NEW YORK – By Revekka Papadopoulou
Photos: GOArch
New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and representatives of the Greek-American community at the Gracie Mansion in Manhattan on February 15.
“Happy to meet again with mayor @ericadamsfornyc, together with Greek American leaders. We discussed the vital concerns of our Patriarchate, Turkey’s illegal invasion & occupation of Cyprus and demands on Greece”, His Eminence said in a tweet.
In his remarks, Archbishop Elpidophoros recalled that he first met Eric Adams when they marched together for justice in Brooklyn. At the same time, he noted that in November, on the day after his election victory, Mayor Adams visited the Archdiocese where he met with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
“During that visit, His All-Holiness raised vital concerns of our Ecumenical Patriarchate – which are the concerns of the community represented here today. These included the ongoing struggle to reopen the Theological Seminary of Halki, our pain over the reconversion of Hagia Sophia to a mosque, and the restrictions on the religious minorities of Turkey.
As an Eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and as a church headquartered right here in New York City, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese hopes and prays for peace and the prosperity of all nations, and in the world”, said Archbishop Elpidophoros adding that:
“Our Greek-American community in the United States feels that it is impossible to achieve these goals in the Eastern Mediterranean, as long as the illegal invasion and occupation of Cyprus by Turkey persists, and as long as there are such unreasonable and illegal demands of Greece, by Turkey.
We are here, because we know that our good friend, Mayor Adams, holds that justice is the precursor to peace, and we know that his commitment to both is the solid foundation for our ongoing close relationship and warm friendship”.
Among those present were NYS Senator Andrew Gounardes, AHEPA Supreme President, Jimmy Kokotas, businessmen Michael Psaros and John Catsimatidis, Chairman of the Friends of St. Nicholas Dennis Mehiel, HALC Vice President, Taso Pardalis, Ambassador – Designate to Greece, George Tsounis, EMBCA President Lou Katsos, 2022 Greek Parade Committee co-chairman Dimitris Kalamaras, Maria Allwin, Elaine Allen, Fr. Eugene Pappas, Zoe Koutsoupakis, Savvas Constantinides, George Venizelos and other members of the community.
