By Panagiotis Antonis Abdriopoulos

On August 29, 2010, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew inaugurated a group art exhibition of Greek artists at the Theological School of Halki, who, through their various expressive means, revealed the soul of the “city with a thousand faces”.

At that time, Istanbul was declared the “European Capital of Culture” and this exhibition was organized in the context of relevant events.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by many Greeks and Turks, artists and collectors, as well as representatives of the local government, the intellectual and business world of Istanbul.

In the photo of the late Nikos Magginas that we propose in our post, the Ecumenical Patriarch in Halki stands in front of the painting of the distinguished painter Alekos Fasianos, who passed away recently on January 16, for the eternal life. Next to him, the painter seems to guide the Patriarch in his work.

Nine years later, in May 2019, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, during his visit to Athens, visited the V. & M. Theocharakis Foundation for Fine Arts and Music and was guided to the exhibition of Alekos Fasianos, on the topic: “Alekos Fasianos – Vaggelis Chronis, 30 years of friendship Painting and poetry “.

The painter himself was present and guided the Patriarch in his exhibition.

The Patriarch, always open to the world of culture, rushes to meet artists and creators, who, in fact, bring with their work, the ecumenical spirit of Hellenism in the modern world.

Source: fosfanariou.gr