Most Honorable and beloved Mayor Giuliani of the Great City of New York,
Your Eminence, Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Honored Guests,
Beloved children of our Modesty in the Lord,
We are deeply moved to be in this great and gracious city — the capital of the world, that is etched in the imagination of every person on the face of the earth. Here, the yearning of humanity for prosperity and advancement takes on tangible form, in this place and in this land, a country of democratic freedoms and boundless economic opportunity.
Our sentiments are crowned by your decision to honor our Modesty by re-naming this street, where our Holy Archdiocese has its headquarters, “Patriarch Bartholomew Way.”
We consider this distinction to be more than just an honor for our humble person. We accept it on behalf of our Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary this year, and for our Ecumenical Patriarchate.
We assure you, beloved Mayor Giuliani, that through this dedication, our spiritual children, the Greek Orthodox Christians of this Holy Archdiocese of America (who are also your fellow citizens), feel an indescribable joy, and deep sense of pride, as they behold the name of their spiritual father and Patriarch bestowed upon this famous street.
Mr. Mayor, we express to you our warmest thanks, and from the depths of our heart, we bless all those who pass by or work on “Patriarch Bartholomew Way”, as well as all of the people of New York. May our All-Good God protect you and bring to fruition the works of your hands.
The grace of our Lord be with you. Amen.
