On Monday, June 10, 2024 His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America was honored with The Interfaith Center of New York’s 2024 James Parks Morton Interfaith Award.
The James Parks Morton Interfaith Award is named in tribute of The Interfaith Center of New York’s founder the Very Rev. James Parks Morton and recognizes individuals or organizations that exemplify an outstanding commitment to promoting human development and peace — values shared by the world’s great religious traditions.
Archon Michael Psaros presented His Eminence with the award, praising him for his work as a recognized theologian, a pioneer in interfaith dialogue, a church-builder and bridge-builder, and an advocate for the marginalized.
In his acceptance speech, His Eminence emphasized that “every human being has the right to be understood on their own terms,” imploring his audience to “choose love, for it is the conjoining of our spirits, and the touchstone of all faith worth believing.”
Past recipients of the James Parks Morton Interfaith Award include Ruby Bridges, civil rights activist who established the Ruby Bridges Foundation and recipient of the NAACP Martin Luther King Award (among others); Carl Sagan, astronomer known for his work on the environment and interfaith activities; Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America; and His Holiness the Dalai Lama, 1989 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. In addition to His Eminence, this year’s honorees include renowned singer, songwriter, and social activist Judy Collins.
Photos courtesy of Carolina Kroon (Instagram here, Facebook here).