This post was originally published on this site
The 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America officially opened in Cleveland, Ohio this morning as delegates from across the Archdiocese gathered to inaugurate the assembly, celebrate shared ministry, and set a unified vision for the days ahead.
The Congress, hosted by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh under His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, opened with the theme “Rise & Build,” centering this year’s gathering on parish development and renewal. The opening prayer and Agiasmos, led by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, brought together clergy, laity, and monastics for a service that set the tone for the week’s work.
Mayor of Cleveland Justin Bibb welcomed the faithful to the city, while Nick Karacostas, Secretary of the Archdiocesan Council, announced that this Congress has the presence of 767 registered voting delegates, representing 380 parishes of the Archdiocese—71% of all Archdiocesan parishes.
In his keynote address, “Rise & Build: Our Sacred Responsibility,” Archbishop Elpidophoros called the faithful to renewed commitment, collaborative leadership, and faithful stewardship in strengthening the life and witness of the Church.
Drawing on the Prophet Nehemiah’s call to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, the Archbishop framed the Congress theme around the Greek concept of the Ναός, describing it not as a wall of exclusion but as “a sacred enclosure” where “holiness, life, and society can be pursued in accord with the will of God.”
The Archbishop reviewed major developments since the 2024 Congress in San Diego, including the elevation of several hierarchs, the ordination of 32 deacons and 18 priests, and continued growth at Hellenic College Holy Cross, where enrollment has tripled at the College and doubled at the Theological School over the past four years.
Archbishop Elpidophoros also addressed the pastoral challenge posed by a wave of newcomers and converts entering the Church, cautioning against “the self-anointed and the self-appointed” influencers who seek to “co-opt the tradition of the Church for their YouTube channels or podcasts.” Reception into the Church, Archbishop Elpidophoros stressed, “is not the end of their formation. It is only the beginning of their transformation.”
Much of the address centered on the reinvention of the Archdiocese’s National Ministries, informed by a survey conducted with Georgetown University’s Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) that drew input from more than 1,850 clergy and lay leaders. Citing findings that 63% of respondents reported double-digit community growth and that nearly 80% of clergy identified adult faith formation as a pressing need, the Archbishop announced a new national catechist certification program, a Parish Planned Giving Matching Grant Program funded through Leadership 100, a transformation of goarch.org into a ministry training portal, a new standardized digital Ieratikon, and a modernized K–12 Sunday School curriculum.
The Archbishop closed by noting recent communications milestones, including the Orthodox Observer’s transition to a twice-weekly digital newsletter with a Greek-language edition, and the launch of Diakonia, a free weekly parish bulletin.
“I see in all of you the deep desire to rise up and build—to build with responsibility, accountability, transparency, and great effectiveness,” Archbishop Elpidophoros told delegates, closing with the Congress’s central charge. “Let us commence the work now together.”
> Read His Eminence’s full address
Archdiocesan Council Vice Chairman John Catsimatidis and National Philoptochos President Debbie George also offered remarks during the opening session, while Clergy-Laity Congress Co-Chairs John and Effie Trihas welcomed delegates and outlined the Congress’s goals for the days ahead, emphasizing opportunities for parishes nationwide to engage in shared planning and renewal.
Metropolitan Savas offered remarks welcoming delegates to Cleveland on behalf of the Metropolis of Pittsburgh. He also reflected on his Metropolis’s “great pain of heart” at the 2020 Clergy-Laity Congress, which was meant to be hosted by the Metropolis of Pittsburgh before being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After reflecting on the Congress’s theme of “Rise & Build” and our calling as Christians to ourselves be “living stones that are being built into a temple,” Metropolitan Savas closed by quoting the lyrics of Bob Dylan:
“May God bless and keep you always / May your wishes all come true /May you always do for others / And let others do for you / May you build a ladder to the stars / And climb on every rung … May you grow up to be righteous / May you grow up to be true / May you always know the truth / And see the lights surrounding you / May you always be courageous / Stand upright and be strong … May your hands always be busy / May your feet always be swift / May you have a strong foundation / When the winds of changes shift / May your heart always be joyful / May your song always be sung.”
A video message from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was also shared with the Congress attendees, introduced by His Grace Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, National Chancellor.
A central focus of this year’s Congress is the official Divine Liturgy, which will be celebrated on Wednesday so clergy and lay delegates can pray together as one body and share in the Holy Eucharist. Expanded daily chapel services throughout the week will reinforce the Congress’s grounding in the Church’s liturgical life.
Delegates and participants will also take part in guided Congress Conversations, plenary sessions, and listening sessions designed to gather input on data collected by the Archdiocese. These sessions aim to foster discernment and a shared vision for parish life, strengthening the synodal character of the Church’s decision-making.
Beyond formal voting sessions, the Congress offers a full slate of ministry-focused keynotes, workshops, and panel discussions organized into thematic tracks covering parish life and safety, technology, youth and family ministries, and other areas of service. Specialized training will also be offered for choir members, in cooperation with the National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians as it marks its 50th anniversary; for Byzantine chanters through the Archdiocesan School of Byzantine Music; and for Sunday School teachers through the Department of Religious Education.
For more information on Congress events, download the GOARCH Events app or visit the official Clergy-Laity Congress website.
The post Archbishop Elpidophoros offers “Rise & Build” keynote as 48th Clergy-Laity Congress opens appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
