On the evening of October 12, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the 25th enthronement anniversary celebration honoring Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.
Expressing his admiration for Metropolitan Nicholas’s work, His Eminence remarked that the Metropolitan’s twenty-five years of “episcopal shepherding is truly a generational shift for this Metropolis,” emphasizing that “many children in the pews, serving in the Altar, and singing in the choirs…have never known any other spiritual leader.”
Additionally, His Eminence stressed that Metropolitan Nicholas offers an incredible example of “responsible and accountable leadership,” which inspires “trust and confidence” on the part of his clergy and faithful.
With respect and appreciation, His Eminence addressed the Metropolitan: “Your clergy and faithful listen to you because you listen to them…And they also see in you a humble shepherd, who is not afraid of humor, not afraid of openness, not afraid of dialogue. In short, dear brother, they see you in the fullness of your humanity, and recognize the divine in the divinizing labors in which you engage on their behalf on a daily basis.”
Also in attendance were Archbishop Demetrios formerly of America; Metropolitan Savas of Pittsburgh; Archbishop Vigneron of Detroit (of the Roman Catholic Church); Emmanuel Koubarakis, Consul General of Greece in Chicago; Metropolis of Detroit Philoptochos President Debbie George; Metropolis of Detroit Vice-Chair Patrick Crosson; Frs. Nicholas Kotsis and Teador Petrutiu, Metropolis of Detroit Co-Chancellors; and Presvytera Jennifer Legakis of the Metropolis of Detroit Sisterhood of Presvyteres.
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos