Orthodoxy in Dialogue applauds this initiative on the part of Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Before this event was reported we published a tribute to Martin Luther King, “Black Lives Matter,” in which the author concludes as follows: “We and our readers continue to hope and pray that the Lord will raise up hierarchs—indeed a whole Assembly of hierarchs—who will speak with one voice and put their words into concrete action, following in the holy footsteps of Archbishop Iakovos.” With gratitude to Archbishop Demetrios for hosting the event, and to Metropolitan Tikhon of the Orthodox Church in America for his attendance (see photo album linked below), we see the gathering on the evening of Great and Holy Tuesday as an important step in this direction.

Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (centre)

On April 3, 2018, the eve of the 50th memorial of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., following the solemn Service of the Bridegroom of Holy Tuesday, His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios, hosted more than 400 ecumenical leaders and guests at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of St. Sophia, who had gathered in the nation’ s capital to advance efforts to end racism. The event, co-organized by the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), preluded a march from the MLK Memorial to a rally on the National Mall taking place the next morning, April 4.

The program included a welcome, greetings from the World Council of Churches and the NCC, an exhortation to ACT Now to End Racism, two Scripture readings, audio recordings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Archbishop Iakovos, a chanted psalm, and a homily. Read More

If any be devout and love God, let them enjoy this fair and radiant triumphal feast. If any be wise servants, let them rejoicing enter into the joy of their Lord. If any have laboured long in fasting, let them now receive their recompense.

If any have wrought from the first hour, let them today receive their just reward.

If any have come at the third hour, let them with thankfulness keep the feast.

If any have arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings, because they shall in nowise be deprived therefor.

If any have delayed until the ninth hour, let them draw near, fearing nothing.

If any have tarried even until the eleventh hour, let them, also, be not alarmed at their tardiness; for the Lord, who is jealous of His honour, will accept the last even as the first. He gives rest unto them who come at the eleventh hour, even as unto them who have wrought from the first hour.

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Exultation

Sing, all the earth! See my Lamb in light arrayed!
Whither flees that sadness which had pierced a mother’s heart?
Simeon and Anna, ’tis the day the Lord has made;
Beholding Zion’s glory, let us now in peace depart.

Emmanuel, Emmanuel! How hast Thou mocked the grave?
For Thou, my Child, as God with us, art risen from the dead.
But yesterday death’s Victim lay embalmed within a cave;
Today the Victor stands again and Hades quakes with dread.

Exult with me, O sun and moon! In darkness shines the Light.
Behold your risen God and Lord, of all the dead firstborn.
I see the Lamb my tears anointed trampling Hades’ might,
And night eternal now dispelled by everlasting Morn.

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Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
and in fear and trembling stand,
pondering nothing earthly-minded.
For the King of kings and Lord of lords comes to be slain,
to give Himself as food to the faithful.

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