ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
OUR PHOTOS: Hellenicdailynewsny.com. Some photos may originate in other media…
What will Hope-less Elpidoktonos do next year? Invite Erdogan to the Epitaphios? He resents being called a “Turk”, forgetting that in the Greek language, because of the 400 years of barbaric Ottoman slavery, “muslim” is equivalent to “Turk”: We say “Τούρκεψαν” (“they became Turks”), for those who converted to Islam during those miserable 400 years… But Elpidoktonos was born a Turk, and he remains a Turk no matter his appearance and his fake proclamations…
By Nick Stamatakis
No, it was not enough that they co-celebrated the Catholic Epitaphios service at Saint Nicholas last week!! Last night, the presence of Muslim Zohran Mamdani at the Good Friday Epitaphios Service at Saint Nicholas of Ground Zero, officiated by AB Elpidophoros, raised serious theological concerns and enraged many faithful who called us to express their absolute disgust. Helleniscope has been quite neutral about Mamdani, especially regarding his faith. We recognized that dark powers sought to divide this Nation and sow chaos, and we stressed the socio-economic trends that helped him rise to the mayoralty.
BUT the Epitaphios service is not a symbolic or cultural event; it is a deeply sacramental participation in the burial of Christ. Within Orthodox theology, Holy Friday is a moment of profound liturgical realism: the Church does not “remember” the burial; it enters into it. The hymns of lamentation, the procession, the reverence shown to the tomb—all of it reflects the Church’s lived experience of Christ’s death. Unfortunately, Elpidophoros has only a superficial knowledge of Orthodox theology, as Despina Lialiou, his professor at the University of Thessaloniki, stressed a couple of years ago.
The integrity of the Epitaphios service is not negotiable. It is not a venue for public gestures, political visibility, or interfaith signaling, however well-intentioned (which it never was the case of the faithless Archbishop – he consciously participates in the Ecumenist movement). The Orthodox tradition has always maintained a careful distinction between engagement with the world and the preservation of its sacred mysteries. To blur that distinction—especially at the very center of Holy Week—risks reducing theology to symbolism and worship to presentation.
This is where the decision reflects a deeper issue. The question is not whether dialogue with other faiths has a place – it certainly does – but whether such engagement is being carried out with the necessary theological clarity and liturgical sensitivity. When the Church’s most solemn rites are treated as settings for outreach, the result is not unity, but confusion.
Yet beyond these theological concerns lies something even more immediate—and, in many ways, more disturbing.
It is a well-known fact that from the very beginning, both the Archbishop and the heretic Pat. Bartholomew envisioned St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine not simply as an Orthodox parish, but as a broader “shrine”—a space consciously designed with an interfaith dimension, even reserving areas intended to welcome people of all religions. This is why Elpidoktonos has never allowed Greek and American flags outside the Church, as they have been with old St. Nicholas.
That vision is now clearly being realized. But the pressing question remains: at what cost? Over the past two decades, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has seen a dramatic decline in active membership—from roughly 500,000 to closer to 120,000, while many faithful increasingly seek spiritual grounding in other Orthodox jurisdictions such as ROCOR, OCA, Antiochian, and others. This trend is now bound to strengthen. At the time that many other Christian denominations, particularly young men, are turning to Orthodoxy, the hopeless Archbishop abandons the foundations of the Faith and turns to Ecumenism and LGBTQ ministries…
The images emerging from the service tell their own story.
In what is, by its very nature, a funeral—a burial service for Christ Himself—those present, including Archbishop Elpidophoros and Mayor Mamdani, are seen smiling. Not in passing, not incidentally, but openly and visibly, joined by others who appear similarly at ease, even cheerful. They cannot contain their explosion of happiness at the burial of Christ!!
This is not a minor detail. It is a profound contradiction. And it is absolutely reprehensible that even other officials who participated seem to smile and approve of the atrocious, sacrilegious acts by Elpidoktonos…
What exactly is being expressed in those moments? What understanding of Holy Friday allows for such visible levity? The Epitaphios is a service of mourning, of stillness, of sacred sorrow. It calls the faithful into silence and reflection, into a posture that mirrors the grief of those who stood at the tomb.
PHOTO: St. Nicholas P.C President Christina Chalatsis cannot contain herself – all smiles with Mamdani, as if they are celebrating a birthday at a club… Congratulations!!
Smiles belong to celebration. They do not belong to Golgotha.
The Orthodox faithful do not seek isolation from the world. But they do expect that their holiest day will remain unmistakably what it is: a day of mourning, of reverence, and of awe before the mystery of Christ’s death.
