"We join all voices calling for an end to violence and a restoration of hope. We pray for respite for the grieving, healing for the wounded, and divine courage for those who labor for peace. In solidarity and love, we affirm that every life matters and every prayer is a step toward God’s peace on earth."

@ArchbishopElpidophoros via Instagram, June 23, 2025

Tuesday, June 24, 2025

Good morning!

In today's edition of the Orthodox Observer, read our reflection on the six-year anniversary of Archbishop Elpidophoros's enthronement, learn about prison ministry's connection to your parish, and see photos from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine's Juneteenth prayer service last week.

2025 Metropolis of San Francisco YAL Conference to “RENEW” Young Adults in Faith and Fellowship

The Metropolis of San Francisco Young Adult League (YAL) is pleased to announce the 2025 YAL Conference, taking place over Labor Day Weekend, August 28 – September 1, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. This milestone event marks the first time the YAL Conference will be hosted in the Pacific Northwest, offering Greek Orthodox young adults ages 18 to 35 a dynamic new setting to gather, grow, and deepen their relationship with Christ. Framed by Seattle’s natural beauty and vibrant Orthodox presence, the weekend promises a transformative experience rooted in the Four Pillars of YAL: Worship, Witness, Service, and Fellowship. Full release and registration info.

Photo: Allen Altchech Photography

“It brings me great joy to see the continued growth and expansion of the YAL Conference over the past six years,” stated His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco. “I look forward to this event each year and witnessing the spiritual, intellectual and emotional growth of our young adults as they progress in their careers and lives. Having this ministry available to our young adults is vital to their ongoing involvement in the church.”

Statement of Archbishop Elpidophoros on the Terrorist Attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias (Mar Elias) in Syria

Yesterday, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America released a statement regarding the June 22, 2025 act of terrorism against the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias (Mar Elias) in Syria, reminding that while "War has become the standard recourse, and we too often become desensitized—only stirred when tragedy speaks our own language," "in Christ, every life is 'our own.'" Full statement here.

Archbishop Elpidophoros Celebrates the Sixth Year of his Tenure

Sunday marked the six-year anniversary of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s enthronement. On that momentous day of June 22nd, 2019, His Eminence was consecrated in the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York, NY.

Photo: Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman.

In his enthronement address, His Eminence identified three objectives for his ministry: 1) promoting greater youth and young adult involvement in the Church; 2) fostering a rich theological education through the archdiocesan seminary, Hellenic College Holy Cross; and 3) seeing through the completion and consecration of the St. Nicholas Shrine at Ground Zero. By these standards and many more, his tenure has been a remarkable success. Keep reading from the Orthodox Observer's Ben Malian.

2025 Comprehensive Examinations in Modern Greek

The Archdiocese is pleased to announce that the 2025 Comprehensive Examination in Modern Greek – Checkpoint B will be administered at a historic 16 Examination Centers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Ohio. This year, 313 students from 38 Greek-American Parochial Day and Afternoon Schools, 3 New York City Public High Schools, 1 Hellenic Charter School, and for the first time, two individual student testing sites will participate on Monday, June 23rd, 2025. More info here.

Your Church is Nearer to the Prison System than You Probably Think: A Reflection for Prison Ministry Awareness Sunday on July 27, 2025

When The Prison Policy Initiative, a team of experts on cutting-edge research around the U.S. prison system, released its annual “big picture” report in 2024, one statistic stood out to us more than any other: 113 million adults in the United States have an immediate family member who has been to prison or jail, meaning that more likely than not, someone in your church has been personally affected by the U.S. prison system.

If this possibility comes as a surprise or seems like an exaggeration, consider the lengths someone might go toward keeping this part of their family history a secret, especially among his or her church community. An Orthodox priest is informed one of his parishioners was just arrested; who can he call for help that will know what to do now? A mother is left worrying about her son in jail, not knowing where his trial will place him long term; what if no one from her church understands this kind of anxiety?

Photo: Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry.

Orthodox Christian Prison Ministry (OCPM), an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States, can attest to these patterns of shame and overwhelm among the Faithful. But this is also why OCPM has established a team of Prisoner Spiritual Support Managers (PSSMs), full-time case managers who spend their days meeting the needs of people in prison and their loved ones on the outside.

Furthermore, OCPM is training hundreds of Orthodox clergy and lay volunteers across the country to sustainably serve those behind bars. This means consistent communication, face-to-face visitation, even offering services and the Holy Sacraments inside the prison facility. Through the work of OCPM, the Orthodox Church is ready to help you if incarceration, and all that entails, becomes a reality for you or someone you know. We don’t have to be naïve about the “113 million adults affected,” but we don’t have to be afraid, either. Learn more about OCPM's work.

Fr. Elias Pappas Installed as Proistamenos at St. Nicholas Church in Babylon, NY

Yesterday, June 22, 2025, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America visited St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in West Babylon, New York, where he presided over the Divine Liturgy. In addition to celebrating the sixth anniversary of his enthronement as Archbishop of America, His Eminence installed Fr. Elias Pappas as the parish's new Proistamenos. Photos here.

St. Nicholas Church & National Shrine Holds Juneteenth Prayer Service

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City held a Juneteenth Ecumenical Prayer Service on June 19, 2025.

See more photos.

Photo: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine.

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