Today, September 24, 2024, First Lady of the Republic of Cyprus Mrs. Philippa Karsera visited His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America at the Archdiocese Headquarters. The First Lady was accompanied by the Consul General of the Republic of Cyprus in New York Mr. Michalis Firillas.
During their welcoming and cordial visit the First Lady spoke about her time in New York, mentioning that she had the opportunity to visit the A. Fantis Greek American Parochial School at Sts. Constantine & Helen Cathedral in Brooklyn, where an all-school assembly was held in her honor. She conveyed to His Eminence her admiration for the school children who have such enthusiasm for learning the Greek language and culture.
The Archbishop and First Lady also discussed the continued illegal occupation of Turkey in the Cyprus, which has now passed its 50th year. The Archbishop conveyed the support of the Archdiocese for Cyprus, vowing to keep working together to find a peaceful resolution.
Mrs. Karsera gifted His Eminence with Lefkaritika, or traditional Cypriot embroidered lace. Lefkara lace-making, which dates to the fourteenth century, is considered a protected, intangible cultural heritage practice by UNESCO. His Eminence graciously promised to utilize the lace as a liturgical Gospel bookmark in the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity.
His Eminence then gifted the First Lady with the Commemorative Icon from the 2022 Clergy-Laity Congress, which celebrated the Centennial of the Archdiocese.
SOURCE: GOARCH.
