Remarks by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

At the Centennial Banquet of

The Greek Orthodox Church of Saint Athanasios

The Terrace

Paramus, New Jersey

October 15, 2022

Your Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia,

Protopresbyter Anargyros Stavropoulos and Reverend Clergy,

Esteemed Parish Council President, Spero Leakas,

Beloved Philoptochos Sisterhood and Parish Organization Heads,

Dear Centennial Celebration Sponsors,

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

What a magnificent occasion we have tonight! I must tell all of you that every time I commemorate a centennial observance of a parish – in the same year as the centenary of our Sacred Archdiocese as the premier Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne – I feel the hand of God directing our path and guiding our way.

In the past weeks, I have journeyed to both Seattle and Philadelphia for such commemorations. And tonight, my joy is made complete here in Paramus, for this Parish of Saint Athanasios.

Your one hundredth anniversary is a sign that this parish is founded upon the firm and unmovable foundation of the Apostles – with the Lord Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone.*

And I can think of no Saint or Church Father who exemplifies the stability of your foundation more than your Patron, the Great Athanasios of Alexandria – the Unmovable One. Deacon at the First Ecumenical Council where his theology and his understanding of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ prevailed. And throughout his tenure as Patriarch of Alexandria, he continued to be the unmovable Defender of the Council of Nicaea – which gave to us for all time the Symbol of our Faith, the Nicene Creed. Even when Saint Athanasios endured the most intense persecution, as well as exile after exile by Emperors who were playing politics with the Faith, he remained true to his God and to his Church.

As you all know, last week, the Archdiocese had the privilege to host the successor to Saint Athanasios, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, who came to America to receive the Athenagoras Human Rights Award from the Order of the Archons. And this was the first time that a siting Patriarch of Alexandria has visited the United States.

I see this visit of His Beatitude as an auspicious sign, which bodes well for the next hundred years of your Parish! Your vibrancy, energy, and commitment to living your Greek Orthodox faith and traditions is known throughout the Metropolis of New Jersey.

The many and varied activities of your parish organizations testify to the positive course you are setting for the future. The very name of your Patron Saint, Athanasios, speaks of the immortal spirit that inhabits your parish – an unconquerable spirit, indeed, which inspires your efforts to live as Greek Orthodox Christians.

As you are an integral part of our Sacred Archdiocese’s centennial celebration as an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne, the coincidence of our one hundredth anniversaries is truly a cause for pride and for celebration!

Your centennial reminds us all that the Greek Orthodox Diaspora had and still has a profound commitment to its faith – the two thousand year old spiritual tradition that came with the early immigrants across the ocean to find new soil in which to grow. Your physical and spiritual forebears were apostles for the later generations – even though they might not have perceived that role for themselves. Yet, they were true missionaries, planting the seeds of the Word of God throughout this great land, and right here in Paramus, New Jersey

And so, I extend to each and every one of you my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes for this historic milestone.

May the Lord always bless you to increase in your love, faith and the hope that is in you – granting you success in all that you do, through the intercessions of Saint Athanasios the Great and all the Saints.

Thank you, and again, many congratulations to all!