Bishop Demetrios Meets Senator Ted Cruz
Discuss Genocide of Christians in Middle East
Chicago, IL: Bishop Demetrios of Mokissos, Chancellor of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago, was a guest of presidential candidate Senator Ted Cruz at a gathering this evening at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel.
Senator Cruz and Bishop Demetrios discussed the need for official recognition by the United States Government of the genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other crimes against humanity that are taking place in Syria and Iraq. In their personal meeting, Bishop Demetrios gave the Senator a copy of the resolution passed by the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago requesting action towards official recognition of these atrocities.
Senator Cruz recognized Bishop Demetrios’ leadership in bringing attention to this issue and the need for action. The presidential candidate noted his numerous campaign statements and commitments on this issue as well. Senator Cruz committed to working on the resolution’s goals once a bill reaches the United States Senate.
On behalf of Metropolitan Iakovos of Chicago and the Greek Orthodox faithful, Bishop Demetrios has been urging all Congressman within the geographic area of the Metropolis of Chicago to take action. In addition to his editorials published in several of the nation’s leading newspapers on this subject, including the Wall Street Journal (2/12/16), he has also directly contacted each Congressman for their support.
Bishop Demetrios was pleased with recent action by the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee on House Concurrent Resolution 75. This resolution officially recognizes “war crimes”, “crimes against humanity”, and “genocide” as defined by the United Nation as occurring in Syria and Iraq against the minority ethnic and religious populations.
With more than half of the Congressmen within the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago already acting on Bishop Demetrios’ request, he redoubled his efforts by once more reaching out to those who have yet to signal their support. He is committed to continue these efforts until Resolution 75 is passed by the House of Representatives and then the United State Senate.
