Event Highlights - Clergy-Laity
Event Highlights
Learn about some of the exciting special events taking place at the 46th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in New York July 3-7, 2022!
Consecration at Saint Nicholas
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros will officially consecrate the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center, the only house of worship destroyed on September 11th. The Consecration service will begin promptly at 9:30 am in the morning and will feature the procession of the Relics, as well as the cleansing of the altar and the anointing of the sanctuary. Following the Consecration will be a Hierarchical Divine Liturgy. This event is open to all registered delegates, as well as the public.
Centennial Exhibit
Located on the Open Terrace of the Marriott Marquis, the Centennial Exhibit is a museum quality exhibit that shares with the faithful the history of the Archdiocese in words, pictures, videos and artifacts. Make sure to visit this special exhibit to learn more about the fullness of history that is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and everything that has been accomplished in the past Centennial.
Opening Ceremony
Join His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and other Dignitaries for the official opening of the Clergy Laity Congress. The highlight of the Opening Ceremony will be the video message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew as well as the Hierarchical Keynote Address of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros.
Ministry Panel: The Agencies of the Assembly of Bishops
The Assembly of Bishops brings together each Orthodox jurisdiction and provides ministries for all of the parishes and faithful within those churches. Learn more about the various ministries of the Assembly of Bishops and how they can provide resources and training to your parish.
Ministry Panel: Lessons of a Lockdown
As Christianity faces unprecedented challenges and a constantly decreasing population, how technology is applied to the parish life should take a holistic approach. Expanding past the idea of just having a parish Facebook page, the conversation will look at some of the ideas that are currently being used in parishes throughout the country and discuss a unified approach of applying technology to the life of the church in the 21st century.
Centennial Roundtable: The Founding of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the influence of Meletios Metaxakis
Over one hundred years ago, a hierarch named Meletios Metaxakis came to America on a visit and found more than just a group of immigrants, he found the seeds of a national Church. This academic roundtable will focus on the person of Meletios Metaxakis, and the unsung story of his work and dedication to build the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Ministry Panel: Planned Giving
Every parish and ministry uses unique ways to support itself, mostly through stewardship of time, taken and treasure. One of the most underused resources of giving in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is that of bequests. Learn from Planned Giving professionals how to nurture an environment of planned giving within the parishes and how planned giving can positively impact your parish.
Ministry Panel: Our Orthodox Family
The family is at the core of our parishes. In this discussion, learn about the tools that the Archdiocese and the Metropolises provide to minister to the entire family, and how singular ministries can be merged or combined in order to cover the life of a faithful parishioner from cradle to grave.
Plenary Session: The Vision for the Second Centennial, The Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
As the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America looks toward the next 100 years, be a part of the conversation about how the Archdiocese can continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs and concerns of its parishioners, the faithful, and those exploring the Orthodox Faith.
Cultural Reception: From Byzantium to America (Metropolitan Museum of Art)
Hosted in the Grand Lobby of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Guest will have the opportunity to mingle with one another while visiting the Jaharis Galleries of Ancient Greek and Byzantine Art. The highlight of the evening will be a musical presentation of Ecclesiastical Music, performed by members of the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music and the National Forum of Church Musicians, and for the first time ever, a joint performance by the two groups. Do not miss this special evening!
Grand Banquet
Join His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Greek American community by celebrating the 100th year anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Clergy-Laity Congress Grand Banquet. This special celebration will be made more exciting by the presence and live performance of one of Greece’s legendary voices, a name known throughout the world, an artist who has recorded some of the most memorable tracks to the omogenia: DESPINA VANDI!