On Monday, September 12th, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese Of New York, The Permanent Observer Mission of The Holy See To The United Nations, and the Roman Catholic Church Of The Holy Family at 315 East Forty-Seventh Street, New York hosted a Prayer Service on the Opening of the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The service was led by the Most Reverend Francis A. Chullikatt, Apostolic Nuncio and Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and was attended by members of various Churches who joined in prayer for the work of the United Nations.

Rt. Rev. John Mack of the Central Diocese of the Polish National Catholic Church, accompanied by Fr. Gregory attended the service. The Orthodox Church in America was represented by Metropolitan Jonah along with Archimandrite Christopher [Calin], Dean of Holy Virgin Protection Cathedral, New York, NY; Protodeacon Joseph Matusiak, Secretary to the Metropolitan, and Mr. Michael Zachariades, Assistant to the Metropolitan. His Eminence Mor Cyril Aphrem Karimx of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch was represented by Very Rev. Fr. Shamoun Asmar and Rev Fr. Aziz Hadodo.

This year’s ceremonies were particularly special due to the presence of The UN Secretary General, His Excellency Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who addressed the audience on the solemn 10th Anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center.