Archbishop Elpidophoros on Monasticism

Archbishop Elpidophoros meeting with Elder Ephraim of Arizona on his recent visit to the monastery (source)

  
A blessed and historic visit occurred by his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America to the Holy Monastery of St. Anthony in Arizona, where he spoke to the Fathers on his love of Monasticism, relating his support of their work and giving them promises that he will be beside them as a Father at their every step.

In the photograph, his Eminence is seen meeting with Elder Ephraim, who sat with him for a while in the archontariki.

After the Divine Liturgy, the Abbot of the Monastery discussed the [hope for the] canonization of Elder Joseph the Hesychast, but also spoke on the meaning of Monasticism and its offering to the world, including America, throughout the centuries.

The Fathers of the Monastery welcomed the Archbishop, who thanked him for the effort that he made to come near them having just recently taken on his new responsibilities, relating their thanks for his interest in them and for his presence at the Holy Monastery of St. Anthony.

In his address, the Abbot of the Holy Monastery of St. Anthony mentioned the work of their Elder, Elder Ephraim of Arizona, and the miracle of Monasticism, for which he himself has suffered greatly, saying that they appreciate and hopeful that they will have the support of the Archbishop for the difficult work that is occurring in Arizona.

Having mentioned Elder Ephraim, a true son of the Venerable Elder Joseph the Hesychast, he expressed his faith that the Archbishop will support the work begun by their Elder.

Having mentioned Elder Joseph the Hesychast, he related that they look forward to the blessed hour when he will be canonized.

During his address, his Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros discussed his visits to Arizona, saying that it was the second time that he had come to Arizona and met with Elder Ephraim, noting that he had the blessing to hear spiritual words from his precious mouth, and came to know the brotherhood.

"This time, God has made me worthy to visit you as Archbishop of this beautiful Archdiocese, which is found to be the pinnacle of the Ecumenical Throne", said the Archbishop, while he also mentioned the Holy Monastery of the Holy Trinity [Halki], which was founded by the Great Patriarch Photios, of which he was the Abbot.

Reviewing the history of the Holy Monastery, the Archbishop mentioned how he himself, with the blessing of the Patriarch, began to create a brotherhood at the Monastery of the Holy Trinity, and spoke of the spiritual provisions and the asceticism and the tears of the Monks, which most likely will ultimately be that which will help to re-open the Theological School of Halki, together with all the rest that has occurred up till now.
  

Archbishop Elpidophoros arriving at the monastery (source)

  
"I entreat you, Fathers, to unite your spiritual efforts with those of the Holy Trinity of Halki, to create spiritual presuppositions that there might bear fruit again of the work of the Lord and give the Church clerics.

"The mystery of the Monastic and the Cleric is, if and to what degree, he is praying, if and to what degree he is communicating with the Lord," said the Archbishop.

"Here in Arizona, God blessed a holy Elder to come, your Elder, Elder Ephraim. He found a desert. America was not only a physical desert, but a spiritual desert thirsting, a desert that was seeking monasteries. The Elder came, and 'made the barren desert fertile'. The Good Sower [Christ], when He sows in the good earth, brings forth much fruit and increases. The Elder became a first-worker with the work of God, and bore the fruit of Monasticism in the barren land of the USA. He planted churches, monastics, which bring forth flowers and give fragrance to the USA.

"I came as Archbishop to express my thanks to Elder Ephraim who put forth many children, sons and daughters, in whom he can boast, and when the time comes for him to close his eyes, he can say: 'Master, now let Your servant depart in peace according to Your word, for my eyes have seen Your Salvation.'

"Now that God has allowed him to be near us, and when the Lord wishes to take him near Him, we will all express our thanks and our respect for him and for his spiritual children.

"The Archdiocese will be the protection and support of all Monastics, all Abbots [and Abbesses], all the Fathers who have chosen this difficult life, for our Patriarch himself is a lover of monastics, and he loves monasteries, and, my mediocrity, as a spiritual child of our Patriarch, learned to love monasteries and to love and protect monasteries.

"I did not come to America as an Archbishop, but as an Abbot, of the Monastery of the Holy Trinity in Halki, bringing with me also the Fathers and the brotherhood.

"I also would like to live here in America like I did in Halki with my brotherhood, my spiritual children, and, if God desires, may I found my brotherhood outside the offices of the Archdiocese, in honor of my Protector, St. Iakovos Tsalikis of Evia.

"Beloved Fathers and holy Abbot, you should see in my person a fellow monastic, a brother, who always has his door open, so you may come visit, that we can pray together and liturgize together.

In this spirit, we are organizing a synaxis of the Fathers throughout all America, and every year we will have it at a different monastery, that we might embrace our monasteries, that strengthen our faith and our tradition and our Hellenic conscience. May the Lord bless you."
(source)
  

Archbishop Elpidophoros blessing the people in the Katholikon (Source)

  
And here is the keynote address by Archbishop Elpidophoros to the above-mentioned Synaxis on Monasticism.
  

Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us and save us! Amen!