Archbishop Elpidophoros of America delivered a speech beckoning clergy and laity to converge upon the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress in San Diego.
With an emphasis on unity, Archbishop Elpidophoros outlined a vision of vibrant activities designed to enrich the lifeblood of the Sacred Archdiocese of America. Under the banner “In Christ, We Are One,” the Congress aspires to cement the bonds of Orthodox Christians, fortify the unity of the Archdiocese, and reaffirm our identity as the Body of Christ. Through expanded live broadcasts, the Congress aims to extend its reach, ensuring broader participation and engagement in its sessions and workshops.
Archbishop Elpidophoros eloquently underscored the enduring truth of Church unity, urging attendees to temporarily set aside worldly concerns and instead focus on the unity found in Christ. His call to join the Congress in person resonated as an opportunity for collective renewal and solidarity in confronting the challenges of our time.
Concluding his speech, the Archbishop drawing from the wisdom of St. Paul, illuminated the interconnectedness of believers within the body of Christ, underscoring the power of unity in fulfilling the Church’s mission.
Find below the speech of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
My beloved friends, this year’s Clergy Laity Congress in San Diego promises to be one of dynamic joy for all who attend.
Together with my beloved brother, His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, we are planning an extraordinary Congress with all kinds of activities and programs to enhance and nurture the life of our Sacred Archdiocese of America.
We celebrated our Centennial Congress in New York City, and it seems right that we should cast the greatest possible net by celebrating our 2024 Congress on the West Coast and envelop the whole country in the love of Christ.
This year, we will be live broadcasting many more of the Congress sessions, workshops, and ministry panels to the parishes and homes of our faithful, so that they can feel a direct sense of participation in the events and deliberations in which the delegates will engage for these blessed five days, commencing with the Feast of the Holy Apostles on June 30th and concluding on the 4th of July.
Our theme for this Congress is, in Christ, we are one. The mention of our unity as Orthodox Christians, as an Archdiocese, as children of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and as the Body of Christ.
The unity of the Church is a truth that cannot be falsified by any temporary or ephemeral setback, for this truth comes forth from God himself. How we manifest that truth is up to us.
The 2024 Clergy Laity Congress is an opportunity to increase and intensify our understanding and our sense of our unity in Christ, and for a few days, to lay aside all earthly cares so that we may focus on the one thing needful, please, make plans to join us in San Diego in person, so that the blessings of our unified spirit may be shared across the nation and raise the hopes and expectations of our Church as we confront the challenges of our time.
For as St. Paul says, just as in our individual bodies we have many limbs, and all the limbs do not have the same function, so also we who are many persons, we are one body in Christ, and each are members of one another. May God bless you all!
Edited by Ioanna Georgakopoulou