Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departs to make historic visit to Metropolis of Nea Ionia in Greece

His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed on Friday, 22 November 2024, for a short but significant visit to Athens. His itinerary includes visits to the Metropolises of Nea Ionia and Philadelphia, as well as the Metropolis of Peristeri. Additionally, on Sunday, at the invitation of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, the Patriarch will inaugurate the proceedings of the International Conference of Orthodox Theology entitled “Orthodox Theology in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities.”

During his visit to the Holy Metropolis of Nea Ionia and Philadelphia, the Patriarch will visit the newly constructed AEK Stadium. There, he will tour the Holy Church of the Wisdom of God, located within the stadium complex, followed by a visit to the Museums dedicated to Greek Refugees and AEK.

On Sunday morning, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside over the Divine Liturgy at the Church of Saint Nicholas of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Kolonaki. Following the Liturgy, he will tonsure Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, the Civil Administrator of Mount Athos, as Archon Offikialios of the Great Church of Christ.

On Monday morning, the Patriarch will meet with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis before departing for a two-day visit to the Holy Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta.

Accompanying the Patriarch on his visit are Their Eminences, Metropolitan Joseph of Proikonnisos and Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria, Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office Protopresbyter Eleftherios Chrysochos, Secretary of the Representation Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis, Professor Konstantinos Delikostantis, Director of the First Patriarchal Office, Nikolaos-Georgios Papachristou, Director of the Press and Communication Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and Stylianos Mouchlidis, Secretary of the Patriarchate.

His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi was appointed as Patriarchal Commissioner.

Read the schedule below:

Friday, November 22

• 6:00 PM: Official Reception
  The Patriarch will be welcomed at the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Nea Filadelfeia.
• 7:00 PM: Naming Ceremony and Plaque Unveiling
  Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside over the naming of “Ecumenical Patriarch Square” in Nea Filadelfeia and unveil a commemorative plaque.
• 7:30 PM: Visit to Holy Trinity Church
  The Ecumenical Patriarch will visit the Church of the Holy Trinity in Nea Filadelfeia, where he will officiate at the opening of a newly constructed chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael, in memory of the late Michael Katsouris.
• 8:00 PM: Visit to AEK Stadium
  The evening will conclude at AEK Stadium with a tour of the Church of the Wisdom of God located within the stadium complex. The Ecumenical Patriarch will also visit the Museum of Greek Refugees, the AEK Museum, and the stadium’s facilities.

Saturday, November 23

• 10:00 AM: Visit to the Xenophontos Monastery Metochion
  The Ecumenical Patriarch will visit the Holy Metochion of the Athonite Monastery of Xenophontos, dedicated to the Saints of Mount Athos, located in Nea Ionia.
• 11:00 AM: Tour of the Under-Construction “Ionian Centre”
  The Ecumenical Patriarch will tour the future “Ionian Centre,” a project under development by the Metropolis, guided by Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia.
• 12:00 PM: Blessing and Inauguration of the New Nursery School
  The Ecumenical Patriarch will bless and inaugurate the new nursery school of the Metropolis, “Ionian Education – Nursery School of Nea Philadelphia.”
• 1:00 PM: Foundation Stone Ceremony
  The visit will conclude with a blessing ceremony and the laying of the foundation stone for a new parish church in Iraklio, Attica, located at the intersection of Prasinou Lofou and Smyrnis streets.

Source: orthodoxtimes.com