In a festive atmosphere, the Vespers of the Resurrection was celebrated on the morning of Easter Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, after vesting in his hierarchical vestments in the Throne Room, proceeded in procession to the Patriarchal Church, surrounded by Metropolitans Iosif of Proikonnesos, Meliton of Philadelphia, Eirinaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, and Chrysostomos of Myra, as well as by the clergy of the Patriarchal Court, and presided over the Vespers.
From the synthronon, the Patriarch read the Holy Gospel in Greek, after which it was proclaimed in various languages by hierarchs and clergy of the Throne, as well as representatives of other Christian communities of Constantinople.
Among those in attendance were the Ambassador of Greece to Ankara, Theodoros Bizakis; the Consuls General of Ukraine, Roman Nedilskyi, of Canada, Natalie Britton, of Georgia, Aleksandre Jishkariani, and of North Macedonia, Idris Fazlioski, along with their families and associates. Representatives of the Consulates General of the United States, Moldova, and Romania were also present, as well as Archons of the Ecumenical Throne and a large number of faithful from Constantinople and abroad.
Following the dismissal, the Patriarch distributed red Paschal eggs to the large congregation.
At the reception that followed in the Throne Room, the Mayor of Constantinople, Nuri Aslan, the District Governor of Beyoğlu, Abdullah Atakan Atasoy, as well as representatives of political parties and local municipalities, attended to extend their Paschal greetings to the Patriarch and the Greek Orthodox community.
Photos: Nikos Papachristou
