Elder Metropolitan Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands paid a pilgrimage visit to the land of Ionia, accompanied by the Protosyncellus, Archim. Dionysios Tzitzios, and the President of the Board of the Community of Prinkipo, Agni Nikolaidou, and Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia.
They were shown around the archaeological sites of Symrna and of Ephesus, and the holy sites in Alaçatı, Çeşme and Şirince.
On Sunday, September 19, after the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, they attended the Divine Liturgy in the Church of Saint Fotini in Smyrna, which was performed by Metropolitan Bartholomew of Smyrna.
After the Divine Liturgy, Metropolitan Bartholomew introduced the visitors of the Community to the congregation and asked Elder Metropolitan Dimitrios of the Princes’ Islands to deliver a spiritual homily. The Elder Metropolitan spoke in Greek and Turkish about the meaning of the Cross and the crucifixion ethos in life.
Despina Balkiza, Consul General of Greece in Smyrna, members of the Greek Mission to NATO Headquarters, George Theodoridis, President, and members of the Orthodox Community, members of the Community, and the Great Benefactor of the Holy Metropolis of Smyrna, Mehmet Bastiyali, attended the service.