Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos Convention to Convene in New York City in July, 2022
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces that the 46th Biennial Clergy Laity Congress will convene in New York City from July 3-7, 2022, with the theme “Legacy, Renewal, Unity” honoring the Centennial of the Archdiocese which is being celebrated in 2022. During the Clergy Laity Congress, on July 4th, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros will consecrate Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center.
Following the historic virtual Clergy Laity of 2020, which was attended by over 1,100 registered delegates online, this will be the first Clergy Laity that will return to fully in person status, while abiding by all local and state health and safety guidelines. His Eminence has asked Mrs. Chrysanthy Demos and Mr. Nicholas Karacostas to serve as the Co-chairs of the Congress.
Chrysanthy Demos is the Founder and President of WellCent, LLC. She is a graduate of the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and earned a Master of Business Administration in Finance and Management from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. In 2021 Mrs. Demos was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve on the California Volunteers Commission. She additionally serves on the Advisory Council of the MIND Institute at UC Davis, the board of the Sacramento Zoo, the Friends of St. Nicholas, and Leadership 100. In 2008 she founded the Pabna Association for General Education, a primary school in Sripur, Pabna, Bangladesh, on the condition that girls receive equal educational opportunities. Mrs. Demos resides in Sacramento, California with her husband George and two young sons.
Nicholas A. Karacostas, Esq. is Senior Vice President – Head of Claims for Integrated Specialty Coverages (ISC), a National Managing General Agency partnering with multiple Insurance Carriers and London Reinsurers. He holds a J.D. degree from the City University of New York Law School and a B.A. degree from New York University. Prior to ISC, Nick was employed by Berkshire Hathaway Guard Insurance, Arch Insurance Group, Zurich North America, and General Accident Insurance Company in various Executive capacities. Nick was invested as an Archon of the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in November 2010 and holds the title Archon Nomophylax. He has also served for 12 years on the Parish Council of the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Flushing N.Y. and three terms as President. Nick served two terms as the Supreme President of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), and currently serves as Chairman of AHEPA’s Board of Trustees. Nick resides in Bayside, N.Y. with wife, Anna, and daughters, Georgia and Andreana.
National Philoptochos President Arlene Siavelis Kehl with the consultation and blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros has asked Anita B. Kartalopoulos, to serve as chair of the 2022 National Philoptochos Biennial Convention.
Anita B. Kartalopoulos, Esq engages in federal complex litigation and specializes in securities fraud litigation, derivative litigation, and mergers and acquisitions nationwide. Previous to private practice, she was in government service in the State of New Jersey and served as Deputy Commissioner of Banking and Insurance, General Counsel to the Department of Health, and Executive Director of the NJ Real Estate Commission. A third generation Philoptochos member with a deep passion for Philoptochos' work and community, Anita was first appointed to the National Philoptochos Board in 1998. Anita and her husband, Archon Dr. Stamatios Kartalopoulos, are fulfilled members of Leadership 100, Founding Members of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Foundation, and are stewards of St. Mark, Boca Raton, FL and Holy Trinity, Westfield, NJ. Anita is proud of her Orthodox faith, her family, her Tenedian and Greek heritage and is fervent about the ministry and work of the Philoptochos.
Remarking on the upcoming Clergy Laity Congress being held in conjunction with the National Philoptochos Biennial Convention, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros said, “We give great thanks to our Lord that we will have the opportunity to gather, this summer in New York City, to be together and to celebrate the historic life of our beloved Archdiocese. At the same time, we will rejoice in her Centennial celebration, as well as the long-awaited and blessed consecration of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine. As we gather now after so long, let us come in a spirit of hope and love, learning from the important lessons of the past while we chart our next one hundred years!”
The Clergy Laity Congress and the National Philoptochos Convention will be held at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York City. Highlighted events will include: the Synodal Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Sunday morning, Great Vespers on Sunday evening and the Consecration of Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center on Monday, engaging speakers on current topics affecting society, the exhibit hall featuring exhibitors from around the world, the Grand Banquet on Thursday evening and much more. Registration, hotel, and other pertinent information will be available on the Clergy Laity Congress and National Philoptochos websites as they are made available.
