An Archepiscopal Encyclical was issued by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for Father’s Day.
In his Encyclical the Archbishop noted “Let us celebrate this Father’s Day by honoring the Saintly 318 Father of the First Ecumenical Council and remembering our faithful clergy and their needs. Thus, we shall prove ourselves to be holders of the word God and worthy heirs of the Faith of Nicaea”.
Read below the Encyclical of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
This year’s observance of Father’s Day happily coincides with the Feast that bridges Ascension and Pentecost — the celebration of the 318 Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea. We have appropriated this secular occasion in order to highlight the “fathers” of our parishes, the clergy of our Archdiocese. Like the 318, they have been chosen to engage in the spiritual contest to preach and teach the unalloyed Orthodox Faith of Christ. Our parish clergy have kept the Faith and the Divine Word that God the Father delivered to the world through His Son, which is preserved and transmitted from generation to generation by the members of the Holy Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Knowing how the clergy care for us, we thought it meet and right that we should make a special effort to care for them. For this reason, we beseech every parish to make an extraordinary collection on this Sunday to enhance and support the Clergy Pension Fund. On this Sunday, when we remember our earthly fathers — living and reposed — may we also remember our spiritual fathers who labor for our salvation in Christ.
Let us celebrate this Father’s Day by honoring the Saintly 318 Father of the First Ecumenical Council and remembering our faithful clergy and their needs. Thus, we shall prove ourselves to be holders of the word God and worthy heirs of the Faith of Nicaea.
With much gratitude and paternal blessings in Christ,
† ELPIDOPHOROS Archbishop of America
