Ecumenical Patriarch arrived in Strasbourg

Coming from Austria, where he spent a few days of rest and reflection, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis, arrived in Strasbourg by plane on Saturday, 25 January 2025.

The visit is taking place at the official invitation of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Roussopoulos, to deliver an address to the House on Monday, 27 January 2025.

At the airport, the Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed by His Eminence Metropolitan Dimitrios of France, representatives of the Holy Metropolis, Alexandra Mantzila from the Greek Embassy in Paris, and Nikolaos Sigalas, Ambassador of Greece’s Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe.

At noon, a luncheon was held in honour of the Ecumenical Patriarch, hosted by Ioannis Ktistakis, the Greek Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, along with members of the Court’s Presidium.

In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the City Hall of Bischwiller, where he was warmly welcomed by Mayor Jean Lucien Netzer. In response to the Mayor’s address, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed his appreciation and took part in a tree-planting ceremony organised by the Municipality’s Interreligious Committee.

He then visited the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, where he venerated and attended a short ceremony. The Ecumenical Patriarch addressed the audience, responding to remarks by Metropolitan Dimitrios of France and the President of the Community, Nikolaos Avagiannos.

The day concluded with an official dinner hosted by Mayor Netzer in honour of the Ecumenical Patriarch.

The Ecumenical Patriarch is accompanied by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Personal Patriarchal Office. During the Patriarch’s absence, His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi has been appointed locum tenens.