Busy schedule for visiting US Archbishop

THE ARCHBISHOP of America, Demetrios, yesterday met with the Holy Synod, where it was said they discussed “the facts, problems and perspectives of the Orthodox Church today”.
Demetrios, who arrived on the island on Tuesday, also met with President Papadopoulos and the acting Synod president, Bishop Chrysostomos of Paphos.

Chrysostomos asked the Archbishop to “help convince the leaders of the US to think of the interests of others and not to be indifferent to tiny Cyprus”.

He added that the US attitude towards Cyprus is characterised by unfairness and that the problem facing Cyprus is not the loss of property or children’s blood having been spilt, but the danger of permanent partition.

Demetrios is also scheduled to meet with House President Demetris Christofias, Foreign Minister George Iacovou and the Education Minister Pefkios Georgiades.

Archbishop Demetrios will also meet with the US Ambassador to Cyprus Ronald Schlicher and also with the Ambassador of Greece to Cyprus Demetrios Rallis.

Other scheduled events include a visit to philanthropic institutions, heroes’ graves and the Pancyprian High School. He will also deliver a lecture at the University of Cyprus in Nicosia.
Tomorrow, he will meet with the Mayor of Nicosia Michalakis Zampelas who will offer His Eminence the gold key of the capital. Mayor Zampelas will then escort the Archbishop to the Green Line , which separates the heart of the city in two.

On Saturday, Demetrios will visit the grave of Archbishop Makarios III, where he will offer a Trisagion service and place a memorial wreath.

On Sunday, His Eminence will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of the Panayia in Pallouriotisa.

He is scheduled to return to the United States on Monday.

This is the first official visit of an Archbishop of America to Cyprus.

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