NEW YORK – Archbishop Elpidophoros of America tonsured Theogenis Allen to the Sub-Diaconate by the ‘Imposition of Hands’ at the Church of our Savior in Rye, NY.

Sub-Deacon Theogenis Allen is the son of a close associate of Archbishop Elpidophoros, Elain Allen, who serves as his advisor and also holding the position of treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council.

Archbishop Elpidophoros, addressing Sub-Deacon Theogenis, said among other things: “My dear Theogenis, You stand before your family, your Community and, indeed, before the Holy Angels and all the Saints today – in the presence of God – ready to be received into the office of Sub-Deacon. Although this office is usually experienced only in passing by the faithful – as a brief steppingstone to the Holy Diaconate – it does, in fact, stand alone as a ministry. As with Deacons, a Sub-Deacon is attached to the Hierarch, and his service is mainly found in his attendance on the Bishop. In the Slavic tradition, Sub-Deacons are regularly employed in the Sacred Services to attend to the Hierarch. While in the Greek tradition, it is mostly Deacons, and in their absence, Readers.”

In another instance his said: “Theogenis, in coming before the Assembly of the Church today, bearing such a noble name and presenting yourself for service in the Church, you remind us all that we are the true children of God. God loves each and every one of us exactly as we are, and calls us to become the complete human being that we are destined to be.”