On July 22, 2024, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America delivered a powerful address at the opening session of the global AHEPA meeting in Limassol, Cyprus.
He expressed deep emotion over his presence on the island, marking fifty years since the Turkish invasion and ongoing occupation, and reaffirmed the Holy Archdiocese of America and the Diaspora’s unwavering support for peace and justice.
In his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros announced the launch of a scholarship program for the Holy Cross School and the establishment of a standing committee dedicated to educating and providing materials on the history and culture of Cyprus. He passionately stated, “My Cypriot brothers and sisters, we are with you, we love you and we feel for you! Hand in hand, heart in heart, with you and the brothers and sisters of the wider AHEPA family and with every Greek everywhere, we came here to shout it out and make our voice heard all over the world, that ‘fifty years, half a century, for our finding a just solution for the reunification of the martyred island is unacceptable! We can no longer wait!'”
He praised AHEPA for its significant contributions to Hellenism and Orthodoxy and highlighted the new scholarship program for the Holy Cross School. “These scholarships will help us train good and educated clergy who will keep our communities united, showcasing Hellenism and Orthodoxy, and addressing the spiritual concerns of modern man,” he said.
Archbishop Elpidophoros also announced the creation of a permanent committee within the Holy Archdiocese, composed of prominent members of the Cypriot Diaspora. This committee’s mission is to design teacher training programs and provide educational materials to communities, ensuring that children and all Americans learn to appreciate Cyprus’s rich history and culture. He cited the recently completed summer school program in Cyprus, funded by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Cyprus, which trained 15 teachers from Greek schools across the United States, thanking President Christodoulides and Mr. Tsivikos for their support.
Concluding his address, Archbishop Elpidophoros emphasized the collective efforts of the AHEPA family to relentlessly pressure the International Community and pray for a just solution. “Together with everyone in the AHEPA family, we will continue tirelessly and persistently to put pressure, to demand from the International Community and to pray for this just solution that we have been seeking for half a century. We really cannot wait any longer! We demand it immediately and now!”
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
