Archbishop Elpidophoros of America gathered with faithful for the annual Christmas Party at our National Shrine, located at the World Trade Center site, on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
Emceed by Anthoula Katsimatides and Ernie Anastos, the event was a joyful gathering where children from the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity School sang Christmas carols. The National Church and Shrine –dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Mira, the philanthropic bishop after whom the traditions around “Santa Clause” are modeled—was an ideal setting for this Christmas celebration.
Just as Saint Nicholas was particularly aware of the plights of families and children, even making anonymous donations to very poor families, the Archbishop reminded those present of the preeminent place of children during this holiday season: “this is the most joyous and festive feast of the year, Christmas: it especially involves children because our Lord Jesus Christ was born as a baby, as a child to this world.”
Not only is this holiday an invitation to care for the children around us—and the small children in each of our hearts—it is also a chance to honor the Christ child by opening our hearts and doors to those in need. Speaking to the children’s choir His Eminence added that “we need children to celebrate this feast, not only as a reminder that our Lord became a baby, but because you remind us of the innocence which we should have, and the joy and beauty that you represent to this world.”
Photos: GOARCH/Dimitrios Panagos
