Spiritual leader of world's Orthodox Christians will bestow Fidel Castro w

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Fri, Jan. 16, 2004

Spiritual leader of world's Orthodox Christians will bestow Fidel Castro with church order
By The Associated Press

HAVANA - The spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians will honor Fidel Castro with the church's Order of St. Andrew the Apostle during his visit next week, event organizers said Friday.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will present the honor to thank Castro for his government's construction of the church's new St. Nicholas Cathedral, to be consecrated by the patriarch on Jan. 25, regional church leaders told a news conference.

Bartholomew will be the first Orthodox Christian patriarch ever to visit Latin America, said Metropolitan Athenagoras of Panama and Central America, equivalent of archbishop for a region that includes Mexico, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela.

''For us, this visit has great historic significance,'' Metropolitan Athenagoras told reporters. He said the Orthodox hierarchy occasionally bestows the Order of St. Andrew on personalities who help the church.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/breaking_news/7729422.htm

[burrowowl]

1. My jaw

just dropped down to my sternum!

[madrchsod]

2. that is something

i never thought of the orthodox church in latin america. so fidel built a cathedral, that is outstanding!! he must be mellowing in his golden years

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Thanks for posting this.

Watching the vultures circle at the faintest rumour of his death was getting disheartening.

[DifferentStrokes]

4. What a stick in the eye to Bush

The patriarch of the Orthodox church in Jerusalem has forbidden Bush to come near the place. No triumphal entrance on a white horse for him. Not after Iraq.