The evening leader. (Tarpon Springs, Fla.) 191?-19??, 1918-09-20
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THE MET
ROPOLITAN OF ATHENS.
(By Rev. T. J. Lacey, Phi. d.

The presence amongst US of the
Most Rev. Meletios, archbishop of
Athens and president of the holy sy-
nod Of Greece. hos given America the
opportun t. Of fist hand acquaint-
ance with one OF he most interesting
personalities in the religious world to-
day. 1t has been my rare privilege to
come into, pleasant association with
him these past few days and | am
sure our Tarpon Springs people will
be interested 10 know something of
this. eminent leader whose visit is Gre
ating such widespread interest.
Meletios was born in the island of
Crete, the native pace of the great
VenIzelos, He was associated with
the patriarchate of Jerusalem for saw
eral years under Damianos People Of
Florida will doubtless recall Bishop
Gray's visit to Damianos in 1907.
From Jerusalem Me!etios went to
the island of Cyprus, where he became
archbishop and remained there until
his appointment as metropolitan of
Athens within the past year. He is
the head official of the church in the
kingdom of 'ireeca and stands high in
the confidence Of the king and prime
minister, by whom he has been en-
trusted with this important mission
to the allied countries. In France he
was received with great cordia'itv bv
Premier Clemencau, and was hailed
with enthusiasm by the press and the
people. -
Last week he was received bv Presi-
d0nt Wilson. met His Holiness at
the great reception at Carnegie hall a
week ago where about 5000 Greeks
'nd Americans met to bid him well
""'''" A few days later he paid me a
visit at my office, coming unheralded
N simple. Informal, democratic way.
Yesterday | was present at a dinner
@lv"n in his hcrAr at the Mohawk. orr
leading hotel. I had on hours CONVEX
seton with him and our subjects COW
'E"F q wide range, political and &C.
c1oe;astical.
In the simplicity of his manner Me-
let'os incarnates the democracy of an
c'THT Athens. In appearance he re-
minds US of the ancient fathers of
Chrstendom ard doubtless our minds
go back readily to the figure of St.
-Splridion Of Cyprus, his early prede-
cessor in that famous island. Mele-
tlos speaks Greek, French. Russian.
Arabic and Turkish. He has a clear
voice and very fluent utterance. He
IS gentle and fatherly in his bearing.
Democracy is his passion. 1t is his
theme on every occasion. He is a
staunch adherent of the allied cause
and stands for the active participa-
ton of Greece in the war against Ger
man autocracy. He expresses great
admiration for President Wilson. The
archbishop advocates in no uncertain
terms the elimination of the Turks
from Europe. They must be driven
out of Anatolia, Constantinople, and
Asia Minor, and put back in the terri
tory that belongs to them as an Ash
ate people. Smyrna, Idumea and the
coast Of Asia Minor should be at
once annexed by Greece. This is the
archbishop's program with which most
of us find ourselves in full accord.
| am charmed by the metropolitan's
graciousness and winsome PERSONAL
ty. | am impressed by his marvellous
grasp of the significance of political
issues in their most intricate bearing.
Above all marvel at his complete de-
votlon to his people, even the hum
blest. Like a true shepherd he identi-
hes himself with the flock and is ready
to spend and be spent in the service
OF his countrymen. His first words
spoken in America reveal The spirit of
his mission when he said:
81 thank God that He deigned. in
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