Archepiscopal Encyclical on the New Year 2024

On this first day of the New Year of 2024, let us embrace the newness in Christ, which He has appointed for our renewal and salvation. The Apostle Paul reminds us that we are, in fact, new creations! And that whatever has transpired is beyond us, forgiven and even forgotten. For every new year — whether this civil one, or the Ecclesiastical New Year on September 1 — is a call and opportunity to begin again. Why? Because in Christ, “everything is new.”

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Divine Liturgy on Christmas Eve (Chorostasia) Greek Orthodox Church of Our Savior Rye, New York

Today is Christmas Eve! And in the hymns of Great Vespers, there is this lovely idiomelon, which goes:

Homily By Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral

I am delighted to be with you for the Divine Liturgy, on this Sunday before Christmas, when we read and remember the genealogies of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Archepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of Christmas - 2023

Beloved sisters and brothers in Christ,

Christ is Born! Let us glorify Him!

Although He comes to us in humility, in swaddling clothes and in poverty, He is the powerful Rod of the Root of Jesse. In assuming our human nature from his Most Holy Mother the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary, He bears all the suffering and sin of humanity across all the ages. What strength in this Rod! What glory in His powerful love for every creature!

Homily By Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Vespers of the Feast of Saint Eleftherios the Hieromartyr Saint Eleftherios Greek Orthodox Church

This remarkable Hieromartyr, and his holy mother, Anthia, exemplify the faith and fortitude of the early days of our Church, before the acceptance of our Faith in Christ by the Roman Empire. As many of you know, Saint Anthia had been a disciple of the Apostle Paul, during the days when he preached in Rome, before the great persecution by Nero.

Homily by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Great Vespers of Saint Spyridon the Wonderworker Saint Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church

What a joy to return to this magnificent church in Washington Heights to celebrate with you – the faithful of Saint Spyridon – the feast of your heavenly Patron and Protector.

Homily by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America On the Tenth Sunday of Saint Luke Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Bridgeport, Connecticut

I am so very glad to join you for the observance of your One Hundred and Tenth Anniversary! We shall have more to say on this at the luncheon, but for now, let us all pause and give thanks to God for this wonderful milestone. Your parish is older than even the Archdiocese itself! You reflect a long and storied history of the worship of the Holy Trinity, for Whom your parish is named. In the spirit of this celebration today, it is “meet and right” that the last words of today’s Gospel reading are:

Homily by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Divine Liturgy on the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine

Every time I come here to Ground Zero, and I pause to meditate on the sorrowful and tragic events that unfolded here on September 11, 2001, I look at this shining American Parthenon of Orthodoxy, and I give thanks for our prayerful, loving and compassionate presence.

Homily By Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Vespers of the Feast of Saint Nicholas the Wonderworker Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church & National Shrine

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ,

Tonight, we come together as the People of God, to celebrate the Victory of the People: Νικόλαος! Whom we praise as:

Ἱεραρχῶν τὴν καλλονήν, καὶ τῶν Πατέρων κλέος, τὴν βρύσιν τῶν θαυμάτων, καὶ τῶν πιστῶν ἀντιλήπτορα μέγιστον….

The adornment of hierarchs, the glory of the Fathers, the well-spring of miracles and great defender of the faithful….*