Hierarchs Discuss Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church
The Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross hosted a well attended three day conference entitled, “Gathered As One Body: Disability, Accessibility and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church,” on May 1-3.Day one of the conference was held at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church of Watertown, MA and the second and third days were held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church of Weston, MA.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Metropolitan Methodios (Boston), Metropolitan Nathanael (Chicago), Metropolitan Savas (Pittsburg) and representatives from the Antiochian Orthodox Church listened attentively to well over 120 individuals from across the United States representing a wide range of disabilities and special needs including autism, blindness, physical handicaps, deafness, gluten allergies, etc. Participants got to share their experiences with church and provided valuable input on their needs and changes that need to be made for them to feel included and welcomed in the Church.
Archons of the Metropolis of Boston were well represented including: George Safiol; Jim Speros (Regional Commander of the Boston Metropolis); Bob Badavas; Nicholas Kourtis; Chris Pappas; Arthur Loridas; Dr. James Skedros; the National Director of Ministries - Theo Nicolakis; and Constantine Zografopoulos of the Chicago Metropolis.
All who attended said it was an eye-opening experience and an opportunity to share their experiences and recommendations with the leadership of the Church with the hope of driving constructive changes.
