|
Orthodox Observer - May 5, 1997 Leadership 100 Conference BOSTON. — This past week, the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America held its sixth annual conference in Boston. Chairman Arthur Anton, Co-chairs Eve Condakes and George Safiol and the entire Host Committee sought to make this event a celebration of Hellenic College/Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Over 210 participants from all across the country gathered to discuss the future of our School and of the Church.
By Fr. Mark Arey On Wednesday, the Board of Trustees held one of its two annual meetings, presided over by His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon, who had also presided over the meeting of the Executive Committee beforehand. These meetings comprised the official business of Leadership 100 and were distinguished by the equanimity and purposefulness of their deliberations. Later that evening, His Eminence was welcomed by the Board of Trustees at a special dinner hosted by Arthur and Madeline Anton.
ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON ad- dresses the meeting of Lead- ership 100 members at their spring conference at Holy Cross School of Theology. Also pic- tured are (I.tor.) George Ko- kalis, Theodore Theophilos and Arthur Anton. (D. Panagos photos) On Thursday, at a breakfast hosted by Chris and Mary Papoutsy, His Eminence delivered a powerful keynote address. In that address, he praised the unique character of the Fund. "Our "Leadership 100" family is also a vital family. The true genius of this Major Endowment Fund of the Greek Orthodox Church in America is the proactive nature of the Fund. By proactive, I mean that "Leadership 100" is an agent of change and growth in our Archdiocese. By using the dedicated income from the restricted, permanent and inviolate principal of the fund to seed and nurture various programs around the country, we invigorate the life of the Church on a national level. "Leadership 100" is not some kind of "rainy day" fund. Rather, it is an essential component of the infrastructure of our Church as She prepares to embark upon the Third Millennium of the Christian Faith. My friends, you know as well as I do, that if we do not plant the seeds of our Faith, culture and heritage in our children today, there will be no harvest for them tomorrow. Do you remember the story of the Patriarch Joseph in the Holy Scripture; how he stored up grain in Egypt for seven years in preparation for the years of famine that God had shown him through a dream? Believe me, although we live in the wealthiest country on earth, we are in the midst of a serious spiritual famine, in which we are at great risk losing the next generation to the life of our Church. Your vision, like the dream of the Prophet Joseph, is the vision which created "Leadership 100". You have taken care to set something aside for the future. I am sure that in Joseph's day, it was an enormous sacrifice to store up such a huge quantity of grain to last the people of Egypt a full seven years. Your sacrifice is not for the next seven years, but for the next Millennium! Therefore, your sacrifice must be a shared sacrifice. Leadership 100 must and will continue to be a growing family. All of our work, our energy, our resources, our plans, our agendas, our organized efforts ― they must all be seen in this light, which shines more brightly than any sun. I am convinced, my beloved friends and family in Christ, that whatever works we are called to perform must be done in that light; so that they may be pure, righteous and acceptable in the sight of God. You, who have accepted the challenge to be part of "Leadership 100", have accepted this challenge as well. Now you must take that challenge and carry it to others." Thursday concluded with a magnificent dinner in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, hosted by George and Margo Behrakis (who donated a Revere bowl to all of the participants as well). At the dinner, His Eminence presented the awards to the New and Fulfilled Members of Leadership 100. The New Members who received the Icon, "Christ, the True Vine", were:
HIS EMINENCE stands with new members of the Leadership 100 Endowment Fund. In Memory of Anna K. Bouras / Nicholas J. Bouras; Mr. Chris W. and Mrs. Joan Caras; Mr. Elias and Mrs. Katie Chinonis; Ms. Eugenia Collias; Dr. George and Mrs. Carol Anne Galifianakis; Mr. Minos Kyriakou; (accepting for him - Ms. Alexandra Spyridakis); In Memory of Sophie and Constantine Louis Malevitis; Mr. Louis G. Malevitis / Mrs. Marion Malevitis Gouvis; Mr. Paul C. and Mrs. Mary Ann Mallis; Mr. John G. and Mrs. Maxine Mathrusse; Mr. Basil J. and Mrs. Betty W. Mezines; Mr. Chris T. and Mrs. Joan Panopoulos; Mr. Nicholas J. and Mrs. Litsa Pantazes; Mr. James and Mrs. Lillian Thomas Styliades.
The Associate Members were:
Not present but other New and Associate Members were:
Associate Members: His Eminence also presented the Obelisk of Excellence to the newly fulfilled members: Mr. George C. and Mrs. Ursula Andreas; Mr. Constantine G. and Dr. Maria Caras; Mrs. Beck C. Demery; Mr. Peter E. and Mrs. Anne Kostorizos; Mr. William H. and Mrs. Dina Oldknow; Styliades Hellenic Orthodox Foundation, Inc. / Mr. James Thomas Styliades; Mr. James and Mrs. Lillian Thomas Styliades; Mr. Stephen G. and Mrs. Thelma S. Yeonas. In addition, the following newly fulfilled Members were given due mention: Mr. George L. Argyros; Dr. William J. and Mrs. Constance S. Collis; Mr. Peter G. Demetriades; Mr. Sergei Kampakis; Mr. Spiros N. Milonas; Mr. Christos Papoutsy; Steve Pilafas Estate / Mrs. Irene Pilafas Pappas; Steve Pilafas Estate / Dr. James S. Pilafas; Mrs. Eva Vardakis. On Friday, the Feast of the Life-giving Fountain, the participants were transported to the grounds of Hellenic College/Holy Cross for a full and rewarding day. They began by participating in the Divine Liturgy in the beautiful Byzantine chapel which overlooks the campus. After Divine Liturgy, a breakfast was served, which was hosted by Charles and Sophia Poulos (who also hosted the luncheon at the Maliotis Cultural Center). The day was filled with talks by faculty and staff, as well as interaction with many of the students. Leadership 100 Members were visibly moved by the devotion of the students and the efforts of our School. James and Angela Paulos of Dallas, Texas were so moved that they made a surprise grant of $500,000 to the School, which was announced at the conclusion of the day's events. Saturday evening, at the Grand Banquet, there was a special tribute to the former Primate of our Church, Archbishop Iakovos. The Telemachus Demoulas Family and the Demoulas Foundation underwrote the cost of the banquet with such a generous donation, that the Conference was able to present a gift of $60,000 to honor the 60th Anniversary of the founding of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. [ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1128 - May 5, 1997 - pp. 1, 4 ]
|
|
|
|
|