The Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, with a deep sense of responsibility, follows with grave concern and unease the numerous provocations perpetrated against the Christian faith in different parts of the world today, and expresses its deepest sorrow for the events that have transpired these last days, culminating in yesterday's outrageous and unacceptable acts committed within the venerable confines of St. Sophia, acts which assuredly do not officially expess Turkey.
The Holy Synod wholeheartedly prays that the overwhelming majority of the Muslim element in our neighbouring Country, which obviously neither embraces nor approves of violence, will participate in protecting from every harmful attempt at thwarting the historical efforts of His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomaios and His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI, Leader of the Roman Catholic Church, to foster and promote collaboration between the Churches and Religions and to strengthen World Peace.
The Church of Greece once again reiterates her complete support of the institution and the struggles of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to defend the rights of religious freedom of the minorities in Turkey, rights safeguarded by international treaties, and remains the Patriarchate's consistent assistant and unswerving fellow-traveller.
His Beatitude, Archbishop Christodoulos of Athens and All Greece, and the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece pray that the journey and sojourn of the Head of the Roman Catholic Church, to and in Constantinople will be safe and that their discussions and collaboration will prove successful and fruitful.
From the Press Bureau of the Holy Synod.
