On the morning of January 1, 2025, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew presided over the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Circumcision of Christ and the commemoration of St. Basil the Great, held in the venerable Patriarchal Church in the Phanar.
Concelebrating with the Ecumenical Patriarch were Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, Metropolitan Irenaios of Myriophyton and Peristasis, Metropolitan Chrysostomos of Myra, Metropolitan Job of Pisidia, Metropolitan Joachim of Bursa, and Metropolitan Theodoros of Seleucia. The Divine Liturgy was conducted, in accordance with tradition, by the Grand Ecclesiarch Gregory.
Following the liturgy, in his customary New Year’s address delivered in the Throne Room of the Patriarchal Residence, the Ecumenical Patriarch emphasized:
“For us Orthodox faithful, New Year’s Day coincides with the Feast of the Circumcision of our Lord Jesus Christ and the sacred memory of St. Basil the Great. This imparts a joyous, celebratory, spiritual, and contemplative character to the occasion.
This year, the entrance into the new year is further imbued with spiritual fragrance, rooted in the early Christian centuries, from the momentous event of the First Ecumenical Council in Nicaea, which was convened in the fourth century, shortly before the birth of St. Basil the Great, the luminary of the Church whom we celebrate today. This Council, whose 1,700th anniversary is observed this year, profoundly influenced the theological thought and ecclesiastical course of St. Basil and other great theologians of both the fourth and subsequent centuries.
The First Ecumenical Council, convened in Nicaea in 325 AD, laid the foundation for Christian unity, defining the faith we uphold today. In May 2025, the Ecumenical Patriarchate, in collaboration with the Roman Catholic Church, will commemorate this anniversary with a joint celebration in Nicaea. Our humility anticipates welcoming His Holiness Pope Francis for this occasion. This anniversary also brings to the forefront the pressing issue of a unified celebration of Easter among Christians, a subject integral to fostering Christian unity.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the mutual lifting of the excommunications between Old and New Rome by Pope Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras on December 7, 1965. This historic act laid the cornerstone for the rapprochement and dialogue of love and truth between the two Churches.
We glorify the name of the God of love for the abundant blessings granted to us in the past year, which has been rich in initiatives and actions for the Great Church. As always, any recognition directed at our humble person reflects the dignity of the Ecumenical Throne, the supreme institution of Orthodoxy and the Nation.”
In his address, the Ecumenical Patriarch also highlighted global conflicts, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, calling for intensified efforts to promote peace and justice.
“It is inconceivable to speak of religious faith without addressing the necessity of religions to promote peace. Genuine faith in God includes motives for contributing to both inner, spiritual peace and external, social peace, overcoming aggression and violence. The peace-making efforts of religions today are inseparable from interfaith dialogue and collaboration for the common good of humanity.”
Prior to the Patriarch’s address, Metropolitan Emmanuel of Chalcedon, representing the Hierarchy of the Throne, and Archon John Demirtzoglou, Director of the Zographeion Lyceum, offered greetings and best wishes on behalf of the Archons and the Greek Orthodox community of Constantinople.
Metropolitan Emmanuel reminded those gathered: “God is love, and thus to remain in God, we must remain steadfast in love in all its blessed forms.”
Archon Demirtzoglou emphasized the duty of the Archons to defend the Ecumenical Throne and to ensure the continuance of its mission.
This New Year’s Day celebration reaffirmed the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s commitment to peace, unity, and the spiritual renewal of the faithful, underscoring its role as a beacon of Orthodoxy and a witness to global dialogue and reconciliation.
Translated by Ioanna Georgakopoulou
