Bulgarian Orthodox Metropolitan Visits Constantinople, Turkish Thrace

Metropolitan Gabriel of Lovech has made a pastoral visit the Bulgarian Diaspora in Constantinople and Turkish-occupied Thrace, first visiting St. Stephen's Iron Church in Constantinople, the representation of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church to the Ecumenical Patriarchate, and then concelebrating with Patriarch Bartholomew (Arhondonis) of Constantinople on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the latter's election as ecumenical patriarch. After his time in Constantinople Metropolitan Gabriel visited the two Bulgarian-speaking parishes in Adrianople (Edirne in Turkish) before returning to Bulgaria. More (in Bulgarian) here.

PM Vows to End Anti-Muslim Discrimination in Grece

During his recent visit to a Turkish Muslim village in Greek-occupied Thrace Prime Minister George Papandreou of Greece committed himself to addressing the challenges faced by Greece's Muslims in public life. Among other things this would mean more Turkish-language services in Thrace and national efforts to end discrimination against Muslims in the majority Orthodox country. More here.