This post was originally published on this site
ATHENS — His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America met in Athens on Tuesday with President of the Hellenic Republic Konstantinos Tasoulas, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece.
The meetings came shortly after Archbishop Elpidophoros arrived in Athens from Istanbul, where he took part in the historic visit of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople, marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.
Meeting with the President of the Hellenic Republic
At the Presidential Mansion, Archbishop Elpidophoros briefed President Konstantinos Tasoulas on the present life and pastoral priorities of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which remains the largest eparchy of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and a reference point for the Greek diaspora in the United States. His Eminence outlined the Archdiocese’s efforts to strengthen parish life, support new generations of Greek-Americans, and deepen its service to both Church and society.
Meeting at the Maximos Mansion with the Prime Minister
Later in the day, Archbishop Elpidophoros was received at the Maximos Mansion by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The meeting, held in a warm atmosphere, reaffirmed the close ties between the Greek government and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, as well as the broader importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for global Orthodoxy and for Hellenism worldwide.
Central to their conversation was the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to the Ecumenical Patriarchate for the commemoration of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The two also discussed ongoing developments surrounding the long-sought reopening of the Theological School of Halki, a priority repeatedly highlighted by both the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the Archdiocese of America. Finally, the meeting turned to matters concerning the Greek-American community.
Visit to Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens
Earlier, Archbishop Elpidophoros visited the seat of the Church of Greece to meet with His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece. Their conversation focused on the life of the Greek diaspora and the crucial role played by the Archdiocese of America in sustaining and renewing the bonds of Greek Orthodox faithful abroad with their spiritual and national roots. Archbishop Elpidophoros briefed Archbishop Ieronymos on the papal visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The post Abp. Elpidophoros meets Greek President, Prime Minister and Archbishop of Athens appeared first on Orthodox Observer.
