His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America 

Homily at the First Salutations to the Theotokos 

Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity 

New York, New York 

March 11, 2022 

My beloved faithful, 

It is with much joy that I join all of you here tonight, as we draw near to the conclusion of the first week of Holy and Great Lent. As in years past, we will continue our annual tradition of fellowship following this Service of the First Salutations to the Theotokos with a Lenten dinner in the newly renovated Chiotes Family Cathedral Hall — together with a very special guest, of course. But before we depart the sanctuary, I would like to call your attention to the following line from the First Stanza of the Akathist, which we chanted to our Panagia this evening: 

Χαῖρε, τῶν δακρύων τῆς Εὔας ἡ λύτρωσις. 

Hail, You who are the Redemption of the tears of Eve. 

But what exactly are these tears that our Panagia has redeemed? They are none other than the tears of a mother – a mother who lived to see her one son murder her other, when Cain slew his brother, Abel. 

And in current times – right now, in fact – when we see the barbaric invasion of Ukraine carried out by the forces of a tyrannical dictator, we behold once again brother murdering brother and sister killing sister. 

Thus, is there any other possible response that a mother could give other than tears?  

I think not. 

Let us remember that both Ukraine and Russia were the children of the Mother Church of Constantinople – to whom they owe their Christian Faith. Now, we are the Mother who is weeping over this evil, fratricidal war, which is claiming our dying children, brothers and sisters. 

For it was the Ecumenical Patriarchate that sent the blood-brothers, Cyril and Methodios, to the Slavic lands in order to bring the Gospel of Christ to them in their own language – even inventing an alphabet for them, which today is called the Cyrillic Alphabet and is used throughout all the Slavic lands. 

And it was to the Queen of Cities, that Prince Volodomyr sent his emissaries; where in the Great Church of Hagia Sophia, they witnessed a liturgy that left them not knowing whether they were on earth or in heaven itself! 

And from Constantinople, went forth priests and monks, missionaries and teachers, craftsmen and artisans of every kind, so as to bring about the wonderful masterpieces of spiritual art and architecture that we behold in the golden-domed churches and shrines in Kyiv today, and which are now being threatened by the invading forces that happen to be filled with their very own spiritual brethren – many of whom do not even understand why they are attacking Ukraine. 

And in Kyiv, in their own Cathedral of Hagia Sophia, the Panagia known as the Orans of Kyiv – the “praying one” – towers above the faithful as they pray. Her arms extend upright in powerful intercessory prayer on behalf of the People of Ukraine and their Russian brothers. In her sash is an embroidered handkerchief that they say is to wipe away the tears of those who come before her. 

She truly is the Redemption of the tears of Eve! For now the tears of the Nation pour forth as Ukraine wails for its slaughtered children. Like Rachel weeping for her children, because they are no more.1 

This magnificent icon, a mosaic of the highest skill and quality, owes its τέχνη to the skilled craftsmen who went from Constantinople to Kyiv to bring this beauty into the world. They journeyed, like the priest and Bishops, to bring the essence of our Orthodox Christian Faith in all its glory to them. 

My question for you, then, tonight is this: 

What are we going to bring to these suffering brothers and sisters? 

While we are sending support and humanitarian aid to them, we cannot personally bring it ourselves to those besieged cities and towns. 

However, we can join with our Holy Theotokos, with the Panagia of Kyiv, who from Heaven itself lifts up Her hands before Her Son and our God, to beg for mercy, forgiveness and compassion. She wants to dry the tears of their suffering. And we should want to do the same as well. 

Therefore, my beloved Christians,  

I encourage all of you to awaken the heart of the mother that rests inside of you – men, women and children alike – for you are all part of the Mother Church of Constantinople. 

Pray with tears for the redemption of the tears of the mothers of Ukraine and Russia, who are witnessing their children slaughter one another. 

Pray that the hearts of those who are waging and supporting this war will be transformed by God’s love. 

I know that it may be impossible for us to do; however, nothing is impossible for God. 

May we taste not the bitter tears of sorrow and death, but instead the joys of Redemption, when we see how God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, no more sorrow, and no more crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”2 

And so, may we arrive at the Resurrection – the Glorious Pascha of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.