“I am so pleased, Your All-Holiness, to welcome you once again. I was telling you on the steps that the day began cloudy, but with your arrival a bright sun came out — symbolic, I believe, of the optimism that you always bring during these troubled and difficult times,” said Kyriakos Mitsotakis, addressing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during their meeting at the Maximos Mansion.

“I apologize for not being able to attend your speech. I was in the United Arab Emirates and then in Jordan, but I wanted once again to convey how much joy and strength your visits always give us.

You will complete 35 years on the Patriarchal Throne this coming November. I wish you many more years, and of course we will have the opportunity to discuss the broader developments in our region, the great interest that both you and we show in protecting Orthodox Christians in the Middle East during this period of major unrest, as well as the positive news you bring us regarding the reopening of the Halki Theological School — an important decision which I know has been a long-standing aspiration of yours. And I want you to know that the Greek state always stands by the Patriarchate and by you personally, to support you in every way so that you may continue your God-pleasing work,” the Prime Minister added.

“We recognize this and are grateful for it. Mr. Prime Minister, I bring you the blessing of the Mother Church and the greetings of the small Greek community of Constantinople,” the Ecumenical Patriarch said in response.

“This has been a week full of happy events here in Athens. Tomorrow morning we return to Constantinople. All my meetings were blessed and successful because they took place in an atmosphere of mutual love and esteem. I also bring you the wishes of our Patriarchate, and my personal wishes, for the complete recovery of Mrs. Mareva,” Bartholomew continued.

“She also sends you her love. She would very much have liked to be here,” replied the Prime Minister, after which the Ecumenical Patriarch continued:

“We followed her health ordeal closely and lit a candle at the Patriarchate for her recovery, because she is dear to us, gracious, and always kind toward us.

You spoke about the Christians of the Middle East. Just a few days ago, I had at the Patriarchate His Beatitude the Patriarch of Antioch, who described to us, so to speak, the real situation of the few remaining Christians. Unfortunately, over time the number of Christians there continues to decline, and they face problems both in Syria and in Lebanon, where His Beatitude’s jurisdiction extends. Regarding inter-Orthodox cooperation, there is a full willingness and good intention to return to the positive spirit of the past, because various unfortunate events intervened. We will continue this effort with the other sister Churches as well. Next month we will travel to Imbros together with the Patriarchs of Romania and Bulgaria, and it will be an opportunity to strengthen our relations and discuss our common problems.”