23-06-25 Greece and Ukraine Strengthen Their Cooperation on Religious and Educational Issues

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the historic Metropolitan’s House located within the emblematic complex of Saint Sophia in Kyiv, the Secretary General for Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. George Kalantzis, signed a Memorandum of Cooperation and Mutual Understanding with the Head of the Ukrainian Service for Ethnic Policy and Freedom of Conscience, Mr. Viktor Yelensky,

The two governments, taking into account:

• that the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is the Center of the Eastern Orthodox Church of Christ and holds a unique role in Orthodoxy as the Mother Church,
• the centuries-old relations between the Greek and Ukrainian peoples, and
• Ukraine’s expressed desire to further develop cultural, educational, and religious cooperation with the Hellenic Republic,

have decided to deepen their collaboration in the following areas:

• Academic exchanges of students and professors in theology and the humanities.
• Provision of Modern Greek language courses and enrichment of Ukrainian theological libraries with contemporary Greek scholarship.
• Institutional partnerships with Theological Schools and Academies in Greece, including joint conferences, summer schools, and other activities.
• Specialized pastoral training programs for clergy serving in hospitals and the armed forces.
• Specialized pastoral seminars for clergy supporting those affected by the ongoing conflict.

During the signing of the Memorandum, Mr. Yelensky, emphasized that this marks a new and valuable impetus for the development of Theology in Ukraine at a time when people are increasingly turning to religion for answers to existential questions that other sciences cannot address. He stressed the importance of dialogue about how faith is experienced in the 21st century and how the Church responds to this need—especially in a time of war. He warmly thanked the Secretary General for Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic for his decision to travel to Kyiv for the signing of the Memorandum.

Mr. Kalantzis, referred to the special spiritual bond between Greeks and Ukrainians, founded in Orthodoxy, and stated that the high moral stance of the Ukrainian people—bravely defending their independence and freedom—serves as an example for the entire world, and particularly for smaller nations facing unjustified aggression from more populous neighboring countries. He also noted that the Memorandum was signed in Kyiv as a minimal yet meaningful gesture of respect and a tangible expression of Greece’s solidarity. Finally, he expressed his hope that peace will soon prevail so that Ukraine may thrive within its internationally recognized borders as a modern European democracy.

The signing ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the Hellenic Republic to Ukraine, Mr. Pantelis–Alexandros Dimitrakopoulos, the Deputy Head of the Greek Embassy, Mr. Manolis Androulakis, representatives of the Greek community in Ukraine, and representatives of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine.

Following the signing, the Greek delegation and Mr. Yelensky visited His Beatitude Metropolitan Epiphaniy of Kyiv, Primate of the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, at the Holy Monastery of St. Michael.

His Beatitude warmly welcomed the Greek delegation, stating that he received them at the “spiritual center of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine, a place of honor and remembrance for the modern heroes of the Ukrainian nation.” He emphasized that, despite the difficult struggle, the Ukrainian people rightfully seek victory, drawing strength from their unwavering faith, the bravery of their defenders, and the support of friends and international partners.

“We express our sincere gratitude for the solidarity and support of Greece,” the Primate of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine said. “We are especially grateful to His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the historic decision to grant the Tomos of Autocephaly. It was a prophetic decision, as the Church plays a pivotal role during wartime in offering spiritual and moral strength to the people. We also warmly thank the Church of Greece, which supported this wise and visionary decision.”

In his response, Mr. Kalantzis, highlighted the unique role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in Christianity and especially in Orthodoxy, noting that Greece officially recognizes it in its Constitution. He affirmed that the Autocephalous Orthodox Church of Ukraine, as the spiritual mother of the Ukrainian people, supports them effectively and sacrificially in their just struggle for freedom and dignity.

The Greek delegation concluded its visit with a tour of the Patriarchal Stavropegial Church of Saint Andrew and a working meeting with His Grace Bishop Michael of Komana, Patriarchal Exarch in Ukraine.

26-06-25 Visit of the Secretary General for Religious Affairs to the Patriarchate of Antioch – 26 June 2025

On Thursday, 26 June 2025, the Secretary General for Religious Affairs, Mr. George Kalantzis, representing the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports o the Hellenic Republic, visited His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch at the seat of the Patriarchate in Damascus.
Present at the meeting were the Ambassador of Greece to Syria, Mr. E. Kakavelakis; His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Laodicea; His Eminence Metropolitan Ephraim of Beroea and Alexandretta (Aleppo); the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Antioch, His Grace Bishop Romanos of Seleucia; and Archimandrite Meletios Shattahi, Director of GOPA–DERD (Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and All the East – Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development).

The Secretary General conveyed the sincere condolences of the Government of Greece and, personally, of Prime Minister Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports Mrs. Sofia Zacharaki, as well as of His Beatitude Archbishop Ieronymos II of Athens and All Greece and of the Greek people, for the victims of the terrorist attack of 22 June 2025 at the Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus. The Secretary General emphasized that “the protection of religious freedom for all is the responsibility of the Syrian Government and, at the same time, a vital prerequisite for Syria’s prosperity, stability, and progress. Twenty-three of our fellow human beings were murdered simply because they were Orthodox Christians who wished to pray to Jesus Christ in the Church of the Prophet Elias on the day the Patriarchate of Antioch commemorates the Saints of Antioch. They were killed as martyrs of the faith they had freely chosen. Orthodox Christians in Syria, as in the broader Middle East, are neither strangers nor guests. They have always been present in the region and form the largest Christian community, with a significant contribution to the development and progress of the countries in which they live. Without Orthodox Christians, the Middle East would lose its identity. The terrorists—and those who guide them—must not and will not succeed in their goals.”

His Beatitude Patriarch John X warmly welcomed the Secretary General and the Ambassador and expressed his deep gratitude for the immediate support expressed by the Government of Greece, the Greek people, and the Church of Greece. He stressed the significance of Greece sending an official representative to Damascus to express condolences in person and highlighted the enduring bonds uniting Greece and the Patriarchate of Antioch.

The Secretary General and the Ambassador, accompanied by the Patriarchal Vicar, visited Saint Louis Hospital, where victims of the terrorist attack are being treated. They were received by Dr. Riad Abdel Massih, Director of the Hospital; Dr. Maher Ammari, Board Member of the Holy Cross; and Dr. Fadi Al Hareth, Board Member of both the Holy Cross and the Medical Support Fund of Saints Cosmas and Damian.

The Secretary General for Religious Affairs, Mr. Kalantzis, listened to the testimonies of the injured, spoke with them, and, after warmly thanking the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul as well as the hospital’s medical staff for their care, informed them that the Government of Greece stands ready to cover the transportation and hospitalization costs in Greece for any injured person in need, as well as to contribute to the restoration of the Church of the Prophet Elias, the site of martyrdom of the 23 Orthodox Christians.

15-06-23 Statement by the Secretary General George Kalantzis on the incident at a Mosque in Xanthi

The disrespectful acts, which took place in a Mosque in the wider region of Xanthi, are absolutely condemnable without asterisks. They cause great sadness to all of us, but at the same time, they steel our will to continue on the same path of absolute respect for the religious freedom of our Muslim fellow citizens of Thrace, which is nevertheless guaranteed by the Constitution of Greece. Many congratulations are due to the Hellenic Police which intervened immediately, arrested the foreign perpetrator in the act and is already following the procedure of the law. Respect for the places of worship of any religious community is a non-negotiable value for Greece.

11-02-2019 Ceremony to bestow the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” and adoption of the working definition of anti-Semitism

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