New York, NY –- Today, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of more than 1.5 million Orthodox Christians in America, cordially received the President of the Greek Parliament, Mr. Apostolos Kaklamanis at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.

During their meeting, Mr. Kaklamanis, who is in New York City for the Conference of Presiding Officers of National Parliaments, expressed his heartfelt support for the leadership and vision of Archbishop Demetrios: “The ideas His Eminence has presented to me-- with regards to leading his flock--ensure tranquility much needed in the Church, which as a result will bear necessary fruit for Orthodoxy and Hellenism.” “The results of his ministry,” he said, “are already evident.”

Archbishop Demetrios, meanwhile, stated that the role of the Church and the Orthodox faithful in the world is both Apostolic and infinite: “We are a people on a mission to the world, and if we do not fulfill it, we fail.” He added: Today we were afforded the opportunity to renew a sense of our basic function as a function of diakonia to the people. We are here to serve.” His Eminence also characterized the discussion as a substantive exchange of ideas on political and ecclesiastical ministry and mission.

Today's meeting comes just two days before the beginning of the New Ecclesiastical year of the Orthodox Church, which begins on September 1st.