Repository of DUTH

Η συμβολή του Οικουμενικού Πατριαρχείου στη συνοχή των Ελλήνων της διασποράς, σε συνάρτηση με το έργο του (αρχές 20ού αιώνα μέχρι σήμερα) (Doctoral thesis)

Θεοδοσόπουλος, Γεώργιος/ Theodosopoulos, Georgios

The purpose of the present doctoral dissertation was, through a research and a scientific process and my personal experience, to be found out, if the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople (EPC) – according to Its spiritual jurisdiction – has contributed to the cohesion of the Greek Orthodox Christians of Diaspora to America, Europe and Australia (from the beginning of the 20th century to today). The issue of the dissertation has not focused the interest of many relevant Greek researchers and university professors, except a few exceptions. This reason gave a special interest and originality to the present research-scientific work . The research was long and its findings were extremely positive and encouraging. Were examined, first, the periods of the organized Greek migration flows, first of all, to the more developed industrialized countries of the above Continents (chapter 1), second, the periods of establishment and activation of Greek Immigrants in them, also, their professional, scientific, political recognition, financial reputation and religious prestige, without they to bε assimilated from the multicultural national environments of the Countries, which were welcomed, hosted and included them – with legal procedures – to the potential of their citizens (chapter 2), third, the spiritual jurisdiction of the EPC, over all the orthodox ecclesiastical establishments in the areas where the expatriates (omogeneis) live [Archdioceses, Metropises, Parishes and Holy Monasteries] (chapter 3), fourth, the spiritual jurisdiction of the EPC over all the Orthodox Christians of Diaspora (chapter 4), fifth, the present of the EPC, for a century, in the everyday life of the expatriates (omogenon), by the establishment (i) 4 Archdioceses, (ii) 22 Metropolises (except the 8 Holy Metropolises of the GOAA) , (iii) 1341 Parishes/Communities, (iv) 48 Holy Monasteries, (v) 56 Chapels, (vi) many hundreds of Greek Parochial Schools of Elementary and Secondary Education, (vii) three Schools of Theology, (vii) one Greek College, (ix) many Department of Greek Language and Special Graduate Theological Programs in affiliated Universities to the EPC, in America, Australia and Europe, (x) many Cultural and Sport Centers in every Parish/Community, also, (xi) 1370 Associations of Poor Brotherhoods (Philoptochos fraternity) in Parishes/Communities, Metropolises, Archdioceses, etc. The soul potential of all above activities of the EPC consists (1) Clergymen (65 Bishops, 1300 Priests – 113 are unmarried – who offer their Service (Diakonia) permanently, at any post, and who come from Greece, from the Lost Homelands and from the Countries where expatriates (omogeneis) stay and live, 2) Educators, expatriates (omogeneis) and from Greece, 3) Laymen Volunteers – men and women – who offer their services (diakonia) in different administrative post and in other activities at the Parishes/Communities, Metropolises and Archdioceses. Also, Is described and analyzed the whole completed work of all the above persons (organizational, administrative, worship, pastoral, educational and charity) under the auspices of the EPC (chapter 5), and sixth, the presence 1st of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Greece (AOCG). The AOEE was, for a century, the most important helper of the EPC. The majority of Bishops and parochial clergymen came from the AOEE, 2nd of the Greek State (GS). The GS, through the establishment Embassies and Consulates, is appreciated that it has contributed to the perennial attempt of the EPC to ensure the cohesion of the Greeks in Diaspora, and, 3rd the work of the expatriates (Omogenon) volunteers. The contribution all of the above agents, constitutes an optimistic presupposition that their expectancies, of the AOEE, of the GS and, especially of the EPC will be justified in the future (chapter 6). The Epilogue of our dissertation is absolutely clear, based on undoubtedly, documented and transparent historically and scientifically of its findings, which make quite clear the intangible, unsleeping and renovationally contribution of the EPC to the cohesion of the Greeks in Diaspora. It is emphasized that the EPC remains the only essential factor for the Greeks in Diaspora, assisted by the AOEE and by the Greek State.