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The Orthodox Church - July/August 1997

OCA faithful encouraged to participate in US visit of Ecumenical Patriarch

Patriarch Bartholomew's visit
coincides with Greek Orthodox Archdiocese's 75th anniversary

SYOSSET, NY — Protopresbyter Robert Kondratick, Chancellor of the Orthodox Church in America, recently stated that faithful of the Orthodox Church in America are strongly encouraged to participate in events marking the US visit of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.

"There will be several major events and pan-Orthodox Liturgies during Patriarch Bartholomew's visit in which our faithful are encouraged to participate," said Father Kondratick. "We are especially pleased to announce that the Patriarch will visit Saint Vladimir's Seminary, where he will be greeted by His Beatitude, Metropolitan Theodosius."

Preliminary plans for Patriarch Bartholomew's historic US visit were announced in a recent issue of the Orthodox Observer, the official newspaper of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

The Patriarch's visit will highlight the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America headed by His Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon. It also marks the first time an Ecumenical Patriarch has visited the US since the 1990 visit of the late Patriarch Dimitrios.

Patriarch Bartholomew is slated to arrive at Andrews Air Force Base, near Washington, October 19. A private meeting with President Clinton and a dinner in honor of the sixth anniversary of the Patriarch's election to the Ecumenical throne, hosted by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, will occur during the Patriarch's stay in the US capital. While in Washington he will preside at several services and meet with religious and civic leaders.

After a one-day stop in Baltimore, MD, where he will attend a dinner with the Catholic-Orthodox Dialogue Commission, Patriarch Bartholomew will continue to Archdiocesan headquarters in New York, where he will observe a full schedule of meetings and services through October 28. In New York he will meet with numerous Orthodox hierarchs and other religious and civic leaders.

The 60th Anniversary of Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology, Brookline, MA will be observed as Patriarch Bartholomew continues on to Boston October 28-29. Pan-Orthodox services are scheduled during his New York and Boston visits.

A pan-Orthodox Liturgy will highlight the Patriarch's visit to Chicago November 1-4, after which he will visit DesMoines, IA and Dallas, TX before continuing on to California November 6-9. Prior to his November 17 departure, he will visit Pittsburgh and Johnstown, PA, headquarters of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese.

A detailed schedule of the Patriarch's visit will appear in the September TOC.

[ The Orthodox Church - July/August 1997 - p. 10 ]