On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, a clerical assembly was held in the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Foundation of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki, “Saint Gregory Palamas.”
Earlier, the Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed at the Church of All Saints of Thessaloniki, situated within the compound. In the presence of Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, a memorial service was offered for Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Rodostol, who fell asleep in the Lord at the age of 92.
Afterwards, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew conversed with representatives of various associations and students. He reminisced about the cradles of Hellenism and Orthodoxy, the work of the Church Fathers in their unforgettable homelands, and the saints who lived in Cappadocia, Pontus, Ionia, and other regions of Asia Minor. He noted that, although he was returning to Constantinople that day, he would revisit Thessaloniki at the end of January as part of his ongoing collaboration with the Metropolis.
Later, he signed the guest book of the Foundation, writing, among other things:
“We pray that this foundation will host many activities that benefit society and the soul within this God-protected eparchy. We are certain of this, given the love and ability of its shepherd, our beloved brother, the Holy Metropolitan of Thessaloniki, Philotheos.”
Shortly before he left, he was given a plaque commemorating his visit to the foundation in October 2013. During that visit, he planted an olive tree in the courtyard to celebrate the opening of the conservation laboratories of the Higher Ecclesiastical Academy of Thessaloniki.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
