Archbishop Hieronymos: “The Church does not take revenge”

Written by Romfea.gr. 23/04 11:30

By Emilios Polygenis

The meeting of the Archbishop of Athens and all Greece Mr. Hieronymos with the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs Mr. Kyriakos Pierrakakis was completed a while ago.

Archbishop Hieronymos crossed the threshold of the Ministry of Education in Maroussi, accompanied by the Chief Secretary of the Holy Synod, Archim. Ioannis Karamouzis, the Director of the Foundation for Pastoral Education of the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, Archim. Theologian Alexandraki and officials of the Synod.

It should be mentioned that the Minister of Education Mr. Pierrakakis, after welcoming Archbishop Hieronymos, thanked him for his first visit to the Ministry as Minister of Education.

Also, Kyriakos Pierrakakis referred to the historical ties of State-Church relations and spoke about cooperation in the context of solidarity and the distinct roles between the two sides.

“Of course, as you have said too many times, we aim at the same thing, State and Church, for the good of the Greek people. And that is precisely why cooperation between us is necessary, always with respect for the distinct roles of State and Church, but always, however, in a spirit of solidarity. And in this sense, Your Beatitude, and to close this short welcome, since we are approaching Holy Week, I think there is no better wish than these two words, which are already beginning to be heard throughout the country: Happy Resurrection” – emphasized the Minister of Education.

His Beatitude, for his part, characterized the visit as an occasion for an exchange of views on common issues that concern Church and State.

At another point, the Archbishop spoke of cooperation saying that “cooperation is the best medicine to deal with problems”.

Also, after the end of the meeting, Archbishop Hieronymos, in statements he made to journalists, emphasized that “the Church does not take revenge and loves everyone”.