ATHENS, Greece – His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America paid his first official visit to the new United States Ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, on Wednesday afternoon at Jefferson House, the official residence of the American envoy to Athens.
Discussions on Halki Seminary and Ecumenical Patriarchate
During their one-hour-and-forty-five-minute meeting, Archbishop Elpidophoros and Ambassador Guilfoyle engaged in extensive discussions regarding the renewed efforts to reopen the Holy Theological School of Halki, which has been closed by Turkish authorities since 1971. The Archbishop emphasized the indispensable role of Halki in the life of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, stating that its reopening would foster generations of clergy imbued with an ethos of freedom, inclusiveness, tolerance, and dialogue. He underlined that this issue is also a concern for the United States, which has consistently linked support for the seminary to broader commitments on religious liberty.
The conversation also touched upon the recent ecumenical celebrations commemorating the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. These celebrations were highlighted by joint prayers from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Holiness Pope Leo XIV in Iznik (ancient Nicaea), followed by a gathering at the Phanar for Great Vespers and the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church of St. George, culminating in the signing of a joint declaration.
Ambassador Guilfoyle’s New Role and Archbishop’s Citizenship
Ambassador Guilfoyle, who formally assumed her post and presented her credentials in Athens on November 4, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception she has received in Greece. She reaffirmed her commitment to working tirelessly for the benefit of both the United States and Greece. His Eminence conveyed his sincere conviction that Ambassador Guilfoyle’s evident enthusiasm for her new role would lead to a fruitful and constructive ambassadorship, especially given the current opportunities in U.S.-Greek relations.
Ambassador Guilfoyle extended her congratulations to Archbishop Elpidophoros on his recent naturalization as an American citizen, which took place in New York on November 10. The Archbishop responded by stating that receiving U.S. citizenship was both a personal joy and a pastoral responsibility. He reiterated a message previously shared with the faithful, emphasizing that this significant moment filled his heart with joy and renewed purpose, and that his American citizenship would enable him to serve both the Church and the wider society of his adopted country with even greater dedication.
This visit marks their first official encounter since Ambassador Guilfoyle’s formal appointment, although they had met previously in Washington.
Source: https://hellenicnews.com/2025/12/06/abp-elpidophoros-visits-ambassador-guilfoyle-in-athens/
