Four important events are recorded in the following text, each with its own unique history.

We present them with the warm request that our dear readers pray for the growth according to God’s will and the fruitfulness of the missionary work of the Church.

Baptisms

With great emotion and spiritual joy, we welcomed Pascha into the bosom of our Orthodox Church in Korea with thirty-three new members who, after a long period of catechesis, were added “to the Church” through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. The newly illumined faithful came from our parishes in Seoul, Busan, Incheon, and Jeonju. Among them, twenty-three had previously been without religious affiliation, one was a former Buddhist, seven were Christians from other confessions, and two were children from Orthodox families.

Ordination of a New Deacon

On Sunday, 5 June, the ordination to the Diaconate of university professor Perry Hamalis was celebrated at the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Seoul.

The new Deacon is Greek-American and a professor of political and philosophical ethics in Chicago.

He came to Korea one year earlier with his wife and their two children on a research and teaching fellowship through the renowned Fulbright Scholarship program, serving at Yonsei University, where, among other subjects, he taught a course in Orthodox theology for the first time.

His decision to enter the Holy Clergy and serve in the Holy Metropolis of Korea is a great blessing.

Our warmest wish and prayer is that God may grant him many years of ministry in His vineyard in Korea, contributing to the further spread of Orthodox witness in Korean society.

Seminar of Byzantine Iconography

At the Holy Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Savior in Kapyeong, an Iconography Seminar was held from 16 May until 10 June of that year.

Twenty students, men and women, attended the iconography lessons. They were members of the Holy Metropolis of Korea, as well as others who have great interest in the art of the Orthodox Church. Some of them had studied painting and iconography at university.

Mr. Sozos Giannoudis, a specialist who had served for many years at the School of Fine Arts, came to Korea exclusively for this purpose.

Together with his collaborators, he voluntarily painted the icons of all our churches in Korea during the years 1994–2007. In recognition of his significant contribution, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew awarded him the Offikion of Maistor of the Ecumenical Throne.

Mr. Giannoudis, through his extensive experience, his methodical approach, and his noble character, left the best impressions on his students. At the same time, the Korean students moved their teacher deeply through their zeal and dedication.

We warmly thank Mr. Giannoudis for his new visit to Korea, and especially for his valuable and selfless contribution. We pray that the Lord grants him health and many years, so that he may return to Korea and continue teaching iconography.

New Publications

With God’s help and with the support of faithful people from Greece and America, five new books were translated and published by the publishing house of the Holy Metropolis of Korea:

  • ORTHODOX CATECHESIS by His Eminence Metropolitan Sotirios of Pisidia
  • CHILDREN READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
  • THE GURUS, THE YOUNG MAN, AND SAINT PAISIOS by Mr. Athanasios Ragkovalis
  • FROM THE 25th HOUR TO THE ETERNAL HOUR by Virgil Gheorghiu
  • JESUS by Lev Gillet

Currently in preparation for publication are:

  • GLOBALIZATION AND ORTHODOXY by His Beatitude Archbishop Anastasios of Tirana and All Albania
  • THE LIFE OF A GREAT MAN (BASIL OF CAESAREA) by Professor Stylianos Papadopoulos
  • ORTHODOX ICONS: A PRECIOUS SPIRITUAL TREASURE by His Eminence Metropolitan Ambrosios of Korea

Athanasia Dem. Kontogiannakopoulou