Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew participated in a teleconference, which took place on Thursday, the 24th of December 2020, on Christmas eve.
It was an initiative carried out by the mayor of Constantinople, Ekrem İmamoğlu, during which he wished all the best to the heads of Christian Communities of Constantinople.
Mayor İmamoğlu expressed his joy for the teleconference since the pandemic has deprived everyone of real communication. The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked the Mayor for his initiative and for his warm wishes. He also thanked him for his constant interest in the issues of the Christian Communities.
He recalled that the Orthodox Christians in Constantinople were “Constantinopolitans” born and bred and expressed his satisfaction that the mayor did not discriminate them. In addition, he thanked him for the real interest he showed in the Prinkipo Greek Orphanage as well as for the visit he made there.
Finally, on the occasion of Christmas, the Ecumenical Patriarch wished health and strength to all, as well as a creative new year, during which we will be called to deal with the coronavirus pandemic.