Riza exhibition at the Greek Orthodox Clergy-Laity Congress in Phoenix, Arizona

On Sunday the 1st of July, the 41st Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was opened by His Eminence Archbishop Demitrios in the presence of thousands of delegates from all over the United States. This auspicious four day event brings together hundreds of clergymen and some five thousand laypeople, including the presidents of parish boards, women's auxilliary organisations, youth workers, musical directors and other departmental leaders, who gather to discuss and formulate the implementation of various programmes and strategies, critical to the continued development of the life of the Church on this vast continent.

This year, the Congress takes place in the Arizona desert, some fifty kilometres from Phoenix. The enormous ballroom of the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, has been converted into an exhibition hall, full of booths containing the presentations of dozens of the very finest iconographers, woodcarvers, mosaic artists, stonemasons, metal workers, vestments makers, publishers and providers of services to the Orthodox Church, from Greece, Russia, Romania, North America and for the very first time - Australia. At the recommendation of His Grace Bishop Irinej, our Metropolitanate workshop for vestments and ecclesiastical embroidery, RIZA, has mounted a substantial and representative exhibition which captured the attention of many people on the opening day of the exhibition.

Immediately following the opening ceremony, His Eminence Arhcbishop Demetrios, visited the various booths and stopped to admire the RIZA exhibition. His Eminence was delighted to receive a beautiful gift from
His Grace Bishop Irinej, well known and respected amongst the hierarchs, clergy and laity of the USA. For the next five hours many visitors admired the workmanship and creative beauty of the RIZA range of vestments and embroidery. It was a rewarding opportunity to personally meet some of the clergy who have already purchased vestments from our workshop and to meet many others who were delighted to be able to touch and see the vestments they have seen on our website.

For the next three days, the participants of this exceptionally conceived and masterfully organised event will spend their time in workshops and plenary sessions, making important decisions for the life of the Archdiocese. For many of them, the exhibition hall is a welcome opportunity to consider the work of the various iconographers and artists whom they may possibly engage to beautify their churches. The RIZA exhibit, presented by Protinica Milica and Fr. Rade Radan will also hopefully fulfill the needs and expectations of our Orthodox brothers and sisters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Fr. Rade Radan

Source: Metropolitanate of Australia-New Zealand