The Prime Minister of Montenegro paid an official visit to Archbishop Ieronymos today at noon, Professor Dr. Zdravko Krivokapic, accompanied by the Ministers of Finance and Social Solidarity, Milotsko Spasic, Economic Development, Jakov Milatovic, and the Montenegrin consul in Thessaloniki, Vassilis Apostolopoulos.
"I sincerely welcome you to the Holy Archdiocese of Athens, the chair of the Apostle of the Nations Paul in the Church of Greece and I welcome you to our place ", stressed in his address-welcome the Archbishop. Alongside, He said that the period is very difficult due to the pandemic and noted that "you are visiting Greece at a time when we are leaving behind an economic crisis which has been quite difficult for us and we are going through another crisis., of a sanitary nature, which robs the whole world and, with God's help, I believe that we and you will be winners in the end ".
in addition to, spoke about the relations between the two countries, noting that “your country, Montenegro, as one of the countries of the Blood Peninsula, Many times in its history it has faced common problems with our country, we accompanied each other in difficult moments of unfreedom and slavery and experienced hope as an existential eschatological perspective of our common Orthodox faith and tradition. From the revolution of Stefan Voislav to his referendum 2006, with which you gained your independence, the people of montenegro have always been advocates of freedom and justice. A little one, but a dynamic country, with wonderful people who were distinguished in their faith in God, in the arts, sciences and letters. A country that honored its Orthodox heritage and promoted holy figures and modern spiritual personalities ".
The Archbishop spoke, yet, for the future integration of Montenegro into the EU, for which he underlined that "at a geographically pivotal point, with influences from Europe and the Blood Peninsula, with the wonderful mountain and sea landscapes of the Adriatic, "Montenegro is rightly preparing to join the European Union and move forward vigorously," he said, adding that "all this can make a positive contribution to strengthening our relations.", the relations of two like-minded countries in an environment which will be of solidarity, fraternal and will aim at the welfare of the people. I wish to assure you of the feelings of friendship and brotherhood that the Greek people have for the friendly people of Montenegro. The Greeks who visit your country convey their enthusiasm for your beautiful and hospitable country and the holy pilgrimages".
End, he wished "wholeheartedly that your projects will be successful and that God will help you to implement your plans for the human being and the progress of your friendly country".
In his objection, the Prime Minister of Montenegro expressed his joy, but also his emotion for the meeting with the Archbishop and referred to the Holy Kingdom of Ostrok, whose memory is honored today by the Church, to emphasize that "all our people today are happy for this holiday, because Saint Basil works miracles and gives strength and joy to everyone".
Then, he referred to the blessed metropolitan of Montenegro Amfilochios Radovic and noted that "today the saint Amfilochios of Montenegro, whom you have met, rejoices with us especially from heaven. We are distinguished neither by knowledge nor by origin, but with the good works we do". Take note, yet, that in the period of communism the faith was covered and hidden until the time when Amfilochios was elected metropolitan. "The spiritual rebirth and the pastoral work of the metropolitan are proven today by the fact that many young people have received the holy sacraments and participated in the holy gatherings". He declared, also, that he defends the right of the faithful to participate in Holy Masses even during the period of the anti-coronavirus measures.
"Today, unfortunately, we forget the spiritual life of man, but the time has come for there to be a balance", said Zdravko Krivokapic and then referred to the good relations between Montenegro and Greece, for which he stressed that "the fact that Montenegro is always fighting for freedom, justice and the Holy Cross are what unite the two peoples. And on our way to the EU. Greece will support us ".
He commented, yet, that the Montenegrin government is facing various trials and called on the Archbishop to wish to endure, but also for the friendship of the two countries to progress.
The consul of Montenegro in Thessaloniki, Vassilis Apostolopoulos, made it known that the prime minister the first thing he asked for was to meet with the Archbishop. "For me this was very important", noted and added that “in my short tenure, The aim was to serve to further strengthen the ties between the two countries in the diplomatic and economic level and I am very glad that the Prime Minister is a deeply religious person and I will be happy to serve the strengthening in the religious level as well. ". The Prime Minister presented the Archbishop with an icon of St. Basil Ostrog, while the Archbishop offered him an image of the Apostle Paul, of the founder of the Church of Greece, and a book with the Christian monuments of Boeotia.