Archbishop Elpidophoros of America highlighted the contribution of AHEPA to the Greek-American community, the Church, and American society in his encyclical for AHEPA Sunday.
The Archbishop emphasized that the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association has long played an important role in preserving and promoting Greek cultural, linguistic, and spiritual heritage.
Referring to Isocrates, he noted that “to be Greek is truly a civilizational project,” stressing that AHEPA combines devotion to Greek roots with a spirit of inclusiveness and hospitality.
As he stated, the organization “is utterly aligned with the highest goals and aspirations of the Hellenic ideal and, indeed, the welcoming spirit of Orthodox Christianity,” while through its cooperation with local parishes it strengthens the mission of the Church.
At the same time, Archbishop Elpidophoros pointed out that AHEPA expands the reach of Greek Orthodox communities and brings “more and more people into the Fold of the Great Shepherd, our Resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
The Archbishop of America called upon the faithful of the Archdiocese to give thanks to God for the “many and multiform offerings” of AHEPA, noting that the organization serves both Hellenism and the global mission of the Church.
“AHEPA serves both these ends, from the shores of America to the shores of the Bosphorus,” Archbishop Elpidophoros stated, praying that God bless the organization’s work.
The full text of the encyclical
To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Presvyteres and Diakonisses, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Members of Leadership 100, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America:
… the name Hellene suggests no longer a race, but an intelligence….
(Isokrates, Panygeric:50)
My beloved brothers and sisters in the Risen Lord,
Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!
Today, when we celebrate our annual observance of AHEPA Sunday, we take a significant moment in our Church Year to acknowledge the contributions of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association to our community. And not only to the Omogeneia, but to the wider American Society as well. This is because, as Isocrates observed nearly 2,400 years ago, to be Greek is truly a civilizational project. AHEPA, with its deep commitment and pride for our shared ethnic, cultural and linguistic roots, also recognizes the inclusiveness that our magnificent Hellenic inheritance naturally fosters.
AHEPA reflects the breadth and openness of its mission by filling its ranks from all the members of our communities, regardless of background. In this way, AHEPA is utterly aligned with the highest goals and aspiration of the Hellenic ideal and, indeed, the welcoming spirit of Orthodox Christianity. Working in tandem with the local parishes, AHEPA expands the reach of our core communities and brings more and more people into the Fold of the Great Shepherd, our Resurrected Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore, on this AHEPA Sunday, let us give thanks for the many and multiform offerings that this vital Association brings to the life of our Church and to the world. Hellenes span the globe with the unique intelligence that gave birth both to Western Civilization and the Christian Church as a world-changing religion. AHEPA serves both these ends, from the shores of America to the shores of the Bosphorus. May God bless their paramount work!
Χριστὸς Ἀνέστη! Christ is Risen!
With much paternal love in our Risen Lord,
†ELPIDOPHOROS
Archbishop of America
