ΙΕΡΑ ΑΡΧΙΕΠΙΣΚΟΠΗ

ΑΜΕΡΙΚΗΣ

MEDIA ADVISORY

For Immediate Release                     

Contact:  V. Rev. Archimandrite George Nikas,

Chief Secretary of the Metropolis of NJ

Tel.:  908-686-0003

April 18, 2005                    

HIS EMINENCE METROPOLITAN EVANGELOS OF NEW JERSEY

PRESIDES OVER SUCCESSFUL

2005 METROPOLIS OF NEW JERSEY CLERGY LAITY ASSEMBLY

Kenilworth, New Jersey –

His Eminence Metropolitan EVANGELOS of New Jersey presided over the successful and productive Metropolis of New Jersey 2005 Clergy Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention held in Baltimore, Maryland, at the Sheraton Baltimore North, on March 27-28, 2005. The event was attended by delegates from Parishes and Philoptochos Chapters from throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey (New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Greater Philadelphia).

His Eminence celebrated the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy Sunday morning at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Baltimore, MD, followed by a dinner in the evening that featured a DVD presentation on the recent Patriarchal visit of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey in 2004.

In his visionary Archpastoral Exhortation Monday morning, Metropolitan EVANGELOS gave a stirring and comprehensive overview of the Metropolis ministries and future plans for expansion of Metropolis facilities and ministries. In keeping with the Archdiocesan theme of the “Year of the Family,” His Eminence spoke at length regarding the need to keep the family unit intact and in close collaboration with the Church, constantly teaching our children the tenets of the Orthodox Faith. A special presentation by the Archons followed on their recent trip to Constantinople on the occasion of the return of the Holy Relics for renowned Fathers of the Church, Teachers of the Faith and Ecumenical Patriarchs, St. John Chrysostom and St. Gregory the Theologian.

In the afternoon, the Metropolis Youth Ministry Team gave a vibrant presentation on “Our Youth in the 21^st Century: Youth, Family and Church.” Steps to raising children within a solid Orthodox home environment were outlined as well as the ever improving and growing Youth ministry programs throughout the Metropolis. Special emphasis was given to this summer’s Metropolis of New Jersey Camp Program, Camp Good Shepherd, which as a result of His Eminence’s vision, is being brought back within the physical boundaries of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey.

The highlight of the 2-day assembly was a special presentation by the Rev. Protopresbyter George Dragas, Professor of Patristic Theology at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, “Prayer and Spirituality in the Orthodox Home, Parish and Metropolis.” Workshops later in the day, led by Frs. Anargyros Stavropoulos, Chancellor, George Dragas, Emmanuel Pratsinakis and Constantine Christofis, continued the Assembly’s theme of the family.

Delegates left this year’s Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey Clergy Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention with renewed spiritual vigor and commitment to the Church and her vital ministries and outreach.

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