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| Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ/ECLJ, addresses those in attendance for the Archon breakfast, on religious freedom topics. |
Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) and the European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) was the featured speaker at the 39th Biennial Clergy-Laity Congress Archon breakfast on Wednesday morning, July 16, 2008 in Washington, D.C.
James C. Fountas, Archon Treasurer, offered introductions at the opening of the breakfast, held at the Marriott-Wardman Park Hotel. The Honorable Zack Space, Congressman from Ohio was recognized among those in attendance. His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America then invoked prayers before the meal. National Commander Anthony J. Limberakis welcomed the Archons and visiting hierarchy, clergy, and guests in attendance, which included members of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese and the Patriarchal representative, His Eminence Archbishop Gregorios of Thyateira and Great Britain.
Archbishop Gregorios delivered the greetings of the His All Holiness Bartholomew and commended the Archons on their efforts to fight for religious rights for the Ecumenical Patriarchate. A special presentation was then made by Archbishop Demetrios and Limberakis to His Eminence, thanking him for his support to the Order.
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The nationally recognized and respected defender of religious freedom, Mr. Sekulow then offered an exhilarating and insightful speech on religious freedom rights, mainly pertaining to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. He spoke of the issues regarding religious freedom rights and also outlined the cooperative efforts between the ACLJ/ECLJ and the legal committee of the Order of Saint Andrew.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” was the passage Sekulow used in his concluding remarks, reflecting upon the Archons persistence and aggressiveness on legal rights for the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the European Court of Human Rights and its recent successful and favorable decision which will open new doors for the Sacred See of Saint Andrew.
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| Sekulow meets with the Archon Legal Committee after the breakfast. |
Archbishop Demetrios and Limberakis, on behalf of the Order, thanked Sekulow for his words and presented a plaque honoring his efforts and commemorating the day. Members of the Holy Eparchial Synod expressed their gratitude to Sekulow for his support of the Mother Church and for his inspiring address.
Following the breakfast, the Archon legal committee met privately with Sekulow for discussions.
Video coverage of the address was provided by Sekulow’s staff and will be accessible and announced on the Archon web site in the coming months after final editing.
