Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew attended prayerfully the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, February 3, 2024. Metropolitan Maximos of Selyvria presided over the Divine Liturgy with the participation of Metropolitans Andreas of Saranta Ekklisies and Theodoros of Seleucia, during which the annual memorial service was held for the repose of the soul of the late Metropolitan Elder Ioannis of Pergamon.
Archpriests Stefanos of Kallioupolis and Madytos, Athinagoras of Kydonia, and Iakovos of Mexico, along with Benjamin of Tralleis and Archon Konstantinos Delikostantis of the Great Church of Christ, joined by Director of the First Patriarchal Office on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Brotherhood of Offikalioi “Panagia Pammakaristos,” Professor Emmanuel Karageorgoudis, Dean of the Theological School of Athens, and faithful from Constantinople and abroad attended the service.
Following the service, a memorial reception took place, during which the Ecumenical Patriarch spoke about the late Hierarch’s invaluable contributions to the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the field of theology.
As he said, John of Pergamon was “a valuable theological pillar of the Mother Church” and “his theological contribution was unique.” On the occasion, he announced that an International Conference dedicated to the ministry and theological work of the late Metropolitan Ioannis (Zizioulas) of Pergamon will be held at the Phanar next November.
On the afternoon of the same day, the Ecumenical Patriarch presided over the Vespers at the Patriarchal Church.
Translated by Thanos Chrysanthopoulos
