On Friday, June 28, 2019, with the Pacific Ocean as the backdrop, the Assemblies of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada took place in Vancouver, British Columbia.
The youth conference commenced on that same day with 170 participants between 16-28 years of age from across Canada; it concluded on Canada Day, July 1st, and was a tremendous success.
The Ladies Philoptochos conference followed the same schedule (June 28 to July 1). One hundred and ten ladies from across Canada participated and it was also a great success.
The Clergy-Laity conference started with the celebration of the Divine Liturgy at the St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Vancouver, where all the participants of the three assemblies, together with the community delegates as well as the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Canada, all attended along with the plenitude of faithful from the Vancouver area.
The Clergy-Laity conference included 107 representatives from communities across Canada; it commenced on June 30th and concluded its working sessions on the afternoon of July 3rd.
The work of all the assemblies was carried out in an orderly fashion and in the best possible manner. The Clergy-Laity conference was presided over by His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios.
It should be noted that each morning (June 29 to July 3) with the exception of Sunday, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated from 8:00am to 9:15am by Archbishop Sotirios, serving as a simple priest, at a conference room of the hotel that was transformed into a chapel. All of the representatives of the three assemblies (youth; Ladies Philoptochos; and, Clergy-Laity) attended these Divine Liturgies and received Holy Communion. Thus, in this most spiritual manner did every day begin; each day ended in similar fashion with vespers service.
His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent his greetings and a message which was read aloud by Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Dean of the Patriarchal Theological Academy of Toronto, the V. Rev. Fr. Athenagoras Ziliaskopoulos.
At the official grand banquet, among the many other dignitaries in attendance, were Mrs. Tasoula Berggren, Honourary Consul General of Cyprus, and Mr. Athanasios Ioannou, Consul General of Greece in Vancouver.
The theme of this year’s clergy laity conference was: “And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand” (Matthew 12:25).
At the youth and Philoptochos assemblies, many relevant topics of concern to each were discussed. The topics and subject matter of the Clergy-Laity was as follows:
1. “The Youth as a Bridge between the Past, Present and Future.” Speaker: Fr. D. Antonopoulos
2. “Philanthropy: Internal and External.” Speaker: Fr. T. Alamanos
3. “Greek Faith and Orthodox Education: Connecting Salvation with Greek Education.” Speaker: Archon Depoutatos — Spyros Volonakis, Director of Greek Education
4. “Internet Ministries: Importance, Budget and Expectations.” Speaker: Archon Ostiarios — E. Sotiropoulos
5. “The Church at Home: Contemporary Challenges.” Speaker: Fr. K. Kaltsidis
6. “Greek Orthodox Community: Unifying the Faithful – Spiritual Life – Administration – Conformity and Journeying together in harmony with the Holy Metropolis and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.” Speaker: Archon Prostatis Ton Grammaton — Michael G. Ikonomou
2. “Philanthropy: Internal and External.” Speaker: Fr. T. Alamanos
3. “Greek Faith and Orthodox Education: Connecting Salvation with Greek Education.” Speaker: Archon Depoutatos — Spyros Volonakis, Director of Greek Education
4. “Internet Ministries: Importance, Budget and Expectations.” Speaker: Archon Ostiarios — E. Sotiropoulos
5. “The Church at Home: Contemporary Challenges.” Speaker: Fr. K. Kaltsidis
6. “Greek Orthodox Community: Unifying the Faithful – Spiritual Life – Administration – Conformity and Journeying together in harmony with the Holy Metropolis and the Ecumenical Patriarchate.” Speaker: Archon Prostatis Ton Grammaton — Michael G. Ikonomou
All of the topics were studied and discussed in depth; and, in a spirit of love and harmony, motions and resolutions were received and adopted.
The Archdiocese extends its deepest gratitude to the organizing committee and to following four communities for what was indeed a truly successful conference: Vancouver, East Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria, together with Rev. Frs. Constantinos Economos, Constantinos Kaltsidis, Timoleon Prattas, and George Tolias.
Archbishop Sotirios expresses his warmest thanks to all, and especially towards His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the elevation of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. Archbishop Sotirios thanked and glorified the most merciful Lord for all the good coworkers He has given him, as well as all of the assembly participants of the youth, the Philoptochos, and the Clergy-Laity.
From the Office of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada
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