RESOLUTIONS OF THE 41ST BIENNIAL CLERGY-LAITY CONGRESS OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA – JULY 4, 2012

RESOLUTION ON THE SUFFERING OF THE PEOPLE OF GREECE

WHEREAS, Greece and the rest of Europe continue to be in economic recession; and

WHEREAS, the people of Greece are suffering greatly from this situation and the crisis with the Euro;

WHEREAS, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has established a fund to directly help with the basic needs of the people of Greece;

WHEREAS the Archdiocese has provided almost One Million Dollars of direct assistance to the people of Greece; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for further assistance for the people of Greece,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 41st Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America assembled in Phoenix, Arizona:

1)    That we call upon the people of America, and particularly our Faithful in this country, to continue to provide assistance through the Archdiocese fund; and

2)    That the Clergy-Laity Congress offer its prayers and support to all those who are suffering in Greece.

RESOLUTION ON GREEK ORTHODOX PATRIARCHATE OF ANTIOCH

WHEREAS, Syria is going through a period of serious disorder and armed conflict;

WHEREAS, the Patriarchate of Antioch is one of the five original Apostolic Sees of the Church;

WHEREAS, the Patriarchate of Antioch is physically located in Damascus, Syria and there are thousands of Greek Orthodox Christians located in Syria who are affected by the armed conflict;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 41st Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America assembled in Phoenix, Arizona:

1)   That the Government of the United States seek the protection and preservation of the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Orthodox Christian communities in Syria during this armed conflict and thereafter;

2)   That the people of Syria resolve their differences in peace and not armed conflict;

3)   That the United Nations, in its mediation of the armed conflict, ensure the protection of all Christians located in Syria; and

4)   That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, the Secretary General of the United Nations and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch.

RESOLUTION ON CHRISTIANS IN EGYPT

WHEREAS, Ten Percent of the population of Egypt is Christian through the Coptic Oriental Orthodox Church and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria;

WHEREAS, the government of Egypt is preparing a new constitution for Egypt; and

WHEREAS, Christians in Egypt have suffered persecution from time to time;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 41st Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America assembled in Phoenix, Arizona:

1)   That the Government of the United States of America seek the protection and religious freedom of all Christians in Egypt;

2)   That the Christians in Egypt be afforded religious freedom and be protected under the new constitution; and

3)   That copies of this resolution be sent to the Secretary of State of the United States of America, the Egyptian Ambassador to the United States of America, the Patriarchate of Alexandria and the Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United States.

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING ACCESSIBILITY OF CHURCHES AND PARISH FACITILIES FOR PARISHIONERS WITH DISABILITIES

WHEREAS, we, the Clergy and Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, embrace as full contributing members of our Church family, our brothers and sisters with disabilities; and

WHEREAS, we wish to make our Parishes welcoming and accessible to all Orthodox Christians, regardless of any differences;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the 41st Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America assembled in Phoenix, Arizona: That we urge all of our Parishes to work to make our Churches and Parish facilities open and accessible to all people with disabilities.

RESOLUTION OF THANKS

We, the Delegates of this 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, express our heartfelt thanks to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and his representative Metropolitan Sotirios of Toronto, for their greetings and loving participation at the Congress; 

We thank our spiritual father, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America, for his wisdom and guidance throughout the Congress proceedings;

We thank our Holy Eparchial Synod for its participation in and support of the work of this Clergy-Laity Congress.

We particularly thank His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos and the Metropolis of San Francisco; Congress Co-Chairs Fanis Economides and Isidoros Garifalakis; Father James Paris and the people of the Holy Trinity Cathedral of Phoenix, Arizona; and the other Greek Orthodox Churches and parishioners of Arizona, for their warm welcome, wonderful generosity and diligent efforts in making this Congress a great success;

We thank National Philoptochos President Aphrodite Skeadas and Philoptochos President of the Metropolis of San Francisco Jeannie Ranglas, as well as the members of the Philoptochos Society, for joining us in a spirit of love and Christian fellowship and for their inspiring philanthropic efforts that carry out Christ’s work in our country and throughout the world.  We congratulate the Philoptochos Society on its 80th Anniversary!

We thank Congress Chair Emanuel Demos, Mr. Jerry Dimitriou and the hard-working staff of the Archdiocese for their efforts in making this Congress a success.