His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of America, Diocesan Bishops and the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council made a pilgrimage to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, at the invitation of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
The Archbishop, the Bishops and the Executive Committee had meetings with His All Holiness Bartholomew regarding the Ecumenical Patriarchs upcoming visit to the United States and the key events of Archbishop Spyridons first year as Archbishop of America.
Archbishop Spyridon expressed the love of the Greek Orthodox faithful in America for His All Holiness and their enthusiasm in anticipating his upcoming arrival. The Archdiocesan delegation discussed the schedule and preparation for his Patriarchal visit. Also, they had a frank and extensive review of the past year in the Archdiocese of America that concluded with a total commitment to the continued growth and unity of the Church in America.
The Archdiocesan delegation attended the Service of Indiction on Sept. 1 commemorating the beginning of the ecclesiastical year, at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. George the Great Martyr.
Responding to the visit, His All Holiness Bartholomew said, "I am pleased to meet with His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, the Synod of Bishops and the Executive Committee of the Archdiocesan Council of the Church in America. Our discussions were fruitful and I am grateful for the extensive preparation that is under way for my patriarchal visit to America. I look forward with love and affection to being with the Orthodox faithful in America on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese in America. And, I am pleased that this delegation was able to celebrate the beginning of the ecclesiastical year with us here at the Mother Church."