His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew warmly and fraternally welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem on Tuesday, 21 July, during the latter’s visit to the See of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
In the preceding days, His Beatitude had expressed his desire to visit the Ecumenical Patriarchate, also in response to earlier invitations extended by Patriarch Bartholomew.
Upon the arrival of the Primate of the ancient Patriarchate of Jerusalem at the entrance to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, he was received by the clergy of the Patriarchal Court, led by His Eminence Metropolitan Gregorios of Ankara, Protosyncellus, while the bells rang festively.
After venerating in the Venerable Patriarchal Church, His Beatitude proceeded to the Patriarchal House, where His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew awaited him.
During the meeting in the Throne Room, His All-Holiness was accompanied by Their Eminences Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnesos and Metropolitan Gregorios of Ankara; His Grace Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis; and clergy and officials of the Patriarchal Court. Also present were the members of His Beatitude’s entourage: His Eminence Archbishop Nektarios of Anthedon, Representative of the Holy Sepulchre in Constantinople; his Archdeacon, the Very Reverend Mark; and lay associates.
A private meeting between the two Primates followed, during which they had the opportunity to discuss inter-Church relations and other current matters of mutual interest. His All-Holiness expressed to His Beatitude both his personal concern and that of the First-Throned Church of Orthodoxy regarding the situation of Christians in the Holy Land. He also expressed the hope that peace would prevail in the long-suffering Middle East for the benefit of all the peoples who live there.
Immediately afterwards, His All-Holiness hosted a dinner in honour of His Beatitude and his entourage.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos will depart on Wednesday for his Patriarchal See.
Photographs: Ecumenical Patriarchate
