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Greek bishop skips holy object's arrival at military airport

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Greek bishop skips holy object's arrival at military airport
News

News

Greek bishop skips holy object's arrival at military airport

2019-04-28 05:00 Last Updated At：05:10

A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church has been welcomed to Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state on the eve of Orthodox Easter.

But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the holy flame wasn't arriving at the airport within his territorial jurisdiction.

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A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)
Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)
A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)
Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)
Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

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A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Metropolitan Nikolaos of Mesogaia told Greek network Skai TV he learned Friday that the plane carrying the revered object would land at a military airport instead of at Athens International Airport.

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Nicholas said he thought the change of airports "degraded" the Holy Fire miracle that Orthodox Christians believe takes place every Easter at the site of Jesus' tomb.

He decided not to join the official delegation that traveled to Israel on Saturday to collect the lantern.

Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful light their candles with "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

 A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

A Greek Orthodox priest lights candles of the faithful with Holy Fire brought from Jerusalem, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

 Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful attend a mass after the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem was delivered to worshippers, at a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

 Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

Orthodox faithful hold candles with the "Holy Fire" brought from Jerusalem, outside a church in Athens, on Saturday, April 27, 2019. A lantern carrying a flame lit in Jerusalem's Holy Sepulcher Church was welcomed in Greece with honors reserved for visiting heads of state. But a senior cleric boycotted the ceremony, miffed that the "Holy Flame" did not land within his see.(AP PhotoYorgos Karahalis)

PODGORICA, Montenegro (AP) — European Council President Antonio Costa on Wednesday praised Montenegro for its progress on the path toward membership in the European Union, describing the small Balkan country as “one of the finest examples of the EU’s positive enlargement momentum.”

Costa spoke after meeting Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a tour of all six Western Balkan countries aspiring to join the 27-nation bloc.

Milatovic said Montenegro wishes to become the 28th member state by 2028, and pledged to keep up the pace of reforms.

“Our country is proud to have the status of a front-runner in European integration,” he said.

Montenegro and Albania have been at the forefront on the membership path while Serbia, Bosnia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are lagging.

The EU’s willingness to accept new members has grown since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, amid fears that the conflict could fuel instability in the Balkans.

Costa said the “enlargement is the most important geopolitical investment in the stability, peace and prosperity in the Western Balkans, and the whole of Europe."

Montenegro is the smallest of the Western Balkan countries with just over 600,000 people. It has been a NATO member since 2013 when it defied Russia, its traditional ally, to join the Western military alliance.

Costa also visited Kosovo to urge top local officials to make “real and tangible progress” in the the dialogue to normalize ties with Serbia.

“This will come to the benefit of your European path and ultimately the lives of Kosovo’s people," he said at a news conference with President Vjosa Osmani.

The EU and the United States have urged Kosovo and Serbia to implement agreements reached two years ago that include Serbia’s obligation to provide de facto recognition of Kosovo and a commitment by Kosovo to establish an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities.

Kosovo declared independence from Serbia in 2008. Most Western nations recognize its sovereignty, but Serbia and its allies Russia and China don’t.

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

 European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa speaks during a press conference after talks with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

 European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

European Council President Antonio Costa, left, reviews the honour guard with Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic during a welcome ceremony in Montenegro's capital Podgorica, Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)
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