American Orthodox Archbishop Praises Trump, Compares Him To Constantine The Great
Archbishop Elpidophoros of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America offered high praise for President Trump, likening him to Constantine the Great.
During a special event at the White House on Monday, commemorating Greek Independence Day—also known as the Celebration of the Greek Revolution—Elpidophoros spoke alongside the president. The gathering marked the anniversary of the Greek Revolution of 1821, which led to Greece gaining independence after nearly four centuries under Ottoman rule.
Standing beside Trump, the Archbishop commended his leadership and compared him to one of Orthodoxy’s most revered historical figures.
“Through your leadership, you embody the values of our Christian faith and a love for the Gospel. You remind me of the great Roman Emperor Constantine the Great, who founded and built the magnificent city of Constantinople — my birthplace, known today as Istanbul,” he said, drawing applause at the mention of Constantine.
In response, Trump acknowledged the contributions of Greek-Americans in his administration, asserting that despite global challenges, his leadership had made things better. He expressed deep appreciation for the Greek-Americans who worked with him, calling them “amazing people.”
Trump also lauded the Greek-American community, stating, “Perhaps the greatest gift we have inherited from that amazing culture is our incredible Greek-American community, which is now more than three million.”
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During the event, Trump introduced Kimberly Guilfoyle as the future U.S. Ambassador to Greece. He praised her character and her embodiment of Greek culture before inviting her to speak. Guilfoyle expressed admiration for the president’s leadership and pledged to strengthen ties between the U.S. and Greece.
She described serving the country under Trump as the highest honor of her life, emphasizing how much he cared for the Greek people.
Trump also invited Greek-American Alex Skarlatos to join him on stage, highlighting his inspiring journey and calling him an American hero.
“Alex Skarlatos, inspired by his grandfather and the Greek resistance, joined the National Guard after high school. Ten years after his deployment to Afghanistan, Alex and his friends were on a train from 'Amsterdam to Paris when a bloodthirsty radical Islamist began shooting innocent people. In an act of tremendous bravery, Alex and his companions stopped him despite the fact that they were completely unarmed,” Trump said.
Before concluding his remarks, Trump emphasized the significance of the event, stating that despite his packed schedule, he made sure to be there. He revealed that upon learning about the celebration, he adjusted his plans to attend, underscoring its importance.
At the close of the event, Trump signed a proclamation designating March 25 as “Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy,” a tradition the White House upholds annually to honor the deep historical ties between Greece and the United States.
“On March 25, 1821, fueled by the rallying cry, 'Freedom or Death,' Greek revolutionaries began a war for independence against the Ottoman Empire. The hard-fought victory established a sovereign Greek state and a national homeland for Greece. On the 204th anniversary of Greek Independence Day, we honor this heroic fight for freedom, and the enduring democratic ideals that continue to inspire the world,” Trump wrote in the proclamation.
“America is inextricably tied to both ancient and modern Greece. We are tethered by history and tradition, the struggle for self-governance, emancipation, and rebirth. Our Founding Fathers drew inspiration from Greek philosophers and statesmen to form the tenets of our new Republic, now enshrined in our Constitution. Our national character has been shaped, in part, by the indelible impact of Greek influence in the arts and architecture, language and literature, and academia and military tradition. Today, across the United States, generations of Greek Americans infuse our neighborhoods and communities with a rich legacy of cultural traditions, and a heritage of family, faith, hospitality, and civic responsibility,” he added.
“Greece is one of our Nation’s oldest friends, strategic partners, and a valued NATO ally. We appreciate the support of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in our economic and diplomatic partnership as we forge opportunities for collaboration in key sectors including energy, science, technology, shipping, logistics, and defense. The permanent presence of naval forces in Souda Bay and bilateral training events enhance warfighting capabilities and reflect our mutual commitment to joint military cooperation as a cornerstone of security and stability in Europe,” Trump said.
“On this day, we pause to celebrate Hellenic independence, people of Greek heritage worldwide, and the abiding kinship of likeminded nations who cherish democracy, patriotism, prosperity, and peace. NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2025, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon the people of the United States to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities,” Trump continued.