Τhe Ecumenical Patriarch on Wednesday spoke by phone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, with the latter thanking His All Holiness for the donations on the part of the Patriarchate, Metropolises, affiliated foundations and private citizens of the Orthodox faith towards a fundraising drive in Turkey to collect funds for use against the pandemic.
READ MORE: Turkish President thanks Ecumenical Patriarch for aid in coronavirus pandemic
A final news item dealing with the Ecumenical Patriarchate involves an initiative by the Metropolis of Imvros and Tenedos, two small islands in the northeast Aegean, and its new Metropolitan, His Eminence Kirillos, to continue support to at-risk groups on the two isles, especially the elderly.
Meals and foodstuffs are being delivered to the elderly on the islands, with the assistance of the local Orthodox parishes and pupils.
The Turkish state has restricted the movement of people above the age of 65 in public spaces, part of restrictions against the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, many senior citizens in villages and isolated areas are facing difficulties in acquiring groceries.