NEW YORK – The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese convened for its regular spring meeting in the synodal chamber at Archdiocese headquarters April 13–14, with Archbishop Demetrios presiding. The Synod deliberated extensively on several issues, including:

1. Discussed administrative matters related to parishes and took the appropriate decisions.
2. Supported the continuation of the Special Education Program for deacons and recommended that a Special Educational Program for laymen be implemented concurrently, especially for people involved in church ministries i.e., youth advisors, Sunday School teachers, Parish Councils, etc.
3. Discussed disciplinary matters related to clergy and took appropriate decisions for each case.
4. They also discussed the convening of the Holy and Great Synod that will take place in Crete, Greece, and at which, as it stands now, five hierarchs from the Archdiocese will participate, in addition to Archbishop Demetrios. They are: Metropolitans Isaiah of Denver, Alexios of Atlanta, Nicholas of Detroit and Gerasimos of San Francisco. They currently serve on the Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
5. The Synod also discussed the upcoming Clergy–Laity Congress in Nashville, Tenn., which will have the central theme: “You are the Voice of Christ in a Changing World.”

Prior to the Synod’s regular deliberations, members held a special meeting to listen to and evaluate church music for the Divine Liturgy, prepared by a committee of church musicians based on the new official synodal translation of the Divine Liturgy.