SHIPOWNER MR ATHANASIOS MARTINOS VISITS THE PATRIARCHATE

On Sunday, October 19/ November 1, 2020, the shipowner Mr Athanasios Martinos visited the Patriarchate.

Mr Martinos and his companion, architect Mr Gregorios Pinelis, were received by H.H.B. our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos and Hagiotaphite Fathers at the Catholicon of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

There, at the presence of the Consul General of Greece Mr Evangelos Vlioras, His Beatitude informed Mr Martinos about the Rum Orthodox rights in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, especially for the Catholicon, which is a special place for the Orthodox worship, the heart of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, opposite the Holy Tomb.

His Beatitude also mentioned the need for the renovation of the Catholicon, a very important project, which Mr Martinos expressed the will to undertake, at the suggestion of the Prime Minister of Greece, Mr Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

After visiting the other areas of the Church, such as the Sacristy and Golgotha, Mr Martinos was received by Geronda Sacristan Most Reverend Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis in the latter’s Office, where Mr Martinos venerated the Precious Wood of the Cross and was offered an icon of the Sacred Edicule.

From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Mr Martinos was escorted to the Patriarchate Headquarters through the staircase of Saint James Cathedral and the terrace of the Church of Saints Constantine and Helen.

At the Patriarchate, His Beatitude thanked Mr Martinos for his genuine interest to support the mission of the Patriarchate and offered him an icon of the renovated Edicule of the Holy Sepulchre, while Mr Martinos offered His Beatitude an album with the treasures of Petraki Monastery, which is an edition of his company.

From Secretariat-General