wfn.org | GOAA Ecumenical Patriarchate's Rights Vindicated

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> GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE OF AMERICA
> 8-10 East 79th St. New York, NY 10075-0106
> Tel: (212) 570-3530 Fax: (212) 774-0215
> Web: http://www.goarch.org
> Email: communications@goarch.org

> July 9, 2008

> Contact: Stavros H. Papagermanos
> Tel.: 212.570.3556 ? Fax: 2212.774.0237
> Email:  communications@goarch.org

> ECUMENICAL PATRIARCHATE'S RIGHTS VINDICATED
> BY EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS

New York, NY-- The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, France unanimously ruled yesterday July 8, in favor of the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, specifically as to its historic Orphanage on the island of Pringepos. The Court ruled that the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which had purchased the property with its own funds in 1902, was the rightful owner of the property, which ownership was not affected by subsequent legislation and actions involving charitable foundations.  In November of 2007, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America was part of the delegation that appeared before the Court in Strasbourg. Commenting on the ruling today, the Archbishop said:

â??This is a very positive step in the right direction for the protection of a basic human right. Although the ruling affects only the narrow area of property rights, by extension, we see a recognition of the rule of law as it affects the Ecumenical Patriarchate within the state of Turkey. Such recognition would serve all parties.â??