Preface to "For the Life of the World" - Social Ethos Document

The task of producing a single statement of the social doctrine of the Orthodox Church is of its nature a complicated, not to say contentious, undertaking. The Orthodox Church operates within a vast variety of cultural and historical contexts, each with its own social and political concerns and traditions. The Church regards its social teaching as nothing other than a faithful transcription of the moral teachings of the gospel into the language of public ethics and policy, and insists that every Orthodox Christian is called to live in the world as a faithful disciple of Christ, called to fellowship with the whole communion of saints. More »

Armenian Commemoration

Methodios of Boston hosted “An Ecumenical Commemoration of the Holy Saints and Martyrs of the Armenian Genocide. Remembrance, Witness and Resurrection” at Annunciation Cathedral of New England on April, 22. More »

Archdiocese Takes Active Role in International Women’s Commission

NEW YORK – According to the Rev. Dr. Nathanael Symeonides, Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations director, the Archdiocese was greatly involved in the 61st United Nations Commission on the Status of Women held in March, continuing its decades-long work in promoting women’s rights. More »

Metropolis of Chicago Co–Produces Documentary on Syrian Genocide

CHICAGO – The Metropolis of Chicago, working with the Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, has created a documentary on the ongoing genocide of the Christian minority population of the Middle East, focusing on the Alkhoury family of Chicago. More »

Communiqué: Forum on Modern Slavery Held at the Phanar

ISTANBUL – Under the auspices of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, a Forum on Modern Slavery, co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Church of England, took place in Istanbul from Feb. 6–7. More »

Orthodoxy Helps Overcome Life’s Challenges

If we seem accepting of the events around us in this American culture, Orthodox Christians must address the false gods that beg our attention and our action, our works. More »

Encyclical of Archbishop Demetrios for the Commemoration of the Asia Minor Catastrophe (09/18/2016)

In recognition of this and many related tragic events of that era, I ask the parishes of our Holy Archdiocese to have special observances and memorial services on Sunday, September 18. Together, let us remember our forbearers who perished and commemorate the valor shown by those who survived. Let us honor the memory and sacrifice of those who suffered. As we are confronted by the crises in our contemporary world, let us find strength and guidance in our Orthodox faith, just as many did in those dark days, placing their hope for deliverance and salvation in Almighty God. More »

Archons to Honor N.Y. Gov. Cuomo

NEW YORK - The Order of St. Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate will present this year’s Athenagoras Human Rights Award to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the organization’s annual banquet Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Marriott Marquis hotel. More »

Convention Will Include a Presentation on Human Trafficking Victims

In January 2011, the National Philoptochos Society, upon the direction of the Executive Board, began a new philanthropic initiative focusing on raising awareness and helping to prevent human trafficking in the U.S. Given this information, the New Philanthropic Initiative Committee suggested that chapters across the country work to inform their communities about the worldwide crisis of Human Trafficking. More »

Archdiocese Sponsors UN Event on ISIL and Human Trafficking

NEW YORK – During the 60th UN Commission on the Status of Women, the Archdiocese, together with the World Coun- cil of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation, on March 21 co-sponsored an event titled, “Forced Migration, Human Trafficking, and Child Soldiers: How ISIL is Exploiting the Conflict in the Middle East.” More »

Metropolitan of Boston Reflects on the Refugee Issue

Daily, those of us who have access to Greek television broadcasts are horrified by the unspeakable human tragedy occurring in Greece. It is reported that over 100,000 refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other Muslim countries – ravaged by war and internal strife - have been forced to leave their homelands in search for a better life in Europe. More »

Roman Catholic, Orthodox Christians Affirm Sanctity of Life

WASHINGTON – Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians joined in prayer and public gathering on the 43rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, to express their long-standing belief that all life is sacred. More »

Niarchos Foundation Honors Archbishop Iakovos’ Civil Rights Efforts

NEW YORK – The Stavros Niarchos Foundation has contributed a grant of $2 million and Co-President Andreas Dracopoulos has given a $1 million donation to the National African American History and Culture Museum in Washington in honor of the civil and human rights work of Archbishop Iakovos, head of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North and South America from 1959-1996. More »

Proposals sought for Human Trafficking Project

St. Catherine’s Vision (SCV), an international, pan-Orthodox Christian, non-profit organization, is circulating an open “Call for Proposals” requesting help from qualified persons who wish to participate in a public service ministry or “diakonima” in “Divine Compassion and Human Trafficking.” More »

