Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will visit Athens on November 20-25, 2021, to participate in the events organized in his honor by the Church of Greece on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his election to the Ecumenical Throne.
The announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate also states that Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will not visit Mount Athos and Thessaloniki on November 25-29, as originally planned.
A message is sent “in every direction” about the need to be vaccinated and to respect the COVID-19 protective measures as the only safe way to overcome the pandemic.
Read the announcement of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
It is announced with joy that the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will pay an official visit to Athens on November 20-25, 2021, at the kind invitation of the Church of Greece, to participate in the solemn Co-liturgy for the Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary at the Temple and on the thirtieth anniversary of the patriarchal ministry of Bartholomew.
Due to the worsening health crisis in the wider area, the visit of the Ecumenical Patriarch to Mount Athos and Thessaloniki scheduled for November 25-29 is postponed.
Through this decision, the Ecumenical Patriarch wishes to send a message in all directions about the need to vaccinate and respect the COVID-19 protective measures as the only safe way to overcome the deadly pandemic.
He prays for the rest of the souls of the dead, for the rapid recovery of the sick and for the above strengthening of the doctors, the nurses and all those responsible for dealing with the present severe ordeal.