Romanian Patriarch Daniel discusses religious tourism with Thessaloniki mayor

Patriarch Daniel of Romania met Thessaloniki Mayor Stelios Angeloudis at the Patriarchate in Bucharest on Thursday morning, with discussions focusing on the development of religious tourism between Romania and northern Greece.

Angeloudis is visiting the Romanian capital as part of efforts to promote Thessaloniki as a tourist destination and to launch the “Destination Thessaloniki” initiative.

Following the meeting, the mayor described his discussion with Patriarch Daniel as “thorough and very substantive,” highlighting the opportunities for organized pilgrimages by Romanian faithful to Thessaloniki.

Angeloudis noted that Romanian visitors could discover Thessaloniki’s numerous Byzantine monuments and churches, while male pilgrims could combine their stay with a visit to Mount Athos.

“The Patriarch of Romania expressed his willingness to support and strengthen the flow of Romanian citizens to Thessaloniki for religious tourism, and we thank him very much,” Angeloudis told reporters following the meeting.

The Thessaloniki mayor was accompanied by Greek Ambassador to Romania Lili Grammatika; Deputy Mayor for Culture, Tourism Development and Intermunicipal Cooperation…