LOMBARD, IL, JANUARY 29, 2024 – Members of the 2024-2025 Metropolis Council of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago gathered at a weekend retreat on January 20 to take the pledge of office and discuss goal-setting for the next two years.
Discussions at the retreat focused on how the Vision for Growth will be implemented across the Metropolis of Chicago over 2024. Specifically, Metropolis Council members determined strategies, tactics, timelines, goal leaders, and metrics related to the five core priorities of the Vision for Growth: Develop Clergy, Support Parishes, Expand Philanthropy, Increase Engagement, and Fuel Growth.
“Committed to Christ and His people, gathering and engaging in dialogue about the life of the Church in the Midwest is God’s work in the truest sense. We are enthusiastically on a journey to develop our spiritual fathers; enhance the spiritual life of our parishes; encourage giving from the heart; engage more intentionally with youth, young adults, converts, and faith seekers; and, ultimately, grow our parishes and our faithful. Through the leadership of our Metropolis Council and by God’s grace, we will achieve these ends for the benefit of our faithful and for all people seeking authentic purpose, meaning, and belonging,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael.
The 2024-2025 members of the Metropolis Council are:
His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago
His Grace Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion
Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos, Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos, Niles, IL
Fr. Chris Avramopoulos, Saints Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills, IL
Fr. Panagiotis Boznos, Saint Athanasios, Aurora, IL
Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres, Saint George, Chicago, IL
Fr. Sotirios Malamis, Ascension of our Lord, Lincolnshire, IL
Fr. Chris Mihalopoulos, Saint Nectarios, Palatine, IL
Fr. Doug Papulis, Saint Nickolas, St. Louis, MO
Fr. Dimitri Tobias, St John the Baptist, Des Plaines, IL
Helen Alexander, Saints Peter and Paul, Glenview, IL
Dean Avdalas, Saints Peter & Paul, Glenview, IL
Dr. George Bovis, Saint John the Baptist, Des Plaines, IL
Peter Coules, Saint Nicholas, Oak Lawn, IL
Stephanie Dremonas, Saints Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills, IL
Owen Field, Saint George, Chicago, IL
Doug Hugdahl, Ascension of Our Lord, Lincolnshire, IL
Dr. Alexandria Kalina, Saint Mary’s, Minneapolis, MN
George Lattas, Saints Constantine and Helen, Palos Hills, IL
Presbytera Evangelia March, Holy Transfiguration, Mason City
Paul Rentzelos, Saint George, Chicago, IL
Mantea Kapatanakes Schmid, Saint Elias, Dubuque, IA
Yanni Sianis, Saint George, Chicago, IL
Tom Sikoral, Holy Taxiarhai & Saint Haralamabos, Niles, IL
George Tarlas, Saint Nicholas, Saint Louis, MO
Dr. Dean G. Tortorelis, Saint Mary Church, Minneapolis, MN
Additionally, the following members were elected as officers: George Lattas as First Vice Chair, Dean Avdalas as Second Vice Chair, and Tom Sikoral and Peter Coules as Co-Treasurers, and Paul Rentzelos as Secretary.
Composed of a cross-section of parish leaders from across the Metropolis of Chicago, the Metropolis Council is the advisory and consultative body to the Metropolitan concerned with the life and growth of the Metropolis of Chicago, its ministries, institutions, and financial condition.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to the early 1920s, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the bishopric of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and central Missouri, consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine eparchies in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, Illinois. For more information and to get involved, visit our Metropolis website and/or sign up to receive Metropolis news. For further information, contact the Metropolis of Chicago at: [email protected] or 312-736-2280.
