Yesterday, September 18, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited three New York City parishes to offer the Agiasmos Service, or Blessing of Holy Water, for the beginning of their day schools’ academic years: the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan; the Church of Zoodohos Peghe in Bronx, NY; and the Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas in Flushing, NY.
The first parish the Archbishop visited was the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, where he held the Agiasmos service alongside parish priest V. Rev. Arch. Chrysostomos Gilbert; next, he offered blessings at the Church of Zoodohos Peghe alongside Proistamenos Economos Vasilios Louros and at the Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas alongside Rev. Protopresbyter Paul C. Palesty and Rev. Presbyter Aristidis Garinis.
Before offering blessings and prayers on their behalf, Archbishop Elpidophoros was welcomed by each parish’s schoolchildren, some of whom greeted him with flowers. Head of School at the Cathedral School Meropi Kyriacou (Holy Trinity) Principal of Greek American Institute Day School Rosie Sifuentes (Zoodohos Peghe); and Principal of St. Nicholas William Spyropoulos School Mary Tzallas (St. Nicholas) were also present at their respective parish visits, as was Dr. Anastasios Koularmanis, Director of the Archdiocese Department of Greek Education.
Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed joy at visiting each parish community as they begin the academic year, thanking the school’s administrators, teachers, students, and families for the momentum and progress their work demonstrates. He also encouraged other parishes to open day schools as they are able, emphasizing that we cannot place a monetary value on investing in Greek culture, heritage, and education.
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
