Pope in helicopter crash

[Steve Hayes]

ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top leader of
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when a helicopter
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry said.

Rescue crews searched for survivors some 30 km (20 miles) out to sea from the
Mount Athos community of Orthodox monasteries where the military Chinook
helicopter carrying Patriarch Petros was headed.

"All may be dead," a Greek Defense Ministry official said.

"We are shocked, this is tragic news," said a Church of Greece spokesman,
Father Epifanios Economou.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria was established in 42 A.D. by Mark the
Evangelist and was an early center of Christianity and Orthodoxy.

"The Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the third oldest
worldwide, along with that of Antioch (Syria) and Rome," said Father Costas
Kyriakides, a theologian in Cyprus where Petros was born.

"It has always been extremely important. It carries a very heavy history and
is very active in missionary field work in places like Kenya and Uganda," he
told Reuters.

Economu said the 55-year-old cleric was a respected church leader who had
breathed new life into the patriarchate and to the entire Orthodox Church in
Africa in his seven years in office.

He was elected as the 115th Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa in 1997.

For full story see:
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/09/11/greece.crash.reut/index.html

[Moira de Swardt]

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top leader of
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when a helicopter
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.

And ...?

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

[Steve Hayes]

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

If there were any survivors they would have been found by now, ao all 17
aboard must be presumed dead.

I wonder if any of our newspapers will carry the story.

[Jordan]

Post by Steve Hayes
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

If there were any survivors they would have been found by now, ao all 17
aboard must be presumed dead.
I wonder if any of our newspapers will carry the story.

And the South African connection is?

[Steve Hayes]

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

And... (a further follow-up)

Nine bodies have been recovered, including that of the Patriarch, several
members of the crew, and the Abbot of a monastery in Cyprus. The main body of
the wreckage is apparently in deep water, and special equipment will be needed
to raise it. The other bodies may be trapped in that wreckage.

Questions are being asked on Grreek media about why rescue operations took so
long. Apparently the aircraft diappeared from the radar screen at 11:00 am,
but the air traffic controller did not inform anyone until people from the
Holy Mountain called to ask why they were delayed.

Coverage in the South African media has been very poor. The Sunday papers all
had extensive reporting of the death of Beyers Naude, who dies on Tuesday, and
has been covered extensively ever since. Not that I begrudge him that -- he
deserved it. The Sunday Times had a small report tucked away on page 15, with
misleading headmine. But this plane crash deserves at least something like the
crash that killed the Zambian football team, even though soccer is probably
the most popular religion in Africa.

On international broadcast media, next to nothing in news broadcasts, though
something on web sites. Sky News repeated the same foxhunting clips again and
again. Obviously the hobbies of the rich are far more important.

[Jordan]

Post by Steve Hayes
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

And... (a further follow-up)
Nine bodies have been recovered, including that of the Patriarch, several
members of the crew, and the Abbot of a monastery in Cyprus. The main body of
the wreckage is apparently in deep water, and special equipment will be needed
to raise it. The other bodies may be trapped in that wreckage.
Questions are being asked on Grreek media about why rescue operations took so
long. Apparently the aircraft diappeared from the radar screen at 11:00 am,
but the air traffic controller did not inform anyone until people from the
Holy Mountain called to ask why they were delayed.
Coverage in the South African media has been very poor. The Sunday papers all
had extensive reporting of the death of Beyers Naude, who dies on Tuesday, and
has been covered extensively ever since. Not that I begrudge him that -- he
deserved it. The Sunday Times had a small report tucked away on page 15, with
misleading headmine. But this plane crash deserves at least something like the
crash that killed the Zambian football team, even though soccer is probably
the most popular religion in Africa.
On international broadcast media, next to nothing in news broadcasts, though
something on web sites. Sky News repeated the same foxhunting clips again and
again. Obviously the hobbies of the rich are far more important.

And what exactly is the South African connection here?

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Jordan

Post by Steve Hayes
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

And... (a further follow-up)
Nine bodies have been recovered, including that of the Patriarch, several
members of the crew, and the Abbot of a monastery in Cyprus. The main body of
the wreckage is apparently in deep water, and special equipment will be needed
to raise it. The other bodies may be trapped in that wreckage.
Questions are being asked on Grreek media about why rescue operations took so
long. Apparently the aircraft diappeared from the radar screen at 11:00 am,
but the air traffic controller did not inform anyone until people from the
Holy Mountain called to ask why they were delayed.
Coverage in the South African media has been very poor. The Sunday papers all
had extensive reporting of the death of Beyers Naude, who dies on Tuesday, and
has been covered extensively ever since. Not that I begrudge him that -- he
deserved it. The Sunday Times had a small report tucked away on page 15, with
misleading headmine. But this plane crash deserves at least something like the
crash that killed the Zambian football team, even though soccer is probably
the most popular religion in Africa.
On international broadcast media, next to nothing in news broadcasts, though
something on web sites. Sky News repeated the same foxhunting clips again and
again. Obviously the hobbies of the rich are far more important.

And what exactly is the South African connection here?

A brief glance at a map of Africa will show that South Africa is part of
Africa.

The term "All Africa" therefore does not exclude South Africa.

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Steve Hayes
On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"
. The Sunday papers all
had extensive reporting of the death of Beyers Naude, who dies on Tuesday, and

That's unusual - mostly deaths are reported after the event unless it's an
execution or euthanasia.

[Steve Hayes]

On Sat, 11 Sep 2004 21:37:26 +0200, "Moira de Swardt"

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top

leader of

Post by Steve Hayes
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when

a helicopter

Post by Steve Hayes
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry

said.
And ...?

And, furthermore....

...the latest is that Boeing reported that 26 faulty rotor blades had been
sent around the wolrd. Three of them were sente to Greece, and all three were
on the aircraft that went down.

[Steve Hayes]

Patriarch PETROS VII of Alexandria Perishes in Helicopter Crash

http://www.oca.org/pages/news/news.asp?ID=658

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- Word that His Beatitude,
Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria and All Africa was one of
seventeen persons killed in a helicopter crash en route to Mount
Athos was received by the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America here
on Saturday, September 11, 2004.

The 55-year-old Patriarch was due to arrive on Mount Athos at 11:00
a.m. Saturday morning, marking his first official visit to the 1000-
year-old monastic enclave. According to Greek Defense Ministry and
various media reports, the helicopter was reported missing about two hours
after it left Athens. Officials confirmed that bodies found by rescue
crews some 20 miles off the Mount Athos coast in Chalkidiki were those of
Patriarch Petros and his companions.

Reports coming out of Thessaloniki confirmed that, in addition to
Patriarch Petros, those who perished included His Eminence,
Metropolitan Ireneos of Pilousiou; His Eminence, Metropolitan
Chrysostomos of Karthagena; His Grace, Bishop Nektarios of
Madagascar; Archimandrites Arsenios and Kallistratos [Economou]; and
Deacon Nektarios Kontogiorgos. The Patriarch's legal, technical, and press
advisors were also among the dead, as were the Patriarch's brother and
personal guard. Five crew members lost their lives in the crash.

A Greek Army spokesman reported that visibility was good and that
the downed Chinook helicopter was only about one-and-one-half years
old.

