His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Remarks at the Ordination Luncheon in Honor of

The Reverend Presbyter Gabriel Galifianakis

May 12, 2024

Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox Church

Southampton, New York

 

Dear Father Gabriel and Presvytera Samantha,

Beloved Father Alex and Presvytera Xanthi,

Beloved Father Constantine and Presvytera Anastasia,

Dear Faithful of this wonderful Parish of the Hamptons,

Χριστὸς Ανέστη! Christ is Risen!

 

Before continuing with further remarks (I believe I am finished with my exhortations for the day!), I would first make mention of Mother’s Day. There are those who feel that this holiday is somewhat artificial, an excuse for purveyors of cards and floral arrangements. But I disagree.

Our mothers – those yet living and those who have passed on – are the source and bedrock of all human experience. Without our mothers, there is no life whatsoever.

Whether we speak of our natural mothers, our grandmothers – even great grandmothers, or our godmothers or spiritual mothers, or the Theotokos Herself who is the mother of all Christians and is represented by the Holy Church, or even our mother, this wondrous planet Earth.

When we invoke our mothers, we summon the ones who carry and nourish all beings with equanimity, patience, and above all, love. I believe that having this second Sunday of May as a reminder of the import and consequence of our maternal guides and protectors is of great significance, even if it is a secular occasion.

And what an auspicious day to make a new “Father” for the Church! Especially in this Paschal Season, it reminds us that before the Lord could be laid in the Sacred Tomb and overcome Death and Hell, He first had to be incarnate in the Holy Womb of His Mother and thrust into Life. He lived a total and complete human existence, but in perfection. As the Letter to the Hebrews affirms, in the magnificent language of the King James Version of Scripture, with particular emphasis on His role as our Great High Priest:

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” [*]

So perhaps I do have another exhortation for our newly ordained Father Gabriel – and it is this: Be as much a mother to your faithful as a father. Encompass them with loving protection and compassionate guidance, for we are all “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” He was protected and instructed by His mother, the Theotokos, His entire life. Even to the Cross and the Grave. And thus, she became the first to hear of His Resurrection, as we chant in the famous Resurrection Hymn:

         … ὑπήντησας τῇ Παρθένῳ, δωρούμενος τὴν ζωήν…

         … You went forth to meet the Virgin, granting the gift of life…[†]

This moment of triumph is the promise to every clergyman that the ultimate gift of Eternal Life is in the loving hands of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, we are to journey with the People of God – even to the grave, where we convey the blessing of the hope of the Resurrection. This is as much the work of a good mother as a good father.

Therefore, with gratitude to all our mothers – those present and those absent in the body but not in the spirit, -- let us all congratulate our newly ordained presbyter, Gabriel, and wish him and his beloved Presvytera Samantha every blessing for a fruitful and prosperous life of ministry and happiness.

Χριστὸς Ανέστη!