WHITESTONE – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros made his first pastoral visit on October 27 to the Holy Cross community in Whitestone where the faithful filled the church to welcome him.
In his homily, His Eminence noted that this Sunday was special as it was between two major holidays, St. Demetrios’ feast day on October 26 and the Greek national holiday, OXI Day on October 28, commemorating when Greece, a small country against the odds fought back against the onslaught of the fascist Italian forces. He noted the importance of faith in the struggle and then spoke about the reading from the Gospel which also emphasized the importance of faith as the woman suffering for years merely touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was cured of her ailment. She approached Jesus with faith and humility as we all should when receiving communion, His Eminence said.
The feast of St. Nestor the Martyr of Thessaloniki was also celebrated on October 27, as Archbishop Elpidophoros mentioned, pointing out the saint’s tremendous faith and a blessing from St. Demetrios helped him defeat the gladiator Lyeios.
Among those assisting Archbishop Elpidophoros during the Divine Liturgy were presiding priest of the community Fr. George Anastasiou, his predecessor Fr. Dionysios Anagnostopoulos, and the Rev. Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos.
Also present were Parish Council President Effie Karalekas, AHEPA Whitestone Chapter President Dimitrios Skartsiaris, Jeannie Kouros, Theodore Moschokarfis, Stephen Cherpelis, Efstathios Valiotis, and President of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York Cleanthis Meimaroglou.
Following the Divine Liturgy, Fr. Anastasiou thanked His Eminence and invited the Parish Council President Mrs. Karalekas, Greek School Principal Christina Makridis, and Barbara Kontolios, the head of the Sunday School, to come forward to present a gift to Archbishop Elpidophoros. The engolpion [a medallion with an icon in the center], is worn close to the heart, Fr. Anastasiou said, adding that when the Archbishop wears it, he should know that the community also holds him close to its heart as well.
Archbishop Elpidophoros thanked them for the gift and noted the beautiful church and how the community clearly loves tradition and custom and Hellenism. He pointed out that the church and school go together and they secure the future. His Eminence also praised the community for the young people present who attended the service so reverently and respectfully and the altar boys who assisted so well. He then noted that the church needs priests, and while the community has many lawyers and doctors, it also needs the best and brightest to go into the priesthood as well. Archbishop Elpidophoros then congratulated the community for adjusting as one priest leaves [Fr. Anagnostopoulos] and another arrives [Fr. Anastasiou], showing the health of community, and comparing priests to soldiers who are moved from one post to another, noting Fr. Anagnostopoulos’ many contributions and the efforts which Fr. Anastasiou will continue. His Eminence concluded by wishing everyone all the best for tomorrow’s holiday as well.
A celebratory luncheon followed in the church’s Vasilios and Athanasia Kartsonis Hall.
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