April 5, 2003

WASHINGTON - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, met on Friday, April 4, with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at the White House.

The President invited the Archbishop for a private meeting to offer his greetings on the occasion of the celebration of Greek Independence Day. The President had been unable to attend the official ceremony on March 25 that was held in the Eisenhower Office Building, and at that time he had extended his regrets through White House chief of staff Secretary Andrew Card.

During the meeting in the Oval Office, President Bush thanked Archbishop Demetrios for his prayers and continual ministry during a challenging time for the United States and the entire world. The Archbishop assured the President and the First Lady of the prayers of Orthodox Christians throughout America and that special petitions are being offered in worship services for the men and women serving in the armed forces and for their families. He also affirmed the ongoing prayer and labor of the Church for peace.

The meeting with the President occurred during the two-day meeting in Washington of the Archdiocesan Council of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America