The Children - Day 2

March 12th, 2017 - Sunday after Liturgy

After a much-needed nap, we went outside and were immediately engulfed by children. Each child greeted us with so much love and each child picked a college student and continuously held our hands or wanted to be held. It was so beautiful. And it is beautiful to see how the family community is built around the idea and fruition of a family life. The older kids take care of the younger kids and vice versa.

In the mashup vespers we had, the children lead the service and did not let Father cut the service since he couldn't find the book. One of the boys, who is 15 years old but looks much younger, was the leader at the chant stand and encouraged the child chorus to sing louder when they were not chanting and reminded others who were talking to keep silent. Even the Prayer of Thanksgiving during dinner, this boy Raresh, reminded the older boys and some of the younger ones that a prayer was going on and lead the prayers. 

In between vespers, we each hung out with the children in different ways. Yiana and I got to spend a lot of time together. I'm not sure how young she is but most likely between 8 and 11 and I would twirl her around on my back until I was dizzy and she kept clapping with joy and asking to do it again. Every child loves our cell phones and cameras. They each had a turn taking photos and then looking at the photos with such awe. 

We couldn't understand each other, just "da" (yes) and hand motions. Yiana brought me around the areas near the closest homes and showed me the little, dirty river at the bottom of a small hill. We then played on the playground and she loved to take off my glasses and put them on, though they are so strong, along with my scarf (check out the picture). 

It was amazing at one point a thought entered my mind about the math packet I had to still do. But looking at Yiana and seeing her joy in the moment we were spending together, I was reminded that all that was trivial and truly the present moment is the most important. God will provide the rest that we worry about and we have to strive to be fully in the present moment because this is where we encounter Christ. What really reminded me of being present was when Yiana began singing as I was carrying her around and it was so amazing to see her joy because in the present moment we were together, enjoying our time. 

In the evening, Raresh kept making us all make passwords to get through the door to where we were staying and eventually we decided to taser him to get into the house, which was so funny, he's so ticklish. He is one of the kids that loves to say my full name after dinner we had a debrief session where we learned a lot more about the orphanage and how the communist regime effected this nation, which is shown through the piety and love of Christ the people have here. Glory be to God for all things! 

 

   

Diving Liturgy - Day 2

March 12, 2017

We are definitely in an Orthodox Country...

We were driven this morning into the nearby village of Valea Plopului for Divine Liturgy. We were in the "winter church" which is slightly smaller, and thus warmer when you pack many people into it along with 5 priests and a Deacon.

The church itself was beautiful. The iconography decorated the walls and my favorite icon was that of the Virgin Mary protecting and blessing what seemed to be the saints of Romania. 

I was amazed by the devoutness and piety of every age in the church. It was crowded, but no one was talking. People were chanting with the chanters and continually doing prostrations. Even all the little kids greeted each icon with at least three prostrations. We knelt so many times during church, proving to myself that I am completely out of shape both physically and spiritually. 

After the service, there were two smaller sermons. One explaining to the people that there was an Orthodox group of college students visiting, the other was the Deacon who had what seemed to be a very powerful sermon, though we understood nothing other than "St. Gregory Palamas," and Fr. Robert telling the congregation about his parish and Orthodoxy in America. It's amazing that each Orthodox Church around the world is also celebrating this Sunday of St. Greogory Palamas of Great Lent. At this moment, soon in the United States Matins will be beginning...At some point of the Liturgy, they did two or three petitions in English which was really cool :) 

After church, there was a mini coffee hour outside where we were served bread with a garlic spread and hot red wine, which was amazing. 

Back at the Orphanage, we were brought into a different room for lunch where many of the priests came after Liturgy with other parishioners. At the end of our meal, Father Marius joined our table and asked us what we knew about Romania. I mentioned that some of my friends told me that Romanians only eat pork. Father answered that it was because when the Turks were invading, since as Muslims they did not eat pork, the Romanians were only left with pork and adapted to it. We continued talking about icons on glass that we had seen at Holy Transfiguration Monastery in Ellwood City where our Romanian in residence friend explained the history of such icons. Fr. Marius was telling us that those icons are from the other side of the Transylvanian mountains. 

