Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at the feast of St. Paraskevi in the historic Church of St. Paraskevi in Hasköy (Pikridion), where he reflected on the witness of Christian martyrs throughout history and warned that Christians continue to face persecution in many parts of the world today.
The church, which was completely restored in 2008 through the generosity of Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, an Archon of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, now serves the Romanian-speaking Orthodox community of Constantinople. The church courtyard is also home to the tomb of St. Argyri the New Martyr.
In his homily, the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke of the countless martyrs and confessors of the faith, including St. Paraskevi, whose feast was being celebrated.
“Truth is under attack. The followers of the Risen Lord are once again being persecuted, especially in the Middle East, the cradle of Christianity, which continues to give birth to new martyrs of the faith in our own time,” the Patriarch said.
He recalled that from the very beginning of Christianity, opponents of the Resurrection sought to suppress the Gospel through intimidation, bribery, and violence, while Roman emperors persecuted Christians with fire, wild beasts, and the sword.
Turning to contemporary conflicts, Patriarch Bartholomew lamented that war is sometimes waged even in the name of Christ, the “Prince of Peace.”
Referring to Russia’s war against Ukraine, he said it was tragic that “the Orthodox Russian Federation turned against its Orthodox neighbour,” while criticizing the Russian ecclesiastical leadership for describing the conflict as a “holy war,” blessing weapons, and promising eternal life to soldiers fighting against “their Ukrainian brothers.”
For Orthodox Christians, the Patriarch stressed, the Resurrection of Christ is the source of life and hope for every human being.
Despite the difficulties and uncertainties of history, he said believers continue to live in the certainty of God’s providence and are called not merely to witness history but to shape it through steadfast faith.
Addressing the Romanian-speaking faithful in English, Patriarch Bartholomew reaffirmed the Mother Church’s pastoral concern for all her spiritual children living within the Archdiocese of Constantinople.
He also reflected on his close ties with the Romanian Orthodox Church, recalling his visit to Bucharest last year at the invitation of Patriarch Daniel of Romania, as well as the Romanian Patriarch’s participation in the Ecumenical Patriarch’s name-day celebrations on Imbros this past June, together with Patriarch Daniil of Bulgaria.
The Ecumenical Patriarch highlighted the spiritual bonds linking Constantinople and Romania through St. Andrew the First-Called, revered both as the founder of the Church of Constantinople and the enlightener of the Romanian people, as well as the shared veneration of St. Paraskevi of Epivates.
He also paid tribute to St. Constantine Brâncoveanu, the Prince of Wallachia, who was martyred in Constantinople together with his four sons for refusing to renounce the Orthodox faith.
“Their blood, shed not far from where we stand today, is the seal of the covenant between Constantinople and Romania—a covenant of faith stronger than any earthly power,” the Patriarch said.
He recalled that Brâncoveanu played a decisive role in rebuilding the Church of St. Paraskevi in Hasköy in 1692, a contribution commemorated by an inscription preserved within the church.
The Ecumenical Patriarch was welcomed by Metropolitan Stephanos of Kallipolis and Madytos, while Andrei Ferendino, Consul of Romania in Constantinople, read a congratulatory letter sent by Romanian President Nicușor Dan on the occasion of the Patriarch’s recent name day.
Also attending the celebration were Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, Moldova’s Consul General in Constantinople, Sergiu Gurduza, accompanied by his wife, and a large gathering of faithful. The sermon during the Divine Liturgy was delivered by Bishop Epifanios.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
