On the morning of Monday, December 2, 2024, the Greek Minister of Education, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, arrived at Geneva International Airport for official purposes and to discuss matters of his ministry with representatives of international organizations.
The Minister’s first stop was the Orthodox Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Chambésy, Geneva. At the main entrance of the historic central office building, he was welcomed by the Head of the Orthodox Center, Metropolitan Maximos of Switzerland, accompanied by associates from the Patriarchal Foundation and the Holy Metropolis of Switzerland. Joining the Minister were the Consul General of Greece in Geneva, Alexandros Gennimatas, and officials from the Ministry of Education.
The visit began in the ceremonial “Hall of Patriarchs and Founders,” where Metropolitan Maximos led the Minister on a tour of the Center’s premises. During this time, the Minister also had the opportunity to meet with students of the Institute of Postgraduate Studies of Orthodox Theology, located within the Orthodox Center.
Subsequently, a meeting took place in the office of Metropolitan Maximos. The Metropolitan spoke about the 58-year history of the Orthodox Center and its pivotal role in inter-Orthodox relations, particularly its contribution to the preparatory efforts leading to the Holy and Great Council. The discussion also focused on ways the Ministry of Education could support the ongoing smooth operation of the Orthodox Center, fostering further cooperation between the Greek state and the Patriarchal Foundation. The meeting concluded with an exchange of meaningful souvenirs.
Accompanied by his entourage, which now included Ambassador Ioannis Gikas, Permanent Representative of Greece to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, the Minister visited the new buildings of the Orthodox Center. The visit culminated in a stop at the Holy Stavropegic Church of St. Paul, where the architectural design and the inspired iconography by the late Rallis Kopsidis were highlighted and admired.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
