New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America welcomed Mayor Bill Purcell of Nashville, TN to the Archdiocese on Monday, November 14. Nashville will be the host city of the 38th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Conference of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, to be held from July 16-21, 2006.

Following a cordial discussion, which included plans for the forthcoming Congress and exchange of gifts, Archbishop Demetrios hosted a tea for the Mayor and several guests from Nashville. These included, Butch Spyridon, president of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and his wife, George and Lee Ann Anderson, Congress Co-chairs and Aide to the Mayor, Emmett Edwards. Also attending were Georgia Skeadas, National President of Philoptochos, Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos, Bishop Savas of Troas, Bishop Andonios of Phasiane and Timothy Maniatis of Washington, DC, Congress Consultant.