Remarks of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Chorostasia of the Divine Liturgy Feast-day of Saint Demetrios the Myrrh-bearer

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Direct Archdiocesan District
Astoria, Queens, New York

October 26, 2009

Remarks as prepared for delivery

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Beloved children in the Lord,

Today, on your feast, the feast of your Patron Saint, the Great-Martyr and Myrrh-Streamer Demetrios, and the name-day of your Archbishop Demetrios, we bring blessings and benediction to all from the Apostolic and Ecumenical Throne of Constantinople.

We are well pleased to behold the People of God gathered in the Church of God, as one united family of Orthodox Christians. We are especially pleased by the fact that so many children are present this morning. The inclusion of our young people represents one of the most significant signs for the health of any community, but especially for the Church of Christ.

In the Cathedral in Thessaloniki that bears the name of the Great-Martyr, the icon of the Holy Saint of God is not shown in the panoply of his armor, on a brown horse, and subduing the enemy. Instead, the Holy Martyr is shown in everyday dress – the toga of the ancient world, and most importantly, embracing two young children. Here is an icon for each of us to behold in our minds’ eye – Saint Demetrios, the protector of children.

In celebrating this great Saint today, let us give special attention to the protection of our children and the world that they shall inherit. We know that every father and every mother only wants the best for their child – the best clothes, the best nourishment, the best education and the rest. But what of the best air to breathe and the best water to drink? What of the very world that our future generations are to inherit, as we who are meek shall inherit the earth?

Thus, we see St. Demetrios as the protector, without the dread visage of armor and weapons, but full of love and tender-hearted compassion for the children. In his meekness, let us behold those who truly shall inherit the earth. Let us embrace this meekness with a mind set on healing our world, by healing our wounds with one another. Let us open our hearts to the love of the martyr, the martyr who gives up life out of love. Let us practice the virtue of self-control in all aspects of our lives – whether it be with our consumption of goods or our demands on the good of others, so that we prove to be the meek, and leave an inheritance in the earth for our children and the Kingdom of Heaven for our souls.

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