Yesterday, June 22, 2025, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Babylon, New York, where he presided over the Divine Liturgy.
In addition to celebrating the sixth anniversary of his enthronement as Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, installed Fr. Elias Pappas as the parish’s new Proistamenos.
Remarking on the day’s Gospel reading, the Archbishop stressed that “God sees us as His perfect children,” and “recognizes in each and every one of us His own Image.”
Continuing, he said: “If this is true, my beloved Christians, how much more should we see the image of God in every human being? Can you imagine a world where every person encounters every other person as the living icon of God? No more war, hatred, envy, greed, prejudice, and the whole host of human failings. But if it was true, we would have all entered into the Kingdom of God, fulfilling the words of the Lord’s prayer: ‘on earth as it is in Heaven.’ For me, as your Archbishop, on the anniversary six years as your Archpastor, I hear this calling every day, and every day I try to respond to the voice of the Lord by seeing every person as the icon and image of God; and I know that Father Elias will see you the same way, as the living icons of God, worthy of love and respect, as is every human being.”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
