For Immediate Release
Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago Receives Donations to Fund Four Key Ministry Initiatives
CHICAGO, IL, December 25, 2018 – The Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago announced today the receipt of two significant financial contributions that will provide additional support to four important ministry initiatives. Both donors wish to remain anonymous.
The first of these donations, in the amount of $80,725, is earmarked for youth ministry and religious education. In particular, funds will help develop the Metropolis Junior Olympics and Winter Youth Camp programs. Funds also will help produce important religious education resources for parishes of the Metropolis.
“This generous gift will serve as a teaching opportunity to help our youth exercise their faith in fun settings with friends,” His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael said. “I am especially moved because this particular donation comes as a direct response to the dialogue that took place during my recent Listening Tour of the Metropolis.”
Father Chris Avromopoulos, Director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, noted that this financial contribution will make the Junior Olympics program and the Winter Youth Camp ministry more accessible to our youth throughout Metropolis.
The funds directed toward the Metropolis’ Department of Religious Education will further the strategic education goals set forth by the Education Task Force. Presbytera Georgia Alikakos, who oversees Metropolis religious education programs, believes that the funding will help provide continuing education and training for parish Church School teachers through monthly online webinars and regional workshops.
A second donation in the amount of $25,000 will help fund the inaugural Metropolis Diaconate Continuing Education Retreat, to be held in early 2019 at The Holy Apostles Greek Orthodox Church in Westchester, Illinois.
“This first-ever diaconate retreat will provide clergy and laity the opportunity to reclaim the liturgical and activist spirit of service through workshop and community service,” Metropolitan Nathanael added.
The retreat is intended for those faithful who are interested in learning more about the role of the diaconate. The retreat is being organized by Archdeacon Vasilios Smith, who noted that while the retreat is mandatory for all deacons of the Metropolis of Chicago, we welcome all deacons, other clergy and laity from across the country.
About the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago
Tracing its roots back to 1923, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago is the diocese of Greek Orthodox faithful in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, as well as northern Indiana and southeastern Missouri and consists of 58 parishes and two monastic communities. The Metropolis is one of nine regions in the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and is presided over by His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael. The general offices of the Metropolis are temporarily located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. For more information, visit www.chicago.goarch.org. To sign up for news from the Metropolis, visit https://chicago.goarch.org/signup.
For More Information:
Chris Varones
312-213-3887 chris.varones@aesopgroup.com