According to tradition, the Patriarchate of Alexandria was
established by Saint Mark the Evangelist in 42 A.D. Patriarch
Petros, a native of Cyprus, was elected as the 115th Patriarch of
Alexandria in 1997. His tenure was marked by renewed missionary
efforts in Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Cameroun, and elsewhere across the
African continent.

"Patriarch Petros was one of the first Primates of the sister
Orthodox Churches to designate a representative, His Grace, Bishop
Georgios of Nilopolis to participate in the September 2002
enthronement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman as Primate of the
Orthodox Church in America in Washington, DC," said Protopresbyter Robert
Kondratick, OCA Chancellor. "Relations between the OCA and the Alexandrian
Patriarchate were extremely cordial, especially with regard to regular
contacts between the Churches' External Affairs and Communications
departments.

"On behalf of Metropolitan Herman and the members of the Holy Synod
of Bishops, we call upon the faithful of our Church to pray for
Patriarch Petros and those who perished with him," Father Kondratick
added. "May their memory be eternal!"

© 2004 Orthodox Church in America
Department of Communications - ***@oca.org

[Steve Hayes]

------- Forwarded message follows -------
From: Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria & All Africa
[mailto:***@tecmina.com]
Sent: 13 September 2004 10:33 PM
ANNOUNCEMENT

To the Fullness of the Christian Family of the Patriarchate of Alexandria and
All Africa

It is with a broken heart and profound pain of soul that we inform you all of
the passing to the Lord in a tragic accident of His Beatitude, our Father and
Archbishop Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Petros VII.

The official funeral service will take place on Wednesday, September 15th,
2004, at 5 pm at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo.

We pray to the God of Life and of Death for the repose of the one who has
fallen asleep in the place of the living.

From the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate
In the Great City of Alexandria
13th September 2004

------- End of forwarded message -------

[Moira de Swardt]

Post by Steve Hayes
It is with a broken heart and profound pain of soul that we inform you all of
the passing to the Lord in a tragic accident of His Beatitude, our Father and
Archbishop Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, Petros VII.
The official funeral service will take place on Wednesday,

September 15th,

Post by Steve Hayes
2004, at 5 pm at the Holy Patriarchal Monastery of St. George in Old Cairo.
We pray to the God of Life and of Death for the repose of the one who has
fallen asleep in the place of the living.

May he rise in glory.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Steve Hayes
We pray to the God of Life and of Death for the repose of the one who has
fallen asleep in the place of the living.

I love euphemisms! The idea of somebody falling asleep during a helicopter
crash is truly entertaining.

If people want to be dignified then they shouldn't use risible constructs.

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Steve Hayes
We pray to the God of Life and of Death for the repose of the one who has
fallen asleep in the place of the living.

I love euphemisms! The idea of somebody falling asleep during a helicopter
crash is truly entertaining.
If people want to be dignified then they shouldn't use risible constructs.

It's not euphemism to those who wrote it, though it may appear so to you.

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Steve Hayes

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Steve Hayes
We pray to the God of Life and of Death for the repose of the one who has
fallen asleep in the place of the living.

I love euphemisms! The idea of somebody falling asleep during a helicopter
crash is truly entertaining.
If people want to be dignified then they shouldn't use risible constructs.

It's not euphemism to those who wrote it, though it may appear so to you.

Falling asleep is physiological process, reasonably well understood. Dying
is another, also reasonably well understood. There are clear differences
between them - in the latter case you stop breathing, your heart ceases to
function, you lose muscle tone then gain rigor mortis, if you are burned to
death you assume a pugilistic stance because of the differential effect of
cooking proteins on either side of the arms and then you start to decay and
so forth. None of this happens when you fall asleep.

To claim that death and falling asleep are the same is plainly nonsense. It
is true that metaphorical play has been made on the observational
similarities between corpses and sleeping persons - Hamlet is famous for its
extended metaphor in the 'to be or not to be' speech. This extended metaphor
is understood by everybody to be just that, poetic, fanciful and, of course,
euphemistic.

To claim otherwise is simply nonsense.

Even if, contrary to all evidence since the world began, you persist in
believing in some sort of existence after physical death it is clear that
this must be quite different from life - it must perforce be incorporeal as
the body is here, decaying lifeless. Consequently even with this perversity
it must be the case that death is quite different from sleep.

It is worth noting that we don't grieve over the sleeping, whilst we do,
quite rightly, grieve over the dead. Legions of god-botherers trying to
claim otherwise have made no headway whatsoever. You yourself have never
made any point about the Metropolitan of Carthage having snoozed - though
clearly he must have done every day for the past several decades. You have
posted repeatedly, however, about the chap now that he is dead. So, though
you seek to deny it, you prove by your own actions that you know that sleep
is quite different from death.

Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

[Joseph]

Peter H.M. Brooks wrote:

[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

Why do you go to the trouble of being needlessly insulting to people
about their religion, in a thread about the loss of several important
church leaders? Your intentions are not civil, no matter what your
convictions.

- Joseph

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Joseph
[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

Why do you go to the trouble of being needlessly insulting to people about
their religion, in a thread about the loss of several important church
leaders? Your intentions are not civil, no matter what your convictions.

What on earth is insulting about pointing out a fact of life?

The thread has been posted to a group I use as a matter for discussion. It
includes the patently ridiculous notion of somebody falling asleep during a
helicopter crash - something that it is perfectly reasonable to comment on.

If people have such delicate sensibilities about their misuse of metaphors
maybe they should post only to groups devoted to freedom from thought, logic
and meaningful English.

[spizz]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Joseph

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

Why do you go to the trouble of being needlessly insulting to people about
their religion, in a thread about the loss of several important church
leaders? Your intentions are not civil, no matter what your

convictions.

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
What on earth is insulting about pointing out a fact of life?
The thread has been posted to a group I use as a matter for discussion. It
includes the patently ridiculous notion of somebody falling asleep during a
helicopter crash - something that it is perfectly reasonable to comment on.
If people have such delicate sensibilities about their misuse of metaphors
maybe they should post only to groups devoted to freedom from thought, logic
and meaningful English.

This is great stuff. Next!

Spizz

[Joseph]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Joseph
[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

Why do you go to the trouble of being needlessly insulting to people about
their religion, in a thread about the loss of several important church
leaders? Your intentions are not civil, no matter what your convictions.

What on earth is insulting about pointing out a fact of life?

You are doing no such thing. You are being childishly provocative --
and merely using some supposed pragmatism as a cover.

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
The thread has been posted to a group I use as a matter for discussion. It
includes the patently ridiculous notion of somebody falling asleep during a
helicopter crash - something that it is perfectly reasonable to comment on.

If you are confused by the use of specifically religious terminology,
you ought to ask what is meant by it. Since you have chosen, rather, to
take up the position of the juvenile heckler, I can only assume that you
are not honestly confused, and that you are merely trying to be
insulting. I have many atheist and agnostic friends, and all of them
know how to be decent human beings. So, I'm not being accusative of
atheists in general when I say that you are acting like an angry teen-ager.

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
If people have such delicate sensibilities about their misuse of metaphors
maybe they should post only to groups devoted to freedom from thought, logic
and meaningful English.

