Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports Sofia Zacharaki met with Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem and All Palestine today to discuss concrete measures and timelines for implementing initiatives aimed at supporting the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The meeting focused on a number of key issues concerning the preservation and strengthening of the Patriarchate’s mission and institutions in the Holy Land.
Among the main topics discussed was the proposed legislation concerning clergy serving Greek communities abroad. The initiative represents Greece’s first institutional effort to establish a support framework for the Ancient Patriarchates, with the goal of preserving their Greek Orthodox identity and ensuring their long-term sustainability.
The Minister and the Patriarch also examined prospects for cooperation between the Ministry, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem to strengthen the International Orthodox University at the Baptism Site in Jordan, as well as efforts to resume the operation of the Holy Cross Theological School in Jerusalem.
Additional discussions addressed necessary institutional reforms to support the Ecclesiastical School of Zion, assistance for the Patriarchate’s schools in Jordan—particularly regarding the teaching of the Greek language—and the exploration of deeper cooperation among the Ministry, the Church of Greece, and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem in the fields of ecclesiastical education and student exchange programs involving young people from Israel and Jordan.
During the talks, Minister Zacharaki assured Patriarch Theophilos that the Patriarchate’s concerns and requests would always find a receptive audience at the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports. She emphasized that strengthening the Ancient Patriarchates is essential for safeguarding the presence of Christians, particularly Orthodox Christians, throughout the Middle East.
The Minister reiterated Greece’s commitment to supporting the Ancient Patriarchates in every initiative that secures their future and preserves their Greek Orthodox character. She noted that the four Ancient Patriarchates bear both the historic privilege and the profound responsibility of safeguarding Orthodox doctrine and ensuring the unity of the Orthodox world.
Zacharaki further stressed that at a time when Christians face unprecedented challenges and difficulties, the unity of the four Ancient Patriarchates is more valuable than ever. For this reason, she highlighted the importance of close cooperation with the Mother Church of Constantinople, the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Source: Greek Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports
