CLEVELAND, OH – [Photos by GANP/ Dimitrios Panagos]
“Today, the plenitude of the Church is manifest in all its magnificence, for in our Clergy‑Laity celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the fullness of the Body of Christ shines forth”, stated His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America who presided over the Archiepiscopal and Synodal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Holy Unmercenaries (Aghioi Anargyroi) on July 1, on the second day of the 48th Biennial Clergy‑Laity Congress in Cleveland, Ohio.
Concelebrating with His Eminence were hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Their Eminences Metropolitans Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Francisco, Sevastianos of Atlanta, Apostolos of New Jersey, Nathanael of Chicago, and Constantine of Denver; Metropolitan Iosif of Buenos Aires, special guest of the National Philoptochos, as well as Their Graces Bishops Ioannis of Phocaea, Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Nektarios of Diokleia, Anthony of Synada, Dionysios of Zenopolis, and Bishop‑Elect Alexander of Nicopolis.
Participating also were Protopresbyters Fr. Elias Villis, Chancellor of the Direct Archdiocesan District; Fr. George Callos, Chancellor of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh; Fr. Peter Orfanakos, President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council; Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris; and Archdeacon Ryan Gzikowski, joined by nearly 185 clergy of the Archdiocese.
Prayerfully attending the Divine Liturgy were Their Eminences Metropolitan Methodios of Boston and Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit [both hierarchs of the Holy Eparchial Synod] along with the Patriarchal Representatives: Metropolitan Filotheos of Thessaloniki, Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, and Grand Archimandrite Iakovos (Krochak).
Host Metropolitan Savas extended heartfelt greetings to the delegates and guests, welcoming them to the Clergy‑Laity Congress, to Cleveland, and to the Metropolis of Pittsburgh.
Members of the National Forum of Church Musicians and the Archdiocesan Byzantine Choir chanted during the Orthros and the Divine Liturgy.
Following the Divine Liturgy, delegates and participants could choose from over 20 workshops, panels and ministry sessions held between noon and 6 p.m. The sessions included ministry-focused presentations and panel discussions on parish life, safety, technology, youth and family ministries, and other areas of service.
Among the sessions in the July 1st program were “Building Inclusive and Effective Religious Education”, “Engaging Volunteers:How to Find, Engage, and Maintain Effective Volunteers”, “Leading through Change to a Healthier Parish”, “Understanding Sensory Processing and Self-Regulation: A Clinical Guide for Ministry”, “Best Teaching Strategies: A Framework for Orthodox Catechists”, “Church Physical Safety and Preparedness”, “Building the Parish by Nurturing the Church of the Home”, “From Pews to Purpose: Building Pathways for our Youth to Serve, Belong and Lead”, “Parish Legal Best Practices”, “Equipping and Building Accessible and Whole Communities”, “Faith that Sticks for Life: Strategies for Engaging Teenagers” are some of the sessions on July 1st schedule.
Specialized training was also offered for choir members through the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians, for Byzantine chanters through the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music, and for Sunday School teachers through the Department of Religious Education.
In addition, the program included a Monastic Synaxis, as well as dedicated sessions for Presvyteres and chaplains serving in clergy, lay, and military ministries.
For more information on Congress events, download the GOARCH Events app or visit the official Clergy-Laity Congress website.