I do not have "delicate sensibilities." I'm just calling a spade a
spade. You know what you're doing, and it seems you think it is pretty
clever. But all you are doing is showing an immature anti-religious
chauvinism.

I'm an Orthodox Christian, but I'm also an anthropologist. And I find
your instigating rather transparent. Most people get over the bare need
to be obnoxious some time between their teen years and their thirties...
I don't know how old you are, but it's never the wrong time to point out
that your posting behavior is uncivil.


- Joseph

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Joseph

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Joseph

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Why go to the trouble of denying something so patently true?

Why do you go to the trouble of being needlessly insulting to people
about their religion, in a thread about the loss of several important
church leaders? Your intentions are not civil, no matter what your
convictions.

What on earth is insulting about pointing out a fact of life?

You are doing no such thing. You are being childishly provocative --
and merely using some supposed pragmatism as a cover.

Maybe you can produce some evidence to support your peculiar and, it
appears, hysterical claim.

Post by Joseph

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
The thread has been posted to a group I use as a matter for discussion.
It includes the patently ridiculous notion of somebody falling asleep
during a helicopter crash - something that it is perfectly reasonable to
comment on.

If you are confused by the use of specifically religious terminology, you
ought to ask what is meant by it. Since you have chosen, rather, to take
up the position of the juvenile heckler, I can only assume that you are
not honestly confused, and that you are merely trying to be insulting. I
have many atheist and agnostic friends, and all of them know how to be
decent human beings. So, I'm not being accusative of atheists in general
when I say that you are acting like an angry teen-ager.

Odd. Steve has now confirmed that the peculiar Greek terms are difficult, if
not impossible, to translate into English - hence agreeing with my point
regarding the nonsensical statements.

You now wish to claim that this is all attempts to insult. How could it be?

There was, by the way, no 'religious terminology' - just the English
language statement that somebody 'fell asleep' in a fatal helicopter crash.
A very improbable remark.

It is not sensible to assume that all foolish remarks are peculiar religious
constructions!

Post by Joseph

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
If people have such delicate sensibilities about their misuse of
metaphors maybe they should post only to groups devoted to freedom from
thought, logic and meaningful English.

I do not have "delicate sensibilities." I'm just calling a spade a spade.
You know what you're doing, and it seems you think it is pretty clever.
But all you are doing is showing an immature anti-religious chauvinism.

How an earth can anti-religious sentiment be chauvinism?? Are you using
words in some peculiar religiously confused manner?

Post by Joseph
I'm an Orthodox Christian, but I'm also an anthropologist. And I find
your instigating rather transparent. Most people get over the bare need
to be obnoxious some time between their teen years and their thirties... I
don't know how old you are, but it's never the wrong time to point out
that your posting behavior is uncivil.

If you didn't know how old I was then there would be no point in trying to
suggest that I'm a teenager!

I'm sure that its very nice for you being an anthropological christian but I
fail to see why you wish people to put peculiar constructions on claims that
people have fallen asleep. It seems to me that you wish to pervert the
language in the name of religion - and then get normal people to connive
with you.

That is not the way it works. Fascist though-police are not welcome.

[Joseph]

Peter H.M. Brooks wrote:

[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
That is not the way it works. Fascist though-police are not welcome.

Look who is saying this. The guy who shows up telling us that what we
believe and how we express it is not acceptable.

You know what you are doing. And since I do too, I am not doing you any
favors by further encouraging it.

-plonk-

[Jordan]

Post by Joseph
[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
That is not the way it works. Fascist though-police are not welcome.

Look who is saying this. The guy who shows up telling us that what we
believe and how we express it is not acceptable.
You know what you are doing. And since I do too, I am not doing you any
favors by further encouraging it.
-plonk-

That's our Peter Brookes. Sets standards for others he can't maintain
himself.

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Joseph
[snip]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
That is not the way it works. Fascist though-police are not welcome.

Look who is saying this. The guy who shows up telling us that what we
believe and how we express it is not acceptable.

Maybe you are not accustomed to accepting instruction as to where you are
wrong - it would rather explain some understanding problems you seem to
have!

I've pointed out that the word 'sleep' is well defined and using it to mean
'die' is simply wrong - it is also silly and, in the case of a helicopter
crash particularly risible. Even its euphemistic, poetic or metaphoric
usages are extremely strained when it is applied to a helicopter crash.

Post by Joseph
You know what you are doing. And since I do too, I am not doing you any
favors by further encouraging it.

Thank you for encouraging further discussion.

[Steve Hayes]

From the Dictionary of African Christian Biography and the Database of African
Church Leaders.

HIS BEATITUDE PETROS VII, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa
Address: 1. PO Box 2006, Alexandria, Egypt
Born: 3-Sep-1949, Sichari, Cyprus
Died: 11-Sep-2004, Aegean Sea, off the Holy Mountain,
Greece
Church: Orthodox
Sources: Tillyrides, Makarios (ed.) 2002. Yearbook and
Review 2002: Orthodox Archbishopric of Kenya and
Irinoupolis

Biography: His Beatitude Petros VII was born in the village of
Sichari in Cyprus on 3 September 1949, In 1966 he
was sent from the monastery of Machera to the
Apostle Barnabas Seminary in Nocosia, from which he
graduated in 1969. In August of that year he was
ordained deacon at the Holy Monastery of Machera by
Chrysostomos, then bishop of Constantias, who later
became Archbishop of Cyprus. In December 1970 he
was invited to the Patriarchate of Alexandria,
where he served as deacon to His Beatitude Nicholas
VI, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandra, until
September 1974. While there he studied at the
Averof Gymnasium, and after graduating, in 1974, he
studied theology at the University of Athens, from
which he graduated in 1978. While studying, he
served at the Church of St Spyridon in Satadiu,
Athens. He was ordained priest on 16 August 1978 in
Cyprus, and on returning to Egypt was elevated to
the rank of Archimandrite, and appointed to serve
as Patriarchal Vicar in charge of the Patriarchal
Office in Cairo, In October 1980 he was sent to
South Africa, where he was appointed priest in
charge of the newly established Church of Panagia
Pantanassa in Melrose, Johannesburg. In June 1983
he was elected Metropolitan of Accra and West
Africa, and was consecrated bishop in August 1983
in his home monastery in Cyprus. The Archdiocese of
Accra and West Africa then covered 22 countries. In
October 1991 as a consequence of Archbishop
Anastasios Yannoulatis being appointed Archbishop
of Albania, His Eminence Petros was made
Patriarchal Exarch of the Archdiocese of
Irinoupolis (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania), where he
served until December 1994. In November 1994 he was
named Metropolitan of Cameroon and West Africa. In
February 1997 he was elected Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria in succession to His Beatitude
Parthenios III, who had died the previous year. His
Beatitude Petros was enthroned to the ancient See
of Alexandria, founded by St Mark in the 1st
century, on 9 March 1997. He was the 129th Pope in
succession to St Mark. As Patriarch he was noted
for having revitalised Orthodox mission outreach in
the African continent. He was killed in a
helicopter crash while on a visit to Mount Athos on
11 September 2004, along with several other
Orthodox bishops from Africa.

