Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Agape Vespers at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Merrick, New York, on the evening of Holy and Great Pascha.
Greeting the faithful with the joyous proclamation, “Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!” the Archbishop reflected on the profound meaning of the Resurrection. Drawing from the Psalms, he described the journey through Holy Week as one of “fire and water,” culminating in the spiritual refreshment of Pascha.
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros turned to the Gospel account of the Apostle Thomas, often remembered as the “Disciple of Unbelief.” He emphasized Thomas’s journey from doubt to faith, highlighting the depth of Thomas’s earlier devotion and his honest questioning at the Last Supper. “Faith,” the Archbishop said, “is not information about God. Faith is formation within – in our hearts, our minds, our souls. It is the work of building and forming our experience to trust in God and in His promises.”
He called the faithful to seek not merely knowledge of Christ but an experience of Him, echoing Saint Paul’s words to the Corinthians about being “enriched in every respect.” Archbishop Elpidophoros reminded all that faith is lived and embodied through love, mercy, and generosity.
As the faithful continue their celebration of the Resurrection, the Archbishop encouraged them to allow the truth of Pascha to shape their lives, concluding with the triumphant hymn: “Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν…” “Truly the Lord is Risen!”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
