News and Messages - Clergy-Laity
Archbishop Elpidophoros and Delegation from the Archdiocese visit the site of the 45th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress and 2020 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention
Cleveland rolled out the red carpet on December 16, 2019 when His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited Cleveland, Ohio in the Holy Metropolis of Pittsburgh to conduct a site visit of next summer’s joint Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention. More »
From Wedgies to Widgets: Bullying in the Age of Technology
Bullying is an age old issue that has found a new platform: cyberspace. What once necessitated bold face-to-face interaction now lurks in the shadowy solace of cellphones and computers. It begins at school, on the playground, and at GOYA but now continues into our homes and safe spaces. More »
Message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the 44th Clergy Laity Congress
Video Message By His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Opening of the 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America More »
Greek Orthodox officials to gather for biennial meeting
Officials from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will be gathering in Massachusetts for a national meeting. The organization's 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress is expected to draw delegates from parishes across the country to downtown Boston starting Sunday. More »
Boston Host Committee for Greek Orthodox Church’s 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Prepares for National Convention in July
The Host Committee for the 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOAA) continues to prepare for the upcoming gathering of delegates from parishes throughout the United States, which will convene July 1-5, 2018, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Concurrently with the Clergy-Laity Congress, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society will convene its Biennial National Convention in the same venue. More »
Clergy-Laity Congress Theme Article – Part 2
When we meet in Boston for our Clergy-Laity Congress, let us be led by God, inspired by our faith, and emboldened by our potential to accomplish the impossible. Let us come together as brothers and sisters in Christ from throughout our Holy Archdiocese and gather in worship, prayer, and unity in our commitment to our sacred work. More »
Arthur C. Anton Sr., Named Honorary Chairman of 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress
Arthur C. Anton Sr., renowned philanthropist and founding member of the League of Greek Orthodox Stewards (today known as Leadership 100 Endowment Fund) will serve as honorary chairman of the 44th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which will convene in Boston, July 1-5, 2018. More »
All Things are Possible to the One Who Believes in Christ
Throughout the Holy Scriptures we see the power and potential of faith. Faith is shown in the marvelous works of God among His people and the amazing miracles of Christ. Through His life and ministry and His glorious Resurrection, we see that through faith we can have life and have it abundantly. More »
Address of the Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council - Mr. Michael Jaharis - to the 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress
Address of the Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council - Mr. Michael Jaharis - to the 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress More »
Vice President Biden addresses Clergy Laity Banquet expressing support for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Cyprus and Greece
Vice President Joe Biden addressed the delegates of the 42nd Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, last night, at the Grand Banquet, held in the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. More »
Greeting by His Eminence Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos on behalf of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Clergy-Laity Congress of the Holy Archdiocese of America
The Ecumenical Patriarchate, to which all of us have the distinct privilege to belong, follows with particular concern the spiritual path of this great and populous Eparchy of the Throne, the Holy Archdiocese of America, and boasts in the name of Christ that the seeds of the Gospel have been systematically sown and the vineyard planted by God in the New World is being cultivated and produces much fruit, as well as that – together united under the leadership of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America – both clergy and laity are making progress, imbued with faith and courage, on the path that leads to the Kingdom of God. On this path, the Mother Church of Constantinople is always beside you, morally uplifting you with all the spiritual means at its disposal. More »
Homily of His Eminence Metropolitan Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos
We are here to be together with you and to exchange perspectives on pastoral concerns and topics that concern the relations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese with the other Orthodox church communities, as well as with members of other Christian confessions and religions, in order to address contemporary issues of society. We have the opportunity to feel the pulse of the youth, to share the concerns of the members of the National Philoptochos Society for the alleviation of human suffering, but also to witness the work of the members of the Archdiocesan Council and the representatives of the Parish Councils for the stability and cohesive functioning of the Archdiocese as a whole and of its local administrative infrastructures. More »
Grand Banquet of 42nd Clergy Laity Congress to be Carried Live on the Website of the Archdiocese
