SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019

Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement

The National Herald www.thenationalherald.com

THIS SPECIAL ISSUE OF ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOPHOROS’ ENTHRON ΕMENT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF: John & Margo Catsimatidis / The Behrakis Family Foundation / Michael and Robin Psaros / Stephanos and Areti Cherpelis 2 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

A Message from the Publisher

Dear Readers, porally limited mission, but as a new dy - opened with the departure of Archbishop namic hierarch, with broad horizons and a Iakovos from active service in 1996. The Special Insert that you hold in your radical program that promises to put his For the Community, it was a long and hands, the product of the collaboration of seal on the Archdiocese of America and disappointing period that also shook it up. many prominent people under the direction the Greek-American Community. But now we are more mature. More re - of my dear colleague, theologian Theodore Archbishop Elpidophoros is assuming alistic. Kalmoukos, aims to celebrate the enthro - responsibility for our Archdiocese during And the Community desperately wants S A N

nement of His Eminence Elpidophoros, our one of the most critical periods of its history to see Archbishop Elpidophoros become I G

new Archbishop of America. – as is well known. This presents a great an Archbishop of historical proportions. N A

June 22, the day of the enthronement, challenge, but it is also an unprecedented He will take action – with humility, love, M S

is a day for which we have been waiting opportunity to reorganize and rebuild. honesty, and transparency. O K I N

many years. It will be a day of joy, opti - The Community has passed through a The Community is thirsty to regain its / E T

mism, and hope – we believe the Archbi - difficult period. It was effectively headless trust for its Leaders. To see the Ar - A H

shop's name, which means “Bringer of Ho - for a considerable time. chdiocese set lofty goals. To win the futu - C R A I

pe” is not accidental. The Community bent under the strain, re. R T A

It is the beginning of a new era that we but it did not raise a white flag. It was seri - The National Herald warmly welcomes P L

need so much. ously injured, but it has the strength and Archbishop Elpidophoros. On his face we A C I

It is important that our new Archbishop substance to recover. discern ability, determination, optimism… N E

is not coming as an observer or on a tem - On June 22 a great circle closes, which and hope. M U C E

Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa Elected Archbishop of America Sends Message to Community through TNH

By Theodore Kalmoukos People of God. I am looking for - Holy and Sacred Synod.” ward to meeting our people. We Metropolitan Elpidophoros of have many things to do together. WHO IS THE Bursa was elected unanimously All together. Christ is risen.” NEW ARCHBISHOP? Archbishop of America on Satur - The Ecumenical His Eminence Archbishop El - day May 11 by the Holy and Sa - issued the following announce - pidophoros Lampryniadis was cred Synod of the Ecumenical ment: born in 1967 in Bakirköy, Istan - Patriarchate. “Today, Saturday May 11, bul. He studied at the Depar - Shortly after his unanimous 2019, the Holy and Sacred Sy - tment of Pastoral Theology, Th - election Archbishop Elpidophoros nod, continuing its work, proce - eological School of the Aristotle made the following exclusive sta - eded to fill the vacated seat of University of Thessaloniki, from tement to The National Herald: “I the Archdiocese of America fol - which he graduated in 1991. In am deeply touched because the lowing the voluntary resignation 1993, he finished his postgra - Ecumenical Patriarch and the Sy - of its shepherd, His Eminence Ar - duate studies at the Philosophical nod honored me with their vote chbishop Demetrios Geron of School of the University of Bonn, and confidence. I express my fe - America. Germany submitting a disserta - elings of gratitude to our Pa - Therefore, following the sug - tion titled, The Brothers triarch and the Holy Synod. I glo - gestion, permission, and exhor - and John Mesarites. rify God, and with His Grace I will tation of His-All Holiness, the holy He was ordained a in serve the superb people of the synodical members dully casting 1994 at the Patriarchal Cathedral Holy Archdiocese of America, a their votes unanimously elected and was appointed as the Code - people whom I love and who love as Archbishop of America His cographer of the Holy and Sacred the Church, who are faithful to Eminence Metropolitan Elpido - Synod. In 1995, he was appoin - its traditions and respect our Ecu - phoros of Bursa, Abbott of the ted Deputy Secretary of the Holy menical Patriarchate. I greet my Holy Monastery of the Holy and Sacred Synod. From 1996- beloved brother members of the in Halki and Professor of the Th - TNH ARCHIVES 1997 he studied at the Theologi - Holy Synod and the other brother eological School of the Aristote - The day of the election of Archbishop Elpidophoros. Shown are from left: His Eminence cal School of St. John the Dama - hierarchs and bless from my leian University of Thessaloniki. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His heart the reverend and the From the Secretariat of the Eminence Archbishop of Australia Makarios. Continued on page 4

WE WELCOME ARCHBISHOP ELPIDOFOROS AS OUR NEW SPIRITUAL LEADER OF OUR GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF AMERICA

FROM THE FAMILY OF THE LATE GUST C. KRARAS READING, PA ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 3

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Your unanimous election by His All Holiness our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Patriarchate to the Archbishopric Throne of our beloved Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is the manifestation of the work of the Holy Spirit.

It is a historic development to the life of our Church and Omogeneia in America full of hope, optimism and prospect for the future. Your ethos, your dynamism, your pastoral sensitivities , you administrative and academic credentials promise the resurrection of our Archdiocese and its institutions.

We welcome you with open hearts and arms. We stand ready to be your coworkers in the Vineyard of our Lord. We proclaim you A ΞIO Σ!

With much respect and love. b

a Archon Michael and Robin Psaros 4 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

Metropolitan Elpidophoros of Bursa Elected Archbishop of America Sends Message to Community through TNH

Continued from page 2 Professor of Symbolics [pertai - wood-carved and gold-plated ning to the study of creeds], In - special shrines (proskynetaria), scene in Balamand, Lebanon, ter-Orthodox Relations and the b. A new wood candle stand car - where he improved his kno - Ecumenical Movement. The dis - ved in Mount Athos, c. decoration wledge of the Arabic language. sertations are titled: The Syna - of the monastery’s refectory with In 2001, he presented a doc - xis’s of the Hierarchy of the Ecu - murals, and d. decoration of the toral dissertation at the Theolo - menical Throne (1951-2004) and conch of the Prothesis with mo - gical School of the Aristotle Uni - Luther’s Ninety-five Theses. Hi - saics. versity of Thessaloniki under the storical and Theological aspects. – Other works: a. the radical title: Severus of Antioch and the Text – Translation – Commentary. makeover of the Monastery’s kit - , proclai - In March 2011, he was elec - chen b. the creation of the new ming him a Doctor of Theology. ted Metropolitan of Bursa (By - Synodal Hall for the summer ses - In 2004, he was invited to Holy zantine Prousa) and in August of sions of the Holy Synod. Cross Greek Orthodox School of the same year was appointed Ab - As professor at the Theologi - Theology in Boston, where he ta - bot of the Holy Patriarchal and cal School of Thessaloniki (2011- ught as a visiting professor for Stavropegial Monastery of the present), Archbishop Elpidopho - one semester. In March 2005, at Holy Trinity on the island of Ch - ros: the proposal of Patriarch Bartho - alki. He has served as the Ortho - – Wrote the following theolo - lomew, he was promoted by the dox Secretary of the Joint Inter - gical and ecclesiastical books: Holy and Sacred Synod to the po - national Commission for the The stance of Severus of An - sition of Chief Secretary and was Theological Dialogue between tioch on the Council of Chalcedon ordained to the priesthood by the the Orthodox Church and the Lu - (doctoral dissertation, 2001) Ecumenical Patriarch in the Pa - theran World Federation and as Luther’s 95 Theses (2009). triarchal Cathedral. a member of the Patriarchal de - Proceedings of the Synaxis of In 2009, he submitted two legations to the General Assem - the Primates of the Orthodox Ch - dissertations to the Theological blies of the Conference of Euro - EUROKINISSI/CHRISTOS BONIS urches (2008). His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America meets with His Beatitude Archbishop of School of Thessaloniki and was pean Churches and the World The institution of the Synaxis Athens and All Greece Ieronymos, May 31, 2019. unanimously elected Assistant Council of Churches. of the Hierarchs of the Ecumeni - cal Throne (2015). He was the Secretary of the it financially independent. collaboration with the School of The Ecumenical Patriarch Bar - Pan-Orthodox Synods in Sofia – Organized the refugees and Engineering of the University of tholomew in Ukraine: 2008 (1998), (2005), Geneva their descendents originating Thessaloniki. (2018). (2006), and Istanbul (2008). He has from the areas within the juris - – Improved the garden of the The Patriarchs of Halki. Vo - been a member of the Faith and diction of the Metropolis of Bursa Theological School of Halki and lume Α΄: 1844-1901 (2018). Order Commission of the World and now living in Greece and put it to good use. The witness and the theology Council of Churches since 1996. established an annual event cal - – Began the computer cata - of the Ecumenical Patriarchate As Metropolitan of Bursa led the “Gathering” of the Bursa - loguing of the Library of the Sch - (2018). (2011-present), Archbishop Elpi - lites, where all the people origi - ool, which has now been com - – Has written many articles dophoros: nating in Bursa participate. pleted. Currently, the digitization published in scholarly and theo - - Conducted a worldwide fun - B. As Abbot of the Theological of the entire library collection is logical journals. draiser and a bought two byzan - School of Halki (2011-present). well underway, in collaboration – Is Professor of Symbolic Th - tine-era churches, Panagia Pan - – For the first time in the mo - with the Library of the Greek Par - eology, Interorthodox and Inter - tovassilissa of Triglia (13th dern history of the Ecumenical liament, and with OPAP as the christian Relations. century), and Taxiarchs Michael Patriarchate, he established a grand sponsor. Archbishop Elpidophoros has and Gabriel of Sigi (9th century). monastic brotherhood, with – Established collaborations studied in Greece, Germany and The contribution of the Christians monks from , Gre - with universities in Greece, Ger - Lebanon, and has either taught of the Greek Orthodox Archdio - ece, Finland, and Mexico. many, and Cyprus, so that stu - or given lectures at universities cese of America were notable. – For the first time in the hi - dents from these countries can in Greece, Cyprus, the United – Assigned a permanent story of the Theological School come and work at the Theologi - States, Germany, , and priest to serve the needs of the of Halki, he began publishing bo - cal School of Halki, with funding France. Orthodox Christians in the area. oks under the Halki Theological from the (the He has been awarded the first – Bought a residence for the School Press imprint. Erasmus exchange program). class Ukrainian Order of Merit by EUROKINISSI/YIANNIS PANAGOPOULOS permanent priest. – Undertook, for the first time, – Initiated works inside the Presidents Viktor Yushchenko President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopios Pavlopoulos – Established a fund for the the mapping the building of the Monastery to emphasize its mo - (2008) and Petro Poroshenko receives Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Presidential Metropolis of Bursa, thus making Theological School of Halki, in nastic character: a. two new (2018) Mansion on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church

100 Fairway Drive, Port Washington, NY 11050 • Tel: (516) 944-3180

The Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church in Port Washington, ny along with the Presiding Priest John K. Lardas, Protopresbyter Joshua Pappas, Protopresbyter Father Dennis Strouzas, the President Michael Bapis, and the Members of the Parish Council, the Philoptochos and all Other Organizations express our Gratefulness to our loving God

for the election by our Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of our new Archbishop of America. Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America b

ΕΙσ ΠΟΛΛΑ ΕΤΗ ! a ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 5 6 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙ The Lesser and Greater Minima (Announcement) of Archbishop Elpidophoros

