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Published by the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America, July 16,
2004
37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress to Convene in
New York City July 25-30
New York, NY -
Plans have neared completion for the 37th Biennial
Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos
Convention of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America to be held Sunday, July 25th through
Friday, July 30th, at the Marriott Marquis Hotel
in New York City. The National Young Adult League
(YAL) Conference will be held in conjunction with
the Congress from July 23rd to July 25th. The
Congress is expected to attract over 2,000 total
participants, including observers, guests and over
1,000 delegates from 550 parishes.
“Building Communities of Faith and Love: Orthodox
Parishes in Worship and Ministry” is the theme of
this year’s Congress. On Monday July 26th, His
Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America,
spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox
faithful in America, will share his vision for the
Church at the Congress’ Opening Ceremonies. Mayor
Michael R. Bloomberg will welcome the delegates to
New York City.
The Clergy-Laity Congress is the highest
legislative body of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
and is convened biennially and presided over by
the Archbishop. It is concerned with all matters,
other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the
life, growth and unity of the Church, her
institutions, her finances, her administration,
educational and philanthropic concerns and her
growing role in the religious life of the nation.
SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
On Sunday, July 25th, beginning with the Matins at
8:30 a.m. and proceeding with the Eucharistic
Service at 10:00 a.m., Archbishop Demetrios of
America and the Metropolitans of the Holy
Eparchial Synod will concelebrate the Hierarchical
Divine Liturgy in the Ballroom of the Marriott
Marquis. Leah Pappas will conduct the choir,
comprised of members of the Direct Archdiocesan
District Choir Federation and of members of the
National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians
from metropolises across the country, and Dr.
Nicholas Rallis will lead the chanters in the
Matins service. At 3:30 p.m. that afternoon, the
Archbishop will preside at the official exhibit
opening and will attend the opening of the
Philoptochos General Assembly at 4:00 pm.
On Monday, July 26th, the Congress will officially
open with the Archbishop’s Keynote Address. Mayor
Michael Bloomberg will attend and welcome the
delegates to New York City. The program will begin
with a Prayer Service officially opening the
Congress.
"A Call to Faith", a book of the major addresses
and lectures of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
of America, will be released at the Clergy-Laity
Congress, highlighted by a book signing by His
Eminence on Monday afternoon from 5:00-6:00 p.m.
in the Majestic/Music Box Room.
The book includes 16 addresses and lectures
offered by Archbishop Demetrios, beginning with
his Enthronement Address in 1999, together with
presentations offered at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox
School of Theology, Richard Stockton College,
Queens College, Harvard University, Columbia
University, Yale University, Aristotelian
University in Thessaloniki, and the Academy of
Athens. The book also includes his address at the
2001 Conference of the Standing Conference of
Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA),
the keynote of the 36th Clergy-Laity Congress, his
2002 Indiction address at the Ecumenical
Patriarchate, and a presentation delivered in
Bucharest, Romania on the impact of September 11.
Mrs. Kofi Annan, the wife of the Secretary General
of the United Nations will be the keynote speaker
at the National Philoptochos Society dinner with
the theme: Offering Love As Witness, on Monday,
July 26th at 6:30 p.m.
Meetings of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council,
National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, The National
Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, the
Order of St. Andrew and other auxiliary
organizations, will take place during the
Congress.
Throughout the Congress, the rich Education
Program will offer participants the opportunity to
attend a wide variety of sessions on topics
related to the Congress theme. The more than 50
sessions will include workshops offered by various
departments and ministries, as well as special
seminars on unique parish ministry programs. With
an emphasis on the importance of equipping and
training for ministry in and through the local
parish, all sessions will be open to all Congress
participants.
Also during the Congress, the Department of
Internet Ministries will provide a daily computer
lab and computer training seminars. The seminars
will focus on how to use parish administration
software, the Internet, and Microsoft Office.
After hours, the computer lab will be open to
attendees to apply what they learned in the
classes, surf the Internet, and check e-mail. A
clergy-only computer forum will also be offered
for the first time.
The First Plenary Session will be held Wednesday,
July 28th from 2:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. In the evening
the Congress participants will enjoy a cultural
event with an Evening at the Met from 6:30 to 9:00
p.m. The program at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
will include a video presentation of the recent
Byzantium: Faith and Power (1261-1557) exhibition,
a reception and an opportunity to visit the
Byzantine and Greek Galleries.
Thursday July 29th will begin with the second, and
final, Plenary Session to convene from 9:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. Both Plenary Sessions will include
reports from the Congress Committees on Greek
Education, Religious Education, Finance,
Communications, Administration which will report
on the proposed Uniform Parish Regulations.
The Grand Banquet will be held on Thursday evening
beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will be attended by
members of the religious, diplomatic, and
government communities, as well as some 2,000
delegates and guests.
The Congress will conclude on Friday morning, July
30th, when Archbishop Demetrios of America will
meet with all the clergy attending the Congress.
The official 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress
Program Guide is now available on the Congress web
site at www.clergylaity.org.
Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel: (212) 570-3530, Fax: (212) 774-0215
Complete Media and Press Facilities will be
available during the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity
Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America to be held July 25-30th at the New York
Marriott Marquis Hotel. Press Credentials will be
available beginning Saturday, July 24th in the
Brecht Room, 4th floor. A daily schedule will be
posted. Contacts: Nikki Stephanopoulos, (917)
903-1255; Stavros Papagermanos, (718) 415-5850 or
above until July 23rd.
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