Again and most fervently, the Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, under the presidency of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, write to you with urgency, determination, and great faith; for we have heard your cries of anguish and pain over the seizure of the Great Church of Holy Wisdom, our Ἁγία Σοφία.
As Brothers in Christ, and the leaders of our respective communities here in New York, we lament and decry the decision of the Turkish government to change the status quo of the world renown Hagia Sophia, and re-convert this monument of human and divine achievement into a mosque.
For 50 years Ionian Village has served the youth and young adults of the Archdiocese. Since 1970, over 18,000 participants (Campers, Staff, Medical Staff, and Clergy) have passed through the gates of Ionian Village, leaving forever transformed. The Office of Ionian Village is working to cultivate enthusiastic support from the thousands of alumni from across the country and worldwide in the form of a robust IV Alumni Network.
In the wake of COVID-19 social distancing measures, The Saint Nicholas Family Camp offered at the Ukrainian Orthodox All Saints Camp in Emlenton, PA provided an online option this year. The program seeks to create a church camp experience for families who have children with all varieties of special needs.
This weekend, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros was interviewed by the BBC’s Julian Marshall concerning the conversation of Hagia Sophia into a mosque. Below is a transcript of the interview.
The Muslim President Erdogan struck a terrible blow to our beloved Ecumenical Patriarchate, to World Orthodoxy and Christianity in general by converting Agia Sophia into a functioning mosque. I am personally deeply saddened by the Turkish government’s decision.
The Order of Saint Andrew, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, notes with great sorrow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s signing of a decree that converts Hagia Sophia, the foremost Christian Cathedral in the entire world for nearly a millennium, into a mosque.
Translation of the Holy Relics of Righteous Seraphim of Sarov
The uncovering of the holy relics of Saint Seraphim of Sarov on July 19, 1903 was attended by many thousands, among them the foremost of the clergy and royalty; the holy Tsar Nicholas II (see July 4) was one of the bearers of the relics in procession, and the Grand Duchess Elizabeth (see July 5) wrote an eyewitness account of the many miracles that took place. Not only had the Saint foretold the coming of the Tsar to his glorification, and that from joy they would chant "Christ is Risen" in summer, but he had also left a letter "for the fourth sovereign, who will come to Sarov." This was Nicholas II, who was given the letter when he came in 1903; the contents of the letter are not known, but when he had read it, the Tsar and future Martyr, though not a man to show his emotions, was visibly shaken. For the life of Saint Seraphim, see January 2.