CONSTANTINOPLE – The Lesser and Greater Minima (An - nouncement) of the new Archbi - shop of America in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch and the Members of the Holy and Sa - cred Synod the new Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, were presented on May 11 at noon. He accepted his election by way of the Lesser Minima. The Ecumenical Patriarch ad - dressed the new Archbishop of America: “All of us know that the Great Church of Christ, as a true Mother, embraces with affection and care all her spiritual children through - out the world, where they live, work, and excel. Thus, in regard to the great Eparchy of the Throne in America, we, and the Hierarchs Archbishop Elpidophoros officiates at the Greater Minima of his The Greater Minima – Announcement – of the acceptance of the election of His Eminence election at the St. George Patriarchal Cathedral. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the St. George Patriarchal Cathedral. of the Holy Synod, have been con - cerned and have numerous times discussed at length its problems look to entrust upon you this great pilgrimages here from time to today in an exceptional way. titude and destruction. of the Lord and I thank Your Divine during the last sessions of the Sy - and difficult task, with the cer - time, as your predecessor Iakovos May you excel as an Archbi - “I promise, Your All-Holiness, All-Holiness, my Sovereign and nod, seeking ways to improve the tainty that you will succeed, that of blessed memory used to do, to shop of love, of peace, of humility at this holy and solemn moment, Master, because from my youth situation and restore the Holy Ar - you will honor the vote and confi - come back here often to keep us and of unity. Axios! as also do the rest of the Archpa - you shaped me, who was the le - chdiocese of America to its former dence of the Hierarchs of the Holy informed, be re-baptized in our In his response, the new Arch - stors of the Ecumenical Throne, ast, with much patience, love, and glory. And now, since its primate, Synod and the expectations of springs of spirituality, and collabo - bishop of America expressed to that this great Eparchy of the Th - skill, and benefitted me as no one Archbishop Demetrios, has sub - your Patriarch, who embraces you rate with the competent Synodical the Ecumenical Patriarch and to rone, the Holy Archdiocese of else. I thank the Reverend Holy mitted his resignation, due to the with paternal affection and re - Committee for problems you may the Members of the Holy and Sa - America and her Metropolises, sh - Hierarchs, the Members of the urgency of the situation, we sou - spects your values and devotion, encounter there from time to time. cred Synod his wholehearted gra - all be girt with the robe of ministry Holy and Sacred Synod, who ho - ght to find a worthy successor which he was able to see in you You will cultivate good broth - titude for his election. to Mother Church, the Omogeneia nored me profusely with their ho - who would be able to bring back during your lengthy ministry in this erly relationships with our hete - “Your All-Holiness and Master, here, the apostolic work of the norable vote and confidence in my good order to the life and function Holy Patriarchal Court under our rodox brothers – for you have I feel the great responsibility which Eparchies of the Throne, and every humble person.” of the Archdiocese, inspire confi - command.” been involved in the ecumenical Mother Church places upon my other need of the Holy Center of Afterwards, in the Patriarchal dence in the flock of the Archdio - Subsequently, His All Holiness movement for a long time – but shoulders, beyond the great honor . Because we all know Church of Saint George, in the pre - cese to the Church, strengthen emphasized that the new Archbi - also with other faiths, with Mus - and confidence by which Your Ho - that if the vine brings fruit, it is on sence of the Synodical Hierarchs, the bonds of the flock with our shop knows well the issues of lims and Jews, with whom the liest Person embraced me even account of the vineyard, to which the Patriarchal Court, and also Holy Patriarchate, and make the America and even Europe, and Ecumenical Patriarchate has been today in the Synod. As Your spiri - it is connected. If the olive tree is other clergymen Patriarchate proud again of its gre - added: in academic dialogue for many tual child, as a newly-planted olive rich with fruit, it acquires this value and lay pilgrims, the new Ar - atest Eparchy, which today is in “You are an academician, a te - years. Your experience and kno - tree in the Patriarchal Court, as the because it is planted around the chbishop of America celebrated need and is suffering. acher with zeal and knowledge, wledge of Islamic societies and least vine of the spreading grape - Holy Altar of the Phanar. When the the Service of the Greater Minima, “To this end, Most Reverend and you will be able to rebuild the their culture will be especially use - vine of the Ecumenical Throne, sunflower blossoms and yields during which his election was an - Archbishop of America, we are lo - Theological School of Holy Cross, ful. and even as a simple sunflower, I fruit, it is on account of the light of nounced in church, and he respon - oking to your love as a young and which is going through difficult ti - Brother Archbishop of America, shall ever have my eyes turned to - the Sun of ded with the text of Thanksgiving dynamic Hierarch. For you are, mes, and also collaborate with you have many, too many things ward You, the August First of Or - Orthodoxy, the Ecumenical Th - for the election of his person by well educated, a man of langua - American Universities for the pro - to do and offer. And you can! We thodoxy, for only in this way shall I rone. With these humble thoughts, the Church, accepting the position ges, active and efficient, dedica - motion of our historical learning trust you and send you off with be able to bear fruit, for I know in infinite gratitude I accept the po - in a state of emotion and grati - ted to Mother Church, in whose and our cultural inheritance. good hopes and expectations. You that only around Your Altar shall I sition on today’s date on which we tude. bosom you grew up and where We expect from you to streng - must glorify the Throne of your yield a harvest, because cut off celebrate the inauguration of Con - After the completion of the you were schooled in the things then the holy bonds of your Arch - Eparchy, but also this Holiest and from this life-giving Vine of the stantinople. I thank God, the Giver Greater Minima, Archbishop Elpi - of the Church, and initiated into diocese with the Center of our ec - Martyred Throne, which raised Great Church, I shall risk being cut of all creation, the Most Holy Th - dophoros accepted the congratu - the mystery of the Church. We clesiastical foundation, to organize you, nurtured you, and honors you off and thrown into a fire of ingra - eotokos Who guards this Holy City latory wishes of all present.

1400 Cedar Swamp Road REEK RTHODOX HURCH Brookville, NY 11545 G O C crossroad Northern Boulevard (25A) and Route 107 of the Holy Resurrection Τηλ.: (516) 671-5200

Presiding Priest of the Holy Resurrection Community Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas, the Parish Council, St. Catherine's Philoptochos, as well as the rest of the community’s ministries, would like to welcome, with love and respect, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros to America. We promise to support him in all his endeavors throughout his journey as our spiritual leader. b May God grant him many years! a Αξιος ! ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 7

The Order of AHEPA had the good fortune and honor to be the first group to meet newly elected Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros.

Supreme President George E. Loucas and the official AHEPA leadership delegation met His Eminence hours after the announcement of his election in Constantinople.

The entire AHEPA family expresses its heartfelt congratulations and best wishes and looks forward to working together to build upon the long-standing tradition of the “Twin Pillars of Hellenism in America” -- AHEPA and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Front Row L to R: Maids Grand President Tatiana Tsaprailis, Sons Advisor Sandy Papadopoulos, Supreme Secretary George Horiates, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Supreme President George E. Loucas, Past Supreme Governor Peter Baltis, Past Supreme Counselor Greg Stamos, Canadian President Christos Argiriou. Back Row L to R: District 5 Governor Jimmy Rozanitis, District 20 Governor James DeDakis, AHEPA Executive Director Basil N. Mossaidis, Past D. 5 Governor Dr. Zenon Christodoulou, Sons of Pericles Supreme President Vourloumis

The mission of AHEPA is to promote the ideals of Hellenism, education, philanthropy, civic responsibility and family and individual excellence. Not a member? JOIN TODAY www.ahepa.org/join AHEPA Headquarters 1909 Q St., NW, Suite 500 b

Washington, DC 20009 • Phone: 202.232.6300 • Fax 202.232.2140 a 8 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

The unanimous election and enthronement of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America marks a new beginning to the course of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and our Greek-American Community.

A new chapter has been opened in the history of our Church, which all of us are called to write together, because the life of our Church and Community is a responsibility we share, each from our own post and our own charismas. The big challenge of our new Archbishop Elpidophoros will be to carve new ways and prospects having in mind all the generations of today and those of tomorrow. After all, each generation has its characteristics, concerns, necessities and sensitivities. We are convinced that Archbishop Elpidophoros will teach the essence of our Orthodox faith, and also the great and unique Hellenic Heritage.

Welcome Your Eminence. b AΞIO Σ! a

The Behrakis Family Foundation ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 9

Archbishop Elpidophoros

We march with you on your spiritual journey.

Congratulations

The Drakotos Family b a 10 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙ The First Interview of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with The National Herald

By Theodore Kalmoukos Mother Church. It is her hope for the future. I will remind you as The unanimously elected Archbishop Elpidophoros of America gave his first interview to The National well of what I said in the so-called Herald, in which he spoke about the Omogenia (the Greek American Community), the Ecumenical Patri - Lesser Message, following my archate, the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, the good-ordering of financial election as Archbishop of Amer - matters, the and heritage, and his vision for the Archdiocese and the Greek-American ica: “If the vine brings forth fruit, Community. it is because it is connected to the The Archbishop emphasized regarding the Community, among other things, “For me, you are my vineyard.” Is it possible for a pride, my praise, my spiritual children, my precious coworkers, my fellow travelers for the sake of the branch to be proud of producing glory of God, and my supports in strengthening the crown of Orthodoxy, our Ecumenical Patriarchate.” plentiful fruit and not remember The complete text of the interview is as follows: that this is only because it is an inalienable part of a tree, which draws food and water from its TNH: Your Eminence, how diaconate with America were the and have visited many times. deep roots? This is exactly our re - do you feel about your elec - words the Patriarch used when lationship to our Patriarchate. tion to the Archiepiscopal he named me Elpidophoros. He TNH: What do you believe Thus, it is an unbreakable, or - Throne of America? said the following at that time: about the Community in ganic, existential, and vital rela - AE: The truth is that the main when our Patriarch was en - America? What are we to tionship. We are nourished by the feeling I was expecting after my throned on November 2, 1991, you? What are your thou - spirituality and tradition of the Ec - election was one of relief, be - Archbishop Iakovos of blessed ghts? umenical Patriarchate and share cause all of us had grown weary memory wished him to be a Pa - AE: The Greek-American com - our fruits with gratitude. of the long period of impatient triarch “free from danger (Akyn - munity certainly sits at the top of waiting that preceded the solu - dinos), a “well-spring” (Pegasios), the successful Hellenes of the Di - TNH: What stance do you tion. I was confident that I would “unhindered” (anembodistos), aspora. For me however, as a plan to take on national is - feel relief whether the Holy and “bountiful” (afthonios), and a Christian, a theologian, and a sues? Sacred Synod elected me or an - “bringer of hope” (Elpidophoros), cleric, the value of this Community AE: National issues are also other brother among the other hi - punning on the names of the is measured by the love that it has among the fruits we must share erarchs of the Ecumenical Saints whose feasts were cele - for the Church, its dedication to with Hellenism around the world. Throne. However, to my surprise, brated on the date of his En - the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and I mean that we owe it to our na - in the end my main emotion was thronement, November 2. The Pa - the sacrifices it makes to preserve tion that we put the capabilities one of a feeling of responsibility. triarch said to me, “Since that its tradition, language, culture, and AP PHOTO/LEFTERIS PITARAKIS we have, such as the Greek- Newly-elected Archbishop of America, Elpidophoros, left, and More specifically, the burden of time, I had wanted to give this faith. Now that our Patriarch has American organizations that work Archbishop of Australia Makarios, right, pose for photographs responsibility. This feeling ex - name to a clergyman.” entrusted me with your pastoral hard in the service of the promo - following a in Constantinople, May 12, 2019. care, you are my pride, my praise, tion and strengthening of our po - my spiritual children, my precious sitions on national issues and Now that our Patriarch co-workers, my fellow travelers them, even the most successful tinople. causes, but to do this in a respon - toward the glory of God, and my ones, belong to the flock of our I am telling you all this to ex - sible and effective way. We have has entrusted me with your support in strengthening the Archdiocese. And they love the plain to you that the last thing that nothing to gain from sensational - “ crown of Orthodoxy, our Ecumeni - Church. We will invite them in and occupies my mind right now is ism that yields no result. There - pastoral care, you are my pride, cal Patriarchate. ask for their help. I am sure that where I am going to live. I am sure fore, I’m giving you a straight an - they will not deprive us of their that in the two buildings the Arch - swer in saying that I will follow my praise, my spiritual children, TNH: Do you know the is - talents. diocese has in Manhattan, there the tradition of all my predeces - sues of Church life in Ame - will be a room where I can sleep. sors, enlisting all my strength, my precious co-workers, rica? And what are some of TNH: What will you bring to Besides, there is so much work with the cooperation of all key the priorities you will try to America when you come for to do in these first years that I people of the Greek-American my fellow travelers toward take on in the near future? your enthronement? won’t have time to spare com - community in the USA, so that we AE: I’m not going to hide be - AE: There is a definitive ele - muting. Personally, I would be may allow no one to undermine the glory of God, and my hind my finger. Our Church in ment to the answer I am going to ashamed to burden the budget of Hellenism, wherever Greeks may America has serious problems. All give to your question. I am coming the Archdiocese with an live. support in strengthening these problems stem from one from Constantinople, from our Ec - Archiepiscopal residence, during common cause: the loss of trust umenical Patriarchate, from our a time where there are such eco - TNH: What do you believe the crown of Orthodoxy, of the people for the Archdio - Mother Church. This, therefore, is nomic difficulties. When, with about the issue of Greek Pai - our Ecumenical Patriarchate. cese’s administrative ability. No what I am bringing chiefly and God’s help, we overcome the deia (education) and Greek one believes that there was any foremost: the blessing of our Pa - problems and pay off our debts, identity, in general? foul play. But also no one denies triarch, His All-Holiness then we will see. AE: The issue of Greek iden - that bad choices have been made. Bartholomew, the greatest Ecu - To tell you the truth, through tity, both as language and cultural pressed itself in two ways: with Thus, since the first day of my This is not a happy circumstance, menical Patriarch of the last 200 all the years of my life as a cler - conscience, has been discussed praise to God and with gratitude ministry in the Patriarchal” Court, I but at least it preserves the honor years, the Patriarch that has held gyman, I am used to living in com - much in America, and has suf - to the Patriarch and the Synod for felt gratitude for the Patriarch who of the Archdiocese because the steady the helm of Orthodoxy for munal settings, either at the Pha - fered and been slandered so their unanimously expressed gave me this name and that my people serving preserved their the last 28 years. I am also bring - nar, or Halki, or the Holy Trinity much, that we need a peaceful, trust. name was connected to Arch - fear of God. We are all sensitive ing the blessings and prayers of Monastery, and I will consider do - calm, and realistic approach. No bishop Iakovos of blessed mem - with regard to the Church’s fi - the Hierarchy of the Ecumenical ing something similar in New York. matter what we do, we cannot TNH: When you entered the ory. I admired America from a nances and rightly so, because Throne, the members of the Holy have the type of Greek identity Patriarchal Court in 1994 as young age, dreaming of traveling these funds are sacred. They the and Sacred Synod. I am also TNH: What is your relation - here that there is in Greece and a young deacon, did you there, and was excited from the hard-earned money that the peo - bringing the hopes of the Greek ship with the Hierarchs and Cyprus. It is also not right to distort ever imagine that you might first day when I did visit, as a post- ple of God offer, money made Orthodox People of Constantino - priests here going to be like? our approach to Greek identity, or become Archbishop of Ame - graduate student in 1992, to bap - with labor and sweat. We must ple, of the islands of Imvros and AE: Our Hierarchs here in the to disdain the Greek language. rica? tize Elias Papas, the son of my therefore respect these offerings of Tenedos: so that their brothers United States are all very valued There is a middle way: not to risk AE: Of course not. Not even in childhood friend Fr. Christos, who and manage them in the fear of in America will think of them, care and venerable clergymen, who our integration in American soci - my wildest dreams, my dear Mr. serves the community of Holy As - God, grateful to our people who about them, and support them. love the Church and possess the ety, but also not to deny our tradi - Kalmoukos. The only thing that cension in Fairview, NJ. Since that have entrusted their offerings to That they will feel the hurt when fear of God. I will ask them to work tion and heritage. We can stand connected my ordination to the time, I fell in love with America us for the benefit of the Church. they see the door of the Theolog - together with me in a brotherly in the pluralistic and free Ameri - Therefore, the first thing we need ical School of Halki is closed, and spirit and to join forces for our can society with pride and dignity, to do is to restore our credibility that they will not tolerate the fact great common purpose: The ele - bearers of an international, ecu - to the outside world. To this end, that the Ecumenical Patriarchate, vation of Orthodoxy and the menical, and magnificent culture, it will help very much if we recom - the Crown of Orthodoxy, does not restoration of our Archdiocese. the Hellenic culture, which has mence soon the rebuilding of the have the open access that it de - Especially, I will ask their help in been subject of admiration and AHEPA Hellas Church of St. Nicholas at Ground serves and befits it. finding ways to approach the continues to be so by all peoples Zero. It is a matter of prestige for young generations of Orthodox, and all other cultures, friends and District 25 us. TNH: Where are going to who may not be as close to our enemies. After that we need to put our live, since the home of Iako - Church as we would desire. And Besides, even from a Church own house in order. To elevate vos of blessed memory was this could cause serious problems point of view, our Greek language again our beloved Theological sold? in the future, and will require a is the one in which the fundamen - Congratulates School in Boston, and Hellenic AE: Whoever has visited me “changing of the guard” and a tal monuments of College, which are in the heart of either at the Phanar, when I was continuation of service for our were written: The New Testa - & Welcomes the most significant educational a clergyman of the Patriarchal Communities and Institutions. ment, the Divine Liturgy, the center of the Nation. We live in a Court, or at Halki, where I lived in Psalms, the works of the great His Eminence country where these issues can the monastery with the fathers, TNH: What will be the rela - Fathers of the Church. We are not Archibishop be resolved and there are mech - has seen that I usually live and tionship of the Archdiocese going to impose a “golden ratio” anisms and systems that can mit - work out of one room, which con - to the Ecumenical Patriarch - on this issue. Instead, we will dis - igate our organizational and ad - tains my bed, my desk, and my ate? cover it together by means of a Elpidophoros ministrative and managerial computer. I don’t know what the AE: The Archdiocese of Amer - constructive dialogue in which the weaknesses. We need profes - world thinks of us, but we live very ica is the pride of the Ecumenical views of all sides will be freely ex - of America sionals. They exist. And many of frugally and simply in Constan - Patriarchate. It is the praise of the pressed. On the occassion of his enthronement as Archbishop of America Εις πολλά έτη Δέσποτα ! b ΑΞΙΟΣ ! Efstathios Kefalidis a District Governor Konstantinos Varsamis Panagiotis Rizopoulos Lt. District Governor District Secretary Konstantinos Kozyrakis Vasilios Grekas District Treasurer VP Hellenism Christos Karapiperis Antonios Giannikouris VP Education VP Philanthropy Dionisios Vovos Dimitrios Stigkas VP Civic Responsibility VP Family & Ind. Exc. Konstantinos Bougioukas Dimitrios Tsopelas Athletic Director District Marshal Dimitrios Tragias Vasilios Petkidis District Warden DL Member PDG COURTESY OF AHEPA AHEPA's Leadership delegation meets Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Constantinople. ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 11 12 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

