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April 7, 2006
The following remarks of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco were addressed to a standing room only congregation last night
at the Old Holy Trinity Church at 345 Seventh Street, where the faithful gathered for a candlelight Memorial Service, marking the 100th
Anniversary of the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. His Eminence was joined in worship by Chancellor Fr. Demetrios Earl
Cantos, Holy Trinity Pastor Fr. Michael Pappas and St. Michael the Archangel Pastor Fr. Alexios Limonczenko. At that vigil a proclamation
by Mayor Gavin Newsom was read by Fr. Michael and an oil painting by noted artist Gracia Bovis, depicting the rebuilding of Old Holy Trinity
after the Great Earthquake, was unveiled.
Remarks of His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco at the 100 Year Memorial for those who perished in the Great San Francisco
Earthquake and Fire of 1906 at the Old Holy Trinity Church, April 6, 2006:
History is defined in moments of crisis...in moments when human beings respond to the unexpected.
This evening, we the family of the faithful, have gathered for prayer, remembrance and to honor those in our faith community who perished 100
years ago in the unexpected, in the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire. We have also gathered for prayer, remembrance and to honor those
in our faith community whose courage and vision, inspired by God, enabled those who survived to persevere and rebuild.
This precious little church is a powerful icon to all of us of the genesis of the first and oldest Greek community West of the Mississippi
River. It is a concrete testimony to the desire of a people of faith to realize their call and potential to be the Body of Christ.
Not only does Holy Trinity Church claim over a century of history to her credit; not only has she ministered to, given birth to and nurtured
so many other Greek Orthodox parishes in the West; but, she has labored sacrificially, endured and persevered through hardship, yet likewise
always emerged triumphantly in times of trial and stood as a beacon of inspiration to all who struggle. This particular observance bears
witness to these truths!
Our fellowship today, however, is not parochial... Certainly, the mission of the Church is to always pray for and assume the role of steward
of the greater good. Over the next twelve days religious and secular commemorations, as this, will be the prevalent community experience of
the citizens of our great City. In offering this service of memorial, the Church of the Holy Trinity, the Metropolis of San Francisco, and
Orthodox Christianity offer yet another important and precious tile to the greater mosaic of San Francisco history. Our witness today is not
only a reminder of the presence and role which our Greek Orthodox ancestors played in history, but more importantly a call to honor their
memory by emulating their noble example in our own responses to the unexpected, in the history which we will make.
My beloved spiritual children, as the City of San Francisco observes the actual day of the 100th anniversary of the Great Earthquake and
Fire, we the Greek Orthodox faithful will find ourselves in the heart of Great and Holy Week, an observance of more profound significance,
an observance which will put into perspective humanity’s ultimate potential to be delivered from the crises of this world through the
Crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Christ.
It is my humble prayer that the Light of the Resurrection, the Light which dispels all darkness and despair, the Light which you will receive
at the midnight Paschal vigil, a glimmer of which you hold in your hands at this very moment, will embolden you to respond to the unexpected
with confidence and hope, as you follow in the stead of your spiritual ancestors of this holy place and make the history which generations
to come will remember.
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