wfn.org | GOAA - NEWLY PPOINTED ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL BOARD INSTALLED

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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
October 1, 2002

		  NEWLY APPOINTED ARCHDIOCESAN COUNCIL AND
	   NATIONAL PHILOPTOCHOS BOARD INSTALLED AT FALL MEETINGS

New York, NY ? His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek
Orthodox Church in America, convened meetings of the newly appointed
Archdiocesan Council and Ladies Philoptochos National Board on September
27th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

In his address to the opening joint session of the 2002-2004 Archdiocesan
Council and Philoptochos Board, His Eminence welcomed the delegates and
noted that for the purpose of continuity and in recognition of the positive
contributions of the previous Council and Philoptochos Board relatively few
changes were made.  He emphasized the need to continue the significant work
that has been done during the past two years in all areas of the life of
the Church in America. Further, His Eminence announced that Mr. Michael
Jaharis would continue as vice-chairman of the Archdiocesan Council and
welcomed Mrs. Georgia Skeadas as the new president of the National
Philoptochos.
During the session, the Archbishop read the letter of His All Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, sent on the occasion of the Council
meeting.  The letter praised the manner in which the 36th Biennial Clergy
Laity Congress was conducted and thanked the participants for the respect
and love shown toward the Patriarchate.  Further, His All Holiness
acknowledged the receipt of the proposals of the Congress regarding the
Charter, and he affirmed that they would be considered and studied so that
the final text of the Charter "constitutes a progressive step for the Holy
Archdiocese," providing "her with opportunities to develop further her
potential?."  (The full text of the letter is attached to the on-line
version of this release at www.goarch.org)

Following welcoming comments by Mr. Jaharis, reports were given on the
areas of the ministry of the Archdiocese that were highlighted in the
keynote address of the Archbishop at the Clergy Laity Congress in Los
Angeles. Fr. Nicholas Triantafilou, president of Hellenic College/Holy
Cross School of Theology, gave an encouraging report on the progress of
HC/HC, highlighted by the announcement that full accreditation for both
schools had been approved and that enrollment had reached record levels for
the second consecutive year.  Reports and updates were also given by Fr.
Mark Leondis, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Fr. Nektarios
Morrow, Director of Communications, Mrs. Maria Makedon, Archdiocesan
District Coordinator of Greek Education, Fr. Frank Marangos, Director of
Religious Education, and Fr. Charles Joanides, Department of Family and
Marriage. (Reports of the departments, institutions, and ministries of the
Archdiocese will be available on-line by October 7 at
www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/administration/council/).  The Finance Report
was given by Mr. John Barbagallo, Director of the Finance Department.  He
emphasized the need for parishes to fulfill their stewardship commitments
so that the resources are available at the Archdiocesan and Diocesan level
for the proper function of our ministries.  He also announced that the
financial statements of the Archdiocese for 2000-2001 are now available
on-line (www.goarch.org/en/archdiocese/departments/finance/reports.asp).

At the meetings, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios led members of both the
Council and the Philoptochos Board in the affirmation of office and
announced the Executive Committees of both bodies.  Members of the
Executive Board of the Archdiocesan Council chaired by His Eminence
Archbishop Demetrios include: the Eparchial Synod, Michael Jaharis,
vice-chairman; Nicholas G. Bouras, treasurer; Catherine Bouffides-Walsh,
secretary; and George Behrakis, John Collis, Peter Dion, John Pappajohn,
John Payiavlas and Anthony Stefanis.

The Executive Committee of the National Philoptochos Board, led by Georgia
Skeadas, includes: Maria Logus, first vice president; Susan Regos, second
vice president; Froso Beys, third vice president; Arlene Siavelis,
secretary; Aspasia Melis, Greek secretary; Aphrodite Skeadas, treasurer;
Pauline O'Neal, asst. treasurer; Hon. Yorka Linakis, legal advisor;
Kassandra Romas, parliamentarian; Helen Demos, protocol officer; Georgia
Vlitas, chairman of standing committees; and also, as an advisor, honorary
past president, Eve Condakes.

The next schedule sessions of the Archdiocesan Council and the National
Board of the Ladies Philoptochos Society will be in the Spring of 2003.

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