Archbishop Elpidophoros of America delivered a speech on January 7, 2024, at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in New Rochelle, New York.
The Archbishop of America addressed the gathering during the annual Vasilopita celebration, expressing gratitude to the Holy Trinity Parish of New Rochelle for hosting the event. He highlighted the sacredness of the current time, having recently concluded Theophany and celebrating the Afterfeast and Synaxis of John the Baptizer. He acknowledged the busy schedule of the clergy conducting house blessings and appreciated their dedication, acknowledging the sacrifices they make away from their families. He also emphasized the significance of bringing the Agiasmos blessings to homes, considering it a fundamental tradition of the Church.
Looking ahead to 2024, the Archbishop recognized the challenges faced globally, including wars, polarization, elections, and economic uncertainties. He stressed the importance of the Church’s sacramental ministry as an essential remedy for the worries and complexities of life. While quoting biblical wisdom about not worrying about the future, he emphasized the need for the Church to be actively engaged in addressing the difficulties people face, drawing parallels with the lessons learned from the pandemic.
Encouraging confidence in facing the new year, he urged everyone to carry the blessings of the Vasilopita and Agiasmos into the lives of the faithful. He expressed hope for a blessed, happy, healthy, and prosperous year ahead, invoking the divine grace of the Lord for the year 2024, concluding with the traditional Greek wish, “Καλὴ Χρονιά!” which means “Happy New Year!”
Read the full speech of Archbishop of America:
Beloved Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
Once again, I am so very pleased to gather with you today, to celebrate with the clergy and families of our Archdiocese District the annual Vasilopita. I also wish to express my gratitude to the Holy Trinity Parish of New Rochelle for graciously hosting us.
We are in the holy days of January, having just completed the sacred rites for the Theophany, and celebrating today its Afterfeast and the Synaxis of the Holy Baptizer of our Lord, the Forerunner John. Now, you Fathers will be very busy with the many house blessings that sanctify our Faithful Christians and bring them closer to God. I know that this requires a great deal of your time – time spent away from your families – and I thank all of you – the clergy for their persistence, and the Presvyteres and children for their patience. Bringing the blessing of the Agiasmos to homes is a fundamental tradition of our Church.
This New Year of 2024 promises to be a compelling one for our Faithful. The world is facing multiple wars, creating anxiety and dissonance for our people. Our own country, subject to much polarization and division, will witness national and presidential elections. These will also be stressors for our people. And economic insecurities still abound in the land.
I note all these because our sacramental ministry to the People of the Church is a vital and indeed, necessary, antidote to the worries of the day. Yes, our Lord did say:
Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself. Each day has enough adversity of its own.”*
But this is no excuse to ignore the complexities and complications of life that our Faithful face. We must be in the trenches with them – in good times and in bad. And if the pandemic taught us anything, it is this: we must be ever prepared to meet the conditions of society that prevail upon us, and still manifest the Gospel in all its wondrous fullness.
Therefore, my beloved friends:
Let us enter this New Year 2024 with confidence, and take the blessings of this Vasilopita and of the Agiasmos, and bring them into the lives of our people. Thus will the Lord of All grant us a blesséd, happy, healthy, and abundantly prosperous New Year of 2024 of His divine grace.
Καλὴ Χρονιά!
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
