AHI Welcomes Ecumenical Patriarch, Calls for U.S. Support of Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON - The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) warmly welcomes His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the United States for his Apostolic Visit.
AHI commends the President of the Untied States for welcoming His All-Holiness to the White House, a recognition of the Patriarch’s spiritual leadership of 300 million Orthodox Christians worldwide.
This meeting is an important opportunity for the President to strengthen his agenda for peace by addressing the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s plight under constant pressure and duress from the Government of Turkey, including the continued closure of the historic Halki Seminary and other violations of religious freedom, as consistently documented by U.S. and international bodies.
“This visit is a critical opportunity for the United States to demonstrate its global leadership by championing the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s religious freedom and urging Turkey to lift its restrictions, starting with the reopening of Halki Seminary,” AHI President Nick Larigakis said.
AHI remains committed to protecting the Ecumenical Patriarchate by advocating for American values in foreign affairs, which includes upholding the rule of law and promoting fundamental human rights.
The American Hellenic Institute (AHI) is a non-profit policy center and think tank founded in 1974 that promotes the interests of the United States in foreign affairs involving Greece, the Republic of Cyprus, the Eastern Mediterranean, and Southern Europe.
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