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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 2, 2007
Contact: Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos Tel.: 212.774.0244
HIS EMINENCE ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS RECEIVES HONORARY DEGREE FROM THE AMERICAN COLLEGE OF GREECE
ATHENS, Greece - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America, was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters by the American College of Greece during the schools commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 30, at the Peace and Friendship Stadium in Piraeus. Presenting the award was the president of American College, Dr. John S. Bailey.
Archbishop Demetrios was honored for his "intellectual leadership, inspiration," and for his "untiring service to others." The Archbishops pastoral work during the aftermath of the 9-11 tragedy was particularly noted as his finest moments of ministry.' We pray for the continued success," added Dr. Bailey, of the inspired and tremendous work that you are offering to all people, beyond the robust limits of the Greek Orthodox community in America.
"I am deeply thankful for this great honor," said Archbishop Demetrios in accepting the award. "It is a privilege to be associated with a school that pursues academic excellence, reconciliation and deep understanding of people of various origins." Speaking also in Greek, His Eminence addressed the graduates by making reference to the Feast Day of Saint Paul. "Like this great Saint," urged the Archbishop, do not "overly focus on what is behind, but press on toward what lies ahead, (Philippians 3:13) always seeking the maximum and the optimum in whatever you do in life!"
A private dinner was held in honor of His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios at the Intercontinental Hotel following the degree ceremony.
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios was enthroned as the spiritual leader of 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America in 1999, becoming the sixth Archbishop of America. The goals of his ministry include teaching the practice of limitless love and philanthropy and emphasizing, pursuing, and enhancing the establishment of an unbreakable unity within the human community. Archbishop Demetrios received a Ph.D. from Harvard in 1972 and a Th.D. in Theology from the University of Athens in 1977. From 1984 to 1985 and 1988 to 1989 he taught as a visiting professor at Harvard Divinity School and from 1983 to 1993 as a distinguished professor at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. A member abroad of the Academy of Athens, Archbishop Demetrios has received several honorary degrees from various universities here and abroad. A prolific writer, H.E. Archbishop Demetrios has published six major books: Presence of the Holy Spirit (1984), Authority and Passion (1987), The Transcendent God of Eugnostos (1991), Christ, the Pre-existing God (1992), The Fathers Interpret (1996), and A Call to Faith (2004).