First without Equals: A Response to the Text on Primacy of the Moscow Patriarchate

By His Eminence Archbishop primacy accordingly ranked (that is to say, Elpidophoros of America The first differentiation con - the dignity of a Metropolis is dif - and Professor of Theology, trasts primacy as it applies to the ferent from that of a Patriarchate; University of Thessaloniki life of the Church (ecclesiology) and again, a different dignity is and as understood in theology. attributed to the ancient Patriar - In a recent synodal deci - Thus the text of the Moscow Pa - chates, as being endorsed by the sion,[1] the Church of Russia se - triarchate is forced to adopt the Ecumenical Councils, and ano - ems once again[2] to choose its unprecedented distinction bet - ther is attributed to the modern isolation from both the theologi - ween, on the one hand, the 'pri - ). Thus, within such cal dialogue with the Roman Ca - mary' primacy of the Lord and, an order of rank, it is inconceiva - tholic Church and communion of on the other hand, the 'secon - ble that there should be no pri - the Orthodox Churches. Two dary' primacies of bishops ("va - mus.[10] On the contrary, in re - points are worth noting from the rious forms of primacy ... are se - cent times, we observe the outset, which are indicative of condary"), although later in the application of a novel "primacy", the intent of the Church of Rus - same document it will be sugge - namely a "primacy of numbers", sia's Synod: sted that the bishop is the image which those who today find fault First, its desire to undermine of Christ (cf. 2:1), which seems with the canonical universal pri - the text of Ravenna,[3] by invo - to imply that the two primacies macy of the Mother Church dog - king seemingly theological rea - are univocal or at least analogous matize about a rank that is unte - sons in order to justify the ab - and not merely equivocal. Even stified in the tradition of the sence of its delegation from the the scholastic formulation of Church, but rather based on the plenary meeting of the joint com - such distinctions between 'pri - principle ubi russicus ibi ecclesia mission (an absence dictated, as mary' and 'secondary' primacies russicae, that is to say "wherever everyone knows, by other rea - demonstrates the stealthy con - there is a Russian, there too the sons[4]); and, second, to chal - tradiction. jurisdiction of the Russian Church lenge in the most open and for - Moreover, the intended sepa - extends." mal manner (namely, by synodal ration of ecclesiology from theo - Archbishop Elpidophoros as a Sunday School teacher in Thessaloniki, in the year 1987. In the long history of the Ch - decree) the primacy of the Ecu - logy (or Christology) would have urch, the presiding hierarch of menical Patriarchate within the adverse consequences for both. which in our opinion is attempted macy of the local bishop stems look for a moment at what all this the universal Church was the bi - Orthodox world, observing that If the Church is indeed the Body by the text of the Moscow Pa - from the would mean if we related and ap - shop of Rome. After Eucharistic the text of Ravenna, on which all of Christ and the revelation of the triarchate pertains to the three (2:1), the primacy of the head of plied them to the life of the Holy communion with Rome was bro - the Orthodox Churches agreed Trinitarian life, then we cannot ecclesiological levels in the struc - an autocephalous Church from Trinity, the true source of all pri - ken, canonically the presiding (with the exception, of course, of talk about differences and artifi - ture of the Church. It is here, it his election by the synod (2:2), macy ("Thus says God, the king hierarch of the Orthodox Church the Church of Russia), determi - cial distinctions that shatter the seems, that the entire weight of and the primacy of the head of of Israel, the God of Sabaoth who is the archbishop of Constanti - nes the primacy of the bishop on unity of the mystery of the Ch - that text hangs. The text states the universal church from the delivered him; I am the first" Is. nople. In the case of the archbi - the three levels of ecclesiological urch, which encapsulates the th - that the primacy of the local dio - rank attributed to him by the di - 44:6).[8] shop of Constantinople, we ob - structure in the Church (local, eological (in the narrow sense of cese is understood and institu - ptychs (3:3). Thus, as the text of The Church has always and serve the unique concomitance provincial, universal) in a way that the word) and Christological for - tionalized in one way, while on the Moscow Patriarchate conclu - consistently understood the per - of all three levels of primacy, na - supports and ensures the pri - mulations alike. Otherwise, Ch - the regional level of an "autoce - des, these three levels and their son of the Father as the first in mely the local (as Archbishop of macy and first-throne Orthodox urch life is severed from theology phalous archdiocese" (autoceph - corresponding primacies are not the communion of persons of the Constantinople-New Rome), the Church. and is reduced to a dry admini - alous eparchial synod) it is un - commensurate, as the text of Ra - Holy Trinity ("the monarchy of the regional (as Patriarch), and the The text of the position of the strative institution, while on the derstood in another, and on the venna takes them to be on the Father")[9]. If we were to follow universal or worldwide (as Ecu - Moscow Patriarchate on the other hand a theology without level of the universal church in basis of the 34th Apostolic ca - "problem" (as they call it) of Pri - correspondence in the life and yet another way (cf. 3: "Due to non. macy in the universal Church structure of the Church becomes the fact that the nature of pri - What is clearly apparent here does not deny either the sense a sterile academic preoccupa - macy, which exists at various le - is the agonizing effort in the pre - or the significance of primacy; tion. According to Metropolitan vels of church order [diocesan, sent Synodal decision to render and up to this point, it is correct. John of Pergamon: "The separa - local and universal] vary, the primacy as something external In addition, however, it endeavors tion of the administrative institu - functions of the primus on vari - and therefore foreign to the per - to achieve (indeed, as we shall tions of the Church from dogma ous levels are not identical and son of the primate. This is what see, in an indirect way) the intro - is not simply unfortunate; it is cannot be transferred from one we consider to be the reason duction of two distinctions rela - even dangerous."[5] level to another"). why the position of the Moscow ted to the concept of primacy. As the Synodal decision Patriarchate insists so greatly on 2. The separation of the dif - claims, not only do these three determining the sources of pri - 1. Separation between ec - ferent ecclesiological levels primacies differ, but even their macy, which always differ from clesiological and theological The second differentiation sources are different: the pri - the person of the primus, in such a way that the primate becomes the recipient, rather than the so - urce of his primacy. Does perh - aps this dependence also imply the autonomy of primacy? For the Church, an institution is al - ways hypostasized in a person. We can never encounter an im - Presenting the new Greek postage stamps featuring the Theological personal institution, as it would School of Halki to H.A.H. Patriarch Bartholomew in 2017. be if primacy were to be concei - ved independently of a primate. It should be clarified here that the the logic of the text of the Synod menical Patriarch). This threefold primacy of the primus is also hy - of Russia, we would also have to primacy translates into specific postasized by the specific place, claim that God the Father is not privileges, such as the right of the local Church, the geographi - Himself the anarchic cause of the appeal and the right to grant or cal region over which the primate divinity and fatherhood ("For this remove (examples presides.[6] It is important at this reason I bow my knees before of the latter are the Archdioce - point to observe the following lo - the Father, after whom all pater - ses-Patriarchates of Ochrid, Pec gical and theological contradic - nity in heaven and on earth is na - and Turnavo, etc.), a privilege that tions: med." Eph. 3.14-15), but beco - the Ecumenical Patriarch exerci - i) If the primus is a recipient mes a recipient of his own sed even in cases of some mo - of (his) primacy, then primacy "primacy." Whence? From the dern Patriarchates, not yet vali - exists without and regardless of other Persons of the Holy Trinity? dated by decisions of the him, which is impossible. This ap - Yet how can we suppose this wi - Ecumenical Councils, the first of pears very clearly in the reasons thout invalidating the order of th - which is that of Moscow. proffered for the primacy on the eology, as St. Gregory the Theo - The primacy of the Archbi - regional and ecumenical levels. logian writes, or, even worse, shop of Constantinople has no - For the regional level, the source without overturning – perhaps thing to do with the diptychs, wh - of the primacy is considered to we should say "confusing" – the ich, as we have already said, be the eparchial synod; but can relations of the Persons of the merely express this hierarchical there be a synod without a pri - Holy Trinity? Is it possible for the ranking (which, again in contra - mus? The dialectical relationship Son or the Holy Spirit to "pre - dictory terms the text of the Mo - between the primate and his sy - cede" the Father? scow Patriarchate concedes im - nod, as formulated by the 34th ii) When the text of the Synod plicitly but denies explicitly). If we canon of the Apostles (as well as of Russia refuses to accept a are going to talk about the source the 9th and 16th canons of An - "universal hierarch" under the of a primacy, then the source of tioch, according to which a synod pretext that the universality of such primacy is the very person without a presiding hierarch is such a hierarch "eliminates the of the Archbishop of Constanti - considered incomplete), is abro - sacramental equality of bishops" nople, who precisely as bishop gated for the sake of a unilateral (3:3) it is merely formulating a is one "among equals," but as Ar - relationship where the many con - sophism. As to their priesthood, chbishop of Constantinople, and stitute the one, contradicting all of course, all bishops are equal, thus as Ecumenical Patriarch is reason that recognizes the one but they neither are nor can be the first without equals (primus presiding hierarch both as the equal as bishops of specific ci - sine paribus). constitutive factor and guarantor ties. The sacred canons (like the [1] Reading and citing from the of the unity of the many.[7] A se - 3rd canon of the Second Ecume - English text, "Position of the Mo - cond example of logical contra - nical Council, the 28th of the Fo - scow Patriarchate on the problem diction is presented by the appeal urth , and the of primacy in the Universal Ch - to the Diptychs. Here the sym - 36th of the ) urch," as published on the official ptom is taken to be the cause rank the cities, attributing to website of the Patriarchate of and the signified mistaken for the some the status of a Metropoli - Moscow: signifier. The Diptychs are not the tanate and to others the status https://mospat.ru/en/2013/12/26 source of primacy on the inter - of a Patriarchate. Among the lat - /news96344/ provincial level but rather its ex - ter, they further attribute to one [2] Characteristic examples of pression – indeed, only one of its primatial responsibility, to ano - other instances of such isolation expressions. Of themselves, the ther secondary responsibility, and include the absence of the Pa - Diptychs are an expression of the so on. Not all local Churches are triarchate of Moscow from the order and hierarchy of the auto - equal, whether in order or in rank. Conference of European Chur - cephalous churches, but such a Moreover, to the extent that a bi - ches, as well as the now establi - hierarchy requires the presiding shop is never a bishop without shed practice of the representa - primus (and then a second, a th - specific assignment but rather tives of this Church to celebrate ird, and so on); they cannot in the presiding bishop of a local the Divine Liturgy separately from some retrospective way consti - Church – that is to say, he is al - the other representatives of Or - tute the primacy on which they ways the bishop of a specific city thodox Churches by enclosing th - themselves are based. (which is an inseparable feature emselves within the local Embas - In order to understand these and condition of the episcopal or - innovations more clearly, let us dination) – then bishops too are Continued on page 14 ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 13 14 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙ Welcome to the He Brings Bringer of Hope, New Love, and Vision Hope By Theodore Kalmoukos

