LAST UPDATE: 19:31
On the 200th anniversary of the martyrdom of Hieromartyr Gregory V, Patriarch of Constantinople, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy at the Patriarchal Church of Saint Georgios in the Phanar today, April 10, 2021.
After the Divine Liturgy, the Ecumenical Patriarch went to the Closed Gate of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, where the Patriarch was hanged, accompanied by Elder Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon Emmanuel, Metropolitan Andrew of Saranda Ekklisies and Metropolitan Ioakeim of Bursa, clergymen of the Patriarchal Court, and faithful.
The Patriarch lit a candle in front of the icon of the Patriarch, laid flowers, and he prayed for the intercession of the Hieromartyr for the Church and the Nation.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sent a message of the 200th anniversary of the martyrdom of his predecessor, Patriarch Gregory V.
As he emphasized, in the long chain of Archbishops of Constantinople, there are figures who lift the cross of duty with joy and deep awareness, and hand it over with awareness, according to what every historical moment dictates.
On the occasion of the 200th anniversary since the martyrdom of such a special historical figure, Ecumenical Patriarch Gregory V, the value that the Holy Faith of the Orthodox, the consistency, the duty and the constant devotion of all to the truth of the Cross and to the certainty of the Resurrection are stressed,” said the Ecumenical Patriarch.
He added that the Church highlighted clemency, tolerance, respect for the other, and treated everyone as brothers of the Lord Jesus. “The Church defends its traditions and principles, it does not give up the good fight.
This is what our predecessor, Hieromartyr Gregory V, fought for, whom the Mother of the Church commemorates today. Commemorating him shows the way forward, illuminates the thoughts and gives us strength.”