On Thursday, August 3, 2023, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem received a representation from the football team of P.A.O.K. and spoke to them about the role and name of the Patriarchate as “Roman Orthodox Patriarchate” and appealed to them to continue the championship and to remain in the roots, principles and values of Romiosyni.
The representatives of P.A.O.K. offered to Patriarch Theophilos a double-headed eagle, a symbol of their group, and holy myrrh from the pilgrimage of Saint Demetrius in Thessaloniki.
The Patriarch offered them a silver painting of the city of Jerusalem and wished them good success in their team’s football match this evening after the Israeli Beitar football team.
In the end, Patriarch Theophilos received a group of two hundred Russian pilgrims under Metropolitan Mark and two Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church of the former Diaspora. He spoke to and blessed them and wished them a blessed feast of Saint Mary Magdalene the equal to the apostles at the Holy Monastery in Gethsemani of this Russian Church, in view of His visit the next day.
Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem
