Welcome Message from Metropolitan Silas
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February 1996
My beloved Co-Workers in the Lord's Earthly Vineyard,
It is with great pleasure that I take this opportunity to announce the
upcoming Biennial Archdiocesan Clergy-Laity Congress, which will take
place from June 30 - July 4, in New York City, and I would like to
invite each of our parishes to be in attendance. This year's Congress
will be a very historic gathering, as it will be the Congress that we
shall begin looking towards the Church's future in the 21st Century.
As we all know, the Clergy-Laity Congress is the body that makes the
needed suggestions and decisions for the smooth operation of the
Archdiocese of North and South America. Topics which are to be included
in the agenda are those concerning the spiritual future of our Church,
the administration of the Church, the education of the faithful, and,
as needed, the finances of the Church. Inasmuch as each of these areas
require the input of the faithful of our Archdiocese, it is imperative
that each parish is represented by its priest and three
representatives. This is the opportunity for everyone's voice to be
heard, and it shows the synodical nature of our Church.
Each congress is a synaxis, a gathering, in which ideas are shared,
friendships are made, and more importantly, the Church is realized in
its truest sense at the highlight of the Congress.... the Divine
Liturgy. This year's Divine Liturgy will be celebrated in Central Park
with our spiritual leader, His Eminence, Archbishop IAKOVOS, as the
Chief Celebrant, assisted by the Holy Synod of Bishops, many priests
and deacons. It will be at this single event that the unity of the
Church will be demonstrated in its highest degree, with the hundreds of
faithful partaking in the Body and Blood of our Saviour, thereby
becoming one with Him and with each other.
In addition to the many events going on during the upcoming Congress, I
would like to point out that this will be the last Congress presided
over by our spiritual guide, His Eminence, Archbishop IAKOVOS, who for
over thirty-seven years will have led the Church in the Western
Hemisphere from an unknown, insignificant body to a major Faith of this
country. Your participation in this Congress will be a kind expression
of thank you to someone who has given his whole life to us.
Looking forward to seeing each of you this summer in New York City, I remain
With paternal blessings and love,
+ Silas
Metropolitan of New Jersey
Chairman, 1996 Clergy-Laity Congress
