Balamand, Friday, November 26, 2004 - Since it is the tradition in the Orthodox Church that the newly elected primate visits the other Orthodox churches, Archbishop LEO of Karelia and All Finland, elected in 2001, gave an official visit to the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch. He first visited the His Beatitude Patriarch IGNATIUS IV at the Patriarchate in Damascus, then he visited Balamand, and St. George Al-Humayrah Monastery. The Orthodox Church of Finland is an autonomous Church under the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. The Orthodox Church of Finland has members throughout the country, with a total membership of about 60,000 (2002). In recent decades, the membership has been steadily growing. Web Site of the Church of Finland http://www.ort.fi
 Archbishop Leo of Finland arrives to Balamand Monastery gate, and Bishop John Yazigi, Priests, and students of the Institute of Theology welcome him |
 Thanksgiving Prayer Service in Balamand Monastery |
 Attending the Prayer Serv ice: Bishop Ghattas, Dr. Eli Salem, UoB President, Bishop Luka, and Metropolitan Boulos of Akkar (not shown, Mr. Atta Moussa, Director of Balamand High School) |
 Bishop John Yazigi welcomes again the Archbishop, offering Him the "St. John of Damascus Silver Plate" to thank Him for His gracious visit. |
 Visiting the Manuscripts Collection Library |
 Visiting the Theological Library |
 Archbishop LEO had Lunch with the Faculty, Students and Staff of the Institute of Theology |
 After Lunch, Archbishop LEO gave a presentation on the life of the Orthodox Church in Finland |
 The Archbishop Receives the Balamand Publications from the Dean, Bishop John Yazigi |
 Visiting the University Campus, at the Office of the President, Dr. Elie Salem |