Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Vespers of Agape on Holy and Great Pascha at Resurrection Greek Orthodox Church in Brookville, New York.
The Archbishop was joined by Bishop Nektarios of Diokleia, Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, parish priest Fr. Panteleimon Papadopoulos, and area clergy.
In his Homily Archbishop Elpidophoros remarked, “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 His promises. When Jesus said to the Disciples: “You know where I am going. You also know the way,” He was not challenging their knowledge of directions on a map. He was calling them to a deeper experience of Himself…Let us then, also strive for the experience of the Risen Lord in our lives, by filling our hearts and minds with the love, mercy, forgiveness, and generosity that flow from the Empty Tomb. Then, when we speak these words, they shall not be a mere piece of information, or at minimum, a salutation. They shall be the truth of our souls and the reality of our lives: Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!”
The Resurrection community filled the magnificent Church and beamed as we celebrate our Lord’s Resurrection. Clergy and parishioners participated in the service proclaiming the Gospel in Greek, English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Latin, Romanian, Russian, Albanian, and Pontian Dialect.
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
