INVOCATION & REMARKS
By His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
At the Gracie Mansion Greek Heritage Reception
New York, New York
June 2, 2022
Dear Mayor Adams,
beloved friends,
INVOCATION
May we bow our heads in prayer:
We give you thanks, O God, for this day of celebration of Greece and Orthodoxy by New York City.
We entrust to your providential care our Mayor, Eric Adams, and all who serve the good people of New York.
Support their efforts
Prosper our City,
Ensure the safety of all our police, fire and emergency services,
And grant us to live in peace, security and abundance, by your loving grace. Amen
REMARKS
Mayor Adams,
On behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, I would like to express to you – our most gracious host here at Gracie Mansion – our deepest thanks and gratitude for your recognition of our Greek heritage. Especially in this year of the centenary of our holy Archdiocese, as the preeminent eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, this is particularly auspicious.
As you know, Greeks have been part of the fabric of New York for generations – from the earliest immigrants, who passed in the shadow of Lady Liberty through the gates of Ellis Island, to the amazing group of ‘entrepreneurs, who filled New York York at all levels of civil and social life.
Indeed, New York is a magnificent mosaic of cultures, customs, traditions, histories, religious beliefs and heritages from around the world. And the contributions of the Hellenes are also evident around every corner, be it an Ionic column on the facade of a monumental building or a humble restaurant. Or even the rebuilt St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, which now adorns the rebuilt World Trade Center, which we will dedicate on July 4th.
Truly, the Greeks are an integral part and constituency of New York, and we thank you for this recognition today. Your Honor, we stand with you for the good of our city and all New Yorkers, and we welcome your address from the mayor with great eagerness, enthusiasm, gratitude and appreciation. Ζήτω τὸ Ἑλληνικὸ Ἔθνος!
Photos: GOA/D. Pasnagos
