This year's Clergy Laity Congress features impactful ministry panels and workshops designed to equip delegates with the tools, resources, and inspiration needed to strengthen parishes and foster thriving communities. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, gaining valuable insights and practical strategies to enhance their local ministries. The Congress aims to empower participants with a renewed sense of purpose and vision, ensuring the ongoing growth and vitality of their parishes and the broader Orthodox Christian community. Throughout the week, there are a wide number of topics being addressed in both Ministry Panels and Workshops.
Presvytera Maria Drossos
Presvytera Maria Drossos
Biography
Presvytera Maria Drossos is the Director of the CrossRoad Institute- Parish Youth Ministry Network. She is a native of Chicago, Illinois, and is married to Father Odisseys Drossos, who serves at St. Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Roslindale, Massachusetts. They have a wonderful son Thomas. She earned her Master of Divinity degree at the University of St. Michael’s College in the University of Toronto, with a Certificate in Eastern Christian Studies from the Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute and her Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Loyola University of Chicago. She has over 30 years combined experience in business and non-profit development in the US and Canada. With life-long involvement in youth, young adult, and outreach ministries, she has a love of building and nurturing relationships together for the service of God and His church. She also currently serves as an advisory board member for Saint Catherine’s Vision, a member of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Task Force on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking and an advisory board member of the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College/Holy Cross. For 20 years, she had served in various capacities at St. John the Compassionate Mission in Toronto, Canada as a volunteer, as President of the Board of Directors and as Director of Operations.
