Your Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Your Eminences and Your Graces, beloved brothers in Christ,
Most Honorable Presbyters and clergy,
Beloved and blessed children in the Lord,

At this special hour, when we depart the United States of America — this great country, which embodies freedom and democracy — we remember most of all, the many people we have encountered.  What a moving and joy-filled experience this has been, as we have traveled across this most hospitable and progressive Nation.  We  bid farewell to all with our heart filled with emotion.  We express our gratitude to the President of the United States, Bill Clinton, the Cabinet Secretaries, the Senators, Governors, Mayors, other civic leaders, and the General Secretary of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, all those who have so warmly received us, as we journeyed from coast to coast.
We especially thank our beloved brother in Christ, His Eminence Archbishop Spyridon of America, and Their Graces the Bishops of the Holy Synod.  We thank the reverend clergy and laity and all the faithful, whom we have visited during our observance of the 75th anniversary of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.  We are grateful to our brother Bishops of the Orthodox Churches throughout America, and all those who bear the Name of Christ, whatever their confession.
We have had the opportunity to meet with so many faithful, and even with leaders of other religious traditions.  Our heart has been open to all and full of love and respect for all.  We salute this land of liberty, where every human person is respected, no matter what their beliefs. We fervently pray that the people of the United States will always enjoy spiritual prosperity, principles of peace, love and brotherhood, and most of all, the triumph of truth.  For it is truth, so highly sought, but so often elusive, which is the force that reveals the victory of nations.  As one of the prophets says:  “Truth abides mighty unto the ages.  It lives and holds dominion forever.  Blessed is the God of truth” (I Esdras 4:38,40).
We could not be more satisfied with the accomplishments of our visit and the opportunities we have had to meet and speak with the American people.  We have had opportunity for dialogues across the country: at the Holocaust Museum with the Jewish community, at the first meeting of  Orthodox and Muslim leaders at Georgetown University, and at the Environmental Symposium at Santa Barbara.  We have met various Christian leaders and renewed bonds of friendship, and made many new acquaintances from the diverse religious community that thrives in America.
But most of all, it has been the moments with our own Orthodox Faithful, the Bishops, priests, laypeople and especially the children, that have made this pastoral visit so very memorable.  We have prayed together and strengthened the bonds of love that secure the unity of the Church.  We have feasted together and shared the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.  When we think of the faces of the children, the most precious treasure of the American Orthodox communities, we are filled with hope for the future.  We behold them as the fruit of the generations of faithful who brought the Orthodox Faith to America.
You are that newly planted branch of the ancient vine of Christ’s first called disciple Saint Andrew. Your roots reach down deep into the history and tradition of the Mother Church.  You are nourished by the waters of piety, the waters of the pure and untainted faith, the waters of the Holy Spirit, which spring up in your hearts unto eternal life.  Hold fast these traditions and stand fast in the Orthodox Faith.
We leave you with a heart filled with paternal affection and the same commandment we began this great pilgrimage with: Love one another.  There is no greater power for unity and peace.  There is no greater gift you can give to our Lord Jesus Christ.  There is no greater gift you can give to your children. There is no greater gift you can give to each other . . . than love.
And so, as we bid you farewell, we leave you with a heart filled by your love, and we commend all of you to the love of God.  May His love, peace and hope fill your hearts unto overflowing.  We bestow on all of you our paternal and Patriarchal blessing, invoking upon you the grace of God and His infinite mercy.  Amen.