Nikos Dendias met today (18/7) with Patriarch of Antioch John I at the Patriarchal seat in Balamand, northern Lebanon, accompanied by the General Secretary of Religions, George Kalantzis. The Defense Minister expressed his horror and sincere condolences for the death of Greek Orthodox faithful at the Holy Temple of Prophet Elijah, as well as Greece’s interest in the Patriarchate and its flock. According to what was announced, the progress of the Greek language program at the University of Balamand was also discussed.
The meeting was also attended by Greece’s ambassador to Lebanon, Despina Koukoulopoulou, the president of the University of Balamand Dr. Elias L. Warrak and the Abbot of Balamand Monastery, Father George.
Συναντήθηκα με τον Μακαριώτατο Πατριάρχη Αντιοχείας κ.κ. Ιωάννη Ι’ στην Πατριαρχική Έδρα στο Balamand, στον βόρειο Λίβανο, συνοδευόμενος από τον Γενικό Γραμματέα Θρησκευμάτων κ. Γιώργο Καλαντζή.
Συζητήσαμε για το ζήτημα της προστασίας των χριστιανικών πληθυσμών στην περιοχή και… pic.twitter.com/MZsehGT1j1
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) July 18, 2025
In his statement after the visit to the Patriarchate, the Defense Minister said: “It is a great honor to be here today to meet His Beatitude Patriarch John. I must say, however, with my sorrow, that the timing of my visit coincides with the tragic events taking place in Syria and the wider region.”
“Violent and unjust murder”
“Allow me to express to the Patriarchate and the Christian community my deep condolences for the violent and unjust murder of the Greek Orthodox faithful at the Holy Temple of Prophet Elijah, which occurred on the same day that was dedicated to the memory of the Saints of Antioch,” the Defense Minister also stated.
“There are no words that can describe the pain and grief that these attacks have caused. And my presence here, as Greek Defense Minister, is a strong reminder of Greece’s interest in the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Greek Orthodox community in Syria,” Nikos Dendias emphasized.
Είναι μεγάλη τιμή να βρίσκομαι σήμερα στο Μπαλαμάντ του Λιβάνου για να συναντήσω τον Μακαριώτατο Πατριάρχη Αντιοχείας Ιωάννη. Θα πρέπει να πω, όμως, μετά λύπης μου, ότι η συγκυρία της επίσκεψής μου συμπίπτει με τα τραγικά γεγονότα που λαμβάνουν χώρα στη Συρία και την ευρύτερη… pic.twitter.com/Yi8wJVtKSq
— Nikos Dendias (@NikosDendias) July 18, 2025
Furthermore, he clarified that “the protection of Christianity is our priority and our ultimate goal is the preservation of the Greek Orthodox tradition. For this reason, we stand by the mission of the Patriarchate of Antioch, which we consider a high symbol of a long-standing and proud Christian tradition. Greece will continue to support the Patriarchate in all international fora, including, of course, our family, the European Union.”
Comments on the Theological School
The Defense Minister then emphasized: “I feel the obligation and duty to say a few words regarding the Theological School, the School of Saint John of Damascus, at the University of Balamand in Lebanon. We have great interest, and I personally have particular interest, in the Greek-language program at the University of Balamand, which started during my tenure as Foreign Minister of the Hellenic Republic. I would like to express to His Beatitude Patriarch my sincere gratitude. Not only for his warm hospitality, but also for his spiritual guidance in these difficult times.”
