This is to be a fact-finding visit which will afford His Grace the opportunity to meet with local Metropolitans and Civil Authorities of the devastated areas and to see first hand what assistance is needed.  Accompanying the Bishop are Constantine Triantafilou, Executive Director of International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) and Fr. Angelo Pappas from Portsmouth, NH, a trained First Responder.  Both individuals visited Greece at the onset of the fires and have extensive knowledge of the devastation.

Upon his return to the United States, Bishop Andonios will report to His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios and the other members of the Special Committee of the Greek Fire Relief Fund, which is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, February 6, 2008.  Since its last meeting, the Committee has received a number of proposals regarding relief projects.  This fact-finding mission by His Grace will enable the Committee to have greater insight into the scope of these proposals as well as the needs of those people affected by the devastation.   To date, the Fund has collected $3,903,441. 

Department of Philanthropy
Tel.: 212.774-0283

New York, NY – With great sorrow and deep heartfelt emotion the entire flock of the Holy Archdiocese of America learned of the passing of the late Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Christodoulos of blessed memory.

The late Archbishop Christodoulos reposed in the peace of God at 5:15 a.m. (Greek time), today, Monday, January 28, 2008, at his residence, after battling with a disease that lasted many months and which required lengthy medical treatments administered to him at home, which is where he desired to be, despite the swift deterioration of his health.

His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios of America, as soon as he was informed of the passing of the late Archbishop Christodoulos, issued this statement:

"The passing of the late Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Christodoulos of blessed memory, saddens us deeply, for with his departure from this world the Church has lost an exceptional and highly esteemed Hierarch, as well as a brilliant champion of Orthodoxy and of the universal values of the Hellenic cultural tradition. I had the special honor to know him from the time he attended high school, and afterwards, to appreciate his dynamism, his kindness, his intellect and his great offering to the Church in important areas such as the divine worship, pastoral and social care, as well as inter-Orthodox and inter-Christian relations. I pray fervently to the Lord for the repose of the soul of the distinguished and ever-memorable brother and concelebrant, the late Archbishop Christodoulos, in the tabernacles of the saints and of the righteous." 

The illness of the late Archbishop was diagnosed on June 9, 2007, when he was admitted to the “Aretaio” Hospital of Athens. On August 18, 2007, the Archbishop traveled to Miami, Florida, with the prospect to receive a liver transplant, which in the end was not possible, and for which reason he returned to Greece on October 26. 

Immediately after the announcement of the passing of the late Archbishop Christodoulos, a four day mourning period was declared. The funeral service will take place in the Cathedral of Athens on Thursday, January 31, 2008.

Archbishop Demetrios of America will depart for Athens tomorrow, Tuesday January 29th, in order to accompany His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the funeral services of the late Archbishop Christodoulos.

Contact: Nikki Stephanopoulos
Tel.: 212.774-0244

THE WHITE HOUSE
 
Office of the Press Secretary
 
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
 
Laura and I offer our condolences to the people of Greece at this time of mourning for the death of the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Christodoulos.  The late Archbishop was well known as an articulate voice of the Orthodox faith, for his engagement in inter-religious dialogue, and for his promotion of social programs to help the vulnerable.  Our prayers are with the people of Greece and all those who followed his spiritual guidance.