Protocol Number 127/10

October 17, 2010
National Leadership 100 Sunday

Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see Your good works and
glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

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 we give thanks to God for the faithful members of Leadership 100, and we recognize and celebrate the great accomplishments of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund for the glory of God and the work of His kingdom.  Through the generosity of many and through the grants and philanthropic endeavors of Leadership 100, the light of Christ has shone forth throughout our Archdiocese and around the world.

This light of our Lord that illumines our hearts in truth and love has been experienced by men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered at our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology.  It has been seen in the assistance provided to active clergy in relieving the burden of student loans.  It has brightened the lives of retired clergy and presvyteres in need of assistance and care.  It is a light that has been shared with more and more people through the preparation and publication of quality resources that broaden the work of the parishes and ministries of the Archdiocese.  It is a light that has been carried around the world through generous gifts to relief efforts and missions.

For Leadership 100, this ministry of philanthropy reveals the light of Christ because it shines forth from faith and love.  The members of Leadership 100 give of their resources in faith, trusting in the power and will of God and believing that great works of grace will be accomplished in the lives of others.   In addition, their gifts and service to God through Leadership 100 and through the many other ways in which they contribute to the Church, are evidence of their faith, not in the treasures of this world but in the eternal treasure of life in the kingdom of God.  This is a witness, a light, that shines before us leading us to give glory to God.

The light of Christ is also visible in the love of God and His Church that characterizes the mission of Leadership 100, which was created to assist the ministries of our Holy Archdiocese.  Throughout the history of this Endowment Fund, the members of Leadership 100, these faithful stewards of the Church, have labored intensely to offer adequate resources so that the ministries of the Church, which are the ministries of the Gospel of love, are extended.  This has shown and continues to show the power of God’s love in their lives and a desire to see the power of this love work in the lives of others.

On this National Leadership 100 Sunday, may we recognize the faithful members of Leadership 100 in our parishes.  May we also highlight the accomplishments and mission of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and give thanks to God for a witness of light, faith and love that strengthens all of us in our labors for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promotion of His Holy Gospel.

With paternal love in Christ,

†DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America