His Eminence Metropolitan Nicholas of Detroit, representing Archbishop Demetrios of America delivered today, shortly after 5 p.m. (EDT), the invocation at the official opening of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, NC. Originally, Archbishop Demetrios was scheduled to offer the opening prayer, at the invitation of President Barack Obama, but was unable to do so due to his travel schedule.
Metropolitan Nicholas came on stage right after the opening remarks of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who is the chairs the Democratic National Committee.
His three-minute invocation referenced Biblical figures Abraham and Sarah, Detroit, Native Americans, immigrants, the poor, and others in a call for peace and healing.
The Metropolitan, speaking to Detroit’s “Free Press” emphasized that he’s politically independent and supports bringing people together.
“Coming from a Greek background, I learned (from the ancient Greeks) that man is a political animal,” said Nicholas, whose grandparents were Greek immigrants. “Good politics brings people together. Bad politics is divisive. We have to bring people together.”
“I’m not here to enter a political fray,” Nicholas said. “I’m here to ask God to be present to help us do what is noble and just.”
While in Charlotte, Metropolitan Nicholas met with several officials of the Democratic Party.
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