ATHENS – The Greek delegation has been in Jerusalem since 9:00 on Saturday morning. From the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, and under stringent security measures, it will receive and transport the Holy Light to Athens.
For security reasons, the delegation consists of three individuals. Specifically, the Holy Light will be transported to Athens by the head of the delegation and government representative, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Greeks Abroad, Giannis Loverdos, the Exarch of the Holy Sepulchre in Athens, and a representative of the Holy Synod.
The Greek delegation will attend the ceremony of the Holy Light, after which, at the Patriarchate, Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem will hand over the Holy Light to Loverdos.
The special flight, operated by a government aircraft, is expected to return to Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos at approximately 18:30–19:00. Subsequently, 18 special flights have been scheduled to distribute the Holy Light throughout Greek territory.