A festal Divine Liturgy for the Feast of Theophany was celebrated at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George at the Phanar, presided over by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, together with Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv and All Ukraine.
Following the festal concelebration, the traditional ceremony of the Santification of the Waters took place at the Phanar pier on the Golden Horn.
The Ecumenical Patriarch spoke in particular about the situation prevailing in the country’s Orthodox Church, following an analysis of the reasons that led him to grant autocephaly. He also referred to the need for prayer and reconciliation in the country.
For his part, Metropolitan Epiphaniy focused on Russian aggression and on the stance adopted by the Russian Church throughout the war, particularly through the promotion of the concept of the “Russian world.”
Following the festive concelebration, the ceremony of the blessing of the waters took place at the quay of the Phanar on the Golden Horn.
A large number of faithful were present, while the Greek government was represented by the President of the Eurogroup and Minister of Finance, Kyriakos Pierrakakis. The President of PASOK, Nikos Androulakis, was also present at the Phanar.
Metropolitan Epifaniy of Kyiv is paying an official visit to the Phanar, having arrived yesterday accompanied by the Metropolitans Symeon of Vinnytsia and Bar, and Hilarion of Rivne and Ostroh, as well as other clergy and lay associates.
