LAST UPADATE: 23:40
Archbishop Elpidophoros of America had a previously unscheduled meeting, late yesterday evening, with the President of the Republic of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Manhattan’s Cipriani Hotel.
President Erdogan was accompanied by his close advisor Ömer Çelik, former Minister of European Affairs.
The meeting was cordial and the discussion revolved around issues of minorities in Greece and Turkey, the need of restoration of the Orphanage on the Island of Prinkipos (Buyukada) and the prospects of reopening the Theological School of Halki.
Archbishop Elpidophoros emphasized all issues concerning the total protection of religious freedom and human rights in general.
After being briefed on the activities and accomplishments of the Holy Archdiocese, President Erdogan invited Archbishop to visit him during his next visit to Turkey.
President Erdogan requested a meeting with the Archbishop of America. So, the Archbishop went to the hotel, where the Turkish President was staying, and they held a special meeting.
The Archbishop held an informal meeting with the Greek Prime Minister whom the Archbishop called yesterday a “promising prime minister” saying that “you are young and you have the courage and Greek people expect so much from you because you can make Greece move forward.”
“The Greek diaspora was and will always support Greece,” said the Archbishop. Kyriakos Mitsotakis will formally visit today the headquarters of the Archdiocese of America and will hold a meeting with Archbishop Elpidophoros.
Source: goarch.org