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The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America was filled with joyful faithful on Monday, December 8, 2025 for the Christmas Open House. Now an annual tradition, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of American welcomed clergy, families and the Greek Orthodox community to sing Christmas carols, enjoy festive decorations, and share the joy of the season with friends and acquaintances.
Special guests at this year’s celebration included Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Harry Theoharis, Consul General of Greece in New York Iphigenia Kanara, and Consul General of Cyprus in New York Kyriakos Pogiatzis. Deputy Minister Theoharis and the Consul Generals were delighted to take part in the joyous event, greeting attendees and joining with the Archbishop in singing both Greek and American Christmas Carols.
Addressing those gathered, Archbishop Elpidophoros expressed his personal joy at seeing so many faithful come to “the center of their faith in America, their Archdiocese” to celebrate the Nativity alongside clergy and the dedicated Archdiocese staff. He noted that today’s celebration is an opportunity to be physically together, to celebrate the season—a chance to talk with one another, to share embraces, and to step away for a time from the “digital.”
Deputy Minister Theoharis also addressed those gathered, saying, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share this beautiful moment with everyone here.” He continued, “Greece, the land, is finite, but the values—and sharing those values, sharing the love, sharing our faith in the Orthodox Church—are truly limitless. This is what makes us all Greek. You, carrying the torch and the flame of the Greek spirit within you, are making our Motherland bigger, better, and stronger. For this, I want to thank you.” In closing, he offered his warmest wishes for a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year to all.
© PHOTOS: GOA/Dimitrios Panagos
Earlier in the day, angelic voices filled the Archdiocese during the annual Christmas Tree Lighting featuring children from local American Day Schools. Archbishop Elpidophoros offered sincere thanks to the students and teachers for their preparation and their sweet singing. Welcoming the children as well were Archdiocesan District Chancellor Fr. Elias Villis and Director of Education for the Archdiocese Fr. Gregory Stamkopoulos.
Participating schools were: The Cathedral School of the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity (NYC), St. Demetrios Cathedral (Astoria), A. Fantis School of Saints Constantine and Helen Cathedral (Brooklyn), William Spyropoulos School of Saint Nicholas Shrine Church (Flushing), Dimitrios & Georgia Kaloidis Parochial School of Holy Cross Church (Brooklyn), and the Greek American Institute of Zoodochos Peghe Church (Bronx).
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