On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was welcomed at the Capitol of New York in Albany for a special Celebration for Greek Heritage, hosted by Greek American New York State Senate and Assembly Greek Legislators Senators Andrew Gounardes and Michael Gianaris and Assemblymembers Michael Tannousis and John Lemondes, Jr. During the full day of events Archbishop Elpidophoros also had the opportunity meet and speak with President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader of the New York State Senate Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie and Assembly Speaker Pro Temp Pamela Hunter about the role of Greek Orthodox Christians in New York and their contributions to the state.
Again, this year Archbishop Elpidophoros was honored to offer invocation and remarks for the sessions of the State Assembly in the morning and the State Senate in the afternoon.
At noon, a festive reception was held at the Capitol for distinguished members of the Greek American community in New York, including Consul General of Greece in NY Iphigenia Kanara, Consul General of Cyprus in NY Michalis Firillas.
In his remarks at the Reception the Archbishop noted the connection of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America with New York, saying, “New York State and New York City occupy a special place in the minds and hearts of Greek Orthodox Americans. It is here that we have our Church’s National Headquarters. It is here that so many of our parishioners’ ancestors passed through Ellis Island. And it is here that myriads of Greek-Americans make their homes – from Albany to Brooklyn, from Queens to Rochester, from Manhattan to the North and South Shores of Long Island. Although the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America inhabits all of the Fifty United States, we have a special relationship with the Empire State, one that we value. It is not without significance that at Ground Zero in Lower Manhattan – the site of the worst attack on American soil in our nearly 250-year history – the only house of worship destroyed was a Greek Orthodox Church. We have rebuilt it as a Shrine for the Nation – the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, which welcomes everyone into its midst. We are proud to make this contribution to the City of New York, to our Great State, and to our Nation.”
During his visit to Albany, Archbishop Elpidophoros also made a special visit to St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church in Albany, which celebrated 100 years in 2022.
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
