Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I arrived in Athens on Monday afternoon, where he is expected to hold a series of meetings during his nearly weeklong visit, including with the president of the republic, the prime minister, political leaders and public figures.
The aircraft carrying the Ecumenical Patriarch landed at the Athens International Airport at approximately 3 p.m., with the primus inter pares of the world’s Orthodox Patriarchs welcomed by Parliament President Nikitas Kaklamanis and Education Minister Sofia Zacharaki.
According to an official itinerary, Bartholomew will pay a customary visit to the Archbishopric of Athens, where he will be received by the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronymos.
On Tuesday, 27 years after his first address at the Greek Parliament in 1999, the Ecumenical Patriarch will speak during a special plenary session, following an invitation by Kaklamanis.
On Thursday, Kaklamanis will deliver opening remarks at an event titled “Timelessness and Universality: The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the Modern World.” The event will be held at a central hotel in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
