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The 48th Clerical Assembly of the Archdiocese of America and the Assembly of Philoptochos concluded with the formal dinnertranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

With the grand formal dinner, held in the ballroom of the Cleveland Hotel, on Thursday July 2, 2026, the 48th Clergy Lay Assembly of the Holy Archdiocese of America and the parallel Assembly of Philoptochos were concluded. Representatives of parishes, delegates and invited guests attended the last joint dinner of the Clergy and Lay Assembly, which concluded the work of a week dedicated to faith, unity and common vision.

Archon Mike Emanuel introduced the event and moderated the evening. The event began with the official entry of the flag and after the playing of the National Anthem of Greece and the National Anthem of the United States, the Most Reverend Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros blessed the dinner.

The heads of the Clergy Lay Assembly, John and Effie Trihas, thanked those present for their participation in its work throughout the week. The Reverend Metropolitan of Pittsburgh Mr. Savvas, host Hierarch of the Clergy and Popular Assembly, also addressed a greeting. Anna Vedouras, president of the Assembly of Philoptochos, also thanked the...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Ilie Constantinescu

The great hall in Cleveland, but it reminded me of the feast of Saint Nicholas in Chisinau, when we would eat and fight over who to put at the table in the community hall, after sharing the bread from the harvest.

Георги Иванов

Nice big gathering in Cleveland, with flags, hymns and a blessing from the bishop. It reminded me of our dinners after fishing - 15-20 people sit down, eat what we have caught and then argue about who will wash the dishes. At least they didn't fight, from what it says.

Radmila Radovanović

Here in Podgorica, after every major parish celebration, we finish the same - at one table, after hymns and blessings, and then we all thank the hosts. It's nice that John and Effie Trihas personally thanked everyone, it shows that they worked together all week, not just sitting at the helm. With us, there would surely be someone who would later ask who washed the dishes.

Stefan Lukić

Here in Podgorica, after the parish celebration in St. George in Podgorica, we end the same way - after hymns, blessings and everything, we sit at the table, and the hosts personally thank everyone, as John and Effie Trihas did. It's nice that everyone came together in the end, even though it was a busy week.

Павел Михайлов

In Voronezh, after the throne ceremony in Nikolskoye, it’s always like this - after all the official things we sit down at the table, the priest will bless, and then we just eat and thank the hosts. I liked that John and Effie Trias personally thanked everyone, it’s clear that they worked together all week. But flags and anthems before prayer are normal, humane.

Петя Христова

Haha, that's right, Georgi - with us, after fishing, the argument about the plates is more fierce than the actual discussion at the council. Here at least they blessed the table first, not after someone had forcibly washed the dishes. Do you often go fishing like this lately?

Николай Атанасов

Haha, Petya, with us, after fishing, the argument about the dishes always ends with my mother, who just grabs them and washes them while we are still arguing. I rarely go lately, mostly with friends from the church group, but next time I'll try to bless the fish on the shore. When was the last time you went on such an outing?

Jelena Marković

Here in Novi Sad, after the church celebration in St. George in Telep, we end the same way - hymns, blessing and then everyone at the table, and the hosts personally thank. It's nice that you noticed it with the Trihas family, it looks exactly like our customs. And at your place in Podgorica, do they usually serve a traditional dish after that or do they disperse quickly?

Miloš Radovanović

Here in Niš, after the feast in the church of St. Panteleimon, we always end with a similar thanksgiving, but hardly anyone personally goes to each table. You made a good point about Trihas, it really shows that they didn't just preside. And where you live in Podgorica, who usually washes the dishes after so much celebration?

Иванка Стоянова

Haha, Nikolay, your mother is right – while we argue, the dishes wash themselves. The last time I was fishing was two years ago with the woman on the parish trip to the dam near Plovdiv, and we really blessed the catch even there. Are you and the church group catching more than carp or smaller ones?

Стефан Марков

Haha, that's exactly how it goes at our house - my wife just grabs the dishes and finishes while I'm still arguing with the kid about who should wash them. I recently went fishing with my friends from church last month near Varna, we caught two or three big ones. Where do you and the church group usually go?

Петя Костова

Haha, it's the same with us - I finish the dishes and my husband is still arguing with the grandchildren. I rarely go fishing, but the church group usually goes to Aladzha Monastery or to Batova for a walk and prayer. Have you caught anything bigger than a kilo and a half?

Красимира Василева

Haha, it's the same with us - I clear the table, and my husband still argues with the children about everything. I don't go fishing often, but last fall I caught a carp weighing exactly six hundred kilograms, I was happy all evening. Aladzha monastery you mean, is that where you go most often out of the group?

Мария Колева

Haha, that's exactly how it goes with us - I collect the dishes, and he also explains to the children why they should listen. I hardly ever go fishing, but last spring the group from the church caught several carp under a kilo in Batova. And what have you been knitting lately, Petya, something for the grandchildren?