By Michael Psaros Christianity, our Ecumenical Pa - This is the day the Lord has triarchate, and our Archdiocese made, Saturday June 22, the day Your Eminence, Archbishop in America under your inspired of the Enthronement of Arch - Elipidophoros of America, with all leadership. Together, we will bishop Elpidophoros of America. your spiritual sons and daugh - overcome all of our challenges. It is really a holy day. A historic day. ters, we acclaim you Axios! Ax - Our Ecumenical Patriarchate, A blessed day. A day of joy and ios! Axios! our Holy Archdiocese, our Me - happiness. A day that signifies the We welcome you to America tropolises, and our Parishes are “resurrection” of our Greek Ortho - with love, humility, reverence, connected as one body, with the dox Archdiocese of America, the and respect as our new Arch - same spiritual blood in our veins. most prominent and promising Ec - bishop of the Holy Greek Ortho - As Saint Paul said, “The mem - clesiastical Eparchy of the Ecu - dox Archdiocese of America, the bers may be many, but the body TNH/KOSTAS BEJ menical Patriarchate. A day that EUROKINISSI/CHRISTOS BONIS new Exarch of the Ecumenical is one. How can the eye say to Archon Michael Psaros and his wife, Robin. Michael Psaros is a was anticipated and expected for His Eminence Archbishop Patriarchate in America, and the hand, I don’t need you? Or prominent global businessman, philanthropist, and faithful so long. Elpidophoros of America in Churchman. Athens on May 31, 2019. most of all, as our Spiritual Father again, how can the head say to Let us rejoice. Let the tenure in Christ. the feet, I don’t need you?” of the new Archbishop Elpi - We welcome you as the dophoros of America be blessed deep and extremely threatening. bringer of hope, the shepherd Your Eminence, we are confi - and successful. The wish and the As we can see and judge from who will lead us in the rebuilding dent you will re-establish the sa - hope of all is for the new Arch - the course and the achievements our Holy Archdiocese and Church cred trust between the Archdio - bishop to bring hope, rebirth, and of Archbishop Elpidophoros in the in America. We, the Faithful, are cese as an institution and the brighter prospects to the truly trou - ecclesiastical, administrative, and confident that under your lead - Omogenia as the People of God. bled and suffering Archdiocese academic areas the new Arch - ership, the unity of our beloved and to its institutions, among bishop has all the prerequisites and Holy Archdiocese will be Your Eminence, we look for - which the most pivotal one is our needed to reconstruct the Arch - strengthened for the good of all. ward to hearing and actualizing School of Theology in Boston. Af - diocese of America. He is the type The Church needs this unity of your vision for Orthodoxy in ter all, his name Elpidophoros, of person who will run hard, work all our people, and our people America. Central to your vision means exactly that, the one who day and night, travel, and embrace need the Church. The Church is there must be a new and vital brings hope. the People of God with love and the body that embraces us all. outreach to engage with our Certainly the Archdiocese of care – and they will embrace him The Church is our rock – sacred, youth and young adults in a man - America is in great need for hope, and move forward. His success is holy, and eternal. There is no eth - ner that makes the Church rele - vision, energy, rejuvenation – and a one-way street and it will be the nic or secular organization that vant in their lives. an exit from hopelessness and success of our Church and our approaches the primacy of the Your Eminence, as our Arch - desperation. Community. Church in the Greek-American bishop you are also our Ethnarch. Some old and also some new The statement he made to The community. The Church is the We look forward to following your defenders are trying to guild the National Herald shortly after his critical institution that binds us new vision for the Greek-Ameri - debris of the Archdiocese itself, unanimous election in Constan - all together as families, commu - can Community in America. For the St. Nicholas Church, the tinople by the Holy Synod of the nities, and as the People of God. generations our Omogenia has School and many more matters. Ecumenical Patriarchate is reveal - Greek-Americans are the preserved our Hellenic identity, The reality of the situation screams ing and indicative. He said that, “I most successful Hellenes of the language, culture, values, and the truth at us and the spinning am deeply touched because the Diaspora. We possess the faith, traditions. We all have the same makes those people look very fool - Ecumenical Patriarch and the commitment, talent, and re - heart and the same soul, there - ish. Synod honored me with their vote sources to elevate Orthodox fore we must speak with one The new Archbishop Elpi - and confidence. I express my feel - voice and act as one body. Fol - dophoros comes as bearer of ings of gratitude to our Patriarch lowing in the tradition of the gen - hope, love, and unity for all and for and the Holy Synod. I glorify God, erations that came before us, we everything. His election to the and with His Grace I will serve the must get on our knees, lift up our Archbishopric Throne of America superb people of the Holy Arch - His Eminence Archbishop hearts, and pass the torch of a opens a new chapter in the history diocese of America, a people Elpidophoros of America with His All Holiness Ecumenical thriving Church to our children of the Archdiocese and the Greek- whom I love and who love the Patriarch Bartholomew at the and grandchildren. American Community. We live in Church, who are faithful to its tra - Theological School of Halki. Your Eminence, under your historic days and are experiencing ditions and respect our Ecumeni - leadership, we, the Church Mili - moments of joy and relief because cal Patriarchate. I greet my tant, will prove worthy of the new horizons have opened before beloved brother members of the Church Triumphant. of us. It is like a resurrection in Holy Synod and the other brother We await your presence which “the old have passed” and hierarchs and bless from my heart among us with great expecta - should pass forever, and “now the reverend clergy and the People tions and with a firm hope in God. everything is new and must be re - of God. I am looking forward to newed.” meeting our People. We have SAINT BARBARA Archon Michael and Robin There isn’t any margin for error, many things to do together. All to - GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH Psaros & Family however, because the swamp is gether. Christ is risen.” Founded 1926 your Eminence A Response to the Text on Primacy Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Moscow Patriarchate Continued from page 12 Pope as much as the Pope needs Also see Metropolitan John of them." (p. 369). Pergamon, "Eucharistic Ecclesio - sies of the Russian Federation [5] "The Synodal Institution: Hi - logy in the Orthodox Tradition," whenever there is an opportunity storical, Ecclesiological and Ca - Theologia 80 (2009), p. 23. [In for a Panorthodox Liturgy in vari - nonical Issues," in Theologia 80 Greek] ous contexts. (2009), pp. 5-6. [In Greek] [8] I have personally dealt with [3] His Eminence Metropolitan [6] Thus, while the Patriarch this subject during a lecture at Chrysostomos of Messinia has of Antioch has for a long time re - the Holy Cross School of Theo - dealt with this matter in a recent sided in Damascus, he remains logy in Boston: "Indeed, on the article published on December the Patriarch of Antioch since Da - level of the Holy Trinity the prin - 30, 2013, on the website: mascus lies within the geograph - ciple of unity is not the divine es - http://www.romfea.gr/diafora-ek - ical jurisdiction of that church. sence but the Person of the Fa - klisiastika/21337-2013-12-30- [7] Metropolitan John of Per - ther (‘Monarchy' of the Father), 03-52-35. gamon, "Recent Discussions on at the ecclesiological level of the [4] As for what exactly occur - Primacy in Orthodox Theology," local Church the principle of unity red in Ravenna in 2007, and the in the volume edited by Walter is not the presbyterium or the painful impressions recorded by Cardinal Kasper, The Petrine Mi - common worship of the Chri - Roman Catholic observers, see nistry: Catholics and Orthodox in stians but the person of the Bi - the analysis of Fr. Aidan Nichols Dialogue, New York: The New - shop, so too on the Pan-Orthodox in his book Rome and the Eastern man Press, 2006, pp. 231-248. level the principle of unity cannot Churches, San Francisco: Ignatius be an idea nor an institution but Press, 2nd edition, 2010, pp. 368- it needs to be, if we are to be con - 9: In October 2006 [sic]. The sistent with our theology, a per - commission resumed its discus - son." (http://www.ecclesia.gr/en - sions at Ravenna, though the glishnews/default.asp?id=3986) event was marred by a ‘walkout' [9] In his 3rd Theological Ora - on the part of the Moscow Pa - tion, St. Gregory the Theologian triarchate's representative. Bi - writes: "As for us, we honor Him your unanimous election shop Hilarion's protest was cau - as the monarchy" (PG 36, 76). The sed not for once by the concept of monarchy corresponds to the Archbishop’s Throne wrongdoings, real or imagined, of to "the order of theology" (5th Th - the Catholic Church but by the eological Oration, PG 36, 164). The of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America presence of a delegation from the All-Holy Trinity does not comprise Estonian Orthodox church, whose a federation of persons; So we sh - fills us with joy and hope for the future. autocephaly (sic), underwritten by ould not be scandalized when the Constantinople, is still denied in Theologian himself of the Fathers Russia. His action demonstrated, speaks of the monarchy and pri - We welcome you with open hearts. of course, the need precisely for macy of the divine Father. a strong universal primacy so as [10] This argument has been to balance synodality in the Ch - clearly articulated in the article by We stand to be your partners in your journey urch." And he continues: "[t]he Fr. John Panteleimon Manoussa - decision of the Moscow Patriar - kis, titled "Primacy and Ecclesio - as our Spiritual Leader and we proclaim you chate in October 2007 to with - logy: The State of the Question," draw its representatives from the in the collective work titled Orth - Ravenna meeting… was not only odox Constructions of the West, His Eminence Archbishop an irritating impediment to that edited by Aristotle Papanikolaou b Elpidophoros with His All Αξιος dialogue; it was precisely the sort and George Demacopoulos, New Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch of happening that makes Catho - York: Fordham University Press, Bartholomew at the a 27 Forsyth Street, New York, NY 10002 • Tel.: (212) 226-0499 • www.stbarbaragoc.com lics think the Orthodox need the Theological School of Halki. 2013, p. 233. ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 15

Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

Our respected and most venerable Spiritual Father and Leader Your unanimous election to the glorious Archbishopric Throne of America, by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, is a superb historic event of our Church and Greek-American Community.

Our Omogeneia, Your Eminence, as you know, is a great and successful Community whose life reflects the Ecclesial ethos and formation. The joyful announcement of your election filled my heart and the hearts of all the members of my family constituted of all generations with joy and thanksgiving to God, because I had the blessing and the honor to get to know you and speak with you.

You come to us as bringer of hope, optimism, and prospect for today and tomorrow. In our hearts has been created the expectation of a new day full of light and sun, a day of resurrection. Your Eminence, I will respond happily and willingly to your invitation to serve and contribute as a volunteer, as I have done for many decades, in any sector that you believe I can be of assistance for the glory of our Church and the advancement of our great and unique Hellenic Heritage. Welcome Your Eminence. Aξιος !

