Today, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy in the Patriarchal Church on the occasion of the commemoration of the Holy and Glorious Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, with the participation of the Grand Ecclesiarch Gregory.
Concelebrating with the Ecumenical Patriarch were the Archpriests: Elder Emmanuel of Chalcedon; Elder Apostolos of Derkoi; Elder Demetrios of the Princes Islands; Sotirios of Canada; Chrysostomos of Dodoni; Makarios of Aneon; Meliton of Philadelphia; Panteleimon of Xanthi, Eirinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Chrysostomos of Myra, Theodoritos of Laodicea, Theoleptos of Iconium, Nektarios of Corfu, Athenagoras of Belgium, Anthimos of Alexandroupolis, Chrysostomos of Patras, Eugenios of Crete, Ambrosios of Korea, Nathaniel of Kos and Nisyros, Dionysios of Zakynthos, Stephanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Job of Pisidia, Maximos of Ioannina, Maximos of Selyvria, Amphilochios of Andrianople, Apostolos of New Jersey, Ioustinos of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, Chrysostomos of Symi, Nathaniel of Chicago, Myron of New Zealand, Ierotheos of Lemnos, Philotheos of Thessaloniki, Prodromos of Rethymno and Avlopotamos, Iakovos of Irealnd, Andrew of Forty Churches, Ioakeim of Prusa, and Theodore of Seleucia.
After the dismissal, the Ecumenical Patriarch was addressed by the Metropolitan Elder Emmanuel of Chalcedon, on behalf of the venerable Hierarchy of the Throne.
In his speech, the Ecumenical Patriarch warmly thanked the Metropolitan Elder of Chalcedon for “expressing the love and honor not only of those present but also of the brother Bishops who are praying from afar”. He also thanked all those who came to celebrate with him or sent him their congratulations. Referring to today’s feast of the Apostles Bartholomew and Barnabas, he pointed out, among other things, that the Apostles of the Lord “proclaimed the Gospel of salvation to the whole creation ‘with much patience… in sincere love, in the word of truth, in the power of God’ (2 Cor 6:4-7)”.
He then added: “The ‘apostolic work’ is at the heart of the Church’s life and identity. As declared by the Holy and Great Council of Orthodoxy (Crete 2016), it is ‘the breath of life that the Church breathes into human society, making the world a Church’ (Encyclical, § 6). As it is written, ‘the Church is light, and only that which is light is the Church'”.
This is the timeless mission of the Church of Christ. Of course, the times and the signs of the times change. Today the Church lives in a different world to which she must bear witness. It is a world that she cannot ignore or reject, nor, of course, can she adapt herself completely to it.
The two points of reference and orientation for the apostolic witness of the Church today remain a) fidelity to the tradition of truth, which is not the past but a living and life-giving presence in the Church, or rather the very life of the Church, and b) the present historical and cultural realities and the signs of the times.
The Ecumenical Patriarch then addressed the younger generation:
“Addressing the new generation, we emphasize that our Hellenic Orthodox tradition is a source of inspiration, existential enrichment, and creativity. It sharpens our sense of truth and the meaning of sacrifice and service, of the high values that always presuppose self-transcendence and orientation toward the common good. Never in human history have spiritual values been taken for granted. This is a very timely observation today when there is a widespread belief that responsibility, freedom, justice, and peace will automatically result from the progress of science and technology, economic development, and on-line communication. The truth, however, is quite different.
At the end of his speech, the Patriarch thanked the Hierarchs, his co-workers, and all those who support the Mother Church. After the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch received in the Patriarchate the greetings and the festive gift of the Venerable Hierarchy of Turkey, followed by the clergy and laity of the Patriarchal Court, led by the Grand Ecclesiastic Gregory, who addressed the Patriarch, who responded with fatherly words.
Afterwards, the monks of the Holy Monastery of the Venerable Forerunner – Bigorski of the Archdiocese of Ohrid conveyed to the Ecumenical Patriarch the warm wishes and respect of their Abbot, Bishop Parthenios of Antania, and his brotherhood.
Afterwards, the shepherd of his birthplace, Metropolitan Kyrillos of Imbros and Tenedos, and the High School of Imbros students expressed their wishes, respect, and gratitude to their compatriot, the Patriarch.
On the eve of the feast, the Ecumenical Patriarch received a delegation from the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Church of Crete, led by Archbishop Eugenios, who conveyed the warm wishes of the Hierarchy, clergy, and people.
Photo: Nikos Papachristou
