PREAMBLE

We, the clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the pastoral aegis of our Archbishop, and desiring to manifest the words of St. Paul the Apostle that we "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2), affirm the existence of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council (APC).

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council is to serve the needs of the Archdiocese of America; to support, enhance and promote the mission and brotherhood of our priests on all levels of their ministry and diakonia, spiritual growth and educational development, as well as their personal needs.

MEMBERSHIP

The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council shall be comprised of two priests from each Metropolis elected by their respective Metropolis Clergy Syndesmos. The manner in which the representatives of each Metropolis to the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council are elected, as well as the length of their terms, are determined by each Metropolis Clergy Syndemos. Each two-year term on the APC shall commence with and conclude at the biennial Archdiocesan Clergy Laity Congress. Each Metropolis must also select an alternate. The President of the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee, the President of the Retired Clergy Association and the President of the Hellenic College/Holy Cross Alumni Association are ex-officio non-voting members of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council.

OFFICERS

At the Clergy Laity Congress (CLC), the Metropolis representatives shall elect four officers for a term of two years, who will comprise the Executive Board (consisting of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer). The immediate past president is also a member of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and its Executive Board. The term of office for the members of the Executive Board will not exceed two consecutive terms in the same office.


MEETINGS

A meeting of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council shall be convened at least twice each year, at least once in the fall and once in the spring, by the Archbishop and/or the President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council with the approval of the Archbishop. Special meetings may be called by the Archbishop or by the President, with the consent of the other officers and with the knowledge and blessings of the Archbishop. The chancellor of the Archdiocese will be invited to participate in all meetings of the APC.


THE NATIONAL CLERGY RETREAT

The National Clergy Retreat (NCR) of the Archdiocese of America will be organized by the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and held biennially on the off year of the Clergy Laity Congress. All expenses for clergy participants are to be covered by their individual Parish, as per the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the remunerative standards for clergy established by the Clergy Compensation Plan that is issued annually.


THE APC/NSP BENEVOLENT FUND

This Fund has been established to assist a brother priest or his family in times of crisis, emergency and/or extreme financial need. It is funded by an annual solicitation and held in a separate account.

The Benevolent Fund is administered jointly by the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council and the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (NSP), with the approval of the Presidents and Treasurers of both organizations required for a philanthropic disbursement from the Fund. Requests for assistance may be made to the Presidents of either organization.


STANDING COMMITTEES

The Archdiocese Presbyters Council extends its function through the appointment of standing committees, with the blessing of the Archbishop who will, along with the member Bishops of the Holy Eparchial Synod, receive all reports.


ARCHDIOCESAN PRESBYTERS’ COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEES

 Hellenic College/Holy Cross 
 

 Liturgical Issues 
 
 Internet Website 
 
 The Presbyter

  
 Continuing Education 

  
 National Retreat  

  
 Stewardship/Benevolent Fund 

  
 Clergy/Laity Congress 


STEWARDSHIP

The primary financial support for the APC will be derived from stewardship donations from each priest of the Archdiocese. The minimum recommended donation is $20.00 per year, which must be remitted by each Metropolis Syndesmos Treasurer in an amount to cover all the priests serving in that Metropolis. This contribution should be made in conjunction with the beginning of the new ecclesiastical year.


AMENDMENTS

Any amendments to these by-laws must be submitted to all the members of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council in writing thirty (30) days prior to the fall or spring meeting and approved by a two-thirds majority at said meeting. 

A BRIEF HISTORY

Established by His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos (1911-2005), the National Presbyters Council convened in July of 1970. Its expressed purpose was to receive counsel from and offer counsel to the Archbishop concerning priestly issues. The first meeting of the NPC was held in Cleveland, Ohio. Bishop Theodosios, representing Archbishop Iakovos, attended this meeting. At that meeting, the Reverend Father Alkiviadis Calivas was elected its first president.

At the 1994 Clergy Laity Congress, held in Chicago, Illinois, the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council was recognized as an official body of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America. This decision was incorporated into the Regulations of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America at the Clergy Laity Congress held in New York, NY in 2004. 

The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council has consistently worked to respond to the many pressing issues facing the clergy. The APC continues to receive the paternal blessings of the Archbishop of America and strives to strengthen the sacred calling of the presbyters of the Archdiocese of America.