Archbishop Elpidophoros and Delegation from the Archdiocese
visit the site of the 45th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress
and 2020 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention
“…the greatest of these is Love”
I Corinthians 13:13
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. The events will run from June 28 – July 3, 2020.
Joining the Archbishop on the trip were His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia, Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Spiritual Advisor of the National Philoptochos; Rev. Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas, Chancellor of the Archdiocese; and Marissa Costides, Coordinator of the Department of Communications.
The delegation was hosted by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh; the Co-Chairs of the Congress, Ann and Lou Frangos and Ageleke and Lee Zapis; Barbara Pasalis, Chair of the National Philoptochos Convention; Aphrodite Ganotis, Chair of Vendors and Exhibits; Jim Ganotis, Chair of AV and IT; George G. Thomas, Chair of Registration; and Archdeacon Ryan Gzikowski.
The Co-Chairs led a tour of the Hilton Downtown Cleveland, the main convention hotel, and the Huntington Convention Center, where many of the sessions and events will take place. Following the tour of the principal venues, Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Savas, Bishop Apostolos, Fr. Andreas, Archdeacon Ryan and the Co-Chairs continued their visit with a tour of Cleveland’s highlights, ending with a visit to St. Paul’s Greek Orthodox Church where the Archieratical Liturgy will be celebrated. The rest of the group stayed on at the convention center and hotel to meet with representatives of the hotel and convention center catering, audio-visual, and IT staff.
Archbishop Elpidophoros’ choice of convention theme, “…the greatest of these is Love” is a perfect reflection of the Midwest hospitality and philotimo that await delegates in Cleveland. The hosts are planning joint conventions whose hallmarks will be cooperation, collaboration and agape. So come to Cleveland in 2020 – a lesser-known jewel along the beautiful shores of Lake Erie with a world class art museum and orchestra, historic Playhouse Square theater district, the Cleveland Indians, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We promise you a week to remember!
More information on the 45th Clergy-Laity Congress and the 2020 National Philoptochos Convention will be available in January 2020 at the following sites: