“Best Legal Practices for Parishes,” a workshop presented by George A. Tsougarakis, General Counsel of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, provided clergy and lay leaders with practical guidance on the legal, governance, and risk-management issues facing Greek Orthodox parishes today.
The session emphasized that every parish serves a dual role: it is both a sacred community and a legally-recognized nonprofit corporation. Tsougarakis explained that effective governance is not simply a legal requirement—it is an essential part of faithful stewardship that protects parish assets, preserves the trust of parishioners, and allows the Church to carry out its spiritual mission.
Throughout the workshop, attendees received practical instruction on the legal framework governing parishes, including the Uniform Parish Regulations and parish bylaws, the respective responsibilities of the parish priest, Parish Council, General Assembly, and hierarch, and the fiduciary duties owed by Parish Council members. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of transparency, proper corporate procedures, conflicts of interest, accurate meeting minutes, and thoughtful decision-making.
The presentation also addressed financial best practices, including internal financial controls, segregation of duties, protection of donor-restricted funds, ministry oversight, and sound accounting procedures designed to safeguard parish resources and prevent fraud or financial mismanagement.
Recognizing the increasingly complex responsibilities facing parishes, Tsougarakis discussed current legal issues involving youth protection, mandatory reporting, employment law, volunteer management, third-party liability, insurance coverage, and the importance of written policies and documentation. Using real-world examples drawn from parish experience, he illustrated how relatively simple governance practices can significantly reduce legal exposure while strengthening parish administration.
The workshop concluded with an extended question-and-answer session, during which participants discussed practical challenges facing their own communities. Tsougarakis encouraged parish leaders to view legal compliance not as an obstacle to ministry, but as an important means of protecting the Church, its clergy, volunteers, and faithful for generations to come.
He also reminded attendees that the Office of the General Counsel remains available as a resource to assist parishes in navigating legal and governance issues before they become disputes.
