NASHVILLE, TN – The 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America officially opened on July 4 in Nashville.
The Orthros and Divine Litury were held in the Grand Ole Opry House, a national landmark that was converted with an iconostasis and Archieratical throne for the occasion, the Orthodox Observer reported.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Geron of America presided, joined by the Metroplitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod, Iakovos of Chicago, Methodios of Boston, Isaiah of Denver, Alexios of Atlanta, Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Francisco, Evangelos of New Jersey, and this year’s host, Nicholas of Detroit.
Also attending, the Observer reported, were Metropolitans Ambrosios of Korea and Damaskinos of Kydonia and Apokoronou, representing His All–Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Also attending were numerous bishops and other clergy.
During the invocation, Archibshop Demetrios called upon God to continue to bless the Church Archons for their “terrific work,” and spoke praise of the Mother Church in its efforts to promote Orthodoxy throughout the world.
The schedule for the July 4 opening day is as follows:
9AM: Official Opening
9AM-6PM: Exhibit Hall
11:30-1PM Hierarchical Sessions
3-4:30PM Ministry Workshops
6PM-Midnight – Fourth of July Celebration