NEW YORK – On June 20 at a dinner in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at Terrace on the Park, he noted his commitment to help the clergy and to develop a special cooperative relationship with them.
The event was held with the participation of the priests and presvyteres of the Direct Archdiocesan District, hierarchs of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, and those hierarchs from outside America who had arrived in New York to attend the enthronement.
In the congenial atmosphere, Archbishop Elpidophoros had the opportunity to chat with the priests of the Archdiocese before the official launch of his tenure and also met their wives and families.
“I would like to thank you for your love, for your beautiful smiles, for your little children that you brought with you and for your families. I want to convey to all the love and blessings of our Ecumenical Patriarch, father of us all, His All-Holiness Bartholomew,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros.
President of the Clergy Syndesmos Rev. Fr. John Lardas expressed the appreciation and respect of the priests for the new Archbishop and told him that “all the priests and the presvyteres will be at his side.” At the same time, he noted the complicated work of a married clergyman, in a particularly demanding country, where he is called upon to balance between the dedication required by his calling and the needs of his family.
“The priests of the Direct Archdiocesan District and the presvyteres will be by your side,” said Fr. Lardas, who presented Archbishop Elpidophoros with the Archdiocese crown, with care of the Clergy Syndesmos, in a special moment.
Fr. Eugene Pappas also praised the new Archbishop, recalling the conversation they had on the radio station Cosmos FM, and expressing his admiration for Archbishop Elpidophoros, as well as his very good English.
The presvyteres, Diana Kazakis and Vasileia Garinis, welcomed the new Archbishop of America and presented him with a gift basket of useful items. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America National Sisterhood of Presvyteres President Nicole Keares, who traveled from Pittsburgh with her husband to attend the event, also welcomed the Archbishop in her remarks.
“You are all heroes here in our Archdiocese. You are people who sacrifice your lives for the Church and our Lord Jesus Christ. For us (hierarchs) it is easier. We do not have to look after family and children. We know what you are going through. But you are lucky, because you have another hero on your side: the Presvyteres, who are the heroes behind a priest, taking care of the children and the family while he performs his duty,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.
Finally, the newly elected Archbishop of America announced that he would establish a “clergy day” once a week, during which he will meet with priests in his office for a private conversation to discuss the issues that concern them.
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