As part of her visit to Geneva for the three-day event in honor of Ioannis Kapodistrias, the Greek Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, accompanied by the Consul General of Greece in Geneva, Alexandros Gennimatas, the Advisor to the Minister, Anna Panagiotarea, visited the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambesy, on the morning of Thursday, October 14, 2021.
The minister was welcomed by the Head of the Orthodox Center, Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, accompanied by executives and associates of the Patriarchal Institution.
Then, in the ceremonial hall, known as the Hall of Patriarchs and Founders, the Metropolitan of Switzerland referred to the establishment of the Center in 1966, made a detailed presentation of its activities that started 55 years ago, its role in the preparation of the Holy and Great Synod of the Orthodox Church and in the conduct of the inter-Christian theological dialogues and the interreligious academic meetings.
He made special reference to the establishment in 1997 and the operation of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies in Orthodox Theology of the Orthodox Center.
The Metropolitan’s presentation was followed by an extensive and constructive discussion on the further smooth operation of the Orthodox Center.
Afterwards, the minister was shown around the adjacent Museum of Christian Art of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which was founded in 2011, with the contribution of Dr. Spyros Latsis, in memory of his father, Ioannis Latsis. The visitors were impressed by the exhibits (icons, vestments, sacred objects, etc.) and there was a discussion about the possibility of enriching the Museum and its further promotion.
Finally, the minister and her associates went to the Stavropegian Church of St. Paul. The interesting structure of the church was particularly commented on, especially the inspired and original illustration by the late Rallis Kopsidis.
