Abp. Elpidophoros Hospitalized Briefly During Thessaloniki Visit
A brief health scare during Pentecost observances ended with Abp. Elpidophoros returning to good health after precautionary testing.
THESSALONIKI — Abp. Elpidophoros of America was taken to a local hospital on Sunday after becoming ill during the Feast of Pentecost in Thessaloniki. The Archbishop had concelebrated the Divine Liturgy for Pentecost with Metr. Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria and Bp. Ioannis of Phocaea at the Cathedral of St. Nicholas of Aretsou. Following the conclusion of Great Vespers, he reportedly felt unwell amid a demanding schedule and unusually high temperatures in recent days.
According to reports, the incident occurred during the service itself, causing concern among clergy and faithful gathered at the cathedral. Emergency medical personnel were called and responded promptly. As reported by UOJ-Greece, an EKAB ambulance arrived at the scene and transported the Archbishop to the 424th General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki, accompanied by a Greek Police patrol vehicle.
The Archbishop was reportedly in Thessaloniki for scheduled ecclesiastical visits that had begun the previous day. At the time of the incident, no official statement had yet been issued by either the hospital or the Archdiocese of America regarding his condition. Church officials later stated that the hospitalization was undertaken purely as a precautionary measure for medical testing and that Abp. Elpidophoros was discharged in complete good health.
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros chaired a National Council of Churches meeting.
