The generous financial gift was made possible through the pledges of its original members. Peter Kikis, the newly elected president of FAITH, reported that the grants were distributed “for the purpose of upgrading the computer technology and infrastructure of both institutions.”
A supporting non-profit organization, FAITH was established in 2005 by 15 philanthropists for the purpose of providing financial support and services to the national ministries of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. FAITH will now invite an additional 35 distinguished Greek Americans to become founding members by donating at least 1 (one) million dollars each towards an ultimate goal of 100 (one hundred) million dollars. A successful result of this effort will ensure the planned growth of the Endowment.
Alex G. Spanos, Chairman, stated emphatically “I strongly believe in the goals that guide our Faith group and I am as ever committed to see that it flourishes as a viable and dynamic organization to spread the principles of Orthodoxy and Hellenism.” Kikis added, “We are seriously committed to preserving and propagating Orthodoxy and Hellenism in the United States by emphasizing continuing education for our clergy and academic scholarships for our youth!”
According to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, “Generous contributions like the one by FAITH are critical to the future of the Orthodox Church in America to provide, among other things, the necessary resources for the spiritual nurture and professional development of effective clergy to serve the growing number of parishes in America.”
Father Nicholas Triantafilou, President of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, noted that the deans and professors of Hellenic College and Holy Cross have exercised exemplary stewardship in preparing our young men for the Holy Priesthood, as well as young women and men for church service. They have also prepared students of Hellenic College for meaningful professions in society. “Our deans, professors and students,” Father Triantafilou insists, “will prove to be faithful stewards of the generosity and trust of the founding members of FAITH to whom we are grateful.”
The initial founding members of FAITH are: Ambassador George L. Argyros of Newport, California, George D. Behrakis of Boston, Massachusetts, Nicholas J. Bouras of Summit, New Jersey, George Coumantaros of New York, New York, Michael Jaharis of New York, New York, Peter T. Kikis of New York, New York, Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis of Sacramento, California, James H. Moshovitis of Washington, D.C., John G. Pappajohn of Des Moines, Iowa, John A. Payiavlas of Warren, Ohio, Alex K. Spanos of Stockton, California, Dean Spanos of San Diego, California, Michael Spanos of Stockton, California, Angelo K. Tsakopoulos of Sacramento, California, and Kyriakos Tsakopoulos of Sacramento, California. The Rev. Father Alexander Karloutsos serves as the Executive Advisor of the FAITH Endowment.
Contact: Rev. Frank Marangos
Tel.: 212-772-0244
Planning is well underway for this summer's Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville, Tenn. July 16-20. A new feature has been added to the schedule for the families of delegates and for those within driving distance of Nashville interested in spending a day or two at the Congress.
The Center for Family Care will sponsor a Family Synaxis on Sunday through Thursday of the Congress, which will include educational and social activities for family members of all ages. "We are excited to be offering this program to the families who attend the Congress for their own spiritual edification and as a model for family programming in their parishes," said Fr. Constantine Sitaras, director of the Archdiocesan Center for Family Care.
While delegates to the Congress and the National Philoptochos Convention are attending their daily meetings, the Family Synaxis will provide opportunities for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth to their spouses and children. Children and adults will be will have opportunities to attend together, as well as participate in age group sessions. One focus of the program will be to show parents how family resources can be used in the home to nurture faith on a daily basis. Sessions are scheduled on Monday afternoon and in the mornings on Tuesday and Wednesday. In addition, a series of activities for families are also being planned which will include a Sunday evening social at Holy Trinity parish in Nashville and an all-day youth program on Thursday with tours of the Nashville Zoo and several historic sites.
The Congress Family Synaxis is offered at no charge to the families of Congress delegates and to families in the region who would like to participate. The Thursday youth program will have a fee of $45 per person, and children in the 5th grade or under will need to be accompanied by an adult.
Pre-registration for the Family Synaxis is required, and more information and registration materials can be accessed at http://www.familyaschurch.org/familysynaxis.asp .
Information on the Clergy-Laity Congress, hotel accommodations, schedule, and more is available at http://www.clergylaity.org.
Contact: Clergy-Laity Congress Office
Tel. 212-570-3549
Email: clergylaity@goarch.org
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