REMARKS
By His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
At the Doxology on the Occasion of the Visit to
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
By His Beatitude Theodoros II
Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa
Archdiocesan Chapel of Saint Paul
New York, New York
October 6, 2022
* * *
Your Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa,
Venerable Hierarchs of His Beatitude’s Esteemed Delegation,
Honorable Representatives of the Governments of Greece and Cyprus,
Esteemed Leaders of our Greek Orthodox Institutions and Leaders of the Omogeneia,
Reverend Clergy,
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Your Beatitude – we all welcome You with much enthusiasm and great joy to the Sacred Archdiocese of America, and we give glory to God for Your extraordinary ministry on the Continent of Africa.
This Apostolic Visit to the United States – a first for the See of the Holy Evangelist Mark – is a tremendous honor for our Eparchy of the Mother Church of Constantinople, as well as for the beloved Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
We pray that Your Beatitude’s stay in the United States will be a rewarding one, filled with purpose and spiritual satisfaction. All of us here at the Archdiocese and throughout the Omogeneia are at Your disposal to make this First Apostolic Visit – which coincides with Your Beatitude’s Anniversary of Election – as meaningful as possible.
Your Beatitude, as the Eparchy of the Ecumenical Throne for the United States, please allow me to express to You our deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for Your valiant support of the canonical traditions of our Holy Orthodox Church.
We, the children of the Mother Church of Constantinople, behold in Your person a son of the Holy Church of Crete – a son who has given a lifetime to the service of the most Venerable Patriarchate of Alexandria, including eighteen years as the Successor to the See of Saint Mark.
We are most enthused for this Apostolic Visit and for the many opportunities to hear from Your Beatitude. We welcome You with open arms and open hearts. With the utmost respect and deepest reverence. And with joyous anticipation of receiving Your Apostolic Blessing.
Ὡς εὖ παρέστητε, Μακαριώτατε!
Photo: GOARCH/Dimitrios S.Panagos
