During the course of the visit, Mr. Natsios, together with staff from the US Embassy in Moscow had the opportunity to visit and tour several of the historic churches of the monastery. Mr. Natsios, an Orthodox Christian of Greek decent, was given the possibility to pray before the relics of both St. Sergius of Radonezh and St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow and Enlightener of North America, which lie in the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra.
In addition, Mr. Natsios was had the privilege of receiving the blessing of His Holiness, Patriarch ALEKSY II of Moscow and All Russia during the celebration of the festal vigil. During their brief meeting, Mr. Natsios was able to share with His Holiness the work of USAID, especially in the fields of warring against human trafficking and the spread of HIV/AIDS. His Holiness offered his support in these efforts and made it clear to Mr. Natsios that the Russian Orthodox Church is ready to work together with USAID in Russia in offering moral teachings and human support in this battle against both terrible atrocities of our time.
Mr. Natsios, in the position of Administrator for USAID, was also appointed by President Bush as Special Coordination for International Disaster Assistance and Special Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sudan. He also served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975 to 1987 and was the chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee for seven years. Mr. Natsios served twenty-two years in the US Army Reserves and retired in 1995 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He is also a veteran of the Gulf War.
Mr. Natsios has shared with Patriarch ALEKSY that he is committed in working with the Russian Orthodox Church to battle against the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Russian Federation.
