Greek opposition leader Nikos Androulakis attends Patriarch Bartholomew’s Cappadocia liturgy
The liturgy took place at the historic Saint Theodore Trion Church, also known locally as the Üzümlü Church, in the Derinkuyu district of Nevşehir. The ceremony drew approximately 100 Orthodox worshippers from both Türkiye and abroad and lasted nearly three hours.
Among those attending the service was Ioannis of Albania alongside numerous Orthodox clergy members.
Following the ceremony, Androulakis shared reflections on social media, emphasizing the enduring historical and cultural presence of Christianity in Cappadocia despite the passage of a century since the displacement of local Christian communities.
“These traces can still be seen in churches, abandoned villages, and streets that were once full of life,” Androulakis wrote, referring to areas such as Mustafapaşa, Nevşehir, and Derinkuyu. “This history remains alive.”
The Greek opposition leader thanked Patriarch Bartholomew for the opportunity to participate in the liturgy, describing the visit to Cappadocia as deeply symbolic.
“A part of Hellenism’s history exists here,” Androulakis stated. “Peoples who forget their history also lose their identity. Keeping these memories alive is a responsibility for all of us.”
During the service, passages from the Bible were read as worshippers gathered inside the centuries-old church, one of Cappadocia’s historically significant Christian sites carved into the region’s volcanic landscape.
After the liturgy, Patriarch Bartholomew thanked Türkiye’s Interior Ministry and local authorities for permitting the religious gathering. He also expressed confidence that international visitors traveling to Türkiye would leave with positive impressions of the country.
Marking the upcoming Islamic holiday of Eid al-Adha, the Patriarch extended wishes of health and well-being to Muslims.
Cappadocia, a UNESCO-recognized historical region in central Türkiye, remains an important destination for Orthodox Christian heritage tourism and interfaith cultural visits.
