Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras' Telegram to Archbishop Iakovos on the Death of Dr. King

New York, N.Y., April 9, 1968 -- The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese received and transmitted the following telegram on the death of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.:

"WE REQUEST YOU TO CONVEY THE FOLLOWING MESSAGE:

WE ARE DEEPLY SADDENED AT THE TRAGIC DEATH OF REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR., A MARTYR IN BEHALF OF PEACE, AND WE EXPRESS OUR HEARTFELT SYMPATHY TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON, DR. KING'S WIDOW AND FAMILY, AND TO ALL WHOSE RIGHTS HE FEARLESSLY CHAMPIONED. MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST REST HIS SOUL.

WITH DEEP AFFECTION,

+ ATHENAGORAS I ECUMENICAL PATRIARCH CONSTANTINOPLE (ISTANBUL, TURKEY)