Ankara, February 13 – Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s recent visit to Ankara, which had been postponed several times last year, concluded with a notable dinner hosted by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The meeting at the Presidential Complex saw the signing of a joint declaration and six agreements between the two nations. Among the distinguished guests at the dinner was Fener Greek Patriarch Bartholomew, whose presence and a subsequent conversation about rosaries captured significant attention in the Greek media.
Rosary Diplomacy: A Unique Cultural Exchange
The “rosary chat” between Erdoğan, Mitsotakis, and Patriarch Bartholomew emerged as one of the most discussed aspects of the visit in the Greek press. Reports from Proto Thema indicated that Mitsotakis showcased his amber-colored rosary to Bartholomew, who in turn displayed his own rosary with golden beads. Newsit further elaborated that Mitsotakis presented his rosary to both President Erdoğan and the Patriarch, sparking a conversation about the tradition of handicrafts in both countries.
According to information obtained, the discussion between Mitsotakis and Bartholomew about their rosaries piqued Erdoğan’s interest. When Erdoğan inquired about their conversation, Mitsotakis reportedly replied,
