SEPTEMBER 11 SPECIAL EDITION
ORTHODOX OBSERVER
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Archbishop Attends White House Meeting, Visits Pentagon WASHINGTON Archbishop Demetrios was among several religious leaders invited Sept. 20 to the White House by President George Bush on Thursday to pray with him and to offer counsel as he prepared to address the joint session of Congress and the nation. The two-hour session began with a meeting of 27 religious leaders and White House officials that resulted in a consensus statement urging both patience and justice in America s response to terrorism. Immediately following, seven of the leaders, including Archbishop Demetrios, met with President Bush in the Oval Office where he articulated in strong, candid terms where we are now as a nation, how we must cope with the tragedy of Sept. 11 and how important it was to have the spiritual support and leadership of the religious community. The overriding religious tone of the discussion ended with a prayer led by Bernard Cardinal Law, Roman Catholic archbishop of Boston. The seven, led by President Bush, then joined the entire clergy group in the Roosevelt Room. The President articulated his earlier position, previewing the speech he was to deliver to the Country that evening. He asked each person present to offer a statement, thanked everyone for their support and he was assured that you will be surrounded by prayers. At the close of the meeting, Archbishop Demetrios offer a prayer on behalf of the President and those present. The group then proceeded to the White House lawn for a press conference, which began with a statement from each of the leaders present in the Oval Office with President Bush. Archbishop Demetrios expressed the full support of all the leaders and the Greek Orthodox community, said the President welcomed the candid discussion. He also said, as Americans we should not seek vengeance but only justice, carried out after careful consideration.
Meets with CIA director
Following the White House meeting,
The Archbishop was then escorted close to the actual crash site by Deputy Chief of Police of Arlington County John Haas, who in coordination with the assistant chancellor of the Archdiocese Fr. Michael Kontogiorgis, had arranged for the Pentagon visit. His Eminence placed a rose at a memorial for the victims, then held a press conference with media from throughout the world and three live television interviews.
Capitol Hill Reception
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1) PRESIDENT BUSH meets with national religious leaders in the White House. Archbishop Demetrios is to his right. 2) ARCHBISHOP DEMETRIOS reflects on the scene near the Pentagon’s ground zero where thousands of volunteers work to sift the debris. 3) A PRAYER service was held in front of the Pentagon. (l. to r.) Fr. Michael Kontogiorgis, Ambassador Miller, Deacon Nektarios Morrow, Andrew Natsios, Michael Jaharis and Fr. Alex Karloutsos.
At a noon reception on Capitol Hill, Archbishop Demetrios explained the Archdiocese s relief efforts with several legislators. His Eminence then met with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs Marc Grossman and attended the swearing-in of the new U.S. ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller. The evening concluded with a memorial service at St. Sophia Cathedral. In attendance were Metropolitan Theodosius of the Orthodox Church in America, diplomats, clergy and faithful from the Washington area.
3 GREEK ORTHODOX ARCHDIOCESE
Archbishop Demetrios went to the offices of the Central Intelligence Agency where he was warmly received by George Tenet, CIA director and member of the Greek Orthodox Church. They had a private discussion that concluded with a prayer.
Memorial Service at Pentagon Site
Friday, Sept. 21, Archbishop Demetrios, accompanied by a small group including U.S. Ambassador to Greece Thomas Miller, newly appointed director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Andrew Natsios and Michael Jaharis, vice chairman of the Archdiocesan Council, visited the Pentagon site. His Eminence offered a memorial service for the repose of the souls of those who had lost their lives in the Pentagon attack.
HIS EMINENCE hosted a reception for Congress members at the Capitol Building.
D. Panagos photos
WALKING TOWARD the Pentagon – Archbishop Demetrios is accompanied by Ambassador Miller, Mr. Jaharis and Fr. Kontogiorgis.