PHILADELPHIA, PA- His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Primate of the Greek Orthodox Church in America delivered the invocation at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) on Thursday, July 28. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese offers a prayer at both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in a long-standing tradition. Archbishop Demetrios who was introduced by Kevin Washo, executive director of the Philadelphia 2016 DNC host committee, offered the prayer to begin the fourth and final day of the DNC before Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee for President of the United States accepted the nomination.
A DNC Greek American reception and luncheon was held in honor of Archbishop Demetrios earlier on July 28. Ambassador Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, Denis Mehiel, and Andrew and Mike Manatos hosted the event. Many members of Congress, White House senior staff, officials, and Greek American leaders attended including John Podesta, chairman of the 2016 Hillary Clinton presidential campaign and chief of staff to President Bill Clinton; Michael Dukakis, former governor of Massachusetts and presidential candidate in 1988; Senator Paul Sarbanes, Dina Titus, US Rep. (D-NV); Chris Van Hollen, US Rep. (D-MD); John Sarbanes, US Rep. (D-MD); and Carolyn Maloney, US Rep. (D-NY).
On Wednesday July 20, His Eminence offered a prayer at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, OH.
The text of the invocation follows.
Almighty and gracious. God, God of unlimited love and uncompromising faithfulness:
At this auspicious day and hour, we call upon your great and holy Name, and we ask that you come to us and abide in us, illuminating our minds and souls with the light of your truth and your goodness.
You have revealed yourself as the defender of the poor and the guide of the blind, as the protector of orphans and the liberator of the oppressed, as the friend of the foreigner and the consolation of the outcast. Open our hearts to become more like you, O compassionate One. Teach us to walk in your gracious and generous ways.
Bless our nation today, O Lord, even as you blessed us so richly in years past. Grant us stability and security, justice and freedom, righteousness and peace. Appoint for us leaders and legislators and judges who will guide us to fulfill your holy will and to build a better world for all people.
Send your mercies upon these your servants, the delegates of the Democratic National Convention. Bestow grace on those they have nominated for the exalted and awesome offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America—Hillary Rodham Clinton and Tim Kaine—so that they may be faithful in their calling, and may honorably serve you, and our fellow citizens, and all the peoples of the world, through their conduct in the days and months and years ahead.
We embrace your holy words, Lord, believing that “righteousness exalts a nation” (Proverbs 14:34). Holy God: exalt and lift high these United States of America, to follow in your righteousness, your mercy, your compassion, your unconditional love; and to walk in your truth that sets us free, and will keep us free.
And so we pray reiterating the words of the Bible: “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God unto the ages of ages! Amen” (Revelation 7:12).