Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. Nicholas in Athens.
In the presence of Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and many people, the Archbishop of America celebrated the Divine Liturgy as part of his visit to Greece.
The director of the office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens and Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, and Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, attended the service.
In his address, the Archbishop of America referred to the close ties of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with Greece and the inextricable relationship that connects our expatriates around the world.
Archbishop Elpidophoros also referred to the important speech of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Congress months ago, which, as he said, stired emotions to everyone and underlined the importance and the impact it had internationally. He also stressed the close ties of the Greek diaspora with mother Greece.
“Greece, the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Greek diaspora are one,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros, while thanking the Ecumenical Patriarch for the permission he granted to operate in the Patriarchal Church in Athens.
He thanked both the Metropolitan of Laodicea and Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens who helped in order for the Patriarchate to acquire this beautiful temple in Athens.
He stressed that it was an important contribution of Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens that contributed to the fact that this church was brought to the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
He also referred to Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, with whom, as he stressed, he has close, personal and brotherly ties.
Following the end of the Divine Liturgy, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Metropolitan of Laodicea exchanged gifts in memory of this visit.
Photos: Orthodox Times
