On the evening of Tuesday, September 27, the Archdiocesan District Council, led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, met for the first meeting of the New Ecclesiastical year.
In addition to several agenda items, Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked the outgoing Vice Chair of the Archdiocesan District Council, Archon Lazaros Hatzoglou, for his five years of dedicated and distinguished service to the advising body toward the District parishes. the Archbishop together with Archdiocesan District Chancellor, Fr. Elias Villis, then welcomed the new Vice Chair, Archon Nicholas Balidis.
With an emphasis on the recent success of the “Servant Leadership Awards Banquet” held this past June with over 700 stewards and clergy in attendance, Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked all the members of the District Council, along with their respective parishes, for their hard work and dedicated commitment to the successful ministries benefiting the Archdiocesan District Family. In his report Fr. Elias Villis shared that he had fruitful meetings with many parish councils throughout the Archdiocesan District. Fr. Elias expressed his hope to meet with all parish councils of the District in the near future.
The Archbishop’s first annual Name Day Gala was discussed. At the loving direction of Archbishop Elpidophoros, the funds from this amazing Gala, will inaugurate the endowed Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund. The event will take place on November 5 at “Capitale” 130 Bowery, NY.
The District Youth Director, Constantine Pantelias, offered updates on very significant requirements of Youth Protection, together with Religious Education, and the success of Camp Saint Paul 2023. Among other items he reported that Youth Safety Seminars (which is a requirement of our Archdiocese) were well attended prior to the summer months and that many more will be offered in preparation and mandated for the start of District Athletics. Constantine also announced a few of the upcoming youth events including: Parathosi Dance Festival, Young Adult gatherings, Camp Saint Paul’s reunion and Winter Camp, and a GOYA Retreat and Pilgrmage to Hellenic College Holy Cross in Boston.