Prominent figures from Greece’s political, economic, and social life privately visited Imbros on Saturday, at the initiative of Archon ProtoMaistor George Prokopiou, shipowner and Vice President of the Brotherhood of Offikialion of the Ecumenical Patriarchate “Panagia Pammakaristos.”
According to the official announcement, the delegation included former Greek Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism of Malta Ian Borg, former Minister Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, and academic and former Deputy Minister Ioannis Valinakis.
The group attended the Divine Liturgy at the Metropolitan Church of Panagia in the island’s capital. His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew prayed alongside Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, warmly welcoming the distinguished guests at the conclusion of the service.
The visitors then toured the nearby Metropolitan residence before traveling to the Patriarch’s birthplace, the village of Agioi Theodoroi. There, Patriarch Bartholomew personally guided them through the stone-built village, including the small “Patriarch Bartholomew” Museum dedicated to his life and ministry, his family home, and the local café once run by his late father. The group also visited the Church of St George, the community cemetery, and the village’s primary school, which is set to undergo full restoration funded by Archon Prokopiou.
Later in the afternoon, Prokopiou and his wife, Alexandra, hosted a luncheon in honor of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
More photos below:
