Greek Orthodox Archdiocese leader in America to hold service in Phoenix

The newly enthroned leader of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will lead a service in Phoenix on Tuesday.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, 51, was unanimously elected to the position by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople on May 11 and assumed the position on June 22.

Elpidophoros’ Arizona visit will start with an overnight stay and Tuesday morning service at the St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery in Florence. Tuesday is a feast day for the church in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus Christ, which spokeswoman Kristen Bruskas said will be the focal point of that service. The archbishop will then travel to Phoenix to hold a supplication service to the Virgin Mary at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Tuesday evening.

Thursday marked the start of a twoweek Lenten period for the church that’s observed by prayer, fasting and nightly services. Church members essentially ask that the Virgin Mary will secure their health, safety and wellbeing during the services, Bruskas said.

She added that she is eager to hear Elpidophoros share his vision for the orthodox church moving forward.

“He is making himself available and accessible to the faithful throughout the archdiocese, and that is a true blessing for all of us,” she said.

Father Apostolos Hill, senior pastor at the Phoenix cathedral, said an Arizona visit so soon into an archbishop’s tenure is rare, but it will give local worshipers a chance to get to know the new leader. He said he hopes Elpidophoros will be a calming presence in light of widespread divisiveness in the United States.

“If he has an ability to speak healing words and words of clarity in times of confusion, that’s something we look forward for him to do,” Hill said.