Greek Orthodox Church Installs New Council, Board
On Dec. 10, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America installed the new Archdiocesan Council and National Philoptochos Board members.
According to the Greek Orthodox Churchs news service, Archbishop Demetrios of America congratulated the new board members and encouraged both the Council and the Board to work hard in their respective fields.
The new nominated officers of the Archdiocesan Council are: Vice Chairman, Michael Jaharis; Treasurer, Nicholas Bouras; and Secretary, Catherine Bouffides-Walsh. The Executive Committee also includes George Behrakis, Dr. John Collis, Elenie Huszagh, John Pappajohn, John A. Payiavlas, and Anthony Stefanis.
The new officers for the National Philoptochos Board are: National President, Georgia Skeadas; 1st Vice-President, Maria Logus, Esq.; 2nd Vice-President, Arlene Siavelis; 3rd Vice-President, Maria Stavropoulos; Secretary, Elaine Cladis; Treasurer, Aphrodite Skeadas; Assistant Treasurer, Pauline O'Neal.
In other business, Archbishop Demetrios reported on the activities of the Orthodox Church in the past years, including the success of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress which took place in New York City in July 2004 and the tremendous work being completed by the Center for Family Care in promoting the Year of the Family from 2005 2006, according to the Greek Orthodox news service.
Demetrios also took time to celebrate the return of the Relics of St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian at the Vatican and the meeting of the Orthodox spiritual head Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope John Paul II.
In closing, Archbishop Demetrios thanked the Council members for their attendance and for the detailed work of the various committees. The two-day event, which ended on December 11, was held at the Marriott Hotel in Chicago, IL.