Palm Sunday was solemnly celebrated at the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the Phanar.
The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided at the Divine Liturgy, along with Metropolitan Apostolos of Derkoi, Metropolitan George of Pafos, Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Seraphim of Sebastia, Metropolitan Eirinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Theoliptos of Iconium, Metropolitan Nicandros of Irenopolis, Metropolitan Polycarpos of Italy, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Krini, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, Metropolitan Gerasimos of Petra and Cherronissos, Metropolitan Andreas of Saranda Ekklisies and Metropolitan Joachim of Bursa.
With the blessing of the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Archon Myrrhepsos and the Provosts of the Myrrh are set to begin the sacred and painstaking task of producing the fragrant substance, an endeavor, which will take three entire days and culminate with the Consecration on Holy Thursday.
The Divine Word was proclaimed by Deacon Bosporios.
The Divine Liturgy was attended by Bishop Andrianos of Halicarnassus and Bishop Spyridon of Amastris, clergymen, monks of Mount Athos, Georgia Soultanopoulou, the Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, with her husband Ioannis Raptakis, the Ambassador of Greece to the United Kingdom, the Supreme President of AHEPA Jimmy Kokotas, with his colleagues, and a host of worshipers from Constantinople and abroad.
After the Dismissal, the Ecumenical Patriarch offered Palm leaves to the entire congregation.
In the afternoon, the Patriarch presided over the Service of the Bridegroom.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou / Ecumenical Patriarchate