Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis, arrived in Strasbourg on Saturday, January 25, 2025, after a few days of rest and reflection in Austria.
The visit was made at the official invitation of the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Theodoros Roussopoulos, to deliver a speech to the House on Monday, January 27.
Upon arrival at the airport, the Ecumenical Patriarch was greeted by Metropolitan Demetrios of France, representatives of the Holy Metropolis, Alexandra Mantzila from the Greek Embassy in Paris, and Nikolaos Sigalas, Ambassador of Greece’s Permanent Representation to the Council of Europe.
A luncheon was held in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch at noon, hosted by Ioannis Ktistakis, the Greek Judge of the European Court of Human Rights, along with members of the Court’s Presidium.
In the afternoon, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the City Hall of Bischwiller, where he was warmly welcomed by Mayor Jean Lucien Netzer. He participated in a tree-planting ceremony organized by the Municipality’s Interreligious Committee.
Subsequently, the Ecumenical Patriarch visited the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos, where he venerated and attended a short ceremony. He also addressed the audience and responded to remarks by Metropolitan Demetrios of France and the President of the Community, Nikolaos Avagiannos.
The day concluded with an official dinner hosted by Mayor Netzer in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Accompanying the Ecumenical Patriarch are Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon and Grand Ecclesiarch Aetios, Director of the Private Patriarchal Office. During the Patriarch’s absence, Elder Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi has been appointed locum tenens.