Father Marius also spoke French, so I got to speak with him in French about the education that is offered here in Romania, especially for languages. It was amazing! We could both understand each other fully and it was so cool to have a common language (besides English)!! 

Father then also told us that there is a tradition in Romania on March 9th to commemorate the Saints of Romania. The girls usually bake bread called kotiva (probably spelled that very wrong) and usually they make 40 loaves for the Saints who were soldiers. Each loaf is shaped like a soldier and is covered in honey and nuts. While baking them, the girls put the "qualities" of the Saints into the breads, so that when the bread is eaten after church, the faithful also get to partake in the qualities of the Saints. 

Father Marius and his wife teach religion at the school in their village. It was super cool being about to speak with him and learn much about Romanian history and geography! 

~ Survival of the fittest to get anointed and to receive Communion... Just like in Greece everyone mobs at once to get to the front  

 

In the Church (their winter church since it's warmer)

Father Tenasea

The Narthex

 
Enjoying our bread and hot wine


In Church

Arrival in Romania - Day 1

March 11th, 2017

We're here!

It's a beautiful country. To me, it's a mix of Greece - χορηγό style, Mexico, and a little of Kenya. 

At the airport, the customs officer was probably the nicest border patrol person. He said "oh, you're Greek. Do you speak Greek? I know some basic phrases and bad words." And we thus decided to part ways with γεια σου :) Outside the airport, we got picked up and began our three-hour van trek to the Pro Vita Orphanage in Valea Plopului. 

We almost got into an accident when a chicken had to cross the road.... yes, it's not a joke. 

What is really cool is that each home has their own small plot of land attached where they grow their own things. 

There are so many churches. We even passed a sign for a church dedicated to St. Spiridon in one of the villages. 

We walked around the campus/orphanage area with many of the new friends we had made from the orphanage. We hiked up to the closest church (picture below) and saw the beautiful mountains all around us. Many of the kids at the orphanage that we met thought my name was so funny and they kept repeating it over and over again. One of the girls thought I was a teacher and much older than I was (maybe it was the hat). I was told I looked at least 25-30 and surprised them with the fact that I was 19.  

We watched many of the boys play soccer, watched the large pigs eating near the fields. We then met Father Tenasae who is crazy great. He thought I had been to Romania before (asked me twice if I was sure that I had not been there before) and told me that I looked Romanian.  

~~~

We unloaded one of the food trucks, filled with donations for the orphanage. Inside the kitchen, there was a huge carcass of definitely a pig just lying on the kitchen counter....

We had a mini Vespers that all the kids lead, with the Father Tenasae prompting them for different prayers. Definitely a feeling of being at home...even though we can't understand the language. 

Dinner - there was so much confusion of where to go and where to sit, but you could feel so much love - we learned how to eat raw onions with salt from a wonderful Romanian lady who tried to speak to us in Romanian and then German, but we had no common language... nonverbal communication is amazing :)

American pop music - on the radio (which I guess I shouldn't have been as shocked) and a way to connect with the kids... everyone knew a lot of  

 

The Carpathian Mountains

 

Pulling up to the Orphanage 

 

 

Our view from where we were staying 

 

Drum? 

 

Cheers for our raw onions 

Traveling

God Provides...

It's amazing that the small things re-establish a sense of faith in humanity. Maybe since we are a bit more south, everyone is nicer. 

I was surprised how many people were willing to help me, just based on overhearing my conversation with other people on the metro (since I obviously had no idea where I was). They even walked me to my train to make sure I got on the right one. Glory be to God, it is these small things that make life meaningful and prove that not everyone is glued to their screens without regard for others around them. 

Minus a couple logistical details where the group had to check in without me :) it was an instant welcoming and "home" feeling, being in a group of Orthodox college students. This feeling of joy and "comfort" was especially evident when we all prayed at the gate before eating, the prayer beginning to bind our team together as we spoke about some things that we are to experience on this trip. But many of these upcoming experiences were left abstract, which I think is so important so that expectations are not made concrete and are then unfulfilled. 

We shall see what God wills :) 

----------

On the plane to Bucharest! 9:20am local Holland time 

We have not slept nor will be sleeping until much later tonight... 

I am reading Father George Calciu's story, thanks to a friend who insisted that I read his story en route to Romania, and truly it is eye-opening, encouraging, and amazing. The torture and "reeducation" that he describes is something straight out of George Orwell's 1984... it is terrifying and crazy that I have never heard of these tortures of the communist regime in a Romania and how people were brainwashed to deny their basic humanity and love of God... 

We are truly blessed to live in a country with freedom of religion. And I think that Father George's story puts into perspective the aftermath of such an experience that we are going to see remnants of in our week here in Romania. 

Here are some photos from the layover in Amsterdam! 

 

" have a blessed stay in Bucharest" - Flight attendant 

Just hit the 24 hour non sleep mark as we landed!

Do you speak Greek? Best customs official 

A wonderful quote! "Do not waste the opportunities that present themselves" 

I was racing everyone else on the normal, non moving floor, there's always "one of those" in the group as Father said. That's okay I like being a non-conformist :) 

 

Kerri and I discovered that the Dutch clogs are definitely not walking friendly... and that we happen to have the same cousins - talk about small Orthodox Greek world! :) 

En route to Romania

Glory to God for all things! 

There's a certain peace I can't seem to place. For once, I am not running around in 50 directions with my mind scattered. I am fully aware of where I am in the present (sitting on a bus), but yet I have not wrapped my mind around the (God willing) fact that in about 5 hours I will be sitting on a plane with other Orthodox Christian college students, awaiting our arrival in Romania.

It feels like the calm before a storm. I have not participated in a trip of this nature for a longtime and truthfully I am a little nervous, excited of course, but also slightly anxious about the nebulous unknown. 

Real Break wasn't even a second thought, especially with the blessing of serving on the OCF Student Leadership Board. When I had to choose a Real Break, something within my heart attached to Romania. I can't explain it, but I knew to "just go with it" because it was the same feeling I experienced before having my life changed about three years ago in Kenya. 

God only knows what is to come and I am truly excited to be able to share what this experience will bring, once the blank pages of my journal fill with stories. Please pray for our team that whatever God has in mind, we may be receptive to His Will and be flexible. God only knows what will happen! :) 

Here we go! All we can do is go with God's flow and be present in the moment He has given us! 

Please pray for us and you are all in my prayers! 

~Spyridoula :) 

Orthodox Diakonia (Service) at its best! ...in Albania!

Orthodox Diakonia (Service) at its best! ...in Albania.VTF

Archbishop Anastasios’ Speech at the Ceremony of Inauguration of Rapuni 3 & 4 Hydropower Station

August 14, 2016

"I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall be always in my mouth." (Ps.33) From the bottom of our heart, let us praise and thank the Almighty God of love, peace and creativity for His manifold gifts to us, the known and the unknown ones.

Twenty-five years have passed from the moment God made me worthy to come to this country, which has suffered so much from injustice and fear. I arrived here in July 1991, as Patriarchal Exarch, after the initiative taken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, which is responsible for Churches that are in difficulties. And on a day like today, on August 2, 1992, I took over the responsibility of the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Albania, with the solo intention of rebuilding and restoring the Church in its fullest.

