Donations for Help for Greek Orphans and Disabled

https://www.facebook.com/mary.theodoropoulou.3?fref=ts

Dear Angela-Agapia,

Hope there is a possibility to help this girl and roots of course. Due to crisis things are so tight here. I would never post such a cry for help, but it’s a pity not to be able to find a financial solution for her.

Roots are not able to search for anybody for free, tax is so high even ngos have to pay 500 euros per year, though our tax account last year was 4500 euros! We cannot afford rented office and we are sheltered by the Church Archiepiskopi Athinon, not for long.

Do you think you can organize something for us? A lot of Greek charities and associations in US support Greek ngos but up to now we are not fortunate.

Thank you for your time,  God bless you

Mary

  

  

Monastics, Orphans and God

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forgive my indiscretion

After attending The Service of the Salutations to the Most Holy Theotokos I came to the realization that I should remove my most recent posts in the interest of Christian charity considering my brothers and sisters within my extended (local) Orthodox family. In obedience to the His Eminences request to be mindful of this time of repentance and reconciliation I submit humbly this apology.  My intention was not to hurt any of you but to press the discussion expressing concerns and reservations.  It’s not needed any longer and now clearly not profitable spiritually. 

As  I have offended and been insensitive to the feelings and sensibilities of my fellow brothers and sisters forgive me. I sometimes have a hyper reactive response to questionable ethics and may not be always proceed prudently. 

Recalling these words: A Christian must not be fanatic; he must have love for and be sensitive towards all people. Those who inconsiderately toss out comments, even if they are true, can cause harm.

I once met a theologian who was extremely pious, but who had the habit of speaking to the (secular) people around him in a very blunt manner; his method penetrated so deeply that it shook them very severely. He told me once: “During a gathering, I said such and such a thing to a lady.” But the way that he said it, crushed her. “Look”, I said to him, “you may be tossing golden crowns studded with diamonds to other people, but the way that you throw them can smash heads, not only the sensitive ones, but the sound ones also.”

Let’s not stone our fellow-man in a so-called “Christian manner.” The person who – in the presence of others – checks someone for having sinned (or speaks in an impassioned manner about a certain person), is not moved by the Spirit of God; he is moved by another spirit.

The way of the Church is LOVE; it differs from the way of the legalists. The Church sees everything with tolerance and seeks to help each person, whatever he may have done, however sinful he may be.

I have observed a peculiar kind of logic in certain pious people. Their piety is a good thing, and their predisposition for good is also a good thing; however, a certain spiritual discernment and amplitude is required so that their piety is not accompanied by narrow-mindedness or strong-headedness. Someone who is truly in a spiritual state must possess and exemplify spiritual discernment; otherwise he will forever remain attached to the “letter of the Law”, and the letter of the Law can be quite deadly.

A truly humble person never behaves like a teacher; he will listen, and, whenever his opinion is requested, he responds humbly. In other words, he replies like a student. He who believes that he is capable of correcting others is filled with egotism.

A person that begins to do something with a good intention and eventually reaches an extreme point, lacks true discernment. His actions exemplify a latent type of egotism that is hidden beneath this behavior; he is unaware of it, because he does not know himself that well, which is why he goes to extremes.

http://orthodoxcounselor.blogspot.com/

http://orthodoxpsychotherapist.blogspot.com/

Revisionist History, Religious Freedom and Whistleblowing

Greetings and salutations.  It seems as if it’s been in eons since my last blog entry.  In some ways so much is changed and yet  still the same.  Quite by chance yesterday I received an email referring to a blog entry that I wrote in 2011. I had the opportunity to revisit some of the entries and consider the on going debate which considers the universal fight for religious freedom especially for our Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople. On the home front much of my effort was spent challenging the warring against Hellenism, anomalies and innovative protocols and the revisionist history of “American Orthodox Churches” or the “Evangelical Orthodox”. Much of their continued propaganda has been to disparage and attack the sacred and holy traditions regarding administration and order of Orthodoxy. I willingly expended much effort along with many greater then I,  state-side and abroad, to fight the constant undercurrent of bashing those leaders, ministries and great churchmen and women who paved the way and who have become targets by such Johnny come lately types who view those ‘ethnics’ as  a mar on Orthodoxy and an inconvenience to the “great American orthodoxy” in their ineffectual and uncanonical power grab.

On a personal note since my last writings I have been busy with raising my wonderful children together with my husband;  advancing the cause of religious freedom through awareness locally, dispelling myths of superstition with this new orthodox fanaticism at one end and the protestant infection at the other. I have had the ability and continued blessing of growing my professional ministry specializing in marriage therapy, co dependence and public service work aimed at destigmatizing depression and providing educational resources for raising families in this ever encroaching digital era.  Orthodox Psychotherapy as a specialty has been my focal point and paradigm in dealing with such sensitive matters as sexual abuse and trauma.  I have been afforded the great opportunity to provide seminars and workshops to reach a broader community and to assist the under served Orthodox families in a manner which is holistic and mindful of the Neptic teachings. Lastly to my clients I consider it my great privilege work with individuals, couples and families in my private  clinical practice as they answer the more fundamental question of cause and purpose.

Such work has been a blessing unto itself but it has become clear to me that my work here on this blog affectionately called the Phanar District is not yet done.  There been several instances where I have been called on in a clinical capacity and subsequently as a mandated reporter I find myself uniquely poised to serve as a watchdog and whistle blower. This integrated approach with its micro and macro features requires some measure courage and attention to detail.

Unfortunately abuse and misconduct effects every community including our Orthodox community and therefore it necessitates a vocal advocate for victims of abuse even when perpetrators are among clerical ranks. Admittedly and thankfully such instances are far between but nonetheless have occurred.  

Most recently concerns are drawn closer to home. I am willing and compelled by compassion and love to have their stories told to voice what  may be considered unpopular or unseemly.  I am not deterred by the opinions of the mob or the polite sensibility of those who choose to look the other way while brother and sisters are potentially trampled.  I will not be silenced for all those who are lacking or maybe uncomfortable or frightened to speak out.