Anything less is not outreach. It is blasphemy and heresy.
April 11, 2026, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
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Sickening, isn’t it?
Don’t forget he had the Cardinal sprinkle the Orthodox faithful with the μυροδοχειο a couple years ago during the ekgomia…
He also frequents “Iftars”, which are not just a “friendly meal”…
So sure…why not bring the mayor of NYC along, who confesses a faith that has left behind a trail of Christian blood and desecration for centuries…makes perfect sense, doesn’t it? Unless Mandami is planning to call Erdogan and ask him to open up Halki again, and perhaps convince him that St. Sophia in Constantinople and Panagia Soumela should be returned to the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate, ? Maybe he’s going to help with these problems?
Ecumenism: The El-itists plan to usher in a one world religion?
According to Islamic prophecy there is going to be a Muslim and Orthodox Christian alliance to fight together during the end times against the Zionists 🇮🇱
The Orthodox Church must avoid forming an alliance between Muslims and Christians as this would socially engineer the confirmation of ecumenistic Islamic prophecy, thereby giving credence to their religious beliefs.
Muslims don’t believe Jesus is God, or that God is The Holy Trinity.
This is like when that Orthodox Christian priest placed value in a rabbi’s blessing.
Keep your friends close, and your (possible) enemies closer. It’s good that Archbishop Elpidophoros is establishing good relations with the mayor.
Joseph – you are becoming the laughing stock of this website…
“Keep your friends close, and your (possible) enemies closer. It’s good that Archbishop Elpidophoros is establishing good relations with the mayor.”
Really? Hmmm I don’t remember a place in the Gospel where Christ invited a mayor or another political figure for photo ups, especially one of a different faith. Thank God most Archbishops are not campaigning for their mayors… of different faiths… during Lent. Shame on Elpi for doing this and shame on you for making excuses for him.
Sandy, on Good Friday, Jesus Christ said to the civil authority, Pontius Pilate, “You would have no authority over me unless it was given to you from above”.
All civil authority comes from God, and that’s why St. Paul refers to the pagan Roman civil authorities as “God’s ministers” in Romans chapter 13.
Christ is Risen!
Joseph you never cease to amaze all of us with your perverted reasoning.Following your (lack of) logic all of us should subject to any power and authority “because it was given from above?”
May the risen Christ help you find a way through the maze in your head…
Αληθώς ανέστη!
Helleniscope, that’s literally what St. Paul says in Romans 13: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
“Πᾶσα ψυχὴ ἐξουσίαις ὑπερεχούσαις ὑποτασσέσθω. οὐ γὰρ ἔστιν ἐξουσία εἰ μὴ ὑπὸ θεοῦ, αἱ δὲ οὖσαι ὑπὸ θεοῦ τεταγμέναι εἰσίν·”
Are you kidding me? You will do a literal interpetation of this passage to prove that we subject to the authorities without considering if their “directives” are in accordance with our Faith? Are we going to subject to Mamdani’s abortion policies?
We are supposed to rise up to our own ecclesiastical authorities – AND WE DO – when the run astray? Do you want me to give you examples from history?
Indeed He is risen!
Yes, Joseph. Authority is given from above but it depends what they do with it.
Look what Judah did with “his power from above” and how he ended up. He had the option of becoming one of the 12 holy apostles but instead he used his power for evil and lost his soul. Pontius Pilate died in disgrace so it doesn’t matter that he had power from above, I don’t understand why you even bring him up, he is not a model that we should follow! He knew he should not condemn Christ to death but followed the wishes of the illogical crowd. Hardly a role model! He is a weak man with no morals that would send an innocent man to death if that is “popular”. You are very confused.
Sandy, and yet Christ willingly subjected Himself to the God-given authority of Pontius Pilate, even unto crucifixion. It is a very important aspect of our salvation that Christ’s death was voluntary.
Right before He was taken by the Roman soldiers, Christ said to His disciple, “thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He shall at once give Me more than twelve legions of angels?”
Even at His crucifixion, there were those who mocked Christ, saying “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.”
The local civil authorities are commemorated at every Divine Liturgy.
You are getting even more ridiculous with every response!…
Joseph. Joseph. Joseph.
