Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew received Mounir Bouchenaki, Special Adviser to the Director-General of UNESCO, on Wednesday, October 7, at the Holy Monastery of Valoukli, during the interruption of the morning session of the Holy Synod, with whom they discussed issues of mutual interest, including the recent conversion of Hagia Sophia and Chora Church into a mosque.
The meeting was attended by Metropolitans Emmanuel of France and Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima, Head of the Monastery. It is recalled that the Patriarch, in the past, had officially visited the headquarters of the international organization, where he addressed at a special event.
Besides, yesterday an event was held in memory of Efstratios Zegkinis, his compatriot and close collaborator.
The event took place at the Holy Monastery of Valoukli, after the end of the work of the Holy and Sacred Synod, and concerned the work and contribution of the late Efstratios Zeginis, Archon of the Great Church of Christ, Director of the Historical Archive of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the last 15 years, and Professor of the Theological School of AUTh., who passed away last August.
The Ecumenical Patriarch, referring to his late compatriot and direct collaborator, stressed that “He was distinguished for his hard work, perseverance and confidentiality. He was particularly sensitive to security issues. Throughout his tenure, he never allowed the slightest breach of the principles of protection of archival material.
May his memory be eternal.”
