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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

Sept. 8, 1997

Archdiocese Welcomes Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus

NEW YORK – His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus was received by His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon at Archdiocese headquarters today. Archbishop Chrysostomos is in the United States to consecrate the Byzantine Fresco Chapel in Houston which contains a 13th century Byzantine dome and apse frescoes on loan from the Church of Cyprus.

His Beatitude also will be the guest at a reception in his honor at 7 p.m., Sept. 10 at the Holy Trinity Archdiocesan Cathedral Center in New York.

The head of the Church of Cyprus and His Eminence met privately for more than an hour in the latter’s office. They exchanged gifts and also spoke to members of the Greek American press corps after their meeting.

“The visit of Chrysostomos honors our Church and our Greek American community in a very special way,” Archbishop Spyridon commented after the meeting. It also provided an opportunity to discuss issues related to the Cypriot problem and to examine ways in which the Greek American community could contribute to the solution of those issues.”

He also expressed the Archdiocese’s support for the Church of Cyprus and stated his desire that discussions with His Beatitude will contribute to a new level of cooperation that will be very fruitful. Archbishop Spyridon noted that the Archdiocese has taken up the cause of Cyprus “publicly and privately.”

His Eminence, who visited Cyprus while he served as Metropolitan of Italy, said he hoped to pay another visit there at some point in the future.

In his response, Archbishop Chrysostom said, “I am very happy to make this visit here. We exchanged ideas on national and Church issues and we will strive to perpetuate Hellenism from both a religious and national dimension.”

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