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G
R E E K O
R T H O D O X
A
R C H D I O C E S E
O F A
M E R I C A
8-10
East 79th Street, New York, NY 10021 Tel:(212)
570-3500 Fax:(212) 570-3569
Protocol
No. 42/02
April 17, 2002
Clergy Laity Congress 2002
Los Angeles, California
To
the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and
Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of
the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the
Day and Afternoon Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the
Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek
Orthodox Family in America
My
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I greet you in the anticipation of our celebration of
the sacred and glorious feast of Pascha, asking for our
Lord's continuous blessings of strength and grace as you
prepare for the Day of Resurrection through prayer, worship
services, fasting, and ministry to those in need.
During this time, preparations are also being made
for the meeting of our Biennial Clergy Laity Congress to be
held in Los Angeles, June 30 – July 5.
This gathering of the faithful from throughout
America takes on particular significance in light of the
events of this past year.
We are reminded on a daily basis that our world is in
a time of crisis with tremendous challenges to be overcome
and needs to be met. But
we also must be aware of the tremendous resources and
opportunities we have as Orthodox Christians, not only to
assist in addressing critical issues, but also in offering
the transforming power of our faith in Jesus Christ.
It is this faith, combined with hope and love that
will heal relationships and restore peace.
Due to the necessity of Offering
Our Orthodox Faith to Contemporary America, the theme of
our Congress, and by extension to the commission we have to
offer our faith throughout the world, we ask for full
participation of the clergy and laity of our Holy
Archdiocese in this vital meeting.
In being together in one mind, one body, and one
heart, we manifest our unyielding commitment to Christ and
the work of His Church, and we affirm our unquenchable
desire to offer the gift of faith and salvation.
Please let all our parishes enthusiastically
participate in the Clergy Laity Congress in Los Angeles and
affirm that this will be seminal event, an inauguration of
an intense effort to offer to all people what has been given
to us by God.
With paternal love in Christ and warm wishes for a
blessed Pascha,
†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop
of America |
