On Friday, November 8, 2024, following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Synaxis of the Holy Archangels, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew expressed his joy over the renewed relations between Turkey and Greece and extended his gratitude to those contributing to this effort, particularly the leaders of the two neighboring countries.
The sermon was delivered by Patriarchal Deacon Anatolios Doxastakis.
Attending the service were Hierarchs Hilarion of Winnipeg, Athinagoras of Kydonia, Hierarchical Head of the Bosphorus Region, and Job of Pisidia, along with Archons of the Holy Great Church of Christ, Greece’s Deputy Minister of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports, Zetta Makri, Ambassador Konstantinos Koutras, Consul General of Greece in Constantinople, and Georgios Kalantzis, Secretary General of Religious Affairs of Greece’s Ministry of Education. A group of high school students and their teachers from Trikala, Thessaly, as well as a delegation from the Zografeio Lyceum of Constantinople led by its Director Ioannis Demirtzoglou, and many faithful from Constantinople and Greece were also present.
Immediately following the service, the Ecumenical Patriarch performed a Trisagion for the repose of the souls of the late Patriarchs Sophronius II, Gabriel IV, Constantius II, and Gregory VI, whose remains are interred in the church precinct, as well as for the repose of the departed Hierarchs of the Mother Church.
In his address at the reception that followed in the Community Hall, the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke about the significance of the feast of the Holy Archangels and its connection to the Church’s mission.
The Ecumenical Patriarch said:
“Your visit here comes at a time of renewed relations between Turkey and Greece, for which we give thanks to God. We are especially pleased and grateful to all who contribute and work toward this positive rapprochement between our two neighboring, friendly, and allied nations. Turkey and Greece share so much in common, making friendship and cooperation between them not only desirable but essential—particularly amid the challenging circumstances we face on the international stage.
At the forefront of this commendable effort are the President of the Republic of Turkey and the Prime Minister of Greece, whom the citizens of both nations are pleased to see leading the way in fostering this renewed cooperation.
They believe that only good can come from such an approach and cooperation for both countries, for the broader region, and for world peace. In the field of education, which falls within your area of expertise, our nations are coming closer together. So we expect a lot from you!”
Ecumenical Patriarch at Church of the Archangels in İstinye
On the eve of the feast, the Ecumenical Patriarch presided over the Great Vespers at the celebrating Church of the Archangels in İstinye.
The sermon was preached by the Grand Hierokyrix Panaretos.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch highlighted the profound significance of the feast, emphasizing that to attain the heavenly realm of the Angelic Forces, “every sacrifice and every struggle in this life is worthwhile.”
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
