The Metropolis of New Jersey held its annual Clergy-Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention on May 15 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at “The Waterfall,” located in Claymont, Delaware.
Priests, parish leaders and representatives of Philoptochos attended, as well as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey. In his Archpastoral Exhortation, Archbishop Elpidophoros called the attendees to ask themselves, “What is the special purpose that God has called us to, as we strive to serve our parishes and this Metropolis?” He also stressed that “how we do the work of the Church is as important – indeed, more important – than the work itself. God has created the entire universe – without the slightest assistance from us. If God so wills a thing, then the thing is done. Our part is to do whatever we are called to do with the virtues of our Faith, or as Saint Paul lists them, the Fruits of the
Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control.”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
