October 20
Gerasimus of Cephalonia
Saint Gerasimus was from the Peloponnesus, the son of Demetrius and Kale, of the family of Notaras. He was reared in piety by them and studied the Sacred writings. He left his country and went throughout various lands, and finally came to Cephalonia, where he restored a certain old church and built a convent around it, where it stands to this day at the place called Omala. He finished the course of his life there in asceticism in the year 1570. His sacred relics, which remain incorrupt, are kept there for the sanctification of the faithful.
Yearbook 2019
NEW YORK – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America is announcing a new ten-episode video series introducing the faithful to the new Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth. These new resources also include step-by-step checklists designed to help parishioners and communities follow the new guidelines.
The implementation and enforcement of the Policies for the Safety of Children and Youth take another step forward towards the goal of ensuring that every ministry and event is physically, emotionally, and spiritually safe and healthy for the children of all Greek Orthodox Churches in America.
I am writing as Archbishop to bring to your attention an important matter that is and must be an urgent concern for all of us who work with children in every aspect of the Archdiocese, in every Metropolis and in every parish and youth ministry. This letter is to call each of us to action, and to encourage us as our clergy, our lay leaders and our fellow parishioners to mobilize to serve our children and youth.
Cardinal Dolan honored Archbishop Elpidophoros of America by hosting a lunch today, September 4, 2019, to welcome him to New York. After initial introductions and warm greetings, the Cardinal and Archbishop exchanged remarks.
On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Archbishop Elpidophoros expresses his deep condolences to the Orthodox Church in America for the falling asleep of Archbishop Nikon.
SOMERSET, NJ – Sixteen clergy from various places throughout the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America completed training on September 10-12, 2019 for expanding the ministry to support our clergy. The Archdiocesan Center for Family Care recently received a generous grant from Leadership 100 to train facilitators to lead clergy peer learning groups throughout the country.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros met with leaders of the Archdiocese Benefits Committee Monday, Sept. 9, in his office at the Archdiocese. His Eminence initiated the meeting with Fr. James T. Paris, Chairman of the ABC; Fr. James Greanias, Vice-Chairman of the ABC, and Mrs. Anna Vrettos, Director of the ABC.
The Secretary of Commerce of the USA, Wilbur Ross, visited the see of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar today, Sunday, September 8, 2019, and was welcomed with the honors set forth in the Patriarchal Protocol.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros met with the Direct Archdiocesan District Executive Board of the Federation of Greek Orthodox Church Musicians on Monday, September 16, in his office at the Archdiocese. Members of the Executive Board are Mrs. Anna Dounelis, President; Mr. Theodore Brakatselos, Vice-President; Mrs. Irini Kapareliotis, Treasurer; Mrs. Fay Pavlidis, Mrs. Peggy Stilianos, Public Relations Office, and V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, Spiritual Advisor.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elphidophoros welcomed today, the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades to the headquarters of the Archdiocese.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros today joyously welcomed the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Prime Minister Mitsotakis is in New York for the United Nations General Assembly.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America had a previously unscheduled meeting, late yesterday evening, with the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Manhattan’s Cipriani Hotel. Accompanying President Edogan was his close advisor Mr. Ömer Çelik, former Minister of European Affairs.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, celebrated today the service of the Sanctification of the Water for the new school year, at the Greek-American Day School “William Spyropoulos” of the Parish of Saint Nicholas in Flushing New York, one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese. This was the second Agiasmos Service the Archbishop conducted for the start of the new school year.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros chaired his first meeting of the Direct Archdiocesan District Council on Tuesday, September 24 at the Archdiocese. His Grace Bishop Andonios, Chancellor, was also present. Members of the Executive Board are Larry Hotzoglou, Vice-President; V. Rev. Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, Secretary; and Theodore Germanakos, Treasurer.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed today Her Excellency Ms. Niki Kerameus, Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of Greece.
ΝΕΑ ΥΟΡΚΗ – Ο Σεβασμιώτατος Αρχιεπίσκοπος Αμερικής κ. Ελπιδοφόρος δέχθηκε σήμερα την επίσκεψη του κ. Γιώργου Κουμουτσάκου Αναπληρωτή Υπουργού Προστασίας του Πολίτη της Ελλάδος, ο οποίος είναι αρμόδιος για τη Μεταναστευτική Πολιτική.
STORRS, Conn. – Archbishop Elpidophoros is attending today, Oct. 4, 2019, the installation of Dr. Thomas C. Katsouleas as the 16th President of the University of Connecticut.
NEW YORK – The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America has designated October 6, 2019 as Orthodox Christian Fellowship’s College Student Sunday.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will arrive in the Bahamas on October 13 for a pastoral visit to areas recently affected by Hurricane Dorian. Leading a delegation from the Archdiocese, His Eminence is scheduled to celebrate a Hierarchal Divine Liturgy at the parish of the Annunciation of the Mother of God in Nassau.
On October 3, 2019, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was joyously welcomed by Saint Basil Academy’s administrators, children and staff. The Archbishop began with a Trisagion service at the gravesite of Archbishop Michael of blessed memory.
NEW YORK – Representatives of Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Christian churches met today at the Armenian Cathedral of St. Vartan for the first meeting of the joint commission in nearly a decade. The meeting began with a common prayer service followed by open discussions.
Saint Augustine, Fla. – Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos visited Saint Augustine, Florida, the week of September 30—October 4, as he began his new ministry as the Hierarchal Proistamenos of the Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine, as well as Synodal Liaison of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the USA to the Orthodox Christian Mission Center (OCMC) also headquartered in Saint Augustine.
NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America completed an historic three-day visit to The Bahamas in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. On Monday morning (Oct. 14, 2019) he met with the Governor General, the Most Honorable Sir Cornelius Alvin Smith.