News Release
- For Immediate Release
- January 08, 2013
- Matt House
- (202) 224-2228
Chairman Schumer Invites Archbishop Demetrios to Offer the Benediction at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon
Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, Chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies (JCCIC), announced that he has invited His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of America to offer the benediction at the 2013 Presidential Inaugural Luncheon following the Inaugural ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol on January 21, 2013. The luncheon will be hosted by the joint committee to honor President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden.
“It’s my honor to invite Archbishop Demetrios to offer this important prayer at the Inaugural Luncheon,” Schumer said. “The Archbishop is a tremendous and respected leader to millions in the Greek Orthodox community in every corner of the United States. I am blessed to call the Archbishop a friend, and I look forward to his benediction to conclude the 2013 Inaugural events at the Capitol.”
Upon hearing the decision of the Chairman, the Archbishop said:
“I feel exceedingly honored by such a gracious invitation to offer the benediction at the Presidential Inaugural Luncheon. To participate with a special prayer in such a historic event constitutes a tremendous honor indeed. I express my deep gratitude to my distinguished friend, Sen. Charles E. Schumer, whom I hold in high esteem, love and respect for what he is and for what he has been doing consistently, tirelessly and effectively for the good of the people not only of the State of New York but of the entire Nation, as well”.
Archbishop Demetrios was born in Thessaloniki, Greece in 1928. He attended the University of Athens School of Theology where he graduated with distinction. He has a Doctor of Philosophy degree with distinction from Harvard University and a Doctor of Theology degree with distinction from the University of Athens, as well. Archbishop Demetrios’ work over decades in the United States includes serving as a distinguished Professor of Biblical Studies and Christian Origins at Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology in Brookline, Massachusetts, and as a Visiting Professor at Harvard Divinity School. In 1999 Archbishop Demetrios was elected Archbishop of America. As Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he is the Chairman of the Assembly of the 65 Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America. He has been the recipient of many governmental, ecclesiastical, interfaith, and academic honors, both in the USA and abroad.
Archbishop Demetrios will recite the benediction at the 57th Presidential Inaugural Luncheon, following the Inaugural Ceremonies. Attendees will include the newly-sworn in President and Vice President, Congressional leaders, members of the cabinet and former Presidents and Vice Presidents who are in attendance at the Inaugural Ceremonies. Additional details regarding the luncheon will be provided at a later date.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies is responsible for the oversight and planning of the Presidential Inauguration and related ceremonies on the U.S. Capitol grounds.
The Joint Committee was authorized by S. Con. Res. 35, which passed the Senate on March 1, 2012, and the House on March 5th. Members of JCCIC are appointed by the Vice President and the Speaker of the House. In accordance with tradition, the Senate representatives on JCCIC are Majority Leader Harry Reid, Rules Committee Chairman Charles E. Schumer, and Rules Committee Ranking Member Lamar Alexander. The House members of JCCIC are Speaker John A. Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
S. Con. Res. 35 established the date of the 2013 Inauguration as Monday, January 21, 2013, since January 20, 2013 falls on a Sunday. This is the seventh time in U.S. history that the constitutionally mandated Inauguration date has fallen on a Sunday. The last time was for President Ronald Reagan’s second Inauguration in 1985. When this occurs, the public ceremonies traditionally are held on Monday.
In addition, January 21, 2013 is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. It will be the second time that this federal holiday has coincided with a Presidential Inauguration. The first was President Bill Clinton’s second Inauguration in 1997.
You can follow the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/JCCIC and on Twitter at @jccic2013.
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