Meeting of S. Zacharakis with the Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine, Mr Theophilos III

The ways and timelines for the implementation of the initiatives of the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports to support the Patriarchate of Jerusalem were discussed during the meeting between Minister Sophia Zacharaki and Patriarch of Jerusalem and All Palestine Mr.Theophilos III, yesterday.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the main topics of the meeting were: (a) the bill on the Clergy of the Homogeny, which is the first attempt to institutionalize a system of support for the Presbyterian Patriarchates in order to preserve their Greek Orthodox identity and ensure their perspective, b) the development of partnerships between the Ministry of National Defence and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem for the support of the International Orthodox University of the Place of Baptism (Jordan) and the reopening of the Theological School of the Holy Cross (Jerusalem), c) the necessary institutional changes for the strengthening of the Ecclesiastical School of Zion; d) the support of the Patriarchate’s schools operating in Jordan, and in particular the teaching of the Greek language; and e) the exploration of deepening the cooperation between the Ministry of National Defence, the Church of Greece and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem on issues of ecclesiastical education and the hosting of students from Israel and Jordan in Greece.

During the meeting, in the presence of the Consul General of Greece in Jerusalem Dimitrios Angelosopoulos, Ms. Zacharaki assured the Patriarch of Jerusalem that every wish of the Patriarchate will be listened to by the ministry, as the strengthening of the Patriarchates is a necessary condition for ensuring the existence of all Christians and especially the Orthodox Christians in the East.

Sophia Zacharaki reiterated that she is always at the disposal of the Presbyterian Patriarchates for any action and work that ensures their future and their Greek Orthodox character, because the four Patriarchates have the historical privilege, but also the heavy responsibility, to guard the integrity of the doctrine and guarantee the unity of the Orthodox World.

Finally, the Minister stressed that especially now that Christians are facing unprecedented difficulties and challenges, the unity of the four Old Patriarchates is more valuable than ever and therefore close cooperation of all of them with the primitive Great Patriarchate of Christ, the Church of Constantinople, is essential.