Joe Biden welcomes Patriarch of Alexandria Theodoros II to White House

His Beatitude was accompanied by the resident Archbishop of America, His Eminence Elpidophoros.

The Orthodox delegation was initially received by presidential counselor Steven Ricchetti, and members of his staff.

His Beatitude had the opportunity to brief them on the Patriarchate’s mission in Africa, as well as Moscow Patriarchate’s uncanonical intrusion into the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of the Alexandria Patriarchate.

The US president later joined the meeting.

The Patriarch of Alexandria presented the US President with the Grand Cross of the Apostle Mark, while thanking him for Washington’s support of the ancient Patriarchate of Alexandria, as well as of Greece and of Cyprus.

Speaking to reporters afterwards, His Beatitude expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to meet with President Biden during his first Apostolic Visit to the United States, while calling him “a man of faith.”

On his part, Archbishop Elpidophoros said President Biden is very sensitive on matters of freedom of religion. He also echoed His Beatitude’s confidence in America’s ability to address the unfolding events affecting the Alexandria Patriarchate, while adding

“…The United States is a bulwark for religious freedom and democracy, and it supports these values around the globe, whether in Ukraine or in Africa.”

Afterwards, Patriarch Theodoros visited the US State Department, where he met with the US Ambassador At-Large for International Religious Freedom, Rashad Hussain.

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