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THE DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF GREECE VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Tuesday afternoon, 17th/30th May 2017, the Deputy Foreign Minister of Greece Mr. George Katrougalos visited the Patriarchate, escorted by his associates, the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Mr. Christos Sophianopoulos and by the Consul Mr. Vasilios Koenis, and the Romeo-Orthodox Mr. George Bassous of the Palestinian Police force.

The Deputy Foreign Minister and his escort were warmly received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Fathers, the Patriarchal Commissioner Most Reverend Metropolitan Isychios of Kapitolias, Geronda Secretary-General Most Reverend Archbishop Aristarchos of Constantina, and the Most Reverend Metropolitan Joachim of Helenoupolis.

Within the agenda of the meeting there was an interesting conversation on the sensitive political situation faced by the city of Jerusalem and the significant role of the Church of the Resurrection in the solution of this political issue.

His Beatitude briefed the Minister on the problems of the Patriarchate, such as the water issue in the Hozeva Monastery, which was solved through many wise combinations and actions, the completed restoration project of the Sacred Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, the ongoing refurbishment of the roof in the Basilica of Bethlehem and the repair works of the Holy Cave by us the Orthodox and the Franciscans.

The Patriarchate acts in prudence and wisdom for the protection of the benefits of the Christians in the Holy Land as well as for the decrease of the political tension and the creation of a climate of reconciliation, peace, love and unity in the region.

Consequently the Deputy Foreign Minister and his escort asked His Beatitude’s prayers for the continuation of their visit at the Basilica of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

At the end of the visit there was an exchange of the appropriate for the circumstance gifts.

From Secretariat-General
httpv://youtu.be/laULlPKmUnI

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