THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Wednesday afternoon, October 4/17, 2018, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of the Republic of Cyprus Mr. Constantinos Kadis, visited the Patriarchate, escorted by the General Manager of his office Mr. Nikolaos Pieris, the Ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus in Israel Mrs. Thessalia Siambou, the Embassy Staff, the Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy Mr. Chrysanthos Constantinou, and the Manager of the Office of the Cypriot Organization in Israel Mrs. Louiza Varakla.

His Excellency the Minister was warmly received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Fathers.

During this meeting there was an interesting conversation on the good relations of between the Cypriot Government and the Cypriot Church, with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. These relations have been proven to be fruitful for both the island of Cyprus and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem. Many were the established Hagiotaphite Fathers of Cypriot origin, eminent men such as Ieronymos Myriantheus, Metropolitan Epiphanios of Jordan, Metropolitan Gregorios of Tiberias, Arkadios of Askalon, and especially the Hegoumen of Jacob’s Well, Hieromartyr St. Philoumenos. The sealing of all these was the Exarchy of the Holy Sepulchre in Nicosia a few years ago.

His Beatitude underlined the contribution of the Patriarchate to the peacemaking in the Middle East and the reception of the Cypriot pilgrims in it, and thanked the Ministry of Education of Cyprus for its support to the educational program of the Patriarchate.

Expressing his thanks for this visit and briefing, the Minister asked His Beatitude’s blessing to venerate the Holy Sepulchre and for the good outcome of his difficult political patriotic mission.

From Secretariat-General