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Honors Late Archbishop Iakovos’ Pioneering Contribution to Civil Rights

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America announces with appreciation and joy the creation of a special Reflection Area, named after our late Archbishop Iakovos, in the newly built National African-American History and Culture Museum in Washington, DC. This is made possible by the significant contribution of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation for two million dollars and the personal contribution of Andreas Dracopoulos the SNF’s Co-President, for one million. These grants were made in honor of Archbishop Iakovos’ leadership and legacy in the area of civil and human rights. More »

Antiochian Church Lay Leader Describes Syria Crisis Reality

NEW YORK – Ridding the Middle East of Christians is the ultimate aim of Islamic terrorist and fundamentalist groups like ISIS and others. Such is the assessment of Samar Laham, a representative of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East, based in Damascus, Syria, who spoke on “Syria in Crisis” Sept. 29 at the Museum of the City of New York. More »

25 Years after ADA Passage, Progress Still Needed in Access for Disabled

July 26 marked the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act by Present George Herbert Bush. The ADA was a national mandate to break down discrimination barriers preventing the disabled from being employed when qualified, from accessing buildings and programs in their communities, from receiving information in formats they can understand, from using public transportation and, most importantly, from engaging fully in community life. More »

Archbishop Demetrios to Attend Funeral of South Carolina Slain Pastor

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, will travel to Charleston, S.C. tomorrow Friday Jun. 26, 2015, to attend the funeral of State Sen. Rev. Clementa Pinckney who was among the nine victims killed by a gunman last Wednesday inside the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. More »

Archbishop Condemns S.C. Church Shooting, Attends Pastor’s Funeral

CHARLESTON, S.C. – In the aftermath of the killing of nine persons by a gunman at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) on June 17, Archbishop Demetrios traveled to Charleston on Jun. 25 to attend the funeral of state Sen. Rev. Clementa Pinckney who was among the victims. More »

Houston Orthodox Clergy Issue Statement about City’s Gay Ordinance

We, the Orthodox clergy of Houston and Southeast Texas, are compelled by our responsibilities before God to speak out plainly against the rebellion against God’s created order that we see being waged on both the local and national level. More »

Remarks by New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes on the Resolution of the New York State Senate Recognizing March 2023 as Greek History Month

"On today, March 22nd, with great pride, I thank my colleagues for their indulgence and their support of Senator Gianaris’ resolution and I wish all Greeks and Phil- Hellenes everywhere a...

New York State Assembly and Senate Pass Resolutions Recognizing March 2023 as Greek History Month

The New York State Assembly and Senate passed resolutions recognizing March 2023 as Greek History Month in the state of New York. In honor of this historic recognition, His Eminence Archbishop...

Archiepiscopal Encyclical on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Theotokos and the Celebration of Greek Independence Day

This Day of Greek Independence — when throughout Greece, Cyprus and the Hellenic Diaspora, the people of God celebrate freedom and remember the cost thereof — let us train our minds...

Invocation, Remarks & Benediction by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the GOAA & AHEPA Luncheon

Invocation, Remarks & Benediction by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the GOAA & AHEPA Luncheon

Ecumenical Patriarch blesses Archons to move forward with International Religious Freedom Conference, May 2024

In a letter addressed to National Commander Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew has offered his Patriarchal...

Evzones to March in 2023 NYC Greek Independence Parade

His Eminence this week received confirmation that the Evzones will attend and march in the Parade in New York on April 30

Homily by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Divine Liturgy – Veneration of the Cross

What better place, in all of our Archdiocese, to observe the Sunday of the Veneration of the Holy Cross – than in this Sacred Space, this glorious Chapel of the Holy Cross?

Homily by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America At the Third Salutations to the Theotokos

This evening, gathered in this beautiful Sanctuary, we intone the Third Stanza of the Salutations to the Theotokos – the Akathist Hymn. Throughout this magnificent poem, there are more than...

Annual Bible Bowl Held at Holy Trinity, Hicksville

Long Island Parishes came together for the annual Bible Bowl at the Greek Orthodox Community of Holy Trinity in Hicksville, New York. With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of...

Pastoral Visit to Boca Raton Concludes with Meetings with the Faithful

On Saturday, March 18, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America continued his visit in Boca Raton, FL, meeting with the Executive Board of the Saint Mark Philoptochos for a breakfast. T