On Thursday, May 15, 2025, New Hampshire State Senator Denise Ricciardi (R-Bedford) made a speech in the New Hampshire State Senate, urging the state body to adopt a Proclamation for Religious Freedom. Spearheading this all-important initiative was Archon Christos Chrisafides.
The Proclamation, signed by Ricciardi and 22 other New Hampshire state senators, recognizes the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the spiritual leader of the world’s 300 million Orthodox Christians, and calls out the denial of religious freedom by the Turkish government in modern-day Turkey, where the Ecumenical Patriarchate has been located since the dawn of Christianity two thousand years ago.
The Proclamation observes that “the Turkish government’s current treatment of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is inconsistent with the membership conditions and goals of the European Union,” and that “Orthodox Christians in this state and throughout the United States stand to lose their spiritual leader because of the continued actions of the Turkish government.”
It calls upon the Turkish government to “uphold and safeguard religious and human rights without compromise,” and to “cease its discrimination” against the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Metropolitan Methodios of Boston with Regional Commander Constantine Sideridis and Archon Christos Chrisafides, who was instrumental in spearheading the initiative, along with other supporters.
“This is a very significant accomplishment for us,” said Archon Chrisafides. “We are grateful to Senator Ricciardi and Dick Anagnost for orchestrating and executing today’s historical event, and to Congressman Pappas for lending his support. We are all grateful for this opportunity to serve and defend our Holy Mother Church of Constantinople.”
“As a member of the Greek Orthodox church,” said Senator Ricciardi before the event, “I’m extremely proud to be delivering remarks at the Proclamation of Religious Freedom.”
She expressed her gratitude at having an opportunity to “stand for dignity, human rights, and the freedom for people of all faiths to practice their religion without fear of discrimination!”
In addition to the support from the other state senators, Rep. Chris Pappas (D-N.H.) also wrote a letter of support, stating: “I support this important resolution and thank the New Hampshire State Senate for considering it.
It endorses a simple idea: that all nations should uphold and safeguard religious and human rights for all, that this freedom should extend to empowering a faith’s adherents to follow their religion and its leaders to build and strengthen their communities, and that states that profess to respecting those rights cannot simultaneously discriminate against and systematically undermine the leader of the faith and its ability to function.”
As the Proclamation was introduced, there were several honored guests in attendance, including Metropolitan Methodios of Boston; Father Demetri Costarakis of Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Manchester, New Hampshire; Father Andrew Otto of Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, also in Manchester; Archon Constantine Sideridis, Regional Commander for the Metropolis of Boston; Symeon Tegos, Consul General of Greece in Boston; New Hampshire State Representative Efstathia Booras; Rhode Island State Senator Leonidas Rapatikas; and George Copadis, Commissioner of New Hampshire Employment Security.
Read here the full speech of New Hampshire Senator Denise Ricciardi:
“Madam President, fellow Senators and honored guests.
As someone of Greek heritage and a Greek Orthodox Christian, this moment means a great deal to me. This isn’t just a ceremonial proclamation — it’s a statement of principle, a stand for religious freedom, human rights, dignity and the right of all people to worship without fear or discrimination.
For those who may not be familiar, The Ecumenical Patriarchate, located in Constantinople, Turkey, is the spiritual center for over 300 Million Orthodox Christians around the world. It has stood for nearly 2,000 years — a symbol of faith, resilience, and peace, it is one of the oldest continuous functioning religious institutions in the world.
Today It is led by His All-Holiness Patriarch Bartholomew, a man of deep faith who has dedicated his life to building bridges among people of all faiths. He has received the Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts to bring together leaders of all Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths in the name of peace, tolerance, and mutual understanding.
His leadership has inspired unity — and yet, the very Church he leads faces discrimination, threats, and unjust restrictions.
The Turkish government refuses to recognize the Ecumenical Patriarch’s international status. The government has closed the historical Halki Seminary – a historical theological school that once trained future leaders of our faith. It has restricted and limited the Church’s ability to choose its own leaders. It has confiscated Church property, imposed harsh and unfair taxes on charities like the Baloukli Hospital, which serves the elderly — all because of their Orthodox Christian faith.This is not just a Greek issue. It’s not just a religious issue. It’s a human rights issue. If we believe in freedom of religion for all — then we must speak out when that freedom is denied.
With this proclamation, New Hampshire stands in solidarity with voices around the world urging the government of Turkey to restore religious freedom — to reopen the Halki Seminary, to stop interfering in Church affairs, and to respect the rights of one of the world’s oldest religious institutions.
As a baptized member of the Greek Orthodox Church, I carry this responsibility with love and conviction. And as an American, and an elected member of this great body – I believe it is our duty to speak out when those who seek peace are met with injustice.
I’m proud to present this proclamation on behalf of the people of the great state of New Hampshire and this body – in the hope that it adds one more voice to a cause that is right, just, and overdue.”
Photos: Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
