SACRAMENTO, CA. – Greek News USA
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America gave the benediction at Monday’s [February 27] session of the California State Assembly, in the presence of California’s Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis and His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco.
Accompanying His Eminence were also GOA’s Chief of Staff, Fr. Panagiotis Papazafiropoulos and Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris.
The Archbishop who is making a pastoral visit to the northern California was welcomed and introduced to the State Assembly floor by Greek American Assemblymember Diane Papan (D-21).
“His Eminence is the Archbishop of the largest jurisdiction of (Greek) Orthodox Christians in the US”, noted Papan, adding that “since elected [in 2019] he has brought a fresh vision and energy to his role as Archbishop of America”.
As the Assembly was observing February – Black History Month, Papan referred to the historic march of Archbishop Iakovos alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr on March 15, 1965 in Selma, Alabama, a moment that became the cover photograph of the March 26, 1965 issue of Life magazine.
She also mentioned that His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, “our version of the Pope” as she noted, is in Constantinople, Turkey and “it is not an easy existence”.
In n post on social media, Archbishop Elpidophoros said “Honored to offer the benediction at today’s session of the California State Assembly, in the presence of CA Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis. May God guide and inspire them to always serve the people of California with honor and dignity”.
In her post, Lt. Governor Kounalakis thanked His Eminence for “making a stop in CA”.
