THE GREEK ORTHODOX METROPOLIS OF BOSTON HOSTS ITS BI-ANNUAL CLERGY-LAITY ASSEMBLY AIMED AT SUPPORTING ITS PARISHES AND CULTIVATING SPIRITUAL PRACTICES
Over 300 clergy and parish representatives attended the day-long event, hearing from numerous guest speakers and attending small group discussions.
BOSTON, Mass. (Oct. 28, 2023) — The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Boston hosted its Bi-Annual Clergy-Laity Conference on Saturday, October 28, at the St. Demetrios parish in Weston, MA. The conference was attended by clergy and parish council representatives from all 62 parishes throughout the metropolis.
The assembly consisted of speaker sessions, group discussions and reports from various Metropolis Ministries. Members of the Metropolis Philoptochos Board, Thriving Congregations Initiative (TCI), St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center, and others discussed their contextual understanding of the current landscape of Greek Orthodoxy as it relates to youth safety, parish missions, and parish council procedures. Guest speakers included:
Athena Kalyvas — Philoptochos Board President
Panos Coufos — Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries
Bill Marianes — Thriving Congregations Initiative
Fr. George Parsenios — Former Dean of the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology speaking on “Cultivating Spiritual Practices”
Mike Sintros — Director of the St. Methodios Faith & Heritage Center
Gordon Bristol – Project Manager for the construction of the new indoor gymnasium and sports center at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center
Nicholas Kourtis – Chairman of the Metropolis Scholarship Committee served as Moderator
“Every other year, clergy and lay representatives from all of our parishes gather to discuss and be inspired by the tremendous work taking place in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” said His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios. “The love and embrace we share possesses the power to capture the minds and souls of everyone, especially our young people.”
Three major gift donations were presented to Metropolitan Methodios for the Metropolis Ministries during the Conference:
$25,000 was presented as the third and final installment by the St. George Cathedral Parish of Springfield, MA, completing their full pledge of $100,000 to the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center and the Metropolis of Boston Camp
$10,000 was presented by the Philoptochos of the Annunciation Parish in Brockton, MA for a cabin renovation or similar needed project at the Camp
$2,000 was presented by Bessie Mavredakis on behalf of the Pan-Cretan Association of America for the Philoxenia House
In accepting the donations, Metropolitan Methodios expressed the appreciation and gratitude of the entire Metropolis family—and especially our MBC camper and staff.
During the conference, a new Metropolis Philoptochos board was elected. 16 board members were elected on Saturday, with the former president Athena Kalyvas remaining as an advisor. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios will appoint the other four members. Finally, the new Metropolis Council was instated with new vice-chairman Bob Badavas of the Annunciation Cathedral parish.
