NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America released the following Encyclical for AHEPA Sunday. Each year parishes across the country hold special prayers and memorial services on AHEPA Sunday, honoring the contributions of the organization’s current members and those who have passed away. 

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, the Reverend Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of the Parish Councils of the Greek Orthodox Communities, the Distinguished Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Philoptochos Sisterhoods, the Youth, the Hellenic Organizations, and the entire Greek Orthodox Family in America

My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Risen Christ,

Χριστ?ς ?νέστη! Christ is Risen!

On behalf of the entire family of the Holy Archdiocese of America, I extend the warmest greetings and congratulations to all the esteemed and beloved members of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association on the occasion of the annual observance of AHEPA Sunday. 

This year, in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we may have to be distant from our usual festive celebrations that commemorate the positive mission of AHEPA, but all of us can take a moment to remember the work of AHEPA, which for nearly one hundred years has been foundational to the Greek-American experience of the United States and beyond. Whether it was the defense of the Greek Orthodox Faith in times of anti-immigrant prejudice, establishing medical and housing facilities both here and in Greece, or advocacy for the freedom of Greece and especially for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, AHEPA has always been among the extraordinary pillars of the Omogeneia.

Now, AHEPA is helping to meet the crisis with their faithful chapters across America, and we are thankful for their ceaseless contributions. Together, we will get through this crisis, but we must work even more closely now to preserve our Church and our communities, and to advance the goals of AHEPA in this hour of need. May God always bless the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association, its chapters and families, and keep them safe and healthy for many more years to come.

With paternal love in our Risen Lord, 

† ELPIDOPHOROS

Archbishop of America

Source: goarch.org