New York, NY -– His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, convened the first meeting of the Archdiocesan Council of 2000-2002 on Friday, September 29th at the Marriott Marquis Hotel in New York City.

In his archpastoral message to a joint session of the newly appointed Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos Board, Archbishop Demetrios compared the new Council’s task with the recent completion of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow, which he visited in August for its consecration.

His Eminence said the Council must build on the “cathedral” of the legacy of the Orthodox faith. “What is going to be our cathedral of faith, our testimony to God,” he asked. “What we are doing is building this cathedral that our predecessors have worked for years to build.”

Describing the qualities that persons in leadership positions must have to confront the problems and difficulties they will encounter, His Eminence said they must be prudent listeners, especially by listening to the voice of God; wise counselors, offering “advice that creates amazement” and by participating in decision making; and wise architects, in building “realities and conditions for the Church that are edifices in the connection with God…always on the rock which is Christ.”

The Archbishop also advised them to “be very conscious of the need to pay attention to the needs of our parishes.”

His Eminence then announced the members of the Executive Committee and the Council unanimously approved the following officers: Vice Chairman,Michael Jaharis, New York City;Secretary, Nicholas Bouras, Summit, NJ and Treasurer, Peter Dion,Valley Stream, NY. The Executive Committee also includes,George Behrakis, Tewksbury, MA; Dr. John Collis, Chagrin Fall, OH; John Pappajohn, Des Moines, IA; John A. Payiavlas,Warren, OH; Georgia Skeadas, Villanova, PA and Anthony Stefanis, Atlanta,GA.

Council members heard reports from the various departments and national ministries during their two-day meeting.

Director of Administration Jerry Dimitriou announced a $325,000 grant from the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund that has been used for a state-of-the art computer upgrade at Archdiocese headquarters.

The new system will greatly enhance the Archdiocese’s efforts to serve the dioceses and parishes. Computers that will no longer be used have been donated to several parishes not having their own systems.

Mr. Dimitriou discussed the need to create a development office to bring in additional revenue, to revitalize the LOGOS program, and to establish a permanent operational endowment fund for the operation of existing programs.

He also said the Archdiocese has saved $1.3 million this year through staff reduction and reorganization.

The Following Comprise the New Archdiocesan Council:

Archbishop’s Appointees

Helen Hadjiyannakis-Bender, New York City; the Rev. Alkiviadis Calivas, Brookline, MA; George Cantonis, Belleair, FL; Michael Cantonis, Tarpon Springs, FL; John Catsimatidis, New York; Thomas Dallas, Lincolnwood, Ill; Elenie Huszagh, Nehalem, OR; Demetrios Kaloidis, Upper Brookville, N.Y.; George Kokalis, Phoenix, Ariz.

Andrew Manatos, Bethesda, MD; George Marcus, Los Altos Hills, CA; John Marks, Lincolnwood, Ill.; Demetri Moschos, Worcester, MA; Lou Nicozisis, Lancaster, PA; Panikos Papanikolaou, Brooklyn, N.Y; Peter J. Pappas, Syosset, N.Y; Milton Sioles, Paradise Valley, AZ; Alex Spanos, Stockton, CA; the Rev. Dennis Strouzas, Archangel Michael Church, Roslyn Heights, N.Y; Dr. William Tenet, Manhasset, N.Y; Savvas Tsivicos, Ocean, N.J; Catherine Bouffides-Walsh, South Glastonbury, Conn.

Diocesan Appointments

Diocese of Chicago

Rev. Byron Papanicolaou, Sts. Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, Ill.; Harold Peponis, Evanston, Ill.; George Vourvoulias, Park Ridge, Ill.

Dicocese of San Francisco 

Rev. Michael Pappas, St. Basil Church, Stockton, CA; Theofanis Economides, Los Altos, CA; Catherine Lingas, Portland, OR.

Diocese of Pittsburgh 

Rev. John Touloumes,Holy Trinity Church, Pittsburgh, PA; Dr. Nicholas Loutsion, Canonsburg, PA; Peter Zikos, McMurray, PA.

Diocese of Boston 

Rev. Christopher Foustoukos, Annunciation Church, Woburn, MA; Peter Bassett, Boston; Michael S. Sophocles, Boston.

Dicese of Denver 

Rev. Constantine Pavlakos, Assumption Cathedral, Denver, CO; Harry Plomarity, Corpus Christi, Texas; Dr. Louis J. Roussalis, Casper, Wyo.;

Dicese of Atlanta

Rev. Dean Gigicos, Holy Trinity Church, Orlando, FL; Gerald Clonaris, Charlotte, N.C; Dr. Manuel Tissura, Tucker, GA.

Diocese of Detroit

Rev. William Cassis, Holy Trinity-St. Nicholas Church, Cincinnati; Gust Feles, Bloomfield Hills, Mich.; Tom Zaferes, Cincinnati.

Diocese of New Jersey

Rev. Dimitrios Antokas, Holy Trinity Church, Westfield, N.J; Dr. George Kaludis, Potomac, MD; James C. Fountas, Scotch Plains, N.J.

Archdiocese District

Delegates will be elected at the Archdiocesan District Clergy-Laity Conference, Nov. 4th at Holy Trinity Church, New Rochelle, NY.

Ex Officio Members

Arthur Anton, Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, Boston; Andrew Athens, World Council of Hellenes Abroad, Chicago; the Rev. Nicholas Bacalis, Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral, Richmond, Va.; Eve Condakes, National Philoptochos, Swampscott, MA.

Presbytera Angie Constantinides, National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, Aurora, Ill; Nikitas Drakotos, St. Michael’s Home for the Aged, Bronx, N.Y; Johnny Economy, Order of AHEPA, Atlanta; Rev. William Gaines, Retired Greek Orthodox Clergy of America, Metairie, La; Dr.. Steven Gounardes, St. Basil Academy, Brooklyn, N.Y; Rev. Peter Karloutsos, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology Alumni Association, Danbury, Conn.

Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate-Order of St. Andrew, Rydal, Pa.; Rev. James Moulketis, Archdiocesan Benefits Committee, Wyckoff, N.J.; Dr. Vicki C. Pappas, National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, Bloomington, IN; Rev. Nicholas C. Triantafilou, Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, Brookline, MA; YAL National Coordinator

National Philoptochos

Meeting in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Council, the National Philoptochos Board held its semi-annual meeting to discuss plans for the upcoming two years.

Executive officers are as follows: National President Eve Condakes, Swampscott, MA; First Vice President Maria Logus, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Second Vice President Kathy Gabriel, Huntington Beach, CA; Third Vice President Froso Beys, New York City; Secretary, Susan Regos, Westchester, IL; Greek Secretary, Aspasia Melis,Cliffside Park,NJ; Treasuer, Aphrodite Skeadas, Greenwich,CT; Asst. Treasurer Pauline O’Neal, Sleepy Hollow, NY; Legal Advisor Judge Yorka Linakis; Jamaica, N.Y.; Parliamentarian Kassandra Romas, Short Hills, N.J.; Protocol Officer Helen Demos, New York City.