NEW YORK – His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America met yesterday with the Consistory of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at the Archdiocese Headquarters in New York City. The Consistory requested the meeting from the Archbishop who is the Locum Tenens for the Diocese since the passing of the late Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos earlier this year. The members are Protopresbyter Frank P. Miloro, Chancellor; Protopresbyter Michael S. Rosco, Vice Chancellor; Protopresbyter Ronald A. Hazuda; Protopresbyter Michael Polanichka; Protopresbyter Lawrence R. Barriger; Protopresbyter Mark Leasure, and Protopresbyter Kenneth Bachofsky. Protopresbyter Mark Arey of the Department of Inter-Orthodox Relations, was also present in the meeting. Following the meeting, the Consistory attended a luncheon hosted by the Archbishop.

This meeting is the second of its kind since the repose of the late Metropolitan. Among the items for discussion were the following: the search for a new presiding bishop for the Diocese, administrative issues affecting various parishes, and representation of the Diocese at the celebrations at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in honor of His All Holiness’s Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s 20th Anniversary of election and enthronement as Ecumenical Patriarch. Archbishop Demetrios offered thanks the Consistory for their offering of stable, decisive stewardship during this season of “widowhood” of the Diocese. The Archbishop also offered a substantial contribution to the two Carpatho-Russian parishes affected by the recent floods in New Jersey. For their part, the clergy of the Consistory expressed their gratitude to the Archbishop for his leadership, generosity and pastoral care for the Diocese.

BOSTON – The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Department of Internet Ministries is pleased to announce the launch of the Daily Readings application for Android mobile platforms. The Daily Readings App was developed to be an easy way to access the day's Bible readings (as prescribed by the Lectionary of the Greek Orthodox Church) from your mobile device, read the lives of the saints, and look up fasting guidelines for each day.

With the Daily Readings app on your Android mobile phone or tablet, there is no better way to carry the Church's prescribed Scripture and devotional readings with you at all times.

This new release for Android-enabled devices, joins the previously launched versions for the iPhone, iPad, and Nokia mobile platforms.  Since its release in July 2010, the iPhone Daily Readings app has had over 15,000 downloads.  To find out how to download these mobile apps to your device, go to http://mobileapps.goarch.org.

The Daily Readings for Android app will run on any Android-powered mobile phone or tablet running Android OS 1.6 or higher with an Internet connection.

The Department of Internet Ministries is dedicated to helping Greek Orthodox parishes in the United States use technology for the proclamation of the Good News of the Gospel and for the advancement of Orthodox Christian ministry.  The Department of Internet Ministries offers a variety of programs and services that enables parishes and Orthodox Christian Organizations to use technology as a ministry tool.  More information about the programs and services offered by the Department is available at http://www.internet.goarch.org.

NEW YORK – Archbishop Demetrios of America met on Friday with the Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the visit of the Prime Minister to New York City on the occasion of the opening session of the United Nations.  In a candid meeting which lasted 45 minutes, the Archbishop, Exarch of the Ecumenical Throne in America, thanked the Prime Minister on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Church of America, for certain favorable actions which the Turkish Government has taken involving the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. Namely, the recent decision to return properties owned by minorities in Turkey, the implementation of a process by which Hierarchs of the Ecumenical Patriarchate can apply for Turkish citizenship, thus creating a larger electoral body for Patriarchal elections, the ability afforded to the Ecumenical Patriarch to conduct religious services at various historic churches and monasteries in Asia Minor and Pontus, most recently at Panagia Soumela near Trabzon on the Black Sea, and finally the return of the Orphanage on the Princess Islands.

In addition, the Archbishop reiterated to the Prime Minister the long-standing request of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to re-open the Theological School of Halki which has been closed for 40 years.  In the discussion that followed, the Prime Minister thanked the Archbishop for his visit and assured him that the Government will continue to address issues concerning the rights of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and of the other minorities in Turkey. 

Accompanying the Archbishop during the meeting with the Prime Minister were Mr. Michael Jaharis, Vice-Chair of the Archdiocesan Council, Dr. Anthony Limberakis, Commander of the Order of St. Andrew, Mr. John Catsimatidis, Chairman of the Religious Freedom Committee of the Order of St. Andrew, Mr.  Dennis Mehiel a member of that Committee and Rev. Fr. Alexander Karloutsos, Assistant to the Archbishop for Public Affairs.