Orthodox Observer

On May 25, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America traveled with the rising seniors from Hellenic College Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology for an educational pilgrimage to the monastic region of Mount Athos. The group’s first stop on the peninsula was the Holy Monastery of Xenophontos, where the abbot, Archimandrite Alexios of Xenophontos, received them. Read more from the visit at the link our bio. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Panos Satzoglou

On this Memorial Day, we pause in reverence and gratitude, lifting our hearts in prayer for those who gave their lives so that others live in freedom. As Americans and as Orthodox Christians, we are called to honor their sacrifice not only with words, but with lives worthy of the gift they gave. May the Lord grant them eternal rest in His Kingdom, and may their courage and selflessness guide us. Memory Eternal. Αἰωνία ἡ μνήμη. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, during the 2025 Apostolic Visit of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

📸 In photos: This weekend, seminarians from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School Of Theology visited Halki Seminary before gathering at the Phanar for Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the First Ecumenical Council. Today, the seminarians will make the pilgrimage to the sacred monasteries on Mount Athos. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Huseyin Aldemir

New York City’s Commission of Religious Leaders (CORL) issued a statement condemning the May 19 shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is a cosignatory, alongside CORL Chair Archbishop Ronald Hicks; President Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard, Sr.; Vice President Rabbi Joseph Potasnik; and other CORL members.  The full statement can be found at the link in our bio.

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in New York City is a perfect example of an Orthodox ecclesiastical structure, drawing upon Byzantine architectural and iconographic traditions, yet adapted for a particular and specific American context of historic significance. Read the full piece at the link in our bio.

On Wednesday, May 20, the Apodosis of Pascha, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received in formal audience His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, together with the rising seniors of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Huseyin Aldemir

Hellenic College Holy Cross marked its 84th Commencement granted degrees to nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate students in Brookline, Massachusetts. In his Paterexhortatory Address, Archbishop Elpidophoros recognized the graduation day as a moment of simultaneous excitement and uncertainty, urging the graduates to trust in God’s plan for their lives.

“Figure skating, and ice dance specifically, is a great combination of artistry and athleticism,” Olympic figure skater Emiliea Zingas said. “And there’s not very many sports where you can share your goals and dreams and success with just one other person and create this special kind of bond.” Read more about how Emiliea and Vadym’s faith influence their approach to the sport at the link in our bio.

Over just four seasons competing together, Emilea and Vadym have experienced a rapid rise through the ranks, most recently placing 5th at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina and winning bronze at the 2026 World Figure Skating Championships. Read more at the link in our bio.

Hellenic College Holy Cross marked its 84th Commencement today, granting degrees to nearly 60 undergraduate and graduate students in Brookline, Massachusetts. Find the full article, as well as a link to His Eminence's full remarks, at the link in the comments below. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.

Watch live 🔴 | HCHC hosts its 84th Commencement Ceremony. youtube.com/live/em_-K39rZ…

The Ecumenical Patriarchate will have a formal presence at this year’s Clergy-Laity Congress in Cleveland, Ohio, following an announcement from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America that His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew has appointed three representatives of the Mother Church to attend. Read more at the link in bio.

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America chaired the spring meeting of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA Governing Board. The gathering is being held at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) headquarters, in Chicago, Illinois, where the Archbishop also met with ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. Photos by Orthodox Observer. Read more at the link in our bio.

The Archbishop of Constantinople has been known as the Ecumenical Patriarch ever since the year 586, when the Roman Emperor Maurice conferred the title “Ecumenical” on the Patriarch of Constantinople, Saint John the Faster. The Emperor conferred this title in view of the fact that the Archbishop of Constantinople was Patriarch of the Church in the city that was the capital of the great empire, the superpower of its day. Find more from the Archons on our site. Photo courtesy of Archons.

In his sacred responsibility as described in the Charter of our Sacred Archdiocese, and in his pastoral oversight and fatherly care, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America has approved the following incardinations and ordinations found at the link in our bio. 📸 Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman

On the Sunday of the Samaritan Woman, which coincided with Mother’s Day, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy at St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church in Greenlawn, New York. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos

On Sunday mornings, Abby Vlahos’s day begins before most people are awake. She rises with her nine-year-old son, Cosmas, who wakes at dawn. Then it’s full speed–active play, movement, conversation, a walk–before most people have had a cup of coffee. And now, the Divine Liturgy has found its way back into their Sunday routine. Abby is a mother of three—two grown children, and Cosmas, who has a genetic syndrome and is autistic. Her husband Peter is a church chanter, which has meant that for her entire life as a parent, she has come to their parish of St. John the Baptist in Des Plaines, Illinois, alone, managing the children while Peter serves the church. Read more about Abby Vhlahos's story at the link in our bio.

7 years ago today, His Eminence was elected Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.