wfn.org | Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Visits New Orleans

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GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

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> Contact: PRESS OFFICE
> Stavros Papagermanos
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> Press Release

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> October 23, 2009

ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH BARTHOLOMEW VISITS NINTH WARD, CONDUCTS MEMORIAL
SERVICE AND BLESSES THE WATERS OF THE MISSISSIPPI

NEW ORLEANS ? His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew made a
return visit to the Lower Ninth Ward District today to survey the
recovery and restoration efforts of the wetland area in Bayou Bienvenue.

In January 2006, the Ecumenical Patriarch traveled to New Orleans in
order to witness the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and to pray with
the people of New Orleans. His visit today was part of his continuing
advocacy for the protection of the environment that is being
highlighted once again at the Eighth Religion, Science and Environment
Symposium, entitled ?Restoring Balance: The Great Mississippi River,?
convened by His All Holiness this week in New Orleans.

Upon his arrival in the area, His All Holiness walked up a platform
overlooking the wetlands and was briefed by local officials on the
work of the coastal restoration of the bayou, the re-building of the
levees, which would prevent storm waves and allow trees and other
vegetation to flourish again in the area.

?We are here again to pray for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and
their families and to express our solidarity with the people of New
Orleans. We shall also continue to pray and work for the protection of
the natural environment,? said His All Holiness to the local
officials, conservationists and residents of the area.

?God compelled you to come and stand with us in our fight to restore
the natural environment in this area, which is part of God?s
creation,? said City of New Orleans Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis
as she thanked His All Holiness for his visit and his prayers and on
behalf of the City Council presented him with a Proclamation.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew proceeded near the waters of the
bayou and along with other hierarchs and clergy accompanying him
chanted the hymn of the Epiphany. He then toured the area where the
levees had broke and met with local residents who have only recently
moved back.

Earlier in the day, His All Holiness conducted a memorial service at
the St. Louis Cemetery # 3 of New Orleans, for the victims of
Hurricane Katrina and also in memory of the late Archbishop Iakovos of
the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of North & South America, whose patron
saint?s day is celebrated today, according to the Orthodox Christian
liturgical calendar.

Yesterday, Oct. 22, His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,
as part of the Eighth Religion, Science and the Environment (RSE)
Symposium, conducted the Service of Sanctification, blessing of the
Waters, aboard the riverboat ?Natchez? and symbolically sprinkled Holy
Water over the Mississippi River. All the participants of the
Symposium were aboard to witness the ceremony.

Photos and additional resources for the media at:
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<http://www.patriarchate.org/news/media
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