BOSTON, MA — The Host Committee for the 44^th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (GOAA) continues to prepare for the upcoming gathering of delegates from parishes throughout the United States, which will convene July 1-5, 2018, at the Boston Marriott Copley Place. Concurrently with the Clergy-Laity Congress, the Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society will convene its Biennial National Convention in the same venue.

The Host Committee is comprised of co-chairs Peter J. Bassett and Michael S. Sophocles and members Claire Foustoukos, Tom Gatzunis, Dimitri Georgakopoulos, Athena Kalyvas, Chris Pappas, Costa Sideridis, Arthur Stameris and Fotene Zimmerman.

The Committee is assisted by staff from the GOAA and Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston, including Jamil Samara, Director of the Department of Internet Ministries at GOAA, and Father Ted Barbas, Chancellor of Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston.

The theme of the Congress, “All things are possible to him who believes,” is based on the directive of the Lord from the Gospel of Mark, “If you can?” Jesus said to him. “All things are possible for the one who believes.” (Mark 9:23) The 44^th Clergy-Laity Congress is the first held in Boston since 1988.

The Congress will begin with the Hierarchal Divine Liturgy, Sunday July 1^st at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Annunciation in Boston. The official opening of the Congress will take place the next morning, Monday July 2^nd, with the Keynote Address by Archbishop Demetrios.

Agenda items the Host Committee are working on include:

• Appearances by Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and R. Nicholas Burns, Professor of Diplomacy and International Politics at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and former United States Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs
• Hellenic College Hold Cross Day
• CLC Ministry workshops, including:
  • Stewardship, Outreach & Evangelism
  • Youth & Young Adult Ministries
  • Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical & Interfaith Relations

The Clergy-Laity Congress is convened biennially and is concerned with all matters, other than doctrinal or canonical, affecting the life, growth and unity of the Church, the church institutions, finances, administration, educational and philanthropic concerns and her growing role in the religious life of the nation. Other organizations are also holding meetings during the Congress including, the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, the National Sisterhood of Presbyteres, the Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, the Order of Saint Andrew - Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians.