On Saturday, March 4, at Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America ordained Demetrios Sassos to the Holy Diaconate. The ordination took place in the presence of clergy and faithful from the region, marking a joyful moment for the parish community and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
During the same service, His Eminence also bestowed the Offikion of Economou upon Rev. Presbyter Jason Dickey, in recognition of his dedicated ministry and service to the Church. Among those in attendance were clergy of the Hudson Valley and surrounding areas, including the Chancellor of the Archdiocese District, Protopresbyter Elias Villis.
Remarks from His Eminence shortly before the ordination:
“My dear Demetrios, you know from your professional life as a pharmacist how important life-saving medicines can be. And it was Saint Ignatios of Antioch who first conveyed this truth to us, that the Holy Communion is: ‘the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, but that we should live forever in Jesus Christ.’
This is the offering in which you will participate, in which you will share. All who come to the Divine Liturgy come with the consequences of the ancestral sin, that is, our mortality, the ultimate disease of humanity. And you are called to imitate the Lord Himself, as when the sick leper begged Him to heal him in the Gospel reading of today. What was the Lord’s response? The Gospel says:
‘Jesus was deeply moved and He stretched out His hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do want to! Be cleansed and made whole!’
The Lord was moved in His deepest center, both by the plight of the leper and by his pleading. He reached out to the sick man, touching his very being and assuring him, ‘I want to help you; be healed.’
This, beloved Deacon, is your charge on this day. Act out of mercy and compassion for the suffering of others. Reach out to them. Seek them out. And reassure them of your willingness to stand in the breach with them, even when their suffering is repellent. Don’t be afraid. Remember that the opposite of fear is love. Thus, you will always be well-pleasing to the Lord, and you will reflect the Light and Love of Christ in your life and ministry.”
