The three-day visit of Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the island of Chios, the birthplace of his ancestors, exceeded all expectations.
The visit started at noon on Monday and ended on Wednesday night with the official dinner hosted by Michalis Koulouroudis in Anavatos and, as both the Archbishop and the organizers pointed out, it exceeded all expectations, as reported by anamniseis.net.
Although the program was heavy, it was scrupulously followed and provided the opportunity to the expatriates who had come to welcome the Archbishop to show him around and to show them the history, traditions and contribution of Chios to the Greek Independence War of 1821.
Last stops of Archbishop Elpidophoros’s tour
At noon on Wednesday, immediately after the hierarchical service at the Metropolitan Church of Chios, the Archbishop of America and the Metropolitan of Chios visited the Library of the Metropolis of Chios “Agios Agapitos” in Vrontados and then were around Daskalopetra where Homer taught.
Immediately after, they went to Pantoukios, where the Union of Greek Diaspora of Chios hosted a reception in honor of the Archbishop and his entourage.
The Archbishop visited Dafnonas and the state-of-the-art Stoupakis Chios Distillery S.A.
This was followed by a visit to the Nea Moni of Chios and a tour of the museum next to the monastery.
Although it was already dark, the Archbishop insisted that they visit Anavatos, which the locals call the “Mystras of the Aegean.”
The visit to the sanctuary of Saint Lygeri and the Holy Archangels in Anavatos, Chios, was very informative for those present.
Immediately after, a dinner was hosted in honor of the Archbishop by Michalis Koulouroudis.
Finally, on the morning of Thursday, September 9, 2021, the Archbishop departed for New York from Chios Island National Airport.