessed repose of those who stood heroically for their faith and their nation. May we be inspired to stand firmly in the love of God, knowing that nothing can separate us from the great and saving love we have in Him through Christ Jesus.

With paternal love in Him,

† D E M E T R I O S

Archbishop of America

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Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for OXI Day 2015

Oct 23, 2015

Protocol Number 182/15

October 28, 2015

OXI Day

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Our annual commemoration of OXI Day this year marks the 75thanniversary of a heroic stand against the forces of Fascism and an affirmation of the values that are essential for human life and well-being. On October 28, 1940, faced with an ultimatum from Benito Mussolini to allow the Italian army to occupy Greece, the Prime Minister of Greece Ioannis Metaxas and the people of Greece responded with a resounding “NO.” Even before the time to respond to the ultimatum had expired, Italian forces began entering Greece over the border from Albania. However, in the spirit of the reply of “NO,” Greek forces resisted fiercely, keeping the Axis forces out of Greece for almost six months.

This stand was a critical event as it slowed the advance of the Axis powers and provided time for Allied forces to be better prepared for the conflicts to come in the Mediterranean. The resistance also necessitated the reinforcement of Italian forces by the German army, delaying the Nazi invasion into Russia into a brutal and fatal winter. The response of “NO” and the stand made by the people of Greece has been recognized as one of the decisive events that determined the course of World War II.

This year’s commemoration of OXI Day has special significance, as it is one of many anniversaries in the coming years for the events of World War II and a very challenging era for many people and nations. It stands near the beginning of these events as a testimony of the bravery that was shown and the sacrifices offered by millions around the world to defeat tyranny and preserve liberty. It is a celebration of the resolve of the leaders and people of Greece, who deliberately and courageously chose to resist the advance of Fascism. It is a witness of the priority of standing for our values in the face of adversity.

The heroism of this stand is legendary. Winston Churchill even remarked, “We knew that Greeks were fighting like heroes; from now on we shall say that the heroes fight like Greeks.” The legacy of OXI Day and the stand of the people of Greece also inspire us to affirm our values in the midst of a challenging and troubled world. Tyrannical forces that are motivated by evil with no respect for life or peace are destroying communities and causing hundreds of thousands to flee for safety. Some are rejecting the values of freedom and especially religious liberty for the sake of control and maintaining authority through fear. Ideologies of hatred and violence are threatening people of faith and their communities that are built upon a foundation of love and hope.

On this 75th anniversary of OXI Day, may we offer a beautiful and faithful witness of the courage of our forbearers. Through events in our parishes and throughout our Holy Archdiocese and Greek American community, may we share the story and honor the memory of those who stood bravely and said “NO” to tyranny, of those who offered their lives to defend Greece and liberty, and of those who suffered and struggled through the years of Nazi occupation that followed. May we also be inspired in our commemoration to protect and affirm our values in the face of adversity. We have been blessed in so many ways by Almighty God. We are benefactors of His grace and of a heritage of courage, faith, and hope. May we cherish and preserve all that is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8) and all that sustains and fulfills the abundant life we have in Christ.

With paternal love in Him,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

http://www.goarch.org/news/encyclicaloxiday2015

2014 Nativity Message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Th2kauifho

2012 Paschal Message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVyB3cEgWmw&feature=relmfu

Paschal (Easter) Message of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Apr 15, 2012

Protocol 36/12
April 15, 2012
Holy Pascha
The Feast of Feasts

Come, on this auspicious day of the Resurrection,
let us partake of the new fruit of the vine
of divine gladness and of the Kingdom of Christ,
praising Him as God unto the ages.
(Hymn of the Canon of Holy Pascha)

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Χριστός Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!

As we gather to celebrate this great Feasts of Feasts, and together we experience the supreme joy of Holy Pascha, we offer our praise to God for His abundant grace and for the triumph of our Savior Jesus Christ over the power of sin and death.  In a magnificent revelation of His invincible might, our Risen Lord has defeated all that corrupts and destroys our human existence.  Through His compassionate sacrifice and Holy Resurrection, He has reconciled us to our Creator.  By trampling down death by death and dispelling its darkness with the light of true life, He leads us to salvation and eternal communion with God.

On this day and in the celebration of Holy Pascha, we are blessed in so many ways.  We are called by the hymnological canon of the feast to “partake of the new fruit of the vine of divine gladness and of the Kingdom of Christ.”  The Holy Resurrection of our Lord affirms that as the True Vine, He is the source of life.  He has made it possible and now guides us in being connected to His presence and the power of His Resurrection through faith.

The Resurrection of Christ has also blessed us with the light of the absolute truth.  The bondage to falsehood and error has been vanquished by the power of the Gospel of truth.  False ideologies, wrong philosophies, and evil machinations have been discredited and dispelled by the brilliance of divine wisdom.  The deceptions of this world of sin and corruption have been exposed in all their evilness thanks to the illumination of our minds with the sacred, holy, and eternal truth revealed by Christ.

These blessings, this fruit of Pascha that is produced in our lives as the Risen Lord is in our midst, are not for us alone.  They are a witness of the grace and power of God through our worship, and they are blessings we are called to share with all of humanity.  In the joy and light of this day, our hearts are so filled with gladness that we cannot but speak of things we have seen and heard.  Our attitudes, words, and actions, our response to the needs of others reveal a source of strength, love and peace.  Our lives are a witness of Pascha, guiding all around us to encounter a Risen and Redeeming Christ.

On this most sacred of days, this Feast of Great and Holy Pascha, I wish you and your families the fullness of the joy and blessings that are offered to us by God through our Risen Lord Jesus Christ.  May this fullness of joy fill your hearts and may the light of grace and truth shine through your lives offering to all a witness of the transforming power of Christ’s Resurrection.

With paternal love in the Risen Lord,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America

Source:  http://www.goarch.org/news/demetriospascha2012