President Donald J. Trump welcomed the Greek American Community and His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America to the White House, Monday, March 18, 2019 for the annual White House Reception for Greek Independence, a 32-year-tradition. Following the remarks, the President signed the Presidential Proclamation for Greek Independence Day.

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we begin this blessed time of Holy and Great Lent, we are invited to enter into a period of intense prayer, fasting and service, so that we may draw closer to God, commune with Him, and experience His grace as we reflect on our lives, our relationship with Him, and our journey to salvation. In doing this we are challenged—challenged to face what separates us from God and His will; but we are also shown the way to overcome this separation both now and for eternity.

With the grace of God, the giver of all gifts, we have once again arrived at Holy and Great Lent, the arena of ascetical struggle, in order to purify ourselves with the Lord’s assistance through prayer, fasting and humility, as well as to prepare ourselves for a spiritual experience of the venerable Passion and the celebration of the splendid Resurrection of Christ the Savior.

Please join the Metropolis' Holy Unmercenaries Medical Society for its 3rd Annual Retreat, May 17th-19th which will be led by Dn. Dr. Stephen Muse, an Orthodox pastoral marriage counselor and family therapist.