Welcome to the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council

PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW WEBSITE ADDRESS: PRESBYTERS.ORG
AND OUR NEW EMAIL: APC@PRESBYTERS.ORG

Our Vision
"Brothers who love and serve one another."

Our Mission
"The mission of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council is to serve the clergy of the Archdiocese by supporting our priests through spiritual growth, educational development and personal wellness. This mission is accomplished through retreats, continuing education, brother-to-brother outreach, ministry development, clergy family care and benevolence."

"The soul of a priest ought to blaze like a light illuminating the world."
- St. John Chrysostom (350-407 AD)

APC 2023 National Clergy Retreat Registration Opens May 15

(March 23, 2023) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council has announced the dates and site for the APC 2023 National Clergy Retreat. The event will be held at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona, from Monday, October 30 - Thursday, November 2, 2023. Register for Early Bird discount starting May 15 at presbyters.org/retreat.

APC Elects 2022-2024 Officers

(June 15, 2022) The vision of the Archdiocese Presbyters Council (APC) is “Brothers who love and serve one another.” We come together, representing each Metropolis/District of our Archdiocese, with one voice united together for our beloved Clergy. For over 50 years the APC has stood strong, united, being an active presence and unified voice for our Clergy. We work closely with the Retired Clergy Association (RCA); the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (NSP); and the Archdiocese Benefits Committee (ABC).

On June 15, 2022, members of the APC made up of each Metropolis/District President and elected APC Representatives, convened to elect the 2022-2024 Executive Board (as per our by-laws to begin at the Commencement of the Clergy-Laity Congress). The following were elected to serve:

• President: Rev. Fr. Paul Kaplanis 
• Vice-President: Rev. Fr. Tom Chininis 
• Treasurer: Rev. Fr. Mario Giannopoulos 
• Secretary: Rev. Fr. Peter Orfanakos 
• Past President/Advisor: Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis

APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat Schedule Posted

(October 5, 2021) The schedule for the APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat has been posted and is available at presbyters.org/retreat/schedule.

APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat Sold Out!

(October 5, 2021) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council announces today that registration for the APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat is sold out and has now closed. We look forward to seeing all our brothers who have registered in Naples on October 12th!

APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat Registration NOW OPEN!

(June 1, 2021) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council has announced the dates and site for the APC 2021 National Clergy Retreat. The event will be held at the Naples Grande Resort in Naples, Florida, from Tuesday, October 12 - Friday, October 15, 2021. Register NOW at presbyters.org/retreat. Early Bird Registration ends September 10, 2021.

ABC Unanimously Supports Pension Recommendation

On August 26, 2020, the APC convened and unanimously supported the work of the Archdiocesan Benefits Committee (ABC) and their Analysis and Recommendations for the Pension Plan for Clergymen and Lay Employees of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Click here to read the statement and motion. 

APC Elects 2020-2022 Officers

The vision of the Archdiocese Presbyters Council (APC) is “brothers who love and serve one another.” We come together, representing each Metropolis/District of our Archdiocese, with one voice united together for our beloved Clergy. For over 50 years the APC has stood strong, united, being an active presence and unified voice for our Clergy. We work closely with the Retired Clergy Association (RCA); the National Sisterhood of Presvyteres (NSP); and the Archdiocese Benefits Committee (ABC).

On July 15, 2020, members of the APC made up of each Metropolis/District President and elected APC Representative, convened to elect the 2020-2022 Executive Board. The following were elected to serve:

• President: Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis
• Vice-President: Rev. Fr. Paul Kaplanis
• Treasurer: Rev. Fr. George Gartelos
• Secretary: Rev. Fr. Michael Ellis
  
• Past President/Advisor: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes

The complete list of 2020-2022 representatives can be found here.

APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat Sold Out!

(October 1, 2019) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council announces today that registration for the APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat is sold out and has now closed. We look forward to seeing all our brothers who have registered in San Antonio on October 28th!

APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat Registration Closing September 30th!

(September 28, 2019) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council announces today that Early Bird registration for the APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat has expired. Additionally, as a result of overwhelming response, this year's retreat is the largest ever in the history of the Archdiocese. Due to that response, registration will close effective midnight September 30th. Everyone interested in attending must register by then and secure hotel space. Information is available at apc.goarch.org/retreat.

APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat Registration NOW OPEN!

(May 1, 2019) The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council has announced the dates and site for the APC 2019 National Clergy Retreat. The event will be held at the La Cantera Resort in San Antonio, Texas, from Monday, October 28 - Thursday, October 31, 2019. Register NOW at apc.goarch.org/retreat. Early Bird Registration ends September 28, 2019.

Officers for 2018-2020 Term

(July 2, 2018) The representatives of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council from each Metropolis and the Archdiocesan District met during the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville for the first meeting of the 2016-2018 term and elected officers. They are:

• President: Rev. Fr. Mark Leondis
• Vice-President: Rev. Fr. Paul Kaplanis
• Treasurer: Rev. Fr. George Gartelos
• Secretary: Rev. Fr. Michael Ellis
  
• Past President/Advisor: Rev. Fr. John Touloumes

The complete list of 2018-2020 representatives can be found here.

