JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s Supreme Court has ruled against the Greek Orthodox Church in a long-running legal battle over the sale of three properties in predominantly Palestinian parts of Jerusalem’s Old City to a Jewish settler group.

The ruling handed down on Monday was part of a protracted dispute over the 2004 sale of Old City properties, including two Palestinian-run hotels, to Ateret Cohanim, an Israeli organization that aims to increase the Jewish presence in Palestinian areas of the contested holy city.

The church had claimed that its former patriarch secretly sold the buildings without authorization.

Most Orthodox Christians in Jerusalem are Palestinian, and the sale of the properties to Israelis sparked outrage. Israel captured east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. Palestinians seek east Jerusalem as their capital of a future state.

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NEW YORK – Students of Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, while on a pilgrimage in Greece, visited with the newly elected Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in Thessaloniki, Greece. His Eminence received the group in his office, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki where he has been a professor since 2009. Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed his love and care for HCHC and gave the students his blessing.

The group took a picture with the Archbishop. They are (left to right): Michael Palamara, Genevieve Palamara, Hannah Palamara, Seraphima Palamara, Demetrios Balidis, Adam Murphy, Dan Kazanas, Prof. Demetra Koukoura, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidoforos, Prof. Timothy Patitsas, Deacon Alexander Kamillaris, Anthony Linderman, Vasiliki Kumarelas, James Kumarelas.

Source: GOARCH

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JERUSALEM – On June 10, the Supreme Court of Israel ruled against the Greek Orthodox Church and in favor of a radical group, in a 14-year-old case relating to the corrupt sale of significant properties at the entrance to the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem. The Church is determined to continue to pursue the case by all legal means at its disposal, to preserve the Christian presence in Jerusalem and the principles of the Status Quo. A spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Church said:

“The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate is very disappointed by the Supreme Court ruling on Jaffa Gate. Our legal team presented a clear case of bribery and corruption at the hands of the Plaintiffs, Ateret Cohanim. It is depressing that such corruption is not regarded by the court as having a material impact on the sales that resulted from it.

“The Patriarchate’s concern now lies both with the tenants of the properties in question, and with the continued Christian character of the Christian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Patriarchate is committed to its continued support to the protected tenants of these properties, who are worried about their homes and livelihoods. Together with the other Churches of Jerusalem, the Patriarchate is committed to maintaining the Christian character of the Christian quarter, and unimpeded access to the holy sites for the hundreds of thousands of worshippers and pilgrims who visit each year.”

Background:

1. Landmark properties at the entrance to the Christian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, appraised at a value of $6.7M USD were sold, without due authority, by a rogue employee of the Greek Orthodox Church for $2.2M USD. The Church organs did not receive the funds.
2. The properties were sold to four front companies, secretly controlled by the radical organization Ateret Cohanim.
3. The sales were made without the knowledge of the Synod and the proper authorities of the Church, and without authorization, by an employee of the then-Patriarch, Nicolas Papadimas. Following the discovery of the deception, Papadimas, a convicted fraudster, stole church funds and fled the country – first to Greece, it is then believed that he travelled to Panama.
4. Following Papadimas’ deception and flight, there is evidence of continuing cash payments made to him from Ateret Cohanim. The details of the financial arrangements between Papadimas and Ateret Cohanim, key to the case, were not revealed by the group.
5. Key legal documents used by Papadimas as part of the deception were concluded by lawyers out of the same office as those acting for Ateret Cohanim.
6. Ateret Cohanim claimed that despite the clear irregularities and fraudulent nature of the case, the contracts should be considered valid.

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NEW YORK — The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America released a statement saying that the Archdiocese “is committed to full transparency” after U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that George Papadakos, the Archdiocese’s former Director of Finance, has pled guilty to embezzling more than $60,000 of Archdiocesan funds for personal expenses.

“As previously communicated to the Faithful by the Archdiocese, after becoming aware of financial irregularities in late 2017, the Archdiocese self-reported its discoveries to governmental authorities in the State of New York.  In the Spring of 2018, the Archdiocese was contacted by the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York and the Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.  Since that time, the Archdiocese has worked cooperatively with their offices.

“The US Attorney’s Office announced today that George Papadakos, the Archdiocese’s former Director of Finance, has pled guilty to embezzling more than $60,000 of Archdiocesan funds for personal expenses.  According to the government’s publicly posted report, Mr. Papadakos, of Westfield, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud.  Mr. Papadakos left the Archdiocese in the Fall of 2017.

“‘The Archdiocese is committed to full transparency with governmental authorities and continues to cooperate fully with the United States Attorney and U.S. Postal Inspection Service,’ said Bishop Andonios, Chancellor of the Archdiocese.”

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NEW YORK – Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Philip R. Bartlett, the Inspector-in-Charge of the New York Office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (“USPIS”), announced that George Papadakos, the former Director of Finance of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (“GOAA”), pled guilty today to embezzling more than $60,000 of GOAA funds for personal expenses. Papadakos surrendered this morning and pled guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Sarah Netburn. Papadakos’ case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman stated: “As Director of Finance of the Greek Orthodox Church, George Papadakos was supposed to serve his Church, not himself. As he admitted today, he embezzled from the Church for nearly six years. For this sin, he faces the possibility of time in a federal prison.”
USPIS Inspector-in-Charge Philip R. Bartlett said: “Mr. Papadakos used his position at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America to steal from the hand who employed him. Today’s plea is a reflection that Karma always comes from a higher authority and justice escapes no one.”

According to the allegations in the Information to which Papadakos pled guilty, as well as statements made in court during the plea proceeding:
Between 2012 and September 2017, Papadakos, the Director of Finance for GOAA, repeatedly embezzled from GOAA. He charged approximately $66,499 to a corporate credit card for personal expenses without GOAA’s authorization. These personal expenditures included charges for home improvements, clothing, a gym membership, iTunes, and medical bills. During the period of Papadakos’ embezzlement, GOAA was enduring financial difficulties.

Papadakos, 52, of Westfield, New Jersey, pled guilty to one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. Under the terms of his plea agreement, Papadakos has agreed to both forfeiture and restitution of $66,499.

The statutory maximum sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. Papadakos is scheduled to appear before Judge Berman on June 24, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., in part to set a schedule for Papadakos’ sentencing proceeding. Mr. Berman praised USPIS for its outstanding work on this case and noted that the investigation is ongoing.

This matter is being handled by the Office’s Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Neff and Michael C. McGinnis are in charge of the prosecution.

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NEW YORK – On June 20 at a dinner in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at Terrace on the Park, he noted his commitment to help the clergy and to develop a special cooperative relationship with them.

The event was held with the participation of the priests and presvyteres of the Direct Archdiocesan District, hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and those hierarchs from outside America who had arrived in New York to attend the enthronement.

In the congenial atmosphere, Archbishop Elpidophoros had the opportunity to chat with the priests of the Archdiocese before the official launch of his tenure and also met their wives and families.

