The President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopis Pavlopoulos attended religious celebrations in honour of St. Dimitrios, the patron saint of Thessaloniki, Wednesday. The Greek President arrived a little after 11am at the Church of St. Dimitrios, where a large crowd greeted him with warm applause. Earlier former PM Kostas Karamanlis had also received as warm welcome by the people when he arrived at the Church. Other dignitaries attending the festivities included the prefect of central Macedonia, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the mayor of Thessaloniki, John Boutaris, as well as the President of the Union Centrists Vasilis Leventis. Alternate Minister for Agricultural Development Markos Bolaris represented the Greek government, while Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Dimitrios Mardas, who was celebrating his name day, was also present. President Pavlopoulos said the celebrations of the city’s patron were an anniversary in honour of the great history of Thessaloniki, the Greek nation and the Orthodox Christian faith. He added that the it was also a reminder of the undisputed and uncompromising Greekness of Macedonia. Defence Minister Panos Kamennos was absent due to a trip abroad, while head of opposition party New Democracy (ND), Kyriakos Mitsotakis, was also absent after changing his schedule.