Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met this morning Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece at the Archdiocesan Palace.
The meeting of the two ecclesiastical leaders and members of the Archbishop of America’s entourage lasted forty minutes, during which issues of current ecclesiastical importance were discussed.
Following the meeting, Archbishop Elpidophoros made the following statement: “The political leaderships of the two countries are showing the right path, that the USA and Greece are moving together for the benefit of both sides. Certainly, the Church preceded this collaboration because we always move together. The Church of Greece is the Church of our homeland, of all the Greek diaspora.
As we love our homeland, we also love its Church. The Greeks abroad are always at the disposal of Archbishop Ieronymos and the Church of Greece, on both good and difficult days.
Just as in natural disasters, fires, and floods, but also in the joys of our homeland, we are always by the side of the Church and Greece.”
On his part, Archbishop Ieronymos stated, “I would like to agree with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and emphasize that meetings of this kind, the exchange of views, and this collaboration benefit both our side and the Orthodox Church of America.
There is a common point that we must particularly highlight, the space that connects our two Churches is the Patriarchate. This is the heart of Orthodoxy, and we should strive to work so that this collaboration and unity serve the benefit of the Church and our homeland.”
Responding to journalists’ questions about current events, Archbishop Ieronymos emphasized that “freedom for humans is a very important thing, and this should be taken into consideration by all—both the Church and the State. Neither the Church should have the sword ready, nor should the State want to impose constraints on any space within our homeland.”
In the same question, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America added, “I fully agree with Archbishop Ieronymos in everything he said. Because we read the same Gospel, teach the same Gospel, and there could not be any different opinion on this matter.
Responding to a question about the issue of baptism, Archbishop Ieronymos emphasized that “we must return to tradition. If baptism takes place at the young age of children, it is because, within the Church, a sense was created that the child grows up in an environment of Christian principles.
Therefore, there was no need for catechesis because it happened within the environment. Now that things are changing, we are not against children. We love and care for children more than anyone else. The Church will wait for these children to reach an age, and when they grow up and desire to be baptized, they will be baptized.”
Archbishop Elpidophoros, responding to the same topic, said, “I have nothing to add; Archbishop Ieronymos said it all.”
The Archbishop of America was accompanied by the Supreme President of AHEPA, Mr. Savvas Tsivikos, the Vice President of the National Philoptochos Society of the Archdiocese of America, Mrs. Annita Kartalopoulos, businessman Mr. Steve Zervoudis, and the Venerable Protopresbyter Fr. Alexandros Karloutsos.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
