President George W. Bush Congratulates Archbishop Demetrios On His 40-Year Anniversary To The Episcopacy And Welcomes The Greek American Community To The White House
Washington, DC - President George W. Bush welcomed Archbishop Demetrios of America, spiritual leader of over 1.5 million Greek Orthodox Christians in America, and members of the Greek American community to the White House on March 23 on the occasion of the celebration of the 186th Anniversary of Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy 200. (Proclamation text attached.) Foreign Minister of Greece Dora Bakoyannis, Greek and Cypriot Diplomats, government officials and Greek Americans from throughout the United States attended the ceremony in the East Room of the White House.
In his opening remarks, Archbishop Demetrios noted that this is the seventh time that the President has honored the Greek American community for the celebration of the Anniversary of Greek Independence Day. The Archbishop acknowledged the similarities between the Greek War of Independence, or Greek Revolution and the American War for Independence or American Revolution, "Both truly world changing revolutions share two basic characteristics: First, they were dominated by a tremendous passion for freedom, liberty, and independence for individuals, societies, and nations. Second, they were equally dominated by an intense belief in a God Who is the source of that freedom and independence, and who is at the same time the ultimate and absolute Guarantor of these principles." (Complete text attached)
In his response, President Bush recognized 2007 as the Archbishop’s 40th Anniversary to the Episcopacy calling him a "man of prayer, vision, and great wisdom." He spoke of his valued friendship with Archbishop Demetrios referring to him as "a soothing spirit." The president also emphasized his appreciation to the Greek Nation by acknowledging the attendance of Foreign Minister of Greece Dora Bakoyannis, Greek and Cypriot Diplomats, government officials and other Greek Americans from throughout the United States . "I want to thank all the Greek people," said President Bush, "and the government of Greece because the Truman Doctrine grew out of your own experience."
This year’s Celebration of Greek Independence Day offered an opportunity for additional gatherings and meetings with numerous political leaders. On Thursday, March 22, Archbishop Demetrios met with the newly elected Greek American members of Congress and also held separate, private meetings with the Foreign Minister of Greece Dora Bakoyannis and Greek American Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME). Later in the day Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) hosted a Luncheon at the U.S. Capitol Building and Homeland Security Advisor Frances Fragos Townsend hosted a private dinner at the Blair House, both in honor of honor Archbishop Demetrios’ 40-Year Anniversary.
Preceding the visit to the White House on Friday afternoon a moving visit was made to Arlington National Cemetery where Archbishop Demetrios laid a wreath in honor of Greek Independence Day at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Proclamation
Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration
of Greek and American Democracy, 2007
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
The United States and Greece share a long friendship built on common values and an abiding love for freedom. On Greek Independence Day, we underscore the warm ties between our countries, recognize the Greek Americans who enrich our society, and commemorate the anniversary of modern Greece .
The ancient Greeks entrusted their citizens with the right to govern, and they believed in the power of freedom to protect human dignity and basic human rights. Many of America 's Founding Fathers studied Greek history and took inspiration from these democratic ideals as they framed our Constitution. The founders of modern Greece had the strong support of our own young democracy when they declared their independence in 1821, and our nations have stood as allies in the major conflicts of the 20th century. Today, we continue to defend freedom together in the global war on terror, as Greek and American Armed Forces work to lay the foundation of peace for generations to come.
On Greek Independence Day, and throughout the year, we celebrate the universality of freedom and the enduring bonds between Greece and the United States .
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America , by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 25, 2007, as Greek Independence Day: A National Day of Celebration of Greek and American Democracy. I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.
GEORGE W. BUSH
Remarks by His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios
Washington, DC, Friday, March 23, 2007
On the Occasion of the Signing of the Presidential Proclamation for Greek Independence Day
Mr. President,
This is the seventh time that we are together in celebrating Greek Independence Day, honoring the symbolic date of March 25, 1821. As the Greek Orthodox American community, we are deeply thankful to you for giving us the great honor of hosting once again this auspicious event in the White House, and for offering to us your Presidential Proclamation as a solemn tribute to this day.
As we think about the Hellenic Revolution that started on the 25th of March, 1821, and which ended with the establishment of the independent and sovereign State of Greece, after 4 centuries of Ottoman occupation, we vividly remember the American Revolution and the Declaration of American Independence on July 4, 1776. Both truly world changing revolutions share two basic characteristics: First, they were dominated by a tremendous passion for freedom, liberty, and independence for individuals, societies, and nations. Second, they were equally dominated by an intense belief in a God Who is the source of that freedom and independence, and who is at the same time the ultimate and absolute Guarantor of these principles.
In both cases, the fight was exceedingly difficult. From a human perspective, the possibility for success seemed very limited. Pessimistic voices were raised everywhere. Yet, both revolutions succeeded, and they succeeded brilliantly. Freedom and independence were born on a ground that offered, in what followed, the best presuppositions for astonishing developments. These developments projected universally the unparalleled value of freedom and independence as inseparable and integral components of human life worth living on earth.
Today, both the United States and Greece are free, prosperous countries enjoying the fruits of liberty and independence, gained by these two heroic revolutions. At the same time, throughout the 20th century and up to the present day, both our countries have been champions for the promotion of freedom, liberty, and independence through considerable sacrifices resulting from full participation as allies in two world wars and in other geographically limited conflicts. Through such sacrifices, not only freedom, liberty and independence, but also democracy, justice, and respect for human rights were established and became part and parcel of the life of numerous nations. It was in this spirit that President Thomas Jefferson, in 1823, replied to a request from the prominent Greek Adamantios Koraes, who had asked him for advice in drafting the new constitution for the reborn state of Greece . President Jefferson, in his letter of reply from his home in Monticello, Virginia, on October 31, 1823, offered the following thoughts to Adamantios Koraes:
“There are certain principles in which all [states] agree and which all cherish as vitally essential to the protection of the life, liberty, property, and safety of the citizen: freedom of religion…the well-known law of habeas corpus, trial by jury…the exclusive right of legislation and taxation in the representatives of the people, freedom of the press subject only to liability for personal injuries…I have thus, dear Sir,” continues President Jefferson, “according to your request, given you some thoughts on the subject of national government. They are the results of the observations and reflections of an Octogenary, who has passed fifty years of trial and trouble in the various grades of his country’s service.”
We are aware, Mr. President, of your predecessors’ commitments to the values of liberty and independence and to the assistance of other nations in need. We are also aware of your own personal commitment to implementing these ideals for the betterment of our world. There are formidable difficulties, obstacles, and challenges associated with this task. This is why we pray unceasingly to the Almighty God for His decisive assistance in your labors.
Allow me to conclude that our celebration of Greek Independence Day this year coincides with the 60th anniversary of two remarkable post-World War II events: the Truman Doctrine and the Marshall Plan, both being expressions of assisting the task for democracy and freedom after the horrors of a world war.
Allow me also to mention another symbolic coincidence regarding the prominent two men, President Jefferson and Adamantios Koraes, who were so greatly involved in the two major revolutions and in the organization of their respective countries’ constitutions: Thomas Jefferson died in 1826 on July 4, American Independence Day; Adamantios Koraes died in 1833 on March 25, Greek Independence Day. Both men had devoted their entire lives and geniuses to the dawn of such a day. A day of independence, freedom, and liberty that certainly had a dawn, but, with the help of God, will have no sunset, no end.
Thank you for this honor, Mr. President.
Source: www.goarch.org
Contact: Rev. Dr. Frank Marangos
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