29th Clergy Laity Assembly of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)

Two years have passed and the blessed hour is at hand. The 29th Clergy Laity Assembly will soon be convening in Belleville, Ontario. Taking place together with the Clergy Laity Assembly are the respective Assemblies of the National Philoptochos, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and of our Youth. The entire Greek Orthodox family of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) is coming together to meet, setting their various agendas, and making studious decisions for the progress of their particular ministries.

As the highest Legislative Body of our Church in Canada, the Clergy Laity Assembly discusses an array of topics, except for dogmatic ones. All decisions, once they are ratified by our Ecumenical Patriarchate, are implemented. Nothing happens in the family known as the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada) without the blessing of the Mother Church, our Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The progress of our spiritual family, our Holy Metropolis, “shines more than the sun.” No one can deny it, except for those who choose to be blind to the truth. They are the ones who live by the saying, “You can never convince me even if you convince me // let them rant …” These people have remained on the margin and will continue to remain there.

From the moment when Canada became a Metropolis under the direct jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, we have taken care to enact Uniform Community Regulations and Special Regulations, voted upon by a Clergy Laity Assembly, all of which were approved by the Mother Church. Since then, our Holy Metropolis continues its progress and development unhindered. This year, our Clergy Laity Assembly will not be dealing with legal matters. Here are the topics which our Clergy Laity Assembly will be discussing:

The main theme, which all other topics will be centred on is “Let the little children come to Me” (Mark 10:14). The specific topics and speakers are:

1. All of us are children of God: How to be saved — Rev. Fr. Lambros Kamperidis
2. Raising Saints: Parents and children — Dr. Fotis Karantonis
3. Strategies for Communities: Good management — Archon Hartoularios Nicholas Pagonis, President HCGM
4. Reconnecting families with the Church: Hardware and Software — Mr. E. Sotiropoulos
5. Finances of the Communities and the salvation of people: Tithing — Mr. Dimitrios Koutougos, President of Ypapanti GOC, Victoria
6. Orthodox Faith and Greek Education: Connecting salvation with Greek Education — Archon Depoutatos Spyros Volonakis, Director of Greek Education

These are the topics which our Clergy-Laity Assembly will be discussing. The Youth, Philoptochos, and Archons Assemblies have their own agendas.

Every day of the Assembly will begin with a Divine Liturgy, celebrated alone by Metropolitan Sotirios. All delegates will attend the Divine Liturgy and will receive Holy Communion. We are truly a living Orthodox family, having communion with our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in our daily lives. The program of our Assemblies was sent to the Communities, Philoptochos Societies, Youth Groups, and Archons of our Ecumenical Patriarchate for some time now.

We happily await all the representatives of the Communities, Philoptochos Societies, Youth Groups, and Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, to live a week filled with joy and the blessings of God.

We fervently pray and ask the Life-Giver Christ to be present at all our Assemblies. To accompany us at every moment. To bless and guide our steps and our actions to always do good, for the advancement of our family, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada), and the salvation of all people.

Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto (Canada)

Under the Jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

CHRIST IS RISEN!