Govt signs agreement with Constantinople Patriarchate

Budapest, March 4 (MTI) – A strong and successful Hungary can only be built on national, Christian and European traditions, Prime Minister Viktor Orban said after the government signed an agreement with the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople today.

Christian culture is the guiding principle of the history of the Hungarian nation, Orban said at the signing ceremony in parliament.

Hungary has only ever been strong when the state has seen churches as allies rather than enemies, he said.

The Hungarian government is signing agreements with all churches which have played an important role in Hungarian history and which represent values that Hungary will need in the 21st century, he added.

The Orthodox church has made a large contribution to Hungary’s intellectual and material growth, as well as playing an important role in the life of minorities, in their culture and education, Orban said.

Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew I said the agreement is an important milestone in the Patriarchate’s relations with the Hungarian government.

Photo: MTI

Source: http://mtva.hu/hu/hungary-matters