| ARCHDIOCESAN
PRESBYTERS COUNCIL (APC)
The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council seeks to support, enhance, and
promote the brotherhood of our priests on all levels of their diakonia,
spiritual growth, and personal needs. Established in 1970 as the
National Presbyters Council with the expressed purpose of receiving
counsel from and offering counsel to the Archbishop concerning priestly
issues, the current APC continues to work closely with His Eminence
and the Chancellor of the Archdiocese in addressing the concerns
of our dedicated clergy.
ARCHONS
OF THE ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE
The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the Order of St. Andrew
the Apostle are laymen of the Archdiocese who have been honored
for their outstanding service to the Church by having a Patriarchal
title, or “offikion,” bestowed upon them by His All
Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Those upon whom this
title of the Byzantine Church has been conferred are known as “Archons
of the Great Church of Christ,” and the titles are personally
conferred by the Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Americas,
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios.
FAITH:
AN ENDOWMENT FOR ORTHODOXY & HELLENISM
This is a separate endowment fund that exists for the purpose of
assisting the National Ministries and institutions of the Greek
Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Contributions to the Endowment
remain permanently restricted and inviolate in accordance with the
purpose of the Endowment fund. Financial support for the Archdiocese
Ministries and Institutions comes from the growth of the Endowment's
investments.
HELLENIC
CULTURAL CENTER
The Hellenic Cultural Center of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America was established in 1986 with the goal of cultivating the
rich Orthodox heritage and the Hellenic customs, culture and traditions
within the Greek-American community.
LEADERSHIP
100
Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund Incorporated is
a separate endowment fund corporation that exists for the purpose
of seeding and nurturing the ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
that advance Orthodoxy and Hellenism. Members commit $100,000, which
is paid over a period of 10 years or less. The contributions to
the Fund remain permanently restricted and inviolate. Only assets
in excess of that amount are used for the distribution of grants
in accordance with the purpose of the Fund.
NATIONAL
FORUM OF GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH MUSICIANS
The National Forum of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians is the Archdiocesan
ministry responsible for liturgical music activities and the development,
support, and recognition of church musicians. Chartered in 1976
as an auxiliary of the Archdiocese, the National Forum serves as
the liaison among local church musicians, metropolitan church music
federations, and the Archdiocese. It also serves as the gathering
place for church musicians to discuss issues related to liturgical
music and to formulate needed responses.
NATIONAL
SISTERHOOD OF PRESVYTERES (NSP)
The National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, formally established in
1982 and which just celebrated twenty years as an organization,
consists of all Presvyteres of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America. The purpose of the Sisterhood is to promote the spirit
of Christain love among the Presvyteres by giving them opportunities
to get acquainted with one another. This is accomplished with retreats,
meetings, social gatherings and newsletters which help the Presvyteres
develop a unique bond. The Sisterhood National Board meets annually,
whereas, the general membership convenes every two years at the
Clergy-Laity Congress.
LADIES
PHILOPTOCHOS SOCIETY
The Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society, the official philanthropic
organization of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, was established
in November 1931, by the late Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras I,
who was then serving as Archbishop of North and South America. The
members of the National Board of Philoptochos are dedicated church
women who offer countless hours to the philanthropic, humanitarian,
and Christian mission of the Church. There are 475 Philoptochos
chapters in the United States. The structure of the Philoptochos
includes the National Board, Metropolitan Boards, and Chapters in
every parish of the Archdiocese.
ORTHODOX
CHAPLAINS
The Greek Orthodox chaplain is a priest who provides the Holy Mysteries
to Orthodox Christians and who additionally provides pastoral ministry
to people in all walks of life. Some priests serve full-time as
chaplains in the armed forces, whereas other parish priests have
assumed additional responsibilities as chaplains at Veteran’s
Administration hospitals, with local police forces, at prisons,
and in hospitals. One of the most significant features of chaplaincy
activity is ministry to individuals other than Orthodox Christians,
and the witness of our Orthodox faith among all Americans.
RETIRED
CLERGY ASSOCIATION
The Retired Clergy Association (RCA) of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
of America was founded and established by the late Fr. John Zanetos
on April 26, 1988 to continue and promote the fellowship of the
retired priests; to encourage the utilization of the retired priests’
expertise as a resource; to guide and help those who are about to
retire plan for their retirement; to help the retired priest readjust
to his new status as a retired clergyman; to promote the improvement
of benefits to the retired clergy and help them manage in their
retirement years; to provide support and guidance for clergy who
may be facing emotional, personal, family or financial problems;
and to communicate news of interest to the retired clergy.
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