On New Year’s Eve, in the evening, the Archbishop engaged in a phone conversation with the Ecumenical Patriarch, where they exchanged wishes. Both expressed the hope that in 2024, much-desired peace would prevail in our world troubled by wars and conflicts.

Emphasizing the significance of cooperation and collaboration between the two Churches, the two church leaders highlighted the importance of self-evident mutual understanding. This, they noted, is vital for the ongoing strengthening of pan-Orthodox unity and the spiritual support of God’s people.

The president was welcomed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the President of the Parliament, Konstantinos Tasoulas, the newly-elected Regional Governor of Attiki, Nikos Hardalias, the newly-elected Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, and the Protosyncellus of the Holy Synod, Archimandrite Varnavas Theocharis.

In his New Year’s message, the Archbishop of Athens expressed his wish for a creative and peaceful new year, one that guides us out of pitfalls and difficulties. The Archbishop stressed that the unique, the strongest, the most beautiful motto of this day and of the days to come, “let us all forget, either significant or trivial issues, what divides us, and choose to live and fight for all that unites us, which is abundant.”

Finally, he extended his wishes for a happy and bright New Year.

Ministers of the government, leaders and representatives of the parties, the heads of the armed forces and security forces, the president of the Supreme Civil and Criminal Court, the president of the Court of Auditors were present.

Following the Doxology, Archbishop Ieronymos proceeded to the Presidential Palace to extend his wishes for a happy New Year to the president.

Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos

The Representative of the Office of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Athens, Metropolitan Theodoritos of Laodicea, the Representative of the Patriarchate of Alexandria in Athens, Metropolitan Georgios of Guinea, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens, Archimandrite Raphael, many Metropolitans of the Church of Greece, the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, Archimandrite Ioannis Karamouzis, the Protosyncellus of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, Archimandrite Varnavas Theocharis, the secretaries of the Synodal Committees, clergy and lay employees of the Administrative Services of the Church were among the attendees.

In his speech, the Archbishop of Athens said: “In this gathering, as we mark the start of the new year, our hearts are heavy with the national sorrow over the tragic events of recent days. Our prayers and deepest condolences are with the affected families, seeking solace and comfort for their immense loss. May God grant our nation and its people love, resilience, good health, fortitude, unity, and enlightenment. It is our collective wish that each individual among us may play a part in advancing the endeavors of the Church for the betterment of all.”

Subsequently, the clergy and lay employees of the offices of the Holy Synod wished the Archbishop all the best.

The event drew the attendance of esteemed figures including hierarchs, ministers, deputies, regional governors, mayors, representatives from the Armed Forces and Security Forces, heads of Archdiocese services and institutions, along with clergy and laity. The gathering was warmly welcomed by Archimandrite Varnavas Theocharis, the Protosyncellus of the Archdiocese.

Following the blessing of the Vasilopita, Archbishop Ieronymos recalled recent unfortunate incidents, extending support to the affected families. He reflected on the concept of time, delineating its divisions into the past, present, and future. Emphasizing the essence of the present moment, he stressed the inability to alter the past and the unpredictability of the future. The present, therefore, holds significant importance, calling for collective progress through unity and collaboration.

“The Church and the State share a common mandate: to forget past divisions, focusing instead on shared values that unify us. Together, we must forge ahead toward our collective aspirations,” emphasized the Archbishop, extending his heartfelt wishes for the new year. He expressed hope in harnessing the opportunities the forthcoming year presents.

Photo credit: Christos Bonis / Article translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas

Clarifying that it does not disagree with civil marriage between individuals of the same sex, as it emphasizes that civil marriage, in general, is indifferent to the sex of couples and is something that does not concern Orthodox Christian tradition, it highlights its disagreement on two issues.

Specifically, it “disagrees with same-sex parenting because it does not satisfy the rights of children to have both a father and a mother, and secondly, it disagrees with same-sex marriage because it leads to same-sex parenting (the extension of marriage to same-sex couples is not legally permissible, excluding them from the right to adoption that currently applies to married couples).”

The Church of Greece further emphasizes that children should not be used as a tool of activist pressure. It states, “Children are neither pets for anyone who wants to feel like a guardian, nor “accessories” that will legitimize or make socially acceptable a same-sex cohabitation.”

It sends a message to the government, underscoring that “the democratic state is not obliged to yield to the personal demands of individuals with political power, economic influence, or privileged access to the media, who believe they are entitled to raise a child with their same-sex partner, overlooking the issue of whether their private life choices ensure an environment of standards and roles that satisfy the needs of a child.”

The Encyclical of the Holy Synod also highlights that “as explained by the European Court of Human Rights, concerning adoption, the state must provide a suitable family environment for a child to grow up in, rather than provide children to anyone who wants to become a parent. In the context of adoption, the priority is the best interest of the child who lacks parents or suitable parents, not the opinion of the adult who believes they are suitable as a parent.”

Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou

The Archbishop welcomed the Ambassador and her colleagues. During their discussions, they addressed issues of common interest.

Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia, Philadelphia, Heraklion, and Chalcedon, performed the Vespers service, joined by a multitude of clergy from Nea Ionia’s local Church and various Holy Metropolises. One century after the relics’ translation, they were placed in a new silver casket (called “larnaka”).

But before this momentous occasion, the Metropolitan offered a heartfelt prayer for the well-being of the devout donors among the clergy and the faithful of the Holy Metropolis. In his homily, he illuminated the life of Saint Eleftherios, an illustrious figure revered as a symbol of Christian liberty. He expressed the hope that the venerable relic of the Saint will be safeguarded within the Holy Metropolis. These relics, borne by refugees from Asia Minor, stand as a singular spiritual legacy, an invaluable heirloom for both the parish and the local Church of Nea Ionia.

He extended warm greetings to the Consul General, introducing him to the Byzantine city of Veria, often referred to as “small Jerusalem” due to its abundance of Byzantine and post-Byzantine churches. The Metropolitan expressed his hope that the founder of the local Church, Apostle Paul, would grant strength and guidance in the Consul’s endeavors. As a gesture of appreciation, he presented the Consul General with the book “Erateini Imathia” issued by the Holy Metropolis and other symbolic gifts.

Grateful for the hospitality, the Consul General reciprocated the warm welcome and engaged in a productive dialogue with the Metropolitan, discussing various current affairs and matters of mutual interest.

Along with Metropolitan Kyprianos, Metropolitan Damaskinos of Didymoteicho, Orestiada, and Soufli, Bishop Sionios of Veliki, abbot of the Stavropegial Monastery of Bačkovo, and Bishop Isaac of Belevousdi, second vicar of the Sofia province, also participated in the Vespers and the Divine Liturgy.

Both the address of Metropolitan Kyprianos and the response of Metropolitan Damaskinos stressed the need for the unity of the Ecclesiastical Body and the loving cooperation of the local Churches and especially those who serve in the same wider area of Thrace, such as those of the province of Stara Zagora and the province of Didymoteicho, Orestiada, and Soufli.

The Metropolitan of Didymoteicho, in memory of his visit, offered to the Metropolitan of Stara Zagora an icon of the Virgin Mary with the Amaranth Rose, a work of the hagiographer Sophia Papazoglou, to remind him of his birthplace, Kazanluk, in the valley of the Roses.