LAST UPDATE: 18:11
On January 27, 2025, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea visited wildfire-stricken communities in Southern California, offering spiritual comfort, prayers, and solidarity to those devastated by the fires.
Accompanying the Archbishop throughout the visit was an official Archdiocesan delegation, including Eleni Debbie George, President of the National Philoptochos Society; Demetrios Logothetis, Chairman of Leadership 100; the Hon. Steven Counelis, Regional Archon Commander for Southern California; and Jeannie Ranglas, Metropolis of San Francisco Philoptochos President. Together, they represented the fullness of the Church’s commitment to respond to this devastation. Also in attendance throughout the course of the visit was the Consul General of Greece in Los Angeles Christina Valassopoulou.
The day began at Saint Anthony Church in Pasadena, where Archbishop Elpidophoros witnessed the parish’s tireless relief efforts. He met with members of the local Philoptochos Society who showed the delegation the cleaning kits they are constructing and spoke about their ongoing dedication to providing for those impacted by the fires.
Following the visit to the Saint Anthony parish, the Archbishop and delegation visited with Pasadena parishioners Anastassios Petropoulos and Eleni Tsaggouri, whose home had been completely lost in the fires.
At the Santa Monica Pier, the Archbishop led a Blessing of the Waters, joined by clergy, faithful, and civic leaders. Prayers were offered for firefighters, emergency workers, and all affected, calling on God’s grace to bring healing and calm to the region.
Later, Archbishop Elpidophoros visited Pacific Palisades, consoling those who lost their homes, including Mike Begakis, President of the Hellenic Society of Constantinople. The delegation took a complete tour of the Palisades and witnessed the massive devastation firsthand.
The day concluded at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Los Angeles with an “Evening of Hope and Healing,” where clergy, led by Dean of the Cathedral Fr. Gary Kyriacou, and faithful from across Southern California gathered to pray, reflect, and find strength in their shared faith.
This Archpastoral visit highlighted the Church’s unwavering commitment to standing with those in need, offering hope in the face of devastation, and reminding all of God’s enduring presence even in the darkest moments.
See video of Archbishop Elpidophoros’s visit via Orthodox Observer social media, and subscribe to our newsletter for further coverage. Links below.
Photos: Shannon Mercogliano. / Video: Orthodox Observer/Alkis Tzortzoglou and Kostas Stavrou
