On the evening of May 1, 2025, “Gathered as One Body: Disability, Accessibility, and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church,” an unprecedented, multi-day conference bringing together Orthodox hierarchs and clergymen, theologians and lay leaders, as well as numerous parishioners and disability advocates representing a panoply of enriching perspectives, commenced at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown, MA.
This groundbreaking conference, hosted by the Huffington Ecumenical Institute (HEI) at Hellenic College Holy Cross and co-sponsored by the GOA Center for Family Care, marks the official launch of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s “On Behalf of All” pilot program on parish accessibility, funded by a generous grant received from the Lilly Endowment.
Following a Paraklesis service and reception, opening remarks were delivered by HEI Executive Director Dr. John Chryssavgis. “By welcoming all people,” he observed, “the Church becomes communion.”
He stressed the perennial need to realize the “fullness” of the Church as the Body of Christ, composed of many distinct but nevertheless invaluable and indispensable members. Parish accessibility, therefore, is not so much a problem to be solved but a fundamental commandment to be honored, an integral component of communion to be upheld.
Keynote addresses delivered by Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago and Matthew Schneider LC emphasized the theme of communion as well.
Whenever the Church comes together to embrace the needs of her most vulnerable members, insisted Metropolitan Nathanael, “we let in more light for everyone,” just as the paralytic’s friends, who tore away the roof separating them from Christ, enlightened all with the miraculous grace of healing and forgiveness.
Closing remarks for the evening were offered by Dr. Nicholas Racheotes, Church historian and parishioner at Taxiarchae Church.
Conference proceedings resumed on Friday, May 2, with an “adaptive” Divine Liturgy celebrated at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston, MA.
Following the Divine Liturgy, a panel of Orthodox hierarchs reflected on the role of Church leadership in fostering an inclusive and accessible parish environment.
Discussion sessions dedicated to sharing parish best practices, outlining success stories, and exploring theological and spiritual dimensions of disability, accessibility, and inclusivity within the Church will follow.
On Saturday May 3rd, special workshops on topics pertaining to caregivers, Orthodox with disabilities, disability advocacy within the Church, accessible liturgies, and accessible parish classrooms, will be offered prior to the conference’s concluding plenary.
Text: Huffington Ecumenical Institute, Photos: Jeremy Swartz
