Meeting with His Beatitude Patriarch of Antioch John i, The Minister of National Defense had today Nikos Dendiasas part of a visit to Lebanon.
Accompanied by the Secretary -General of Religions George Kalantzisthe minister went to Balamand where the patriarchal seat is located and was accepted by His Beatitude. During the meeting, the issue of protection of Christian populations in the region and especially in Lebanon and Syria was examined.
Mr. Dendias expressed his disgust and his sincere condolences for the death of the Greek Orthodox believers in the Holy Temple of Prophet Eliasas well as Greece’s interest in the Patriarchate and its flock. In addition, the course of the Greek learning program was discussed at university Balamand.
The meeting also attended the Greek Ambassador to Lebanon Despina Koukoulopoulouthe president of the University of Balamand Dr. Elias L. Warrak and the abbot of the Balamand Monastery Mr. George.
At the end of his visit to the Patriarchate of Antioch, the Minister of National Defense said:
“It is a great honor to be here today to meet His Beatitude Patriarch John. But I must say, after my regret, that the juncture of my visit coincides with the tragic events taking place in Syria and the wider region.
Let me express my deep condolences to the Patriarchate and the Christian community for the violent and unfair murder of the Greek Orthodox faithful in the Holy Temple of Prophet Elias, which happened on the same day dedicated to the memory of the Saints of Antioch.
There are no words that can describe the pain and sadness that these attacks have caused. And my presence here, as a Greek Minister of National Defense, is a strong reminder of Greece’s interest in the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Greek Orthodox community in Syria.
Let me say that the protection of Christianity is our priority and our ultimate goal is to maintain the Greek Orthodox tradition. For this reason we support the mission of the Patriarchate of Antioch, which we consider a high symbol of a long and proud Christian tradition.
In addition, I would like to say that Greece will continue to support the Patriarchate on all international fora, including, of course, our family, the European Union.
At this point I feel the obligation and the duty to say a few words about the Theological School, the School of St. John of Damascus, at the University of Balamand in Lebanon.
We are of great interest, and I am very personal, in the Greek -speaking program at the University of Balamand, which began during my term as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic.
In conclusion, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Blessed Patriarch. Not only for his warm hospitality but also for his spiritual guidance in these difficult times.
Thank you very much”.
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