The square of Saint Nektarios in Preveza is now named “Square of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I.”
Yesterday afternoon, the Municipal Authority unveiled the plaque bearing the name of the Ecumenical Patriarch to the sounds of the Philharmonic “Orpheus,” in the presence of the leader of Orthodoxy, local authorities, organizations, and citizens attending the ceremony.
The Mayor of Preveza described the Patriarch’s presence as the highest honor for Preveza, emphasizing that this square will forever remind everyone of the bond between the Ecumenical Patriarch and Preveza.
The President of the Municipal Council, Dimitra Aidoni, read the unanimous decision of the Council to name the square of Saint Nektarios.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his gratitude to the organizers for the reception and spoke about the struggle of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople to preserve religious monuments, expressing his wish that the square will forever remind the people of Preveza of the effort to safeguard our religious heritage.
Afterwards, to commemorate his visit, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew planted an olive tree in the courtyard of the Church as a symbol of blessing and peace.
Following this, a special concert took place at the Ancient Theatre of Nicopolis in honor of the leader of Orthodoxy. It is worth noting that the event was coordinated by journalist Athena Pappa.
In his speech, the Mayor of Preveza N. Georgakos praised the struggle of the Ecumenical Patriarch and spoke about the significant role of the Patriarchal Throne. He then presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with an icon of Saint Nicholas.
The President of the Medical Association of Preveza, Dimitris Soumalevris, welcomed the Patriarch, highlighting, among other things, his efforts to spread Orthodoxy and his struggle to protect the environment and address related issues.
On behalf of the Medical Association, Mr. Soumalevris presented the Ecumenical Patriarch with an Engolpion depicting the Holy Theotokos holding the Divine Infant and a book on the history of the Medical Association of Preveza.
In his response, the Ecumenical Patriarch thanked them for the gifts and referred, among other things, to the Apostle of the Nations, Paul, and to one of Greece’s most important wetlands, the Ambracian Gulf, the Early Christian Basilicas in the region, and the ongoing effort to include Nicopolis in UNESCO.
Finally, it should be noted that today, the program of the Ecumenical Patriarch’s visit is as follows:
Source: topikifoni.gr
