During his visit to Thessaloniki for the centenary celebration of the journal Theologia, Patriarch Daniel of Bulgaria met with Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens, who had also traveled there for the commemorative events.
“This communication between the Orthodox churches is a source of hope for the entire Orthodox world. Today, we need fellowship and unity, especially in turbulent and uncertain times when humanity is tested by wars, hunger, and the deaths of children around the world,” Archbishop Ieronymos emphasized, underscoring the need to continually strengthen friendship and fraternal goodwill among the local Orthodox churches.
For his part, Patriarch Daniel expressed his joy at the visit, praised the conference’s excellent organization, and conveyed his gratitude for the warm hospitality shown by the organizers. He also informed Archbishop Ieronymos of his meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and voiced his hope that more opportunities would arise to gather the primates of the Orthodox churches in a spirit of unity.
Patriarch Daniel also thanked Archbishop Ieronymos for the Church of Greece’s scholarships for Bulgarian students to study in its theological faculties.
“We sincerely thank you for this opportunity. It is yet another reason to strengthen our bonds,” he remarked.
The meeting concluded with mutual wishes for further joint initiatives, as well as new occasions for concelebrations and fraternal communication.
