President of the Hellenic Republic Constantine Tassoulas welcomed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Presidential Mansion. In his speech, he referred to Patriarch Bartholomew’s 35 years of service as Patriarch, as well as his 65 years as a priest.

“You represent an institution of immense influence, as you are the spiritual leader of millions of Orthodox Christians around the world,” President Tassoulas told the Ecumenical Patriarch.

He also congratulated Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on his address to the Hellenic Parliament and emphasised that Orthodoxy and religion in general play a role “in global reconciliation, especially these days”.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, after thanking Tassoulas for the warm welcome, spoke about the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and Orthodoxy. He said that “racism and racial discrimination are far removed from the ethos of Orthodoxy” and added that the Orthodox Church embraces all people. He also referred to the challenges facing Orthodoxy, such as ethnic nationalism. “ Unfortunately, our Slavic brothers, led by the Holy Church of Russia, are primarily responsible for dividing pan-Orthodox unity.”

The Ecumenical Patriarch also emphasised that “ we will continue our work in good conscience, always with the support of the Greek state, so that we may fulfil the ecumenical mission of our Patriarchate.”