New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, met yesterday with Greek-American U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America in New York.

During their cordial and friendly meeting of about an hour, the Senator and the Archbishop discussed issues of common interest relative to American and international affairs and issues pertaining to the life of the Church. After the meeting Mr. Sarbanes, speaking to members of the Press said, "As always, we just had a wonderful meeting with the Archbishop, and I very much welcome this opportunity to come and see him as I do on occasion when I am in New York".I have this very strong sense of the Church's moving forward in America in a very strong and positive way and we are enormously grateful to the Archbishop for his leadership [and for] helping to make that possible."

Responding to a question regarding the trial of the terrorist group ,November 17, which just concluded in Greece, Senator Sarbanes said, "I had a very keen interest and I'm gratified to see that this trial has been brought to a conclusion and these people have been convicted. I think it is a great step forward for Greece that they were apprehended and tried and have been convicted."

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America expressed his gratitude for Senator Sarbanes' visit and said, "Being with the Senator is always a great joy and a great source for exchange of ideas. He is one of the people that has wisdom in political, international and cultural issues. He is someone who is a combination of a scholar and a politician. Therefore, it is more than enjoyable to be with him and have the opportunity to discuss issues of general interest, of current affairs-- political and otherwise--and issues that are in the center of attention of contemporary people, here and in other parts of the Globe."