wfn.org | KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS

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

> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0237
> Web: http://www.goarch.org  - Email: communications@goarch.org

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

> For Immediate Release

> July 5, 2010

KEYNOTE ADDRESS OF ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS ENERGIZES
DELEGATES AT 40TH BIENNIAL CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS

ATLANTA ? The 40th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox 
Archdiocese of America officially began its work this morning at the Marriott 
Marquis Hotel. It was highlighted by the Keynote Address of His Eminence 
Archbishop Demetrios of America to the more than one thousand participants 
during a combined opening session of Clergy-Laity Congress and National 
Philoptochos delegates.

Archbishop Demetrios explained how the theme of the previous Congress Gather My People to My 
Home, because of its vital importance is carried through to this 40th Clergy-Laity and 
augmented with the invitational short phrase Come and See. He stated, â??Come and See has 
two significant parts and two distinct voices. The first part is the voice of God, calling us 
directly to the work of going out and gathering His people to His home.   The second part of 
the theme is our own voice as we address those whom we want to bring to Godâ??s house 
with the words Come and See.â??
(see full text of Keynote Address: www.goarch.org/news/2010congresskeynote )

The Archbishop posed a series of questions and made several observations on how the charge of the previous Congress was 
implemented at all levels of our Church asking, â??What has been our harvest?â?? He further stated that the 
theme Gather My People to My Home - Come and See â??is not limited to our own Archdiocese with her Metropolises 
and parishes.  This is a pan-Orthodox call and duty.â?? He concluded by saying that â??we enter a new period 
of challenges,â?? and â??It is time for action.  Time to gather the people of God to His Home, always with 
Christ as His co-workers in sowing the truth, in spreading healing and in promoting life.  This is the time for 
salvation of the world!â??

The opening ceremony began with a prayer service, followed by welcoming remarks 
from the two co-chairs of the Congress William Marianes and Nick Moraitakis.  
Immediately following, Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta addressed all the 
participants and honored guests of the opening ceremony offering words of 
pastoral love and care.

With his remarks, the Vice-Chairman of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Jaharis made a very thorough 
assessment of â??the remarkable achievements of the last ten yearsâ?? and elaborated on the 
potential for â??the continued strength and growth of our Church.â??  Mr. Jaharis said he believes 
that â??the single largest challenge we face is how to keep the faithful ? especially our young people - 
engaged annd active in the Church. The growth and future of our Church in America depends on our ability to 
keep our young people actively involved and engaged in our Church and community and also our ability to 
welcome those who wish to convert to Greek Orthodoxy as their spiritual path.â??

Aphrodite Skeadas, the President of the National Ladies Philoptochos Society 
offered greetings on behalf of the 25,000 women represented in this vibrant, 
philanthropic organization of our Church in America.

The patriarchal representative, Archbishop Irenaios of Crete conveyed the paternal and patriarchal greetings and 
blessings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and read the Ecumenical Patriarchâ??s Message 
to the Congress. His All Holiness conveyed his personal observations during his visit to the United States last 
October. â??We witnessed the increased participation of the faithful in the whole life of the Church, both in 
numbers and spiritual depth, the consolation and assistance of the needy, the spread of the Gospel message, the 
safekeeping of the holy Greek Orthodox traditions and values, and the multiple ways the Church in America has 
fulfilled her ecclesiastical ministry.â?? He also points out that â??the Holy Archdiocese of America 
ranks firstâ?? among the Eparchies of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and expressing his paternal love, states: 
â??You are bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, and, thus, the love we feel for you never 
diminishes!â?? (See full text: www.goarch.org/news/congresspatriarchaladdress )

Immediately following the opening ceremony, the Metropolitans of the Holy 
Eparchial Synod held separate hierarchal sessions in which the theme of the 
Congress was further discussed and analyzed giving the opportunity to the 
delegates to exchange experiences, and new ideas and benefit from the guidance 
of the hierarchs.

During the course of the day several meetings and forums took place including: 
Philoptochos General Assembly, Chancellors Meeting, and meetings of the 
Archdiocese Benefits Office, Church Musicians, Sisterhood of Presvyteres, 
Administration Committee and two strategic forums on Orthodoxy and the Orthodox 
reality in America.

Later in the evening the participants were offered a unique opportunity to visit and 
tour the renowned Georgia Aquarium, where a social event and dinner concluded the 
dayâ??s events.

For texts of the Keynote Address and Patriarchal Message, photos, daily 
updates, and schedules, visit the Congress web site at www.clergylaity.org.

> Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America