The mayors of Istanbul and Athens, Ekrem İmamoğlu and Kostas Bakoyannis, paid a visit to the Phanar on the morning of Friday, March 19.
This is the first time the mayors of the two cities have met, and it is their first joint visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate. There, they were welcomed by Mr. Patriarch welcoming them warmly. «Our Patriarchate has always felt that it is a bridge between the two sides. »It is a bridge of peace, friendship, and solidarity for the happiness of the residents of both cities and both countries.".
The mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakogiannis, stated that their joint presence at the Economic... Patriarchate sends a strong message «Our joint presence here sends a strong message and has many symbols. The seat of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is non-negotiable. »The Ecumenical Patriarchate is an ark of love and hope for all. “The Ecumenical Patriarchate builds bridges and tears down walls,” Mr. Bakogiannis stated emphatically.
The mayor Istanbul He said it was a great honor for him to host his friend—as he called him—Kostas, in Istanbul.
«I also have the great honor of starting my day in the presence of the Patriarch. Today, God willing, we will have a wonderful day—the Athens and Istanbul. I believe that together we will be able to fulfill this historic responsibility and build a beautiful bridge of peace between Athens and Istanbul, filled with warm feelings. It is a great satisfaction an ancient city like Istanbul to coexist historically with Athens—a coexistence that has lasted for millennia. I hope that in the future, building on the relationship between Athens and Istanbul, relations between the two will also be good. countries »and of both peoples.".
