Mr. President and Dr. Biden,

Once again, you honor the Greek-American People of America in this most extraordinary way, with the Annual Greek Independence Day celebration here at the White House. As ever, we are humbled by the prestige of this celebration, and on behalf of all, I thank you for continuing this wonderful tradition that recognizes the Hellenic roots of Democracy.

In the midway point of the Holy Lent, we arrive at the oasis of the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross. Now the Tree of the Cross overshadows us with its healing leaves and fruits, and the flowers with which we adorn It in the Divine Service reflect Its lively glory. The Cross, once an instrument of suffering and death, has become the Tree of Eternal Life, and we are invited to share in Its mission of redemption and salvation. It is because of this mission that the Holy Eparchial Synod has decided to that an Encyclical should be issued every year for Feast of the Veneration of the Holy Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

On the eve of the official celebrations for Greek Independence Day, Vice President Kamala Harris extended a warm welcome to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, alongside California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis and esteemed members of the Greek American community, at The White House.

Did you know Saint Gregory Palamas’s defense of hesychasm and the Jesus Prayer is a second “Triumph” of Orthodoxy?

Saint Gregory’s feast day is November 14, and he is also commemorated on the Second Sunday of Great Lent to celebrate his theological victory of hesychasm (prayer of the heart) over rationalism in the 14th Century as a second “Triumph” of Orthodoxy.

Did you know that the beginning of Lent is based upon practices from the early Church?

The Eastern Orthodox Church begins Lent with Sunday evening Forgiveness Vespers before Clean Monday and the Roman Catholic Church begins Lent on Ash Wednesday.

Archon Aristotle “Telly” Papanikolaou has been named the University of Chicago Divinity School Alum of the Year for 2024. This honor is being conferred upon recommendation from the University of Chicago Divinity School’s Alumni Council and the Board of Trustees of the Baptist Theological Union. Archon Papanikolaou will deliver his Alum of the Year address at the Divinity School on May 24, 2024.

Project HOPE March update! 50,000 meals were packaged and distributed to the Greater Chicago Food Depository at the Feed6 and Project HOPE event at Sts. Constantine & Helen.

Animals are the forgotten victims of the fires and heatwaves that ravage Greece every summer. The Hellenic Initiative (THI) is supporting The Hellenic Wildlife Care Association—ANIMA by funding three of its most crucial projects through funds THI raised during last summer’s wildfires campaign.

SAN JOSE, CA – On Monday, March 25, 2024, at 5:00 pm, the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA), the Daughters of Penelope (DOP), and the Maids of Athena (MOA) gathered to commemorate the 203rd Anniversary of Greek Independence with a special Greek Flag Raising Ceremony at San Jose City Hall Plaza. Hosted by Councilmember Pam Foley of District 9, the event welcomed esteemed guests, including His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of San Francisco, alongside Linda Belba, DOP Grand Governor Zone IV, Alicia Frangos, DOP District 21 Governor, and Chris Frangos, AHEPA District 21 Governor.

Today, April 2, 2024, the Seniors from the Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology were welcomed to the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The students are attending a multi-day seminar to introduce and explain the programs and projects of the departments and ministries of the Archdiocese and its various institutions.

A. Fantis School of the Historic Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral of Brooklyn proudly announces its exceptional achievement in ranking #3 out of over 500 private schools in New York, according to recent data released by the New York State Education Department. Last fall, the data showed that A. Fantis placed #6 out of over 1,100 public and charter schools. Despite the unprecedented pandemic challenges, A. Fantis not only maintained its academic excellence but also experienced remarkable growth, propelling it to the upper echelons of New York's educational landscape.

This week, find insights about the upcoming Gospel reading, where we learn how Christ heals a man with paralysis. But why did Christ choose to forgive his sins before physically healing him? What is the link between God and our healing? And why did people think it was blasphemous that Jesus forgave his sins?

We have just celebrated the double Feast of our Freedom – the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Greek Revolution of 1821. I come to you enriched by both these causes for joy, filled with enthusiasm and hope for our Church, because our faith and our foundations are strong. We are a united Archdiocese and a united Omogeneia enjoying the blessings of America.

Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange, CT was filled to capacity to witness the Moving ordination of Steven Sarigiannis to the Diaconate by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.  Deacon Steven is a graduate of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology and is a life-long member of the parish, growing up in the community and serving in many ways.  Praying along at the ordination were Deacon Steven’s wife Diakonissa Theophania and their young daughter Despina-Agapi Florentia, the Deacon’s parents and his grandfather, Fr. Steven (Stylianos) Sarigiannis, who has served the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for more than 69 years.

Beloved Sub-Deacon Steven,

Today is a day of greatness – for you, for your family, and for this wonderful parish of Saint Barbara, your spiritual home.

I have taken time to reflect upon my life’s journey in Christ up to this point. I am so immensely grateful to God for the many people who have shaped, guided and instructed me, and for the experiences that have deeply impacted me. Time nor words would permit me to adequately express my heart’s gratitude – but Your Eminence, I so wish to offer the following:

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros celebrated the 2nd Salutations at St. John the Baptist Church in New York City, a small, but faithful community with loving and loyal parishioners led by Fr. Nicholas Samaras.

We are called to “rejoice” in the Virgin. This is the change in perspective that the Akathist Hymn offers us, even in difficult times. In faith, and through faith, we can look beyond our present circumstances and glimpse into the divine reality of Heaven and earth.

The Saint Barbara Community was founded in 1919 in the City of New Haven, Connecticut, following the influx of Greek immigrants beginning, according to public records, in 1895. Early immigrants included Turkish citizens fleeing from the Greek and Pontic genocide of the Christian population in Anatolia by the government of the Ottoman Empire against the indigenous Greek population during and after World War I (1914-1922).