His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Speech at the installation luncheon of
His Grace, Mgr Théofane de Philomelion
Archpastor of the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of the Americas
October 14, 2023
St. Nicholas Albanian Orthodox Church
Chicago, IL
Your Grace, Mgr Théofane de Philomelion,
Your Eminence and Your Grace(s),
Very Reverend and Reverend Clergy,
Brothers and sisters in Christ,
We have just installed your Bishop, His Grace Théofane de Philomélion, at this Agape Meal, a celebration of love and Christian reflection.
The Albanian diocese’s love for its traditions, heritage and history goes without saying. You have all contributed, in one way or another, to the realization of this sacred occasion. I congratulate Presbyter Dean Photos, the rector of this wonderful church, Etleva Teli, the president of the parish council, as well as all the members of this council and their fellow parishioners for their wonderful hospitality. And to those who have come from far and wide to be here today, thank you for your prayerful presence.
The Albanian Orthodox Diocese of the Americas, which belongs de jure and spiritually to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, has an enormous responsibility. And that responsibility is to cultivate and ensure the continued existence of the unique Albanian heritage here in the United States.
The history of this famous parish, almost eighty years old, bears witness to the sacred journey of the Albanian people to America. They came here with the clothes on their backs, but they worked with intensity and never forgot their homeland. You have all stood on the shoulders of spiritual giants to this day.
There is a special duty for you, my brother, Archbishop Theofan, to encourage cooperation among all the Albanian Orthodox people of America and to use the synergies you can cultivate, to promote and protect the precious heritage of faith, culture and language. which distinguishes your noble people.
You will now join the Assembly of Bishops from all canonical jurisdictional presences in America, where your voice will be heard. You will represent your faithful with dignity and honor and bring their voices to the Assembly so that every Albanian Orthodox Christian feels valued and appreciated.
We live in a complex and diverse society. And in the news we receive daily we hear such sad and bitter misfortunes that discourage even the most faithful Christians.
This is why you, Bishop Théofan, have an immense duty before God to bring comfort, comfort, strength and hope to your people. Our modern world often clashes with the values of our Church, but we are called to be faithful to the Tradition of the Church, as we received it from the generations that preceded us.
But here, in the Albanian Orthodox Diocese of the Americas, you will hold your faithful together as one family in Christ, so that they understand where they came from – where they are now – and where they are going. This is the shepherd’s obligation to his flock. To guide them and feed them
Our celebrations today bode well for the future, as clergy and laity are united behind you. We wish and pray for your success.
Once again, I thank the Brother Hierarchs for their presence and their pious intercessions on your behalf today. We stand with you and the Albanian Orthodox in America.
Let us together write another glorious chapter in the history of your precious Albanian community in the United States.
May God bless you all with good health, spiritual prosperity and every good and gracious gift that comes down to us from the Father of Lights in Heaven.
Amen.
