46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress

Schedule

July 3-7, 2022
Marriott Marquis New York
“Legacy, Renewal, Unity”

The Clergy-Laity Congress Committee, under the direction of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and Co-Chaired by Chrysanthy Demos and Nick Karacostas, continues its preparation of this summer’s Centennial Congress. While preparing this historic Centennial Congress, His Eminence’s theme of “Legacy, Renewal, Unity” has been built into all parts of the program.

Celebrating 100 years of the Archdiocese, this Clergy-Laity Congress will embrace and honor our past while at the same time plant the seeds for the next 100 years. At the same time as the Clergy-Laity Congress, the National Philoptochos will be conducting their Biennial Convention. Preceding the Clergy-Laity Congress will be a National Young Adult Conference June 30 - July 4.

The official schedule of events is as follows:

Sunday, July 3

Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

Opening of the Centennial History Exhibit

Opening of the Exhibit Hall

Great Vespers for the Consecration of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center

 

Monday, July 4

Consecration of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center

Opening Session – 3:30-5:00 pm

Keynote Address of Archbishop Elpidophoros, greetings of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Ecumenical Patriarchate representatives

 

Tuesday, July 5

Clergy Breakfast with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Committee Meetings

  • Finance Committee – Including approval of the budget to be presented at the Plenary Session
  • Marriage and Family Committee
  • Youth Committee

Ministry Panels

Ministry Panel One: Our Orthodox Family (Family Ministry)

The family is at the core of our parishes. In this discussion, learn about the tools that the Archdiocese and the Metropolises provide to minister to the entire family, and how singular ministries can be merged or combined in order to cover the life of a faithful parishioner from cradle to grave.

Ministry Panel Two: The Agencies of the Assembly of Bishops

The Assembly of Bishops and its ever expanding agencies were created to serve the faithful of the Orthodox presence in the United States. Over the past several years, the agencies of the Assembly have confronted head on natural disasters, a worldwide pandemic and even an invasion of one Orthodox country into another. Learn how the Assembly and its agencies, both established and new, are meeting the need, and how to get involved.

Ministry Panel Three: Diakonia: Looking back, and planning for the future

Over 100 years ago, our ancestors arrived on the shores of this country with a few belongings and not much else. They didn’t have books or guides or instruction manuals as to how to start their communities, they did so with creativity and ingenuity. Looking for the next 100 years, this conversation will focus on how to rebuild a sense of creativity and ingenuity in the Archdiocese, while also exploring and debunking and dissecting the popular myth that service, or diakonia, belongs strictly to any one person or population.

National Forum of Church Musicians Reception

Archon Reception

Clergy Family Dinner with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

 

Wednesday, July 6

Philoptochos Agape Breakfast

Committee Meetings

  • Information Technology Committee
  • Greek Education Committee

Advisory Committee on the Charter

  • Survey Results and Discussion

Ministry Panels

Ministry Panel Four: The Church and our Society

As the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America reflects on its past 100 years, it has grown both is size and stature, while at the same time being active participants in the history of the United States. How does the church address issues that, while sometimes difficult to confront, are a part of the conversation of our evolving society, while still staying true to its Orthodox roots, and pastoral to all people?

Ministry Panel Five: The Lessons of a Lockdown.

As Christianity faces unprecedented challenges and a constantly decreasing population, how technology is applied to the parish life should take a holistic approach. During the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 and the ensuing pandemic, parishes have come up creative and tech-based ideas as to how to continue ministry, raise funds, and keep community. Expanding past the idea of just having a parish Facebook page, the conversation will look at some of the ideas that are currently being used in parishes throughout the country and discuss a unified approach of applying technology to the life of the church in the 21st century.

"Journey of Ecclesiastical Music in America” Concert

 

Thursday, July 7

Plenary Session

  • Opening Session
  • Short presentations from various Committees and Ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
    • The Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Philoptochos, Leadership 100, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation and Archdiocesan Presbyters Council
  • Finance Committee Presentation
  • New and Old Business
  • Closing Comments

Grand Banquet featuring Live Music and Entertainment