Archbishop Elpidophoros Visits Ukrainian Refugees at the Ark

Chios--“Unfortunately, on earth, calamities never end,” lamented Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, referring to the seemingly endless global war and unrest that afflicts humanity—and particularly young children—during a visit to the “Ark of the World,” an international children’s relief charity in Chios on Tuesday.

“We had the war in Syria with the suffering and the uprooting of children from their homeland, and now we have the war in Ukraine,” His Eminence consoled residents of the housing facilities in the Aipos area of Chios. Among those with whom he spoke were refugee children and mothers from Ukraine who fled their country in the wake of war.

The Archbishop described the ongoing military conflict between Ukraine and Russia as “a fratricidal war, unjust, like Cain murdering his brother Abel again. In this war of Ukraine, there is plenty of blood spilled between brothers, between neighbors.”

In expressing his pastoral support, the Archbishop explained that “ the Ukrainian people neither asked for nor want war—but they defend the values of democracy, dignity, and their Orthodox faith. That is why they have the support of the whole free and democratic world that shares the same values, “ adding, “your struggle is a struggle for freedom against authoritarianism, against violence, and for peace,” he added. “For the same freedom Europe has paid a heavy price in the past, and no one has the right to abolish it.”

During his visit, Archbishop Elpidophoros, who was accompanied by a group of Greek-Americans of Chiote ancestry, were treated to presentation prepared by the children of the Ark, including those who came from Ukraine, inspired by both Ukrainian and Greek cultural traditions.

When asked about the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese America’s continuing Ukrainian relief initiatives, His Eminence assured that, “the American Church and the Greek community will continue to be by your side, and we will support you however we can.”