NEW YORK – Archbishop Elpidophoros of America recently addressed the joint Clergy Retreat of the Direct Archdiocesan District and Metropolis of New Jersey. The Archbishop remarked “this opportunity to gather and share precious time together reminds me that we don’t do this enough! Nevertheless, I hope that as the years increase in my Archiepiscopacy, we will all enjoy many more and frequent assemblies with one another. For, it is only natural to need to be with each other in order to strengthen our bonds of friendship and shared ministry. Parish life, even the life of a hierarch, can often times feel isolated and even lonely. But it is important that we are present for one another, so that we may offer mutual support, solidarity and brotherly love to each other.”

Following His Eminence’s address was a presentation titled Pascha to Pentecost: Through the Gospel of Saint John delivered by Fr. George L. Parsenios, a clergyman of the Metropolis of New Jersey and professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary who was just appointed Dean of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology.