http://www.annunciationcathedral.org/

Or, you can click on the following link to go directly to the "Donate" PayPal page:

https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=L5LRXU8CDMKJW&source=url

Live streaming of the Annunciation Cathedral services begin at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday.  

Please go directly to our website: http://www.annunciationcathedral.org and click the link: Annunciation Cathedral Services.

Magda Tsaganis, 1 year - May her memory be eternal

Please join us downstairs for fellowship immediately following the Divine Liturgy.

Sermon will now take place immediately after the Gospel reading.

Please be aware of this order when Holy Communion is offered:

1.    Altar boys, Presvytera, chanters

2.    Children + Sunday school students

3.    Choir members

4.    Parishioners who need assistance

5.    Ushers will then release everyone else, pew by pew

Our classes are in full swing and it has been a joy to see the enthusiasm of our students.  

Upcoming Regular Class Dates:  Oct. 4, 11, 18 (immediately after Communion)

October 25 is Pumpkin Decorating!   Save the date. Immediately after communion students will report to their Sunday School rooms to meet their teachers.  Students will decorate pumpkins and create a beautiful Fall decoration. All supplies will be provided.  

Visiting students are welcome to drop-in while visiting our Cathedral.

New students always welcome to register.  New families please email Soula Serra [email protected] to receive a registration form.  

HOLY TRINITY MONASTERY VISIT ON SEPTEMBER 26
Thank you to Will Lianos for arranging and organizing the trip to the monastery.  The visit was truly a peaceful and spiritual experience for all.  Our visit included attending prayer services in the chapel, coffee and snacks, a personal tour of the beautiful grounds by Father Joseph, and a delicious luncheon with the monks.  This was our second group trip and hope to make it an annual event.

If you like what you hear upstairs in the choir loft – come join us!  All are welcome to sing.  It’s a great way to actively participate in the Liturgy, and you do not have to read Greek to sing.  We practice approximately once per month.  Come sing with us!  Any questions can be directed to your nearest choir member or Kim Lianos at kim.lianos04@gmail.com.   

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O most High:  to show forth Your lovingkindness in the morning, and Your faithfulness every night.”  Psalm 92:1-2

Annual Veterans’ Day Salad Bar - Save the date and plan to come hungry on Sunday, November 15.  Additional information will be provided closer to the event date.

Keep an eye out for the Annual Christmas Giving Tree in the Exo-narthex starting on November 1st.  We will once again be collecting winter coats, boots, hats and gloves for a Detroit public pre-school class.  Sizes and gender will be provided on the tree tags.  

"Sharing food with the less fortunate" - The Food pantry is being maintained on an on-going basis.  Non-perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, cereal, crackers, paper products, laundry and bathroom products are welcome.  If you know of someone in need, please reach out to one of the Philoptochos members.

Memorial Coffee Hour Fees: Parishioners of the Annunciation $150.00, Non-parishioners $200.00. This includes 2 tables of 8 completely set with 8 plates of food, utensils, and beverages (coffee and water). Additional tables of 8 are $25.00 each.

The Cathedral’s annual Cash Raffle is scheduled for Thursday, October 15, 2026. The drawing will be held at 8:00 p.m. in 707 East. Everyone is urged to purchase their raffle ticket and join in the excitement of attending the reverse raffle drawing with a separate purchase of a dinner and drinks ticket. The raffle ticket price remains at $100.00 with a grand prize of $4,000.00. The open bar and buffet dinner ticket also remains at the same price as 2025 of $70.00.

Most Parish Council members have both raffle and dinner tickets for you to purchase. Additionally, you may call the Church office to purchase a ticket or if you have any questions. Remember, this is the Cathedral’s only annual fund-raiser and your support is greatly appreciated.

Please see flyer in our "Bulletin Inserts" section.

Focus Detroit 4th Annual Gala on Saturday, October 17th, 2026 at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, St. Clair Shores.

For more information please visit: focusdetroit.org/gala or see flyer in our "Bulletin Inserts" section.

SUNDAY OCTOBER 18, 2026

We will introduce the icons of St. Cristina that was donated in memory of Christine (Tina) Tapazoglou and St. Nicholas that was donated for the physical and spiritual health of all the parishioners and every Christian. Our ordained Orthodox Lector (Reader), Nicolaos Tapazoglou, will be speaking on our Faith. Prayers will be offered for the repose of Tina's soul. Coffee and light edibles will be offered. Please mark your calendars.

