Protocol Number 195/14

 

October 26, 2014

National Leadership 100 Sunday

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

(I Corinthians 15:58)

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On this Sunday, October 26, the Feast of Saint Demetrios and following the Feast of Saint Iakovos on October 23, we give thanks to God for the steadfast and abounding labor of the members of Leadership 100 and celebrate the great accomplishments of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, as its celebration of its 30thAnniversary comes to  a close. For three decades since its founding by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory, Leadership 100 has faithfully supported the ministries and institutions of our Church for the glory of God.  For the past fifteen years, since my Enthronement as Archbishop of America, I have witnessed firsthand the devotion of these remarkable men and women who give joyfully of their time and talent to serve the sacred ministries of our Archdiocese and advance our Orthodox Faith and Hellenic Heritage.

Leadership 100 has reached out first and foremost to our youth and children and families through their support of Church Summer Camps and the Center for Family Care in the Direct Archdiocesan District and in each Metropolis, while maintaining its commitment to provide precious gifts to men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered at our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology. Leadership 100 has, furthermore, assisted active clergy, retired clergy and their presvyteres. It has also provided essential resources for the faithful and the unchurched through quality publications and more effective video and digital communications that broaden the work of the parishes and ministries of our Archdiocese.

In these changing times, Leadership 100 has supported the charitable outreach of International Orthodox Christian Charities, the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry and other ministries under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, as well as the Department of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, as we seek greater unity of mission and purpose to overcome divisions. This steadfast labor has abounded to the good in the face of opposing forces throughout the nation and around the world through generous gifts and a witness to the truth.

We acknowledge with special gratitude the generous gift of Leadership 100 toward the building of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at Ground Zero, in continuity with its role in providing critical support in the aftermath of September 11.

On this sixth commemoration of National Leadership 100 Sunday, I ask all of our parishes to honor Leadership 100’s faithful legacy of service and to recognize its members.  In celebrating both the Feast of Saint Demetrios and the Feast of Saint Iakovos, may we recognize the special blessings of God through Leadership 100’s precious offerings. We fervently pray that the Lord will continue to bless abundantly Leadership 100 in the years to come, and keep its members in health and prosperity as they fulfill their sacred role as leaders of good works (cf. Titus 3:8).

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America