Archbishop of America: The self-evident truths of faith and freedom are the foundation of our lives

The connection between the fundamental values of American democracy and Orthodox Christian teaching was highlighted by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America in his message for Independence Day, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. As he emphasized, freedom, equality, and the dignity of every human being stem from the fact that each person is created in the image of God.

The Archbishop described the anniversary as “a very special one,” noting that the Declaration of Independence laid the foundations for the United States as the “land of the free and home of the brave.” He further stressed that, despite the imperfections inherent in every human society, the United States has sought throughout its history to remain faithful to the principles of the Declaration and to the conviction that “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” are intrinsic rights of every human being.

At the same time, he linked these principles to Christian teaching, underscoring that every person is created in the image of God and possesses inherent worth and dignity. As he noted, the fundamental idea that all people are equal before God is a truth that the Founding…