The Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew addressed a prayer in favor of the treatment of patients and the support of all those who are suffering from the pandemic, in the shrine of the miraculous Hagiasma (spring of holy water) in the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi at Baloukli, yesterday Sunday of Myrrhbearers, under special conditions of restrictive measures.
The text of the Prayer was written especially for this purpose and was read after the Divine Liturgy, which was performed at the Katholikon of the Monastery by Metropolitan Meliton of Philadelphia, while the Ecumenical Patriarch and Metropolitan Gennadios of Sassima attended also praying from the Holy Bema.
Previously, the Ecumenical Patriarch performed a Trisagion at the Tomb of Patriarch Demetrius, commemorating all the patriarchs, hierarchs and great benefactors of the Nation who rest in the courtyard of the Monastery.
During his pilgrimage to the Holy Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi at Baloukli, in a short speech, Patriarch Bartholomew referred to the initiative of the “Higher Committee of Human Fraternity”, which was set up in February 2019, after the signing of a joint declaration by the Pope and the Grand Imam of al-Azhar on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. On the occasion of this initiative now all Religious Leaders and believers of various religions are called upon to intensify their prayers to the Holy God to save humanity from the great danger of pandemic, on May 14.
It is recalled that last February the “Higher Committee of Human Fraternity” invited the Ecumenical Patriarch to the anniversary conference they organized in Abu Dhabi. In his speech, the Patriarch highlighted the important role that religions can play for the prevalence of world peace and in promoting respect for human dignity, in a spirit of solidarity and the preservation of fundamental freedoms.
