His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received on Tuesday, 21 April, the Governor-General of New Zealand and Representative of the Crown, Her Excellency Cindy Kiro, together with her entourage.
His All-Holiness and the Governor-General had the opportunity to discuss, in a cordial atmosphere, the ministry of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in particular the contribution of its Holy Metropolis in New Zealand and the work carried out by His Eminence Metropolitan Myron and his collaborators.
His All-Holiness presented the Governor-General with commemorative gifts and books, while she offered him an edition of the Bible translated into the Māori language of the indigenous people of New Zealand. The Governor-General is the first Māori woman to hold this high office in her country. His All-Holiness thanked her for her visit and asked her to convey to the people of New Zealand his Patriarchal blessing and warm greetings.
Also present at the meeting were the Governor-General’s husband, Mr. Richard Davies, the Ambassador of New Zealand to Ankara, His Excellency Greg Lewis, and other members of her delegation and embassy staff. Representing the Patriarchate were His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and the Grand Ecclesiarch Fr Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office.