Tasoulas: Orthodoxy Unites Half of Europe Through Culture and Faith

Orthodoxy serves as a unifying historical, cultural, and spiritual tradition for nearly half of Europe’s population, declared Greek Parliament President Konstantinos Tasoulas on Monday.

He made these remarks while welcoming Ioan Vulpescu, President of the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy (IAO) and a Romanian MP, during an official meeting in Athens.

Tasoulas highlighted the enduring relevance of Orthodoxy in shaping modern Europe. “For more than 30 years since the establishment of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly on Orthodoxy, Romania has been not only a founding member but also one of the most active participants, thanks in no small part to Mr. Vulpescu’s efforts,” he said.

Vulpescu, addressing contemporary challenges like the global economic crisis and its impact on Europe’s social, spiritual, and cultural traditions, underscored Orthodoxy’s vital role in navigating these issues.

Maximos Charakopoulos, head of the Greek delegation to the IAO, expressed gratitude for the Greek Parliament’s ongoing support. He emphasised that one of the IAO’s core missions is to promote Orthodoxy’s religious heritage, which he described as a foundational pillar of the European Union’s cultural identity.

The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Greece, Romania, and other member states to preserving and promoting Orthodoxy’s rich legacy as an integral part of Europe’s cultural fabric.