Vicar of the Slavic Vicariate Congratulates Archbishop Elpidophoros on His Name Day

November 1, Sunday, on the eve of the feast of the Holy Martyrs Akindynos, Pegasios, Aphthonios, Elpidophoros, and Anempodistos, a festive celebration of the name day of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, was held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church in Merrick, New York.

The Divine Liturgy was presided over by Archbishop Elpidophoros, concelebrated by an assembly of hierarchs and clergy.

The Slavic Orthodox Vicariate of America was represented at the celebration by its Vicar, Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis, and Archpriest Rostislav Zadorozhny, rector of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker Church in Red Bank, New Jersey.

Saint Elpidophoros the Martyr lived in Persia in the fourth century, during the reign of Shah Shapur II. According to Church tradition, he held a prominent position at the royal court. Having witnessed the courage of the Holy Martyrs Akindynos, Pegasios, and Anempodistos, who confessed Christ before the ruler and endured cruel tortures, Elpidophoros also openly professed the Christian faith. Together with him and other converts to Christ, he suffered a martyr’s death. The Church venerates him among the holy martyrs who suffered for their faith in Persia.

The feast day of Saint Elpidophoros also holds particular significance in the history of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. On November 2, 1991, the enthronement of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew took place in Constantinople. On that occasion, Archbishop Iakovos, addressing the newly enthroned Patriarch, expressed the wish that his patriarchal ministry would be marked by the spiritual qualities symbolically embodied in the names of the five martyrs commemorated on that day: Akindynos (“safe”), Pegasios (“spring”), Aphthonios (“abundant”), Anempodistos (“unhindered”), and Elpidophoros (“bearer of hope”). Subsequently, Patriarch Bartholomew decided that one of the clergy members he would ordain would receive the name of Saint Elpidophoros the Martyr. In 1994, Ioannis Lambriniadis was tonsured a monk, receiving the name Elpidophoros, and later that same year was ordained to the diaconate by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George on the Phanar. Thus, the feast day of his patron saint is connected with his spiritual father, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who in 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of his election and enthronement.

On behalf of the Slavic Vicariate, Bishop-elect Alexander of Nicopolis extended his congratulations to Archbishop Elpidophoros on the feast of his patron saint. The Archbishop was presented with an icon of Saint Elpidophoros the Martyr and a bouquet of white roses.

In his brief congratulatory remarks, Archimandite Alexander noted that this year’s celebration marked the seventh occasion on which representatives of the Slavic Vicariate had the opportunity to participate in Archbishop Elpidophoros’s name day celebration. He emphasized that throughout these years, the clergy and faithful of the Vicariate, which is part of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, have been united with Archbishop Elpidophoros in common prayer and ministry. The Vicar wished His Eminence continued strength, spiritual joy, God’s help, and blessings in his archpastoral ministry.

The celebration of Archbishop Elpidophoros’s name day has become a cherished tradition for the Slavic Vicariate and another testament to the fraternal fellowship among clergy and faithful of different ecclesiastical traditions, united within the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America under the omophorion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.