Leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria in Greece

Archbishop Ieronymos pledged his allegiance to the Christians in the Middle East and North Africa, who, he said, are "being persecuted by fundamentalists."

He made his comments in his address to Pope Tawadros II, the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, who is paying a six-day official visit to Greece which began on Thursday.

Tawadros thanked the Church of Greece for its role in "providing aid to people fleeing war and destruction." He stressed the strong bonds between the two churches, saying, "We have more similarities than differences."