The Elder Archbishop of America, His Eminence Demetrios, arrived earlier at the Cathedral and sat next to the throne, in anticipation of the arrival of his Ecumenical Patriarchate-elected successor.
Numerous Orthodox hierarchs and Mt. Athos Elders were in attendance, including Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, His Beatitude Ieronymos. The Greek state was represented by Foreign Minister Giorgos Katrougalos.
The Ecumenical Patriarch was represented by the Metropolitan of Germany, His Eminence Augustine.
The US administration’s representative, Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, also made a brief address, welcoming the new Primate of the Church of America.
Lay people in attendance included representatives of America’s religious, political, academic, diplomatic and business worlds, along with Orthodox faithful and clergymen from around the United States.
An official reception for some 1,500 guests followed.
Extensive reports, features and videos of the enthronement ceremony and events leading up His Eminence Elpidoforos’ enthronement are posted today on the pages of the Orthodoxia Νews Αgency.
