CONSTANTINOPLE – Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, in an official Patriarchal letter, congratulated the newly-elected President of SYRIZA, Stefanos Kasselakis. The Phanar issued a statement stating the following: “His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a congratulatory letter to the newly-elected President of the party of the Official Opposition of Greece, Mr. Stefanos Kasselakis, in which he wishes him, as the leader of SYRIZA, and his entire political coworkers, ‘to promote the interests of Greece and its beloved people and to contribute to stability in the region and the prevalence of peace in the world, for which the Church unceasingly prays.'”

The congratulatory Patriarchal Letter follows:

“Your Excellency,

Within just one month of your entry into the political scene in Greece, you have achieved a proud victory, becoming the leader of the party of the official opposition.

On behalf of the Holy Mother Church of Christ, the nurturer and nurse of the Nation, we personally congratulate you and hope that your leadership of SYRIZA and your entire political activity will promote the interests of Greece and its beloved people and contribute to stability in the region and the prevalence of peace in the world, for which the Church unceasingly prays.

Furthermore, congratulating Your Excellency once again, we invoke upon you and your associates the grace and boundless mercy of God.

Bartholomew of Constantinople

September 26

Your Excellency’s earnest supplicant

Bartholomew of Constantinople”