Patriarch John X highlights historic ties between Antioch and Greece

Patriarch John X emphasized the deep historical relationship between the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch and Greece, both at the governmental and popular level, during a meeting held on May 25, 2026, at the Patriarchal headquarters in Balamand, Lebanon.

The Patriarch received Georgios Kalantzis, Secretary General for Religious Affairs at the Greek Ministry of Education, in the presence of Despina Koukoulopoulou and Archimandrite Jacob Khalil, Dean of the Saint John of Damascus Institute of Theology at the University of Balamand.

During the meeting, Patriarch John X stated: “We value the historic relationship that unites the Antiochian Church with Greece, both government and people.”

The discussions focused on the longstanding ties between the Church of Antioch and Greece, as well as on current developments affecting the wider region. The meeting also included an exchange of views on ecclesiastical and regional matters amid ongoing challenges in the Middle East.