Ioannis Chrysoulakis, Secretary General for Greeks Abroad of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Leadership 100 Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis, Congress Co-Chair Chrysanthy Demos, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Prodromos Open Exhibit Hall of 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress.

The 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, meeting in New York, concluded on July 7, 2022, after a packed final Plenary Session, during which various institutional organizations shared their progress and their vision for the next 100 years. Presenters included Hellenic College Holy Cross President George Cantonis, Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society National President Arlene Siavelis Kehl, Archon National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis, on behalf of the Order of St. Andrew and the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, and Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis. Archdiocesan Departments, including Inter-Orthodox, Interfaith, and Ecumenical Relations; Benefits Office; Youth and Young Adult Ministries; Camping Ministries; Ionian Village; the Young Adult League (YAL); Religious Education; and Greek Education, among others, also presented.

In his remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said, “Some might say that the labor of this Centennial Clergy-Laity Congress has concluded. But I say to you that the endeavor has only just begun. We assembled in this Congress in a work of exploration: reflecting on the legacy of our past, engaging in renewal in our current moment, and forging even stronger bonds of unity for our future. As a community, we are as diverse as any other in the United States. We need to own this, and not allow it to own us.”

The Finance Committee also announced that the Archdiocese had achieved financial stability, with revenues exceeding expenses from 2018 to 2021, and budgetary controls in place and operating. Cost controls and CARES Act funding—an anticipated $6 million of which was shared with Metropolises and parishes—allowed the Archdiocese to manage the pandemic while delivering on its priorities. Moreover, in response to the pandemic, a portion of the CARES Act funding was shared with parishes in 2020, and a portion of the CARES Act funding was shared with Metropolises in 2021. The Archdiocese Covid-19 Relief Fund provided over $600,000 in financial assistance to 350 individuals and families, and $450,000 in parish relief was provided based on Metropolis assessment of need.

The Committee also reported a total of $1.1 million dollars raised by the Archdiocese as part of its 2021 Greek Fires Response, which, in collaboration with the IOCC, supports the immediate and long-term needs of those affected. The GOARCH Ukraine Relief Fund, also launched by Archbishop Elpidophoros in March 2022 in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has raised $925,000 in conjunction with the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, which raised $275,000 of the total funds.

A Grand Banquet followed in the evening, with over 1200 delegates and guests in attendance to celebrate a fruitful Centennial Congress, which saw the long-awaited Consecration of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, concurrent and historic national conventions for the Ladies Philoptochos Society and YAL, and a Special Plenary on the Charter of the Archdiocese.

Centennial National Chairman and Chairman Emeritus of Leadership 100 Argyris Vassiliou and Leadership 100 Executive Director Paulette Poulos, center, with, left to right, Leadership 100 Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis, George Patoulis, Regional Governor of Attica, Greece, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan Prodromos Open Centennial History Exhibit at 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress.

Patriarchal Representatives, their Eminences Elder-Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Metropolitan Prodromos of Rethymnon and Avlopotamos; the Ambassador of Greece to the US, Her Excellency Alexandra Papadopoulou; the Vice-Chair of the Archdiocesan Council, John Catsimatidis; the National Philoptochos President, Arlene Siavelis Kehl; and the Congress Co-Chairs, Chrysanthy Demos and Nicholas Karacostas, offered remarks. Also among the speakers was former Governor of New York George Pataki, who was honored by the Archbishop for his support in the rebuilding of the St. Nicholas Church as a National Shrine.

In his Keynote Address, the Archbishop also recognized as Centennial Honorees the Vice-Chairs of the Archdiocesan Council, John Catsimatidis, George Tsandikos, Demetrios Moschos, and the late Michael Jaharis, the longtime General Counsel of the Archdiocese, the late Emanuel Demos, the Centennial Congress Co-Chairs and their spouses, Chrysanthy and George Demos and Nicholas and Anna Karacostas, and four “intrepid workers” of the Archdiocese, Marissa Costidis, Maria Andriotis, Jamil Samara, and Theo Nickolakis.

His Eminence recognized the two living former Archbishops of America, Spyridon and Demetrios, in attendance at the Opening, as Centennial Honorees: “Having these two former Archbishops of America with us is a tremendous honor, as it offers us an even better glimpse into the history of our Church here in America. What I am trying to say is that their presence here at our Centennial Clergy-Laity Congress affirms the continuation of our unity, as well as the perpetuation of the spiritual bonds of our faith and leadership through the ages."

At the Opening Exhibits of the Congress, which were underwritten by Leadership 100, the Archbishop recognized as Centennial Honorees, Demetrios G. Logothetis, Leadership 100 Chairman, Paulette Poulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100, along with Nikie Calles, formerly Director of Archives of the Archdiocese. He also honored Leadership 100 Chairman Emeritus Constantine G. Caras and Leadership 100 Vice Chairman James Pantelidis as Centennial Honorees at the AHEPA event.

A Centennial Honoree is a person who has contributed significantly to the life of the Archdiocese; who has served with distinction and on the front lines; who has given true stewardship of time, talent, and treasure to the Archdiocese; and who is the true Icon of a faithful member of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.