His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros 

Opening Remarks Philoptochos Virtual National Board Meeting

June 20, 2020

New York, New York

 

Your Grace Bishop Apostolos of Medeia,

President Maria Logus,

Beloved Sisters in Christ,

As we all come to terms with this new way of meeting, I want to thank each and every one of you for the exemplary service that Philoptochos is providing on a national level, as well as the continuing service of all the chapters on a local level.

Your response in the midst of this pandemic has been worthy of your foremothers in the faith and the ever-memorable Patriarch Athenagoras, under whose archiepiscopal omophorion your ministry of love and service was founded.

You all know that our parishes and institutions are facing many challenges as we strive to reopen during this time when we see a resurgence of the coronavirus in some areas of our country. If nothing else, this reminds us that caution and prudence are the only way forward, as we try to return to a degree of the normality we knew before the pandemic.

I also want to thank you for your philanthropic efforts to assist those whose lives have been so adversely affected in a time of insecurity and anxiety.  Like the COVID-19 Emergency Fund, your generous gifts have ensured that families whose lives have been severely and suddenly impacted by this pandemic are able to hold together. It truly is a beautiful thing when our philanthropic actions can imitate the gracious deeds of the Φιλάνθρωπος Θεός, whose mercy endures forever.

With these few words, then, I commend all of you and I look forward to our meeting and dialogue today, as we endeavor to serve our God and our fellow human beings in the way of love, peace, and generosity.

Thank you and may God bless us all.