The National Philoptochos Convention continued its vital activities on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, featuring ministry updates and insightful presentations.

San Diego, CA — July 10, 2024—The National Philoptochos Convention culminated in a powerful display of community service and intergenerational collaboration as Philoptochos and Young Adult League (YAL) partnered up to spearhead the Diakonia Project. The recipients of this “syndiakonia” (joint-Diakonia) of YAL and Philoptochos are Your Safe Place and San Diego Rescue Mission, two extraordinary programs in San Diego.

The 2024 National Philoptochos Convention concluded with a resounding affirmation of its theme, "Inspiring Women, Impacting the World," highlighting the organization's dedication to shaping a future enriched by compassion and service.

On July 6, the 2024 National YAL Conference in San Diego, California concluded with a gala, cocktail reception, and glendi celebration.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America delivered an inspirational keynote address at the National Young Adult League (YAL) Conference, held at the Westin Gaslamp Quarter on July 5, 2024. The address, which centered on the crucial role of young adults in the Church and the importance of unity, was a highlight of the conference, drawing a large and enthusiastic audience.

First and foremost, I want to pause for a moment, to be still and to think of those clergy for whom we have just chanted the Trisagion. We owe a debt of gratitude and remembrance to them, for they fought the good fight, they finished the course of their ministries, and they have gone before us into the Mansions of the Father’s House. May their memory be eternal.

After a Doxology by Patriarchal Representatives Their Eminences Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain and Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, and the hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod, the second session of the Clergy-Laity Congress Plenary was underway, on Thursday afternoon, July 4, 2024.

The Blood Drive at our 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress in collaboration with the American Red Cross was a success! 28 units of blood were collected, which in turn may impact the lives of 84 hospital patients.

It is unimaginable that it has been 50 years since the invasion of the Republic Cyprus by Turkey and the subsequent and ongoing illegal occupation that divides this beautiful island. To commemorate this invasion, that occurred on July 20, 1974, the organizers of Clergy-Laity Congress commissioned a concert entitled, “Cyprus: Land of Embrace.”  

This evening’s tribute to the wondrous Island Nation of Cyprus will refresh us all with a loving embrace of this paradise of promise and progress. I want to thank all of the performers and producers of the program in advance for their labor of love, and especially Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis for their lead sponsorship of this marvelous event.

San Diego – In Christ we are One! The 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America concluded Thursday evening, July 4, 2024 with the Grand Banquet where more than 1300 people from across the country, including attendees from the Clergy-Laity Congress, National Philoptochos Convention and the Young Adult Conference (YAL), gathered as one body in Christ.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024, Ministry Panel #3: Women in Orthodoxy: Past, Present and Future was presented at the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress. Panelists gave an overview of the historical role of women in the Church, their present role, and what the future role of women in our Church could be. 

On July 4th, the final day of the Clergy-Laity Conference, Rev. Fr. Richard Demetrius Andrews, DMFT, shared a presentation on clergy burnout, a topic on which he wrote his doctoral dissertation. Fr. Richard shared his own story in hopes that this would encourage the clergy present to feel more comfortable sharing their struggles with one another. Some of the topics covered included the difficulties inherent in ministering to a parish, which often lead to burnout: while persons in secular professions can limit the number of clients, clergy cannot do this. 

In a candid and often humorous workshop, Director of Greek Education Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, together with Assistant Director Rev. Protopresbyter Gregory Stamkopoulos, explained some of the strategies employed by their department in fostering cultural identity and community cohesion. Questions and suggestions, buoyed by good-natured conversation and colorful personal anecdotes from presenters and participants alike, made the session a particularly enjoyable one.

Today, July 4, 2024, participants in the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress had the opportunity to visit with the NMDP to join the bone marrow donor registry by simply getting their cheek swabbed. This outreach initiative is in partnership with the National Marrow Donor Program  (NMDP) to help bring hope to people diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases, that depend on a bone marrow or cord blood transplants.

Internet Ministries (IM), an Archdiocesan department, serves a resource for the national Church, the Metropolises, and individual parishes who seek it— and today, our favorite internet ministers took a break for their (otherwise nonstop) work behind the scenes to offer a workshop on engaging technological tools more effectively in our communities.

Today, July 4 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited the 2024 YAL National Conference for a joint service project for the Diakonia Project with Philoptochos.

Today, July 4, 2024, Presvytera Kerry Pappas, led a workshop, entitled, “Establishing and Growing Marriage Ministry in Your Parish,” discussing how the Church can be more intentional in supporting the lived experience of marriage.

Today at Clergy-Laity Congress, the Metropolis of San Francisco’s Family Wellness Ministry offered a workshop entitled “Creating Vibrant Family Ministries.” Led by George Papageorge (M.A., LMFT.), Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis, Fr. Tom Tsagalakis (M.Div, MFT.), and Fr. Vasili Hillhouse (M.Div., M.A.), the session offered vision, strategy, and practical tools for those interested in establishing life-giving family ministries that are both needed and relevant in the local parish.