Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01
Greek Church Mere.
Greeks of City Now Hold Regular Worship in
Old Jewish Synagogue Father
A1exopou1os at Its Head.

mated in Athens to various American
universities large and very valuable
tract of land, where now stands the
beautiful structure Of the American
Archaeological School, that our Ameri-
can friends will also come to our aid
later on and help US build in the cap
ital Of this great country a structure
commensurate in dignity with others of
similar character.
Generally speaking, the church fol-
called the Orthodox Eastern Church,
and has over 120.0OO,OOO followers COM
posed Of Greeks. Russians Roumanians,
ServianS, Bulgarians, Austrians and
some Asiatics. Dramatically. 1t has
remaired the same as in the first eight
centuries, and has maintained the same
rites and form Of government OF that
period, with only few minor changes
which were deemed necessary in the
course of times. The creed Is also
identical everywhere, with the excep-
ton that each nation uses its own Ian
guage. Also the same everywhere is
the general form Of government, which,
like the original. Is synodical and based
on the same solemn fundamental prin-
ciples.
TT is not exercised, however. by only
one synod of bishops, but is divided pro-
portionally into corresponding provincial
and national syneds entirely Independent
of-each other. general synod, which
is composed of bishops from different ma
tons, commonly called general councils
is called only when important matters al
fecting the whole church are at issue.
Therefore. from the character Of this form
of government. the Orthodox Eastern
Church is subdivided into local and ma
tional churches. For instance we have
the Greek and Russian churches' tnose
in Turkey, Austria and elsewhere Whlch
are bound in the unity OF brotherhood,
faith and creed.
"Of those the Russian church holds
very important position as 1T is more num-
erous and is today cultivating the theo-
logical science through four great theo-
logical academies. those of MOSCOW, 81.
Petersburg, kiev and KaZan.
1.-THE Greek church in the immortal Ian
guage of which the New Testament was
written. which has furnished SO many
martyrs and defenders in the cause OF
Christianity. which has introduced and
spread the Holy Gospel among the Slavic
races, which once held q very important
position by reason of its spiritual life and
theological activity, and which Is still ad-
mired by the Christian world. has fallen
in it's present unpleasant condition. since
the Greek empire fell under the Turks in
1853, having suffered and undergone I'M
told hardships, and even to this day is
battling against the continuous pressing
burdens and unbearable trials of servi-
tude.
yet throughout all those vicissitudes, it
has preserved and saved deep and strong
it's Christian spirit. and is now commenc-
ing to draw a new life by adopting from
modern theology whatever conforms to its
precepts and teachings. and now it hopes,
with the help of the Almighty, that it will
come out of it's present state, and con-
tinue it's predestination Of enlightenment,
especially among the people Of the east,
with whom it Is in close contact, and
whose spiritual and present political con-
dition is such, as to arouse the sympathy
and continuous care of all the Independent
and civilized Christian natiets."
Father Alexopoulos is using much time
enthusiastic over his people; their proud
place in history, and declares they are
taking a prominent part in forwarding a
staple citizenship in this country.
Washington's first Greek pastor Is an
alurnnus of the theological department of
the University of Athens. For some years
prior to sailing for American he was rec
tor Of the Theological Seminary Of Arta-