THE BEGINNINGS

“For decade we piously embraced the Orthodox Faith , yet little did we realize that no canonical Orthodox jurisdiction has ever embraced us!”  A period of twelve long years since 1983 was filled with thrills and challenges.  Our spiritual journey, along with arduous research and painful struggles, was nonetheless edifying.  The plight led us providentially to the Great Church of Jesus Christ.  Our prayers and petition were heard.  Our group leader received sacerdotal formation from His Grace Bishop Sotirios of Seoul and, in God’s time, Rev. Father Philemon was canonically ordained to the priesthood by His Eminence Metropolitan Dionysios of New Zealand at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral  on April 2, 1995.  On the following Sunday during the Patriarchal Liturgy, Fr. Philemon   received a warm embrace of love  from His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew I. A heartfelt assurance! “We have found the ‘Pearl of Great Price’; we’re  Home; no more orphans but true brothers and sisters to some 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide and having the same spiritual father- the fervent supplicant before God- the Ecumenical Patriarch; and I am clothed with a robe of gladness, and I’m just beginning to do the tasks properly and orderly,” Fr. Philemon said .
 

And how did they find the Orthodox way?

A series of different correspondence paved the way to a long and winding search of the roots of the Holy Mother Church. With gratitude, Fr. Philemon  acknowledged  the connecting link provided by Fr. Michael Graves of the Orthodox Church in the Carribbean. A humble priest-monk Fr. Vincentius (a former Roman Catholic priest for more than 20 years in Bajada,  Cataingan, Masbate), together with four nuns and faithful members, were received by Metropolitan Dionysius of  the Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand. Fr. Philemon observed; “While looking through the windows abroad, we saw an usher right next door!”
 
Through the efforts of Fr. Vincentius, proper preparations were undertaken  and the “wandering flock” in metro Manila was thus received, in God’s time, by Metropolitan Dionysius and assisted by Bishop Sotirios on January 19, 1994.  For almost a year,  Fr. Vincentius occasionally travelled from Masbate to Manila to receive new members and to officiate  Divine Liturgy at the St. George Orthodox Chapel through the courtesy of Archon Dr. Lucas Adamson.  It was during the same period that this congregation began receving  full guidance and visitations by Bishop Sotirios, Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Couchell (Executive Director of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center, USA), and Rev. Fr. Christopoulos. Gradual integration of Greek Orthodox members into the Filipino community eventually took formal shape with the re-establishment of the Hellenic Orthodox Foundation Inc., initiated by the late Consul General Alexander Adamson.  The noble aspiration to establish Annunciation Orthodox Church in Antipolo was held in abeyance due to his untimely demise.  It was however carried on, without delay, through the leadership of his sons Milton and Philip Adamson, both  currently administering the Consular Office of Greece in Manila. Thus in 1995, the Board of Trustees of   Hellenic Orthodox Foundation, Inc.  presided over by Milton Adamson and,  together  with Philip, Stelios Kaziras, John Malliris, Elefterios Polemis,George Pappas, George Dovellos, Philip Karabatsis and Phileketas Sy, unanimously resolved to establish the Annunciation of Theotokos Orthodox Church.  With the available seed funds, an 800-square meter lot property  located in United Paranaque 5 Subdivision was purchased.  Donors and sponsors poured in their generous support as church construction  proceeded smoothly with the guidance of Metropolitan Dionysios and Bishop Sotirios.
 

During the same period , regular Sunday services were held by Fr. Philemon for the spiritual needs of multi-ethnic Orthodox community in Metro Manila  hosted by Elefterios Polemis at Sea Power Shipping office and other Greek shipping companies.  Simultaneously, the  Orthodox Christian Center, singly manned by Fr. Philemon,  has never ceased its missionary works which fruitfully developed the Holy Cross Orthodox Church , the St. Nicholas Orthodox Chapel,  the St. Dimitrios Orthodox Mission , the St. Andrew Orthodox Mission, and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Mission.

 The fledgling community of Holy Trinity soon  received a 200-square meter lot donation from Pantalion Banasihan & family, then a church plan was approved by  Metropolitan Dionysios and financial support was facilitated by Bishop Sotirios.  Regular  services are being officiated by a newly-ordained priest Fr. Tarasios Velasquez at the newly constructed Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
Down in Visayan island of Masbate, Fr. Vincentius and the pious nuns of the Theotokos Orthodox Church have gradually developed a consistent pastoral ministry since their entry into the mainstream of Holy Orthodoxy.  It’s a big parish community nourished regularly with holy sacraments by a charismatic priest-monk known as “Mamu” (meaning beloved  father) to the faithful flock. The children continue to“grow in wisdom and stature” through the Theotokos Kindegarten School administered by Mother Theodoti and three nuns.  Truly, the children are the seed bed of Orthodoxy!  Another mission is developing in Barrio Pawican where St. Joseph Orthodox Chapel  serves as the channel of God’s grace through the sacred hands of Fr. Vincentius, “my older brother, my godfather, and my guide to the warm embrace of the Ecumenical Patriarch”, Fr. Philemon humbly commended.

This historical foundation briefly described with magnanimity is a solemn legacy bequethed by the Orthodox Archdiocese of New Zealand to the Orthodox-believing Filipinos.  With high hopes and aspirations to see the fullest development of Orthodoxy in the Philippines and the salvation of the indigenous community, may this administrative transition lead toward the spiritual transformation of the entire koinonia.

