REV. DR. ELIAS BOUBOUTSIS, Proistamenos
Founded by the Triune God on the day of Pentecost, the Greek Orthodox Churches are the ancient and native Christian communities of the Biblical world, with centers in the Holy Lands and Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt, Greece and Cyprus. They are the ‘elders’ of the worldwide communion of Orthodox Churches, which includes the native churches of Russia and other former Soviet republics, and which gathers nearly 300,000,000 souls. Through the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and its Atlanta Metropolis, this particular community has spiritual ties with the ancient Church of Asia Minor/Constantinople (modern Istanbul) founded by the Apostles John, Andrew and Paul in the first century.
Like Judaism, Orthodox Christianity is a deeply biblical way of life, one in full spiritual and cultural communion with the East Mediterranean world which gave the world the Bible to begin with. Indeed, in Greek Orthodox churches throughout the world – and in this particular one – the Gospel is proclaimed and taught in the original Hellenistic language, while most of our common prayer is offered in English translation. Strongly rooted in ancient Christianity and enriched by the cultures of Orthodox homelands, our Diaspora community in southwest Florida includes many converts who have embraced this ancient/future way of life, engaging in all levels of ministry and leadership.
Authenticity of faith and worship is, in fact, the original sense of the Greek word Orthodoxía. It is an authenticity grounded in faithfulness to early Christianity and constantly, compassionately adaptive to changing conditions. And the ancient arms of mother Orthodoxy are widely, lovingly open to every seeker and to all peoples in all ages. Expressing this openness, the Greek Orthodox Churches have been at the forefront of the ecumenical and interfaith movements since their modern inception. Their leaders have demonstrated a deep commitment to social justice as well – whether marching at the side of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, as did the late Archbishop Iakovos, or advocating environmental protection as the present Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeos.
Perhaps nowhere has the Orthodox Way been better characterized than by a group of Russian pilgrims who travelled the world of a millennium ago, in search of a religion their people could embrace. Their journey came to an end at the iconic Greek Orthodox basilica of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, where they penned this timeless reflection: ‘In that place, we knew not whether we were in heaven or on earth – we knew only that there God dwelt among our humankind’ (Russian Primary Chronicle). Remembering those ancestors in the faith, we too invite all pilgrims and seekers to join us in this ancient/future way of life – ‘Come and See….’
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