Summer 2018 Issue of The Presbyter Published

(July 2, 2018) The Summer 2018 issue of "The Presbyter" has been posted. This official magazine of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council contains information on the ministries of the APC as well as articles which inspire and affirm the calling and dignity of the holy priesthood. Highlights include a talk titled, "Men of God," delivered by Archimandrite Zacharias of Essex at the 2017 APC National Clergy Retreat and practical information on the pension fund, the new Clergy Financial Literacy Program and the first announcement of the dates and location for the 2019 APC National Clergy Retreat. Download it here.

Clergy-Laity to Feature First-Ever Combined APC/RCA National Clergy Breakfast

(May 30, 2018) For many years the Archdiocese Clergy-Laity Congress has featured separate national breakfast and fellowship events for the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council (APC) for actively serving clergy and the Retired Clergy Association (RCA) for retired clergy. To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the founding of the RCA and to affirm the oneness of ministry of all the clergy of our Archdiocese, the 2018 Clergy-Laity will feature a first-ever combined APC/RCA National Clergy Breakfast. All clergy of the Archdiocese who are registered for the Clergy-Laity Congress are invited and asked to attend the event on Tuesday, July 3 at 8:00am at the Boston Copley Marriott.

APC Representatives Hold Spring 2018 Meetings

(May 22, 2018) The APC met April 16 through 18, 2018, at Saint Mark Church in Boca Raton, Florida. For highlights of the the major issues addressed, see the APC Spring 2018 Meeting Summary.

The APC 2017 National Clergy Retreat: Biggest Ever

(November 13, 2017) The APC 2017 National Clergy Retreat was the largest-ever in the history of the Archdiocese, with 186 in attendance from 35 states around the country, including 58 brothers who had never attended a National Clergy Retreat. The Retreat opened with a dinner in honor of 50 years of episcopal ministry of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, at which the APC presented His Eminence with a custom-created engolpion depicting Jesus Christ at the Good Shepherd. It was followed by a Divine Liturgy the next morning, with the officers of the APC serving and both His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and His Eminence Metropolitan Evangelos at the throne. The presentations for the Retreat were offered by Archimandrite Zacharias of the Patriarchal Stavropegic Monastery of Saint John the Baptist in Essex, England. Fr. Zacharias offered three deeply insightful and inspiring sessions which addressed the theme of the Retreat, “Fathers. Brothers. Men of God.” The third session was  fully dedicated to questions and answers with Father Zacharias and was actively participated in by those in attendance. “Engagement” sessions provided the opportunity for the retreat paricipants to engage in peer-led discussions that followed the sessions. The Retreat also featured “Adventures” to local attractions, a professionally-led fitness program, a new “M Games” interactive and entertaining competition event  and plenty of time for personal sharing and fellowship with brother clergy. The APC expresses its deep appreciation for the support of Leadership 100, without which such well-attended and high-quality retreats would not be possible.

APC Representatives Hold Fall 2017 Meetings

(November 10, 2017) The APC met October 30 and 31, 2017, at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia, prior to the opening of the APC 2017 National Clergy Retreat. For highlights of the the major issues addressed, see the APC Fall 2017 Meeting Summary.

APC Representatives Hold Spring 2017 Meetings at Hellenic College Holy Cross

(May 7, 2017) The representatives of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council held their Spring 2017 meetings from April 24-26 on the campus of Hellenic College Holy Cross to continue to build and bind the essential relationship between clergy of the Archdiocese and the administration, staff and students of school. Those goals were certainly fulfilled during these meetings. For a highlights of the meeting topics and issues discussed, see the APC Spring 2017 Meeting Summary. Also read the Resolution of the APC in support our our beloved Hellenic College Holy Cross here.

APC Representatives Hold Fall 2016 Meetings at Site of 2017 APC National Clergy Retreat

(November 14, 2016) The APC met October 31 through November 2, 2016, at the Lansdowne Resort in Leesburg, Virginia, at the site of the APC 2017 National Clergy Retreat. For highlights of the the major issues addressed and motions adopted, see the APC Fall 2016 Meeting Summary.

Officers for 2016-2018 Term

(July 4, 2016) The representatives of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council from each Metropolis and the Archdiocesan District met during the 43rd Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress in Nashville for the first meeting of the 2016-2018 term and elected officers. They are:

• President: Rev. Fr John Touloumes
• Vice-President: Rev. Fr. Louis Noplos
• Treasurer: Rev. Fr. Basil Gikas
• Secretary: Rev. Fr. Paul Kaplanis
  
• Past President/Advisor: Rev. Fr. Nicholas Anctil

The complete list of 2016-2018 representatives can be found here.

APC Adopts New Vision and Mission Statements

(October 15, 2014) At its recent Fall meeting, the newly-elected representatives of the APC undertook the challenge of re-focusing the work of this ministry to meet the needs of our brother clergy today and their ministry in the Church. To that end, the following two statements have been adopted to form the core of the work and focus of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council:

Our Vision: “Brothers who love and serve one another.”

Our Mission: "The mission of the Archdiocesan Presbyters Council is to serve the clergy of the Archdiocese by supporting our priests through spiritual growth, educational development and personal wellness. This mission is accomplished through retreats, continuing education, brother-to-brother outreach, ministry development, clergy family care and benevolence."

The Archdiocesan Presbyters Council
The Rev. Father Paul Kaplanis, President
c/o Annunciation Cathedral, 2500 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA 30329
404-633-5870 - Office  |  404-633-6018 - Fax  | apc@presbyters.org