Epirotes Welcome Metr. Maximos of Ioannina & Holy Relic of St. George the Neomartyr
DETROIT – The Panepirotic Federation of America President Ioannis Katsimbaris and the Epirotes of the Midwest welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina to Detroit April 5-9. His Eminence responded to a plea by the Panepirotic Federation of America for the donation of a Holy Relic from a saint from Epirus to ‘crown’ the Epirotic Shrine established at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Detroit. With the blessing of the Holy Synod, Metropolitan Maximos decided to bring to Detroit and donate to the Annunciation Cathedral a Holy Relic of Saint George the Neomartyr, Patron Saint of the city of Ioannina and of the Presidential Guard of the Hellenic Republic, the heroic Evzones.
The carved wooden Shrine of 120 inches (3m) height and 55 inches (1.4m) width was handcrafted in Greece and brought to the Annunciation Cathedral in Detroit. It was paid for by donations of Epirotan Greek-Americans from Michigan and the Icon on the Shrine, depicting the 55 Saints of Epirus was donated by Detroit businessman Michael Aubrey. The icon was painted by New Jersey iconographer Lawrence Manos, who has also painted most of the wall iconographies in the Annunciation Cathedral.
The Presidential Guard of Hellas has not participated in the Detroit Greek Parade in over 30 years and it was a curious ‘coincidence’ that the parade committee of Detroit in cooperation with Consul General of Chicago Emmanuel Koubarakis organized for the 12 Evzones to come to Detroit without knowing that Metropolitan Maximos was arriving with a Holy Relic of the Saint who is their Patron Saint. God has His own ways. It was the first time in history, since St. George the Neomartyr also known as the ‘Foustanelas’, was proclaimed Patron Saint of the Evzones, that the Evzones got to venerate a Holy Relic of His. It was remarkable that this happened not in Greece, but in the heart of Greektown in Detroit. The Almighty does have His unique ways.
The visit of Metropolitan Maximos started on April 5 with the Meet & Greet of the Evzones at the Hellenic Museum of Michigan. After touring the Museum, the Metropolitan gave his blessing followed by a presentation of the leading officer of the Presidential Guard on the history of the Evzones, their uniforms, their obligations, the way they are chosen from the military units, etc. The participating crowd of over 100 people, primarily youth who had come to see the Evzones, was amazed by the Guards and took photos with them and His Eminence.
In the evening, Metropolitan Maximos participated in the Parade Committee Gala dinner, which was also attended by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and in which the Evzones paraded in full uniforms in small formation.
The Sunday morning Liturgy and Doxology on April 6 was presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos in front of a full Church, with Epirotes coming from Boston, New York, Chicago, St Louis, Cincinnati, Windsor, Ontario, Canada, and other areas to participate in this historic moment and venerate the Holy Relic of the Patron Saint of Ioannina. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos from New York also participated in the Liturgy.
Metropolitan Maximos placed the Holy Relic in a majestic reliquary made of silver, 24K gold and alabaster depicting St. George the Neomartyr and solemnly entered the Cathedral from the main gate holding the reliquary up high. A unique moment in time. The emotions in the Church are hard to describe as many had tears running down their cheeks. The choir of the Cathedral along with the Byzantine-style chanting of lead chanter Nikos Varlamos blended with the voices of Metropolitan Maximos and Reverend Fr. George Manias in a divine atmosphere.
At the end of the Doxology, each Evzone removed his red cap and bowed to venerate the Holy Relic, followed by all the faithful in the Church.
After the Doxology, the magnificent Detroit Greek Independence Day Parade took place in Greektown, the historic district of Detroit.
On Sunday evening, the Panepirotic Federation of America held a celebratory dinner for Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and the Federation’s special guest Metropolitan Maximos. The dinner was held at Pier Park Clubhouse in Grosse Pointe and was also attended by the 12 Evzones, the well-known journalist and author Honorary President of the Panepirotic Federation of America Nicholas Gage, numerous Archons of the Patriarchate, Bishop Athenagoras, National Philoptochos President Debbie George, AHEPA Automotive District 10 Governor James Thomas, other dignitaries and officers from the South East Michigan area and, of course, Epirotes from all over the Midwest and elsewhere.
Metropolitan Maximos was awarded a commemorative plaque and numerous monetary donations to support his mission. He received check donations from the Council of the Metropolis of Detroit, the Parish Council of the Assumption Greek Orthodox Church of St. Clair Shores, the AHEPA Omega Chapter 371, and Epirotan businessmen Partalis Brothers of PMP Marble & Granite Inc.
On April 7, Metropolitan Maximos and Bishop Athenagoras visited the Holy Trinity Monastery in Smiths Creek, Michigan. The Hieromonk Fr. Joseph and seven more monks welcomed the clergy to the Monastery with celebratory chanting. The monks were very pleased by the visit, had a very warm exchange with His Eminence and gave a tour of the premises, farm, and greenhouse of the Monastery, before inviting the group to a Lenten luncheon in the Metropolitan’s honor. His Eminence was very pleased to see that spiritual monastic life is alive and thriving in this Eparchy of the Patriarchate. Returning to Detroit, Metropolitan Maximos attended a dinner held in his honor by the Annunciation Church Parish Council, which was also attended by Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.
On April 8, Metropolitan Maximos visited the AHEPA Omega Chapter Independent Living Apartments in Harrison Township, Michigan. John Hatzis and District 10 Governor James Thomas showed His Eminence around the premises of the 175 apartments, explained to him how the project started with the first building built in 1995, the second building in 2005, and how the facility is managed, financed and thriving. Low-income brothers and sisters of our society have a chance to live independently in beautifully renovated and ideally equipped apartments without many worries, all managed and financed by AHEPA with help from the State and Federal government. Metropolitan Maximos discussed with the Ahepan Brothers about how the Metropolis of Ioannina manages its own two elderly nursing home facilities and noted the challenges of building the third elderly facility solely to host dementia patients. Subsequently, His Eminence attended the Senior Citizens Luncheon at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church in St. Clair Shores. Fr. Michael Varlamos, Fr. Michael Manos and Senior Citizens’ President Kalliopy Callas welcomed His Eminence, received his blessing, and had a Lenten lunch along with 60 senior citizens of the parish.
In the evening His Eminence was invited by the Epirotic Society of Michigan to meet and greet the Greek School and Dance Group children of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Troy, MI. He was welcomed by Fr. Paul Patitsas, Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, and Epirotic Society President Nick Kaltsounis. He spoke to a crowd of 80 children in church and then attended a Lenten dinner held in his honor by the Epirotic Society. The Epirotes of Michigan were once again thankful for the visit of His Eminence and the donation of the Holy Relic and embraced and enjoyed the warm and kind aura of His Eminence.
The visit concluded with a luncheon in his honor held at the Metropolis of Detroit by Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit and attended by eight priests, a deacon, and office staff of the Metropolis.
The visit of His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Ioannina and the donation of the Holy Relic of St. George the Neomartyr of Ioannina was a blessing and a historic moment for the Epirotic and the entire Greek diaspora of Michigan and the Midwest. The Holy Relic will be at the Annunciation Cathedral to be venerated for ages of ages.
