{"id":5498,"date":"2025-03-25T21:46:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/25\/archbishop-elpidophoros-compares-trump-to-constantine-the-great-at-greek-independence-day-event\/"},"modified":"2025-03-25T21:46:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-25T21:46:10","slug":"archbishop-elpidophoros-compares-trump-to-constantine-the-great-at-greek-independence-day-event","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2025\/03\/25\/archbishop-elpidophoros-compares-trump-to-constantine-the-great-at-greek-independence-day-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Archbishop Elpidophoros Compares Trump To Constantine The Great At Greek Independence Day Event"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Washington, D.C., March 24, 2025 \u2014 Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America delivered a striking tribute to President Donald Trump during a White House celebration of Greek Independence Day, likening him to the revered Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. <\/h2>\n

The event, held in the East Room, marked the start of the Greek Revolution in 1821, which ended nearly 400 years of Ottoman rule.<\/p>\n

Standing beside Trump, Elpidophoros praised the president\u2019s leadership, saying, \u201cYou embody the values of our Christian faith and a love for the Gospel.\u201d He drew a bold comparison to Constantine, who founded Constantinople\u2014modern-day Istanbul, the archbishop\u2019s birthplace\u2014and is canonized in the Orthodox Church for legalizing Christianity in 313 A.D. \u201cYou remind me of the great Roman Emperor Constantine the Great,\u201d Elpidophoros said, prompting cheers from the audience.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n

“Archbishop Elpidophoros gives Pres. Trump a Holy Cross: ‘Your leadership reflects our Christian faith & Gospel love, like Constantine the Great.’ From the White House Greek Independence Day event. @Elpidophoros<\/a> @POTUS<\/a>” pic.twitter.com\/7bWvBWE7ZX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Greek City Times (@greekcitytimes) March 25, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

The archbishop presented Trump with a golden Orthodox cross, invoking Constantine\u2019s vision before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in 312 A.D., where a cross in the sky and Christ\u2019s words\u2014\u201cIn this sign, conquer!\u201d\u2014led to victory. \u201cThis cross is an everlasting symbol of peace and an invincible trophy,\u201d Elpidophoros declared. \u201cWith this cross, I pray you bring peace to the world and make America invincible!\u201d Trump accepted the gift, raising it for the crowd to see, as Elpidophoros blessed his family.<\/p>\n

Trump reciprocated the praise, thanking the Greek American community\u2014particularly the \u201cGreeks for Trump\u201d group\u2014for their support in his November victory. With approximately 3 million Greeks living in the United States, the community forms a significant cultural and political force, amplifying the weight of the occasion.<\/p>\n

The exchange highlighted a surprising alignment between the president and Elpidophoros, a progressive figure whose past actions have stirred controversy within the conservative Orthodox Church. Known for marching with Black Lives Matter in 2020 and baptizing the child of a gay couple in 2022\u2014an act that sparked global backlash\u2014Elpidophoros has often clashed with traditionalists. He recently called critics of Greece\u2019s gay marriage legalization \u201cfascistic\u201d and, at the 2022 March for Life, emphasized women\u2019s autonomy, citing the Virgin Mary\u2019s free choice. These stances drew criticism from several American Orthodox hierarchs.<\/p>\n

Yet, in recent months, Elpidophoros has adopted a more centrist tone, offering prayers at both national conventions last year and meeting with Trump\u2019s new ambassador to Greece, Kimberly Guilfoyle, in December. As leader of America\u2019s largest Orthodox community\u201449% of U.S. Orthodox were Greek in a 2017 Pew poll, part of the three million-strong Greek diaspora\u2014Elpidophoros\u2019s comparison of Trump to Constantine, a saint in Orthodoxy but not in Roman Catholicism, carries profound significance. The gesture underscores a bridge between his progressive leanings and Trump\u2019s conservative base, uniting them in celebration of Greek heritage and faith.<\/p>\n

President Trump welcomes Greek-American Alek Skarlatos to White House for Greek Independence Day<\/p>\n