"We are proud as Greeks and for our doctors. The Patriarch came ill and is leaving very healthy ". With this statement, the Archbishop of America Elpidoforos expressed his appreciation for the recent health adventure of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. As revealed by the Archbishop, after the Patriarch's recent hospitalization in Washington, the need for further examinations was identified, as there were signs of a possible heart problem.
"In Washington, the suspicion began that something was running from the heart from the examinations that took place there. Of course, the clinical image of the Patriarch impressed them, how is it possible after the first suffering to endure all this program that was done and went famously thanks to the strength and will of our Patriarch. But we were not complacent, the results of the Washington exam, with discretion and some secrecy, we were processing them, we sent them to the excellent doctors we have here and finally the operation was done and we reached this result which is impressive, as doctors tell us . We are also proud as Greeks for our doctors. The Patriarch came ill and is leaving very healthy ", stressed characteristics.
The Archbishop spoke of a chronic illness but also of a favorable time, as the need for surgery was identified at the appropriate time, thus allowing the Patriarch to address the problem in one of New York's best and most specialized hospitals. As he mentioned, "It turns out that everything,what happens in the world is done with the providence of God. It seems that God loves our Patriarch and the fact that this journey finally took place was also God's providence. If it had not been done, the chronic illness from which the Patriarch suffered would not come to the surface, Our Greek doctors would not have diagnosed it with such efficiency and accuracy, The Patriarch would not be in the hands of the only doctor in the world who performs this operation without open heart surgery. Here, at Mount Sinai, Mr.. Dangas is the only one who performs this operation without open heart surgery. Throughout the operation, the Patriarch talked to the doctors about spiritual issues and asked him questions about religious issues and answered everything - he did not feel any discomfort.- had only the human concern we have when we know we are lying down and a wire is running through our hearts. It was very good and now it is even better. After the operation he said "thank God and everything is due" ».
Satisfaction in the Medical Team of the Ecumenical Patriarch
The head of the medical team that supervised the Ecumenical Patriarch, George Dangas, he expressed his satisfaction, saying that the operation was a success and that the doctors provided for a more holistic management of the medical problem that arose. "We did very well. His Holiness is in excellent condition and we expect him to leave within the day (Thursday). With good and after resting as he wishes today. I think the situation as a whole has been handled very well and we are all completely satisfied. This is an older situation, which he had processed I imagine in some ways, but we processed it, one would say, to greater depth and breadth, as a result we find the most suitable one, and the preferred way of treatment after the proper medical advice but also obviously with His Holiness ", explained Mr.. Dangas.
Continuing, The Chief Physician expressed the assessment that the demanding program of the Ecumenical Patriarch's tour in the USA did not have any substantial impact on his health. As he stressed, "In my opinion not (did not affect). It went well and I think he showed great skill and endurance combined with all this very difficult program he had. And I think this is due to the huge will he had to make this visit and get to know the whole American community up close and I think that psychology always plays a big role in the treatment of heart diseases and all diseases.. I think if he did not have this extra motivation to visit, maybe things were different. I think it had amazing endurance, perseverance but also titanic mental strength ".
After the completion of the operation, the Ecumenical Patriarch thanked the entire medical team, which consisted of Mr.. Danga, George Syros, Stamatios Lerakis, but also all the staff of Mount Sinai University Hospital. As informed by Mr.. Dangas, the Ecumenical Patriarch "thanked the whole team of our hospital, one would say a historic hospital of Mount Sinai, In a sense, which elsewhere could be His Holiness. We have also visited the Monastery of Agia Aikaterini on the theobadic Mount Sinai. We are here at the hospital of the same name. I think this is also a factor special for His Holiness in a psychological way. We have all the ties by coincidence one would say, by blessing, as His Holiness said, with Istanbul. My father was born in Istanbul, My cousin Syros has a family in Istanbul and Lerakis from Chios. This is an additional human factor, whom he praised and discussed himself ".
End, The chief doctor explained that after the discharge that the Patriarch will take, it will be discussed how long he will need to recover before taking the road back to Istanbul.. "It simply came to our notice then, the day after he was discharged from the hospital. We are not in a hurry. There is no need for violence in these matters and decisions will be made collectively and with his participation, obviously. His Holiness dealt with it with exceptional vigor and calmness and fully met the expectations of the entire Greek community and us doctors ".