The era of major tensions in their relations is being left behind by the Maximos Mansion and the Archdiocese of America. Today’s meeting between His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis opens a new era in their relations and comes seven years after Mr. Elpidophoros’ elevation to the Archiepiscopal throne.
The head of the Church of America, in an interview published last Sunday in the newspaper “REAL NEWS,” had admitted directly that his relations with government members were going through “a period of great tension,” denouncing targeting by centers and para-centers in Greece and the US. As he said, “there was a system of centers and para-centers with specific media that operate here (note: in America) but mainly address the Greek public. In America they have almost no credibility and almost no one listens to them. In Greece, however, they create the impression that Hellenism is divided and cultivate anxiety. With time and sober interventions, things moved toward a normal direction.”
Relations between Mitsotakis and Elpidophoros during the Archbishop’s seven-year tenure were almost never characterized by harmony
The Prime Minister’s relations with the Archbishop of America during Mr. Elpidophoros’ seven-year tenure were almost never characterized by harmony. Deputy Foreign Minister Alexandra Papadopoulou approached the Phanar from the outset (even visiting there and having private discussions with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew) to prevent Mr. Elpidophoros from being selected for the position of Archbishop of America, and according to those familiar with the Phanar, later requesting his replacement. However, the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, according to the same sources, never withdrew his trust from Mr. Elpidophoros.
Government-Elpidophoros relations were particularly shaken in 2021 when the Archbishop of America attended the inauguration of the “House of Turkey” in Manhattan in the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the then Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, even being photographed with them. “I believe this visit was used by specific circles not for its substance, but as a pretext to damage the image of the Archbishop and the Archdiocese of America. If there had been a real problem in substance, others would not have followed the same path later. The polemic was one-sided. I did not follow it. I did not respond with counter-attacks nor did I exploit opportunities to harm government officials,” Mr. Elpidophoros stated in his Sunday interview, just hours before his meeting with Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
With the rise of Donald Trump to the US government, times changed and Mr. Elpidophoros, who had maintained open channels with the new world leader, found himself in a position of strength vis-à-vis the Greek government, which due to its direct support of the Democrats and the Biden administration, faced difficulties accessing the Trump administration. The Archbishop Elpidophoros’ position of strength opened the desired communication channels with the new power system in the US for the government. On September 24, when Kyriakos Mitsotakis was in New York for the annual UN session, he also made his first visit to the Archbishop of America, turning their relations around and opening a new chapter.
The bridges with the government were established
Thus, in the same interview, Mr. Elpidophoros admitted that the bridges with the government were established when his help was requested to arrange a visit by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the White House. As he said, “it’s not right to go into such details, but even if it was requested, it’s not bad. I would do my duty. I don’t do favors for anyone, this is my institutional role: to serve Greece and our national interests.”
It’s worth noting that Archbishop Elpidophoros of America’s position appears particularly strengthened in the Trump administration, while a recent New York Times report refers to his work, noting the impressive participation of the faithful in the parishes.
