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USA: 250 years since the Declaration of Independence and the growing wave of conversions to Orthodoxytranslated

July 4, 2026 · 1 min read

Every year on the 4th of July, the United States celebrates its Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, which was adopted in 1776. The country's national holiday, known in English as “Independence Day” or “Fourth of July”, is traditionally accompanied by parades and impressive fireworks displays. In 2026, however, the celebration takes on special symbolism, as it marks the 250th anniversary of the founding of the American state.

In this context, the Archbishop of America Mr. Elpidophoros issued a Circular for the 4th of July. Taking as a starting point the phrase of the Declaration, "we consider these truths to be self-evident", the Archbishop emphasizes that this year's anniversary concerns approximately ten generations of Americans. Some arrived in the country early and others immigrated much later, but, as he notes, all share "in the blessing of citizenship in this wonderful country."

Archbishop Elpidophoros acknowledges that there has never been a perfect country, society, empire or nation in history. But he points out that the United States has tried, through its generations, to remain faithful not only to the Declaration of Independence, but also to the principle that "life, liberty and...

Source: Orthodoxia News Agency · Read the full story →

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Петро Мороз

I remember how my grandfather, who came from Poltava to Kryvyi Rih in the 1920s, said: "Ten generations before us, they no longer remembered how they lived in Ukraine." Now I see that even in America they talk about ten generations. Do today's youth believe in it?

Elena Florea

Yes, interesting the connection with the ten generations. Here in Constanța, I heard the same thing from my grandmother, who said that after three generations you already forget what life was like in the village of origin. However, I don't know if today's young people, whether in America or here, value such things or just scroll on.

Radu Constantinescu

Yes, and my grandmother used to say the same thing about the three generations, that after that you are left with only the pictures and recipes from your mother. With today's young people, I see that many actually go back to church just so they don't lose everything in the scroll, but it's true that it's not easy. Do you think that in Constanța some of these stories from the grandparents are still preserved in the younger families?

Corina Rusu

Yes, my grandmother also used to say that after three generations you stay with the recipes and pictures, but in our house my sister still makes sarmales according to her old notebook. In Chisinau, I see that young people come more to Easter and Christmas services, I don't know how long the daily stories are preserved. In Constanța, have you seen young families who still ask about them or did everything go to TikTok?