On Oct. 24-25, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America presided over the consecration services at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Fort Wayne, IN, serving alongside His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit.
On Friday afternoon, the Archbishop was welcomed at Fort Wayne International Airport by Metropolitan Nicholas and Holy Trinity Proistamenos Fr. Cosmin Sicoe and Pres. Grigoreta Sicoe. Also present were Dn. Steven J. Sarigianis and Diak. Theophani Sarigianis, parish council president Drew Swift and his wife Christine Swift, consecration committee co-chair Elisabeth Michaelides-Halbig, Archon Chris Rongos, and Greek dancers Lucas and Alexander Swift.
During the Great Vespers of Consecration on Friday evening, the church was presented with Holy Relics of Martyred Saints from Chora on the island of Samothrace. On Saturday morning, the New Martyrs’ relics were sealed within the Holy Table during the Divine Liturgy of Consecration. Archbishop Elpidophoros noted that the relics “will fill the Ναός with the perfume of the grace of their ultimate sacrifice for the sake of love.”
The Archbishop described the day as a testament to the parish’s faith and dedication, noting that the consecration marked not only the blessing of a building but the renewal of the community’s spiritual life. He also encouraged the faithful to continue living their vocation as Orthodox Christians, serving and witnessing to Christ in their daily lives.
The visit concluded with a banquet, as parishioners and clergy celebrated this milestone together with gratitude and unity.
