Archbishop Elpidophoros received an enthusiastic welcome upon his arrival in the United States as hundreds of faithful from various New York area parishes gathered today June 19, 2019, in the arrival hall of Terminal One, at John F. Kennedy International Airport to welcome their new spiritual leader. Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will be enthroned on Saturday June 22, 2019.

“I am deeply grateful to all of you who have come to greet me as I step on to noble American soil for the first time as Archbishop of America. Your smiles, your enthusiasm, your love are manifestations of the blessings of God and I embrace them and all the Faithful of the Holy Archdiocese of America as my dearly beloved spiritual children,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros in his remarks.

Metropolitan Methodios of Boston offered greetings of welcome on behalf of the clergy and laity of the Archdiocese. Welcoming remarks were also offered by Consul General of Greece in New York, Dr. Konstantinos Koutras and a brief welcome greeting by the Consul General of Cyprus Mr. Alexis Phedonos-Vadet.

Among those present in the airport were the Metropolitans of the Holy Eparchial Synod; Metropolitans Methodios of Boston, Isaiah of Denver, Alexios of Atlanta, Savas of Pittsburgh, Gerasimos of San Francisco, Evangelos of New Jersey and Nathanael of Chicago, the bishops of the Archdiocese, many priests and their families, parishioners, officials and Philoptochos members from New York area parishes.

Archbishop Elpidophoros shortly after his arrival at his Hotel in Manhattan had a warm and cordial meeting with Archbishop Demetrios, formerly of America.

Archbishop Elpidophoros of America will be enthroned as the seventh Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Saturday June 22, 2019 at 11:00 a.m., at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan (337 East 74th Street, NYC).

Source: goarch.org