The Detroit Cretan Chapter "Pseloretes" will be having their annual Artoklasia, Memorial and Coffee hour on Sunday, October 25, 2026 at the Annunciation Cathedral.

FEED THE HUNGRY at Saints Peter & Paul will take place the weekend of November 7th and 8th. Food will be prepped at our church on Saturday the 7th and served on Sunday, the 8th. See Kim or Will Lianos if you are interested in volunteering your services either or both of those days.

On the Sundays that the Lions are playing a 1:00 PM home game, parishioners are kindly asked to leave the parking lot immediately after church. There will be no coffee hour.  If you leave your car in the lot for any reason, you will be required to pay for parking at the posted rates.   The church leases the parking lot to Park-Rite.  This is our single largest source of income.  On non-game days, you can stay parked in the lot until 2:00 pm.  Lions Game Schedule: September 27.  November 1, 22. December 13.

As stewards of God’s gifts, we build up the body of Christ not with bricks and mortar but with the faithful sharing of our time, talents and treasures. Stewardship is an expression of faith that strengthens the foundation of our church and enables its ministries to grow and flourish.

We are grateful to each of you listed below for your generosity and your continued support of the Annunciation Cathedral.

If you have not yet made your Stewardship commitment, we invite you to submit your Stewardship offering by mail or in person using the 2026 stewardship form which are available on the church website as well as in the church Narthex. 

Nicholas & Megan Ahee
Shofique & Maria Ali
Tony & Jean Atsalakis
Gregory & Marilyn Balog
Chris & Vicky Boloven
Jim & Angie Boloven 
Evangeline Bournias
Dr. James G. Contos
John & Susan Cook
Pauline Cook
Elpis C. Cotzias
Michael Fafalios
George & Anna Gaggos
Harry & Irene Gaggos
Mary Gaggos
Mary K. Gaggos
Olivia & Ian Gappy
Nicholas & Angela Gogonis
Nicholas & Eleni Goutis
Harry & Christine Harris
James & Beverly Karagon
Bill & Becky Lianos 
Ethel Lianos
Will & Kim Lianos
Mary A. Markus
Irene Naida
Tony & Julie Panson
Carey Papalekas
Pano & Helen Papalekas
Nia & Dimitris Paskaris
Marika Pehlivanidis
Christopher Peresky
Dean Politis
Elias Politis
Roseanne & Christopher Pontisakos
Peter Rageas
Soula & Paul Serra
Nick Siringas
Jamie Spriet
Thomas Stathopoulos
Catherine Szuba
Nicolaos Tapazoglou
George & Dimitra Theodorou
Constandinos & Christina Tsagaratos
Anastassios Tsantis
Panagiotis Tsantis 
Michael & Deborah Tyler
Gregory & Christina (Monolidis) Viscomi
Kasiani Zikos

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate are sponsoring a Greening the Parish Initiative.  The goals are to create greater awareness of the leadership of His All Holiness Patriarch Bartholemew on issues of the environment and creation.  We are looking to inspire engagement and working-together within our parish communities.  Together, we can create an attitude and culture of caring for creation within the entire Greek Orthodox community. 

Today's message is: 

Choose quality over quantity. Buying fewer, better-made items — especially clothing, shoes, and household goods — means less frequent replacement, less waste, and lower overall resource use.

Do you shop at Kroger?  If so, chances are you have a frequent shopper card or the Kroger app on your phone.  Did you know that Kroger will donate a percentage of your purchases (every time you shop) to our beloved Cathedral?

Go to your Kroger rewards account online from the Kroger.com website.  Click and follow the online instructions as follows:  

Go to kroger.com or krogercommunityrewards.com.

Find the “Community Rewards" section on the left side of your account landing page. Select “Annunciation Cathedral," and your done.  It literally takes one minute. 

Please share this simple and easy way to contribute to our church with family and friends.  The more people that participate the greater the percentage Kroger will donate.

The parish council has decided it is important to establish a cathedral security and safety committee, especially with the recent tragedy that occurred at a church in Grand Blanc in September. Anyone who is interested (especially those who have any security or police experience or medical training) please contact Jim Boloven at 734-777-5541.

All articles to be included in the Sunday Bulletin must be submitted by 12pm on Thursdays.
Please call the Church office at 313-965-2988 or email: [email protected].