[Steve Hayes]

BISHOPS WHO WERE KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH

The news media have not generally given much information about the church
leaders who were killed along with His Beatitude Petros, Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria, in the helicopter crash on 11 September 2004.

Even the Greek media have given little more than a bare list of names, and
most of the news reports have concentrated attention on who was to blame for
the crash -- the military authorities or civilian air traffic control. A
visiting Patriarch is regarded as a VVIP, somewhat above a visiting head of
state, and so several people's jobs are on the line.

Outside Greece there has been very little reported, and in what has been
reported one important point has been overlooked -- the very real loss to the
Orthodox Church in Africa. The following potted biographies may help to give a
more human dimension to it.

METROPOLITAN IRENAEUS (TALAMBEKOS) OF PILOUSION (PORT SAID)

His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaeus Talambekos was born in Pireas,
Greece in 1934. He studied theology at the University of Athens
and received his doctorate at the Theological Academy of Moscow.

He was ordained deacon in 1953 and priest in 1959. He served as
Exarch of the Throne (of Alexandria) in Odessa (1963-1972) and
was also archivist and chief secretary of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria 1968-1972, and in 1972 he was elected Bishop of
Nikopolis and was appointed Patriarchal Warden in Alexandria.

In 1976 he was elected Metropolitan of Accra, with jurisdiction
over 22 countries in West Africa. He was based at Yaounde in
Cameroun. The cathedral in Yaounde had been build by the Greek
community, but the community was diminishing, as they sent their
children to France for tertiary education, and many did not
return to Cameroun.

One day some passers by asked if they could look inside the
church, and Metropolitan Irenaeus showed them around, and they
then asked if they could come to a service, and they did so on
the following Sunday, and then returned and eventually became
Orthodox. Some of the Greeks were farmers in the area, and they
began to hold garden parties for enquirers about Orthodox. Some
of the farm workers were from the north of Cameroun, members of
the Toubouri tribe, and some of them became Orthodox too. When
they returned home, they established parishes in their home
district, and by the time Metropolitan Irenaeus left in 1990
there were eight Toubouri-speaking parishes, seven in Cameroun
and one across the border in Chad.

In 1990 he was appointed to the Metropolis of Carthage, and in
1994 as Metropolitan of Kenya and Irinoupolis (Dar-es-Salaam). In
March 1997 he was appointed general Patriarchal Warden and in
September of that year as Metropolitan of Pilousion. He could
speak Greek, Russian, French, English and Arabic.

On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.

--

METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOMOS OF CARTHAGE

His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos Papadopoulos of Carthage
was born in Dafia, Lesbos, Greece. He graduated from the theology
school of the University of Athens and attended the Orthodox
Institute in Paris.

He was ordained deacon in 1957 and priest in 1959. He served the
Holy Metropolis of Serres as preacher and senior Archimandrite
(Protosynkellos) and also served as Exarch of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria in Russia. In 1976 he was elected as Bishop of
Nikopolis, where he succeeded Metropolitan Irenaeus, and was
editor of the journal "Pantainos", and was also responsible for
the general publication work of the Patriarchate.

In 1990 he was elected Archbishop of Zimbabwe. In 1996, when the
Patriarch came to bless a monument in Bulawayo to commemorate the
first Archbishop he suffered a heart attack, and in 1997 was
appointed Archbishop and Metropolitan of Carthage (Tunisia), and
was also the representative of His Beatitude Petros, Pope and
Patriarch of Alexandria, in Athens. He wrote many scholarly
articles, and also represented the Patriarchate at several
academic conferences.

On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.
--
BISHOP NECTARIUS OF MADAGASCAR

His Grace Bishop Nectarius Kellis of Madagascar was born in
Rhodes, Greece, on 6 December 1952. When he was young he
emigrated with his parents to Australia where he completes his
schooling.

He graduated from the theology school of the University of Athens
and the theology and philosophy schools of Flinders University of
Adelaide, South Australia, where he also did postgraduate studies
in literature.

He was ordained deacon in Athens in 1978 and priest in Adelaide
in 1981. He served in various parishes in Australia, and was
secretary of the Archdiocese of Australia in Adelaide from 1983-
1987. At the same time he was student chaplain at Flinders
University.

From 1987-1995 he was abbot and spiritual father of the Holy
Monastery of St Nektarios in Adelaide. He founded the Orthodox
Library and published the monthly magazines "Agios Nektarios" in
Greek and "Orthodox Messenger" in English.

In July 1994 with the blessing of His Eminence Chrysostomos,
Archbishop of Zimbabwe, he started the Orthodox mission in
Madagascar. He was elected the first Orthodox bishop of
Madagascar on 23 September 1997 and was consecrated on 23
November 1997 by His Beatitude Petros, Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria and All Africa.

In the first eight years of his 10 years of ministry in
Madagascar he founded two monasteries (one male and one female),
one seminary, two clinics, seven primary schools, one high school
and 49 parishes.

On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.
--
This information has been taken mainly from the Calendar of the
Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. More on the work of
Bishop Nectarius can be found in "The Orthodox Word" No 198,
1998.

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Steve Hayes
In 1990 he was appointed to the Metropolis of Carthage,
METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOMOS OF CARTHAGE

I suppose that, if your job relies on something that doesn't exist then
there isn't much difficulty in being in charge of somewhere that hasn't
existed for several centuries!

It is nice that the ruins have their own metropolitan though and you can be
sure that they'll never heckle a sermon.

[Al]

***The Evil Atheist Brooks rears his ugly head again!

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Steve Hayes
In 1990 he was appointed to the Metropolis of Carthage,
METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOMOS OF CARTHAGE

I suppose that, if your job relies on something that doesn't exist then
there isn't much difficulty in being in charge of somewhere that hasn't
existed for several centuries!
It is nice that the ruins have their own metropolitan though and you can be
sure that they'll never heckle a sermon.
--
Obscurantism in an academic subject expands to fill the vacuum of its
intrinsic simplicity. - Dawkins' Law of the Conservation of Difficulty,
stated in 'A Devil's Chaplain'

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Al
***The Evil Atheist Brooks rears his ugly head again!

By describing somebody as an 'evi' atheist you do at least indicate that
good atheists exist - a starting point to truthfulness at least.

Libel is illegal in most legal systems - what defense can you provide to
describing me as 'evil', or, for that matter, 'ugly'?

[Jordan]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al
***The Evil Atheist Brooks rears his ugly head again!

By describing somebody as an 'evi' atheist you do at least indicate that
good atheists exist - a starting point to truthfulness at least.
Libel is illegal in most legal systems - what defense can you provide to
describing me as 'evil', or, for that matter, 'ugly'?

What damages can you prove? You don't have a respectable reputation to
start with. Two years in court, R100,000 later and you know what even if
you win you will still be a prat.

[Al]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al
***The Evil Atheist Brooks rears his ugly head again!

By describing somebody as an 'evi' atheist you do at least indicate that
good atheists exist - a starting point to truthfulness at least.

***From an atheists perspective, other atheists must be good. But that
doesn't mean that Christians have to agree...or should agree. But, I imagine
that die-hard atheists are as zealous in their non-religion as religionists
are in following their faith. It does no good to avoid acknowledging that
atheists do, indeed, exist.