Stephanos Cherpelis b

Archon Dikaiophylax of the Ecumenical Patriarchate

a and Member of the National Council of the Order of St. Andrew, Member of the Archdiocesan Council and Member of Leadership 100. 16 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

The Members and Board of Trustees of the Archbishop Iakovos Leadership 100 Endowment Fund join all Greek Orthodox Faithful in extending warm and heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros on the occasion of his Enthronement as Archbishop of America.

His Eminence has served the Ecumenical Patriarchate in positions of responsibility and leadership for twenty-five years and has shown the light of guidance in our Holy Church and a light of understanding among all faiths and all peoples.

We thank God for His Paternal Leadership and pray for his good health and strength in his worthy Ministry. Truly, God has given us a guiding light for our times.

Leadership 100 conveys its deepest respect and appreciation to His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for his loving care of the Church in America. Aξιος !

Argyris Vassiliou, Chairman Demetrios G. Logothetis, Vice Chairman Kassandra L. Romas, Secretary Thomas G. Jordan, Treasurer b Paulette Poulos, Executive Director a ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 17

Hellenic American Chamber of Commerce

Congratulates & Welcomes Archbishop Elpidophoros We stand ready to support all of your efforts.

Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce 340 Madison Avenue, 19th Floor, New York NY 10173 www.hellenicamerican.cc b a 18 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙ Extraordinary First Meeting with Our New, Beloved Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros

By Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, Archon Aktouarios National Commander

On May 31, 2019 the officers of the Order of Saint Andrew, the Apostle, National Secretary Ar - chon Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Treasurer Archon Peter J. Skeadas, and I met with our newly elected Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpi - dophoros in Athens, Greece at the Grande Bretagne Hotel. We met on a Friday morning in the hotel’s Winston Churchill Boardroom, which was most apropos, as Churchill, with the in - trepid British nation by his side, prevented the collapse of Chris - tian Civilization for two years until America entered the war. We be - lieve it will be our beloved Ecu - menical Patriarch Bartholomew through the person of his newly elected Archbishop Elpidophoros, who together with the clergy and laity of this great Nation and Arch - COURTESY ORDER OF ST. ANDREW diocese, who will revitalize the A three-member delegation of Archons met with Archbishop Elpidophoros. From left, Dr. Anthony Archbishop Elpidophoros with Vice President Joe Biden during Limberakis Commander of the Order of St. Andrew, Secretary Hon. Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis, his visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in 2014. Church in America. There is an ur - National Treasurer, Archon Peter J. Skeadas. gent need to infuse energy, vital - ity, optimism, and a renewed sense of spirituality in our Church sage of faith, hope and agape. I As he embarks on his ministry in Church of Christ to assist him as Orthodox faithful in the United aging to the Archons in America and these are the precise quali - am most proud of our officers America it was also very apparent he addresses the concerns of all States, as well as in all the faithful regarding Archbishop Elpi - ties/charismata that this newly who flew 11 hours halfway that His Eminence seeks a true the Faithful and reinforces our of the 15 autocephalous churches dophoros is that our beloved new elected monk/Archbishop pos - around the world, leaving our partnership with his devoted bond with our Holy Mother around the world. Archbishop is a true son of the sesses. wives and families, to meet with Greek Orthodox clergy and laity Church. We are encouraged that In a most encouraging signal, Ecumenical Patriarchate, having Immediately following the Archbishop Elpidophoros and re - to enhance all our Greek Orthodox our new Archbishop will, in fact, His Eminence Archbishop Elpi - served at the Phanar, the Spiritual election of Archbishop Elpi - turn home within just a few days. institutions. We entered a true di - strengthen our ties with the dophoros, who also is adept in so - Center of World Orthodoxy for the dophoros, the National Council of It was very apparent at the on - alogue with His Eminence, speak - Mother Church of Constantinople, cial media communication, seeks past 25 years. His role model, his the Order, its governing body, bud - set of our meetings that His Emi - ing the Truth in Love, and we, as as we are all fully cognizant of the to enhance the leadership role mentor, his spiritual father, was geted funding so that its officers nence is fully aware of the chal - Archons, reassured His Eminence fact that the spiritual DNA of the and participation of women in the and is His All-Holiness Ecumenical could meet with our new Arch - lenges that confront our Church that he can count on each of our Ecumenical Patriarchate flows in Church in America. Patriarch Bartholomew…and that, bishop to convey the urgent mes - in America and all its components. 750 Brother Archons of the Great each of the more than two million What perhaps is most encour - my beloved friends says it all! Elpidophoros’ New Vision and Hope for Our Church

Stamatis and By Anita B. Kartalopoulos, him to complete a task – without something unheard of occurred: Anita Esq. ever making himself the center he returned to California, not to Kartalopoulos of the mission – always preparing raise more money, but to report in Athens, the way for others, building a firm to the donors what he had done Greece. In 1998, when visiting Con - foundation, like a good steward, with their donations so that they stantinople for the first time, my for his διάδοχο ( successor ), and might now see the fruits of their spouse, Stamati and I met a never forgetting the obligation to giving and spiritual labor. Today young deacon so filled with en - give an accounting of what he the churches are operational, ergy, faith and love for the church has done. His ability to get re - staffed with clergy and serving that he was memorable from the sults and progress in adverse cir - the flock in Bursa. The account - first introduction. He had a ready cumstances can easily be seen ability and transparency were smile and was an exemplar of in two striking examples: Halki well received and truly wel - the amazing hospitality that the and Bursa. comed. It was new, refreshing. Poli is known for. That’s what we need in America. Years passed and, at almost REAWAKENING HALKI. The Church in America is now every one of our over 20 visits to The transformational change experiencing a “reset”. America Constantinople, with pride and that Archbishop Elpidophoros ac - needs some fresh air, an open - thanksgiving, we watched the complished at Halki is nothing ness to new ideas, a leader who progress of Deacon Elpidophoros short of amazing. I remember has shown progress in adverse from Presbyter to Metropolitan Halki that first summer of 1998 circumstances, someone who of the Throne, and now to Arch - and for many years thereafter. It has shown transparency and ac - bishop Elpidophoros of America. was in a state of suspended ani - countability, who is academic Every step of the way, we ob - mation: asleep; waiting for some - while also being practical, some - served a man who seeks out op - one to rouse it up from its one who respects and loves us portunities and rises to meet lethargy. The Seminary was scene, he recognized the con - library, so that Halki and the ex - Halki on a road to progress and as Americans but who has an un - them; who has the ability to look forcibly closed by the Turkish straints but also discerned the tensive collections would now be development took vision and en - questionable bond with our Ecu - at any challenge from a unique government, the monastery was opportunities. As he told us early accessible to all. With the Uni - thusiasm as well as an ability to menical Patriarchate. All these perspective and who seems to not active, and all waited and on, the government may have versity of Thessaloniki, where he encourage volunteer service. possess an endless energy to prayed for the day that the place stopped the operation of the was a professor, he instituted a That’s what we need in America tackle and solve problems. The would be bustling and fulfilling seminary per se, but use of the highly successful collaboration to and thankfully, His Eminence depth of his faith is immediately its mission again. property itself was not prohibited. transform the land around the brings those skills with him. apparent as is his ready smile, In 2011, then-Metropolitan With that in mind, he began an buildings into spectacular eco - easy demeanor, and overwhelm - Elpidophoros became the Dean academic collaboration not only logically appropriate and biblical MEANWHILE IN BURSA… ing kindness and practicality. He of Halki Seminary as well as the with European Union’s Erasmus gardens with the goal of hosting In 2011, His All Holiness and has demonstrated that he has Abbot of the Monastery located programs but he also began to cultural events in a magnificent the Holy Synod elevated then-Fa - the charisma to draw people to there. When he surveyed the digitize the vast collections of the setting, as well as protecting the ther Elpidophoros to Metropolitan environment. The result, featured of Bursa (Byzantine Προύσα ). in numerous articles and the sub - Bursa, an area located in north - ject of peer-reviewed academic western Anatolia, within the Mar - presentations, is extraordinary. mara Region of Turkey, was once The celebration and hosting of a great See of the church. At the We warmly welcome numerous cultural events on the time of his elevation, it was a tit - grounds proves that where there ular See only. I recall Metropoli - our new Spiritual Father is vision, faith, energy, and a col - tan Elpidophoros saying, “I don’t laborative spirit, the results can want to simply be a metropolitan and Chief Shepherd, be amazing. with a title. I must find a way to When I chaired the National produce results in Bursa.” He His Eminence Archbishop Philoptochos Pilgrimage to Con - traveled to Bursa twice. The first stantinople in 2013, our group time, he found nothing in terms traveled to Halki and traveling of either churches or a flock. Un - Elpidophoros along with us was Metropolitan deterred and after much prayer, Elpidophoros. All were so im - he traveled there again and found of America! pressed – he was so interactive, that there were many workers in enthusiastic, inspiring. They factories who were Russian Or - loved him because he connected thodox. I recall him saying, “I The Archbishop as a young with them from the first moment. found a flock. There is a ministry ΠΑΝΤΑ man during his first visit to Our entire group of over 35 there.” And so began the reawak - New York, as a student. Philoptochos members was ening of the Church in Bursa. He ΑξΙΟσ amazed at what they saw in found not only a flock but the re - Halki. The biblically-themed gar - mains of two churches there qualities abound in our new Arch - dens, the sparkling, renovated which were in private ownership bishop. V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert building, a working monastery, and which could be purchased I am confident that under plans for a visitor and conference and renovated. Archbishop Elpidophoros’ guid - the Parish Council and all the Faithful Parishioners center and an array of cultural Thereafter, Metropolitan Elpi - ance and leadership, our beauti - events with music filling the air dophoros came to the United ful Church in America will truly of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church were all a joyous sight. Halki States, to California, to raise find its path and προσανατολισμό again was a vibrant place, still money to purchase the dilapi - (reorientation ) figuratively and lit - b

in Manhattan, ny awaiting and praying for the re - dated church property in Bursa. erally as we begin this new chap - opening of the theological school, He raised the money, purchased ter in the life of our Greek Ortho -

a 302 West 91st Street, New York, NY 10024 • (212) 724-2070 but surely no longer asleep. the properties and renovated the dox Church in America. Setting the goals and putting now-operational churches. Then Εις Πολλά Ετη Δέσποτα! ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 19 20 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

ing to you as your brother in Christ. And, on June 22 at my A New Beginning Enthronement, I look forward to embracing our ecumenical and interfaith friends as well, and the By Argyris Vassiliou As Chief Secretary of the Holy whole pluralistic American soci - Chairman, Leadership 100 and Sacred Synod of the Ecu - ety that values freedom of con - menical Patriarchate, he was in - science and religious liberty with In anticipation of the En - timately familiar with interna - such intensity. Let this be a time thronement of His Eminence tional events and with the events of hope and positive expectation Archbishop Elpidophoros of in Greek Orthodox eparchies and for us all. We have much to ac - America, Leadership 100 wel - churches around the world. complish together, and by God’s comes the great opportunity that The history of Leadership 100 grace and with His strength, we God has given us to renew our has been intertwined with the must surely be victorious.” Church and our faith in meeting history of the Archdiocese of Archbishop Elpidophoros re - the challenges of generational, America for thirty-five years, from cently held a teleconference with cultural, and social change in our its founding as the vision of the Hierarchs and clergy, active nation. He is clearly a leader for Archbishop Iakovos in 1984. We and retired, of the Holy Archdio - our time and for our beloved are grateful to His Eminence cese of America. Approximately Church in America. Archbishop Demetrios for his pa - 400 clergy participated in the call. Our new spiritual leader has ternal love and support through - During the one-hour conference exhibited great achievements in out his twenty years as our spiri - call, Archbishop Elpidophoros a changing world, in academics, tual leader. had the opportunity to address administration, ecumenical and Leadership 100 has been a the clergy directly and took ques - Archbishop Elpidophoros as a priest doing baptisms at the interfaith initiatives, and spiritual loyal supporter of the Greek Or - tions on various aspects of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. formation. As a scholar, he has thodox Archdiocese of America ministry of the Church. received great honors from pres - and will continue to fulfill its pur - We witness in this outreach tigious universities in Greece, pose in supporting the Archdio - lenic College/Holy Cross School your co-worker in Christ, and the true marks of a servant- Germany and Lebanon, deepen - cese National Ministries and In - of Theology, and securing the fu - your fellow steward of all the gifts leader and the humility and Argyris Vassiliou, Chairman of ing his knowledge of Orthodoxy stitutions under the direction of ture of the Archdiocese. of God that have been bestowed strength to embrace all with love Leadership 100. while studying other cultures and our new and revered Archbishop His Eminence Archbishop upon the Greek Orthodox Faithful and understanding. We see a faiths. As a hierarch and admin - Elpidophoros. Elpidophoros has already given of America. Together we will man of great vision who will lead istrator, he led in the restoration As we await the Enthrone - words of hope, encouragement bring the Holy Archdiocese of our Church forward. of ancient Greek Orthodox Council of Churches and has par - ment of our new Archbishop, we and understanding to the faithful, America to the greater under - We pray for Archbishop Elpi - Churches to serve new Orthodox ticipated in Pan-Orthodox Syn - already have his pastoral words other Orthodox, other Churches, standing that we are the Body of dophoros and we assure him of communities in Turkey, a diplo - ods. As Abbot, he revitalized the to give us both hope and new and other faiths, as well as to the Christ, each of us a precious our deep respect, admiration, matic and political, as well as ec - Holy Patriarchal and Stavropegial prospects, especially as he has American nation, stating, “I am member. To you and to all our Or - and commitment and we offer clesiastical, achievement. As an Monastery of the Holy Trinity on addressed as priorities the com - coming to America not only to be thodox Christian Brethren across our full support. May our Lord ecumenical and interfaith leader, the island of Halki, where he also pletion of the St. Nicholas Greek your Archbishop, but I am com - America, I bring the blessing of bless and strengthen His Emi - he served as a Patriarchal dele - created a research center for Orthodox Church and National ing to be your spiritual friend and His All-Holiness Ecumenical Pa - nence as he begins his worthy gate to the European and World scholars. Shrine, the revitalization of Hel - brother, your servant in the Lord, triarch Bartholomew. I am com - ministry to all the faithful. Axios! Philoptochos Welcomes Archbishop Elpidoph oros S

