wfn.org | [GOAA] Archbishop Demetrios Travels to Lousiana

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GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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For Immediate Release
September 10, 2005

Nikki Stephanopoulos C 917-903-1255
Marissa Costidis C 732-522-1637

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS OF AMERICA TRAVELS TO
LOUISIANA TO PERSONALLY CONVEY THE
LOVE AND CONCERN OF ORTHODOX CHRISTIANS

New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, spiritual leader of 1.5
million Greek Orthodox Christians in America and Chairman of the Standing
Conference of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the Americas (SCOBA),
representing over 6 million Orthodox Christians, visited Baton Rouge, LA
today to personally convey the love and concern of the Orthodox Christian
community to those impacted by Hurricane Katrina.  Baton Rouge has become
the center of action for relief work and the temporary home of many of the
evacuees of New Orleans including a considerable amount of the members of
the Greek Orthodox faith who have relocated from New Orleans after the
devastation.

Archbishop Demetrios was accompanied by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta,
whose Metropolis includes Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, Bishop
Andonios, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Director of Philanthropy, and Georgia
Skeadas, National President of the Greek Orthodox Ladies  Philoptochos
Society, the philanthropic arm of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese.  They
were met in Baton Rouge by Constantine Triantafilou, Executive Director of
International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC).  After being briefed in
detail about the condition of the relief efforts and the contribution of
IOCC to these efforts, they went to Second Harvest Warehouse, a major
collection and distribution relief center in which IOCC is participating.

During the visit to Second Harvest Warehouse, Archbishop Demetrios,
Metropolitan Alexios, Bishop Andonios and Mrs. Skeadas met with volunteer
workers who have helped sort and disseminate materials to the victims of
the Hurricane.	Most of these workers are victims of the Hurricane who have
also lost their homes and were extremely grateful to have His Eminence
visit the Warehouse.  At the conclusion of this special visit Archbishop
Demetrios led the group in prayer and offered icons to the relief workers.

The emotional visit continued with a Prayer and Memorial Service at Holy
Trinity Greek Orthodox Chapel in Baton Rouge, serviced by Father Anthony
Stratis, who is also pastor of Holy Trinity Cathedral in New Orleans, and
Orthodox faithful including the parish council presidents of Holy Trinity
Cathedral in New Orleans and Holy Trinity Chapel in Baton Rouge.
Archbishop Demetrios was presented with the Artophorion, a Holy Chalice,
the Paten and the Holy Gospel which were retrieved the previous day from
the Cathedral in New Orleans.

At the conclusion of the service, Archbishop Demetrios presented Mr.
Triantafilou of IOCC with a $100,000 donation from the Archbishop Iakovos
Leadership 100 Fund and $100,000 from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of
America Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief Fund, which represents a portion
of the funds currently being collected from the Greek Orthodox faithful of
America in response to a special tray passing appeal. Relief funds still
being collected will be distributed to communities and individuals in the
affected areas through Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta.

Mrs. Skeadas also presented a donation of $50,000 from the National
Philoptochos to assist in the IOCC's humanitarian efforts towards the
victims of this natural disaster.

The trip concluded with a visit to Catholic Charities where the group met
with Roman Catholic Archbishop of New Orleans Alfred E. Hughes, Bishop
Meunch of Baton Rouge, National Catholic Charities Chairman Father Larry
Snyder, Bishop Jenkins of the Episcopalian Diocese of New Orleans and staff
who are working in cooperation with IOCC.  Archbishop Hughes was extremely
thankful for the opportunity for the Catholic Church to work with the
Orthodox Church and expressed his desire to continue this productive
combination of working together in such catastrophic events which need the
maximum possible cooperation and effectiveness.

At the conclusion of this emotional visit, Mr. Triantafilou stated,
"Watching His Eminence interact with the victims of this tremendous tragedy
was inspiring.	His gift of love is immeasurable."

Note:
Founded in 1992 IOCC is the official humanitarian aid agency of  SCOBA. A
pan-Orthodox agency, IOCC works in cooperation with the Orthodox Church
worldwide. Its relief and development programs bring urgent and sustainable
assistance to people suffering from war, poverty disease and natural
disasters. IOCC implements its humanitarian programs solely on the basis of
need, in partnership with local organizations, and in consultation with
local government, civic and Church Leaders.

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