Ecumenical Patriarch Met Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece

OCP News Service – The Church of Greece- 23/05/2023

Athens- Greece: His Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I met with HB Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece on 19th May 2023 at Archbishop’s Palace in Athens. Ecumenical Patriarch visited the archbishop as part of his three days visit to Athens from 19th to 21st May. 

The Archbishop welcomed the Patriarch and said “The happiness we in particular, Your Holiness, because your visit to this Apostolic Church of Athens is connected with a pleasant event from every point of view. Our Holy Archdiocese, following the proposal of our Eminence and the consent of the Municipality of Athens, decided to grant to the Ecumenical Patriarchate the Holy Church of Agios Nikolaos Poorhouse, on Vasilissis Sophia Avenue, due to the liturgical needs of according to the throne of the Church of Constantinople. Therefore, our joy is fulfilled. Because, as you all know very well, we personally, as well as the Holy Church of Greece, stand by the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople in every way and to the best of our ability.

Concluding his greeting, the Archbishop underlined: “Therefore, Your Holiness, with brotherly love and honor, we pray that the Risen Lord will protect us with healing and long life, so that you may offer “to those who are far and to those who are near” (Eph. 2, 17) the past Hilaron Light of our holy Orthodox faith and the testimony of the Church about Life and Truth. That is, about the Hope in us (I Pet. 3, 15) and the new life, which sprung forth from the empty Tomb of the Life-giver. The Lord of Glory, the Crucified and Resurrected Shepherd and Bishop of our souls was, is, and is with us and in our midst all the days of our lives, teaching us the peace and His love, which is the link of the end this year (Col. 3, 14). Welcome, Your Holiness! Christ is Risen!”.

In his rebuttal, the Patriarch referred to the Archbishop’s love and respect for the Ecumenical Patriarchate since the time he was Metropolitan of Thebes and assured him that there is mutual respect and love. He also thanked him for the support and assistance of the Church of Greece to the Patriarchate and especially for the financial support of the provinces of the Ecumenical Throne that are facing financial difficulties. He also expressed his gratitude for the concession of the historic Church of Agios Nikolaos. He also referred to the person of the Metropolitan of Laodicea Mr. Theodoritos, Director of the Representation Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, stressing that he is a bridge of loving cooperation between the two Churches and enjoys the appreciation of both.

The Patriarch was accompanied by the Metropolitans of Geron Chalkidonos, Mr. Emmanuel, of Laodicea, Mr. Theodoritos, Director of the Representation Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, Ierapytnis and Sitia, Mr. Kyrillos, the Panosiols. M. Ecclesiastes Mr. Aetios, Director of the Special Patriarchal Office, and Tritheon Mr. Kallinikos.

At, the end of the meeting they also exchanged memorable gifts.

Source:
OCP News Service