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Meeting of the Ecumenical Patriarch with the Mayor of Argitheatranslated

September 1, 2026 · 1 min read

A meeting of special symbolic and institutional importance was held in Constantinople by the Mayor of Argithea Mr. Andreas Stergiou, who was received by the Ecumenical Patriarch Mr. Bartholomew in Fanari. The visit is a special moment for the mountainous Argithea and is part of the fixed strategy of the Municipal Authority to strengthen extroversion, highlight the place at national and international level and create strong institutional "bridges" beyond the geographical boundaries of the Municipality. During the meeting, issues related to balanced regional development, the preservation of the historical and cultural identity of local societies, as well as the particular challenges faced by the mountainous regions of the country were discussed.

On the occasion of the activity of the "Pindos Network", as its President, Mr. Stergiou referred to the issues that concern the mountainous area as a whole, such as demographic shrinkage, accessibility, infrastructure, equal access to basic services, but also the need to create substantial development opportunities that will keep local communities "alive".

The environment had a special place in the discussion. Mr. Stergiou, in the capacity of...

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Paul Davis

Nice to see Mayor Stergiou bringing the real issues of mountain villages like Argithea straight to the Phanar. The bit about demographic shrinkage and keeping basic services accessible hits home – we lose another young family every year up there. Hope the Patriarch's support leads to something practical on the ground.

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ქეთევან ჯავახიშვილი

Καλά έκανε ο δήμαρχος Στεργίου που έφερε το θέμα της δημογραφικής συρρίκνωσης και των βασικών υπηρεσιών. Στα δικά μας ορεινά χωριά γύρω από τη Βατούμια κάθε χρόνο φεύγουν νέοι για δουλειά και μένουν μόνο οι γέροι. Ελπίζω να βγει κάτι χειροπιαστό από αυτή τη συνάντηση με τον Πατριάρχη Βαρθολομαίο, όχι μόνο λόγια.

Magdalena Zielińska

Dobrze, że burmistrz Stergiou mówił wprost o kurczeniu się ludności i dostępie do podstawowych usług w górach. U nas w Beskidach też co roku ubywa młodych, a zostaje coraz więcej starszych ludzi. Ciekawe, czy z tej rozmowy z Patriarchą coś konkretnego wyniknie dla takich wiosek jak Argithea.

Jakub Szymański

Yes, the same thing can be seen in the Beskid Mountains every year - young people leave for work, and older people are left alone with their homes. This is also the case here in the mountains near Krakow, although a little slower. I wonder if the Patriarch could somehow help with these practical matters, because for now it's mostly symbolism.

Aleksandra Kaczmarek

I agree, in our Beskidy Mountains, every year several houses stand empty after the youth leave. It's probably similar in Argithea, especially with the lack of roads and basic medical care. I wonder if the Patriarch mentioned anything about specific projects, and not just symbolism - because in our parish we always say that faith is to be combined with everyday help.