As we prepare to embark on Holy Week, which will take us to Golgotha and the crucifixion, but ultimately to the glorious Resurrection, today, April 10th, we commemorate and pray for the intercessions of Hieromartyr Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople.
It was on this day, in 1821, that Saint Gregory was hung on Easter Sunday in his hierarchical vestments at the gate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Each year, our spiritual father and shepherd in Christ, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, lights a candle directly beside the permanently closed gate to venerate and remember one of his mainly saintly predecessors.
Today, more than two-hundred years later, the venerable Mother Church of Constantinople continues to stand as an unbending defender of Orthodox Christianity, and through its martyric ministry from the Phanar, a steadfast witness for the countless martyrs and saints throughout the ages.
All Orthodox Christians, and especially Archons of the Ecumenical Throne, have a sacred duty to safeguard and promote the Ecumenical Patriarchate, which has stood as the lighthouse for the Church of Christ for centuries.
In this spirit, with a deep sense of responsibility, and with the blessing and support of His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios, the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada (EPAC) are committing resources to strengthen the Holy Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos and the God-pleasing works being undertaken by His Eminence Metropolitan Kyrillos.
Metropolitan Kyrillos, with the blessing and guidance of His All-Holiness, has resurrected the historic Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos, which is the birthplace of the Ecumenical Patriarch.
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The EPAC is committed to supporting the Mother Church and its Eparchies. By working together with love and humility, we can make certain that Orthodoxy continues to shine and provide hope to people in a darkened world, and that the memory of Hieromartyr Gregory V, and of all the saints, are remembered two-hundred years from now and evermore.
In closing, the EPAC acknowledges and extends its earnest thanksgiving and gratitude to the following Archons and families who selflessly made individual contributions so that the support of the Metropolis of Imbros and Tenedos could become a reality. May Our Lord Jesus Christ bless them and their families, now and always.
Peter and Eleni Koccoris, Great Benefactors of the St. Nicholas Cathedral, in Memory of Archon George Koccoris
Archon Chrisostomos Perentes (Past President of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada)
Archon Evagelos Sotiropoulos and Family (President of the Ecumenical Patriarchate Archons in Canada)
Haroula Topos and Family in Memory of Archon Frank Topos
Archon George Tsitouras
Archon Alexandros Vasilogiannis
Archon Dr. Nicholas Vozoris
Pan Macedonian Federation of Canada (under the Presidency of Archon George Dimitrakopoulos)
Archon John Dagonas
Archon Nicholas Kapelos
