Archbishop Elpidophoros’ Name Day

On November 2/15, the Church commemorates the Fourth Century Holy Martyrs Acindynus, Pegasius, Aphthonius, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistus.

On this day Archbishop Elpidophoros commemorated his patron saint, presiding at a Divine Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral in New York. Many hierarchs, clergy and laity from all across America came to congratulate their Archpastor. Invited to participate in the service were clergy of the Slavic tradition newly accepted into the Greek Archdiocese of America; Archimandrite Alexander Belya, Archpriest Alexander Belya, Archpriest Vasiliy Deyak, Protodeacon Rostislav Zadorozhnyy, and Deacon George A. Hero.

Essential to the ministry of the Archbishop is his unification of Orthodox Christians of different cultures and traditions as a part of the Greek Archdiocese. The service was conducted in Greek and English with some parts in Slavonic, including the Symbol of Faith (Creed) and the Lord’s Prayer.

Archbishop Elpidophoros noted that it was a triple celebration for him, since on this day in 1991, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was placed on the throne of the Constantinople. The same day the Patriarch decided that the next deacon he would ordain would bear the name of St. Elpidophoros, who turned out to be him. In addition, the service also included the ordination of the Archbishop’s long time and beloved Archdeacon to the holy priesthood. At the reception that followed, the Slavic clergy were warmly welcomed to the Archdiocese of America.