Philadelphia, PA – Cyprus, the Greek Economy and the theological school of Halki were the topics of the evening, as VP Biden addressed the 42nd biennial Clergy-Laity. The event drew more than 1,500 people from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.
Biden expressed optimism that the struggling Greek economy is making a comeback, and said the exploration of natural gas in the region of Cyprus, could help boost the recovery and change the geopolitics of the Mediterranean.
Vice President Biden drew a standing ovation when he spoke of the religious freedom and urged the reopening of a the closed Orthodox seminary on the Turkish island of Halki.
The evening also featured a film about the St. Nicholas Orthodox shrine at ground zero. Biden and his Eminence, Archbishop Demetrios spoke about the importance of the church, as a place of worship for the world.