His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, met today with the Director of Amnesty International U.S.A. Steve Rickard, and Maureen Greenwood, Advocacy Director for Europe and the Middle East, in their Washington, D.C. offices.

His Eminence was accompanied to the meeting by His Grace Bishop George of Komanon, representative of the Archbishop for Public Affairs in Washington. D.C., Mr. Andrew Manatos, Mr. John Mavroudis and clergy of the Archdiocese.

During their meeting the Archbishop raised numerous concerns about the recent persecution against the Theological School of Halki and the dismissal of its Board of Trustees, as well as the safety and welfare of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the person of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

Amnesty International expressed concern and indicated its intention to pursue these issues and the broader issue of religious freedom for minorities in Turkey.

The Archbishop invited representatives of Amnesty International to visit the Patriarchate at the Phanar and the Theological School of Halki. The Advocacy Director Maureen Greenwood will be traveling to the Phanar next week and will meet with representatives of the Ecumenical Throne.

His Eminence expressed his deep satisfaction with the positive response of Amnesty International.