His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros
Remarks at Dinner in Honor of the Repatriation of MS 220
Panagia Eikosiphoinissa Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery
September 29, 2022
Your Eminence, Metropolitan Panteleimon of Xanthi,
Right Reverend Abbess Geronitissa Antonini of Panagia Eikosiphoinissa Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery,
Dear Friend, Mr. Steve Green, Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Museum of the Bible,
Dr. Jeff and Ms. Susan Kloha, Chief Curator, and Dr. Brian Hyland,
Associate Curator of Medieval Manuscripts of the Museum of the Bible,
Dr. Elizabeth Prodromou, Advisory Council, Museum of the Bible,
Holy Sisterhood in Christ,
We complete today’s monumental occasion with this festive agape meal, replete with the exhausted joy from so many commemorations, here in the refectory of Panagia Eikosiphoinissa Patriarchal and Stavropegial Monastery. It is meet and right that we close the day here, in the home of the of the Manuscript, a home that awaits the return of other lost children who were flung far and wide after the First World War’s ravages of this spiritual center.
The Green family and the Museum of the Bible have truly gone the extra mile, as the Lord said.
Indeed, thousands of extra miles to come here in person to learn about the Ecumenical Patriarchate, of which this Monastery is Stavropegial dependency. A Stavropegion means a place where it is the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ that is the very well-spring from which its life proceeds. It is an example of sacrifice. And you have made many sacrifices to restore the Text to its rightful home. Your conduct has been truly noble, and we thank you for your Christ-like spirit of generosity, giving the good full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over.*
We sincerely hope that the world will take notice from your mission to come here and the ministry that it has effected. Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
“By this shall all people know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” †
Well, dear friends, let the world recognize in you those who follow in the footsteps of the Master, and it is our prayer that many will follow you.
Therefore, please lift your glass with me and let us toast the gladness of this day, and the generosity and Christian spirit of our new friends.
May the Lord ever shower them with His every blessing.