His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew yesterday inaugurated an exhibition of Byzantine iconography and art, entitled "Orthodox Icon, The Saving Grace" by theologian and hagiographer Efstathios Yiannis, at the City of Athens Technopolis.

 

Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis, Technopolis chairman Fotis Ignatiou, Ecumenical Patriarchate Officium Brotherhood chairman Odysseas Sasayiannis and theologian and hagiographer Efstathios Yiannis delivered speeches at the launch of the exhibition, which was dedicated in honour of Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomeos' 70th birthday.

 

Mayor Kaklamanis welcomed His Holiness on behalf of the city of Athens then made the following statement:

 

"Tonight, Art serves to further nurture our relationship. And just as Byzantium itself functioned as a bridge between the historic tradition of Western Civilisation and the inexhaustible sources of the ideals of Hellenism, Efstathios Yiannis' exhibition ‘Orthodox Icon, The Saving Grace', constitutes a perceptible bridge of culture and inspiration between the City of Athens and the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. A bridge which, in today's difficult times, we need more than ever.

 

And not only us, here in Greece, but the entire world. And it is especially significant that, through your personality, activity and limitless love, you have made Orthodoxy a spiritual foothold, a beacon of love and contribution for the global community.

 

Personally, as Mayor of Athens, I derive inspiration from your work and affirm myself to be a humble supporter of our common battles on climate change, social cohesion and spiritual justice. And because spiritual justice and tolerance, apart from being a vested right of European civilization, must become a compass of behaviour for the entire world, I would like you to know that in June, during my trip to Constantinople, on the occasion of Constantinople being declared the 2010 Cultural Capital of Europe, Athens will present a major exhibition in memory of Melina Mercouri at the Topkapi Palace, as part of these events. There, I hope to raise the matter of the reopening of the Theological School of Halki with my counterpart".

 

His All Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarchate Bartholomew conveyed his thanks to and commended Mayor Kaklamanis, Technopolis chairman Fotis Ignatiou and Athina Municipal Radio 9.84 FM chairman Thanassis Kafezas for organizing the exhibition. He then made the following statement in reference to the work of theologian and hagiographer Efstathios Yiannis:

 

"The image of Jesus Christ is an educational image, in accordance with the title of Mr Yiannis' PhD thesis. It teaches us about the Great Mystery of God's Love for us. Looking also at the holy icon of the Virgin Mary and the Saints, we see the restoration of a primordial beauty, the return through God, for the sake of salvation. Mr Yiannis again points out that the holy icons of Orthodoxy do not represent the natural world of decay and death, but reveal to our eyes the Kingdom of God, transformed by the Divine God. He shows how an image that has suffered wear and tear from a fall can be restored to its original beauty.

 

Through this exhibition of icons and elegant compositions, this modest artist invites us to beautify our spirit, to enter the world of his artist ‘grandfather', Aivaliotis Fotis Kontoglou, the great hagiographer. To enter into the beauty of the Byzantine, that is the Orthodox image, and be inspired by God in his image".

 

Visibly moved, hagiographer Efstathios Yiannis thanked all who assisted with the exhibition and referred to the title "Orthodox Icon, The Saving Grace", which, he said, reflects Dostoevsky's well-known phrase "beauty will save the world".

 

He noted:

"God of glory and blessed be your name, for permitting me, at the age of 70, to hold my third solo exhibition of Byzantine iconography and art. I am grateful to God for everything. However, at this official hour, and moment of my life, I feel the need to deeply thank you your Holiness because, beyond all of the great support I have received, you came here to honour me with your presence".

 

For his part, Ecumenical Patriarchate Officium Brotherhood chairman Odysseas Sasayiannis said:

"At this time, the Brotherhood expresses its deep emotion and fulfillment but also happiness because today it offers Athens' art devotees, among others, the opportunity to come into contact with the values of our tradition, namely the elegant aesthetic of Byzantine Art and holy icons, in particular".

 

Technopolis chairman Fotis Ignatiou said:

"The staging of an exhibition of this kind constitutes a milestone, not only in terms of presenting it to a contemporary world, but in conveying Byzantine tradition, by giving visitors an opportunity to admire Byzantine icons and view them as a museum item, worthy of admiration.

 

We consider it a great honour to have Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew here, to inaugurate this exhibition, which was organized on the occasion of his birthday. His illustrious presence and fatherly blessing will give us strength to continue our work".

 

The Byzantine iconography and art exhibition, entitled "Orthodox Icon, The Saving Grace", comprises some 100 Byzantine icons and elegant compositions by Theologian and Hagiographer Efstathios Yiannis. Organised by the City of Athens Technopolis and radio station Athina 9.84 FM, it will remain open until February 9, 2010 (Kostis Palamas Hall, 100 Pireos St, Gazi)

 

Opening hours: 10.00-14.00 & 17.00-21.00

 

Free admission