Visiting Nicosia, at the invitation of His Beatitude Archbishop Chrysostomos, Archbishop Demetrios of America received on Sunday the highest distinction in the Orthodox Church of Cyprus, the gold medal of St. Barnabas, in a ceremony that took place at the headquarters of the Cypriot archbishopric. The distinction offered in the presence of the President of Cyprus marked the celebration of fifty years of archpastoral service of the Archbishop of America.
In his speech given during the awarding ceremony, Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus expressed his appreciation for the personality of the His Eminence Demetrios.
A true man who always knew what he wanted and how to look for it in any church situation. (…) His theological studies are bright, he has a lot of remarkable academic titles expressing his scientific and theological work. He is considered one of the most important contemporary religious and theological personalities, ” said HB Chrysostomos at the February 11 ceremony.
The Primate of the Church of Cyprus referred to the Geron Archbishop’s activity since 1999 when he took over the pastoral leadership of the Archdiocese of America and highlighted his reconciliating work and the promotion of Greek values among Greek immigrants.
In his address after being bestowed the gold medal, Archbishop Demetrios spoke about the difficulties the Greek Orthodox community in America passed through in its 150 years of existence.
Sunday morning, the two hierarchs concelebrated the Divine Liturgy at the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Nicosia, together with the members of the Holy Synod of the Church of Cyprus and Metropolitan Sava of Pittsburgh, who accompanied Archbishop Demetrios in his visit to Cyprus.
The nonagenarian bishop leading Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America will meet Tuesday with the President of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades, at the presidential palace in Nicosia. In the evening, the Archbishop will deliver a lecture at the Theological School of the Church of Cyprus on the topic: “Modern Theological Challenges and Opportunities.”
Photo courtesy of Greek News
