ΕΑΝ ΠΡΟΤΙΜΑΤΕ ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΑ ΠΑΤΗΣΤΕ ΤΗ ΣΗΜΑΙΑ ΣΤΟ ΚΑΤΩ ΜΕΡΟΣ ΤΗΣ ΟΘΟΝΗΣ
By Nick Stamatakis
In the past few days, it has become clear that the so-called “small parade,” which has been taking place Downtown for the past four years—from St. Nicholas of Ground Zero to Bowling Green—was not permitted by the NYPD. Here is the official announcement by GOARCH:
Helleniscope has consistently criticized the Archbishop’s involvement with the Evzones over the last five years. The Presidential Guard visits many towns in Greece and abroad for events and parades, yet nowhere does the local Metropolitan control or influence the Evzones’ program. In New York, however, Elpidophoros – driven by his well-known ego and complexes – has, since 2021, intervened through Fr. Evagoras and demanded control over their schedule. Thus began the infamous spectacle of “Παπάδες και Τσολιάδες.”
Yes, the GOA offered to “pay” for their expenses, but in the end, it became clear that the Archdiocese relied on the same donors who would otherwise have supported the Evzones directly had the Parade Committee been in charge.
Elpidophoros then introduced one of his trademark “paradoxes”: insisting on a Doxology at St. Nicholas of Ground Zero, with the Evzones surrounding the “Shrine,” parading outside, and then participating in the service inside. Why call it a “paradox”? Because this supreme national symbol is being showcased in the very place where Elpidophoros has refused to install permanent flag masts—as existed in the old church—for the Greek and American flags (a proposal by Bill Mataragas of HANC and Theodore Pavlakos, then President of the Pan-Laconian Federation).
Initially, the Archbishop behaved in a frankly absurd manner, insisting on near-total control of the Evzones’ schedule, thereby revealing his true intentions. In his narrow-mindedness, he seemed to believe that associating himself with such a powerful national symbol would help “shake off” the widespread accusations labeling him a “Turkish agent” and render him an “Ethnarch.” Later, he appeared to realize that this is not how perceptions are formed in America – and he loosened his grip somewhat.
Every Friday before the Parade, following the Doxology at St. Nicholas, the Evzones—along with a few schools, clergy, and officials – marched down Broadway to Bowling Green for the established flag-raising ceremony. Why, then, was the permit denied this year? Especially after Elpidophoros went so far as to desecrate the Epitaphios on the holiest day of the Orthodox calendar, Good Friday, in order to “honor” NYC Mayor Mamdani? Could he not simply call his ally Mamdani to intervene with the NYPD?
The entire arrangement of Downtown events is a disaster, and the primary cause is the Archbishop’s involvement and egotism.
There is no need for an additional Doxology at St. Nicholas. The Doxology already takes place once at the Cathedral on 74th Street on Sunday morning, just before the Parade, with the Evzones present. Why duplicate it?
The Evzones should appear only at the Bowling Green flag-raising ceremony – and maybe half of them. It would be far more beneficial for the community if the rest of them visited schools and institutions instead.
Marching through the congested streets of Downtown Manhattan during business hours is unpleasant for participants and generates more frustration than pride within New York.
Conclusion: Forcing the Archbishop’s presence into every aspect of the Greek Independence celebration helps neither the community nor Elpidophoros himself. The community will continue to view him as a “Turkish agent” (if he keeps acting the way he does to self-serve and achieve his personal goals), and the absence of a Downtown Evzones march will not diminish the overall celebration. In fact, the less the Archbishop is seen alongside the Evzones, the better it may be for him. This is America—the “sacred” must remain distinct from the “secular.” How many more years away from Turkey will it take for Elpidophoros to fully grasp this principle?
April 21, 2026, n.stamatakis@aol.com www.helleniscope.com
DISCLAIMER: The views and statements expressed in this article constitute constitutionally protected opinions of this author.
Face facts. There is no GOAA Archbishop, there is merely a person running around in his clothes.
Remember Clint Eastwood calling a certain hated someone an “empty chair”?
An even more basic question…How can an individual who holds a Turkish passport and attends the NYC “Turkish House” grand opening be trusted or associated with any rhetoric or festivities concerning Greek “independence”?
I’m confused?
1. Does ELPI represent Greece or America?
2. Why doesn’t the Greek Counsel in NYC , the Ambassador , the Foreign Minister, or the Prime Minister represent Greece in various Independence Day activities?
3. Was St Nicholas built as propaganda symbol of the Greek government or as a memorial to the lost church and victims and as symbol of what happened to America at 9-11 ?
4. Do you have to be Greek to be Greek Orthodox? You can be Irish, Brazilian , Korean , or Nigerian and be a ROMAN Catholic. Shouldn’t GREEK symbolize a global religious tradition and not “ what island are you from?”.
5. The GOA appears to be a conflicted messaging mess run by leftist buffoons from mostly outside the U.S.
Am I wrong?
Answer – to the best of my ability:
1) Elpi wants to represent both Greece and Americas when he can BUT let’s not forget that he holds a Turkish passport and he needs the OK of the “Sultan” to achieve his goal, i.e. to become Patriarch.
2) They are ususally present and do represent Greece but Elpi sucks out all the attention as he is trying to play a role that only Iakovos was able to play, i.e. be an “Ethnarch”
3) GOA in various ways pronounced her intention to reduce the memorial aspect of St. Nicholas and turn it into a pan-religious Temple, that is why they named it a “Shrine”. They reserved a space within the Church for faithful of all religions to pray. In other words they grabbed the opportunity to built an example of globalist pan-religion.
4) Of course you don’t have to be Greek to be Orthodox. Especially because we Greeks, in the three centuries after the death of Alexander, established the foundations for the ECUMENICAL NATURE OF CHRISTIANITY. “No man and woman, no Jew and Gentile” as Apostle Paul said… It was the Ecumenical Greek language and Culture and the Classical and Stoic Philosophy that gave rise to Christianity, Therefore we Greeks should be the flagbearers of the Panorthodox movement.
5) You are absolutely right! GOA funds the Fordhamite heretics to promote LGBTQ gender ideology at the same time as it sees the need to open its doors to a wave of converts that are coming to Orthodoxy exactly to avoid the LGBTQ woke propaganda. “Mess is not enough to describe the situation…
Markos.
The problem is not that Elpidoktonos holds a Turkish passport. Of course he would. He was born there. Its not his fault where he was born. Greeks of Konstantinople are more Greek then us, Greek Americans, who let our kids grow up without learning Greek language, history or culture.
The problem is that Elpidoktonos wants to inherit the patriarchal throne. He must act as a Phanariot. Kiss the feet of the Turks, so he can attain his vision. He lets nothing stand in his way. He will do whatever it takes to get there, while cultivating connections with wealthy and politically connected donors. The GOA is a stepping stone for him. He cares not about the well being of his flock, only of his supporters.
The even bigger problem is that – even before his arrival – they whole Phanar is coordinated with the Turkish Foreign Ministry to “water-down” the Greek-American community and our actions against Turkey. This was one of Turkey’s biggest foreign policy problems since 1974. And they are achieving it with the help of treasonous Greek-American organizations such as AHEPA.
Problem is not that he holds a turkish passport. Problem is that he is a Turk in Greek Orthodox attire. A wolf in sheep’s clothing. A wolf that bites without giving warning. A Turkish wolf which desecrates everything holy and righteous.