On July 14, 2024, the Sunday of the Holy Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod in Chalcedon, the Ecumenical Patriarch attended the centenary celebration of the Metropolis of Princes’ Islands at the Metropolitan Church of Saint Dimitrios.
The Divine Liturgy was concelebrated by Metropolitans Demetrios of Princes’ Islands, Meliton of Philadelphia, Seraphim of Sebastia, Panteleimon of Veria, Barnabas of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Chrysostomos of Messinia, Bartholomew of Smyrna, Chrysostomos of Symi, and Agathangelos of the Phanar.
In his address to Metropolitan Demetrios of Princes’ Islands, the Ecumenical Patriarch reflected on the founding of the Metropolis and its centenary milestone. He remarked, “Indeed, this decision of the late Predecessor, Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory VII, and the Holy and Sacred Synod, added to the provinces of the Throne in Turkey after the shrinkage of the churches of the Great Church through the Treaty of Lausanne.”
He continued, “We honor today, on the solemn day of the official celebration of the anniversary of the Holy Metropolis of Princes’ Islands, the 630 Fathers of the Fourth Ecumenical Synod in Chalcedon, who affirmed the unconfused, unchangeable, indivisible, and inseparable unity of the divine and human nature in the face of the eternal Word of God.”
The Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized the importance of the Chalcedonian doctrine for human salvation and the experiential truth of God-Manhood expressed in the mystery of the Divine Eucharist. He affirmed the ongoing presence and testimony of faith, dedicated to preserving the sanctuaries and the heritage of our fathers.
In conclusion, he offered his blessings, saying, “We wish, in your person, Your Eminence and dear Shepherd of the Holy Metropolis of Princes’ Islands, every perfect gift for the beginning of a new century of course and testimony. We pray to the all-merciful and benevolent God to bless your spiritual ministry and the pious clergy, the honorable members of the Ecclesiastical Committees of Princes’, Halki, Antigone, and Proti. To all who have gathered and prayed in this anniversary sanctuary and those who have passed away in the Lord for a good reason, we extend our heartfelt prayers.”
