Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, the head of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, said that “we must speak and speak loudly against the injustice in our country,” as he attended a Black Lives Matter protest in Brooklyn, New York on Wednesday.
“I came here to Brooklyn today in order to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers whose rights have been sorely abused. This was a peaceful protest, one without violence of any kind, and I thank all of those involved, because violence begets only more violence,” Elpidophoros said.
I came to Brooklyn with @BPEricAdams and @agounardes for a peaceful protest to stand in solidarity with my fellow sisters and brothers, for justice and equality for every citizen of goodwill, regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnic origin. pic.twitter.com/ZZvLG2iWkd
— Elpidophoros (@Elpidophoros) June 3, 2020
The Greek Orthodox leader participated in the protest over the killing of Louisville EMT Breonna Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, who was killed when the police raided her apartment in Louisville, Kentucky in March.
“It is our moral duty and obligation to uphold the sanctity of every human being. We have faced a pandemic of grave physical illness, but the spiritual illness in our land runs even deeper and must be healed by actions as well as words. And so, I will continue to stand in the breach together with all those who are committed to preserving peace, justice, and equality for every citizen of goodwill, regardless of their race, religion, gender or ethnic origin,” Elpidophoros added.
He was invited to participate by the Borough President of Brooklyn, Eric Leroy Adams, and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, who represents New York’s 22nd State Senate District.
“I am so happy and proud to be marching with the Archbishop. It’s important that he has taken the time to acknowledge how significant this issue is,” Adams said of the presence of the popular Greek Orthodox leader.
Senator Gounardes also commented on today’s march, saying “I’m incredibly proud to march alongside His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros and our Brooklyn Borough President in the pursuit of greater justice for those who are no longer here to speak for themselves.”
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