Holy Relics of St. Theoktisti and St. Kirykos, Patron Saints of Ikaria -The Holy Relics of St. Theoktisti and St. Kirykos, along with the Holy Relics of St. Gregory the Gravanos and St. Sisoes the spiritual father(ο πνευματικός) have arrived at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral of Detroit. 

The inauguration of the Holy Relics will take place on November 8, 2026 with a procession during the Divine Liturgy and the presence of all the members of the Pan-Icarian Brotherhood and all the faithful.  For more information, please contact Mr. Nick Tsalis at 734-776-1027, president of The Pan-Icarian Brotherhood, Chapter 9 “Spanos/Areti” of Detroit.

Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia – The Pan-Thessalian Union of Metro Detroit  -  The  Kostandinos  Ropotos family, owners of “WaterMark Bar and Grille” and “The Whiskey Six”, will be donating on behalf of the Pan-Thessalian Union of Metro Detroit, an Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia: St. Seraphim, Patron Saint of Karditsa, St. Vissarion, Patron Saint of Trikala, St. Achillios, Patron Saint of Larissa, St. Riginos, Patron Saint of Skopelos, St. Nicholas, Patron Saint of Volos.

We will be receiving the Icon and Icon Stand in 2026 and will celebrate the Patron Saints of Thessalia, every year on December 4, starting in the Ecclesiastical year 2026, the Feastday of St. Seraphim, Patron Saint of Karditsa, in order to honor the donors, the Ropotos family, who are from Karditsa.

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios - Francesco Adamopoulos family, owner of the “The Jagged Fork”, will be donating an Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios, which will be placed under the iconography of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios on the right-hand side of the Solea. We will be celebrating the Feastday of St. Paisos and St. Porphyrios every year on December 2^nd,  starting in the Ecclesiastical year 2026.  

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Christina

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Nicholas

Gold plated Candlestick of St. Panteleimon

Gold plated Candlestick of Panagia Tsambika

Gold plated Candlestick of St. Demetrios

Icon and Icon Stand of the Patron Saints of Thessalia

Icon Stand of Panagia Soumela Patron Saint of Pontus

Icon and Icon Stand of St. Paisios and St. Porphyrios

Reliquary Vessel for the Holy Relics of the Patron Saints of Ikaria

Our parking lot management company, Park Rite, has installed gates at the three entrances to our parking lot (Monroe Street, I-375 service drive, and Lafayette Street). The gates will be open for Sunday services. For any church visits during the week, please use the Monroe Street entrance. When the parking lot attendant comes to the gate, please let him know you are there for a church visit, and he will raise the gate for you. You will NOT be charged any fee for parking in the lot for any church related visit. Also, the Lafayette gate will be open for any church sacrament event (weddings, funerals, etc.). Please note in the unlikely scenario that you pay for parking during a personal church visit, please advise the church office and your credit card charge will be reversed.

The 12 Holy Relics are on display in the reliquary of the Annunciation Cathedral of Detroit for embracement and veneration for whomever wishes to do so.  The Holy relics have been safe guarded in the sanctuary of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral for over one hundred years, and it is now the time for them to be venerated and presented to all the faithful Christians.

Any individual wishing to schedule an appointment for Confession with Fr. Georgios Manias may do so by contacting Father at 313-588-0829.

Please call Fr. Georgios Manias or the Church Office to schedule and confirm in advance, Sacraments and special Liturgical services, such as Memorials and Trisagion in order to honor your beloved ones. 

Meetings with Father Georgios Manias are by appointment only. Please schedule meetings through the church office or by contacting Father at 313-588-0829.  Thank you! 

For all your catering needs, call Ernie's direct at 586-286-8435.

Please tell your neighbors and friends of our beautiful event venue.

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America joyfully announces that today, Thursday, October 1, 2026, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos as Metropolitan of the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey. 

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America received the news of the election with profound joy and thanksgiving to Almighty God, joining the clergy and faithful of the Sacred Archdiocese and the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey in proclaiming “ΑΞΙΟΣ!” to His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras. 

Reflecting upon the election, Archbishop Elpidophoros stated:

“With profound joy and thanksgiving to God, I congratulate my beloved brother, His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey, upon his election by the Holy and Sacred Synod of our Ecumenical Patriarchate. For many years, I have had the blessing of witnessing firsthand his devotion to Christ and His Church, his fidelity to the Mother Church of Constantinople, and the extraordinary care with which he has undertaken every ministry entrusted to him. 

Today, his many years of faithful service open into a new chapter of his episcopal ministry. The Holy Metropolis of New Jersey receives a shepherd who knows and loves our Church, who has served Her faithfully, and who understands that the episcopacy is above all a ministry of sacrifice, presence, and love. I rejoice not only as Archbishop of America, but as his brother and concelebrant, and I assure him of my wholehearted love and support as he begins this sacred responsibility. We wish him many years and exclaim ΑΞΙΟΣ!” 

The Enthronement of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Cathedral of Saint John the Theologian in Tenafly, New Jersey at 11:00 am. On the following day, Sunday, November 8, His Eminence will celebrate his first Divine Liturgy at the Cathedral as Metropolitan of New Jersey. 

The clergy and faithful of the our Sacred Archdiocese offer their heartfelt congratulations and fervent prayers for His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras as he begins his archpastoral ministry in the Holy Metropolis of New Jersey, praying that our Lord Jesus Christ grant him strength, wisdom, and many years of fruitful service to His Holy Church. 

Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey 

His Eminence Metropolitan Athenagoras of New Jersey was born Christos Ziliaskopoulos in 1970 in Reutlingen, Germany, and was raised in both Germany and Greece. During his young adulthood, he spent several formative years in the monastic life on Mount Athos, an experience that profoundly shaped his vocation and lifelong devotion to Christ and His Church. 

He was ordained to the Holy Diaconate in 1997 and to the Holy Priesthood in 1998 by His Eminence Metropolitan Augoustinos of Germany. In 1999, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew elevated him to the rank of Archimandrite of the Ecumenical Throne. 

For more than twenty years, His Eminence served the Church in Germany in extensive parish, pastoral, and administrative ministry, including as Hierarchical Vicar of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Germany for the states of Hessen and Rhineland-Palatinate. He also represented the Ecumenical Patriarchate in ecumenical theological dialogues and was active in Christian and interfaith initiatives. Among his pastoral accomplishments were the establishment of the first Orthodox chapel at Frankfurt International Airport, a 24-hour Orthodox crisis hotline, and the first Greek Orthodox youth camp in Germany. He also oversaw significant parish building and restoration projects. 

In 2017, he relocated to Toronto, Canada, at the invitation of His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios of Canada, where he served as Dean of the Patriarchal Toronto Orthodox Theological Academy and as Office Director of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Canada. 

In 2019, His Eminence came to the United States to offer his ministry to the Sacred Archdiocese of America and Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, where he initially served as Chaplain. In 2021, he was appointed Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod and Spiritual Advisor of the National Philoptochos Society and was subsequently entrusted with the direction of the Archdiocesan Department of Religious Education. 

> Metropolitan-elect Athenagoras appointed as spiritual advisor of Philoptochos

On May 19, 2021, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elected him Bishop of Nazianzos. He was ordained to the Holy Episcopacy on June 5, 2021, at Holy Cross Chapel in Brookline, Massachusetts, with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presiding. In the years that followed, he continued his extensive service to the Sacred Archdiocese while also serving as Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Hellenic Orthodox Community of Astoria.  

> Previously: Archbishop Elpidophoros address at the 2021 ordination of Bishop-elect Athenagoras of Nazianzos

Metropolitan Athenagoras has an extensive academic background. He holds degrees in German Language and Orthodox Theology, including a Master of Theology and a Doctorate in Orthodox Theology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His studies have also included pedagogy, German literature, Roman Catholic and Protestant theology, Judaism, Islamic studies, and comparative religion. His scholarly and ecclesiastical work has been particularly engaged with Orthodox theology, religious education, ecumenical dialogue, and interfaith relations. 

The post Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos elected Metropolitan of New Jersey appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

NEW YORK, September 27, 2026 — The National Greek Folk Dance and Cultural Ministry of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the University of Ioannina have announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) establishing a framework for academic, cultural, and educational cooperation focused on the preservation, teaching, and resource development of Greek traditional dance and cultural heritage.

Approved by the Holy Eparchial Synod in October 2025 and inspired by the vision of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the new ministry is an initiative dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Hellenic culture as a vital expression of the Orthodox faith.

The partnership is designed to connect academic research and expertise with the lived cultural experience of Greek diaspora communities in the United States in order to strengthen the transmission of Greek heritage to future generations.

