LAST UPDATE: 16:13
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America ordained Deacon Pedro Gomez, a native of Mexico, to the priesthood in a morning ceremony at the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen in Ilioupolis, Thessaloniki
The ordination of the new priest took place in the presence of his two parents, who, deeply moved, extended their heartfelt wishes for success in his new priestly responsibilities within the Spanish-speaking mission in the USA.
Archbishop of America was warmly welcomed by Metropolitan Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis. Archbishop Elpidophoros has been personally connected with the area and the residents of Ilioupolis since his childhood.
“I was ten years old when we came from Constantinople as refugees, finding a warm embrace in the refugee neighborhoods here in Ilioupoli,” said the Archbishop of America.
“I spent my childhood here for the first time in Greece. I received the communion in this church, and I confessed for the first time here. I saw my classmates who came to greet me. In combination with the ordination for the Mexican missionary clergyman, who will undertake to enlighten the Spanish-spekaing people of America with our Orthodoxy, they fostered a festive atmosphere, culminating in expressions of love and eloquent speeches directed towards us by Metropolitan Barnabas.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and his entourage then visited the Church of St. Athanasios in Evosmos, where they were given a tour of the housing and dining facilities catering to the less fortunate in the parish.
The Archbishop then visited the ‘Faros tou Kosmou’ (Lighthouse of the World) in Dendropotamos, Thessaloniki, an institution cultivating and promoting the values of cooperation and solidarity through social events and activities for the Roma children of the region.
During his visit to the Lighthouse of the World, the Archbishop of America was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Greece, George Tsounis, and the Mayor of Ampelokipi-Menemeni, Lazaros Kyrizoglou.
Father Athenagoras, leading the Lighthouse of the World, extended a warm welcome to Archbishop Elpidophoros, who, in turn, shared valuable advice with the attentive Roma children against discrimination, emphasizing the path to social progress and prosperity. The children expressed their appreciation through heartfelt songs during the reception.
The Archbishop of America and his entourage visited the city hall of Ampelokipi-Menemeni and, subsequently, the Holy Metropolis of Neapolis and Stavroupolis.
Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos
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