Fellow citizens with the Saints and members of the household of God. (Eph. 2:19)
For 33 years now, our Metropolis gathers every second Sunday of June to honor the Clergy and Laity for the faithful, loving and dedicated ministry they offer out parishes throughout New England. For me personally, this festive celebration attended by 800 or so brethren, is one of the most enjoyable evenings of the entire year as we convene as a Metropolis family to recognize our award recipients. Our Ministries Award Dinner is a joyous celebration of fellowship, warmth, and love. Over those 33 years 1,750 brethren have received the Metropolis Ministry Award.
That celebration is enhanced even more this year because, in addition to recognizing and thanking the faithful stewards of our parishes, we are truly honored by the presence of Archbishop Demetrios among us. We have the opportunity to express our love and admiration, our respect and gratitude to him for his lifetime of service to Orthodoxy throughout the world, but especially to our Archdiocese as a professor at our Seminary and for the last 20 years as our Archbishop.
I have the pleasure of introducing tonight’s Masters of Ceremonies, Nicholas and Jane Kourtis, both of whom are well known in our Metropolis.
Nick is the son of Fotios and Tasia Kourtis of West Roxbury. Nick is a lawyer --- a graduate of Boston Latin School, U Mass Amherst, and Harvard Law School. He is an active steward of the St. Demetrios Parish in Weston, the Alpha Omega Council and the Boston Marathon Committee. He currently serves on the Metropolis Council and the Archdiocesan Council.
Jane is also an attorney. She is an Associate General Counsel at Bright Horizons, a childcare and education solutions company. Honored by her peers for her leadership in the community, Jane received the 2019 IN House Council Leader in the Law Award. A graduate of Boston College and Boston College Law School, she currently serves on the Boston College Alumni Advisory Council.
Nick and Jane are the parents of two daughters, Stacey and her husband, Alex Kurkuvelos and Susan Athanasia. Please refer to page 5 in your program to learn more about Nick and Jane.
