A vistit by lawyer "Booth" to the Fener Greek Patriarchate

Cherie Blair, wife of British Prime Minister Tony Blair, arrived in Istanbul for a one and a half day visit, and went yesterday to the Fener Greek Patriarchate for a surprise visit. A lawyer by profession, Cherie Blair was not traveling as a Prime Minister's wife, but as a "human rights defender" on her visit to Istanbul. Interestingly, she entered the county using her maiden surname "Booth," rather than her better-known married surname. Visit coincided with summit of Orthodox leaders re church holdings in Jerusalem In a strange coincidence, Cherie Blair arrived at the Patriarchate in Fener during an important meeting of religious leaders from all of the Orthodox churches, the subject of which was the sale of Church property in Jerusalem. Both Tony and Cherie Blair are members of the Anglican Church, though Cherie Blair took time to light a candle and pray at the Patriarchate following her tour of the building. Though Cherie Blair's visit was not publicized, journalists covering the summit of Orthodox leaders at the Patriarchate became aware of her presence, and asked her for comments on the matter. Said Blair, "I wanted to visit since I knew that religious matters are so important in this region. I really liked the Patriarchate. And my favorite for the Championship League being played in Istanbul is Liverpool of course."  Authorities at the Patriarchate attested that's Blair's visit was a complete surprise, and that it posed no interruption to the summit on the church's holdings in Jerusalem. Mrs. Blair returned to England yesterday evening. Â