Address by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America

At the Ordination to the Diaconate of John Nixon

Saint John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church

Las Vegas, Nevada

July 30, 2023

 

My dear brothers in Christ, Metropolitan Gerasimos and Bishop Ioannis,

Dear Father John, Clergy, and Faithful,

And, most importantly, beloved Sub-Deacon John,

I rejoice in the multiple invocations of the name of “John” today, for its meaning is “God is gracious,” and we are certainly abounding in His ineffable grace this morning.

Sub-Deacon John, you stand in the presence of your hierarchs, your beloved wife Ellyn, your fellow parishioners, and your classmate from Holy Cross and friend, Protopresbyter John Hondros, to fulfill a lifelong aspiration.

Today, you enter into the ranks of the clergy – those who share in the High Priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ – as you are ordained into the Sacred Order of Deacons. The trajectory of your life has always been pointed to this moment, but I can only imagine how filled with emotion your heart is today, as you take these final steps.

There are many who have helped you along this path, but the “Way,” as the Apostles called it,* has been paved for your by our Lord Jesus Christ. For every helping hand that has guided you to stand before this Holy Altar, it is the invisible Hand of Grace that has been your ultimate inspiration, and which will keep you on the narrow Way that leads unto eternal life. †

This “Way,” as Saint Isaac of Syria says, is the way of the Cross, which:

“has been trodden from the ages and from all generations by the cross and by death. … The path of God is a daily cross.” ‡

You have chosen this path, my dear Sub-Deacon John, but you must understand this: like Simon of Cyrene, who was conscripted by the very Romans who crucified the Lord of Glory to carry His Cross, you will find that the same Lord of Glory will help you carry yours. § May you always be deemed worthy to carry the Cross of our Savior.

This is the ministry of the Deacon, revealed by its very name, Διάκονος, which is – both in name and reality – the essence of service to others. You help others carry their crosses, and as you carry your own as well, the grace of God fills your life with strength, with courage, and with wisdom. Thus, my beloved Sub-Deacon, you come to know the deepest meaning of your own name – as you are aware of God’s awakening grace in your life.

May you be transformed by the love that flows from this Cross.

May you always be worthy to be a new Simon of Cyrene.

May your diakonia always be well pleasing to our Lord and God.

The Lord will remember your Diaconate in His Kingdom, because He is the One Who ultimately transfigures your life and ministry by His grace and love for humankind.

Therefore, may you be changed deep in your heart, mind and soul, and know the truth of what the Psalmist says:

“Αὔτη ἡ ἀλλοίωσις τῆς δεξιᾶς τοῦ Ὑψίστου.”

“This change has been wrought by the right hand of the Most High.”**

So now, enter into the Holy of Holies.

Present yourself to the Living God as an oblation of service and love.

And may the Lord who was Crucified and Arose from the dead always keep you and your ministry in generosity of heart, in purity of spirit, and in love for all that you are called to serve.

Amen!

* Acts 9:2, 22:4.

† Cf. Matthew 7:14.

‡ Homily 59.

§ Cf. Matthew 27:32

** Psalm 76:10, LXX.