On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I presided over the Paraklesis (Supplicatory Canon to the Theotokos) at the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Neochori, along the Bosphorus, marking the beginning of the Theotokos Festival “Theotokeia 2025.”
At the conclusion of the service, Metropolitan Athenagoras of Kydonia, overseer of the Bosphorus district, warmly welcomed Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, expressing gratitude for his continuous spiritual presence. Patriarch Bartholomew in turn praised the parish council for their tireless work in preserving the faith and culture of the local Orthodox community.
In his homily, the Patriarch reflected on the spiritual significance of the Dormition Fast, calling August the “month of the Panagia.” He emphasized that the Virgin Mary is the “Mother of Light,” and that her Son, Christ, is the “Light of the world” (John 8:12). “We are called to walk as children of the light,” he added, referencing Ephesians 5:8 and 1 John 2:10.
“Only what is light is truth,” he declared, connecting the Feast of the Transfiguration to the revelation of divine truth as radiance and illumination. He also highlighted the importance of the saints as living sparks of divine light, preserving hope amid the darkness of the world.
With his blessing, Patriarch Bartholomew officially opened the “Theotokeia 2025,” a cultural festival now in its seventh year. The event began with the inauguration of the photography exhibition “Flowing Light” by distinguished Greek photographer Nikolaos Kasseris, hosted in the church courtyard. The Patriarch praised the artist and his team for offering beauty and spiritual depth to the City of Cities, Constantinople.
Earlier the same day, the Patriarch attended the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of St. George, where Metropolitan Joachim of Bursa presided. At the end of the service, Patriarch Bartholomew greeted visiting pilgrims from the United States, Argolida, and Lamia, offering heartfelt blessings.
In his brief message, he turned attention to the suffering in war-torn regions, expressing deep concern for global peace. With emotion, he referred to the “shame of humanity” that so many are starving in Gaza, especially young children, and called for an end to the conflicts in both Ukraine and the Middle East.
“May peace prevail on this planet wounded by war and violence,” he concluded, before distributing antidoron to the faithful gathered.
Photo credit: Nikos Papachristou / Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
