(New York-GOA) On August 29, 2012, His Eminence Metropolitan Methodios of Boston, who represented His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America on behalf of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, offered the Orthodox Christian prayer at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL. The prayer was offered immediately following the acceptance speech of vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan. Originally, the Archbishop was scheduled to offer the benediction but was unable to do so due to his travel to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople.
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(Image submitted by Fr. Karlousos-GOA.
Original source ostensibly C-Span.)
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Metropolitan Methodios also met with several officials of the Republican Party including the Greek Orthodox Chairman of the RNC Reince Priebus, who is a member of the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in America.
Below is the prayer offered at this evening's Republican National Convention:
Let us pray,
"O Heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth Who is ever present and fills all things, the Treasure of all blessings and source of life, we beseech you to dwell in our hearts" (1) as we hold in prayer our brethren who suffer the ravages of Hurricane Isaac. Embrace them in your love and keep them safe. Enable us to reach out to them in acts of philanthropy and generosity.
As we close this evening's program, we pray that You bless and inspire the delegates of this Republican Convention to be your devoted servants and dedicated citizens of our great country. They have nominated two of your faithful sons, Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, to serve the highest offices of this beloved land, a nation which has always opened its embrace to welcome "the tired, the poor and the huddled masses, all the tempest tossed to breathe free" (2) a nation that has always been a model of peace, justice and the rule of law. Shine in the hearts of the nominees of this convention the radiant light of Your divine will. Imbue them and Chairman Reince Priebus, Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate with insight, wisdom, and boldness, with courage, compassion and competence.
Tonight, we remember the intrepid members of our armed forces who place themselves in harm's way in defense of our freedom, and like our Founding Fathers, are steadfast in keeping America the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
May every American be more sensitive:
To the neglected and forgotten
To those who have been victims of discrimination and crime
To those who are hungry and homeless
To those with no jobs and little hope
Help us, Lord, to break down the walls of enmity and distrust, and show us the way to a new era of peace, equality and opportunity. Strengthen the hand of America as it reaches out to clasp the hands of our brethren throughout the world to build bridges of understanding. May we rediscover the path that leads one to another, and all to You. Amen.
(1) Greek Orthodox Prayer
(2) Emma Lazarus "The New Colossus"
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