Hierarchs and dignitaries on the Civic Center stage
at the beginning of the Doxology.

From left: Metropolitan Ioakeim of Chalcedon,
the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Bartholomew I,
Archbishop Spyridon of America,
Bishop Iakovos of Krinis, Presiding Hierarch
of the Diocese of Chicago,
and Interim Mayor Robert D. Ray of Des Moines.

The Patriarch receives Fr. Edward Kelley, of the
Antiochian Orthodox Church of St. George,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Silence during the Gospel reading.

Fr. Peter T. Cade, Priest of St. George Parish, chants from
the Gospel According to St. John (John 15:1-17).

Fr. Peter receives a blessing from the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The Ecumenical Patriarch blesses the dignitaries
and audience at the Civic Center
at the close of the Doxology.

City Councilman and St. George parishioner Tom Vlassis
and Mayor Ray address the audience prior to presenting
His All-Holiness the key to the city.

His All-Holiness shows the audience the key.

His All-Holiness thanks Mayor Ray and Councilman Vlassis

His All-Holiness receives Bishop Joseph Charron
of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Des Moines.

His All-Holiness delivers the homily.

The Ecumenical Patriarch completes his homily
as Archbishop Spyridon looks on.

His All-Holiness presents Mayor Ray with a copy of
Constantinople: The Cathedral City
as his gift to the people of Des Moines.

Mayor Ray thanks the Ecumenical Patriarch
on behalf of the city.

The Ecumenical Patriarch prepares to leave for a reception.

His All-Holiness mingles in the lobby of the Civic Center.