THE NEW CONSUL GENERAL OF GREECE TO JERUSALEM VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Thursday, the 29^th of July/11^th of August, the new Greek Consul General to Jerusalem, Mr Christos Sofianopoulos, accompanied by Consul Vassilis Koinis, visited the Patriarchate upon assuming his new duties. Mr Sofianopoulos was warmly welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem, in the presence of Hagiotaphite Fathers.

In the context of this visit, His Beatitude spoke of the volatile and unstable political and religious situation in Jerusalem and of the Patriarchate’s contribution to a peaceful resolution through its pacifying and conciliatory role as demonstrated by the leading position it holds in the Council of Churches in the Holy Land and by its recent initiative to mediate for the settlement of disagreements between Copts and Ethiopians at the Der Sultan Monastery near Abraham’s Monastery. Reference was also made on the relations of coexistence between Christians and Muslims in the Holy Land since the days of the ever-memorable Patriarch Sophronius of Jerusalem and Umar Khattab, parties to the Achtiname or Pact of Umar.

The Consul General thanked His Beatitude for updating him while the Patriarch reciprocated with wishes for a fruitful tenure.

From the Secretariat-General