The point here Joseph, is that those that betray Christ die in disgrace. Period. Yes, God gives them EARTLY power, but they are judged for how they use that power. I would rather have no power on earth and be saved than have power and misuse it and lose my soul. Pontius Pilate had the option to refuse the crowd’s request if he was a righteous man. But he was weak, and of this world. Pontius Pilate is rotting in hell, with all his power. He could have used it his power wiser and be would have been counted among saints. GOD GAVE HIM SIGNS through his wife that he should not condemn Jesus. This is what you fail to recognize. You sound more like an evangelical and a protestant, misunderstanding the Bible, so sometimes I wonder if you are even an orthodox.
Sandy, St. Paul doesn’t place any qualification on the civil authorities as having to be “God fearing” or “right believing”. No, instead he is specifically referring to the pagan civil authority of his time, calling them “God’s ministers”. This is the same pagan civil authority that crucified Christ and would later martyr the early Christian Church.
Joseph, the civil authorities are commemorated at every divine liturgy because we pray that they will govern us in peace and righteousness. As for Romans 13, the exegesis of the Orthodox Study Bible stipulates that we obey civil authorities provided they do not oppose God or the Church. In other words, we should be law-abiding citizens but only when the law of the land is in agreement with God’s laws. During the first three centuries it was illegal to be a Christian and as a result so many martyred for the Faith. At that time, the Christians did NOT obey civil authorities by offering incense to idols as that was a denial of Christ. I humbly recommend you procure a copy of the Orthodox Study Bible and read the passages along with the exegesis to better inform yourself.
Irene, how can you say that the killing of Christians by the civil authorities is abiding by God’s laws? Does this not oppose both God and Church? Yet the early Christian saints subjected themselves to the same civil authorities and were martyred. By doing so, they were ultimately obedient to God. That’s what St. Paul is getting at.
Unfortunately, you did not understand my comment at all. You understood the complete opposite of what I wrote.
Ewww – that ugly + underwhelming $100 million dollar rip off Shrine at Ground Zero! Nothing about it is worth that money + worst of all?
It Does Not Look
Orthodox Christian!!!
That Jewish Calatrava architect will get bad karma.
Inviting people from other faiths to attend a G.O. church is not a bad thing, but only with the understanding that they are catechumens. Another words, they’re contemplating to become Orthodox. If they are invited, while they’re not baptized, they should stay in the Narthex. Not that they are “unclean” but since they can not partake in the mysteries of the church, they have no business being within it.
Moreover, as Nick stated, the fact that they’re talking and laughing, during a day that’s full of sorrow, proves that they are not Axioi to represent the church of Christ. Many faked MAGA Christians blame others for the decline of Christianity. Actions such as these are what give the church a bad rap. From its own clerics.
So what did the Greek Orthodox Christian do sitting in their pews while the Mayor was in the church? Answer: Nothing as usual. Greek Orthodox Christians are reaping what they sow.
They should have all gotten up and left. Their presence along with their silence was a nod of approval.
We are all sinners, there is no doubt about that. But being a patriarch, or archbishop, or metropolitan, and at the same time spending your time in Masonic lodges and synagogues, that is a major sin that cannot be forgiven even by God Himself… You cannot serve 2 masters!
Please! Let’s understand one thing–a very basic aspect of democracy and democratically elected officials especially in a local government, such as a mayor. They are elected by the majority of the people and not by their faith or their church. They represent all residents regardless of faith or other preferences and should attend all events, if possible, regardless of faith. Mamdani is our mayor and we should take it as a plus rather than a minus if he attends any Greek Orthodox events.
Having met with him more that once, I believe he will govern NYC more like a citizen than a Muslim. He isn’t stupid.
To the contrary he is a smart person. He knows what is at stake here.
By the way, he has been close to the Greek community as he considers himself as an Astorian!
It’s always good to have your Mayor on your side unless he has committed political crimes! This Mayor has not. At least not yet. Being raised as a Muslim doesn’t constitute a crime. I also believe he is on the right side of this international turmoil that has been going on the past few years.
So, WHY this outcry for his presence in our religious services?
I have been criticizing Elpidoforos for a number of issues. NOT for this one. I will not.
Because it’s Good Friday – and it’s the most holy and sacred day of the Orthodox calendar. Politics have no place on Good Friday. Big smiles neither. It’s truly sad you don’t understand.
Moreover, and far worse, Elpidophoros’ behaviour, chatting and smiling beside Mamdani, rather than praying and standing apart from him. He clearly showcased himself as a politician rather than a cleric. He exploited the solemnity of Good Friday rather than honouring it, for his own political agenda.
This mulsim man commits many demonic crimes inculding supporting abortions and homoseuxality. When Saint John the theologian knew a heretic was under in the bathhouse of ephesus he fled.
