Metropolitan Methodios Attends Conference on Disability, Accessibility, and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church
His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston joined fellow hierarchs, clergy, and lay leaders from across the country on Friday, May 2nd at the "Gathered As One Body: Disability, Accessibility, and Inclusion in the Orthodox Church" conference focused on advancing inclusion and accessibility within Orthodox parishes.
Held from May 1–3 and hosted by the Huffington Ecumenical Institute at Hellenic College Holy Cross, the conference took place at Taxiarchae Greek Orthodox Church in Watertown and St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Weston—both parishes of the Metropolis of Boston. The event served as the official launch of a new pilot program by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to promote parish accessibility and inclusion for individuals and families with disabilities.
The morning began with Divine Liturgy attended by Archbishop Elpidophoros, Metropolitan Methodios and other hierarchs from around the Archdiocese. Their shared participation emphasized the commitment of the Church's leadership to making inclusion a fundamental part of pastoral ministry.
Metropolitan Methodios offered a reflection on the Church's responsibility to care for individuals and families of children with disabilities. He emphasized that embracing these members of the Body of Christ is not an optional outreach effort, but a vital and ordinary expression of the Church’s life.
He highlighted a recent a retreat hosted by the Metropolis of Boston Camp at the St. Methodios Faith and Heritage Center in Contoocook, NH, specifically designed for families with children with disabilities. Fifteen families gathered for a weekend of faith, fellowship, and mutual support, a tangible example of inclusive ministry in action.
The three-day conference featured a robust program of keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and presentations where attendees explored best practices, shared resources, and engaged in meaningful dialogue on how to cultivate accessible, welcoming parishes.
The Metropolis of Boston is a proud sponsor of this initiative and a leader in promoting its implementation throughout the Archdiocese. As the GOA pilot program rolls out, the hope is that Orthodox parishes nationwide will take bold, compassionate steps toward full inclusion—living out the truth that all are truly gathered as one body in Christ.
