NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was welcomed with respect and enthusiasm by all generations in Bahamas where he paid his first Archpastoral visit to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox parish on Sunday and Monday October 13 and 14 in the aftermath of the deadly hurricane Dorian.
The Archbishop had a special meeting and talk with the children of the parish and he also officiated at the Divine Liturgy. A reception and luncheon followed and all the congregants had an opportunity to get to know him and receive his blessings.
The Archbishop met with the Honorable Cornelius Alvin Smith, Governor General of The Bahamas. The two discussed the damages and ongoing relief efforts after Hurricane Dorian the long and short term assistance plans of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC). His Eminence presented the Governor with a silver replica of the icon depicting the hospitality of Abraham (an icon of the symbolically representing the Holy Trinity) and explained it’s meaning to His Excellency.
The Archbishop also met with Ian Rolle, President of Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited & Port Group and Honorable Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest.
The Authorities welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros reverently and thanked him for his spiritual and financial assistance to Bahamas and those who were affected by Dorian.
On Monday morning, October 14 the Archbishop toured on a special private flight above the area of Abako and witnessed the magnitude of the devastation caused by Dorian; the flight ended in the area of Grand Bahamas.
His Eminence visited many families who are trying to rebuild their homes and offered them water and other items.
The most touching part of the trip was his visit to the Orphanage Ranfurley House where he blessed the children and talked with its personnel who provide daily care and support to the children. The president of the Orphanage is Greek-Orthodox and Greek businessmen contribute financially for the sustenance of the institution and also to help families that lost everything due to Dorian.
Upon his return on Monday night, October 14, the Archbishop stated that “I was deeply moved by the faith and resilience of these islanders and very proud of the philanthropic work of our Greek Orthodox community there.”
His Eminence said among other things in his sermon on Sunday, October 13 at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox parish in Nassau, that “The God that we worship is truly “the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort,” as the Apostle Paul has said (2 Corinthians 1:3). God made us; He cares for us; and nothing can separate us from His divine and fatherly love. Out of that divine love we have come here today, dear spiritual children, to extend the mercies and comfort of the Lord. As your spiritual father, I am here on behalf of all your brothers and sisters in our Archdiocese, who hold you in their hearts at this difficult time. We have come to stand with you, to pray for you, to bless you, and to offer you our tangible expressions of love and support.”
In another instance he said, “the whole world mourns when it sees the damage of Hurricane Dorian in your beautiful island nation. Even more, we are pained at the destruction of the most precious sight on earth – the image and likeness of God in our fellow man. We have heard the news of so many dead, so many missing, and so many displaced from their homes. We pray with you for the souls of those who have fallen, and we will work with you to help those in urgent need.”
The Archbishop noted that “International Orthodox Christian Charities has come here ahead of us to begin their relief efforts. Leadership 100 and the National Philoptochos Society, along with the local chapter in Southampton, have arranged for a sizable gift, which is for all the people of The Bahamas. I bring this gift today as our offering of love. Although geographically we are separated by many miles of ocean, spiritually we are closer than neighbors. In Christ, we are one family, brothers and sisters together; in Christ, we are one Body, and members of one another.”
He also said that, “today, and with every Divine Liturgy we exclaim: “We offer to You these gifts from Your own gifts, in all and for all.”
All that we have, we receive first from God.
And all that we give, we give ultimately to God.
As we partake of the Eucharist, we receive the mercies of God in their most tangible form – the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. As messengers of the mercies of God, we must therefore share them in the most tangible form that we can. We offer therefore not just thoughts and prayers, which are good. But more than that, we offer our tears, our treasures, our time and our talents.”
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