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Libel is illegal in most legal systems - what defense can you provide to
describing me as 'evil', or, for that matter, 'ugly'?

***I consider all atheists "evil."

[spizz]

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?

Spizz

[Al]

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?
Spizz

***My own reasons.

[Peter H.M. Brooks]

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?
Spizz

***My own reasons.

Daemonisation of other people is a popular theistic activity - the Crusades,
suppression of witchcraft, Inquisition, Holocaust and now the work by Islam
to destroy the 'Great Satan' are all part of the same trend. So you di fit
the pattern.

[Al]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?
Spizz

***My own reasons.

Daemonisation of other people is a popular theistic activity - the Crusades,
suppression of witchcraft, Inquisition, Holocaust and now the work by Islam
to destroy the 'Great Satan' are all part of the same trend. So you di fit
the pattern.

***Whatever floats your boat! <G>

[spizz]

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a

book?

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al

Post by spizz
Spizz

***My own reasons.

Daemonisation of other people is a popular theistic activity - the

Crusades,

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
suppression of witchcraft, Inquisition, Holocaust and now the work by

Islam

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
to destroy the 'Great Satan' are all part of the same trend. So you di fit
the pattern.

***Whatever floats your boat! <G>

You've got nothing to say Al.

Spizz

[Al]

Post by spizz

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a

book?

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al

Post by spizz
Spizz

***My own reasons.

Daemonisation of other people is a popular theistic activity - the

Crusades,

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
suppression of witchcraft, Inquisition, Holocaust and now the work by

Islam

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
to destroy the 'Great Satan' are all part of the same trend. So you di

fit

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
the pattern.

***Whatever floats your boat! <G>

You've got nothing to say Al.
Spizz

***Especially not to you!

[spizz]

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?
Spizz

***My own reasons.

So does this include only atheists or anyone who does not believe in your
God?

Spizz

[Al]

Post by spizz

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a book?
Spizz

***My own reasons.

So does this include only atheists or anyone who does not believe in your
God?
Spizz

***There is only ONE God.

[spizz]

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al

Post by spizz

Post by Al
***I consider all atheists "evil."

Why? Do you have your own reasons or are you going to quote from a

book?

Post by spizz

Post by Al

Post by spizz
Spizz

***My own reasons.

So does this include only atheists or anyone who does not believe in your
God?
Spizz

***There is only ONE God.

Which one is that Al? Sheesh, it's like pulling teeth.

Spizz

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Al

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks

Post by Al
***The Evil Atheist Brooks rears his ugly head again!

By describing somebody as an 'evi' atheist you do at least indicate that
good atheists exist - a starting point to truthfulness at least.

***From an atheists perspective, other atheists must be good. But that
doesn't mean that Christians have to agree...or should agree. But, I imagine
that die-hard atheists are as zealous in their non-religion as religionists
are in following their faith. It does no good to avoid acknowledging that
atheists do, indeed, exist.

Post by Peter H.M. Brooks
Libel is illegal in most legal systems - what defense can you provide to
describing me as 'evil', or, for that matter, 'ugly'?

***I consider all atheists "evil."

I suppose one should not be surprised at the way Usenet trolls try to turn
every thread into a flamefest, with ad hominems flying in every direction.

No doubt if they attended the funeral of those killed in the helicopter crash
they would be continually interrupting the procedings by shouting abuse at the
other people present.

[Al]

Steve,

You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed "Deacon" associated
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained deacon in the
Greek Orthodox Church?

Al

Post by Steve Hayes
BISHOPS WHO WERE KILLED IN HELICOPTER CRASH
The news media have not generally given much information about the church
leaders who were killed along with His Beatitude Petros, Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria, in the helicopter crash on 11 September 2004.
Even the Greek media have given little more than a bare list of names, and
most of the news reports have concentrated attention on who was to blame for
the crash -- the military authorities or civilian air traffic control. A
visiting Patriarch is regarded as a VVIP, somewhat above a visiting head of
state, and so several people's jobs are on the line.
Outside Greece there has been very little reported, and in what has been
reported one important point has been overlooked -- the very real loss to the
Orthodox Church in Africa. The following potted biographies may help to give a
more human dimension to it.
METROPOLITAN IRENAEUS (TALAMBEKOS) OF PILOUSION (PORT SAID)
His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaeus Talambekos was born in Pireas,
Greece in 1934. He studied theology at the University of Athens
and received his doctorate at the Theological Academy of Moscow.
He was ordained deacon in 1953 and priest in 1959. He served as
Exarch of the Throne (of Alexandria) in Odessa (1963-1972) and
was also archivist and chief secretary of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria 1968-1972, and in 1972 he was elected Bishop of
Nikopolis and was appointed Patriarchal Warden in Alexandria.
In 1976 he was elected Metropolitan of Accra, with jurisdiction
over 22 countries in West Africa. He was based at Yaounde in
Cameroun. The cathedral in Yaounde had been build by the Greek
community, but the community was diminishing, as they sent their
children to France for tertiary education, and many did not
return to Cameroun.
One day some passers by asked if they could look inside the
church, and Metropolitan Irenaeus showed them around, and they
then asked if they could come to a service, and they did so on
the following Sunday, and then returned and eventually became
Orthodox. Some of the Greeks were farmers in the area, and they
began to hold garden parties for enquirers about Orthodox. Some
of the farm workers were from the north of Cameroun, members of
the Toubouri tribe, and some of them became Orthodox too. When
they returned home, they established parishes in their home
district, and by the time Metropolitan Irenaeus left in 1990
there were eight Toubouri-speaking parishes, seven in Cameroun
and one across the border in Chad.
In 1990 he was appointed to the Metropolis of Carthage, and in
1994 as Metropolitan of Kenya and Irinoupolis (Dar-es-Salaam). In
March 1997 he was appointed general Patriarchal Warden and in
September of that year as Metropolitan of Pilousion. He could
speak Greek, Russian, French, English and Arabic.
On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.
--
METROPOLITAN CHRYSOSTOMOS OF CARTHAGE
His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos Papadopoulos of Carthage
was born in Dafia, Lesbos, Greece. He graduated from the theology
school of the University of Athens and attended the Orthodox
Institute in Paris.
He was ordained deacon in 1957 and priest in 1959. He served the
Holy Metropolis of Serres as preacher and senior Archimandrite
(Protosynkellos) and also served as Exarch of the Patriarchate of
Alexandria in Russia. In 1976 he was elected as Bishop of
Nikopolis, where he succeeded Metropolitan Irenaeus, and was
editor of the journal "Pantainos", and was also responsible for
the general publication work of the Patriarchate.
In 1990 he was elected Archbishop of Zimbabwe. In 1996, when the
Patriarch came to bless a monument in Bulawayo to commemorate the
first Archbishop he suffered a heart attack, and in 1997 was
appointed Archbishop and Metropolitan of Carthage (Tunisia), and
was also the representative of His Beatitude Petros, Pope and
Patriarch of Alexandria, in Athens. He wrote many scholarly
articles, and also represented the Patriarchate at several
academic conferences.
On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.
--
BISHOP NECTARIUS OF MADAGASCAR
His Grace Bishop Nectarius Kellis of Madagascar was born in
Rhodes, Greece, on 6 December 1952. When he was young he
emigrated with his parents to Australia where he completes his
schooling.
He graduated from the theology school of the University of Athens
and the theology and philosophy schools of Flinders University of
Adelaide, South Australia, where he also did postgraduate studies
in literature.
He was ordained deacon in Athens in 1978 and priest in Adelaide
in 1981. He served in various parishes in Australia, and was
secretary of the Archdiocese of Australia in Adelaide from 1983-
1987. At the same time he was student chaplain at Flinders
University.
From 1987-1995 he was abbot and spiritual father of the Holy
Monastery of St Nektarios in Adelaide. He founded the Orthodox
Library and published the monthly magazines "Agios Nektarios" in
Greek and "Orthodox Messenger" in English.
In July 1994 with the blessing of His Eminence Chrysostomos,
Archbishop of Zimbabwe, he started the Orthodox mission in
Madagascar. He was elected the first Orthodox bishop of
Madagascar on 23 September 1997 and was consecrated on 23
November 1997 by His Beatitude Petros, Pope and Patriarch of
Alexandria and All Africa.
In the first eight years of his 10 years of ministry in
Madagascar he founded two monasteries (one male and one female),
one seminary, two clinics, seven primary schools, one high school
and 49 parishes.
On 11 September 2004 he was killed in a helicopter crash in the
Aegean Sea along with the Patriarch of Alexandria and several
other clergy.
--
This information has been taken mainly from the Calendar of the
Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa. More on the work of
Bishop Nectarius can be found in "The Orthodox Word" No 198,
1998.
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

