“We celebrate the first fruits of the harvest on August 6, the feast of the Transfiguration (metamorphosis) of Christ,” said His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. “I am happy to be here in this summer community on the church festival. The Sotiras’ metamorphosis isn’t just a change of clothes and glasses. It means seeing the light of the earth, immortality and leaving the darkness of the abyss. We are a church family, not just a congregation.
The Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church on Breakwater Road in Mattituck had an uplifting religious experience during the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020. His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros celebrated the feast on August 6. The service was viewed on Facebook and recorded by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. Assisting Archbishop Elpidophoros were Rev. Andrew (Andreas) Cadieux, Protopresbyter of the Church of the Transfiguration of Christ, Rev. Protopresbyter Jerasimos Ballas, Saints Anargyroi, Taxiarchoi and Jerasimos Church, Greenport. Unity as an ecclesiastical family of churches was emphasized. Cantor John Rontiris and archdiocesan cantors sang religious hymns. The Archons and the community were present.
Quarantine, masks and social distancing, for the first time in American history, were alleviated by seeing and hearing a Christian survivor of Turkish life: Archbishop Elpidophoros. The Parish Council and volunteers carried out an excellent procedure following the guidelines for COVID-19 gatherings.
“We are honored to receive the visit of His Eminence for a second year,” said Michael Kavourias, parish council president/archon of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate. “His visit is bringing people back to church during the Covid-19 pandemic.” Barbara Kavourias Thermos, vice-president of the parish council, was present. For an accurate list of individuals who contributed to this unique event, contact the Church of the Transfiguration office at 631 298-9652.
“We welcome His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros, who will lead the prayer here today,” Father Andreas said. “We are an ecclesiastical family. God grant him many years. EIS POLLA ETI DESPOTA.
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“I am happy that Father Andreas is here,” said Archbishop Elpidophoros. “I saw more people here today during the COVID-19 pandemic than on August 6, 2019. It represents a new air in the community. He is a family man with children. The church is clean and an example for all churches. We’re happy he’s here. We will have happy days when the Covid-19 pandemic is over and we see faces. These are difficult times. We must respect ourselves and others with masks. I promise to return next year and for many more years as Archbishop of America.
Father Andreas Cardieux is a true hero of the Covid-19 pandemic. He was hospitalized for five days. He was released, quarantined and completed Lenten services with an oxygen tank. We saw virtual service messages on Facebook created by Father Andreas on his laptop while he performed the liturgy. “When I began my ministry in January 2020, I launched an outreach program to encourage parishioners to attend religious services,” he said. “The parishioners were arriving. Then COVID-19 hit. His Greek is excellent. He had virtual services on the Transfiguration Facebook page that inspired everyone.
Father Andreas has a love story. He cared for the elderly at St. Michael’s Home in Yonkers as a seminarian. He gave hope and comfort to the elderly by speaking Greek and English. Many of us are indebted to Father Andreas for the compassion he showed towards our elderly parents. He was introduced to Joanne, a warm and friendly educator from New York, while working at St. Michaels’s Home. They had common interests, were married and had a family of three children.
I first met Archbishop Elpidophoros, who was Metropolitan of Bursa, at the last feast of the original Dormition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Southampton, Long Island on August 15, 2012, with Rev. Alexander Karloutsos and Reverend Constantine Lazarakis. His Eminence showed warmth, humility and true friendliness. He said: “I came here in 2002 or 2003 as a deacon. I come here from the Mother Church, from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, Mother of all Churches. The Mother Church has a soft spot for the Church in America. Patriarch Athenagoras, who was Archbishop of America, established a love for America with Constantinople. “Whatever the size of a Church, the Mother Church (the Patriarchate of Constantinople) loves you. »
His Eminence is a champion of the teaching of Greek language and culture. “Educators have my respect and my love. Greek Paideia is my soul. We cannot do anything without the love of Greek heritage and history. Christianity, Byzantium and Greek Orthodoxy are built on Greek philosophy and civilization. We will not lose Greek civilization here in the United States of America, which is a democracy. We must not lose our Greek language, soul, roots and history. We will support the Greek language, civilization and Orthodoxy. » Hellasfm’s Demetris Filippidis, in his August 5 broadcast, described Archbishop Elpidophoros’s same dedication to the Greek language.
The iconography was created by George Filippakis. He comes from the Cretan school of Byzantine iconography. Mr. Filippakis is a legend. His work will survive him and will be remembered by future generations. Incredible beauty gives hope to a person in their darkest moments. All members of the East End participated in the construction of this rural church with magnificent iconography. The iconography of the Transfiguration is mainly seen in Greek Orthodox churches in Greece. Being in this traditional Greek Orthodox church gave me hope for the future during the 2020 pandemic.
