President Prokopis Pavlopoulos and his wife Vlasia with Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem.
(Photo by Patriarchate of Jerusalem)
JERUSALEM – The President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis
Pavlopoulos urged Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem to stand in support
with His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The President
met with Patriarch Theophilos during his recent visit to Israel.
Specifically, Pavlopoulos told Patriarch Theophilos that “the Greek
State is on your side and on the side of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem,
in your struggle for the defense of the principles and values of
Orthodox Christianity,” and he added “in this regard, we look forward,
citing the Church of Greece as a prime example, to your full support for
the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and Ecumenical Patriarch
Bartholomew in his struggle for the representation and support of the
Orthodox Christian, especially in these difficult and turbulent times.”
The President’s advice to Theophilos was prompted by his actions
undermining the ancient privileges and rights of Ecumenical Patriarch to
convene synaxes, or synods of the Prelates of the Orthodox Churches
around the world.
It is reminded that Patriarch Theophilos traveled to Moscow at the
end of November to be honored with the Patriarch Alexios award. While in
Moscow the met with President Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kyrill of
Moscow. The next day Theophilos announced that he was going to convene a
Synaxis of the Prelates of the Orthodox Churches in Jordan to discuss
the unity of the Church. Theophilos has yet to recognize the
Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.
Archbishops Ieronymos of Athens and All Greece and also Chrysostomos
of Cyprus announced that are not going to attend any synaxis convened by
Patriarch Theophilos.
TNH has learned that Prelates, one after another, are declining the
invitation of Theophilos to meet in Amman, Jordan. Also The National
Herald is in a position to know that Patriarch Theophilos signaled
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew that the synaxis will not take place.