New York State Legislature Signs Letter on behalf of Patriarch By: Thomas Matthews (contact Matt Wanning, Hellenic Times 212-956-5803, tmwred@gmail.com)
April 5, 2011
New York, from the office of John Catsimatidis:In the spirit of historic, unprecedented agreement, both houses of the New York State Legislature have signed a letter urging the Turkish Government to endorse a policy of respect and religious freedom towards the Patriarch and the Patriarchate.
Among other things, the document calls for the Turkish Government to:
*Cease discrimination of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
*Grant the Ecumenical Patriarchate international recognition, ecclesiastic succession, and the right to train its clergy
*Respect the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s property rights and
*Re-open the Halki Theological School.
In an issued statement, just as a delegation was about to embark on a trip to the Patriarchate to deliver the good news, Dr. Anthony J. Limberakis, MD, National Commander, Archon Aktouarios of the Order of St. Andrew, said this:
“As we are about to embark on an Archon Religious Freedom Mission to the EU and Turkey later this afternoon, we look forward to sharing this extraordinary news with His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew when we receive his blessings later next week.
To have the New York State Senators and the New York State Assembly calling for the religious freedom for the Ecumenical Patriarchate is just a phenomenal accomplishment.
I realize many individuals are responsible for this remarkable achievement and it is appropriate that we first acknowledge our own Orthodox New York state legislators Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Senator Michael Gianaris, Assembly Members Aravella Simotas and Nicole Malliotakis.
Working together with our clergy His Grace Bishop Andonios and Fr. Alex Karloutsos, along with the brilliant Archon team of John Catsimatidis, Nikiforos Mathews, Stephen Georgeson, Peter Skeadas, John Kassimatis and Theodore Klingos made this powerful endorsement of the religious freedom for the Mother Church possible.
Please allow me to also acknowledge our committed and hardworking Carpatho Russian Archons David Gdovin and Michael Kundrat, who together with Father Jim Dutko met in Binghamton, NY with NYS Senator Tom Libous (Assistant Majority Leader) and Assemblywoman Donna Lipardo to ensure the success of the religious freedom initiative on behalf of the Mother Church.
I am especially proud to be associated with all the individuals mentioned above and those behind the scenes who worked so diligently as Defenders of the Great Church of Christ.
In the Service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, God Bless You!
In the Service of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.”
– Anthony J. Limberakis, MD
-Archon Aktouarios
National Commander, Order of St. Andrew Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America
Congratulations poured in from across the Country:
From Atlanta, GE, Stephen Georgeson, National
Coordinator for the Archons State Resolutions Project:
“This is an extraordinary achievement! I want to thank all of you for your commitment and devotion to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
I especially want to express my appreciation to Senator Dean Skelos, Senator Mike Gianaris and Assemblywomen Aravella Simotas and Nicole Malliotakis for expending a great deal of time in securing these signatures in the midst of a legislative session filled with significant challenges.
Thank you all again! Kali Sarakosti-“
Stephen Georgeson
From: Archon John Scurtis, South Florida
“Axios. Well said Kudos to all”
From: Dr. Nicholas G. Loutsion, Pittsburgh, PA Chairman, ARCL Committee
Fantastic news! The support of New York State is of inestimable value to the success of our state resolution initiative, and more importantly in our effort to secure religious freedom for our Mother Church.
Congratulations to all who worked so hard to achieve this milestone. AXII!
It is efforts such as this which will keep the plight of the Patriarchate on the world stage and hopefully lead to a new area of tolerance and respect for the leader of world Orthodoxy, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
(Copies of the Assembly and Senate Religious Freedom Letter and signature pages click the letters below)
Assembly Religious Freedom Letter 2011
Senate Religious Freedom Letter 2011
Red Apple Group
823 11th Ave.
New York
New York 10019
United States
.
