A patriarchal and synodal Divine Liturgy was celebrated at the Patriarchal Church in the Phanar, to mark the 30th anniversary of the election of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the assumption of the Patriarchal Throne by the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who was elected in October 1991 and was voted unanimously by the Holy Synod, the new Ecumenical Patriarch.
Yesterday in the Phanar, Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Vespers at the Patriarchal Church, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his ascension to the Ecumenical Throne.
Metropolitan Nifon of Targoviste, representative of the Romanian Patriarchate, Archbishop Nestor of Ternopil and Kremenets, representative of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Hierarchs of the Throne, clergy, monks and nuns, and believers from the city and abroad are present to honor the Ecumenical Patriarch.
Afterwards, the Ecumenical Patriarch received at the Patriarchal House the wishes of the Hierarchy in Turkey, and then of the members of the Patriarchal Court, under the leadership of Grand Protosyncellus Theodore.
In his speech to the members of the Patriarchal Court, the Ecumenical Patriarch pointed out, among other things, that during all the years of his patriarchy he showed special interest in including in the ministry of the Great Church young people with ecclesiastical mindset, education, and open horizons, pious and intelligent, with love for the fellow man, “who will be called to continue the liturgical, sanctifying, pastoral and administrative work of the Church, to participate in dialogues with the rest of Christendom and other religions, to fight for the protection of the rights of the Ecumenical Throne, to continue its traditions, its openness and its good testimony to the world.”
He then announced that, on the occasion of his anniversary, he decided to promote to Second the current Third Librarian of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Alexander, in whose position he promoted Deacon Kallinikos Hassapis.