[Jordan]

Post by Al
Steve,
You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed "Deacon" associated
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained deacon in the
Greek Orthodox Church?
Al

Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five minutes over
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required. Don't have to
behave like a christian either.

[Moira de Swardt]

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed

"Deacon" associated

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained

deacon in the

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
Greek Orthodox Church?

Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five minutes over
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required. Don't have to
behave like a christian either.

Steve just happens to be highly qualified in the field of theology,
holding a very real doctorate from a very real, respected
university, in missiology, and was ordained both deacon and priest
in the Anglican church in the past. What his situation within the
Orthodox community is I do not know. But let's put the record right
where Steve's genuine qualifications lie.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

[Frank]

Post by Al

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed

"Deacon" associated

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained

deacon in the

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
Greek Orthodox Church?

Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five minutes

over

Post by Jordan
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required. Don't

have to

Post by Jordan
behave like a christian either.

Steve just happens to be highly qualified in the field of theology,
holding a very real doctorate from a very real, respected
university, in missiology, and was ordained both deacon and priest
in the Anglican church in the past. What his situation within the
Orthodox community is I do not know. But let's put the record right
where Steve's genuine qualifications lie.
Moira, the Faerie Godmother

Expert comment by our local Internet ordained Deacon (Faerie Grandmother) in
the
"Church of Lesbian and Homosexual Perverts"

[Moira de Swardt]

Post by Frank

Post by Jordan

Post by Jordan
Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five

minutes

Post by Frank

Post by Jordan
over

Post by Jordan
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required.

Don't

Post by Frank

Post by Jordan
have to

Post by Jordan
behave like a christian either.

Steve just happens to be highly qualified in the field of

theology,

Post by Frank

Post by Jordan
holding a very real doctorate from a very real, respected
university, in missiology, and was ordained both deacon and

priest

Post by Frank

Post by Jordan
in the Anglican church in the past. What his situation within the
Orthodox community is I do not know. But let's put the record right
where Steve's genuine qualifications lie.

Expert comment by our local Internet ordained Deacon (Faerie

Grandmother) in

Post by Frank
the "Church of Lesbian and Homosexual Perverts"

It is not likely that people will judge my credentials by the manner
in which you obtained yours.

Moira, the Faerie Godmother

[Steve Hayes]

Post by Frank

Post by Al

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed

"Deacon" associated

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained

deacon in the

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
Greek Orthodox Church?

Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five minutes

over

Post by Jordan
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required. Don't

have to

Post by Jordan
behave like a christian either.

Steve just happens to be highly qualified in the field of theology,
holding a very real doctorate from a very real, respected
university, in missiology, and was ordained both deacon and priest
in the Anglican church in the past. What his situation within the
Orthodox community is I do not know. But let's put the record right
where Steve's genuine qualifications lie.
Moira, the Faerie Godmother

Expert comment by our local Internet ordained Deacon (Faerie Grandmother) in
the
"Church of Lesbian and Homosexual Perverts"

Yet another gratuitous ad hominem. I think it's the third one in this thread
alone, but that's three too many.

Ordination in any religious body or lack of it is not a qualification to
comment on the subject matter of this thread.

This thread will be of interest to:

1) Orthodox Christians everywhere, but especially in Africa (which suffered
the loss of 4 bishops) and Greece (which lost them).

2) Other Christians, especially in Africa, who might find it interesting, and
might even feel slightly sympathetic.

Anyone who find the topic boring can mark the thread for "ignore" (or what
ever your newsreader calls that function).

But if you just want to attack the character of the participants, start
another thread, or preferably take it to another newsgroup. Best of all would
be to grow up, but that's probably too much to ask.




Steve Hayes
***@hotmail.com
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm

[Al]

Post by Jordan

Post by Al
Steve,
You have never used your title in this NG, but I noticed "Deacon" associated
with your name on a Yahoo Group posting. Are you an ordained deacon in the
Greek Orthodox Church?
Al

Just goes to show. I see that one can get ordained in five minutes over
the internet now-a-days. No previous experience required. Don't have to
behave like a christian either.

***Your comment has no bearing on my question to Steve. He is quite a devout
Orthodox Christian.

[Steve Hayes]

Patriarch PETROS VII of Alexandria Perishes in Helicopter Crash

http://www.oca.org/pages/news/news.asp?ID=658

SYOSSET, NY [OCA Communications] -- Word that His Beatitude,
Patriarch Petros VII of Alexandria and All Africa was one of
seventeen persons killed in a helicopter crash en route to Mount
Athos was received by the Chancery of the Orthodox Church in America here
on Saturday, September 11, 2004.

The 55-year-old Patriarch was due to arrive on Mount Athos at 11:00
a.m. Saturday morning, marking his first official visit to the 1000-
year-old monastic enclave. According to Greek Defense Ministry and
various media reports, the helicopter was reported missing about two hours
after it left Athens. Officials confirmed that bodies found by rescue
crews some 20 miles off the Mount Athos coast in Chalkidiki were those of
Patriarch Petros and his companions.

Reports coming out of Thessaloniki confirmed that, in addition to
Patriarch Petros, those who perished included His Eminence,
Metropolitan Ireneos of Pilousiou; His Eminence, Metropolitan
Chrysostomos of Karthagena; His Grace, Bishop Nektarios of
Madagascar; Archimandrites Arsenios and Kallistratos [Economou]; and
Deacon Nektarios Kontogiorgos. The Patriarch's legal, technical, and press
advisors were also among the dead, as were the Patriarch's brother and
personal guard. Five crew members lost their lives in the crash.

A Greek Army spokesman reported that visibility was good and that
the downed Chinook helicopter was only about one-and-one-half years
old.

