On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended celebrations at the Rhode Island State House commemorating the 201st Anniversary of the Greek War for Independence. The Archbishop was welcomed to the Capitol by Senator Lou Raptakis and the clergy of Rhode Island’s Greek Orthodox communities.
During the course of the day, the Archbishop was received by the speaker of the Rhode Island House of Representatives, Joseph Shekarchi, who invited him to offer the invocation at Tuesdays’ session of the House of Representatives.
Later in the day, the Archbishop of America was welcomed to the Governor’s Office by Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, and Lieutenant Governor, Sabina Matos, where they discussed topics related to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the responses launched by the State of Rhode Island and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, respectively.
Finally, the Archbishop attended the official event commemorating Greek Independence Day, which was held in the Governors’ State Room. After Archbishop Elpidophoros opened the celebration in prayer, remarks were offered by Consul General of Greece to Boston Stratos Efthymiou, Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos, Attorney General Peter Neronha, and State General Treasurer Seth Magaziner, as well as Rhode Island State Police Captain Ernest McKenney, and Providence Chief of Police Colonel Hugh T. Clements Jr., who are both of Greek descent.
The festivities were heartily attended by clergy and laity alike from all three Greek Orthodox parishes of Rhode Island: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church (Cranston), Assumption Greek Orthodox Church (Pawtucket), and Saint Spyridon (Newport). Rhode Island’s Greek-American youth, including students of the parish Greek schools, presented an uplifting program of poems and songs commemorating the events of the Greek struggle for independence. The Archbishop concluded this program with closing remarks and a benediction. The celebration was noted to be the most attended event of its kind in recent memory. To read the Closing Remarks of the Archbishop click here.
