His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

Remarks at the Enthronement Luncheon

His Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey

September 16, 2023

The Venetian

Garfield, New Jersey

 

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Apostolos of New Jersey, beloved brother in the Lord,

Your Eminence, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Rhodes, Most Honored Representative of the Mother Church of Constantinople,

Governor Murphy, 

Your Eminences and Graces,

Honorable Representative of the Governments of Greece and Cyprus,

Distinguished Heads of Church and Greek Organizations,

Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy,

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

 

Your Eminence:

This luncheon today is a worthy bridge between your Enthronement today, and your first Divine Liturgy as Metropolitan of the Sacred and God-Saved Metropolis of New Jersey! Your faithful surround you with love and respect, with appreciation and gratitude. May you always be worthy of their sacred esteem.

The Lord will make you worthy, beloved brother, for even as we cried out “ΑΞΙΟΣ” in the sanctuary of the Cathedral, the office that you now hold will strengthen you, through the countless Hiero-Martyrs and Saints who have held the Episcopal rank and title, and their holy intercessions.

But now, dear Metropolitan, is not the time to continue our thoughts. We have spoken in the Sanctuary a message of gravity and piety.

Rather, with the agreement of our holy Elder Brother the Metropolitan of Rhodes who has a few words to share, we await your message to this gathering, a greeting to this assembly of love and respect, who rejoice in this day that the Lord has made.

May the Lord bless you and keep you always!

Photos: GOARCH/Tom Galanis