ATHENS — President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou met the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos on Wednesday, praising the contribution of the Church in dealing with the pandemic, as well as the fact that it has always assisted the state, whenever the country or its citizens have need of it.

Sakellaropoulou pointed out that "we went through an unprecedented crisis that created problems, forced us to dramatically change our habits, our daily lives and threatened to disrupt the Church's relations with its flock."

Addressing Ieronymos, she noted that "thanks to the prestige and responsibility that distinguishes you, these difficulties were addressed and you contributed in the best possible way to addressing the consequences of the pandemic in the best way for our country."

"Both in the migration-refugee issue and in the economic crisis, you have always tried to support those that are persecuted and in need. And I sincerely wish you personally, but also the Church as a whole, to continue to convey these messages of love and solidarity to our fellow human beings because I think that we will have absolute need for it in the period that will now follow," added the President.