On Monday, June 29, 2026, the Ministry Pavilion and Exhibit Hall of the 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the Atrium, marking the beginning of one of the most vibrant and engaging spaces of the Congress.  

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the ceremony, joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh, Host Metropolitan; His Eminence Metropolitan Arsenios of Austria, Patriarchal Representative; Michael Bapis, Leadership 100 Chairman; Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos, Leadership 100 Executive Director; and Paulette Poulos Leadership 100 Senior Advisor. 

Clergy-Laity Congress Co-Chairs John and Effie Trihas began the program by welcoming all the visitor and exhibitors. Attended by clergy and faithful along with exhibitors and ministry representatives, the ribbon-cutting formally inaugurates the hall, which has been generously sponsored by Leadership 100 for decades. 

Offering his appreciation to Leadership 100 for their sponsorship of this important area of the Congress, Archbishop Elpidophoros, His Eminence also invited delegates and visitor to visit the space often, “There is something for everybody in this Pavilion, and we pray that every delegate will take the time to pass through it and consider the wonderful options and opportunities that are available.” 

Immediately following the ribbon-cutting, the Archbishop, Metropolitan Savas, Patriarchal Representatives, and members of the Holy Eparchial Synod toured the booths, visiting with the exhibitors in the Exhibit Hall, which offers a gathering place where exhibitors connect with clergy, parish leaders, and faithful from across the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Attendees are invited to explore a wide array of ecclesiastical and cultural products and services, creating opportunities for collaboration, discovery, and inspiration in a lively marketplace setting.  

His Grace Bishop Irinej of Washington-New York and Eastern America of the Serbian Orthodox Church was most pleased to learn of two unique ministries, founded by faithful parishioners of the Eastern American Diocese, that were featured among the wide array of international and domestic exhibitors.

From the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, iconographer Anna and woodcarver Victor Gerasimchuk featured both original and reproductions of traditional Byzantine style icons and images of church frescoes of Ikonochki studio (www.iconochki.com). Both Anna and Victor were recognized by Bishop Irinej with special grammata in 2023 for their wonderful execution and gifting of a new iconostasis, thronal icons and frescoes in the St. George church and refectory in Cincinnati.

In like manner, from the Holy Resurrection Serbian Orthodox Church in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, a wonderful group of talented converts to the Orthodox faith and cradle Orthodox, established in 2022, under the patronage of St. John the Baptist, a creative multi-discipline atelier Theophany Works (www.theophanyworks.com). At the 2026 parish feast day, His Grace Bishop Irinej was presented with a unique hand-made paterica - episcopal walking stick, made of carved cherry wood from our Shadeland Estate, surmounted by an intricately designed silver top.

Source: GOArch.org