SELMA, Ala. – Archbishop Demetrios commemorated the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Civil Rights March in Selma led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., during his three-day visit here March 6-8. It was a tribute to those who triumphed faith and hope “under the threat of persecution and death, and in the face of hatred and violence”
This little town in the heart of the South and of Alabama became a symbol and the center of the Civil Rights Movement and the fight for equal voting rights that led to the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Archbishop Iakovos, the only head of a major religious body in the United States, participated in the March 15, 1965, event along with hundreds of others, including many civil rights leaders and representatives of other Church groups. (Read a comprehensive account of events by Fr. Michael N. Varlamos visit civilrights.goarch.org/introduction). Fr. Paul Costopoulos, dean of the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Birmingham along with AHEPA Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos welcomed Archbishop Demetrios at the airport, late in the evening of March 6. The adverse weather conditions in the northeast prevented the Archbishop from arriving earlier and celebrating the Salutations to the Theotokos in Birmingham.
Archon Ike Gulas of Birmingham and past supreme president of AHEPA, facilitated and coordinated many of the movements of Archbishop Demetrios and his accompanying delegation. Birmingham’s Mayor William A. Bell Sr., extended the courtesies of his office that made many of the Archbishop’s movements possible.
On Saturday, March 7, Archbishop Demetrios traveled to Selma to join other civic and religious leaders for the weekend events marking the anniversary.
Archbishop Demetrios joined President Barack Obama and major civic and religious leaders, to walk across the Edmund Pettus Bridge and commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” the violent and bloody confrontation against 600 peaceful marchers by Alabama state troopers, local policemen and local segregationists, an event that helped bring about the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
On March 15, 1965, Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America had come here and participated in the March on Selma, led by Rev. Dr. King.
Upon his arrival to Selma, Archbishop Demetrios noted, “It is truly a blessing to travel to Selma to pay tribute to the legacy of both Dr. King and Archbishop Iakovos. The promotion and protection of civil rights transcends politics since the ability to determine one’s future is a God-given blessing.”
His Eminence greeted President Obama, first lady Michelle, and their daughters Malia and Sasha in a private gathering prior to the 50th anniversary commemoration rally. More than fifty thousand people attended the presidential address at the foot of the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge.
Archbishop Demetrios marched across the bridge with President Barack Obama and his family, former President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, U.S. senators and congressmen, leaders and foot soldiers who had participated in the 1965 events.
“We know that hope sustained by faith is strengthened when it is shared,” said His Eminence. After thanking everyone for their participation and before departing, President Obama embraced Archbishop Demetrios and noted the significance of faith in the Civil Rights Movement.
While on the bridge, Archbishop Demetrios, at the request of Congressman John Lewis who was present on Bloody Sunday in 1965, offered a prayer for the people of Selma and the nation.
“Today we remember the fight, the faith, the persistence and the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and we also remember the courage of Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory and their time together here in Selma. It is a very significant and moving day, a day of deep emotions, thankfulness to God for what was achieved, and fervent prayer for the work that lies ahead,” said Archbishop Demetrios to the press at the conclusion of the march.
In his visit to Selma, Archbishop Demetrios was accompanied by several AHEPA officials including Supreme President Phillip T. Frangos, Past Supreme President Ike Gulas, Supreme Counselor Greg Stamos from Connecticut, and Executive Director Basil Mossaidis. Also accompanying the Archbishop were the V. Rev. Archimandrite Nathanael Symeonides, director of the Office of Inter-Orthodox, Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations; Archdeacon Panteleimon Papadopoulos, Stavros Papagermanos, director of the Archdiocese Press Office; Nicholas Furris, senior director and producer of GOTelecom; and Archdiocese photographer Dimitrios Panagos.
Sunday morning, at the Martin and Coretta Scott King Unity Breakfast at Wallace Community College, Archbishop Demetrios delivered remarks on “God, Struggle and Unity.” He said, in part, “In great struggles, hope is sustained by faith in God and the assurance that He will fulfill His promises… On this anniversary we commemorate the heroic faith and hope of those who struggled, of those who upheld human dignity through powerful yet peaceful protests and demonstrations against racism, prejudice, fear and hatred.”
Attending the event were many religious and civic rights leaders including Mayor George P. Evans of Selma, Martin Luther King III, Lucy Baines Johnson, daughter of President Lyndon Johnson who pushed for the approval of the 1965 Voting Rights Act following the national outrage sparked by the Bloody Sunday confrontation; former Gov. Duval Patrick of Massachusetts, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez and White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shaun L. S. Donovan.
His Eminence participated in the five-hour-long service at the Brown Chapel AME Church that followed and included scripture readings, choral responses, tributes and remarks by government officials, religious leaders and Civil Rights Movement leaders. Among those present were the U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. and former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Andrew Young.
Ambassador Young, who was a good friend of Martin Luther King Jr. and his principal lieutenant, was also a good friend of Archbishop Iakovos. In his remarks, he warmly presented Archbishop Demetrios, the successor to Archbishop Iakovos, paying tribute to Iakovos’ memory and contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Selma. “Archbishop Iakovos was my mentor,” he said and added that the African American community owes a debt of gratitude to the Greek Archbishop.
Archbishop Demetrios continues the longstanding legacy of the Orthodox Church to fight against racism and to defend human rights. The Greek Orthodox Church has always been an advocate for equality and continues to fight against racism, prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia with fervent love for God and all people.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the March on Selma, and to highlight the efforts of Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory to advance the Civil Rights Movement, the Archdiocese has launched a website of historical resources and announcements for upcoming events around this most important time in our nation’s history. Visit: civilrights.goarch.org
See photos: flickr.com/photos/orthodoxnews/sets/72157650817803910/
