Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, currently in Istanbul, was received by His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the renovated Patriarchal Marasli Urban School.

During his visit, Mr. Gerapetritis will also meet with representatives of the Greek Diaspora. After his meeting with the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Foreign Minister made the following statement:

“Today I had the great honor of being received by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and in particular at the recently renovated Patriarchal Marasli Urban School, which stands as a true symbol of Orthodoxy in Istanbul. Our wish is that one day it will reopen as an educational and pedagogical center of the Greek Orthodox community in the city, with teachers and students.

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I had a long and extremely fruitful private discussion with the Patriarch. We had the opportunity to talk about issues concerning the Diaspora, the Greek Community of Istanbul, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and also matters regarding the Theological School of Halki. Our hope is that it will one day reopen. This would be a powerful symbol of universality, tolerance, and culture.

The Hellenic State will always stand in support of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s mission of solidarity, which upholds not only Orthodoxy but also the great philosophical principles of love and solidarity—principles that, in such a troubled time for the world, must guide both human and interstate relations.”