“I would like to thank you for your love, for your beautiful smiles, for your little children that you brought with you and for your families. I want to convey to all the love and blessings of our Ecumenical Patriarch, father of us all, His All-Holiness Bartholomew,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros.

President of the Clergy Syndesmos Rev. Fr. John Lardas expressed the appreciation and respect of the priests for the new Archbishop and told him that “all the priests and the presvyteres will be at his side.” At the same time, he noted the complicated work of a married clergyman, in a particularly demanding country, where he is called upon to balance between the dedication required by his calling and the needs of his family.

“The priests of the Direct Archdiocesan District and the presvyteres will be by your side,” said Fr. Lardas, who presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with the Archdiocese crown, with care of the Clergy Syndesmos, in a special moment.

Fr. Eugene Pappas also praised the new Archbishop, recalling the conversation they had on the radio station Cosmos FM, and expressing his admiration for Archbishop Elpidophoros, as well as his very good English.

The presvyteres, Diana Kazakis and Vasileia Garinis, welcomed the new Archbishop of America and presented him with a gift basket of useful items. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America National Sisterhood of Presvyteres President Nicole Keares, who traveled from Pittsburgh with her husband to attend the event, also welcomed the Archbishop in her remarks.

“You are all heroes here in our Archdiocese. You are people who sacrifice your lives for the Church and our Lord Jesus Christ. For us (hierarchs) it is easier. We do not have to look after family and children. We know what you are going through. But you are lucky, because you have another hero on your side: the Presvyteres, who are the heroes behind a priest, taking care of the children and the family while he performs his duty,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.

Finally, the newly elected Archbishop of America announced that he would establish a “clergy day” once a week, during which he will meet with priests in his office for a private conversation to discuss the issues that concern them.

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NEW YORK – Following the Doxology in the Chapel of the Apostle Paul at the Archdiocese offices on 79th Street in Manhattan on June 20, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke about his belief that the problems encountered in recent years by the Archdiocese of America will be overcome through honest and sincere cooperation.

The Doxology, attended by the Hierarchs, members of the Holy Provincial Synod, and the staff of the Archdiocese in the first substantial contact with the new archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked the Archdiocese staff for the reception he had received, noted that he was aware of the difficulties faced in recent years, particularly in the economic sphere, expressing his conviction that everything could be overcome if there was cooperation with transparency, good intentions, and patience.

He said, “I am completely aware of the difficulties you have faced in recent years, the financial pressure and the loss of some of your colleagues, to the extent that it negatively affected your performance. All this needs to be discussed and I assure you that it will be discussed.

“What I ask of all of you is patience and goodwill for the future. We will need it in the present situation of our beloved Archdiocese, in order to see in which direction we will move. Our future is bright as long as we open the curtains so that the sun of transparency can shine on us.”

Taking the floor, His Grace Bishop Andonios of Phasiane welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros on behalf of the human resources department of the Archdiocese, wished him a good term and then presented him with a gift, an iPhone, a typical tool for the daily routine of the average American.

Then, His Eminence greeted each member of the Archdiocese staff one by one in the Chapel of the Apostle Paul and then had a meeting with them as planned.

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NEW YORK (AP) — The Greek Orthodox church of the United States, a far-flung denomination of 1.5-million members, on Saturday installed its first new leader in 20 years — a lifelong European whose top priority is completing construction of a shrine in New York City linked to the Sept. 11 attacks.

Elpidophoros Lambriniadis, 51, a native of Istanbul and a longtime theology professor in Greece, was enthroned as archbishop in an elaborate ceremony at the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan. Many Greek Americans from across the U.S. came to New York for the event.

Elpidophoros was unanimously elected by senior Greek Orthodox officials last month to succeed Archbishop Demetrios, who recently retired at age 91 after serving in the post since 1999.

Much of Demetrios’ tenure as archbishop was complicated by controversy related to construction of the St. Nicholas National Shrine next to the World Trade Center memorial plaza in lower Manhattan. The new church is intended to replace a tiny Greek Orthodox church obliterated in the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

Construction of the shrine was suspended in December 2017 amid rising costs and questions over how donations were managed. Some funds earmarked by donors for the shrine were shifted to unrelated projects as the archdiocese struggled with what it called a “severe and complex” financial deficit.

In October, the archdiocese’s governing council declared that the denomination had restored financial stability. It said that an investigative committee determined there was no fraud or misappropriation of money involved in the financial mismanagement that led to disruption of the St. Nicholas project.

The investigative committee indicated that more than $30 million would still need to be raised to complete the project, which now has an estimated total cost of nearly $80 million. Archbishop Elpidophoros told The Associated Press that one of his first actions, after the weekend’s enthronement ceremonies, would be to convene a fundraising meeting.

“For me and the whole archdiocese, it is the first priority,” he said. “It’s a matter of pride and dignity to finish this church as soon as possible.”

Referring to the memorial plaza at ground zero, he added, “We know how sacred this place is for the American people. We have to respect that.”

Elpidophoros studied as an undergraduate at Aristotle University’s theological school in Thessaloniki, Greece, and later earned his doctorate there before joining its faculty. He also has studied at University of Bonn in Germany and the Theological School of St. John the Damascene in Beirut, Lebanon, as well as teaching for a semester in 2004 at the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Boston.

He said that stint in Boston was his only lengthy stay in the United States, though he has briefly visited many other places, including California and Florida.

From its national headquarters in New York, the archdiocese oversees 540 parishes across the U.S. staffed by about 800 priests.

“It will be a challenge for me to get to know all of the different places,” the archbishop said. “I have to travel to all our parishes. … Already my schedule is full for next three months.”

Also high on the archbishop’s agenda are concerns among many of the church’s priests about the stability of their health care and pension plans. Priests raised the issue in a teleconference with Elpidophoros a few days after his election in May.

The archbishop addressed the concerns Thursday in a meeting with clerics in New York.

“I give you my word that together, we will handle the earthly concerns — the health care, financial security, retirement, and all the others that rob you of a good night’s sleep — and we will handle them in a way that is transparent and responsible to you,” he said.

___
By DAVID CRARY AP National Writer

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NEW YORK – Enthronement Luncheon takes place after the Enthronement ceremony of Archbishop Elpidophoros at the New York Hilton Hotel (1335 Avenue of the Americas, NYC).

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Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity

New York, New York (June 22, 2019)

Secretary Azar,

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Avgoustinos of Germany, Personal Representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,

Your Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, beloved and esteemed predecessor,

Your Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Archdiocesan Vicar, and Beloved Brothers of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Bishops of the Holy Archdiocese of America,

Your Eminences and Graces, Hierarchs of our Sister Orthodox Churches and Ancient Oriental Churches,

Reverend Abbots of the of the Monasteries of the Holy Mountain and the Monasteries of our Holy Archdiocese,

Devout and Reverend Clergy and Presbyteres of thisHoly Archdiocese of America,

Honored Members of Ecumenical, Interfaith, and Academic Communities,

Esteemed Representatives of the Diplomatic Corps,

Distinguished Archons, Members of the Order of St. Andrew, the Archdiocesan Council, the National Philoptochos, AHEPA, and Holy Cross Hellenic College,

Beloved brothers and sisters, my dear children in the Lord,

Today, I stand before all of you, humbled and grateful, declaring with the Holy Prophet and Psalmist David:

Ἑτοίμη ἡ καρδία μου ὁ Θεός. Ἑτοίμη ἡ καρδία μου!

