Orders are now being taken for the 2009 Parish Ecclesiastical Calendars, an annual resource of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Calendar will feature full color icons, the names of Saints in Greek and English, hymns for each month of the year, a fasting guide, and daily Scripture readings and commemorations following the liturgical protocol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. In addition, thumbnail icons on major feast and saint days, fasting symbols, resources found on the Archdiocese website, and an Internet Guide for Orthodox Christians are also included.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America concluded its 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in the Nation’s Capital on July 18th, where more than 1,400 faithful, clergy and laity, representing their parishes, their local Philoptochos and young adults from across the country gathered for five fruitful days of deliberations, worship, fellowship and education. The 39th Clergy-Laity was the most positive and productive Congress in recent years, organized and held in an exemplary manner.

The Office of Ionian Village is pleased to announce that FAITH: An Endowment for Orthodoxy and Hellenism, has awarded 14 scholarships for high school students to participate in this year’s Byzantine Venture program (July 26 – August 14, 2008). “FAITH” has generously offered these scholarships as part of the Archdiocese’s ongoing effort to make Ionian Village accessible to more families.

The National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society at its 2008 National Biennial Convention at the Marriott Wardman Hotel in Washington, D.C., collected over 4000 books for children to be distributed to schools in Washington D.C. and the Pajama Program.org. as part of the National Philoptochos Literacy Outreach Program. Scholastic, Inc., made a major donation of 2,732 books valued at $11,640.78 and the remaining books were donated by Philoptochos Chapters from throughout the country.

Archbishop Demetrios of America announced today the appointment of Mr. Stavros H. Papagermanos, as Director of the Archdiocese Press Office, News and Media Relations and Press Officer. Mr. Papagermanos leaves his current position as Director and Executive Editor of the Orthodox Observer where he served since 1995. During the last nine years and parallel to his post with the Orthodox Observer, Mr. Papagermanos has been serving as Greek Press Officer since 1999.

Over 200 young adults from throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America gathered this past weekend in Washington, DC for the National Young Adult Conference. The conference began on Thursday, July 10 with a Chesapeake Bay Crab Feast hosted by the Saint Katherine Greek Orthodox Church in Falls Church, Virginia. The event continued on Friday at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel with a morning Divine Liturgy and special workshops related to the conference theme “Doers of the Word.” On Friday afternoon the participants had the opportunity for an open discussion with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America.

The official opening of the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Conference of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was held this morning at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel. The event began a full day of committee and organizational meetings and workshops. The highlight of the opening was the keynote address of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America who spoke on the progress of the Archdiocese over the past two years and on the needs, challenges and opportunities for ministry that are presented to Orthodox parishes and faithful.

Over 1100 faithful gathered on Sunday morning, July 13 for the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Washington, DC to begin the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America led the service which included a memorial service for Archbishop Michael of North and South America who fell asleep in the Lord on July 13, 1958.