The Vespers Service of the Resurrection was solemnly celebrated on Easter Sunday morning, April 20, 2025.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, surrounded by Hierarchs Meliton of Philadelphia, Eirinaios of Myriofyton and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theoliptos of Iconium, Theodore of Seleucia, and Tikhon of Tiberiopolis of the Church of Bulgaria, along with the clergy of the Patriarchal Court, presided over the Vespers at the Patriarchal Cathedral.
The Ecumenical Patriarch read the Gospel in Greek and then it was read by hierarchs and clergy of the Ecumenical Throne, as well as representatives of other Christian communities of Constantinople, in various languages.
The Archons of the Ecumenical Throne, the Ambassador of Greece to Ankara, Theodore Bizakis, the Consuls General of Greece, Ukraine, and Moldova in Constantinople—Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Roman Nedilskyi, and Sergiu Gurduza respectively—as well as the Head of the Consulate General of Romania, Lucian Petrișor Cringasu, along with a large number of faithful from Constantinople and abroad, attended the service. The service was also attended by the Provincial Governor of Beyoğlu (Pera), Atakan Atasoy.
Following the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch distributed Easter eggs to the large congregation.
At the reception that followed in the Throne Hall, delegations from Turkey’s main opposition party, CHP, and the HDP party, as well as the Mayor of Beyoğlu (Pera), İnan Güney, accompanied by his associates, also attended to extend their warm wishes to His All-Holiness and the Greek Orthodox Community on the occasion of the Easter feast.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