Ready is my heart is O God. Ready is my heart! (Psalm 57:7)

Indeed, my heart, soul, and mind are ready and eager to embark on this great challenge and charge that our Thrice-Holy God has granted to me by His grace, with my election, at the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, by the most reverend members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, in order that I might serve you, the beloved faithful of America, as your spiritual father and pastor, the seventh Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of America. The fact that this sacred commission took place on May 11th—coinciding with the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodios, peers of the apostles and illuminators of the Slavs—reminds me of the principal conviction and commitment of the First Throne of Constantinople to an ecumenical worldview and mission. This sign further inspires me to stir and sustain the grace that flows from God to the Mother and Daughter Churches of Constantinople as well as to our Archdiocese here inAmerica—and to increase this gift, in the words of the Gospel of John, “from grace to grace” (John 1:16), through the intercessions of the All-Holy Theotokoswhose City, Constantinople, from 330 A.D. to this day celebrates its foundation on May 11!

Therefore, I gratefully “remember among the first” (ἐν πρώτοις) my Archbishop and Patriarch Bartholomew, who bears the foremost burden and first responsibility of unity in the Church. It is he who instructed me in his “daily concern for the welfare of all the churches of God” (2 Corinthians 11:28). It is he who entrusted and encouraged me from the earliest moments of my ministry. It is he who prepared and predisposed me to serve the people of God.

As a young deacon in the Patriarchal Court, the Ecumenical Patriarch encouraged me to sharpen every skill for the ministry of the Church. As a priest, he entrusted me with the administration of the Chief Secretariat of the Holy and Sacred Synod. And as Metropolitan of Bursa and Abbot of the Holy Trinity Monastery at Halki, he commended to my care the welfare of an ancient See and the well-being of our precious Theological School and Monastery, which remains unjustly closed since 1971. For 150 years, that historical and trailblazing school educated and trained the clergy of the Great Church of Christ—the Sacred See of Constantinople—where Ecumenical Councils convened, where doctrinal definitions were articulated, where liturgical traditions were shaped, where saints and confessors were recognized, and where the All-Holy Mother of God was especially honored.

The unparalleled history of service and sacrifice encapsulated by the Mother Church of Constantinople over the centuries is a source of inspiration and regeneration to all its daughter churches and eparchies throughout the world. This is a relationship that we are all called to nurture and reinforce unceasingly and increasingly. At this solemn hour, this sacred bond is epitomized and expressed in the venerable person of His Eminence Metropolitan Avgoustinos of Germany, who has proven a mentor and patron throughout the years of my learning and formation. I am personally and profoundly indebted to him for his precious presence among us today.

I wish to thank our brother in the Orthodox Faith, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alexander Azar, who today affords all of us the great honor of representing the President of United States. Mr. Secretary, your words filled this Cathedral with the eternal truths of the Gospel and the highest ideals of the American dream. I thank you for your commitment to both – to Athens and to Jerusalem, for they are the foundation of our civilization.

​Moreover, I recognize those who have preceded me in this glorious and blessed archdiocese, all those who have shaped and defined this exceptional church. These include first His Eminence Demetrios, who has honored me with his presence today in order to transmit to me the church that he so faithfully and attentively ministered for two decades. But also Archbishop Iakovos, who boldly walked beside Martin Luther King Junior against the cultural tide of the time and even against the advice of his peers. And above all, the inspired pioneer Athenagoras, who recognized the importance of breaking down barriers with other church confessions and faith communities. My aspiration is to plant and multiply their diverse gifts in the fertile soil of this church and land as I reach out in a dialogue of love and truth to our ecumenical and interfaith brothers and sisters. My heart is certainly ready and steadfast to follow their groundbreaking lead and their illustrious example.

I would like to express my humble gratitude and sincere appreciation to my beloved brother metropolitans and bishops, as well as the pious clergy and faithful lay people, men and women—all those who represent and comprise the many ministries and manifold departments of our archdiocese—for the wholehearted welcome and genuine warmth demonstrated from the moment of my election. Their solidarity and support signal a promising and positive collaboration in the days, months and years ahead.

​As Orthodox Christians, of course—to adopt the words of the Nicaean-Constantinopolitan Creed, our symbol of faith—we are truly “catholic and apostolic” only when we remember and realize that we are also “one and holy.” And so my heart is ready and steadfast in the sensitive and critical matter of Orthodox unity. I sincerely pledge to devote myself—with all my heart, soul and mind—to the reaffirmation and reinvigorationof the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in order that we may collaborate with greater unity, while witnessing with greater conviction and credibility to the broader American society. Our teaching is one in the sacraments and one in the life of the church; therefore,our preaching should also reflect the same unanimity and consensus in the culturally diverse and pluralistic world that we inhabit and share. In this way, we shall be ready and steadfast at all times “to preach good news to the poor . . . to proclaim release to the captives and recoveryof sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, and to declare the acceptable year of the Lord. (Luke 4:18–19) And we shall “always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls us to account for the hope that lies in us, and to do so with gentleness and reverence.” (1 Peter 3:15)

Furthermore, I acknowledge and greet with all my heart on this occasion those representing the highest political of this nation and civil authorities of this city, as well as the distinguished leaders and members of the ecumenical and academic communities. You are a powerful reminder that none of us can respond to or resolve the challenges before us without the solidarity and support of everyone without exception, without exclusion, and without discrimination. I thank each and every one of you for this important confirmation and imperative affirmation.

In addition, I thank the representatives from the National Government, the State and the City of New York, as well as those from Greece, Cyprus, and Turkey. Your participation here honors both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. I am particularly moved to see—and to express my thanks to—my mother and my family members, who traveled across the globe in order to be with me today, along with my many friends from Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and Europe. Your love and support through the years have made me who I am today. Henceforth, I hope to inspire all those entrusted in my care as Archbishop with the same love and support that you have shown me throughout my life.

Dear and distinguished friends,

My heart is especially ready and steadfast to serve this Archdiocese and nation, both of which I have long admired since childhood and from my ministry at the Phanar. Through the decades, I have observed the development of the Church here, the challenges it has encountered, and the ground it has broken. So, I am here—your new Archbishop—to listen to you, to dialogue with you, and to work with you. My prayerful aspiration is to stand before you and beside you, to lead by example and exhortation, and to minister through service and sacrifice. Let us advance together as the Body of Christ and body of believers, as a united Archdiocese and Church, and as a cherished Eparchy of our venerable Ecumenical Patriarchate.

