In his Encyclical for Greek Independence Day, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America reflects on the profound dual meaning of March 25th, calling it “both a spiritual and a political reality for Orthodox Christians of Greek descent, for Philhellenes around the world, and indeed for every human being.”
He draws a parallel between the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Greek Revolution of 1821, stating that “what occurred within the Ever-Virgin’s womb is nothing less than the re-creation of the human race,” just as “what occurred in 1821 within the hearts and minds of Greek patriots, is nothing less than the re-creation of a Nation.”
The Archbishop emphasizes that “the Annunciation… was perfected by the exercise of her freedom,” and that the Revolution was “a human endeavor empowered by a Divine Hand.” Both, he notes, are tied by “the grace of a Virgin Full-of-Grace… the Vessel of the Incarnation of God.”
He concludes with a call to remembrance and inspiration: “Let us never forget our Virgin Champion… and let us never forget the Immortal Heroes of 1821.” Urging all to “always choose to be that New Creation in Christ,” he ends with a powerful exclamation:
“Long live 1821! Long live Democracy! Long live Greece!”
Read the Encyclical for Greek Independence Day
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The “New Creation” that we celebrate every March 25th is both a spiritual and a political reality for Orthodox Christians of Greek descent, for Philhellenes around the world, and indeed for every human being. What occurred within the Ever-Virgin’s womb is nothing less than the re-creation of the human race and, through us as God’s chosen stewards, the entirety of the created cosmos. And what occurred in 1821 within the hearts and minds of Greek patriots, is nothing less than the re-creation of a Nation, to which we – as stewards – owe a debt of responsibility and fidelity.
The Annunciation of the Theotokos was perfected by the exercise of her freedom on behalf of every man, woman, and child who would ever live. And the Revolution of 1821, an astonishing exercise of liberty, led to the independence and ultimate rebirth of Hellas. The former was a Divine Act enabled by a human being; the latter, a human endeavor empowered by a Divine Hand. In both, there was the grace of a Virgin Full-of-Grace, a young girl who incarnated the best of our aspirations to freedom, and was the Vessel of the Incarnation of God.
Let us never forget our Virgin Champion who manifests what it means to be truly free in God. And let us never the forget the Immortal Heroes of 1821, whose sacrifices showed the world what it means to fight and overcome tyranny, and to protect, defend, and prosper the People of Greece. Let us always choose to be that New Creation in Christ.
Long live 1821! Long live Democracy! Long live Greece!
