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Athens News Agency - January 20, 1999
Spyridon to Pay Official Visit to Greece
By Justine Frangouli
On the invitation of the Greek government, Archbishop Spyridon
of America will pay an official visit to Greece from February 9 to 15.
The Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America will be accompanied by
clergy, the President of the Archdiocesan Council, John Catsimatidis; the
President of Council for Hellenes Abroad (SAE), Andrew Athens; Archdiocesan
Council executives Harry Pappas and George Behrakis; as well as other figures
from the Greek-American community. The Archbishop will meet with the President
of the Republic, Costis Stephanopoulos; the Prime Minister, Costas Simitis;
the Foreign Minister, Theodoros Pangalos; the Minister of National Defense,
Akis Tsochatzopoulos; the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs, Gerasimos
Arsenis; the Minister of Culture, Evangelos Venizelos; and the Alternate Minister
of Foreign Affairs, George Papandreou.
During his official visit, Archbishop Spyridon will have a private meeting
with the Leader of the Opposition, Costas Karamanlis, as well as with leaders
of all political parties and the Mayor of Athens, Dimitris Avramopoulos.
US Ambassador to Greece, Nicholas Burns, will host an official reception for
the Archbishop of America, who will also be received and honored by the Academy
of Athens.
The Primate will address the Greek Parliament's Committee on Orthodoxy, on
Sunday, February 14. He will also preside over a solemn Divine Liturgy at
the Athens Cathedral and, at some other moment during his visit, he will lay
a wreath on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Last but not least, Archbishop Spyridon will pay an unofficial visit to an
institution for children with special needs and offer a donation on behalf
of the Archdiocese of America.
[ Translated from Greek ]
[ Αθηναϊκό Πρακτορείο Ειδήσεων - January 20, 1999 ]
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