On Tuesday, September 1, 2026, in the afternoon, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew celebrated the Service of Consecration (Hagiasmos) for the Thyranoixia (opening of the doors) of the newly built Chapel of the Holy Archangels, part of the City’s new Poorhouse (Darülaceze, Arnavutköy), whose construction was funded by the charitable foundation of the same name.
The Ecumenical Patriarch subsequently presided over the festive Vespers service.
Hierarchs of the Throne, clergy of the Patriarchal Court, and faithful from the City and abroad joined in prayer. Also present was the President of the historic charitable foundation, Mrs. Esra Ceceli Islam, accompanied by staff members of the Foundation.
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch thanked and congratulated the leadership of the historic Foundation for their initiative and sensitivity in having this institutional church built. He recalled that the very same thing had occurred at the end of the 19th century, when the first complex of the Poorhouse was established: at the initiative of the Sultan of that time, an Orthodox Church of St. George was built on its grounds to serve the worship needs of its Orthodox residents, along with a synagogue and a mosque.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
