MS LENA KARRER VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE
On the morning of Wednesday, the 7th/20th of September 2016, Ms Lena Karrer visited the Patriarchate.
Ms Karrer is the daughter of the late Lukas Karrer, Mayor of the island of Zakynthos during World War II. Mayor Karrer, in collaboration with the ever-memorable Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Zakynthos, helped 275 members of the Jewish Community of Zakynthos flee to the countryside, giving the Nazis a list of merely two names – of himself and the Metropolitan – which led to the saving of the island’s entire Jewish Community. In 1978, the “Yad Vashem” Holocaust Martyrs’ and Heroes’ Remembrance Authority honoured the late Mayor Lukas Karrer and Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Zakynthos with the “Righteous Among the Nations” title.
Ms Lena Karrer, accompanied by Ms Ruth Zakh, representative of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was welcomed by H.B. Theophilos, Patriarch of Jerusalem. The Patriarch expressed His appreciation of the Mayor and the Metropolitan, whilst Ms Karrer extended her gratitude to the Greek State and Church for the rescue of the Jewish Community of Zakynthos through the heroism of these two distinguished men.
During the meeting, His Beatitude offered Ms Karrer a crucifix and icon of Theotokos Jerusalemite and of the Holy Sepulchre, and a medal commemorating 2000 years of Christianity. A commemorative medal was also offered to Ms Zakh.
From the Secretariat-General