2023 Clergy-Laity Assembly adjourns; His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael casts a vision of growth for the future as new members of Metropolis Council and Archdiocesan Council elected
LOMBARD, IL, October 20, 2023 – The 2023 Clergy-Laity Assembly, the biennial meeting of the faithful of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, adjourned last week as an affirmation of the vibrancy of the life of the Orthodox Church in the Midwest. Most notably, His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago shared his 5-year vision of growth through the cultivation of existing and new relationships.
The Metropolis of Chicago’s operating budget, including a more transparent budgeting method, was discussed and approved. Moreover, delegates approved a proposed amendment to Article 12, Section 2 of the Uniform Metropolis Regulations (UPR) concerning staggered terms for Metropolis Council members. Finally, delegates voted a new slate of representatives to fill seats on the Metropolis Council, the Metropolis Audit Committee, and the Archdiocesan Council.
Encouraged by the course being taken by the Metropolis of Chicago, two anonymous donors pledged matching gifts of $50,000 each, totaling $100,000, to the newly-created Metropolis of Chicago Annual Vision Campaign. The Annual Vision Campaign is designed to support and grow ministries and programs associated with the new vision of the Metropolis of Chicago. Additionally, the Philoptochos of the Metropolis of Chicago gifted a donation of $25,000 to the St. Iakovos Retreat Center.
“We believe that the spirit of unity and sense of purpose we saw at the Clergy-Laity Assembly is the result of the trust that has been earned by our Holy Metropolis in recent years,” said George Lattas, Chairman of the Clergy-Laity Assembly and Second Vice President of the Metropolis Council. “All we can offer is a humble pledge to recommit ourselves to our obligations and find new ways to better serve the faithful of the Metropolis.”
Delegates and observers participated in five breakout sessions (Developing Clergy Leaders, Supporting Parishes, Expanding Philanthropy and Outreach, Increasing Engagement, and Fueling Growth) to offer insights and brainstorm ideas to help actualize His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael’s vision. Results were discussed with delegates at the Clergy-Laity Assembly and will be used by the Metropolis of Chicago to track growth during the next five years.
“Having listened attentively to the flock over the last five years, we now have an articulation of what we stand for and what we want as a faith community—one that hundreds have shaped and refined,” His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael said. “With our future course set, we must now continue the difficult but essential work of serving all of Christ’s children—the faithful already active in the life of the Church, as well as those still seeking greater purpose, meaning, and belonging in their lives.”
Several individuals were elected peers to boards and committees. Newly elected representatives are as follows:
Metropolis Council
- Fr. Tilemahos Alikakos (Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Church, Niles, Illinois)
- Fr. Chris Avramopoulos (Saints Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, Illinois)
- Fr. Panagiotis Boznos (Saint Athanasios Church, Aurora, Illinois)
- Fr. Chrysanthos Kerkeres (St. George Church, Chicago, Illinois)
- Fr. Sotirios Malamis (Ascension of Our Lord Church, Lincolnshire, Illinois)
- Fr. Chris Mihalopoulos (Saint Nectarios Church, Palatine, Illinois)
- Fr. Doug Papulis (St. Nicholas Church, St. Louis, Missouri)
- Fr. Dimitri Tobias (St. Andrew Church, Chicago, Illinois)
- Dean Avdalas (Saints Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois)
- Dr. George Bovis (Saint John the Baptist Church, Des Plaines, Illinois)
- Dr. Alexandria Kalina (Saint Mary Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
- George Lattas (Saints Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, Illinois)
- Pres. Evangelia March, Ph.D. (Holy Transfiguration Church, Mason City, Iowa)
- Effie Panos (Saints Constantine & Helen Church, Palos Hills, Illinois)
- Yanni Sianis (St. George Church, Chicago, Illinois)
- Dean G. Tortorelis, M.D. (Saint Mary Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota)
Audit Committee
- Gus Harris (Assumption Town & Country, Missouri)
- Steve Koulogeorge (Saints Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois)
Archdiocesan Council
- Fr. Dimitri Tobias (St. Andrew Church, Chicago, Illinois)
- Dean Avdalas (Saints Peter & Paul Church, Glenview, Illinois)
- Tom Sikoral (Holy Taxiarhai & St. Haralambos Church, Niles, Illinois)
The Metropolis of Chicago Philoptochos Society also held its Conference concurrently with the Clergy-Laity Assembly. The following individuals were elected to the Board of Directors:
- Demetria Bakris
- Mary Baryo
- Hellena Chrones
- Anna Duros
- Pat Gerbanas
- Marilynn Jemas
- Vonne Karafotias
- Georgia Karnezis
- Kathy Katrakis
- Kathy Korbakes
- Wanita Loupakos
- Maria Macris
- Dena Pavlopoulos
- Kathy Siavelis
- Kathi Stamatis
- Marilyn Tzakis
- Kathy Walstrom
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to the early 1920’s, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the bishopric of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Indiana, and central Missouri, consisting of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine eparchies in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Lombard, Illinois. For more information and to get involved, visit our website and/or sign up to receive Metropolis news. For further information, contact the Metropolis of Chicago at: contactus@chicagometropolis.org or 312-736-2280.
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