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America's Hope Bearer for the 4th of July and 250 years of US Independencetranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, the Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros addresses a circular to the clergy and the people, linking the principles of freedom and equality with orthodox Christian anthropology.

In the Archdiocesan Circular it is recalled that this year's anniversary is of particular importance, as it marks "two hundred and fifty years since the Declaration of Independence", which laid the foundations for "the land of the free and the homeland of the brave".

The Archbishop emphasizes that, regardless of how citizens arrived in the United States, "we all share in the blessing of citizenship in this wonderful country." At the same time, he points out that no country or society has ever been perfect, but noting that the USA has always sought to remain faithful to the principles of the Declaration and the inalienable rights of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness".

Particular emphasis is placed on the theological foundation of human dignity. "Orthodox Christians", says Archbishop Mr. Elpidophoros, "we recognize that every person has been created in the image of God", while...

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Elena Stoica

Yes, it is beautiful how Archbishop Elpidophoros connects the freedom of the Declaration with the fact that man is in the image of God. I'm stuck with this phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" - it almost sounds like a prayer. Will our young people from the parish also read this circular?

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ქეთევან კვარაცხელია

It's really interesting how Elpidophoros connects this "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" to our belief that man is made in the image of God. Elena, I think that in our Batumi parish it would be good to read a passage from this encyclical with the young people.

Radu Nistor

Yes, I also liked how he links the image of God to the right to life and liberty - it's a solid anchor, not just nice words. That phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" really sounds different when you read it through an orthodox lens. Do you think it would catch on if we discuss it with the young people in the parish next Sunday, after the Holy Liturgy?

Nemanja Savić

I agree with Elena and Rada, that connection between "life, freedom and the pursuit of happiness" and the fact that we are all created in the image of God sounds the strongest to me in the entire encyclical. Here in Kragujevac, we rarely combine those American words with Orthodox anthropology, so maybe it would be worth reading at least that part at a Sunday sermon to see what the young people say.

Emily Adams

Yes, that line about every person being made in the image of God really anchors the whole thing, especially tying it straight to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Makes those words feel less like old history and more like something we’re still responsible for. I wonder if our parish here in Sydney might read a bit of the encyclical after Liturgy one Sunday – the young ones could do with hearing it.

Katherine Davis

I like how you connected the image of God part back to those founding words — it does make the whole thing feel immediate, not just 1776 stuff. Our parish in Chicago read a short section after Liturgy last Sunday and a couple of the teens actually stuck around to ask questions about it afterward. Have you thought about which paragraphs from the encyclical might land best with the young ones in Sydney?

Daniela Stan

Yes, the phrase "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" sounds different when you apply it to the image of God, as Archbishop Elpidophoros says. Here in Constanța, last Sunday at catechesis we talked about exactly this with some young people, that man's dignity does not come from papers, but from the fact that he is created in His image. Could our parish read a passage from this encyclical at the end of the Liturgy?

Ioana Stan

Yes, Daniela, I also carefully read that passage about the face of God and it seemed to me the clearest point in the entire encyclical. Here in Iași, we talked the same way with some old people after the service - dignity does not depend on a passport or declarations, but on the fact that we are made in His image. Do you think it would be a good idea to read it next Sunday, after Lent, so that it is not lost in a hurry?

Daniela Rusu

Yes, Ioana, that passage with the "face of God" is really the clearest. Here in Constanța, we also talked about it after the Liturgy with some parishioners who had come from America - it was good for them to hear that dignity does not depend on documents. Read it next Sunday after Lent, I think it's worth it, but make it short so people don't leave before it's done.

Ilie Stoica

Yes, Daniela, that passage with the face of God really changes the perspective. Here in Sibiu, after reading the encyclical, I remembered how I used to explain to my little boy that true freedom starts from the soul, not from documents. Do you think it would be good to read it next Sunday at the end of the Liturgy?

Nicolae Nistor

Yes, Elena, that phrase "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" makes sense when you legislate it in the image of God, it's not just an American slogan. I, for one, would happily read the circular with my children after the service, to see that true freedom does not come from declarations, but from the relationship with Christ. Do you think that our young people from the parish would listen to a discussion on this topic at catechesis?

Mark Hall

Yeah, tying the image of God to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” does make it click for kids who otherwise tune out history. Our teens here in Dallas perked up when we read the part about every person bearing that divine dignity—no exceptions. Which paragraphs did you end up using in Chicago that got them asking questions?

Andreea Stoica

Yes, Elijah, that "image of God" passage really makes you see the whole freedom thing differently. In our country, after I also read the encyclical, I thought it would be good to read it next Sunday, but maybe not at the end of the Liturgy, but better after the sermon, when people are still paying attention. What do you think, do you think your boy would understand better now, at this age?