The former deacon of Mexican origin, Pedro Gomez, was ordained an elder, in the morning, in the Holy Church of Constantine and Helen in Ilioupoli, Thessaloniki, by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

The ordination of the new priest took place in the presence of his two parents, who were moved to wish him success in his new priestly duties, in the Spanish-speaking mission in the USA.

The reception of the archbishop of America, in the presence of the Metropolitan Varnavas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, was enthusiastic, as Mr. Elpidophoros is connected on a personal level with the region and the residents of Ilioupoli, since his childhood.

“I was ten years old when we came as a family from Istanbul, as refugees, and we found a warm embrace in the refugee neighborhoods, here in Ilioupoli,” said the archbishop of America in his statements and continued:

“I lived my childhood here, for the first time in Greece, I received communion in this church, in this church I confessed for the first time. I saw my classmates, who came to greet me. And combined with the ordination we did here for a Mexican missionary priest – who will undertake to enlighten the Spanish-speaking people of America with our orthodoxy – they created a festive atmosphere, which was topped off by the love and beautiful words addressed to us by Metropolitan Barnabas ».

Archbishop Amerikis Elpidophoros and his entourage then visited the Holy Church of Agios Athanasios Evosmos and toured the structures for hosting and feeding the needy of the parish.

Mr. Elpidophoros then visited the Lighthouse of the World in Dendropotamos, Thessaloniki, a structure that cultivates and promotes the values ​​of cooperation and solidarity through social events and activities for the Roma children of the area.

The American archbishop was accompanied on his visit to the Lighthouse of the World by the US ambassador to Greece, George Tsounis, and the mayor of Ampelokipi – Menemeni, Lazaros Kyrizoglou.

Mr. Elpidophoros was warmly received by Father Athenagoras, who heads the Lighthouse of the World, but also enthusiastically by the Roma children, who listened attentively to the archbishop’s advice, against discrimination and in favor of social progress and their advance, while they sang during his reception.

The archbishop of America and his entourage visited immediately after, the town hall of Ampelokipi – Menemeni and the Holy Metropolis of Neapolis and Stavroupolis.