On Sunday, May 4, 2005, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Monastery of the Theotokos the Life-Giving Spring in Dunlap, CA.
Father Gregory Koo, Chaplain at the Monastery, along with Rev. Deacon Ieremias Mandoras from the Archdiocese, served with Archbishop Elpidophoros, while Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco, Bishop Ioannis of Phocaea, and Archdeacon Justin Bosl joined in prayer from the Holy Altar. The Archbishop is visiting the area to participate in the Metropolis of San Francisco Clergy-Laity Assembly being held at Saint Nicholas Ranch and Retreat Center which is adjacent to the Monastery.
The angelic voices of the sisters filled the Katholikon as they chanted the hymns and responses for the Divine Liturgy.
At the conclusion of the Liturgy, Archbishop Elpidophoros presented a silver censer from Constantinople to the Monastery, thanking Gerontissa Markella and the sisterhood for their love and hospitality.
Sunday evening brought Archbishop Elpidophoros to the Alex and Faye Spanos Faith and Heritage Center at Saint Nicholas Ranch for a roundtable meeting with the Metropolis Council that included engaging discussions on catechesis, evangelism, clergy continuing education, the how we can better equip ourselves and our parishes as they welcome so many new people into the Orthodox faith.
PHOTO CREDIT: Kostas Petrakos Photography
