ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOLY EPARCHIAL SYNOD

The Holy Eparchial Synod of the Holy Archdiocese of America convened its regular spring meeting on April 25 and 26, 2012 at the Synodal chamber of the Holy Archdiocese in New York, with His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America presiding and the participation of all its members.

The day before the official convening of the Synod, April 24, the members of the Synod completed the English translation from the original Greek text of the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom which will be submitted to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for approval.

The Holy Synod discussed a number of subjects among them the following:
1. Special aspects of pastoral care and administration of the Holy Archdiocese of America related to clergy and laity.
2. Subjects related to the education and training of candidates to the priesthood.
3. The upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress of the Holy Archdiocese of America in Phoenix, Arizona.
4. The continuing effort for assistance to needy individuals and families in Greece, beyond the assistance in the amount of $500,000 offered already to the Archdiocese of Athens, which will be used for specific relief programs.
5. Contribution to programs of pastoral care for patients in hospitals.
6. Issues of inter-Orthodox relations and activities.

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios announced the appointment of the Rev. Anastasios Gounaris, a very capable and outstanding clergyman of the Holy Archdiocese of America, as Dean of our Holy Trinity Cathedral.  Father Anastasios, who will assume his new assignment as of June 1, has faithfully served the Archdiocese as a priest for almost 30 years, the past 21 years at Holy Trinity in Indianapolis.

In the official letter to the Board of Trustees of the Cathedral, announcing the appointment of Father Anastasios, the Chancellor Bishop Andonios writing on behalf of the Archbishop stated, It is our expectation that his presence will be a source of spiritual edification and sanctification to all the faithful, and we are confident that as a Board of Trustees, you will do all you can to assist him in this task. Let us embark upon this new and exciting chapter in the life of Holy Trinity filled with renewed hope and faith, focusing time, talents and treasures for the future of the Cathedral community.

Father Gounaris was born in New Bedford, Mass., in 1957 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in General Engineering from the University of Massachusetts – Dartmouth, in 1979. In September of 1980, he entered Holy Cross School of Theology and was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1983.  Following graduation he served as an assistant priest at St. Spyridon Church in New York City, and in 1985 was assigned as the parish priest at St. Demetrios Church in Saginaw, Mich.  In 1991 he assumed the pastorate of Holy Trinity Church in Indianapolis where he helped the community build a magnificent new church complex.

Father is married to Presvytera Maria (Sinodinou) and has two daughters, Eleni and Katrina, and one grandchild.

NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America appointed His Grace Bishop Sevastianos of Zela as spiritual advisor of the National Greek Orthodox Ladies Philoptochos Society.

Bishop Sevastianos, who is the chief secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod assumes the responsibility of spiritual advisor to the National Philoptochos following in the steps of His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane who served the post faithfully for 10 years.

Archibishop Demetrios in a letter to Mrs. Aphrodite Skeadas, national president of the Philoptochos states: “His Grace Bishop Sevastianos, will continue along the same lines of extraordinary service established by his predecessor in the same position … (he) is a Hierarch of the Church whose pastoral sensitivity has guided both his ministry and education …(and) as your spiritual advisor, he will guide you in the precepts of the Orthodox tradition of Christian concern while working with you to achieve ever greater heights of service in philanthropy.”