New York, NY
IOCC 2008 Global Initiatives Reception
June 11, 2008

The newly-formed New York Metropolitan Committee held its inaugural event on June 11, 2008 at the Olympic Tower Atrium in Manhattan. Members of eight Orthodox jurisdictions from around the greater New York area gathered to learn about the IOCC’s latest developments.

Metropolitan Committee Member Natalia Ermolaev welcomed attendees and introduced the evening’s featured a screening of IOCC’s latest video, “Respond. Rebuild. Renew.” Development Officer Peter Polychroni served as keynote speaker. IOCC Board Members Al Foundos and George Djurasovic also offered comments and joined in an informal question and answer session. In recognition of their fund raising efforts and contributions to IOCC for assistance related to the wildfires in Greece, members of Greek Aid, a local charity, were presented with a certificate of commendation.

Igumen Christopher Calin, Dean of The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection (OCA) delivered the invocation and Rev. Djokan Majstorovic, Dean of St. Sava’s Cathedral (SOC) delivered a benediction at the conclusion of the program.

Representation included members of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of America, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Orthodox Church in America, Patriarchal Parishes in the USA — Moscow Patriarchate, Romanian Orthodox Archdiocese In America and Canada, Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia and the Serbian Orthodox Church in the United States and Canada.


Committee Member Natalia Ermolaev welcomes the attendees at the first New York Metropolitan Committee event and introduces Fr. Christopher Calin, Dean of The Cathedral of the Holy Virgin Protection.


IOCC Board Member George Djurasovic introduces dignitaries.


IOCC Board Member Al Fondos answers a question about current initiatives.


Development Officer Peter Polychroni responds to a question about IOCC activity in Kosovo.


Committee Member Jeff Michler provides a warm welcome and a smile at the check-in table.


Screening “Respond. Rebulid. Renew.” at the Olympic Tower Atrium.


IOCC Board Members, Peter Polychroni and members of Greek Aid.