New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America installed the newly appointed Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos Board at their fall meetings held on December 10 and 11 at the Marriott Hotel Downtown, Chicago, IL. According to the recently revised Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Council has been expanded to 129 members, to include more active lay and clergy representation from across the country.
In his Archpastoral message to a joint session of the Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos Board, Archbishop Demetrios reported on the activities of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, including the success of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress which took place in New York City in July 2004 and the tremendous work being completed by the Center for Family Care in promoting the Year of the Family from 2005 - 2006. Archbishop Demetrios spoke of the recent historic Ceremony of the Return of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian at the Vatican and the meeting of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope John Paul II, and the ensuing Welcoming Ceremony of the Relics to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople.
His Eminence then nominated the officers of the Archdiocesan Council and announced the new members of the Executive Committee. The newly appointed officers of the Council are: Vice Chairman, Michael Jaharis; Treasurer, Nicholas Bouras; and Secretary, Catherine Bouffides-Walsh. The Executive Committee also includes George Behrakis, Dr. John Collis, Elenie Huszagh, John Pappajohn, John A. Payiavlas, and Anthony Stefanis.
The Friday session of the Archdiocesan Council was adjourned to allow the Council's Standing Committees to meet for discussion on the progress and the future goals of the ministries and institutions of the Archdiocese. The Council reconvened on Saturday morning for the reports of these committees.
Meeting in conjunction with the Archdiocesan Council, the National Philoptochos Board also held its first meeting of the newly appointed Board. Officers were also appointed as follows: National President, Georgia Skeadas; 1st Vice-President, Maria Logus, Esq.; 2nd Vice-President, Arlene Siavelis; 3rd Vice-President, Maria Stavropoulos; Secretary, Elaine Cladis; Treasurer, Aphrodite Skeadas; Assistant Treasurer, Pauline O'Neal.
In closing, Archbishop Demetrios thanked the Council members for their attendance and for the detailed work of the various committees. He noted the high attendance during both days of the meetings and the high interest and activity of the committees and reports.