The Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, His All Holiness Bartholomew I, began a pastoral visit to Great Britain over the weekend.
His All Holiness, accompanied by the Metropolitan of Belgium, His Eminence Athinagoras, and hierarchs of the Patriarchal throne, arrived in London at the invitation of the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, His Eminence Nikitas, and on the occasion of celebrations for the centenary of the founding of the Holy Archdiocese.
On Sunday, a Patriarchal and archierarchical con-celebration of the Divine Liturgy took place at the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia in Bayswater, London, officiated by the Ecumenical Patriarch.
While in the British capital, and in a press interview, His All Holiness referred to the joy he experienced with the recent repatriation of the priceless Evangelistria 220 Gospel to the Holy Convent of the Panaghia Eikosifinissa, in northern Greece, drawing a comparison with the prospect of a return of the Parthenon Marbles from the British Museum to Athens.
The Ecumenical Patriarch said such a development would entail an eminently distinguished act, and provide even greater honor and recognition to the very significant museum.