Archbishop Elpidophoros Visits Boston, Marches in Independence Parade
On Thomas Sunday, May 1, 2022, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros made a pastoral visit to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England in Boston before marching in the city’s Greek Independence Parade later that afternoon. The Archbishop was joined by His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, and Father Thomas Chininis, Dean of the Cathedral, in celebrating the Divine Liturgy.
In his remarks, the Archbishop stated that “What we celebrate today is truly in accord with our Paschal affirmations. We call the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Άνάστασις,” which literally means “to stand again.” For the dead are laid to rest supine, lying flat in the earth. But to rise again and stand upright, my dear friends, is truly a miracle.
“And this is exactly what happened in 1821. The Greek People stood tall again and commenced the long battle back to the integrity of their faith, their culture, their language and their territory.” (Read full Remarks)
Also present for the Liturgy were Greek Minister of Justice Kostas Tsiaras, who offered remarks at the conclusion of the service, Deputy of Thessaloniki Dimitrios Kouvelas, Mayor of Kalamata Athanasios Vasilopoulos, and Consul General of Greece Stratos Efthymiou.
During a brief reception at the Cathedral, Mayor Vasilopoulos presented the Archbishop with a hand-crafted, commemorative Medal for the Bicentennial of the Greek Revolution, as well as the medal seal of the City of Kalamata featuring the Church of the Holy Apostles, where the Greek Revolution was first declared in 1821. Mr. Vasilopoulos also announced that the Archbishop would receive honorary citizenship of Kalamata on February 2, 2023 during the city’s annual celebration of the Panagia Ypapanti. Previous honorees include President of Greece Katerina Sakellaropoulou (2022) and the late composer Mikis Theodorakis (2021).
In the afternoon, sunny skies and warm weather heralded the parade, and lively onlookers gathered along Boylston Street to cheer on the bands and the creative floats, the Evzones of the Federation, and participants from across New England. In addition to Metropolitan Methodios, Bishop Athenagoras, and the esteemed dignitaries from Greece, attendees included Mayor of Boston Michelle Wu, Governor Michael Dukakis, and Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Raptakis.
The celebration culminated at the Boston Commons, where the Omogeneia and parkgoers enjoyed music and traditional dance performances by seven different Greek troupes from New England.
