wfn.org | ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS ATTENDS EASTER PRAYER BREAKFAST AT WHITE HOUSE

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA

8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106 * Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax:
(212) 774-0237
www.goarch.org    - Email: communications@goarch.org

> Contact: PRESS OFFICE
> Stavros Papagermanos
> pressoffice@goarch.org

> April 7, 2010

ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS ATTENDS EASTER PRAYER BREAKFAST AT WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON ? His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America attended
yesterday, an Easter Prayer Breakfast for approximately 70 Christian
religious leaders at the White House, as a guest of President Barack
Obama and had a seat of honor at the President?s table.

The President after welcoming the religious leaders as ?brothers and
sisters in Christ? said he wanted to join them and ?continue the
Easter celebration of our risen Savior, and to reflect on the work to
which His promise calls all of us.?

He further noted: ?For even after the passage of 2,000 years, we can
still picture the moment in our mind?s eye. The young man from
Nazareth marched through Jerusalem; object of scorn and derision and
abuse and torture by an empire. The agony of crucifixion amid the
cries of thieves.  The discovery, just three days later, that would
forever alter our world ? that the Son of Man was not to be found in
His tomb and that Jesus Christ had risen.?

?We are awed by the grace He showed even to those who would have
killed Him.  We are thankful for the sacrifice He gave for the sins of
humanity.  And we glory in the promise of redemption in the resurrection.?

Archbishop Demetrios immediately following the breakfast said: ?We had
the honor of being in a two-hour gathering hosted by President Obama,
filled with the joy of the Resurrection of the Lord and with multiple
expressions of faith in Him. Particularly impressive were the opening
remarks by the President which constitute a strong declaration of this
faith in the Resurrection of Christ and in its healing consequences
for the world of today.?

> == 30 ==