Archbishop Elpidophoros marches in memory of Breonna Taylor in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, New York, June 4, 2020

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Archbishop Elpidophoros, the head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, attended a peaceful protest and march in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, yesterday, June 3, in memory of Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT who was killed when police mistakenly raided her home in March, reports the archdiocesan press service.

The Archbishop was invited to the march by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Leroy Adam and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, despite Governor Cuomo’s executive order limiting gatherings to 10 people or less.

Adams commented on Abp. Elpidphoros’ presence: “I am so happy and proud to be marching with the Archbishop. It’s important that he has taken the time to acknowledge how significant this issue is.”

Senator Gounardes commented: “I’m incredibly proud to march alongside His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and our Brooklyn Borough President in the pursuit of greater justice for those who are no longer here to speak for themselves.”

And following the march, the Archbishop himself emphasized:

I came here to Brooklyn today in order to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers whose rights have been sorely abused. This was a peaceful protest, one without violence of any kind, and I thank all of those involved, because violence begets only more violence. We must speak and speak loudly against the injustice in our country. It is our moral duty and obligation to uphold the sanctity of every human being. We have faced a pandemic of grave physical illness, but the spiritual illness in our land runs even deeper and must be healed by actions as well as words. And so, I will continue to stand in the breach together with all those who are committed to preserving peace, justice, and equality for every citizen of goodwill, regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnic origin.

The Archbishop’s participation has drawn mixed reactions from the Orthodox faithful. Some praised his effort, comparing him to Archbishop Iakovos, who famously marched alongside Martin Luther King, Jr.:

Others simply thanked him, or cried, “Axios!” (“Worthy!”):

On the other hand, others pointed out that church attendance remains strictly limited while the Archbishop participated in such a large-scale event:

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6/4/2020

Comments
nickels6/8/2020 5:41 am
It takes a special kind of fumb to do this.
A Greek of Constantinople.6/6/2020 8:04 am
Don't expect that public statement for the Greek cop who was shot in the head in Vegas. He blocks people on twitter who even mention it.
Basil6/5/2020 3:29 pm
I don't suppose he'll be making any public statement about the Greek Orthodox police officer who was shot in the head in Las Vegas?
Mikhail6/4/2020 8:55 pm
Wonderful! Lock the people out of their Churches for the Great Fast, Holy Week, Pascha, Bright Week, etc....then mandate such oppressive directives that no one wants to return. While you are at it, change the 1000 year old practice of the common spoon because it can carry horrible diseases. But make sure you march with thousands of protesters to show that you are adapting well to America. ANAXIOS!!!
Alexander Leitner6/4/2020 8:09 pm
Anaxios. He should care about his jurusdiction and faithful. To keep faith....
Peter6/4/2020 5:52 pm
He can march with these people and yet we still can’t go church.... He’s just LARPING for Abp. Iakovos
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