His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Greetings for the National Philoptochos Vasilopita

January 3, 2024

New York, New York

Your Grace, Bishop Athenagoras,

Beloved Sisters of our National Philoptochos,

I am so very pleased to be with you today at your National Headquarters – to greet you today for the Feasts that we have celebrated and continue to celebrate in the Δωδεκαήμερον of our sacred liturgical year – and to share the annual Vasilopita with you. We commend this New Year of 2024 to an urgent hope for peace in the world, and peace in our souls.

Philoptochos remains the strong right arm of all that the Church engages as the Body of Christ – whether on the level of the Archdiocese as a whole, the Metropolises, or the Parishes. Without Philoptochos, our Church as an institution is unthinkable. Without the feminine and indeed maternal qualities that you bring to ministry, we are not whole as a community. There is a patriarchal order in the Church, but there is a matriarchal order as well, which is best represented by Philoptochos. And the ministry that you engage is one of the most vital, for it reminds all of us that while our minds may soar into the heavenly realm in worship, our feet need to remain firmly planted on the ground for true service to others upon this earth.

Our sharing of the Vasilopita today is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to being true friends of the poor, and to provide, as we are able, bread to nourish their bodies as much as the Bread of Heaven to nourish our souls.

Therefore, dear Sisters in Christ:

Let us commence this New Year of 2024 with hearts aglow with the love of God and with positive intentions for every aspect of our service to Christ and His world.

May the Lord grant unto us all a blesséd, happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year of 2024, replete and adorned with the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

 

Photos: Franklin Liranzo