Westfield, New Jersey – On Tuesday, October 18, 2022, the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of New Jersey held the first meeting of the 2022-2024 Metropolis Council at the Metropolis Headquarters in Westfield, New Jersey. Before the start of the meeting, the members of the Metropolis Council gathered in the Chapel of St. John Chrysostom for the administration of the Affirmation of Office by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia and assisted by the Chancellor of the Metropolis, the V. Rev. Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christoforos Oikonomidis.
His Eminence called the meeting to order by welcoming all of the Metropolis Council Members and thanking them for their dedication and service to the Metropolis. His Grace thanked His Eminence for his leadership and guidance and also thanked all of the Members of the Council for traveling to be present for this important meeting. Fr. Christoforos Oikonomidis provided the council with an update on the current status of the Metropolis, including the upcoming major events and the various clergy assignments that have taken place over the past six months.
In his message, Mr. Peter Arbes, the new Vice-President of the Metropolis Council, announced his desire and vision for the Metropolis Council to focus more on assisting to enhance the many vibrant Ministries of the sacred Metropolis of New Jersey through the active participation of all members of the Metropolis Council. Mr. Arbes also informed the Council that in the near future he will announce the formation of new committees that will focus on the youth, communications, stewardship and philanthropy, and other areas necessary for the continued growth of Metropolis works and ministries.
Mr. Arbes presented detailed reports on the Metropolis’ finances, including a thorough Financial Report for the current year up till August. He also presented to the Council a budget for the year 2023, which was approved. Mr. Savas Tsivicos, the Finance Committee Chair, also offered a presentation on the current status of the 2022 Parish Total Commitments and Benefits Commitment.
The newly appointed Metropolis Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Deacon Konstantinos Loukas, presented the members of the council with an updated Youth Report, announcing the plans to revitalize the YAL program and the Regional Acolyte Retreat program. In addition he provided the members with the dates of the upcoming major youth events in the Metropolis including, the Annual Epiphany Celebration on January 7, 2023, in Ocean City, Maryland, and the Annual Hellenic Folk Dance Festival (FDF), which is scheduled for January 14-15, 2023, in Annapolis, Maryland.
The Metropolis Council for the 2022-2024 term is comprised of the following:
His Eminence Achbishop Elpidophoros of America (Patriarchal Vicar)
His Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia
V. Rev. Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne Christoforos Oikonomidis, Chancellor
Rev. Protopresbyter Cosmas Karavellas, Vicar General
Peter Arbes, Vice-President
Maria Stefanis, Secretary
Anastasia Economos, Treasurer
Savas Tsivicos, Finance Committee Chair
Debbie Efthimion, Audit Committee Chair
Peter Kakoyiannis, Legal Counsel
V. Rev. Archimandrite Philotheos Tomczewski
Rev. Protopresbyter Angelo Artemas
Rev. Protopresbyter George Chioros
Rev. Protopresbyter George Bessinas
Rev. Protopresbyter Basil Gikas
Rev. Protopresbyter Apostolos Pappas
Rev. Economos Nicholas Rafael
Rev. Presbyter Philemon Patitsas
Leon Andris
Maria Caras
Anastasius Efstratiades
Demitrios Halakos
George Horiates
Cary Limberakis
Anthony Palmieri
H. James Polos
Stavros Soussou
Panos Stavrianidis
Stylianos Zervoudis