Patriarch Bartholomew arrived in Hungary on an official visit

Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople is on an official visit to Hungary, having arrived at Budapest International Airport. According to Fos Fanariou, the head of the Orthodox Church of Constantinople was greeted by Metropolitan Arsenius of Austria and Exarch of Hungary, as well as high-ranking government officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Anita Orbán.

The official delegation accompanying the head of the Phanar included Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Serapion of Paramythia, as well as representatives of the Patriarchate and the clergy. Immediately upon his arrival in the Hungarian capital, the patriarch visited the “Fanarion” Orthodox Center for Dialogue, where he offered a prayer at the Church of the Three Saints.

The highlight of the visit will be the solemn ceremony of consecration (opening of the doors) of the church and the renovated Orthodox center, scheduled for the following day. This visit underscores the strengthening of the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople’s interfaith and diplomatic ties in the region.

As a reminder, we previously reported that the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church had officially invited Patriarch Bartholomew to visit Bulgaria in October of this year.