Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the festal celebrations on the Monday of the Holy Spirit, 1 June, at the Church of the Holy Trinity of the Historic Community of Stavrodromi.
The homily was delivered by Deacon Evlogios Tsatsas, Codicographer of the Holy and Sacred Synod.
Following the Dismissal, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew bestowed the Offikion of Grand Preacher upon the Very Reverend Archimandrite Caesarios Chronis, Archivist of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Ecumenical Patriarch was greeted with words of respect and devotion by the Hierarchical Head of the Community, Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches, and by the President of the Community Committee, Archon Laosynaktis of the Great Church of Christ, Mr Georgios Papaliaris.
In his reply, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew referred to the tenth anniversary of the convocation of the Holy and Great Council of the Orthodox Church, whose proceedings, he recalled, commenced on Monday of the Holy Spirit in 2016 in Kolymbari, Chania, under his presidency. As its central motto, the Council adopted the phrase from the Kontakion of Pentecost: “He has called all to unity.”
The Patriarch observed: “It was this unity that the Council in Crete proclaimed, despite the absence, literally at the eleventh hour, of four Orthodox Autocephalous Churches. To these Churches and to their brother Primates, we extend an invitation to study anew the six texts and decisions of the Council, together with its Encyclical and Message, and to proceed synodically to their adoption. Such an act would constitute the only appropriate response and a fitting expression of respect for the labours of their representatives and predecessors, as well as for the sacrifices made over decades by all the Orthodox Churches, with the Great Church of Christ taking the lead. The Mother Church understands her prerogatives not as privileges but as responsibilities of sacrificial service for the unity and stability of the Holy Churches of God. The ministry, sanctification, and salvation of all those who are in various ways ‘weary and heavy laden’ constitute the very reason for the existence of the Mother Church of Constantinople.
By the grace and good pleasure of God, the Holy and Great Council took place and has already become a historical event, for which we take pride and glorify the Giver of all good things. We ourselves personally thank Him because, in His inscrutable will, He called us thirty-five years ago to the Most Holy Ecumenical Throne and entrusted to us as our immediate flock all of you who constitute the Greek Orthodox community of this historic City. Remaining closely united with the Mother Church, we mutually provide one another with reasons for joy and thanksgiving, or, should God so will, for co-crucifixion and common endurance of suffering. Yet such sorrowful moments in our historical journey are followed by resurrection, and we continue our course, ‘never departing from our duty.’”
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his appreciation to Metropolitan Andreas of Forty Churches “for his labours and vigilant concern for this Community, which is an ornament and source of pride for our local Greek Orthodox community,” and to His Grace Bishop Benjamin of Trallee, “who works within this sacred vineyard with zeal and faithfulness.” He also blessed the clergy serving in the region.
The Patriarch further congratulated the Community Committee, under the presidency of “Mr Georgios Papaliaris, who labours greatly on behalf of the churches and institutions of our community,” for its work and “for its tireless efforts in addressing the many needs of the Community.”
Addressing the students of the historic Zographeion and Zappeion schools, who attended together with their teachers, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew said: “In conclusion, we turn our words to you, our beloved children, and wish you a blessed feast day! Enjoy nature, the mountains, the trees, the sunshine, and the sea. The good God created all these things for us. Cultivate beautiful friendships among yourselves. Love and help your elders, who love you and labour for your sake. The Church, the Community, and society expect much from you. We pray as your spiritual father that you will not disappoint anyone’s hopes or expectations. Your Patriarch will always be by your side, ready to support you in your noble struggle to attain the spiritual heights of what is beautiful, great, and true, that is, all those values that will make you genuinely happy in life.”
Among those present were Their Eminences Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa, Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia, and Metropolitan Gregorios of Ankara; the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras; and a large number of faithful from Constantinople and abroad.
Following the service, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, accompanied by Mr Papaliaris and members of the Community Committee, and in the presence of Ambassador Koutras, toured the small exhibition of ecclesiastical treasures recently established in the gallery of the magnificent church.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
