Protocol Number 156/12

October 21, 2012

National Leadership 100 Sunday

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, 
for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
(Hebrews 10: 23-24)

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 21, nearest to the Feast of Saint Iakovos on October 23, we give thanks to God for the faithful and steadfast members of Leadership 100 and celebrate the great achievements of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund, which, over 28 years since its founding by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory, has continuously provided assistance to the ministries of our Church for the glory of God.  Through the generosity of many and through the grants and philanthropic endeavors of the members of Leadership 100, we have experienced what the Apostle Paul prayed for the Hebrews, namely that they consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.

Truly, Leadership 100 has held fast the confession of our hope without wavering, among others, in the precious gifts to men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered at our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology, by the assistance provided to active clergy in relieving the burden of student loans and to retired clergy and their presvyteres, encouraging them all. It has stirred up love and good works that have been given to our youth and young adults and families through ministries in the care centers of our Church and in our summer camps across the nation. Leadership 100 has also stirred up love and good works for more and more people through the preparation and publication of quality resources that broaden the work of the parishes and ministries of our Archdiocese. This steadfast confession of our hope, and persistence in a philanthropic spirit that has overcome so many obstacles, has been carried around the world through Leadership 100’s generous gifts to relief efforts and missions.

For Leadership 100, this ministry of philanthropy reveals the faithfulness of God in Christ because it is the very work of the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). The members of Leadership 100 give in hope and out of a generosity of spirit, trusting in the promises, power and will of God and believing that great works of love will be accomplished in considering the lives of others.

On this fourth commemoration of National Leadership 100 Sunday, acknowledging the Feast of Saint Iakovos, may we recognize the blessings of God through the precious offerings of the members of Leadership 100. May we also highlight the accomplishments and mission of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and give thanks to God for a confession of our hope without wavering, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promotion of His Holy Gospel.

With paternal love in Christ,

† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America