The Spiritual Watch

Below, please find the latest issue of The Spiritual Watch, the official publication of the Metropolis of America, published with the blessings of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America. In The Spiritual Watch, you will find news and information regarding our Holy Metropolis, as well as spiritual writings.

The Spiritual Watch, Vol VII (New: February 24/March 8, 2024)

Quote From the Fathers

I shall speak first about control of the stomach, the opposite to gluttony, and about how to fast and what and how much to eat. I shall say nothing on my own account, but only what I have received from the Holy Fathers. They have not given us only a single rule for fasting or a single standard and measure for eating, because not everyone has the same strength; age, illness or delicacy of body create differences. But they have given us all a single goal: to avoid over-eating and the filling of our bellies... A clear rule for self-control handed down by the Fathers is this: stop eating while still hungry and do not continue until you are satisfied.
—St. John Cassian, On the Eight Vices.

The Metropolitan

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His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America, was born Victor Kiriacou on November 15/28, 1974, in Toronto, Canada, to pious parents Constantine (who was tonsured a monk with the name Naoum prior to his repose) and Chrysoula Kiriacou from Vevi, Florina, Greece. He is the third of three children.

After spending time in the Holy Land and on Mount Athos, he entered the Monastery of the Holy Transfiguration in 1994 and was tonsured, receiving the name Demetrius (named after his ancestor, the priest Demetrius) in honor of St Demetrius of Thessaloniki. He was ordained to the diaconate in 1999, the priesthood in 2005, and the episcopacy in 2006. In September 2012, he was received into the canonical Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians of Greece together with a number of clergy, monastics, and parishes throughout the United States, and elected Bishop of Boston, concelebrating with His Beatitude, Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and all Greece, and those hierarchs with him on September 8/21, 2012. On September 20/October 3, 2012, the feast of St. Eustathios, he was elected Abbot of Holy Ascension Monastery in Bearsville, NY, in the presence of His Beatitude, Archbishop Kallinikos, and five other hierarchs of the Synod from Greece and America. On February 6/19, 2014, he was elected Metropolitan of America.

On Sunday, April 28/May 11, 2014, His Eminence was enthroned as Metropolitan of America at the Cathedral of Saint Markella in Astoria, New York by His Eminence, Metropolitan Gerontios of Piraeus and Salamis, representing Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece and the Holy Synod.

On Tuesday, September 30/October 13th, 2015, the feast of the uncovering of the relics of St John of Shanghai and San Francisco, His Eminence founded the monastery in honor of the same saint, a staunch defender of traditional Orthodoxy. The name of the monastery was chosen by lots, during the Divine Liturgy. The monastery treasures relics, clothing, vestments, personal items, and correspondence of St John, as well as many other holy relics (around 200). It is the residence of His Eminence, who is also functioning as the abbot of the holy monastery.

His Eminence speaks English, Greek, various Slavic languages and some Spanish and French.

About the Church

The Church of the Genuine Orthodox Christians (GOC) of America is The Traditionalist Orthodox Church serving the faithful of North and South America following the old (Julian) calendar. Having its roots in the Diocese of Astoria, founded by Metropolitan Petros (Astyfides) in 1954, it presently consists of two Metropolises (America and Toronto) and two dioceses (Etna and Portland, and Boston), shepherded by five hierarchs, under the Presidency of His Eminence, Metropolitan Demetrius of America.

The Church of the GOC of America is an autonomous Eparchy whose Mother Church is The Holy Synod of the Church of the GOC of Greece, under the Presidency of His Beatitude Archbishop Kallinikos of Athens and All Greece. The bishops belonging to the Eparchial Synod are also members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece. We resist the heresy of Ecumenism.

Orthodox Awareness

The Message of Patriarch Theodore of Alexandra Upon the Feast of Ramadan

The “Father of Fathers, the Thirteenth Apostle and the Judge of the World (as his pheme states), Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodore sent a message to the Muslims of Egypt upon the feast of Ramadan. It is as follows:

“The most sacred month of the Islamic calendar, the chief month of personal worship and great awareness of the Divine for every faithful Muslim ends today with the festive, joyous season of Eid al-Fitr. Read more...

Missions

Saint Matthew the Evangelist, Jonesboro, Arkansas

Jonesboro is a town located near the Eastern border of Arkansas, with a population of approximately 60,000. From a human standpoint, it’s not the most likely candidate for a traditional Orthodox mission, but for an Orthodox Christian who orders his priorities around Christ and His Church, it makes perfect sense. Read more...

Youth

2025 Youth Conference

Please join us for the 2025 youth conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada! To learn more, visit the conference website.

Ask A Priest

Why do we Call Angels “Saint”?

Q. I noticed that we call the angels Michael and Gabriel "Saint." I thought the title "Saint" was only given to humans who have proven themselves Godly. Do you mind clarifying this for me? Is there a deeper meaning to "Saint" that I am not aware of?

-S.L. Read more...