Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești received an official delegation from Greece on Tuesday at the Patriarchal Palace in Bucharest during a meeting focused on dialogue and strengthening relations between the two countries.
The delegation was led by Deputy Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Gioulekas and included representatives of academia, local administration, professional associations and the business community from northern Greece. The delegation was accompanied by Her Excellency Evangelia Lili Grammatika, Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Romania.
The Greek official said the visit had a significant spiritual dimension.
“We came here with all those who were able and wished to come in order to receive a blessing from His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel of Romania,” he said.
Although the Patriarch’s schedule did not allow for a direct meeting, Gioulekas noted that the discussions with Bishop Varlaam were particularly valuable.
Romanian presence on Mount Athos
The meeting also addressed issues related to Mount Athos and the Romanian presence on the Athonite peninsula.
“We also discussed matters concerning the Holy Mountain and the Romanian sketes located there, and we were pleased to learn more about the Romanian Orthodox Church from His Grace,” the Greek official said.
At the conclusion of the visit, Konstantinos Gioulekas highlighted the close friendship between the Romanian and Greek peoples and referred to the growing number of Romanian pilgrims visiting Greece.
“For us, the friendship between Romanians and Greeks is a beautiful image, as are the pilgrimages organised by Romanians who come to visit our churches. It is also moving to see Romanian women faithful who come to venerate in our churches,” he said.
Photo: Basilica.ro / Raluca-Emanuela Ene