I can think of no higher calling and no finer vocation for my life than to be with you in your joys and your sorrows, your triumphs and your trials. My heart is ready and steadfast—willing and prepared—to serve you at all times and in all tasks. Of the many areas that I hope to address with a sense of pastoral urgency, I would highlight the loving ministry to our beloved youth, the reinforcement of our theological education, as well asthe completion of the shrine at Ground Zero. In all these areas, we implore—above and beyond all others and all else—the strength and support of God’s grace. For “unless the Lord builds our house, those who labor do so in vain.” (Psalm 128:1)

There is a precious lesson and enduring vision about leadership as service transmitted to me by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch—and that is the importance of building bridges, of creating relationships. Such connections are precisely what the church is all about. None of us is either born or planted in a vacuum. In the Orthodox Church in particular, we breathe and bequeath the richness of a long and sacred tradition. This is what it means for bishops to be successors in the faith of the apostles. There can only be genuine progression in the church if there is also an unbroken apostolic continuity. We must never forget our forefathers and fathers, patriarchs and prophets, apostles and preachers, saints and martyrs, confessors and ascetics—all those men and women, known and unknown, who have laid the foundations for the church and paved the way for us to belong to the Body of Christ.

This is what it means for a church to look back at its traditions and to look forward to sharing its treasures by establishing its roots in the local surroundings and circumstances. This is what it means to generateconnections between the global and the regional in order to reflect the universal in the local. This, finally, is what it means to integrate the cultural and the spiritual elements of a living community. Then we shall be able to address the language of heaven to the reality of this world. For then we can translate the eternal word of God in a way that truly transforms the transient nature of the world. But how shall we prepare for and respond to this calling?

First, if we are to be true to our evangelical roots and spiritual traditions, we must be a Church that embraces our young people, that embraces the strangers in our midst, that embraces all members of our community and our country. Our young people face an ever-growing deluge of information and access to knowledge that is unprecedented. The Church—which means all of us—must be ready to meet our youth where they live andwhere they learn: in our communities, on college campuses, with all of the range and resources of social media at our disposal. We cannot lose any time, and we cannot wait for them to reach out to us. We must offer them a taste of the sacramental life, of the living Body of Christ. We should welcome and embrace them, meeting them—just as the Lord Jesus Himself did with His disciples—on their own terms, in their own hearts, and with their own resources.

Second, our ministry to our youth and our message to our world must be grounded in the development and expansion of our Theological School, the heart of education of clergy and formation of leaders for our Archdiocese but also beyond. I will never forget the extraordinary semester I spent teaching at Holy Cross School of Theology in the spring of 2004. You see, my dear brothers and sisters: the challenges of churchmanagement are not merely secular, mundane concerns for the Church. They touch on the very heart of our response to celebrating and communicating the gifts that we have received from God. In a very real sense, we are all deacons! We are all accountable stewards of the resources of the faithful. And if we face our challengesand hurdles humbly and collectively, then I have every confidence that we shall overcome them. If the Lord is our strength and our salvation—our consolation and our illumination—then our brightest days are surely ahead of us.

Third, as I stand on this throne—beholding all of you in this splendid cathedral and addressing so many more of you by means of modern communications—I also behold the sacred image and relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Precisely because we believe in miracles; precisely because St. Nicholas works wonders; and precisely because the name Nicholas means “victory of the people,” we are able to echo the words of the Letter to the Romans, which proclaims: “We are able to overcome every challenge through the God who loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

It is this victory and miracle that the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center represents and symbolizes—not only for our Archdiocese, but for theCity of New York, and in fact for the entire American nation. On that bitter day of September 11, 2001, somany lives were lost, so much suffering was caused, and our little Saint Nicholas Church was obliterated in the collapse of the Twin Towers. Yet hatred was ultimately overcome by hope, violence was overcome by forgiveness, and despair was overcome by mercy, compassion, and love.

It is our duty and our responsibility as Orthodox Christians—but also our obligation and commitment to God and His people—to complete and open the doors of the Saint Nicholas National Shrine as a witness and vision of what is best and what is beautiful in all people of faith and religious conviction. I assure you that my heart is ready and steadfast in this task as well.

Dear friends, sisters and brothers,

​Today, we celebrate the “leave-taking” (or ἀπόδοσις)of the Feast of Pentecost, when the Orthodox Church invites “all those who are baptized and clothed in Christ” to become children led by and enlightened by the fire and force of the Holy Spirit, who calls all people to unity by shedding their divisions and doubts. As we chant in the kontakion of the day: “Let us together glorify the All-Holy Spirit.” And as we declare in the communion hymn of the day: “This spirit of goodness shall guide us on the right way and lead us on level ground.” (Psalm 144:10)

Tomorrow, I shall look forward with great anticipation and expectation to celebrating and sharing with all of you the Eucharistic meal on the Feast of All Saints. We shall have the opportunity to remember all the saints—very ancient saints like St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, and very recent saints like St. Iakovos Tsalikis. At the same time, however, we shall remember that we are all called to become members of the communion of saints—fellow travelers on the magnificent journey that God has so graciously and generously prepared for us in this blessed archdiocese, church and land.

​Let our hearts, therefore, remain ready and steadfast.Amen!

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NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was enthroned as the seventh Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Saturday June 22, at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan (337 East 74th Street, NYC).

Archbishop Elpidophoros was elected unanimously by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, on May 11, 2019.

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has appointed as His Personal Representative for the Enthronement, Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany, who will enthrone the new Archbishop of America.

The Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros has attracted worldwide interest and it will be attended by many dignitaries from the political, diplomatic, academic and the business world, as well as religious leaders, community and organization representatives, and clergy and laity from around the country and around the world. The Service will be broadcast live and made available through satellite and the internet at www.goarch.org

The Enthronement ceremony will be followed by an Enthronement Luncheon at 1:30 p.m. at the New York Hilton Hotel (1335 Avenue of the Americas, NYC).

Archbishop Elpidophoros will arrive at JFK airport, in the evening of Wed., June 19. The next morning, Thurs., June 20, 2019 he will arrive at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and will be welcomed by the staff of the Archdiocese. His Eminence will then offer a Doxology service at the Archdiocese Chapel of Saint Paul, followed by a meeting with the Hierarchs, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of America and the Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese. The same evening, he will attend a reception and dinner with the Priests and Presvyteres of the Direct Archdiocesan District, the Hierarchs of the Archdiocese and the Patriarchal representatives.

On Friday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m., Archbishop Elpidophoros will hold a Press Conference at the Headquarters of the Archdiocese. Afterwards he will attend a welcome lunch in his honor with New York City Religious Leaders, hosted by Rabbi Arthur Schneier.

On Sunday, June 23, the day after the Enthronement, His Eminence will preside for the first time as Archbishop at the Hierarchal concelebration of the Divine Liturgy with all the Metropolitans, members of the Holy Eparchial Synod. The Orthros Service at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, will begin 8:30 a.m. and the Divine Liturgy at 10:00 a.m., followed by an Agape reception at the adjacent Cathedral Center.

