On 29 September 2025, the inauguration of the photographic exhibition: “The Oecumene Proclaims You Its Champion. Saint Demetrios the Myrolytes in the Balkans” took place with grandeur and deep emotion. The exhibition was organized by the European Centre for Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Monuments, in collaboration with the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece and the journal “Theologia.”

The exhibition was jointly inaugurated by His Excellency the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas, and His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, who were welcomed by the President of the Administrative Board of the E.K.B.M.M., Emerita Professor of Byzantine Archaeology, Ms. Natalia Poulou.

Speeches at the event were delivered by His Excellency the President of the Republic, Mr. Konstantinos An. Tasoulas, His All-Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew, His Beatitude the Archbishop of Athens and All Greece, Ieronymos II, the Patriarch of Bulgaria, Daniel, and the envoy of the Patriarch of Serbia, Porphyry, Metropolitan of Naissus, Mr. Arsenios. The Chair of the Board of Directors of the E.K.B.M.M., Emerita Professor Natalia Poulou, spoke about the organization and objectives of the exhibition.

Also in attendance were the Minister of Education, Ms. Sofia Zacharaki, representing the government and the Prime Minister; the Secretary-General of the Parliamentary Group of ND, Mr. Maximos Charakopoulos, representing the Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament; the Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Giannis Loverdos, Development, Mr. Stavros Kalafatis, and Labor and Social Security, Ms. Anna Efthymiou; the His Beatitude the Archbishop of Albania, Ioannis; representatives from Patriarchates, Archdioceses, and Metropolises of Orthodoxy; former Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Evangelos Venizelos; members of parliament, local government officials, and representatives of the military and security services.

After the speeches, a guided tour of the exhibition was conducted by the Director of the E.K.B.M.M., Dr. F. Karagianni, during which representatives of each Patriarchate cut the ribbon in the exhibition areas dedicated to the respective churches of Saint Demetrios.

Venue: Thessaloniki Concert Hall, Building M1 
Exhibition Duration: 29 September – 20 October 2025
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00–14:00 Wednesday: 18:00–20:00
Guided tours and educational programs are available.
Information – Reservations: +30 2310 889 830
Free admission.