Notes from GOARCH spring meeting

NEW YORK (GOARCH) – The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America convened for its regular spring meeting May 6-7 in Atlanta, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America. The two-day meeting of the Council took place in the Atlanta Marriott Marquis Hotel, where the 40th Clergy-Laity Congress is scheduled to convene July 4-8 of this year.

The members of the Council heard a total of 12 reports on the National Ministries of the Archdiocese presented by the various council committees.

The Archdiocesan Council confirmed a continuously improving state of the Archdiocese finances demonstrated by a growing trend in revenues, a steady decrease in operating expenses and outstanding obligations. The Members had the opportunity to measure the progress and offer insights and advice on new initiatives and developments.

In his opening remarks, Archbishop Demetrios first thanked all the members for their participation and hard work and conveyed the Patriarchal blessing and greeting of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the members of the Council and all the faithful of the Church in America.

Archbishop Demetrios spoke of two important upcoming events, first the Assembly of Orthodox Canonical Bishops in North and Central America under his chairmanship as the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which will convene in New York May 26-28 and second the 40th Clergy-Laity Congress. He urged the Archdiocesan Council members to encourage and assist the parishes of the Archdiocese to participate in the Clergy-Laity Congress in greater numbers than before. He said that all parishes of the Archdiocese should participate. The invitation as offered in the Gospel of John by Philip to Nathanael “Come and See,” (John 1:46) which is the theme of this year’s Congress, is a continuation of the theme of the last Congress “Gather My People to my Home” and is an invitation to which our parishes should respond first. The Archbishop using St. Paul’s advice urged everyone to “make the most of their time,” be vigilant and alert because as St. Paul says “the days are evil” and require an energetic and positive attitude.

Mr. Michael Jaharis, the vice-president of the Archdiocesan Council, shared his thoughts and observations on the progress of the Archdiocese and reiterated the need for one hundred percent participation in the upcoming Congress. At a later point Mr. Jaharis spoke on the efforts of strengthening the Youth, supporting the Archdiocese youth camps and his particular conviction on this matter as demonstrated by the activities of “Faith: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism.”

The following reports were presented and discussed: Communications, Center for Family Care, Outreach to Intermarried, Technology, Administration, Youth, Camping Ministries and Ionian Village, Finance, Stewardship, Outreach and Evangelism, Greek Education, and Religious Education.

Dr. Anthony Limberakis presented an update on the work of the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Finally Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit made an appeal for support to the special fund established by the Metropolis of Detroit to help the victims of the recent Nashville floods.

In his closing remarks to the members, Archbishop Demetrios stressed the importance and value he places in the programs to strengthen the Youth of the Archdiocese. He also said that in the present universal circumstances we have an increased responsibility to keep and protect and share our faith and our universal Hellenic heritage.