Today, June, 11, the newly-elected Abbot of the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios in Roscoe, New York, the Reverend Hieromonk Stephanos, visited the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in New York in order to formally offer his respects to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and to receive his paternal blessing as he prepares to undertake the sacred responsibility entrusted to him by the brotherhood of the Monastery. Accompanying the newly elected Abbot were the Reverend Deacon Chrysostomos and Brother Epiphanios, members of the monastic brotherhood of the Monastery. During the meeting, which took place in a spirit of filial love and ecclesiastical unity, Archbishop Elpidophoros warmly welcomed Fr. Stephanos and conveyed, once again, his paternal joy and satisfaction at the prayerful decision of the brotherhood following the repose of the ever-memorable Elder Joseph. His Eminence offered words of encouragement and spiritual counsel, emphasizing the importance of humility, discernment, obedience, joy, and unconditional love in the ministry of an abbot. Read more at the link in our bio. Photos by Orthodox Observer.

In the heart of Astoria, Queens, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America attended the commencement ceremony of St. Demetrios Preparatory School and gave an address to the graduating class of 2026. The ceremony honored the graduates of the Archdiocese’s flagship parochial school, awarding them marks of excellence in major areas of study. In His Eminence's address, Archbishop Elpidophoros likened the journey after graduation to the Homeric voyage toward Ithaca, and emphasized that the education the graduates received provides them with a crucial compass—one comprising Orthodox faith, Greek culture, and community. “The compass will guide us in our lives. And what is this compass? The compass, first and foremost, is God — it is Saint Demetrios, it is our Orthodox faith.” His Eminence said to the graduates. “You have this tremendous weapon and advantage: you know where to find God when you need Him. You have our Greek civilization. That too will serve you, regardless of what field you study or what career you pursue in life. Your Greek civilization will illuminate your path and give you the principles to study whatever you wish and to choose whatever career you desire. Look around you.” Read more at the link in our bio. Photos by Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.

It is announced that, following the falling asleep of its ever-memorable Abbot, Elder Joseph, the brotherhood of the Holy Monastery of Saint Nektarios in Roscoe, New York, convened on Friday, June 5, 2026, in the monastery’s Katholikon and proceeded with the canonical process for the election of a new Abbot. Photo by Orthodox Observer

In an article republished in the Observer by Thanasis Mavridis: “What we are seeing from those monasteries that support virtually anything coming out of Moscow and turn their backs on His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is not particularly difficult to explain,” Mavridis writes. “They claim that their opposition is theological in nature and stems from the ongoing dialogue between Constantinople and the Vatican. In reality, however, they have taken a side in the long-standing rivalry between Moscow and Constantinople over who should exercise leadership within the global Orthodox world—and they have chosen Moscow. Greece holds significant strategic value for Russian interests on multiple levels.” Read the full OpEd at the link in our bio. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman.

Inside St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine, voices and instruments lifted to commemorate the miraculous life and afterlife of Saint Iakovos of Evia in four stunning movements. Composed jointly by Savvas Karantzias and its conductor Costas Tsourakis, dedicated to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the oratorio presents the “life and spiritual witness of St. Iakovos.” Read more at the link in our bio.

“Prior to arriving in the United States, St. Raphael lived in several centers of Orthodoxy, from his native Damascus, to Constantinople and the island of Halki where he studied, and to Kiev and Moscow,” writes His Eminence Metropolitan Saba of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. “It is in this way that, through his extensive travels and his acquisition of multiple languages in both colloquial and liturgical contexts, St. Raphael, by God’s providence, was well-prepared to undertake his mission in this new land: to help establish parishes for newly-arrived Orthodox immigrants of various ethnic backgrounds.” Read more at the link in our bio.

“Pope Leo’s Magnifica Humanitas (MH) recalls Catholic social teaching while reminding Christians everywhere that the dignity of humanity is God-given,” Orthodox Northeastern University Professor Dr. Sarah Riccardi-Swartz writes. “Focusing on communal care for each other, MH highlights repeatedly that all people have a responsibility for mutual care, which must not be constrained or removed due to technological development.”

As we approach the celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, we are called to both honor the revolutionary legacy of our forefathers and reaffirm our commitment to seek an ever more perfect union in our nation. In this spirit, you are invited to attend this year’s Juneteenth Ecumenical Prayer Service which will take place on Friday, June 19th at 11am at Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine located at 130 Liberty Street New York, NY. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman.

Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox leaders took a major step toward healing a 1,600‑year division when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Phanar for a celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. Both hierarchs called for renewed commitment to unity between their traditions. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Nikos Papachristou

“The encyclical argues that AI is not morally neutral — that it must be examined in light of how it is designed as well as how it is used,” Dr. Gayle Woloschak writes in the Observer. “That it requires regulation through transnational, diplomatic dialogue of the kind the international community has developed for nuclear, biological, and other dangerous technologies” Read the full article at the link in our bio. Photo by Orthodox Observer/Brittainy Newman.

The Saint Anastasia Fellowship (SAF) has partnered with FOCUS ​North America ​to launch a spiritual support initiative for individuals and families affected by substance use and behavioral addictions. “Healing is difficult; we can only start with prayer,” said Fr. Anastasios, the service’s officiating clergyman. “May Saint Anastasia intercede for all of us.” Read more at the link in the comments below. Photo courtesy of Saint Anastasia Fellowship.

With its 243 paragraphs and more than 200 references, “Magnifica Humanitas – on safeguarding the human person in the time of artificial intelligence,” the first encyclical of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, will undoubtedly stand as a milestone in the development of Roman Catholic social doctrine. In retrospect, one better understands Cardinal Robert Prevost’s choice of the name “Leo” a little over a year ago: it signals a clear intention to situate his pontificate within a tradition of continuity, particularly in the Church’s mission to serve the most vulnerable in society, as did Pope Leo XIII. Read more at the link in our bio.

In a statement from His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America on social media: “On this great Feast of Pentecost, I give thanks to God for the blessing of completing a pilgrimage with the graduating seniors of our beloved Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, a journey that began at the Sacred Center of Orthodoxy, our Mother Church of Constantinople, with the paternal blessing of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, and continued to the Holy Mountain of Athos and the historic city of Thessaloniki. Spending these days together with our students has been a profound joy and source of hope. To witness their faith, devotion, and commitment to the ministry that lies before them is a clear indication that the future of our Sacred Archdiocese is bright. Through their encounter with the spiritual heritage of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the living tradition of Orthodoxy, they have been strengthened and inspired as they prepare to take the next steps in service to the people of God. As we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, I pray that the same Spirit may enlighten and strengthen them, guiding them in faithful service to Christ and His Holy Church, always in devotion to the Mother Church and her sacred mission in the world. In preparing to return to the United States, I give glory to almighty God for my good health and offer my blessing and encouragement to our students, who will remain in Greece for several more weeks of study.”

On May 15, Pope Leo XIV signed a document that grew out of a Vatican conversation on artificial intelligence and ethics that had been developing for nearly a decade. He presented it to the world ten days later, on a Monday in late May, as “Magnifica Humanitas”—“Magnificent Humanity”—subtitled “On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.” The Observer asked for comment from experts on artificial intelligence and theology. Click the link in our bio to read more.