Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople left for Austria on Sunday afternoon. He visits Salzburg, Austria, where he will rest for a week, and then he will go to France, where he will visit the family of his brother Antonios in Devon-les-Bains for a few days, Orthodox times writes.

In Salzburg, he will be received and accompanied throughout his stay in the country by Metropolitan Arseniy of Austria.

During the absence of the head of the Phanar, the elder Metropolitan of Chalcedon Emmanuel was appointed patriarchal representative.