Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visits CERN

On Wednesday 3 December 2014, His All Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, visited the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva after an invitation by the Director-General of the Organization, Professor Rolf Heuer. The Ecumenical Patriarch visited the largest experiment in the world, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which has a circumference of 27km at a depth of 100m under the franco-swiss border.

This visit coincided with the 60 year anniversary from the founding of CERN and constitutes a symbolic step in the further enhancement of the dialogue between Church and Science. It should also be underlined that the Ecumenical Patriarch is the first head of an Orthodox Church who visits CERN.

During his visit, the Patriarch was also briefed by Professor Heuer on the activities of the Organization and, in particular, on the upgrade of the LHC, which is underway, so that by next spring it will be fully operational at higher energy levels. Towards the end of the visit, the Patriarch participated in a discussion with scientists at CERN, during which he presented the views of the Church as regards Creation, the dialogue with Science and the great contribution of Science towards the peaceful cooperation between States.

The Ecumenical Patriarch was accompanied, among others, by His Eminence Metropolitan John of Pergamon, His Eminence Metropolitan Jeremiah of Switzerland, as well as by the Permanent Representative of Greece to the UN, Ambassador Alexandros Alexandris.

Greece is a founding member of CERN since 1954 with a very active participation in the various activities of the Organization.