First Vice President of the Greek Parliament Ioannis Plakiotakis and Minister of Health Adonis Georgiadis officially bid farewell today to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at Athens International Airport “Eleftherios Venizelos,” as he departed for Constantinople following the conclusion of his official visit to Greece at the invitation of the Greek Parliament.
Following the Patriarch’s departure, Plakiotakis made the following statement: “During the past week, the Hellenic Parliament was honored and enlightened by the wise and venerable presence of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
We had the exceptional honor of welcoming the Patriarch, and we were truly blessed to witness his historic address before the National Representation — a speech that reflected the greatness and nobility of soul of our spiritual leader and touched the deepest aspects of our national and religious identity and conscience.
Today’s return of His All-Holiness to his Patriarchal See leaves us with messages of universal love, optimism, peace, hope, and reconciliation. We wish him continued strength in his God-pleasing ministry, and may God bless us to welcome him once again to our homeland.”