According to tradition, the Patriarchate of Alexandria was
established by Saint Mark the Evangelist in 42 A.D. Patriarch
Petros, a native of Cyprus, was elected as the 115th Patriarch of
Alexandria in 1997. His tenure was marked by renewed missionary
efforts in Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar, Cameroun, and elsewhere across the
African continent.

"Patriarch Petros was one of the first Primates of the sister
Orthodox Churches to designate a representative, His Grace, Bishop
Georgios of Nilopolis to participate in the September 2002
enthronement of His Beatitude, Metropolitan Herman as Primate of the
Orthodox Church in America in Washington, DC," said Protopresbyter Robert
Kondratick, OCA Chancellor. "Relations between the OCA and the Alexandrian
Patriarchate were extremely cordial, especially with regard to regular
contacts between the Churches' External Affairs and Communications
departments.

"On behalf of Metropolitan Herman and the members of the Holy Synod
of Bishops, we call upon the faithful of our Church to pray for
Patriarch Petros and those who perished with him," Father Kondratick
added. "May their memory be eternal!"

© 2004 Orthodox Church in America
Department of Communications - ***@oca.org

[Steve Hayes]

Helicopter with 17 on board crashes in northern Aegean
Patriarch of Alexandria killed; air force chief sacked

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100006_13/09/2004_47224

Kathimerini - Athens
ANA

Patriarch Petros of Alexandria, head of the Orthodox Church in Africa, died
with 16 others on Saturday. The Cypriot-born patriarch was 55.

Seventeen people were killed after a military helicopter carrying a delegation
of senior Orthodox clerics crashed in the northern Aegean on Saturday, in an
accident which cost the air force chief of staff his job and sparked a heated
exchange between the government and the main opposition party.

By late yesterday, navy and coast guard rescue teams had recovered nine
corpses — including those of Petros, Patriarch of Alexandria and head of the
Greek Orthodox Church in Africa, and Chrysostomos, Bishop of Carthage — from
waters a few miles south of the northern Halkidiki peninsula. The Egypt-based
patriarch, accompanied by senior church officials and close aides, had been
traveling in a Greek army Chinook twin-rotor transport helicopter to the
monastic community on Mount Athos.

The aircraft, which carried a crew of five, had taken off from an army camp in
Kareas, eastern Athens, at 9.35 a.m. and was due to arrive at Mount Athos
about an hour and a half later. The pilot last spoke to air traffic
controllers just before 11 a.m.

It apparently took two hours for senior military or government officials to
get wind of the crash.

The army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Nikolaos Douvas, told journalists
he had been briefed around 1.15 p.m., and that Defense Minister Spilios
Spiliotopoulos had been informed before that.

The Merchant Marine Ministry, which was deeply involved in the
search-and-rescue operation, said it was informed around 1.45 p.m. that the
helicopter might have crashed in the area of Mount Athos.

The wreckage was finally located two hours later, some 5.5 miles south of Cape
Ambelos, at the southern tip of Sithonia, the central promontory in the
three-pronged Halkidiki peninsula. Rescue crews located seven corpses in the
sea on Saturday, while after an all-night search — by an air force C-130 heavy
transport aircraft, three Super Puma helicopters, and a flotilla of navy and
coast-guard vessels — another two bodies were found 11 miles south of Cape
Ambelos.

Apart from the 55-year-old, Cyprus-born patriarch and the bishop, the dead
were identified as Archimandrite Arsenios, abbot of the Machaira Monastery,
Archimandrite Kallistratos Economou, cleric Nektarios Kontogiorgos,
patriarchal aides Patroklos Papastefanou and Georgios Xenoudakis, the
patriarch’s brother, Georgios Papapetrou, and army Warrant Officer Stylianos
Raptis.

Those still missing included the bishops of Piloussio, Carthage and
Madagascar.

President Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, opposition
leader George Papandreou and party leaders, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomaios and the head of the Church of Greece, Archbishop Christodoulos,
expressed their sorrow over the accident.

The government’s immediate reaction was to sack the air force chief of staff,
Lieutenant General Panayiotis Papanikolaou.

A question of responsibility

Premier Costas Karamanlis stressed that the crash was not a political issue
but raised questions about the capabilities of the military.“The matter of the
accident itself is different from the matter of the delay in providing the
information about the helicopter’s loss,” he said. “There is a responsibility
for this, not political responsibility but responsibility concerning the
functioning of the armed forces.”

But PASOK’s spokeswoman for defense, Anna Diamantopoulou, declared, “The
government has a political responsibility, which cannot be shifted elsewhere.”
Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos countered that PASOK, which ruled
until last March, was to blame for having let the armed forces become “lax and
inefficient.”

[Al]

Do you mind if we address you as Father Deacon Steve?

Post by Steve Hayes
Helicopter with 17 on board crashes in northern Aegean
Patriarch of Alexandria killed; air force chief sacked

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100006_13/09/2004_472
24

Post by Steve Hayes
Kathimerini - Athens
ANA
Patriarch Petros of Alexandria, head of the Orthodox Church in Africa, died
with 16 others on Saturday. The Cypriot-born patriarch was 55.
Seventeen people were killed after a military helicopter carrying a delegation
of senior Orthodox clerics crashed in the northern Aegean on Saturday, in an
accident which cost the air force chief of staff his job and sparked a heated
exchange between the government and the main opposition party.
By late yesterday, navy and coast guard rescue teams had recovered nine
corpses - including those of Petros, Patriarch of Alexandria and head of

the

Post by Steve Hayes
Greek Orthodox Church in Africa, and Chrysostomos, Bishop of Carthage -

from

Post by Steve Hayes
waters a few miles south of the northern Halkidiki peninsula. The Egypt-based
patriarch, accompanied by senior church officials and close aides, had been
traveling in a Greek army Chinook twin-rotor transport helicopter to the
monastic community on Mount Athos.
The aircraft, which carried a crew of five, had taken off from an army camp in
Kareas, eastern Athens, at 9.35 a.m. and was due to arrive at Mount Athos
about an hour and a half later. The pilot last spoke to air traffic
controllers just before 11 a.m.
It apparently took two hours for senior military or government officials to
get wind of the crash.
The army chief of staff, Lieutenant General Nikolaos Douvas, told journalists
he had been briefed around 1.15 p.m., and that Defense Minister Spilios
Spiliotopoulos had been informed before that.
The Merchant Marine Ministry, which was deeply involved in the
search-and-rescue operation, said it was informed around 1.45 p.m. that the
helicopter might have crashed in the area of Mount Athos.
The wreckage was finally located two hours later, some 5.5 miles south of Cape
Ambelos, at the southern tip of Sithonia, the central promontory in the
three-pronged Halkidiki peninsula. Rescue crews located seven corpses in the
sea on Saturday, while after an all-night search - by an air force C-130

heavy

Post by Steve Hayes
transport aircraft, three Super Puma helicopters, and a flotilla of navy and
coast-guard vessels - another two bodies were found 11 miles south of Cape
Ambelos.
Apart from the 55-year-old, Cyprus-born patriarch and the bishop, the dead
were identified as Archimandrite Arsenios, abbot of the Machaira Monastery,
Archimandrite Kallistratos Economou, cleric Nektarios Kontogiorgos,
patriarchal aides Patroklos Papastefanou and Georgios Xenoudakis, the
patriarch's brother, Georgios Papapetrou, and army Warrant Officer

