BOSTON – The 47th Clergy-Laity Congress of the Archdiocese of America began on Sunday, June 30, with a Divine Liturgy celebrated by numerous hierarchs at the Church of Saint Spyridon in San Diego, CA. The Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and was attended by Metropolitans Gerasimos of San Francisco, who is overseeing the organization of the Congress, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, and the newly-enthroned Metropolitan Constantine of Denver, while the first-ranking Metropolitan of the Archdiocese, Methodios of Boston, was also present inside the Holy Altar.

The following assistant Bishops participated: Bishop Sebastian of Zelon, Bishop Spyridon of Mastre, Bishop Timotheos of Hexamillion, Bishop Ioakeim of Amissos, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Bishop Ioannis of Focaea, Bishop Nektarios of Diocleia, and Bishop Antonios of Sassima.

Also present at the Liturgy, standing on either side of the Episcopal throne according to ecclesiastical order, were the two representatives of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Archbishop Nikitas of Great Britain and Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia.

Shortly before the dismissal of the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, speaking in Greek, said, among other things: “Welcome to the most beautiful city in America, San Diego. The hearts and arms of all members of the Saint Spyridon community are open and welcome you, wishing that our Clergy-Laity Congress of the Archdiocese, under your inspired leadership in accordance with the Holy Provincial Synod, will become a milestone in the course of our Holy Archdiocese.”

In another part of his speech, Metropolitan Gerasimos, addressing Archbishop Elpidophoros, said: “Your Eminence, you gave me a small but valuable gift, an ‘engolpion’ depicting the Almighty God in glory,” and then he presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with an epigonation, and he did the same with two Patriarchal representatives.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, turning to Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, who was celebrating his name day, said, “my dear brother Apostolos, Axios – many years!”

Archbishop Elpidophoros also acknowledged the presence of the new Metropolitan of Denver, Constantine, and spoke in complimentary terms about Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, noting his seniority among the hierarchs of the Archdiocese of America.

He presented the parish priest, Fr. Andreas Skordalakis, with a pectoral cross from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while gifting the Saint Spyridon parish a pair of chalices crafted “in Constantinople by a Christian artisan.”

After the Liturgy, the registration of delegates continued, and the exhibitions showcasing and selling various ecclesiastical items were inaugurated.

It is noted that alongside the Clergy-Laity Congress, the National Philoptochos, the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle – Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Presbyteres’ Association, and for the first time, the Monastic Fraternities, are also meeting in San Diego. After the conclusion of the Clergy-Laity Congress on Thursday, July 4, the Youth will convene their own event with Archbishop Elpidophoros as the speaker.