Washington, DC - Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, Samuel Brownback, will travel to Athens, Greece; Sofia, Bulgaria; Bucharest, Romania; and Chisinau, Moldova from May 6 to 12.

Ambassador Brownback will begin his trip in Athens, Greece on May 6, where he will meet with government and religious leaders to build vital relationships in support of religious freedom. Ambassador Brownback will then visit the sacred precinct of Mt. Athos, where he will meet with Orthodox religious leaders who live, work, and pray in the 20 monasteries that make up this heritage site.

On May 8, Ambassador Brownback will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, to meet with government representatives, religious leaders, and minority faith communities to promote religious tolerance and encourage interfaith dialogue between Orthodox believers and those who practice other faiths.

On May 10 in Bucharest, Romania Ambassador Brownback will meet with government officials and Romanian Orthodox religious leaders to discuss efforts to promote and defend religious freedom.

On May 11, Ambassador Brownback will travel to Chisinau to meet with Moldovan Orthodox leaders and visit their Nativity Cathedral. Ambassador Brownback will also discuss religious freedom issues with government representatives and attend a Catholic Mass service.