Under the MOU, the institutions will explore collaboration in areas including Greek traditional dance, dance anthropology, folklore, cultural identity and heritage, education, and artistic expression. Planned areas of cooperation include educational programs and workshops, curriculum and resource development, scholarly research and publication, student and faculty exchanges, professional development for dance educators, and opportunities for students and researchers to pursue projects addressing cultural sustainability and the transmission of Greek dance traditions.

“This collaboration represents an important bridge between scholarship and community,” said George C. Demos of the ministry’s National Advisory Board. “By bringing together the academic resources of the University of Ioannina, the faith through culture mission of the new ministry, and the national reach of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, we can create new opportunities to preserve, understand, teach, and celebrate the traditions that connect generations of Hellenes and philhellenes.”

The partnership received an early public celebration at Kefi @ Mile High, a cultural weekend presented by the Hellenic Dance Academy of Denver, on September 25-26, 2026. The Denver gathering brought together members of the Greek-American community for workshops, discussion, and a glendi with folk musicians from the U.S. and Greece. The event featured the participation of ministry leadership along with Dr. Christos Papakostas, Professor in the Department of Primary Education and Director of the Laboratory of Language, Folklore and Culture at the University of Ioannina, who signed the MOU on behalf of the University.

The National Greek Folk Dance and Cultural Ministry mission is to promote, preserve, educate, and celebrate Hellenic dance, music, song, and cultural traditions to teach and spread the Orthodox Christian Faith, and to foster a dynamic community in which cultural heritage serves as a living witness to the beauty of the Orthodox faith, engaging current and future generations. Follow the Ministry on Instagram. For more information about Kefi @ Mile High, visit www.kefiatmilehigh.com.

The post National Greek Folk Dance and Cultural Ministry and University of Ioannina announce new partnership appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

28 catechumens were received into the Orthodox Church this past Sunday through Holy Baptism and Chrismation at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in Flushing, New York. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the service, which marked a milestone in Orthodox Christian outreach across the Western Hemisphere.

The baptisms were the culmination of missionary work led by Fr. Samuel Davis and Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah, directors of the Apostolic Mission to the African Diaspora in the Americas, West Indies, and Caribbean. Their ministry has focused on bringing the Orthodox faith to diverse communities, particularly members of the African Diaspora across the Americas, the West Indies, and the Caribbean, as well as African immigrants.

> Read: His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s full homily 

Through pastoral care, catechetical instruction, and community outreach, Fr. Samuel and Archimandrite Chrysostom have built missionary networks that welcome seekers from a range of backgrounds. The 28 newly illumined, children and adults, are the result of that work.

At the start of the service, the two priests led the catechumens into the narthex, where they professed their allegiance to Christ. Archbishop Elpidophoros then invoked the Holy Spirit upon the baptismal waters, anointed the water with oil, and immersed each catechumen three times. He then sealed each with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Chrismation, and the newly baptized received their first Holy Communion. Clothed in white robes and bearing candles, they were welcomed into full communion with the Church.

> Watch the Archbishop’s entire homily.

In his address, the Archbishop said the day reflected the essential apostolic mission of the Church: to go forth and make disciples of all nations.

“Before our very eyes, so many beloved souls have been united to Christ and incorporated into His Holy Body, the Church. Through the waters of Holy Baptism and the seal and the Gift of the Holy Spirit—Holy Chrismation, you have been born anew. You have put on Christ. You have entered into the Communion of the Saints,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.

“And now I say to you: This is your Church. This is your family. This is your home,” His Eminence said.

The service at St. Nicholas, a parish known for its cultural breadth and deep community roots, celebrates a part of a broader trend of converts to Orthodoxy in America. The mission reaches communities throughout North America, the West Indies, and the Caribbean basin, and it brings people of diverse ethnic backgrounds into one Eucharistic assembly at St. Nicholas.

The post 28 catechumens received into the Orthodox Church by Archbishop Elpidophoros at St. Nicholas Shrine Church in Flushing appeared first on Orthodox Observer.

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine honored Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at its second annual Beacon of Hope Award Dinner on Sept. 26.

The invaders of Ukraine, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America said in his address, more than anything else, “cannot stand free people, cannot stand free ideas,” and “cannot stand free societies.”

“This fight, this war, this invasion, is not about expanding territories. No, it’s not about soil. It’s about ideas. Because the invaders cannot stand free people, cannot stand free ideas, cannot stand free societies,” His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros said.

In His Eminence’s remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros recognized that the fight of the Ukrainian people is the fight for free civilizations, for human dignity, democracy, and against autocracy.

“In the face of terror from the skies and on the ground, the noble Ukrainian people have shown the world a bravery and a determination worthy of the greatest of kingdoms of this world,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.

“Tonight we pray in Ukrainian”

Opening the ceremony, the Ukrainian national anthem was sung, and the Lord’s Prayer was also led in Ukrainian by His Eminence Archbishop Daniel of Pamphilon of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA. Opening remarks were made by Michael G. Psaros, Vice Chairman of the Shrine, who cited Zelenskyy and the Ukrainian people’s heroic defense of the free civilizations as a cause for the award.

“President Zelensky’s tenacious and unconquerable commitment to his country, to his people, and to freedom reflect the spirit of St. Nicholas itself — a place where faith, resilience, and the eternal light of hope stand as a witness to the world,” Psaros said.

The Beacon of Hope Award honors individuals whose lives and leadership reflect courage, resilience and moral clarity in the face of adversity. It is presented to first responders, community leaders and humanitarians. The Shrine’s Board said Zelenskyy has shown those qualities throughout a presidency defined by Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In announcing the award earlier this year, the Shrine’s Board of Trustees cited Zelenskyy’s leadership “in defense of freedom and human dignity” and his reported words at the outset of the full-scale invasion, “I need ammunition, not a ride.” Pointing to the 250th anniversary of the United States and the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Board said it was especially fitting to honor a leader who embodies hope rising from darkness.

The award also described Zelenskyy’s “unwavering commitment to his people and to the principles of freedom” as reflecting “the spirit of the National Shrine itself—a place where faith, resilience, and the light of hope stand as a witness to the world.”

> Read also: Archbishop Elpidophoros, Ecumenical Patriarch meet with Ukrainian President

Ukrainian envoy advocates for ambition, tired of ‘resilience’

Among the evening’s speakers was Olga Rudnieva, co-founder of Superhumans War Trauma Center, which provides prosthetics and reconstructive surgery to people wounded in the war. Rudnieva was born in a part of eastern Ukraine now under Russian occupation. She told guests she returned to Ukraine after the full-scale invasion began and started building the center in 2022, when “everybody told us that we are absolutely crazy to build a hospital during the wartime.” Superhumans now operates three centers, with 650 staff across Odesa, Dnipro and Kyiv.

“The world says that we are resilient, and you know, I’m tired of being resilient,” Rudnieva said. “I want to be called ambitious, because we are an ambitious country. We don’t want just to survive; we want to build a better country.”

Zelenskyy had been expected to accept the award in person, but the demands of the war kept him away. Andrii Melnyk, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations, accepted it on his behalf at short notice. Melnyk told guests that the situation in Ukraine “has never been as dangerous as it is today” and that the award should serve as “a wake-up call to our American friends.” He, too, took issue with the language often used to describe his country.

Melnyk, who grew up in the Soviet Union, framed his appeal around the United States’ own image of itself. “Let me ask you, good people: what happened to the America that we once knew, admired, and looked up to?” he said. “For us, this America has always been a Beacon of Hope. And I can tell you, being here today, speaking with you, I have a feeling that this America is still there.”

The Ukrainian ambassador said he would bring the award home “as a Beacon of Hope that the United States and the great American people will stand by Ukraine and will leave no stone unturned to stop the war.”

“I am frankly sick and tired of hearing how resilient Ukrainians are,” Melnyk said. “Ukraine’s perseverance should never become an alibi for our partners not to go all in, not to pull out all the stops.”

Zelenskyy addressed the ceremony in a video message. “Hope does not grow by itself,” he said. “Even in the darkest times, it needs something like sunlight that helps a harvest grow. For us, that light is knowing that so many people are with us, that people like you are with Ukraine.”

With Ukraine preparing for another winter of Russian attacks on its energy system, Zelenskyy urged faster implementation of Ukraine’s agreements with the United States, including on the production and supply of Patriot air defense systems. “This really matters,” he said. “Please, speak about these wherever it can make a difference.”

> Previously: First responders honored at inaugural Beacon of Hope

The inaugural dinner, held last year in the presence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, honored NYPD, FDNY and PAPD first responders for their service on September 11.

The post Russian invaders ‘cannot stand free people,’ Archbishop Elpidophoros says as Ukrainians receive Beacon of Hope Award appeared first on Orthodox Observer.