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26/04/2016

OPAP S.A. supporter of the second phase of the digitization of the Library of the Theological School of Halki

OPAP S.A. supports for the second year the important work of digitizing the library of the Theological School of Halki, undertaken by the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

The relevant agreement was signed at OPAP S.A. headquarters by the President and CEO of OPAP, Mr. Kamil Ziegler and the President of the Board of the Holy Monastery of Agia Triada of Halki, His Eminence Metropolitan Elder of Derkon, Apostolos. The agreement has a two-year duration and relates to the extension of the data storage system and the digitalization of cultural forms of the Library of the Theological School of Halki.

This is a flagship project which will organize one of the richest libraries in the world in incunabula, manuscripts and rare books, according to modern international standards of librarianship.

In particular, the manuscripts date back to the 16th century and include more than 80,000 volumes of ecclesiastical history and theology, works on philosophy, law, rhetoric, archeology, geography, music and Greek and Latin literature. The library’s collection of Slavophone works is unique while amongst rare titles one finds a 1484 text which includes works of Aristophanes and first editions of the Bible.

His Eminence, Derkon Metropolitan, Apostolos thanked OPAP S.A. for its valuable support since 2014. He also conveyed the thanks of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.

“I congratulate OPAP S.A. for its great social and cultural sensitivity. Its contribution is crucial in our efforts to make the Theological School of Halki a global research center for theological issues as well as on the history of Orthodoxy. We watch and admire also the important social work carried out by OPAP SA in Greece aiming to offer the younger generation a better and more hopeful future."

The President and CEO of OPAP SA Mr. Kamil Ziegler referred to the enduring ties between OPAP and the Ecumenical Patriarchate, stressing that the company will contribute the utmost to the work of the digitization of the Library, which is the core of theological thinking and vital part of the Orthodox History.

“OPAP supports the work carried out by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which is today a spiritual  lighthouse of guidance for the world. As OPAP has already proved in practice, it remains committed to supporting this important project of digitizing the Library files so that this unique heritage is passed on to future generations “.