Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was proclaimed Honorary Professor of the Ionian University and High Patron of Zakynthian Letters and the Environment during a series of significant meetings held from February 28 to March 2, 2026.
During this period, the Ecumenical Patriarch received in audience representatives of the local Church, the Ionian University, and local government authorities, in what was described as a highly symbolic meeting of great importance.
Among those received were Metropolitan Dionysios of Zakynthos, his associate Archimandrite Seraphim Konidis, Professor Konstantinos Oikonomou of the Ionian University representing the Regional Governor of the Ionian Islands, the Mayor of Zakynthos Georgios Stasinopoulos, and the Deputy Mayor for Culture Takis Vryonis.
The Patriarch also met with the Rector of the Ionian University, Andreas Floros, and Archon Offikialios of the Patriarchate of Alexandria Christos Karydis, Associate Professor and President of the Department of Environment at the same University. During the meeting, they officially announced to the Patriarch the unanimous decision of the University Senate to confer upon him the title of Honorary Professor of the Department of Environment, in recognition of his longstanding commitment to ecological awareness and environmental stewardship.
In addition, the Ecumenical Patriarch held meetings with Metropolitan Nathanael of Chicago, Blase Joseph Cupich, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Chicago, and Bishop Sabbas of Donetsk and Slavyansk of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, who led a large group of Ukrainian pilgrims.
