The Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed to Preveza

His Eminence Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Nicopolis and Preveza and the local Mayor Mr. Nikos Georgakos of Preveza welcomed His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, expressing on behalf of the people of the city their warm thanks for his response to their invitation.

Honours were bestowed by a military guard and the Merchant Marine Academy, while twelve Metropolitans attended the reception of the leader of Orthodoxy as representatives of the church. Among those present were also MPs Spyros Kyriakis and Kostas Barkas, Deputy Regional Governor Stratos Ioannou, Thematic Deputy Regional Governor Anastasios Drakos, vice-mayors, municipal and regional councilors, representatives of various bodies, and many people.

The welcoming ceremony lead by Mayor Nikos Georgakos took place in the courtyard of the Church.

Mr. Georgakos described the presence of the Ecumenical Patriarch in Preveza as a great honour, 25 years after his previous visit, highlighting his work and expressing the gratitude of the city’s people.

The Ecumenical Patriarch also expressed his emotion for his visit to Preveza, of which he is an honorary citizen, referring to the timeless role played by the church in shaping human character, relations between peoples, and history.

This was followed by a doxology service in the Holy Church of Saints Constantine and Helen, with Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Nicopolis and Preveza welcoming the Ecumenical Patriarch, emphasising the region’s rich religious history.

Metropolitan Chrysostomos praised the role of the Patriarchate and the Patriarch’s struggles for Orthodoxy and its protection, bestowing upon him the highest honour of the Metropolis, the medal of Apostle Paul, founder of the local church.

Source: epiruspost.gr / orthodoxtimes.com