Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed today, Thursday, July 4, at noon, en route to Milano. From there, he will continue to the Diocese of Ivrea, where he has been invited by Bishop Edoardo Aldo Cerrato to attend official local ecclesiastical events. He is expected to return to his seat on Saturday evening.
Accompanying him on this visit are Metropolitan Polycarp of Italy, Bishop Paisios of Xanthoupolis, Archimandrite Ioannis Batsis, Hierarchical Head of the Community of Milano, and one of the Secretaries of the Patriarchate, Chrysovalantis Gulgun.
