In the presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate (AEP) hosted a reception and dinner in honor of His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine. This event, a key element of His Beatitude’s Archpastoral Visit to the United States, was a notable tribute to the courage, tenacity, perseverance, and above all the faith of His Beatitude and the Ukrainian people.
The reception and dinner took place on Monday, February 10, 2025 at Gallaghers Steakhouse in New York City. His Beatitude took the occasion to offer his assessment of the state of the war and the Ukrainian people today.
Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, National Commander of the AEP, explained that the history of Christianity in Ukraine began when the Ecumenical Patriarchate sent Saints Cyril and Methodios to Kyiv. Thus the Holy Faith was given by Constantinople to Kyiv, and by Kyiv to Moscow; hence history contradicted Moscow’s treatment of Kyiv and Ukraine as a constituent part of Russia.
Dr. Limberakis also noted that Moscow, in its quest to supplant Constantinople and become the “Third Rome,” had appropriated the double-headed eagle symbol of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He pointed out that the AEP used the symbol as a visible manifestation of its mission to support and defend the Ecumenical Patriarchate, while Moscow’s appropriation of it was a masquerade that was intended to delegitimize Constantinople and arrogate to itself its Ecumenical status within the Orthodox Church.
Finally, Dr. Limberakis stated that His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had bestowed the title of “His Beatitude” (Μακαριώτατος) upon Metropolitan Epiphaniy, and that it was particularly fitting. Dr. Limberakis noted that it called to mind the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, and said that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and “Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,” applied in particular to Metropolitan Epiphaniy during this time of war.
The Hon. B. Theodore Bozonelis, National Vice Commander of the AEP, offered a toast in honor of His Beatitude, saying that he had profound respect for Metropolitan Epiphaniy for exemplifying the triumph of faith no matter what the hardships may be.
His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros then reminded those present that the AEP had honored His Beatitude with the Athenagoras Human Rights Award. Addressing His Beatitude, he stated: “As ever, our prayers are with you, Your Beatitude, and we pray for a swift and just peace that will leave Ukraine with its entire territorial integrity. There must also be righteous reparations for all the damage done to the Country, especially the hundreds of churches and the institutions and infrastructure that have been wantonly destroyed.” He declared: “We are here to stand with you, Your Beatitude, and to provide whatever means of support that we can muster for you and your Faithful People.”
His Eminence added that “the Mother Church of Constantinople – the Mother of the Christian People of Ukraine – has nothing but their best interests at heart. The granting of the Autocephaly has always been meant to heal and unite all the Orthodox Christians of Ukraine into a single, national Church serving the Faithful and the Country.”
After His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy expressed his gratitude to His Eminence and to the AEP, he declared that while Russia would like to be Third Rome, there never will be a Third Rome. He revealed that His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros had believed from the earliest point that the Ukrainian church would be independent. Years ago, he said, nobody was talking about this, but Archbishop Elpidophoros inspired the Ukrainians, because he believed that the Ukrainian Church should be independent. He encouraged Ukrainians to go ahead with their struggle for independence. His Eminence’s contribution was huge, said His Beatitude, and pivotal for the Ukrainian Church to receive the Tomos of Autocephaly from His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in January 2019.
The Autocephalous Ukrainian Orthodox Church, said His Beatitude, has become a cornerstone for Ukrainian nation particularly during this time of struggle and war. Slowly, he said, step by step, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church will unite all Orthodox believers of Ukraine in one, single Orthodox Church. His Beatitude expressed confidence in Ukraine’s ultimate victory, saying that he Ukraine would win because it enjoys the support of the United States and all the democratic world.
His Beatitude spoke movingly about the Athenagoras Human Rights Award, which he received in 2019. “Five years ago,” said His Beatitude, “I received the Athenagoras Human Rights Award. It’s in my office. People ask me what it means, and I explain how this award is important and why it is valuable to me. Even some presidents of the United States have received it. And your support of Archons is so important for us.”
His Beatitude added: “Now is crucial moment for Ukraine. We await important decision which brings the end of this war. I’ve been asked how we can see the end of this war. I answered: ‘We are Christians. We believe in God. We believe that He exists. We believe that He is able to create the conditions for this war to end, maybe immediately. But God acts through us, and for this reason, we call on everybody to pray.’” He asked everyone present to pray urgently for peace in Ukraine, and expressed his gratitude to all those who had made contributions for the survival and safety of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams also made a brief appearance to pay his respects to His Beatitude.
