Prime Minister of Montenegro Visits Ecumenical Patriarchate

On 27 October 2023,His Excellency Dritan Abazovic,Prime Minister of Montenegro,visited the Ecumenical Patriarchate.In the absence of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew,who was visiting his beloved native island of Imvros,Turkey,where he likes to recover after a busy travel schedule,the Prime Minister was recieved by His Eminence Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria and other members of the Patriarchal Court.Metropolitan Maximos informed Mr.Abazovic about the initiatives and ministry of the Holy Great Church of Christ in Constantinople.He also distributed commemorative gifts among the Prime Minister and his entourage.As well,His Excellency got a tour of the Patriarchal Church of St.George and its relics,the Patriarchate said in a news release.*Montenegro has a population of 624,484 as of 2023.It was a former Yugoslav republic.The country declared its independence in 2006 and joined NATO in 2017.Most Montenegrins self-identify as Montenegrins,having a strong sense of national identity.They speak a unique Serbo-Croatian dialect called Montenegrin.* The predominant religion of Montenegro is Eastern Orthodoxy (88.7%)-predominantly Serbian Orthodoxy in the Metropolitanate of Montenegro and the Littoral-with minorities of Muslims,Catholics and Atheists/Agnostics as well.* Montenegro's European Union status is Screened Negotiating Candidacy with possible entry by 2025,providing all outstanding issues are resolved.

Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Meets With King of Spain

His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met with His Majesty King Felipe VI of Spain on 16 October 2023.They conferred at the Palace of Zarzuela on the outskirts of Madrid,the offices of the Spanish monarch.Patriarch Bartholomew was accompanied by His Eminence Metropolitan Vessarion of Spain and Portugal.Spain's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for the EU and Collaboration,Mr.Luis Cuesta,also attended the meeting,which took place in a cordial atmosphere.*The Ecumenical Patriarch thanked His Majesty for Spain's interest in the Ecumenical Patriarchate,especially in the Holy Metropolis of Spain and Portugal.Patriarch Bartholomew told King Felipe,who is Roman Catholic,about the priorities of his ecumenical mission and the ministry of the Great Church of Christ in Constantinople.They also discussed the horribly tragic conflicts in Ukraine and the Mideast.* King Felipe congratulated His All-Holiness for receiving an honorary Doctor of Theology degree from the Pontifical University of Salamanca,Spain,as well as for the recent anniversaries of the founding of the Holy Metropolis of Spain and Portugal and the Metropolitan Cathedral of St.Andrew the First-called and St.Dimitrios in Madrid.His Majesty and family actually live in the Pabellon de Principe,the Pavillion of the Prince,referring to when he was the Prince of Asturias,heir apparent to the Spanish monarchy.The Palace Real in Madrid is used for state occasions.*At the end of their meeting,which lasted 45 minutes,the King and Patriarch exchanged gifts and posed for commemorative photos.*After Spain,the Ecumenical Patriarch is making an official visit to Monaco,which is part of the Holy Metropolis of France,from 18-21 October.