Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • Livestream Services for the Glorification of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk
    • Washington state targets priests, confidentiality of confession with discriminatory law
    • Archbishop George of Cyprus Speaks Exclusively to “The National Herald” on the Dethroned Metropolitan Tychikos of Paphos
    • ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes
    • Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai
    • Council of Nicaea anniversary is call to Christian unity, speakers say
    • Call for Nominations: 2025 Medal of Saint Theodora Award
    • Save the Date: October 11, 2025 – Frederica Mathewes-Green to Headline OCL’s 38th Annual Conference
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Orthodox News Top Stories»Keynote Address of Archbishop Demetrios Officially Opens 41st Clergy-Laity Congress

    Keynote Address of Archbishop Demetrios Officially Opens 41st Clergy-Laity Congress

    0
    By admin on July 2, 2012 Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link
    Abp. Demetrios
    Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

    PHOENIX – The 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America officially began its work this morning at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Hotel. It was highlighted by the Keynote Address of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presented to an audience of more than 1,200 participants. It is customary for the official opening to be attended by delegates, clergy and laity, of both the Clergy-Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention.

    Archbishop Demetrios defined the mission and outlined the steps necessary for the fulfillment of the theme of this Congress with the charge by our Lord Jesus Christ, who has chosen and appointed us to go and bear fruit.

    His Eminence began his Keynote Address by expressing gratitude to God and devotion to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew along with wholehearted wishes for the Patriarch’s 20th anniversary in the throne of Constantinople. He also expressed thanksgiving to God for a series of people, organizations and events which have had a significant impact on the life of our Church over the past two years. (See the full text of the Keynote Address at http://www.goarch.org/news/2012congresskeynote).

    “The world to which we have been appointed to go and bear fruit is a wounded world, a confused world, a fragmented world, in which we have to cultivate and offer the fruit of faith, love, healing, peace and hope,” said Archbishop Demetrios as he outlined seven fields that should be the focus of cultivation so they can bear fruit in the time to come. He identified these fields as 1) the lives of families of interfaith marriages, 2) children, adolescents and young adults, 3) places of work where we communicate effectively our faith, 4) gathering and re-connecting our disconnected people, 5) inter-orthodox relationships, 6) increasing our stewardship numbers in our communities, and 7) preserving our universal Hellenic treasures and Greek language.

    “Let us not waste time. Let us go now.  The field is open, wide open by the grace of God, Who was, is and will forever be with us,” concluded the Archbishop.

    The opening ceremony began with a prayer service, followed by welcoming remarks from the two co-chairs of the Congress, Theofanis Economides and Isidoros Garifalakis. Councilman Jim Waring, representing the City of Phoenix also offered a warm welcome, followed by the President of the National Ladies Philoptochos Society Aphrodite Skeadas, who offered greetings on behalf of the twenty-five thousand women represented in this vibrant, philanthropic organization of our Church in America.  Finally, the host Hierarch Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco addressed all the participants and offered inspirational words of pastoral love and care. He outlined the unique role of our Clergy Laity Congresses in promoting unity, fully disclosing the affairs of the Church and bringing together all parishes. Metropolitan Gerasimos urged the delegates to actively participate and take the message of the Congress back to their communities.

    The Patriarchal representative, Metropolitan Sotirios of Toronto, conveyed the paternal and patriarchal greetings and blessings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and read the Ecumenical Patriarch’s Message to the Congress. (See the full text at http://www.goarch.org/news/2012congresspatriarchalmessage)

    Immediately following the opening ceremony, the Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod held separate hierarchal sessions that were very well attended. The theme of the Congress was further discussed during these sessions giving the opportunity for the delegates to exchange experiences and new ideas and to benefit from the guidance of the Hierarchs.

    During the course of the afternoon, several meetings and workshops took place including the Philoptochos General Assembly, meetings of the Church Musicians and Administration Committee, and various ministry workshop sessions.

    Later in the evening the participants planned to attend a social outing at the old West style Pinnacle Peak Patio in the dessert.

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

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticlePaul Bunyan Meets the Intractable East and the Mission is Ongoing: A Tribute to Fr. Peter Guillquist
    Next Article In Memoriam: Archpriest Peter Gillquist

    Related Posts

    June 17, 20251 Min Read

    Livestream Services for the Glorification of the Righteous Olga of Kwethluk

    June 12, 20255 Mins Read

    ‘The heart of Orthodox monasticism’: Historic monasteries on Mount Athos damaged by earthquakes

    June 10, 20254 Mins Read

    Ecumenical Patriarchate Issues Statement on Status of Saint Catherine Monastery of Sinai

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Procopius on Leading Liturgists Reaffirm the Ordination of Women to the Diaconate
    • Procopius on How will the Female Diaconate Help Prevent Abuse?
    • John Fronime on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Nn on HAVE WE HIT ROCK BOTTOM? REFLECTIONS OF A NOT-SO-INNOCENT BYSTANDER [witnessing the present decline of the Orthodox Church as an institution]
    • Member on Ex-Clergyman, Sexually Abused at 17 by His Priest, Attempted Suicide
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Bonnie Belknap on Archbishop Elpidophoros Proposes Separation of Church and State in Greece
    • Luke on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    • Webmaster on Egypt nationalizes ancient monastery’s grounds, fraying ties between Athens and Cairo
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.