Indeed, and they could have met someplace else if they want to hang out and be friends. We have many catechumens in our Churches which we warmly welcome on any day, but the mayor is not a catechumen. He just came to campaign and for photo ups. This day is about Christ, not the mayor. Distasteful.
Honestly, I would not want to stir already troubled waters, given the real dialogue we perceive in this post, especially from proponents of dialogue — and through that division we reach conclusions.
Personal view:
Faith is not a luxury that changes when circumstances become difficult. On the contrary, it is tested and revealed. In the 21st century, where societies are more secular and life choices are varied, a person’s relationship with God remains primarily personal. However, this relationship is not expressed in isolation. Our daily participation in society highlights our values — solidarity, humility, lack of competitiveness — which together make up the “book of life.”
The authenticity of faith is seen in our attitudes toward moments of mourning and repentance. If we deeply feel the meaning of Good Friday — the suffering and sacrifice of Christ as experienced by the Orthodox Christian witness — we will not behave inappropriately or frivolously. The same applies at a funeral: our natural reaction to loss reveals the degree of sincere faith and respect.
There is, of course, a historical contradiction: many Fathers of the Church, who lived ascetically (John Chrysostom is a characteristic example), harshly criticized clericalism and the worldly display of clergy. The phrase “out clergy, down clergy,” Εξω Κλήρος κάτω Κλήρος, attributed to Chrysostom and later repeated by the late Kantiotis at gatherings, expresses the contrast between authentic ascetic life and the secularized practice of many clerics, who often lived contrary to the spirit of the Fathers.
This dimension does not absolve the believer of personal responsibility: Chrysostom also taught that everyone must mind their own conduct and avoid indulgence in accusations — common worship should not be hindered by constant suspicion.
The proposal is not merely a rhetorical break with the institutional clergy. It is a call for authenticity and discreet judgment. Those who truly follow the helm of the Church should do so consistently and with ascetic prudence. Those who do not represent it in this way should have their public role reconsidered.
The Church and the community can exist and flourish based on authentic spirituality, not showmanship. Faith is tested and confirmed in our choices and behavior. A personal relationship with the divine requires honesty and a social expression of solidarity. “Out clergy, down clergy” — not as hatred, but as a reminder that faith must have inner consistency and a public ethos.
Always with respect for the Resurrection, the only phenomenon of life that has existed from eternity — and since some physicists sometimes support multidimensional interpretations compatible with the Resurrection — the phenomenon gives life and suggests that death does not finally exist. After all, Plato spoke of the immortality of the soul; Greek mythology has Orpheus descending to the underworld to seek Eurydice; Homer records Odysseus going to the underworld to seek his mother; and Persephone returns to Demeter every spring, with poppies and rejoicing.
Since all of these have been offered, and since some of us have dreamed of our own resurrection, let us welcome the Resurrection of the Orthodox Christian God. Let us not forget a basic prerequisite in this transformation: it is preceded by a martyrdom, which each of us knows alone and which is the cross of each person’s martyrdom.
Long live life through the Resurrection.
Sevi Boutos
There is an ideal time and place for all activities. As for finding common interests with people of other faiths, now is not a good time. Top priority for those who love God’s Ark of Salvation, the Church, is to heal the current division in the Church. The division between Constantinople and Moscow is a scandal. It must be dealt with before anything else. My hope is that the initiative for healing the division will come from any of the strong, solid leaders of the 14 autocephalous churches. I think of Theophilos of Jerusalem, John of Albania, Sava of Poland, or Daniel of Bulgaria.
The healing of the schism may not be possible because Barto wants OCU to be recognized. So we might have to wait for OCU to be dissolved and that may not happen while Barto is alive. No matter how much money was pumped into OCU, it is still pretty much dead, with empty churches. No one is recognizing OCU except a few very confused people so it will eventually either dissolve or be “recognized” as a schismatic structure that will stay schismatic, like UOC-KP. It will never be part of the canonical OC because it doesn’t have enough faithful to support it. I am reading they are not paying what is required to the state so the state is considering taking over some of the OCU buildings. As long as OCU exists, there can’t be any reconciliation between Russia and the turkish patriarch. Autocephaly can only be under Metr. Onuphry. Even under extreme duress, the other guy is a joke and the real O. Christians are not taking him seriously. Barto miscalculated the situation. People won’t follow him, Ukrainians are not interested in the green church. They love Metr. Onuphry who is a holy man and is preaching about God, not trees.