Ecumenical Patriarch honours Greek Minister of Education Kyriakos Pierrakakis at the Phanar

On Friday afternoon, 14 February 2025, His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew held a special ceremony in the Throne Room at the Patriarchal House in the Phanar, where he honoured the Greek Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Mr. Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

The event was attended by His Eminence Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Archons of the Great Church of Christ, His Excellency Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, Mr. Georgios Kalantzis (Secretary General of Religious Affairs of the Ministry of Education), members of the Patriarchal Court, and associates of the Minister.

In recognition of his valuable contributions to the Church and the Greek Nation, as well as his steadfast support for the institution of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew awarded Minister Pierrakakis the Cross of Saint Andrew the First-Called Apostle, accompanied by the Honorary Patriarchal Decree (Pittakion).

In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch praised the Minister, acknowledging his ongoing interest and dedication to the issues of the Mother Church. Deeply moved, Minister Pierrakakis expressed his profound gratitude to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the exceptional honour bestowed upon him.

Earlier in the day, upon his arrival at the Phanar, Minister Pierrakakis, accompanied by his delegation, visited the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, where he paid his respects before attending the ceremony.

Photographs: Nikos Papachristou