Abp. Elpidophoros Celebrates New Year Liturgy With Call to 'Rise and Build'

Photo: orthodoxobserver.org

NEW YORK — Abp. Elpidophoros of America presided over the first Divine Liturgy of 2026 on January 1 at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan, issuing a New Year encyclical focused on growth, discernment, and renewed commitment to Church life.

“In this New Year of 2026, we are encountering times and seasons of remarkable growth for our Church and for our personal lives and families,” the Archbishop said, praying that efforts would “bear many different kinds of harvests . . . both spiritual and material.” Addressing rapid technological change, he noted that such advances present “many challenges, but also many opportunities,” stressing that “we need the wisdom of our Orthodox faith to guide our decisions.”

Abp. Elpidophoros called on the faithful to engage in the 2026 Clergy-Laity Congress in Cleveland under the theme “Rise and Build,” quoting Scripture: “Let us arise and build. And their hands were strengthened for the good work.” He also highlighted support for St. Basil Academy, invoking the intercessions of St. Basil for a fruitful year ahead.

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidorophos celebrated the Nativity Liturgy at Holy Trinity Cathedral. 

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