His Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios welcomed Metropolitan Silouan and the Vicar-General, Fr. Thomas Zain, at the Archdiocese Headquarters in Manhattan.
After a brief tour by the Ecumenical Officer, Archimandrite Nathaniel Symeonides, the two Metropolitans discussed many issues including the two abducted bishops and the situation of Christians in the Middle East. Archbishop Demetrios thanked Metropolitan Silouan for the Holy Synod of Antioch’s decision to resume participation in the Assembly of Bishops around the world. The two also discussed the situation of the Orthodox Church in South America and recalled their first meeting together during the recent Synaxis of the heads of the Orthodox Churches in Constantinople at which both were present. The two exchanged gifts and then all enjoyed a pleasant lunch together where everyone continued the earlier conversations.
A planned visit to HIs Eminence, Archbishop Justinian of the Russian Orthodox Church earlier in the day had to be postponed due to a scheduling conflict.
