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NEWS RELEASE: NEW MANAGER ANNOUNCED

 

 

NEWS RELEASE 

 

NEW MANAGER ANNOUNCED FOR ORTHODOX MARKETPLACE & ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM ORATORICAL FESTIVAL

 

With the blessing of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Director of the Department of Religious Education (DRE), Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos is pleased to announce the new Manager of Orthodox Marketplace and St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival — Maria Klonaris.

 

The DRE has three ministries within the Department — Religious Education, the official online store of the Archdiocese, Orthodox Marketplace, and the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. The DRE is being reorganized under the new leadership of Bishop Athenagoras to establish a clear division of roles and responsibilities for each ministry. Once the job posting is issued, there will also be a new Manager for the Religious Education ministry.

 

Maria has been part of the DRE team for eight years, working closely with customers and vendors. This year was her first year planning the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival, and a soft spot quickly grew in her heart for this incredible program. This years Oratorical Festival saw a national increase in participants, despite a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, and a significant increase in scholarship donations. The goal is to continue to expand and improve the Oratorical Festival.

 

Orthodox Marketplace offers materials created by the ministries and departments of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as well as a variety of supplemental books, gifts, and materials from other publishers and suppliers. Maria worked on launching the new version of the online store orthodoxmarketplace.com. The Department is in the early stages of doing a full review of this Ministry to transform Orthodox Marketplace into a one-stop online shop for the faithful, parishes, and communities across America. You will hear more about this review in the fall because we want your feedback — our loyal and potential faithful customers.

 

“When I first met Maria, I knew right away she had a significant amount of potential and could play a key role in transforming Orthodox Marketplace and growing the St. John Chrysostom Oratorical Festival. It was simply a different management style and staffing changes that she naturally became a Manager even before her promotion,” said Bishop Athenagoras. Maria Klonaris conveyed how grateful and energized she is in her new role. And said, “I have served the Department for eight years, and in the short and busy period of time that Bishop Athenagoras took over the Department we have accomplished so much more. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve the faithful across America in a more substantial way.”

 

If you are attending the Clergy-Laity Congress, National YAL Conference, or the National Philoptochos Convention, stop by the DRE & Orthodox Marketplace booth (#2) to say hello to Maria and pick up your gift!

 

Have questions? Kindly contact:

Department of Religious Education

toll-free: 800-566-1088  |  email: [email protected]

website: [email protected]

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