New York, NY - Archbishop Demetrios of America has named Andrew Manatos Chairman of the 39th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to be held July 13-18 at the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, Washington, DC.

The Clergy Laity Congress is the highest legislative body of the Archdiocese and convenes biennially with close to two thousand delegates representing Greek Orthodox Parishes from across the entire United States of America.

President of Manatos & Manatos, Inc., a public policy company in Washington, DC, Mr. Manatos serves on the Archdiocesan Council and has been an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for over 20 years, serving currently as regional commander. A former Assistant Secretary of Commerce in the Carter Administration, he serves on the board of several Hellenic organizations, including the Hellenic-America Heritage Council and the Coordinated Effort of Hellenes.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios commented, "Mr. Manatos and the Manatos family represent a significant presence in our Nation's Capital and have been very helpful to Orthodoxy and Hellenism worldwide. I am thankful that he has accepted the task of becoming the Chairman of our 39th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress this summer in Washington D.C."

Information regarding details of the Clergy-Laity Congress will be made available at www.clergylaity.org in the coming weeks.

Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel.: 212.570.3530