New York, NY – Today, Archbishop Demetrios of America welcomed Senator John McCain back to the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York City for a visit with the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party. Senator McCain visited the Archbishop last year on June 27, 2007, when he was running for his Party’s nomination. At that time, the Archbishop had raised issues surrounding the religious freedom and legal protections for the Ecumenical Patriarchate and other human rights concerns. Today’s meeting continued their dialogue.

During their meeting, they discussed issues of common concern to all Americans, e.g., the economic hardships that many are facing and respect for all life. The Archbishop emphasized the importance of education in empowering economic opportunity for all citizens. As for issues specific to the Greek-American community, Senator McCain was fully prepared to speak on religious liberty and human rights issues for the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the issues of a solution for Cyprus and the naming questions surrounding FYROM (Former Yugoslav Republic Of Macedonia).

In a comment after the meeting, the Archbishop said:

"As Saint Paul says in his First Letter to Timothy, 'let supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all people: kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.' Well, in America we have no kings, but we do have elected leaders and representatives of government. As Archbishop, I feel a responsibility to pray for all our leaders and to encourage our Greek Orthodox Faithful to do likewise, as they participate in the political process granted to all Americans by our Constitutionally protected freedoms. Senator McCain is an honorable American who has demonstrated his heroism and love for this country."

Contact: Stavros Papagermanos
Tel.: 212.570.3556