The proposed new Greek Commissioner to the European Commission, Mr. Margaritis Schinas, was welcomed by Metropolitan Athenagoras of Belgium and Exarch of the Netherlands and Luxembourg, at the seat of the Metropolis in Brussels.
The meeting took place on Friday morning, August 30, 2019, in a very warm climate, as the proposed Commissioner and to date the European Commission’s Spokesperson is no stranger to the Metropolis of Belgium, having been part of its flock for many years.
Mr. Schinas wanted to receive the blessing of the Church before taking on his new high and important duties, while having the opportunity to brief Metropolitan Athenagoras on current issues of concern to Europe, political developments in general, and the forthcoming visit of His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in Brussels, in November, as part of the Golden Jubilee festivities of the Metropolis of Belgium.
From his part, the Metropolitan congratulated Mr. Schinas and wished him all the best for his new mission. “We are very proud, not only as Greeks, but also as the Belgian Orthodox Church, that you have been nominated by the Greek state for this very important position of Commissioner. The Church wishes and is confident that you will continue to support its every need from your new ‘bulwark’”, concluded Metropolitan Athenagoras.
