Meeting of Nikos Androulakis with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew

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In Fanari, the president of PASOK – Movement for Change

Private meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, Mr. Bartholomew, the president of PASOK – Movement for Change, Nikos Androulakis, had earlier today in Fanari.

“You were a gift from God to Orthodoxy,” noted Mr. Androulakis, addressing the Ecumenical Patriarch and added: “In very difficult times, you fought great battles and showed that you see the problems of humanity with a universality. Like the issues of ecology, justice and human rights. It is a great honor for me that today you gave us the opportunity to spend the Epiphany together.”

“We are happy that you chose Constantinople for the Epiphany,” the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized. “I was informed that you visited our historic high schools. Unfortunately we have few students and a small flock due to the shrinking of the community. The reasons and causes are known but we are struggling. We do not lack the competitive spirit. We are optimistic. ‘Tach᾽ ἀριον ἔsset᾽ Ἀμεινον’, as our ancestors used to say” he concluded.

However, the president of PASOK-Movement for Change then invoked a personal experience of his, specifically as a student of the 2nd High School he was on the waterfront of Heraklion during the visit of Mr. Bartholomew in Crete in 1992. “I was 52 years old then,” remarked the Ecumenical Patriarch while listening to Mr. Androulakis’ account.

The president of PASOK – Movement for Change presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with the first edition of the book “Eleftherios Venizelos: The Man, the Leader” by Nik. Emm. Papadakis as well as the publication of the Benaki Museum, “Working drawings of the painters after the Fall.” The file of Andreas Xygopoulos”.

Earlier, Mr. Androulakis had attended the Patriarchal Divine Liturgy at the Pansept Patriarchal Church of Agios Georgios and, later, at the Consecration of the Waters in the Gulf of Keratio.

In his statements, finally, he pointed out that “here from the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, where I had the honor and joy of celebrating the Epiphany with the Greeks of the City, I want to wish the new year to be a bright year of health, joy, social justice and prosperity for all Greek women and all Greeks everywhere on earth”.

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