Orthodox Observer News Today

Nikki was raised in a thriving Rochester enclave of Greek immigrants and their descendants

Nikki Stephanopoulos, 90, a Minnesota-born public relations dynamo who served the Greek Orthodox church for decades, died at her home in Beachwood, Ohio, on September 29, 2023. Her husband, the Rev. Dr. Robert G. Stephanopoulos was by her side.

Following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, California on March 1, 2023, Fr. Athanasios (Tom) Zaferes was elevated to Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne by His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros. His Eminence Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco and His Grace Bishop John concelebrated the Liturgy with the Archbishop. Following the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy at Ascension Cathedral in Oakland, California on March 1, 2023, Fr. Athanasios (Tom) Zaferes was elevated to P...

Father John Chryssavgis, the internationally renowned theologian who serves as Theological Advisor to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, will offer the annual Washington Theological Consortium Lecture on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. Father John Chryssavgis, the internationally renowned theologian who serves as Theological Advisor to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, will offer the annual Washington Theological...

Today, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America led an Interfaith Prayer Service for Türkiye and Syria at Georgetown University. The service was an opportunity for religious and civic leaders to pray together, in solidarity with Türkiye and Syria and the diaspora communities here in the United States, for the peace and comfort of all impacted by the recent earthquake, as well as for the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts. Today, Tuesday, February 14, 2023, H...

On the eve of the Investiture Ceremony of the University of South Carolina's new president, Dr. Michael Ameridis, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros celebrated a Doxology Service at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Columbia, SC. On the eve of the Investiture Ceremony of the University of South Carolina's new president, Dr. Michael Ameridis, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros celebrated a Doxology Service at the Holy...

Today, January 13, 2023 at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, took place the inaugural meeting of the established ten-member Mixed Commission on the topic of the revision of the existing Charter of the Sacred Archdiocese of America. Today, January 13, 2023 at the Ecumenical Patriarchate, under the chairmanship of His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, took place the inaugural meeting of the established...

On January 10, 2023 at the suggestion of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos to the rank of Metropolitan and, as such, the see of Xanthos to the rank of Metropolis in his person. On January 10, 2023 at the suggestion of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate elevated His Grace Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos...

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America is currently participating in the regularly scheduled session of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s Holy and Sacred Synod for the month of January (10-12). Upon the conclusion of this synodal session — under the chairmanship of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew — the very first meeting of the Mixed Commission on the Charter of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America (“Mixed Commission”) will take place at the Ecumen...

On January 4, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presented a donation of more than $370,000 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople for the restoration of the Balikli Hospital and Nursing Home, which was devastated by a fire in August 2022. On January 4, 2023, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presented a donation of more than $370,000 to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople for the restoration of the Balikli...