New York - A warm and cordial atmosphere prevailed as President William Clinton welcomed His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon to the Oval Office in the White House on Wednesday, March 26 for the presentation of a proclamation commemorating Greek Independence Day, a National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. The Archbishop then presented President Clinton with a beautiful book showing the iconography and buildings of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Obviously moved, the President commented as he leafed through the book, “you know we love icons, thank you very much”. They discussed the visit of Mrs. Clinton and Chelsea to the Patriarchate two years ago and the upcoming Patriarchal visit to the United States by His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in October. The President said that he was looking forward to welcoming him to the White House.

Accompanying the Archbishop were: Ambassador of Greece to the United States Loucas Tsilas, member of the Greek Parliament and former Deputy Foreign Minister Gregory Niotis; Andrew Athens, president of World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE); Dr. Spiro Macris, president of the Order of AHEPA; and Andrew Manatos, president of the National Coordinated Effort.