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Orthodox Observer - April 20, 1997

Archdiocesan Presbyters Council Meets at Ecumenical Patriarchate

MEMBERS OF the APC meet hold their meetings with His Eminence at the Patri- archate.

(N. Manginas photo)

Twenty-two members of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council, representing every Diocese made a historic pilgrimage to the center of world Orthodoxy. The purpose of this trip was to receive the blessings of His All Holiness, to hold the APC's spring meeting and to experience the warm embrace of our Mother Church, an embrace that will remain with each presbyter for the rest of his life.

By Fr. John M. Loejos

The meeting at the Ecumenical Patriarchate was balanced with worship at the newly restored Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George. Where the Presbyters experienced the third stanza of the Akathist Hymn, Great Vespers for the Feast of the Adoration of the Holy Cross and the Celebration of the Sunday Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Adoration of the Cross, with Patriarch Bartholomew presiding from the Patriarchal Throne.

Touring the city of Istanbul which was historically Constantinople and yet remains the same in the hearts of Orthodox Christians all over the World, was also an important part of the trip, as were two private receptions hosted by prominent members of the Turkish business community.

A city of contrasts

ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON pre- sides at the Vespers in the Ca- thedral of St. George.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

Istanbul is truly a city of tremendous contrasts. The glory of Byzantium contrasted by the quiet ever present witness of the Phanar, the opulence of the Sultans contrasted by children begging in the streets, the Islamic call to prayer that is heard through out the land contrasted by the ancient hymns that emanate from the Patriarchal Cathedral, the construction of modern towers of steel and glass next to ancient structures of mortar and stone that will continue to out live all modern architectural wonders.

Finally the warm Turkish hospitality that was enjoyed by the Presbyters and the honor and respect shown to His All Holiness by their Turkish hosts was a far cry from some of the more radical elements of Islam.

The spring meeting of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council was convened at the Patriarchate, in the former Administration building. Archbishop Spyridon welcomed his Presbyters to the "Poli."

Also present were Bishop Alexios of Troas, Archdiocese Chancellor Fr. Alexander Leondis, Director of the Office of the Archbishop the Very Rev. John Heropoulos, Vicar for Public Affairs Fr. Alex Karloutsos, and Deacon Anastasios.

After an opening prayer by His Eminence, and the moving chant of the most appropriate Apolotikion of the Holy Trinity, APC President Fr. Christopher Metropulos called for the reading of the minutes by Secretary Fr. John Loejos. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

Fr. Michael Pastrikos, treasurer, reported on the status of the Operating Fund, the Benevolent Fund and the Library Fund.

New clergy pay system

APC MEMBERS on the steps of the Halki Patriarchal School of Theology.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

Chancellor Alexander Leondis updated the presbyters on matters of concern and explaining the new system for clergy pay established by the Archbishop, which has been smoothly implemented in at least six cases of clergy transfers.

The new plan centers around the Clergy receiving their salaries from the Archdiocese, as new transfers take place within those dioceses or districts that are directly under the Archdiocese.

Archbishop Spyridon requested that any recommendations for the new program be submitted to him in writing.

Fr. Dean Hountalas, chairman of the Clergy Remuneration Report Committee, has completed his report and forwarded it to Archbishop Spyridon for approval.

Other reports

Various committee reports were given on topics assigned at the last meeting in November.

Fr. Nicholas Katinas presented his report on recommendations for Hellenic College and Holy Cross; Fr. Chris Kerhulas reported on the National Clergy Retreat to be held in Chicago in conjunction with the upcoming visit of His All Holiness to America in November.

Other report topics included the Biennial Clergy Laity Congress by Frs. Eugene Pappas, Paul Palesty and Nicholas Katinas; ecclesiastical divorce proceedings by Frs. Pappas and Palesty; and burial of priests by Frs. Palesty and Peter Salmas.

Diocesan reports were presented as well as items under old and new business. This historic meeting was adjourned with a prayer. The presbyters then went to Vespers.

The following priests attended the Presbyters Council meetings:

Fr. Christopher Metropulos, St. Demetrios, Ft. Lauderdale, FL;

Fr. Timothy Bakakos, St. Sophia Church, Elgin, IL;

Fr. Costas Constantinou, Dormition of the Virgin Mary, Somerville, MA;

Fr. George Economou, Assumption Church, Pawtucket, RI;

Fr. Peter Giannakopoulos, St. George Church, Cape Cod, MA;

Fr. Dean Hountalas, Holy Cross Church, Farmington Hills, MI;

Fr. Nicholas Katinas, Holy Trinity Church, Dallas, Texas;

Fr. Chris Kerhulas, St. Basil Church, Chicago, IL;

Fr. Michael Kouremetis, Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Long Beach, CA;

Fr. Nicholas Kyritses, St. John Church, Detroit, MI;

Fr. Alexander Leondis, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, NYC;

 

Fr. John Loejos, St. John the Baptist, Omaha, Nebraska;

Fr. Jon Magoulias, Annunciation Church, Modesto, CA;

Fr. Constantine Monios, Annunciation Cathedral, Baltimore, MD;

Fr. Makarios J. Niakaros, Holy Apostles/Ss. Peter & Paul, Haverhill, MA;

Fr. Paul Palesty, St. Demetrios Church, Merrick, NY;

Fr. Michael Pastrikos, St. Haralambos Church, Canton, OH;

Fr. Nicholas Pathenos, St. George Church, Bloomfield Hills, MI;

Fr. Peter G. Salmas, Holy Cross Church, Belmont, CA;

Fr. Paul Kaplanis, Holy Trinity Church, Raleigh, NC;

Fr. Polycarp Rameas, Holy Dormition Church, Oakmont, PA;

Fr. Eugene N. Pappas, Three Hierarchs Church, Brooklyn, NY; Ss. Constantine & Helen Church; Holy Trinity Church

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 62, No. 1127 - April 20, 1997 - p. 24 ]