CHICAGO – The Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the chairmanship of Archbishop Demetrios of America, convened in Chicago’s Marriott Downtown Hotel for its regularly scheduled spring meeting May 4 and 5.
The two-day work of the Archdiocesan Council began with the individual meetings of the ministry committees and the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Council on Thursday, May 4. The work of the ministries of the Church was reviewed and the committees prepared their reports.
On Friday, May 5, following the opening prayer and the chanting of the hymn of the Resurrection “Christos Anesti,” Archbishop Demetrios offered his opening remarks apprising the Council members of the events and developments in the life of the Church since the last meeting in New York. His Eminence thanked the host Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago for his gracious hospitality. He reported on the progress of rebuilding St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, which he said has been “a marathon of shorts,” adding that we have reached a point that God willing we could have that inaugural ceremony for St. Nicholas in the first part of October 2018.
Present at the meeting were Metropolitans Iakovos of Chicago, Methodios of Boston, Nicholas of Detroit, Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Fransisco and Evangelos of New Jersey.
Also in attendance were the Chancellor of the Archdiocese His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane, the Chancellor of the Metropolis of Chicago His Grace Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, and the Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela.
The Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council George S. Tsandikos presided at the meeting. In his introductory remarks, presented to the Council the creation of the two new positions in the Archdiocese; first the position of Chief Financial Officer and the appointee Fr. Soterios Baroody; and second the position of Director of Development and the appointee Nikki Soteropoulos Margarites.
The new treasurer of the Archdiocesan Council Michael Psaros, in his remarks spoke of the intensive preparatory work of the Executive Committee thus far, and the future planing for reorganization and higher efficiency within the Archdiocese.
A total of fourteen reports were presented to the Council and some were followed by lively and constructive discussion. These reports included: Youth &Young Adult Ministries, Communications, Ecumenical Office, Ionian Village, Religious Education, Administration, Development, Information Technologies and Internet, Center for Family Care, Archons, Finance, Stewardship, Greek Education, and a report on St. Photios Shrine.
In his closing remarks, Archbishop Demetrios conveyed the greetings and blessings of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, expressed thanks to all the members of the Council and asked everyone for prayers for Metropolitan Philotheos of Meloa who is ill. At the conclusion of the meeting, Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago offered brief remarks and the closing prayer.
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