CHERRY HILL, NJ – [Photos by Stelios Lambrou]
A Symposium entitled “Our Green Patriarch, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew: Our Orthodox Faith and Our Environment” was held on November 23 at the St. Thomas Greek Orthodox Church in Cherry Hill, NJ.
The Symposium was organized by a committee appointed by His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, which included the Regional Archon Commanders, Cary Limberakis, George Tsougarakis, and Michael Camarinos, along with the assistance of Archon Anastasius Efstratiades, the President of the St. Thomas Parish Council.
Over 100 clergy and faithful were the attendees from throughout the sacred Metropolis of New Jersey who enjoyed the presentations from the Symposium speakers, Dr. Jack Pappas and Dr. Crina Gschwandtner, both professors at Fordham University.
Dr. Pappas spoke on “Creation, Incarnation and Transfiguration: The Task of Theological Thinking in an Age of Ecological Crisis”.
Dr. Gschwandther’s presentation was about “Joining in the Praise of All Creatures: Orthodox Liturgy and the Earth”.
In his Archpastoral response, His Eminence Metropolitan Apostolos noted how important it is for us as Orthodox Christians to follow the example of His-All Holiness, who is known throughout the world as the Green Patriarch, by doing what we can to preserve the world the best we are able to, as the world is God’s creation and our care for the world demonstrates our love for God and His creation.
His Eminence offered his gratitude to the organizers, the presenters, Fr. Avgoustinos Psomas, the proistamenos of the St. Thomas parish along with the members of the Parish Council and Philoptochos Society for their hospitality.
The Symposium concluded with a wonderful lunch offered by the St. Thomas Community to all those in attendance.
