Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, in an interview with Realnews, spoke about the growing participation of the faithful in parishes from North Carolina to Pennsylvania, the previously strained relations with members of the Mitsotakis government, the visit of Pope Leo to Constantinople, the future of the Halki Theological School, Greek-Turkish relations, and his broader vision for the Archdiocese of America.
Commenting on the meeting between the Ecumenical Patriarch and Pope Leo on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, Archbishop Elpidophoros described it as another link in the ongoing effort to bring the Churches closer together.
“This effort is now more necessary than ever, at a time when Christianity in many regions is shrinking or even persecuted. The summit coincides with geopolitical tensions and rising nationalism, with Christian communities in the Middle East and societies turning toward division and religious fanaticism. Perhaps the Synod is precisely the answer to this challenge.”
Speaking about developments in Syria, on the occasion of the transitional Syrian President’s visit to the White House, the Archbishop of America noted that one major benefit of the changing situation in Syria is the country’s release from Russian tutelage.
“Russia presented itself as a ‘protector of Orthodoxy,’ but in reality it used Orthodox ideology—just as communist ideology once was—as an ideological cloak for national and global ambitions. Our faith becomes a tool of state interests. This is dangerous for both the Church and the peoples.”
He also emphasized that he shares the optimism of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew regarding the possibility of reopening the Halki Theological School in 2026.
For the first time, he noted, there is substantial cooperation between officials of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and officials of Turkish governmental ministries. “They are sitting at the same table and discussing how, in what legal framework, and in what form the School can reopen—so that it is acceptable both to the Patriarchate and to Turkey’s legal system.”
“We have moved beyond the stage of pleasant statements and entered the stage of ‘let us now see how we implement this.’ All of this justifies the optimism expressed by the Patriarch for a reopening in September 2026. Erdoğan is, realistically, the only President who has both the political power to decide and the authority to enforce such a decision within Turkish society.”
The Archbishop of America believes that the current period is relatively positive for Greek-Turkish relations. “There are no tensions like before, when we feared the worst. Today we do not have escalation in the Aegean, nor the Cold-War-like military atmosphere that once prevailed. Naturally, the claims on both sides remain. However, this is not a time when any shift from long-standing positions will take place, nor is there any reason for such a move now. I believe both sides are waiting for the right moment to resume dialogue from their established positions. States do not operate based on emotions but on their interests. And right now, it is in the interest of both sides that tensions remain low.”
Reflecting on his tenure in the Archdiocese of America, Archbishop Elpidophoros considers the restoration of the flock’s trust in the Archdiocese as his most significant achievement.
When asked whether there were decisions he regretted, he referred to the baptism of the children of a same-sex couple.
“I would perform the baptism again. I do not regret baptizing two children. But perhaps I would not do it in Greece, and certainly not in the way it unfolded then. I had not anticipated the extent or the political connotations that certain ecclesiastical circles would attach to it, nor their connections with political actors. I could never have imagined that such a campaign would be launched. “Nevertheless, I do not accept the division between ‘gay christenings’ and ‘straight christenings’. Such distinctions distort the teaching of the Gospel. The Church baptizes children — it does not categorize its sacraments,” he said.
Referring to his visit to the “Turkish House” in New York and the wave of reactions it triggered, Archbishop Elpidophoros commented: “Today, all those who visited the same building after me vindicated my decision. This happens often: the first person to take a step ‘takes the hits’, clearing the path for others to follow without backlash. I believe that my visit was exploited by certain circles — not for its substance, but as an opportunity to damage the image of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of America.”
He added: “For us, the clergy of the diaspora, our stance must be crystal clear: regardless of which government is in power in Greece, we serve the nation, the Church, and national interests. Greece may hurt us at times, but ‘blood is thicker than water’.”
Regarding the normalization of relations with the Maximos Mansion after the controversy, the Archbishop explained: “There was a network of centers and paracenters, with specific media outlets operating in the United States but targeting primarily Greek audiences. In America, they have no credibility — almost no one listens to them. In Greece, however, they create the impression of division within Hellenism and cultivate anxiety. With time and measured interventions, the situation gradually returned to a smoother course.”
Responding to whether he assisted or was asked to assist in arranging a visit by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House, Archbishop Elpidophoros avoided going into detail, noting simply that even if such a request had been made, he would only have been fulfilling his duty. ‘I am not doing anyone a favor; this is my institutional role—to serve Greece and our national interests,’ he stressed.
Finally, referring to his vision for the Greek Orthodox Church of America, he explained that the Archdiocese is evolving and developing rapidly. This is evident not only from daily experience ‘in the field,’ within the parishes, but also from major media coverage, such as the recent feature in the New York Times.
‘The pews are full. This summer—for the first time in our history in America—our churches did not empty because of vacations; they were fuller than ever. Orthodoxy is experiencing a significant resurgence. One must travel to the mainland, to remote parishes, to see the enthusiasm for the Church, for our faith, and for our culture. Even where the Greek language has largely faded, Greek identity remains strong. And importantly, it is a Greekness free of nationalism. This is the vision: an Orthodoxy that is open, vibrant, inspiring, and welcoming to all.’
