Archbishop Elpidophoros of America issued an encyclical for the feast of the Holy Unmercenaries, Saints Cosmas and Damian.
On the occasion of this feast, the Archbishop urged “all the faithful of the Holy Archdiocese to show their support for Philoptochos on the 3rd of November. Let us imitate the Holy Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, whose healing gifts were bestowed with grace and generosity. Even from across the ocean and many thousands of miles away, we can still reach our spiritual sisters and brothers with acts of kindness and mercy. For we are one Church and one family in Christ. And so, may we always care for our Mother Church as does our Philoptochos.”
Find below the Encyclical of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America:
Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,
On the Sunday nearest the Feast of the Holy Brothers and Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, (the sons of Saint Theodoti), our National Philoptochos dedicates its resources and collections for the benevolent and philanthropic ministries of our Ecumenical Patriarchate. For all of us who have admired the Philoptochos for decades and their incredible work on behalf of the Church, this Sunday is an opportunity to show our support and dedicate our own resources to their sacred mission.
Following in the blessed footsteps of the healing Saints, Philoptochos devotes its energy and efforts in service to those whose lives are not as fortunate as our own. These gracious sisters minister through presence, encouragement, and concrete support. The charitable ministries of the Ecumenical Patriarchate benefit tremendously from Philoptochos, as these ministering daughters prove time and again their filial devotion and love for our Mother Church.
Therefore, I encourage all the faithful of our Sacred Archdiocese to show their support for Philoptochos on the 3rd of November. Let us imitate the Holy Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, whose healing gifts were bestowed with grace and generosity. Even from across the ocean and many thousands of miles away, we can still reach our spiritual sisters and brothers with acts of kindness and mercy. For we are one Church and one family in Christ. And so, may we always care for our Mother Church as does our Philoptochos.
With paternal love in Christ, A close-up of some writing
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† ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America