O Maria Logus, President of the

By Maria Logus, President H will this year embark on an am - Theology, and the Academy of tance to individuals and families

C National Philoptochos of the National Philoptochos O bitious program to assist under - Saint Basil has been constant confronting financial and medical T

P Greek Orthodox Archdiocese

O served schools and underprivi - and unwavering. We also provide crises. In the face of devastating L I of America. H

With the election of His Emi - P leged students. support to St. Photios Shrine, the floods, hurricanes, fires and other

L nence Archbishop Elpidophoros, A While reaching out to the Retired Clergy and Widowed natural disasters, Philoptochos N O the faithful of the Greek Orthodox I welcoming. Our hope, and our needy in our community and Presvyteres fund, missions pro - has responded with financial sup - T A

Archdiocese of America are of - N strength, resides in our unassail - throughout the world, Philopto - grams and, to date, Philoptochos port, open hearts and loving fered an opportunity to reflect on able belief that, with God, all chos has also offered its support has donated more than $1.5 mil - hands. We have also sponsored our past and to ponder the future things are possible. support groups and counseling and what it will bring. For the Fueled by our belief in the to persons dealing with devas - loving, kind and generous stew - Lord and by the Grace of God, tating medical conditions and ards of the Greek Orthodox Philoptochos has made and will have introduced educational ini - Ladies Philoptochos Society, we continue to make a difference in tiatives to inform our community can certainly look back with pride the lives of so many. Through the on current issues like bullying, on nearly nine decades of un - Philoptochos Children’s Medical Alzheimer’s Disease, women’s ceasing support to the needy in Fund, countless children con - heart health and Internet security. our community, to the beloved fronting critical diseases have And, always – always – our institutions of the Archdiocese, been comforted and strength - support comes with a heaping and to deserving causes and their brothers and sisters in need. ened by access to new and in - dose of hope and love. Bearing a people throughout the world. But In our new Archbishop and in our novative treatment and care. Re - name that invokes both dreams we must also turn our attention new beginning, we know that we sponding to the devastating and expectations, the women of to tasks still before us and to will find that same kind of in - financial crisis in Greece and Philoptochos look to His Emi - needs and causes that will chal - spired leadership, love and guid - Cyprus, Philoptochos offered nence Archbishop Elpidophoros lenge us in ways we can only ance. Most particularly, we pray more than a million dollars to pro - for inspiration, leadership, coun - imagine. that this rebirth will also inspire grams assisting children, and sel, and comfort. In the spirit of The Philoptochos Society was hope – a God-given belief in our working with UNICEF in the Cen - renewal that Archbishop Elpi - founded in the midst of this coun - ability to triumph over any hard - tral African Republic, considered dophoros will bring, we seek to try’s darkest days by His All Holi - ships that arise and to restore by many to be the most danger - re-ignite our imagination and re- ness Ecumenical Patriarch kindness and love to those in ous place in the world for chil - His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is invigorate our commitment to welcoming His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem Athenagoras, then the Arch - need. dren, Philoptochos is today pro - even greater heights. We offer to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. bishop of North and South Amer - Hope is a not a new concept viding life-saving nourishment to our love and respect, and pray ica. By urging the women of or ideal for Philoptochos. Indeed, thousands of starving babies. that Our Lord will grant Arch - Philoptochos to reach out to we often say that we are in the The women of Philoptochos have to the beloved institutions of the lion dollars to the building of the bishop Elpidophoros strength, those affected by the Great De - hope business, working every also offered hot meals and fresh Archdiocese. Decade after Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox health, and a long and fruitful pression, Archbishop Athenago - day to bring hope to the world clothing to more than three mil - decade, our support for the Ecu - Church and National Shrine. ministry in the Archdiocese of ras inspired Philoptochos to that is sometimes harsh and dif - lion hungry people in the United menical Patriarchate, Hellenic Of course, Philoptochos con - America. lessen the pain and burdens of ficult, sometimes cruel and un - States in just the last 4 years and College/Holy Cross School of tinues to provide financial assis - AXIOS, AXIOS, AXIOS

The New Archbishop Offers Hope and Optimism

By Drake Behrakis I would expect one of His Em - long way to go. to research and assess the situ - inence’s first orders of business Personally I am looking for - ation so he will come fully pre - In a week we enthrone a new is to invite and engage seasoned ward to meeting His Eminence pared. May his service in the Archbishop of America, one who professionals with the required for the first time in New York City. Lord be fruitful, blessed and pro - offers us an outlook of hope and background and experiences to So far I have been impressed ductive. optimism. The challenges before serve in critical administrative po - with his initial outreach and com - us are formidable and like any sitions throughout the GOA and munication. He’s not jumping into Drake Behrakis is a prominent change at top of an organization its affiliated entities. Too many a newly created disaster that was businessman and philanthropist it will take time, not only to de - times in the past decisions were not foreseen. He’s had the time in Boston velop and implement the neces - made in a vacuum or for fraternal sary changes but also to feel the purposes. The talent pool is full effect of them. there. Unfortunately given our cir - We know time is not on our cumstances we may have to side and we will not be able to overpay to convince them to join rescue all of our fellow Christians us. While not ideal, it will ensure who have left us during this cri - we get the right person for the sis. It’s an issue for all religions right position. and a topic for another discus - A true leader avails himself of sion. the wisest counsel he can. Our Archbishop will need our Equally as important is an im - immediate support, counsel and mediate restructure of trustees, guidance. If we are truly to turn boards and councils, not only the corner and escape from this with the many dedicated and abyss we need to work together, loyal volunteers that we already side-by-side, hand-in-hand to en - Drake Behrakis with his wife Maria. have but with people of all ages, sure the right policies, proce - genders and origins. The notion dures and cultural changes are organizations I am willing to offer tives. It’s imperative that all or - of grey-haired men like myself (I implemented. A true clergy-laity His Eminence my suggestions ganizational leadership work to - prefer salt and pepper) sitting relationship. The administration and ideas. I hope others like me gether in a united front to pre - around the table, has never been of our church, like many organi - are also given an opportunity to serve, protect, and perpetuate a true representation of our com - zations, is in dire need of a strate - provide him with their valuable Hellenism and Orthodoxy. It has munity. Our ethnic upbringing gic plan to balance the short term and honest feedback. become painfully apparent that has taught us to respect and goals and objectives with those This isn’t the church of fifty one group or one person cannot heed the advice of our elders. that look beyond the horizon and years ago. Back then the only do it all on their own and that in - However, if our elders do not will require more time and re - center for Hellenism and Ortho - cludes one hierarch. As difficult groom and embrace the next sources. doxy was our local parish. Today as it may be for some to “share generation then the institution As an actively engaged layper - we have a presence in universi - the limelight” it must be a condi - will eventually fail. We’ve made Archbishop Elpidophoros with Ecumenical Patriarch son in secular and non-secular ties, nonprofits, and social initia - tion going forward. good progress but we have a Bartholomew in Finland. ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 21 Metropolis of Detroit Warmly Welcomes Elpidophoros

Graduation day By Metropolitan Nicholas meet their new Archbishop and bishop Elpidophoros, and to con - (magna cum of Detroit to demonstrate to him their re - celebrate the Divine Mysteries laude) at the markable spirit of cooperation with him. Theological On behalf of the clergy and and dedication to the work of Je - School of the the faithful of the Greek Orthodox sus Christ and the leadership of METROPOLITAN } University of NICHOLAS OF DETROIT Metropolis of Detroit, we convey Aristotle the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Our to Archbishop Elpidophoros our (Thessaloniki), lay leaders have stepped forward In his twenty years of arch - heartfelt Panta Axios! on his elec - in the year to serve from many different pastoral ministry, Metropolitan tion by the Holy and Patriarchal 1991. walks of life, and they embody Nicholas has brought the former Synod of our Mother Church of the values of prudence, thrift, Diocese of Detroit to a level of Constantinople as Primate of the generosity, and hard work that service and financial stability that Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of built America’s heartland in have made it worthy of the rank America. which they live. of a Metropolis of the Ecumenical T We look forward to the arrival I We all gladly anticipate His Throne. Metropolitan Nicholas is O R of His Eminence and hope for T Eminence’s archpastoral visits to eager to show Archbishop Elpi - E D

many opportunities for him to F our beautiful cathedrals and dophoros that America’s heart - O

S

meet the wonderful people who I churches, our Metropolis offices land is more than just a geo - L O

comprise the Metropolis of De - P in Troy, Michigan, our three sum - graphical designation: it is a state O troit, which embraces all or part R mer camps, as well as our many of mind and a spirit of love, re - T E

of seven states in America’s M joyful parish festivals. Our mar - spect, and philotimia. heartland. Ours is an eparchy of velous church choirs await the All of the clergy and the faith - tremendous variety. It stretches Xavier, Cornell, Syracuse, Indiana ally, who will find in the brother - priests and are blessed day when they may offer the ful of the God-Saved Greek Or - across the north from the Great University, University of Michi - hood of Detroit Metropolis clergy with a wide range of special gifts praises of the Divine Liturgy with thodox Metropolis of Detroit join Lakes to the Finger Lakes and in gan, and University of Kentucky a tight-knit group of dedicated and talents that they use enthu - him. Our Metropolis youth are as with one voice to thank God the south from the Ozark Moun - to name a few. The Metropolis servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. siastically for the building up of eager to greet their new Arch - for the gift of their new Arch - tains to the Appalachians. It is of Detroit spans both sides of the Their Syndesmos is among the the Church. bishop, and to dance and sing bishop Elpidophoros; to offer the home of some of America’s Mississippi River and the Mason- most diverse of all the eparchies The lay leadership of the Me - and recite poems and offer ora - their grateful respect to His All- most iconic cities, including Dixon line, and incorporates parts of the Ecumenical Throne, inas - tropolis Council, the Metropolis tions that show our adherence to Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Nashville, Memphis, Cincinnati, of the Bible Belt, the Corn Belt, much as half of the clergy are not Philoptochos Society, the Ar - the Hellenistic values expressed Bartholomew and to the Holy and Indianapolis, Buffalo, and Detroit the Manufacturing Belt, and the of Greek ancestry. They are, nev - chons of the Order of Saint An - by Aien Aristevin, “Ever excel.” Patriarchal Synod for providing itself; it is also the home of some Snow Belt. ertheless, committed to the val - drew, local members of Leader - Above all, as Metropolitan of them with such a worthy hier - of America’s greatest public and The Metropolis of Detroit ues of Hellenism that serve to ship 100, and the Metropolis Detroit I await the opportunity to arch; and to welcome their new private colleges and universities, clergy are eager to receive the further the ministry of the districts of the Order of the offer the hospitality of our Me - Archbishop with this fervent including Vanderbilt, Butler, blessing of His Eminence person - Gospel. Our Metropolis of Detroit AHEPA are likewise eager to tropolis to His Eminence, Arch - prayer: Polla Ta Eti! Welcome Your Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

