Archbishop of Athens and Vice President of Indonesia Meet to Discuss Peace and Cooperation

OCP News Service – 26/11/2023

Athens- Greece: On 23 November 2023, the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece, Ieronymos, met with the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ma’ruf Amin, to discuss issues of peace, cooperation, and religious understanding.

During their meeting, the two leaders expressed their shared desire to see an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all abductees. They also emphasized the importance of mutual respect and understanding between people of different faiths.

“Love, which is offered by God must be shared among people. There is no discrimination in love,” said Archbishop Ieronymos. “The Church of Christ and Islam are called today to lovingly guide people on spiritual paths of mutual respect and to come together against the multiple challenges facing the modern world.”

Vice President Amin echoed these sentiments, stating, “This is not a religious conflict, but a contribution from everyone – including religious leaders – is needed to avoid conflict.”

The two leaders also discussed the importance of cultural exchange and cooperation between their respective countries. They agreed to work together to strengthen ties between Greece and Indonesia in areas such as education, tourism, and economic development.

“Today’s meeting marks an opportunity for acquaintance and deepening between the two peoples beyond tourism,” said Archbishop Ieronymos.

Vice President Amin expressed his hope that the meeting would contribute to “deepening the spirit of solidarity and cooperation of the peoples.”

Archbishop Addresses Specific Issues

Immediately following the discussion on religious understanding, the Archbishop addressed specific issues related to the current climate. He acknowledged the challenges faced by the world today and noted the efforts of the Orthodox Greek Church to foster peace and dialogue. He spoke about the positive relationship between Greeks and Muslim refugees, highlighting the Islamic Studies department at the University of Thessaloniki as an example of interfaith cooperation.

Specifically addressing the situation in Gaza, the Archbishop recounted recent meetings with parents of kidnapped children and professors from the University of Iran. He emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire, the release of abductees, and the protection of civilians. He concluded by calling on all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution.

Vice President Responds

In response, the Vice President expressed his appreciation for the Archbishop’s insights and reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to interfaith harmony. He noted the establishment of a dedicated body within the Ministry of Religions to address religious extremism and promote tolerance.

Attendees

The meeting was attended by representatives from both the Church of Greece and the Republic of Indonesia. From the Church of Greece, attendees included:

• Archimandrite Ioannis Karamouzis, Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece
• Archimandrite Varnavas Theoharis, Proto-Secretary of the Archdiocese
• Archimandrite Iakovos Andriopoulos, General Hierarchal Commissioner
• Archimandrite Evgenios Pantzaridis, Deputy General Hierarchy Commissioner
• Archimandrite Theologos Alexandrakis, Director of the I.P.E. of the Archdiocese
• Archdeacon Ioannis Boutsis
• Mr. Ioannis Tsouras, Director of the Office of the Archbishop
• Mr. Haris Konidaris, Director of the Press Office of the Archdiocese

This meeting between Archbishop Ieronymos and Vice President Amin represents a significant step towards strengthening relations between Greece and Indonesia and promoting understanding and cooperation on issues of global importance.

Source:

OCP News Service and ecclesia.gr