To the clergy of the Philippine Exarchate :  May this humble beginning inspire all of us, and together with our faithful flock “looking  for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13) under the paternal guidance and loving care of His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas Lulias of Hong Kong and Exarch to the Philippines of His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew.

To all our beloved Hierarchs, our sincerest gratitude with  tears of joy as we feel the warmth of your loving embrace: MANY YEARS IN WISDOM AND HEALTH!  “Nawa’y dulutan kayo ng mahabang buhay puspos ng karunungan at kalusugan!”
 
 

DIFFICULTIES AND BLESSINGS OF THE MISSION

As we count our blessings, we remember in our prayers and the Proskomide all the sponsors and benefactors whose material contributions and moral support have produced beneficial results and spiritual edification, to wit:

3  Churches: Theotokos Orthodox Church, Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, and the Annunciation of  Theotokos Orthodox Church in Metro Manila
 3  Chapels:  St. Joseph Chapel, St. Nicholas Chapel, Holy Cross Chapel, St. Dimitrios Chapel
1  Monastery: Theotokos Orthodox Monastery (for women)
1  School: Theotokos Kindergarten School
520  Filipino Members;  about 40 expats
3 Filipino Clergy:  Fr. Vincentius, Fr. Philemon, Fr. Tarasios
4 Nuns: Mother Theodoti, Nun Agnes, Nun Ester, Nun Fidelis
 6 Mission Areas: San Dionisio, St. Andrew, St. Augustine, St. Photios, St. Ignatius, St. Barbara

Educational Materials are provided by the Metropolitanate of  Hong Kong, Orthodox Christian Mission Center,  Conciliar press, Light & Life Publishing, Again Magazine, The Word, Voice of Orthodoxy, The Christian Activist, ACORN cassette tapes, GOTELECOM video tapes, OLOGOS pamphlets, Fr. Anthony M. Coniaris, Mrs. Anna Leontis, Dr. Ernest Farah, Orthodox People Together, Tony Dovellos,  Maria Biniari & Mother Xeni, other donors whose names are listed in Dyphtychs.

Sacred vessels and church items are donated by several sponsors:  Fr. Marinos Georgakopolos,  Archimandrite Athanasios of Meteora Monastery, Bishop Sotirios of Zelon, Kyriaki Raftopoulou, Capt. Philip Orfanos & Capt. Lignos, Capt. Dimitris Stefanou, Capt. Philip Karabatsis, Hellenic Orthodox Foundation and several sponsors of the Annunciation Orthodox Church and the Holy Trinity Orthodox Church, Patriarchate Foundation, and many more donors and sponsors whose names are all listed in Dyphtychs.

Indeed, the blessings far outweigh all difficulties, for the grace of God suffices all!  Foremost in our prayers is our humble supplication that the Good Lord may grant us patience to consistently serve Him worthily and that there may be more workers  in His vineyard.

ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION OF THE MISSION
 
In order to make teaching and preaching the Gospel meaningful and truly relevant, there is a need to communicate in a vernacular language, as did  Sts. Cyril and Methodios.  The Philippine Bible Society is making headway by publishing Bible in several vernacular languages.  The Philippines is predominantly Christian in character, yet, ironically, many are ignorant or unaware of Orthodoxy!  At this stage, our mission should concentrate on laying the right and clear foundation, that is, teaching and preaching  Orthodoxia in a language commonly understood and felt by all.
Using this computer, I can publish a weekly newsletter (English-Tagalog) and run copies in mimeograph machine.   In the future, we can develop a strong goodwill through the media.  What is commonly and frequently  heard creates an impact and develops attitude.  I suggest that we produce a 60-minute radio program once a week.  This will hastern awareness and thereby create interest from the general public.  Sponsorship can be solicited from Greek shipping companies in Manila.

Regular visitation of clergy on rotational basis in different parishes or mission areas build stronger community.  This has been made evident by the recent archpastoral visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas and almost quarterly visit of different clergy like Fr. Anastasios, Fr. Daniel and Fr. Paul.  His Eminence must have noticed the joys of his spiritual children and their active participation whenever he is around.  They indeed hope to see Your Eminence regularly.
 
 
 

FUTURE HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS FOR THE MISSION

I am personally touched with the inspiring words of Very Rev. Fr. Dimitrios Couchell : “I hope to see someday more Filipino missionaries, not only here but also abroad where Orthodoxy is needed most!”

I, too, hope to see more Orthodox Filipinos reaching out to the natives scattered abroad- in Hongkong, Greece, America and almost in every corner of the world.

To aspire for this great task, there is a need to sow the seed of Orthodoxy here and now, in the heart of every Christian, who may later be settled elsewhere.  What fertile ground  could there be if not in the hearts of little children. Catechetical formation should be firmly established in every parish or mission area.  A special training program for Catechists is a vital component in our mission and evangelism.

In the meantime, I hope to organize involvement in every parish through the parish council.  The backbone of a strong parish depends on commitment of native members to participate in Church stewardship.

With the right direction set before us by His Eminence Metropolitan Nikitas and sincere cooperation of the clergy, we can look forward and press the mark to be worthy servants of the Risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of all.