Source: www.goarch.org/enthronement

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NEW YORK – Among the many who travelled from across the United States and as far away as Greece to attend the enthronement service of Archbishop Elpidophoros was Alexander Azar, Secretary of Health and Human Services. Azar, who is an Orthodox Christian, represented President Donald Trump and the U.S. Government. The text of his remarks follows:

Your Eminence Elpidophoros, your Eminence Augoustinos, Personal Representative of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Foreign Minister Katrougalos, members of Congress, members of the clergy, and distinguished guests: I am humbled and honored to be here with leaders from across America and around the world to celebrate the joyous occasion of the enthronement of a new Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church in America.

I bring greetings to the new Archbishop and to all of you from President Trump and Vice President Pence, who have a great appreciation for the work of the Church in America and the value that Americans of all faiths bring to our country.

America’s founding drew on the dual traditions of Athens and Jerusalem, reason and faith.

The Greeks taught the world how to think, while Christ taught the world how to know.

One endeavor cannot flourish without the other. As we read in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

The intertwined traditions of Athens and Jerusalem are quite literally symbolized by the Greek Orthodox Church.

They are also well embodied by the great theological and scholarly accomplishments of the new leader whom we welcome today, Archbishop Elpidophoros.

The Greek Orthodox Church has played a powerfully positive role over the course of American history. Well before the founding of our nation, Greek immigrants had settled in Florida. By the late 1800s, the first permanent Greek Orthodox community was firmly established here in New York City.

Sadly, there were dark moments. Some of the newly immigrated Greeks were victims of racial prejudice. It was not uncommon for groups such as the Ku Klux Klan to boycott Greek businesses, or to espouse racist philosophy that regarded Greeks as inferior.

As Greek Americans put down their roots in America, they never forgot the pain of persecution and discrimination. Knowing what it was like to be marginalized, the Orthodox Christian community in America has often led in defending the rights of minorities.

In fact, one of Archbishop Elpidophoros’s predecessors, Archbishop Iakovos, was one of the key faith leaders who advanced America’s civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s.

His commitment to justice led him on a 54-mile journey right alongside Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., a journey that would later be known as the Selma Freedom March.

Archbishop Iakovos’ leadership not only inspired the faithful under his care – it also influenced leaders in positions of power and authority.

He was a personal friend and adviser to nine U.S. Presidents. It was to no one’s surprise when President Carter awarded Archbishop Iakovos the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1980.

The most recent Archbishop of America, Demetrios, also distinguished himself with his heroic service to our nation on and following September 11, with his service and witness to the victims of the terrorist attack on this city.

These are just two of the great Greek Orthodox leaders in American history. The Greek Orthodox community has blessed America with leading contributions to science, politics, and business.

Why did all these people with so much potential, so much ambition, come here to America? The answer is generally simple: freedom and opportunity.

But in many cases, the answer was deeper: They were in search of not just political freedom, but the freedom for their souls – the freedom to live out their faith.

That was in part true of my family, when my grandfather arrived here from Amioun, Lebanon, ninety-nine years ago.

On a personal note, I want to greet my fellow Antiochian Christians here today, including Archbishop Elpidophoros’s mother, who has traveled here from Greece, in our ancient tongue: As-salaam alaykum.

Greeks and other Orthodox Christians have come from all around the world, and in particular the Middle East, to practice their faith freely here in America. Such freedom, however, remains under attack throughout the world.

One in nine Christians worldwide experience high levels of persecution.

A century ago, Christians represented about 20 percent of the population of Middle East and North Africa. Today, they represent less than 5 percent of the population.

In all, 245 million Christians around the world have faced persecution as a result of their faith. And the attacks have only grown stronger.

What should be our response? America and the Church today must follow the example of leaders like Archbishop Iakovos.

I am proud to say that America, under the current administration, is fervently committed to protecting religious minorities around the world.

President Trump has led the destruction of the Islamic State, one of the most serious threats to the safety of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East in a very long time. At the same time, we have extended a helping hand to Christians and other minorities, and helped them rebuild.

In Iraq, for instance, we have invested more than $239 million in life-saving humanitarian aid.

Changes by this administration have ensured that this aid is actually directly reaching those most in need. Not only have communities, like those in the Nineveh Valley, been provided with food, water, and shelter, but American aid also helps local businesses and communities rebuild in order to prevent future unrest.

Our commitment to the freedom of religious minorities is a paramount foreign policy priority for President Trump. Last year, the Trump Administration convened the first ministerial meeting ever hosted by the United States to advance religious freedom, and will be hosting the second such gathering this summer.

Our Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, just returned from a trip, taken at Secretary Pompeo’s request, throughout Europe, including to Greece, specifically to meet with Orthodox leaders.

He boldly proclaimed our commitment to the rights of Orthodox Christians – in the Middle East, Ukraine, and elsewhere. Specifically, he strongly reaffirmed the commitment of the United States in supporting the re-opening of the seminary in Halki, Turkey.

As many of you know, Archbishop Elpidophoros served as the Abbot of Halki Monastery. He helped revive a brotherhood of clergy at the monastery, where there had not been one for years.

The United States will continue to make the case that the re-opening of Halki as a seminary is absolutely vital to the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey.

Our dedication to religious liberty is evident in our efforts overseas, but it extends here at home, too. The Trump Administration has made it a priority to respect Americans’ right not just to worship freely, but to live out their faith in the public square.

We have appreciated the aid of Orthodox leaders in fighting for policies that respect religious freedom here at home, as we have in the fight to protect the lives of the most vulnerable and the voiceless: our unborn sons and daughters.

I am proud to work for a President who has delivered the most pro-life administration in American history.

Sometimes fighting for the voiceless can be controversial, or feel inconvenient. So was Archbishop Iakovos’ decision to march with those seeking liberation from oppression and prejudice, just over 50 years ago.

Doing what we know is right, even in the face of hostility, even when it sets us apart, is part of our Orthodox identity – it has become part of the Orthodox tradition in America.

We are blessed to live here under a Constitution that protects our natural rights, and that holds sacred our first right of religious liberty.

Under such a government bigotry is given no sanction, and persecution no assistance.

But these American traditions cannot truly flourish without faith traditions, too, and without the great church leaders that God has given us to guide our paths.

I know that Archbishop Elpidophoros is already one such leader, and I pray that he may have a long and fruitful tenure here in America.

As I said, today is only the seventh enthronement of a Greek Orthodox Archbishop here in America.

I hope and pray there are seventy or seven hundred more, and it is my honor to join all of you in praying for Archbishop Elpidophoros in particular.

May God grant you many years, Your Eminence: Eis polla eti, despota!

And may God bless you, Your Eminence, may God bless all of America’s Orthodox faithful, and may God bless the country they have so enriched, the United States of America. Thank you.

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NEW YORK – The Enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros took place on Saturday, June 22 at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

The following video features excerpts from the enthronement and statements from various attendees including Fr. Alexander Karloutsos and Nick Andriotis, among others.

