Metropolitan Methodios and NE Clergy Families Celebrate Christmas

With joy and enthusiasm the Annunciation Church in Woburn, MA hosted the annual New England Clergy Christmas luncheon in the community center on Tuesday, December 29. They welcomed His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios and more than 100 clergy family members, and treated them to a delicious meal prepared and served by a host committee coordinated by Parish Council President Wilma Thomas and Philoptochos President Marny Grimes. The committee consisted of Kaye Bibilos, Venetia Mitropoulos, Pressbytera Alexandra Rizos, Jim Kearnes, Dennis and Marge Otis, Mary Barbas, Joanne Martinos, Roberta Kachenes, George Stamos, Becky Pietronuntro, tony Antoniou and Tommy Vozikis.

The many children who attended the festive gathering enjoyed being with Metropolitan Methodios and taking photographs with him. The youngsters were also appreciative of the craft activities which were prepared for them and for the gifts they received from His Eminence.

“I am grateful to Fr. Peter Rizos and the stewards of the Annunciation Parish for hosting our clergy family,” said Metropolitan Methodios. “The host committee made the Christmas gathering an event to remember. On behalf of our clergy family, I thank them for their warm hospitality. It is always a pleasure to be with the clergy families, and I was especially glad to see so many children participating and meeting each other.”

Presbyera Katerina Makiej of the St. Constantine and Helen Parish in Andover, MA, led the gathering in singing the Christmas hymns, carols and kalanda. Metropolitan Methodios cut the Vassilopita and fellowship was enjoyed by all.

A photographer was on hand to record the festive celebration and to take pictures of each family with Metropolitan Methodios which will be a reminder in everyone’s home of a beautiful Clergy Family Christmas gathering in the Metropolis of Boston.