His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America

In New York

Christ is Risen!

During the joyous Divine Liturgy commemorating our Christ's Resurrection and the Feast Day of Saint George the Tropaioforos in the Holy Patriarchal Church of St. George we especially commemorated the Hellenes around the world (diaspora) of our Mother Church and particularly our children residing in America. The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by three other hierarchs and a holy Artoclasia was performed in which we prayed for your health, prosperity and progress according to God so that you will continue to yield deeds that are good and pleasing to Him, and so that our Holy Orthodox Faith and our pious people will be exalted and praised through the faith, the achievements and the prosperity of you all.

Affirming that the Omogeneia of America constitutes the crown and pride of the holy center of Orthodoxy, we embrace your beloved Eminence and all the beloved Hierarchs of your Church with a paschal kiss, we wholeheartedly bless the honorable clergy and the God-loving people, while continuing to pray for the constant gifts from above, the Grace and the Peace of the Resurrection of Christ.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

At the Phanar, April 24, 2006