The 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America concluded Thursday evening, July 4, 2024 in San Diego, after four days of workshops, panels, committee meetings and two plenary sessions, with the Grand Banquet where more than 1300 people from across the country, including attendees from the Clergy-Laity Congress, National Philoptochos Convention and the Young Adult Conference (YAL) gathered as one body in Christ.

The Banquet on the lawn overlooking the beautiful San Diego marina began with the Presentation of Colors and the Greek and American National Anthems. Master of Ceremonies Robert Krantz introduced Michele Patzakis and Constantine Pappas who performed a selection of patriotic music.

 The Congress Co-Chairs Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas and Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis, all members of Leadership 100 with Gerry serving on the Board of Trustees, gave remarks thanking all of those who have contributed their time, talents, and treasure to make this week both informative and enjoyable. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, host Metropolitan, gave his closing remarks—thanking all involved for a successful Clergy-Laity Congress, with a special thanks to the Metropolis of San Francisco Director of Development and Communications Kristen Bruskas--followed by Patriarchal Representatives Their Eminences Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain and Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia

Archbishop Elpidophoros honored the Director of Special Events, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarch Fr. Evagoras Constantinides for his work organizing and facilitating the 2024 Congress.

The Grand Banquet concluded with the “Big Bay Boom,” the exciting fireworks display provided by the city of San Diego on the waterfront across the lawn where Congress participants came together in fellowship as the Congress closed.

The Congress included full days of workshops, panels, and committee sessions, and two plenary sessions, in the first of which presentations were offered by Archdiocesan departments— including the Archdiocesan Presbyter’s Council, the National Sisterhood of the Presvyteres, the Retired Clergy Association of America, Saint Basil Academy, Communications, Youth and Young Adult Ministries (Y2AM) and Youth Safety, FREEDOM National Ministry, Military and Institutional Chaplains, Parish Planned Giving, Religious Education, and Greek Education. Affiliated institutions and organizations also presented, among them Leadership 100, St. Photios National Shrine (Florida), St. Nicholas National Shrine (New York), Hellenic College Holy Cross, and the Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. 

Demetrios G. Logthetis, Chairman of Leadership 100, who at the Exhibit Hall Opening Ceremony, on Sunday, June 30, had joined in cutting the ribbon, which was funded by Leadership 100, remarked that that he was privileged to address the gathering on the historic occasion of the 40th Anniversary of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Fund. He said that Leadership 100 has not only supported the vital National Ministries of the Archdiocese and its institutions, most importantly Hellenic College Holy Cross, but in consideration of the ongoing needs of our Church, is launching the Leadership 100 +Fund, an unrestricted Fund, separate from membership contributions in the Endowment Fund, which may be utilized to further support the National Ministries of the Archdiocese and other projects that advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism.

Logothetis also noted that since its founding in 1984, Leadership 100 has contributed almost $77 million in total grants and continues its annual support, having contributed $27 million in grants to Hellenic College Holy Cross to provide scholarships for young men who are preparing for the Holy Priesthood.  

The highlight of the second plenary session was the report of Elaine Allen, Treasurer of the Archdiocesan Council and Senior Advisor to Archbishop Elpidophoros, who is a member of Leadership 100 along with her husband, Jeffrey.  She first shared the current financial status of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America— one in which, she explained, the Church has become stable, transparent, and accountable in its finances:

Allen pointed out that for six years (2018-2023), the Archdiocese has met its budgets and its revenues have exceeded its expenses; that liquidity has improved; that budgetary controls are in place and operating; that the Archdiocese implemented cost controls with receipt of funds during the pandemic, shared those funds with the Metropolises and certain parishes in financial need; that and that all vendor and Metropolis payments are current. She also reported that the Archdiocese has a mortgage on its property with a remaining balance of $4.4 million at an interest rate of 4% and the Archdiocese also has a line of credit of $5 million, with $2.5 million drawn to support the construction needs of St. Michael’s Home, interest being paid by the Home.

Allen further noted that restricted funds from Leadership 100 and other donors as well as bequests have been served as the “life blood” of the Archdiocese, but they also demonstrate the high level of trust and accountability the Archdiocese has developed with donors. Restricted funds have been used to provide millions of dollars in scholarships to Hellenic College Holy Cross, as well as support of St. Michael’s Home and IT transformation and cybersecurity throughout the Archdiocese.