Bishop Demetrios C. Kantzavelos is an ordained bishop, social activist, and leader in the Orthodox Christian Church. He is the former chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago and an auxiliary bishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. He resides in Chicago, Illinois. Patra Mcsharry Sevastiades, who began her professional career editing scientific papers by Soviet emigre scientists, is the author of several children's nonfiction books, including The Vietnam Veterans Memorial and The Hoover Dam. She edited Apocalypse: The Book of Revelation and The Gospel of Love: A Meta-Translation.
A compelling account of faith in action. -- George Stephanopoulos, co-anchor on Good Morning America, host of ABC’s This Week, former Democratic political advisor Rise Up is an excellent, highly personal introduction to social ministry grounded in Christian faith. Bishop Demetrios Kantzavelos of the Greek Orthodox Church recounts how—surprisingly—he became deeply involved in ministry to persons living with AIDS and in opposition to the death penalty. His compelling story is a call for all followers of the risen Christ to ‘rise up’ on behalf of life in God’s interdependent creation. It is a particular challenge to churches like his own that have, at times, focused inwardly to the detriment of their social engagement. Social ministry, he argues, is not breaking with the tradition of the church, it is reclaiming it….I recommend Rise Up highly to anyone interested in the church and its ministries of justice, service, and peace. -- Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, former General Secretary, National Council of Churches