New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios convened the first regularly scheduled meeting of the Archdiocesan Council Executive Committee on Nov. 16th at the Archdiocese headquarters in New York City. All nine Members of the Committee and His Eminence Metropolitan Iakovos of Krinis attended the day-long meeting.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios addressed the Committee with the concerns that he believes should be the focus of the work and ministry of the Archdiocese. These include: the Family as the basic nucleus of the Church; Youth, particularly young adults; Inner Mission, reaching out to those un-churched who have either left the Orthodox faith or have yet to embrace it; Education with the focus on Hellenic College / Holy Cross, developing Greek Studies Departments in Universities and Greek Education through our Afternoon Greek Schools and Parochial Schools; Culture, emphasizing our Hellenic culture through museums, exhibits, folk dances, etc; and Charity, enhance our philanthropic outreach and encourage more Orthodox institutions for the young, the aged and the infirm.
Archbishop Demetrios further called on the Executive Committee and the Council to haverevolutionary not conventional ideas to solve fiscal problems of the Archdiocese and challenged the Committee to begin this new year debt free. Mr. Michael Jaharis, Vice Chairman of the Executive Committee, stressed the importance of the establishment of a Development Office for the Archdiocese and that the Church must set long-term goals based upon the concerns outlined by the Archbishop.
The Committee heard several reports including: Legal, Emanuel Demos, Archdiocese Legal Counsel; Administration, Jerry Dimitriou, Executive Director of Administration and Finance, John Barbagallo, Director of Finance. The Committee also designated the Archdiocesan Council Committee Chairs for 2001-2002.
The Executive Committee members expressed their gratitude to His Eminence for a very productive meeting and they agreed, and committed, to have the Archdiocese debt free by the end of 2000. They also stressed the need for full participation in our Churchs mission at all levels Parish, Diocese, Institutions and Organizations.
His Eminence, in return, expressed his gratitude to the Executive Committee for a productive meeting and their commitment to assist the work of the Archdiocese by all means.
The Committee agreed to meet on a monthly basis for the next three months.
Executive Committee members are His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, chairman; Michael Jaharis, Vice Chairman, Peter Dion, Treasurer, Nicholas Bouras, Secretary, George Behrakis, Dr. John Collis, John Papajohn, John Payavlas, Georgia Skeadas, Anthony Stefanis and the members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of Bishops.