Archbishop Elpidophoros of America performed the sanctification rite in Saint Demetrios Astoria School on the morning of Thursday, September 30, 2021, as reported by anamniseis.net.
The Archbishop was accompanied by Fr. Grigorios Stamkopoulos from the Office of Greek Education Department of the Holy Archdiocese, Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris and Deacon Michael Giavris
In the courtyard of the school he was welcomed by the Hierarchical Head, Fr. Nektarios Papazafiropoulos, the priests Fr. Nikolaos Paros and Fr. Dimitrios Mpalidis, the new headteacher Jon Alfieri, the President of the School Committee, Photios Papamichail, the President of the Community, Anastasios Chrysanthopoulos, and the former president Haris Kalas.
Two students offered the Archbishop flowers and a bouquet and received his blessing. The students and teachers waited at the Cultural Center “Petros G. Patridis” and welcomed the Archbishop.
The Archbishop spoke to the children about the importance of sanctification and even reminded them to pray and light a candle inside the church every time they take a new step in their life.
Afterwards, the Archbishop went to the Church of Saints Catherine and George and performed the sanctification rite for the students of the kindergarten and the primary school and distributed gifts to all the students.