wfn.org | THE 40TH CLERGY LAITY CONGRESS BEGINS WITH THE DIVINE LITURGY

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

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> Contact: PRESS OFFICE
> Stavros Papagermanos
> pressoffice@goarch.org

> July 4, 2010

THE 40TH CLERGY LAITY CONGRESS BEGINS WITH THE DIVINE LITURGY IN ATLANTA?S 
ANNUNCIATION CATHEDRAL

ATLANTA ? The 40th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox 
Archdiocese of America was inaugurated today with the Orthros service and 
Hierarchical Divine Liturgy held in Atlanta?s Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the 
Annunciation.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presided over the Divine Liturgy 
concelebrating with the Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the 
Archdiocese. Taking part in the Liturgy were His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos 
of Chicago, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, His Eminence 
Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver, His Eminence Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, 
His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, His Eminence Metropolitan 
Gerasimos of San Francisco, and His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos of New 
Jersey. Metropolitan Maximos of Pittsburgh was not able to be present.

His Eminence Metropolitan Irenaios of Crete, representative of the Ecumenical 
Patriarchate to the Congress attended the Liturgy from the Solea along with 
Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras and Bishops John of Amorion, Savas of 
Troas, Andonios of Phasiane and Demetrios of Mokissos.

Also concelebrating the Divine Liturgy were The Very Reverend Sevastianos 
Skordallos, Chief Secretary of the Eparchial Synod, The Very Reverend 
Archimandrite Grigorios Tatsis; Protopresbyter Fr. George Tsahakis, Chancellor 
of the Metropolis of Atlanta; Fr. George Alexson, Dean of the Annunciation 
Cathedral; Fr. Stavros Tsichlis, president of the Archdiocesan Presbyters 
Council; Fr. Theodore Barbas, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Boston; Fr. Luke 
Uhl, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Denver; archdeacon Panteleimon 
Papadopoulos, archdeacon Michael Diamond, archdeacon Ryan Rafael Gzikowski and 
deacon Vasilios  Louros.

Archbishop Demetrios of America spoke to the hundreds of faithful attending the 
Liturgy both in the Cathedral and the adjoining church hall were the video of 
the liturgy was transmitted simultaneously.

The Archbishop first expressed the gratitude we all should have for God?s 
blessings and gifts of freedom and creativity, especially on the 4th of July 
for the gift of liberty we as Americans enjoy. His Eminence made reference to 
the epistle reading of the day (Romans 12:6-14), which precisely talks about 
the ?charismata? (grace) given to all of us from God. These ?charismata? help 
the believers grow in the grace of Christ, said the Archbishop noting that ?we 
are the people of great gifts from Christ? and in that spirit we should offer 
this 40th Clergy Laity Congress as a hymn of praise to God.?

The representative of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Archbishop Irenaios of Crete 
conveyed the paternal and patriarchal greetings and blessings of His All 
Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. In his paternal words to the 
faithful the visiting hierarch said he feels the closeness and unity between 
the orthodox faithful here in America and his flock in Crete and all the 
Orthodox around the world.

A Doxology service followed on the occasion of July 4th ? Independence Day, and 
a southern style barbecue was offered for all in the adjoining facilities of 
the Cathedral community.

Later in the afternoon Archbishop Demetrios was joined by the other hierarchs 
and Leadership 100 Chairman Constantine Caras for the cutting of the ribbon at 
the official opening of the Congress Exhibit Hall. Leadership 100 provided the 
underwriting for the exhibit area, which features numerous booths with vendors 
from the United States, Canada, Greece, and Cyprus and includes a ministry 
pavilion which highlights the national ministries of the  Archdiocese.

Following the opening of the exhibit area, Archbishop Demetrios attended the 
opening ceremony of the National Philoptochos Conference, which coincides with 
the Clergy-Laity meetings. Archbishop Irenaios read the Patriarchal Message. 
Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas presented the accomplishments of the 
last two years and thanked among others Bishop Andonios of Phasiane for his 
leadership and spiritual guidance.

Immediately after, His Eminence accompanied again by Archbishop Irenaios of 
Crete, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Patras and 
the other Metropolitans of the Eparchial Synod attended a reception and 
presentation of the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, where a 
choir performed several hymns.  The Order of St. Andrew
- Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America also held a reception and a 
very informative presentation on the issues concerning our Ecumenical 
Patriarchate, attended by Archbishop Demetrios, many hierarchs and other 
Archons and delegates.

Daily coverage of the events of the Congress will be available on the web site 
of the Archdiocese at www.goarch.org. Congress information, reports, and 
programs are available at www.clergylaity.org
<http://www.clergylaity.org> .

Photos of the events are available at www.photos.goarch.org.

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