His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed Niki Kerameus, the Hellenic Republic's Minister of Interior at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's headquarters in New York City, on March 28, 2024. The meeting took place at a pivotal moment for the Greek diaspora, after the newly enacted legislation that enables postal voting for Greeks living abroad during European elections and national referenda.

The first Sunday of Great Lent is called the Sunday (or Triumph) of Orthodoxy because it commemorates the “triumph” of true doctrine over heresy regarding the creation and veneration of holy icons. For over 100 years, there was disagreement and war over the issue of depicting Christ and the Saints in a work of art. The iconoclasts (those against icons) falsely accused Christians of idolatry and superstition. The 7th Ecumenical Council in 787 AD officially confirmed the rightness — even the necessity — of honoring holy icons because icons express the theology of the Orthodox Faith. Iconoclasm was finally defeated on the First Sunday of Great Lent in 843.

In this third episode of “The Black American Orthodox Experience” (season 2), a collaboration of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Orthodox Christian Network, Rev. Samuel Davis discusses with Rev. Micah Breland, a final-year seminarian at Saint Tikhon’s Orthodox Theological Seminary. Rev. Breland articulates his experiences in ministering to communities with limited exposure to Orthodox Christianity, underscores the significance of bolstering the development of young seminarians, and emphasizes the necessity of outreach initiatives that consider both material needs and the communal traumas within these communities.

Join us for a legal drama for the ages as we delve into the consequences of one of Pericles' most contentious decisions

March is International Women’s History Month, and it would only be proper to celebrate it by honoring the women of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. We want to showcase the wonderful women who work for our beloved Archdiocese and its Affiliated Institutions this March to celebrate their contributions and the talents they bring to our Church. This week we present the resilient women of Leadership 100.

March is International Women’s History Month, and it would only be proper to celebrate it by honoring the women of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. We want to showcase the wonderful women who work for our beloved Archdiocese and its Affiliated Institutions this March to celebrate their contributions and the talents they bring to our Church. This week we present the resilient women of Leadership 100.

I am truly Blessed to have been involved in the life of the Church for many decades.  I am a member of Three Hierarchs Church, Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, St. Fanourios and support a number of parishes. 

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided today over the session of the Holy Eparchial Synod meeting, which convened via teleconference, in order to appoint, in accordance with the current Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, the Locum Tenens of the now vacant Holy Metropolis of Denver, following the submission of the resignation of His Eminence Metropolitan Isaiah and his subsequent election by the Holy and Sacred Synod (March 23, 2024) as Metropolitan of Lystra.

The IV Pilgrimage is an opportunity to encounter Greece and Orthodoxy through the unique lens of Ionian Village. Each 12-day trip accommodates between 10-20 participants, ages 18 and up, as well as a Parish Priest or Spiritual Leader, and is guided by one of our dedicated Staff Members. Groups can be formed from within your parish, community, or even from your extended family or friends!

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?

Today, March 26, 2024, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, along with members of the Greek American community in New York, were invited to the Capitol in Albany, New York to commemorate Greek Independence Day and to recognize March 2024 as Greek History Month by the New York State Legislature.

I want to express my gratitude to the Greek-American members of the New York Legislature who have made today’s celebration possible:

In the Name of God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, and of all that is contained therein. Amen.

We offer thanks and praise, O God, for gathering us together today in the Senate of the Great State of New York;

That we may appeal to your righteousness and goodness, to bless all the representatives of the People with Your mercy and Your grace.

In the Name of God, Who asks only that we do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly in the Divine Presence. Amen.

St. Augustine, FL—March 26, 2024 — Demetra Manaris, a 14-year-old from Dix Hills, New York, is recognized for her exemplary submission to the 2024 Metropolitan Iakovos Memorial Greek Language Scholarship Essay contest. The contest was organized by the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine with the assistance of Athina Filippou-Katehis of the Archdiocesan Greek Education Department. The Shrine essay contests are open to individuals between the ages of 13 and 19 years of age.

The Department of Greek Education is thrilled to announce a specialized summer school program organized by the Ministry of Education of Cyprus, exclusively designed for 15 Greek language teachers from the USA.

Greetings:

         Your Honor, Mayor Caroline Simmons,

         Honorable Representative James Himes,

         Master of Ceremonies Vasso Spanos,

         Reverend Clergy,       

Beloved Citizens of Stamford,

Sisters and Brothers of our Parishes – Annunciation and Archangels,

 

This remembrance of the Heroes of 1821 is a wonderful occasion for us to refresh patriotic zeal, and instill in us a passion for our own history, as well as to share and celebrate our culture and traditions with the wider community.

On Sunday evening, March 24, 2024, the Annunciation Church in New York City and parish priest Fr. Soterios Michalatos welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Chancellor of the Archdiocesan District Fr. Elias Villis and many area clergy for Great Vespers.

Tonight we sang:

Ἀπεστάλη ἐξ οὐρανοῦ Γαβριὴλ ὁ Ἀρχάγγελος…

From Heaven the Archangel Gabriel was sent forth…[1]

We know the story, which informs every aspect of our Feast. And we know the words that this Mighty Commander of the Heavenly Host spoke to the Virgin:

Χαῖρε, κεχαριτωμένη· ὁ Κύριος μετὰ σοῦ· εὐλογημένη σὺ ἐν γυναιξίν.

Spyridoula is grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Christ and His Church. It is her hope that all the ministries of the Assembly, especially the Inter-Parish Associations, will catalyze parishes and faithful to strengthen and to grow their witness of Christ’s love in the world.

Christians from the Orthodox and Catholic Churches in the United States and Canada have engaged in dialogue for more than a half-century. Most recently, the representatives from the two faith traditions, announced the publication of new agreed statement on marriage, The Pastoral Care of Mixed Marriages: Neither Yours nor Mine – but Ours.

While commonalities exist between the two faith traditions, the Theological Consultation acknowledged that estrangement can often be seen when a Catholic and an Orthodox Christian enter into marriage. Instead of dividing the parties in a mixed marriage into “yours” and “mine,” the Consultation proposed that the parties begin with a joint solicitude for the spouses and embark on the pastoral care of each mixed marriage as “our” concern.