The Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Maximos Mansion.
“I bring you the blessings and best wishes of the Mother Church, and the greetings of the fellow Hierarchs from the Phanar. For me and my entourage, it is a special joy to be in Greece once again, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the church you gifted us, now located in the center of Athens.
And on this occasion, to once again see your beloved face, your colleagues, to exchange thoughts on matters of mutual concern, and to return strengthened to our seat,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch during his meeting with the Prime Minister.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis, in turn, welcomed Patriarch Bartholomew by saying: “Your All-Holiness, your visits always give us strength, courage, and resolve to continue on the challenging path of our country’s comprehensive recovery.
I would like once again to welcome you to the Maximos Mansion, expressing, I believe, the sentiments of all Greek men and women towards you personally and towards the very important work you are carrying out.”
He added: “Indeed, you are here for a very joyful occasion, as you mentioned, but every one of your visits is also an opportunity for us to discuss broader developments that concern our region as well—matters on which I know you have both strong opinions and the courage to express them, something that I believe is widely appreciated.
So once again, with much affection—and on behalf of my wife as well—I warmly welcome you to Athens.”
The Prime Minister was visibly moved when the Ecumenical Patriarch presented him with a photograph taken at St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
