Archbishop Theodosios Atallah Hanna, from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, a well known religious figure and activist for Palestinian rights, is scheduled to visit at least seven U.S. cities beginning in July 15, according to the U.S. Palestine Conference Network.

Archbishop of Sevastia Theodosios Atallah Hanna

Local activists on Thursday said they were planning to host the archbishop in the Detroit area, but organizers of the tour said Friday that Hanna likely would not make it to Michigan.
An outspoken, high-ranking Orthodox Church figure, Hanna is known for speaking out against apartheid and for Christian-Muslim unity.

He visited the Detroit-area last July.

“Defense of human rights and of oppressed people is one of our duties as religious leaders,” Hanna said at a Detroit-area mosque at the time.

He is scheduled to appear in San Diego on July 15, San Francisco July 17, Phoenix July 20, Houston July 22, Dallas July 24, Youngstown July 26 and New York City July 26, according to a release from the U.S. Palestine Conference Network, which is organizing the tour.

Hanna is expected to address crowds on “the significance of Jerusalem as the capital of Arab culture, Israel escalating oppression of the Palestinian people through direct occupation and denial of the refugees right of return and the role of the Palestinian community in the U.S.,” according to the release.

Contact USPCN organizer Amer Othman for information on the tour at 330.509.0791 or amer022960@aol.com.

Visit //fatheratallahhanna.com for more on the archbishop.