Archbishop Visits Deerfield's Hellenic American Academy

DEERFIELD, IL — There was a little added excitement in the halls of Hellenic American Academy last week due to a visit by a special guest. Elpidophoros of America, the Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, met with students, faculty and administration Friday at 445 Pine St.

It was the first visit to the school by Elpidophoros, who has served as archbishop since 2019.

"Archbishop Elpidophoros was humble and approachable, taking the time to ask each child he interacted with their name and even kneeling down to our youngest students to speak with them," Effie Gountanis, marketing and communications director at Hellenic, told Patch. "His message was positive and inclusive, which was especially important as our student body is diverse, not only Greek Orthodox. These types of interactions inspire our students to give back and transform their communities."

Hellenic American Academy, a dual language private day school, was founded in 1908. The school's mission is "to be the preeminent educational and cultural center for Hellenism in the United States recognized for academic excellence, a strong sense of community, and the promotion of Greek heritage and faith."

In preparation for Elpidophoros's visit, teachers at Hellenic explained to students the archbishop's role in the Greek Orthodox Church. According to Gountanis, students wrote a welcome speech, created cards of gratitude and sang traditional hymns and songs of the Greek Orthodox faith. Some students also dressed in traditional Greek attire as a "sign of respect and appreciation" of their Greek Orthodox heritage.

Elpidophoros, 55, a native of Turkey, is the eighth Archbishop of America elected since the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in 1922. Gountanis said the archbishop is a strong advocate of education.

"Anytime a community leader takes time to visit the school, students appreciate the interaction," Gountanis said. "It not only provides the opportunity for students to share their everyday curricula and studies, it also affords the opportunity for student to learn from those leaders."

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