Affiliated Organizations

ARCHDIOCESAN PRESBYTERS COUNCIL (APC)
The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council seeks to support, enhance, and promote the brotherhood of our priests on all levels of their diakonia, spiritual growth, and personal needs. Established in 1970 as the National Presbyters Council with the expressed purpose of receiving counsel from and offering counsel to the Archbishop concerning priestly issues, the current APC continues to work closely with His Eminence and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese in addressing the concerns of our dedicated clergy.

ARCHONS OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle are laymen of the Archdiocese who have been honored for their outstanding service to the Church by having a Patriarchal title, or “offikion,” bestowed upon them by His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Those upon whom this title of the Byzantine Church has been conferred are known as “Archons of the Great Church of Christ,” and the titles are personally conferred by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Americas, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.

FAITH: AN ENDOWMENT FOR ORTHODOXY & HELLENISM
This is a separate endowment fund that exists for the purpose of assisting the National Ministries and institutions of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Contributions to the Endowment remain permanently restricted and inviolate in accordance with the purpose of the Endowment fund. Financial support for the Archdiocese Ministries and Institutions comes from the growth of the Endowment's investments.

HELLENIC CULTURAL CENTER
The Hellenic Cultural Center of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was established in 1986 with the goal of cultivating the rich Orthodox heritage and the Hellenic customs, culture and traditions within the Greek-American community.

LEADERSHIP 100
Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Incorporated is a separate endowment fund corporation that exists for the purpose of seeding and nurturing the ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese that advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism. Members commit $100,000, which is paid over a period of 10 years or less. The contributions to the Fund remain permanently restricted and inviolate. Only assets in excess of that amount are used for the distribution of grants in accordance with the purpose of the Fund.

NATIONAL FORUM OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS
The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is the Archdiocesan ministry responsible for liturgical music activities and the development, support, and recognition of church musicians. Chartered in 1976 as an auxiliary of the Archdiocese, the National Forum serves as the liaison among local church musicians, metropolitan church music federations, and the Archdiocese. It also serves as the gathering place for church musicians to discuss issues related to liturgical music and to formulate needed responses.

NATIONAL SISTERHOOD OF PRESVYTERES (NSP)
The National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, formally established in 1982 and which just celebrated twenty years as an organization, consists of all Presvyteres of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The purpose of the Sisterhood is to promote the spirit of Christain love among the Presvyteres by giving them opportunities to get acquainted with one another. This is accomplished with retreats, meetings, social gatherings and newsletters which help the Presvyteres develop a unique bond. The Sisterhood National Board meets annually, whereas, the general membership convenes every two years at the Clergy-Laity Congress.

LADIES PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the official philanthropic organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, was established in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I, who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America. The members of the National Board of Philoptochos are dedicated church women who offer countless hours to the philanthropic, humanitarian, and Christian mission of the Church. There are 475 Philoptochos chapters in the United States. The structure of the Philoptochos includes the National Board, Metropolitan Boards, and Chapters in every parish of the Archdiocese.

ORTHODOX CHAPLAINS
The Greek Orthodox chaplain is a priest who provides the Holy Mysteries to Orthodox Christians and who additionally provides pastoral ministry to people in all walks of life. Some priests serve full-time as chaplains in the armed forces, whereas other parish priests have assumed additional responsibilities as chaplains at Veteran’s Administration hospitals, with local police forces, at prisons, and in hospitals. One of the most significant features of chaplaincy activity is ministry to individuals other than Orthodox Christians, and the witness of our Orthodox faith among all Americans.

RETIRED CLERGY ASSOCIATION
The Retired Clergy Association (RCA) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was founded and established by the late Fr. John Zanetos on April 26, 1988 to continue and promote the fellowship of the retired priests; to encourage the utilization of the retired priests’ expertise as a resource; to guide and help those who are about to retire plan for their retirement; to help the retired priest readjust to his new status as a retired clergyman; to promote the improvement of benefits to the retired clergy and help them manage in their retirement years; to provide support and guidance for clergy who may be facing emotional, personal, family or financial problems; and to communicate news of interest to the retired clergy.