The community of Dormition of the Virgin Mary Cathedral in Southampton, NY had the honor of the visit to their Cathedral of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on Sunday, August 30, 2026. Welcoming the Archbishop were Grand Protopresbyter of the Ecumenical Throne Fr. Alexander Karloutsos and Rev. Fr. Constantine Lazarakis, parish council members and faithful of the community, including many altar boys.
Also attending the service was His Grace Bishop Athenagoras of Nazianzos, who read the Patriarchal Message for the Beginning of the Ecclesiastical Year and the Solemn Day of Prayers for Natural Environment, which is celebrated each year on September 1. In this year’s Message His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew states, “We are convinced that highlighting the religious and ethical dimensions of the ecological threat will lead to an awareness of the pivotal importance of ‘ecological responsibility.’ Humanity must at last cease acting as though it does not know and definitively cast aside the illusion that planet Earth can in perpetuity withstand the burdens and destruction caused by human activity, or that nature has the power to renew itself of its own accord. The ethos of responsibility for the protection of the natural environment must find expression at the global, national, local, and personal levels. We reiterate once again that the cultivation of ecological responsibility is a ‘categorical imperative’ for humanity as it confronts the greatest threat it has ever been called to face throughout the entire course of its history.”
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros recognized the Feast Day of St. Alexander by reflecting on the life and ministry of Fr. Alexander Karloutsos. Drawing a connection between Fr. Alex and his patron saint, St. Alexander, the first Archbishop of Constantinople, the Archbishop noted that Fr. Alex’s life has been deeply shaped by his love of Greek culture, language, traditions, and faith. He described Fr. Alex as embodying the best of Hellenic ideals, grounding his Orthodox Christian faith in the rich heritage of Hellenism that has sustained the Church throughout the centuries. Archbishop Elpidophoros further praised Fr. Alex’s lifelong sacrificial service to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and his devoted ministry to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, calling his life’s work a testament to steadfast faith, service, and dedication to the Great Church of Christ.
