Abp. Elpidophoros Attends World Premiere of Musical Tribute to St. Iakovos
A new sacred oratorio honoring St. Iakovos of Evia made its world premiere at St. Nicholas National Shrine in New York.
NEW YORK — A new musical work honoring the life and legacy of St. Iakovos of Evia received its world premiere on June 4 at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, bringing together clergy, musicians, and faithful for an evening dedicated to one of the Orthodox Church’s newest saints.
The oratorio, "A Contemporary Saint: St. Iakovos of Evia," was composed by Savvas Karantzias and conducted by Costas Tsourakis under the high patronage of Abp. Elpidophoros of America. Through four movements, the work traces the saint’s childhood, monastic vocation, ministry of healing, and eternal life in Christ. Narration drawn from the saint’s sayings was combined with Orthodox liturgical texts, choral music, and orchestral accompaniment to create what organizers described as a spiritual portrait of St. Iakovos.
The event held special significance for Abp. Elpidophoros, who recounted a personal experience that deepened his devotion to the saint. In his remarks, he said, “The Holy One appeared to me in a dream nine years ago, just as I was beginning my tenure serving on the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Mother Church of Constantinople.” At the time, he did not recognize the figure. However, “when — a few days later — a fellow clergyman showed me a picture of the Saint, I knew him immediately!”
The Archbishop explained that the experience inspired him to learn more about the monk of Evia and eventually support efforts toward his canonization. Recalling that period, he said, “Suddenly, like a bolt of lightning, I was aflame with a desire to know as much as I could about him.” After discovering that a petition for canonization had stalled, he brought the matter to the attention of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, where the process resumed.
Abp. Elpidophoros also described a remarkable moment on the day of his election as Archbishop of America in 2019. While waiting outside the Holy Synod chamber, he was asked to sign a document that had remained pending from his service as Metropolitan of Bursa. “When I asked what I needed to sign he told me: ‘The Act of Canonization for St. Iakovos Tsalikis.’” The Archbishop added, “It was my final undertaking as the Metropolitan of Bursa, and I have considered it an extraordinary blessing from the Saint, an assurance that he will follow me throughout my whole life. So you see, how deeply meaningful this evening is for me, and I hope it is for you as well.”
The performance concluded with reflections on St. Iakovos’ enduring spiritual influence. Thanking the composer and performers, Abp. Elpidophoros said, “I know that this composition will inspire untold thousands to seek St. Iakovos — to learn from his humility and faith — and to follow his example of pure and unalloyed love for everyone and everything in God’s creation.”
Previously, the UOJ reported that Abp. Elpidophoros led a pilgrimage to Constantinople.
