Greek Christians Honor Pope Francis in Athens, Thessaloniki Memorials

08:05 26/4/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek Catholics and Orthodox Christians gathered in Athens and Thessaloniki to pay tribute to Pope Francis during memorial services held in his honor.

InAthens, the service took place Friday evening at Saint DionysiusCatholic Church, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

TheCatholic Archdiocese of Athens said in a statement that the Pope's“entire life

was dedicated to the service of the Lord and HisChurch.

Hetaught us to live the values of the Gospel with faith, courage, anduniversal love, especially for the poor and marginalized.”

TheGreek government was represented by Minister of Education andReligious Affairs Sofia Zacharaki, Defense Minister Nikos Dendias,and Secretary General for Religious Affairs Giorgos Kalantzis.

Alsoattending were former President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Syriza partyleader Sokratis Famellos, former Pasok leader Evangelos Venizelos,Pavlos Christidis of Pasok-KINAL, and former deputy minister formigration Sofia Voultepsi.

Representingthe Orthodox Church was Metropolitan Gabriel of Nea Ionia,Filadelfia, Iraklio, and Chalkidona, along with envoys from thePatriarchates of Alexandria and Jerusalem, and other Christiandenominations including Armenians, Anglicans, and Evangelicals, aswell as a representative of the Islamic Mosque of Athens.

InThessaloniki, a similar service was held at the Cathedral of theImmaculate Conception on Fragkon Street. Faithful of all ages leftflowers by the pope’s photo and signed a condolence book that hadbeen open since Tuesday.

ArchbishopGeorgios, Metropolitan of Corfu, Zakynthos, and Kefalonia andApostolic Administrator of the Thessaloniki Vicariate, praised thecity’s historic role as a crossroads of cultures, values championedby Pope Francis.

“Macedonia,with its rich heritage, has always been a bridge between peoples andtraditions — just as Pope Francis was a bridge of dialogue andreconciliation in our time,” said Mr. Georgios.

ThePope’s commitment to ecumenical dialogue, especially with theOrthodox Church, was highlighted. His historic meetings withEcumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and other Orthodox leaders werenoted as important steps toward Christian unity.

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Greek Christians Honor Pope Francis,Athens Thessaloniki Memorials