Last night, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America celebrated the Great Hierarchical Vespers of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker at St. Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church in Washington Heights, New York, serving alongside Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. Gregory Telemachos Stamkopoulos.
In his homily for the evening, Archbishop Elpidophoros reflected on his own “strong and lifelong” connection to St. Spyridon, cultivated through his oversight of the Holy and Patriarchal Skete of Saint Spyridon during his time as Abbot of Halki’s Monastery of the Holy Trinity: “In celebrating your precious Saint this evening, we are united to every other pious soul whose eyes have been opened to the love of God – whether on the Island of Halki, or Kerkyra, or anywhere else on this wondrous planet earth.”
During the service, Archbishop Elpidophoros also awarded the Medal of Saint Paul to Lydia Vagelos-Callimanis, President of the Parish Council. Congratulating her, Archbishop Elpidophoros remarked: “Lydia, your devotion to Saint Spyridon is truly beautiful in every way. You love this community, and have manifested your agape tangibly and visibly through your actions and contributions. You served as the Parish Council President and supervised the restoration project which has revealed the true beauty of this Church, and you have never ceased to give freely of your time, talents and treasure.”
Photo: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos.
