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Athens News Agency - February 10, 1999

Archbishop of America Spyridon arrives in Athens

Athens 10/02/1999 (ANA)

Archbishop Spyridon arrived in Athens yesterday on his first visit to Greece since taking over as Prelate of the Greek Orthodox Church of America three years ago.

Spyridon, a former Metropolitan of Italy, was elected to replace Archbishop Iakovos by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in July 1996.

Education Undersecretary Yiannis Anthopoulos, among others, greeted him at the airport.

Spyridon, who will stay in Greece until Feb. 15 at the invitation of the Greek government, is scheduled to meet with President Kostis Stephanopoulos and Prime Minister Costas Simitis as well as various ministers.

He will also hold talks with main opposition New Democracy leader Costas Karamanlis, other political leaders as well as Athens Mayor Dimitris Avramopoulos. The Archbishop will be guest of honour at an official reception to be hosted by US ambassador in Athens Nicholas Burns and will be honoured at the Athens Academy.

Meeting with Christodoulos: Shortly after his arrival, Spyridon was received by Archbishop Christodoulos for discussions on several topics of interest between the two Greek Orthodox Churches.

Asked about reported problems in the Orthodox Church in the United States, and specifically about opposition among US Orthodox bishops to his appointment, Spyridon said the problems were being dealt with.

"Our Church is successfully performing its task...it is natural for there to be problems and difficulties...only cemeteries have no problems.

"We are dealing with them with love, enthusiasm and optimism. If you were to look at the history of the Church of America, there have always been problems in the first years of each new Archbishop...I expected worse. I can assure you that the archdiocese is in good hands... A number of dissenting voices of course have been heard - differing opinions and disagreements..." Spyridon said.

Parliament visit: The Archbishop later visited Parliament where he was warmly received by members of the committee for Orthodoxy and the committee for expatriate Greeks.

"The Greek-American Orthodox community is like a new great Greece, as the case used to be with Greeks in southern Italy during antiquity and Byzantium," the Archbishop told Parliament.

Replying to questions by MPs, Spyridon underlined that Greeks should not approach the US administration only in times of need.

The Archbishop further announced that the Archdiocese has established an office near the White House in order to boost relations with Washington.

[ Athens News Agency - www.ana.gr - February 10, 1999 ]