The President of ERT, Greece’s state-owned public broadcaster, Yiannis Papadopoulos, had a meeting with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew at the seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar. The meeting, which lasted over 30 minutes, was characterized by a positive and constructive atmosphere.
The Ecumenical Patriarch expressed heartfelt gratitude to ERT for its long-standing support and dedication to promoting the Patriarchate’s message. He acknowledged the broadcaster’s role in connecting Orthodox faithful in Greece and around the world to the liturgical life of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, helping them maintain their spiritual ties with the center of Orthodoxy.
In response, Yiannis Papadopoulos highlighted ERT’s recognition of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as a “beacon of Orthodoxy” and praised Patriarch Bartholomew’s remarkable contributions throughout his decades of ministry. Papadopoulos assured the Patriarch that ERT remains committed to supporting and showcasing the Patriarchate’s work.
Papadopoulos also shared ERT’s plans to contribute to the upcoming celebrations marking the 1,700th anniversary of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea. The national symphony orchestra of ERT is set to participate in the spring anniversary events, and an exhibition of historical audiovisual material from ERT’s archives will document the journey of the Ecumenical Patriarchate over the centuries.
Before concluding his visit, the ERT President toured the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where he learned about its rich history and venerated its sacred relics.
This meeting underscores the ongoing collaboration between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and ERT, as both institutions aim to strengthen the spiritual and cultural heritage of Orthodoxy for future generations.
Photo credit: Nikos Papachristou / Source: ANA-MPA / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas