Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew had the opportunity to discuss human rights, racial discrimination and police violence with the newly elected mayor of New York, Eric Adams. The new mayor of the American metropolis chose the Archdiocese of America as the first place he visited the day after his election, as he has developed a personal relationship with Archbishop Elpidoforos since the pandemic.
For his part, the Ecumenical Patriarch gave his blessing to the new mayor, emphasizing that it is important that all people can progress without social and racial restrictions. Referring to the personal experience of Eric Adams, His Holiness said that he congratulates him for managing to take the bad experience of abuse from the police and turn it into a successful career that will allow him to make positive changes and eliminate prejudices. At this point, Mr. Bartholomew seemed to be well acquainted with the personal path of Eric Adams, who as a young man had been the victim of police violence. This incident led him to join the police force in order to help change it from within. He then followed a political career as president of Brooklyn County and now as the new mayor of New York.
Speaking to APE-MPE, Eric Adams referred to the demonstration of the Black Lives Matter movement in which he had marched with Archbishop Elpidoforos and spoke with praiseworthy comments about the Greek Orthodox Church of America. It is recalled that a similar move was made by the blessed Archbishop James, who was the first white religious leader to march with Martin Luther King during the period of the US civil rights movement.
“It was such an important move. And the walk with Archbishop Elpidoforos was really a reflection of the path that the Greek Orthodox Church took with Martin Luther King during the civil rights movement. So when you see this (historical) continuity and commitment to elevate all people, you think it does not just reflect an amazing religion and belief in philosophy. The philosophy of all people to progress is not limited to our religious books and our religious texts. It must be part of the way we live our lives. “And it’s something I definitely see (in the Archdiocese) and I’m very happy to be here right now, as I begin my journey to New York as the 110th mayor,” said Eric Adams.
Archbishop Elpidoforou’s relations with the African-American community
The Archbishop had repeatedly emphasized the importance he attached to the issue of social justice throughout the Black Lives Matter movement. In fact, he had gone to Brooklyn and participated in a peaceful demonstration in support of African Americans and the victims who lost their lives as a result of police violence. The archbishop’s action was then hailed by Eric Adams, who served as president of Brooklyn County. The relationship between the two sides continued during the pandemic period when Eric Adams had awarded Mr. Elpidoforos, acknowledging in his person the assistance provided by the Archdiocese to socially vulnerable groups who were exposed to the economic effects of the pandemic.
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