After attending the Divine Liturgy at the newly constructed Church of Saint Ananias, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Headquarters of the Regional Unit of Laconia. He had an initial meeting with Deputy Regional Governor Theodoros Veroutis in his office, where symbolic gifts were exchanged to emphasize mutual respect and collaboration.
The highlight of the day was the Ceremony of the Proclamation of the Ecumenical Patriarch as an Honorary Citizen of the Municipality of Sparta, which took place in a crowded venue hall. Mayor of Sparta, Michael Vakalopoulos, welcomed the Patriarch and expressed gratitude for his visit and acceptance of the honorary title bestowed upon him by the Municipal Council.
Mayor Vakalopoulos praised the Patriarch as a “spiritual beacon” and highlighted his virtuous life and contributions as the leader of Orthodoxy, noting the impact of his actions locally and globally.
President of the Municipal Council, Stefanos Vrettakos, spoke highly of the Patriarch’s activities, accompanied by an audiovisual presentation showcasing his spiritual contributions. The Mayor then officially named the Patriarch an Honorary Citizen of Sparta, presenting him with a plaque and symbolic gifts. In return, the Patriarch offered gifts to show his appreciation for the people of Sparta.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch expressed gratitude for the honor and reflected on the historical and spiritual heritage of Lacedaemonia, stating, “Sparta transcends nations and borders; it is a symbol of the Doric spirit, austerity, and strength. In this sense, both as Christians and as people, we must be Spartans.”
The Patriarch promised to keep a close eye on developments in the Municipality of Sparta and assured the citizens that they would remain in his prayers and heart.
The ceremony ended with a moving performance by the traditional choir of the School of Byzantine Music “Peter the Lacedaemonian” of the Holy Metropolis of Monemvasia and Sparta, led by Professor Nikolaos Taprantzis.
The event was enriched by songs that paid tribute to the Patriarch, adding a deep cultural and spiritual significance to the occasion. The images below capture the essence of the celebration. Please rewrite the following sentence: “The teacher instructed the students to complete their homework by the end of the week.”
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