Bartholomew I, the Orthodox ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople, arrived in Havana on a five-day visit, the first time a leader of the Orthodox Church has paid a visit to Latin America. Cuban President Fidel Castro welcomed the patriarch, who claims to be the spiritual leader of the 300 million strong orthodox community worldwide. The patriarch was due to go on to an official ceremony at Revolution Palace. During his visit, the patriarch of Constantinople will consecrate the Saint-Nicholas Cathedral in Havana, built especially by the Cuban government "as an offering from the Cuban people" to the Orthodox Church. Castro is to be awarded the Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle by the patriarch.

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