wfn.org | Athenagoras Human Rights Award for George H.W. and Barbara Bush

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                    GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:
March 5, 2002
                                                 CONTACT : John Halecky, III
                                                         Order of St. Andrew
                                                      Office: (212) 570-3550
                                                        Cell: (908) 578-6729

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew To Present Athenagoras Human Rights Award
                                     To
              President George Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush

      New York, March 4, 2002 ? His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew, spiritual leader of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide,
will present the Honorable George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United
States of America, and First Lady Barbara Bush with the Athenagoras Human
Rights Award in New York City on Saturday, March 9, 2002.

      Sponsored by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate, the 17th Annual Athenagoras Award will be
presented at the organization's annual grand banquet at the New York Hilton
Hotel. This year marks the first time the Award will be presented to more
than one individual and is unique in honoring the former President and
First Lady collectively, as well as individually.

      Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America
and Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, will host the event which is
expected to attract more than 1,500 Orthodox Christian laymen and clergy
from across the country.  Regarding the Patriarchal visit, the Archbishop
stated, "The visit of His All Holiness to America in order to participate
in the Athenagoras Award ceremonies constitutes a true blessing for all of
us and lends even greater significance to this year's event."

      It is also significant that the recipients of the Award are people who
have had an important role in contemporary American and world history.  "In
geopolitical terms, President Bush presided over a period of unparalleled
positive change," stated Anthony Limberakis, MD, National Commander of the
Order of St. Andrew. "From the fall of Soviet Communism to the liberation
of many oppressed peoples in the developing world, his White House term is
increasingly recognized as one of tremendous historical importance,
especially in the context of promoting human rights. Likewise, his enduring
concern regarding humanitarian issues and the promotion of human dignity
continue to be exemplified in the activities of the Points of Light
Foundation," Dr. Limberakis said.

      "The Order has also chosen to honor Barbara Bush as a most worthy
recipient of the Athenagoras Award in her own right," Dr. Limberakis
continued. She has demonstrated a commitment to principles and work that
aid the needy, strengthen family and uplift the human spirit. Her
activities with Boys and Girls Clubs of America, AmeriCares, the Barbara
Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and many other organizations
demonstrate a sustained and energetic concern for improving the lives of
others.  Through personal example as a family, as parents and by the most
visible legacy of children who have dedicated a new generation to public
duty and service, they are exemplars of the spirit and substance the
Athenagoras Award celebrates."

      Since 1986, The Athenagoras Human Rights Award has been presented
annually by the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle to a person or organization
which has  "?consistently exemplified by action, purpose and dedication,
concern for the basic human rights and religious freedom of all people
regardless of race, color or creed."

      The Award, as the preeminent recognition for humanitarian works
presented within the American Orthodox Community, is dedicated to the
memory of one of the 20th century's most notable Orthodox Christian
religious leaders, Patriarch Athenagoras. Born in Greece on March 25, 1886,
he rose through the clerical ranks to become Primate of the Greek Orthodox
Church of North and South America in 1931 and was elected to the office of
Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the
Ecumenical Patriarchate in November, 1948. Patriarch Athenagoras died in
1972.

      "Athenagoras, as an Archbishop in America and ultimately as Patriarch,
cultivated a new era of recognition and prestige for the Orthodox Church on
an international and ecumenical level. Having established closer contacts
between Orthodox Churches as well as with leaders of other Christian
Churches and other faiths and denominations, his name became synonymous
with love and compassion for all peoples," according to Archbishop
Demetrios.

      Athenagoras was the 268th successor to the ancient Patriarchal Throne
established in Constantinople or "New Rome" by the Apostle Andrew. Although
the jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church are largely self-governing, they
share a common theology and recognize the Patriarchal See of Constantinople
as the "Protothronos" or "first Throne" among the ancient and modern sees
of Orthodox Christianity.

      The  Order  of  St.  Andrew  the  Apostle  is the U.S. organization of
Archons  of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, an international
group  of  church laymen recognized for outstanding service, dedication and
loyalty. While these individuals are involved in contemporary activities of
service and stewardship, the designation "Archon" and the individual titles
that  are  bestowed  upon  them  date  to  the era of the Byzantine empire.
Currently, there are more than 700 Archons in America.

      In  addition  to the presentation of the Athenagoras Award, forty-four
new  candidates  will receive the "Archon" designation (or offikion meaning
"office")  during  the  weekend of March 9-10. An investiture ceremony will
take  place during a Patriarchal Divine Liturgy on Sunday, March 10, at the
Cathedral  of the Holy Trinity in Manhattan. Co-celebrating with Ecumenical
Patriarch  Bartholomew  will be members of the Eparchial Synod of the Greek
Orthodox  Archdiocese,  members  of  SCOBA (Standing Conference of Orthodox
Bishops in the Americas) and the Patriarchal Hierarchs accompanying His All
Holiness.  The  services  on  Sunday  begin  at 8:30 AM with Matins and the
Divine Liturgy at 10:00 AM. The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity is located at
319 East 74th Street, New York.

                                       ###

Athenagoras Human Rights Award Recipients:

2002 President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush
2001 Archbishop Anastasios of Albania
2000 Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu
1999 Elie Wiesel
1998 Nana Mouskouri
1997 Reverend Clergy of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese
1996 Order of AHEPA
1995 Hon. Edward Derwinski
1994 Hon. Paul S. Sarbanes
1993 George Douris
1992 Ladies Philoptochos
1991 Andrew A. Athens
1990 Hon. John Brademas
1989 Anthony G. Borden, MD
1988 Mother Theresa
1987 President Jimmy Carter
1986 Archbishop Iakovos