Protocol Number  163/13

October 27, 2013

National Leadership 100 Sunday

As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)

 

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 27, following 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 for over 29 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 expression of faith of the many members of Leadership 100 who have walked in the way of Our Lord, manifold gifts have been given to individuals and institutions with thanksgiving, rooting and building up lives in Him whom we serve.

Surely, Leadership 100 has demonstrated its establishment in the faith by 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. It has revealed the fruits of this faithfulness through the 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 made manifest its faith through resources 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 faith, rooted and built up in Christ, has generated persistence in a philanthropic spirit that has overcome many barriers in being carried around the world through Leadership 100’s generous gifts to relief efforts and missions.

We cherish with all who share through our Orthodox faith and Hellenic heritage the mission of Leadership 100 in appreciation of three decades of service. Leadership 100 will continue to witness to the essential role of our faith and the Church in meeting the needs of others. Through their love of God, the members of Leadership 100 will rightly abound in thanksgiving to God for their collective philanthropic efforts.

On this fifth 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 the Feast of Saint Iakovos, may we recognize the blessings of God through their precious offerings. May we also highlight the accomplishments and mission of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and give thanks to God for its vision and commitment for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promotion of His Holy Gospel.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS

Archbishop of America