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Published by the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America,
July 20, 2005
Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew to Visit United States in
January 2006 |
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July 20, 2005
New York - His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of
America has announced that His All Holiness
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit the
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and
specifically the Metropolis of Atlanta, headed
by Metropolitan Alexios of Atlanta, on January
4-8, 2006. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who
is the spiritual leader of over 250 million
Orthodox Christians worldwide, will preside over
the centennial Epiphany celebration in Tarpon
Springs, Florida, and will also commemorate the
centennial of the St. Nicholas Cathedral in
Tarpon Springs during a Patriarchal Divine
Liturgy. This is the first time that an
Ecumenical Patriarch will visit the Tarpon
Springs area for the festivities associated with
the celebration of Epiphany.
Epiphany commemorates the baptism of Jesus in
the Jordan River by St. John the Baptist. The
annual service in Tarpon Springs is recognized
as one on the largest Epiphany Celebrations and
attracts tens of thousands of people on the
Bayou for the Blessing of the Water and the dive
for the recovery of the precious Cross by the
young men of the community.
Following his stay in Tarpon Springs, His All
Holiness will visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral
in New Orleans, Louisiana, the first Greek
Orthodox Community in America, established
during the Civil War in 1864.
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