Over 700 clergy and laity gathered at the Metropolis of Boston 36th Annual Ministry Awards Celebration on Sunday, June 12th, 2022 at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA.
The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Peter Eliopoulos, an Emmy Award-winning reporter for WCVB- NewsCenter5.
This year’s event was extra special with the milestone of Metropolitan Methodios’ 40th Anniversary of his ordination to the Episcopacy. Among his remarks, the Metropolitan said, “We gather to celebrate the present and to envision the future. We are not here to rest on our laurels, but to see NEW realities, to recognize NEW opportunities, to set HIGHER goals… This evening, EVERY parish has something beautiful to celebrate because EVERY parish was founded with the intention and promise of spreading Christ’s gospel to a world that so desperately needs it.”
Father Thomas Chininis, Dean of the Annunciation Cathedral and President of the Clergy Brotherhood, presented a beautiful plaque to commemorate this milestone. He conveyed the love and support of all the clergy for Metropolitan Methodios.
Metropolis of Boston Philoptochos President Athena Kalyvas offered greetings and wishes to the Metropolitan and to all who were being honored at the event on behalf of the dedicated and hardworking Ladies Philoptochos members of the Metropolis.
With this year’s Centennial Celebration of the founding of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, our Metropolis recognized the 35 parishes throughout New England that were established over 100 years ago or more.
In grateful recognition for their dedication and stewardship, 63 Ministry Award recipients were honored who were chosen by their individual communities.
Nick Kourtis, Chairman of the Metropolis of Boston Scholarship Committee, presented scholarships awarded to four students from the St. George’s Hellenic Benefit Society of Tsamantas, Greece Scholarship Fund, and the Charles C. Condes Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The attendees enjoyed the Dance Performance of The Sons and Daughters of Alexander the Great Dance Group which is celebrating its 50 years of establishment as a Greek Dance Group under the leadership of George Papadopoulos.
The Honorable Stratos Efthymiou, Consul General of Greece in Boston conveyed his congratulations to the Metropolitan and all the parishes and individuals who were honored. His Eminence expressed his great appreciation to the Honorable Efthymiou for his dedication and contributions to the Greek American community.
At the conclusion of the Ministry Awards Dinner, over 150 young adults from all of New England gathered for the After Hour Greek Night at the Putnam Club for music, dancing, fellowship, and fun. This was the largest event for young adults following the pandemic. The enthusiasm from this event is a great springboard for future events for the Young Adult ministry.
Source: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