In that period of uncertainty, anxiety and poverty the main message we gave was: ‘We dare to hope!’ Not because we were naïve or we did not count the infinite number of contradictions rising in front of us, but because we believed and still believe that, above all governments which affect our world, there is an Upper Reality, there is Him who has the absolute power over the universe, there is the God of love, the God, revealed to us by His incarnate Word, Jesus Christ. And we dare to hope for "God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God and God abides in him." (Jn.4: 16) This assurance has led and still continues to guide our steps and our Church throughout the years.

As it is known, besides rebuilding the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania, creating the necessary structures, educating and ordaining local clergy, growing an Orthodox dynamic youth, we also committed several acts of love in various domains, such as health, education, agricultural development, culture, ecology etc.

For example, the work that we are inaugurating today is an act of hope and love. It is the result of our vision to have local financial resources on hand, in order to be able to continue the good social work which until now has been made possible through the contributions and donations made by our friends abroad.

And at this point I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to our dear collaborators and to all those who contributed to the completion of this work: The Planning and Administration Group, Mr. J. Paleokrasas, Mr. N. Galeta, Mr. A. Gula, Fr. Jovan Koroveshi and Fr. Harallamb Gjoka; to the designers, Mr. Hasalami and Mr. Sofio, to the supervisors Mr. Asimopulo and Mr. Gjeni; to the entrepreneurs, Actor society and to all others involved in this work, the number of whom outreaches one hundred. Also I would like to extend my thanks to the following societies: Sideral, Antea Cement, Kӧssler, Poseidon, Abb, Systematica, Sintaksa, Koncar, Albaelettrica, Anion, Doko Shpk, NBG Bank.

The work that we are inaugurating today has three basic characteristics: a) it fully responds to the ecological parameters, b) it is based on the use of renewable energy resources, c) it has a character of notable development because it contributes to the increase of electricity production nationwide and d) it has also a social character, because the revenues made from it will be used to strengthen education in the country (through educational institutions, scholarships, etc.), as well as to fulfill philanthropic, cultural and church needs. In general, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania will be given the economic opportunity to pursue further its mission, to dare, to hope and to strive with all its powers to spread faith, love, peace, and reconciliation between peoples and nations.

Here, I will conclude my speech by emphasizing a truth that I oftentimes repeat: The Orthodox Church does not live for itself. What it is, what it owns, what it does, is intended for the whole society in which the Church is located. The Orthodox Church shares the gifts of God, peace, love and justice with all people. More specifically, the Orthodox Autocephalous Church of Albania from 1992 till the present has substantially contributed to the country's overall development, as well as to its spiritual and social growth with patience, courage, creativity and disinterested love.

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephes. 3:20)

http://orthodoxalbania.org/alb/index.php/en-us/lajme-3/blog/4002-archbishop-anastasios-speech-at-the-ceremony-of-inauguration-of-rapuni-3-4-hydropower-station

OCMC Teaching Mission Team to Albania – Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 2016

Dear Family & Friends in the Lord,

May our Holy Theotokos strengthen us all during the fast period before her feastday!  May our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, transform our hearts and eyes to see Him as He is, the brilliant light of agape and truth!

I would like to thank, from the bottom of my heart, those of you who have already sent a sponsorship for this mission.  May God bless you with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.  Please continue to pray for the OCMC Teaching Mission Team to Albania members, the teachers, the students and all of God’s people around the world.  The OCMC Team will focus on teacher training and development for about 40 teachers at the Orthodox Protagonist School in Tirana, Albania, from Aug. 26-Sept. 5, 2016.  I however, will be meeting with Archbishop Anastasios at a later date to discuss the possibility of affiliating with the college and will return September 20, God willing.   

There are three ways to be a part of this mission (diakonia). 

1) Prayer,

2) sending items for school below, and

3) consider sponsoring Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis @

Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC)

220 Mason Manatee Way, St. Augustine, FL 32086

Name ______________________________                

Address ____________________________

City ________________________________                

State _____________ Zip ______________

Amount of sponsorship $ ____________

OR online @ Vasiliki’s link:  http://bit.ly/1TWfb5Q

OCMC will acknowledge your sponsorship donation with a tax deduction receipt.

Items for Protagonist School

I asked the Principal, Presbytera Georgia Gilman Bendo, of the Protagonist School if we could bring anything with us for the school.  Below is her response:

Posters are always nice. The art teacher wants some of those rolls of bulletin board borders. Our elementary school assistant director has asked for the following: hands on materials that teach about the human body (like some sort of set where the students put the various parts together), she also wants any sort of materials that show the stages of growth of plants and animals: like egg, to tadpole, to frog; or seed, to seedling, to plant, etc.  Hands on stuff, manipulatives, not just books.

In the past we have enjoyed using flannel sets of fairy tales and board games with the younger kids. In fact board games and puzzles would be really helpful.  … Again, I stress that this is a "wish" list and I know that it is not likely that you'll have the opportunity to bring much of it... so no expectations here!

Educationally yours in Christ,
Vasiliki Tsigas-Fotinis 

May your learning never end and may your love for others weave community!