On Saturday, July 20, 2024, Orthodox faithful gathered in Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center for Hierarchical Divine Liturgy on the Feast day of Prophet Elias, presided over by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the illegal Turkish invasion of Cyprus.
“We are here to say that even with destruction and desolation caused by the Turkish invasion, and the importation of foreign nationals to populate the northern third of the Island that remains under occupation, we will find a way to bring peace and unity to Cyprus,” remarked Archbishop Elpidophoros.
“Fifty years is fifty too many. This affliction should never have been allowed to remain for so many decades, but as we all know, the powers of the international community have long resisted taking the necessary steps to restore Cyprus to its original and peaceful glory…let us pray with intensity of heart and mind. Let us remember with love and commit with strength, so that the dream of a united Cyprus may become a shining reality, and those we commemorate this day can truly rest in peace, with all the Saints in the Mansions of Heaven.”
The Archbishop has recently faced attacks from Turkish media regarding his ardent support of Cypriot independence and the end of the illegal Turkish occupation. These attacks follow the Archbishop’s attention to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus at the 2024 Clergy-Laity Congress during the “Cyprus: Land of Embrace” concert. This is not the first time that Archbishop Elpidophoros has come under attack by nationalistic groups in Turkey.
During this service, Chris Katerinakis was ordained to the Holy Diaconate. Chris was ordained with the name Flavianos, given by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, after the great Patriarch of Constantinople. Friday, July 19, 2024, Deacon Flavianos received his monastic tonsure from Archbishop Elpidophoros in the Archdiocese Chapel of Saint Paul.
