Abp. Elpidophoros Joins Ecumenical Prayer with LGBTQ Lutheran Bishop

Photo: orthodoxtimes.com

NEW YORK — An ecumenical prayer service marking the 58th annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was held Jan. 30 at Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in the United States, bringing together leaders from a wide range of Christian traditions.

As reported by UOJ-Greece, among the participants was Katrina Foster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the first female and first openly LGBTQ bishop of the Lutheran Metropolitan Synod of New York. Also present was the Rev. Kirsten Guidero, who serves as the ecumenical and interfaith spokesperson for the Episcopal Church in the United States.

Prayers from the Armenian Apostolic tradition, choral hymns, and greetings from Archbishop Elpidophoros of America formed part of the program, with an emphasis on Christian unity and dialogue. Abp. Elpidophoros stated, "To move beyond our ecclesial insularity, we must endeavor to intentionally embrace the diversity that already exists in the Body of Christ.”

Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros called churches to embrace diversity. 

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