Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew departed today, Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from the Phanar for Thessaloniki, where he will undertake a multi-day pastoral and ceremonial visit to the Metropolis of Thessaloniki and neighboring ecclesiastical districts.
During his stay, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew will preside over services at three churches of the Metropolis of Thessaloniki. He will officiate at the Church of the Three Hierarchs on the feast day, Friday, January 30; at the Cathedral and Pilgrimage Church of Hagia Sophia on Sunday, February 1; and at the Byzantine Church of the Presentation of the Lord on its feast day, Monday, February 2.
The Ecumenical Patriarch will also lead the anniversary events marking the 155th anniversary of the Philoptochos Brotherhood of Men of Thessaloniki. Among other engagements, he will deliver the central address at the official celebration of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki for the feast of the Three Hierarchs and will attend the inauguration of the named Academic Chair “Metropolitan of Drama Pavlos – Ecclesiastical History and Culture of Eastern Hellenism (11th–20th centuries)” at the University’s Faculty of Theology.
At the invitation of their respective hierarchs, the Ecumenical Patriarch will further visit the Holy Metropolises of Neapolis and Stavroupolis and of Nea Krini and Kalamaria. During these visits, he will preside at the opening service of the Parish Church of Saint Paraskevi at the Stavroupolis Cemetery and at the opening of the Church of Saint Charalambos in Kalamaria.
During the Patriarch’s absence, Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria has been appointed as Locum Tenens. He accompanied Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to the airport, together with Metropolitan Gregorios of Ankara, Protosyncellus of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
