Immediately upon his arrival in Thessaloniki, and at his personal request, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Toumba Stadium to pay his respects to the seven young PAOK fans who lost their lives in Tuesday’s tragic road accident in Romania.
Accompanied by Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, the Patriarch laid seven white roses at the stadium in a poignant tribute to the victims. Deeply moved, he offered the condolences and support of the Mother Church of Constantinople to the grieving families, the team’s management, and the wider PAOK community.
During his visit, the Patriarch announced that on Friday, January 30, following the service at the Church of the Three Hierarchs, he will perform a Trisagion (memorial service) for the souls of the seven young men. He also noted that the service would honor the five women who perished in Monday’s devastating factory fire in Trikala.
In his statement, the Patriarch noted:
“I come with deep pain to this place of memory. These young men lived moments of joy and triumph here. They traveled toward France with the hope of victory, but their dream met a tragic end in Romania. In the blink of an eye, the thread of their lives was cut, plunging their families and all of Greece into mourning.”
He concluded by highlighting the deep historical ties between the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the club: “PAOK and AEK will always move the hearts of the Greeks of Constantinople; our bonds are unbreakable.”
Bodies of victims return to Greece
The bodies of seven PAOK football supporters who died in a devastating road accident in Romania are being returned to Greece on Thursday aboard a Greek Air Force aircraft.
The aircraft is scheduled to land in Thessaloniki, where relatives, friends, and fellow supporters are expected to pay tribute to the victims. Supporters’ groups have announced plans to honor the deceased upon their arrival, describing them as “brothers” whose loss has left the community shattered.
Related: The Dark Side of the Stadium: A History of Greek Sports Tragedies
