On November 9, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America addressed the faithful gathered at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in Illinois, celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Saint Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church in Palatine. This milestone event, marking a half-century of the church’s spiritual journey, brought together community members, clergy, and special guests in a night of reflection and vision for the future.
In his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros acknowledged Metropolitan Nathanael and the enduring legacy of Saint Nectarios’ parish. He compared the church’s fifty years to a “pentecostal” moment, noting that the Greek word for Pentecost, “Πεντηκοστή,” means “fifty.” He drew a parallel between the Old Testament’s gift of the Law to Moses fifty days after Passover and the New Testament’s descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples fifty days after Pascha. “In both events, God’s will is fulfilled,” the Archbishop explained. “In receiving the Law, the Hebrews were established as the People of God; in receiving the Spirit, the disciples were transformed to become vessels of divine love.”
The Archbishop celebrated the accomplishments of the parish and paid tribute to the church founders and leaders, including Archbishop Iakovos and Metropolitan Iakovos, as well as the clergy and laity who shaped the community over the years. “We remember those who came before us; their names ring out with honor and grace,” he said, honoring the sacrifices that established Saint Nectarios as a cherished center for Orthodox Christian life in Palatine.
Archbishop Elpidophoros encouraged the congregation to reflect on their journey and look ahead to the future with renewed purpose, saying, “This golden anniversary is a starting point for your next fifty years.” He emphasized the importance of fostering the spiritual growth of each parishioner, likening the church community to a treasure chest filled with unique jewels. “You, my beloved people, are the jewels of the Church. All of you shine with the Spirit of God and hold immense value as the unique image of God.”
The Archbishop urged the community to continue to be inspired by the life of Saint Nectarios, whom he called “a true icon of holiness.” He encouraged them to follow Saint Nectarios on a path of faith, righteousness, and sanctity, assuring them they would find fulfillment in emulating his example.
Concluding his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros offered prayers that this golden anniversary would serve as the foundation for “even greater heights” and that the next fifty years would see Saint Nectarios’ community flourishing, building on the legacy of love, faith, and unity that has defined its journey thus far.
Read the full address below:
Beloved Sisters and Brothers in the Lord:
What a wonderful occasion to be with you – for this Golden Anniversary. Fifty Years! Truly, a worthy occasion for celebration. If you will allow the expression, it is a “pentecostal” moment for your parish, for we know that Πεντηκοστή means “Fifty.”
In the liturgical life of our Church, as in the Old Testament, the Feast of Pentecost comes exactly fifty days after the Holy Pascha. Under the Old Covenant, we read in the Book of Exodus that this is the date when, fifty days after passing through the Red Sea, Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai. Under the New Covenant, we read in the Book of Acts that on this day, fifty days after Pascha, the Disciples received the Holy Spirit.
In the former instance, the newly liberated Hebrews received the moral and ethical code that would define them as People of God. In the latter, the Disciples received the “promise of the Father,” the fullness of the Holy Spirit.1
And tonight, for your wonderful community dedicated to Saint Nectarios of Aegina, we observe with joy and gladness the Fiftieth Year since your founding. You hold both these meanings of Pentecost within this jubilee of celebration and praise. For you have lived your life as a community of believers in the light of God’s commandments. And through the Holy Mysteries of the Church, you have received the fullness of the Holy Spirit for all these decades.
As we pause to take stock of this sacred moment in your πορεία as a Parish, we remember those who came before us; their names ring out with honor and grace. The ever-memorable Archbishop Iakovos; the late and blesséd Metropolitan Iakovos; and the many priests and dedicated laymen and laywomen who sacrificed to bring this Parish to the marvelous place that it is today.
And there are still among you those who remember the early days, and the love and sacrifice which have brought this very special community to the success and achievements of which you should all be very proud. Yet, the passage of these five decades – now gone in the blink of an eye – is included a moment of reflection on where your parish is going.
The glorious history of the Πρωτοπόροι, the pioneer Greeks of America, will never be forgotten, precisely because of the future that you are building. The fact is that you, like every other community in America, stand on the shoulders of these giants. And now, at this important milestone for the community, you have the opportunity to give due consideration to your future.
As I said before, that number, “Fifty,” has one meaning in Exodus and another in the Book of Acts, but they both speak to accomplishing the will and work of God. In Moses receiving the Law of God – the Ten Commandments – we see the practice of ethical and moral behavior. In the Holy Spirit descending upon the Disciples in tongues of fire, we see the inner transformation of the human person to become a channel of divine love in the world. The former inspires conformity, and the latter sparks transformation. Both are necessary. Both are the work of this Parish.
That is why, as you look to you next fifty years, I want you to consider this golden anniversary of your beautiful Church as a starting point. The Temples in which we worship are containers for the corporate and liturgical life of the Church. But even the most sumptuous treasure chest is not more precious than the individual jewels that it holds.
You, my beloved people, you are the jewels of the Church. You each have different facets. Some are larger; some are smaller; some are more polished than others. But all of you shine with the Spirit of God. All of you are of inestimable value, for you are each the unique image of God.
In the next fifty years, let us see how this marvelous Community can promote every person’s distinctiveness, their special qualities that bring to the fullness of the Church even more light and radiance.
You are led by the great Saint Nectarios the Wonderworker! Follow him on the path of faith, of righteousness, and of sanctity. You will never be disappointed by him, for he is the true icon of holiness.
Through his holy prayers may this jubilee be an auspicious beginning for even greater heights.
Thank you for your fidelity to our Church. Here is to the next fifty years!
1 Cf. Luke 24:49.
