Palm Sunday
On Sunday, five days before the Passover of the Law, the Lord came from Bethany to Jerusalem. Sending two of His disciples to bring Him a foal of an ass, He sat thereon and entered into the city. When the multitude there heard that Jesus was coming, they straightway took up the branches of palm trees in their hands, and went forth to meet Him. Others spread their garments on the ground, and yet others cut branches from the trees and strewed them in the way that Jesus was to pass; and all of them together, especially the children, went before and after Him, crying out: "Hosanna: Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord, the King of Israel" (John 12:13). This is the radiant and glorious festival of our Lord's entry into Jerusalem that we celebrate today.
The branches of the palm trees symbolize Christ's victory over the devil and death. The word Hosanna means "Save, I pray," or "Save, now." The foal of an ass, and Jesus' sitting thereon, and the fact that this animal was untamed and considered unclean according to the Law, signified the former uncleanness and wildness of the nations, and their subjection thereafter to the holy Law of the Gospel.
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.
NEW YORK – On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, His Beatitude, Patriarch Irinej of Serbia visited the Archdiocese Headquarters. In his welcoming remarks, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America expressed his joy in welcoming the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Serbia and highlighted the spirit of cooperation between the Churches, especially in the United States.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will host its first-ever conference for the organization of outreach ministry to Spanish-speaking persons with a conference at Saint Photios National Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, this April 28-30.
On March 8, 2020, eleven Orthodox hierarchs from various canonical jurisdictions concelebrated the Divine Liturgy on the first Sunday of Lent, also known as the “Sunday of Orthodoxy,” at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, in New York City.
On Monday, March 9, 2020, following approval of the Mother Church of Constantinople last November after the request of the Holy Eparchial Synod, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, announced the creation of the Vicariate for the Orthodox Christian Communities of Slavic Tradition
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announces today measures to protect the health of the Greek Orthodox Flock of America, and the health of the wider public. These decisions are being taken in light of the recommendations of Federal, State, and City officials and agencies, including the CDC.
For the benefit and protection of the faithful, and taking into account the recent scientific findings, we advise our faithful not to be exposed in places of public assembly (including attending church) during the next few weeks.
For the Life of the World presents a way of reaching out across social distancing at a time of global calamity – as our faithful are either self-isolated and quarantined (a term that literally refers to a period of forty days and reflects the church’s struggle during Great Lent) – in order to address the role of the Church at a time of spiritual crisis, challenge, and concern.
Freedom of movement and freedom of association are being reasonably restricted, as we seek to slow the spread and preserve the health of our communities. Thus, we must remember that our most precious liberty is that of conscience, our God-given right to think and believe freely. This freedom of the inner person can never be taken away by any external conditions.
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the Office of Ionian Village regretfully announce today the cancellation of all Ionian Village Summer 2020 programming due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. This includes IV Next as well as both sessions of the Archdiocese’s annual summer camp in Greece.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America announced today the postponement of the Apostolic Visit of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.
Unable to gather in person for Holy Week, the heads of jurisdictions joined together to send you a message of solidarity from their homes to yours!
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America led the first in a series of daily prayers for those faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America who have either passed away or are suffering from complications related to the coronavirus COVID19.