On a warm summer evening in Cleveland, the busy schedule of the Clergy-Laity Congress gave way to an evening devoted to family, fellowship and joy–the traditional Clergy-Laity Congress Clergy Family Dinner, sponsored by the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
As buses arrived at the Great Lakes Science Center along the edge of North Coast Harbor, clergy and their families stepped out together. Classmates, friends and their families had the opportunity to reconnect and break bread together.
The children awaited the arrival of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who was joined by host Metropolitan, His Eminence Savas of Pittsburgh; Patriarchal Representatives His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, His Eminence Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, and Grand Archimandrite Iakovos; and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod. Their presence underscored the importance of supporting and honoring the families who serve alongside the clergy of the Archdiocese.
Fr. Peter Orfanakos, President of the Archdiocesan Presbyter Council, introduced Genevieve Palamara (10 years old) and Zoe Cornett (11 years old) who led everyone in the Lord’s Prayer, which was followed by the blessing of the meal by His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.
National Commander of the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, himself the son of a priest, offered remarks, thanking the families for their devotion to our parishes.
Presvytera Pearlann Bithos, President of the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres, also offered remarks and greetings, remarking on the “beautiful tapestry” in the room. “Each face in this room is a thread, woven together to create the vibrant fabric of our clergy family,” Pres. Pearlann said. “We are a family! Take a moment to look around. Can you feel the love that fills this room?”
She then she presented gifts to the Archbishop and to Director of Special Events Fr. Evagoras Constantinides, thanking him for arranging the beautiful event.
Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke with love and warmth to his clergy and their families, saying that this is an event to which he always looks forward.
“Being with you, our clergy families, is a very special feeling for any Hierarch. For we, who give up a natural family for the sake of the Kingdom, all the more treasure you, our spiritual children and, if you will, grandchildren,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said. “Therefore, this Dinner always feels like a huge family reunion, and I rejoice to see your happy faces and those of your children. Every Hierarch holds similar feelings for his clergy, because your success is our success, even as your challenges are our challenges.”
His Eminence offered gifts to Presvytera Pearlann and Fr. Orfanakos, in recognition of their leadership, and for the ministry of their associations.
Tonight’s gathering serves as a reminder that in addition to the meetings and deliberations of the Congress, the strength of the Church is found in the relationships that bring together its clergy and their families. The attendees left with renewed encouragement and a deeper sense of belonging to the larger family of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
