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Orthodox Observer - November 1996

Dismayed about TV coverage

Editor,

It was with great dismay that I watched the television enthronement of our Archbishop Spyridon at the Holy Trinity Cathedral.

As a courtesy to our non-Greek-speaking brethren of Orthodox and non-Orthodox faiths, I expected some statement in English, especially since our newspapers made much of the fact that His Eminence is the first American-born Archbishop. I am not questioning the religious aspect of the ceremony which was perhaps rightfully held in Greek, However, two speakers did address the assembly at length in Greek. A third speaker, speaking briefly in English, would have avoided the feeling that some were obviously left with, namely: "It's Greek to me!"

Was there some political factor involved that I'm missing here?

Amelia Voulangas

Kew Gardens, N.Y.

Archbishop Spyridon delivered his enthronement address in English, as well as in Greek. The hierarch representing the Ecumenical Patriarch, Metropolitan Ioakeim of Chalcedon, the second-ranking official at the Patriarchate, spoke in Greek. English Translations were made available. — Editor

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 61, No. 1120 - November 1996 - p. 8 ]