Abp. Elpidophoros Meets with Amb. Guilfoyle in Greece
First official visit highlights hope of Halki Seminary reopening, Nicaea anniversary celebrations, and strengthening U.S.-Greek religious and diplomatic ties.
ATHENS — His Eminence Abp. Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America paid his first official visit to U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle on Wednesday at Jefferson House, the ambassador’s official residence in Athens.
"I had an excellent discussion yesterday with His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America about the important role of the Orthodox Church in the lives of Greeks and the Greek-American diaspora," a social media post from the Embassy states. "The United States is proudly committed to working with religious leaders to promote our shared goals: peace and religious freedom around the world."
During their 1 hour and 45-minute discussion, the Orthodox Observer reported that the Archbishop and Ambassador spoke on the renewed hopes for reopening the Holy Theological School of Halki, the recent 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, and broader issues concerning the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Abp. Elpidophoros emphasized Halki’s importance for training clergy “steeped in an ethos of freedom, inclusiveness, tolerance and dialogue” and noted its significance to U.S. support for religious liberty.
The conversation also highlighted the ecumenical celebrations in Iznik and at the Phanar, where Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Pope Leo XIV marked the Nicaea anniversary with prayers, liturgy, and a joint declaration.
Amb. Guilfoyle congratulated Abp. Elpidophoros on his recent U.S. naturalization, to which he responded that citizenship brings both personal joy and pastoral responsibility, enhancing his ability to serve the Church and American society. His Eminence also expressed confidence that Amb. Guilfoyle’s enthusiasm for her new role will foster a constructive and fruitful U.S.-Greece partnership.
Previously, UOJ reported that Amb. Guilfoyle had met with Abp. Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.
