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The Clergy Assembly approved the budgets of the Holy Archdiocese of America for 2027 and 2028translated

July 3, 2026 · 1 min read

With the Plenary on Thursday, July 2, the work of the 48th Clergy and Laity Assembly of the Holy Archdiocese of America in Cleveland, Ohio, was completed. Clergy and lay representatives discussed and made decisions on legislative, administrative and financial issues of the Church, after a multi-day program that included workshops, thematic discussions, devotional services, as well as many presentations by the Ministry Sectors.

The Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros addresses the Plenary. Photo: Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman

The Plenary proceedings began with the invocation of the Most Reverend Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros, while the official opening of the meeting was announced by the Secretary of the Archbishop's Council, Nick Karacostas.

Through an online connection, the Vice President of the Archdiocesan Council, John Catsimatidis, also addressed the delegates, who thanked the clergy and laity for their contribution and work throughout the week, but also for everything they have achieved for the benefit of Hellenism and the Orthodox Church in America. At the same time, he congratulated…

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💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Софья Новикова

Interestingly, the budget for 2027–2028 has already been approved. What exactly was discussed on financial issues, but they didn’t write it down? It’s a pity that the article ends mid-sentence about Catsimatidis.

Hannah Collins

It's good they got the 2027 and 2028 budgets approved, but like Sofia said, the article doesn't tell us what the actual financial discussions were about. A shame it cuts off right in the middle of John Catsimatidis's thanks.

Ксения Фёдорова

I agree, the article really ends abruptly, we didn’t even finish reading about Catsimatidis. Regarding the budget, they probably discussed the usual items - parishes, missions, education and maintenance of the archdiocese, but there are no details in the report, it’s a pity. Maybe Orthodox Observer will write more in the following materials?

Rebecca Parker

I agree, Hannah – it's frustrating when the report stops just as it gets interesting. I was at the Cleveland assembly and the budget sessions did get into some real detail on rising insurance costs and parish support grants, but none of that made it into this piece. Maybe the Observer will follow up with the full minutes?

Елена Зайцева

Yes, the article really stops mid-sentence, even Catsimatidis didn’t finish reading it. As for the budget, it would be interesting to know how much was allocated specifically for missionary parishes in the outback; in Novosibirsk such things always come first. Maybe in the next issues of the Orthodox Observer they will still give the numbers?

Елена Лебедева

Yes, he breaks off mid-sentence, as if the editor was tired. It’s a pity that there’s nothing concrete about the budget either—what amounts were allocated for the mission or the seminary, at least approximately. Maybe they’ll give a full report in the next issue of Orthodox Observer, we’ll see. Do you follow their publications regularly?

Максим Иванов

Yes, the article ends right at “synchronized”; even Catsimatidis was not allowed to finish. For missionary parishes in the budget for 2027–2028, about 180 thousand dollars were allocated specifically for new communities in the outback, I saw this in the final report. Here in Novosibirsk, too, such projects are always put in first place; I wonder how they are distributed among the states there.

Константин Смирнов

Yes, the break in the article is really strange; Catsimatidis just started thanking him for his work on the ground. 180 thousand for new missionary communities is a small amount, but if it is wisely distributed among the states where there are almost no Greeks, it could be of some use. Here in Nizhny, we also support such projects through the church, mainly through donations. What do you think is the best way to distribute it: according to the number of potential parishioners or according to requests from locals?

Елена Соловьёва

I agree, 180 thousand is modest, but if you give it not just according to the number of Greeks, but according to real requests from local communities, like you have in Nizhny, then the effect will be greater. Here in New York, such things are also often supported by donations, rather than by budget. How do you decide who exactly to give to if there are more requests than money?

Paul Taylor

Yeah, the insurance numbers they tossed around in the breakout sessions were eye-opening – especially how many smaller parishes are getting squeezed on liability coverage. Did they end up adjusting the grant formulas at all to help cover that, or was it mostly talk?