At the historic Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan, the 2022 Class of Archons were installed in the presence of His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, Their Eminences Metropolitans George of Guinea and Nikodimos of Memphis, His Grace Bishop Irinej of the Serbian Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Joachim of Amissos, His Grace Bishop Ierotheos of Evkarpia, and His Grace Bishop Timothy of Hexamilion also concelebrated the liturgy. His Eminence former Archbishop of America Demetrios was present, as well.
“His Beatitude, by His very presence with us, and by the example of His deeds and witness, gives to each and every one of you the “North Star,” by which your conduct as brothers of the Order of Saint Andrew will be measured,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros, addressing the new class of Archons.
In his homily, Patriarch Theodoros said, “Truly, we are in awe not only the skyscrapers of the American dream but also of the great work and multi-faceted activities of our brilliant Omogeneia, and the depth of its faith to God and devotion to our national traditions.
“All that we saw and admired is of course the accomplishment of the hard work of our Omogeneia, but the weight of responsibility and praise belongs to the keen interest and pastoral care of the archbishops of America over time and in collaboration with the holy clergy.” (Full remarks in Greek here.)
“Your Beatitude – You fill our hearts with courage from the example of your bravery in the face of those who oppose the canonical traditions of the Church,” said the Archbishop. “You give us hope and optimism, because You manifest the true fraternity of the Elder Patriarchates – with your love and respect for the Mother Church of Constantinople, and the sacred person of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.” (Full remarks here and here.)
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios S. Panagos