The visit of the Administrator of Mount Athos to the Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On Sunday afternoon, 3rd/16th February 2025, the feast day of Saint Simeon the God-Receiver, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem received the Administrator of Mount Athos, Mr. Alkiviadis Stefanis, accompanied by his associate and the General Consul of Greece in Jerusalem, Mr. Dimitrios Angelosopoulos.

During this meeting, an interesting discussion took place regarding Mount Athos as “a beacon and pride of Orthodoxy,” as a centre of Orthodox monasticism, particularly Greek, as a connecting link between the Orthodox Churches, and as a guardian of Orthodox tradition and the necessity of preserving its Statute and natural environment.

As a memento of this visit, the Administrator of Mount Athos presented His Beatitude with a painting depicting all the Monasteries of Mount Athos, and His Beatitude presented the Administrator with an icon of the Nativity of Christ made of mother-of-pearl, as well as a silver-plated painting of Jerusalem.

Expressing gratitude for the visit, the Administrator requested His Beatitude’s blessing to visit the Holy Sepulchre for pilgrimage, where he was welcomed by the Elder Sacristan, His Eminence Archbishop Isidoros of Hierapolis, along with the Fathers of the Church of the Holy Resurrection.

From the General Secretariat

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem