GARFIELD, NJ – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey at the its annual Grand Banquet on May 16 awarded 106 stewards of the communities, clergy, members of Parish Councils, the Brotherhoods, the Philoptochos Societies, choir members, and members of the GOYA Chapters.
The Grand Banquet was held within the framework of the Metropolis’ Clergy-Laity Assembly and Philoptochos Convention which took place on May 16 and 17.
Metropolitan Evangelos said the banquet was attended by “855 priests, presidents and members of the Parish Councils, of the Philoptochos Societies, GOYA members, donors and benefactors of the parishes and the Metropolis, as well as representatives of the Federations of Hellenic Societies and Pan Gregorian Enterprises of New Jersey.
The Clergy-Laity Assembly was acknowledged as successful and spread the messages of unity, solidarity, and devotion to the communities, the Metropolis, and to the Church in general.
During his opening speech, Rev. Protopresbyter Kosmas Karavellas referred to the special guests and pointed out that they were honored by the presence of Archbishop Demetrios, Metropolitan Maximos, who represented Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the new Consul General of Greece in New York, Konstantinos Koutras, Consul Manos Koubarakis, and National Philoptochos President Maria Logus.
Immediately following, students Amelia Antzoulatos and Alexander Horn sang the Greek and American national anthems, respectively.
Metropolitan Council Vice President James Fount as mentioned the Metropolis’ achievements and pointed out that May 11th marked the 13th anniversary of Evangelos’ enthronement. He said the achievements are due mainly to the tireless efforts and self-sacrifice of the honored guests, as well as the priests, the councils, and the parish members.
Evangelos announced that this was the first Clergy-Laity Assembly that Philoptochos President of the Metropolis Anne Michals did not attend, due to health reasons, and asked for prayers for her speedy recovery. He also pointed out that this year marks the 25th of Bartholomew’s enthronement, making him the longest-serving patriarch.
Consul General Koutras expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome and for the love one feels when attending events such as this one and that the “heart of Greece beats strongly thousands of miles away from the homeland.”
Metropolitan Maximos noted that “here as communities you are able to portray enviable activity and social spirit,” and cited the lyrics of singer-songwriter Dionysis Savvopoulos “the communities of the Greeks create other galaxies…” He said the honorees are worth emulating because they “sanctify their life for the Church” and emphasized the notion of holiness.
Archbishop Demetrios reminded the audience that they “belong to a successful Metropolis, about which the Archdiocese and the Ecumenical Patriarchate boast.”
You have the Pan Gregorian of New Jersey, the Hellenic Federation, an extremely powerful Cypriot community, an amazing Philoptochos Society and rising action in the field of Education. You are developing Byzantine music, you are laboring and God provides the money so that you may continue your work and service.”
Demetrios also spoke about the upcoming the Great and Holy Council in Crete and the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville, TN.
In regards to the presidents and members of the GOYA Chapters who were awarded, he pointed out that they “honor the future of the Church.”
The archbishop spoke about the preservation of national identity and the Greek language for younger generations and stressed that within large ethnical groups which originate from France, Germany, Austria and other European Union countries, the bonds are lost by the third generation.