Abp. Elpidophoros, Ambassador Guilfoyle Discuss Religious Freedom

ATHENS — Abp. Elpidophoros of America met Thursday with U.S. Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, discussing religious freedom, the Greek-American community, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and the longstanding relationship between Greece and the United States.

The July 16 meeting in Athens focused on matters of shared interest between the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and the U.S. diplomatic mission. According to the archdiocese, the discussion included the ministry and international role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, as well as issues affecting Greek Americans.

Abp. Elpidophoros also briefed Ambassador Guilfoyle on the recent 48th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, held in Cleveland, Ohio. He additionally outlined ongoing efforts to secure the reopening of the Theological School of Halki, a longstanding priority of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Guilfoyle described Abp. Elpidophoros as "my good friend" in a social media post and said they discussed "our shared efforts to advance religious freedom and the important role that faith plays in the work we do and in our communities in the United States, Greece, and around the world."

Previously, the UOJ reported that Kimberly Guilfoyle met Patr. Theophilos III in Athens.