The Deputy Secretary of State of the United States of America, Ms. Wendy R. Sherman, visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate today, Saturday, May 29, 2021, and was welcomed with great honor.

In the entrance hall of ​​the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Deputy Secretary, who was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Ankara, Mr. David Satterfield and her associates, was welcomed by the Very Rev. Chancellor Theodoros, Archimandrite Gregorios, Chief Secretary of the Great and Holy Synod, and Father Iakovos. Ms. Sherman, Mr. Satterfield and their companions then visited the all-holy Patriarchal Church of Saint George.

Afterwards, the distinguished guest was warmly welcomed by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who expressed his joy at her visit.

As the focus of their meeting, which was attended by His Eminence Metropolitan Geron Emmanuel of Chalcedon and officials of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Ambassador Satterfield and the Deputy Secretary’s associates, raised issues of common interest and referred to past visits of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the United States, as well as the forthcoming one to be held in October. The Ecumenical Patriarch also briefed Ms. Sherman on the priorities and activities of the First-Throned Church, which, among other things, aims at the peace of the world. Finally, the His All-Holiness wished a safe and fruitful continuation of the Deputy Secretary’s tour in the coming days, from Turkey to countries of the Far East.

For her part, the Deputy Secretary spoke about her country’s interest in religious freedom around the world and its respect for the historic institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and its role today internationally.