Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America

Encyclical for National Leadership 100 Sunday

Oct 11, 2011

Protocol Number 189/11
October 23, 2011

Feast of Saint Iakovos

National Leadership 100 Sunday

So that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work
and as you grow in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10)

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America


Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
On this Sunday, October 23, the Feast of Saint Iakovos, we give thanks to God for the faithful members of Leadership 100. 

We recognize and celebrate the great achievements of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund which over 27 years since its founding by Archbishop Iakovos of Blessed Memory has continuously offered assistance to the ministries of our Church for the glory of God.  Through the generosity of many and through the grants and philanthropic endeavors of Leadership 100, we have experienced what the Apostle Paul prayed for the Colossians, namely that they bear fruit in every good work.
Truly, Leadership 100 has been bearing fruit in every good work, among others, in the precious gifts to men called to the Holy Priesthood through scholarships offered at our beloved Holy Cross School of Theology, by the assistance provided to active clergy in relieving the burden of student loans and to retired clergy and their presvyteres, encouraging them all. It has been bearing fruit by the gifts that have been given to our youth and young adults and families through ministries in our care centers and in our summer camps across the nation. Leadership 100 has also been bearing fruit in good works done for more and more people through the preparation and publication of quality resources that broaden the work of the parishes and ministries of our Archdiocese. This fruitfulness has been carried around the world through Leadership 100’s generous gifts to relief efforts and missions.
For Leadership 100, this ministry of philanthropy reveals the love of God in Christ because it is the very work of the Holy Spirit who was given to us (Romans 5:5). The members of Leadership 100 give in hope and out of a generosity of spirit, trusting in the power and will of God and believing that great works of grace will be accomplished in the lives of others.   In addition, their gifts and service to God through Leadership 100 and through the many other ways in which they contribute to the Church, are evidence of their faith, hope and, mostly, love, trusting not so much in the treasures of this world but in the eternal treasure of the life in the kingdom of God.
On this Feast of Saint Iakovos, which has been designated National Leadership 100 Sunday, may we recognize the blessings of God through the precious offerings of the members of Leadership 100. May we also highlight the accomplishments and mission of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund and give thanks to God for a witness of bearing fruit in every good work, for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ and the promotion of His Holy Gospel.
With paternal love in Christ,
† DEMETRIOS
Archbishop of America