During an event held on Saturday, February 15, at the Galata Greek School, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed the interest of the Mother Church in the Greek Diaspora, who have settled in Constantinople in recent years.
“The Ecumenical Patriarch is by your side and has the same aspirations and concerns with you about our future at this historic centre of the Orthodox world. We are all very proud, as we carry on and follow our traditions, which belong to our great spiritual inheritance,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch. He further pointed out, “We are sure that you all can and must contribute to the efforts of the Greek Diaspora that opens a future way forward. No one will be left out. The city of Constantinople, as well as our presence in it, must be our major concern. Our love for Constantinople and our traditions will give us the strength we need to contribute and to participate in this common effort. If you do not fight for our interests, who else will do it? ”
The Ecumenical Patriarch urged everyone to work together in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity: “The problems remain unsolved if we sweep them under the carpet. Long-standing problems become even more difficult as time goes by,” he said.
