Extremely moving and instructive for the expatriates and the official guests was the hierarchical service of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Metropolitan Markos of Chios, Psara, and Oikousses, which was performed in the Metropolitan Church of Sts Victors in Chios.
The hierarchical Divine Liturgy took place on the morning of Wednesday, September 8, 2021, on the day of the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, and was attended by the governor of the North Aegean, Konstantinos Moutzouris, Mayor Stamatis Karmantzis, and representatives of the island authorities, as well as the expatriates who organized the visit of Archbishop Elpidophoros to the island and the members of the Order of Lords of “Apostle Andreas” of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Markos’ address was extremely moving and instructive because he spoke in detail about the history of the island, as well as the role of sailors during World War II and beyond.
The Metropolitan of Chios donated books to Archbishop Elpidophoros and specifically the anniversary edition for the 100 years since the Liberation of Chios as well as the work of Athena Zacharou – Loutrari for Konstantinos Kanellakis, since as he stressed the books have a great value.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America referred to how Hellenism is kept alive in America and the contribution of the Church to prosperity and to walk with values over the years.
Referring to the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin, he pointed out that the three great mothers come to mind, namely the motherland, the Mother Church, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as the mother of Orthodox Christians around the world.
Archbishop Elpidophoros presented Metropolitan Markos of Chios, with an Egolpion, asking him to wear it on his chest and to pray for the Greeks who are far from their homeland.
Source: anamniseis.net