The Bishop and especially the Archbishop and Patriarch give testimony of life and death, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew pointed out, in his speech, after the Divine Liturgy, which he officiated, on December 18, 2021, at the Church of St. Dimitrios, where there is also the ancient hagiasma dedicated to Saint Sebastian.
On the occasion of the 48th anniversary, on the same day, from his election as Bishop (Metropolitan of Philadelphia), the Patriarch said:
“As every year so this year, this pilgrimage is a personal humble expression of praise and glorification, thanksgiving and gratitude to the Lord, Who deemed us worthy to celebrate another anniversary, the 48th anniversary since our election as bishop, on this very day in 1973. We remember with great emotion everything that took place from the moment that our blessed spiritual father, Metropolitan Meliton of Chalcedon, announced to us by phone, due to absence in Athens in those days, the election to the vacant Metropolis of Philadelphia.
Speaking about the life of St. Sebastian, the Ecumenical Patriarch reminded that after his martyrdom he was proclaimed the third patron saint of Rome, where he is especially honored on January 20, and went on to say:
“The feast of Saint Sebastian teaches us patience and bravery. This blessed and sacred place in which we have the privilege to live teaches us patience and bravery. Patience and bravery are also taught throughout the centuries that have passed since the day on which Saint Andrew the First-Called laid the first altar in Constantinople and from now on. Many times through all these centuries the boat of the Church was badly shaken here, but it was never sunk or will be sunk because it is written that the gates of Hades are still under the dominion of the Church.”