By Philip Serafim of Hellenic culture in New Eng - lenism in generations of Greek- the New Testament in its original England can help Hellenic College invite you to visit the Center at land. It was built by the great Cre - Americans and Philhellenes. We language. and Holy Cross. We can enlist your convenience. If you have the The Maliotis Cultural Center tan philanthropists Costas and offer a wide range of activities, in - We also believe the study of members of the Circle of Hellenic time to honor us with such a visit, Board of Directors welcomes with Mary Maliotis, who envisioned a cluding academic lectures, histor - the Hellenic cultural values will not Academics in Boston to contribute we will host a reception in your great enthusiasm your election to center that will serve as the ical celebrations, exhibitions, mu - impede our serving as good citi - to the academic improvement of honor and invite the Greek-Amer - the Archbishop's throne of the medium for the advancement, sical programs and classes, Greek zens of the United States, the the College for the benefit of Hel - icans in Boston including the Fed - United States by the Holy and Sa - dissemination and perpetuation dancing workshops, theatrical country that welcomed us. The lenism and Orthodox Christianity. eration of Hellenic-American So - cred Synod of our Ecumenical Pa - of Hellenic culture and heritage, performances (ancient and mod - exact opposite is true. Under - Costas Maliotis worked hard cieties of New England and the triarchate. As your spiritual chil - and to promote the proper under - ern) and movie premieres. standing Hellenic history and cul - all his life to make the money he Circle of Hellenic Academics in dren, we greet you with deep standing and appreciation of the We recognize the bond be - tural values, such as democracy, so generously donated to create Boston. respect, Christian love and sincere many aspects of Hellenic culture tween Orthodox Christianity and makes us better American citi - the Center. We feel that we have trust. We celebrate your arrival in its broadest sense through ed - Hellenism is very strong. Ortho - zens. Our efforts to be worthy a sacred obligation to honor his Philip Serafim is President of with great optimism and we are ucational programs, performing dox Christianity keeps us close to descendants of our ancestors will great vision and continue our ef - the Board of Directors, Maliotis certain that our future will be arts, visual arts, and the provision Hellenism and, conversely, Hel - keep improving us no matter forts to implement his dream of a Cultural Center bright under your wise counsel. of the center's resources. lenism keeps us close to Ortho - where we reside. vigorous Hellenic cultural Center Professor Emeritus, The Maliotis Cultural Center, For decades the events at the dox Christianity. We believe we The Maliotis Center, as the in Boston. Northeastern University located in Boston, is the beacon Maliotis Center have nurtured Hel - should not lose our ability to read Hellenic cultural center of New We would like to respectfully

We Warmly Welcome our new Spiritual father and Chief Shepherd , His Eminence Archibishop Elpidophoros of America

Πάντα άξιος

George & Karen Danis and Family b

Boston Metropolis a 22 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙ Our Church’s Challenges in DC and across the Country

By Andy and Mike Manatos each week, the ability to force the President of the United States a fresh look at our Church com - such attention is not easy. and maintain it for 32 years, our munity. We must reexamine our From our family’s perspective, Prior to establishing mecha - importance grew in the eyes of people’s propensity to very gen - having championed Orthodoxy nisms to put us squarely in the Washington’s power structure. erously pick up an expensive bill and Hellenism with U.S. policy - game, our community and our The Irish, who make up one out for dinner with friends, yet inex - makers for over 84 years and Archbishops, with rare excep - of nine Americans, are the only plicably be tight with our contri - three generations, we believe His tions, found it difficult to secure other nationality able to secure butions to our Church. We must Eminence Archbishop Elpi - governmental meetings above the such a meeting. We are confident become aware of and take our dophoros is an excellent selec - Deputy Assistant Secretary level. that Archbishop Elpidophoros’ rightful place in the American tion. The perception of America’s However, ever since we have leadership rises to the level that standard for Church contributions. leaders in Washington, DC of our been able to secure an annual will enable us to maintain these We seem stuck in measuring our - Archbishop, our faith, and our na - meeting for our Archbishop with meetings. selves against our own poor tional community is extremely We are also confident that our record. important as it significantly im - new Archbishop’s leadership can From among members of 27 pacts American policy toward the maintain the Church’s unique American faith and ethnic groups religious freedom required by His record, working with Father making more than $50,000 a year, All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Alexander Karloutsos (who His the parishioners of our faith rank Bartholomew. Contrary to fre - Eminence has known for many 4th, according to a respected quent assumptions, virtually no years), of attracting the interest study. In fact, we were only 3% PHOTO COURTESY OF MIKE MANATOS Mike Manatos and Andy Manatos in Washington, DC. senior American government of - and utilizing the talent of Amer - behind the most financially suc - ficial routinely reviews our Com - ica’s very top private sector lead - cessful faith, Judaism. However, munity’s important issues, like ers. The savvy and political gen - our giving levels to our Church mean annual contributions of at have only five to six baptisms a the religious freedom of our Ec - erosity to both parties of leaders rank very poorly. Parishioners of least $1,250 and $2,500 respec - year. umenical Patriarchate. We must like Mike Psaros, Dennis Mehiel, two denominations that ranked tively. Having risen in America The Greek Orthodox Church in continue to force such attention. George Marcus, John Catsima - near the bottom in income aver - from the bottom to the top, past America is at a pivotal point in its We have to punch way above tidis, and others has enabled us aged annual family contributions virtually all other nationalities, in history. Ecumenical Patriarch our weight-class to impact policy. to achieve significant policy of $4,777 and $3,967. Our parish - our educational attainment and in - Bartholomew and the Holy Synod It is said that the three greatest progress for the Ecumenical Pa - ioners’ average annual contribu - come, we can easily take this step have stepped up to these chal - concerns of Presidents, Sena - triarchate, as well as other issues tion is $780. up for our faith. lenges by selecting Archbishop tors, and Members of the House of importance to our Community. Our debt retirement and Such funds are important to Elpidophoros. It is time that we, are: their reelection, their reelec - They enable as well Washington Church membership retention is - Archbishop Elpidophoros’ effort the laymen, also step up. At stake tion and their reelection. Unfor - efforts and periodic two-hour sues would be solved if we simply to counter America’s precipitous is not only our Church’s very pos - tunately, the Greek-American lunches with America’s top lead - stepped up to the American aver - drop in church membership of itive influence on our lives and the vote represents only one out of ers spent educating them about age of giving 2.5% of our annual nearly all faiths. Extrapolating from lives of our children and grand - every 200. And in a country of the nuances of these complicated income per year. For our parish - our church’s rate of baptism re - children, but our place in eternity. 330 million and one seen as the Archbishop Elpidophoros matters of our interest. ioners with household incomes of ductions over the last few leader of the free world, where holding and feeding lambs at The election of Archbishop $50,000 and for the one third of decades, unless things change, Andy Manatos, CEO of Manatos & U.S. Senators receive over the Holy Trinity Monastery in Elpidophoros also provides us all us Greek Orthodox who make in 25 years the average Greek Or - Manatos, and Mike Manatos, 20,000 written communications Halki. with an historic opportunity to take over $100,000 per year, it would thodox Church in America might President of Manatos & Manatos Mission Possible or Impossible

By Endy Zemenides reason our pews are emptier is critical not only to the restora - Church has been unable to iden - intelligently. Moreover, a prime than in the past, not the reason tion of the Archdiocese’s credi - tify supporters at the same level.” leadership role in the Greek Every episode of Mission Im - that more parishes than ever bility, but because of the potential Other financial problems in - American diaspora could conflict possible features a recurring teeter on “unviable” status. mission the shrine can undertake clude: the very viability of Holy with a broader Orthodox unity quote: “Your mission, should you This is not unique to our for the Church with millions at Cross Greek Orthodox School of mission. choose to accept it, involves…” Church – these problems are least passing by it as they visit Theology; an underfunded pen - To succeed on the diaspora The new Archbishop’s name similar to those facing the Roman Ground Zero. sion system across the Archdio - front, the Archbishop has to es - means “bringer of hope” and his Catholics, the Episcopalians, the Maybe the completion of St. cese; parishes that are barely tablish the Church as a common coming to America has indeed Baptists, and other Orthodox ju - Nicholas is as easy a fix as some hanging on by the grace of a gen - point of reference. To do this, he sparked feelings of hope across risdictions – they are endemic of make it out to be. Still, around eration that is passing on; and not only needs to stop the bleed - the Hellenic world. Yet what is the 21st century United States. the community there are major schools, camps, and other min - ing, but to fill the pews. everyone hopeful for? How do Losing young families is a trend questions that remain unan - istries that are not self-sustain - The Church is in desperate we complete the second half of that got too little attention during swered: How much will it really ing. Is there really a group of need of a paradigm shift in reli - the above Mission Impossible the tenure of Archbishop cost to complete the project? mega donors that is going to plug gious education – one that quote as Archbishop Elpidoforos’ Demetrios. Continuing this trend What ministries will we pare back all of these holes? If not, we need doesn’t focus solely on children enthronement approaches? will doom the Greek Orthodox or sacrifice entirely to complete more people. but on their parents as well. To The new Archbishop will have Church in America. Losing a and operate St. Nicholas? The other goal that could un - remain relevant in an increasingly a host of challenges, and most – family with two young children is As Professor George Dema - necessarily weigh down the new hectic and lonely world, the Arch - St. Nicholas, the seminary, “unit - not the equivalent of elderly copoulos of Fordham University Archbishop is that of “uniting” the HALC bishop must find a way to ensure ing” the diaspora – have been stewards passing away; it is the recently noted in an interview on Greek American diaspora. This is Executive Director of HALC, that Greek Orthodox Christianity Afxentios – Endy – discussed ad nauseum. But one equivalent of losing three families The Greek Current podcast: a goal that Greece’s leaders are extends beyond our churches and Zemenides. goal needs to be prioritized above for decades to come. “There was a generation of bene - enthusiastically encouraging. facilities and into our homes. We all else: the Greek Orthodox This loss of population will sig - factors who rather quietly at the Greece is rightfully concerned all solutions like SAE. are running out of both time and Archdiocese of America must nificantly affect every other chal - end of the day would balance the that it is losing a strong connec - To burden the new Arch - resources. It is time to prioritize. staunch the bleeding. Undoubt - lenge the Archbishop has de - books and would encourage the tion with the significant Greek bishop with this responsibility is edly, scandals and fiascos have clared he will face. Take St. Archdiocese to go about its min - American diaspora. Over the past unfair. There are geographic Endy Zemenides is Executive contributed to people leaving the Nicholas. There is a consensus istries. And many of those [peo - few decades, however, it has re - gaps, generational gaps, and ex - Director Hellenic American Church, but that is not the main that the completion of this project ple] have passed on and the sponded with lazy, one-size-fits- periential gaps that few discuss Leadership Council The Election of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros

By Fr. Nicholas Dasouras of inferiority that quite often lead in Sige, appointing simultane - fessor at the Theological School us into a painful introversion. ously a permanent priest for the of the Aristotelian University of “You did not choose me, but I Upon these firm foundations faithful of the area and creating Thessaloniki, but also his erudite chose you and appointed you so we discern the qualities of the an endowment fund establishing and learned published work, that you might go and bear fruit father in his service as the Abbot the financial security and inde - which shows a deep understand - – fruit that will last.” John 15:16. of the Monastery of Holy Trinity pendence of the Metropolis of ing of Orthodox Ecclesiology as Perhaps the most important in Halki. An Abbot, not in name Bursa. well as the challenges our characteristic that needs to de - but in essence. As someone who When we turn to the third Church has to face. fine the Bishop’s ministry in order attracted brother monks from all characteristic, that of visionary With these thoughts and full for it to be fruitful is fatherhood. over the world, and re-started the theologian, we cannot but under - of hope we cannot but proclaim: It is the nature of his ministry that inexistent, for centuries, monas - line not only his academic cre - Blessed is he who comes in the the Bishop needs to be like the tic brotherhood of Halki. We dentials, being elected full Pro - Name of the Lord! merciful father of the parable of know well that unless you are a the prodigal son, otherwise he father, unless people taste the can easily become a medieval sweetness of your fatherhood, despot. The merciful father of the you cannot attract people around parable is an of God and the you, especially monastics who Bishop projects the image of God have dedicated their whole life. in the community, as well. Then, in his ministry at the But this first attribute of the Theological School of Halki as Bishop, in order to be efficacious well as in the Metropolis of and fruitful, needs to be accom - Bursa, we recognize the good March, 2017: At the Greek Parliament for the presentation of the panied by two more elements: navigator of the ship of the results of the ongoing memorandum of collaboration between being a good navigator of the Church. the Library of the Greek Parliament and the Library of the ship of the Church and a vision - In Halki, not only did he rein - Theological School of Halki. ary theologian. vigorate the monastic brother - A Bishop who is a good father with the election of our new traditions and ways of the Great hood and give life to the but inadequate to navigate well Archbishop Elpidophoros. Not Church of Christ, which he monastery, but also, he reno - through often, turbulent waters only because of his name but served in many posts with great vated the place and developed within his diocese, might be most importantly because of his and fruitful success, as is gener - new opportunities, for the un - beloved but totally ineffective. life and achievements. ally acknowledged, guarantees a fairly closed Theological School, The Bishop who is both a The new Archbishop of Amer - straightforward Church. in collaboration with other uni - good father and masterful navi - ica built his personality and life The second important foun - versities and organizations, and gator, needs one more charac - upon concrete foundations that dation is his great secular and established a publishing house. teristic: to be a visionary theolo - will become very important for theological education and his up - The same methodical work we gian, whose theology from theory his ministry with us. First, as Ec - bringing in a cosmopolitan envi - see in Bursa, as well. The dio - becomes action, a vision must umenical Patriarch Bartholomew ronment, where the church is a cese was, in essence, nonexist - produce a roadmap. Because, said when Elpidophoros was el - minority and diversity the norm; ent before his election. Immedi - alas, without vision rooted on evated to Metropolitan of Bursa an environment, quite similar, but ately, he devoted all his efforts theology he may become a, good on March 20, 2011, he followed, not identical, to our American to reestablishing the Metropolis. and beloved – maybe, director of “the School of Phanar, where the secularized reality. His education Organizing an international fund- a philanthropic organization, but divine things become reality and and experiences demonstrate an raising effort he bought back to not a Bishop. where he found theory translated open mind and distance from life two Byzantine churches: the With these simple thoughts in into active life.” anything parochial, from anything Panagia Queen-of-All in Triglia mind we can’t but be full of hope The deep knowledge of the miserable, from any complexes and the Church of the Archangels Celebrating the beginning of the New Church Year in the Phanar. ❙ THE NATIONAL HERALD Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 23 The Metropolis of San Francisco Rejoices

