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Orthodox Observer - December 1996

N.Y. City Officials Welcome His Eminence

A HOST of city officials, dignita- ries, Greek Orthodox clergy and laypersons and other members of the public listen to Archbish- op Spyridon speak at the City Council meeting after speaker Pe- ter Vallone read a proclamation honoring His Eminence.

(Orthodox Observer photo)

NEW YORK — Archbishop Spyridon received his first official welcome to City Hall at an afternoon reception on Oct. 30 where he also offered the invocation for the City Council meeting.

Council Speaker Peter Vallone, who represents a district in Queens that includes Astoria, hosted the reception and presented His Eminence with a proclamation from the City of New York.

Following the reading of the proclamation, the Archbishop read a statement to the Council (text below) before giving the invocation.

In response, a number of council members representing various parts of the city offered their welcoming remarks.

"We recognize the contributions of the Greek people to New York and your presence here means a lot to this city," said Mary Pinkett, an African American woman who represents a district in Brooklyn. Her sentiments were echoed by more than a dozen other council members.

The Archbishop's statement reads as follows:

"It is my great pleasure to greet you today on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. As you know, the Archdiocese and the City of New York have had a long history of friendship. You honor this friendship by honoring me this afternoon with this proclamation.

"Our friendship began in the early days of Greek immigration, when our forefathers and mothers first sailed into New York Harbor and fixed their eyes upon the Statue of Liberty. To this day, immigrants from all over the world still come to New York to pursue their dreams. For the Greeks who came these dreams have been realized in the important role Greek-Americans now play in the life of this great city, whether that role is in business, government, or charitable work. And now, even though I speak, not just for Greeks, but for Orthodox Christians of various ethnic backgrounds, I thank you for working so hard to preserve New York as a place where dreams are still made and fulfilled.

"Indeed —and this illustration, I must admit, is a temptation too great to pass up our latest dreams as New Yorkers were fulfilled in the Bronx. Last Saturday night, the Yankees, of course, won the World Series. But in doing so, they proved that, when people reach within and pull out their best, together we can achieve anything. Reflecting on this, I stand before you today to repeat one of the points I made at my enthronement as Archbishop, that I, and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, stand ready to join together with you, the leaders of this city, and all people of goodwill, to do whatever we must to make sure that our society achieves all the greatness it can.

"Speaking of the Yankees, on a personal note I now especially value one of the gifts I received after my arrival in New York to assume my new ministry — a New York Yankees baseball cap given to me by the mayor!

"Mr. Speaker, I was honored by your presence at my enthronement. Today, you and the entire City Council honor me with this proclamation. Nevertheless, these honors belong, not so much to me, but to the people I represent, the Faithful of our Church in the five great boroughs of this City, and throughout the United States. For the honor you give to them. I am very thankful."

[ Orthodox Observer - Vol. 61, No. 1121 - December 1996 - p. 2 ]