On Wednesday evening, 12th/25th January 2017, the President of the Greek Parliament Mr. Nikolaos Voutsis visited the Patriarchate, as part of his visit in Israel, accompanied by the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos and his associates.
The President of the Greek Parliament and his escort was received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos with Hagiotaphite Fathers.
Within the agenda of the meeting there was an interesting conversation on Mr. Voutsis’ visit in Israel, especially on his visit to Yad Vashem, monument on the memory of the Jew victims of the Nazi occupation and furry, on the recognition by the State of Israel of the Greek-Jew victims’ rescue by the Greek Church and Government, and on the 348 Greeks who rescued Jews by putting their own lives in danger.
There was also talk on the project of the Renovation of the Holy Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre with the agreement of the three Communities, and the research and diligent execution of a scientific, religious and unique work by the N.T.U.A., since its foundation by the Greek nation and by Comnenos in 1810, who revealed parts of the rock of the Tomb-Cave where our Lord Jesus Christ was buried and resurrected, clearly projecting messages of reconciliation and peace.
After the exchanging of gifts, Mr. Voutsis thanked His Beatitude, with the plan to visit the Holy Sepulchre the following day.