As Archbishop Elpidophoros characteristically said, serving the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on behalf of the Mother Church of Constantinople was the greatest honor of his life.
Archbishop Elpidophoros in his speech today, which marks one year from his enthronement as Archbishop of America, thanked “God Almighty for the gift of this ministry from the hands of the spiritual father of us all, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and the Holy and Sacred Synod that surrounds his sacred person; for their trust, their confidence, and in all things, their wise counsel.”
He also thanked the Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod, “who have embraced me as their Presiding Archbishop,” as well as all his co-workers throughout the institutions of the Archdiocese, “who have demonstrated heroic dedication to their ministries and the mission of the Church, especially through this time of the pandemic.”
He also pointed out that “It is not for me to accept praises today, for all praise belongs to the Father of Lights from Whom every blessing flows. Ιt is not for me to receive gratitude, because my duty, my obligation, is to serve, and not be served, even as the Lord Jesus said. It is I who am grateful for your love, and for your generous words.”
Read here Archbishop Elpidophoros Ἀντιφώνησις on the occasion of the anniversary of his enthronement.