Zohran Mamdani joins Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for the Epitaphios service in New York City. Credit: Orthodox Observer, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America Facebook page
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani attended the Orthodox Good Friday service of the Epitaphios on Friday evening in New York City.
The recently elected mayor attended the solemn observance of the Orthros of Great and Holy Saturday and the Service of the Lamentations at the Tomb at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine at the World Trade Center, during one of the most sacred moments in the Orthodox Christian calendar.
The service, led by Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, brought together clergy, diplomats, and members of the faithful from New York and beyond, mourning Christ’s burial and anticipating the Resurrection. Mamdani’s attendance followed an invitation from the Archbishop.
In his homily, Archbishop Elpidophoros spoke about Jesus’ sacrifice, suffering, and the hope His passion brings to all. He spoke of Christ’s entry into human pain as a transformative act that offers new life, urging those present to confront suffering rather than avoid it. “Our procession is marked by sorrow, yet with hope, for death does not have the final word,” he said, framing the Lamentations service as both a moment of grief and faith.
The Archbishop also connected the message of Holy Week to present-day global challenges, highlighting ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. He noted that people of different faiths continue to face violence and uncertainty, calling on the faithful to respond with prayer, humanitarian support, and a commitment to human dignity.
Zohran Mamdani offers a prayer at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine in Manhattan. Credit: Orthodox Observer, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America
Mamdani’s remarks during his Epitaphios service attendance
Following the service, Mayor Mamdani delivered remarks reflecting on the spiritual and symbolic weight of the evening. He described the experience of participating in the Epitaphios procession, during which the faithful carry a bier representing Christ’s body, as a symbol of both religious devotion and shared human burden.
“Tonight, as we dim the lights and carry the Epitaphios, we bear the burden of Jesus Christ’s earthly Body, just as He once bore the weight of the Cross,” Mamdani, a devout Muslim himself, said. He also referenced the period of Lent leading up to the service, noting the role of fasting and prayer in deepening understanding of Christ’s suffering.
Archbishop Elpidophoros and Mayor Mamdani during the Orthodox Good Friday Epitaphios service outside the St Nicholas church in NYC. Credit: Orthodox Observer, Archbishop Elpidophoros Facebook page
The mayor praised St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and National Shrine as a defining institution in New York City, mentioning its important symbolism as a site rebuilt near the World Trade Center. He described it as a “cornerstone,” saying that it creates a place of beauty and spiritual meaning from the ashes of past tragedy.
Among those in attendance were Greece’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Aglaia Balta; Greece’s Consul General in New York, Iphigenia Kanara; Cyprus’s Consul General in New York, Kyriakos Pogiatzis; and State Senator Andrew Gounardes. Clergy serving alongside the Archbishop included Fr. Andreas Vithoulkas and Fr. Samuel Davis.