On the final day of his visit to Chicago, November 10, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over Orthros and the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church in Des Plaines, Illinois.
Archbishop Elpidophoros delivered a stirring sermon, reflecting on the parable of the Good Samaritan: “We have a choice, my friends, on the quality of our religious faith and practice…The essence of our Faith comes down to our interior disposition, our intentions and our aspirations…And every chance we have to prove a loving neighbor to another human being, is a moment of grace and forgiveness for us.”
After the liturgical services, the congregation gathered in the fellowship hall, where Proistamenos Fr. John Rallis offered warm greetings to His Eminence, saying, “Like the Good Samaritan you came to the ‘inn,’ our Church, and gave us two denarii: love and hope, for our healing…Your presence is a driving force to continue in our lives the path of holiness, living the Holy Gospel and being Good Samaritans.”
With Fr. John, Parish Council and Philoptochos Presidents Kosta Skoulikaris and Vicky Syreggelas offered His Eminence several gifts to benefit the Mother Church of Constantinople as well as national youth endeavors, including the Archdiocesan Youth Summer Camp Scholarship Fund.
Photos: Peter Stamatis.
