Congressman Darin LaHood Presents United States Congressional Record Recognition of Ecumenical Patriarch

John Ackerman – OCP News Service – 8/10/19

Congressman Darin LaHood Presents United States Congressional Record Recognition of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople’s Upcoming 50th Anniversary of Priesthood

Peoria, IL: On Monday, October 7, 2019, Congressman Darin LaHood (R) presented an official copy of the United States Congressional Record from September 25, 2019, during which the United States House of Representatives recognized the October 19th 50th Anniversary of the Priesthood of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, spiritual leader of Eastern Orthodox Christians throughout the world.

“Today, I would like to honor Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople for his 50th Anniversary of Priesthood” proclaimed Congressman LaHood. “His All Holiness was ordained as a priest on October 19th, 1969. Since that day, he has never ceased to make strides in religious studies and world peace. His services to our global society have had a positive impact on many lives” he continued.

“I am grateful for all the good that His All Holiness does for Americans and those around the world. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew serves as a reminder to us that the positive efforts of just one person can be beneficial to countless lives of others” concluded Congress LaHood.

The recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarch was requested by John C. Ackerman (R) of Washington, Illinois, who was elected in 2018 Tazewell County Clerk & Recorder of Deeds and is a Greek Orthodox parishioner. The Congressional Record was received by John C. Ackerman and Father Anastasios Theodoropoulos of All Saints Greek Orthodox Parish in Peoria, Illinois.

The plan is to send the Congressional Record to His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America with a request that he deliver it to His All-Holiness. This past May the State of Illinois House of Representatives unanimously passed a similar resolution, HR0348, recognizing the 50th Anniversary in the Priesthood of the Ecumenical Patriarch. That resolution, sponsored by Illinois Representative Tim Butler (R) and also requested by John C. Ackerman, has already been delivered to His All-Holiness.

Congressman Darin LaHood represents Illinois’s 18th Congressional District across Central Illinois. Before being elected to Congress, he was a member of the Illinois Senate representing the seven-county 37th legislative district. Darin LaHood is the son of Ray LaHood, the former United States Secretary of Transportation under President Barack Obama and before then the seven-term congressman from the district his son currently represents.

Source:
John Ackerman