Stylianos

Post by Steve Hayes
Raptis.
Those still missing included the bishops of Piloussio, Carthage and
Madagascar.
President Costis Stephanopoulos, Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis, opposition
leader George Papandreou and party leaders, as well as Ecumenical Patriarch
Vartholomaios and the head of the Church of Greece, Archbishop

Christodoulos,

Post by Steve Hayes
expressed their sorrow over the accident.
The government's immediate reaction was to sack the air force chief of

staff,

Post by Steve Hayes
Lieutenant General Panayiotis Papanikolaou.
A question of responsibility
Premier Costas Karamanlis stressed that the crash was not a political issue
but raised questions about the capabilities of the military."The matter of

the

Post by Steve Hayes
accident itself is different from the matter of the delay in providing the
information about the helicopter's loss," he said. "There is a

responsibility

Post by Steve Hayes
for this, not political responsibility but responsibility concerning the
functioning of the armed forces."
But PASOK's spokeswoman for defense, Anna Diamantopoulou, declared, "The
government has a political responsibility, which cannot be shifted

elsewhere."

Post by Steve Hayes
Defense Minister Spilios Spiliotopoulos countered that PASOK, which ruled
until last March, was to blame for having let the armed forces become "lax

and

Post by Steve Hayes
inefficient."

[Frank]

Post by Al
Do you mind if we address you as Father Deacon Steve?

I thing Farther Deacon Steve is more appropriate.

[++]

I think it's more like a form of internet rape. No matter how many
times you say "no," Al keeps forcing himself on you.

***Well, the two of you don't have to open my messages and read them. Just
hit the delete button. I also like frustrating the email harvesters with a
bunch of address that will surely bounce back on spammers.

Your disrespect for His Beatitude Petros, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and
Alll Africa, for His Eminence Chrysostom of Carthage, His Eminence Irenaeus of
Pilousion and His Grace Nectarius of Madagascar is noted.

The sad thing is that in the week after their falling asleep, the
conversation has turned again to rejecting more dark thoughts from ill
wishers. There are individuals who have so little respect for themselves
that their first instinct is to show no respect for others worthy of
respect. When we were singing a panihida to them on Saturday, our
choir reflected on each and every name, not just the Patriarch and those
with him, but each individual who had chosen a life in Christ and had
met their earthly end. We were doing the panihida for those who had
fallen Sept. 11, regardless of faith, of the children and parents who
suffered in Russia from terrorist attacks, regardless of their faiths,
and these faithful as well as anyone else anyone wanted to keep in mind
having suffered from attacks. There were tears in many eyes and fervent
prayer in many hearts.

I am sure this went on in many many churches in the past week. Let us
reflect on the newly fallen asleep, on all fallen asleep in such
circumstances, on the temporal nature of our earthy existence, praying
that these new innocents lie easy in the earth and that their souls rise
like incense.

Galina

PS. In order to remove as much insult as possible from this thread,
za.flame, alt.idiots removed from crossposts

[Steve Hayes]

Forwarded: a message from a Ugandan studying in the USA

From: "Elias Mukasa"
Sent: Thursday, September 16, 2004 1:30 AM

I extend much sympathy during this time of sorrow to our Holy Synod of
Alexandria, Clergy and all the brethren as well as the entire Orthodox
Church worldwide. Praying that the Grace of God will comfort us all, give
wisdom for the furtherance of His Church. September.11 is an awful day to
the Orthodox church in Africa as it is to America. Always we will be
remembering this tragic death of our beloved Patriarch and the Hierarchy
who perished in this accident.

The Patriarchate of Alexandria has lost a Spiritual leader whose first
priority always was emphacising, love, forgiveness and Missionary work. "
The church must be built on the foundation of fulfilling the Spiritual,
social, and physical needs of all Africans" he said.

Born September.3. 1949, His Beatitude Petros vii, the 115th Patriarch of
Alexandria, at age 12 enrolled at the Monastery of Macheras, in 1969
graduated from Apostle Barnabas Seminary and made a Deacon, he served at
the consecration of Bishop Christopher Spartas the first African Bishop
and pioneer of Orthodox in Uganda. In 1983 was consecrated a bishop, 1990
became bishop of West Africa and on February 1997 Elected Pope and
Patriarch of Alexandria and all Africa.

In his 7 years leadership we've seen Africans returning to their Christian
roots Orthodoxy which went away for a while but came back. This is
evidenced in the great Orthodox Missionary work taking place all over
Africa today and the establishment of Dioceses. His frequent visits to
all African countries as a dedication to the monitoring of mission work is
enough to show this. His message has been Peace and righteousness must
prevail in Africa, the love and fellowship revealed to us in Jesus Christ,
the Lord of peace has to prevail among all people despite of the religious
belief. Where there is haterage let us sow love, where there is darkness
let there be light, where there is despair be hope, sadness let there be
Joy with Christians and non Christians. cherish the virtue of peace, unity
and reconciliation has been his Motto.

We will always remember His humility, patience, and warmth love. He led
an exemplary life which must be emulated by all God loving people.

We remember the loving faces and love for the Church of the Hierarchs who
died many of them like Metropolitan Chrysostom is remembered in Uganda for
his love of Missions, in the 80s after the war he spearheaded the
rebuilding and renovation of destroyed Orthodox Churches. Bishop
Nektarios brought new life in the collapsed Orthodox Church of Madagascar.

May their Memory be Eternal!

Unworthy
Elias Mukasa
Student St.Tikhon Theological Seminary PA U.S.A

[alight]

the face of YHWH our God is against them.

Post by Steve Hayes
ATHENS, Greece (Reuters) -- Egypt's Patriarch of Alexandria, a top leader of
the Greek Orthodox church, was among 17 people feared killed when a helicopter
crashed on Saturday off northern Greece, the Defense Ministry said.
Rescue crews searched for survivors some 30 km (20 miles) out to sea from the
Mount Athos community of Orthodox monasteries where the military Chinook
helicopter carrying Patriarch Petros was headed.
"All may be dead," a Greek Defense Ministry official said.
"We are shocked, this is tragic news," said a Church of Greece spokesman,
Father Epifanios Economou.
The Patriarchate of Alexandria was established in 42 A.D. by Mark the
Evangelist and was an early center of Christianity and Orthodoxy.
"The Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa is one of the third oldest
worldwide, along with that of Antioch (Syria) and Rome," said Father Costas
Kyriakides, a theologian in Cyprus where Petros was born.
"It has always been extremely important. It carries a very heavy history and
is very active in missionary field work in places like Kenya and Uganda," he
told Reuters.
Economu said the 55-year-old cleric was a respected church leader who had
breathed new life into the patriarchate and to the entire Orthodox Church in
Africa in his seven years in office.
He was elected as the 115th Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa in 1997.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/09/11/greece.crash.reut/index.html
--
The unworthy deacon,
Stephen Methodius Hayes
Contact: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/7734/stevesig.htm
Orthodox mission pages: http://www.orthodoxy.faithweb.com/