ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH TO HAVANA
Athens, 9 January 2004
Ecumenical Patriach Vartholomeos will hold the inauguration of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Nikolaos in Havana, on January 25, 2004, in the presence of Cuban President Fidel Castro, who will hand him the key to the church. This is the first Orthodox church to be constructed in Cuba after approximately 50 years and, in fact, at the expense of the Cuban government, thanks to the tireless efforts of the Metropolite of Panama and Central America Athinagoras, with the full support of the Greek Ambassador to Havana, Mr. Costoulas.
The visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch, from January 22 to January 26, follows Fidel Castro's invitation, while the Cuban President has expressed a great interest in the work of the Orthodox Church and his admiration for Mr. Vartholomeos' work. In a letter to the Ecumenical Patriarch, Castro characteristically mentioned: “This church is a gift from the people of Cuba to the Greek Orthodox Church and to your Holiness”.
The historic visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Cuba, is expected to concentrate global interest, while many Greeks living in the US, Canada and Latin America will travel to Havana during the days of his visit.
Among the guests will be former king Constantinos. According to information the former king has not received a personal invitation from the Cuban leader, but he will attend the formal reception Castro will hold in Mr. Vartholomeos' honor, which has a guest list of only 15 people.
It should be noted that for the erection of the church, the Cuban government granted a plot of land in the old Havana harbor (which UNESCO has recognized as a site of global cultural heritage), while the Greek Foreign Ministry responded from the very first moment and supported the effort, and has already disposed 0,000 for the purchase and transfer of the church's interior decorations.
There are approximately 50 Orthodox Greeks living in Cuba. In the countries that fall under the jurisdiction of the Metropolis of Panama and Central America (Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia, the Caribbean, Cuba) there are 25,000 orthodox Christians, of whom 5,000 are Greeks.