Archbishop Elpidophoros of America recently welcomed Deputy Minister for Citizen Protection Andreas Nikolakopoulos to his office.
During their meeting, Mr. Nikolakopoulos shared insights from his U.S. visit, which included tours of correctional facilities and an examination of rehabilitation programs aimed at facilitating the reintegration of individuals with justice system involvement into society through counseling and education.
The Archbishop highlighted the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s commitment to such efforts, noting its support for the Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM). This organization, under the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States, provides spiritual guidance, educational resources, and reintegration services to incarcerated individuals. Archbishop Elpidophoros offered to share the Archdiocese’s experiences to assist Mr. Nikolakopoulos in fostering similar collaborations with the Church of Greece.
The discussion also touched upon the Ionian Village, a summer camp in Ilia—the Deputy Minister’s home region—that hosts American youth. They explored the possibility of expanding its operations year-round to include programs that engage the local community. Mr. Nikolakopoulos expressed enthusiasm for this initiative, given his familiarity with the area.
Concluding their meeting, the Deputy Minister expressed gratitude for the Archdiocese’s financial support in restoring the Church of Kimisis of the Theotokos, Apidoulas in the Metropolis of Ilia, which suffered extensive damage during the 2023 fires.
Photo: GOARCH
