“The Chairman Emeritus of the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen presented remarks in the United States House of Representatives Congressional Record recognizing the extraordinary significance of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Christian Church today, as Orthodox Primates from around the world gather in Crete to carry out their sacred mission,” said Dr. Anthony Limberakis the head of the Greek Orthodox Church’s Order of St. Andrew, the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Dr. Limberakis continued, “In addition, Chairman Emeritus Ros-Lehtinen reminded the Congress of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s extraordinary accomplishments and numerous recognitions in America.”

The Chairman Emeritus stated, “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is a renowned person and is no stranger to America where he has been recognized many times for his noteworthy accomplishments. Many will recall that he brought about the world’s first statement by Muslim and Christian leaders denouncing the 9/11 attacks as an ‘anti-religious’ act.”

In 2012, Vice President Joe Biden said that as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Vice President, he has had the opportunity to meet virtually every world leader, and he found the two most Christ-like leaders he encountered to be Nelson Mandela and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Among other recognitions of great consequence, the US Congress awarded the Ecumenical Patriarch the Congressional Gold Medal in 1997, an honor reserved for very few esteemed individuals including George Washington, Winston Churchill and Mother Teresa.’

National Commander Dr. Limberakis concluded by stating, “The Order of St. Andrew appreciates and values the remarks of House Foreign Affairs Chairman Emeritus Ros-Lehtinen, who offered her statement signaling international recognition of this historic Holy and Great Council as it initiates its extraordinary mission.”