(VIDEO) Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens
In a particularly warm atmosphere, the meeting between His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece took place on Monday afternoon at the headquarters of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens.
His All-Holiness was warmly received by the Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese, His Grace Bishop Barnabas of Christoupolis, His Grace Bishop Theologos of Talantion, the General Hierarchical Commissioner Protopresbyter Fr Emmanuel Papamikroulis, as well as clergy and directors of the services of the Archdiocese of Athens.
Accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch, among others, were His Eminence Metropolitan Theodoretos of Laodicea, Director of the Office of Representation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, and His Eminence Metropolitan Nathanael of Kos and Nisyros.
In his address, the Archbishop described the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch as “a special blessing and a source of spiritual joy,” emphasising that his visit to Athens confirms the unbreakable bonds between the Mother Church of Constantinople and the Church of Greece. He also highlighted the importance of more frequent communication and exchange of views on major issues concerning the Church and society.
For his part, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his joy at being in Greece, and especially in Athens, within the framework of a demanding and rich programme. Referring to his long-standing relationship with the Archbishop, he underlined: “Over so many years we have built a relationship of mutual complementarity, supporting one another.”
At the same time, he highlighted the role of the Ecumenical Throne as a stable point of reference and spiritual guidance, particularly in a period of international challenges and uncertainty, stressing the need for dialogue, cooperation, and hope. He also stated emphatically that he awaits approval for the reopening of places of worship in Cappadocia, “where Hellenism once flourished.”
Finally, he expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, noting that such meetings strengthen the spirit of brotherhood and the witness of the Church in the contemporary world.
After the meeting, the two Primates proceeded to the Municipality of Athens, where, at the initiative of the Municipality, the ceremony took place for the awarding of the honorary distinction “Protection of Environmental Heritage” to the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Photo: Christos Bonis
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