New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, today issued the following statement regarding the ongoing Middle East crisis.

“The present difficult, complex, violent and life threatening situation in the Middle East grieves us deeply. Several holy places have been desecrated during this crisis, and more than one hundred lives have already been sacrificed.

These events of the past month prompt me to join with religious leaders of the world in calling for peace, justice and safety for all people in that area, which is sacred to so many people of faith. The path to dialogue must be reopened so that all people of good will can sit together and seek a solution that will forge a lasting peace and friendship among the peoples inhabiting the Middle East.

All Greek Orthodox Christians in America are requested to join me in this prayer.”