The Grand Banquet of the 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will be broadcast live on the Internet starting at 7:45 pm. Vice President Joe Biden will be present and deliver remarks. More »
Plenary Session of 42nd Clergy-Laity Congress Concludes, Delegates Approve Budget and Resolutions
The plenary session of the 42nd Clergy-Laity Congress concluded Wednesday July 9, after several days of forums, meetings of committees, and workshops. The session consisted of reports from committees, ministries, and affiliated organizations and institutions of the Church. The reports presented and discussed were by the following: Administration, Finance, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, Philanthropy, Chaplaincy, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Leadership 100, Religious Education, Hellenic College Holy Cross, Center for Family Care, Communications, Marriage and Family, and Greek Education. More »
42nd Clergy Laity Congress Delegates Explore Questions of Family and Faith
The delegates of the 42nd Clergy Laity Congress explored during this second full day of deliberations, the complex issues affecting the Orthodox Christian Family based on the theme,“The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel.” More »
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Addresses CLC Opening via Remote Video Conferencing, Archbishop Demetrios Officially Opens 42nd Clergy-Laity with Keynote Address
PHILADELPHIA – His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed from the Phanar in Constantinople the delegates of the 42nd Clergy-Laity Congress via remote video-conferencing and conveyed his greetings and his Patriarchal blessings to all attending the official opening at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel. More »
Message of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the 42nd Clergy-Laity Congress in Philadelphia
This Clergy Laity Congress, in which participate as representatives and visual presence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and your Patriarch Who loves you all, Their Eminences Metropolitans of Belgium and Kallioupolis and Madytos, brothers Athenagoras and Stephanos, respectively, the latter being our own Chancellor, has chosen as its focal point of examination the theme: The Orthodox Christian Family: A dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel, which is timely and very important, especially now, during the ongoing development of humanity. More »
Keynote Address of Archbishop Demetrios at the Opening of the 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress
I greet you warmly and I have the great honor and joy to welcome you and convey to you the wholehearted paternal blessings and deep love of His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. He is with us in spirit offering to Christ his patriarchal prayers for abundant blessings from Christ upon our Assembly. More »
42nd Clergy-Laity Congress Begins with Divine Liturgy in the Cathedral of St. George
The 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America began today with the Orthros service and Hierarchical Divine Liturgy held in the historic Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Saint George of Philadelphia with hundreds of faithful in attendance. More »
Vice President Joe Biden to Deliver Remarks at the Clergy Laity Grand Banquet in Philadelphia
Vice President Joe Biden will deliver remarks at the Grand Banquet of the 42nd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on the evening of July 9. More »
The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel - Part IV
In this final article on our theme, our focus is on the vital role of the Orthodox Christian family as a witness of the Gospel of Christ. When the family is connected to God, and the lives and home of the family are filled with the presence of Christ, the family will offer a true and beautiful witness of the grace, life, joy, and love that is presented in the Gospel. More »
The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel - Part III
For the Orthodox Christian family, being connected to God means that the family is the dwelling of Christ. First, in this Paschal Season we must affirm that in the Risen Lord and the power of His Resurrection we find true life. This is life that is free from corruption and death. It is an abundant life that overcomes sin and evil. It is life that is filled with the grace of God and seeks His will. When the family is connected to God, Christ is welcomed and recognized in its midst. Family members live and share in the life that is given to them by Him. His holiness and power is known. His love is felt and shared. More »
The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel - Part II
We continue our reflections on the theme for our upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress by focusing on the identity, character, and life of the Orthodox Christian family. As Orthodox Christians we are blessed with a beautiful and rich spiritual heritage that offers us tremendous guidance and resources for strengthening and ministering to the family. In the previous article in this series, we emphasized the biblical basis of this heritage from the Old Testament, the life of Christ and the identity of the family in the early Church. More »
The Orthodox Christian Family: A Dwelling of Christ and a Witness of His Gospel - Part I
We anticipate with joy our gathering in Philadelphia this coming July for the 42nd Biennial Clergy Laity-Congress of our Holy Archdiocese of America. We pray for the blessings and grace of God as we make our preparations for this tremendous opportunity to review the progress of our sacred work, evaluate the use of our resources and efforts, and deepen our commitment to sharing the Gospel and extending the healing ministry of the Church. More »