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Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, Archon Aktouarios and National Commander Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America, delivered the following remarks at the Enthronement Luncheon for Archbishop Elpidophoros:

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Your Eminences and Graces, clergy and guests, brother Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate – AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS! That says it all on this historic and monumental day for our Holy Archdiocese.

My beloved friends, how fitting it is that on this Saturday of Pentecost Week our beloved Archbishop Elpidophoros is enthroned as our spiritual father in America, enlightened with the Holy Spirit and conveying a message of hope, of servant-leadership, of honesty, and transparency.

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, in your person we see with our own eyes and hear with our own ears the timeless faith and the limitless love of our Holy Mother Church and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, whom you served with distinction for the past 25 years, first as deacon, then as priest/monk, then as Metropolitan and Abbot, and now, as Exarch of the most important Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. We see your countenance and your striking blue eyes, [and we are reminded of] your predecessors who laid the administrative and philanthropic foundations of this great Eparchy, and we see in your genuine and loving smile a sense of reassurance and confidence that everything that currently confronts us as challenges will be addressed and transformed into great achievements for the good of our Holy Archdiocese of America and the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople.

We, the Archons of the Great Church of Christ, express our profound gratitude to His All-Holiness and the Holy and Sacred Synod for your election to the Archiepiscopal Throne of America.  We expect great things from you, Your Eminence, because we know that you have been trained in greatness, by a great Ecumenical Patriarch, who has set the highest standard for servant-leadership, for all to emulate.

You have already accomplished the extraordinary: at Halki you oversaw the renovation and digitization of its legendary library and as Metropolitan of Bursa you redeemed ancient churches giving hope to the local Greek Orthodox minority in Asia Minor. Your clarion voice in the magnificent book you authored in advocacy of Ukrainian Autocephaly supporting the brilliant and just decision of His All-Holiness was a tour de force. Your Eminence, you are a man of action and a Hierarch of integrity and we are so grateful to God for your leadership.

As Archons of the Great Church, we have had numerous opportunities to work with you, to personally experience your servant-leadership, to know you, first-hand, as a minister of the Gospel, and a servant of all God’s children. We saw you in action at our 2009 Annual Archon Lenten Retreat held at Holy Cross as Retreat Master and in Berlin at our Second International Archon Religious Freedom Conference and over the years at the Phanar witnessing your extraordinary service to the Mother Church, always speaking the Truth in Love.

We enthusiastically embrace you with open arms and loving hearts as our new Archbishop, and as a true son the Ecumenical Patriarchate who will strengthen our bond with the Holy Mother Church of Constantinople. Your Eminence, we all have great expectations of your sacred ministry in America and we are confident that you will bring about a true renaissance of our Archdiocese: rebuilding hope, as we rebuild Saint Nicholas; restoring confidence as we restore stability at Hellenic College and Holy Cross, and inspiring optimism in the Orthodox Faithful in America as challenges are transformed into accomplishments.

We believe that the church bells that rang this morning across America celebrating your arrival, enthronement and imminent ministry, will foreshadow similar bells pealing at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George at the Phanar for religious freedom and fundamental human rights for all.

Your Eminence, the Archons of America are humbled to serve you as holders of ancient Offikia who have historically served the needs of the Holy Mother Church for nearly two millennia. We acknowledge your leadership among us, as co-workers in the Vineyard of our Lord henceforth, and we will, in your words Your Eminence, all be deacons working together!

And now, with heartfelt thankfulness for the dedicated two decades of service of Archbishop Demetrios, and, as the Archiepiscopal staff has been handed to our new and beloved Archbishop Elpidophoros, we proclaim His Eminence Elpidophoros…AXIOS! AXIOS! AXIOS!

May God Grant you many, many years! Eis Polla Eti Despota!

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NEW YORK – The Greek-American community welcomed the newly-enthroned Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with a luncheon at the Hilton New York hotel on June 22, following the ceremony at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan.

The enthronement luncheon was well attended, as expected, by ecclesiastical representatives, political figures, great benefactors and members of the Greek American community from across the United States and around the world. According to the organizers, more than 1,500 people attended.

The National Herald chronicled this historic event for the Greek community and spoke with many of those in attendance who shared their first impressions and reactions.

The Lieutenant Governor of California and one of the speakers at the luncheon, Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, shared her impressions with TNH, “It was a great honor to be here today for the enthronement of the new Archbishop. This is a ‘changing of the guard.’ Clearly, we have an Archbishop who is young and understands in depth the needs of the community, but also the world arounds us. His leadership brings to the Greek Orthodox community and church, hope as well as pride.”

Regarding the challenges awaiting Archbishop Elpidophoros, Kounalakis told TNH, “Of course there are challenges. For anyone taking on a new role, I imagine he should first try to gain a deep knowledge of the community and work to build valuable relationships. But whatever these challenges are, there are many people around him, here in the U.S., ready to help him face any difficulties.”

Businessman and philanthropist John Catsimatidis attended the event with his wife, Margo, and spoke with optimism about the enthronement of the new Archbishop. “It is a beautiful new day and a new beginning. It is a new start for the American church. Mr. Elpidophoros is very young, dynamic, smart, and I think he will do well,” Catsimatidis told TNH.

Regarding the aims of the new Archbishop, Catsimatidis said, “The biggest challenge for him will be to act as a unifying force and to bring all Greek-Americans together. Many organizations are trying to do this work, but the church must be the strongest social unifying core.”

New York State Senator Andreas Gounardes told TNH, “As a member of the Greek-American community and as a member of the Greek Orthodox Church, I feel that it is exciting to celebrate today the enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. I look forward to seeing the new direction that will be given to the church as well as the new energy that he will bring to the clergy. I also hope to work with the church from my position, and in any way I can help to strengthen our communities in the U.S.”

Consul General of Greece in New York Konstantinos Koutras commented, “The enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros brings hope for the Greek community of America. The natural and spiritual gifts of Archbishop Elpidophoros, his high theological training, his vast education, his formative years at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, along with the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch, I am sure he will make a decisive contribution to successfully fulfilling his mission as the new Archbishop, and addressing directly the many challenges that await him.”

Archon Elias Tsekerides commented: “I wish we had good days in front of us, financially, religiously and administratively, because that’s what we all expect. The helper god “. Father Georgios Livaditis from the Bridgeport, Connecticut parish also spoke enthusiastically: “We want to wish our new Archbishop, in many years and always worthy! We all pray for the best and for everyone to come together as they can with their talents for a better tomorrow.”

Nektarios Antoniou, Executive Director of the Axion Estin Foundation and Protopsaltis at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, curated the luncheon’s interlude music which was performed by the ensemble he founded, Silk on the Road. Antoniou told TNH, “The music that is being presented today is inspired by Byzantium and Constantinople to honor the new Archbishop of America, Mr. Elpidophoros, and make him feel at home.”

Musical instruments such as the kanonaki, the tambour, and the oud filled the room with Byzantine sounds. “Our purpose is also to remind our archons, the faithful, and co-religionists of our cultural roots. The music we hear today comes from the crossroads of cultures that were in Constantinople and is played in the 21st century ‘Constantinople’  that is New York,” said Antoniou.

