wfn.org | GOAA - Archbishop Demetrios Benediction Democratic Convention

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GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
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For Immediate Release
August 3, 2004

Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos

BENEDICTION OF HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS OF
AMERICA AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION

New York, NY - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America offered the
Benediction at the Democratic National Convention in Boston on Wednesday
evening, July 28th.  Invited to offer the Benediction following the
nomination of Senator John Edwards as Vice President, His Eminence flew to
Boston following an evening program of the 37th Biennial Clergy-Laity
Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America being held in New
York City and returned to the Congress for Thursday's final Plenary session
and Grand Banquet. Following is the text of the Prayer:

"Let us bow our heads to the Lord.

Heavenly King, Maker of all things and Father of all humanity, we bow our
heads before you in deepest gratitude for the countless blessings which You
bestow continually upon our great nation.

We thank You for the bounties of our land, for the stability of our
society, and for the diversity of our American people.	And above all, we
thank You for the inestimable gift of freedom and for the glorious ideals
of human dignity, equality, and justice for all, which have been inspired
by Your grace.

This legacy of liberty, O Lord. Is ours today because of the sacrifice and
service of the founders of our nation.	Bless, O God, their memory with an
everlasting blessing, and inspire us with an equal measure of dedication to
the institutions and ideas of democracy.

Send Your mercies upon this Convention, and upon all the delegates who have
been gathered here to carry out these noble ideals by selecting candidates
for the highest offices of our land.  Bestow upon your servants, Senator
John Kerry and Senator John Edwards, strength from above and profound
wisdom to bear well the awesome responsibilities of their candidacy.  Grant
them keen discernment and brotherly love, so that they may bring honor to
our democratic institutions, in properly understanding and handling issues
of vital importance for our society.
Enlighten your servants, so that they may confirm the precious value of
liberty.  May the work of these candidates and of this Convention advance
our blessed American legacy far into the future, through works of social
progress, deeds of righteousness, and acts of justice.

Establish our land in peace, O Lord.  Protect the poor, nourish the hungry,
strengthen the weak, vindicate the oppressed, support the youth, make firm
our families, preserve and guard our armed forces who stand in harm's way
on behalf of us all, heal the wounds of war, and inspire all people with
the ideals of human freedom and dignity, from sea to shining sea, and
throughout the whole world.

And to You be the glory forever.  Amen."

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