By Metropolitan Gerasimos of Choral Festival in Anaheim, CA and, especially, Hellenic College these as his foremost priority in we are the Body of Christ, and San Francisco in 2014. He is aware of the chal - and our Holy Cross School of the teleconferences he held with each of us a precious member.” lenges facing our Archdiocese Theology. In fact, he addressed our Archdiocesan clergy and the The statement is telling, in that it The Metropolis of San Fran - Archons, and also in his commu - defines us, both as individuals cisco rejoices at the election of nication with the Holy Eparchial and as members of the larger His Eminence Archbishop Elpi - Synod and the Archdiocesan body. We are not members of dophoros as Archbishop of Amer - Council. any organization, but of the Body ica. The Metropolis expresses He believes, with conviction, of Christ. Of the Church. Of Christ gratitude to His All Holiness Ecu - that solutions to all our chal - Himself. Our relationship with menical Patriarch Bartholomew lenges will be found, provided Him and with one another, there - and the Holy and Sacred Synod that we are committed to work - fore, is a sacred one. For, we are of the Ecumenical Patriarchate ing together for the future of our speaking of the Gospel, God’s for identifying Archbishop Elpi - Church. will for humanity, our salvation, dophoros as the worthy succes - In his first message to us fol - and the salvation of the world. sor to Archbishop Demetrios, and lowing his election, Archbishop In the same letter, our new for entrusting to his care this Elpidophoros identified the heart Archbishop prays, “Let this be a most prestigious eparchy of the of our challenges and, hence, the time of hope and positive expec - Mother Church. focus of his ministry, an impor - tation for us all.” Our new Archbishop is not un - tant part of which is our identity Indeed, let it be a time for the METROPOLIS OF SAN FRANCISCO known to us. He has visited our as members of our Greek Ortho - renewal of our faith. With the Metropolitan Gerasimos of Archdiocese and, specifically, our dox faith and culture. He said, in election of Archbishop Elpi - San Francisco is speaking to Metropolis of San Francisco on part, “Together we will bring the dophoros, a new chapter in the the Clergy-Laity Congress of Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulating the organizers of a a number of occasions, most re - Holy Archdiocese of America to life of our Church in America has the Metropolis of San night of poetry and music that took place at Halki Seminary. cently, at our Folk Dance and the greater understanding that begun. Francisco. The Wisdom of the Patriarchate Elected Elpidophoros S

By Metropolitan Alexios O with discretion and sometimes Theology in Brookline, Massa - K His Eminence Metropolitan U of Atlanta O Alexios of Atlanta speaks at without. This whole occasion chusetts. In recent years, he M L the plenary session of the 44 made the words of St. Paul all served as the Dean of the Theo - A K

For two decades, our Most E Clergy Laity Congress in the more contemporary: “Do not logical School of Halki. There, in R

O Boston. Beloved Former Archbishop of D be wise in your own opinion” (Ro - every possible way, he persisted O America Demetrios ministered E mans 12:16). in petitioning the Turkish govern - H T /

the Holy Eparchy of the Church H wisdom of the Patriarchate’s de - The Newly-elected Arch - ment to re-open this prominent N in America in peace and with ab - T cision to move quickly with the bishop of America His Eminence and Orthodox historical institu - solute discretion. Even though, election and filling the Archiepis - Elpidoforos, was born in Con - tion. Simultaneously, in Halki, he during the last two years of his copal throne of America. In this stantinople and was nourished in also took over the Office of the ministry the negative voices, oc - way, the time period of vacancy the court of the Ecumenical Abbot of Holy Trinity Patriarchal casionally with bad intentions, was brief and kept to a minimum, Throne. He is young and he has Monastery. became more frequent, no one avoiding any potential conflicts great potential, a formidable ed - In my mind and heart, I firmly can deny that he worked dili - or unnecessary speculation. As ucation, a very sound ethos, and believe that he will offer a great gently for the vineyard of our always, and in this present cir - a great desire to minister to the deal to this lofty and demanding Lord Christ, always striving for cumstance, our Ecumenical Pa - Church. Although he is younger ministry of the Archdiocese of peace and concord. In this pres - triarchate demonstrated care and in age, His Eminence has a great America, to which the Church ent text, my intention is not to love for the Orthodox Church and deal of experience in many and has elected him. As a shepherd, praise or scrutinize the ministry for the Greek people in America. various fields. Namely, the new imitating Christ’s example, and of Demetrios, however, as his ertheless, even after his resigna - the situation responsibly and in The resignation of our Spiri - Archbishop of America has in a God-pleasing way, he will brother and concelebrant in the tion he promised to keep minis - a loving spirit, as it is appropriate tual Father and Shepherd, His served in the administration of minister to all the People. awesome Mysteries of the Lord, tering to the Church as a Bishop among members of the Church. Eminence Former Archbishop the Ecumenical Patriarchate as In closing, I want to ask from I feel obliged to make this refer - with the ministry of prayer, fol - Moreover, the sorrow caused Geron of America Demetrios, as Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod all of you, the pious people of the ence to his unpretentious kind - lowing the example of the Holy by His Eminence stepping down well as the election of the new as well as Metropolitan of Atlanta Metropolis, to pray for the ness and of the unique quality of Hieromartyr Polycarp. from his position was followed Archbishop of America Elpido - Prousa. In addition, he has aca - stability of the Orthodox Church his ethos. His long Ministry, Nonetheless, with the passing immediately by joy at the election foros, as is to be expected, demic experience as a professor in America for the Clergy and the though discerning, as he stated of these initial days, I believe we of the New Archbishop of Amer - prompted numerous and various at the Aristotle University’s The - People and that God will enhance in his resignation letter, “was not have the obligation as members ica, His Eminence Elpidoforos. reactions. Many chose to ex - ological School in Thessaloniki the work we all do together, as without human mistakes and of the Living Body of our Lord Particularly for this reason, I press comments, criticism, esti - and as a visiting professor at Holy we serve in the vineyard of the probably mistaken actions.” Nev - and Savior Jesus Christ to view would like to speak about the mates and opinions, sometimes Cross Greek Orthodox School of Lord. Let Us Lift up Our Hearts

By Protopresbyter George braces all without any discrimi - (1999-2019) for different rea - Archbishop Athenagoras had in in your life." Dion Dragas, PhD, DD, DTh nation and without altering their sons. The new page that has his mind when, on leaving his Ar - Without the Ecumenical Pa - particularity; and Apostolicity, i.e. been opened for our Holy Arch - chiepiscopal throne to go to the triarchate the Greek Orthodox Ar - The Holy Archdiocese of Ame - our godly mission which is the diocese by the enthronement of primatial throne of the Great Ch - chdiocese of America would not rica has turned a page! This is salvation of the whole world. All Archbishop Elpidophoros is cru - urch of Christ, he made the fol - be first but probably last in the denoted by the enthronement of these are the tangible assuran - cial, because as a Province of the lowing weighty statement to his Orthodox diptychs of America. our newly-elected and charisma - ces of the mystical presence of Primatial Throne of the Ecume - flock as his last deposit: "Love tic Archbishop, Elpidophoros of Christ and His Church in the visi - nical Patriarchate she plays a pri - your Fatherland and your Church. Protopresbyter George Dragas Bursa, to sit on her legendary but ble earthly world of human matial role among the multiethnic Never separate yourselves from is Professor of Patristic Theology aged throne. His good name and beings. Orthodox Diaspora of America. the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Let Holy Cross Greek Orthodox his far-reaching ecclesiastical and The new Greek Orthodox Ar - This was exactly what the great its authority be a guiding beacon School of Theology scholarly ministry in the Primatial chbishop of America is the 7th in Great Church of Christ, the Ecu - chronological order. His enthro - menical Patriarchate, which has nement, which is the beginning been presented in recent years of his ministry, reminds us of the in the mass media and on the In - ministry of his predecessors, wh - ternet, both abroad and here in ich mark the different stages our America, fill us with optimism. Holy Archdiocese of America He comes into a difficult situa - COURTESY FR. GEORGE DRAGAS went through in her historical co - tion, which he knows, and has Protopresbyter George urse up to the present. All of Dragas, Professor of Patristic already taken his first steps to al - them fought the good fight and Theology at Holy Cross Greek leviate it. sacrificed themselves for her. Orthodox School of Theology. His election reminds us of the They were all sent to her by the hopeful message of the Sheph - Mother Church to establish her erd of Hermas of the Apostolic people, and not confrontation. It firmly and to rout its growth and Era: that the Church in its histo - will take the whole body of the fulfill its soteriological goal. Arch - rical local and ecumenical mani - Archdiocese to rally around the bishop Alexander (1922-1931) festations "grows old and then new leader so that his leadership laid her foundation stone, attrac - turns young," she ages and is re - can deliver what is sought: rene - ting into her two-thirds of the vived. It is troubled, but is not di - wal with all its beneficial conse - Greek-American community. Ar - sappointed nor distressed. She quences. chbishop Athenagoras (1930- lives and moves in a world which, The support of all of us in the 1940) reshaped its framework in as the Apostle says, "lies in wic - Archdiocese of America for our order to address certain political kedness," which goes away and new Archbishop also means sup - and autonomy issues. dissolves without return. But she port of our Archdiocese towards Archbishop Michael (1949- is purified, with her martyrdom, our Patriarchate. Our Archdio - 1958) built her and made increa - she is sanctified and transfers cese is the daughter and the Pa - sed her brightness with his wis - herself from darkness to Light, triarchate of Constantinople, her dom and spirituality, and to the first resurrection. We wo - mother, who confirms our Greek Archbishop Iakovos (1958-1996) uld say "from death to life." Orthodox identity and our genus, brought her to completion with The constant renewal, exhila - Orthodoxy. The new Archbishop, the greatness of his personality. ration, and re-establishment of like all his predecessors, was There was a coherent sequence the Church in her historical jour - sent by her, for She is the Prota - in the work of Archbishops Ath - ney is accomplished by the ch - gonist, since as the Primatial Th - enagoras, Michael, and Iakovos ange of persons and things as rone she has been entrusted with until 1977, as the historian rese - one generation succeeds the the " care of all the Churches ," archers point out. But in the se - other. The " old " are gone until who make up her Family, the cond period of the Iakovian era everything is rendered " new ." In "One, Holy, Catholic and Aposto - they see an unexpected centri - this case, the " main person " is lic, Church." These four essential fugal change which ended up in our new Archbishop and " the th - characteristics of the Church re - a problematic result, his array ings " are what his new leadership mind us of the resurgent criteria himself against the Patriarchate will offer us from the Mother Ch - of our renewal: Unity , i.e. the and his ultimate resignation, wh - urch that sends him for our Ar - union of many with the first one ich was extended into a negative chdiocese’s page to turn to a new who represents them; Holiness , reaction towards the positive era. However, in order to achieve i.e. transparency and justice in work of the methodical and gui - this our new Archbishop needs all actions and generally in the leless Archbishop Spyridon support from all of us in the way of life; Catholicity , that is, (1966-1999) and the biblical mo - Greek Archdiocese, clergy and universality that includes and em - ralism of Archbishop Demetrius 24 SPECIAL EDITION JUNE 2019 Archbishop Elpidophoros Enthronement THE NATIONAL HERALD ❙

John and Margo Catismatidis John Catsimatidis Jr. and Andrea Catsimatidis welcome His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Your Eminence, we welcome you with open arms and open hearts.

We look to you to RENEW, RESTORE, AND REBUILD the Greek Orthodox Church of America.

We look to you to set aright the Ship of the Archdiocese and get us back on course. We look to you to repair the reputation of our Church with full accountability and transparency. We look to you to lead us in the rebuilding of the Saint nicholas national Shrine at the World Trade Center. We look to you to help us resurrect this sacred trust that our Church made to our City and our nation. We look to you to help us restore the reputation of the Greek Orthodox People as responsible stewards of the memory of America’s heroes, courage, and resilience.

The Catsimatidis family is with you every step of the way. We look forward to our journey together.

You are a worthy Archbishop and we join with our brothers and sisters to acclaim you: b a AΞIO Σ! AΞIO Σ! AΞIO Σ!