NEW YORK – GNUSA [Photos: GANP/ Dimitris Panagos]
The Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan welcomed the New Year with a solemn and uplifting Divine Liturgy on January 1, 2026, presided over [Xorostasia] by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.
Concelebrating the Divine Liturgy were Archimandrite Chrysostomos Gilbert, Dean of the Cathedral, along with Archdeacon Dionysios Papiris. Also present in prayer were Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, who read the Archbishop’s New Year’s Encyclical in both Greek and English, and Deacon Ieremias Mandoras.
The Cathedral’s protopsaltis Eleftherios Chasanidis and lampadarios Ioannis Paterakis chanted the hymns of the day.
Among the congregation were Kyriakos Pogiatjis, Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus; Petros Dorizas, Consul of Greece; and Paulette Poulos, Executive Director of Leadership 100.
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros reflected on the spiritual significance of the New Year. “This beginning of the new year is another possibility, another opportunity we have to correct our mistakes and make a new start in our lives”, he said, emphasizing the milestone of 35 years since Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew ascended the Ecumenical Throne.
The Archbishop’s Encyclical also highlighted two major themes, foremost among them the upcoming Clergy-Laity Congress, to be held in Cleveland, Ohio, from June 30 to July 2, under the theme “Arise and Build.”
“Whether in person or virtually, the Clergy-Laity Congress will address the needs and opportunities of our Institutions and Parishes. Among these, of course, is Saint Basil Academy, which has been forging ahead with innovative and exciting designs to bring its mission into even sharper focus. On this day, the First of the New Year, when we celebrate the memory of the Great Hierarch, Ascetic and Theologian of Caesarea, Basil the Great, let us all consider how we might support the Academy as it considers its future”, he said.
Following the Divine Liturgy, His Eminence administered the oath of office to the newly elected Cathedral Council, with Elias Lampiris retaining the presidency and Stefanos Tserpelis, a past president and benefactor of the Cathedral, honored as honorary president.
Continuing a cherished tradition, the Archbishop then blessed and cut the Vasilopita, offering heartfelt wishes for a peaceful and creative New Year. The lucky “flouri” fell to Dimitris Panagos, photographer of the Holy Archdiocese, who received warm congratulations from the Archbishop, Father Chrysostomos, and the congregation.
The celebration concluded with two donations presented to the Cathedral by AHEPA Chapter 25 – Delphi, delivered by the Cathedral’s former president Ted Klingos, stressing the chapter’s ongoing support for the spiritual and cultural life of the community.
