The 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Closes with the Grand Banquet and Fourth of July Fireworks

By GOARCH

San Diego – In Christ we are One! The 47th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America concluded Thursday evening, July 4, 2024 with the Grand Banquet where more than 1300 people from across the country, including attendees from the Clergy-Laity Congress, National Philoptochos Convention and the Young Adult Conference (YAL), gathered as one body in Christ.

The Banquet on the lawn overlooking the beautiful San Diego marina began with the Presentation of Colors and the Greek and American National Anthems. Master of Ceremonies Robert Krantz introduced Michele Patzakis and Constantine Pappas who performed a selection of patriotic music.  The Congress Co-Chairs  Archon Gerry and Jeannie Ranglas and Archon Isidoros and Maria Garifalakis gave remarks thanking all of those who have contributed their time, talents and treasure to make this week both informative and enjoyable. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, host Metropolitan, gave his closing remarks—thanking all involved for a successful Clergy-Laity Congress, with a special thanks to the Metropolis of San Francisco Director of Development Communications Kristen Bruskas–followed by Patriarchal Representatives Their Eminences Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain and Metropolitan Cleopas of Sweden and All Scandinavia.

Archbishop Elpidophoros honored the Director of Special Events, Rev. Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Patriarch Fr. Evagoras Constantinides for his work organizing and facilitating the 2024 Congress.

The Grand Banquet concluded with the “Big Bay Boom,” the exciting fireworks display provided by the city of San Diego on the waterfront across the lawn where Congress participants came together in fellowship as the Congress closed. Tomorrow the delegates will begin returning to their parishes to report to their parishes and to implement the programs and projects they learned about this week.

Photo: GOARCH/Brittainy Newman

https://www.goarch.org/-/clc-2024-grand-banquet