Archbishop Elpidophoros described America as fertile ground for the seeds of Greek faith and culture to germinate, “our faith and education, which were implanted over the course of many decades from one coast of the country to the other.”

The Epiphany is one of the oldest feasts of the Greek Orthodox Church, established in the 2nd century AD and referring to the manifestation of the Holy Trinity during the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist. It is celebrated every year on January 6 and is the third and last feast of the Twelve Days, which begins with Christmas. It is also called Epiphany and Lights.

In one of the most important events of the Greek diaspora in the USA, which is organized with splendor every year at Epiphany in Tarpon Springs, Florida, the Deputy Minister of Shipping and Insular Policy, Stefanos Ghikas,participated, responding to the call of the Greek diaspora community.