A significant step in fostering cultural and religious collaboration was marked with the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Apostoliki Diakonia of the Church of Greece and the Pontifical Institute of Oriental Studiesof the Gregorian University of Rome. This initiative aims to promote the teaching of Byzantine Ecclesiastical Music, under the sponsorship of the General Secretariat for Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports of Greece.
The event was graced by the presence of Metropolitan Polycarp of Italy, Metropolitan Agathangelos of Phanar (Director General of the Apostoliki Diakonia), Theodoros Kontidis, Archbishop of the Roman Catholics in Athens, Georgios Kalantzis, Secretary General of Religious Affairs of Greece,Ekaterini Georgiou, Ambassador of Greece to the Vatican, and Andreas Palmieri. Several students from the Pontifical Institute also attended, reflecting the growing interest in this rich musical tradition, with an impressive 23 students already enrolled in the program.
This partnership signifies a bridge between the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions, fostering mutual understanding and appreciation through the timeless art of Byzantine music.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
