Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis welcomed Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem to the Maximos Mansion today.
During the meeting, they discussed cooperation between the Greek State and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, developments regarding the status quo of the Holy Sites, including issues related to the protection of the Patriarchate’s historical rights and ancient privileges.
Particular emphasis was placed on the security situation in the Middle East, in light of the recent escalation of tensions in the region, as well as on the challenges faced by Christian communities.
The Prime Minister reiterated Greece’s longstanding commitment to supporting the Christian presence, and specifically that of Orthodox Christians—who constitute the oldest Christian community in the Holy Land and the broader Middle East— as well as its steadfast commitment to the protection of religious freedom and freedom of worship.
The visit of the Patriarch of Jerusalem is part of the close and ongoing cooperation between the Greek State and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and follows the repeated visits of the Prime Minister and members of the government to the Holy Holy Sites.
At the start of the meeting, the Prime Minister and Patriarch Theophilos III had the following exchange:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “I am very pleased to welcome you, Your Beatitude, to Athens, following the visit I paid to you in Jerusalem.
You are visiting us during extremely turbulent times for the broader Middle East region, which is why I consider the timing of our meeting to be exceptionally important.
I always recall that the flag of the Patriarchate bears the two Greek letters “Φ” and “Τ,” “guardians of the tomb,” a symbol that signifies the historicity of the Greek people, but also the great importance that the Greek State attaches to close cooperation with the Patriarchate of Jerusalem and, of course, the role played by all four ancient Patriarchates —with the Great Church of Constantinople, of course, taking precedence—for the unity of the Greek Orthodox world.
I know that you, like me, care deeply about preserving the special status quo of the Holy Land, just as we care about the protection of all Orthodox Christian populations in the Middle East, who are also being tested by this very great geopolitical turmoil that many of us are called upon to manage.
I am very interested in hearing your thoughts, as well as your assessment of the extremely important meeting you had with President Trump, who also attaches great importance to these issues.
Finally, I would like to express my satisfaction, Your Beatitude, regarding the significant agreement you signed with the Ministry of Culture, which demonstrates in practice the Greek State’s commitment to protecting your relics and this priceless cultural treasure that you manage—a treasure that must be safeguarded, preserved, and handed down to future generations intact.
Once again, then, I welcome you to Athens and wish you strength in your difficult tasks during this turbulent era we are called upon to face.”
Patriarch Theophilos III: “We thank you warmly, Mr. Prime Minister, for the interest you have shown in so many and varied ways. We are particularly pleased with this meeting, which is of special significance, not only for the Patriarchate’s relations with our beloved homeland, but also for the region in which we live and operate, for the Holy Land and especially for Jerusalem, which is the focal point of the entire world.
The Patriarchate of Jerusalem is, in essence, the embodiment of the sacred history of Jerusalem. And of course, the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which is inextricably linked—or rather, is an integral part—of the pious Roman people, who were granted this great honor by Divine Providence to restore the Holy Sepulcher.
And as you know, at the Holy Sepulchre there is an inscription that reads: “Those who raised me up,” the royal and imperial race of the Romans.
We are particularly pleased by the interest you have shown, as well as by the time you have set aside for this meeting.
And, as you said, we are pleased because we see that there is interest on the part of the Greek State and on your part personally in the presence and safeguarding of Christians there.
This is an issue of great concern to both the State Department and President Trump himself, who, during our discussion, at the meeting, referred to this issue—the preservation of the status of Jerusalem, meaning both the pilgrimage status and the presence of Christians in the Middle East.
We had a very good meeting. We also convey to you the greetings of President Trump, who, I believe, is willing to visit Greece as well during an upcoming visit to this region.
Finally, we would like to thank you for this memorandum, which we signed with Ms. Mendoni. It is indeed a historic moment for the Patriarchate and, as you said, this demonstrates in practice the Patriarchate’s relationship with Greece, which has been and remains the nurturing mother of all clergy serving in the diaspora, and especially within the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
Thank you very much once again, and we convey to you the blessings of the Holy City of Jerusalem as well as those of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre.”
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: “Thank you, Your Beatitude.”