On his two-day visit to Lebanon, President of the Hellenic Republic Prokopis Pavlopoulos travelled to Balamand, where he met with Patriarch John X of Antioch, who awarded him the “Order of Apostles Peter and Paul.”
Pavlopoulos reminded that Antioch, during its centuries-old history, became an emblematic center of Greek civilization, adding that the Apostolic Throne of Antioch continues this invaluable tradition, by concentrating on the tradition of the philosophy of Hellenistic Times, the top Fathers of the Church and the great Hymnographers of Orthodoxy.
“On behalf of the Greek State and the Greek people, I have to publicly acknowledge to you that, as a formidable helmsman of the celebrated Patriarchate of Antioch, you are defending – and at the same time, assisting decisively the work of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople- the above tradition, in full respect. Under these circumstances, you are competently preserving, with the Hierarchy and the Holy Clergy, in the midst of unfortunate circumstances, the evidence of the historicity of the Apostles,” said Pavlopoulos.
“I am fully aware of the great honour that you are doing me, by decorating me with the Order of Apostles Peter and Paul. Be sure that I will do my best to make myself worthy of this great honour,” concluded the President of the Hellenic Republic.
Source: ANA-MPA