The residents of Sapes welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch with great enthusiasm a few minutes ago.
The Patriarch is accompanied by Metropolitan Panteleimon of Maroneia and Komotini and the Lieutenant General, Mr. Angelos Choudeloudis, who were warmly welcomed in the courtyard of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen of Sapes.
There was the mayor of Maroneia-Sapes, Mr. Ntinos Charitopoulos, along with his daughters, who welcomed the distinguished guests and earlier the political delegation that is touring the region these days, headed by the Chairwoman of the Inter-party Committee for the Development of Thrace, Mrs Ntora Bakogianni.
At the entrance of the church there were men of the Greek Army and military musicians on one side, while on the other side there were members of the local cultural associations lined up holding their banners.
Earlier this morning, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew performed an official Doxology along with the Metropolitan at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Theotokos in Komotini, where the holy icon of Panagia Axion Esti from Mount Athos is kept until September 12, and then paid a short visit to the Monastery of Panagia Vathyrryakos, the well-known Fatiriaka of Aigeiros.
Source: xronos.gr