His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America is in Selma to join President Barack Obama and other leaders to commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” and the March on Selma.
Archbishop Demetrios, the Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America takes part in the events commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the historic March on Selma, led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which Archbishop Iakovos of North and South America also participated, along with other civil rights leaders on March 15, 1965.
On Fri., March 6, 2015, the Archbishop participated in a Press Conference held on the steps of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. He also participated in the groundbreaking for the new Freedom Center (Human Rights Institute).
In the evening, His Eminence celebrated the Salutations to the Theotokos (Mother of God) at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, Birmingham, Ala.
On Friday Archbishop Demetrios of America arrived in Selma, Ala., to join other civic and religious leaders at the historic Brown Chapel AME Church.
Early in the Morning of Sun., March 8, 2015, His Eminence will deliver remarks on God, Struggle, and Unity at the Martin Luther and Coretta Scott King Unity Breakfast and later he will participate in the annual march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge, commemorating “Bloody Sunday.”
“The Greek Orthodox Church, has always been an advocate for equality and continues to fight against racism, prejudice, discrimination and xenophobia with fervent love for God and all people,” reads the statement by the Greek Orthodox Archdioceses of America about Archbishop Demetrios’ visit to Selma.
To commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Selma, and to highlight the efforts of His Eminence Archbishop Iakovos of blessed memory to advance the Civil Rights Movement, the Holy Archdiocese has launched a website with a plethora of historical resources and announcements for upcoming events around this most important time in our nation’s history.
Related: Watch our interview with Ava DuVernay, the director of the Oscar and Golden Globe nominated film “Selma,” talking about the importance of Archbishop Iakovos’ participation at the Selma march.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEnMOqZSX9c
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