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Archons' National Commander Protests Harassment of American Pilgrims

New York: 1/24/2007- In a letter to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Ross Wilson, National Commander of the Order of Saint Andrew, Dr. Anthony Limberakis criticized the repressive harassment experienced by devout American pilgrims during their visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Nearly 200 U.S. citizens traveled to Turkey to witness the historical meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul. The event was viewed all over the world as a momentous stepping stone toward bringing together the two largest Christian churches.

The letter states that "on the celebration of the services by the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch on November 29th and 30th, Turkish authorities forced the Archons and other faithful Orthodox Christians to turn in their passports in order to be allowed into the services." Dr. Limberakis also mentions that "once inside the Church, Turkish police physically blocked and bullied worshippers from receiving Holy Communion. The clergy had to plead and argue with the authorities to allow the faithful to move towards the Altar and the Chalice." This is just one example of how the Turkish authorities abridged the religious rights of the U.S. citizens.