Posted on 12/04/2004 9:44:31 AM PST by ezfindit
The items on the table in the church lobby told only parts of Orthodox Marine Lance Cpl. Dimitrios Gavriel's life. Two Purple Hearts commendations — one for an injury he received in Iraq on Nov. 12, the other for the wounds that would prove fatal just a week later in Fallujah, a hot spot of insurgency in the war. He will be buried tomorrow at Arlington National Cemetery.
But yesterday, an estimated 1,000 people, including former teammates, current wrestlers and fraternity brothers from Brown University, filled Holy Apostles Sts. Peter and Paul Greek Orthodox Church. They crowded into its choir loft and the church hall downstairs, where they watched on video provided by the local cable-access station.
More of Gavriel's story unfolded inside the church, where he was remembered as someone who took his responsibility to others so seriously that, after losing two friends in the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, he left a six-figure job as a research equity analyst on Wall Street to go to war at age 29.
Archbishop Metropolitan Methodios of the Archdiocese of Boston likened Gavriel's sacrifice to that of Jesus, who a few days before his crucifixion told his disciples, fearful of losing him, "Greater love hath no man than the man who lays down his life for his friends."
"I'm sure those words were etched in the soul and the heart and the mind of this young man," said the archbishop, who presided over the funeral service along with 11 other priests, including Father George Tsoukalis of Lynn, Mass., who once served at Holy Apostles, and his cousin, Chris Synodrinos. Others came from other Greek Orthodox congregations around the region.
(Excerpt) Read more at orthodoxnet.com ...
Orthodox ping. May his memory be eternal.
Truly a great American, A hero for our time.
+Methodios has been so vocal in his support of the troops, and his love and respect for all of them, I suspect this young hero's sacrifice both broke his heart and filled him with pride and thanksgiving. The local Greek newspaper ran a front page article about this young man. He sounds like he was a great fellow. We owe our freedom to him and to the hundreds of thousands of others who have fallen throughout our history. May his memory be eternal and his parents comforted!
May his memor be eternal.
Thanks for posting, EZ.
I'm with you there. Have been wiping tears ourselves since reading about this hero.
I know what your are saying. You know . . . I don't know how to describe these individuals - "hero" starts to seem trite. God puts some very special people on this earth, who guided by a higher calling to serve others sacrifice themselves - yes, Jesus did that, as the priest noted - but these people are not divine, they're only human . . . yet something distinguishes them from me. Their selflessness is awe-inspiring, admittedly embarrassing me greatly, but most importantly for me, it touches my soul. I hope that one day this 40 year old man can have 1/2 the compassion, certitude, patriotism and, most importantly, love exhibited by these 19, 20 and, in this case, 31 year old Americans. May God keep and comfort him and his family.
Let me know how you did that. Mine stays stuck these days.
Just another anecdote - I read a story last night about a 24 or 25 year old Marine - graduated from Annapolis, was a football player (although didn't start) - died in Iraq, in Fallujah. I would urge you all to try and find this story - another incredible human being. Knowing that this man will never have children or kiss his mom again or throw a ball with his dad or hold his girlfriend tight again, just tears me up. And, yet, I know what we are doing is right and what makes these men and women so noble is that despite the odds that seemingly grow day by day that they might be injured or killed, they know the mission is right, too.
Doesn't stop me from sobbing every time I read about a boy from Amarillo or Mt. Pleasant.
God, please show the wisdom of freedom and democracy to this war-torn land, sooner rather than later. Please show these frightened people that we care, that our soldiers are there to help them someday soon realize the beauty of their land, the strength of their people and the bounty found in their human spirit. Calm their fears and give assurance. And, then God, send our men and women home. Amen.
"Aionia tou i mnimi"
Eternal be his memory (in Greek)
And to all our heroes putting their lives on the line so that we can live freely, free from the dark forces that are loose on this earth.
http://www.soldiersangels.org/heroes/default.php
May he rest in the bosom of Christ and the tender care of the Most Holy Mother of God and Lady Theotokos.
May his memory be ETERNAL!
Memory eternal
Amen
Once the Trisagions offered specifically for Dimitrios have run their course, it would be a good time to dust off the Slavic "For Orthodox Warriors" variant of the Trisagion Prayers for the Departed and start using it at appropriate times in our parishes.
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