Greek Education Minister to visit Istanbul
Education and Religious Affairs Minister Sofia Zacharaki is paying her first official visit to Istanbul on Thursday. Zacharaki is expected to visit the Patriarch Bartholomew.
According to Kathimerini the visit of the Greek Education Minister is seen as significant from a symbolic and geopolitical perspective given the religious dynamics in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.
According to the same source, key topics on the agenda include the appointment of 600 clergy to Orthodox archdiocese around the world and support for the historic Monastery of Saint Catherine in Sinai.
A draft bill for the monastery is expected to be released soon, alongside finalized provisions for the clergy appointments.
The status of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, which was granted autocephaly by the Patriarchate in Istanbul in 2019 – prompting backlash from the Moscow Patriarchate – will also be discussed.
Zacharaki’s visit follows a recent meeting with Archbishop Ieronymos of Athens and precedes her upcoming trip to Albania for the enthronement of Archbishop John. The sequence of visits underscores her focus on Orthodox unity and religious diplomacy.
She will also meet with the patriarchs of Alexandria, Antioch and Jerusalem, in coordination with Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.
It is said that while in Istanbul, the Greek Minister of Education is planning also to meet with educators and parents from Greek diaspora schools.