The enthronement luncheon in honor of Archbishop Elpidophoros ended in a spirit of general joy and optimism late in the afternoon.

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BOSTON – Archbishop Nikitas of Thyateira and Great Britain, unanimously elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, chose to grant his first interview to The National Herald. He spoke about his election, his new archpastoral duties in England, the new Archbishop of America Elpidophoros, and the Greek-American Community.

Archbishop Nikitas was born in Tampa, Florida. Until his election as Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain he was Metropolitan of the Dardanelles and Director of the Patriarch Athenagoras Orthodox Institute in California. He has extensive pastoral and administrative experience, having served for more than ten years as Metropolitan to the missionary Metropolis of Hong Kong. In addition to speaking Greek and English Archbishop Nikitas is fluent in Russian, which he learned at St. Petersburgh in Russia.

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew personally called him at daybreak on Wednesday, June 12 to inform him of his unanimous election.

Archbishop Nikitas told TNH, “I was sleeping when His All Holiness our Patriarch called and announced it to me.”

Speaking about his new archpastoral ministry, he said that “the truth of the Lord is not only for our nation, that is why we have a local Church in England and in other parts of the world. The truth of the Lord is for every person and we have an obligation to preach that truth to all nations.” He added that “England is a blessed country because it was there that martyrs of the ancient Church shed their blood. We have to continue this sacred work.”

Asked how he felt after being informed of his election, he said, “I felt my unworthiness and I asked our Patriarch to give me his blessing. I said the same thing to the Holy Fathers of Mount Athos who communicated to congratulate me.”

Archbishop Nikitas has spiritual ties with Mount Athos. He said, “last year I visited Mount Athos three times. Specifically, I visited the Monasteries of Dionysiou, Gregoriou, Xenophontos, and the Brotherhood of the Thomases,” adding that “I asked Fr. Methedotios at the Protaton (Mount Athos Headquarters) to be able to go before the historic icon of the Theotokos, the Axion Esti, to light a candle and say a prayer.”

When asked if he was expecting to be elected Archbishop of Thyatira, he said “no. I believed that someday our Patriarch would elect me to a Metropolis, but I could not imagine that he would honor me in this way because there are other worthy hierarchs.”

Speaking about the Greek-American Community he said, “first of all I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to them for the love and support that showed to me all these years and I promise I will never forget them.”

About newly elected Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Archbishop Nikitas said, “He called me personally to congratulate me. He is a really fantastic hierarch of young age and creativity. He has done so much in Halki. He is very learned; as you know he is a professor at the University of Thessaloniki.”

He added that, “we all should help and support him including me, even from a distance.” Archbishop Nikitas concluded by saying that “the new Archbishop Makarios of Australia also called to congratulate me and I told him now we are a triad and that we should cooperate for the good of the Church, The People of God, our Ecumenical Patriarchate, and our Genos.”

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NEW YORK – With enthusiasm, hope, and shouts of “Axios – Worthy!” hundreds of Greek-Americans and Orthodox Christians of all backgrounds and generations welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York for his official enthronement as Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Saturday, June 22.

The faithful began arriving at the Cathedral at 9 AM for the service that was scheduled for 11 AM. The police had closed off 74th Street between 2^nd and 1st avenues and outside of the Cathedral and also in the Cathedral Center large TV screens were installed to accommodate those who couldn’t enter the church because it was filled to capacity. Boys and girls were tossing flower petals on Archbishop Elpidophoros and the Patriarchal representative Metropolitan Avgoustinos of Germany.

Of the most touching moments was when Archbishop Elpidophoros embraced his mother, Eleni Lampriniadis, and kissed her hand. She was in the first row of pews in the congregation along with his bothers and other relatives.

In his enthronement address Archbishop Elpidophoros poured out his heart and mind, sharing his thoughts, his vision, and prospects of his Archbishopric ministry and asking for the cooperation of everyone in his efforts to reorganize the Archdiocese and its institutions.

He said among other things that, “today, I stand before all of you, humbled and grateful, declaring with the Holy Prophet and Psalmist David: Ready is my heart is O God. Ready is my heart! (Psalm 57:7). Indeed, my heart, soul, and mind are ready and eager to embark on this great challenge and charge that our Thrice-Holy God has granted to me by His grace, with my election, at the recommendation of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, by the most reverend members of the Holy and Sacred Synod, in order that I might serve you, the beloved faithful of America, as your spiritual father and pastor, the seventh Archbishop of the Holy Archdiocese of America.”

He added that, “I gratefully remember among the “first”, my Archbishop and Patriarch Bartholomew, who bears the foremost burden and first responsibility of unity in the Church. It is he who instructed me in his ‘daily concern for the welfare of all the churches of God’ (2 Corinthians 11:28). It is he who entrusted and encouraged me from the earliest moments of my ministry. It is he who prepared and predisposed me to serve the people of God.”

The Archbishop made reference to the representative of the U.S. government and of President Donald Trump, saying that “I wish to thank our brother in the Orthodox Faith, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alexander Azar, who today affords all of us the great honor of representing the President of United States. Mr. Secretary, your words filled this Cathedral with the eternal truths of the Gospel and the highest ideals of the American dream. I thank you for your commitment to both – to Athens and to Jerusalem, for they are the foundation of our civilization.” He also thanked his predecessor Archbishop Demetrios of America who was present at the enthronement ceremony.”

The Archbishop then presented his top priorities, saying, “first, if we are to be true to our evangelical roots and spiritual traditions, we must be a Church that embraces our young people, that embraces the strangers in our midst, that embraces all members of our community and our country. Our young people face an ever-growing deluge of information and access to knowledge that is unprecedented. The Church – which means all of us – must be ready to meet our youth where they live and where they learn: in our communities, on college campuses, with all of the range and resources of social media at our disposal. We cannot lose any time, and we cannot wait for them to reach out to us. We must offer them a taste of the sacramental life, of the living Body of Christ. We should welcome and embrace them, meeting them – just as the Lord Jesus Himself did with His disciples – on their own terms, in their own hearts, and with their own resources.

Second, our ministry to our youth and our message to our world must be grounded in the development and expansion of our Theological School, the heart of education of clergy and formation of leaders for our Archdiocese but also beyond. I will never forget the extraordinary semester I spent teaching at Holy Cross School of Theology in the spring of 2004. You see, my dear brothers and sisters: the challenges of church management are not merely secular, mundane concerns for the Church. They touch on the very heart of our response to celebrating and communicating the gifts that we have received from God. In a very real sense, we are all deacons! We are all accountable stewards of the resources of the faithful. And if we face our challenges and hurdles humbly and collectively, then I have every confidence that we shall overcome them. If the Lord is our strength and our salvation – our consolation and our illumination – then our brightest days are surely ahead of us.”

Citing a third priority that is especially a concern of those living in the New York Metropolitan Area, he declared “as I stand on this throne – beholding all of you in this splendid cathedral and addressing so many more of you by means of modern communications – I also behold the sacred image and relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Precisely because we believe in miracles; precisely because St. Nicholas works wonders; and precisely because the name Nicholas means “victory of the people,” we are able to echo the words of the Letter to the Romans, which proclaims: “We are able to overcome every challenge through the God who loved us.” (Romans 8:37).

It is this victory and miracle that the Saint Nicholas National Shrine at the World Trade Center represents and symbolizes – not only for our Archdiocese, but for the City of New York, and in fact for the entire American nation. On that bitter day of September 11, 2001, so many lives were lost, so much suffering was caused, and our little Saint Nicholas Church was obliterated in the collapse of the Twin Towers. Yet hatred was ultimately overcome by hope, violence was overcome by forgiveness, and despair was overcome by mercy, compassion, and love.”

In the Patriarchal and Synodical Letter of the Announcement of the Election of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew called him “a man of moral integrity and reverence, a well-educated man of God, well-prepared through training in matters ecclesiastical and temporal, of recognized prudence and ability, and with much experience in ecclesiastical matters and principles from his long, tested and honorable service in the Church to date – was selected and chosen, and was also confirmed as the rightful and canonical Archbishop of the Most Holy Archdiocese of America.”

Metropolitan Avgoustinos of Germany, representing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, handed Archbishop the archpastoral staff, a gift of the Patriarch with ecclesiastical and canonical significance. Metropolitan Avgoustinos spoke very highly of Archbishop Elpidophoros whom he knows well since he was a graduate student of Theology in Germany; Elpidophoros considers him his mentor.

Azar said in his remarks, “I bring greetings to the new Archbishop and to all of you from President Trump and Vice President Pence, who have a great appreciation for the work of the Church in America and the value that Americans of all faiths bring to our country. America’s founding fathers drew on the dual traditions of Athens and Jerusalem, reason and faith. The Greeks taught the world how to think, while Christ taught the world how to know. One endeavor cannot flourish without the other. As we read in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The intertwined traditions of Athens and Jerusalem are quite literally symbolized by the Greek Orthodox Church. They are also well embodied by the great theological and scholarly accomplishments of the new leader whom we welcome today, Archbishop Elpidophoros.”

Turning to the history of the Community, Azar noted that “the Greek Orthodox Church has played a powerfully positive role over the course of American history. Well before the founding of our nation, Greek immigrants had settled in Florida. By the late 1800s, the first permanent Greek Orthodox community was firmly established here in New York City.”

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The Chairman of the Leadership 100 endowment fund, Argyris Vasilliou, spoke at the Enthronement Luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown. The text of his remarks follow:

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, we look to you for the great opportunity to renew our Church and to reaffirm our faith in meeting the many challenges ahead. As an administrator and scholar and spiritual guide, you come with great gifts. I know you have a great appreciation for the Church in America, its rich history, proud traditions, and diversity of thought. The history of Leadership 100 is intertwined with the Church and its unique history in our nation. We have supported and worked cooperatively and successfully with all your predecessors and look forward to offering you our continued support as we work for the benefit of our Archdiocese and its ministries and institutions in the years to come.

Leadership 100 is composed of exceptional men and women who are devoted to the Church, as well as to responsible stewardship of our resources for the benefit of our Archdiocese.

Like you, we are committed to advancing the future of Orthodoxy and Hellenism. We recognize the world-wide reach of our Church and its Heritage ultimately led, of course, by our Ecumenical Patriarch.

As Chairman of Leadership 100, I can attest to the commitment of my fellow officers, trustees, and members to these principles.

We share in your stated commitments to regenerate the campaign to build the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, to strengthen Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and to insure a bright future for our Archdiocese.

We join with you and look forward to working with you to accomplish these goals. The Church is our home on earth and is vital to our every action in this world. It is where our focus must always remain.

As part of your loving flock in America, we grasp the importance of this significant moment in time. You have been sent to fulfill these needed purposes and we pray the Almighty gives Your Eminence the strength, resolve, and wisdom to lead us spiritually into the future. AXIOS!

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Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

NEW YORK – The luncheon at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in honor of the Enthronement of Archbishop Elpidophoros attracted more than 1500 people. The text of His Eminence’s remarks follows:

Dear Friends,

Your love and welcome are truly overwhelming, and I thank all of you from the bottom of my heart. So many expressions of appreciation, so many warm words of greeting. From the Enthronement Ceremony in the Cathedral to this festive and magnificent luncheon – a fellowship meal of faith and love. You will forgive me if I say that I am truly overcome by your kind and generous reception of my humble person. I truly thank you all for such a glorious day!

I feel as if we are celebrating the Resurrection in all its panoply and excellence, with all its joy and festivity. But I have only just commenced my ministry, and I have to ask, is it possible for us to have Resurrection before Crucifixion? I ask this not to diminish our present happiness, but to remind all of us that like our Lord Jesus Christ, we must pass through…we must pass over, before we arrive at the farther longed-for shore.

As an Archdiocese, and as the Church of Christ, we have much work to do, and we have to ready our shoulders to bear the Cross. There is much to rebuild: confidence and faith in our institutions first of all. Hellenic College and Holy Cross must be established on a firm foundation, for they are the future of our clergy. Our Archdiocesan ministries must be renewed and reinvigorated, for they are the future of our young people. Our clergy must be secure in their familial responsibilities, for they are the future of our parishes. The Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox National Shrine must be completed, for it is the future of our witness to the American Nation.

When I look out upon this veritable sea of devotion and faith, when I look into your bright and shining faces, I have nothing but hope for our future. I see fellow travelers, who like Simon of Cyrene, are willing and able to carry the Cross of Christ, to lift up the burdens of the Church, and bring them to the highest Altar of Sacrifice ever known: Golgotha – the “Place of the Skull” – the place where failure become success, despair becomes hope, resentment becomes forgiveness, hate becomes love, doubt becomes faith, grief becomes joy, and death becomes life.

Therefore, I invite each and every one of you. Join me. Become another Simon of Cyrene, who, as you remember, was forced by the Roman soldiers to carry the Cross of our Lord. What a precious and extraordinary honor he had, but this honor is available to every one of us. Nobody is forcing us, but our Lord Jesus Christ is still calling us.

Join me. Take up His Cross. Take up your cross. Bear it with joy and with understanding. Together we can and we will transform our Archdiocese to be the Church that fulfills our every hope and every aspiration.

May the Lord grant that it be so quickly!

Thank you!

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NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has appointed the Rev. Protopresbyter Alexander Karloutsos to be the Vicar General of the Holy Archdiocese of America. The office of Vicar General is an extraordinary office, one which is used only at the discretion of the Archbishop. The last Vicar General of the Archdiocese served under Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory.

Speaking of the appointment, His Eminence said:

“Father Alex, as he is known to all, has served our Holy Archdiocese and Ecumenical Patriarchate with distinction for over forty years. His service as Vicar General recognizes his unique abilities and role to advance the mission of the Church. I look forward to his continuing fruitful ministry to our Church.”

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