Sunday 5 December, 2021
Around 2,000 faithful were on hand in three different halls in accordance with Covid-rules for social distancing and celebrated Mass at the Megaron Athens Concert Hall – Christos Lambrakis Auditorium. Mass was accompanied by the organ, the biggest organ in the Balkans, and choirs.
Communion was offered to the congregation after Mass, which was also attended by leaders of the Greek Orthodox Church and Greece’s President, ministers and authorities.
The ceremony was broadcast live on ERT2, the Hellneic Broadcasting Corporation, filmed and covered by international TV, print and online media from around the world, from the specially set up Press Room in the Megaron Banqueting Hall.
Pope Francis was awarded the medal of the City of Athens by the Mayor of Athens Costas Bakoyannis in a brief ceremony following the liturgy.
