Greek Culture Minister visits Patriarch

According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Ministry of Culture, Mendoni briefed the Ecumenical Patriarch on the progress of restoration and enhancement projects currently being implemented by the Ministry of Culture at significant Christian monuments throughout Greece.

She also informed him of the positive outcomes of the Forum held in Cappadocia, as well as of the protection and conservation works currently being carried out at monuments and archaeological sites in the region by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

As noted in the Ministry’s statement, the Ecumenical Patriarch has long demonstrated a particular interest in the rock-cut monasteries and churches of Cappadocia, which he visits whenever the opportunity arises.

Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Culture for the conservation of the carved wooden iconostasis and the twelve devotional icon stands of the Patriarchal Church of St George in the Phanar, a project that was recently completed by the European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments.