Orthodox Observer

11/19/2025

The Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on Wednesday, Nov. 19 released a statement expressing disapproval of the White House’s meeting with Russian Orthodox clergy, stating that the meeting “seeks to solicit an American blessing upon its misleading tactics.”

In the statement, the Archons also urged the administration to cancel the meeting with “what are essentially Russian state agents,” and “to stand in solidarity with the suffering Ukrainian people and the canonical Orthodox Church of Ukraine.”

Read the full article at the link in the comments below.
Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman
Article by Salvatore Ambrosino

11/19/2025

Abibual is a healthcare worker and the owner of a shoe workshop in the North Gojjam Zone in Ethiopia. His goal is to produce affordable, large-size, and comfortable shoes for individuals suffering from podoconiosis, a painful condition leading to the swelling of the feet and legs.

“Growing up in a podoconiosis area, I’ve always been deeply concerned about the suffering of podo patients. After completing my training, I immediately began treating them. One of my first cases was a 15-year-old boy who stood out because he was barefoot. After treating him, I made a pair of shoes for him using local materials. That success inspired me to open a shoe workshop to produce more shoes for podo patients,” said Abibual.

To help deepen his understanding of this disease, Abibual completed a three-day training on podoconiosis prevention and treatment provided by IOCC. This program seeks to educate the local population about common risks and smart hygiene practices. Through this program, Abibual also receives ongoing guidance and technical support for his workshop.

Abibual shared, “The training and support I received from IOCC enables me to produce custom-made shoes for podo patients and to meet their specific needs. Helping these patients brings me more satisfaction than anything else.”

Story and photo courtesy of International Orthodox Christian Charities.

11/18/2025

New York - His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America welcomed the Mayor of Pafos, Phaedon Phaedonos, to the Archdiocese for a warm and substantive meeting, joined by two senior leaders of the American University of Beirut: Dr. Imad Baalbaki, Senior Vice President for Advancement and Business Development, and Dr. Wassim El Hajj, Rector of AUB Mediterraneo. This was Mayor Phaedonos’s second visit to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Dr. Baalbaki and Dr. El Hajj spoke about AUB’s historic mission—surviving wars, economic collapse, and profound political upheavals—while continuing to produce research, scholarship, and graduates that have shaped the Middle East for more than a century. With AUB Mediterraneo now operating in Pafos, they emphasized their determination to contribute to Cyprus’s scientific, educational, and economic life, and to deepen connections with Greece and the Greek-American diaspora. Mayor Phaedonos echoed the need for strong partnerships that can elevate Pafos as a regional hub for innovation, technology, and higher learning.

Archbishop Elpidophoros affirmed the Archdiocese’s readiness to support broader collaboration with American academic institutions, beginning with Hellenic College Holy Cross in Boston and extending to universities, scholars, and students across the Greek-American community.

Photos by Orthodox Observer

11/18/2025

What might take years to accomplish on one’s own — connecting with so many potential employers — will be possible in a single day," Greek Minister of Labor and Social Security Niki Kerameus told the Observer.

Read the full interview regarding the "Rebrain Greece" initiative coming to New York City on Dec. 7 at the link in the comments below.

Photos courtesy of Greek Ministry of Labor and Social Security/Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos

11/16/2025

Matthew the Apostle & Evangelist, November 16th, 2025 - Saint Demetrios Church, Jamaica, NY. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, presiding at th...

11/15/2025

11/12/2025

On Sunday, Nov. 9th, St. Michael’s Home hosted its Annual Name Day Gala at the Metropolitan Club in New York City. This year’s event honored distinguished members of the community Libby & Mike Angeliades with the 2025 Archangel Michael Award, in recognition of their accomplishments in the world of commerce and especially their magnanimous support of so many worthy causes.

Introduced by Fr. Alex Karloutsos, Mr. Angeliades, born on the island of Simi, accepted the award “on behalf of all the early immigrants who built brick-by-brick the churches, schools and institutions of our Archdiocese.”

Read the full article at the link in the comments below.
Photos courtesy of Christopher Bucello

11/12/2025

Orthodox Volunteer Corps (OVC), an agency of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the United States of America, is now recruiting Orthodox young adults for its fall 2026 cohorts in Boston and Pittsburgh.

The ministry offers a 10-month residency experience for young adults that integrates service placements with vulnerable communities, weekly formation in Orthodoxy and leadership development, life in community with other young adults, and immersion in the life of the Church.

OVC’s early application deadline is Jan. 26, and the regular application deadline is Feb. 19. Orthodox Christians who are eager to serve and aged 21-29 can learn how to apply here. If you would like to nominate someone, you may do so here.

In a social media post, OVC issued the following statement:

“Today we officially launch our 5th season of recruitment for the Fall 2026 full-time program of OVC. In September 2022, we began with six participants in one city. Now we have 16 FT Corps Members across two cities–Boston and Pittsburgh. Every year, we facilitate a year of immersive service & learning with our most vulnerable neighbors and rooted in the Orthodox faith. Every year, participants tell us the difference it makes. We now have 27 alumni working in a variety of settings (medicine, engineering, education, HR, direct service, Orthodox ministries) and others pursuing advanced degrees. Want to join with others to put your faith in action? See yourself at OVC.”

A link to apply can be found in the comments below.
Photos and article courtesy of the OVC.

11/12/2025

The faithful of the Holy Resurrection in Brookville, NY, witnessed the ordination of Dn. Gregory Gatanas to the Holy Priesthood by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on Sunday, Nov. 9, the Feastday of St. Nektarios.

Fr. Gregory has served the Brookville community for the past five years and will now continue his ministry at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Washington, D.C., alongside his Presvytera Eleftheria.

In his words to Fr. Gregory, His Eminence said, “Let your ministry as a priest be marked by mindful prayer and humble praise of the Most High, so that, like Saint Nektarios, you are not pointing a microscope on your own life, but you are rather telescoping your love into the universe – even beyond the very stars, to the Throne of Heaven, that is ‘like a vision of jasper and sardius, glowing like an emerald rainbow.’ May you enjoy many, many years of service before the Throne of God, the Holy Altar that is upon the earth. May your ministry be blessed as was that of the Saint whose memory we celebrate today, that your life and the life of your family be a happy one, filled with the satisfaction that comes from the ministry of love and service to others.”

Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos

11/11/2025

On this Veterans Day, we bow before those who accepted danger—and the families who shared the burden. As a Church that prays at every Divine Liturgy for “our country, its civil authorities, and its Armed Forces,” we must move from performative gestures to real support: healing, connection, and pathways to work and housing. May the God of peace strengthen every veteran.

Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman

11/11/2025

"God bless the Lord’s creation, the innocent animals. Service animals are a gift and a blessing," parishioner Jackie Morfesis writes to the Observer.

Read her full article at the link in the comments below.

11/11/2025