(From left) AHEPA Supreme President Savvas Tsivikos, Father Alexandros Karloutsos, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, businessman Steve Zervoudis, Archbishop Ieronymos, Philoptochos vice-president Annita Kartalopoulou and Archdeacon Ioannis Boutsis. (photo CHRISTOS BONIS/ARCHDIOCESE OF ATHENS)
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited the Holy Metropolis of Thessaloniki and met with Metropolitan Filotheos, in the presence of former Metropolitan Anthimos, after his 4-day visit to Mount Athos. The Archbishop of America then traveled to Athens for his scheduled meetings with Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece at the Archdiocese of Athens and the President of the Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou.
Eva Metis Koutoumanou
The Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou met with Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, who briefed her on the actions of the Archdiocese, thanked her for the participation of the Presidential Guard in the events held in New York to commemorate the Revolution of 1821 and renewed the invitation for the presence of the Evzones in this year's celebrations as well.
Mrs. Sakellaropoulou pointed out that the Archdiocese plays a very important role in maintaining the cohesion and identity of the Greek diaspora in America and stressed that the timeless presence of the Presidential Guard in the events of the diaspora aims to promote the history and values of Hellenism and to strengthen the bond of Greeks abroad with the motherland.
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met also with the Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece at the Archdiocese of Athens. Present at the meeting were AHEPA Supreme President Savvas Tsivikos, the Vice-President of the Greek Orthodox Charity Society Annita Kartalopoulou, businessman Steve Zervoudis and Father Alex Karloutsos, who accompanied the Archbishop of America.
According to the announcement of the Archdiocese of Athens that followed, the meeting of Archbishop Ieronymos with Archbishop Elpidophoros and the members of his entourage, lasted forty minutes and they discussed issues of current ecclesiastical maters.
After their meeting, Archbishop Elpidophoros stated that: "The political leaderships of the two countries show the right way, that the US and Greece go hand in hand for the benefit of both sides. Of course, the Church preceded this togetherness, because we always go hand in hand. The Church of Greece is the Church of our country, of all expatriates. Just as we love our country, we love its Church. Greek expatriates are always at the disposal of His Beatitude and the Church of Greece, on good and bad days. As in natural disasters, fires and floods, but also in the joys of our country, we are always on the side of the Church and Greece."
In Thessaloniki, Metropolitan Filotheos of Thessaloniki welcomed the Archbishop of America, expressing his joy for the visit. "We have among us the spiritual leader of the Church of the United States, but also more broadly," said Mr. Filotheos and added: "Know that the diocese, both during the days of His All-Holiness Metropolitan Anthimos and our humble ministry, always remains and is hospitable. We expect next Sunday, God willing, at the Metropolitan Church of St. Gregory Palamas to celebrate mass together."
For his part, the Archbishop of America underlined that the new metropolitan of Thessaloniki "has from the first moment become so widely and cordially and warmly accepted, that it is truly a pride and joy for the Church" and added that the flock and the authorities of the place surround him with "such warmth and such spontaneity" that "means that they saw something, They felt something, and that's genuine."
The former Metropolitan of Thessaloniki Anthimos warmly greeted the Archbishop of America and a ceremonial exchange of gifts followed.
The archbishop will return to Thessaloniki today, Friday, where he will remain until Sunday to take part and speak at the events for the National Day of Remembrance of the Greek Jewish Martyrs and Heroes of the Holocaust.
