His All-Holiness, the Patriarch, accompanied by the Rev. Deacon Joachim, Undersecretary of the Holy and Sacred Synod, and the Respectable Nicholas Maginas, Journalist –Photographer, went to Ankara on the 21st of March. Invited by the Foundation “Engelsiz Yaşam Vakfı” (The Foundation for the Assistance of Persons with Disabilities), the Patriarch attended a special event celebrating World Down Syndrome Day held at the Hilton Hotel. At the event, he greeted those present and spoke accordingly. His All-Holiness was greatly moved as he interacted with those with Down Syndrome. He met with the former Minister of State, the Honorable Gürdal Akşi, with the care-givers of the Foundation, the Mufti of the Capital of Ankara, Prof. Mefail Hızlıt, and the President of the Red Cresent, Ahmet Lütfi, together with other dignitaries.

Amongst an enthusiastic round of applause, His All-Holiness offered three wheel-chairs to assist the disabled and then departed to return to Constantinople after midnight.