The community of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in West Nyack, New York, led by presiding priest Fr. Michael Palamara, welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros for Thomas Sunday on April 19, 2026.
The community also held the Ground Blessing for its Youth and Education Community Center, followed by a celebratory Luncheon. In his remarks to the community at the Ground Blessing, Archbishop Elpidophoros congratulated the community, saying, “Indeed, this is truly a marvelous day, because we are blessing the ground for a vital addition to your wonderful parish, dedicated to the God-crowned Saints Constantine and Helen – the future Youth and Education Community Center! A Ground-Blessing is much more than a symbolic act. It is a step of deep belief and a sign of hope for a better future. On this Sunday of Thomas, when the Lord declares (as we read in the Holy Gospel): Blesséd are those who have not yet seen, but believe! Today’s Ground-blessing is that act of faith that bodes well for your community and its future generations. You are true believers! Like every farmer who breaks open the earth to plant the seeds that will grow and nourish both his own family and the community around them, you are planting seeds today. And they will yield a harvest, as the Lord said, even to a hundredfold.”
Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos
