Patriarchal Auxiliary Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești received Ioannis Loverdos, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, at the Palace of the Patriarchate in Bucharest on Thursday, 22 October 2026.
Her Excellency Evangelia Grammatika, Ambassador of Greece to Romania, and Eleni Kyriakopoulou, Director of the Deputy Minister’s Diplomatic Office, also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the participants highlighted the longstanding historical and spiritual relations between the Romanian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church of Greece, as well as the traditional bonds of friendship between Romania and the Hellenic Republic.
They welcomed the existing cooperation in the cultural, educational and religious fields, emphasising the importance of promoting Christian values and dialogue in a Europe facing numerous challenges.
During the discussions, Bishop Varlaam of Ploiești recalled the many spiritual ties between the two peoples, strengthened by pilgrimages undertaken by Romanian believers to major monastic centres and holy sites in Greece, particularly Mount Athos.
The participants also noted that many Romanian theologians and clergy have studied, and continue to pursue theological studies, in Greece, contributing to stronger academic and ecclesiastical relations between the two countries.
During the meeting, Ioannis Loverdos expressed concern about the difficult situation facing Christian communities in the Middle East.
Both interlocutors emphasised the need to protect religious freedom, Christian heritage, and these communities’ historic presence in the region.
At the end of the meeting, the Greek delegation toured the Palace of the Patriarchate, gaining insight into the historical, cultural, and spiritual significance of this important building, which represents the Romanian Orthodox Church.
Department for Christian and Interreligious Relations and Romanian Communities Abroad
