[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H10497]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 A TRIBUTE TO THE FIRST AMERICAN-BORN ARCHBISHOP OF THE GREEK ORTHODOX 
                 CHURCH OF AMERICA--ARCHBISHOP SPYRIDON

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mrs. Myers of Kansas). Under a previous 
order of the House, the gentleman from Florida [Mr. Bilirakis] is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BILIRAKIS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize a very 
special occasion, and that is the enthronement of the newly elected 
Archbishop of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Archbishop 
Spyridon.
  On September 21, 1996, the enthronement ceremony will take place in 
New York for Archbishop Spyridon--the first American-born leader of 
Greek orthodoxy in the United States since the Archdiocese was founded 
in 1922.
  Born on September 24, 1944, in Warren, OH, George Papageorgiou is the 
one of Clara and the late Dr. Constantine P. George. Spyridon is 
actually the Archbishop's religious name which he took in honor of a 
fourth-century Cypriot saint who was revered for his skills as a 
shepherd. He choose this name when he was ordained a deacon in 1968.
  For the past 5 years, Archbishop Spyridon has lived in Venice, Italy, 
I would like to be one of the first to welcome him back to his homeland 
here in America. In fact, it gives me great pleasure to note that he 
graduated from Tarpon Springs High School which is located in my 
Florida congressional district. I might add, proudly, that I was born 
in that city and that my wife's and my parents and grandparents 
immigrated there in the early part of this century.
  After high school, he returned to Greece to prepare for priesthood. 
He studied at the famous Theological School of Halki in Turkey where he 
graduated with highest honors. Unfortunately, the renowned Orthodox 
school was closed by the Turkish Government in 1971, contrary to 
Turkey's obligations under international law.
  It is my hope that our new Archbishop will work with me and others to 
see that this school is again open to train such talented people.
  With a thirst for knowledge, Archbishop Spyridon pursued postgraduate 
studies at the University of Geneva in Switzerland. Having been awarded 
a scholarship by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he then studied Byzantine 
literature at Bochum University in Germany.
  Archbishop Spyridon has served as secretary at the Permanent 
Delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to the world council of 
churches from 1966 to 1967, and later as secretary of the Orthodox 
Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate at Chambesy, Geneva. He was also 
the director of its news bulletin from 1976 to 1985.
  Also from 1976 to 1985, he was assigned duties as dean of the Greek 
Orthodox community of St. Andrew in Rome. Prior to his post as 
metropolitan of Italy, he was assigned to the Greek Orthodox 
Archdiocese of Austria and Exarchate of Italy.
  Certainly, his achievements are many and varied. Archbishop Spyridon 
is fluent in English, French, German, Greek, and Italian.
  His Eminence brings with him the knowledge and insight that comes 
from having lived in America and Europe. I am confident that his 
energy, enthusiasm, and leadership will serve the Church well, as he 
pursues church unity between the Greek Orthodox Church and the other 
Orthodox communities in the United States.
  In addition, I am sure that his dynamic personality will help him in 
addressing the interests and needs of both, the American-born and 
immigrant members of our church.
  I wish him all the best for a bright future as the new spiritual 
leader of the Greek Orthodox Church of America.

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